THECHOSENONE:

BOI
TUMELO
[
2/6,
11:
17AM]DeeBee:
Int
roduct
ion
.
.
.
"Youar etheChosenone.Youshall
sitnexttoyourhusbandatyourr
ight
fullchai
r.OurQueen!Hai
lQueen
Mokoena"

"Tumi tsohaman( wakeup)"thatwas

Mom i nterr
upti
ngmef rom yet
anotherwi er
ddream,I'
vebeenhav i
ng
alotoft hoselat
ely.
Me:
"DoIhav
etogot
oschool
?"

Mom:"
ohhcomeonit'
syourl
astday
i
nHighschool
,
chi
nup"

Me:
"t
ruecan'
twai
ttogetdonewi
th
Hi
ghSchool"

Mom: "nowakeupandgotake
bath,
tourbr
eakf
asti
sonthet abl
e".I
stoodupanddidasIwastold.
.
.
Hiever
yonemynamei sBoi tumelo
Mokoena,
Iam 18y earsofageandI
am doi
ngMatric,Istaywithbot h
Mom andDad.Ihav e3ol derbrother
s
and1oldersi
ster, basi
callyIam the
l
astborn,
Iam closewi thallmy
si
bli
ngsandtheyar everyprotecti
ve
ofme.I'
m averyr eservedper son,
I'
m
qui
etandshy.
DESCRI
PTI
ONOFMYSELF
I
'm asi
ze36,Iam l
ightski
nnedandI
havelongnatur
alhair
.
CHARACTERSFROM MYSI
DE
Mom-
45
Dad-
50
Bont
le-
26-
Sibl
i
ng
Thapel
o-25-
Sibl
i
ng
Thabang-
25-
Sibl
i
ng
Thabo-
23.
-Si
bli
ng
Zi
ntl
e-18-
Best
ie,
theonl
yfr
iendIhav
e.

Youwil
lmeetot
herchar
act
ersal
ong
theway
.
.
.
.
Hopey
ouwi
l
lenj
oyt
hest
ory
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
°#Chapt
er1°
☆
☆
☆
Afterdoingthewhol ehy gi ene
process,Iwor emybl ackkneehi gh
skirt
,mywhi t
eshor t-
sleev edShi r
tand
mybl ackpullover,
withmywhi te
socksandbl ackschool shoes.I
l
ookedatmy selfi
nthemi rror,
damnI
l
ookgoodi nt hi
suniform, I
'm goingto
misswear ingi t
.Iquicklywentt ot he
ki
tchent oeatmybr eakfastt henI
wentt oknocki nmybr other's
backroom, heusuallytakesmet o
school i
ncar .Thestorybehi ndthi
s
carisconf usi
ng,Thabosayshisrich
fri
endl enthimthecarbutthiscar
hasbeenher eathomef orfartoo
l
ong, noonecanl endyoutheircarfor
2y ears,nomarn.Ithi
nkThaboi s
i
nv ol
v edinsomegangst ershit
,but
that'
snoneofmybusi ness.

Thabo:
"Ey
ymara,
kengnou
nana?(
Whati
sitnow?)
"

Me:"i
t'
stimef
ory
out
otakemet
o
school"

Thabo:
"aykant
iwhydi
dGodgi
vey
ou
feeti
fyouwontusethem towal
kto
thetaxi
rankandcat
chat axi
to
schooll
ikeot
hernor
mal ki
ds?"

Me:
"ehhexcuseme,
youpromisedme
t
otakemeschoolever
yday"

Thabo:
"t
hatwasaf
tery
ou
bl
ackmail
edme"

Me:"ohhhaobatl
eThabo(ohhyou
don'
twantt o?
)"Igavehi
mt he'
Iwil
l
sni
tchony ou'l
ook.
Thabo:
"yesesumpi
mpi
sani
(youar
ea
sni
tch)
"

Me:"getreadyheeabut i,wear e
l
eav i
ngi n20mi nut
es"Iwal kedback
tothemar nhouse.Myhousei snot
thatfancy ,
butitisoneoft hebiggest
housesi nmyhood.Mom i sanur se
andDadi sanaudi torforsomebi g
company .MyOl dersisterisa
qualif
iedt eacherwhoseal somar r
ied
tomywonder fulbr
otheri nlawLi zwi
whoi sapol i
cedetective.Thapel o
andThabangar ebothlawy ers,
they
dothesamet hingsever yt
ime, t
hey
sti
llstayher eathome, theyal sohav e
thei
rownbackr ooms,andtheyare
bachel
orstheychangegi r
lsevery
weekjustl
iketheirl
i
ttlebr
other
Thabowhoi sdoinghis5thy eari
n
Medici
neinWI TS.

Anywhobackt ot
hest ory,
Thabo
fi
nal
lycameoutofhi sr oom after30
minutes,
hewasn'talone,hewaswi t
h
averyskinnydarkgir
l.Theyfinall
y
camet owher eIwasst andi
ng,which
wasnextt othecar.

Me:
"sur
elydi
dtakey
oursweett
ime"
Thabo:
"wabat
lahoyasgel
aor
not?
(doyouwanttogotoschool
or
not?
)"

Me:
"mxm"

Thabo:
"or
eng?
(what
?)"

Me:
"ni
x(not
hing)
"

Thabo:"
mmhh" .Heunlockedthe
car,
thenheopenedt hefr
ont
passengerdoorformebuthisgirl
quickl
ygotinbeforeIcoul
d,I
chuckl
edandopenedt
hebackseat
.

Thabo:"
Rey
athat'
sTumi
'sseat
"she
l
ookedathimli
keshewasaboutto
ki
llhi
m.

Rey
a:"
what
?"

Thabo:"
eyychayi
sakamor
ao
marn(gototheback)
"

Reya:
"i
nsupposedt
osi
ther
e,Iam
yourgi
rl
fr
iendmos"
Thabo:"
eyy,
bri
kanetdaar
!(
eyyst
op
ri
ghtther
e)Sincef
rom when?
"

Rey
a:"
Hai
boThabo!
"

Me:
"abut
iit
'sf
ine,
Iwi
l
lsi
tatt
heback"

Thabo:"t
hol
awena(shutupyou)
.
Eit
heryousitatt
hebackoryouwalk
home"hewasl ooki
ngatReya"your
choice"
.Shegotoutl
ookingpi
ssed
asev er

Rey
a:"
her
eisy
ourseatpr
incess"she
soundedsoannoyed.Thenshegotin
thebackseatwhi
leIwentt
othefront
seat.Thabogoti
nthedri
ver
'sseat.
Helookedatme

Thabo:"j
walewemet sehor ekeho
tshayel
ehor eubofelebanta?(ar
eyou
waiti
ngformet otellyoutofasten
yourseatbelt?)
"He'srudedamn!I
quickl
yfastenedmyseatbel t,
thenwe
droveoff.Wewer equietthewhole
wayunt i
lwegott oRey a'
shouse.She
gotoutandbangedt hedoor ,muchto
Thabo'sirr
it
ati
on
Thabo:"yehwenaRey a!!"Shelooked
athim" comeher e"shewal kedback
tous" whosedoorar ebangi nglike
that?
"Hi sfacewashar d, Idon'tknow
whyhe' smaki ngabi gdeal outoft hi
s.
Onewoul dsweart hatthiscari sa
Maser ati
,
kanti i
t'
sjustanor dinary
blackVW Gol f7.

Rey
a:"
mxm"sher
oll
edherey
es

Thabo:"
don'tt
estmeRey acauseyou
won'tpassme"WTF!Rey alookeda
bi
tscared"Nowopent hatdooragai
n
andcloseitpr
operl
ythisti
me
around"Il
ookedathi
mli
kehewas
goingcraz
y.

Rey
a:"
butTh.
..
-"

Thabo:"y
eey!
"Hesai dinacalmy et
commandi ngtone.Reyaquickl
ydid
asshewast old."Goodgir
l.Nowgi v
e
meagoodby ekiss"hesai
dashe
coveredmyey eswi t
hhishands,t
hen
Ionlyheardthekissi
ngsounds,si
es.
Heremov edhishandaf t
erafew
minutes.

Me:
"canwegopl
ease,
I
'm wr
it
ingi
n
anhour
sti
me"

Thabo:"
skantat
isaphela(don'
trush
me) "
.Ifol
dedmyar msandsul ked.
Againwet r
avel
ledinsilenceunti
lwe
reachedmyschool ,
ofcoursehet r
ied
tal
kingtomeonal lthewayt o
school,
butIj
ustignoredhim.

Thabo:"
ong'kwat etsi?
(Youangryat
me?)"Ijustlookedathi m" Mysweety
pi
e,Nunuberryy aka,Barbi
e,
MyMel l
ow
Yel
low"asmi l
eaut omat i
cal
lymadeit
waytomyf ace."That '
sthesmil
eI
wantedt osee"
Me:
"youar
ever
yrudeThabo"

Thabo:
"noIam not
"

Me:"
keepondeny
ingi
theeabut
i.I
seeyoufi
nal
l
yhaveagir
lf
ri
end?
"

Thabo:
"Who?Me?
"

Me:
"yeah"

Thabo:
"andwhoi
sthatl
uckygi
rl
?"
Me:"
Reya"iy
oh!mothostar
ted
l
aughingsohard,
heevenhadtear
sin
hi
seyes."Mxm"Iopenedthedoor
.

Thabo:
"Iwi
l
lbewait
ingf
oryou"he
sai
dashegotbusyonhisphone

Me:"
aibot
hepaperi
s2andahal
f
hour
s"

Thabo:
"Iknow"Ireal
l
ydidn'
twant
hi
mt owaitformebecauseIhad
pl
answi t
hZintl
eandsomeofmy
cl
assmat
es,andhim bei
nghere
meansIwil
lhavetocancelcauseI
knowhewon'tal
lowmet ogo.

Me:
"Don'
tyouhav
eacl
asst
oday
?"

Thabo:"
for
tunat
elyno"wel
li
tis
unfor
tunat
eforme.

Me:"
uhm won'ty
ougetbor
edof
sui
ti
nghereonyourown,
I'
m mean
whataregoi
ngtodotokeepyou
busy?
"
Thabo:"
Inev ergetbor
edev enwhenI
am onmyown.Besi deIhav emy
phonewi t
hme"Damn!Het ookhi
s
eyesoffhisphoneandl ookedatme
withaccusingeyes"WhydoIgeta
feel
ingthatyoudon'twantmet owai
t
foryou"

Me:"
whaaaaat
?*gi
ggl
es*That
'snot
t
rue"

Thabo:"
iknowyouTumi
,
onceyou
st
artstagi
ngwordsi
tmeansy
ouare
l
ying.
"
Me:"f
inethingi
smeandsomeofmy
cl
assmat eswereplanni
ngtogoto
st
eersaf t
erthepaper,
Iknowyou
weren'tgonnaal
lowmet ogo"

Thabo: "soyouweregoingtogo
withoutaskingforpermissi
onifI
didn'tsayIwill
waitforyou"Il
ooked
down" wow!That'
snothowwedo
thingsBoi t
umelo"

Me:
"iknow"

Thabo:
"whatmakesy
outhi
nkIam
notgoi
ngtoall
owyoutogowi
th
t
hem"uhhbecausey
ouar
ecr
azy

Me:
"iknowy
ouabut
i"

Thabo:
"Mxm.Let'
ssayIal
l
owy out
o
gowithyourf
ri
ends,
whatt
imedoyou
thi
nkyougonnacomebackat?
"

Me:
"idontknow,
around4may
be"

Thabo:
"okay
,whoar
eyougoi
ngwi
th"

Me:"
wit
hZi nt
leandsomeofmy
cl
assmates"
Thabo:
"don'
ttheyhav
ename?
"

Me:
"ohhi
t'
sThandi
,
Siy
abonga,
Tsh.
..
-"

Thabo:
"Woah!Hol
dup,di
dIhearyou
menti
onaguy '
sname?Sothereare
goi
ngtobeboy st
her
e?"

Me:
"yes!
"

Thabo:
"youar
enotgoi
ngt
her
e"
Me:"
butabut
i,
it
'sj
ustahar
mless
out
ing"

Thabo:
"howmanyboy
sar
egoi
ngt
o
bether
e?"

Me:
"3"

Thabo:
"andgi
rl
s?"

Me:
"3"

Thabo:
"Boi
tumel
odoyouthinkIam a
fool
?Isthi
shar
mlessout
ingofyour
s
somesor
toft
ri
pledat
e"

Me:
"Nooo!
"

Thabo:
"youar
enotgoi
ngandt
hat
's
fi
nal
"

Me:
"Youaresodr
amati
c!"Islammed
t
hecardoorandf
uri
ousl
ywal ked
i
nsi
dethegatewi
thhi
m call
ingme

Thabo:
"yeewenaBoi
tumel
o"
■
●
○
Whatar
eyourt
houghtonmyf
ir
stt
ry?
☆
☆
☆
#Thabo
#Rey
a
#Tumi
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er2
◇
◇
◇
I
twasj
ustaf
terwehadf
ini
shed
writi
ngourpaper ,
learnerswere
walkingoutoft heschool hal
l
screami ngandj umpi ngupanddown.
Wewer eallexcitedaboutf i
nishing
Mat ri
c,nowallwehadt oworryabout
wasourr esul
ts,j
ustt hi
nkingabout
them makesmecr i
nge.Iwas
standingwi t
hZi ntl
e,andtheot her4
l
ear nerswepl annedt ogot oSt eer
s
with.

Zi
ntl
e:"
sos't
handwasam si
onfor
St
eersri
ght?(
myloveweareonfor
St
eerstodayri
ght
?)"
Si
ya:
"Don'
tcal
lhert
hat
"Ibl
ushed,
I
ki
ndahaveacrushonSi
ya.

Me:"
unf ort
unatel
yno!Thabois
wai
tingf ormeaswespeak, he
act
uallyrefusedwhenIaskedhimf
or
per
mi ssion"

Zi
ntl
e:"
butbabet
heplanwast
ogo
wi
thouthi
spermissi
on"

Me:"well
hefoundoutaboutt
hat,
and
hegotpissedabouti
t.I
twouldhave
beeneasiert
ogowi t
houthi
s
permissi
onifhewasnotwait
ingfor
mebyt
heschool
gat
e"

Lumka:
"Howdi
dhef
indout
?"Ikept
qui
et

Zint
le:
"youtol
dhim,
didn'
tyou"I
nodded" Damn!
"

Me: "
wellIdidn'
texactlyt
ellhi
m.He
askedmei fIwaspl anni
ngongoing
withoutaskingf orpermi
ssion,
Ij
ust
keptquietandl ookdownt henheput
2and2t ogetherandcameoutwi tha
4"
Si
zwe:
"Damny
ouar
esoi
nnocent
"

Si
ya:
"andIl
i
ket
hatabouther
"

Zint
le:
"ul
i
kerul
i
ke(
ani
)la?Nxah!"She
pull
edmyhandandwewal kedaway
fr
om them

Me:
"t
hatwasr
udeNt
le"

Zint
le:
"nxah,hej
ustpissesmeoff
.
Thatguyisapl ayerandIdon'
twant
youtof al
lforhi
m"
Me:"
iknowhisst
atusIwoul
dnev
er
f
all
forhim"

Zint
le:
"iknowyouli
kehim Boot
y"
that
'swhatshecall
smebecauseI
haveahugeass,accor
dingtoher.

Me:
"noIdon'
t"i
blushed

Zi
ntl
e:"y
ourcheeksar
ered"

Me:
"mxm"
Zi
ntl
e:"
ihear
dsomet
hingt
oday
"

Me:
"whatdi
dyouhear
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
ther
e'sabet
"

Me:
"onwho?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
You"

Me:
"Agai
n?!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
m sor
rybabe"
Me:"i
t'
sfi
ne,
I'
m usedtot
hisal
ready
.It
doesn'
tevenhurtany
more"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Siy
awasal
soi
nont
hebet
"

Me:
"What?
!Thatbastard"j
ustt
hen
myphonestar
tedri
nging."
Thabo"

Thabo:"ohokae?Khal
ekeyeme
hi
er(wherear
eyou?I'
vebeenwai
ti
ng
here)
"

Me:
"key
atl
a(I
'
m comi
ng)
"
Zi
ntle:
"Rudebr
othermi
ssesy
ou
al
ready?"

Me:
"yeah!
"

Zint
le:
"l
etsgo,Iwantt
oseehi
s
handsomef ace"

Me:
"st
opl
ust
ingov
ermybr
other
s"

Zint
le:
"whosai
dtheymustbet
his
hot?"
Me:"mxm".Wemadeourwayto
Thabo'
scar,
hewasst
andingout
side
thecarsmoki
ngaci
garet
te.

Thabo:
"whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
"

Me:
"Iwasbusy
"

Thabo:"
andthen?Whomadey ou
angry
?Isitt
hatbroomst
ickf
ri
endof
your
s?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
mri
ghther
eyouknow"
Thabo:"y ourpresencei sirr
elevantto
me.Poonki etal
kt ome, whatwr ong?"
Hepul l
edmei ntohi schest.Ilooked
atZintl
e,shegav emet hedon' tt
ell
himlook.Iwasal sonotpl anningto
tel
lhim,hei sapsy chowheni tcomes
tome.Lastt i
meabetwasmadeon
me,hehunt edeachandev eryguy
i
nvolvedi nthebet .Letmej ustsay
somel andedi nhospi tal,
somewer e
neverseeni nschool everagain.
Anywhobackt othepr esenttense,I
hadtocomeupwi thsomet hingthat
won'tmakehi m gopsy choonme.

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tl
ikewhaty
ousai
dear
li
er
t
oday
"

Thabo:
"whatdi
dIsay
?"

Me:
"youref
usedt
oletmegowi
thmy
f
ri
ends"

Thabo:"
mxm kant
i.Youwil
lbest
rong
l
ilone,
myansweristhesame.Now
l
et'sgohome"

Me:"cany
oupl
easedr
opZi
ntl
eather
house"
Thabo:
"No!
"

Me:
"Thabo!
"

Thabo:
"No!
"

Me:"
fi
net
hen,Iwi
llcatchat
axi
wit
h
her
."Hel
ookedir
ri
tated.

Thabo:
"Fi
ne.Geti
nthecar
".

Me:"yey!
"Ijumpedandki
ssedhis
cheek,t
hatmadehim gi
vemeahuge
bri
ghtsmi l
e.Mybrot
herreal
l
yloves
me,all
ofthem i
nfact
.Wegotinthe
carandleft
,.Wefi
nal
lyr
eached
Zint
le'
scri
b.

Thabo:
"youcangetof
fnowbr
oom
st
ick"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Don'
tfor
getaboutmysi
ster
's
weddi
ngthi
supcomingweekend"

Me:"
ial
readyspoketotherent
s,t
hey
al
lowedmet ospendtheweekend.
Soyouwillf
etchmeonFr i
day"
Zintl
e:"
wil
l do.Byebabe"shekissed
mycheek." Byegr
umpy "sherol
led
hereyesandgotof fthecar
.Weal so
droveoffandwenthome.Whenwe
gotthereall ofmyfamilywassitt
ing
i
nt heloungechat t
ing.Iqui
ckl
yranto
gi
v emysi sterabighugwhenIgoti n.

Mom:
"if
eel
sounl
oved"

Me:"
ohcomeonMaIsawy outhi
s
morni
ng,i
nfactIseey
ouever
yday.I
hav
en'tseenBin3days"

Bont
le:
"i
t'
sni
cet
oseet
hatIwas
missedbysomeone.Unli
kethese
douchebagswhoaskedmef or
moneyt hemi
nuteIgothere"

Thapel
o:"
wedi
dnotdot
hat
"

Me:"
youguysarelawyer
sbuty'
al
lst
il
l
askformoneyfrom B?Wow!
"I
l
aughed"Cheapskat
es"

Thabang:
"wear
enotcheapskat
es"

Me:
"Bwear
egoingshoppi
ng
t
omorr
owri
ght
?"Ifl
ashedhermy
cut
estsmi
l
e

Bont
le:
"f
orwhatnow?
"

Me:"
fort
heweddingthatIam goi
ng
t
o,pl
usIneednewclothes"

Bontl
e:"
youhav
eal
otofcl
othest
je
poonki
e"

Me:"Pl
ease!
"Il
ookedatherwi
thmy
puppyeyes

Bont
le:
"don'
tgi
vemet
hatl
ook
please,
youknowIcan'
tresi
sti
t"I
carri
edonlooki
ngather"Fi
ne"I
j
umpedandhuggedher .

Thapel
o:"
woahwoah!Emang
pel
e,whatweddi
ngar
eyoutal
ki
ng
aboutTumi?"

Me:"
Myf r
iend'
ssi
steri
sgett
ing
marr
iedandIwasinvit
edtothe
wedding"

Thabang:
"Whywer
en'
twet
oldabout
thi
s?"
Mom: "ahhhletmethi
nk"she
pretendedli
keshewast hi
nk"ohy
eah
Igotit,
becauseyouaren'
ther
parents"

Bontl
e:"
besidesMom andDad
alr
eadygaveherper
mi ssi
ont
oat
tend
thewedding"

Thapel
o:"
wit
houtouri
nput
?"

Mom:"
hai
bo,
kant
iwhoar
eher
par
ent
s?"
Thabo:
"wear
eal
soherpar
ent
s"

Mom:"noyouarehersibli
ngs,y
ou
shoul
dloveandpr ot
ecther,
you
shoul
dalsoletherli
veherli
fe"

Thabang:
"wedol
etherl
i
veherl
i
fe"

Bont
le:
"yeahr
ight
"

Thapelo:
"weseri
ousl
ydo.Ri
ght
guys?"Theychant
edinagr
eement
Mom: "
Don' tli
e.Youalway swantto
gowherev ersheis,i
fshegoest othe
malloneofy ouhastobet here,
i
fshe
goestothet uckshoponeofy ou
mustgowi thher,
youev engoasf ar
assit
ti
ngi nt hecarforhoursand
hour
sout sideherschool gatewhile
she'
sinschool "

Bont
le:
"youtr
eatherl
ikeafr
agi
l
eegg.
Youacti
ngli
keshe'sgoingt
obr
eaki
f
youarenotnextt
oher"

All
ofthem:"
she'
souregg"wel
ooked
atthem t
henwelaughed.
Mom: "
all
wear esay
ingi
s,
giv
eher
spacetobreat
he"

Thabang:
"Poonki
e,
arewesuf
focat
ing
you?"

Me:"
Ithi
nkineedt
ogot
othe
bat
hroom"

Bontl
e:"
justal
l
owhert
odot
hingson
herown"

Thabo:
"wedoal
l
owhert
odot
hings
onherown"

Bontl
e:"
li
kewhat?At
tendi
ngschool
onherown?Thatbecauseyoudon'
t
haveachoice"

Mom: "
ifi
twasuptoyouguy s,
you
wouldbewithheri
neverysi
ngle
per
iodshewentto"welaughedagai
n.

Thabang:
"t
hat
'snott
ruemom"

Mom:"
youareexact
lyl
ikey
ourdad,
he
di
dn'
twantt
oletBontl
eoutofhi
s
si
ghtwhenshewassti
ll
young.He
di
dn'
tevenwanthert
ogetmarri
ed"

Thapelo:
"seet
hatmeanswel
ear
nt
fr
om thebest"

Mom:"
mydaught
erisgoi
ngt
othi
s
weddi
ngandt
hatfi
nal
."

Thabo:"
doesshehavetogoona
Fri
daythough?Whydoesn'tshego
onaSat ur
dayontheactualweddi
ng
day?"
Dad:
"iwasal
soagai
nstt
hatson"

Thabang:
'
yeah,
thatwaywewi
l
lbe
abl
etogowi t
hher"

Mom: '
no,
she'
sspendi ngtheweekend
atZint
le'
shouse.Andt he4ofy ou
wil
lnotspoi
lthafforher."Il
aughed
agai
n,Idi
dn'
tevenwannacomment
onthisconv
o,ojustkeptmymout h
shutandwatchedt hem speak.

Thapel
o:"
Butm-
..
."
Mom:
"nobut
s"

Bontle:"
youguy sshouldall
owherto
growonherown, all
owhert obeable
tostandonherown.She' sgoingto
Varsitynextyear,
whatifshe'sgoi
ng
tobei nanothercity
,t
henwhat ?She
shouldlearntostickonherown"

Thabo:
"anot
herci
ty?
"

Dad:
"Thatwon'
thappen"

Bont
le:
"youwi
l
lnev
erknowdad.Just
l
etherexpl
ore,
shei
sgrownnow,
she
hastoexper
iencet
heworl
donher
own.Li
kehav i
ngaboy
fri
-.
..
."

Dad&Br
os:
"WHAT?
!!
!"

Thabo:
"Noboy
fri
ends,
shei
sver
y
young"

Thabang:
'
Thatwi
l
lhappenov
ermy
deadbody"

Dad:'
iwi
l
lanyst
upidboyt
hatcomes
nearmybabygi
rl
"
Me:"
dady ouareanaudi
tor
,whatwill
youshootthem wi
th?Numbers?"
Me,mom andBontlecr
ackedupi n
l
aughter
,whil
edadandmybr other
s
werefuming.

Thapel
o:"
Boi
tumelo,
youarenotgoi
ng
tohaveaboyfr
iendunt
ily
ouareold
enough"

Mom:
'
andhowol
disol
denough?
"

Dad&Br
os:
"30y
ear
s"wel
ookedat
t
hem shocked.

Me:
"I
YOH!
!That
'si
mpossi
ble"

Dad:
'
not
hingi
simpossi
blebaby
".

Me:"lemmej ustgoandchanget his

uniform" .Ist oodupandwentmy
room l eavingmycr azyf ami l
yarguing
aboutwhat ev eri
tistheyar earguing
about .Ichangedi ntomybl ackshor t
andmyov ersizedT-shir
t ,
Itookmy
l
aptopandwat chedamov ie.Whil
eI
waswat chingmybr othersdecidedt o
entermyr oom, Ishi
ftedmyey esfrom
thel
aptopandlookedatt
hem wi
tha
smil
e,
theysmil
edback.ManIlov
e
mybrother
s.Theyjoi
nedmeonthe
bed.

Thabang:
"it
houghtwewerespendi
ng
theweekendtoget
hert
hisweek"

Me:
"weal
waysspendt
heweekend
t
oget
hert
jeabut
i"

Thabang:
'
iknowbutwealway
s
di
ffer
entt
hingst
oget
her
"
Me:"
yeah.Butt hi
stimear oundIam
goi
ngt oaweddi ng.It
'snotli
key ou
guysarewi t
hmeal ldayandni ght
dur
ingtheweekend.Youar eonly
her
edur i
ngt heday,t
heny '
alll
eaveat
ni
ght.Ialsogetboredofsi t
ti
ngon
myownatni ghtduri
ngtheweekend.
Sothisti
meIwi l
lbearoundpeopl e
andhav i
ngfun"

Thapelo:
"wedon' tmeantonegl
ect
youorany t
hing.Okaythist
ime
aroundwewi llspendthewhol
e
weekendwi t
hy ou"
Me:"nooooo!Guy s,
I
'm not
complaining.Idoenjoybeingonmy
own.I'mjusttryi
ngtomakey ou
understandwhyIwantt ogot ot hi
s
wedding.Youguy sshouldliveyour
l
ife,
youar ealr
eadyspendingt oo
mucht i
mewi thme"

Thabo:
"youar
eourli
fe"t
heot
her
s
noddedinagr
eement.

Me:"
youguy sseriousl
yneedt
oget
gi
rl
fr
iends"Ilaughed

Thapel
o:"
wedon'
tneedone,
wehav
e
y
ouandBont
le"Il
aughed.

Me:"
nothi
sisnothealt
hy.
"Ichuckl
ed.
"
Youneedgirl
fr
iends,
youneedtoget
l
aid"

Thabang:
"andwhosaidwearen'
t?
"I
l
aughedwhi l
ebi
ddi
ngmyf aceonmy
pi
ll
owwhichmadet hem t
oalso
l
augh.

Thabo:"
whatdoyouknowabout
gett
inglai
dvel
e?"
Me:
"noni
x,
not
hing.Let
'swat
cha
movi
e"

Thapel
o:"youar
ewatchi
ngthose
gir
lyt
hingsagai
n?Idon'
twatcht
hose
thi
ngs"

Me:
"mxm.Thenl
eav
emyr
oom"

Them:
"*
sigh*Fi
newewi
l
lwat
chi
t"

Me:
"awesome".Theygotinnextt
o
meandwatchedit,
wellonl
yforafew
mi
nutesbecauseweendedup
tal
king,t
henwepl ay edpill
ow
fi
ght i
ng,
theywer etell
ingmest ories
thathappeni nthesecl ubsthatthey
got oeveryweekend.Thosest ories
wer ehil
lar
ious.Iendedupf al
li
ng
asleeponThabangchest .
○
○
○
#TheMokenaFami
l
y
#Zi
ntl
e
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er3
□
■
□
"Poonkiewakeup,
it'
stimet oeat"
ThatwasThapeloshakingme, butt
he
wayIwassot ir
edIjustkepton
saying"mmhmmh" .Icarr
iedon
sleepi
ng.
.
.
Iwokeupt hef oll
owingmor ni
ng,I
wenttotakeabat h,
theIwor emyr ed
shor
t,
mybl acklongsl eevedcroptop
andmybl ackAl lStar.Icombedmy
l
onghai r
,andt i
rediti
nt oamessybun.
ThenIwentt othekitchentomake
myselfsomet hingtoeat .Bontl
ewas
al
readyt
her
ewashi
ngt
hedi
shes.

Me:
"mor
ning"

Bont
le:
"i
t'
sact
ual
l
yaf
ter
noon"

Me:
"whatt
imei
sit
?"

Bont
le:
"13:
15"

Me:
"shi
i
t"

Bont
le:
"Language"
Me:"
sorry
.Ican'tbel
i
eveIact
ual
l
y
sl
eptforthatl
ong"

Bont
le:
"yourst
upidbrot
herst
hought
youweredead."Welaughedoutl
oud.

Me:"
theycanbesodramati
c
someti
mes.Whyaren'ty
ouatwor
k?"

Bontl
e:"
Ical
ledt
heprinci
pal
andtol
d
herIhaveanemergency,
soIwon'
tbe
i
nschool t
oday"
Me:"
shoppi
ngemer
gency
"we
l
aughedagai
n.

Bont
le:
"I
m donewi
tht
hedi
shesso
l
et'
sgo"

Me:
"Ihav
en'
teat
eny
etB"

Bontl
e:"
ifyouwantust ogoshoppi
ng
wit
hy ourbrother
sthenyouwil
lsi
t
her
eandeat "

Me:
"Huh?
"
Bontl
e:"
let
sgobef or
etheyfi
ndus
hereandwanttojoinus.
"Iquickl
y
wenttomyr oom andtookmyphone
thenwewentt ohercaranddroveto
themall
.

Me:
"wher
etof
ir
st?
"

Bont
le:
"Edgar
s"

Me:
"l
et'
sst
artatBl
azef
ort
hedress
t
hengotoEdgarsf
ormyshoes"

Bont
le:
"okay
".Wewentt
oBl
azeand
l
ookaroundfort
hedr
essest
hatwere
sui
tabl
efort
heweddi
ng"Whatcol
our
doyouwant?"

Me:
"Redorr
oyal
blue?
"

Bont
le:"
whati
sthet
hemeoft
he
wedding?"

Me:"Idon'
tknowhey.Weneverr
eal
l
y
spokeaboutthatwi
thZee"

Bontl
e:"
cal
lherandf
indoutthen"
.I
tookoutmyphoneandcall
ed
Zi
ntl
e,
sheanswer
edont
het
hir
dri
ng

Zi
ntl
e:"
sthandwasami
"

Me:
"heybabe.Whatarethecol
our
s
oft
hedayfortheweddi
ng?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
PinkandWhi
te.Youknow
Thandi
weisaBarbi
egirlmos"I
l
aughedatthewayshesaidi
t.

Me:"Youst
il
ldon'
tgetal
ongwi
th
her
?"
Zintl
e:"
andIwill
nevergetal
ongwi
th
thatplast
icdol
l"
.Il
aughedandsai
d
mygoodby es

Me:
"i
t'
spi
nkandwhi
te"

Bontl
e:"
argh,
she'
ssti
llaBarbi
edol
l"
sherol
ledhereyes."
Solet'
slookf
or
apinkdress"

Me:
"butBIdon'
twantapi
nkdr
ess"

Bont
le:
"comeonPoonki
e,
youneed
todr
essaccor
dingt
othecol
our
sof
t
heday
"

Me:"
I'
m sur
eit
'snotcompul
sor
ytodo
so"

Bont
le:
"knowingThandi
we,
I'
m sur
e
shespecif
iedonthecol
our
sshe
wantpeopletowear"

Me:"
butIdon'
tl
ikepi
nk"
.Ipout
ed,I
canbeababysometimes*l
aughs*

Bont
le:
"okaybabybonaneh,
wewil
l
buyaRoy al
Bluedr
essandapinkone.
Thenyouwil
ldeci
dehaboZint
lehor
e
youwantt
owearwhichcolour
.How
doest
hatsound?"

Me: "
it
'sf ine"
.Weshoppedar oundt he
storeunt ilweset t
ledf orabackl ess
shorttightdr ess,i
twasbl uei ncol our
.
Thef ort hepinkcol our,Itookal ong
sl
eev edbodyhuggi ngv elvetdr ess,i
t
wasdust ypinki ncolour .Ialsot ooka
dustypi nkshi r
tsleev el
essj umpsui t.
Afterthatwewentt oEdgar sf or
shoes,Ichoseabl ackbl ockheel ,and
anav ysuedst il
let
o.Iwasr eady
happywi thmychoi ces.Af terthe
wholeshoppi ngspr ee,wewentt oeat
atspur,Iwasr eall
yhungry.After
eati
ngwewenthome, i
twasst ar
ting
togetdar koutsi
de.Whenwegot
homemysi ster'
shusbandLizwi was
alsother e,
mom wasbusyset ti
ngt he
tabl
e.Ir antomyr oom andplaced
myshoppi ngbagsont hetablethenI
wentt ohugLi zwi.

Lizwi
:"
how'
smypri
ncessdoing
today
?"Hesai
dasIsatnexttohi
m

Me:
"I
m awesomeandy
ou?
"

Li
zwi
:
"Im al
sogood"
Me:"
ihaven'tseenyoui
naweek.You
don'
tlov
ey ourpri
ncessany
more"

Li
zwi:"
ofcourseIdo.Justt
hatwork
hasbeenkeepingmeabi t
occupi
ed,
butIpromiseitwil
lnev
er
happenagain"

Me:
"Pi
nkyswear
?"Wepi
nkyswor
e.

Li
zwi
:
"howwer
etheexams?
"

Me:
"hect
icbutmanageabl
e"
Li
zwi
:
"doy
out
hinky
oupassed?
"

Me:"whatar
esayi
ngnow?IknowI
passed"hel
aughed.

Lizwi
:"
that'
smygi r
l.Ify
ougetmore
thanonedisti
ncti
on,Iwil
lbuyy
ou
somethingexpensi
v e"

Me:
"r
eal
l
y?"

Li
zwi
:
"yes"Iscr
eamedandhugged
hi
m.
Dad:"What'sallt
hatscreamingfor "he
askswhi l
ewal ki
nginthelounge.He
wenttot hedinningroom andkissed
mom' scheek,thenhecamet okiss
myf orehead."Son"hewasr efer
ring
toLizwi,
whosmi l
edandnoddedhi s
head.

Me:"
daddy,
abuti
Lizwipromisedto
buymesomet hi
ngexpensiveifIget
morethanonedist
inct
ion"

Dad:"
that
'sgreatnana.Nowplease
takemybr i
efcasetomyr oom"Idi
d
asIwast ol
d.Thereasonwhymy
si
sterandherhusbandspendmoney
onmei sbecausetheydon'thav ea
chi
ld,
theywer ebothtoldthattheyar e
i
nfert
ile,
sotheycan'thaveanybabi es.
Theyhav ebeent r
yingbutstil
lwithno
l
uck.Sot heyhaveconsumedt her ole
ofbeingmysecondpar ents.Now
backtot hestory
.Mybr othersalso
cameback, theywerealsoexcitedt o
seeLizwi.

Thapelo:
"eeh,
Lizwimybr oe,
didyou
hearthatyourpri
ncessisspending
theweekendatherf r
iendshouse? "
Wewer enowseat edaroundt hetabl
e
andeat
ing.

Lizwi:
"idi
dhearaboutthat
.Ial
so
don'tunderst
andwhyshecan'tgo
thereontheactualday
"

Thabo:
"exact
lywhatweal
soasked"

Bontl
e:"
i don'
twhyyouguysar e
tr
ippi
ng,Tumi i
sgoi
ngt oZint
le'
s
housetomor r
owandt hat
'sthat"

Them:"
I'
mtaki
nghertothevenue"
.
Welookedatt
hem shocked
Mom:"
Jesus!Didy'
all
plant
osay
t
hat
?"Wealllaughed.

Me:"
ther
e'snoneedforthat,
Zint
lei
s
f
etchi
ngmewi thhercousin"

Thabo:
"Nowewa.
."

Mom:
"Noshe'
sgoi
ngwi
thZi
ntl
e"

Dad:"comeonhoney,
atl
eastl
etone
ofthem takehert
oZi
ntl
e'
shouse"
Mom:"
Nont at
e.Nooneist
aki
ngher
any
where.Shewil
ll
eav
ewithZi
ntl
e."

Lizwi
:"
Wow!Whyweren'
twei
nvi
ted
totheweddi
ngagai
n?"

Me:"mmmhl etmesee..
..
uhhbecause
yourwi
feoncebeatupThandiwefor
dati
ngThapeloandThabangatthe
sametime"

Thabang:"
andherexcusewast
hat
shecouldn'
ttel
lusapart
"
Thapel
o:"
howst
upi
dist
hat
?"

Thabo:"
well
iti
sn'
t,
consi
der
ingt
he
factt
hatyouar
eeachother
'scl
ones"

Li
zwi:
"yeah,
Ial
socouldn'
ttel
ly'
al
l
apar
twhenIf i
rstmety'
al
l"

Me:
"sodon'
taskagai
nwhyyouguy
s
wer
en'
tinvi
tedt
otheweddi
ng"

Li
zwi:"
marababydi dyouhavetobeat
herup.Bukamanj ewecan'tkeepan
eyeonPrincess"welaughed.
Thabang:
"ei
shwat
sebat
je"
.

Me:
"*i
nalowt
one*andt
hanksGod
f
ort
hat.
"

Thabo:
"Whatwast
hat
?"

Me:
"not
hing"Igav
ethem ani
nnocent
smi
l
e.

Lizwi
:
"pr
incesswhichUniversi
tyar
e
youhopi
ngt hati
taccept
sy ou?"
Me:
"UCT"

Dad:
"What
?!WhynotUJorWI
TS?
"

Me:
"Idon'
tl
iket
hem"

Li
zwi
:
"st
il
lwantt
odoPsy
chol
ogy
?"

Me:"yes.Pl
usI'
vegot
tenaprov
isi
onal
acceptanceinUKZNandUFS"

Thapel
o:"
alr
eady
?"
Me:"
yebo.Iam t
hebestoft
hebest
af
terall
"Ibr
ushedmyshoulder
s
cr
ackingmyfamilyup.

Bont
le:
"you'
resococky
"

Li
zwi:
"l
ikesomeoneIknow"we
l
aughed.

Thabo:
"Yoursecondopt
ioni
sst
il
l
Medici
nemos? "

Me:"
yes.ButIonl
yappli
edfori
tin
WITS,
soiftheydon'
tacceptmeI
won' tdoit
".I'
m actual
lypr
ayingthat
theydonotacceptmei nWITS,I
'd
rathergotot oUJf ormyBcom in
Account i
ng,eventhoughIdon'tr
eall
y
l
ikeaccount ing.

Thabo:
"don'
twor
ryt
heywi
l
laccept
you"

Me:
"*
lowt
one*Ihopet
heydon'
t"

Dad:
"Ij
usthopet
hatyouchoose
bet
weenUJandWI TS"
Me:"Idon'
treal
lyl
i
keaccounti
ng
dad,
ifIgotoUJIwi l
lhavet
odo
accounti
ngsinceIappl
iedf
oritt
her
e.
Ial
sodon'twanttogot oWit
s"

Thabo:
"Whynot
?"

Mom:
"ont
sobot
sa?
"

Dad:"
sobasi
cal
l
yyouwantt
ogoout
oftown?
"

Me:"Ye-
..
.Notr
eal
l
y"Iwasn'
tsur
e
aboutthat
.
Dad:"
butbabyifyoudon'
tli
ke
accounti
ngyoucanchangeto
whateveryouli
keoncetheyaccept
you"that
'str
ue

Me:
"ohhh,
whydi
dn'
tIt
hinkoft
hat
"

Thapel
o:"
causey
ouar
edumb"

Li
zwi:
"hey
!Don'
tsaymypr
incessi
s
dumb"

Me:
"Damn!Igotopt
ionsmos"
Al
loft
hem:
"Language!
"

Me:"iyoh!Sor r
ycl ashoft hechoirs"
theylaughed.Wecar r
iedont al
king
aboutr andom st uffuntilitwastime
forLizwi andBont l
etol eave,
theysaid
thei
rgoodby es.Theybot hkissedmy
cheeksbef or
et heyleft.Iwasal so
feel
ingabi tsleepy .

Me:"Goodni
ghtf
am"Ikissedoft hei
r
cheeks,
shuuust
oryofmyl i
fe,
that'
s
whatIhadtodoeverynight
,i
twasmy
duty*l
aughs*
Thabang:
"wantmet
osi
ngy
oua
l
ull
aby?"

Me:
"youdoknowI
'
mtur
ning18next
mont
hright
?"

Thapel
o:"
so?
"

Me:"
thatmeansI'mtoooldfor
l
ull
abies"mom anddadlaughed.
"
Goodni ghtf
am.Il
oveyall
"

Them:
"l
ovey
out
ooPoonki
e".Iwent
tomyroom andsl
eptimmediat
ely
aft
erget
ti
ngunderthecov
ers.

Iwokeupi nt hemorningIhada
messagef rom Zint
letell
ingmet hat
theywi llf
etchmei ntheev ening
sincet heyhadt hi
ngst odoi nthe
afternoon.Iwentt othebat hroom t
o
washmyf aceandbr ushmyt eet
h.
AfterthatIheadedt ot he
kitchen,mom wassi tti
ngont hehigh
chairdr i
nkinghercoffee.

Me:"mor
ningmama"Iki
ssedher
cheek
Mom:"
morni
ngsweetheart.Youwoke
upear
lyt
oday
,forachange"Ilaughed

Me:
"wher
e'sev
ery
one?
"

Mom: "
get t
ingr
eadyforschooland
work.Ialsoneedtogogetready.Do
youmi ndmakingbreakf
astfor
ever
yonebaby ?"

Me:
"ofcour
senotmom"

Mom:
"Thanky
ou.
"Sheputhercof
fee
mugi nt hesi nkthenshehur r
iedt o
herroom.Ist artedwi ththebr eakfast.
Ifri
edt hebacon, sausagesand
eggs,thenIputt hem i ndi f
ferent
plat
es.It hent oast edsomesl icesof
bread,af tertheywer eal ldoneIput
them onapl ate,Iwentt oput
everythingont heki tchent able,t
henI
wentt of et
cht hej uicef rom thef ri
dge
notfor get t
ingt oboi l waterformom' s
coffee,thatwomanl ov escof fee.I
tookout6pl atesandpl acedt hem on
thetabl e,exactlyaf terput t
ingt he
plat
esont het abl eev eryoneent ered
thekitchenf rom di fferentdirections.
Thabo:"nowt
hisi
swhatIcal
l
breakf
ast"

Thapel
o:"
i'
vemi
ssedt
his"

Dad:
"whatareyoutryi
ngt
osayabout
mywife'
sbreakfast
?"

Thabang:"
breakfast
?Mom makesus
eatcereal
only.Sheonlypr
epares
thi
skindofbreakfastwhenshe'
son
l
eave"

Mom:
"FYI
,
cer
eal
isal
sobr
eakf
ast
"we
l
aughed

Thabo:"
aibomama, seoshapaboFYI
j
wale?"Wel aughed

Mom:
"phel
aI'
m wokenow"

Us:
"AI
BO!
!"

Mom: "
shutupandeaty ourfood
befor
ey ougetlat
e"theydidast hey
weretol
d.Aftereati
ngt heyallsai
d
thei
rgoodbyes,notforgett
ingthe
cheekandforheadki sses.ManIl ov
e
myf ami l
y .Idi dn'tknowwhatt odoso
Ijustcl ear edt het ableandputal lthe
dishesi nt hedi shwashert henI
starteddoi ngSpr ingcleani ngka
summerbaba, Lol .Aft
ercl eani ngt he
housesqueakycl ean,Iwasv ery
sweat ysoIdeci dedt ogot omyr oom
andt ookal ongr elaxi
ngbat h.Af ter
thebat hIl ot i
onedandwor emyl ong
sleev edbl ackshor tdress,itwasnot
thatshor tt hough.I 'mt hi
ck, butIhav e
fresht highs, Ihav enocel luliteor
what soev er.Af terchangi ng,Ideci ded
tot akeanapsi nceIwasbor ed,the
TVwasbor ingandsowasmyl aptop
sinceIknowal mostev er
ymov i
e
t
hat
'soni
t,Il
ovesl
eepi
ngguy
s.
.
.
Iwaswokenupbymyr
ingi
ng
phone,
i
twasZi
ntl
e.

Me:
"babe"

Zint
le:
"heysweets,
weareonourway
Ihopey ouhavepackedal
ready
.We
can'
tstayther
etolong"

Me:"
aibokant
iwhathappensto
f
etchi
ngmei ntheeveni
ng?"
Zint
le:
"kant
iwhatt
imeisitnow?"I
mov edmyphonefrom myeart o
checktheti
meandi twas19:00.
DamnIsur ecansl
eep

Me:
"shi
i
t"

Zi
ntl
e:"l
etmeguess,
youwer
e
sl
eepi
ng"

Me:"youknowmesowel
l
"Isai
dwi
th
sacar
sm
Zint
le:
"nomaungabasacar
sti
cvel
eI
knowy ouwel
l.
"

Me:
"mxm"

Zintle:
"getyourfatassofthatbed
andst artpacki
ngbecausewear e15
mi nutesawayf r
om y ourcr
ib"

Me:"eishokay ."Ihungup,t
henI
qui
ckl yrushedt omywar drobe,Itook
outmysl eepwearandt heoutfi
tst hat
weboughty ester
day.Iwenttot he
bathroom t otakemyt oil
etr
iesaf t
er
washingmyf ace.Iputal
lthethings
i
nmyweekendbag, aft
erthatIwor
e
myfli
pflops,t
ookmyphoneand
char
gerthenIheadedtothe
l
ounge,myf amil
ywassi
tt
ingther
e
andwatchingTV.

Me:"
whydon'ty
'al
lwakemeupwhen
yougother
e?"

Thabang:
"wedid,y
oujustkepton
sayi
ng"mmmhm"sowel efty
ou
al
one"they'
rel
yingIknowthat.

Me:
"mmm okay
.Zi
ntl
eisonherway
"
Thabo:
"it
houghty
ouwer
en'
tl
eav
ing
anymore?
"

Me:
"andwhatmadey
out
hinkt
hat
?"

Thapelo:
"becausei
t'
slat
e.Youcan'
t
tr
avelatnight
"

Me:"mamabualebonat
uu"aknock
cameonthedoor"t
hatmustbe
Zint
le"

Thabo:
"iwi
l
lgeti
t"my2br
other
s
chuckled,
Idon'
tknowwhy .Thabo
camebackwi thZintl
ewhowas
dressedinhergi
raffeonesi
e,
she
l
ookedsocut einit.

Zintl
e:"sani
bonaniekhay
a?"They
greetedback" l
et'
sgobaby".Ihugged
andki ssedthem

Me:"Byepeopl eseey'
al
lonSundayor
Monday "Isai
dwhilewai
ti
ngleavi
ng
mybr othersshouti
ngbehi
ndme, I
knowi twasbecauseIsaidI'
m
comingbackonMonday .Wegott o
thecar,Icli
mbedinthebackseatand
wedr oveof fafterIgr eet
edt hedri
ver
.
Itst art
edr ai
ningexact l
yafterI
ent eredthecar ,
whi chwaswi erd
becausei tdidn'tshowanysi gnsof
rainingear li
ertoday .Wef inal
ly
arrivedatZi ntl
e'shouse, thecar
droppedusof ftheni tdroveoff.

Me:
"wasthatanUber
?"Iaskedwhen
weent
eredherroom?

Zi
ntl
e:"
nope,
thatwasSi
vuy
il
e"

Me:
"i
shey
ourcousi
norsomet
hing?
"
Zint
le:
"nope,
Thandi
we'
sfut
ure
husband"

Me:
"ohhh.Isee.Wher
e'sThandi
we?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
inherr
oom"sher
oll
edher
ey
es

Me:
"whatdi
dshedonow?
"

Zint
le:
"she'
sadramaqueenthatone.
Shelockedher
selfi
nherroom
becausemom didn'
tal
l
owhert ogo
t
oherbachor
ll
eretpar
ty"

Me:
"t
hat
'sbad"

Zint
le:"
akhobadwalut
hola.
Thandiwemustknowt hatsheis
aboutt obesomeone'
swifeshecan'
t
goar ounddri
nki
ng,
especi
all
ytheday
beforeherweddi
ng"

Me:"
shej
ustwantedt
oenj
oyherl
ast
dayasasi
ngl
elady"

Zi
ntl
e:"
tr
ustmeshe'
sbeendoi
ngal
ot
ofthatt
hewhol
eweek.Idon'
tl
ike
thatgi
rl
"

Me:
"hayZee,
she'
syoursi
ster
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
yeah,
Iwishshewasn'
t"Igi
ve
uponthisone.

Me:
"t
hat
'shar
shbabe"

Zintl
e:"
iknowthat'
swhyIsai
ditshe
roll
edhereyes.Letmechangethe
topic
Me:
"whatar
eyouwear
ing
t
omorr
ow?"

Zint
le:"
somestupiduglydressthat
sheboughtme, appar
entl
yIhav etofi
t
theclassoft
heweddi ng,
argh!"She
real
l
ydoesn'tl
ikehersist
er.

Me:
"Letmeseet
hedr
ess"

Zintle:
"y ouwil
lseeitt
omor row.Let
's
sleepwehav ealongdayaheadofus
tomor row."Wegoti nunderthe
cov ersandslept.Idi
dtell
y'all
thatI
enjoysl eepi
ng.
WewerewokenupbyZi
ntl
e'
smom
ear
lyi
nthemorni
ng.

ZMom:"wakeupmantombazaneand
getr
eady"shel
eftt
heroom

Me:"Whyar
ewebei
ngwokenupat6
o'
cl
ock?"

Zint
le:
"wehavetotakesomethings
toSivuyi
l
e'shousebef
oretheactual
wedding"

Me:
"who'
sgoi
ng?
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
meand2ofmycousi
ns"

Me:"sothatmeansIcancar
ryon
sl
eepingandwakeupwheny 'al
lget
back?"

Zint
le:"
uyabut
handaubut
hongonawe
Booty.Wakeupandlet'
sabath
together"

Me:"
haaa,fi
ne"Iwokeupanddragged
myselfbehi
ndhertothe
bat
hroom,wedi dt
hewholehygi
ene
pr
ocessthenIl ot
ionedandworemy
pyj
amasagai n,
whileshegotdr
essed
i
nal ongdress.Zee'smom bar
ged
i
ntotheroom again.

Zmom: "
Tumibabydoy
oumindgoi
ng
witht
hem?Lumkaisnotf
eel
i
ngwell
"
thati
sZee'
scousi
n

Me:"
it
'sf
inemah.Idon'
tmi
nd"of
cour
seIdomind,
Iwantedt
ostayi
n
bed.

Zmom: "
wearsomethi
ngbelowyour
kneesandcovery
ourhead"shewent
out

Me:"ididn'
tbr
inganyt
hingbel
owmy
knees,apar
tfrom myweddingoutfi
t"
Zeelaughed.Thenshewentt oher
cl
osetandt ookoutalongreddress

Zi
ntl
e:"
weart
his"

Me:
"i
twon'
tfi
t"

Zintl
e:"
iyanwebeka.Justweari
t"I
tookofmypy j
amasandwor et
he
dress,
itwasabi tcl
osetothebody,
it
showedofmycur v
esandboot y,then
Icoveredmyheadwi thabl ackdoek
thatZeegav etome, thenIwor emy
fl
ipfl
ops.Thesunwasl i
terall
yout
today,
it'
sgonnabeabeaut i
ful
weathert odayandt hatmeansa
beauti
ful weddi ng.Wegoti ntot he
carwith2ofZi nt l
e'
scousi ns.The
ri
detot hehousewasf un,wespoke
aboutal otoft hingt heywer ereally
funtobear ound.Wef inall
yar r
ivedat
thi
shugemansi on,
thishousei s
massivey oh.Wegotoft hecarand
wentin,thehousewasf ullofpeopl e
goingupanddown.Abeaut i
full
ady
camet ous
Lady:
"Morningbabi
es"wechant
ed
ourgreet
ings,
thel
adywasSivuy
il
e'
s
mom Mr sDlamini
.

Zintle:
"Mom sentustobr
ingsome
things.Shesaidyouknowabout
them"

Mr
sD:
"ar
etheyi
nthecar
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
yes"

Mr
sD:
"okay
,Iwi
l
laskSi
vut
ounl
oad
them.It
'sact
uall
ysomethi
ngsthat
yoursi
sterwanttobei
ncludedi
nthe
decor"

Zi
ntle:
"she'
schangi
ngt
hingsngel
ast
minute?"

MrsD: "yoursi
steri
sadivayouknow
her"sheroll
edhereyes."
Whoisthis
beautythatyouarewithgi
rl
s?"

Zi
ntle:
"ohhei
sh,
thi
sisTumi
mybest
fr
iend"
Mr
sD:
"ni
cet
omeety
ouTumi
"

Me:
"l
ikewi
sema'
am"

MrsD:"
cal
lmeMah.Coul
dpl
easego
andcal
lSi
vuf
orMe?"

Me:
"uhh.
..
idon'
tknowhi
m"

Thobeka:
"l
etmego"

Mr sD:"
Nooo!Idon'
twantanyofthe3
ofy out
ogobecauseyouwon'tcall
.
Nizovel
enihl
alenay
ephakularoom"
theyl
aughed" Tumi,
justgooutt
his
door,
thengoar oundthe
house,there'
sacot t
agebehindt
he
house,he'sintherewithhi
s
groomsmen"

Me:"okaymah" .Iwentoutand
fol
lowedt hedirect
ionsthatshegave
me,Igott ot
hecot tageandknocked
ont hedoor.Thisfinehotcreat
ure
openedt hedoor ,
andthemi nut
ehe
openedt hethedoort herai
nstart
ed
pour i
ngwhichwaswi er
dbecauseit
wassunnyaf ewsecondsago.He
qui
ckl ymadewayf ormeandI
enteredthecottagesinceitwas
rai
ning,anddamn!Itwasful
lofHOT
shi
rtlessman,nowIjustwannal
eav
e
becauseIam f l
ushed!

●
●
●
#WEDDI
NGDAY
What
'sgonnahappennext
?Mmmh

Nowt herealst
orybegi
ns,
prepar
e
your
selvesdarl
ings
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er4
°
•
°
•
°
•
°
•
SohereIam stuckinar oom fi
ll
ed
withsexyhotman,becauseoft his
stupi
drain.Nahfam Ican'tst
ayher e
anylonger,
I'
drat
hergetwett hanbe
here,
notTHATkindofwetpeopl e.

Me:"
uhm..
.Iam l
ooki
ngf
orSi
vuy
il
e?"
Il
ookedar
ound.

Sivuyi
l
e:"I
'm Si
vuy
il
e"i
twast
heguy
thatopenedthedoorf
orme
Me:"Oh,
uhm yourmom sai
dshe
needsyoutounloadsomet
hings
fr
om thecar
"

Si
vuyi
le:"andwhatarethosethi
ngs"
ohhhe'sthearr
ogantty
pe,Isee.

Me:"Idon'
tknow.Thi
ngsthat
's
Thandiweneedfort
hewedding"
.I
tur
nedandopenedthedoor

"
Eyywhereareyougoi
ngi
t'
ssti
ll
r
aini
ngoutsi
de"i
twasoneoft
he
guys.Ijustcl
osedthedoorandlef
t.
Ther ai
nhadst oppedanditwas
sunnyagai n,
heemehlol
omnk.I
enteredthehouseandt heywer
enow
seatedinthelounge.

Me:
"he'
sonhi
swa-
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"wherearethosestupid
thi
ngsthatIhavetounload"andhe'
s
here*r
oll
ingeyes*
.Hehadat t
it
ude
yoh!

MrsD:"
Sukusa
Si
vuyi
l
e,ndi
zakuv
uthul
ulangebhant
i
mna,
utshat
eunemi
vi
mbandi
kxel
ele"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
xol
omama"

MrsD:"nxah.Takehi
mtothecar"she
waslookingatme,ai
bongav
elel
wa
Jesu!

Thobeka:
"it
'sf
ine,
Iwil
ltakehi
m"she
st
oodupandSi vuyi
lef
ollowed

Li
ndi:
"whywer
eyouinther
eforsuch
alongti
me,
onl
ytodel
iv
eramessage
kphel
a"
Me:"I
tjustst
art
edtorai
n
unexpectedl
ywhenthedoor
opened,soIhadtot
akecoveri
nthe
house"

Mr
sD:
"whoopenedt
hedoor
?"

Me:
"i
twasSivuy
il
e"MrsD'seyes
wer
eall
out
,shelookedshocked.

Mr
sD:"Uhm excuseme,Ineedt
ofind
myhusband"shestoodupandlef
t
Me:
"andt
hen?
"

Li
ndi
:
"ungang'
buzi
angazi
Lut
hodar
ly"
□
■
□
°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°
.
.
.
Itwasmyweddi ngday,
Idon'
tknowif
I'
m happyorsadbecauseIdon'
tthi
nk
I'
mr eadyfort
hiski
ndof
commi tment,
ImeanIam onl
y24
yearsforheav en'
ssake.ButIdo
knowt hatIlovemyf i
ance.Iwas
chil
l
ingwi t
hmyboy sinthe
cott
age,wewer eget
ti
ngr eadyf
ort
he
wedding.Itwast hefi
veofus:
Me,Nkazimul o,Ay
anda,
Thembaand
Lungani.

Nkazi
:
"Boyareyousur
esur
ethaty
ou
ar
ereadyfort
his?
"

Me:'
eishboy,
notr
eall
ybutIl
ove
uThandiwesonzoyenzal
eway"

Themba:
'
ayynal
oBar
biewakho"we
l
aughed,
Thembadoesn'
treal
lyl
ike
Thandi
we,
wellal
lofmyfr
iendsdon't
evenmyfamil
ymembers

Lungani:
"thatgi
rll
i
vesinherown
worl
d.Didy ouseethedecorout
side?
Haay adl
alawena"

Ayanda:
"i
t'
ssofuckenpink,
IswearI
fel
tgaytheminut
eIenteredthetent
"
welaughed.

Me:
"youar
ebei
ngdr
amat
ic"
Themba:
"di
dyouseet
hev
enue?
"

Me:
"no.
!"

Lungani:
'youshoul
dhavebeen
i
nvolvedinthewedding,
maybeyou
wouldhav eopposedsomeofthe
i
deast hatshecameupwi t
h."

Me:"kant
iwhat
'swr
ongwi
tht
he
venue?"

Them:"
IT'
SFREAKENPINK!
!!
"I
l
aughedatthem,
theyar
esodramat
ic
Me:"y ouni ggasshoul dhav ebeen
gay.Youcompl ainaboutev erythi
ng"I
saidwhi l
el aughi ng.Justt hena
knockdi sturbedus, Iwentt oopen
andt herest oodav erycurv aceous
girl
,
shel ookedsodamnFi ne!She
hadmeati nt her ightpl aces,Damn!I
woulddef i
nitelyhi tthat.JustasIwas
stuckint hoset hought s,t
her ain
start
edpour ing,Ihadt omakewayf or
hertoent er,Ididn'twanthert ogetall
wetshe'st oobeaut iful
.Idon' teven
knowwher et herai ncamef rom
becausei twassunnyj ustasecond
ago.Iwasst andingbehi ndher ,
hay
marnt hi
sgirlhasaboot yf
or
days,
shewasdef i
nit
elydoi
ng
i
njusti
cet othatdr
essshewas
wearingbecauseitshowedherbody
beautif
ul.HayIhavetoadmi tev
en
myThandi wehasnot hingonthi
sgi
rl
i
nf r
ontofme.

Her:
"uhm..
.Iam looki
ngforSi
vuy
il
e?"
Shelookedaround.Hervoi
ce
soundedsosweet ,
hervoi
cewasso
melodic

Me:
"I'
m Si
vuy
il
e"
Her:
"Oh,uhm yourmom sai
dshe
needsyoutounloadsomethi
ngs
fr
om thecar"

Me:
"andwhataret
hosethi
ngs"Isai
d
i
nanotsopoli
temanner

Her:
"Idon'
tknow.Thi
ngsthat
Thandi
weneedforthewedding"
.She
tur
nedandopenedthedoor

"Eyywhereareyougoingit
'sst
il
l
rai
ningoutsi
de"thatwasThemba,t
he
gir
ljustcl
osedthedoor.
Us:
"DAMN!
!!
"

Themba:
"nowt
hat
'swhatIcal
la
woman!"

Lungani
:
"di
dyouseet
hatass?
"

Me:
"Iwoul
dtapt
hat
!"

Nkazi:
"haymusuk'ngcola,
uyashadai
n
afewhour s.Leavethatonetothe
si
nglefell
aslikeus"theyfi
stbumped
Themba:
'
idi
dn'
tev
engethername"

Lungani
:
'hayupaki
l
elamnt
anar
ha!
"

Me:"
haynoThandi
weakat
hat
hint
o
pha"

Nkazi
:"
haydon'tcomparethatmatch
st
ickt
ot hatv
oluptuousl
ady"they
l
aughed

Themba:"
shelookslikeshe'sabout
tobr
eak"theylaughed,
Ijustkepton
l
ookingatthem
Lungani
:
"wal
it
holaphiol
waswazi
bhudda?
"Theylaughedagai
n

Me:
"hayf
utsekni
na!Ngumnt
uwam
l
oenit
het
hangaye"

Themba:
"si
yaz
itshi
n"

Me:"
mxm.Letmegoandat tend
mom" .Il
eftt
hem t
herelaughingand
t
alki
ngaboutmyf i
ance,t
heyr eal
l
ydo
i
tli
kehershame.Igotinsidethe
mainroom,myshoutedatmef or
givingheratti
tude,thenshei nst r
uct ed
someonet ot akemet ot hecar .Igot
tot heandunl oadedt het hingst hat
neededt obeunl oaded, Idon' tev en
knowwhatt hoset hingswer ebutt he
plasticwasv eryheav y,Ijusttooki t
andwentt oputi tont heki t
chent able.
Thebeaut i
ful l
adywasi ntheki tchen
drinkingwater.

Me:"wemeetagai
n.Idi
dn'
tcat
ch
yourname"

Her
:"
that
'
sbecauseIdi
dn'
tthr
owi
t"
"Bootyweneedtogo"thatwas
Zintl
e,
Thandi
we'sl
it
tl
esister
.What
kindofnameisBootyhlebantu?Hay
i
nene.Bootytur
nedandleft.

Me:
"Smal
l
"that
'showIcal
lZi
ntl
e

Zi
ntl
e:"
biggy
"Boot
ywasl
onggone

Me:
"whatki
ndofnamei
sBoot
y?"

Zint
le:
'
nag,t
hat'
sjustt
henameIgav
e
herbecauseshehasabigboot
y"
Me:
"what
'
sherr
eal
namet
hen?
"

Zint
le:
"B-
..
..
haybhut
iwhydoy
ouwant
toknowhername? "

Me:
"hawu,
Ij
ustwantt
oknownj
e"

Zint
le:'
iknowy oubhuti.Youwantt o
cheatonmysi st
erwi t
hher .NopeI
won'tallowyoutohur tmyf ri
endli
ke
that
"it'
ssof unnyhowshei sonly
consideringherf
riend'
sf eeli
ngsover
hersister'
s
Me:"
hah,
small
undithat
hakanj
ani?I
woul
dneverdothattoyoursi
ster
"

Zint
le:
'
hay,
Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
hatone"
that
'str
ue

Me:"ser
ioussmall
.Okaytr
uthi
s
Thembawant stoknowhername"
whichispart
lyt
rue,
butIal
sowantt
o
knowhername.

Zint
le:
"weeeh,
thatcr
azyf
ri
endof
yours?No!"
Me:"ohcomeonsmall.I
t'
snotlike
ther
e'ssomet
hingser
iousthathecan
dowi t
haname"herphoner ang

Zi
ntl
e:"
mxm.HernameisBoi
tumelo
Mokoena.By
enow"sher
antothe
door

Me:
"wast
hatsohar
d?"Ishout
ed

Zintl
e:"Fut
sek!"Sheshout
edback,I
l
aughed.Shecanbeabi tsavage
somet imes.Unli
kehersi
stershe'
sa
veryfreespir
it
edperson,
she'sout
goingandv eryfunny
.Don'tl
ookat
melikethat
,Idon'
thav
eacrushon
her,
okaymay beIdi
dwhenIfi
rstmet
herbutnowIdon't.
.
.
.
Any way ,
Iforgott oi
ntroducemysel f
.
Thenamei sSi vuyi
l
eLeonDl ami ni
,24
yearsofage.I 'm aXhosa
man, scratcht hataXhosaPr ince.Yes
Iam r oyalty,
theonlyheirtot he
Dlami nithrone.Ihav etwosi ster,
both
oldert hanme, yeahI'mt helastbor n.I
havet wov er
ysuccessf ulbusi nesses
andonet hatIam st il
ltr
y i
ngt ogetof
thegr ound.AsmuchasIwoul dlike
tosayIam i ndependent ,I'
m not .My
dadandmom ar e2maj ori nvest ors
i
nal lmybusi nesses.WhenIt ol d
mom anddadt hatIwant edt omar ry
Thandi we,theydi dn'tapprov e.Mat t
er
off actmydadwasl ivi
d,hedi dn' t
wannaaccepther ,hewentasf aras
threateningtopul lhisi
nv estment
from mybusi nesses.Idon' tknow
howheendedupchangi nghi s
mi nd,hef i
nall
ygav emehi sblessi ngs
tomar ryThandi webuthest il
ldoesn' t
l
ikehert hough,ev enbothmysi ster'
s
don' tl
ikeher.Wel lshewasf riends
wi t
hLul ama,thef irstborn.Idon' t
knowwhathappened,theyjustended
upfall
i
ngapar tandt
heystarted
beef
ingwi t
heachother.Youknow
howgirlsare,
butkei
tiswhati ti
s.
Backtot hest ory.Ineededtospeak
tomom soIwentupt herestai
rsand
wentstraightt otheroom thatmy
parent
swer eusi ng.BTW thi
sismy
house.Any way ,Igottotheroom,the
doorwassl ightlyopenandmom and
dadseemedt obei nvol
vedinav ery
ser
iousconv o.

Dad:"
Calm downwife,
wewil
lconf
ir
m
thi
stheor
yofy our
slat
ert
oday"
Mom:
"kanj
ani
Tat
a?"

Dad:"i
fitrainsatt heweddi ngwhen
sheshowsup, thenwewi llknowwhat
thatmeans" .Idon' tev enknowwhat
thefuckt heywer et alkingabout ,
Ij
ust
hopei twon'truinmyday .Ican't
beli
evet hattheywanti tr
ainonmy
day,hehe.Sincet heywer ebusy
tal
kingaboutsomet hingel sej
decidedt ogobackt ot hecottageto
getreadyf ormyday .

Themba:
"whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
"
Me:"t
hefuckni
gga?Youst
art
ingt
o
soundli
keThandi
"

Themba:
"f
uckno"wel
aughed

Me:
"guesswhatgent
s?"

Lungani
:"wedon'
thaveti
mef
or
guessi
nggames,sotal
k"

Me:"mxm youarenof unatal

l.
AnywayIknowt henameoft helady
thatwashereearl
ieron"
Nkazi
:
"youmeantheGoddesst
hat
cametocal
lyou?
"

Me:
"yep"t
hel
ookedatme

Themba:"
kengokuuli
ndel
'uba
si
kubuzeukubanguban?"

Me:
"uht
hat
'
showi
tsupposedt
obe"

Lungani
:
"kut
shobani
?"
Me:
"mxm"

Nkazi
:
"awushoi
gamamf
ethu"

Me:
"hernameisBoitumelo
Mokoena,
she'
sZint
le'sf
ri
end"

Lungani
:"
Wait
,Mokoena,
Mokoena.
..
.m
mhh.Ihopeshe'
snotThapeloand
ThabangMokoena'
ssist
er"

Me:"
aike,Ididn'
taskaboutherf
ami
l
y.
Iwasn'tdoingresearchaf
teral
l
hawu"theychuckl ed
Themba:"
let
sj ustgetr
eadyfort
his
DisneyWedding,wedon'twanty
outo
belatef
orit
"theylaughed

Me:
"st
opdi
ssi
ngmyweddi
ngf
ell
as"

Lungani
:
"it
sdi
ssabl
e"t
heyl
aughed
agai
n

Me:"
iwi
l
lfi
rey
'al
lfr
om beingmy
gr
oomsmenI'
mtell
ingyou"

Nkazi
:
"tr
ustme,
youwi
l
lbedoi
ngusa
favour
"theyl
aughedagai
n,
these
stupi
dfucker
s

Me:"
dickheads".Igotdressedi
nmy
bl
acksuit,
whiteshirt
,Br
ownbeltand
Br
ownI tal
ianshoes.Iwasaboutto
gr
abmybl ackti
ewhenThemba
st
opedme

Themba:
"wenzani
?Youknowyou
havet
owearthatstupi
dpi
nkt
ie"t
hey
l
aughed

Me:"
fuckno.Iai
n'
twear
ingt
hat
gay
ishti
e"
Nkazi:
"youshoul
dhavetol
d
Thandiwethatwhenshepi
ckedy
our
outf
itf
ortheday"

Me:"I
'
m notweari
ngthatst
upidthi
ng.
Imagineme,
Siy
abulel
aDlamini
crownedPri
nceweari
ngapinktie"

Lungani
:"
ther
eisnot
hingwr
ongwi
th
apinkti
e"

Me:
"butther
eissomet
hingwrong
wi
ththatone"t
heyl
aughed.See,
I
don'tmindwear ingapi nkthat,j
ust
thatthi
sonehadgl ittersonit,so
peoplewoulddef i
nitelyassumet hatI
am gayonceIshowupwear ing
i
t,t
heywoul dthinkndi liaft
er9,yuuh
unotsherha,kungav ukaamaZi zialel
e.

Themba: "
YourBar biedol l
"helaughed.
Itooktheblackt i
ef rom hishandand
woreit.Ain'
tnowayam Igonnawear
apinkglit
teredtie,
nev er.Wenowal l
dressedfortheweddi ng,t
heguys
werealsowear inglikeme, buti
nstead
ofthem wear i
ngat iet heyworebow
ti
es,BLACKbowt ies.
Nkazi
:"
youreal
l
yleav
ingt
hebachel
or
l
if
esty
le?"

Me:
"i
tst
imet
ogr
owupf
ell
as"

Lungani :
"weeebat at
a,mv eniebhuda".
Thet i
mewas9: 45,
Ihadt omakemy
wayt of i
eldwerewewer ehost ingthe
wedding.Myy ardwasbi g,Ihadav ery
bigopenspace, wedeci dedt ouse
thatspacef ortheweddi ngcer emony
sinceThandi wecouldn'tfindthe
venuet hatshel i
ked.Ast ret
cht ent
waspl acedout sidewit
ht iff
any
chairs.Andf ort herecept ionwewer e
gonnausemydi nningr oom ar ea,it
wasal sobi g.Itwasgoi ngt obeabl e
toaccommodat eourguest s,wewer e
hav i
ngasmal l weddi ng.Thandi we
want edabi gweddi ng,butmypar ents
saidweshoul ddoasmal lweddi ng
sincetheydi dn'twantanymedi a
hov eri
ngar ound.Thandi wewasv ery
disappointedbyt hatbecauseshe
want edt oi
nv i
tet hemedi a,sheal so
want edourweddi ngt obecov eredby
TopBi ll
ing.Yesy ouguessedr i
ght ,my
fami l
yisint hepubl icey e,
Idon' tev en
knowwhatwear efamousf or,
may be
i
t'sbecausewear eroy al
ty.
Meandmyf r
iendsgottothet entand
stoodinfront
,nexttothepri
estwho
wasgoi ngtoof f
ici
ateourMar raige.
Peoplestart
edf i
lli
ngtheseats,then
Johnlegend'sYouandIst arted
pl
ay i
ng.Kantiwhathappenedt ot he
oldtr
aditi
onal '
Herecomest hebr ide'
songnabant u?Mnk.
Shewal kedinafterher
bri
desmai ds,
shelookedsobeaut i
ful
i
nherCi nderel
lagown,shel ookedlike
aprincess.Shefinal
lygottome, she
gavemeast ernlook,
Idon'tknow
why.Wet ur
nedandl ookedatt he
pri
est,
whopr ayedandt oldust osay
ourvows, bl
ahblahblah.Whi l
einthe
mi ddleofourv ows, Zintl
ewal kedi n
withherf riendBoi tumel o,
itstarted
raini
ngagai n.Gody ouhav egott obe
kiddingme, Iaskedy ounicelyto
makei tnotr aintoday .Whi l
eIwas
stil
linthoset hought sitstoped
raini
ngj ustaspeopl ewher e
prepar i
ngt ogoi nside.Thepr iest
fi
nallyof f
iciatedourweddi ng

Priest:"
Inowpronounceyouhusband
andwi f
e,youmaykissthebr
ide"
fi
nally.I'
vebeenwaiti
ngfort
hatpart
yoh.Wewenti nsi
dethethehousefor
ther ecepti
on,
ThandiandIwenttomy
studyt osignourmarri
agecert
if
icat
e
thenwewentt oj oinourf ri
endsand
familiesdownst airs,
wel l
thatwas
afterThandi changedi ntoapi nk
mer mai ddr ess, Iseri
ousdonot
under standt hisgi rl'
sobsessi onwit
h
pink.Af ewspeecheswer e
made, thenaf t
ert hatwest art
ed
partying.Myf riendswant edust ogo
tothecl ubbutIdi dn'twannapi ssof
mywi fe,sotheyl eftwithoutme.Soon
everyonest ar tedl eavingoneby
one,thenonl ymyf ami lywasl ef
t.I
carri
edThandi tomyr oom, i
t'
stimeI
hadmywi fe'scakenow.
♡
♡
♡
♡
#Weddi
ngVi
bes
#Bar
bieVi
bes
Coul
dSi
vuy
il
ebeTumi'schosen
one,
mmmh.Stayt
unedformore
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er6
♧
♧
♧
Icamebackwit
hmyhandbag,
thenI
wentt
ohugZintl
e.
Me:
"seey
ousoon"

Zint
le:
"Iwonderwhatyourbr
others
aregonnasaywhent heyseeSivu"
shewaswhi sper
ing

Me:
"by
eThandi
"

Thandi
we:
"mmmh"O-
KAY

Zi
ntl
e:"
don'
tmi
ndheri
nsecur
eass"

Mr
sD:
"By
ebaby
"
Me:"byeMah" .Sivuyil
est oodupand
fol
lowedbehi ndme, wewer enot
tal
kingt oeachot her
.Idon' tr
eal lyl
i
ke
hisatti
tudeinfactIdon'tl i
kehim.I
wasr eall
ywor r
iedabouthowmy
brothersaregonnar eactwhent hey
seehi m walki
ngwi thme.Heopened
thegat eandthest oodabl ack
Mer cedesGLC,damnt hatcari shot.
Mybr otherswer estandingout sideof
i
t,t
heysmi ledwhent heysawmebut
whent heysawwhoIwaswal king
withtheyfrowned.
Me:
"Heyguy
s.Imi
ssedy
'al
l
"

Thapel
o:"wemi ssedyoutoo
pumpkin"Ihuggedall
threeoft
hem.

Thabang:
"er
rman,
asePr
inceyee
famouse?"Whatt
hehel
lishetal
ki
ng
about

Thabo:
"keyena.TheXhosaland
Pri
nce.
"Theyarebeingdel
usional

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Eit
amagent
s"
Them:"
hol
a"theyshoul
derbumped.
Okaywhythehell
aremybr ot
her
sso
chi
ll
ed,
ImeanIam walki
ngwithaguy
hel
lo!

Thapel
o:"soy
ouaret
hePrincethat
wasgetti
ngmarr
iedt
hisweek?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
int
hef
lesh"

Thabang: "andyoumar ri
edThandiwe
Msomi ?"Henodded" outofal
lthe
gir
lsinthiscountryyoudecidedtogo
forThandi we?"Theyalll
aughed,wel
l
Sivuy
ilejustchuckled
Thabo:
"Count r
y?Thistownoni t
s
own,t
her ear
eal otofgirl
swhoare
bett
erthanher,nooffenceyour
majest
y "Majestwaengj wale

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
nonetaken.I'
m actual
l
y
usedt
opeoplesayingthatabouther
"

Thabang:
"youclearl
ydonotknow
yourgi
rl
"mybr other
slaughed

Thapel
o:"Whatwer
eyout
hinki
ngmy
man?Whatmadey oumar
ryher?"
Thabang:"
isi
tthep-"hel
ookedatme
"cov
eryourears"Il
ookedathi
m wi
th
theareyouseri
ouslook.

Thabo:
"getint hecarTumi"Ihuf
fed
andobeyedt heircommand,my
brot
her
sar er eal
lyannoy
ingshame.
.
.
.
°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Theseguy
sar
ecr
azyandbl
unt
,Idon'
t
ev
enknowt
hey
'r
enames

Br
other
1:"
Wasi
therl
ooks?
"

Brother
2:"
looks?Aibodon'
tj
okel
i
ke
thatThabang."Theyl
aughed

Thabang:"
iam tryi
ngt ounder
stand
hi
sreasonsf ordoingthi
s"onewould
swearthattheseguy sknowmet hey
waytheyaret al
ki
ngt ome

Br
other3:
"Bal
anceuswenamy
Pr
ince"hemustbetheyoungone,
he
l
ookedy
oungert
hant
hem

Brot
her1:"
wasitthepussy?I
tmust
havebeenit,
phel
athat'
stheonl
y
goodthingabouther
"howwouldhe
knowthat?

Thabang:
"i
twasdefi
nit
elyi
tbr
other
!"
Theyfi
stbumped.

Me:"
iloveher.She'sagreat
per
son,shehasagoodhear t"Li
es!
Li
es!Lies!Theystart
edlaughing,
they
l
aughedr eal
lyhar
d.Ialsowant edto
j
oininbecauseIwasl yi
ng,butIdidn'
t
wanttoadmi tt
hatImarr
iedmywi
fe
forherpussygame,whi
chison
anotherl
evel
.

Thabang:
"Thapel
owamot l
wa?Or e
Thandii
sgreatperson"t
heylaughed
agai
n

Br
other
3:"
Areonalegoodhear
t"t
hey
l
aughedevenmor
e

Brot
her1:
"Mybr
other
,youcan'
tput
Thandi
weandgoodhear ti
nthesame
sent
ence"
Brother
3:"
youcannev er
"they
l
aughedagain.Ihaveconcluded
theseguysarecrazy
.

Brot
her1:
"ImagineThandi
wegood
hear
t?Nev er
,l
ennaThapelowa
Thapel
ohav eneverseenhergood
hear
tedside"sohisnameisThapelo

Me:
"okf
uckIl
i
ed.Toehonest
,I
-"

Brot
her
3:"
yesmyPri
ncebehonest
!
Speakt
heGodlyt
rut
h"
Thapel
o:"
whatdoy
ouknowabout
GodThabo"mmmht r
ipl
eT

Thabo:
"thatheli
vesinheav
en"he
gavehi
mt he'ar
estupidl
ook'

Thapel
o:"
youaredumb.Idon'
teven
knowhowy ougottodomedici
ne"

Thabang:
"guysyoudist
urbi
ng.The
Pri
ncewasaboutt otel
luswhyhe
marri
edBarbie"i
t'
ssofunnyhow
al
mosteveryonecall
sThandiwe
Bar
bie.

Me:"well
Imustadmit,
herpussy
gamei sthemaj
orreason"They
cheered!

Thapel
o:"
Iknewit!
!"Hepunchedi
n
theai
r"i
fthiswasagameshow, I
wouldbegetti
ngmoney.Soy oumy
brot
hersarebuyi
ngmedr i
nks
toni
ght
"

Thabang:
"wedon'
tdr
inki
naSunday
"
helookedaway
Thapel
o:"
sincewhen?
"

Thabo:
"sincefr
om about3seconds
ago"helaughed,
ThabangandIalso
j
oinedin.

Thabang:"
somyPr i
ncewhywasn' t
yourweddingtelev
isionised?Si
nce
wewer en'
tinv
itedIwashoppi ngwe
wouldwatchitonT. V."Ichuckl
ed

Me:
"wetr
yingt
ost
ayawayf
rom t
he
medi
a"
Thapel
o:"
youtr
yingtowhat
?Nigga
wenayouarealwaysint
hemedia.
Youareinever
ymagazine,
ever
ytal
k
show."

Me:"wellmyparentsdon'tr
eall
y
approveofmemar r
yingThandiweso
theydidn'
twantthemedi ather
e.
Basicall
ytheydon'
twantpeopleto
knowImar r
iedThandiwe"

Thabo:"
icanreal
lysayIam sur
pri
sed
thaty
ourparentsdon'
tli
keher.
"They
l
aughedagain
Thabang:
"butev
ery
oneknowsnow"

Me:
"whatdoy
oumean?
"

Thapel
o:"
it
sal
lov
ersoci
almedi
a"

Me: "What?!NowIknowwhymom
i
nsistedthatwehavefami l
yand
closefr
iendsinthewedding,
looknow
someonewentt oblabtheirmouthto
themedi a"

Thabang:
"ay
ymar
n,i
twasy
ourwi
fe"
Me:
"I
ntoni
?"

Thabo:"
shepostedi
tevenbef
orethe
wedding.Kant
iwenayouarenoton
soci
almedia?"

Me:"i
am.Ij
usthaven'tbeenact
ive
forafewweeks"Thabotookouthis
phoneandstar
tedscroll
i
ngdown

Thabang:"
haha!Idon'
treal
lyl
ike
soci
almediatoo.It
'sforgi
rl
s,
imagine
mepost i
ngapictureofmyself.Next
thi
ngyouknowIwillst
artpout
ing
andcrossi
ngmylegswhi l
eposing
fort
hecamera"welaughed.

Thabo:"here"hegav emehi s
phone,t
hepi cturewason
I
nstagram, whatthef uck?Sheev en
taggedmeont hi
sst upidpi
cture.I
wasapi cmixofapi ctureofusanda
pict
ureofherhandwi thadiamond
ri
ngoni t.Thecapt i
onwas: "The
Xhosal andPrincedeci dedtoouta
ri
ngoni t,y
esladieshe' sminenow
thatmeanshe' sofflimi t
s"Jesus
Christ
!
Me:
"Whatt
hehel
l
?"

Thapelo:
"youreal
lydidn'
tknowabout
thi
s?"Inodded,t
heylaughed

Thabo:"awwwbat hoPrincey
asono"
theylaughedagain.Iwasangryat
Thandi f
orblunt
lyignor
ingmy
parent'
sorders.

Thapel
o:"
whatdoy
oucal
lanexi
n
Xhosa?"
Me:
"sdal
a/i
sdal
a"

"Si
vuy
il
e!"ThatwasThandi
,It
urned
shewasstandingatt
hegate.

Thandi
:"
yourfat
heri
scal
l
ingy
ou"
shutIf
orgothesai
dwehadtotal
k.

Thapel
o:"
awwsdalasam madoda"he
sai
dwithafunnyaccent

Thabang:
"sakho?Sdal
asethu"they
l
aughed.Don'ttel
lmeThandidated
thebothofthem
Thapelo:"
yousti
l
lhavesexylegs,
I
'm
gladmysi st
erdi
dnotdamaget hem
withhersjambok"igl
aredathim,
he
puthishandsupinaf orm
surrender
ing

Thandi
:
"Hooli
gans,
Nxah"shet
urned
andwalkedawayleavi
ngthe3
brot
her
si nst
it
ches.

Me:
"whatwast
hatabout
?"

Thapel
o:"
wewer
ejustbei
ngf
ri
endl
y
andgreet
ingt
hecrownedpri
ncess"
theyl
aughedIdi
dsaytheywere
crazy
.

Me:
"any
wayIneedt
oheadback
i
nsi
de.I
twasni
cemeet
ingy'
all
."

Thabang:
"nahman,i
twasanhonour
meeti
ngyouPrinceSiv
uyi
l
e"Ismil
ed

Me:"
may bewecanhangout
someti
me"

Thapel
o:"
cool
.Cal
luswheny
ouar
e
f
ree"

Me:
"Idon'
thav
eyournumber
s"

Thabang:
"t
henwewi
l
lcal
lyou"

Me:
"youdon'
thav
emynumber
s"

Thabo:
"don'
tst
ressy
oursel
fabout
that
"

Thabang:
"takecareyourmaj
est
y"I
shookall
oft hei
rhands
Me:"bythewaymom sai dThanksfor
l
ett
ingBoi tumeloatt
endthe
wedding,shereall
yli
kesher
"Isai
d
wi
thabr oadsmi le

Thapel
o:"
mmmh, Ihopeshe'
stheonl
y
onethatl
ikesher
"hegavemeast er
n
l
ook.

Thabang:
"any
thi
ngf
ort
hequeen.
"

Thabo:
"t
ell
herjsaidshe'
stosexyt
o
st
ayinthebundus"welaughedand
theygoti ntothecaranddr oveoff
.
Theywer ear eall
ycool bunchof
peopl ethatIwoul dn'tmindchil
li
ng
with,theyremindedmesomuchof
myownf ri
ends.I'vealsonoti
cedt hat
theyar everypr ot
ectiveoverthei
r
sister,t
heytreatherlikeachil
d.I
mademywayi nsideandwent
straighttodad'sst udy.Hewasbusy
i
nhi sl apt
op.

Me:"
sorr
yItookl
ong"heshi
ft
edhi
s
at
tent
iontome

Dad:
"akhongxaki
"
Me:
"whatdi
dyouwantt
otal
kabout
?"

Dad:"si
t.
"Idid"uhm nyana,
andit
hiyou
knowt hatyouarethecrownedPr i
nce?
ThatmeanswhenIdi eyouar egoi
ng
totakeov ert
hethrone"Inodded
"t
hereforeasacr ownedPrinceyou
needacr ownedPr i
ncess"

Me:"
yep,
andIal
readydohav
e
i
t,
Thandi
we"

Dad:
"t
hisi
sgoi
ngt
obehar
dert
hanI
thought.Ny anaacr ownedPr incess
i
ssomeonet hatt heancestors
choosef ory ou,shedoesn' t
necessaril
yhav etober oyalty
,justas
l
ongast heancest orsapproveofher
thenshewi l
l getthet i
tl
e.Thandi wei
s
notyourcr ownedPr incess"

Me:"dadi knowt hatyoudon'tl

ike
Thandiwe,butthatdoesn'
tmeanIwi l
l
al
lowy outouset hetradi
ti
onal bul
lin
orderformet obreakupwi t
hher .I
am notleavingThandiweforany one.
Thandiwei smycr ownedPrincess
whethertheancest or
sapproveor
not"
Dad:"
ayidumikanjal
oxayizohamba
nyana.Youneedsomeonet hatwas
chosenforyoubyt heancestors,
and
fr
om whatIhav eheardyouhav e
al
readymether "No!

Me:"
whatdoyoumeandad?
Thandi
weismycrownedPr
incess"

Dad:"
sheisNot
!Theancest
orsdi
d
notappr
oveofher
"

Me:
"andhowdoy
ouknowt
hat
?!
Mmmh!Usi
Sangoma?
!"

Dad:
"boy
!Youbet
terchecky
ourt
one"

Me:
"uxol
o"Ibowedmyhead

Dad: "
nowl i
stenhere,
Thandiweisnot
yourcr ownedPrincess,
theseatnext
toy oursdoesnotbelongt oher
,i
t
belongst osomeoneel se!Youknow
thi
si showourt radi
ti
onwor ks!
"

Me:"
Fuckt
hat
!!Fuckthestupi
d
t
radi
ti
onandf
uckt hethr
one!"Wel
lI
di
dnotmeanthel
astpar
t.Iwas
al
readyuponmyf
eet

Dad:"Sivuy i
le!!
"Hebangedt hetable
veryhar d" l
istenhereboy ,Idon'tmake
theser ules,andwenamt shanay ou
aregonnaf ollowthem,y ouar er oy
alty
forGod' ssake, youknewt hiswas
gonnacome, youknewt hi swas
gonnahappen.Socal mt hef uck
downandl et'
st al
kli
kedamnadul ts"
hesor e,Ilookedathi m andsatdown

Me:
"howdoy ouknowthatThandi
we
i
snotthechosenone?
"
Dad:
"di
ditr
ainwheny
ouf
ir
stmet
her
?"

Me:
"No"

Dad:
"di
ditrai
nwheny
ouki
ssedf
or
thef
ir
stti
me"

Me:
"no"

Dad:
"di
ditrai
nwheny '
all
hadsexf
or
thef
ir
stti
me? "Thehel
l
?
Me:
"No!
"

Dad:"
hayydon'
tactl
i
keav
irgi
n"I
chuckl
ed

Me:"
buti
trai
nedonourweddi
ng
day
,t
hatshoul
dmeansomethi
ng"

Dad:"
wasitrai
ningforherory
our
chosenone?May beshewasatthe
weddingwhoknows? "

Me:
"t
hisi
ssost
upi
d"
Dad:"
noit'
snot.NowIthinkimight
haveanideawhot hechosenone
i
s,butIneedt
oconsultwithNdeka
aboutthi
s"Ndekaisthefamil
y
sangoma

Me:
"whodoy
oususpect
?"

Dad:
"iwi
l
ltell
y ouwhenIhav
ea
cl
ue,
nowleaveIhav ewor
ktodo"he
l
ookedathislaptop

Me:"
atleastgi
vemeahi nt"he
i
gnoredmeandl ookedathislapt
op
"
Dad!"Sil
ence"Dad"si
lence.Ij
ust
st
oodupandl
eftsi
ncehedi
dnot
wantt
otel
lmeanyt
hing.
.
.
°
•Boi
tumel
o•°

Theyfi
nall
ydeci
dedt
oent
ert
hecar
aft
eralongti
me.

Me:
"f
inal
l
yyoh!
"

Thapel
o:"Andt
henwena?
"
Thabo:"
whydidn'
tyout
ell
usthat
yourwereat
tendi
ngthePri
nce'
s
wedding.
"

Me:"idi
dn'
tevenknowt hattheywer e
royal
ty,
nnaIthoughtIwasjust
att
endingThandiwe'
swedding, who
happenstobemyf r
iend'
ssister"I
rol
ledmyey es

Thabang:
"wel
lthatweddi
ngwas
roy
alt
y"wewerebowdr iv
ing

Me:
"yeahyeah.Di
dyouhav et
otalk
wi
thhimforthatl
ongthough?I'
m
act
ual
lysurpr
isedt
haty
oudi
dn'
t
wantt
oattackhim"

Thapelo:
"heist
hecrownedPri
nce,
we
didn'
twanttoberude,
besi
deshe'
sa
reall
ycoolguy"

Thabang:
"mmhmmh, plustherear
e
ver
ycoolbenefi
tsofbeingfri
ends
wit
htheroyalf
amily
"

Me:
"Andwhatar
ethosebenef
it
s?"

Thabo:
"Hotchi
ckst
hrowi
ng
t
hemsel
vesatus"

Me:"siesmar n.Bytheway,howdi
d
youfindoutwher eIwas?Idon't
remembert el
li
ngyouorsendingyou
alocat i
on.Icouldhavebeenat
Zint
le'
s"

Thabo:"
ohthat
,weusedt
het
rackeri
n
yourphone"

Me:
"myphonedoesn'
thav
eat
racker
"

Thapel
o:"
itdoes,
weputi
tint
her
e"he
sai
dthatwit
hsomuchchil
lwhi
lemy
mouthwaswi deopenf
rot
heshock,
I
can'
tbel
iev
ethem.

Me:
"JesusChr
ist
!"

Thabo:"
Eyyweknowit'
saSunday
,but
thatdoesn'
tmeanyouhavet
ocal
l
thebigman'snameinvai
n"

Me:
"mxm"

Thabo:
"or
eng?
"
Me:
"ni
x"

Thabo:
"wat
elat
heseday
sneh?
"

Thapelo:
"toomuch, It
houghtIwas
theonlyonewhonot i
cedwat seba"I
j
ustpout edandl ookedoutsidethe
window,nextthingIknowmy
brot
hersar et
aki ngpictur
esof
me,theyaresocr eepy.Aswewer e
dri
ving,
Isawt hatt heroadwasn't
l
eadingtohome.

Me:
"wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?Iwant
t
ogohome"
Thabang:
"chi
l
l,
wear
egoi
ngt
ohav
e
fun"

Me:"
idontwantt
ohav
efunwi
thy
ou.
Iwantt
osleep"

Thapel
o:"
wellguesswhat
?Wedon'
t
car
e"theylaughed

Me:"
wow,okay"Ijustkeptqui
etand
l
ookedoutthewi ndow.Theytr
ied
makingaconversati
onwi t
h
me,
askingmeaboutt heweddi
ngbut
Ijustignor edthem.Fi nall
yt hecar
stoppednextt ot hisgiganticf i
eld,
it
wasi nt hemi ddleofnowher e.Idon't
evenknowwhatweasdoi ngher e.I
gotoutt hecaraf tertheyal sogotout .
Wewal kedtothemi ddleoft he
ground, Thapelo'sar m wasonmy
shoul derbutIr emov edi t
,hel ookedat
meandputi tbackonmyshoul der,
I
remov editagain,hechuckl ed.Next
thingIknowThabot ookouta
gun,JesusChr i
sty oushoul dhav e
seent hewayIr anbackt ot he
car ,
whenIgott ot hecar ,
i
twasl ocked
andThabangwasj oggingt ome.
Thabang:"ayykengkawena? "Didhe
j
ustaskwhat '
swr ongwi t
hme?Di dn'
t
heseet hatHisbrot herhasagun?
Whatifhewant stoshootme?
"Come"Ishookmyhead" Come
on,wejustwantt ot eachyouaf ew
thi
ngs"hehel douthi shand,Itooki t
thenwewal kedbackt ooursi bl
ingsI
wasshaki ngwithf ear.

Thabo:
"onobal
ehang?
"Isheinsane?
Il
ookedathi
mlikehewascrazyhe
shr
ugged

Thapel
o:"
any
waywebr
oughty
ou
her
esothatwecant
eachyouhowto
hol
dagunandhowtoshoot"Amen!
!

Me:
"What?
!Idon'
twantt
olearnhow
t
oshoot
!Whoam Igonnashoot?
!"

Thabang:
"youhavet
olear
nto
prot
ectyour
sel
f"

Me:
"f
rom what
?"

Thabo:
"ourenemi
es"

Me:
"iknowt
haty
ouguy
sannoyal
ot
ofpeople,
butIdon'tthi
nkitwoul
d
escal
atetoapoi ntwheretheywant
tokil
lyouandy ourfamil
y"Isai
d
whil
elaughing

Thabang:"wearegangster
s
punki
e,andweknowt hatourenemi
es
wil
ltr
yt ogett
ousbyusi ngyousi
nce
youareourweakspot"

Me:"wai
t,
wait.Let
'sr
ecapbecauseI
zonedoffforaminute.Yousai
dyou
arewhat?"

Thabo:
"Gangst
ers"hesai
dina
annoy
edt
one

Me:"Iknewi t!
!"Ijumpedupanddown
withasmi leonmyf ace" Iknewit!
Damni fIonl yIhadmadeabetwi th
LizwiandBont l
eIwoul dbe
swimmi nginmoneyr ight,I
'
m so
stupi
d"If r
owned.Theyl ookedatme
l
ikeIwascr azy."Wellwhatar ewe
waiti
ngf or,
l
et '
sgetdownt obusiness.
Gimmet hegun"

Thapel
o:"soyouar
enotangr
yor
di
sappointed?
"
Me:
"whatdiff
erencewill
it
make,
becauseit
'snotl
ikemy
f
eel
ingswil
lmakey oustop"

Thabo:
"phew!That
'sbett
er,
nowmom
anddadwi l
lst
opbreathi
ngdownour
necksabouthowdisappoi
ntedy
ou
wil
lbe"Sl
owt hel
orry

Me:"saywhatnow?Mom anddad
know? "Theynodded"t
hosesneaky
parents,
andtheyact
edliket
heydidn'
t
knowwher eyougotthatcarfr
om"
theylaughed"j
ustmakesurethat
Lizwidoesn'
tfi
ndout,
he'sacopyou
know"

Thabang:
"wewi
llt
alkaboutt
hat
l
ater,
ri
ghtnowl
et'
sstar
tshooti
ng"
.
▪
¤
▪
¤
#TheMokenaBr
other
s
#Roy
alFami
l
y.

Howwi l
lSivuyi
leandThandi
wereact
whentheyfindoutwhothechosen
onei
s?St aytunedformore
.
.
NB:"Si
vuyi
l
e'sPOVsar eatempor ar
y
thi
ng,wewon'tbehavingthem
thr
oughoutthestory,
theywil
l onl
ybe
avai
labl
eatthebeginningofthestory
.
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er5
▪
▪
▪
°
•Boi
tumel
o•°

Imustadmitt
heweddi
ngwasabit
fun,
j
ustt
hatIwast
oopinkshame.
ButIl ookedgoodi nmydust ypi nk
dress,Iwasr ockingitshame, I'
m
say i
ngt hisbecauseoft hest ar
esI
gotf rom alotofguy s.Ifmybr others
wer eher e,
Iswearaf i
ghtwoul dhave
erupted.Mr sDl aminiinsi
stedthatwe
sleepov er,
because" wearef amily"I
thinksheonl ysai dthatbecauseI
waswi t
hZintle.Ideci
dedtowakeup
ear l
yt odaysinceIwasi nsomeone
else'shouse,notmymom' shouse.

Me:
"Nt
leNt
le!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
mmmhmmh"
Me:
"wakeupmar
n!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
goshIhat
ethatnameso
much"

Me:
"Il
ikei
t.It
hinkI
'
m gonnacal
lyou
t
hatfr
om nowon"

Zint
le:
"whydi
dyouwakemeupso
earl
y?"

Me:"
incasey
oudi
dn'
tnoti
ce,
youar
e
noti
nyourmama'
shouse,
soyou
can'
twakeupaf
tert
heowneroft
he
house"

Zint
le:
"ayymarn,
wenay ouar eto
ri
ghteousformyl i
ki
ng" .Myphone
beeped,i
twasat extfrom Thapelo
tel
li
ngthattheywillbef etchi
ngina
fewhours.Theydidn'tst atet
he
ti
me,gosh.

Me:"
letsgoandmakebr
eakfast
.My
brot
hersaref
etchi
ngmeinafew
hours"

Zi
ntl
e:"
mmmh,
Mar
ayourbr
other
sar
e
hothl
echomi
"

Me:"i
t'
ssof unnyhowy oual
way s
compli
mentt hem whent hey'
renot
nextt
oy ou,
butt heminuteyoustand
nextt
othem y oujustkeepquiet,
you
don'
teventalk."Il
aughed

Zint
le:
"well
yourbr
other
sarerude,
so
youcan'tbl
amemef ri
end"Il
aughed

Me:"t
rue.Ineedtotakeabath,
I
nf act
ashower .Idon'
tevenhaveaclean
underwearandcleanclot
hes"
Zi
ntl
e:"
met
oo.Si
yaf
reewi
l
l(er
)gi
rl
"

Me:
"whatt
hef
ucki
sthat
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"wewon'
tworeapent
y"I
l
ookedaroundt
heroom.

Me:"thanksGodther
e'sanen-sui
t
here"Istoodandwenttothe
bathroom andtookashower,
Zintl
e
fol
lowedaf t
erme.Iworemydr ess
againandmyshoes,Icombedmy
hai
randputmywetpent yi
nmy
handbag.Zi nt
lecamebackandal so
wereherdr ess,shefixedherbraids.
Wewentdownst air
s,unfor
tunat
elyfor
ussomeonehadal readydonet he
breaksfat,
thekitchencounterwasf ul
l
ofdiffer
entkindoff ood.Mr sDlamini
enteredthekitchen

Mr
sD:
"Mor
ningbabi
es"

Us:"morningmah"j ustafterthata
manwal kedi n,nowseey oucant ell
bythewayhewal kst hatthisman
doesn'ttoler
ateshi t,
youcanal sot el
l
thathehasmoney .Hel ookedal ot
l
i
keSi
vuy
il
e,
Iassumedt
hat
'shi
sdad.

MrD:
"Mor
ningl
adi
es"

Us:
"morni
ngsir
"Zintl
ebowedbefore
hi
m,Idon'
tknowwhy ,maybet
hat
's
howyoushowr espectt
oaXhosa
man.

MrD:"Ther
ewasnoneedf orthat
Zeezee"hesai
dwit
hasmi le.Even
whenhesmi l
eshesti
l
llooksabi t
scary
.
MrsD:"
Iwaswonder ingi
fwecoul
d
al
lgoforshoppingtoday
"shewas
di
shi
ngupf orherhusband.

MrD:"
byal
lyouar
ereferr
ingt
othe
gi
rl
sri
ght
?"MrsDlaughed

Mr sD:
"ofcour
se.IwouldwantMy
Kingtobeseencarryi
ngshoppi
ng
bagsnowwoul dI"hechuckl
ed.

MrD:"
youar esuchaconsideratewif
e
nowaren'ty
a?"Hesaidhej oki
ngly
manner.Theylookedver
yy oung,t
hey
act
ual
lylookedyoungerthanmy
parent
s,kodwawhoknowsmay
bet
he
moneyismaki ngt
hem l
ook
younger,
Lol.

Mr
sD:
"sowhatdoy
ousaygi
rl
s?"

Zi
ntle:
"I'
min"Iknewmybr
other
s
weren'
tgonnaall
owmetogo,so

Me:"
unf
ort
unatel
yIcannotj
oiny
ou
Mah.Mybrot
hersarefet
chi
ngmein
afewhour
s"

Mr
sD:
"awwcomeonwewon'
tbe
l
ong"

Me:"okay ,
butIhav etobebackher e
beforemybr ot
herscome"Justt hen
Sivuandhi swifecamedownt he
stai
rs,t
heyr eal
lylookedgood
together.Thandiwewasal ready
doll
edup, weari
ngav er
yshor tdress
andt hehighestheel t
hatIhav eever
seen.

MrsD:"Heeeehmhlol
a.HayamaZizi
asi
ful
athel
e.Yint
onil
eoyi
nxi
bil
eyo
wena?"
.
.
.
.
°
•Si
vuy
il
e°•

Iknewmymom wasgonnahav ea
probl
em wit
ht hewaymywi f
eis
weari
ng.Ialsodidhavea
probl
em,butkeThandiweisver
yhar
d
headedsoIl etherbe.

Me:
"mom pl
ease"

Mom:
"pl
easey
anwena?Pl
easey
an?
Can'
tyouseet
hatshe'
sdr
essedl
i
me
ahooker
?"

Me:"dad,speakt oyourwife."Idi
dn'
t
havestrengthtoar guewith
mom, especiall
yafterthenightIhad
wit
hmyl ovelywife*wink,
wi nk*
.

Dad:
"Yourmom isri
ghtson.Shecan'
t
bedressedl
iket
hisi
npublic,
she'
sa
marri
edwomansheneedst ocar
ry
her
selfassuch"

Thandi:
"Igett
haty
ouareav er
y
tr
adit
ionalmanMrDlami
ni,
butyou
can'tbeexpectingmeThandi weto
bewear i
ngthoselongskirt
s,Idon'
t
wantt olookli
keagr anny.Ngeke
boh"It hi
nksomet imesThandi we
forgetsthatmydadi sKing,anda
Kingneedst ober espect
ed.

Dad:
"babe,It
hinkumakot
ineedst
o
j
oinyoutoday"

Thandi
:
"forwhat
?"

Dad:"
shoppi
ng.Youneedpr
oper
cl
othes.Si
vuyi
l
efoll
owmet omy
st
udyweneedt otal
k.Andwena
Thandiwe,
leti
tbethelastti
mey ou
everspeaktomel i
kethat,
uyandi
va?"
Thandiwequickl
ynodded"Good"he
walkedaway

Mom: "may beyoucanj oi

nusi n
anotherti
meThandi we.TodayIam
tr
eatingZintl
eandBoi tumelo"Ididn't
evenr eal
i
set hatSmallwasher eand
sowasherf ri
end.Nomar nguy s
mhlel omntana,mhle,
uSexy,
UHot .Like
she'
sanexpl osivebasical
ly,
unguAll
i
none.

Mom:
"SI
VUYI
LE!
!"Iqui
ckl
ysnapped
outofit
,Idi
dn'
tev
enr eal
i
seIwas
star
ingatBoit
umelo.

Me:"
eish,
yasho.Whatwer
eyou
say
ingMom? "

Mom:
"youf
atheri
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ou"

Me:
"ohnxa,
yeah.Letmedi
shupf
ir
st"

Mom:"Si
vumarn!
"Shesai
din
war
ningtone

Me:
"i
mahl
eNozal
a,
ndi
l
ambi
l
e".Just
t
henaphonebeeped

Boi
tumel o:
"ohhMa,mybrothersare
her
eunf ort
unatel
yIwon'tbejoini
ng
youforshoppingtoday
"

Mom:"ohht
hat
'sapi
ty.Maybenext
t
ime?"Mymom iswaytofr
iendl
y
marn.

Boi
tumel
o:"
def
ini
tel
y"

Mom:"i
thastobesoon
t
hough,
becauseIam l
eav
ingf
orEC
v
erysoon"Ohbyt
heway

Boi
tumel
o:"
iwi
l
lmakeapl
an"

Mom:
"Si
vuy
il
ewal
kherout
"

Thandi
:"
aiboMa,I'
m sureshecanfi
nd
herownway .Orherfr
iendherecan
walkherout"

Mom:
"andi
thet
hinaweJakal
asi
"

Boi
tumel
o:"
It
sfi
nemah"
Mom: "
haysukanothingi
sfinehere.
Siv
uyil
ewillwalkyoutoyourbrother
's
carandalsothankthem f
orlet
tingus
haveyouforthewedding"saywhat
now?Iain'tdoi
ngthatshi
t

Boi
tumel
o:"
That
'sunnece-
"

Mom:
"Boi
tumel
o"shewar
ned

Boit
umelo:"
uh,
letmegoandf etchmy
handbag"shequickl
ywalkedupthe
stai
rsdamnitt
hatassthough,
ifI
coul
djusthaveitf
oroneni
ght
,one
ni
ghtonlyyeses!

Me:"Dadiswai
ti
ngforme"I
at
temptedtol
eave

Mom:"Si
vuy
il
edon'
ttestme"Iwal
ked
back

Thandi:
"idon'tgetwhySi vuhast o
walkherout "shefoldedher
arms,mom gav ehert hedeadli
est
l
ookev er
,shequi cklyl
ookeddown.I
real
l
ydon' tunderstandwhymyf amil
y
doesn'
tli
keThandi we,i
thasgottento
apointwhereIst
oppedtry
ingto
maket hem l
i
kehercauseitdi
dn'
t
work.
◇
◇
◇
◇
#Dl
ami
niFam
#Tumi
#Zi
ntl
e
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er8
■
□
■
□

°
•Nar
rat
ed•
°

TheMokoenaf amil
ywasnow
gat
heredinthehospit
al,
j
ustout
side
Boi
tumelo'
sroom.

Thabang:
"Whatdoyoumeanthatyou
can'
tfi
ndanythi
ngwrongwi
thher?
!"

MrsMokoena:
"Cal
m downThabang
marn"
Thabang:"imustcalm downmama?
Mysi st
erisi
nacomaandt hisstupi
d
foolsayshecan'
tfindanything
wrongwi t
hher!
!That'sbul
lshit!
!"

MrMokoena:
"Thabang!
"Hewar
ned

Thabo:
"dot
het
est
sagai
n"

Doctor
:"
Imr eall
ysorry
.Butwe'
ve
donealotoft estandwesti
ll
can't
fi
ndanythi
ngwr ongwit
hher,
i
nfact
sheisperf
ectlyhealt
hy."
Thapel
o:"
theni
fshe'
sheal
thwhyi
s
sheinacoma?"

Doctor
:"
Iser
iousl
ydonothav
ean
answerfort
hat"

Thabang:"wenayouneedtogoback
toUniversi
tyandrest
udy
ever
ything,
causeyouareusel
ess!
!"

MrMokoena:
"whendoyout
hink
she'
sgonnawakeup?
"
Doct
or:
"wecan'
ttel
l,
shewi
l
lwakeup
whenshefeel
sready"

Thabang:
"That
'sst
u-"

MrsMokoena: "
thanky
oudoctor
"the
doctornoddedwithasmi
leand
walkedawayjustasBont
leandLizwi
walkedin.

Bont
le:
"whatdi
dthedoct
orsay
?"

MrsMokoena:
"hesai
dtheycan'
tfi
nd
any
thi
ngwrongwithher
,t
hey'
vedone
m..u.
.l
-"herv
oicewasbreaki
ng,
her
husbandcomf or
tedher

Bontl
e:"
whatdot heymeant heycan't
fi
ndanythi
ngwr ongwithher
? !She'
s
i
nacomaf orheaven'
ssake!What ,
do
theyt
hinkshejustdeci
dedtosl i
pint
o
acoma? !
"Shewaspaci ngupand
down.

Li
zwi:
"Thi
sisreal
l
ywierd.Pr
incess
hasbeenonthatbedfor3daysnow"

Thabang:
"t
hesedoct
orsar
eusel
ess
marn!"
Bont
le:
"Mom l
et'
sgoandseeher
"

Mr sMokoena:"Ican'
t,
Ijustcan'tbar
e
toseemydaught erl
ookingl i
ke
that,
shelooksdead"shewai l
ed.The
4br ot
hers(i
ncl
udingLizwi)stoodup
andwal kedoutthehospi t
al.Mr
Mokoenaf oll
owedbehi ndthem

MrMokoena:"
Boys!"Hecall
edout
j
ustastheywereabouttoenter
Thabang'
scar
.Hewal kedtothem
Thabo:
"di
dyouj
ustcal
lusboy
sdad"
hechuckl
ed

MrMokoena:"
ShutUp!Weneedto
t
alkabouty
oursist
er'
ssi
tuat
ion"

Thapelo:"idon'
tknowwhatt odo
anymor e,Ifeel
sohelpl
ess"hequi
ckl
y
wipedthet earthatwascomingout
ofhisey e.

Lizwi:
"Weneedtogetherhelp,
maye
takehertosomespecial
ist
s
ov er
seasorsomet
hing"
Thabang:
"tr
ue.Idon'
twantt
olose
punki
e"

MrMokoena:
"iwasthinki
ngof
somet
hingdi
ff
erentandless
compl
icat
ed"

Li
zwi
:
"andwhat
'st
hat
?"

MrMokoena:
"asangoma"

Them:
"What
?!"
MrMokoena:"y
es,Imeant heycan'
t
fi
ndanythi
ngwrongwi thher.Thi
s
coul
dbeaspi r
it
ual pr
oblem,weneed
toseekanswersfrom ourancest
ors"

Thapel
o:"
youknowmom won'
tagr
ee
tothat
."

MrMokoena:"Ido,
butrightnowwe
donothaveachoi ce.Wehav et
odo
thi
s,
Iwi
llhandleyourmom. "

Lizwi
:"
Butwecan'tbr
ingasangoma
tothehospi
tal
,
it'
sagainstt
he
Hospit
alrul
es"
Thabang:
"ai
bowhy
?"

Li
zwi:
"idon'
tknow.Idon'
twor
katt
he
hospi
tal
"

Thabang:"
ohreal
ly
?Ididn'
tknow
that
"hesaidwithavoi
cefil
l
edwith
sacarsm

Thabo:"
itdoesn'
tmatt
er,
Punki
ewi
l
l
bedischargedwit
hinaweek.
"

MrMokoena:
"Il
i
ket
hatson,
Il
iket
hat
youhav
efai
ththaty
oursi
steri
s
goi
ngtowakeupsoon"

Thabo:"
That'
snoti
tdad.WhatImean
i
sthey'r
earegonnadi
schar
geher
whethershe'
sawakeornot
."

Them:
"WHAT?
!"

Thabang:
"t
heycan'
tdot
hat
"

Thabo:"
theycan.Accordi
ngtothem
sheisperfect
lyheal
thysotheyhave
noreasont okeepherhere"
MrMokoena:
"She'
sinacoma!That
shoul
dbeagoodenoughreason!
!"

Thabo:"
She'snoti
ndangerdad.She
canbreatheonherown!"

Li
zwi:
"t
henwhydi
dtheyputherona
coma?"

Thabo:
"She'
sunconsci
ous!That
's
why"

Thapel
o:"
thi
sdoesn'
tmakeany
sense"

MrMokoena:"thi
sisaprivat
ehospit
al,
Ipayalotofmoneyf ormydaughter
tobeinheresotheycan'tdi
schar
ge
herunt
ilshe'
swell.
"

Thabo: "
Shedoesn'tneedany
medi cati
ondad!Ialsothi
nkit
'sbet
ter
sheheal sathome.Plusitwil
lmake
thesangomat ohav eaccesstoher
withoutanyrest
ricti
ons"

MrMokoena:
"Ineedt
otalktoyour
mom aboutt
his"
.Hewalkedback
i
nsi
det
hehospi
tal
.

°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Mom: "
I'
vebeentry
ingtoreachthe
Mokoenasbuttheirphonesri
ng
unanswered.Ar
ey ousureyouhave
met heri
ghtnumberswena? "

Me:"ofcour
seNozala.Maybethey'
re
busy.I'
m meet
ingwi t
hthebr
others
todaysurel
yIwil
lfundoutwhat'
s
wrong"
Mom:"Ngekesazi
,kal
oku
l
anondatshazawakhodoesn'
twant
yout
omar r
yuBoi
tumelo"

Me:
"Ni
buy
elani
niebhay
imama?
"

Mom:
"sesi
kudi
ki
lena?
"

Me:
"haybendi
buzanj
eqha"

Mom:"
mmmh.Sizobuy
elaaf
terwe
hav
espokent
otheMokoenafami
ly"

Me:
"i
yoh.Khaqut
hindi
zi
hambel
emna.
Nz okubonal at
e"Itookmycarki ssi
ng
thenleftaft
erkissinghercheek.Igot
i
ntomycaranddr oveofftomeett he
MokoenaBr other
.Iarri
vedwher ewe
wer emeeting,i
twasasmal l
chisanyama/ carwash,Iwenttothe
tablethatt
heywer esitti
ngont hey
wer ewithLizwi,
whichIhaveonl ymet
once.

Me:
"exemaj
i
ta.Hoezet
"

Them:
"Moj
aPr
ince"t
hat
'swhatt
hey
cal
lme
Me:"andthent
helongf
aces?
Sekubhodebanngoku?
"Theyjust
l
ookedatme.

Thabo:
"umnt wanawasedl
adl
eni
useHosi
,sekuphel
eamalangaay
i3
nou"

Me:
"omphi
yena?
"

Thabang:
"uPunki
ent
anga"Shi
t!

Me:"ey
ysan,hademar
n.What
happened?
"
Li
zwi:
"shejustcol
l
apsednowshe'
sin
acoma,thedoctor
sdon'
tknowwhat
wrongwithher"

Me:
"yoh!That
'sbad.Best
rongguy
s"

Thapel
o:"
Ijustfeelsohelpl
essman.I
wishIwast heonelyingonthat
bed,
she'
sv eryyoung,
shehasabr i
ght
fut
ureaheadofher "

Me:
"sowhat
'st
henextst
epnow?
"
Thabo:"Dadisthi
nkingofconsult
ing
asangoma"hesi ppedonhi sbeer.
Wesati nsi
lenceuntilabunchof
gir
lscamet oourtable,
theywere
weari
ngnextt onothi
ng,theyl
ooked
sexynolie.

Gir
l1:
"Bol
overboy,ni
Hotkasoni
hlel
i
nodwa"shetouchedThabo'
s
shoul
der

Gir
l2:
"ohmyGod!It
'shim guy
s,i
t'
sthe
Xhosapri
nce"t
heyallscr
eamed

Thabang:
"Hayv
oet
sekl
arasamar
n!"
Theyst
oppedi
mmedi
atel
y

Gi
rl
1:"
haynoneedt
ober
udebhut
i"

Thabang:"ut
hini
?"Hi
seyeslooked
col
d"entlekvayani
!Voet
sek!!
"The
qui
cklyranaway

Thapelo:
"mi gwanti
yaLocti
on(townshiphoes)".They
werereall
ydown, theywerenotthei
r
usualsel
v esmakingjokesandstuff
.
Theywer equietandjustdowning
thei
rbeer.Themomentwas
dist
urbedbyThabo' sri
ngingphone
Thabo:"Taima..
...
.Reko
chisanyama...
..
.ehhwhatdoyou
meanshehasbeen
discharged?.
..
..
.Finewewil
lbether
e
i
n10mi nutes"wenowal lf
ocusi
ng
onhi m

Li
zwi:
"whatdi
dhesay?Whyi
s
Pr
incessdi
schar
ged?
"

Thabo:
"appar
ent
lydadfounda
sangomaandhewant sustocome
homeASAP"
Me:
"Oh,
wecanhangsomeot
hert
ime
t
hengent
s"

Thabo:"
hesai
dwemustcomewi
th
you"huh?

Me:
"Me?Ar
eyousur
e?"

Thabo:
"i
fyouarethePri
nceofthe
XhosaKingdom,
thenyesIam sur
e"

Me:"
Yoh!Okaycooll
et'
sgo"
.Iwonder
what'
sgoi
ngon,maybethesangoma
knowsaboutt
hecrownedPrincess
thi
ng.IguessIwil
lhav
etowaitand
see.West oodupandwenttoour
separatecarst
henwedroveofft
o
Mamel odi.
.
.
.
.
.

Wewer enowi ntheMokoena

Household,t
hishousehadav er
y
warmfeelingtoit,
unl
ikemine.We
wereall
sitti
ngont hecouchexcept
forBoitumel owhowasl yingontop
ofar eedmatnextt othesangoma.
Thesangomawasbusymaki ngwi
erd
noises,Icouldseethateveryonewas
freaked,butIwasn'
tI'm usedto
seeingMaNdekaal soactingthe
sameway .Iwasbusychat t
ingonmy
phone.

Sangoma:"Boy.
..
.heeeeyi
i
"Someone
nudgedme,Iqui
cklyputmyphonei n
thepocketandf
ocusedmyat tent
ion
tothesangomawhom Inowr eali
sed
waspointi
ngatmewi t
h"i
tshoba"
l
akhe.
Me:
"Me?Whatdi
dIdo?
"

Sangoma: "
yeeey
!Theancest
orshav
e
spoken,youaret
heonlyt
hatcanhel
p
thegir
l.Vumaniboh!
"

Us:
"Sy
avuma"

MrsM:"
HowMakhosi
?Howcanhe
hel
pher
?"

Sangoma:
"Heknowhow,gggr
rrr
!"I
hadall
myeyesout.Boi
tumel
o's
mom camet
okneel
inf
rontofme

MrsM: "pleasemyson, helpmy

daughter,
pleaseIwil
ldoany thi
ngy
ou
wantpleasehelpher"ifonlyshe
knewthehel pIhadtoof fershe
wouldn'tbebeggingmel ikethi
s

Me:"
Im sur
ether
eisanot
herwayt
o
hel
pherMakhosi"

Sangamo:"
ther
eisnootherway.Your
ancest
orshavecapt
uredher
,onl
yyou
cansaveherandyouhavetodoit
soonbefor
etheycaptur
eherfor
good"

Bontl
e:"
forgood?
!Whatdoy
oumean
forgood?"

Sangoma: "
Shewi l
ldi
e!"NextthingI
knowBont leandhermom ar e
wail
ing,
thefatheri
ssitt
ingont he
couchlookingdefeat
ed,thebrother
s
l
ookbr oken,t
heywanttocr ybutyou
knowwhatpeopl esayaboutman
whocr y.

Thabo:
"pl
easebroh,
hel
pher.She'
s
onl
y18.Helpherpl
easeSi
vuyil
e,
I'
m
beggi
ngy
ou"

Thabang:
"wear ebeggi
ngyou".I
seri
ousl
ydidn'
tknowwhatt odoor
say,
thi
swasamess.It houghtmaybe
Boit
umelowill
onlybeacrowned
Pri
ncesswhenshet ur
nsacertai
n
age,
not18though.

Sangoma: "
Thet i
mehasar ri
vedmy
Pri
nce.Youonl yhaveto2weekst o
maket hi
sr i
ght"What?!He'
sjoki
ng
ri
ght"I'
m notjoki
ng.Cally
ourparent
s
here,
tel
lthem tocomewi thMaNdeka.
Nowson! "Thiscan'
tbehappening
now,it
'st
oosoon.Iqui
ckl
ydialed
mom' sphoneandtookmest r
aightto
voicemai
l,
evendad'
sphone.Iquickl
y
tri
edThandiandsheansweredafter
the3rdri
ng

Me:
"babyar
eyouhome?
"

Thandi
:
"nohel
lobaby
?Howar
eyou
wif
ey?Nixv
elenj
e?"

Me:
"nowi snotthet
imeThandi
we.
Ar
ey ouornot?
"
Thandi
:"
mxm wher
eelsewoul
dIbe?
Youknowyourmom t
reat
smelikea
pri
soner
"

Me:"coul
dy oupleaseoutmom on
thephone,ortel
lhertoswi
tchher
phoneon"

Thandi
:
"wh-
."

Me:
"j
ustdoi
tmar
nThandi
we!
"

Thandi
:
"fi
ne,
noneedtoyel
l
.Cal
lme
aft
er2minut
es"Ihungup.
Thabang:"
what'
sgoingonher
e?Why
i
shet heonethatcansavemy
si
ster
? "

Sangoma: "youwi l
lgetallt
heanswer s
whent heQueenandKi nggethere"
thi
sgoi ngtobeadi saster
,Iknowv er
y
wellthatt heMokoenaswon' tt
ake
thi
smat t
erlightl
y,
especial
lythemen
ofthef ami l
y .Ideci
dedt ocallThandi
again,andt histimemom answer ed.

Me:
"Mom,Ineedyoutocomet
othe
Mokoenar
esidenceASAP.
"
Mom:"hai
boASAPwantoni
nah?I
'
m
st
il
lbusydoi
ngmynai
lswena
Si
vuyi
le"

Me:
"Nozal
amar
n,t
hisi
saser
ious
mat
ter
."

Mom:
"Kwezekal
ani
?"

Me:
"i
t'
sti
memama.
"

Mom:
"nj
ani
?Whathappened?
"
Me:"
Justgether
epl
ease.Comewi
th
dadandMaNdeka"

Mom:"
howdidyouknowt
hat
MaNdekai
sint
own?"

Me: "
Ijustdid.Nowpl easegether
e
quickl
y .Iwil
l sendyout he
coordinates".Ihungup" Can
someonepl easesendt hethe
coordinates"Ihel doutmy
phone,Lizwi t
ooki tandst ar
tedt
ypi
ng.
I'
mr eallynotr eadyforwhatisabout
togodownher e.
■
□
■
□
#Si
vuy
il
e
#TheBr
other
s
#BakoenaFami
l
y

#I
t'
sTi
mePeopl
e

KEEPLI
KINGANDSHARI
NGTHE
I
NSERTS
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er7
●
■
□
1WeeekLat
er
.
.
Wewer enowsi t
ti
nginSpurwai t
ing
forourorders.Aft
erthewhol e
shooti
ngl essonsthi
ng,t
heysaidthey
werehungr ysowedeci dedtogot o
spurbecauset heysaidtheywant
meat,yepwe' v
ebeendoi ngthese
l
essonsf oraweeknow.

Me:
"whenar
eyouguy
sget
ti
ng
gi
rl
fr
iends?KebatlaboSkwizanna
nou(
iawantsisterinl
aws)"They
l
aughed,t
heyl
it
erall
ylaughedl
ikeI
j
ustdroppedajoke.

Thabo:
"gi
rl
f-
..
what
?"Theyl
aughed
agai
n,t
heycanbesoannoy
ing
someti
mes

Thapel
o:"
li
loneyoureal
l
yneedt
o
snapoutofthatdr
eam"

Me:"
there'
snothingwrongwit
h
havi
ngast abl
egi r
lf
ri
end,
andbei
ng
commitedt ooneperson"t
hey
l
aughedev
enhar
der

"Thel i
loneistel
li
ngt
het r
uth"weall
turnedandlookedatthepersonand
i
twasMrAnnoy i
nghi
mself-Sivuy
il
e
Dlamini.Hetookaseatnextto
Thabang.

Thabo:
"niggashutt hehel
lup,y
ou'
ve
onl
ybeenmar r
iedfor2daysandyou
al
readytell
ingusabout
commitment ,
ni
ggasityourads
down"theyl aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
uyaphaphaThabo.Iwasj
ust
agreeingwit
hTumi .Lookatme,
I
'm
mar r
iedbecauseIcommi t
tedmysel
f
toonegi r
l"

Thabang:
"Don'
tfor
gettosayyouar
e
miser
ablei
nyourMarrai
ge"t
hey
l
aughedagain

Thapelo:
"anddon'ttel
lusabouthow
commut edy ouweretoyourgir
l,
whil
e
i
nact ualf
actyouwer eal
loverthe
tabl
oidswithdif
fer
entgir
ls"t
hey
l
aughed

Thabo:
"WhyThandi
wet
hough?
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"nott
hisquest
ionagai
n.I
tol
dyounjeguys"

Thabang:
"Ohhyeah,
theP-"Thapel
o
qui
cklyputhi
shandov erhi
smouth.

Thabo:
"unf
il
ter
edmout
h"wel
aughed.

Thapelo:
"whyyousoquietpunki
e?"
ohonlynowt heynot
icethatIam i
n
theroom

Me:
"BecauseIdon'
thav
eany
thi
ngt
o
cont
ri
butetoyourconv
ersat
ion"I
mental
lyr
oll
edmyey es

Thabang:
"well
wecanreal
lyt
alk
aboutdol
lsnowcanwe?"

Me:
"dol
l
s?I
'
m 18hl
ebat
ho"

Thapelo:"
youwillonl
ybe18i nfew
weeks,fornowy ousti
ll17".Fi
nall
y
thewaitercamewi thourfood
Sivuy
il
eal sogothisplate,
Iguesshe
order
edwhenhegother eandtold
them tobringi
ttoourt abl
e.Andt hen
i
tbegan:
Wai
tr
ess:"
OhmyGosh,
canIpl
ease
t
akeapict
urewi
thy
oumyPr i
nce"

Thabang:
"what
everhappenedt
o
eat
ingIpeaceModimo!"

Sivuy
il
e:"Api
cture?Haysi siI'
m way
tohungrytobesmi li
ngfort he
camera"Mybr othersl
aughed, Idon't
knowwhybecauset hatwaspur e
rudeshame.Ineedt oGoogl et hi
s
annoyingassandwhyhe' sso
famous.Thewai tr
esswal kedaway
withshamewr it
tenalloverherf ace.
Me:"t
hatwasrude"Il
ookedathi
m,he
l
ookedatmewi thabitofr
ageinhi
s
eyeswhichIdi
dn'tev
enknowwhere
i
tcamef rom.

Thabo:
"whatwasr udewasher
comingtouswi t
hherfakeboobsout
andaski
ngf orapict
urewhileweare
eati
ng,
Imeanwhat everhappenedt
o
ri
ghtofpri
vacy"

Me:"
youareinapubl
i
cspacei
ncase
youdidn'
tnot
ice"
Thapel
o:"andwest i
lldeser
veour
pri
vacy
"I'm notgonnaarguewit
h
them.

Thabang:
"sowehi
tt
ingt
hecl
ubaf
ter
thi
sri
ght?
"

Thapelo:
"doyouev
enhav
etoask?
I
t'
sFridaybro"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Iwi
l
lhav
etobai
lony
'al
l
guy
s"

Thabo:
"noy
oucan'
tdousl
i
ket
hat
br
o.Youknowchi
ckscomef
lyi
ngt
o
uswhenwearewi
thyou"

Si
vuyi
le:
"don'
tli
e,
befor
eImety'al
lyou
guyswerealwayssurr
oundedby
gi
rl
s"

Thapel
o:"
tr
ue"

Si
vuyi
le:
"besi
desIdon'twantbe
ar
oundyourrudearssestoni
ght"t
hey
l
aughed

Thabo:
"mj
i
tay
ouar
ethemostr
ude
Oneoutofal
lofus.
"Theyl
aughed
agai
n

Me:"idon'
tev enknowwhygi rl
sli
ke
y'al
l
,youguy sneversmile.Youare
alwaysintense"theyonlysmi l
ewhen
they'
rearoundf amil
y.Idon'tknow
aboutSivuyil
ebandla.

Thabang:"hav ey oulookedatus
clear
ly?"Theyl ookedatme, Ijust
l
aughed.Si vuyilekeptongivingme
thisi
ntensest are,Idon'
tknow
whetheritwasr ageorhat r
edt hatI
sawinhi sey es,aibongavel
elwaI
don'
tev
enknowwhyhewasl
ooki
ng
atmeli
ket
hat.

Me:"
mxm,j
ustt
akemehomet
heny
ou
cangopar
tyupast
orm"

Thapel
o:"
fi
nishupy
ourf
oodpunki
e"

Me:
"I'
mful
l
"

Thapel
o:"Boit
umel
o!"Hesaidin
warni
ngt one,
mytwobrotherswere
al
sogivingmewar ni
nglooks.I
t
suckstobeme.Icarri
edoneat i
ng.
Sivuyi
le:
"Apparent
lyThandi
wei snot
thechosenone"Iwasn' tev
enpay i
ng
attent
iontowhathewassay i
ng,Iwas
toopreocuppiedwithfi
ghti
ngthe
stakethatwasi nfr
ontofme.

Thabo:
"kanjani
ngokumfo?"Yepmy
brot
her
scanspeakXhosaandsocan
I
,onl
ybecausemom isXhosaand
DadisSotho.

Sivuy
il
e:"
howcanIex pl
aint
his.Asa
crownedPr i
nceIneedt
omar ry
someonet hati
sapprov
edbyt he
ancestors,t
hatper sonwi l
leventual
ly
becomeacr ownedPr i
ncesswhich
meanwhenDadpasseson, Iwil
l be
KingandShewi l
l beQueenoft he
XhosaKi ngdom.Si nceThandiwei s
notthechosent hatmeansshewon' t
becrownedPr i
ncessandshewon' t
beQueeni nthefut ure"I
twassi l
ence
atfi
rst
,thennextt hingIknowmy
brot
her'sarelaughi ng.Youshoul d
haveseenhowmyear spoppedaf t
er
hesaidt hat

Thabang:
"di
dyouhavet
ot el
lusthi
s
i
napubl i
cspace,
l
ookathowI '
m
l
aughing"
Si
vuyi
le:
"idon'
twhyy
'al
ll
aughi
ng,
i
t'
s
notf
unnyguy s"

Thabo:
"hadejoe.So
kuzot
shunakalanimanj
e?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"i
ti
amalit
hif
anel
endi
that
ha
i
vrouyesbi
nikawuci
ngej
oe.
"

Thabanga:"
sowenauzohleli
utr
oua
unti
l
luthol
elochosenonewakho? "I
don'
tknowwhyt heywerespeakingi
n
tsot
sitaal
causeIwasabi tl
ostnow
Sivuyile:"l
uckil
y,bamt holi
lelochosen
one"If eltli
kesomeonewasl ooking
atme, Ir aisedmyey essur pr
ise
surpriseSi vuy
il
ewasgi vingmet he
evileyeagai n.What'st hi
sguy '
s
problem?It hi
nkit'
ssaf et osaythe
Princedoesn' treal
lylikeme.ButI '
m
sti
llgonnaGoogl ehim, Lol.

Thapel
o:"
mjit
awhyareyoumopping
aboutt
his?Youshoul
dbeexci
ted"

Sivuyi
le:
"uqhunyi
we!Whywoul
dIbe
excit
edaboutt hi
s?"
Thapel o:
"uzobanev r
oueziy2,
doy ou
knowwhatt hatmeans? "Al
lfthe
guyswer econcent rati
ngonhi m,
they
werer eal
lyinter
estedi nheari
ngwhat
he'sgonnasay ,
andknowi ngmy
brotherit
'sgonnabet hemost
stupidestthingever.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
doubl
edr
ama"

Thapel
o:"
Noitmeansy ougonna
havesexunti
l
lyourdi
ckcan'ttakei
t
anymore,
youmightevenhavea
thr
eesomewithyourwives.Damn
youareblessed"DidntItel
lyou?
Siv
uyil
egav ehimt heareyoustupi
d
l
ook,whil
emyot herdumbbr ot
hers
gavehim afistpump.

Thabang:"
youfor
gottotel
lpunki
eto
coverherear
sthough"

Me:"ididn'
thearany t
hing.Iwasj
ust
eati
ng,andnowI '
m done"Igavethem
themostbi ggestinnocentsmil
e.
Thapelowhowasdur i
ngnexttome
gavemeaki ssont hecheek.He
call
edthewai tressandtoldhert
o
comewi t
hBill
,shedid.Thapel
o
set
tl
edandal
sogaveherbigf
att
ip.
Mystomachwasful
lyoh,
i
twasabit
pai
nful

Si
vuyile:
"Doy
oust
il
l wantthe
pi
cture?"Hewast
alkingtothe
wai
tress

Wait
ress:"Nothankyou,
ukut
hini
na
maCelebnitshel
akakhul
u.Ni
cabanga
ukut
hininconokunawowonke
umuntu"iyoh.

Thapelo:
"onsecondthoughtssesi
wee,I
'
m onlygivi
ngyouR2f orthe
ti
p,nowcanIhav emyR198back
please"thewait
resslooked
shocked,hermouthwaswi deopen
"FuthiIt
hinkIwil
ltakeallofit
,you
don'tdeservei
tmos"

Me:
"hahabut
i"

Al
lofthe:
"ssshhhh"ai
bo,
suchan
ambush.

Thabang:"usala?Hambasi si ama
customerakul i
ndil
e"theyallhad
blankfaces"joini
ng-facesifIcoul
d
calli
tthat"
.Thewai tr
essqui ckl
y
wal
kedaway
.

Me:
"t
hatwasunnecessar
y"

Thabo:"
letst
akeyouhomel
i
lone
befor
ey ourdadcal
l
s"

Thabanga:"
wadl al
awena,hehas
al
readystartedblowi
ngmyphoneup.
Mom ev enthinkswetookPunki
e
part
yingwit
hus"

Si
vuyi
le:
"icantakeherhome,
Imean
I
'm al
soheadinghomeandnottothe
cl
ub.Plusitmightbeaburdento
y'
al
l"t
heyal l
lookedathim.He'
scrazy
i
fhethinksI'
m gonnaridewit
h
hi
m,especial
lyaft
erthecol
dlookshe
gaveme,uyadakwa.

Thapelo:
"nah,
i
tcoolmj
it
a.She'
sour
l
ilsi
ster,
shewil
lnev
erbeaburdent
o
us"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
chi
llguy
s,Iwasn'
tsay
ingi
tin
abadway"Idon'
tfeelsogood

Thabang:
"I'
m sur
e.Let
'sgo"
Me:"
mystomachi
ssore"Icr
inged.
Theyqui
ckl
ycametosurr
oundme.

Thabo:
"ar
eyouokay
?"

Me:"no,
Ifeell
ikev omit
ing"Idon'
t
knowwhatwaswr ongwi t
hme.Next
IknowIfeltashar ppaininmy
abdomenar ea,Iscreamedlight
ly.My
eyeswerestartingtogetteary.

Thapel
o:"
nono,
punki
eyouar
enot
fi
ne"
Siv
uy i
le:"
may beyoushoul
dtakeher
tothehospi t
al"Ishookmyhead
becauset hepainwasunbearabl
eI
couldn'tspeak.

Thabang:"she'
snotokayguy s.Let '
s
takeherhome, mom wi ll
knowwhat
todo.Letmecar r
yhert othecar"He
scoopedmeupandcar r
iedmetot he
car,
Thaboopenedt hebackseatt hen
Thabangpl acemei nsidebefor
e
enter
ing.Theothert wosaidthei
r
goodbyest oSivuyi
lethentheygoti n
thecar,
wedr ovestraighthome.
Thabangkeptonki ssi
ngmyf orehead.
Assoonast hecarparkedi nthe
garage,
Thabangr anwithmei nside
thehouse,Iwasgetti
ngwor se,Iwas
shakingandIv omit
edi nthecarpl us
Iwascold.Mybr othercalledoutf or
mymom, t
heywer eactuallyshout i
ng.
Mamacameoutt hekitchen

Mom:"y
int
oninandi
khwazanga-
"she
st
oppedmidsentencewhenshesaw
melayi
ngonthesofa"what
'swrong
wi
thmybaby?"

Thabang:
"wedon'
tknow,
shest
art
ed
gett
ingsi
ckaf
tershef
ini
shedher
food"

Mom: "
Thabogetmeadr ytowel,
I
needtowipethissweatofher
"I
rel
easedanotherpacki
fvomit
."Le
Mophl eThabo!!
"

Thapel
o:"
Mom shoul
dn'
twet
akeher
tothehospi
tal
?"

Mom:"wewil
l,
Ijustneedt
owi
pet
his
sweatofher
."
Thabang:
"mamahowcanyoubeso
cal
m atamomentli
ket
his?
!"

Mom: "I
'm anurseThabang,
I'
m used
tothi
s.Besidesoneofusneedst obe
cal
m sincey ouareal
lpani
cking.
Thabookaekat owelna?Thabo!!
"

Thabo:"
im here"hehandedmom t he
towel,
shestartedwi
pingmyf ace.
NextthingIknowmyey esst
arted
gett
ingblurr
y,Ihadt
hisurgetoclose
them.

Thapel
o:"
she'
scl
osi
ngherey
es
mama!
!"

Thabang:
"Dosomethi
ng,
she'
sdy
ing!
!"
thei
rvoi
cesweref
ading.

Mom: "Shutupmar n!!

"Herv oi
ce
breaki
ng"Callyourdad".That'
sal
lI
heardbeforeIblackedout.
.
.
°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Iwasnowdr i
vi
ngtohome,l
i
steni
ngt
o
Igqom,
that
'
smyf avour
it
emusic
genreplusIcandance, butIonl y
dancewhenI '
m wi t
hmyf r
iendsor
whenI 'm alone.Iwasr eallyenj oying
myt imewi t
ht he3Ts, sadlyt heir
spoiltbratofasi sterwassi ckso
theyhadt oleave.Thatgi rlist heone
that'
sgonnacausepr oblemsi nmy
mar ri
age,yesdadf i
nal l
ytoldmet hat
Boitumel oist hechosenone.Iknow
someofy ouar esayingIshoul dbe
happyaboutt hi
sarrangement ,butI'
m
not.IknowIwasl ustingov erthegi r
l
fewweeksago, butthatwasj ustit-
l
ust.Imeant hegirli
saspoi l
t
brat,
shehasadr yper sonality,she's
plai
nwor stofal l
she'sf at.She' s
def
ini
tel
ynotmyty
pe.Myphonerang
j
ustasIwasboutt
otakeatur
ninto
mystreet
.

Me:
"sho"

Thandi:
"Sho?I
sthathowy
ouanswer
yourphone?"

Me:"
ekse,
ufunant
oni
?"Iwassti
l
l
pi
ssedatherfort
hatI
nstagr
am st
unt
.

Thandi:
"ai
boukhul
umanoban
kanj
alo?"
Me:
"Thandi
wenzoy
ival
alephone"

Thandi
:
"ukuphi
?"

Me: "I
'm onmywayhome,act
uall
yI
thinkIshoul
djustt
aket
heUt ur
nand
hittheclub"

Thandi
:
"Aibobaby,y
oucan'
tdothat
.I
haveabigsurpr
isewai
ti
ngfory
ouat
home"

Me:
"I
fyoukeeponbi
cker
ingImi
ght
j
ustdot hat"Idroppedt hecallasI
waspar kinginthegar age.Iwent
i
nsidewi thmyhandsi nthepocket.I
wentt othekitchentodr i
nksome
water,
thenIwentst r
aighttomyr oom.
Themi nuteIent er
edmyr oom a
beautif
ulsightcaughtmyey e,
my
beautif
ulwasl yingnakedont he
couchwi thherlegswi deopen,she
gavemeadi rtysmi l
e.Iwasshi t
tur
nedon, Isweart heangerIhadf or
herjustwentoutt hewi ndow.

Thandi:
"l
ikewhaty
ouseeMyPri
nce?"
Icoul
dn'tspeakmymouthwaswide
open.Iquickl
ywal
kedt
oherand
devouredhermout h,
shewast edno
ti
meandr espondedt othekiss.I
t
wasr oughandfast.Shepushedme
tothebed,t
henshewentdownon
me,Iwasoncl oudnine.Ir
eleasedmy
semenonherandsheswal l
owed.
Thenshest ar
tedrubbinguZiziup
anddownunt ili
twasf i
rm again,
she
posit
ionedherontopofme, theshe
sli
duZizii
nher .
.
Iwokeupi nt hemor ningfeeli
ng
rej
uv enat
ed,Itookashowerand
brushedmyt eeth,
thenIwor emygy
m
gear.Iwentdownst airstomake
my selfashakekant i keuMambhele
wam( Mymom'scl
anname)
bekesey
enzi
l
e.

Me:
"Nozal
a"Iki
ssedhercheek

Mom:
"nondoda"

Me:
"I'
m 24mom, st
opcal
l
ingme
t
hat
"shelaughed

Mom:"whenyoucomebackweneed
todi
scussaveryser
iousmatter
.
Yourwif
eneedstobet her
etoo"
Me:"i
fit'
saboutt
hewholeBoit
umelo
saga,
Thandiwon'tbepr
esenti
nthat
meeting"

Mom:
"whynot
?"

Me:
"ei
shnozal
a"

Mom:"nyweshnyony
alayantoni
apha?
Don'
ttel
lmey ouhaven'
ttol
dheras
yet
?"

Me:"
ihaven'
tfoundt
her
ightt
imet
o
t
ell
her"
Mom:
"HaySi
vuy
il
eLeonDl
ami
ni"

Me:"heenozala,
waskewandi
biza
ngel
eCVneI D"shegavemea
seri
ouslook"uxolo"

Mom:"kengokuuzi
misel
eni
ni
ukumxelel
a?"

Me:"
soonmama, wearest
il
lenj
oyi
ng
ourf
irstweekasacoupl
e"

Mom:
"idon'
tunder
standwhyy
ou
di
dn'
ttel
lheraboutthi
s,she'
sy our
wi
fe,
thi
sisalsogoingtoaffecther.
Mxel
elebeforeIdomna"

Me:"andIsai
dIwi
l
ldot
hatsoon"I
snapped

Mom:"ungakul
ingeuthet
hanam
ngol
ohlobo,
nzakuqhwaba
uphambanemna, t
shi
n."

Me:
"uxol
o"

Mom:
"nj
a?Uxol
onj
a?"Mymom i
sa
dr
amaqueen

Me:
"hehake,
uxol
omama"

Mom: "Si
vuyi
l
e,ei
theryougot oyour
room andtel
lyourwi f
eaboutthisorI
will
dosomysel f
,becausel
emeet ing
yanamhlanj
ey onaizokwenzekaand
noThandekauzobakhona"

Me:
"Thandi
wemamanotThandeka"

Mom:"i
yafanalont
o,andi
thi
zombi
ni
zi
noThandi"Igi
veup.
Me:"
idon'
twhyyouarer
ushing
t
his,
I
'veonl
yknownaboutBoit
umel
o
f
oraweek"

Mom: "wedon' thavet i

meto
draggi ngourfeet.Yourdadwas
talkingt oMandekal ast
night ,
apparent
lywewer esupposed
tot ellyouandBoi t
umel oatthesame
ti
met hatyouar ethechosenone"

Me:
"younotmaki
ngsense"
Mom: "
sdom nzokuxelelangesi
xhosa
ke.Kuthi
wangel'xeshasikuxel
elauba
UBoit
umel oist
hechosenone, naye
kwakufanelesi
mxel el
eont hesame
day.Nowbecausewedi dn'tdo
that
,t
hepoorchildissick"

Me:"woahwoah!Howdidyouknow
t
hatshe'ssi
ck?"Shegav
emetheare
youstupi
dlook

Mom: "
heehmarn,awut
hanga
xabndi
sit
hiut
atakhowasonthe
phonewithuMaNdeka?"Ohhh
Me:"ohokay
.Wait
!Soyout
ryi
ngt
o
tel
lmethatBoi
tumel
oissi
ck
becauseofus?
"

Mom:
"hayusl
owmnt
anam"

Me:
"yoh!
"

Mom:
"that
'swhyweneedt
orush
wi
tht
his"Dadwal
kedin

Me:
"whati
fshedoesn'
tagr
eet
othi
s"

Dad:
"t
henshewi
l
lhav
eoccasi
onal
l
y
i
l
lnessesunt
ilshedi
es"Igasped

Me:
"youj
oki
ngdadr
ight
?"

Dad:"unfort
unatel
ynotson.Andwhen
shedi estheThronewi l
lnotbe
yours,i
twillbepassedont omy
brotherorhisson,dependsift
hat
fuckerwillsti
l
lbealiveornot"

Mom:
"Sboni
so!
"That
'sdad'
sname

Dad:
"what
?"Heshr
ugged
Me:
"t
hisist
oomuch,
Ineedt
ogof
or
adr
ive"

Mom:"ucimbakusebal
ungwiniapha?
Aphaxakunengxakiuv
eleugo-
wef or
adri
ve?Haysubhudaapha"Dad
l
aughed,umamawav el
ewamt hijep
ngal
alookwathul
asamet i
me

Dad:
"uxol
oMambhel
e"

Mom:"Si
vubabyyouneedtotel
lyour
wif
ethetr
uth,
thenmnanotat
akhoare
gonnacal
ltheMokoenaf
amilyfora
meeti
ng"
Me:"y
oudon'
tev
enhav
ethei
r
numbers"

Dad:"ngubanokqhat hile?"Mxm, Ijust

l
eftthem i nt
heki tchenandwentt o
myr oom, Iwasn'tev engonnagot o
thegy m anymor e.Iwasner vous
aboutwhatIwasgoi ngt odoher e,I
wonderhowi sshegonnat akethe
news,isshegonnat hr owhershoesat
melikesheusual l
ydoeswhenshe' s
angry?Isshegonnabeatmeup?I
wasscar ed.Islowl yent eredt he
room,thebedwasnotmadeandshe
wasnoti nit.Ij
ustsatdownont he
bedandt houghtaboutt hi
s,i
fonlyI
hadachoi ceint his,
Imeani t'
stoo
soont ot
akesecondwi veImean
we'veonlybeenmar ri
edforaweek.I
wasr eal
l
yf r
ust r
at edatthispointI
hatedmycul t
ure,ndicaphukel
a
nel
igamal akwaDl amini.
"ihopey ouar
et hinki
ngabout
yester
day '
ssession"shewr appedher
armsar oundmyshoul der,
Ijusthel
p
ont ot
hem befor ekissingthem.

Me:"
weneedt
ot al
k,
infactIneedt
o
t
ell
yousomet
hing"Shequickly
unwr
appedherar
msandjumped
fr
om t
hebedtostandi
nfr
ontofme.

Thandi
:"
talkaboutwhat?Whatdid
youdo?Didy oucheatonme?Iswear
i
fyoudidingonnacuty ourdi
ckoff
andfeedittoyourparent
s"Hai
bo.

Me:"No!No!Idi
dn'tcheat.Justsit
downbabe"Shelookedatme
"pl
ease"shegaveinandsatont he
couchthatwasinfrontofme.Ikept
qui
etforafewseconds,Iwasst i
ll
thi
nkofawayt oputittoherwi t
hout
hurt
inghuh,
butIknowt hat
unav
oidabl
e,
shi
i
t!!

Thandi
:
"Tal
k,
Ineedt
obeatt
hemal
l
i
nanhour"

Me:"uhm babe,andi
thiyouknowt
hat
I'
mf rom aroyalfamil
yandIam t
he
crownedPr i
nceoft heXhosa
Kingdom? "

Thandi:
"ofcoursejknowthat
dummy ,I
'my ourcr
ownedPr i
ncess.
"
Thisisgonnabehar dert
hanI
thought
,damn!
Me: "uhhbabey ouseelikeev eryroyal
fami lywehav eourownspeci f
ic
traditi
on,
ifIcouldcal
litthat.We,uh
shit.Wehav easpecificwayof
choosi ngthecrownedPr incess.In
factt heancestorsar
et heoneswho
choseandappr oveofthePr incess"

Thandi:
"t
hat '
ssocoolbabe.I'
m sure
yourancestorshavealr
eady
approvedme.Nowi ft
hatwasalllet
mel ov
eandl i
veyoubaby"shestood
upandki ssedmycheek.
Me:
"Si
tdown,
I
'm notdonebabe"

Thandi
:
"butI
'
m gonnabel
a-"

Me:"Coul dyoushutupandl i
stenfor
ami nute!!I
'
mt ry
ingt ot
elly
ou
somet hingthatmightchangey our
l
ifeandwenaal lyoucareaboutis
goingtot hemall?!!
"

Thandi:
"mmmhy outur
nmeonwhen
takecharge,
youl
ooksosexy
"thi
sgi
rl
i
sapsy cho
Me:"
Thandi
weDl
ami
nisi
tdownand
l
ist
en!!
!"

Thandi:
"Butbabey
oualreadytol
dme
aboutyourbori
ngcul
tur
e,I'
m sur
e
theyapproveofme,
whowou- "

Me:
"YOUARENOTTHECHOSEN
ONEDAMNIT!
!!
"Shequi
ckl
ytur
ned

Thandi:
"What
?!Whatdi
dyouj
ust
say?!
"

Me:
"youknowIdon'
tl
iker
epeat
ing
t
hings"

Thandi:"
whatdoy oumeanIam not
thechosenone?Huh? !Iam mar
ri
ed
toyou,sothatshoul
dinit
ial
l
ymake
met hecrownedPr i
ncess"

Me:
"I'
m sor
rybaby
"

Thandi:
"Sorry
?Howi ssorrygonna
cancelt
hef actthatyouar
egonna
div
orcemeev enbeforewehaveour
1stanniver
sary?"
Me:"di
vor
ce?NoNobaby
.That
'snot
gonnahappen"

Thandi
:
"Sowhatt
hen?
"

Me:
"Iuhm,
uh-
"

Thandi
:"
awuy
ekeukungi
ngi
zamar
n
ukhul
ume"

Me:"
Fut
sekThandi!I
'
my ourhusband
showmesomer espect
"

Thandi
:
"Sor
ry.Sowhat
'sgonna
happennow?
"

Me:
"si
nceIam mar r
iedt
oy ou,Ineed
tot
akethechosenonetradit
ionall
y
asmysecondwi f
e"

Thandi:
"i
ni?
!Hayabaphansi bakea
Dlaminibayangi
l
ingashame.What
aboutme?Whycoul dn'tIgetthe
ti
tl
e?"

Me:
"I'
m sor
rybaby
"

Thandi
:
"I'
m notshar
ingy
ou
Si
vuy
il
e,
nev
er!Idon'
tshar
e"

Me:
"wedon'
thav
eachoi
cenj
ebabe"

Thandi:
"I'
m sur
eifyoucouldtal
kto
yourfat
herandtel
lhimthatyoudon'
t
wantthishewil
lunder
stand"

Me:"
It
'st
heancest
ors'
choi
ce,
mydad
hasnosayonthi
s"

Thandi
:
"Idon'
tshareLeon.Kona
who'st
hischosenonebimbo"here
comesthebomb
Me:"
Boi
tumel
oMokoena"Il
ooked
away

Thandi:"
imaimawoah?Whi ch
BoitumeloMokoena"Ilookedather
"Notmysi st
er'
sfri
end!Yout r
yingt
o
tel
lmet hatIhavetoshareyouwi t
h
thatfatki
d?"

Me:
"Yes"Il
ookeddown

Thandi
:"Never
!I'
m notshar
ingyou
wit
hthatfatki
d.NgekeLeon,t
hey
hav
etochosesomeoneel
se"

Me:"
ionl
yhav
eonechosenone,
I
can'
thav
emoret
hatone"

Thandi:"
Thisi
snotgonnahappen.I n
factIshoul
dn'tevenbestressi
ng
aboutthisbecauseIknowherf amil
y
willnotagr
eetot hi
s"shechuckled

Me:"
theyhav
enochoi
ce,
i
ftheydon'
t
shewil
lendupdy
ing.
"

Thandi
:
"thi
sisf
uckedup!Andwhy
doeisseem li
keyouareenjoyi
ngthi
s
wholethi
ng?!Uyamfuna?!Huh?!Ar
e
youhappyaboutthi
sarrangement?!
"
Hehakemhlola

Me:"ofcoursenotbabe.Wejust
gonnagetmar ri
edtopleasethe
ancestor
s,noromanceoranythi
ng"

Thandi
:"
butshe'
sst
il
lget
ti
ngt
het
it
le
andthefame!!
!"

Me:"
tshi
niboDl
amini
!Isthatal
lthat
youcareabout
?Theti
tleandthe
f
ame? "
Thandi
:"don'
tyoudar
emakethis
aboutme.Futhipl
easel
eav
e,Iwant
tobealone"

Me:
"comeonbaby
"

Thandi :
"LeaveLeon!"Shewalkedto
thecloset,Iknewwhatwas
comi ng,
shet hrewast i
let
toatme,
I
quicklygotupf rom t
hebedwheni t
l
andedonmyt hi
gh.Nextthi
ngIknow
Iwasducki ngmor e"LEAVELEON!
LEAVE! !
!"
Me: "
BabyifIdon'
tgetmarri
edtoher
thenImightaswellfor
getthe
throne!
"Shewasaboutt othr
ow
anothershoe,
butshestopped

Thandi:
"whatdi
dyousay?"Shecame
tostandinfr
ontofwhi
le

Me:"
yesbaby
.Anyyouknowt
hat'
s
mybirt
hri
ght
"Ipul
l
eddowntothe
sof
a

Thandi:
"ofcoursei
t'
syourbirt
h
ri
ght,
somethingyoudeserv
e"she
brushedmyshoulders"wel
lift
aki
ng
Boi
tumeloasyoursecondwi
fe
meansyougettokeepthe
Thr
one,
thensobeit"

Me:
"r
eal
l
ybaby
?Andy
ouwon'
tl
eav
e
me?
"

Thandi
:"
ofcoursenot,
Il
ovebei
ng
marri
edinther
oyalfamil
ywayt
oo
much"Ichuckl
ed

Me:
"it
hinkyoumeany
oul
ovemet
oo
much"shegiggl
ed
Thandi
:
"ofcourse.Nowy oumi st
er
havealotofapologizi
ngtoto"she
gotontopofme, thenwekissed.
Ther
esti
shi
stor
y
♡
♡
♡
♡
#TheChosenOne.
Howdoyouthi
nktheMokoenasar
e
goi
ngt
oreactt
othesenews?
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er9
○
○
○
○

°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Wewer enowal lwai ti

ngformy
parentstogether e,noonewas
tal
king,i
twassi l
ent,theonlythi
ngthat
wasv ocalwasMr sMokoenaand
Bont l
e'
ssobs.Idon' tknowhowt hey
aregoingtoreactt ot hesenews,Ij
ust
hopet heydon'tdamagemy
fri
endshipwiththebr ot
hers.My
thoughtsweredi sturbedbyaknock
ont hedoor,
Thapel owentt oopent he
doorandhecamebackwi
thmy
parent
sandMaNdeka.

Dad:
"Molweniekhaya(greet
ings)"
ever
yonechantedthey'r
egreetings.
Theysatdownnextt ome

Sangoma:"nowthatyouar
eall
here,
theti
mehasar r
ivedf
ort
hem t
o
knowt het
ruth"

Mom:"
imawoah,wenahowdi
dyou
knowaboutt
his?
"
Sangoma:"
ihav
eagif
t.TheMokoena
ancest
orscommuni
catedwi
thme"

MrM:"
cansomeonepl
easet
ell
us
whati
sgoi
ngonhere?
"

MaNdeka:"
Whathappenedt
oour
chosenone?"

Thabo:"
chosenone?Whoisthat?
"
MaNdekamadeherwayt o
Boitumel
o,shet
ouchedherhand
beforemakingt
hewierdsounds
MaNdeka:"
Theyhav
eher
!Theyhav
e
capt
uredher!
"

Thapel
o:"
Eehmarn,canyoupeople
st
opspeakingi
nriddlesandt
ellus
whatthefucki
sgoingon?Whohas
mysister
?"

Sangoma:
"l
ethert
alkson"

MaNdeka:"
OZizihavedeci
dedtotake
thematt
erintot
heirownhands.She
hasli
mit
edt i
meweneedt omov e
fast
"
Dad:
"i
t'
stoosoonnj
e"

MaNdeka:"
it
'sti
meBav uy
ise!She
waschosenfrom bi
rt
h!Sheisthe
one!
"

Dad:
"whatdoweneedt
odo?
"

MaNdeka:"payl
obol
aforherassoon
aspossi
ble"

MrM:
"Lobol
a?!Whatf
ornow?
"
MaNdeka:"
she'
sourqueen!She'
sthe
chosenone"

Thabo:"
Chosenone?Wai t!Youare
tr
yingtotel
lmet hatmysisteri
sthe
crownedPrincessoftheXhosa
Kingdom?"

MaNdeka:
"yesmyson"

Bakoena:
"What
?!"

MrM: "
Kemasepaano(t
hat
's
nonsense)
!That
'si
mpossi
ble!
"
MaNdeka:"
iti
spossi
ble,
she'
sour
queenandweneedtosav eher
!"

Thapel o:
"iref
usetobeli
evet hat!
Princedidy ouknowaboutt his?"I
slowlynodded" sothat'
swhyy ou'
ve
beenhangi ngoutwi t
hus,sot hatyou
canpl otthiswhol
echosenoneshi t!
Youwer elusti
ngovermysi sterand
nowy ouarecomingupwi tht his
stupidchosenonest ory?!
!Howdar e
you? !
"

Thabo:
"mamacheckwi
thy
ourbones
agai n,
I'
m surether
emustbea
mi stake!Thereisnowayt hatmy
sisterisy ourcr
ownedPr i
ncess.
Chekadi setti
ngstsadibones
tuu(checkt hesett
ingsofyourbones
please)"ifitwasunderdiff
erent
circumst ancesIwouldbelaughi
ngat
whathesai d.

MaNdeka:
"Ther
eisnoneedforthat
!
Thi
sri
ghtherei
sourfut
urequeen"

Thabang:"
No!Mysisteri
snotgoing
tomarryyourPri
nce!Never
!Thatwil
l
neverhappennotwhil
eIam sti
ll
al
i
ve!
"

MrM:"Howdareyoucomeherein
myhouseandmakesuchri
dicul
ous
cl
aims?She'
sonl
y18!
"

MaNdeka:
"i
tsnotcl
aims,
i
t'
sthe
t
rut
h."

MrM: "
youknowwhatgetoutofmy
house!I
t'
scleary
oual
lcan'
thel
pus!
"

MaNdeka:
"youhavet
oacceptt
hisor
el
seyourdaught
erwi
lldi
e"
MrM:
"ar
eyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
"

MaNdeka:
"Iwouldneverdot
hatt
o
t
hefat
herofourchosenone"

MrM:"
Don'tcal
lhert
hat
!Shewi
l
l
nev
erbeyourqueen!
"

Dad:
"pl
easecal
m downsi
r"

MrM:"or
engwena?
!(whatdi
dyouj
ust
say
?)"
Dad:"Wear eal
lheret
ofi
nda
soluti
on.Weneedtoworktoget
heri
n
ordertosaveourch-t
osave
Boitumelo"

MrM:"oneoft
hosesoluti
onsis
def
ini
tel
ynotmarr
yingyourson!
"

Sangoma:
"I
m af
rai
dthat
'sy
ouronl
y
sol
uti
on"

MrM:"y
ewena!I'
mt heonewhocall
ed
youher
enotthem,sostopsi
dingwi
th
t
hem"
Sangoma:"
Im si
dingwit
hthe
ancest
orsnotthem."

MrM:"I
m gonnagotomyr oom,when
IcomebackhereIwantt
of i
ndyou
peopl
egone!Orel
se,hot
lankgaho
sabol
a"Hemadehi swayupstai
rs.

Thabang:
"youar
est
il
lher
e?Vay
ang
marn!"

Mom:"l
etsgo,
it
'scl
earthesepeople
donotwanttosavetheirdaught
er"
Thapelo:"
Oreng?(
What?)Iwil
lshoot
thatporshEngli
shoutofyou!
"

Me:"Thapel
o!Iunderstandyouar e
angrybutthatdoesn'
tgivey outhe
ri
ghttospeaktomymom l ikethat!
Showhersomer espect,
she'sa
queen"

Thapel
o:"
Queenl
ekwamsunu,
hayl
a!"
Hewasr eal
l
yangr
y

Mr
sM:
"Thapel
omar
n!"She'
s
speaki
ngf
orthefi
rstt
imeev
ersi
nce
myparent
sgothere.

Thapelo:
"kengmama?Bay
atel
a
ba!
(Whatmom?Thesepeopleare
di
srespectful
)"

Mr sM:"Thapel
o!Couldupl
easegiv
e
meandmyf amil
yti
metoprocessall
ofthis,
wewi l
lcal
lyouwhenwehav e
reachedsomecommongr ound"

Thabang:
"commongroundy
ang
mama?Punki ei
snotgoi
ngtomarr
y
Si
vuyil
e!Nevermama!
"Dadnodded
Mr
sM:
"Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou!
"

Thabang:
"mar
am-
"

MrsM: "Shutit!
"Thabangclosedhis
mouth" Nowmakey oursel
fuseful
andtakey oursist
ertoherroom!"
Thabangst oodupwhi l
eshakinghis
head,
hepi ckedBoitumeloupandleft
wit
hher .

Dad:
"onceyouhavecomet oa
deci
sion,
youcancal
lus"hegaveher
hiscar
d."Weall
wanttohelp,
andat
thi
spointi
t'
sbeyondourcont
rol
."

Mr
sM:
"iunder
stand"

Mom:
"I
m sor
ryf
oral
loft
his"

MrsM: "
it
snotyourf
aul
t"she
soundedbroken

Thabo:"
ofcoursei
tis!Theyputsome
sortofspel
lonmysi st
er"

Me:
"nowy
ouar
ebei
ngdi
l
lusi
onal
"he
chargedt
owardsmebutmydad
stoodinf
rontofmeandst
opedhi
m

Dad:
"youngman,
youneedtocal
m
down"Thaboshr
uggedhi
sselffr
om
dadandwentupstai
rsaf
tergi
vi
ng
metheev i
ley
e.

Mom:"uhm,
wewil
lbeonourway
now"shest
oodup

MaNdeka:"r
ememberwedon' thave
mucht i
me,orel
setheworstwill
happen."Weall
stoodupandl ef
t.I
gotint
omycaranddr ov
eof f
.Idrove
straighthome,Iar
riv
edexactl
ywhen
theyar ri
ved.Wewal kedi
n,
Thandi
we
wassi t
ti
ngintheloungedoi
ngher
nails.

Mom:"
heeehhayngumhl
olakel
o.
Gi
rl
y,
didyoucooknj
engobasowenza
i
nzi
pho?"

Thandi
we:
"cook?Ican'
tcook.
"

Mom: "haySiv
uyil
eusiphathele
i
silwanyanandiyakuxelel
a(y
ouhav e
broughtusanani mal).NowIreali
se
youreallydoneedasecondwi f
e"
Dad:
"i
fonlythoseMokoenaswer
en'
t
st
ubborn"hesighedf
rust
rat
ed

Thandiwe:
"iknewtheyweren'
tgonna
agree,
phel
aBoitumel
oistheir
pri
ncess"mom gaveheranev i
ley
e

Me:
"t
hul
amar
n!"

Thandiwe:
"what
?I'
mj usttel
li
ngthe
tr
uth.Hell
wil
lfr
eezebef or
ethey
al
lowthismarri
agetohappen.Wena
nj
eushoul dj
ustknowt hatyouwil
l
onl
yhav
eonewi
fe"

Mom: "
mmmhandI '
m sur
et hatwould
makey ouhappyneh?Wel lsorryto
burstyourlit
tlebubbl
emissy ,
Sivuyi
le
wil
l getmarriedtoBoit
umelomar k
mywor ds"shestoodupandwent
upstairs.

Me:
"sowhatnowDad?
"

Dad:"
wejusthavetowai
tfort
hem t
o
thi
nkthi
sthrough"
Me:"Thi
sisadisast
er.Maybewe
shouldj
ustf
orgetaboutthi
swhol
e
thi
ng"

Dad:"
wecan'tson.Ifwedo, thenwe
wil
lhavetokisstheThr onegoodbye.
I
'm sorr
yson,butIwor kedtohardto
l
etitgojustl
ikethat.TheMokoena's
wil
leventual
l
yagr eetot hi
s,
theyhave
nochoice"

Me:
"ihopey
ouar
eri
ght
"

Thandi
we:"khohl
waninjenina(j
ust
for
geti
t).Theywil
lneveragree"Dad
j
ustl
ookedather
.
.
.
Meanwhi l
eintheMokoenas.They
wereallfr
ustr
ated,t
heywere
confusedtheydidn'
tknowwhattodo.
MrMokoenacal ledameet i
ng,
the
sangomawasst i
llt
here.

MrMokoena:"
NowMakhosi,coul
d
youexpl
ainf
urt
heraboutt
hischosen
onethi
ng"

Thabang:
"Daddon'
ttel
lmey
ouar
e
ent
ert
aini
ngthatbul
lshi
t!
"Hej
ust
l
ookedathim"Dad!"

MrMokoena:"whatchoi
cedowe
haveson?Idon'
twantmydaught
er
todi
e"

Thabo:
"ican'
tbeli
evey ouwatseba!
Thesepeoplearelyi
ng.Sivuyi
lei
s
l
usti
ngov ermysister
,nowhewant s
tomarr
yherusingt hi
sst upi
dstory
"

Sangoma:"
it
snotast upi
dstory.
Boit
umeloisthechosenone."
Mr
sMokoena:
"how?
"

Sangoma: "Ever
yXhosaki nghashi s
ChosenQueen.Theygr owup
knowi ngt hatoncetheytakeov er
theywi llhavetomar rysomeonet hat
theancest or
schoosef orthem.King
Bav uyise'
smar ri
agewasal so
arrangedbyt heancestors,
that
'swhy
hisKingdom i srunningsmoot hly
.His
sonal sohashi sChosenQueen
whi chisy ourdaughter"

Thabo:
"hi
smar
ri
ed!
"
Sangoma:"iguesshefel
li
nLov e
befor
emeet inghi
sChosenOne.If
thi
smar r
iagedoesn'
thappen,t
heywil
l
l
osetheThr oneandyouwillal
solose
yourdaughter"

Li
zwi
:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Sangoma:" Everyonewasbroughtt o
thi
swor l
dt ocar ryoutt
heir
purpose,
int hi
scaseBoi t
umel o'
s
purposeist obeQueenandt orule
besideSivuy i
le.I
fshedoesn'tcar
ry
outthatpur poseshewi l
ld-
"
Mr
sMokoena:
"Di
e"

Sangoma:
"unf
ort
unat
elyy
es.
"

Thapel
o:"
not
hat
'salie.Godi
sthe
onl
yonewhodecideswhodies"

Sangoma:"Iknow.Butinthi
scasethe
ancestor
sgohandi nhandwi t
hGod.
Shewaschosenbyt heancest
ors
andGod.Youcanev engoandseea
prophethewillt
ell
youthesame
thi
ng"
Li
zwi
:
"thi
sismessedup!
"

Bont
le:
"sowhatdowedonow?
"

Thabang:
"weki
l
lSi
vuy
il
e"

MrsMokoena:
"Thabang,ket
laho
kl
apahonat
she!(
Iwil
lslapyouri
ght
now)
"

Sangoma:
"i
fyouki
l
lhi
m,y
oursi
ster
wil
lal
sodi
e."
MrMokoena:"
wehav
enochoi
cebut
t
oagr
eetot hi
s"

Thapel
o:"
Nodad!Key
ahana!
(I
ref
use)
"

MrMokoena:
"wehav
enochoi
ce
son!
"

Thabang:"
Im sur
ether
e'ssomet
hing
wecando.Ther e'
shastobe
somethingwecando"

Sangoma:
"unf
ort
unat
elyt
her
eisn'
t"
MrsMokoena:
"MyGod,whydidyou
l
etthi
shappentomydaughter
?Why
her
?She'
ssoy oung!
"

Sangoma:
"I
fthatwi
l
lbe,
Iwi
l
lbeon
mywaythen"

MrMokoena:
"thankyouf
orsheddi
ng
somel
ighti
ntothis"

Sangoma:
"noneedtot
hankme,
I
'm
j
ustamessenger.
"Hel
eft
.
MrMokoena:
"Iwantyouf
ourtogo
t
heKingandtel
lhi
m weacceptt
hei
r
r
equest
"

Thapel
o:"
soy
ougoi
ngt
oacceptt
hei
r
l
obola?
"

MrMokoena: "
thesoonerwedot hi
s,
thequickerwewi ll
getyoursi
ster
back.Irefusetolosemydaught er
overthis"

Thabo:
"Wow!
"
MrsMokoena:
"andyouguy
sowe
Si
vuy
il
eanapology"

Thabo:
"idon'
tapol
ogi
se.
"

MrsMokoena:"y
ouwer e
wrong,
ther
efor
ey ouneedt
o
apol
ogise"

Thapelo:
"f
ine!Sotomorr
owwewi l
l
goanddel i
verthenewstother
oyal
famil
yandal soapol
ogi
se."

MrMokoena:
"now,
youwi
l
lgot
her
e
now.Thesenegot
iat
ionsneedt
obe
donetomorr
ow."

Thabang:
"hahdadi
t'
slat
enow"

MrMokoena:
"idon'
tcar
e.Wedon'
t
hav
eti
met owaste"

Thabo:
"i
yoh!Let
'sgo"
.

°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Iwasinmyroom l
yi
ngonmyback
whil
eThandi
wewasgivi
ngmea
massage.

Me:
"damn,
Ineededt
hat
"

Thandi
we:"
nowbabytel
lme,
whatare
yougonnadoi
fBoit
umelodoesn'
t
agreet
othi
s?"

Me:"i
dontknow.Idon'twantt
othi
nk
aboutthatr
ightnow"

Thandiwe:
butb-"myr
ingi
ngphone
di
sturbedher
.Itwasmom
Mom:"
Sivuy
il
ewehavevisi
tor
s,come
downnow"shehungup.

Me:"weareneededdownst ai
rs"I
woremymysweat erandmypush
i
ns,Thandi
wewor ehergownandwe
wentdownstai
rs.Iwassurpri
sedto
seethebrot
her
ssi t
tingi
nthelounge
wit
hmypar ent
sandMaNdeka.

Thapel
o:"
awuSthandi
s,
ev eni
nfront
ofyouri
nlawsyoudon'thaver
espect.
Whyareyouparadi
nginagown?
Try
ingtochar
m usneh?"
Thandi
we:
"i
fiti
sn'
tthechi
l
dish
brot
her
s"

Thabang:
"chi
ldi
sh?Youweren'
t
sayi
ngthatwhenyoujumpedfrom
mybedt ohisnj
e"

Mom:
"I
ntoni
?!
"

Dad:
"uhm,I
'
m sur
eyouar
enother
e
fort
hat"

Li
zwi:
"ohyeah,
pleasef
orgi
vemy
br
otherst
heycangetabi t
ov
erwhel
medsomet
imes"

Thabang:
"yesfor
giv
eus,please"I
knowhedidn'tmeanthat.

Lizwi
:"ourfathersentust ot
ellyou
thatweaccepty ourrequest
.Youcan
paylobol atomorrow"Mom st oodup
andandst art
edullul
atingMaNdeka
alsojoinedher.

MaNdeka:
"Ahhh.OZi
zibav
uyi
l
e"

Thabo:
"i
sitr
aini
ng?
"
MaNdeka: "
that
'sasi
gnson.The
ancestorsandGodarehappy"
.The
brother
sjustsmil
ed,
Idon'
tknowif
thatmeanttheyarehappyorwhat
.

Thabang:
"nowthatwearedonewi
th
that
.Wecant akeourl
eave.
"

Dad:"
thanky
ou.Andpl
easet
hank
yourfat
herf
orme."

Thapel
o:"wil
ldo.Iguesswewil
lsee
youtomorrowthen"theyst
oodup
andheadedf
ort
hedoor

Thabo:"ohhhandmydadsaidI
shouldapologi
setoyouPri
nce".That
washi sownwayofapologi
singIjust
chuckled.Theyl
eft

Thandiwe:
"t
heyaresoar
rogant
"she
cl
ickedhertongue

Mom:"whatdi
dtheymeanwhenthey
sai
dyoujumpedfrom t
hei
rbeds?
"

Thandi
we:
"uhm,
not
hing"
Mom:"ial
way
sknewt
haty
ouar
ea
bi
tch"

Me:
"Mom!
"

Mom:
"yi
ntoni
?(What
?)Whydi
dyou
ev
enhavetogetmarr
iedt
oher?
"

Me:"
causeIl
ovehermama"doI
?
OkaymaybeIcar
eabouther
.

Mom:"mxm.Atl
eastnowwewill
f
inal
l
yhaveadecentwif
eint
his
f
ami
l
y"MaNdekaul
l
ulat
edagai
n.

Dad:"theancestorsarereal
lyhappy.I
needtocallmybr othersandinfor
m
them aboutthis.Weneedt opay
l
obolat omorrow."

Thandi
we:
"whyar
eyour
ushi
ng
thi
ngs?
"

MaNdeka:
"t
hul
awena!"Okayit'
s
of
fi
cial
nooneinmyfamilyl
ikesmy
wi
fe
Dad:"
Sivuy
il
e,
makesuret heJetgoes
backtothePEair
porttonight
."Yes
wehav eapri
vat
ejetathome.

Me:
"Iwi
l
lmakeaf
ewcal
l
s"
.
.
.
Itwasthedayoft henegot i
ati
ons.My
fat
herandmyuncl e'
swer ealreadyat
Boit
umelo'shouse,actual
lytheyhave
beenther
ef orhours,mymom and
MaNdekaal sowentt hereIdon't
knowwhy .Iwassi tt
ingathome
str
essed,
Idon'tevenknowwhyIwas
st
ressi
ngaboutt
his.Myphoner
ang,
i
t
wasThapel
o

Me:
"T"

Thapel
o:"
jawenaPr
incey
ou
Paedophi
le"

Me:"
dudelookthi
swasbeyondmy
cont
rol
,
therewasnot
hingIcoul
ddo"

Thabang:
"Unamangamar n!(
Youare
l
ying)Wenay oumanipul
atedthi
s
wholethi
ngjustsoyoucouldmarry
mysi
ster
"Iguesst
heywer
eal
l
t
oget
her

Thabo:
"andtot
hinkitr
ust
edyou"I
guesstheywer
estil
langr
yatmeand
Idon'
tgetwhy.

Thapel
o:"
sleepwi
thoneeye
open,
becausemysist
eri
sgoingt
o
beawidowsoonsoon"Eh

Me:"
heeemahn,Idon'tunderst
and
whyuguy saretr
ippingwhaty ou
guysshoul
dbedoi ngisthankingmeI
sa-
"theystar
tedlaughingreal
lyhar
d.
Thapel
o:"
wegoty
ousan!Wear
e
j
okingmarn.
"

Me:
"Nxahy
imarn!Youguy
sreal
l
yhad
meforaminut
e"

Thabo:
"ul
i
gwalasany
oh!
"They
l
aughedagai
n

Thabang:
"yourv
oicewasev
en
shaki
ng"

Me:
"hayv
oet
sekuxokel
ani
!(
whyar
e
y
oul
yi
ng?
)"Wel
aughed

Thabang:
"lookman,wejustwantedt
o
apol
ogiseforwhathappened
yest
erday.Uhm weshouldhave
handl
edthesituat
ionbett
erbroh"

Thabo:"
yeah.Andwehavetothank
youforsavi
ngourPunki
e'sl
if
e,even
thoughyouhadtomarryher
"Iwas
amused

Me:"
waitwait
!Ididn'
tgetthat,
coul
d
guyspl
easerepeatevery
thingyou
sai
d"Iwantedtorecordthem.
Thapel
o:"
hayv
oet
sekheeh"Il
aughed

Me:
"Iappr
eci
atey
ourapol
ogyguy
s"

Thabang:
"appreci
atedoesn'
tmean
youacceptit
"

Me:
"ehhdi
eman.
(t
hisguy
)"

Thabo:"andwenasan!Donotmake
mysi st
erfal
lpregnantunt
il
lshe
fi
nishesherstudi
es!"
Thapelo:
"yah.Wai
tfor7y
ear
sbef
ore
yohsleepwi t
hher
"

Me:"don'
tworr
ythatwon'
thappen.
Wej ustmar
ri
edtoappeasethe
ancestor
snothi
ngwill
happen
betweenus"

Thabang:"
good!OkaeThandi?"They
l
aughed.Comi ngtot
hinkofi
t,
she
wasnother ewhenIwokeupand
she'
sstil
lbitback

Me:
"hayhay,
ktheni
sobuzananomf
azi
wam ngoku?
(whyareyouaski
ngme
aboutmywi
fenow?
)"

Thabang:
"nomantabakore(
thi
ngi
s),
I
missherpussy
"theyl
aughed

Me:
"voet
sekThabang!
"

Thabang:
"kadl
alamar
n"

Me:"
wenabruh!
"Ichuckl
ed.Mydad
anduncl
eswalkedi
n"lookji
tasIhav
e
togo"

Them:
"shoshoPr
ince"
.I'
m gonnasay
thi
sunti
lIdi
e,
theMokoenabr
other
s
arecr
azy.

Me:
"sohowdi
ditgo?
"

Dad:"
eyyson,
thoseMokoenasknow
howtonegotiat
e.Theyknowthey
'r
e
daughter
'swort
h"

UncleL:"
Butwedidn'tmi
ndpaying
whateveramounttheywantedas
l
ongasi twasgoingtogetusour
queen"
UncleM:"heehndoda,
didy
ouknow
thatshe'
sstil
lavi
rgi
n?"Amen!

Me:"I'
m notsurpr
ised,
withtheki
ndof
brot
her sshehas.
..
.i
fitwasupt o
them insuret
heywoul dkeepherina
bubble"welaughed

Dad:
"herf
athert
oo.
"

Me:
"wher
e'smom andMaNdeka?
"

Dad:
"weleftt
hem t
her
e.Yourmom
sai
dshedidn'
tcomewit
hussoshe
won'
tcomebackwithus"Il
aughed
"
MaNdekaisst
il
lrev
ivi
ngBoitumel
o"

Me:
"oh"

Uncl
eM:
"uphi
uMakot
i?"Idon'
tknow

Me:
"ohuhm,shewentt
oseeher
f
amily
"li
es!

Uncl
eM: "
mmmh!I '
m hungr
y.And
ndi
rhal
elei
skop"

Me:
"iknowapl
acewher
etheymake
t
hebestskopev
er"

UncleL:
"kengokusi
sahlal
elent
oni
apha?Masambeni (
whyarewest i
l
l
si
tti
nghere?Letsgo)"

Dad:"Youar
edr i
vi
ngkeSivuy
il
e"he
tossedmet hekeys.Wewentoutand
gotinthecarthenwedrov
eof ft
o
elokshi
n.
.
.
°
•I
ntheMokoenaHousehol
d•°
I
twasj
ustaf
terMaNdekahad
spokent
oancest
orst
oletBoi
tumel
o
fr
ee.

Li
zwi
:
"sowhatnow?
"

MaNdeka:
"youwai
t!Shewi
l
lwakeup
t
oni
ghtortomorr
ow"

MrsMokoena:
"t
hanky
ousomuchf
or
doi
ngt
his"

MaNdeka:"
youshouldthankt
he
RoyalFamil
yforal
lowi
nghertobe
outfut
urequeen"
MrsMokoena:
"Thanky
ou"shewas
l
ooki
ngatMrsDlamini
(t
heQueen)
.

MrsDlami
ni:
"i
tsourpl
easuredear
."
Shegaveherawarm genui
nesmile.

MaNdeka: "
let
sgivehersomespace
torest"
.Theyall
wentoutof
Boitumelo'
sroom tothel
ounge.Wel
l
the4ladieswenttothekit
chen

MrsMokoena:
"sohowi
sthi
sgoi
ngt
o
workout
?"
MaNdeka:"whenshewakesupy ou
needtotel
lherimmediatel
ythatshe
i
snowourbr ide,
thenweneedt ohave
atradi
ti
onalweddingsoon"

Bontl
e:"
all
oft
hisi
shappeni
ngso
fast
"

MaNdeka:
"wehav
enochoi
ce"

MrsMokoena:
"ij
usthopeshewon'
t
hat
emeaftert
his"
MrsDlamini
:
"shewon'
t.Justt
ell
her
t
hetruth"

Mr
sMokoena:
"iwi
l
l"

MaNdeka:"
youdoknowt hatshe'
s
nowourbri
detradi
ti
onal
ly,
that
meansshehast ocomeandst ay
wit
hourfamil
yfullt
ime"

Bont
le:
"al
ready
?"

MaNdeka:
"butundert
hese
ci
rcumst
ancesshewon't.Shewi
l
l
onl
ymov ei
nwit
htheRoyalFami
l
ya
fewday
sbefor
eherwedding"

Mr
sMokena:
"oh"

MaNdeka:
"Makotit
akemehome.I
needt
orest"shewastal
ki
ngt
othe
Queen

MrsDlamini
:
"seni
zakusalakakuhl
e.
Thankyouagain,
ever
ythi
ngwi l
lbe
fi
nenow.Iwil
lcomebyt omor r
owto
checkonher"
.Theyleft
.
Fewhourslater
,t
hefamil
ywassi t
ti
ng
andwatchingTVwhenBoi tumel
o
walkedi
n,shewasinhersleepwear.
Thabowast hefi
rstonet
onot i
ceher.

Thabo:
"Punki
e!"

Thapel
o:"
haymar
nshe'
ssl
eepi
ng"he
wasfocusi
ngonhi
sphone

Thabo:"
she'
sawakeyoudumbass"
hestoodupandgavehissisterabig
hug,
theyfamil
yst
art
edrejoi
cing.Mrs
Mokoenakeptonthanki
ngt heLord
forwaki
ngupherbaby.Boitumelo
wentt
osi
tnextt
ohermom

MrsMokoena:"I'
m sohappythatyou
ar
eawakefinall
y"shehadtearsinher
ey
es

Boi
tumel
o:"
whathappenedt
ome?
"

MrMokoena:
"youwereunconsci
ous
f
oraver
ylongtime"

Boit
umelo:"
sowhywasn'
tIi
n
hospit
al?
"
MrsMokena:"
uhm youseebaby ,
the
doct
orscoul
dn'tf
indanythi
ngwrong
wit
hyousowehadt obeingyouback
homeandtreatyoufrom her
e"

Boitumel o:
"youknowIhadav ery
wierddr eam,actuall
yitfel
treal.It
wasasi fIwasst uckinsomewi erd
kingdom, Xhosaki ngdom tobeexact .
Iwassi tti
ngnextt otheThr one,but
theThronewasn' toccupiedby
anyone.It r
iedstandingupf rom t he
chair,
butIcouldn'titwasasi fIwas
gluedtot hechair"thefamilygav e
eachot herstares
MrsMokoena:
"uhm baby,
there'
s
somet
hingweneedt otel
lyou"

Thabang:
"mamadoyouhavet
otel
l
hernow?Imeanshej
ustwokeup"

MrsMokoena:"i
wasinst
ruct
edtodo
so.Idon'
twanttodef
ytheancest
ors"

MrMokena:
"goon.Tel
lher
"

MrsMokoena:
"uhm baby
,yoursoul
wascapt
uredbytheDlamini
ancest
ors.Youarethey'
rechosen
one,
sotheycaptur
edy oursoul
"

Boi
tumel
o:"
what
?"

Mr sMokoena: "
inorderforyoursoul
tobesetf reewehadt oagr eeforthe
Dlamini f
amilytopaylobolaand
clai
my ouastheirbri
deifnotyou
wer egoingtodie.Wehadnochoi ce
baby ,
wehadt o!Wedi dn'
twantt o
l
osey ou"

Boit
umelo:
"whatdoyoumeanas
thei
rbr
idemama? "
MrMokoena:
"i
tmeansyouar
e
t
radi
ti
onal
l
ymar r
iedt
otheDl
ami
ni
f
amil
y."

Boit
umelo:
"What
?!Mar
ri
ed?
!I'
m st
il
l
youngf
orthat
"

MrsMokoena:"
wehadnochoi ce
baby.Yohar
ethecrownedPr
incess
oftheXhosaKi
ngdom"
☆
☆
☆
☆
#Sesi
On
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er10
☆
☆
☆
☆

°
•Boi
tumel
o•°

Iwaswokenupbymom t el
l
ingme
thatwearegoingtohavevi
sit
ors
today.Iwasn'
thappy
,Imeanlast
nightIwastol
dthatmyparents
marri
edmeof ftothatjerkPrince.I
wasv eryshockedwhenIf oundoutI
wasgoi ngtobesomeone' ssecond
wif
e,hellI
'm goingt obeThandi we's
si
sterwi f
e.Iwasst i
llv
erymuch
angryatmyf ami l
y,
Icri
edmy selfto
sl
eepl astnight.Ibeggedt hem nott o
l
etmemar r
ySi vuyi
le,
Ili
teral
lycried
myey eball
soutbutt heytoldmet hey
havenochoi ce.
Iwokeupandwentst rai
ghtt ot
he
bathroom totakeabath,
Iwascr y
ing
throughoutthewhol
ebat hing
process.Iworemylongsl eeved
blacklongbodyhuggingdr ess,
thenI
decidedtogetbackundert hecov er
s
again.Ireall
ydidn'twantt
oseemy
family,
Iwasr eall
yangryatthem even
mybr others.Theyshouldn'
thave
all
owedt histohappen.Myt houghts
wereinterruptedbysomeonesi t
ting
ontopofmybed.

"
Boi
tumel
o!"I
twasmom

Mom: "
Whatarey ousti
l
ldoi
ngi
nthi
s
r
oom?It houghtItol
dyouwehave
vi
sit
orstoday"

Me:
Shepul
l
edt
hecov
ersof
fmyhead.

Mom:"Boi
tumel
o!Whyar
eyohact
ing
l
iket
his?"

Me:
"ar
eyouser
iousl
ygonnaaskme
t
hatmom?!
"

Mom:"
don'tyoudar
eraiseyourv
oice
atme,
I
'm sti
l
l y
ourmother"

Me:"
thenactl
i
kemymom.Don't
al
l
owt hi
ssham ofamar
ri
aget
o
happen"

Mom:"wehav
enochoi
cebaby,
ify
ou
don'
tgetmar
ri
edt
othatboyt
henyou
wil
ldi
e"

Me:
"t
henI'
mj ustgonnastayi
nthi
s
r
oom unt
ilIdi
eifhunger
"

Mom:"
stopact
ingli
keaspoil
tbrat!
Thi
sdeci
sionwastakentohel
py ou!
Whycan'
tyoureal
i
set hat
?Huh?"

Me:
Mom: "I
'm gonnagodownst ai
rsand
i
fy ouar enotdowni n2mi nutes,I
sweart oGodBoi tumel oMokoenaI
willbeatyousohar dthaty ouwi l
l
disownmeasy ourmot her!"She
stoodupandl eft
.Iknewshemeanti t
soIhadnochoi cebutt odowhatshe
said.Imademybed, wor emy
sl
eeper sthenIwentdownst ai
rs.
Theywer eall
sitt
ingint hel ounge,my
i
dioticbrothersdecidedt ocl apt hei
r
handswhent heysawme, Icoul dn'
t
evenf akeasmi lethat '
showangr y
andhur tIwas.Ijusti gnoredt hem
andwentt ositatthedi nningt able
whichwasnotf
arfr
om t
he
l
ounge,
mom gavemeadeathstar
e
butIi
gnor
edher,
Ij
ustpl
ayedagame
onmyphone.

Botl
e:"
howareyouf eel
i
ngbaby ?"I
gaveherthe'
areyouserious'look"o-
k-
a-y,
thatwasdumbquest ion"I'
m
gl
adsher eal
i
sedit.

Dad:"
PunkieIdon'
tl
ikeseei
ngyou
l
ikethi
s,yourey
esarepuff
yfrom al
l
thecry
ing"

Thabo:
"dad'
sri
ght
.Youl
ooksougl
y
r
ightnow"Ij
ustl
ookedatt
hem

Thapel
o:"
Whydon'
twegof
orawal
k
Punki
e,
justy
ouandI"

Me:
"myl
egshur
t"l
i
es!

Thapel
o:"adr
ive?
"

Me:
"i
t'
swayt
ohotfort
hat
"Iwasst
il
l
f
ocusi
ngonmyphone

Thabang:
"howaboutwewat choneof
thosechi
ckfl
icksonyourl
aptop"
Me:
"I'
m noti
nthemood"

Thabo:
"whatdoy
ouwantt
odot
hen?
Pi
ckanythi
ng"

Me:
"Iwantt
osl
eep"

Lizwi:
"comeonPrincess,
wej
ustwant
tocheeryouup.Justtogett
hat
smileback"

Me:"Well
ther
eisnot
hingt
osmi
l
e
aboutatt
hismoment"
Thapel
o:"
Youareacti
nglikeabrat
marnwena!Entl
ekIdon'tevenknow
whywear et
ryi
ngtopleasey ouri
ght
now,wedidt
hisfory
ou!Nxah! "I
l
ookedathim

Me:"br
ohy ourshouti
ngisactuall
y
makingmel osefocusonthis
game,soifyoudon'tmind,
toneit
down"Icarri
edonwi thmygame, next
thi
ngIknowmyphonei ssnatched
outofmyhandsandsmashedi nto
thewall
Bont
le:
"Thapel
o!!
"

Me:"khant
elempat
lang?
!(Whatdo
y'
al
lwantfrom me?
!)"

Bontl
e:"
Thapel
oyoudi
dn'
thav
etodo
that
"

Thapel
o:"
She'
sacti
ngl i
keabr at
!Re
busytr
ynamakeherf eelbetteryena
she'
ssit
ti
ngherecl
ickingonher
phoneli
keshe'
swit
hherf r
iends"

Me:
"wel
lIdi
dn'
tasky
'al
ltomakeme
feelbett
er!Nothi
ngwil
lmakemefeel
better
!Nothingwil
lmakemefor
get
thatmyownf amil
ybet
ray
edme!"

Thabang:
"Betr
ayal
?Wenawasika
nou!
(nowy ouarebei
ngcr
azy
)"

Mom:"
whatbetr
ayalBoit
umelo?We
madeadeci
sionthatsavedy
ourli
fe"

Me:
"atwhoseexpensemama?!Huh?
Whataboutmyhappiness?
"

Thapel
o:"
whathappi
nesswoul
dyoh
havehadwenana? !Youwere
pract
ical
l
ydeady oudumbass!
Inst
eadofbeinggreat
ful
youare
acti
ngalikeastupi
dspoil
tbr
at!
"

Me:
"gr
eatf
ul?Hehe!Waekutl
wa
mar
a?(Ar
ey ouhear
ingy
oursel
f?)
"

Mom: "he'
sr i
ght!Insteadofus
runni
ngar oundaf teryourassyou
shouldbet hankingusf orsavi
ngyour
l
ife!
"

Me:
"sav
ingmyli
febydoi
ngwhat
mama?Marry
ingmeofftoa
str
anger?
!Maki ngmesomeone' s
secondwife?
!I'
m only18, act
uall
yI'
m
sti
ll
17!AndalreadyI'm expectedto
besomeone'swi f
e,secondwi f
e
nogal!
"

Mom: "
whatdi dyouwantust odo
hee?Iwasnotgoi ngtolosemy
daughterov
erast upidt
hing,
soI
madeadeci sionthatwasgoingt
o
benefi
tever
y one!
"

Me:"y
oumeanbenef ity
'all
.Cause
nnaI'
m notbenefi
ti
ngany t
hingfrom
thi
sexceptheart
achefelanje!You
peopl
ear
esel
fish!
"Shushuku,
Ifel
ta
sti
ngonmycheek,
mom justsl
apped
me!

Mom: "Nowl i
stenher e
ngwanany ana, wemadeachoi cet hat
sav edyourl if
e!Eitheryouar egoi ng
tobegr eatful orcryabouti t,
facti s
youar egoi ngt ogetmar ri
edSi vuyil
e
whet heryoul ikeitornot!Whatdi d
youwantust odo?Huh?Li v ey out o
die?Nev er,
I'mt hewhobr oughty outo
thiswor l
dandI '
mt heonewho' s
goingt omakedeci si
onsthatar ebest
fory ourl
if
e, andthiswasi t!Wehad
nochoi ce!"Iwasnowhol dingmy
cheekandtear
swer
est
reami
ng
downmyf ace.

Me:"y
ouhadachoice!Andyouchose
tosavet
heThrone!Youchose
str
anger
soveryourchi
ld!
"

Mom: "
haywenawahl anyastr
uu!I
didn'tdothatfort
hem,Ididi
tfor
you,don'tyouunderst
andthat?What
didy ouwantmet odo?Lety oudi
e?"

Me:
"yes!Youshoul dhaveletmedie
mama!"Shel ookedhurtandshocked
byt
hat,butIcouldn'
tgi
veadamn
becauseIwasal sohur t
.Ijustranout
ofthehousewi thmom cal li
ngoutmy
name, Iranandr anandr antil
l I
couldn'tr unany mor e,myl egsf eltl
ike
j
elly.Iwashuf f
ingandpuf f
ing.Now
yougot taunder standt hatI'm abi g
girl
soi ncoul dreall
yr anv eryfaror
thatfast .Ifoundmy selfinthepar k
aroundt henei ghbour hood,Idecided
togosi tatt heswi ng,thenIst art
cryi
ng.Iwasnol ongercr yi
ngf orthe
factthati wasget tingmar r
iedbut
becauseIf oughtwi thmyf ami l
y,Iwas
regretti
ngev erythi
ngIsai dtot hem.I
reall
yf eltbad.
"IknewthatIknowt hatbooty
belongstomyboot yf
ulfri
end"that
wasZi nt
le,Iqui
cklywipedmyt ears
awayIdi dn'twanthertoseemel ike
that.Ist
oodup.

Me:"
heyfri
end"If
akedasmileand
at
temptedtohugherbutshepushed
myarmsaway

Zintl
e:"
nowIknowy oudi dnotj
ust
givemeaf akesmil
echild.What'
s
wrong?Whyar eyoureyespuffy
?
Hav eyoubeencryi
ng?WhodoIneed
tokill
?"Zi
ntl
ecantalky
oh!Ijustsat
downont hegrassandstar
tedcr
ying
al
loveragain,
shesatnextt
omeand
huggedme

Me:"ihadafi
ghtwi
thmyfami
ly
,Isai
d
somer eal
l
ybadthi
ngst
othem.I
regr
etit

Zint
le:
"sowhyarey ousi
tt
ingher
e
i
nsteadofbeingathomeand
apologi
sing?
"

Me:
"t
hingi
sI'
m sti
l
langryat
t
hem,mom sl
appedme.Ijustneeded
t
ogetawayfr
om them andbebymy
sel
f"

Zintl
e:"
whyar ey ouangr yatt hem?
Whatwast hef i
ghtr eallyabout ?"
ShouldItellherornot ?Imeanshei s
mybestf ri
end, i
nfactshe' smyonl y
fri
end.ArghwhatdoIhav etolose.I
start
ednarratingt hest oryexact l
y
howmypar ent stoldme, Ialsotol
d
heraboutthe" dream"Ihadwhi ch
wasact ual
lysomet hingt hatwas
happening.Byt het i
meIwasdone
tal
kinghermout hwasl iterall
ywide
open.
Zint
le:"
wai
t!Woahwoah!Youar
e
gett
ingmar r
iedt
oSivuy
il
e?Asi
nli
ke
mysi st
er'
sSivuy
il
e"

Inodded

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youar
ethecr
owned
Pr
incess?
"

Me:
"unf
ort
unat
elyy
es"

Zint
le:
"whatdoyoumean
unfort
unatel
y?Thi
sisgr
eatnews
Booty.JesusChri
st,
myownfri
endi
s
goi
ngtobeQueen!
"Shej
umpedup
anddownwit
habigsmil
epl
ast
ered
onherf
ace

Me:"idon'tknowwhyy ohareso
happy,f
irstofal
lI'
m goingtobe
shari
nghi m wit
hyoursister
,YOUR
si
ster."

Zintl
e:"
haymxm,Idon'
tcar
eabout
thatpig"shei
ssowierd

Me:"areyousurethatshe'
syour
sist
ermara?Thewayy ouhateheri
t'
s
verysuspi
cious"
Zintl
e:"
yepshei s,
Ievendi
daDNA
testtocheckifwewer ereal
l
y
rel
ated"IlaughedZintl
ewasreal
l
y
crazyshe'sexactl
ywhatIneeded
aftergett
ingthosenews

Me:
"youar
ecr
azy
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
sowheni
stheweddi
ng?
"

Me:
"idontknowandIdon'
tcar
e"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hai
bosi
si,
thi
sist
heonl
y
weddi
ngy
ouwill
everhav
esoy
ou
needt
ogoal
lout"

Me:"
what'
stheuse?It
'snotli
kewe
arei
nLovewitheachotheror
somethi
ng"

Zint
le:
"i
tdoesn'tmatter
!Wenanje
youneedtohav etheemostamazi ng
weddingever!HeehehowIwi shit
couldbeabigweddi ngwherethey
will
invi
tej
ournali
sts.
"

Me:
"ai
bowhy
?"
Zint
le:
"sothattheycanpr i
ntabout
yourweddingandshowof fthe
crownedPr i
ncesssot hatmysi st
er
couldgethumi l
iat
ed*laughs*phela
shesaidshei sthefut
urequeenof
theXhosaKi ngdom kantidol
olo"she
l
aughedagai n

Me:"t
echni
cal
l
yshei
sal
sot
hef
utur
e
queen"

Zintl
e:"
andy oumyfri
endar
ethee
futur
equeen, t
hecr
ownedpri
ncess.
DamnI 'm sohappyfory
ou,
Ial
ways
knewthatt
heli
feGodhasplanned
fory
ouisspect
acul
ar"she'
swierd

Me:
"butI
'
m nothappyZee"

Zint
le:
"wellthensucki
tupfri
end
becausethisweddingi
shappening.
I'
m notreadytoeatsal
adswhile
cryi
ngandwear ingbl
ackcl
othes"
she'
smean

Me:
"wow!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
that
'
swhatIwantpeopl
eto
sayony ourweddingday "Ijust
l
ookedatherandkeptqui et ."You
knowBoot ysul
kingaboutt hisisnot
goingtochanget hesi t
uat i
onbabe.
Wenanj ey oushouldaccepty our
desti
nyandenj oyy ourselfwhi leyou
areatit.Becauseitisy ours,it
'sthe
oathGodchosef ory ouandnot hing
i
sgoi ngt ochanget hat
"

Me:"youar
er i
ght
.YouknowI
would'v
ebeendeadifmyf amil
y
di
dn'tdeci
detomarrymeof f,
Ishoul
d
bereall
ygreat
ful
forthat
."
Zi
ntle:
"andyoushouldst
op
cr
ying,
causebabygir
lyoulook
FAGLY"Jeso!

Me:
"Mxm.Ineedt
ogoandapol
ogi
se
t
omyf ami
ly
"

Zint
le:
"t
hat
'
smygirl
."Ist
oodupand
gaveherabigwar
m hug.

Me:
"By
ebabe"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Byemylove.Don'tf
orgetto
gi
vemet hedat
eofy ourwedding
please.AndIal
sowanttobepar
tof
theplanni
ngprocess.
"

Me:"whatever
".It
urnedonmyheel s
andranbackhome.Mybr other
s
weregetti
ngintothecarwhenI
enter
edthegat e,
theyst
opedwhen
theysawmeappr oachi
ng.Isl
owly
walkedtothem.

Thabo:"
otswakae?
(wher
eaareyou
comingfrom?)
"Heaskedthemi
nute
Igottothem

Me:
"iwasatt
hepar
k"
Thapel
o:"
doingwhatther
e?"Iwas
sti
l
langryathi
mf orsmashi
ngmy
phoneandcall
ingmeaspoi l
tbr
at

Me:"
Justt
hinki
ngt
hingst
hrough"I
answer
edcoldl
y

Thabo:"
Mmmh!Whatdi
dyout
hink
about?
"Hawu!

Me:"
Ever
ythi
ng.Wher
ear
eyouguy
s
goi
ng?"
Thapel
o:"
wannacomewit
hus?"He
askedwit
hasmilewhi
chIdi
dn'
t
ret
urn

Me:
"no.Wher
e'sMom?
"

Lizwi:
"She'
sinherroom,
she'
stheone
whoact ual
lyaskedustogoandlook
foryou."

Me:
"Hao,
why
?"

Thabang:"
causeshet
houghtyou
weregoingtocommitsui
cide"I
chuckl
ed

Me:
"Iam wayt
oomuchofacowar
d
t
odothathl
e"t
heyl
aughed

Thabo:"Punki
e,mom anddadr eal
ly
tookthatdecisi
ont osaveyou.They
couldn'
taffor
dt olosethei
rdaughter.
Wear ereall
ysorryifyoufel
tbetr
ay ed
bythat"

Me:"
it
'sfi
ne,
I'mt heonewhoshoul
d
beapologi
sing.I'
m sor
ryguy
sfort
he
wayIreact
ed"t heyl
ookedatmewith
smil
es"butthatdidn'
tgi
vesomeone
t
herightt
ocallmeaspoi
ltbratand
t
hensmashmyphoneont hewall.
"I
l
ookedatThapelot
henIwalkedto
t
hehouse.

Dad:"Pri
ncessyouareback"Iwent
str
aighttohim andgavehi
m abig
hug."It
'sokaymybaby,Il
oveyouneh"

Me:"
ilovey
outoodaddy
.AndI
'
m
sor
ryforev
ery
thi
ng"

Dad:"
noneedtoapologi
se
sweethear
t,
Iunderst
andwhyyohsaid
al
lthosethi
ngsthat'
swhyIwasquiet
t
hroughoutt
hewhol
eint
eract
ion,
I
wantedtogi
veyouy
ourspace."

Me:
"wher
e'smom?
"

Dad:
"She'
sinou-
..
..
ohheresheis.
"
Mom camet ost
andnexttous.

Me:"
mom, I
'm sor
ry.Idi
dn'tmean
any
thingIsai
dIwasj ustangr
yand
hur
t.
"

Mom:"i
t'
sfinebaby
.Ifor
giv
eyou,
I
under
stoodwhereyouwerecomi
ng
from.It
'sokaymyl ov
e"shegaveme
ahug...
..
isshenotgoingtoapologise
too?.
..
No?Noshe' snotapologi
sing.
I
t'str
uewhent heysayblackparents
neverreal
iseshetheyarewrong.

Me:
"Sowhenist
hisweddi
nggoi
ng
t
otakepl
ace?
"

Mom: "idon'
tknow,wewer esupposed
todiscussthatwiththeQueentoday
butIalreadytoldhertocome
tomorrowsi ncetodayisnotagood
ti
me"
Me:"noit'
sf i
nemom, wecandothis
today.Callheragai
nandtel
lherto
come. "Ij
ustwantedtogetoverand
donewi ththis.

Mom:
"ar
eyousur
ebaby
?"

Me:"y
esMom. "WasIreal
lysur
e
aboutthi
s?Idon'
tknow.

Mom:
"okayI
'
m oni
t"shel
eft
.

Bontl
e:"
babysi
sy ohknowyoudon'
t
havetodothi
srightnowri
ght
?"
Me:"Haoakereweweretol
dthatwe
needtohurrywit
htheweddi
ng?So
I
'm pushi
ngitfor
ward"

Bontl
e:"I'
m pr
oudofy
oulit
tl
eone"
shegav emeahugandkissedmy
for
ehead.Mom camebackwitha
smil
eonherf ace.

Mom:
"Shesai
dshewi
l
lbeher
ein30
mi
nut
es"
○
○
○
#I
tsOn
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er12
○
○
○
○

°
•Boi
tumel
o•°
Fewday
slat
er.
Mylif
ehasbeenal otbusyforthe
pastf
ewday s,
from designi
ngmy
owndress,
planningmyownweddi ng.
Iwasreal
lyswamped.Iwasl eavi
ng
forECt omor rowwithmyf amily.YesI
fi
nall
ydeci dedonhav i
ngat raditi
onal
wedding, i
twasn'tgoi
ngtobe
somet hingbignorsmall.Thismeans
Iam onlygoi ngtobemar ri
edt ohim
tradi
ti
onal l
y,
whichwasgr eatforme
butIstil
l havetochangemysur name
toDlami ni.
I
twasl at
eatnight,Iwasbusy
packingmycl otheswiththehelpof
Zint
le,shewasal sogoingtotr
avel
withust otheEC.

Zint
le:
"ican'
tbel
ievethaty
ouar
e
gett
ingmar r
iedbruh"
Me:"I
tssounreal,
howIwishIhada
choi
ceinallofthi
s,y
ouknowIwant
tobeacareerwomanbef oreIcan
evengetmarri
ed."

Zintl
e:"
Iknowbabe,t
hatwasour
dream,togotoeverycl
ubbefore
settl
i
ngdownwi thoursi
zzl
inghot
husbands."Welaughedandhigh
fi
ved

Me:
"ey
ywena"
Zi
ntl
e:"
butatleasty
ougott
oachi
eve
oneofourdreams"

Me:
"andwhi
chonei
sthat
?"

Zint
le:
"Get
ti
ngmar ri
edt
oasi
zzl
i
ng
hotguy"shelaughed

Me:
"hi
snott
hatwow!
"Li
es

Zint
le:
"don'
tli
e,he'
sextr
awow!That
guyishot,y
ouandmysi st
erhav
e
real
l
yhi tt
hejackpot.
"
Me:"di
dy ouhavetor
emindmethatI
am goingtoshareahusbandwi
th
yoursi
ster"

Zint
le:"
sorr
ybabe.Gosh,Ican'
twai
tto
seey ourbabi
es"shebeamedwi t
h
exci
tement

Me:"
Hayt
herearenobabi
est
haty
ou
ar
egonnaseehere"

Zintl
e:"
youarethecrownedPr
incess
Moghel ,
thatmeansyouhavet
obear
thatfamilyanhei
r"
Me:
"iknowdumbass"

Zint
le:
"sowhenar
etogonnagi
vehi
m
yourvi
rgini
ty?
"

Me:
"Zi
ntl
e!"

Zi
ntle:
'
What?I
t'
sreal
l
yasi
mpl
e
questi
on"

Me: "I
'
m donepackingsowecan
sleepnow"Iplacedmybagsnextt
o
thedoor.Igotinsi
dethecov
ers
Zi
ntl
e:"ar
ey oureal
l
ygonnai
gnor
e
myquestion?"

Me:"y
es,becauseit'
sast
upi
d
questi
on.Nowsl eepwehav
eanear
ly
morningtomorrow"

Zint
le:
"isti
ll
don'
tunderst
andwhywe
havetof l
youtsoearl
y.
"

Me:
"Wel
lMom i
nsi
sted.
".

Zi
ntl
e:"
Sleept
ightbabe"
.
.
.
Nextmorningwewerewokenupby
mybrotherThabo,
tr
ustmehe'
snot
ni
cewheni tcomestothat
depar
tment.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yoh!Di
dhehav
etowakeus
upli
kethat
?"

Me:"He'
sli
kethatvel
e.Whatt
imei
s
i
t?"Shecheckedherphone

Zi
ntl
e:"
It
's6o'
cl
ock"
Me:"OhGosh. "Istoodupandwentt o
thebathroom, Ididthewhol ehy gi
ene
processt henIwor emybl ackshor t
j
umpsui t,Zint
ledecidedt ot akea
shower,thenshewor eherbl ackshort
dress.Afterthatwewent
downstair s,
andsur pri
singlyt he
familywasnotdownasy et.The
kit
chenwasempt y ,
nobr eakf astwas
onanyt abl eandtheT. Vwasal soof
f.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hawu,
kant
ibakuphi
abant
u?"

Me;
"t
hat
'swhatIam aski
ngmy
sel
f.
Maybetheydeci
dedt
ocal
lof
fthe
weddi
ng"

"
Youwouldli
kethatnowwouldn'
t
y
ou?"ThatwasBontlecomi
ngdown
t
hestai
rs

Zi
ntl
e:"
kant
iushwebi
l
edar
ly"t
hey
l
aughed

Bont
le;
"whyar
eyouguy
supatt
his
ti
me?"

Me:
"Whatki
ndofquest
ioni
sthat
?
Youknowthatwear
eleav
ingon3
hour
sright
"

Bontl
e:"
Hawudidn'
tmom tel
lyou?
Thefli
ghtwaspushedbackt
o5
o'
clock"

Us:
"WHAT?
!"

Me:
"Wher
ethehel
li
sThabo?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whythehell
wouldhewakeus
upsoearl
y?"Iwasreal
l
ypi
ssedoff
.
Me:
"youknowwhat?I'
mj ustgonna
gobackt
osleep,
I
'm st
il
lsl
eepy"

Bontl
e:"Godyouli
kesleepi
ng,y
our
husbandisgonnahaveaserious
probl
em"

Me:"
nohewon't
.Phel
ahehas
anot
herwi
fe"

Zi
ntl
e:"sobasi
cal
l
yhe'sgonnahave2
l
astwives,
wazewanebhadi
"they
l
aughed
Me:
"I'
m notl
azy
"

Them:
"mmmmhm"

Wewer enowonapl anet oEC.Iwas

reall
ypi ssedatThabof orwakingus
upf ornot hi
ng.Wef inall
ylandedin
PE,ther oyaldri
verwasal ready
waitingf orus.Wewer egoingtobe
stayingatt heroyalhousef orthe
durationofourst ay.Wegoti nt
o
diff
erentcar sanddr oveof f
.Iwasin
acarwi thmybr other,
wellthey
i
nsist edonbei ngwi t
hme.
Thabang:
"Nana,
arey
our
eadyf
ory
our
newlif
e?"

Me:"Iam defini
tel
ynot.Thisisnot
whatIwant ed,Iwantedtogetmarri
ed
whenIwasr eadynotlikethi
s.Iwant
tobeacar eerwomanbef oreIam
someone'swi fe,
hell
someone' s
secondwi f
e.ButIdon'treall
yhavea
choice.
"

Thabi
so:
"HowIwishther
ewas
somethi
ngwecoulddoaboutt
his"

Me;
"wel
lther
eisn'
tbr
other
.Wej
ust
hav
etoacceptt
hisandmov
eon"

Thabang:
"Ican'tbel
i
evemybabygi
rl
i
sgetti
ngmar r
ied"

Me:"
Ithi
nkt
hat
'sdad'
sli
ne"t
hey
l
aughed

Thabang:
"Wel
lyouar
emydaught
er
too"

Thabang:
"Ourdaught
er"wel
aughed

Me:
"Youwi
sh.Gety
ourownwi
ves
whowi
llmakebabi
esfory'
al
land
st
opcl
aimi
ngotherpeopl
e'
sbabi
es"

Thabo:"It
hinkyourfri
endwouldmake
aperfectwife"Ilookedathi
m

Me:
"Don'
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t"

Thabo:
"What
?"

Me:
"Youknowwhat
"

Thabo:
"mxm"
Thabang:
"whydon'twegi
vet
hel
i
ttl
e
onemar r
iageadv
ice?"

Thabi
so:
"Greati
dea"t
heykeptqui
et
forawhi
le.

Me:
"Iam wai
ti
ng"

Thabang;
"Okay
...
uh..
..
kanaWhatdo
theysaywhentheyadvicenewl
y
weds?"Hewasl ooki
ngatThabi
so

Thabi
so:
"Idon'
tknowbr
oh,
Iam
cl
uel
ess"

Thabang;
"well
fucki
t,Ij
usthav
eone
advi
ceforyou.Nosexunti
lyoutur
n
21"

Thabo:
"nowt
hat
'sagr
eatone"

Thabiso:"
whydidn'
tIthi
nkofthat"
theyaresostupid,
theymaki
ngit
soundlikethebestadvi
ceever.

Me:
"i
sn'
ti
tsupposedtobetheother
wayar
ound.Li
kearen'
tyousupposed
tosay'omfelekhekhe,don'
tstar
ve
yourmanoral sohewillgoandlook
elsewher
e'.Ithinkthat
'swhatyouare
supposedt osay "

Them;"
Nooo!Mol api
se!(
Starvehi
m)"I
l
aughed.Ithi
nkishouldmesswi t
h
thei
rmindsalit
tl
ebitmor e.

Me;"That
'snotgonnacutithey,I
meanIam t hecrownedPrincessthat
meansIhav etogivethem an
hei
r,someonewhowi llSi
vuyi
le'
s
successor.
"
Thabang:"wearenotdenyi
ngthat
.
Youwillgiv
ehim anhei
r.
..
..
aft
eryou
tur
n21"

Me:"
Youknowhowt hesetr
adit
ion
t
hesepeopleare,
theymighttel
lhi
m
t
osleepwithmeont henightofour
weddingj
usttoseeifIam real
l
ya
vi
rgi
n"

Thabiso;"
Thatwon'
thappen.Akere
theyhaveasangomat hattel
l
sthem
every
thing,
soshewil
ltel
lthem t
hat
youarest i
ll
seal
ed"
Me:
"Whati
f-
"

Thabo; "hayenoughwi t
hy our
speculat ionshawu."Theywer ereall
y
annoy edandIwasenj oyingev ery
secondofi t
.Wecar r
iedon
conver singaboutdi f
ferentt hings,well
thatwasunt i
ltheyst
artedaski ngme
alotofquest ionsaboutZi ntle,i
twas
actuallyThabowhowasal ot,soI
decidedt ojustkeepquietandl i
sten
tosomemusi c.

Dr
iver
:"Wehavear
ri
ved"damnthat
wasalongtr
ipmybutthur
ts.
Thabang: "
Fi nally
".Wej umpedoft he
carandar edcar petwasl aidoutright
i
nf rontoft hecardoor ,alotofpeopl e
wer estandingout si
det hey ard,
Idon't
knowwhyIal sosawsomeonebusy
takingpictures.Ther oy alfami l
ywas
waitingforusont heot hersi deofthe
redcar pet
.Mr sDlamini andsome
womenst ar tedul l
ulat
ingwhenwe
walkedt owar dsthem, Ifeltli
kea
celebri
ty.

Thabo;
"DamnIf
eel
sof
amous"he'
s
st
upid.
MrsD;"
Final
ly!We'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
or
youguys.Niphant
senaf
ika
semumny ama"

Dad:
"For
giv
eus,Ihadal
astmi
nut
e
meeti
ngtoatt
endbefor
ecomi
ng
her
e"

MrD: "Weunder
stand.Whatmatt
ers
i
st hatyouar
ehere."Wegreet
ed
everyone

Bont
le:
"what
'swi
tht
hecr
owd?
"
MrD:
"t
hepeoplewantedtowitness
t
hear
riv
aloft
heirf
uturequeen"

Mom:
"r
eal
l
y?Thati
ssoni
ceoft
hem"

MrD:"Let
sgoin,
I
'm sur
ey ouguy
s
coul
ddowi t
hsomer ef
reshment
s"

Thabang:
"Wher
ecanwef
ind
Si
vuyil
e?"

MrD:
"youmeant
hePr
ince?
"
Thabang;
"samet
hing"

MrD;"wel
lher
ehei
saddr
essedas
Pr
ince"

Thabang:
"nahman,t
hatai
n'
tgonna
cuti
twithme"he'
ssoembarrassi
ng.

MrD;"
He'
sbyt hekraal
,onlymenare
al
l
owedtoenterthere,
i
fy ohknow
whatImean"

Thabang:
"Iam Sothomyking,
I
'm sur
e
youknowwhatt hatmeans"he
wi
nkedathim.Theyallleft,
l
eavi
ngus
t
heladiesanddadtogoi nsidewit
h
t
heKingandQueen.Al otofpeople
wer
er unni
ngaroundthehouse,itwas
abusyscenenje,
aft
erallthewedding
i
stomor r
ow.

MaNdeka:
"OurMakotineedst
ogo
andsi
tatr
ondavel
."Saywhatnow?

Mom:
"Oh,
wedi
dn'
tknow"

MaNdeka:
"i
tsokay.Comewi t
hme
mydaught
er"Istoodupandfoll
owed
hert
othehutthatwasatthefarend
ofthepalace.I
tlookedreal l
yniceon
theinsi
de,hadabigbedt hathad
whitecoverswithablackt hrow."Thi
s
i
swher eyouar egonnast ay,youwil
l
onlycomeoutoft hishutt omorrow
aft
ernoonf ory
ourwedding"

Me:
"hah!Whati
fIneedt
ogot
othe
l
oo?
"

MaNdeka:
"youwi
ll
hav
etohol
diti
n
unt
ilt
omorr
ow."

Me:
"thi
sist
ort
ure"
MaNdeka;"
whyarey
ouevenweari
ng
pantsandyouar
esonotcov
eri
ng
yourhead"

Me:"i
twascoldwhenwelef
tfort
he
ai
rport
,andIdi
dn'
tknowt
hatIhadto
covermyhead"

MaNdeka:"
tommor owy ouwillbet
old
aboutther
ulesofthepalace.Nowsit
hereandkeepyourselfbusy"she
openedthedoorandleft
Me: "cany ouatl eastgetsomeonet o
bringmemybags! "Ishout edbehind
her" andshe'sgone* si
gh* "
.It'
s
gonnabeal ongni ght.Igotundert he
cov ersandt extedThabot obr i
ngme
mybags.Iwasbor edal readyandI '
ve
onlybeenher eforaf ewmi nutes,
this
i
sbadIneedt of indawayt oget
Zintletokeepmecompanyt hewhole
night ,
phel
aI '
m gonnal osemymi nd.
Myt houghtswer edi sturbedbyal oud
knockatt hedoor ,i
tmustbeThabo.I
wentt oopent hedoor ,
andnoi twas
notThaboi twasmysocal led
husbandandhewascar ryi
ngmy
bags.
Me:
"it
houghtThabowasgonnabr
ing
t
hem"

Sivuyi
le:"
wel
lMaNdekasaidishould
bringthem"that
'sabummer"areyou
gonnal etmeinornot?
"Idi
dn'tev
en
reali
zethatwewerestandi
ngatthe
door

Me:"ohyeah,sor
ry"Imadewayf or
himt oent
er.Hepl acedmybagson
thetabl
e."Thanks".Hejuststood
ther
eandl ookedatme-wi er
d."Is
ther
esomet hingelse?"Hesnapped
outofi
t.

Si
vuyil
e:"
No..
Not her
e'snothi
ngelse"
hewalkedtothedoor,hestopedand
l
ookedatmej ustashewasaboutt o
openthedoor"aren'
tyouboredof
si
tti
ngony ourownint hi
shut?"

Me:
"iam.ButIdon'
tthi
nkI
'
m al
l
owed
t
ohaveanyonehere"

Sivuy
il
e:"
tr
ue,I
'mtheonlyonewho's
al
lowedinhere.Anywaygoodnight
"
heleft
.Idon'
tevenknowwhyhe
askedmet hatquest
ionifhewasnot
gonnacomeupwi thasol ut
ionfor
me.It ookoutmyl aptop,j
ustasIwas
aboutt ogetonthebedaknock
camet hrough.Jwentt oopenthe
doorandi twasZintle,shewas
carr
yingabagandal unchbox.

Me:
"gi
rlam Igl
adt
haty
ouar
eher
e"

Zi
ntl
e:"
youknowIgoty
ougi
rl
.I
br
oughtfood"

Me:"t
hankyouLor
d".Wequi
ckl
y
changedi
ntoourPJsandat
ewhil
e
watchi
ngamov i
e.
Zi
ntl
e:"GodImi
ssmyphone"

Me;
"wher
eisi
t?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yourst
upi
dbr
othert
ooki
t"

Me:
"whi
chone?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Thabo.
"

Me:"
whydidhetakeit
?Di
dyoudo
somethi
ngtohi
m? "
Zint
le:"
ofcour senot ,
youknowI 've
neverhadadecentconv owi t
hhi m.
Hej ustfoundmet alki
ngont he
phonewi thThami ,
nextt hi
ngIknow
thephonewassnat chedoutofmy
handsandhegav emewei rdlook
beforewal ki
ngaway "that
'sweird.

Me:
"that
'sst
range.Di
dyout
ryt
oget
i
tbackfrom hi
m?"

Zint
le;
"No,
I'
m scaredofyourbrother
yoh!Iwasactuall
yhopingthatyou
wouldhelpme"
Me:
"Me?Weeehnev
er"

Zintl
e:"
com eonbooty,
hehasasof t
spotforyou.All
youhavetodoi s
l
ookathi m andsmil
e,
thentell
him
thatyouwantmyphonebackhewi l
l
giveitt
oy ouwit
houthesi
tat
ing"I
l
aughed

Me:"Wel
lyouwill
youwaitunti
l
tomorr
owgirl
becauseI'
m not
all
owedoutofthi
sroom unti
l
tomorr
ow"
Zint
le:
"Gggrr
rh"shecov eredherf
ace
withapil
low.Igiggled"Iwanttot
alk
tomyboy fr
iend.Pleaselendmey our
phone"

Me:"No.I
'm sureThamicansur
viv
e
wit
houtspeakingtoyouforaf
ew
hours"

Zintl
e:"
mxm,youaresuchabore.I
'
m
sleepi
ng"shecover
edherheadwith
thecov er
s.

Me:
"ni
ghtf
ri
end"Itur
nedofmy
l
apt
opanddri
ftedstr
aightt
olal
aland.
Tommor
owi
sthebi
gday
.
☆
☆
☆
#Bi
gDay
Comi
ngUp
#Hal
ala
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er11
♡
♡
♡
°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°
Iwasi
ntheoff
icebusywor
kingwhen
Ir
ecei
vedacal
l f
rom mymom
Me:
"Mama"

Mom:"I
t'
sonbaby
!Theweddi
ngi
son.
Sheagr
eedtomeetmetoday
"

Me:"
that
'sgr
eatnewsmama.Sohav
e
yousett
hedateyet?
"

Mom:"I'
m sti
l
lonmywayt othe
MokoenaHousehol
d,t
heywill
deci
de
onasuit
abledat
eforthemsel
ves"

Me:
"okay
.AndoTamnci
bona?Hav
e
t
heyl
eftal
ready
?"

Mom:"
yeah,
theyl
eftaf
ewhour
sago
wi
thMaNdeka"

Me:
"okay
.Ineedt
ogetbacktowork
mama.Haveyour
sel
falovel
yday
"

Mom:"Isur
ewil
l.Byebaby"Ihungup.
Justt
henmywif edeci
dedtograce
mewithherpr
esencetoday.

Me:"
towhatdoIowethepl
easur
e"I
sai
dwit
hasmi l
ewhichshedi
dn'
t
r
eturn,
shel
ookedst
ressed"
what
's
wrongmylove?'

Thandi
:"
it
'st
hisst
upi
dsecondwi
fe
thi
ng.
"

Me:"uknowIhav
etodoi
tnow
bhabha"

Thandi:
"Iknowbabe,
butwher
edoes
thatl
eaveme? "

Me:"Whatdoyoumean?"Shej
ust
l
ookedatme"babyyouaremyfi
rst
wif
eandIloveyou.Idon'
tlov
e
uBoi
tumeloI
'mjustmarry
inghert
o
pl
easetheancest
ors"

Thandi
:"butyourpar
ent
sseem t
o
l
ikeheralot"

Me:"wellmnaIl ovey ouandquite

f
ranklytheiropi
nionsdonot
matter,
whatmat tersiswhatIfeeli
n
myhear t.
"Shesmi ledthenfr
owned

Thandi
:"
youshouldhav
eseent he
wayyourmom wassoexci t
edwhen
shegotthecal
lfr
om Boit
umelo's
mom"

Me:
"st
opst
ressi
ngy
our
sel
fbhabha
mar
n"

Thandi:
"LeonIwantyoutopromise
met hatyouwil
lnevert
urnyourback
onmef orasl
ongasIam yourwife"

Me:
"wher
e'st
hiscomi
ngf
rom now?
"

Thandi:
"j
ustpr
omi
semedamni
t!
"She
shouted
Me:"
yeey
!Don'
tyoudar
erai
sey
our
voi
ceatmeThandi
we."

Thandi
:"
Im sorr
ylove,j
ustt
hatt
his
thi
ngisreal
lystr
essingme."

Me:
"y ouar
egetti
ngy
our
sel
fwor
ked
upovernot
hing"

Thandi:
"Ican'thel
pmy sel
fnj
e"I
stoodupf r
om mychai randwentt
o
standbehindher ,
Ist
art
edmassagi
ng
hershoulders.
Me:"t
rustmebaby"Imovedmy
handstoherboobsandsqueezed
them shest
art
edmoaning.

Thandi
:
"Mmmh"

Me:
"Youl
i
ket
hat
?"

Thandi :
"Yesdaddy "Shebi therl
ower
l
ip.Ipul l
edherchai randmadeher
standupt henIpushedt hechairto
thesi debeforepushinghert othe
table.Thenmyl i
pscol l
i
dedwi th
hers,soonmyt onguewasmassagi ng
hert ongue.Imadehersi tonthe
tabl
ewhi l
eshespr eadherl egsfor
me,andguesswhat ?Shewasn' twear
i
tanypant i
es,Istartedt raci
ngmy
fi
ngersonherf oldsshemoanedev en
l
ouder .Iwentdownonherasshe
spreadherl egsev enwi der.Iplay ed
aroundwi thhercl itusingmy
tongue,thenIstar t
edeat ingherpussy
l
ikeahungr yvulture.Soonshe
start
edsqui rt
ing,thatmeansIknow
mybusi ness.It ookoutsomewi pes
from herbagt henIwi pedhercl ean,I
alsorinsedmymout hint hesink.

Thandi
:
"Thatwasamazi
ng,
asal
way
s"
Me:
"YouknowIai
mtopl
ease"I
wi
nkedather
.

Thandi:
"hopeBoit
umelowon'
t
exper
iencethi
swithyou"ohwowwe
arebacktothatagai
n

Me:"
Didyouhav
etobr
ingupher
name?"

Thandi
:
"well
she'
sgoingt
obey our
wif
esoon,
soImightaswel
lgetused
toi
tsoon"
Me:
"Mxm.Don'
tyouhav
esomewher
e
t
obe?"

Thandi
:"Wow!Souyang'
xosha
vel
e?(youar
ekicki
ngmeout ?
) "Ij
ust
l
ookedather"fi
ne!Pl
easeunlockthe
door"

Me:"Unl
ockdoor"thedoor
automati
cal
l
yunl ockeditsel
f.She
stoodupandlef
twhi lebangingthe
doorint
heprocess."HaikeloMzulu!
"
.
.
°
•Boi
tumel
o•°
Sivuy i
le'smom wasal readyher e,we
hadt alkedaboutev erythingandshe
mademeunder standwhyt hiswhol e
thi
ngwashappeni ng.Sheal sot ol
d
met hatsheal sowentt hrought he
samet hing,butdi f
ferencei sthat
Sivuy i
le'sfatherwasnotmar r
ied.The
datef ort heweddi ngwasal r
eady
set,
itwasaweekf rom now.I twas
actuallygoi ngt obeonmybi r
thday
the15t hofDecember .I'
m nott he
onewhochoset hisdate,ther oy al
sangomadi d,shesai dweneededt o
dot hisassoonaspossi ble.
Iwaswalki
ngtheQueentoher
car
,shewasal
readyl
eavi
ng.

MrsD:"
sotomor r
owwear egoingto
seet
hedesignerforyourdress,
then
wewil
lstar
tplanningyourwedding"

Me:
"idontwantsomet
hingbi
gmah"

Mr sD:"
Hawubaby ,
phelawehav eto
showt hewor
ldthatwehav efound
ourcrownedPri
ncess!Thisisthe
proudmomentfortheDl amini
s"
Me:
"ei
sh,
I
'm notsur
eMah"

MrsD:"
Ial
sodidn'
twantabig
weddi
ngbecauseIfel
tli
keIshould
onl
yhaveabigcel
ebrati
onwhenI
marr
ysomeoneIlove,
Ididn'
treall
y
l
ovetheki
ng,
butIdidhaveabi g
weddi
ng."

Me:"
phelaMahi nyoursi
tuati
oni
t
wasunderstandabl
e.Youwerethe
onl
ywife.Ican'
thaveahugewedding
whi
leThandiwehadani nti
mate
cer
emony "shelookedatmeand
smil
ed
MrsD:"theZi z
isreall
ymadea
wonderf
ul choicebypicki
ngy ou.Not
onl
yarey oubeaut i
fulont
heout si
de
butonthei nsi
detoo.Sowhatdi dyou
havei
nmi ndforyourwedding"

Me:"
Idon'
tknow.Maybeasmal
l
t
radi
ti
onalcer
emony"

MrsD: "
y oudoknowt hatwehaveto
i
nvit
et hemedi ar
ight?Andour
tr
adit
ional cer
emoniesusual
lytake
pl
acei nourKingdom intheEaster
n
Cape"y oh!
Me:
"Yoh!Sowhatar
eyousuggest
ing
Mah?"

MrsD:"maybeweshoul dhavea
ceremonythi
ssidetooffici
atet
he
weddingthenhaveasmal ltr
adi
tional
oneintheEasternCape
xabeyokut
hiyake(whentheygiv
ey ou
anewname) "

Me:
"Idon'
tknow.Iwil
lspeaktomy
f
amilyandheart
heirv
iews."
MrsD:
"Okaybaby
,Ineedt
ogoand
cookf
ormyhusbandnow"

Me:'
byeMah.Andthanky
ouf or
shar
ingy
ourstor
ywithmeitreall
y
mademeseet hi
ngsinadif
ferent
l
ight
"

Mr sD:
"Pl
easureNana.Seey ou
tomorrowke"shegav emeahugand
gotinhercarthenshedroveoff.Just
thenmybr ot
hersdroveinfol
lowedby
mysecondpar ents(
LizwiandBontle)
.

Thabo:
"Whyar
eyoust
andi
ng
out
side?
"

Me:
"Nekent
shaMrsDlamini
(Iwas
wal
ki
ngMrsDlami
niout)
"

Thabang:"Youmeany ourmot
her-
in-
l
aw? "Theylaughed,
he'
ssoannoy
ing

Me:
"Yesabut
iThabang"
.

Bont
le:
"Wheni
stheweddi
ng?
"

Me:
"NextweekSat
urday
"
Br
other
s:"What
?.!
"

Li
zwi
:
"Whysosoon?
"

Bontl
e:"
youhear
dwhatt
hatsangoma
sai
dnjebabe"

Li
zwi
:
"ohhh,
nowIgeti
t"

Thabang:"Iwon'tl
ie,
Idon'tl
ikethis
i
deaofy ougetti
ngmar r
iedatthis
youngage,butIknowt hatit
'sforyour
owngoodsoIwi ll
justhavet odeal
wi
thi
t.
"

Me:"
Mr sDl aminiwantsabig
wedding,apparent
lytheworldhasto
knowt hatthecrownedPrincesshas
beenfound. "

Thabo:
"Damn,
Ican'
twaitt
osee
Thandi
we'sr
eacti
on"t
heyall
laughed.
.
.
Iwasabouttodri
ftt
olal
alandwhen
myphonedecidedtori
nganddist
urb
mypeace,
itwasanunknownnumber.
Idi
dn'
tansweratf
ir
st,
buti
tdeci
ded
tor
ingagai
nsoIgavein.

Me:
"What
?!"Iwasabi
tir
ri
tat
ed

Call
er:
"Ohsnap!DidIwakeyouup?
"It
wasav erydeepsexyvoi
ce,
i
t
soundedfamili
ar.

Me:"I
sthatrhet
ori
calquesti
on?Who
areyou?"Thepersonclear
edthei
r
thr
oat.

Cal
l
er:
"uhm.
..
it
'smeSi
vuy
il
e"shi
i
tmy
supposedl
yfut
urehusband

Me:
"oh.
..
uh.
..
shuu.Hi
.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hi.Howar
eyou?
"

Me:"whatcanIdof
ory
oumy
Pr
ince?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iyoh!Backt
oIr
onladyso
soon?Any waymom wastel
li
ngme
aboutthedateoftheweddi
ng,Ij
ust
wantedtof i
ndouthowyoufeel
abouti
t?"
Me:
"idon'
tknow.I'
mjustgoi
ngwi
th
t
hefl
ow,Idon'
twannadie.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"O-
kay!Meetmeatmyof f
ice
tomorr
ow,weneedtodiscussaf
ew
thi
ngsaboutt
hewedding."

Me: "
nah,IthinkIam coolwith
planningev eryt
hingwithyourmom
thanky ouv erymuch"Irol
ledmyeyes.
Hechuckl ed,notav er
yfri
endly
chucklethough.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Idon'
treal
l
ycareaboutwhat
youarecoolwit
h.Wenanjejust
comet omyoffi
cesothatwecan
tal
k."

Me:"
idon'
tknowwher
eyourof
fi
ces
ar
esituat
ed"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
googl
eit
."Hehungup.

Me: "WTF?Didhejust..
.?Heehe!
ArrogantXhosaguy!Nxah!AndIam
notgoingtothatst
upidof f
iceofhi
s"
Isli
ppedmyphoneundert hepil
low
thenIdrif
tedtol
alaland.
.
.
Wokeupt henextmor ning,t
ooka
l
ongrel
axingbat h,
thenIwor emy
l
ongreddr ess,
ithadslit
sonbot h
si
desofthedr ess.Iworemy
sl
eeper
sthenIwentdownst ai
rs,
mom
wasalr
eadyi nheruniformthat
meansshe' sgoingtowor ktoday.

Me:
"Hawumama,
youar
ewor
king
t
oday?"

Mom:
"mor
ningt
oyout
obaby
."
Me:
"ei
sh,
mor
ningmom.
"

Mom:
"youar
eupear
lyt
oday
"

Me:
"sur
pri
singr
ight
?"

Mom:
"ver
y"wel
aughed

Me:"
Ithoughtyouwer
egonnaj
oinme
andMaDl aminif
ort
hepl
anni
ng"

Mom:
"nott
odaymyl
ove.My3day
s
ofl
eav
ear eup,
soIneedt ogetback
towor
kandI '
m alr
eadylate.Youwi
ll
makebreakf
astforever
y oneri
ght
?"

Me:
"hahMama,
theywi
l
leatcer
eal
"

Mom:"Boit
umelo!Youknowy
our
f
atherdoesn'
tl
ikethat
"

Me:"
Iyoh!
"Shepackedherworki
ng
bagandheadedforthedoor
.

Mom:"makethatbr
eakf
ast
Boi
tumel
o!"Shewentoutt
hedoor
.
Hayshamemom wi l
lhavetof orgi
ve
me,I'
m notinthemoodt omake
breakf
astforev eryoneshame.Iwi ll
j
ustmakeonef ordadonl y
.JustasI
wasaboutt ot akeoutt hebreaddad
walkedinalreadydr essedinhis
formalclot
hesandhewascar ry
ing
hisbri
efcase.

Dad:"MorningPoonkie,
byePoonki e"
hekissedmycheekandi mmedi at
ely
l
eft.Shuu!Thatmeansnomor e
makingbr eakf
astforme.Imade
myselfsomecocopopst henIwent
towat chTVwhi l
eeating.Af t
erIwas
doneeat i
ngIwashedmydi shthenI
star
tedcl
eani
ngt
hehouse.Bythe
ti
meIwasdonemybrotherswereal
l
awake.

Thapel
o:"
Poonki
e,
wher
e'st
hef
ood?
"

Me:
"Whatf
ood?
"

Thabang:
"Br
eakf
asthl
emot
ho
waModimo"

Me:"y
ouboughtbr
eakf
ast
?"Iwas
act
ingdumb.
Thapel
o:"
stopact
ingdumb,
youknow
whatwemean"

Me:
"noIdon'
t"

Thabo:"
Whydi
dn'
tyoumake
breakf
ast?
"

Me:"uh.
.l
astti
meIcheckedGodgave
al
lofust wohands,
I
'm sur
eyoucan
whipsomet hi
ngupver
yquickl
y.
"

Thabang:"
wenawat
-.
"Hewas
di
sturbedbymyphoner
ingi
ngi
twas
MaDl
ami
ni

Me:
"Ma.
"

Mr
sDl
ami
ni:
"I
'm out
side.
"

Me:
"youar
enotcomi
ngi
n?"

Mr
sD:
"No,
wear
egoi
ngsomewher
e"

Me:"OkayI'
m onmyway "shehungup
"dearbrot
hers,
Ihavetoloveand
l
eav ey'
all
.Bye"Itookmyslingbag
andleftaft
erkissi
ngthei
rcheeks.I
gotintothecarandgr eetedher .The
drovewasv erylong,butwewer e
havingani ceflowingconv er
sat ionin
thecar .Wef i
nallyparkedinthe
parkinglotofav erybigcompany ,
Mrs
Dlami nit
oldmet ojumpof f,
Ididt hen
wemadeourwayi nside.Wewentt o
thereceptioni
stwhoi mmedi ately
smiledwhenshesawusappr oaching.

Recept
ioni
st:
"MyQueen"shebowed

MrsD:"HiStel
l
a.I
smysoni
n?"WTF?!
Idi
dn'tev
enknowwewerecomingt
o
seethatj
erk.
Recept
ioni
st:
"yesy
oucangor i
ght
thr
ough.Hehasbeenexpect
ingyou"

Mr sD:"Thanky ou"shesmi led.We

gotintoal ift,
shepressedt henumber
5,
andof fwewent .Thel if
topenedwe
j
umpedof fatanof fice,i
twasbi g.I
t
wasgr eyandwhi t
ei ncolour ,
hada
greycouch, awhi tematnextt othe
couch,anof f
icetable,whiteshelv es
andpi ctur
esofhi spar ents,
himsel f
andhi swif e.Iwonderi fhisgoi ngto
putmi neupt o,notthatIwoul dwant
hi
mt odot hat .
MrsD:"
Vuvu"wehear
dthetoi
let
f
lush,
hewalkedi
nfr
om anot
herroom.

Sivuyi
le:
"Mamahowmanyti
mes
mustIt el
lyout
ost
opcal
l
ingme
that"

Mr sD:"
Amill
iont
imes.NowI've
broughtBoi
tumel
oli
key ouaskedme
to"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
mmh,Icansee.Hi
"hesai
d
wi
thaseri
ousl
ook
Me: "
hi"that
'sal
l Icouldsay.Hejust
l
ookedatmewhi l
eIlookedanywhere
elsebutathi m,
Idi dn'
twanttolookat
him bitIcouldfeel hi
seyespier
cing
throughmyski n.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Letsgoandsi toverther
e"
hepoi nt
edt hecouch,wedidaswe
weret ol
d."SoBoot y
,haveyou
decidedont hekindofweddi ngyou
want ?
"Igav ehim anuglystare,
I
meanwhogav ehimt heri
ghttocall
meBoot y?Uyaphaphanje.
Me:"YesIhav
e,myPr
ince.
"He
chuckled

MrsD:"
Noneedtobef
ormalbaby,
I
meanhe'sgoi
ngt
obeyourhusband
ver
ysoon"

Siv
uyi
le:"
nowareyouwait
ingf
orme
toaskwhatkindofweddi
ngyou
want?"He'sr
ude

Mr
sD:
"Si
vuy
il
e!"Shewar
ned

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatmama?Shehast
o
speakf ast,
someofushav e
businessestor un.Ican'
tbesi
tt
ing
hereanddi scussingweddingpl
ans
withher "It
ookoutmyphoneand
requestedanuber .

MrsD:"
Hehamhlol
a!Yazusi
l
e
wena,
l
entoebomvule!
"

Me:"*ahem*fir
stofallIdidn'
tasky ou
toplantheweddingwi t
hme, i
fI
remembercor r
ectlyyouar etheone
whoaskedmecomeher eandi fi
t
wasupt omeIwoul dn'
tev enhave
botheredtosetfootherebecauseI
am perfectl
yf inewi thplanni ngthis
weddingwi thmyf amil
yandy our
mom. "Istoodup" secondl y,
getof f
yourhighhor seMyPr i
nceanddo
bareinmi ndt haty ouarenotonl y
doingmeaf av ourbyagr eeingt othis
wedding,sodon' tactli
keI 'mt heonly
onewhoneedst hisweddi ngto
happen"myv oi cewasv er ycalm,I
turnedtolookathi smom " Mah,I'
m
sorryforalloft hisbutIr eallyneedto
go.Ifyoust i
llwantt oplant he
weddingwi thmey oucancome
aroundmyhouse, orcallmeandwe
willmeetsomewher eelse.ButIam
notgoingt opl anaweddi ngwi t
hy our
son"

MrsD:"uhm..
.iunder
standbaby
,don'
t
worryyouwon'thavetodealwi
ththi
s
peanutheadany mor
e"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ma-
"

Mr
sD:
"Shutup!
"

Me:"
ify
oudon'tmindMah,
mayI
pl
easebeexcused?"

Mr
sD:
"Howar
eyougonnaget
home?
"

Me:
"I
'v
eal
readyr
equest
edanuber
Mah"

MrsD:"ohokaybaby.Iwil
lcall
you
wheniam donewiththispig"I
huggedherandlef
t.
Sivuy
il
eissoar rogantandrude,
no
wonderhei sfri
endswithmybr other
s
theyfi
tperfectl
y.Ican'
tbel
ievethatI
am actual
lygoingtospendt herest
ofmyl i
fewi t
hhim,Iwonderwhat
kindofmar ri
agethatwil
lbe.Myr i
de
wasalreadyhere,Igoti
nthecarand
l
eft
.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngst
rai
ghthome
t
houghIwasgoingt
oZint
le'
shouse.
.
.
°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Iwasl
eftwi
thmymom wholooked
l
ikeadr
agonreadyt
obr
eat
hfireon
myhead.

Mom:
"Whatwast
hatal
labout
?"

Me:
"I
..
.uhm.
..
.Idon'
tknow.
..
?"
Mom:
"ar
eyouaski
ngmeorwhat
?"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow"

Mom:"Whati
sthatyouknow?.
..
.oh
wai
tletmesee.
..
..
beingapi
g!"

Me:"Hai
boMamadon'
tcal
lmet
hat
!
I
'm notdi
rt
y"

Mom:"Youthinkihav
etimef orj
oke
wenandiy
akubona.Whyt hehell
did
youaskmet ocomewi t
hBoitumeloif
youknewthatyouweregoingtobe
r
udet
oher
?"

Me:"Haynay
eshe'sjustbei
nga
dr
amaqueen, t
her
ewasnot hing
wrongwithwhatIsaid.
"

Mom: "YouwererudeSi
vuyi
lemarn!
Thatwasnotawayt ospeaktoyour
fut
urewife.Youhavet
oapologi
se"

Me:
"apol
o-.
.what
?"

Mom:"
eweSi
vuy
il
e.Youwer
erudet
o
t
hatgi
rl
."
Me:"
Haymama,whatki
ndofman
woul
dthatmakeme?Aweakman"

Mom: "
not hatwoul dmakey ouar eal
man,ri
ghtnowy ouar eactingli
kea
boy,
ngathi khangewol ukenxah!"
Mom wasr eallypissedandIdon' t
knowwhy .Ididn'tknowt hat
Boit
umelowast hissensiti
v e
consi
deringt hebr othersthatshe
has,
butIcan' tsayIam sur pri
sethey
tr
eatherlikeanegg.

Me:
"Fi
neIwi
l
lapol
ogi
se.
"
Mom:"Now.Cal
lhernowand
apol
ogi
se"

Me:
"Hai
boMama,
Iwi
l
ldoi
tlat
er.
"

Mom:"nonow,Iwil
lgi
veyouher
numbers"shetookoutherphone

Me:
"i
tsf
ine,
Ihav
ehernumber
s"

Mom: "
wheredi
dy ougett
hem
becauseIdon'
tremembergi
vi
ng
them t
oyou"
Me:
"Ihav
emyway
s"Iwi
nkedather

Mom:"mxm.Justmaket
hedamn
cal
l
".

Icall
edherusingt
heoff
icephone
becauseIknewshewasn'tgoi
ngto
takemycall
,sheanswer
edinthethi
rd
ri
ng.

Her:
"Boi
tumel
ohel
l
o"herv
oicei
s
sweet.
Me:
"Uhm hi
it'
sme"

Her:
"Mewho?Idon'thav
eav
oice
sensor
"she'
sfei
sty

Me:
"Si
vuy
il
e."

Her
:"
whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Me: '
Uhm, Ij
ustwantt osayIshoul
d
hav esaidthosethingsandIdidn'
t
knowt hatt heyweregonnapissyou
off"mom l ookedatmel ikeIam
crazy,
Ijustshruggedmyshoul der
s.
Her
:"
That
'sal
l
?"

Me:"uhm y eah.
..
..
ohandt hatwecan
sti
llcarr
yonpl anningthewedding
togetherifyouwant "Iwaspray
ing
thatshedecl i
nes

Her:
"Nothanky
ou.Iam comf
ort
abl
e
wit
hplanni
ngwithy
ourmom."Yes!

Me:"
Great!
"Icouldn'
thidemy
exci
tement"Soareweco- "t
utut
u
"Whatthe?Shejusthunguponme"
Mom:"
Idon'
tbl
ameher
,t
hatwast
hee
wor
stapol
ogyever
"

Me:
"sor
ude!
"Mom l
aughed.

Mom:"
whenwast hel
astt
imey
ou
wentt
oyoursur
gery?
"

Me:
"t
hedaybef
orey
est
erdayIt
hink.
"

Mom:"Ist
il
ldon'
tunderstandwhyyou
becameadoctorifyohknewy ou
werenotgoi
ngtopur sueitasa
car
eer
"

Me:"Iopenedasurger
ymos,that
shouldcountasmakingacar eerput
ofmyqual i
fi
cat
ion"Yep,
Iam a
qual
ifi
eddoctorandIrecent
lyopened
asurgerywithmyfri
endThemba.

Mom:"Butyouarenotev
enhandson
i
nthesurger
y."

Me:"
Thembaisdoingj
ustfi
neonhis
own,
hedoesn'
tneedextr
ahands.I
meanthesur
geryi
sstil
lnewmom,we
don'
thav
ealotofpati
entsyet
.Iwi
ll
onl
ygot her
ewhenwehav
emor
e
pat
ient
s"

Mom:"
HayIgi
veup.Any
wayy
ouar
e
t
aki
ngmeoutforl
unch"

Me:"y
ouar
ethemotherher
e,y
ou
shoul
dbetheonet
akingmeout.
"

Mom: "
uyahl
anya,I
'
vebeenbuyi
ngy
ou
l
unchsinceyouwer einpr
imar
y
school
,i
t'
syourturnnow"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tev
enknowt
hatwear
e
t
aki
ngt
urns"shel
aughed

Mom:
"nowy
oudo"
.
Mom iscrazy,
Iwoul
dn'tt
radeherf
or
anyt
hingi
nt hi
sworldsheissi
mply
thebestmom ever.
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
#Boi
tumel
o
#Si
vuy
il
e.
I
STHANDIJUSTI
FIEDTOFEELTHE
WAYSHEFEELS?
?
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er13
○
○
○
○
Knock!Knock!

Knock!Knock!

"
Makot
i!
"
Zint
le:
"Bootywakeup,
someonei
sat
thedoor"shewasshaki
ngme

Me:
"mmhmmhmar
n"

Zi
ntl
e:"
wakeup!
"
Isatupandr
ubbedmyey
es

Me:
"whatt
hehel
lbr
uh?
"

Zintl
e:"
goopenthedoor
"shecover
ed
hersel
fagai
n.Islowl
ywalkedt
othe
doorandopened,Iwasmetbyahuge
beaut
if
ulsmi
l
e.

Person:"
OMG!Lookathowbeaut if
ul
youare.Evenwheny oujustwokeup"
shegav emeahug, ohshe'
st he
bubblytype.Whi
leIwasst i
l
lpaying
att
entiontoheranothercr
eature
walkedinwi t
hacutebabyonher
waist.

Gi
rl2:
"Areyousur
euli
veint
his
worl
d?"Iwasreal
l
yconf
usedand
st
unned.

Gi
rl1:
"Theancest
orsr
eal
l
ydi
da
greatj
ob,
lookatyouman"Ij
ustgav
e
them anawkwardsmil
e.

Me:
"Thanky
ou"

Gir
l1:
"Forgiveus,
mynamei sLul
ama
Iam t
hef i
rstborntotheKingand
Queenalsoy ourhusband'
solder
si
ster
"

Gir
l 2:
"AndIam Lumka,
thesecond
born"theygavemewarm smiles
whichIgladl
yretur
ned.
Me:
"ni
cemeet
ingy
ou.Iam B-
"

Lumka:"
Ourfut
urequeen,
Vuv
u's
chosenone"

Me:
"ahhy
es"

Lul
uma:
"Gody
oul
ooksobeaut
if
ul"

Me:
"Thanky
ou"

Lumka:
"i
sthatZi
ntl
e?"
Me:"uhm y
eah.IknowIwasnot
supposedtoletanyonehere,
butI
wasbored.Pl
easedon' tt
ell
MaNdeka"

Lul
uma:
"youaresoinnocent
.Don'
t
worr
ywewon'tt
ell
"

Lumka:"Wakeupbi tch!
"shegaveme
thebabyandj umpedont hebed
whichwokeZi ntl
eup,soontheywer
e
bothjumpingont opofthebedwhil
e
screaming,
theylookedli
keabunchof
toddler
s.
Zi
ntl
e:"
gir
l,
I'
vemi
ssedy
ousomuch"

Lul
uma:
"hah,
whataboutme?
"

Zint
le:
"Youar
eal
soher
e?"Sher
oll
ed
hereyes

Lul
uma:"
iwil
lscoopt
hoseeyesout
.
Comehereandgivemeahug"they
l
aughedandshewenttogi
vehera
hug.

Zint
le:
"Ahh,
youf
inal
l
ygavebir
th.I
thoughtyouwer
ecarry
ingt
wins"
Lumka:
"shewashuge"

Zint
le:
"l
ookatthischubbybeing.
Hell
obaby"shecameandt ookthe
babyfrom meandst ar
tedplayi
ng
withit
.Nextthi
ngThandienteredthe
room l
ookingverydi
sgusted.

Lul
uma:"
ngewehl
i
sal
ompul
oke
dar
ly"

Thandi
:
"mxm.Here,
thecreepyol
d
l
adysaidy
oushouldtakeabathand
wearrespectableclothes"she
handedmeabasi nthathadsome
bathi
ngessent i
als,adoekandasmal
l
bl
anket(i
tshali
/t
shal e)
.

Lumka:
"i
sshesupposedtouseher
spi
ttot
akeabath?Gof et
chher
somewater
"Theyreal
lydon'
tl
ikeher

Thandi
:"
whydon'
tyouf
etchhersome
water
?"

Lul
uma:"
ahhexcuseme?Nguban
uMakot
iapha?
"
Thandi:
"mxm.Themai dwill
bringher
bathi
ngwater
."Sheturnedand
walkedaway,
shelookedreal
lypissed.

Lumka:"
yoursi
steri
sar
eal
pieceof
work"

Zi
ntle:
"t
ell
meabouti
t.
"Til
lthisday,
I
don'
tknowwhyZint
ledoesn'tl
ikeher
si
ster.
Themai dwalkedinwit
habucketof
hotwater,
theotherf
oll
owedherwit
h
abucketofcoldwater.
Lulama: "Letusl eav ey ougi r
lstoget
ready .Iwillseey oul ater."Theyleft
.
West art
edbat hingandIchanged
i
nt omyl ongsl eev edbl acklong
dress( i
twasbel owmykneeski nda
l
ong) .Itwasr eallycloset ot he
skin,butiflookedr espect able.I
wr appedmyheadwi thadoeki na
styli
shmanner ,
Ial socov ermy
shoul derswi t
ht het shal i
.Ilookedli
ke
ar ealmakot i
.Zint l
ewasal sodone
witht aki
ngabat h,shewor eherlong
blackdr esst oowi thherf li
pf l
ops,
I
waswear i
ngmysl eeper s.
Zi
ntl
e:"
gir
l!Youl
ookf
ly.
"

Me:
"t
hanky
oubaby
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
let
stakeasel
fi
e."

Me:"
withwhosephone?Phelawenau
don'
thaveaphone"Iwasdissi
ngher

Zi
ntl
e:'
ohh,
uyang'
phaphel
a?"I
l
aughed

Me:
"I'
mjokingwenamyF.
"Igaveher
myphone,
thenwetookal
otof
self
iestoget
her
.Shesenthersel
fthe
pict
uresviaWhatsApp.

Zintl
e:"
whatdi
dyousav
eThabo's
numberas?Ican'
tfi
ndanyThabo
here"

Me:
"Br
otherbear
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
That'
slame.
..
.Gody
ourbr
other
i
ssowei r
d"

Me:
"why
?Whatdi
dhedo?
"
Zi
ntl
e:'
I'
ml ooki
ngathisstat
us.
Uf
akewenakphel a.Isweart
hiswi
l
l
makehim staysi
ngle"

Me:"y
eah,healwaysdoest hat
.Allof
them i
nfact,
buttheydon'thavea
probl
em withgetti
nggir
ls.Matterof
factt
heyhav ealotofgi
rls"

Zi
ntl
e:"
justcal
lhi
m andt
ell
himt
o
gi
vememyphone"

Me:"
Giv
ememyphoneke"shegav e
i
tbacktome.Ivi
deocal
ledThabo
andheanswer
edalmostimmediat
ely
.
Thabo:"LookatyouPunkie.Youlook
sogrown.Guy scomeandseehow
beauti
fulourli
tt
leangel
looks"soon
thescreenwasf i
ll
edwithmy
brot
hers'faces

Li
zwi:
"Pr
incess.Youlookbeauti
ful
"I
smil
edandsodi dthey.Theseguys
ar
ereall
ymyki ngs

Thabang:"
Todayi
syourbi
gday
sweety"
Me;"
Iknow.I'
m sonerv
ous,
Idon'
t
knowwhy.WhatifIfal
lwhi
lewal
king
downtheaisl
e?"Theyl
aughed

Thabi
so;
"t
hewewil
lpickuupand
pl
aceyounextt
oyourhusband"I
smil
ed

Li
zwi
:
"don'
twor
ry,
wewi l
lbewal
ki
ng
wi
thyoudownt
hatai
sle"

Me:
"it
houghtdadwast
heonewho
wasgonnawalkmedownt
heaisl
e"
Thabo:
"weal
lar
e"

Me:
"mar
aler
atadr
amaguy
s"

Thabi
so;
"wahl
any
a"Zi
ntl
enudgedme

Me:"oohhabut
iThaboIonl
ycall
ed
becauseIneedyoutogi
veZint
leher
phoneback"

Mybr
other
s:"Yout
ookherphone?
!"

Thabo:
"Shutup!
"Theyl
aughed
Me:"pleasehle,Iwi
llneedtospeak
withherwhi leIam sit
ti
nginthis
room andIcanonl ydothatviat
he
phone.Pl ease"Igavehim puppydog
eyes,hesmi l
ed

Thabo:
"howcanIsaynotothatf
ace?
Tell
hertocomeandfetchi
t,
shewil
l
fi
ndmenexttothekraal
"

Me:
"t
hanky
ou.Il
ovey
ouguy
s"

Them:
"Wel
ovey
out
oo
punki
e/pr
incess"Ihungup.

Zintle:"
seeIt oldy ouhewasgonna
givei tupeasi ly,
all youhadt odowas
tojustbaty ourey el ashes"Il
aughed
attheey elashespar t."Byegi
rl,
I'm
goingt ogetmyphoneandcal lmy
man"shequi cklyl eft.Leavi
ngmet o
boredom, Idecidedt ot akemor e
self
iesj ustt opusht i
me.Aftert aking
somanysel fies,Ipost edsomeon
Instagram.ThenIpost edoneon
What sAppwi t
har ingasmycapt ion.
Fewmi nuteslatermyphonest arted
beepi nglikecr azy,itwasWhat sApp
messagespeol easki ngmewhat '
s
goingon?Am Iget ti
ngmar ri
edor
somet hing.I twascr azy.But
somet hingcaughtmyey e,
itwasa
screenshotoft hepictureIhasjust
postedbuti tlookedl i
keSabelohad
postedi ttoo, wi
thacapt i
onthatsays
:"Fi
nallydeci dedtoputar ingonit"
hebathong!Theper sonwhosentme
thescreenshotaskedmei fIwas
reall
yget t
ingmar ri
edt oSabelo.Just
asIwasaboutt orespondt ohim,my
mom andt hequeenwal kedinwith
twoot herladi es,
Ilogof fand
switchedof fmydat a.

Mom:
'
baby
,youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul"y
oh
somanycompli
mentsinsuchashor
t
spaceoft
ime,
maybeIshoul
dget
marri
edmoreoft
en,
Lol
.

MrsD:
"wai
tunti
lyouseeheri
nher
weddi
ngdr
ess.
"
Theygav emet her
eed
mat(ucandzi /
moseme),Iwast ol
dto
si
toni t
.IdidasIwast old,t
henthey
star
tedgivingmeal ecture.
..
orisit
advi
ces?Lol .TobequiethonestI
wasn'tl
isteningtoanyt
hingtheywer e
sayi
ng,A:becausemeandSi vuyil
e
wereonlymar ri
edbyname.B: evenif
wewer einl ovewit
honeanot herI
wasn'tgonnadowhatt heysaid.
Someoft heseadv icesar etheones
thatmakewomanst ayin
unhappy ,
abusive,t
oxi cmar ri
ages
becauseoft he:
" Kuy anyamezelwa
emt shatweni"l
i
ne, andIwasn' tabout
thatli
fe.Theonl ypar tli
stenedtowas
whent heQueenwast ell
i
ngmeabout
theDosandDon' t
soft hepalace.
SoonIwasi ntr
oducedt othe
ancestors,andLulamagav emeanew
name,whi chwasLunat hi,
i
twasa
real
lynicename.Thel ateritwasoff
tothecelebr at
ionceremony ,where
thepri
estwoul dof f
ici
at eourunion
andwewoul dhavear eception.I
changedi ntomydr ess.I twaswhi te
l
ongmer maiddr essthathadabl ue
seshweshwepr int
,withabl ue
seshweshweheadwr apandbl ue
sti
ll
etos.Lulamaappl iedmakeupon
myf ace,t
henIf ini
shedof ft
hel ook
withar edmat t
el i
pstick.Ilooked
i
nsanelybeaut i
ful,
thedr esswas
huggingmybodyi nasexymanner ,
i
t
showedofmybeaut ifulshape.We
drovetot hetentthatwasputupona
bigfiel
d,j
ustaf ewmet ersawayf rom
thepalace.Andast heysai d,
my
brother
sandmydadwal kedme
downt heaisle.
Ther
ehewasl
ooki
ngev
erso
handsome, hewaswear i
ngwhi t
e
pants,withawhi teshi rtthatalsohad
aseshweshwepr int.Wer e
mat ching,
hisf adewasal somaki ng
himl ookmor ehandsome.Themedi a
wasal readyt akingpi ctures,they
actuall
yst art
edwhenIl eftthepalace.
Hel ookedathi sfriendswhogav e
him at humbsup.If inall
ygott o
him,hehadav erywi erdl ookonhi s
face.

Priest
:"
Ngubanionikelangal
omnt ana
kwabakaDlamini?"Mydadand
brother
sstoodup,maki ngpeopl
e
l
aughatt hi
swierdsituati
on.
.
.
.
°
•Si
vuy
il
e•°

Theweddingdaywasf inall
yher e.My
bodywasst i
ff,
Iwasbusyt hewhol e
week,mydadal sowokemeupv ery
earlyt
oday.Iwashappyt hatmy
fri
endsweregonnabeher et oday,t
o
supportme.Theyact uall
ydidn't
beli
evemewhenIt oldthem Iwas
goingtomar r
yBoitumelo,theysaid
theywil
lonlybeli
eveitwhent heysee
herwalki
ngdownt heaisl
e.Andwhen
shedi d,Ilookedatt hem, givi
ngthem
the:"arey ouhappynow"l ook.When
shest oodi nf rontofme, onlythenI
tooknot i
ceofhowbeaut ifulshe
l
ookedt oday .Shei sbeaut if
ul
naturally,
butt odayshewason
anotherl evel ofbeautiful
,shewas
actuallygor geous...
.yeaht hat'
sthe
word.Whenherbr othersst ood
up,t
hatshowedmet hattheyhav e
accept edt hisweddi ng.

Priest:
"Wear egather
edhere
today,f
ortheunionofthesesoul
s.
Notonl yt
heirunion,
butt
heunionof
twof amil
i
es.TheMokoena' sand
Dlamini
s.Ifanyonef eelstheset
wo
shouldnotbemar ri
ed,speaknowor
forev
erholdy ourpeace"t hi
spar
tis
soannoying,Iquickl
yturnedmyey e
toThandi

Me:
"canwecar
ryonpl
ease"I
whi
spered

Priest
:"
pat
iencesonofGod."We
stoodinsi
lenceforagoodfiv
e
minutes.I
sthisguyfucki
ngwithme?
"Goodnoo- "
"
Ahem"whatnow.I
twasThabang,
he
wasonhi
sfoothi
ssist
erwasbusy
pul
l
inghi
m down

Thabang:"whatBontle?Uhm. .
.ij
ust
wantedt oaskthepriestifthatwas
necessary?Imeanliker eall
y?"
Peoplelaughed.Phew!Ir eall
y
thoughthewasgonnast opthe
wedding.Thisguyisr eall
ycrazy.

Pr
iest:
"1Iwil
lpr
aisethee,OLORD,
wi
thmywhol eheart
;Iwill
shewfor
th
al
lthymarvel
l
ouswor ks.

2Iwil
lbegladandrej
oicei
nthee:
I
wi
llsi
ngpraiset
othyname,Othou
mostHigh.Mychi l
drenneverturn
yourbackont heLord.Whatever
dif
fi
cult
iest hatyoufacei
ny our
marri
age,justprayabouti
tandt he
Lordwil
l giveyouawayf orward.
Amen? "

Us:
"Amen"

Priest:
"Si
vuyi
leLeonDlami nidoy
ou
takeBoi t
umeloBrit
tanyMokoenat o
bey ourGodlyweddedwi fe,i
n
sicknessandinhealth,
ri
cheror
poor erti
l
ldeathdoy'al
lpart?"
Me:
"Ido"

Pri
est:
"BoitumeloBri
ttanyMokoena
doyout akeSivuyi
l
eLeonDl aminit
o
beyourGodl yweddedwi f
e,i
n
si
cknessandi nhealth,
richeror
poorerti
lldeat
hdoy 'al
lpart?"She
keptquietforawhile

Boi
tumelo:
"*ahem*I.
..
.Ido"phew,
I
wasalr
eadysweati
ng.

Pri
est
:"
bythepowerinvestedinme,I
nowpronounceyouhusbandand
wif
e.Youmaykissthebride"ehh,
thi
s
i
sawkwar d.Iwon'tlieIdowantt o
kissher,butquest i
onisdoesshe
wantmet o?Idon'twantt o
embar r
assmy self
.Shewasl ooking
downt hewhol etime,Iwentcl oserto
her.JustasIwasaboutt oreachher
l
ipsshet urnedherheadandIgott o
kisshercheek,whichcr ackedmy
fri
endsandherbr othersup.They
start
edshout i
ngsay i
ngthatwasn' ta
realki
ss,soonev eryonejoinedin.

Pri
est
:"
givethepeopl ewhatthey
wantchi
ldren."Itookthe
oppor
tunit
y,grabbedherneckand
gaveheraki ssofalif
eti
mepeople
start
edullulat
ing,
thegentswer e
cheeri
ng.Myhear twasr acing,Idon't
knowwhy .Iwasfeeli
ngf uzzy,which
wasaf oreignfeel
ing,
Inev erfeltthat
withanyonebef or
e.Herl i
pswer eso
soft,
shewasr eall
yagr eatkisser.

Thabi
so:"okayenoughnow!"Ibroke
theki
ssandl aughed.Boi
tumelo
l
ookeddown, shelookedcutewhen
shewasshy .Icaughtagli
mpseof
Thandi,
shedidn'
tlookhappyatall
.
Peoplestart
edsingingi
sencane
l
engane.
Wel ef
tforthev enuewher ethe
recepti
onwasgoi ngt obehel d,
wel
l
thatwasaf t
erthej ournali
ststook
pict
uresofus.Thev enuewassetup
atthepalace,
itwasahugespaceso
i
tcouldf i
tawhol el otifpeople.
•
°
•
°
•
°
#I
tsAWeddi
ngDay
#Mr
AndMr
sDl
ami
niThe2nd
[
2/6,
12:
17PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er14
○
●
○
●
Itwast heni ghtoft heweddi ng,alot
ofpeopl ehadal r
eadylef tjustafew
wer eremai ninganddr inking.Iwas
sit
tingwi th
Lulama, Lumka, Bontle,
Zintleand
Thandi we.Wewer ebusyt alking
aboutsomet hings,wellThandi wewas
busyonherphone.
Bont
le:
"gi
rlyourhusbandi
sfl
ames"
shewastalki
ngtoLulama

Luluma:"
Whatdi dyouexpect
,Ihav
ea
choicebabygir
l"Lul
amaandBont l
e
areactual
lyt
hesameage, sot
hey
wer er
eall
yvi
bing

Bontl
e:"Ar
en'ty
ouscaredt
hatgir
l
mightwannasnat chhimf
rom y
ou?
Phel
at hatguyishot"

Lulama:"
wellsomebit
chdi
dtr
ytodo
that,
butIsor
theroutt
heol
dschool
way "
Me:
"Whatdi
dyoudo?
"

Lul
uma;
"iwhi
ppedherasswi
tha
sj
ambok"

Bont
le:
"youdi
dgoodgi
rl
!"Theyhi
gh
fi
ved

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iwoul
dreal
l
yli
ket
oknowt
hat
gi
rly
az"

Me:
"Met
oo"
Lulama:"Holdyourhor sesgi r
ls.It
'sall
i
nt hepastnow, y oudon'tneedt o
knowt hehoe"If ollowedhergaze
andi tl
edmest raightt
oThandi we.
No,itcan'tbe.
..
.shewoul dnev erdo
thatnowwoul dshe?Nutt hatwoul d
explainthehateshehasf orher .

Bont
le:
"whendi
dal
loft
hishappen?
"

Lumka:
"i
twasl
asty
ear
"

Me:
"youal
soknowt
hegi
rl
?"
Lumka:
"ihel
pedherbeatt
hathoe
down"welaughed,
Thandi
lookedv
ery
uncomfor
tabl
e.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iwonderwhot
hegi
rlwas"

Lumka:"
don'tactl
ikeyoudon'
tknow
herst
upid"shelaughed.

Lul
uma:"
all
Iam.sayi
ngi
sifanyone
andImeananyonewoul
dtrytotake
mySothowarr
iorawayf
rom me,she
gongeti
t"
Bont
le:
"awwwhe'sabrot
herfrom
anot
hermothermos"welaughed

Luluma:"
yesheis.Anddamnt
he
thingst
hathedoestomebehi
nd
closedoors,
mmmhmmmh"

Me:
"PG!
"

Lumka:
"haska,
don'
tactl
i
keav
irgi
n"

Zi
ntl
e:"
aibo,
uthi
niwenashei
sa
vi
rgi
n"LulamaandLumkascreamed
Lul
ama: "
youl
ie!Whywouldy ousti
l
l
beavirgi
natthisage?Gi
rlIbrokemy
vi
rgi
nit
yattheageof14"

Me:"What?!It
houghtPri
ncessesar
e
supposedtobewellbehavedand
onlyhavesexwhentheygetmarri
ed"

Lul
ama:
"wel
lnott
hisPr
incessr
ight
her
e"

Me:"
weren'
ty'
all
supposedtoat
tend
somevir
ginscer
emonyifsomesort
ever
yyear"
Lumka:
"t
hat
'sf
orZul
us.
"

Me:"
God,y
ouwer
er ebel
l
ious.Youand
Bont
lesameWhatsAppGroup"

Zint
le:
"Bontl
eandrebel
li
ousi
nthe
samesent ence?Never
"

Bont
le:
"iguessmar
ri
aget
amedme"

Lul
ama:"metoo"
.Thandi
wewason
herphonethewhol
etime,shewas
notengagi
nginanyconversat
ion
wi
thus.Shel
ookedbor
ed.

Me:"
soThandi
we,
howlonghav
eyou
andSiv
uyi
l
ebeentoget
her
?"

Thandi:
"3yearsithi
nk"hereyeswer
e
st
il
lgluedont hephone.Wait
...
.i
fmy
mathsiscorrectt
hatmeans
Thandiwecouldhavecheatedon
Si
vuyil
ewithLulama'shusband.

Me:"Lul
amayounev
err eal
l
ysaidi
f
thathoesl
eptwi
thyourhusbandor
not"
Lulama:"ohh,notheydidn't.Thehoe
arri
vedinmyhousewear ingal ong
coatwithnot hingunderneath.She
thoughtmyhusbandwasgonnabe
homeal one,butlit
tl
edidsheknow
thatmyhusbandhadal r
eadyt oldme
abouthert exts"

Bont
le:
"Text
s?"

Luluma:
"okaythi
siswhathappened.
Ugirl
wasmyf r
iend,
soIint
roduced
hertomyhusbandast ohownor mal
fr
iendsdo.Ugi
rlt
ookthatasan
opport uni t
yt ocheckmymanout ,she
start
edt extinghi m withadifferent
number ,sendinghi m nudes,her
pussy,try i
ngt of l
irtwit
hmyman-t his
wholet i
meLer eko(herhusband)was
showi ngmet heset exts,
wewer e
confusedbecausewedi dn'
tknowt o
whom t henumberbel ongst o.Soo- "
j
ustliket hatThandi wedeci dedt o
standupandl eaveandi tconf i
rmed
mysuspi ci
on.

Me:"
howdi
dn'ty
ouknowwhoitwas
i
fshewassendi
ngnudesandal
l
?"
Luluma;"sheal waysusedt ohideher
face.Soont hatday,
shet extedmy
husbandt el
l
inghimt hatsheknows
he'salone,si
nceIwasj usthav i
ng
l
unchwi t
hher .Myhusband
forwardedmet hemessageofher
tell
inghimt hathe'scomi ngov er.
Insteadofgoi ngbackt owor kl i
keI
hadt ol
dherIwoul d,
Idrivestraight
home.Andt herewashercari nt he
driveway,Igotinandt omyhor rorshe
wassi tt
ingonMYcouch, rubbingher
fil
thypussywhi l
eMYmanwas
wat chi
ng.Ihav eneverinmyl i
fef el
t
soangr y,soIdidwhatanynor mal
womenwoul ddo"
Me:"
youwal
kedaway?"Theyl
ooked
atmeli
keIhad5heads

Lulama:"hell
no!Ibeatherup.Ibeat
hertil
lmyhusbandst opedme-she
tookahandbagandl ef
tmyhouse.
Thef ol
lowingdayIcall
edLumkaand
tol
dhert hatweneedt osetabitch
strai
ght,
sowewentt oherhouseand
beatherupwi t
hsjamboksoverand
over"

Lumka:"
mindy ouIdi
dn'tevenknow
whatshedid.Iwasjustsupport
ing
mysi
ster
"wel
aughed

Lulama:"
ti
llt
hisday ,
Ihat
et hatbi
tch.
Andwor stofallIhavetodeal wi
th
hernowf ort
her estofmyl if
e-well
that'
sifmybrotherdoesn'tdivor
ce
hersoon"Iknewi t!

Bont
le:
"Wai
t,woah!Backt
rackali
l
bi
t,
youaret
alki
ngaboutThandi
we?"

Lumka:
"t
heoneandonl
y"

Bont
le:
"woah!Doesy
ourbr
other
knowaboutt
his?
"

Lul
ama:"nooneknows.Notevenmy
par
ents.Theywoul
dhatehereven
more"

Zintl
e:"
nowyouknowhal
foft
he
reasonswhyIhat
eher"

Me:
"hal
f?"

Zintl
e:"
yeah.Thandi
weisabit
chby
nature-shesleptwi
thmyboyfri
end
l
asty ear,
shewantedtosl
eepwith
Lulama'shusband-shedatedbot
h
yourbrother
s.All
inthespaceofa
year"

Lumka:
"andmybrot
heri
stobli
ndto
seet
hatshe'
snotagoodper
son"

Me:
"he'
sinl
ove.
"

Lulama:"esshe,
phikona?Mxm"Just
thenThandi walkedbackin.We
carri
edonconv ersi
ngandpai dno
attent
iontoher.Fewmi nuteslat
er
Sivuyi
lewalkedinandhel ookedabit
ti
redanddr unk
Si
vuyi
le:
"okaypar
ty'
sover
.Ineedt
o
sl
eep"hethrewhi
mselfonthebed

Thandi
we:"
you'r
esleepi
nghere
toni
ght
?"Shelookedhorr
if
ied.

Lul
ama:
"i
tsthei
rweddi
ngni
ght
,what
di
dyouexpect?
"

Thandi
we:
"It
houghtyouwer
egonna
sl
eepinmybedtoni
ght"

Lumka:
"wel
lhe'
snotkesi
si"Si
vuy
il
e
wast oodrunktopayattenti
ont o
whatwashappeni ng.Honestl
y
speakingIwantedhimt ogoand
sl
eepwi thThandi
we.I'm notreadyt
o
shareabedwi thhim.

Lulama: "l
et'
sleavethenewl yweds
peopl e.Byeguy s"Thandi was
reluctanttoleavebutLumkapushed
hert othedoor ,
mysi stergav emea
kissbef oreleavi
ngt henshe
whi speredinmyear: "Don'tfor
get
whatwet aughty ou",shethinksIam
goingt ohav esexwi thhim?Nonev er
.
God, whydi dhehav et ocomeher e.I
tri
edt ounzi pmydr ess,butIwas
st
ruggl
i
ng.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
youknowyoucanj
ustask
metohelpyouri
ght
?"OhIt
houghthe
wassl
eeping

Me:"it
houghtyouwereasl
eep"
.He
stoodupandmadehi swaytome-
theheunzippedthedr
ess.

Sivuy
il
e:"
whydoy ousti
ll
hav ei
ton?
Theweddingendedawhi leago"he
spokeveryclosetomyear,i
nav er
y
softmanner.Icoul
dfeelhi
swar m
breat
hhitt
ingmyneck.
Me:"*Ahem*.Thegir
lsdidn'twant
met otakei
toffasyet"Isaidwhil
e
mov i
ngawayfrom hi
m sot hatthe
coul
dbespacebet weenus-he
chuckl
ed.

Siv
uyi
le:"
mmh,Isee.Youlooked
beaut
ifult
oday
,yousti
ll
doev en
wit
houtthemakeup"Ihadal ready
washedthemakeupof fmyf ace

Me:"Thanks.Youdi
dn'
tlookbad
ei
ther"hel
aughedabit-averymanl
y
l
augh.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
ThanksIguess"
.Wekept
qui
etf
orabit,
butIcoul
dfeel
hisey
es
onme.

Me:"
uhm..
.coul
dy oupleasest
ep
out
sidef
orami nute,
Ineedtochange
i
ntomypjs"

Si
vuy
il
e:"y
ouj
oki
ngr
ight
?"

Me:
"no"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
aibo,
Lunat
hi.I
t'
scol
d
outsi
de.Yousawthatitwasrai
ning
aft
erthewedding.
"That'
str
ue.

Me:
"il
lbequi
ckt
hen"

Sivuyi
le:"Youar eactuallyser
ious
aboutt his?"Ikeptquiet."I
'
m
defeated" .Hewentout side,
Iquickl
y
changedoutofmydr essandi nt
omy
sil
kshor tnightdress-andno, i
twas
notplanned.Ionl yhav eshortsil
k
night
dr essesandmom t ol
dmebr i
ng
them sincei twasgoi ngit'
ssummer .
InowIr egretdoingthat,l
ookatt hi
s
solut
ionIam i nnow.Ineedt ocome
upwit
hapl an.ThinkTumi,t
hink.
Bi
ngo!Itookthesmallblanketthat
wasintheroom andwr appedit
ar
oundmywai st
.

Sivuyi
l
e:"
areyoudoney
et?
"Shi
t!I
thoughthelef
t.

Me:
"uh.
.j
ustasecond"

Siv
uyil
e:"
hur
ryup,
I
'mf
reezi
ngout
here"
.

Me:
"youcancomei
n"heent
ered.He
l
ookedabi
tpi
ssed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
thatwasv
eryunnecessar
y"

Me:"
sor
ry"hechuckl
ed,
thenhe
st
art
edlaughi
ngreal
lyhard.

Sivuyi
le:
"andthenit
shal
i
?Areyou
thatcold?"Il
ookedatmywai
st.

Me:
"mxm.Goodni
ght
."Iswit
chedoff
t
heli
ght
s,whi
l
ehewasst i
l
llaughi
ng.

Si
vuy
il
e;
"Hawu,
Ist
il
lwantt
oundr
ess"
Me:
"i
tsnott
hatdar
k."

Sivuyi
le:"I
yoh!"Iheardsomeshuf f
li
ng
thenaf ewmi nuteslaterhegotinto
thebed,v eryclosetome.Mi ndyouhe
wasonl ywear i
nghi sboxers.Imoved
awayf rom him, hecamecl oseragain.
Wedi dt hatunt i
ll
Ifellofft
he
bed,whichmadehi mlaughsome
mor e.Ijuststoodt hereuntil
lhe
fi
nishedl aughing."Sorry"

Me:
"coul
dyoust
opget
ti
ngcl
oset
o
me"
Sivuyil
e:"I'
m col
dandit'
syour
fault
,soy ouhavetokeepmewarm"
whatt hehell."
Comeonnawet hi
nk
abouti t
."Ibitmylowerl
ipabi
t-Ido
thatwhenIam notsur eabout
somet hing.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
don'
tdot
hat
"hesai
dina
whi
sper

Me:
"dowhat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
bit
eyourl
i
p.Youmaki
ngme
getahar
don"WTF?

Me:
"youhav
eawi
fe"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
youar
eal
somywi
fe"

Me:
"onl
ybyname"

Siv
uyil
e:"
youdoknowt hatsomedayI
wil
lhavetofucky ousot hatyoucan
haveami nime,
right?"WTFi swrong
wit
hthisguy?"I
'mf eeli
ngcold.You
knowwecoul dtalkaboutt hi
swhil
e
i
nbed,it
'scol
d"
Me:
"wehav
enot
hingt
otal
kabout
"

Sivuyi
le:"thesoonery ouaccepty our
reali
ty,
thebetterforus"he' ssococky.
Heopenedt hecov ersandpat tedthe
space." Comeonwi fe".Ishookmy
headandgotont hebed, hecovered
mewi t
ht heblanketsandcuddl edme.

Me:
"God,
whatnow"Iwhi
sper
ed

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
coul
dy oupleaset
akeof
f
thi
sbl
anket
.It
'sgi
vingme
unnecessar
yheat
"Hai
bo.

Me:"
Ithoughty
ousai
dyouar
efeel
i
ng
col
d?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"iam,
buti
t'
smaki
ngmef
eel
warminav er
yuncomf
ort
abl
e
manner"

Me:
"uzobast
rong"Icl
osedmyey
es.

Siv
uyil
e:"ComeonLunat
hi"hewas
unbuckl
ingital
ready
Me:
"whatar
eyoudoi
ng"

Sivuyi
le:
"itol
dy ouit'
smaki ngme
uncomf ort
able,
andasy ourhusband
youshouldobeymewi fey"God,he
saidinav erysi
llytone.Hepul l
edof f
theblanketandt hrewitont hefall
thenhegotcl osertome." Now, Ican
sleepcomf ort
ably"hewhi spered,he
breathwashi tt
ingthebackofmy
neck,mypant ywasf eeli
ngabi twet.

Me:
"what
ever
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
tel
lmeabouty
our
sel
f"
Me:
"Now?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
yeah."

Me:"
it
slat
e,weshoul
dsl
eep.Ineedt
o
wakeupearlyt
omorr
ow"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
comeon.
"

Me:
"f
ine.Whatdowannaknow?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
yourgoal
s,
yourchi
l
dhood-
wel
ltechni
cal
l
yyouar
est
il
lachi
l
d."

Me:"wellobv iousl
y,Iwanttogoto
var
sitynexty ear.Iwanttobea
psychol
ogi storadoct ororlawy
er.
Anythi
ngt hatwi l
lmakememor e
moneyr eally"hechuckled.

Siv
uyi
le:
"I'
m aqual
if
ieddoct
or.We
canbothbedoctor
s"

Me:"i
am joki
ng.Iam r
eal
lypati
onate
aboutbei
ngapsy chol
ogi
st,
Ireal
ly
l
ovehelpi
ngpeople.Pl
usIam agood
l
ist
ener-evenifIdosaysomysel f
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
anyaccept
ancey
et.
?"

Me:
"yeah,
UKZN,
UFSandWi
ts"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wher
edoy
ouwannago?
"

Me:"uhh,i
nit
ial
l
yIwant edtogot o
UKZNbutmyf amilydoesn'twantme
tobef arawayf r
om them, andalso
thesituat
iondoesn'tall
owmet obe
away .Ial
sodon' twanttogot oWITs
becauseofobv i
ousreasons-Thabo."
Hechuckl ed"I'
mj usthopingthatUJ
wi
l
lacceptme"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Soy
ouwi
l
ldopsy
chol
ogyi
n
UJ?"

Me:"y
ep.ButIappl
iedforlawther
e,so
thatmeansduri
ngregist
rati
onIwil
l
havetochangetopyschogy"

Siv
uyi
le:
"seemsl
ikey
oual
readyhav
e
yourf
uturepl
an"

Me:
"yep.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"So..
.doyouhavea
boyf
ri
end? "Whatshoul
dIsay
?
Shoul
dIlie?

Me:"
nope.I
'
venev
erhadaboy
fri
end
bef
ore"

Siv
uyil
e:"
woah!Sothatmeans
you..
..
youcan'
tki
ss?"

Me:
"Icanhawu!
"Isai
dinadef
ensi
ve
t
one.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youcan'
t"
Me:"
Ican"Iwasbeinghonest
.
Thankstospi
nthebottl
e-weusedt
o
pl
aythatincl
ass.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
prov
eit
!"Saywhatnow?

Me:
"ehh,
how?
"

Si
vuy
il
e;
"ki
ssme"wahl
any
a

Me:
"youj
oki
ngr
ight
?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
no.
"

Me:
"it
hinkweshoul
dsl
eep"

Sivuy
il
e:"why?YouscaredthatIwil
l
knowt hatyouareasloppykisser
?"
Aibo.

Me:
"I'
m notasl
oppyki
sser
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
asi
sai
dbef
ore,
prov
eit
".

Me:"
ial
readydi
d,i
nfr
ontoft
he
past
or"
Siv
uyil
e:"i
couldn'
tjudgey out
hen
becauseIwasov erwhel medbyalot
ofpeople.Idon'
tevenr ememberi
t"I
wasabi thurtbythat.

Me;
"mxm"

Si
vuyi
le:"
comeon.Af t
erthatI
pr
omisey ouwill
leaveyoualone".
Ahhwhatt hehel
l.It
urnedandf aced
hi
m,he'sfacewasclosetomi ne.I
l
eanedinandsodi dhe,ourl
ipa
st
art
edmov i
nginthesamer hythm -
noIwasn'tabouttoputmyt onguein
there.Hepi nchedmyr i
bsabitwhich
mademegaspandt hatall
owedhim
tomanuv ourhistonguei nmymout h
butIst i
lldidn'
tbreakthekiss,
Iwent
witht heflow.Icouldtasteabitofthe
alcohol i
nhi smout h.Nextthi
ngI
knowhewasont opofmest i
ll
kissingme, Iqui
cklycamebackt omy
senseswhenhewast ouchingmy
thigh.Istopedtheki ssbuthewas
stil
lont opofme.

Me:"
areyousat
isf
ied?
"Icoul
dfeel
hi
sbulgeonmystomach.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
whydi
dyoust
op?
"

Me:
"youwer
eget
ti
ngcar
ri
edaway
"

Si
vuy
il
e:'
what
'swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?"

Me:"
youareheav y"i
nabli
nkofan
eye,
hefl
ippedmeov er.Hewasnow
onthebottom andIwasontop.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Idi
dn'
tsaywewer
egonna
havesex"

Me:
"whati
fIwantt
ohav
esex"Isai
d
afteraf ewmi nutesofsi lence.Don' t
l
ookatmel ikethat.Here' sthething,
I
hav ealway swant edtol osemy
vir
ginitytosomeoneIwasn' t
emot i
onal l
yattachedt o,sot hatwhen
theyleav emeIwoul dn'tf eelanyhurt.
Isawhowhur tBont l
ewaswhenher
vir
ginbr eakerlefther,
Imi ghthave
beent oy oungbutIcoul dseehow
hurtshewas.Soi twouldn' tbeabad
i
deat ol oseittoSi v
uyil
e, afteral
lhe
wasmyhusbandandi twasour
weddi ngnight.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
what
?"
Me:
"uh..
.f
orgetIsai
danythi
ng"Itr
ied
t
ogetoffhim buthehel
dmyt highs
r
est
raini
ngmef rom get
ti
ngoff.

Siv
uyi
le:
"ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
odo
thi
s?"

Me:
"t
hat
'swhatIsai
dmos"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arey
ousur
esur
esur
e?"

Me:"
lookSiv
uyi
l
e,i
fwedon'tdothi
s
now,
Iwill
getaboyfr
iendandhewil
l
bet heonewhowi ll
breakme"before
Icouldevenswal lowmywor dshe's
l
ipswer eal
readygl uedtomine.He
fl
ippedmeov eragain,
andIwason
thebottom again.Hestopedand
l
ookedatmei nt heeye.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
iwanty
outot
ell
met
hatt
his
i
swhatyouwant"

Me:"i
wantit".Heki
ssedmeagain,
he
waskissi
ngmei nav er
yhungryway.
Icoul
dfeelthathewasalr
eadyhard.
Thenhestartedki
ssi
ngmy
neck,
sucki
ngonmyboobst henhe
wentall t
hewaydownt omynana.I
t
wasav eryf
orei
gnthingtome,Iwas
al
sof eeli
ngsomet ypeofway.Just
ashewasaboutt okissmy
nana,
somet hinghi
tmymi nd.Hehas
awife.

Me:"
ahhh.
..
.wai
twait
"hepull
edhe'
s
headup."
Wecan'tdothi
s,
youhavea
wif
e."

Siv
uyi
le:"
youar
ealsomywifenj
e"
he'
svoicewasdeephoar
se.

Me:
"st
il
lthatwon'
tst
opherf
rom
tell
i
ngbet
ray
ed,
l
et'
sjustsl
eep.
"He
sighed

Sivuyi
le:
"fi
ne!"Hewaspi ssed,but
uzobastrong.Hemov edt ohissi de
andwesl ept .Thandiwewaspar tof
thereasonwhyIst opedhi m,Ialso
remember edwhatmybr otherssaid
andIwasal soscaredofdoi ngt he
deed.Idrif
tedoft osleepwhi leIwas
battl
i
ngwi tht hosethoughts
.
.
Iwaswokenupbysomet
hing
rubbi
ngmynana,
i
twasSi
vuyi
le.He
wasbr eat
hingdownmyneck.Idon' t
knowwhathappenedbutIf oundmy
selfopeningmyl egsabi twi der,
he
sawt hatasanoppor t
unity.Soonhi s
headwasbel owme, hetookofmy
pantyt henhestartedsuckingmy
nana.Iwasmoani ngsohar d
becauseIam newt othi
s.Hecame
upt omyf aceandki ssedme.Next
thi
ngIknowhi sboxer sareof f,
Ifel
t
histhingonmyst omach,hef elthuge.
No,I'
m nothav i
ngsexwi thhi m,my
brotherswillki
l
lmer i
ght?.

Me:
"mmmh,
stopSi
vuy
il
e"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
whybaby
?"Hewaski
ssi
ng
myneck.

Me:
"wecan'
tdot
his"

Si
vuyi
le:
"I
'l
lbegent
le,
Ipr
omi
se.Iwi
l
l
j
ustputtheti
pin"

Me:"No.
..
.ahhh.
.mmmh"hecame
backtomyl i
psandki
ssedmewhi
le
wasrubbi
ngmynana.

Si
vuy
il
e:"l
ookatmebaby
"myey
es
wer eclosed.Het r
iedenteri
ngt he
fi
rsttime,buthedidn'tsucceed.Iwas
stil
lsayingno.Becausemymi ndwas
tell
ingno.Butmyhear t,
soulandbody
wer eyes.NextthingIfeltwasav ery
painfulpop.Iscreamedoutl oud.He
kissedmet oshutmeup-It hi
nk.

Si
v uy i
l
e:"sor ry,
it
sj ustatip.Lookat
me"wel li
tdi dn'tfeelli
keit.He
startedmov ingsl ow,i
twas
painful,
justasi twassubsi di
ngi t
startedagai n,Iguesshewaspushi ng
mor ein.Hest artedmov i
ngagai n,he
i
ncr easedt hepaceabi t-nextthing
pl
easur est arted.Iwasmoani ngand
screamingouthisname,helooked
l
ikehewasenj oyi
nghimselfandso
wasI .Inev
erexperi
encedsomet hi
ng
l
ikethat.

Sivuyi
le:"
comeformebaby "next
thingIknow,somet
hingexploded
from mynana,Iwasscreamingin
pleasure.

Me:"
ahhh.
..
.y
es.
..
.ahhh.
..
.mmmmh.
..
.a
hh"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
iam comi
ngbaby
!Ahhh,
"he
gr
oanedandcameashecall
edout
myname. .
.Hedidn'
tmovehi
s
posi
ti
on.Hewasst i
l
lont
opofme
andhisanacondawasst
il
li
nme.

Me:"
move,y
ouareheavy
"asusualhe
fl
i
ppedmeov erandwechanged
posi
ti
ons-Iwasontop.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
that
'swasamazi
ng"

Me:"maybef
ory ou.I
twassor e,
plusI
keptsayi
ngno,butyoudidn'
tstop.
That'
srapeyouknow? "Helaughed
Sivuyil
e:"
youwant edit.Yousai dI
shouldst opbuty oukeptonopeni ng
yourlegswi der."Istartedmov ingon
him" mmmh, don'tdot hatyouwi ll
wakeupt hel ilman" .Ididn'tl
istent o
him.WhenIf eltlikejuniorwasup, I
start
edmov ingjusthowmysi ster
andZi ntl
et aughtme.Heseemedt o
beenj oyi
ngi tbecausehewas
groaningandandmoani ng.If elthim
tenseup, t
hat 'smeanshe' saboutt o
come. ..
.r
ight ?Ist art
edt werkingon
him,thenIwoul dst op.Iwoul dt wer k
andst op,takei toutandputi tbacki n
again.Itwaseasi ertodot hat
becausei twasn' talli
n.
Sivuy i
le:"
baby ,st
opahhht easing"I
didn'tlisten."Babypl ease. .
..
please"
hewasbeggi ngmehel plessly.I
almostf eltsorryf orhim, butI
remember edt hesexl essonsf r
om
Zintle.Icar ri
edont wer kingand
stoppi ng.Nextt hi ngIknowIwas
nowont hebot t
om andhewas
fuckingmesensl essly.Hest opped
thenhet ur nedmeov er,maki ngme
sleeponmyst omacht henhepushed
mybutup, thehehadmef r
om the
back.Thi swentonf oraf ew
mi nutes,thiswebot hr eleasedatt he
samet ime.Hel iedonhi s
si
de,
breathl
ess.Hepull
edmeand
pl
acedmeont opofhi
m.Andwe
sl
epti
nt hatposi
ti
on.
•
•
•
•
WasSivuyi
l
ewrongforsl
eepi
ngwit
h
Tumibefor
espeaki
ngtoThandi
?
•
•
#Lunat
hi
#SexFr
eak
#St
eamy
Sessi
on
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er15
□
□
□
□

Knock!Knock!
"Makoti
!Makotivuka!"Youhavegot
tobekiddi
ngme.Mar afat
her
God,whatdidIdotodeservethi
s?I
meanIjustsleptabout30minutes
agoandalreadyIam beingwoken
up,
iyoh.
"
Makot
i!
"Igr
oaned
Me:
"I'
m upMah"

Mr sD:"Hekent ombi ,i
zothat hanaka
amanzi ohlamba( yesgi rl,comeand
takey ourbat hingwat er).Thenuze
uzokwenzel awonkeumnt u
i
br eakfast(makebr eakfastf or
everyone) "JesusChr i
st.Itookthe
pil
lowandcov eredmymout hwit
h
i
t,t
henIl etoutascr eam.GoshIf elt
l
ikecr yi
ng.Igotof ft hebed, tur
ned
thelightsont henIwentt oopent he
door ,
ouchmyv aginawasr eall
y
painfulIwashav ingt r
oubl ewith
wal
ki
ng.

Me:"
morni
ngmah"shewasl
ooki
ng
f
resh.

MrsD:"
mor
ningbaby
.Taket
hewat
er
andbat
hketot
o."

Me:"thankyouMah"It ookt hewat er

andcl osedthedoorasshel ef
t.Just
asIwaspour ingthewat erintothe
basin,Si
vuyuledecidedtowakeup.
Talkaboutper fectti
ming* sarcasm* .
Si
vuy
il
e:"
hey
"

Me:"hi"Iwassuddenl
yf eel
i
ng
awkwar daroundhim -mxm whatam
Isaying?Ialway
sfeel awkwar
d
aroundhim.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Whatareyoudoi ngupat
thi
sti
me?Youj ustfellasl
eep2hour
s
ago"wellt
hankyouf orlet
ti
ngme
knowtimekeeper.Iwentt omybag
andtookoutmyt oi
letr
ybag

Me:"wel
lyourmom wokemeup.O
r
e(shesai
d)Ineedt
omakebreakf
ast
forevery
one"Ihonest
lyf
eltl
i
ke
cryi
ng,Il
ovesl
eeping.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
what
?!I
t'
s5:
30i
nthe
morni
ng"

Me:"
Iam umakot iandithi
?"Thi
s
whol
et i
meIwasn'tlookingathim.
"
Uhm. ..am aboutt
ot akeabath,coul
d
youpleasestepoutside"helookedat
melikeIwascr azy

Sivuyi
le:
"hayuyar
akastr
uu(youare
reall
ycrazy)
.Evenaft
erthe
passionateni
ghtweshared,
y ouar
e
st
il
laf
rai
dofget
ti
ngnakedi
nfr
ontof
me?"

Me:
"iam notcomf
ort
abl
easy
et"

Sivuy
ile:
"wellt
ough!It
'swaytoocold
outsi
de.Iwi l
lj
ustcovermyey eswi
th
theblanketsthen,
butIam notgoi
ng
outsi
de".

Me:"
fi
ne.Nopeepi
ng"hechuckl
edi
n
di
sbeli
ef

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Fine!
"Hecov
eredhi
m sel
f
withthecovers.Istoodonmyt oes
j
ustt omakesur ethathisheadwas
al
l cover
ed.Itookof fmyni ghtand
start
edbathing.Iwasaboutt owash
myupperbodywhenIf elthands
snakeupbehi ndmywai st.

Me:
"uh.
uhSi
vuy
il
emar
n"

Si
vuyi
le:
"il
i
kehowyoucal
lmyname"
hi
stonguewasni
bbli
ngonmyear
l
obe.

Me:"
Yourmo-uhhh"hi
sfi
ngerfound
i
t'
swayint
omyhoneypot ,
Iwasn't
wear
inganypant
yvel
e.

Si
vuy
il
e;
"Youwer
esay
ing?
"

Me:"mmmh.
..
.I'
m st
il
lsor
efr
om l
ast
ni
ght"

Sivuyi
le:"
letmeki ssitbetterbaby"he
pickedmeupandpl acedmeont he
bed,beforegoingdownonme.He
wasl i
ckingandsucki ngmynana, I
wasst il
lnotusedt othef eeli
ngIwas
getti
ng.Ev enthepainIf eltonmy
nanawassubsi dingbitbybi t
,hi
s
tonguewasr eal
lyhealingme-LOL.
Hepul
l
edmet
otheedgeoft
hebed

Me:"Uhhh,
mmmmh" .Ifeltt
heti
pof
j
uniorknockingonmydoor ,herubbed
i
tagainstmyent ranceslowlybefore
heenteredmesof t
ly.Hestart
ed
mov i
ngslowly,
andasal waysour
soulsfel
tli
ketheywer ebeing
uni
ted,i
twasasi fwewer eone.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youf
eel
thatbaby
?Huh?
"

Me:"
Uhhhyes,
yesIdo"Idon'
teven
knowwhathe'
stal
kingabout
,butIam
sayi
ngyes.
Sivuy
ile:
"mmmhy ourpussyiswarm
andtightbaby.Andit'
smi ne,
mine
al
onebaby !"Uyahl
anyaenwa( he'
s
crazy)
.

Me:
"mmmh."Heuppedhispace,
then
webot
hcameatthesamet i
me.He
wi
pedmecleanwi
ththesheet.

Si
vuy
il
e:"t
hatwasamazi
ng"heki
ssed
myshoulderaswel
aidi
nthebed
br
eat
hless.
Me: "mmmh.GoshIneedt otakea
bath. "Iquicklystoodupandt ooka
quickbat h,t
herewasnot i
met obe
takingaser iousbat haft
erwast i
ngso
mucht i
me.Il oti
onedt henIwor emy
l
acepent y,
mybel owthekneel ong
sleev eddr ess,t
iedtheheadwr ap,t
hen
Iputt hesmal lblanketovermy
shoul der s,
Iworemyf l
ipflops.Iwent
todi scar dmydi rtywater
outsi de,aft
erwashi ngmypant yfr
om
l
astni ght.

Si
vuyi
le:
"youlookl
ikearealr
oyal
br
ide"
.Ii
gnoredhim andti
edup
ar
oundtheroom.
Me:
"getup,
Ineedt
omaket
hebed"

Siv
uyil
e:"
youaresorude.What
happenedtoaskingni
cely?
"Ij
ust
l
ookedathim" don'
tworryIwi
l
lmake
i
twhenIwakeup"

Me;
"youar
est
il
lgoi
ngt
osl
eep?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"yeah,
i
t'
sstil
learl
y.Besi
desI
di
dn'
tgetanysleepafterl
astnight
,I
j
ustcan'
tgetitoutofmymi nd"he
l
eanedinforakiss,
Il
ookedaway" oh
i
t'
sli
ket
hatnow?
"

Me: "
lookwhatwehadl astnightand
thi
smor ningwasj ustcasual
sex,nothingmor e.Itdoesn'
tmeanI
wantt owor konourmar ri
ageorf or
m
somesor tofrelati
onshipwithyou.I
wasj ustgi v
ingy outheli
bertyof
beingmyf ir
st,
that'
sall.
"Itookmy
phoneandwal kedtothedoor

Si
vuyi
le:
"yoh!If
eel
soused.Damn
butIl
i
keit".He'
sst
upi
d.Ij
ustshook
myheadandwentout.
.
.
Theki tchenlookedsocl eanandi t
wasHUGE, itwaswhi tei ncol our,wi
th
at ouchofGol d.I'mj ustgl adthatit
wascl ean,i
magi nei fIhadt ocleanit
afterhav i
ngsuchanev enty esterday.
IswearIwoul d'vepackedmybags
andhi tchedhikebackt oJobur g.I
startedmaki ngbr eakf ast ,
whichwas
asi mpleFar m housebr eakfast.It
wasabuf fetkindofst yle.Exact l
y
aftertheplacingt hej uiceont he
table,MrsDf oll
owedbymy
mom, Bontl
e,Lulama, Lumkaand
Zintlewalkedin.
Mr sD:"
wowbabythisi
sperf
ect.I
didn'
tthi
nkyouwouldgoal
lout.I
thoughtyouwer
egonnamakea
simplemaizemealpor
ri
dge"shesai
d
withahugesmil
e.

Me:
"t
hanky
ouMah"

Bontl
e:"t
hisi
showsher ol
ls.She
goesbigwhenitcomestomaki ng
food,
especi
all
ybreakf
ast
"

MrsD: "i
am notreal
l
yabreakfast
person.Ijustmakepor
ri
dgefor
everyone"
Lumka:
"andpeoplewonderwhyI
al
wayseatoutforbr
eakfast
"we
l
aughed

Mr
sD:
"nzakuphoxa"
.

Mom:"wher
e'sy
ourhusband?
"No
oneanswer
ed"Punki
e!"

Me:"ohhyouaret
alki
ngtome?He's
sti
l
lintheroom"I
'm st
il
lnotusedt
o
havi
ngahusband.
Mom:
"wellbaby
,di
shupf
orhi
m and
t
aket
hefoodtohim"

Zint
le:
"ayeyeMakot
i!
"Igav
eher
deathstare.

Me:"
hahMama.Uht
hef
oodwi
l
lget
col
d"

Mr sD:"heheheshe'salready
protecti
veov erherhusband,she
doesn'twanthi mtoeatcol dfood"
wellthat'
snott hereason,butIwi
ll
go
withit.
Mom: "
goandwakehi m upheeh
baby ,tel
l hi
m br eakf
asti sready "
hebat hong, doesbei ngaMakot icome
withsomesor tofcompensat ion-
nyana?Imeant heamountofwor k
thatwedohl ebat hoismassi ve.I
slowl ywal kedoutoft hekitchent ogo
andcal lthi
ssocal l
edhusbandof
mi ne.Iwasst i
llhav
ingt roublewi th
wal king,butitwasnott hatbad.I
don' tthi
nkpeopl ewi l
lnot i
ce,
right?.I
metSi vuy i
l
ej ustasi wasaboutt o
reach' ourr oom' .
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
uyaphi
?(wher
ear
eyou
goi
ng?)
"

Me:
"icametocal
lyou,
breakf
asti
s
r
eady"Ir
oll
edmyeyes.

Sivuyi
l
e:"mmmh, ngokuamehlo
atheni
? (
what'
swr ongwithyour
eyes?)"Thi
sguymar a.I
nsteadof
answer i
nghim Ij
ustwalkedbackt
o
thekit
chen(MainHouse).

Lumka:
"ai
bo,
uphi
umkhweny
ana?
"
Me:
"he'
sco-
"heent
ered"
nangu"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
mor
ning"t
heygr
eet
edback.

MrsD:
"Yourfat
herandyourfr
iends
ar
ealr
eadyinthedi
nningroom"

Siv
uy i
le:"
ngokubendi
sit
hi
ndizohlambabeforendi
sitya(
Iwant
ed
totakeabat hbefor
eeating)"

Mr
sD:
"j
ustgoandsi
tdown"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
iyoh!Umamakey
ena(
mom
t
hough)
"

MrsD:
"mka(Go) "j
ustthenThandi
comedownwear i
ngherv er
yPink
l
ongdress,
forthefir
stti
meev er,
she'
s
act
ual
l
ywear ingalongdress.

Lul
uma:"woah!Am Idreamingor
something?Somebodypleasepi
nch
me"Mr sDpinchedher"ouchmama,I
di
dn'
tmeanl it
eral
l
ypinchme"we
l
aughed

Lumka:
"Thandi
we,youareact
ual
l
y
wear
ingalongdress?"
Thandi
we:"
Yeah.Iam bei
ngagood
bri
de"shesai
dwithafakesmi
le.

Lulama:"canIpl
easet
akeapict
ureof
this?Ineedtoremembert
hisunt
ilI
die"

MrsD:"khani
yekeomnye(
leav
eher
al
one).WenaLulama,
dishupfory
our
husband"

Lul
ama:
"hahmama,uMakot
iukhona"
shewi
nkedatme.
MrsD: "
yeey
!Umntuuphakelai
ndoda
yakhe.Iam al
sodishi
ngformyman
andsoi sMaThabang(t
hatwasmy
mom) "

Lul
ama:"
iyohuMama"shetooka
pl
ateandstar
teddi
shi
ngforherman.

Mr
sD:
"Lunat
hi,
dishupf
orSi
vuy
il
e"

Me:
"ohh,
IthoughtThandi
wasgonna
dot
hat"
Mr sD: "
yout houghtwr ongkedar ly.
Ninasi ngleladieswilltakethe
remai ni
ngf oodt othet ableandthe
singlemenwi l
ldishforthemselves"
wel aughedatt hatpart,t
hiswoman
though.Wedi daswewer etold,
then
wet ookt hef oodt ot
hedi nningroom.

Thabang:
"hah,
suchapart
heidmara.
Sobecausewear enotmar r
iedwe
havetodi
shupf orour
selves?"

Nkazi
mul
o:"Nohumani
tyatal
l
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
don'
tl
etmom heary
ousay
that
"mom andMrsDwer
eal
ready
backint
hekit
chen.

MrD:"youknowwhatthatmeans
ri
ghtgentl
emen?Youneedtoget
hi
tchedsoon"t
heylaughed.

Thabo:
"Zi
ntl
ecoul
dyoupl
easedi
sh
upforme?"

Thabi
so:
"Ai
bo!
"

MrD:"Hai
ke,
Thabohasal
ready
chosenhi
swife"wel
aughed.
Dad:
"awwMakot iwaka,
dishupfor
hi
ssinglebr
other
stoo"Zintl
ewas
bl
ushingoneway.
.
.
Iwasnowwashi ngthedi
sheswi
th
thehelpofLumkaandZint
le,
Bont
le
andLulamaweresitt
ingi
nthe
counter,
whenBontl
edeci
dedtodr
op
abombshel l

Bontl
e:"Punki
e,di
dyouusea
condom? "Ij
ustfr
oze.
Zi
ntl
e:"
condom?Fori
nimanj
e?"

Bontl
e:"don'
ttel
l met hatyoucan' t
seefrom hermi niduck.walkt hatshe
becameawomanl astnight"I
managedt olookar oundt oseei f
Thandiwasi nther oom,luckilyshe
wasno.Thegi rlsstartedscr eaming
andrejoici
ng.

"
Heeyni
naniy
angxol
amar
n!(
youar
e
maki
ngnoi
se)"
Lul
ama:"sor
rymom!
"Sheshout
ed
back.

Bont
le:
"so?
"

Me:
"sowhat
?"

Bont
le:
"di
dyouuseacondom?
"

Me:"uhm No!"ThegavemeTHE
l
ooks." Ev
eryt
hinghappenedsof ast,
I
wast akenbythefeeli
ngIforgotto
askhimt ouseit"t
heylookedatme
thentheystart
edlaughing,
Iwas
conf
used.

Bontl
e:"
don'tworr
ynanaIknowwhat
youmean.Butnextt imedon' tbeso
carel
ess,
makesur ey ouusea
condom"shet ookoutsomet hing
fr
om herpocket"takethis"
.Itwasa
pil
lwrappedinatoiletpaper.

Me:
"what
'
sthi
s?"

Bont l
e:"
anemer gencypill
.Itwi
ll
preventyouf r
om getti
ng
pregnant..
.f
ornow"Iqui ckl
ydranki
t,
I
can'tbeli
eveIwassocar el
ess.
Me:"Anddon'
twor
ryi
twon'
thappen
agai
n"

Lul
ama:
"whatwon'thappenagai
n?
Havi
ngunpr
otect
edsexorhav i
ngsex
nj
e?"

Me:"havi
ngsex,Iwon'thav
esexwi
th
Si
-"Iquickl
ykeptquietwhen
Thandiweenter
edt heroom.

Lumka:"
uthul
elani
?(whyar
eyou
keepi
ngquiet
?)"Ipoint
edatThandi
wi
thmyey
es

Lumka:"mxm"Thandiwentst
rai
ghtt
o
fr
idge,
tookanappl
ethenshelef
t.

Me:
"anywaywhatar
ewedoi
ng
t
oday?"

Zint
le:
"youmeanwhatareWEdoing
today,
don'
ti
ncl
udeyour
selfboo"

Me:"
hah!Why?
"Wewer eal
ready
donewit
hthedishes
Bontl
e:"
aibowhatdoy oumeanwhy?
Youhavet ostaybehi
ndanddoyour
wif
elyduties"

Lulama:
"besi
deswecan'
tbewal
king
aroundwithy
oulooki
ngl
iket
hat
"

Me:
"iwi
l
lchangemyout
fi
tthen"

Lumka:"mom woul
dli
teral
l
ymur der
you.Youhavetowearli
kethatf
orthe
durat
ionofyourst
ayhere"

Bont
le:
"any
way
swear
egoi
ngt
o
someshopping,
maybewatcha
movieandhavesomelunchoral
so
expl
orePE"

Zi
ntl
e:"andtoni
ghtwearehitt
ingt
he
cl
ub.
..
..Wit
houtyouagai
n"they
l
aughed

Me:"
youguy saresomean.One
wouldswearthatyest
erdaywasn't
mybirthday
.Comingtot hi
nkofit
,no
onewishedmeahappybi r
thday
yest
erday"

Zi
ntl
e:"
don'
tl
ieBoot
y,wesangf
ory
ou
l
astni
ght
."

Bontl
e:"
may
beshewantedacake
wit
h18candles"t
heyl
aughedagai
n

Me:
"vel
e,
that
'swhatI
'
m usedt
o"

Lulama:
"haywethu,j
ustconsideryour
weddingcakeasy ourbi
rthdaycake
too"welaughed.

Me:
"howol
dar
eyouagai
n?"

Lul
ama:
"ndi
zakuqhwaba"wel
aughed.
Bont
le:
"l
et'
sgogi
rl
s"

Lulama:
"Zi
ntl
egogetoutbagsi
nmy
room"

Zi
ntl
e:"
eehwhyme?
"

Lul
ama:
"causey
ouar
ethey
oungest
"

Zint
le:
"no,
Boot
yis.She'
saDecember
baby"
Lulama:"
phelaLunathiisnotcoming
withus.Idon'
twantt ospit
eherby
askinghertofetchourhandbags"
mxm.Zi ntl
equicklyranupthestai
rs
tofetchthebags,shecamebacki n
not i
me.Idecidedtowal kt
hem out.

Me:"sovel
eguysyouar
eleavi
ngme
behind?
"Iaskedast
heywereget
ti
ng
i
nt hecar

Lumka:"
ubut
hisi
yadl
alana?
"They
l
aughed.

Lul
ama:
"suwor
rawet
hu,
uzosal
anoK
wakho(don'
tworry
,youwi l
lremai
n
wi
thyoursister
-wi
fe"they
l
aughed,ver
yloudthi
st i
me.

Me:
"ni
yaphaphashame"
.

Them: "By e,
gir
l!
"Theydr oveoffthe
pal
ace, withaguar dsfol
lowingthem
i
nanot hercar .Damnt hisisgonnabe
abor i
ngl ongday .Iwentbackinside
anddeci dedtogoandj ointheold
l
adiesi nthelounge,buttheywere
tal
kingaboutgr ownupst uffwhich
boredmet ot
hecor e.
Me:
"uhhMa,i
sther
eanythi
ngIcando
i
nthi
shouse?Anyhousechor
e"

MrsD:"don'
tworryaboutt
hatbaby.
Wehav emaidsthatdoeveryt
hingi
n
thi
spalace"Gosh,
whatam I
supposedtodoint hi
spal
acehee?.
Wherearemybr other,
maybeIcango
chi
llwit
hthem.

Me:
"oh,
wel
lwher
ear
emybr
other
s?"

Mom: "asyoucansee,
all
themal
es
arenothere.TheKi
ngisshowi
ng
them aroundtheKi
ngdom"howI
wi
shIt
aggedal
ong.

Me:
"mmhokay
."Isi
ghed.

MrsD:
"what'
swr ongbaby?Wher
ear
e
t
hegir
ls?Youlookbored"

Me:"
theywentout.Theysaidthey
won'
tgoany wherewithmel ooki
ng
l
iket
his."Thetwoladiesdeci
dedto
l
augh.Itwasreall
ynotfunnyshame,I
washonestlyannoyed.

Mom:
"may
bey
oucangoandj
oin
Thandiwei nherr
oom,gettoknowher
abitsincey ouar
egoingtobel i
ving
withher"I'
m notgonnadot hat
,Isti
l
l
feelguil
tyaboutl
astnightandthis
mor ni
ng.

Me:"mmmh"again,
I'
m notgonnado
that
.WherewouldIevenstart
edwit
h
havi
ngaconvowi t
hher,
may beit
wouldgoli
ke'ohhey,
whatisour
husband'
sfav
ouri
tefood?'
Imagine!
Awkward!

Me:"I
'l
lbei
nmyr
oom i
fany
one
needsme."
Mom: "
okayPunki
e.Anddon'tworry
aboutl
unchIwill
prepar
eit
,becauseI
knowy ougonnaendupfal
li
ng
asl
eep."

Me:"noy oudon'thavet
omama. "I
waswor ri
edabouthowMr sDwas
gonnaviewthis.Idon'
twanttobe
l
abeledasabadMakot i
,nothankyou.

MrsD:"don'
tworr
y,shei
nsi
sts.
"I
guessshesawthelookiwasgivi
ng
her.
Me:"ohokayt hen."Ist oodupandl ef
t
formyr oom.Mant hisroom f eelsso
empt y
,nahit'
sjustbor edom -Lol ,
the
bedwasnotev enmade, t
hishusband
ofoursthough.Af termakingt hebed
ItookoutmyLapt opanddeci dedt o
watchamov ie,Ioptedf or'
Gi r
ls'Trip'
.
Itwasact ual
lymaki ngmef eel more
sad,i
twasmaki ngmet hi
nkt hatIgot
piedbyt hegirl
s.Imeandi dt hey
real
lyhav etoleavemebehi nd.
●
IguessIfellasl
eepwhi
leinthose
thoughtsbecauseIwaswokenupby
Sivuyi
l
eshaki ngmegentl
y.
Me:
"mmmh"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
whyar
eyousl
eepi
ng?
"

Me:
"I'
mti
red.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"wakeup"

Me:
"mmmhmmh"

Siv
uyi
le:
"pl
easewakeup,
I
'm hungr
y
andI'
m bor
ed"
Me:
"goandchi
l
lwi
thy
ourf
ri
ends"

Si
vuy
il
e:"I
'
m hungr
y"

Me:"
mymom istheonewhocooked"
Iwasget
ti
ngannoyed.Idon'
tl
ike
bei
ngwokenup.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
iwantmywi
fet
odi
shupf
or
me"

Me:"well
tel
lThandi
wet odot hat
!"I
snapped,
Iwasreal
lyannoyed.Fir
stl
y
i
twast hegirl
s,whodeci
dedtocut
meoutoft heirdaypl
ansandnow
t
hisonedecidest owakemeupf r
om
mysleep.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
woah!Whopi
ssedy
ouof
f?"

Me:
"MyPr
ince,
Ij
ustwantt
osl
eep
t
uu"

Sivuyi
le:"wel
lcoul
dy ouatl
eastsi
tup
str
aightandlookatme"Iwasl yi
ng
onmyst omach.Isatupstr
aight
.
"Haibo,wereyoucryi
ng?"
Me:"No!Uhm myey
esar
eabi
tsor
e"
Il
i
ed

Sivuyi
le:
"don'
tl
ie.Theyl
ookpuf
fy,and
thatcanonlymeany ouwerecr
ying.
Whathappened? "

Me:
"Well
thegir
lsdeci
dedt
ogoout
t
odayandtheyl
eftmebehi
nd"

Si
vuyil
e:"
that'
swhyy ouarecry
ing?"I
nodded,
hest ar
tedlaughi
ngveryhard.
Hewasev enholdi
nghisstomach
wit
htearscomi
ngoutofhiseyes.
GoshIfel
tsost
upid.Ij
ustl
ooked
down,
thenhedeci
dedtostop
l
aughi
ng.

Me:"ar
eyoudone?
"Heshookhi
s
head,t
henhest
art
edagai
n.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
okayIam sorr
y.Idi
dn't
meantolaugh.God,
youaresucha
cr
ybaby"

Me:"
well
thankyouforstat
ingthe
obv
iousdearhusband"hechuckl
ed.
Siv
uy i
le:
"whydi
dthel
eav
eyou
behind"

Me:"
wel
li
nsimpl
ewordst
heydidn't
wantmetocr
ampthei
rst
yle"Ir
oll
ed
myeyesi
nannoy
ance.

Siv
uyil
e:"
hawu,
buty
oulookgoodnje"
Igavehimthe'
areyouf
orreal
'l
ook.

Me:
"mxm, Ilookli
keanoldwoman
whodoesn'thaveali
fe"
Sivuyi
le:
"noyoudon'
t.Youl
ookl
i
kea
respectabl
emakoti"

Me:
"wel
lnoonewant
stogocl
ubbi
ng
wi
tharespect
abl
emakot
i"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Clubbi
ng?Theywent
cl
ubbi
ngsoearly?
"

Me:"no,
buttheyareplanningtohit
theclubl
atertodayandt heyare
l
eavingmebehi nd"Igroanedin
annoyance.Helaughed
Siv
uyi
le:
"theyreal
l
ydon'
twantt
obe
seenwit
hy ouhey?"

Me:"
youli
kest
ati
ngtheobv
ioushey
?"
Ii
mitat
edhisv
oice.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
idon'
tspeakl
i
ket
hat
"

Me:
"andam notl
ightski
nned"Isai
d
wi
thafakesmil
e.

Siv
uyil
e:"y
azi
,Iwasgonnaspeakto
mysister'
sandconvincet
hem togo
totheclubwithyou,
butsi
nceyou
deci
dedt
obeMi
ssSmar
tMout
h,I
won'
t"

Me: "
psssh,
Idon'
treal
lyneedyour
help.Iwil
lj
ustconvi
ncemysi st
erand
yenashewi l
lconvi
ncetheothergi
rl
s"

Si
vuy
il
e:"y
ouar
esof
ull
ofy
our
sel
f.
"

Me:
"soIhav
ebeent
old"

Si
vuy
il
e:"youhaven'
tevenaskedf
or
mypermissi
ontogot othecl
ub"
Me: "
youknowIwasgonnaask
you,j
ustforthesakeofgi vi
ngyou
thathusbandaut hori
ty-
nyana.Buti
n
allhonestyIdon'
treall
ycareabout
youranswer ,
becausewhet heryou
givemey ourpermi ssi
onornot,Iam
goingtotheclub"

Siv
uy i
le:
"andyouarer
udetoo.And
for
.thatl
itt
leMrs,
youarenotgoi
ng"

Me:
"wewi
l
lseeaboutt
hat
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"ohy
eswewill
.Iam
pl
anni
ngonplaci
ngaguardout
side
t
hisdoor
,andhewil
lmakesur ethat
y
oudon'tgoanywhere"ehh,
Iqui
ckly
j
umpedonmyassandkneel edon
t
hebed.

Me:
"pl
ease,
pleasedon'
tdot
hat
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
hah.Whathappenedt
oyour
smar
tmountnow?Huh? "

Me;"I
'
m beggi
ngyou.Ij
ustwantt
o
cel
ebrat
emy18thyeari
nstyl
ehle
bat
ho"
Si
vuyi
le:
"youalreadydidt
hataty
our
weddingyest
erday"whydoes
ev
eryonekeeponsay ingt
hat.

Me;"
NoIdidn't
.Iwasdri
nkingj
uice
andnon-
alcoholi
cbev
erages"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ohh,
Iseewhatthi
sisabout
.
Youwanttodr
inkal
cohol"

Me:"
no,t
hat'
snoti
t.Ij
ustwantt
o
expl
orethecl
ubbi
ngscene.ImeanI
j
usttur
ned18"
Siv
uy i
l
e:"
youaresoyoung.Youar
e
actual
ly7year
syoungerthanme"

Me:"
idon'
treal
l
ycar
eaboutt
hatri
ght
now.Let
'sgobackt
othecl
ubtopi
c"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Youar
esti
ll
bei
ngr ude.My
answeri
snoandthat
'sf
inal
"

Me:
"pl
ease!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No"

Me:
"pl
ease!
"
Siv
uy i
l
e:"no!Andstopbegging,t
hat
l
ookdoesn' tsui
tyou.Wellunlessof
courseifyouarebeggingforuJama"

Me:"whosethat
?"Het ouchedhi
s
Dick."
Euww"helaughed.Igavehim
thepuppydogey es.

Si
vuyi
le:"
thatshi
tmaywor konyour
br
others,
butdefi
nit
elynotonme"

Me:
"pl
easehl
emot
howaModi
mo"
Siv
uyil
e:"
iknowsomethi
ngt
hatcan
changemymi nd"hegav
emeasl y
smile

Me:
"Andwhat
'st
hat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e;
"round-
nyanaey
1fel
a(gi
ve
me1round)"

Me:"
ofwhat ?Beer?Ohhdon'tworr
yI
wil
lfet
chtheHei nekensi
xpackri
ght
now.Thatwi l
lcountasoneround
neh?"Helookedatmeasi fhewas
sayi
ngarey oudumb.
Siv
uy i
le;
"iam t
alki
ngaboutsex
genius"

Me;"hahwahl
any a!
(youarecr
azy)
.I
tol
dy ouwhathappenedwasaonce
offt
hing,
itwi
llneverhappenagai
n"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
nev
ersaynev
er"

Me:
"wel
lIj
ustdi
d"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
okayf
ine,
aki
sske"
Me:"sov el
eobat l
atshotshoyahore
ong'nehevisayahoyaclubng?(so
basicall
yyouwantmet obribeyou
beforeyougivemeav i
sat ogotothe
cl
ub? )"Helaughed

Si
vuyi
le:
"yest
hat
'swhatIwant
.
Nothi
ngformahalasi
si"

Me:"Youar
eev
ilshame"hel
aughed
agai
n.

#Newl
yWeds
#Makot
i
#Mr
sDl
ami
niThe3r
d
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er16
•
°
•
°
Thegi rl
sfinall
ycamebackf r
om thei
r
outing.Iwassi tti
nginthekit
chen
withthem hav ingdinner,
whil
ethe
restofthef ami l
ywassi t
ti
nginthe
l
ounge, don'taskmewhywei sol
ated
ourselvesbecauseIal sodon'tknow.

Lul
ama:
"HaykodwaLunat
hi
uyat
efa(
butLunat
hiy
ouar
eacr
y
baby)
"

Me:
"Whatdi
dIdo?
"

Bontl
e:"
Youtoldyourhusbandthat
weleftyoubehindbecauseyouwil
l
cr
ampourst yl
e"

Me:
"Thatwhaty
ouguy
ssai
d"

Lumka:
"Wedi
dnotsaythat
..
.well
at
l
eastwedi
dnotsayi
tli
kethat"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Usungazeukhalepho
nt
ombi?(di
dyoureall
yhavetocr
y
gi
rl
?)"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tcr
y"

Zint
le:
"Youdi
d,phel
ayourmant
old
us"

Me:
"he'
snotmyman"Imumbl
ed

Bont
le:
"Whatwast
hat
?"

Me:
"Uhni
x.Soy
ouwer
esay
inghe
t
oldy
ouwhat
?"

Lulama;"
Hewaspissedthatwe
decidedtol
eav
ey oubehind,
actual
l
y
hesaidhewasmor eangryatthefact
thatwemadey oucry
"

Me:"
hashealwaysbeenadr
amat
ic
per
son?"Theyl
aughed

Lumka:"vel
eVuv uisverydr amatic.
Am actuall
ysurpri
sedt hatheonl y
questi
onedwhywel eftyoubehi nd
i
nsteadofaskingwhywel eftboth
youandThandi webehi nd"
Lul
ama:
"mmmmh"

Me:"
maybebecauseheknowsthat
youguy
sdon'tgetal
ongwit
hThandi"

Lul
ama:"
ormaybe,hehasf
ounda
newlov
eint
erest
"

Me:
"psssh,
asi
f.
"

"Gir
lscoul
dyoupl
easecomet
his
side"
Lumka;"
Iwonderwhatdi dwedo" .We
wenttothelounge,andtomysur pr
ise
whenweent eredev er
yonestar
ted
si
nging'happybi
rthdaytoyou'whil
e
Siv
uyil
eandThabowal kedi
nwi t
ha
bi
gasscake.

Mom: "weknowt hatyourbir

thday
wasy esterday
,butwethoughtwe
shoulddosomet hi
ngspeci
al f
oryou
todaysincewewer eoccupiedwith
theweddi ngyester
day"shegaveme
ahug

Mr
sD:
"happybel
atedbi
rt
hdaybaby
"
sheal
sogav
emeahug.

Me:"
sonopr esent
svel
e? .
..I
'
mj oki
ng.
Thankyousomuchf orthis,
Ireal
ly
appreci
atei
tanditmeansal otto
me"

Thabang:
"Youdeser
vei
tPunki
e
Punki
e"

Lungani:
"t
hat
'swhaty
oucal
lher
?
Punkie?
"

Thabang:
"yes.She'
sourPunki
epi
e".
Nkazi mulo:
"sikaikhekhephela
makot i(
cutt hecakemakot i
)"Itook
thekni f
efrom Thaboandcutt he
cakei nhalf.Zint
lecamewi ththe
plates,
Icutt hecakeintochunksand
placeditonev er
yone'spl
ate.

Dad:
"youcancel
ebrat
eyourbir
thday
howeveryouwantheePunki
e.You
arel
egalnow"

Me:
"r
eal
l
y?"Iaskedwi
thahugesmi
l
e
Dad:
"Yes"

Mom:"
butcel
ebr
atei
nar
esponsi
ble
way
"

Lul
ama:
"sowearehi
tti
ngt
hecl
ub
wit
huMakot
itoni
ght
?"

Mr
sD:
"Yes.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No"

Lumka:
"Hai
boVuv
usubanj
alo(
don'
t
beli
ket
hat)
"
Thapel o:
"I'
m actuall
ywi t
hVuv uon
thisone.She'swayt oy oungtobein
acl ub"Si
vuyil
egav ehim adead
stare,hej
ustlaughed.Ithinkitwas
becausehecal ledhim Vuv u.

Lul
ama:
"She's18peopl
e,hel
lo!
"She
rol
l
edhereyesdramati
call
y

Lizwi
;"so?I
twon'tl
ookgoodf
ora
futur
equeent obeseeni
naclub
somewher e"
Si
vuyil
e:"
thepaparazz
iwi
l
lhav
ea
fi
elddaywiththat
"

Lumka:"OhGod,yourot
herwif
egoes
tocl
ubseveryt
ime,butt
hepaparazzi
doesn'
tsayanythi
ngaboutt
hat"

Thabo:
"well
that
'sbecauseshe'
s
unknown"Lumkalaughedoutloud
whil
eThandiwegaveherastare.

Lumka:
"nawenkomondi
yawat
yasi
si"

Lul
ama:
"Youguy
sar
ejustcomi
ngup
wit
hi r
relevantexcusesri
ghtnow.
Andqui etfrankl
yI'
m notheari
ngy
our
pl
ea,sot hi
scasei sdismi
ssed"
we(gir
ls)laughed.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Dadtell
them thati
t'
snota
goodi
deaforLunathi
togot oaClub"

MrD: "
Awwcomeonson,shej
ust
tur
ned18.Shedeser
vest
ohaveabi
t
offun"

Lul
ama:
"yes!Tel
lhi
m dad!
"
Si
vuyi
le;
"andwena,who'
sgonnalook
aft
eryourki
dwheny ouarebusy
danci
ngthenightaway?
"

Lulama:"
hawuukhonauAunt y
Thandiwemos( auntThandiweis
here)
.Plusthi
swi l
lbeagood
pract
iceforwhenshedeci desto
haveababy "

Thandiwe;"
excuseyou?I'm al
so
goi
ngt otheclub.I
'm notgonnast
ay
hereandstareatthewal l
s"

Lul
ama:
"umeny
wengubani
?(who
i
nvi
tedu?)"Theguy
slaughed,
except
f
orSivuy
il
eandourdads.

Si
vuy
il
e;
"si
sit
hat
'sunnecessar
y"

Ler
eko:"wel
lhere'
sadeal,
i
fyouguys
wanttogototheclubsobad,t
henwe
wil
lcomewithyou"theguys
mumbledinagreement.

Lumka:"heehaysazi
yal
a
ngokuhambanoLunathi(
hee,
we
sabotagedoursel
vesbywanti
ngt
o
gowithLunathi)
"
Lizwi:
"IagreewithLereko,
ai
n'tnoway
i
nhel lam Igonnaallowmywi f
etogo
toaCl ubonherown, theseboyswil
l
thinkshe'sasinglel
ady "

Ler
eko:
"exact
ly"

Lul
ama:"wehaver
ingsonourfi
nger
s
hl
ebantu,sot
heywon'tcomeany
cl
oser
"

Bont
le:
"It
houghtthi
sthi
ngwasabout
Tumi,
nowitjustt
ookawhole
di
ff
erentt
urn"

Ler
eko:"
doyoureal
lyt
hinktherings
wil
lscar
ethem away?
..
.uyadl
ala"

Lumka: "
youknowwhat ?Let
'sj
ust
forgetaboutthiswholethi
ng.Wewil
l
sithereandst areateachot
her"me
andZi nt
legiggled.

Thabang:
"wemi
ghtaswel
ldot
hat
hee"

Lumka:
"Youguy
srui
nedLunat
hi'
s
ni
ght
"

Thabi
so:
"ot
labast
rong(
shewi
l
lbe
st
rong)
"MyGod.

MrsD;"
comeonboys,
l
etthegi
rl
sbe.
Lett
hem got
othecl
ub"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ont
hei
rownmama?
"

MrsD: "andit
hitheyhaveguards
fol
lowingt hem around?Sotheywil
l
besaf e.Abafuniukuhambanani,so
avoidekani(t
heydon'twanttogowi t
h
y
'al
l
.)"Wel
aughed.

Lul
ama;
"coul
dn'
thav
esai
ditbet
ter
mama"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Fine!Theycangoont
hei
r
own.
"

Themba;"y
oh!Kuy
ali
wakul
omuzi
boh.
(youguyssur
edoquar
rel
int
his
fami
ly)"

Lumka:
"t
hey'
rejustbei
ngext
ranj
e
wenaaba.Theyhavenobusi
ness
wit
hgoingtothecl
ubwithus.I
nfact
Idon'
tevenknowwhytheystar
ted
thi
sargument"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
mxm".Thi
sisonemessed
upbi
gfamil
y.

Lulama: "
let
'sgogetr eadygir
ls"
.We
rushedupst ai
rs,Idon'tevenknow
wher eIwasgoi ngbecausemyr oom
wasout sidebutIwentupany way.I
decidedt ojoinZintl
ei nherroom,wel
l
sheact uall
ypulledmei nt
oherr oom.

Zi
ntl
e:"
weact
ual
l
yboughty
ouan
outf
itfortoni
ght.Wel
lBont
lepai
dfor
i
tandIchosei t.
"Shetookouta
Edgarsplasti
candgaveitt
ome.

Me:"
ahhthanks.Ireal
l
yneedtothank
Bontl
e.Soam Ialsogonnaf
reshen
upinthi
sroom? "

Zint
le:
"hel
lno,
youhav
eyourown
room"

Me:
"ohGodno.It
'stoof
ar,
besi
des
t
hehutdoesn'
tevenhav
eabathtub.
"
Zint
le:
"I'm nott
alkingaboutthehut
dumbdumb.Lul amasai dyouhavea
room hereinthemai n
house,apparent
lyy ouwereonly
meantt osleepint hathutt
heday
beforeyourweddi ngandony our
weddingnight"

Me:
"ehhwhy
?"

Zint
le:"
Idon'tknow.May bebecause
wedi dn'twanttohearyouand
bhutizahav i
ngsexony ourwedding
ni
ght "Ijustf
lushedwit
h
embar rassment."Whathappenedto
notgi
vinghi
mthecooki
eany
time
soon?
"

Me:
"i
tjusthappenedbr
uh"

Zi
ntl
e:"
mmh"

Me:"
doy outhi
nkIt
ookagood
deci
sion?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
bywhat
?Gi
vi
nghi
myour
vi
rgi
nit
y?"

Me:
"yeah"
Zint
le:
"wel
lhei
syourhusband,
soI
guessitwasnotabadchoice.
"

Me:
"butIf
eel
sogui
l
ty"

Zint
le:
'gui
l
ty?Why
?"Shewas
confused

Me:"hehasawif
e,andIwi
l
li
ngl
y
openedmylegsf
orhim"

Zint
le:
"ai
boBoot
y,hei
salsoyour
husband.Youar
ealsoenti
tl
edtothat
dickasmuchasmysi
ster
"Il
aughed
l
ightl
y

Me:
"Wel
lIguessy
ouar
eri
ght
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
so.
..
.doy
ouhav
efeel
i
ngsf
or
hi
m?"

Me:"
what ?Ofcour
senot
.Itwasj
ust
sex,
that
'sall
"

Zi
ntl
e:"mmmh,
i
sitnow?
"

Me:
"yep.Letmegoandgetr
eady
.
Wher
eismyr
oom?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
it
'satt
hef
arend,
ony
ourr
ight
"

Me: "
seey ousoonbabe. "
.Ilefther
room andwentt omi ne.Itwasso
big,
itwaswhi t
eandgol di n
colour,hadabi gwal
ki ncl osetandan
ensuite,bonuswast hatithasa
balcony ,
wi t
habeautifulviewoft he
XhosaKi ngdom..
..

"
Beautif
ulviewneh?"Iwasst
art
led.I
t
urnedonlyt of
indSi
v uy
il
est
anding
t
here.Iwalkedbackinsi
de
Me:
"youscar
edme"

Siv
uyi
le:"sorry
.It'
sactual
l
ymor e
beaut
ifulinthemor ni
ngcauseyou
canseei tcl
eary"Iwasconfused"t
he
vi
ewthati s"

Me:"Wel
l,
IthinkIli
ketheni
ghtv
iew
more.
"Hechuckl ed"any
waywhatdo
youwanthere?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Ifor
gothowr udeyouar
e.I
br
oughtyouthese,
theywi
ll
helpyou
wit
hthepai
ndownthere"hehanded
mesomebathi
ngsalt
,Iopenedi
tand
smelti
t.

Me:
"smel
l
s,ni
ce.Thanks"

Si
vuyi
le:
"sovel
eandiyi
fumani
la
l
amaza?(soam real
l
ynotgett
ingt
hat
ki
ss?
)"

Me:"
No!I
fyouwantaki
ssgot
oyour
wi
fe"

Si
vuy
il
e:"I
'
m st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofher
nj
e"

Me:
"wel
lyourot
herwi
fe"hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uyil
e:'
butam cr
avi
ngy
ourl
i
psnot
hers"

Me:
"wel
ltoughl
uckheeabut
i"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
oneki
sswon'
thur
t"

Me:
"no!
"
Sivuyi
le:
"comeon"hewaswal ki
ng
closertome,somehowmyf eetfel
t
l
iketheywer egl
uedtothefl
oor
becauseIwasn'tmoving.

Me:"no"i
tcameoutasawhi sper
becausehewasalr
eadycloseto
me,holdi
ngmebythewaist.

Siv
uyil
e:"
oneqha.That
'sal
lam
aski
ngfor"

Me:"
nostri
ngsat
tached?"Heburr
ied
hi
sfaceinmyneckwhi l
echuckl
i
ng,a
shi
verwentdownmyspi ne.
Siv
uyi
le:
"youknowI '
mtheonewho
usual
l
yuttersthosewordst
ogir
ls"

Me:"
mmh,I'
m sur
eyoudo.Let
'sj
ust
gett
hisov
eranddonewit
h."

Si
vuyi
le:
"apl
a-"Iqui
ckl
ypeckedon
hi
sli
pswhilehewasstil
ltal
ki
ng.

Me:'
ther
e!Done.Nowify
ouwil
l
excuseme,Ir
eall
yneedt
ogetr
eady
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
arey
ouser
ious?Apeck?
"He
wasst
il
lhol
dingmywai
st.

Me: "y
ousaid1k- "Ididn'
tev engetto
fi
nishmysent encebecausehi sl i
ps
werealreadygluedt omi ne,infacthis
tonguewasal readymassagi ngmi ne.
Thisguyi sr
eallyagr eatkisser,I
couldn'
thelpbutr espondt ohis
request.Thekisswentonf orafew
minutesuntilIbrokeitwhenIf elt
uJamapoki ngmyst omach, Iquickly
pushedof fme

Si
vuyi
l
e:"andthen?"Il
ookedathi
s
bul
gebeforel
ookingaway.He
l
aughed."
Hedoesn'
tbi
te,
he'
sal
over
notafi
ght
er"

Me:"
aloverthatIam cer
tai
nlynot
i
nter
estedinatthemoment "

Si
vuy
il
e:"
att
hemomentneh?
"Hehad
asmir
konhisf
ace

Me:
"Isai
dthat
?No.
..
.Idi
dn'
tmeant
o"

Si
vuyi
le:
"I'
m sur
eyoudi
dn'
t"hewas
st
il
lsmir
king
Me:
'
youknowwhat
,j
ustgetout
."

Sivuyi
le:"withpleasure"hewal kedt o
thedoor" themomentmi ghtar r
ive
verysoon"hewentoutl eavingme
fl
ushedwi thembar r
assment .Ididn'
t
meant hat,i
tjustsli
ppedout ,
ordi dI?
EyyIdon' tknow, butwhatIdoknowi s
thatIdon' twantt hatmanany where
closetome, Idon'ttr
ustmy self
aroundhi m.Aaggr h,
letmejustt akea
bath.
It
ookalongrel
axi
ngbat h-using
Si
vuyi
l
e'ssal
tofcourse.Af
terthat
,I
woremynewoutfiti
twasabl ack
highwai stedjean,anavyoffshoulder
croptopandbl ackblockheels.Iti
ed
myul tr
at wistint
oamessybun, I
toppedmyl ookof fwit
hamat t
edar k
purpleli
pst i
ck.IlookedHOT!I'm sure
Iam goingt of i
ndaboy fr
iendtonight
-jokes.Iwast akingselfi
eswhen
Zintl
ewal kedin.

Zi
ntl
e:'
gi
rl
,y
oulooksexy
.Yourboot
y
i
soutMoghel"

Me:"t
hankyoubabe.Youalsol
ook
hot.
"Shewasinherblackshor
toff
shoul
derjumpsui
twithnavybl
ock
heel
s.

Zi
ntl
e:'
iknowbabe,
Iknow"shesmi
l
ed.

Me:"
youaresof
ull
ofyoursel
f.We
ar
eactual
l
yweari
ngsamecolours"

Zi
ntl
e:"I
'
mtheonewhochoset
he
out
fi
tsdummy.
"Sherol
l
edhereyes.

Me:"mxm.There'
sahugeassmir
ror
i
nthecloset
,l
et'
stakesomemi
rr
or
sel
fi
es.
"
Zint
le:
'y
ouandt
aki
ngpi
ctur
es
though"

Me:
"hay
,youar
eact
ual
l
ywor
set
han
me.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
whatever
.Let
'sj
usttakethese
pi
cs.
"Wewentt othecl
osetandt ook
afewpict
ures."
Sendmet hose"

Me:
"Iwasabouttohawu."Isenther
t
hepict
urevi
aWhat sApp,
wellthat
wasaft
erIpost
edaf ewonmyst at
us.
Wewentdownst
air
swer
ether
estof
t
hef
ami
l
ywasseat
ed.

Lulama:"
Final
l
y!Youguyssur
edo
taketi
met ogetready
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
itsBooty
'sfaul
t.Shewant
ed
ustotakepict
ures"

Me:
"sel
lout
!"

Lumka:"
let
sjustgo.
"Imustsaythe
gir
lswerel
ookingver
yflytoni
ght
.
OoohThandiwasalsojoini
ngus
toni
ght
.
MrD:
"Besaf
egi
rl
s"

Lul
ama:"t
heguar
dswon'
tl
eav
eour
si
de."

Wewer egoi ngtousetheRange

Rov er
,Lulamawasgoi ngtodr i
ve-
si
nceshei snotaheav ydr
inker.The
securitydetailwasgoi
ngtof ol
lowus
i
nt hei
rowncar .

Lul
ama:"
Okay,
her
e'saplan..
..
weare
gonnagotot
heclub,
staytheref
ora
f
ewmi
nut
est
henl
eav
e"

Me:
"hawu,
why
?"

Lumka:'
becausetheguysaregonna
fol
lowus.Weneedt odit
chour
secur
it
ydetail
,andt
heonlywaywe
candothatisbygoingtothecl
ub
anddit
chingthem t
here"

Me:'
howsurear
eyout
hatt
heyar
e
gonnaf
oll
owus?"

Bont
le:
'
youknowhowy
ourbr
other
s
ar
e"t
rue.

Zi
ntl
e:'
wayov
erov
erpr
otect
ive"

Bontl
e:"
assoonaswespotthem i
n
thecl
ub,wesl
yza(
leav
e/r
un)
"

Thandi
:
"wher
ear
ewegonnago?
"

Lulama:"afr
iendofmineishost
inga
partyathishouse,
aroundthe
township"

Thandi
:
"int
heghet
to?I
'
m notgoi
ng
t
her
e"

Lulama:"
don'tactl
ikeyougrewupin
thesuburbs.Futhi
y oudeci
dedtot
ag
alonguninvi
ted,
soy ouwil
lgo
whereverwesaygo.Capi sh?"

Thandi :'
what ever"sherol
ledhereyes.
From t hereonwar dswelist
enedto
musi c,whiledanci ng-wellwewere
technicallymov i
ngourheadsalong
tothebeat .Thegi rl
swerebusy
screami ngandchant i
ngboma
'
wol olo'theywer er eal
lyi
nthei
r
partyingspi r
its.
Lul
ama:
"andwehav
ear
ri
vedl
adi
es"

Lumka:
"I'
m sur
etheguy
sar
eal
ready
onthei
rway"

Me:
"sosoon?I
nsur
etheyst
il
lneed
t
odressup"

Lumka:"ai
bouthiniuLunathi
?Those
peoplewerealr
eadydr essedupwhen
wel ef
tthehouse.Theyliedandsaid
theyaregoingtochil
lataf r
iend'
s
house"
Me:
"Idi
dn'
tnot
ice"Ir
eal
l
ydi
dn'
t.
Wej umpedof ft
hecarandwentint
o
theclub.I
'
venev erbeentoaCl
ub
before,
butthevi
bei nher
ewasLIT.

Lul
ama:"let
'schil
ldownheresothat
wewill
seet hem whentheywalkin.
"
Lul
amal edust otheVI
Pbooth.We
set
tl
eddown.

Lumka:
"l
et'
shav
esomeshoot
ers
si
nceweain'
tst
ayi
ngf
orl
ong.
"
Lul
amar
equest
edt
hebodyguar
dto
goandgetussomeshoot ers.Ihave
tastedalcoholbefor
e,butIhavenever
drankinf r
ontofmysi ster
.Thebody
guar dcamebackwi thourshoot er
s
andwedownedt hem down.

Zi
ntl
e:"Ij
ustspot
tedbhut
iza!
"

Lumka:
"What
?"Themusi
cwast
oo
l
oud.

Me:'
shejustsawSivuyi
le!
"Ispokei
n
herear
.Shelettheothergi
rl
sknow.
Lulama: "
timet oi niti
atet hepl an!"We
wer enowhuddl i
ngup.Sot hepl an
waswewoul dal lgot othet oi
letand
exitthrought hewi ndow-t hesegi rls
wer ewi l
dI '
mt elli
ngy ou.ButIwasn' t
goingt ofitthrought he
window, becauseofobv i
ousr easons.
Sowehadt omakeanal ternativ
e
plan, whi
chwasIhav et ogooutt he
backdoor .Thiswasgoi ngt obe
tri
ckybecauset hebodyguar dwas
goingt obef ollowi ngmear oundt he
whol etime.Bona, theyhadi teasy
becausemal esar enotal l
owedi nt he
femal e'
stoilet.Weputt hepl anint o
mot ion,
thegi rl
sal lwentt ot hetoilet
withtwobodyguar ds,l
eavingmewi th
one.Ihadtomakeapl antoditchhim.
I'
m notusedt othesekindof
thi
ngs,I
'm agoodgi r
l.Idon'tsneak
around.Myphonebeeped.I twasa
messagef rom thegirl
stel
lingmet o
getout.Istoodupandwentt ostand
nexttohim( Bodyguard).

Me:"Uhm, Ineedt
oquickl
ygoup
stai
rs.There'
safri
endI'
m meet
ingup
ther
e"

BG:
"l
eadt
hewaymyPr
incess"
Me:"
noi
t'
sfi
ne,
I
'l
lbeokayonmy
own.
"

BG:"
Ican'
tlety
ououtofmysi
ghtmy
Pri
ncess"

Me:"okayf i
ne,followmet hen"
.Thi s
wasgoi ngt obehar derthanev er.I
needt olosehimi nt hecrowd.We
walkedupt hest air
s,andlucki
lyfor
me,itwaswayt oof ullupther
e.We
couldn'tevenmov ethroughthe
crowd.Iuppedmypace, walki
ngi nzig
zagar oundt hecr owd.WhenI
couldn'tseehim behi ndme,Iquickly
askedt heguythatwasst andi
ngin
frontofmet oshowmet heback
door .Heactual
l
yaccompani edmet o
thebackdoor-wel lt
hatwasaf terI
gav ehim mynumber s.Iwentoutthe
backdooronl ytofi
ndmygi r
ls
waitingformebehindi t
.

Lulama:'whydi dyout akesolong?

Knowwhatnev ermindt hat
.Let'
sgo
beforetheyr eal
isewear en'
tinthe
toil
et.Wer ushedt othecaranddrove
off.Myphonedeci dedt ori
ngand
disturboursinging.
Lumka:"
ifi
t'
sanyoft
heguy
sdon'
t
answeri
t"

Me:"
it
'sanunsav
ednumber.May
be
i
t'
sthatguyfr
om thecl
ub"

Lumka:
"ohh"

Me:
"hel
l
o"

Call
er:
"areyoust
il
l att
heclub?"It
wasdefini
tel
ynottheguyfrom the
cl
ub,i
twasSi v
uyi
l
e.Icov er
edthe
speaker
.
Me:
"i
t'
sSi
vuy
il
e."Iwhi
sper
ed.

Lumka:
"dr
opt
hecal
l
."Idi
d.

Zi
ntl
e:"
whydi
dyouanswer
?"

Me:
"Idi
dn'tknowitwashim.
"Just
t
henThandi'
sphonerang.

Thandi
:
"unsav
ednumbert
oo.
"

Me:
"doesi
tendwi
th5543?
"
Thandi
:
"yeah"

Me:
"i
t'
shi
m agai
n."

Bont
le:
"j
usttel
lhi
m,wearest
il
lhav
ing
funi
ntheclub.
"Thephonest
oped
ri
ngi
ng.

Zint
le:
"t
hanksGod.
"Myphoner
ang
agai
n-Imeanreall
y?.

Bont
le:
"spoket
oosoon"
Lul
ama:
"wai
tletmeturnupt
he
vol
ume.
"Sheblast
edthemusicup.

Me:
"Yes.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"whydi
dyouhangupon
me?"

Me: "Iwasn'
thear
ingyoubecauseof
thenoise.ButIam i
namor equiet
er
placenow.Whatdoy ouwant?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
youguy
sst
il
latt
hecl
ub?
"
Me:
"yep.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"mmmh.Hav efunanddri
nk
responsi
bly
."Thecarhadal
ready
stoped

Me:"
mmmh.Okaybye"Ihungup
bef
orehecoul
dsayany
thing.

Thandi
:
"whatdi
dhewant
?"

Me:"hewasjustaski
ngi
fwear
est
il
l
att
heclub?
"
Lul
ama:"Gosh!Youknowwhat.
..
.l
et'
s
j
ustswitchall
ourphonesof
fand
l
eavethem inthecar
."Wedi
d.

Me:
"doesn'
tthi
scarhav
eat
racker
?"

Lulama:"Lumkadi
sabl
editear
li
er
today.She'sanI
Tgeek.
"

Thandi
:
"thi
shousei
smassi
ve.
"

Me:
"beaut
if
ult
oo"

Lumka:
"al
ri
ghtl
et'
spar
tyt
heni
ght
awaybi
tches!
!"Wegotof
fthecar
andwentinsi
de.I
twasaful
lhouse.

Lul
ama: "
Troysaidwewill
findhi m
outside.Foll
owme"wef oll
owed
behindherandshel edusout sidethe
houset othepool ar
ea,
i
twasn' tthat
ful
lthere.Justabunchofguy sanda
fewgi r
ls.Atall
handsomedar kguy
metushal f
way.

TallGuy:
"ohhlookatthat
.Theroyal
bl
ooddeci dedtograceuswit
htheir
presencetoni
ght!
"
Lul
ama:
"awwshutuptroy.
"They
shar
edahug,
healsohuggedLumka.

Tr
oy:
"Iseey
ou'
vebr
oughtmef
resh
meant"

Lulama:"
handsof
fTr
oy.They
'r
eal
l
taken.
"

Troy:
"Ionlysee3peopl
ewithri
ngs
here,
thatmeanstheother3i
s
avail
able.
"

Lumka:
"Pssshpl
ease.Wher
eismy
man?
"

Troy:
"f
oll
owme."Wefol
lowedhi
mto
thecouchwher
eagroupofguys
weresit
ti
ng.

Guy1:
"AwwRoyal
ty.Wemustbe
speci
alt
oday
."

Guy
2:"
Freshmeat!
"Theseguyshav
e
t
hesamebr ai
ncel
lsshame.

Lul
ama:
"Wassupdumbasses"
Guy3:
"Theratchetwifei
sback"t
hey
l
aughed.Theyfistbumped.Wesat
down.

Guy
2:"
int
rokal
oku"

Lul
ama:"uyaphapha.Thesear emy
gi
rl
s,bav
akatshile(they
'rev i
sit
ing)
.
NguBontle,
Zint
le,Thandi and
Boi
tumelo"awwshedi dn'ti
ntroduce
mebymymakot i name?Awesome.

Guy
1:"Wel
lhel
l
oBont
le"
Lul
ama:
"hay
,of
fli
mit
s."

Guy
1:"
sincewhen?
"

Lulama: "
thisisadifferentbunch
tshin.Anywayt hatidiotri
ghtther
eis
Mncedi si,
thenwehav e
Siya,Bul
elani,
SizweandMf undo.You
alreadyknowTr oy
.Thesear emy
highschool f
ri
endskeguy s"

Bulel
ani
:"
ohhhighschool
qha?What
aboutVarsi
tyandnow?"
Lul
ama:"andit
hi ndit
shoubasadi
bana
phina(
I'
mj usttell
ingwherewemet)"

Lumka:
"wher
eisLaml
ani
?"

Mncedi si
:"
Thatpussy .Hesaidhe'
s
onhi swayanhourago. "Theywer
e
reall
yallgoodlooking,butt
heywere
nomat cht oSiv
u-...
.Godwhyam I
evencompar ingthem t ohi
m.Ineeda
drink.

Si
zwe:"
whatareyoudr
inki
ngl
adi
es?
Wine?St
rongBow?"
Bontl
e:"
doyouhavev
odka?Or
Henessymaybe?"

Mncedisi
:"
awwu,myt y
peofgirl
s.Iwi
l
l
sortyouguysoutri
ghtnow."He
stoodupanddisappereadi
ntothe
house.

Tr
oy:
"Iheardyourbr
othergot
marr
iedagai
nthisweekend"

Lul
ama:"y
eah.ButIdon'
twannat
alk
aboutt
hat"
Mf
undo:
"whyy
oudon'
tl
iket
hegi
rl
?"

Lulama:"
Ilovehertodeadeven
thoughIjustmether.Ij
ustwantt
o
partyandforgetaboutmybrot
her
andhusbandt onight
"Ncooh.

"LookwhoIfoundtryi
ngtomakeout
withZimasainthekit
chen"itwas
Mncedisiwal
kingwithadarkl ooking
guy.Thecrewlaughed.Mncedi siwas
carry
inganAbsolut
ebot t
le,
raspber r
y
fl
avoured
Lumka:
"r
eal
l
yLaml ani
?Youarest
il
l
hunguponthatgi
rl
?"Shel
aughed

Lamlani
:
"shebrokeupwit
hme
bef
oreItappedher"MyGod,
hi
svoi
ce.
Thecrewlaughedagai
n

Lumka:
"wenay
ouar
eal
ostcause
shame.
"

Lul
ama:
"Il
onggav
euponhi
m"

Laml
ani
:
"sheowesmehawu"
Si
ya:"
owesy ouwhat
?Herpussy
?"
Theylaughed

Lamlani:
"youdamnr i
ghtson...
.Yuuh
andi
saloqi,
Ididn'
tevennot i
cethese
beauti
fulmami es.Hell
o
ngi
bguLaml anikemna, butyoucan
cal
lmedzaddzy "theguyscrackedup
wit
hlaughter

Bul
elani
:
"esshe,
hambadzaddzy
."
Lul
amat ol
dhim ournames.

Lamlani:
"heemaji
tani
yabonaubandi
speci
al.Ndibet
hwangespeci
al
i
ntro(
guyscanyouseethatIam
speci
al,
Ij
ustgotaspeci
ali
ntro.
)"

Si
zwe:
"ohf
uckof
f.
"

Lamlani:
"Greendoesn'tsui
tyoumy
man...
.haynibahlegi
rl
s.Ithi
nkIwil
l
cal
lyouMar oza"Hesatnexttome.

Me:
"who?Me?
"

Lamlani
:"
yesyoupret
tyone.
"I
bl
ushed.Thisguy
'svoi
ceison
anot
herlevel
Lumka:"
yeey!Laml
ani
that
'smy
brot
her'
swif
e.Sokeepyourhandst
o
yoursel
f.
"Ahhcockbl
ocker.

Laml ani:
"haysuxoka(don'tl
i
e) .Shei
s
nothi stype.KalokuuSvit
shut handa
abaabangenandawo
zokubambel e(
Sivuyi
lel
ikesslender
girl
s.)Yitypesy am kel
e(thi
sismy
type)"thi
sguyi scrazy.

Lul
ama:"
hamboj
ongakwii
nter
netke
swi
ne.
(goandcheckont
heint
ernet
)"
Mncedi
si:
"al
readyonit..
..
Kut
hwa:"
ThePri
nceoft heXhosaKingdom
ti
est
heknotf orthesecondti
me."

Lamlani
:"
heehayubhut
iwakho
uzogqi
belaabaf
azi
"welaughed.

Mfundo:"suzif
undel
akalokubruh.
Bathisi
funaukwazi(don'
treadfor
yoursel
fbr uh.Wealsowantto
know)"

Mncedi
si:
"khawumendi zonini
ka
i
summarisedv er
sion(
Iwillgiv
eyou
t
hesummar isedversi
on)"
Si
ya:
"unj
ekewena"
.

Mncedisi:
"basi
call
yitjustsay s,t
his
gir
lthathewasmar ryi
ngisthe
chosenone.Meani ngshe'st hef ut
ure
queen.Youknowt hattheXhosa
Kingdom'sQueensar ealway sXhosa
anfrom theEasternCaper i
ght ?"The
nodded"Wel lt
hisonei sappar entl
y
Sothoandshe'sf r
om Jobur g."

Mfundo:
"Wow.Dot
heyhav
ea
pi
ctur
eifher
?"
Lul
ama:
"nankunj
e,
she'
ssi
tt
ingnext
toLaml
ani"

Si
y a:"Idon'
tbeli
eveyou.Showust he
pi
ct ure.
"Mncedisipassedthephone
aroundt heguys,
theywereall
gobsmacked.

Si
zwe:
"i
yoh!Whatatur
nofevent
s."
Hegav
eMncedisihi
sphoneback.

Lamlani
:
"soyouareaMosotho?"I
nodded"Youar
ereal
lymytype.I
thi
nkmyGodssenty out
ome. "I
l
aughedandsodidtheguys.
Bontl
e:"
soyouaregonnaignor
ethe
art
icl
eandpict
urest
heyjustshowed
you?"

Laml
ani
:"y
oujustr
eadmymi
nd"Thi
s
guyi
snotwel
lupst
air
s

○
°
•
°
•
#Par
tyTi
me
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er17
□
□
□
□
□

Iwassi tt
ingandchat t
ingtoLamlani
whil
esi ppingonmydr i
nk.
Zint
le,Bontle,
ThandiandLulamawer e
dancingtheni ghtawayinside.Whi
l
e
Lumkawascl i
ngingonMf undo.

Laml
ani
:
"Sowhenar
ewegoi
ngon
ourdat
e?"HehasBEENaski
ngme
outonadate.

Me:"Ican'
tbeseeneat
ingoutwi
tha
guywho'snotmyhusband.
"He
chuckl
ed

Lamlani:
"ohcomeon.Wewon'tbe
cosy
,justani
nnocentl
unch.
"

Me:
"Ican'
thonest
ly.
"

Lamlani
:"
why?Becauseofy
our
husband?"
Me:"No,
ofcour
senot
.Iexpl
ainedmy
si
tuat
ionwi
thmyhusbandtoy ou
nj
e."

Laml
ani
:
"so,
what
'st
her
eason?
"

Me:
"mybr
other
swoul
dneveral
l
ow
metogooutwi
thy
ou-wit
hanyguy
f
ort
hatmatt
er.
"

Lamlani
:
"theysoundl
ikean
over
prot
ecti
vebunch.
"
Me:
"t
heyar
e."

Lamlani
:"
mylossthen..
..Butt
hat
doesn'
tmeanIcan'thaveyour
numbersmos"

Me:
"i
sthaty
ourwayofaski
ngf
or
t
hem?"Hechuckl
ed.

Lamlani
:"
yuuh,
uMaroza.CanIpl
ease
haveyourdi
git
s."

Me:
"t
hatwasn'
tsohar
dnowwasi
t?"
Hel
aughedli
ght
ly.
Lamlani
:"
mxm.Fak'
i
nambake
Maroro"

Me:
"Gosht
hatname.
"

Laml
ani:
"i
tsui
tsyou.
"Hehandedme
hi
sphoneandIgladl
ypunchedinmy
number
s"Savethem underMar
oza.
"I
di
d.

Me:"ar
etheydat
ing?
"Iwasl
ooki
ng
atMfundoandLumka.
Lamlani
:
"notreal
l
y.Thei
rsi
tuat
ioni
s
ver
yunexplai
nabl
e."

Me:
"t
heyl
ooksoi
nlov
e."

Lamlani
:"t
hey
'rebut,
theydon'
twant
tot
elleachother
.Justli
keus."I
l
aughedoutloud,Icoul
dn'
thelpmy
sel
f.

Me:
"l
ikeus?
"

Lamlani
:
"yes.Youl
ovemeandIlov
e
you,
butwedon'twantt
oexpr
essour
feel
i
ngst
oeachot
her
."Il
aughed
agai
n.

Me:
"dudeyouar
eget
ti
ngwayahead
ofy
oursel
f.
"

Lamlani:
"can'
tblameadudef or
tr
ying.Imeanhav eyouseeny oursel
f
bruh,
youar ef
lames.Doyoubat hin
milkorsomething?"Iwaslaughing
andblushingl
ikehell

Me:
"st
opi
t.Mycheekshur
t.
"
Laml ani:
"Letjusthitt hedancef loor.I
can'tstareaty ourf aceanyl onger
withoutseei ngy oui naweddi ng
dress."Ilaughed.Hepul ledmet ot he
dancef loor.West ar teddanci ngt o
Pakisha-byDl adlaMshunqi si.And
thenRi hanna'sWor kcameon, Idon' t
knowwhatcameov ermebutI
start
edgr indingonLaml ani,twer king
hereandt here.Aftert hesongended
Laml aniexcusedhi msel f ,Icar ri
edon
dancingwi t
hsomeguy ,
thenIwentt o
j
oinmygi rls.Lamlani camebackand
j
oinedus.Iwasr eallyenj oyingmy
self,
bestwayt ocelebr atemy18t h.
.
.
Itwasar ound3am whenwedeci ded
todrivebackhome.Wewer enott hat
drunk,
butwesur edidenj
oyourni ght.
Wegotbackatt hepal
acear ound
past4i nthemor ni
ng,
wejustwent
strai
ghttoourroomsandsl ept.
IwaswokenupbySi
vuy
il
eshaki
ng
mefur
iousl
y.

Me:
"mmmhmmhWHAT?
!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"WakeUp!
!"
Me:
"Haymar
n!"

Sivuyi
le:
"WakeUp, andsitup
strai
ght!
!"Hesaidthroughhisteeth.I
gotscaredimmedi atel
yandsatup
strai
ghtwhileyawning.Thandiand
Zintl
ewer ealsointheroom si
tti
ngon
topofmybed, t
heylookedabithung
over.

Me:"whati
sit
?"Helookedscar
y,butI
sti
llgat
her
edthecouraget
oaskhi m
thatevent
houghIwasscared.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yikakay
ant
oni
le?
(whatshi
t
i
st hi
s?)"Hethr
ewhisphoneontop
ofme,itwasav i
deoi
fmet wer
king
forLamlani
.

Me:
"uhm.
..
.uh.
."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
nyuhm.
..
nyuh.That
'sal
lyou
havet
osayfory
ourself
?"

Me:
"wher
edi
dgett
hisv
ideof
rom?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"t
hat'
sal
lyoucar
eabout
?!
That
'sal
l?!
"
Me: "
whatdoyouwantmetosay?.
..
.
velewhyarey
ouevenangryabout
thi
s?"MeandThandibot
hlookedat
him.

Si
vuy
il
e:"uhm.
..
uh.
"

Me:"youar
etheonewho'
s'uhmzi
ng'
now."

Si
vuyi
le:
"I'
m worri
edaboutthei
mage
oft
hisfamil
y,
whatifthi
svideomade
i
ttothepapers?
"
Me:"welldi
dyoufi
nditont
he
i
nternetorsomewher
epubl
ic?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"No.
..
b-"

Me:"sowhere'
sthi
swhol
eanger
comingfrom?Isti
l
ldon'
t
underst
and."

Sivuyil
e:"youknowwhat ,
let
'sfor
get
thi
swhol ethi
ng.Butyouguy sar
esti
ll
i
nt roublefordit
chi
ngt heguards
yesterdaynight.
"Hetookhisphone
andl eft
,Thandif
oll
owedhi m.
Me:
"wel
lthatwaswei
rd.
"

Zint
le:
"t
ell
meabouti
t.Idon'
teven
knowwhyhedraggedmeher e.
"

Me:
"I'
m st
il
lsl
eepy
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
metoo.Hewokemeupi
nthe
middl
eofmydream.
"

Me:
"I'
m goi
ngbackt
osl
eep.
"
Zint
le:
"idon'
thavetheenergytogo
backtomybed.I '
m sleepi
nghere.
"
Shegotinanotherthecoversand
sl
ept.
Fewminut
eslater
,someonewal
kedi
n
si
ngi
ngoutloud.

Me:
"mmmhmmmhmmmh.
"

"Haska!Wakeup!"I
twasMrsD.I
quickl
yjumpedandsatonmybut
t.

Mr
sD:
"Zi
ntl
ewakeup!
"
Me:
"uhm,
mor
ningMah.
"

MrsD:
"youmeanaf
ter
noon.I
t'
saf
ter
12.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Gosh,
Ist
il
lfeel
sleepy
."

MrsD:"
ser
vesyour
ightf
orcomi
ng
backat4i
nthemorni
ng.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
myheadi
spoundi
ng.
"

Me:
"mybodyhur
ts.
"
MrsD:
"t
hatcanonlymeany
ougi
rl
s
hadf
unlastni
ght
."

Zint
le:
"def
ini
tel
yMah.Ihav
en'
thad
suchfuninages."

Mrs:"I
'
m gladyoudi
d.Wellf
reshen
upkegirl
s.Noladyshoul
dsti
llbe
asl
eeparoundthist
ime.AndLunathi
Ineedyoutog9buysomegt oceri
es
wit
hSivuyi
le"Shewentout
.

Me:
"Iwi
shIcoul
dsl
eepal
lday
.I
don'
tev
enl
i
kegr
ocer
yshoppi
ng.
"

Zint
le:
"youdon'tl
ikeshoppi
ngi
n
generalnj
e."Ther
ewasaknockat
thedoor.

Me:
"Comein."Twomai
dsent
ered
wi
thmyluggage

Maid1:
"af
ter
noonmyl ady
.We
br
oughtyourluggage.
"

Me:
"thanky
ou.Youdi
dn'
thav
eto
t
houghIwasgonnagett
hem my
sel
f.
"

Mai
d2:
"it
'sourj
ob,
myl
ady
."

Me:
"wel
lthanky
ouv
erymuch"Isai
d
wi
thasmile.

Maid1:
"youarewelcomemy
Pr
incess."Theybowedandl
eft
.

Zint
le:
"l
etmegoandsl
eepi
nmy
room"

Me:
"youhear
dwhatt
hequeensai
d."
Zintl
e:"
hai
ngeke,I'
m nott heone
whosegoingt odogr ocer y
shopping,
soal l
owmet osl eep."She
stoodupandl eft.Myphonebeeped, i
t
wasamessagef rom mydear
husbandtell
ingmet ohur r
yup.I
wokeupandmademybed, t
heIwent
totakeashower .Il oti
onedandsat
onmybed, Ididn'
tknowwhatt owear .
Ididn'
twannawearl i
keamakot i
,yoh
No.Butagainmay bet heyst il
lrequir
e
met odoso.Ideci dedt otextSi v
uy i
l
e
:"Whatshoul dIwear ?"Mmmh
typi
ng.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"areyouser
iousri
ghtnow?
Wearwhateveryouwant.
"

Me:
"ev
eni
fit
'sabum shor
t?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ist
hatat
ri
ckquest
ion?
"

Me:"
mxm.Imeanshoul dIwearmy
nor
mal cl
othesorshoul
dwearli
kea
makoti
?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Idon'
tknow,
wearwhat
ever
youwant.
"
Me:
"youar
enotbei
nghel
pful
."

Sivuyi
le:"
justhurr
yup.Iwantt ocome
backbef orethegamest art
s."Mxm.I
tosedmyphoneont hebedand
decidedt owearmybl uelongoff
shouldersummerdr ess,
andmywhi t
e
sandles,withmyblueseshweshwe
headwr ap.Itookmyphoneandwent
downst air
s.Sivuyi
lewasalready
pacingupanddownt heroom...
.

Me:
"wecango.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
whydi
dyout
akesol
ong,
yaz
It
houghtyouweregonnacomeout
l
ooki
nglikeBey
once"

Me:"youaresodr
amat
icandi
t'
snot
at
tract
ive.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"soyout
hinkIam
at
tract
ive?"

Me:"Youwish.
"Myphoner ang,
i
twas
anumberIdidn'tr
ecogni
se.
"
Boitumel
ohello?"

Cal
l
er:
"awwMar
oza"Ibl
ushed
i
nst
ant
ly.

Me:
"heyy
ou?
"Iwassmi
l
ingwi
del
y.

Laml
ani
:
"how'
smypr
ett
yonedoi
ng?
"

Me:"I'
m doinggr
eat.Justti
redt
hat
's
al
l.
"Sivuyi
lewaslookingatmethe
ent
ireti
me.

Laml
ani
:"Iseeyoudon'tcar
eabout
howIam doing.
"Il
aughed

Me:
"Iwasaboutt
oasky
ouhao.So
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
"

Lamlani
:"
betternowthatIam tal
ki
ng
toyou.
"Iblushedevenmor e.

Me:
"youar
esuchasmoot
htal
ker
."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
cany ouhur
ryupwit
hthe
cal
l?"Helookedannoyed.

Lamlani
:"
awwy
ouar
ewi
tht
he
husband?"

Me:
"unf
ort
unat
ely
."
Lamlani
:
"shucks!Sowhenam I
seei
ngyouagain?"

Me:
"Idon'
tknowhey
.,
butbef
oreI
l
eav
eforJoburg.
"

Laml
ani
:
"whenar
eyoul
eav
ing?
"

Me:
"Idon'
tknowy
et.
"Hechuckl
ed.

Lamlani
:"
kant
iMarozawhatdoy
ou
know?"Il
aughed.Si
vuyi
l
ewas
gett
ingevenmoreannoyed.
Me:"
uh,l
ookIhav
etogo.Wewil
l
cont
inuewit
hthi
stal
klat
er.
"

Lamlani
:
"thehusbandi
sget
ti
ng
pi
ssed?"

Me:
"youhav
enoi
dea!
"

Laml ani
:"okayt
hen.Byemakot i
.And
pleasedosendmeapi ctureof
yourself
,Imissyourbeauti
fuley
es."
Hehungup, mycheekswer eburni
ng
becauseofal lt
heblushi
ngIwas
doi
ng.

Siv
uyil
e:"
reall
y?Yougonnaspeakto
yourboyfr
iendwhil
eIam here?
...
.
Youwillf
indmei nthecar
."Heleft
.

Me:"
ehhwhat'
swrongwi
tht
hisguy
?"
If
oll
owedaft
erhi
m.

Siv
uyi
le:"
Doy ouhav
ethegr
ocer
y
l
ist
?"Ifasteni
ngmyseat
bel
t

Me:
"It
houghty
ouhadi
t.
"
Sivuyi
l
e:"youweresupposedt ohave
i
t,butyouwouldn'tknowthatbecause
youwer ebusyblushingonthephone
toevenhearmom cal l
i
ngyou."

Me:"cal
m downdude.Iwi
l
lgoand
f
etchtheli
st.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"i
yeke(
leaveit
).Iwillask
mom t osenditviaSMS. "Somet hing
i
sser i
ouslywrongwi t
hthisguy .We
droveofftotowni nawkwar dsilence.
Idecidedtooccupymysel fwith
playi
ngagameonmyphoneunt ilwe
arri
vedintown,weparkedatSPAR
andwenti
nsi
de.

Me:"CanIhav et
hel i
stplease."He
gavemehi sphonewhi lehepushed
thebigtroll
ey.Hewasn' tevent alki
ng
tome.Weboughtev erythi
ngwe
neededandwentt opay.The
cashier
swer ebusycompl iment i
ng
ussay i
ngt hatwemakeav erygood
couple,
Ithankedt hem whileMr
grumpyj ustsmiledandkeptqui et.
"Sowheretofr
om here?
"Wewer e
nowdriv
ingoutofSPAR.Hejust
i
gnoredmeandcar ri
edondr
ivi
ng.
Jobsoit'
sli
kethatnow?Twocan
pl
aythatgame.Wedr ovebackhome
i
nsil
ence,AGAI N.NotthatIwas
bot
her edthough,
Iwaspeacefull
y
enj
oyingthesoundsofSun- El
Musician'
sbeats.Whenwear riv
ed
home,hejustorderedtheguardsto
unl
oadt hegroceri
esthenheleft.
Thi
sguyhasser i
ousissuesshame.
□
●
□
●
#Jeal
ousy
?
#Yes?
#No?
#May
be?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er18
○
○
●
●

Iwassit
ti
ngi nmyroom,l
ayingont he
bedchatt
ingtoLamlanivi
a
WhatsApp,whenmybrothersdecided
towalki
nandsatonmybed, Iqui
ckly
l
ockedmyphoneandputi taway .I
real
l
ymisst hem,
comingtothinkofit
Ihav
en'
tspentt
imewi
tht
hem ev
er
si
ncewegothere.

Thapel
o:"
sothisi
swher
eyouar
e
hi
ddingyoursel
f.
"

Me:
"I'
m nothi
ding.
"

Thabo:
"whatdi
dyousot
oyourman?
"

Me:
"don'
tcal
lhi
mthat
,he'
snotmy
man.
"

Thabo:
"what
ever
.Whatdi
dyoudot
o
hi
m?"

Me:
"whatdoy
oumean?
"

Thabo:
"whenhelef
twit
hyouhewas
okay,
butwhenhecamebackhewas
pi
ssedoff.
"

Me:
"r
eal
l
y?Idi
dn'
tnot
ice.
"Li
es!

Thabang:
"Mmh.
"

Me:
"Wher
e'sLi
zwi
?"
Thapel
o:"coopedupi
nhi
sroom wi
th
hi
swi f
e."

Me:
"sosincey
ouguysdon'
thaveany
wi
vesyoudeci
dedt
ocomeher e?
"

Thabang:
"yeah,
aker
ey ouar
eour
subst
it
ute.
"Theylaughed.

Me:"
isn'
tthatwonder
ful
"Isai
dwi
tha
voi
cefull
ifsacar
sm.

Thabo:
"phaphi
yos.
"
Me:"sovelemybrother,
whatdoy
ou
wantfrom Zi
ntl
?"Thapel
oand
Thabanglaughed.

Thabo:
"meani
ng?
"

Me:"Imeany ouar
eallupi
nher
space,
forengvel
e?(f
orwhat
?)"

Thabo:"al
lupi
nherspace?That
's
nottr
ue"

Thabang:
"ohy
esy
ouar
e,pl
usy
ouar
e
al
waysstar
ingather
.Youalways
pi
ckafi
ghtwithherwhenshe'
s
ar
ound.
"

Thapel
o:"Isenseal
i
ke"wel
aughed.

Thabo:
"fr
om who?Me?Nev
er.She'
s
waytooyoungf
orme."

Me:"that'sgoodbecausesheisi
na
seri
ousr elati
onshi
pwit
hherlong
ter
mr elationshi
p."

Thabo:
"so?
"
Thabang:"she'
sjustl
ett
ingy
ou
know."Theylaughed.

Me:
"whenar
ewegoi
ngbackhome?
"

Thapel
o:"wenay
ouaregoi
ngtoyour
newhome, y
ouwon'
tbecomingwit
h
ustoOURhome"

Me:
"Mmh,
theemphasi
sMar
a."

Thapel
o:"hadt
obecl
ear
."Ichuckl
ed.
Me:"God,
Ican'tbel
iev
eIwon'
tbe
stayi
ngatt
hathouseanymore.Al
l
thosememories."

Thabo:
"i
twon'
tbet
hesamewi
thout
you.
"

Thabang:"yeahneh,nomore
scrumpti
ousbr eakf
ast.
"Ipunched
himlight
ly.

Me:
"that
'sal
lyougonnami
ssabout
me?
"
Thabang:
"yes"Ipunchedhim
agai
n,hel
aughed."I'
mj oki
ngPunki
e
Pie.
"

Thapel
o:"nnashame,
Iwi
l
lbebyy our
houseeverymorni
ng.
"Welaughed.

Me:
"si
esabut
i!
"

Thabang:
"Iguesswecanf
inal
l
y
moveoutfrom home.
"

Me:
"ai
bo,
whatdoy
oumean?
"
Thapel
o:"theonl yreasonwhywe
weresti
l
l stayingtherewasbecause
ofyou,
nowt hatyougoingtol
ive
somewher ewemi ghtaswellmove
out.
"

Me:
"whataboutmom anddad?
"

Thabang:
"trustme,
theywil
lbemore
thanhappytohaveusout.Mom has
beentel
li
ngust ogetourown
apart
ment."

Thapel
o:"accor
dingt
oherwewon'
t
getwiv
eswhi l
ewearesti
l
lst
ayi
ngat
home.
"

Thabang:"i
magine?Watseba(
You
know)Icouldjustgooutandpropose
toagirlr
ightnowandshewouldsay
yes.
"Ilaughed

Me:
"confi
denceer
eng
mongwaneng?"

Thabang:
"it'
sont hehighestl
ev el
"we
l
aughed.Wet al
kedsomemor eabout
dif
fer
entthi
ngs,Ireal
lydidmiss
spendi
ngt i
mewi ththesebrothersof
mine.Aft
ertheylefttheroom togo
watchthegame,
Idecidedtovi
sit
dreaml
and-well
afteralengt
hy
phonecall
wit
hLaml ani
.
●
OhGod!What '
swrongwit
hthese
peopl
e,
can'tIj
usthav
eapeaceful
sl
eepwithoutbei
ngwokenupby
someone,can'
tIf
oroncewakeupon
myown.

"
Lunat
hi!
"ItwasSi
vuy
il
e.

Me:
"whati
sitnow?
"If
eltl
i
kecr
ying.
Siv
uy i
l
e:"canwetalk?
"Hawu.It
urned
tolookathim,hewassit
ti
ngonthe
edgeoft hebed.

Me:
"talk?Youwanttot alktome?
Ar
eyousur eyouarenotmaki nga
mi
stake?..
..t
alkIam l
i
st eni
ng.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Ij
ustwant
edtoapologi
se
aboutthewayIbehavedear
li
eron,i
t
wasreallyuncal
l
edfor
."

Me:"areyousurethatyouarenot
t
akingdrugs?"Hechuckled"Imean
yourbehavi
ourtodayis-orwas
r
athersuspi
cious.
"Hel
aughed.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"ofcour
seIam nott
aki
ng
dr
ugs.
"

Me:"may beyoushoulddoar estj

ust
toconfi
rm.Whoknowsmay bey ou
aretaki
ngthem unknowingl
y.
"He
l
aughedagain.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"youarecr
azy
."Il
aughed."
I
thi
nkyoualsoowemeanapology."

Me:
"f
orengj
wal
e?(
forwhatnow?
)"
Sivuyil
e:"answeri
ngy ourboyfr
iend'
s
callinfr
ontofme, thatwasv er
y
disrespectful
."I
yoh!He'sfacewas
hard.

Me:"youareri
ght
.Ishoul
dn'
thave
donethat
.I'
m sor
ryanditwon'
t
happenagain.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Good.Nowscoutov
erI
wannageti
n,I
'm col
d."

Me:
"ai
bo,
don'
tyouhav
eyourown
bed.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
foronceinyourli
fecould
youdosomet hingwit
houtarguing?"
Mxm.Imov edover
,gi
vinghim space
togetonmybed-hegoti nthe
cover
s."Nowt hatwasn'thardnow
wasit?"

Me:
"mxm.
"

Siv
uyile:
"solet
'stalkaboutthi
s
boyfr
iendofy ours?Lastti
meI
checkedy oudidn'thaveaboyfri
end.
"
Me:"he'
snotmyboy f
riend.He'sjust
someguyImetatt hepar t
ywho
happenedtoli
keme."Iwasl y
ingon
mybackandf aci
ngthecei l
ing,whi
le
hewasl yi
ngonhissidelookingat
me.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Doy
oul
i
kehi
mtoo?
"DoI
?

Me:"Idon'tknow.ButIdoenj
oyhis
companyt hough,he'
saveryf
unny
guy.Knowshowt omakemef eel
beauti
fulwithoutevent
ryi
ng.
"He
cl
enchedhi sjaws
Si
vuyi
l
e:"y
ouareexagger
ati
ng,
you'
ve
onl
ymettheguyonce.
"

Me:
"andhehascall
edme2times
t
oday,
pluschat
ti
ngonWhat
sapp.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
mxm.Sohi
sfr
om ar
ound
here?
"

Me:"
yeah.Funnyt
hingisthathecal
l
s
mehiswife.
..
..
orhealsogavemea
name."
Siv
uy i
l
e:"youdoknowt
hatwhat
ever
thi
ngy ouhavegoi
ngonwit
hhim
won'tgofarri
ght
?"

Me:
"di
dyouhav
etor
emi
ndme?
"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"j
ustmaki
ngsur
ethaty
ou
know.
"

Me:"IdoknowSi
vuy
il
e."Ir
oll
edmy
ey
es.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"y
ouweret
elli
ngaboutt
he
namehegavey
ou..
.car
ryonI'
m
l
i
steni
ng.
"

Me:
"I'
m noti
nthemoodany
mor
e."

Sivuy
il
e:"
awwcomeon.Iwantt
oher
e
thename."

Me:"wellhecal
l
smeMa- ..
..
whatar
e
youdoing?"Hewasnibbl
ingonmy
ear
,goingdowntoki
ssingmyneck.

Si
vuyi
le:
"thename"thi
sguyiscrazy
,I
movedmyneckandpushedhi m
away,
butthatdi
dn'
tdothedeed
causehecamebackt
omyneck
again.

Me:"uh.uhmar nSi -"hecutmy

speechshor tbycapt uri
ngmymout h
i
ntohis.Thisist hesecondtimehis
doingthis,
andImustsayi tt
urnsme
on.Hewasst i
llkissingmewhenhis
handsfoundt heirwayundermy
dress.

Siv
uy i
le:"whyaren'
tyouwearinga
penty?"Heaskedwi thasmirk-No
don'tlookatmel i
kethat,
Iwasn't
wear i
ngapent ybecausethi
sdress
wasn'
tthet
ypet
haty
ouwearwi
tha
pent
y.

Me:"whyar eyourhandsi nthere?

"He
chuckled.Hewasv eryclosetome,I
coul
dl it
eral
lyfeel
hi sbreathhi
tti
ng
thesideofmyneck.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"don'
tyouwantt
osi
tont
op
ofme?"

Me:
"what
?No!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
hawuwhy
?..
.Il
i
kehav
ing
y
ouont
op"heussoper
ver
ted.

Me:"y
ouaresuchaper
ver
t.
"He
l
aughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"Noyouar eapervert
.Iwas
j
ustsayingsi
tont opofmeandwena
youthoughtofotherthi
ngs."I
l
aughedl i
ght
ly.

Me:
"yeahr
ight
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"yousti
llowemear ound?
"I
l
aughedoutloud.Itwasf
unnyhow
qui
ckl
yIgotcomf ort
abl
earound
hi
m,i
tjusthappenednat
ural
ly.

Me:
"youar
ecr
azy
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"OhMyGod, youjustinsul
ted
me.That'
sav er
yser
iousof f
ence,y
ou
can'
tj
ustinsul
taPri
nce."

Me:
"youaresodr
amat
ic.Thatwasn'
t
ani
nsul
t.
"

Si
vuyi
le:"wel
ltomeitsoundedli
ke
one.
"Ilaughedagai
n."
Youhav eto
makei
tupt
ome.
"

Me:
"how?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
getont
opofme?
"

Me:"
weeeh.I
'drat
herbepuni
shedf
or
anoff
enceIdidn'
tcommit
."He
l
aughed.

Si
vuyi
le:
"soy
ouwouldrat
herwalk
ar
oundthevil
l
agenaked,
thantosi
t
ontopofmewi t
hyourcl
otheson?
"
Myeyeswerewideopen.
Me:"y
ouguysdothatt
opeople
her
e?"Henodded"
Youarecruel
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
geton.
"

Me:
"waitl
etmetel
lyouast
oryt
hat
mybrot
her
stol
dme"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"I'
m sur
eyoucandothat
whi
leyouareontopofme."Eeht
his
guy
.Isighed

Me:
"f
ine!
"Igotonhi
m andl
aidonmy
stomach,myheadwasonhischest
whilemyfeetwereonhisl
egs.Mind
youhewaswear i
ngasweatpant sso
i
twasr eal
lyi
mpossibl
enottofeelhi
s
dick.

Sivuy
il
e:"Lockt
heDoor.
"Ihear
da
cl
ick.
,woahwhatthef
uckjust
happened?

Me:
"whatwast
hat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"t
heDoorl
ocki
ng.
"
Me:
"whyar
eyoul
ocki
ngi
t?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Idon'
twantpeopl
eto
di
stur
bus...
.Nowt el
lmeaboutt
he
st
oryyourbrot
herstol
dyou?"

Me:"
ohhthat
?Therewasnostor
y ,
I
j
ustwant
edtodist
ractyouf
rom what
youwant
edmet odo."

Si
vuyi
le:
"t
henyousayI
'
mtheev
il
one.
"Wechuckled.

Me:
"Sowher
edi
dyouandThandi
meet?"Iwast
raci
ngmyfi
ngeronhi
s
chest
,hewasweari
ngav
est.

Sivuyile:
"uhwemeetatsomecl ubin
town,shewaswi thherfri
ends.Isaw
her...
.shesawme. .
..
theresti
s
history?"Whatt
hef uck?

Me:
"t
hat
'sal
l
?"

Sivuyi
le:
"yeah,
pret
tymuch.
"Wel
l
that'
sashi t
tystor
y.

Me:
"ist
hatwhaty
ougonnat
ell
your
kidswhent heyaskwhereyoumet
thei
rmot her?Isawhershesawme?"
Iimit
atedhisv oi
ce,
hel
aughed.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"No,
Thandi
doesn'
twant
ki
ds.
"

Me:"youneverknowwhatGodhasi n
stor
eforyou.Shemightgetpregnant
unexpect
edly
,andonl
yreal
isethat
she'
spregnantat9months."He
l
aughedagain.

Sivuy
il
e:"thoset
hingsdon'thappeni
n
reall
if
e."Hewasst i
ll
laughing.
Me:"t
heydo.Soy oushouldgetyour
stor
yright
.Iwi
llhel
py ou.Whatdid
youseewheny oufir
stsawher ?
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Herboobs.
"Ismackedhi
s
shoul
der"Ouch!
"

Me:"
mxm.Nextquest
ion.
..
.Whatdi
d
yoududy
oufeelwhenyousawher?"

Siv
uyi
le:
"mmmh, no-
..
..Youknow
whatIdon'
treal
l
ywannat alkabout
thi
sri
ghtnow."
Me:"
youaresuchabore.Sowhatdo
youwannatal
kaboutt
hen?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
not
hing"

Me:"Sowhat?Weshoul djustsi
ther
e
andstareateachother?Wuuh
never,
I
'mleavi
ng."Iat
temptedtoget
upbuthequicklypull
edmedown.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Iwanttodothi
s."Hepull
ed
meupt ohisfaceandki
ssedthe
l
iv
ingdayli
ghtsoutofme.Histongue
wascaressi
ngmi ne,
whi
lehi
shands
wereonmybody ,Idi
dn'
twanthimto
st
op.Iwasalreadywet,
hefl
ippedme
overandgotontopofme.Hemov ed
hi
shandt omynana.

Sivuyil
e:"youar ealreadywet ,
wetf or
me. "Het ookof fmydr essfol
lowed
byhi svest .Heuncl i
pedmybr awhi l
e
hewasst illkissing,t
henhet ooki toff
.
Iwaswayt owetnow, Ididn'
twant
anyf oreplay .Asi fhehear dme,he
tookof fhispant sandJamaspr ung
outlikehel ongwant edt obefreed.I
don'tev enknowwhyhewasn' t
wear i
nganyundi es,het ookouta
condom f rom hispant s-andIwas
l
ike,thisbast ardcamepr epar ed.He
camebackt ome, openingmyl egs
withhi sknee, hetookbot hmyhands
andhel dthem abov emyhead, then
hecapt uredmymout hwi thhi s
l
ips,hesl owlypenet ratedme.Hewas
mov inggent l
y,t
akinghi sownt ime.
Mywal lswer eclenchedar oundhi s
dick,i
tf el
twar m.Theywayhe
thrustingmewasdi f
ferentfrom
yesterday ,t
odayi twasai fhedi dn'
t
wannami ssast eporsomet hing,t
he
room wasf i
ll
edwi thour smoansand
hisgr oans.Noonewast alki
ng.He
wasmov inginandoutofmy
nana,aft
er3mor ethr
ustswecameat
thesamet ime,
helookeddi r
ectlyin
myey esandpul l
edJamaout ,
thenhe
reti
rednexttomeaf t
erkissingmy
forehead.Hestoodupbut tnaked
andwentt othebathr
oom, hecame
backwi thatowelandacondoml ess
dick-Lol.

Siv
uyile:
"openup."Hewasunderme.
Hewi pedmecl ean,
hewenttothe
bathr
oom t henhecamebackto
cuddl
ewi t
hmei nbed.

Me:
"whatwast
hat
?"Iwasst
il
lfeel
i
ng
weak,
thatwasav
erydi
ff
erent
sessi
on.

Siv
uy i
le:"
thatwasournost ri
ngs
att
achedbusi ness."Wel aughed."Di
d
youenj oyit?
"Ibl ushedandcov ered
myf acewi ththebl ankets.He
l
aughed" Iwil
l t
aket hatasay es.Do
youwantt ogoagai n?"I
sheser i
ous?

Me:
"uya-
..
..Wehav
etowakeupand
godownstai
rs.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"whyshouldwe?I
'm enj
oyi
ng
myself
."Ikeptqui
etf
orabi
t.
Me:
"Idon'
twantyout
ofal
lforme.
"I
wasnowseri
ous.

Si
vuy i
l
e:"whatifItoldyouit'
sal
ready
l
ate?"Iwidenedmyey es."
I'
m
j
oking,don'
tfl
atteryoursel
f.Youare
notreall
ymyt ype."Welaughed,
wellI
l
aughedandhechuckl ed.

Me:
"ohi
sitnow?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"y
es.
"
Me:"buthonestl
y,
wehavetokeepour
feel
i
ngsi ncheck.Youal
readyhav
e
someoney oulove."

Siv
uyil
e:"Il
o-..
."'
Gotabedwi t
hyour
nameoni t,
yournameoni t'
-thatwas
myphoner inging,
i
twasMr sD,I
answereditandplaceditonloud
speaker.

Me:
"Mah?
"

MrsD:"heybabyareyouwit
h
Siv
uyi
le?"Si
vuyi
lewasaboutto
answerwhenIclosedhismouthwi
th
myhand.

Me:"
ah,
noMah.Ihav
en'tseenhim
si
ncewecamebackfrom theshops.
"

Mr sD:
"Coul
dyouquicklycheckinhis
room,maybehi
sthereandt ellhi
m
thatdi
nneri
sready.Iwanty ouboth
downherein5mi nutes.
"

Me:
"okayMah,
Iwi
l
lchecknow.
"

MrsD:
"okayTot
o."Shehungup.I
r
emovedmyhandf r
om hi
smout h.
Sivuyi
le:"areyouashamedofmemy
l
ady ?
"Il aughed." Man,Ifeell
ikea
sideniggat hat'
sbei nghiddenf r
om
thehusband. "Il aughedsomemor e.
"Yourlaughi sv erycute.
"Ey econtact
!
Myst omachhadbut t
erfl
ies,
myheat
waspoundi ngandmypal msf el
t
sweaty .Itl
astedf oratleastami nute
butIqui ckl
ybr okei t

Me:"
yeah,
uhm It
hinky
oushoul
dgo
downstai
rsnow."

Si
vuy
il
e:"ohhy
eah.
"Hegotof
fthe
bedandwor
ehi
scl
othes."
You
coming?
"

Me:"
yeah,Ij
ustneedtot
akeaqui
ck
shower.Idon'
tsmell
sogood.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"ishoul
dalsotakeone"we
st
art
edateachot heragai
n."
Uhm..
.in
myroom.."

Me:"ofcoursei nyourroom hawu."He

chuckledthenhel eft
.Wel lt
hatwas
awkwar d.Iquickl
ywentt othe
bathroom andt ookaqui ckshower,
I
woremydr essagain,f
ixedmyhair
thenIwentdownstair
s.Thefami
ly
wasalreadyseat
ed,Si
vuyi
lewasal
so
ther
e.Theonlyavai
labl
eseatwas
betweenZint
leandLulama.

Lul
ama:"Yousmell
fresh.
"Shesai
d
whenIsatnextt
oher.

Zint
le:
"yeah.Di
dyouj
ustt
akea
shower?"Theywereabi
tloud.

Me:
"what
?No.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
buty
ousmel
ll
ikesoap"
Me:
"uhm.
..
mustbef
rom myhands.
"

Zint
le:"
ohhh. "Shuut hatwascl ose.
Wehadani cequi etdi nnerwi ththe
familyandSi vuyi
le'sfriendsandi t
wasannouncedt hatwewer egoing
backt oJobur gthedayaf ter
tomor r
ow-Icoul dn'thav ebeenmor e
happier,
butmyhappi nesswasshor t
l
ivedwhent heKingment ionedthatI
wasmov ingi nwithSi vuyi
leand
Thandiwe.Nowt hat '
st hepar tI
wasn'tlookingfor wardt o.
□
□
□
□
#They
Hav
eDoneI
tAgai
n!

Whatdoy outhi
nkofSivuyi
leand
Lunathi
'
s'nostr
ingsat
tached'
rel
ati
onshi
p?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er19
□
□
□
□
Afterdi
nnerpeoplest ar
tedleavi
ng
onebyone, Ial
sodeci dedtoleave.I
wasaboutt oreachmyr oom whenI
heardabitofshouting,i
twascomi ng
fr
om Thandi'sroom,thedoorwas
sl
ightl
yopen.Idecidedt oeavesdrop.

Thandi:
"eversi
ncewegothere
Si
v uyi
l
ey ouhaven'
tspentsome
quali
tyti
mewi t
hme.Youar eal
ways
aroundher!"Waitt
hisi
saboutme?

Sivuyi
le:
"whatdoyouwantmetodo?
!
She'salsomywi f
edamnit
!"Oh
yes,i
t'
saboutme.
Thandi:
"onl
yonpaper!Idon'
t
underst
andwhyy ouhavetospendso
mucht i
mewi t
hherwhileIam her
e.!
It
'sasifIdon'
texi
sti
ny ourl
i
fe
anymore!"

Sivuyil
e:"
comeonbaby ,
it'
snotl ike
that.Iam onl
yspendsomucht i
me
withher,j
usttogethertobe
comf ort
ableaboutthissituation.You
knowi t'
snotanidealsituationand
she'sveryyoungont opoft hat.Ij
ust
wantt ocreat
eaheal thyfriendship
withher,shei
safterallgoingt obe
st
ayi
ngwi
thus!
"

Thandi
:
"awwbull
shi
t!Youwanther
!
Admiti
tSiv
uyi
l
e!Youlikeher
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Nobaby
!Idon'
t.
"Thatst
ung.

Thandi
:"
awr eal
ly
?Thentel
lmewhy
doIalwayscatchyoust
ari
ngather
?
Mmmh? "

Si
vuy
il
e:"st
ari
ngather
?"

Thandi
:
"yesSi
vuy
il
e!Notonce!Not
t
wice!Al
otoft
imes.
"

Sivuyi
le:"
that
'snottruebaby.Idon'
t
l
ikeher !Whywoul dIli
keherkodwa
baby ,
wedon'thaveany thi
ngin
commonandmostoft hetimeout
convosf eelf
orced."Thisbast
ard!My
tearswer ecl
osetof al
li
ng.

Thandi:
"t
henexplai
nwhyyouar
e
al
way sstar
ingather?
!"

Siv
uyi
le:"
ahhthingi
sshe'
sav er
y
beaut
ifulgi
rl
,y
oucanalsoseethat
!"
Thandi
:
"don'
tpat
roni
semeLeon!
"

Sivuyi
le:"I
'm seri
ousbabe.Iwasj ust
admi r
ingnot hi
ngmuch.Ionl yhave
eyesf oryoubaby ,
she'
sanon- f
actor
i
nourl i
vesandi nmyheart.She'snot
reall
ymywi f
e,shetheancestors'
wife.
"Myey eswer ewet.

Thandi
:
"Ihopey
oumeant
hat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Idobaby
"
Thandi
:"
wai
t!Bef
oreIgi
veyout
he
cooki
eandIneedtoaskyou
somethi
ng"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
askany
thi
ngbaby
"

Thandi:
"Didyousl
eepwi
thher
?"I
t
wassi l
entforaf
ewminut
es"ohmy
Gody oudid!"

Siv
uyil
e:"No,
No.Idi
dn'
tbaby!Iwoul
d
neverputyouthr
ought
hat.
"

Thandi
:
"Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou.
"
Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Iam bei
nghonestbabe.
She'snotevenmyt ype.YouknowI
l
ikemygi r
lssmallandpetit
e."
Mncwaa.

Thandi:
"sot
hatmeansIcant
rusty
ou
aroundher?
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"ofcoursebaby .Nowcome
hereletmegi veyousomel oving."I
heardamoan, Iturnedandwal ked
backt omyr oom withtears
str
eami ngdownmyf ace.Ijustt hrew
my sel
font hebed.Idon' tevenknow
whyIwascr ying,
butIguesst he
thi
ngshesai dtomewer ereal l
y
hurtf
ul.Idon'tcareabouthi m say i
ng
hedoesn' thavefeelingsf orme, but
hedidn'thav etotakei tfarbysay i
ngI
am anonf actori
nhi slif
eandt hatI
am nothist ype-thatIam t oof atfor
him,nowt hatwast hel astst r
aw.I
decidedtost opcrying,Itookof fmy
dressandwor emyni ghtdresst henI
dozedof fwithtearsi nmyey es.
●
Iwokeuptoamessagef rom Lamlani
aski
ngtoseemet oday,
atst
eers.I
j
ustdel
etedthemessageandhi s
numbers,
Iwasn'
treal
lyi
nter
estedin
anyguy satthemoment ,whatSi v
uyil
e
saidr eal
lyknockedmyconf i
dence-I
don'tknowwhy .Imeanheonl ysai dI
am nothi stype,notthatIam noone' s
type.Ijustfeltsofat,
Ifeltli
kenoone
want sme.God, whyust hisaffecti
ng
mel ikethis!
Iwentt otakeaqui ckshowerand
rockedmymakot isignaturelook.I
wentdownst air
st omakebr eakfast
foreveryone,
Iwasnoti nthemoodt o
makesomehect i
cbr eakfast,
Ij
ust
madeeggs, breadandbacon.Whi l
eI
wast akingoutthepl at
esSi vuyi
l
e
walkedin,myhear tinstantl
ydropped.
Si
vuyi
le:"
Heyyou"hehadt
hisbug
smil
eonhi sf
ace,
guesshegoti
tall
l
astnight.

Me:
"Hi
.
"Isaidcol
dly,
hi
ssmi l
e
i
mmediat
elydi
sappeared.

Sivuy
il
e:"
What
'swr
ongwi
thy
ou
today?"

Me:"nothing."It
ookthepl
atest
othe
di
nningt ableandwentbacktothe
ki
tchen,hewasst i
l
lst
andi
ngwhereI
hadlefthim.
Sivuyil
e:"areyouokay?Ar eyou
feeli
ngwel l
?"Hecamecl osetome
andt ouchedmyf orehead,Iqui
ckl
y
pushedhi shandoffme" OkaynowI
am conv incedsomethingiswrong."

Me:
"l
ikeIsaid,
ther
e'snot
hingwr
ong.
I
'mj
uststressedaboutsomethi
ng.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"doesn'
tthat'
somet
hing'
haveaname? "

Me:
"I
tsnoneofy
ourbusi
ness.
"He
camecl
oset
ome.

Sivuyil
e:"
may beournostr
ings
attachedbusinessmightmakeyou
feelbetter
."

Me:"I
'
m noti
nthemode.
"Ipushed
hi
m off
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Awwcomeon.
"

Me:
"keng?(
What?)Ithoughty
ourtype
wassmallandpeti
tegir
ls.
"Helooked
abi
ttakenbythatst
atement.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Woah.
,
whatdoy
oumean?
"

Me:
"ImeanIthoughty
ousai
dIam
t
oofatf
oryou.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
.Wher
e'sal
l
oft
hiscomingfr
om?"

Me:"mxm"It
ri
edleavi
ngbuthe
pul
l
edmebackt ohim."What
?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"uy
aphi
?(wher
eareyou
goi
ng?)Wearest
il
ltal
ki
ngandi
thi
"
Me: "
hawu,youwantt otalkt
ome?
Wena?It houghtconv osbetweenus
feelfor
ced? "Hecl osedhiseyest hen
heopenedt hem again."Nowify ou
don'tmind,canItakemynonf act or
selftothedi nni
ngr oom?"Hel ooked
atme" thanky ou."Iwalkedaway
from hi
m.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wai
t.
"Hi
smom wal
kedi
n.

Me:
"mor
ningMah.
"
MrsD:"
morni
ngmybaby.Howdi
d
yousl
eep?Yourey
esar
ered.
"

Me:"I'
mf i
neMah,
j
ustami
nor
headache.
"

MrsD:"Si
vuy
il
egi
vehersome
headachepi
ll
saf
terbr
eakf
ast
."

Me:
"I'
m notreal
l
yhungr
yMah,
soI
wi
ll
justgobacktobed.
"

MrsD:"y
ouhav
et oeatsomet
hing."
Si
vuyi
l
ewasquietthi
senti
ret
ime,he
wasj
ustl
ooki
ngatme.

Me:"Idon'
tthi
nkIwi
l
lst
omach
anyt
hingatthemoment
.Ij
ustwant
tosl
eep."

Mr sD:"ohy oupoorthi
ng,getsome
sleep.Si
v uyi
lewil
lbri
ngthetablet
sto
yourtoy ourroom"ohhellno!Idon't
wannaseehi sfaceagai
n.

Me:
"OkayMah.Br
eakf
asti
sal
ready
ont
hetabl
e."
MrsD:"youaresick,
youshouldhav
e
l
etthem st
arve.
"Ilaughed,
shewent
t
othedinningarea.

Me:"justsendthet abletsupwi t
h
Zint
le,
Noneedf ory outocomet omy
room."Hewasaboutt osay
somet hing,
butIlefthim st
anding
ther
ewi t
hhismout hopen.WhenI
gottomyr oom Itookof fmy
shoes,tookmyl aptopandwat cheda
mov i
ewhi l
eundert hecovers.
Anhourl
aterZint
lewalkedinwit
ha
bot
tl
eofpil
ls,
shegotinunderthe
cov
ersandplacedthepill
sonthe
headboar
d.Wesati
nsi
l
encef
ora
fewminutes.

Zi
ntl
e:"
tal
ktome.What'
swrong?"I
j
ustl
etmyt ear
sfl
ow,
shehuggedme.

Me:"hesaidIam anonf act

orinhi
s
l
if
e,hesaidconv er
sat
ionsbetweenus
ar
eal waysforced.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"who?Laml
ani
?"

Me:"No!Si
vuy
il
e..
..
..Youknowwhat
hur
tsthemostist
hathesaidIam
t
oof
atf
orhi
m."

Zint
le:
"What
?!Heact
ual
l
ysai
dthat
?!"
Inodded.

Me:"myconf i
denceisknockeddown
ri
ghtnow.Ithoughtwewer ebuil
ding
agoodf ri
endshi
p,butIcan'
tbe
fr
iendswithsomeonewhosay ssuch
hurtf
ulthi
ngsbehindmyback.My
heartisbr
oken."

Zintl
e:"wel
lguesswhathei salsoa
nonf act
ori
ny ourl
i
fe,don'tl
ethim
bringyoudown.Don'tlethim bui
ldup
thewallsthatwewor kedsohardt o
breakdown.Don' tlethim pol
lut
ey our
mindwi t
hst upidwor ds.Youarenot
fat,
youblessedwi thflesh,
youare
beauti
full
ythick.Thereforeyou
shouldembr acey ourcurvesbaby.Do
youknowhowmanygi r
lwouldki
llto
haveabodyl i
keyours? "

Me:
"youar
eonlysay
ingt
hatt
omake
mefeel
bet
ter
."

Zint
le:"I
'm ser
ious.Welll
etmespeak
formy selfIwouldki
llt
ohav eabody
l
ikey ours,
Idon'tenj
oybeingabroom
sti
ck. "Ichuckl edinbet weent ears
"Girl
!Hav ey ouseeny ourass?No
mat terwhatt heysayabouty our
body ,oksalayoev er y
thingy ouputon
suitsy ou.Youhav eabangi ngbody
babe, don'tletany onet elly
ou
otherwi se-especi al
lythatstupi d
Prince."Ismi led,Iwasf eel
ingawhol e
l
otbet t
er.

Me:"
youj
ustknowexact
lywhatt
o
sayt
omakemef eelbet
ter
."

Zi
ntl
e:"y
oureall
yshoul
dstar
tpay
ing
meforthat
.I'
m al
wayscheer
ingy
ou
up.
"

Me:"wellt
hat'
sy ourj
obasmybest
fr
iend.Unlessyouwanttobe
demot edfrom t
hatposi
ti
on?
"

Zint
le:
"heeh,
trydoi
ngthatwena.Iwi ll
sureyouflames."Il
aughed."I'
mt he
onlybestfri
endyouwilleverhave,I
willmakesureofthat.
"Ilaughed
again.

Me:"Gosh,
yousoundl
i
kean
obsessedlov
er.
"
Zint
le:
"wellIguessIam anobsessed
bestfr
iend.
"

Me:"sowhatnext
?Yougonnast
alk
meandtrackmyev er
ymove?
"we
l
aughed

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ilov
eyousomuch.
"

Me:
"ahh,
Iloveyoutoobabe.And
t
hankyouforthi
s."

Zi
ntl
e:"Iwi
l
lal
way
sbeher
efory
ou.
Ther
e'snoescapi
ngme.
"Il
aughed.

Me:"mmh,If
eell
ikehavi
ngsomei
ce
cream.Chocol
ateicecr
eam t
obe
exact.
"

Zint
le:
"hah,youwantyourbrother
sto
seethaty ouarehear
tbroken?Then
theywi star
taski
ngquesti
onst hat
youwon' tbeabletoanswer."

Me:"aggh,
Ihavef or
gottenhow
ever
yoneknowst hatIalwayseat
chocol
atei
cecr eam whenIam sad.
ButIam cr
avingsomet hingthat
t
ast
esni
ce.
"Wekeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
e.

Zint
le:
"ohwait
!Bontl
ehassome
chocol
atecooki
esinherr
oom."

Me:"y
ouknowhowcr azyshei
sov
er
hercooki
es.Shewon'
tgiveus
some,Nomat t
erhowmuchwebeg."

Zint
le:
"whosai
danythi
ngabout
aski
ngf ort
hem?"Shewasgivi
ngme
thenaughtyey
e.

Me:
"ohhhhel
lno!I
'
m notgoi
ngt
o
st
ealhercooki
es.Your emember
whathappenedthelastti
me?"

Zintl
e:"
awwcomeon,shewon'tknow
thatit
'sus.Ther
ear
ealotofpeople
i
nt hi
spalace."

Me:
"mmmhNo.
"

Zint
le:
"comeon.
"Well
Iam cr
avi
ng
forsomethi
ngni
ce,
sowhythehel
l
not.

Me:
"okay
.Buty
ouar
etheonewho
wil
lgoint
her
oom,
Iwi
l
lguar
datt
he
door.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Def
ini
telyNot!Thelastt
ime
wegotcaughty ouwer etheone
st
andingatthedoor .Sothi
stimewe
ar
ereversi
ngr oles.
"

Me:"
don'
tl
ie.Wegotcaughtbecause
youweret
akingal
otofti
mei nthe
r
oom."

Zint
le:
"Whatev
er.Let'
sjustgett
his
overwith.
"Wewal kedoutofmy
room andwenttoBontles.Wewere
nowstandi
ngatthedoor,
Iwasabout
toent
erwhenZintl
epul
ledmeback.

Me:
"What
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
IthoughtIwast
heonegoi
ng
i
n."

Me:
"hawu,
youaretheonewhosai
d
wearerev
ersi
ngroles.
"

Zint
le:
"butwedi
dn'
tconf
ir
m on
anyt
hing."
Me:
"sowhydoy
ouwantt
ogoi
n
t
hen?"

Zint
le:
"idon'
tknow,
ahhmaybe
becauseIam theonewhoknows
whereshestashedthem.
"Sherol
l
ed
hereyes.

Me:
"mxm.Whyar
eweev
en
whi
sper
ing?
"

Zi
ntle:
"Idon'
tknow.Ourbackare
evencrouched.
"Westoodup
st
raight,
l
ookedateachothert
henwe
l
aughed.
Me:"wearesostupid.
"Wewer enow
speakingnormal
."Okay,
let'
sdothis.
Do-.
."Justthent
hedoorj ust
opened"ohhHeysisi.
"Shehadher
armsf ol
ded.

Zi
ntl
e:"
God,youlooksopr
ett
y.I
sthat
anewlipst
ick?
"

Bont
le:
"I
tsZambuck.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ohhh,
Icanseet
hat
."
Bont
le:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Me:
"hawu,
wej ustcamet
oseehow
mybeauti
ful
sisteri
sdoi
ng"

Bont
le:
"mmh,
I
'm sur
e."

Zint
le:
"yeah,
wejustwant
edt
osee
howy ouwere."

Bont
le:
"hawu,
yousawmeat
br
eakfastmos.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"i
know,
IguessIdon'
tgett
ir
ed
ofseei
ngy
ou.
"

Bont
le:
"ni
cetr
yguy
s,Iknowwhaty
'al
l
cameherefor
."

Me:
"andwhati
sthat
?"

Bontl
e:"
mycookies.
"Welookedat
eachotherpr
etendi
ngt
obeshocked.

Me:"
us?Comeon,nev
er.
"Shegave
measternl
ook."
Okayfi
ne,
yougot
us.
"
Bontl
e:"Iknewi
t.Unfor
tunatel
yfor
youguy sIj
ustf
ini
shedoffthelast
cooki
e."

Zi
ntl
e:"
allt
hatplanni
ngf
ornot
hing.
"
Bont
lelaughed.

Me:
"Whatam Igonnadonow?I'
m
r
eal
l
ycravi
ngforsomethi
ngni
ce.
"

Bontl
e:"youcangotothest
orethat'
s
downt hehil
landbuyt
hoseredchil
l
i
snacks."
Me:
"theysel
lthoset
her
e?"

Bontl
e:"
yeah.Iwentt
obuyt
hem
yest
erday.
"

Me:
"andyoudidn'
tbr
ingsomef
or
me?Ohokay.
"

Zint
le:
"st
opbeingababy
,andl
et'
sgo
tothetuckshop.
"

Me:
"Couldy
oupleasegiv
eussome
moneyfort
hesnacks?
"
Bont
le:
"Youl
i
ket
roubl
i
ngmeneh?
"

Me:
"i
fIdon'
tthenwhowi
l
l?"

Bontle:
"mxm"shewentbacki
nthe
room andcameoutwithaR20not
e.
"Bri
ngbackmychange."

Zint
le:
"whatchange?Therewon'tbe
anychangehere."Bontl
ejustcl
osed
thedooronourf aces.

Me:"l
etsgoandinf
ormthequeen
aboutourwalk.
"Wewenttothe
Queenwhowassi t
ti
ngwi t
hmymom
andtoldthem thatwear etal
kinga
str
ollar
oundt heneighbourhood,t
hey
wantedust otakeaguar dwithbutI
managedt otalkthem outofthat.We
wenttothetuckshopandboughtt he
snacks,
4packet seach.Zintl
ewas
sti
l
lwaiti
ngf orthechangewhenmy
phonerang,i
twasanunsav ed
number.

Me:
"hel
l
o"

Call
er:
"Tur
naround.
"Lamlani
!I
tur
nedonlytofi
ndhimleani
ngona
caracrossthetuckshopwi
thhi
s
anklescrossed,
hehadasmileonhi
s
face.Zi
ntlecamet ome.

Zi
ntl
e:"
whatthehelli
shedoi
ngher
e?
Di
dyoucallhim her
e?"

Me:
"what
?Ofcour
senot
!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
mmh,
Ihopeso.
"

Me:
"what
'
sthatsupposedt
omean?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
not
hing.Got
ohi
m Iwi
l
lwai
t
her
e."Iwentt
ohi
m.

Me:"
whatarey
oudoi
ngher
e
Lamlani
?"

Lamlani
:"
wuu, suchaharshwelcome
Maroza.Aren'tyougonnagiveme
somesugar ?"Hehadhi sarmsopen,
I
di
dn'twanttodi sappoi
nthi
m,I
huggedhim." Sohowar eyou?"

Me:
"I
m goodandy
ou?
"

Laml
ani
:
"wel
lconsi
der
ingt
hef
act
thatyoublockedmeon
WhatsApp,I'
m doi
ngr
eal
lygood.
"I
chuckled.

Me:
"ohy
eah,
that
."

Lamlani
:
"yest
hat
.Soar
ey ougonna
expl
aint
omewhathappened?"I
shookmyhead.

Me:
"i
tsal
ongcompl
i
cat
edst
ory
."

Lamlani
:"
ihav
eal
lthet
imei
nthe
worl
d."
Me:"wellIdon'
t.Ican'
tbeoutofthe
pal
acefort ool
ong,andIsureashell
am notsupposedt obeseenstanding
wit
hast r
angemanapar tfr
om the
Pri
nce.Whatwillpeoplesay?"

Laml ani
:
"welly
ouwi l
lj
usttel
lthem
thatIam yourhusbandfr
om thecity
."
Ilaughed

Me:"l
i
ketheywouldbel
iev
ethat.Ona
ser
iousnotedude,
whataredoi
ng
her
e?"
Lamlani:
"dude?DamnI 'm deepinthe
fri
endzonemos"t hi
sguy ."Icamet o
seey ou,
andit
hiy oujustdecidedto
blockmesoIst art
edget ti
ngwor ri
ed
thatmay beIdidsomet hingwr ong,
I
wassodepr essed."

Me:"
hahinaspaceof3to4hours?
Youaresuchali
ar"webot
hlaughed.

Lamlani:
"I'
m ser
iousMar oza,Inearl
y
wenttot hedoct
orandaskhi mt o
prescr
ibesomeant i
-depressantsfor
me."Ilaughedevenmor e.
Me:
"suchadr
amaki
ng.
"

Lamlani:
"weehmxm.I '
vemissed
you,
mor eespecial
l
yyourdance
moves."Hewi nkedatme.

Me:"
Perver
t!Youknowthosedance
movesgotmei ntr
oubl
ewi t
hthe
Pri
nce.Hesawav i
deoofmedancing
foryouandboywashemad. "

Lamlani:
"ohhIsawthatdar
kskinny
gi
rlt
akingav i
deo.
"Hesaidlikei
twas
not
hing
Me:
"whi
chgi
rl
?"

Laml ani
:"
theonet
hatwaswit
h
you,shewasweari
ngapinkshor
t
dress."Thandi
we!

Me:
"OhGodwhyam Inotsur
pri
sed.
"

Laml
ani
:
"whoi
sshev
ele?
"

Me:
"mysi
sterwi
fe.
"
Lamlani:
"she'sthefi
rstwif
e?"I
nodded."Yohhayl ebharuenguSvit
sh
i
busisi
webl ind(yoh,
thi
sidi
otSiv
uy i
l
e
i
sreall
ybl essed.)Hehastwo
beauti
fulwives?ManIenv yhisli
fe.
"I
l
ookedathi ml i
kehewascr azy.

Me:
"youenv
yit
?"

Lamlani
:
"yes.Imeantheguygetsto
shar
eabedwi t
htwosexyladi
es.
"

Me: "
hayIdon'
tshar
eabedwi t
h
Siv
uy i
le.
"Li
es!"
Itol
dyouaboutour
unionmos."
Lamlani
:"
ohyeah,
Ifor
got
."Zi
ntl
e
cal
ledoutmyname.

Me:
"ei
sh,
Ihav
etogoneh.
"

Lamlani:
"Nam Ineedt
odash,I
promisediol
edi(
mom)t hatIwi
l
l
arri
veearl
ytoday."

Me:"yousl
yfi
sh,
Ithoughtyousaid
youcametoseeme. "Helaughed.

Laml
ani
:
"youwi
sh.Icameher
etosee
myspeci
all
ady
,wel
landy
out
oo.
"

Me:"
mmmht hat'
andyoutoo'
.If
eel
l
ikearej
ect
."Helaughed.

Laml ani:
"phel
ay ouai n'
tthatspecial
."
Ipunchedhi sshoul derwhi l
ehewas
l
aughi ng,
thisguyissomet hingelse.
"Nowgi vemeahugbef oreIgo."I
stoodonmyt ippyt oesandgav ehi m
awar m hug.Het r
iedt okissmebutI
quicklyduckedandmov edback.

Me:
"Cr
ook!
"Wel
aughed.
Lamlani
:
"eish,
damnIal
mosthadit
!"I
l
aughed."Nogoodbyeki
ssvel
e?"

Me:
"Iam amar
ri
edwomanLani
."

Lamlani
:"
hawu,aninnocentkiss
kphel
a(onl
y).
"Iwon'tli
eIwascr avi
ng
forhi
sli
ps,t
heylookedjuicy
,gosh
whatthefuckishappeningtome.

Me:"No.Ican'
tbeseenki
ssi
ng
anotherman."
Laml
ani
:
"butt
her
e'snoonear
ound.
"

Me: "y
oucannev erbesur e."He
l
ookedar oundf orabi tbef ore
smashi nghislipsonmi ne, Icouldn'
t
resistsoIwentwi ththef low.The
kisswentonf orabout30
seconds,thenIbr okei t-wel lwewer e
disturbedbyZi ntler unningt ousand
tell
ingust hatsomeonei scomi ng.It
wasar oyalguar d,het ol
dust he
Princewant edt oseeme.Laml anigot
i
nt ohiscaranddr oveof f.

Zi
ntl
e:"
soar
eyouguy
sani
tem now?
"
Sheaskedasweweregoi
ngupthe
hi
ll
,t
heguardwaswal
ki
ngabitf
ar
behi
ndus.

Me:"
No.Hej ustwantedaki
ss,
andhi
s
l
ipsl
ookedsoj ui
cy,
Icoul
dn'
thel
p
myself
."Zi
ntlel
aughed.

Zint
le:
"l
it
tleMrsi
nnocentgoes
aroundkissi
ngguysshe'snoti
na
rel
ati
onshipwit
h."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
ohcomeon, Iusedtodot
hat
backinhighschoolwhenwewer
e
pl
ayingspinthebot
tle.
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
that
'
sdiff
erent
.Youar
e
marr
iednow."

Me:
"mxm.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
sohowwasi
t?"

Me:"tobehonest
,i
twasgr
eat.Even
thoughitl
ast
edforafewsecondsit
sti
llf
eltgr
eat
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
mmmh.Soy ou'
veki
ssedbot
h
Si
vuyi
leandLaml
aniri
ght
?"
Me:
"yeah.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"okay,
sowho'
sabet
ter
ki
sser
? "Hah!

Me:
"Iwon'
tanswert
hat
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
awwcomeon.
"

Me:"
theyar
ebot
hgr
eatki
sser
s,same
l
evel
."
Zi
ntl
e:"isai
dwho'sbett
er,
nothow
goodarethey.Rat
ethem outof10"
Wewer ewalkingi
ntheyard.

Me:"Well,
Siv
uyil
eisadef
ini
te8
unf
ortunatel
y"Irol
l
edmyeyes."
AndI
wouldsayLaml anii
sa9.
"She
scr
eamed.

Zint
le:
"sohi
sbet
tert
hany
our
husband?"

"Who'sbett
erthanmeatwhat ?
"I
didn'
tevenreal
isethathewas
standi
nginfrontofme.
Zi
ntl
e:"
ehh,
that
'smyquet
oleav
e."
Shel
eft.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hi.
..
..
agai
n."Lol

Me:"Hi."Thebodyguar dt hatwas
walkingt ouscamet ousand
whisper edsomet hingi
nSi vuyil
e'
s
ear,
theyexcusedt hemselvesf r
om
meandwentt ost andabitfar.Iwas
sti
llstandingthereandwai tingfor
Siv
uy il
esi nceIheardthathewant ed
totalktome, hecameback.Hi sface
wasunr eadable.
Si
vuyi
le:
"soy
oudeci
dedt
oinv
itey
our
boyf
ri
endhere?
"OhGod.

Me:
"Idi
dnosucht
hing.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"don'
tli
e!Samkel
osawy ou
toget
her,heevensawthespit
exchangethatyouweredoingin
publi
c!"Herai
sedhisvoi
ceabi t
.

Me:"
Sowenayoutol
dtheguar
dst
o
spyonme?"Iwasner
vous.
Siv
uyi
l
e:"Idi
dnosuchthing!Di
dyou
havet
okissyourboy
fri
endinpubl
ic?
"

Me:"i
twasami st
akeokay,
thi
ngs
happenedsofast
.Besi
desnoone
wasaroundtoseetheki
ss.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"y
ouar
emarri
edforheav
en'
s
sake!Whyarey
oubusytongui
ng
someonedone?That
'snothowa
marri
edwomanbehaves!
"

Me:"I'
m onl
ymar r
iedonpaper
bhuti
,y
ouseem tobef or
gett
ingthat
.
AkereyousaidIam theancest
ors'
wifenotyours?Nowletmedomy
ownt hi
ng."Iwascal
m.Hekeptqui
et
forabit

Siv
uyil
e:"whati
fpeopl
esawyou?Do
youknowwhatt heyar
egonnasay
aboutyou?"

Me:"Li
keIsai
d,t
her
ewasnoonei
n
si
ght.Sonoonesawus.
"

Me:
"Samkel
odi
d!"

Me:
"He'
stheonl
yonewhosawus.
Looknextti
meIwi
l
ltr
ytobemor
e
di
scret
e."

Si
vuyi
le:
"sother
ewillbeanextt
ime?
"
Helookedshocked.

Me:"
Canwejustpl
easet
alkabout
whatyousummonedmef or
?"He
l
ookedatme.

Sivuyi
le:"
Look,uhm.Ijustwantto
apologiseforthet hi
ngsthatyou
heard.Ididn'tr
eallymeant hem,
Ijust
didn'
twantt omakeThandi
suspicious.Ienjoyspendingti
me
wi
thyou.
"Iwasr
eal
l
yov
ert
hewhol
e
t
hing.

Me:"i
tscool
Iforgi
vey
ou.
"Iwas
ser
iousl
yoverit
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Justl
i
ket
hat
?"

Me:
"yes,
j
ustl
i
ket
hat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"ar
eyousur
e?"

Me:"
yesI'
m sure.
..
..Justonemore
t
hingthough,
whatevershenani
gans
we'
vebeenuptoareover
!Done!
"He
mouthwaswideopen.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youar
eki
ddi
ngr
ight
?"

Me: "No!..
"Helookedatmewi t
ha
displeasedexpressi
on" i
fthatwill
be
allmyPr ince,
mayIpleasebe
excused."Hekeptqui et,
Itookthatas
ay essoIwal kedaway .Iwasaf ew
stepsawayf r
om him whenhecal led
myname.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Lunat
hi!
"Ist
oppedont
racks
andturnedtol
ookathim.
Me:
"yesMyPr ince.
"Hewalkedt
o
me,
hegr abbedmyar m and
whi
speredsoftlyi
ntomyear.

Sivuyil
e:"
It
'sonl
yov erwhenIsayso. "
Hest eppedbackwi thhishandstil
lin
myar m.Thewayhesai ditsent
shiversdownmyspi ne,
i
tsoundedso
sexy."Ohhonemor ethi
ng.Idon'tl
ike
sharing.
"Whati shedoingt ome?He
l
etgoofmyar m andwalkedintothe
palace.Iwasleftdumbst ruck
outside.
"
Arey
oucomi
ng?
"Iqui
ckl
ysnapped
outofi
tandwal
kedi
ntot
hehouse.
●
●
○
○
#Laml
ani
?Or
#Si
vuy
il
e?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er20
☆
☆
☆
☆
Iact
ual
l
ycan'
tbel
i
evet
hisguyr
ight
now,i
fhethinksIwill
lethi
m getin
betweenmyl egsagain-hehethenhe
hasanotherthi
ngcomi ng.Heeven
hasthenervetosayhedoesn'tli
ke
shari
ng.WellIal
sodon'tli
ke
shari
ng,
soIwi l
lexcusemy sel
ffr
om
hi
sequation.

Lumka:
"Gir
lyouseem far
away.
..
..
Lunathi
!"Iqui
ckl
ysnapped
outofmythoughts.

Me:"ei
shsorr
yguy s."Wewereal
l(t
he
gi
rl
s)sitt
ingi
nthel oungeandt
alki
ng
aboutrandom t
hings.
Lumka:
"ar
eyouokay
?"

Me:
"yeah,
yeah.I
'
mfi
ne.
"

Lul
ama:
"youdon'
tl
ookf
inet
hough.
"

Me:
"I'
mreal
l
yfi
ne.
"

Lul
ama:
"mmhi
fyousayso.
"

Bont
le:
"r
emindmetotakeyoutoa
doct
orwhenwegetbackinJobur
g."
Shewasl
ooki
ngatme.

Me:"
doct
orf
orwhatnow?I
'
m not
si
ck.
"

Bont
le:
"Topr
eventdumbass.
"

Me:"
ahht
her
e'snoneedfort
hat
.I'
m
nev
ergoi
ngdownthatr
oadagai
n."

Bont
le:"
that'
swhatweallsai
daf
ter
ourf
irstti
me."Theyl
aughed.

Me:
"I'
m bei
ngser
ious,
i
twon'
thappen
agai
n."

Bont
le:
"youwil
lneverknow,
besi
des
i
t'
sbett
ertobesafethansor
ry.
"

Me:"younotgonnal
ett
hisgoar
e
you?"

Bont
le:
"nope.
"

Me:"
fi
ne.I
'l
lremi
ndyou."Thandi
wal
kedin,
shewasallsmiles,
she
l
ookedli
keshewasont opoft he
worl
d.Shewenttosi
tnextt oZint
le.
Thandi
:"whatar
eyouguy
stal
ki
ng
about?
"

Lumka:
"si
ncewhendoyoucar
e
aboutt
hethi
ngswetal
kabout
?"

Thandi
:
"I'
m notgonnaletyouspoil
mymood.PhelaIgotitall
lastni
ght.
"

Lulama:
"ah,
Idon'
trememberany
one
askingy
outhat?"

Thandi
:
"mxm.Letmel
eav
ecausei
t
l
ooksli
key
ouguy
sar
egonnar
uinmy
day
."

Lul
ama:"
usalapha?(Youar
est
il
l
her
e?)
."Thandistoodup.

Me:"No,don'
tgo.Sitandjoi
nus."The
othergir
lsl
ookedatmewi t
hthei
r
eyeswideopen."I
'm sur
ewecanal l
getalong,
nowcan'twe?"Thandisat
down.

Lumka:
"mxm.AnywayLunat
hiI
hear
dLamlani
cametoseeyou.
"
Me:
"Notent
ir
ely
.ButIdi
dmeetup
wi
thhi
m."

Lul
ama:
"soar
eyouguy
sani
tem?
"

Zi
ntle:
"Iaskedhert
hesame
questi
on."

Me:
"Nooo!Ofcour
senot
."

Lumka:
"mmmh.
"
Me:"No,
don'
tmaket
hatsound.
Honestl
ywearer
eal
l
ynotdating.
"

Bontl
e:"
Hawu,
Ihear
dthaty
'al
lhada
snog"

Me: "OhMyGod!Whot oldyouthi

s?
Zintlewasityou?
"Shelookedaway.
"Ishouldhaveknown.
"

Zint
le:
"I'
m sor
ryfr
iend,
Ij
ustwanted
tohearthei
rsayonthismatt
er.
"

Me:
"sowhaty
ourt
akeguy
s?"
Lulama: "
mna, Ihavenot hingagai nst
thiswholet hing.ButIf eelli
key ou
needt obedi scrit
,youcanbeseen
kissinganot herman, peoplewi llsee
youasabi tchandt heywi l
lj
udgey ou
veryhardf uthi .Wenaj ustdoy our
thingsunder cov er.
"Iwasabi ttaken
byt hat.

Bontl
e:"y
eah,
havefun.Youarest
il
l
young.ButI'
m notsayi
ngopenyour
l
egsf orhim.
"

Lumka:
"andi
twi
l
lhel
pyout
akey
our
mindofyourcompli
cat
edl
i
fe.I
t'
sa
st
ressrel
i
evernj
e."

Me:"soyouguysaregivi
ngmeago
aheadtobewi t
hsomeoneel seot
her
thanSiv
uyil
e?"Thandi
lookedatme.

Lul
ama:"Ofcour
se,
i
t'
snotli
keyou
andSiv
uy i
l
ehaveanyt
hinggoi
ng
on,
andi
thi?"

Lumka:
"Wel
lapar
tfr
om t
hes-
"

Me:
"ofcour
set
her
e'snot
hinggoi
ng
onbetweenmeandSi
vuy
il
e.Hehas
someonehelov
es.
"

Thandi
:
"andyoharerightaboutt
hat
."
Lul
amar ol
l
edhereyes.

Lulama:
"Unfor
tunatel
y.Iwoul
dhav
e
l
ikeditf
oryouguy stomake
somethingoutofyourmarri
age
though.
"

Me:
"wel
lwedon'
tal
waysgetwhatwe
wi
shfor
,nowdowe?"
Lumka:"Ihavefaith.Imeanthese
peoplearebindedt oget
herf
or
l
ife,
somethingbeaut i
fuli
sboundto
comeoutoft heirunion.
"

Thandi:
"excusey ou!Siv
uy i
lealr
eady
hashisnumberonel ady,hishearti
s
atarightplace.Hedoesn' tneeda
secondlady ,
hi
shear tonlyhasspace
forone."

Lulama:
"howsurear
eyouthatyou
areoccupyi
nghi
sheart
?Eyyyou
l
iki
nggetti
ngaheadofyour
sel
fgir
l.
"
Thandi
:"Iam ver
ysure,
hetol
dmeso
hi
mself.Iknowv er
ywellt
hatmyman
won'tf
allforher
."

Zi
ntl
e:"andwhyi
sthat
?"

Thandi
:"
ohcomeon, sheisnothis
ty
pe.Imeanlookatmeandl ookat
her.Wearesodif
fer
ent .
"Thistook
mebacky otheconversat
ionthey
werehavi
nginthei
rroom.

Bontl
e:"
heeh,
watel
awena.
(Youar
eso
di
srespect
ful
.)
"
Me:"ay ystopitguy s.Thandi i
s
ri
ght,shei stheonewhohasSi vuyi
l
e's
heart.Andi t'
snotl i
keIlikehim or
anything,andinnotl ooki
ngf or
somet hingmor ethanwhatwehav e-
whichi sthisarrangedmar r
iage.
That'stheonl ythingconnect i
ngus."
Theykeptqui etforawhi le.

Lumka:"butbabe,
youdoknowt hat
evenifyoufindaguyyoulov
ey ou
won'tbeabletotaket
hingsfarwit
h
hi
mr ight?
"
Me:"
yeahIknowthat.That
'swhyI'
m
j
ustgonnafocusonmyst udi
esand
f
orgetaboutr
elat
ionshi
ps.
"

Lul
ama:"
hah!Yougonnadi
eyoung
mos."Welaughed.

"Lunat
hi,
canIseey ouint heki
tchen.
"
ThatwasSivuyi
le.Istoodupand
foll
owedhimtot hekitchen.

Lul
ama:
"Theyl
ooksogoodt
oget
her
."

Lumka:
"per
fectmat
ch.
"I'
m sur
e
Si
vuyi
l
ealsohear
dthat
.Thesegi
rls
ar
esavages,
ImeanThandi
issi
tt
ing
i
nthesameroom.

Me:"sowhatcanIdofory
ouMy
Pri
nce?"Hewasleani
ngonthe
counterl
ooki
ngatme.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"I
'
m hungry"hesai
daft
era
fewminutesofst
aringatme.

Me:"
whatdoy
ouwanteatMy
Pr
ince?
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
ehh,
wear
eusi
ngt
it
lesnow?
"

Me:"Weareintheroy
al house,
soI
shouldadressyouwithyourti
tl
ejust
l
ikeevery
oneelse.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"wel
li
nthi
sPalaceyouonl
y
dosuchtotheQueenandKing.
Besi
desyouarenotaserv
ant,
youar
e
mywife.
"

Me:
"sowhatdoy
ouwantmet
omake
f
oryou?
"
Sivuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tknow,anything.As
l
ongasi twil
lmakemef ull.
"I
mentall
yrol
ledmyey es.Idecidedto
makehim asandwi chof
cheese,
tomato,
l
ettuce,
bur gerand
fr
iedri
ngonionswithagl assofOros.

Me:
"t
hereyougo.
"Igav
ehi
m hi
sfood
onatr
ay.

Siv
uyil
e:"Thankyou."Inodded,Iwas
abouttowalkoutwhenhecal l
edmy
name."Staywithmepl ease.
"For
whatnow?Idi dn'
tsayany t
hingIjust
wenttositnexttohim.Hewasn' t
eventalki
ngtomeIwasj ust
watchinghim eat,
howamazi ng
*sacarsm*.Afterhefi
nishedeat i
ng,
I
tookhisplat
eandgl assandwashed
them,befor
epacki ngt
hem i nthe
cupboard.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thanksf
ort
hef
ood.
"

Me:"
nopr
oblem.CanIgobackt
othe
gi
rl
snow?"

Sivuyi
le:
"wai
t!
"Hewalkedt ome,
he
wasst andi
ngsoclose,
touchi
ngmy
face.Imovedhishandfrom myface.
"I
'
mr eal
l
ysor
ryaboutt
het
hingsI
sai
d.Iwasj
-"

Me:"youwerejustt
ryi
ngtomake
yourwif
efeelgoodabouther
sel
f,
Iget
i
t."

Siv
uyil
e:"
that
'snotwhatIwasgonna
say.
"

Me:"
Itdoesn'
tmatteranymore.Li
keI
sai
d,i
t'
swaterunderthebri
dge."

Si
vuy
il
e:"I
'
m gl
adt
hatIam f
orgi
ven.
"
Hecuppedmyf acewithbothhi
s
handsbeforesmashi
nghisli
psont
o
mine,
Iquickl
ypushedhim of
fme.
"Andthen?"

Me:"al
lmaybef or
given,
butit
's
defi
nit
elynotforgott
en.I'
m notyour
secondchoice."Itur
nedonmyheel s
andwentbackt othegir
ls.

Thandi:
"whatwereyouguysdoi
ngin
ther
eforsuchalongti
me."Ij
ust
l
ookedather,
Iwasn'ti
nthemoodfor
aninsecur
eperson.
Lulama:
"hayy
ouhav
enobusi
nessi
n
that.
"

Thandi
:
"he'
smyhusband,soIshould
knowwhattheywer
edoinginthere.
"

Bontl
e:"
youar
esoinsecur
eandi
t'
sa
tur
noffshame."

Zi
ntl
e:"whatdi
dhewantf
rom y
ou
Boot
y? "

Me:"
Hewantedmetomakehi
m
somethi
ngt
oeat.
"
Thandi
:
"whydidheaskyou?Coul
dn'
t
hehaveaskedmeinst
ead?"

Me:"Idon'tknow.Whydon' tyougo
askhimf oryoursel
f?He'ssti
l
l i
nthe
ki
tchen.
"Idon'tknowwher ethat
camef r
om, butIwasjustannoyed.

Zintl
e:"
may behedidn'taskyou
becauseheknewy ouwoul dpoi
son
hi
m wi thyourdi
sastrousfood.
"The
gi
r l
slaughed.
Thandi
:"
mxm.Letmegot
alkt
oMY
man."Shest
oodup.

Bontl
e:"
weknowshe'
syourssisi
,
no
needtoemphasi
seonthat
."Shejust
l
eftusandwentto'
herman'.

Lumka:
"Gosh,
Ican'
tst
andher
."

Lul
ama:
"met
oo.
"

Me:"Youguy sneedtolearntowar
m
uptoher,she'
syourbrother
'swi
fe
af
terall
.
"
Lul
ama:"Iwi
llnev
erwar
m upt
othat
ski
nnybit
ch.
"

Bont
le:
"t
hei
rony
,dearLor
d."We
l
aughed.

Lul
ama:"
yesI
'
m ski
nny
,butI
'
m nota
bi
tch.
"

Me:"maybeyouguysjustneedt
oget
toknowher,haveadecent
conver
sati
onwi t
hher,
thenmaybe
youwil
lstar
tliki
ngher
."
Them:
"Nev
er!
"Il
aughed.

Lumka: "
herownsist
ercanwarm up
toher,whatmakesyouthinkwewil
l
?"
IlookedatZint
lewhojustshr
ugged
hershoulder
s.

Me:
"weeh,
Igi
veup.
"

Lulama:"
smartgirl
."Welaughed.My
brother
s,Si
vuyi
leandhisfri
ends
decidedtoinv
adeourchill
asby
j
oiningus,t
heywerewithThandi.
Thabang:
"whatarey
ouguy
s
gossi
pingabout
?"

Bontl
e:"
whatmakesy
out
hinkwear
e
gossi
ping?
"

Thabang:
"whenev
ertherei
sagr
oup
ofgir
lskemogosifel
a."

Lul
ama:
"wel
lyouar
ewr
ong.
"

Thabo:
"i
fit
'snotgossipingt
henyou
guysweredefi
nit
elytalki
ngabout
boy
s."

Lumka:
"Bingo!Luckypoi
ntsf
ory
ou.
"
Welaughed.

Lungani
:
"Gi
rl
s!"

Themba:
"whatwer
eyout
alki
ngabout
ke?"

Bont
le:
"youguy
sli
kenewsneh?
"

Themba:"No,
wej
ustwantt
ojoi
nin
theconv
o."
Zint
le:
"youwanttojoi
ni nontal
ki
ng
aboutboys?Real
ly
?"Ittookafew
secondsbefor
etheyregist
eredwhat
shemeant .

Them:
"Noooo!
"Wel
aughed.

Nkazi
mul
o:"
that'
snotwhathemeant
marn.
"Welaughedagai
n.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Justwant
edt
omakesur
e."

Thandi
:
"Iknowwhatt
heywer
e
t
alki
ngabout
."

Ayanda:
"t
elluswenabar
-.
..Thandi
."
Theguyslaughed.

Thandi
:
"theywer
etal
ki
ngabout
Boit
umelo'
snewboyfr
iend.
"

Mybrother
s&Siv
uyil
e:"What
?!"My
ey
eball
swer eal
lout
.

Thabang:
"Boy
fri
end?Whati
sshe
tal
ki
ngaboutBoit
umelo?
"
Me:
"uh.
..
not
hing.
"

Thabiso:
"whathappenedtowait
ing
unti
lyouturn30?"Theotherguy
s
l
aughedbutmybr ot
hersandSiv
uyil
e
werenotlaughi
ng.

Me:"
shel y
ing,Idon'
thav
ea
boyf
ri
end."Ilookedatmysi
sterf
or
assi
stance.

Li
zwi
:
"whywoul
dshel
i
eaboutt
hat
?"

Me:
"Id-
"
Lumka:
"becauseshel
i
kesst
ir
ing
shi
t.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lumka,st
ayoutofthi
s."
Mmht hi
sone.Mybrotherwerest
il
l
l
ooki
ngatmewi thquesti
oni
ngeyes.

Thabang:"Boitumelo,
youj
ustgot
marri
edandal readyyouhavea
boyf
riend?!Igetthatt
hisi
sjusta
marri
aget opleasetheancest
ors
wit
hnol oveinv ol
vedbutt
hatdoesn'
t
meany oushoul dactl
ikeabit
ch!
"I
wasshocked.
Bont
le:
"Thabang!
"

Thabiso:
"no,
he'
sr i
ght.Whatar
eyou
doi
ngwi t
hboy f
riendsBoit
umelo?
!
Yourweddingwas2day sago.
Couldn'
tyouatleastwaitf
oramonth
orsomething?"

Me:
"IDON'
THAVEABOYFRI
END
MARN!!
"

Thabi
so:
"yeeywena!Ubuwalemang
hajwal
o?(
whoar eyoutal
ki
ngtoli
ke
that
? )
"Ijustl
ookedatt hem andr an
uptomyr oom.Iclosedt hedoorand
satonmybedwi t
ht earsstreaming
downmyf ace-yesIam av erybaby,I
cryevenwhenIam bei ngshout edat.
Idon'tgetwhymybr otherswer e
tal
kingatme,theydi dn'
tev engiveme
achancet oexplain.Andt hatwitch
Thandiwe!Nxah!Fi r
stthev ideo,
now
thi
s?!I'
m donebeingni cet oher.
○
●
○
●
#TheChosenOne
SORRYFORASHORTI
NSERT.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er21
●
□
○
■

"Punki
e."ThatwasThabang.Asof
t
knockfoll
owed.

Thabo:
"wej
ustwantt
otal
k,
that
'sal
l
."

Me:
"Goaway
!"Iwasl
ayi
ngonmybed.
Thabi
so:
"comeonnana.
"Ikeptqui
et.

Thabo:"f
ine,
wewi l
ljustsithereand
waitforyoutoopenup. "Agggh.I
stoodupanddr aggedmyf oottothe
door.Theywereall(
mybr others)
standi
ngout si
demydoor .

Me:
"Tal
k."

Thabang:
"ar
en'
ty ougonnaletusi
n?"
Imovedaside,
theyenter
edandwent
tosi
tonmybed.Iwasst i
ll
standi
ng
att
hedoorf
oldi
ngmyar
ms.

Thabo:
"Lookwear
esorr
y
Punki
e,
whatwedidint
herewasnot
fai
ronyou."

Thabiso:
"Weshoul
dhav eletyou
expl
ainandhearyoursideofthe
stor
ybeforeuhm..
.before-"

Me:"beforecall
ingmeabit
ch?You
cansayi t.Bef
orejumpi
ngint
o
conclusions?Mhm. "
Thabang:
"yest
hat.I
twasuncal
l
edf
or
andwearedeeplysorr
y."

Me:"Idi
dn'tknowthaty
ouguy
sdi
dn'
t
t
rustmet hatmuch."

Thabo:
"wedot
rusty
ou.
"

Me:"noyoudon'
t.Becauseify
oudi
d
youwouldn'
thav
er eact
edtheway
youdid.
"

Thabang:
"it
'sj
ustt
hatwedon'twant
youtohaveaboyfr
iendbaby
.It'
s
al
readyhardtousthatyouare
mar r
ied,
nowwehav etoheart
haty
ou
haveaboy f
ri
end?Itwastoomuch
nana."Theother
snoddedin
agreement.

Me:"
butst i
l
l,youshoul
dhav easked
mejusttoconf ir
m whatshewas
sayi
ng.Insteadyouguysdecidedto
bashmei nf r
ontofpeople.That
wasn'tcool.
"

Thabiso:
"weknow.Wear
ereal
l
y
sorr
y."
Thabo:"Thingi
swedidn'
tseeany
reasonforhertol
i
e."Il
ookedathi
m.
"Wellatthatmomentwedidn'
t.
"

Me:"Iam marr
iedtoherhusband,i
n
caseyouhaveforgot
tenaboutthat.
"

Thabang:"
weweretakenoverby
emotionssowedidn'
tthi
nkabout
that
..
"

Me:
"fi
ne,
Ifor
giv
eyou.
"

Them:
"ahhThanky
ouPunki
e."They
wal
kedcl
osert
ome.

Me:
"woah.
"Isai
dastheywer
eabout
t
oembraceme."Ihav
eacondit
ion.
"

Thabang:
"OhGod.Namei
t.
"

Me:"y
ouallhav
etot
akemeout
."I
sai
dwithahugesmi
le.

Thabiso:
"That'
sit
?Ahhwecando
that
.Wewi llt
akeyououtf
orl
unch.
"

Me:
"whenIsayt
akemeoutImean
OUT,asinlikewear egonnado
everyt
hingthatgi
rlsdowhent heygo
out.Hair,
nail
s,
shopping,
moviesand
di
nner."Theirmouthswerewi deopen.

Thabang:
"hahPunki
e,
you'
regoi
ngt
o
bankr
uptus."

Me:
"t
hat'
swhatli
tt
lesi
ster
sdo
mos.
"t
heychuckl
ed.

Thabiso:
"fi
nePunki
e,wewi
l
ldo
whateveryouwant.
"
Me:"gr
eat.Wewillt
alkmoreabout
thedate.Nowifyouwil
lexcusemeI
needtobathbeforeIpr
eparedinner
."

Thabo:"ThankGodI'm st
il
la
student,
thatmeansIwon'tbe
contri
butingt
othatout
ing."Hehada
smileonhi sf
ace.

Me:"
hao, otl
aphandaabuti.Akereo
l
egintsa?(y
ouwillhustl
ebrother
.Isn'
t
i
tyouar eagangster?)Soyouwill
hust
le,
makeapl an."Hissmil
e
di
sappeared.
Thabo:
"Punki
e!"Il
aughed.

Me:
"byebrot
her
s,seey
oui
naf
ew
mi
nutes.
"

Thabo:"
butyouarenotbeingfair.
"He
saidastheywentaway.Iclosedthe
doorandwentt ot
akeaqui ckshower
thenIwenttotheki
tchentopr epare
dinner
.WhenIgotthereThandi was
l
eaningonthecounterwhilefi
ning
hernail
s.

Me:"can'
tyoudot
hatsomewher
e
el
se?"
Thandi
:
"Why
?"

Me:
"it
'sdi
sgust
ing.
"

Thandi
:"
ohplease.
"sher
oll
edher
eyesandcar
riedon.

Me:
"OhGod,
thoseger
ms!
"

Thandi
:"
excuseyou!Whatger
ms?I
doamani ever
y2weeks,mynail
sar
e
cl
ean."
Me:"t
hatdoesn'tmeany oudon' t
haveanygermsony ournai
ls.Could
youatleastgotothelounge,Ineedto
cookherandIcan'thavethatdust
fl
yi
ngintothefood."

Thandi
:"Ohhwhi
ley
ouatit
,makeme
somethingt
oeatwi
lly
ou.
"

Me:"
uyahlany
a(y
ouarecrazy
).You
hav
ey ourownhandshawu."

Thandi
:
"whatdi
dyousay
?"
Me:
"youhear
dme.
"

Thandi
:
"li
tt
legi
rl
,I
'
mthefi
rstwi
feso
youwil
ldowhatIsay
."

Me:"wellguesswhatbi ggirl
,
I'mt he
chosenpr i
ncess,i
fany t
hingy ouar e
theone2honeedst odoev eryt
hingI
say.Nowi fyoudon' tmind,t
hatt hat
manicureofy oursanddoi tiny our
room beforeItell
theKi ng.
"She
l
ookedatmef oralongt i
mewi tha
deadlyl
ook.

Thandi
:
"Nxah!
"Shel
eftt
heki
tchen.
Me:"Nxah,
thenerve.
"Itur
nedt otake
outsomev egesfrom t
hef r
idge.I
suddenlyhear
dasl owclap,
Iturned
onlytofi
ndZintl
eleani
ngont hedoor
fr
amewhi lecl
appingherhands.

Zint
le:
"abouttimegirl
!I'
vebeen
wait
ingforthatfei
stysi
deofy our
sto
comeout .
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"she'
sannoy
ing.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
andy
ouhav
etol
i
vewi
thher
,I
don'
tenv
yyouatal
l
."

Me:
"pl
easedon'
tremi
ndmeabout
t
hat
."

Zintl
e:"
butatl
easty
ousti
llhav
eyour
feist
yside,
soyouwil
lbeablet
o
handleher.
"

Me:
"wi
l
lI?Idon'
tthi
nkso.Yoursi
ster
i
sameanperson.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"y
oumeanameanbi
tch.
"
Me:
"yeah,
that
!.
..
.Pl
easechopthese
f
orme."Igaveher2onions.

Zint
le:
"ehh,
whydi
ducomeher
edear
Lord."

Me:
"t
ohel
pyourbeaut
if
ulf
ri
end.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
mxm.Shoul
dIcutt
hem bot
h
fi
nel
y?"

Me:
"no,
onehastobeinri
ngs,t
hecut
t
heotheronei
ntof
inetubes.
"
Zintl
e:"
Great
."Shewasbei
ng
sarcasti
c.

Me:"st
ar tchoppi
ng.
"Shewentto
fet
chthechoppi ngboardandst
arted
chopping,whil
eIwasplayi
ngmyr i
ce
potont hestove.

Zint
le:"don'tyouthi
nkyoushoul
d
convincey ourhusbandtoal
lowyou
tomov etoar esoracommune?"
Nowt hat'sagr eatt
hought
.

Me:"t
hat
'sagoodidea.Buthowam I
gonnapr
oposeitt
ohim?Hemi ght
notagr
ee.
"

Zintl
e:"
youwon'
tknowunl
essy
ou
tr
y .
"

Me:
"howdoIconv
incehi
m?"

Zintl
e:"j
usttel
lhi
mt hatyouwantto
givehim andThandi somespace,so
thattheycandoany thingtheywant
i
nt heirhouse-fr
eely."It
hought
abouti tf
orawhile.

Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkhi
spar
ent
swi
l
l
agr
eet
othat
."Iwasbi
tt
ingmyl
ower
l
ip.

Zi
ntl
e:"
theny
ouwon'
ttel
lthem"

Me:
"Nowy
ouar
ebei
ngcr
azy
."

Zint
le:
"haike,enj
oyy ourstaywi t
h
ThandiandSi vuyi
le.TrustmeThandi
will
makesur ethatsher ubstheir
rel
ati
onshipiny oureyes,theywill
havesexev erywhere,i
nthel ounge,t
he
kit
chen,t
hev erandamay beev enin
yourroom,whoknows. "
Me:
"nowy
ouar
ebei
ngdi
l
lusi
onal
."

Zint
le:
"butkeyouwon'
tmindthat
ri
ght?"Sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.

Me:
"butI
'
m sur
eSi
vuy
il
ewi
l
ltel
l
t
hem."

Zintl
e:"
tr
ustmehewon' t
,heknows
thathewill
alsogeti
ntotroubl
e."

Me:
"t
henhedef
initel
ywon'
tagr
eet
o
memovingt
oar es."
Zintle:
"tal
ktoThandi,makeher
believethatyouarescaredthatyou
mi ghtgettoclosetoSivuyi
l
e.Trust
met hatwil
lmakeherconv i
ncehim
tolety oumov eout.
"

Me:
"I'
m notsur
ethough.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Tryi
tyoh!
."

Me:
"Fi
ne,
Iwi
l
l.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
ift
hatdoesn'
twor
k,cr
yyour
eyebal
lsouttoSivuyi
le,t
ellhi
mt hat
Thandiismakingyouhersl aveand
youaretir
edofit.Hewi l
lletyou
mov eout.Butyouwillhavetowai t
unti
lmidJanuarybef or
ey ou
complaintohim"Ilaughed.

Me:
"youl
i
ttl
edev
il
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ilear
ntf
rom t
hebest
."She
wi
nked.

Me:
"whi
chi
snotmer
ight
?"
Zi
ntl
e:"
ofcour
senot
."Sher
oll
edher
ey
es.

Me:"wel
lIguessamont
handaf ew
weekswit
hThandii
snotthatbad."

Zintl
e:"
it
'snotl
i
key
ouhav
eachoi
ce.
"
Isighed.

Me:"y
eahneh."Shehandedmet he
choppedonions,Icar r
iedoncooking
mymeal .WhichwasBeefst ewand
ri
cewithsomesal ads.Aft
ercooking
wesatinthekitchenandconv ersed
overaglassofjuiceandourchi ps.
Laterthateveni
ngIdishedupfor
everyoneandwewentt osi
tinthe
l
oungewi t
htheyoungster
s.

Nkazi
mul
o:"
Thi
sisgoodTumi
."

Themba:
"marrymeandleavethis
Suchabag,y
ourcooki
ngskil
lsare
excel
l
ent
."Sivuy
il
epunchedhisarm.

Lungani
:
"oooo,he'
sbei
ngt
err
it
ori
al.
"
Theguyslaughed.

Lumka:
"t
hisi
sreal
l
ygood,
wher
edi
d
youlearnhowtocooksowel l?
"these
peoplehavenotabl
emanner s,
not
thatI
'm compl
aini
ngthough.I'
m
enjoyi
ngthei
rcompli
ments.

Me:
"Mymom t
aughtme.
"

Thabo:"
she'
sly
ingI
'
mtheonewho
taughther
."

Bont
le:
"ohpl
ease,
youchatev
enget
aneggdude.
"Welaughed.

Thabo:
"mxm.Wel
lIdon'
tneedt
o
knowhowt ocook,
Iwil
lj
ustf
ind
my sel
fabeaut
if
ulwif
ewhocan
cook."

Thabi
so:
"Youmeanamai
dri
ght
?"

Thabo:
"noawi
fe.
"

Thabang:
"weeh,
youdon'
tev
enhav
ea
st
ablegir
lf
ri
endbro.
"

Thabo:
"iwi
l
lfi
ndonesoon.
"

Bont
le:
"Iwoul
dlov
etoseet
hat
."
Lungani
:"
Thandi
wecany oucook?
"
Okay,
thatwasunexpect
ed.

Thandi
:
"No,
whatf
or?
"

Ler
eko:"
whatdoyoumeanwhatf or?
Youareamarri
edwoman,thatshoul
d
beagoodenoughreason.
"Theguy s
l
aughed.

Thandi
:
"that
'
swhywehav
emai
dsi
n
thi
sworl
d"
Lizwi:
"soyouwouldal
lowsomeone
topreparefoodf
oryourhusband
whileyouhaveyourownhands?"

Thandi
:
"yes.
"

Lul
ama: "
Wuuh,thatcanneverbeme
shame.Whatift hathel
perputslov
e
poti
oninmyman' sfood?"Nowshe's
bei
ngabi text
remebutIwon' tsay
anyt
hing.

Li
zwi:"
exact
ly.Ipersonal
lyl
ovemy
wif
e'sfood,
Idon'twantanyoneto
cookforme.Wel lexceptmyfamil
yof
cour
se.
"

Lereko:
"metoo.I
magineast
ranger
cookingfory
ou.Nev
er."

Thandi:
"Well
that
'syourchoice,I
'm
sureLeondoesn'
tmind."Everyone
tur
nedandlookedatSivuyi
l
ewhoj ust
carr
iedoneati
ng.

Themba:
"ofcour
sehedoesn't
mind,
hel
ivesontakeout
s."

Thabang:
"Real
l
y?Wel
lar
en'
tyougl
ad
thatmyli
tt
lesi
sterwi
l
ltakey
ouout
ofthatt
ort
ure?
"What?

Thabi
so:
"don'
tsaythati
nfr
ontof
Barbi
e,
shewil
ltur
noursist
eri
ntoa
maid.
"

Bont
le:
"t
hatwi
llbethedaywher
eI
showherfl
ames!"

Lizwi
:"Asifyouhaven'
tshownher
enoughf l
amesbaby."We
l
aughed,well
thepeoplewhoknew
thestoryl
aughed,
whichwasmy
famil
ymember s.
Thandi
:
"mxm.
"

Nkazi
mulo:"
dotel
lusmore,
please.
"
Heuncrossedhi
slegsandl
eaned
f
orward.
"

Bont
le:
"t
hat'
sint
hepast
,Idon'
twant
toembarr
assher
."

Lumka: "t
rustmeshedoesn'tmind."
Sivuyi
leandZintl
ewer equi
etl
yeati
ng
theirf
ood,andli
steni
ngtothem -well
Iwasal sokeepi
ngmymout hshut.
Ay
anda:
"Comeon,
wewantt
ohear
."

Bontl
e:"
let
sjustsayIl
eftherwi
tha
mark.
"

Lul
ama:
"t
hat
'sal
lyouar
egonnasay
?"

Bont
le:
"f
ornow.
"

Thabo:
"Iwi
l
ltel
lyouwhatshedi
d.
Sheb-"
Thabi
so:
"WellThandiwewasdat i
ng
bothmeandThabangatt hesame
ti
me,mysi
sterfoundoutandshe
wenttot
eachheral esson."

Thabo:
"youar
est
eal
i
ngmyshi
ne.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Lesson?"Fi
rstt
imeI'
m
heari
nghisvoicethr
oughoutthi
s
wholeconversat
ion.

Thabang:
"shebeatherupbr uh!
"
Therewasashor tsi
lencebefor
ethey
al
lerupt
edinlaughter.
Ayanda:
"wai
t,
wai
t.Umshayil
e?(
You
beatherup?
)"Helaughedagai
n.

Nkazi
mulo:
"WenaThandi
whywoul
d
youdatebr
other
s?"

Thabo:
"herexcusewast hatshe
coul
dn'
ttellt
hem apart
."They
l
aughedev enmore,
theywer emaki
ng
somuchnoi se.

Lungani
:
"Cl
assi
c!"
Thandi
:
"itwasnotmyf
aul
tthatt
hey
l
ooksomuchal i
ke.
"

Lulama: "y
eahr ight!".Idecidedto
coll
ectt heirplat eswhi letheywer e
sti
lllaughing,Zint l
ewashel pingme.I
wentt oputt hem i nt hekit
chen,two
mai dswer eal readywai ti
ngt owash
them ant heyhadal readycol l
ected
theeel ders'plates.Wewentbackt o
thegr oup,theywer enowt alki
ng
aboutsomet hingel seandmaki ng
j
okesher eandt her e,Si
vuyile'
sfr
iends
wer ear eal cool bunch.
□
□
□
□
#What
sGoi
ngToHappenI
nJobur
g?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er22
♡
♡
♡
♡
Thedayt otravelbackhomehas
arri
ved,
welltomynewhome.Iwas
real
lynotfeeli
ngt hi
sthi
ngofmov i
ng
i
nwi thSi
vuy i
leandThandiwe,
Ireall
y
havenothingagainstthem,
butIfeel
l
ikeiwon'
tbeabl
etocont
rol
mysel
f
aroundSi
vuy
il
e.
Iwokeup, di
dt hehy gienepr ocess
andwor emykneel engt hsummer
dressandsandl es.Iwasgoi ngt o
travelwithmypar ent s,Zi
ntle,Thandi
andBont l
e,wewer egoi ngtouset he
j
et ,
whiletheguy swi l
l useaquant um.
Ithinktheguy sjustwant edt ohav e
somet imeal oneandt heyalso
want edtoar ri
velat e.Iwent
downst air
swi thmybags, ev eryone
wasal readyseat edi nt heloungewi t
h
theirbagsont hefloor .Well theguy s
wer enother e,
Ithinkt heyhadanear ly
start,
theyhav eal otoft r
avel i
nghour s
t
obeat
.

King/MrD:
"Fi
nal
l
y,we'
vebeenwai
ti
ng
foryou.
"

Me:
"OhGod.Iapol
ogi
sef
ort
hat
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ibl
amethatmirr
ori
nthe
cl
oset
."Theyl
aughed.

Queen/Mr sD:"nowt hatshe's

here,
let
'spray."Lumkal edthe
prayer,
j
ustashor tpr
ay erofasking
Godt oprotectusinthisjourneywe
ar
eaboutt
otake.

Us:
"Amen!
"

Queen:"Ohh,
I
'm gonnamisshav
inga
ful
lhouse.Wereall
yenj
oyedhavi
ng
youhere."

Dad:
"Wealsohadaniceti
me.Thank
youf
oryourhospi
tal
i
ty.
"

Queen:
"MaThabi
sopl
easedon'
tbe
scar
ce.
"
Mom:"don'
twor
ryfr
iend,
Iwi
l
lkeepi
n
cont
actwit
hyou.
"

Queen:"
youar et
heonl yfr
iendIhave
youknow.I fy
oudon' tcal
lor
messagemei n5hour s,
Iwil
lcomet o
Joburgandwhoopy ou."Welaughed.
Aguardent er
edtot el
lusthatthe
carsarereadytotakeust othe
air
port
.

Lulama:
"Iguesswewillseeyoui na
fewdays."SheandLumkawer e
stayi
ngbehindforaf
ewday s,even
thoughherhusbanddecidedtoleave
witht heguy s,f
orhi sownr easons.
Wehuggedal l
oft hem andl eftfor
theair port.Weboar dedt hej etand
fl
ewof ft oJobur g.Ireal l
yenj oy edmy
ti
mei nEC, I'
m al sogl adt hatIgott o
enjoyi twi t
hmybestf r
iend.Ican' t
reall
ysayIam happyaboutt henew
l
ifeI'm aboutt ol i
ve, Ineedt omake
sureSi v uyi
leagr eest omemov i
ng
out,Idon' tthinkIwi llsur vi
v est ayi
ng
withbot hoft hem.Fi rstofal l Idon'
t
thi
nkIt rustmy selfar ound
Sivuyile,secondl yIdon' tthinkmeand
Thandi aregoi ngt ogetal ongand
thi
rdlyj ustthinkingaboutwhatZi ntl
e
saidtheymi ghtdoj ustmakesmy
ski
ncrawl.ButIguessIcansurv
ivea
fewweekswi t
hthem,si
nceschools
openinFeb.OhhandIf i
nall
ygot
accept
edinUJ,I'
m soexcit
ed.
Aft
ersometimeoft
ravel
l
ingwe
fi
nal
lyl
andedinORTambo.

Dad:"
Myf ri
endwi
l
lbeher
einaf
ew
minutes.
"

Mom:"
sobaby,
arey
oucomi
nghome
wi
thusor
..
?"

Dad:
"shehast
ogot
oherhusband'
s
house.
"

Me:"uhm y
eah,
butIonlyhaveaf ew
cl
otheswithme,soIneedtogohome
wi
thy ouandpackupmycl othes."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iwi
l
lhel
pyoupack.
"

Thandi
:
"Ohmyr
idei
sher
e."

Me:
"your
equest
edanuber
?"

Thandi
:
"uhy es,
yesIdid.Seeyou
wheneverIseeyou."Shelef
tandgot
i
ntoar
edMer
cedes-
Benz.

Zi
ntl
e:"
That
'
snotanUber
.Nxah!
"

Me:
"Howdoy
ouknow?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wherehaveyouseena
Mercedesbei
ngusedasanuber
?"

Me:
"Ohhh.May
bei
tsherf
ri
end.
"

Bontl
e:"
Thenwhydi
dshel
i
eabout
i
t?"
Dad:"
Final
l
y,he'
shere.Let
'sgo."He
l
edust oagr eyToyot
aHill
ux,wegot
i
nanddr oveoffaft
erwegr eet
ingthe
dr
iver
,dadwassi t
ti
nginthefront
whil
ethedoorofuswer esquashed
i
ntheback.
Whenwegothome,wegotof
fand
wenti
nsi
det
hehouse.

Mom: "
Otladi rekakeojwetse.
(You
wi
llbuythem I '
mtell
ingyou.)
"She
wastalki
ngt oBontlewhohadj ust
t
hrownher selfonthesofa.
Bont
le:"
aski
esmama,y
oh.(Sorr
y
mom. )I
'mjustf
eel
i
ngti
red,Iwantt
o
sl
eep."

Me:
"Met
oo.
"

Mom:"whyam Inotsurpr
ised.Wena
ol
oyi
l
wekahor obala.
"

Me:
"Hah,
mama!
"

Mom:"Keng?
(What
?)Youcanand
sl
eep,
butmakesur
ethatyouwakeup
i
ntimetopack.
"
Zint
le:
"Don'
twor
ryIwi
l
lwakeherup
topack."

Mom:
"Yeahr
ight
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ser
iousMah.
"

Mom: "Bont
le!Bont
le.
"Shewas
alr
eadysleepingonthesof
a."
Got
o
yourroom beforey
oubreakmy
sofas.
"

Bont
le:
"Mmmhmama.
"Shewas
i
rr
it
ated.

Mom:"Tsamayamar n.
(Goman!
)"
Bontl
edraggedherl
uggagetoher
room."LewenamarnBoitumel
o.(
You
toomanBoitumelo.
)"Hawu,
what'
s
wrongwiththi
swoman.

Me:"y
oh,sharpheehmama. "Wealso
dr
aggedourbagst omyr oom.The
minuteIenteredIj
ustt
hrewmy sel
f
onthebedandsl eptmytir
edness
away.
●
○
Iwaswokenupbymyr ingi
ngphone,I
answer
edwit
houtcheckingthecal
l
er
ID.

Me:
"mmmh.
"

Cal
ler
:"Youar
esl
eepi
ng?
"Itwas
Si
vuyi
le.

Me:
"No,
I
'mf
lyi
ng.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
mxm.Any
way
,I
'm out
side.
"

Me:
"youar
eher
eal
ready
?"
Si
v uy
ile:"
Yeah,Iarr
ivedanhourago.
Yourmom t ol
dmet hatyouaresti
ll
packingy ourbags.
"OhShit!Ihav
en't
evenst ar
tedpackingasyet.

Me:"Sowhatareyoudoi
nghere?
Aren'
tyousupposedtobeaty
our
houseorsomewhere?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
ist
hatatr
ickquesti
on?I
cametofet
chyougeni
us."OhGod,no!

Me:
"uhhy
eah,
aboutt
hat
..
.Iwas
t
hinki
ngthatmay
beIcoul
dmov
ein
t
omor r
ow..
..
"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Youhav
en'
tpackedup,
now
havey
ou?"

Me:
"Ki
nda.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Well
that'
snotmypr obl
em.
Youhav e15minutest ogety our
prett
yselfi
nthiscar.
..
wi t
hy our
bags."Hehungup.Whatt hehel l
.I
quickl
ywokeup, t
urnedont hel i
ght
si
ncei twasal
readydar k.Ij
ust
shovedmostofmycl othesinmy
sui
tcase.Zi
ntl
ewasdeepinsl
eep,
I
deci
dedt owakeherup.

Me:"Babe,
I
'mleavi
ng.Si
vuyi
l
eis
al
readywaiti
ngformeoutsi
de.
"

Zint
le:
"I'
m comingwithyou.Iwi
l
l
spendthenightther
e."

Me:"
ThanksGod, wakeupt
hen.
Si
vuyi
leisfur
ious.
"Shewokeupand
worehershoes.

Zi
ntl
e:"Youar
efi
xi
ngt
hebed"She
t
ookherbagsandr
anoutt
her
oom.

Me:Zintle!
"Andshewasgone." Thi
s
kidmar n."Iqui
ckl
yfi
xedthebed,af
ter
thatItookmybagsandwentt o
wheremyf amil
ywassitt
ing.

Thabang:
"Man,
youar
ereal
l
yleav
ing?
"

Me:
"unf
ort
unat
ely
."

Thabo:
"I
'm goi
ngtomi ssyouPunki
e."
Hegavemeat i
ghtsqueeze.
Mom: "st
opbei
ngdr amati
c,
she'sonl
y
goingtobe30mi nutesawayfrom
here.She'
snotgoingtoanother
country.
"

Dad:
"Who'
sgoingt
omakememy
morni
ngcoff
eenow?"

Me:
"I'
m sur
eThabowi
l
lgl
adl
ydo
t
hat
."

Dad:
"He'
smov
ingoutsoon.
"Ohht
hat
.

Me:
"Wel
lIguessmom wi
l
ltakeov
er.
"
Mom:"ehh,
don'
tkeepmokhwenyana
wai
ti
ng.Byemybeauti
fulbut
ter
fl
y,I
wi
ll
missy ousomuch."

Me:"
don'
tworrymama,Iwil
lmake
sur
ethatIseeyouev
eryday.
"

Mom:"
ahhmybaby.
"Shegav
emea
war
m hugandki
ss.

Li
zwi
:
"Myl
i
ttl
epr
incess.
"

Me:
"Youmeanbi
gpr
incess.I
'
m 18
now,Iam ofl
egalage.
"Hechuckl
ed
thenhealsogavemeahug,Ialso
wenttohugmysi ster
.

Bont
le:"
makesureyoumakethat
many oursonl
y.
"Shewhi
sper
edin
myear .

Me:"Thi
si sit
.Byemyl ovel
ypeopl e.
"I
gavedadabi gbearhug.Mybr other
s
tookmyl uggageandaccompani ed
ustoSivuy i
l
e'scar,
hewasl eaningon
i
twhi l
esmoki ngacigarett
e.

Thabi
so:
"myman.Takecar
eofmy
si
ster
,Idon'
twanttoseeevena
si
ngledropoftear
s,orel
seyourbl
ood
wi
lldrop.
"

Thabo:"
andmakesur
ethatski
nny
Barbi
eofyour
sdoesn'
tdanceonher
head.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
don'
twor
ry,
Iwi
l
ltakegood
careofher.
"

Thabang:
"Andnobabi
es,please.She
st
il
lhastofocusonherstudies.
"We
l
aughed.
Me:"Youdon' thav etoworryabout
thatbrother.
"Igav ethem eachahug
andtheyal lkissedmyf orehead,
Gosh
I'
m gonnami sst hi
s.Theypackedmy
bigsuitcaseint heboot

Them:"ByePunki
e!"Weent er
edt
he
caranddroveoffaft
ertheyhada
l
itt
lechatout
sidethecar.

Sivuyi
le:
"Coul
dyoupleasecomesi
tin
thefront
? "Hewaslooki
ngatmeon
therearvi
ewmi r
ror
.
Me:"
Not hanky
ou,
Ican'
tl
etZi
ntl
esi
t
al
one."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youmeanthesleepi
ng
Zi
ntl
e?"Il
ookedatherandthi
sidi
ot
wasreal
lysl
eepi
ng.

Me:"Wel
l
,I
'm comf
ortabl
eri
ghther
e.I
al
readyf
eelwarm."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ohcomeon.Iwantt
otal
kto
you."

Me:
"Youcant
alkwhi
l
eI'
m si
tt
ing
her
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
youar
etoof
ar.
"

Me:
"Toobad.Iguesswewi
l
lhav
eto
t
rav
elinsi
l
encethen."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"I
yoh.
"Hejustturnedupthe
vol
ume, bl
asti
ngAKA' ssongsunt
ilwe
arr
ivedathishouse.IwokeZintl
eup
andwewenti nsidethehouse.

Me:"
thi
shouseisbreat
htaki
ng"Ij
ust
can'
tgetov
erthebeautyoft
his
house.Si
vuy
il
ewal
kedi
nwi
thour
bags.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Wellmakeyoursel
fat
home,
Thandi
ishereri
ghtnow."

Zintl
e:"
Mmh,howunf
ort
unat
e."She
roll
edherey
es.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Sodoyouwantat
ouroft
he
house?"I
sheseri
ous?

Me:
"i
ts22:30dude.Canpl
easeshow
memyr oom,Ij
ustwantt
osleep.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Ohh,
ri
ght.Foll
owme. "He
l
edusupstai
rs,
thr
ought hepassage
andtoamedium sizedroom."Thi
sis
i
t."

Me:"Thanks.Uhm ifyoudon'
t
mind,coul
dy oupleasebri
ngupout
bags."Helookedatmef orawhil
e
beforeexi
tingtheroom.

Zint
le:
"I'
m sur
eThandi
wentbackt
o
herhoeingways.
"
Me:"Youcan'
tjustassumet
hatki
nd
ofstuf
faboutpeople.
"

Zintl
e:"
welli
t'
sthetr
uth,
shedoesn't
deserveSivuyi
l
e.Youandhim bel
ong
together,
andsoonyouwill
real
ise
thattoo."

Me:"
don'tholdyourbr
eat
hbabe.I
don'
tlov
el etal
oneli
keSi
-"

"Ther
eyougo."Heplacedthebags
nextt
othebed."I
sthatall
?"
Zintl
e:"
uhm,Ineedt
ousethe
bathroom."Shequi
ckl
yexi
tedt
he
room.

Me:
"uhm,
thanksfort
hebags.
..
..and
f
orf
etchi
ngme. "

Si
vuy
il
e:"
noneedtothankme.You
ar
emywi fe.
"If
akedasmil
e

Me:
"Yeah.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Yoursmil
eisbeauti
ful
,ev
en
thoughit'
sfake.
"Ibl
ushedforreal
t
histi
me.Hecameclosert
ome."
Are
yousurey
oudon'
twanttojoi
nmei
n
myroom."

Me:
"Hel
lno!
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Imissy ourl
ips.
"Il
ooked
away ,
hewasnowhol di
ngmywai st
.I
don'twhatitis,
butsomet hi
ngkeeps
drawingmet ot hisguy."
CanI?"I
shookmyhead.

Me:"No.
"Ipushedhi
m of
fme,
he
l
ookedfr
ustr
ated.
Siv
uyi
le:
"Wow!Okay
.IguessIshoul
d
saygoodni
ghtt
hen.
"

Me:"
Goodni
ght
."Hewasst
il
lst
andi
ng
nex
ttome.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
enj
oyy
ourf
ir
stni
ght
."

Me:"
Thanks.
"Helookedatme, hewas
st
ari
ng."
Uhm. .
.by
e."hesnappedout
ofi
t.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ohuhm,
yeahby
e."WhenI
l
eastexpectedit
,hesmashedhisli
ps
ont omine,
myey eswerewideopen
becausehecaughtmebysur pri
se.
Hebi tmylowerli
pandswiftl
y
respondedtothekiss,
i
twentonfora
boutami nut
eorso.

Me:"
OhmyGod!
"Wher
ethehel
lwas
Zi
ntl
e?

Siv
uyi
le:
"nowI'
m defi
nit
elygoi
ngt
o
haveagoodni
ghtsleep.
"Hepecked
onmyl i
psandlef
t.

Me:
"ohhLor
d,Ican'
tkeepondoi
ng
t
hiswi
thhi
m."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whoareyoutalki
ngto?
"She
cl
osedthebat
hroom door.

Me:
"wer
eyout
aki
ngashi
tint
her
e?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
no,
why
?"

Me:"
causeyouwer
eint
her
efora
ver
ylongti
me."

Zi
ntl
e:"
ohuhm.
..
.Iwaschat
ti
ngt
o
Thami.
"
Me:
"ohr
eal
l
y?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
yeah.
"

Me:"exact
lyhowwereyoudoingthat
becauseyourphonei
srightt
hereon
topofthebed."Shel
ookedatthebed

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whhaaaaat
."

Me:
"youst
upi
didi
ot!Youwer
eset
ti
ng
meup."
Zint l
e:"
I'
m sorry.It
'sjustthatyou
guy slooksogoodt ogether,
Iwas
act uall
yhopingt haty ouguy swould
shar eaki ssorsomet hi
ng."Ilooked
awaywhi leblushing."Youlittl
e
bitch,youkisseddi dn'tyou?"Islowl
y
nodded.Shej umpedar oundt heroom
whi lescreaming.

Me:
"ey
,keepy
ourv
oicedown.
"

Zint
le:"
sorry,I
'
mj ustexcitedt
hatyou
guysar eactuall
ymaki ngsome
progress..
..wellyouguyskindal
ong
passedt hatstage."Ipushedher
l
i
ght
ly.

Me:
"mxm.
"

Zint
le:
"so,
howwasi
t?Wast
her
e
tongueinv
olv
ed?
"

Me:"I
m goi
ngtosl
eep."It
ookmy
sui
tcaseandpl
aceditonthebed

Zi
ntl
e:"
don'
tbeli
ket
hat
."It
ookout
mysleepwear
.

Me:
"l
ikewhat
?"
Zi
ntl
e:"
that
.Youknowhow.
"

Me:"
noIdon'
t.
"Isai
dwhi
l
eIwor
emy
ni
ghtdr
ess.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Tel
lmeaboutt
heki
ss"

Me:"Idon'
twannatalkaboutit
.Don'
t
for
gettoswit
cjofftheli
ghts"Igoti
n
underthecover
s.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Av unj
alophel
a."Shesounded
i
rr
it
ated,
itwasquietfunny.Afew
minuteslatershejoi
nedmei
n,
thenI
dr
ift
edt olalaland.
♤
♤
♤
♤
#Mov
ingI
n.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
Iwaswokenupbybi rdschi r
ping
outsi
de,lookedl i
kei twasgoi ngtobe
abeaut i
ful dayt oday .Zintlewas
deadasl eepnextt ome.Igotoft he
bedandwentst rai
ghtt ot he
bathroom t orinsemymout handmy
face,
Iwor emygownandmysl i
ppers
thenIwentdownst airs.Noonewas
i
nt hekitchen,Imademy selfacer eal
andat e.IjusthopeThandi could
sleepintoday ,Idon' twantt obei nher
presencer ightnow. .
..orev er.Iwas
washingmybowl whenSi vuyil
e
walkedi nshirtless,heonl yhada
shorton,hisearphonespl uggedi n
hisears.Hewassweat y,may behe
camefr
om joggi
ng.God!Hisbody
washot
,i
twasactuall
yhardtokeep
myeyesoffhim,
Iwaslit
eral
lyst
ari
ng.

Siv
uy i
le:
"li
kewhatyousee?"Iqui
ckl
y
snappedoutofit.Hetookouthis
earphones.

Me:
"Huh?
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Doy
ouli
kewhatyousee?
"
Hehadasmi
rkonhi
sface.

Me:
"*ahem*Notr
eal
l
y,I
'
veseen
bet
ter
."

Si
v uyi
l
e:"I'
m sur
e."Thesmir
kwas
sti
llt
here.Hewentstrai
ghttot
he
fr
idgeandt ookoutbott
ledwat
er.

Me:"uhm,don'
tyout
hinky
oushoul
d
putashir
ton?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
hawu,It
houghtyouwere
enj
oyi
ngtheexhi
bit
ion.
"Thisguy
!

Me:
"notr
eal
ly
,youareact
ual
l
ymaki
ng
meuncomfor
table.
"
Sivuy
il
e:"
why
?BecauseIam t
oo
sexy?"

Me:
"God,
youar
esof
ull
ofy
our
sel
f.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Itwasaquest
ion.
"

Me:
"mor
eli
kear
het
ori
cal
quest
ion.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Youknowmesowel l.
"I
rol
ledmyey es."
Don'
tdothat
,your
eyesaretoobigfort
hatshi
t.
"Stupi
d
pri
ck.
Me:
"Woul
dyoul
i
kesomebr
eakf
ast
?"

Sivuyi
le:"
Ofcour se.Aheal t
hy
sandwi chwi l
ldo,fornow."Itookout
theingredientsforhissandwi ch.I
t
wasawhol egrainbread
sandwi ch,
wi t
hlettuce,
fet
acheese,
cucumberandt omatoes.

Me:"Whatareyoudri
nki
ng?"Hehel
d
uphisbott
ledwater
."Soyouarea
heal
thfr
eak?"
Siv
uy i
le:
"yeah,
Idon'
treal
l
yhav
e
choice."

Me:
"Whydosayt
hat
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ineedt
omai
ntai
nthi
ssex
y
body
."

Me:
"psssh.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Thehunniesli
kethisbody,
so
Ican'
tdisappoi
ntthem bynotbeing
fi
tandhealthy.
"Imentall
yrol
ledmy
eyes.
Me:"
Hunni
es?Youar
emar r
ieddude.
Youcan'
tbesay
ingt
hingsl
iket
hat."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
ist
hatj
eal
ousyIheari
nyour
voi
ce?
"

Me:
"hel
lno.I
'
mjustsay
ing.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"ar
esur
e?"

Me:"
ofcourseIam sur
e.InfactI
don'
tevencarewhatyoudoi nyour
marr
iage,
it
'syourl
i
feafteral
l.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
real
l
y?Awesomet
hen.
"

Me:
"mmmh.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
anyway,
Ineedyouto
accompanymet othemall.
"Hewas
placi
nghispl
ateinthesi
nk.

Me:"
ahhhwhy?Can'
tyougowi
th
Thandi
we?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
no.Iwanttogowi
thyou.
"
OhGod,Idon'
tfeel
li
kegoi
ng
any
wher
ewi
thhi
m.

Me:"
ohhcomeon,
Ial
readyhav
e
pl
ans."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
cancel
them.
"

Me:
"no.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lunat
hi!
"If
oldedmyar
ms.

Me:
"Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoatt
he
mal
l.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"buysomehousegrocer
ies.
"
Notagai
n!"Isn'
tthatf
un.
"Hewas
goi
ngupt hestai
rs.

Me:"t
heny oushoul
dtakeThandiwit
h
you!.
"Ishouted,
si
ncehewasalready
half
wayt hr
oughthestai
rs

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Weareleavingin30
minutes!.Getr
eady!"Heshout ed
back.OhGod, whyme?Iwentt o
washhi splat
ebeforegoingupst ai
rs
totakeal ongbat
h.It ookalongbath
becauseIwasdr eadinggoingt ot
he
mallwi
thSivuyi
l
e,Iwasreall
ynotin
themood.Igotouttheshowerand
wipedmyself,
whenIwal kedback
i
ntotheroom Zi
ntlewasal r
eady
awakeandmaki ngthebed.

Me:"ohhthesl
eepi
ngbeaut
yis
awake."

Zi
ntl
e:"
mor
ningbabe.
"

Me:
"Howar
eyousweet
s?"

Zi
ntl
e:"I
'
mfr
eshasy
oucansee.
"
Me:"
Im good,
thankyouv
erymuchf
or
aski
ng.
"Shelaughed.

Zint
le:
"Don'
tworr
y,Ial
readyknow
howy oufeelt
hat
'swhyIdi dn'
task.
"I
l
aughed.

Me:"Whatar
eyourpl
ansf
ort
he
day
? "

Zi
ntl
e:"
Im goi
ngbackhomet oday.
Well
that'
saft
erItakeapict
urein
ev
erysingl
eroom ofthi
shouse."I
l
aughed.

Me:"Youstupid.
"Wel aughed.
Suddenlyanideajusthi
tme." Why
don'ty
oujoinmeandSi v
uyil
efort
he
grocer
yshopping."

Zi
ntl
e:"ofco-
..
..No!Youonlyaski
ng
mebecausey oudon'twanttogo
wi
thhim onyourown. "

Me:"no,
that
'
snott
rue.Ij
ustdon'
t
wanttoleavey
oualonei
nthis
house."
Zint
le:
"i
tsnotli
keI'
m gonnabebored.
Ihaveami ssi
ontoday,
remember?
"
Mxm.

Me:
"I'
m sur
ey-
"someoneknocked
ont
hedoor.
"Ar
eyoudone?
"Shi
t!Thatwas
Si
vuyi
l
e.

Me:
"uhm.
..al
most
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hur
ryup.
"
Me:"
Shit
!Shit
!Ihav
en'
tev
enchosen
anoutf
ityet
."

Zint
le:
"whyarey
oustr
essi
ngabout
that
,i
t'
snotli
keyouar
egoi
ngona
dateorsomethi
ng.
"

Me:"mxm. "Iplacedmysuitcaseon
thebedandt ookoutanoutfit
.Itwas
ablackjean, andaoffshoulderblack
croptopwi thwhitesandl
es.Iquickly
woremycl othes,
spr
ayedmybr ai
ds.

Zi
ntl
e:"
don'
tti
ethem,
j
ustl
ett
hem
l
ose.
"
Me:"Mmh."Idi
dasshet ol
dme.I
puffedmyperfume,appli
edmypur ple
matt el
i
pst
ick,
Itookmysl i
ngbagthat
hadmyphoneandcer tai
nessent
ials.
"Byebabe.
"Ikissedhercheekand
headeddownst air
s.

Si
vuyi
le:
"30mi
nutes,30mi
nut
es.Not
1hourand30minutes.
"

Me:"agir
lneedst
imet
olookpr
ett
y
hawu."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
forwho?Youwil
lal
way
s
l
ookbeauti
ful
inmyeyes.
"

Me:
"Let
'sgo.
"Iheadedf
orthedoor
.
Wegotint
othecaranddroveof
f.

Siv
uyil
e:"
usuall
ywhenItel
lagir
lthat
sheisbeautif
ul,
shenor
mall
yrepl
ies
bysayi
ngt hankyou.
"Hewaslooking
atme.

Me:
"don'
ttakeyourey
esoffthe
r
oad."Hechuckl
edandlookedahead.
Sivuyi
le:
"Sowhenarewehav i
ngour
fi
rstbaby?"I
shenut
s."Youare
scari
ngmewi tht
hosebigeyebal
l
sall
out."

Me:
"wear
enothav
inganybabi
es.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yet
."

Me:
"atal
l
."

Siv
uyil
e:"Youdoknowthatyouhave
togiv
emebabi esri
ght
?"Iknowthat
Me:"Ababy
!Notbabi
essss.
"He
l
aughed.

Siv
uyi
le:"Whatift
hatbabyisagir
l?
Thatmeanswewi l
lhavet
ot r
yunti
l
yougi
v ebir
thtoaboy .
"Ohhhell
No.

Me:"
Thenwewi
llmakesur
ethatI
hav
eababyboy
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
How?
"

Me:"
Idon'
tknow.ButI
'
m sur
ether
e's
asci
enti
fi
cwaytodothat
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Me:"Wellt
herehastobe,
causeIsure
ashellam nothavi
ngmulti
plebabi
es
wit
hy ou.Oneisenough.
"He
chuckled.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
you'
rebr
uisi
ngmyhear
t"

Me:
"Youareaman,y
oucant
akei
t.
"
Hel
aughedoutl
oud.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
esuchameangi
rl
."
Me:
"It
ry.
"Wel
aughed.

Sivuyil
e:"
Ienjoythis."Ilookedathi m
"Spendingt i
mewi thy ou.Youar ea
funper sont obearound.Unl ike
Thandi ,
who'salway st al
kingabout
fashionorgoi ngoutl ateatnight.We
don'treallyhavethatconnect ionthat
meandy ouhave,y ouknow. "O...
.kay.

Me:
"Maybeyoushoul
dtrytobui
l
d
t
hatconnect
ionwi
thher
."
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Ifi
t'
snotthere,
i
t'
snot
.Idon'
t
wantt
oforcethi
ngs."

Me:"Youareal
lowedtofor
ce
t
hings,
she'
syourwif
e."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iknow.ButIwi ll
leti
t
happennatural
ly.Onthebr i
ght
ersi
de
ofthi
ngs,Iwon'tgetboredanymore
nowthatYouar estayingwithus
permanently
."Eish.

Me:"
Uhm..
.aboutt
hatIwashopi
ngto
movetoastudentaccommodat
ioni
n
Feb.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?!Why
?!"

Me:"Justtogiveyouguy ssome
space,Imeany ouguy sarestil
lnewly
wedssoy ouaregoingt obe
spendingal otofti
met ogether.
.doi
ng
thi
ngst hatnewlywedsdo. ..
..
everywhere."Helaughed,Iguesshe
caughtonwhatIwast al
kingabout.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Youar
enotagoodl istener,
I
tol
dy outhatmeandThandi don't
spendal otoft
imetoget
her.Andy ou
don'tneedtoworr
yaboutthat ,
we
won'tbehavi
ngsexever
ywhere.We
wil
lrespecty
ouenoughtokeepiti
n
ourroom."

Me:"
evenso,Idon'
treal
lyf
eel
comfor
tabl
ewi t
hstayi
ngundert
he
sameroofwithyohandThandi
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"why?"OhGod,he'
snot
maki
ngthiseasyatal
l
.

Me:"
Uhm...wellIf
eelgui
lt
yabout
whatwedidbacki nEC,Idon'
tthi
nkI
wil
lbeabl
et ostaywit
hherwhilemy
gui
lt
yconsciousiseati
ngmeup. "
Siv
uy il
e:"
Fir
stofal l,
wedidn'tdo
anythingwr ong.Youar emywi fe,
soI
canhav esexwi thyouwhenev erI
want .Lastl
y,youneedt otal
kt oyour
consciousandt ell
ittocalm down
causey ouar enotmov i
ngout .
"The
Hell
? !

Me:
"Whynot
?"Iwasget
ti
ngi
rr
it
ated.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Youar emywi f
e,notjustany
wife.Youaret heCrownedPrincess,I
don'tknowhowl ongi
t'
sgoingt otake
yout oregi
sterthati
nyourhead.We
can'
tbest
ayi
ngi
ndiff
erenthouses.
Whataremypar
ent
sgoingtosay .
"

Me:
"Theywon'
tfi
ndout
."

Sivuyi
le:
"Peoplet
alkLunathi
.Itwon'
t
takelongbeforei
treachesthe
media,andsoonitwill
reachmy
parents'ear
s,t
henwhat?"

Me:"thenwewi l
lmakethem
understandwhyIneedtomoveout.
Wear enotInLove,sowear
enot
obl
igedt ost
ayinthesamehouse.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Tr
ustme,
wear
e!"Iwas
i
rr
it
ated,
andsowashe.

Me:"Sowhatnow, i
fmyboy f
riend
wantstovisitmehehast ocomet o
myhusband' shouse?That'
sdoesn't
soundappropriat
e."Hepull
edov eri
n
thesideoftheroad.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Whatboyf
ri
end?It
oldy
ouI
don'
tl
ikeshar
ing.
"

Me:
"What
'
sthatsupposet
omean?
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"I
tmeansyouarenotall
owed
tohav
eaboy f
ri
end.Itmeansyouar
e
mineandmineonl
y!"Uyanyal
o!

Me:"Excuseme? !Incasey ouforgot,

I
am theancestors'wife.
..
.thatmeans
Icandowhat everIwantwi t
h
whoev erIwant.Ialsothoughtyou
wereokaywi t
hmehav i
ngaboy fri
end
outsi
deourmar r
iage."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Thatwasbef
oreI
..
."hekept
qui
et.
Me:
"Bef
orey
ouwhat
?"

Siv
uyile:
"Letsj
ustdropthi
s
conversati
on.Youarenothav
inga
boyfr
iend,andthat
'sfi
nal!
"

Me:
"Iam nolongeravi
rgi
n,
that
meansIhaveneedsthatr
equir
eme
t
ohaveaboy fr
iend.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwil
ltakecar
eoft
hose
damnneeds!
"Okayhewasangry
.

Me:
"Youhav
eawi
fe.Ial
sodon'
tl
ike
shari
ng,
soIwoul
drat
herf
indmy
sel
f
someonewhodoesn'
thav
ea
baggage.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uphambene!
(Youar
e
cr
azy!
).
"

Me:"Idon'tev
enknowwhyy ouar e
angry,Imeany ougotthegoodst uff
.
Youar etheonewhoopenedt hedoor
theofthepalace,nowletsomeone
enterandexplorethepalace!"Hehi t
thesteeri
ngwheel .Hewasf umi ng.I
don'tevenknowwhyIsai dthat,I
guessIwasdr ivenbyirr
itat
ion.
Sivuyi
le:"
Justshutupokay?!Now
openy ourearsandlist
entome
clearl
y,Youarenotgoingt
ohav ea
boy f
ri
endLunat hi
!Youareamar r
ied
woman, t
her
eforeyoushoul
dbehav e
l
ikeone. "

Me:
"Youshoul
dtel
lthatt
oThandi
."I
mumbled.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatwast
hat
?"

Me:
"Isai
d,I
'
m 18,
soIwi
l
lli
vemyl
i
fe
l
ikeateenager
.Youar ej
ustmy
husbandbyname,youdon'tgett
o
dict
atewhatgettodoandwhatIam
notsupposedtodo."Iwasnot
shouti
ngtheenti
reti
me,butyenahe
was.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youar
esost
ubbor
n!.
"

Me:"
Couldyoupl
easej
ustdri
vetot
he
mallsot
hatwecangetoverand
donewit
hthist
ri
p."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Nxah!
"Hestar
tedthecar
andwedrovetothemal
l.Iwasso
pissed,event houghIdi dn'traisemy
voiceathi m becauseIst il
lneedt o
respecthim.Hepar kedt hecar ,
we
gotof fandwentt oSPAR.Hewas
pushi ngthebi gtrol
leywhi leIwas
pickingthet hingsthatwewi llneedat
home.Peopl ewer est ar i
ngat
us,somewer esmi l
i
ngwhi l
eot her
girl
sgav emet heevillook,otherwer e
j
ustdumbst ruck.Af ewpeopl ecame
upt ousandaskedt ot akepi ctures
withus.Mycheekswer esor ef rom
allthesmi l
ingIhadt odo, hayshame
Iwasnotcutoutf ort hisl i
fe.DidI
reallyhavetobet heCr owned
Princessoft hef amousr oyalfami l
y?
I
tmi ghtsoundfun,
buti
t'
snot.Imean
thej
udgment al
looksIkeepon
gett
ingwerenotmakingiteasyfor
me.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Sowearenotgoi
ngt
otal
k
thi
senti
reti
me?"

Me:"Nope, Ienjoymysi l
encewhenI
am shopping. "Okay,
thatwasastupi
d
thi
ngt osay .Hewassl owlypushi
ng
thetroll
eybehi ndme.Iturnedto
i
nspectt hef ul
l t
rol
l
ey."Di
dIleave
anythingout ?"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Idon'
tknow,
wewill
see
whenwepackt hem i
nthe
cupboards.
"

Me:"Wel
l,Iguesswearedone."He
fol
lowedmet othet
il
l,
ther
ewasn't
anyque,sothecashi
eri mmediat
ely
att
endedt ouswhenwegott here.

Cashier:
"Pl
asti
c?"Shewasl ooki
ngat
Sivuyi
lewit
hav eryfl
ir
tysmile.
Hebathong!Kantiar
en'tyou
supposedtokeepy ourheadbowed
wheny ouafteraroyal
tyna?Iguess
thatdoesn'
tapplytocashier
s.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Baby,she'st
alki
ngtoyou.
"
Henudgedmyar m.OhIam baby ?I
guesswear eactingnow,LOL.The
cashi
er'
ssmiledisappeared
i
mmedi atel
y.

Me:"Oh,
uhm.Yesplease."Shecli
cked
onthescreen.Si
vuyi
lewashol di
ng
myhandt heenti
reti
me,andsincewe
wereacti
ng,Ir
est
edmyf aceonhis
arm.Therewasanothergirlst
anding
attheendofthetabl
e(Til
ltabl
e),
she
waspackingourgrocery
.
Gi
rl
:"Youguyslookcut
etogether
."
OhGod,IguessIhavet
osmilenow.

Si
v uyi
le:
"Thanky ou.
"Ijustgaveher
mymi lli
ondollarsmil
e.Fi nal
l
yhe
paidandpushedt hetr
olleyputt
he
storeandtot hecar.

Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIwi
l
lev
ergetused
t
othi
s."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Getusedtowhat
?"Hewas
packi
ngthegrocer
yint
othecar
.
Me:"Thestares,
smi
li
ngandtaki
ng
pi
ctures.Iwasnotmadetobeinthe
publ
icey e,
Iam waytoshyf
orthat.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Shy ?You?"Helaughed,
I
l
ookedathi m withanannoyed
l
ook,hestopped."Sorr
y.Butdon'
t
st
ressabouti t
,youwil
lgetusedtoi
t
i
nthelongr un."

Me:"
Nextt
imewheny
ouwantt
ogo
somewher
e,l
i
vemebehi
nd.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Andthatwil
lmakepeopl
e
tostopstari
ngatyou?"
Me:"Yes.Youarethemai
n
at
tracti
on."Hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uyi
le:
"ThatIam.
"Hebr
ushedhi
s
shoul
ders.

Me:
"noti
nthatwayMr
."

Sivuy
il
e:"
Tool at
e,Ial
readyt
ook.i
tin
thatway."Henuts.Iguessweareno
l
ongerangr yateachothernow."You
hungry?
"Hecl osedtheboot
Me:
"Yep.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wher
ear
eweeat
ing?
"

Me:"Home.Ican' thandlemore
stares."Helaughed."Justbuysome
KFC, thenwewi l
leatathome,whereI
will
f eelcomfort
able"helaughed
again.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Let
'
sgo.
"

Me:"
Ah.
ah.Youar
egoi
ngony
our
own.
"
Sivuyi
l
e:"
Nooo.Doyouwantsome
random gi
rl
stofl
i
rtwi
thme?"

Me:"
Don'tactl
i
keyoudon'
tenj
oyt
he
at
tent
ion."Hel
aughed.

Sivuyil
e:"Youhav enoidea.
"Il
aughed.
"Sov el
endi v
ay andodwa?(SoIam
reall
ygoi ngalone?)
"

Me:
"Yep.Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ouher
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatdoy
ouwantmet
o
buyf
ory
ou?
"

Me:"mmmmh.ABoxMast ermeal
.
Pleasetel
lthem t
omaket
hefi
l
let
chil
ly.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'sal
l
?"

Me:"Yeah.What
?Youwantmetobuy
alotoffoodsothatIwi
l
lgai
nmor
e
weight?"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Ili
key
ourbody
,youar
esexy
asfuck.
"
Me:
"Per
ver
t!
"Wel
aughed.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Letmego,
sot
hatIwi
l
lcome
backqui
ckly.
"

Me:"
Don'tf
orgett
hatwel
eftZi
ntl
e
andThandi
webackathome."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thandiweonlyeat
sveges.
"
Whyam Inotsurpr
ised.

Me:
"Okay.Gi
vemethecarkeys.
"He
t
ossedt
hem tomeandlef
t.I
unlockedt hecarandgoti nbefore
l
ocki ngitagain."Mmmh, let'
ssee
whatki ndofmusi cy ouhav eont hi
s
USB. "Ipressedplayont hecar
stereo,Emtee'sThankYoust ar
ted
playing."Mmmmh, notbadhusband. "
Isangal ongt othesong.Af ew
mi nuteslaterIwasst ar
tl
edbya
knockont hewindow.I twasSiv uyi
le,
I
unlockedt hedoor ,
hegoti nand
placedt hefoodont hebackseat .

Me:
"t
hatwasqui
ck.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Per
ksofbei
ngav
ery
handsomeandsexyPr i
nce."Iroll
ed
myey es.Wedrov
ebackhome, while
j
ammi ngtohisHipHopplay l
ist
.
WhenwegothomeIwast hef i
rstone
tojumpoffandgotinsi
det hehouse.

Thandi
:
"WhereisMYMAN?
"
Yuuuh,
theemphasi
s.

Me:
"He'
sou-
"Asi
foncue,
heent
ered.

Sivuy
il
e:"
andt
hewena?Doyou
expectmetocar
ryt
hosepl
ast
icson
myown? "
Me:
"Youarest
rongmanmos,
youwi
l
l
manage.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
uyagul
a."Il
aughed

Me:"Whydon'
tyouhav
eguar
dsher
e
l
ikebacki
nEC?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idohav
eguar
ds.
"

Me:"WellIdon'
tseet
hem ar
ound
her
e."Il
ookedaround
Siv
uyi
le:
"Iam j
oking,Idon'
t.Butdad
sai
dhewi l
lsendaf ew,si
ncewehav e
acrownedPrincess.
"

Me:
"OhhIf
eel
sospeci
al.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Don'
t!
"

Me:"
Monash!(Jeal
ousy
!)"Weboth
l
aughed.Thandiwassoirr
it
ated.

Thandi
:
"Leon!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ohheybaby
."Iwasbaby
j
ustawhil
eago.Hewentt
oherand
ki
ssedhercheek.

Thandi
:"
That'snotawayt
okissyour
wif
e."Okay
,that'
smyquetol
eave.

Me: "
Uhm, letmegogetZi ntletohelp
mewi t
ht hebagsout side."Iranup
thestair
st omyr oom beforeany one
couldsayany t
hing.Zintl
ewast al
king
ont hephone,shewasbl ushingand
allsoIfigureditwasherboy f
ri
end
Thami .

Zi
ntl
e:"
Babe,
Ihav
etogo.Boot
yjust
gotint
her oom.
..
..Lov
ey out
oo
bunny.
..
..Okaywi
lldo.
..
..
mncwaaa.
"
shehungup."Youarebackalr
eady
."

Me:"y
es,
andIneedyourhel
pwi
th
packi
ngthegr
ocer
y."

Zi
ntle:
"Uhhh,
okay.Letmewearf
ir
st.
"
Shewor ehershoesandwewent
downstair
s."Hawu,wher
ear
ethe
grocer
ybags? "

Me:"
inthecar.
..
.whereweneedto
f
etchthem."Shelookedatme.
Zint
le:
"It
houghtyousaidwewere
PACKINGt hegrocer
yintot
he
CUPBOARDS, notfet
chi
ngthem i
nthe
car.
"

Me:
"Oops,
IguessIf
orgott
oment
ion
t
hatpar
t.
"

Zint
le:
"I
m sur eyoudid."Shedragged
herfeetoutsidetothecar ,
Ifol
lowed
behindher.SinceSivuyil
ehadal r
eady
broughtinsomebags, weonl yhada
fewleft
.Wet ookthoseandwent
backinsi
de,thenwest artedpacking
t
hem ni
cel
yint
othecupboar
dsand
t
hefr
idge.
■
□
■
□
#Luv
uyi
l
e?
#Si
ndi
we?
•
•
Apologiesgoodpeopl e,
butmyschool
l
ifei
st akingit
'st
ollonme.atthe
moment .Test
sleftandri
ght,
Ineed
togetmyheadi nthegame.Iwillt
ry
t
opostwhenev erIhav
et i
met o.Thi
s
i
snotpermanent,i
t'
sonlyforashort
whi
l
e,so.
pleasebarewithme.
THANKYOU
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er25
☆
☆
☆
☆
SI
VUYI
LE
Imademywayi nsi
det
hesurgery,
and
wentstr
aightt
oThemba'sof
fice.He
wassit
tingwit
ht women,
wearing
for
mal.Igreet
edandsatonthedesk
nex
ttoThemba.

Themba:
"Sur
etooky
oursweett
ime.
"

Me:
"Iam amar
ri
edman.
"

Themba:
"So?
"

Me:"ThatmeansIhavesomeonet
hat
makesmenotwantt oleavet
he
house."Hel
aughed.

Themba:
"Youmeanpeopl
e."
Me:"
Nosomeone.
"Onegent
leman
ear
rdhi
sthr
oat
.

Themba:
"Oh,
uhforgi
veuspl
ease.
Thi
sismypart
nerS-"

Man1:"
Pri
nceSi
vuy
il
eDl
ami
ni.
"Of
cour
seheknowsme.

Themba:"
EishIfor
getthatheisa
knownPearson.Svi
tsh,
thesetwo
gentl
emenareMrLuzukoMbebe, and
theoneonhisri
ghtisMrLi ndani
Mkhawul
o."

Me:"Pleasur
et omeety ou."Ishook
boththeirhands."
Iheary ouhav ea
businessproposalforus."

Luzuko:"Yes,Iam justgoi
ngtodi
ve
str
aightintoit.Iam amanofmany
business,somel egalsomenotso
l
egal."

Me:
"Exact
lywhatdoy
oumeanbynot
sol
egal?"
Luzuko:"
Imean,Wehadt ogetour
handsdirt
ytogetwher ewear e.Ihad
tojoi
nagangt ofulf
ilourneedsand
maintai
nourstandardoflivi
ng.I
won'texci
teyouwiththedetail
sof
howweendedupj oini
ngagang, I
'm
sureyoudon'
twantt oknowal lthat.
"

Themba:"
Pleasedointr
igueus.
"I
l
ookedathim whil
eLuzukoandhis
fr
iendl
aughed.Thembacanbe
embarr
assingsometimes.

Me:
"Sowhatdoyouneedfr
om us?I
meanwearedef
ini
tel
ynotwil
l
ingto
j
oiny
ourgang.
"

Themba:
"Speakf
ory
our
sel
f.
"

Li
ndani
:"
well
whatweneedf
rom y
ou
guysi
syoursur
ger
y."

Themba:"
What?Nono, wear
enot
sel
li
ng.Wejustopenedshopand
al
readyyouwanttobuyusout.
"
Li
ndanichuckl
ed.

Li
ndani
:
"No,Idon'
tmeanitl
i
kethat
.
WhatImeanis,
wewil
lneedyour
ser
vices,
yourdoct
oral
ser
vices.
"

Me:
"El
abor
ate.
"

Lindani:"
Wel l
wegoondi ffer
ent
mi ssi
onsal mostev er
yni
ght,
someof
thosemi ssionshappentobedeadly
danger ous.Meaning,t
her
eare
shootingsinvolved.Sowhatwewill
needf rom youisforyouguystobe
ourcrew' spersonaldoct
ors.
"Heis
beingv eryvague

Themba:"
Idon'
tunderst
and.
"I'
m gl
ad
I
'm nott
heonlyone.
Luzuko: "
Ey.Thisisreal
lysimple,I
don'tknowwhyi t'
staki
ngy ousol ong
tocompr ehend.
"He'sarrogant.
"Basicall
ywhatweneedf rom youi s
thatwhenoneofourmember sget s
shotdur ingourmission,
wewi llneed
youguy stohelphim wit
hy our
doctoringstuff.
"Hehedoct ori
ngst uf
f.

Me:
"Andy
ouneedusbecause?
"

Luzuko:"Becausey
oual
soneedt
he
business."
Me:
"Thesur
ger
yissti
ll
new,
busi
ness
wi
llpi
ckup.
"Hechuckl
edi
na
mocki
ngmanner.

Luzuko:"Welli
nthemeany oudo
needpat i
entsbefor
eitrunstothe
ground.AndIam offeri
ngthem to
youonasi lv
erplatt
er.
"

Li
ndani:
"Andyouwil
lbepaidvery
handsomelyf
oryourser
vices.
"I
chuckl
edindi
sbel
ief
.

Me:"DoIl
ooklikeIneedthemoney
?"
Icouldf
eelThemba'sstareonme.
Luzuko:"
Every
oneneedsalit
tl
eextr
a
cash.Youcan'tal
wayssurv
iveon
Daddy'scash.
"Bastar
d.!

Themba:
"Amen.
"Thi
sfool
.

Me:"Agai
n,whydoyouneedus?
"
Luzukosighedi
nir
rit
ati
on

Li
ndani:"Because,t
hisisaprivate
surgery,
i
t'sstil
lnew.Thatmeansy ou
don'thaveal otofpati
ents,
that
meansl essat t
ract
ion.Whichi sgood
f
orus.
"

Me:"Mmmh.Soallyouwillneedfrom
usistodoct
ory
ourmember s,
not
hing
more?Noshoot
ings,orj
oiningthe
gang?"

Luzuko:"
Yes.All
y ouneedt odoist o
takecareofourinjuredsoldi
ersand
keepquietaboutit.
"Weneedt othink
aboutthi
sv er
ythor oughl
y.Ohwai tI
thi
nkihav eanansweral r
eady.

Me:
"No.
"
Li
ndani
:
"what
?!"

Me:"
Ouranswerisno.Wedon'
tneed
anysi
nist
ert
hingshere.
"

Luzuko:"
Don'tyouthi
nky oushould
consultwit
hy ourpar
tneraboutthi
s?I
am surehehasanopi nionofhis
own."

Me:
"I
'm sur
ehewi
l
la-
"

Themba:
"Whydon'
tyougi
veust
ime
t
ot hinkitt
hrough,
wewi ll
getbackt o
y
ouassoonaswehav ear esponse
f
ory ou."What?!Theystoodupand
f
ixedt hei
rsuit
s.

Luzuko:
"Don'
ttaketool
ong,
wereal
l
y
needyourser
vices.
"Theyl
eft
.

Me:
"Whatwast
hat
?"

Themba:"
Thatmyfri
endwasa
perf
ectbusi
nessoppor
tuni
ty.
"

Me:
"Ri
skyanddanger
ousbusi
ness
oppor
tuni
tyy
oumean.
"

Themba:
"I
tsst
il
lgoi
ngt
obr
ingusa
l
otofmoney.
"

Me:
"haymar
nThemba,
i
t'
stoor
isky
."

Themba:
"taki
ngri
sksi
spar
tof
makingmoney.
"

Me:"HaymarnThemba,notthi
sway.
Whatifwegetarrest
ed,
huh?Then
what?Iam apri
nceforheaven'
ssake
Ican'
tbeassoci
atedwithsuch.
"
Themba:"Igetthatmji
ta,
butIam
pret
tycertaint
hatnoonewi l
lknow
whatwear edoi
ng.Theywill
just
thi
nkthatit'
sjustnor
mal pat
ient
s
cominginf oracheckup."

Me:"Ohreal
lynow?Nor
mal shot
pat
ientsonsuchasmallsurger
y?
Comeon. "

Themba:"
It
'snotthatsmal l
."Igave
hi
m alook."Okay,
may beiti
ssmal l.
Butweneedt hebusinessSi v
uyil
e,
I
needt
hemoney .Phelawenay ou
hav eanot hercompanyont he
side,youar esetwheni tcomest o
money .Meont heot herhandhav et o
wai tunti
llwehav epr operpati
entsin
ordert ohav eser i
ousmoney .Ineed
thisbruh."Ohboy ,herecomest he
emot ional bl
ackmai l."Doyouknow
howembar rassingitistohav eyour
fri
endsbuyy oudrinkswhenwego
out?Doy ouknowhowhumi l
iat
ingit
i
snotbei ngabl etobuyy ourgir
lfr
iend
agi ft
?"

Me:"Hawunt
wana,
youdon'
thav
ea
gi
rl
fri
endmos.
"
Themba:
"That '
snotthepointatthe
moment."Ilaughed."WhatI'
mt r
ying
tosayi
sthat ,
Iam ti
redofnotbeing
abl
etodot hingsmyself.Iam ti
red
ofbei
nggirl
friendl
ess.
"Shameman.

Me:"
whatdoesthishav
etodowi
th
youbei
ngsingl
e."

Themba:"
Nogi
rlwant
stodat
ea
brokeguy
."

Me:
"Tr
ue.Butnt
wana,
Iam r
eal
l
y
worr
iedaboutt
hisdeal
.Whati
f
somethi
nggoeswrong?"

Themba:"
Thenwewi l
ldealwi
thi
t
al
ongtheway .Ri
ghtnow,
weneedthe
money.Ineedthemoney."

Me:"Okayf
ine,
Iwil
lconsi
deri
t.
"He
st
oodupandgav emeabighug.

Themba:"
Thankyoumyman,
you
won'
tregr
etthi
s.Iwi
l
lmakesur
eof
i
t.
"
Me:
"Ihopeso.Eyygetoffme,
what
t
ypahomoshitisthi
s."

Themba:"
haysuka,
youl
ikei
t!
"I
pushedhi
m offme,
welaughed.

Me:"Ohpl
ease,
Igetenoughhugsat
home.Muchwarmerhugs."Hesat
backdownonhischai
r.

Themba:"
eyyluckybast ard,
kambe
youhavetwowi ves.Sot ell
memy
man,doyouli
kehav eat imet abl
eof
whoy ougett
ospendt heni ghtwit
h?
Areyouhit
ti
ngitbot hsides? "I
l
aughed.

Me:"No!I
fonlyyouknew,Ionl
yshar
e
abedwithThandi.Lunat
hisai
dshe
j
ustwantsustobef ri
ends.
"He
l
aughed.

Themba:"Marr
iedfri
ends?"He
l
aughedagain."Soveleawudopini
x
fr
om yena?(Soy ouarenotget
ti
ng
somefrom her?)"

Me:"
Atall
ntwana.Ionl
yknow
Thandi
'
spussy.
"
Themba:"i
t'
ssti
llear
lydayntwana,
you'
veonlybeenherefor2day s.Gi
ve
herti
me,shewil
lwar m upt
oy ouand
giv
ey outhecookie.
"

Me:
"Neh?
"

Themba: "yeahntwana,andifyouhi ti
t
ri
ght,
shewi l
lcomebackf ormor e."
Shii
t,
sot hatmeansIdi dn'thi
titri
ght
thefi
rsttime?Not hat'simpossibl
e, I
meanIhav eitmyal l
mos." Don't
str
essabouti tmarnntwana.Wel lall
youhav etowor ryaboutishergetting
aboyfri
endandletti
nghim popthe
cher
ry.I
maginefindi
ngy ourownwife
unsl
ead,buty
oumar riedherseal
ed.
"
Helaughedoutloud,Godhecanbe
soannoy i
ngsometimes.

Me:"nahI'm notworr
iedabout
that
,I
'mt heonewhohi ti
tfir
stvel
e."I
smirked.Hej umpedfrom hi
schair
.

Themba:
"Wai
t!What
?!"

Me:"
Yep,Iopenedt
hegat
esofher
par
adise.
"
Themba:"Youdir
tydog!"Hebrought
hisfi
stcl
oser,
Imethim halfway.We
fi
stbumped."Sohowcomeshe
hasn'
twarmedupt oyet?.
..
.Ormay be
youdidn'
touti
tdownr i
ght.
"He
l
aughed.

Me:"Fuckno!Ofcoursejgavei
tto
hergood,she'
sjustbei
ngaselfl
ess
person.Shedoesn'twantt
ostepon
Thandi'
stoes.
"

Themba:"
Weeeh,
thatBar
biedol
lof
your
s.Tel
lme,
exactl
ywhenareyou
goingtolethergo?Imeanyoudon'
t
l
ov eher,
sowhydoy ousti
l
lkeepher
around?"

Me:"Ahhnt
wana,uy
azi
nawe
kuhambani
(youknowthest
ory
)
betweenmeandThandi.
"

Themba:"Ayy,you'
vesuppor t
edher
enoughalready.I
'm sureshe'
s
emot i
onal
lycapableoftakingcar
eof
hersel
fnow.Imeani t
'sbeentwo
yearsntwana."

Me:
"Iknow.Andt
hewor
stt
hingi
s,I
t
hinkIam I
nlov
ewi
thLunat
hinow.
"

Themba:
"Iknewit!
!Thosefucker
s
owemeat housandrand.
"

Me:"What
?Howdi dyouyouknow?
Andwait
,y
ouguy sact
ual
l
yputabet
onmyfeeli
ngs?
"

Themba: "
Iknowbr oh,
Iknowy ouri
n
l
ov eface-orshoul dIsayatti
tude.
Andy eswepl acedabetonit,
Ican't
waittor ubiti
nont hosedickheads."
Ilaughed."Sohav eyoutoldherhow
youf eel?"
Me:"No,funnythi
ngIam scared."He
l
aughed."Nolikereal
l
y,Iam r
eal
ly
shutscar
edoft el
l
ingher.Whatifshe
rej
ectsme? "

Themba: "whatyouneedt owor r

y
yourselfaboutareherbrothers.
"Oh
Shit!"
Oncet heyfi
ndoutt hatyou
haveopenedt hecooki
ejar,t
heyare
goingtof l
ip.
"

Me:"Youwon'
ttel
lthem nowwi
l
l
you?"
Themba:"
Ofcour senot.Butyoualso
needtogetthei
rpermissionbefore
youaskhertobey ourgirl
fr
iend.
..
.I
meanwife,nahlover.
"Ilaughed.

Me:"OhGodno.Iwillj
ustsur vi
veon
thosestol
enmoment swi t
hher ,Iam
notgoingtoaskherbrothersforsuch.
Theywouldbeatmeup. "Hel aughed

Themba: "ButIdon'
tblameyouf or
fal
li
ngf orherdude,
thatgi
rli
sunreal.
She'sfunny,
respect
fulandtotopital
l
offshe'sbeauti
ful
."
Me:"She'
ssti
llmywi
feyouknow?So
I'
m notreal
l
ycomfort
abl
ewithyou
complimenti
ngherl
i
kethat
."

Themba:"plusIwoul
dn'
tmi
ndt
oget
apieceofthat.
"

Me:"Fucky
ousan!
"Hel
aughedandI
j
oinedhim.

Themba:
"Chil
lnt
wana,Iwil
ll
eave
someforyou.
"Helaughedevenmor
e.

Me:
"Youknowwhat
,It
hinkIshoul
d
j
ustleav
ebef or
eIpunchyouonthe
face.
"Helaughedagai
n.Ist
oodup
andheadedforthedoor
.

Themba:
"Sendmyl
ovet
oLunat
hi!
"

Me:
"Voet
sek!
"Hel
aughed.

Themba:"
Ilov
eyout oo!"Il
eft
.Igot
i
ntomycaranddr ovebackt othe
house.WhenIgotthereThandi was
si
tti
ngonthecouchdoi ngher
nai
ls,
whil
eLunat
hi wasnowher eto
befound.
Me:"Wher
e'sLunat
hi.
"Isatont
he
couch.

Thandi:
"Uhm, hel
l
o?I'
m si
tt
ingri
ght
herelookingsexyandwenay ouhave
thegutstoaskmeabouty our
secondwi fe?Areyouki
ddingme?!"
OhGod, herecomesthedrama.

Me:"
CanIjusthaveonedayofpeace
andqui
etThandiwe.
"

Thandi
:
"Soam annoy
ingy
ounow?
"
Me:
"Idi
dn'
tsayt
hatbabe.
"

Thandi:
"Mxm.Any
wayIneedy
our
car
df or
."

Me:
"Ai
bo,
forwhatnow?
"

Thandi
:"Wespokeaboutt
hismar
n
Si
vuyil
e."

Me:"
we?Noyouspokeaboutthi
sI
j
ustl
ist
enedt
oyourl
it
tl
erant.
"
Thandi
:
"Someexpr
essi
ngmy
feel
i
ngsismer
anti
ng?"

Me:
"Thandiwe,
Iam notint
hemood
f
ort
his.Ihaveaheadache.
"

Thandi
:
"Wellgivemeyourcar
dandI
wil
lbeoutofyourhai
r.
"

Me:
"No.
"

Thandi
:
"ComeonLeon.
"

Me:
"No!Kant
iuv
akanj
ani
nawena?
"
Thandi:"Noneedt ogoallXhosaon
me, al
l I
-"From thereIl
it
erall
yzoned
out.Ifeltl
ikeIwasi nmyownl i
ttl
e
world,
thereshewaswal kingdown
thestairslooki
ngev ersobeaut i
ful
.
Shewasnotev endressedupbutshe
sti
lll
ookedgor geous.Howi wishI
metherbef or
eImetThandi we.

Thandi
:
"Si
vuy
il
e!!
"Icamebackt
o
ear
th.

Me:"
Ohy eahuhm,
sor
rywhatwer
e
yousay
ing?"
Thandi
:
"Ser
iousl
y!
"Shef
inal
l
ygott
o
us.

Lunat
hi:
"Ohy
ouar
eback.
"

Me:"
Yeah.Ij
ustgoti
n.Wher
ear
eyou
goi
ng?"

Lunathi
:"
Iam meet
ingupwi
thmy
si
sterforl
unch.
"

Thandi
:
"ist
hatcodeforBoy
fri
end?"I
wasimmediat
elyir
ri
tat
edbythat
.
Lunathi
:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIneedt
oanswer
that
.Anyway,Ihavet
ogoseeyou
guyslat
er.
"

Thandi
:"
Youmustcomebackear l
yso
youcanpreparedi
nner.
"Il
ookedat
herwit
har ai
sedeyebr
ow."What?
"
Thisgi
rli
sunbeli
evabl
e.

Lunathi:
"Iam sur
eyoucanhandl
e
thatfortoni
ghtMisst
hang.
"Iwanted
tolaugh.
Me:"Wher
ear
eyoumeet
ingy
our
si
ster?
"

Lunat
hi:
"AtMapony
amal
l
."

Me:
"Wel
ll
etmet
akey
out
her
e."

Thandi
:
"Andwhoam Igonnast
ay
herewi
th?"

Lunathi:
"Noneedf
orthat
.Ial
ready
requestedanUber
,i
t'
sli
ke2mi nut
es
away .
"
Thandi
:
"Okayby
egi
rl
."Bl
oodyCock
bl
ocker
.

Lunat
hi:
"By
e."Shewal
kedoutt
he
door.

Thandi
:
"andthenwena?Offer
ingt
o
beherdesi
gnateddr
iver
."

Me:
"Iwasj
ustbei
ngpol
i
te.
"

Thandi:
"She'
sgoi
ngtomeetupwit
h
herboyfri
endandwenayouwantt
o
takeherther
e?Ser
iousl
y.
"
Me:
"mxm.
"

Thandi:
"Iwonderi
ftheguyi
sgood
l
ooking,
mmh. "

Me:
"Whatguy
?"

Thandi
:
"Herboy
fri
end.
"

Me:
"Shedoesn'
thav
eaboy
fri
end.
"

Thandi
:
"Yesshedoes.
"
Me:"Mxm."Iwasr
eal
l
yget
ti
ng
annoyed.

Thandi:
"nowt hatwehav ethewhol e
houset oourselv
es,whydon' twe
redecoratewithyourcum. "WTF?She
cli
mbedont opofme, kissingmy
neck.Shecamet omyl i
ps,wekissed
forafewseconds.Butmymi ndwas
notwithher,Iwast hinkingabout
Lunathi,Iwaswonder ingifshewas
real
lymeet i
nghersi sterorher
boyfri
end.
Me:
"MmhThandi
.Iam noti
nthe
mood.
"

Thandi
:
"whenareyouneveri
nthe
mood?"Ipushedherof
fmegentl
y.

Me:"Ihav
eworktodo.
"Igotupand
headedupst
air
s.

Thandi:
"Arey ouseri
ousl
yblowing
meof fforstupi
ddocuments?!"I
i
gnoredherandwentt omystudy .I
star
tedwor ki
ngonacont r
actI
reci
evedaf ewdaysago,butIsti
ll
coul
dn'tconcentr
ated.Ij
ustdecided
t
owatchsomepornonl
i
ne,whi
le
mast
urbat
ing.Mmmhstr
essr
eli
ever
.
"It
houghtyousai
dyouhadworkto
do."Inear
lyj
umpedofft
hechai
r
becauseIwasstar
tl
ed.

Me:"Haymarn.Whathappenedt
o
knocki
ng?"

Thandi
:
"Soyouref
usedtogi
veme
somebecauseyouknewyouwer
e
goi
ngtocheatonme."

Me:
"Cheat
?Iam notcheat
ingon
y
ou.
"

Thandi:
"Youar
emasturbati
ngto
anothergi
rl
'
smoans,
that'
scheat
ing.
"
Eh.

Me:
"That
'snotcheat
ing.
"

Thandi:
"Iti
s.Whyar eyoueven
tort
uri
ngy ourselfwhenIam here,
you
knowmyhoneypoti salways
avail
ableatany t
ime."ShouldI
?I
meanIam r eallyhornyandshe
dist
urbedmysessi on.Ahfucki
t,I
'
m
gonnaf uck.
.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
niSki
rt
.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er24
◇
◇
◇
◇
Laterthatev
eni
ngaft
erdinner
Siv
uy i
l
edecidedtodr
iveZint
le
home,wel
lthatwasafterThandi
bl
atant
lyr
efusedt odri
veherhome
her
self
.Iwasbusywashi ngthe
di
shesinthekitchenwhensheslowly
wal
kedinandl eanedonthecounter
.

Thandi:
"Iseewhatyoutry
ingto
do,
justsoy ouknowitwon'twor
k."I
l
ookedathert henIwentbackto
washingthedishes.

Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIf
oll
ow.
"

Thandi
:
"Imeanyout
ryi
ngt
oseduce
myhusband,
goi
ngtodogr
ocer
y
shoppingwi t
hhim. "Icouldn'thelp
myself,Ij
ustletoutal oudl augh.
"Laughallyouwant ,butknowt hi
s.
Thatmani smi ne.Hewi llnev erbe
yours,
hisheartbelongst ohim. "

Me:"
ori
sitnow?"Ij
ustwant
edto
pl
antaseedofdoubti
nhermind

Thandi
:
"What
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?"

Me:
"Not
hing,
not
hingatal
l
."
Thandi:"
Thatdidn'
tsoundli
ke
nothi
ng."Iwipedmyhandswi tha
dishclothandplaceditonmy
shoulder,
thenItur
nedt ol
ookather

Me: "
Imean"Imi mickedhervoice."I
f
hisheartreall
ybelongst oyou,why
doesn'thespendal otofti
mewi t
h?
Whyi sheal wayssoeagert oi mpress
othergirl
swhenhehassomeonehe
l
ov esri
ghther einthis
house? mmm, may bey oushouldask
yourselft
hosequest i
onsbeforeyou
startmarkingyourt er
rit
ory
."Asifon
cue,hewalkedi nwhi l
ewhistl
ing.I
turnedbackandwashedmy
dishes,
i
gnori
ngthedeadl
ylook
Thandiwasgivi
ngme.Sivuyi
lecame
tothekit
chen.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lunat
hiwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"

Me:
"Washi
ngt
hedi
shes,
duh.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Thandi
weistheonewho's
supposedtodothat,
youcan'
tcook
andwashdishes.That'
snotf
air
."

Thandi
:
"Ai
boLeon.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uthi
nyai
bont
oni
?!
"

Thandi
:
"Whyshoul
dIwasht
he
di
sheswhenshecandot
hat
."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Uhm letmesee.
..
.because
i
t'
scal
ledshari
ngchor
es,
doingyour
wi
fel
yduti
es."

Thandi:"Ial
readydofulf
ilmywi
fel
y
duties,
i
fy ouknowwhatImean."She
saidinadi r
tyv oi
ce,
Ifel
tso
disgusted.
Sivuyi
le:
"beingawifedoesn'tonly
i
ncludedoi ngthat
,i
tal
soi ncludes
takingcareofahome, keepingit
clean."

Thandi
:
"That
'swhywehav
e
Mam'Nomusa."

Siv
uy i
le:"Didy
ouf or
gett
hatshe
quit
,afteryoumadeherpaintyourt
oe
nail
s."Jesusthisgir
l.

Thandi:
"Shewasjustbei
ngdramati
c."
Ipackedthedi
shesinthecupboar
d
wit
hal ookofdi
sbeli
ef.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Dramat i
c?She'
sa50y ear
ol
dwoman, ol
denoughtobey our
motherandwenay oudeci
dedtoask
hertopaintyourtoenai
ls!
"Anditget
worse.

Thandi
:
"It
houghthatwasal
sopar
tof
herj
obdescr
ipt
ion.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Wel lguesswhat?Because
ofyourthoughts,
wedon'thavea
maid.Soy ouhavetoshareyour
choreswithLunathi
."
Thandi:
"Wel lsi
nceIalr
eadydot he
chores.
..i
nt hebedroom,Iwil
llet
Boit
umel otakecareofthehouse
chores.
"Thisgirli
sreal
lymentall
y
dist
urbed.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Thandi
,
arey
ousur
eyouar
e
okay?
"

Thandi
:
"Ofcour
seI
'
m okay
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"No,
Imeanment
all
y.
"Il
et
outachuckl
e.
Thandi
:"Si
vuy
il
e!That'
saninsul
t.
Howdar eyoudi
srespectmeinfront
ofher.
"Nowwho'sbeingdramatic.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Itwasasi
mpl
equest
ion,
not
ani
nsul
t.
"

Thandi :
"Wel l
Itookitasone,my
feel
ingsaresohur trightnow.Iwill
needr etai
ltherapy
,soIwillneedyour
cardfirstt
hingi nt
hemor ning."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
H-"
Thandi:
"Sav eit.Nowl etmegoand
nursemyf eel
ingsinMYr oom.You
canuset hespar eroom causeIcan't
barethesi ghtofyour i
ghtnow."
Dramaticmuch?Shel ookedatmefor
awhi l
e."Onsecondt houghts,
youwil
l
sleepont hecoucht hat'sinour
room."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Heehhayuy
andinyel
a
kengoku.
(Nowyouareshit
ti
ngme)
."

Thandi:
"Youaredoingi
tagai
n!NowI
willhav
etoaddamessageont opof
thatret
ail
ther
apy.
"
Siv
uy il
e:"Tha-"Shegav ehimt he'tal
k
tothehand' signbeforerushingof f
upstairs."Hayndi y
any el
eka
kengoku. "Icouldn'tcontai
nmy
l
aught erany mor e,
Ijustletout.Ieven
hadt earsinmyey es."Areyoudone
now? "Ilookedathi m andst art
ed
l
aughi ngagai n,t
il
lIcouldn'
tany more.

Me:"
Damn!.
..
..NowIam done."He
l
ookedl
ikehewaspissedoff."How
doyoudealwit
hthat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Justgot
obedandst
op
aski
ngmestupi
dquest
ions."I
l
aughedagai
n,
hewasreall
ypissed.

Me: "Don'tbemadatmeboo, I'm not

theonewho' smaki ngy ouagol d
mine. "Helaughed." Thet hingsy ou
tol
er ateallinthenameofl ov e.
"I
wal kedtot hef r
idgeandt ookout
bott l
edcoldwat er."Wellgoodni ght
MrMi ne."Hel aughed.Iwentupt o
myr oom.Ichangedi nt
omyni ght
dressandgoti nundert hecov ers
afterdrinkingmywat er
.It ookoutmy
phoneandcheckedaf ewWhat sApp
messages, Il
ockedi tandpl acedi t
undermypi l
lowt henIcl osedmy
ey
es.
□
□
□
SI
VUYI
LE
.
Shelef tmest andi ngint hemi ddl eof
thekitchenwi thasmi lepl ast
er edon
myf ace.Ididn'tlikewhatshesai d
though,thethigaboutt olerati
ng
thi
ngsal li
nt henameofl ove,
ifonl y
sheknewt hatI'm notr eallyinlov e
withThandi ,
quitef ranklyIdon' tlove
her,
Ijustcareaboutherandher
pussygamei sj ustabonus.My
relati
onshi pwi t
hThandi isver y
compl icated,Ionlymar r
iedher
becausemyf at
herwasput t
ing
pressur isi
ngmei ntoget ti
nga
wife,f
unnyt hingiswhenIi ntroduced
Thandi tohim hedi dn'tli
keher ,butI
mar ri
edherany way,becauseIf el
tli
ke
Iowehert hatmuch.ImeanIhad
alreadypr omi sedhermar ri
age, soit
woul dhav ebeenawf ulofmet ogo
backonmywor dright?My
relati
onshi pwi t
hThandi started2or
3y earsago, inacl ub.Shewasaone
nightst and,butbecauseherpussy
wasonf ir
eIcoul dn'tlethergo.We
hadanost r
ingsat t
ached
rel
at i
onshi pf oraf ewmont hs, wel l
thatwasunt i
l shecaughtf eelingsf or
me, shest artedbei ngcl i
ngyand
beingt errit
orial.SoIal sowentwi th
thef l
owsi ncewel l,Ididn'treallyhav e
ast eadygi rl
friend.Thr oughoutt he
rel
at i
onshi p,t
her ehasbeenal otof
beingunf ait
hf ul-from mysi det hati s,
Ikeptoncheat i
ngonherhopi ngt hat
willmakeherdumpmebuti tdidn' t
,it
gotwor sewhenshef oundoutt hatI
am t hecr ownedPr inceoft heXhosa
Kingdom.Shewashel lbentonf ixing
ourr elati
onshi p,butIkeptgoi ngback
tomypr omiscuousway sandImade
suret hatshef oundoutwhenev erI
sleptwi thagi r
l,
butthatdi dn'
twor k
too.WhenIf inall
ydecidedt obr eak
upwi thher ,
shedr oppedabombshel l
onme, shet oldmet hatshewas2
mont hspr egnantwi thmybaby ,I
coul dn'tgot hroughwi t
ht hebr eakup.
ButIcar r
iedonhav i
ngsexwi t
hot her
girl
sont hesi de,unti
lshef oundout
abouti tandconf r
ontedme, and
surpr i
singlyshef or
gavemeagai n.A
fewday saf tertheconf rontati
on,she
calledmeandt oldshe'scomi ngov er
total ktome, Iwashappy- it
hought
thiswasi t,
thisiswher eshei sgoi ng
tobr eakupwi t
h,andboywasIwr ong.
Insteadofbr eakingupwi thasIhad
hoped,shet oldmet hatshe
miscarriedourbaby .That
again,mademest ayi nthisloveless
rel
ationshipwi t
hher .Ican' treall
ysay
Iwashur twhenshel ostt hebaby
becauseIwasn' treallyreadyt obea
father,
butshewashur t
ing,soImade
av owt omy selfthatIwi l
lalway sbe
thereforher ,
eveni fitmeantst ayi
ng
i
nt hisrelationshipwi t
hher .Af ew
mont hsl atershemov edi n,
I
i
ntroducedhert omysi sters,and
them beingf orwardt heyt oldmom
abouther ,
whowentonandt olddad.
That'swhenDadcameupwi ththi
s
whol emar riaget hing,hekepton
tel
li
ngmet hatI '
m notget t
ingany
younger ,
andhemi ghtdieany ti
meso
i
nor dert or uletheki ngdom Ineedt o
getawi fe.Af t
erdadf oundoutt hat
Thandi wasnott hechosenone, he
tol
dmet obr eakupwi t
hher ,
butI
couldn' tsoIwentaheadandmar r
ied
her.Andher ewear etoday ,
married
withher ,
butIf eel absolutelynothing
forher .Inf actIt hi nkIam i nlovewi th
Boi -Lunat hiImean.Shei s
fl
awl ess, sheknowshowt otakecar e
ofaman, whenshesmi lesmyday
bri
ght ensup, whenev ershe'saround
myhear tbeat sf ast er,
mypal ms
sweat ,hel l
If eel l
ikeki ssingheral lthe
ti
me-herl aughgi vesmegoose
bumps.Iwantt otell
herhowI
feel,
butIdoubtwantshef eelsthe
sameway ,Idon'twantt ober ejected-
Ifearreject i
on,soIwi llj
ustloveher
from adi stance.ButIj ustwantwake
upnextt oheral lthetime, Iwantto
bebur iedi nsi
deherv aginaev ery
night,Iwantt oleavemymar konher
ev er
yni ght,Iwantt otouchherpl ump
skinev eryt i
me, damn!NowIam
aroused, IknowThandi won'tgiveme
some, Imi ghtaswel lusemyhand.
Suckst obeme!

Iwentupt
omyr
oom Thandi
was
alreadysleeping, Isawabl anketand
pill
owont hecouch, soshewas
ser i
ousaboutmesl eepi ngont he
couch- uyanyal o!Jwon' tsleepon
thecouch, i
nf actIwi l
ljustgoand
sleepwi t
hLunat hi.
...NoIcan' tdo
that,Iwi
llgettempt edanddot hings
toher ,
no.Iwi l
ljustf orcemysel fon
thisbed,AfterallIpai df orit.I
decidedt otakeashowerbef ore
j
oi ni
ngmyl ovelywi feinbed.
○
Thenextmor ni
ngIwaswokenupby
myringingalarm,Iswi
tchedoffand
wenttot akeashower.Justli
keevery
morning,Thandiwassti
llasl
eep,
that
meansIhadt odomyowni roning,
wellnotthatshedoesmyi r
oning.I
wentdownst air
swithonl
ymyboxer s
on.Lunathiwasalreadyi
ntheki t
chen
prepari
ngbreakfast.

Me:"
Morni
ng.
"Shesmiled,
Icoul
dn'
t
hel
pbuttosmi
leback.

Lunat
hi:
"Hey.Howdi
dy ousl
eep?
..
.
onthecouch?"Shel
aughed.

Me:"Wel
lfory
ouri
nfor
mat
ion,
Idi
dn'
t
sl
eepint
hecouch.
"
Lunathi
:
"Yeah,
ri
ght
.Yourf
oodis
ready
."Shegavemeaplatef
il
led
withmybreakf
ast.

Me:"
Uhm,i
fit'
snottoomucht
oo
coul
dyoupleasei
ron
t
hecl
othesIam goi
ngt
oweart
oday
."

Lunathi
:
"Sur
e,wher
ear
eyour
cl
othes?"

Me:"Wel
l
,Iwashopi
ngthaty
ouwoul d
choseanout
fi
tforme.
"Shelookedat
mewi
thal
lherey
ebal
l
sout
.

Lunathi:
"Chooseanout fi
tfory ou?I
n
yourcloset?That 'si
ny ourroom?
Wher eyoul eftyourcrazywi f
e
sleepi
ng? "Ilaughed,
herf aci
al
expressi
onwast oofunny .

Me: "
Don'twor
ry,
Thandii
sadeep
sleeper
,shewontbheary
ouent
erthe
room."

Lunat
hi:
"No,Iwoul
dbeoverstepping
myboundar i
es.Goi
ngi
ntoy ourroom
andchoosingyouanout
fitwhiley our
wifeissleeping,nothat'
s
disr
espectful."Gosh!Wher edidmy
ancestorsfindher ,
sheissosel f
less
andrespect ful.It
hinkIam fal
li
ngi n
deep."IknowIl ookbeauti
ful,
noneed
tolookatmel ikethat.
"Ichuckled.

Me:
"Don'
tfl
att
ery
our
sel
fMs.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Mr
syoumean.
"Ichuckl
ed
agai
n.

Me:"
Uhm, youcanchoosemyoutfi
t
f
rom theclothest
hatarei
nthe
l
aundryroom.Somet hi
ngcasual
pl
ease.
"

Lunathi:
"Okay.
"Sheleft
,Idugi
ntomy
breakfast.Myphonerangdist
urbi
ng
mef rom myeating,
i
twasThemba.

Me:
"EhTman.
"

Themba:
"Shodawg,Ineedyout
o
cometothesur
geryASAP."

Me:
"Hawu,
why
?Ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
"

Themba:
"Notr
eal
l
y,j
ustsomeone
whohasabusi
nesspr
oposalf
orus.
Hewantst
oseeusbothasinnow.
"

Me:"Eish,
okay.Iwil
lbet hereina
few."Ihungupandf i
nishedmy
breakfast
.Iplaceshepl ateinthesi
nk
anddr ankwater.Lunathicameback
withmyi ronedclot
hes.

Lunathi:
"Thereyougo.
"Shehanded
them tome, i
twasablackj
eanwitha
pologolft-shi
rt
.

Me:
"Thanky
ouwifey
."She
smi
l
ed,damnherl
i
ps.Iwantedt
oki
ss
her.Iquickl
ystol
eakissthenIran
upstair
swhi l
elaughi
ng.Iqui
ckl
y
changedi nt
omycl ot
hes,t
ookmy
phoneandmycarkey sthenImade
mywayt othesurger
y.
●
○
●
#Whatshoul
dSi
vuy
il
edo?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er26
○
○
○
○
○
BOI
TUMELO
Iwasmakingmywayt oEdgars,
that
's
whereIwasmeet
ingmysi st
er.Iwent
tot
heshoessect
ion,
shewast ryi
ng
onapairofr
edst
ill
etoes.

Me:
"Andt
hen?
"

Bontle:
"OneofLizwi
'scoll
eagueis
hosti
ngadi nnerpar
tytoni
ght,
Ihave
tolookthebest."

Me:
"Doy
our
eal
l
yhav
etobuynew
shoes?
"

Bontl
e:"
Ofcour
se.I
t'
spar
tofl
ooki
ng
good.
"

Me:
"Youar
esoext
ra.
"

Bontl
e:"
Whatever
.Fi
rstofally
ou
didn'
tevengr
eetmepr oper
lywhen
yougothere.
"

Me:"Sorr
y.Howar
eyoumybeaut
if
ul
si
ster?"
Bont
le:
"Tool
atesweet
y."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"So,
arey
out
aki
ngmeout
?"

Bont
le:
"Hel
lno.I
'
mtaki
ngy
out
othe
doct
or.
"

Me:
"I'
m notsi
ck.
"

Bontl
e:"
See,Iknewy
ouwoul
dfor
get
aboutthi
s."Ohhh

Me:
"Ohhh,
forcont
racept
ives?
"
Bontl
e:"No,
formorphi
ne.Ofcour
se
forcontr
acept
ives.
"Il
aughed.

Me:"Whycan'
twej
ustbuypi
l
lsata
pharmacy
?"

Bontl
e:"
CauseIwanthimtoexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ngtothetee.Andal
sogi
ve
youopti
ons.Besi
desIfeell
i
kepi
ll
s
areabitri
sky
."

Me:
"Why
?"
Bontl
e:"Causeyouneedt odri
nkthem
every
day ,
whatifyouforgett
odrink
them,yousleepwithyourhusband
andendupf al
l
ingpregnant.
"

Me:"Wellyoudon'tneedt
owor r
y
aboutthat
.Meandhi m ar
enever
goingdownthatroad.OooIl
ike
those.
"Shewast r
y i
ngonablackpai
r
ofwedges.

Bontl
e:"
Nah,
toosi
mple.Whatdoyou
meany ouar
enevergoi
ngdownthat
road?
"
Me:
"Imeanwear enev
ersl
eepi
ng
t
ogetheragai
n."

Bontle:"That 'sj-
"herphoner ang.
"Who'st hi
snow.Bont l
ehel lo?. .
...
.
Ohhhsor r
ydoct or,wear eonourway
now. .
...thank. youby e."Shehungup.
"Weneedt ogo.Iwi lljusttaket her ed
ones."Shet ookt heshoesandwent
topayt henwel eftt
ot hedoct or .The
doctorexpl ainedal lthedi f
fer entki nd
ofcont racept ivesIcoul dtake, heal so
explainedt hesi deef f
ectoft hem.I
optedf ort he3y ear
sneedl e,i
twas
l
esscompl icatedandt hatmeantl ess
worryingf orme.Af terour
appoi
ntmentwewentt
ohav
elunch
atSPUR.

Bontle:
"Soyouar
enotwil
l
ingt
ofi
ght
foryourman?"Shesai
daft
ert
aki
nga
bitofherst
ake.

Me:"
He'snotmyman.Andbesi
des
Ther
e'sanothi
ngt
ofi
ghtfor
."

Bontle:
"Chi
ld,
yourhusbandisYOUR
man.Whatdoy oumeant here'
s
nothi
ngt ofi
ghtfor
?Ar eyoureal
ly
gonnaletthatfi
neassguyspendt he
restofhisl
ifewit
hthatBarbiedol
l?"
Me:"Wellhelovesher ,
andhechose
tomarryher.AndI'm notahome
wrecker
,i
t'
sbadenought hatIgot
marri
edtohim andsl eptwithhim,I
can'
tbuil
dar omanticrelati
onshi
p
wit
hhim.That '
sjustwr ong.
"

Bont
le:
"Say
swho?
"

Me:
"Me.
"

Bont
le:"
Youarenolongerav
irgi
n
Tumi,
thatmeansyouaregoi
ngto
crav
eforadickf
rom t
imetoti
meyou
needtotur
ntohi
m whenthatt
ime
comes,.
"

Me:
"No.Thatwon'
thappen.
"

Bontl
e:"
Sowenayouar
et el
l
ingme
thaty
oudon'
tfeel
anyt
hingforhi
m?"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Bont
le:
"Omaka(Youar
elying)how
coul
dyounothaveacrushon
someonel
ikehi
m?Hei sfl
ippincut
e."
Me:
"Okay,maybeIdofeel
somethi
ng
f
orhim.ButIwon'
tactonthose
f
eel
ings.
"

Bont
le:
"Whynot
?"

Me:"
He'
sinlov
ewithsomeoneelse,I
won'
tset
tl
eforbei
ngsecondbest.
"

Bont
le:
"Youfr
ustr
atemesomet i
mes.
Youshoul
dmakeamov eonhim,j
ust
topi
ssThandiof
f.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"No.YouknowI
'
m notaspi
tef
ul
per
son."

Bont
le:
"Doi
tformet
hen.
"

Me:
"Noausi
."

Bont
le:
"Pl
ease.
"

Me:
"Youareabadi
nfl
uence.
"Isai
d
whi
l
elaughi
ng.

Bont
le:
"Youknowyoualsowant
hi
m,soit
'sawinwi
nsit
uation.
"
Me:
"Wi
nwi
n?"

Bontl
e:"
Yes,
yougetashagandIget
toseeapissedoffThandi.
"Ohmy
Godhappeningtomysi st
er?SMH.

Me:
"Idon'
twantashag.
"

Bontl
e:"
Wellmaybenotnow,
buti
nthe
nearfut
ureyouwil
l.Wenaj
ust
seduceyouhusbandandall
wil
lfal
l
i
ntoplace.
"Amen.
Me:
"WhydoIhav
etoseducehi
m?"

Bontl
e:"
whydoy ouhav
etoask
quest
ionsal
ltheti
me?"Il
aughed.

Me:"Okayf
ine,
sohowdoIgoabout
seduci
nghi
m? "Ican'
tbel
i
eveI
'
m
aboutt
odot hi
s.

Bont
le:
"Soy
ougonnadoi
t?"

Me:"Idon'
tknow,
may
be.I
twi
l
l
depend."
Bontle:"Idon'tcar eaboutthat,
let'
s
getintobusi ness.I t'
snothing
compl icatedr eally,
al
lyouhav etodo
i
sweart i
ghtcl othesthatshowof f
yourcur ves,
sexyni ghtyeverynight
andmakesur ey oualwaysseehi m
aft
erchangi ngi nto.t
hatnighty
.Ohh
andpl easedo. fl
irtwit
hhim alot."
Andi tget swor se

Me:
"Fl
i
rt?Ican'
tfl
i
rt.
"

Bontl
e:"Youwi
l
llear
n.Allyouhavet
o
doismakehim wantyou,malehi
m
wanttospendalotofti
mewi thy
ou.
"
Me:
"Tr
ustmeheal
readydoes.
"

Bontle:
"t
henmaybemyPunki
eyou
mightgetyour
sel
fashag.
"She
smirked.

Me:"
Idon'
twantt
ohav
esexwi
th
hi
m."

Bontl
e:"
Yeahri
ght.Any
waydoy
ou
havesexyni
ghti
es?"

Me:
"Wel
lmom di
dbuymeal
oadof
t
hose,
Idon'
tknowwhy
."Shel
aughed

Bontle:"
mamakeskel em(Mom isa
crook.)Shewasactuall
yhint
ingthat
youshoul df
eedyourguy,gi
vehima
cookie."

Me:"Andcanyoubel i
evethatwhen
theyweregivi
ngmemar i
taladvi
ce
withtheQueen,t
heyactuall
ysaidI
shouldmakesur et
hathedoesn' tgo
tobedwithoutgett
ingfed."She
l
aughedoutloud.

Bont
le:
"Tshesamama!
"
Me:"Ican'
tbel
i
eveshewasactual
l
y
encouragi
ngmetohavesex.
"

Bont
le:
"Sheknowsthatsexisaneed.
Maybeshestil
lget
sherfreakonwith
dadeveryni
ght.
"

Me:
"Haysiesmarn!Idon'
twantto
i
maginet
hat.
"Shelaughedagai
n.

Bont
le:
"Don'
tactl
i
keav
irgi
nhawu.
"

Me:
"Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
obuy
me?
"

Bont
le:
"whyshoul
dIbuyy
ou
somethi
ng?"

Me:
"Youdidn'
tbuymeany
thi
ngon
mybir
thdayphel
a."

Bontl
e:"Yourweddi
ngwasabi
rt
hday
gi
ft.
"Amen.

Me:
"how?Youdi
dn'
tpayf
ori
t.
"

Bont
le:
"ButIhel
pedy
oupl
ani
t,
so
t
hatshoul
dcountasabi
rt
hdaygi
ft
."

Me:
"Noi
t'
sdoesn'
t.
"

Bont l
e:"
marawenawahl upha.Your
resultsarecomingoutsoonandy ou
willexpectmet obuyy ouagift
again,noPunkie.Ei
therIbuyy ou
somet hingtodayorinJanuary .
"Ahhh.

Me:
"Fi
ne,
today
."

Bontl
e:"Whatdoyouwant
?"Mmmh
excel
l
entquesti
on
Me:
"Kappat
racksui
t.
"

Bont
le:
"i
sn'
tthatf
orboy
s?"

Me:"
Idon'
tthi
nkso.Ev
eni
fitwasf
or
boy
s,Isti
l
lwanti
t."

Bont
le:
"Whatcol
ourdoy
ouwanti
t
i
n?"

Me:
"Red.
"
Bontl
e:"
fi
ne,
Let
sgo.
"Shepai
dthebil
l
thenwemadeourwaytoSport
Scene.
□
□
SI
VUYI
LE

Thandi:
"Woul
dyoustopt
appi
ngt
hat
foot
,youar
eir
rit
ati
ngme.
"

Me:"
Whatifsomethinghappenedto
her
?Whati fthi
sboyfr
iendofher
sis
apsychopath?Whati-
"

Thandi
:
"Whati
fshe'
ssaf
eandsound
whereversheis?Justst opwi ththese
whatifs.Boit
umeloi sabi ggirl
,she's
18shecant akecar eofher sel
f."The
cl
ockwasappr oaching20: 00and
Lunathiwasnotbacky et.Iwas
gett
ingwor r
ied,
wellmay beIwas
worri
edaboutt hefactthatshecoul d
bekissingherboyfri
endr ightnow, or
worsegi v
inghim what'smi ne.
...aggg
I'
m sofrustr
ated.

Me:"Ineedadri
nk."Istoodand
pouredmyselfagl assofwhiskey
whichIdownedinasecond." MaybeI
shouldcall
herbrothers.
"
Thandi :
"Andsaywhat ?Mmmh?I
don'
tev enknowwhyy ouareso
worriedabouther ,
sheprobably
chi
ll
ingandl aughingwit
hher
boyfriendwhileyouaregetti
ng
yourselfworkedupaboutnot hing.
"
She'
snotmaki ngthissi
tuati
onany
bett
er .

Me:
"Justshutupokay
?!"

Thandi:
"Whoareyoutal
kingtoli
ke
that
?!"I
'
m ser
iousl
ynotinthemood
fort
his,l
etmejustgoupstai
rs.Iwas
abouttotakethesecondstaircase
whenIhear dthedooropening.I
quickl
yturnedandwentbackt o
Thandi.Shewalkedincarr
yloadsof
shoppingbags,mmm Iguessher
boyfri
endreall
yspoi
ledher.

Me:"Wherear
eyoucomi ngfr
om? !I
s
thi
sthet i
mearoyal
wifeshould
comehomeat ?!
"Shelookedatme
confused.

Lunat
hi:
"sor
ry?
"

Me:
"Di
dyouev
enseet
het
ime?
!"
Lunat
hi:
"I
tsnotthatlat
e.Besi
deI
sentyouatextt
elli
ngyouthatIwi
l
l
belat
e."

Me:
"t
ext
?Whatt
ext
?"

Lunathi:
"youshouldcheckyour
phonemor eoft
enhusband."She
wentupst ai
rswithhermult
ipl
e
shoppingbags.

Thandi
:"
Iguessshef oundher
selfa
ver
yloadedboyf
riend.Didyousee
t
hoseshoppi
ngbags?
"

Me:
"Ihav
eey
esThandi
we.
"

Thandi
:"
Woahcalm down.Whyar
e
youevenpi
ssedoff
?"

Me:
"I
'm notpi
ssed.
"

Thandi
:"
Sivuy
il
e,doy oul
ov ethatgir
l?"
Il
ookedather,hereyeswer etel
li
ng
met osayno,
butmyhear tandmi nd
j
ustwantedtoconf ess.
Me:"What
?No.Ij
ustcar
eabouther
saf
etyt
hat'
sal
l
."

Thandi:"
Thatbet t
erbet hecase, or
else.
..
"Thandi i
sar ealpsy
cho, ask
mysi dechickstheyknow.Lunat hi
camedownwear inghersleep
wear ,
notjustanysl eepwear,shewas
wear i
ngasexyl aceygown, thegown
wasn'tti
edpr operlysoIcoul dseea
bitoftheredsexynumbershehad
underneath.IswearIcoul dfeel my
entir
ebodybur ning,Jamawasal so
reacti
ngtot hi
ssight .
Lunat
hi:
"Sowhatar
ewehav
ingf
or
di
nner.
"

Thandi:"wealreadyate,youwhi p
somet hingupf oryoursel
f."Yeah
ri
ght!Al lwehadwasagr eensalad,
wit
hj uice.I
'm sti
ll
hungr y
.

Lunat
hi:
"Nahit
'scool
,
I'
m nothungr
y
anyway.Ij
ustcametosay
goodni
ght.
"

Thandi:
"Goodni
ghtdoll
,
andtomorrow
weneedt ohaveatalkaboutt
hisnew
boyf
riendofyour
s.Iwantallt
he
det
ail
s."Nxah!

Lunathi:"
GoodnightSivuy il
e."Ohmy
God,thewayshesai dit.Iswearshe
saiditinav er
yf l
ir
tati
oust one,Ithi
nk
Ialsosawhersqueezi ngherboobs.
Okaymay beI'
m exagger at i
nga
bit,
shedidn'tr
eallysqueezeher
boobsi twasall i
nmyi magi nat
ion,
but
shedi dgivemet hebedr oom eyes-I
didn'
timaginet hat.Whati sshedoi ng
tome?NowIneedt ogetsomepussy .
Thandi'sphonebeeped, br i
ngingme
backf rom t
hewor l
dofl ust.
Thandi
:"
Ohy
es!
"Shej
umpedof
fthe
couch.

Me:
"What
'
sgoty
ousoexci
ted?
"

Thandi:
"Myfri
endsareinvi
ti
ngmet o
anightout,
shuuujustwhenIthought
Iwasgonnaspendt henightat
home,butmybi t
chescamet hr
ough
forme."Ihonestl
ydon'
tunderst
and
thi
sgirl
.

Me:
"Soyouar
enotsl
eepi
ngher
e
t
oni
ght?
"
Thandi :"
Ofcour senot.Iwillonl
y
comebackt omor r
owatar ound10."I
feltl
ikejumpi ngandt hankingmy
ancest ors,nowt hiswasar eal
blessing,thiscouldpot ent
iall
yearn
meachancet oshareabedwi t
h
Lunat hi.

Me:"
Ohh,aslongasy ouwi
l
lbesaf
e
andcheckinfrom t
imetoti
me.
"

Thandi
:
"Don'twor
rybabyIwi
ll
.Ohh
andIwil
lneedabitofcashf
or
toni
ght
."
Me:"Don'
tworr
yIwill
takecar
eof
that
."Iwassoeagertohaveherout
ofthehouse.

Thandi:
"thanky out hanky oubaby ."
Shethrewher selfatmeandgav eme
amassi veki ss."Letmegoandget
ready.
"Sher anoutt heloungeandup
thestai
rs.Idi dmymi nidance,I
've
beenwai tingfort hismoment .Now
l
etmegoandt ast ethewat erwith
Lunathi
.Iwentupt oherroom, I
knockedl i
ght l
y,shet oldmet oent er.
Shewasl ayi
ngonherst omach, her
asswasal l
putandhert
highswere
exposed.Nowthiswasasightf
or
soreeyes.

Me:
"Hey"Shemov
edherey
esf
rom
t
hephone.

Lunat
hi:
"Hi
.
.Iseey
ouhav
ecal
med
down."

Me:
"yeahaboutthat
,I'
m sor
ry.It
end
t
ooverreactsometi
mes."

Lunat
hi:
"Mmmhapol
ogyaccept
ed.
"
Me:"
Great.Nowthatwearefr
iends
agai
n,Ineedahugefavourf
rom you.
"

Lunat
hi:
"andwhat
'st
hat
?"

Me:"WellcanIsleepherewi
thyou
toni
ght?
"Herey eswidened"
Yousee
thi
ngisThandiisgoingoutt
oni
ght
andshe'sonl
ycomi ngback
tomorr
ow."

Lunathi
:"
ther
e'snot
hingnewther
e,
I'
m sureyouareusedtothi
snow."
Thisisgoi
ngt
obehar
dert
hanI
thought
.

Me:"WellIdon'
twantt osleepby
myselftonight
,especi
all
yafterwhat
happened."

Lunathi
:"whathappened?"Shehada
confusedlookonherf ace.Iwant
ed
tosayy ouhavemeahar don.

Me:"uhm Ihadanightmar elast

ni
ght,itwasreal
l
yscary.Iwas
shakingandsweating,Icouldn'
t
breathandIam asthmat i
c.Idon't
thi
nkIshouldsl
eepalonetoni
ght
,orI
mightenduphav i
nganasthmati
c
att
ackifIdon'
thavesomeonewho
wil
lcal
m meaf t
erthenight
mare.
"
Okaythatwasabigfatli
e!

Lunat
hi:
"Ohmygoshr
eal
l
y?"

Me:"
Yes,
itget
spr et
tyhect
ic
someti
mes."Thismightmakeme
l
ookweak,butIdon'
tcareaslongas
i
twil
lgetmeani cesleepwit
hher.

Lunat
hi:
"howdoyouknowyouwil
l
haveanight
mareagai
ntoni
ght
?"
She'
sat
oughnutt
ocr
ack

Me:"Ijustdo,Isti
llfeelscared.AndI
thi
nkt hishastodowi t
h
ancestors,maybetheyar et ry
ingto
tel
lmesomet hing."Ican'tbeli
eveI
j
ustliedaboutmyancest ors,
please
for
givemeboZi ziabahle.Shel ooked
atmef oralongwhi le.

Lunathi
:"
Fine,
youcansl eephere.As
l
ongasy ouwi l
l keepyourhandsto
yoursel
f.
"Ican'treal
lypromiseher
that
.
Me:
"Icant
aket
hat
."

Lunat
hi:
"imeani
tSi
vuy
il
w,no
cuddl
i
ng."AMEN!

Me:"Yeahsho."Thandiyel
ledmy
name."Thanky ou.Iwil
lseeyouina
j
iff
y."Il
eftherroom andwentto
Thandiwhowasst andi
nginthe
middleofthelounge.

Thandi
:
"baby
,youst
il
lhav
en'
tsentt
he
money.
"
Me:"Ohh,
Iwi
lldothatj
ustnow.
"I
tookoutmyphoneandsenther
R3000.

Thandi
:
"Thanky
oubaby
."Shegav
e
meahug.

Me:
"Noki
ssv
ele?
"

Thandi:
"l
ipsti
ckhunny .
"OKAY."Li
ndo
i
salreadywai t
ingformeout si
de.
Goodnightbaby ,
I'
llseeyou
tomorrow."Shetookherclutchbag
andranoutt hedoor .
Me:"Great!
!!
"Iscreamed.Iranupt o
Lunathi'
sroom,shewasal readyunder
thecovers.Itookoffal
lmycl othes
andremai nedinmyboxer s,t
henI
j
oinedherundert hecovers.
○
●
#Shor
tSomet
hing.
□
I
'
m backguys.Iwi
llt
ryt
opostat
l
eastt
woinsertst
omorr
ow(l
ater
t
odayrat
her
).
Sor
ryf
orbei
ngqui
etf
orsuchal
ong
t
ime.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er27
□
□
□
□
□
Iwasnowhol dinghercl
oseto
me,eventhoughshetri
edtofi
ghtme
atf
irst,
Ifi
nall
ygottocuddl
eher.

Me:"Ar
eyousl
eepi
ng?
"Shehadher
backonme.
Lunat
hi:
"No."Sheanswer
edaft
era
whil
e.Great,
Iwant
edtoaskherabout
thi
sboyfri
endofhers.

Me:"
So..
..y
ourboy
fri
endhuh.I
sit
someoneIknow?"

Lunathi
:
"No."Okaysot hatmeans
ther
eisaboyfri
end,Ican'tr
eal
lysay
myheartli
kedthat
.

Me:
"He'
stheonewhoboughty
oual
l
t
hosecl
othes?
"
Lunat
hi:
"Yes.
"

Me:"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met haty
ou
wantedt
obuynewcl
othes?
"

Lunat
hi:
"Whyshoul
dI?
"

Me:"
I'
my ourhusband,
Ishoul
dbethe
onebuyi
ngy ouclot
hes,
notanyot
her
man."

Lunat
hi:
"Andhe'
smyboyf
ri
end,
he
shoul
dspoilmeoncei
nawhil
e."
Me:"Wellnotwhi
l
ey ouar
est
il
l
st
ayingundermyroof.
"

Lunathi
:
"That
'swhyIwantt
omov
e
out.
"

Me:"That'
snotgoi ngtohappenke
sisi
.Youknowwhatel seisnotgoing
tohappen? .
..Yourboyfr
iendbuying
youclothes,
ifyouwantt obuy
somethingy ouwillt
alktomeandI
will
giveyoumoneyt obuyit.Gotit
?"

Lunat
hi:
"Hehastospoil
mesince
he'
smyboy f
ri
end."Iwasget
ti
ng
agi
tat
ed.

Me:"
No!Idon'tev
enknowwhyy
ou
needaboyfr
iend!
"

Lunathi
:"
Wespokeaboutthi
s.Fut
hi
ther
e'snoneedt
ogetallworkedup
aboutit
."

Me:"AndIt
oldy
ouIcansat
isf
yyour
needs."

Lunat
hi:
"AndIsai
d,j
ustl
i
keyou,
I
don'
tl
ikeshari
ng.
"Shewasseri
ousl
y
annoyingme." Andi fyoumustknow,
Iwaswi thmysi sterthewholeday.
She'stheonewhoboughtmeal lthat
stuf
f.Nexttimey oushoul daskme
i
nsteadofbel iev
ingev er
ythi
ngyour
Barbiedoll
wif esays.Goodnight
."I
fel
tli
kejumpi ngandt hanktheLord
andmyGods.

Me:"Well
canIatl
eastgeta
goodni
ghtki
ss?
"

Lunathi
:
"JustbecauseIwasspendi
ng
thedaywithmy ,
doesn'
tmeanIdon'
t
haveaboy f
ri
end.SoIwouldn'
t
di
srespecthi
mli
ket
hat
."

Me:
"Meani
ng?
"

Lunathi
:
"Kissi
ngyouwoul dmeanI
don'
trespectmyr el
ati
onshi
p."Iwas
abithurtbythat
.

Me: "Wellgoodni ghtthen."Islowlyl

et
goofherwai standl aidonmyback.I
wasst il
lstar
ingatt hecei l
ingwhenI
felthercli
mbi ngont opofmeand
givingmeasl owandt enderkiss.I
didn'tevenwast eanyt ime, I
respondedt ot hekiss.Theki sswas
fi
ll
edwi t
hal otofemot ions,
itwasas
i
fshehasbeenwai ti
ngt oki
ssme, i
t
wasav erylingeri
ngki ss.Ifeltmy
selfget
ti
nghar d,becausecooki ewas
exactl
ysitt
ingonZi zi,shewas
gri
ndingonmesl owl y,IguessIam
getti
ngsomet onight.JustasIwas
thi
nkingabouthav i
nghert onight
,she
brokethekissandl ookedatme.

Lunat
hi:
"Happynow?
"

Me:"Morethanyoucanimagi ne."She
att
emptedt ogetof
fme, butIgrabbed
bothherthi
ghs,r
est
rai
ningherf rom
mov
ing."I
sthatal
lyouar
egi
vi
ngme
t
oni
ght?"

Lunathi
:"Yousai
dyouwanteda
ki
ss,andIgaveyouone.Whatmor
e
doyouwant ?"

Me:"Wellyoukindofwokeupthe
monster,
somay beyoucanputhim
backtosleep.
"Shelaughedout
l
oud,t
hrowingherheadtotheback.

Lunat
hi:
"I
tsnotmyf aul
tthatyou
haveaveryforwar
dmonst er.
"She
l
aughedagain.Sheissobeautif
ul.
Me:"
ohcomeon.Youcan'
tl
eav
eme
l
iket
his.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Takeacoldshower
,Iheari
t
doesthetri
ck.
"Shegiggl
ed.

Me:"
Ndizoyi
fakakanci
ncike.
(Iwil
l
j
ustputtheti
pin.)
"Shewaslaughi
ng
nonstop,
whileIwasseri
ous.

Lunathi:
"No.Justsl
eepi
toff
.Youwi l
l
befineinnot i
me."Shewasreal
lynot
budging."Nowletgoofmythighs,I
wantt
osl
eep.
"

Me:
"Youcansl
eepher
e."

Lunathi
:"
No,youwanttorapeme
whenIam asl eep.
"Il
aughed,
Iwasn'
t
expecti
ngthat.

Me:"
DoIlookl
ikearapistsi
si?
"She
shr
uggedhershoul
ders.

Lunat
hi:
"Youcanneverknow."We
l
aughed.Shelai
dherheadonmy
chest
."Whydoy oual
way sl
etThandi
gooutatni
ght
?"

Me:"
She'
sgrownwoman,
shecando
whatshewants.
"

Lunathi:
"Well
she'smarri
edtothe
Prince,
shecan'tbehotandabouton
clubsatnight
.Ithoughtbei
ngaroyal
wifemeantbei ngtamedand
respectf
ul.
"

Me:"I
tsdoes,i
t'
sjustthatThandi li
kes
doi
ngt hi
ngsherownway .Icouldtel
l
hernottogocl ubbi
ngev erynight,
but
shewon'tli
sten.Shewi l
ldot he
opposi
teandgocl
ubbi
ng.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Ar
en'tyouscaredthatshe
mightbecheati
ngony ou?"Shesaid
aft
erashortsil
ence.Nowt hat
's
somethi
ngInev ert
houghtabout.

Me:"Notreal
ly.Imean,Igiveher
ever
ythi
ngshewant s,Ialwayssat
isf
y
heri
nbed.Plusshel ovesmewayt oo
mucht odothat."

Lunat
hi:
"Howdoy
ouknowt
hatshe
l
ovesyou?"
Me:"
becausei
fshedi
dn'tl
ovemea
l
ot,
shewouldhavel
eftmealong
t
imeago."

Lunat
hi:
"meani
ng?
"

Me:"M eandherhavebeent hr
ougha
l
ot,I
'vedonealotbadthingsto
her
,butshest
il
lstayedwithme.And
her
ewear esti
llst
anding."

Lunathi
:"
Youreall
yloveherdon'
t
you?"Ikeptqui
etforawhil
e.
Me:
"Notr
eal
l
y."

Lunathi
:
"Thenwhyar
eyoust
il
lwi
th
her?
"

Me:"
Guil
t.If
eelgui
lt
yofall
thet
hings
Ihav
edonet oher,
Ifeel
li
keIoweher
somethi
ng."

Lunathi
:"Youdoknowt hatpeople
maket hei
rownchoi cesright?
"I
nodded."Itwasherchoicet ostay
wit
hy ouev enaf
tereverythi
ngy oudi
d
toher ,youdon' toweherany thing.
She'st heonewhodeci dedst ay ,
you
didn'tforceher .Ifanythingsheowes
hersel f
,shewast edal otofhert i
me
withy ou.Andy ouar ealsodoi ngt he
samet hing,youar ewast inghert i
me.
Youar ehol dingherbackf rom
mov ingf orwar d,youar ehol dingher
backf r
om f indingsomeonewhowi l
l
tr
ulyl oveher ,
youar ehol dingherback
fr
om f i
ndinghersoul mat e.I'
m not
sayingt hisbecauseI '
m mar ri
edt o
you,no.I '
mj ustt ell
ingy ouhowi ti
s.
Youneedt ot ellherhowy ouf eeland
setherf r
ee.Youwi ll
besav ingher
fr
om hear tacheandt i
me. "That
makessense.

Me:"Howoldarey ouagain?"She
l
aughed."Ihearyou,youaremaki nga
l
otofsense.Idon'twanttobr eakher
heartt
hough,Idon'tknowhowt otel
l
her.
"

Lunathi
:"Youwi l
l f
igureitoutindue
ti
me.Justdon' ttaketool ongto
comet oaconcl usion,t
hel ongery
ou
wait
,t
hehar deritwillbetot al
kto
her.
"

Me:
"Yeah,
Iheary
ou.Iwi
l
lsl
eepon
i
t.
"

Lunathi
:
"Ineedtosleepnow.Ican
barel
yopenmyey es.Goodnight.
"
Hah!Sosher eal
l
ysl eepi
ngwi t
hout
gi
vingmesome?Hai ngeke.Thatcan
nothappen.

Me:"Lunathi!Nathi!
"Ishookhershe
j
ustmumbl ed."Ngekeulal
ewithout
fi
xi
ngt heproblem yoh!"Imovedmy
handst oherbut,shewaswear i
ngg-
str
ign.Isl
owl ymademywayt oher
cookie,
shewaswet .Thatmeansshe
al
sowant edme, butshehadt obe
stur
rbornandsl eepitoff.Wel l
I'
m not
l
ikeher,Ican'tsleepitof
f .Imov ed
herupabi tandt ookoutmyr oger-
uZizi
,
sli
dherpant ytothesi deand
sli
duZiziin.Shegasped

Lunat
hi:
"Mmmmmmh"Iguessshe
wasn'
treal
l
ysl
eepi
ng.
☆
☆
Thefoll
owingmor ningIwokeup.I
wasstil
linsi
deher.Igentl
ytookout
mysleepingroger,Iwenttothe
bathr
oom andwi pedmy sel
f,Iwent
backtoherandwi pedher.Shewas
sti
llsl
eeping.Iwentt omyr oom and
tookal ongshower , Iworemy
suit,
packedmywor kingbagandwent
downst ai
rs.IguessIwi l
lhaveto
makemy selfbreakfastsinceshe's
sti
llsl
eeping,andaf terl
astnight,I
don'twantt owakeherup.Imade
my selfahealthyshake.JustasIwas
aboutt ogulpdownt heremai ni
ng
contentofit,
shel ookedi nl
ooking
ti
redasev er.

Lunat
hi:
"Mor
ning.
"

Me:
"Goodmor
ning.
"
Lunat
hi:
"Ther
e'snothi
nggoodabout
thi
smorning,
mywhol ebodyhur
ts.I
j
ustwanttosleepthewholeday
."

Me:
"Whydi
dyouwakeup?
"

Lunathi:
"Iwantedtomakey oh
breakfast,
butIcanseeI
'm alr
eady
l
ate."Ichuckled.

Me:"I
tsfi
ne.Ineedtodashtowork.
"I
tookmycarkey s,
phoneandmybr i
ef
case,Iki
ssedhercheek.Iwentt
o
gar
ageanddr
oveof
finmyBMW i8.
Onmywaytowork,
Ical
l
edLungani
.

Lungani
:
"AwwNt
wana.
"

Me:
"howzi
tmyman.
"

Lungani
:"
Im overt
hemoon
dawg,Zi
nathij
ustgav
emeami nd
bl
owingsessionri
ghtnow.
"Il
aughed.

Me:"I'
m gl
adI
'm nott
heonlyonewho
hadthatki
ndofsessi
on.Nowi wont
feel
badabouttel
li
ngyouaboutmy
sessi
on"hel
aughed

Lungani:"
Weehwenauhl el
iukhal
a
ngoThandi namat echni
queakhe
sesajway el
a.(Youareal
ways
braggingaboutThandi andher
techniques,
wehav egottenusedto
i
t.)"Ichuckled.

Me:
"Wel
lthi
sti
mei
twasn'
ther
."

Lungani:
"What?Yougotyoursel
fa
sidechi
ck?CauseIknowit'
snot
Boitumel
o,shewoul
dneversleepwi
th
you."
Me:
"If
eel
soof
fendedr
ightnow.
"

Lungani
:
"It
'st
het
rut
hnt
wana.
"We
l
aughed

Me:"
Wellifyoumustknow,itwasher.
Ihadherscreamingmynamet he
wholeni
ght.WhenIleftt
heshewas
complai
ningaboutasorebody,
that
meansIputi tdownr
ight
."

Lungani:
"Nowaynt wana!You
actual
l
ybr okeherhy
men? !Youar
e
t
hemai
nmanmyG.I '
venev
erbeen
wi
thav
irgi
n."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Wel
lIki
ndofbrokehervi
rgi
nit
y
ont
heni
ghtofourweddi
ng."

Lungani
:
"Wai
t,
what
?!"

Me:
"Yeah.I
t'
snott
hef
ir
stt
ime.
"

Lungani:"Yousneakybitchass.You
didn'
ttellus!
"Il
aughed."Howwasi t
l
ikesleepingwit
hav ir
gin?Wasshe
reall
yreall
yti
ght?"
Me:"I'
m notabouttodiscussmy
wif
e'sti
ghtnesswithyou,l
etal
oneour
bedroom detai
l
s."

Lungani
:"Wel
lyoual
way
sdoi
twi
th
Thandi,
whynotwit
hher
?"

Me:"
She'sdi
ff
erent
.She'
snotl
i
ke
Thandi
."

Lungani
:
"Theyarebot
hy ourwives
dumbarse..
..
.unl
essyouareact ual
ly
Inl
ovewiththenewMr s.
"Ikeptquiet.
"
OhhhhhhhhhhThebi
gGi sfinal
lyI
n
l
ovewit
hsomeone!ManIf eelli
ke
t
hrowi
ngy ouapar
tyr
ightnow. "

Me:
"hayf
uckof
fwena.
"Hel
aughed.

Lungani:
"Ser
iously
.Ifeell
ikethi
si s
anachievement,
phelawenat helast
ti
mey ouwereInlovewi t
hsomeone
waslike7or8y earsago.Ireal
ly
needtothrowthispart
y."

Me:"
Haywena,nopar
ti
es.Ther
e'sno
needforapar
ty.
"
Lungani
:"
Trustmethereis.Weare
havi
ngapar t
yonSaturday,damnI
needtoorgani
sestr
ippers,
thi
swill
be
l
ikeyourbachel
orpart
y.Ican'twai
t.
"

Me:"St
ri
ppers?Bachel
orpar
ty?
Lunganidon'
tstar
twit
hyour
madnessplease."

Lungani:
"I
t'snotmadness.Damn!I'
ve
beenwai t
ingforthi
smoment ,Ij
ust
didn'
texpectittobewithBoi
tumelo
though.She'snotreal
l
ywhaty ou
alwaysgof or.
"
Me:"
IguessIneededachangei
nmy
l
if
e."

Lungani:
"I
m sohappyforyountwana.
Andy ougotthemostbeauti
ful
woman, t
hatassntwana!WadlaZi
zi.
"
Welaughed

Me:
"Don'
ttal
kaboutmywi
fe'
sass.
"

Lungani
:"
Im sor
rynt
wana,
butt
hatass
i
sreall
yhardtomiss.
"
Me:
"Hayhayf
utsek!
"Hel
aughed.

Lungani:
"Ijusthopeyouhaven'
ttol
d
Thembay et,orel
seIwil
ltopayhima
thousandr and."

Me:
"Ey
ysan,
Ial
readyt
oldhi
m."

Lungani
:
"WeehJesu!He'
scomi
ng
aft
erus.
"Il
aughed.

Me:"
Thatwi
l
lseey
our
ightf
ormaki
ng
abetonme."
Lungani
:"
Mxm.Chatt
oyoul
ater
ntwana,
Ihav
etogotoameet
ing.
"

Me:"wearest
il
lonforourmeetup
sessi
ontoni
ghtri
ght?"

Lungani
:"
Defini
tel
y.Seeyoul
ater
,my
sexybossjustwentpassmydoor,I
needtogo."

Me:
"Youar
est
il
laf
tert
hatass?
"

Lungani
:"
andIwon'
trestt
il
lIt
ast
eit
."
Il
aughed.Hehungup.
Me:"
stupidass."Igottothe
company,Iparkedmycarandwent
upstrai
ghttomyof fi
ce.MyPA
Penel
opef ol
lowedbehi ndasI
ent
eredmyof f
ice,Isatonmychai
r.

Penelope:
"Morningsir
.Youhavea10
o'
clockwithMrWi ll
sonanda3
o'
clockwithMrNxumal o.Thenyou
wil
lbedonewi thtoday'
s
appointment
s."

Me:
"Okayt
hanks.OohandIneedyou
t
osetupameetingf
orme,Themba
andtheseothert
wogentl
eman.You
wil
lgetthei
rnumber
sfrom Themba"

Penel
ope:
"Thembaasi
nyourf
ri
end
si
r?"

Me:
"Yes.
"Shej
ott
edi
tdown.

Penelope:
"Andwhoarethesepeopl
e
I
'm goingtoaski
ngf
orthei
r
number s?
"

Me:"
Idon'
tknow.Justt
ell
himtogi
ve
youtheoft
heproposal
gentl
emen.
Hewi
l
lunder
stand.
"

Penel
ope:
"Okaysi
r.I
sthatal
l
?"

Me:
"Yesthatwi
l
lbeall
."Shetur
ned
onherheel
sandlef
ttoherdeskto
makesomecall
s.
■
□
BOI
TUMELO
AfterSiv
uyil
eleftt
hehouseIdeci
ded
togetsomesl eepsincemybodywas
reall
ypainf
ul.Youseethatman
wor kedmelastnight,
event
houghI
pretendednotwanti tatfir
st ,
butmy
wetnessgav emeaway .Iwokeupat
3o'clock,andboywasIhungr y.On
mywayt ot heki tchen, Ihear dmoans
comi ngfrom Si vuy i
le'sroom -Iguess
he'sback.Ican' tbel ievehe' shav i
ng
sexwi thheraf terhesl eptwi thme
l
astni ght.NxahPi g!Iwasaboutt o
passt her oom whenIhear dsome
guyssay: "Doest hatst upidhusband
ofy oursgiv eitt oy oul i
ket his?"That
wasn' tSi
v uy il
e'
sv oice,Ihav et osee
who' sinther e.Ipushedt hedoor
sl
owl y,andl uckil
yf ormei twasn' t
cl
osed.Themoanswer egetting
l
ouder ,Iturnedmyey estot hebed, I
sweart
oGodInearl
yfai
nted.Iwas
fr
ozenont
hatspot
.

Me:"WHATTHEHELL
THANDI WE??
!!
"Shejumpedoffthe
guy'sdi
ckandfel
lof
fthebed.She
stoodupandmadeherwayt ome.

Thandi
:
"It
snotwhati
tlooksl
i
ke.I
t
wasami st
ake.
"

Me:"
ohhyouj usthappenedtof al
lon
topofLamlani'
sdick?!
!Ony our
matri
monialbednogal Thandiwe?!
Youareadisgustinghumanbei ng.
AndwenaLaml aniyouknowt hat
Thandiweismar ri
edtoy ourfri
end's
brother
,butyoust i
llgoanddot his?
Nx ah!
"Iturnedandl eftt
her oom,they
wer ebusyshout i
ngmyname, butI
keptonwal king.
○
○
○
#Caught
InTheAct
.
.
Duetonetwor
kpr oblemsIcoul
dn'
t
postany
thi
nglastnight.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er28
●
●
○
○
Iwassitt
inginthelounge,
watching
TVandwai ti
ngforthesexpartnersto
comedown.Theyf i
nall
ydeci
dedt o
comedown, Lamlaniwasdressedin
hi
sclothes,
whil
eThandi wewas
weari
nghergown.Theycanandsat
opposi
teme.

Me:
"Youar
est
il
lsi
tt
ing?
"Iwas
l
ooki
ngatLaml
ani
.

Lamlani
:
"Ij
ustwantt
oapol
ogi
zefor
whatyouwalkedi
n.I
'
mreal
lyso-
"

Me:"
pabapa!Youdon'tneedto
apol
ogisetome,theper
sont hatyou
havetoapologi
setoisSivuy
ile,
not
me."

Thandi
:
"No!No!Hecan' tf
indout
aboutt
his.Youcan'
ttel
lhi
m."

Me:
"Vel
eIwon'
tbecausei
t'
snotmy
pl
ace,
butwenay
ouwi
l
l.
"

Thandi:
"ComeonBoi tumel
o,t
hiswi
ll
hurthi
mf orr
eal.Doyoureal
l
ywant
breakhi
ml i
kethat?
"Heeehthisgi
rl
.

Me:
"He'
saman,
hecant
akei
t.
"

Thandi
:
"Whatisitv
ele?Doyousee
thi
sasanopport
unit
ytoswoopri
ght
i
nmybednex tt
omyman? "

Me:
"Yeey!Don'
tyoudar
esaythatt
o
me.Am Itheonewhosentt
osleep
wi
thLaml
ani
?"

Laml
ani
:
"Lookwed-
"

Me:"
Usalaphawena?
(Youar
est
il
l
her
e?)"

Lamlani:
"IguessIshoul
dleavethen."
Duh.Helookedatme." Iwil
lcally
ou
toni
ght.
"Heeehwonder sshallnever
end,
isthi
smansane.Hel ef
t.

Me:"
Yourboy
fri
endneedshel
p
shame.
"
Thandi:
"He'
snotmyboyfr
iend.Look
hemeansnot hi
ngtome,Ilove
Si
vuyil
eandIwouldnev
erhur thi
m
i
ntenti
onall
y.I
twasadr
unkmi st
ake.
"

Me:
"Wel
lyoul
ookedsobert
ome.

Thandi:
"I
'm sor
ryBoit
umelo.Pl
ease
don'
ttel
lSivuyi
leaboutt
his.
"

Me:"Idon'tknowwhyy ouar
e
apologisi
ngt ome.Li
keIsai
dIwon't
tel
lSivuyi
leaboutthi
s,
youwil
l.Nowi
f
youwi llexcusemeIneedt ost art
preparingdi nner.Andwenay oucan
rest,
I'
m sur ey ouar et ir
edf rom that
exercisey oujustgot ."Ist oodupand
mademywayt otheki tchenwhi le
whistli
ng.I '
m notsur prisedt hatshe
cheated, I
'mj ustsur pr i
sedt hatshe
cheatedwi t
hLaml ani .Imeanshe
knewt hatLaml aniwant edme, andif
Laml anithinkshehasachancewi th
meaf t
erthis..mhhhhasf ooli
ng
himsel f
.
AfteranhourIwasdonewit
hmy
cooking,nowIneedt
otakeabath.
MyphonebeepedwhenIgoti nmy
room, i
twasamessagefrom Si
vuy
il
e
telli
ngmet hathewasgoi ngoutwi th
hisf r
iends,sohewi l
lbelate.That
meansIhav et ohavedinnerwith
Thandi we,Lor dhelpme.It ookal ong
relaxingbath, woremysl eepwear
thenIwentdownst air
s.Thecheat er
wasal r
eadysi tti
ngintheloungeand
wat chingTVi nherPJs.Iwentt othe
kitchenanddi shedupf orthebothof
us, Itookherf oodtohert henwe
startedeating.Iwasr eall
yf eel
i
ng
gui l
tyaboutwhatwentdown
bet weenmeandSi vuyi
lelast
night,butafterwhatIsawt oday,Ifeel
l
essgui l
ty.
Thandi
:"
Uhm,Leonisnotj
oini
ngus?
"
Iguesshedi
dn'
ttel
lher

Me:"
Hesai
dhewil
lbelat
e.He'
s
goi
ngoutwi
tht
heboys."

Thandi:"
ohh.Okay ."Aft
erthatweate
i
nsilence.Itookmyempt ypl
ateto
thekit
chen,justasIwasaboutt o
washi tshewal kedin."I
t'
sokay,Iwil
l
dothedi shes."Inearl
yfaint
ed.

Me:"
You?Youaregoi
ngt
odot
he
di
shes?Why?"
Thandi
:"
Ijustt
hinki
t'
sti
meIstar
t
hel
pingouthereint
hehouse.
"

Me:"mmmhr i
ght.
"Ilef
tmypl at
ein
thesinkandwenttowat chTV.
Thandi wei
sdoingthusbecauseshe
thi
nksImi ghtt
ell
Sivuyi
leabouther
cheatingways,
thi
sgirli
sunbeli
evabl
e.

"Goodni
ght.
"Idi
dn'
tevenhearher
walki
ngin,
Iwastoofocusedonthe
TV.
Me:
"ni
ght
."Thi
swasr
eal
l
ywei
rd.

Thandi:
"ohhandImi ghtbegoingout
toni
ght."OhhhellNoshe'snot.Ican'
t
beleftalonewit
hSivuyi
leinthis
houseagai n.

Me:"Areyousur
eyouwantt odothat
?
Especi
all
yaft
erwhathappened?
"

Thandi
:"
Ithoughty
ousai
dyouwer
e
notgonnatel
lhim?"

Me:
"I'
m notsay
ingI
'
m goi
ngt
otel
l
him.WhatImeani s,whatifyoumeet
Laml aniatt
hecl
ubagaint oni
ghtand
theny ouguyssl
eeptogether
again,t
henwhat?"Shekeptquietf
ora
whil
e.

Thandi
:
"ButIcan'
tst
ayher
etoni
ght
."

Me:
"Whynot
?"

Thandi
:"
Sivuy
il
ewi l
lwantt
ohav esex
wit
hmeandwhenhedoeshewi ll
knowthatsomeonewasi nther
e."TF?
Iwasreal
lyconfused.
Me:"Well
Iguessy
ouwi
l
lhav
etot
ell
hi
mf i
rstt
hen.
"

Thandi
:
"Ican'
tdothat.Ican'
tbr
eak
hi
sheartli
kethat
.Iwill
justgoand
sl
eepoveratmyfri
endshouse."

Me: "Ayydoy ougirl

."Shestoodf ora
fewsecondsbef oreshewentupt he
stairsandtoherr oom.Iwat cheda
fewshowsonTVbef orereti
ri
ngt o
myr oom.Iwassoundasl eepwhenI
feltsomethingmov ingundert he
cov ers,
Ipanickedandt ri
edtot urn.
"Shhhhi
t'
sme, sl
eep."ThankGodi t
washim.Iclosedmyey esandwent
backtosleepwithhim cuddli
ng
me,thewayIwassosl eepyIdidn'
t
evencarethatThandimi ghtwal
kin
onus.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Goodni
ghtbaby
."Heki
ssed
myshoul
der.
○
●
Thefoll
owi
ngmorningIwokeupwi t
h
Si
vuyil
e'
sarmswrappedaround
me,hewasreal
l
yholdi
ngmet ight
.I
tr
iedt
ogetoffhi
m buthehel
dme
event
ight
er.

Me:
"Ineedt
ogetup.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Why
?Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"

Me:
"Ineedt
opee.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Wel
lyoucanpeeal
loverme,
Idon'
tmind.
"Il
aughedoutl
oud.

Me:
"Si
esmar
nSi
vuy
il
e!"Hel
aughed
Siv
uyil
e:"
Yohuy adel
ela
mntanandini
(youaredisr
espt
ful
chi
ld.
)Howcany ousaythatt
oyour
husband."Welaughed.

Me:"
naweyouarebei
ngnastynje.Let
megohle,
orelseIwi
llpeeonthe
bed.
"

Si
v uyi
l
e:"
kuyaf
ananj ezizohl
anjwa
nguweeziway.(Itdoesn'tmatt
er,you
aretheonewhogoi ngt owasht hem
ei
therway.)
"Ilaughed.
Me:
"Youar
esoev
ilshame.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Itr
ymadam. "Weboth
l
aughed.Ididn'
teventhi
nkabout
Thandi
wef orabit
,Idon'
tknowwhy.

Me:
"Wher
e'sy
ourwi
fe?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ri
ghther
einmyar
ms.
"I
bl
ushed.

Me:
"I'
mtal
ki
ngaboutThandi
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tknow.WhenIcame
backhomel
astni
ghtshewasnot
here.
"

Me:
"Sheprobabl
ywentt
ovi
sither
mom l
ikeshesai
dshewoul
d."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Nah,
Idon'
tthi
nkso.She
pr
obablywenttoacl
ub."

Me:
"Wellshesai
dshewaspl
anni
ng
t
ovi
sithermom."

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Thandi
andherar
enotreal
l
y
thatcl
ose,
soshewoul
dneverj
ust
deci
detogoandvisi
theroutofthe
bl
ue.Onethi
ngI'
m sureabout,
she
wasdri
nki
ngthewholenight.
"

Me:
"Weehaike.Youar
enotgoi
ngt
o
wor
ktoday
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tfeel
li
kei
t.I
'
mti
red.
"

Me:
"Whatmadeyout
ir
ed?Dr
inki
ng
t
hewhi
leni
ght
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iwasn'tdr
inki
ngthewhole
ni
ghthawu.InfactIwasn'
tdri
nki
ngat
al
l
."

Me:
"Li
es.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Honest
ly,Iwasdr
inki
ng
Juicethewhol
enight.
"Hesuchali
ar.

Me:"OhMyGody ouar
esuchast
ory
cr
eator
."Hel
aughed

Si
vuyi
le:
"I
sthaty
ourrespectabl
eway
ofcal
l
ingmeal i
ar?
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"May
be.Buty
ouwer
edr
inki
ng
l
astni
ght,
Icoul
dsmellt
healcohol
andni
coti
newhenyouenter
edthe
bedl
astni
ght.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
okayf
ine.Idi
dhav
eaf
ew
dr
inks.
"

Me:"
ubuphikel
anike?
(sowhywer
e
youdenyi
ngi t
?)"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
YourXhosaissocutei
nthat
Sot
hoaccent
."Welaughed.

Me:
"Sonowy
ouar
eteasi
ngmy
accent
?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
NoI'm not.I
'm
compl
iment
ingy ou."

Me:"
Yeahright.
..
..abutiweeh,
Ist
il
l
needtopee."Hesi ghed

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Fine.Butyouarecomi
ng
backt
obedaf tert
hat.
"

Me:"Mymom saidonceawifei
sout
ofbed,shemustnotgobacki
nit
agai
n."
Siv
uyil
e:"TF?Thatdoesn'
tev
enmake
sense.
"

Me:
"Wel
ltomei
tdoes.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Wel
lIguessyouaren'
t
goi
nganywher
e.Youmi ghtaswel
l
pi
ssonthebed.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"ohcomeon.Ir
eal
l
yneedt
ogo.
"
Hel
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"No.
"
Me:"
Please.OkayIwi
l
lcomebackt
o
bed.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ser
ious?
"

Me:
"Yes.
"Li
es.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Youbetternotbelyi
ngto
me, orelse.
..
mmmh"Il aughedashe
untangledhissel
ffrom mybody.I
gotoffthebedandr antothetoi
let
andf i
nallyl
etgoofmypi ss.Mm that
hooosamomentofpi ssi
ngafter
holdingi
tinforsolong,
bestf
eel
ing
ever.Aft
erwipingmyself,
Iwashed
myf aceandbr ushedmyteet
hthenI
wentbackt omyr oom t
oputon
l
otiononmyf aceandhands.

Si
vuy
il
e:"andthen,whyar
eyoul
oti
on?
Wher
ear eyougoing?"

Me:
"t
omakebr
eakf
ast
.Duh.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hah!Youl i
edtome. "I
l
aughed.Inasplitsecondhewasout
ofthebed,car
ryi
ngmet oitand
ti
ckli
ngtheliv
ingdayli
ghtsoutofme.
Il
aughedsohar
dthatInear
lypi
ssed
mysel
f.

Me:
"s.
..
t.
..
.o.
..
.p"Iwasst
il
ll
aughi
ng.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Howdar
ey ouli
etothe
Pr
ince.
"Hewasstil
lti
ckl
ingme.

Me:"I'
m..
..
s..
.o.
..
r.
..
r.
..y.
"hestoped
t
ickli
ng,
butIwasstil
l l
aughingand
t
ryingtocat
chmybr eath.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatwast
hat
?"
Me:"I'
m sor
rymyPr
ince,
itwon'
t
happenagain.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
good.Nowwhydon'twe
sealt
hatoffwit
hakiss.
"Heleaned
for
wardandIpushedhim of
fme
gentl
y.

Me:
"Nooooo!
"Ist
oodup.Hesaton
t
hebed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Why
?"

Me:
"becauseThandi
mightbebacki
n
thehouse,Idon'
twantt
odi
srespect
herl
ikethat.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
wearebackther
eagai n?I
thoughtwewerepassedthatstage
alr
eady"heseemedabitfrust
rated.

Me:
"yes.Besi
desmeandy ouar
enot
i
narelati
onshi
p,wecan'
tbehavi
ng
mor
ningkisses.
"

Sivuyi
le:"
Ayywenay ouli
keplayi
ng
hardtoget .
"Iwantedtolaughatthe
frust
ratedlookhehadonhi sface.
"Doweal wayshav
et ogoaroundin
ci
rclesbecauseofthi
s?I'
m honestl
y
getti
ngti
redofthi
s."Uyany
alo!It
's
onlybeenaweeksincewegot
mar r
ied.

Me:"Yes.Ifeell
ikeasi
dechickri
ght
now, Thandidoesn'
tknowwhat '
s
goingonbet weenus,weourselves
don'tknowwhatwear edoi
ng.Ifeel
cheapandusedandwor seIfeelli
ke
I'
m betrayi
ngThandiwe."

Si
v uyi
l
e:"andi
thi
youar
etheonewho
doesn'twantustobeexcl
usi
ve!You
aretheonewhokeepsonbr i
nging
Thandi
weintoourbusiness!Weare
notdoi
nganythi
ngwr ongher e,
we
aremarr
iedandit'
sexpectedofusto
fal
-uhm..
.tohavesexandki ss.
"

Me:"Notunti
llThandi
wehadadj ust
ed
tothi
ssituat
ion.Idon'
tfeelgood
aboutwhatwear edoing."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Sowhat?Youwantmeto
tel
lheraboutus?Idon'
tmi
ndIcan
dothat.
"

Me:
"NoNoNo!Idon'
twantyout
odo
t
hat
.Youwi
ll
breakherhear
tandI
don'
twanttobecall
edahome
wreckerandIsur
eashel
ldonot
wantanydramainmyli
fe.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Whatdoyouwantmet odo
then??!!
"Hewasgett
ingi
rr
it
ated"You
arereall
yconf
usi
ngmer i
ghtnow
Lunathi!
"

Me:"Calm downhl
e.Al
lI'
m sayingis
thatIwanttodothi
swit
houtf eel
ing
guil
ty,
atthesametimeIdon'twant
tohurtThandi.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Basi
cal
l
yyoudon'
tknow
whaty
ouwant
?!!
"

Me: "
Ido.Ithinkthebestthingtodo
thi
si stostopt hi
swhol et
hing.Let
's
j
ustgobackt oourol d
arrangement ,
let'
sjustbeci
v i
l
towar dseachot her,
noneedtobe
fri
endsbecausewecan' tseem to
handlet hat
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"No!Youaretheonewho
can'
tseem t
ohandlethi
s.Youdon'
t
knowwhaty ouwant!
"

Me:
"Ido.Let
'sj
ustcal
li
tqui
ts.
"
Sivuyil
e:"
FI NETHEN! !VeleIcan'tbe
runningar oundinci rclesli
keam a
chil
dl i
key ou!"Didhej ustl
owkeycal l
mechi ldish?Wow!" Ineedt ogoget
readyforwor k.Ay ikhoi nto
endizoyihlalel
aapha.Nxah! "Ithought
hewasn' tgoi ngt owor ktoday.He
walkedoutl ookingpi ssedasev er ,
l
eav i
ngmest andingt herewithmy
mout hslight l
yopen.Heopenedt he
doorabi t" Andify out hi
nkthisis
yourwayofget t
ingaboy fri
end,then
youar ewr ongsi si.I'
mt heonlyone
all
owedt ot oucht hatbody ,
I
'mt he
onlyoneal l
owedt oki ssthosel i
ps
andI'
m defini
tel
ytheonlyone
al
lowedtoent ert
hatparadise,
Iam
aft
eral
ltheonewhounl ockedit
."He
sl
ammedt hedoorclosedleavi
ngme
gobsmackedandf eeli
ngabi twet-
weir
d.Ireall
yfoundthatsexy.
Wow!Iam oneconf usedsoul ,
one
minut eIdon'tfeelgui
ltyaboutthis
andIwanthi m.Thenextmi nuteIam
feel
inggui lt
yandIdon' twanthim
anymor e,
kantiwhat'
swr ongwi t
hme?
I'
m hav ingmi x
edemot ionsaboutt his
wholet hing,IguessI'
m notusedt o
sharing,butwhatam Isay ingI'
ve
neverr eall
yhadapar tnersoIdon' t
knowany thi
ngaboutr elat
ionships,
may behei
sright,Iam chi
l
dish.Iwas
real
lyfr
ust
rat
edandIneededt otal
k
tosomeone.Itookoutmyphoneand
text
edher:"
Cany oucomeov er
?I
needashouldertocryonrightnow."-
Sent.
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□
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□
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I
SBOITUMELOREALLYBEI
NG
CHI
LDISH?
#Hel
l
oBabi
es
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er29
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□
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□
Si
vuyi
lewasal
readygoneforwork.I
wassit
ti
ngint
heloungewaiyi
ngf or
Zi
ntl
etocome.Shewalkedinlooking
ev
ersoworri
ed.

Zi
ntle:
"Whathappened?Whyar
eyou
cr
ying?"

Me:
"BecauseI
'
m st
upi
d."
Zint
le:
"Whatdi
dyoudot hatmade
youcometothatconcl
usion?
"

Me:"Ihadsexwi t
hSi v
uyi
l
etheni
ght
beforeandlastnightweshar
edabed
together
."Isni
ff
ed

Zi
ntl
e:"
sohowdoest
hatmakey
ou
st
upi
d? "

Me:"
Itoldhi
m weshouldstopdoing
t
his,
becauseIfeel
gui
lt
yandIf eel
l
ikeI
'm betr
ayi
ngThandi,
IalsosaidI
don'twanthimt otellheraboutthi
s
eventhoughIf eell
ikeasidechick."I
wipedmyt ears."Hesai dI'
m
fr
ustrat
inghim andI '
m chil
dish.
"

Zint
le:"Wellhewasn' twrongabout
that.Youar ebeingchildi
sh,youneed
tomakeadeci sionwhet heryouwant
tohav ear el
ati
onshipwi thhim ornot.
Youcan' tkeeponsl eepingwithhim
thenthef oll
owingdaysayy oudon't
wanthi m anymor e.Andy ouneedt o
stopt hi
nkingaboutThandi we's
feel
ings,Sivuyi
leisyourhusbandj ust
asmuchhei shers,y
oucanhav esex
withhi m al
lyouwantwi t
houtfeeli
ng
gui
l
ty.
"

Me:"Ican'thel
pmy self.If
eell
ikeI
'
m
betr
ay ingher,
shet hi
nksthis
marriagei saconvenience
marriage,andnowwear esuddenl
y
sl
eepi ngtogether
.Itdoesn'
tsound
ri
ght."

Zint
le:"
Youknowwhatt heproblem i
s?
Youar eov ert
hinki
ngt hiswholethi
ng.
Idon'tblamey outhough, Ibl
ame
yourhear t
.Youar efartookind,t
hat'
s
whyy ouar efeel
ingthisway .But
Thandi i
snoty ourfr
iend,she's
nothingtoyou,youonlyshareadick
soy oudon'
thav etofeell
ikeyouare
betrayi
ngher.Shedoesn'tdeser
ve
thatmuchrespectf r
om you.Nowt el
l
me, doyoulikeSiv
uyil
e?"DoI

Me:"
What'st
hatgott
odowi
th
any
thing?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Justanswert
hequest
ion.
"

Me:
"YesIdo.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ifeel
li
ket
hiswhol
ethi
ngi
s
centredaroundy ourfeeli
ngs, Ithi
nk
youlikehim waymor et hany out hi
nk,
youact ual
lylikehimt oapoi ntwher e
youar enotcomf ort
ablewi t
hshar i
ng
him -Youwoul drathernothav ehim
atallthanyoshar ehim with
someoneel se."Reall
y?May beshe' s
ri
ght.

Me:"Ithi
nksot oo.I
'
mr eal
lynotokay
withthisshar
ingthi
ng,butthere
nothingIcandoabouti t.Theworst
thi
ngi sthaty
oursisterisinlov
ewi t
h
him."
Zint
le:
"I
nlovewit
hwho?Ifshewas
i
nlovewithhi
m,shewoul
dn'tbe
cheati
ngonhim."

Me:
"Sowhatshoul
dIdonow?
"

Zintle:
"Confr
onty ourfeeli
ngsfor
Sivuy i
l
e.Theny ouwi l
ldecidewhet her
tocar ryonwitht hisorst opit
permanent l
y.Ify oudeci detocarryon
withi t
,youneedt otellhim howy ou
feel.Andifyoudeci detoendi t,
you
needt ostopi tper manent l
y.AndI
meanst opsleepingwi thhimt hent he
foll
owi ngdayt ellhimthaty oudon't
wanthi
m,ify
oucarryondoi
ngt
hat
,
youwil
lbehurt
ingbothy
ouandhi
m."

Me:
"Hur
ti
nghi
m?Idoubthehas
f
eel
i
ngsforme.
"

Zintle:"Youdon'tknowaboutt hat.
Whaty ouneedtodoi st ocomet oa
deci sionandmov eonf rom this.
Personal lyIfeell
ikeyoushoul dstop
thiswhol ethi
ngforawhi le,j
ustto
fi
gur eoutwhaty ouwant .Youhav e
plent yoft i
me,Imeany ouguy s
hav en'tbeenmar riedfort hatl
ong."
That 'sagoodi dea.
Me:"
Whoknewt hatyoucoul
dgive
suchgoodadv
ice?"Webothlaughed.

Zint
le:
"Ungr
atefulbi
tch.
"Welaughed
agai
n."Sowhere'ssi
sterhoe?
"I
gi
ggled.

Me:"She'
sinh-heeehforgetthat
.
Speakingofsi
sterhoe,Ifoundher
humpingsomeonel astnight,
on
Siv
uy i
l
e'sbed.
"Ihadtot el
lher

Zi
ntl
e:"
Real
l
y?"
Me:
"Youdon'
tseem sur
pri
sed.
"

Zi
ntle:"
Wheni tcomest ot hat
gi
rl
,nothingsurpri
sesmeany more."
Sher ol
ledhereyes."Whodi dshe
sl
eepwi t
hthi
st i
mear ound?Ibetit
washeroneofherf r
iend'sboyfr
iend
orcrush."

Me:"
That'
stheshocki
ngpar
t,she
sl
eptwit
hLamlani!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Laml
ani
?!YourLaml
ani
?!
"
Me:"
He'snotmine,
butyesmy
Lamlani
."Shel
aughed.

Zint
le:
"Sheknewthaty
ouand
Lamlanihadathi
nggoingon,
s-"

Me:"
haywehadnot
hinggoi
ngon
hawu!"

Zint
le:
"YouknowwhatImean.Thi
ng
i
sshekeptonr ef
err
ingt
oLamlani
as
yourboyf
ri
end.
"
Me:"Soy ouaret
ryi
ngt
otel
lmet hat
shesleptwit
hsomeoneshethough
wasmyboy f
ri
end?"

Zint
le:"
Yes!!That
'swhatshedoes,
shelikessleepi
ngwithpeopl
e'
s
boyfri
end,especi
all
ypeoplet
hat
she'
scl osewith.
"Mymout hwas
wideopen.

Me:"
Yoursi
steri
ssi
ck!Ar
eyousur
e
not
hingi
swrongwit
hher?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Idon'
tev
enwanttoknow.
Whendidthi
swhol
ethi
nghappen?"
Me:
"Yest
erday
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Didy
out
ell
Siv
uyi
l
e?"

Me:"
What?No!I
t'
snotmypl
acet
o
t
ell
him."

Zint
le:
"Youneedtot
ell
him,causeI
knowthatBarbi
edol
lwon'
ttel
lher.
"

Me:
"I
tsnotmypl
ace.
"
Zintl
e:"
Itisi
fshegoi ngtohav esex
withSivuyil
eaftersleepi
ngwithher
mul t
ipl
eboy fri
ends,shewill
come
backwi thdiseasesandinfect
Si
v uyil
ewhowi l
ll
aterinf
ectyou."

Me:
"Hah!I
nfect
?Nowy
ouar
escar
ing
me!
"

Zint
le:
"Wenay ouhav
et otel
lSi
vuyi
l
e
aboutt hi
stoday.Andwhoknows?
Youmi ghtenduphavinghimtoyour
self
."Shewi nkedwhil
eshoulder
bumpi ngme. "
Me:
"HayIdon'
tknowaboutt
hat
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Thi
nkabouti
t.
"

Me:"I
'm suremyheadi sbignow
consi
deringallt
hethingsIhaveto
thi
nkabout."Shelookedatmef ora
whil
ebeforewebot hburstint
o
l
aughter
.

Zint
le:
"Youarenotnormal
."We
l
aughed."Gi
rl
,I'
m hungr
y.Whatdo
youhavetoeataroundher
e?"
Me:"Idon'
tknow,
checki
ntheki
tchen.
Ineedtotakeabath.
"

Zint
le:
"Si
es!I
'
vebeensi
tt
ingwi
th
someonewhohasn'tt
ouchedwater
."

Me:
"Ai
bo!Idi
dtouchwat
er.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
When?
"

Me:"
WhenIwasr i
nsingmymout
h."
Shelaughedoutl
oud.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Justgoandt
akeabat
hwhi
l
eI
makeussomet hingtoeat ."She
stoodupandwentt ot hekitchen
whi l
eIwentupt omyr oom.It ooka
shor tbath, thenIwor emyl eggi ngs
andal ongsl eev edcropt opwi thmy
sleeper s.Itiedmybr aidsint oa
pony tail
,thenIwentdownst air
st o
j
oi nZint l
ef orl unch.Shewasal ready
eatingi nt hel ounge, Itookmyf oodi n
theki t
chenbef or ej
oiningheri nt he
l
ounge.Weat ewhi lewat chingTV.
Myphoner ang, whileIwast akinga
biteofmysandwi ch,itwasLaml ani
.

Me:
"Youhav
egott
obeki
ddi
ngme.
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Whoi
sit
?"

Me:
"Laml
ani
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Answeri
t.
"Itst
oppedr
ingi
ng.

Me:
"Ehhwhy
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Becausehedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng
wr
ongt oYou."

Me:
"Hesl
eptwi
thThandi
whi
l
ehe
wasst
il
lcour
ti
ngme.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Your
eject
edhi
m."

Me:
"notent
ir
ely
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Sti
l
l.Justhearhi
m out
."

Me:
"Id-
"itr
angagai
n.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Answer
."Si
gh.

Me:
"Hel
l
o."Zi
ntl
emout
hed
'
loudspeaker
.'Idi
dasshesai
dand
placedthephoneonmylap.

Laml
ani
:
"Ohhey
."

Me:
"Yousoundsur
pri
sed.
"

Lamlani
:
"WellIdi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouwer
e
gonnaanswer
."

Me:
"Whywoul
dn'
tI?
"

Lamlani
:"
Well
youknow,
aft
erwhat
happened.
"
Me:"
Whatev
erhappenedyest
erday
wasnoneofmybusiness,
I'
m not
i
nvol
vedint
hat.
"

Lamlani:
"St
il
l,
youshoul
dn'
thav
e
seenthat.I
'
mr eal
l
ysorr
y."

Me:"Li
keIsai
dbeforeyoudon'tneed
toapologi
set
ome.I t
'snotl
ikewe
aredati
ngorsomething.
"

Lamalani:
"Iknow,butIwasst
il
l
aski
ngy ouout,soIshoul
dn'
thave
sleptwit
hyoursi
sterwi
fe.Thatwasa
reall
yjer
kmove."

Me:
"Thenwhydi
dyoudoi
t?"

Lamlani
:"
Eish!Idon'twanttosayshe
seducedme, butshedid.Shewas
veryper
suasive,andIcouldn'
tresi
st.
"

Me:"
MmmhIsee.Wel l
ifthat
'sy
our
expl
anati
onLaml
ani
,Iguessthi
sis
goodbye.
"

Laml
ani
:
"OhhcomeonTumi
.Itwasa
mi
stake.
"

Me:"
Itwassomet hi
ngt hatshould
haveneverhappened.Youshoul d
haveknownbetter,Thandiweis
marri
edforheaven'
ssake.Coul dn'
t
youhavepushedheraway .
"

Lamlani:
"sheof fer
edhersel
ftome.I
coul
dn'tresistapussythatIwas
gi
venonasi lverpl
att
er.
"Zint
lehel
d
herl
aught erin.

Me:
"Wellguesswhat
,Icannev
erbe
i
narel
ati
onshipwi
thsomeonewho
can'
tresi
stanot
herwoman'
s
off
eri
ng."

Lamlani
:
"Hawu!Iapol
ogi
sed,
what
moredoy ouwant?
"

Me:
"Not
hing!Justst
opcal
l
ingme.
"

Lamlani:
"Futsekke!Ican'tiam
beggingsomeonel ikeyou.You
shouldbedoi ngthebegging,notthe
otherwayar ound.AllIwantedfrom
youwasy ourpussy.Iwouldnev er
datesomeonel ikeyounxah! !
"Zintl
e
gasped.
Me:"
WellFuckofft
hen!
!Whatmakes
youthi
nkIwouldbegyou?Youai
n't
shi
tbroh!Whodoy out
hinky
ouare?"

Laml
ani
:
"Okay,
I'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
t
meanal
loft
hat
.Ij
-"

Me:
"Ohshutup!Youmeantev
ery
wor
d."

Zi
ntle:
"Howdarey
ousayt
hattomy
fr
iend?!Doy
ouknowhowluckyyou
wouldhavebeent
ohaveagir
lf
ri
end
l
ikeher?StupidDonkey !Makesure
thatourpathsdon'tcross,
becauseif
theydowewi llseewhowi llbe
beggingwho.Nxah! "

Laml
ani
:
"I'
m sor
-"

Me:"Whydon'ty
ouemailJesusthat
apol
ogy,
may behemightfor
giveyou.
Uuawat
handaamaxoloneh?!"

Laml
ani
:
"I-
"Ihungup.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Howdar
ehesayal
loft
hat
shi
ttoyou?!"Zi
ntl
ewaspi
ssedwhi
l
e
Iwaschil
ledAF.

Me:"Ican'
tbeliev
eIactual
lyki
ssed
thatmoron!Tomakemat t
ersworse,
I
dancedforhim.Myspecialdance
mov eshl
ebat ho.
"Zint
lel
ookedatme
l
ikeIwasgoi ngcrazy.

Zint
le:
"That
sal
l.
youcareabout
?Di
d
younothearwhathesaid?
"

Me: "Idon'
treal
lycar
eaboutal
lof
that,becauseIknewIwasn'
tgoingto
sleepwi t
hhim.Andhe'sonl
ysaying
al
lthosethi
ngsbecauseIpi
ed
hi
m( r
eject
edhi
m) .
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Soy
ouarenothur
tabout
whathesai
d?"

Me:
"Notr
eal
l
y."

Zint
le:
"Arey ousur
e?BecauseI
'
m
fuming."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
YesIam Zee.I
'mjustgladthat
heshowedmehi str
uecolours
bef
oreIwentanyfur
therwit
hhim. "
Zintl
e:"Wel
lthat
'sagoodthi
ng
then..
..
.Ist
il
lhat
ehimthough."I
l
aughed.

Me:
"Bei
nghat
eful
sui
tsy
oumy
f
ri
end.
"

Zint
le:
"Any
wayThamiishost
inga
part
yonFr i
day,
hesai
dIshouldbr
ing
youalongwithme.
"

Me:
"hawu!Wenayouwanttoparty
wi
thyourboy
fri
end.Whathappened
to:'
Iwill
neverpartywit
hmyman,
becausehewillki
llmyvibe?
'Huh?"I
mimickedhervoice.Shepushedme
l
ightl
y.

Zint
le:
"phel
ahe'
sthehost,soIneed
tobethereasMissPart
y.Bitches
needtoknowthatheistaken."I
l
aughed

Me:"Andheal
sohast
oletal
lthese
ni
ggasknowthaty
ouaret
aken."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ah.ah.l
ett
hem knowfor
whosesake?I'
m st
il
ll
ookingf
ora
husband,
thatmeansIcan'
tbewi
th
oneguy."

Me:
"Youbi
tch!
"Wel
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
m bal
ancingmysel
f.I
'
m sur
e
heal
sohasasi dechi
ck.
"

Me:
"Buty
oudon'
thav
easi
deni
gga.
"

Zint
le:
"Yes.That'
swhyIneedtoI
needtogot oparti
eswit
houthi
m,soI
canscoutformysi depi
ece.
"I
l
aughedoutl oud.
Me:
"Youar
esomet
hingel
sef
ri
end.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"andyoumyfriendar
e
washi
ngt hedi
shes.
"

Me:"What
?Whendi
dwegett
hat
poi
nt?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Inf
lexi
blel
i
ket
hat
."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
Mxm, f
lexi
blewamasi
mbal
a."
Shelaughed.
Zi
ntl
e:"
any
way,ar
eyoucomi
ngwi
th
metothepar
ty?"

Me:"Yousai
dFridayri
ght
?"She
nodded"t
hat
'sli
ketwodaysfrom
now.Mmmh, I'
l
lsee."

Zint
le:
"Idon'
tevenknowwhyIwas
aski
ngy ou.Youaregoingt
othat
part
yandt hat
'sthat
."

Me:
"Say
swho?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Me!Fut
hit
hisi
stheper
fect
oppor
tuni
tyf
ory
out
omeetMy
Thami.
"

Me:"Reall
y?Wel li
nthatcase,Iwi
llgo
wit
hy ou!Ican'tbel
ieveyou'
vebeen
hi
dinghi mf r
om mef orsuchalong
ti
me, Ionlyknowhisname.Vel evele
whywer ey ouhiddi
nghimf ri
end?Is
heugly?Isheol d?Ohohi she
white?"Shelookedatme.

Zint
le:
"Whit
e?Reall
y?Awhi
te
THAMI ?"Il
aughed"Howdumbcan
youget?"Welaughed.
Me:"Ketl
areng?Youhavebeen
dati
ngthi
sguyf oral
mostayearandI
sti
l
lhaven'
tmethi m.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Wel
lyouwi
l
lfi
nal
l
ymeethi
m
onSatur
day.
"

Me:
"Ican'
twai
t.
".

Zint
lestayedforafewmor ehour s,
wewer echatt
ingandlaughing,I
real
lyhadthetimeofmyl if
e.She
real
lyknewhowt ocheermeup.
Bonusshehelpedmepr eparedinner
beforeshelef
t.Thandiwasst i
l
lnot
backf
rom wherevershewas.Iwas
homealonedancingalongt
oRihanna
andDrake'
sWor k.

"Whuuuuuu! "Iqui
ckl
ystopped
danci ngandlookedbehindme,
startl
ed.Sivuyi
lewasstandinginthe
mi ddleoftheroom wit
hhi sfri
ends,
I
didn'tevenhearthem walkingin.

Themba:"Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndwal
ki
ngi
n
tothatev
eryday
."

Lungani
:
"CanImov ei
nher
e."Iwasa
bi
tembarrassed.
Ay
anda:"
Ineedtosi
tdownandCat
h
mybreat
h!Cansomeoneopent
he
wi
ndowsplease.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Quititguys!
"Iwasj
ust
st
andi
ngt here,notknowi
ngwhatt
o
doorsay.

Nkazi
mulo:"
Someone'
sjeal
ous."They
l
aughed.Theydi
dn'
tevengreetme.

Me:
"Hi
guy
s."
Lungani:"
Eyyfor
giveusforbei
ngil
l
manner ed,y
oujustcaughtusby
surpr
ise."

Themba:
"Howar
eyoupr
ett
yone?
"I
bl
ushed.

Me:
"I
m goodandy
ou?
"

Themba:"
ngigrandmntomuhle.
(I
m
good,
beauti
ful
one)"Ibl
ushedeven
more

Ay
anda:
"OhMyGod,
she'
sbl
ushi
ng.
Ntwanay oubett
erwat chout,
Themba
mightsweepherof fherfeet.
"The
guyslaughed,Si
vuyil
ejustshookhis
head.Ilookedatmysel fandreal
ised
whatIwaswear ingwasn'treal
ly
appropri
ate.

Me:
"Uhm,i
twasni
cetoseey ouguy
s.
Iwi
l
lbeinmyroom i
fyouneedme."

Ay
anda:
"Youar
enotj
oini
ngus?
"

Me:
"No.
"
Lungani
:
"Hawu!Whynot?
"Idi
dn'
t
knowhowt oanswert
hat
.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Shehasthi
ngstodo.
"I
l
ookedathi
m andsmil
edabit
.

Ay
anda:
"Wher
e'sBar
biedol
l
?"

Themba:"Canwej usttalkaboutt hat

gir
lfr
om theclubandst optalking
aboutir
rel
evantpeople."Okayt hat'
s
mycuet oleave.Iwentupstairstomy
room andlai
donmybedwhi l
e
chatt
ingtomyf ormerschool mat es
andmyf amilymember si nthefami l
y
gr
oupchat .Fewminut
eslat
er
Si
vuy i
lewalkedi
nandsatnextt
ome,
hetappedonmyassandIsatup
st
raight.

Me:
"Youneedanyt
hing?
"Hej
ust
smi
ledwhil
est
ari
ngatme"What
?"
Heshookhi
shead.

Sivuy
il
e:"Nothi
ng.Ij
ustmissedyou
today.
"Iblushed,Imi
ssedhimtoo
butI'
m notgoingtotel
lhi
mt hat
.
"Aww, youdidn'
tmissme? "I
chuckled.
Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Si
v uyil
e:"Youhurt
ingmyf eeli
ngs.
"He
pretendt ocr
y,Il
aughed."Youareso
cruel,i
nsteadofconsoli
ngme. you
arelaughingatme. "Helaughed.I
guesshe' snolongerangryatme.

Me:
"I
t'
sbotl
i
key
ouwer
ecr
yingf
or
r
eal
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youdi
dn'
tknowt
hat
."

Me:
"Idi
d!"Wel
aughed.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Any
way,
coul
dyoupl
ease
makemeandt heboy
ssomethi
ngto
eat?"

Me:"
Okay.Iwi
llbet
her
einaf
ew."He
l
eanedforwar
dandgavemeapeck
onthel
ips.

Si
vuyil
e:"Westi
llneedtotalkabout
whathappenedear l
i
ertoday."He
st
oodupandl efttheroom.It ookout
mytrackpantsandwor eitovermy
l
eggings.
WhenIgotdownst
air
s,Icoul
dhear
them maki ngnoi seinthel ounge.I
wentt otheki tchenanddi shedupf or
allthem,Ipl acedtheplatesont he
trayandt ookt hefoodt othem -I
madet wot ri
pst othelounge, well
three-becauseIhadt otakeaj ugof
j
ui ceandgl assestot hem.

Ayanda:
"Awwsi
yabongamakot
i.
"I
smil
ed.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Thanky oubaby
."Icoul
dn'
t
hel
pbutblush.

Themba:
"Hambababy
!"Theyl
aughed.
Iwal kedbackedt ot heki tchenand
dishedupf ormy sel fbef oregoi ng
backt omyr oom.Laml anihasbeen
tryi
ngt ocallme, butIkepton
i
gnor inghiscall
s.If inishedeat i
ng
thenIwentdownst airst owasht he
dishes.Iwentt ocol lectt hedirty
platesandgl assesi nl ounge, the
guyswer enowsi tti
nganddr i
nking
whiskeywhi l
ewat chi ngasoccer
mat chIwashedt hedi shes, cl
eaned
upar oundt hekit
chent henIwent
backt omyr oom.I twasal readyl at
e
soIwor emyni ghtdr essandgoti n
undert hecov er
s.
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
#XOXO.
#Wher
eIsThandi
we?
?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er30
○
●
○
●
○
IwaswokenupbySi
vuy
il
eshaki
ng
me,Icheckedt
het
imei
twaspast11
atni
ght.

Me:
"MmmhWhat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Weneedt
otal
k."

Me:"
Now?Let
'
stal
ktomor
row
pl
ease.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"No,
wear
egoi
ngt
otal
k
now.
"

Me:
"I'
m sl
eepySi
vuy
il
e."Hewas
spooni
ngme.

Sivuyil
e:"
Tough.It
oldyouaf ew
hour sagothatwearegoingtotalk
tonightandwenay oudecidedto
sleep.That'
snotmyf aul
t.
"Rude
much?

Me:"i
tisyourfaul
t.WasIsupposed
tostayupandwai tfory
ouwhileyou
dri
nkwi t
hy ourf
ri
ends?Withnoform
ofentert
ainment.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Youhaveyourl
aptop,y
ou
couldhavewatchedamov i
e."
Me:
"Iknoweachandever
ymovi
eon
myl
apt op.
"Ir
oll
edmyeyes.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yourphone?
"

Me:"i
t'
sbor
ing.Canwej
usthavet
his
tal
ksoIcangobacktosl
eep."He
chuckl
ed.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Your eallydolov esleepi
ng
j
ustl
ikeyourbr othersaid."Ididn'
t
smil
eatthat.Ijustmai ntainedmy
st
rai
ghtface."O-K-A-Y.Iwantt ot
alk
aboutus.What '
sthewayforward?Do
ItellThandi
weaboutus?Ordowe
carryonkeepingitasecr
ete?"I
turnedandlaidonmyback, hehad
hisar m onmystomachwhi l
elayi
ng
onhi sside.

Me:"Iwasthi
nki
ngthatmaybewe
couldtaketi
meofffr
om t
hewhol
e
thi
ng."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Idon'tthi
nkyouhear
dthe
opti
ons,
causei fyoudi
dyouwould
haveheardthatIdidn'
ti
ncl
udeany
ti
meof f
."
Me:
"Whynot
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iwantustoworkonour
marr
iage."Il
aughedoutl
oud.

Me:"workonourmar r
iage?Arey ou
seri
ous.Wedon'tevenknoweach
otherthatwel
l,
youdon'thaveany
form ofromant
icfeel
i
ngst owards
me,sowhatwoul dyouwantt owork
onourmar ri
age?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
fi
rst
ly,
wor
kingonour
marri
agemeanswewi l
lgettoknow
eachother,
secondl
ywewill
develop
romanti
cfeel
ingsal
ongtheway."

Me:"
Whatifyoureal
i
sey oudon'tli
ke
me?You'vesai
dsoy oursel
fthatI'
m
notyourt
ype.Howsur eareyouthat
youwanttoworkont hi
smar ri
age?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"I
'
m 1000%sur
e.Iwantt
gis
towor
k,Iwantust
oworkout.
"

Me:"Idon'tthi
nkyouar
esur eabout
yourdecision.We'
veonlybeen
marriedforashortwhi
le,i
thasn't
evenbeenamont hsi ncewegot
marri
ed.Iforone,
doknowt hatI
'm
unsureofthi
swhol et hi
ng.Wecan't
keeponhidingthi
sf rom Thandi
,at
thesametimeIdon' twanttohur t
anyone.It
hinkwej ustbothneedt o
cooloffabit
,thi
nkaboutt hi
swhol e
thi
ngclear
lythentakeadeci si
on."

Sivuyi
l
e:"YoumeanYOUneedt o
thi
nkaboutthewhol e,
notWE.I
'
ve
thoughtaboutt
hiswholethi
ng,
andI
knowwhatIwant ."

Me:
"Okayf
ine,
youmayknow.ButI
don'tknow.Idon'tknowwhet herI
wantt osharemyf irstuhm,Idon't
knowl over
,withsomeoneel se.I
don'tknow.Thiswhol erelati
onship
thi
ngi snewt ome, andtomake
mat t
ersworseIhav etoshare.It
's
real
lytoomuchf orme, I'
m. j
usta
teenageraft
erall.Ireal
lyneedt o
thi
nkt hi
sthrough."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iknowthisishardfor
you,
butwecanmakei twork."I
yoh!
He'snotevensuggestingt
odr op
Thandiwehehatleast?NotthatI
wanthimt odr
opher ,ordoI?
Me:"Pleasedon'tputpressur
eonme.
Ineedt othi
nkaboutt hi
s,Ineedt
o
preparemy sel
fment all
yand
emot i
onall
yforthispolygamous
mar r
iage.Ineedtime."

Sivuyi
le:
"Ar
eyousur
ethat
'st
heonl
y
reason?"

Me:"Whatotherr
easonwouldI
hav
e?"Iaskedwitharai
sedeyebr
ow.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tknow,
"heshr
ugged
hisshoulders."Maybe,youst i
ll
want
toli
veyourlifeasasi nglelady,
may be
youstil
lwantgal av
antwi thdiff
erent
boys.Ormay beyoust i
l
lwantt ohav e
aboy f
ri
endandbesexedby
someoneel sebesidesme. "TF?!I
can'
tbelieveheactuallysaidthat.

Me:"Ohhsot hat'
swhatyouthi
nk
aboutme?Yout hi
nkI'
m abit
ch?You
thi
nki wanttosleepar
oundwi t
h
everyboythatIcomeacross?!How
dareyousayt hat?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatdoy
ouwantmet
o
thi
nkLunathi
?Huh? !Youarenot
giv
ingmeacl earreasonastowhy
youdon'twanttobewi t
hme!And
you'
vealwayswant edtohavea
boyfr
iend!
"Thisguyisrude.

Me:"Igaveyouacl earreason.It
'snot
myf aul
tthatit
'snotclearenoughf or
you.Butitst
il
ldoesn'tjusti
fythatyou
t
hinkI'm abit
ch!"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Don'
tputwor
dsi
nmymout
h!
Idi
dnotsayt
hat"

Me:
"noti
nmanywor
ds.Buty
ousai
d
enought
opr
ovet
hat
'swhaty
ou
thi
nk.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
That
'snott
rue.LookI'
mj ust
tr
yingt
omakesenseofal loft
his.I
wantustohaveacleardir
ecti
on."

Me:"AndItoldy outhatIneedti
met o
thi
nkaboutthis.Iwil
lletyouknow
whenI'vecomet oadeci si
on.Well
thatwasbeforey oucall
edmea
bit
ch."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idi
dn'
tcal
lyouabi
tch.
"
Me:"Youdi
d.Youknowwhat,j
ustget
outofmyroom.Gosleepi
nyourown
room."

Siv
uyil
e:"
HahLunat
hi,
thatr
oom i
s
cold.
"

Me:"
Idon'
treal
l
ycar
e.Ij
ustwanty
ou
outofmybed."

Sivuyi
le:
" Okayl
ook,I
'm sorr
yfor
call
ingy ouabitch.EventhoughI
didn't
."Hemumbl edthelastpar
t,
butI
hear
dhim."
Pleasedon'
tl
etmesl
eep
al
one."

Me:"
Don'
tapol
ogi
sei
fyoudon'
tmean
i
t.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ButIdi
dn'
tcal
lyouabi
tch.
"

Me:
"That
'swhaty
ouwer
e
i
nsi
nuati
ng.
"

Sivuyil
e:"
Okay,
I
'mreal
lysorr
yabout
that.Ishoul
dn'
thavedoneit,
i
twas
wrongofme.I '
m sorr
y."Hekissed
myneck."
Doy
ouf
orgi
veme?
"

Me:
"Fi
ne.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
SocanIsl
eepher
e?"

Me:"Sho.
"Itur
nedandf acedthe
otherway,
hecamecl oserand
cuddledmef r
om behind(spooni
ng)
.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Soyouneedi
ngt
imemeans
nosex?"Duh!

Me:
"yes.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Butwecanst
il
lshar
eabed
andcuddleri
ght
?"

Me:"No.Wearegoingt
ohaveno
i
nti
mateconnect
ionorwhat
soev
er.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"What?!"Hel
etgoofmeand
satupstr
aight
.

Me:"
Yes.Thi
sisact
ual
l
yt helast
ni
ghtwearespendi
ngtogether.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
eki
ddi
ngr
ight
?"
Me:"
No.Whyareyousi
tt
ing?Youare
makingmecol
d."Hewentbacktohi
s
posi
tion.

Siv
uyi
le:
"ComeonLunat
hi,
whodo
youexpectmet
osleepwit
hdur
ing
thi
swholeti
meout?"

Me:
"wi
thThandi
we,
duh!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
eissher
ightnow?
Mmh."
Me:
"I
m sur
eshewi
l
lbeback
t
omorrow.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"andi
fshe'
snot
?"

Me:"
uzoqi
naTata."Icl
osedmyeyes.
Af
terafewminutesofsil
ence,
he
whi
speredi
nmyear .

Sivuyi
le:"
Sincethi
sisourlastnight
together,
whydon' twemakei t
memor abl
e? "Hebrushedmyt highs
pulli
ngupmyni ghtdress,
Iyanked
hishandofme.
Me:
"mmmhmm.Iwantt
osl
eep.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Comeon,
I'
ll
bequi
ck.
"

Me:
"No.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
babymar
n."Heni
bbl
edon
myear.

Me:
"Iwantt
osl
eep.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwi
l
lal
lthewor
k."
Me:"
Howwi l
lIsl
eepwhi
ley
ouar
e
humpingontopofme?No.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Please.
"Isher
eal
l
ybeggi
ng
meforafuck?

Me:
"Goodni
ghtSi
vuy
il
e."

Si
vuyi
le:
"uy
andiv
imbaseri
ous
baby
?(I'
mreal
lynotget
ti
ngsome
baby
?)"

Me:
"Yes.
"
Siv
uyil
e:"atl
eastagoodnightkiss
ke.
"Iturnedandf acedhi
mt henI
peckedonhi sli
ps.

Me:
"Happy
?"

Siv
uyil
e:"No!"Hisli
pscol l
i
dedwi t
h
mineandweshar edav eryint
ense
ki
ss,i
twasr eal
lynice,
itleftmewitha
poundingheart."
NowI '
m happy .
Goodnightbabe."Hepul l
edmet ohis
chestandkissedmyf oreheadwhi l
eI
dri
ft
edt olal
aland.
☆
☆
Thefoll
owingmor ni
ng,Iwokeupand
wentstrai
ghttothebat
hroom to
brushmyt eet
handwashmyf ace.
Si
v uy
il
ewasst i
ll
sleepi
ng,Ishook
hi
m awake.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatnow.
"

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
owor
k?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"No,
wellnotnow.Ihavea
meeti
ngat1o'cl
ock.Pleasewakeme
upat12."
Me:"
12?Youwantmet osi
tanddo
whatint
hishouseonmyown?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
WatchTVbabe,Ihavea
headachebabe,
Ijustwantt
osleep.
"

Me:
"Servesy
ourightf
ordr
inki
ngt
oo
muchlastni
ght
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwasn'
tdr
unk.
"

Me:
"doesn'
tmeany
oudi
dn'
tdr
inka
l
ot.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
CanIsleepi
npeace
woman?"Il
aughed

Me:"maybeyoucan,i
nyourroom"he
alsol
aughed."
IguessIshouldleav
e
youtosleepi
npeace...
.inmyroom...
.
onmybed. "Welaughed.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"andpl
easepi
ckanout
fi
tfor
metodayandir
onitpl
ease.
"

Me:
"Okay
.Sl
eept
ight
."
Sivuyi
le:"Peaceful
lyyoumean. "I
l
aughedwhi l
ewalkingoutt hedoor.I
wentt otheki t
chent opreparemy self
somet hingt oeatinthekitchen,I
optedf oracer ealsi
nceIwasnoti n
themoodt omakeapr operbr eakfast.
Iatemycer ealwhilewatching
cartoons.Ihadj ustputaspoonf ul of
cerealinmymout hwhenIr eciev
eda
callfr
om mymom.

Me:
"mama.
"Isai
dinachewi
ngt
one.

Mom:"Mor
atuwawaka.
(Myl
ove)
"I
swal
l
owedup
Me:
"Howar
eyoumommy
?"

Mom:"I'
m goodbaby
,I'
mj ust
missi
ngyouandyourdel
icious
cooki
ng.
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"Imi
ssyout
oomama. "Iwas
gett
ingabi
temoti
onal
,Ir
eall
y
missedmyfami
ly.

Mom:
"Whenar
eweseei
ngy
ou?
"

Me:
"Today
!"Isai
dwi
thabi
tof
exci
tement

Mom:
"Today
?"

Me:
"yesandI
'
m sl
eepi
ngov
er.
"

Mom:"
mokhweny
anawakaotla
dumel
a?(
Wil
lmyson-
in-
lawagr
ee?
)"

Me:
"Def
ini
tel
y.Hewil
lunder
stand
t
hatImi
ssy ouguy
s."

Mom:"Iguessyourbrot
her
swillal
so
becomingov er
.ThatmeansIneed
t
opr
epar
eaf
east
."

Me:
"Theyhav
emov
edoutal
ready
?"

Mom: "
Yes,t
heymov edoutt
heday
aft
eryou.Yourdadwasabit
saddenedbythat.
"

Me:"Hawu,It
houghthe'
stheonewho
encouragedt
hem tomoveout.
"

Mom:"tr
ue,butasaparentyouare
nev
erreadytoletgoofyourchi
ld.He
washappythattheyar
elearni
ngto
beindependentbutatt
hesameti
me
hewillmisshavi
ngthem ar
oundt
he
yar
d."

Me:
"mmmhunder
standabl
e."

Mom: "Sohow' smar r

iageli
fetreat
ing
you?"Idecidedt ofil
lherinon
everyt
hingt hatwashappeni ng,well
notentir
elyev ery
thing,j
ust
appropri
atedet ail
s.Weendedup
tal
ki
ngaboutot herthings,
the
conversati
onl astedforaboutanhour
andahal f.Iwasr eall
yhappyt hatI
hadaconv ersati
onwi thmymom.
Iwasnowbor edofsitti
ngint he
houseonmyown, Iwentupt o
Sivuyi
le'
sr oom andpi ckedoutan
outfi
tforhi m -casualoutf
itashe
said.Iir
onedt heclothesandpl aced
them ont opoft hebed.Ideci dedto
takeanapsi nceIhadnot hingt odo
aroundt hehouse, Isetanal armfor
12o'clock.
Atexactl
y12o' cl
ocktheal ar
m went
off
,Ifel
trobbedofmysl eep.Iwent
tomyr oom towakeSiv uyil
eup.
I
nsteadofwaki nghim upi naproper
way,Idecidedtoplaymusi conmy
phoneandIpl acedont hepill
owhe
wassleepingon.Itact
ual l
ytookhim
af
ewmi
nut
esbef
orehewokeup.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Mmmh!Whycan'
tyouwake
meupl i
keanor
malper
son?"I
l
aughed.

Me:
"wel
lanal
arm wakey
ouupl
i
ke
t
hatmos.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"wel
lyouar eahuman
being,
botaclock."Ichuckl
ed.He
roseupf r
om thebedandmadehi s
wayt omybat hr
oom.
Me:
"Ai
bo!Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngMr
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
tot
akeashowerMr
s."

Me:"Welly
oucandot hati
nyourown
shower.Besi
deyourclot
hesarei
n
yourroom."

Sivuyi
le:
"Welly
oushoul dhave
broughtthem here."Heent er
edthe
bathroom andclosedt hedoorbehind
him,thenerveoft hisman.Sincehe
didn'
tmaket hebedIhadnochoi ce
buttodotf orhim.JustasIpl aced
thelastpil
l
owont opoft hebed,he
comeoutoft hebathr
oom, wit
ha
towel wr
appedaroundhiswaist,hi
s
upperbodywasdr i
ppingwithwat er
,
he'ssixpackwasonanot herl
ev el
,
reall
ywantedtodrooloverhim butI
didn'
twanttogiv
ehi mthat
sati
sfacti
on.

Me:"Donealr
eady?Thatwasa
breaki
ngrecordshowerdude.
"He
chuckl
ed.

Sivuyi
l
e:"It
ookal ongone
yester
day ,
thatshouldcountfor
somet hi
ng."Ilaughedoutloud.
Me:"
Anyway,uhm mymom i nvi
tedme
f
ordinnert
onight.Sheuh..
.act
uall
y
wantsmetosl eepover
."Li
es.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Real
l
y?"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Areyousur
ey ouarenott
he
onewhosuggest
edthatideat
oher?"

Me:
"Yes!
"Isai
dbei
ngdef
ensi
ve.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"Youcangotherefor
di
nner
,butyouar
enotsleepi
ngov
er.
"

Me:
"What
?Whynot
?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Whoam Isupposedto
sl
eepwithwheny
ouar enother
e?"

Me:"
Incaseyouhav
efor
got
ten,
l
ast
ni
ghtwast hel
astt
imewewere
shar
ingabed."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Okay
,butIcan'
tst
ayinthi
s
houseonmyown.I t'
stoobi
g."
Me:"cal
lThandi
andt
ell
tocome
back.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ispoketoherthi
s
morning,
shesaidsheisonlycomi
ng
backonSunday ,
shewenttoa
ret
reat.
"Mmmhl uckyher.

Me:"
Askoneofy
ourf
ri
endsgo
sl
eepov
er.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Guy
sdon'
tdot
hatshi
t.
"
Me:
"Bookahot
elr
oom t
hem.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'swast
ingmoney
."

Me:"
Haike!Whatdoyouwantke?You
seem t
ohav eaprobl
em wi
thal
lof
mysoluti
ons."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iwanty
outocomeback
hereaft
erdi
nner
."

Me:
"Ican'
ttr
avel
atni
ght
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwi
l
lfet
chy
ou.
"
Me:"Nocando.Ir
eall
yneedtospend
t
imewi t
hmyf ami
l
y,Imissthem.I
f
eelli
keIhav
eabandonedthem."He
l
aughed.

Sivuyi
le:
"Youaresodramati
c,
ithasn'
t
evenbeent woweekssinceyoulast
sawt hem."If
oldedmyarmsand
pouted."Youaresocute.
"

Me:"okayIgetthat.ButImiss
them,andIwantt ospendsomet i
me
withthem.Please,j
ustforoneni
ght.
Please.
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Fine!I
'
llt
akey
outherewhen
Igetbackfrom mymeeti
ng.
"

Me:
"andwheni
sthat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tknow.Ar
ound2or3.
"

Me:
"Hah!I
t'
sfi
ne,
I'
ll
takeat
axi
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?.!AcrownedPr
incess
i
nataxi
?Areyoucrazy
?"
Me:
"Wel
lIwi
l
lTaxi
fyt
hen.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"No.Iwi
l
ltakey
out
her
e
mysel
f.
"

Me:
"Fine.
"Thi
swasalosi
ngbat
tl
e,
SoIhadtoagreet
othi
s.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Goodgi
rl
.Letmegoand
changeforwor
kthen.
"Hel
eftt
he
room.
○
●
○
●
#Fr
iendshi
pVi
bes!

HELLO
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er31
□
■
□
■
Siv
uy i
lehadleftf
orworkaf ew
minutesago.Iwaschannel hopi
ng,I
di
dn'tfindanyt
hingi
nterest
ingto
watchonTV.Iwasr eal
lybored,
Ijust
couldn'
twaittogethim andseemy
famil
y,Iwasr eal
lyexcited, Ididn't
eventakeabat h,Ij
ustwor emyl ong
ti
ghtfit
tingdr essandsandl es.I've
beenwai tingforSivuyil
et ocome
backandt akemehome, I
'm sur ehe's
beengonef oraf ewhour s.Icheck
mywr istwat ch,andNohe' shasonl y
beengonef or40f r
eakenmi nutes.I
guessIj ustwantt oseemy self
huggingmymom, mysl ingbagwas
alr
eadyont opofmyl ap.Ayf uckt hi
s,
I'
m getti
ngoutofher e.Ir equest eda
Taxif
yt omyhome, itarri
v edaf tera
fewmi nutes.Ilockedt hedoorand
bounced.
WhenIgothomemom wasbusy
wateri
ngherf
lower
s,Il
i
ter
all
yranto
herandhaveabighugwhi
lecryi
ng.

Mom: "OoohMat ef awa

mama. (Mommy '
scr ybaby .)"She
kossdmeal lovert hef ace.Cal lme
dramaticorwhat ev er,butonceIsee
mymom af t
erbei ngawayf rom her
foralongtime,Ial way scry.I
remembert hi
sonet imei ngr ade
9,wewentonaschool campf orthe
weekend,whenwecamebackon
SundayIdidn'tevenwai tforZi nt
leto
j
umpof ft
hebus, Iliter al
lyrant othe
taxi
rankandt ookat axihome.When
Igothome, Irantot heandwent
straighttomymom.Iam t hel
ast
bor nafterall
,youcan'
tbl
amef or
beingacr ybaby.Anyway
,backtothe
present.

Me:
"I
'v
emi
ssedy
ousomuchmama.
"

Mom:
"I
'v
emi
ssedy
out
oomybaby
."

Me:
"Wher
e'sdad?
"

Mom:"He'
swor
king,
buthepromised
t
ocomebackhomeear l
yjustf
or
you.
"
Me:"
olal
a,If
eel
sospeci
al.
"She
l
aughed.

Mom:"Bont
lei
sgoi
ngt
ojoi
nusabi
t
l
ater.
"

Me:
"mmmhnice.Anyway,I
'm hungr
y
mom.Dit
engdij
okamokat l
oung?(Is
t
her
eanyfoodi
nt hi
shouse?)
"

Mom: "NoPunkie.Ev
ersinceyoulef
t
homewe' vebeenstruggl
ingtobuy
food.Sother
e'snofoodint hi
s
house.
"Shewasbei
ngsacar
sti
c,I
l
aughed.

Me:"
Sorr
yhehmama.Kopadi
j
o?(can
Ipl
easehav
esomefood?)
"

Mom: "
That
'
swhatyouwere
supposedt
osayi
nthefi
rstpl
ace.
"

Me:
"sor
rymama.
"

Mom:"
mmmh.Goandmakey
our
sel
f
somet
hingt
oeat
."
Me:"
andIthinkI'
m gonnat
akeanap
af
terthatmeal.
"

Mom:"
Noo!Nosl
eepi
ng.
"Ir
oll
edmy
ey
es.

Me:"I
yoh!Okay.
"Iwentinsi
det
he
housetomakemysel fasandwicha
aglassofjui
ce.Af
tereati
ngIwentt
o
watchTV.
Fewhour
slater
,Bont
lewalkedi
nand
thr
ewher
selfonthesofa.

Bont
le:
"OkaeMao?
(Wher
e'sy
our
mom?
)"Il
aughed.

Me:"
Don'tl
etherhearyousaythat
.
Shesaidshe'
sgoingtoorgani
seher
cl
oset.
"

Bontl
e:"
Again?Wow.Ar
eyour
eady
fory
ourresult
s?"

Me:"i
t'
stooearl
ytosay
,Ist
il
lhavea
fewweekslef
tbefor
eIcanstar
t
str
essi
ng."

Bont
le:
"Tr
uet
hat
.LumkaandLul
ama
arecomingt
hissi
det
omor
row,
i
t'
s
goingdown!
"

Me:
"What
'
sgoi
ngdown?
"

Bontl
e:"
Wearegoi
ngt
otur
nupt
his
fest
ivedummy.
"

Me:"
Ohhh.Doy
out hi
nkabut
iLi
zwi
is
goi
ngtoall
owthat
?"

Bontl
e:"
He'
sal
sotur
ningupthi
s
fest
ive,
sowhywoul
dn'the?
"
Me:"
mmmh, solet
urnupcoupl
e
vel
e?"Shel
aughed

Bont
le:
"Yesss!
!"

Myphoner angIt
erupt
ti
ngour
conv
ersat
ion,i
twasSivuyi
l
e.

Me:
"H-
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Youdeci
dedtoleave
wit
houtt el
li
ngme?IthoughtIt
old
youIwilltakey
outoyourmom' s
house.
"
Me:
"Youwer
etaki
ngt
ool
ong.
"

Si
vuy i
le:
"Wel
lyoushoul
dhavesent
met exttol
etmeknowt haty
ou
al
readyleft
."

Me:"I'
m s-
"Beep!Hej
usthungupon
me.Islowl
yplacedmyphoneonthe
couch.

Bont
le:"Andt
hen?Tr
oubl
ein
par
adise?"
Me:
"Ther
eisnopar
adi
seausi
."

Bont
le:
"Whatdomeannoparadi
se?
Whathappenedt
oourpl
an?
Oper
ati
onSeducehi
m?"

Me:
"Idon'
treal
l
ywannat
alkabout
t
hat
,i
t'
salongstor
y."

Bont
le:
"Wel
lcuti
tshor
tthen.
"I
si
ghed

Me:"Thepl
anworkedoutwel
l,
somethi
ngdidhappenbet
weenus,
butbefor
eitcoul
descal
ateto
anyt
hingseri
ouswedecidedtocal
li
t
qui
ts.
"

Bont
le:
"What
?!Why
?!"

Me:
"Because.
..
."

Bontle:
"Because?
!That
'snota
reason.
"

Me:"
Idon'twantt
otal
kabouthl
e
ausi
.(
sis)
"
Bont
le:
"Ohhel
lno,don'
tgivemet hat.
Wearegoingt
ot alkaboutitnow!"

Me:"
Notnow,
orher
e.Whati
fyour
br
other
swalki
nonus."

Bont
le:
"Fi
ne.Butwewill
havethi
s
di
scussi
onsomeot hert
ime.
"

Me:
"Fi
ne.
"

Bontl
e:"
Speaki
ngofy
ourbrother
s,
Thabanghasanewgirl
fr
iend.
"
Me:"Nosur
pri
set
here,
Thabang
al
wayshasanewgir
lfr
iend.
"

Bontle:
"Wel
lthi
sti
mearoundit
seemsser i
ous,
hehasact
uall
y
i
ntroducedhertot
heguys.
"

Me:"
Sti
l
lnosur pri
sethere,
he
i
ntr
oducesallhisonenightst
andsto
t
heguys."Shekeptquietforawhi
le.

Bontl
e:"
WellLi
zwisai
dheseemsv
ery
fondofthi
sgir
l.
"
Me:"WellI'
m nottaki
ngit
seri
ously,
theonlyti
meIwi l
liswhen
heintroducesthegir
ltous-notas
hisfr
iendbutashi sgi
rl
fri
end."

Bont
le:
"mmmhmakessense.Iguess
wewill
havet
owaitf
orthatmoment
bef
orewecancel
ebr
ate.
"

"Cel
ebrat
ewhat ?
"Wet urnedasmy
brot
herswalkedinandjoineduson
thecouches.

Bont
le:
"Nonofy
ourbusi
ness.
"
Thabo:"Youdoknowt
hatwewi
l
lfi
nd
outeventual
l
y."

Bont
le:
"Goodl
uckwi
tht
hat
."

Thabi
so:"Lookatthat
,ourPunkiepi
e
i
sstil
lint
act.It
houghty ouwould
comebackl ooki
ngugl y
,brui
sesal
l
overyourbodyandey ebags."WTF?!

Me:
"What
!Whywoul
dyout
hinkt
hat
?"

Thabang:
"Wi
thBar
biedol
li
nthat
house,
youcannev
erknow.
"

Me:"Awwcomeon, Iwoul
dnev
erl
et
anothergi
rlabuseme."

Thabo:
"Goodgi
rl
."

Thabang:"andIdoubtshewoulddo
that
,sheknowsthatyourbrot
herand
sist
erdon'tt
akeshii
t.
"Irol
l
edmy
eyes.

Bont
le:
"sheknowsmeal
ri
ght
."
Me:"Youguyslikeviol
ence,
one
wouldswearthatthereisnocopi
n
t
hisfamil
y.
"

Thabiso:
"Thatmeanswehavea
connecti
oninthestat
ion.
"

Me:"Youguysaresocruel
,youdidn'
t
evengiv
emehugswheny ouwalked
i
nhere.All
ofyou!"Theyl
aughed.

Bontl
e:"
Don'
ttel
lmey ouare
expect
inghugsri
ghtnow."
Me:
"It
houghty
oumi
ssedme.
"

Thabo:
"Wedi
d."

Me:
"Thenwhydi
dn'tanyofy
ouhug
mewhenyouwalkedin?"

Thabi
so:
"Weweredi
str
act
edbyt
he
cel
ebr
ati
ontal
k."

Bont
le:
"Ler
atadi
tabat
oomuch!
"

Thabo:
"What
'sy
ourexcuse?
"
Bontle:
"Iwasti
red.
"Theylaughed."
I
wil
lhugy ouwhenIgetav ali
dreason
tostandupf r
om thi
scouch."We
l
aughed.

Thabang:
"Lazysusu.
"

Bont
le:
"Ketl
ahobet sa.
(Iwil
lhi
t
you.
)"Welaughed.Mom camet othe
l
oungewhilewewer esti
lll
aughi
ng.

Mom: "
Mybabies.
"Theyst
oodupand
huggedthei
rmom."I'
vemissedy
ou
al
l
."

Me:
"whatdoyoumean"al
l
".When
wasthel
astt
imeyousawthem?"

Mom:"Il
astsawthese3whenthey
movedout,
Bontl
eyena2daysago."

Bontl
e:"
see?Am theonl
yonewho
hasn'
tabandonedyoumama."

Br
other
s:"
Mxm.
"

Me:
"Badsons.
"
Thabang:
"Wor
stdaught
er.
"

Me:"I'
m mar
ri
ed,
that
sagood
excuse.
"

Thabi
so:
"Bont
lei
sal
somarr
ied,
but
sheal
waysmakesti
meformom."

Me:"
Shest
aystenmi
nut
esaway
,pl
us
shehasacar
."

Thabi
so:
"mxm."Ist
uckmyt ongue
outathi
m."Ketl
alekhaol
a.(Iwi
ll
cut
i
t.
)"

Mom:
"Enoughoft
hat
.Who'
shel
ping
mewi
ththecooki
ng?
"

Them:
"Punki
e!!
"

Me:"Hah!
!That'
snotfai
r,I
'
mt he
youngestther
efor
eIshoul
dbe
t
reatedli
keanegg."Theylaughedout
l
oud.

Bont
le:
"noti
nthi
scasel
i
lone.
"
Me:
"Well
Idi
dn'tt
akeabat
h,soIneed
t
otakeonenow."

Thabo:"Iknewi
t!Nowonderotene
so.(Nowondery ouar
eweari
nglike
that
.)"

Me:
"What
'
swr
ongwi
thmyout
fi
t?"

Thabo:
"Ev
ery
thi
ng.
"

Me:"
mxm, whatdoyouknowabout
gi
rl
'
sclot
hesany way
?"
Thabo:"
Justgoandt
akeabat
hand
change.
"

Thabang:"
Andsomet
hingisst
art
ing
tosmellnow.
"Theyl
aughedasI
gasped.

Me:
"Hah!Mama!
"

Mom:"Hay,don'
tinvol
veme.Youwill
f
indinthekit
chen."Shel
eft
.Isni
ff
ed
myself
.

Me:
"Idon'
tst
ink.
"
Thabang:
"keept
ell
i
ngy
our
sel
fthat
."

Me:"
Bont
ledi
dy ousmel
lany
thi
ng
whenyougothere?
"

Bont
le:
"yeah,
somethingfi
shy
."They
cr
ackedupev enmore."

Me:
"Youguysar
esocr
uel
.Letmego
t
akeabat
h."

Thabi
so:"Pl
easedo,sav
eusfrom thi
s
miser
y."Theyaresomean.Istoodup
andrantomyroom,Itookofmy
clot
hes,wr
appedmyselfwit
hatowel
,
andwenttothebat
hroom.Ideci
ded
totakeashoweri
nsteadofabat
h.
Aftermyhy gieneprocess, Iwentto
thekitcheninmyl ongdr esstohelp
mom i nt
hekitchen.Surpri
seSur pri
se!
Mom wasnowher eneart hekitchen,
i
nst eadshewassi tti
ngint helounge
chat t
ingupast orm wit
hmysi bli
ngs.

Me:
"Mama,
I'
m done.
"

Mom:"
Ohbaby
,ev
erythi
ngyouwil
l
needi
sont
opofthecount
er.The
chi
ckenisnextt
ot hesi
nk,
al
ready
def
rost
ed."Whatthehel
l!
!

Me:
"Ithoughtwewer
egoi
ngt
ocook
t
ogether.
"

Mom:"
Mykneeisacti
ngup,
Ican'
t
st
andfort
ool
ong."

Thabo:"t
hatmeansy ouaredoingi t
solo.
"Theylaughed.Thisfamil
yisso
unfair
.Iwentbackt othekit
chenand
start
edont hepots.Ican'
tbeli
evemy
mom t ri
ckedmei nt
ocooking,atleast
i
t'
snot hinghect
ic,j
ustchi
ckenstew
andri
ce.Dadwalkedi
ntheki
tchen
j
ustasIswit
chedofft
hestov
e.

Me:
"Daddy
!"Igav
ehi
m ahugehug.
Heki
ssedmycheek.

Dad:
"Punki
epi
e.Wenaor e
l
ahli
l
e.(
Youhaveabandonedus.
)"

Me: "
That'
snottr
uedad.YouknowI
didn'
thaveacar,soIcan'
tcomevi
sit
youguy sal
lthet
ime."

Dad:
"t
rue.Buty
oushoul
dtel
lthat
husbandofy our
stobuyyouacar,we
can'
tgoonaweekwi t
houtseei
ng
you.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Ormaybe,daddydear
estcanbuy
methatcar
."

Dad:
"Haha!Ver
yfunny
."

Me:
"Comeondad.
"

Dad:
"Idon'thav
et hatkindofmoney.
Besi
desy ouaremar ri
edtoarich
fami
ly,t
hatshouldn'tbeaproblem
forthem."Wi ththatsai
dhel ef
tmein
thekitchenbumpi ngint
oLi zwi
.He
camest r
aighttomeandgav emea
hugwhi lespinningmear oundand
kissi
ngmychi ck.

Lizwi:
"Theprodigal
daught
erdeci
ded
tovisi
ttoni
ght."Myfamil
yisver
y
dramat i
cshame.

Me:
"Dr
ama!
"

Li
zwi
:"
how'smypri
ncessdoing?You
l
ookbeaut
if
ul,
Youareactuall
y
gl
owi
ng.Areyoupr
egnant?Ihope
y
ouar
enotpr
egnant
!"Jesus!

Me:
"Ofcour
senot
."

Li
zwi:"
Oht hankGod.
"Ishookmy
head."Needhelpwit
htaki
ngthe
pl
atestothedinni
ng?"

Me:"
No,
I'
ll
manage.
"Ican'
treal
l
y
al
l
owhimtodothat
.

Li
zwi:"
Great
."Hel ookedrel
i
eved,I
guesshedidn'treal
lywanttohel
pme,
notthatam surpri
sed.Myfamil
y
membersar
elazy
,especi
all
ymy
br
other
s.

Me:"Onsecondthought
s,youcan
carr
ythejui
cetothekit
chenplease.
It
'si
nthefri
dge.
"

Lizwi:
"Hah!
"Il aughed.Hewentt ot he
fri
dgeandt ookt hejuice,
thenhel eftI
foll
owedbehi ndhim wi thourpl ates.I
wentbackt ot hekit
chent ofet cht he
food,butfi
rstIpour edthechi cken
stewintoabi gglassbowl ,alsodi d
thesamewi t
ht herice.Iwentbackt o
thedinni
ngar eawi t
hbowl sand
j
oinedthefamil
yinthetabl
e.Dad
bl
essedthefood,t
henwedi shedup
andate.Half
waythroughthe
meal,
daddecidedtodropa
bombshell
.

Dad:
"OnSatur
daywear
eal
lgoi
ngt
o
Matat
iel
e."

Us:
"What
?!"

Dad:
"Youhear
dme.
"

Thabang:
"Nott
hatpl
acedad,
pl
ease.
"

Dad:
"Well
youhav
enochoi
cei
nthi
s
matt
er.
"

Thabo:
"Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
ocome
back.
"

Dad:"Idon'
tknow.Wemighteven
spendChr i
stmasdayt
her
e."Amen!

Thabang:
"Noway
!"

Dad:
"Yesway
!"
Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIwil
lcomewi t
hyou.
Myin-
lawsmightwanttospend
Chr
ist
maswi t
hus."

Dad:
"Iwi
ll
speaktothem.Wear eal
l
goi
ngtoMatati
eleandthat
'sf
inal
."
Hestoodupandlefti
sGobsmacked.

Mom: "ThabangandLizwi
aredoi
ng
thedishes.
"Shefol
lowedher
husband.

Thabi
so:
"Ican'
tbel
i
eveImi
ghtspend
t
hef
est
iveseasoni
nMat
ati
ele.
"

Li
zwi :
"Im sur edadi skidding.He
wouldnev erdot hattous, notwhenI
pl
annedt ogoal loutthisfesti
v e."So
here'
st het hingaboutLi zwi,bef ore
heact uallybecameBont l
e'shusband,
hewasmyf ather'
sson-not
bi
ological son, No.Hewas/ ismy
dad'sbestf riend'sson, unfort
unat el
y
hi
spar entspassedonwhenhewas
sti
l
l young, sodadandmom t ooki t
upont hemsel vestoraisehi m since
noonef rom hisf amil
ywant edhi m.
Thabang:
"dudeyouknowhowhei
s,
heneverj
okes."

Bont
le:
"Let
'
sjusthopef
ort
hebest
.

Me:
"I
m exci
tedaboutt
hist
ri
p."

Thabang:"
Ofcour
seyouare,phel
a
youdon'thav
eanyfest
ivepl
ans."

Me:"Luckyme."Iwant
edt
olaugh,
but
Iknewbet t
er.
Wewer eal
ldonewitheat
ing,
ThabangandLizwi
packedthepl
ates
andwenttowashthem."
Well,Ineed
mybeautysl
eep,
sogoodnightfam."

Thabo:"
Hawu,wedi
dn'
tev
engett
ime
tocatchup.
"

Me:
"aker
ey'
al
lmademecook,
that
s
why
."

Thabo:"
whatev
er,
I'
m sl
eepi
ngwi
th
youtoni
ght.
"

Thabi
so:
"Met
oo.
"
Me: "Fi
nebyme.Goodni ghtBont l
e."I
kissedhercheekandwentt omy
room.Ichangedi ntomyl ongPJs
andj umpedi ntobed, Izonedout
almosti mmedi ately
.JustasIwas
aboutt okissAar onChal mer si
nmy
dream, mystupidbr othersdeci dedto
wakemeup.Iwassoannoy ed,butI
decidedt okeepmyemot ionsto
my self.West ayedupal lnight
chat ti
ngupast orm, i
twasr eal
lyfun,
Imi ssedthem andt hei rsil
lyjokes.
Thabof i
nall
yadmi ttedt hathehasa
massi vecrushonZi ntle,Ilaughedso
hardwhenhet oldme.Hesai d
somedayhe' sgoingt omakeherhi s
wi
fe,
suchabi
gdr
eam,
SMH.
○
○
I
twasmi ddaywhenIwokeup, my
brotherswerenotnexttome.Iwent
putofmyr oom tothebathr
oom,I
ri
nsedmymout handfacebefor
e
goingt othelounge.Onl
yMom was
there,shewasdr essedi
nherunifor
m.

Me:
"Af
ter
noon.
"

Mom:
"Heybaby
."
Me:
"Youar
egoi
ngt
owor
k?"

Mom:
"Yes.Ihav
ea2o'
cl
ockshi
ft
."

Me:
"Wher
e'sev
ery
one?
"

Mom:"DadandLizwiar
eatwor k.I
don'
tknowabouttheother
s."

Me:"WellIguessIwon'
tseet
hem
whenIleave."

Mom:
"Whenar
eYoul
eav
ing?
"
Me:
"I
nanhour
sti
meIt
hink.
"

Mom:"Soquick?
"Shewaspacki
ng
herworkbag.

Me:"
Yeah,Iknow.Butatl
eastI
vi
sit
edy'
al
l."

Mom:"AndIam happyaboutthat
.I
hav
etogonow.Don'tbeastranger
nomore.
"

Me:
"Iwon'
t.Enj
oyy
ourdayandIl
ove
y
ou.
"

Mom: "
Ilovey out oomybaby .
"She
ki
ssedmyf oreheadandgav emea
l
onghugbef oreleav i
ng.IguessI'm
homeal one.Imademysel f
somethingtoeat , t
henIwentt otake
alongrelaxi
ngbat h.Aft
erbathing,I
woremyabov et hekneesummer
dressandsandl es, It
iedmyol dultr
a
i
ntoat i
ghtponyt ail
.

"
Punki
e!"ThatwasThabo.

Me:
"I
m comi
ng!
"It
ookmysl
i
ngbag
andwentt
othel
ounge,
hewaswi
th
Bont
le.

Thabo:
"andt
hen?
"

Me:
"I'
m goi
ngbackt
omyhouse.
"

Thabo:
"Al
ready
?"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Bont
le:
"Why
?"Huh?
Me:"Whatdoyoumeanwhy ?I
promi
sedSivuy
il
ethatIwi
l
lcome
backtoday
."

Thabo:
"Wel
lyouar
enotgoi
ngback
now."

Me:
"Whynot
?"

Thabo:
"Wehav
epl
ansf
ort
heday
."

Me:
"Whi
char
e?"

Bont
le:
"You'
l
lsee.Let
'sgo.
"I
foll
owedbehi ndthem tothecar ,
then
wedr oveoff.Tomysur prisewewent
tothemal l
,wespentt hewhol eday
playi
nggameseat i
ngandwat chi
nga
mov ie.Af
teralongfunf i
lledday,they
drovemet o'myhouse' ,unfort
unately
theycouldn'
tcomei nwi thme
becauseBont lewaslatef orher
dinnerdatewi t
hLizwi
.
WhenIopenedt hedoor,Iwasmetby
averyloudbabycry.If
oll
owedi tal
l
thewayt ot
helounge,i
twasamess.
Theloungewasf ul
lofbabytoys,
for
mul aandal
lsortsofbabystuff.
Sivuy
il
ewasonhi sfeetbusytryi
ngto
shushthebabythatwasonhi sarms.
Siv
uyi
l
e:"
ThankGody
ouar
eback.
"He
sai
dwhenhesawme.

Me:"
What'
sgoi
ngonher
e?Who'
s
babyi
sthat
?"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Iwi
ll
talkt
oy ouonceshe
hascalmeddown.Pleasehel
pme
cal
m herdown."What!

Me:"
What ?Me?Ican'tcal
m down
babi
es."Ireal
l
yhavenoexperience
whenitcomest obabies,
noonei n
myfami
lyhashadasmal
lbaby
,I'
m
t
hebabyofthef
amil
y.

Sivuyil
e:"PleaseLunat hi,j
usttry."My
eyeswer estil
lwideopenwhenhe
shovedt hebabyi nmyar ms.Idi dn't
knowwhatt odowi ththiscr yi
ng
creature,andboywasshel oud.I
tr
iedmov ingaroundt her oom wi th
her,butitwasnothel ping,instead
shecr i
edev enlouder-Iwasal so
cl
oset ot earsbecauseIwasget t
ing
fr
ustrated.

Me:
"Justcheckont
hei
nter
net
,we
mightfi
ndsomet hi
nguseful
."He
qui
cklygrabbedhisphone.

Si
vuyi
le:
"WhatdoIsear
chf
or?
"
Real
l
y?

Me:"Idon'tknow,tr
y'Whatmakes
babi
escr y? '
Orsomet hi
ng.
"Iwas
real
l
yhel pless.Hepressedhi
s.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Okay,I
'
vefedhersoshe'
s
nothungry,
I'
vechangedherdi
aper
..
..
ohsnap."
Me:"
Ohsnapwhat?
"Thebabyhasn'
t
st
oppedcr
ying.

Sivuyil
e:"
May beshe' sfeelinghot .
Let'stakeof fsomeofhercl othes."I
gent l
yplacedheront hecouchnex t
toSi v
uy i
l
eandst ar tedstrippingher .
Nowondert hischildwascr y i
ngl i
ke
shewasbei ngmur dered,shewas
burningup.Shewaswr appedar ound
i
nt wov erywar m babybl anket s,she
hadonav eryfluff
y
romper ,
under neathi twasashor t
sleevedt-shirtandpant s,under neath
thatwasal ongsl eev edv est(the
bodysui ttype.).Ileftheri nav est,
afterthatshest art
edcal mi ngdown,I
tookherandgent lypatheront he
backwhi lemov i
ngar oundwi thher,I
didn'tknowwhatIwasdoi ng,Iwas
j
ustwi ngingandi tseemedt obe
wor kingbecausesoonshewasf ast
asleep.Si vuyi
lequi cklymadeasmal l
bedputoft heblanket sthatwer e
l
ay ingar oundt helounge.Ipl acedthe
babyont heblanket s.

Sivuyi
le:
"Makeherlieonher
stomach."Ilookedathim,si
nce
wheni sheanexper tonbabies."
I
searcheditontheinter
net.
"OhGood
then!Idi
dashet ol
dmebef ore
t
hrowi
ngmy
sel
font
hesof
a.

Me:"
Werey
out
ryi
ngt
oBr
aai
thi
s
baby
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"No!
"hesatnextt
ome.

Me:"Thenwhydidyouclot
hherwi
th
somanycl ot
hesandtomakeit
worse,youwrappedherupint
wo
babyblanket
s."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Mymom alwayst
ell
Lul
ama
tomakesur
ethatt
hebabyi
sweari
ng
war
m cl
othes.
"

Me:
"I'
m sur
eshedi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ke
t
hat
."

Siv
uyil
e:"WellIdon'
tknowany
thi
ng
aboutbabies.
"

Me:"Youshoul
dhavecall
edyour
si
sterormom tof
indouthowtodeal
wi
thacr y
ingbaby
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Icoul
dn'
tdot
hat
."
Me:"Whynot?"Heshr uggedhis
shoulder
s."
Sivuy
ile,
who' sbabyis
thi
s?"Hekeptquietforawhi l
e.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mine.
"

Me:"
What?!Whendi
dyouhav
ea
baby?Whoisthemot
her
?Wherei
s
she?
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
It
'smineokay,Ionl
yfound
outyest
erdayabouther.Hermother
i
ssomegi rlIsl
eptwit
haf ewmont hs
back.
"
Me:
"Wher
eisshenow?
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Idon'tknow.Igotbackfrom
wor konlytobegr eet
edbyasmal l
basketnextt othegate,i
nsi
det he
basketwast hebabyandal et
ter
from themot her.Al
soapiceofpaper
thathadi nformati
onaboutthechil
d'
s
dateofbi rt
h"

Me:"
Whatdi
dthel
ett
ersay?Di
dn'
t
shestat
ewher
eshestay
s?"
Siv
uy i
le:
"No,j
ustthatshe'
smov i
ngto
anothercountr
ywi t
hherfutur
e
husband.Shecan'trai
sethisbaby
becauseherfiancedoesn'
twanther.
"

Me:"
Well
howsur eareyout
hatt
he
babyi
syours?YouareaPri
nceshe
coul
dbetri
ckingyou.
"

Siv
uy i
le:"
Immediatel
yaf
terf
indi
ngthe
baby,Iwentt oseeThembaatthe
surgery.Headv i
cedmetotakea
DNA, Ididthat.
"

Me:
"Sowhenar
eyouget
ti
ngt
he
r
esul
ts?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Igott
hem t
hismor
ning.
"

Me:
"Al
ready
?How?
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Ihavefr
iendswhoworkin
thelab,Itol
dthem itwasur
gent
."

Me:
"Sot
hat
'sy
ourbaby
?100%sur
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yes.
"
Me:
"Howol
disshe?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
She'
samont
hol
d."

Me:
"Sot
her
e'snobi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No.
"

Me:
"Shedoesn'
thav
eaname.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Noty
et.
"

Me:
"Whendi
dyoubuyal
loft
his
st
uff
?"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Today.Ijustbought
whatevertoyIcouldgetmyhands
on.
"Icanseet hat.

Me:
"Sowhatnow?
"

Sivuy
il
e:"Idon'
tknow.Wer ai
seher
toget
herIguess."What?Ican'
trai
se
ababy ,
I'
m ababymy self
.

Me:
"Youar
eki
ddi
ngr
ight
?"
Si
vuyi
le:
"NoI'
m not.Wearemarri
ed
now,what'
smi nei
fyour
sandthat
meansthisbabyisal
soyour
s."Haibo!

Me:"Idon'
tknowhowt
orai
seababy
.
I
'm only18.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Wewi
lll
ear
ntoget
herbabe.
Wewill
dothi
stoget
her.
"

Me:"May
beyoushoul
dtakehert
o
yourmot
her
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No!
"Woah!Thatwasaqui
ck
answer."
Theycan'
tknowaboutt
his,
notyet
.Noonemustknowaboutt hi
s,
i
thastostaybetweenus.
"

Me:"
Wellyoursi
stersarecomingthi
s
si
detomor r
ow.Whati fThembaruns
i
ntothem andspi
llsthebeans?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hewon't.It
oldhim notto
tel
lanyone.Thi
shastobeoursecr et
unti
lIf
indawayt otel
lthem about
thi
s,wealsohavetokeepi tl
owkey
sothatthepapersdon'
tfindout
aboutthi
s.Idon'
tneedascandal
ri
ghtnow."
Me:"Fi
ne.Sowhatarewegonnacall
her?Sheneedsaname.May bewe
shouldcal
lherSephi
ri
,si
nceshe'
sa
secret
."Hechuckl
ed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youar
ecr
azy
."

Me:
"wecan'
tshor
teni
tandcal
lhe
Ci
ci.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ithi
nkIl
i
keCi
cimor
e."

Me:
"Ci
cii
tist
hen.
"
Myl if
ejustt ookadrasti
cchange,
from beinganor malteenagerto
raisi
ngar aisingasecretbaby.Idon'
t
t
hi nkIwillbeabletoraiseababy ,
I
meanwhatdoIknowaboutbabi es?
Godwher efuckisThandiwe?!
□
●
□
●
#WTFJust
Happened?
#Baby
Cici
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er32
○
○
●
●
"
Siv
uyi
l
ewakeup!Wakeup!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whati
sit
?"

Me:"Howcany
ousl
eepatat
imel
i
ke
t
his?"

Sivuyi
le:
"I'
m notsl
eepi
ng.Iwasj
ust
resti
ngmyey es."
Me:"
Couldhavefool
edme.She'
s
fi
nal
lyasl
eep.I
'm al
sogoi
ngtosl
eep
now.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Goodni
ght
."

Me:"Goodmor ningyoumean. "Yep,

thebabykeptusupal lnight.She
fi
nall
yfellasl
eepat5:00.Itookthe
baby'sbottl
eandwentupst ai
rswit
h
herinmyar ms.Iplacedheront he
bedandl aidnextt
oher,immedi at
ely
aft
erclosingmyey esIwasof f.
Iwokeupt
othesoundofmyr
ingi
ng
phone,
thebabywasnotnextt
ome.

Me:
"Mama.
"

Mom: "ThanksGody ouareokay .

We'vebeent r
yingtocall
y out he
wholeofl astnight
,whywer en'tyou
answer i
ngy ourphone?Inf actwhy
di
dn'tyoucal lmeandi nformt haty ou
arri
vedsaf eathome? "Mom i sbei ng
dramat i
c.

Me:"Bontl
eandThabodroppedme
offlastni
ght
,sot
heyknowt hatIam
safe."
Mom: "Thesestupidki ds,I'
m goingto
mur dert hem.Wat seba( youknow)
theyt oldmet hattheyl astsawy ou
theni ghtbefore,bare(theysaid)they
didn'tseey ouleavet hehouse
yesterday .I
'
m goingt obur ntheir
faces."Ilaughed.

Me:"Youknowtheyl
i
kepul
l
ing
pr
anksony oumom."

Mom:"They
'r
egoingtomakemeage
qui
cker.
"Il
aughed."
Howareyou
baby?
"
Me:
"I'
m andy
oumom?
"

Mom: "No, Imeanhowar eYOUi n

yourmarriage?Isyourhusband
tr
eati
ngy our i
ght?Howarey ou
holdi
ngup?Wedi dn'
tgettotal
k
aboutall
oft hatl
astnight
.Areyou
happy?"

Me:"Yesmom, IthinkIam.Ihav e
nothi
ngt ocomplainabout.He's
tr
eatingmewel l
,meandThandi also
getalong-wellwedon'treall
yget
al
ong, butwejuststayoutofeach
ot
her
'sway
s."

Mom:"That'
sgoodbaby.I'
m gladthat
youarehappy.Iwassowor r
iedthat
youwerenotgoingtocope,phela
wenayouaresuchababy .
"We
l
aughed

Me:"WellIam copi
ng,
IguessIhave
acceptedthatt
hisi
smynewl i
feand
ther
e'snothi
ngIcandotochangeit
."

Mom:"Tr
uebaby.Andalways
r
ememberwhatItol
dyou,thenyou
wi
ll
survi
vei
nthatmarr
iage."Mmmh
gi
vesmeani
dea.

Me:
"Mom,
canIasky
ousomet
hing?
"

Mom:
"Yeah,
sur
e."

Me:"Let'
sjustsayoneday,
dadcomes
homewi thachi l
dandhetel
lsyou
thatit
'shi
schi l
d,woul
dyouleavehi
m
orstayandt akecareoft
hebaby?"

Mom:
"Wel
li
tdepends.
..
"

Me:
"on?
"
Mom: "
onwhetherhehadt hechi
ld
bef orewemetoraf t
erwemet .I
fhe
hadt hechi
ldbef orewemetandhe
didn'tknowabouti t
,thenIwould
forgiv ehi
mv eryeasilyandhelphi
m
raiset hechi
ld.Ifthat'
snotthecase,
i
twoul dbev er
yhar df ormetoget
overt hebetrayal-BUTIwoul dnever
l
eav ehim,Il
ov ehim wayt oomuchto
dot hat .
"

Me:
"Wow.
"

Mom:
"Whyar
eyouaski
ngal
loft
his?
Wait
!Doesmokhweny
ana(
son-
in-
law)
hav
eachild?
"

Me:"
What
?No!Wel
lnott
hatIknow
of
f.
"

Mom: "
Thenwhyarey ouaski
ngal
l
thesequest
ionsi
fthat'
snott
he
case?"

Me:"No,t
hingisIwaswatchi
nga
mov i
ethathadasimil
arstor
yli
ne.I
st
artedaskingmysel
fwhatIwould
doifsuchat hi
ngwouldhappento
me."
Mom: "ohhh.Iwasreal
lywor
ri
ed,I
thoughtyouwer egoi
ngtosaythathe
hasachi l
d."If
akedalaugh

Me:
"No,
notatal
l
."

Mom: "
wellyoudon'
thav etowor r
y
aboutyourhusbandhav i
ngaki d
outsi
deofyourmar r
iage,helooks
l
ikeav er
yresponsi
bleguy .
"Ifonl
y
sheknew.

Me:
"Youcannev
erknowmom.Wel
l
mom let'
ssaythesamet hi
ng
happenstome, whatadv
icewoul
d
yougiveme?"Shekeptquietf
ora
whil
e.

Mom: "
Iwouldtel
lyoutoli
stentoyour
hear
t,i
twil
l al
waysleadyoutothe
ri
ghtdeci
sion.
"Li
stentomyhear t
how?BecauseallIcanhearisghu-
ghu-
ghu.

Me:"ohwell.Let
'sjusthopeandpr
ay
thatInev
ercomeacr ossthat
sit
uati
on."Fakelaughagain.
Mom:"I
'm cer
tai
nyouwon'
t.Ihav
eto
gobaby,
I'
mt aki
ngouty
ourdadfor
l
unch.
"

Me:
"ol
alawenana.
"

Mom:"nnaMoghel!
"Welaughed.My
mom canbereal
lywei
rd.

Me:"
ohwell
,goodby
ethenmom.
Enj
oyyourl
unchandgi
vedadmy
l
ove.
"

Mom:
"Wi
l
ldosobaby
.Il
ovey
ou.
"
Me:"IloveyoutooMoghel ."We
l
aughedagai nbef orehangi ngup.I
gotof fthebedandwentt ot he
bathroom tori
nsemymout hand
face,Iwalkedbackt omyr oom and
madet hebedbefor egoing
downst air
stothel ounge.That '
s
whereIf oundSivuy i
letr
yingt oplay
withhisdaughter,wel l
hewasbusy
makingcut esoundsandcal l
ingher
withpetnames.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Lookwhodeci
dedt
owake
up,
yepit
'smommy."Mommy?I
'
m
mommynow?Thatwasf
ast
.

Me:
"hel
l
o."Isai
dawkwar
dly
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Howdi
dyousl
eep?
"

Me:"l
i
keababy.Mmmhshe'
swel
l
behavedt
oday
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wai
tunt
ili
tget
sdar
k."

Me:
"Shewil
lstar
twail
ingl
i
kea
wi
dow."Helaughed.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'smean.
"

Me:
"andI
'
m hungr
y."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yourf
oodi
sint
he
micr
owav e.
"

Me:
"Youcooked?
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
OfcourseIdid,whatdoyou
takemef or
?"IchuckledasImade
mywayt othekitchen.Iopenedt
he
microwaveandtookoutapl atet
hat
wascov eredwi thanotherpl ate.
WhenIuncov eredit,Iwasmetby
burnteggs,burntsausagesand
tomatoes.Whobur nseggsbat hong?
Imeant hat'
st hesimpl estthingt o
cook.Iunloadedt hewhol epl ateof
foodinthet r
ashcanandmade
my sel
faf r
eshsandwi chwi thjuice.
Aftereat
ingIpl acedmypl ateint he
sinkandwentt ojoinfatherand
daughterinthel ounge.
Si
vuyi
lewasbusytaki
ngpict
uresof
Ci
ci,
whenhisphonestar
tedri
nging.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lul
u."Hi
ssi
ster
smusthav
e
arri
ved."What ?!No!Imean, weare
nothome. .
...Itookmywi feout.
"Out
sev oet
."Wewi ll
onlybebacklateat
night.
..
.I'
m sorrysis,IguessIwil
lsee
youguy stomor row..
...
.Il
oveyou
too..
..
.Willdo."Hehangup.

Me:
"Theywant
edt
ocomeher
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Imagi
ne!
"

Me:
"Youneedt
otel
lthem.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwi
l
l.Justnotnow.
"
Me:
"Di
dyoubat
hthebaby
?"

Siv
uyi
le:
"No,
Ijustchangedher
nappy
."

Me:
"Wher
edi
dyoul
ear
nhowt
odo
t
hat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
YouTube.
"

Me:
"Whydi
dn'
tyoubat
hher
?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
BecauseIcan'
t.
"

Me:"Dude,Yout hei nt
ernet,YouTube
wherey oulearnthowt ochangeher
nappy.Wait!Arey out r
yingtot el
lme
shehasn'ttakenabat hsincetheday
shegother e?"Hescr atchedhishead.
"Unbel
ievable.Didy ouatleastbuy
thethi
ngsshewi l
l needt obath?"

Sivuyi
l
e:"No.
"Amen!"
Ionl
ybought
thetoys.
"

Me:"Well
weneedtogoandbuyt
he
t
hingsshewi
l
lneed.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Wecan'
tbeseeninpubli
c
wit
hher.
"Ikeptqui
etandstar
ted
thi
nki
ngaboutwhatwearegoingto
do.

Me:
"I
'l
lgotothest
ore,
youst
ayher
e
wi
ththebaby
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?No!
"

Me:"
Whatdoyoumeanno?I t
'sy
our
baby
,youqi
l
llookaf
terher
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
She'
sOURbabynow.
"

Me:"
Wedidn'
tuseOURsper
mswhen
shewasmade."

Sivuy
il
e:"
Ithoughtwear
eint
his
toget
her.
"

Me:"Weare.Iwasj
ustmaki
ngi
tcl
ear
anwhichaideahefal
l
son
bi
ologi
cal
ly.
"Thatwasst
upi
d.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Finey
oucango.I
'
llst
ay.
"
Me:"Awesome.Letmegoandt akea
bath."Iranupt omyr oom, tookof f
mycl othesandt henIwentt otakea
shower .Afterthehy gieneprocess,I
wor emybl ackhighr isejean,pl
ain
whiteshor tsleevedT- shi
rtwhichI
tuckedin,andmybl ackandwhi t
e
Addidassneaker s.Myhai rsstyl
e
from yesterdaywasst il
li
ntact,soI
j
ustspr ayedmyhai randbr ushed.
Appliedabl ackmat tel i
psti
ck,Itook
mywhi t
esl i
ngbagandpuf fedmy
perfumebef orewalkingout .

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youl
ookpr
ett
y."
Me:"Ohwhy ,t
hankyoudear
husband."Wechuckled."
I'
mreadyto
go.Ijustneedtor
equestanUber.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Noneedf
ort
hat
,I'
l
ltake
youtothemal
l.
"

Me:
"Andt
hebaby
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"She'
scomi
ngwi
th.
"Huh?

Me:
"It
h-"
Sivuyi
l
e:"
Wewi l
lusether
angerov
er,
thewindowsaredim.Wewill
remain
i
nt hecarwhi
leyougoinsi
deto
shop."

Me:"Okay.Let
'sgothen."Hestoodup,
tookthebaby'
sbot t
leandhiscar
keyswhil
eIcar r
iedthebaby."Ar
en'
t
yougoingtowearaT- shir
t?"Hewas
shir
tl
ess.

Siv
uy i
le:"Noneed,it
'snotl
ikeI'
m
goingtol eavet
hecar .
"Il
ookedat
hi
m." Don' twor
ry,
noonewi llseey
our
assets."WTF.
Me:"Mxm."Wel ockedthedoorand
gotinthecarthenwedr ov
eof f
.
"Whatdayisittoday?
"Iwassitti
ngi
n
thebackseatwi t
hBabyCici.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wednesday
."

Me:
"Ohshi
t!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"What
?"

Me:"I
'm goi
ngt
oMat
ati
eleon
Sat
urday."
Sivuyi
le:
"Mat
ati
ele?Todowhat
there?
"

Me:"It'
smydad'shomet own.Weonl y
got herewhenthere'sat r
aditi
onal
ceremonyt hat
'sgoingtot akeplace.
Butdaddi dn'
texactlysaywhat '
s
happeni ngt
histi
mear ound. "

Si
vuyi
le:
"Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
ocome
back?
"

Me:
"Hedi
dn'
tsay
.Hesai
dwemi
ght
spendChr
ist
mast
her
e."

Sivuyi
le:
"What?That'
sabsurd.Your
dadknowst hatyouaremarri
ednow,
thatmeanyouhav etospendy our
Christ
maswi t
hyournewf amil
y .
"

Me:"Wellhesai
dhewi l
lspeakt
o
yourf
atheraboutt
his.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Youar
enotmar
ri
edt
omy
fat
her
."

Me:
"Hei
stheKi
ng.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Thi
sisshor
tnoti
ce.
Chr
ist
masi sin2weeks.
"

Me:"
MaybeIwil
lbebackbyt
hen.We
nev
erspendourChr
ist
masin
Matat
iel
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
There'
sfi
rstt
imef
or
ev
ery
thi
ng."

Me:"Whi
l
ewear eonthat
.Youneed
tofi
ndananny,
y ouwon'
tcopewit
h
Cici
onyourown."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
WEneedt
ofi
ndananny
."

Me:"Yeah.WE.Youal
soneedt ot
ell
yourparent
sabouthersoon.
Chri
stmasisalmosthere.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ijustt
ryandconv
incet
hem
tospenditthatsi
de.
"

Me:
"Meani
ng?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iwil
lconv
incet
hem t
o
spendChrist
masthatsi
de,
whil
eI
spendi
tthi
ssi
de.
"

Me:
"Yourmom won'
tagr
eet
othat
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iwil
lsayI
'
m goi
ngt
obe
busyatwork.
"

Me:"I
tsyourdad'
scompany ,t
hat
meansheknowsev eryt
hing.That
def
init
elywon'
twork.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ihav
emyowncompany
."

Me:
"It
houghty
ousai
dthesur
ger
yis
sti
llnew.Comeupwi t
hsomethi
nga
bitreal
ist
ic.
"Hel
ookedli
kehewas
thinki
ng.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Igotit
!Iwi
llsayIwantt
o
spendmor eti
mewi t
hy ou,
wit
hout
anydist
urbance.
"LAME!

Me:"Anot
herobst
acl
e,whatar
eyou
goi
ngtodoaboutThandi
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Leav
ethatonet
oMe.
"

Me:
"noIwantt
oknowy
oursol
uti
on
tot
hatbi
g,nomassi
veprobl
em."We
ent
eredt
hemall
andparkedthecar
.

Siv
uyi
le:"I
'
llj
ustbuyherti
cket
stogo
somewher e,
may bePar
isor
Mauri
tius.
"

Me: "
Ohwowthat'
snice,Thandiget
s
togot oonaholi
daywhil
eI'm st
uck
herehelpi
ngyouhideababy.Reall
y
nice.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iknowit
'snotfai
r,but
pl
easetr
yt ounderst
and."
Me:"Under st
andwhat ?Thatallyou
seeinmei sawi f
ewho' sgoingto
rai
sey ourbabies,whil
ey ourtr
ophy
wif
ecr uisesawayi nothercountri
es?
Huh?"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Noofcoursenot ,
Isee
beyondthatwhenIseey ou.Thingis
thebabywasconcei vedwheny ou
andIwer enotmarri
ed,Ithi
nkwe
didn'
tevenknoweachot herback
then.WithThandi
we, wewer e
engagedwheni thappened.She's
goingtofeelhur
tandbet r
ayed,so
thatmightmakeherr esorttogetti
ng
revengebecauseofhur t
.Shemi ght
got othepapers, andIdon' tneeda
scandalrightnow, I'
mi nami ddl
eofa
bigdeal.Shemi ghtal sotellmy
parentswhi chi
ssomet hingIdon't
wantt ohappen.I '
m sor r
ybabe, butI
havetodot hi
s."Isighed.

Me:
"Fi
ne,
Iunder
stand.
"

Siv
uyile:
"That'
swhyIl o-uhm li
keyou.
Youar esosel f
lessand
understandingnotforget
ting
suppor t
ive.
"Iroll
edmyey eswhile
smi
l
ing.

Me:"
Mxm,justgi
vemey ourcardand
l
etmegobuyCi ci
'
sstuff
."Hetook
outhi
scar
dandgav eitt
ome.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Doy
ouknowwhaty
ouhav
e
tobuy
? "

Me:
"No,
Iwi
l
lsear
chont
hei
nter
net
."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Youdoknowthati
tdoesn'
t
hel
psometimesr
ight
?"
Me:"Iwi
ll
takemychances.Here.
"I
handedhi
mt hebaby
."Iwi
llbeback
i
nanhour."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hour
?!"

Me:"
yes.Goshy
oul
i
kecompl
aini
ng.
Pi
n?"

Siv
uy i
le:
"9309."Itookmysl ingbag
andmademywayi nsidethemal l
.
Wher edoIst art
?MyGod.Letmego
toSPAR.It ookt hetroll
eyandstarted
pushingitalongt heaisl
es.Istar
ted
i
nt hesoapcosmet icsaisl
e,took5
barsofJohnson' sbaby
soap,vaseli
ne,babyoil
,babypowder
andot herbabycosmet i
cs.Whil
eI
wasmov ingal ongtheaisles
searchingont heinter
net,somelady
camecl osertomeandl ookedatme
withasmi l
e,shelookedlikeshewas
i
nherl atetwent i
es.

Lady
:"OhmyGodi t'
syou.
"If
akeda
smil
ecauseIdidn'
tknowwhatshe
wastalki
ngabout.

Me:
"Yeah."Isaidawkwar
dly
."Hel
l
o."I
smi
l
ed, genuinel
ythi
sti
me.
Lady:
"Youl
ookmuchor
eyoungand
pret
tyi
nper
son.
"

Me:"Thankyousi
si.Youal
sol
ook
beauti
ful
."

Lady:
"Comingfrom thefut
urequeen,
Iwil
ldefi
nit
elycher
ishthat
."Ohhh.I
l
aughed.

Me:
"Your
eal
l
yar
ebeaut
if
ulsi
si.
"

Lady
:"Thanky
ou.Mynamei
s
Nosi
pho.
"

Me:
"Bo-
"

Nosipho:
"Boi
tumel
o.Ever yoneknows
whoy ouare.
"Ofcour
se, Ismi l
ed.
"Wow!IseethePri
ncehasscor ed
alr
eady.Ther
e'sabunint heov en.
"
Bun?Score.Shepoi
ntedatt het r
oll
ey
whenshesawmyconf usedl ook.

Me: "
Oht hat
!No!No."Ti
metol i
e.
"Well,
thisi
sforafri
endofmine.She
recentlyhadababyandshe's
struggli
ngtobuythebaby'
s
necessi
ti
essoI
'
m onl
yhel
pingher
."

Nosipho:
"Whathappenedt
othebaby
daddy?"Thi
sgi
rl
!

Me:"
Nowheretobeseen.Youknow
howthedead-
beatbabydaddi
esar
e."

Nosi
pho:"Youcansayt hatagai
n.
Mineal
soleftmewhi l
eIwasheav i
ly
pr
egnantwithourson.
"Shameman.

Me:
"Sor
ry.Thatmusthav
ebeenhar
d
f
oryou.
"
Nosipho:
"Itwas.Butatl
eastIhadt
he
supportofmyf amil
y.
"

Me:"Well
myf r
iend'sparent
sthrew
herputwhentheyf oundoutabout
thebaby.
"Okaymay beIwastakingi
t
abittoofar
.Wayt oofar!

Nosi
pho:
"OMG!That
'shorr
ibl
e.How
i
sshecopingwi
thal
lofthi
s?"

Me:"Shewi
llbef
ine,
she'
sst
rongt
hat
one.Shehasme."
Nosi
pho:
"She'
sreal
lyl
uckyt
ohav
e
you.
"Bi
ng!Anidea.

Me:"Yousai
dy ouhaveababyr i
ght
?"
Shenodded."Thenmay beyoucan
hel
pmewi ththerestofthe
shoppi
ng.
..
.thatsify
iudon'tmi
nd"

Nosi
pho:"
Ofcour
seIdon'
tmind."She
sai
dqit
hexcit
ementi
nhervoice.

Me:
"Thanky
ousisi.
"Shesmil
ed.She
l
edthewayandIfoll
owedbehi
ndher
withthetrol
ley.Weboughtev eryt
hing
shesaidthebabymi ghtneed, fr
om
cosmet i
cstof ood,nappi
esand
medi ci
ne.Ialsoboughtheraf ew
groceri
esjusttothankherf orhelping
me, shewasr eall
ygreatf
ul.

Me:"
Thanky ousosomuchsi si.You
havenoi deahowmuchy ouhav e
hel
pedme.Myf ri
endwill
real
l
y
appreci
atethesethi
ngs.MayGod
bl
essy ou."

Nosi
pho:
"Godwil
ldefi
nit
elybl
essyou.
Whatyouaredoi
ngforyourfr
iend
showswhatagoodper sony ouar e,
youar ear emarkablelady."NowI
wasf eeli
ngbadbecauseIwasl y
ing
aboutt hewhole'fr
iend' st
ory.We
sharedahugbef oregoi ngour
separateway s.Ipushedt het r
oll
eyall
thewayt ot hecar,Iknockedont he
windowal er
ti
ngSivuyiletoopent he
boot,insteadherolleddownt he
window.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Getin,
Iwi
l
lpackt
hei
tems
i
ntheboot.
"

Me:
"Noi
t'
sfi
ne.Ist
il
lneedt
ogo
back.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Todowhat
?"

Me:"
Tobuyhercl
othes.Whatsi
ze
doesshewear
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yest
erday
,Iboughther2-3
mont
hsandtheyfi
therverywell
."

Me:
"She'
sabi
ggi
rl
."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Justl
ikemommy .
"Igav
e
hi
m astarecauseIknewhewas
t
alki
ngaboutme.Hel
aughed.

Me: "mxm. "Iwentt ot hebootand

packedt hepl asti
csneat l
yi nther
e,
afterIwaspacki ngIcl osedt heboot
andwentt oknockont hewi ndow
i
ndi cat i
ngt hatIwasl eaving.Iwent
straightt oAcker mans, Ialwayssee
beaut iful babyclot heswhenIam
there.Iwaspl anni ngonbuy ingafew
clothes, butIf el
linlovewi thalmost
ever ythingIl andedmyey eson.I
boughtal otofcl ot hes,baby
towel s,bat hingtowel s,socks,shoes
andhat s.Ipai dandmademywayt o
Wool wor thst obuymor ebaby
blankets,abathtubfort hebabyand
af ewclothes-Wool worthsis
expensiveMyGod.Ci ciiswayt oo
youngt owearsuchexpensi ve
clothes.WhenIwasdoneIwasdog
ti
red,myf eetwerekill
ingme.Igott o
thecar ,
Iputtheplasticsonthef r
ont
seat,otherswereinthebackseat .I
madesur etoleavespacef ormeand
Cici.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Woah!Di
dyoubuyt
hewhol
e
mall
?"Mxm.

Me:
"Justgi
vemet
hebabyanddr
ive.
"
Hel
aughed.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Ineedf
ood.KFCt
obe
exact.
"

Me:
"I'
m notget
ti
ngoutoft
hiscar
,
I
'mt
ired.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Don'
twor
ryIwi
l
lgot
her
e
mysel
f.
"

Me:
"Youar
ehal
fnaked.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ohhhy
eah,
Ican'
t.
..ohbet
ter
yetIcan,
may bet
hecashi
ermight
endupgivingmefreemeat
."WTF.

Me:"No,
youarenotgoi
nginther
eli
ke
that
.Iwil
lgi
veyoumyT-shi
rtifu
haveto.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Why?Youscaredt
heymi
ght
dr
ooloveryourasset
s?"

Me:"
No!Ijustdon'twantyoutosee
youi
nthepaper s.Yousaidyoudon'
t
wantnegati
vepr essr
ight
?"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Trustme,thi
swil
lgetme
someposi t
ivepr
ess."Whymedear
Lord?

Me:"Wewi
l
lor
deri
nSi
vuy
il
ehl
e
bat
ho."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youbet
ternotf
orget
."

Me:
"Iwon'
t.Let
'sgonow,
bef
ore
mi
ssusgetscranky
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
True.Atl
eastshe'
ssl
eepi
ng
now.
"
Me:
"Unl
uckyforhercauseI
'
m goi
ng
t
owakeherupwhenwegethome. "
Hel
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Badmom.
"Wedr
oveof
f.
Whenwegothome, Icarr
iedCici
i
nsidet heandr eti
redont hesof awi t
h
her.Thissneakybabywasst il
lasleep,
am sur eshe' sgoingt obescr eaming
thewhol eni ghtandwewon' tgetany
sleep.Siv uyi
lewalkedi nwi t
haf ew
plasti
cs, hekeptgoi ngbackt ofet
ch
mor eandmor e.Whenhewasdone
from fetchingt helastloadhesat
downnextt
ome.

Si
vuy
il
e:"I
'
mti
red.
"Excuseme?

Me:"I'
mt heonewho' ssupposeto
saythat.
"Hechuckl ed."
Timetobath
themissus."Ipassedhertohim.
"Wakeherup, whil
eIwat chavideo
onYouTube. "

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Video?
"

Me:
"Onhowtobathababy.
"It
ook
myphoneandgoogl
edvi
deoson
bathingamont hol dbaby .After
wat chi
ngi tforaf ewmi nut es, I
preparedherbat hingessent i
als,went
totheKi tchenwi ththebat htub,I
boil
edwat erusingt heKet t
le.I
pour edthehotwat erint het ub,
mi xeditcol dwater ,
Ifeltthe
temper atureofthewat erwi thmy
elbowasi nstr
uct edbyt hev i
deo,
onceIf eltthetemper at
ur ewaswar m
Itookt het ubandwentbackt othe
l
ounge.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Ar
eyousureyouknowwhat
youaredoing?"Hehadalr
eady
undressedthebaby
.
Me:
"Yes.It
hinkso.Iwi
l
ljustf
oll
ow
t
heinst
ruct
ionsonthevi
deo.Giveher
t
ome. "

Sivuyi
le:
"Mmh, si
zobona. (
Weshal l
see.)
"Hegav emet hebaby ,thatwas
busywi ggli
ngandmaki ngbaby
sounds,shesoundeddocut e.I
washedher ,maki ngsureIuseas
l
itt
lewat eraspossible,Iplacedheri n
thetub,Iwashedherwhol ebody
makingsur ethatshedoesn' tfal
l off
.
Shewasact uall
yexcitedaboutt his
bath,shewasj ustmaki nghernor mal
babysounds.

Me:"Pleasepassmet hebaby'
s
t
owel."Ilookeduponl
yt ofi
ndthat
t
hisfoolwast aki
ngpi
cturesofme.
"
Whatar ey oudoi
ng?"

Sivuyi
le:
"Takingav i
deo."Hepassed
met hetowel .IplacedbabyCi cion
thetowel ,Imov edt ositonthe
couchandwi pedhergent l
eywi t
hthe
towel.DamnIwassosweat y
!I
l
otionedCici anddr essedherwar mly
,
nonotherdad' stypeofwar ml ya
normal t
ypeofwar ml y.Iswearto
GodIsawasmi lewhenIf ini
shed
dressingher ,
Iguessshewas
showi nghergr ati
tudetomef or
bathingher,Lol.Igavehert oher
fatherbecauseIwant edt oti
dyup
aroundt helounge.Si v
uy i
lewasjust
sit
tingthereandwat chingmewi tha
smi lewhil
eIsl avedaway ,Ican'
t
believethi
sguy .Hedidn'toff
ermea
hand, si
es.
Ithrewmysel
fonthecouchwhenI
wasdonewithev
eryt
hing.Iwasr
eal
l
y
ti
red.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arey
ousur
eyoudon'
thav
e
exper
iencewi
thbabi
es?
"

Me:
"100%sur
e.I
t'
smyf
ir
stt
ime.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"Wellyouaredoinggreat."
I
'm al
sosur pr
isedatmy sel
f,Iguess
I
'm notthatbadafteral
l
.

Me:
"Thanks.I
'm soti
red,
Ijustneed
mybedrightnow."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Aren'
tyouhungr
y?"

Me:
"No,
I'
mti
red.Iwi
l
lmakeher
bottl
ebefor
egoingt
osleep.OohYou
alsoneedtomakeabirthcer
ti
fi
cate
forhersi
ncehermotherdi
dn'
tleav
e
herwithone.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yeah,
wear
egoingt
othe
HomeAffai
rst
omor
row.
"

Me:
"We?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yes.
"

Me:
"Mmhokay.
"Iwentt
otheKi
tchen
t
omakeCi
ci'
sbott
lebef
orer
eti
ri
ngto
myroom.I'
m notcookingt
oday,
Iam
waytoot
ir
ed.Themi nutemybody
col
l
idedwi
thmybed, Idozedof
f..
☆
☆
☆
☆
#Par
ent
Hood.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er33
●
●
●
●
Mybodywast ir
ed!I thur t
sashel l
,I
guessitreactingtot hef actthatI
haven'
tsleptt woni ght si nar ow.
Todaywast hedaywewer egoi ngto
theHomeAf fairstoappl yforCici'
s
bir
thcerti
fi
cat e.Ist artedpr eparinga
bathforCici
, herthi ngswer eal li
nthe
room downst airs,soIdi dn'treall
y
needtogoupst ai
r st ogett hem.She
wasalreadyupandpl ay i
ngonher
own.Afterbat hingher ,Idressedher
i
nherwhi telongsl eev edv est,white
l
eggingsandherpi nkdr esswi th
warm socksandt inybabyshoes.She
l
ookedsopr etty.Byt het i
meIwas
donewi t
hev erything, Iwasdogt ir
ed.
IhadtowakeSi
vuy
il
eupt
owat
chher
whil
eIgetr
eady
.

Me:
"Wakeup.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Alr
eady
?"

Me:
"Yes.Takeher,
Ineedtogoget
r
eady.Andpleasefeedhersol
ong.
"

Si
v uyi
le:
"Whydon'
tIgogetr
eady
fi
rst,
whil
eyoufeedher.
"

Me:
"Why
?"
Siv
uy i
le:
"Becauseyoutakehour
sto
getready."Il
ookedathimforawhi
le.

Me:
"Fi
ne.Buthur
ryup.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Don'
tIal
ways?"Hest
oodup
fr
om t
hecouchandwentupst
air
s.

Me:"youhungrybaby ?GuesswhatI
haveforyou,yummyv eges.YesIdo. ..
l
ookatt hatbeautif
ulsmile."Ikissed
hercheeks.Ipickedputapumpki n
puri
tyforher,andstart
edf eedingher.
Shedi dn'tl
ikeitonebit,shekepton
spi
ttingitonherdr ess,thedresswas
nowor ange,whydidn'tIputabibon
herthough." Youaresuchamessy
eater.NowIhav etochangey ou."
Siv
uy il
ecamebackwhi l
eIwast ryi
ng
tocleanmy sel
fup.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m done!
"

Me:
"Thatwasquick,ar
ey ousureyou
t
ouchedthewater?"Helaughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Andt
hen,
whathappened
here?
"
Me:"Iguessli
ttl
emissdoesn'tl
ike
veges,shespatthewholepurit
yout.I
for
gott oputabibonher,nowher
wholedr essi
sdirt
y."Hechuckl
ed
andt ookhisdaughter
.

Siv
uyil
e:"
She'snotli
keherdaddythen
causedaddyl ov
eshisveges."He
sai
dwhi l
ehehel dherupintheair
,
sheloveditcauseshewassmi li
ng
verywi
dely.

Me:"
Justchangeherint
osomethi
ng
cl
ean,andfeedherherbot
tl
e.She
di
dn'
teatmuch.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Youcandoall
thatwhen
youcomeback."Wai
twhat?

Me:"
I'
m sur
ey oucanmanageSi
vuy
il
e,
i
t'
snotalottodo."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
I'm notsur
ei fIwi
ll
beable
todressherpr oper
ly,whati
fItol
d
herroughlywhi l
etr
yingtodressher
."
I
sheser ious?

Me:
"Wel
lyouwi
l
lbegent
le.
"
Si
v uyil
e:"
no,Idon'
ttrustmy self
.You
willdoitwheny oucomeback. "I
l
ookedathi mi ndisbeli
ef,
It hought
wewer egonnahelpeachot herwit
h
CicibutitseemslikeI'
m doi ngallt
he
wor k."
Prett
yplease."Hemadea
puppyf ace.

Me:"What '
sgonnahappenwhenI'm
nothere?Whoar eyougoingtobeg
wit
ht hatface?I
'mleavi
nginafew
dayssoy ouneedtolearnhowtodo
thi
s,unlessyougetanannyli
keI
suggested."
Sivuyi
le:
"Andt
her
e'st
hat
.Doy
ou
reall
yhavetogo?
"

Me:"
Yes.Somet hi
ngser i
ousmustbe
goi
ngdownt here,causewenevergo
Matat
iel
e.May bethere'
satradi
ti
onal
cer
emonytakingpl ace.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
ButI
'm sur
ey ourf
amily
wouldn'
tmindyoumi ssi
ngit,
Imean
youaremarri
ednow. "

Me:
"Excuseme?I
fmypr
esence
wasn'tthati
mpor t
antthenmydad
wouldn'thaveaskedforper
missi
on
fr
om y ourdadformet ogowit
hthem.
AndIam goi ngshame."

Siv
uyi
le:
"ComeLunat
hi,
whatabout
us?Youcan'
tl
eaveusli
kethi
s?"

Me:
"Getananny
."

Sivuyi
l
e:"Ican'
tdothatbef
oreItel
l
mypar entsaboutt
hebaby ,whati
f
thatpersonblahst
ot hepr
ess?"
Me:
"Thent
ell
yourpar
ent
s."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Noty
et.
"

Me:
"Theny
ouareony
ourownbhut
i.
"
Hel
ookedatme.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ComeonLunat
hi,
doi
tfor
meandCici
."

Me:"I
'
vebeendoingal otfory
ouand
Cici
thesepasttwoday s,
myaching
bodyisproofofthat
."
Siv
uy i
le:
"al
i
ttl
esacri
fi
cewon'
thur
t
you."Iwasgett
ingpi
ssedof
fnow.

Me:"I'
m alreadysacrif
icingalot.I
'
m
sacri
fici
ngmysoci all
ife,mysleep,my
energy,I'
m alreadydoingalotfor
yourbaby .Ican'tsacr
ificei
mpor t
ant
familythi
ngs."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Mybaby?Wow!It
hought
shewasourbaby
."

Me:"
She'
syourbaby!Iwasn'
tthere
whenyoudeci
dedtoshov eyourdi
ck
i
nhermotherwit
houtacondom! "
MaybeIshoul
dn'
thav
esaidthat
,but
he'
ssel
fi
shnesswaspissi
ngmeoff.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Whathappenedt
obei
ngi
n
thi
stogether
?"

Me: "
Yourselfi
shnesshappened, I
haven'tsl
eptint wodaysbecauseof
yourbaby,youkeeponsl eepingat
nightandleavingmet otakeherof
her,youdon'thelpmeandnowI '
m
askingyoutodoasi mplething,you
can'tdothaty ouwantmet odoitfor
you!.Youactinglikesheismybaby
whilesheisy ours,andnowy ouwant
met onotgotoai mport
antfamily
gather
ingbecauseyoudon'twantto
takecareofyourowndaughter?!
Thatri
ghttherei
sbeingsel
fish!
."I
wasshouting.

Siv
uyil
e:"Well
that
'swhatyoudo
wheny ouaremarri
ed!Youmake
sacri
fi
ces!Youcompromise!
"Hewas
al
soshout i
ngmakingmeev enmor
e
mad.

Me:
"Iwi
llNEVERsacr
if
icemyfami
l
y
f
ort
hisshameofamar ri
age!
!"
Sivuy ile:
"Wow!NowIknowwhyme
andy ouwi llneverber omant icall
y
i
nv olv ed,y ouar etoomuchofabr at
andwayt oochi l
dish!!"Di
dhej ustcall
meabr at?.Iwasgobsmacked, my
mout hwaswi deopen.Hesatdown
nex ttohi sdaught erandst arted
takingof fhercl othes.Idecidedt o
closemymout handgoupst airsto
getr eadyf orourj ourney.Iwent
straightt ot heshowerandt ooka
shor tone, Iwascr yinginbet weent he
shower ,
GodI '
m suchacr ybaby .I
don'tev enknowwhywewer e
fi
ght ing, whatwer eweev enf i
ghting
about .Ican'tbel i
eveIsai dCici i
shis
babyonl y,Ididn'tmeant hat,yeah
sur eI'
m notr eadyt obeamom, butI
waswar mi ngupt ohav ingbabyCi ci
asmybaby .AsmuchasIwaswr ong
tosayal lthataboutCi ci,hewasal so
wr ongaboutcal l
ingmeabr atand
beingchi ldish, I
'
m notabr at.Iguess
thest ressofnotsl eepi ngf ortwo
day sgott ome.Il otionedmybody
andwor emyl ongsummerdr essand
sandl es,Itiedmyhai rint oaneatbun.
Puf fedabutofper fumebef ore
takingmysl i
ngbagandgoi ngt othe
l
ounge.Sur prisi
ngl yther ewasno
signofSi v uyileandCi ci inthel ounge
nort hekitchen, i
nf actCi ci
'sbagwas
goneandsower ethecarkey s.Ican'
t
believeheactual
lyleftmebehindjust
becauseofasmal largument,okayit
wasn'tsmallbutitwasbi gei
ther.I
threwmysel fonthesof aand
breathedoutloud.Itookoutmy
phoneandsenthi m at ext:
"Youcouldhav
etoldmet
hatyou
don'
twantmet ocomewi
thyou,you
know."Sent
!
Istoodupandwentmakemy sel
f
somet hingtoeat,Iwasveryhungry.I
my sel
fagr easysandwichwithjui
ce.I
reall
yneedt oapologi
sewhenhe
comesback, buthemustalso
apologisetomef orall
thathesaid.
Aftereati
ngIwentbacktol
oungeto
wat chsomeTV,Ineedsomethi
ng
thatwill
takemymindofthi
ngs,a
greatcomedymov i
ewill
do.
□
□
IguessIf ellasl
eepwhi l
ewat chi
ng
themov i
e,becauseIwokeupt othe
soundofSi vuyi
le'
slaughter
.Hewas
l
aughi ngwhi lel
ookingathisphone.I
satupst raightandclearedmyt hroat
sot hathecannot icemypr esencehe
tookhi seyesf r
om hisphonef ora
second, t
henhewentbackt oitagain.
Ireali
sedt hatbabyCi ci
wasnoti n
si
ght
.

Me:
"Wher
e'sCi
ci?
"Hel
ookedatme.

Si
vuy i
le:
"Notthati
t'
sanyofyour
business,butshe'
swithsomeone
whodoesn' tconsi
derherasa
burden."OhmyGod.

Me:"Aboutt hat,I
'
mr eal
lysor r
yIsaid
that
.Ididn'tmeanal lofthat.I
'm
real
lyreal
lysor r
y."Isai
daf t
eraf ew
secondsofsi lence.
Sivuy
il
e:"
Idon'
thavetimeforthi
s.I
needtogof et
chmydaught er
."He
stoodupfrom thecouch.

Me:"wai
t!Si
vuyi
l
eweneedt otal
k
aboutwhathappenedear
ly.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Wedon' thaveany thingto
tal
kabout .
"Hemadehi swayt othe
door,
buthest oppedhal f
wayand
tur
nedtol ookatme." Mat teroff act
,
wedoneedt ot al
k.Yeah, l
et'stalk
abouthowy oudon'trespectme,
mas't
hethengal ontoy oba
xawuthethanam, ut
het haengat hi
wehlaemt hini
.Firstofal l
and'
y ontangay akhomnaLunat hi(I
'
m
noty ouragemat e.),I
'my our
brot
her '
sagemat e,secondofal lI'
m
noty ourfri
end,soy oudon' tgett o
tal
kt omeany howy oupl ease.You
seethewayy ouspoket omet oday
showedmehowmuchl i
ttl
er espect
youhav ef orme, itshowedmet hat
wehav enoboudr iesbetweenus. "I
wasl ookingdownt hi
sent i
ret i
me.
"Yousai dy ouwantt otalk,solet's
tal
k."Hewasbei ngof ftopicthough,
that
'snotwhatIwant edust ot alk
about .Hewassocal m,yetf i
rm.
Me:
"I
'm s-
"

Sivuyil
e: "
Sav ei t
!"Hawuhesai dwe
mustt alkmos." Idon'twanttohear
yourapol ogy .From nowon, youare
goingt oaddr essmewi threspect
,
youar egoi ngt oshowmer espectthe
wayawi fei ssupposedt orespecther
husband.I fy oucan'trespectmeas
yourhusbandt henpleaserespectme
forthesakeofourmar r
iage.Mna
naweasi lingani si
si.
"Wi t
hthatsaid
het urnedandwal kedaway .Iyoh,t
his
guyi sf ul
l ofsur pr
isestoday.DisI
pisshi m of fthatmuch?Hedi dn't
evenwannahearmyapol ogy,damn!
Hedidn'
tevenapologiseforwhathe
sai
d.Atthi
spointIdidn'
tknowwhat
todo.
○
●
SI
VUYI
LE
Ican'tbeli
evewej usthadourf i
rst
majorf i
ght.IknowIshoul dn'thave
call
edherabr at,butshepissedme
offwhenshecal l
edmybabya
burden.Imeani fshedidn'
twantt o
takecar eofhersheshoul dhav esaid
from thegetgo, r
ight
?Wel lmay be
not.Afterourar gument,Idecidedto
got ohomeaf fair
sonmyown, I
appli
edf ormybaby '
sbirthcer t
ifi
cate,
shewasnol ongerbabyCi ci
,shewas
nowChul umancoMor atuwaDl ami ni
.
IgaveheraSot honamebecauseI
wantedhert ohav easenseof
connectionwi thLunathi'
scul t
ure,
plusLunat hioncement ionedt hatif
shehadt ochangehername, she
wouldbeMor atuwa.WhenIcame
backf r
om homeaf f
air
sIwent
strai
ghttoThemba' shomei nSowet o,
hismom cal ledmeandt ol
dmet hat
hewant edt oseet hebaby .Yesshe
knowsaboutt hebabybecausemy
dearfri
endThembacannotkeepa
secretefrom hismom.Ipar ked
outsi
dethegate,t
ookmysl eepi
ng
beautyfr
om hercarseatandherbag.
Il
ockedthecarandmademyway
i
nsidetheyard.

Me:
"Knockknock.
"Thembacamet
o
t
hedoor.

Themba:"
sincewhendoyouknock?
"I
chuckl
edandentered.

Me:
"Ihav
emanner
s,unl
i
key
ou.
"

Themba:
"Yeahr
ight
.She'
ssl
eepi
ng?I
can'
tgetov
erhercut
eness.
"

Me:"Whatdoy
ouknowaboutcut
e
babi
es?"

Themba:
"Fuckof
f.
"
"Noti
nfr
ontoft
hebaby
."Thatwas
Themba'
smom.

Me:
"Mommy
."

T'
smom:"Hel
lomybaby .
"Shegave
measidehugsinceIwascar
ryi
ng
Chul
u."
Ahhhh,l
ookatthi
scutethi
ng
i
ny ourarms.
"Shegent
lyt
ookherout
ofmyar msandwenttosi
tdownon
thesofa.

Themba:
"Iknowright
,she'
swaytoo
cutet
obet hi
sfu-uhm,thi
sguy
's
baby.
"

T'
smom: "Hermothermustbea
beauty.
"ThembaandIlookedateach
otherawkwardl
y.

Me:
"Whatar
eyoutry
ingt
osayabout
myl
ooksmommy ?
"Shelaughed.
T'smom: "I'
m sur
ey ouknowwhatI
mean.I '
m wakingherup."She
gentleyslappedmybabywi thher
fi
nger s,
ittookawhilebefor
ethe
sleepingbeautyt
urnedtoa
screamingqueen."Oouuushe'sa
screamer .
"Okaythatsoundedwrong.
"Givemeherbot tl
e."It
ookitoutof
thebot t
leandhandedittoher.

Themba:"
nowonderyouneverget
somesleep,
she'sl
oudery
oh.Idon'
t
thi
nkI'
m goi
ngtohaveababy
anyti
mesoon."
T'
smom:
"Excuseme?
"

Themba: "
serious,Ican'
tbeupal
l
ni
ghtlookingaf terahumanwhocri
es
ever
yoneheorshewant s
something."Ilaughed.

T'
smom: "
Siv
uyi
l
eisact
uall
yset
ti
nga
gr
eatexamplef
oral
lofyou.
"

Themba:
"andwhatexamplei
sthat?
Tohaveunprot
ect
edsex?"Il
aughed
outl
oud.
T'
smom:
"No,
bui
l
dingaf
ami
l
y."

Themba: "
howi si
tbuil
dingafamily
whent hebabymommai snotoneof
hi
swi ves?"Igavehim aster
nlook,he
shruggedhisshoulder
s.WTFi s
Thembadoi ng,he'smom isgonna
puttwoandt wot oget
herandreali
se
whot hebabymommai s.

T'smom:"What?!Ithoughtthiswas
theBarbi
edoll'
sbaby .Iwasaboutto
askhowy ouconvincedhert ocar
ry
yourseed,shedoesn'tseem li
kethe
ty
pethatwoul
dwantt ocarr
ythe
baby
.Sowho'sthebaby'smother
?
Areyourwi
veswelcomingtothe
baby
? "

Me:"Wel
l,Thandiisnother
eatthe
moment,butLunathihasbeen
hel
pingmet akecareofher
."

T'
smom:
"Lunat
hiasi
nyournew
wi
fe?
"

Me:
"Yes.
"
T'smom:"
speaki
ngofwhich,
when
am Imeeti
ngher?ImeanI'
vemetal
l
yourgi
rl
fr
iendsbutIhav
en'
tmether
."
Eysan.

Me:"
ifyouhadcomeattheweddi
ng
l
ikeyoupromisedt
o,y
ouwouldhave
mether."

Themba:
"ThankYou!
"

T'smom:"
Thankyouwaniwena?
"We
l
aughed."It
oldy
ouIhadtoworkon
thedayofyouweddi
ng.
"
Themba:"Wellr
eadt hepaper
s,you
will
seeherpict
urethere.
"Shethrew
apaperthatwaslyi
ngont hecoffee
tabl
eathim.

T'
smom:"
I'
m nottal
kingt
oyou
si
shi
mane!
"Ilaughedoutl
oud.

Themba:"
Youaresobr
utal
mom.
"I
wassti
ll
laughi
ng.

T'
smom:
"What
'shername?
"
Me:
"Who?Mywi
fe?
"

T'smom: "Noyourmom.Kant i
who
arewet alki
ngabout
?"Ichuckl
ed,
yathand'
uphoxalomama.

Themba:"Mom,hetoldyouhisname
wheny ouwereask8nghim aboutt
he
welcomingandall
."

T'
smom: "
Again,I
'
m nott al
kingtoy
ou.
Futhi
I'
m notaski
ngabouthermar it
al
name,Imeanheri dent
itybefor
eshe
gotmarri
edtoSivuyil
e."
Themba:
"I
heeh!Hambai
dent
it
y."We
l
aughed.

Me:
"Hernamei
sBoi
tumel
o
Mokoena.
"

T'
smom: "Mmmh, yaziIhav
ea
col
leaguewho'sdaught erwasgetti
ng
marri
edt oaprincefewweeksago,
hernamewasal soBoitumeloandmy
col
league'ssur
namei sMokoena."
Reall
y?Themba' smom i sanurse
andsoi sBoit
umel o'
smom.
Me:
'
That
'st
heone.
"

T'smom: "
OhmyGod, hayy our
ancestorshavereal
lyblessedyoumy
chil
d.Thatgurli
sagem, she's
respectf
ulandverybeautiful
.I
actual
lywantedtosetherupwi t
h
Thembabef oreIfoundoutshewas
getti
ngmar r
ied.
"

Themba:"Ahhmama!Whydi dyou
taket
olongt odothat,l
ooknow
she'
staken."Welaughed.

Me:
"Whet
hershewaswi
thy
ouornot
,
Iwasst
il
lgonnawi
feher
."

Themba:
"mxm.
"

T'
smom:"haythersnoneedformeto
meether
,causeIknowhershe'sa
goodgi
rl
.Youar ever
yluckytohav
e
someoneli
keher."

Me:
"Your
eal
l
yli
keherneh?
"

T'
smom: "She'
sagoodper son,witha
bigheart
.I'
m notsur
prisedthatshe'
s
actual
l
yhelpingyoutakecareofthe
baby
."Wow.

Themba:"
Iyoh,I
'm sur
ey ourcheeks
hurtasf
uck."Idi
dn'tevenreal
iseI
wassmili
ngeart oear.

T'smom:"Thi
schil
dlooksf ami
li
ar.
Sheactuall
yresembl
essomeoneI
know."OhmyGod, hereitcomes.
"Whatdidyousayyourbaby
momma' snamewasagai n?"

Themba:
"Uh,
hedi
dn'
ttel
lyou.
"
T'
smom: "
Nomar n.Iknowt
hischi
l
d's
mother
."No!No!No!

Themba: "
Uhm, noyoudon't
."We
werenowsweat i
ngabit."
Ehh,
ntwanaAy andasaidhewant stosee
usatlunchtimeremember ?"Hegave
met helook,ohhIguessthi
si shi
s
escapeplan.

Me:"
Ohhy
eah.Weshoul
dgot
her
e
now.
"

Me:"
Mommydoy
oumi
ndwat
chi
ng
herf
orme?
"
T'
smom:"Ofcour
senot
,youguy
scan
go.
"ThankGod.

Themba:
"seey
ouinafewhour
s."We
qui
ckl
ywentoutt
othecar
.

Me:
"phew!Thatwascl
ose.
"Isai
das
wedroveoff
.

Themba:
"t
ell
meabouti
t.
"

Me:
"doyout
hinkshewi
l
lwor
kout
whothemot
heris?"
Themba:
"ofcourseshewi
l
l,mom i
s
ver
ygoodwithfaces.
"

Me:
"hopeful
l
yshedoesn'
t,
because
t
hatwouldscrewme.
"

Themba:
"Youwoul
dhav
etot
ell
Boit
umel
othet
rut
h."
.

Me:
'Whi
chi
ssomethi
ngI'
m not
wi
ll
i
ngtodo.Sowher
etonow?"

Themba:
"Let
sgodi
stur
bLungani
at
wor
k."

Me:
"t
hatwi
l
lpi
sshi
m of
f.
"

Themba:"Whi
chiswhyweshoul
ddo
i
t.
"Ilookedathi
m andl
aughedal
it
tl
e.
Wedr ovetoLungani 'swor kpl
ace,
unfortunatelyforushewasoutof
towni nameet ing.Wet hendeci ded
togoanddi sturbedAy andaathi s
wor k,hewasmor ethanhappyt obe
distur
bed, thathowmuchhedoesn' t
l
ikehi sjob.Wewentoutf orlunch
andaf ewdr i
nks, Themba's
"gir
lfr
iend"decidedt ospoi lt
hef unby
askingt oseehim, sowehadt of i
nish
upandgo.Idr oppedAy andaof fat
hiswor kpl
acet henIwentt odr op
Thembaathi sapar t
mentbef or eu
headedhome.WhenIgothome,
thereshewassl eepi
ngont hesof a,
damn!Shehasabi gbut t.Ikeptmy
selfcompanybywat chingaf ew
funnyv i
deosonYouTube, Iguessmy
l
aughwokeherup.Thi sgirl i
sr eal
ly
beautif
ul,Idi
dn'twanthert onot i
ce
thatIwasl ookingather ,Ikepton
steali
ngglancesather .Themoment
wasr uinedbyherapol ogisingabout
earli
er,Iwasnoti nthemoodf orall
ofthat.Iwasr eall
yhur taboutwhat
shesai daboutmybaby ,shemi ght
hav ebotmeanti t,butshesaidit.I
alsodon' tli
ket hewayShespoket o
me, sheneededt oknowhowIf elt
aboutherdi sr espect.Aft
ertel
li
ngher
howIf elt
,Itookmycarkey sandl eft
thehouse.IsentThembaamessage
i
nf orminghi mt hatI'
m onmywayt o
fetchhi m,Ialsot ol
dhi mtobringme
anappl e.WhenIgott ohisapartment
hewasal readyst andingoutsi
det he
gat e,hegoti nthecarandwedr ov e
offt ohismom' shouse.Iwaseat i
ng
myappl ewhi l
edr ivi
ng.

Themba:
"Dude,
yougonnacausean
acci
dent
."

Me:
"Byeat
inganappl
e?Real
l
y?"

Themba:
"Yes,youcaneatanddr
ive.
Giv
emet hatApple.
"

Me:"
Iknewthaty
ouwant
edi
tfor
your
sel
f."

Themba:
"No,Ij
ustwantt
oholdi
tfor
youwhi
leyouaredri
vi
ng.Youwi
l
lget
i
tbackwhenwegethome. "
Me:
"Nope,
I'
m cool
.
"Hechuckl
ed.

Themba:
"Youar
est
ingy
."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Iknewi
t!
"Wel
aughed.

Themba:"
How'
sBoi
tumel
o?Howis
shecopi
ngwit
hbei
nganinst
ant
mom? "

Me:"
She'snotcopi
ngatal
l
,she
act
uall
ysaidmybabyisaburden.
"

Themba:
"Woah!Whendi
dshesayal
l
oft
his?
"

Me:
"Thi
smor
ning.
"

Themba:"
whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
his
ear
li
eron?"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
twannat
alkabouti
t.
"

Themba:"Idon'
tblameher.She's
only18,
andshehasbeent reatedli
ke
ababyherwholelife,
obvi
ouslyshe
knowsnothingaboutbabi
es."
Me:"Butthatdoesn'tgivehert
her i
ght
tocallmychi l
dabur den.Shealso
sai
dt hatshewasn'ttherewhenI
deci
dedt oshov emydi ckinCi
ci's
mom' shole."Helaughedoutloud.

Themba:
"Shesai
dthat
?"Inodded.
"Wayt
ogoTumi !
"Helaughedagai
n.

Me:
"Iki
ndacal
l
edheraspoi
l
tbr
at.
"

Themba:
"Youdi
dwhat
?!"

Me:
"Iwaspi
ssedof
fdude,
itwasi
n
t
heheatoft
hemoment
."

Themba:"
Nahbro.Thatwaswr ongof
you,howcanyoucall
heraspoi l
tbr
at
whenshehasbeensosuppor ti
ve
towardst
hiswhol
esituat
ion.
"

Me:"IknowIdidafuckedupt
hing.I
shouldn'
thav
esaidthat.
"

Themba:"Damnr
ighty
oushoul
dn'
t
have.Youneedt
oapologi
set
oher.
"

Me:
"Iwi
l
l.
"Ipar
kedt
hecarandwe
wenti
n.Theminut
eIopenedthe
door
,Iwasmetbyaslap!Themba
al
soreci
evedhi
swhenhegotit.

T'
smom: "
That
'sLusanda'
sdaught
er
ri
ght
?!"Ohshi
t!
●
●
●
●
#I
sishi
manemeanssomeonewhoi
s
si
ngle.
(
Thewhol
erespectpar
t,Idi
dn'
t
i
ncl
udei
tinSi
vuyi
le'
sPOVbecausei
t
wasi
ncl
udedi
nBoi
tumel
o'
sPOV)
.

ENJOY
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er34
●
○
●
○
SI
VUYI
LE
Wewerest
il
lstandi
ngatt
hedoor
,
r
ubbi
ngourcheeks.

Themba:
"Whatt
hehel
lmom?
"
T'
smom: "Whatthehell
?!Whatthe
hell
?!I
sthatal
lyouaregoingtosay?
!.
Iaskedyouabloodyquestion!
"

Themba:"
Nomom, yougotall
oft
his
twi
sted.I
t'
snotLusanda'
skid.
"

T'
smom:
"Don'
tl
iet
omewenamar
n!"

Me:"He'
stell
i
ngt hetr
uthmommy ,
it'
s
notherchi
ld.Ihaven'
tspokent
o
Lusandainawhol eyear
."
T'
smom:"
Siv
uyi
le?Si
vuy
il
e?"Shesai
d
i
nawarni
nglyt
one.

Me:"
I'
m beinghonestmommy .May
be
i
t'
sjustaresemblance,
not
hing
much."

T'
smom:
"Bazebaf
anekangakapho?
!"

Me:
"Yes,
butshenotherdaught
er.
"

T'
smom:
"Who'
shermot
hert
hen?
"

Me:
"somegi
rlImeti
nacl
ub.
"Thwaa
anot
hersl
apl
andedonmycheek.

T'
smom: "Whatdi
dIsayabout
sl
eepingwit
hrandom gi
rl
swit
hout
pr
otecti
on?"

Me:
"Iwasdr
unkmom.
"

T'smom:"That'
snotanexcusemar n!!
Youshouldt el
lyourfamil
yaboutthi
s
kidsoon!Ifyoudon'tIwil
l
."Witht
hat
saidsheturnedandl ef
tusstandi
ng
there.
Themba:
"Fuckmycheekhur
ts.
"

Me:"
Idon'tev
enknowwhyy ouar
e
complai
ning,
Igottwosl
aps."We
werewhisper
ing.

Themba:
"Fuck!
"

Me:"
Doy out
hinksheboughtour
st
ory?"

Themba:"
Ifshedidn'
t,
shewoul
dn'
t
havesl
appedy outwi
ce."
Me:"
Noonehastoknowabout
Chul
umanco'smot
her
,exceptme,
you
andtheguy
s."

"
Heynina!Howlongar
eyoupl
anni
ng
t
ostandther
e?!
"

Themba:"
Letsgobef or
eshefetches
uswithabroom."Plusshewoulddo
that
.Wemadeourwayt othelounge
wereshewassitti
ng.

T'
smom: "I
fyouwantfoodyouwil
l
dishupforyour
sel
ves,I
'v
ealr
eady
eaten.
"
Me:"Uhm,Ithi
nkIshoul
dgohome.I
t
al
readylat
e."

T'
smom: "
sincewhendoy
oucar
e
aboutt
hat?"

Me:
"Ihav
eababywi
thmemommy
."

T'
smom:
"ohhIf
orgotaboutt
hat
."

Me:
"butIwi
llt
akeaskhaf
ti
ni,
Idoubt
mywifewil
lcookt
oni
ght.
"
T'
smom:
"Whynot
?"

Me:"Wehadourf
ir
sthugef
ight
."
Thembal
aughedoutl
oud.

T'smom:"Uhlekaniwena?(Whatare
youlaughingat?)"Hequickl
ytonedit
down."Futhigoanddi shupfor
Sivuy
il
e."

Themba:"
What?!Nowaymom, he
knowshe'swayaroundt
hishouse,
plushehashands.
"
T'smom:"Iwasn'
taski
ngyou.Have
youforgott
enthathe'
sol
derthan
you?"

Themba:
"byafewmont
hsmom!
"I
wasamused.

T'
smom:
"Hamba!
"

Me:"Hurrynt
wana!Mymr si
sal
lal
one
i
nthathouse."Isatdownwithmy
l
egscr ossedwit
hasmi rkonmyface.
Thembawassoi r
rit
atedandIwas
l
ovingit.
T'
smom:"
Sowhatdi
dyounamet
he
baby
?"

Me:
"Chul
umancoMor
atuwaDl
ami
ni.
"

T'
smom:
"Mor
atuwa?
"

Me:"Yes,i
twasi
nspi
redbyhermom'
s
cul
ture.
"

T'
smom:
"Hermom i
sSot
ho?
"
Me:
"Notherbi
ologi
cal
mom,
Imean
Boi
tumel
o,mywife.
"

T'
smom:
"Ohhh,
Ige-
"

Themba:"
Ther
eyougo."Hepl
aceda
Tupper
warecont
aineronmyl
ap.

Me:"
Thatwasquick,
areyousur
ethat
youdishest
her
ightfood?
"

Themba:
"Ofcour
seIdi
d."

Me:
"Wel
ll
etmeopeni
t,j
ustt
osur
e."
Themba: "Youdon' tneedtodot hat.
"
Het ri
edsnatchingt hecontai
nerfrom
me, butIduckedthenIopenedi t
.
JustlikeIsuspectedhedi dn'
tdish
anyf ood,i
nsteadthecont ai
nerwas
fi
ll
edwi thmaizemeal !Thi
sstupid
fucker!

Me:
"Iknewi
t!
"

T'
smom: "Whati
sit?Letmesee? "I
showedherthecontai
ner
."Themba
marn!
!"Thembawasi nst
iches.
Themba:"Icouldn'
thelpmysel
f.
"He
l
aughedsomemor e.Hismom t
ook
offhersl
i
pperandt hrewi
tathi
m,he
duckedwhi l
elaughing.

Me:"
Fuckof
f,Iwi
l
ldi
shupf
or
myself
."

Themba:"That'
swhaty oushoul d
havedonei nt
hef i
rstpl
ace."Ist ood
upandwentt othekitchen,Itookout
twocontainer
sthenIst ar
teddi shing
up.Onewasf orthericeandt heot her
wasforthestew.Iwentbackt ot he
l
oungewi thbothmycont ainers.
Me:
"Youar
esl
eepi
ngov
err
ight
?"

Themba:"
It
snotli
keshewillal
lowme
tol
eaveheral
oneatnight
,Thandaza
i
sonlycomingbacktomorrow."
Thandazai
shiscousi
n.

Me:"Okay
.Helpmewi
tht
hebabyand
herbagplease.
"

T'
smom: "She'ssl
eepi
ngi
n
Thandaza'sroom."Hemadehi
sway
downthepassage.
Me:"Wel
lyoursoni sgoingt osleep
onanempt ystomacht onight.I
di
shedupallthef ood.
"Isaidwith
amusementwr it
tenallovermyf ace.
T'
smom sighedindef eat
.

T'smom: "
Youguyswi l
lneverchange,
I'
mt i
redoftryi
ngtochangey'al
l.
"I
chuckled.Thembacameback
carry
ingChulumacoandherbag.

Themba: "
Letsgo,
thesl
eepi
ngbeauty
i
sstil
l asl
eep.Mom Iwi
l
ldri
vewit
h
them andcomebackwithoneofhis
car
s."

Me:"
Ahhexcuseme?
!Nonono!You
nev
erbri
ngbackmycar
s."

Themba:"Don'
tl
ieidobri
ngthem
back.Ibr
oughtbackthePol
o."

Me:
"Don'
tl
ie,
Ifet
chedi
t.
"

Themba:
"Samet
hing.
"

Me:
"Noit
'snot.Youarenotget
ti
ng
mycar
s,i
fy ouwanttocomewi t
hus,
youcandri
vebehi
ndmewi
thy
our
owncar.
"

Themba:"
Mxm,I'
m notgoi
ng
anywher
e.Iwast
ryi
ngtohelpy
ou
dumbass."

Me:"
Keepyourhelpdouche.
"Mommy
j
ustshookherhead."
Goodbye
mommy ,I
'l
lseeyouwhenIcan."

T'
smom: "
andpl
easecomebackwi
th
makot
i,Iwantt
oseeher.
"
Me:"
Wil
ldo.Ohhhonemor ethi
ng,
pl
easedon'
ttel
lhermom aboutthi
s."

T'smom: "I'
m notgoodatkeepi
ng
secret
es, butIwil
ltr
y.Youbett
ert
ell
yourfami l
yaboutthisbabyver
ysoon
Sivuyi
le.
"

Me:
"Iwi
l
ldon'
twor
ry.
"

T'
smom:"Goodboy .Nowl etmeki ss
mygrandchi
l
dgoodby e.
"Shest ood
andwenttogiv
eChul uaf orehead
ki
ss."
Andwena, don'tgotobed
wit
houti
roni
ngthingsoutwi thyour
wife."Ihuggedhergoodbye,
thenI
wentt othecarwithThemba
foll
owi ngbehi
ndmewi thmybaby .I
placedmycont ai
nersonthefront
seat,whileThembawasbuckl i
ng
Chuluup.

Themba:
"Ar
ewemeet
ingup
tomor
row?"

Me:"
Idon'
tthinksohey,Ineedtof
ind
anannyfortheli
tt
leone,Lunat
hii
s
l
eavi
ngsoon. "

Themba:
"Ohh.Don'
tl
iker
oyal
peopl
e
hav
ethei
rowndesi
gnat
ednanni
es?
"

Me:
"Fuckno!
"

Themba:"ButI
'm sur
ey ouwil
lneed
tohi
resomeoney outrust
,someone
fr
om yourvi
ll
age.
"

Me:
"Yeah.
"

Themba:"Thenwhynotwaitunt
ily
ou
tel
lyourpar
entsabouther
?"

Me:
"That
'swhatIwaspl
anni
ngt
odo,
buti
fIdot
hatwhowi
l
lhel
pmewi
th
Chul
u?"

Themba:
"Mymom.I'
m sur
eshe
woul
d.l
ovet
ohel
p."

Me:
"Ohhy eah.That
'st
rue.Tal
ktoher
f
orme,.
please."

Themba:
"Iwi
l
l.
"

Me:"Andt
hanksforhavi
ngmyback
aboutt
hewholeLusandathi
ng.
"
Themba:"Noneedtot
hankme
ntwana.Igoty
ou!
"Webrohugged

Me:
"Moj
ant
wana!
"

Themba: "Sho!".Igotint hecarand

droveof fwithmyl i
tt
lepr incess,who
wasnowawakeandmaki ngbaby
noises.Iwasnotl ooki ngf or
wardto
goinghome, IknowIneedt o
apologisetoherf orthet hingsIsaid,
butsheal sodisr espect edme.She' s
needst olearnhowt or espectme, I'm
notherf ri
endaf terall.Iar rivedatmy
house,Ipar kedmycar , t
ookmybaby
andhert hi ngst henIwenti nsideaf t
er
l
ockingt hecar .Ireall
yneedt ogeta
securityguar df orthegate, Iwil
l
speakt odadaboutt hat.WhenI
enteredt hehouse, shewasnowher e
tobef oundmay beshe'ssleeping,but
i
tt ooear l
y ,butt hewayshel i
kes
sleepingmakesmet hi
nkthatshei s.I
wentupst airst oher ,andthereshe
wassl eepi ngi nt hemostawkwar d
positi
onev er ,shel ookedcut ethough,
asmi lecr eeptuponmyf acebuti t
quicklydisappear edwhenI
remember edt hatshecal l
edmy
daught erabur den.Iwentt omyr oom,
andpl acedt hel itt
lepri
ncessont he
bed.Ijusthopeshewi l
lbehav e
tonight,meandhermom ar enotin
goodt ermsr ightnowandshe' sthe
onlyonewhocancal m herdown.I
changedi ntomybaggyshor tsand
pushi ns,Idecidednott owear
anythingont op.Iwentdownst air
sto
makesomef ood, Itookmybabywi th
me.Ican' treallyleav eheronherown
upstairs,Iwanthercl osetomesoI
canhearhercr y.Iknewt hiswalking
aroundwi t
hhermi ghtwakeherup, I
wentt othel oungeandcar ef
ull
y
placedheront hecouch.Ir eall
yneed
tobuyherami ni mat tr
essoracot
thatIwi l
lputi nthel oungeseeing
that'swher ewespendmostofour
ti
me.Ir antot hekitchent opour
my selfacl assofj ui
ce, Itookaspoon
thenIwentbackt othel oungeand
starteddev ouringonmyf ood.The
foodwassodel i
cious, Themba' s
mom i sagr eatcook.JustasIwas
takingthel astspoonf ulloffood,my
screami ngpr i
ncessdeci dedt odoher
j
ob.Doessheal wayshav etocryt hi
s
l
oud?Iqui cklyplacedt hecont ainer
ont opoft het able,Itookheri nt
omy
armsandt ri
edt oshushher ,t
hat
didn'tseem t owor k,itwasasi fIwas
encour aginghert ocr yev enmor e.
May beIwasbei ngr ough, Isl
owed
downmypace, itwaswor kingshe
wasst art
edt oqui etendown, aft
era
fewmi nutesshewascompl et el
y
sil
ent, herbigey eswer estar i
ngi nt
o
mine, sher eall
yi shermom' scopy .
Lunat hiusuallyhumsasongf orher
andt hatalway sput shertosl eep,
may bei tmi ghtdot hetri
ckl etmet ry.
Ihummedasongt oher,
It r
iedt obe
softasIcan, butshedi dn'tlikeit
i
nsteadofsl eepi ngshestar ted
waili
ngagai n,thiswasnotf unatal l
.

"What'
sgoi
ngon?Whatdidyoudot
o
her?
"ThatwasLunat
hiwal
ki
ng
towardsme.
Me:"Iwashummi ngasongt oher,I
guessshedidn'tlikebecauseshe
star
tedcryi
ngbef or eIcouldeven
hum thechorus."Shel aughed,I
wantedtojoi
nher ,butmypr i
de
wouldn'
tletme.

Lunat
hi:
"Gi
vehert
ome.
"

Me:
"Noi
t'
sfi
ne,
I'
ll
manage.
"Asi
f!

Lunat
hi:
"ComeonSi
vuy
il
e,Ij
ustwant
tohel
p."
Me:
"Idon'
twantt
oBURDENy
ou.
"I
emphasi
sedonBurden.

Lunat
hi:
"Iapol
ogi
sedf
ort
hat
,Idi
dn'
t
meanit.
"

Me:"Li
keIsai d,I
'
llmanage.Shei smy
daughterafteral
l.
"PRI DE!
!Itwasas
i
fChul uwassensi ngLunathi'
s
presence,shestartedwail
ingeven
l
ouder ,onewouldswearsomeone
pi
nchedherorsomet hi
ng.Lit
tl
e
tr
aitor
!
Lunathi:"
ComeonSi vuyi
leyounot
managi ng,arey ougonnaall
owy our
pri
det ogeti nthewayofy ourpeace
andqui et?"Ikeptquietf
orawhile
thenIlookedather .

Me:"
Justsowe'r
eclear
,youarethe
onewho'sof
fer
ingtohelp,
don'
t
complai
naboutthi
stomorrow.
"

Lunathi:
"Iwon'
t.Li
keIsai
ditwasa
mistake,Ishoul
dn'
thavesaidthose
thi
ngs.Nowgi vemet hebaby.
"I
gentl
ypassedt hecry
ingChulutoher,
shestartedshushi
ngherwhile
hummi ngasongi nasofttone.Few
minuteslatert
hescreamingprincess
wasbackt obeingthepeaceful
pri
ncess."Sheneedsanappychange.
Whenwast helastt
imeyouf edher?"

Me:"Beforesheslept
,whi
chwas
aboutt woorthr
eehoursago.
"Li
es!I
don'
tev enknowwhenshewasf ed,I
wasj ustguessi
ng.

Lunathi
:
"Pleasemakeherbott
le,
whil
eIchangehernappy."She
star
tedtakingof
fChul
u'
spants.
Me:
"Shest
il
lhasabot
tl
eful
lofmi
l
k."

Lunat
hi:
"Pl
easewar
mit
."

Me:"How?I
nthemi
crowav
e?"She
chuckl
ed

Lunathi
:"
Idon' tt
hinkthat'ssafe.Just
pourhotwat erinajugt henpl acethe
bott
leinthef orafewmi nutes,just
makesur ethatit'
sbittohot ."How
doessheknowal lthi
s?

Me:
"Howdoy
ouknowal
loft
his?
"
Lunat hi:
"Aft
ery ouleft,Iwentont he
i
nternetanddi dsomer esear chon
babies, j
usttobesaf ey abo?"Iwas
amazed, shereallydidt hatforme?
Formydaught er?Wow!" Thebot tle
Sivuyile.
"Shesai dassheputChul u'
s
pantsbackon.It ookt hebot tleand
wentt ot hekitchen,Ifollowedher
i
nst r
uct i
onsandwar medt hebot tl
e.
Oncei twaswar m enoughIt ooki t
backt oher ,shetooki tandst ar
ted
feedingChul u.

Mee:
"Thewayshesucki
ngont
hat
bottl
e,onewouldsweart
hatshe
didn'
teatthewhol
eday.Tal
kabouta
realGimba(f
oodkil
l
er)
"Shelaughed.

Lunathi
:"
Sheisal
wayshungry
.Isn'
t
thatr
ightCi
ci.
"Shehadawidesmile
onherface."
Speaki
ngofCici
,what'
s
hernewname? "

Me:"
Namesyoumean.I
t'
s
Chul
umancoMor
atuwaDlami
ni.
"

Lunathi
:
"Youst ol
emyname! "She
pouted,
Ilaughedathercut
ef ace.
Me:"
Icoul
dn'
tl
etsuchabeaut
if
ul
namegotowaste.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Iwasgonnachangemy
name."

Me:"
Yeahri
ght,asi
fy ourf
amily
wouldal
l
owy ou,asifIwouldal
low
you.
"Webothlaughed.

Lunat
hi:
"Mxm.Wellthosearepret
ty
goodnames.WhatdoesChul umanco
mean?I'
veneverheardofthatname."
Me:
"I
tmeanshappi
ness.
"

Lunathi
:"
Ohwow!Lookatt hatbaby,
aft
erallyourf
atherhasabrai
ncell
."
Shelaughed,Ij
oinedher
.

Me:
"Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayabout
me?
"

Lunat
hi:
"Not
hing.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.

Me:"
Iwanttoapol
ogiseforthet
hings
Isai
dtoday
,itwasnotcool.I
shoul
dn'thavecal
l
edy ouabr
at.
"I
sai
dafterafewmi nut
esofsi
l
ence.

Lunat
hi:"
It
sfi
ne,
Itotal
l
ygetget
whereitwascomingfr
om."

Me:"ButIwasser i
ousaboutthe
wholerespectt
hing.Youneedto
star
taddressi
ngmeasy our
husband."

Lunat
hi:
"Iwi
l
l.
"

Me:
"Thatmeansy
oushoul
dcal
lme
Tat
afr
om nowon.
"

Lunathi
;
"Wait
!What?!"Thel
ookon
her,
pri
cel
ess!Il
aughed.

Me:
"I
mjoki
ng!
"Wel
aughed.
Thel i
ttl
epri
ncesswasf inal
lyasl
eep,
wedeci dedtogoandsl eepupst ai
rs
tonight,wewerebothtir
edof
sleepingonthesofas.Forthefir
st
ti
meev erwesharedabedwi t
hChulu,
Iwashappyandcompl ete!.

■
□
■
□
I'
mfini
shi
ngmyexamsinaf
ewdays,
soIwil
l.
bewi
thyouguy
sful
lti
mei
na
fewdays.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er35
°
°
°
°
°
°
°
BOI
TUMELO.
TheDdayhadf i
nal l
yIarrived.Me
andmyf ami lywer egoingt obe
travel
li
ngt oMat at i
eletoday ,Imust
sayIwasr eallynotl ookingf or
war d
tothattrip.Iwokeupandt ooka
quickshower ,mybagswer eal ready
packed.Iwor emySki nnyjeanand
mybl ackl acebodysui t
,thenIwor e
mybl ackAddi dassneaker sand
placedmybl ackl eatherjacketonmy
shoulders, Ifi
nishedoft hel ookwi t
h
myr edlipst i
ck, j
ustt oaddcol ourto
myout fi
t.Si vuy i
l
ewassl eepi nginhis
room withMor atuwa( Chulu/ Ci
ci).My
bagswer
ealr
eadydownstai
rs,It
ook
myphoneandmyhandbagt henI
wentt
oknockatSi
vuyi
l
e'sroom.

Sivuyi
le:"
Comei n."Iwal
kedi n,hewas
sit
tingonhi smessybed, dressedin
casual cl
othes,Ratuwasal soawake
andsur pri
singl
yshewasn' tcryi
ng.
"Heymama. "Ismiled

Me:
"mmmhIseey ouhaveal
ready
t
akenashower
.Shock!
"Helaughed.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
What
'st
hatsupposet
o
mean?"
Me:
"Not
hing.
"

Sivuyil
e:"
Heh!Youlookpr et
ty,no
scratchthatyoulookgorgeous
danger ousl
yhot.
"Iblushed."Areyou
dressingupf ort
hosev i
ll
ageboy s?"

Me:
"No!Andfory
ouri
nfoMat
ati
ele
i
snotavi
ll
age.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iknowt hat,I
'
vebeento
Matat
iel
ebef ore.Butwenayouare
goi
ngtoav il
lage."
Me:"Youdon'
tev
enknowmydad'
s
home."

Si
vuyil
e:"
butIknowthati
t'
sina
vi
l
lage,wherether
eisnoelect
ri
cit
y."
Helaughed

Me:"Thatj
ustprovesthagyouknow
nothi
ngaboutmydad' shomet own.
Thereisel
ectr
ici
tythere.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Don'
tcal
li
ttown.Say
vi
l
lage."
Me:"Youar
esoannoy
ing."Ir
oll
edmy
ey
es."Canwej
ustgoplease.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"WhosaidI'
mtaki
ngyout
o
yourf
ather
'shouse?
"Thi
sguy
!

Me:
"youdi
d!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
NoIdi
dn'
t.
"

Me:"Youdid,whenyouwereonthe
phonewit
hThabangy est
erday
,you
tol
dthem nottofet
chmey ouwil
l
dr
opmeof ff
ir
stt
hingi
nthe
morni
ng.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hay,Idon'
tremember
sayi
ngthat.
"OhmyGodSi vuyi
l
ecan
besoannoyingsomet i
mes.

Me:
"Si
vuy
il
emar
n!"

Sivuy
ile:
"Yint
oni?
(What?).Hehbaby
uyabonaumamakhouqal a
ukuhlanya?(canyouseet hatyour
mom i sstarti
ngtogetcrazy?)
"He
waslookingatMor atuwa."She'
s
heari
ngv oicesnowadays."Moratuwa
j
ustsmiledandcarriedontalki
ngin
herownlanguage."Iknowright?
Whatshouldwedo? "Thisguyis
gett
ingonmyl astnerve.

Me:
"Si
vuy
il
e!!
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Yoh!Masambe(let
'sgo)
befor
ey oustartcr
ying.
"Het ookhi
s
carkeysandphone.

Me:"Younotev
engoi
ngtogett
hat
goodbyeki
ssIwaspl
anni
ngtogi
ve
you.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?"

Me: "Haretsamay ehle(

Let sgo
please.)Beforemom st artscal
ling
me. "Iwentoutwi t
hhi mf oll
owing
l
ikeapuppy .Wegotdownst air
s, I
tookmysmal lbagandwentout
whilehel ockedt hedoor .Wegoti nto
thecaranddr oveof fafterbucking
Mor atuwai nherseat .

Sivuyi
le:
"Babe,
youwer ej
oki
ngabout
thekissneh?"Ii
gnoredhi
m andsang
alongtotheradio."
Babe.
"
Me:
"Keng?
(What
?)"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Theki
ss?Youwer
ejoki
ng
ri
ght
?Iam sti
ll
goingt
ogeti
tri
ght?
"

Me:
"No.Youdon'
tdeser
vei
t.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hawu,
Iwasonl
yplay
ing
wi
thyoumkam(mywi
fe.
)"

Me:
"Har
dLuck.Udl
alakak'
bi
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Unf
airt
reat
menty
odwal
e."

Me:
"Cal
lCli
ent
elelegal
."Isangal
ong
t
otheradi
oagain.Helaughed.
Wef i
nal
lyarr
ivedatmyhome, my
brot
herswerealreadypacki
ngt
he
bagsinablackav anz
a.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
YouknowIcan'
tgoi
nri
ght
?"

Me:
"Yeah.Iguesst
hisi
sgoodby
e."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Youmaki
ngitsoundlike
youar
enotcomingback.
"Ilaughed.
"
Don'
tl
augh.
"

Me:
"Phol
a!(
chi
l
l!
).
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Myki
sskesi
si.
"

Me:
"Haibo.Isai
dyouar
enotget
ti
ng
i
tnj
e."

Si
vuyi
le:"Yout
heonewhobr
oughti
t
upwhileIwasmindi
ngmyown
busi
ness,soyouowemeone.
"

Me:
"noIdon'
t.Justunl
ockt
hecar
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"No.
"

Me:
"Pl
ease.
"Isai
dinabeggi
ngv
oice.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Notunt
ilIgetmyki
ss.
"

Me:"Hawucomeonhusby ,I
'l
lgi
ve
youat housandki
sseswhenIcome
back."

Si
vuy
ile:
"Well
youbet
terst
artnow
wi
ththisone.
"
Me:"
Hah!Tat
akhe.
"Iwast
ryi
ngt
o
sof
tenhi
m up

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Notwor
king.
"

Me:"Ican'
tkissyouinfrontofmy
fat
her'syar
d, i
nfrontofmybr ot
her
s
nogal.
"Helookedar ound.

Sivuyi
le:
"Welll
ookatt
hat,
seemsli
ke
theuniversei
sonoursi
de.Your
brotherswenti
nsi
dethehouse.
"

Me:
"Bu-
..
."Hej
ustgr
abbedmeand
sl
ammedhi
sli
psint
omindandgav
e
meamindbl
owingki
ss.

Si
vuyi
le:"
Nowy oucango."Hesaid
af
terbreaki
ngthepati
onateki
ss.I
wasdumbf oundforamoment.

Me:
"ahem,y
eah.Goodbye.Byebaby
Rat
u,I
'
m goi
ngtomissyou."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whataboutme?
"

Me:"
Whataboutyou?
"Hel
aughed.I
gotoutt
hecar,
tookmyl
augagefr
om
theboott henIwentinsidethey ard.
Sivuyil
edroveof fi
mmedi atel
yaf t
erI
enteredthey ar
d.Mybr otherscame
outthehousewhi l
eIwasst i
l
ltr
y i
ng
toclosethegat e.

Thabang:"
Don'tcloseit.
"Iobeyand
draggedmysui tcasetowherethey
werestanding.Thabisogavemea
hugwhileli
fti
ngmeupi ntheairand
ki
ssingbothmycheeks.

Me:"I
'mtoool
dfort
hatnow.
"Isai
d
af
terheputmedown.
Thabiso:
"Wel
lnother
ePunki
e.Gosh
Imissedyou.
"

Thabang:
"Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
"

Thabo:
"Me3"wel
aughed.

Me:"Imissedyouguystoo.Youguys
don'
tevenv i
sitme,y
ouhav e
abandonedmeshame. "Ipret
ended
tosulk.

Thabang:"
Eish,
we'vej
ustbeenabit
busythesepastfewdays.
"Goodfor
me,Idi
dn'
twantthem comi
ngtomy
houseandf
indi
ngRatuther
e.

Me:"
It
sokay,
Iunderstand.Soar
ewe
al
lgoingt
otr
aveli
nt hi
scar?"

Thabo:
"Yes.
"

Me:
"Hah!Ov
erl
oad.
"
"Tel
lthem wenamychil
d."Thatwas
dadcomi ngoutt
hehouse.

Me:"
Daddy.
"Ir
ant
ohi
m andgav
e
hi
m abighug.
Dad:
"Howar
eyouNana?
"

Me:
"I'
m goodandy
ou?
"

Dad:"I'
m excit
edthatwearegoi
ngto
myhomel and.Hawuwhereismyson
-i
n-l
aw?It houghtIwasgoi
ngtosee
him here.
"

Me:"
Wellhehadt orushtoameeti
ng,
hewasalreadylatesohecoul
dn'
t
comeinandgr eetyou.
"
Dad:
"Ohh,
Iunder
stand.
"

Me:
"Sowhenar
ewel
eav
ingdad?
"

Dad:"
Assoonasy oursi
sterandLi
zwi
gethere.Thabo,goandtakeoutmy
cari
nt hegarage.
"

Thabo:
"ahhpops,
I'
m st
il
ll
oadi
ngt
he
bagstj
e."

Dad:
"Thabangwi
l
ltakeov
er.
"

Thabang:
"Hah!DadI
'
mtheonewho
l
oadedthef
ir
sthal
f,i
t'
shi
stur
nto
l
oadthi
shal
f."

Dad:
"Thabang!
"Thabangsi
ghed.

Thabang:"Fi
ne!I
'l
ltakethecarout,y
a
dibagy onahakeekeneshem( when
i
tcomest othebags,I
'
m notgetti
ng
i
nvolved).
"Dadtossedt hecarkeysto
hi
m.
Anhourlat
erLi
zwiandBont
lefi
nal
l
y
ar
ri
vedthenwehitt
heroadto
Matat
iel
e.
•
•
SI
VUYI
LE

Ihadj
ustar
ri
vedatThemba'
shome
andhewassit
ti
ngwithhi
smom on
thedi
nni
ng.

Me:
"Mor
ningf
ami
l
y."

Themba:
"Yousoundt
oohappyfor
someonewho'
swifej
ustl
efthi
m."

Me:"
That'
sbecauseIknowshe'
s
comingbacksoon.
"
Themba:"y
oumeanaf
ter3weeks?
"
Helaughed.

Me:
"Tseksani
!"Helaughedagai
n.
"
Mommy ,howareyoutoday?"

T'
smom: "
Haydon'taskmest upi
d
quest
ionswenaandbr i
ngthatcuti
e
pi
eoverhere.
"Thembal aughed

Themba:"
Looksli
keChul
uis
repl
aci
ngyou."
Me:"
Icanseethatt
oo.
"Ihanded
Chul
utoher.

T'
smom:"Hayni
yazal
aSivuy
il
e,l
ookat
howcuteshei
s."Shesai
dwitha
widesmil
e.

Themba:"
HayIthi
nkthi
sisnothe'
s
chi
ld,
Chul
uiswaytoocutetobethi
s
moron'
schil
d."

T'
smom:"Wenaumithi
saninisothat
wecanseeyourseed?"Il
aughedout
l
oud.
Themba:
"hai
ke,
udl
alakabi
Ma.
"

Me:"
tsho-.
..
"myphonerang,
itwas
ThandiandI'
m sur
eshewantsmore
money."Thandi
we."

Her
:"Hawu!Nobaby
,sweet
hear
t,
or
mylove.
"

Me:
"Whatdoyouwant
?Letmeguess
mor
emoney ?
"

Thandi
:
"Nosi
l
ly,
Iwantt
oknow
whereyouar
e.I
'
vebeenbuzzi
nghere
att
hegateandseemsl
ikenooneis
home."Wai
twhat?!
!

Me:
"thegat
e?Wai
t,
whatgat
e?"

Thandi:"
Ourhousegate.What's
wrongwi thyoutoday?
"Istar
ted
sweating,
asifChulucoul
dsenset hat
Iwaspani cki
ngshestart
edcrying,I
excusedmysel fandwentoutside.

Me:
"Whydi dn'
tyout
ellmethatyou
wer
ecomi ngbacktoday?
"Iwas
wal
kingupanddownt heverander
.
Thandi
:"
causeIwant
edt
osur
pri
se
you,
duh.
"

Me:"
youknowIdon'
tl
ikesur
pri
ses
Thandi
we!
"

Thandiwe:"Hey!Don'
tyoudar et
alkto
mel i
kethat,y
oushouldbej umping
forj
oythatIcanbackaweekear li
er,
I
'm sureyoumi ssedme."Thisgi
rl!

Me:
"Thandi
weIhaveameeti
ngin5
mi
nutes,
soyouhav
etogotoyour
mom'
shousei
nthemeant
ime.
"

Thandiwe:
"What?!NoSivuyi
l
e,Ican't
gothere,I
'
m wayt ot
iredtogothere.
Justgetyourasshereri
ghtnow."

Me:
"Ican't
,thismeeti
ngi svery
i
mpor t
ant,
itcouldbenefitmysurgery
i
nav erygoodwaywhi chmeans
mor
emoneyf orusandt hatmeans
mor
eshoppi ngforyou."Ihopethi
s
wor
ks

Thandiwe:
"Welli
fyouputi
tli
kethat
then,
IguessIcanmakeaplan.
"Yes!
"Damn!Ij
ustwi
shIknewwhereIput
mysetofkeys.
"Bonus!Shel
osther
keys.

Me: "
Thanky oudar l
ing.Iwillseey ou
i
naf ewhour s,bye."Ihungup.Ir eall
y
neededt or ushbackt omyhouseand
hideany t
hingt hatspel l
sChul u.I
quicklywenti nsi
det hehouse, I
explainedev er yt
hingt oThembaand
Hismom t henIwentt omycarand
droveof f.Iwasr eall
yinashi tyspot
ri
ghtnow.Thepl anwast otake
Chulu'sst uffandl ocki tupinar oom
andhi det hekey .Idr oveasf astasI
could, Igothomeandpar kedi nthe
dri
vewaythenIhur r
iedin.
Surpr
isi
ngl
yt hedoorwasn'tlocked
whenIgotit,butIbr
ushedt hatoff
andtri
edrushingupstair
s.JustasI
wasaboutt otakemyt hi
rdstepa
voi
cestart
ledme.

"Sothisistheimport
antmeet ingyou
weretalkingabout
."Boom!Ther eshe
wassi t
tingonthecouchwi thherlegs
crossed.Damn!Nowondert hedoor
wasn'tlocked,
Ial
sodidn'tcheckthe
l
oungewhenIwal kedin.Islowly
walkedt oherwhil
ethinki
ngoft he
l
iesIwasgoi ngtotell
her .
Me:
"Baby
yyy
."

Thandi
:"
Don'tbabyme.Isthi
sthe
meeti
ngy ouweretalki
ngabout
?Is
thi
showy oudresswheny ouat
tend
animport
antmeet i
ng?"

Me:"Ijustcameher etochangemy
uhm clothesandquickl
yretur
ntot
he
meeting."Iwastr
yingtokeepmyself
cal
m atal lt
imes.

Thandi
:
"It
houghtt
hemeet
ingwasi
n
5mi
nut
es.
"Shi
t!

Me:
"Uhm.
..
"

Thandi
:"
orist hi
swhatyourmeeting
i
sabout?"Shepul l
edChulu'
spacifi
er
outofherpocket.Shi
t!Shi
t!Shi
t!
"Ey
abanilentoLeon?(
Whodoest his
bel
ongto? )
"

Me:"I
tbel
ongst
oLungani
'
s
daught
er.
"

Thandi
:
"Don'
tpat
roni
zemeLeon!
SincewhendoesLungani
hav
ea
chil
d?"

Me:
"her
ecent
lyf
oundoutabouther
."

Thandi
:
" Sowhati
sitdoi
ngi
nour
housethen?"

Me: "
Hawu, l
ovewhatkindofquesti
on
i
st hat?Lunganicameherewithher,
that'
swhent heylef
tither
eandy azi
Lungani hasbeenaskingmeabout
thi
spaci fi
erthi
smorning.
"
Thandi
:
"SoIguessthechi
l
dthatwas
cr
yingi
nthebackgr
oundwhil
eIwas
onthephonewit
hyouwashis?"

Me:
"Yesbaby
."

Thandi:"Si
vuy i
l
edoy outhi
nkI'ma
fool?
!!DoIl ookl i
keaf ool
toy ou?
!
Heeeh? !Kubhal wesdom la?!
!"She
pointedherf orehead.

Me:
"What
?Nobaby
.Whywoul
dask
t
hat
?"
Thandi:
"becauseyouaret aki
ngme
forafool!That'
swhy!Ifthisthi
ngy ou
call
achi l
dbelongedtoLungani ,t
hen
whywoul dtherebearoom i nthis
house,
fil
ledwithbabythi
ngs? !Huh? !
Tellme!"OhSnap!"Tellmemar n!
!"

Me: "Thandiwey ouwi l

l notusethat
tonewi thme!Howdar ey ourai
se
yourv oiceatme? !I'
my ourhusband
notoneoft hosetrashygi rl
syougo
clubbingwith!Nowl i
sten, i
fyouwant
met oansweral lyourquest i
onsyou
willsitdownandaskmeal lyouwant
toknowi napr opermanner ,
siyevana?!"
Thandi:"Heeeh!Mhlola!Uthi
ni
Sivuyi
le?!Youwantmet ocalldown
andlistentoy outel
lmehowy ou
cheatedonmeandendedup
draggingabast ardchil
dt oour
mar r
iage?!Isthatwhaty ouwant?!
Hayuy anginyela!
"

Me:"Ut
hini
?!Thandiweshowme
somedamnr espect
!Whodoy ou
thi
nkIam? !Fir
stofally
ouleavet
his
housefordaysandday sandyou
comebackdemandi nganswer
sof
thi
ngsthathappenedwhi l
eyouwere
nothere!Secondl
yy oucomeint
oMY
houseandt al
ktomel i
keI
'
my our
ser
vantandy ouinsultme,t
heXhosa
Pri
nce!Howdar eyou? !
"

Thandi
:"
Don'tyoudar
etr
yandpl
ay
thevi
cti
m here!
"

Me: "
nxah!Youknowwhat , l
etme
l
eav ebeforeIdosomet hi
ngIwill
regret!I
fyouwantanswer syouwill
fi
ndmei nourroom andyoubetter
comewi t
hadi f
fer
entatti
tudeorel
se
Iwi l
lshowy ouanothersi
detome."I
turnedonmyheel sandwentupt o
myroom,
theminut
eIgoti
nIl
etout
asi
ghofr
eli
ef.
▪
▪
▪
BOI
TUMELO

We'vebeent r
aveli
ngf orhoursnow,it
wasal r
eadynightti
me, daddidnot
evenwantust otakear estataBnB
orsomet hi
ng,hesaidwewoul drest
whenwegothome, insteadof
wastingmoneyonBnBs.Iwasso
ti
red,Ikeptondozingof ftosleep
hopingthatwhenIwakeupwewoul d
havearr
ived,butunfortunatelyforwe
weresti
ll
ont heroad.Iwasi nthecar
wit
hmysi bli
ngs,whil
edadwas
tr
avel
ingwi t
hhiswi f
eandbr other.I
waslooki
ngout sidethewi ndow
whenmyphonedeci dedt odist ur
b
mypeacef ulmoment ,allmysi bli
ngs
wereawakeandchat t
ing.

Me:"
Siv
uyi
le.
"Bont
legavemeast
are,
Ishr
uggedmyshoulder
s.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wehav
eapr
obl
em.
"

Me:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"
Sivuyil
e:"
Thandiisback.AndIt ol
d
heraboutChul u,
shecalledmymom
andt ol
dherev eryt
hing,
nowt hey'
reon
theirwayhere."Hewaspani cking.

Me: "What?
!"Mysi blingsall
t urnedto
l
ookatme." Uhm whathappened?
Tellmeev eryt
hingf rom scratch."He
startednarr
ati
ngonhowThandi
decidedtosurprisehi m wit
hanear l
y
returntohowshef oundChul u'
s
thingsandhim expl aini
ngto
Thandi wehowhegotChul uand
fi
nallyendeditoffwi thhowThandi
tol
dhismom everyt
hingandthatt
hey
arecomingtoJoburgtomorr
ow.
"Wow!"That
'
sallIcouldsay
.

Siv
uy i
l
e:"IneedyouTumi.Can'
tyou
comeback, Ir
eall
ycan'
tfacemy
parentsalone.Mydadisgoingto
ski
nmeal iv
e"Ifel
tsorr
yforhi
m.

Me:"
Unfortunat
elyIcan'
t,
youwil
l
hav
et ofacethi
soneony ourown."
○
○
○
'
Ubuy i
l
eusisiwe'
excuse'
-I'
m sure
that
'swhatsomeofy ouaregoingto
say,
Lol.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er36
□
□
□
□
AWEEKLATER!
SI
VUYI
LE
Unfortunat
elyf
orme,Thandi
did
i
nfor m myfamil
yaboutChul
u,my
parentswereangryatmefora
while,
buttheywereal
sohappythat
theyhadagr anddaught er.Thandi di
d
notev enmakeanef fortwith
Chulu,shedi dnotpl aywi thheror
holdher ,Ireallymi ssed
Boitumel o,butluckilyf ormemy
mot herandsi sterswer ear oundt o
helpmewi thher .Looki ngatt heway
Thandi wasact i
ngt owar dsmychi l
d
mademeappr eciateBoi tumel oev en
mor e,Imeanasy oungasshei s,she
wasabl et oacceptChul uandso
everythingf orher ,
butThandi can'tdo
thesameatherage.Iwasexpect ing
thagshewoul dactt hisway ,
butI
didn'tthinkshewoul ddot hatinfront
ofmypar ents.Shewaspr ovingto
them t
hatsheisnotagoodwi featall
.
Iwassitt
ingontheki t
chencounter
eati
ngmybr eakfastwhil
ehummi ng
tomyf avour
it
ejam andmov i
ngmy
headsideways.Lulamawalkedin.

Lul
ama:"
Whatar
eyousohappy
about
?"

Me:"nothi
ngatal
lsi
ster
,j
ustt
hati
t'
sa
beauti
fulday
."

Lul
ama:"
Ohwait
!Igotyou!The
Mokoenasar
ecomingbacktoday
,
whi
chmeansBoitumel
oiscoming
home.
"Shelookedatme."
Lookat
howwideyouaresmil
i
ngri
ghtnow.
"

Me:
"I
'mjusthappythatChului
sgoing
t
ospendherChrist
maswi thTumi.
"

Lul
ama:
"ohr
eal
l
ynow?
"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Lul
ama:
"Qui
tfr
ont
ing,
Iknowy
oul
ove
her
."

Me:
"Iam notf
ront
ingsi
s."
Lulama:"y
eahright
,Icanseei
tin
yourfacethaty
ouloveher.
"

Me:"Okayf
ine!Idoloveher.
"She
screamedandst ar
teddanci
ng
around

"
Lul
amauzovusaumt ana
mar
n!!
(Lul
amay ouwil
lwakethechi
ld
mar
n!)Mom shoutedfr
om t
helounge.

Lul
ama:"Uphezul
unj
emama.
(She'
s
upst
air
smom) "
Mom:
"Yeey
!!
"Lul
amar
oll
edherey
es.

Lul
ama:"Yourmom issodramati
c..
..
backtoyourlov
elif
e,tel
lmewhatare
yousti
ll
doingwiththatpl
ast
icwi
fe
ofyour
s?"

Me:
"hai
keuqal
i
le!
"

Lul
ama: "Nohonest ly
,youhaveareal
womanwheny ouhav eTumi,Idon'
t
understandwhyy ouar est
il
lkeepi
ng
uBarbiearound."Ikeptqui
etand
l
ookedather ."
Haynoba
ungandi j
onga,youknowIam ri
ght."I
didn'twanttoanswerherandgive
herthesat i
sfacti
on.Ij
umpedoffthe
count erandplacemybowl i
nthesink
thenIwal kedoutthekit
chenwit
hher
call
ingmyname.
○
●
BOI
TUMELO
Todaywasf inal
lyt
hedayIwasgoi ng
toarr
iveinJoburg.WeleftMatat
iele
i
ntheev eni
ngy est
erday,
justsothat
wecangett oJozi t
hefol
lowingday
i
ntheaf t
ernoon.
Thabang:
"Whydoy
outhi
nky ouri
n-
l
awswant st
oseeussourgentl
y?"

Me:
"Ihonest
lydon'
tknow.
"Li
es!

Thabang:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Me:"Yes.Andbesi
destheydon'
twant
toseey ou,t
heywantt
oseemom
anddad. "

Thabang:
"mxm, Ist
il
ldon'
tgetwhy
wearenotinv
itedtothi
smeet i
ng,
I
meanwearepr
act
ical
l
yyour
par
ent
s."

Me:"Noyouarenot
,youar
ewayto
youngt
oproducesuchanchi
l
d."

Thabang:
"Waphapha!
"Ichuckl
ed.

Thabo:"
Mustbeseri
ousforthef
act
thatt
heyinv
itedt
heparent
sonly
."

Me:
"Ihi
ghl
ydoubti
t.
"

Thabang:
"Yousai
dyoudon'
t
know,
sost
opdoubt
ing.
"Amen!

Me:"
Hao! .
..i
yoh,
letmej
oinThabi
so
andsleep."

Thabo:
"May
behecheat
ed!
"

Thabang:"
ormaybehefinal
l
ygot
Barbi
epregnant
."Theyl
ookedat
eachother

Them:"Nah!
"Theyl
aughed.Ifonl
y
theyknewwhatthemeetingwas
about,
theywoul
dn'
tbelaughingl
ike
thi
s.Istil
ldon'
tknowhowIam going
toexplaintomyparent
sthatIknew
aboutthebaby,mymom isgoingto
besodi sappoi
nted.
.
.
Fewhour slater,wear rivedathome,
theyunloadedt heirthingsthenme
andt hepar entsheadedt oSi
vuy i
le'
s
house,wel l
af terIchangedi ntomor e
appropriatemakot iclothes.Iwas
nervoust heent ir
et r
ip, Ij
ustwant ed
theear t
ht oopenupandswal lowme.
Howam Igoi ngt ofacet hequeen
andki ngaftert hi
s?ImeanIhel ped
myhusbandhi dethebaby ,
that'
sgot
tobeoneoft hebiggestoffences
ever!Buthonestlyspeaki
ngIwasj ust
try
ingt osupportmyman, whichis
whatt heytol
dmeIshoul ddo, so
theyshouldn'tbemadatme. ..
.boy
whoam Iki dding?Theyar egoingto
eatmeal ive.

Mom:
"Baby!Wehav
ear
ri
ved.
"Idi
dn'
t
ev
ennoti
ce.

Me:"
Ohh."Igotoutandwenttotake
myluggageoutoftheboot,
Iclosedi
t
andfol
lowedmypar ent
sint
othe
house.Themi
nuteIent
eredt
he
houseIwasat
tackedwit
hahugfr
om
Lumka.

Lumka:
"OhmyGod,ohmyGod!Look
athowbeauti
ful
youlook.Matat
iel
e
musthavebeengoodtoy ou.
"

Me:"
ComeonLumka, Iwasonl ygone
f
oraf ewday s.
"Isowant
edt oask
wheremybabywas, butIcouldn'
tdo
t
hatinfrontofmyparent
s.

"Lumka!Makotican'
tev
engr eetus
proper
lybecauseyouarebusy
hoggi
ngov
erher
."Thatwast
he
Queen.

Lumka: "i
yoh,sor r
ymama. "She
mov edaside,Isl owl
ywal kedt o
wher etheywer esitt
ing,Igreeted
them inapol i
temanner .Mypar ents
satdownaf t
ergr eet
ingSiv uy
ile's
parents.Icouldseet hatthiswas
goingtobeabi gmeetingbecause
Sivuyil
e'
suncl eswereal soher e, Iwas
reall
ynotlooki ngfor
war dt othis
meet i
ngatal l
.Fewmi nutesaf ter
havingasmal lchatwiththem, Iwas
fi
nallyexcused.Iwentupt omyr oom
withmyl uggageandLumka
f
oll
owi
ngbehi
ndme.

Me:
"So?Wher
eisy
ourbr
other
?"

Lumka:
"I
nhisr
oom wi
tht
hatBar
bie
wif
eofhis.
"

Me:
"Youar
ebei
ngmean.
"

Lumka:"Iwasj
ustsayi
ng.Wantmet
o
texthi
mt ocomehere?"

Me:
"Nah,
i
t'
scool
.I'
l
ldoi
tmysel
f.
"I
t
ookoutmyphoneandt
ext
edhimto
comet omyr oom wit
hChul
u.Hewas
hereinl
essthan60seconds.Ij
ust
ranandtookChuluoffofhi
m and
star
tedki
ssingherface,
GodImissed
hersomuch!

Lumka:"Wait
!Youknewabouther
?"I
di
dn'tpayatt
enti
ontoher
,Ij
ust
pl
ayedwi t
hmybaby ."
Tumi!
!"

Me:"
Geez,
ofcour
seIknewabout
her
."

Lumka:
"Wow!Iwonderwhatmom
anddadar
egoingtosaywhenthey
f
indoutaboutt
his.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youarenotgoingtobr
eat
h
awordtothem aboutt
his.
"

Lumka:"
Whynot?Yazi
Siv
uyi
leIdon'
t
knowwhoy ouar
eanymore,
youare
keepi
ngthi
ngsfr
om menow,meout
ofall
peopl
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
nowy
ouar
ebei
ng
dr
amati
c."

Lumka:
"Iam not
!I'
mthef
ir
stper
son
youweresupposedtotel
labout
t
his,
butnoyoudecidedtotel
lyour
wif
efir
st.
"She'
sbeingstupi
dnow.

Sivuyi
le:
"Youjustsai
dsoyoursel
f
thatshe'
smywi fe,
whichmeansshe's
thefi
rstpersonIhadtotel
laboutt
his
sit
uati
on."

Lumka:
"Mxm.Youcoul
dhav
etol
dme
tooy
ouknow."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"andr
iskthepar
ents
knowi
ngaboutthi
s?Nothankyou.
"
Lumka:
"andwhat
'st
hatsupposet
o
mean?"

Sivuy
il
e:"i
tmeansawunas'fuba.
"I
chuckled"Il
oveyousi
si,
butyoucan'
t
keepasecr et
."

Lumka:
"That
'snott
rue.
"

Siv
uy i
le:"
Itis!Rememberwhenwe
wereki ds,yousawmeki ssi
ngagirl
..
.
Ibeggedy ounottotel
ldadabout
thi
s,butwhatdi dyoudo?Youran
st
rai
ghttohi
m andtoldhi
m
ev
eryt
hingknowi
ngv er
ywell
thatI
woul
dgetabeating.
"

Lumka:
"Butthi
sisdi
ff
erent
,t
hisi
s
moreser
ious.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Exactl
y,
howcoul dIt
rustyou
withsomethingsobigwheny ou
fai
ledtokeepquietaboutsomethi
ng
thatsmall
."

Lumka:
"mxm!
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
whyweremypar
ent
sinv
itedt
o
t
hismeet
ing?
"

Lumka:"pr
obabl
ytoapol
ogi
set
o
them andyou.
"

Me:
"ohmyGod.NowI'm gonnahav
e
t
oactli
keIdi
dn'
tknowabout
Mor
atuwa?"

Them:
"Yes!
"

Me:"
Jesus!Ican'
tl
ie,
mypar
ent
swi
l
l
seeri
ghtthr
oughme."
Lumka: "Wel l
youwi l
lhav et
otryke
sisi
."Asi foncue,Lulamacamei nt o
tell
ust hatwewer ebeingsummoned
tothelounge.Wewal keddownt othe
l
ounge, mypar ent
swesoshockedt o
seemewi thababyinmyar ms.Isat
downont hecouchwi thSiv
uyil
enext
tome.Thandi wassitti
ngwithher
parents,whilemypar entsweresitt
ing
onchai rs.

MrD:"Uhm.
..
.Wehavebroughty
ou
al
lheref
orapur
pose.Mysonhas
somethi
ngt
osaytobothyour
fami
li
es.Si
vuy
il
e."Siv
uyil
est
oodup
andcl
earedhi
sthroat.

Sivuy il
e:"Iwoul dliket osincerel
y
apol ogiset obot hy ourf amili
esand
tomywi ves.Irecent l
yf oundoutt hat
Iam af athertot hisbeaut i
ful
daught er ,
Ididn'tknowaboutherunt il
af ewweeksago.I nsteadoft el
li
ng
mypar entsaboutt his,Idecidedto
hidei tfr om them andf rom mywi v es
andf ort hatIdohumbl yapologise."
Wi tht hatsai dhesatdown.

Thandi
'
sDad:
"I
ttakesar
eal
mant
o
admitt
hatt
heyarewrongand
apol
ogi
se.Thankyoufort
hatson.
"

Thandi'
mom: "Hai
bobaba!Lomf ana
kadeedlalangenganey ethu.
(thi
sboy
hasbeenpl ay i
ngourdaught er.)
Fir
stlyhegotmar riedtoanot hergirl
weeksaf terhegotmar ri
edtomy
daughter,
nowhe' sbr i
nginganot her
woman' schi l
dint
omydaught er'
s
houseandheexpect sust oroll
ov er
andaccepthi slousyapol ogy?
Angekebaba!Nev er!Thisboyhas
dancedont opofmychi l
d'sheadf or
fartoolong."Shewasf ummi ng!
MrD:"
Cal
m downMah.Mysoni
s
t
ryi
ngtor
ighthi
swr
ongs.
"

Thandi'
smom: "Forhowl ongwill
he
dothat?Huh?Tel lme?Ther e'
sno
amountofapol ogythatwi l
ler
ase
howhebet rayedmydaught er
!Not
once!Buttwice!"Shelookedat
Thandi."
Wenapaki shaamasakane
akhosihambe!Manj e!
"

Thandi
:
"Hai
boMah.
"
Thandi
'
smom:
"Ngi
themanj
e!"

MrD:"Let
snotmakeanyir
rat
ional
deci
sionsnow.Lett
heki
dssortthi
s
outonthei
rown."

Mom:"Ij
ustwanttoknowonethi
ng,
Boi
tumelodi
dy ouknowaboutt
his?
"
Ohsnap!

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shedi
dn'
tMah.
"

Mom:"Yey
!Iwantt
ohearfr
om her,
did
youknowaboutt
his?
"Ever
yone'
s
ey
eswer
enowonme.

Me:
"uhm No.
"Imadesur
ethatIdi
dn'
t
l
ookheri
ntheeyes.

Mom:"Lookatmeandsayt hat
agai
n."Il
ookedather
,Icoul
dn'
tli
eto
her

Me:
"YesmamaIknew."Thandi
we'
s
mom cl
appedonce.

Mom:"andyoudi
dn'
tseeitf
itt
otel
l
ust
heelder
saboutt
his?Mmmh? "
Me:"
Itwasn'tmypl
acemama,pl
usI
hadpromisedmyhusbandt
hatI
woul
dn'tt
ellasoul
."

Mom:
"Wow!
"

Me:"Mamay ouaretheonewho
alwaystol
dmet hatIshoul
dsuppor
t
myhusbandi never
ypossibl
eway
thatIcan,
andthi
swasmeshowi ng
mysuppor tt
ohim."

Mom:
"yesIdi
dsayt
hat
,butatt
he
samet i
meIsai dyouhavetoshow
himther i
ghtwayifhe'
snotdoing
thi
ngsright.Thi
sisnotyoushowing
himther i
ghtway,t
hisi
sy ou
condoningrubbi
shmar nBoitumel
o."

Sivuyi
l
e:"Shetol
dmemul t
iplet
imes
thatImusttellmyparentsabout
Chulu,butIkeptshutt
ingthati
dea
down.It'
snotherf aul
tMme. "

Mom:"Youal
sooweusanapol
ogy
hehBoit
umel
o."Hah!

Me:
"I
'm sor
ryf
ornotcomi
ngcl
ean.
"
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
oraf
ewseconds.

Dad:"Tel
lmeexactl
yhowwerey
ou
taki
ngcareoft
hischil
dson?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Uhm,Lunat
hihasbeen
hel
pingmet akecareofher
."

Dad:
"Soyouturnedmychil
dint
oa
motheratsuchayoungage?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Idi
dn'tmeant
oont
ate,
andI
am r
eall
ysorryfort
hat
."
Dad: "Hayit'
sfi
ne.I '
mj ustgladthat
myowndaught erhasgr ownenough
tobeabl etost
andbyherhusband
throught oughtimes,i
tr eall
ymakes
meapr ouddad."Mom t ur
nedand
gav ehim asurprisedlook, Iwasalso
surpr i
sedIthoughthewasgoi ngto
fl
ip.

Thandi'
sDad:"andexactl
ywher
ewas
mydaught erwhenallofthi
swas
happening?"

Si
vuyil
e:"Uhm shewasinaretr
eat
out
sidet hecount
ry.
"Thandi
we'
sdad
j
ustgav
eheradi
sappoi
ntedl
ook.

Thandi'
smom: "
Ubusyuntant
ana
namazwebakut hat
hel
aindoda
ngapha!"Iwantedt
olaughbutthi
s
wasnott heri
ghtti
menorplace.

Thandi
:
"Ineededt
imeal
oneMah.
"

Thandi'
smom: "
ti
meal oneyani
ushadi
le?"Shedidn'tanswer."Bantu
benkosiIdon'
tthinkmydaught eris
readyformarri
ageasy et
,usaf
una
ukuhambaamazwel o.Sosiphindel
a
nayeekhaya."
Thandi
:"
hayMah!I
'
m notgoi
ng
anywher
e."

Thandi'
smom:"Whynot?Angithiwena
youcan'tbeawifetoyourhusband?
Angit
hiubusyufunanaukuhamba
amazwewenanj e!"

Thandi
:
"That
'snott
ruemom.
"

Thandi
'smom:"heehMmh."She
cl
appedonce!Thiswomenwas
somethingel
se,Iknowherver
ywel
l
.
MrD: "
Nowt hatever
ythi
nghasbeen
clear
ed, t
hankyouallf
orcomingto
themeet i
ngandthanky ouf
oryour
understandi
ngandforyour
forgi
veness."

Thandi
'sdad:
"Kubonget
hinaNkosi
yam.CanIpleasebeexcused,Ineed
togetbacktowor k.
"

MrD:"Kul
ungil
ebawo. "Theyshook
handsbeforeThandiwe'sfami
lylef
t-
wit
houther."Mokoena,joi
nmef ora
chati
nmyst udyplease."
Dad:
"Leadtheway."Theybot
hstood
upanddisappear
edinthepassage.

MrsD:"Leaveuswi
thLunat
hi,
please.
"
Iguessshewastal
kingtoSi
vuyil
e
andhiswife.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Butmom w-
"

MrsD:
"Ndit
heleaveus!"Shewas
cal
m.Sivuy
il
etookthebabyfrom me
andwentupthestai
rswithThandi
we
fol
l
owingbehi
ndhim,theywere
l
eav i
ngmewi thboththeseladies
whom mademev er
yner v
ous.They
l
ookedatmef oraverylongtime."I
'm
veryproudofyouLunathi.Youkept
yourpromiseabouthonour i
ngand
supporti
ngyourman.Whaty oudid
ri
ghtherejustshowshowmat ured
youareandIknowt hatmysoni sin
greathands.Thankyousomuch
baby."

Mom:"she'
sright
.I'
m notangryatyou,
I
'mjustali
ttl
edisappoint
edthatyou
di
dn'
tconfideinmeaboutt hi
s."
Damn!Ididn'
texpectthat.
Me:"I
'm sor
rymom,
butIcoul
dn'
ttel
l
you.
"

Mom: "
Iknowsweet hear
t.Nowt hat
theworstisover,y
oudon'thaveto
keepthisasecretanymore,youcan
rai
seyourbabyinpeace."Il
ikehow
shereferr
edtoChuluasmybaby .

Me:"Thewor stisnotyetovermom,I
sti
ll
hav etotel
lthesibl
ingsandt
hey
arenotgoingtobehapoyabout
thi
s,especi
all
ythebrothers.
"
Mr
sD:
"She'
sri
ghtaboutt
hat
."

Mom:"Don'
tworr
yaboutt
hem,
Iwi
l
l
handl
ethem."

Me:
"youknowhowt
heycanget
mama."

Mom:
"Don'
twor
ry,
Igott
his.
"

Me:"Mmhi fyousayso,nowladiesi
f
youdon'tmindcanIpleasebe
excusedIneedtoseemybaby ."I
saidwit
hahugesmi leacrossmy
f
ace.

MrsD:
"Whichone?Thebi
goneort
he
smal
lone?
"

Me: "
Mah!"Theybot hlaughed.Istood
upandr anupt hestairsl
eavingthem
chatti
nglikeoldfri
ends.Iwent
str
aighttoSivuyil
e'
sr oom,Ididn't
evenknockIj ustbargedinandl ucki
l
y
Ididn'
twal ki
ntoany t
hingnasty.
Sivuyi
lewasly i
ngonhi sback,with
Chuluont opofhim whi l
eThandi was
l
yingont hecouchbusywi t
hher
phone.
Thandi
:"
Excuseyoudon'tyouknow
howtoknock?Youar enoteven
al
lowedint
othisroom."

Me: "
Idon'thavetimef oryour
unnecessar ydr
amaThandi we, I
'm
notheref oryousodon' tfeelspecial
..
.
Gimmemybaby ."Isaidwi t
hahuge
smi l
ewhi l
elooki
ngatSi vuy i
l
e,Ididn'
t
evenwai tforhi
mt orespond,Ijust
tookherandst artedplayi
ngwi thher,
Ididn'
treali
sehowmuchImi ssedher.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
She'
ssur
pri
singl
ywel
l
behav
edt
oday
,Noscr
eami
ng.
"

Me:"She'sagoodgi rlnow,aren'tyou
sweet heart.Imi
ssedy ou?Didn'tyou
missme?Iknowy oubaby ."Ikissed
bothhercheeks, maki nghergi ggle
shehadt heesweet estgiggleev er.
"Doy oumi ndifItakehert omy
room? "

Si
vuy
il
e:"
N-"

Thandi
:
"Yeswedo!Can'ty
ouseet
hat
wearesti
ll
bondi
ngwithher?
"
Me:"You'vehady ourturnsisi,nowit'
s
mine.Whatdoy ouev enknowabout
babies?Pssshbondi ngsev oet!
"With
thatsaidIt ookMYbaby 'sbottleand
headedt omyr oom.Whenwegot
there,Istartedplayi
ngwi thhersome
mor e,
kissinghermul tipl
etimeunt il
webot hfellasl
eep.Ireall
ymi ssed
myMor atuwa■
□
□
□
□
□
WEHAVETOWORKAROUNDMY
CRAZYSCHEDULEPEOPLE.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er38
•
•
•
•
•
CHRI
STMASDAY!

Thedaydayhasf i
nal
lyarr
ived.I
wokeupat5o' cl
ock,
tookalong
showerthenIworemysimpl e
cl
othes.Ial
waysgotochurchon
Chri
stmasdaywi t
hmyf ami l
y,but
l
ookslikemynewf amilydidn'
tdo
that
.SothatmeansIhav etogot o
myf amil
ychurch,
causetherewasno
wayIwasn'tgoingtogotochur chon
Chri
stmasday.

Me:"Wakeup!
"Iwast ry
ingtowake
Zint
leup,
shearr
ivedlat
elastni
ght
andwesleptver
yl at
e.

Zi
ntl
e:"
mmmhwhy
?"

Me:
"Ineedy
out
ohel
pmecook.
"
Aphiwe:"HayI'
mt i
red,
youmademe
sleeplat
elastni
ght.Whatt
imei
sit
futhi
?"

Me:
"Hal
fpast5.
"

Zint
le:
"Hah!I'
veonl
ybeensleepi
ng
for3hours?!Hai
ngekeTumi mfana,
I
needtosleepsomemor e.
"

Me:
"mxm.Youar
esuchabadf
ri
end.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Thanky
ou.
"Shewentbackt
o
sleep.Ist oodupandwent
downst air
st otheki t
chen.
Unf ortunat elyforme, noonewas
awakey et
,t
hatmeantmor ewor kfor
me.Idon' tunderstandt hisfami l
y,in
myf ami l
ywewakeupv eryearlyto
cookandpr eparef orourlunch,then
aftert hatwegot ochur ch,Iguess
somef ami l
ieshav et hei
rown
traditi
ons.Tomaket hi
ngseasi erfor
me, Istar t
edwi thbr eakfast
,Iopt ed
foraf ruitsaladandy ogurtbecauseI
didn'thav etimet omakewar m
breakf astandbyt het i
met heywake
upi twoul dbecol dso, t
hefruitsalad
wast hebestopt ion.Iplacediti nthe
f
ri
dge,
sot
hati
twoul
dgetwar
m.
Af
terpr
epar
ingbreakf
astIst
art
ed
wi
thmycooking.

Thel
unchwasgoi
ngt
ohav
e:
BeefStew,RoastedTurkey,
Basmat i
ri
ce,anddiff
erentsal
ads.Thedesser t
wasgoi ngtobet hechocolatecake
whichIhadt obake.Thelastt i
meI
actuall
ybakedacakewas2y ears
ago,anditcameoutl ooki
ngv erywell
.
Il
ikedcooking,soImadesur ethat
mymom t eachesmeev erythi
ng
aboutcooking.
Bytheti
meIwasdonewi thcooki
ng
thebeefst
ewandtheri
ce,Aphi
we
walkedinr
ubbi
nghereyes.

Zi
ntl
e:"andt
hen?Wher
e'sev
ery
one?
"

Me:
"St
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
Iguess.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
MyGod,
don'
tyouneedhel
p?"

Me:"
Ido,whichi
swhyIwokey
ouup
butyouweren'
tbudgi
ng.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iwast
ir
edhawu,
sti
l
lam by
t
heway
.Whathav
eyoudonesof
ar?
"

Me:
"St
ew,
ri
ceand2sal
ads.
"

Zint
le:
"What
'sl
eftf
ory
out
odo
now? "

Me:"
Theturkey,
Greeksal
adandIst
il
l
needtobakethecake."

Zint
le:"
Plusyouwantt ogoto
church?"Inodded."HayTumi,you
shouldn'
tbedoingt hi
sonyourown,
youar enottheonlygir
lint
hishouse
mosandyoumostdefi
nit
elynott
he
onl
ymakoti
.I'
m goi
ngt
owakepeople
up.
"

Me:"HayAphi
we!I'
m notcompl
aini
ng
aker
e?Soleav
eit.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Younev
ercompl
ain,
that
'st
he
pr
oblem."

Me:
"l
eav
eit
!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
hay
suka,
uyangi
casul
aWena."I
smil
edather
,shewasreall
ypi
ssed.
Zintle:"
Iwi lldot hesal adandt he
turkey ,youcr ackonwi tht
hecake. "I
wasr eallygr eatful f
orherhel p.She
startedwi tht hesal ad,whil
eIst arted
withmycake, whilewewer ehav i
nga
chather eandt her e.Byt heti
meshe
wasdonewi thev erythingIwasnow
pipingmycake, itlookedr eall
y
beaut iful,Ihadr eal l
yi mprovedf rom
2y ear sago.WhenIf inishedwi ththe
decor at i
on, Iplacedt hecakei nthe
fri
dge, Iwasr eal
lypr oudofmysel f.

Me:
"l
etsgoandgetr
eadyf
orchur
ch
whilewewai tfortheTur keytocook. "
Thet ur
keywasal r
eadyi ntheov en.
Wequi cklywentupt omyr oom and
gotreadyf orchur ch,shehadt ot ake
ashowerwhi leIwasdr essing.Iwor e
mywhi tepenci lskirt,
itwaskneehi gh,
Iwor emybl ackl oosef it
ti
ngbl ouse
whichItuckedi n,Iwor emybl ack
bl
ockheel ,thenIwr appedmyhead
withablackdoek.Il ookedr eally
good.Zintlecameoutwor eherblack
l
ongsl eevedbodyhuggi ngdress
dress,wit
hbl ackbl ockheel sanda
whiteheadwr ap.Wehadt owr apout
heads,thatwast her uleinourchur ch,
wecov erourshoul dersandwr apour
heads(womenonl y.)Webot hputon
onanudel i
pstick.Wepackedour
handbagswi thournecessi t
iesthen
wewentdownst ai
rstowaitf orour
uber.Mahwasal r
eadyawake, she
wasi nthekitchenmaki ngabot tl
efor
Chulu,shesleptwi ththem becauseI
hadtosl eepwi thZint
le.

Me:
"Morni
ngMah.
"Shet
urnedt
o
l
ookatme.

MrsD:
"Morningbaby,wher
ear eyou
goi
nglooki
ngthi
sgorgeous."Ipl
aced
myhandbagont opofthet
able.
Me:"Tochur
ch."Iwentt
othest
ove
andswit
chedtheovenoff.

MrsD:"
Church?Andwho'
sgoi
ngt
o
hel
pmecookwhi l
eyouareat
chur
ch?"Wow!

Me:"ohht here'snoneedt oworr

y
aboutt hat,I
'vealr
eadycooked
everyt
hi ng.PlusImadef rui
tsal
adf
or
breakfast,it
'sinthefr
idge."

Mr
sD:
"Youal
readycooked?
"She
l
ookedshocked.

Me:
"YesMah.
"

MrsD:"Whywouldy
oudot
haton
yourownbaby?
"

Me:
"Iwasn'
tonmyown.Zi
ntl
ehel
ped
me.
"

MrsD: "Ohh,I'
m sor
ryIwokeuplat
e.
I
t'
sj ustthatbackathome,meandmy
gi
rlsusuallystar
tcooki
ngaroundthi
s
ti
me. "
Me:"
It
sfineMah.Wear
edone
any
way .
"

"
Uberi
sher
e."ThatwasZi
ntl
e.

Mr sD:
"Letmenotkeepyouthen,
thankyouforpr
epar
ingt
helunchand
breakf
ast.
"

Me:"
It
sreallyfi
neMah.Letmel ove
youandleavey ou.By
eby ebaby.
"I
ki
ssedChulu'scheek,
thenIwentto
Aphi
weint heloungewhowas
al
r eadystandingbythedoor
."I
fI
didn'tknowy oubett
er,
I'
dsayyou
eagerf ortoday'
sservi
ce.
"

Zint l
e:"
Weonl yhave20minutest
o
gett ochurchont ime,
I'
m sur
ewe
al
r eadymi ssedthecakehandout
s."I
chuckl ed.Wewal kedt
othecaratthe
gat e.

Me:"Andthat'
sthereasonwhyy ou
onl
ygot ochurchonChr i
stmas
day
,becauseofthefreecakes.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Poi
ntofcor
rect
ionsi
si.Ionl
y
gotoyourchur
chonChrist
masday
onl
y.Igotochurchev
ery
day."

Me: "Yeahr ight."Wegott othegate,

west i
lldidn'thav eanyguar dssowe
hadt owal kupt ot hecart hatwas
par kedout sidet hegat e.Wegoti n
thecaranddr ov eof ftochur ch.When
wear ri
vedatchur ch, wewer e5
mi nuteslat eandAphi wewasbad
thatwer eallydidmi sst hecakes.The
serv i
cewasupl if
ting, thepast orwas
tal
ki ngaboutf orgiv eness, l
oveand
respect .By11t hechur chwasout ,
wewentt omybr ot her swhower e
standi ngnextt oLi zwi '
scar .
Me:
"banabant
ate(
myf
ather
'ski
ds.
)"

Thabang:
"Punki
ePi
e."

Me:
"abut
iIal
waystel
lyout
hatIam
t
oooldfort
hatname.
"

Thabi
so:"
youmaybemar r
ied,
buty
ou
arest
il
lourPunki
epi
e."

Lizwi:
"That
'sr
ightpr
incess.
"Iwant ed
torollmyeyes."Newhairst
yleIsee,I
l
ike."Ismil
ed.
Thabang:
"I
tsui
tsyouI
'
m sur
e."My
smil
egrewwider.

Thabi
so:"
Ilov
eittoo,
I'
mjustnotsur
e
aboutt
hecolour
."Wehmxm.

Me:
"Kef
ashi
onabut
i!
"

Thabi
so:
"Fashi
on?MmmhIsee.
"I
l
ovemybr ot
hersshame.

Thabo:"hel
l
oZint
le.
"Hewasl
ooki
ng
st
raightather
.
Zi
ntl
e:"
hel
l
os.
"Shesai
dcheer
ful
l
y

Thabo:"
youlookbeaut
if
ul.
"My
brot
herswereholdi
nginthei
r
l
aughter,
they
'venev
erseenhiml
i
ke
thi
sbefore.

Zintl
e:"
oh!Thanky
ou.
"Shewas
surpri
sed.

Me:"IguessZint
lemustbe
speci
al,
youdidn'
tcompl
imentme.
"
Mybr ot
hersr
eleasedaroarof
l
aught
er.

Thabang:
"Jeal
ousPunki
ePi
e."

Me:"Wher eismom anddad? "Iwasa

bitmadatmybr ot
her,cal
lmechi l
dish
orabr atIdon'tcare.Theyarethe
oneswhomademegetusedt othem
compl i
ment i
ngmeEv er
yti
met hey
seeme, theyarealsot heoneswho
madegetusedt obeingnumber1i n
thei
rey esandnowThabodi dn'
teven
greetmebackwhenIwasgr eeti
ng,he
wasj ustfocusingonmyf r
iendthe
wholeent i
retime!Mxm!ImeanIhad
anewhai
rst
ylebutdol
olo
compl
i
mentfrom hi
m.

Li
zwi
:
"St
il
ltal
ki
ngt
othepast
or.
"

Me:
"Bont
le?
"

Thabo:"
ahhshespentthenightat
Mathapelo'
s,
I'
m sur
eshe'shungover
asfuck.
"Ididn'
tpayat
tenti
ontohim.

Me:
"Wel
ll
et'
sgohomethen,
I'
m sur
e
t
heywi
l
lfi
ndusathome.
"
Thabo:"Youar eeatinglunchwit
hus."
Hewasex cit
ed,I'
m sureitwas
becauseofZi ntl
e.Weal lgoti
nthe
caranddr ovehome, i
twasa5
minutesdr i
ve.Whenwegoti nBont
le
wastherel ooki
nglikeshewasn't
dri
nkingthewhol enight.

Me:
"Ausi
!"Shesmi
l
edatme.

Bontl
e:"
hey,ar
en'ty
ousupposedt
obe
wit
hy ournewf amil
y.
"

Me:
"Iwi
l
lbewit
hthem t
oni
ghtmos.
Mi
ghtaswel
lhavel
unchher
e."
Bont
le:
"yourhusbanddoesn'
thav
ea
pr
oblem wit
hthat?"

Me:
"Yeah.
"
•
•
MEANWHI
LE,
I
NTHEDLAMI
NIHOME.

Thandiwewasonherphonet
alki
ng
toan'oldf
ri
end'
.

Lamlani
:"I
'
m comi
ngt
othepar
ty
toni
ght.
"
Thandi
:
"Lamyy
oucan'
t,
it'
stoor
isky
."

Lamlani
:"WellLumkainv
itedme,she
wouldn'
ttakenoforananswer,
soI
havetocome."

Thandi
:"Laml
aniNo!WhatifLunat
hi
seesyou?Whatifshetel
lsSiv
uyil
e
aboutus?Ican'
taff
ordtolose
Siv
uyil
e."

Lamlani
:"
Relax,
sheonlyknowsabout
thatni
ght
,sheprobabl
ythinksi
twas
ami
stake.
"

Thandi:
"YouknowIcankeepmy
handsoffyouwhenev
eryouar
e
around.
"

Lamlani
:"
Metoobaby.PlusIenj
oyed
spendi
ngsometimeawaywi thyou,
weshoulddoitmor
eof t
en."

Thandi
:
"Youknowwecan'
t.
"

Lamlani
:
"Whydoyousti
ll
insi
ston
bei
ngwitht
hatmoron?
"
Thandi
:"
Ineedhi
m, he'
smyonl
y
chanceatagoodli
fe."

Lamlani
:"
ButIcanalsopr
ovi
def
or
younjeThandi
we."

Thandi:
"Wit
hwhat?Yourt
eacher's
sal
ary?Comeonquitplay
ing.You
knowthatIam hi
ghmaintenance,
youcan'taf
for
dme."

Lamlani
:
"Thenwhyar
eyouwi
thme
then?
"
Thandi
:
"CauseIl
ikeyou,
plusyour
di
ckgamei sonanot
herlevel
."

Laml
ani
:"
Sobasi
call
yyouareusi
ng
mefory
ourownpleasur
e."

Me:
"Bi
ngo!
"

Lamlani
:
"Idon'
ttakeki
ndl
ytobei
ng
used.
"

Me:"Youknewwhatyouweregett
ing
yoursel
fint
owheny
ougotinvol
ved
wit
hme,nowwhyar
eyouact
ing
f
resh?
"

Lamlani:
"It
houghtaf
terour2weeks
awayy ouwouldhavechangedyour
mindaboutus."

Me: "Wel ly
out houghwr ongboo.You
can'taffordme, sost i
ckt owhatyou
knowbestwhi chisgivingmeagood
dick,nothi
ngmor e.Andonemor e
thing,donotcomet othisBraai
,you
mi ghtruinthingsf orme."Withthat
beingsai dshehungup.Shef el
t
proudofher self
,shethoughtthatshe
hadtamedherl i
t t
lepuppydog,l
it
tl
e
sissheknowt hatherpuppydoghad
developedst
rongf eeli
ngsforherand
thatmadehimv erydesper
ateand
desperatei
sdanger ous.

TheDlami nifamilywereallgat
hered
aroundthet abl
eeat i
nglunchthat
waspr eparedbyt hei
rlovel
ymakot i
,
Everyonewast hereexpecther.

MrD:
"Wher
eisLunat
hi?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ohuh,
shesentmeatext
sayi
nghermom for
cedhert
ohave
l
unchwi
tht
hem.
"

MrD:"Oh,Iguesstheydomiss
spendingti
mewi thher.Mamathi
s
foodisdeli
cious,
thankyou.
"

MrsD:"I
m nottheonewhocooked,
Lunat
hidid.Wewer eal
lsl
eepi
ng
whenshest ar
tedcooki
ng.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shecookedal
loft
hisonher
own?
"

Mr
sD:
"Yep,
wel
lwi
thal
i
ttl
ehel
pfr
om
herf
ri
endZi
ntl
e."

Lumka:
"Haytheyhav
echosenwel
l
fory
oubrot
her.
"

MrsD:"Sotell
me, molokazanewhen
am igett
inggrabdchil
drenfrom y
ou?
"
Thandichockedonf ood.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hai
bomama,
Chul
uisst
il
l
veryy
oung."

MrsD:"Bythet
imeherbr
otheror
si
sterget
sbornshewil
lbeofthe
r
ightage.
"

Thandi
:
"uhm.
..soonMah.
"

MrsD:"
Greatthen!Ihopeyouar
enot
t
akinganycontracept
ives.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mama!
"

MrsD:"
Yint
onnawena?"Si
vuy
ilej
ust
l
ookedathismot
herwhocarr
iedon
eat
ingherf
ood.
Soonever
yonewasdoneeat
ing,
the
gi
rl
sclear
edthet
abl
eandplacedthe
di
shesi
nthedi
shwasher
.
•
•
5hour sl ater,
theBr aaiwasaboutt o
started,af ewpeopl ehadst arted
comi ngi n,includingLunathi's
fami l
y,shear rivedwiththem.The
guy swer ehadal readystartedont he
meat ,whileSi vuyil
e'
sbusiness
associ atesandf ri
endsstarted
arrivi
ng.I twasachi l
ledvibe,nothi
ng
hect i
cbutt herewasmusi cpl ayi
ngin
thebackgr oundandpeopl ewer e
alreadydr i
nkinganddanci ng.Soon
thehousewasf i
l
ledwithfami lyand
f
ri
ends.
Lunathiwasf i
xi
nghersel
fupasshe
wasget t
ingreadyf
orSivuyi
leto
i
ntroducehertosomeofhi s
associat
es,shewasreall
ynerv
ous.
Knock!

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Areyoudone?!
"Shewas
downstair
sinChulu'
s'r
oom'.

Lunat
hi:
"Al
most
!"

Sivuy
il
e:"
You'
vebeensay
ingt
hatf
or
thepast30minut
es."
Lunat
hi:
"Okayfi
ne!I
'
m done!
"She
sl
owlywalkedt
othedoor,
andopened
andshewasmetbyherhusband'
s
sweetsmil
e.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Relaxtheyar
egoingtoli
ke
you,andiftheydon'twhocaresthet
a
rejustbusinessassoci
atesaft
erall
."

Me:"busi
nessassoci
ateswhowi l
lbe
i
nvit
ingyoutodinnerandothert
hings,
Ineedtomakeni cewit
hthem hawu."
Sivuyil
e:"HaikeOkaymadam. "They
foundThandi wewai ti
ngf orthem at
theendoft hepassage, l
ooki ng
daz zl
inginherpi nklongj umpsui t.
..
Sivuyil
est artedint
roducingt hem toa
fewofhi sbusi nessassoci ates,t
hey
allcompl imentedt hem say i
nghow
muchofal uckyguySi vuyileisto
hav etwobeaut i
fulwives.Af t
erallthe
i
nt r
oduct i
onswer edone,itwasback
tothepar tying.Everyonewashav i
ng
agoodt ime,wellexceptforThandi we
shehadj ustspot t
edherf lame
amongstt hecr owd,shewas
sweat ingbul l
etshoppingt hathe
didn'tseeherandt hatLunat hididn't
seehim.Unfor
tunatel
yforherhehad
al
readyseenher,hemadehi swayto
her.

Lamlani
:
"Fancyseei
ngyouhere.
"He
j
oked.Thandi
wer ol
l
edhereyes.

Thandi
:
"What
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?Thi
sismyhouse."

Laml
ani
:
"Chi
l
lI'
m onl
yjoki
ng.
"

Thandi
:"
Ithoughtweagr
eedthaty
ou
arenotgoingtocomeher
e."
Laml
ani:
"I
tsr
udetot
urndownan
i
nvi
teyouknow.
"

Thandi
:"noti
fit
'sani
nvi
tet
omy
house.
"

Laml ani
:
"Ohcomeon, don'tactli
ke
youar enothappyt oseeme.Don' t
actli
key oudon'twantmet otearoff
thatjumpsuit,don'
tactli
key oudon't
wantmet osaidast hosemel ons
whileIgodownony ou.Don'tactli
ke
youdon'tmi ssmet hrusti
ngy ouyou
hardandf ast.
"Thandi wasbi t
ingher
t
ongue.

Thandi:
"st
op,
youar
emaki
ngme
horny
."

Lamlanj
:
"YouknowIcant
akecar
eof
thati
naminut
e."

Thandi
:
"Nother
e."

Laml
ani
:
"Whynot
?"

Thandi
:
"Someonemi
ghtseeus.
"
Lamlani:
"Theywon'
t.Peopl
earebusy
mindingthei
rownbusiness.
"

Thandi:"
Fine,wecanuset hebaby's
room.Iwi l
lgofir
standy ouwill
foll
ow
aftermein5mi nutes.I
twi l
lbeli
ke
youaregoi ngtothetoi
letsi
ncethe
room isnexttothetoil
et.
"

Lamlani
:"Perf
ect!"Thandiwestoodup
andmadeherwayt oChulu'
sroom.
Li
tt
ledidtheyknowt hatsomeone
waswat chingthem from af
ar.
Lamlanistoodupaf ter2minutesand
fol
l
owedbehindThandi
,i
twasso
obvi
ousthatt
heyweregoi
ngtot
he
sameplace.

Thandi :
"Ithasnotbeen5- ."Laml ani
i
nt err
upt edherwi thahungr ykiss,
shewentwi ththeflow,shewasr eall
y
hor nytowher epointwher et hey
didn'tevennot i
cethatther oom di dn'
t
hav eakeyt olockit.Laml ani wentin
foraki l
l ashesl i
dhi srockhar d
manhoodi ntoherwetpussy ,they
wer eint heirownwor l
d,Thandi we
wast r
yingnott omoanl oudasshe
didn'twantany onetoheart hi s.They
wer efullyintothisthattheydi dnot
evennoti
cesomeonesl
owl
yent
eri
ng
theroom andv
ideot
api
ngt
hem.

Person:"Themedi aissogoingto
l
ovet his.
"Theyst opedabruptlywit
h
shockwr it
tenallov ert
hei
rfaces."No
don'tstoponmyaccount .Carryon."
Laml aniqui
cklyremov edhimself
fr
om Thandi we.Hemadesur eto
showt heirfaces

Lamlani
:
"Pl
easedel
etet
hatvi
deo,
youaregoi
ngtorui
nourl
iv
es."

Thandi
:
"Pl
ease,
Siv
uyi
l
ecan'
tsee
t
hat
."

Person:
"Whynot ?!Youdon' twant
himtoseehowmuchofahoey ou
are?Well guesswhatsi si,heis
defi
nit
elygoi ngt oseet hisandaf ter
thati
t'
sgoi ngst raighttothei nt
ernet.
Congratulati
onsguy sy ouaregoi ng
tobepor nstars."Wi ththatsaidhe
l
efttheroom l eav i
ngt hedooropened.
Lamlanist oodupandqui cklycl
osed
i
t.

Thandi
we:"
Iam scr
ewed!
!"Tear
sfel
l
fr
om hereyes.
Lamlani
:"
Don'tworr
y,I
'
m goi
ngtofi
x
thi
s.Thatvi
deowon'tr
eachyour
husband'
shands."

Thandi
we:"
How? !Heh?Itol
dy ounot
tocomeherebuty oudi
dany way,
l
ookattheresul
tsnow!Iam screwed!
I
t'sal
lover
!Myli
f eisov
er!"

Laml
ani
:
"Don'
tsayt
hatbaby
,yi
url
i
fe
i
snotov
er.
"

Thandi
we:
"Si
vuy
il
e'
sbestf
ri
endhasa
vi
deoofushav
ingsex,
heisdef
init
ely
goi
ngtoshowhim!Andheisgoingto
l
eakitt
othemedia,
hehat
esme! "She
wascryi
ng.

Lamlani
:"Fuck!!I
'
m surewecanr each
somesor tofagreementwit
hhi m,he
can'
trel
easet hetape.Mycareerwill
beoverifhedoes! "

Thandiwe:
"Didn'
tyouhearwhatIj
ust
said?Hehatesme!Thembahat es
me!Hei sgoingtoshowSivuyi
let
hat
tape!MyGod!Whydi dIall
owtofall
i
ntot empt
ati
on?"Shewascr y
ing
whi
l
eLaml
ani
lookedscar
edashel
l
.
○
○
●
●
I'
mtr
yingt
omaket hechanget
hat
someofy'
all
request
ed.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Chapt
er37
○
○
○
○
○
Lifewasbackt onor mal.TheDl ami ni
elder shaddeci dedt hatafter
Chr istmaswewer eallgoi
ngt ogo
downt oTheEast ernCapef orthe
wel comi ngcer emonyofChul u.My
brot hersalsof oundoutabout
Chul u,theywer ev erymadwhi chled
them t obeatt heshitoutofSi vuyile,
theyact uall
ycameher etomyhouse
gunsbl azingandst artedattacking
myhusband.MeandMr sDl ami ni
wer ebusyscr eami ngf orthem t o
stop, buttheywer en'
t
l
isteni ng,whenev erIt r
iedtoi ntervene
Iwoul dgetpi ckedupandgetpl aced
veryf arf r
om t her i
ght.WhenMr s
Dlami nisawt hatwewer ef i
ghtinga
l
osingbat tl
esheshout edforher
husbandt ocomeandst opt hef ight,
hedi dcomedownbuti nsteadof
stoppingt hefighthej ustlookedat
thefight i
ngboy sandsai d: "
Thank
Godsomebodydi ditforme. "Af ter
sayingt hathet ur
nedandl eft.When
theyfinallydecidedt ostop,Sivuy il
e
wasbl oody,mybr othershadaf ew
dropsofbl ood,MrsDl aminiinsist ed
thatwet akeSivuy i
letothedoct or ,
but
mybr ot herssaidt heywoul ddoi t
themsel ves.Itwasar eal
lyshocki ng
scene.
.
.
Anywaybacktothepresent,
today
wasthemorningbeforeChri
stmas.I
wokeuptomybeaut if
ulbabymaki ng
coo-
ingnoi
ses,f
oronceshewas
qui
et,
yesmybabyisst i
ll
ascr eamer
butt
odaysheseemedwel l
behav ed.

Me: "
Hel
loy oubeaut i
fulpr
incess,how
areyou?Ar en'
ty outhemostcut est
beingever
."Ilikedtalki
ngtoher ,
ev en
thoughshecoul dn'tanswerme, Ijust
assumedt hatshecoul dhearwhatI
wassayingsi ncesheal wayssmi les
whenItalkt oher .
Me: "Youdeci dedt obewel l
behav ed
todaydi dn'tyou?Wel lmommyhast o
wakeupandgoandpr epare
breakf astf orev eryonenow. "YesI
referredt omysel fashermommy ,I
wassl owl ybutsur elygetti
ng
comf ortablewi tht heideaofbei nga
mot her .Iwokeandwentt otakea
shor tshower ,Iwor emyl ongsleeved
belowt hekneedr essandmysl i
ppers,
Iti
edmybr aidsi ntoamessy
bun,whi chr emi ndsmet hatIreall
y
needt oundomyhai r,
ImeanI '
vehad
thi
shai rstylesincet hedayofmy
weddi ng.It ookChul uandwent
downstairswithher.WhenIgotto
theki
tchenThandi wewasthereinan
apronlookingconfusedashel
l.Thi
s
wassur pri
singaswell,
Thandi
weup
atthi
st i
me!Andi nanaprontryi
ngto
cook!Wow!Todaywasr eal
lyful
lof
surpr
ises.

Me:
"mor
ning.
"

Thandiwe:"
Ohmorni
ng.Howar e
you?"Anditget
smoreweir
d,she'
s
beingnice!

Me:
"Youar
eupear
lyt
oday
."
Thandiwe:
"WellIwantedtomake
breakf
astforever
yone,butIcanseem
togetthestovetowork."Ihadall
my
eyesout."
What ?"

Me:"
uhm..
.nothi
ng,not
hing.
"She
f
iddl
edwiththestove."
UhThandi,
can
youcook?
"Shelookedatme

Thandi
we:
"Notr
eal
l
y."If
igur
ed.

Me:"
Haygirl
,goandsi
tdown,
I
'l
lmake
br
eakfastf
orevery
one.
"
Thandi
we:
"No!"OKAY!"
*ahem*I
meanno,Icandothi
s."

Me:"Youcan'
tcookThandiwe,ar
e
youreall
ygoi
ngtoletyourpri
del
et
youcookshit
tyfoodforyouri
n
l
aws? "Shel
ookedatme.

Thandiwe:
"No,
Icanmanage.
"Iknew
whatthiswasabout
.

Me:
"wehmxm,
sui
tyour
sel
f.
"It
urned
t
oleav
e.
Thandi we:"
Wai t!
"Il
ookedather.
"Okay ,
may bey oucancookbut
promi semey ouwillt
heQueenthatI
helpedy ou."JustasIthought
!She
want edtoimpr essthefamil
y,
ncooh
shame.

Me:
"Ipr
omi
se.
"

Thandi
we:
"Thankyouthanky
ou!
"She
sai
dwithawidesmil
e.

Me:
"Theny
ouhav
etowat
chChul
u
whi
l
eImaket
hebr
eakf
ast
."

Thandi
we:
"What
?.!Why
?!"

Me:"causewatchherwhi
l
eI'
m
cooking,
duh.
"

Thandi
we:
"ButI
'
m notgoodwi
th
ki
ds."

Me:"She'
snotjustanyki d,
she'
sy i
ur
husband'skidwhichmakeshery our
ki
d."Shelookedatmyf orawhile,
she
l
ookedr eal
lyir
ri
tated.
Thandiwe:"
Fine!
"Shetookofthe
apronandshet ookChuluandher
bottl
efrom me."WhatmustIdoif
shecries?
"

Me:"Rockherbackandforth,
shewill
def
init
elyqui
etendown,al
sohima
sweettunetoher..
..
.ohshehasn't
eat
ensopl easefeedherthebott
le
andburpher."

Thandi
we:
"Bur
pher
?Icandot
hat
."
Me:
"Wellthere'
sal
waysaf
ir
stt
ime
f
orever
ythingri
ght
."

Thandi
we:
"But
..-
"

Me:"
ComeonThandi we.Fi
netel
lyou
what,
justf
eedherandtellmewhen
youaredoneIwi
llburphermysel
f.
"

Thandi
we:
"Howwil
lIknowt
hatshe'
s
ful
l
."OhmyGod!

Me:
"Youwil
lj
ustknowThandi
we.
"I
wasget
ti
ngannoyednow.
Thandiwe:"Ohokay .
"Sheleftthe
kit
chen.Istartedprepar
ingbr eakfast
forever
yone, nothi
nghecticjustsof t
porri
dge,
fruitsaladandyogurt .Bythe
ti
meIwasdoneset ti
ngupt het able
Thandiwasal readyfedupwi thChul u.

Me:
"Di
dyoubur
pher
?"

Thandi
we:
"No,yousaidy
ouwere
goi
ngtodoity
ourselfmos.
"Wow!

Me:
"Thandi
we!Youdi
dn'
tcal
lme
wheny
oudonef
eedi
ngher
."

Thandi
we:
"Wel
lIf
orgot
!"

Me: "
Wow!Nowshe'sgoingto
spewingthewhi
testuf
fallov
ert
he
place!"

Thandiwe:"
Hai ke."Shejustshr
ugged
hershoulders!Shewasbackt obeing
hermeansel f.Fewmi nut
eslat
er,
the
wholefamilywal kedinandwedugi n.

MrD:
"Thanky
ouMamokoena,
that
wasnice."Hesai
daf t
erIcameback
fr
om placingt
hedishesi
nt he
di
shwasher

Me:
"ohwellThandi
wedidmostofthe
wor
k,Ij
usthelpedherwher
eIcoul
d."

Them:
"What
?!!
"

Lumka:
"Youar
eki
ddi
ngr
ight
?"

Me:
"NoI'
m not
."Si
vuyi
l
elookedat
me,
Iknewhedidn'
tbel
iev
eme.
MrD:"Oh,
Thankyouthenmakot
i.
"He
waslooki
ngatThandiwewhohada
hugesmil
eallov
erherface.

MrsD:
"Gi
rlwhatar
eyourpl
ansf
or
t
heday?"

Lumka:"Uhm,I
'
m meetingupwitha
fewfr
iendsofmine.
"Lies!Shewas
goi
ngtoseeherboyfri
end.

Lul
ama:
"Ihav
eadat
ewi
thBont
le.
"

Me:
"Ihav
etodomyhai
r.
"
MrsD:"
WenaThandi we,whatareyou
doi
ngtoday
? "Thandi
wewast akenby
sur
pri
seatthatquesti
on,weal lwer
e.

Thandi
we:"
ohuhm, Iwasgoingt
o
meetupwithafewf r
iendsofmi
ne
l
ateron,
butI
'mfreeforafewhours.
"

MrsD:"
Good!Weareall
goi
ngf
or
Chr
ist
masshoppi
ng."

Lumka:
"Butmom!Wehav
epl
ans.
"
Mr sD:
"AndIdon'tcar
e.Wear egoing
shoppi
ngtodayandt hat
'sf
inal.
"She
stoodup."
Lunathifol
lowmesot hat
wecancompi leagroceryl
i
st.And
ni
na,weareleavi
ngin30mi nutes."

Wewentt othekitchenandst arted

wr i
ti
ngwhatwewer egoi ngtoneed
forourChristmasl unchanddi nner.
Forlunchwewer egoi ngt ohav ea
normal Chri
stamasf oodt henfor
dinnerwewer egoi ngt ohav eami ni
Braainyana,well
Siv uyil
esuggest ed
theBraaisaidhewant stoi nvi
tea
fewofhi sfri
ends,butIknowt heyar e
notgoingtobef ew.Any wayaf ter
compi l
ingtheli
stwel eftforthemal l
.
Shoppingwasl ongwasadr ag!By
thetimewewer edoneIwasdog
ti
red,Ij
ustwant edtosleepbutwe
wer enotdoneasy et,wewentt o
Thandi'
sf avouri
tepart,
clothes
shopping.Whenwegothome, Iwent
strai
ghtt omyroom, Ididn'tevenwai t
forthem tounpackt hegr oceryIjust
wentst rai
ghttomybed!
Fewminutesi
ntomysl
eep
somebodyshookmeawake!YohI
wassoannoyed!

Me:
"WHAT?
!!
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Shhhh,Ifi
nall
ygothert
o
sl
eep."Sheplacedasleepi
ngChulu
nexttome, gr
eatthatmeansno
peaceful
sleepforme.

Me:"
ther
egoesmysl
eep.
"He
l
aughed

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youcansl
eepwi
thher
."

Me:"Youknowhowunpr edi
ctabl
e
yi
urdaught
eris,
especi
all
ywhenshe'
s
t
akinganap,shemightwakeupnow
andst
artwai
l
ing.
"Hel
aughed.

Si
v uy i
l
e:"wel
lsi
nceyouar
eawake,
iza
ndik'qhaqhe(
comeletmeundoyour
braids.)"

Me:"
Hay,yourhandsar
erough,
I
knowthem."

Siv
uyi
le:
"I
'l
lbegent
le,
Ipr
omise.
"He
hadanaughtysmil
eonhisf
ace,
then
hewinked.
"

Me:
"Si
esmar
nwena!
"It
hrewapi
l
low
athi
m hel
aughedoutl
oud."
Shhh.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Maybeweshoul
dgot
othe
spareroom.
"

Me:
"Haywhy
?"Hechuckl
ed.

Sivuyi
le:
"sothatIcanundoyourhai
r
properly
,chatandhavealaughwit
h
youfreely.
"

Me:"Awwshame,wel
lwecan'
tl
eave
Ratualone,
sowehav
etoworkwi
th
thi
s."
Sivuy
il
e:"
Fine!
"Hegr abbeda
conti
nentalpi
ll
owandwentt ositon
thecouchwhileplacingthepil
l
owon
thefl
oor."I
zohl
alaaphakeke
baby.(
Comeandsi therebaby.
)"

Me:
"Weneedsci
ssor
s."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Fornt
onngoku?(Forwhat
now?
)Areyoucut
ti
ngy ourhai
r?"

Me:"
No.Kant
i y
ou'
veneverundone
someone'
sbrai
dsbef
ore?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hel
lno!
"

Me: "Wai there."Iwenttomycl osetto

l
ookf ormyhai rutensil
s,Itookout
mysci ssorsandwentbackt ohim.I
satont hepi l
lowandst artedcutting
thebr aidsshor t."Great
,t
hiswi l
lmake
yourj obv eryeasy ."Hestarted
unbr aidi
ngmyhai r,i
twasal engthy
messyj ob.Hekeptonpul l
ingmyhai r
from t i
met ot imeandhemadesi l
ly
comment slike"mmmhbabey our
hairsmel l
s."Whi chwasal i
e!2hour s
l
at erhewasdone!Chul uwasal so
awake,
shewasonthef
loornextt
ous
pl
ayi
ngwithhert
oy.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whuuuf
inal
l
y!"

Me:"
Kahl
e!I
tdi
dn'
ttakey
out
hat
l
ong."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Ivanilona!2hoursi
snot
l
ong?Haibo."Ilaughed.

Me:"
Wellt
hanky
ouSv
itsh.
"He
l
aughed.
Sivuy
ile:
"SowhatdoIgetasa
reward?"

Me:"
aki ssonthecheek.
"Ist
oodup
andkissedhischeek.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'sal
l
?"

Me:"Yes,phel
ayouar
etheonewho
off
eredt oundomyhai
rabut
i.
"He
chuckled.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
hayokayLunat
hi,
uyav
imba
shamebaby.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
uyabawakewena.
"Hel
aughed
outl
oud!

Sivuyi
le:
"Youneedt ost ophanging
outwithmysi st
ers,
theyarerui
ning
youforme. "Webot hlaughed,Chulu
start
edcr yi
ng."Yohhaymnt anam
unomona. (No,mychildyouare
j
ealous.)"Il
aughedwhi leIpi
ckedup
theprincess,shekeptquietand
start
edsmi li
ngwhenshesawmy
face.

Me:
"shej
ustwant
edt
oseeher
f
avour
it
eface.
"

Sivuyi
le:
'
Unomonaqha! (She'
sjeal
ous
that'
sall
.)
"Ilaughed."
Damnbabe!
Youlookl i
kearacoon!"Helaughed.

Me:
"That
'snotf
unny
."

Sivuyi
l
e:"Youst
il
ll
ookgor
geous
though."

Me:"Isti
l
lneedtodomyhair,
toni
ght
.
Idon'twantyourf
ri
endsand
busi
nessassociat
etoseemel i
ke
t
his.
"

Siv
uyi
le:"
Justwashyourhai
rand
combitnicel
y,
uzobamhle(
youwil
lbe
beaut
iful)
"

Me:
"Whatdoyouknowabouthai
r?"
Her
aisedhi
shandsupi
nsurrender
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwasj
ustsuggest
ing.
"

Me:"
Wellyoursuggest
ionwasbad."
Helaughed."
Infactl
etmecallBont
le
r
ightnow,Ineedherhelp.
"It
ookmy
phoneandcall
edBontle,
placedt
he
phoneonloudspeakersi
nceIhad
Chului
nmyar ms.

Bont
le:
"Punki
eWaka.
"

Me:
"heysi
s,Ineedy
ourhel
p."

Bont
le:
"I'
m al
lear
sbaby
."

Me:
"Ineedt
odomyhai
rasi
nNOW!
"

Bontl
e:"
Yourhai
r?Hawuy
oust
il
lhav
e
br
aidsmos."
Me:
"Notany
mor
e."

Bontl
e:"Youcandoy
ourhai
r
tomorr
owmosPunkie."

Me:"No,Ineedt
odoitnow.Iwon'
t
hav
et i
met omor
row.
"

Bontl
e:"
Ehehehokay ,
I'm wi
th
Mathapelorn,l
etaskherifshecan
doyourhairrealqui
ck."I
twentqui
et
forafewseconds."Or eshecando
yourhai
r,sogetreadywear ecomi
ng
t
ofet
chy
ou.
"

"I
t'
scoolIwi
l
ldropheroff
."-t
hatwas
Siv
uyi
le,
heli
kesincl
udi
nghimself
.

Bont
le:
"Al
ri
ght
ythen.
"

Me:
"Ohhhdiscl
aimer
,youar
epay
ing
f
orever
ythi
ng."

Voiceinthebackground:
"Hah!
Doesn'tmybrothergivey
oumoney
foryourhai
r?"Thatwasdefini
tel
y
Lumka.
Me:"By
ebyeBontl
e."Iqui
ckl
y
dr
oppedthecal
l
.

Siv
uyil
e:"Youwi llf
indme
downstair
s."Het ookChuluoutofmy
armsandl eft!Hawu!KantiwhatdidI
donow?Ideci dedtowrapmyhead
withadoek, Iworemyf l
ipfl
ops,t
ook
myphoneandsl i
ngbagbefore
headi
ngdownst air
s.

MrsD:
"Doy
ouhav
etodoy
ourhai
r
t
oday?
"
Me:
"YesMah,
Iwon'
thav
eti
me
t
omorrow.
"

MrsD:"Hayokay.Si
vuy
il
eleavemy
babybehi
ndcauseIknowy ouar
enot
comingback.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"HahMama,
Iam comi
ng
back.
"

MrsD:"
Don'
tl
ie.
"Si
vuyil
ehandedher
t
hebaby."
Iguessi
t'
sjustgoi
ngtobe
me,y
ouandyourgr
andfather
."
Me:"Uhm,wereal
l
yneedt
odash.
Seeyoulat
er.
"

Mr sD:
"Okaybaby ."Iquicklykissed
Ratu'
scheekbef oreweheadedf or
thecaranddr oveof f.Thejourney
wassilent,
noonewast alki
ng.The
wasnomusi cplayingeithersoi twas
j
ustasi l
entshorttrip.Heonl yspoke
tomewhenwegott omyhood, and
thatwasbecausehewasaski ngf or
dir
ecti
onst oMat hapelo'shouse.We
parkedoutside.

Me:
"t
hanky
ouf
ordr
ivi
ngme,
even
thoughyoudidn'thavetoo.
"Hetook
offhisseat
beltandturnedtof
aceme.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Idon'
tunderst
andwhyyou
don'twantmet odot hi
ngsf
or
you,
nowy ouaremakingmelookbad
i
nf r
ontofy oursi
sterandmysist
er.
"

Me:
"Hawu,
howdi
dIdot
hat
?"

Siv
uyil
e:"Youaski
nghertopayfor
yourhai
rwhileyouhaveme,thatwas
tot
all
yembar r
assi
ng,
thatwasyou
l
ookingdownonme. "
Me:" Ohhhthat'swhyy ouhav ebeenin
asombr emoodwhi l
ewewer e
driv
ingher e.Look,I'm usedt omy
sibl
ingsdoi ngevery t
hingf orme.
From pay i
ngf ormyhai r
,t
obuy ingme
clothesandshoes.I '
m noty etused
tosomebodyel ser atherthanmy
sibl
ingstakingcar eofme.I 'm sorryif
youf eell
ikeIembar r
assedy ou,butI
j
ustt houghtthatwehav en' treached
thatlevelwher eyoupayf ormyhai r.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Welongreachedthat
l
evel
,
theminuteIputaringonthat
fi
ngerifyour
swasusr eachingthat
l
evel.Sonextti
meplease,dotell
me
wheny ouwanttodoyourhai r
,Iwil
l
payforit
."

Me:"Uh...okaythen."Idon'tthi
nkI
will
everaskhi mf ormoneyt odomy
hair
,I
'mtooshy .Hef iddledwithhis
pocketforaf ewseconds, thenhe
tookarolleduppaper s,
notjustany
papers,
theMandel a'sbaby !

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ithi
nkt hi
swil
lbeenoughfor
yourhai
rstyl
e."Hehandedmet he
cash,
myey eball
swerealloutand
mout
hwaswi
deopen.

Me:
"Thi
sist
oomuchSi
vuy
il
e."

Siv
uyi
le:
"I
t'
sjust5t
housandr
ands
Lunat
hi.
"

Me:
"That
stoomuch.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youar
ewelcomebaby.
"He
ki
ssedmycheek,Idi
dn'
tev
enthank
hi
m.

Me:
"Ohhy
eah,
Thanky
ou.
..
.ev
en
t
hought
hisi
ssl
i
ght
lyt
oomuch.
"

Si
v uyi
le:
"Justgoandgety
ourhai
r
fi
xed.Nowgetoutofmycar ,
your
brothersarewait
ingf
orme."

Me:"
Aretheygoi
ngt
ogiveyoua
beat
ingagai
n?"Hel
aughed.

Sivuyi
le:
"hah!Nev
er.
"Wel aughed.
"Tell
mewheny ouaredoneandIwi l
l
takeyouhome. "

Me:
"Icanal
way
sdr
ivebackwi
th
Lul
ama.
"

Siv
uyi
le:"
Shewill
betoodrunktoo
dri
ve,
thatIknowforsur
e..
..pl
usI
wanttoholdyourhandwhiledri
vi
ng.
"
Ibl
ushed.

Me:"
Mxm.By eSvi
tsh.
"Helaughed.I
j
umpedof ft
hecarandraninsi
dethe
yar
d,l
ucki
l
ytherewerenodogshere
soIwassafe."
Knock!Knock!
"

"Comein!"Thatwasdefi
nit
ely
them,t
heysoundeddrunk.Ient
ered
andjustasIassumed,t
heywereall
drunk,
actual
l
ytheywer
esi
tti
ngon
thecoucheswhil
ethet
abl
ehadafew
bottl
esofwine.

Me:
"heh!Fest
ivev
ibes.
"

Them:
"Yesgi
rl
!!
"

Mathapel
o:"
Sowhatdoy ouwantt
o
do?"Shewasdrunk,
myGodhowi n
theworl
disshegoingt
odomyhai r.

Bont
le:
"Chomieshowhert
henew
weavesyougottoday
."
Mathapel
o:"Hah!Thoseweav esar
e
expensi
ve!Reservedforcel
ebri
ti
es
only
."

Lul
ama: "
Herhusbandcanaff
ordit
marn!"Thewasjustsomethi
ngfunny
aboutthewayShesaidit
.

Mat hapelo:
"Okay,
waithereIwil
lbe
back."Shest oodupanddisappeared
throughthepassage.Theset wo
sister
sofmi newerejustsit
ti
ngthere
drinki
ngwi newhil
enibbl
ingon
chocolate,Idon'
tknowwhot old
t
hem aboutt hatcombi
nat
ion.
Mathapelocamebackcarryi
nga
medium sizedbox.

Mat hapel o: "

Choosemai khethela."
Shesai dwhi l
edr oppingt heboxi n
frontmet henshesatdownand
carri
edonwi thherdr inking.Iwent
throught heweav es,theywer eal l
beaut i
ful.I '
m notaweav eper sonneh?
ButIwasr eall
ylov i
ngwhatIwas
seeingi nsi dethatbox.If inal
lyset t
led
forabobweav e,
itreachedmyneck.
Itwasbl acki ncol our,andol i
vegr een
i
nt hebot tom.I tlookedr eall
yreally
nice,pl
ust hequal itywast odief or.
Mat hapelostar tedget ti
ngbusyon
myhai rasdr unkasshewas, atfir
stI
didn'twanthert odomyhai rinthat
statebutmysi sterconv incedme
otherwise.Af t
erhour swewer edone
withev er
y t
hing, t
hecut tingi ncluded.I
wentt olookatmysel finthe
mi r
ror,
andImustadmi tIlooked
beaut i
ful
,sher eallydidwor kher
drunkmagi conme.Iwentbackt o
theloungeandt heywer est il
ldrinki
ng,
hayt heyarer eallyinthei rfestive
mood.Igav eMat hapelohermoney
thenIwr appedmyheadneat lywi t
h
thedoekagai n.
Lulama:"See?Itol
dyoushecan
affor
dy ourhair
."Shewasgett
ing
drunk,IneededtotextSi
vuy
il
et o
comeandt akeushome.

Me:
"Si
vuy
il
eiscomi
ngt
ofet
chus.
"

Lulama:"Fetchy ou,
youmean.Mna
I'
m sleepingov er,
wearehav
inga
gir
lsnightin."Itext
edSiv
uyi
le.

Mathapel
o:"
Sitdownandhav
ea
gl
assofwine."
Me:"
nothankyou.Bont
lewher
eis
Abut
iLi
zwi?"

Bont
le:
"Il
efthi
m athomewi
thhi
s
br
other
s."
Wesatf orafewmi nutes,
theywere
chatt
ingupast orm andnnaIwasn't
evenfocusedont hem.Sivuyi
le
text
edmet hathei soutsi
deandwe
shouldcomeout ,
sinceLulamasaid
shewasst ay
inginIwentoutonmy
own.Itwasalreadydarkoutside.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
e'sLul
ama?
"Heasked
t
hesecondaswedr
oveof
f.

Me:"
Shesai
dshe'sstay
ing,
theyar
e
hav
ingagir
lsni
ghtin."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Andyoudeci
dedt
o
go,
because?"

Me:"Theyarewaytoodr
unk.MaybeI
shouldcal
lAphiweandwewill
have
ourowngi r
lsni
ght.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Hawu,Ithoughtwewere
goi
ngtospendthenightt
oget
her
."I
l
ookedathi
m.

Me:"Don'
tst
art
.Youknowwedon'
t
spendnight
stoget
herany
mor
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Unt
ilwhenLunat
hi.
"

Me:"
It
'sonl
ybeenacoupleofweeks
andyouareal
readycomplai
ning.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Imissy outhat
'swhy,Imiss
cuddl
ingwit
hy ouafterourlove
makingsession,Imisswakingup
nexttoyou,
Imi sstouchingyou.
"
Me:
"Her
ear
eIam,
youcant
ouchme.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"YouknowwhatImean.
"

Me:"Siv
uyil
eIt ol
dy outhatI
'm notina
spacetobei nvolvedromanti
cally
wit
hy ou.Ijustwon'tbeabletodeal
wit
ht hedramat hatwillcomewi t
h
thi
s."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Ther
ewon'
tbeanydr
ama
Lunat
hi.
"
Me:"
Hah!Don'tactli
keyoudon'
t
knowhowy ourwifeis.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Ifyouareworri
edabout
Thandiwe,wecansitherdownand
makeherunder st
andthatthi
sis
whatwewantandwecanmakei t
work,
thethreeofus."

Me:"
That '
stheproblem!Idon'twant
t
omakei tworkwith3ofus!Ij ust
wantittobeus!Meandy ou!"Damn!I
j
usttoldhim howIreall
yfeelabout
t
hiswhol esit
uat
ion.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"Buty
ouknowthatThandi
is
par
tofthepackage.
"

Me:"Exactly
!WhichiswhyIdon' t
wanttowor konus!Ican'tshareyou
Siv
uy i
le!YoucarryonwithThandi and
Iwil
lcar r
yonwi thmylif
e, wedid
whattheancest orswantedust odo
nowwej usthavetoli
veourl i
ves
happil
y !
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Idon'
tunder
-"

Me:"Youdon'
thaveto.I
nfactIdon'
t
wanttotal
kaboutthi
sanymore."I
startedchatti
ngonmyphonewi th
Aphiwe, Iaskedtocomeov erri
ght
nowandsheagr eed.Whenwegot
home, Ijumpedof ft
hecarwithout
sayingany t
hingandwentstrai
ght
i
nside.Thepar entswer
esitti
nginthe
dinningroom,havi
ngalogjychatI
guess.

Mr
sD:
"Hawu,
wher
eisLul
ama?
"

Me:"
Oh,shedeci
dedtost
ay
behi
nd,
saidshewant
edtocat
chup
wit
hBontl
e."
MrsD:"
Oh,wellherhusbandcal
led,
hehasbeentryi
ngtoreachheronher
phonebutshe'
snotansweringand
nowhe'sworri
ed."

Me:
"Well
youcant
ell
himtost
op
wor
ryi
ng,
Lul
amaisfi
ne.
"

MrsD: "
Okaybaby .Nowl etmesee
yournewhairst
yle."Siv
uy i
leenter
ed
thehouselooki
ngpi ssed,hedidn'
t
evengreethi
spar entshej ustwent
str
aightupst
air
s."

MrD:
"Andt
hen?Whot
ookhi
s
candy
?"Ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.

MrsD:
"Di
dyouguy
shav
ean
ar
gument
?"

Me:"No.
"Theybothlookedatme
wi
thsuspici
ouseyes."
Wellweki
nda
di
dbutitwasnothi
nghectic.
"

MrsD:"Whathappened?
"Idon'
tl
ike
t
his,
nowIhavetoli
e.

Me:"Iguesshe'
ssti
llangr
ythatI
askedmysi st
ertopayformy
hai
r,i
nsteadofaski
nghim.Hehas
beenint hatmoodsi
ncethen.
"They
bothlaughed.

Mr sD:"t
ypicalDl
aminman.Hel ikes
beingapr ovider
.Wellbabynextti
me
youshoul daskhim andnotyour
sister
."Phew!

Me:"Iwil
ldef
ini
telydothat.Ohh
uhm,Mahnawet ata,
Iinv
itedZi
ntl
e
forasleepover
, Ihopeyouguysdon'
t
mind."

Mr
sD:
"Ofcour
senot
.Thi
sisy
our
house,
youcandowhat
every
ou
want.
"

MrD:"mywif
eisright
.Wear
ejust
guest
shere.
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
ohwellmybeautif
ulguest
,mayI
pl
easebeexcused.CanItakeher
Mah?"

MrsD:"
Pleasedo,she'
sbeen
scr
eamingmyear sarehurt
ing.
"I
l
aughedandtookmybabyt henI
wentuptomyr oom.
○
●
○
●
○
Whatdoyouthi
nkisgoi
ngtohappen
bet
weenSiv
uyil
eandLunat
hi?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t39
•
•
•
•
•
NARRATED

Thandiweandherl
overwerest
il
li
n
theroom,Laml
aniwastry
ingto
comf or
ther
.

Lamlani
:
"Baby,
stopcry
ing.Idon'
tl
ike
seei
ngyouli
kethis.
"

Thandi
:
"Wehav
etodosomet
hing!
"

Lamlani:
"Maybenot.May bethi
sisa
bl
essingindi
sguiseforust obe
fi
nal
lytoget
herwithoutthesneaki
ng
ar
ound."Thandol
ookedathi
mli
kehe
wascrazy

Thandi:
"Bl
essingindi sguise?Huh? !
Thembai sgoingt oreleaset hatvideo,
Iam goingtobel abeledasl utby
peopl
eonSoci almedi a!Iam goingt o
l
osemyposhl if
esty l
eandy oucall
thi
sablessing?!Geti tthroughy our
thi
ckskullLamlani Idon'twanty ou!"
Shestoodupandwor ehercl othes
andmadeherwayt ot hedooraf ter
fi
xi
ngherf ace.

Laml
ani
:
"st
handwasam,
wher
ear
e
y
ougoi
ng?
"

Thandi :
"tododamagecont r
ol.Iam
notgoi ngt olosemyhusband
becauseofy ou."Sheslammedt he
doorandmadeherwayt ot hecrowd
tr
yingt of i
ndThemba.Shewas
scared, scaredatwhatThemba
mightdo. ..wel l
sheknewt hathe
meanti twhenhesai dhewasgoi ng
toshowSi vuy i
lethagv i
deo.Outofall
Sivuyi
le'sfriendsThembahasal ways
beent heonewhonev erreall
y
war medupt oher,evenaf t
erthe
miscar ri
age, hejustdidn'
tlikeherone
bit
.
Ther
ehewassi tt
ingont
hechai
rnext
toalady
,itl
ookedli
kehewastr
ying
hisl
uck.

Thandi
:
"CanIpl
easet
alkt
oyou.
"

Themba:
"I'
m busy
."Hi
seyeswer
est
il
l
gl
uedtotheladyi
nfr
ontofhi
m.

Thandi
:
"Pl
easeTee.Justhearme
out.
"

Themba:
"Isai
dI'
m b-
"
Lady:
"noit
'sf
ine.Iwil
lexcuse
myself.
"Shegracef
ull
ystoodupand
l
eft.

Themba:"
Lookatthat
,Ijustl
ostmy
chanceofaChri
stmasshag.Nxah!
Whatdoy ouwantfut
urepornstar
."

Thandi:
"Pl
easedon'
trel
easet
hat
vi
deo.I'
m surewecancometosome
sortofanagreement
."

Themba:
"I'
m noti
nter
est
ed.That
vi
deoisgoi
ngonthenet.
"
Thandi
:"I
m beggi
ngyoupl
easedon'
t
dothi
s."Shekneel
edbef
orehi
m.

Themba:"
Haibo!Uyasangana
wena?(
areyoucrazy.)St
andupyou
aremaki
ngaf ooloutofyour
sel
f.
"
Shest
oodup.

Thandi:
"I
'l
ldoany t
hing.AndImean
anyt
hing."Shesaidinaseducti
ve
voi
ce,whiletr
yingtotouchhisf
ace.

"
What
'sgoi
ngonher
e?!
"Thandi
tur
nedswi f
tl
yandtherest
oodher
husbandlooki
ngatthem
suspi
ciousl
y.

Thandi
:"uh.
.uhnot
hing.Iwasj
ust
chat
ti
ngwi t
hThemba."

Siv
uyi
le:"Mustbeani nt
eresti
ngchat
seei
ngt hatyouar
et ouchinghisf
ace
andall
."Shedidn'
tthinkhesawt hat
.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
ntwana,
ist
heresomet
hing
youwanttot
ellme?"
Themba:
"Li
ke?
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
LikewhywasMYWI
FE
touchi
ngy ourf
ace?
"

Themba:"
angaznam.Askyoursper
m
di
sh."Hestoodupwal
kedaway .

Siv
uyi
le:
"spe-
..
..
.what
'shet
alki
ng
about
?"

Thandi:
"Ihavenoidea.Wouldyouli
ke
adri
nk?Letmegety ouone."She
qui
cklyvanishedl
eavingherhusband
wi
thquest
ionmar
ksonhi
sface.
○
●
BOI
TUMELO
'
Gotabedwi
thy
ournameoni
t,
gota
k-
'

Me:
"mmmh!
"

Cal
l
er:
"Youar
est
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
!"

Me:
"Bont
lewhatdoy
ouwant
?"
Bont
le:"Ican'
tbeli
eveyouare
sl
eepingwhi ley
ourhousehol
daf
fai
rs
ar
eall overthei
nternet
."

Me:
"Huh?All
ov ert
heint
ernet
?You
meanaboutthepart
y?"

Bontle:
"heh!Orepart
y!I'
mt al
king
aboutjuicythi
ngswena.Dr ama!
Drama!Dr amainyourmar i
t al
home."
Thatgotmyat t
ent
ionIquicklysat
str
aightup.

Me:"
Keng?Di
dsomethi
nghappen
l
astnight
?Wast
her
eaf i
ghtor
somet
hing?
"

Bontle:
"somethinghappenedalri
ght
.
Heh!Thi sgi
rlhasdefi
nit
elyshamed
theroyalhouse."Whoisshet al
ki
ng
about?Thandi we?Me?Lumka?
Lulama?Who?

Me:
"Who?
"

Bontle:
"Yoursi
sterwife.Ial
ways
knewt hatgi
rlwasabi tch,
butt
his!
This!Shehasout doneherself
shame. "
Me:"Bont
lemar
n!Justt
ell
mewhat
happened.
"

Bontle:
"Myairt
imeisrunningl ow.
Wenaj ustgoont hei
nternetand
searchThandiweFloozyDl ami ni
and
youwi l
lseewhatIam talkingabout.
Hehehet heyevenhaveaNi ckname
forhernow.By el
ilsi
s."

Me:"
Wait!Tel
-"beepbeep!"Gr
eatshe
hungup.
"Iwentst r
aightt
othe
i
nter
netandsearchedwhatshet ol
d
meto.Icouldnotbeli
evemyey es.
..
..
alotofheadl i
neswer ewr i
ti
ngabout
thi
ssext apet hatsur facedear lythi
s
mor ningandappar ent lyitfeatures
mybel ovedsi st
erwi feandsome
unknownguy-ast heysai d.Iquickl
y
cli
ckont helinkoft hev i
deo, and
thereitwasThandi wef ucking
Laml aniinChul u'
sr oom!How
fuckingdi sr
espect f
ul !Howcoul dshe
dot hisinherownhusband' shouse!
Wasshet hathorny? !OhmyGodI
wonderi fSi v
uy i
lehasseent hi
s.I
quicklyjumpedof fmybed, woremy
gownandr usheddownst airs.Tomy
surprisenoonewasupasy et,I
l
ookedar oundt heki tchenandt he
l
ounge.Theyshoul dbeawakeby
now, I'
m suret het abloi
dshav ebeen
call
ingt hem nonst op.Myey es
l
andedon3r i
ngingcel l
phones
scatteredont hecouch, i
twasLumka
LulamaandSi vuyi
le'sphones, t
her
e
wasnowayIwasgoi ngtoanswer
them.Iqui etlywentbackupt omy
room, Iguesst heydon'tknowabout
thescandal asy et
, doesthatmeanI
havet ot el
lthem?Nowayt heywi l
l
fi
ndoutont hei rown.
Itookaqui ckshowerandwor ea
si
mpl edress,t
henImademybed
beforegoingdownstairst
omake
breakfastforever
yone.Theystar
ted
comingdownstai
rsonebyonewhi
l
eI
setupthet
able.

Siv
uyi
le:"
hasanyoneseenmyphone?
Idon'
trememberwhereIputi
tlast
ni
ght.
"Ohshit!

Lumka:
"Mi
net
oo.
"

Mr sD:
"mineneedstobecharged,I
needtocallandinf
ormyourauntsto
prepar
ethingsathomesinceweare
comingbackt omorr
ow.
Me:"l
etsjusteat.Wewil
lworr
yabout
thephonesl at
er.Wher
eisThandi
?"I
askedlookingatSiv
uyi
le.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
She'
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
"

Me:"wellwhydi dn'
tyouwakeher
up?"Shehasl otofexpl
aint
odo-I
di
dn'tsaythatoutloud.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Idi
d.Butshesl
eepsl
i
kea
deadperson.
"

Mr
sD:
"t
hat
'snotagoodt
hing.She'
s
amakoti
,sheshoul
dhavebeenupa
l
ongti
meagot ohel
pLunathipr
epar
e
br
eakf
ast.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"Wesleptlat
eMah.Giveher
abreak."Hesaidashefedhis
daughterherbott
le.Ari
ngi
ngphone
di
sturbedourmomentoft abl
e
manner s.

Lul
ama:"Wai
t!Thatsoundsl
i
kemy
phone.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whe-
"
Lulama:"
shhh!"shewal
kedar
ound
thelounge

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iyoh.
"

Lulama:"
Foundit!Ahhhi
tmybaby."
Herhusband.Itr
angagainshe
quickl
yansweredwi t
hawidesmil
e
thatqui
cklyt
urnedintoafr
own.
"What?!
..
..
.Ohokay !
"Shehungup

MrD:
"What
'swr
ong?
"
Lulama: "Idon' tknow.Hej ustsaid
theyar et alkingaboutmyf amil
yona
mor ningshowandi t
'sbad. "She
quicklytur nedont heTVaswe
rushedt oj oinheri nthel ounge,well
theyr ushedIdi dn'
tbecauseIal ready
knewwhatt heywer etalkingabout .
Andy es,theywer etalki
ngaboutt he
sext ape....

Host1:
"Imeanwhyi nherdelusi
onal
mindwouldsherecordhersel
fhavi
ng
sex,
knowingver
ywellthatshe'
s
cheati
ng"
Host2:
"ButwhebIwat chedt
hevideo,
i
tlookedli
kesomeonewasr ecordi
ng
t
hem Idon'tthi
nkt heyknewthey
werebeingrecorded."

Host3:"Shejustwentandpr oved
peoplerightthatsheisnothi
ngbuta
golddigger.Imeant hi
sclearl
yshows
thatshespentl ovethePri
nce.Ifshe
didwhywoul dshecheat?"

Host1:
"MaybethePri
ncewasn'
t
putt
ingi
tdownasshewantedhim
to.
"Theylaughedandhi
ghfi
ved.
Host3:
"t
hat
'simpossi
blehaveyou
seenhowhotthatmanis?"They
l
aughedagain.

Host
1:"whatIwanttoknowi
swhoi
s
t
heguyinthevideo?
"

Host2:
"mmmh.Well i
fyouguysat
homealsowanttoknowwhot heguy
i
s,don'
tchanget
hechannel wewi
ll
beri
ghtbackwit
hmor eofthe
Pri
nce'
sWife'
ssextape."

MrD:
"Swi
tchitoff
!"Heroar
edthey
di
d."
Whatthefuckist
his?!
"Damn
I
'
veneverheardhim swearbef
ore.
"
Huh?!Si
vuyi
le?!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Idon'
tknowdad.
"

MrD:"
Kut
hethwangabani
pha(who
ar
etheyt
alki
ngabout
)?Huh?!
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
andaziTata(Idon'
tknow
dad.)
"Het ur
nedandl ookedatme
wit
hanangr yface.Wait!Doeshe
thi
nkit'
sme?Ohwow!

Me:
"Whyar
eyougi
vi
ngmet
hag
l
ook?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"i
sther
esomethi
ngy ou
wannatel
lme?"Ever
yonelookedat
me

Me:"What
?Me?Youthi
nktheyar
e
tal
ki
ngaboutme?WhywouldIdo
suchathi
ng?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Whywoul dn'
tyou?Imean
youaretheonlyonebetweenyouand
Thandi
wewhohaspot enti
alt
ohave
asextape."Heshouted!Ohwow
shootmenow.
Me:"
What
'sthatsupposedtomean?
"
Isai
dwi
thtearsinmyey es.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youar
etheonewhohasa
boyf
ri
endandit
hi!
"

MrsD: "
Intoni
?!Ungay enzakanjani
l
ontoLunat hihuh? !
(Howcoul dyoh
dothatLunathi?!)Itrust
edy oumar n!
"
Haibothesepeopl ear enuts.They
arenotev enaskingmepr operl
ythey
arejustbombar dingmewi t
h
accusations.
Me:"
Iwouldneverdothat!AndIdon't
haveaboyfri
end.Youdon'teven
knowwhot heyaretal
kingaboutand
youhaveal
readyconcludedthatthey
aretal
ki
ngaboutme. "

MrD: "LumkaturnontheTVandl et
's
hearwhot heyaretal
kingabout.
"She
di
dasi nst
ruct
edandlucki
lythehost
wasj ustabouttosaythenameoft he
personi nt
hev i
deo.

Host1:
"sot
heguyinthevi
deois
LamlaniMqwaqwa.Tur
nsouthe'
s
act
uall
yafri
endofthePri
nce'
s
si
ster
s."

Host2:
"Mmhi nt
erest
ing.Thewife
wasstupi
dt ocheatwiththesi
ster
s'
f
ri
endthough.Thatwasav er
y
miscal
cul
atedmov e.
"

Host1:
"gett
hisheisateacherata
Cer
tainHighSchool.
"

Host
3:"
What?
!Fr om Pr
icetoteacher
?
R-
"LumkaswitchedofftheTVbef or
e
j
umpingtomewi thafullsl
ap!
Lumka:"JustbecauseIsai
dyoucoul
d
datehim wenay ouwentandmadea
sextapewi t
hhim!Siesmarn
Boit
umel o!
"

MrsD:"
hehmntanandini,
wheredid
youl
earnthi
sfl
ightbehavi
ourhuh?!
"I
wasalr
eadycry
ing

Me:
"Mahi
t'
sn-
"

MrsD:"Thul
a!!Ican'
tbeli
eveyouwere
chosenbytheancestors!Youdi
sgust
me!Nxahsies!"Iwascryingnonst
op.
Me:
"Mahpl
easel
i
stent
ome.
"

Lulama:"kuthweThul
amar njou
nonsense!"Whatiswrongwi t
hthese
people?!Whywon'ttheyletmetel
l
them thesideofmyst or
y.

MrsD:"Qoqaonkeamasakanaakho
uphumeupheleaphakwam
nondi
ndwandini!
(packal
lyourr
ags
andgetthehel
loutofmyhousey ou
bi
tch!
)"
Sivuyi
le:
"andt
ot hi
nkiactuall
ylov
ed
you!"Hehadglassesoftearsonhis
eyes.

Me:"
pleasehearmeout
."Isai
din
bet
weensobs.

Lumka: "Hearyouout ?Whatar eyou

goingt osay?It'
scleart hatt
heyare
tal
kingabouty outher e!Youarethe
onewho' sbeenincont actwith
Laml ani!Youaretheonehewant ed!
Whatst heretohearout ?Mmmh? !
"

MrD:
"Justl
ethersayherpi
ece.
"He
hasbeenqui
etal
lal
ong.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Nodad!Not hingshesay s
wi-
"hewasi nter
upptedbyaphone
cal
l."Call
mebackl ater, I
'm handl
i
ng
somet hi
ngrightnow....
..huh?Thandi
wenzeni?..
..
..what?
!.
...no!No!No! "
Het hrewthephoneagai nstthewall
.

MrsD: "
usalaphaJezebel
?!(
youare
sti
ll
hereJezebel!)Shecamecloseto
me, j
ustasshewasaboutt osl
apme
Siv
uy i
l
ey el
ledathertostop."
Yint
oni
nahwena? !Ndiyekendi
mkhuphe
ubufebeobuanabo! "
Siv
uy i
l
e:"myekemama, akut
het
hwa
ngayepha.(l
eavehermom.Theyare
nottal
kingaboutherther
e.)
"Hesai
d
ashesatdownont hecouchwit
hhi
s
handonhi shead.

Lumka:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"i
tsThandi
we.She'
stheone
onthevi
deo."

Lumka:
"What
?That
'si
mpossi
ble.
"
Lul
ama:"Thandi
wedoesn'
tl
ike
Lamlani
."

Lumka:"
Woahwai t!Letmecheckt
his
videoontheint
ernet.
"Ist
oodupand
ranupthestair
s

MrD: "That'
swhaty oushoul dhave
donei nthef i
rstplaceinsteadof
attackingthepoorgi rl
."Iheardhim
sayasIr anupt hestairs.Igottomy
room, l
ockedt heandt hrewmysel fon
thebedbef or
el et
tingoutal oudsob!
Icriedunti
l Ididn'
thavet earsany
mor e,Icri
edunt il
myheadhur t
.
■
□
SI
VUYI
LE

Ican'tbelieveIaccusedherofsuch!
Inmyhear tIknewshewoul dnever
dot hisbutatt hesamet imeIalso
didn'tthi
nkThandi woulddothi
s,I
meanI '
vebeenwi t
hherf ory
earsand
suchhasnev erhappened.The
momentIf oundouti twasThandi,I
couldn'tbringmy selftol
ookat
Lunat hiIdidn'tev
enwantt ocomf or
t
her.
Mom:"Whatdidwedo?
"Sheaskedi
n
apani
cki
ngtone.

Dad:"
Youov er
react edasal ways!You
shoul
dhav ewat chedt hevideo
befor
eyouat t
ackedt hegirl
.MnaI
al
readyknewt hatt heywer etal
king
aboutThandiwe, she'stheonlyone
whohaspot enti
al forthis.

Mom: "Whydi
dn'
tyoust
opme
t
atakhe."

Dad:
"asi
fyouwoul
dli
stent
ome.
"
Mom: "
Ineedtogoandapol
ogi
set
o
her
."Shestoodup

Dad:"Notnow.I'm surethepoorgirl
doesn'twanttoseeanyofy our
horr
iblefaces.Iwouldn'
tbesur pr
ised
i
fshecameoutcar r
yingherbagsand
walkoutt hatdoor
."Iquickl
yjumped
onmyf eetwhenbesai dthat."
Relax,
shewon' tdothat.
"

Me:
"Youdon'
tknowt
hatdad.Ineed
t
ospeaktoher.
"
Dad;"
tr
ustmeifshewantstoleave
shewilll
eav
e,nomatterwhatyousay
toher.
"Hewasr i
ght
."Wenanjeyou
needtodealwit
hyourotherwi
fe.
"

"Mor
ningfamil
y.
"Speakofthedevil
andheshall
appear.Thwaa!That
wasaslapfrom mom

Mom: "Thatsformakingmeaccuse
mydaught eri
nlaw."Thwaa!Anot
her
one."That'
sforcheati
ngonmyson!"
Herey eswentalloutasmom sai
d
that
.
Thandi
:"wh.
..whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about?
"

Mom: "I'
mtalkingaboutyiur
disgust
inginfi
deli
ty!Youevenhad
thenervetosleepwi tht
hatboyinmy
granddaughter
'sroom!Howsi ni
ster
areyou?!Rha!Youmakemesi ck!"
Shespitonher .

Me:
"WhyThandi
we?
"

Thandi
:
"I'
m sor
ry.
"Shesobbedas
shemadeherwaytome.
Me:
"Isai
dwhydammit
!!
"Ishout
ed
maki
ngherst
opmidwayofherwal
k.

Thandi
:
"Iwasdr
unk*
sob*hemade
medoit."

Lulama:"
Hemadey oudoit,
youwer
e
drunk.Whichonei
sisbi
tch?!
"

Thandi:
"Im sorr
ybaby.I
twasa
mistake.Ididn'
tmeanto."

Me:
"i
nmyhouse?
!Indaught
er'
sroom
Thandiwe?!Ishoul
dkil
lyouri
ghtnow!
Nowmyf amilynameistr
endi
ngon
social
medi abecauseofyouandyiur
l
itt
leboyfr
iend!!
"

Thandi:
"Tr
ending?OhGodnohe
di
dn't
!"Hereyeswereal
lout
.

Lumka:
"umbizanj
ani
uThi
xousi
sfebe!
Rha!Nj
akazi
!"

Dad:
"Lumka!
"

Lumka:
"Hay
sukaTat
a!"Shewas
angr
y.

Me:"
ohsoyourboyf
ri
endist
heone
whopost
edthatvi
deo?!
"Shecr
ied
ev
enmore

Thandi
:
"he'
snotmyboy f
riend.And
i
t'
snothim wholeakedt
hev i
deo,i
t'
s
Themba,yourf
ri
end!"

Me:"Howdar eyoul
i
eonmyFri
end!"
Itt
ookal oti
nmenottosl
apherr
ight
acrossherface!
Lulama:"
siesunyol
ukil
eThandi
we!
Didyoureall
yhavetogoafteraguy
thatwantedLunathi
!Youare
pathet
ic!
"

Me:"Doy ouknowwhaty ouandt hat

Lamlani ofyoursdidt ome? !Youcost
meagem!Youhumi liatedme!You
degradedme!Youdegr adedmy
famil
y'sname! !Ihatey ousomuch
ri
ghtnowThandi we!Idon' teven
knowwhyIam wast ingmybr eat h
eventalkingtoy ou!GETTHEHELL
OUTOFMYHOUSE! !ANDNEVER
SETFOOTHEREEVERAGAI N!!"Iwas
real
l
ymad, ont opoft hatIwashur t.I
can'
tbel
i
eveshedi
dthi
stome!
!

Thandi:
"Nonono!PleaseLeon,
.
i
havenowher eel
setogo,pl
ease
don'tdothi
stome."Thi
sbit
chis
crazy.

Lumka:
"Hehmhlol
a!Whataboutyour
mother
?!Si
siweh!St
artmovingor
el
seIwil
lmoveyoumy sel
f.
"

Me:"DadgetJongat otakethi
strash
out!
"Jongausmydad' sdri
ver."
When
Igetbackhere,
y oubetterbegone!
Anddon'teventhinkaboutgoingto
myroom totaket hosecl
othesthat
youboughtwithmymoney !
"Ileft
t
hem.standi
ngt hereandmademy
wayupt oLunathi'
sroom
Iknockedf oral
most15mi nut
esbut
sti
ll
nor esponse,Iguessdadwas
ri
ght.Ishouldgivehersomespace!I
wenttomyr oom andlai
donthebed
onmybackandst ar
edatthecei
l
ing.
Howcoul dshedot histome?Ihav e
geteveryt
hingshewant ed!
Money ,
holi
days,
cars,f
reedom!
Freedom?Di dImay begivehertoo
muchoft hat?Whywoul dshehurt
mel i
kethis?IknowIdi dn'
tlov
eher
anymorebutIst i
ll
caredabout
her,
al
ot.WhydoIf eel sohurt
?I
guessIneverthoughtshewoul d
cheatonme.Iknowt hisi
sabi t
hypocri
ti
calofmesi nceI'
vecheated
onhernumer oustimes,butInever
madeasext ape!
Ievent
ual
l
yhadt
oswi t
chmyphone
offsi
ncei
twasr
ingi
ngofft
hehook.
○
●
BOI
TUMELO

IguessIfel
lasleepinthemiddl
eof
mycr y
ingsession.Iwakeupwitha
pai
nfulhead,Icouldopenmyeyes
ful
ly.Yeahneh!JustwhenIt hought
I'
vebeent hr
oughitall thenboom!I
getaccusedofcheat ingandmaki ng
asext ape!Whathur tsmet hemost
i
st hatthequeenal sobel i
evesthatI
madet hesextape.Thenamest hat
she'scal l
edmewer esohur tful
.
Thinkingaboutthisjustbr ingstears
tomyey es.Fewmi nut esintomy
thought smyphoner ang

Me:
"Ausi
(si
s).
"

Bontl
e:"
Heybaby,
I'
vebeentr
yingt
o
reachyoubuty
ouweren'
tansweri
ng.
What
swr
ong?"Tear
sst
art
edbui
l
ding
upi
nmyeyes.

Me:
"oh*ahem*Iwassl
eepi
ng
mar
n,aski
es.
"

Bontl
e:"
sleepi
ngwhilether
edr
ama
happeni
ngi nt
hathouse?Arey
ou
i
nsane?"

Me:"
hayAusi
I'
m noti
nthemoodfor
Thandi
we'
ssextapedr
amanna.
"

Bont
le:
"sohowdi
dthef
ami
l
yreact
wheny
out
oldt
hem?
"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
ttel
lthem,
theyf
oundon
t
hei
rown."

Bontle:
"okay ,
sohowdi dtheyreact?"I
real
lywasn' ti
nt hemoodt otalk
aboutthis,butIknewIhadt o
becausei fIdidn'tshewouldknow
thatthereissomet hi
ngwrongwi th
me,andIdon' twanthert oknow
causei nknowshewi ll
tel
lmy
brotherswhowi l
l comehereand
causehav ocandIam notr eadyfor
such.
Me:
"Wel
ltheywer
eangr
y,Iguess.
"

Bontl
e:"
youguess?Kanty
ouwer
enot
ther
ewhentheyfoundout?"

Me:
"Iwashl
e."

Bont
le:
"And?
"Isi
ghed.

Me:"andtheywer
eangr
yand
shouti
ng.
"
Bontl
e:"
Reall
yPunkie?Sowenay ou
don'
twantt ogivemedet ail
sof
mogosiofyourmar i
talhomebutnnaI
al
way stel
lyouaboutmymar it
al
homedr ama."That'
strueshealways
does,butI
'mr eal
lynotinthemoodto
narr
atewhathappened.

Me:
"Sor
ryhl
eAusi
."

Bont
le:
"Sodi
dtheyki
ckherout
?"
Bont
lej
ustdoesn'
tgi
veup!

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
may
be.
"
Bontl
e:"
Youdon'tknow?Kantwena
whatdoy ouknow?May beIshoul
d
cal
lmychomzaandaskher ,wena
wabhora."

Me:
"Phephi
ausi
(sorr
ysis)
,Ij
usthav
e
at
hrobbi
ngheadache.
"

Bontl
e:"
headache?Youdon'tnormal
ly
getaheadache,youonlygetitwhen
youwerecryi
ngt oomuch.Tumi were
youcryi
ng?"Fuckthesetear
s!
Me:
"whatno?Whatwoul
dobecr
ying
f
or?
"

Bont
le:
"Yourvoi
cei
sshaki
ng.Who
di
dwhatt oyouBoi
tumel
o?!
"

Me:Noone.Iwasnotcr
yingAusi
."I
sai
dtry
ingtopul
lmysel
ftoget
her.

Bontle:
"Boi
tumel
o?"Shesaidinasoft
tone.Icoul
dhelpmyselfIj
ustbroke
outinasoftcry,
Idi
dn'tmeantoo.
"That'
sitwearecomingthere!
"
Me:"
Nopl easedon'
t.Ij
ustwantt
obe
al
one,Idon'twantanydrama.
"

Bont
le:
"yey
!Idon'
tcar
eaboutwhat
youwant!Wearecomingt
here!
"

Me:
"atl
eastcomealone.Don'
tcome
wi
ththebrother
s."

Bontl
e:"
Fine!
"Shehungup, Iletouta
deepsigh.Thi
siswhyIam suchacr y
baby,mysibli
ngstreatmelikeababy ,
theyar
eal waysf
ightingmybat t
les.
Someoneknockedont
hedoor
,Ikept
quietunti
ltheygaveupandl eft
.I
didn'
twantt otal
ktoanyoft hem,
howcoul dtheyaccusemeofsuch.I
getthattheydon'tknowme, butthey
shouldknowIwoul dneversl
eepwi t
h
anotherpersonotherthanSivuyi
le.
I'
m mor esupri
sesatLumkaand
Lulama,Imeant heyknowt hekindof
personThandiwei sbuttheysti
ll
thoughtitwasme.

Anot
herknock!

"
Babyi
t'
sme."I
twasBont
le.Iqui
ckl
y
j
umpedandopenedt
hedoor.She
ent
eredcl
osi
ngi
tbehi
ndher
.

Bontl
e:"hey.Whatwrong?Lookat
youreyes."Ij
umpedonherand
sobbedonherchest ."I
t'
sokaynana,
yoursisteri
shere.Shhh."Aft
eraf
ew
minutesofsobbingshel edmetothe
bed,wegotundert hecov er
.

Me:
"I
m sor
ryabouty
ourbl
ouse.
"

Bont
le:
"Nevermindtheblouse.Tel
l
mewhathappened."Inarrat
edthe
whol
estorytoher,f
rom beginni
ngto
endwit
htearsgushingoutofmy
eyes,byt het i
meIwasdoneshewas
fuming." Theydidwhat ?!Whogav e
Lumkat herighttosl apy ou? !Tengi f
youwer ethewi f
et heywer et aking
about,whatmadet hem thi nkt heyhad
theri
ghtt obeaty ouup? !"Notbeat
upslap, butIdidn'thav et hecour age
tocor r
ect i
nghersi nceshewas
breathingf i
re.

Me:
"cal
m downBont
le.
"

Bontl
e:"
Calm down?!Foreng?Have
youseenhowugl yyoulookwit
h
thosepuff
yey esandrednosenott
o
mentiont hosefivefi
nger sony our
cheekandy ouaretell
ingt o
calm.
down? !Heh!Wahl any awena!
Howdar etheyraisetheirhandsat
youandcay ounameswi thoutany
proof
!!Lumkay enaot lony el
a!Ketlo
mbont shamasepa!Yesesmar n!
"

Me:"Pl
easeausi!Idon'
twantany
drama.Ijustwanttogetmymindof
thi
ngs.CanIcomewi t
hyoutoyour
house,Idon'twantt
ogohome. "

Bont
le:
"Youdon'tev
enneedtoask.
Youshouldhaveshoul
dupthe
minutetheydi dthatshi
ttoyou!
Comel et'
sgo! "Wegotof ft
hebed,I
wor emysl eepersandtookmyand
wewentoutwi t
hherpull
ingmyhand
l
ikeI'm akid.Whenwegotdownt o
theloungeev eryonewasseated,
Sivuyi
lestoodupt heminutehesaw
uscomedownt hestair
s.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lu-
"

Bontl
e:"
Shuty ourst
upidtrap!I'
m
taki
ngBoitumelowithme!Anddon' t
youdarethinkaboutsett
ingy ourfoot
tomyhouseorIwi l
lsetyouonf ir
e."
Bont l
ewasr eall
yblowingthisoutof
proportionshame, thisi
sexactlywhyI
didn'twanthert oknow." Andwena!"
Shewasl ookingatLumka" You
bet t
erstartgoingtot hegym because
soonmeandy ouar ehavi
ngourown
wr estl
i
ngmat ch!"Amen!Wi ththat
saidshepul ledmyhandt ohercarwe
goti nanddr oveof f
!
♡
♡
♡
♡
HELLO♡
Goeasyont
hegi
rl
!Don'
tbehar
sh
Imi
ssedy
oual
lsomuch!
♡
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t40
□
□
□
□
□
Itwast hedayafterthewholedrama.
Iwasst il
latBontl
e'shouse,Idi
dn't
wantt ogobackt hereyest
erdaybut
todayIam goingback.Iwassi t
tingin
theloungegoingt hr
oughSivuyi
le's
countlessapologymessages.He' s
beencal l
ingandtextingsi
nce
yest
erday ,
he'ssisterstoo.TheQueen
hasbeenqui et,nott hatIwas
expecti
nganapol ogyf r
om her ,
you
knowt hatblackpar entsnev er
apologise.Bontl
ecamet othelounge
andsatnextt ome.

Me:
"I
'm goi
ngbackt
oday
."

Bontl
e:"
Excuseme,
what?Why?What
happenedtomaki
ngthem sweata
bi
t."

Me:"Event
ual
lyIwi
llhavet
ogobackI
am stuckwit
hthem remember
,Ican'
t
j
ustupandl
eav
e."

Bontle:
"Ohy esyoucan.Aker
eyou
havebeeni ntr
oducedtothei
r
ancestors?Soy oudon'
tneedtobe
aroundthem any more.
"

Me:"
That'
snottr
ue.Iam pr
act
ical
l
y
chai
nedtothatf
amil
yforther
estof
myli
fe.
"

Bontl
e:"
Igett
hat,butthatdoesn'
t
meany oushoul
dletthem takeyou
forapoes.
"Ichuckledatthe'poes'
part
Me:"ButIneedt
ogobackt oday
.
They'r
eleavi
ngforChul
u'
sceremony
l
atertoday.
"

Bont l
e:"So?It'snotli
key ouareher
mot her,y ouarenotneededt here.
"I
l
ookedather ."Keng?(What?)It
'st
he
trut
hmos.Youar enotgoing
anywher etheyneedt oknowt hat
theycan' ttakey ouforar i
de,phel
a
wenay ouar emysi ster.
"

Me:
"ButIneedt
obet
her
e."
Bont l
e:"Sayswho?Akoemehany an
please.Youar enotgoi ngany wher e.
Iftheyreallywanty ou,theywillcome
andf etchy out hemsel vesandy ou
willonlyleav eaftertheyhav e
apologised!Fut hi t
heyshoul d
apologisewi t
hasheep, youarea
crownedpr incessaf terall
!"Bontl
ei s
dramat icmyGod!

Me:"
Asheep?Hai
bo,t
heyarethe
oneswhogavemethatt
it
tl
e."

Bont
le:
"Yes,
it'
syour
ssot
heyshoul
d
dowhathastobedonewhen
apologisi
ngtoaf
utur
equeen.
"Amen!
Ican'twit
hthi
sone.

Me:
"I
yoh.
"

Bontl
e:"Wenayouarenotgoing
anywhereunt
ilt
heydorightbyour
famil
y.
"

Me:"No!Idon'
twantt
hefamil
yto
know,youknowhowy ourbr
other
s
are.
"

Bont
le:
"Wel
li
fyoukeeponsay
ingy
ou
aregoingbackt
her
esosoon,
Iwi
l
llet
them know.
"Wow!

Me:
"Youwoul
dn'
t.
"

Bontle:
"Tr
yme. "Withthatsai
dshe
stoodupandl eftt
ot hekit
chen.My
sist
erisonedramat i
chumanbei ng.
Asheep?Real l
y?Nowshewant san
offi
cial
apology?Ichuckledatthose
thoughts.
●
○
SI
VUYI
LE
Mom:
"She'
snotcomi
ngwi
thus?
"

Me:
"Idon'
tknowMa.Shehasn't
r
espondedtoanyofmytext
s."

Mom:
"Ev
ent
heoneaboutChul
u?"

Me:
"Yes!
"Iwasget
ti
ngi
rr
it
ated.

Mom: "
Iyoh.It
houghtshecar
edabout
her
."Ij
ustlookedatherandshook
myhead.
Dad: "
Ofcour seshecar esabouther,
youcannotuset hebabyt omakeher
comebackr unninghere.Youhav et
o
dot hingst hepr operway .Gotoher
andapol ogise.Idon'tunderst
and
whyy oukeeponcal l
i
ngherand
texti
ngherwhi l
ey oudidn'tof
fendher
byphone.Youwer estandingnextto
herwheny ousai dallt
hosehor r
ibl
e
thingst oher ,soifyouwantt o
apologise,got oher !
"

Mom: "I
ntoni
?(What?
)Wemadea
mistake,sheshoul
dunderstand.I
s
thi
swhatshe'sgoingtodoev eryti
me
shefacesapr obl
em inhermarit
al
home?She'
samar riedwi
fe,
afutur
e
queenatt
hat,sheshoul
dbeableto
handl
etheheat!
"

Dad: "Asifyouwoul ddot hesamei f

ther ol
eswer ereversed.Youkeepon
forgetti
ngthatshedoesn' tneedus
any more,wear etheoneswhoneed
her .Hersoulhasalreadybei ng
connect edtoourancest ors,that'
sall
sheneededt owakeherupf r
om her
deepsl eep.Whileinourcase, we
needhert osecur ethethrone.
Wi thouther,weloset hethrone!
Insteadofy oubusysay ingst upid
thingshere,youshoul dbel ookingfor
herandgroveli
ngforherapol
ogyand
prayi
ngthattheMokoenasdon'tf
ind
outaboutthi
s,becauseyouknow
theydon'
tplaywhenitcomestothei
r
daughter
."

Lumka:
"Whatdowemeanweneed
hert
osecur
ethethr
onedad?
"

Dad:
"Imeanexact
lyt
hat
!"Hest
ood
upandlef
t.

Lumka:
"Whatdi
dhemeanMah?
"
Mom: "
Idon'
tknowmybaby ."I
twas
si
lentforawhi l
eunti
lmyphone
decidedtodisruptme,i
twasmy
unclecall
ing.ThankGodit
'snott
he
medi a.

Me:"Tanci
.Ngabeyonkei
ntoi
hamba
kakuhle?
(Isev
ery
thi
ngokay?)
"

Tanci:
"Haykubi ndoda.Icalaleronti
kaMakhul uwakhosi vukelit
shi l
e.
UMaNdekanankuut hiulungisaizint
o
kunge'konakali
.(
Thesi deoft hehutis
burned.MaNdekai sheresay ingyou
needtof i
xthingsbef oretheygetout
ofcont
rol
.
)"

Me:"
Ndilungiseizi
nto?Hay
andi
kufumani xhego.(
Fixt
hings?I
don'
tgety ouoldman. )
"

Tanci:
"Ewe.Utheikumkani
kazi
ayi
gxothwakway o,uthi
umsebenzi
awuzulungaingekho
i
kumkani kazi
(Shesai
d,aqueenmust
neverbechasedoutofherhouse.
Thecer emonywon'tgowellwi
thout
her.
)"

Me:
"Nj
ani
?Umamanankuapha
akagxothwangamos.(
How?Mom i
s
her,noonechasedherout
.)
"

Tanci :
"Hai
ke,andazinam.Ndicinga
ubani khawulezenif
ikeapha,
ngi ba
uthethaintoengavakali
lomntu.(Hay,
I
alsodon'tknow.Ithinkyoushoul d
hur r
yandgether ebecauseshe's
talki
ngal otofthi
ngsthatdon'tmake
sense.)"

Me:
"Ohhay,kulungi
le.
Ndi
zawukwazisautata.
"Wehungup.

Mom:
"Kut
hwandi
gxot
hwe
xakut
heni
?"

Me:
"Hayandazi
nam.AllIknowi
s
t
hatweneedtogethomeASAP."

Lul
ama:
"WhataboutLunat
hi?
"

Me:"Iwilldealwi
thherwhenweget
back,thisisseri
ous.Halfof
Makhul u'
shuthasbur ntdown.
"

"
Int
oni
?!
"Thatwasdad.

Me:
"Ei
sh,
eweTat
a.AndTanci
sai
d
weneedt ogethomequi
ckl
y.And
apparentl
yMaNdekai
shavi
ngoneof
herepisodes.
"

Dad:"Lul
amaandLumkagogetour
bags.Sivuy
il
et ell
JongaandSi zweto
getthecarsready ,nkos'
kazwena
l
ungisaumnt ana,Iwi l
lcal
lthepi
lot
.
Wear eleavi
ngi n30mi nutes.
"He
rushedoutwithhi sphoneonhi s
hand.

◇
Fewhour
slat
erwehadal
ready
l
andedi
nEC.Wewerenowhomein
thethr
oneroom wher
eMaNdekawas
busygrowl
i
nglikeacrazywol
f.

MaNdeka:"
Abamboni
apha.
(Theysee
herher
e)"

Dad:
"Uban?
"

MaNdeka:"Abamboni!Abamboni
!"
Haike!Iwasgett
ingboredoft
hisnow.
"I
phiikumkani
kazi?
(Whereist
he
queen)"

Dad:
"Nankunj
eMama.
(her
eshei
s.)
"
MaNdeka:"
Hayi!Hayiyena!Ndit
sho
okhethi
we(Nother!Imeant hechose
one!)
"

Dad:
"Shei
sal
sot
hechosenone.
"

MaNdeka:"Bavuyise!Youknowv er
y
wellwhoIam t al
kingabout!Ewe
unkosi
kaziwakhongokhet hiweyo.
ButIam tal
kingaboutournew
chosenqueen!Hert imetorulehas
notcomeasy et,
butsheisourqueen
too.
"
Dad:"ULunathi
?OhhuhMama, ucel
e
ukuyobonaabakokwabonj e
okwet hut
yana.
"MaNdekagr owled
evenlouder!Thismanjustl
ied,not
thatIwantedhimt ot
ellt
het r
uth

MaNdeka: "
Bav uyise!!
"Shewar ned.
"Nimgxot helentoni?!
Ndandi ngatshongoubaf anele
nimphat hengent loniphoni ngamphuli
moy a? !Ndatshondat hil
o
ngohlukileyo!Akaf aninabany e
oKhet hiwe.(
Whydi dy oukickherout ?!
DidInott ellyout haty oumustt reat
herwi threspectandnotbr eakher
soul?!Itoldy outhatshei sdif
ferent
,
sheisnotli
ket heot herchosenones. )
Thisonehast heGodsonhersi de!
Evenifshewer et oleavebecause
youdidn'
ttreatherr i
ght,theGods
wouldnotpunishher ,i
nsteadt hey
wouldpunishy ouandpr otecther!!
Youneedhert okeept hi
ski ngdom to
yourfamil
y!Doy ouwantt ol osethis
ki
ngdom Bav uyise?!Huh? !"

Dad:
"Hay
iMama.
"

MaNdeka:
"Thenwhydi
dyoudef
ymy
or
der
s?"
Dad:
"Nooneki
ckedherout
.Shel
eft
onherown.
"

MaNdeka: "
Afteryourwi feutt
eredthe
wordst hatshemustgetoutofher
house!Shemi ghthavel eftatherown
wil
l,buty ourwifesti
llsaidshemust
l
eavet hehouse.I twoul dhavebeen
bett
erifshedi dn'tl
eav e,theGods
wouldnotbet hisangry !Youbroke
herhear t
!Madehercr y!Andki cked
herout!Andy oust i
llhav en'
t
apol
ogi sed!"

Me:
"Wet
ri
edt
oapol
ogi
seMaNdeka.
"
MaNdeka: "Youmeany outr
ied!I
tst
il
l
wasn'tenough!Theper sonthat
needst oapologi
sehasbot
apologised.
"Shelookedatmymom.
"Youal loweheranapol ogy
,
especiall
yyouBhelekazi!
"

Dad:
"Andkendi
baxel
-"

MaNdeke:
"NaweBav
uyi
se!
(Yout
oo
Bav
uyi
se!)
"

Dad:
"Mna?Andenzangant
onj
e(Me?I
di
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
)"

MaNdeka:"Exactl
y!Theceremonywil
l
notgoonwi thoutLunat
hi.Youbet
ter
getherbackbeforetheceremony.
"

Me:"
Soweneedt ogobackt oJoburg
andapologi
se.Herbr
other
saregoing
tomurderMe."

MaNdeka: "Youareluckythatshe
hasn'tt
oldherfamil
y .Youbetter
hurrybeforeshedoes!Bhelekazi
,
takemet omyhut .
"Mom st oodup
andhelpedherout.
Me:
"Nowwhat
?"

Dad:"
Wearegoingbackt
oJobur
gto
fet
chourchosenone.
"
●
○
"
Wakeup!
"ThatwasBont
leshaki
ng
me.

Me:
"mmmhwhat
?!"

Bont
le:"
Yourin-
lawsareher
e."I
qui
cklysatupstrai
ght
.
Me:
"What
?"

Bont
le:
"Yes"

Me:
"Whoandwho?
"

Bontl
e:"
Siv
uyi
le,
theshedevi
l
si
ster
s,t
heoldhag,theKi
ngandt
wo
men."

Me:
"Whatdot
heywant
?"
Bont
le:
"Youofcour
se?
"

Me:
"Howdi
dtheyknowIwasher
e?"

Bontle:
"It
oldthem.Theli
tt
leShe
devil
askedmewher eyouwere,I
assumedt heywantedtoapologi
se
soItoldher,Idi
dn'
tknowshewas
goingtocomewi ththewholevil
l
age.
"

Me:
"Whatt
imei
sit
?"

Bont
le:
"Justaf
ter8.
"
Me:
"Theyhav
en'
tl
eftf
orEC?
"

Bontl
e:"
Ayy,Idon'
tknow.Goandask
them y
ourselv
es."

Me:"
Well
maket hem somethi
ngt
o
dr
inkwhi
leIwashmyf ace.
"

Bont
le:
"Eng?Kagr
ocery
amang?
"

Me:
"ComeonBont
le.
"

Bont
le:
"Eh.Eh.Theydon'
tdeser
veto
usemyut ensil
s,t
heyarel
uckythatI
evenl etthem sitonmycouches.
Somet hi
ngt odr i
nkforthewhy ?
Tjoh!"Shet urnedandl ef t
.Iqui
ckly
gotupandwentoutt ot hebathroom
towashmyf ace.Iwentt othelounge
andi ndeedmyi n-l
awswer esit
ting
therewi t
houtany t
hingtodr i
nk.
BontleandLi zwiwer esitt
ingont he
chairs,Iwentt ositont heempt yone
i
nbet weent hem.

Li
zwi
:
"Wecanbegi
n."

MrD:
"Uhm.Lunat
himntanam,we
woul
dli
ketohumblyapol
ogi
sefor
whatwedi dtoyou.I
twaswr ongof
ustoaccusey ouofsomethi
ngwhil
e
wedidn'thaveproof
."Whyishe
apol
ogising?He'
snottheonewho
wrongedme.

Mr sD:"Yesmychi l
d.Si
suke
sathathwangumsi ndo,wearereal
l
y
sorry.Ishoul
dn'thavecall
edyoual
l
thosenames, itwaswr ongofme.
Pleasef or
giv
eme. "

Lumka:
"Iam al
sosor
ryf
orsl
appi
ng
you.
"
Bont
le:
"Wena!Wena!
"Shewas
poi
nti
ngatLumka.

Li
zwi
:
"Cal
m downbaby
."

Siv
uy i
le:
"Ishouldhavewai tedt o
gatheralltheinf
ormation.I'm sorr
y,I
shouldn'thaveall
owedmy selftobe
controll
edbyemot ions.Please
for
giveme, usandcomehome. "Heh!
Comehomeneh.

Me:"
Ihearyouall,Iam notoneto
hol
dagr udge.Idoaccepty our
apol
ogy.
"Bont l
elookedatmel ikeI
hadgr
ownasecondhead.

Bontle:
"Accept?Justlikethat ?Never
!
Ifyouwer etheonewhohaddoneal l
thosethingstot hei
rpreciousson
theywoul dwanty ouapologi sewit
ha
breathi
ngani mal!"OhGoddon' tt
ell
met hatmysi sterwasser iousabout
thesheep."Wedemandt haty ou
appeaseuswi t
hal iv
ingsheep! "
Appease, whatisshe?AGod?

Lul
ama:
"Asheep?
"

Bont
le:
"Youhear
dme.Whydoesi
t
havetobedi f
ferentbecausei t
'smy
sist
er?Sheisacr ownedpr i
ncess,
shedoesn'tdeserveapl ainapology .
Rekopankuhohl atswamot sewaba
Koena."Shewasn' tplayi
ng.Shewas
real
lyseri
ous,tosayIwasshocked
wouldbeanunder statement.Iturned
andlookedatLizwi ,helookedlikehe
wantedtolaughsobad.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Wherear
ewegoi
ngt
ogeta
sheepatthi
sti
me?"

Bont
le:
"Youcangeti
ttomor
row.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Butweneedtogoback
homewithBoi
tumel
otoni
ght
."

Bontl
e:"
Haike,Iguessy ouhav eto
makeapl anv eryquicklycausemy
si
steri
snotl eavingthishousewi tha
sheep.
"Mysi sterisadr amaqueen.
TheDlamini'
swer edefeated.They
l
ookedliketheywer eoutofopt ions.

Uncl
e1:
"uhm,
youwi
l
lgeti
t.
"

MrD:"Shewi
l
l?"Hel
ookedhi
m
conf
used.
Uncl
e1:
"Yes.Andwhat
everel
seshe
want
s."

Bont
le:
"Don'
ttemptme,pl
easeMr
."I
want
edt ol
aughatthat
.

Uncle:
"Maybewecangi v
eittoy ou
al
readyslaughter
edandcutinto
pi
ecessincey oucan'
tsl
aughterit
here.
"

Bont
le:
"No.Iwanti
tal
i
ve."Whati
s
shegoi
ngtodowi t
haliv
esheep?
Uncle:
"Oh,uhm canIpleasespeakto
youinpriv
ate?"Hewasl ookingat
Lizwiwhowasl aughi
ngsi l
entl
ynext
tome.Hequi ckl
ycomposedhi msel
f.

Lizwi
:"Ofcourse.
"Heledthewayout
thehouse.The2uncl es,
theKingand
Sivuyi
lefol
lowedhim.Theylef
tusin
av er
yawkwar dsil
ence.

Me:"
Thisi
sawkwar
d."Iwhi
sper
edt
o
Bont
le
Bontl
e:"Noit'
snot.Ri
ghtnowIwant
tobeatthesetwoshedev i
l'
s.
"She
whisperedback.Wellshewas
whisperi
ngabitloud

Me:"
whatoft
heycanhearus.
"She
j
ustl
ookedme.

Bontl
e:"
Sotel
lmeLumka,whatmade
youthi
nkyoucanlayy
ourski
nny
handonmysi st
er?
"

Lumka:"
Uhm,
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ryabout
that
."
Bontl
e:"Idi
dn'taskyoutoapologi
se,
I
j
ustaskedaquest i
onthatneedsan
answer.Anywayt ell
me, whenarewe
havi
ngourwr est l
i
ngmat ch?ImeanI
can'
tletyougetawaywi thbeati
ng
mysisterup."Shedidn'
tbeatmeup,
i
twasj ustasl ap.

Me:
"Bo-
"

Bont
le:"
Shutup.
"Iyoh!Ikeptquiet
."I
wasthinkmaybe,onthe31st .What
doyout hi
nk?
"Lumkaj ustlookedat
herl
ikeshewasgoi ngcrazy,maybe
shewasi ndeedgoi ngcr azy ."No
response?Wel lIguessIwi llhav et o
organiseev erythingf orust hen. "My
sist
eri sreall
ycr azy.The' men' came
backi nsi
deaf teraf ewmi nut es.It
hasbeendeci dedt hatIwi llleav ewi t
h
theDlami nifami lytonight, mucht o
mysi ster'
sdisappr ov alsinceshe
didn'
tgethersheepbutt hepr omi sed
tohav eitdeliv
er edt oherf i
rstt hing
tomor rowmor ning,whi chIknowi sa
l
ie.Iwasnotr eallythr i
ll
edaboutt his
goingbackt otheDl ami nis
decisi
on,butIwashappyt hatIwas
goingt oattendChul u'scer emony .
Wehadal
readyl
andedandwer
enow
tr
av ell
ingbycar stotheXhosa
Kingdom, Iwaswi thSivuy i
l
eandhi s
sist
er s.Theyt ri
edt omakea
conv ersationwi thmebutIwasn' t
havingi t
, Iwasj ustgivingthem one
wor danswerunt i
ltheyf i
nall
ydeci ded
toleav emeal oneandwet ravell
edi n
sil
ence.Themi nuteweent eredt he
Compoundt herainstartedpour ing,I
don'tknowwhy .Theguar dsqui ckly
camet ouswi thumbr ellasaswe
j
umpedof ft
hecar sandi nt
ot he
house.Si ncei twasal readyl ate,I
wentst r
aighttomybedr oom wi thmy
bagofcl othes,whi chIhadpacked
fr
om Bont l
e'
shouse.Ichangedi nto
mysi
lkni
ghtdr
essandgoti
nunder
t
hecover
.
Iwasonmyphonesur fi
ngthe
i
nternet,unfortunatel
yThandiweand
Lamlani werest i
lltr
endi
ng,what
mademat terswor sewasthatthe
royalf
ami l
ywasal sodraggedinto
thi
sscandal .Idialedanumberonmy
phone,shepi ckedupaf t
erthefi
rst
ri
ng.

Me:
"Moghel
!Howar
eyou?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yeey!Don'
taskmet hat
,why
di
dn'
tyoutellmethatmadam Bar
bie
gothersel
finv
olv
edi
nasex
scandal?"

Me:"
Eyyfr
iendIal
sohadmyown
dr
amat odealwit
h."

Zintl
e:"
Drama?Whathappened? "I
start
ednar r
ati
ngt hewholestoryt
o
her."Bontl
ewillneverchange
shame. "Shesaidasshel aughed.

Me:"Isti
l
lcan'
tbel
iev
ethatshe
actual
lydemandedasheepf r
om
them andshewassoserious.
"She
l
aughedev enmore.
Zintl
e:"Youknowy i
ursist
erisa
dramaqueen.Mi naIcan'
tbeli
eve
thatther oy
alfamil
ythoughtyou
weret hegurlonthetape.
"

Me:"Imagine!That
'showl owthey
thi
nkofme.Iam sodi sappoi
nted,I
don'tevenwannamakeni cewith
anyoneher ecauseIdon'tthi
nkIwill
beabl etohandlei
twhent heyturn
thei
rbackonmeagai n."

Zint
le:
"Don'
tvele!Theydon'
tdeser
ve
yourfr
iendshi
p.Justbecivi
ltowar
ds
t
hem, butdon'
tform astrongbond
wi
ththem causey oucanseethat
t
heywoul dtur
ntheirbacksony ou
wi
thi
nspl i
tsecond."

Me:"Yeahneh?Any
who,
wher
e'sy
our
si
ster?"

Zintl
e:"
She'
sinherr oom hi
ddi
ng.She
gotabeat i
ngofal if
eti
mephela,
may beshe'sli
ckingherwounds.
"She
burstoutwithlaughter
.

Me:
"Beat
ing?Fr
om who?
"
Zint
le:
"Mom anddad.Mom bapt i
sed
herwithafewslaps,whil
edad
workedonherbodywi thherbel
t.You
shouldhaveseenherscreamingand
cryi
ng!I'
veneverl
aughedsohardin
myent i
reli
fe.
"

Me:"Thi
sisdi
stur
bing.Whywoul
d
youlaughaty
oursisterget
ti
nga
hidi
ng?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Heh!Awumaz i
uThandiwe
wena(
youdon'tknowThandi
we.)I
gr
ewupwi tht
hischi
ck,shedeser
ves
t
hist
reat
mentIam gi
vi
ngher
."

Me:"
Iwouldli
ketoknowthest
ory
behi
ndyourfeudwit
hyoursi
ster
somedayyaz."

Zint
le:
"Onedayy ouwil
lgi
rl
.If
orgot
totell
you!Iam goingonabaecat
ion
withThami t
omor r
ow."

Me:"Wenanah?Tshi
sagi
rl
!Wher
e
ar
ey ouguy
sgoing?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Dur
ban.Anddon'
twor
ry,
Iwi
l
l
bebackbef
orethe31st.Mi
nanawe
ar
egoingcl
ubbingonthe31st
..
..Wel
l
wit
hThami'
sfri
ends.
"

Me:
"YouknowIdon'
tl
ikecl
ubs.
"

Zintl
e:"
YeahIknow,
that
'swhyIwas
tel
li
ngy ouandnotaski
ngyou.
"I
roll
edmyey es.

Me:
"Bu-"Knock!Knock!Iignoredit
.
"
ButIdon'twanttogo,especial
lyon
t
heb-"Knock!Knock!Aghh!
Zi
ntl
e:"
Someonei
satt
hedoor
."

Me:"Iknow.Comein!"Andinenter
ed
thehusband."Gi
rl
,thehusbandhas
j
ustent er
ed.Wewillt
alktomorr
ow
neh"

Zi
ntle:
"Don'
tgi
vehimthecookie,he
doesn'
tdeserv
eit.
"Il
aughed.Siv
uyil
e
wentont heot
hersi
deofthebed

Me:"Don'
tworr
yIwon'
t.
"Hegoti
n
underthecov
ers.
Zintl
e:"
goodgi r
l!YouknowIhav ea
mi ndofdraggingt hi
scal
landnotl
et
youhangupsot hatyouguysdon'
t
gettotalk.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Youev
ilchi
l
d!"

Zint
le:
"Im seri
ous.Bitbecause
tomorrowIhav etowakeupear ly
,I
won'tdothat.Usindi
l
euswi ne!Bye
boo,Ilov
ey ou."

Me:"
Iloveyoumor ehun.
"Wehungup.
Theidi
otnexttomewasl ookingup
att
heceili
ng,notsayi
nganything.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Im sor
ry.
"Hesai
daf
tera
l
ongsil
ence.

Me:
"You'
veal
readyapol
ogi
sed.
"

Sivuy
ile:
"ButIfeel
li
key ouhaven'
t
for
givenmet hough."Ikeptqui
et
"Havey ou?
"

Me:
"Ihav
e."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Thenwhyhaven'
tyousaida
wordt
omesi ncewel
eftyoursi
ster
's
house?
"

Me:
"Ther
ewasnot
hingt
osay
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Ther
e'salott
osay.Youcan
tel
lmehowmuchy ouhat
emeaf ter
whatIdi
dt oyou.
"

Me:"
Idon'thateyou."Damn!IswearI
di
dn'
tmeant osaythat.Icoul
dfeel
hi
ssmile.Thepointistomakehi m
gr
ovelf
ory ourforgi
venessnotmake
hi
m smiledumbass!
Si
vuyi
le:
"Wel
lI'
m gl
adt
ohearthat.
ThatmeansIcansl
eepher
etonight?
"

Me:
"I
fyouwantt
o."I
'
m st
upi
d!Iknow!

Si
vuy
il
e:"
CanIhol
dyou?
"

Me:"
No.Youcansleepher
e,butdo
nott
ouchme."Okay!"
Goodnight
Si
vuyi
le.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Butwear
est
il
ltal
ki
ngnj
e."

Me:
"Iwantt
osl
eep.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Goodni
ghtmyl
ove.
"Eh!I
'
m
hi
s'l
ove'now?Wow!
•
°
•
°
Bestsi
sterawar
dgoest
oBont
le!

Whatisi
tthaty
oudoNOTl
i
keabout
Boi
tumel
o?
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t41
○
●
○
●
○
Iwokeupt
oSi
vuy
il
est
ari
ngatme.

Me:"
Dude,that
'scr
eepy.Whyar
eyou
st
art
ingatmesoear lyint
he
morning?
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Morningtoy outoo.I
f
admiri
ngmywi f
e'sbeautyisacreepy
thenIguessIam acr eep.
"Irol
ledmy
eyes.Igotof
fthebedandwent
strai
ghttot hebathroom, Itooka
shower .Icameoutandwentt othe
closettolookf orsomet hingtowear .
"Uhm babe.Youneedt oweart he
samecl othesy ouwer ewear ingthe
dayaf t
erwegotmar r
ied!"He
shoutedf r
om t hebedroom asIwas
stil
li
nadi lemmaofchoosi ngan
outfi
t.Iwentt ostandbyt hecl oset
door

Me:
"Why
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Because,
mostoftheelder
s
ar
ehere.Youknowhowt r
aditi
onal
ol
dfol
ksar
e."

Me:"
Her
e?Atthi
sti
me?Imeant
he
cer
emonyi
stomorr
ow."

Sivuyil
e:"
Theygother ey esterday
,
somear earrivi
ngt oday .Weast he
Dlamini f
ami lyhav etobei nthesame
yardthedaybef or ethecer emony .I
t'
s
tr
adition."Ididn'tevenaskany more
questions.Iwentt obacki ntothe
closetandchoseasi mpl elong
sleeveddr ess,itwasbel owt heknee.
Luckilyforme, mymot heri nlaw
gift
edmewi t
ht hingst hatIwoul d
needt odressupl ikea" respectf ul
makot i
",Iam tal
kingabout ,
head
wraps/scarvestocov ermyupper
bodyandsomet oplacear oundmy
waistandofcour se" ifaskot i
"of
whichIwasnotpl anni ngon
wearing,
theymademel ookv er
yol d.I
wasonl ygoingtouset hescar ves
andsmal lblankets(i
tshal i/tshale).
Iwentbackt otheroom already
dressedi nmyat ti
re,ImustsayI
l
ookedgood, Isawt hatinthe
mirror,
Lol.Istoppedonmyt racksas
Icouldn'tbeli
evewhatIsawbef ore
me.Si vuyil
e,myspoi l
tarrogant
'
husband' wasmaki ngthebed, wel
l
hewast
ryi
ngt
omakei
t.

Me:
"Letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"I
t'
sfi
neIwi
l
lmanage.
"I
l
aughedalit
tl
e.

Me:
"Ii
nsi
st.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Why
?Am Inotdoi
ngi
t
ri
ght
?"

Me:"
Somethi
ngliket
hat.Marao
zameshame(butyoutr
ied)
"Itook
overt
hejob,wi
thinafewmi nut
esI
wasdone."There!That
'showy oudo
i
t.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iwasalsogoingt
omakei
t
l
ikethat
."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"I
m sur
eyouwer
e."Hel
aughed.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Canwesitandt
alk.
"Ir
eal
l
y
don'
twanttotal
k.

Me:"Nocando.Ineedtogettothe
ki
tchenasi
nnow, yourcr
azyaunti
s
her
ephel
a."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hay
suka,
Theycanwai
t.
"

Me:
"Ni
cef
oryoutosay
.Youwon'
tbe
t
heonewhoendur
esherhar
sh
wor
ds.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Shewoul
dn'
tdar
esay
anythi
ngharshtoy
ou."

Me:"Younev erknowwiththe
Dlaminis,
theyal
lhaveshar
p
tongues."
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
What
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?"

Me: "
Nothing,nothi
ngatall.Ineedto
go,wenagoandt akeabat h.
"I
quickl
yexi stedtheroom l
eav i
nghim
call
ingbehi ndme.Heneedst oknow
thatImighthav eforgiv
ent hem,but
I'
vecertainlynotforgot
tenwhatwent
downaf ewday sago.
Thepalacewasbuzzi
ngwithpeople,
ever
yonewasbusywithsomet hi
ng.It
wasupanddown, i
nandout .Idon'
t
getwhytheywer
emaki ngsuchabi g
dealoutofasmal lceremony .The
minuteIgott othekitchen,theev i
l
auntinstr
uctedmet omakebr eakfast
foral
l t
heelders, i
twashect icbut
l
uckil
yoneofSi vuyil
e'
scousi ns
Asenathiwast herehelpingme.I
hadn'
tseenLumkaandLul amasi nce
Icamedownher e.
○
Iwasnowi nmyr oom chi l
li
ngwith
Asenat hiandChul uwhowasbusy
l
ookingatmeandsmi l
ingfor
absolutelynor eason.Shewaswi t
h
Siv
uyile'ssist
erst hisentir
etime,t
he
minuteIsawherIj umpedf orherand
ki
ssedheral loverthef acebutwhenI
gaveherbacktoLumkashestart
ed
cry
ing,
soIhadnochoi cebutt
obring
heruptomyr oom wi
thme.

Asenat
hi:
"t
hankGodt
hedayi
s
al
mostover."

Me:"Yeahneh.SisNomthut
huzeli
sureknowshowt omakeaperson
work."Nomthuthuzel
ii
sthe
"ev
il/
crazy
"aunt.

Asenathi
:"
Iwonderhowhersi
ster
wivescopewit
hher."
Me:
"Si
sterwi
ves?
"

Asenathi
:"
Yeah,TanciMthobel
elihas
3wi v
es.Nomt hut
huzel
ibeingt
he
fi
rstone,f
oll
owedbySi manyethen
Akhani.
"

Me:
"woah,
Idi
dn'
tknowt
hat
."

Asenathi:
"Didn'tyouseethetwo
beautif
ulladiesthatwereweari
ng
dressesthatalmostl ookedsi
mil
ar.
"
Me:"Thosetwocl
assyl
adiesar
e
Tanci'
swives?
"Iwasshocked.

Asenat
hi:
"Yep.Theyhav
ethei
rown
busi
ness,
whileNomthuisahouse
wif
e."

Me:"
Yoh!Nowondert
hepoorl
adyi
s
sobit
ter
."

Asenathi
:"
Letsstoptal
kingabout
them.Tellmemor eabouty oursel
f.
"I
hatethatquest
ion,
orstatement.
Me:"
Uh,ther
e'snot
hingtotellr
eal
ly.
I
'mjustasimplegi
rl
."Idi
dn'tknow
whattosay.

Asenathi:
"WellIwi l
ltellyouabout
my sel
fthen."Ididn'taskhert odo
that.MaybeIshoul dkeepmy
thoughtstomy self
."Iam Asenat hi
as
youknow, Thobel a'
ssecondbor n,I
am 19y earsofage, Iam goingtodo
myf ir
styearinLLBi nUJ.Idon't
reall
yhavef r
iends.OhhhandIdon' t
haveaboy fri
endt oo. "SeewhyI
neveranswert he" t
el lmeabout
yourself
"questions,becausey ouend
upsay i
nguneccesar ythings.
Me:"UJhuh?Ni ce."Iwasn'
taboutto
tel
lherthatIam al sogoingtoUJ,I
don'twantt obef ri
endwithher.I
havedeci dedtokeept heDlamini
familyattheci vi
l
izati
onzone,not
fri
endship/closezone.

Asenat hi
:"Iknowr ight!Ican'twai
tto
gettot hecityandex plor
e,
experiencef r
eedom andl iv
emyl if
e
tothef ul
lest!"Hehseemsl ikethi
s
onei sgoingt obeapr oblem.My
phonebeepedj ustasIwaspl aci
nga
sleepingChul uont hebed.
"Wanttocomewi
thmet
otown?
"
Siv
uyi
le.

"No.I'
mt i
red."Ir
esponded,thenI
switchedoffmyphonebecauseI
knewhewasgoi ngtocallmeas
soonasher eci
evesthetext,Ij
ust
praythathedoesn'tcomei nhere.

Asenat
hi:
"Youaresuchagood
motheryazi.
"Shewaslooki
ngatme
wit
hasmi le,whi
chIgl
adlyr
etur
ned.
Me:
"Thanks,
Itr
y."

Asenathi:
"Heh!Sotel
lme,Ihearthat
bhutihasanotherwif
eandt hatwif
e
recentl
yhadasexscandal."Ohboy !
Herewego!

Me:
"Yeah,
Thandi
we.
"

Asenat
hi:
"Hehntombi,
howdidy
ou
feel
aboutshar
ingyourman?
"Real
l
y?!

Me:
"Hewasnotmyman,
sti
l
lisn'
t.
"
Asenat
hi:
"Whatdomean?Hei
syour
man,youguy
saremarri
ed.
"

Me:"Yeah,onl
ytoconvi
ncet
he
ancestor
s,other
wiset
herei
snol
ove
betweenus."

Asenat
hi:
"Hay
!It
hiuy
adl
alawena.
"

Me:"
Im ser
ious.Hei
sinl
ovewi
th
Thandi
we."

Asenathi
:
"HayIdon'
tbel
i
evethat,
not
af
terIsawthewayhewaslookingat
y
outoday.Thatguylovesyou,
may
be
y
ouaretooblindtosee."

Me:"
Yeahr
ight
."Ir
oll
edmyeyesasI
gotamemoryofafewdaysago.

Asenat
hi:"
I'
m ser
ious,
phel
aIknow
theset
hings.
"

Me:"Wellexpertthisti
mearoundy ou
arewrong,Siv
uy i
ledo-"Iwas
i
nteruppt
edbyt hedooropening.
"Speakofthedev ilandheshall
appear.
"Iwhi speredtoAsenathiwho
l
aughed.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arey
our
eady
?"Hewas
l
ooki
ngatme

Me:
"Forwhatnow?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Isenty
ouat
extnj
eLunat
hi.
"

Me:
"AndIr
epl
i
ed.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
ComeonNat hi
,wewi
l
lbe
qui
ck.
"Nathi
?That
'sanewone
Asenathi
:
"Qui
ck?Mmmh. "Shehada
smirkonherf
ace,Ii
gnor
edher

Me:"
Imreall
yti
redSi
vuyi
l
e.Pl
usI
wanttospendti
mewithRat
u."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Doi
ngwhat
?She'
ssl
eepi
ng.
"

Me:"
Shewi l
lwakeupsoon,she'
s
beensleepi
ngforqui
etsometime
now."Ili
ed

Sivuy
il
e:"Wewi
l
ltakeherwi
thus
then.
"
Me:"
Arey
oucrazy?She'
ssti
ll
sl
eepi
ng,
Iwon'twakeherup.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"Wewi
l
lwai
tforhert
owake
upthen."

Me:"
She'
snotgoi
ngt
owakeup
any
timesoon.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Buty
ousai
dshewi
l
lwake
upsoon.
"Ohsnap!

Me:
"Ohuhm.
.uhIdi
dsayt
hatdi
dn'
t
I
."Asenat
hil
aughedoutl
oud.

Asenathi
:
"Youguy sar
esocute."She
carr
iedonlaughi
ngevenaf
terthe
star
eIgaveher.

Si
v uyi
le:
"Whydoesitseem l
i
key ou
don'twantt
ogowi t
hmebaby ?
"Baby?
Right!

Asenathi
:
"Baby
?Iy
oh.
"Shewas
st
arti
ngtoannoymenow.

Me:
"Iam r
eal
l
yti
red.Iwaswor
kingal
l
day
,yousawthat.Whatar
eyou
goi
ngtobuyanyway?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Al
cohol
fort
omorrow."
Al
cohol,
wow!Isi
ghedinf
rustr
ati
on.

Me:"Youreal
lycameupheretobeg
met ogowithyoutobuyal
cohol
?
Reall
ySi
vuyil
e?Andyouevenwanted
ustogowi t
hRatu!Wahl
anyamara?"

Sivuyi
le:
"Yeah,
what'
swrongwith
that?
"Ilookedathi
m abitangr
y.
Me: "
Byeby eSivuyi
le.Iam sur
eoneof
yourMALEcousi nswi l
lbewil
li
ngt
o
gowi thyou."Iemphasisedonmale.
Whywoul dheaskmet ogobuy
alcoholwithhim?WhatdoIknow
aboutalcohol.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Asenat
hicoul
dyoupl
ease
gi
veusamoment .
"

Asebathi
:"
Ofcourse.Takeallt
hetime
youneed.AndIwi l
ltakethesl
eeping
beautywit
hme"Shegav emea
naughtysmil
easshewentoutt he
doorwithasleepi
ngChulu,Idon't
evenknowWhyshewastaki
ngher
.
Sivuy
il
ecamet
ositnextt
omeonthe
couch

Siv
uyi
le:
"What
'swr
ongbaby
?Whyar
e
youangr
yatme."

Me:"
I'
m notangr
y,I
'
m annoy
edat
you.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Why
?Whatdi
dIdo?
"

Me:"
haonahanasometimes
wena(Youdon'
tthi
nksometi
mes.
).
Pl
usy
ouar
esel
fi
sh.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Sel
fi
sh?Mnababy
?(me
baby
?)"

Me:"Yes.I fy
ouwer enotselfish,you
wouldn' tbeherebeggi ngmet ogoto
theshopswi t
hy ouafteryousawhow
hardIwaswor kingtoday.Yousaw
yourauntwasl iter
all
yonmyneck
maki ngmedoal mostev ery
thing.
Inst
eadofunder st
andingwhenIt el
l
yout hatIam t i
red,wenaomo( y
ou
areher e)askingmet ocomewi th
you."Iwasr eallyannoy ed.
Sivuyi
le:
"I
'm sor
rybaby
,Ithoughtyou
didntwantt ospendti
mewi thme
that'
swhyIwasher etryi
ngto
persuadey outocomewithme. "

Me:"
Wellnextt
ime,useyourbrai
n."I
don'
tknowwherethatcamef r
om.

Sivuy
ile:"Haike
Lunathi,sund'qhela(don'
tgetfami
liar
withme. )I'
m sor r
yforwhatIdid,
I
waswr ongbutt hatdoesn'
tgiveyou
theri
ghtt odisrespectme."Iy
oh!I
wentmut esamet i
me."Whydon'tI
gi
veyouamassage? "Thi
sguyis
bi
pol
arIswear,onesecondagohe
waspissedandnowhe'soff
eri
ngme
amassage.

Me:
"Youhavet
ogot
otown
r
emember.
"

Sivuyi
le:"
Iwil
l
,butafterImakey ou
feelgood."Okay!Idon'tthi
nkhe'
s
tal
kingaboutthemassage.Il ooked
athim, hehadanaught ysmi l
eonhis
face.Istooduponmyf eet
.

Me:
"No!
"Hel
aughed
Si
vuyi
le:
"What
?Youdon'
twanta
massage?"

Me:"Youknowv erywel
lthatyou
werenott
alkingaboutt
hat."He
l
aughedagain.

Sivuy i
le:
"WhatwasIt al
kingabout
ke? "Hest oodInfr
ontofme, hewas
close, waytooclose."
Huh?"He
directedhisfacetomyneckand
startedplanti
ngkissesther
e,damnit
feltgood!Iheardmy sel
fmoan, I
didn'tmeant o.
Me:
"Mmmh,
stopSi
vuy
il
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Areyousur
eyouwantmet
o
st
opbaby?"No!

Me:"Mmmmh. "Mybreat
hhit
chedas
hesuckedonneck,I
'
m pret
tysur
e
thati
sgoingt
oleav
eamar k.

Sivuy
ile:
"Ar
ey ousurey ouwantmeto
stop?"Hewasl ookingatme,whil
ehi
s
handswer eonmywai st,
damnhe
l
ookedsexy ,Iwantedhi m.I
t'
sbeena
whi l
eaf t
eral l
.Idon' tknowwhat
happenedbutIf oundmy selfleaning
ov erandki ssinghi m whi l
eonmy
ti
ppyt oes, hegl adlyr espondedt ot he
kiss.Ourt ongueswer emaneuv ering
eachot heri nav eryper fectr hythm,
thiswasn' tthesl owt ypeofki ss,it
wast he' f
uck- me- ri
ght now' t
y peof
kissf i
lledwi thpassi onandemot ions.
Icoul df eel my selfdampendown
thereasIhel dhi shar ddi cki nmy
hand.Cl othesst ar t
edl eav ingour
bodi esonebyone, Iwasnowi nmy
undi eswhenhel aidmeont hebed.
Hegotont opofme, startedki ssing
meonceagai n, hewental ltheway
downtomynana,
l
eavi
ngt
rai
l
sof
ki
ssesonmybody.

Sivuy i
l
e: "
You' vebeenwai tingf orthis,
hav en'
ty oubaby ?"Hesai dwhenhe
placedhi sf ingeronmycov erednana.
Ihidmyf acewi t
hmyhands." Don't
beshy ,I'
vebeenwai ti
ngf ort histoo.
I'
vebeenwai t
ingt obebur ymy sel
fin
yourhothoneypotagai n."Canhe
stopt alkingal ready !Asi fher eadmy
mi nd,het ookofmypant yand
startedf eedingonmydr i
ppi ngwet
nana, Icoul dn'thol dmyscr eams, I
sweari fthesewal lswer en' tsound
proof ,peoplei nt hel oungewi thhear
myscr eams.Hewor kedhi st ongue
onmynana, focusi ngmor eonmycl i
t,
hewassucki ngr eallyhar dIcoul d
feel mysel faboutt oexpl ode...
.f ew
secondsl ater,Icoul dn' tholdmysel f,
Ireleasedav er ymuchant i
cipat ed
l
iquid.Hest oodupandl ookedatme,
hisey eswer ebloodr ed,Iwant edhi m
i
nsidemeIcoul dn' twai tanyl onger .
Het ookof fhisjeans, themi nutehe
tookof fhi sunder wearJamaspr ung
outl i
keacagedani mal t
hat'sbeen
waitingt ober eleased, Icouldf eel
my selfget ti
nghor nierasIl ookedat
uJama.Iwasnowseat edonmybut t
ont hebedwi thonl ymybr aon.He
comet omeandki ssedmeonce
again,Idi
dn'
twantanykisses,I
want eduJamahisfi
ngerwasn't
doingmeanyj ust
icedownt her
e.

Me:"Pl
easeSiv uyi
le..
..puthimi n
al
readyplease."Ican'tbel i
evethi
s
wasmebeggi ngforadi ck?!Awhole
Boit
umeloBr i
ttanyMokoena, Mama
wouldbeshocked, Bont lewouldbe
pr
oud, mybrotherswoul dbemad!
Damn!Whyam Iev ent hinki
ngabout
myf amil
y.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatdoy
ouwantbaby
?
Tel
lme."Hewassucki
ngonmy
ni
pple

Me:
"Iwanthi
m."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Him who?
"

Me:
"Ahhhhh,
JamaMmmmh.
"

Si
vuy
ile:
"Wheredoyouwanthi
m?"
Whyishedoingthi
stome.

Me:
"I
nsi
demehl
eSi
vuy
il
e."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo
wi
thhim?"

Me:
"Mmmmh.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Tel
lmebaby
,don'
tbeshy
."

Me:"Iwanty outofuckme!"YesIjust
saidthat!Whatishappeni
ngt ome.
Hel ookedatmeandsmi l
ed.He
gentlylai
dmeonmyback, spr
eadmy
l
egsopen, hecl
imbedont opofme
thenhedi r
ectedJamaintomynana, a
perfectmat ch.Eacht hrustcamewi t
h
myscr eam andhi sgr oans, itwasa
perfectmel ody.Hewasgoi ngf ast,
hewasf uckingmenotmaki nglov e
tomeandIwasnotcompl aining.We
bothr eachedourcl imax, oneaf t
erthe
other.Hel ai
dnexttomecat chinghis
breath, Iwasal sodoingt hesame, I'
ve
forgottenhowamazi ngt hi
sf eeli
ngis
Ican'tbel i
ev eI'
vebeendeny ing
my selfsuchpl easure.

Siv
uy i
le:
"I
'vemissedthi
s.I'
vemissed
missedy oursweethotpussy,
ikhaya
l
ikaJama( Jama'shome.)"Hemade
mel ookathim
Me:"Ican'
tbeli
evey
oumademesay
al
lthosethings.
"Hechuckl
ed.

Sivuyi
le:
"Ididn'
t.Iwon'
tsayIdidn'
t
enjoyhearingyousayt hem t
hough."I
burri
edmy sel
finhischestashe
l
aughed." Shouldwegof oranother
round?"Iwoul dlovet
oobutIwast oo
ti
red.

Me:
"Youst
il
lhav
etogot
o
t
own,r
emember.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Ahh!If
orgot
!Whatt
imei
sit
anyway.
"

Me:
"Pr
obabl
ypastf
ive.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"West
il
lhavet
ime"he
caressedmybutt.

Me:"NoIwantt
osleepnow,
andyou
shouldgoandt
akeashowerand
l
eave."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
twantt
ogo.
"Ismi
l
ed.
Me:"Youhavet
o."Irai
sedmyhead
andpeckedonhi
sl i
ps.Hepull
edme
backforasl
owfrenchkiss.

Sivuyil
e:"
Wear edoingt
hisagai
n
tonight.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Tsamay
aVuv
u(GoVuv
u)"

Siv
uyile:
"Yabonake."Ilaughed."
Plus
2mor eroundsf ortonight
.
Bendizok'si
zelandit
hi 5butsi
nceyou
cal
ledmet hatit
'sgoingtobe7."I
l
aughed.
Me:"Wel
l t
hankyoufornot
if
yingme
earl
i
er,youaresl
eepingi
nyourroom
toni
ght.
"

Sivuyi
le:
" Wewi llseeaboutthatMrs
Dlamini."Hest oodupand
disappear edintothebathroom,he
camebackwi t
hawett owel hewiped
offthejuicesonme.Ican' tbeli
eveI
j
usthadsexwi thSivuyi
leand
surpri
singl yIdon'tf
eelguil
tyli
keI
normal l
ydoaf terwehavesex.He
wasnowt akingashowerwhi l
eIwas
chatti
ngt oBont l
ewhowast el
li
ngme
thathersheephasn'
tbeendel
i
ver
ed
asy et
.

Bont
le:
"Tel
lthatmanofy
our
sthathe
i
scosti
ngmemar n.
"

Me:
"Cost
ingy
ouhow?
"

Bontl
e:"
Ial
readyhaveabuy
erfort
hat
sheep.Andhe'swasti
ngmyti
me."

Me:
"Buy
er?Whatbuy
er.
"

Bont
le:
"Yes,
afr
iendofmi
nehasan
ancestral
cer
emonyonSunday andI
promisedtogetherasheepcheap
cheap."Bont
le!Il
aughed

Me:"andwenayouthi
nkyouar
e
goingtogetasheepf
rom t
he
Dlamini
s?"

Bontl
e:"
Yesofcour se.Theybetter
sendthroughthatsheepbef or
e
middaytomorroworel setheywi l
l
knowwhatdr amai s.
"Ilaughedonce
more.

Me:
"Haymar
nBont
le,
tel
lyourf
ri
end
t
ogobuyi
tsomewher
e."

Bontl
e:"
Somewhereyang?Iwantt
hat
sheep.Yout
ell
himthat.
"

Me:
"Whydon'
tyout
ell
himy
our
sel
f.
"

Bontl
e:"
Areyousur eyouwantmet o
dothat?"Ohboy !"
BecauseIdon'
t
mind,Iwasjustgivi
ngyouachance
toremindhim gentl
y.
"Lol.

Me:
"Yesausi
,Iam sur
e.Ihavetogo
t
akeashower,chatl
ater
."Iwent
of
fl
ine.

"
What
'scr
acki
ngy
ouupsomuch?
"

Me:
"Bont
le,
andsheisnotahappy
l
adywhereshei
sri
ghtnow."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Why
?"

Me:"Youwi l
lfi
ndoutsoon.Ineedto
gotakeashower .
"Igotupfrom t
he
bedandheadedt othebathr
oom.
"Heyy
!"Iexcl
aimedwhenhespanked
myass.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Tight
!"Hewi
nkedatme

Me:"
Per
v."Hel
aughedasIcl
osedt
he
door
.
○
FOLLOWI
NGDAY
Thedayoft heceremonywasf i
nal
ly
here.I'
vebeenupsi nce5o'cl
ock,I
wascooki ngwithsomeladies.By12
middayt heyardwasbuzzingwith
people,alotofvi
ll
agerswere
present,
Iguessthat'
swhathappens
whent hereisaceremonyatthe
palace.
Asenathi:
"Coul
dyoutakeof
fthat
poloneck,i
t'
s26degr
eesouthere
geez."

Me:
"I
m col
d."

Asenathi:"
Don'tsayIdi dn'twar ny ou
wheny ouf aint.
"Itwasi ndeedv ery
hottoday ,
butIwasv eryapol oneck,I
am tal
kingaboutt hefl
uf f
ywi nt er
ki
ndofpol oneck.Ihadnochoi ceI
hadtohi det helovebitest hatSi v
uyil
e
l
eftonmey esterday.
Me:
"Iwon'
tfai
nt.
"

"Apolonecki
nthi
sheat
?"It
urned
andlookedather
.

Me:
"Noty
out
oo.
"Ir
oll
edmyey
es.

Lumka:"Lookatyou,
youaresweating.
Takeitoffsisi
wedon'twantyouto
fai
nt,
Sivuyil
ewouldmurderus."

Me:
"Iam notf
eel
i
nghothl
ebat
ho.
"

Asenat
hi:
"Shei
sst
ubbor
n,I
'
vebeen
tel
li
nghert otakeitoff.Can'
tthey
l
eavemeal one.Iwalkedawayf rom
them t
alki
ngabouthowIam goi ngto
fai
ntorev enwor sesufferfr
om a
heatstr
oke, t
heyar esodr amati
c.I
bumpedi ntoSivuyil
eonmyway .

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Hey."Hebeamed!Ihav en'
t
seenhim si
nceourlastencount
er ,
yeshedidn'
tsleepi
nmyr oom l
ast
nightt
hatmeaskwedi dn'
thavesex.

Me:
"Hi
.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
ear
eyour
ushi
ngof
f
t
oo?
"

Me:"I
mjusttr
yingtogetawayfr
om
yoursi
ster
s,t
hey'v
ebeenpester
ing
meaboutmypol oneck.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Butnawewhyar
eyou
wear
ingoneonsuchahotday
?"

Me:
"Becausesomeonedecidedt
o
l
eav
ebedroom evi
denceonmyneck!
"
Hel
ookedatmeandl aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Bedr
oom ev
idence?Wow!
Wheredi
dy oucomeupwi ththat.Let
meseemymar ks.
"Ihavehim an
annoy
edlook."Ij
ustwanttosee
hawu.
"Hecamecl oserandpulled
downmypol oneckabit
.

Me:"Yousee?Ican'
twal
karound
wi
ththati
nf r
ontofel
der
s."He
l
aughed

Siv
uyi
le:
"Li
ghtski
nprobl
ems.Idon'
t
thi
nkthi
sisgoi
ngtogoawayanyti
me
soon.
"

Me:
"Iwi
l
luseanoni
ont
oremov
eit
ngeke.
"Hefr
owned."
Any
way
,how
di
ditgoint
here?
"

Siv
uy il
e:"
Ev er
ythi
ngwentwel l,the
ancestorshav eacceptedher .Sheis
off
icial
lyaDl aminipr
incess."He
beamedwi thasmi l
e,happiness
writ
tenal loverhi
sface.

Me:
"Wher
eisshe?Iwantt
oseeher
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
MaNdekai
sst
il
lbusywi
th
her.
"
Me:
"Oh,
atl
eastev
ery
thi
ngwent
wel
l
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yeah.Nowwecanst ar
t
worki
ngonourot herbaby
."

Me:
"Ehh,
Whatot
herbaby
?"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Theonet
hatIl
eftt
ogr
owi
n
youyest
erday.
"

Me:
"unfor
tunatel
yfory
oumi
ster
,I'
m
onbi
rthcontr
ol."
Si
vuyi
le:
"What
?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me."

Me:"ukuzekuzokwenzekalan?Wait
!
Didyouwantt ogetmepr egnanton
purpose?!
"
●
□
●
□
Si
vuy
il
ekeepsf
ucki
ngup!
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t42
°
°
°
°
°
3MONTHSLATER!
Thingswer egoinggreat,it
'sbeena
mont hsi nceIstar
tedwi thmyst udies
unfortunatelyforme, Iwasst uckwi th
LLBi nsteadofpsy chology.Things
betweenmeandSi v
uy i
leweregr eat ,
wewer ef i
nall
ygivi
ngourmar riagea
tr
y.Wehadt odot hi
ngsf rom the
beginningt hough,bythatImeanhi m
askingmeoutonapr operdat eandI
mustsayhei snotromant icatall,he
tr
iesy enashamebutst i
ll
hei snot
romanticbutIappreciat
eev er
ything
hedoesf orme.Chuluwasnowa
sweetheart,
shewas4mont hsold
andshehadgr ownfrom beinga
cryi
ngpr i
ncess.Sheisnowt his
pri
ncesswho' salwayshappyt osee
mommywhenshecomesbackf rom
school.Imustsayjuggli
ngschool
andthebabywasnoteasyespeci al
ly
becauseIhadanot herbigbabyt hat
alwayswant edmyat t
ention.
I
twasaMondaymor ni
ng,Iwas
gett
ingreadyt
ogotoschool,
while
Siv
uy i
l
ewassleepi
ngandwatching
goupanddownt heroom.
Si
vuy
il
e:"Youar
egoi
ngt
obel
ate.
"

Me:"
Ify
oustoptal
kingtome,
Iwi
l
l
f
ini
shinti
me."Helaughed

Siv
uyil
e:"
soI
'
mtheonewho'
smaki
ng
youlat
e?"

Me:"Yes."IcheckedtoseeifIhad
ever
y t
hingIwasgoi ngtoneedinmy
bag."Alldone!"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Imt
akingyoutocampus
today,I
'
veal
readyt
oldSizwe.
"Si
zwe
i
smydr i
ver.AfterChul u'
sceremony
Sivuy i
l
efinall
ydeci dedt ohavea
secur i
tydetailofhisown, wellhe's
fatherconv i
ncedhi m.Appar entl
yit'
s
notsaf eforacr ownedPr i
ncetol i
ve
withoutsecur it
ies.Wehadt wo
guar dsatthegat eandaf ewplaced
atthecor nersoft hey ard,
weal so
hadt wohel pers,forcleaningand
takingcareofChul utheywer ealso
chosenbyt heKi ng,apparentl
yit'
s
peopl efr
om t hev i
ll
age.

Me:"Youar
enotev
endressed.You
ar
er eal
l
ygoi
ngtomakemel at
e."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwi
l
lgetdr
essedqui
ckl
y.
"

Me:"Ihavetobei
nclassin10
minutes,andwehaveMrIshwak
cl
asst hatmandoesn'
ttol
erat
elat
e
coming."

Si
vuy i
l
e:"
Finet
hen!Let
'sgo.
"Hegot
outthebedinonl
yhisboxers,
hissi
x
packwasouttoplay!"
Letsbaby.
"

Me:
"Looki
ngl
i
ket
hat
?"
Siv
uy i
le:"Yes.Youwer et heone
compl ainingaboutbei nglate.
Masambeke( l
et'
sgot hen.)
"Hewas
seri
ous.Igr abbedmybagandl ooked
athim shocked, heshr uggedhi s
shoulder sandl eftther oom.Iwas
sti
ll
dumbf ounded, Iquickl
yf ol
lowed
aft
erhi m.Lucki lyforusbot ht he
hel
per swer enotinsi ghtwhenwe
gottot hel ounge.Wegoti nt hecar
anddr ov eoft oschool .

Me:"Youar
eseri
ousl
ytaki
ngmet
o
schooli
nonlyy
ourboxer'
s?"
Siv
uy i
le:"
Itsti
ll
hasn'tr
egist
ered?
Wow. "Hesai dcasuall
y.Thisguy
needsser ioushelp."
Youstil
lhaven'
t
comet oadecisionaboutthe
personal secur
ityguar
d?"

Me:"
Stopcoat
ingi
t,y
oumeanabody
guar
d."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Whateveryouwannacal
li
t.
YouneeditLunathi
."

Me:"Why?Idon'
tseeareasonto
havesomeonefol
lowi
ngmear ound
ever
ydayl
ikemyli
feisi
ndanger."
Sivuyi
l
e:"Yourl
if
eisal
waysindanger
,
youaremar ri
edint
oaprominent
famil
y,youareacrownedPri
ncess
thatonitsownputsyourl
i
fein
danger."

Me:
"I
'm st
il
lnotconv
inced.
"

Sivuy
ile:
"Lunathi
,mybusi
nessis
growinginahi ghspeedt
hatsur
ely
putsat argetonmybackandmy
famil
y'sback."
Me:"Youarenott heonlyonewho
hasasuccessfulsurgerySi
v uyi
l
eand
Iam hundr
edpr esentsurethatthose
peopledonothav ebodyguar ds
fol
lowingt
hem around."

Sivuy
ile:
"Thatsbecausetheyhav e
beeninbusi nessforsuchal ongt
ime,
plustheyarenotr oyal
ty.
"Thecar
camet oahal t,wehadar r
ivedat
school.

Me:"
That
'smyst
op.
"Ipeckedonhi
s
l
ips.
Si
vuy
il
e:"Wear
est
il
ltal
ki
ng.
"

Me: "I
'm alr
eadylate.Byebabe.
"I
quicklygotoutt hecarandclosed.He
calledaf t
erme, It
urnedandsawt hat
thismor onwasst andingoutsi
dethe
cari nhisboxers!Student
swer e
staring,mostlygir
ls.Ir
ushedtohim
andt riedpushinghimi nt
hecar.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?"

Me: "Youar enotwear

inganyt
hing
Sivuyil
e!"Isai
dwithmyteethpressed
together.
Sivuyile:
"Ohshi t!"Hegoti nthecar
whi l
el aughing,Iwasannoy ed!"Don'
t
bemad, t
heycanl ookbutt heycan't
touch. "Mxm.It ur nedandmar ched
towar dst hecampusent rancei n
frustrati
ont hi
sf ool.Imadeaqui ck
runt oclassandl uckyforme, the
l
ect urerhasnotar ri
ved.

"I
fitwasn'tforyourst
ubbornnessno
onewoul dhav eseenme."Mxm.I
switchedoffmyphoneast he
l
ecturerarri
ved.
○
Thetimewas12o' clock,Idi
dn'thave
anyclass.MeandZi ntl
ewalkedt o
thecafeter
iatogether,yesZi
ntlewas
alsodoinglaw,unli
kemel awhas
alwaysbeenherf i
rstchoiceit'
swhat
sheappliedforinalltheuniv
ersit
ies.
Weboughtsnackandwentt osi t
down.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whathappendtoyouthi
s
morni
ng,whywereyoulat
e?"

Me:
"I
'drat
hernott
alkabouti
t.
Wher
e'sAsenat
hi?
"
Zintl
e:"ShewenttoseeMar
k,butshe
saidshewi l
lj
oinusinaf
ew."

Me:"
Mar k?Whathappenedto
Thandazani
?"Shelaughed.

Zintl
e:"Shesai
dthattheyar
egoi
ng
througharoughpatch."

Me:"
Ehht hatgi
r l
!She'sbusyinthese
st
reet
sofJozi .
"Wel aughed.Our
l
aughterwasdi stur
bedbysomeone
cl
earintheirt
hroat,Irol
ledmyey es.
Busani
:
"Hel
l
oladi
es.
"

Us:"HiBusani."Busani!WellBusani
wasaseni orhereinLLB(hewas
doinghislasty ear.
)Hehasbeen
askingmeoutev ersi
ncehesawme
i
nMrI shwak'sof fi
ce,I
'
vetol
dhi m
countlesstimest hatIam marri
ed,
buthesai dunt i
lheseesar i
ngonmy
fi
nger,he'snotgoi ngtostoptryi
ng
hi
sl uck.

Busani
:
"Okay.
..t
hatwascol
d.CanI
tal
ktoyouforasec.
"Hewaslooki
ng
atme.
Me:
"I
'm busy
."

Busani
:"
Withwhat?I'
m sur
eyour
fr
ienddoesn'
tmindbeingawayf
rom
youforafewminutes.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Away
?YoumeanImust
l
eave?"

Busani
:
"Yes.Takeawalkar
ound
campusorsomet hi
ng.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hai
bo!Nant
sii
mhl
ola.
"
Me:"
Forthehundredtht
imeBusani,I
don'
twanttotal
ky ouandIdon't
wanttobewithyou,soifyoudon'
t
mindcouldyoupleaseexcuseus.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Youst
il
lhav
eti
met
osay
pl
ease."

Busani
:"
ComeonBut ter
fl
y."That
's
whathecal
lsme" Iwon'
ttakemuch
ofyourt
ime,pl
ease."

Me:
"No.
"
Busani:
"YouknowIdon'tbeg,but
hereIam beggi
ngyou.
"Idon'teven
knowhiml i
kethat

Me:
"Thi
sisyoubeggi
ng?Ri
ght
!"I
r
oll
edmyeyes.

Busani
:"
Itwi
llonlybeashor
twhi
l
e."
Hetri
edgrabbingmyarm.

Me:"IsaidNo!Hawu!
"Ihal
fshouted,
for
tunatelyIdi
dn'
tgr
abpeopl
e's
att
ention.
Busani:
"Woah!Noneedt oshout
butter
fl
y.Iguesswewi ll
talksome
otherti
met hen.Checkyoulater
beauti
ful
."Hewi nkedandwalked
away .

Zi
ntl
e:"
Nxah!Ar
rogantr
ichki
d."

Me:"
Tellmeabouti
t.I
'
vebeent
ell
i
ng
hi
mt hatIam mar
ri
ed.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
He'
snotusedtobeingtur
ned
down,het
hinksj
ustbecausehehas
moneyandthelooksev
erygi
rlwi
l
l
f
all
onhisfeet
."

Me:
"Nxah!
"

Zintl
e:"Youneedt
otel
lSi
vuy
il
eabout
this.
"

Me:
"Ehehboh?Fort
hewhy
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Justt
obeont
hesaf
esi
de.
"

Me:"
Im nott
hatt
ypeofgi
rlwhowil
l
t
ell
hermanaboutever
yguythat
asksherout
."

Zint
le:
"I
yohokaysi
si.
"Asenat
hif
inal
l
y
deci
dedt oj
oinus.

Ase:"
Awwmf azi
kabaf
o."Il
ookedat
herandl
aughed.

Me:
"Andt
henwena?
"

Ase:
"Ndenzeni
?"

Me:
"WhoisMark?"Sheblushed!
"
Lookaty
oublushing.Heeeh!
"
Ase:
"Wel
lMar
kismynewman.
"

Me:"
Tellmemoreabouthi
m.Wher
e
i
shef r
om?Hissurname?Whi
ch
cour
sedoeshedo? "

Ase:
"Wel
lhe'
sfr
om Bry
anston,His
nameisMarkPi
ll
ayheis23y earsof
agedoi
nghis5t
hyeari
nmedi cine.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Pil
l
ay?Wai
t!I
sheI
ndi
an?
"

Ase:
"He'
scol
our
ed.
"Wel
ookedather
conf
used."Hi
smom i
sbl
ackandhi
s
dadisI
ndian.
"

Me:"
OhhhIunderst
and.Sohowl
ong
hav
ey oubeenseei
ngeach?"

Ase:
"I
tsbeen6day
snow.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Andy
ouar eal
readycal
l
ing
hi
my ourman."Shebl
ushed.

Ase:
"Ihav
eagoodf
eel
i
ngaboutt
his
one.
"
Me:
"WhataboutThandazani
?"

Ase:
"Ahthatone,Iam goi
ngt
osee
hi
m aft
erclass.
"

Me:
"Tobr
eakupwi
thhi
m?"

Ase:"Whuuhnev ershame!Soze
ndimyekelowa, heismymi nisterof
fi
nance.Plushei sgif
teddownt here.
"
Wel aughed,Iknewf r
om thefisttime
Isawhert hatshewast roubl
e.The
fi
rstdayshegother e,shewentout
clubbi
ngandcamebackt el
li
ngme
thatshemetsomeone, a'ministerof
fi
nance'tobepr
ecise.Shewas
stay
ingwi t
husf
oraf ewday sbef
ore
shefinal
l
ygotaflatnearby
.

Me:"Wena!Wher edidtheyt akey ou

mara. "Wel aughedsomemor e.We
spentt henexttohour stal kingand
l
aughi ngwel lmost l
ylaughi ngat
Asenat hi'
sstori
esshewast rulya
character,Ican'tbeli
eveIdi dn' twant
tobef riendswithheratf irst.Af ter
ourchatwewentt oourl astcl ass,
whichwasbor i
ngAF.Ikepton
dozingof f,Ionl
ypai dattent i
onatt he
l
astf ewmi nut
esoft hecl ass.Fi nall
y
theclasswasov er
.
Whenwewalkedoutthegat
eSivuy
il
e
wasalr
eadywai
ti
ngforme,Ibi
d
f
arewel
ltomyfr
iendsandgoti
nto
t
hecar.

Me:
"Heyy
ou.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Hell
omyl
ove,
howwasy
our
day
?"Ismil
ed.

Me:
"I
twasokay
,howwasy
our
s?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"AwesomesinceIwas
worki
ngfrom home,
yourchi
ldi
sa
pi
eceofwor
kyouknow?
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Whatdi
dshedo?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Letsj
ustsaywhenIgett
o
Dur
banIhav etostar
tthewhol
e
pr
esentati
onfr
om scratch.
"

Me:
"Wai
t!Dur
ban?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uhm y
eah.
..Idi
dn'
ttel
lyou?
"

Me:
"Noy
oudi
dn'
t.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
IthoughtIdi
d."

Me:
"Well
youdidn'
t!Whenar
eyou
l
eav
ing?Forhowlong?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Uh"hescrat
chedhi
shead.
"I
'
ml eavi
ngtoday
."

Me:
"What
?"Iwasabi
thur
t.

Sivuy
ile:
"I
'm sor
rymylove,
IthoughtI
tol
dy ou.
"Ididn'
twanttohearanyof
that
Me:
"Forhowl
ong?
"Iaskedi
nal
ow
t
one

Sivuy
ile:
"Twoweeks."Il
ookedathi
m
withtearsthr
eateni
ngtofal
lout
.
"Don'
tdot hatbaby,
youknowIhave
towor k.
"

Me:
"Twoweeks?
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"I
m sor
rymyl ove,Ishoul
d'
ve
tol
dyousooneri
ttotall
ysli
ppedmy
mind.
"Il
ookedoutthewi ndow.Iwas
sousedt ohav i
nghi m around,in
these3mont hswe' vebeen' dating'
Hehasn' twentonanybusi nesst r
ip.
"YouknowI 'v
ebeennegl ecti
ngZi zi
Constructi
on(He'sfather'
scompany .
)
Ineedt omakeupf orlosttimeand
scorenewcl i
ents."Il
ookedoutt he
window.Wear ri
vedhome, Itookmy
bagandwenti nandst rai
ghtt omy
room.Imi ghtbeact i
ngl i
keachi ld
ri
ghtnow, buthei sgoingtobegone
2weeks!2whol eweeks.Iwasl y i
ng
onmybedt hinki
ngaboutt hi
swi th
myey esclosed.Ihear dthedoor
openandcl ose,t
hensomeonel aid
nexttome, Iknewi twasSi vuyil
e.He
pul
l
edmecl osetohi
m andpecked
myli
ps.Iopenedmyeyessl
owly.

Me:
"Doy
our
eal
l
yhav
etogo?
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Yesmyl
ove,
Idon'
twantt
o
butIhaveto.
"

Me:
"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.
"Isi
ghed

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Don'
twor
ryIwi
llcal
lyou
ev
ery
dayandwewill
FaceTime
ev
ery
day."
Me:
"Whatt
imear
eyoul
eav
ing?
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"I
n2hour
s..
..West
il
lhave
ti
metomakebabynumber2."I
l
aughed

Me:"
Itoldyouit
'st
oosoonforusto
haveanotherbaby
,Ihav
eschoolpl
us
Chulu.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Yeahyeah, Igetit.
"Hereal
ly
wantedanotherchil
d, unfor
tunat
ely
forhi
m Iwasnotr eady .
Me:"
Iam goi
ngtomissy
ou."Isai
d
af
teraf
ewmi nut
esofsi
lence.

Siv
uyil
e:"Notmoret
hanme."He
peckedonmyl i
ps."
Ilov
eyoubaby
."
Wewer elooki
ngateachot
her
.

Me:"
Iloveyoutoo."I
tisthefi
rstt
ime
Iam say
ingitback.Hiseyeswidened.

Sivuy
ile:
"Real
lymyl
ove?
"Inodded.
"Sayitagain.
"

Me:
"Il
ovey
ouSi
vuy
il
eLeonDl
ami
ni.
"
Hebeamedwithexci
tement.He
capt
uredmyli
psint
ohisandgave
meaf ul
lbl
owndeepkiss.

Sivuyi
le:
"I
'v
ebeenwai ti
ngmont hsto
hearthosewor dsfr
om y ou.Iam
reall
yahappymant onight.
"He
kissedmeonceagai n,thisti
mei t
wasl onger.Hestar
tedunbut t
oning
thedressIwaswear ing.
□
3roundslaterwewer ebot
hdressi
ng
upaftert
heshowerwebot ht
ook.I
woremypj sandgownwhi lehewore
hi
sblackAdi dast
racksui
tand
sneaker
s.

Me:
"I
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou.
"Ihel
don
t
ohim.

Sivuyi
le:
"Metoos' thandwasam. "He
brushedmyback.Hehel dmywai st
withonehandwhi leheusedt he
otheronetolif
tupmyf ace."Take
careofyoursel
f ,andifyouneedt o
tal
kam onlyaphonecal laway ,
alr
ightmybaby ? "Inoddedl i
kea
smallchil
d."Onemor ething,nothing
andImeannot hingmustent ermy
castl
e."Hemov edhishandt omy
v
agi
na.Thi
sguy
,Il
aughed.

Me:
"Sonodi
l
do?
"Nott
hatIownone.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Not
hingatal
l
."Ichuckl
ed

Me:"al
ri
ghtkingofmycastle.
"He
phonebeeped, het
ookitoutthe
pocketandlookedati
tforasecond.

Si
vuyi
le:"
Thembahasar ri
ved.He'
s
dr
ivi
ngmet otheair
por
t.Masambe."
Hepulledhissui
tcasewhil
eItookhi
s
workbag,indeedwhenwegot
downstair
sThembawassi
tt
ingon
couchplayi
ngwit
hChul
u.

Me:"
HeyThemba."Isai
dwi t
hasmil
e.
Chul
uimmediatel
ystar
tjumping
whensheheardmyv oi
ce.

Themba:"
WowLunat hi
,di
dyouhave
total
k?Looknowshedoesn'twant
meany more.
"Il
aughed.

Me: "
It
snotmyf aul
tthatshecan
recognisehermomma' svoice.
"I
placedthebagIwascar r
yingonthe
couchandhel doutmyhandst o
Chuluwhoi mmedi at
elyjumpedt o
mewi thnohesitancy,thewayt hi
s
chil
dlovesmemyGod." Hellobaby.
Youmi ssedmamadi dnty ou?I
missedy outoo,Ihaven'tseenyou
thewholeday .
"

Themba:
"Readyt
ogont
wana?
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Yeahsur
e.Coul
dy oupl
ease
takemybagstothecar.
"Themba
l
ookedathim.

Themba:"
Excusey
ou,I'
m notoneof
yourbodyguar
ds.
"Ichuckl
ed
Siv
uyi
le:
"Pl
easentwana,
Ijustwantt
o
tal
ktomywi f
e."

Themba:"Youshouldhavesai
dso
fr
om thebegi
n."Thesetwoandthei
r
stupi
darguments"I
'l
ltaket
hesmall
one."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thembamar
n!"

Themba:
"Fi
ne!"Hetookbot
hthe
bagsandwentout
.
Sivuy
ile:
"Comeher e."Iwalkedt ohi m
withChului nmyar ms,hehel dmy
shoulders."Iwil
lbebackbef oreyou
knowi t.
"Hegav emeal ongki ss,I'
m
sureyou'venot i
cedthatweki ssal ot.
"Damn!I '
m goingt omisst hosel i
ps
andmycast le.2weekswi thout
checkingini sgoingtobet orture.
"I
l
aughed, trustSivuyi
l
et othinkabout
sexallthet i
me.Wedon' tspendmor e
than2day swi thouthavingsex.

Me:
"Gobef
orey
oumi
ssy
ourf
li
ght
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Byebaby
."Heki
ssedChul
u'
s
for
ehead."
Iloveyou.
"Hekissedme
ontheli
psthenhekissedmy
for
eheadthenheheadedoutthedoor
,
l
eav i
ngmewi t
htearswell
i
ngupmy
eyes.

Me:"
Daddyi
sgonenow..
..Youar
e
sl
eepi
ngwit
hmet oni
ght
."

Manxele:
"Ukudlasekulungi
l
e
Nkosazana(FoodisreadyPrincess.
)"

Me:"Ohthanky ouMah."If
oll
owed
hertot
hedinningroom.Theyalways
j
oinusfordinner."
Haveyougivent
he
guar
dst
hei
rfood?
"

Manxel
e:"
Yes.
"

Me:
"okay,
thankyou.
"Shegavemea
war
m smile."DoyoumindifIsl
eep
wi
thhertonight
?"Iwaslooki
ngat
Mam'Luv
o.

Mam' Luvo:
"Youdon'thavetoask
nkosazana.
"Weatewi thalit
tl
e
chatt
inghereandthere.Af
terdinner
ever
yonewentt ot
heirseparate
rooms.
☆
☆
☆
☆
#Hel
l
o
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t43
○
●
○
●
○
Thesepastf
ewdayswit
houtSi
vuy
il
e
wereadrag,
butashepr
omisedhe
call
edmeev erydaymucht omy
i
rri
tati
onsomet i
mes.Thesaddest
partisthat,i
ft hegett hedealhewill
havet ostayi nDur banf orafew
mont hsjustt oov erseet he
constructi
onbef oregi vi
ngitoverto
theprojectmanager .Iwon'tl
iethat
wasgoi ngt obehar d, andIknewhow
muchhewant edt oupl i
ftt
hethe
familybusinesssoIhadnochoi ce
buttopr ayforhi mt ogett he
business.
TodaywasaSat urday,
Ihadmade
pl
answi t
hmyf ri
ends,weweregoi
ng
outtocelebr
ateAsenathi
'
s20th
bi
rthday
.Shesaidshewant edt
ogo
al
loutsi
nceshewasnolongerateen.
Myphonerangwhil
eIwasfeedi
ng
Chul
uinmyr oom.

Me:
"Whatbi
tch!
"

Zint
le:
"I
'm onmywayt her
e,Ihope
youareready.
"Shi
t!Iwasstil
l
wrappedinatowel

Me:
"Al
most
."

Zint
le:
"Iknowwheny ousayal
most
youaref arf
rom bei
ngdone.
"
Me:"
Iwil
lbedonei
n30mi nut
es.Ist
il
l
hav
et of
eedRatu.
"Shesi
ghed.

Zintl
e:"
Fine!Any
wayy
ouar
edoi
ngmy
face,
chio!"What!

Me:"No!"Beep!Shehungup, thebit
ch!
"Nothatwear edone,let'
sgot o
Mam' Luvo.
"Ikissedherandwentt o
hernursery,
itwasupst ai
rsnextto
myroom.

Mam'
L:
"Sengqi
bil
eukut
ya?
(Youar
e
doneeati
ng.
)"Trustoldpeopl
etoask
yourhet
ori
calquesti
ons.

Me:
"Ewemah.Ineedtogetr
eadyf
or
t
heday,
socoul
dy oupl
easet
akeher.
"

Mam'L:
"Ofcoursemnt anam.I'
m glad
toseeyougooutwi t
hy ourfr
iends
andhavefun.Youarewayt oy oung
tobecoupesupthishouse."I
l
aughedalit
tl
e

Me:"
Hahmah,Idogooutnj
e."She
l
ookedatme.
Mam'L:
"Noy oudon' tmntanam, i
f
youar
enotdoi ngy ourschoolwork,
youar
ewi t
ht hi
schi l
d.Youdon'twant
tol
oseyourselfatthisage,soyou
mustgetoutandhav easmuchf un
asyoucan."Ismiled,shewasr i
ght.

Me:"
Mmmh, youar
eri
ghtmah.Today
Iam goi
ngt
ohaveall
thef
uninthe
worl
d."

Mam'L:
"Goodgi
rl
,don'
tworryabout
thi
soneshewil
lbewellt
akencare
off
."
Me:"
Letmegogetr eadybeforeZi
ntl
e
get
shereandmur dersme."She
l
aughed.Iwentbacktomyr oom.
Nowt heprobl
em waswhatwasI
goingtowear,Asenat
hiwasvery
parti
cul
araboutwhatweshouldwear
todayIfor
gotwhatshewanted,l
et
mecal l
her.

Ase:
"Ar
eyouont
heway
?"Ir
oll
edmy
eyes

Me:
"No.I
'm st
il
lconf
usedwi
thwhat
t
owear."
Ase:"
Itoldyouwearl
ikeaslay
queen!"That'
snotwhatshesai
d
yest
erday.

Me:
"Sl
ayqueen?
"

Ase:"
Yes,wearsomethi
ngthatwi
ll
maker i
chmant ur
nyourway."What
's
wrongwiththi
schil
d.

Me:
"Idon'
twantanyr
ichmant
urni
ng
mywaywena!"
Ase:"Iknowv i
rgi
nmar y.
"I'
m notev en
av i
rgin."Vel
ey ourintenti
oni snotto
maker i
chguy slustov eryour,
but
that
'swhaty ouroutfi
tshoul dscream!
Phelawear egoingt oav eryclass
rest
aur ant.
"Shewasn' tmakingsense
shame, oram Ithedumbone.

Me:
"Huh?
"

Ase:"
Justwearlikeacl
assyhoemarn
Tumi,I'
m busyhereyouare
di
sturbi
ngme. "Shewasannoyed,
I
l
aughedather .
Me:"
Who'sr
est
aur
antar
ewegoi
ngt
o
agai
n?"

Ase:"Ah! "Shehungupwi thouteven

answer ingme.Il aughed.Iwentt o
mycl osett ol ookf orsomet hingt
hat
willmakemel ookl ikea' classyhoe'
l
ol,ain'tnowayI 'm wear ing
somet hingr ev ealing.Ormay beI
should!Ij ustdi dn'tlikethenameof
thetheme' classyhoe' i
yal umeza
mar n!It ookoutwhatIt houghtwasa
bitappr opriatef orhert heme.NowI
havet odomyf ace!Bef or eIcould
event akeoutmypr oduct s,someone
budgedi ntomyr oom.It urnedonlyt
o
f
indanangr
ylooki
ngZi
ntl
elooki
ngat
me.

Zint
le:
"Thi
sisy
oural
mostdone?
"She
hadabagonherhand.

Me:"Chi
l
l geez.I
'm sur
ebi r
thdaygi
rl
i
snotev enclosetobeingr eady
.I
spoketoheraf ewmi nutesago,she
wasexplaini
ngthiswierdthemeshe
cameupwi t
h."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ican'
tbel
ieveshewantsust
o
l
ookli
keslayqueenstry
ingt
oget
bl
essers.
"
Me:"ay
ywhatchoi
cedowehav e?I
t'
s
herdaywehavetomakeherhappy.
"

Zintle:"
Ical l
edherat5i nt hemor ni
ng
towi shherahappybi rthday ,t
hat
bitchanswer edt hecallwhi l
eshewas
get t
ingdi ckeddown! "Il aughed.
"HereIwasi nthemi ddleofmy
singing, nextthisIheari s'ohhy es
baby , r
ighttherebaby 'Icar r
iedon
singingt hinkingshescheer i
ngmeon
kant inot hisbit
chi stalkingtoher
man. "Iwasi nsticheswi t
hlaughter.
Me:"Whywoul
dshecheeryouby
say
ingohyesbabyri
ghtt
here?
"I
l
aughedsomemor e.

Zintle:
"Ididn'
tthinkthatt
hereare
peopl ewhohav esexsoearlyi
nt he
mor ning.Ionlyreali
sedshebeing
fuckedshey el
led'fuckmeharder
baby 'andt hemangr oanedli
kea
pig."Tearswer estreamingdownmy
cheeks." Stoplaughingnawe.Iam
traumat i
sed."

Me:
"Sor
ryf
ri
end.
"Il
aughedagai
n.
Zintl
e:"Stopl
aughi
nghl eanddomy
face,wehav eanhourleft
."Iam
goingt oneedmorethanthat.

Me:"
Hay,di
dnty
oursi
stert
eachy
ou
howtoappl
ymakeup?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Unli
key
oumeandmysi st
er
don'
thaveacl
oser
elat
ionshi
p."

Me:
"Yout
ubephel
ababes.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Dat
ast
ruggl
e."
Me: "Excusesexcuses.Si tont hat
chair"Ipoi ntedhert omydr essi ng
table.Iam gl adthatBont let aughtme
howt oappl ymakeup, atf i
rsti twas
ast rugglebutwi thpracticeIf i
nally
goti tright.Bontleli
kesget ti
ngdol led
upf orabsol ut el
ynor eason, shet ook
i
tuponhersel ft
owat chmakeup
tutorialsonYouTube, theshest arted
usingmeashergui neapi g.Tomake
herpayf orusi ngme, Iaskedhert o
teachmet oo.Iam notr eallyaf anof
makeup, butwhenev erBont lebuy s
hersel fasetofmakeupshebuy s
twoperset ,shesay s'everygi rl needs
makeup' herwor dsnotmi ne.Iget
thattherearesomepeopl ewholook
goodwi thoutmakeup, butmakeup
hast hatthi
ngmarn!Itmakesy ou
standout ,makesyoulookgorgeous,
nItjustbeauti
ful
.

Me:
"Done!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Lipst
ick?
"

Me:"Doityoursel
f.Ist
il
lhavetodo
myf ace.
"Istart
edgetti
ngbusyonmy
facewhileshetookoffherclot
hes
andwor eheractualoutf
itf
ortheday
.
Zint
le:
"Shoul
dIgoforpi
nk,purpl
eor
red?"Shewasreal
l
ydist
urbingme.

Me:
"Idon'
tknow.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Pickacol
our
."

Me:"
Gimmeaf ewmi nutes,
ngi
zokunaka.
"15minuteslaterIwas
donewithmyface.

Zi
ntl
e:"
So?
"
Me: "
Letmeseey ouroutfi
t?"Shewas
wear i
ngav eryshortpinksl
eev el
ess
dressandbl ackplatf
orm heels.
"Damny oulookl i
key oursi
sterinthat
pink!
"Ilaughed.

Zint
le:
"Youarenotfunny
.Fut
himet
mechange."Il
aughedasshetookof
f
thepinkdr
ess.

Me:
"Dr
ama!
"

Zint
le:
"Mxm!"Ilaughedonceagai
n.
Webot hgotdressedatthesame
ti
me.
Shechangedint ohershor tblack
l
eatherski
rt,
awhi t
epol oneckt -
shi r
t
andshetoppedi toffwi thast yl
ish
l
eatherj
acket,shest i
llhadt hebl ack
heel
son.Iont heot herhandwas
weari
ngblackski nnyjeans,abl ack
Bobtubecropt opandamyf urjacket,
i
twasmust ardi ncolour.Ithenwor e
mymust ar
dheel boot.Itwasn'ta
bootbootboot,itwasopenatt he
fr
ont,
showingmyt oes.

Me:
"NowIf
eel
li
keasl
ayqueen.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hel
pmeputmyweav
eon.
"
Me:"Mar awenay ouabuseme
shame. "Iwentandhel pherwit
hher
weav e.Shesettl
edf oramaroon
l
ipsti
ckwhi leIappl
iedanudeone.
Wet ookourhandbagsandwent
downst ai
rsaftert
akingadozen
pict
ures.Sizwewasal r
eadywait
ing
forusout si
de.

Zintl
e:"
Bir
thdaygi
rlsai
dweshoul
d
fetchheratherpl
ace."

Me:"
Good,causewedon'
tevenknow
wherewearegoing.
"Wegotint
he
caranddr ov eof f
.Ididn'
tev ensee
mybaby .Whenwegott ot hegatet he
guardsopenedwi thoutasking
questionsandof fwewentt o
midrand.Asenat hiwasalready
waiti
ngf orusbyt heparkingal r
eady
doll
edup, shegav eSizwet he
addressoft heplacewewer egoi ng
to.Wegott her eandindeedt hepl ace
wasf ancy ,i
twasf i
ll
edwith' sl
ay
queens' andt heywer ereall
yslaying,
theylookedgood.I 'm gl
adIagr eedt o
wearingl i
ket his,
otherwi
seIwoul d
havef el
toutofpl ace.Wesatdown
onat ableast hewai t
ergav eusour
menus.
Ase:
"We'
l
lhav
eabot
tl
eofmoëtf
or
now.
"

Me:
"That
hagi
rl
!Youar
einamood
t
oday.
"

Ase:
"I
t'
smybi
rt
hdaykal
oku.
"She
st
oodupandanddi
dami ni
dance.

Zi
ntl
e:"
WenaBi rt
hdaygirl
,Iam very
madaty ou.Butbecauseit
'syour
bi
rt
hdayIwi l
ll
etitsl
ide.
"Ilaughed.
Ase:
"Whatdi
dIdonowchomi
?"

Zint
le:
"Youansweredmycal l
while
youwer ehav
ingsex."Ibur
stint
o
l
aughter.

Ase:
"OhNo!Imusthav
epr
essedmy
phonebymi
stake.
"

Zintl
e:"
Anddamngir
lyouar
ea
screameryeeer
r!
"

Ase:
"Mymanneedstoknowt
hathe'
s
hi
tti
ngi
tri
ght
."Shewi
nkedwi
thher
t
ongueout
.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whohassexat5o'
cl
ocki
nthe
morni
ngthough?
"

Ase:
"Me.
"Wel
aughed.

Me:"
Sohowmuchdi
dMrmangi
ve
you?
"

Ase:"
Acoupleofthousandsnje
wethu."Shesai
dasi fi
t'
snothi
ng.
Thewai t
ercamebackwi ththe
champagneandgl asses.Hepour
ed
f
oreachonofus.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Howmuch?"Sheresumed
wi
thourconv
oasthewaiter
di
sappear
edonceagai
n.

Ase:
"ni
zawuqul
ekeketana,
Idon'
t
wantyoutoembarr
assme."We
l
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Awushohawu.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
15000f
ort
heday
."
Us:
"Woah!
"

Zintl
e:"
Haywena!Whatareyou
feedingthisguy
?You'
veonlyknown
himf orafewweeks.Ubani
isangoma
sakhogi r
l?Youneedt
ohookmeup. "
Wel aughedatthat
.

Zint
le:
"Fi
rstofalli
tsbeen2months
tshi
n,secondlyther
eisnosangoma
andlastl
y,Iearnedthi
smoney."

Me:
"Uy
asebenzagi
rl
!"
Zintl
e:"
Mor eli
keuy afebenza!"We
l
aughed.Andcl ickedourgl assesof
champagne.Seeweunder st andt he
kindofper sont hatAsenat hiis,as
muchaswear esomehowdi ff
erent
from herwedon' tjudgeher .Wear e
verydifferentint hissquad, wehav e
Asenat hiwhowecal lt
he'fir
stchi l
d'-
She'saf reespi rit,shegoeswher ever
l
ifetakesher ,
she' snotashamedof
thewayShel i
v esherl i
fe,
sheal so
l
ikesluxur ioust hingswhi chmeans
shelikesmoney .Nex tupisZi ntle,
my
bestfriendt he' secondchi ld',shehas
thatchill
edv i
begoi ngabouther ,
she'salsoaf reespi ri
tabitofapar ty
animal butshehasal i
mi t
.She'sver
y
tal
kativeandsomet i
mesr ude,butI
l
ov eherjustthewayshei s.Them
thereisme, t
hebabyoft hesquad-as
theysay ,
ther
e'snotreal
lymucht o
sayaboutmeasy oualr
eadyknow
thekindofper sonIam.

Thewait
erwasbackt
otakeour
order
s.

Me:"Uhm,Iwil
lhaveal
ambshank
wit
hmashpot at
oandagreensal
ad
onthesi
deplease.
"
Zint
le:
"AndIwil
lhav
eal
ambchops
comboplease.
"

Ase:
"Yourspeci
aloft
hedaypl
ease.
"

Wait
er:
"Comi
ngri
ghtup.
"Hesai
d
af
terwri
ti
ngdownouror
der
s

Us:
"Thanks.
"Hel
eft
.

Me:
"Howdidyouknowaboutt
his
r
est
aurant
?"

Ase:
"Wel
ltheowneri
saf
ri
endof
Thandazani.Weactual
l
ycameher
e
forourf
irstdat
e."

Zint
le:
"Damn!Ihav
en'tbeenona
dateinalongt
imeyoh."

Me:"
Don'tl
i
eThami
tooky
ouout2
weeksago."

Zint
le:"
Exactl
y!2weeksago,when
wast hat?100year
sago!"I
l
aughed, whydoesevery
oneinmyli
fe
havet obesodramatic.
Me:"Yousoundl
i
keBont
le.
"We
l
aughed.

Ase:
"Speaki
ngofBont
le,whenwas
thel
astti
me.yousawyoursibl
i
ngs?
"

Me:"
LastweekendIt
hink.Yeahl
ast
weekend.
"

Ase:"Andhowi st hatri
dicul
ouslyhot
brot
herofy our
s? "Ilaughed.So
Asenathihasthi
shumongouscr ush
onThabo, t
hef i
rstshesawhi m she
coul
dn'tspeakwel l,shewas
stut
teri
ngthroughoutt heconvo.
Me:"
He'sgood.Justf
ocusi
ngonhi
s
st
udies.
"

Ase:"
Awwf ut
uredoct or
.Icanal r
eady
pi
cturemy sel
fhelpinghim get
dr
essedf orwor k,
mmmhgi vinghim
hi
sbr i
efcaseandhi sstethoscope."
Welaughedather ."
Hlekaninina,
ni
zabonasendi ngu'MrsMokoena
umfazikaDoct or.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Youar
esuchabi
gdr
eamer
."
Welaughed.
Ase:
"Dr
eamsdocomet
ruedal
i
."

Me:
"uy
awat
handaamadodaNat
hi!
"

Ase:
"Mxm.Sotoni
ghtwearegoi
ng
cl
ubbi
ngwithMarkandhi
sfri
ends.
"

Me:
"Eh,
countmeout
."

Ase:
"Stopact
ingl
i
keamom andl
i
ve
ali
tt
le.
"

Me:
"Excusey
ou,
Iam amom.
"
Ase:"
YouknowwhatImean, pl
us
ubhutii
snother
ethatmeansyou
haveallt
hefr
eedom youneed.
"

Zint
le:
"Comeonf ri
end,youhaven'
t
beenouti nl
oooongtime."Il
ookedat
them both.

Me:"
HayIdon'
tknow.Ican'
tl
eav
e
Chul
uall
night
."

Zi
ntl
e:"Ohcomeon,youar
eal
way s
wi
thher.Oneni
ghtawayfr
om her
won'
thur
tfr
iend.
"

Ase:
"pl
easehl
emakot
ikabhut
i.
"

Me:
"Fi
ne!
"Theyscr
eamed"
ButIneed
t
ocall
Mam'Luvofi
rst
."

Ase:
"Doi
tnow.
"

Me:
"Af
terLunch.Ther
e'snohur
ry.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"OhMygosh,
whatar
ewe
goi
ngt owear
?"
Ase:"
Chil
lgi
rl
s,Igot
chu.Wear egoi
ng
shoppingst
rai
ghtaft
erthi
s."Ohboy!I
don'
tli
keshopping.

Me:"
Dowehav etoo?Imeanwe
coul
djustweart
hesecl
othes?
"

Ase:"
Weneednewout fi
tsformy
i
nstagir
l.Ihavetohaveanewout f
it
foradif
ferentscener
y"Irol
ledmy
eyes.
□
●
Wewer ei
nAsenat hi'
sflatgett
ing
readyforthenight.Ididcall
Mam' LuvototellherthatIwill
be
spendingthenightatAsenat hi
'sfl
at,
shehadnopr oblem wi ththat
.
Mymakeupwasstil
li
ntact
,Ij
ust
neededt
opowdermyfaceabit
.

Me:
"Ican'
tbel
i
eveIl
ety
ouconvi
nce
metowearthi
sshor
tdress.
"

Zintl
e:"OhcomeonB, it
'snotthat
short.
"Tobehonestitwasn'treall
y
thatshort
,Iwasjustuncomfortable
withthefactt
hatwewer egoingt oa
pl
acefull
ofdr
unkardswhil
eIwas
wear
ingashortdr
ess,i
t'
sdanger
ous
outt
here.

Me:"
Youshouldhaveletmewearmy
j
eansyazi
.Itget
scoldatni
ght
."

Ase:
"Notwheny
oudance.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tdance.
"

Ase:"
Mxm.Let
'sgoMarkandhi
s
fr
iendsar
ewai
tingf
orus.
"
Wi
tht
hatsai
dwewentout
,goti
nthe
caranddrov
etot
hecl
ub.Myphone
beeped!

"Imissyourbody.Mostimport
antlyI
missy ousmile.
"-Si
vuyi
l
e.Icouldn'
t
helpbutblush.

"Imissyoumorel
over
"-Ii
ncl
udeda
kissi
ngemoji
.

"Ki
ssmydaught erformepl ease.And
sweetdr eamsfancyf ace."OhIdidn't
tel
lhimt hatIwasgoingoutt onight.
I'
m actuall
ysurpri
sedt hathedidn't
FaceTimemet oni
ghtl i
kehealway s
doesev
eryni
ght,
thatwasoddbutI
'
m
gl
adhedidn'
t.

Ase:
"Wear
eher
eB.
"

Me:
"Soqui
ck?
"

Ase:
"Youwerebusybl
ushi
ngony our
phoneandi
thi
."Mxm."
Uhm Sizweyou
cangobackhome,we'l
lbefi
ne."

Si
zwe:"Ican'
tl
eav
eyouher
eal
onemy
pr
incess"
Zintl
e:"
She'snotal
one.Doy oursel
fa
favouranddrivebackhomecause
wear enotplanni
ngonsl eepi
ng
tonight
."She'
ssor ude.

Me:"I
'
llbef
inereall
ySizwe."Hewas
notconvi
nced."Okay,t
elly
ouwhat.I
f
Icomeacrossanyt r
ouble,Iwi
ll
cal
l
youimmediatel
y.Ihaveyournumber
onspeeddial
."Ili
ed.

Si
zwe:
"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.
"

Me:"Andpleasedon'
ttel
lSi
vuyi
l
e
aboutthi
s.Hedoesn'tknowIam out
t
oni
ght
."Hechuckl
ed.

Si
zwe:
"Don'
twor
ryy
oursecr
eti
ssaf
e
wi
thme."

Ase:
"Canwegoi
nhl
ebant
u."She'
s
i
mpatient
.

Sizwe:
"Letmeleav
ey outhem
nkosazana.Enj
oyyourni
ght.
"

Me:"
Thankyou.
"Hei
mmedi
atel
y
dr
oveoff.
Ase:"Fi
nall
y!"Sher oll
edherey es.We
gotintheclub,itwaspacked.Peopl e
dancingleftri
ghtandcent er ,
ot hers
smoochi ngincor nersandt heloud
musi cwasnothav inganymer cyon
ourears.Asenat hiledthewayt o
wher eher'
boy f
riend'wassi tt
ing, i
t
wasi naboot hwi thcouchesanda
tablefi
ll
edwi t
hdi ffer
entkindsof
alcoholandahubbl y,Iwonderhow
theyall
owedt hem t osmokei nside.

Ase:"
Baby."Ehhshecall
shi
mthat
al
ready.Shegavehim ahugwhi
l
ehe
ki
ssedhercheek.
Mark:
"Happybirt
hdaysweetheart.
"I
mustsaythisMarkguywaseasyon
theeyes,
hewasnotbadl ookingat
all
.Wewer eshownwheretosi t
,Isat
nextt
ooneofMar ksf
ri
ends.

Ase:
"Wel
lthesear
emygi
rl
s.Zi
ntl
e
andBoi
tumelo.
"

Us:
"Hi
."

Mark:
"AndIam Mark.Thesear
e
f
ri
endsMabutho,Meli
,TKandBusani
."
Busani
?Ihopeit
'snotTHATBusani .I
coul
dn'tr
eal
l
yseet hei
rfacecauseI
wasnotreal
lyl
ookingatthem.Idon't
evenknowwhoiswho, causeIdidn'
t
seewhenhepointedatthefri
ends

Us:
"Ni
cet
omeety
ouguy
s."

Them:
"Li
kewi
se.
"

GuynexttoZee:
"Thi
sisthegir
lIwas
t
ell
ingyouaboutgent
s."Iknowthat
voi
ce.
Mark:
"Theonet
hat'
sbeengi
vi
ngy
ou
ahardti
meatschool
?"

Hi
m:"
Yep.That
'sher
."

Zi
nt l
e:"
Woah!Busani?!Whatar
ey ou
doinghere.
"OnlythendidIpay
att
entiontotheseguysandyesthe
Busani t
hatwasintr
oducedwas
THATBusani !

Busani
:"
Whatdoyoumeanwhatam I
doi
nghere?Am her
etohavefun."Oh
shi
t!Thi
sisgoi
ngtobealonglong
l
ongnight!"
Howareyoubutt
erf
ly?TK
shi
ft(
a)ndoda,l
etmesi
tther
e."The
guysit
ti
ngnextmeswappedplaces
wit
hthemor on.

Ase:
"Amen!
"

Busani
:"
Hi.
"Hesaidwit
hasmi
l
e
whichIdi
dn'
tret
urn.

Me:
"Hi
.
"

Busani
:"
Niyambona
uyi
shandapha?(
canyouseet
hatshe
i
sbeautif
ul?)
"
Guyint
hecor
ner
:"
Str
ongmfana!
Ther
eisnowayt
hatshei
ssingl
e."

Busani
:
"Awukahl
eMabut
homf
ethu.
"

Mabut
ho:"
Im ser
iousdude.She'
sway
t
oogorgeoustobesingl
e."

Me:
"I
'm notsi
ngl
e.I
nfactIam
mar
ri
ed."

Them:
"What
?!"
Busani
:"
She'
sl y
inggents.Shehasno
ri
ngonherfinger.
"Dammi t!Ir
eall
y
needtobuyar i
ngcauseSi vuyi
lei
s
taki
nghisownsweett i
mewi t
h
buyi
ngoneforme.

Mel
i
:"Shel
ooksser
ious.
"

Busani
:"
She'
sonlysay
ingt hatto
makemest ayawayfr
om her ,kant
i
chaushayephant
sisi
si.Iam notone
togi
veuponsomet hi
ngt hatIwant
themost.
"

Ase:
"Al
-r
ightguy
s!Wear
enother
e
forthi
s.Weareher
etocel
ebratemy
bir
thday.Year
ememberme?Bi r
thday
gir
l?Thankver
ymuch.
"Wel aughed.

Mark:
"Babe,
youl
i
ket
hespotl
i
ght
neh.
"

Ase:"
It
'smydaybaby.Ideser
veal
l
thel
ightst
shi
n."Anot
herdrama
queen!

Mark:"YouheardMi ssPart
y!Let'
s
havefuntonight
!"Theycheered.They
star
tedmixingupdrinksforeveryone.
Busani
:
"Whatar
eyoudr
inki
ng?
"

Me:
"Gi
nandt
oni
c."

Busani
:
"Shi
t!Wedidn'
tordert
hat.I
cangobuyitf
oryouatthebar."

Me:
"Nah,i
t'
scool
.I'
l
lhav
eaBer
nini
Cl
assi
c."

Busani
:
"Wedon'
thav
ethatt
oo.Let
's
j
ustgotot
hebar.
"Ohhel
lno!
Me:
"Zeef
ri
endwhatar
eyoudr
inki
ng
t
her
e?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Brut
al8.
"

Me: "
Iwil
lhavethatt
oo."Busani
chuckledwhil
eshakinghishead.
Zintl
epassedmeabot t
leoftheci
der
afteropeni
ngitforme

Busani
:
"Youdon'
ttr
ustmebut
ter
fl
y.
"

Me:
"Atal
l
."Isai
dtr
uthf
ull
y.
Busani:
"Hay.IguessIhav
etowor
kto
ear
ny ourtr
ustthen."

Me: "
Iguessso."Ididn'
twanttoget
drunkt oni
ghtbecauseInowonceI
dri
nkt oomuch, mydancinggets
uncont rol
l
abl
e.Idon'twantt
of i
nd
my selfdanci
ngwithBusani,
not hank
you.
○
●
○
Al
i
ghti
nser
t.
..not
hingheav
y!
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t44
●
○
●
○
●
Woah!Whydi dn'tanyonet ellme
aboutthebrutal 8,myGodi tisbrut
al.
2drinksandIcanal readyfeel mysel
f
gett
ingt i
psy.Haynot hi
siswher eI
putast optotoni ght
'
sdr i
nking.Ineed
topee,damn!Ist oodup, Ifeltl
ikemy
kneeswer eabi twobbl y.

Busani
:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Aggh
Me:
"Tot
het
oil
et.
"

Busani
:
"Letmet
akey
ou.
"

Me:
"Not
hanks,
I'
ll
bef
ine.
"

Busani
:
"It
snotsaf
eint
he.
"

Me:
"Icant
akecar
eofmy
sel
f.
"Asi
f.

Busani
:
"Ic-
"
Zint
le:"
I'
ll
gowi t
hher.
"ThanksGod,
becausei fshedi
dn'
toff
erIknowhe
wasgoi ngt of
oll
owme.Shest ood
andwemadeourwayt othetoi
let
,
passingabunchofpeoplemaki ng
out.

Me:"Gosh!Whydi dn'tyouwar nme

aboutthebrutal8."Iaskedthe
momenti nsatont hetoil
etseat.She
l
aughed.Thedoorwaswi deopen
andshewasst andinginfrontofme.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ithoughy
ouwant
edt
oget
dr
unk."
Me:
"Ido.Butnott
hatdr
unk.
"

Zint
le:
"Well
youshoul
dgety
our
sel
f
somethingelset
odri
nk.
"

Me:"
Iwi l
ldothat.Ginwi l
ldomegood
r
ightnow, j
ustonegl ass.
"Iwiped
myselfandpulleddownmydr ess.
"
Sorry"Isai
dasIbumpedi nt
ooneof
t
hemanygi r
lsinthere.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Letsgotot
hebar,
Idon'
twant
Busanit
ogetyouadr
inkIdon'
ttr
ust
hi
m."

Me:
"Me.
"

"
Ginandpi
nkt
oni
cpl
ease.
"Isai
dto
t
hebar.

Bar
man:
"Doubl
eorsi
ngl
e?"

Me:"Double.Withl
emonplease."Ifel
t
ahandgr abbri
ngmyy es.Hai
bo!I
tur
nedqithf ur
ywrit
tenonmyf ace
onl
yt obemetbyanol dmansmi li
ng
heli
ckedhi sli
ps.Howdarehe
touchesmyass,I'
m goi
ngenoughto
behisdaught
er.Thebarmanbrought
mydr i
nk.

Oldman:
"Letmetakecar
eoft
hat.
"
HesaidwhenIt
ookoutmoneytopay
formydri
nk.

Me: "
Not hanks."Igavethebar man
money .Andnextt imepl easewatch
wher eyourhandsl andsy ouaretoo
oldtobel oungingher eandtouching
people'
sbut ts.Nxah!"Wi t
hthatsaidI
turnedandl eftwit
hZi nt
lefoll
owing
behindme.
Zint
le:
"AwwMrsFi
erce.
"Shesai
d
whenwesatdownwi t
hour'
group'
I
chuckl
ed.

Busani:
"Iwoul
dhavegotyouoneyoh
know."Il
ookedathi
minconfusi
on.
Hepointedatt
hedri
nkthatwasin
myhands.

Me:"
Oh,IguessIsav
edy
out
he
t
roubl
ethen."

Busani
:
"Youwoul
dnev
ert
roubl
e
me.
"Mxm."
Youwannadance?
"

Me:
"Idon'
tdance.
"

Busani
:
"Awwcomeon.
"

Me:"I
'
m seri
ous."Justt
henour(
me
andZintl
e)songcameon!
Siy
abathandazelabyBabesand
Mampi nt
sha.Zintl
escr
eamed.

Zintle:
"That'
sourj
am."Shetookmy
drinkandpl acedi
tonthet
able
bef orepull
i
ngmet othecr
owded
dancef l
oorandwedanced!Idi dn't
knowIcoul ddancel i
ket hati nf ront
ofpeopl e,Iguesst heBr utal 8was
play i
ngit'
spar t.Wellit
'snotl ike
peopl ewer elookingatus, t
heywer e
alsobusywi ththeirsil
lydancemov e.
Wewer einthezone.2mor esongs
cameonandwewer est il
l i
nt he
dancef l
oormov i
ngandsi ngingal ong
tot hesongs, Iwashav ingt het imeof
myl i
fe.Wewer ejumpingar oundi n
circlesnowandl aughing, i
twasa
j
oy fulmoment .Asenat hi alsoj oined
uswhensi sterBet t
inacameon, we
wentnut sthethreeofus.Ican' t
believeIallowedmy selft osweatl i
ke
t
hatdamn!

Ase:
"Thi
sisthebestbi
rthdayev
er!
"
Sheyell
edthr
oughtheloudmusic.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Technical
l
yy ourbir
thdaywas
ov
er3hour sago!.
"Wel aughed.

Ase:"
Sti
ll
!"Nextthi
ngsomeone
grabbedmywai standpul
ledme
cl
osertot hem,
itwasnoneothert
han
Busani.

Busani
:
"It
houghty
ousai
dyoudon'
t
dance.
"

Me:"
Idon'
t.
"Ri
hanna'
scheerswas
pl
ayi
nginthebackgr
ound.

Busani:
"That
'snotwhatIsawaf
ew
minutesago."

Me:"Youar edrunk,youreyeswere
deceivi
ngy ou."Hishandswer esti
l
l
onmywai standmi neonhi schest,
I
wasl ooki
ngst rai
ghtinhiseyeshe
hasbeautifuleyes.
Busani
:"
Wai t
!"Andjustli
kethatZi
ntl
e
hadpull
edmeof fBusani
'sarms.We
wenttositbackdownatourboot h.

Zi
ntl
e:"Andt
henwena?
"

Me:
"What
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Mnk!Si
vuy
il
ewi
l
lki
l
lyou.
"

Me:
"Whatdi
dIdo?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Stayawayf
rom Busani
B."
Hawu!
Me:
"Idi
dn'
tev
endoanyt
hing.He'
s
t
heonewhowashol
dingme. "

Zi
ntl
e:"Whywereyouhol
dingont
o
hi
schest,
andwhydidn'
tyoumove
fr
om himify
oudidntl
i
kethewayhe
washoldi
ngyou.
"

Me:
"Hebana!I
tnot
hingser
iousZee.
"

Zint
le:"LookI'
m notsayi
ngdon'
thave
fun,butmakesur ethaty
oulimi
t
yourself.Thi
ngshavechangednow,
Thandiisnolongerinthepi
cture,
y ou
are.
"Ohshit!Guil
tstar
tedset
tingin.
WhatwasIt hinki
nglett
inghi
m hold
mel i
kethat
, damn!Ieven
complimentedhiseyes,what
'swrong
withme!

Me:
"It
hinkIwantt
ogo.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Idi
dn'
tsayweshoul
dleav
eB.
"

Me:"Idon'
twantt
obehereanymore."
Asenathiwasi
nthedancef
loor
dancingwit
hMarkandhisf
riends.
Zint
le:
"Fi
ne!Let
'st
ellAsenat
hit
hen."
Luckil
yshewasalreadycomingback
tous.

Ase:
"Andthenni
na,
what
'swi
ththe
l
ongfaces?Wearei
nacl
ubhell
o!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Bwant
stogohome.
"

Ase:"Why?Didsomethi
nghappen?"
Shesatnexttome."What'
swrong
babes?Didsomeonehurtyou?Wasit
Busani?
!Uphiwonalomngqundu!
"I
want
edt
olaughatpar
t.

Me:"
Nothi
nghappenedAse.Ij
ust
wanttogohome,I'
m notf
eeli
ng
wel
l.
"

Ase:
"Iknowy
ouar
ely
ing.Youwi
l
ltel
l
mewhenwegethome!"

Me:"Noi
t'
sfi
neyoucanst
ay,
Idon'
t
wanttor
uiny
ourni
ght.
"

Ase:"
Nonsense.Wecamehere
toget
herandwewill
leav
etoget
her
.
Cal
lyourdr
iver
."

Me:"
Idon'
twantt
owakehi
m upi
ts
l
ate.
"

Ase:"
It
shisj
ob."Tr
ustAsenat
hit
o
behaveli
keaspoil
tbr
at.

Zint
le:
"Alr
eadyrequestedanuber ,i
t
will
beher einaminute.Sol et'
sgo."
Wegat heredourbelongings.Just
whenwear eabouttoleavet hebooth
theguyscameback.
Mar
k:"
Woah!Woah!Andt
hen?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wear
eleav
ing.
"

Mar k:
"Why?Ithoughwewere
fi
nishi
ngthisoffatmyhouse."
Fini
shingoff
?It'
salmost3o'cl
ock.
"Baby?"Hewasl ooki
ngatAsenathi
.

Ase:"
I'
llcallyou."Sheki
ssedhis
cheek."Andwena, st
aythehell
away
from mysi ster!
"Shewaspointi
ngat
Busani.Witht hatsai
dwef ol
l
owed
eachot herthroughthecrowdandout
thedoorwewent .Whenwegot
outsi
detheuberwasal r
eadyt here,
wegotinthecaranddr oveofftomy
house.Theguar dsdidn'
tall
owt he
ubertoentert hey
ard,sowepai dand
gotthenwal kedfr
om thef r
om the
gatetothehouse.Soonaswegoti n
wewentst raightt
omyr oom andsat
onthebed.

Ase:"
Sotellmewhathappened? "I
narr
atedthewhol estorytoherand
howIf el
taftert hewholeordeal."
You
don'
thavet ofeel guil
tyboo.It
'snot
l
ikeyouguy ski ssedory ouhada
moment ,nothingl i
kethathappened
mos? "
Me:
"Ofcoursenot
.Itwasj
ustt
he
t
ouchi
ng."

Ase:"
Thendon'tf
eel gui
lt
yt hen.Zee
i
sright.Youar
eallowedt ohav efun,
butyouneedtoli
mi tyourself
."

Me:"Iknow.Damn!Worstpar
tIdi
dn'
t
eventellSi
vuy
il
eaboutthi
sni
ght
out.
"

Zint
le:
"I
twasunpl
annedandi
t'
snot
l
ikehewasgoingtoall
owyoutogo.
"
Me:
"Yeahneh.Let
sjustsl
eep.
"
○
●
Ifel
tcoldaironmybody !Iopened
myey esonlytor eal
i
set hetalents
werepulledont heside,Ipull
edt hem
backonmeandpr oceededt osleep.
Onceagai ntheywereof fme!Thi s
ti
mear oundIopenedmyey es
properl
yonlytobemetbyaf igure
nexttome.Isatupandr ubmyey es,
IwasmetbyanotsohappySi vuyi
le.
Shit
!Whendi dhegetback.Il ooked
onthesideoft hebedandt hese
bi
tcheswer
enother
e.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Vuka!Vuka!Thi
siswhaty
ou
dowhenIam nother e?Huh?
"He
wasnotshoutedbuthesounded
pi
ssed.

Me:
"Whendi
dyougetback?
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Thatdoesn'
tmatter.Yougo
toclubsnow? "Ohsnap!Iswal l
owed.
"What?Youwantt oturnintoanother
Thandiwe? !
"Thathur
t
Me:
"That
'snotf
airSi
vuy
il
e."

Sivuyi
le:"
What '
snotf
airisyougoing
cl
ubbingwi thoutt
ell
i
ngme, what'
s
notfairismecomi ngbackher e
expectingtofindmywi f
einbedi n
herpyjamasonl ytofi
ndheri navery
ski
mpydr essandmakeuponher !
Whydi dn'tyoutel
lmethaty ouwent
outlastnight?"

Me:
"I
m sor
ry.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"That
snotmyquest
ion
Lunat
hi.
"
Me:"I
twasunplannedokay.Wewent
outtocelebr
ateAsenat
hi'
s20t
h
bi
rthday
."Iwasabitscared

Sivuyi
le:"Unplanned?Accor dingt omy
knowledgey oudeci dedtogo
shoppi ngfort heclubintheaf ternoon,
thatmeansy ouhadpl entyoftimet o
tel
l me, Ialsotextedlastnightbut
youdidn' tcaretot el
lmeaboutgoi ng
out.Whyt hesecr ecyLunathi?!
"
Sil
ence!" Hehmar nndiyathetha!(I
'm
tal
king!)"Nowhe' sangry."Arey ou
cheatingonme? "Whatt hefuck!How
di
dhefi
ndoutaboutourday
?OhGod
Si
zwe!

Me:
"What
?Ofcour
senot
!"

Sivuy
ile:"
Thenwhydidyouhidegoing
toacl ub?YouevensentSi
zweaway !
Why ?!Youdidn'
twanthimtosee
yournewman?I sthatit
?"Thisguyis
crazy.

Me:"
Ofcoursenot!Ther
ei snonew
manSivuyil
e!I
fther
ewasdoy ou
t
hinkIwouldbesleepi
ngher e
t
onight
?!"Iwasgettopissedmysel
f,
howdarehethi
nkthatofme."Iwoul
d
nev
erdothattoyou!
"Hesighed
bef
orehesatdownont hebed.

Sivuyil
e:"
Iknow, I'
m sor ry
.Justt hat
whenIsawy oudr essedl i
kethatt hi
s
mor ningIjustknewt hatyouwer eout
atnightandy oudidn'ttellme.Iwas
pissedandhur tbecauset hat'
swhat
Thandi weusedt odoandl ookhow
thatended.Shecheat edonme
mul t
ipleti
mesandendedupmaki ng
sext ape.Idon'twantt ol
osey out o
someone! "Hesai di nacal mt one.
Me:"
WellIam notli
keThandiwe.I
wouldneverdothattoyou.It
hought
youknewmebet terthanthat
."

Sivuyi
le:
"Iknowbaby .I'
m sor
ry.But
I
'm stil
lmadt hatyouwentout
withouttel
li
ngme.Wor stweari
ngli
ke
that,
inaplacef oolofmen!Menwi t
h
wonder i
ngey es!Ihopenoone
touchedwhat 'smine."It
houghabout
thatoldmanandBusani .

Me:"
Ofcoursenotmybugjeal
ous
f
reak.
"Isai
dafterl
aughi
ng.Hepul
led
mefrom t
hebedandmademesi ton
hi
slap.Hepeckedonmyl i
ps.My
armswerearoundhi
sneckwhilehi
s
handswereonmywai st
.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Imi
ssedy
ou.
"Hesai
dwi
tha
smil
e.

Me:
"Imi
ssedy
out
ool
over
."

Siv
uyil
e:"Imissedt
heseandmy
castl
e."Ilaughedt
hrowi
ngmyhead
back

Me:
"Youar
eal
way
sthi
nki
ngabout
sexar
en'
tyou?
"Hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Doyoublameme?Ihav en't
beeninsideyouinaweek."Hekissed
myneck, def
ini
tel
yleav
ingamar k.He
mov edandwentupt omyl i
ps,j
ust
beforehecouldkissmeIstopped
hi
m.

Me:
"Mybreat
hbabe.Ineedt
obr
ush
myteet
h."

Si
vuy
ile:
"AndIneedt
ogett
oa
meet
ing.Damn!"
Me:
"awwnowonderoswenki
l
eso.
"
Hesmil
ed

Siv
uyil
e:"
Yad'
bonababy
.Ndi
yany
isa
neh?"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Mona!Gobrushyourt
eethI
needmywel comebackandgoodbye
ki
ss."Igotof
fhisl
ap.

Me:
"No!
"Isai
dwhent
ri
edspanki
ng
me.Ihur
ri
edt
othebat
hroom.

Si
v uyi
le:
"nzokufumana.
"Il
aughed.I
brushedmyt eet
handri
nsedthem
quickl
y .

"WHATI SAMEANI NGOFTHIS?!!

"
Heroaredfrom t
hebedr
oom.Ihalf
runtothehim,hewasstandi
ngthere
l
ookingfur
iouswithmyphoneinhis
hand.

Me:
"What
?What
'swr
ong?
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whowereyouwithlast
ni
ght
?!!
"Heshout
ed.Ohshit
!

Me:
"Uh.
..Iwaswi
thNat
hiandZee.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Don'
tl
iet
omewena!
!"I
j
umpedasIwasstar
tl
ed"
Whoel
se?
!"

Me:
"Nat
hi'
sboy
fri
endandhi
s
f
ri
ends.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
SowhenIam nother
eyou
gooutongroupdat
es?!Huh?!
"Iwas
scared
Me:
"I
twasnotadat
ebaby
."

Sivuyil
e:"Am Iafool toyou
Boitumel o?
!"hah!I '
m Boit
umel onow.
"Huh? !Thandiwelef tandwenay ou
haver esort
edi ntakingherplace?!
UnguThandi wenumber2ngoku
wenahuh? !
!"Tearsmadet hei
rway
downmycheeks." WIPETHOSE
DAMNTEARSOFFYOURFACE! !"
Whatev eri
sonmyphonei smaki ng
him mad.May bet here'
sapictureof
meandBusani ont hedancef l
oor ,
shit!Ihopenot !Howwoul dj explain
t
hat
!

Me:
"Iam notl
i
keThandi
we!
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Youletyourboyfri
endstext
youinmyhousenow? !!Youletyour
l
itt
leboyfri
endstextyouinmy
presence?!
!"Hehbathowhat
boy f
ri
ends?Iwasconf used.

Me:
"Ther
eisnoboy
fri
endSivuy
il
e!
HowmanytimesmustIt
ell
yout hat
!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hayf
utsekmar
nwena!
!
Yint
onil
e?!"Hethrewmyphoneon
mychest,thathurt
.Iquickl
ylooked
atwhathewasshowi ngmeand
i
ndeedtherewasat extfrom an
unsavednumber ,
itread:

"Heybut
ter
fl
y,hopeyouar
eokay
.I
enjoy
edspendi
ngtimewit
hyoul
ast
night
.

Busani.
"Shi
t!I
'm screwedwhywould
hesendmesuchat ext?
!Imeanwe
hardl
yspokelastnightsother
ewas
no'spendi
ngtime'wi t
hhim.Wait
!
Wherethehelldi
dhegetmynumber s!
Me:"Babywait
!Icanexplain.Nothi
ng
happenedbet
weent hetwoofus.
Nothi
ngIShap-"Iwasinteruppt
edby
myr i
ngi
ngphone.Itwast hesame
number.Iwasabouttodr opwhenI
fel
tmyphoneleav emyhandsandi t
gotsmashedont hewall
.

Sivuyi
l
e:"Nindenzai kakanina!"Heleft
theroom, slammi ngt hedooronhi s
wayout .Ijustsatont hebednot
knowingwhatt odoorsay .Shoul dI
fol
lowhi m?Nohe' stooangr yhe
mightrearrangemyf ace.Iletthe
tearsdot heworks.Whatthefuck
j
usthappened!Wher et hehell
did
Busani getmynumber s?!Isurehope
Asenathi di
dntgivethem tohim or
elsetherewill
behelltopay!
○
●
ThefollowingdaySivuyi
lewasst i
l
l
nottal
kingt ome.Aftert
hewhol e
dramahi sfri
endsbroughthim home
drunklastnight
,andtodaywhenwe
wokeuphedi dn'
tsayany t
hingtome
hedidn'tevengreetmebackwhenI
greet
edhi m.Iwasembar rassed
whenhi sfri
endsbroughthim home,I
am hundr edpercentsur et
hathet ol
d
them whatwentdown, nowallt
hey
will
seewhent heyl ookatmeisa
cheater.Thembadi dn'
tsayanythi
ng
tomel astnight,that'
showser i
ousit
i
s.ItookmybagasIwentdownst ai
rs
tohavemybr eakfast.Hewassi tt
ing
onthecouchf eedingChulu,hewas
alr
eadydr essedforwor k.

Me:"Car
efulyoudon'tmessy our
sel
f.
"
Yoh!Ifl
ookscouldkill
,Iwouldbe
l
y i
nginthemorguer i
ghtnow.Chulu
start
edstar
tedjumpingonherchair
makingitdi
ffi
cultf
orherfathert
o
feedher.
Sivuyi
le:"
Staysti
llbaby.
"Chuludidn'
t
payat t
ention,i
nsteadshehel dout
herarmst ome,shewant edme.
"Yeses!Lookatwhaty ou'vedone
now!Agghamar n!
"Heshout ed
start
li
ngChul uwhoi mmediat el
ycri
ed.
Iquicklyrushedtoherandt ookher.

Me:"Thatwasunnecessar
y."Hewas
wipingthepuri
tyofhi
sshir
t,
unfort
unatel
yitwasthebutter
nutone
thatmeanshehast ochangehisshir
t.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Nxah!LooknowIam goi
ng
t
obelat
e."Hepl
acedevery
thi
ngon
t
het
ableandwalkedupst
air
s.

Me:"Mor ningmynunupi e.Howar e

you."Ikissedher,shestarted
l
aughi ng,youwoul dswearshewasn' t
cryi
ngj ustami nuteago."Youar eso
heavy.Mommy '
spr i
ncessisgr owi
ng.
Yesy ouar e,y
esy ouare."Iti
ckledher
stomach.Iwal kedt otothekitchento
makemy sel
facupoft ea.
Fewmi nut
eslat
erSivuyi
l
epassedus
i
ntheloungeandl ef
twit
houteven
say
inggoodbye.Iwassohurt,Itr
ied
sohardtonotcry.Idi
dn'
twanttocry
i
nfrontofChulu.Ical
l
edoutManxel
e
t
ocomeandt akeChuluasIwant
ed
t
oleave.

Me:
"Ni
sal
ekakuhl
ekemah.
"

Manxel e:"
Nawesi siufundekakuhle."
IkissedChul uandwentoutt hedoor,
Sizwewasal readywai ti
ngf ormeout
fr
ont .Igotinthecarandwedr oveoff
i
ncompl etesilence.Iwant edtoask
him het ol
dSiv uyil
eaboutt hatnight
butIchoset okeepmymout hshut.
Wegott ocampus, Igotof fandwent
strai
ghtt omyf i
rstclass.Ican'
treal
ly
sayIwaspay i
ngat tent
ioni ncl ass,I
wasj ustl ookingatt hel ect
ur er
mov i
ngherl i
ps.Mymi ndwasf ar
away ,Iwast hinkingaboutSi vuyil
e,I
wast hinki nghowt heBusani gotmy
number .May beIshoul dconf ronthim
aboutt his!Ornot .Idon' tknowwhat
todo, thissi l
entt reatmentt hat
Sivuyi
lei sgi vi
ngmei ski l
li
ngme
slowly.Sur ei
t'sonl ybeenaf ew
hours,butst i
llithur tbecausehe
didn'
tev enwantt ogi vemeachance
toexplai nmy self
, Ican'treallycall
him nowcausehesmashedmy
phone.Onceagai nher eactedi n
anger,nott hatIbl amehi mt histime
around,t
histi
meIwasatf aul
tandI
neededtosithim downand
apologi
se.

Lecture:
"Classdismi
ssed!
"That
'sal
lI
heard.Studentsmadethei
rwayout
ofthelectureroom,Iwasthel
astone
out.

Ase:"Andthenwena?What'
supwit
h
yout oday
?Youwer enotwi
thusi
n
class."

Zi
ntl
e:"
YeahB,
what
'swr
ong.
"
Me:"
WhogaveBusani
mynumber
?"I
bl
urt
edout
!

Them:
"Huh?
"

Me:"
Busani?Whogav ehi
m my
numbers?
"Theylookedatme
conf
used.

Zi
ntl
e:"
It
swasme, Ihat
ethatpr
ick.
"I
l
ookedatAsenat
hi.

Ase:
"Woah!I
t'
snotmeB.Iwoul
d
nev
erdot
hatt
omybr
other
."

Me:"Thenwheredidthatarrogant
pri
ckgetmynumber ?Youknowhe
hadthener v
etosendmeav er
y
suspici
ousmessagey est
erday.He
evencalledmewhileIwasst il
l
expl
ainingtoSi
vuyi
leaboutt he
messageandt hatshitcostmemy
phone!"

Ase:
"Wai
tbhuti
isback?Whendi
dhe
comeback?"

Me:
"Yest
erday
.Andwher
edi
dyou
guy
sdi
sappeart
olastni
ght
?"

Zint
le:"
Mymom cal ledmet ocome
backear l
yforChurch,Ihadtol
eave
withAsenathitogetmycl ot
hesfr
om
herflat
."

Ase:"Andwhatdoy oumeanitcost
youy ourphone."Ist
art
ednarr
ati
ngto
them whattranspir
edbetweenme
andSi vuy
il
e.Ikeptonwipingt
earsof
myf ace.Suchacr ybaby.

Zint
le:
"Yohf
ri
end.Howt hehel
ldi
dhe
getyournumbercausenoneofus
hav
eitt
ohi
m."

Ase:
"Ohhel
lno!
!"

Me:
"What
?"

Ase:
"It
hinkImighthav
eanideawho
gaveyournumbertoBusani
."

Me:
"Who?
"

Ase:
"Wait.
"Shedial
edanumberon
herphone,theper
sonanswer
edon
thefi
rstr
ing.
Per
son:"
Missmeal
ready
."I
twas
Mark.

Ase:
"MarkPi
l
laywhydidyougi
ve
Busani
mysister
'snumber
s?"

Mark:
"Uh.
..t
heniggawasdesper
ate,
I
f
eltsor
ryforhi
m babe.I
'
m sor
ry.
"

Ase:"
Doyouknowwhatyouhavej
ust
done?HuhMar k?
!Howcoul
dyou
steal
mesister
snumber
sfrom my
phone?Konawhogaveyou
per
missi
ont
otouchmyphone?
!"

Mark:"
Im sor
rybaby.It
houghIwas
hel
pingmyf r
iend.
"

Ase:"Wellyourhelpcauseddamage
onanot herside.Didn'
tItel
lthatjer
k
tostayawayf rom myfri
end?!Heh
mar n!Yaziniyamqhelaumnt unina
zicheeseboy !Yeseslomngqundu
weKul a.
"Shehungup.Zi ntl
el aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
MnqunduweKul
apho?
"We
l
aughed.
Ase:
"Iam sopi
ssedathi
m.Iam so
sor
ryB."

Me:
"I
tsokay
,youdi
dn'
tknow.
"

Ase:
"Ididt
heri
ghtt
hingbydepr
ivi
ng
hi
mt hecooki
eyest
erday!Howdar
e
hetouchesmyphone."

Me:
"Youwer
ewi
thhi
myest
erday
?"

Ase:"
Yeah.Af
terZi
ntl
elef
thecame
tofet
chmeandwewentt ohi
sfl
att
o
chil
l,
orsohesai d.Kanti swi
ne
wantedt osleepwit
hme!Nowt hathe
fai
ledtodot hathedecidedt osellout
mysi st
er!Hemusthav eusedmy
fi
ngerwhi l
eIwassl eeping.Ngutsotsi
mosl o!
"Iwant edtolaughedathow
dramaticshewasbei ng.
•
Thedaycommencedv erywell,
my
fr
iendsdi
dcheermeup.Iwasnotas
sadasIwaswhenIgott ocampus,
evenwhenIgothomeIspentaf ew
hourswit
hChulubefor
eItookal ong
naponthesofa.Iwaswokenupby
somebusykissi
ngmyf ace.Iwoke
uptoadrunkSivuyi
l
estandingov er
me, Isatpr
operl
yonlytoreali
sethat
hisfri
endswerewithhim onceagain.
Thistimehewasnott heonlyone
thatwasdrunk,Lunganiwasalso
drunk.

Sivuyi
le:
"NankokeMadoda.Umf azi
wam omhl eendamkhet hel wangoZizi.
Mjongeni mhl ekanjani,ngowam ke
l
o!"Hehi thischestwhi let r
yingto
standstil
l."Butshehur tme, shehur t
mer eall
ybad.Youknowwhatshedi d?
Shecheat edonme, ndiyintonjemna
abafazibay andi
febela.Ohy i
ni
Mamkoenawam, kut heni undivi
sa
kubuhlungukanj e.
(Iam j ustat hing,
womencheatonme.Ohwhy
Mamokoena, whyarey ouhur t
ingme
l
ikethis.)
"Het ouchedmyf ace.Iwas
soscar ed,whatifhebeat smeup.
"Subalekababy ,
sozendi kubethe
wena.Nev er!Ndingazi
bet hamna
kqala.
(Dontmov ebaby ,
Iwoul dnever
hityou.Iwouldhi tmyselffi
rst.
)"Thi
s
wasal lBusani'
sfault
!Ihat ehim!I
hatehim somuch.Hewentt osit
nexttoadr unkLungani .

Me:
"Whathappenedt
ohi
m?"

Themba:
"Youhappened.Ihav
en'
t
seenhimli
kethi
sinalongtime
Boit
umelo.Youneedt
of i
xthisandI
don'
tknowhowy ouar
egoi ngtofi
x
thi
s."

Lungani:
"yeyntwanayam,mnanawe
sameWhat sAppgroup,
siso.
"He
broughthistwoindexfi
nger
s
together
.Thisi
samess.

Ayanda:"
am sor
ry,butIthi
nkitwoul
d
bebetteri
fweleftLunganiheret
oo.
"

Me:
"Whathappenedt
ohi
m?"
Nka:
"Heuhm.
..f
oundoutt
hathe'
s
gi
rl
fr
iendi
spr
egnantf
orsomeone
el
se.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Thesehoesai
n'
tl
oyal
!"He
sangoutloud.

Lungani
:"
Ungatshouphi
nde
ntwana.
(Youcansaythatagai
n.)
"

Themba:
"Fi
xthi
s."Hesai
dbef
orehe
l
eft.
Ayanda:"
Doyouwantust
ohel
pthem
upstai
rs?"

Me:
"Pl
ease.
"Ay
andahel
pedSivuyi
le
whi
l
eNkaz i
mul
ohel
pedLungani.

HowwasIgoi ngtofixthi
sas
Thembasaid,whi
l
eSi vuyi
l
ecomes
backhomet hi
sdrunk.Hedoesn'
t
evental
ktomewhenhewakesup.
DearLordhelpmesolv et
hismess.
■
■
■
■
■

ONCEAGAINTHEREI
SNOPDFOF
THI
SSTORYSTOPASKINGMETO
'
SHAREPLEASE'
ONTHETHEINBOX.
AYI
KHOI
PDFYALENCWADI
HAEYOPDFYABUKAENA
IHOPEPEOPLEWI
LLFI
NALLY
UNDERSTAND.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t45
◇
◇
◇
◇
◇
Ican'tdeal wi
ththisanymore.Him
notspeaki ngtome, cominglat
eat
nightdrunk!Andhest il
lhasthenerv
e
toputhe' sarm aroundmewhenhe' s
sleeping.Yesthat'swhatIwokeupto
thismor ni
ng,he'sarm wasaround
meandhewassocl osetome, I
couldn'teventurn.
Fort
unatelyt
odayhedidn'
twakeup
andleave,hewassti
l
lsleepi
nginMY
bed.It
'sti
mewehadaser i
ouscal
m
tal
k.
Me:
"Wakeup!
"Hewassnoring.
"
Siv
uyil
ewakeup!
"Ishookhim har
d.
Heopenedhi
seyessl
owly.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Haymar
n.What
?!"Ohnohe
di
dn'
t!

Me:
"Wakeup.Weneedt
otal
k."

Sivuy
il
e:"That
swhaty
ouwokemeup
for
?Whatdoweneedt ot
alkabout
exactl
y?"Hewasnotahappyman.

Me:
"Us.Ineedt
otel
lyouwhat
happened.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Idon'
twanttoheari
t.Nowi f
youdon'
tmi ndcanIgobacktosleep.

Me:"Idomi
ndSi v
uyi
le.Iam t
ir
edof
youcomingbackhereatweehours
drunkandmakingnoise!
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
It
'smyhouse,
IcandowhatI
wantto.Besi
desi
tsonlybeent
wo
ni
ghts"

Me:
"yourhouseneh?Andi
t'
sbeen2
nightsinarowSivuyil
e.Wehavea
childinthi
shouse,sheneedsal
lthe
sleepshecangetbutwenay ouare
toosel f
isht
oreal
isethat
."Hesatup
straight
.

Sivuyi
le:
"Sel
fi
sh?Meselfi
sh?Tel l
exactl
yhowi smemendi ngmy
brokenheartsel
fi
sh?I
fany thi
ngy ou
aretheonewhousselfishher e,
busy
havinganaffai
rwit
hschool boys.
Khawundehlewenandintloko"Wow!

Me:"
Mendingwhatbrokenhear
t?
Yourhear
twoul
dn'tbebrokeni
fyou
hadgivenmeachancet oexpl ai
n.I
f
youdidn'
tjumpintoconclusi
onwe
wouldn'
tbeinthi
ssituat
ion,you
wouldn'
thavethatheadacheright
now."Helookedatmel i
keIwas
crazy
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Justgetoutofher
e."I
n
who'
sroom?Isaidmentall
y.

Me:"Iam notgoinganywher e.Wear e

goi
ngt osithereandtalk.
"Hegav e
meabor edl ook.Iwenttositnext
hi
m, heshift
ed-Howchi l
dish."Look
babe,Idi
dn'tcheatony ou.Iam not
hav
inganaf
fai
rwi
thBusani
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yeahr
ight
."

Me: "
Im beinghonest
.Busani i
saguy
from school,he'
sbeen
courti
ng(askingmeout.)meev er
sinceIstartedinUJandI'vealways
toldhimt hatIam marr
ied.Thatisthe
honesttruth."

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Sohowhegety ournumber
then?Andwhydidyouspendt he
nightwit
hhi
m ashesaidinthetext
?"
Me:"Busani isMar k'
sfri
end, Mark
whohappenst obeAsenat hi'
snew
boyfri
end.I fIhadknowt hathewas
oneofMar k'sfri
endsIwoul dhav e
stayedathome.Mar kist heonewho
gaveBusani mynumberaf ter
steali
ngt hem from Nathi'sphone. "
Hel ookedatmef orawhi le."Iswear
toGod.I fyoudon' tbel
ievemey ou
cancal lNathiandaskhershewi l
ltel
l
youexact lywhatIt ol
dy ou. "

Siv
uyi
le:
"I
tsf
inet
her
e'snoneedt
o
cal
lher.
"
Me:
"Iwoul
dnev
ercheatony
ou.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ibel
i
evey
ou.
"

Me:
"Youdo?
"Myhear
twasj
umpi
ng
f
orj
oy.

Sivuyi
le:
"Ofcourse.Ishouldn'
thav e
j
umpedi ntoconclusi
onIshouldhav e
l
ety ouexplain.
"Ilookedathim.
"Heyy.
..don'tcr
y.Comeher e.
"Ididn'
t
evenrealiseIwascr yi
ng.Imov edup
thebedandgoti nunderthecov ers
withhim,heplacedmyheadonhi s
chest."I
'
m sosorryforbehavi
ngli
ke
ajerk,f
orgi
vemebaby .
"Hekissed
myhead." I
t'
sjustthataf
terwhat
Thandiwedid,Iam alwaysexpect
ing
yout odothesame. "

Me:
"That
'snotf
aironme.Youknow
me,
Iwouldneverbeli
keThandi
we.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Iknowmyl ove.I'
mj ust
scared.I
'm scar
edt hatyoumi ght
reali
sethatIam justaloserandIam
notgoodf oryou.I'
m scaredy ou
mightgett i
redofmyj erkassand
l
eaveme. "It
ri
edtolookathi
m,but
hepressedhischi
nonheadmakingit
har
df ormetomov eit.

Me:"Iwoul
dneverl
eaveyou.Wear
e
boundbyancestor
sfor
everandIl
ove
yourjer
kass.
"Hechuckl
edand
ki
ssedmyheadonemor etime.

Sivuyi
le:
"Nextt
imedot el
lmewhen
yougooutatni ghtwi
th.y
ourf
ri
end,
please."

Me:
"Idoubtt
her
ewi
l
lbeanextt
ime"
hel
aughed.
Siv
uyi
le:
"Trustmet herewi
llbe,I
knowhowy ouyounginsbehave.
"
Pssh,
I'm ayounginnow.

Me:"
Andbabe,Idon'
tl
ikethi
sthi
ngof
youcompar
ingmet oThandi
we."He
movedmeandmademel ieonhis
l
ap.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Im sor
rybaby,Ipr
omi
seI
wi
llneverdoitagai
n."

Me:
"Pi
nkypr
omi
se?
"Hel
aughed
Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Pinkypr
omise.If
orgett
hat
youar
estil
lachi
ld.
"

Me:
"Mxm.
"Hel
aughedagai
n.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
oschool
today?"

Me:
"Iam.Mycl
assesst
artat12.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Howaboutyouski
pcl
asses
todayandwestayinheret
hewhole
day."
Me:"
Ast empt
ingasthatmaysound.I
don'
tli
kestay
inginbedforal
ong
ti
me."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Heh!Lookwho'stal
ki
nga
pr
ofessi
onalsleepyhead.
"

Me:"Therei
snosucht
hing.Besi
des
yourfr
iendi
sher
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Who?
"

Me:
"Youdon'
trememberwhoy
ou
camewi
thl
astni
ght
?"

Sivuy
il
e:"No.Hel
lIdon'
teven
rememberhowIgother e.
"

Me:"Lungani
.He'si
ntheotherroom.
I
'm sureheadachei
salsokil
li
nghim.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ineedpai
nki
l
ler
s."

Me:
"Youai
n'
tget
ti
nganyf
rom me.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
comeonbabe.If
eel
li
kemy
skull
isaboutt
ocr
ack."
Me:
"Ser
vesy
our
ight
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youar
ecr
uel
."

Me: "
I'
ll
takethatasacompl i
ment,
thanky ouverymuch."Ismil
ed.He
staredatme.forwhilewit
hasmi l
e
plaster
edonhi sface"What?DoI
havesomet hingonmyf ace?"

Siv
uyile:
"Yes..
.beaut
y."Icoul
dn'
thel
p
butblushthenhidmyf acewi
thmy
hands."Don'tdothat
.Youcan'thi
de
suchbeaut
y."I'
m pr
ett
ysur
emy
cheekswer
er ed.

Me:
"Tel
lyouwhatsi
ncey
ouwantme
t
obunkschool
,wh-
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hay,
whyar
eyouputti
ngit
l
ikethat
?Isai
dmissyourcl
asses.
"

Me:
"That
'sbunki
ng.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Noi
t'
snot
."

Me:
"I
nmybooksi
tis.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mxm.
"Igi
ggl
ed.

Me:"AnywayasIwassaying,
Iwas
thi
nkingmaybeweshouldgot ot
he
mallandyoumisterwi
ll
buymea
brandnewphonesinceyousmashed
mine."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Oh!Ther
e'st
hat
."

Me:"Yes.IneedaphoneASAPand
I
'm suremyf ami
lyhasbeent
ryi
ngt
o
r
eachme. "
Siv
uyi
le:
"Youar
eri
ght.Let'
sgot
akea
showerthenwewi
llgo."

Me:"Excusey
oubrother
,Ihav
e
al
readyshowered.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Real
l
y?Youdon'tl
ookli
keit.
MmmhIguessi t
'syourugl
i
ness."I
gasped

Me:
"Hah!Justafewmi nut
esagoI
wasbeauti
ful
,nowIam ugly?Wow."
Helaughedandpeckedonmyl i
ps.
Sivuy i
l
e:"Mov
ekemadam. "Imov ed
myhead, hegotupandwentt othe
bathroom totakeashower,whil
eI
stoodupandwentdownst ai
rs.I
won' tli
eIwasgladthatwehav e
sortedoutourissues,i
twasreall
y
weighi ngonmet hathewasmadat
mef orsomet hi
ngIdidn'
tdo.
WhenIgotdownstair
swenttothe
ki
tchenandther
ewasLungani
dr
inkingadi
sgusti
nglooki
ngdr
ink.

Me:
"Eeuw!What
'st
hat
?"
Lungani
:
"Myhangov
err
emedy
."

Me:"
Itl
ooksdisgusti
ng.Icanimagi
ne
howbadittastes.
"Hechuckled.

Lungani:
"Youhav enoidea."I
proceededIpluggedi
nt hekett
le.
"Howdi digetherel
astnight.
"I
l
aughed.

Me:"Idon'tknowhey .Someone
knockedont hedoorandwhenIwent
toopen,therey ouweresloshedon
thefloor
."Hisey eswidened.
Lungani
:"Youarej
okingri
ght
?"Iwas
try
ingsohardtomaintai
nastr
aight
face.

Me:
"Iam not
."

Lungani:"
Shit
!DidIcomeher ewit
h
mycar? "Ishookmyhead." Nonono!
Areyousur eLunathi
?"Hewas
pani
ckingnow, Icoul
dn'thol
diti
n
anymoreIbur stoutwit
hlaught
er.

Me:
"I'
mjoki
ng.Yourf
ri
endsbr
ought
youher
e."Isaidwhi
l
emaki
ngmysel
f
acupofcoffee.

Lungani
:
"yeeerLunat
hi!Youwil
lgi
ve
meheartattackwenamar n.
"I
l
aughedonceagain.

Me:
"Soyoudon'
trememberany
thi
ng
f
rom l
astni
ght
?"

Lungani
:"Ir
ememberarri
vi
ngatt he
barandmeet i
ngthegent
st her
eand
tel
l
ingthem aboutZi
masa."Zimasa
i
shisgirl
fri
end.
Me:"
Zimasaneh.Youdoknowthat
youdon'
thavetodri
nkYoursel
fto
deat
hbecauseofagirl
."

Lungani
:
"That
'
sNotam doi
ng.I
'
m
j
udgingnumbingt
hepai
n."

Me:"Wel
lal
coholisthesoluti
ontodo
that
.Youwill
endbeinganal cohol
i
c
andlosi
ngeveryt
hingthatyou
workedhardforj
ustbecauseofa
meregir
l.
"
Lungani:
"Agi
rlt
hatIl
oved.
"He
defended.

Me:"Thereareplent
ymor egirlsout
ther
ewhodeser veyourlove.Donot
l
iseyoursel
fbecauseofaper son
who'sprobablyr
ejoi
cingwher ever
sheis.Iam 100percentsure
whereversheissheisstressf r
eeand
l
aughing,andnotsuffer
ingfrom
hangover.
"

Lungani
:"Thatgi
rlcr
ushedmysoul
Lunathi
,Ican'
tgetoveri
tthatf
ast
."
Me:"I
m notsay inggetoveritnow,al
lI
am say ingisfindanotherwayt o
di
stracty ourselffr
om thepainyou
arefeelingbecauseal coholis
defi
nitelynotasol uti
onLungani.You
aretoohandsomet obet ur
ningint
oa
drunkf orsomest upi
dgirl
."

"Handsome? "ThatwasSivuyi
l
e
enter
ingthekitchen."
Nonono, don'
t
saythattohimy ouwillgi
vehi
mt he
wrongidea."Il
aughed.

Lungani
:
"Yeeyunomonant
wana!
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Mywifecan'
tgoar
ound
compliment
ingot
hermenwhil
eIam
here.
"

Me:"
Thebiggr
eenmonsteri
soutto
pl
aytoday
."MeandLungani
laughed.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Onaseri
ousnot
eboy
,
Lunat
hii
sright
."

Lungani
:
"ThatIam handsome?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Nofool
!I'
m nott
alki
ng
aboutthat.
"
Lungani:
"OhIt
houghtyouwere
agreei
ngwithheronthat
"Il
aughed

Siv
uyile:
"Si
es!Idon'
tcompli
ment
guys.I'
mt al
kingaboutusi
ngalcohol
toforgetZimasa.Thati
snota
solut
ionmyguy ,
youshoul
dfind
somet hi
ngelse."

Lungani:
"Li
ke?"Si
vuy
il
egav
ehi
ma
naughtysmile.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Areboundgi
rl
."What
!
Lungani
:
"Nehntwana?Whydi
dn'
tI
thi
nkofthat
."

Me: "Becauseit'
sastupididea.Why
woul dyouwantt ohurtanothergi
rl
l
iket hat
?Youofal lpeopl
eknowhow
painfull
yiti
stobehur tbysomeone
yout houghlovedyou.Haimar nguy
s
growup. "Theylookedatmel ikeI
wasst upid.

Sivuyi
l
e:"
What'swr
ongwi
tha
reboundgir
l?"
Me:"
Didn'
tyouhearwhatIj
ustsai
d?
Wowy ouguysarehopel
ess.Letme
goseemydaughter.
"
○
■
Wehadj ustgotbackf r
om ourday
out.Itwasmeantt obeabondi ngday
formeandSi vuyil
ebuthisfr
iend
decidedtot agalong.Wehadl unch
andwentshoppi ngforafewcl othes,
wellI'
mt heonewhowasdoi ngt he
shoppingf orbothmeandSi v uy i
l
e
whiletheywai t
edf ormeinthecar .
Sivuyil
ealsosaidIshouldleav ethe
phoneshoppi ngt ohim,hewill geti
t
formeandi
twil
lbeasur
pri
se.Iwas
packi
ngmyclot
hesi
nthecl
oset
whensomeonedeci
dedt
odist
urbme.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youbusy
?"Real
l
y?

Me:
"Ofcour
seIam.Why
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Igoty
oursur
pri
se.
"That
mustbemyphone.Ijumpedupon
myfeet.

Me:
"Wher
eisi
t?"
Sivuyile:
"Come."Hetookmyhand
andl edmet othebedroom,andthere
ont opoft hebedlaidagiftbag.I
yankedmyhandf r
om him andranto
taket hegift,
Icoul
dnotbel i
evemy
eyeswhenIsawi t
.Iscreamedand
j
umpedbef oregi
vi
nghi m ali
nger
ing
kiss.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youl
i
kei
t?"

Me: "
DoIli
keit
?Ar eyouseri
ous?I
t'
s
freakenI
Phone7pl us,Il
ovei
t!
"Iwas
reall
ysur
pri
sed,Ithoughthewas
goingtobuymet hesamephone,I
r
eal
l
ydi
dn'
texpectt
his.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Im gl
ady
oul
ovei
tmyl
ove.
"

Me:"MyGod!Ican'
twai
ttot
ake
beauti
ful
snapswit
hthi
sbaby.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Eyy
ouandpi
ctur
es.
"

Me:
"Sel
fi
esar
eli
fe.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youaremyl i
fe.
"Heheldmy
wai
st.Thatwasrandom.Itur
nedand
hegavemeami ndblowingkiss.Just
whenhewasshovinghi
shandi nmy
tr
ackpant
s,Ist
oppedhi
m." What?"
Hemumbl edi
nmymout h.Igentl
y
pushedhi
m away.

Me:"
Yourfr
iendi
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ou
downst
air
s."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Aybaby ,
hewill
underst
and.I
needyourightnow."Heplacedmy
handi
nhi shardon.

Me:"HaySivuy
ile,l
eavi
ngyi
urfr
iend
onhisowni srudehle.Wewil
ldothis
toni
ght,Ipr
omi se.
"
Si
vuy
ile:
"Iwanty
ounownj
e."Hewas
ni
bbl
ingonmyear .

Me:
"Mmmhmm.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
l
lbequi
ck.
"

Me:
"Asi
f.St
opi
thl
e."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youkodwahaybaby .
"I
wantedtol aughcausehereal
ly
wantedthis."Kanci
ncimntuwam.I
haven'
tbeeni nther
einalongti
me."
That'
strue,Iki
ndamisseduJama.I
grabbedhisfaceandkissedhi
m,he
gladl
yrespondedwhil
el ayi
ngmeon
thebed..
..

Me:"
Whuu!"Isai
dbreathi
ngloudl
y.
Wewer enowsweatingandpanti
ng.
Thatwasonehellofasessi
onwe
hadther
e.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Ineedthat.I
'
m nev
ergoi
ng
awayagai
n."Il
aughed.

Me:"Whatofy
oudogett
he
contr
act
?"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Il
lmakeapl
an."Il
aughed
causeIknewhewouldneverdothat
.

Me:"
Letmegot akeashowerbef
ore
yousell
medr eams.Hepull
edme
backtohim whenIatt
emptedtoget
up.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Iwantt
ogoagai
n."Si
vuyi
le'
s
sexdr
ivewashardt
okeepupwi t
h
someti
mes.
☆
☆
☆
☆
THANKYOUFORTHE10KLI
KES
♥♥♥♥♥
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t46
□
●
□
●
□
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Whatagr
eatwomanIwasbl
essed
with.Eventhoughi t'
sonl ybeenaf ew
mont hswe'v ebeent ogetherIst il
l
l
ookatherandf eel blessed, whenI
countmybl essingInamehert oo.
She'stooper fect,yesIsai di tper fect.
Thet houghtofanot hermant ouchi ng
herorlookingatheri na
i
nappr opri
atewaymakesmegowi ld,
that'
swhyIwassof ur i
ouswhenI
sawt hatmessage.Andwhenev erI
am deeplyhur tbysomet hing, Ipush
peopleawayanddr i
nkmypai naway
hencet helateni ghtdr i
nking.My
biggestfearislosi ngher ,IknowIam
ajerkandanassehol e, shemi ghtget
ti
redofmyassandl eav e,I'
m ev en
mor escar edatt hef actt hatifIdo
somet hingt hatwi l
l makeherl eav e
theancest orswon' tbebymysi de,
theywi llbebyhersi de.Shedoesn' t
knowt hi
sy etandIdon' tintendon
tell
i
ngherbecausei tmi ghtmakeme
l
oseherwhenIf uckup, nott hatIam
planningonf uckingupj ustthaty ou
neverknowwhatt hef uturehol dsf or
us.Self i
shasi tmaysound, am onl y
planningt otellhert hiswhenIcan
seet hatshei sdeepl yinlovewi thme.
Wehadj ustf
ini
shedourlovemaki ng
sessi
on,weweregetti
ngr eadytogo
downstai
rsandjoi
nLungani .Idon'
t
evenknowwhyhe' sst
il
lherecause
he'
smaki ngmel oseoutonspending
ti
mei nbedwithmywi fe.Ineedto
bondwi t
hheri naspeci
alway ,
ify
ou
knowwhatImean.ImeanIwasi n
DurbanforalmostaweekandwhenI
camebackt hingsgotoutofhand.I
needtimewithmywi fe.
Wewentdownst ai
rshandi nhand,
herhandf eltsoft,I
'venev erf el
tli
ke
thi
saboutawomanbef ore, sure
therewast hisonepar t
icularwomanI
washeadov erheelswith, butsee
withLunathi it
'sdif
ferent,it'
sl i
keI
havef oundami ssi
ngpuzzl et omy
puzzledlif
e.
Me:"Andthennina?"IaskedwhenI
sawallmyfri
endssitti
ngwith
Lunganii
nthelounge.

Lungani
:"
Askt
hem nt
wana,Idon'
t
evenknowwhatt
heywanthere
causenoonecal
l
edthem."

Me:"Youarealsonotsupposedt
obe
here.BecauseofyouIam missi
ng
outongi v
ingmywi f
ethebestorga-
"

Lunat
hi:
"OKAY!Hel l
oguys."Shesaid
wit
hasmi le,t
hatwasgladlyret
urned
fr
om fr
iends."Don'
tmindthisone,
he'
sbeengr
umpysi
ncemor
ning.
"

Me:
"Hahbaby
."

Themba:"
May
beheneedssome
l
oving.
"Hewi
nked.

Lunat
hi:
"It
hinkt
hat
'smycuet
oleav
e.
Haveyoueaten?
"

Them:"
No!"Theysaidinunison,ev
en
i
ftheydi
deattheywer en'
tgoingto
admiti
tbecausetheseasswantmy
wif
etocookforthem,imagi net
he
di
srespect
.

Lunat
hi:
"OkayI'
ll
makeyou
somethi
ngt oeatint
hemeant
ime
whil
eIstartwi
ththepot
s."
Manxelewal
kedinwi
thChul
uinher
ar
ms, shegr
eet
edbef
orehandi
ng
overhert
ohermom.

Manxele:"
She'scomingdownwith
somethingshe'sbeenrest
lesst
he
wholeday.Ithoughtshemightwant
tobeinhermot her'
scare.
"
Lunat
hi:
"I
tsokayMah.Thanks.
"She
l
eft

Nka:
"CanIhol
dherpl
ease.
"

Themba:
"Idoubtshewil
lwantt
o
l
eavehermother'
shands.
"

Me:"ButI'
m sur
eshewi
l
lwanther
daddy."

Ayanda:
"Ay
ymar ndon'
tsayt
hat
.
Thatsasexual
term now.
"
Me:"Toy ouchi l
dlessi
diots,
notto
me."Ireachedoutmyhandst oChulu,
thi
sgirl j
ustl ookedatthem andlaid
onhermot her'
sshoulder,mucht o
theguy s'amusement .Theylaughed
outloud.Suchbet r
ayalChulu!
"Mommyi sgoi ngtocooksweet hear
t.
Comet odaddy ."Herl
ipsstart
ed
quiver
ing, nextt hi
ngacr y
ingsound
escapedherl ips.

Lunathi
:
"Siv
uyil
emarn."Shewas
patt
ingChul
u'sbackgentl
y

Me:
"Whatdi
dIdo?Shecan'
tev
en
hearme.
"

Lunathi:
"Dr
opyourhandscauseshe
doesn'twanty
ou."Idr
oppedmy
hands.

Ayanda:
"ukhal
i
sai
nganemanje,
uy
ifl
opkodwawena."Theyl
aughed.

Me:"Youhav et
ocookbabe.I '
ll
take
careofher.
"Shelookedatmebef ore
handi
ngav eryunhappyChulutome,
hehthisgi
rlhowcanshet r
eather
ownf at
herl
ikethi
s.Iwentsitdown
wit
h,shewasn'tevenlooki
ngatme,
hereyeswereuptoLunathi
,
trai
tor
.
WhenLunathitur
nedtowalktothe
ki
tchen,
thel
ilt
rai
torst
art
edcryi
ng
onceagain.

Themba:"
umenzeni umntwana(
What
didyoudotothechild?
)Whydoesn't
shewantyou."Theseniggaswere
enjoy
ingt
hisshit
.

Me:"Calm downbaby.Mommyhast o
cook."It
ri
edt ocal
m herdownbut
thel
ilmisswasn'thavi
nganyofit
.

Lunat
hi:
"Justgi
vehert
ome.
"
Me:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Lunathi
:"
Yes.Thembapl
easepass
met hatt
owel."

Themba:"
it
sbhutiThemba."We
l
aughed.Hepassedthetowelt
oher
.

Lunat
hi:
"ThankyouBHUTIThemba.
"
Sheemphasizedonbhut
i.

Themba:
"Goodgi
rl
."
Me:"
Sowhatareyougoi
ngt
odo?Do
youwantmetocook?"

Al
loft
hem:
"Nooooo!
"Hawu!

Me:
"Excuseme,
what
'swr
ongwi
th
mycooking?
"

Nka:
"I
tspoi
sonous,wearenot
pl
anni
ngondy i
ngtodaysoplease
hel
pus."

Lungani
:
"Unl
essyouhavepast
or
Makamu'snumberonspeeddi
alt
hen
y
oucancook.
"

Me:
"Hat
ers.
"

Lunathi
:
"It
sfi
ne,
I'
ll
manage.I
'
llj
ust
putheronmybackunt
ilshef
all
s
asl
eep."

Me: "
Letmehel pyouwitht
hat."I
stoodup."ShhhI '
m onl
yhel
pingy ou.
"
Isaidtoav er
ymeanl ooki
ngChul u.I
placedheronherbackandcov er
ed
herwi t
hatowel .
Ay
anda:
"Yat
efay
eer
."

Me:
"Tel
lmeabouti
t.
"

Lunathi
:"
Leavemybabyalonetuu.
"
Sheturnedandlef
ttotheki
tchen,
I
satdownont hecouchwit
hasmi l
e
onmyf ace.Thatwasaverybeaut
iful
si
ght.

Nka:
"Nt
wanay
ouar
ebl
essed!
"

Me:
"Iknowman,
Iknow.
"
Themba:
"I'
m gl
adtoseethatyou
guyshav
esor t
edoutyouri
ssues.
"

Me:
"Yeah.Iki
ndaoverreact
ed.Wel
lI
j
umpedintoconcl
usions."

Them:
"Asal
way
s."

Me:
"Hey!What
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?"

Ayanda:
"Not
hing,
justt
haty
out
endt
o
ov
erreactmostofthet
ime.
"
Me:
"YeahIknow.
"

Themba:"Sokak'
hl
ekak'
hl
ewhat
happened."

Me:"Eyykhonaeny eibhariefuna
umnt uwam( t
here'sthisfool t
hat
wantsmyper son.)Andi seri
ous
l
entwanaf rom whatIhear d.He
happenstobef r
iendswi thAsenathi
'
s
boyfri
end,that'
showhegott he
number s.
"

Lungani
:
"Asenat
hihasaboyf
ri
end?"I
l
ookedathim wi
thawarni
nglook.
Me: "That'swhatIjustsai dmos. "
Lungani haslustedov erAsenat hi
eversi ncehemether ,nowAsenat hi
i
smycousi n(whichmakeshermy
sist
er )andIam notaboutt olether
bepl ayedbyLungani .Yeahsur emy
niggawascommi tt
edt oagi rlnotso
l
ongago, buthehadsi depiecesand
that'snotwhatIwantmysi stertobe
caughtupi nallthatbul l
shit
.Plusthi
s
guyj ustgothe'shear tbr okenandhe
wast alki
ngaboutget tingar ebound
girlandmysi steri
snott hat.
Lungani
:"
Oh.
"Thegent
slaughed.
TheyknowaboutThe"
crush"hehas
onher.

Themba:"Soyouwer
esay i
gnabout
Asenathi
'
sBOYFRIEND."Hesaid
cr
ackinghimsel
fup,he'
sstupi
d.

Me:
"Thefoolst
oleLunat
hi'
snumber
f
rom Ase'
sphoneandgav ethem t
o
t
hatguy."

Ayanda:
"That
'snotcool
.Whywoul
d
hedothat?"
Me: "
Guesshewast ry
ingtohelphis
fri
endgetachi ckthatheli
kes.My
wife!
"Thiswhol eBusaniguythi
ng
wasn'tsitt
ingwithmewel l
,thi
nkthat
thi
sist heguythatshe'ssees
everydayatschool pi
ssesmeof f
.

Themba:"
Maybeyoushoul
dhav
ea
tal
kwit
hthisguy
."

Me:"Iwast
hinkingt
hesamethi
ng,
butIthi
nkt
hat'sabiti
mmatur
e."
Nka:"I
mmat ureforwho?Nt wanat hat
dudeisseriousaboutget ti
ngy our
womanandI 'm surehe'
snotgoi ngto
stopatnothingt ogether.Wenay ou
j
ustneedtor olluponhi m andt ell
him what
'swhat !Hecan'ttakey ou
forapoes."

Me:"
Nahman.It
hinkIwi
l
llett
hisone
sl
i
de."

Ayanda:
"Questi
oni
s,i
shegoi
ngt
o
l
etHERslide?
"Damn!

Themba:
"That
'sagoodquest
ion.
"
Me:"Ican'tber unningafterani gga
tel
li
nghi mt ost ayawayf rom my
womanasi fI
'm ahi ghschool kid.
"I
can't"anywayIboughtherar ing, that
will
sur emakehi m stayaway."YesI
didbuyLunat hi ari
ng, asmuchaswe
arepr acti
call
ymar riedIam stil
l
scaredofaski nghert owearmy
ri
ng,stupidIknow.Idon' tknow
whet herIshouldmay bedoa
romant icsetupandgi veitt
oher ,
orI
shouldj ustgi
vei tt
oherandt ellher
toputi ton.I'
mj ustconfused.
Themba:
"Yesboy
!Nowal
lthat
'sl
eft
i
swhiteweddi
ng.
"

"ooooowho'sget
ti
ngmarr
ied.
"She
saidwalki
nginwi
thatr
ayof
sandwiches.

Themba:"
Af r
iendofour
s,y
oudon't
knowhim."Lol,t
hatwasanicesav
e.

Lunat
hi:
"mmmhni
ce.Andt
heyare
havi
ngawhit
eweddi
ng?Cool
."

Ay
anda:
"MyGod,
gir
lsandwhi
te
weddi
ngs.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Notall
gir
lslov
ewhi
t
weddi
ngAy andahle.
"

Ayanda:"
Wenadoyouli
keawhite
wedding?"Il
i
kewher
ethisconv
ois
goi
ng.

Lunathi
:"
Notreal
l
y.Actual
l
yIdon't
l
ikeawhi t
ewedding.I
'
dchose
tr
adit
ionalweddi
ngsoverandover
agai
n."Wow!
Lungani
:
"Cl
everchoi
cemakot
i.
"

Me:"
She'sst
il
lnotsl
eepi
ng?
"Iwas
r
efer
ringtoChul
u.

Lunat
hi:
"Idoubtshewil
l.She'
sbeena
bi
tquietthough.Mypoorbabyis
si
ck."

Me:
"Uy
atef
aqha.
"

Lunathi
:
"Mxm.Cant wopeoplecome
andtaketheplat
esandthejui
ce."
NkazimuloandAyandafol
l
owedher
totheki
tchen.Theyr
etur
nedwit
h
plat
es,
glassesandabott
leofj
uice.

Themba: "
IthinkIwantt ogetmar r
ied
now."Wel aughed." DudeIwantt o
havey ourli
fe.Jonganj e,yougot o
bedonaf ullstomach,y ouwakeup
toabeaut if
ul faceeveryday .Youget
towat chyourwi f
ewalkar oundt he
kit
chenwi thy ourbabyonherback,
that'
ssomeshi tr
ightt
here.That
mustbet heemostbeaut i
ful si
ght
youhav eev erseen."

Me:
"I
tisnt
wana.AndIam sur
ewi
th
ThandiweIwasn'
tgoi
ngt
o
exper
iencet
his.
"

Nka:
"Youar
eonel
uckymot
her
f
ucker.
"

Themba:
"Sotel
lme, how'
sitgoi
ng
wit
hthediv
orce?"Yeahthat
!

Me:"She'sr
efusi
ngtosignt
hedivorce
papers,shesaysshedeser
veshalfof
ever
y t
hingIown."

Ay
anda:
"It
houghty
ouguy
ssi
gneda
Pr
enup.
"

Me:"Wedid.Idon'
tknowwhyshe' s
acti
ngli
kethis,
evenafterIof
fer
edto
giv
eheraR10000mont hlyal
l
owance.
Shestil
ldoesn'
twanttosignthe
papers.
"

Lungani
:"Whatisshegoingtodowith
halfofy
ourshares?Shecan'teven
runasalonorat uckshop.She'
s
beingambit
ious."

Me:"
AndIwanttogett
hisoverand
donewi
thsoIcanmarryLunathi
l
awful
ly
.Changehersur
nameandal
l
t
hatshi
t.
"

Themba:"
Ithoughhersur
namewas
changed.
"

Me:"Thatwast heplan.Butthi
ngs
didnthappenaspl anned.Wedon't
evenhaveamar ri
agecerti
fi
cate,
her
IDissti
llundertheMokoena
surname."

Themba:"Youneedtodothatsoon
befor
eshegraduat
esbecauseitwi
ll
bemor ecompl
icat
edonceshe
gr
aduat
es.
"

Me:"Assoonasthatbi
tchsignsthe
papersI
'm get
ti
ngtheball
roll
ing.
"

Themba:"MaybewecanaskLuzuko
tohelpuswit
ht hi
s.Maybeoneofhi
s
thugscanshakeherupabitand
forcehert
osignthepaper
s."

Nka:"
Ehhnowyouwantt
ocall
gangster
sont
hepoorgi
rl
."

Ay
an:
"Poorgi
rly
amasi
mba.She
deser
vesi
t.
"

Me:"That
'sagreati
dea.I
'
llcal
l
Luzukofi
rstt
hingtomorr
ow."
Wesatar oundtheloungetalki
ngand
catchi
ngup.Lat eronLunat hiwas
donewi thdinner,
wesatar oundt he
dinni
ngt ableandhadav er
ynice
meal preparedbymybeaut i
fulwife.
Theguy scouldnotst op
compl i
ment i
nghercooki ngskil
ls,
Thembaendedupt akingaskhaf t
in.
WewenttobedwithChulusinceshe
di
dn'
twanttobeawayfrom hermom
whi
chsuckedformebecauset hat
meannogoodnightandmor ni
ng
gl
oryf
orme, butIwashappythatI
wassl
eepingwiththebothoft
hem,
myheartf
eltcomplete.
○
●
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Damn!Ihav eclassestoday.Ithought
asIswitchedoffmyal arm.Iwokeup
andtookal ongrelaxi
ngbath,Ihad
ti
met odoal lt
hatsinceIwokeup
earl
y.Igotoutthebat handdriedmy
body,Iwrappedthet owelaroundmy
bodythenIwentt owakeSi vuyil
eup.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shi
t!
"

Me:"What'
swr ong?"Heuncoveredhi
s
l
owerbodyandIwasgr eet
edbyhis
erect
ion,
Ilaughed."Takeacold
showerbaby .
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Howabouty
out
akeacol
d
onewit
hme? "

Me:"
Sh-"babycri
es."
Ahh
unf
ortunat
elyt
hemadam isawake,
sosorryboss.
"
Si
vuy
ile:
"Youcant
akehert
o
Mam'Luvonj
ebaby.
"

Me:"Youwi
l
lbelat
eforworkst
op
aski
ngmeforsexandgotakea
shower.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Tjoh!Uy
avi
mbababy
shame."Shegotupthebedandwent
tothebathroom.

Me:"
Morni
ngmysweet ypi
e."It
ooka
bot
tl
eandplacedi
tinhermouth
whilebalancingitwithapi l
lowso
thatIwouldn'thavet oholdi tforher
.I
l
otionedmybodyandt henIwentt o
theclosettolookf orsomet hingto
wear.Seet hi
siswhatal way smakes
mel ate,Ij
ustsitinthisclosetand
l
ookateachanev eryclothingIhav e
andst i
llst
ruggletocomeupwi t
han
outfi
t.Iheardthebat hroom door
openingandcl osing.

Me:
"Babe.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yesmyl
ove.
"
Me: "Coul
dy oucomeher ef orasec."
Hecame." WhatshouldIwear ?"He
l
ookedatmewi thawei r
dlook, then
hewentst rai
ghtt omydr esssect ion
het ookoutthemosthi deousdr ess
outofallmydr esses.Itwasnot
reall
yhideous,Ijustdon'
tlikeitit
mademel ooklikeamom, Ineedt o
throwitawaycauseInev erweari f.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thi
s."Hesai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.

Me:
"That
?"If
rowned.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yes.What
'swr
ongwi
thi
t?"
Me:
"I
tsugly
,Idon'
tl
ikei
t.I
tmakesme
l
ookfat
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Noitdoesn'
t.
"He'sonly
seenmewear i
ngitonce,
whatdoes
heknow."Thi
sdressisperf
ect.
"

Me:"Youknowwhatbabe,It
hinkI
wil
lbefine.Iwi
l
lchoosemyown
out
fit
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hawu.That
swhatIgetf or
hel
ping?Hehhayalr
ight
."Il
aughed.
Me:
"Yout
ri
edl
over
,yout
ri
ed.
"

Si
vuyi
le:"
Mxm. "Hewentoutt he
cl
oset.Il
aughed, myGodIl ov ehim
sobad!Iwentt hroughmycl osetfor
afewmi nutes,Ifi
nall
yset
tledf ormy
bl
ackAdi dasleggings,
ablackAdi das
hoodyandmyAdi dassneaker s.

Me:
"Lov
erwhere'
syourAdi
dascap?
"
Hewasfixi
nghi
sti
einthemir
ror
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Yout
ooki
tamont
hback.
"
Me:
"Ibr
oughti
tback.
"

Sivuyi
le:"Noy oudi dn'
t,it
'snotont he
closet.
"Tr ustSivuyil
etolieabout
stupidthings,hedi dn'
twantmet o
weart hatcapcauseIdon' tbri
ngit
backonceIt akei t
.Ialway stellhi
m
thatwhat '
shi sismi nemos.Iwent
backt othecl osetandf oundi tonhis
side.Iwor eitonmymar oonbob
weav eandappl i
edmyr edmat t
e
Lipsti
ck.Iwassl ayi
ngI'mt elli
ngyou.
Ijustfel
tlikelookingpr ett
yt oday,
plusIwasmeet i
ngupwi thmy
si
bli
ngsaftercl
ass,
Iphonedt
hem
wit
hSivuyi
le'
sphonesincemi
newas
char
ging.

Sivuy
ilewhist
ledwhenIwal
kedout
thecloset
.

Siv
uy i
le:"
mfazikabanil
o?(Who'swif
e
i
st hi
s? )Shecan'
tbemi ne,mnaI
mar r
iedav er
yuglyhumanbei ng.
"
JustasIwasbl ushinghehadt ospoi
l
i
t,mxm.

Me:
"Wher
e'sChul
u?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
ItookhertoMam'Luvo.You
l
ookbeauti
fulmylove.
"Ibl
ushed.

Me:
"Thanky
oubaby
."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Ar
ey ousur
eyouar
est
il
l
goi
ngtoschool?
"

Me:"NoI'
m goi
ngonadat ewit
h
someguyImety est
erdayatt
he
mall
."Hel
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Wel
ldot
ell
thatguyt
haty
ou
haveahusbandwhohasagunand
he'snotaf
rai
dtousei
t.
"Il
aughedat
that,
hedoesn'
townagun.

Me:
"Don'
tyouhav
eameet
ingt
oday
?"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Ido.Butit
'sat12.I
'
m goi
ng
tostartatthesurgeryt
hengotoZC
l
ateron.TheDur banguysaidhehas
madehi sdecisi
on."

Me:
"Wel
lIhopey
ougett
hedeal
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Met
oo.Weneedt
his.
"
Me:
"Fi
nger
scr
ossed.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
HayI'
m dri
vi
ngy outo
campust oday
,peopl
eneedt osee
yougetti
ngdroppedoffbyyour
husband."Wow!

Me:"
Usethepoloplease,
Idon'
twant
anynast
ystar
es."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Theyhav et
ostare.They
mustknowt hatthequeenhasarri
ved!
I
fIhadmyPor scheIwasgonnause
i
t,butIguesswewil
lsett
lefort
he
GLA."Irol
ledmyey
es."Let'
sgo
honey.
"
Ididn'tki
ssChul ugoodby etoday,I
didn'twanthertocr ywhenIl eft
.I
thinkshe'scomingdownwi t
haf l
u
that'swhyshe'ssocl i
ngy.Whenwe
gott oCampus, myf ri
endswer ethere
standingabi tf
arfrom wher ewe
wer eparked.Sivuyi
lecamet omy
sideandopenedt hedoorf orme,
whi chwaswei rdcausehenev erdoes
that.Myf r
iendswer estandingthere
withMar kandBusani ,Iwonderwhat
Mar kwasdoi nghere.
Me:"
Thisisnew.Youopeningt
he
doorforme?"Helaughed.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youaretoohott
oopent
he
doorf
oryoursel
f.
"

Me:
"Thi
sistheemostsimpleout
fi
t
t
hatyouar
ef ussi
ngov
er."

Si
vuyil
e:"
Babe,y
ourcurvesareout
.
Youlooksexyasfuckinthatsi
mple
out
fi
t,andfaceisbeaut
iful
."

Me:
"Mustbet
hecap.
"Thi
sent
ir
e
ti
mehewashol
dingmywai
standI
hi
schest
.

Siv
uyi
le:"Noit
'snot
.Youarealways
beaut
iful.Wi
thandwit
houtthecap.
"I
bl
ushed.

Me:"Well
Ineedtogo.Theyar
e
wai
tingf
orme."Het ur
nedtol
ook
whereIwaspoint
ing.

Sivuy
il
e:"Andwhoarethoseguys
theyarestandi
ngwi
th?
"Ohhel l
No!
Me:"
Idon'tknowt hem,I
'
v enever
seenthem befor
e."Ayyforgi
veme,I
don'
twantanydr amaher eon
campus.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Mmmh.Gi mmeakiss."He
di
dn'
thavetoaskmetwi
ce.Igave
hi
m ali
nger
ingki
ss."
Enj
oyyourday.
"

Me:
"Il
ovey
ou.
"

Sivuy
ile:
"NotmorethanIdomylove.
"
Hekissedmyf orehead.Hewentt
o
thesideofthecar,hegoti
nand
droveoff.Iqui
ckl
ywalkedtomygirl
s,
Busanicl
ickedhi
stongueandl
eftt
he
minuteIgotther
e.

Me:
"Andt
hen?
"

Ase:"
Don'
tmi
ndhi
m,he'
scr
azy
."I
chucked.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Bit
ch!Lookatyougl
owingand
al
l
.Iseeyougoty ourmanback.
"

Me:"
Yesofcoursegir
l.I
'
m sohappy
,
andguesswhatbit
ches?"
Ase:"YouknowIdon'
tpl
ayno
guessinggames.
"

Me:"Mxm.Partypooper.
"It
ookout
mybr andnewIPhonefrom pocket
.
"Bam!"Ihel
ditoutfort
hem.They
star
tedscreamingandjumpingup
anddown.

Zi
ntl
e:"
We'
vebeenwaiti
ngf
ory
out
o
j
oint
heAppleworl
d."

Me:"
wel
lgir
lswel
comet henew
memberoftheAppl
ewor l
d."We
scr
eamed.Markwasjustst
andi
ng
ther
elooki
ngatusasifwearecr
azy.
"Mark,
aren'
tyousupposedt
obein
school
?"

Mar k:"
Iam.Ij ustwantedt ocome
her eandapol ogi
setoy ouf aceto
face.Ididn'tmeant odisrespectyou
bygi vi
ngBusani y
ournumber s,
andI
didn'tknowt hatyouwer eina
relati
onship."

Ase:"
marri
agebabe,
mar
ri
age.Not
rel
ati
onshi
pnjeqha!
"

Mar
k:"
YeahI
'
mreal
l
ysor
ry.And
pl
easedoapologi
set
othePr
incef
or
me."Ofcour
seheknowsmy
husband.

Me:"
Iwil
lcer
tai
nlydot
hat
.Andy
ou
ar
eforgi
venMark."

Mark:"
Thanky ouB. "Hegav emea
hug."Nowi fyouwi l
lexcuseme
l
adies,Ihaveacl asstoattend."He
ki
ssedhi sgir
lfr
iendgoodby ethenhe
l
eft.

Ase:
"Gi
rly
oushoul
dhaveseen
Busani
'
sfavewhenyougotoft
he
car
."Shesai
daswewal
kedt
ocl
ass.

Zint
le:
"Helookedl
i
kehewasr
eadyt
o
expl
ode."

Ase:
"Icoul
dfeel
him bl
owsomeai r
onmyweav ethr
oughhisnost
ri
ls.
"
Welaughed.

Me:"
Whatwashedoi
ngwi
thy
ou
vel
e?"

Ase:
"Hesai
dhewaswaiti
ngfory
ou.
Wetoldmetol
eavebuthewasn'
t
hav
ingi
t.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Hedidn'
tknowt hathewas
goi
ngt ogetthesurpr
iseofhisl
if
e."
Beep!Thatwasmyphone.

"Ididn'ttakey ouforoneoft hose

girl
swhoset tl
edforbei ngside
chicks.Wel lnewsf l
ash, t
hePr i
nceis
happi l
ymar ri
edtohi swi f
eitwould
doy ousomegoodt or emove
your selffrom him beforeyougety our
l
ittl
ehear tbroken.Icareabouty ou
toomucht oseethathappeni ng.
BTW:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oday
,as
al
way
s.

Busani
".Heht
hismot
her
fucker
!

Me:
"Mhl
olo!
"

Ase:
"What'swrong?"Igavethem my
phonetoreadforthemselves.These
fool
sjustbur
stoutinlaughter.

Zint
le:
"Hedoesn'
tknowthatyouare
thewifet
hathekeepstal
kingabout
."
Ase:"Gi
rl
.Youneedtoupdat
eyour
socialmedi
a.Peopl
eneedtoknow
thatyouaret
hecrownedqueen.
"

Me:
"Ohcomeon,
peopl
edoknow
t
hat
."

Ase: "
Not heydon't
.Theyonlyhave
picturesofyourweddingwhichare
notcl ear
,andy ourweddi
ngwas
mont hsagomostoft hepeopledon'
t
remembery ou.Weneedt okeepyou
relevant.
"

Me:
"Wel
lIdon'
twantf
ame.
"Wegot
t
oourlect
urer
oom andsatdownat
t
heback.

Zintl
e:"Wel
lfamei swhaty ouneedto
getr i
dofannoyingasseslikeBusani
,
unlessofcourseyoulikethe
attenti
onhi
sgi v
ingyou."

Me:"What ?!HellNo!I
t'
sjustthatI'
m
notreadyf orthatki
ndofpr essur
e,
themedi a,takingpi
cslef
tr i
ghtand
center,
tryi
ngt oactper
fect.Ican'
tdo
that
, I
'
m sur epeoplearenotev en
i
nterestedinme. "
Ase:
"Ohtrustmetheyare.Ev
eryt
ime
somethi
ngaboutbhutii
sposted,
they
al
waysaskabouty ou.
"

Me:
"Youar
ely
ing.
"

Ase: "
I'
m ser ious.Letmeshowy ou."
Het ookoutherphoneandwenton
Instagram, shesearchedfora'Xhosa
Princef ans' page.Shecli
ckedont he
recentpi cture,thenshowedmet he
comment s.Mostoft hem wereabout
peopl easki ngformypi ct
ure,t
hey
want edt oseewhoIam.
Me:
"Thi
sisni
cepi
ctur
ehey
."

Ase:
"Idi
dn'
tsayl
ookatyourman.
"
Shetookherf
rom me.

Zint
le:
"So?Ar
eweupdatingy
our
soci
almediaaccount
s?"

Me:"
I'
ll
thi
nkaboutit
."Thel
ect
urer
goti
nandwest ar
tedwitht
helesson.
•
°
Iwaswal
kedi
ntot
herestur
antwereI
wasmeet
ingmysi
bli
ngs.Ihaven'
t
seenthem i
nal
mostamont
h,Ir
eal
l
y
missedthem.

Me:
"Hel
l
oyous.
"

Bont
le:
"Baby
."

Thabo:
"Poonki
e."Ismi
l
edasthey
st
oodupt ohugmebef or
eIsatdown.

Li
zwi
:
"Lookaty
oupr
incess,
youar
e
gl
owi
ng.
"

Me:
"Thati
sacompl
i
mentsot
hank
y
oubhut
i.
"

Bontl
e:"
Maybeyouar
epr
egnant
."I
widenedmyeyes.

Thapelo:
"Pregnant?Howcauseshe'
s
notsexuall
yactive.
"Oops!

Bontle:"Youcanneverknowmydear
brother.Wedon'tst
aywithheri
nthat
house."Wow!Bont l
eisreal
l
y
throwingmeundert hebusri
ghtnow.

Li
zwi
:
"Howar
eyourst
udi
esgoi
ng?
"
Me:"Sofarsogood.Icanreal
l
y
compl ai
naboutanyt
hing.Weact
ual
l
y
star
tingwit
hourtest
ssoon."

Thabang:
"Ihopey
ouar
est
udy
ing.
"

Me:
"Ofcour
seIam.Andy ouguys
oweme,especi
all
yyouabut
iLizwi
."

Li
zwi
:
"Weowey
ouwhatnow?
"

Me:"
Gif
ts.Ipassedmymatri
cwit
h
f
lyi
ngcoloursandyouguy
sdidn'
tbuy
megi
ft
sasy
ourpr
omi
sed.
"

Thabo:
"Idon'
trememberpr
omi
sing
youanygift
."

Me:"Youdid.Andifyoudon'
tbuyi
t
soon,I
'm gi
vi
ngy'al
lsil
entt
reat
ment.
"

Thapel
o:"
Hah!Youar
enotser
ious.
"

Me:
"Ohy
esIam br
other
."

Li
zwi
:
"Thi
sispur
ebul
l
ying.
"
Bontl
e:"
Iti
smylove.I
maginebei
ng
bul
li
edbyay ourl
i
ttl
esist
er,
how
awful
."

Me:"
Soit'
ssett
led,
beforetheendof
themonthIam get
tingmygifts?
Perf
ect
!"Idi
dn'
twaitforthem to
answer
.

Bont
le:
"HehPooki
e.Yourbr
otherhas
agir
lf
ri
end.
"

Me:
"Who?Abut
iThapel
o?"
Thapel
o:"
Hel
lno!
"

Bont
le:
"Thabo.
"

Me:
"What?Whoisi
t?"Iwaspr
ayi
ng
t
hati
twasnotZi
ntl
e.

Bont
le:
"Somehi ghschoolcheek.She
i
ssocut ehlewenaandv eryhumbleI
l
oveher."ThanksGod

Me:
"You'
veal
readymether
?"
Thabo:
"Notbychoi
ce!
"Il
aughed.

Bontl
e:"Youwereinpubl
ic,
ther
ewas
nowayIwasgoi ngtodri
vepast
whil
eIjustsawmybr ot
her
romancingagir
l.
"

Me:
"Sowhathappenedt
ofeel
i
ngmy
f
ri
end?"

Li
zwi:
"That
'
swhatIwoul
dal
sol
i
ket
o
know.
"

Thabo:
"Inev
ersai
dIwasf
eel
i
ngy
our
f
ri
end,
youguy
sjustassumedIwas.
"

Thabang:"
Yeahtaki
ngherphone
whil
eshe'stal
ki
ngtoherboyfr
iendi
s
notfeel
i
ngher,haysur
e."

Thapel
o:"
Notfor
get
ti
nghowhewas
st
arri
ngatheronChri
stmasday
."

Lizwi
:"
Dude,youevenfor
gott
ogr
eet
yoursi
ster
."Welaughed.

Thabo:
"Look.WhatIhavewit
hZi
ntl
e
i
snotloveyo-"excuseme!
Me:
"Woah!Whaty
ouhav
e?"

Thabang:
"Thul
awena(
Shutup.
)"

Thabo:
"AsIwassay i
ng..
.WhatIhav
e
wit
hZintl
eisn'tlov
e,it
'sj
ustastr
ong
at
tract
ionnothingmuch."

Me:"Youmeany
ouar
eat
tr
act
edt
o
her
."

Thabo:
"Ii
ncl
udedtwopeopl
einthat
sent
enceli
lsi
s,l
i
stenpr
operl
y.
"He
sai
dinaJacobZumaaccent
.

Me:
"I
m conf
used.
"

Thapelo:
"EhhIthi
nkyouandy our
bestfr
iendneedtodosomecat chi
ng
up,becauseausiomor ao(
because
si
steryouarebehind.
)"Whatthehell
i
sgoingonher e.

Bontle:
"NnaIjusthopewenaThabo
youwon' tpl
aythatgirl
.Shelookst
oo
cutetobehur t.
"Iwasnol onger
i
nterestedinthi
sconv er
sati
on,Iwas
j
ustthinkingaboutZintl
eandmy
brother.Whatcouldbegoi
ngon
betweent hesetwo?Andhowlong
hasi tbeengoingonfor
?
♡
♡
♡
#TCOB

MEETSI
VUYI
LELEONDLAMI
NI
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t47
○
●
○
●
○
Afterspendi ngt i
mewi thmysi bli
ngsI
decidedt ogosur pr
iseSivuyi
leat
wor k.Igottot heZCbui ldi
ng.Istil
l
rememberi tfrom whenIcameher e
withMr sDt odiscussweddi ngplans
withSi v
uyil
eandt hatjerkwasr udeto
me.Iwentst r
aighttothereceptioni
st,
i
twasst il
lthesameone( Stell
a).

Me:
"UhHi
."

St
ell
a:"
Hi.
"Shewasn'
tev
enl
ooki
ngat
me.
Me:
"I
sSi
vuy
il
ein?
"Shel
ookedupat
me

St
ell
a:"YoumeanMrDl
ami
ni?
"

Me:
"Uhm y
es,
him.
"

St
ell
a:"
Doyouhav
eanappoi
ntment
wi
thhim?"

Me:"
No,
butI
'
m sur
ehewoul
dli
ket
o
seeme.
"
Stel
l
a:"Well
he'si
nameet
ingri
ght
now,Ican'
tcal
lhi
m.Sowhydon'
tyou
gobackhomeandmakean
appoint
ment.
"

Me:
"Whydon'
tImakeonenow?
"

Stel
l
a:"Youneedt
ocal
ltomakean
appoint
ment.
"Wowthi
sgir
lisr
ude.
Shedoesn'
tknowwhoIam.

"
OhSt-Babe!
"ThatwasMYman.
"
Whatareyoudoi
nghere?
"
Me:"
Icamet
osur
pri
sey
ouwi
tha
vi
sit
."

Siv
uy i
le:
"Wellthi
sisapleasant
surpri
se."Hekissedmycheek."Stel
l
a
whydoy ouhavemywi f
est andi
ng
hereinsteadofsendi
nghert omy
off
ice?"

St
ell
a:"
Im sorr
ysir,Idi
dn'
tknowshe
wasyourwife.I'
m sorr
yma'am."Oh
I
'm ma'
am now.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Nextti
medon'tmakeher
e
wai
therj
ustsendhert
hrought
omy
of
fi
ce.AndpleasegetMrSi
ngha
dr
ivert
otakehimtothehot
el.
"

St
ell
a:"
Im oni
tsi
r.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Andy oumadam,let
'sgo
thisway.Letmet aket
hat
."Hetook
mybagandl edthewaytothe
elevat
or,hi
shadwasont hebackof
mywai st.

Me:"Youdon'
thav
eaPA?"Iasked
whenwepassedanempt
ydesk.
Sivuyi
le:"
Ido.Isentheronaner rand.
Sheshoul dbebackonanhourorso. "
She?Mmmh." Makey ourself
comf ort
able."Iwenttositatthe
coucht hathadacov ertablewit
ha
j
arofsweet s,Idi
dn'
twast eanytimeI
start
edmunchi ngonthosesweet s.

Me:
"Youdon'
tevenli
kesweets.Why
doy
ouhavethem i
nyourof
fice?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Theywer
eagi
ftf
rom Sandi
l
astmonth.
"

Me:
"Sandi
?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
MyPA.
"Heh!

Me:
"Whywasshebuy
ingy
ougi
ft
s?"
Hechuckl
ed

Si
vuyi
le:
"Tot
hankmef
orgi
vi
nghera
j
ob."

Me:
"Whodoest
hat
?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Peopl
ewi
thbr
ainsandgood
heart
s."
Me:"Goodheartneh?Wellt
hat'
sa
stupi
dthi
ngtodo, andi
fshewant ed
tobuyyouathanky ougi
ftshecould
haveboughtyousomethingelse,
not
sweets.
"Hest oodupfr
om hischair
andwalkedtomesl owl
ywithasilly
smileonhi
sf ace.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"am Isensi
ngt
hegr
een
monster
? "Mxm.

Me:"What?Ofcour
senot.Whywoul
d
Ibejeal
ous.
"Hesaynexttome.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Jeal
oust
hatsomeonei
s
buyi
ngyourhandsomehusband
gi
ft
s."

Me:"
That
'sr
idi
cul
ous.
"Hi
sar
mswent
ar
oundmywaist.

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Isi
t?"Hewhisper
edi
nmy
ear.Damn!Iwasfl
ushed.

Me:
"Yes.I
'
m notj
eal
ous.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Okay
.Ify
ousayso.
"He
ki
ssedmyneck."Howwasyourday
atschool?
"
Me:"
Itwasgreat,
eventhoughI
al
mostsleptthr
oughoutthel
ast
cl
ass."

Sivuyi
le:"Areyousureyouarenot
pregnant ?
"Nothimt oo.Imoved
awayf rom him,wellIdi
dn'
tgetfar
causehi sarmswer earoundme.

Me:
"YesIam.Igotmyper
iodl
ast
month.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whataboutt
hismont
h?"
Me:
"mydat
ehasn'
tar
ri
ved.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Mmmh, Okay.We'vebeen
havi
ngalotofunpr
otectsexyou
know?"

Me:
"AndIam onacont
racept
ives
mi
ster
."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Theyar
enota100%babe."I
wasn'
tenj
oyi
ngthi
sconv
ersat
ion.

Me:
"Iknowt
hat
.Canwest
opt
alki
ng
aboutt
his,
please.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"hayOkay.Sohowaboutwe
havesomeoffi
cesex? "Hewhi
spered
i
nmyeari nveryseducti
vemanner
.

Me:"
Im noti
nthemood."Thewhol
e
pr
egnancytal
kjustputmeoff
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ohcomeon.
"

Me:"
No.Andf rom nowonwear e
goi
ngt ouseprotect
ion.
"Idon'
twant
tof
allpregnant
Sivuy
il
e:"
Prowhat
?What'
sthat?
Whereisitf
rom?Whatdoesitl
ook
l
ike?"

Me:
"I
m ser
iousSi
vuy
il
e."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Haingekebaby.I
'
m not
abouttouseprotect
ionwi
thmy
wife.
"

Me:
"Thenwear
eabst
aini
ngke.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?!Hel
lNo!
"
Me:
"Ei
thert
hatorpr
otect
ion.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yohhaykodwababy
.Thi
sis
notf
air.
"

Me:
"Li
fei
snotf
airmyl
ove.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Fi
ne.Canweatleasthav
e1
roundnyanarightnow.
"Hesuckedon
myneck.

Me:
"Mmmh. "Hetur
nedmyheadand
weki
ssed.Helai
dmeonmybackon
thesofahisli
psnotl eavingmine,
the
kisswasgettingheat ed,hewas
rubbingmyv aginaont opofmy
l
eggings.Hepul ledmyl eggi
ngs
downt omykneest ogetherwit
hmy
panti
es.Iheardhi m unbuckl
inghi
s
pants,Ibr
oket hekiss."Doyouhave
acondom? "

Sivuyi
le:
"No.I
'l
lpull
outbaby."His
eyeswer esmallandred.He
proceededwithundoinghis
belt,
unzi
ppedandJamawasout .He
wentbackt omyl i
ps,openi
ngmy
l
egsabi twide,soonhewast hrusti
ng
i
nmedeep.Theof f
icewasfil
ledwith
oursexual
moansandgr oans,each
str
okecamewi t
hanamazi ngfeeli
ng.
Fewthrust
slat
erIhadami nd
bl
owingorgasm.Het ookt i
ssuefrom
hi
sdeskandwi pedthejuicesoffmy
nana.

Me:"Howlongdoyousti
ll
havet
obe
her
efor?
"Ipull
edmyleggi
ngsup.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ihav
ealastmeeti
nginan
hour
,thenIwil
lbedonef
ortheday.
"

Me:
"Weeh.ThenIshoul
dleav
e."
Siv
uy i
l
e:"Damn,If
eelused.Af
ter
havi
ngsexy ouwanttogohome?
Thathurts.
"Il
aughedathisdramat
ic
gesture.

Me:"
I'
vegotwhatIwanted,t
her
e'sno
needformetosti
ckaround.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Youwoundmefancyf
ace.
"I
l
aughed."St
ay,
wewil
lgobackhome
toget
her.
"

Me:
"I
mti
red.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Youwi
l
lsl
eepont
hesof
a
baby
."

Me:
"Fi
ne.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'smygi
rl
s."Hepecked
onmyli
ps.
Asifhel etmesl eep,hemademe
helphim prepareforhismeeting,
basicall
yIwashi s'soundboard'how
exciti
ng* r
oll
ingeyes*.Itr
ieddosing
offwhenhel eftforthemeet i
ngbutI
waswokenupbyacal lf
rom Ase.
Me:
"Yah.
"

Ase:
"Hav
eyout
houghtabouti
tyet
?"

Me:
"I
thasn'
tev
enbeenadayNat
hi.
"

Ase:"Welly
ouneedtot hi
nkfast
,
causeamor epeopl
eareasking
aboutyou.Ohandtell
Si v
uyi
l
eIsaid
he'
soffi
ceneedscolour."

Me:"
Wait!Howdidy
ouknowIam i
n
Si
vuyi
le'
soffi
ce?
"
Ase: "
CheckSi vuyil
e'sInst agram.My
mani sher e, byedol l
.OhhI 'm
sleepingov ert onightweneedt of ix
yoursoci al account s."Shehungup.I
didn'twast eany ti
me, Iwentst raight
onI nstagram andsear chf orSi vuy i
l
e,
Iwentt ohi sst oryandt herewasa
boomer angofmeeat i
ngsweet s, he
musthav etakeni twhenwej ustgot
here.Hewr ot e"Asur pr i
sev isitfrom
thewi fe."Hehi tmyf acewi t
hahear t
emoj i.I
'm gl adt hatheunder stands
thatIam notr eadyt obei nthepubl i
c
eyeasy et.
•
°
WejustgothomeandAsenathi
was
al
readyher
esit
ti
ngint
heloungewi
th
Chuluonherl
ap.

Ase:
"MyGod!Remindmenevert
o
haveababy.Zi
yat
efaezi
ntoy
eer
."
Welaughed.

Me:"Youjustneedtohaveali
tt
lebi
t
ofpaint
enceandy ouwil
lseewhata
wonderful
angelsheis.
"

Ase:
"Angel
oft
err
orneh?
"
Me:"Mxm.Gi mmemydaught er
,how
dareyoucal lherangelofter
ror
."She
l
aughedasIt ookChulu.Mybabywas
real
lysick,shewasn'tevensmili
ngat
me, butthemi nut
eItookhershel ai
d
herheadonmychestwi thapacif
ier
i
nhermout h.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Weshoul
dtakehert
oa
doct
ortomor
row."

Me:"
Yeah.Iwi
l
lski
pmymor
ning
cl
ass.
"
Ase:
"Shamet
heangel
oft
err
ori
s
si
ck.
"

Me:"Ifyoukeeponcalli
nghert
hat
,I
wil
lleaveherinyourroom.
whikey
ou
aresleepingsot
hatshecanwake
youupwi thherwail
ing.
"

Ase:
"Youwoul
dn'
tdar
e."

Me:
"Car
ryoncal
l
inghert
hatandy
ou
wi
ll
see.
"

Ase:
"Yuuh,
ungcol
i
lekewena.
(Youar
e
ev
il
)"wel
aughed.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Letmegoandchange.
"He
wentupstai
rswi
thbot
hourbags.

Ase:
"Gi
vemey
ourphone?
"

Me:
"Why
?"

Ase:
"Justgi
vei
ttome.
"

Me:
"Wai
tIneedt
ocal
lZeef
ir
st.
"
Ase:
"usethehousephone.
"Asecan
beabullysometi
mes.Igavehermy
phoneandwenttousethehouse
phonetocall
Zint
le.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Best
iewam!
"

Me:"
What
'
sgoingonbet
weeny
ou
andmybr
other
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"Uhm uhwhi
chone?
"

Me:"Don'
tactst
upidZee,y
ouknow
exactl
ywhoIam talki
ngabout
."
Zintl
e:"OkaylookBootyIwasgoi ng
totellyoubutIwasafraidofyour
reacti
on,I'
m sorr
yfri
end.Ishould
havetold.youwhenitstart
ed.
"

Me:"WowZintl
e!Sowhat
?Youguys
aredat
ingnow?Howlonghast
his
beengoingonfor?
"

Zintl
e:"
2months.Andnowearenot
dati
ng, wear
ejustenj
oyi
ngeach
other'
scompany."
Me: "AndI'
m sureyourgenital
sare
enjoyingeachothert
oo."Iwas
annoy edmorethanany t
hing.Iwas
pissedthatMYbestf r
ienddecidedto
hidesuchf r
om me."Whatabout
Thami ?Wheredoeshest andi nal
lof
this?"

Zi
ntl
e:"YouknowIlov
eThami.What
hedoesn'tknowwon'
thur
thi
m."

Me:"Wel
lThabohasagi
rl
fr
iend
now."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iknow.
"Heht
hechi
l
linher
v
oice.

Me:"
Zintl
edoy our
eali
sethaty
ou
coul
dpot ent
ial
l
yhurtt
wopeoplein
theworstwaypossi
ble?Howcruel
areyou?"

Zintl
e:"
Theywon'
tfi
ndoutabout
this.
"

Me:"Iactuall
ycan'
tbeli
evethisri
ght
now.Youneedt ostopwhateveriti
s
thatyouar edoi
ngwi t
hmybr other
andf ocusonThami .From t
heway
Bontlewasdescr i
bingThabo's
gi
rl,
shedoesn'
tdeserv
ethi
ssost opi t
beforesomeonegetshur
t.
"Shekept
quiet
."Ihopeyouhear
dmeZi ntl
e."I
droppedthecall
.WhenIgotbackt o
Asenathishewasbusyonmyphone.

Ase:"
Im donesetti
ngupy ournew
I
nstagram account.Twit
teryoucan
useyouroldoneandFacebookt oo.
"I
pl
acedasl eepi
ngChul uonthecouch.

Me:
"Sowhatnow?
"

Ase:
"Youpostpi
ctur
es.
"
Me:"Andhowisthatgoi
ngtomake
peopl
enot i
ceme?Theydon'
tknow
mewel l
."

Ase:
"Ijustsentt
heper soninchar
ge
ofbhuti'
sfanpagey ourusername
andTwi t
terhandl
e,soony ourpi
ctur
e
wil
lbepost edonthatpageandhe
wil
ltagy ou,t
henvoil
apeoplewill
knowy ou!"Wow!

Me:"Butf
ir
stIneedt
otel
lSi
vuy
il
e
aboutthi
s."
"
Tel
lmeaboutwhat
?"

Ase:
"oht
hatshe'
sreadyt
obei
nthe
publ
i
ceye."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Wow.Real
l
ybabe?Youdon't
knowhowmuchmypubl i
cisthas
beenhoundi
ngmeaboutintr
oduci
ng
youtothepubl
i
cappar
entl
yitwil
lbe
goodformyimage.
"

Me:
"Hah!Youwantt
ouseme.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yesofcour
semydar
li
ng.
"
Me:"Youarenotev
endeny
ingi
t.
"He
chuckl
ed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whyshoul
dI?
"

Me:
"Mxm.
"Hel
aughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Thanky
ouf
orconv
inci
ngher
cuz.
"

Ase:
"Iwi
l
ltaket
hatthanksi
naf
orm
ofsomepayment.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Gol
ddi
gger
!"

Ase:
"That
smeal
ri
ght
."Wel
aughed.
Sivuyil
edecidedtoordertakeaways
fordinnersi
nceIdidn'thaveti
meto
cook.Af t
ereati
ngeveryonewentto
theirroom t
osleepandonceagain
wesl eptwit
hChulu.
■
□
□
■
#TCOB
MEETBOI
TUMELOBRITTANY
'
LUNATHI
'MOKOENA/
DLAMINI
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t48
○
●
○
●
○
Mylifeissosimple,
all
Ieverdoi
sgo
toschool comebackhomebondwit
h
Chulu,cookandstudythat
'smyl
i
fe.
TodaywasFri
dayandthatmeantI
onl
yhad1classtoday
.Ifi
twasupto
meIwouldn'
tevenbegotoschool
becauseIf eel i
t'sawast eoft imeand
energy ,
butMrDl ami niwoul dnev er
all
owmet odot hat.Heonl ywant s
met omi ssschool whenhesay sso,
mxm.Yest erdaywedi dt akeChul ut o
thedoct orandhej ustsai dshe's
comingdownwi thfl
u, hegav eusa
fewmedi cat ionanddr ewsomebl ood
j
usttodosomef ewt est s,
Sivuyile
i
nsistedont hat.Iwasr eli
evedt hatit
wasnot hingser ious,wel lwedost il
l
havet owai tforther esultsev en
thought hedoct orisadamantt hatit'
s
onlyflu.
Iwasint
hebathr
oom br
ushingmy
teet
hwhensomethi
ngdist
urbedmy
sightasIwaswi pingmymout h!I
coul dn'tbelievemyey es, itwas
big,shinyandi twr appedar oundmy
fi
ngerv er
ycomf or tabl
y .I'
m sur pri
sed
Ionl ysawi tnow, thisent ir
et imeI
didn'tf eelany thing.WhenIwentt o
sleepl astni ghtIdi dn'thav ear i
ngon
andnowIwakeupwi thashi nyrock
onmyf i
nger!Icoul dn'
thel pbut
scream andj umpupanddown.So
mySi vuy i
ledeci dedt oputar ingon
myf ingerwhi l
eIwassl eepi ng?Wel l
that'sf unny, Ididn'tknowhi mt obea
cowar d.Nonet helessIwasst i
ll
very
happyaboutt her i
ng, ev ent houghI
goti tinanotsor omant icway .Which
explainswhyIwokeupt oanempt y
sideofhi sbed, hemusthav esl i
pped
i
tonbef orehel ef tforwork, wow!He
deserv esar omant icdi
nnert onight,
sincehecan' tber omant i
cIwi l
ldoal l
thewor kforhi m.Mymoodwas
brightast hesunt oday,Itooka
bubblebat h, Ifeltl i
kemybody
neededt ocel ebr ate.Aft
erbat hingI
wor emybr i
ghty el l
owshor tsummer
dressandmywhi tesandals,Ichose
thesecol oursbecauset hey
representedmymood.Af t
ert aking
everythingIwi l
l needIwentout ,
got
i
nt othecaranddr ov etoschool ,
well
Sizwewasdr iving.Iwasal readyl at
e
becauseoft hebubblebat hIdecided
take, t
helecturewasalreadyin
mot ion.Iquiet
lywalkedi ntomyseat
andsatdown, thelecturerconti
nued
witht heteachingandt histi
me
aroundIwasact uall
ypay ing
attentiontowhathewassay i
ng.
Aftercl
assmyfr
iendswerewait
ing
formeoutsi
de,
Iwal kedt
othem.

Ase:"
Gir
lhavey
ouseeny
our
fol
l
owers?"

Me:
"No.Ihav
en'
tl
oggedi
ntoi
nst
a
t
oday.
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
30Kf
oll
ower
sal
ready
!"

Me:
"30what
?!Noki
ddi
ng?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Isweart
oGod.
"

Me:"Iguesspeopl
eli
kedt
hefew
pi
ctureswe'vepost
edsofar
."

Ase:
"Youneedtoupl
oadev
ery
day
gi
rlt
okeepital
i
ve.
"
Me:"I'
m stil
lnotsur ei fIam readyfor
thi
s.Doy ouknowl astni ghtIgot
call
edbyt heGripedi tor,hesaidhe
wantedanexcl usivei ntervi
ewwi t
h
me.Idon'tunderstandhowi t'
sgoing
tobeexclusivesinceI '
m alr
eadyout
ther
einthemedi a."Wewer enow
sit
ti
ngatt hecafeteria.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wenawhatdi
dyousay
?"

Me:"It
urneditdown.IknowI '
ve
agreedtoupdatemysoci all
if
e,but
thatdoesn'
tmeanIwi l
l bedoi
ng
i
ntervi
ewswi t
hmagazi nesand
t
abl
oidshayno.
"

Zintl
e:"
Wellt
oolat
e.Dai
lynewspaper
hasalreadydoneapi
eceony ou.I
don'tevenknowhowtheygotyour
detail
s."

Me:"Theymusthavedonet
hei
r
resear
chli
ketheoneswhowrot
e
aboutmywedding."

Ase:
"Wel
lyoumysi
sterar
eheadi
ng
forf
ame.
"
Me:
"Idon'
twantf
ame!
"Ir
eal
l
ydi
dn'
t.

Zi
ntle:
"I
nyourcaseit
'si
nev
itable.
YourhusbandisafamousPr i
nce
aft
eral
l.
"Shootme!

Me:"
Iwasnev erreadyfort
his.
"Iput
mylefthandonmyf or
ehead
uni
ntenti
onal
l
y .

Ase:
"Wai
t!What
'st
hat
?"

Me:
"What'
swhat?"Imovedmyhand
whi
l
elooki
ngather.Shet
ookmylef
t
handandpoi
ntedmyf
inger
.

Ase:
"Thi
s."Ismi
l
ed.

Me:"Wel lI'm assumingt hi

sisan
offi
cialstampt omyt akenstatus."
Theyl ookedateachot herand
screamedwi thsmilesont heirfaces
grabbingt heattent
ionofst udents
thatwer einthecaf et
eria.

Zintl
e:"
Final
l
y!We'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
or
thisri
ng."
Ase:"
Tell
usev er
ythi
ng,howdidhedo
i
t?Didhegetdownononekneeand
askedyouwithtearsonhisface?
Wast hehousedecoratedwit
hr oses?
What?Tellustel
lus."She'
scrazy.I
l
aughed.

Me:"
Uhact ual
lyt
here'
swasnoneof
t
hat.Ijustwokeuptothi
sonmy
f
inger.Noromanti
cgestur
e
whatsoever.
"

Ase:
"Waitwhat
?!Hedi
dn'
tasky
ou
pr
operl
y?"
Me:"Nope.Hejustsl
ippedthi
sonmy
fi
ngerwhileIwassleepi
ngandwhen
Iwokeupt odayhewasal r
eady
gone."Zi
ntlel
aughed.

Ase:"Wow!Iam sodisappoint
ed.I
n
factIam ashamed,
ashamedt ocall
him mycousin!Whodoest hatmara?
That'
snothowy ouproposet oa
l
ady .
"

Zint l
e:"
Techni
call
ythesepeopl
eare
al
r eadymar ri
edsohedoesn'tneedto
proposepl usIthi
nkthiswaywas
cut e.Maybehewast oonervousto
askherwhi
l
eshewasl
ooki
ngat
hi
m."

Ase:"Theyar enotlawf ul
lymar ri
ed.
Andcut ey aniwena?Ther e'
snot hi
ng
cuteaboutt his.Fi
rstofal lbhutidi
dn'
t
notcour tBhimself,theancest or
s
helpedhi m andnowhecan' tdoa
simplethingonhi sown?Hayshame
undiphoxile.
"Iwant edt olaughat
howherf acelookedr i
ghtnow.She
wasr eall
yshockedt hattherewasno
romant i
cgest urel
ikei nthemov ies.

Zi
ntl
e:"Wel
latl
eastourgi
rlhasgot
theri
ngnowandthatmeansthel
ikes
ofBusaniwi
l
lst
ayawayfrom now
on."

"Don'
tbesosur
eaboutthatboo.
"Oh
hell
No!Sat
an'
sagenti
sher e.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Oht
rustmeIam.
"

Busani
:
"Howar eyoumyprincess?"
Hewasl ooki
ngatme."SodoIhav e
tobowwhenIgr eetyounow? "He
smil
ed,Imaintai
nedmystraightface.
Ase:"
Wheredoy outhi
nkt
hisi
s?
Niger
ia?Ungazosqhel
awena.
"

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwantBusani
?"

Busani
:
"Tot
alkt
oyou.
"

Me:
"No!Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
"

Busani
:
"Wheny
ouar
enotbusyt
hen.
"

Me:"
Im notbusyrightnowbutIdon'
t
wanttotal
ktoy ou,notnow,not
t
omor r
ownotev er!Ifyouknow
what'
sgoodfory
ou,youwil
lst
aythe
hel
lawayfr
om me!"Iwasdonebei
ng
ni
ce.

Busani:
"Woahmyl
ady
,Ij
ustwantt
o
tal
k."

Me:
"Wehavenot
hingt
otal
kabout
mar
nBusani
!"

Busani:
"Ohbutwedo.Myf
eel
i
ngs
mattertoo.
"

Ase:
"Hehhay
!Wenay
ouar
epossesI
swear
."

Me:"Idon'
tcar
eaboutyourfeeli
ngs
Busani!Wewil
lneverbetogether,
I
am amar r
iedwoman.Youseet his
ri
ghthereonmyf i
ngerpr
ov esthatI
am taken.
"

Zintl
e:"Youdon'
tevenhav et
oexpl ai
n
yourselft
ohim B,heknowsv erywell
thatyouaremar r
iedt
ot hePrince!
"

Busani
:"
Idon'tcareaboutt
hat.Ifor
oneknowt hatyouarenothappyin
thatmar
riage,Iknowhowt hese
ar
rangedmar
ri
ageswor
k."Ohhel
lNo
hedidn'
t!

Ase:"Hehhaywenay ouaretr
uly
satan'sagent!Noinfactungosat
ane
uqobol wakhe!Getitthr
oughyour
thi
ckskul l
,
awuf unwa!Shedoesn'
t
wanty ouinEngl i
shkebhuti
!
Tshin,cabasiza'
xakwanguwe
kwesiskolo!"Il
aughedalit
tl
eatthe
wayshewasact i
ng.

Busani
:
"Asenat
hiIwoul
dli
kei
tify
ou
-
"
Ase:"Haisuka!Giveussomespacet o
breathbhut i
,yourpr esenceis
poll
utingtheair."Zintleburstoutwith
l
aught erwhileIwasst il
lmaintai
ng
myl i
ttl
elaugh,Asenat hihadast rai
ght
faceandBusani lookedpi ssedashell.
Het urnedtolookatme.

Me:"Youheardher
,andifyoudon'
t
stopbother
ingmeIwi l
lfi
l
ea
harassmentcomplai
nt.
"

Ase:"Makeitasexual
harassment
complai
ntbabesazonyanyi!Nxah!
Bloodyr
ichkids.
"
Busani:
"Fi
nethenbutt
erf
ly,
Iwi
l
lleav
e
youalonefrom nowon."

Zint
le:
"Hal
lel
ujah.
"Hegavemeone
l
ookbef or
ehedepartedf
rom our
tabl
e.

Ase:
"Thatguyi
sobsessedandi
t'
s
notcut
e!Ineedtotel
lMarkt
ospeak
tohi
m,thi
sisnotheal
thy
."

Me:"
Atal
l.I
t'
sdist
urbi
ngactual
ly.I
needtot
ell
Sivuyi
l
eaboutthis.
"
Zi
ntl
e:"Youshoul
d.Wedon'
tknow
whatthatcr
azyheadmi
ghtdonext.
"

Me:"
Don'tscar
emeZi nt
le.Youknow
howparanoidIget
."

Zint
le:"Sorr
y."MeandZi ntl
ewer ea
bi
tokayaf t
ert hecall,
shedi dassur
e
met hatwhat everis/
wasgoi ngon
betweenhi m andThaboi sjustsex
andi twasov er,I
'
m notsur eifI
beli
ev eherornot .IwillbehonestI
don'twantanyofmyf r
iendsdati
ng
mybr other
s,noIcan'thav ethat
causewhent heybr eakuporf i
ght
witht hei
rpartnerIwi l
l alsobe
affectedandt heywi llexpectmet o
chooseasi deandIdon' tt ur
non
bloodnomat terwhat ,Ilov emy
fr
iendswayt oomucht ol osethem
becauseofasensel essr elati
onshi
p
withoneofmybr other s.Iwasst i
ll
madt hatshedidn'ttell meabout
whatwasgoi ngonbet weent hem,we
wer eandt obebestf ri
endsbutshe' s
hi
ddi ngstuffli
kethisf rom me.

Ase:"
Whenisbhutileavi
ngfor
Durban?"Ohyeahthere'
sthat
.
Si
vuyil
edidgetthedealtheywer
e
pit
chingf ori
nDur ban, thismeanshe
hast ogot oDur banf oraf ewweeks
toensur ethatthepr ojecttakesof f
wellbeforehecansendt hepr oj
ect
managert ooverseeev eryt
hing,it
wassuchahar dthingt oaccept .I
couldn'tcopewot hhi m bei nggone
foraweek, howmuchmor eisitgoing
tobewheni t'
smor et hanoneweek.
Howev erhedi dassur emet hathe
will
behomeev eryweekend, soI
guesst hatdoesmaket hongsal i
tt
le
better.

Me:"
Idon'tknowhey,
hehasn'
tsai
d
any
thingaboutthi
str
ip.
"
Ase:"
Heshoul dleavesoon,Iwantto
mov ein."Ichuckled,i
fonlysheknew
howmuchIdon' twanthimt oleav
e.
Beep!Speakoft hedevil
andheshal l
appear,ortextratheri
nthissit
uati
on.

"Ihopeyoul i
kedthelit
tlesurpriseI
l
ef tonyourfi
nger.I'
l
lbehonestwi t
h
youbabe, Iwastoner voustodoi t
theproperwaysoIt houghtwhynot
doi tt
hesimplestwaypossi ble.Ilove
youMr sDlami ni
andIam mor et han
blessedtohav eyouinmyl if
e, enjoy
yourday."BythetimeIwasdone
readi
ngt
hetextmycheekswere
burni
ngf
rom al
lthebl
ushi
ng.

Zintl
e:"
Andt henwena?Letmesee. "
Shesnat chedmyphonet heyboth
readthemessage." Ncoah!Won'ty
ou
l
ookatt hatthePrinceoftheXhosa
Kingdom canwr i
teasweett ext
s,
shocking."Il
aughedandtookphone
from her.

Ase:
"Heh!XhosaKi
ngdom menare
ver
yromanticwenaZi
ntl
e."Notmy
man,butke
Me:
"Tel
lhim Ase.Theyaretheemost
r
omanti
cmenonear th.
"Don'tl
ookat
meli
kethat,
Ihav etodefendmyman.

Ase:"YouknowIwant edtosee
Busani'
sfacewhenhef oundouty ou
arethePrince'
swi f
ehewast alking
about.
"Shel aughedoutloud."ButI
didgettohearhisdisappoint
edsl ash
shockedv oi
ce."Shelaughedagai n,
musthav ebeenaf unnyhearing.

Me:
"Howdi
dyouheari
t?"

Ase:
"Yest
erdayhecal
l
edMar
kand
Mar kwasoutoft heroom,soasa
sensiblegirl
fri
endIanswer edt hecal l
,
hedi dnotev enwai tformet ot alkhe
j
ustst art
ingtalkingabouthowhej ust
foundoutt haty ouar ethecrowned
pri
ncessandhowst upidhefeel s.
Yeey !I
twasal ot..
.Ijustdr
oppedt he
callandlaughedt i
llIcoul
dn't
anymor e."Asenat hiisarar
ecr azy
breed."Damn!Ishoul dhaver ecorded
him!"Wel aughedal ongwithher .

Zi
ntl
e:"
BwhatdidyoufeedBusani
?
Hecan'tst
ayawayfr
om you.
"We
l
aughed.
Me:
"Iwi
shIknew.
"

Ase:
" MaybeIshouldhookhim up
wit
honeofmyf ri
endsf r
om t
he
vi
ll
age.Iseehel i
kesthem i
nnocent
bantu."Welaughed.

Me:"Youar
ecrazy
.Any
wayl
adi
es,
I
havetogoIneedt
odosome
shoppi
ng.
"

Zint
le:
"Wear
ecomi
ngwi
thy
ou.
"Ay
y
no.
Me:
"Nott
hatki
ndofshoppi
ngZee.
"

Ase:"Itdoesn'tmatter,
wear ecomi ng
with."No!Ihav etodot hi
salone.
"Nisahleli
?Let'sgo."Shewasal ready
onherf eetwithherbag,IguessI
hav enochoi cebutt oall
owt hem to
comewi t
hme.Wewentoutt he
campus, Itol
dSizwet odriv
eust o
themal l.
Zint
le:
"Sowhatareweheref
or?
"She
askedasweent er
edthemal
l

Me:
"I
m pl
anni
ngav
eryr
omant
ic
dinnerf
ormeandSivuyi
le,
justt
o
thankhi
mf ort
her
ing."

Ase:
"Gi
rlyoudon' tneedtot
hankhi
m
wit
hdinner.Allyouhavetodoisgi
ve
hi
m sexallnightlongtheny
ouare
done.
"

Me:
"Wehav
esexev
eryni
ght
."

Ase:"Isai
dallni
ghtlong.AndI'
m not
talki
ngaboutthebor i
ngmarri
ed
couplesex,Imeant hesexysl
utty
kindasex.Theonet hatwil
lmakehim
tonev ert
hinkaboutcheati
ngony ou
ev
erinhi
senti
rel
if
e!"Exaggerat
ion!
Asift
her
eissomethingthatwil
l
makemennotcheat.

Zint
le:"
Iagr eewithNat hionthi
sone.
Romant i
cdi nner
sar efor
anniversariesandst uf
f,notthi
s
parti
cularsi t
uati
on."Ishouldn'
thav
e
broughtt hem along.

Ase:"I
nfact
!Iknowtheper fectstore
tobuyt heperf
ectaccessoriesfor
thi
snight!Foll
owmegi rl
s."Nowt hey
aretakingovermyplanning.We
hurr
iedbehindherasshel edust o
thelef
twingofthemall t
oasmal l
stor
ewr i
tteni
nboldlet
ters"ADULT
STORE!"Ohhellno!I
'm notgoingi
n
ther
e!Mxm whoam Iki dding,
Asenathihasal
readypull
edme
i
nside.

Me:
"Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?"

Ase:
"Get
ti
ngy
ouasexyl
i
nger
ie.
"

Me:"
Im surewewouldhav
egotone
atVi
ctori
asecret
."
Ase:"Wear enotl ookingf orTHAT
kindoflinger ie.Youneedonewi tha
specialtoucht oit.
"Wewal ked
aroundt hest or eunt i
lwer eachedthe
roleplayingsect i
on.Iwasj ust
standingt herel ookingatt hesetwo
girl
sgoingl ookingt hrought heoutf
it
s
there,Ididn'tknowwhatt odo
becauset hiswascompl etelyoutof
mycomf or tzone, andt hiswasnot
theideaIhadi nmi ndt othankmy
husband.Thesegi rlaregoi ngtobe
theendofmeshame!

"Perf
ect
!"Shehadaboxi
nherhand,
I
didn'
tev
enknowwhatwasinther
e
t
heboxl
ookedsmal
l
.

Ase:"
That'
stheone!
"Shesaidaft
er
checki
ngthe"pr
oduct"i
nZint
le'
s
hand."Nowweneedt oy
s."

Me:
"Forwhatnow?
"

Ase:"Toaddexci tementtot he
bedroom. "Whyam Iev enallowi
ng
them todot his.Wewentt othetoys
section,Iwassooutofpl acehere,
theredifferentkindsofequi pments
here,I'
mt al
kingf r
om
dil
dos,vi
br ators,whips,
handcuffsand
manyotherthings."
Ithi
nkthesewil
l
do.
"Shepickedhandcuffs,
abl i
nd
fol
dandsomet hi
ngIdon'
tevenknow
whati
t'
scalled.

Me:"
Woah!Andit
shoba?
"They
l
ookedatmeli
keIwascrazy
.

Ase:"Thisisnoti t
shobawena
sbhanxa( fool
.)It'
sawhi p."Welli
t
l
ooksl ikeit,t
heonl ydiff
erenceisthat
i
twasmadeofl eatheranditdidn'
t
reall
yhav e'hair
'.Onet hi
ngIam sur e
aboutist hatIam notgoi ngtowhi p
Sivuyil
e,hellt
ot heno!
Me:"
Iam notgoi
ngt
ouset
haton
Si
vuyi
le.
"

Ase:
"Youdon'
thavet
owhiphi
m wi
th
i
t,j
ustr
unitonhi
sbodysl
owly
."

Me:"No!Wear el
eav i
ngthatbehi
nd.
"I
saidputt
ingmyf ootdown.Iknew
thati
fwet ookit
,itwasgoingtobe
usedonme.

Zi
ntl
e:"
ComeonB.
"
Me:"Im ser
ious.Thecuf
fsandthe
bl
indfoldareenough.Nowhipsor
anythi
ngmor e."

Ase:
"Mxm.Uy
abhor
a."

Me:"Ndi
ri
ght.
"Wewentt othecount
er
andIpaidfort
hestuff,
thecashi
er
keptongivi
ngmel ookswhil
e
scanni
ngtheproducts.

Ase:
"Khonaingxaki
sisi
?(I
sther
ea
pr
oblem?)"
Cashi
er:
"Ohuhm.
..No.
"

Ase:
"MmhIhope.
"

Cashi
er:
"I
m sor
ry.
"Sheputourt
hings
i
napacketthenwelef
t.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Im hungr
y."

Me:
"Met
oo.
"

Ase:
"Let
'sgotoSpur
."Wemadeour
waytospur.
•
°
Oneshot !Twoshot soft equi l
a!Why
doesheev enhav ethisi nher e?He
musthav ecomeupwi thitont hose
dayshewasdr i
nkingl ikeaf ool.
FocusTumi st
opwor ryingabouta
bottl
eofal cohol i
ny ourbat hroom.
Whooosa!Al ri
ghther egoesnot hing.
Sexypositiononl ockdown!Li ghts
off
!Onlyt hesidel ampsar eon.Ican' t
bel
ieveIal l
owedt hem t oconv i
nce
met owearsuchar ev ealingt hing.It
wasseet hr oughatit shi ghest
potenti
al,Iwascompl etelynaked.
Wait!Thedoori sopeni ng.Hewal ked
i
nandsatont hebed,goodhedidn'
t
evenseemest andi
ngther
eatthe
bedroom door
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Babe!
"

Me:"I
mr ightherelover
."It
ri
edt o
soundasseduct i
veasIcould.Sexy
walktowar dshim.Boom!Hi seyes
areallout,helooksl
ikeahungr yl
ion
l
ookingati tsmeal.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Woah!Wha-
"fi
ngeront
he
l
ips.
Me: "Shhh."Ipeckedonhi sl
ips.Pl ay
pressedont her emot e!TreySongs
play i
nglightl
yi nt hebackgr ound!Thi s
i
si t!Isway edmyhi pssidet osi dei n
asex ymanner ,Imov edabi tfurther
fr
om hi m andst ar t
eddanci ngas
exot i
casIpossi blycan,I'mt ouchi ng
mybodyi nasexual wayandt wer king
her eandt here." Sit!
"Isaywhenhe
tr
iest ocomet ome, heobey s.Iwal k
tohi m andsitr ightonhi sdi ck,Ist art
grindingonhi m andgr i
ndingusi ng
myadsandhi ps.Icoul dhearhi m
breat hi
ngheav i
lyonmyearashi s
handsr unt hroughmybr eastov ermy
sil
kygown.WhenIfeelsat
isf
iedwit
h
hishardon.Ist
andupandwal kedt
o
thesideofmybed.

"Wherearey ougoingbaby ,wear e

notdoneasy et
."Hishoarsev oice
says.Ohy eswear enotmi ster.Itake
outthebli
ndf ol
dandt hecuffsf rom
mydr awer.Igobackt ohim, hisey es
aresli
ghtl
yopen.Ist andbeforehi m
andletthegownsl ideoffmybody
beforegiv
inghimt he360v iew.

"Shi
t!
"Heswears.Ipushhim sl
i
ght
ly
onthebedbef
oreget t
ingontopof
hi
m,Igivehi
m af ul
lFrenchkisson
hi
sli
ps,hekissesmebackhungr i
ly
wi
thhishandsonmybut t.Okay!This
i
snotpartoftheplan.Ipulloutofthe
ki
ssandgetupsl owlyfr
om hi m.

"
Don'
tst
op.
"

Me:"Foll
owme. "Hei squi
cktosi tup
andstraightandstandup,Itakehis
handandl eadhimt othechairinthe
centeroftheroom.Handcuf f
sand
bli
ndfoldintheotherhand."
Sit."He
does.Isitonhislap,ki
ssi
nghi sneck
whil
et al
kingofft
hehi sshi
rtwithhis
help.I
'
m surpri
sedhehasn'
ttr
iedto
takecontrol
ofthi
ssit
uati
on.Vesti
s
alsooff!

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Woah!Handcuf
fs?
"Iwas
swi
ngingthem i
ntheair
.

Me:"Iminchargemister
."Iwalk
behindhim,gentl
ypullt
hearmst o
thebackofthechairbeforecuf
fing
them."Shh.
"Hewast ryi
ngt oprotest
aboutthebli
ndfol
d.

Si
vuy
il
e:"ButIwantt
oseey
ou.
"
Me: "
Notnowl over."Blindfoldon!I'm
onmykneesnowi nf rontofhi m,
unbuckl inghi sbelt
, buttonof f
,zip
down!Jamaout ,andhi sinmymout h
withinasecond!Hewasal r
eady
hissing,myt onguei smassagi nghi s
head, i
nandoutJamagoes, my
handsar eal sodoingt hebi tinthis
depar t
ment .RightnowIam
concent ratingont hehead, my
tonguei swhi r
li
ngandt wirli
ngont he
head.Thi sgoesonf oraf ewmi nutes
untilIfeel mymout hi sabi tti
red.I
getont opofhi m, wi t
hbot hmyl egs
ont hesi des.ItakeuJamaanddi r
ect
hi
mintomyentr
ancebef
oreIsi
t
comf
ortabl
y.

"Fuck!
"Ist
artedmov i
ng.Upand
down!Rotati
on,upanddownagai n.
Thismanrighthereisgroani
ngli
kea
piginpai
n,andI'm moaningand
sweati
ng.Iam sti
llgr
indi
ngonhim.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Fuck!Shi
t!Il
oveyouso
muchmyl ov
eshitshi
tshi
t!
"

Me:"Il
ovey outoomyl ove.Ahah
ahhhhh."Irel
ease,j
ustasIam taki
ng
adeepbr eathIfeel
my selfbump,t
his
manishelpinghi
mselft
ome.Icar
ry
ongri
ndingandmov i
ngupanddown,
fewminuteslat
erIf
eelhi
shot
seamenburstint
ome.

Sivuyi
le:
"Damn! !Whatar eyoudoing
tomewomen. "Myar mswer earound
him andmyf aceinhisneck.I
uncuffedhi m,befor
eIcoul deven
uncuffthesecondhandhehad
alr
eadypi ckedmeupupandwal king
tothebedwi t
hme.Hepul ledoutand
mademel eanoverthebed, whil
ehe
stoodbehi ndme.Idon' tknowhow,
butIfelthimr i
ppingoffmyl i
ngeri
e,I
wonderwhyhedi dt hatbecausethis
t
hinghadahol
eforaspeci
fi
creason.

"Ahhh!
"Iscr
eamedashesl
ammed
himsel
finme.Thi
swasdef
ini
tel
y
goingt
obeanighttor
emember.

AllIcansayis,afterthatr
oundwe
madel oveallni
ghtl ong,t
aki
ngaf ew
breaksinbetween.I '
veneverdoneso
manyposi t
ionsi nmyoneni ght,
by
thetimewesl eptmybodywasi n
knotsandIwast ir
ed,butIwasa
ti
redhappylady .Iwenttosleepwith
asmi leonmyf ace.
○
●
○
●
I
'm abitoccupiedri
ghtnowmy
l
ovings.Howev erIMIGHTbl
essy'
al
l
wit
hanot heronetoni
ghtsi
nceIf
eel
l
ikethi
sonei sshort.
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t49
○
●
○
●
○
Themorningaft
er!Al
lIcoul
dfeel
wereki
ssesonmymout h,t
hat'
s
whenIwokeupt oseehim cl
oseto
myfacekissi
ngme.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Mor
ningsleepyhead.
"He
peckedonmylips.

Me:"
Iwi
llal
way
ssayt
his,
youar
eone
cr
eepyhuman.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Onl
ytomywi
fe.
"

Me:
"Andt
hat
'ssupposedt
omakeme
speci
al?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ohy
eswi
fey
."

Me:
"Woah!
"Iexcl
aimedashepul
l
ed
meontopofhim."Whatt
imei
sit
?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Ti
met
ogi
vey
ourmansome
l
ovi
ng."

Me:"
Mybodyissti
l
l sor
efrom
yest
erday
."Hesmi
ledverywidel
y.

Si
vuy
il
e:"What
everi
tist
hat
possessedyoulastni
ght ,Il
ov eit!
"
He'sbeingsi
ll
yasalway s."Your eall
y
surpr
isedmet her
ewifey,Ishoul d
buyyouar i
ngmor eoften."Iroll
my
eyes.

Me:"Youonlybuyar i
ngonce,
and
thi
swasaoncei nal i
fet
ime
exper
iencedearhusband."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
ohreall
y?Thatmeansyou
won'tdanceforme?Nomor e
handcuff
sandt hatsexyl
i
nger
ie?
"He
bi
thislowerl
ip.
Me:
"Yes.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Neverbaby!Atl
eastoncea
mont
hke."Il
aughed.

Me:
"SonnaIshouldspoilyouever
y
month?Khantei
sthisyoursal
ary?
"
Heburstoutwit
hlaught
er.

Sivuy
ile:"
Thet hingsyousaykodwa
wena. "Ij
oinedhi minlaughter.
"Honest l
yspeaki ngmyl ove,Ireal
ly
enjoyedmy sel
flastnight,
I'm happy
thatyouar eablet ocomeoutofy our
comfor tzonef ormemyl oveandt hat
makesmel ovey ouev enmor e.I
knowt haty ouar eav eryshy
person,buty ouwer eablet odoall
thatsexyst uffformel astnight,i
t
wast hebestni ghtofmyl if
eIwill
neverfor getit
."Hewasl ookingdeep
i
nmyey eswhi l
esay ingthat,I
couldn'
thel pbutgiv ehim andkiss,I
didn'
tcar eaboutanymor ni
ngbreath.

Me:"Weshoul dwakeup,
am sureit
's
noonnow. "Igotupfr
om hi
m andgot
offthebed."Wakeupmisterandgo
takeashower ."
Si
vuyi
le:
"Iwi
l
lonl
ytakeonei
fyouj
oin
me."

Me:
"If
eelli
ketaki
ngal
ooooongbat
h,
wi
thbathsalt
sandst
uff
.Ideser
vei
t.
"
Hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Well
yourwishismy
commandmadam.I '
llgorunyoua
baththatyoudeser
ver i
ghtaway.
"I
smiled.

Me:"Thankyou.
"Hegotofft
hebed
andwal kedt
othebat
hroom but
t
naked,uJamawasdangli
ngitwas
hardnott
olook.MyGodwhendi dI
becomesuchasexualperson,I
bl
ameSi v
uyi
lefort
hisbehavi
our.
Fewmi nut
eslaterhecal
ledmetothe
bat
hroom andindeedthebat
htub
wasfil
l
edwi t
hfoam, andbat
hsalt
s.

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyouj
oini
ngme?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yohhaybaby
,youknowI
don'
tdobatht
ubs."

Me:"Justt
hisonce.Khant
ewhereis
yoursenseofromance?"Hechuckl
ed.
Sivuyil
e:"
Ilef
titwi
thmyancestor
s."
Wel aughed.Igotint
othebat
htub
whilehewentt otheshower
,heleft
theshowerdooropenandhemade
suretost andbythedoor
,soIhada
perfectviewofmyman.

Me:"
Doyoumindmov i
ngt otheot
her
si
de.
"Iwasgett
inghornyandIsure
di
dn'
twantt
ohav esexthismorni
ng,
mybodywon'
tallowmet o.Hegave
measlysmil
e.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Why
?Iwantt
oseey
ounj
e
baby
."Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.

Me:
"Ohh*
ahem*Okay
."Hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uy il
e:"Youcanl ookathim al
lday
l
ongbaby ,he'syoursandyours
al
one. "Idon'twanttolookat'hi
m'
becauset hemor eIlookthehornierI
get,butmyey eskeeponbet r
aying
me." Youknowy oucouldjustcome
hereandgethi m."He'
stempt i
ngme.

Me:"
Getwho? "Iacteddumb,
he
l
aughed.Ij
ustlaidmyheadand
cl
osedmyey esallowingt
hewat
ert
o
soot
hemybody
.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Ohy eah!Baby,abusi
ness
associat
eofmi neinvi
tedustoa
Braai
."Iopenedmyey esandlooked
athim.

Me:
"Us?Who'
sus?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Me,
youandThemba.
"

Me:
"Ohandwheni
sthi
sBr
aai
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thi
sev
eni
ng.
"MyGod!Iwas
pl
anningtorel
axandwatchplenty
moviestoday,
butIguessIneverget
whatIwant.
Ist
ay edinthebat hforabout20
minutesorso, Si vuyi
lehadl onggot
outtheshower .Thismandoesn' t
understandthet erm'rel
ax',
because
he'
sbeent alkingt omeev ersinceI
gotintothi
sbat htub,butthebat hdi
d
hel
pr elaxmybodyev enthoughmy
mindwasn' trelaxedbecauseoft his
guy.
Webot hheadeddownst ai
rsafterI
gotdressedinmysi mpledress.
Whenwer eachedt helounge,Igota
shockofmyl ife.Thereinthelounge
satThandi
wewithanenvel
opeinher
hand,t
heminuteshesawusshe
stoodonherf
eetlooki
ngnotso
happy.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Whatt
hefuckar
eyoudoi
ng
here?
!"Ihel
dhi
shand.

Thandi:
"MmmhIseetheromanceis
boomingbet
weenyou.Idi
dn'
ttake
youforamansteal
erBoi
tumel
o."
Aibo!

Si
vuyil
e:"
Thandiwe!Ify
ouhave
not
hingimportanttosay,
gett
hehel
l
outofmyhouse!
"Shegav
emean
ugl
ylookbef
oret
urni
ngherat
tent
ion
toSi
vuyi
le

Thandi:
"Mxm,Ijustcametogi
veyou
these.
"Shehandedhi mtheenvel
ope.
"Youknowy oudidn'thav
etosend
yourthugfr
iendstomakemesi gn
thesedamnpaper s!"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Ify
ouhadn'tt
ri
edtobea
par
asiteandtakewhat'
smineit
wouldn'
thavegott
enthere!
."

Thandi
:
"Iwasn'
tbei
ngapar
asi
te,
I
j
ustwant
edwhatIdeser
ve!
"

Sivuyi
l
e: "
Deserve?!Youdon' tdeser
ve
acentf rom me!Letal oneashar ei
n
mycompany !Youdeser venot hi
ng!
Whatdoesabi t
chlikey ouknow
aboutowni ngshares?!"Hewas
fummi ng."Idon'tevenknowwhyI
am wast ingmybr eathony ou.Get
thefuckoutofher eandnev erset
yourstinkingfeetinthisyardev er
againThandi weMsomi !
!"

Thandi
:"Thi
sishowy out
reatme
Si
vuyil
e,af
teral
lthey
earswe'v
ebeen
toget
her?Idoonestupi
dmistake
andthisi
sthetr
eatmentIget
?"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Ohshutupandstopact
ing
l
ikeav i
cti
m!"Iwasj
ustst
andi
ng
therewit
hmymout hshut
.

Thandi:
"Andyouar eactinglikea
sai
nt!
!YouSivuyileareaser i
al
cheat
er!Howmanyt imesdi dI
for
giveyouforcheatingonme? !
Huh?!Andthefirstti
meIcheat ,you
thr
owmeoutl i
kear ott
enpot ato.
"My
Siv
uyil
eisaserialcheater?Andwas
i
tthefir
stti
meshe' scheating?Lol.
Siv
uy i
l
e:"Unli
key ou,
Idi
dn'
tmakea
sextape.Idon'tneedtoexpl
ain
my sel
ftoy ou!Leavemyhouse!"She
tur
nedt olookatme.

Thandi:"Oncehegetscomf ort
abl
e,he
will
showy ouhistr
uecol ours.
"She
tookherbagandl eft.Iwon'tli
ewhat
shesai dreal
lygottome.Imeanshe
knowsSi v
uyi
lebest,theywer e
togetherfor3wholey ears.

Sivuyi
l
e:"Baby
."Isnappedoutofmy
thoughtsandlookedathim."Ar
eyou
okay
?"

Me:"Uh.
..I
'mfi
ne.Iuhneedtogo
checkonChulu."Hepul
ledmyhand
whenIat t
emptedtowalkaway.

Sivuyi
le:"
Woahs' thandwa.Don' tlet
whatt hatwitchsaidgett oyou, I
wouldnev erdot hattoyoubaby ."I
wasn'tconv i
nced."She'sjustbitter
thatIleftherandI '
m withyou."The
factthatheisdi scr
editi
ng
Thandi we'
schar acteri
nsteadof
assuringmet hatheisnothingt hat
shesai disveryalarming.
Me:
"Iheary
ou,
whydon'tyousither
e
whi
l
eImakeussomet hingtoeat.
"

Sivuyi
l
e: "No, Iwil
lsi
twi t
hy oui
nthe
kit
chen. "Iwashopi nghewasn' t
goingtosayt hat
,Ineedtogathermy
thought swi thouthi
mi nthesame
room!Hef oll
owedmet otheki
tchen
andsatont hecounterwhi l
eI
gatheredi ngr edi
ent
sf orour
sandwi ches.
•
°
Af
terspendi
ngsomequal
i
tyt
ime
withChulu,Iwenttot akeaqui ck
showerbeforegettingr eadyforthe
braai.Tr
ustmeIdon' tlikebathing
twot i
mes,that
'swast ingwat erI
don'tunder
standpeopl ewhobat h
twot i
mes.Ionlytookt hatshower
becauseofChul u,shemessedonme
andIcouldn'tr
eall
ygomi ngl
ewi t
h
peoplewhil
esmel lingsour .
Iworemybl ackrippedjeans,white
vestandablackdeni mjacketwi t
h
mywhi t
eallstarchuckt ay
lors,
it'
sa
Braaimos,wedonotneedt odress
up,ri
ght?Ri
ght!Iputonmy20i nch
curl
s,noli
psti
cktoday .
Siv
uyi
le:
"Canwegoalr
eady
!"He'
s
beensayi
ngthatf
ort
hepast30
minut
es.

Me:
"I
m doney
oh.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Final
l
y!"

Me:
"Youhav
enopat
ienceMr
Dl
amini
."

Siv
uy i
le:
"Ido,
youj
ustt
aket
ool
ongt
o
getready."
Me: "Youar esayingthatbecausey ou
didn'thav etochoosey ouroutfi
t,I
hadt ochoosemi neandy our
s."I
alway schoosehi soutf i
tsandwhenI
askhi mt ochosemi ne, hejust
choosest hemosthi deousclothes
from mywar drobe,welltheyarenot
reallyhideous,Ij
ustpr eferot
hers
ov erthem.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Oho.That
'snotanexcuseto
takesuchalongti
met ogetr
eady."I
l
aughed.

Me:
"Ladi
esneedal
lthet
imet
heycan
gettomakesur et hattheyl ookprett
y.
Ial
way stel
lyout his.
"Heshookhi s
head."AndIal way smakesur ethat
youlookhandsome. "Hewaswear i
ng
awhit ePologol ft-
shi r
tandbl ack
j
eanswi t
hhi sallstars.AndnoIdi d
notplant omakeuswearmat chi
ng
outf
its,Ionlyreali
sedwhenIput
mineont hatwear ewear i
ngt he
samecol ours,Lol.Butt here'
snothing
wrongwi thmat chingout f
itsneh.His
phoner angasIwaspacki ngmysl i
ng
bag.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Ntwana.
...
..Iwaswai t
ingfor
themadam tofi
nish...
..whatareyou
doi
nghere?.
..
..
.youhav
eyourown
car
!.
..
..mxmfine,wear
ecoming
downnow."

Me:
"He'
sher
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Yep.Say
shetookhiscarfor
aser
vice,Iknowhel
yi
ng."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"Let
sgot
hen.
"
•
Wegottowherethebraai
wasbeing
hel
d.Imustsayt
hiswasar eal
l
y
por
shplace,
thehousewashugenot
t
oment
ionbeaut
if
ul.

Sivuy
ile:
"Ican'
tbel
i
evey
oubr
ought
them along."

Themba: "
Theyar
emyplusones.
"I
l
aughed.Thembahadbroughtal
lhi
s
fr
iendstothi
sBraai
,i
ncl
udi
nghis
gi
rlf
riend.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Plusonei
soneper
son
Thembanot4peopl
e."

Ay
anda:
"Wear
ebl
ackpeopl
e,t
her
eis
nosuchthi
ngasaoneplusone.Plus
onemeans,i
nvi
teasmanyasy ou
can.
"Il
aughedagai
n.

Nka:
"Uy
ibeki
l
ent
wana.
"Theyf
ist
bumped

Lungani
:"Andkebesi
ngekesiphoswe
yi
nyamay amahal
a.Ihearthi
smani s
ri
ch,I
'm sur
ehewon'tmind."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Youguy
sar
eso
embarr
assi
ng.
"
Lungani
:
"Suzenzancono.
"We
l
aughed.

Themba:
"Andwhydidn'
tyoutel
lus
thet
hemeisbl
ackandwhite?
"Mxm

Siv
uyil
e:"
Thatsbecausey oudon' t
haveawi f
etomat chwith.Thina
esi
tshati
l
esiyamat ch(
er)ke,andithi
baby?"Hetookmyhandandki ssedi
t.
Ibl
ushedandl ookedaway .

Nka:
"St
opbeingl
oveydov
eyandlet
's
geti
nsi
dethi
shouseandpar
tyunti
l
wedrop.
"
Si
v uyi
le:
"Ifyoumustknow, people
whoi nvi
tethemselvestopart
ies
don'tpart
yuntilt
heydropcause
i
yajongisalont
o.Youhav ealimitt
o
everythi
ng,dri
nks,
foodandtalki
ng."
Wel aughed.

Lungani
:"
Soze!Si
zipl
usonekaloku,
thatmeansweareinvi
ted.
"Wegot
outthecarandmadeourtothedoor.

Themba:"Letmeknock,mnamnt u
whowasi nvit
ed!"He'
stur
ningon
them now!Lol,
tr
ait
or.
Lungani
:
"Mxm.
"

Ay
anda:"Whati
fther
e'saguestl
i
st?
"
Welaughed.

Siv
uy i
le:"
Thi
sisaBr aainotachari
ty
ball
."Thembaknockedont hedoor,
fewsecondsaf ami
liarbeaut
if
ul
youngl adyopened.

Lungani
:"
Hell
omyl ady.
"Hewas
al
readyholdi
ngherhand.Whendi
d
hegetinfr
ont.
"Andthen?"Saidabuf
fscaryl
ooki
ng
guy,wellhedi
dn'tl
ookTHATscary
buthedidhav eaheavyaur
a.Hewas
l
ookingatLungani'
shand.

SG:"
Getyourhandsoffmywi f
eman."
Thembaquickl
yr emovedLungani
'
s
handfr
om thelady.

Themba:"
mymanherewasabi
t
over
takenbyt
hemi
ssus'
beaut
y."

SG:
"Ihopet
hatnev
erhappensagai
n.
I'
m gladthatyouguyscouldmake
i
t..
..
.withanentourageevent
houghI
saidwithpart
ners.
"

Themba:"
Ithoughyoumeant
part
ner
sincrime."Theyl
aughed.

SG:"Comeoni n."Weent eredandhe

closedthedoor."Welcomet omy
humbl eabode.
"Humbl e?Heh!"This
i
smyl ovel
ywifePhi l
asande."The
wifegaveusasweetsmi l
easshe
greetedus.Si
vuy i
lealsointr
oduced
ust othecoupl
e, Igottolearnthat
thescaryguywasLuzukoand
Themba' sgirl
fr
iendwasAni tha.
Phil
asandewasqui cktopullmeand
Anithat otheki
tchenwher etheot her
l
adieswer e,whilethemenwentt o
othermen.It houghtthiswasj usta
Braai,butseemsl i
ketheseladiesgot
adifferentmemo, theywereinheel s
andt heyhadmakeupont heirfaces,
Ifel
tlikeIwasi nawr ongplace, i
t
was4oft hem.

Phil
a:"
Helpmewi t
ht hepotat
osalad,
andyouAnithacouldyoupleasedo
thegreensal
ad.
"Wegl adl
ydi
dwhat
shewast el
li
ngustodo.
Gir
l1:
"Luzukomustbespecialfora
wholecrownedprincesst
oattend
thi
sbraai.
"Shewasn'ttal
ki
ngtome,
butshewasl oudenoughformet o
hearher.

Phil
a:"
That'
sBianca,she'
sLuthando
gi
rl
fri
end."Shewhisperedi
nmyear .I
don'
tev enknowwhot hatLut
hando
i
s.

Girl
2:"
Iseeshehasalreadymadeher
presencei
nthePr i
nce'
slif
eknown,
akaziukut
hiuzosal
anje
ngoThandiwe(shedoesn'tknowthat
shewillgetl
eftbehi
ndlike
Thandiwe.)
"Thelady'
sfriendrepl
ied.
Iwantedtolaughatwhatt heywere
sayi
ngbutbecauset heywer enot
tal
ki
ngt omeIkeptmymout hshut.

Phi
la:
"andthat
'sPal
esa,
Li
ndani
'
s
si
dechick.
"

Anathi
:"
ohshe'sasidechick?No
wondershe'stal
kingaboutpeopl
e
gett
inglef
tbehindshehas
experi
enceofhusband'schoosi
ng
thei
rwivesoverher.
"Anit
hasaida
l
i
ttl
ebi
tloud.

Pal
esa:
"Ut
hini
wena?
"

Anit
ha:
"Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngtoy
oubuti
f
youmustknow,Isa-"

Me:"Youweren'
ttal
ki
ngtothem
Anit
ha,t
heyhavenori
ghtt
oasky ou
questi
ons.
"

Palesa:
"Nomot l
ohel
aabolel
e(Lether
tal
k.)Icanseeshe'
slooki
ngfora
fi
ght.Wellsweet
ythi
sisnotthe
ghetto,wepeopl
ef r
om heredonot
entertai
nsuchbehaviour
."Whosai
d
anythingaboutf
ight
ing?

Ani t
ha:
"sippingaf ewgl assesof
champagneandwear i
ngfancy
clothesdoesn' tmakey ou'people
from here'.Don'tletthosethingsfool
you."Whoi sthisgirl
?Imeanshewas
quietinthecaral l t
hewayt ohere
andnowal l
ofasuddenshe' sli
ke
this,myGod.Pal esast oodupand
madeherwayt oherbutPhi lasande
stoodinf rontofher .
Palesa:
"Ketlaonyesawena(Iwi
ll
beatyou),howdareyouspeaktome
l
ikethat?Doy ouknowwhoIam? "

Ani
tha:
"Ah,
someone'
ssidechi
ck.
"
Shesai
dwhilerol
l
ingherey
es.
Pal
esawasf ummingwit
hanger.

Me:"Whydon' twegogetsomeai r
Anitha?"Iwast r
yingtodef
usethe
sit
uation.Ipul
ledherhandandwe
walkedoutt hedoorleavi
ngtheladies
tal
kingbehindus, busycal
li
ngAni t
ha
ahoodr atbit
ch."Andthenwena? "I
askedwhenwesatont hechai
rs
pl
acedbythepool
,wecoul
dseet he
guysf
rom wher
eweweresitt
ing.

Anit
ha:
"Ij
usthat
efakebi
tches!
"O-
K-
A-Y.

Me:"Youdon'tevenknowthem and
youhavealreadyconcl
udedthatshe
i
sfake."Idon'tev
enknowwhyIwas
sayi
ngthatbecausePalesai
sasf ake
astheycome.

Anitha:
"Idon'
tneedt
oknowa
personainordertot
ell
whet
hert
hey
arefakeornot.Andwenawhyar
e
younotf
ummi
ngaf
terwhatshe
sai
d?"

Me:"Idon'tl
i
kedrama,
IknewifI
entert
ainedshewoul
dhavecaused
drama."

Anit
ha:"Bet
tery out hanme.I fabitch
comesupt ome, Igladlygi
veher
whatshewant s."Ilaughed,IguessI
havejustmetAsenat hi2.
0."Thi
ngi sI
knowt hatbit
ch.Shei sfri
endswi t
h
Thandiwe,everyt imet heguyshost ed
agettogetherThandi wewoul di
nv it
e
hertocome.Shewoul dbeallover
theplacetr
yingtoseducealmost
ever
yguyshecomesacr oss.She
pusheditwhenshet ri
edtoseduce
Themba, Il
ostmymar blesandbeat
thecrapoutofher .
"Il
ookedatherin
shock,shedidn'
tlookli
kethe'beat
ing
thecrapoutofsomeone' type.

Me:"
Woah?Themba?Ithoughty
ou
guy
sjustst
art
eddat
ing?"

Anit
ha:
"We'
vebeenonandofff
ort
he
past2year
s."Onandof
ffor2y
ear
s?
Haybayadl
alaaba.
Me:"
Why?I
fyoudon'
tmi
ndme
aski
ng.
"

Anit
ha:
"Thembaist ooplay
fulmar
n,
he'
snotreadytogrowupandcommi t
tome.Anddon'taskmewhyIkeep
goi
ngbackt ohi
m, becauseIal
so
don'
tknow."

Me:"
Joh.Thatmustbedr
aini
ngt
o
you?
"

Ani
tha:
"Youhavenoidea.ImeanI
am r
eadytoset
tl
edownnow, bui
l
da
homeandhavekids.
"Howol disshe
kant
i?

Me:
"Howol
dar
eyou?
"

Ani
tha:
"24"

Me:"
Noway!It
houghtyouwer eat
l
east20y
earsol
d."Shelaughed

Ani
tha:
"Let
sblamemyphysiconthat
par
t.
"Shereal
lyhadati
nybodythat
madeherlookver
yyoung.

Me:
"I
nal
lhonest
y,It
hinky
oushoul
d
notall
owy our
selftobetieddownt o
someonewhodoesn' thav ethesame
goalsasyou.Beforeyoucanev en
thi
nkaboutbuil
dingahomewi t
h
someoneandgi vingyourselff
ullyt
o
them,youneedtoknowi ft heyfeel
thesamewayabouty ou.How' syour
rel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hThemba? "

Anitha:
"It'
sokayIguess. "She
shruggedhershoul ders."It'
snota
normal rel
ationshi
p.Imeanweonl y
gettoactl i
kear ealcoupl ewhenhe
feel
sl i
keit,hedoesn'tcall mefor
days,Idon'twakeupt oanysweet
messages.Comi ngtot hinkofit,
he
hasnev ersai
dhelovesme.Would
youbelievemeifIsai
dhehasnever
i
ntroducedmet ohismom."Iwoul
d
act
ually.

Me: "
Andy oust i
llst
ayedwi thhim?
Girlyouhav esomuchpat ience.I
wouldn' tstandforthatshi t
.If
someonel ov esyou,okaylet'snotsay
l
ov esy ou.Ifsomeonev aluesy our
presencei nt hei
rlif
e,theywoul d
makei tapoi nttospendal otofti
me
withy ou,calltocheckupony ouand
al
sobuyy ougi f
tsfrom ti
met oti
me."
Anit
ha:"
Wellhedoesn'
tdoanyof
that
."Shesai
dinalowtone.

Me:"Areyousurehe'
sina
rel
ati
onshi
pwithyou?Oryouareina
rel
ati
onshi
pwithhim?"Shesni
ff
ed
andsighed

Ani
tha:
"Ithi
nkIam i narelat
ionshi p
wit
hhim andhei snot.Ireal
lylov e
hi
m Luu,he'smyf ir
stineverything."
OhI'
m Luunow?" It
hinkmyl ov efor
hi
mi sovercl
oudingmydeci siont o
l
eavehim.Ican'tstayawayf rom him,
i
thasgottentoapoi ntwhereIcal l
him whenhedoesn' tcal
lme, y
eahI
actli
keacl i
ngygir
lfri
endandIknow
thatannoystheshitoutofhim."I
mov edfrom mychai rt
ositnextt
o
her,Ipull
edhertomychestand
comf ort
edher.

Me:"Youseet hesameat ti
tudey ou
hadwheny ouwer earguingwi th
Palesa,channel thesameat ti
tude
i
ntogettingov erThemba.Hav ethat
samef i
erce,strongandi ndependent
womanat ti
tudeIsawi nthere.A
fearl
esswoman.Youar ebeaut i
ful
AnithaandIam sur ethaty ouare
goingtof i
ndamanwhowi ll
loveand
cherishy ouandgiveyouwhateveri
t
i
st haty ouwant.Justbecausehe
wasy ourfi
rst
,doesn'
tmeanhehas
tobey ourl
ast.
"Shesniff
edev en
mor e.

Anitha:"
ThankyouLuu.Ireal
l
y
neededt ohearthat
."Shepul
led
herselffr
om meandst art
edwipi
ng
hertearyface.
MyGodIcan' tbeliev
eIjust
encouragemyhusband'sf r
iend's
gi
rlf
ri
endtobr eakupwithhim.
What'swrongwi thme!Wher eismy
l
oyalty
!Butno, Ican'
tsi
tbackand
watchsuchabeaut
if
ull
adyget
pl
ayedbythatdumbassni
gga.

"
Ther
ey ouare!I
'
vebeenl
ooki
ngf
or
y
ouallover
."

Me:"
Ohuhm, sorr
yIguesswejustgot
ali
tt
lebi
tcarr
iedawaywithour
chat
ti
ngsession.
"

Phi
la:
"Comeonin.I
t'
sti
met
odi
sh
up.
"Woahdishup?

Me:
"Di
shup?
"
Phi
l
a:"
Yes,
Ineedy
out
ohel
pme.
"

Me:"
Uh,
am suretheladi
esi
nther
e
won'
tmindhel
ping.
"

Phila:"
WehaboPal esa?Theydidn'
t
helpmewi t
ht hesalads,whatmakes
yout hinkt
heywi ll
helpmewi th
dishingup?Infacttheyhavejoi
ngthe
guysi npati
o."Slayqueensnxah!

Me:
"Oh,
wewi
l
lbewi
thy
oui
nabi
t.
"
Phil
a:"
Okay
.I'
l
lbewai
ti
ngke."She
tur
nedonherheel
sandlef
t.

Me: "
MyGod!Whydowehav etobe
theoneshelpinghertodishup.I
can'tbedi
shingupf orpeopl
e,Ihat
e
beinginaspacefil
ledwithhuman
beings.
"Shelaughed.

Ani
tha:"
Yourf
acial
expr
essi
on,
my
God."Shel
aughedagai
n.

Me:
"Whydi
dIev
encomeher
e."
Anit
ha:"
Stopcomplai
ningandlet
'sgo
hel
p."Shestoodupandpulledmy
hand.

Ithoughtwewer egoingt obedi shing

upf oreachper sonint hei
rplates,
turnsoutIwaswr ong.Wej usthadt o
distr
ibuteapl at
terofmeat ,papand
bowl sofsaladst otheguy s,and
plentyofalcohol.Palesaandher
fri
endsdeci dedtoexcl ude
themselvesf rom us,theytoldPhi lato
dishupf orthem inasepar atepl atter
from us.Thener veoft hesegirls!I
thoughtIhadagood- pushov er-hear t
,
butPhi l
atakest hecupshame!
By1am whent hebr
aaiended,most
ofthesemenwer edrunkashell
,
i
ncludingmineandhisfri
ends.
Getti
ngthem tothecarwasa
st
ruggle.

Guy:"
Wi l
lyoubeablet
ocarrythem
i
nsidethehouse?"NoIwon't,
butthe
guardswillhel
porIwi
llmakethem
al
lont hei
rown.

Me:
"YesIwil
l
.Thankyousomuch
f
orhel
pingme."Hesmi
led

Guy
:"Li
ndani
ist
hename.
"Ohhhe
mustbePal
esa'
sLi
ndani
."Waka
Mkhawul
o."

Me:
"Lunat
hiDl
ami
ni.
"Isai
dwi
tha
smi
l
e.

Lindani
:"NowIseewhySi v
uyi
lecan't
closehi
smout haboutyou.
"Iblushed.
"Youarereal
lybeaut
if
ulMrsDlami ni
."
Ismiled

Me:
"Thanky
ou.
"

"
Mybackhur
ts!
"ThatwasAni
tha.
Li
ndani:"
Ohwel ltakecarel
adies,unt
il
wemeetagai n."Idoubtwewi l
lcause
Iam nevereverattendi
nganyoft hei
r
braai
s,Ican'
tdeal wit
hboPalesa.

Anit
ha:
"Bye!"Heleft
."Whatdi
dhesay
toyouthathady oublushi
ngl
i
kea
schol
ar.
"Ismi l
ed.

Me:
"Hewast
ell
i
ngmeabouthow
muchmymanalway
stal
ksabout
me.
"
Anitha:
"Mxm,that
'swhattheyalways
saywhent heywanttoscoretheir
fr
iendssomepoi nts.
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
Mxm,yourbi
tt
erassisdri
vi
ngus
homekedal
i.
"Shelaughed.

Anitha:
"Youarecal
l
ingmebi
tt
eras
sweetasIam? "Shemadeapuppy
face.Il
aughed.

Me:"Justgeti
nthecaranddr
ive
l
emon! "Welaughed.Wegoti
nthe
carandshedroveushomeusingthe
GPS.
•
°
•
°
Idon'tknowifam t
heonlyone,butI
j
ustloveBoitumel
o'ssweetandkind
personali
ty

#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t50
▪
▪
▪
▪
Iwasal readyupmaki ngbreakfastfor
thedrunkar ds.Lastnightwhenwe
gothomewehadnochoi cebutto
putthem all i
noner oom, aroom
downst air
ssi ncewewer egoingt o
struggletogett hem upstai
rs.Anitha
sleptinthespar eroom upstair
s.

Anit
ha:
"Mor ni
ng."Shewaswalki
ngi
n
thr
oughthekitchenalr
eadydr
essed
i
nherclothes.

Me:
"Mor
ningboo.
"
Anat
hi:
"Doy
ouneedhel
p?"

Me:"Yespl
ease.Couldyout
akethe
pl
atesandglassestothedi
ningr
oom
pl
ease."

Anathi:"Alri
ght."Shet ooktheplates
andwentoutt hekit
chen.Icarri
edon
fryi
ngt hemeat ,
Iknewt hat'
swhat
theywer egoingt oaskf ortheminute
theywakeupandImadesur ethatit
i
shot .Anat hi camebackt otake
mor est uffthatwewer egoingto
need.Idi shedupt hemeati nabowl
andt ooki ttot hedinningroom, t
he
tabl
ewasalreadysetthanksto
Anathi
,shewouldmakeagr eatsi
ster
wife-ornot
!Idon'
tthi
nkIwoul d
handli
ngshari
ngmyman, myGod!
Timetowaket hefool
sup.

Me:"It'
s10o' clockandy ouguy sare
sti
llsleeping.!"Theywer esl eepingin
veryawkwar dposi tions,lucki
lyfor
met heywer eal ldressed."WAKE
UP!!"Stil
lnot hing.IshookSi v
uy i
le
andt hisfool justmumbl ed
somet hingandt ur
nedhi sheadt he
otherway !Whatshoul dIdo?May beI
canspl asht hem wi thwat er?Not hat
willmaket hem angr y?Mar awaki ng
them upina' ci
vil
i
sed'wayisnot
wor ki
ng,andIhav etogovi
sitmy
fami l
ytodayIneedt omakesurethat
theyeat.Itookoutmyphonef rom
mypocketandst art
edplay
ingmusic
l
oudl yonit.Thatseemedtomakea
diff
erencecauseIwasget t
ingsome
reacti
onf r
om Lungani.

Lungani
:"
hhmhmm mar n!
"Igiggled.
Theother4wassleepi
ngli
ket hey
weredead!"
HaimarnLunathi
!Tur n
offt
hatmusic!
"

Me:
It
'st
imet
owakeup!
"
Lungani
:
"Soear
ly?
"

Me: "
Its10o'cl
ockLungani.Foodis
ready ,
wakey ourfr
iendsup.
"Ilef
tthe
room.Anat hiwassitti
nginthe
dinningroom watchingTV.

Anat
hi:
"Ohther
e'sawomanwhowas
l
ooki
ngf ory
ou.Shesaidy
ouwi
ll
find
heri
nthebaby'
sr oom.
"

Me:
"Oh,
thanks.Anywayhelpy
oursel
f
t
osomef oodthere,
thesemendon't
l
ookl i
ket heyaregoi
ngt owakeup
anyt
ime.Letmegoandcheck
omamat hatside.
"Imademywayt o
Chulu'
sol droom.Mam' Luvowas
ther
ef eedingChuluherbott
le.

Mam'
Luv
o:"
Nkosazana.
"Shesmi
l
ed.

Me:"
Mah,
unj
ani
?(Howar
eyou?
)"I
r
etur
nedt
hesmil
e.

Mam'Luvo:
"Ndi
phil
il
eenkosi
unj
ani
wena?(
I'
m goodthanks,
howare
you?
"
Me:
"Ndiphil
i
lenam(I
'
m alsogood.
)
Unj
aniusisi
zanamhlanj
e?"

Mam' Luvo:"
Haynokoubhetere,
akatefangakakhuluizol
onangoku
usaziphethekakuhle.
"

Me:
"Kuhl
ekexakunj
alo.Ihear
dyou
wer
elooki
ngf
orme."

Mam' Luvo:
"Haysi
siakhont
oembi,
bendi
mangazwey il
antombazana
ebendiyi
bonaphakodwawena
ungekho, besendici
ngelaukuba
i
nkosanai ziseinkazanaaphaendli
ni
sobendi buzawenakwenzel 'baazi
ukuthikukhonaumi ssusapha.
"I
l
aughedal i
ttl
e,it
'snicetoknowthat
shekindahasmybacki nthis
house,thatmeansshel i
kesme.

Me:"Haymama, that
'sThemba'
s
gi
rlf
riendAnat
hi.Wecamebackwit
h
herlastni
ght.
"

Mam' Luvo:
"Ohkungconoke
xakunjal
o.Besendi
thuki
l
e."Il
aughed
onceagain
Me:
"Don'
twor
rymah,
she'
sjusta
f
ri
end.
"

Mam'Luvo:
"Kuhl
ekent
ombi.Kal
oku
mnandiqhel
eloudl
angokuzanaye
aphani
noAse."

Me:"Iunder
standMah.Ohandmama
pl
easepackabagf orChul
utoday.
I
'm goingtovisi
tmymom forafew
hourstoday.
"

Mam'
Luv
o:"
Ohokaysi
si.Ni
hamba
ni
ni?
"

Me:
"I
nanhourMah.
"

Mam' Luvo:"
alr
ight
toto,ndizamlungisel
a."It
hankedher
andwentbackt othelounget ojoi
n
Anithai nthelounge.Shewasal ready
eating,Iwentt odishupapl atefor
my selfandj oi
nedher ,weatewhi l
e
wat chingKeepingUpWi th
Kardashi ans-Oneofmyf avourite
realit
yTVshows.Theguy swer estil
l
sleepingIguesscauset heywerenot
here.MeandAnat hiweretalki
ng,
tr
y i
ngt ogett oknoweachot herandI
mustsaywecl icked,shewasav ery
niceladyacompl et
eopposi t
eofme,
herper sonal i
tywasal mostsi mil
arto
Asenat hi'
st heonl ydifferenceisthat
shewasn' tasl oudasshewas.She
wasanur sebypr ofession,hasnokid
andshest ayswi thherpar entsand
si
blings.Shemi ghtbeol dert
hanme
byaf ewy ears, butIthinkwewoul d
makegoodf r
iendsi twoul dbeniceto
hangar oundher .Weendedup
exchangi ngnumber s,Iguessshe
alsolikedme.

Me:
"Okayt
heseguy
sar
enot
ser
iousl
ynotwaki
ngupandIneedt
o
go.
"

Anat
hi:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"

Me:"
Homet ovi
sitmyfami
l
y.Ihav
en'
t
seenthem i
nawhil
e."

Anat
hi:
"Hah!Soyouar
egoingto
l
eavemeher eal
lal
one.
"Ichuckl
ed

Me:"Youar
enotgoi
ngtobeal
one.
Thembaandhi
sfri
endsar
eher
e
mos."
Anathi
:"
Mxm, don'
ttel
lmeabout
thosedrunkar
ds."Il
aughed.

Me:"Letmegoandwaket hem upone

l
astt i
me."Ireall
yhadt oleave,butI
couldn'
tleavewithouttelli
ngSivuyil
e
wher eIam goingsoIam f or
cedt o
goandwakehi sassup.WhenI
openedt hedoor,t
hesef uckerswer e
al
readyup.Si vuyi
lewasonhi sfeet
whil
et heother2wassi ttingont he
bedandAy andawasl ayingonhi s
back."Ohwon' tyoulookatt hat
.You
guysf i
nall
ydecidedtowakeup. "
Siv
uy i
le:
"Justtheper sonIwas
l
ookingf or.Iwasaboutt ogol ookfor
you."Iment al
lyroll
edmyey es.
"Morningbaby ."Hegav emeasmi l
e
beforehegr abbedmywai standgav e
meami ndbl owingkiss,and
surpri
singlyhisbreathdidn'
t
sti
nk,phelathispersonwasdr inki
ng
andsmoki ngl astnight.

Themba:"Haike!Mas'ngaqhel
wa
kaloku.
"Ibrokethekissandhidmy
faceinhischest,Iwasshy.
Sivuy
il
e:"t
hisi
smyhousegents!I
f
youdon'tl
ikewhaty
ousee,
leavethe
room."

Themba:
"Mxm.
"

Me:
"Youal
readybr
ushedy
our
t
eet
h?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yep.Idi
dn'twanttogi
veyou
amorningkissaccompaniedbya
st
inki
ngbreath.
"

Me:
"Howt
hought
ful
ofy
ou.
"Isai
din
sar
casm.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Nowtel
lmemyl ov
e,whydi
d
Iwakeupnexttothesefool
sandnot
nextt
oyourbeaut
ifulf
ace."

Me:"Causeyouweredrunkjustl
ike
them,andIthoughtyouguys
deservedtoshar
eabedf ormaking
meandAnat hicarr
yyoualltheway
tothecar.
"

Aya:
"HayLunathi
,youdi
dn'
tcar
ryus
don'
tli
e.Youjusthel
pedust
othecar.
KeywordHELPED."
Me:
"Samet
hinghl
e."

Sivuyil
e:"
Wel l
Imi ssedyou.Icould
feelthatIwasn'tsleepi
ngnextt o
you."Itwierdthathewassay ingallof
thi
sinf rontofhisfri
end."Imissed
feeli
ngy ouradsonmydi ck.
"He
whisperedi nmyear !Mycheeks
heatedup, Iwasbl ushi
ng.

Nka:
"Getar
oom!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wei
niti
ncasey
oudi
dn'
t
not
ice.
"

Themba:"
That'
sit,
I'
ml eavi
ng!
"He
stoodupandlef
t,hisfriendsf
oll
owed
behindhi
m.Thisgav emyhusband
theoppor
tuni
tytodev ourmylips,he
wentasfarasgrabbingmyass.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Nowmydayi
sal
most
made.
"

Me:
"Al
most
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Yes.Somet
hingi
s
mi
ssi
ng,
maket
hatt
wot
hings.
"

Me:
"Whatar
ethoset
hings?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
seei
ngmydaughter
.Pl
usI
di
dn'
tgetmymorni
ngglor
ytoday
."

Me:
"andwho'
sfaul
tist
hatsi
r?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mxm.
"Il
aughedabi
t.

Me:
"Anyway,
I'
m goi
ngtomom's
t
odayandIam t
aki
ngRatuwi
thme.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Yoh!Thatmeansy
ouwi
l
lbe
goneall
day."

Me:
"Uhy
es.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Whoam Igoi
ngtospendmy
Sundaywith?
"Nothi
mt o

Me:
"Wi
thy
ourboy
s."

Sivuyi
le:
"ButIwantt
ospenditwit
h
you."Hewasbeingabigbabythathe
alwaysis.
Me:"Nolover.Ial
readypr omi
sedmy
mom thatIam goingt ojoint
hem f
or
l
unch,andlookatt hatIam goingt
o
bel
ateforthelunch"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youhav
en'
teat
en?
"

Me:
"Ihav
e,anhourago.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"andyouaregoi
ngtoeat
again?"Idi
dn'
tli
kehist
one.

Me:
"YesSi
vuy
il
e!I
sthatapr
obl
em?
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Idi
dn'
tsayi
twas,
Iwasj
ust
aski
ng."

Me:
"Mxm."Imovedhi
shandsfr
om
mywaistandst
art
edwal
kingaway
.

Siv
uyil
e:"WhatdidIdo?"Hewas
fol
lowingme."Wait!Babe.
"Istopped
onmyt r
acksandlookedathim,he
analy
sedmybodyandsmi l
edabit.
"Ar
ey ousureyouar enotpr
egnant?"
Notthisagain!
Me:"
Iam notpregnant
,gett
hat
t
hroughyourthi
ckskully
eer!
"Iwas
i
rr
it
ated!

Siv
uy il
e:"
Okay,youar enotpregnant
myl ove."Hegav emeabi gsmi l
e
whichannoy edmet othecor e!I
fur
iouslywalkedt othelounge.
Chulu'sbagwasont hecouchand
shewassi t
ti
ngint hedinningtableon
Themba' slap,Siv
uy i
lewenttot hem
andt ookhisdaught ermucht o
Themba' sdisl
ike.

Anat
hi:
"Andt
hen?
"Iguessshecoul
d
r
eadmyannoy
edf
aci
alexpr
essi
on.

Me:
"Nothi
ng.Gir
l Ineedtogo.I
twas
apl
easuremeeting,Ihopewewill
meetupsoon."

Anat
hi:
"Defini
tel
ydol
l
."Shest
oodup
andgavemeahug.Iwal kedt
othe
di
nni
ngar ea.

Me:"I
'
ml eavi
ng,canIpl
easehavet
he
baby?"Iwasstandi
ngnexttot
he
annoyinghusband.
Siv
uyil
e:"
I'
l
ldr
ivey
ouonceIam done
eati
ng.
"

Me:"Iam al
readylat
e,I
'
llaskSi
zweto
takemet here.
"Hegavemeast ar
e,
butIwasbacki ngdown.Iwant
edto
gonow!

Sivuyi
le:
"Fine,l
et'
sgo."Hisfri
ends
wer egiv
inguswi erdlooks.Iguess
theywer ewonder i
ngwhat '
sgoingon
becauseaf ewminutesagowewer e
l
ov eydov eyinfr
ontofthem butnow
wear egiv i
ngeachothercoldst ar
es.
"Majit
a,ndiyabuyangoku.Ihav eto
taket hemadam t oherhome. "He
hasn' teventakenabat hbuthewant s
totakemehome, wow!Iwentt otake
Chul u'sbagwhi l
ehegr abbedhiscar
keysamongstot herkey sonthe
'
key stand'.Whenwegott othecar,he
buckl edChuluinherseatbef ore
goingi nsidethecar,anddriveoutthe
thegat e.

Me:"Canwepl easepassbythemal
lI
needtobuysomechocol ateice
cream."Ihav
ebeencr avi
ngit!

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No,
yousai
dyouar
elat
e.So
wearedr
ivi
ngst
rai
ghtt
oyourhome.
"
Ah!
Ithoughthewasj oking, butwedi d
i
ndeeddr iveal lthewayhomewi t
hout
maki ngast opatt hemal l,noi ce
cream f orme, whatacr uel manIam
mar r
iedto.Mybr ot hers'carswer e
alreadypar kedi nt hey ard.Igotout
thecarandwentt ounbucl eChul u
outofherchai r,Itookherbagbef or
e
bangi ngthedoorandwal ki
ngi nside
thegat e!Thei nsensi ti
v ebast ard
didn'tevenwai tf ormet ogeti nsi
de
thehousebef oredr ivi
ngof f,hedr ove
offi mmedi atelyaf t erIgoti nsidethe
gat e!Bastard, Ican' tbelievehe
refusest ol etmebuyt heicecr eam,I
wasr eallycravi
ngit,myperiodsmust
benear .Thatcanonl ybethe
explanat ionofmymoodandt he
crav i
ng.ImeanIknowIov erreacted
whenheaskedmei fIwasgoi ngto
eatagai nandt hewholepregnancy
bullshit.Onet hingIam sureaboutis
thatIam notpr egnant.

Me:
"Hel
lofami
ly!
"Andjustl
i
kethat
mymoodwasupl i
ft
edwhenIsaw
t
hem si
tt
ingar
oundthetabl
e.

Mom:
"Punki
ewaka.
"Shest
oodup
fr
om herchai
randrushedt
ome
giv
ingmeahugandapeckont he
l
ips."
I'
vemissedyousomuchmy
baby.
"Ismil
ed.

Me:
"Imi
ssedy
out
oomama.
"

Mom: "
Iseey ou'
vebr
oughtaguest
."I
chuckl
edasshet ookChul
ufrom my
arms.Iwalkedtomydadandgav e
hi
m ahug.

Me:
"Hel
l
odaddy
."
Dad:
"Lastbor
n.I
'
m sogl
adt
haty
ou
coul
djoinus.
"

Thabang:
"If
oronedi
dn'
tthi
nkshe
wasgoingtomakeit
."

Thabo:"Sayt hatagain,phelait
'sasif
theDlami nishaveherchai nedor
somet hi
ng, weonl ygettoseeher
aft
erweeks. "Imentall
yr oll
edmy
eyes.Ididn'tevennot i
cet hatt
hewas
agirlsit
ti
ngnextt ohi m.Iwon'tlie
thegirll
ooksonunus, shewast oo
cute,
thety pethatyouj ustcan'
thelp
butwar m upt owheny oumeet .She
wasr
eal
lybeaut
if
ul,
shemustbet
he
f
amousgir
lf
ri
end.

Mom: "Si
tsitanddi
shupf ory
our
sel
f
baby.
"IsatnexttoBont
lewhowas
al
readyhalf
waywi t
hherfood.

Itookapl
ateandstart
eddishi
ngup,
mom waspreoccupiedwit
hChulu
andmybabywasbehav ingabit
.

Thapelo:
"Ican'
tbel
i
eveSi
vuyi
le
fat
heredsuchacutebaby
,it
'sso
unl
ikehim."
Me:
"Havey
ouseenhowbeaut
if
ul
Dl
amini
peopl
eare?
"

Bont
le:
"Hah!Hatsebenex(
hedoesn'
t
knowanythi
ng.
)"

Thapelo:"
WenaBont
leyouar
e
defendingtheDl
ami
nisnow?
"

Bontl
e:"
Whywouldn'
tI?Thosepeopl
e
gavemeal i
vesheepasanap..
.uhm
asagift.
"
Thabang:
"Al
i
vesheep?
"

Bont
le:
"Yesofcour
se.
"

Dad:
"Agi
ftf
orwhat
?"

Bont
le:
"Justt
oshowappr
eci
ati
ont
o
me."

Dad:
"Forwhat
?"

Bontl
e:"
Forappr
eci
ati
ondadhao.
"
ThatwasweakAF!
Dad:
"WellI'
venev err
eceiv
edany
appr
eciat
iongiftfrom t
hem andIam
thef
atheroftheirchosenqueen.
"

Bont
le:
"Wel
lIam speci
al.
"

Thapel
o:"
Inwhatway
?"

Bont
le:"
Ah!DoIr eal
lyhavetoexplai
n?
Keyalebonal enalemona( Iseethat
youguysar ej
ealous)thatIgotan
appr
eciati
ongiftfr
om ourin-l
awsand
youdidn'
t,
that
'swhyy ouareasking
al
ltheseunnecessar
yquest
ions.
"I
was

Thabo:"
Jealousofwhat
?Asmel
l
y
sheep?Please.
"

Thabang:"
Asheepoutofal l
t hi
ngs
mara?Couldn'
ttheygetyou
somethingmoresophist
icated?Li
ke
ahandbagorsomet hi
ng."

Thapel
o:"
Nkusis?I
sthathowl
i
ttl
e
theyt
akeyou?
"
Thabo:"andoser i
ouswachomaka
Nkumoh( Andshe'
sseriousbragging
aboutasheep.)May betheymi stook
youforoneoft hefarm gi
rl
sint he
XhosaKi ngdom."Theylaughed.

Thabang:"Iwouldn'
tblamet hem
though,youmysi sterwoul dfiti
n
perfect
lywiththosegirls.Imeany ou
dolookl i
keav i
ll
agegirl."They
l
aughedagai n,mybr otherscanbe
annoy i
ngattimes.

Bontl
e:"
Farm gi
rlnna?Hav
eyouseea
far
m gir
lli
keme?Doesaf arm gi
rl
wearmakeuplikeme?Yeey
!Leska
hl
antsanna(
don'tmakemecrazy
.)"

Thabo:"Butsis,somepeopl ewould
mistakethatfoundati
onony ourface
forthemudt hatthosegirl
sina
vil
l
ageuseassunscr een.
"They
l
aughedonceagai nmucht oBontle'
s
annoyance.YoucancomeatBont l
e
withanythi
ng,butnotwi t
hhermake
up!

Me:"Okayenoughguy
s,wehav
ea
guest
."
Thabang:"
Lewenawat hola
marn(Youarealsotooquiet),Ieven
for
gotthatyouarehere."Hewas
tal
ki
ngt oThabo'sgi
rl
.Shej ustgave
usasweetsmi l
e.

Thabo:"Youal
ri
ghtmunt
uza?
"She
nodded.

Me:"Youdi
dn'
tev
eni
ntr
oduceme
abuti
."

Thapel
o:"
Phelawenay
ouareno
l
ongerpartofthef
ami
ly.
"St
upi
d!
Thabo:
"Sheknowsy ou.
"Idon'
tknow
her,
butIwasn'taboutt
osaythat,
it
wouldr
ude.Ilookedatherwit
ha
smil
e

Me:
"Iam Lunat
hi-
"

Thabang:"
Brika!Lunat
hikwa
hol
e(ther
efaraway ),
nother
e.Her
e
youareBoitumelo."Dr
ama!

Me:"
WellIam Boi
tumelo,
thelast
bor
n."Shereal
lyl
ookedshy!Heh!
Thaboisi
ntroduci
nggirl
stothe
famil
ynow,Iwonderwhat '
sgoi
ngt
o
happenwit
hmyf r
iend.

Gir
l:
"Iknowy ou,youusedtogotomy
school.
"Shehadasmi l
eonherface.
"Ngi
nguSlindil
eNt ombel
a."Shehad
averycalmv oice.

Me:"Wellit
'sapleasur
etomeety ou
Sli
ndile,
Ihopey ouwil
ltreatmy
brotherwellandinret
urnIwill
make
surehet r
eatsyouwelltoo."

Thapel
o:"
Real
l
yTumi
?Wel
ong
passedt
hatst
ageanhourago.
"

Dad:
"Well
shewasn'
ther
e,sol
ether
sayherpi
ece.
"

Me:
"Tel
lhi
m dad.
"

Thapel
o:"
Mxm.
"

Mom:"Letmegoputt
hisonet
o
sl
eep.
"

Thabang:"
Hahmama,wehaven'
t
evenheldherandy
ouar
ealr
eady
put
ti
nghert
osl
eep?That
'snotf
air
."

Mom:
"war
atahocompl
ainermar
n."

Thabang:
"Iwasjustsay
ing,
not
complai
ning.NowcanIholdmy
ni
ecemom pl ease.
"

Mom:
"she'
ssl
eepy
."

Thapel
o:"
Noshe'
snot
,she'
swi
de
awake.
"

Mom:
"Whatdoy
ouknowabout
babi
es?Youdon'
thav
eany
remember?
"

Bontl
e:"
Don'
tbesosur
emom, wit
h
al
lthegir
lst
hathe'
ssl
eepi
ngwi t
h
whoknowswhathehasleftt
hem
wit
h."

Thapel
o:"
There'
ssomet
hingcal
l
ed
prot
ect
ionausi.
"

Bont
le:
"Andthatsomet
hingi
snot
100%safeabuti
."
Thapel
o:"Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
o
i
mply?"

Bontl
e:"
Thatmay
bey ouhaveababy
andbabymamaoutt her
ethatwe
don'
tknowabout.
"Sheshruggedher
shoul
ders.

Thapelo:
"wapotawena. "I'
m sure
Sli
ndil
ewasaski ngher self
,what'
s
wrongwi t
hthisfami l
y.Wear ealway
s
argui
ngaboutst upidthings,she
mustbeconf usedashel l
.Whenit
comest oherIdon'twannal i
eido
approveherrel
ationshipwi t
hmy
brother
,sheseemsl ikeanicegirl
,too
niceifyouaskme.I '
m scaredthat
Thabomi ghtbreakherheart,butwho
knowsmay beshe'
snotasni ceas
sheseem.It ur
nedmyat t
enti
ont o
herasIl etmysi bl
ingsarguewi t
hmy
mom aboutChul u.

Me:
"SoSl
i
,whatgr
adear
eyoui
n?"

Sl
i
:"Mat
ri
c."Mmmmh.

Me:
"Sohowdidyouandmybr
other
meet?
"Shebl
ushed.
Sl
i
:"That
'
sast
oryf
oranot
herday
."

Me:
"ohf
airenough.
"Ismi
l
ed."
Sow-
"

Mom:"
Punki
etel
lthem sheneedst
o
r
est
."I
'
m not
.get
ti
nginvolvedi
nthi
s.

Dad:
"Comemywi
felet
'st
akehert
o
bed.
"Mydadi
ssi
dingwit
hmymom
now.

Thabang:
"Butwest
il
lwantt
opl
ay
wit
hher."
Dad:"Youwil
ldothatsomeothert
ime,
l
ikeyourmom saidmy
granddaught
erneedstorest
."

Thabo:"
Punki
esaysomething.
"Ijust
focusedonmyplateanddevoured
thefoodinf
rontofme.

Me:
"Mom doy
ouhav
eicecr
eam?
"

Mom:"Checkinthefreezer
."Wi
ththat
sai
dshestoodupwi thChuluandleft
uswit
hdadf ol
lowingbehindher
.
Bontle:"Reall
yPunki e?Wear easking
yout ost opmom f r
om takingRat u
andwenay ouar ebusyaski ngabout
i
cecr eam?HayoMabenast r
aight
wena! "Ijustlaughedandmademy
wayt ot hekitchent ogetmysel f
somei cecream.Ist il
lcan'
tbel i
eve
thatSiv uyi
lerefusedtoletmebuyi ce
cream, hehasn'teventextedmeand
I'
vebeenher ef oralmostanhourbut
sti
llnot extorcal l
..
..
mxm.
□
■
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Wai t!Whatdi dt hesal esl adysay
again?I scl earbl ueorbl uecl ear?But
Idoknowi thasbl uesomewher e.Oh
yest herei tis!Shesai dwi ththisIwi l
l
beabl et ot ellhowf arshei s,wel l
that'sifshei spr egnant .Iam hopi ng
thatshei spr egnantt hough, Ican' t
waitt ohav eanot hermi ni me.Iknow
Ialreadyhav eChul u, butIwasn' t
theredur inghermom' spr egnancyso
thi
st imear oundIam hopi ngt o
exper i
enceev erythingwi thLunat hi,
I
am r eall
ypr ayingt hatshei spregnant .
Imeant hesi gnar et her e, shehas
gainedabi tofwei ght , shei sgl owing
andsheki ndaeat sal ot ...wellIonl y
noti
cedt
heeatingalotandmood
swingsy
ester
dayandt oday,
but
ther
ecouldbeahighpossibi
li
tyt
hat
sheispr
egnantri
ght
?Ri ght
!
Aft
ergett
ingadozenpr egnancytest
s
Iwenttothecashi
ertopay ,she
l
aughedli
ttl
ewhenshesawt he
numberofpregnancytestsIwas
car
ryi
ng.

Me:
"Ij
ustwantt
obesur
e."

Her
:"
Ofcour
semyPr i
nce."Ipai
dand
t
ookmypacketfi
l
ledwithpregnancy
t
est
sandlef
ttheshop.YeahIknowI
am adoct or,butsomehowIj ustlost
mysenseoft hi
nkingwhenIt hought
thattheremi ghtbeapossi bil
it
yt hat
mywi f
ei spr egnantandIwant ed
i
mmedi ater esult
s,that'
swhyIbought
thesepr egnancyt est si
nsteadof
takinghert omysur ger
yanddoi ng
bloodt estsmysel f.AndI'
venev er
usedapr egnancyt estbef
ore,Ij
ust
knowt hatsomet imest heyshow
falseresults.
Itwasalreadylat
e, t
imeforhert o
comebackhome.Myphonei s
ringi
ng,
it'
sher.Ihopeshe'sst i
l
l not
sulki
ngthatIdidn'twanttostopat
themallforicecream,it
'sjustthat
shepissedmeoffbecauseoft
he
wayShebehavedinfrontofmy
fr
iends.

Me:
"Baby
."

Lunat
hi:
"Heylov
er.Iwaswonderi
ngif
youcoul
df et
chusfrom mymom' s?
"
Lover
?Iguessalli
sforgot
ten.

Me:
"Ofcour
ses'
thandwasam,
I'
m on
myway."

Lunat
hi:
"I
'm st
il
lmadaty
out
hough.
"
Shehungupbef or
eIcoul
dev
ensay
somethi
ng.Ichuckl
ed,
mydarl
ing
wif
e.
WhenIar r
ivedatherhouse,her
brot
herswer est
andingoutsi
dethe
gatesmokingandhav i
ngachat.Igot
outthecarandwentt othem

Me:
"AwwuTr
ippl
eT.
"

Thabang:"
Holantwana.
"Wedi
dour
si
gnaturegreet
ing.

Thabo:
"Wher
ehav
eyoubeenhi
ding
y
our
sel
f?"Ichuckl
ed

Me:"Yoursi
steri
skeepi
ngme
occupiedgents.
"

Thapel
o:"
Ihopey ouarenot
murder
ingmysi sterwi
thsexwena
Pri
nce.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Ofcour
senot
,inf
actshe'
sthe-
"

Them:"
Stop!
!"Il
aughedatt
hei
rfaci
al
expr
essi
ons.
Thabo:"
Wedonotwantt ohearabout
oursist
er'
ssexdri
ve."Il
augheda
l
itt
leasIthoughaboutthesurpr
ise
shegavemet wonightsago.

Thapelo:
"Andwenay
oubr
okey
our
promise.
"

Me:
"Whatpr
omi
senow?
"

Thapel
o:"Youpr omi
sedtowai
tunti
l
sheturns21andy oupromi
sednott
o
getherpregnantwhi
leshe'
sst
il
li
n
school
."
Me:"ayymymanIdi dn'
tpr
omi seto
wait
, she'
sther
eonewhopr omised.
Andaboutt hepregnancyi
tjust
happened."

Thabang:
"Sov
eleshei
spr
egnant
?"

Me:"
EyI'
m notsur
egent
s,butwewi
l
l
f
indoutsoon.
"

Thabo:"
Ihopesheisn'
tpr
egnant,
she
sti
l
lneedstofocusonschoolandget
herdegree,
ngaphanaweyouare
busybui l
dingyourcompanyandy our
fami l
y'
scompany .Youguy sarenot
i
nt her i
ghtspaceforababy ,
plus
Ratui ssti
l
l ver
ymuchy oung."Ihear
theirconcerns,
butIwantedababy
withmywi fe.

Me:"
Yeah,
Ihearyou.Andwena,I
hear
dyougotyoursel
fagi
rl
fr
iend?"

Thabo:
"Whot
oldy
out
hat
?"

Me:
"Ihear
ditt
hrought
hegr
apev
ine.
"
Thabo:"
Grapev i
neneh? "Hel ookedat
bothhe'
sbr ot herswhol ookedaway
i
mmedi ately
.YesIdi dheari tfrom
them,wewer el aughingabouti ta
fewdaysagowej ustcoul dn'tbel
ieve
thathefi
nallydeci dedt ot ryoutthis
rel
ati
onshipt hing,event houghhe' s
messingaboutwi t
hZi ntle-YesIdo
knowaboutt hatbutIv owednott o
tel
lmywi fe,br ocode.

Me:
"Whenam Imeet
ingher
?"

Thabo:
"She'
sinsi
det
hehouser
ight
now."
Me:"Woah!Shemetthef
amil
y
al
ready?Thisi
sser
iousmos.
"

Thabang:"
Wadlal
awena!Andmom
anddadlikeher,
nottomenti
ont
he
si
ster
s."Thiswasshocki
ng.

Me:"washa!Tmani sgr
owi
ngup!I
guessyourbrother
shavet
olear
n
fr
om younow. "

Thapel
o:"
Wany
ela!
"Weshar
eda
l
augh.
Me:
"So?I
thi
nii
ntongoZi
ntl
e?"

Thabo:
"Idon'
tknowasy
et.
"

Me:
"Kant
i?Doy
oul
oveherorwhat
?"

Thabo:
"Im notsure.Ij
ustcan'
tst
ay
awayfrom her.There'
sjust
somethingaboutherthatdrawsme
toher.
"

Me:
"uma'
am y
ena?
"Thegi
rl
fr
iend
Thabo:
"I'
mi nthesameboatwithher
aswell
.Onet hi
ngIdoknowi st
hatI
wouldgoinsaneifIwouldl
oseher.
"
Thi
swasr eall
yconfusi
ng.

Thabang:
"suckst
obey
oumy
brot
her.
"

Me:"Youcansaythatagain.Anyway,
l
etmegoi nandgreettherents
befor
etheysayIam di
srespectf
ul.
"
Theychuckl
ed

Thapel
o:"
Shoshoachuz.
"Imademy
wayinsi
detheyar
dandinthehouse
af
terknocki
ngofcour
se.

Me:
"Dumel
angkat
loung(
greet
ongs)
"

MrsM: "
Awwdumel angwanaka."I
wenttothem andgavethem a
handshakebefor
esett
li
ngont he
couch,
nexttomywife.

"I
fitisn'
tmyfavouri
tebr
otheri
nlaw."
Shewal kedi
nfoll
owedbyabeaut i
ful
gi
rl,shemustbethegirl
fr
iend.

Me:
"Bont
les.
"
Bont
le:
"Howarey
ou?Ihav
en'
tseen
youi
nawhile"

Me:
"I
m Bont
le,
unj
ani
wena?
"

Bont
le:
"ontopofthewor
ldasyou
cansee."Shegav
emeabi gsmil
e.

Me:
"Wher
eisLi
zwi
?"

Bont
le:
"He'
sincapet
own.
"
Me:
"Andhel
efty
oubehi
nd?
"

Bontle:
"Nahanaf el
a!(
Imagine!
)He's
tell
i
ngmet hatit
'sacopt hi
ng,Ican
alsoholdagun, thatshouldquali
fy
met obeont hetri
pwithhim."I
l
aughedatt hedramaqueen.

MrsM:"mokhweny
ana,woul
dy ou
l
ikesomet
hingt
oeat?
"Iwouldn'tsay
notoherf
ood.

Me:
"Yesofcour
seMah.
"
MrsM: "
Punki
egoanddi
shf
ory
our
husband."
▪
▪
"Whati
sthi
s?"

Me:"Pr
egnancytest
."Wewerehome
andIhadjustgi
venherapacketf
ull
oftest
ingki
ts.

Lunat
hi:
"It
oldy
ouIam notpr
egnant
."

Me:
"Wewon'
tknowunt
ily
oudot
he
t
est
s."
Lunat
hi:
"Test
s?Asi
npl
ural
?"

Me:
"Yeswehav
etobesur
e."

Lunathi
:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
opeeonal
lof
these?"

Me:
"Atl
eastt
ake3.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Whydi
dyoubuysomany
?"

Me:
"Ij
ustwant
edt
hem t
obe
avai
labl
ewhenev erweneededone.
"
Greatsave!Iwasn'taboutt
olether
l
aughatme, Iknowhowshei s.

Lunathi
:"
Wow.Sapha(Give).
"She
soundssosexywhenshespeaks
Xhosa,sheturnsmeon.Ipassedher
3testsandfoll
owedhertothe
bathr
oom."YouareluckythatIneed
touri
natevele.
"

Me:"Iwasgoingtomakey oudri
nk
waterphel
a."Sherol
ledhereyesas
shesatonthetoil
et.
Lunathi
:"
Soyouar
ejustgoi
ngt
o
standther
eandwatchme."

Me:"Idon'
tmind."Shesighed.She
peedonallthetests.Shefl
ushedthe
toi
letandpull
edherdr essdownafter
wearingapanty.

Lunathi
:"Ican'tbeli
eveyouare
makingmedot his.Doyouknowhow
uncomf ortableitwaspeeingon
thosethreet est
s?Istil
lfeel
li
keI
needtopee.Sohowl ongdowehave
towait?"Shecan' ttal
k,
yoh!
Me:
"Idon'
tknow.
"

Lunathi:
"Youaret
heonewit
ha
medicinedegreeher
emist
er.
"

Me:"
I'
venev
erusedapregnancyt
est
bef
oresmartmout
h."

Lunathi
:"
Haywewill
keeponcoming
tocheckuponthem.Icanst
andhere
nna,Ineedt
osi
t."

Me:
"Si
tont
het
oil
et.
"
Lunathi
:"
No.
"Shet
urnedonherheel
s
andleftmei
nthebathr
oom.
Af ewminut
eslaterIstoodupto
check,
mucht omydi sappoi
ntment
theywereal
lnegati
ve.

Me:
"Babe.
"Shecamet
ome.

Lunathi:
"See?It oldyouI'
m not
pregnant."Iwon' tl
ieIwasreal
l
y
di
sappoi nted,Ireall
ywantedhert
o
bepregnant .Iguessher
contraceptiveiswor ki
ng.
Me:"
Idon'
tunderst
and,
IthoughtI
sawthesi
gns."

Lunathi:
"Whatsi gns?"It oldhee
aboutthewei ghtgain, thegl ow,the
eati
ngandt hemoodswi ngs." You
misunderstoodmyl ov e.Undi phethe
kahl
e,that'
swhyndi t
y ebile.AndIdo
getmoodandeatal otwhenam
abouttostartmyper iods. "Iknowt he
'
undiphethekahl e'wassupposedt o
makemesmi le,butIcoul dn'
t
becauseIwast oodi sappoi nted."You
l
ookdi sappointed?"
Me:"It
'sj
ustthatIhadalreadyinst
il
theideaofyoubei ngpregnantinmy
head.Iwasreal l
ylooki
ngforwardto
deal
ingwithy ourmoodswi ngsand
crav
ings."

Lunathi:
"Whooo!I '
m notreadyforall
ofthat.Isti
ll haveschooltofocuson
andat oddlert hatneedsmy
att
ention."Ilookedatherandshook
myheadbef oreleavi
ngthebat hroom.
"Waitlover,youar ereal
lysad?"Ilaid
onmybackont hebed,wi t
hmy
handsonmyhead.Shegotont opof
me, herlegsbentont hesides."Babe,
nowi snott het i
mef orustobe
thi
nki ngabouthav i
ngababy .Ihave
school andy ouhav et of ocuson
buildingy ourlegacy .Wear est i
ll
enjoy i
ngeachot hermyl oveandwe
haveChul ui nthemi x.YouandIbot h
knowt hatwear enotr eadyf orababy
Sivuy i
le,wear estil
latapoi ntof
gettingt oknoweachot her,we've
beent ogetherf oraf ewmont hs.We
arest uckt oget herforlifeandt hat
meanswehav eplent yoft i
met o
makebabi es,andIpr omi sey ouIam
gongt ogiv eyouasoccert eam. "I
smi ledal i
ttle.It'
samazi nghowshe
canbemat ureandchi l
dishatt he
samet i
me.
Me:"Iguessso."Shebentt
omyl ev
el
andgav emeaki ss,
myhands
automat i
cal
lymovedtoamy
favourit
espot,
herbutt
.Shebroket
he
kissjustasIwasenjoy
ingi
t."
Whydid
youst op?"

Lunat
hi:
"Im sti
l
lmadaty
ou.
"MyGod
wearestil
lther
e.

Me:"WhatcanIdotomakei
tupt
o
youmybeauti
fulwi
fe?
"
Lunathi
:"
Getmesomechocol
atei
ce
cream."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"Yourwi
shismycommand
s'
thandwasam. "Shegotof
fmeandI
gotuptogoandgetHerMaj est
y
whatherheartdesir
es.
○
●
○
●
Wherearethepeoplewhowant ed
Tumitobepr egnant
,Lol
!I'
m sor
ryf
or
thedi
sappointment.
#TCOB

[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t51
•
•
•
•
•
AWEEKLATER
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Sofarever
ythi
nghasbeengoi
ng
accor
dingl
y.Ist
art
edwri
ti
ngtest
son
MondayandI '
v ebeenst udy i
nghar d
forthoset est s.TheDl ami niswer e
i
nfor medaboutt her i
ngandt hey
wer ev eryexci tedbutt hef emal esin
thef amilywer edi sappoi ntedathowI
gotit.I'm sur pr isedt hatt heydon' t
knowt hatt hei rbr otherisnotav ery
romant i
cper son, well hehasno
senseofr omancewhat soev er.Ihad
j
ustr eturnedf rom school onaFr i
day.
Sivuy i
l
et ext edmeandt ol dmet hat
heist akingmeoutf ordi nnerandI
shoul ddr esst oi mpr ess.Iwon' tli
e
andsayIwasn' texci tedaboutt his,
event houghal l owant edt odo
tonightwast oeatj unk, wat chsome
Net fl
ixwhi l
ecuddlinghim wit
hhim
notpay i
ngat t
enti
ont owhateverIam
wat ching,mxm.Fi r
stthingIdi
dwhen
Igotbackwast ogost rai
ghtto
Chul u'
sr oom upstair
s,well
unfor t
unatelyformemybabywas
sleeping?Ori sitfort
unateforme
becauseIwasgoi ngtospendal otof
ti
mewi t
hher ,f
orgett
ingthatIhaveto
getr eadyf ordi
nnerandy ouknowI
taket i
met ogetready.
Iwentstrai
ghttomybat hroom to
takealongwel l
deservedbath,
I
deser
veitafterall
owingAsenathito
convi
ncemet owalkaroundcampus
j
ustforfun,i
magi ne!Imeanwho
t
akeswal
kshl
ebat
ho?
!

"I
'l
lbehomei n20.Ihopey ouar e
ready."That'
st hetextIgotf rom
Sivuyi
lewhenIgotoutoft he
bathroom.Ihav en'
tev endonef ace,
whatdoeshemeanIam r eady ?It
's
sti
ll18H00bat hong!Wai t
!Whatam I
goingt owear ?MyGodSi vuyil
eis
goingt oeatmeal i
vewhenheget s
here.Irantomycl osettol ookf or
somet hingthatscreams' dressedto
i
mpr ess'.Asui tmay be?No!Foundi t!
Ioptedf ormymar oonbodydr ess,it
wasaonear mt ypeofdr essandi t
hadanopeni ngi nmy
chesti
ng,showingoffthecleavage.
JustasIwassi tt
ingdownt odomy
makeup, t
heimpatienthusband
walkedin.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ah!Youar
estil
li
nyourgown
baby
."Therehegoes!

Me:
"I
'm sorrylov
er,
I'
ll
bedonei
na
f
ewmi nutes."

Sivuyi
l
e:"Igav
ey ou10mi nutesext
ra
njelove.
"DidIreal
lytake30mi nut
es
tochooseanout fi
t?WellIwas
choosinghisoutfi
ttoo,
that
'sa
per
fectexcuse!

Me:"I
'm sorr
ybaby ,I
'
llbedonenow
now."Heshookhi sheadwhi l
e
walki
ngt othecloset."
Whatti
meis
ourreservat
ion?
"Ishout ed

Sivuyi
l
e:"
7."Heshout edf rom the
cl
oset.Iquicklyputonmymakeup,
si
mpl emakeup.Iwasal r
eadyl ateso
Ididn'
thavetimet olookf ancy.Itook
offmygownandl ookedsel fi
nt he
mirror
,Iwasr ocki
ngt hi
sdr essnol ie!
"Wow!Youl ookmagni f
icentbaby .
"
Hecameupt omeandgav eme
l
i
nger
ingki
ss.

Me:
"Thanky
oul
over
."

Sivuyi
le:
"Idon'
tknowi fIwil
lbeabl e
tokeepmyhandsof fy outonight
."I
blushed.Hewasal solookinggoodi n
themar oontuxthatIpickedoutfor,
healsohadonabl ackshirtthatwas
notbut t
onedupt othechest.

Me:
"Ineedapi
ctur
eoft
his.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ofwhat
?"
Me:"
Usweari
ngmatchi
ng
out
fi
ts,
coupl
egoal
sbaby.
"He
l
aughed.

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Idon'
tthi
nkSi
zwewi
l
lmi
nd
beingourcameraman.
"

Me:
"Ist
il
lhav
etowearmyshoes.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
ear
ethey
?"

Me:"
Ther
e."Iwentnexttothebedt
o
pi
ckthem up,
justasIsatdownon
t
hebedt
oweart
hem.Hecamet
ome.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hatmy
l
ady.
"

Me: "Youar
eont her
omant i
cti
p
today,ar
en'
tya?
"Hechuckledand
helpedmeputonmyheel s.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Done!Shallwe?"Ismi l
ed
befor
eItookhishand.Wel ef
tthe
room wit
hmycl utchbaginmyot her
hand.Whenwegott othelounge
Sizwewasstandingbyt hedoor
waiti
ngus."
Sizwendoda, madam
herewantsyoutotakeafewpi ct
ures
ofus."Igav
ehim THElook,
it
sme
nowwhowant shimt obeourcamer a
man?Heh!Thisguy .Heshr
uggedhi s
shoulder
swhenhesawIwasl ooking
athim.
Aftertakingcount lessofpi ct
ur eswe
fi
nallyleft.Youcani maginehow
grumpySi vuyi
lewas, hewant edust o
stopaf terweonl yt ookfivepictures
butIwasnothav ingi tandSizwe
seemedt obemor ethanhappyt o
takemor epicturesowedi d.We
fi
nallygott othisfancyr estaurant,
whenweent eredwewer ewel comed
byachef ,
awai ter,
wai tr
essand
someonewhol
ookedl
i
keamanager

Manger :"Goodev eningMrandMr s

Dlami niandwel comet oDi or
restaurant .I
tisapl easur et ohav e
youher ewi t
hust onight .
"Hesai d
withahumongoussmi le, okaymay be
i
twasn' thumongous, buthewas
smilingtoomuchandsower epeopl e
nextt ohim." Pleasef ol
lowme. "We
walkedi ntot her estaurantand
surprisi
ngl ytherewasj ustonet abl
e
i
nt hemi ddl eoft her oom, thefloor
wasscat teredwi thdi ff
er entkindsof
rosepal l
et s,smal lcandl esar oundus
creatingapat hwayt othet hetable.
Ther oom wasabi tdim, shocked
couldn'tevendescr i
behowIwas
feel
ingatt hatmoment .Iwas
shocked/ surpri
sed,happy ,
emot i
onal
andinl ove.DidIsayt hatmyhusband
i
snotr omant i
c?Nomay beIwas
tal
ki
ngaboutsomeoneel se,notthi
s
guyst andingrightnexttome.

Me:"Baby.Youdidallthi
sforme? "He
smiledandnodded.Igav ehim abi g
hugf ol
lowedbyapassi onatekiss.
Hewi pedmyt earsoffmyf ace.He
pul
ledthechairformeIsatdownand
healsowenttosi tonhischair.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
So?Doy
oul
i
kei
t?"

Me:"Areyouki
ddi
ngme?Il
ovei
t.I
t'
s
beaut
if
ul.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m gl
ady
oudo.
"

Me:
"Di
dyousot
hisal
lbyy
oursel
f?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Wi
thal otofhel
pfrom
Googl
e,andtheseguy sofcour
se.
"
Me:"Thisi
sbeaut
if
ul.Whoknewthat
youhadar omant
icgeneinyou.
"He
chuckled.

Sivuyile:
"Ialsodidn'tknowIdi d,Ialso
surprisedmy sel
f."Ilaughed.The
waiterscamewi thourst arter,Iguess
hehadal readybriefedt hem about
whathewant edust oeat.Thi swas
reall
ywonder ful
,Icoul dn'tstop
l
ooki ngar ound.

Me:
"Wow.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
comeonbaby
,Iam nott
hat
badwhenitcomest
oromanti
cstuf
f.
You'
vebeensayi
ngwoweversi
nce
wegothere.
"

Me:"Ohbuty ouaremylove,no
off
ence.Idon'tt
hinkIwi
llev
erfor
get
thi
snight
."Hechuckled.

Sivuyi
le:
"WellI
'm gl
adImadean
i
mpr ession.
"Wel aughed,
afteraf ew
secondsofsi l
enceheheldmyhand
andlookeddeepi nmyey es."Ididall
ofthisbecauseIwant edt
ot hanky ou
forbeingthewonder f
ulwif
et hatyou
are.Suresomet i
mesy oupissmeof f
andmakememadwi thy our
stubbor nness,butthat '
swhatmake
mel ovey ouev enmor e.Youar etrul
y
oneofaki ndandIam bl essedt o
havey oui nmyl if
e,Icanf ul
lysay
oZizididn'tmakeami stakewhen
theychosey ouforme.Youar ea
wonder ful wif
eandagr eatmot herto
ourdaught erChulu,
yourmat urityis
beyondy ouragemyl ove.Thel ove
thatyoushowmeonadai lybasi sis
beaut i
ful,eventhoughIam nott he
perfecthusbandonear th,youst il
l
l
ookatmel i
keIam.Idon' treally
havemucht osayot hert han,thank
youf orlov i
ngmeandIl ovey ouso
muchmor e.Yout r
ulyaremy
soulmate.
"Icoul dn'
tholdthem i
n,the
tear
swer esl owlygushi
ngoutofmy
eyes.Hest oodupandcamet okneel
onmysi de, heusedhisthumpt o
wipemyt ear sthenhekissedboth
myey esbef oregoingtositdown.
Weird!
Ourmai ncour searriv
ed,Iwas
dri
nkingjuicewhi l
ehewasdr inki
ng
hi
sCor onabeer ,t
ypicalSi
vuyi
l
e.The
convowasgoi ngsowel l,
wewer e
l
aughingt hroughoutourmaincour se.
Iwassi l
entlythankingGodforgivi
ng
met hishandsomespeci menasa
husband.Hemi ghtbeanass
sometimes,butIlovehi
m somuch.
Whoknewt hatinaspaceofafew
monthswewoul dbehere,l
ookingso
happyandi nlove?Godreal
lydoes
workinmy steri
ousways.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uhbaby,
youdoknowt hat
wegott
heDurbandeal
right
?"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
AndthatIhavetogot
o
Durbantooverl
ookevery
thi
ngfora
fewweeksright
?"Notthi
sagai
n.
Me:
"Ja.
"Isai
dinal
owt
one.

Sivuyi
le:
"Wellt
heproj
ecti
soffi
cial
ly
start
ingonMonday ,t
hatmeansby
MondayIhav etobeinDurban.
"My
heartbroke.Mondayisi
ntwoday s.

Me:"
That'si
n2days.Thatmeansy
ou
havetoleav
ethedayaft
er
tomorr
ow? "

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Iknowmyl
ove,butIam
goi
ngtoleav
eonMondaymor ni
ng.I
will
uset heJet .Anddon'
tworrybaby
,
Iwillbebackev er
yweekend.
"At
l
east .Inoddedt ry
ingt
opushthe
tearsback,thiswasnottheti
mef or
crybabyBoi tumelotosurf
ace.

Me:
"Ohwell
.Iguessweshoul
dmake
t
hebestoft
odaythen.
"Ismil
ed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arey
ouokay
?"

Me:"
Il
lbefine.Idon'
twantt
orui
nt hi
s
ni
ghtforus,whoknowswhenImi ght
gett
hisbeautif
ulsur
pri
seagai
n."He
l
aughed.
Sivuy
il
e:"
OhhandonTomor r
owwe
aregoingtothecel
ebr
ator
ypar t
yat
theoffi
ce.
"Idon'
tli
kepart
ies.

Me: "Nocandomyl ove,Ipromised

Asenat hiamov i
edat e.She'ski
nda
goingt hroughsomet hi
ngr i
ghtnow,
andIwantt ocheerherup. "Thatwas
thet r
uth.Asenat hiwasn'therbubbly
selftoday ,somethinghappenedwi th
herMi nisterofFinance.

Sivuyi
le:
"Whatswrongwit
hher?Di
d
thatuselessboy
fri
endofher
sdo
somet
hingt
oher
?"Bi
gbr
othermode!

Me:"
Ofcoursenot.Ican'
treal
l
ytel
l
you,
it'
sper
sonal.
"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
mmmh.ButIwant
edto
cel
ebr
atewi
thy
ounjebaby
."

Me:"Whydon'tyout akethi
sasour
ver
yownpersonal celebr
ati
on."He
smil
edandleanedf orward,
Imethim
hal
fwayandweshar edakissed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Comeher
e."Hepat
tedhi
s
l
ap.

Me:
"No.Ther
ear
epeopl
eher
e."

Sivuyil
e:"
Comeon, theyar ebusywi th
theirownt hings.Come. "Istoodup
from mychai randwentt ositonhis
l
ap.Hebr oughtmyf acedownt ohi s
andwecar riedonwi ththekiss.The
paceofoft hekisswasi ncreasingby
themi nute,itwasget ti
ngabi tsexual
now.Ibr okei tbeforewegotcar ri
ed
away ,hebur ri
edhi sf aceinmybooks
andsi ghedmaki ngmegi ggle."
Ithink
weneedgethome. "
Me:
"I
'm st
il
lwait
ingformydesser
t.
"
Hemovedabi tonthechai
r,maki
ng
mefeelaveryhardJama."
Ohhhh."

Sivuy
il
e:"That'
sgoi ngtobeyour
dessertbaby ,l
et'
sgo."He'
salway sin
themoodf orsex.Hesignal
edf orthe
managert ocome, It
ri
edgett
ingup
buthehehel dmywai stmakingit
hardformet ostand.

Manager
:"YesMrDl
ami
ni.
"
Sivuyi
l
e:"Pl
easethankyourstafffor
thelovel
yserv
iceandthelovelyfood.
Wewi llt
akeourleav
enow. "The
managernodded.

Manager:
"I
twasanhounorhav
ing
youher
eMyPr i
nce.
"Hebowedabi t
.
•
°
Themi nutewegoti ntoourroom, he
di
dn'twast eanyti
me.Hegr abbedme
andpinnedmet othewallbefor
ehe
hadhiswaywi t
hmymout h.He
wasn'trushingthi
stimearound,his
ki
sseswer eslowandv er
ytender.He
slowlywalkedmecl oset othebed
whilekissingme, het urnedmeov er
thenhesl owl yunzi
ppedmydr ess
l
eav i
ngt r
ailsofkissesonmyback.I
helpedhim wi thpull
ingt hedr ess
downdonw, asIbentov ertot akeit
offhespankedmyass.Het urnedme
aroundandmademef acehi m,again
hedev ouredmyl i
ps,hist ongue
founditwayi nt
omymout h.Af ew
secondsoft onguewr est l
ing,thebra
wasof f!
Themi nutemybr afel
loff
,hecupped
bot
hboobsi nhishandsand
whispered:
"Perfect"hesuckedabit
onmyr ightnipple,
sendingashi
ver
downmyspi ne.Hegent lylaidmeon
thebed, kissi ngmyl i
psmov i
ngall
thewaydownt omybel l
yandt i
ghs.
Her ubbedmycast l
eont opofmy
panty ,
het ooki toffswi f
tl
yl eavi
ng
mecompl et elyexposed.Hewent
downt omyt ighski ssi ngthem al lthe
wayupt ot hecast le, hest arted
kissi
ngt heopeni ngofi t
,hemov ed
ont olickingmycl i
t, If oundmysel f
voluntaril
yopeni ngmyl egswi derasI
gasped.Het enderlycar essedmy
breastswi thal it
tlesqueezi ngatt he
nipples.Hewassucki ngandl i
cking
thecast let hepl easur ewast oomuch
andi ntense.Hesuckedonmyl abia,
thensuckedmyal readyswollencli
t
thatsentmeov ertheedge,Ifeltmy
bodystif
fenandbef oreIknewi tI
rel
easedthejuicesonhi sf
ace.Iwas
gaspingforai
rt hi
nki
ngaboutt he
i
ntensepleasureIjustfel
t,t
hatwas
total
l
youtoft hi
swor l
d.

Sivuy i
l
e:"
Didy ouenj oyt hat?"He
askedashel aidnextt ome.Ij ust
l
ookedathi m wi thawi desmi l
e.Igot
mynakedsel font opofhi m and
startedkissinghi m, theki sswenton
forawhi le,bef or
eIst artedgr i
nding
onhi scrotch.Igotof fandkneel ed
ont heside,Iunbut tonedhi sjeans
andt hethezi pallt
hewaydown.I
sli
ghtlypulledt hejeandown, Islidmy
handi nt
ohi sunder wearandgota
holdofJama.It ookhim outand
start
edmov ingmyhandupand
down, gi
vinghi m ahandj ob.Idirect
ed
uJamast raightintomymout h,my
tonguewast wirl
ingaroundhisheadI
madesur et ospendmor ethan
enought imeont heheadandt haton
i
tsowndr ov ehi minsanebecausehe
wassoongr oaningl i
keanani mal.I
start
edbobbedmyheadupanddown
asIsuckeduJama, myhandsf ound
thei
rwayt ohi sballsgentl
y
massagi ngt hem.Iuppedmypaceon
thesucki
ng,myhandswentupand
downonhi sbshaf
twhi
l
eIwas
sucki
ng.

Sivuyile:"
Shit!Shit!Shi t
!I'
m cummi ng
baby .
"Iam doi ngt his!Iwast ryi
ngt o
prepar emysel fment al
lyforhiscum.
Icarriedonsucki ngandsoonhe
spil
ledhi ssemeni nmymout h,I
almostswal lowed!IswearIt ried,but
Icouldn' tkeepi nmymout hsoIj ust
spititout .Idon'tunder standhow
peopl ewhoswal l
owsper msdot his,
hayIneedt i
ps."Damn! "Itookt he
ti
ssuet hatwasont heheadboar dand
Iwipedt hesemenof fuJamabef oreI
threwmy sel
fnexttohim.Hepul led
myheadt oheadt ohischestandki ss
meont opoft hehead."Thatwas
wonderful.Whoknewmi ssl
ittl
e
i
nnocentwoul dbedoingt hi
st ome?
I
t'str
uewhatt heysayaboutt hequiet
onesneh?Icant est
if
ytot hat."I
l
aughed.

Me:
"Youbr
ingoutt
hewor
sti
nme.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"AndIli
keyourworstmy
l
ove.
"Igiggl
ed.Herubbedmynanaa
bi
tbefor
ehegotonhi sknees,
pul
l
ed
metohimt henheguideduJamai
nto
hi
scast
le!Imoanedashet
hrusti
nto
me.
•
°
SI
VUYI
LE
THENI
GHTOFTHEPARTY!
Iwassit
ti
ngwit
hsomeoft heguys
whoworkforme.Wewer echat
ti
ng
aboutr
andom t
hingsov
erbeer.

Lawrence:"
Tellmebossman, howdo
youmanagewor ki
ngwi t
hsuch
hotnessthough?"Hewasl ookingat
SandimyPA.Sher eal
l
ywashot ,I
won' tl
ieaboutt hat.Butbei ngf ai
thful
tomywi f
ewasoneoft hemost
i
mpor tantthingst ome, soImanaged
tost ayclearoft empt ationev en
thoughshekeepsont ryi
ngt ot empt
mei nav erysubt leway .She'sbeen
givi
ngv eryconf usingsi gnalst hese
day s,wear i
ngr eveal i
ngt hi
ngst o
wor k,getwayt ocl oset ocomf ort
whenshe' sadr essingmenot
forgettingthewayShesomet imes
touchesmei n.It'
si sv erydisturbing.

Me:"Well
ifyouhav
eawifel
ikemi
ne
youwil
lsurenotbedi
str
act
edbyal
l
ofthat
?"
Thato:"Tel
lthem br
other!Onceyou
fi
ndt hatonewomant hatmakesyou
feelcomplete,youdon'tcar
eabout
thesehoes."

Lawrence: "
WellIwantal
lthesehoes,
especiall
ythathoe.Mmmhmmmh
thethingsIwoul ddotothatti
nybody!
Godf orbid!
"Lawrencewast heplay
er
atwor k,healwaysmakessur ethat
hesleepswi theverynewinter
nthat
weget .

Me:
"i
tssur
pri
singhowI
'
venev
er
reci
evesasexual
har
assmentcl
aim
agai
nstyou,t
hewayyoulov
eladi
es
i
snothealthy
."

Lawr
ence:
"Thatwi
l
lnev
erhappenmy
man.
"

Chad:
"Whathappenedt
othatl
ady
fr
om Fi
nace?
"

Me:"
Shequi
taftert
hismoego(Fool
)
sl
eptwi
thStel
laonthesamedayhe
sl
eptwi
thher.
"Theguyslaughed.
That
o:"
youar
enonsensemar
n
Lawr
ence!
"Welaughed.

Lawrence:
"Heyydon'
thatethe
pl
ayer,
hatethegame..
..butnowal
lI
needistothatass,
andMar kmy
wordsboys,Iwil
lgeti
t."

Lewis:
"How?Thatchickhasthehots
fort
heboss."Sothey'
vealsonot
iced,
IguessIwasnotbeingcrazy.

Me:
"Noshe'
sdoesnot
."
Chad:"
Trustmeshedoes.She'
sbeen
l
ookingourwayeversi
ncewesat
her
e."

Lawrence:
"Maybeshe'
slooki
ngatme,
don'
tbesoquicktojudge.
"They
l
aughed.

That
o:"
Ify
ouaresi
tti
ngont heleft
si
de,t
henyessheislooki
ngaty ou
myfri
end.
"Welaughedcause
Lawr
encewassit
ti
ngont heright
si
de.

Lawr
ence:
"Mxm.Thenmyman,
you
shouldtapt
hat
.Imeanshe'sof
fer
ing
hersel
fonasil
verpl
att
er.
"

Me:"
Hell
no!Andr
iskl
osi
ngmywi
fe?
Iwoul
dneverdot
hatt
oher.
"

Lawr
ence:
"Nev
ersaynev
er.
"

Chad:"Myman, haveyouseenhis
wife?Flamesboy !Whyonearth
wouldhecheatonherwi t
hthat
?"We
l
aughed.Idon'tgetwhyhe'ssaying
thatbecauseSandi i
sreal
lyhot
.
Lawrence:
"I
'vereadaboutheront
he
newspaper,butherpi
ctur
ewasn't
cl
ear.
"

Lewi
s:"
Tabl
oids?
"

Lawr
ence:
"Idon'
treadthatshi
t.Let
meseeherbossman. "

Me:
"Hay
!Why
?"

Lawr ence:
"Ij
ustwanttoseewhat
's
dri
vingy oucrazy
,not
hingmuch.
"I
tookoutmyphoneandshowedhi m
myscr eensaver.I
twasabl ackand
whitepictureofLunathiholding
Chulu."Ahhdieman( thisguy.)She'
s
l
ookingdownIcan' tseeher
properl
y."Thatoquicklyhandedhim
hisphone!Excuseme!Whyar et
hey
showingof fmywi f
e?" Damn!Boss
thi
sisy ours?"

Me:
"Sheismi
ne.
"Isi
dewi
thpr
idei
n
myvoice.

Lawrence:
"Whydi
dn'
tImeether
bef
orey oumar
a?"
Me:"
Shewouldsti
llbemineev
enif
youmetherbefor
eme."Isnat
ched
Thato'
sphoneoutofhi
shandsand
gaveitbackt
oThato

Lawr
ence:
"Iwasst
il
ll
ooki
ng.
"

Me:"You'v
edoneenoughl ooki
ng.
"I
canhav epeoplegawki ngovermy
wifeli
kethat.StupidIknowbecause
herpict
ureareal lover
Inst
agram,mx m.

Lawrence:"
Shei
sb-"myphoner
ang
i
nter
upptingmotormout
h.I
twasone
ofbodyguar
ds.

Me:
"Usai
n."

Usai
n:"
Boss!Thepr
incess,
y ourwif
e
hasbeeninvol
vedi
nanacci dent
."I
swearIfel
tmyheartpumpingputof
mychest!

Me:"
What?!Where?I
ssheokay?!Di
d
youtakehert
othehospi
tal
??!
"

Usai
n:"
Uhboss,
sheuh.
..
.She'
s.
..
"
Me:
"Tal
kdammi
t!
!"

Usai
n:"
She'
smi
ssi
ng!
"

Me:"
What?
!"Thecl
othesIwas
weari
ngst
art
edgett
ingver
yhot.

Usain:
"Whenwegottothecar,
she
wasnott her
eonl
ySizwewasther
e.
Seemsl i
kesomeonetookher
becauseherbagswereint
hecar.
"

Me:
"Fuck!
"Mymindwasgoingwi
l
d.
Whocouldhav
etakenher
?
●
○
●
○
●
Whodoyouthi
nkt
ookourbel
oved
Boi
tumel
o?!
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t52
•
°
•
°
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
I
t'sbeent wofreakenday ssincemy
wifewast akenbyanunknown
person.Iam cluelessast owhot ook
her.All
Iknowi st hatshewentt o
meetwi thAsenat hifortheirout
ing
thenshel ef
twithSi zwe.Si zweisin
hospit
alrecoveringf r
om t heminor
woundst hathegotf rom theaccident
.

Lul
ama:"
Vuvuy
ouhav
etoeat
somet
hing.
"

Me:
"I
'm nothungr
y."
Lul
ama:
"Youhav
en'
teat
eni
nday
s."

Me:"Isai
dIam nothungr y
!HowcanI
eatwhileIdon'tknowwhethershe'
s
eati
ngwher eversheishuh?
Khawundehl emar nLul
amanxah!"

Lul
ama:"
YohIgiveup.May
beyour
mom needstocomedownher
eand
for
cef
ull
yfeedyou.
"Mxm.
Myphoner
ang.

Me:
"Tal
ktome"
Luzuko:
"Wehavenewi
nfo.
"Thatgot
myat t
ent
ion.

Me:
"gr
eat
!Wher
ecanwemeetup?
"

Luzuko:"
Wearecomi ngtoy our
housein15mi nutes.Justmakesure
yourbasementhasspace. "Hehung
up.Basement?What '
sthatgottodo
withtheinf
otheyf ound.Itexted
Thapeloaboutthef i
ndingsandasked
them tocometomyhouser ight
away.
Thesepastt
wodayshavebeenhard
onme,Ihaven'
tsl
eptnorat
e.Al
lIdo
i
stakeashowerandst aywideawake
whil
ethi
nki
ngaboutwhocoul dhave
ki
dnappedher.Atfi
rstwethoughti
t
wasThandiwe,Bontl
ewenttoherto
askhersomequestionsbutshe
camebacksay i
ngsheknowsnot hi
ng
aboutt
hekidnappi
ng.

Lumka:"
Didyouseet
hepaper
s
today
?"Iwasnotint
hemoodfort
his.

Me:
"Whatpaper
s?"

Lumka:"
Wellther
e'sanart
icl
eondail
y
di
spatchaboutLunathi
'
skidnappi
ng.
"
Me:
"What?!Howdi
dtheygetahol
d
oft
hatst
ory?"

Lumka:
"Fr
om ar
eli
abl
esource.And
webothknowwhothatsour
ceis.
"I
si
ghed

Me:"Thandi
we.Ihonestl
ycannotdeal
withthemediari
ghtnow.Ijustwant
tofindmywi f
eandmov eonwi t
h
l
ife.
"Shecamet ositnextt
ome, her
arm wentaroundmyshoulders.
Lumka:
"Iknow.What
'st
hel
atest
?"

Me:"Luzukosai
dhehasnewinfo,
theywillbeher
einaf
ewminutes
actual
ly.
"

Lumka:
"Okay
,that
'sgr
eat
.Ri
ght
?"

Me:
"Idon'
tknowsi
s."

Fewminut
eslaterLuzukoand
Lut
handoarr
ivedpull
ingsomeonet
o
us,
IwaswiththeMokoenabr ot
her
s.
Me:
"andt
hen?
"

Luzuko:"ourlead.Showmet he
basement ."Wow!Il edthewayt ot he
basement .Luzukoshov edt heguyt o
thefloorthemi nutewegott here.I
can'
tbel i
ev eam abouttobe
associatedwi ththi
s,I
'm aPr incefor
Chri
stsakesbutf ormywi feIwi lldo
anything.Luzukot ookoffthe
bli
ndfoldfrom theguy ,
hel ooked
scaredashel l
.Thisguylooked
famili
ar,IthinkI'
veseenhim
somewher e.
Guy:
"Whatam Idoi
ngher
e?Whatdo
youwantfr
om me?Ple-
"

Thapel
o:"
Shutupwena!
"

Luzuko:"youareherebecausewe
wanttohav eahar mlesschatwit
h
you.
..
..welli
twi l
lbeharmlessify
ou
cooperate.
"Hecr oucheddownnext
tohim."Nowt ellmewhat '
syour
name? "Reall
y?!"Don'
tbescaredmy
man."

Guy:
"uh.
..
.B.
..
usa.
.ni
."ThatBusani
!
Damn!
Luzuko:"
Busanimmmh.Nowt ellme
Sasa..
.youdon'
tmi ndmecal l
i
ngy ou
Sasaright?
"Busanishookhishead.
"Good.NowSasat ell
me, wheredid
youtakeherto?"

Busani
:
"Herwho?
"

Luzuko:
"Don'tplaywit
hmeSasa, I'
m
bei
ngf r
iendlyheretheleastyoucan
doismeetmehal fway.I'
llaskagai
n,
wheredidy ouherto?"
Busani:
"Idon'
tknowwhoy ouare
tal
ki
ngabout .Idi
dn'
ttakeany
one."A
fi
stlandedonhisstomach.

Luzuko:
"seewhatyouaremakingme
doSasa.Am averyniceguyandnow
youaremakingmedobadt hi
ngs.
"

Busani
:"
Isweart.
.oGodId..
on.
Idon'
t
k.
..
nowwhoy o..
ua..
reta.
.l
ki
ng
ab.
.out
."

Luzuko:
"Ohreal
l
ynow?Youdon't
knowwhoy ouki
dnappedj
ust2days
ago?Hehesothi
sisanormtoyou,t
o
apoi
ntwher eyoudon'teven
r
emembert hepeoplethatyoukidnap?
Wow!Iam shocked."Thebrothers
l
aughedabit.

Busani
:"
Idon'tkidnappeopl
e.I'
mjust
acheeseboy, Ican'
tevenfi
ghtto
savemyself
."Wel aughed

Thapel
o:"
HaymarnSasa!Wedi
dn'
t
needtoknowal
loft
hatmyman."

Thabo:
"Youpl
ayedyour
selfbr
o."He
sai
dinamockingl
yway."That
'swhat
youskr
rskrr
ssayri
ght?
"
Luzuko:"Ohshi t!Heisoneofthose?
May beifIspeaki nalingot
hatyou
understandyouwi l
lgi
v emea
str
aightanswer .Helpmeoutguy s
wher eIgetstuckcauseIdon'tknow
thi
slingo."

Luthando:
"Igot
chy
oumyni
gga.
"We
chuckled.

Luzuko:
"Imfinnaaskyouthi
sagain
mynigga,wher edi
dyoutakethe
shawty?"Helookedatusforappr
oval
wegav ehim athumpsup.Thiswas
st
upi
d

Busani
:
"Idon'tknow.Idon'
tknow
whoaretal
kingabout."

Luzuko:
"OkayIthi
nkI'
vepl
ayedwi th
youforfart
oolong.Youdon'tLunathi
?
Huh?!Youdon'tknowtheCrowned
Pri
ncess?Ormay beyouknowheras
Boit
umelo."

Busani
:"Waitwhat?
!Butt
erf
lywas
ki
dnapped?"Thefuck?
!
Thabo:
"Lookatthatheevenhasapet
nameforoursister
."Iwasannoyed
ashell
.Wheredoeshegett heri
ght
togi
vemywi feapetname!

Busani:"Wait
!Youthi
nki kidnapped
her?Hel l
no!Iwoul
dnev erdot hat
,I
l
ov ehertoomucht odot hattoher.
"I
fel
tli
kepunchingher,butLuthando
restr
ainedmewhenIwasaboutt o
makemywayt ohi
m.

Luzuko:
"That
'stheproblem myguy.
Youlovehertoomuch, somuchso
thati
thastur
nedi nt
oanobsession.I
heardthatshet ur
nedy oudowna
coupleoft i
mesbuty oucoul dn'
t
acceptthat.Sonowmyni gga,you
sawi tfi
ttotakehersot hatshecan
bey oursforev
er.Wellthat'
sifyouar
e
notplanningonkill
ingher."Myheart
sankwhenhesai dthatpart.Mywife
can'tdi
e,Ineedhert ofuncti
on.Iam
nothingwithouther.

Busani
:"
Iswearonmymot
her
'sl
i
fe,
I
di
dn'tt
akeher.
"

Lut
hando:
"Don'
tdothat
.Don'
tswear
onyourmother
'sl
i
fecauseshemight
j
ustlosei
tifyoudon'
ttel
luswhatwe
wanttohear.
"

Busani :
"Pleasesirdon'
thurtmy
mot her.Ipromisey ouyou,Iknow
nothingaboutt hekidnappi
ng.I
wasn' tevenintownt hi
sweekend, I
onl
ycamebackt oday .
"Il
ostmy
hoper ightthereandthen.

Thabang:
"So?Thatdoesn'
tmeanyou
di
dn'tt
akeher.Youareaft
eral
lar
ich
ki
d,youcouldhavepai
dsomeonet o
dothejobforyou.
"
Busani:
"Ididn't
.Idon'tknowany
thugssir.Iwouldneverdoany thi
ng
tohurtBut -Boit
umelo."Luzuko
sighedbef orehestoodupandcame
tous.

Luzuko:
"Hedoesn'
tknowany
thi
ng.
"

Me:"
Whatdoy oumeanhedoesn'
t
knowanythi
ng?Hecoul
dbelyi
ngto
usri
ghtnow."

Luzuko:
"Heisnot
.IfhewasIwoul
d
havecaughthi
m."Iwasgett
ing
fr
ustrat
ed.
Me:
"Fi
nenowwhat
?"

Luzuko:
"Welethim goandwe
str
ategi
ze.
"Irubbedmyhead
fur
iousl
y.

Me: "
Shar p."Iturnedandl
ef tthem
thereint hebasement .I
twasst ar
ti
ng
tosinki nthatmay bemywi feisdead
wher evershei s,shecoul
dbei n
anothercount ryaswespeak.Why
didn'
tIf orcehert ocomewi thmet o
theparty ?Whydi dn'
twejuststayin
bedt hewhol edaymakingl oveand
tal
ki
ng.Imi ssedhersomuch, I
missedherv oice,
hertouch,herlaugh,
herlook.Imissedallofher,
andi t'
s
onl
ybeent woday sandIdon' tt
hinkI
cansurviveanymor edayswi t
hout
her.
IwentuptoChulu'
sroom,whenev
erI
am f
eeli
ngdownt hat
'swher
eIgo.
She'
smyr easontosmil
eatati
me
l
ikethi
s.

Mom: "Heybaby.
"Shewassit
ti
ngon
thebigchai
rthat
'si
ntheroom wi
th
Chuluinherarms.
Me:
"Hi
mom.
"

Mom:"Howareyoufeeli
ng?"Reall
y!
"
Stupi
dquesti
on,Iknow.Yoursist
ers
t
ellmethaty
ourefusingtoeat
."

Me:"HowcanIeatmama?Why
shouldIeat
?"

Mom: "Whatdoy oumeanwhyshoul d

youeat?Don'tyouwanttoli
ve?Don't
youhaveawi feandachildt
oliv
ef or?
Ungandiphambanisimna
Siv
uyil
e(don'
tdriv
emecr azy
).You
haven'
thadfoodev ersi
nceIgothere,
Idon'
tknowifyouthi
nkLunathiwil
l
behappytocomebackt oathin,
ugl
y
l
ookinghusband.
"Ichuckl
edatthat.

Me:
"Mama!
"

Mom: "
Haisuka!Lookaty ou,your
faci
alstr
uct ur
ei sstarti
ngt oshow.
Youlooklikeaskel eton."Ilaughedat
that
.Mymom l ikesexager atti
ng
thi
ngs."Ri
ghtnow, Iam goi ngt ocook
amout hwat eri
ngdi nnerandy oumy
boyaregoi ngtoeat .Iwillmakesur e
ofthat
.Ngekendi dl
alewenamna. "
Shestoodupandgav eChul utome
wi
thherbot
tl
e,
thenshel
eft
.

Me: "
Yourgr andmot herbaby .
"Iwent
tositonthechai r."Shei sso
dramatic,shet hi
nksIam ugl y
.
Imagine,meandbei ngugl y.Doesn't
sheknowt hatDlami nipeopl e
possesshandsomenessandbeaut y
withoutevent ryi
ng.Imeanl ookat
you,yousucki ngy ourbot t
ley etyou
l
ooksogor geouswhi l
edoi ngi t.Heh
nana."Ipeckedonherf orehead.She
wasal r
eadycl osingherey es,Iguess
Icaughtheratabadt ime,lol.
"Sheisalwayssleepi
ngwhenweare
here.
"Ilookedup,i
twasThapel
oand
theguys.

Thabang:"
Iknowr i
ght!Lastt
ime
Punkiecamehomewi thher,wedi
dn't
evengetthechancet oholdher
becausemom t ookhertothe
bedroom t
o'sleep'
"hemadei nver
ted
commasi ntheair.Ichuckl
ed.

Luzuko:
"Justacceptthattheprincess
doesn'
tli
key ou,si
mpl easthat.
"We
l
aughed.I'
mj ustgladthatinatime
l
ikethi
s,Icanstill
laughalitt
le.
Thabo:"Letmeholdherforabit
.Let
hersleepinuncle'
swarm ar
ms."He
di
dn'tev enwai
tformetoprotesthe
j
usttookt hebabyint
ohisarms.

Luthando:"Nowt hematterathand."
Hesai dafteraf ewmi nutesof
si
lenceandt hem admi r
ingmybaby .
"Weneedt ot hi
nkhar daboutwho
couldhav etakeny ourwi fe.Doy
ou
haveanyenemi est hatyoucanthink
of"Icouldn'tthi
nkofany one.

Me:
"Nott
hatIknowof
.Theonl
y
enemyIhav ei
sThandi weandwe'
ve
al
readyestabl
ishedthatshe'
s
i
nnocentinall
oft hi
s."

Luzuko:
"Wecan'tr
uleheroutasyet
,
wedon'tknowifshewastell
ingt
he
tr
uthorwhat.
"

Thabang:
"Tr
ustmewedo.
"

Lut
hando:
"howcany
oubesosur
e?"

Thapel
o:"
Letsjustsaywesentt
he
perf
ectpersontogoandaskher
aboutt
his.
"

Luzuko:
"i
syoursi
stert
hatbadass?
"

Me:
"Youhav
enoi
dea.
"Thel
aughed.

Lut
hando:"
Ithi
nkIneedt
omeetthi
s
si
sterandhaveachatwi
thher
."

Thapel
o:"
Hayhay
!Nomeet
ings.
"We
l
aughed.

Me:"
HasLi
zwi
foundany
thi
ngonhi
s
si
de?"
Thabang:"
No,nothi
ngyet
."Thabo
wasn'tev
enpayingatt
ent
iontous,he
wassmi t
tenbyChulu.

Me:"Ican'
tthi
nkofany oneI'
ve
wronged.Lizwihaslookedintoall
my
busi
nessassociatesandt heyareall
cl
ean."

Luzuko:
"Coul
ditbeourenemi
es?"
Luzukoandthebrot
herwerei
nthe
samegang!Smallworl
dIknow.
Thabang:
"Pl
uswejustt
ookSnooker
's
di
amondsnotsolongago.
"

Luthando:
"Yeah,
butheowedussoI
don'tt
hinkhewoulddothist
oget
rev
engeonus.Andi fi
twashim,he
wouldhav et
akenourwivest
oo.
"
Damn!Wear est
uck.

Luzuko:
"Tel
lyouwhat?I'
llgospeak
tothedri
vert
onightandwewi l
ltryto
ret
raceLunat
hi'
sstepsmay bethere
i
ssomet hi
ngthathenoticed."Ihighl
y
doubtit
,buti
tworthatryright?.
•
Whenour' meeting'endedtheguy s
wer er eadytoleav ebutmom asked
them t ost ayoverfordinner,
welllet
mer ephrase,sheTOLDt hem tostay
fordi nner.Iwon'tlieIwasreall
y
great ful
lforLuzukoandLut hando's
help, Iknowt heyar einagangwi th
thet ri
ppleTbutt heywerenot
obligedt ohelpus, theyarehelpi
ng
becauset heywantt oandforthatI
am gr eatfull
.
AfterdinnerIwentuptoourr oom t
o
tr
yandgetsomesl eep,aspermom' s
orders.Ihaven'
tbeeninthisroom
si
nceshegotki dnappedr eason
being,IcansmellherscentEv er
y
ti
meIgeti nandt hatonitowndr ives
meont heedge, Ijustmissherev en
mor e.IfIcouldIwoul dcryevery
nightf orher,butunf or
tunatel
yor
fortunatelyIam nott hecryingtype.I
l
aidonmybackandsi ghed!
Thought swerer unningthroughmy
mi nd,Iwast ryi
ngsohar dnotto
i
magi nebadt hingshappeni ngtoher
butIcoul dn't
.Wel iv
einav ery
danger ouswor ldandany t
hingcan
happen.It ookoutmyphoneand
l
ookedatt hescr eensav er.

Me:
"Wher
eareyoubaby.
"Isai
dina
l
owvoi
ce.Mythought
sonceagai
n
trai
ledtot hepossi
bi li
tyofherbei ng
mur deredorwor ser a-.No!No!No!I
refuset othi
nkofthathel lno!Ist ood
upf rom thebed,Itookmycarkey s
from myheadboar dandl eftthe
room.WhenIgotdownst airsnoone
wasi nsight
,Igoti
nt omyi 8andhi t
ther oadt ot
henear estbar .Ijust
want edt obealoneandt odr ownmy
sorrows.

Me:"Tequilashots!Keepthem
comingpl ease.
"Igav ehim af
ew
notes.Hepour edmet heshot
s.The
fi
rstshotwentst rai
ghttomywonder
heart,
exactlywhatIwashoppi ngfor
.
AndasIhav erequestedthebar
man
keptthem coming,If
eltmysel
f
gett
ingdrunkwhichiswhatIwanted
tofeel.

"OhmyGod.Bossi st
hatyou?"I
turnedtolookatt
hepersonwhohad
theirhandonmyshoulder.

Me:
"OhheySandi
."MyPA.

Sandi
:"
Areyouokay?Whyareyou
drowni
ngyoursel
final
cohol
?"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow?Probabl
ybecause
mywifeiski
dnapped.
"Isai
dinmy
dr
unkenspeech

Sandi
:
"What
?Whendi
dthathappen?
"

Me:
"Idon'
twantt
otal
kabout
,just
l
eav
emeal oneandl
etmedri
nk."

Sandi:
"NoIcan'tleavey
ouallalone
here.Youneedsomecompany ."I
wantedtopr ot
estbutIhadnoener gy
.
"Gir
lsIwon'tbejoini
ngyouatthe
clubtoni
ght,asyoucanseemyboss
needsme. "
Me:
"Idon'
tneedy
-"

Sandi:
"Shhhi t'
sokay,Iwillbehere
wit
hy ou.By egirl
s."Aft
ersome
mumbl ingheef ri
endsleft."Whatare
youdrinkingthere?"ThisiswhyI
wantedt obeal one,Idi
dn'twant
anyonet alki
ngtome." I'
ll
hav ea
marti
ni please.
"

Bar
man:
"Comi
ngr
ightup.
"
•
Att
hispoi
ntIwassodr
unk,
Icoul
dn'
t
evenf eelmyl egs.Iwastal
kingnon
stopandmybl oodwashot!Sandi
didn'thel
pmaket hesit
uati
oneasy ,
shewasbusyt ouchi
ngme
i
nappr opri
ately,nott
hatImind.I
neededt oreleasesomest eam, she
wasgoi ngtobemyst ressreli
ever
tonight.

Sandi
:"Whydon'twejustgobackt o
myplaceandf i
nishofft
hisparty
."
Shewaswhi sper
inginmyear .Shebi
t
myear l
obe.

Me:
"Af
tery
oumyl
ady
."Shedi
dn'
t
wasteanyt imet ostandup.Itri
ed
standingupbutIal mostfel
l.The
barmanqui cklycamet omyai d.
"Don'tworr
yIam f i
ne.Andy oumy
l
adywewi l
l behomei nnowt i
me, my
carisasfastasapl ane."

Bar
man:
"Nono.Ican'
tl
ety
oudr
ive
myman.
"

Me:
"butwehav etogethome,and
weneedthecartogethome."

Barman:
"Si
sterdi
dn'
tyoucomei
n
yourcar
?"
Sandi
:
"Idi
d.I
'
lldr
ive.
"

Barman:
"Letmet
akethese.
"Hetook
outmycarkeysf
rom mypocket
.

Sandi
:"
Excuseme,youar
enot
al
lowedtodothat
."

Barman:
"Iam ma'
am.I
fyouneed
yourcar
,youknowwher
etofindme
Svi
tshmyman.Ohmay beIshoul
d
cal
lThembatocomeandfetchyou?
"
Sandi:
"he'
swi thmeasy oucansee.
I
'llt
akehim home. "Idon'tknowwhat
happenedbutSandi cl
ickedher
tongueandt oldmewecanl eav
e.We
walkedtohercarasdr unkasIwas,I
tri
edtomaint ai
nmybal anceunti
lwe
reachedhercar .Igoti
nt othe
passengerseatandwedr oveoff
.
Onethingyoumustknowabouta
drunkSivuy
il
eisthatheneverf
orgets
whathappenedthepreviousni
ght.I
knowal l
thethi
ngsthatIdowhenI
am drunk.
Wef i
nall
ygottoherf
lat
,Idi
dn'tev
en
getthechancetol
ookaroundthe
house(nott
hatIwant
edtoto.)Her
l
ipswer eal
readysmashedint
omi ne.
Brokethekissandledmeintoher
room wherewecont i
nuedt
hekissing.

Sandi :
"I
'vebeenwai t
ingf orthi
s
moment ."Shesaidasshet ookoff
herdr ess,shehadnounder wearon.
Atthispoi ntIcoul
dfeel mybl ood
rushingdownt ouJama.Shecame
backt omyl i
psandki ssedmeme
whileunbut toni
ngmypant s,shegot
downonherkneest ookoutJama
from myunder wearandputhi min
hermout h.Asoundescapedmy
mout hasherwar mt onguewor kon
myhead.Igr abbedherhai rand
bobbedherheadupanddownmy
shaft,maki ngsurethatshedeep
throats.Icouldfeeltheint
ense
feeli
ngbui l
dingup.Ipulledherand
pushedhert othewal l
,
Ili
ft
edherleg
andent eredherf r
om behind.I
startedthrusti
nginher .

Sandi:
"Yes...
.uh!Yes!Fuckme
daddy!Fuck!Ahhhhh,fasterfaster!
"I
obeyedanduppedmypace, Ifucked
herasfastasIcouldandmer cil
ess.
Allt
hepai n,
fr
ustr
ati
onandangerI
hadIletital
loutonherandshe
wasn'tcomplaini
ngabouti tatall.
Shecamemul ti
pleti
mesbef oreI
couldreachmyendi ngpoi nt
.Ipul
led
outandshov edheedownonher
knees,IguidedherheadtouJama,
shesuckedhi m andhardasshe
could,afewmi nutesofsuckingI
fi
nallyr
eleasedallmysemeni nher
mout handl i
keabadgi r
l,she
swallowedallofit
.

°
•UNKNOWNLOCATI
ON•
°

Man1:"
WakeywakeyMrsDlami
ni.
"A
t
err
if
iedLunat
hiabr
upt
lywokeup
fr
om hernotsodecentsl
eep."Look
atthat
,abeaut
ysheisindeed.Iam
sogoingtohavef
unwi t
hy ou.
"

Man2:
"Shei
sindeedbeaut
if
uleven
wi
thal
l t
heyear
sonhereyes."

Man1:"Thosetear
sturnmeonev en
more.Ican'
twaitt
oteachthatst
upid
Si
vuyi
lealesson!Nobodyfuckswit
h
meandget sawaywithit
."
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Goodnewsi
smyhandi
sget
ti
ng
bet
ter
.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t54
◇
◇
◇
◇
◇

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Thet i
met ogoandr escuemyqueen
had.Itwasont heearlyhoursofthe
mor ni
ngwhenLuzukowasf i
nal
ly
abletogatheruppeopl eandtoolswe
aregoingtoneedf orthisr
escue
mission.Wewer eonourwayt o
Bloemfontein,
whichiswherethis
mot her
fuckerSthembisowas
keepingLunathi.

Thabang:"Tellexactl
ywhat'
syour
beefwiththisMF?Heshoul dbeover
thefactthatyousleptwit
hhiswif
e,I
meanhegothi srevengewit
hyour
si
ster
s."Iwastr
avel
l
inginthesame
carwit
hLunathi
'
sbrother
s.

Thapelo:
"Technical
l
yhedidn'
tgethi
s
revengesincehedidn'
tdoanyt
hingto
them.Sohest il
lhasari
ghttogethi
s
revenge.
"

Thabang:
"Wellhisgett
ingitont
he
wrongperson!Hisgoingtoregr
et
evermeeti
ngmogwant iol
ebareng
keLusanda(t
hatbitchLusanda)
."He
l
ookedmadf urious.
YesSthembisoisi
ndeedLusanda'
s
husband,
Lusandawhohappenstobe
Chul u'sbiologicalmot her.Myaf f ai
r
withChul uwasmor et hananaf fair
,
wewer einlov ewithoneanot her.At
fi
rstIdi dn'tknowshewas
mar ried,shewasabi tol derthanme.
WhenIf oundoutt hatshewas
mar ried,Ibrokei toffwi thheranda
fewmont hsl at
eroft hebr eakupI
foundThandi we,shewasabl eto
makemef orgetabi taboutLusanda.
Asi fDest inywant edust obe
toget her,ImetLusandast rai
ghtaf ter
Thandi hadami scarriage,shewas
theref ormeshecomf ort
edmeand
helpedmegetov erthepai noflosing
achi ld.Obv iouslythef eeli
ngsst art
ed
comi ngback, sowest artedhav i
ngan
affairbehi ndhishusband' sback, we
didn'tthinkhewasgoi ngt of i
ndout
abouti t,buthedi dandwhenhedi d
het ookLumkaandNomt handazo, I
don'tknowwhathepl annedt odo
witht hem becausewef oundt hem
befor ehecandoany thingt ot hem.
Aftert hewhol ekidnappi ngsagamy
fami l
ybeggedmet ost ayawayf rom
Lusanda, Themba'smom t oo.They
wer eaf raidthatSthembi somi ght
comebackt ofi
nishwhathest art
ed,I
didlistent omyf ami l
yandIst ayed
awayf rom Lusanda.Butear l
yl ast
yearwemetatt heclubagai n,
she
waswi thherfri
endsl ookingassexy
asever.Webot hcoul dn'tkeepour
handsof feachot her
,wewentt ot he
bathr
oom anddi dthedeedi nthere,I
guesst hat
'swher eChuluwas
concei
v ed.Basicall
ythat'sther eason
whyIcoul dn'
ttellmyf amilyincluding
Themba' smom aboutChul u'
s
bi
ologicalmom, theywoul df l
ipandI
wouldn'tblamet hem,I'm suremy
dadwoul dgivemeabeat ingofmy
l
ife.

Thabang:
"ahmonawear enotthere
yet
"hewasspeaki ngonthephone.
"Weareclose,
thecarsar
egoingfast
asiti
sThabo.
...
.yeahshar
p,I
'
llkeep
youupdat
ed."

Thapel o:
"Thabo.Whatdoeshewant
now? "Theocoul dn'tcomewithus
becausehehadav eryimpor
tanttest
today,hewant edtocomebuti tt
ook
alotofconv i
ncingforhimtostay
behind,wellt
hankst ohisgi
rlf
or
comi ngthroughforus.

Thabang:
"Hesayswearewasti
ng
ti
mebyusi ngcar
s,weshoul
dhave
usedajet
."
Lizwi
:"
Thatwoul
dhavedrawn
unnecessar
yatt
ent
iononus.I
'm sur
e
thatSt
hembisoguywouldhav
e
knownaboutustheminutewe
l
anded."
Bythetimewear ri
vedin
Bloemfontei
nthesunhadset,which
meanst hi
swasgoi ngtobeabit
harderwecangoar oundshoot
ingat
peopleinbroaddayli
ght.

Luzuko:"
Thatistheplacewear e
goingto?"Hepointedatabuildi
ng
thatwasast r
eetawayf r
om wher e
wear estandi
ng."Iwasinfor
medt hat
hedoesn' thaveal otofmenwi thhim
atthismoment ,ithi
nkhe
under estimatedy ourconnecti
ons
Sivuy i
le.Soher e'
swhatwear egoing
todo, Thabang,Thapelo,
Lizwiand
Sivuy i
ley ouguy swill
gointhe
buildingandr escueBoi t
umel oand
ther estofuswi l
ldealwiththemen
outsidet hebui l
ding.Thi
sshouldn't
behar d,30mi nutestopswewi llbe
donewi ththismi ssi
on."

Li
zwi:"Weneedsil
encer
sfort
hese
guns.Wecan'taff
ordtomakenoi
se
wit
ht heseguns.
"
Luthando:"HawuVoice,
youknow
thatdrawingatt
ent
ionisourmiddl
e
name."Ilaughedatthename
transl
ati
on.

Luzuko:
"Besi
desthatbui
ldi
ngisi
n
themiddleofnowheresoIdoubt
ther
eareanycopsnearby .
"

Li
zwi:
"Thi
sisapopul arspotf
or
murdersandrape,sotheremighte
copspatr
oll
ingaroundthispl
ace."
Luzuko:
"Shi
t!Andwedidn'
tbr
ingin
anysil
encer
s."Whatar
ewegoi ngto
donow.

Lizi
wi:
"Letmecal
lafri
endofmine
whowor ksatanear
bystat
ion,I
'
llt
ry
tofi
ndoutwho'sonthepatr
oll
i
ng
dutytoday.
"

Luthando:
"won'
tthatmakehi
m
suspici
ous?"

Li
zwi:
"Hi
safri
endofmine."He
wal
kedabutfurt
herf
rom ustomake
aphonecal
l
.
Thabang:
"Ar
eyoualri
ght
?"Hehel
d
myshoulder
.Inodded

Me:
"Yeah,
I'
mjustanxi
ousaboutal
l
oft
his.
"

Thabang: "
Don'tworrywewi l
lbedone
i
nnot i
me. "Iwasn'
tnervousabout
shooti
ngsomeone, I
'
vefi
redagun
befor
e,I'
mj ustnervousaboutthe
condi
tionwear egoingtofi
ndmy
wif
ein, Iwaspr ayi
ngandhopi ngt
hat
hehadn' tdoneanythingtoher.
Li
zwi
camebackaf
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
Lizwi:
"Iguessi
t'
sChrist
masdayfor
us,therearenocopspatrol
l
ing
today."Wecheered!

Luzuko:
"Let
sdothi
sboys!
"Wegot
i
ntoourcarsanddr
oveoff
!
▪
▪
BLOEMFONTEI
N
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Icoul
dseef r
om thesunli
ghtshini
ng
thr
oughthewindowt hatitwas
morni
ngalready
.Ididn'twantt
his
dayt ocome, butwhoam It ocont rol
thet i
mes.Iwasanemot ional wreck,I
didn'tsleeplastnightthinkingabout
whatt hi
sexcuseofamansai dtome.
Icoul dn'
tbringmy selftoacceptt hat
anot hermani sgoingtoshov etheir
disgust i
ngpeni sinmyv agina,it
didn'tregist
erwel linmyheadandt o
thinkhehast ocomei nsidemeand
thathei sgoi ngtodot histomef or
numer ousday s.Theuni ver
sei s
def i
nitel
ynotonmysi de,Iwas
supposedt ogogetmypr ev enti
ng
shott hisMonday ,
butl ookwher eI
am know.Iam ki dnappedbyaman
whowant stohav eababywi t
hme
andhemightsucceedbecauseI
di
dn'
tgotothedoctorearl
i
er.Why
medearLordwhy ?
!
Iwasst i
lli
nmyf eeli
ngswhen2
dif
ferentguyswalkedcameinthe
room,onewascar ryi
ngabigbathi
ng
basinandt heot
herwascarryi
nga
packet.

Guy1:
"Her
e'syourwat
er,
thebosssai
d
youmusttakeabathri
ghtnow."

Guy2:"
Every
thi
ngyouwil
lneedisi
n
her
eandy oumustwearwhat'si
nsi
de
her
e."Isatonthesamespotand
di
dn'
tmobeani
nch.

Guy1:
"Youbet
tergetcr
acki
ng,
you
don'
twanttoseethebossmad."

Me:
"No.
"Theyt
urnedt
olookatme.

Guy
1:"
Whatdi
dyousay
?"

Me:"Isai
dNo!Hemi ghtaswellcome
i
nher eandkil
lme, Iam notgoi
ngto
getreadyforastr
angert ocomeand
havesexwi t
hme, Iam nota
prosti
tut
e..
.hel
lhe'
snotev engoing
t
opayme!SoNo!Idon'
twantt
o!"

Guy
2:"
Youstupi
dgirl
,doy
ouknow
whoyouar
edefying?
"

Me:"Idon'
tcare!Idon'
tcarewhether
helooksscaryandhasbi gmuscles,
I
donotcare!Hecanki l
lmef oral
lI
car
e!"

Guy
1:"
cicici
!Youar
edi
ggi
ngy
our
owngrave."

Me:
"i
tsbet
tert
hanhav
ingt
hatr
ock
humpingontopofme!"Iwasreal
l
y
madIdon'tevenknowwhereIgot
thegutst
osayalloft
hat.

Guy 1:
"Njayam awubize
i
boss( dawg,goandcall t
heboss.)
"
Thef earstart
edcreepinginonce
again,Ineedtogathermor egut
s
becauset hisbosstheir
sisscaryas
fuck."What ?Youscarednowms
mout hpiece!"
The'
boss'walkedi
nlooki
ngpi
ssed
ashel
landthatmadehimlookeven
morescar
y.
S'Guy:
"Whati st hisIhear?Whyar e
yourefusingtogetr eadyf orme?"I
l
aughed, Icouldn'tcontr
ol myself
.I
wasatapoi ntwher eIwant edhimto
kil
lme.It'
sbet terthanhav i
ngto
sleepwithhim andcar ryi
nghi sbaby.
Igotoffthebedandst oodonmy
feet.

Me:"Hayy ouhavealivershame!You
haveal i
vertotel
lsomeone' swi f
eto
getreadyt osl
eepwithy ou!What
ki
ndofsi ckpersonarey ou?!"Itwas
asifsomeonewast al
kingt hrough
me.
S'Guy:
"Whatdi dyousay ?"He
furi
ouslymar chedtomeandgr abbed
mebyt hebeck." Howdar eyout al
kto
mel i
ket hat?!Yourhusband
i
mpr egnat edmywi feit
'sonlyfairIdo
sotohiswi f
eandr ui
nhi slegacy!
ThatsrightIam goingt otakeaway
hisbir
thright!
"Heshov edmeont he
bed.Icoughed

Me:"Wel
lseemsli
key ourwi
fewant
ed
i
t!She'
stheonewhowentt omy
husbandandgotpregnantf
orhim.
Whoknowsmay bey ouarefi
ri
ng
bl
ankshot si
nt hatti
nygunofyour
s."
WithinasecondIf el
tmycheekburn,
al
l Icouldhearwas' zwi
ii
ii
i
ii
ii
'I
couldn'tseeproperlywi
thmyr i
ght
eyes.

S'Guy:
"JustbecauseIwantt osleep
wothdoesn' tmeanIcan' thityou.Al
lI
needf rom youisy ourwomband
vaginanoty ourface."Hepi ckedme
upandsl appedmer epeatedlyevery
slapcamewi t
hitsownbur ning
sensation,bythet i
mehewasdoneI
wasdi zzyashel lbothmyey eshad
tearscomi ngoutof ,
mynosehad
bloodmi xedwi t
hsnot .Iam sur emy
faceisswol l
enr i
ghtnow.Iwas
cryi
nguncont roll
abl
y,whatwasI
thi
nkingtalki
ngbackt othi
smuscle
manandi nsul
tinghim!Iam
ambitiousshame!
"Trytal
ki
ngt omel i
ket hatagain,Iwil
l
breakyourarms!Nxah! "Het hrewa
napkinatme." Wipeyourf ace,I'
m not
abouttohav esexwi t
haweepi ng
person.
"Ididntprotest,Itookthe
napkinandwi pedmyf acebutt he
tearswerestil
ltal
kingbecauseIwas
cryi
ng.Hetoldmet ostopcr yi
ng,I
couldn'
tIj
ustopt edtocr ysil
entl
y.
S'Guy :"Comeandt akeof fher
clothes. "Thet woguy swhower ein
ther oom cameandt ookofmydr ess.
Thewayhesl appedme, myf acehur t
.
Iusedt helastst r
engt hIhadi nmet o
fi
ghtt hem off,
butt heywer et oo
strong.Theyt ookof fmydr ess, Iwas
l
ef tinmyunder wear.Aftert hatt hey
l
ef tther oom, leavi
ngmewi tht his
monst er.Iguesst hisisit.
"Lieony our
back. "Ididn'tmov e.Heshov edme
andIl aidonmyback.Het ookof fhis
ti
ghttshi rt
,heunzi ppedhi spant s
andt ookouthi sdick.Hest arted
givinghi mselfahandj obbecauset he
ti
ckl erwassl eeping,Nowonderhi s
wifecheatedonhim,hi
sr eal
l
ynot
gif
tedinthatdepart
ment.Iclosedmy
eyesandsaidasi l
entpr
ay er
,Iasked
forhel
pfrom bothGodandmy
ancestor
s.Iwasatapoi ntwhereallI
coulddowaspr ayandhopef ora
miracl
e.

"Dammi t!"Hesaidaf terawhile.I

slowlyopenedmyey esonlytof i
nd
hisdickletst
il
lsleeping.Icouldn't
beli
ev emyey es,Iwant edtojumpup
anddownandr ejoi
ce, butmay beit
wast oosoon.May beheneeded
mor etime.Mor et i
mepassedst i
ll
nothinghappened." May beIneedt o
touchy ou.
"Hesatdownont hebed
nexttome.Il ookedupt her oofand
mout hed'Please!'
Justashewas
abouttosqueezemybr eastsgun
shotsst ar
tedfir
ingoutside.Thedoor
burstopenasoneofhi sguy swalked
i
n.

S'Guy:
"Whydidn'ty
ouknock?!Can't
youseeIam busy ?!
"Isheseri
ous?
Therearepeopleshooti
ngoutside
andyenahecar esaboutcarr
yingon
withhi
sdeviousplan!

Guy
:"Boss,
kushubi
l
e!TheNor
thGods
areout
sidecausi
nghav
oc.Mostof
ourguysaredown."

S'Guy :
"Wel
l getmor eguy s!Ineedt o
fi
nishwhatIst ar
tedher e.Iwillnotlet
Sivuyil
einterr
uptmypl anagai n!GO!"
Her ushedt othedoor.Hest oppedon
hist r
acksandsl owlymov ed
back,Sivuy
ilewalkedinpoi nt
ingagun
athi m.Muscl emanst oodupand
tookouthi sgunf rom hispant s,just
ashewasaboutt ofir
eSi vuy i
lehad
alreadyshothi sl
ackey,heal sof i
reda
shotatMuscl eman'sar m.Icoul dn't
believemyey es.Ididn'tknowt hat
Sivuyil
ecanuseagun.Muscl eman
wasgr oani
ngont hef
loorl
ikeabul
l
thatheis.Si
vuyi
lewentontoshoot
theguyonhi sheadbefor
ehemade
hiswayt omeandmuscl eman.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iseey oudon'
tgi
veuphuh
St
hembiso. "Somuscleman'
sname
i
sSthembi so.

St
hembiso:
"I
'v
enev
erbeenonet
o
gi
veup.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Wellyoushoul
dbecause
thi
sisthelastt
imeyouwillev
erhur
t
myf amil
y.
"Thegunswer esti
l
lgoi
ng
offoutside, Iwasfr
ightenedashell.
"Comel et'sgobaby .
"Hehel douthis
hand,Ist oodupandj umpedonhi m,
myar mswer ear
oundhi sneckand
myf acewasbur ri
edinhi m,Iletmy
tear
sf l
owl ikeawaterf
all."I
t'
sokay
myl ovey ouar esaf
enow. "Hesaid
aswewal kedtothedoor .

Sthembiso:
"I
t'
snotov
erunt
ilIsays-
"
Bang!!Bang!
!

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Iti
sover
!"Idi
dn'
tevenwant
tolookathi
m,Iam goi
ngtohave
night
maresasiti
s.Wewalkedout
theroom andi ntotheli
ftthatwasi n
frontofdoor."It
'sokaybaby ,
youar e
safenow.Igot chy ou.Noonei s
goingt ohur
tyouany more.I'
m sor r
y
myl oveI'mreall
ysor r
y."The
shootingoutsi
dewasnowqui et, I
guesst heyweredeadorsomet hing.
Themi nutewegotoutt hebuilding,
Sivuyi
leputmedownandmy
brothersatt
ackedmewi t
hhugsand
kisses.

Lizwi
:
"Pri
ncess.I
'm sohappyt
osee
youali
veandkicki
ng."
○
●
BoywasIhappyt oseeaf ami li
ar
surroundi ng,Iwassohappyt obe
backhomeImi ssedev ery
thingabout
thi
spl acehel lIevenmi ssedt he
guar ds.It'
sbeenaf ewday sbuti tfel
t
l
ikeal i
feti
me, consideri
ngwhatIwent
through.Whenwepar kedthecarmy
fami l
ywasal readywai t
ingforus
outsidet hedoor -thankGodSi vuyi
l
e
gav emehi stracktopandboxer s
other wisetheywoul dhaveseenme
i
nmyunder wears.Hugsandki sses
fol
lowedbef or eIcouldevenent erthe
house, mymom di dn'twanttoletme
goshesatr i
ghtnextt ome.
Me:"
Mybodyi
stir
edIj
ustwantt
o
bat
handsl
eep.
"

Sivuyil
e:"
I'
'
llt
akeyou. "Insteadof
helpingmeup, hecar r
iedmeas
heav yasIwas.Wegott oourr oom
andhel aidmeont hebedwhi lehe
wentt orunmeabat h.Myf acewas
soreashel l
,I'
m prettysur eIhadf i
ve
fi
nger sonmyf ace.Themomentmy
brothersandSivuyileshowmyf ace
theywer emadepi ssed, butitwastoo
l
atebecauset hemanwasal ready
dead.Luzukoandhi sgoonsst ayed
behindtotakecareoft
hemesst hat
wast her
e.Hecamebackfrom the
bathroom andcl
imbedonthebed
thenhemademel ayonhi
schest,he
keptonkissingmyheadfr
om ti
met o
ti
me.

Me:"Hewant edt ohaveababywi t

h
me."Isaidafteraf ewminutesof
sil
ence."Hesai dyoumadehi swi fe
pregnantsoit'sonlyfai
rthathedoes
thesamet oy oursanddest r
oyy our
l
egacy .Iwassoscar edSivuyil
e,
Iwas
terr
if
ied."
Si
vuyi
le:
"I
t'
sokaybaby,youareher
e
nowandy ouar
esafe.He'sdeadhe
won'
thurtyouany
mor e.I'
l
lmakesure
ofi
t.
"

Me: "Hewashur ti
ngandhedi da
stupidthingtogetov erhi
shur t
.I
neverknewt hatcheat i
ngbreaksa
personlikethat,i
tcrushestheirsoul
."
Ipickedmyheadupandl ookedat
himi ntheeyes."Promiseme. "He
l
ookedatmeconf used."Pr
omi seme
thatyouwon' tcheatonme, Idon't
wantt oli
kethat."
Sivuyil
e:"
Youneedt orestbaby .You
don'thavet ostressyoursel fabout
that,y
ouhear dwhatt hedoct orsaid."
Byt hewaywedi dgopastt hedoct or
beforecomi ngbackhome." Ithink
yourwat erisreadynow.Letmego
andcheck. "Hest oodupf rom t hebed
andwentt othebathroom.
I
t'
ssogoodt
obehome!
▪
▪
▪
▪
DaddykaChul
uisnotweakbet
huna
HELLO
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t53
°
°
°
°
°

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

"Morni
ngsleepyhead.
"Islowly
openedmyey esandmetabeami ng
Sandiweari
ngonlyherunderwear
(br
a
andpanty)
.Atthatmomentmymi nd
start
edr epl
ay i
ngall
themoment s
from lastnight.TosayIwasf eeli
ng
guilt
ywoul dbeanunder st
atement,I
feltl
ikeshi t!Iwon'
tblameitonthe
alcohol becauseIknewexact l
ywhatI
wasdoi nglastnight
,IknowI
shouldn' thavedoneit,t
hereisno
excuseIshoul dn'
thavedonet hi
s.

Sandi:
"Wow!Iam soof fended,hereI
am standinginfrontofy oulooki
ng
sexyandy ouarenotev enpay ing
att
entiontome. "Ididn'thav eti
mef or
thi
s.Iquicklygotupf rom t hebedand
pushedherasi dewhi l
el ookingfor
myclot hes.Theywer escat ter
ed
aroundtheroom,Istartedwear i
ng
them whil
eSandiwat chedme
bewilder
ment.Idon'twhyshe' s
acti
ngshocked,forshedi dn'texpect
met ohavebreakfastorisitbr unch
withherandactli
keacoupl e.

Sandi:
"Wait
!Whyar eyouinsucha
hurr
y?"Shecamecl oseandheldmy
arm whichIyankedoutofher.

Me:
"Ihav
etogo.
"

Sandi
:"
aren'
tweatleastgoi
ngt
otalk
aboutl
astnight
?Youowemet hat
muchSi vuyi
l
e. "From Boss/
Mr
Dlaminit
oSi vuy i
l
e?Iguessogave
herthatpri
vi
legewhenIshov edmy
stupi
ddickinsi deher
!

Me: "
Sandil
ook,youarenotast upid
gir
l.I'
m.sur
ey oudoknowt hatwhat
happenedlastnightmeantnot hingto
me,itwasjustacasual f
ucknot hing
mor e.Ihav
eawi fethatIlovevery
verymuch."

Sandi
:
"Iknowthat!Ij
ustthoughtt
hat
wewouldsitdownanddi scussaway
for
wardfrom t
his.
"Ibuckledmybelt
.
Me:"Ther
eisnowayforwar
dSandi.
Thiswasaonceofft
hing,i
twon'
t
happenagain.
"

Sandi
:"
Whati
fIwanti
ttohappen
agai
n?"

Me:"Ihavetogo."Ididn'
tevenwai t
forhertoanswer,Itookmyphone
andwal l
etandleftthefl
at.Shi
t!Ilef
t
mycaratt hebar.Itookoutmy
phoneandr equestedanubertot he
bar.
•
"Wher
ehaveyoubeen!Doy ouknow
howworr
iedwewere."Thatwas
mom.

Me:
"Cal
m downma,
I'
m her
enow.
"

Mom: "Don'
tyoudaresayt hattome.I
nearl
yhadahear tatt
ackbecauseI
thoughtheyhadalsotakeny ou.
Sivuyi
l
ey oucan'
tbegal av
ant i
ngli
ke
thi
swhi l
eyourismissingman!
Awunangqondonawena? !(don'
tyou
haveabr ai
n?!
)"

Me:
"Geezmama,
I'
m sor
ryokay
!"
Mom: "
Ohhmybaby .
"Shegavemea
bearhug."Ir
eal
l
ythoughtt
heyt
ook
youtoo."

Me:
"I
'm her
emom,
I
'mf
ine.
"

Mom: "sies!Yousmel l l
ikeat aver
n!
Hambo' hl ambamar n.(goandt akea
bath.
)"Il ookedatherbef oreI
draggedmy selfal
l t
hewayupt omy
room.It ookof fmycl othesandl eft
them ont hefloor,Iwentst r
aightto
thebathr oom t otakeashor tcold
shower .Ineededi tafterthenightI
had.
Iwrappedat owelar
oundmyt or
so
andwentbackt otheroom,tomy
sur
prisemysi st
ersweresi
tt
ingon
mybed, Lul
amahadt heTshirtIwas
weari
ngi nherhand.

Me:"Whatareyoudoi
nghere?I
al
way stel
lyout
hatmyroom i
soff
l
imits.
"

Lumka:
"Nott
odayi
tisn'
t.
"

Lul
ama:
"Real
l
ySi
vuy
il
e?Real
l
y?"
Me:"
Real
lywhat?
"Shest
oodupand
t
hrewthetshi
rti
nmyface."
Whatt
he
f
uck?"

Lulama:"
yourwi
feismissi
ngand
wenay ougooutandpartyupa
storm wi
thsomehoe."Ohshit!Game
face!Il
ookedatheranddidn'
tbli
nk.

Me:"
Iwasn'
tpar
tyi
ngwi
thahoel
ast
ni
ght.
"

Lumka:
"Thenhowdoy
ouexpl
aint
hat
fr
eakenlipsti
ckandcheapscenton
yourtshirt
."Damn!Iqui ckl
ylookedat
myt -
shir
tandi ndeedtherewasr ed
l
ipsoni t
."Yourbitchdoesn'teven
haverespect,shejusthadtomake
herpresencefeltneh."

Lulama:"Well
,Ihopeforyoursake
thatal
lyoudidwi thherwasparty.
"I
i
nv ol
untari
l
ylookeddown." Rhaa
Sivuyi
l
e!Yousl eptwit
hher?!"

Me:
"I
twasami
stakesi
s."

Lul
ama:
"Ami
stake?Ami
stake?Sex
i
snev erami stakedumbass,
breakingaglassisami stake.
Steppingonsomeone' stoei sa
mistake,notfucki
ngcheat ingonyour
missingwife!Howcoul dy oudothat
toher?Toherofal lpeopleSivuyi
l
e."

Me:"
Iwasdrunkandangr
yokay!
"
That
'sal
lIcoul
dcomeupwith.

Lulama:"Wel
l y
oubet t
ercomeupwith
areasonableexcusewheny ou
Lunathiget
sbackher e.Notthat
therei
sanyr easonabl
eexcusefor
cheati
ngony ourwifewho'sbeen
mi
ssi
ngf
or2f
reakenday
sonl
y!
"

Me:"
No!Shecan'
tknowaboutt
his
pl
easeshewil
ll
eaveme."

Lumka:"Isur
eashel lhopeshedoes.
Youdon'tdeserveher.Nxah!"The
gavemedi sgustedlooksbeforet
hey
l
eftmyr oom,leavi
ngmef eel
ingl
ike
apieceofshit,morethanIwas
feel
ingli
keonewhenIwokeupi n
Sandi'
sbed.Whathav eIdone!
•
•
UNKOWNLOCATI
ON.
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Iwoul dbel yi
ngifIsaidIwasscar ed!
Iwasnotscar edIwaspet ri
fied!I
don'tev enknowwhatIdi dt othese
menf ort hem tokidnapme.Iwas
worriedt hatmyf amilymi
ghtnot
evenf indme, Ihavebeenher efor3
daysandt hereisnohopef orme.I
don'tev enr ememberhowt heyt ook
me, allIr ememberi sourcarcr ashing
andIbl ackedoutonl ytowakeup
hereint hisst
ranger oom t
hatonl y
hadabedandabucketwhi chI
assumedwasf ormet ouseasa
toil
et.Ihav en'teatenev ersinceIgot
hereIr efusedt oeatany t
hingthey
broughtme, Iwon' tl
i
eIwasst arvi
ng
andIdon' tknowf orhowl ongIam
goingt ohol dt hisout,Idon'twantt o
die.Oneoft heguy sthattookme
walked, hei sv eryhandsome, noI '
m
notchecki nghi m outinjustsayinghe
i
st oohandsomef orwhathei sdoing.

Man:
"Ti
metoeatpri
ncess.
"Hesaton
t
hebedwit
hthefoodonhislap.

Me:
"I
'm nothungr
y."Il
i
ed.Asi
fon
quemystomachst
art
edgr
owl
i
ng.He
chuckl
ed

Man:"Real
ly
?Wedon' twantyout o
dieofhungernow,
there'
ssti
l
l alot
thatyouhavetodofortheboss. "
Thatgotmyat t
ent
ionandscar edat
thesamet i
me.

Me:
"Wh.
..
whatdoy oumeanIhav
elot
t
odoforyourboss?"

Man:"Youwi
ll
findoutsoonenough.
Justeaty
ourf
ood."Heshovedthe
pl
ateonmyhands.Hest oodupand
wal
ked.

Me: "Whyar ey oudoi ngthis?!

"he
stoppedonhi str acks.Iputmypl ate
ont hebedandr ushedt ohi m,Ist
ood
i
nf r
ontofhi m." Tellmewhyar eyou
doingt his?Thisi scruelt
y ,ki
dnapping
someonei sacr ime. "Hel ookedat
mef orawhi l
e,hisst aremademeso
uncomf ort
ableIl ookedaway .

Man:"Eaty ourfoodpri
ncess.
"He
pushedmeont hesideandwalked
outther oom, Ihear
ditl
ock.Iwas
defeated,Iwentt osi
tonmybedand
at
emyfood.Iwasstarv
ingandI
di
dn'
twanttodi
e,Ist
il
lhadhopet
hat
Iwi
ll
befound.
Iwonderwhatt hatguywast alki
ng
aboutwhenhesai dIstil
lhaveal otto
dof orhisboss.Wai t!Didhemean
theyaregoi ngtosell me?Am Igoi ng
tobef orcedtopr osti
tutemy self?No
no!Itcan'tbethat,Irefusetobe
negative,
may behemeantsomet hi
ng
else.Butwhat ?!I
t'ssoconf usi
ng
causeIdon' tevenknowwhyt hey
tookme, butIdoknowhehasbeef
withsomeonecl oset omeandt his
couldbehi swayofav enginghi mself
.
Iam caughti nthecr ossfi
re.Ican't
evensleeppr operl
ycauseIam
scaredofwhatmi ghthappenwhil
eI
am sleeping,theymightkil
lmeor
worser apeme.I '
dratherdi
ethanbe
raped,i
magi nehav i
ngtolivewi
ththat
painandt hosehorribl
ememor i
es.
○
"HiBoitumel o.
"Abuf fguywal kedin,
hewast heonet hatwast al
kingt he
mostt heot herdaysoIassumedi t
the'boss'.Iwasalreadyshaking
whenhegott owhereIwassi tting.
"I
'm gladtoseet hatyouf i
nal
lyat e.I
wasst arti
ngt ogetwor r
ied.
"Icoul dn'
t
speakbecauseIwassoscar ed.
Guy:
"I'
m sureyoumustbewonder ing
whyyouarehere."DamnrightIam.I
nodded."
Don'tbescared,
Iwon'thurt
you.
"Asif!

Me:
"Pl
easet
ell
mewhyIam her
e."

Guy:
"Pat
iencedear
,youwi
l
lfi
ndout
soonenough."

Me:"Whydidyout akeme?Ididn'
tdo
anyt
hingt
oy ou.Idon'tev
enknow
you.
"
Guy:"
Ohbutsomeonecl osetoyou
doesknowmeandhedi dme
wrong,sobad.Andyoumydearare
goi
ngt ohavetopaythepri
ce."

Me:
"Whyme?
"

Guy:"
Causeyouar
etheper
fect
candi
datetogi
vemewhatIwant.
"

Me:"
andwhatthehelli
sthat
?!!
"I
coul
dn'
tcont
rolmyanger.Hegave
meanamusedl ooked.
Guy:"Whoknewt haty
ouhadsucha
burningf
irei
ny ou.Wellthisi
sgoing
tobeexciti
ng.Icanwai ttobegi
nwith
mypl an.
"

Me:"Pl
ease,
Iam beggi
ngy
ou.
"He
si
ghed.

Guy:"Fi
ne!Ifyoumustknow, meand
youar egoingtomakeababy
tomor r
owandaf tergi
vingbi r
thIdon'
t
knowwhatIwi l
ldowithy ou,Imight
kil
lyouorsomet hing.
"Hesai dso
casuallyasifhedidn'
tjusttel
lmet he
mosthor
rifi
cnewsev er
!Myheart
waspoundingandtearswerer
oll
i
ng
downmyf ace.Mynightmar
eisabout
tocometr
ue, bei
ngraped!
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

"What ?!Whywoul dhet akemywi f

e?"
Luzukohadj usttoldmet hathe
foundoutwhot ookmybaby .
Fortunat el
yforme, Luzukohasoneof
hisguy splacedi neachofhi srival
s
gang/ crewjusttobeont hesaf eside
ontogetsomei ntel.Andt hi
stime,
whenheaskedhi scr
ewt ohel
plook
formywife,oneofhi
smani nt
he
gangthattookLunat
higavehi
mt he
i
nfotoday.

Luzuko:
"Causeyoufuckedhi
swi
fe
andgav eherababy
.Andnowshe's
gone."

Me:
"Nononono.Whatdoeshewant
wi
thmywife?He'
sprobl
em iswi
th
meandnotLunat
hi.Whati
shegoing
t
odowithher.
"

Luzuko:
"Whatdoy
out
hink?
"He
l
ookedatme.No!Isatdownont
he
sof
a

Me:"
No!Wehav etostophim man,
wehavetostophi
m! !
"Ifel
tmychest
ti
ght
eni
ng,Iwasfeel
inghot.Iwas
angr
yandfrust
rat
edatthesame
ti
me.

Luzuko:
"Wewill
.Mymani sgoingto
sendmeal ocat
ionofwheretheyare
keepi
ngherthenwewill
got here.
"

Me:
"Wheni
shesendi
ngi
t.
"
Luzuko:"assoonasheget san
opportunitytodoso."Iwant edtoget
thelocationASAP, Ineededt ogetmy
wifeputoft her
ebef orethi
nggetout
ofcont r
ol."Whydidn'tyouthinkof
him asasuspect ?Imeanhehas
donet hi
st oyourfami l
ybefore.
"

Me:"
Ithoughthewasov erme
sl
eepi
ngwi thhiswi
fe,It
houghthe
gothi
srevengewhenhet ookLumka
andNomt handazo(
Themba'ssi
ster
).
"

Luzuko:
"Whatdi
dhedot
othem?
"
Me:"Nothi
ng.Wewer eabletosave
them r
ightonti
me.Ican'tbel
ievet
his
weakmot herf
ucker!Howdarehe!I
am goingtokil
lhi
m withmybare
hands."

Luzuko:"welly
oubet t
erprepare
yourselfthenbecauseIjustgotthe
l
ocat i
on.Suitup,Iam goingtogather
upt hecrew."Hedidn'thavetotel
lme
twice.Iwasalreadyuponmyf eet.
Timet ogetmywi f
eback.
•
°
•
°
I
sourpri
ncessgoi
ngt
ocomeback
i
ntact
?Mmmh

#TCOB
Iwil
lpostanot herone
tomorrow,becauseabantube25
bayahola av ebebahl eguy
sabantu
be25!Ni bahl
eni yevaand
ndiy
anithandamar n! JOKES.
..I
l
ovey ouallpeeps.Butdoexpect
anotheronetomor row
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t55
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Shewasf i
nall
yasl
eep,well
Ihadto
givehersl
eepi
ngtabl
etstoensur
e
thatshegetsagoodrest
.Islowl
ygot
offthebedandwentouttheroom
closi
ngthedoorasgentl
yasIcan
behindme.Iwentdowntot he
kit
chenwher
emysistersandBont
le
werebusypr
epar
ingdinnerf
ort
he
famil
y.

Bont
le:
"Howi
sshe?
"

Me:"She'ssti
l
l t
raumati
zed,butIgav
e
hersleepingtabl
etsandthey
knockedherouti mmediately.
"

Bont
le:
"Ishoul
dgoandstaywi
thher
i
mcaseshewakesupf r
om a
ni
ght
mar e."
Me:
"Iwasaboutt
ogobackup.
"

Bont
le:
"Nahi
t'
scool,
Ijustwantt
o
hol
dherandbeclosetoher.
"

Lumka:
"Ai
bowear
ecooki
ngher
e."

Bontl
e:"
I'
vedonemybi
thl
efr
iend,
I
'm
donenow."

Lumka:
"Peel
i
ngoni
onsi
syour
bi
t,
wow!"

Bont
le:
"Ey
a(y
es)
,t
hatr
equi
resa
specialki
ndofskill
soy oushouldbe
greatful
lthatIwasavail
abletodo
thatsinceAsehererefused."We
l
aughed.

Ase:
"mandi
ngaf
akwamnabo.
"

Lul
ama:"
Hambav
eley
ouar
eusel
ess
vel
e."

Bontle:"
Youar ehurti
ngmyf eel
ings
fr
iend,butsincey ouinsistonme
goingIwi l
l doexactl
yt hat.
"She
quicklyexistedthekitchenleav
ingus
cracking.Thatonei sachar act
er.
Lul
ama: "
I'
m gladtoseeherbackt o
hernormalselfbei
ngstupidas
al
way s.Shewasnott hesameev er
si
nceshef oundoutaboutLunathi'
s
di
sappearance."

Me:"
Yeahneh.Thatdi
dtakeat
oll
on
al
lofus.
"

"
Asenat
hi!
"

Ase:"
Ndi
yeza!
"Shesai
dirr
it
atedas
hel
l.Wel
aughedatherasshelef
tthe
ki
tchenst
ompi
ngherf
eetl
i
keal
i
ttl
e
ki
d.

Lumka: "
didshej ustsayndiy
ezato
mom? "IchuckledcauseIknowv ery
wellwhatf ol
lowswheny ousay
'
ndiyeza'tomymom i nst
eadof
answer i
ngproper l
ywhenshecal l
s
you.

Lulama:
"So?Didy
out ell
her
?"She
sai
dafterafewminutesofsi
lence.I
knewwhatshewast alki
ngabout.

Me:
"Ofcour
senot
.She'
sst
il
lfr
agi
l
e
fr
om whatshejustwentt
hrough,
I
am nott
hatinsensi
ti
vesi
si.
"

Lul
ama:
"coul
d'
vef
ool
edme.
"

Lumka:"Youshoul dhavetol
dher
though,
sot hatshedealswith
everyt
hingi nbulk.I
nst
eadofyou
waiti
ngf orhertohealbefor
ey ouhit
herwithanot hermassivebl
owt hati
s
goingtocr ushher .
"

Me:
"Look,
I'
ll
tel
lherokay
!"
Lumka:
"When?
"

Me:
"Att
her
ightt
ime.
"

Lumka:
"Ther
eisnori
ghtti
meSivuyi
l
e!
Youhavetomaketheti
mer i
ght
."

Me:"
OhIsee,y
ouguyswanthert
o
l
eavemeneh?Whydoy ouwantt
o
dest
roymyhappi
nesssomuch?"

Lulama:"
ungakuli
ngeusiny
elet
hina
Sivuyi
l
e!(
don'tyoudareshi
tonus!)
Didwesendy outogoandshove
yourdi
ckint hathoe'
sv agi
na?No!
Youaretheonewhoi sdestroy
ing
yourownhappi ness.Rha
usi
qhelakakubiyazi!
"Iswall
owed
hard.

Lumka:
"Yazi
uyasi
nyel
any
ani
,
nxah!
"

Me:"
I'
m scaredokay, Idon'
twantto
l
oseher.Shemi ghtleavemeaf t
er
shehearsaboutthisandy ouknow
whatMaNdekasai dabouther."

Lumka:
"wel
lshedoesn'
tknowwhat
MaNdekasai
dright
?"Inodded"
so
whyar
ey ouworr
ied.She'
sgonna
st
aywit
hy ounomat t
erwhat
."

Me:"Butwemighthav
etogobackt
o
squareone.
"

Lumka: "
thensobei t
.Wenay ouowe
i
tt othatgir
ltotel
lherthet
ruthand
startevery
thingonacleanslat
e."

Lul
ama:"amarr
iagebui
l
tonl
i
esi
snot
heal
thy
,tr
ustmeIknow."

Me:
"Iwi
l
ltel
lher
."
Lumka:
"Yousur
e?"

Me: "
Yes."Iwasn'tsur
eaboutthi
s.I
didn'
twantt olosemywi f
e.Iknow
whatIdidwasst upi
d,onest
upid
nightmightthatcostmemyent ir
e
happiness,mywi f
e.Whatam Igoi
ng
todo.
●
○
FEW DAYSLATER

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Thesepastf ewday shav ebeenabi t
hardforme, Iwasal waysjumpyand
onhighal ertIcoul dn'tr
elaxatal l
.
Every
timeIwoul dhearasoundI
wouldst artgetti
ngscar edandj ump
up,
butSi vuyiletri
edhi sbestt o
assuremet hatnoonei sgoi ngt o
hurtmeandt hatSt hembisoi sdead.
Thenight mar eswer enotreall
yas
badasIt houghtt heywoul d
be,
may besleepingnextt omyl oved
onedoeshel pwi tht hat
.Myf acewas
complet elyhealed, nomor ebl ueey e
andtheswel li
nghadcompl etelywent
down, Iwasbackt obeingf l
atf ace
Boi
ty.

"Comeoncheerupy ouaregoingto
bef i
ne."ThatwasSi vuyi
l
etryi
ngto
givemea' pep' t
alk.Todaywast he
dayf ormet ogobackt oschool,I
wasnotr eall
ylookingf orwar
dt othat
part.I'
vebeensul ki
ngt hewhole
mor ningandSi v
uy i
lehasbeent ry
ing
togetmei nthatschool spi
ri
t/
mood
butitwasnotwor king.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Doyouknowhowugl yyou
l
ookwheny ouaresulki
ng?
"Ilooked
athi
m."Youaregoingtobejustfi
ne
baby
."

Me:" NoI'
m not,I
'm surepeopleare
goingt obetal
kingaboutmeal lov
er
campus, i
m suresomeoft hem have
evenmadeupst upi
dscenar i
osin
theirheads.I
'm notreadySivuyi
le.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Youar ebaby,
y oujustdon't
knowi tyet.Sowhatiftheymakeup
stori
esaboutwhathappened, you
knowwhathappenedsopaynomi nd
tothem.I t
'snotli
kewhatt heysayis
goingtoaf fect
ingyouinanywaynow
i
si t
?"Ishookmyhead." Good.Now
getyoursexybehi
ndtot
hatcarso
thatIcandropyouof
fatschool
."Il
et
outaheavysigh.

Me:
"Fi
ne.
"

Siv
uy i
le:"
Comeon, givemet hat
beautifulsmileofy ours."Ifakeda
smile."Ididn'tsayaf akeone. "I
shruggedmyshoul ders."Youdon't
wantt osmi leforyourhandsome
husband? "

Me:
"Ther
e'snor
easont
osmi
l
efor
."
Sivuyil
e:"YuuhIam hur t,soIam nota
goodenoughr eason.Mmmhokay .
"I
want edt olaughsobadbutIdi dn'
t
wantt o,Iwashoppi ngt hatifhesees
thatIam unhappyaboutgoi ngback
toschool hemi ghtsayIcangoback
whenIam r eady ."May bei fIdance
foryou,youwi llsmile."Hepl ay eda
songonhi sphoneandst art
ed
dancing.Icoul dn'tholdi tinany more
Ijustbur stoutwi t
hl aught er.Hewas
doingt hosebal l
etmov esandboy
washehor ri
ble.
Me:
"st
op!Youar
esobadatt
his.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ichoset
hewr
ongsong
baby
."

Me:"Youcan'
tdancet
osav
eyourl
i
fe
babe.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Heh!Awazi ni
xwena,ndi
ngu
maj ai
vanawel astnumber(
youdont
knowany thi
ng, Iam t
hebestdancer
ever.)
"

Me:
"Yeahr
ight
."
Sivuyi
le:
"Youdon' tbeli
veme?Me
andy oushoul dhaveadanceof f
whenIam f ree,wewi l
ll
etChulube
thejudgeoft hisdanceoff.
"Ilaughed
onceagai n,hej oi
nedme." I
t'
ssogood
toseey oul aughl i
kethisagai
n.I
missedt his."Iblushed.

Me:
"Yeah,
I'
m gl
adI
'
m back.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"al
ri
ghtmadam,l
et'
sgo."I
tookmybagandhel edt
hewayt o
thecar,wegotint
othecaranddrove
offwit
hSi zwefol
l
owingbehindusin
anot
hercar
.
AsIhadpr edictedpeopl ewere
tal
kingaboutme, themi nuteI
steppedf ootintot hecampust he
whisper sst art
edt heywer elookingat
mei npi tyandIhat edit!Icoul
dn't
standt hest ares, Iuppedmypace
andr ushedt oclassasIwasal ready
l
atef ort hecruel lecturer'
sclass.
Surprisinglyhedi dn'tchasemeout
whenIgoti n,
hej ustl ookedatme
andsmi ledbef oret ell
ingmet ogo
andt akeaseat .Isatnextt osome
girl
,Itookoutmybooksandf aced
fowar dt olectureronl ytobemetby
hisey es, hesmi ledonceagai nand
noddedthenhecar
ri
edonwit
hthe
l
esson.Thatwasweir
dashel
l.
3hour slat
erthelessonended,I
stayedbehindasMrI shwakgav eme
notesIwasgoi ngtoneedf ort
hetest
.
Heexpl ai
nedaf ewofthosenotes
tr
y i
ngtogetmeupt ospeedwi t
h
everyt
hingtheydidinclass.
Iwentoutt
hecl
asstogoandj
oin
Zi
ntl
eandAsenat
hi.

Zint
le:
"I
m sohappyt
oseey
ououtof
thehouse.
"

Me:
"Yeahhey
,i
twast
imet
omov
e
on.
"

Ase:
"It
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngt
otake
afewweeksbreak.
"

Me:
"Fewweeks?Hah!Ist
il
lhav
e
t
est
st owr
it
e."

Ase:"i
fitwasme, Iwouldhav estayed
athomef or3whol eweeksuntilIfeel
l
ikeIhav erecovered.Imaginebeing
kidnappedandhav i
ngt ogobackt o
schooljustafewday saft
erbeing
found!Whuuui tcannev erbeme. "
Wel aughed.
Me:
"Youar
esodr
amat
ic.
"

Asenat
hi:
"Woah!Di
dy ouseet
hat?
!"
welookedatwhereshewaspoint
ing.

Me:
"What
?"

Ase:"
Busani
.Hewasaboutt
opass
here,
buthesawusandi
mmediatel
y
tur
nedback."

Zee:
"What
?Real
l
y?That
'sashock.
"
Ase:"
Tellmeaboutit
.Iwonderwhat
happened,phel
atheBusaniIknow
wouldbeher ebei
nganuisanceas
al
way s.
"

Me:"Iwon'
tsayIam complai
ning
abouthimturni
ngbackshame, Iam
notinthemoodf orhi
snonsense
today.
"
Wesati nthecafeteri
aconv ersing
aboutthi
ngsImi ssedoncampus, not
thatt
herewasany t
hinginterestingI
missed.Theyalsogav emeanupdat e
ontheirr
elati
onships,
Asenat hiisstil
l
verymuchi narelati
onshipwi thwi t
h
Markandhermi ni
sterofFinance
whil
eZintl
eisst i
ll
goingst rongwi
th
Thami.Iwasjustgladt hatwhatever
nonsenseshehadwi t
hThabo
ended,
Thabor eall
ylookslikeheli
kes
hi
snewgi r
lfr
iend.
Wehadt womor eclassesbef orewe
wer edonefortheday .Igotat ext
from Sivuy
il
etelli
ngmet hathei s
goingt obelat
et oni
ght,Iwasn' ti
n
themoodofgoi nghomeany waysoI
toldSizwetodrivestr
aightt oZC.
Igreet
edStel
laatr
ecepti
on,Igoti
nto
ali
ftandwentstr
aightt
ohisoffi
ce.
Thisti
mearoundhisPAwasi nthe
fr
ontdesk,
it'
smyf i
rstt
imeseeing
herandImustsayshei sreal
ly
beauti
ful
.She'
sthattypet
hatwould
makewomenf eeli
nsecur
ewi t
hjust
sneezi
ng,t
hat'
showbeautiful
sheis.
Andshehasabangi ngbodytoo!
Damn!Iforgothername.

Me:"Hi,
isSivuyil
ein?"Shehadher
backonme, shewasbusysor tingout
fi
lesinthedr awers.Shestopped
whatshedoi ngandt ur
nedtolookat
me.Icoul dn'
treall
yreadherfacial
expression,
butitwasnotent i
rely
fr
iendly.
PA:
"Excuseme?
"Par
donshemeans.

Me:"
Siv
uyi
l
e,i
shei
nhi
sof
fi
cer
ight
now?"

PA:"Whowant stoknow?"Ibetyoua
mill
iondoll
arsthatsheknowsexactl
y
whoIam, butforsomereasonshe's
tr
yingtoactfreshwithme.

Me:
"I
sSivuyi
leinornot?"Ichanged
t
omymeanf ace.Shelookedatme
wi
thabitofatti
tudebefor
eshet ook
t
hetel
ephoneandpr essedanumber .
PA:"MrDlamini,t
here'
sagi r
lwho's
heretoseey ou..
..
.ohokaysir.
"Girl
?!
Heh!I'
mj ustgladthatsheaddresses
MYhusbandi napr of
essionalway.
"Youcangot hrough."Whatisthis
gir
l'
sproblem.Imademywayt o
Sivuyi
l
e'soffi
ce,hewassitti
ngont he
couchandt hecof f
eetableinfrontof
him waswhi t
ewi thpaperwork.

Me:"
Hel
l
obusybee.
"Hel
ookedup
al
mosti
mmediat
ely
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Baby
."Isatnextt
ohi
m.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"

Me:"
Ididn'
tfeel
li
kegoinghome
wi
thoutyou."Hechuckl
ed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Imustbespeci
al.
"

Me:"
Onlytodaymi
ster
,don'
tgett
oo
exci
ted.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Youenj
oyhur
ti
ngmy
feeli
ngsneh?"

Me:
"al
ot,
i
tgi
vesmepl
easur
eseei
ng
y
ouhur
t.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yoh!Womany ouaredark!
"
Welaughed."Youdi
dn'tev
engiveme
mykisswheny ouwalkedinher
e."

Me:
"Iwoul
d,buty
ourPAspoi
l
edmy
mood.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
What
?..
..Wh-whatdi
dshe
do?"Hepani
cked.

Me:"
calm down,shedi
dn'
tdo
any
thingbad.Shewasgiv
ingme
at
ti
tudet
hroughoutouri
nter
act
ion.
"
Heseemedtorelaxabit
.

Si
vuy
ile:"
Oh.Areyousur
eyouar
enot
i
maginingthi
ngs?
"

Me:"Ofcour
senot.Sheevenpr
etend
l
ikeshedoesn'
tknowmeandshe
cal
ledmeagi r
l!
"Helookedatmeand
l
aughed.

Sivuyi
le:
"Soyouareact
ual
l
ymadat
thefactthatshecal
l
edyouagi
rl
?"
Me:"
Im seri
ousher
e.Idon'
tl
ikeher
at
ti
tude."

Sivuy
il
e:"
Ify
oudon'
tl
ikeheratt
it
ude
thenIal
sodon'
tli
keit
."Good!"
Ineed
togetmyoldPAback."

Me:"
Woah!Ididn'
tsayfi
rethegir
l,
j
usttel
lhert
ogethersel
finorder.
Nextti
meIwon'tbesonicetoher."

Sivuyi
le:
"I
'l
lj
ustmovehertoanother
department,y
ouareact
ual
lynotthe
fi
rstpersontocomplai
nabouther
atti
tude.
"Ohshemustbebadt hen.
Me:"Oh,don'
tsayI'
mt heonewho
i
nfluencedyourdeci
si
onheh."He
chuckled.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Comeher e.
"Hehel
dmy
handandmademest andupandsi
t
onhislap."DoyouknowhowmuchI
l
oveyou? "Ibl
ushed.

Me:
"Idon'
t.
"Heti
ckl
edmemaki
ng
melaughoutl
oud.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ilov
eyoumor
ethanl
i
fe
i
tself.YouandChul uar emy
l
ife,
wi thouty ouIwoul dn'tbeabl eto
function.Youar emyr easont osmi l
e
andlaugh, thej oyt haty oubringt o
myl i
fei sunexpl ainable.Idon'tt hi
nkI
wouldhandl elosi ngy ou,you'
v emade
mef all deepi nl ov ewithy ouinsuch
ashor tamountoft i
me.Il ovey ouso
muchLunat hi Dlami ni."Hewas
l
ookingst r
aighti ntomyey es,I
couldn' thelpmysel fasmyey esgot
alit
tlebi tt
eary.Iwasal sofall
ingv ery
deepI nl ov
ewi thhi m andIjustcan' t
helpmy sel
f.

Me:
"Youdon'
thav
etowor
ryabout
l
osingme, Iam notgoingany where.
"
Hebr oughtmyheaddownt ohislevel
asourl i
pscolli
ded,somuchemot i
on!
"Babearey oucryi
ng?"IaskedasI
brokethekiss.Helaidhisheadon
myboobsashi sarmswer earound
mywai st."
Ar eyouokay?"Thi
swas
shocking,I
'veneverseenhiml i
kethi
s
befor
e.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Idon'
twantt
olosey
ou.
"
Whati
sheonabout.

Me:"
Youwon'tmyl
ove,
Ipr
omise
you.
"Iki
ssedhi
sheadbef
ore
br
ushi
ngi
tgent
ly.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Letsgohome,Ij
ustwantt
o
l
iei
nbedwithyouandChuluf
orthe
whol
enight
."Hewasreal
l
yscari
ng
me.

Me:"
Babe,areyouokay?Youare
scar
ingme. "Herai
sedhisheadfr
om
mybr east
s

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
mf i
nemylove."Hepecked
onmyli
ps."Let
'sj
ustgetoutofhere.
"
Hemadest
andup,
thenhewentt
o
histabl
etotakehisbel
ongi
ngs.I
tookmybagandwewentoutoft he
offi
ce,t
heassi
stantwassti
l
lsi
tti
ng
onherdesk."Sandicl
eanupmy
offi
ce,I
'
m goi
nghome. "

Sandi
:
"Sir
?"Shestoodupalmost
i
mmedi at
ely
."It
houghtyouwere
goi
ngtowor kunt
ill
atet
onight
?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Changeofplans.Andplease
setupaconferencecallwi
ththe
Durbanteam f
ortomorrowat12."

Sandi
:
"butsi
r-"
Siv
uyi
l
e:"Thatwi
llbeallSandi
."That
wascold,
itmustbebecauseofwhatI
tol
dhi
m abouther."Comebaby ."He
hel
dmyhandaswel ef
ttheoffi
ce.
●
Whenwegothome, heaskedf or
Chul ufrom omama.Wewentt oour
room andchangedi ntocomf ortabl
e
clothes,bei
ngpj amasf orme, thenwe
spentt hewhol eev eningi nther oom
bondi ngasaf ami ly.Thiswast he
highli
ghtoft hey ear,spendingqual i
ty
ti
mewi thmyl i
ttlefami ly.Withthem I
feelcompl ete,iknowi t
'sonlybeena
fewmont hsbutt heconnect i
onIhave
withSi vuyilei sdeepert hana
ti
mef rameandt helov eIhav efor
Chului sbey ondwor ds,that'
swhy
theycompl eteme.Ij ustcouldn't
i
magi nel ifewi thoutt hem, t
hat'
swhyI
praytoGodev eryni ghtthathe
protectsandkeepmyf amilyatall
ti
mes, Ialsopr ayf ormymar ri
ageI
praythatweov ercomeanyobst acl
e
thatwecomeacr ossandt hatwedo
notlettempt ationdest r
oywhatwe
have.Oneobst acl ethatIdoubtwe
woul dov er comet houghi s
unfaithfulness, Idon' tknowwhatI
woul ddoi fIf oundoutt hatmy
husbandhasbeenunfai
thfult
othat
wouldbreakme,
butatthi
spointI
don'
tthi
nkthati
t'
ssomet hi
ngthat
wouldhappenItr
ustmyhusband.
•
•
•
•
•

HeheUt
hini
uLunat
hinget
rust
,Lol
.
☆
☆
SORRYGUYSFORTHEDELAY,
IAM
GOINGTHROUGHTHEMOSTATTHE
MOMENT.STRESSLEVELSARESO
HIGHRNWHI CHMEANMY
CREATIVEJUI
CESARENOT
FLOWINGASICAN'TTHI
NKOF
ANYTHINGBUTWHATIAM GOING
THROUGHRN.HOPEYOUWI LL
ENJOYTHISONE♥
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t56
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Whoknewt hatmeSi v uyil

eLeon
Dlamini wouldbet hiswhi pped?That
i
saquest ionIgotf r
om mydear
fri
ends,thatwasaf tertheysawa
pict
ureIpost edonI nst agram.We
tookal otofpict
ur esdur ingour
familyti
meandIdeci dedt oposta
fewont hegram.I'm notr eall
ya
socialmedi aperson,butbecauseI
havet okeepmyi mager elev
antand
poppingIhav enochoi cebutt otryto
beasact i
veasIcan-mypubl i
cist
's
advi
ce.I
'mj ustgl
adthatLunathi
fi
nall
ydecidedtobeonsoci almedi
a
ful
lti
me,t
hatmeansIcant akeaback
seatandletherdoallt
hingsthat
havetodowi thsoci
almedi a.
Ihadjustdr
oppedheroffoncampus
andIwasnowdr iv
ingtowork
j
ammi ngtoAKA'salbum.Mydear
cousi
ndecidedtodist
urbmy
j
ammi ngsessi
onbycal l
i
ngme.

Me:
"mnt
asekhay
a."

Ase:
"bhut
'
wam omhl
e
endi
mthanday
o.(
myhandsome
br
otherwhom Il
ove.
)"Ohher
ewego!

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Ase:
"WhosaidIwantanythi
ng?Can't
agir
lcal
lherbr
otherandshowhi m
somelovewit
houtbeingaccusedof
wanti
ngsomethi
ng."

Me:"
Thatgi
rli
sdef
ini
tel
ynoty
ou.So
onceagai
n,
whatdoyouwant?
"

Ase:
"not
hing.
"
Me:
"Ohokay
.By
eby
ekesi
s'
wam.
"

Ase:
"Wai
t!
"

Me:
"Yi
ntoni
?(What
?)"

Ase:
"Okayfi
neyougotme,Ineeda
smal
lanyanafav
ourf
rom y
ou."

Me:"
Yourf
avour
sar
enev
ersmal
l
Ase.
"

Ase:"
Theyal
waysare.I
'
venever
askedforahugef
avourfr
om you.
"
Me:"
ohhhreal
ly?Soaski
ngmet o
hi
dethefactt
hatyoufai
ledgrade11
andyouwantedtobuyaf akerepor
t
car
dwasnotahugef avour?"I
magine!

Ase:"
Haybhut
ilet
'sl
etby
gonesbe
bygones.
"

Me:"
OkayMr
sBy
gone,
whatdoy
ou
want?"

Ase:
"Youthatwearecl
osetogoi
ng
toourfi
rstt
erm br
eakr
ight
?"
Me:
"Tr
imest
ery
oumean?
"

Ase:
"What
ever
!"

Me:"
andyouthi
nkIwi
l
lhel
pyouaf
ter
youj
ustsai
dthat?
"

Ase:
"i
yohokay
,uxol
okebhut
i.
"

Me:"
mmmh. "Iparkedmycari
nthe
par
kingl
ot."
Thetha(t
alk)
"
Ase:"okay,
soher e'
sthet
hingneh.I
don'twantt ogobackhomengoku
ngoMar ch,Ialr
eadyhaveplansfor
theseholidays.
"

Me:"
somnandi ngenaphi
?(wher
edoI
goti
nalloft
his?)
"Iknewwhatwas
coming.

Ase:"
Iwaswonder i
ngifyoucouldtel
l
dadthatIam goi
ngt ost
aybyy our
housetheseholi
dayswit
hNat hi
."She
sai
dsof ast
!

Me:
"Eh!Youwantmet
oli
etoTanci
?"
Ase:"
Pleasehl
ebhut
i,
it
'sf
oragood
cause.
"

Me:"andwhatcauseisthat?
Shackingupwit
hy ourI
ndianguy
."

Ase:
"Fi
rstofal
lhi
snotIndi
an,okay
!
AndsecondlyI
'
m notgoingtodothat.
Ij
ustwanttoexpl
oreDurbanbhuti
."

Me:
"Youknowhowyourf
atheri
s,
he
wi
ll
justsayy
oucomewit
hLunathi
."
Ase:"
Youwillsayyouhavetogoout
oftownforabusinessmeetingso
youcan'
tleavethehouseunattended
andyoucan'tleav
eNathionher
own."Il
aughed

Me:"Yourstor
ydoesn'
tmakesense
wena.Yourdadwi l
lj
ustsayyoubot
h
shouldcomebackhomeort hatI
shouldtakeLunat
hiwit
hme."

Ase:"
Yuuuh!Whyareyoushoot
ing
downmysuggestions.
"Shesounded
i
rri
tat
edwhichmademel augh.
Me:"
Im sor
rysi
siIcan'
thel
pyou.Ask
Li
khotohelpyou.
"Likhoi
sherolder
br
other
.

Ase:"
Iwantt
ostayher
einJobur
g
nj
e,noti
nCapeTown."

Me:
"Ai
keandazi
kenam.
"

Ase:"
mxm t hanksf ornothing.Byt
he
wayy ourcaptiononI nstagram
sucks!"Shehungup.Il aughedather
dramat i
cass.Andhowdar eshediss
mycapt ion,
thatcaptionwast he
sweetestshor tcapti
onev er!
Iwalkedi
ntot
hebui
l
dingf
eel
i
ngon
topofthewor
ld.

Me:
"Goodmor
ningSt
ell
a."

Stel
la:
"Goodmor ningboss."Shesai
d
withthebri
ghtestsmi l
e.Ist
il
ldon'
t
getwhymostoft hepeoplewhowor k
herecallmeboss/ bossman."You
l
ookv eryhappytoday."

Me:
"whatcanIsay
,l
if
eisgood.
"

St
ell
a:"
Icanseet
hat
."
Me:"Coul
dyoupleasecallPam and
askifshecoul
dcomebackt owork
earl
y?"Pam i
smyor i
ginalPA,she
tooka6mont hsleav
ebecauseher
motherwassickbackhomesoshe
hadtogoandt akecareofher.

Stel
l
a:"
Youarei
nluck.Shecame
backfr
om Zi
my est
erday.
"Great
!

Me:"
That
'sgr
eatnews.Callherand
t
ell
herherj
obiswait
ingforher."
St
ell
a:"
Uhm si
r,
whataboutSandi
?"

Me:"
Placehersomewhereinthe
company.Maybegiveheran
i
nter
nshiporsomethi
ng."

St
ell
a:"
Arey
ousur
e?"

Me:"YesSt
ell
a.ImeanPam was
boundtocomebackright
?"

St
ell
a:"
Isuppose.Igetr
ightoni
tsi
r.
"

Me:
"Good.Enj
oyt
her
estofy
ourday
."
Isaidwit
hasmi l
e."Holdtheli
ft
!"I
rushedi
ntotheli
ftasIgreeted
peoplewhowereinthere.Mymood
i
mmedi atel
ychangedwhenIsaw
SandiasIjumpedofftheelevatoron
myf l
oor.

Sandi:
"Mor
ning.
"Shesai
dinav
ery
seducti
vet
oneandsmi l
e.

Me:
"Hi
.Doy ouhaveanymassages
f
orme?"Isaidwit
hastrai
ghtf
ace.

Sandi
:
"YesIdo.
"Shef
iddl
eonher
deskt
henshegavemeacoupl
eof
not
es.

Me:
"Ihopey
oudi
dn'
tfor
gett
osetup
t
hatcal
l.
"

Sandi
:"
Boardr
oom wi
l
lber
eadyf
or
youattwel
ve.
"

Me:"I
'l
lusemyof f
ice.
"Iturnedand
walkedstraighttomyof fi
ce.I'
ve
neverreal
isedhowdul lthi
sof fi
cei
s,I
needpicturesont hesewal ls.Ij
ust
gotabr i
ll
iantidea!"Sandicould
pl
easecomei nher ef
orasec. "I
droppedthet elephone.Shecamei n
Sandi
:
"Yessi
r.
"

Me:" Domeaf avourplease,

Iam
goingt oemaily
out wo
pi
ct ures,
dur
inglunchgot ot
hephoto
studioandenlargethosetwopict
ures
andf ramethem."

Sandi:
"Ohal
ri
ghtt
hensi
r.Iwi
l
lwai
t
foryouremai
l.
"

Me:"
Good.
"Itookoutmyl
aptopand
pl
acedonthewall
.Thi
sgi
rlwassti
l
l
st
andi
ngt
her
e."
Ist
her
esomet
hing
el
se?"

Sandi
:"
Ohuh,Nosir
.Iwasj
ust
wonderi
ngifyour
eadyour
messages?
"

Me:"Oht hat,Iwil
lgettothem ina
minute.
"Shesmi ledandnodded
beforeshel eftt
heof fi
ce.Iswitched
onmyl apt opthenItookt hesmal l
papersthatshegav etome.Whatt he
fuckisthis?!"Myof f
icenow! "Cli
ck!
Shewal kedi n,
actual
lyscratch
that,
shedi dacatwalkal l
thewayt o
mydesk,but
chev enhadthenervet
o
l
ockthedoor.Icouldn'
thel
pbut
not
icethatafewbut t
onsofhershi
rt
wereundone,
Icouldclear
lyseeher
cl
eavage.

Sandi
:
"Youcal
l
ed,
si
r.
"Iswal
l
owed.

Me:"
UhWhatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?"Ihel
d
outt
henot
.

Sandi:
"Amessagef
rom met oyou.
"
Shewalkedtomysideandsatin
fr
ontofmeonmydesk, herski
rt
automati
cal
l
ywentupexposingher
t
highs."
It
'ssexy
."

Me:
"I
t'
suhm.
..
it
suhi
nappr
opr
iat
e."

Sandi:
"Why ?Iwasjustbeinghonest,
I
domi ssy ourbigj
uicydi
ck."Iswear
thi
swasget ti
ngmeabi thot."Don'
t
youmi ssmynana?CauseIknowi t
missesy ourroger
."

Me:"
Nevereversendmet hatki
ndof
messageeveragain!I'
my ourboss
andwhatyouaredoi ngisnot
prof
essi
onal
."
Sandi
:"
Professi
onal
?Whydi
dn'
tyou
thi
nkofthatwhenyouwer
epoundi
ng
i
nme."

Me:"
Itol
dyout
ofor
getaboutt
hat
ni
ght.
"

Sandi:
"HowcanIdaddy .I
'
venev er
beenf uckedl
iket
hatinmyent i
rel
ife.
Youhadmet rembl
ingwit
hpleasure.
I
nf actIwouldn'
tmindarepeatof
thatnight.
"Whyam Ievenli
stento
thi
s.
Me:"
*ahem*li
keIsai
d,l
etitbethe
l
astti
mey oudosomethingli
kethi
s."

Sandi :
"Whaty ougonnadoi fIdoit
again?Ar ey ougonnapuni shme?
May bey oushoul dpuni shmenow
causeI '
v ebeenav eryv erybadgi rl
daddy .
"WTFi sthis,andwhyi suJama
gett
ingabi thar d.Shest artedmov ing
herhandal lthewaydownt oher
thi
gh.Iwasdumbst ruck,Icouldn'
t
speakormov e.Herhandsl owly
mov edi nsi
deherski rtassheopened
herlegsabi twi der,
herhandst ar
ted
mov ing.
Me:
"Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ng?
"

Sandi
:"
Ifyouwon'
tpl
easur
eme,
Iwi
l
l
doitmyself
."

Me:"Noti nmyoffice."Shestoodup
fr
om t hedeskandst oodabitfar
fr
om meandIexhal ed.Shewalked
aroundt hedesk,Ithoughtshewas
l
eav i
ngbuti nst
eadshewentt othe
couchandl aidonherbackopeni ng
herlegs.Shewasn' twearingany
pantiesandIhadav i
ewofher
shavedv agi
na.Herhandmadei t
s
wayt ohervagi
naandshest arted
rubbingher
self
.Thiswast ur
ningme
oninawayt hatIdidn'
tlike,Ifel
tli
ke
myt hought
swer eblockedal l
Icould
thi
nkaboutwasherdr i
ppinghot
vagina!

Sandi:"Don'
ty ouwantsomeoft his?"
Jamawasr eactingdownt her
eand
theloudershemoanedt heharderI
got."Yes!Yesdaddy !Rightthere
ahhhahhhh.I '
m comi ng,I'
m coming
oouuuuhYessss! !
"Jamawasr ock
hardal l
Iwast hi
nki ngaboutwas
slammi ngmy selfintoher .
Me:"Gety ourassov erhere."I
couldn'thelpmy sel
f.Shewast edno
ti
me, sherushedov ertome.She
pushedmychai rabitf
rom t he
desk,thesheundi dmypant s.Jama
sprungoutofmybox er."Getthe
condom f rom thedrawer."Shedi d.
Sheopenedi tandsliditonmydi ck.

Sandi:
"Iseeyouready
."Shecl
i
mbed
ontopofmewi t
hherlegsonthesi
de.
SheslowlysatonJamaaswebot h
gaspedoutloud.
☆
☆
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Acr azydayi thasbeent oday.Iwas
writ
ing2t estst hatIhave
missed,nowI 'vecaughtupwi th
othersandweonl yhave2mor et
est
s
towr i
tebefor ewegoona2weeks
break.I'
vebeencoupedupi nthis
room studying,Iwantedtogr aspas
muchasIcanbef or
eSivuyi
legets
here.
Afewhour
slater
,Si
vuyi
lewal
kedi
n
l
ooki
ngasti
redasev er
!

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Heybaby
."Hecamet
ome
andpeckedonmyl
i
ps.

Me:
"Heyl
over
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Iseeyouhaveyourheadin
yourbooks,
letmenotdi
sturbyou.
"

Me:
"I
t'
sfi
ne.I
'
m doneany
way
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Letmegoandt
akea
shower.
"

Me:
"Doyouwantmet oj
oiny
ou.
"I
wi
nked.Hechuckl
ed.
Sivuyi
le:
"I'
m sotir
edbaby,
Ij
ustwant
totakeashowerandhav esome
dinnerthensleep.
"Thatwasweir
d,he
neversay snotosex.Maybehereall
y
i
st i
red.

Me: "
Okaybabe.Letmegodishupf
or
you."Igotof
fthebedandworemy
sleepersbef
oreIl
eftt
heroom.
●
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Onceagai
nIf
uckedup!Iam suchan
i
diot!WhydoIkeeponmessi ngup.
WhydoIal lowmy sel
ft obetempted
l
ikethat,
Sandiwi
llbet hedoom ofme
butsomehowIal way sfindmyself
stuckbetweenherlegs.Theoffice
sexwehadwasmi ndblowing,
the
wayshebl ewmej ustwhenIwas
abouttocum andshemadesur et
hat
Icamei nhermout handshe
swallowed.
Icoul
dn' tevenlookatLunathi i
nt he
faceafterwhatIdidtoher.Shei sso
i
nnocentandshei sdefi
nit
elyt helove
ofmyl i
fe,butsomehowIkeepon
messingup.May beIshouldt ell
her
aboutthis,maybeshewi l
lforgiveme.
Iknowshewi l
lforgi
veme,butj
ustt
he
thoughtofbr
eakingherhearti
s
breaki
ngmyownhear t
.WhatdidIdo
Lord!!
Iswit
chedoffthetapandgotoutthe
shower.Idr
iedmy sel
fwitha
towel
,t
henIwr appeditar
oundmy
tor
so,t
henIwentt othebedroom.

"Wel
li
sn'tthatabeauti
ful
sight
."She
sai
dwalkingintheroom.

Me:
"Li
kewhaty
ousee?
"
Lunathi
:"
Alway s.
"Shecamet ome
andgav emeami ndblowingkiss
whichIreturned.Iwant edtohaveher
ri
ghtthereandt here,
butIcouldn'
t
disr
espectherl i
kethat.ImeanIjust
hadsexwi thmyPAaf ewhour sago.
Ibrokethekiss.

Me:
"Di
nner
sready
?"

Lunathi
:
"It
hinkmydinneri
sri
ghther
e
i
nf r
ontofme."Il
ookedatherwi
tha
smil
e.

Me:
"Whathav
eyoudonet
omy
i
nnocentwif
e?"Shegi
ggl
edwhil
e
hi
dingherf
aceinmybarechest
."Let
megetdressedbabe.
"

Lunathi
:"
Fine.
"Shemov edfrom
me, t
henIwenttot hecl
osetand
pickedoutmyAdi dastrackpantsand
alongsleevedvest.Igotdressed
thenwewentdownst ai
rsfordinner.
●
I
twasaft
erdi
nner
,Iwasl
ayi
ngi
nbed
wi
thbot
hmygirl
s.

Lunat
hi:
"I
'm sohappyri
ghtnowand
i
t'
sallbecauseofyou.Il
ikei
twhen
youareinaplacewher eyoucanbe
honestwit
hmeabouty ourfeeli
ngs."I
smiledbutmysmi lewasshor tli
ved.I
l
etoutaheav ysighthenIsatup
str
aight
.Thisistheti
me!Ihav eto
confessri
ghtnowwhenshe' st al
king
abouthonesty.

Me:"
Uhbabe,Ihav
etot
ell
you
somethi
ng.
"

Lunathi
:
"soundsser
ious.
"Myhear
t
star
tedpounding

Me:
"I
tis,
uhshi
t!
"It
ookmyphone
from theheadboar danddi al
ed
Mam' Luvo."Ahmama, cel
auzol
anda
uChul u(coul
dy oupl easecomeand
fetchChul u.
) "Shel ookedatmewi t
h
concer n.Af ewmi nutest her
ewasa
knockont hedoor ,
Ist oodupwith
Chul uandwentt othedoorIgav eher
toMam' Luvot henIcamebackt othe
bed.Thi stimeIsatr i
ghtnexttoher
ont heedgeoft hebed.

Lunathi
:
"Whatisit
?"Shesounded
nerv
ousness.Ibur
riedmyfaceinmy
hands.
Me:
"I-I-sl
-shi
t!Ican'
tdot
his.
"

Lunathi
:
"Dowhat
?Sivuy
il
etal
kto
me."Iwasner
vous.

Me:
"Iam sosor
rybaby
."Ist
art
ed
wi
ththat

Lunathi
:"
sorr
yforwhat
?Whatdidyou
do?"Icouldf
eelmyheartr
aci
ng.
"Tal
k!!
"Sheshouted

Me:"
Ishoul
dn'thav
es-".TheiPhone
r
ingt
onejusthadtoint
erruptus.
"
Ignor
eit
."Shedi
d,i
tst
oppedr
ingi
ng.

Me:"carryon. "Isighedonceagai n.
Somehowt earswer enear
ingonher
eyes,Ican'tdot hi
s.No!Ihav eto.
JustasIwasopeni ngmymout hmy
phoner angi ndicati
ngani ncoming
call
,
Iswi tchedi toffwithoutchecki
ng
thecall
er .

Me:"Baby,Iwantyoutopr
omiseme
somethingfir
st.
"Ihel
dbothher
hands,Ineededassur
ance."
Iwant
youtopr-"
"Nkosana!Nkosana! "Thatwas
Mam' Luvoknockingonourdoor.I
didn'tknowwhet hertobeirr
it
atedor
happy .Wecoul dn'
treal
lyi
gnoreher
knock.Ist oodupf r
om thebedand
attendedt oher.

Me:
"Mah?
"

Mam' Luvo:
"NguChulu.
"Allisawwas
Lunathipushi
ngmeoutoft heway
andrushingtowardsChulu'
sr oom.
Wef oll
owedbehindherinar ush
al
so,whenwegott hereManxel ewas
busywi pi
ngherface,Iqui
cklyrushed
t
oheronlyt
onoti
cet
hatshewas
wi
pingv
omitof
fhermouth.

Lunat
hi:
"What
'swr
ongwi
thher
?"

Mam'Luvo:"
Idon'
tknowmnt anam,her
eyesst
artedtur
ningwhi
teandshe
wasburningupthenshe
vomit
ed,t
hat'
swhenIstart
edcalli
ng
you.
"

Lunathi:
"weneedt otakeherto
hospit
al."IgrabbedheroffManxel
e'
s
armsandr ushedoutwithLunat
hi
fol
lowingbehi ndme.Wegoti nt
othe
caranddr ov
eof f
.Iwaspanicki
ng
andaskingmy selfwhatwas
happeningtomydaught er."
Dri
ve
fast
erSivuyi
le!Hereyesaretur
ning
whit
e!"Shewasi nthebackseatwit
h
Chuluonherar ms.Iincr
easedmy
speed.
Soonwear ri
v edatt hehospital,l
uckil
y
whenwewal kedint herewasa
doctoronsight.Wer ushedtohi m
andgav ehim Chulu,helookedather
oncebeforerunningwi t
hherl eav i
ng
meandLunat hidumbf oundedf ora
secondbeforewer anaf t
erhim.He
fi
nall
ygotinawar d,unfort
unat elya
nursestoppedusatt hedoorsay ing
wecan'tent
erther
oom.Fr
ustrated
waswhatIwasatthemoment !All
I
coul
ddowast ohugLunat
hiandsit
onthechair
s.

Me:"
She'sgoingt
obeokay,
oZi
zi
bamjongi
le.
"Shesai
dnothi
ng,
she
j
ustcri
edonmychest .
Fewhoursofwaiti
ngandt hedoct
or
andnursespassedbyuswi t
hout
gi
vingusanyform ofexplanati
on.
Fi
nall
ythedoctorcamet ous.

Lunat
hi:
"Soi
smybabygoi
ngt
obe
okay?
"
Doctor:"
It
shar dt otel
lMr sDl ami ni
,
we
don'tknowwhatwear edeal ingwi t
h
atthemoment .
"Iwassof rust r
atedI
couldn'
tev enusemymedi cal
experti
se.I'm al
way scomewhen
deali
ngwi thapat ient
,butsomehowI
waspani ckingthistimear ound.Iwas
notcalm atall,t
hisismybaby !"We
arebusyr unningsomet estsand
hopefull
ywewi llbeabletof i
gur eout
what '
swrongwi t
hher .
"

Lunat
hi:
"Hopef
ull
y?!
"
Me:
"cal
m downbaby
."

Doctor
:"Uhtel
lme,
i
syourdaught
er
epi
lept
ic?"

Me:
"Noshe'
snot
."

Doct
or:
"doesshegethermont
hly
shot
sinti
me?"

Me:"Ipersonal
lygi
vethem toher.
AndIal waysmonitorherheal
th,
soI
am shockedt oseeherli
kethi
s."
Doct or
:"Well
yourdaughterhada
seizurejustafewhoursago,itwent
onf oraf ewminut
es."No!Seizures
arenev ergoodandshe'sjustababy !

Me:
"Woahasei
zur
e?"

Doctor:
"Yessir
,andasadoct
or
yoursel
fI'
m sureyouknowhow
seri
ousaseizureisforat
oddl
er.
"

Me:
"Ido.Couldi
tbemeningi
ti
s?Or
maybeshehasepilepsyf
orr
eal?My
GodI'
m sofrust
rat
ed."
Doctor:
"I
tsnormal,
Iunder
standsi
r.
Let
'sjustwaitf
orthetest
sandsee
whattheyreveal
."

Lunathi
:
"Canweseeher
?"Shehad
tear
sinherey
es.

Doct
or:
"Yesofcour
sey
oucan,
we
ar
edonewi t
hher.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Thanky
oudoctor
."He
l
ookedatherandsmil
e.
Doctor:
"She'
singoodhandsMr s
Dlamini
."Heheldherhandfora
secondthensheturnedandlef
t.
Wemadeourwayi nsidethewar d
andwat hIsawt her ebrokemyhear t
.
I'
veonlyseensuchasi ghtbackwhen
Iwasst i
lli
ntrai
ningandi twas
usual
lyoldpeopl e,notthesetiny
humanbei ngs.Shewasi nherli
ttl
e
cotwit
hpi pesall overher.Lunathi
j
ustbrokedownwhenshesawher .
Whatishappeni ngt omydaught er?
Lordpleasesavemydaught er.
•
•
•
•
•
NB❗
❗❗
Iam dissapointedatall t
hosepeopl e
whot ookitupont heirselvestoinbox
mewi thruder emarks,Iam nothappy .
IdidexplainthatIam goi ngthrough
somet hi
ngatt hem9mentandy ou
guysjustrefusetounder stand
that,
i
nsteady ouwantmet owr i
te
becausei t
'sgoingtobenef ityou.I'
ve
neverbeenr udetoy ouguy s,soIdon't
understandwher ether udenessf r
om
thosepeopl ecamef rom.I magine
getti
nga" hawuawubhal ingani
manj e?
"" Youwanti stobegy oufor
aninsert?"" Yinmanj e?
"..
.Iam truly
disappointed.Att heendoft he
day,t
hisst oryismyhobbysomet hing
tokeepmymi ndoft hi
ngsandatt hi
s
pointit
'snothel pi
ngmewi thwhatI
am goingt hr oughrightnow, Idon't
getpaidt owr i
teont hi
spageso
wheny out hinkofsendingmer ude
comment sonmyi nboxthinkabout
that!
ENJOYTHI
SINSERTGOODPEOPLE.
ANDTHANKYOUTOTHOSEONES
WHOARENOTPUTTINGPRESSURE
ONMETOWRI TEANINSERT.MUCH
LOVE
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t57
°
°
°
°
°
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Iwaswokenupbybabysounds, nota
cr
yingjustsoundst hatbabi
esmake
whent heypl ay.Iopenedmyey esand
l
ookedar ound,mymi ndracesbackto
l
astnightandIr ememberedthatIam
i
nhospi tal.Iturnedtolookatwhere
mysi ckbabywassl eeping,
tomy
surpri
seshewaski ckingherlegsand
cl
appi ngherhandsinav eryhappy
manner .Icoul
dn'
tbelievemy
eyes,
thisisthesameper sonthathad
whiteey eandhadasei zurebut
somehowt odayshewokeupasi f
shewasn' tsi
ckatall.

"Si
vuyi
l
e!Wakeup!"Hequi
ckl
y
openedhi
seyes.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?What
'
swr
ongbaby
?"

Me:
"Look.
"Ipoi
ntedatourdaught
er
i
nfr
ontofus.Hewasal
soi
nawe.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wai
t!Thatcan'
tbenor
mal
."

Me:
"I
tsnot
?"

Sivuy
il
e:"No, from thestatethatshe
wasinl astni ghtandt hefactthatshe
hadasei zur e,I'
m pret
tysureshe'snot
supposedt obeawakef ort
henext
fewhour s."Wewer ebothshocked."
Letmecal lthedoct or.
"Hewentont o
pressthebut ton,anursecameaf t
er
afewsecondsandheaskedhert o
i
mmedi atelysummont hedoctorto
t
hewar
d.

Me: "
I'
m conf usednow. "Thiswas
reall
ysomet hingwei rd.Imeant hi
s
girlwasl i
ter
allyplayingpay ingno
attentiontothemedi cal pi
pesthat
wer eat t
achedt oherbody ,shewas
evensmi l
ingandt alkingwi thher
i
magi nar yfr
iends.Af ewmi nutes
l
atert hedoct orrushedi ntothewar d
withthenur se.Hest oppeddeadon
histrackswhenhesawChul u,l
ikeus
hewasshockedhi smout hwaswi de
open.
DR:
"Am Ii
nthewr
ongr
oom?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Notatal
l.Thi
siswhatwe
al
sowokeupto."

DR:"Thiscan'tbe.She'salready
awakeandshe' spl ayi
ng.
Scienti
ficall
yshe'ssupposedt obe
asl
eepr i
ghtnow, themedicationwe
gaveherwasv erystr
ongandal lt
he
vomi t
ingt heseizuretookat ollonher
energy.Iwasexpect i
ngtoseeav er
y
weakbabyi nthenex tfewhour s."
Whatt hehel li
sgoi ngonher e!"Nurse
couldy oupleasegoandgett he
br
ownenv elopeonmydesk.I
t'
sthe
l
abresul
ts."Thenur
senoddedand
wal
kedoff.

Me:"Soyouaresayi
ngsheisnot
supposedtobeli
kethi
s?"

DR:"That
'sexact l
ywhatIam say ing.
Inallmyy earsofpract i
cingI '
venever
comeacr osssuchqui ckr ecover
y
from al
lthesy mptomsshehadpl us
themedicat i
onshegoti sv eryst
rong.
Thisisami racl
e."Hewentt oChulu
andcheckedherbr eathing,heart
beat
andt emperature."
Ev erythingseems
f
ineher
e."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"OZi
zi
."Wow!TosayIwas
shockedwouldbeanunder stat
ement.
Thenur sewalkedinandhandedthe
doctortheenvelope.

DR:"Theseareherr esult
s,whichIgot
thi
smor ning.Ihaven'thadachance
tolookatthem. "Heopenedt he
envelopeandst ar
tedr eadingf ora
fewseconds." Wellseemsl i
ke
everythi
ngisfinewithlitt
lemi sshere.
Inf
actshe'sasheal thyasahor se.
"
What !That'
snotwhatIsaw
y
est
erday
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Sot
her
e'snot
hingwr
ong
wi
thher
?"

DR:"
Nothi
ngatall
.Iguessyou'
ve
beenmedicat
inghertoowellmy
man."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iguessso.
"

Me:"
Soyoudon'
tknowwhatcaused
hert
obeli
kethatl
astni
ght
?"
DR:"Asf arasthebl
oodt estsare
concer nedma'am.May beshewas
j
ustr eacti
ngtosomet hi
ngt hatshe'
s
ateormay beshe'
steething."
Seizuresandteethi
ng?Ay yno

Si
vuy
il
e:"
She'
sonl
yfourmont
hsdoc.
"

DR:"
thenam af r
aidIdon'tknow
what'
swr ongwi t
hherandl ookather
shelooksbetterandhealthy.Iguess
thi
sisindeedami racl
e."Wow!" Iwil
l
goandsor toutherdischarge
papers.
"
Sivuyil
e:"Letmegowi t
hy ou,Ineedt o
goandset tl
ethebill
."Theybot h
foll
owedeachot herout .Iwentt o
standnextt omydaught er.Ilowered
my selft
oherl evelandki ssesherl ips,
shehel dherhandsoutIguessshe
want edmet otakeher,butIcoul d
becauseshest il
lhadthepi pesonher
bodyandhead.Justasshewas
maki nghercr y
ingfacet henur se
walkedi n.

Nurse:
"Morni
ngma'am.Iam hereto
removethepipesof
fyourdaughter.
"I
j
ustnodded.Shedidwhatshehadt o
doandsoonmybabywasf ree.It
ook
herpamper swearingsel fandheld
herclosetomychest ,Ikissedher
face.Iwassohappyt hatshewas
okay,eventhoughherr ecoverycame
i
nawei rdwayIwasst illgl
adt hatshe
wasokayandt hatwewer egoing
backhomewi thher.
Afterawhi l
eSiv uyi
l
ecamebackwi th
cleanclothesforChul usinceshe
pukedal l
ov ertheoneshewas
wear i
nglastnight.Afterbathi
ngand
feedingher,weleftthehospitalwi
th
ourdaught er,
everyt
hingwasi n!
○
●
2MONTHSLATER
Lifehasn'texactlybeenabedof
rosesthesepastt womont hs.Things
betweenmeandSi vuyi
lehav etaken
av erydrasticlef
t,Iguesst he
honey moonphasewasov er.Hehas
beendi stanttowardsme, whenev erI
trytoreachoutt ohi m hej ustpushes
meaway ,ithasgottent oapoi nt
wher eIgott ir
edandst oppedt ryi
ng
tobegf orhi satt
ention,nowwear e
l
ikemar r
iedhousemat es.Heno
l
ongerki ssesmel i
ket hewayhe
normal l
ydi d,
hellwedon' tev enhav e
sexany mor e.We'veonl yhadsex
twicethesepast2mont hs,andit'
s
notthatmi ndbl owingsexweusual ly
have,t
hisonei sdi ff
erent.Hej ustgets
ontopofmer ubsmef orawhi l
eand
whenhef eelsl i
kehei sreadyhe
sl
idesinandst artshumpi ngupand
downt henr eleaseshi ssemeni nsi
de
me.Hedoesn' tev encuddl eme
aft
erwards,hewakesupandgoes
str
aighttot hebat hroom totakea
shower.Ialway sf eelcheapand
used,whichi swei r
dcausehi smy
husband.Hi sbehav iourchangehas
gott
ent oapoi ntwher ehedoesn' t
spendsomeni ght sathome, Ihav e
gott
enusedt osl eepingaloneont hat
massivebed.
Atf i
rstwhenhest artedshowi ng
si
gnsofchangi ng,Idi dn'
treall
ypay
attentiont oit,Ithoughtt hingswere
stressf ulforhim atwor ksincehis
wor kingont heDur ban
project (Rememberi t?)Heendedup
notgoi ngtoDur banbecause
unfor tunateci r
cumst ancesgoti nthe
way ,butnowhi swor kingfrom herein
Jobur gandhehasapr oj
ectmanager
ont hegr oundinDur ban.AsIwas
say i
ng, atf i
rstut houghti twas
becauseofwor kst ressandI
assumedev eryt
hingwasgoi ngtoget
bettersayi nthenextt woweeksor
so.BoywasIwr ong!I nst
eadof
thingsget ti
ngbackt onor mal,things
wentont ot akeanof fr
amp.The
behav iourstartedbei ngconsistent,I
tri
edsomanyt imest ogethis
attentionbuti tdidn'tworkinsteadi t
mademel ookandf eell
ikea
desper ateper son.Myhear twas
slowlybr eaking, Iwenttobedi nt ears
andwokeupwi t
ht hesamet ear s,
but
Imadesur ethatwhenIgooutoft he
houseIhol dmyheadhi ghandmake
sur ethatnooneknowswhat '
sgoi ng
oni nsideme.Ihav en'
ttoldanyone
aboutt his,mymom andt heQueen
oncet oldmet haty ounev ershar e
yourmar it
al problemswi thother
people,soIwasdoi texactl
ythat!
Dyingont heinsi
de!Throughallt
his
drama, Imadesuret omaketimef or
mydaught erandIspenteachand
everydaywithher,
shewast heonly
thi
ngt hatwasmaki ngsenseinmy
l
iferi
ghtnow.
TodaywasaFr idayandIdeci dednot
attendmycl assesbecauseIdi dn't
feelli
keit
.Itwasi nt heaf ter
noonand
Sivuyi
lewasatwor k.Iwasst andi
ng
ont heveranderwi t
hChul uinmy
armswai ti
ngt owel comemybr ot
her
ast hesecuri
tyguar dcal ledmet o
war nmeabouthi sar r
ival.Heparked
hiscaront hedriveway ,thenmadehi s
wayt
ous.

Thabo:
"Thi
schi
l
dkeepsonl ooki
ng
moreandmoreli
keSivuyi
l
ebut
somehowsheisbeauti
ful
."Hesai
d
ashetookChul
ufrom myarms.

Me:"
May bet
hat'
sbecauseshel
ooks
l
ikeheraunt
s."

Thabo:"
Sti
l
l,
boDlaminikedikobo(
the
Dlamini
sareugl
y.)
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Wow!Youj
ustl
i
edwi
thast
rai
ght
f
acebr
oh.
"

Thabo:
"Whydoesshehav
ethi
slook
onherface?
"

Me:
"Shedoesn'
tl
ikey
ou.
"Igi
ggl
ed.

Thabo:"Wellotl
abastrong(
shewi l
lbe
strong)becauseI'
m notgiv
ingherto
you."Mxm." Whyosay asgela?(
Why
didn'ty
ougot oschool?)
"Shit!What
doIsay

Me:
"Ohuhm,
I'
mjusthav
en'
tbeen
feel
i
ngwel lthesepastfewdays."I
tol
dhi mthehalftr
uth,Ihavebeen
feel
i
ngsi ckthesepastfewdays.
"AndtodayIwokeupwi thamother
ofallheadaches.
"Helookedatme.

Thabo:"mmmhokay .Nextt i
mey ou
shouldjustdrinkwat erandsucki tup.
Youcan'tbemi ssi
ngcl asses
becauseofamer eheadache. "Wow!
Howi nsesit
ive.

Me:"Keaotl
waabuti
(Ihearyou
brother
)"Wesatdownont hecouch
thatwasoutsi
deintheverander
.
Thabo:
"Howhavebeen?Ihav
en'
t
seenyouinweeks.
"

Me:"
Comeony
ousawme2weeks
ago.
"

Thabo:"
exactl
ywhyIsai
dweeks,
pl
ural
."Irol
ledmyeyes.

Me:"Thisl
i
ttl
emi
ssher
ehasbeen
keepingmebusy
."

Thabo:
"andy
ourhusband.
"
Me:"Yeahhi
mtoo."Isai
dinanotso
suspici
oust
one.

Thabo:
"ar
eyouguy
sokay
?"

Me:
"Yeahweare,
he'
sjustbeenbusy
wi
ththeDur
banproj
ect.
"

Thabo:
"l
etmeguessandhehasn'
t
beengi
vingyouanyat
tent
ion?
"I
tur
nedtolookathi
m

Me:
"Ar
eyoupsy
chi
c?"Hechuckl
ed.
Thabo:"Hiddenpower ssis.
"We
l
aughed." Butonaser i
ousnote,I
knowy ou.Iknowhowy ouactwhen
youdon'tgetwhaty ouwant.Ican
onlyadvicey outhatyoumust '
ntpush
him away ,heisworkingforyou,
heis
workingfory iurf
ami l
y.Soyouneed
tounderstandt hat,
i
nsteadofsulki
ng
herejustshowhi m supportandtreat
him good."

Me:
"I'
m notsul
ki
ng.
"

Thabo:
"Youar
e.Iknowt
haty
ouused
toget tingattenti
onf rom your
family,butwear ediffer
entfrom
Siv
uy ile.Wehav eallthetimeint he
worldt oshowery ouwi thattenti
on
andheont heot herhandhast wo
businessest hatheneedst omake
suret hathekeepsaf l
oatforhis
family.Under standwher ehei s
comi ngf rom andbepat ientwithhi
m,
aslongashei sst i
llshowingy ou
appreci ati
onandl ov ethenhedoesn' t
deserv ey oursulking."Heh!He
doesn' tknowany thi
ng!

Me:"
Yeahneh.
"Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
o
say
.
Thabo:"I
'
m surey
ouhav
est
opped
reachi
ngouttohi
m?"

Me:
"Howdoy
ouknow?
"

Thabo:"Iknow.Rememberwhen
ThabangandThapel ohadt oprepare
fortheirfi
rstcases?"Inodded."They
weresobusyt oapoi ntwherethey
hadnot i
mef oranyone.Everyone
understoodbuty ou,youkepton
pushingandt ryi
ngt ogetthei
r
att
entionandwhent heystil
lcouldn'
t
giveyou,youstartedpushingthem
away,giv
ingt
hem sil
enttr
eatment."I
chuckledasIremini
scedaboutthose
days.Iam soneedy,t
hatIwil
ltel
ly ou.

Me:"Maybey ouareri
ght.Ishoul
d
stoppushi
nghi m awayandst ar
t
showinghi
m suppor t
."WasIpushing
hi
m awayt hough?

Thabo:
"That
'
smyPunki
e."

Me:"
Thanky
oubr
oh.Ineededt
hat
t
alk.
"
Thabo:"
I'
m gladIcouldhelp.ButI'
m
notsayi
ngst andforhisbull
shitheh
Punkie,
ifhestartsbull
shi
tti
ngy ou
tel
lmeandIwi l
lsorthi
m out."Okay
thatwasquickchange.

Me:
"Bul
l
shi
t,
how?
"

Thabo: "
Wecouldbesi t
ti
ngher
e
th8nkingthatheisbusywit
hhis
businesseswhileinact
ualf
acthi
s
busypl easi
nganotherwoman!
"

Me:"
Haymar
nThabo!Whywoul
dyou
sayt
hat
?"
Thabo:"I '
mj uststati
ngt hepossi bi
lit
y.
ButIknowhewoul dn'tbedumb
enought ocheatony ou.Heknows
what'satst akeandwhat '
sgoingt o
happenwhenhedoes. "Iwon' tli
e
whathesai dreallygott ome.Coul di t
bethatSi vuyil
eischeat i
ngonme?I
meant hatwoul dexplai nt henight
outs,
theal way sbeingt iredandof
coursehi m notbei ngint hemoodf or
sexev erydamnt ime!" Ey ysanl ookat
theti
me, Ihavet ogof et chSlindil
e."

Me:
"mmmh!How'
sitgoi
ngwot
hthe
twoofyou?
"Hesmi
l
ed"
lookatt
hat
smil
e!"

Thabo:
"I
tsbeengood,
greatact
ual
l
y."

Me:
"andZi
ntl
e?"

Thabo:
"Icutti
eswi t
hher
,Ican'
thur
t
Sl
ili
kethat.
"Iclappedmyhands.

Me:"
I'
m pr
oudofy
oubr
other
,Sl
ii
sa
ver
ynicegi
rl
."

Thabo:
"Mxm y
ouar
ejusthappyt
hatI
am notshaggingyourf
ri
end
any
mor e.
"Ifrowned.

Me:
"ewue!
"

Thabo:"Don'
tactli
keav ir
gin!
"My
eyeball
swentallout."Youreal
ly
thoughtwedidn'tknow?Yoursister
can'tkeepasecrete,It
houghtyou
knewt hatbyknow."DamnBont le!

Me:"
Ibeli
evey
ouwer eony
ourway
br
other
."Hechuckl
ed.
Thabo: "
andthi
scut i
eissl
eepi
ng."He
stoodupandki ssedChulu'
sforehead
befor
ehegav ehertome."Bye
Punkie,Iwil
lseey ouwhenIseey ou.
"
Hegav emeaki ssonthecheekthen
heleft.Iwentbackinsi
dethehouse.

Mandeka:
"Ur
ightsi
s?"

Me:
"ewemah,
I'
mfi
ne.
"

MaNdeka:
"Okaybhabha.
"
Iam If
inet
hough?Thiswhi
l
eSi
vuyi
le
i
ssuewasweighingdownonme.I
am usedt obeingwi thhim almostal l
thedamnt i
me, I
'm notusedt omy
phonenotbei ngf l
oodedwi t
hhi s
callsandt exts!Ihavetodo
somet hingaboutt his,Ican'thave
thingsfall
ingapar tli
kethis.May be
i
t'stimeIf ightextrahardf ormy
mar ri
age, attheendoft hedayIam
stuckwi ththishumanbei ngf orli
fe!
May beIshoul dpreparear omant i
c
dinnerfort hebothofus?Thatcoul d
wor k!
•
Every
thingwassetf orthedi
nner
,I
speci
fical
lyt
oldMaNdekaand
Mam' Luvotopleasekindl
yremai
n
upstairsforthedur ati
onofthis
dinner.Myout fi
twasonpoi nt,Iwas
wearingar eadlingeriewithabl ack
si
lkgownt hatwasn' treal
l
ytied, If
elt
sexyandIknewt hathewoul dn'tbe
abletor esi
stmei nthi
sout f
it
.
Ihear
dt hedoorcl
osi
ngand
foot
stepswalki
ngin.

"Thi
ssidelover."Isai
dashewas
abouttopasst helounge.Hest opped
andlookedforawhi l
east houghhe
wasdebat i
ngwhet hert ocomet ome
ornot.Thatstungabi t.Ismil
edashe
madehi swayt ome.
Si
vuyi
le:
"What
'st
his?
"Heaskedi
na
notsoappr
eci
ati
vetone.

Me:
"di
nner
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
e'sev
ery
one?
"

Me:"Upstai
rssleepi
ng.Letmet ake
thatforyou.
"Itookhisbri
efcaseand
putitonthechair.I
tseemsl i
kemy
outfi
twasdoingt hetr
ickbecausehe
grabbedmeandst ar
tedkissi
ngme, i
n
aninstantIf
elthornyIwantedhim so
bad."Si
tdownandl et'
seat."He
grabbedmyassandsatdown.Ial so
sett
lednexttohim.Idishedupfor
thebothofusthenweat ei
n
completesil
ence.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Thi
sisnice.
"Hesai
d
br
eaki
ngoursi
lence.

Me:"
Thankyou.
"Isi
ghed."
Siv
uyi
l
e
what'
sgoi
ngon?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"
Me: "
What '
sgoi ngonwi thyou,us?I'
m
surey ouhav ealsonot icedthat
thi
ngsar enott hesame. "Hekept
quietandl ookedatme." AtfirstI
thoughy ouwer estressedatwor k,but
nowIhav emor ereasont obeliev
e
thatit
'smor ethant han.DidIdo
somet hi
ngt hathasupsety oumay be?
IfIdidpleaset ell
mecauseIcan' t
takethistreatmentany more."He
gavemeabl ankst are.

Siv
uy i
le:
"st
opbeingdramatic
Lunathi,
nothi
ngiswrong.Youarejust
i
magi ngthingsasal
way s.
"Herubbed
hi
sf ace
Me: "am I?Am ISi vuy il
e?Ar eyou
cheat ingonme? "Hel ookedatme
wi t
hashockedexpr essi on."I
t'
sf i
ne
youcant ell
me.Ar ey oucheat ingon
me?I fyouar eyoucant el
lmet he
truthsot hatwecanmov eonf rom
this.Iam wi l
lingtof orgiveand
forget .
"Am I?Ican' tbel i
evethisis
me, Bont l
ewoul dsodi ssapoi
nt edin
mer ightnow.I '
m sur eshewoul dslap
mer ightacrosst hef aceifItoldher
aboutwhatIj ustsai d.Tear swer e
wel l
ingupi nmyf aceasIcoul dn't
reall
yr eadhi sface.
Sivuy i
le:
"What ?Ofcour senot !Why
woul dy ouevent hinkoft hat !Isthat
whaty ouseewheny oul ookatme, a
cheat er?Huh? !Haimar nLunat hi be
serious!"Whyi sheshout i
ng.He
sighed" Comeher ebaby ."Hepul l
ed
met ohislapt henhewi pedt earsoff
myf ace."Iwouldnev erinami ll
ion
yearscheatony ou.I'
v ej ustbeen
extremel ybusyatwor k.I'mr eal l
y
sorryt hatIbroughtt hest ressback
hereathome.Ipr omi sey ou,things
willgetbet t
erf r
om nowon. "He
kissedmyt ears."Ilovey ouy ou."He
wasl ooki
ngatmest raighti nt he
eyes.Inodded
Me:"Il
oveyoutoo.
"Isai
dthrough
tear
s.Iwassoemot i
onalt
hese
days,y
esI'
m acrybabybutthese
daysit'
sbeenextr
eme.
Hepickedmeupandcar
ri
edme
upst
airs.
Themi nutewegotintot heroom he
putmedownanddev our edmyl ips.
Soonwewer ebot
hnakedandont he
bedmaki ngsweetlove.Imissedt his,
Imissedf eel
i
ngoursoul sconnect
whenwemakel ove.Hewasgi vi
ngi t
hisal
landIwasoncl oud9, itfel
tlike
theheavenswereopeni ngupt hat'
s
howgooditwas,ormay beIf
eltt
hat
waybecauseIhaven'
thadsome
goodl
oveinweeks.
Ihadalreadyreleasedwhenhe
foll
owedaf t
ermeaf ewseconds
l
ater.Thisti
mear oundhemademe
l
ieonhi schestwhi leheplay edwith
myhai randkissingmyf or
ehead.I
wasenj oyi
ngthemoment ,Iwantedit
tolastforever
.Foroncei n2mont hs
Iwashopef ull
y,Iwashopef ull
ythatI
wasget ti
ngmyhusbandbackand
thatmademesmi l
eridi
culously.
IwasdosingoffwhenIheardhis
phonebeep.Isl
ight
lyopenedmy
eyesandIsawhi mreachi
ngforhis
phoneont hesideoft hebed.Next
thingIknowIwassl owl ybeing
mov edf rom hischestasIpr etended
tobeasl eep.Hegotupf r
om t hebed
andwentt ot hebathroom.Iopened
myey esasIwonder edwhowas
texti
nghi m.Isatupst raightont he
bedasIhear dtheshowerr unni ng!
Thathadmeonhi ghal ert,
wher ewas
hegoi ng.Myey eslandedonhi slight
upphone, welli
twascl oset oswi tch
off.Iquicklygrabbedi tandpr essed
ont hescr een,i
tlitevenbr ighter.I
wasdebat ingwi t
hmy selfwhet hert o
got hroughi tornot.Whati fIfind
somet hingIdon' tli
kei nthere?What
i
fIgetmyhear tbr oken?Whati fhe's
real
lybusywi thwor k?Fucki tIneed
toknow!Ipr essedont hescr een
againasIdi dn'twanti ttol ock
becausehenowhadapasswor don
hisphone,whi chwasnewandIdi dn'
t
knowt hatpasswor d.AsIwasi nmy
thoughts,aWhat sAppt extf r
om Sandi
camet hrough.I treadasf ollower s:"
I
hopey ouar eony ourway .
"That
caughtmyat tention.May bei fIread
thei
rtextsthenIwoul df indoutwhat
theyarewor kingonandwhat 's
makingSi vuyilesost ressedout .I
openedt heirchat sonWhat sapp.I
wasmetbyaav ideot hatSandi sent,
I
pressedoni t.WhatIsawt her eleft
mymout hdr y ,itwasav ideoofher
playingwi thhersel fandmoani ng
Sivuy i
le'
sname.Iwasmad!Iwas
pissedt hatt hisst upidPAwas
sendi ngmyhusband, herBOSSsuch
i
nappr opri
at et hings.Iwant edt ogo
toSiv uyil
eint hebat hroom andt ell
him aboutt his, butIdeci dedagai nst
i
t.Somet hingt oldmet oscr oll upand
readmor eof ftheirchat s.TosayI
wasshockedwoul dbean
under statement .Thet hingst hey
wer esendi ngt oeachot herwer eso
i
nappr opri
at e,I
'mt alki
ngnudesf rom
Sandi ,di
ckpi csandpussypi ctures.
Myhear tkeptonbr eaki ngasI
scrol
ledupf urther ,
itwascl earas
daylightthatt heset wower edat i
ng.
Sivuyil
ewasi ndeedcheat i
ngonme
withhisPA.Ihear dtheshowerst op
runni
ng, Iquicklyl oggedof f
What sAppandl ockedhi sphone
putti
ngi tinitspl ace, Iwentbackt o
mysl eepingposi ti
onandpr etended
tobeasl eep.Icoul dhearhi m mov ing
aroundt heroom, Iguesshewas
getti
ngr eadyf orhi smi st
ress.Ittook
alotinmet onotscr eam myl ungs
outwi t
ht earsst reami ngdown.Iwas
sti
lli
nshockandt ryi
ngt oprocessal l
ofthis,Ididn'thav et hest r
engt hto
conf
ronthim butIknewt
hatIdi
dn'
t
wanthim nexttome.
Afewmi nutesofmov i
ngar oundhe
walkedoutt her oom, wellhetri
edt o
l
eav easqui etlyashecoul dbut
becauseIwasawakeIcoul dhear
hi
m.Il etthet earsthatIhav ebeen
holdi
ngf orsol ongf al
l.Icri
ed,Ileti
t
al
lout.Iwasf eeli
ngsomany
emot i
onsatt hemoment .Iwas
mad,hur t
,confused,sadmost
i
mpor tantlyheartbroken.Whydi dn'
t
anyonet ellmet hatcheatinghur t
sso
bad?Icr i
edt i
llIcouldn'tbreath
anymor e.Ididn'tknowwhatdo, I
wantedt ocall Bontleforcomf ortbut
atthesametimeIdidn'twanthert o
knowwhatIwasgoi ngt hrough.Iwas
fi
nished,myhear
twasbr okeninto
piecesli
keamirr
orscatteredont he
fall
!WhymedearLor d?Whydi dhe
havetogoandbr eakmyl itt
lefr
agil
e
heart?
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
#CAUGHT!
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t!
!
•
•
•
•
•
Iwasbey ondt hewor dbroken.Iwas
confusedandhur t,Ididn'
tknowhow
toreactinthi
ssi t
uation.Ir
emember
backinhighschool whenZintle
wouldcomet omecr yi
ngtell
ingme
thatherboyfri
endcheat edonher ,I
wouldencour ageherandt ellherto
l
eav ehim ashe'sgoi ngtodoi tagai
n,
shewoul ddisagreeandgetbackwi th
herboyfri
endandIwouldpissedat
herandcallherstupi
d.I
sitstupi
dof
met hatIsti
l
llov
ehi m?
Isleptwi thaver yheav yheartlast
night,Idon'tevenknowwhenIsl ept
.I
wokeupatmi ddayandt hebast ard
wasst i
llnotbackf rom his
mi st
ress,thatoni tsownki l
ledmet o
thecor e.Whatdi dIdot othismant o
deserv esuchdi srespect?InsteadI
woket oamessageofhi mt ell
ingme
aboutanur gentmeet i
nginDur ban
andt hathewi llonlybebackon
Sunday .Iknewexact lywhich
meet inghewast al
kingabout ,
hewas
talki
ngaboutt hemeet i
ngofhi spenis
withSandi '
sv agi na.I'
venev erbeen
onet ol i
keconf rontation,
whena
situat i
onr equi resaconf rontati
onI
j
ustl etgoandmov eon.Butt hi
s
par ti
cul arsituat i
onwasdi f
ferent
, I
want edt ospeakt ohim, Iwant edhim
tol ookmei nt heey eandt ellmewhy
didwhathedi d?Tur nsoutIwon' tbe
get ti
ngt hatsincehe' sgoingt obe
spendi nghi sweekendwi t hhis
mi stress.Thatwast hef i
nal
straw, thatwast hehighestl evelof
disrespecti beev erencount ered.I
coul dn'tsi tandwai tforamanwho
deci dedt oleav emeont hebedand
gooutt her etocheatonme.Hasn' t
hel
ear
nthi
slessonaboutcheat
ing?
Whatmor
edoeshewant ?
Igotupf rom thebedandwentt o
takeawar m shower.Icouldfeelt
hat
myey eswereswol l
enandpuf f
yall
becauseofaman.Wher ear ethe
ancest or
swhent hingsarel i
kethi
s?
Didt heychoosemet ostayinthis
kindofpai n?Wellnotme, not
BoitumeloMokoena!
Igotouttheshowerandwr appeda
towelaroundmybody ,Iwentst r
aight
tomycl osetandt ookoutmy2
suit
cases.Istart
edpacki ngallmy
clot
hesint hesuit
cases,everyt
hingI
ownedwentst r
aightin.WhymustI
stayinthissham ofamar ri
age?I t
clearl
yseemsl i
kehedoesn' tneed
meany more, hehasgotsomeone
better,
someonet hathei swi ll
ingto
sacrifi
ceev erythi
ngf or.Ij usthateit
thatnomat terwhat ,Iam boundt o
thissoulforl i
fe.Ifi
twasupt omeI
woul daskt heDl aminist osetme
free,
butIcan' tbecausei fIdot he
Dlami nif
ossi lswill
capt uremysoul
andIwi lldi
e.Idon' twanty oputmy
fami l
ythroughsuchmi ser y,theonly
optionIhav enowi sleav ing.
AssoonasIwasdonewi thpacki
ng,
I
woremybl ackAdidastracksui
tand
sneaker
s.Ilookedhorr
iblebecause
ofallt
hecryi
ngI'
v ebeendoing.I
draggedmybagsoutoft hecl oset
andplacedthem nexttot
hebed.I
tookoutapenandpaperf rom my
schoolbagandstartedwri
ting.

"
DearHusband.

Iam writi
ngt hisletterwithaheav y
soul,
myhear tisbr okenbey ond
repai
rs.Ididn'tthinky ouofallpeople
woulddot hi
st ome, Igaveyoumyal l
andwhatdi dIgeti nr et
urn?
Unfai
thfulness.IguessThandi wedid
warnmeaboutt his,butthewarning
cameal i
tt
lebi
ttoolatebecauseI
hadalr
eadyfal
lenforyou.Igaveyou
chancetoconfessyoursins,
but
i
nsteadyouli
edt omyf aceandtr
ied
tomanipul
atethesit
uation.
You'vemademecompet ewi t
h
Thandi wef oraslongaswe' vebeen
mar ri
ed,wheny ouf i
nallydecidet ol
et
hergoy oudecidet oaddanot her
womani ntoouruni on.Iguessy oudo
enjoyhav i
ngy ourbr eadbut t
eredon
bothsi desneh?Wel lnotthistime
aroundmi st er
,Iam notgoi ngt obea
pushov erandl etyouwal kallov erme.
Iam leav i
ngy ou.Iwi l
lnotbe
disrespectedbyy ouaf terthe
sacri
fi
ceImade.You'
vemademea
l
aughingstocki
nyourworkplace!No
wonderyourPAalwaysgavemean
att
it
udewhenIcameby ,
it
'sbecause
sheknewthatweweresharingadi ck!

Ihat
ey ousomuchr i
ghtnow!Donot
cont
actme, Idon'twantany
thi
ngto
dowithyourevilsel
f!

Ihopeyouhav
eahappyl
i
fewi
thy
our
hoe!
!.
"
Ifol
dedthepaperandplacediton
thebed,
Itookoffther
ingandoutin
ontopofthepaperasIletouta
heav
ysi
gh.
Wher edoIgonow?Idon' twanttogo
homet omypar ents,
mymom mi ght
tel
lmet hatIhavetofi
ghtformy
mar r
iageandIam notreadytoface
mysi bli
ngscauseIknowt hatt
hey
wouldcausedr ama-notthatSivuyi
l
e
doesn'tdeser
veit,
butI'
mjustnot
ready.
IwenttoChul u'
sroom,j
usttobi dher
farewel
l.I
fIcouldIwouldleavewi th
herbutIcan't
,she'
snotmybi ological
daughterandIwon'tbeablet otake
careofhersinceIhaveschool andI
practi
call
ydon'thaveaplacetost ay.
Igotintheroom andunfortunatel
y
shewassl
eepi
ng,Ij
ustki
ssedher
l
ipsandwhi
sper
edagoodby ei
nher
ear
.
Iwheeledmybagsdownst airsasmy
uberappnot ifi
edmeofmydr iver
's
arr
ival,noonewasi nsightsoIdi dn't
needt obeawkwar dlyexplaini
ngmy
selftoanyone.Icalledt hesecur i
ty
guardinforminghimt oletthedr i
ver
i
n,hedi dafterIspunast oryofwhyI
am notcal l
i
ngSi zwet ocomeand
fet
chmei nsteadofusi nganuber .
Thecarar ri
vedandst oodinf rontof
theporch, t
hedr i
vercameoutt ohelp
mewi t
hmybags.Igoti ntothecar
andwedr oveofftot heonl yplaceI
coul
dthi
nkoft
oli
elow.
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Abl issful Stat
urdayni ghtiti
s.Iwas
l
y ingi nbedwi thSandi onmychest
sleepi ng.Icouldn'tsleep,Iwaswi de
awaket hi
nkingaboutLunat hi.Woul d
shef orgivemef ort hi
s?Iknowshe
sai dshewoul difIjustt ol
dhert he
truth,butsomehowi nmyhear tIknew
thatshewoul dn'
tthat '
swhyIchose
tol i
et oher .Yes,IloveLunat hi she'
s
abl essi nginmyl ifeandshe' st he
onl ywomanIwantt obewi t
h, but
somehowt her eissomet hingt hat
keepsondr awi ngmebackt oSandi I
don'tknowwhet heritsthewayshe
l
iveslif
eont heedgeandi sal way s
will
ingtoexpl orenewt hings,she's
adventurousandt hatoni tsown
makeshersodamnat tr
active,whi l
e
Lunathiont heot herhandi smor eof
abox edinper son.She' scomf ortable
i
nhercomf or tzone.Atf i
rstIwas
okaywi t
ht hat,butt hatwasunt ilIgot
toknowSandi ,shemakesmy
adrenali
ner ush, Inev ergetbor ed
whenI '
m wi thher-nott hatIget
boredwhenI 'm wi thmywi fe,
no!
Sandi i
sjustdi fferentfrom
Lunathi
,she'sl
ikeanewexci
ti
ngt
oy
thatIj
ustgotandsomehowI '
vel
ost
attr
acti
onf ormyoldtoy
.
Thisaf f
airhasbeengoi ngonf or2
full
mont hs,atfirsteveryti
meaf ter
havingsexwi thherIwoul dfeel so
guil
tyaboutbet rayingmywi fe,
butas
ti
mewentonIst artedfeelingless
andl essguil
ty,
buty esterdayaf t
er
maki nglovetoLunat hithegui lt
surfacedagain,t
hi sti
mear ound
hit
tingmehar dert hanusual .I
reali
sedmywr ongdoi ng, t
hat '
swhyI
decidedt oendmyaf fairwithSandi
thi
sweekend.It ookhert oahot el
j
ustt obreakthingsof fwi t
hher
gentlyasIdon' twanthertocause
dramai nmyl if
e,tomet hiswasour
goodby eweekend.Ihav en'ttoldher
yetthatIwantt oendouraf fair,t
he
fi
rstthingwedi dwhenwegother e
washav eami ndblowingsessi on,
or
sessionsrather.Iwasreadyt ogo
backt othehusbandIwasbef orethe
Sandi saga,andendingthisaf fai
ris
thefirstst
epst owardsthat.
Myt
rail
oft
hought
swasdi
stur
bedby
myr
ingi
ngphone,
i
twasMaNdeka.

Me:
"eweMah?
"
Mandeka:"
Nkosanacelaukhawulez
e
useendl
iningoku.
(easehur
ryback
home.)
"

Me:"
Yint
oniingxaki
ma?
(Whati
sthe
pr
oblem?)"

Mandeka:"
NguChul
umancooko
ekhal
aandakathul
i
(it
'
sChulushe's
beencry
ingandshe'
sdoesn'
tstop.)
"
Mybabymustbesuckagain,shi
t!

Me:"
Okaymahndiy
eza(I
'
m coming)
,i
n
themeant
imecoul
dyoupleasego
andwakemywifeupuzakwazi
ukunceda(
shewi
l
lbeabl
etohel
p
you.
)"

Mandeka:"
Akekhoaphaendl i
ni,
i
room
yenuiempty.Yil
ontondit
salel
e
wena(she'
snotint hehouse,y
our
r
oom isempt y.That'
swhyIcal l
ed
you.
)"

Me:"I
ntoni?!
(What?!
)OkayI'm onmy
way."Ihungup!Iwasangr y,Iwas
angryatLunathiforgal
avabti
ngat
ni
ght.I'
vetoldhercountl
esst i
mesto
neverleavethehouseatnight
wit
houti nf
ormingmebutnoy ena
shedoesn'
tli
stent
omyi nst
ructi
ons.
Ihopesheisnotoutt
hereparty
ing
upastorm wi
thherfr
iendsorsohelp
meGod!
Ididn'tev enhav et i
met owakeSandi
upt hat '
showpi ssedandwor r i
edI
was.Iwaspi ssedof fatLunat hiand
wor ri
edaboutmydaught er,
she
hasn' thadt heseepi sodesin2
mont hs.Thel astepisodeshehad
waswhenshewentt ohospit
al ,
Iwas
reall
ywor ri
ed.Idr ovelikeamani con
ther oad, Ididn'
tcareaboutt raffi
c
camer asallIwant edt odowast oget
homet omydaught er.
Icoul
dhearherscr
eam asIwentup
thestai
rs.Mam'LuvoandMaNdeka
wereont hei
rfeettr
yingt
ocalm her
down, Mam'Luvowasbusysingi
nga
kil
lanywhileMaNdekawasbobbi ng
herbackandf ort
h.

Me:
"Ut
heni
?(What
'swr
ongwi
thher
?)"

Mandeka:"
Andazi
nam nondoda.
"She
handedhertome,If
elther
temperat
ureandi
twasweirdl
y
normal
.

Me:
"akat
shi
si(she'
snotbur
ningup)
."I
t
ri
edtocalm herdownbyplaci
ngher
onmyshoulderandr
ubbingher
back,
butshewasnotset
tli
ngdown.

Mam' Luv o:"kukhoint

oumamakhe
adlangoy enzaxakebanj e(t
hei s
somet hingt hathermom usual ly
doeswhensheget sl
iket his.)
"She
tookChul uandst r
appedheri nher
carri
erthenshewentoutwi t
hher
afteri
nst ructingustofol l
ow.We
fol
lowedhert othebathroom down
thecorridor ,sheputthecr yingChulu
downandopenedt heshowerwat er
.
I'
venev erseenLunat hi doingt hi
s
before,itmustbeoneoft henew
tri
cksthatsheal wayscomesupwi t
h
t
okeept
hescr
eami
ngpr
incesscal
m.
Withi
nafewmi nut
esoftherunning
waterChuluwassti
l
lcr
ying,the
showertr
ickwasnotworkingout.

Mam' Luv o:"Hay

ndoy'sakel a,i
qhel
u'ksebenza
kumamakhel ent
o.(I
'
m def eated,i
t
usuallywor kswhenhermom does
i
t.)
"Shemov edthecarrierbackand
for
th.Itookoutmyphoneanddi al
ed
Lunathi,
itr angunanswer ed.Itri
ed
again,i
tthr ewmet ovoicemai l.Iwas
gett
ingev enmor eangr y.
Mandeka:
"I
nobal
omntanakhona
umoyaombi amv
ayo(maybeshe'
s
sensi
ngaabadspir
it
.).
"

Mam'Luv
o:"
inoba(maybe.
)"Att
his
poi
ntIwascluel
ess.

Mandeka: "
nondoda,khawuzame
ukuqhumi sai
mpephoumt huthe
umnt ana.
(boytryburningthei ncense
andpr ai
seherwi t
hy ourclan
names. )
"Iquickl
yrushedt omy
parents'r
oom andgott heincense
andmat ches.Mam' Luv onowhad
Chuluinherar ms.Iburntthei ncense
andstar
tedr
ecit
ingtheDl
aminicl
an
namestoher,i
twasworkingl
ikea
char
m.Soonshewascal m,sheonl
y
hadtear
sinhereyes.

Me: "
HekeMadl ami ni wam( that'si
t
Madl ami ni.)
"Iplacedt hepl atewi th
burningincensedownt henIt ookher
i
nt omyar ms." Whydoy oul i
ke
gettingdaddywor ri
ed?Lookathow
cutey oul ookwheby ouar equi et,a
realprincess.Uhl aleunj e
mnt anam( stayli
ket hi smychi ld.)
"I
kissedherf orehead, shel ookedat
mewi thhergl ist
eni ngey est henshe
gav emeabeaut iful smi l
et hat
war
medmyhear
t.

Mandeka: "I
thi ndiyoml ali
sa,i
xesha
l
akhel okulalakdal alidluli
le.
(l
etme
goandputhert osl eep,herbedt i
me
l
ongpassed. )"Ikissedherf orehead
onemor etimebef orehandi ngher
over.Iwentoutt omyr oom and
i
ndeedi twasempt y,
Lunat hiwasnot
hereandi tlooksl ikeshel ef
tinthe
aft
ernooncauseIhadt oturnont he
l
ightswhenIwal kedi t.Itookoutmy
phoneandt ri
edheronemor eti
me,it
wentst r
aightt ov oicemai l.
Me:"Lunat
hiIhopeforyoursakeyou
arenotoutpartyi
ng.Getyourass
homebef oreIcameandf et
chy ou
whereveryouare!Nxah!
"Idropped
thecall
.
Somet hi
ngcaughtmyat t
enti
onwhen
Ithrewmyphoneont hebed.Islowl
y
satdownont hebedasIsaw
Lunathi'
sri
ngontopofapaper .Hav
e
Ipushedherthatfar
?Itookthe
foldedpaperandopenedit.

"
DearHusband.
..
..
."myf
ear
scame
t
rue!
•
•
•
•
Ashortsomet
hingf
ormyl
oyal
peopl
e
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t58
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Myhear
twasbeat
ingoutofmychest
, Ii
mmedi atelyfel tmyheadspi nning.
Icouldn'
tbreat h,
Ihadchestpai ns,I
wassweat ing,ever ythingwasamess.
Isliddownont hebedandsatont he
fl
oorwi t
hthel etteri nmyhand.She
wasgone, shel ef tme, Iwasst i
l
l i
na
bitofadaz e,t
hisf el tli
keani ghtmare
Iwasgoi ngt obewokenupf rom -but
whoam ki dding,hercl osetisempt y
thatmeansshe' sgonef orgood.
Whatam Igoi ngt odo?Whatam I
goingtotellmyf ami l
yaboutt hi
s?My
fatheri
sgoi ngt obesodi sappointed,
I
couldn'
tkeepav eryi mpor t
antjewel
i
nourf amilyhappy .Ican'taffor
dt o
l
oseher ,notfort hef amily'
ssake,but
formysake.Ineedheri nmyl if
e, I
am not hi
ngwi t
houther ,shei sthey in
tomyy ang.Shewast hatoneper son
whomademesmi lewi thoutev en
try
ing,shecoul dstandmyj erkass
personality,shelovedmef orwhoI
am notwhatwhatIam, shel ovedmy
daught eruncondi t
ionallyev ent hough
shedidn' tknowwhohermot heris,
she'stheonl ygirlI
'vehadt hat
beli
evesi nmydr eam, shehel pedme
withsomeoft hebusinesspl ansI
had.Insteadofappr eciatingherwhat
didIdo?Iwentoutt hereand
betrayedheri nthewor stway
possible,Ihav enoonet obl amebut
mysel f.I
thasn' tsunki nasy ett hat
shel eftme, Ikeptonhoppi ngthat
thiswasoneofhersi ll
ypr anks.How
didshef indoutaboutSandi ?Who
toldher ?May beIshoul dhav e
conf essedwhenshegav emet he
plartform, butinsteadIdidn' t
.Icoul d
feeltear sthreateningtof alldown, I
j
ustbl i
nkedandl etthem fal l
.If
someonet oldmeay earagot hatone
dayIwi llcryforawoman, Iwoul d
hav elaughedst rai
ghtinthei rface,but
l
ookatmenow.
Ineededtotalktoher,Ican'
tl
ether
go.Inf
actIwon'tlethergo,Iref
useto
l
ether.Hopefull
yifItalktoherand
pleadwi thhershemi ghttakeme
back.Whydi dIal lowmy selft obe
temptedl i
kethat,Imeanshewas
enoughf orme.Thef actthatt he
ancestor schosenherf ormemeans
thatshe'st heper fectwomanf or,
butI
tookthatf orgrant edandwentt o
shovemydocki nt henextav ailabl
e
hole!Iwassomad, Iwasangr yat
my sel
f.Inaspl i
tsecondIwasup
from thef l
oorandt r
ashingt heent ir
e
room, Ineededt obl owofsome
steam.Isawhergownhangi ngnext
tothesi deboard, Itooki tandhugged
i
tt i
ghtlyasIl etthet earsflow.Her
scentwasst il
lther eandi tmademe
picturehersmileandt hinki
ngabout
howImi ghtnotseeitagai ndroveme
i
nsaneasIl etoutabitsosof tcry.I
wasangr yatmyself,Iwashur tthat
shel eftme-IknowIdi dher
wr ong,butIdi
dnotexpecthert o
l
eav eme.
Ican'tst
ayint
hishouseanyminut
es
l
onger .WhodoIturntowhenIam
feel
ingthi
shopeless.
..
.
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
"
Comebackhomebabypl
easemy
l
ove.I
'
m sor
ry,
for
giv
eme.
"thatwas
thehundredthofSivuy
il
e'sdrunk
voicemessagesIgotwhenIt ur
ned
onmyphonet hismorni
ng,okay
may benotnothundredthbuthelefta
l
ot.Insomehesoundssoberj ust
wantingtotalkandinothersheis
drunkandspewi ngnonsenseoutof
hismouth.
TheVusi Novasongsplayingonthe
radi
or i
ghtnowwer en'
tmakingthi
ngs
easi
erforme, especi
all
ytheInt
li
zi
yo-
Ifel
titdeepwithi
nmysoul .
"I
ngathiuy'
bambe
ngesandla,
uyi
nqi
nisi
l
iint
li
zi
yoy
am.
I
ngat
hindawuboni
igazi
li
shi
shl
a
nengal
oyakho.
.
I
ngathiuy'
bambe
ngesandl
a,awuy
'ci
ngel
ii
ntl
i
ziy
oyam.
Int
lungundi yayi
va,
it
hiwani
i
ntwenj wena."-Thatv ersewas
speakingt omysoul ,Ifelti
tdeep
withi
n.Thepai nIwasf eeli
ngi nmy
heartwasunbear able, Iwast r
yingto
understandwhati sitthatIdi dwrong
tothisman, whatIdidt odeser ve
sucht r
eat ment,
butnot hingcamet o
mind.Ispentmyweekendi nthis
hotelroom, welli
t'
smor elikealodge
becausei twhatIcanaf for
datt he
moment .Ican'
treal
lyaf fordtospend
moneyr eckl
essly
,Istillneedtof i
nda
permanentplacetost ay
.Goingback
homet omypar ents'housewas
defi
nit
elynotanopt i
on,i
twasabitfar
fr
om school andgoingbacktothat
bastar
d'shousewassomet hi
ngthat
wasnotgoi ngtohappen.
Myphonewasbuzzi ngwi th
messages,What sAppandt ext
messages.WhenIgother eon
SaturdayIdeci
dedt oswi t
chitoff
becauseIwasi nnospacet o
i
nteracti
ngwithpeople,evenon
Sundayitwasof f.If
ir
stopened
Thabang'smultiplemessages,he
waswor ri
edsay ingt
hatit'
sunlikeme
notbeonWhat sApp,Ialsoread
somef r om mysi bli
ngst heywer eall
say i
ngt hesamet hi
ng.Ianswer ed
them andsai dIlostmyphoneon
Satur day ,Ijustfoundt odayandI
apologi sedf ordisappear i
ng.Iwent
ont or eadot hermessages, some
wer ef r
om Zi ntl
eandAsenat hi
.Ase's
messagei st heonet hatcaughtmy
attention,shewasaski ngwher eIwas
andt hatsheneededt oseeme
befor eMonday .Wel litwasal r
eady
MondaysoIguesswewi ll
meeti n
school .It ookmybagandl ef
tthe
room, thel odgeIwasst ayi
ngi nwas
nott hatf arf rom school ,t
herewer e
taxisusi ngt hatrout esoi twasan
advantagef orme, event houghIhad
towearahoodyandsungl asses
becauseIdi dn'twantpeopl e
to.r
ecogniseme, nextt hi
ngy ouwill
I
willbemaki ngheadl i
nesi nthe
tabloi
ds.Thet axijourneyt oschool
wasa5mi nutesride,Ijumpedof f
andwal kedst r
aighttocl ass.
Iwoul dbelyingifIsaidIwas
concentrati
ngincl ass,mymi ndwas
allovertheplaceandIwast ryi
ngso
hardtonotcr yinf r
ontofpeople,
may becomi ngtocl asstodaywasa
badideabutIcoul dn'
tstandbeingi
n
thatroom anymor eIjustneededa
changeofscener yandt obearound
people,i
fIst
ayedi
nthatr
oom I
would'v
edrai
nedinmyowntears.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Andthenwena?What'sup
wit
htheout
fit
."Sheaskedaswesat
downonthecafeter
ia.

Me:
"What
'
swr
ongwi
thmyout
fi
t?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
It
'shor
ri
ble.
"

Me:
"mxm."Asenathiwaslooki
ngat
meandnotsayinganythi
ng.
Zint
le:
"Letmeguess,Si
vuy
il
echoseit
foryou."Thatname!
!Outoft
heblue
Asenathijumpedonmeandgav eme
amassi vehug.

Ase:"
Whydidn'
tyoucal
lme?"She
askedst
il
lhuggi
ngme.Iguessshe
knowswhatwentdown.

Zi
ntle:
"kwenzenj
animanje?
"Shel
et
goofthehugandl ookedatmewit
h
eyesfull
ofpith.

Me:
"Howdi
dyouknow?
"
Ase:"Icamebyy ourhouseyest
erday
andy ouweren' tt
here,
hewasdead
drunkandhel eti tsl
i
pthathe
cheatedony ouandy oulef
t.
"My
heartbrokeev enmor eattheword
"cheatedony ou"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wai
twhat
?!!Hedi
dwhat
?!"

Ase:
"Cal
m down!
"

Zint
le:
"Cal
m down?!Bootywhydi
dn'
t
youtel
l meaboutt
his?Igetwhyyou
di
dn'
ttel
lAsenathi
,
butme?
"Iwasnot
i
nthemoodf orherdr
ama.

Ase:"
Khaumewena.Howdi dyour
si
bli
ngstakethi
s?Forsur
ethey'
ve
al
readyatt
ackedubhut
i.
"

Me:"
Theydon'
tknow.Ihav
en'
ttol
d
any
oneaboutthi
syet.
"

Ase:"
sotheelder
sdon'tknowabout
thi
s?Theyaregoingtofl
ipwhenthey
fi
ndout."Idi
dn'
tanswer."Howar
e
youthough?"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
"

Me:"I'
m notokayatal l
, Idon'tknow
howt oreacttot hissi
tuat i
on.Imean
thi
sismyf irstev err
elationship,I
'm
confusedrightnow. "Ijustwant edto
gobackt othel odgeandbur ymy self
undertheblanket s."
AndIst ayatthe
Phil
ipi
anLodge. "

Zi
ntl
e:"
Thatcheapmot
elBoi
ty?
!"She
wasshocked.
Me:"I
t'
snotamotelZi
ntl
eandi
t'
s
sui
tablef
ormeatthemoment.Idon'
t
havemoney."

Zint
le:"
Uyahl
anyawena.Youhav e
thousandsinyouraccount
,fr
om your
husbandandt hebursar
yplusyou
haveempl oyedsi
bli
ngswhowoul d
kil
lforyou.
"

Me:"
Idon'
twantt
hem t
oknowas
yet
."

Zint
le:
"t
hencomet
omyhouse.
"I
shookmyhead
Me:"
Notwit
hThandi
wet
her
e."
Asenat
hisi
ghed.

Ase:
"Youcanmov
einwi
thmeNat
hi.
"

Me:"
Real
l
y ?Areyousur
ethaty
ou
won'
treyourbrot
her
?"

Ase:
"ofcoursenot.Iknowhowyou
aref
eeli
ng,he'
sthelastper
sont
hat
youwanttosee."

Me:
"I
'l
lbef
ineguy
s,I
'
veal
ready
start
edlookingf
orapl acetostay
.I'm
j
ustwai t
ingforaresponsefrom t
he
personwhopost edaboutlooki
ngf or
af l
atmate.
"

Ase:
"Thenyouwi
l
lwai
twhi
l
est
ayi
ng
wit
hme. "

Me:"
Youarenotgoi
ngt
otakenof
or
ananswerneh?
"

Ase:"
Youknowmet oowell
.Af
terour
l
astclassnj
e,wear egoi
ngbackto
thatr
agidymotelandwearemov i
ng
youtomyf l
at.
"Ikeptqui
et.
Zi
ntl
e:"
PleaseBooty
,atleastwewil
l
sl
eepbetterknowi
ngthatyouarenot
i
nthatmot el
."

Me:
"I
tsnotamot
el.
"

Them:
"What
ever
!"

Me:"
Fine,
I'
l
lmovei
nwithyou.BUT
onl
yuntil
theguyr
espondstomy
i
nbox."

Ase:
"Guy
?Youar
epot
ent
ial
l
ygoi
ng
t
obel
i
vingwi
thaguy
?"

Me:"Yeah.That'
stheonlyav
ailabl
e
fl
atthat'
snearby.AndnooffenceAse,
Idon'tt
hinkmov i
nginwithyou
permanentlyi
sagoodi dea.
"

Ase:
"i
t'
sfi
neIunder
stand.
"
Timewentbyandsoonourl astcl
ass
wasout .Wewer eoutsi
dewaiti
ngf or
Mar ktocomeandpi ckusup,hewas
goingtodr opusof fatt
helodge.As
wewer est andi
ngthere,Isawa
ratherfamili
arcarparki
ngabitfather
from us.Amangotoutoft hedriv
er s
si
deandcamet ost
andonthe
passenger
ssi
dewhil
elooki
ngar
ound.

Me:"
Youhavegott
obeki ddingme!"
Myheartr
atewasi
ncreasing.They
l
ookedwheremyeyeswer esituat
ed.

Ase:"Whatt hehel
lishedoi nghere?
!"
Shesai dali
tt
lebutloudgrabbinghis
attention."
Ohshithesawus!He
betterbotcomenearusbecauseI
am r eall
ymadathi m,he'
sluckyI
di
dn' tbeathisassyesterday.
"He
j
oggedt ous,Isowant edtoleave,
but
Zintl
ehadwashol dingmyhand
t
ight
ly.Her
eachedus.

Si
vuy
ile:
"Uhm heyguys.CanIpl
ease
st
ealherforaminute.
"

Ase:
"No.
"Hewasshocked

Siv
uyil
e:"
ComeonIj
ustwantto
speaktomywif
eAse,pl
ease.
"

Ase:
"andIsai
dno.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Please.
"Hesaidi
nabeggi
ng
tonewhil
ehel ookedatmewi
thsad
eyes.IlookedawayasIal mostfel
t
sorr
yf orhim."Lunat
hi baby,Ij
ust
wanttoex plai
nev er
ythingtoyou."

Me:"
Iam noti
nter
est
ed.
"Myv
oice
cameoutshaky.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Please,
Iam beggi
ngyou."I
di
dn'
twanttobli
nkbecauseIknown
i
fIdi
d,t
earswouldcomeoutgushing.

Ase:
"Ohl
ookatt
hat
,Mar
kisher
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Atl
eastt
ell
mewher
eyou
ar
estay
ingthen.Ij
ustwantt
oknow
i
fyouaresafe.
"

Ase:"Asyoucansee, she'sfine."She
pull
edZintle'sarm andIal so
automaticallygotpul led.Icoul dn't
helpbutlookbackt oahumanbei ng
whooncemademyhear tfi
l
l withjoy,
hewasj ustst andingt herelooki ngat
megoal l t
hewayt ot hecarwhi l
ehe
l
ookedl i
kehehadawor l
donhi s
shoulder
s.Ihadt or emi ndmy selfof
whathedi dt oandt hepr omi seI
madet omy self,i
twashar d.Howi sit
thatIam stillyearni
ngf orhislov e,I
meanhehur tmebey ondi magi nation.
Thisi
smyfir
stheartbreakandit
hurt
ssobad,Idoubtthisis
somethi
ngIwil
lgetov eranyt
ime
soon.
▪
▪
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Ijuststoodther
eandwat chedthe
l
ov eofmyl i
fewal kaway,itwasasi f
shewaswal kingawaywi thmyhear t.
Iwasdef eat
edbutt hatdidn'
tmeanI
wasgoi ngtogiveuponher ,I
'm goi
ng
tokeepont ryi
ngandt ry
ingt ogether
back,sheismylife.
These2day swi t
houther ehavehad
megoi ngonadr unkspr ee.Saturday
andSundayIsl eptdrunk,I'
m alway s
i
nmyr oom dr i
nking.ButIonlyst ar
t
dri
nkingatnightbecauseIcan' t
affor
df orChlut oseemedr unk.
Speakingoft hatone, Ihaveaf eeli
ng
thatshemi sseshermom t oo,she's
beengi vi
ngabi tofa' col
dshoul der'
l
ately,shedoesn' tsmilewhenIpl ay
withhershej uststaresatmeand
that'
sit.
Iwasdet erminedtotryandwinmy
wifeback,atwhatevercost
.I'
m
actual
lysurpri
sedthatIhaven'
t
recei
vedanyt hreat
eningmessages
fr
om asiblingsorabeat ing,t
hey'v
e
beenquiet.Infactherbrothershave
beenhitt
ingmeuponWhat sApp
aboutagett ogetherandIj ustchose
toignor
et hem becauseIdon' tknow
whetherthat'stheirwayoft r
yingto
tr
apmeorsomet hi
ng.
Idrov
et oSandi
'spl
ace,itwast i
met o
endthisonceandforall
.Ididn'
tget
ti
met odoitovert
heweekend, soI
havetodoitnow.Iknockedont he
doorandsheopened,shehadal ready
tol
dmet hatshe'
snotgoi ngtowor k
today
.
Sandi
:
"Heyl
overboy
."

Me:"
Hi."Shemadewayf
ormeandI
ent
ered.

Sandi
:
"Whatbr
ingsy
ouhere,
Ididn'
t
knowweweremeeti
ngtoday
."

Me:"Uhm that
'
snott
her
easonwhyI
am here.
"

Sandi
:
"okay
..
.isi
twor
krel
ated.
"

Me:
"Letmebotbeatar
oundt
hebush.
Lunathif
oundoutaboutusandshe
l
eft,I
'
mj ustheretoendthi
ngswith
you.Ican'
taffor
dtoloseher,
Ilov
e
hertomuch."

Sandi:
"Wait,
arey oudumpi ng?For
someonewhohasal readyleftyou?
!
Siv
uyil
e,can'
ty ouseewhatt hisis?I
t'
s
ablessi
ngi ndisguise.Thi
smeanwe
canbet ogetherwi t
houtwor r
ying
aboutwhatpeopl earegoingtosay."

Me:"
Justbecauseshelef
tdoesn'
t
meanI'
vestoppedlovi
ngherorthat
she'
snotgoingtocomeback.When
shefi
nall
ydecidestoforgi
veme,I
wanthertocomet oaf ai
thf
ul
husband,ahusbandthatlovesher
uncondi
ti
onall
y."

Sandi:
"Whataboutme?"Shesaid
soundinghear
tbr
oken.Ichuckl
ed

Me: "
ComeonSandi ,
youknewt his
wasgoi ngtobeov erbeforei
teven
start
ed.I'
m amarriedman, aman
whoi scompletel
yinlovewi t
hhis
wife.Youknewwhaty ouweregetting
yoursel
finto,
whyyouact ingsupr
ised
now? "
Sandi
:
"comeonSi
vuyi
le,y
oucan't
j
ustdropmel
ikeahotpotat
o."

Me:"We'
vespokenaboutt hisbefore,
I
askedyout hatwhent hetimecomes
forustost opthi
syouwon' tgiveme
anyproblems?Whatdi dyousay ?"
Shelookeddown." Yousai dyouwon' t
andthaty oucompletelyunderstand
ourarr
angement ,di
dn'tyou?"

Sandi
:"
Thatwasbefor
eIf
eltt
hisway
aboutyou.Si
vuy
il
eIl-
"
Me: "Woah! !Don'tev ensayt hatwor d.
Iwasj ustdoingy ouaf av ourby
comi ngher eandi nf or
mi ngy ouabout
theneedofour' friendship',
ifitwas
anot herper sonhewoul dhav ekept
quietandmov edonwi thhisl i
fe.So
pleaseappr eci
atet hecour tesy."Her
mout hwaswi deopen." Ohand
tomor rowy ouarest art
ingan
i
nt erntion,
Pamel aiscomi ngback
per manent lytoherPAposi tion."I
turnedandandheadedf orthedoor .

Sandi:
"ohnowt hatyouhaveusedme
toyoursati
sfacti
ony ouar
egoingto
dropmel i
kethis?!
!BecauseIam no
usetoy ouany mor e!
!Wel lguess
whatmyPr i
nce,nooneandImean
onedoest hattoSandi siweMhl ongo!
!
Ifyouknowwhat 'sgoodf ory ou,y
ou
willt
akebackwhat everitisthaty ou
saidthere!"Shel ookedandsounded
crazy.I'
venev erseent hissideofher
before,hellwhatam Isay i
ng, I'
veonly
knowt hisgirlforaf ewmont hs.I
walkedcl osetoherandl ookedather
deadi ntheey es,thatseemedt o
shakeherupabi t.

Me:"
li
stenherecrazyhoe,
no
t
hreat
ensmeandl iv
estotel
lthet
ale.
I
fyouar et
hinki
ngofdoing
somet hi
ngt obr eakmyf ami l
y
apart,theny oubet t
erthinkagai n.I f
youdar etryanddosomet hingst upid,
I'
llmakesur ethaty oudisappearf rom
thefaceoft heear th.Don'tletthese
fabcycl othesandsui t
sf ool y
ou, you
don'tknowmegi rl
yandt rustmey ou
donotwantt oknowme.Nowst ay
thehel lawayf rom me, orel sey ou
won' tli
kewhatwi llhappent oy ou.
Nx ah!!"Withthatsai dIlefther
shaki nginherapar tment.
Iwasdri
vi
nghomewhenIr
ecei
veda
cal
lfr
om mymom.
Mom:"Si
vuy
il
e,ur
ightsanal
wam? (
Are
youokaymybaby .
)"Shesoundedli
ke
shewaspanicki
ngabi t
.

Me:
"I
'mf
inemama.
"

Mom:"Ar
eyousure?ULunat
hino
Chul
ubona?"Shi
t!

Me:
"Uhbar
ightmama.
"

Mom: "
Manxeleishadoneofher
epi
sodesagain.Shesaysshecan'
t
seethechosenoneandit'
syourfaul
t.
Shesaidify
oudon'
tgetthi
ngsri
ght
every
thi
ngisgoi
ngtofal
lapar
t.
"Shi
t!
Shit
!

Me:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Mom: "
Whatdoy oumeanwhatdoI
mean? !"Thatdidn'tsoundri
ght.
"Yeahwenamnt anandini
,
whatdid
youdo? !"Yoh!From sanalwam(my
baby )tomnt anandini
(youchi
ld)i
n
suchaspl itsecond."Phendul
a
mar n!!
"Sheshout ed.

Me:
"Not
hingmom,
Idon'
tdo
any
thi
ng.
"

Mom:
"ar
ey ousure?Manxel
eisnev
er
wr
ongaboutthesethi
ngswena!
"

Me:"Mom, I
'
m dr
ivi
ngcanwetal
k
aboutthi
swhenIgethome?
"

Mom:
"YewenaSi
vuy
il
e!"Shewar
ned.

Me:
"Ser
iousmama.
"

Mom: "
Fine!Cal
lmeassoonasy ou
gethome,notaminut
elat
er!I
nfact
cal
lmet heminut
ey oupar
kyourcar
.
Uyandi
va?(doyouhearme?)"

Me:"
EweMah.(
yesmom)
"shesi
ghed
andendedt
hecal
l.
WhatdoesshemeanManxel ehas
hadoneofherancest ralepisodes?
Doest hatmeant heancest orsare
alreadysensingwar ningsabout
Lunat hi?!Whatam Igoi ngtodo?I
didn'texpectthem togetangr yso
fast!Iam stil
linthefi
r ststepof
tryi
ngt ogettheirchosenoneback.
I'
m pr ett
ysureallmyf ami l
yi s
wor ri
edaboutt he't
hingsar egoi ngt
o
f
all
apar
t'par
t.Ihav
etof
ixt
his.
•
•
•
•
•
ENJOY
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t59
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Ididcal l mymom t hemi nut eIgot
home, Ididn'twanttobeatt he
receivingendofheri nsults,
mymom
i
saf i
er ceXhosal adyumnqundu
ngumnqundukuy e,
soIhadt oadhere
byherr ules.Iendedupt elli
ngher
aboutmysi tuat
ionbet weenmeand
Lunat hi andboywasshepi ssedof f
,
sheswor emeandt hreatentot ake
mebacki nsideherwomb, shesai d
shei sgoi ngt obeatmeupunt i
l I
swal l
owmyownt eeth-t hatwas
brutal.Ihadt obeghernott ot ellmy
fatheraboutt hi
sthough, atleastuntil
Ifindacommongr oundwi thLunat hi,
she' swasr eluct
antasshewant edt o
tellmydadaboutt heaf fairright
ther eandt henbutIwasnotr eadyf or
mydad' sdi sappointedlect ure.My
mom coul dn' tevenexpresshow
disappoi ntedshewasi nme, shesai d
shedoesn' tev enwanty oseemy
face.Iunder stood,Ididdi sappoi nt
them.Imeanmydadwor kedhar dfor
thet hrone,ev enthoughatf ir
sthe
didn'twanti tbutbecausei twashi s
birthri
ghthesatoni tandher ul
edhi s
kingdom i nt oprosperi
ty,heupl i
fted
thecommuni tyanddev elopedi tinto
somet hi
ngv erybeautif
ul asi tisthe
Kingdom isoneofthemost
developedKingdomsinthe
world,t
hat'
showwebecamef amous.
Andt henhereIam messinguphi
s
hardwor k.
JustbecauseIcheat edonLunat hi
doesn'tmeanIdon' tloveher ,
Ilov e
herbey ondi magi nat i
on.YesIknow
thatshewasf orcedi ntomebyt he
ancest orsbutsomehowIf oundmy
selfdrawnt oher ,Ifelldeeperand
deeperf orher ,
itwasasi fIhadno
cont r
ol overmyemot i
ons.Iqui ckly
l
ear nttolov eher ,
butonet hingt hatI
forgott odo,somet hingv ery
i
mpor t
ant ,Iforgott oshowher
appr eci
ation,Ididn' tappr eciateher .
Thati swhatdr ov emet ocheaton
her,i
twasn' therf ault,
itwasal l
me!
Lunat hiisev erythingt hataman
needsi nawoman-she' s
beaut i
ful,
smar t
,respect ful,humbl e,
in
factshe'saexact lywhatIwoul dpen
downasmyper fecti deal woman.But
again,Itookt hatf orgr ant ed,Ifail
edto
mai ntai
nmyl ustful eye,If orgotthatI
am nol ongerwi thThandi we, Iam
nowwi ththemostper f
ectwi feI
couldev eraskf or-If orgott or emind
my selfoft hatv erysi ngleday .One
thi
ngaboutmostmeni st hatt heyfail
toseet hebeaut yi nf rontoft heir
eyes,t
heyonl yreali
sewhatt heyhav e
wheni t'
sgone, Iam partoft hat'men
organisati
on'.Ishould'
vehav e
focusedonmywi feinsteadofl ivi
ng
l
ifeashowIdi dbef oreImar r
iedher,I
won'tblameany onebutmysel ffor
whatev eri
shappeni ngr ightnow.I
j
usthopet hatshewi l
l f
indi tdeepin
herwoul dtof orgi
vemef orwhatIdid
toher,andt hatshewi llonceagai nbe
backinmyl i
feasmywi fe.Ireall
y
fuckedupt hist i
mear ound.

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Ihaveof f
iciall
ymov edinwi t
h
Asenathi,andImustsayherf latis
real
lybeaut i
fulIdoseemy sel
fliv
ing
hereforal ongwhi l
e,but
unfort
unat elyIneedmyownspace.I
knowi fImov einhere
permanent ly,
Sivuyi
l
ewoul dbeher e
allt
hedamnt i
mepest er
ingmeabout
hischeati
ngnonsense.
Iwasint hekit
chencookingdinner
formeandAsenat hiwhenIr eceiv
ed
acallfr
om thequeen.ImustsayI 've
beenav oidi
nghercal
lslatel
y,Idon't
whattosayt oher,
isshegoingt o
empathisewi t
hme?Orusshegoi ng
totakeherson'ssi
deasshenor mally
does?What .Thephonest opped
ri
nging,
Iletoutasi ghofrel
ieve.Not
asecondaf terbreathi
ng,
i
tstarted
ri
ngingagain,Igatheredmygut sand
answered.

Me:
"Hel
l
oMah.
"

Mrs'D:
"Lunat
hi,
fi
nall
ymybaby."
Maybeshedoesn'tknowwhat
happenedbetweenmeandherson,I
cannotbeli
eveSivuy
il
eri
ghtnow!

Me:
"hi
Mah,
howar
eyou?
"
Mrs'
D:"Ishoul
dbeaskingy outhat
questi
onmybaby .Iheardwhatt hat
bi
gheadedsonofmi nedid,ar
eyou
okay?Wher ear
eyoust ayi
ng?"Ohh
hedid!

Me:"I
mfineMah,I'
mjusttaki
ng
t
hingsastepatatime.I
'
m crashi
ng
wi
thaf r
iendatt
hemoment ."

Mrs'
D:"Ican'tbeli
ev et
hatboy!Why
woul
dhel ethissmal l
headcontrol
hi
mi nsteadofl et
tingthebi
gone
cont
rolhim.Idon' tknowwher ehe
l
earntthisnonsenseofcheating
causenoonehasdonei ther
ei nthis
famil
y!"Ihonestl
ydidnotwantt ot al
k
aboutthisbecauseitwasonl y
openi
ngupwoundst hataretry
ingt o
heal
."IsweartoGodIam goi ngto
dealwiththatchi
ldassoonasIl and
i
nJobur gtoday!"

Me:
"Today
?Youar
ecomi
ngher
e?"

Mrs'
D:"Yes,
I
'm onmywayt othe
ai
rportaswespeak."Ij
usthopeshe
won'taskmet omeetupwithher!I
can'
tsaynot oher
,act
ual
lynoone
cansaynotoher
."Di
dyouhearme
Lunat
hi?
"Shoot
!

Me:
"EhMah?
"

Mrs'
D:"Hehlomntwana!Ndit
hi,
Ihope
Iam goingtoseeyouinthehouse
tomorr
owf orLunch.
"OhNo!

Me:
"I
'm sor
rymah,
Ican'
tdolunch
t
omorrowIhavel
atecl
asses.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Haysuka!I
t'
sFr
iday
,Iknowy
ou
onl
yhave1classonFri
daysandI
knowby12pm y ouwil
lbedone."
ThishadSivuyil
ewri
tt
enalloveri
t!I
can'tbel
i
evehe'sbri
ngi
nghismom t o
fi
ghthisbat
tles,
howpathet
ic!

Me:
"Uh.
..
yeah.
"

Mr s'
D:"
Iknowyoudon'
twanttocome
becauseofthatr
ott
enpotato,
butyou
won'tbetherehi
m,y
ouwillbether
e
forme.Pleasemybaby.
"Ohshi t
!I
sighed.

Me:
"Okayf
ineMah,
I'
ll
come.
"
Mrs'
D:"
Great!I
'l
lmakesur
ethatI
pr
epareyourfavour
it
emeal.
"Ismil
ed.

Me:
"Doy
ouev
enknowwhati
tis?
"

Mrs'D: "
OfcourseIdo.Undi t
hatha
kanjani."Webot hlaughed.Ican' t
beli
ev eI'mlaughingwi t
ht hat
cheat ersmom, butshedi dn'tdome
wrongaf t
erall-
ev enthoughour
'
rel
at i
onship'didtakeaknockdown
aft
ert hewhol esext apesaga." I
'l
lsee
yout omor r
owkent ombam. "Isai
d
mygoodby esasshehungupt hecall
.
"Andthatsmil
e?"Iqui
ckl
yturned
onlyt
oseeAsenathist
andingbehind
mewi thani
nquisi
ti
vel
ookonher
face.

Me:
"Ohht
hatwasy
ourAunt
."

Ase:
"Who?Nomzwakhe?
"

Me:"
haymar
n!Whywoul
dthatone
cal
lmeandl
eavemewit
hasmi l
e."

Ase:
"Whoknows?Phel
awenay
ou
ar
ethef
avour
it
eDl
ami
niMakot
i.
"As
i
f!

Me:
"mxm.ImeantSi
vuy
il
e'
smom.
"

Ase:
"Ohh,
whatdi
dshewant
?"

Me:"
Shewasjusti
nvi
ti
ngmef
or
l
unchtomor
row."

Ase:"
andwenay
ouwer
esmi
l
ing
because?
"

Me:
"I
t'
sjustsomet
hingshesai
d.You
won'
tgeti
t.
"

Ase:
"Mmmmh.Sowhatdi
dyousay
?"

Me:"
Isai
dyes,
obviousl
y.Youknow
howyourAunti
s."

Ase:"
Idoyoudon'
thavet oexpl
ain.
"I
wasexpecti
ngabitofjudgement
ther
e."Weneedtomakesur ethat
youlookbombtomorrow!"

Me:
"ay
ywhy
?"
Ase:"
ahhbecausey ouaregoingto
seeyourmot heri
n-l
awandIam
pret
tysurethatbhuti
isalsogoingt
o
bethere,
soy ouneedtoslayand
showhi m whathi
smi ssi
ngouton."

Me:"
wouldn'
tthatbeext
ra?Imean
i
t'
sjustl
unchathomenogal."

Ase:"
therei
snosucht hi
ngasextr
a
si
si.Especi
all
ywhenitcomesto
showingoffyouyourenemi
es."
Wheredidtheytakethi
sonethough?

Me:
"SoIshoul
ddr
essupf
orSi
vuy
il
e
j
ustt
opr
oveapoi
nt?
"

Ase:"y
esdear!Heshouldknowknow
thathelostoutonsomethi
ng
preci
ous!Inf
actweshouldjustgo
andat t
ackthatbit
chasssi
dechick
ofhis.
"Ichuckled.

Me:
"yano,
wear
enotdoi
ngt
hat
."

Ase:
"Youaresuchapar typopper
.
Butyouaresti
ll
getti
ngprettyf
ort
hat
l
unch.Iam nottaki
ngnof oran
answerli
keyourmom! "Il
aughed.
Me:
"Fi
ne!
"

Ase:
"Andwear
egoi
ngoutt
omor
row
ni
ght.
"

Me:
"No!
"

Ase:
"Yes!
"

Me:
"No!
"

Ase:
"Yes!Ar
en'
tyout
ir
edofmoppi
ng
around,I
'
m pret
tysur
ethedai
ry
famil
yisti
redofmovingi
nyourtast
e
buds."WTF!

Me:"FYI,
eatingicecream i
nbedis
muchbet terthanbeingoutther
eand
dancingwithstrangers.
"

Ase:"ohcomeon!Youneedt oget
yourli
febackinor der.Eversi
ncey ou
mov edinhere,
y ou'
vebeeneat i
ngi ce
cream andcrying!YeahI'veseeny ou
crymultipl
eoft i
mes, Ist
il
ldon'tget
whyy ouhidewheny ouarecrying.
Oneoft hereasonswhyIaskedy ou
tomov einher ewasf ormet ogi ve
youmor al supportNat hi
,Iwanty ou
toknowt hatIam her ef or.I
fy ou
wanttocr y,myshoul derisav ail
able.
Youdon' tneedt ocryincor nersand
hideawayy ouremot i
ons.I '
m herefor
youbabes. "Ismi l
edandgav ehera
hug.Ididn'tthi
nkt hatshewoul d
noti
cemypi typartysessions, I
alwaysthoughIwasdoi nggoodat
hidi
ngfrom her .Iguesssher eal
lyis
agoodf riend.

Me:"
Thanksbabe.Fr
om nowon, Iwi
ll
cometoyouwhenIf eel
li
kecr
ying."
Ase: "
Haysi si!Nomor et ears.I'
ll
namey ouDikel ediifyoukeepon
crying.Youneedt omov eonf rom
this,yesIknowi thur t
sandt hisis
yourf i
rsthear tbreak,butt hat's
doesn' tmeany ouhav et o.l
etit
consumey ou.You' vecr iedenough
sis,i
tsnoty iurf aul
tt hathecheat ed
ony ousoy oucan' tbesi tti
ngher e
andcr y i
ngasi fyoudi dsomeone
wr ong.Youdi dn'tdoany thi
ng
wr ong,youshoul dfocusont hatand
mov eonwi t
hy ourl i
fe.I'm notsay ing
mov eonf rom mybr otherthough, I
dowanty outogetbackt ogether,y
ou
guy saresoul mat esBUTy oudoneed
toteachhi m al essonaboutt his!You
needt olethim knowt hathecan' t
cheatony ouandgetawaywi th
i
t,oncey ou'v
et aughthimt hatl esson
onlythewi llIencour agey outo
forgiv
ehi m.Fornowsi s,l
i
v eand
enjoyy ourli
fet ot hefull
est!Enj oy
yourfreedom, whoknowswheny ou
willgetitagai n!"Ismiledwi t
ht ears
formingi nmyey es."
Haike!Di keledi
!"
Ilaughedatt hat .

Me:"Whoknewt haty
ouhadsomuch
senseinyou.Heh!Umsabeumnt
u."
Shechuckled.
Ase:"
Hai
bo!Whatdoyoutakeme
for
?"Asensel
esspar
tyani
mal."
So
wearegoingoutt
omorr
ow? "

Me:"
Thanksf
ort
hepeptal
kbabe,
but
i
t'
ssti
ll
anofort
heni
ghtout.
"

Ase:"
mxm.Youar esuchabore.Di sh
upinhungry!"Howrude!Shewalked
totheloungeandsatdowninfrontof
theTV.
•
•
ItwasFriday,
thedayt omeetwi t
hmy
mot heri
nlawf i
nal
lyarri
ved.Iwas
nervousbecauseIdidn'tknowwhat
toexpect,Imeanwasshegoi ngto
receivemewell?YesIknowshe
soundedokayov erthephonebuty ou
neverknowhey !
Unfort
unat elyIdidtakeupAsenat hi
's
i
deat olookpr etty
,sheev ent ookit
uponher selftochooseaout fitf
or
meandt omyf ace-whi chbyt heway
Ifel
twast ot al
lyunnecessar y
.She
wantedt ogoov er
boardwi tht hi
s
wholedressi ngupt hi
ng, Ihadt o
remindhert hatIam notdr amat icli
ke
her.Sheendedupset t
li
ngf orashor t
bodyhuggi ngdr ess,i
twasgreyin
colourandi thadshor tsl
eevesI
paireditupwi thmybl acksandles,
shewentf ort healmostnaturallook
formyf ace, butshedidinsi
stona
pinkcolour edl i
psti
ckasshedi dn't
wantmet ol ookdul l-herwords,not
mi ne.Sher eallyturnedmeintoher
dolltodayshame, notthatIam
compl aini
ngt houghbecauseIdi d
l
ookgoodorshoul dIsay'pret
ty'.

Ase:
"yaaaasQueen!!
"Shecheeredas
Itwi
rl
edinfrontofher."Nowgoand
showhim whathe'smi ssi
ngouton!
"I
smil
edasIt ookmyslingandexit
ing
thedoort othecar ..theQueen
i
nsistedonSi zwef et
chingmet oday .
Thedr ivewasbi tshor tasIwas
focusedonmyownt hought s.I
j
umpedof fthev ehicleandmademy
wayt othef rontdoorSi v uyil
e'
scar
wasont hedr iveway .Icoul dn'tbring
my sel
ft oknockoni t
.Il ookedand
fel
tstupid,Ican'tbel i
ev eIl etAsenat hi
tal
kmei ntocomi ngher el ookingl i
ke
thi
s,damn!Okayy oucandot hi sgirl!
Youar eBont le'ssisteraf terall!I
meany oudidn' tleaveschool ear ly
j
ustst andont hedooranddonot hing!
Okayher egoesnot hing!
●
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Knock!Knock!

Me:"
Mom y
ouexpect
ingv
isi
tor
s
kant
i?"

Mom: "Justgett hedoorwena! "Wow!

Ican'
tbelievet hatshedidn'ttellme
thatwewer egoi ngtohavev i
sitors.I
stoodupf rom t hecouchandwentt o
openthedoor .Themi nuteIopenedi t
,
myey eswentbi gasgol fball
s.Ther e
shewasst andingi nfr
ontofme
l
ookingasent icingasever,mymout h
wasslightly.Ihav en'
tseeheri nday s,
sheblockedmeonallsoci
almedia
plat
for
msbutshehasn'tbl
ockedmy
call
sbecausetheydost
il
lgothr
ough
whenIcallher
.

Me:"
Hey .
"Ifi
nal
l
ymanagetosay.Al
l
ofsuddenIwasfeel
ingner
vous,
my
pal
mswer esweatyandmyheartwas
beat
inginit
sownrhythm.

Lunathi
:"
Hi.I
sy ourmom here?"Well
thatwascold.Icoul
dn'
thelpbutkeep
myst ar
eonher ,myeyesranthrough
herbodyandbackt oherchin.I
missedherwithmyal l
,Imissed
ever ythingabouther ,Imissed
runni ngmyf i
ngerthrought hatlit
tl
e
scaronherchi naf t
ermaki ngl ove.I
mi ssedf eeli
ngherbodyonmybody ,
I
mi ssedherst upidjokesnot
forget ti
nghermadeupwor ds.Iwas
notcopi ngatal lwithouther ,
I'
v etr
ied
todi stractmysel fwi t
hwor kand
alcohol butIwoul dal waysfind
my sel ftextingorcal l
ingher.Imi ssed
hersweetl aughandsweetv oice,I
mi ssedhowherey eswoul dglow
witht ear swhenIt easeherabout
somet hing,myv eryowncr ybaby .
"Uhm hel lo!
"Shebr oughtmebackt o
tot hel andoft heliving.
Me:"Ohy eah,
uhm comei n."Imade
wayf orherandsheent ered.The
dresswasni celyhuggi ngherbody
andexposi ngallherasset s."Uhm
she'sinthekitchen.Youcansi tthere
andwai tforher."Ipointedhert othe
l
ounge, Ican'
tbel iev
eI '
ml eadingher
totheloungel i
keshe' sast ranger.
Shedeci dedtosi tabitf urtherfr
om
me." Souhm, howhav ey oubeen?
School?"Damn!Isoundedl i
kea
nervoushighschool ki
dgi vinga
speech!
Lunat
hi:
"I
mfi
ne.
"Ohshedoesn'
task
me

Me:
"That
'sgood.So-
"

Lunathi:
"Sivuy i
le,I'
m notheret o
makesmal ltalkwithyou.I'
mj ust
herebecausey ourmom askedmet o
comeher e,ifIknewy ouwer egoing
tobeher eIwoul dhavedeclined
becausey ourpr esencesickensme! "I
won'tli
e,thatr eall
yhithard.Icouldn'
t
bel
ievethatt hi swasherspeaki ng
l
ikethistome.I tsoundedlikeBontle
wast heonet alking.
Me: "
oh."Iunder st
oodwher eshewas
comi ngfrom,ofcour seshewasn' t
goingtof orgi
vemej ustli
ket hat,I
neededt oearnherf or gi
venessand
hertrust.AtthispointallIhav etodo
i
st okeepqui etandf ighttheur ge
thatIhav etohugherandki ssthe
l
ivingdayl i
ghtsoutofher ,Ihadt o
restr
ainmysel fandmyemot ions.My
mom wal kedin,bl
azingtheawkwar d
room withhersmi l
e.

Mom:"
Lunathi
,I
'm sogl
adt
haty
ou
ar
ehere.Comeandgivemeahug.
"
Shestoodupandmetmom hal fway
asshegav eherahug.Att hatpointI
wishedIwast heoneget ti
ngthehug.
Theysatdown.I '
mr eal
lynotmadat
mymom f ornottel
li
ngmeaboutt hi
s
l
unchwi thLunathi,
may beshe
thoughtIwasgoi ngtotryandavoid
beinghere,butIwasn't
.Infacti
fshe
tol
dme, Iwouldn'tevenhave
botheredtogot oworktoday.

Lunat
hi:
"UhIdi
dn'
tknowthatSivuy
il
e
wasgoingt
ohere.
"Shereal
lydoesn'
t
wantmehere.
Mom: "
Iknow,Ifi
guredifItol
dy ou
abouthimyouwer egoingtorefuse
tocome.Ijustwantedtohav eyou
bothheresothatIcantalktoyou
guysaboutthesit
uati
ont hatyouare
i
n."

Lunathi
:"
Wi t
hal l
duerespectmah,I
'm
nottheonet hatneedstobetal
kedto.
Ididn'
tdoany thi
ngwrong,i
twasin
factyoursonwhodeci dedtogoout
ofourmar ri
ageandhav eanoff
ice
affai
r.
"

Mom:
"Iknowmybaby
,Iknow.Ij
ust
wantedy ouguyst otal
ky ouri
ssues
out.Youbot hknowwhat 'satstake
here,eventhoughy ouLunathiareat
anadv antage.
"Ohshi t
!"Youguy s
knowv erywellthatyourmar r
iage
bindsalotofpeople."

Lunathi:
"WhatdoyoumeanI'
m atan
advantagemah?"Ohshi
t!Ohshit
!
Heregoesmychanceofwi nni
ngher
back.

Mom: "Imeanyouknowt hewhole

thingaboutancest
orsbeingonyour
sideshouldyoudecidet
ol eav
ethe
marr
iagebecauseofoursons.
"
That
'sit
!Iam done!Thatwast
he
fi
nal
nailtot
hecof f
in.

Lunathi
:"
Waitwhat
?!Idi
dn'
tknow
aboutthat.
"

Mom:"Wha-youdidn'tknow?He
di
dn'
ttelly
ou?"Iknowt hatmymom
i
stryi
ngtohelpme, butri
ghtnowshe
i
sdiggingmygrave.

Lunathi
:"
No,Iguesshefor
gotto
mentionthatpi
eceofi
nfor
mation
becauseheknewhewasgoi ngto
hur
tmel
i
ket
his.
"

Me:
"Babyt
hat
'snott
r-
"

Lunathi:
"Shutup!Youknowwhat ,
I
am done!Iam donewi t
hy ou,Iam
donewi t
ht hisfamil
y .Youkeptt hi
s
from mebecausey ouwant edmet o
beast upidwi f
ewhowoul dst aywith
younomat terwhaty oudobecause
shehasaf earthati
fshel eav esshe
wi l
lbeseverelypunishedbyt heGods!
Youwant edt okeepmei nt hedarkso
thatyoucanusemet othebestof
yourabil
ity!Youareasel f
ishman
Siv
uy i
l
eDlamini
!Ihateyousomuch
ri
ghtnow,Idon'
teverwanttoseeyou
again.
"Shewasonherf eetast
ears
str
eameddownherf ace,myheart
bl
edasshesai dal
lthosewordsto
me.

Mom:"
WoahLunathi
sisicl
am
down,
cal
m downmntanam."

Lunathi
:"
Nomah.Al lal
ongI'v
ebeen
stupi
dthinki
ngt hatSivuy
il
eloves
me,kanti
nohewaswi thmebecause
ofhisfamily
.Ifher eal
l
ylovedhe
wouldhav etol
dmeaboutt hi
sthe
minutehef oundoutabouti t
,but
i
nsteadhekeptqui etaboutit
becauseheknewt hathewasgoi ng
tomessupasusual andIwould
l
eav ehi
m andt hatwouldmaket he
Kingdom crumble."Sheturnedto
l
ookatme." Youwer ewithmef orthe
benefi
cialofyourfamily
."

Me:"
Ofcoursenotmylove.Idol
ove
you,
youknowt hatt
oo.
"

Lunathi
:
"Savei
t!YouknowIknowat
thebegi
nningt
hiswasamar ri
aget
o
appeasetheGods,butIt
hought
alongtheli
newef oundlove.ButI
waswr ong,inyourmi ndyoust i
llhad
thethoughtthatIwasonl ymar ri
ed
i
nt othi
sfamilyforit
sbenef i
cial
,you
claimtolovemebuty oukeepon
hurti
ngmeandbr eakingmyt rust!"

Me:"
Okaybaby,
li
sten.Letmeexplai
n
mylove.
"Iwasnowal soonmyf eet
get
ti
ngclosert
oher .

Lunathi
:"
Don'tt
ouchme! "Shesaidas
Itri
edtoholdherhands."MrsDlamini
,
thankyouforhavi
ngmebutIwi l
lbe
onmywaynow.Myf amilywil
lbein
touchwi thyoursaboutendingthi
s
mar r
iage."Itr
iedtoholdherhand
again,sheyankeditoffandrushed
outthel ounge.

Mom: "HayusibuleleSivuyi
le,usibulel
e
mnt anam.(Youhav ekill
edus
Sivuyi
le,
youhav ekill
edusmychi ld.)
"
Shesatdownont hesof alooking
defeated.Iwasst i
llshockedatt he
factthatLunathiwant edtoendour
mar ri
ageforgood.Iwasi ndi sbeli
ef.
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Iwascr
yingal
lthewayt
othef
lat
.
Sizweendedupgi vingmeawhol e
boxoft issuesbecauseIkepton
sniff
ing.Iwasr eall
yhur t
,Sivuy ilehas
onceagai nstompedonmyt rustand
onmyhear t.Heknewt hathewas
goingt ohur tmei ntheendand
becausehe' sasel f
ishguyhest il
l
want edmei nhi sl
ifeforhi sown
benef i
cial,
that'
swhyhedi dn'tt ellme
thatIcanl eav ethi
smar r
iagei fhe
treat
smel i
keshi t
.Hewant edmet o
staywhi lehet reat
smel i
kea
wor t
hlesspi eceofgar bage, hei sa
disgustinghumanbei ng!Ihat ehi m
somuch!Iam angr yathi m, Ijust
wantt oscr eam athi m andbeathi m
up!I fhe'smom di dn'ttellmeabout
this, Iwouldhav ewentbackt ohi m
andhewoul dcar r
yonandcheaton
mewot hmul ti
plegirlsandIwoul dbe
forcedt ostayal li
nt henameoft he
Gods!Hepl ayedmef oraf ool!He
l
ongpl annedt obreakmyhear t !Was
thisr evenge?Wasi tbecauset hings
bet weenhi m andThandi wedi dn't
wor kout?Di dhewantt ohur tmet he
samewayThandi wehur thi m?Does
hemay beblamemef orThandi we's
i
nf ideli
ty?May behedoes, Imeanwhy
elsewoul dhewantt obesocr uel t
o
me?
Thecarcamet
oahal
tatt
hepar
king
l
ot,Iquicklygotoutthecarand
rushedi nsi
dethefl
at.TheminuteI
gotinsideAsenathi
'sflat
,Ir
unt oher
i
nt heloungeandwai ledmyt ear
sout.

Ase:"Whathappened? "Sheasked
afterlett
ingmecr yinherchestf ora
fewmi nutes.Istart
ednar r
ati
ngt he
whol estoryt oher."Waitbabe,don't
yout hinky ouar ebl
owingthingsway
outofpr opor ti
on?Iknowf orsur e
thatmybr otherlovesyou.May behe
hadv alidreasonwhyhedi dn'ttel
lyou
aboutt his,I'
m prett
ysureusingy ou
i
snotoneoft hem."
Me:
"ThenwhydoIf
eel
soused?
"

Ase:"Youarest i
l
lhurtbabe,
youare
confused.Justdon'
tmakeanyr ash
decisi
oninthisstat
e,pl
ease.
"Ikept
quietforawhile.

Me:
"Iwantt
ogooutt
oni
ght
."

Ase:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Me:"
Yes.Ineedt
ofor
getaboutal
lof
t
his.
"
Ase:
"Al
ri
ght
ythen!Letmet
extMar
k!"

Wewer einthecl
ubdancingand
dri
nkingt
henightaway.Iwasint
he
part
ymode, myprobl
emsseemed
minorbecauseIwasdrunkandnot
thi
nki
ngaboutanythi
ng.

Busani:"
Areyouokay?I'veneverseen
youdr i
nkli
kethisbef
ore."Yeshewas
alsohere,hetr
iedtoignoremewhen
wef i
rstgotherebuthefail
ed
dismall
yatit.
Me:
"Youdon'
tknowhowIdr
ink.
"

Busani
:"
Woah!Easy !
"Herai
seduphis
handsinsurr
ender.Hewassuddenl
y
l
ookingrat
hercute.

Me:
"Wannadance?
"

Busani
:
"Who?Me?
"

Mark:
"Ofcour
seshesai
dyou
dummy .
"

Busani
:
"Mxm.Leadt
hewaymyl
ady
."
Istoodupandl edt hewayt ot he
dancef l
oorwi thadance.Hej oined
me, andwest art
eddanci ngwi th
eachot her,hewaspr ett
ycloset omy
bodyandwemov edal ongt ot he
rhythm ofthesong.Iwasi nt hezone
ofthedanci ng, Ifoundmy self
gri
ndingandt wer kingonhi m, hewas
enj
oy i
ngi tbecausehehel dmet i
ghtl
y
asIdidt hat.Al it
tlevoicewas
whisperingt hatwhatIwasdoi ngwas
wrong,whi l
et herewast hisloudone
screami ng'YOLO' -Il
istenedt othe
l
oudonandcar ri
edonwi tht he
dancing!Thi swasmel ooseni ngup.
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t60
•
•
•
•
•
Theni
ghtwassti
ll
goingverywel
lfor
me.Iwasdr
inki
ngthenightawayand
dancingl i
kemyl ifedependedoni t.
Busani wasst il
ltr
yingt okeepupwi t
h
mei nthedancef all
,ev ent houghI
hadst oppedt he'erotic'dancemov es.
Het r
iedmaki ngmov esonmeby
kissi
ngme, butIkeptonpushi nghi m
away .AsmuchasIwoul dl oveto
hurtSivuyil
e,Iwouldn' tdoi tthatway .
I'
m nott hatkindofaper son, I
'
m not
that'
sspi t
eful.Mark,hi sfriendsand
Asenat hij
oinedusont hedancef loor
andwedancedal ongt ot hemusi c.
Forthef ir
sttimeev er ,Iwasdr unk!
Myphonevibr
atedinmypocketasI
wasdanci
ngtomyf avouri
tesong,
I
answer
editwi
thoutlooki
ngatthe
cal
l
eri
d.

Me:"What?
"Isai
dinmydrunken
speechasImovedabi
tfurt
herfrom
thecrowd.

"
Punkie!Wher
eareyou?"Iqui
ckl
y
l
ookedatthescr
eenasIcouldn'
t
r
ecogniset
hevoiceoft
hecall
er.

Me:
"Bont
le?
"

Bont
le:
"Yesdummy !Ar
eyouhavi
nga
par
tyatyourhouse?Andyoudi
dn'
t
i
nvi
teme,
yourf
avour
it
esi
ster
?Wow!
"

Me:"
Ther
e'snopar
tyher
e!"Isai
d
l
oudly
.

Bontl
e:"Wait!Don'
ttel
lmey ouar
e
outparty
ing.It
'sl
ateatnightmar
n
Boit
umelo.Youshoul dbehomewi t
h
yourchil
dandhusband. "

Me:
"Thesamehusbandwhowas
f
ucki
nghisPAbehi
ndmyback?"

Bont
le:
"WHAT?
!Hedi
dwhat
?"
Me:"Youhear dme.Hewentout
thereandf uckedhi
sPAf or2whol e
mont hs,whi l
emyhor nyasswasat
homet akingcareofhischil
dand
maki ngsur ethathedoesn'tgot obed
hungr y
!Iam donennaBont le!Iam
goingt omar r
yaPrinceofEngland
notaPr i
nceofXhosaKi ngdom, who
doeshet hinkheis?!"

Bontl
e:"
Tumibaby,y
ouar edrunk
ri
ghtnowandy ouarenotmaki ng
sense.Whoareyouwithrightnow?"
Me:"Asenat hiandherman. "Beep!
"Bontle?Hel l
o?Hawu!Iwasst il
l
tel
li
ngy ouaboutmyaboutSi vuyi
le'
s
hoeingway st je.Tjoshe'sdropped
thecal l
,mxm. "Imov edthrought he
crowdandwentbackt oourboot h.
Asenat hiwasal sositti
ngt here
tal
kingonherphone.It ookagl assof
champagneont hetabl
e,justasIwas
aboutt oplacei tonmymout hand
dri
nkAsenat hisnatcheditandputi t
backont hetable.Sheshookher
head.Shet ookherphoneof fherear
andl ookedatme

Ase:
"wear
egoi
nghome.
"
Me:"Hay
ywhy?Theni
ghtissti
ll
young,
andsoar
ewe."Isang.

Ase:
"Yoursi
sterwant
syouinbed
ASAPandsheneedsy ousober
tomorr
ow."

Me:"Part
ypoopers!
"Asenathist
arted
gatheri
ngourbel
ongings.Shetook
myhandandhel pedmet hroughthe
crowdandoutthedoorwewent ."
We
areleavi
ngtheguysbehind?"
Ase:
"Yes.
..
.Shi
t!Bhut
iisher
e."

Me:"Wher e?"Shepoi
ntedatthe
parkinglotandIsawSivuyil
eandhe'
s
fr
iendsmaki ngthei
rwayt othe
entrance."Iwantt
oconfronthi
m."

Ase:
"No!
"

Me:"
Please,I
'
mfeel
i
ngsabi
tgut
sy
r
ightnow."

Ase:"
No!I
'
m surehecameher
e
causeheknowsthaty
ouar
ehere.
Let'
sGo! "Sheshovedmet ot hecarin
fr
ontofus, shepushedmei nand
wentaheadt ogeti
nt hefront."Hey
baby."Sheki ssedt
hedr i
ver.Whatt he
actual f
uck?Imeanwej ustleftMar k
i
nt heclubandher eshei skissing
anotherman?Iwast oodr unkt osay
anythingaboutwhatwashappeni ng.
○
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
AfterLunat
hi lef
tmyhouse,mom
start
edlectur
ingmeabouthow
wrongIwasf ornott
ell
ingLunat
hi
tr
uth,shetoldmet hatIneededt
odo
every
thingi
nmypowert ogether
backbecausetheKingdom'sfuture
dependsonher.Icouldn'
tevengot o
workaftert
helunch,Iwentstr
aight
tomyr oom andstay
edi nt
here
thi
nkingaboutwhatshesaid.
"
Iam donewi
thy
ou!
"
"Myfamil
ywi
l
lbeincont
actabout
endi
ngthi
smarr
iage.
"
Myhappyl it
tl
elif
ewascomi ngt oan
endbecauseofmyst upidi
ty,because
Iassumedt hatLunathiwasn't
enoughf orme-whi chwaswr ong.I
real
lyfuckedupandIr eall
ywant edto
fi
xthingswithher,
theloveIhav efor
herist
oomucht
oletgoofwhatwe
have.
Iwassi tti
ngint heroom looki ngat
herpi ct
uresonmyphone, Ichuckl ed
asIr ememberhowsheal way ssent
mef ewofherpi cturesever yday .My
phonewasf i
ll
edwi thherpi ctures,
you
wouldsweart hatshedi dn'thav eher
ownphone, she'
sal waystaki ng
self
iesinherownwor ds:"Sel fi
esare
l
ife.
"Ipost edoneofmyf av ouri
t e
self
ieofheronmyI nstast ory.Ireall
y
fuckedup, honestl
yspeaki ng.
Myphoner
angwasIwasst
il
l
admi
ri
ngherpi
ctur
es.
Me:
"Tat
a."

Dad:
"Si
vuy
il
endi
yi
ntoni
kuwe?
"

Me:
"Huh?
"

Dad:"
Iaskedy
ouquest
ion,
whatam I
toyou?"

Me:
"Mydad.
"Ianswer
edunsur
e.

Dad:
"Af
tert
hatwhatam It
oyou?
"
Me:
"Myf
ather
."

Dad: "
Nowt ell
meher eson,whyi
sit
thatIhav et ohearfrom someone
elsethaty ouy ouhav eputmy
kingdom inj eopardy?"Ikeptqui
et.
"I
'mt alki
ngt oy ou.
"Hewassocal m
unlikemymom.

Me:
"I
m sor
ryt
ata.
"

Dad:"Sowenayoudecidedt
okeep
thi
sfrom mebecause?
"
Me:
"Idon'
tknow.
"

Dad:
"Youdon'
tknow?I
'
m sur
eyou
know."

Me:
"Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.
"

Dad:"
Whydidyoudoi
t?"Iknow
exact
lywhathewast
alki
ngabout
.

Me:
"Igott
emptedtat
a.Idi
dn'
tmean
t
ocheat,I
'
mreall
ysorr
y."
Dad:"Youareapol
ogi
singt
othe
wrongpersonson.
"

Me:"She'snotreturni
nganyofmy
cal
lstata.Idon'tthi
nkIhaveany
chanceofget t
ingherback,especi
all
y
aft
ertoday."

Dad:"
Whathappened?"It
oldhim
aboutthewhol
einci
dentthatt
ook
pl
ace."Sowhat
?Youar egoingto
gi
veuponherbecauseoft hat
?"

Me:
"No.
"
Dad: "Iknewt hatitwast oomuchofa
responsi bilit
yf oryout ogety our
chosenoneatt heagey ouar eat ,and
consi deringt hel i
festyleyouwer e
l
iving,butIguesst heancest orshad
theirr easonf orshowi ngusy our
chosenoneatsuchanear lyst age.I
knewy ouwer enotr eadyt hen,buti fI
remembercor rectlywheny oucal led
me4mont hsagot ell
ingmet haty ou
andLunat hiaresol idi
fyingy our
rel
at i
onshi p,didInotasky oui fyou
arer eadyf orthatki ndof
commi tment ?"
Me:
"Ir
emember
."

Dad:"Yousai dy ouwer er eady.SoI

don'tunderstandhowamanwho
soundedi nlovel i
key oueasi l
yturned
toanot herwomanf orsex.Howdoes
thathappen? "Ikeptqui etnot
knowi ngwhatt osay ."Iwillaskyou
thi
sagai nZizi,doy ouloveLunat hior
arey ouwithherf orthebenef i
tofthe
throne?"

Me:
"Il
ovehertata,
Ilov
ehervery
much.
"Iansweredinahear
tbeat
.
Dad:
"Iwanty
out othi
nkaboutt
his
car
eful
lymntanam.Doyoureal
lyt
rul
y
l
oveher."

Me:
"I
-"

Dad:
"Takeyourt
imeandt
hinkabout
i
t,I
'
llwait
."

Me: "
Idon'
tneedt othinkaboutittata,
Iknowwhatmyhear twantsandi t
's
herthatIwant.Ilov
eher ,Iknowi t
'sa
bitprematur
ebutIhav ecompletely
fall
enforher.Ican'
thelpmysel ftata,
Ifallf
orhereachandev er
ythi
ngday ,
Iloveeverysinglet hi
ngabouther.I
wasj uststupidbygoi ngoutand
cheatingonher ,Ishouldn'
thav el
et
tempt at
ionsgeti nmywayt at a
becausenowI '
velostarealdiamond
tataandIdon' tknowwhatt odot o
getherback. "Tearsmadet heirway
downmycheeks, Iquickl
ywi ped
them andsni fed.

Dad:"mmmhIheary ou.Nowl i
stento
meson, i
fyoul oveherasy ousay
thenfightforher,don'
tgiv
eup.And
pleasedon'tfightforherbecauseof
thethrone,
fightforherbecausey ou
wanttonotbecausey ouhaveto.
Fightforherbecauseyoul ov
ehernot
becauseshe' sbenef
ici
al.Doyouhear
meSi v
uyil
e?Don'tworr
yaboutthe
throne,worryaboutgett
ingthel
ove
ofy ourli
feback.
"Isnif
edasIwiped
mynose.

Me:
"Ihearyoutataandthankyouf
or
t
hewor dsofencouragement."

Dad:"Anddon'tcrowdher,gi
veher
herspacet oprocessthi
swhole
thi
ng,thenstartdoi
ngdamagecontrol
.
Thingswi l
lhappenonhertermsnot
yours,youaret heonewhofuckedup
nother.
"Woah!Mydadj ustcur
sed!
"Anddon'tletyourmotherput
pressur
eony oubecauseyoumight
l
oseLunat hiforgood.
"

Me:"Mom isjustworri
edaboutthe
thr
oneandt heancestors'
punishment.
"Hebr eat
hedoutloud.

Dad:"I'
m stil
lali
veandsi t
ti
ngont he
throne,Iwill
tryandreasonwi t
ht hem
aboutthiswhol esit
uati
on.Buty ou
alsohav etodosomet hingony our
end.Bur ntheincenseandspeakt o
them,apologiseandseekhel pand
t
imey
ofi
xthi
ngs.
"

Me:
"Doy
out
hinkt
hatwi
l
lwor
k?"

Dad: "
Idon'tknowson.I tworkedf or
mewhenIwr ongedy ourmom.But
asy ouknowLunat hiisaspeci al
chosenone, soIdon' tknowwhat '
s
goingt ohappen. "Isi ghedasIf el
t
def eated." Don'tlosehopeson, it
mi ghtwor k.I'
l
l askManxel et odoher
bitt hissideandy ouwi lldoyourst hat
side.Remembery ouar enotdoi ng
thisf orthet hrone,y ouar edoingitf or
your self.
"
Me:"Yestata,
Iwon'tfor
getthat
.At
thesamet i
meIdon' twantyoulose
whaty ou'
veworkedsohar dfor
becauseofme. "

Dad:"
IhopeIwon't.Ithi
nkthi
sisyour
test
.TheGodsar etesti
ngyourl
ove
fort
heirChosenOne,andifIam
ri
ght,
ifyout
rytogetbackwi t
hher
becauseofthethronenothi
ngwil
l
workoutIam tel
li
ng."

Me:
"Iam nott
ata.
"
Dad:"Goodboy.Andtel
l yourmom
thatIwantherbacki
nt hispal
ace
tomor r
ow.Shecan'
tbel eavi
ngher
husbandt ogoandsortoutagrown
man'spr obl
ems.
"

Me:
"Haht
ata"

Dad:
"Hayndi
nyani
sil
e."

Me:
"t
joh!I
'
llt
ell
yourwi
fet
ogoback
me.
"

Dad:
"Excel
l
ent
.Al
ri
ghtkeny
ana.
"
Thatwashi
sgoodby
e

Me:
"Shar
ptai
ma.
"

Dad:"
RememberwhatIsai
d,gi
veher
herspace.
"

Me:
"Ewet
a."Hehungupt
hecal
l
.
ImustsayIreall
yneededt ospeakto
mydadaboutt hi
ssituation,Ishould
havetol
dhim befor
eIt oldmymom.
Welli
fonlyiknewthathewasgoi ng
tobethischi
ll
edaboutt hissit
uati
on
andgivemeadv i
ce,Iwoul dhav etol
d
hi
m sooner .Kwonderwhot ol
dhim
aboutthi
s,wellwhoev eriti
sIam
great
full
tot hatpersonbecausenow
Ifeel
revived,myfighti
ngspiriti
sten
ti
mesbet ternowaf terthatcall
.

Laterthatni
ghtIsawAsenat hi'
s
What sAppstatus,sheposteda
pictur
eofherandLunat hicaptioned
:"Nightoutwithmydar li
ngsi ster
."I
knowmydadsai dIshouldgi veher
space,butthatdoesn'tmeani nthat
spaceIcanl etmenswoopi nand
touchmywi fe.IknowImessed
up,butsheisstil
lmywi fe.Itextedmy
fri
endsinourgr oupchat,yesweal so
haveagr oupchatnot hingwr ongwith
that.Any wayItextedt hem tel
li
ng
them aboutmyi dea,ittookal otof
persuadi ngbeforetheyagr eedt o
comi ngwi thmet othecl ub.Thingis
theywer eal sosti
llmadatmef or
whatIdi dt oLunathi,t
heyhadgr own
asof tspotf orherandIdon' tblame
them, she'ssoeasyt olove.Ithink
Lungani onlygreedbecausehewas
goingt ogetachancet osee
Asenat hi,
God!

Themba:
"Sowhi
chcl
ubdi
dtheygo
to?
"
Me:
"Idon'
tknow.
"

Ayanda:
"Ar
eyourseri
ous?Sowe
cameherefornot
hing?"

Me:"Wewi l
ll
ookaroundinnear
by
cl
ubs,am surewewil
lfi
ndthem i
n
oneofthem."

Themba:"Areyouseri
ousrightnow?
Sowear egoingtoturni
nto
i
nvesti
gatorsbecauseyoudon'twant
yourwif
et odothesamet hingyou
di
d?"Hewast
heonemor
emadat
me.

Me:
"ComeonThembabr
o."

Themba:
"mxm.
"

Lungani
:"
Letsjustt
akei
tasar
oad
tr
ipnyanaguys."

Nkazi
:"Weallknowwhyy
ouar
eon
hi
ssideri
ghtnow."

Lungani
:
"Shutup!I
'
mjustt
ryi
ngt
o
hel
paf
ri
end.
"

Ayanda:
"Yeahright
.Whydon'
tyou
cal
lAsenathiandaskherwher
eshe
i
s?"

Me:
"She'
snott
aki
ngmycal
l
s."

Nkazi
:
"Whati
ftheydi
dn'
tgo
cl
ubbi
ng?"

Me:
"Asenat
hidoesn'
tdor
est
aur
ant
s
onaFri
daynighthl
e."
Themba:
"Fi
ne.Let'
scheckoutt
he
cl
ubsnearherfl
at.
"

Lunga:
"Yoh!Ther
e'saboutf
our
ther
e."

Me:"
Wait!Howdoy ouwher
eshe
st
ays?"Wealll
ookedathi
m?

Lungani
:
"Uhuhm...I'
vepickedupon
i
tintheconv
ersat
ionsthatwehave.
"

Me:"
mmmh."Iwasseri
ousaboutnot
wanti
ngmysi
ster
'sdat
inganyofmy
f
ri
ends,
theyar
ebadnews!

Themba:
"Let
sgo!
"
West art
edcheckingouttheclubsin
Asenathi'
sarea,andunf
ortunatelywe
di
dn'tfi
ndt hem i
nthefi
rstwocl ubs.

Nkazi
:
"I'
m hungr
y."Hesai
daswel
eft
t
hethir
dclub.

Ayanda:"Let
shopewewi l
lfi
ndthem
i
nthel astone."Wedroveofffor.10
minutesuntilwereachedthelast
cl
ubint hearea,Iwassil
entl
ypr ayi
ng
thatwefindthem i
nt hi
sone.Iwasn'
t
goingtobotherher,
Iwasj ustgoi
ng
towatchherf r
om afarandmay be
reactwhenIseesomet hingIdon'
t
l
ikehappening.

Themba:"Thi
siswhatLuzukodoes
whenhe'swifegoesout,
andbythatI
meanonlygangster
sdowhatwear e
doing.
"Iwasnotinthemoodforhi
s
negati
vi
ty.

Lungani:
"Let
sgoin.
"Wewal kedto
theentr
ance."Damn!That'
sagreat
asscolour.
"Hewaslookingatthe
mat t
egreenBMW i nf
rontofus.We
allmumbledinagreementast hecar
droveoff
.Wewentst raighti
nthe
cl
ub.Weor deredafewbeer sand
wenttositatthet
opar eaoftheclub,
Istooduponmyf eetandst art
ed
l
ookingatthegroundfloorhopingto
spotmywi feandmysi ster
.

Themba:"
Wait!Isn'
tthatthekid
who.i
sheadov erheelsLunathi?"He
poi
ntedi
nt hecrowd,Ilookedat
wherehewaspoi nti
ng.Andi ndeedit
wasthecheeseboy ,hewassi tt
ing
wit
hsomeguy sandoneoft hose
guyswasaguyI '
veseenwi t
har ound
Asenat
hi.

Me:
"Theymustbeher
e."

Themba:
"Howdoy
ouknow?
"

Me:
"That
'sAsenat
hi'
sboy
."

Lungani
:"
Where?"Hecamet ost and
nexttous."
Wher e?"Ij
ustlookedat
hi
m andsaidnothingthiswasnott he
ti
me.tobeenter
taininghisuseless
crushonAsenathi.
West
oodt
her
eforabout15mi
nut
es
wai t
ingf orthem t oshowup, butt
hey
didn't.Igaveupandt oldtheguy s
thatwecanl eav e,t
heydidn'tprot
est
event houghAy andahadal ready
foundhi mselfagi rlkeepi
nghi m
company .Wel efttheclub,out
mi ssionwasf ruitl
ess.

Ayanda:
"YouknowIhadt
hati
nthe
bag?"

Nkazi
:
"Yourdi
ckneedstor
est
nt
wana,wedidyouafav
our.
"

Ay
anda:
"Mxm.Bl
oodycockbl
ocker
s."
○
Iwasi ntheof ficewor ki
ngona
proposal f
orapot enti
al cl
ient
.This
wast heonl ythingkeepi ngmemy
mi ndoccupi edwi t
hany thingelsebut
Lunat hi,
that'swhyIcamet owor kon
aSat urday .Mymom l ef
tforECear l
y
thismor ning, andIwasgl ad.Ineeded
myspacet owor kthroughmy
problemsonMYOWN.Iwasabi t
disappoi ntedt hatwedi dn'tfi
nd
Lunat hiatt heCl ublastnightatthe
samet imeIwashappy ,happythatI
didn'tgett owi tnessherbei ng
touchedbysomeoneel se-ifthatdi
d
happen.
Asecur
it
yguar
dwalkedi
nt omy
of
fi
cepanti
ngandsweat
ing.

Me:
"Josephy
ini
?(Whati
sit
?)"

Joseph:"
mnumzane, phuthuma
khonaintokazi
emoshai mot oyakho
l
angaphandl e(
Sir
,hur
rythere'
sal ady
rui
ningyourcaroutsi
de.)
"

Me:"
Ini
?!
(What
?)"Irushedoutt
he
of
fi
cewi t
hhi
mf ol
lowingme.

Joseph:
"Yenzakancanenay
olent
o
mar n!(
Thi sthingistakingt ool ong. )
"
I'
m assumi nghewast alkingabout
thelift
.Wer eachedthegr oundf l
oor,I
couldhearmycaral arm goi ngcr azy.
Iranout sideasIhadpar kedt hecar
ri
ghti nfrontoft hebuilding."Uphi
manj e?(Wher eisshe? )"Ididn'tcar e
aboutt heper son.Iwasgobsmacked
whenIsawwhatst oodi nf rontofme.
MycarBMW i 8wascov eredinRed,
nothat '
snoti t'sori
ginalcolour .
Someonedeci dedtodecor ateitby
pouringr edpai ntal
lov ermycar .I
heldmyhar dwi t
hbot hmyhands, my
mout handey eswer ewi deopen, I
wasi ndisbel i
ef!Mycarwasr uined!
Thiswasnotj
ustacar,
itwasv
ery
speci
al.I
twasagi
ftfr
om myparent
s,
myheadwasspinni
ng!Iwas
sweati
ng.

"Yeahjounonsense! "IsawBont l
e
comi ngupf r
om behi ndthethecar
wi t
haknifeinherhand.Shesaw
me, shewalkedt omepoi nti
ngt he
knifetome,Josephqui cklystoodin
frontofme, Ireali
sedshehada
sjambokinherot herhand.

Me:
"Whatdidyoudo?
"Isai
dinalow
t
one.Imovedbehi
ndJosephand
st
art
edwal
ki
ngaroundthecar."
What
di
dyoudomarn?
!!
"Ishouted.

Bont le:
"Yey!Ididt heexactsame
thingy oudidt omysi ster.Yousee
thatr ed,
itr
epr esentsthepainmy
sisterisfeeli
ngr ightnowbecauseof
you.Howdar ey oucheatonmysi st
er
youcow? !!
"Shet r
iedgetti
ngcloserto
mebutJosephhel dherback."Hay
voet sekwena! "

Joseph:
"Nt
ombazana!
!"
Il
ookedatmycaronceagai
nbefor
e
l
ett
ingoutal
oudscream.Bont
le
shr
uggedher
selfoffJoseph.She
poi
ntedmewiththesjambok.

Bontl
e:"Youbr okemyPunki e'sheart
wenaassehol e!Youar el uckythatI
am av erykindhear tedper son,ifI
wasanot herper sonIwoul dhav e
donefarwor sethant his."Kind
heart
ed?Whatcoul dbewor sethan
thi
s?"InfactIam notdonewi t
hy ou!
Myar msar ej ustti
redf rom allthe
art
work,ifbitIwoul dhav ewhi pped
yourassunt ilyoucal lallyourfami l
y
member sincludingy ourancest ors.
"
Me:
"Whatthehel
lBont
le!Ithought
meandyouhadanunderstanding.
"

Bont l
e:"Underst andy amasepa.Just
becausey ougav emeasheepy ou
thinkIwi l
llookawayatt hehur tyou
causedmysi ster ?!Unyil
e!Nosheep
orcowwi l
lmakemef orgetwhaty ou
did.Ev enifPunki eforgivesyou,nnaI
won' t
.Iwi l
lmakesur eIwhi py ourass
ever y
timeIseey ou.Haobapal weha
Mokoena!Ot lat sha!(Youdon'tplay
att heMokoenas!Youwi l
lgetburnt !
"
Shewal kedawayt ohercar ,she
stoodbyt hedoor ."Iam notdone
withy ouwena! "Sheshowedmet he
knif
e,thenshewhippedt
hefl
oorwit
h
thesjambokbef or
eshegoti
ntoher
caranddr i
vingoff
.
Iwasshockedandhurtatthesame
ti
me.Thiscarwasapartofme, I
'
ve
onlyhaditf
or5months.Bontl
ereal
l
y
di
dhur tmewherei
thurtst
hemost .
Thiswaspur ebadl uck,t
heonet imeI
decidet ocomet owor kwithoutmy
body guardsthishappens.Iwal ked
aroundt hecaronemor eti
me
i
nspect i
ngi tthoroughly,
everyt
hing
wasr ed!Thet yreswer eslashed,soI
hadnot ransporttotakemehome.
Mypr i
zedpossessi onisruined!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t61
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BONTLE•
°
Me:
"Bont
lecal
m downhl
e."

Bont l
e:"
Calm down?Whydi dn'
tyou
tellmet hatbastardcheat
edony ou?"
She'sbeenpaci ngupanddownev er
sinceshegother e,
andsheisli
vid
andshehadt hesj ambokinherhand.

Me:"Iwant
edtoprocessthi
swhol
e
thi
ngbymy sel
fbefor
eIinvol
veot
her
people.
"

Bont
le:
"SoIam '
otherpeopl
e'now?
"
Shemadei nver
tedcommasi nt heai
r.
"Iam soangryr
ightnow!Entl
ekI
shoul
dhav eburnthi
scarinsteadof
pouri
ngpaintoverit
."What!

Me:"
Wait
!Youdi
dwhat?"Asenathi
cameint
othel
oungel
aughing.

Ase:"
awwthat
haBontl
es!"She
l
aughedevenmore.TosayIwas
shockedwoul
dbeunderstat
ement
.

Bont
le:
"Yes!Ir
epaint
editwitharead
pai
ntandIslashedhistyr
es.Ifi
t
wasn'
tforthesecuri
tyguardmaybeI
wouldhav ewhippedhi
mt oo.
"Ohmy
God!Iknowt hatmysisteris
crazy,
butIdidn'
tthi
nkforasecond
thatshewoul ddosomet hi
ngli
kethi
s
especial
l
yt oSivuyi
l
eseeingthathe
automatical
ly

Me:"
Bont
le!Whati
fheget
syou
ar
rest
ed?
"

Bontl
e:"akany
ela!Themi nut
eIget
rel
easedIwoul dgostrai
ghttohim
andwhi phisass!"Isi
gheddefeat
ed.
Asenathiwaslaughingherlungsout
.
Ase:
"Nathi
let
'sswapsi
ster
s
pl
ease,
takeNomazweandIwil
ltake
Bont
le.
"Sheisdumb.

Me:"
Ican'
tbel
i
evethatt
hisis
cr
ackingy
ouup,t
hat'
syourbrot
her
."

Ase:
"Haysukahedeser
vesi
t!What
's
l
eftf
oryout odonowistot
ell
your
br
other
saboutthis.
"

Bont
le:
"I
m oni
t!
"Ikeptqui
et.

Ase:
"SoB,
whi
chcardi
dyour
uin?
"
Bontl
e:"Thei8."Asenathistopped
l
aughingf orsecondbecauseshewas
asshockedasIwas, butshest ar
ted
l
aughingagai n."Si
siyouhav eball
s!I
wil
lgi
v ethattoy ou.Doy ouknow
howspeci althatcaristohim? "

Bontle:
"Doesheknowhowpr ecious
Punkieistome?Idon' tcarabouthi
s
car,
heismoni edhecangeti tfi
xedat
anyti
me, mysister'
shearti
s
damaged. "Ncooh,Iwantedtogive
herabearhugaf t
erheari
nghersay
thatbutIwasst i
lli
nshock.
Ase:
"IstanBont
le!Youar
eleadershi
p
mysister!
"Sheboweddowninf r
ont
ofBontle.

Bontl
e:"
WenaBoi t
umeloyoushoul
d
havetol
dmet hemi nut
ethi
s
happened!Ebi
le,
whydidn'
tyoumove
backhome? "

Me:"
Homeistoofarf
rom school
hle
ausi
.Pl
usIneededmyspace."

Bont
le:
"Yourspace?Buty
ouar
eher
e
squat
ti
ngwi
tht
hisl
unat
ic.
"

Ase:
"Hawuk-
"

Bont
le:
"Shutup!
"Yoht
headul
tBont
le
i
sresur
facing.

Me:"
Iwasstay
ingi
nahotel
,
thenshe
convi
ncedmetocomeandstayher
e
wit
hher."

Bont
le:
"Andyout
oldheraboutt
his
bef
oreme?"
Me:"Idi
dn'
t.Shefoundoutf r
om her
brot
her.Bontl
epl
easesi tdown,y
ou
arescari
ngmewi ththatsjambokin
yourhand."Shel
ookedati tandback
atme.

Bont
le:
"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
us?
"

Me:"
Iwantedtodeal
witht
hisonmy
own."Shesi
ghedbef
oresi
tt
ingdown
nex
tt ome.

Bont
le:
"Why
?"
Me:"
You'v
ealwaysshelt
eredmeso
muchandy oual
waysfightmy
bat
tl
es.Ij
ustwantedtofacet
his
bat
tl
eonmyown. "

Bontl
e:"
Iam y
oursist
ernana,
I'
m
al
lowedtofi
ghtyourbat
tl
es."

Me:"Nott
hisoneausi
.Ineedt oface
thi
sonmyownandmakeadeci sion
onmyownwi t
houtanyi
nfluences."

Bontl
e:"
Ihearyou.Butyouknowy i
ur
brot
hersaregoingtobeangr ythat
youdidn'
ttel
lthem aboutt
his."
Me:
"uhm may
beweshoul
dn'
ttel
l
t
hem."

Bontl
e:"
Yohtoolat
e,I
'
veal
ready
askedthem t
omeetusathome."My
eyeswentwide.

Me:
"Bont
le!
"

Bont
le:
"keng?Theyneedt
oknow.
"

Me:
"I
'm notr
eadyt
otel
lthem.
"
Bont
le:
"Whywey
ouactingl
ikey
ou
ar
etheonewhocheat
ed?"

Ase:
"I
'v
ebeensay
ingt
hatt
oher
."

Bontle:
"TheyneedtoknowPunki eso
thatwheny oudecidetoleavet
his
mar r
iage,
theyknowwhyy ouar
e
l
eav i
ng.Wellleav
ingisimpossi
ble
buthehy ougetwhatImean. "

Me:
"Yeah.
"

Bont
le:
"Sot
heyneedt
oknow.
"
Me: "
Ijusthopetheywi
llhandl
ethi
s
rati
onally
,Idon'
twantt
hem to
slappedwi thal
awsuitbecauseof
me. "

Bontle:
"OhIhopet heyhandl
eit
i
rrati
onall
yli
keIdid."Il
ookedather
.
"What ?
"Sheshrugged.Wow!I
offi
cial
lygi
veuponher .

Ase:
"ineedtocomewi t
hyouthi
s
meeti
ng,Ijustwantt
oseethe
br
others'r
eacti
on.
"
Bont
le:
"noDl
ami
nisal
l
owed.
"

Ase:
"hawu,
I
'm agoodDl
ami
nimos.
"

Bont
le:
"say
swho?
"

Ase:
"Nathihelpmeouther
e."Ijust
st
oodupandwentt ot
hebathroom
whil
elaughingatt
hethei
rsi
ll
ines.
○
Weweresit
ti
ngintheloungewithal
l
myfamil
ymember spresent
.They
seemedworr
ied,
mybr ot
herskepton
cal
li
ngmebeforethi
smeet i
ngthey
thoughtmay beIwassi ckor
somet hing.Wel l
int hei
rmi
ndIam
suretheyt hinkam abouttosayIam
dyingin5mont hs,judgi
ngfr
om t
he
wayt heyar elookingatmetheyare
expectingthewor st .
Bontl
enudgedme,Iguessshewas
tel
l
ingmetostar
tedtalki
ng.

Me:"uhm fi
rstoffallIwoul
dli
keto
apologi
sefornotcomi ngtoyou
aboutthi
searli
er.Ijustwant
edto
processthesit
uationonmyowna- "

Thabang:
"Ar
eyoupr
egnant
?"
Me:
"What
?No!
"

Thapel
o:"Youhav
ecancer
?"Igav
e
hi
mt helook.

Li
zwi
:
"justl
etherf
ini
sh.
"Thanky
ou!
Me:"asIwassaying.Iwant
edt
o
f
igurethi
ngsoutonmyow- "

Thabo:"
Yeahwegotthat,j
ustgett
o
whatyouwantt ot
ell
us."Wow,how
rude!
Myf amil
y'
simpati
encehas
rubbedoffonme.
Me: "
about2weeksago, If
oundout
thatuh"justtalki
ngaboutthiswas
heartbr
eaking,Iwasst i
l
lhurti
ngandI
wasnotr eadyt otalkaboutit
.Bontl
e
heldmyhandandr ubbedit."
Ifound
outthatSivuyil
ehasbeenhav i
ngan
affai
rwithhisPA. "

Br
other
s:"
WHAT?
!!
"

Thabo:
"Whatdi
dyousay
Boit
umelo?
!"
Thapel
o:"
Iam goi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
m!"

Dad:
"Cal
m downguy
s,l
etherexpl
ain.
"

Me:"
uhhetheaffairhasbeengoi
ng
onfor2months.Ithoughthewas
busyatwor
kbutl i
ttl
edidIknowthat
hehadsomeoneont hesi
de."

Mom:
"ar
eyousureaboutt
hisbaby
?
Di
dheconf
ess?
"

Thapel
o:"
ofcour
seshei
ssur
e
mama!"
Mom:
"I
'mt
alki
ngt
oBoi
tumel
o."

Me:"Yesmama,
Isawt hei
rtext
messagesandi
tjustprovedthathe
cheatedon.
"

Mom:"Di
dyouconf
ronthi
m about
t
his?
"

Li
zwi
:
"Whyshoul
dshe?
"

Mom: "
SomanyBoi t
umelosinone
househol
d."I
fitwasunderdi
ff
erent
ci
rcumstancesIwoul
dhav
elaughed
atthat
.

Me: "
No.Ijustpackedmybagsand
wr i
tehim alet
terthenIleft
."Mymom
shookherhead.Seet hi
siswhyI
didn'twanttotel
lmymom aboutt hi
s.
Shei stooold-
fashioned,someti
mes.

Thabo: "
Good!!Howdar ehecheats
ony ou!Doesheknowhowpr eci
ous
youar e?Ifhedidn'twanty
ou
anymor eheshoul dhavecall
eddad
andt oldhiminsteadofsti
cki
nghis
dickinso-"
Mom:"
Language!
"Doessheev
en
knowwhatadicki
s?Yoh.

Thapel
o:"Idon'
tevenknowwhywe
arest
il
lsit
ti
nghere,weshoul
dbein
hi
shouser i
ghtnowbeatingt
hesh-
cr
apoutofhi m!Watell
amshanao."

Thabang:"Isecondt hat
!"Howam I
rel
atedwi t
ht hesepeopleagain?Al
l
theyeverwantt odoi s
attack,
everyt
imet heyattack.
Dad:"Wai t
!Bef orey oucar ryyourbig
headst othathouse, weal soneedt o
consi derthaty oursi sterisboundt o
thatfami lyforlife.Youcannotbe
reactingbecausei fwhat 'shappening
bow, youneedt ot hinkaboutt he
future.Yoursi stersi sgoi ngt ospend
therestofherl ifewi ththat
family ,
howdoy out hinktheyar e
goingt ot r
eatherheraf tery ou'
ve
panel beatthei rson?Mmmh?Hay
mar nsi tdownandl et'sthink!"My
father!Thev oiceofr eason.

Li
zwi:
"Marri
edf
orlif
eornot!Hesti
ll
needstoknowthatourpr
incessi
s
notapl acet opisson!Heneedstobe
taughtal essondad."MyGodIcan' t
believet hatLizwiisal
soagreei
ng
witht hem.Li zwi i
smoreli
kemy
father,hei sthereser
vedtype,
well
that'sunt i
l y
ougetonhi swrongside.

Me:"Yeahaboutthat,
Ijustrecentl
y
foundoutthatifIwanttoleavethe
mar r
iageIcan.Theancestorswon't
punishme,theywil
lonlypunishthe
royalfamil
y.Si
vuyi
lekeptthatfrom
mef orhisownselfi
sgreasons."

Them:
"What
?!"
Bont
le:
"wai
thow?I
'
m notf
oll
owi
ng.
"

Me:"Ialsodon'tknow.Thequeenj ust
sai
dIhav eanadv antageinthi
s
mar r
iage,shouldIleavethismarri
age
becauseoft heirson'swrongdoings
nothingbadisgoi ngtohappent o
me."

Thapel
o:"
Thenwhyar
ewest
il
lsi
tt
ing
heregent
s!"

Dad:
"Thapel
o!"Hewar
ned."
Ther
e
mustbeacat chtot his.May bethey
mightnowhur tyouphy sicall
ybutI'm
suresomet hi
ngwoul dhappen.Phel a
youandSi vuyil
ewer eboundt ogether
bytheancestor sandGod, youare
soulmatesandnot hingcanbet ween
souldmates."

Bont
le:
"wellnotev
eryonehast
o
marr
ytheirsoulmatesdad.
"

Dad:
"Noti
nt hi
scasengwanaka.This
i
sasensiti
vecase,i
t'
sverydi
ffer
ent
fr
om anyscenari
ooutthere.
"
Mom:"
sowhatareyougoingtodo
t
henPunki
e?"Ibr
eathedoutl
oud.

Me:
"Ihav
en'
tdeci
dedasy
et.
"

Thabang:
"whatdoyoumeany ou
haven'
tdeci
dedasy et
?Thedeci
sion
i
sv er
yeasyPunkie.
"

Me:
"I
tsnotabut
i.
"

Thabang:
"howso?Explai
ntome
causeIdon'
tunder
stand.
"
Me:
"Ifel
li
nlovewithSivuyi
l
eabuti,I
l
ovehim.Ican'
tj
ustdecidejustl
i
ke
t
hattowalkawayfrom him,pl
usthere
i
sChuluinthepi
cture.
"

Thapelo:
"Loveisnotenoughbaby.I
f
Siv
uyil
ereall
ylovedyouhewouldn't
havecheatedony ou.Realmendon'
t
cheatonthewomant heycl
aimto
l
ove!"

Li
zwi:"
Exactl
y!
"Thi siswhyIdidn'
t
wanttotel
l myfami l
yaboutthis,
they
aregoingtopressuri
semet otakea
deci
sionandnotj ustanydeci
sionbut
adeci
siont
hati
sbef
it
ti
ngf
ort
hem.

Mom: "Yey !WenaThapeloo

thul
e(keepqui et
.)Ar
en'
ty outhe
sameper sonwhochangesgi rl
sev
ery
month?I sn'tt
hatcheat
ing?"

Thapelo:
"HenceIsai
dthewoman
thatyouclai
mt ol
ovemama, Idon'
t
l
ov eanyofthosegir
lst
hatIchange.
"

Mom: "
didyounotcheatonDi pol
elo?
Didyounotaskforfor
givenessfrom
heraft
ercheati
ngonhermul tipl
e
ti
mes?Di dshebotfor
giv
ey ouand
t
akey
ouback?Huh?
"Yoh!

Thapelo:"Whyarey ouev en
advocatingforSivuyi
lemama?Your
daughterisrighthereinfrontofyou
i
ntearsbecauseoft hatuseless
Pri
nce!Mar awenay ouar ebusy
acti
nglikehisdefencef orce.
"

Thabang:
"Al
lofasuddenmom has
j
oinedtheDl
aminidef
encet
eam."

Mom: "l
eyatell
amarn!(
Youare
di
srespect
ful
!)I
'm amarr
iedwoman,
I
'mtheonewhoshoul dbegivi
ng
Boitumeloadvicesnotyou!AndIam
notdefendingSivuyi
leIam j
ustt
ryi
ng
tol
ookatt hisfrom amature
perspect
ive."

Thabo:"Morelikeanold-f
ashioned
perspecti
ve.Youar eabouttotellher
tostayforwhat evershi
tSiv
uy i
le
doest oher?ha.ahmamat hatisnot
fai
r!"

Mom: "Iwon'
tdothat
!Shewi l
lmake
herowndeci si
on.Al
lthatIam say
ing
i
s,shemust '
ntmakeanyhasty
decisi
ons."
Thabang:
"mxm."Hetookhi scarkeys
andmadehiswayt othedoor."Are
youguyscoming?"I
'm assuminghe
wastalki
ngtotheguysbecauset hey
stoodupandfoll
owedhim outthe
door.

Mom: "Di
dhej ustsaymxm me?Ho
nnaMat habiso?Heh! "Sheclapped
herhandsonce." Ntat
e,t
heyaregoing
toSivuyi
le.Pleasecallthem andtal
k
tothem."

Dad:
"andsaywhatmyl
ove?You
knowy
oursonsdon'
tl
ist
entoanyone
wheni
tcomestoBoi
tumelo.
"Hesaid
i
nasoftt
one.

Mom:"Boi
tumel
odosomet
hing!I
don'
twantmysonst
oendupi nj
ail
!"

Bontl
e:"t
heywi
l
lbef
ineMah.Justl
et
them be.
"

Mom:"Igi
veupont hi
sf amil
y.Hale
mamele(youdon'
tl
isten)thewayy ou
l
ovevi
olenceyouwoul dsweary ou
gr
ewupi nanabusivehome, nxai
marn!
"Shestoodupandl eftthe
r
oom.Bontl
ecr
ackedupwi
th
l
aughed.

Bontl
e:"
yourmom issodr amati
c!An
abusi
vehome, r
eall
y?"Ij
ustshookmy
head."
Comel et'
sgo,Iam taki
ngyou
out.
"West oodupandt ookourbags

Dad:"
hah!Youwantt
oleav
emeher e
wit
hy ourangr
ymom?"Welaughed.

Bont
le:
"she'
syourwifeinsureyou
canmakeherf eel
better
,i
fyouknow
whatImean."Shewinked,Euw!
Dad:
"HehwenaBont
le!
"Heshout
ed
aswewentoutt
hedoor.

Bont
le:
"Byedad!
"Wegoti
ntohercar
anddroveoff
.
Alongthewaywepl ayedsomesong
anddancedal ongt othebeatwhi l
e
makingv i
deos.Iwashappy ,f
oronce
myhear tdi
dn'tfeelheavy,Iwasat
peace.Wegott ot hemallandt he
fi
rstt
hingwedi dwast ogotot he
gameshop, wepl ayedalotoff un
games,thenwewentbowl ingafter
makingabett hatwhoev erwinsget s
yochoosethenextacti
vit
y.Lucki
l
yI
wonandIchosemov ies,muchto
Bont
le'
sannoyanceshewant edusto
gotoaniceri
nk!Imagine!Wechose
acomedy.
Att heendoft hemov iewewentt o
hav esomedi nner,
sinceitwas
alreadylate.Ireall
yenjoyedmysel f
.
I'
mr eal
lygreatful
ltohav esuch
sibli
ngs,Bontletookmeoutf orafun
dayj usttogett hi
ngsof fmymi nd
whi l
emybr otherssentmemoneyt o
gof orsomet herapeuti
cshop.Isn'
t
thatt hedream?Imeanweal ways
seehousewi vesgoingf orshoppi
ng
whebt heyarehur tmos,andtheysay
i
t'stherapeuti
csowhynotdoi t,
even
thoughIam notahousewi fe.But
sinceitwasalreadylat
e,wedidn'
tdo
theshoppi ngwejustwentaheadand
haddi nner.

Bontl
e:"
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo
aboutthi
s?"

Me:"honest
lyspeaki
ngIdon' tknow.
I'
m caughtbetweenmyl ovef orhi
m
andthehurtthatIam in.Idon'twant
totakeadecisionbasedonwhatI
am feel
ingri
ghtnow."
Bont
le:
"soint
hemeantimey ouar
e
goi
ngtostaywi
thAsenathi
?"

Me:"
yes,wel
lthat
'sunti
lIgetmyown
pl
ace.I
'v
ealreadystar
tedlooki
ng.
"

Bontl
e:"
Okay,onceyou'v
ef oundit
sendmet hedetail
sandIwi llmakea
plant
opayf oryourrent.
"

Me:"
ahhBontle,
youdon'
thav
eto
ausi
.Idohavesomemoneyinmy
bankaccount
."
Bontle:
"I
'm surey oudo,butletmedo
thi
sf oryounana.Keept hatmoney
foryourownper sonaluse,youar
e
sti
llakidy oucan'tbewor ryi
ngabout
rentatthisage."Ismiled.

Me:"Thanky ousomuchausi
,Iam
real
lyblessedtohav
eyouasa
sist
er.
"

Bontl
e:"
Youmostwel come.Iknow
meandy ourbrother
sal waysact
crazy
,butitcomesf rom agoodplace
neverdoubtthat.Wedot hi
sbecause
wedon'twanty out obeapushov er,
weact uall
ystillgetsupr i
sest hatyou
didnott ur
noutl ikeus.Iknowy ou
wantt ogrowandt of ightyourown
batt
lesandt rustmet i
mewi llcome
foryout odot hatandwewi l
l alsobe
ther
et ohelpy ouf i
ghtt hose
batt
les,butfornowl etusf i
ghtt hi
s
onefory ou.AndI '
m nott al
kingabout
emot i
onallyfi
ght i
ng, Imean
physicall
y.
"Icoul dn'thelpbutl augh.

Me:"
Mom wasr
ight
,youguysdoact
l
ikeyougr
ewupinawarzone.
"We
l
aughed.
Bontl
e:"
onthelighternote.Meand
Lizwiar
etryi
ngf orababy .
"Istopped
eati
ngforasecondandl ookedather,
Inoddedmyheadi ndi
catingthatshe
shouldcont
inue."Wear egoingtotry
thesurr
ogacyroute."Ismi l
edather,
I
wasgenuinelyhappyf orher.

Me:"
That
'swonderf
ulnewBontl
e.I
knowyouguyshavealwayswant
eda
babyofy
ourown."Shechuckl
ed.

Bontle:"Butyouwil
lal
waysbeour
fi
rstbor n."Ismi
l
edwithabitt
ear
sin
myey es.
Me:"
Itmusthav
et akenalotof
conv
inci
ngforyoutoagreetothi
s?"

Bontl
e:"
Yeah,al
thoughitwasalready
onthecardsafterourlast
miscar
riage.Kodwaat ri
ptoDubai ka
Decemberdi dthetr
ick.
"Bont
le!I
l
aughed

Me:"
Wow!Sohebr
ibedy
ou
basi
cal
l
y?"

Bont
le:
"No,
hewasj
ustsof
teni
ngme
up."Sheshr uggedwi t
hasmi leonher
face."
Ican'twai ttohav eali
t t
le
humanbei ngi nmyhands.Wheny ou
werebor nIwast ooyoungt ocar r
y
you,mom di dn'twantmeany where
nearyoucauseshewoul dal
way s
fi
ndmet ryi
ngt ofeedy ouev enwhen
youhadj ustbeenf edort ryi
ngt o
carryyou.Thisonet imeshewal ked
i
nonmet ry
ingt ooutyouonmyback,
Igotstartl
edandIacci dent l
y
droppedy ou."Wel aughed.

Me:
"Youdi
dwhat
?!Bont
le.
"
Bontle:"I
twasami st ake.From t her
e
onwar dsmom di dn'twantmet olay
handsony ou.Iwasal waysunder
superv i
sionwhenIhadt ospendt ime
withy ou.Youwoul dswearIwasi na
custodybat tl
e,
orIjustcameoutof
pri
son. "Ilaughed."If el
linlovewi th
youthemomentmom cameback
fr
om t hehospi tal
.Af terIletyouf al
l,
I
vowednev ertoseey ouhur tagai n
becauset hewayy oucr i
edt hatday
brokemyhear t.
"Shewas8/ 9y ears
oldwhenIwasbor n.

Me:
"Iguessy
ouaresti
llst
atukgt
rue
t
oyourvowthensi
ster
."Shesmil
ed.
Bont
le:
"For
everPunki
ewaka.
"

Me:
"Il
ovey
ousi
s."

Bont
le:
"Il
ovey
oumor
emybaby
."
Ouremotionalmomentwascutshor t
byBontl
e'
sr i
ngingphone."Ayywhat
doesshewant .
"Sheanswer ed.
"Lul
ama..
..
.why? .
..
..
.fi
neIwi l
l
!..
..Ayy"
shehungup."Thener veofthisgirl
."

Me:
"Whatdi
dshedo?
"
Bontl
e:"
She'
str
y i
ngtomakesmall
tal
kwithmeaftershehi
dthather
brot
herwashavinganaff
air
."

Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nksheknewB.
"

Bontl
e:"
Wel l
I'm goi
ngtoassumethat
ver
yDlami niknewaboutthi
saff
air
bef
orey oudid."Wow!Whatam I
goi
ngtodowi ththi
sone.

Me:
"baonkakaemara?(
Wher
edo
t
heytakeyout
hough?)
"
Bontl
e:"
Mpengy amama(mymom' s
stomach).
"Ilaughedsohard,
she
endedupjoiningmeinlaught
er.

Me:"Youarecr
azy
!"Wel
aughed
somemor e.

Bont
le:
"anywayLulamasai
dy ou
mustcallher
,she'
sbeent
ryi
ngtocal
l
you.
"

Me:
"shoot
!Mybat
ter
yisl
ow.
"

Bont
le:
"Youwi
l
lcal
lherbackwhen
wear
edr
ivi
nghome.
"
Wecar r
iedoneat ingov eradecent
conver
sation.Iwasl aughingnon
stopbecauseofherst upidremarks,
Bontl
ereallygivesmel ife.Myli
fe
wouldbemi ser
ablewit houther
.
Aftereati
ngwepai dthebillandwent
home.It ookmyphonef r
om my
pocketandchar gedit
.Ihadsomany
missedcal l
s.Allf
rom Mr
Dlamini,
Sivuyi
le'
ssist
ers,
Asenathi
andhismom.Iwai tedafewmi nutes
foritt
ogai nsomebar sbeforeIcan
actuall
ycallsomeone.
Lulama: "Lunathi!Finally.
"O'KAY!
"Si
si pleaserusht ot hehospi tal
Sivuy i
l
ehasbeenadmi t
ted."
Zzz zzzzz-that'
sal l Icouldhearaf t
er
shement ionedSi vuy i
lebeingin
hospi t
al.Idon'
tknowwhenBont le
tookt hephonef r
om myhand, butI
coul dhearhert alkingt oLulamaon
thephone.

Bontl
e: "
Punkie!
"Sheshookme.I
bli
nkedt earsescapedmyey es.Why
am Iev encryi
ngf orhi
m?Whydoesi t
feell
ikemyhear tisintheoutofmy
stomach?Am Inotsupposedt obe
happy ?Thisiskarmaright
?Butwhy
am Iscaredforhisli
fe?"Don'twor
ry
sweetheart.I
'm sur
eit'
snothing
major.Calm downbaby .Boit
umelo
breat
h."IletoutabreaththatIdi
dn'
t
evenknowIwashol dingin.
•
•
•
•
•
Deci
dedtodropi
tnowbecauseit
's
Fr
idayandabant
ubayogr
oover
.
#TCOB
SUPPORTYOURADMI
NKWI
STOKVELAZOHOLABAKWETHU.
R100QHA
htt
ps:
//chat
.what
sapp.
com/
LHWZJBj
F8rmI
rZ1nZ5L60X

Thanky
oui
nadv
ance
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t62
•
•
•
•
•
5MONTHSLATER
[
FLASHBACK]
Themi nutewewalkedintot he
waiti
ngroom, t
heDlaminisister
s
rushedtousandgav eust ight
hugs,well
theygavemeat ighthug.I
knewr i
ghttheret
hatwhat everitis
thathappenedtoSivuy
ilewasbi g,
I
hadsuddenl yl
ostmyvoice.Hi s
fri
endswer eal
sohere.

Bont
le:
"Whathappened?
"Iguessshe
sawIcoul
dn'
tspeak.

Lumka:
"Hegoti
ntoacaracci
dent
.
Nooneknowswhathappened, buthis
carisawriteoff
.It
'sbadguy
s."She
hadtearsinhereyesandyoucould
cl
earlyseethatshe'
sbeencryi
ngfor
alongtime.

Me:"
Isheokay
?"Iaskedi
nashaky
voi
ce.

Lul
ama:"He'
sintheaterr
ightnow,
we
wil
lknowoncetheiraredone."

Me:
"Howdi
dthi
shappen?
"
Lumka:"Idon'tknowLunat hi,
buthe'
s
beenonadr inki
ngspr eethesepast
fewday s.Hemi ghthav ebeendrivi
ng
whiledrunk."No!Ijustsatdownon
thesofaf eel
ingdrainedanddefeated.
Thembacamet ositnexttome,he
placedmyheadonhi schest,i
twas
asifhewassay ingletital
lout,
and
boyIdid.

Themba:
"Pl
easegethersomewat
er.
"

Fewhoursofsit
tinginanxious
si
lenceandtear
st hedoctorfi
nal
l
y
camet ogi
veusanupdat ed.
Doctor:"
He'soutofdanger ,howev er
hedidsuf f
ersomeser i
oushead
i
njur
ies.Hemi ghtbebr aindamaged
whenhewakesupf rom t he
comma, andhei sparal ysed."After
brai
ndamageandpar al
y sed,mybr ai
n
j
ustshutdownIdi dn'thearany t
hing
el
set hathesaid.Iwasal sosi l
ently
hopi
ngandpr ayi
ngt hatmybr ot
hers
hadnot hi
ngtodowi thacci dent.
[
ENDOFFLASHBACK]

Thesepastf
ewmonthshav
en'
treal
l
y
beeneasyonany
one,I
'
vebeen
havingconf l
ictswi t
hSi vuyi
le'
s
mot heraboutcomi ngbackhomet o
Sivuy i
le.Sivuyil
egotdi schargedaf ter
twomont hsofbei nghospi tal
ised,
and
hecamebackwi t
hnomemor y,
he
onlyknewhi sname, surnameand
fami l
ymember sther estofuswer e
allforgotten,evenhisf ri
ends.Now
thet hi
ngt hat '
scausi ngconf l
ict
betweenmeandhi smot heristhat,
shewant edmet obel i
ttl
emi ss
perfectwi feandcomebackt onur se
Sivuy i
lebackt oheal th,Iobviously
ref
usedbecauset hispersont hat
she'saski ngmet ocomebackt ohas
nomemor ywhat '
ssoev eraboutme,
sofrom t
hereshe'
sbeensendi
ngme
ver
yheartbr
eakingsms.
WhenSi vuy ilereturned,hewasona
wheelchai rforaf ewweeksbecause
ofhistempor ar
il
ypar alysis.Ispent
ti
meawayf r om thehousebecauseI
didn'
tfeel theneedt ogot hereand
seesomeonewhodoesn' tev enknow
me,butBont lemanagedt oconv ince
met ogoandatl eastcheckonhi m.I
didgot ocheckonhi m onar egular
basis,
ev ent houghwhenIgott othe
houseIwoul dspent95%ofmyt ime
withChul u.Wei rdlyenought he
Queendi dn' thaveapr oblem wi thme
spendingt imeatt heirhouse, butshe
woul
dalway
smakei tapoi
nttot
ext
meofherdi
sappoi
ntmentwhenIget
home.

Todaywasoneoft hosevisi
tsthatI
doatt hemansion.MeandSi vuyil
e
havebeent ryi
ngtogettoknoweach
otherthesepastcoupleofweeks,
wellshe'sbeentr
yingtogettoknow
me.
Iarr
ivedatthemansi
onandlucki
l
y
formet heQueenwasonherwayout
.

Me:
"Morningmah."Ist
il
lhadt
o
r
especther,
event
houghshewas
gi
vi
ngmebadat
ti
tude.

Mrs'
D:"y
eahnt ombaz ana."See?I'
ve
beendemot edfrom '
mybaby 't
o
'
ntombazana'now."I'
m gladt osee
youback,Iseey ouarealsomaki ng
aneff
ortwithSivuyi
lewhi chis
somethi
ngy oushouldhav edonea
l
ongtimeago. "Thener v
eoft hi
s
woman!

Me:
"ewemah.
"

Mrs'
D:"
EventhoughIwashoppi
ngto
seeyouwalki
nginwit
hyourbags.I
meany ou'
v ebadenought i
met o
gri
ev eandgetov erthehur tmygi rl
,
its
ti
met oputy ourbi ggirl pant i
eson
andwor kony ourmar riage. "Iwas
mor ethanshockedt ohearhersay
thattome." Doy ouknowhowl ucky
youar etobemar ri
edi nt othisfamily?
Alotofgi rl
swoul dki l
lfort his
oppor t
unityandwenay ouar e
messi ngitup.USi vuyil
ewi l
l f
ind
anothergirlusabusyunur sana
nentli
ziyoeb' hlungu.(whi leyouar e
sti
llbusynur singy ourbr okenhear t
).

Me:
"ThenIguessheshoul
dgoout
t
her
eandf i
ndthatgi
rlwhowoul
dki
ll
forthisoppor tunity.MyQueeny ou
seem t oforgett hatIwasf orcedinto
thi
ssi t
uation, Ididn'twantt obei n
thi
smar r
iageandsi ncetherear egir
ls
whowoul dkill t
obemar ri
edi nt
ot hi
s
family,
nnaIwoul dkillt
obr eak
what everbondi tisIhavewi tht
his
family.
"Wi ththatsai dIturnedonmy
heelsandent eredt hehouse.How
dareshespeakst omel ikethat?She
waschangi ngf orthewor st,sheis
notthesameper sonImett hefirst
dayIgoti ntroducedt oher .

Siv
uyil
e:"
AhhhIthoughty
ouweren'
t
cominganymore?"Hesaidwi
tha
hugesmi
l
e.

Me:"
TrustmeIwishIdidn't
."Ino
l
ongerwantedt
obet here."Where'
s
Chul
u?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Don'tt
ell
mewear ebackto
whereyouspendmostofy ourt
ime
wit
hherandnotme. "Ij
ustgavehi
m
ablankstar
e."AwwcomeonTumi ,
I
di
dn'tdoanythi
ngtoyoumosI '
ve
beenbehavi
ng."

Me:"Ohyou'
vedoneawhol
elotmy
br
other
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?"

Me:
"uhm nev
ermi
nd.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou?
"

Me:
"Not
hing.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Yousur
e?"

Me:
"Yeah.
"HowdoItel
lhi
mt hathis
mot
hermightr
uinwhat
everchances
hehasofusget
ti
ngbackt
oget
her
.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Thencomeandsitdown
herenexttome,
ther
earesomethi
ngs
I
'vebeenmeaningtoaskyou.
"Iwas
notinthemoodforSiv
uyi
l
e.

Me:"
Sivuyil
eIjustwanttoseeChul
u
andleave,Ihavetobesomewherein
anhour."Ili
edaboutthat
.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Comeon,Iwon'
ttakeup
muchofy ourt
ime.
"Isi
ghedandwent
tositonthecouch."
Hawuwhyar e
yousof ar?"
Me:"
Iam not
.Icanheary
ouf
rom
hear
."

Sivuyil
e:"Yohokay
.Ar
eyouf
ree
tonight?"Huh?

Me:
"Huh?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Ar
eyouf
reet
oni
ght
?"

Me:
"Why
?"
Sivuyi
le:
"BecauseIwantt ot akeyou
outonadat e.
"Hebana!" I
'm sure
you'v
enot icedthatIli
key ou,andI
wouldl i
ket ogettoknowy oumor e
outsi
dewi thoutanydi st
urbances."
MyGodt hinksfunny.Myown
husbandi saskingmeoutonadat e!
IfIdi
dn'tknowhi ssituati
on,Iwould
belaughingmyl ungsoutr i
ghtonthe
spot!

Me:"haymar nSi
vuyi
l
e,wenay ou
shoul
dfocusongetti
ngbetteryou
shoul
dn'tbeaski
ngmeoutondat es.
Whatifyouhaveagirl
fr
iendoutthere?
Thenwhat ?
"Idon'
tknowwhyIsai d
that,butallIknowisIwasgoi ngt o
avoidthisdat eatal
lcosts.YesIstil
l
hadf eel
ingsf orhi
m,i
t'
sbeenmont hs
sincehim anIhada' romant i
c
conv er
sation'andthefeeli
ngswer e
slowlyfadingaway ,
butwhenev erI
am wi t
hhi mt heywouldcomeback,
soi magineifIwentonanact ualdate
withhim, Iwoul df
all
Inlovewi t
hhim
alloveragain.

Siv
uy i
le:"
WhoChul u'smother
?Ifshe
wasr eall
ymygi rl
fr
iendshewouldbe
hererightnow,butsheisnothere.
"I
don'tknkwwhySi vuy i
l
e'sf
amilyis
nottell
inghim abouthisoldl
if
e,I
meanmaybet
hatwoul
dhelphi
m
r
egai
nhi
smemor yqui
cker
.

Me:"Idon'
tknowke.
"Hel
etouta
deepsigh.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Fineke,
canIatleasthave
yournumbersothatIcancalland
checkupony ou.
"Haibo!Thisis
seri
ous.

Me:"Youdon'
tevenhavea
phone,
howareyougoingt
ocal
lme?
"
Hechuckl
ed.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Wedohav eahouse
tel
ephoneher
e."HowdoIescapet
his
one?

Me:"
Uhm,Idon'
tknowitof
fbyhear
t
andmyphoneisoff.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"Ohh?Isthatyourwayof
rej
ecti
ngme?Awundi qomibasi
cal
ly
?"
Thelookhewasgi vingmebadmy
stomachi nknot
s,t
hebutter
fl
ieswere
fl
oati
ngi nmystomach.
Me:"uh, IthinkIshoul
dgoandcheck
onChul u,yeahletmedot hat.
"Ist
ood
upfrom t hecouchandr ushed
upstai
rs.
○
●
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
I
'vebeenoutoft hehospital
for3
mont hsnow, IcansayI 'v
ebeen
hav i
ngithar dsinceitthen.I
t'
sreal
ly
frustr
atingnotknowi ngpeopl ewho
wer einy ourli
febeforeallofthi
s
happened, mysupposedl yfr
iends
wer ereallyhurtwhenIdi dn'
tknow
theirnameswhent heycamet osee
me,theyt ri
edremindi
ngmeofour
good' oldti
mes'butnothingcameto
mind.Theonl ypeopleIrememberi s
myf ami l
ymember s,
exceptmy
daught erofcour
seandt hatisver
y
heartbreaki
ng.
Thent herei
sBoi tumel
o!MyGod!
Whatal ady!She'sbeenav oi
dingme
everytimeshecomesher e,Ialways
thoughtshewasmydaught er'
s
mot herseei
ngt hatshehada
connectionwithherandshespent
mostofhert i
mewi thherwhenshe
washer e,butmymom di dtell
me
thatsheisn'tmydaught er
'smot her
.
Itwasabummer ,
Iwouldhav eloved
hertobet hemot herofmychi ld,
she'sv erygoodwi thher .Chuluhardly
smileswhenIpl aywi thher ,
butwhen
Boitumel oar r
ivesy oucanseet he
happinessr i
ghtacr ossherf ace.Wi th
al
lherav oidance, Imanagedt o
conv i
ncehert ospendal i
ttl
ebitof
ti
mewi thme, Igott oknowheral i
tt
le
butandIcansaf elysayIl ike
her,
she' sverybeaut i
fulandshehasa
bodyt odi efor.Ilikehowshegi ves
met hatner v
oussmi l
ewhenIaskher
uncomf ort
ablequest i
ons, ohhowI
enj
oyl ookingi ntot hosebi geyesof
here'swi t
houtbl inkingev enthough
sheal way slooksawaywhenshe
feelsuncomf or table,
she'salway s
uncomf ortablear oundmeandt hat
canonl ymeant hatshelikesme
ri
ght? .Ican' thel pbutf eelaf ami l
iar
feeli
ngwhenIam ar oundher ,andIdo
enjoyt hatf eeling.Myhear tal way s
beatsf astwhenshe' saround, Idon't
knowwhy .It oldmymom aboutt his
andsheadv i
sedmet oaskherouton
adat e,that '
swhyIshotmyshot
todayonl yt ober eject
edi napol i
te
way ,
Lol .Somet hingwasdr awi ngme
toher ,whenev ershev i
sit
sIwoul d
j
ustst andbyt hedoorofChul u's
room andwat chherpl aywi t
hher , i
t
wasav erycut emomentonet hat
warmedmyhear tevery
timewhenI
seei t
.Iknewr i
ghtthereandt hent hat
Boitumel owoul dmakeapot enti
al l
y
goodl if
et i
mepar t
ner,
orsomet hing.I
sti
l
l don'tknowwhatherr elati
ont o
myf ami l
yis,Itri
edaskingmysi sters
andmymom butt heybrushedmeof f
soIal soletitgo.Theonl yt hingI'
v e
gotf r
om myf ami l
y,
wast hem t el
ling
meaboutmychi l
dhoodwhi chis
somet hingIrememberv er y
vi
vidly,t
heydidn'twantt ot ell
me
aboutmyl i
febef oretheacci dent,I
don'tknowwhy .
Boit
umelohasbeenl
ockedupinthe
room wi
thChul
ufor2wholehour
s
now,I
'm prettysureshe'savoi
dingme
becauseIaskedshe' soutonadat e.
Wellunfortunatel
yforher,Iam goi
ng
toaskherunt ilsheagreestogoout
wit
hme, Iam notgoingt ogiv
eup,I
haveagoodf eeli
ngabouther .
Itookmycr utchesandwentt o
Chul u'
splayroom, l
uckilyi twas
downst air
s.Thedoorwassl i
ghtl
y
open, Iopenedi twiderandwal ked
i
n,theywer ebot hsleepingi nthe
cutestwayev er.Chulu'
sheadwas
restedonBoi tumel o'sarm, i
tWasa
pictureperfectmoment ,
i
fIhada
phoneIwoul dtakeapi cture.
Boitumelo'sphoner angasIwasst il
l
star
ingatthem,shemumbled
somethingbeforewaki
ngupand
answeri
ngt hecall
.

Boit
umelo:"What?!"Woah!That'show
sheanswerherphone?" Real
lyyou
dist
urbedmysl eepforthat?.
..
..
Idon'
t
carehle.
..
.I'
m busyrightnowcal l
me
i
nanhourorso. .
..bye!
"

Me:"
Busywit
hdreamsneh?
"Shegot
st
art
ledandl
ookedatme.

Boi
tumel
o:"
Whendi
dyougeti
n
her
e?"
Me:
"Fewsecondsago."Isai
dwitha
smi
l
e."Iseeyoul
ikeyoursleep.
"

Boi
tumelo:
"Iam apr
ofessi
onal
sl
eeperatall
."
[
FLASHBACK]
"Youar
eapr
ofessi
onal
sleeper
."
Laughs
"Therei
snosucht hi
ngasa
prof
essi
onal
sleeper.
"
[
END]
Wai
t!Thatv
oicesoundedf
ami
l
iar
.
"
Arey
ouokay
?"
"
Siv
uyi
l
e!"Isnappedoutofi
t.

Me:
"Uhm,
yeahI
'
mfi
ne.
"

Boit
umelo:
"Ar
ey ousur
e? "SeewhyI
l
ikeher
?She'sverycar
ing.

Me:"Yeah,
Ithi
nkIj
usthadami
ni
f
lashback.
"

Boitumelo:
"Real
ly?That
'sgoodnews.
Thatmeansi t'
sonlyamatterofti
me
beforeyouregainyourmemory."I
smi
l
ed.

Me:"
Iguessso.Thi
sismyfi
rstone,
I
'v
eonlyhadvivi
ddreamssofar.
"

Boit
umelo:
"Wel
lbepati
entwi
th
your
sel
f.Youwil
lbebacktonor
mal
i
nnot i
me."

Me:"Soy ouaresayi
ngI'
m abnormal
?
That'
snotani cethi
ngtosayMiss
Boit
umel o.
"Sheletoutasweet
gi
ggle,Icouldn'
thel
pbutsmil
e.
Boi
tumel
o:"YouknowwhatImean.
"

Me:"
Nostress."Ist
il
lhadasmi l
e
pl
aster
edonmyf ace.It
hinkshe
bl
ushedbeforelooki
ngaway .

Boi
tumel
o:"
*ahem*Ishoul
dget
goi
ng.
"

Me:
"Al
ready
?"

Boi
tumelo:
"Yes.I'
vebeenher
efora
ver
ylongti
me. "
Me:
"Comeon.
"

Boit
umelo:
"Ihav
eanassignmentt
hat
Ineedt
ot y
peout."Isi
ghed.

Me:"Okayfi
ne,canIatl
easttakeyou
home."Shegiggledbef
oreletti
ngout
aloudlaught
er,Iwassoconf used.

Boi
tumel
o:"Takemehome?How?
Youcandri
v e.
"Ilookedather
l
aughi
ng,Ialsoletoutalaught
erof
myown.
Me:"Damn!If
orgotaboutt
hat
."We
l
aughedsomemor e.
○
●
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Theangert hatIhadforSivuyi
le
cheatingonmev ani
shedont heday
oftheaccident.I
'm notsayi
ngIhav e
forgi
venhi mforwhathedi dtome,
andIam notsay ingIam goingtoget
backwi thhim,
no!AllIam sayingis
thatIwasnol ongerangry,
what '
sthe
useofhol di
ngagr udgeagainst
someonewhodoesn' tevenknow
thattheywrongedy ou.
Afterl
ivingtheDl ami ni
mansi onI
wentbackt omyf l
atwhi chIshare
withMuzi kayise,butwecal lhim Kay
becausehei sgay .Don'taskmehow
hecameupwi t
hKaybecauset he
onlynicknamest hathequal i
fyforare
'
Muzi ,
Mzi &Kay i
se'.He'sbeenagr eat
roommat esof ar,
nounnecessar y
dramaev enthoughhei svery
dramat i
c.

Me:
"Myl
ove!
"

Kay:
"AwwubabeswePr
inceubuy
il
e."
Ir
oll
edmyeyes.
Me:"
Don'
tcal
lmet
hatpl
ease.
"He
l
aughed.

Kay:
"Wher
everyougoy
ouwi
l
lal
way
s
bebabeswePri
nce.
"

Me:
"unesdi
nay
azi
!"

Kay:
"I
fIgotacoinev
ery
timeany one
say
st hat
,Iwoul
dbeamill
ionai
re
dol
l.
"

Me:
"mxm.Uphi
uSam?
(Wher
eis
Sam?)"Sam i
shi
sboy
fri
endt
hats
been'
vist
ing'
usf
oraver
yver
ylong
ti
meifyouaskme.

Kay:
"ahngi
mxoshi
l
eloy
o.(
Iki
cked
hi
m out.
)"

Me:
"Ai
bowhy
?"

Kay:
"Haysi
si,I
'
m abrokest
udent
,I
can'
tbedat
ingabrokeguy.
"

Me:
"Whosai
dhei
sbr
oke?
"
Kay:
"Becausehe'
sbeenv i
sit
ingf
or2
monthsandhe'sneverboughta
si
ngl
et hi
nginthi
shouse."

Me:"
Umqomewaziukuthi
heis
br
oke.(
youdat
edhi
m knowingt
hathe
i
sbroke."

Kay:"
Ididn'
tknow.Ijustfoundout
thathelosthi
sjob,
that'
swhyIki cked
him out
."TosayIwasshockedwoul d
beanunder st
atement."Valaumlomo
kuzongenaimpukane.(Closeyour
mout haflywil
lent
er.)"
Me:"
Ukhohlakel
eshame.(
Youar
e
cr
uel.
)"Icl
appedonce!

Kay:
"i
semhlabenil
asisi
,
mawubhay
iza
uzodl
iwa!
"Haibo!Thi
sguyi
s
somethi
ngelse.

Me:"
Letmegoandwor konmy
assi
gnmentandl
eaveyouwithy
our
devi
ousmind.
"Helaughed.

Kay
:"Il
ovey
out
oo.
"
Igoti
ntomyroom ndt
hrewmysel
f
onthebed,
Ireal
l
ywantedtosl
eep
butbecauseoft heassi gnmentt hatI
hav etosubmi ttomor rowIcoul dn't
sleep.HayIam usel essshame!I
meanwegott hisassi gnmenta
mont hagoandI '
m onl ydoi ngi
tnow
thedaybef oretheduedat e.My
mot herwouldsl apt heliv
ingday
l
ightsoutofmei fshef oundout
aboutt hi
s.It
'sday sliketheseImi ss
Sivuyi
le,wit
hmyf i
rstsemest er
assignmenthemadesur eIf i
nishedit
ont hesameweeki twashandedt o
us,lookatmenowsl ackingoffmy
school work.Itookoutmyphone
from mysl i
ngbagandwentt hrough
mywhat sappmessages, Iendedup
chatti
ngwi thmysi bl
ingsf oraf ew
minut es.Theyaskedmeabout
Sivuyil
e'spr ogress,Itol
dt hem.Thi sis
sowei rdbecauseIwassuspect ing
them f orthecauseoft he
accident ,
butt heyassur edmet hat
theyhadnot hi
ngt odowi thit.They
evenwentasf arasget tingt heir
fri
endst oconf irmthatt heywer ewi t
h
them t hetimet heaccidenthappened,
andIobv iouslybel i
evedt hem.They
woul dnev erki l
l apersonf ormer i
ght?
I'
dliket othinkt hat.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB.
Mypeopl eIam studyi
ngf ormy
exams,butIwil
ltrytosti
ckt othe
scheduleeventhoughthel engthsof
theinser
tsmightnotbel ong.
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t63
•
•
•
•
•
Iwokeupwi t
habangi ngheadache
andsor eey es,Ihardlysleptbecause
oftheassi gnment .Itookal ong
rel
axingbat h,Ineededi tmybodywas
i
nst rai
n.Iwor ewhat everIcoul dfi
nd
i
nt hewar drobe, Ididn'
thav et he
energytol ookf orsomet hi
ngni ceI
wasont hatIDGAFt iptoday .Itook
mybagandwal kedoutt ot he
kit
chen,Kaywasal r
eadymaki ng
breakfastfort hebot hofus.

Kay
:"Myl
ove.
"Ismi
l
ed

Me:
"S'
thandwasehear
t.
"
Kay:
"Iam sol
ate.Doy
ouneedal
i
ft
oruzozi
hambela?"

Me: "l'
l
lcomewi thyou, vel
eI'
m also
l
at e."Isatdownont hechairandate
af ewspoonsofmycer eal.Weleft
i
mmedi at
elyaftereat i
ng.Oneoft he
adv antagesofst ayingwi t
hKayi s
thatIdon' treal
lyspendmuchon
transpor t
,i
t'
skindal i
keI '
m sti
ll
stay i
ngwi thSivuyi
le,Lol.

Kay:"
Myparentsar
ecomi ngdown
thi
sweekend."Hedidn'
tsoundhappy
.
Me:"Whyar
en'
tyouexci
ted?
"He
si
ghed.

Kay:
"Theyhav
en'
treal
l
yaccept
edt
hat
Iam gay.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tunder
stand.
"

Kay:
"Theyknowt hatIam gaycause
I'
vetol
dthem,buttothem theyt
hinkI
am possessedorthisisaphasethat
wil
lpass.Theyareconstantl
ytr
ying
tohookmeupwi thgir
lswheneverwe
att
endf unct
ionstoget her ,
andthey
moni t
orthewayIdr ess."Her ol
led
hi
sey es."Nowt hattheyar eherethat
meansnocol ourf
ul clothesforme
andnoshor ts!Andy ouknowIl ove
myshor tsandcol our!"Ilaughedat
hi
sf aci
alexpression.

Me:
"Howl
ongar
etheygoi
ngt
ost
ay
f
or?
"

Kay:
"Idon'
tknow.I'
m noteven
i
nter
ested,al
lIknowisthatbythe
ti
met heyl
eaveIam goingtohate
cowsandsheepsf orquit
e
somet
ime.
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Cows?
"

Kay :
" Yeah.Mydadhasaf arm andhis
alway stal
kingabouthowhewant s
met ot akeov eri
twhenhel eav esthi
s
wor l
d.He' sal waystalki
ngabouti t
claimi ngthathei sgroomingme!
Whatt hefuckdoIknowabout
animal smina!"Iknowt hi
sisa
seriousmat ter,
buthisfaci
al
expr essionsandt hewayhe' stell
ing
thisst oryisnothelpingme, i
njust
wantt ocrackupandl augh."
Imagi ne
memilki
ngacowwit
hthi
sexpensi
ve
mani
cure!Nev
er!
"

Me:"Maybeyoushouldsi
tdownwi t
h
them agai
nandclar
if
ythatyouare
gayandnothingi
sgoingtochange.
"

Kay:"
Heh!Asi fIwillhaveachance.
Themi nuteIstarttal
kingaboutmy
sexuali
tymymom j ustclosesher
eyesandsay' askhulekeni'(
let'
spray)
I'
vedecidedtost optryi
ngt omake
them underst
andt his.I'
l
ljustlett
hem
bewiththeirruralminds."Ilaughed.
Wear
ri
vedi
nschool
ont
ime,
Irushed
toclass.Zi
nhleandAsenathi
wer
e
alr
eadysitt
ingattheback.

Ase:"
Lookwhodeci dedt ocomeearl
y
today!Whenwasthel astti
mey ou
wereont i
meforclass.Mr sIshwaki
s
eventir
edofr
eprimandi ngyou."

Me:"
Goodmor
ningt
oyout
oo
Asenat
hi.
"

Ase:
"mor
ningdol
l
."Mxm.

Zi
ntl
e:"Whathappenedt
oyourey
es?
Wer
eyoucr
ying?
"

Me:
"No!Iwasupal
lni
ghtwor
kingon
Gov
endor'
sassi
gnment
."

Ase:
"Ialsodi
ditl
astni
ght
,wel
l
Busanididi
tforme.
"

Zint
le:
"Hawu!Youandhi
m ar
efr
iends
now? "

Ase:"
No.Markcamebywithhi
mlast
ni
ghtandIwasbusywithi
tandhe
off
eredtodoitf
orme.Andkeshame
Iwasn'tgoi
ngt
osayno.
"Zi
ntl
eshook
herhead.

Zi
ntl
e:"Youguy
sar
ehopel
ess.Idi
d
mine2weeksago.
"

Ase:
"awwMsResponsibl
epl
ease
don'
tjudgeus.
"Zi
ntl
erol
l
edherey
es.
"Any
wayonal -
"

"Goodmorni
ng,
pleaset
akey
our
seats.
"-MrI
shwak.

Ase:
"agggr
!I'
l
ltel
lyouaf
tercl
ass.
"
Wetookoutourbooksandpr
epar
ed
t
olear
n.

MrIshwak:"
Won'tyoul ookatthat
,Ms
Univ
erseisear
lytoday."Iknowhe
wastalki
ngaboutme, Zint
leand
Asenathigi
ggl
ednex ttomeIr oll
ed
myey es.
Aft
er3longhour
s,t
hel
ect
urewas
fi
nal
lyover
.

Ase:
"MrI
shwakhasasof
tspotf
or
you?
"
Me:
"Whome?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
vealsonot
iced.
Wawuny aka(
hewantsyou.
)"

Me:
"Euw!
!"

Ase:"
Yes!Andhe'sasexyass
motherf
uckathatone!I
fonlyhewas
gi
vingmet heat
tenti
on,Iwoul
dhave
l
onggothim!"Whatthehell
.

Me:
"Siesmar
nAsenat
hi!He'
sol
dand
mar
ried!
"
Ase:
"He'
sasexyoldman!Haveyou
seenhowhothelookswi
ththat
tr
immedgreybeard?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Gir
l!
!"Theyhi
ghf
ived!

Me:
"Youguy
sar
esi
ck.
"

Ase:"
Stopbei
ngupti
ghtmarn!I'
m
sur
ey ou'
vealsonot
icedt
hathe'
sa
walki
ngflame."

Me:
"What
ever
."Theybot
hlookedat
me

Zi
ntl
e:"
Admi
titbabes!
"

Me:
"What
?"

Ase:
"Admi
tit
!He'
shot
!"

Me:
"No.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
comeon!
"Isi
ghed.

Me:
"Fi
ne!Hei
shot
.Happy
?"They
cheer
ed."
Youguy
sar
enut
s."

Zint
le:
"Guy
s!Iam homealonef
ort
his
enti
reweekend,
soI'
m host
inga
chil
l
edonSat ur
day.
"

Ase:
"Saynomor e!Ndi
yeza(
I'
m
coming!
)"Welaughed,
Asenathi
isa
tr
uepartyani
mal.

Me:
"I
'l
lal
socome.
"

Them:
"Wai
twhat
?!"Inodded.
Zint
le:
"Youdon'twantust
oconv
ince
you?"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"No.
"

Ase:"Areyousur
e?CauseIhavemy
beggingskil
l
sonlockdownmtshana!
"

Me:"
I'
m sur
ehawu.Aker
eIneedto
st
opbeingupt
ightandl
etl
oose?
"

Them:
"Yes.
"

Me:
"t
hisi
smel
ett
ingl
ooseheh.
"
Ase:
"Yessssss!
!"
○
●
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Thisismyl i
fenowIsuppose, all
Ido
i
ssi twatchTV,eat ,
playwithChulu
walk,aroundthey ard,watchTV
again,
I'
mr eall
yget t
ingbor edofthis
l
ifesty
le.IknowImi ghtnot
rememberwhatIwasdoi ngwi t
hmy
l
ifebeforethiscaracci dent,
butI'
m
sureitwasn'tsitt
ingar oundathome
anddoi ngnothing.
I'
vebeent r
yingtosohar dto
remembert hingsbutit'
sbea
frui
tl
essat tempt ,
al
lIhavef ornowi s
thatfl
ashbackIhady esterday.I'
ve
optedt olookingaroundt hehouse
may beIwi llfi
ndsomet hi
ngt hatwi l
l
helpjogmymemor y,
aphot oor
somet hing.Iwentt omymom' sr oom
andlookedt hroughherdrawer s,I
stubbleduponadi amondr ing,
itwas
abitdirty.Ihelditandlookedati tfor
awhi l
e,itwasasi fmyey eswer e
stuckoni t.
[
FLASHBACK]
"
Lunathi
isdef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngtol
ove
t
hat.
"Istar
edati
tandsmil
ed.

Me:
"Yout
hinkso?
"

"Iknowso.Whoknewthatyoumy
stupidf
ri
endhadatast
e!"We
l
aughed.

Me:"I
tslovent
wana,Il
ookedatitand
Iknewthatitwoul
dbeperfectf
ormy
Lunathi
."
[
END]
WhoisLunathi
?Couldshebemy
f
iancemaybe?Isshemay beChul
u's
mom?Wher eissheifshe'
snothere?
I
sshedead?Ihadallthosequest
ions
r
unningt
hroughmymi nd.

"Bhabha,whatar
eyoudoingher
e?"I
turnedtoher,
herey
eslandedonmy
hand.

Me:"
Whodoesthisbel
ongtoMom?
WhoisLunat
hi?
"Shesighedandsat
downonthebed.

Mom:
"Come,
si
ther
e."Shepat
tedt
he
spaceont hebed,Isatdown.
"Lunathi
isyourwife,
she'sInf
actyour
chosenone.Thatisherr i
ng,i
twas
retr
ivedfr
om theaccidentscene.
"

Me:"What
?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me
abouther
?"

Mom: "
Iam notsupposedtotel
lyou
anythi
ngaboutherbecauseitmight
str
essy ouanddel
ayy ourpr
ogress.
"

Me:"Whatdoyoumean?Did
somethi
nghappent
oher?"
Mom: "No,notatall
.Youguy sarenot
real
lytogetheranymoreduet o
unfort
unat eci
rcumstancesbutwe
arewor ki
ngont hatasaf amil
y.
"
Woah!

Me:"Whathappened?Whydi
dwe
di
vorce?
"

Mom:"Youarenotdi
vor
ced,
j
ust
separ
ated.
"

Me:
"Why
?Mamawhathappened?
"
Mom: "
Unfort
unatel
yIcan'tt
ellyou
mybaby .Per
sonall
yIwanttot ell
you,
butthedoctorsandyourdad
thi
nkitwouldbestifwedon'tsay
anythi
ngaboutwhathappened
betweenyouandher ,
it
'sbet
terifwe
j
ustkeepitli
kethat.
"

Me:"Whereisshe?Cany
ouatleast
t
ell
met hat?
"Sheshookherhead.

Mom:"I
'vealreadysai
dtoomuch
baby
."Isighedindefeat
.
Me:"
Wellthankyouf
ort
hel
i
ttl
ethat
you'
veshared.
"

Mom:"
It
'sgoingt
obefine
mnt
anam,youaregoi
ngtogetyour
memorybackandever
y t
hingi
sgoi
ng
t
ofal
li
ntoplace.
"

Me:"Cany ouatl
easttel
lmeabout
mylife.Youdon'
thavetomenti
on
Lunathi.
"Shesmiled.
Shest ar
tedtel
l
ingmenut sand
piecesaboutmylifef
orthepastfi
ve
years.Ial
sodidfi
ndoutthatIhada
wifebeforeImarri
edLunathi
,
soundedl i
keshewast roubleandmy
mom di dnotlikeheratall.Mymom
real
l
ypai ntedabeaut i
fulpictureof
mylifeinmymi nd,Iwasr eall
y
i
mpr essedwi thmyselfev ent houghI
hadmyf ault
shereandt here.
LaterthatafternoonBoi tumelo
decidedt odropbyj ustt ocheckon
Chulu-Soshesay s.Imustadmi tt
his
gi
rlisr eal
lybeauti
ful,she'sadream
unfortunatel
yI'm amar r
iedman,that
meansIcan' treal
lyat t
emptt ohave
somet hingwi t
hher ,
thatwouldbe
ri
ghtatal l
.
Boit
umel
o:"
Whathav
eyoubeenup
to?
"

Me:"
Not
hingmuch,j
usttr
yingt
o
pi
ecemymemor yt
ogether.
"

Boi
tumel
o:"
How'
sthatgoi
ngf
ory
ou?
"

Me:
"If
oundar ingtoday."Hereyes
wi
dened."Apparent
lyitbelongedt
o
mywife.
"

Boi
tumel
o:"
Oh.
"
Me:"
Yeah."Ilookedatherfora
whil
e,herey
esar ereal
lybeauti
ful
.
Damn!Whyam Iev enadmiri
ngher ,
I
j
ustfoundoutt hatIam marri
edfor
heavenssake.

Boi
tumel
o:"Uhm Si
vuy
il
eI'
m-"

"
Tshi
nmolosi
sisi
si.
"Thatwas
Mam'
Luv
o.

Boi
tumelo:
"Molomah.
"Shesai
dwi
th
asweetsmile.
Mam'Luv o:
"mandiy
okulandela
uChulu,
uzavuyel
aukubona(letmego
andfetchChulu,
she'swil
lbehappyt
o
seeyou.)"

Boit
umelo:"AndIj
ustsawher
yest
erday,
she'
scan'
tgetenoughof
hermo-*ahem*ofme. "

Mam' Luvo:"Uyakuthanda(
sheloves
you.)
"Shel eftforChulu'
splayroom.I
needt oclearthingsoutwithher
beforeChuluget sherebecauseI
knowshewi llcompletel
ytakeallher
att
ention.
Me:"Uhm Boi t
umel o,aboutt
hedate.
Idon'tthi
nkitwil
lagoodi deaforme
andy outogoout .ImeanI '
ma
mar r
iedman,event houghwear e
separatedIsti
llf
eel l
ikeIhavet
o
respecther.
"Shel ookedshockedfor
asecond,theshel etouthersweet
smile.

Boi
tumel
o:"
It
sokay
,Iunder
stand.
Youdon'
thavet
oexpl
ain.
"Ismiledat
her
.

Me:
"Youar
ereal
l
yagoodper
sony
ou
know.
"

Boi
tumel
o:"
Thanky
ou.
"Shesmi
l
ed.
Mam' Luvocamewi thChuluandasI
hadpr edictedshet ookallher
attention, Iwasmor el
ikefurni
turei
n
thatroom, I'
mj okingshedidmakea
conv ersationwi thmeher eandt her
e.
Ienjoy edwat chi
ngherpl aywit
hmy
daught er
,itwasi ndeedabeautiful
sight.
•
•
•
•
Hect
icday
sahead!
!!
!!
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t64
•
•
•
•
•
Myhear tsmil
edwhenIheardhim
sayhedoesn'twanttogooutona
datewithmebecausehei smarr
ied.
Itmighthavebeennothi
ngmajorbut
myhear tmelt
ed,howIwishhecan
keepupt
hisatt
itudewhenheget
s
hismemoryback.
Chuluwaspeacef
ullysleepingonmy
l
ap,aft
erpl
ayi
ngwi thher,sheisso
ener
geti
cIwonderifIwi l
lbeableto
keepupwhenshet urnsay earold.

Me: "
Shealway shasener
gyandthe
factthatshe'
scrawli
ngnowisnot
helpi
ngatal l
."Hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uyil
e:"She'
salway
sexci
tedt
obei
n
yourpresence.
"
Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIwi
l
lcome
t
omorrow.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ohGod,soIhavetodeal
wit
h
gr
umpyChul
u."Ilaughed.

Me:"Don'
tsaymybabyisgrumpy
hawu.She'sal
it
tl
eangel.
"Ismi
led.
AsifoncueMam' Luv
owalkedin

Mam'Luv o:"
sekel
ele?(
She'
ssleeping
alr
eady?)"Inodded.Shecamet oand
tookher."Haysanalwam buy
angoku,
nokoselil
ideeli
xeshauhambile(
No
mychildcomebackhomenow, i
t'
s
beenalongti
mesincey
oul
eft
.)
"Il
et
outafakel
augh-

Me:"HaywethuMah. "That'
sal
lI
couldsay
,Ididn'tknownhowt o
respondt
oher .Shesmi ledand
shookherheadbef oreleavi
ng.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youusedt
oli
veher
e?"

Me:"
Yeahuhm. ..Ihavetogo."Idi
dn'
t
wantyogetintotroublewit
hThe
Queenespecial
lyafterwhathetol
d
me.
Siv
uy i
l
e:"Ohokay.Thankyouonce
againforspendi
ngy ourt
imewith
Chulu.
"

Me:"
She'
sm-she'
sasweet
hear
t,I
ador
eher.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"I'
m sureshedoest
oo."I
smiled.Hewal kedmetothedoor,I
gotintothecarandSizwedroveme
tomyf l
at.
Kaywassi
tt
ingwit
hacolouredguy
whenIwal
kedint
othef
lat.
Kay
:"UbabeswePr
inceubuy
il
e!"

Me:"
Yeslove.
"I'
v egiv
enupontell
i
ng
hi
mt ostopcall
ingmebabes
wePri
nce."Hi
."Igreetedt
heguy
.He
l
ookedatmeandl etoutawi
desmi l
e.

Hi
m: "
Hi,
OMGf ri
end!Whydidn'
tyou
t
ellmethatshe'
sy ourf
lat
mate?"My
God!Heissogay !

Kay
:"whyshoul
dI?
"He'
srude!
Me:"
uhI'm Boi
tumelo.
"Iext
endmy
handforahandshake.

Guy:"
Honey,
al
mostev er
yoneknows
whoy ouar
e.I'
m Lusci
ousbutmy
fr
iendscal
lmeLucy .
"

Me:"
Nicetomeety
ouLusci
ous.
"I'
m
nothi
sfri
endmos.

Lucy
:"Nodol
l
,cal
lmeLucypl
ease!
"I
smil
ed.

Me:
"ohkay
,Lucy
.Di
dthi
sfr
iendof
your
soff
eryousomethi
ngt
odrink?I
knowhedoesn'
thav
emanners.
"

Lucy:
"Hedidn'
t.Heneedst
ogoback
toschool
andlearnsomemanners.
"

Kay:
"Reall
yguys!ThefactthatI
openedthedoorforyoumeanIhave
mannersandIletyousitonmy
couchandnotont hefl
oor.
"

Lucy
:"mxm!
"

Me:
"I
'l
lpoury
ousomet
hingt
o
dr
ink,
thenIwi
llstar
twi
ththepots.
"I
wenttotheki
tchenandpouredhima
gl
assofCoke.

Lucy:
"Thankyoubabe."Iwentbackt o
theki
tchentostartondinner.Ididn'
t
wanttogot omyr oom before
cooki
ngbecauseIknowonceIgeti n
ther
eitwil
lbehardt ocomeout
i
nsteadIwillj
ustf
allasl
eepont he
bed.ThenKaywi l
lcomei ntothe
room anddragmeoutoft hebed,
mucht omyi r
ri
tat
ionbecauseIl ove
mysleep.
It
houghtKaywasf
lamboy
ant
,butI
waswr ong.Lucyt akest hecup, hei s
verymuchi nt ouchwi thhi sfemi nine
side,
hei sloudandv erydr amat i
c,not
forgett
ingt alkative.Hewasaski ng
mest upidquest ionsaboutbei ng
mar ri
edintor oy alty
,healsoaskedme
aboutThandi we.Hebasi call
yknew
almostev er y
t hi
ngaboutt heDlami ni
family,
andt hat '
swast het opicoft he
night,
theDl ami nifamily.Kayt riedt o
changet hesubj ectbecausehesawI
wasabi tuncomf ortableaboutt hi
s
buthef ail
ed,IguessLucy 'smi nd
can'tbechanged.Heev enaskedwhy
I'
m stayingher einaf l
ati nsteadof
theDlami ni mansi on,Ihadt olieand
sayIneededspacet ofocusonmy
studiesbutIdov isi
tthem f
rom ti
me
totime, heseemedt obeli
eveme
causehequi cklymov edoninto
anothersubject-oftheDlamini
familymi ndyou!Hewasr eall
yafan
ofther oyalf
ami l
y.
○
Thef
oll
owi
ngmorni
ngIwaswoken
upbymyri
ngi
ngphone.

Me:
"What
?!"

Bont
le:
"wakeupandcheckyour
soci
almedia!
"Whydoesthi
ssound
f
ami
l
iar
.

Me:"Haymar
nBont
le,
justt
ell
me
what'
sgoi
ngon.
"

Bont
le:
"Babyyouaretr
endi
ng!
"Sl
eep
i
mmediatelyv
anished!

Me:
"What
?!Tr
endi
ngf
orwhatnow?
"

Bontl
e:"
YouandtheDlaminifamil
y
aret
rendingonsoci
almedia.
Apparent
lysomeonetweetedabout
youstayi
nginafl
at,
thenextthi
ngI
seet
here'
sa#CheatingPri
nceanda
#Boi
tumel
o."Isatupstr
aight
.

Me:"Younotpl
ayi
ngwi
thmer
ight
now?"

Bontle:"No!Peoplear eat t
ackingthe
Dlamini famil
y,
theyar eget ti
ng
draggedbecauseofSi vuyil
e's
cheating.Wenaj ustcheckonTwi tter
otlabona( youwi llsee.
)"I
i
mmedi atelydroppedt hecal land
l
oggedi ntoTwitterandi ndeedwe
weret rendingatnumber1and2, this
wasnotgoodatal l.Peoplear emean
outther
e,someoft
hem wer
ef eel
i
ng
sorr
yformewhileother
swerenot.

Buhl
e_beaut
y-'
shamepoorchi
l
d.
#Boi
tumelo'

Blackangel
45-'Ial
way
sknewthat
theXhosaPr i
ncewastr
ash!
#CheatingPr
ince.
'

Gol i
ath-'
Sheshouldhaveseenit
comi ngthough,Imeanshe'sjustan
ordinarygi
rlandheisaf amous
Prince.Hewasobv iousl
ygoingto
cheatonher .#Boi
tumelo.'
King262-Whowoul
dcheatonsucha
hotbeaut.Somemenar
eblind.
#Boitumelo.
'

Masa_ Masa-'
Thewhol efamil
yis
tr
ash.I'
m suretheyknewaboutthis
buttheykeptquietanddidn'
tsay
anyt
hing.#CheatingPr
ince.
'

Thatwassomeoft hefewcomment s
Ireadunderthehashtags.Iwas
shocked,howdidthestorycomeout!
Noelseknewaboutmymar i
tal
probl
emsapar tf
rom thefamilyandI
knowtheywoul dnev erdot
his,
not
evenmybr ot
hers.Whocouldhav e
l
eakedt hestory
?Ihadnoonei n
mindright.Myphoner angdi
sturbi
ng
atrai
lofmyt houghts.

Me:
"Ase.
"

Ase:
"babe,
didy
ouseeTwi
tt
er?
"

Me:
"Yeah,Ij
ustcheckedr
ightnow.
Howdidthisgetout?
"

Ase:
"i
sther
eany
oneel
sey
out
old
aboutt
his?
"

Me:
"No!Onl
ypeopl
eIam cl
osewi
th.
"

Ase:
"whatabouty
ourf
lat
mat
e?"

Me:
"Kay
?Hewoul
dnev
erdot
hat
."

Ase:
"nev
ersaynev
erbabe.Youdon'
t
knowhimthatwel
l.
"

Me:
"NoAse!
"
Ase:
"wel
laskhim aboutt
his,
ther
e's
nocri
meindoingthat.
"

Me:"N-
"Thedooropenedandjay
walkedin."Look,
wewi
l
ltal
klat
er
aboutthis.
"

Ase:
"Isupposey
ouar
enotcomi
ng
tocl
ass.
"

Me:"I
'
m al
readyanhourl
ateAse.
"I
ov
ersl
ept.

Ase:
"Okay
.I'
l
lcomebyy
ourf
lataf
ter
cl
ass.
"

Me:"Sho.
"Ihungupandsi
ghed.Kay
satdownont hebedandl
ookedat
me.

Kay
:"Iam sosor
ryTumi
."

Me:"Youdon'thaveto
apol
ogise,
peoplewil
lal
way
stal
k."

Kay:
"Youdon'
tknowdoyou?"I
l
ookedathi
m,hehadagui
lt
ylook.
Me:"wait
!Youar etheonewhoposted
aboutmyst ayhere?!"Iwasso
shocked."Howcoul dy oudot
hatt
o
meMuzi kayise!
"

Kay:"
What !Noitwasn'tme.Itwas
Lucy,I
'm onlyapologi
singbecause
he'
smyf riendandIdon' twantyouto
assumet hatIhelpedhim wit
hthis.
"

Me:
"Lucy
?Whywouldhedothi
sto
me?Idon'
tev
enknowhim.
"

Kay:
"hewasj
ustexci
tedaboutseei
ng
yousohepost
edapictur
eofy ouand
him braggingthathesawy ouand
thatyouar ehi
sbestf ri
end'
sfl
atmate.
That'
showev eryonefoundout,
and
youknowhowTwi tt
erpeopleare
theystart
eddoi ngtheirowndi
gging
andt heyfoundoutt hewholet
ruth.
"

Me:
"Thi
sisadi
sast
erKay
."

Kay
:"I
mreal
l
ysor
rymyf
ri
end.
"

Me:
"Whatam Igoi
ngt
odo.
"

Kay
:"Whyar
eyoust
ressi
ng?They
'r
e
notdyinganyt
hingbadabouty
ou,
in
factsomeofthem arecommendi
ng
youforleav
inghisass.
"

Me:"
whil
eothersaresayi
ngIdeserve
i
tbecauseImarri
edhim whil
ehewas
st
il
lmarri
ed.Theyaresayi
ngIstol
e
hi
mf r
om ThandiandIam goingto
l
osehimthesamewayIgothi m.
"

Kay:
"okaymaybe20percentofthe
comment sar
ebad,butl
ookatthe
bri
ghtersi
debabe,
whichist
he80%. "I
si
ghedasIburri
edmyheadi nmy
hands.
Me: "
Thequeeni sgoi ngt oblameme
forthi
smess.She' sbeent el
li
ngme
tomov ebackt ot hemansi on,
butI
'v
e
beenst ubbornandadamantabout
beingindependent .ForwhatKay ?
Huh?Looknowt heirnamei s
splashedallovert heinternetand
theyaret r
endingf orthewr ong
reason."

Kay:
"noneofthi
sisyourfaul
thoney.
Youdidn'
tknowthatthi
swasgoi ng
tohappen,
andyouhadt heri
ghtto
l
eavehercheati
ngson.Ifshegiv
es
youanyprobl
emst el
lmeandIwi l
l
dealwi
thherfory
ou!"IguessIgot6
fi
ght
ersinmycorner.

Me:
"Iam soembar
rassed.
"

Kay:
"Whatar
eyouembar
rassed
about
?"

Me:"Whatdoy oumean?Iam
humili
atedonsocial
media,that
meansIwon' tbeabl
etowalkaround
themallwit
houtpeoplegi
vi
ngme
pit
ylooks.Myenemiesarerejoi
cing
ri
ghtnow,enemiesIdon'
tevenknow! "
Thet
rol
l
sonsoci
almedi
a!

Kay :
"Hey !Youdi dn'
tdoany t
hing
wr ongher e,there'snothingtobe
humi li
at edabout .Inf
acty oushoul d
behappy ,y
oushoul dbepr oudof
yourself .Pr oudt hatyouwer eableto
l
eav ehi m whenhedi dthis
nonsense, somepeopl edon'tleave
theyst ayandal l
owt heirment o
maket hem t heirdoormat s.Ifyou
didn'tl
eav ey ouwoul dhav emade
himt hinkt hati t'
sokayt ocheatand
hewasgoi ngt odoi tagain,whaty ou
didwast ogi vehi m alessont hathe
willnev erf orget.You'vebeenact i
ng
str
ongf orfartolongmyl ove,solet
peoplepi tyyou!Ther e'
snot hing
wrongwi thbeingpitieditshowst hat
peoplehav ehearts.Evenify ouget
backt ogetherwi t
hhi m nowpeopl e
won'tjudgey oubecausey oudid
l
eavehi mt heminut eyouf oundout
aboutt heaf f
air.
"Ilookedathi m and
smiled.

Me:"Mysi
sterandAseal
way
stel
lme
Ishoul
dstopacti
ngli
keI
'mt
heone
whocheated.
"

Kay
:"Andt
heyar
eri
ght
!Act
ual
l
ywe
ar
egoi
ngoutf
orl
uncht
oday
!"

Me:"Kayno,I
'
m notreadytoface
people.Thi
sthi
ngisstil
lfr
esh."

Kay:"
thet
rendsaref r
esh,
butthe
cheati
ngi
sol dfri
end.Youcan'tt
ell
mey ouaregoingtobebot her
ed
aboutsomethingthathappenedso
l
ongago."

Me:"
I'
m notl
ikeyouKay
,Iam not
st
rongli
keyou."
Kay:"
ThatIknow, t
hat'swhyIwant
youtol eanonmyst r
ongsot hatyou
canbui l
dy ourownst r ong!
"TF?"I
wanty outof eedoni t.Youare
actuall
ystrong,youjustneedcour age
andt ostopletti
ngt hingspeoplesay
gettoy ou.
"

Me:
"Yout
hink?
"

Kay :
"Iknowso.Whi l
ewear estil
l
talki
ngabouty ourpersonali
ty,
there'
s
somet hingt
hat'sbeenbot her
ingme
sinceImety ou,somethingyouneed
towor kon."
Me:
"What
sthat
?"

Kay :
"St
opbei ngapushov er."Il
ooked
athim."Yeah!I'm notsayingstop
beingkind,I
'mjustsay i
ngy ouneedto
l
ear nhowt ostandy ourground!Alot
ofpeoplepl ayony i
urheadbecause
theyknowy ouwil
l al
lowthem and
youwon' tsayanything.Stoplett
ing
peoplewal kallov
ery ou!"

Me:
"Idon'
tdot
hat
!"Idef
ended.
Kay :
"Youdo.Ev enImy selfusedwal k
alloveryoubecauseofy ourkind
personality
.Youdon' tevennot i
ce
whenpeopl edot hat,
that'
showni ce
youar e.Itfr
ustr
at esthehel loutof
me! "Ichuckled"seriousl
y !Youneed
towomanup!Andwi t
hthef ami l
y
thatyouar emar ri
edi nt
o,youneedal l
thebackbonet haty oucangetmy
fri
end.I'v
ehear dhowy oul etthat
womansaywhat ev ershepl eases."

Me:
"Youar
eri
ght
!Idoneedt
o
womanup.
"
Kay:"Yes!Andr i
ghtnowwear egoing
outandy ouar egoingtohol dy i
ur
headhi ghandwal kwi t
hpr i
dei nthat
mall,
ifanyonegi v
esy oushitabout
todayshitont hem too!Ift
heyshow
yousuppor t,
smileandt hankthem.
Basicall
yIwanty out ohavet wo
personali
ti
est oday,
actuall
yev eryday.
Am Iclear?"Inodded."Ican'thear
you!"

Me:
"Yes!
"

Kay:
"Goodgir
l!Iwi
l
loff
ici
all
ycal
lyou
badassonceIseesomechangein
y
ou.
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Thanky
ouf
ri
endf
ort
hat
."

Kay :
"I
'vebeenwai tingtotellyou,
Ij
ust
didn'
twantt oov erstepany
boundar ies,
butIfelttheneedt osayi
t
today."Ismi l
edaswehugged.
Everyoneneedsf r
iendsguy s!AndI
am blessedt ohav epeoplelikeKay
andAsei nmyl i
fe,theyal
way s
encour agemet ot akeast andand
stopfeel i
ngsorryformysel f
.
□
□
°
•NARRATED•
°

"DidInottell
thatgirlt
ocomeback
home? !Lookatt hi
snow!Peopleare
say i
ngallt
hehor ri
blethi
ngsabout
myf amily.
"Mr sDlaminiwasfuming
afterherdaughtershowedherthe
trendsonTwi tt
er.

Lumka:"
Mamacal
m down,
i
t'
snother
faul
t.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Uthi
niLumka?(Whatdi
dyou
say?
)Didn'
tthi
swholethi
ngstar
tof
ngeTweetaboutherl
ivi
nginafl
at?
Tell
meexact
lyhowi
sthi
snother
faul
t?"

Lumka:"
She'
snott
heonewho
tweet
ednjemama."

Mrs'D:"
nowdoy ouknow?Whatifshe
wassi t
ti
ngwiththeper
sonwho
tweeted?Huh?Youwerenotther
eso
youdon'tknowwhathappened
behindthescenes.
"

Lumka:
"Kodwama-
"
Mrs'
D:"Yeeey!Valalomlomo
wena!(
Shutt hatmouth!)Yeses
marn!
"Shewasr eall
yangry."Ij
ust
hopethisdoesn'tmakei tt
othe
newspapersandpeopl emustf i
nd
outwhot hewomanbehi ndtheaff
air
i
s.Wewoul dlosedealsift
heyfound
outhewascheat i
ngwithhisPA!"

"That'
swhymywi f
elef
tme? "Siv
uyil
e
askedashewal kedinthedoor.His
mot herandsi
sterl
ookedathim
shocked,hewasnotsupposedt o
knowt hat.
Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Wel
l
?"Lumkacl
ear
edher
thr
oat
.

Lumka:
"Youdon'
tneedt
oknowal
lof
thi
sVuvu.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whynot
?"

Mrs'D:"becauset hedoct orsaidso

dammi t !
"Shesnappedmucht ot he
shockofherki ds."Li
sten,youneedt o
rememberal lofthisony ourown
baby,especiall
ythest ressfulevents
ofyourl i
fe.Ifwet ell
youaboutt hem
youmi ghtt r
ytobl ockev eryt
hingout
becauseyoudon'
twanttor
eli
vet
he
hurtyou'
vebr
oughtunt
osomeone.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"thatsomeonebei
ng
Lunat
hi?"Hismom nodded."
Iwantt
o
seeher.
"

Mr
s'D:
"No!
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Pleasemah,
Ij
ustwantto
tal
ktoherandapologi
seforhur
ti
ng
her.
"

Lumka:
"howar
eyougoi
ngt
o
apol
ogisef
orsomethi
ngyoudon'
t
evenrememberdoi
ng?"Hesi
ghed.

Siv
uy i
le:"
Idon'
tknowokay.Maybei
fI
apologisetohershemightf
orgi
ve
meandhel pmer emember.
"

Lumka:"
how?That
'sv
erydumb
Siv
uyi
le.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Yousaidourancestor
sare
powerfulri
ght?Maybetheyarethe
onesblockingmymi nd,
may beIneed
toapologi
set othei
rchosenoneand
may beIwillgetmymemor yback."
Lumka: "Ift
hatwast hecase,whi chI
don'tthinkisbytheway ,
thenthey
woul dwanty outoapol ogisefrom t
he
bottom ofy ourhear
t ,
notbecausey ou
havet o.Andhowi st heapology
goingt ocomef rom thebot t
om of
yourhear tifyoudon'tremember
whatshedi d?"

Mr s'
D:"
Wait
!Maybehe'srightLumka.
Youknowhowt heyoverprotect
ive
theyareoft
hei
rChosenOne.May be
hedoeshav et
oapologisetoher."
Lumka:"Theapologywon' tbe
genuinemama!Hedoesn' tremember
anyt
hing!Maybei fhe'
shadani mage
orfl
ashbackofhowmuchshebr oke
Boi-
..uhLunathi
'
shear tthenmay be
j
ustmay betheywoul dforgivehim.
Buthehasnoi dea!"Lumkawas
gett
ingannoyed,
shewast ir
edofher
mothertryi
ngtouseBoi tumel o.

Mr s'D:"
Youhav eapointthere.But
may bewecant r
ytomani pul
ate
them, burntheincenseandapol ogi
se
tot hem fi
rstbeforeapol
ogisingto
Lunat hi
."
Lumka:
"Mama!
"

Mr s'
D:"What ?Mysonneedst oget
hismemor ybackatwhat evercost!
Andt hatgirlneedstocomeback
hereandwor konhermar ri
ageso
thatthingscangobackt onormal !
Thewel l
saredr yi
ngupbackhome
whi l
eshe'ssul ki
ngoversomething
thathappenedmont hsago.She'snot
thefirstpersontobecheatedonand
she'scertai
nlynotgoingtobet he
l
ast !
"Indeedt heprobl
emshadst art
showi ngintheXhosaKi ngdom,the
well
swer edryi
ngupandt heri
vers
werealsoslowingfoll
owing.They
haven'
thadanyr ai
ndr opinthelast
fi
vemont hs,
andthingswer enot
l
ookinggoodatal l
.

Lumka:"
Wowmama!Whoknewyou
hadaladyMacBet
hgenei
nyou!
"

Mrs'D:
"ndakuqhwabawena!(
Iwil
lsl
ap
you!
)"Lumkal ookedawaywhil
e
r
olli
ngherey es.

Si
vuyi
le:"
Mom Iwanttodot
hisright
.I
wi
llwaitunt
ilt
her
ightti
mearr
ivesfor
met
oapol
ogi
se.
"

Mr
s'D:
"Wheni
sther
ightt
ime?
!"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Theancest
orswil
lreveal
it
al
li
nduet i
memom, wejustneedto
bepat
ient.
"

Mrs'D:
"There'snoti
met obepat ient
Siv
uy i
l
e!What ?Youwantust osuf f
er
fr
om draughtbackhome?Andi fthat
happenspeopl eandtheliv
estockar e
goingtostartdyi
ng!Isthatwhaty ou
want?Peopl emuchdi einorderfor
youguy st
or eali
setheseri
ousness
oft
hisi
ssue?
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Ofcoursenotmom, butri
ght
nowweneedt odot hi
ngsther i
ght
way .Whoknowswhatmi ghthappen
i
fwecutcor ners?"TheQueencl i
cked
hertonguebeforewalki
ngoutt he
room.

Lumka:"
Youmadeagreatdeci
sion
Vuvu.Mamauzobast
rongqhay ena!
I'
m pr
oudofyou.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Wereweinlov
e?"She
l
ookedathi
m andsmil
ed.
Lumka: "Kakhulu(toomuch) .Itwasso
wei r
dbecausey ouguy sfellforeach
otherqui ckerthanwet hought .You
actuall
yl i
kedhert hef i
rstdayy ou
sawher .Youwer et heperfect
couple"shechuckl ed."Ther ude
arrogantPr inceandabeaut ifuldown
toear t
h,kindPr i
ncess.You
compl i
ment edeachot her."Hesmi l
ed
tr
yingt oimagi neherf ace.

Siv
uyil
e:"
thenwhydidIcheat
?"He
askedinsadtone.
Lumka:
"Onl
yyouknowbr
o.Noone
cannev
eranswerwhymencheat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Doy outhi
nkt
hatwewi
l
l
ev
ergetbacktoget
her
?"

Lumka:"Maybe,y
ouguysaresoul
mat es,
youweremeanttobe.You
mightfindyourwaybackt
oeach
otheragain.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
might
?"

Lumka:
"She'
sst
ubbor
n,her
st
ubbornnessmightstandint
heway
ofherf
eeli
ngs.
"Hesi ghed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wayt
opi
ckherboZi
zi
."

Lumka:"
theydi
dy ouaf av
our.She'
sa
beaut
."Shechuckled."
Astubborn
beaut
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"IhopeIr
egai
nmymemor
y
soon.
"

Lumka:"Youwil
lmntasekhaya,
don'
t
worr
y."Shewenttohim andgavehi
m
abearhug.
●
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
WhatdoIdonow?DoIwai tf
orthe
ancest
orsandGod'sperfectti
meor
doIdowhatmymom suggest ed?I
wantevery
t hi
ngtoworkoutwell,so
wait
ingisthebestdeci
sion.
Iwonderhowshel ooked,howher
voicesounded.Wasshesof tspoken
l
ikeBoi tumel
o,orabitl
oudl i
kemy
sisterLulama?Hersmi l
e,
wasi t
beaut i
ful?Di
dourdaughterlookli
ke
her?Ineedt oseeherpicture,
Imust
seeherpi cture.IfonlyIhadher
phoneIwoul d'vehav ewenttosocial
medi a,I
'm sureIwoul dfindher
pict
ur ethereseei ngthatweare
tr
endi ng,Iwoul dn'tevenneedto
searcht hatfar.Ineedaphone, ASAP.
May beIshoul daskt hedri
vertobuy
onef orme.Bi ngo!I '
llst
ealLumka'
s.
Iwassitt
inginthelounget hi
nking
abouthowIam goi ngtogai naccess
toLumka'sphone, Ineededtocome
upwithasolidplan,worstparther
phoneisalwaysonhershenev er
l
eavesitl
y i
ngaround.
Iheardsomeonebur
sti
ngt
hroughthe
doorswhil
eIwassti
l
linmyplani
ng.
Boi
tumel
owalkedstr
aighttome,
she
l
ookedli
keshe'
sbeencrying.

Me:"
Hey!What
'swr
ong?"Ist
oodup
andtr
iedt
ohugher
,shemovedback.

Boi
tumel
o:"Youj
ustbr
okeme!
"

Me:"Me? "Iwasconf used."

Isit
becauseIcancelledt hedat
e?I
explai
nedmysi tuati
ont oyoumos
Boitumelo."Shelookedatmeand
tearsfel
l of
fhereyes.Wassher eall
y
thathurtthagIcancel l
edourdate?I
meanshedi dn'
tevenl ooki
nter
est ed
whenIaskedherout
.

Boi
tumel
o:"
It
snotaboutt
hest
upi
d
dat
e!"

Me:
"Thenwhati
sitabout
?"

Boitumelo:"
itsaboutthefactthaty ou
brokemyhear t!Youbetr
ay edme!
Youcheat edonme!Justwhenam
abouttof or
givey ouandgiv eourlove
anothertry,
If i
ndoutthemost
heartbr
eakingt hingever
!Shei sgoing
togiveyout heonet hi
ngy ouwant ed
themost ,
onet hingyouknewuwasn' t
readytogivey ou!Youbet rayedmei n
thewor stpossi bl
ewayev er!How
couldy ouimpr egnatey ourmi str
ess
Sivuyi
le?DidImeant hatl i
ttl
et oyou
thatyoudeci dedt osleepwi thher
withoutprotection?"Shebr okedown,
Ididn'
tknowwhatt odo.Iwasso
confused,whowasshet al
kingabout ?
WasIdat i
nghert oo?MyGodhow
manypeopl edidIcheatonmywi fe
with.

"What'
sal
lthi
snoisef
or?
"Mom
askedassherushedt
ous.
Boi
tumel
o:"
Congr
atul
ati
onsMa,you
ar
egoingtobegr
andmotheragai
n."

Mom:"What
?Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?"

Boi
tumel
o:"
Yourson'
smi
str
essi
s
pr
egnant
."

Mom:
"I
ntoni
?!
"Shel
ookedshocked.

Boit
umelo:
"Iam donewi
tht
his
famil
y!
"Sherushedoutt
helounge.
Mom:"Lunathiwai
t!
!"Weheardthe
sor
tsl
ammi ng!Wait
!Lunat
hi?
!Isshe
mywife?

Me:"Lunat hi
?She'sLunat hi
?"Mom
sl
owl ynodded.Ifeltdizzyfora
second.Whatt hehel li
sgoingoni n
myl if
e?"Ineedtosi tdown."Itri
ed
si
ttingdown,butsomehowImi sseda
step.AllIheardwasmymom
shoutingmynamebef oreIblacked
out!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB.

I
'M STI
LLRECRUITI
NGFORMYR100
STOKVELNJALO: Let
'smakemoney
!
Here'
stheLi
nk!
htt
ps:
//chat
.what
sapp.
com/
LHWZJBj
F8rmI
rZ1nZ5L60X
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t65
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Ididn'twantt obelievethatthePA
wasr eallypregnant ,
whenAsenat hi
showedmeherpi ctureson
Instagram y esterdaywhenwewer e
havingl unchIwasi ndenialbutwhen
Isawherbr ushinghert ummyatt he
mal lwal kingtowar dsmeandmy
fri
ends, Icouldn'thelpbut
acknowl edgei t
,sheev enhadt he
nervet ost opandgr eetwiththe
fakestsmi leever.Iwasshockedt o
sayt hel east,mosti mportantl
yhurt,
shewasgoi ngt ogi vehim somethi
ng
thathewant edwi thallofhisheart
,I
wasn' treadytof ulfi
lhi
sdr eam and
hereshei sdoingwhatIcoul dn'
t.It
wasasi fsmal lneedleswer epierci
ng
myhear t,
Iwant edt obreakdownand
cryr i
ghtthereont hespot,butIcould.
Ididn'twantt ogi v
ehert he
satisfacti
on.Themi nuteshewal ked
awayIor deredKayt odri
vemet o
Sivuyile'
shouse, Asenathitri
ed
disputingbutIwasadamantabout
goingt here.

Justsi
tt
inghereinmyr oom thinki
ng
abouthowthatslutwasshowi ngoff
hertummytomei r
ksmeup, Ihav eno
moretearsl
efttocryforthi
sissue.I
hav ecr i
edenoughaboutSi vuyil
e's
affairwi t
hhi sPA, t
hisdoesn' tdeserve
myt ear sany mor e.Icr i
edebough
yester dayaboutt hispr egnancy .Iwas
reall
yhur t
,moreespeci all
ybecauseI
wasr eadyt otakehi m back,but
somehowt hispr egnancyt ookme10
stepsback, i
trevivedt heemot ionsI
feltwhenIf i
rstfoundoutaboutt his
affair,
feeli
ngsofhur t,betr
ayal,
anger
anddi sappointment .Accept i
ngt hat
hecheat edisonet hing,butaccept i
ng
thathei sgoingt ohav eababywi t
h
thesamewi thhecheat edwithisto
toomucht obar e.Wi thChului twasa
biteasybecausewewer enotreally
i
nl oveplushesl eptwiththemother
waybef oreIcamei ntothepictur
e,
butwi t
hthis..
..Ij
ustcan't
.HowIam
goingtoacceptt hebabyknowi ng
verywellthatIhatethemot her?How
doIdot hat ?Ican'
tIreall
ycan'
t.I
t'
s
goingtot akesomeser ious
conv i
nci
ngf ormet ochangemy
decisi
onandgetbackt ogetherwith
him.

"Knock!Knock!
"Isi
ghedbef or
e
tel
li
ngthepersontoenter.I
twasKay
andhewaswi t
hAsenathiandZintle.
Theyallhadlooksofpit
yintheir
eyes,
whichissomethingIdon'tneed
ri
ghtnow.Idon'twanttobemore
depressed.Theyal
lgotcomf
ort
able
onthebedar oundme.

Kay
:"I
t'
s12wakeup!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"

Me:
"I
'mf
ine.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"Youdon'thav
etoli
etous
Boot
y,wejustwanttosuppor
tyou.
"I
br
eathedoutloud.
Me:"I
'
m confused,I
'm hurtZintl
e.I
don'
tknowwhatt odor i
ghtnow, t
he
samepersont hatIneedanswer s
fr
om doesn'
trememberany thi
ng,
he
doesn'
tknowmeashi swifehell,
he
doesn'
tevenknowSandi !"

Ase:
"Wereyouwil
li
ngt
ofor
giv
ehi
m
fort
hecheati
ng?
"

Me:"Yep.Iwasjustwai
tingforhi
mto
gainhismemor yback,
thenwewould
startal
lover
.I'
m notsosureabout
thatanymore.
"
Kay
:"Whynot
?"

Me:
"Ther
e'sababyi
nthemi
xnow.
"

Ase:
"Youdoknowt hatyoudon't
havetoacceptt
hebabyright?You
don'
thavetohaveanyrel
ationshi
p
wit
hher."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Orhi
m."

Ase:
"Her.That'
swhatwewil
lrefert
o
i
tas.I'
m speaki
ngthi
ngsi
nto
exi
stenceherepeopl
e,
wor
kwi thme!"
Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
Butt hefactisshewil
lal
waysbe
apartofourlivesandsowill
the
mother.AndI '
m notsur
eifIwantt
hat
ki
ndofl i
fe.
"

Kay
:"I
tsst
ressf
ult
rustmedear
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
andhowwoul
dyouknow?
"

Kay:
"I
'v
eli
vedgi
rl
!That'
sal
lIam
goi
ngtosay.
"Welaughed.
Asenat
hi'
sphoner
angwhi
l
ewewer
e
st
il
ll
aughi
ng.

Ase:"Dabs..
..
.What ?.
..
..
yeahI '
m wit
h
herrightnow...
..okayIwill
t el
lher
..
..
yesandaskherdabs. ..
.Alr
ight,
bye.
"
Shehungupandl ookedatme.
"Ubhutihasbeenadmi t
ted."Myhear t
skippedabeat .

Me:
"Whathappened?
"

Ase:"Apparentl
eyhecoll
apsedafter
y9uconfrontedhim."Mymouth
formedand' O'"
thatcoul
dbealie
thoughyouknowhowmyauntl ikes
exagger
ati
ngt
hings.
"

Me:
"Whatdoesshewantf
rom me?
"

Ase:
"Uhm,
bhuti
wokeupcalli
ngout
fory
ousoshewaswonder i
ngify
ou
coul
dpopbythehospi
tal
."

Me:"
No."If
eltt
hei
rey
esmov
etome.
"
I'
m notgoi
ng."

Zi
ntl
e:"
OhcomeonBoot
y,whati
fhe'
s
memoryisback?
"
Me:"
So? "Iwastry
ingtoactl
i
keI
di
dn'tcarebutdeepdownIwant
edt
o
gothereandseehi m.

Kay:
"Stopact
ingli
keyoudon'
twant
togo.Justgoforyourownsake.
"

Ase:
"Pl
easeNathi
,pl
usMaNdekais
al
sother
e,shewantstoseey
outoo.
"

Me:
"MaNdeka?Whendi
dshear
ri
ve?
"

Ase:"
Idon'
tknow.
"It
houghtabouti
t
forasecond.
Me:
"fi
ne,
I'
l
lgo.Butonl
yfor
MaNdeka'
ssake."Whoam Iki
ddi
ng?
"
Shi
t!NowIhavet ot
akeabath.
"

Kay
:"Youar
esolazy,
yohareevenl
azy
tot
akeabath,
wow!"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Idi
dnotsayt
hathawu.
"

Zint
le:
"Justgobath,wewi l
lbe
wait
ingfory ouri
ghthere.
"Igotoff
thebedandwentoutt heroom t
ot he
bedroom,there'
snoensuit
ehere,Lol.I
tookal onghotshower ,ast hewat er
ranthroughmybodyIcoul dn'thelp
butwonderwhatMaNdekawasdoi ng
here,
wast hesomet hingwr ong
happeni ngbacki nt heKi ngdom?Or
i
sSi vuy i
le'
ssit
uat ionget ti
ngser ious?
Themi nuteIthoughtaboutSi vuyil
e's
sit
uation,Icouldn'thelpbutpani ca
bit
.Iswi tchedof fthewat erandgot
outtheshower ,Iwr appedt hetowel
aroundmybodyandl efttomyr oom.
Myf ri
endswer est il
lthere,waiti
ngf or
Godknowswhat .

Me:
"hel
l
o,Ineedsomepr
ivacy
."
Ase:
"Ohpleasey
oudon'thave
anyt
hingwedon'thav
esis.
"Il
ooked
atKay.

Kay:"
What ?Idon'tpl
ayforthatt
eam
nj
e."Ishookmyhead, I'
veneverbeen
comf ortablewit
hgettingnakedin
fr
ontofpeopl e,beitagirl
orguy,t
hat
's
j
usthowIam.It ookmyl oti
onand
l
otionedt heexposedpar t
sofmy
bodyt henIwor emyunder wear.

Ase:
"RememberMaNdekaisalso
goi
ngtobether
e."Iknowwhatthat
means.Iwor
emybl ackbel
owthe
kneedr
essandIcoveredmyhead
wit
hablackscar
f.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whodi
ed?
"Theyl
aughed.

Me:
"mxm."Wit
hin5minutesIwas
r
eadyt
oleave,
Kayoff
eredtodri
veme
t
othehospi
tal
andthegir
lswanted
t
otagal
ong.
WhenIarri
vedatt hehospital
they
showedmet ohi sroom,hismom and
MaNdekawer esitti
ngaroundhim
andhewasasl eep.Icl
earedmy
thr
oatbef
oregr eeti
ngthem.Iwent
andbowedi
nfr
ontofMaNdeka,
she
smil
ed.

MaNdeka: "
Iwoul
dbet heonedoing
thatt
oy ou,
youknow?"Shesaidin
Xhosa,t
hat'
sallt
hatsheeverspeaks.
Ismil
ed.

Me:"
Ohpl
easedon'
tgogo.That
woul
dbesohumili
ati
ng.
"Shesmil
ed.

MaNdeka:"
Sti
l
l r
espect
fulasever.No
wonderyouareourspeci
alchosen
one.
"Icoul
dn'
thelpbutbl
ush.
Mr
sD:
"Whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
"

Me:"
Icameasf astasIcouldMa."
Shenodded,Iguessshedidn'
twant
togi
vemeat ti
tudeinf
rontof
MaNdeka."Howi shehedoing?"

Mr s'
D:"He'sfine,
hej usthasabump
onhi shead."Mor ebumps!Thi s
wouldbef unnyift hingsweren'
tso
tensebet weenmeandt heQueen.
Aftertheacci dent,
Si vuy
ilehadafew
bumpsonhi shead, hehadt ocuthi
s
hairbecauseoft hebumpsandt he
wounds,hi
sheadlookssofunnywi t
h
thebumpsandwi t
hnohai r
,butthey
werehealedwhenIlastsawhim, I
guesshehasonemor etoworry
aboutnow.

MaNdeka:"
Makot i,
givemesome
spacewit
hLunat hi
."Shewantedto
prot
estbutdecidedagainsti
twhen
shegotastare."Comeandsi ther
e."
Shepoint
edthechai rnextt
oher,Isat
down."Doyouknowwhati tmeansto
bethechosenone?Yourki ndof
chosenonerather?"
Me:
"No.
"

MaNdeka: "Itmeansy ouhav et he

responsi bili
tyofouri nyourhands.
Younol ongerl iveli
fefory ourself
any mor e,
y oul i
veforotherpeopl eand
yout akedeci si
onst hatwillbenef i
t
thepeopl etoo.Youast hespeci al
chosenonear ethesourceofl iv i
ng
fortheXhosaKi ngdom, youbr i
ngr ain
andgoodl uckt oourpeopl e,toour
vil
lage.Doy ouknowhowspeci althat
poweri s?Youar eourbridgewi ththe
ancest ors, t
heygr antuswhatwe
wantf orourki ngdom becausewe
hav eyoui nourKi ngdom. "
Me:"
Idon'
tunder
stand,
howwer
eyou
copi
ngwit
houtme? "

MaNdeka: "
Becausewedi dn'tknow
youthen,wewer ecopi ngfi
ne.Ev en
thoughweonl yhadr ainli
ke5t imes
i
nay ear
,i
twassomet hingthatwas
abletosustainusandourl andf or
somet ime."Inodded.

Me:
"Sowhyar
eyout
ell
i
ngmet
his?
"

MaNdeka:
"Theancest
orsar
enot
happymychi l
d.Theyarenothappy
wit
ht hewayt hatweasaf ami l
yhave
tr
eatedyou,theyarenothappywi t
h
ourson'sdoingsandtheyar enot
pl
easedt hatyouhaveleftpalace.
"

Me:"
Ihav
en'
tcompl
etel
ylef
tnj
e
gogo.
"

MaNdeka:
"Buty
oust
il
ll
efty
our
mar
it
alhome."

Me:"
Ithoughtt
heywer
en'
tgoingt
o
doanythi
ngifIl
eav
ebecauseof
hi
m."Ipoint
edatSi
vuy
il
ewi t
hmy
head.

MaNdeka: "Toy ouyes.Butto

every
thi
ngassoci at
edwi ththe
Dlamini
s,
theyar edefi
nit
elygoingt
o
dosomet hing,andt
heyhav edonea
numberoft hingsnow."

Me:
"Li
ke?
"

MaNdeka:"Chulumanco'
s
si
ckness,
yiurhusband'
saccident,t
he
dr
ylandsbackhome, thedraughtwe
ar
eexperienci
ng.Soont heli
vestock
wi
llperi
sh."What?Myey eswer eall
out
,Iwasshocked.

Me:
"Thatcan'
tbet
rue.
"

MaNdeka:"
itismychil
d.That'
swhyI
am heret
our geyoutoret
hinkyour
deci
sionofleavi
ngyourhusband.
"

Me:
"Hewr
ongedmeMah.
"

MaNdeka:
"Iknowmychil
d.ButI'
m
sur
eyoucanf i
ndi
tdeepi
ny ourhear
t
tof
orgi
vehim."
Me:
"Ihadf
orgi
vehim Maheven
t
houghhehasn'
tapol
ogisedpr
oper
ly
t
ome. "

MaNdeka:
"Had?
"Isi
ghed.

Me:
"Yes,
thatwasunti
lIfoundout
t
hathe'
smi st
ressi
spregnant.
"

MaNdeka: "Soy ourevokedyour

for
giveness?I sthatevenpossible?"I
keptquiet
." Mychi l
d,l
if
einmarriage
i
snev ereasy ,
youasawomanhav eto
remainstrongandkeepy our
householdst anding.Youcannot
aff
ordtobeshakenbysmal lt
hings
l
ikepregnancy,
whatwil
lhappenwhen
youfacebiggerpr
obl
emsl i
kemay be
yourhusbandlosi
nghisRoyal
bir
thr
ight,
orwhehhelosesmoney .
"

Me:"
It
snotthesamemah,
he
bet
rayedme."

MaNdeka: "
It
sallthesamemychi l
d.
AllIam aski
ngfrom youisthatyou
comebackf orthesakeofy our
people,
notforhi
m.Youhav ea
Kingdom ful
lofpeoplerel
yi
ngony ou.
Youdon'thavetol ov
ehim."Isighed.
Me:
"Howisthisgoi
ngtowor
k?Won'
t
t
heancest
orsbeangry
?"

MaNdeka:
"No,noti
fthi
ngsar
edone
i
nyourway."

Me:
"SayIagr
eet
othi
s,
whatwoul
dbe
r
equi
redofme?"

MaNdeka:
"Youhav
etomov
ebackt
o
yourmar
it
alhome.
"

Me:
"That
'sal
l
?"
MaNdeka:"
Yes.Thehar dwor kwil
l
comef r
om us,wewi l
lhav etodoa
ceremonyfory
out oapol ogisetoyou
andtheancest
orsthent hingswillgo
backtonormal.
"Isighed!

Me:
"Iwi
-"

"Lunat
hi.
..
.Lunathi
."Iqui
ckl
ystood
uponmyf eetandstoodnextt
ot he
bed.

Me:
"Hey
."Ibr
ushedhi
shand.Thi
s
wasnott
heti
mef ormet
obe
t
hrowi
ngtant
rums.

Si
vuyi
le:
"baby
,I'
m sor
ry.I
'
m sosor
ry.
"
Heremember s?!Hewasabit
hy
ster
ical

Me:
"shhhdon'
tsayany
thi
ng.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
For
giv
ememyl
ove,
please
for
giv
eme. "

Me:"
Nurse!
"Ipr
essedthebutt
on.A
nur
seimmediat
ely.Idi
dn'
tl
ikethe
wayhewasbr eat
hing.Thenurse
quickl
ywal kedin."It
hinkhishavi
nga
panicattack."Shewentoutandcame
backaf t
eraf ewsecondswi tha
syr
ingeinherhand, sheinj
ectedhim
wit
hi tandhesl owlycalmeddown
andmumbl e'I'
m sorr
y'beforehe
cl
osedhi sey es.
Hi
smot
herwal
kedi
nrushi
ng.

Mrs'
D:"
Whatthehel
lhappenedher
e?
Whatdidyoudotohi
m?Hewasf i
ne
bef
oreyougother
e."

Nur
se:
"He'
sgoi
ngt
obef
inema'
am.
He'shear twasjustbeat
ingf
ast,
he
j
ustneedst ocal
m downandhewi ll
befine.Igav ehi
m ami l
dsedat
ive,
he
shouldfine."

Me:
"Iuh,
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
"

MaNdeka:
"Pl
easethi
nkaboutwhat
wetal
kedabout.
"

Me:
"Iwi
l
lMah.
"Shehel
dmyhand.

MaNdeka:
"Whateverthathappens
f
rom nowon,
juststaystrongand
don'
tlosey
ourway.Rememberthat
ever
ythi
nghappensf
orareason.
"

Me:
"Whatar
eyout
aki
ngabout
?"

MaNdeka:"
Justrememberthose
words.
"Thatl
eftmeconfusedand
scar
edatthesamet i
me.Isaidmy
goodbyesandl
eft.
□
□
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
I
twasasi
fIwasdreaming,Iwas
dr
eami
ngaboutamylif
e.Itwas
al
mostasifIwaswatchi
ngamovi
e
ofmyl
ife,
every
thi
ngcamebackt
o
measaf l
ood.

"Lunathi
!"Ishotmyey esopen.I
l
ookedar oundandsawMaNdeka
l
ookingatme, sheshookherhead.
Whendi dshegether e?Andwher ei
s
Lunathi?Irememberseeingherand
heari
ngherv oi cecal
l
ingf
orthenurse.
WasIdr eami ng?

MaNdeka:"
Shelef
ta2hoursago.
"Oh
shewasindeedhere."
Youl
osta
goodwomanson,andnowwear e
suf
fer
ingf
ory
oursi
ns.
"

"Mah,
pleasedon'tstr
esshi
m out
aboutall
thosethings.
"Mymom sai
d
walki
ngintheroom.

Mom:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"

Me:"
I'
mf i
nemom.Al
lIneedr
ight
nowistoseemywif
e."

Mom:"Itol
dy ouaboutt
hewi
fe
si
tuat
ionSivuyi
le.
"
Me:"ImeanLunat
hiMah,Boitumel
o.I
needtoapol
ogiseforwhatIdidwi
th
Sandi.
"

Mom: "Sivuyilend-Wai t
!You
remember ?!Yourmemor yisback!!"
Shescr eamedshocki ngusand
herself,
shegav eki ssedmeal l
ov er
myf acei ncludingmyl i
ps, I
'
m pretty
sureLunat hi woul dbel aughingright
now." OhThanky ouLordnani boZi zi
!
Thanky ousosomuch! "Shehad
glassesi nherey es.Sheki ssedme
onceagai n." I
'm goi ngtolookf orthe
doctor."Shequi cklyexistedtheroom.
MaNdeka: "Thepowerofourchosen
one."Ilookedatherasshesmi l
ed
l
ookingup.Wesati nsil
encefora
fewmi nutesunt i
lthemom came
backwi ththedoctor.Hedi daf ew
checkupsandaskedmeaf ew
questions,
whenhewasf i
nally
sati
sfiedheagr eedtodischargeme
onacondi tionthatifIexperi
enceany
serveheadache, Ishouldcomesee
himimmedi at
ely.
Hegavemesomemedicati
onfor
pai
n,t
henhesi
gnedt
hedischar
ge
paper
s.
Mom: "Yourdadissoexci t
edabout
this,
yoursist
eri
spreparingafeastas
wespeak. "Iwasinnomoodt ohave
dinnerwiththem,Ineededt of
ix
thingswithmywifebefor eany
thi
ng
else.

Me:
"Ineedt
oseeher
."

Mom: "Ar
eyour eall
ygoingto
disappoi
ntyoursisterli
kethat
?You
canalwaysseehert omorr
ow."I
l
ookedatherf oramov ementbef
ore
l
ookingoutsidethewi ndow.
○
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Iwasathomewi t
hmyf amil
y.Bont
le
wasbusyhel pi
ngmymom get
dressedforheranni
ver
sarydi
nner
datewithdad.

Mom:
"Doy
ouhav
etopai
ntmyf
ace?
"

Bont
le:
"Yesmama.Youneedt
olook
l
ikeabombassqueen.
"

Mom:
"Language!
"Il
aughed.Iwant
ed
totel
l t
hem aboutSandy
's
pregnancy,
butIdeci
dedagai
nsti
t,I
didn'
twanttoruinmom anddad'
s
specialday
.

Bont
le:
"Done!Per
fect
.Youl
ookl
i
kea
bomba-"

Mom:
"Yey
!"

Bont
le:
"Iwasgoi
ngt
osayat
tr
act
ive
mama."

Mom:
"I'
m st
il
lat
tract
ivewi
thor
wi
thoutmakeupwena!
"

Bont
le:
"Wenana!
"

Mom: "Wadl alawena.Backi nmy

days,Iusedt odr iv
emeni nsane.I fI
didn'
thav est rictparents, may beI
wouldhav emul ti
plechildrenf rom
diff
erentf athers."Icouldn'thel pbut
l
augh, Bont l
eal sojoined.Ij ustcan' t
i
magi nemymom bei ngt hattypeof
girl
."I
'mj ustgl adIwasabl et or ai
se
withthesamepr i
nciples,l
ookaty ou
now.Youar ebot hmar r
iedandhav e
verybr i
ghtf utureaheadofy '
all.Iam
verypr
oudofy ouboth.All
ofyou
actual
l
y ,
it'
swondergi vi
ngbir
tht
o
suchfrui
tfulseeds.
"

Me:"
Ahhmama.
"Weshar
edagr
oup
hug.

"
Mamadadsay
sit
'st
imet
ogo!
"

Mom:"Okay.
"Shel ookedatus"Ilove
youmykids,IknowImaybehar don
yousometi
mes, butit
'sbecauseIlov
e
yousomuch."
Us:
"Wel
ovey
out
oomama.
"

Mom: "
andwenawear egoingtot
alk
tomor r
ow,becauseI
'
m sureIam
goingt ocomebackpret
tylate
tonight.
"

Me:"
Nopr obl
em mah,plusIal
sohave
t
ogoandmeetKay 'sparent
s
t
onight
."Shelookedatherselfi
nthe
mir
roronetime.

Mom: "
Alri
ghtgir
ls,
l
etmegohavef
un
wit
hmyman. "Shetur
nedandwal
ked
outtheroom.
Me:"Tshi
samama! "Wefol
lowed
behindher.Dadwaspat
ientl
ywait
ing
forheroveraconver
sat
ionwithhi
s
sons.

Mom:"ker
eady
."Dad'
sey
esli
tupas
he'
sli
psmovedfor
mingabeaut
if
ul
smil
e.

Dad:
"Awwcher r
yy akabanna!(My
woman!)"Mom bl ushed,i
twasso
weir
dtowat ch.I
'venev erseenthem
l
ikethi
sbefore.Iknowt hattheyli
ve
andrespectoneanot her,
butthey
neverdi
spl
aythei
rlovet
hatmuchin
fr
ontofus.Theywereol
dfashi
oned
l
ikethat
.
○
Inev erknewt hatKay '
spar entswere
l
iket hi
s, Ithoughthewas
exager atti
ngwhenheal way stoldme
aboutt hem.MrandMr sSithol
e,a
verywei rdcombi nat
ioni fyouaskme.
Themot heri sadev ot ed
Christi
an, whil
et hefatherisadown
ri
ghtZul uman, withgoatski nsonhis
wr i
stsandal lofthat.Iguessi t
'str
ue
whent heysayt ruelov econquer sal
l,
Imeanl ookatt hem, theirbeli
efs
clashbutsomehowt heyar ehappily
marr
iedandt
heyhav
eagayson,thi
s
woul
dmakeagreatreal
i
tyTVshows.

Mr '
S:"
Whydi dn'
ty outellmet hatyou
hadagi r
lfr
iend?HehMuzi ?Iwoul dn'
t
havebotheredandbr ought
Zekhethekoher e.
"Hesai di ndeep
Zulu,
Kaywasannoy edtothecor e.So
MrSi t
holehere,decideduponhi mself
togethissonagi rl
fri
endhopi ngthat
i
twi l
lhel
phi m getov erthefeeli
ngs
thathehasf orboy s.Hebr oughtagirl
allt
hewayf r
om Ber gvi
ll
ewi ththem
andshe'srighther esit
ti
ngacr oss
Kayandt ryi
ngt oseducehi m wi t
hher
eyesandsmi l
e.Ihadt osuppr essmy
l
aughsbecauseIdi dn'
twantt he
Sit
holest othinkIam illmanner ed
youknowhowt hesevil
lagefolksare.
I
twashi larioust owatchherdoal l
thosethings.Appar entl
yt hegirli
s
theonewhopr epareddinner,
whi ch
meanst hemi nuteshegother eshe
wentstraightt obusinessanddi dher
'
wifel
ydut ies'
.

Kay
:"Shei
snotmygi
rl
fr
iend.
"

Mr'S:
"kambeusuwuml ungu
omny amamanj e,
uyabonalent
o
yakhoy obugayi
kushintsha
i
nqondo? (If
orgotyouareawhite
blackpersonnow.Youseet hi
sgay
thingofyoursischangi
ngyour
mi ndset
?)"

Kay:
"Akunj
alobaba(
it
'snotl
i
ket
hat
dad.
)"

Mr'S:
"I
'm aski
ngagai
n,whydidn'
tyou
tel
lmeabouty ourgi
rl
fri
end?Youare
evenli
vinginsin.
"Hesaidinhi
sdeep
Zulu

Kay:
"she'
snotmygirl
fr
ienddad.
"He
answeredinZul
uthi
stimearound
Mr
'S:
"Sowhati
sshedoi
ngher
e?"

Kay:
"She'
smyf l
atmat
e,wear
e
shar
ingaflat
."

Mr '
S:"Youtryi
ngt otellmethaty ou
areshar i
ngaf latwit
hsucha
beaut i
fulgi
rlyetther
e'snothinggoing
onbet weeny ou?Hayy oudi sappoi
nt
memyson.Youshoul dhavel ong
madey ourmov eonher,
bynowwe
woul dbesendi ngcowst oher
family.
"IseeKayr ol
l
inghisey es.
"Thisgirli
sbeaut i
fulmarn
Muzi kayi
se,
shewouldbri
ght
enupour
homest ead.
"Iy
oh!Thisi
sawkward
causeZekhethekolooksabi
t
disappoint
edbyallt
hesecomments.

Mrs'S:"WhataboutZekhet
heko?"
Everyonei nthi
stabl
eisspeaking
Zulu,notourJoburgZulu,
butthat
deepr ural
Zulu.

Mr'
S:"
Secondwif
e,t
hat
'sobvi
ous.
"
Hai
bo!Zekhet
hel
o'ssmil
ecameback.
Myphoner anginmy
pocket,
att
racti
ngt
heeyesoft
he
famil
y.Iexcusedmysel
fandwentt
o
answeri
nmyr
oom.

Ase:"Alert
!Bhutii
scomi ngther
eto
seey ou!"Andjustli
kethatshehung
up.Hawu!Thatwaswei r
d.Why
wouldSi vuyi
lecomeher einthe
middleoft henight,
whatareKay's
parentsgoingtot hi
nkofme.
Asharppainwentt hr
oughmychest
veryunexpectedl
y,Iscreamedal i
ttl
e
asIsatdownont hebed.It ri
edto
composemysel fforami nute,
and
thepainvanishedbutsomehowi tl
eft
mewi thaheav yfeeli
nginmyhear t.I
hadtheurget ocry,Idon'tknowwhy .
Allofasuddenmymoodchanged
completel
y.Kaywal
kedi
nwhil
eIwas
sit
ti
ngont hebedt
ryi
ngt
ofi
guret
his
feel
ingout.

Kay
:"Ar
eyouokay
?"

Me:"
Idon'
tknow.Iwantt
ocr
y."He
l
aughed.

Kay:"Youwantt ocry?Why?I sit

becauseofmydad? "Ishookmy
headast earsf
ill
edupi nmyey es.
"Hey,what'
sgoingon?"Hepul l
edme
i
ntohi sembrace,i
twasasi fhewas
sayi
ngcrymear i
ver
."What
happenedboo?Youarescar
ing.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow.Ij
ustf
eel
sadand
myhearti
sheavy.
"

Kay
:"Okay
,l
eti
tal
loutbaby
."
Aft
eraf ewmi nut
esofcryi
ngand
nowt ry
ingtocomposemysel f
,my
phoner ang.Kaytookituponhimself
tousseei ngthatIwasinnost atet
o
tal
k."She'snotokayatmoment ,
butI
canpassont hemessage...
..Oh?
Uhm I'l
l
-I'l
ll
etherknow...
.I'
l
l br
ing
her.
..
.okayby e."
Me:
"Whatdi
dtheywant
?"

Kay:"Baby."Hesatnexttomeagain.
"OhGodhowdoIsayt his!I
'
m
there'
s..
.Jesus!
"Hel ookedli
kehe
alsowant edtocry.

Me:"
What?"Helookedatmewi
th
gl
ossyey
es."Justtal
kdammi
t!
"I
di
dn'
tmeant osnap.

Kay:
"OhMyGod.Ther
e'sbeenan
acci
dent
!"
Me:" What?!
"Assoonashet ol
dme
whowasi nvol
vedont hecarcr ash,
I
screamedmyl ungsout .Itcan't
!It
cannotbe!Whenwi l
lIeverf i
ndpeace?
When? !It
'str
uewhatt heysay: '
when
i
trainsitpours.'That'showIf eel
ri
ghtnow.Myl i
fewasnev ergoingto
bet hesameaf terthis.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Sesi
sabanokubingel
elaabant
u
bangomhlaka30kuzothi
wasifuna
i
maliyabo! ‍♀ ♀

Hel
lomybeaut
if
ulf
amil
y!Hopeyou
guy
shadawonderf
ulweekend .
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t66
•
•
•
•
•
2day sagomyl if
echanged, myhear t
wasbr okeni ntopi eces,thingswer e
nevergoi ngt obet hesameev er
again.Wi thjustonecr ashwewer e
orphans.Thi sisthewor stpai nI'
ve
everfeltinmyent ireli
fe,Iwasst i
ll
youngt ol osebot hmypar entslike
that.JustwhenIt houghtt hingswer e
getti
ngbet t
er,l
if
ehadt otakeanof f
ramp.WhenIf oundoutaboutmy
parentscarcr ash, Iwasdev astated
butnot hi
ngcompar edt ohowIf elt
whent hedoct orcameandt oldus
thattheywer ebothnomor e.It'
sbeen
2day s,butIcan'tseem t ost opcr yi
ng
andt hepeopl eher earoundt he
housearenotmaki ngt hingsany
bett
erwiththei
rsadsongsand
meaninglesswordsof
encouragement.I
twoul dhav ebeen
bett
eriftheyweresickor
something,t
heydidn'thav etoJust
diesounexpectedly.Coul dn'
tGodat
l
easttakeonepar entinsteadof
taki
ngthem both?Why !Whydi dhe
choosetomakeusor phans?

"Punkieopenup.
"Myheadwas
burri
edunderthecover
sandasusual
Iwascr yi
ng,
asil
entcry
.
Bontl
e:"
Punkiepleasebabyopen. "I
wasbackathomei nmyr oom,I'
ve
beeninthereforthepastt woday s,I
haven'
teatenbathedorspokent o
anyoneasy et
.Howev ermyauntdi d
comeknockunt ilIopenedt hi
s
morning,
shegav emeabowl ofsof t
porr
idgethenshel eftwit
hmykey ,so
thedoorwasn'tlockedany more.

Bontl
e:"
Ifyoudon'
topen,I
'l
lask
Thabangtobreakdownt hedoor."
I
maginesleepingi
nar oom thathas
nodoor.Iuncover
edmyhead
Me:"I
tsnotl
ocked.
"Sheopenedand
l
ookedatmewi thsadnessal
lover
hereyes,
herey
eswer eal
sopuff
y.

Bontl
e:"Youneedtogetoutoft
his
room andint
eractwi
thpeopl
e
Punki
e."

Me:
"Idon'
twantt
o."

Bont
le:
"Youneedyourf
ri
ends.They
ar
eoutsidewai
ti
ngfory
ou."

Me:
"Bont
leIj
ustwantt
osl
eepand
nott
alkt
oany
one.
"

Bontle:"
Baby.Youcan'
tbealoneata
ti
mel ikethi
s.You'
vehaven'
tsaid
anythingtoanyofuseversincethat
day.Weal solostt
hem Punkie,
we
arealsohurti
ng."

Me:"Peopledealwi
thhur
tindi
ff
erent
ways, Idon'
twantt
obearound
people."

Bont
le:
"Punki
e-"
Me:"Justl
eavemealoneBont
le.
"I
sai
dinthelowestt
oneever
.

Bont l
e:"Atl eastcomeandsayhi to
them, youcan' tletthem l eavewithout
say i
ngany thi ngt othem. "Iwantedto
scream andt ellhert ogett hehellout
ofmyr oom, butIcoul dn'
tshewas
alsogr iev i
ng.Shel eftther oom aft
er
af ewmi nut esofnor esponsef r
om
me.Al l Iwant edt odowast ocurlup
i
nabal l andcr ymyl ungsouti nthe
comf ortofmybl anket s,Iwantedto
beal one.Idi dn' twantseeorhear
any one, theywer eal lgoingtotellme
thesamet hi ngt hattheyar esti
llhere
withme, howbecauseIcan' tsee
them.Al lIwantt ohearismymom
shout i
ngatmet owakeupormydad
l
ooki ngatmewi thasmileandcal l
ing
hispr i
ncess.Iwant edtoheart hei r
voicesandf eel thei
rtouch,
Iwant ed
toseet heirbeaut i
fulf
acesev eni fit'
s
forashor twhile,butIwantedt hem
here,herewi thmet al
kingtomeand
l
aughi ngwi t
hme.WhyLor d?Whyme?
Couldn' tyouchooseanot hertimet o
taket hem awayf r
om me?Myhear t
wasbr okenbey ondimaginati
on, Iam
numbandal lIcandoi scryandbur y
my selfundert hesebl ankets.
"Nathi
?"Whatar
etheydoinghere?I
fel
tmybedmov e,Iguesstheysi
tt
ing
down.

Ase:"
Nathibaby .
"Isniffed." I'
m so
sorr
ymyl ove."Iletoutacr y.
Someoner emov edt hebl ankets,they
wereluckyIwasn' tholdingt hem
becauseifIwas, Iwasn' tgoi ngtol et
go.Isatupst r
aightandl ookedat
them,t
heirl
ookswer enotmaki ng
thi
ngsanyeasi er.Ij
ustbr okedown
evenmor e,
reali
tywassl owl ysinking
i
nonceagai n.
Zint
le:
"Ahhbaby.
"Shehadt ear
sin
hereyes.Shecamet omeandpul led
mei nt
oherembr ace.Icri
edonher
chestforafewmi nutes,
i
twasnot
real
lyasil
entcr
y.

Kay:"
Myl ove, Idon'tknowwhatt o
saytoy ourightnow.Icanonl y
i
magi nethepai ny ouar ei
n,Iam sure
i
t'snoteasyl osingbot hparentsat
thesamet i
me, I'mr eal
l
ysor r
yfor
yourlossandIj ustwanty outoknow
thatwhenev ery ouneedt otalk,
I'
m
j
ustaphonecal laway .
"Idon'twant
total
k,whatam Igoi ngtosaywhenI
tal
k?
Ase:
"Yesbaby
,wewi
l
lal
way
sbeher
e
fory
ou."

Me: "
Thankyouguy s.
"Isaidina
shakyvoice."Ij
ustcan'tbel
ievet
hat
theyaregone.Ikeeponhopi ngt
hat
oneoft hem wil
lbustthroughthe
doorandshoutatmef orstil
l
sleepi
ngatthistime."

Zint
le:
"Yourmom.Yourdadwould
neverdothathewasasweethear
t.
"I
smileabit
Me:"
Onlywhenhewant
edt
o."They
l
aughed.

Zint
le:"Rememberwhenwesnuckout
ongr ade8andwenttoSbu' shouse
part
y ?"Inodded"Hefoundoutabout
i
tandgav eusabeati
ngofour
l
if
e,t
henhet ol
dmypar ent
swhoal so
whoopedourasses."

Me:
"Thenhedeci
dedt
omakeus
wor
kathisworkf
orawhol
emonth
wi
thnopay.
"

Kay
:"What
?Yourdadwascol
d."They
l
aughed.Iwantedtolaughtoo,
butI
coul
dn'tespeci
all
yaf
terheari
ngthat
'
was'.

Zint
le:
"Hewasthebestdadever
though,
al
waysputhispri
ncessf
irst
.
Andhewasv er
yoverprot
ecti
ve.
"

Me:"HowIwi shBont l
edidn'tget
marriedearly,
may bethe
overprotect
ivenesswoul dbeshared
betweent hebothofus, becausei
t
wasbi ttoomuch. "Theylaughed
again."Buthe'sgonenow.Iwon' tbe
gett
inganymor emor ni
ngcal l
sfrom
himt elli
ngmehowmuchhemi sses
mybr eakf ast ,
andhowmom i s
abusinghi m wi t
hsof tpor ri
dgeev ery
mor ning."Ichuckl edwi tht earsinmy
eyes." Nomor ehear ingabouthi s'i
n
myt ime' stories,andhi swi sewor ds."
Ididn'tlaughatt hat,
tear sst reamed
downmyf ace."Hewast hepi ll
arof
myst rengt h,heal waysl if
t edmeup
whenIf ell
.Myt ruekni ghti nshining
armour ."Don' tgetmewr ong, Il
oved
mymom al ot,butIlov edmydad
mor e.Wei rdIknow, butdadwast hat
oneper sonwhowant edt o
under standmypr oblemsbef ore
reacti
ng-Ir ememberwhenIgoti nto
af i
ghti npr i
mar y,
theteachercal l
ed
them andi nformedt hem aboutmy
fightandIwassuspendedf or3day s.
Insteadofbeat i
ngmeasIt houghthe
woul d,hesatmedownandaskedme
whathappened, It
oldhimt hewhol e
storyonceheunder stoodi tonl ythen
didhepi nchmyt i
ghs.Whi lemom on
theot herhanddi dtheopposi te,
she
gav emehi ddingbef oreaski ngmet o
explaint hewhol esituati
ont oher .My
dadal way st ooktimet ounder stand
thesi t
uat i
onbef orereacting, andhe
wasal way sthereformewhenev erI
neededhi m.Yeshewasst rict,
butat
thesamet i
mehewasl ikemyown
personaltherapist,hewast heonl y
personwhopai dat tentiont omy
stori
esev enthoughhedi dn'tknow
anyoft hepeopl eIwast alking
about,butheal way sseemed
i
nterestedtol i
stent ome.That '
s
whatIl ovedabouthi m,hegav eme
histime.Icri
edj ustthinkingabout
themoment sIshar edwi thwi t
hthem
both,t
heirvoiceswer eechoi nginmy
head.That '
sallIwasl eftwi th,j
ust
memor i
esandt hesoundoft heir
voicesinmyhead.

Zint
le:
"Don'
tcrybaby
."Iev
enf orgot
theyweresti
ll
intheroom."Justbe
st
rongandt
hist
ooshal
lpass.
"

Me: "HowZi ntl

e?Ihaven'taccept ed
thattheyar egone.Iknowt heyar e
gone, butithardtobelieveandt o
accepti t,
ithurtsZintl
eandt heonly
wayt onumbt hepainistocr y.How
am Igoi ngt oli
vewi t
houtthem, who's
goingt ogui demei nthisthingcal l
ed
l
ife?Iam not hi
ngwi t
houtt hem."Just
thinkingabouti tbr
okemyhear teven
further.

Ase:
"Youhav
eyoursi
bli
ngsbaby
."
Me:"
Theyhav ethei
rownl i
ves.At
l
eastiknewt hatnomatterwhatI
needmypar entswil
lnevergetti
red
ofme,theywill
alwaysbeav ai
l
able
andreadytohelpmewi t
hany thi
ng."

Ase:
"Sameappl
i
eswi
thy
our
si
bli
ngs.
"

Me:"Theyarenotal waysavail
able
youknow.Whenwast helastti
me
theycall
edmef oralongdecent
conversat
ion?Idon'tremember .I'
m
notmadatt hem, t
heyalsohav etheir
ownl i
ves.I'
m scaredthatwit
houtmy
par
ents,
Imightnothaveany
emoti
onalsupporti
nthi
sworld.
"

Kay:
"Don'tsaythatmylove."Theyal
l
camecl oserandhuggedme.Howdo
Igetoverthishurt
?Isther
eamanual
ofgett
ingov erpai
n?
○
Whoev ersai
dtheseslowgospel
somgswer eperfectf
oraf unerals
waswr ong,t
heydomor eharmt han
good.SohereIam sitt
inginthe
l
oungewi ththef
ami l
y,they'
resingi
ng
theseslowsongsandpr ay
ingin
between-thi
sdampensmymood
evenmor e,i
nsteadofsi ngi ngand
prayingIf i
ndmy selfcryingand
beggi ngGodt obr ingbackmy
parent s,
that'
sall
.Iwant edt hem t
o
wakeupf r
om thatmor tuaryand
comeher e.Idon'twantt obeher e
sit
ti
ngandcr y
ingmyl ungsoutasI
l
ookatt heelderssi tt
ingont he
mat tr
essqi thli
tcandl es, Idon'
twant
that.Iwantmypar ents,Iwantmy
mom!Iwantmydad!
Idi
dn'tevenr
eal
i
seIwascry
ingout
l
oudunt i
l3womanwerear
oundme
hol
dingmeandtryi
ngt
omakeme
dri
nkwater.
Woman1:
"Phuzaphuzasi
si.
"Igul
ped
abi
t."
Nazoke."

Woman2: "Konkekuzolunga
mnt anam( Everyt
hingisgoingtobe
al
right).Alehangalugehlanga.
"I
want edtoscr eam aft
eehear i
ngher
sayt hat,
Ihat edthatt
hatsay i
ng.My
brotherscamet ous,theytol
dt hey
woment heywi ll
takeov erf
rom here.

Thabang:
"shhhh.
"Myf acewas
burr
iedi
nhischestassobsescaped
mymout h."I
'
m sorryPunki
e,I
'
m
real
l
ysorryli
lsi
s."Ihear
dhim sni
ff
.
Me:"Ithurtssobad, whydidtheyhav e
toleav esosoon?Huh?Coul dn'tthey
waitunt i
lIwasol denough,Idon' t
thi
nkIcangetov erthishur
tabut i
.We
areor phansnow. "Icr
iedeven
mor e,he'
st-shi
rtwaswetwi tht ears.
Thaboj ustshookhi sheadqitht ears
i
nhi sey esthenhewal kedoutt he
l
ounge.Thesi ngi
nghadn'tstop, t
hey
werest il
lcarry
ingonandsi nging
thei
rhear tsout.

Thapel
o:"Youar
enotanor
phan
Punki
e,
youhaveus.
"
Thabang:"
shhhh,
i
t'
sgoingt obefi
ne
Punkie.Weareal
lhereforeach
other.
"Ibur
ri
edmyf aceinhischest
againandcri
edashebr ushedmy
back.
●
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Lif
eisunpredict
able,andit'
sshort.At
somepoi ntweareal lgoi
ngtodie
andleaveourlovedonesbehi nd.As
muchasi t'
sunpredictabl
e,Iwasn't
expecti
ngfortheMokoenast odieoh
sosuddenly,t
omakemat t
erswor se
theybothdiedatthesamet i
me
l
eav ingthei rchi ldr enbehi ndtodeal
wi t
hl i
feont hei rown.Iwasmor e
wor ri
edaboutLunat hi,mywi f
ei snot
thatst r
ongandIam sur et hatshei s
brokenr ightnow.Iknowt heot her s
theyar eal soi npai nbutIknowt hey
arev eryst rongi ndi viduals,whil
e
Lunat hiont heot herhandi sver y
fragil
e.Idi dgot opassmy
condol encesy est erdaywhenIf ound
outaboutt heunf or tunatepassi ngof
thepar ent s,Iwentt her ewi thmy
fami l
y.Unf ortunat elywedi dn'
tgett o
seeLunat hi int hecr owd, apparent ly
shehadn' tleftt her oom ev ersi
nce
theycamebackf rom t hehospi tal.I
won'tli
eIwasexpect
ingthesi bl
ings
toreactbadl
yaboutmypr esence,but
somehowt heyseemedpleaset hatI
camet oshowmysuppor t
, Iguess
theyweretohurtt
othinkaboutt he
past.

Me:
"I'
m goi
ngt
oseeLunat
hi.
"

Mom:"Youcan'
tdri
venjebaby
."My
l
egwasstil
lact
ingupandIwassti
l
l
usi
ngcrut
ches.

Me:"
Sizwei
sst
il
lher
e,he'
sgoi
ngt
o
dr
iveme."
Mom:"Whati
fshedoesn'
twantt
o
seey
ou?"

Me:"Real
lymom? "Whatt
hehell
is
goingonwithmymom?She' s
changingandIdon'
tli
kei
t.

Mom: "I
'mjustst
ati
ngthepossibi
l
ity
.
Shedidn'
twanttoseeanyone
yest
erdaywhatmakesy outhi
nkshe
wantstoseeanyonetoday?
"

Me:
"I
'l
ldeal
wit
hthatwhenIgett
her
e.
Seey
oul
ater
."

Mom: "hayokay
.Sendmyl ov
eto
her
."Lumkacoughed,Iknowwhy.

Lumka:
"I
'm comi
ngwi
th.
"

Mom: "
Hebethun!WhoandI
'm
supposedtosither
eal
one?
"

Lumka:
"Youhav eahousef ullof
woman,pi
ckonet okeepy ou
company.
"Shewasal readydressed
appr
opri
atel
y.It
ookmyphoneand
weheadedout.Si
zwewasal
ready
wai
ti
nginthecar,
wegoti
nandwe
l
eft
.

Si
zwe:
"Howi
sshehol
dingup?
"

Me:"EyyIdon'tknowmyman, I
haven'tseenher.I
'm sur
eshe'
snot
copping."

Sizwe:
"Ther
e'snopaint
hatcompar
es
tolosi
ngapar ent
,i
magi
nehowiti
s
l
osingtwoatt hesameti
me."
Lumka:
"I
tmustbeawf
ul.
"

Sizwe:"I
tis.Thi
sgir
lhasbeen
throughal oti
nsuchashortspaceof
ti
me. "Isi
ghed

Me:"
Tell
meaboutitandshe'
sver
y
f
ragi
leIdon'
tknowhowshe'sgoi
ng
t
ocomebackf rom t
his.
"

Lumka:"
Youjustneedtobet
her
efor
herandsupportather
."

Me:
"Iwi
l
ldef
ini
tel
ydot
hat
.I'
veput
hert
hroughal
ot.
"
Wear r
ivedattheMokenahomestead,
afewcar swerepar
kedoutsi
dethe
yar
d,i
twasalreadydar
koutsi
de."You
comingin?"

Sizwe:"Yeahsure."Wegotoutandhe
l
ockedt hecarbeforeweent eredthe
yard.IspottedThabost andingbit
fatherfrom thehouse,Ididn'tknow
whet hertogot ohim orcarryonand
getint hehouse.

Me:
"Uhyouguy
scangoi
n,Ij
ustneed
t
otal
ktosomeonef
orabi
t.
"Iwalked
tohim,hewasstari
ngint
ospaceand
smoking.Ij
ustst
oodthereand
star
edintot
heairwit
houtsayi
ng
anyt
hing.

Thabo:"Youknowwhathur
tsmet he
most?"Hesaidaft
eral
ongsil
ence.

Me:
"What
?"

Thabo:"
Thefactt
hatmyPunki
e
thi
nksshe'
sgoingtobeal
onei
nthi
s
world.
"
Me:
"Whywoul
dshet
hinkt
hat
?"

Thabo:"We'vebeennegl ecti
ngher
thesefewmont hs.We'v eallbeento
busywi t
hourlivestojustcalland
checkuponourl i
ttl
esister.
"He
sighed."
Idon'twanthert ofeelli
ke
that.I
fshefeelsthatway ,t
hatmeans
shewi l
ldefi
nit
elyfeelt
heabsenceof
ourparentsandt hatwil
l makeithard
forhertomov eon.Idon' twantthat
forher.
"It'
samazi nghowheonl y
caresabouthowhe' slit
tlesist
eris
goingtocopewi ththeaf t
ermath.
Me:
"Shewon'
t.Youwil
lbethereto
makesur
ethatshedoesn'
tfeelt
hat
way.
"

Thabo:
"Howwhenwe'v
ealr
eady
fai
l
edtodothatwhi
l
etheparent
s
werest
il
lal
iv
e."

Me:"
Iknowy ouwil
lmakesurethat
sheneverfeel
sneglect
edandalone.
Youguyslovehertoomuchto
negl
ecther."

Thabo:
"Yeahneh.Tothi
nkdadwas
repr
imandingusaboutt
hatont
he
nighttheydied.Iguessthepr i
ncess
compl ai
nedt ohim."Hechuckl ed."
Hedi dn'
twantt ohearherpreci ous
j
ewel cry.
"Ismi l
edasIt houghabout
thatman'slov eforhi
skids."Littl
edid
Iknowt hattheywer egoingtol eave
us.May bethatwashi slastwish,for
ust oneverabandoneachot her,t
o
neverneglectoneanot hernomat ter
howbusywear e."

Me:
"I
twasdef
ini
tel
yhi
swi
sh.
"

Thabo:
"Questi
oni
s,
howdowemov
e
onfrom t
his?
"
Me:"
Together.Wit
hfami
lyand
f
ri
ends."Helookedatme,t
henlooked
f
orwardagain.

Thabo:
"Youar
eri
ght
,Iguess.
"

Me:"
Howisarethey?
"Icoul
dseethat
hewasnotokay
,buttr
yingt
oact
st
rong.

Thabo:"
Notokay,weareallnotokay.
Wear ejustt
ryi
ngtoactstr
ongf or
thesakeofoursist
ers,
eventhough
Bontl
eisn'tcryi
ngt hatmuchbutIcan
seeandf eelherhur t
.ThepersonI
am mostwor r
iedaboutisPunkie,
she
hasn'
teat enin2day sandshe's
shutt
ingev ery
oneout .Sheonlycame
outofherr oom todaybecausemy
auntforcedher ,
ittookhert
hreathi
ng
tobeatherup. "

Me:"She'sver
yst
ubbor
n."He
chuckled.

Thabo:"
Tell
meaboutit.Idon'
tknow
howy oudealwit
hherstubbor
nness.
"
Ihaven'
tdealtwi
thi
tinalongti
me.
Me:"
Imi
ssi
t.
"Thewor
dsf
lowedout
ofmymout
h.

Thabo:
"Youfuckedup.
"OhGod,
are
wereal
lygoi
ngtotal
kaboutt
hat
.

Me:"
Iknow.I'
m wi
l
li
ngtomakeupf
or
i
t,
fort
herestofmyli
fe.
"

Thabo:"Youareluckywelike
you,ot
herwisewewoul dhav el
ong
brokeyourkneesf orbr
eakingour
sist
er'
shear t
.Nexttimeyouwon'tbe
sol
ucky
."

Me:
"Ther
ewon'
tbeanextt
ime.
"

Thabo:
"Ihopeso.
"
West oodt
hereforaf
ewmi nutesas
wesmokedt henweenteredt
he
house.Abunchofwomanwer e
si
tti
ngther
etalki
ngwhil
esomewer e
si
nging.Achubbywomanmadeher
waytous.

Woman:"
Helang!Hel
ang!Ke
mokhwenyanaeo?(
OhMy !I
sthi
sour
soni
nlaw?
)"

Thabo: "
Eyarakhadi(
yesaunt .
)
Sivuyi
lethisi
smyf ather
'ssister
rakhadiSelome,r
akhadithisis
Sivuyi
leBontle'
shusband."Iextend
myhandf orashake,
inst
eadshe
engulfedmei nt
oanembr ace.

Aunt
'S:
"Fi
nall
yIgettoseey oul
ive!
Youaresohandsome. "Il
etoutan
awkwardlaugh."I
'
m sureyougotthe
l
ooksfrom yourdadneh?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Y-"Thaboj
umpedi
n
Thabo:"
Rakhadi
,
he'
sact
ual
l
yher
eto
seehiswif
e."

Aunt'
S:"Hewi
ll
seeher.Boi
tumel
ois
notgoi
nganywher
e."

Thabo:"
Hehasaf
li
ghtt
ocat
chi
nan
hour.
"

Aunt'
S:"Ohalr
ight
.Iguesswewi l
l
tal
ksomeot herti
me."Sheexcuses
us.
Me:"Thankyouf
orsav
ingme.
"He
chuckled.

Thabo:"Youwill
needmor esavi
ng
thenextti
mey ouseeher.Justt
ry
stay
ingclearofher
."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Isshet
hatbad?
"

Thabo:"Waywor se!"Wemadeour
wayt othesit
ti
ngr oom wherehis
si
blingsweresitti
ngwi t
hSizweand
Lumka.Ispot t
edheesi tt
ingonthe
cornerstar
ingintospace.Igreet
ed
everyonebeforesitti
ngdown.
Thabang: "Youcansi ther e,I'
llsit
there."Hewassi tti
ngnextt oLunat hi.
Ididn'tknowwhatt osayunt i
l Lumka
pointedmet ot
hechai rwi t
hherey es.
Weswappedpl aces,shedi dn'teven
reali
sewhatwashappeni nginher
space.Shel ookedl i
kehersoul has
beensuckedoutofherbody ,
herey es
wer eswol l
enandr ed.Iwant edt o
grabandbr i
nghercl oset omeand
l
ethercr yonmychest ,Iwant edt o
transferherhurttome.Icoul dn't
bareseei ngherlikethat,i
tjust
broughtt ear
stomyey es.Herbr i
ght
smi l
ewasgone, i
twasr eplacedwi th
sorr
ow.Idi
dn'tevenreal
i
seIwas
star
ingunt
ilThapel
opokedme.

Me:
"*
ahem*
"

Thapelo:"
Wear
eal
soher
e,y
ouknow.
"
Ichuckled.

Bont
le:
"Dil
evhadit
shwaneabut i
(t
he
l
evel
sarenotthesamebrother.
)You
ar
elevel1andsheisl
evel10."We
l
aughed.Atl
eastt
heyaresti
llabl
eto
cr
ackupjokes.
Thapel
o:"
Attent
ionnyanaatleast
,he
wil
lhavehisti
mewi t
hPunkie."

Thabang:
"Mybrot
her,
geta
gi
rl
fri
end,
youarescar
ingus.
"We
l
aughedagain

Thapel
o:"
excuseme?Whatdoy
ou
mean?"

Sizwe:"It
hinkhe'
sscar
edt
hatyou
mi ghtbeplayi
ngfort
heot
hert
eam."
Laughteragain
Thabang: "Excuseme, what ?"Hehel d
hischesti nadr amat i
cmanner
crackingusup.Wespokef orabit
, as
muchast heywer elaughingy ou
couldseet hesadnessi nthei r
eyes,theywer eusingt hejokest o
muskt heirhurtandkeept heir
thought spreoccupied,whichi s
exact l
ywhatIwoul ddot ooi fIwasi n
theirshoes.Howev ermywi fewas
notgoodathi dingheremot i
ons,you
didn'thaet oaskhowshef eelsyou
couldcl earl
ysee.

Me:"CanIt
alkt
oyou."Iwhisper
edin
herear,
Iwaspray
ingthatshedoesn'
t
decline.Shelookedatmeandst ood
up,Istoodupt ooandSi zwehanded
met hecarkey s.Wewal ked
outside,wel
lIwasl i
mping,Ideci
ded
toleav emycr utchesathomeandI
knowIam goi ngt ofacethe
consequencesoft hatwhenIget
home.Iunl ockedt hecarandopened
thebackseatwebot henter
ed."How
arey oufeel
ing? "

Lunat
hi:
"Idon'tknow, Ir
eall
ydon't
knowhowt oexplai
nmyf eel
ingsr
ight
now.I'
mj ustnumb, Iwantsomeone
towakemeupf r
om thisnightmar
e."
Hervoi
cewasbr eaking."
Iam broken
Si
vuyi
le,brokenbey ondt heword
br
oken.Idon' tknowwhatt odowi t
h
myself.Isti
llcan'tbel
i
ev ethatthey
ar
egone, bothofthem. "Ibroughther
cl
oserandl ai
dhert omychest .

Me:"I
'm sosorr
ybaby,I
'
mr eal
lysor
ry
mylove.
"Shesnifed,
Iguessshewas
cr
yingagain.

Lunat
hi:
"Thankyouforcomi
ngtosee
me."Shesaidinbet
weencri
es.

Me:"
Ididn'
tknowwhet
hery
ouwoul
d
wanttoseemeorchasemeaway.
"
Shesi
ghed.

Lunathi
:"
Iwouldn'
tdothat.I
'
ve
for
givenyou.
"Imov edherfr
om my
chestandmadeherl ookatme.

Me:
"Ser
iousmyl
ove?
"Shenodded.

Lunathi
:"
CanIgobackt omyr esti
ng
pl
acenow. "Ichuckl
edasIl ai
dher
backonmychest .Wesatinsilence
andli
stenedtoeachot her'
sbreathi
ng
sounds,
aswei rdasthatisIwas
enj
oyingit
.Ienjoyedhavinghersleep
onmychestl ikethi
s,
it
'ssomet hi
ng
I'
vebeenl ongi
ngf or.Ipl
ay edwithher
hairsoftl
yuntli
Ihear dhersnoring
l
ight l
y,
shewasasl eep.Ikissedheron
topoft heheadandcar r
iedon
playingwithherhair.Consider
ingthe
circumstances,Iwasatahappy
place.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t67
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Knock!Knock!
Islowl
yopenedmyey es,
Lumkawas
standi
ngoutsidethecarand
knockingonthewi ndow.Idon'
teven
knowwhenIf ellasleep,l
astt
imeI
checkedIwaswat chingLunathi
sl
eepingonmychest .
Iopenedt
hewi
ndow.
Lumka:
"Ti
met
ogobr
oh.
"Dowehav
e
to.

Me:"Alr
ight
."Icl
osedt
hewindow.
"
Babe."Ishookhergentl
y."
Baby
vuka."

Lunat
hi:
"Mmmmh.
"

Me:"WakeupIhavetogo.
"Shewoke
upandsatupstrai
ghtwhi
ler
ubbi
ng
hereyes.
Lunat
hi:
"Whatt
imei
sit
?"

Me:"I
t'
s22:
00."Isai
daft
erchecki
ng
mywr i
stwatch.Shesi
ghedandlai
d
herheadback.

Lunat
hi:
"I
'm sot
ir
ed.Ihav
en'
tsl
epti
n
days.
"

Me:
"Youshoul
dgoi
nandsl
eept
hen
myl
ove.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Ican'
t,
ever
ytimeIclosemy
eyest
heyar eal
lIsee.I
'm act
ual
ly
surpr
isedt
hatIsl
epther
e."That
brokemyheartabit
."MyheadGod.
"

Me:"
Thenmaybeyoushouldcome
homewithme.
"Shesmiled.

Lunat
hi:
"Tempt
ingbutIcan'
t.
"

Me:
"Whynot
?"

Lunathi:
"Myauntspecifi
call
ytol
dme
nottoleavetheyard,I
'm sureonce
shefindsoutthatIlef
t,
she'sgoingt
o
fl
ip.
"
Me:
"Notify
out el
lhert
haty
ouwer e
wi
thme.Ithinkshehasasoftspot
f
orme."Shechuckled.

Lunathi:
"Youwi sh.ButIcan'
tcome
withyou.Iwi l
ltr
ysleepi
ngtablets,
theygav emet hoseinhospit
althey
haven'tbeenwor ki
ngthough.May beI
shouldincreasethedosage."

Me:"
No!Sleepi
ngtabl
etsarever
y
addi
cti
vebabe.Youdon'twantt
of i
nd
your
sel
fneedingthem t
osleepevery
ti
me."
Lunat
hi:
"Yeahhey
,butIneedt
hem
now."

Me:"Whydon'
tyousl
eepwithoneof
yoursi
bli
ngst
oni
ghtandseehow
t
hatgoes."

Lunat
hi:
"I
'l
lsee.
"

Me:"
Tel
l y
ouwhat ,I
'
llsi
ngyoua
l
ull
aby.
"Shesmi l
edandagainher
smil
edidn'
treachhereyes.
Lunathi
:
"Letmegobacki
n.Thank
youforcoming.
"Ismi
l
ed.

Me:"Youdon'
thavet
othankme.I
'
m
yourhusbandandIwi
ll
alway
sbe
hereforyou.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Goodni
ght
."What
?Already?
Sheatt
empt edt
oopenthedoor,I
hel
dherhand.

Me:"
Areyour
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
oleav
ejust
l
iket
hat?
"
Lunat
hi:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Me:"Ahbaby,nogoodbyeki
ssfor
yourhusband?ComeonImissed
yourli
ps.
"Sheblushed.

Lunathi
:"
Idon'
tthi
nkIam al
lowedt
o
beinti
matewithanyonei
nat i
meli
ke
thi
s."Il
ookedatheramused.

Me:
"Don'
tl
ie.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Doyouevenst
il
lknowhow
toki
ss?"Il
aughed
Me:"Ohwow!Ar
eyour
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
o
di
ssmeliket
hat
?"

Lunathi:
"Imeanyou'
vebeenoffthat
radarforqui
tesomet i
mehey .
"I
l
aughedagai n,
thenIgrabbedherand
l
aidmyl ipsonhers.

Me:"
GodknowshowmuchImi ssed
you.
"Isai
dafterbr
eakingthe
ki
ss,
sheblushedandlookedaway .

Lunat
hi:
"Ir
eal
l
yhav
etogo.
"Ismi
l
ed
andsheopenedt hedoorandlef
t.
Minutesl
aterLumkaandSi zwe
enter
edthecarandwedr oveoff.

Lumka:
"Sooooo?
"

Me:
"Soooowhat
?"

Lumka:
"YouknowwhatIwantt
o
know.
"

Me:
"I
'm notpsy
chi
c."

Lumka:
"Mxm.Ar
eyouguy
sback
t
oget
hernow?
"Ismi
l
ed.

Me:
"Ut
handai
ndaba.
"

Lumka:"Ohcomeon.Tel
lmepl
ease
Vuvu.
"

Me:
"Forcal
l
ingmethat
,I'
m notgoi
ng
t
otell
youanythi
ng.
"

Lumka:
"OkayI
'
m sor
rykeV-
."

Me:
"mandi
zi
thul
elemnamnt
akaZi
zi
."
Lumka:
"Comeonmnt
asekhay
a."

Me:
"I
m nott
ell
i
ng.
"

Lumka:"
Okay
,atl
eastgi
vemeahi
nt
nyana.
"

Me:
"No.
"
Wespentt hewholejourneywit
hher
beggingmet otel
lherwhathappened
betweenmeandLunat hi
.Iwasnot
readytosharewit
hthef amil
ythatwe
arebacktogether
,Iwantedustodo
thi
ngsinourownpacewit
hout
anyoneputt
ingpr
essur
eonus.
Whenwegothome, mom wasno
whereinsightwhi
chmeansshewas
al
readyinherroom.Iwentst
rai
ghtt
o
mineleavi
ngLumkacalli
ngmyname.
AndasIhadpr edictedmyl egwasi n
pain,
Ifel
tthepai nassoonasIsat
downont hebed.Iwentt ot he
bathr
oom todr inksomepai n
medicati
on,IguessIhav etoendur e
thepainunti
lthet abletskicki n.I
tookoffmycl othesandgoti ntot
he
bedinonlymyboxer s.Itookmy
phoneanddi aledanumber .She
answeredafteraf ewr i
ngs.
Lunat
hi:
"Hey
."

Me:
"Ar
eyoui
nbed?
"

Lunat
hi:
"Uhm y
eahId-
"
"Sil
enceinmyr
oom Punki
e.Iwantt
o
sleeptuu.
"

Lunathi:
"Idecidedtosleepwith
Thapelot oday,hehasr ul
es.SoIcan'
t
real
l
yt al
kr ightnow."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"IguessIwon'
tbesi
ngi
ng
any
mor
e.Luckyme.
"

Lunathi
:"Luckymey oumean.Iknow
youwer egoingtodestroymyear s.
Goodnight."Shehungup.Ilaughed
aloneforasecond.Ican'tbel
ieveI
almostlostmywi f
ef orgood
becauseofmyst upidit
y.
Iendedtheni
ghtwit
hasmi
l
e
plast
eredonmyface.
○
WhydoIal wayshavetobewokenup
byknocks.Can'
tpeopl
ewai tunt
ilI
wakeuponmyown, dotheyalways
havetodist
urbmypeace.
Iwokeupandwenttoopenthe
door,
andther
ewasLumkastanding
ther
ewithanunr
eadabl
eexpressi
on.

Me:"Ihopey ouarenother
eabout
LunathibecauseIam sti
ll
nottel
li
ng
youany t
hing."Sheshookherhead.

Lumka:"
Yourmist
ressandherf
ami
l
y
areher
e."What
?!

Me:
"Youhav
egott
obeki
ddi
ngme.
"

Lumka:
"I'
m ser
ious.Mom and
MaNdekawanty oudownst ai r
s
ASAP. "Shet urnedandl eft
.Icl osed
thedoorandsatonmybed.Thi s
cannotbehappeni ngrightnow.What
i
sshedoi ngher e?She' sgoi ngt orui
n
thingsformeandmywi fe.Iwentt o
thebat hroom andt ookaqui ck
shower ,Idressedi nmycasual
clothesthenIwentdownst airs.
Indeedt herewas2unknownwomen
andt hereshewassi tt
ingint he
mi ddlewithherheadbowed.I fI
didn'tknowbet t
erIwoul dswearshe
wasamakot i.Igreetedev ery one
bef or
esi t
ti
ngdownnextt omysi st
er.
Mom:
"Whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
"

Me:"
Iwasshower
ing.
"Isai
dwi
thno
car
e.

Mom:
"Si
vuy
il
etha-
"

MaNdeka:"Masi
thethengento
esi
y'
bizel
weapha.(canwepl easet
alk
aboutwhyweareal lhere.
)"The
womancl ear
edhert hr
oat.

Woman1:"
Uhm wehaveal
ready
i
ntr
oducedour
sel
vesandaswehav
e
sai
dwehav ebr
oughtourdaughter
her
ebecauseyoursoni
mpr egnated
her
."If
rowned.

Mom:"Sowhatdoy ouwantfr
om us?
"
Theylookedatmymom shocked.
"Noit
'
sasi mplequest
ion.
"

Woman2:"Wewoul dli
keyoursonto
taker
esponsibi
l
ityoft
hepregnancy.
Andasthetradi
tonsti
pulat
es,hehas
topaydamagesatourf amil
y.
"

Woman1:"Ourdaughterher
eisalso
qui
tecer
tainthatshe'
scarr
yingaboy
andweknowhowi mportantaboyis
i
nr oy
alty
,Ithi
nkitwoul
dal sobein
yourbestint
erestt
opaylobolafor
herandma- "

Me:
"Excuseme?
!"

Woman1:
"Wear
edoi
ngt
hisf
ory
our
f
amil
yson.
"

Me:"I
ncaseyoudidn'
tknowIal
ready
haveawife,
Icer
tainl
ydonotneeda
secondone.
"
Woman2:"
Likeshesai
d,wear
edoi
ng
t
hisf
oryourfamil
yson.
"

Me:"
WellhardluckbecauseIam not
goi
ngtot akeherasmysecondwi fe.
Neveri
nami l
l
ionyear
s.I'
m noteven
sur
eifthatbabyismine."

Sandi:
"What?Si
vuyi
lehowcouldy
ou
saythat?
"Isn'
tshesupposedt
obe
mute?

Me:"
Don'tactsurpr
ised.Yousaidyou
wereonthepillandifIremember
cor
rect
lywe'veneverfuckedraw!"
Mom:"Idon'
tthi
nkwehavetobe
subj
ectedtot
hatki
ndoftal
kSiv
uyil
e.
Ntombazanahowfaral
ongareyou?"

Sandi
:
"I'
m 6mont
hsmah.
"Thi
sbi
tch!

Me:
"Theni
t'
snotmi
ne.
"

MaNdeka:
"Si
vuy
il
e!"

Me:"NoGogo!We' v
eonlyhad
unprotect
edsexonce!Andthatwas
what,7monthsago.Soifi
twasmy
babyshewoul
dbe7mont
hs
pregnant
."

Sandi:
"Foradoct
oryouar
ereall
y
st
upid!Don'ty
ouknowthatcondoms
arenot100%safe?"

Me:"Unl
essyouusedtoti
pf orwhil
eI
wassleepi
ngandmadehol esont he
condom.Thatbabyisnotmi neandI
standbymywor d!
"

Mom: "Youheardtheman,hedoesn'
t
acknowledgethi
spregnancyand
ther
e'snothi
ngwecandount ilhe
acknowl
edgesi
t.
"

Woman1:"Soyouaredenyi
ngy
our
baby
?Andy ouarealsogoi
ngt
oall
ow
hi
mt odenyyourgr
andson?What
ki
ndofpersonareyou?"

Mom: "Yeey!Ungakul
inge!Iwasn'
t
ther
ewhent heyweredoingwhatever
i
tisthattheywer edoing.Sowhy
shouldIbelivet
hatgirlovert
here
i
nsteadofmyson?
Ungazondihlanyel
awena. "

MaNdeka:
"Cal
m downpeopl
e.
I'
m.sur
ewecanall
comeupwit
ha
amicabl
esol
uti
onfort
his.
"

Me:"
Gogo,
I'
m suretheancest
ors
woul
dhaveshowedy ousomethi
ngi
f
t
hebabywasmi ne,
ri
ght?
"

MaNdeka: "Justl iket

heywoul dhav e
showedmesomet hi
ngi fthi
sgi rlwas
l
y i
ng.Unfortunat elythi
st i
mear ound
theyarequi et.Yougoty ourselfinto
thi
smess, youhav et
ot akey ourself
outofit.Andt hisisnothowwedo
thi
ngsher ei nt heZiziclan,
wedon' t
denypregnanci eseveni fyout hink
i
t'snoty ours.Youwai tuntilyouget
thepr oofyouneedbef oreyoucan
taket hedecisi
on. "Il
ookeddowni n
shame." Youkeepondi sappoint
ing
meSi vuyi
l
e!Theci t
yli
fehaschanged
youf orthewor st.Gety ouract
togetherandst opact i
ngl i
kea
l
awl essboymar n!"

Me:
"I'
m sor
rygr
andma.
"

MaNdeka:"
Don'tapologi
setome.
Apol
ogisetot
hisy oungladyandher
fami
l
y."What?!Shekeptherey eson
me.
Me:"Iapol
ogise.
"Idi
dn'
tev
enmean
i
t.Thewomennoddedi n
amusement,mxm.

Woman2: "Nowt hat'

soutoft heway.
I'
m assumingsincey ouar e
apologi
singyouar egoingt ot ake
responsi
bil
it
yasaf at
her?"Ikept
quietandlookedaway ."I'
l
l t
aket hat
asay es.Wellshehast omov ein
withyoutoday,wehav ealready
broughtherbagsandev erything.
"
WTF?
Me:
"Excuseme?
"

Woman: "
Yes.Shehascompl i
cati
ons
wit
hthispregnancysoshecan'tstay
al
onebecausesomet hingbadmi ght
happentoherandt hebaby.
"

Me:"
Thenwhydon'
tyoust
aywi
th
her
?"

Woman:
"Wehav
eourownf
ami
l
iest
o
t
akecar
eof
f.
"

Me:
"Wel
ltakecar
eofhert
oo
becauseshe'
snotgoi
ngt
omov
ein
here.
"

Mom:
"andt
hat
'sf
inal
!"Good!

Woman:
"Bu-
"

Me:
"Nobuts.I
'v
ealreadyr
isked
l
osi
ngmywi feonceI'
m notgoingt
o
doi
tagai
n.She'snotmovinginher
."

Woman2:"Butsheneedsspeci
al
at
tent
ion.
"
Me:"
Special
att
enti
onmyl eftarse.
Wearenotgoingtodebat eabout
t
his,
she'
sbotgoingtomov einhere.
I
fanythi
ngIwouldratherhireamai d
f
orherthanhercomingt oli
v ehere.
"

Wesatt herear gui

ngbackandf ort
h
aboutthemov e.Iwasstandingmy
groundabouthernotmov i
nginhere
whileherauntswer ealsonotbacking
down.MaNdekawassi tt
ingquiet
ly
andwat chingthisbackandf or
th
argument .Mymom endedupt ell
i
ng
them thatSandi wasnevergoingto
mov eintothi
shousebecausei sr
oy al
peoplehav erulestofal
l,
whichwas
part
lytrue.Theyhadnochoi cebutto
sett
leforwhatmymom sai d.Idon'
t
evenbelievethatli
tt
lewitchhasany
compli
cat i
ons,she'
sjusttryi
ngto
worm herwayi ntomyf amilyusing
thi
spregnancyandt hatannoyedthe
hell
outofme.
Ijustgotmywi febacknowt his?This
bitchisgoi
ngt omakemel ose
everythi
ngifIam notcareful
.I'
mj ust
scaredofthelengthsshewoul dgot o
j
ustt ogetmecausei t'
sprettyclear
thatshewant smet omar r
yherand
makehermywi f
e,whi
chissomet hi
ng
thatwon'thappen,nomat t
erwhat !
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Thingswer enotget t
ingbet terat
all
,thehousewasget ti
ngful l
erbyt he
mi nute.Mor efami lymember sarri
ved
todayi nt hemor ning, itwassadder
thanbef or e.Allthosewhoar r
ived
l
at ecamei nthey ardcr yi
ngandt hat
alsoev okedemot ionswhi chl edt o
crying.Ideci dedt osi tbehindt he
houset oav oidhear ingpeopl e
cry,mor eandmor epeopl ewer e
comi ng.I twasj ustasadr eal i
tythat
wewer enear i
ngt ot hedaywher ewe
wer egoi ngt olayt hem tor est.Iwas
certainnotr eadyfort hatday ,
l
ay i
ng
them t orestmeantl etti
ngt hem go
forgoodandIwasnotr eadytodo
that.Butwit
ht hewayt
hingsare
going,wewill
bedoingthatsoon.The
funeralar
rangementswerealr
eady
ont herol
l.

"
Whyar
eyousi
tt
ingher
eal
lal
one?
"

Me:"
Ican'
ttakethecry
ingany
more.
I
t'
stoomuch. "Hesatdownnextt
o
me.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Soyoudeci
dedt
ocomeand
hi
deher
e?"
Me:"I
tsbett
erthanst
ayi
nginthat
stuf
fyroom.YoudidsayIneedsome
sunl
ightri
ght?
"Hechuckl
edand
nodded.

Sivuyi
le:"
Hav eyoueat en?"I
nodded,whichwasal ie.Ihonest l
y
cannotst omachanyf oodrightnow.
"Idon'tbeli
eveyou."Ikeptqui et."I
'
ll
ber i
ghtback."Hest oodupandl ef
t.I
knewexact lywher ehewasgoi ng,I
hadami ndtost andupandgoand
hidesomewher ebutIhadnoener gy,
Iwasdr ained.Ijustsatthereonmy
ownandwai t
edforhimt oretur
n.AsI
hadsuspectedhecamebackwi t
ha
plateoff
ood.Ilookedathim ashe
satdown,i
fher eal
lythoughtIwas
goingtoeatthatthenhehadanot her
thingcoming.

Me:
"I
m nothungr
y."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Ohyesyouar
e.Iaskedy
our
auntandshetol
dmethatyouhaven'
t
eaten.
"

Me:"Andthat
'sbecauseIam not
hungry.
"
Si
vuyil
e:"
You'v
ealreadyl
ostwei
ght
baby,Idon'
twantyoutolosemore.
I
nfactyoushouldgainmore.
"

Me:"Per
ksofhav ingacheat i
ng
husband."Si
lence!Ohshi t
!DidIj
ust
saythat
."I'
m sorryI,Idi
dn'tmeanto
saythat
."I'
m sost upid.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Nahi t
'sfine.Ithappened
andIknowi t
'sgoingt ot akeyoua
l
ongt i
met oforgetabouti t.
"IdoubtI
wil
l."
Iwil
lforeverber egretfulf
or
whatIputyout hrough.I'mr eal
ly
sor
ry.
"

Me:"I
tsfi
neSi
vuy
il
e.Ishoul
dn'
thav
e
broughti
tup,
weshouldmoveon
fr
om that
."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Don'
tfor
ceyoursel
ftomove
on,
l
etithappennatur
all
y.
"Isi
ghed.

Me:"Sincewear etal
kingabout
thi
s,haveyouspokent oheraboutthe
pregnancy?"Asmuchast hi
sisav er
y
hardtopic,
it
'sactual
lybett
erthan
thi
nkingaboutmypar ent
sdeathor
eati
ngf oodwhileI'
m nothungry.He
cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat

Sivuyi
le:
"Sheuhm, sheactuall
ycame
tothehouset odaywi thheraunt
s.
Theywer etheretor epor
tthe
pregnancy."Thatstungabi t
.

Me:"Whydi
dn'ty
ouusepr
otect
ion
Si
vuyi
le?
"Ihadtoaskt
hat
.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Idi
dbaby
,Ipr
omi
sey
ouI
di
d."

Me:
"Buther
eshei
spr
egnantwi
th
y
ourbaby
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iknow.Wor
stpartherf
ami
l
y
want
edhertomoveinwit
hme. "

Me:"What
?!Inwho'shouse?CanInot
betest
edplease!
"Isawasmi l
eon
hisf
ace."
Andwenadi dyouagreeto
that
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ofcour
senot
."

Me:
"Good!Whatyouneedt
odonow
i
stodoaDNAt esttoseei
fthatchi
l
d
i
syour
sornot
."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Ididthi
nkaboutthat,
but
appar
entlyherpregnancyhas
compli
cations,
sodoingaDNAt est
nowwhileshe'spregnantisv
ery
ri
sky.
"Wow!Howconv eni
ent
.

Me:"
Sowhatnow?Wewai tforhert
o
pul
lastuntt
hatwil
lmakey ouagree
tomoveintothehouse?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thatwon'
thappenmyl
ove.
"
Me:"I
tbet
ternot .
"Wesati nsi
l
ence
forafewmi nutes,Iguesshewasno
l
ongerint
erestedinf or
cingmetoeat
anymore.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uhm baby
."

Me:
"mmmh.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Wemi ghtact
uall
yhavea
hugeprobl
em aboutthi
spregnancy
."

Me:
"Whatnow?
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"May
beIshouldn'
ttel
lyou
now.Imeanyouaregoingthr
ougha
l
otatthemoment.Thi
scanwai t.
"

Me:"Justtel
lmeSi vuyil
etuu.It
's
bett
ernowt hanwhenI '
vehealed
from Al
lthehurt,
thatwillsetmeback.
Solayitonme. "Hel ookednervous
forsomer eason.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Idon'twanty out
oov er
r eact
orsomething.Justpromisemet hat
youwon'ttakeairrat
ionaldeci
sion."
Hewasannoy i
ngmenow!
Me:
"Justt
alk!
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Okay!SoafterSandi l
eftt
he
house,
MaNdekasatmedownand
tol
dmet hatImighthavet otake
Sandiasmysecondwi f
e."Shootme
now!

Me:"
What?
"Isai
dinalowtone.I
di
dn'
thav
eiti
nmet oshout.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Sandisai
dsheiscarryi
nga
boyandaccordingtoourt
radit
ionno
boymustbebor noutofwedlockin
theDlamini
family
.Especi
all
yin
r
oyal
ty.
"I'
m get
ti
ngsickandt
ir
edof
t
hisr
oyalt
ybull
shi
t.

Me: "
Wow!Thi sexplainswhyAsenathi
i
swi shingf orthebabyt obeagirl
.Do
youseet hemesst haty ouhave
createdSivuy i
l
e?Whatnow?CauseI
am def i
nit
elynotgoi ngtoshare
you,especiall
ynotwi ththatl
ady.
"I
didn'thaveitinmet or aisemyvoi
ce.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Im sor
rybaby
.Pleasedon'
t
al
l
owt hi
stotakeusback.
"

Me:
"How?HowdoInotal
l
owi
t?I
'
m
notgoingtoshar
ey ouSi
vuy
il
e,
I'
ve
donethatandI'
m notgoi
ngtodoit
agai
n."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Iknowmyl
ove,
Ialsodon'
t
wantt
hingstogot
hatway.
"

Me:"I
fyoudon'tthenwhatareyou
doingtostopthiswholesham?"He
keptquiet
."Nothing?Wow!Leave.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"BabyIjustf
oundoutabout
thi
s,I
'm sti
l
ltr
yingtofi
gur
ethings
out.
"
Me: "
Wellgoandfigurethem out
elsewhere.Comebackt omeonce
youhav efigur
edthi
ngsout .Icame
backt oyoubecauseIthoughty ou
knewwhaty ouwanted,
rightnowIam
notsosur e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
IdoknowwhatIw-
"

Me:
"Leav
e!"
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Me:
"Ba-
"

Lunathi
:
"Isai
dleav
e!Pleasedon'
t
makemer ai
semyv oi
ce.
"She
soundedhurt.

Me:"Myl
-"It
ri
edt
ouchingherbutshe
pushedmyhandoffher.

Lunathi
:"Isaidleave!
"Shehadtear
s
i
nherey es.AllIwantedtodowasto
hugherbutIhadt or
especther
wishes.Iplacedt heplat
eonthefl
oor,
Ihadev enf orgot
tenthatIwant
edto
feedher.Ist oodupandl i
mpedaway
slowly.Lucki
lyformet hebrothers
wer enotinsight,
Ididn'
twantthem to
knowt hatIjustmadet hei
rsistercry
.
Onceagai nI'
veallowedSandi toruin
mymar ri
age,maybeIshouldn'thave
toldheraboutwhatMaNdekasai d.I
f
Ididn'
tmay beIwoul dbefeedingher
ri
ghtnow, ortryi
ngtocheerherup.
Damny ouSivuyil
e!Iwonderwher e
doest hi
sputusnow?Ar ewebackt o
squareoneorwhat ?
Igoti
ntot
hecarandt
oldSi
zwet
o
dri
ve.

Si
zwe:
"Youokay
?"Ishookmyhead.
Me:"
Ithi
nkImessedupmymar
ri
age
onceagai
n."

Si
zwe:
"What
?How?Whathappened?
"

Me:
"It
o-"Beep!

"Tell
yourfamil
ythatIknowmyr i
ght
s
undercustomarylaw.Youarenot
goingtotakeasecondwi f
e.Thatwi
l
l
happenov ermydeadbody !
"Woah!A
smileautomati
call
yappearedonmy
face.
Si
zwe:
"Andt
hen?
"

Me:"
Ijustgotav
erywel
comed
sur
pri
se."

Si
zwe:
"Fr
om wi
fey
?"

Me:"Yeah."Isaidwithasmi l
e.That
wasi ndeedav erysurpri
singtext.I
real
l
ydi dnotexpectt hatfrom her.
DidBont l
emay bepushhert owr i
teit?
NahIdon' tthi
nkso?I tdoesn'treall
y
matter,t
hismeanst hatshei swill
ing
t
ofi
ghtf
orusandsoam I
!
Wear
ebackbaby
!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t68
•
•
•
•
•
2WEEKSLATER

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Ithoughtafterwehadl ai
dt hem t o
restmyhear twasf inal
lygoi ngt obe
atpeace,IthoughtIwoul dcomet o
termswitht heirdeat horitwi llhurt
l
ess,butIthoughtwr ong.All Iam
feeli
ngri
ghtnowi stheempt inessin
myhear t,
Iam y earningforthem.I
sti
llwantthem t ocomeback, Idon't
knowhowt ol eavel i
fewithoutt hem.
It'
sbeenaweeksi ncewebur ri
ed
them,butitsti
llhurtsasi ftheyj ust
diedaf ewhoursago.HowdoImov e
onfrom thispain?Ican'
tmov eon.
It
'ssosadhowpeopl ehavemov ed
onwi t
ht hei
rli
vesasifnothi
ng
happenedwhi l
stmeandmysi bli
ngs
arestruggli
ngwi t
hourloss,
but
hey,i
t'
slif
eIguess.
Todaywast hedayBontleandLi zwi
weremov i
ngbackt otheirhouse,I
wasal sogoingbacktot heDlami ni
resi
dencewhi lemybrotherswer e
mov ingbackhome.Thatwast he
decisionwet ookassibli
ngs,t
he
houseneededt obeoccupiedsince
wewer enotplani
ngonsel li
ngit.The
factthatIwasmov ingbackt othe
Dlami niresidencedoesn' tmeanI
wasobl i
v i
oust othef actthatmy
husband' smi stressi spr egnantwi th
whatmay behischi ld, whatIpl anned
todowhenIgett her ewast ost and
mygr oundandnotal lowpeopl eto
makedeci sionsonmybehal f
,my
parent sarenother et of i
ghtmy
battl
esany mor e.Ihav ealsodeci ded
tonotpl ayanypar ti nthebaby '
slif
e
shouldheorshebeSi vuyil
e'
s.Iam
notgoi ngt ohav eanysor tof
rel
ati
onshi pwitht hebaby .Even
thought hebabyi si nnocentf rom all
ofthis,it
'sstil
lgoingt ohur tseeing
thebabyandIdon' tthinkIwi llbe
abl
etol
oveandnur
tur
eitl
i
keIdi
d
Chul
u.
Si
vuyi
l
ewasal r
eadyheretofet
chme,
iwaspackedandreadytogo.

Thabang:
"Rememberwhatwespoke
about.
"

Me:"YesabutiIwon'
tbeast
ranger
andIwillcal
li
fIneedsomeoneto
tal
kto."

Thabang:
"Goodgi
rl,
pleasePunki
e
don'
tshutusout.
"
Me:
"Iwon'
t.
"

Thabang:"
Wewillmakesi r
ethatwe
seeyouev er
yweek.I
nf actwewill
be
atyourhouseev
erynight."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ever
yni
ght
?"

Thapel
o:"Noonewast
alki
ngt
oyou.
"
Il
aughed.

Me:"
Youar
ealwayswel
comedt
o
dr
opbyanyt
ime.
"Siv
uyi
lemumbl
ed
somet
hing.

Thabang: "andwena! "Hewasl ooking

atSivuy i
le."Youbet t
ermakesur e
thatshedoesn' tcryorgethurt
.The
factthatshe' sgetti
ngbackwi t
hy ou
doesn'tmeant hatshe'sstupi
dor
anything,she'sdoingthisfort
hesake
ofyourpeopl esodon' tt
ake
advant ageoft hat.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwon'
t.
"

Thabang:
"Good!
"
Me: "Okayhehabut i,weneedt ogo
now. "Hesmi l
ed.Theyal l
gav emea
hugasIbi dfarewel l
, Si
vuyil
ecar ri
ed
mybagst othecarasIwal kedbehi nd
himf reehandl ikeamadam t hatI
am, Lol.Wegoti ntothecaranddr ove
off.I'
m gladt hatSivuy i
l
eusnott he
onewho' sdrivi
ngev enthoughhe
want edto,imagi nesomeonewhohas
apr oblem withhi slegdr i
vi
ngy ou-
thatisacal lstraighttoheav en!
20mi nut
esmaxwear ri
vedatthe
house,Iwassoexcit
edaboutseei
ng
mybaby .Ihav
en'
tseenherinavery
l
ongt i
meandImi ssedhersomuch.
Sivuyi
l
e:"
WoahMi ss!
"HesaidasI
rushedtothedoor."
Atl
eastcar
ryt
he
smallbag."

Me:"I
'
m sur
eyouwillmanage.Ri
ght
nowIneedtoseeChulu.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"She'
snotgoi
ng
anywher
e,j
usthel
pwit
hthebags.
"

Me:"
Youknowagoodhusbandwoul
d
havecar
riedthosebagswi
thno
complai
ns."
Siv
uyile:
"I
'l
lgl
adl
ytaket
hebad
husbandt i
tl
eifi
tmeansyouhel
ping
wit
ht hebags."

Me:"Yoh!Youar
esowi
cked.
"He
chuckled.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Justtakethebagandst op
wasti
ngtime."Itookthesmallbag
andwewenti ntothehouse.His
motherwasal r
eadystandingatthe
l
aststeplooki
ngatuswi thasmi l
e
whichIdidnotretur
n.Thiswoman
hasbeenv er
ymeant omeandIwi ll
nev
erf
orgett
hat
.

Mr s'
D:"seni fiki
lebantwanabam( you
hav ear ri
v edmychi l
dren.)I'
m so
happyt oseey ouLunat hibaby."My
Godt hel ovet hatsheisshowi ngme
i
sf akert hanNi ckiMinaj'
sass." Come
onputy ourbagsdown, Lulamahas
prepar edaf eastforusal l.
"Sivuyil
e'
s
whol ef ami lywasher e,t
heyal lcame
downf ort hef uneralwhichwasr eall
y
l
ov elyoft hem.Someoft hem though
hadt ogobackt oECast heyhav e
l
ivesbackt here,t
heonl ypeoplewho
remai nedwer ehisparentsandhi s
sibli
ngs, Asenat hiwasal sohere.
Me:"Uhm noThankyouMah,I'
m not
hungry.
"Iwasnotinthemoodf or
peopleandthei
rsmallt
alks,
not
for
getti
ngthei
reyesful
lofpit
y.

Mrs'
D:"
awwcomeonLunat hi
,wej
ust
wanttocheery
ouupandwel come
youbackhome."Hehthiswoman!
Youwouldswearthatshecar
es
aboutme.

Me:"
NoMah, Ij
ustwanttobeal
one,
I
don'
twantt
oseeany one.
"
Mr
s'D:
"B-
"

Siv
uyi
le:"Mama!Weneedt or espect
herwishes."Shenoddedslowlybut
youcouldseet hatshewantedtosay
something.

Me:
"I
'l
lj
ustgr
eett
hef
ami
l
yandgoup
t
otheroom."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
e'sev
ery
one?
"

Mrs'
D:"I
nthedi
nni
ngar
ea.Wewer
e
wait
ingfory
ou.
"Wemadeourwayto
thedinningareawheretheywer eall
sitt
ing,
theyweresoquiet.Indeedit
wasaf east
,t
hetablewasf i
ll
edwith
allsort
sofdiffer
entfood,Iactual
l
y
kindoff el
tbadthatIwantedt ost
ay
i
nt heroom allal
one.

Ase:"
Chomi!"Sheshout edwi t
h
exci
tement.Ihav en'tseenhersi nce
thedaysafterthef uneral
,she'
sbeen
busywithherschool work.Whi ch
remindsme, Ihav ealotofcat ching
uptodowheni tcomest oschool
work."Gi
rl
!Ther e'
sal otIhav etot el
l
you!Youmissedoutshame! "
Mr
'D:
"Asenat
hi!
"

Ase:
"Yohsor
ry.
"Shet
alkst
oomuch.

Mr'D:
"Uhm nokontombam( hel
l
omy
gir
l.
)Wear ehappytoseey ouback
herewit
hus."Iletoutal
ightsmil
e.I
ret
urnedthegreeti
ngandextendedit
toevery
one.

Si
vuyi
le:"
Tatasheneedst
oli
edown
soI-
"Iinter
rupt
ed
Me:
"Noi
t'
sfi
ne,
I'
ll
sitwi
thev
ery
one.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Arey ousure?
"Inodded.I
wentont ositonthevacantchai
rthat
wasnextt oLumkaacr oss
Asenathi
,Si
vuy i
l
esatnexttome.

Ase:"
babe,youl ooksowei rdwiththat
shorthair
."Yes!Duet otradit
ionIhad
tocutmyhai r,Ihadabr ushcut
whichIdespisedsomuchbecausei t
showedoft heshapeofmyheadand
Iwasn'treal
lyimpr essedwithit
,butI
hadnochoi ceint hismatter.
Tradit
ionistradit
ionandwehadt o
adherebyitt
oshowr
espectt
oour
ancestor
s.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Noshedoesn't.Iact
ual
ly
l
ikeherli
kethi
s."Il
ookedathim and
sli
ghtl
yrol
ledmyey es.

Ase:"ThankGodt othepersonwho
i
nv entedwigs!I
magi newalki
ng
aroundcampusl ookingli
kethat.
"I
l
aughedal i
tt
le,
I
'm al
sogreatful
lto
thatperson.

Siv
uyil
e:"
There'
snot
hingwrongwit
h
her.
"Helookedatme" t
her
e'snot
hing
wrongwiththishai
rst
ylebaby
,youar
e
actual
l
yrockingit
."

Ase:
"Don'
tbeli
evehimfri
end,
hejust
want
st obeinyourgoodbooks.
"
Mxm.
MrDl
ami
nicl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.

Mr'
D:"Howar eyouholdi
ngupmy
chi
l
d? "Ihat
ethatquesti
on.

Me:"I
'
mtaki
ngi
tonest
epatat
ime
Tat
a."
Mrs'
D:"Youwil
lbefi
neast i
megoes
bymychild.Wearealsoher
etohel
p
yout
hroughthi
stryi
ngtime.
"If
aked
asmil
eandnodded.
Wecommencedwi t
hthe
l
unch,every
onedi shedupf or
themselvesandt heystart
edeating
withconversat
ionshereandt here.I
wishIwasal sointhemomentwi th
them,butIwasn't
.Mymi ndfarfar
away,i
twasbackhomedur ingour
famil
ydinner.
[
FLASHBACK]

Bont
le:
"Mmmmhodi
hat
il
etoday
mamaneh?(Your
eal
lyputyourf
oot
i
nitt
odaymom neh?
)"Shesaidas
mom pl
acedabowlf
ullofmeaton
t
hetabl
e.

Mom: "
Phelawearecelebrat
ingyour
sister
sachievement.
"Iblushed.Ihad
passedGr ade9withflyi
ngcolours
andt hatmademymom v eryhappy
toapoi ntwhereshethoughtwe
neededt ohaveami nidi
nner
celebrati
on.

Me:"
It
sjustgr
ade9mama,
i
t'
snota
bi
gdeal.
"
Mom: "Tomei ti
s.Withthese
excel
lentresul
tsHazelViewHighwil
l
havenochoi cebuttotakeyouofft
he
waiti
nglistandgiv
ey ouaspotin
thei
rschool."

Me:
"Yout
hinkso?
"

Mom:"
Iknowsomybaby."Shegav
e
mehergorgeoussmi
l
e.
[
END]
"
Lunathi
!Lunat
hi!
"Someoneshook
me.Isnappedoutofmythought
s!
Sivuyi
le:"
Areyouokay?"Icl
earedmy
thr
oat ,Il
ookedaroundthetabl
eand
everyonehadl ooksofpi
tyonme.I
fel
tat earfal
ldownf r
om myey e,
I
quickl
ywi pedit.

Me: "
I'
mf i
ne."Itcameoutasa
whisper, Iclearedmyt hroat."CanI
pleasebeexcused. "Ididn'tevenwait
forthem t osayany t
hing,
Ijuststood
upandr anoutt hedini
ngar ea.Iwent
upt hestai r
sandst raighti
nt omy
room, Iclosedt hedoorbef oreslidi
ng
downoni ttothef l
oor.Icri
ed.It'
s
funnyhowsuchabasi cmemor yof
mymom canwakeupsuchemot ions.
Itwasbasi cy esbutithadal otof
meani ng,mymom al wayshada
ment ali
tyofcheer i
ngusonnomat t
er
howsmal lsomet hi
ngi s,sheusedt o
celebrateeverymi l
estonei nour
l
ives,nomat terhowsmal l i
twas.She
wasanamazi ngmot heranddadwas
anamazi ngfather,
itisso
unfortunatethatGodt ookt hem away
from mebef or eIcouldev enshow
them howgr eat f
ulIwasf orwhat
they'
v edonef orme.Whydoesi thurt
somuch?Wi lli
tevergetbet ter?It'
s
beenaweekbutt hehur tisstil
lthe
same.

"
Baby
?Openup.
"Isni
fed.

Me:"I
'
mfi
neSi v
uy i
l
e,j
ustgobackto
yourf
ami
l
y."Isaidwit
hablocked
nose.

Sivuyil
e:"Youar enotf
inebaby ,open
thedoor ."Ishookmyheadf orget
ti
ng
thatbecan' tseeme."Sthandwa
sam, l
etmei n.Pl
ease.
"Ididn'tmov e.
"Don'tshutmeoutbaby ,
letmebe
therefory ou.Letmehelpy ou
throught hepain.Ij
ustwantt ohold
youletyoucr yi
nmyar ms,please
baby."Tear swerestr
eamingdown
myf ace."Opent hedoor.
"Ikeptquiet
.
"I
'm notleav i
nghereunti
lyouopen
thi
sdoor ."Istoodupandwi pedmy
facewithmyhands, It
ookadeep
breathbef oreopeni
ngthedoor .

Me:"
SeeIam f
ine.
"It
ri
edf
akinga
smil
e.Hewal
kedinandcl
osedthe
door
.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Don'
tdothat.Whydon'
tyou
wanttoshareyourpainwit
hme?
You'
veonlycri
edoncei nmy
arms,whenev erIam ar oundy ouj ust
pretendt obeokay .Isawt hrough
yourfakesmi lesthaty ouwer enot
okay ,
Iknewt hatwheny ouwer e
aloney oucr i
edt il
lyoucoul dn'
t
anymor e.Ther e'snotneedt ohide
yourpai nfrom me, l
etmebey our
shouldert ocryon.Iwantt obet here
foryoui nthisdar ktime.Letmebe
therefory ou."Icouldn'tholdthe
tearsbackany mor e,Ithrewmy self
onhi m andl etoutqui etsobs.He
heldmet i
ghtandbr ushedmyback
hekeptonsay ing"Letitallout."

Me:
"Whydi
dithav
etobet
hem?
Whatdidwedot owhosomuchso
thatwedeserv
edtol
osebot
h
parent
satthesameti
me.Whyus?
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Shhhbaby
,i
t'
sgoi
ngt
obe
al
ri
ght
."

Me:"When?Whenisitgoi
ngt obe
al
ri
ghtbecauseri
ghtnowithurts.It
hurt
ssobad,Idoubtitwi
l
l bealri
ght.
Idon'
tthi
nkIwil
lbeabletomov eon."

Sivuy
ile:
"I
'l
lhelpyousthandwasam.
I'
l
lbey ourpil
larofst
rength,
I
'l
lbeyour
shouldertocryon.I'
l
lbewhat ev
er
youwantmet obejusttohel
pyou
getthr
ought hi
s.I
t'
sgoingtotake
ti
me,buteventual
l
ythingswil
lbe
alr
ight
.Timehealsmyl ove.
"Iqui
etl
y
cri
edonhi schest
.
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Afteral ongtimeofhercryi
ng, she
fi
nallycalmeddown, wehafachat
forawhi l
ejustt
okeephermi nd
occupi ed,
iguessshefel
lasleepwhi l
e
wewer etalki
ng.Shewasqui etly
sleepingonmychest ,Igentl
ymov ed
herf r
om mychestandl aidherhead
ont hepi l
l
ow.Igotupfrom thebed
maki ngsur eIdon' twakeher ,It
ook
thethrowandcov er
edherwi thit.
Seeingherl iket hatbrokemyhear t
,
shehasbeent r
yingtoactsost rong
afterherpar ents' f
uneral butshe's
beenf ail
ingdi smal l
yatt hatandI
don'tblameher ,sheneedst ocryuntil
shef eelsbet ter
.Sheneedst oheal
from thisinherownpace, shemusnt
rushher selfthough.Iki ssedher
foreheadbef orequietl
yl eav i
ngthe
room.
Myf amil
ywasnowsi t
ti
ngi nthe
l
oungewat chi
ngthehalfpast5news,
Asenathiwassoir
ri
tat
edIcoul dhear
hercomplainasIwaswal ki
ngdown
t
hest
air
s.

Me:"Youaref
orev
ercompl
aini
ng.
"I
satnextt
oLumka.

Ase:"Butbhutiwhyar
etheymaki
ng
uswat chnewsknowingver
ywell
that
theyarestil
lgoi
ngtomakeuswatch
the7o' cl
ockones.Wedon'
tev
en
understandSwati.
"

Dad:"speakforyour
self,I
'
vebeento
eSwazi niacoupl
eoft i
mes.Myears
havemast er
edtheartofli
steni
ngt
o
i
t."Aser ol
ledherey
es.
Ase:
"Li
steni
ng,
notunder
standi
ng.
Ther
e'sadif
fer
enceTata.
"

Lumka:
"Howi
sshe?
"Isi
ghed.

Me:
"She'
snotokay
,she'
snotcopi
ng
wi
ththi
satal
l.
"

Mom:
"Wher
eisshenow?
"

Me:
"She'
ssl
eepi
ng.
"
Mom:"
shamemnt
anabant
u(poor
chi
l
d).
"

Ase:
"Letmegocheckuponher
."
Shestoodup

Me:"
Yeey
!Myr
oom i
sof
fli
mit
sto
you.
"

Ase:
"Thi
sisnot
imef
ory
ourl
i
mit
s
bhut
i.
"

Me:"Youbet
terstayawayfrom cash
dr
awerAsenathi
."Shewalkedaway .
"I
'
m serious!
"Shei gnoredme.She'
s
defi
nit
elygoingtot akemymoney ,
I
knowher .Shelovesmoneywayt oo
much.

Dad:
"Don'
tyouthi
nksheneeds
pr
ofessi
onalhel
p?"

Me:
"It
hinkso,butIwi
llhav
etospeak
t
ohersibl
ingsaboutt
hatfi
rst
.Maybe
t
heyal
lshouldgoforcounsel
li
ng.
"

Lul
ama:"Thoseguy
sandcounsel
li
ng?
Idoubtt
heywouldagr
eetothat
."
Me:
"I
t'
sfort
hei
rowngood.
"

Lul
ama:"
Asifyouwoul
dagr
eet
o
att
endcounsel
i
ng.
"

Me:
"Thi
sisnotaboutme.
"

Lul
ama:
"mmmh.
"

Lumka:"
Poorchil
d,fi
rstshehadt o
dealwi
ththefactthatherhusband
cheat
edonher ,
herparentspassedon
andnowt hemistr
essi spregnant
.
Hayt
hisi
sal
otf
orat
eenager
."

Dad&Lul
ama:
"What
?!"

Lumka:"
Ohy oudi
dn'
tknow?Ithought
mom tol
dy ou.
"Dadlookedat
mom,shelookedaway.

Lulama:"Yougotyoursi
dechick
pregnant?!Howstupidar
ey oumar
n
Sivuyi
le?Whateverhappenedto
usingprotect
ion?
"

Me:
"Wewer
eusi
ngpr
otect
ion.Idon'
t
knowhowshegotpr
egnant
."

Lul
ama:"
Hayundohl
uleSi
vuy
il
e."She
cl
appedonce.

Dad:"Doy ouhaveanyideathemess
youhav ecausedboy? !
"Heroared.
Mydadr arel
yshout
s,thi
sisareall
y
tensesituati
on.Hestoodupfrom the
couchandmadehi swayt ome."I'
m
tal
kingtoy oumarn!
!"Ijumpedinfear
.

MyphonerangasIwasaboutt
orun
f
ormylif
e.
Me:
"Ei
ta!
"Myv
oicewasshaki
ngabi
t.

Luzuko:
"Ineedy
our
ightnow!
"

Me:
"What
?"

Luzuko:
"Comet
oyoursur
ger
y,i
t'
san
emergency.
"

Me:
"Al
ri
ghtI
'
m onmyway
."

Luzuko:
"Hur
ryup!
"Hehungup.
Me:
"Ihav
etogo.
"

Dad:
"Yeeywena!I
'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
o
you!
"

Me:"There'sanemer gencyatthe
surgerydad. "Ididn'twaitforhimto
respond,
Il i
teral
lyr anfrom thehouse!
Icall
edSi zwef rom out si
det hehouse,
Icouldn'
tst ayint hathouseany
l
ongerorel semydadwoul dhav e
doneanumberonme.Tal kabout
real
lybeingsav edbyt hebel l
.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t69
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Iwokeupt oaheav yhandonmy
waist,
helookedcompletel
yout.Igot
offthebedandwentt othetoi
letto
pee.HowIhat ewakingupinthe
middleofthenighttogotothetoil
et.
Iwipedmy sel
fthenIwashedmy
handsbeforegoingbacktobed.
Thisisexactl
ywhyIhat ewakingup
i
nt hemiddleoftheni ght,
l
ookatme
nowIcan'tgobackt osleep.PlusI
sl
eptawhi leago,nowonderI '
ver an
outofsleep.Isatupst rai
ghtand
decidedtowakeSi vuyil
eup.Ther e'
s
nowayIam goi ngt ouponmy
own,healsoneedst owakeup.
Si
vuyi
le:
"What
'swrongbaby
?"He'
s
sl
eepytonei
ssti
ll
sexyashell
.

Me:"Openyoureyes.
"Hechuckl
ed
bef
oreopeningthem

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hi.
"Iblushed,
Ihadfor
got
ten
howbeauti
ful
hissmi l
eis.

Me:"
Ican'
tsl
eep,
soy
ouhav
etowake
up.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Wher
eint
hewor
ldi
sthat
fai
r?"
Me: "
Inthisworl
d.Youcan' tl
etyour
wifestayuponherownwhi l
eyouar e
sleepi
ng.Itwil
lbelikeIam guarding
yousleepwhi l
eit'
ssupposedt obe
theotherwayar ound."Hiseyeswere
closed."Siv
uyi
lemar n!"

Sivuyi
le:
"Icanheary
oubaby
,I'
mjust
resti
ngmyey es.
"

Me:"Youar
egoi
ngt
osl
eept
jeIknow
you.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwon'
t.
"Hemumbl
ed.

Me:"
Sivuy
il
e!"Ishout
edwhi
l
e
cl
appingmyhands.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Am notsl
eepi
ngl
ove.
"

Me:
"Situpst
rai
ghtsothatIcansee
t
hatyouarenotdosi
ngoff.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Yohubaby.OkayIam dosi
ng
off
,t
hat'
sbecauseIam ti
redmylove.
Ij
ustgotbackaf ewhoursago,I
needtorest
."Afewhoursago?
Me:"
Wherewereyou?"Ihopehe
wasn'
toutther
edoi
ngsomet hi
ng
t
hatwil
lbreakmyheart.

Sivuyi
le:"
Iwasatt hesur gery
operatingononeofLuzuko' sguy s.
"
Thegangst er?Whati shedoi ng
mix i
ngwi t
hgangst ersnow?Washe
reall
yoper atingont hatper son,orus
i
tjustcodef orhischeat ingway s?
Woul dbedot hattomeagai n?
"Baby?"Hewoul dnev ercheatonme
again,r
ight?" Iwasr eall
yatt he
surgerymyl ov e,
youcanev encall
Luzukoandconfi
rm wi
thhi
m."I
cl
earedmythroat
.

Me:"It
'sfi
neIbelieveyou."I
si talways
goingtobelikethis?Menotbel iev
ing
him whenhesay shewas
somewher e?What 'snext,
going
thr
oughhi sphonemay be?Idon' t
wantt obethatkindofawi fe,butI
don'ttr
usthim anymor e.If
eel l
ikeI
am alwaysgoingt owonder i
ngwhat
he'
sdoi ngwithwhoi fhe'snotnextt o
me, andthatisnotheal t
hy.
Whendidhesi
tup.Hebr
oughtme
cl
osert
ohim
Sivuyile:"
babyIknowi t
'sgoi ngtobe
har dfory out otrustme, it
'sgoingto
takemeal ongt imet oear ny ourtr
ust
butIpr omisey ouIwi llneverev er
hur tyoul i
ket hatagain.Iwanty ouin
myl i
fe,youar etheonef ormeandI
willnev ermesst hatup.I '
m sor r
yI
l
ef twithoutt ell
ingy ou,
y ouwer e
sleepingpeacef ull
yandIdi dn'twant
towakey ouup.Pl easebel ieveme
whenIsayIwon' thurty oulikethat
any mor e."Isighedandr estedmy
headonhi sshoul der.
Me:"Idon'twantthingstobel i
kethi
s,
Idon'twantt oaskmy sel
fwhaty ou
aredoingwheny ouareoutandabout .
Idon'twantt obeawi fethatcall
syou
ever
ymi nut
ewheny ouarenotat
home, Idon'twanttofeel t
his
i
nsecur eaboutmy self
."

Siv
uyi
le:"
There'
snothi
ngtofeel
i
nsecureabout.Youaret
heonewho
hasmyhear tandI'
vel
earntmy
l
esson."Il
if
tedmyheadabi tand
l
ookedathim

Me:
"Hav
eyou?
"
Sivuyi
le:"
Ihave,Ipromiseyou.The
mi nut
ey ouleftmeIknewt hatI
couldn'tl
ivewithoutyou,y
ouleavi
ng
mademer eal
isewhatIhadinmy
l
ife."

Me:"Whydi
dyoudoit
?"Ihav
ebeen
dy
ingtoaskhi
mthat
.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Honest
lyspeaking,
Idon't
know.
"Whydofeelpissedoffaf
ter
hesai
dthat
?
Me:"Youdon' tknow?Youdo-soyou
aretell
i
ngmet hatyoucheat
edfor
absolutelynoreason?Youdeci
dedto
hurtmef ornoreason?Ar
eyou
seri
ous? "Myv oicewasget
ti
ng
sl
ightl
yhi gher.

Sivuyil
e:"Let
'snotfightbaby.Let
's
j
ustmov eonf rom thisandnottalk
aboutitev eragainbecauseIhav ea
feeli
ngt hatitwil
ltakeusr i
ghtback
wher ewest arted.
"Isighed.

Me:"Atleasttel
lmethatt
hethr
onei
s
nottheonet hatmadeyouwantt
o
getbackwi
thme.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Ofcourseit
'snot .Iwanted
youbackbecauseofwhatIf eel f
or
you,notbecauseofthebenef i
ts.I
l
ov eyouBoitumelo,alot.AndI
reali
sedthatwaybef orethe
ancestorspunishedme.AndIam
genuinesorryforwhatIdi dtoy ou."

Me:"I
tsfi
ne.YouknowwhenIf ound
outabouttheaff
air
,Iquesti
onedmy
sel
fasawoman.Somanyquest ions
weregoingthr
oughmymi nd,Ieven
fel
tli
keIwasn'twomanenoughf or
y
oumay
bet
hat
'swhyy
oucheat
ed.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"Youar ewomanenoughand
every
thi
ngf orme.Youar ean
amazingwoman, neverdoubtthat
.
Nomat terwhathappens, nev
erlet
anyonemakey ouquest i
onyour
womanhood, especial
lynotme.You
arephenomenal ,
I'
venev ermet
anyonelikeyou."Ismiled.

Me:
"AndI'
m sorr
ythatyouhadt
o
f
eelt
heancest
orswrath.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"YouknowwhenMaNdeka
tol
dmeabouthowIwoul dbe
punished,
Ithoughshewasj
oki
ng.
Buttheaccidentpr
ovedt
omethat
shewasn'tjoki
ng."

Me:
"Wer
eyoudr
unkont
hatday
?"

Sivuyi
le:
"No.Iwassoberasaj udge.I
don'tknowwhathappened, all I
rememberwasseei ngdarkness, then
IhadwhatIassumedwasv ision.I
sawt hethronewithacr own, next
thi
ngIheari sacrashingsound
fol
lowedbyt hepainIf el
tinev ery
partofmybody ,
thenf rom thereI
don'
trememberwhathappened.
"

Me:
"Yohandyourmom,
thoughty
ou
wer
edrunk.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Iwasn'
t.Ir
eall
ydidf
eelthei
r
wrath.Theparal
y si
s,
thememoryloss
nottoment i
onthesuf f
eri
ngofour
peoplebackhome.Theywer ereall
y
angry.
"

Me:"
Letshopethatt
hingswi
l
lgo
backtonormal
now."
Siv
uyil
e:"
Notunt
ilwedot
he
appeasi
ngceremony.
"

Me:
"Oht
her
e'st
hat
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yeah.
"Wekeptqui
etf
ora
whi
le.

Me:"
Well
youcangot
osl
eepnow
l
over.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatabouty
ou?
"

Me:
"I
'l
lbef
ine,
youneedt
ogetsome
r
est
."

Siv
uyi
l
e: "Youknowthereis
somethingthatcant
ir
ey ououtand
makey ousleepy.
"

Me: "
Whatisthat?"Helift
edmychi n
andmademel ookathim,thenhe
devouredmyl i
psi nsmoot hrhy
thm.
Hemov edont okissi
ngmyneck
l
eav i
ngmar ks,
hishandmadei t
sway
tomyboobsandImoanedoutof
pleasur
e.Iquicklypushedhim offas
Ithoughtofapr egnantSandi.
Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Whatwrongbaby?
"Ican'
t
beli
eveheisal
readyhor
ny.

Me:
"Wecan'
thav
esexr
ightnow.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whynot
?"Youcheat
edduh!

Me:"Youmistressi
spregnantsowe
needtogettestedbef
orewecanget
downanddirty."

Siv
uyi
le:
"BabyIt
oldyouweal
way
s
usedcondoms.
"Sti
ng!
Me:
"I
tdoesn'
tmat
ter
.West
il
lhav
eto
t
est
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Fine!
"Hesoundedannoyed.
ThenervedearLord!Hewentbackto
hi
ssleepingposi
ti
onandcovered
hi
mself.

Me:"Hai
bo!Don'
tfi
ghtthebed."He
carr
iesonwit
hwhathewasdoi ng.
"I
'l
lj
ustgowatchsomeTVi nthe
l
ounge."Voi
cemail
,
mxm.Igotof fthe
andwor emygownandsl eepers,I
tookmyphoneandl ef
ttheroom.
DamnI
'
m hungr
y!Iwentt
othe
kitchenf ir
sttolookf orsome
l
ef tovers.Thef oodLumkacooked
l
ookedr eallyappet i
zi
ngandIhav en'
t
hadf oodi nasomet i
me,actual
l
yI
hav en'tbeenhungr yi
nal ongwhil
e.I
dishedupf ormy sel
fandwar medthe
foodi nt hemi crowave.
Isatdownont hecouchwi thmy
plat
eandwat chedamov iethatwas
playi
ng.Mysi bli
ngswoul dbesogl ad
toseemeeatr ightnow, Ihaven't
beeneatingrightev ersincemy
parentspassedon.It ookapi ctureof
thefoodandsenti ttoourWhat sApp
groupcaptioned: "
Yourl i
t t
lesist
er'
s
stomachdeci dedt oopenup! "
Afewminut
esofeati
ngmyphone
r
ang,i
twasmybrotherThapel
o.

Me:
"Thaps.
"

Thapel
o:"
Haywena!
"Il
aughedabi
t.
"Whyareyouupka4am?"

Me:"
Iranoutofsl
eepsoIdeci
det
o
comedownstair
stowatchamovi
e
andgetsomethi
ngtoeat.
"

Thapel
o:"I
'
m notcomplai
ningt
hat
youareeati
ng,
I'
mv er
yhappyabout
that
.ButPunkiey
oualsoneedtoget
somerest,whenwasthelastt
ime
youhadpropersl
eep?2weeksago?"

Me:"Don'tstressy
our selfhl
e,Iran
outofsleepbecauseIwassl eepi
ng
i
nt heafternoonandIonl ywokeupin
themiddleoft henight."Hesighed.

Thapelo:
"Oht
hat'
sbett
er.Iam
worri
edaboutyouPunki
e."

Me:"
Iam f
ineabut
i.Whyar
eyou
awake?
"
Thapelo:
"Iam busywi
thsomet
hing
here.
"

Me:
"Somet
hingorsomeone?
"

Thapel
o:"
Byeby
ePunki
e."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Wai
t!
"Hechuckl
ed

Thapel
o:"
Hay !
"Hehungup.Trustmy
brot
hertoleaveagi
rlhangi
ngjustt
o
checkuponme, howsweet!
○
"Nat
hi!Wakeup!
"Sheshookme
agai
n."Wakeupmarn!
"OhGod
Asenathi
!

Ase:
"Hayhay !I
t'
sti
metowakeup
Makoti
!"Iopenedmyey
esand
l
ookedather.

Me:
"Youdon'
tl
ikepeaceneh?
"

Ase:"amakotidoesn'
tsleepunt
ilt
his
ti
mesi si
.Iwokeupbef oreyouandI
am daughteri
nt hi
sfamily,
wenayou
shouldhavebeenupby4am
prepari
ngbreakfastf
orthewhole
f
ami
l
y."

Me:"Youaresoannoyi
ng,whenare
youleav
ing?"Shel
aughedandsaton
t
hecouch.

Ase:
"l
eavetowher e?Thishouse
woul
dbeabor ewi thoutme.You
knowthat
."Ichuckled.

Me:"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngal
ldr
essed
up?
"

Ase:
"WEar
egoi
ngoutwi
thZi
ntl
eand
Kay
."

Me:
"Whoi
swe?
"

Ase:
"Meandy
ou.
"

Me:
"HayI
'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e."

Ase:
"I
'm notaski
ngy ou.Gi
rl
!Ididn'
t
usemyener gytowakey oufor
mahala!Sogetyourbehindinthat
room andgetyoursel
fpret
tyforour
day.
"
Me:
"Youar
esuchabul
l
y."

Ase:"
Itr
unsi
ntheDl
ami
nibl
ood
darl
i
ng."

Me:
"I
'venoti
ced.Youguy
sneeda
mannersschool
."

"
Whatwast
hat
?"Ohshi
t!

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tany
thi
ng.
"

Mr'
D:"
That
snotwhatIhear
d.What
di
dyousayaboutt
heDlamini
sMrs
DLAMI
NI.
"OhLor
d!Iam t
err
if
iedof
thi
sman,
i
sheangr
y?

Me:"UhI..
I..
."Thewor dscoul dn't
comeout ,Ifuckedup!Hel ookedat
mewai ti
ngforar esponse, Asenathi
wantedtolaughatmer i
ghtt hereon
thespot."WhatImeanti sth...
th.
"He
burstoutwithlaughter.Iletouta
sighofrel
ief.

Mr'D:"Youarerightthough,t
heydo
needt hatschoolstarti
ngwiththat
husbandofy ours."Iletoutachuckl
e.
Hel ookedatmewi thsofteyes."
Did
y
ousl
eepwel
l
?"

Me:
"Idi
dTat
a."

Mr'
D:"
Thisoneoverherewantedto
wakeyouup2hour sago.It
oldthem
t
oletyourest
."Awwhowni ceofhim.

Me:
"Thanky
ou.
"

Mr '
D:"
It
salri
ght.Youneedallthe
sleepthatyoucanget,I
'veheardthat
you'vebeendepriv
ingyoursel
fsome."
Me:
"Mythought
shavebeendepr
ivi
ng
mesomesleep.Iwi
shIknewhowto
swi
tcht
hem off
."

Mr'D;
"Weallneedthatof
fbut
ton.
Maybey oushoul
dgooutandkeep
yourmindoccupi
-"

Ase:'
THANKYOU!
!"Webot
hlooked
ather.

Mr'D:"
Youdidn'
tev
enl
etmef
ini
shmy
sentence.
"
Ase:"That
'sbecauseyouhadalr
eady
sai
dsomet hingIl
i
ked.
"Thisgi
rldear
Lord!Hetur nedhi
satt
ent
iontome
again.

Mr '
D:"
Iwouldliketoapol
ogisefort
he
hurtthatmysoncausedy ou,andal
so
tothanky ouforcomingbacktoour
family.Youdon'tknowhowmuch
thatmeanst ous."Ismil
ed.

Me:"Youcan'tr
eall
yrunawayf
rom
Desti
nynowcany ou?Itwas
event
ual
lygoingtocatchupwi
th
me."Hesmiledandnodded.
Mr '
D:"OnFr idaywear ealll
eavingfor
theKi ngdom f ortheceremony.
Pleasei nformy oursibl
ingsandwe
aregoi ngt oneedanel der
representativeoft heMokoenaf amil
y
nowt hatuhm, thatyourparent
sare
nomor e."Hel ookedsadashesai d
that.Ismi l
edal i
tt
le

Me:"Iwil
l l
etthem know.I'
m suremy
auntwillbeav ail
abl
eforthatpart
."
It
'ssadthatnowwhenev erweneed
todocer emoni esmyparentswon't
beav ai
l
abl e,
wehav etobeandpl ead
withsomeonei nthefami l
ytocome
with.Choosi ngmyaunti sbot han
advantageandadi sadvantage.I
knowf oraf actthatshewon' trefuse
aninv i
tefrom theroyalfamil
y ,
BUT!I
am v er
ywor r
iedabouther
behav i
our ,
myauntisv ery
scandal ous,
dramaf ol
lowsher
wher evershegoes.IguessIwi ll
just
havet ohopeandpr aythatshewi ll
behav einthisceremony .

Mr'D:
"That
'
sgood.Nowgooutand
havefunwithy
ourfr
iends,
youneed
i
t."
Ase:
"Sher
eal
l
ydoes!
"

Mr
'D:
"Mxm.Hav
eyouseenSi
vuy
il
e?"

Ase:
"Yes,hewentt
othemallear
li
er.
Heshouldbebackinashor
twhil
e."

Mr'
D:"
Tel
lhi
mtocomeandseemei n
t
hestudyt
heminuteheshowsup.
"
Hetur
nedandl
eft.

Ase:
"Ohhe'
sint
roubl
e."
Me:
"Why
?Whathappened?
"

Ase:
"Hefoundoutthatt
hemistr
ess
i
spregnant.He'
snothappyatal
l.
"

Me:"
Didy
ouheart
hatt
hebabyi
sa
boy
."

Ase:
"What?!Nof
reakenway
.That
bi
tchi
sly
ing."

Me:
"Wedon'
tknowaboutt
hat
."

Ase:
"I
'mt
ell
i
ngy
ounow,
she'
sly
ing!
"
Me:
"St
opbei
ngi
ndeni
al.
"

Ase:
"Goandgetr
eadykesi
si.
"

Me:
"I
'm notgoi
ngany
wher
e."

Ase:
"Yuuhuyat
handaukuncengwa.
Youhavetocomewi t
hus.Utatais
goi
ngtogivemesomemoneyi fyou
comewi t
h,i
fyoudon'
thewon't."I
l
aughed

Me:
"sobasi
cal
l
yyouar
eusi
ngmet
o
getmoneyf
rom y
ouruncl
e."

Ase:
"Yes!
"

Me:
"Wow!
"

Ase:
"comeonfri
end.UTatomdal
a
canbever
yst
ingy,t
helastti
mehe
gavememoneywasamont hago.
"

Me:"andIam sur
eitwasahef
ty
sum."

Ase:
"wel
li
phel
i
lengoku.Ineed
mor
e."

Me:
"Wher
e'sMrFi
nance?
"

Ase:"Shhh!Theywi
ll
hearus.Wewil
l
tal
kwhenwegett owher
ewear e
going."

Me:
"Somet
hinghappened?
"

Ase:
"Yeah.Dramaf r
iend!I
fyouwant
tohearallabouti
t,y
ouhav etocome
wit
hust oday."OhGod!Whydoes
shehavetopl ayonmyweaknessl i
ke
that.Sheknowsver
ywellt
hatIl
i
ke
news,especi
all
ywheret
her
eisdrama
i
nv olved.

Me:
"Fi
ne!
"Ist
oodupandlef
tformy
r
oom,shewasfol
l
owingbehi
ndme.

Ase:
"Iam choosi
ngy
ourout
fi
t.
"

Me:
"What
ever
."
Wegoti ntomyr
oom andshewent
strai
ghttomycl
oset
."I
'm goi
ngt
o
takeabath."
Ase:
"Showerpl ease.Aquickone.We
ar
ealreadylate."Wear efor
ever
l
ate,
especial
lyher.IfAfri
canti
me
wasaper son,i
twoul dbeher.
Iwenttothebathr
oom anddidas
shesaid,
Itookaquickshower.When
Icameoutshehadal r
eadylai
dmy
outf
itonthebed.

Me:"
Weav
e?Iam goi
ngl
i
ket
his.
"I
j
oked.

Ase:
"Wi
thwho?
"
Me:
"Wi
thy
ouduh.
"

Ase:
"Ican'
tbeseenwithyoulooki
ng
l
iket
hat."She'
srudeashell
.

Me:"
ThenIam notgoinganywher
e."
Sheletoutanannoy
edscream.

Ase:
"FinekeNat hi
!Wewi llgoout
wit
hy oulookingli
keapot ato!"I
l
aughed.Iputont helot
iont henI
woretheout fi
tshechoosef orme, i
t
wasasi mpl eshor
tti
ghtdr ess.Thi
s
i
sAsenat hi
,soitwasobv i
ouslygoing
tobeshor t
,shewasalsowear i
nga
ver
yshor
tjumpsui
t.Itookthecur
ly
weavet
hatwasont opofthebed.

Me:
"Ormaybenot.
"Hersmil
e
i
mmediat
elydi
ssapper
ed.

Ase:
"Pl
ease!
"Il
aughed.

Me:"
Doesmyheadembarrassyou
Asenat
hi?Causei
t'
snott
hatbad.
"

Ase:"
Gir
l,
theny oushouldseei
t
thr
oughmyey es.I
tlooksli
kea
peel
edpot at
o."Idi
dsayshewas
r
ude.
Iputont heweav e,t
henIappl i
edmy
nudelipsti
ck.Iam notf eeli
nggood
onthei nsi
de,butitdoesn'tmeanI
shouldlookhor r
ibleont heoutsi
de
too.Wel eftandwentwher eKayand
Zint
lewer ewaiti
ngf orus.
Theywer eal
readywai t
ingforusin
Kay'scarwhenwegott her
e,asusual
wewer elat
e.Iwasr eall
ysurpri
sedto
alsoseeLucy,Idi
dn'tknowhowt o
reactwhenIsawhi m Imeant hisis
thesameper sonwhomademet r
end
becauseofmypr iv
ateissues,surehe
meantnohar m butheshoul d'
ve
knownbet t
er.Weexchanged
greet
ingst
henwemadeourway
i
nsidethemall
.Wewentst
rai
ghtt
o
theci
nemat owat
chamovie.
Af
tert
hemoviewedeci
dedt
ogoand
gr
absomet
hingtoeat
.

Lucy:
"Uhm Tumi,Iam reall
ysorryf
or
thedamageIcaused.Itwasnotmy
i
ntenti
on,Iwasj
ustsohappyt osee
andIpostedapictur
e,butI'
m notthe
onewhospar kt
hecheat ingfi
les.
"

Me:"
Itsfi
neLucy
.Kaydi
dexplain
ev
erythi
ngtome.It
swaterunderthe
br
idge."
Lucy:
"ThankGod.YouknowIwanted
tospeaktoyouaboutthi
satthe
funer
al,
butIr
eal
iseditwasnott
he
ri
ghtti
meandpl ace.
"

Me:"Funer
al?Youwereatmyparent
s'
funeral
?"Henodded."
Wow.Thanks
forthesuppor
t.
"Hesmi l
edwhi
le
nodding.

Ase:
"AndIwasr eadytogivey oua
bi
tchslapkeLucy.Youar eluckythat
myfri
endhereisv er
yforgiv
ing,I'
m
notsosureaboutmysi ster
s."
Lucy
:"Si
ster
s?"

Kay
:"Shei
shersi
steri
nlaw.
"

Lucy:
"Ohmy!Youareal
sopar
toft
he
royal
fami
ly
?Wow! "

Me:"
I'
m surpri
sedyoudon'
tknowthat
si
nceyouar eobsessedwi
ththe
Dl
aminis.
"MeandKayshar edalaugh.

Ase:
"Iam unknownmnt
ase.
"We
l
aughed.
Me:"
wenaMsunknown.Yousai
dyou
weregoi
ngtot
ell
meaboutyour
dr
amawi t
hMrF."

Ase:"
Nothi
nghappened.Ij
ustused
thatapl
oytogetyouhere.
"Ishoul
d
haveknown.

Me:
"Youdi
rt
ydog!
"Shel
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Shedidn'
twanttocomeher e?
"
Asenodded."Uy
athandaukuncengwa
B.
"
Me:
"mxm.
"
Wecar ri
edonchat ti
ngaboutal
most
everyt
hing,
thejokeswerewil
dandI
managedt ocrackagenuinelaugh.I
real
lyenjoyedmy sel
fandIwashappy
thatmyf ri
endsdecidedt
ocheerme
uptoday .
Wel ef
tther
estaurantataround
7,Si
zwewasalreadywai t
ingforusat
theparki
ngl
ot.Wesai dourgoodbyes
anddrovehome.

Ase:
"Ineedashower."Wewer
e
ent
eringthehouse."
Iwa-
"
"HayTat a!
!"-thatwasdef i
nitely
Sivuyi
le'smom, bef
oreIcoul dev en
turntolookatAseshehadal ready
rushedt othelounge.Ifoll
owed, the
wholef amilywasinthel ounge.
Sivuyi
leandhi sparentswer eont hei
r
feet,
hehadahandonhi sjaw.I
wonderwasgoi ngonher e.

Mr'
D: "Howmanytimesar ey ougoi ng
todisappoi
ntmeSivuyi
le!!Doy ou
wantt orui
nev
eryt
hingthatIhav e
workedsodamnhar dfor? !Huh?
Phendulamarndammi t
!!"Her aised
hisfi
stbutstoppedmidwayassoon
ashiswifescreamed."Yesesmar
n
kwedini
!!Ri
ghtnowIwi shoneofyour
sist
erswasthesuccessorandnot
you!!
"

Mrs'
D:"
Haytat
adon'
tsaythi
ngsli
ke
t
hat,
youar
ewoundingthechi
ld.
"

Mr
'D:
"Hay
sukahedeser
vesi
t!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Tat
aIam so-
"

Mr
'D:
"Hayshutupmar
n!!
"I'
venev
er
seenhiml ikethi
s."Doy ouknowhow
muchy ou'vehurtthatpoorgi rl?
!"He
waspoi ntingatme." Howmanyof
yourkidsmuchsher ai
sebef oreshe
actual
lyrai sesherown? !Myboyy ou
needtol ear nhowt okeepi ti
ny our
pantslikear eal
man! !Uy andiv
a
Sivuyi
l
e? !"Henodded.Theyst oodon
thesamespotwi thoutsay ingawor d,
Iwasst il
l standi
ngont hesamespot
shockedatwhatIj ustwitnessed.

Mrs'D:
"Canwejustsitdownandcal
m
down."MrDlaminil
ookedatherf
ora
secondbefor
esitt
ingdown.Theidi
ot
Sivuyi
l
ecamest r
aighttomeand
pul
ledmedownont henear
estcouch,
Idon'
twanttositnextt
ohim,whati
f
hi
sdaddecidestopounceonhi m?
Hekeptonrubbinghisj
aw,Asenat
hi
wassil
ent
lylaughi
ngnexttous.

Me:
"Ar
eyouokay
?"Iwhi
sper
ed

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ithi
nkhebr
okemyj
aw.
"
Awwmypoorbigbaby.

Me:"Letmesee. "Het
urnedhisface.
Itouchedhi sjawgent
ly."
It
'snot
broken."Isaidwithal
ightchuckl
e
"Youarej ustbei
ngababy .
"
Sivuy
ile:"
Ithurt
s.Pleaserubit
,maybe
yourtouchwi ll
soothit.
"Ididashe
saidar ubbeditforafewseconds.
"Feel
sbet ter
."Hekissedmycheek

Ase:"
Haymnt akabawo
kumnandi,
kusweetkunjey a!
"Snap!I
for
gotthatwear enotalone.We
l
ookedatev ery
one,all
ey eswereon
us.Hissi
sterswereevensmi li
ng.

Mr'
D:"Ar
eyoudonewi
thTheBol
d
andTheBeaut
if
ul?
"What
'swr
ong
wit
hhimtoday
?
Ase:"
HopenoLi am."Sheclapped
handswhilel
aughing,i
t'
sfunnyhow
shelaughsatherownst upi
djokes.

Mr'D:
"Iwantust odiscusst
hisissue
ri
ghtnowSi v
uy i
le.Whatarey ou
goingtodoaboutt hisbaby?"There'
s
sti
l
l t
hat!Heclearedhisthr
oat

Sivuyi
le:
"Uhm I
'
m goi
ngt
otake
resposi-
"

Mr
'D:
"SpeakupboyIcan'
theary
ou!
"
Heishul
ktoday
,hej
ustwant
sto
smash.

Sivuyi
le:
"Iam goingtot
ake
responsi
bili
tyforit
."

Mr'
D:"
Mor ekidsformakot
itor
aise?
Youdon'tcaremoswena!Uhamba
ul
alanabantu(y
ousleepar
ound)"he
l
ookedatme.

Mr'
D:"
Makoti
,howdoy
oufeelabout
t
hisbaby
?"Ohit'
smyt
urnnow.
Me:"I
nallhonestyTata,Idon'tthi
nkI
canacceptthebaby .
"Icouldf eel
thei
rstar
es,butIchosetof ocuson
MrDlamini'
samusedf ace."Ican'
tdo
i
t."

Mr '
D:"
Hekemnt anam!Idon'tbl
ame
youatall.I
fapersondecidestofuck
aroundtheyshouldfacet
he
consequencesont hei
rown."Didhe
j
ustuset heFwor d.

Mrs'D:"Whatdoyoumeany oucan'
t
acceptthebaby?Youarehi
swife
andy oushoul
dsupporthi
m atal
l
t
imes.
"

Me:"Iunder
standthatMah,
butIcan'
t
acceptthebaby.I
'
m sorr
yIjustcan'
t.
"

Mrs'
D:"
That
snotagoodenough
r
eason."

Mr'
D:"Shedoesn'tneedanyreasonto
notacceptt
hebaby .It
'sherchoi
ce
andwear egoingtorespectit
."

Mrs'
D:"
KodwaTata,
Sivuy
il
emight
havet
omar r
ythi
sgir
l.Whati
sshe
goi
ngt
odot
hen?
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Iam notgoi
ngt
omar
ryher
."
Goodman!

Mrs'
D:"Wecan'tchanget
radi
ti
onf
or
youSi
v uy
il
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
twantt
omar
ryher
mama."

Mr '
D:"Youshoul
dhavethoughabout
thatbefor
eyousleptwit
hher.You
aregoingtomarryher.
"
Lul
ama:"
youneedLunathi
'
s
per
missi
ontogothroughwit
hthi
s
weddi
ngmos?"

Mr
'D:
"Yes.
"

Lul
ama:"Whatdoyousayaboutt
his
Lunathi
?"Idi
dn'
tev
enhavetothi
nk
aboutit
.

Me:
"No.
"Asenat
hicheer
ed!

Mr
s'D:
"Wedon'
tnecessar
il
yneedher
permissi
on.Wehav et
of ol
low
tr
adit
ionattheendofthe
day,
whethersheli
kesitornot.
"

Me:"WithallduerespectMah, Ido
notpermitthismar ri
age.AndunlessI
givepermissionSivuyil
eisnotgoing
totakesecondwi fe,li
keIsaidtohim
beforeIknowmyr ightsunder
customarylaw.Donotmakemego
thatrout
eplease."

Lumka:
"Yoh!
"

Mr
s'D:
"Hehmnt
anandi
ni!Whodoy
ou
t
hinky
ouar
etodi
ctat
edt
ouswhat
t
odo?"

Me: "
Iam t hechosenonemah!I t'
s
ti
met hisf ami l
yst ar
tst reatingme
l
ikeonei nsteadofex pect i
ngmet o
makesacr i
fi
cesal lt
het ime.Iam
ti
redofcompr omi seal l
t het i
mef or
thismar riage,forthi
sf ami ly
.I'm not
thewhoneedsSi vuyi
lesot hatmyl i
fe
cangosmoot h,i
t'
sact uallytheot her
wayar oundandt hesoonerpeopl e
comet ot ermswi ththat ,
thebet terit
willbef orev eryone."Ihear dhands
clappingnextt ome.I twas
Asenat hi,
shewasonherf eet
cl
appi
ngandsmi
l
ing.

Mrs'
D:"
Hlal
aphant
siwena!
(si
t
down!
)"Asequi
ckl
ysatdown.

Mr'
D:"TheChosenOnehasspoken!
"
Helookedamusedforsome
r
eason,unl
i
kehiswi
fewhowas
f
umi ng.

Ase:"
Whathaveyoudonetomyquiet
fr
iend?!
"Sheshout
edinexci
tement
.

Me:
"Shef
oundav
oice.Nowi
fthat
wasall,Tat
amayIpl
easebe
excused?"

Mr
s'D:
"asi
kako-
"

Mr'
D:"Youcangomnt
anam.
"Ist
ood
upandlef
tformyr
oom.
Themi nuteIgott her
eIl etouta
breathIdidn'
tev enknowIwas
holdi
ngi n.MyGodwhyam Icr yi
ng?I
wasshockedandsur prisedatmy sel
f
forsayingallofthati
nf rontof
everyone.Wher edidthatcourage
comef rom?Myf amilywoul dbeso
damnpr oudofme.
Thedooropenedwhil
eIwasst i
l
l
doi
ngthebreat
hingexer
cise.

Sivuyi
le:"Whatwast hat
?"I
sheangr y?
Hecamet omeandmademest and
up.Icoul dn'tr
eall
yreadhisfaci
al
expression.Hel ookedatmef ora
secondbef oresmashinghisli
psint
o
mine."Thatwasf uckenhot!
"Hesaid
aft
erbr eakingthekiss.

Me:
"Younotmad?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Forwhat?Iwouldnev
erbe
madatyouforst
andingupfor
yoursel
f.Iact
uall
ylov
edev erymi
nut
e
ofit
."Ichuckl
ed."Whyarey ou
cryi
ng?"Hewi pedmytears.

Me:"
Idon'tknow.Theyst arted
pouri
ngthemi nut
eIgoti nher e."He
l
aughed.Hebr oughtmyf acecl oseto
hi
m,thenheki ssedmeagai n.The
ki
sswasn' tassmoot hastheonewe
shar
edint hismor ning.Thi
swas
moreintenseandi thadamessaget o
i
t,hewant edtohav emer i
ghtt here
andthen.Iwon' tl
ieIwasal sof eeli
ng
hotdownt here,Ialsowant edhi m so
bad.
Me:"
mmhmmh.
"Ibr
oket
heki
ss.I
hadtoo

Siv
uyil
e:"
Fuck!
"He'sfacewasonmy
neck."
I'
lluseacondom mylov
e."

Me:"
No."Hi
m br
eathi
ngonmyneck
wasn'
tmakingt
hingseasi
er.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Pleasel
ov e.Ar
eyoureall
y
goi
ngtoletmesleepwiththi
s?"He
mademet ouchhisboner.
Me:
"Takeacol
dshower
."

Sivuy
ile:"Wearegoingt
ot hedoctor
fi
rstthingtomorrow!
"Hepeckedon
myl i
pst henhewentstr
aighttothe
bathr
oom.Il aughedwhenIheardt he
showerr unni
ng.
Hewi ll
surviv
e.Hecan' treal
lyexpect
met osleepwi t
hhim bef or
eweget
tested,especial
lybecausehi s
mi st
ressi spregnant.Theremaybea
possi bi
li
tythattheywer enotusing
condomsal lthetime,Ican'tput
my selfatriskli
kethat.Whoknows
whatSandi hasbeenupt obeforeshe
metSi
vuy
il
e.
•
•
•
•
•
HELLO!
!
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t70
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Waki ngupnextt omywi fehast obe
oneoft hemosthear twar mingt hings
ever .Ienj oywat chinghersleepand
alsot hef eeli
ngofherbr eathhit t
ing
agai nstmyneck.Iwi lladmitit
, Ilove
thisgi rl.Ihavenev erlovedany one
l
ikeIl ov eher,wel lLusandacane
prettycl ose,
butwi thLunathiit
's
differenti t'
slikeIam compl ete.It'sa
whol enewf eelingandIam enj oy ing
i
t.Ev ent houghImessedt hi
ngsupby
cheat i
ng, Iam pr eparedt owor khar d
toear nherl ov eandt rustback.I
mi ssedher ,
Imi ssedhav i
ngheri nmy
armsl iket hi
s,kissingherf or
ehead
whileshe' sfarawayi ndr eaml and.I
alsomi ssedbei ngbur ri
edi nsideher,
I'
m sur eJamaal somi sseshi s
home, butIwi l
l r
espectherdeci sion
andgett estedbecauseatt heendof
thedayam t heonewhomessedup.
I'
mj ustpr ayingandhopi ngt hatwe
willgett hrought hisandt hatshewi l
l
l
etmei n,andal l
owmet obeher
comf ort erinhert r
yingtimes.If eel
l
ikeshe' shol dingbackwhebi tcomes
tothedeat hofofherpar ent s,she
hasn'tr eallyspokenaboutt hem t o
meev ersi nceshe' sbeenher e,
whenev erIt riediniti
ati
ngt hat
conv ersat i
onl astnightbutshe
brushedmeof fbyspeakingabout
mydadbeat ingmeup.Speaki ngof
that,Iam sur pri
sedthatmydad
punched, thelastti
meheev erlaida
handonmewasbacki nhighschool ,
afterthathehasnev erl
aidhi shands
onme.IguesswhatIdi dr eally
anger edhi m,ImeanSandi andher
childmi ghtbr i
ngunnesecar yconfl
ict
tothef ami l
ywhi chmightleadt othe
Kingdom' sdoom.Wi thjustone
mist akeI'
v emanagedt omessupa
bunchoft hings,IsweartoGodIam
nev ercheat i
ngonmywi feev eragain.
Ij
umpedofthebedandwenttothea
qui
ckshower,
Iwassti
l
lli
mpingbut
myl
egwasn'
tthatpai
nful
any
mor
e.
Iwentdownstairstomakemy sel
fa
heal
thysmoot hi
e,sinceIcan'tgoto
thegym becauseofmykegI '
v eopted
toeati
nghealthyallthet
ime,okay
maybenotal l
thetimebutev er y
morningwhenIwakeupIdr inka
smoot hi
e.
Mymom wasal r
eadyinthekitchen
cookingupast orm whichwasa
surpri
se,sheonlydoesthison
Christ
masdayorwhenwehav e
vi
sitors,
onanyot herdayit
'severy
manf orhimself-wellapartf
rom my
dadofcour se.
Me:
"andt
hen?What
stheoccasi
on?
"

Mom:"Goodmor
ningt
oyout
oomy
chi
l
d."

Me:"Morni
ngmom.Ar
ewehav
ing
peopleover
?"

Mom:
"May
be"

Me:
"May
be?
"
Mom:"St
opaskingmequest
ionsand
st
arthel
ping.
"

Me:
"Ist
il
lneedt
otakeshower
."

Mom:
"Si
vuy
il
e!"Shewar
ned.

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouneedhel
pwi
th?
"

Mom:
"Thesausages.
"

Me:
"Whati
ftheoi
lbur
nsmemom?
"
Mom:"
Stopbei
ngst
upi
dandst
art
f
ryi
ngmarn.
"

Me:"Yoh.
"Ididasshet oldme.She
wasi naweir
dlyhappymood, shewas
hummi ngherfav ouri
tetuneand
sway i
ngherhipssi detosi de,
i
twas
weirdconsi
deringwhathappened
betweenherandLunat hilastnight
.
"Youareinajollymoodt oday."

Mom:"Wehav
eal
ott
ocel
ebr
atemy
boy
."

Me:
"Li
ke?
"
Mom: "
andadditi
ontoourf
amil
y.
"
Addi-"
Sandi
'sbaby.
"Shemusthave
seentheconfusedl
ookonmyface.

Me:"Mom Sandi'
sbabymightnotbe
mine.AndIdon'tgetwhywehav eto
cel
ebrat
et hi
sbabywhileyouknow
verywel
lthatwhathappened
betweenSandiandIbrokeLunathi
'
s
heart
.Wher ei
syourloy
alt
ymom? "

Mom:"YouandSandibrokeherhear
t
nott
hebaby.Sheneedstosuckitup
andacceptt
hatt
hebabyiscoming."
Me:"Thatsnotfairmom.Whyarey
ou
act
inglikeyouar eaper
sonwho
for
giveseasilyandmoveson?Doyou
wantmet oremindyou?"

Mom:"Thisisnotaboutme.Lunat
hi
shoul
dhav eexpect
edthisi
nthist
ime
andday.Everymencheats
nowadays."

Me:"Butthatdoesn'tmeanawoman
shouldforgi
veandf or
get
.Iwon'tbe
thatself
ishtoforcehertoacceptthi
s
baby,ifshecan'tthenshecan'
t.She
wi
l
ldosoi
nherownt
ime.
"

Mom: "Idon'
tevenknowwhyy ouare
nursi
ngt hi
sgirl
'sfeel
ings.Backinmy
daysifyourfathermadeawoman
pregnantIwouldhav enochoi cebut
toacceptthebabyandt hewomanas
hissecondwi f
e."

Me:"
Likeyousaidinyourdays,not
now.Thesehav echangednow.
Womanknowt hei
rwor t
h,andthey
don'
tstandformistr
eatment."

Mom:
"Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayIdon'
t
knowmywor
thSi
vuy
il
e?"

Me:
that
'snotwhatIsai
dmom.You
t
ryi
ngtorunawayfrom mypoi
nt.
"

Mom: "
AllIam sayi
ngmnai st hatthe
sooneryourwifeagreeforSandi to
beyoursecondwi f
et heeasi
eri twil
l
beforhertoacceptherandt he
baby.
"Whoi sthiswoman.

Me:
"Wheredi dmysweetcar i
ng
mothergo?Idon'tknowthiscold
womanst andinghere.
"Shelookedat
mewi t
hast erneye.
Mom:
"Sandishoul
dbear
ri
vi
ngi
na
f
ewminutes.
"

Me:
"What
?!"

Mom:"Howaregoingt
ocel
ebrat
e
wit
houttheper
sonwearecel
ebrat
ing
bei
ngpresent
?"

Me:"ThenYOUshouldhavewai
ted
unti
lthebabyi
sbornbefor
edoi
ng
thi
sstupidcel
ebr
ati
on!
"
Mom: "NdakuqhwabaSi
vuyi
l
e!(
Iwi
l
l
sl
apy ouSivuyi
le!
)Whoareyou
cal
li
ngst upi
d?"

Me:"
Isai
dthecel
ebr
ati
oni
sst
upi
d
notyou.
"

Mom:"Futsek!
"Yoh!" Youaregoingto
betheonewel comingSandi int
othis
home,si
yevana?"Ididn'tsayanyt
hing.

Me:"Letmejustgotomywi f
e."I
haveyotel
lheraboutmymom' s
pl
ansbeforeSandiar
ri
ves.
Mom: "Haisuka!She' snotsi ckisshe?
Ifshewant edt oseey oushewoul d
havelongcamedownst ai
rs.Goput
theplatesont het able."From fr
ying
sausagest odecki ngt ablesforSandi
outofal lpeopl e?Mymom hasr eall
y
outdoneher selfthistimear ound.
Thisisreal l
yunaccept able,Iwonder
whereherhusbandi swhent hi
ngs
areli
ket his.Ifhewasn' tsoangr yat
meIwoul daskhi mt otalkheroutof
thi
sst upidcel ebration.
'
DingDong!
'Thatmustbet
heshe
devi
l.
"
I'
ll
geti
t.
"Whendi
dshecomedown.

Me:
"Babywai
t!
"Shel
ookedatme.

Lunat
hi:
"What
?"

Me:
"Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing?
"

Lunathi
:
"Noneed,Iheardever
ythi
ng
yourmom sai
d."Shegracef
ull
y
walkedtot
hedoor.
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Ican'tbeli
ev ethewomanwhomade
feelwelcomewhenIf i
rstgotmar
ried
i
ntothi sfamilyisthesamewoman
whosai dal lt
hoset hi
ngs.Whatever
happenedt oSivuyi
le'
smom?I
thoughtshel ikedmeandwehada
soli
dr elat
ionship,
IguessIwaswrong.

Me:"
Hi.
"Isaidwit
hthebi ggestf
ake
smil
ewhichwasr et
urnedbyaheav i
ly
pr
egnantSandi-i
ssher eall
y6
monthspregnant
?

Sandi
:
"Heysi
sterwi
fe?
"Si
ncewhen?I
r
oll
edmyey
es.

Me:"Welcomet oourhome.Ihope
youwillenjoyyourti
meherewit
hus.
"
GodIsoundl i
kethoseHot
el
recept
ionists.

Sandi
:"SoonIwil
lbetheonesayi
ng
thatt
oourguest.Thi
sisgoingt
obe
ourhomet oosoon.
"Sherubbedher
tummy .Mythr
oatwentdryandIhel
d
backtears.

Me:"wel
lcomein.I'
ll
showy outot
he
di
nningar
ea.
"Iclosedthedoorand
foll
owedhert othedi
nning
area,
imagineI'
mt heonebeingl
edin
myownhome!TheQueenemer ged
from t
hekitchenandbeamedwi t
h
excit
ementassoonasshesaw
Sandi,
shock!

Sandi
:"
Mah!"Shecall
sherMahnow?
Imeantheyjustkneweachot
hera
fewdaysago.

Mr s'
D:"
Ihopethedri
vert
ookcareof
youony ourwayhere.
"Sheevensent
thedriv
ertofetcht
hem?Wow!" Li
tt
le
Dlaminiist
reat
ingyouwell
Icansee,
y
ouar
egl
owi
ng.
"

"I
ssher
eal
l
ygl
owi
ngorshe'
sjust
oi
ly.
"

Mr
s'D:
"Asenat
hi!
"

Ase:"I'
mj ustasking.Theseday s
peopleconf useglowwi t
hoi l
yness.
Andt hatdabawodoesn' tlooklike
glow."HowIwi shIcanber udel i
ke
Asenat hi
.Iknowt heQueenexpect s
met or eactinabadwayt owards
Sandi butIwon'tgiveherthe
sati
sfaction,Ihat
eSandi yesbutI
won'
tshowhert
hat
.

Mrs'D:
"Don'
tmindherSandi
,she'
sjust
j
ealousofyourl
ovel
yskin.
"

Ase:"
Hah!Notinthi
slif
eti
me,herski
n
i
snotgoalsshem.May beifyouwere
tal
ki
ngaboutLunathiIwouldhave
keptqui
et,
butnotthi
sone'sskin.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Asenat
hi!Youwill
respect
Sandi
,
she'
swayol dert
hany ou.
"

Ase:
"Butshewasabl
etosl
eepwi
tha
18yearol
d'shusband,whydoesshe
pl
ayaroundthekidsterr
it
oryi
fshe
wantstobetreat
edli
keanadult.
"

Mrs'D:
"Si
vuyi
leisol
d.Justbecause
heismarri
edt oakiddoesn'
tmean
he'
soffli
mitstogir
lshi
sage."Aibo
thi
swoman!

Ase:
"Heh!Sot
-"

Mrs'
D:"
Justshutupandsitdown
marnbefor
eIgiveyoubackslap!
"
Asenat
himumbl edsomethi
ngbefore
si
tt
ingdown.Ialsosatdownnextto
herandSi vuyi
lesaydownnextt ome
l
eav i
ngachai rvacantnextt ohim.
"Goandsi ttheresisi
."Shepoi ntedat
theempt ychairnexttoSi vuy i
le.He
didn'
tevenwai tforhert ocomeand
sitnexttohim,hei mmedi atelyst ood
upandwentt osi tontheempt ychai r
nexttoAsenat hi.Sandi'
ssmi l
e
dissapperedinani nstant.

Ase:
"Hehe!
"Sheclappedonce.
"
Awuf unwasi
si!
"Shelaughedout
l
oud.

Mr
s'D:
"Si
vuy
il
eut
heni
nawena?
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mom pl
easedon'
tst
art
dr
amainthemorni
ng.
"

Ase:"
Andsanashe'
sint
hatmood
today!
"
LumkaandLul amacamei ntothe
dinni
ngroom,theywereshockedto
seeourpregnantvi
sit
or.

Lumka:
"Andt
hen?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yourmom i
nvi
tedher
."
Mr
s'D:
"Kakadeshe'
smyguest
."

Lulama:"I
nwho'shouse?Mamay ou
areonlyall
owedt oinvit
eguestsback
homenother e.Ican'tbeli
evey
ou
broughtthi
swomani sLunathi
'
s
space,howcruelcany oube?"

Mrs'
D:"
Thisisnotbei
ngcr
uel
.Ij
ust
wantLunathit
ogetusedt
othei
dea
ofhavi
ngheraround.
"

Me:
'
Hav
ingherar
ound?Wher
e?"
Mrs'
D:"
She'
smovingi
nlatertoday
.
Thi
sisherwel
comebreakfast.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Movinginyourroom
perhaps.Idon'twantherinmyhouse
mama. "

Mrs'D:"HowcanyousaythatSiv
uyi
l
e.
Thischil
disheavi
l
ypregnantshe
can'tbealone.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Exact
lywhyIam doubting
thebaby'spert
anit
y.She'
stooheav i
ly
pregnantfora6mont hspregnancy.
"
Mom:
"May
beshe'
scar
ryi
ngt
wins.
"

Lumka:
"Where'
sdad?Weneedt
o
haveadi
scussi
on.
"

Me:"
Wedon'tevenhav
etohav
ea
di
scussi
on.Thatwomani
snot
movingi
nhere."

Sandi:
"Excuseme?Thi
sisnotyour
house,
y ouareasmuchofavi
sitoras
Iam."
Lulama:"Hai
bontomabazana!Lunathi
i
sSi vuyi
l
e'swif
ewhi chmakest hi
s
herhouse.Wenay ouar ejustapass
byf uckwhounfortunatel
ygot
knockedup.Nev ereverinthi
s
l
ifetimecomparey oursel
ftoher.
"

Me:"Mywordisfinal
.She'
snot
mov i
nginher
e."Ididn'
tev
enwant
enter
tai
nthi
sfurtherbyar
gui
ng
aboutthi
s.

Mr
s'D:
"Wewi
l
lseeaboutt
hat
."

Me:
"Thatwewi
l
l.
"Ther
eisabsol
utel
y
nowayIam l
ett
inghermov
einher
e.
Wecar r
iedonwi thbr eakfast
,Mr
s
Dlamini
nandSandi wer eengagedin
thei
rownconv ersation,whil
ewere
havi
ngourownconv o.Iwonder
whereMrDl aminiis,I
'm prett
ysur
ehe
wouldhaveoutast opt othis
nonsensehappeni ngher e.
Afterbreakfastmeandt hegirl
s
cl
ear edthetableandwashed
di
shes, t
heywer ecommendi ngmeon
standingupf ormysel fagainstthei
r
mot her,
theyneverknewt heday
woul dcome.Af terwashingt he
di
shesIwentt ot akealongr el
axing
bath.Wel li
twasn' tar
elaxedbat h,
it
wasmor eofmycr yingsessi on.I
missedmypar ents, ri
ghtnowIwoul d
beont hephonecr yingandt elli
ngher
allaboutMr sDl ami ni'
sdoi ngsI 'm
sureshewoul dhav esaidsomet hing
tomakemef eel better.Ineeded
someonet ocal m medownbecauseI
wasf umi ng, Icouldn' texatyt alkto
Bontleaboutt hisbecauseIknewshe
wasgoi ngt ofuel theanger .May be
that'
swhatIneed?Anger ,may bethen
peoplewi l
lhearwhatIhav etosay
andr especti t.May beMr sDl ami ni
doesn'tr espectmyv iewsbecauseI
am alway scalm, may beIneedt oturn
thi
ngsupf orhert hatwi llsurelymake
ast atement.Igotouttheshower
quicklyanddr i
edmy sel
f,Iwrappeda
towel aroundmybodyandwentback
tother oom.Itookmyphoneandsat
downont hebedandst arteddial
ing
myf uel
.

Bont
le:
"Nana.
"

Me: "
Ausi.Thingsareescal
ati
ngin
thishouse."Ididn'
thaveti
meforthe
pleasant
ries.

Bont
le:
"Tel
lmemor e.
"Inar
rat
edthe
whol
est or
ytoher
,f
rom l
astni
ght
's
ev ent sunt i
l t
hismor ni
ng." Firstofall
babyIam superpr oudofy ouf or
standi ngupf ory oursel f,
y oul earnt
from t hebest !"Issher eall
ygoi ngto
giv eher selfcr editforthat ?"You
knowaf terthef uneralIpr omi sed
my selft hatf rom nowonIam goi ng
tobeamot hert oy oumor et hana
sist er,Ipr omi sedmy selfthatIwoul d
gui dey oui ntot her ightpat handst op
youf rom doi ngi nsanet hi
ngsl ikeI
didwhenIwasy ourage.Ipr omi sed
mysel fmat urity."OhGod!I sshe
real lyswi t
chinguponmenow?" But
nobabygi rl!Thi sonedoesn' tneed
Bont lethemot her!Thisoneneeds
Bontlethesist
er.List
en!Youneedt o
showst hisebi
tcheswho' ssisteryou
are,youcannotallowt ofakebitches
tocontrolyouinyourownhouse.
Fightbabes!Fi
ghtwhoev erwant sto
playont opofyourhead."Iknewt hat
shewasn' tgoi
ngt odisappointme.

Me:
"That
swhatIwast
hinki
ngt
oo!
"

Bontl
e:"
Iwanty outobeaBont le2.0
i
fthatpregnantbit
chdarestomov e
i
ntothathouse,showherwhaty ou
aremadeof f.RebaKoenar ona,hare
tl
wayelwekebat ho.Showthem how
savagey oucanbe.There'snoti
met o
bedeal i
ngwiththi
srati
onall
y.
Irr
ati
onallyal
lthewaybabes!!Show
them who' st
herul
erofthathouse.
Andst artwit
hthepregnantoneand
endwi ththemonsterinlaw.
"

Me:"Iheary
ousi
si.Iam goi
ngt
odo
exactl
ythat
."

Bontl
e:"
Iwanttoseehowy ouare
goi
ngt ohandlet
his.Idon'
twantt o
beinvol
vedthist
imear ound,Ist
il
l
haveani8issuetosortout."I
l
aughed."Byeboo,Iam busymar ki
ng
scr
ipt
sher
e."

Me:
"By
esi
si,
andt
hanky
ou.
"

Bontl
e:"
Don'
tdi
sappoi
ntmepl
ease
Boi
tumelo.
"

Me:"
Don'twor
ryIwon't
.Theymust
j
usttryme!Habantekabatlabona
mehlolo.
"

Bontl
e:"
That
'smygirl
!"Il
aughedthen
shehungup.Iwasfueledupand
readyf
orabatt
le.Iwasjustwai
ti
ng
f
ort
hem t
omakeamov
e,Iwasr
eady
.

"Younotr
eadyy
et.
"

Me:
"Forwhat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ourdoct
or'
sappoi
ntment
."

Me:"Idi
dn'
tknowwehadadoct
or'
s
appoint
ment.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Itol
dyoul
astni
ght
."
Me:"
HawuIt
houghty
ouwer
e
ki
ddi
ng.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iwasn'
t.Hur
ryupbaby.
"
Ther
ehegoesr ushi
ngme.Iloti
oned
mybodyt henworemycasualcl
othes.
Sizwedr ov eustothedoct or,who
happenst obeThembabyt heway.I
woul dhav etakenmyt imet odress
upi fIknewwewer ecomi ngt ohis
sur ger
y,justtoint
imidatethe
receptionistsothatsheseet hatmy
mani stakebyabeaut if
ul woman.
MyGodwhyam Iev enthinkingabout
this.
Themba:"Thecoupl
eoft
hehourhas
arr
ived.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Cent
uryy
oumean.
"

Themba: "Keepfooli
ngy ourself.
Makot iit'
ssoni cetoseey ouaf ter
suchal ongt i
me."Ihaven'tseenhi m
sinceIbr okeupwi thSivuyile,
they
wer eallthereatthefuneral butI
didn'thav eti
met osociali
sewi t
h
them." Let'sgetstr
aighttobusi ness.
"
Wesatdownandheexpl ainedt he
whol epr oceduretous,welltome
becauseSi v
uyil
eobvi
ouslyknows
everyt
hingaboutthi
s."ImustsayLuu,
Iam reall
yproudofyoufor
persuadingthi
smant ocomeand
checkhisstatus.
"

Me:"Forcedbycir
cumst ances."He
chuckledthenhenodded.Heused
thetesti
ngkitt
ot estus,healsodrew
somebl oodtotaket othelab.Wesat
ther
ef orafewmi nuteswaiti
ngf or
theresult
stocomet hr
ough.

Themba:
"Nomatterwhathappens
remembery
ourv
owst oeachother.
I
nsi
cknessandi
nheal
th.Ev
-"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Shutupdude!
"Whyishe
str
essi
ng,Imeanhesaidheuseda
condom wit
hSandimos.

Themba:"
RememberwhatIs-
"he
waslooki
ngatt
heresul
ts.

Sivuyile:"
Justgiveustheresul
ts
man! "Thembaswal l
owedt henhelet
outaheav ysi
gh.Iwasn'tner
vous
before, butseei
nghisreacti
on
towar dst heresul
tsi
smaki ngme
nervous.
Themba:"Ntwanay am.Nomat ter
yourHIVstatusIwill
alway sbeyour
fr
iend,Iwil
lbebyy i
ursideatall
ti
mesunt i
lyoudie.Ilov
ey ountwana
don'tf
orgetthat
,i
t'
snott heendofthe
world.
"OhmyGod.

Sivuyi
le:
"I
tsposi
ti
ve?"Thembal ooked
down." How?!Nothat'
simpossible.
Letmesee.Noi t'
scan'tbe."Whatthe
hell
!TosayIwasdi str
aughtwouldbe
understat
ement.Howam Igoi ngt o
staymar r
iedtoanHIVposi t
ivemen.
Itwouldhavebeenbetterifhe
cont
ract
editbef
orewemet.Themba
l
ookedatbothofusbef
oreburst
ing
outi
nlaught
er.

Themba:"OhMyGod!Yourf aces
guys,
pri
celess!Ishouldhavetakena
pi
ctur
e."What !Whatthehelli
swr ong
wit
hthisguy ."
Youar ebothnegati
ve
guys.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Fuckmarn!"Her
ubbedhi
s
handsonhisface.

Themba:
"Igotyouguy
s!Igotyou
good.
"Helaughedsomemor e.
Sivuyi
le:
"Ishoul
dbepunchi
ngy
oui
n
thefacer i
ghtnow.
"

Themba:"Notunlessyouwanttoget
avisi
tfr
om t heHRmanager."Wow!
Thembaisf ullofgamesev
enin
ser
ioussituati
ons.

Me:"Youar
esoannoy
ing.
"He
l
aughedagai
n.

Themba:
I'
m sor
ryIhadt
odoit
.I
shoul
dhavewait
edmaybeadayor
t
oobefor
egivi
ngyouyourreal
resul
ts
j
ustt
otesty
ourlov
eforeachother.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whodi edandmadey outhe
l
oveexaminer
."Helaughedagai
n.

Themba:"Onaser i
ousnoteguy syou
arebot
hHI Vpositiv
e.Butbecauseof
awindowperiod,youshoul
dcome
backagaini
n3mont hstotest.And
Luuifyoudon'tknowwhatawi ndow
peri
odis,
askyourhusbandhewi l
ltel
l
you.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Ihat
eyoubr
oh.
"
Themba:
"Youknowy
oudon'
t.
"He
l
aughedagai
n.
•
AfterThemba'svi
stwest ay edfora
bitandchatt
edwi t
hhimt henSi vuyi
le
suggestedwegooutf orlunchj ust
thetwoofus.Wehadabeaut if
ul
l
unch,overl
aughterandchat swhi l
e
stari
ngint
oeachot her'
sey es.He
apologi
sedagainforthecheat i
ng.
Afterl
unchwedr ovetoanopenv el
e
andsatinthecarandspokeabouta
wholelotofthi
ngs,i
twasr eall
yan
amazingday.Wehadt ocutourt ime
shor
tbecausehi
smom kepton
cal
li
ngforGodknowswhat.
Whenwegothomehismom was
si
tt
ingi
nthel
oungeonherown.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Andt
henmamawhat
'swi
th
thecall
s?"

Mom: "
Wherehavey
oubeen?You
weresupposedt
omeetSandiatt
he
gynecol
ogi
st2hour
sago.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"It
oldy
ouIam notgoi
ng
there.
"
Mom: "
She'
scar ryi
ngy ourbabyf
or
heavenssake."Ididn'
thavetimeto
l
istentot
his,Iwentupst rai
ghtt
omy
room.
Whatar ethesebagsandsui tcases
doingallovermyr oom?Wai ta
mi nut
e,t
hisisnotmi ne!Thi
sisthe
highestl
evel ofdi
srespect,
howdare
they.

"Gi
rl
!Theshedevi
lhasmov
-What
's
goi
ngonhere?"

Me:
"Whyar
eherbagsi
nmyr
oom?
"
Ase:"
Ididn'
tknowshemov
edi
nto
yourroom."

Me:
"Nothi
sisdi
srespectmos.
"It
ook
t
hebagsonebyone.

Ase:
"Letmehel
pyouwitht
hat
."She
car
ri
edsomeofthebags."
Whereare
wetakingt
hem?"

Me:"
Out
sidewheretheybel
ong."She
wassoexci
tedt
ohel pmewi t
hthis
j
ob.Wecarri
edthebagsall
theway
downstai
rstooutsi
deinthepati
o.
"Thenerv
eoft hi
sgir
l!Theyar
egoing
toseemet oday!
"

Ase:"
Ilov
ethenewy
ou!
!"St
upi
d
thi
ngsexcit
eher
.

Wewentont othel
oungetojoi
n
Siv
uy i
l
eandhi smom,theywerest
il
l
tal
kingaboutSandi
.Ichangedthe
channeltochannel
124andImade
suretoincr
easethevolume.

"Whataremybagsdoi ngoutsi
de?!
"
Thepregnantpengui
nshoutedall
the
wayf
rom t
hedoort
othel
ounge.

Mrs'
D:"Whatdoy
oumeant
heyar
e
out
side?"

Sandi:
"Theyar
eatthepatioaswe
speak.
"Mr sDl
amini j
umpedonthe
sofaandwentout.Iguessshewas
goingtocheckherfavour
it
edaught
er
i
nlaw'sbags.
Fewmi nut
eslatershewalkedinwit
h
twobodyguardscar r
yingt
hem,she
order
edthem togoandputt hem i
n
themasterbedroom.
Me:"
Soyouar
etheonewhotol
dthi
s
onetomovei
ntoMYroom?"

Sandi:
"Youaret
heonewhot
hrewmy
cl
othesout?
!"

Me:
"Whatwer
etheydoi
ngi
nmy
r
oom?"

Mrs'
D:"
That'
swhereshe'
ssupposed
tosl
eep.Sheneedsacomfor
tabl
e
bed.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mama!Whatdi
dIsayabout
hermov
ingi
nher
?!"Hel
ookedangr
y.

Mr
s'D:
"I
-"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Nomamamar n!
!Whycan' t
yourespectmywife'
sdecisi
ons?!
HaynoI '
vehaditwit
hyouratti
tude
mom!I tendst
oday!Where'sdad?"

Ase:
"He'
sattheof
fi
ce.Heshoul
dbe
backsoont
hough.
"

Mom:"
Sivuy
il
e,whoareyout
alki
ng
t
ooli
kethat?
!I'
my our
mot
her
,nonsense!
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youarenotbehavi
nglikea
motherr
ightnow!Iwantheroutof
myhouse."

Mrs'
D:"
Wher
ei sshesupposedt
ogo?
I
t'
salr
eadyl
ate."

Si
v uy
ule:"
Figur
eitout!Bookheri
ntoa
hotelorsomething.Thi
sisyi
ur
probl
em notmi ne!"

Mr
s'D:
"Ar
eyour
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
odot
hat
t
othemot
herofy
ourchi
l
d?!
"

Ase:
"Youhear
dhi
m."

Mrs'
D:"Wellshe'
snotgoing
anywher
e.Ifanyonehasapr obl
em
wit
hthat,
there'
sthedoor,
theycan
l
eave.
"Sivuyi
lesighed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Babyl
et'
sgo.
"

Me:
"t
owher
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Tot
hehot
el.Wewi
l
lsor
t
t
hisoutt
omor
row.
"Ohhel
lno!

Me:"Iam notsavi
ngmyhouse
becauseofher!Never!"Ist
oodup
abruptl
yfrom t
hecouchandr anupto
myr oom."Bayanyel
a!"Herclothes
werereall
youtsi
demyr oom.

Ase:"Whatarewegoi ngtodonow? "I

tookonesui t
caseandwentt ot he
guestbathroom,Iempt i
editoutin
thebathtub.Asenathiwasal r
eady
behindmewi thanotherone,shealso
empt i
editout.Wedidthesamet hing
withtheothersunt
ilall
herher
cl
otheswer ei
nt her
e."Thi
sisso
excit
ing.
"Iwasf umingwit
hanger,
all
I
couldseewasr ed!Ifi
ll
edthebat
htub
withwater.

Me:"Ineedbleach."Sheranoutofthe
bathroom andcamebackaf ew
secondslaterwith3lit
ersofji
k.I
start
edpour i
ngalltheji
kint
othe
bathtub."
Mor e!
"

Ase:
"Wher
eisi
t?"

Me:
"Gochecki
ntheki
tchenwhere
wekeept
hesoap.
"Sheranoutagai
n.
Theyshouldn'
thavepushedmet o
thi
sli
mit.SomehowIf eltli
keIhad
l
ostcompl et
econtr
ol ofmysense, I
wasangryandIwant edt odestr
oy.
Asenat
hi camebackrunni ngagai
n.

Ase: "
Hur r
yshe' sont hewaywi thher
teammat e.
"Idon' tknowhowI
managedt olaughatt hat .Ipoured
thejikagain,thenIstar tedmi xi
ngthe
clothes."Theyar egoi ngt ot aketi
me
together e,t
hehi ppoi st akingsmal l
steps."Isatont hebat htuband
waitedf orthem.
Fewmi
nut
esl
atert
heywal
kedi
n,
the
fi
rstt
hingtheysawwasanempt
y
hi
m bottl
einmyhand.

Mrs'
D:"Whatdidyoudoy
oui
l
l
manneredchi
ld?!
"

Sandi
:
"No!No!No!Mycl
othes!
"She
washyst
eri
cal
.

Mrs'
D:"
Arey
oucr
azy
!!
"Sandi
scr
eamed.

"
What
'sgoingonhe-ohhh!
"Hesaw
t
hecl
othesandthej
ik.
Sandi
:"
allofthisbecauseofaman?!
Wowy ouar ereal
lychi-awwwww!"
Shescreamedi nagony ."
Ithi
nkt
he
babyi
scomi ng.
"

Ase:
"Haydon'
tli
ent
ombazanendi
ni.
I
t'
stooearl
y."

Sandi:
"I
'm notl
y-awwwwawwww!
He'scoming!"

Mrs'
D:"
Okaycal
m down,
breat
hinand
out
."Shel
ookedatme."Canyousee
whaty ouhav edoneyoudevi
l'
schil
d!
Nowam goi ngtohaveaprematur
e
grandchil
d!"Sandiscr
eamedagain.
"Si
vuyil
egett hecar.
"

Ase:
"Mxm.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Aibo!
"
Mr sDlami
ninkeptondoi
ngthe
breathi
ngexerci
seswi
thher
,she
screamedonemor eti
methenwe
heardasplash!

Sandi
:
"Mywat
erj
ustbr
oooooooke!
!"
Ohshi
t!

Mrs'
D:"Callanambulancemarn!
!"I
qui
cklyrushedouttogogetmy
phone!Whathav eIdonedearLord.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Imightpostani
nsertt
omorrow
becauseIdon'
tthi
nkIwil
lbe
avai
labl
eonTuesday.
SORRYFORTHEDELAY
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t71
•
•
•
•
•
ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Sandiwasrushedintothedel
ivery
room andi
nthemi dstofherpains
shewasabletoblantat
lyref
usef or
theQueentobepresentinthe
del
i
ver
yroom.
Mr sDl amini
'sst areswer ebeingt oo
muchf orLunat hi,shewasmadand
pissedof fatherbecausei nhermi nd
Lunat hiwast obl amef orwhatwas
happeni ng.I
fLunat hihadn'tdecided
tofightSandi '
smov et hennoneof
thiswoul dbehappeni ngr i
ght
now, that'
swhatshet hought .The
hateshehadf orLunat hiwassl owl y
brewi ngupinsi deher,shedi dn'
tlike
her,shedidn'tlikehowper fectshe
was, shedidn'tlikethef actthatev en
theancest orsbowt oher ,shedi dnot
l
iket hefactthatshei sanor dinary
chosenonewhi l
eLunat hiisthe
specialkind.Year sagowhenshe
wast hechosenoneshewashappy
andsat isfiedwi thherposi t
ion.That
wasunt i
l shef oundoutt hattherear e
twoki ndsofchosenones, shepr ayed
andhopedt obet hespecialonel ike
thegreatgr andmaMmaDl amini,but
allt
hatwasi nv ain.Whenshef ound
outthatLunat hiwast hespecial
chosenone, shelosthermi nd.She
wassoy oungy etshepossessed
suchgr eat ness,gr eat
nessthatshe
hasenv iedf orhalfherlif
e.Herenv y
developedi ntohat redforLunathi.
Shewant edt oseeLunat hihurt,
that's
whyshewant edSandi t
omov einand
getmarri
edtoherson,
sothatshe
canseeLunathihur
twhenevershe
seesthem pl
ayi
nghappyfamily
.
Asmuchasshewasangr ythatthe
babycameear l
y,
shewasalsohappy
ontheothersi
de.Thismeantthat
theycanspeedupt hemar
ri
age
processandshewasgoingtohav e
herfir
stgr
andchil
d.

Mr s'
D:"Thisisal
lyourfault.That
childbettermakeitorelsewear e
goingt ohaveaproblem. "Lunathi
didn'tpayanymindt oher ,
shewas
panicking.Shewaswor riedthatthe
babymighthavecompli
cati
onsince
i
twasa6mont hspr
egnancy.She
bl
amedher sel
fandshedidn'
tli
ke
howshewentaboutthewhol e
si
tuat
ion.
Herphonevi
bratedi
nherpocket
,i
t
washerhusband.

Lunat
hi:
"Hey
."Shesai
dinr
aspyv
oice.

Siv
uyil
e:"Wher
ear
eyou?
"Hesai
dina
seri
oustone.

Lunat
hi:
"Whatdoy
oumeanwher
e
am I
?YousawIleftwi
thy
ourmom
fort
hehospi
tal
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?"

Lunathi
:"Yourmi st
ressi
saboutto
gi
vebi r
thtoy ourprematur
ebaby
becauseofme! !Youshoul
dalsobe
here!
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Lunat
hi,I'
m goi
ngtosaythi
s
once.Getyour
selfbackher
e."He
hungup.Lunathihadnochoicebutt
o
obeyherhusband.
Lunat
hi:
"MahIhav
et ogobackhome.
Youwill
befi
neony ourownri
ght
?"

Mrs'D:
"HambaKakade,Idon'tev
en
knowwhaty oucameher efor
becausethi
sisall
yourfaul
t."

Lunathi:
"Whydoy ousuddenl
yhate
memah? "TheQueenj ustl
ookedat
her.Lunathigat
herherhersel
fand
l
eftthewai t
ingroom.
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Iwassi tt
inginthel
oungewi t
hmy
sist
er'
swai ti
ngformywi fetor etur
n.
Lunathiistooniceforherown
good,therewasabsol ut
elynor eason
forhertogot othehospitalwithmy
mom andSandi ,
shecouldhav e
stayedher eathomewi ththerestof
us.Asenat hiwasfi
ll
inginmysi st
ers
aboutwhatt ranspi
redwhi l
ethey
werenother e.

Lumka:"Iam st
il
lshockedthat
Lunat
hi soakedal
lSandi'
sclot
hesi
n
bl
each."Sheclappedonce.
Lulama:"IwishIsawev ery
thing,
nowI
hav etorelyonAsenat hi'
sdramatic
storytel
li
ng.I'
m sureitwasnotas
extremeasshemadei toutt o
be,Lunathiiswaytoor eservedtodo
allofthat.Maybey ouar etheone
whosaokedt heclothes"

Ase:"
Iam tel
li
ngy ousi
si.Itwasal
l
Lunathi
,mnaIwasj ustan
accomplicehel
pingwher eIcoul
d."

Lumka:
"Thepoorgi
rli
sti
red.Ial
ways
knewshehadthatMokoenacrazy
bonei
nher
."

Lul
ama:
"Yourmom pushedhert
oo
far
."

Ase: "
Itwasasifshewaspossessed.
Ifeltli
keaproudmot herwatchi
ng
herdest r
oyall
thewitch'
s
belongings.
"Theylaughed.
Lunathir
eall
ysurpri
sedmetoday,
I
di
dn'texpectthatki
ndofr
eacti
on
fr
om her.
Mydadwalkedinwhi
leweweresti
l
l
t
alki
ngaboutt
heeventsoft
oday
.
Dad:
"andt
henwhat
'swi
tht
henoi
se?
Where'
smywif
e?"

Ase:
"Hospi
tal
."

Dad:
"What
?Whathappenedt
oher
?"
Hewasinful
lpani
cmode.

Ase:"
Nothingi
swr ongwith
her
,Sandi
'swaterbroke.
"

Dad:
"Herwat
erbr
okeat6mont
hs?
"
Me: "
Askagai ndad."Iwasal r
eady
suspiciousofSandi'spr egnancy,but
aftertodaymysuspi cionswer e
confir
med.Thebabywasn' tmi ne,I
don'tknowhowshet houghshewas
goingt ofoolmeknowi ngv er
ywel l
thatIam aqual i
fi
eddoct or,
she
playedher sel
f.

Dad:
"Where'
sL-ahhther
esheis.
"She
l
ookeddist
raught
."What
'swr
ong
nt
ombam? "

Ase:"Hehl
o!Kal
okushe'
stheone
responsi
blef
orSandi
'
swater
breaking."Shelaughed."Myf ri
end
ndiyakuv umashem!Youar eat op
dog, y
oumakepeopl ebei nlabour
ri
ghtont hespot.
"Shelaughedagai n.
Lunathi didn'
tfi
ndthatfunny,she
di
dn'tlookgood.

Me:"
areyouokay.
"Sheshookher
headbef
oresit
ti
ngdownnexttome.

Dad:
"Ngat
hiImi
ssedoutonal
ot.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Yourmom hatesmeandI
don'
tknowwhatiti
st hatIdidt
oher.
SheblamesmeSandi '
searlybi
rt
h."
Me:"Youdi
dn'tdoanythi
ngtohermy
l
ove.Andnothingisy
ourfaul
t,
Sandi
wasboundtogi v
ebirt
h."

Lunat
hi:
"Butnott
hisear
ly.
"

Me:"
Herwaterbrokemyl ov
e,which
meansshehadr eachedherful
lterm
ofpr
egnancy.Thebabyisnotmi ne.
"

Lunat
hi:
"What
?How?
"

Ase:
"I
tmeanshewasal
ready
pregnantwhenshesl
-shegotwi
th
bhuti
."

Lunat
hi:
"Soshe'si
nlabourbecause
shewasstressedout?"

Me:
"No.
"

Dad:
"Wai
t!Sowher
eismywi
fe?
"

Lunathi:
"Shest
il
lbel
i
ev est
hatSandi
i
spr egnantwit
hhergrandchi
l
d."

Lumka:
"Letmecal
lherandt
ell
her
."
Dad:
"No,
letherf
indoutonherown.
"

Lulama:"
Butdadthewai t
ingrooms
arecol
despecial
lyatnight.Mom i
s
goingtospendhoursthere."

Dad:
"Sheneedst
olear
nherl
esson.
"

Ase:"
Andshedoestat
a!Shewant
ed
Sanditomovei
ntoLunat
hi'
s
room,i
magi
ne!"

Dad:
"Shedi
dwhat
?"
Ase:
"Yes!That
'swhyLunathi
bl
eachedtheshedevi
l'
sclothes.
"

Dad:"St
artf
rom thebegi nni
ngmy
chil
d,Iwantt oheart hewholest or
y."
Utshokuba?Asenat hiisalways
wil
li
ngtof i
l
l peopleinwi thstor
ies.
Shetolddadexact lywhathappened.
"Whatisgoingonwi thmywi fe?"

Lul
ama: "
That
swhatIwouldalsoli
ke
toknow.Umamahassuddenl y
changed,
especi
all
ytowar
dsLunathi
.I
don'
tunderst
andherbehavi
our.
"
Lumka:
"Ther
emustbear
eason.
"

Dad:"Thatwon'
tjust
if
yherbehaviour
.
She'
sar oyalwi
fe,achosenonefor
goodnesssakeshe'snotsupposed
tobebehav i
ngthi
sway .
"

Lumka:
"She'
slosi
ngher
sel
f.
"

Me:"MnaIwanthertogobackhome
fi
rstt
hingtomorr
ow.Mywi f
ecannot
beuncomfortabl
einherown
home,she'
sgoingthr
oughalotasi
t
i
sshedoesn'tneedmom addi
ngont
o
herst
ress.
"

Lul
ama:"Iagr
ee.Shedoesn'
thav
eto
wai
tforFri
day.
"

Dad:
"I
'l
ltal
ktoherassoonasshe
get
sbackhere.
"
○
Thenightwentbyandmymom was
sti
ll
notbackf rom t
hehospital
,Idon'
t
knowwhatherobsessi onwithSandi
i
s?It'
snotl i
keshe'sabouttohave
herfi
rstgrandchi
ld,
ift
hatwast he
casemay beIwoul dunderst
andwhy
she'
sact
ingl
i
ket
his.

Lunat
hi:
"Mor
ning.
"Iki
ssedher
for
ehead

Me:
"Mor
ningbaby
."

Lunat
hi:
"Yourmom i
sst
il
latt
he
hospi
tal
?"

Me:"
Ithi
nkso.Ihav
en'
tcal
l
edheras
yet
."

Lunat
hi:
"Ineedt
ogopr
epar
e
br
eakf
ast
."

Me:
"I
t'
sst
il
lear
lyl
ove.
"

Lunathi
:
"Noit
'snot
,I'
m pr
ett
ysur
e
yourdadisawakenow."

Me:
"I
ftheyarehungr
ytheywi
llmake
t
hemselvessomethi
ngtoeat
."

Lunat
hi:
"Ar
en'
tyouhungr
y?"

Me:
"Ihav
emyfoodrighther
e."Isai
d
i
naseducti
vev
oicewhil
esqueezing
hert
ight
.

Lunathi
:"
That
'smyquetogetup!
"
Shejumpedoffthebedandr
ushedt
o
thebathr
oom.
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Iri
nsedmyf aceandbr ushedmy
teet
h.Ihadtor unawayf r
om that
hornymani nthere,
yesterdayIturned
him downwhenhewant edt osl
eep
withevennowIam t urni
nghi m down.
Idon'tknowhowl ongitwillt
akeme
tobecomf ort
ableenought ohav e
sexwit
hhim agai
n,Ijustdon'tf
eel
comfor
tabl
easy et-Idon'tknowwhy.
Iwentbacktother
oom andchanged
i
ntomydr esst
henIwentdownstai
rs.
Mam'Luvowasi
ntheki
tchen
pr
epari
ngfoodf
orChul
u.

Me:
"She'
sawakeal
ready
?"

Mam' Luv
o:"
Yes,
shejustwokeup.
"I
grabbedthei
ngr
edientsIwasgoi
ng
toneedformybreakfast
.

Me:
"shesl
eptl
atel
astni
ght
."
Mam'
Luvo:
"I
twasexci
tement.She
wasr
eal
l
yhappytoseeyou."

Me:"Awwmycr awli
ngpr i
ncess.She's
growingupsof ast,
it'
sonlyamat t
er
oftimebefor
eshest ar
tswalkingand
breaki
ngeverysinglethi
nginthi s
house.Idon'
tthinkIam readyf or
that.
"Welaughed.

Mam'Luv
o:"
That
'swher
ey ouwil
l
hav
etostar
tenf
orci
ngdisci
pli
ne.
"
Me:
"Li
kebeather
?"Shel
aughed.

Mam' Luvo:"
Noofcoursenot.Justbe
ster
nwheny outel
lherno,
andy our
faci
alexpressi
onhavetorelaya
messaget oherthat'
swhatmostki ds
understand.
"

Me:"
Iyoh.Iam real
l
ycl
uel
esswheni
t
comest okids.
"

Mam'Luvo:
"Noyounot
.Youarea
nat
ural
.YouknowwhenIfi
rstcame
her
e,It
houghtyouwer
eChulu's
mother
,youlov
ehersoeff
ort
lessl
y
anditshowsi
nthewayy
oulookat
herandhowmuchyoucaref
orher
."I
smil
ed.

Me:"
WhatcanIsay,
thatchil
dhas
gi
venmesleepl
essnightssi
nceshe
wasjustamont
hold."Shelaughed.
Icarri
edonwi ththebreakfast
makingwhi l
eshewast el
li
ngmeal l
aboutmot herhood,Manxelealso
j
oineduswi thChul uandtheybot h
gavemeadv i
cesonwhatt odoand
whatnott odo, Iwasreal
lyenjoying
thetalkbecauseIwasl earni
ngso
muchf rom whatt heyweretel
lingme.
•
TheQueenonl ycamebackhomean
houraf t
erwehadbr eakf
ast,she
di
dn'tlooksogood.I fshehadahear t
Iwoul dsayshewascr yi
ngher
eyeballsout,
butsinceshe'sthecol
d
persont hatsheisIwillj
ustsay
may beshehasapr oblem withher
eyes,becausetheywer eredandpuffy
.

Ase:
"Awwwdabsthedabs!Howare
youf
eeli
ngi
nthi
sbeauti
fulmor
ning.
"

Mrs'
D:"NotnowAsenat
hi,
Iam noti
n
t
hemood. "Herv
oicewaslow.
Ase:"
Ohwhy?Whathappenedt
omy
fav
ourit
eaunt
?"

Mr
s'D:
"Isai
dnotnowdammi
t!
!"

Mr'
D:"Youwi l
lnotcomebackfrom
whereveryoucamef r
om andscream
atachild.What'
swrongwithy
ou? "

Mr
s'D:
"Buch-
"

Mr'
D:"
Uvel
aphi
?(Wher
edoy
oucome
f
rom?)"
Mr
s'D:
"Di
dn'
ttheyt
ell
you?
"

Mr'
D:"
I'
m aski
ngy
ou.Wher
edoy
ou
comefrom?"

Mr
s'D:
"Iwasatt
hehospi
tal
."

Mr'
D:"
Why?Wazi
bani
apho?
(whodo
youknowt
her
e?)
"

Mr
s'D:
"Sandi
wa-
"
Mr'
D:"
Tshi
nmadoda!Youknow
Sandi
?"

Mr
s'D:
"Letmeexpl
aint
atabo.
"

Mr
'D:
"Expl
ainIam l
i
steni
ng.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Sandiwasaboutt ogi
vebirt
h,I
pani
ckedthi
nkingthati
twasgoingto
beaprematurebabysoIhadt orush
hert
othehospital
.
"

Mr'
D:"
Thenwhydi
dn'
tyoucomeback
af
terdr
oppi
ngherof
f?"
Mrs'D:
"Iwaswait
ingforhertogiv
e
bi
rthsothatIcanseemygr andson.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yourgr
andson?Hehe
umama!"

Mr'
D:"
Sodidyouseeyourgr
andson.
"
Hemadeinvert
edcomason
gr
andson.

Mr
s'D:
"Yes.
"

Mr
'D:
"Andwhatdoy
out
hinkofhi
m?"
Mr
s'D:
"He.
..
uhm.
..
.she.
..
I.
..
"

Mr
'D:
"Tal
k!"

Mrs'
D:"
It
'sact
uall
yasheandshe'
s
notour
s."Lowtone

Mr
'D:
"Whatwast
hat
?"

Mr
s'D:
"She'
snotourTat
a."

Mr
'D:
"Soy
oul
etmesl
eepal
onet
o
seesomerandom str
angergiv
ebi
rth
toanot
herrandom st
ranger
?Does
thatmakesensetoyou?"

Mr
s'D:
"I
'm sor
ryTat
a."

Mr'
D:"Whatdi dItell
youabout
i
nvol
vingyourselfintheki
ds'
matt
ers?"Shekeptqui et
."Thet
a!"
Youwouldswearhewast al
ki
ngto
oneofhiskids.

Mrs'
D:"YousaidIshouldn'
ti
nvol
ve
mysel
f.Ishoul
dwai tf
orthem t
o
cometome. "
Mr'
D:"UzeumemeuSandi,
didtheyask
youtodothat
?"Sheshookherhead.
"
Ididn'
tknowImarri
edamut e."

Mr
s'D:
"No.
"

Mr'D:
"YouknowIshoul dn'tbedoing
thi
sinfr
ontoftheki ds,butIwi l
l.So
tel
lmemydar l
ingwi fe,
howdi dyou
fi
ndoutthatthebabywasnotour s?
Bytheway,weal lknewt hatthekid
wasn'taDlamini.Idon'tknowwhat
bli
ndedyou."
Mr
s'D:
"Iwasexci
ted.
"

Mr'
D:"Aboutagr andchi
l
d?Youhav e
twoalreadysowhat '
ssospeci
al
aboutthisone?"Shekeptqui
et."
Heh!
So..
.Youwer etell
ingmeabouthow
youfoundout .
"

Mrs'D:"
Uhm IfoundoutwhenIasked
thedoctorifeveryt
hingwasokay
withthebabysi ncehe'
sapr emature,
shesaidthebabywascar riedtofull
ter
mi twasnotapr emature."Icould
hearthedisappointmentinherv oice.
Mr '
D:"
Whatwer eyouhopingto
achievebybri
ngingthatgi
rli
ntot
his
houseandmov i
ngherintoMakot
i'
s
room? "Shekeptqui
et.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwoul
dal
sol
i
ket
oknow.
"

Mr '
D:"Didyout hi
nkLunathiwas
goingtopackupandl eave?Didyou
actuall
ystopf orasecondand
thoughtaboutwhatt hiswasgoingto
dot omyki ngdom?Ory ouwere
bli
ndedbyy ourhatef
orLunathi?
"

Mr
s'D:
"Idon'
that
eLunat
hi!
"
Lul
ama:"
Thenwhyisitthaty
ouwent
outofy
ourwaytoprovokeher?
"

Mrs'
D:"I
'
mr eal
lysorryTata.Ij
ust
want
edhert oacceptthechil
dand
t
hemar r
iage.
"

Mr'
D:"Thesamechi
l
dwho'
sagi
rl
andnotours?
"

Mr
s'D:
"Idi
dn'
tknowt
hatbackt
hen.
"

Mr
'D:
"May
beIshoul
dgetanot
her
womanpr egnantandt akeherasmy
secondwi fe,I
'm sur
ey ouwillf
or gi
ve
veeyquicklyandmov e
on,consi
der i
nghowy ouareacting
towardsLunat hi.
"Sheshookher
head."Uyala?Ijustassumedt hat
sinceyouwant edLunat hit
ofor giv
e
andf or
getmay beyouwoul dalsodo
thesamei fthet hetabl
eswer e
turned.
"

Mr
s'D:
"I'
mtr
ulysor
ryTat
a."

Mr'
D:"
Im nottheonewhoy oushoul
d
beapol
ogisi
ngto."Shel
ookedatme.
Mrs'
D:"
Im sor
ry.
"Thatwasn'
tsi
ncer
e
atal
l
.

Mr'
D:"Toolatedear,yoursonhas
al
readykickedusoutofhi shouse.
Goandpacky ourbagswear e
l
eavingsoon."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Isai
dmom,
noty
oudad.
"

Mr'
D:"
Iknowson.Ican'
tl
ethergo
al
one,asmuchasshewaswr ong
shei
sstil
lmywif
e,Ihavetobewit
h
heratal
lti
mes.
"Howcut
eist
hat
?

Mrs'D:
"Si
vuy
il
eyouareki
cki
ngmeour
becauseofonel
it
tl
emist
ake?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Itmi
ghthav ebeenli
tt
leto
you,
nottome.Thiswhi l
esit
uati
on
j
ustprovedwherey ourl
oyal
ti
eslie.
Andifyouareagainstmywife,
that
meansy ouareagainstmetoo."

Mrs'D:"
Iam notagai nstany
one.Iwas
wrong, Iam sorr
y.Itwil
lneverhappen
again.Imadeami stakeoftrust
inga
str
anger ,
I'
mr eal
lysorry.
"
Sivuyule:
"Youbarel
yknewSandi ,
but
themi nuteshecri
edpregnancyyou
wer equicktoj
umpt oherside.Which
makesmewonderwhaty ouwould
doi fsomeoneelsecameher eand
saidIshotthem."

Mrs'
D:"
Thosear
etwodi
ff
erent
t
hings.
"

Sivuy
ile:
"Aretheymah?Ar ethey?I
toldyouthatSandi'
sbabywasnot
mine,butyouinsi
stedthatIshoul
d
takeresponsi
bili
tyfori
ttoavoid
drama, Ididthat.Herwat erbrokein
frontofyou,whichclearlyshowst hat
herpregnancywasf ul
lter m,y
oust i
ll
didn'
tbelievethatinst
eady ou
i
nsul t
edmywi fe.I
nwhi chwor ldi
s
thagaccept abl
e? "

Mrs'
D:"I
'
m sor
rymyson.
"Si
vuyi
le
j
ustshookhi
sheadandl
ookedaway
.

Mr'D:"
Idon'tunder
standthepeopleof
thi
sfamily.Onedecidestoquither
j
obf ornoreason,t
heotherhasleft
herhusband.Ont heotherhandwe
haveacheat erwhowant smulti
ple
ki
dsandf i
nal l
ythemot herwhohates
herdaught erinlaw.Thi sisone
messedupf amily,
andify oudon'
tfi
x
yourselvesy ouwillgetintoawhole
l
otoft rouble."Wait!Lulamalefther
husband?" Khawut hindi hambemna
mnat anakaZi zi
."Hest oodupandl ef
t
usinawkwar dsil
ence.

Ase:"
Uhm Nathi
,Ithi
nkweshouldgo
andstartwi
thourschool
wor k.
"She
wasgoingtohelpmecatchupwi th
al
ltheschoolworkI'
vemissedinthe
past2weeks.Ihadtobeprepared
becausetomorr
owIwasof fi
cial
ly
goingbacktoschool
.
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Me:"What'
shappeningt
oy ou
mama? "Iwasreal
lyconcernedabout
herbehavi
our.

Mom:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Lumka: "Youarechangi
ng.What
happenedt ooursweetl
oving
Bhelekazi?"

Lul
ama:
"Theat
ti
tudey
ouar
egi
vi
ng
Lunathii
sdifferentfr
om howy ou
werewheny ouf i
rstmether.Youare
tr
eati
nghert heexactsamewayy ou
tr
eatedThandi we,andthat
'snotfair
becauseshei snot hi
ngli
ke
Thandiwe."

Mrs'
D:"
Idi
dn'
treal
i
seIwasbei
ng
awful
toher.
"

Lumka:"Wellnowy ouknow.You
needtochangey ouratti
tudemah, t
he
poorgir
ljustl
osthermom, she
doesn'
tneedamonst eri
nl aw.If
anyt
hingsheneedsamot her
fi
gur
e,sothatshedoesn'tfeelt
he
emptyspacehermom l eftinher
hear
t.
"Sheslowlynodded.

Mr s'
D:"
Ihearyou.Iwi
ll
apologi
seto
Lunathi
,Iwil
lmakeituptoher,I
promise.Iwil
lchangemyatti
tude.
"

Me:
"That
'sal
lIam aski
ngf
or.
"

Mrs'D:
"Ar
eyoust
il
lki
cki
ngmeout
?"I
chuckl
ed.

Me:
"No,
youcanst
ay.
..
.pr
ovi
dedt
hat
y
oumaket
hingsr
ightwi
thmywi
fe.
"

Mom:
"Ipr
omi
sey
ouIwi
l
l.
"

Lumka:
"SohowdoesThandi
we'
ski
d
l
ookli
ke?"

Mom:
"Don'
taskmeaboutt
hatwi
tch.
"

Lul
ama:"awwwyouar
ecall
i
ngy our
newfr
iendawit
chnow?"Welaughed.

Mom:"Iwaswrongfort
rust
ingt
hat
gi
rl
.Shereal
l
yplayedme."
Lul
ama:"
Servesyouri
ght.You'
veonly
knowherforafewdaysandalready
yougav
ehery ourf
ull
trust
."

Mom: "
Nxah!Ican' tbel
ieveher .You
knowIwal kedintothatnur sery
l
ookingforwar dtoseeat inydar k
warri
or.Onlytobemetbyadoct or
tel
li
ngmewhatshet ol
dme.When
shetoldmeaboutt hebabybei ng
bornont i
me, Ithoughay ynot hat
meansSi vuyil
elongstarted
slwwpungwi ththisgir
l.Shel edmet o
thenursery!Yoh!Sheshowedt he
pi
nkestbabyever!Shewaschubby
andpink,
herhairdearLor
d!"

Lumka:
"Whatabouti
t?"

Mom: "I
tjusthaveitawayt hagt he
fatheri
snotbl ack.I
'
v eneverbeenso
disappoint
edandhur t
,Il
it
er al
l
ycr ied.
Thedoct orthoughtitwast earsof
j
oy ,
kantinoIwashur tbecauset hat
witchplayedme. "

Lulama:"nawemamauy
azi
thanda
i
zintoyeer.(
Youar
esof
owardmom)"
Wel aughed.
Mom:"Fr
om nowon,
Iam donewit
h
i
nvol
vi
ngmy sel
finy
ourbusi
ness.
"

Lumka:"
Wewi l
lseeaboutt
hat
.You
areal
waysthefi
rstper
sontoj
ump
i
ntoourbusi
ness."

Mom:"pl
usIsti
ll
hav
etheLul
amaand
Ler
ekosit
uati
ontoj
umpint
o."

Lul
ama:"Hayhaymama.There'
sno
needforthat
.I'
m agrownwoman,
I
canhandlemybusiness.
"
Mom:"
Howwhenyouarehere
i
nst
eadofaty
ourhousewi
thyour
f
amil
y.
"

Lul
ama:
"I'
mtaki
ngabr
eakmama.
"

Mom:"Abreaki
namarri
age?Heh!
Sokhesi
bone?(
Weshall
see.
)Don't
comebackcryi
ngher
ewhenhef i
nds
hi
mselfanewwoman."

Lul
ama:"Overmydeadbody
!Ler
eko
i
smi ne,
andmineal
one!He'
snot
goi
ngt
ofi
ndany
bodynew.
"

Lumka:
"Psy
choal
ert
."

Lul
ama:"
andIwill
goonfullpsy
cho
modeifhedarestol
ookatanother
woman,l
etal
onetouchher
e.
Kungany
iwa!
"

Mom:
"Gobackt
oyourman!
"

Lul
ama:"Vel
eIam leavi
ngtomor
row.
No,
infactl
etmel eavet
oday.
"I
l
aughed.t
hethoughtofLer
ekowit
h
anotherwomanistheonethatmade
hercutherbr
eakshort
."I
'
m goingto
pack."Shest
oodupandleft.

Myphoner
angi
nmypocket
.

Me:
"Luzuko.
"

Luzuko:
"Heyman.Ihavet
heguys
overheref
oraminicel
ebr
ati
on,
you
shouldcomethr
ough."

Me:
"Whatar
ewecel
ebr
ati
ng?
"
Luzuko:
"Carl
os'gi
rl
fr
iendgav ebi
rt
h
toahealthybabygi
rllastni
ght.
"

Me:"
Ohwow, congr
atul
ati
onst
ohi
m.
I
'l
lbether
einanhour .
"

Luzuko:"Al
ri
ghtseeyouthen.Ohh
andbringyourfri
ends,
notyourwi
fe
though."Il
aughedatthat
.Wehung
up.
Itextedmyboy sonwhatappabout
theinvit
ati
on.

Lumka:
"Andt
hen?
"
Me:
"ani
nvi
tat
iont
oacel
ebr
ati
on.
"

Lumka:
"Whatki
ndofcel
ebr
ati
on?
"

Me;"
Khayekeukuthandai
ndaba(st
op
l
ikenews)youarenotmywi f
e."

Lumka:
"Mxm!
"
Idi
dn'tknowCar l
osont hatpersonal
l
evel,
butIwasdef i
nit
elygoingtothat
cel
ebrati
on.Ihaven'
tbeenouti na
ver
yv er
ylongtime,Ineedt hi
s.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t72
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Luzuko'
shousei
sver
ybeaut
if
ul,
i
fI
wasawomanIwoul dbewalking
aroundt akingat ourandt aki
ngnote
ofev erydet ai
lofthatIli
ke.ButIam
nother et oadmi r
et heplace,I
'
m here
tocel ebratesomeonebecomi nga
fatherandt oalsohav ef
unwi ththe
guy s.Lunathididn'tevenpay
attentiontomewhenIt oldherIwas
l
eav ingforLuz uko'shouse,shewas
toof ocusedonherschool work.
Theguyswer ealr
eadyinthemiddle
ofthecel
ebrati
onwhenwear rived,
I
greet
edeveryonethenItookabeer
fr
om thecoolerboxbeforesi
tt
ing
down.
Me:"
Car
los,
congr
atulat
ionsont
he
f
ir
stbor
n."Hesmiled.

Carl
os:
"Danki
eMahsekind.
"Car
los
hasadeepcolour
edaccent
.

Lungani
;"
Sowhereist
hebaby
mama? "That
'sdumbquest
ion

Me:"She'
sobv
iousl
yst
il
latt
he
hospit
al.
"

Lungani
:"
Ohyeah.I
ssheal
so
col
oured?"
Carlos:"
nomybr uh.Idon'
tdate
colouredgirl
s,Istil
lval
uemyl i
fe."We
l
aughed." She'
sbl ackandshe'snot
reall
ymygi rl
fri
end,she'
sjust
someoneIgetwi t
hfrom ti
met otime
whenIneedt orelease.Unfor
tunatel
y
Iforgottouseacondom onceand
nowher ewear e."Wel aughedagain

Luzuko:"Youhavedaught
er
now,there'
snothi
ngunfor
tunat
e
aboutthat.
"

Car
los:
"I
tisi
fhermot
heri
sthat
l
ooney
."

Themba:
"Looney
?"

Car
los:
"She'
sfucki
ngcr
azy
."

Me:
"Whydoyoukeepongoi
ngback
t
oher?
"Hechuckl
ed.

Carlos:"Sheknowsherbusi ness
undert hesheets."Weal l
cheered
whilelaughing."Mybr as,
she'sthe
bestI'veeverhadt hat'
swhyIkeepon
goingbackt oher .Butshe'sapsycho
t
hat
'sal
lIam goi
ngt
osay
."

Ayanda:
"Andhereyouarehavi
nga
babywit
ht hesamepsycho.
"

Carl
os:"Ican'
tbeli
eveIam now
boundt oherforli
fe.Whowant sust
o
exchangel i
ves?ButIwil
ltakemy
daughterwithmeofcour se."We
l
aughed.
●
Igothomev er
ylatelastni
ght,
Lunathiwasal
readyasleep.Today
wasaMondayandIhaddeci dedt
o
gotot heof
fi
ce,Ineedtocheckon
thef amilybusi nessj usttoseei f
every t
hinghasbeengoi ng
well,
especi all
ywi tht heDur ban
projectsi nceI'
mt heonewhol anded
i
t.Ev ent houghmydadhasbeen
checki ngont heof f
icesi ncehe's
here,butIst il
lneedt ogoandcheck
onitmysel fj
ustt oal soseeoft he
i
nter i
m CEOi sdoi ngagoodj ob.

"
Morni
ng."Herangel
i
cvoi
cewar
med
myhear
t.

Me:
"Mor
ningbaby
.Di
dyousl
eep
wel
l
?"
Lunat
hi:
"Ki
ndof
.I'
m abi
tst
ressed.
"

Me:
"What
'
sst
ressi
ngy
ou?
"

Lunat
hi:
"School
.Wear
estart
ingwi
th
examssoonandIam behi
nd."

Me:"Iam sureyourl
ectur
eswill
help
youwi t
hev er
ythi
ng,
plusyouhave
yourfri
endsandmet ohelpyou
study.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Whatdoy
ouknowaboutl
aw
wena?
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
Al ot
,don'
tunder
est
imat
eme.
"
Shesighed.

Lunathi:
"Iam real
l
ywor r
iedabout
theseupcomi ngexams.Idon'tt
hinkI
willcope.Att
hesamet i
meIwantt o
makemypar entsproud.
"

Me:"hey.
"Ibroughtherclosertome.
"Youdon'thaveanythingtoworry
about.Youaregoingt omakey our
parentsproud,
youaregoingt opass
thoseexamsnomat terwhat.You
knowwhy
?"

Lunat
hi:
"Why
?"

Me: "
Becausey ouaresmartandI
beli
eveiny ou.Andalsobecausey
ou
aremywi fe,Ididn'
tmarryadumb
wife.
"Shegi ggled,
missi
on
accomplished.

Lunathi
:
"Siv
uyi
le!Don'
tl
etmeremind
youthatyouwereoncemarri
edtoa
Barbi
edoll.
"Il
aughedoutl
oud.
Me:"
Wear etal
kingaboutthepresent
r
ightnowmyl ove.
"Shegiggledagain.
Hergiggl
eaaresomel odi
cinmyear s.
Makingherhappyismypr i
orit
y.
"
Baby .
"

Lunat
hi:
"mmmh?
"

Me:"
Whydon'tyoucall
mewi t
hpet
namesany mor
e?"That'
ssomethi
ng
I
'venot
iced.

Lunat
hi:
"Ido.
"
Me:
"Noy
oudon'
t.
"

Lunat
hi;
"OhhuhIt
houghtIdi
d."

Me:"Youdon'
tandIwoul
dli
ket
o
knowwhy?"

Lunathi
:"Idon'
treal
lypayatt
enti
onto
whatIcal ly
ouSi-*ahem*babe,soI
don'
tthinkIhaveav ali
dreasonfor
that
."Yeahr i
ght

Me:
"Mmmh."From myperspect
iveI
f
eell
i
kesheisnotcompletel
yover
theaffai
r,IguessIneedtogiveher
mor eti
meandl ett
hingshappen
natural
ly."Youaregoingtobelatef
or
yourclassi fy
oudon'tgetreadynow.
"

Lunat
hi:
"OhGodt
her
e'sst
il
lthat
!"

Me:
"andIal
sohav
etogot
owor
k."

Lunat
hi:
"ohwow,
real
l
y?"

Me:
"Yeah,
Iwantt
ocheckont
hings
t
her
e."
Lunat
hi;
"Thenletmegoandt
akea
showerbefor
ey ou.
"

Me:
"Orwecantakeoneboth,
save
wat
erbabe.
"Ini
bbledonherear
.

Lunathi
:"
mmh. "Ireall
ywantedtofeel
hernakedness.She'sbeensleepi
ng
i
nonesiesev ersi
nceshecame
back,
shedoesn'tev enwantmet oget
thesmallestl
oophol e.
Imovedmyl i
psfr
om hereartoher
mouth,
Iwashungril
ykissi
ngher,I
washornyandIwantedher.Bl
ue
bal
l
saren'taj
oke!
Lunathi
:
"mmhmmh. "Shebrokethe
ki
ssasIwasunzi ppingheronesi
e.
Frust
rat
ion,
that
'swhatIfel
t.

Me:"Lunathiwhati
sitnow?"She
l
ookedatmewi thherbigeyes."
We
di
dt hetestalr
eadyandwear eboth
negati
ve.Whatmor edoy ouwant?"I
wasi r
ri
tated.

Lunat
hi:
"Windowper
iod,
westil
lhav
e
togobackin3monthstotestagai
n."
Ohhellno!
Me:"soIshouldwai
tfor3months
beforeIcanhavesexwit
hmywi f
e?!
Arey oufucki
ngki
ddi
ngme?!"

Lunat
hi;
"Don'
tyel
l
."

Me; "
Whyshoul dn'
tI?Iam sexuall
y
frustr
atedbecausey ouaredenying
memypussy !
"Shekeptqui et"
Baby
thisisnotfai
r,
youpr omisedtogive
mesomeaf t
ertest
ing."Myv oi
cewas
softernow.

Lunathi
:"
Thatwasbef
oreIknew
aboutthewindowper
iod.
"
Me:"
Iam notHI
Vposi
ti
vemnt
u
wabant
u!"

Lunat
hi;
"Youcannev
erbetosur
e."
Hercal
mv oi
cewasirr
it
ati
ngmeeven
more.

Me;"
Hay sukaLunathi
!Youpromised
memar n!Thisisnotfai
r,
ift
hiswas
megoingbackonmywor dyou
wouldbeangryatmeandgi vi
ngme
si
l
enttreatment."
Lunathi
:
"Notundert hese
ci
rcumstances.Iwouldunder
stand
andrespectyourdecisi
on.
"

Me:
"Wel
lIam noty
ou!
!"

Lunat
hi:
"St
opyel
l
ing."Ican'
tbel
i
eve
shefi
ndsthi
samusing.

Me:"Nxah!
"Iangri
l
ygotoffthebed
andwentt ot
hebathroom.Icame
backoutagaininafew
seconds,
ther
e'snowayIam goingto
takeacoldshoweragain,
notwhil
eI
haveawi f
e."
Babypleaseke,I
'l
lusea
condom kel ov e."Sheshookherhead.
"Cany ouatl eastgiv emehead. "She
shookherheadagai n."Pl
easemy
l
ov e,Zizimi sseshi shome. "Iam
reall
ybeggi ngmywi feforsex,how
funnyi st his?Thi si swhatt heymean
whent heysayt hepowerofpussy .
Insteadofl isteningt omypl ea,my
wifej ustgotof ft hebedandst arted
maki ngi twhi l
ehummi ngat une.I
knewwhatt hismeant ,itmeantshe
wasn' tgoi ngt ol i
stent omeany mor e,
Ihadnochoi cebutt otaket hewal k
ofshamet ot hebat hroom.Iguess
myhandandmyi magi nati
onwi lldo
thet ri
ckt oday .
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Siv
uyil
edeci dedtol eav
emebehi nd
becausehewasmadatmef or
denyi
nghi m sex,Iwasf eeli
ngbada
bi
tbuthebr oughtt hisontohi mself
.I
haveforgiv
ent hecheat i
ng,but
somehowIf eell
ikeIam notr eadyto
sl
eepwi thhim asy et.
Iwentdownst ai
rswit
hmybagr eady
toleav
ef orcampus.Mr sDl
aminiwas
standi
ngbyt hekit
chenentr
ancewi t
h
whatlookedlikeasmileonherface.

Mr
s'D:
"Mor
ningbaby
."Iam babynow?
Me:
"Mor
ningmah.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Comejoi
nmef orbr
eakf
ast
,I
madeyourf
avour
it
e."Di
dshenow?

Me:"
uhunfor
tunat
elyIcan'
tMah,I
uhm I
"Idi
dn'
tknowwhatl i
etocome
upwith

"Wearel
ateforourf
ir
stcl
ass.
"That
wasAsesavi
ngmybut .

Me:
"Yes!Wear
elat
e."
Mrs'
D:"
Oh?Thenmaybewecango
outf
orlunchj
ustt
hetwoofus.
"

Ase:
"tell
ust heti
meandpl
aceand
wewillbethere.
"

Mr
s'D:
"Isai
djustt
het
woofus.
"

Ase:"Iheardthat,
butIam invi
ti
ng
my self.Ican'
tmissafreelunchat
yourf avouri
tefancyr
estaurant
."Thi
s
chi
ldLor d.
Mrs'
D:"
wewi l
lgonextt
ime,
fornowI
wanttospendti
mewi t
hLunathi
."

Ase:"
Weeehshewon' tagree,
notafter
howy ou'v
ebeent r
eat
ingher."True
butshedidn'
thavetobet hathonest.
"BUTifyouall
owmet otagalong,I
'
ll
beabletoconvincehert
oagr ee."Mrs
Dlaminisi
ghed.

Mrs'D:"
FineAsenat
hiy
oucancome.
OnlybecauseIwanttofi
xthi
ngswi
th
Lunathi
."

Ase:
"Gr
eat
!Wehav
etogonow.By
e
Dabs."Sheki
ssedhercheekandwe
l
eftthehouse.

Me:"It
houghtourf
ir
stcl
asshasbeen
cancel
led?
"

Ase:"
Ithasbeen,
Iwasj
ustsavi
ng
yourass,y
ouoweme.Breakf
aston
youatJoe's.
"

Me:
"Youar
eexpl
oit
ingme.
"

Ase:
"Isavedyouf
rom anawkward
br
eakfastwit
hyourmotheri
nlaw.I
deser
vet
his.
"

Me:"
Mxm fine.
"Wetoldthedri
vert
o
passbyJoe'sf
orourbreakf
astwit
h
myGolddigger.
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
WhenIarri
vedatt
heof f
ice,
everyone
washappytoseeme,theywer eal
l
j
ustgl
adt oseemerecov er
ingfr
om
t
heaccident.

Vincent:
"Don'
tyouwantmetopinp
thatsti
ckupforyou?Causer
ight
nowy oulooklikeanoldmanfrom
therural
area."Iwasusingacane
i
nsteadofcrut chest
oday.We
l
aughedathi scomment .

Me:"SoonIwon'
tbeneedi
ngt
his,
soi
t
doesn'tt
obepimpedup."

Vincent
:"
Ifyousaysobossman. "
Stell
awalkedint
omyof fi
cewit
hthe
fi
l
esIhadr equested,
sheal
sohasa
bunchoff l
owersinherot
herhand.

Me:
"Mmmhi
sthatf
orme?
"
Stel
la:
"Iwi
sh.Thesear
eforSandi,we
aremakingheracongrat
ulat
ions
packageforher
.Shegavebir
th2
daysago."

Me:"
aawwhataboutme?ImeanI
washospi
tal
i
zedforser
iousst
uff
andforal
ongti
mebutdolologi
ft
fr
om mystuf
f.
"

Stel
la:
"Givi
ngbirt
hisalso
seri
ous,besi
desthisisnota
compet i
ti
on."Mxm "Ineedyout
o
si
gnt hecard.'
Me:
"Whatcar
d?"

St
ell
a:"
Sandi
'
scar
d."

Me:
"Why
?"

Stell
a;"
Youar ethebosssothiswil
l
makei textraspeci
al.
..
.andyouare
thef-"Vincentcl
earedhist
hroat
.
"Justwriteasweetmessageand
sign.
"

Me:
"asweetmessagef
orSandi
?
Ni
yandi
qhel
ayazi
.I'
m notdoi
ngt
hat
."

St
ell
a:"
Comeo-
"

Vi
ncent:
"Hesaidhe'snotdoingthat
sol
eavehim alone."Imagi
neme
wri
ti
ngsomet hingsweetforSandi?
Never
!Wait!IthinkIknowwhatto
wri
te.

Me:"Onsecondt
houghts!"Shewas
alr
eadyonherwayout."Iknow
exactl
ywhattowri
te.
"Shehanded
met hecar
dandapen.Iqui ckl
y
wrotemymessage."Done!"Igave
hert
hecar
d.

St
ell
a:"Whatdi
dyouwr
it
eher
e?"

Me:"Somethi
ngsweet.Don'treadi
t!
It
'smeantforhereyesonl
y."She
l
ookedatmef orawhi l
e."
Ialsowant
myf l
owersandcards,Iwas
hospit
ali
zedguys.
"Theylaughed"I
'm
seri
ous."

St
ell
a:"Youwi
l
lgeti
tboss,
don'
t
worr
y."
Me:"
Ihopesooryouareal
lfi
red.
"
St
ell
alaughedasshel
eftmyoffi
ce.

Vincent
:"
ManIam gladtohav
eyou
back,Idon'
ttr
ustt
hisnewCEO."

Me:
"Why
?Whathappened?
"

Vi
ncent:
"I
m notsur
easyet,
butIhav
e
abadfeel
ingabouthi
m."

Me:
"Youar
ejustbei
ngpar
anoi
d."

Vi
ncent
:"
Idon'
tthi
nkso.Speakt
o
accounts,
andcheckt
hebooksmaybe
ther
e'ssomethi
ngyoumightf
ind
ther
e."

Me:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Vincent:
"Iam not.ButIhear dSi
buthe
accountantsay i
ngsomet hingabout
miscalculat
ions,
andt hathasnever
happenedbef ore.Isuspectsomeone
i
sst eal
ingfrom thecompanyand
theyaretryi
ngt ocoveritup."

Me:
"Nomany
oucan'
tbeser
ious.
"
Vi
ncent;
"Checkever
ythi
ng
br
oh,somethi
ngisgoingonher
e."

Me:"Thi
smeansIhavetocomeback
toworksoonert
hanIhad
ant
ici
pated.
"

Vi
ncent
:"
Please!
"
Whatthehelli
sgoingoni nmy
fat
her'
scompany .IhopeVincenti
s
wrongbecauseIwor kedtoohardfor
thi
scompanyf orsomer andom
persontocomeandst ealit
.
Me:"TellSibutobri
ngmet he
f
inancialstatementofthepastt
wo
mont hsrightnow!"Hestoodup
i
mmedi atelyandl
eft.
•
Anhourofgoi ngthroughthe
fi
nancialst
atements,Ireal
isedthat
i
ndeedt herewasapr oblem inthe
books.Thingswerenotaddi ngup,it
wasprettycleart
hatsomeonewas
cooki
ngt hebooks.Iquickl
ydi al
ed
mydad

Me:
"Dadwher
ear
eyou?
"
Dad:
"I
'm att
heof
fi
cei
nthe
boar
droom."

Me: "
Wai tt
hereIam coming."It
ook
thepaper sandrushedtothe
boardroom,greet
ingeveryoneImet
alongt heway.Ididn'
thaveti
met o
stopandchataboutmyheal thwit
h
them, Iwantedtodiscussthi
swith
mydadASAP.

Dad:"What'
sgoingon?"HeaskedasI
walkedin.Ihandedhi
mt hepaper
s.
"
Whatam Il ookingat
?"Hesaidaf
ter
af
ewmi
nut
es.

Me:"Theamount
s.Theydon'
tadd
up.
"

Dad:
"Idon'
tunder
stand.
"

Me: "
Dadt hi
sisbasicaccount i
ng.
Lookatt heJanuarymont handl ook
atlastmont h.Thefundsal locatedto
eachdepar t
menthav ei ncreased
drasti
call
yandt hat'
snotr i
ght .Look
careful
lydad, I
'
vemar kedev er
ythi
ng."
Hel ookedthroughthepaper sagain.I
satdownwai ti
ngforhimt osay
somethi
ng.Hesi
ghedandputt
he
paper
sdown.

Dad:"
Iseewhaty ouar
etalki
ngabout
.
I'
l
lsortthi
sout.
"Hewassochi l
l
ed
aboutthiswhyIwasfuming.

Me:"Whyareyousocalm aboutt
his?
Youshouldbeangryl
i
keIam.Wher e
i
sthisi
nteri
m CEO?Iwanttotal
kto
hi
m now!"

Dad:"
Sonther
e'snoneedf
ort
hat
,I'
l
l
tal
ktohi
m my sel
f.
"
Me:"
No!Iwantt odoitmy self
,you
aret
oochi l
ledaboutt
hissituati
onI
don'
tthinkyouwill
handleitthewayI
wantithandled.
"

Dad:"Si
vuy
il
e!Isai
dIwillhandl
eit
.
Justgohomeandr est
."

Me:"No!"Iwasnotgoi ngany wher e.

Mydadi sact
ingv er
ysuspiciousr ight
now, andIwantt ogettotot he
bott
om ofev eryt
hingthi
sinst ant.I
hopehi snottheonemi susingt he
companyf unds,butwhywoul dhedo
t
hat
?Thi
sdoesn'
tmakesense.

Dad:
"Li
sten,Ihaveameet
ingwi
th
hi
mtoday .Iwil
laddr
esst
hiswi
th
hi
m."

Me:"Wel
lIwi
l
l wai
tforhi
mrighther
e.
Iwantt
obepresenti
nthatmeeti
ng.
"

Dad:"Whyareyousostubborn?!
"
Woah!Whyi sheangryall
ofsudden.
"I
'
m sorry
."Hemusthav eseenmy
shockedlook."
Iwi
llsor
tthisout
,yo-
"
"Sor
ryIam l
ateIhadtopass
somewhere.
"Iturnedt
olookatt
he
ownofthevoice.

Me:"WTF? !
"Shockcoul
dnoteven
descri
bewhatIwasf eel
ingaf
terI
sawthef ace."
Dad!Whatthehel
lis
thi
s?!
"Thel ookofshameonhisface
gavehim away.Whywoul dmydad
dothis!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t73
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Me:"
Tatawhatthehell
isgoingon
her
e?!"Iwasl
ookingataphotocopy
ofmydad, ay
oungerversi
onofhim.
Him:"Ithi
nkIshoul
dgi
veyouguy
s
somespace. "Hedi
dn'
tsound
botheredatall
.

Dad:
"sonIcanexpl
ain.
"

Me:"
expl
ainwhat
?Andwenast
ay
r
ightt
her
e!"

Him:"
Wena?Yoh.Letmet akeaseat
andwatcht
hisunfol
d."Hewasso
arr
ogant
.
Dad:"
SonIwantedtotel
lyouabout
thi
s,Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tfi
ndtheri
ghtti
me
todoit.
"

Me:
"Ther
ightt
imet
otel
lmewhat
?"

Dad:"
Promisenott
otel
lyourmot
her
aboutthi
sfir
st.
"

Hi
m:"JustwhenIt
houghtIwasno
l
ongergoi
ngtobeasecret
e."

Me:
"Shutupmar
n!"
Hi
m:"Don'
tyoudaret
alkt
omel
i
ke
t
hat,
Iam oldert
hanyou.
"

Me: "
Excuseme?Whodoy outhi
nk
youar e?"Ist
oodupandwentt o
standi nfr
ontofhim,hewasabit
tal
lerthanme.Hechuckl edand
l
ookedatmyf ather.

Him:"Dadtel
lyoursont
ocalm down,
Idon'twantt
omessuphi spr
ettyboy
i
mage. "Imovedawayfr
om hi
m and
l
ookedatdad

Me:
"Dad?
!Sohi
syourson?
"Iwas
shockedt othecore.Inev
erthought
ofmyf atheryobesomeonewho
wouldhidesomet hingsobigfrom
us,
from me.

Hi
m:"
OopsIguesst
hecati
soutof
t
hebag.
"Hewasnotbei
ngsincer
e

Dad:
"Iam sor
ryson.
"

Him:"
Whichsonareyout
alki
ng
ref
err
ingto?Causey
ouoweusbot
h
anapology.
"
Me:"Whydi
dyouhi
dehi
m awayf
rom
us?
"

Him:
"That'
sav er
ygoodquest
ion.
"
Canhejustshutup!

Dad:"Ihadtoo.Ihadjustfoundout
aboutmychosenone, Iwentoutt
hat
nightanddrankt henightaway.
That'swhenImetSi phosam' smother
,
wespentt henighttogetherwhich
resul
tediny ourbrot
herbeing
conceived.
"

Si
pho:
"basi
cal
l
yIam aoneni
ght
standchil
d."Heshr
uggedhi
s
shoulder
s.

Me:"
Ist
il
ldon'
tunder
standwhyy
ou
hi
dhim?"

Dad:"Ididn'tknowabouthim bythe
ti
meIf oundoutabouthim,Iwas
al
readymar r
iedt
oyourmot her
.I
coul
dn' tbreakherheartbymarrying
anotherwomansosoonaf ter
marryingher ."

Me:
"Soyourst
upidt
radi
ti
onmadeus
l
oseoutonhavi
ngabigbrot
her
?You
didn'
thavearel
ati
onshipwi t
hyour
sonbecauseofthestupidtradi
ti
on!
Doesmom knowabouthi m now?"He
shookhisheadno.Ofcour seshe
doesn'
tknowaboutthis."Youhaveto
tell
her.
"

Dad:
"No!
"

Me:"Whatdoy oumeanno?Youcan'
t
hi
dethisf
orever.He'
sagrownass
man,y
oucan'thidehi
m."

Dad:"
Iwil
ltel
lyourmot
herIam
ready
."
Me:
"Youhadsomanyy
ear
stobe
r
eadydad!I
t'
sti
met
ocomecl
ean.
"

Dad:
"DammitSi
vuy
il
e!Isai
dIwill
tel
l
herwhent
hetimei
sr i
ght
!Unl
ikeyou,
Icar
eaboutmywif
e'shear
t.
"

Me:"
Ify
oudidy ouwoul
dhav
elong
t
oldherabouthim!
"

Dad:
"I
'l
ltel
lher
."

Me:
"Fi
ne!Nowcanwedi
scusst
he
moneyissue!
"Siphoclear
edhis
thr
oat
."TalkIam l
ist
eningBI
G
BROTHER."

Sipho;
"Idon'
tneedt
oexpl
ainmy
sel
f
toyou.
"

Me:
"Ohyesyoudoify
ouar
est
eal
i
ng
f
rom t
hecompany.
"

Sipho;"
Steal
ing?Iam notsteal
ing.
EvenifIwas,itwoul
dn'tbeaproblem
consideri
ngthatiti
saf amil
y
businessandIdeservet ogetapiece
ofthepie."
Me:"I
sthatyouconf
essi
ngt
o
st
eali
ngfrom us?
"

Sipho:"Chil
lI
'm notst eali
ng.The
businessi sj
usthel pingmewi th
somet hingont hesi de,
ifanyt
hingI
am br i
ngmor ei ncomet othi
s
i
ncome, youwillbeabl etogiveyour
empl oyeesar aise.
"

Dad:
"Hel
pingy
ouwi
thwhat
?"

Si
pho:
"Not
hingt
owor
ryy
ourol
dsel
f
about
.It
ssimi
lart
owhatSiv
uy i
le
doesonthesi
deusinghi
ssurgery.
"
OhShit
!Heknowsaboutmydeal i
ngs
wit
hLuzuko.

Dad:"
What
'st
hat
?"Her
eal
l
ywant
ed
toknow

Sipho:
"Maybeli
tt
lebrot
herwoul
dli
ke
toexplaini
ttoy
ou."Ihat
ethewayhe
saidli
ttl
e.

Me:"Ohhuhm noman,it
'snothi
ng
majordad.Itr
ustSi
pho,Idoubthe
wouldstealf
rom t
hiscompany."
Dad:"Ar
eyousur
e?Becausey
ouwere
fumingwhenyoushowedmethese
papers.
"

Me:
"What
?Mef
umi
ng?Nev
er!
"

Dad:"Whatareyouhi
dingf
rom me
thebothofyou?
"

Us:
"Nothi
ng!
"Wel
ookedateach
ot
her.

Dad:
"mmmhIhopeso.
"
Sipho:"
Sowhenam Imeeti
ngthe
sist
ers?MaybeIwi
lll
i
kethem more
thanIdothi
sfool
?"

Me:"
Areyoucal
l
ingmeaf
ool
?"Iwas
cal
m now.

Si
pho;
"Dad?
"Dadl
aughedal
i
ttl
e.

Dad:
"Youwil
lmeetthem assoonasI
expl
ainev
ery
thi
ngtomywi fe.
"

Si
pho:
"Doy
out
hinkshe'
sgoi
ngt
o
l
i
keme?
"

Me:"
Who?Mymom?
"Henodded.I
j
ustl
aughed.

Si
pho:
"It
akei
tthat
'sano.
"

Dad:
"Ofcour
senot.Si
vuyi
l
eisjust
pl
ayi
ngwithyou.Mywifei
sthenicest
per
sonyouwillev
ermeet.
"

Me:"Maybeayearago,shehas
changed.She'
sacompl et
elydi
ff
erent
personnow.Idon'
tevenknowhow
y
ouaregoi
ngt
otel
lhert
his.Wher
eis
y
ourmom?"

Si
pho:
"Shepassedonsoonaf
terI
metdad.
"

Me:
"Woah!I
'
m sor
ry.Wasshesi
ck?
"

Sipho:
"Shewas,Ij
ustt
hankthel
ucky
starst
hatdadfoundmethetimehe
di
d,becausemom wasalr
eadyonher
deathbedbythen."

Me:
"I
'm sor
ryman.I
'
m sor
ryt
haty
ou
hadt
ogr
owupwi
thoutaf
ami
l
y."

Sipho:"Ohno,Ididgrowupwi tha
family.Iwasadopt edaft
ermymom' s
funeral,
butdadusedt ocome
regul
ar l
ytovisi
t.Ineverr
eall
yfel
tthe
spaceofnothav i
ngaf amil
y.
"

Me:"
nonet
hel
essIam sor
ry.Sodad
whenarewetel
l
ingmom? "

Dad:
"Hayndiy
ekewena."Hepacked
uphi
sthingsandl
eftt
heboardroom.
Sipho:
"IguessI
'm st
il
lgoi
ngt
obea
secret
e."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Let
sgogr
absomedr
inks.
"

Sipho:
"It
houghty
ouwouldnever
ask."Hesai
dwhilest
andi
ngup.

Me:
"West
il
lhav
ewor
ktodot
hough.
"

Si
pho:
"Hayl
ater
.I'
mti
red.
"

Me:
"Buty
ouj
ustgother
e."
Sipho:
"YesandI'
m alr
eadytir
ed.
Comel et'
sgo,Iwantyoutel
lmehow
yougotmi xedupwithLuzuko'
s
gang."

Me:
"DoIhav
eto?
"

Si
pho:
"Tellbi
gbrot
herever
ythi
ng.
"IfI
wasLunathiIwoul
dberoll
i
ngmy
ey
esrightnow.
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Itwastimeforme.tohavelunchwit
h
mymot herinlaw,
honestl
yIwanted
tocancelandstayinschool,
but
Asenathiconv
incedmeot herwi
seso
Ihadtodot hi
sforher.
Wearri
vedatthelocat
ionthatMrs
Dl
aminisentus,
i
twasi ndeedafancy
pl
aceli
keAsenathihassaid.

Ase:
"Tothi
nky
ouwant
edt
ocancel
onthi
s."

Me:"
stopsayingt
hat,
youwil
lev
ensay
i
tinfrontofy
ourauntandshewon'
t
bepleasedwitht
hat
."
Ase:"
Haisukashewon' tsayanythi
ng
causesheknowst hatshe'stheone
i
nt hewronghere."WespotMr s
Dlamini
inaf arendt ablewavinga
handforustoseeher

Me:
"behavekesi
nceyouar
etheone
whowantedustocomehere.
"

Ase:
"Don'
tIal
way
s?"

Me:
"mxm.
"
Mr s'
D;"Gi
rl
s!Iam sogladthatyou
couldmakei t.
"Shebeamedwi t
h
excitement."
Comeonsi tdown."We
satdownopposi teeachother."
How
wasschool ?"I
ssher eal
l
ygoingt o
startwitht
hat?

Me:"
Uhm i
twasgood.Thel
ect
ures
ar
ereal
lyeagertohel
pmecat
chup
wi
ththework."

Mrs'
D:"
That'
snicetheymust
under
standyoursi
tuati
on.
"

Me:
"Yeah.
"If
akedasmi
l
eThewai
ter
cameandgav eusourmenust
hehe
tookourdr
inkorder
s.

Mrs'D;
"Sowhenareyoust
art
ingwith
yourexams?"Ihav
eafeel
ingthat
t
hislunchi
sgoingtobebori
ng.

Me:
"I
n2weeks.
ti
me.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Ihopey
ouwi
l
lber
eadyby
t
hen.
"

Me:"
Ihopesotoo.
"Thewai
tercame
backwit
hourdri
nksandt
ookour
mealor
der
s.Wesatt
her
einsome
awkwar
dsil
ence.

Mrs'
D:"Lunat
himntanam,Iwantto
si
ncer
elyapologi
setoyou.Ishoul
dn'
t
havet
reatedyouthewayIdid.Iwas
j
usttr
yingtoshowmysonsuppor t.
"

Me:
"bybei
ngmeant
ome?"

Mr
s'D:
"For
giv
ememychi
l
d."Inodded.

Me:"
It
sf i
neIf
orgi
veyouMah.
"I
hav
en'tcompl
etel
yfor
giv
enher
,butI
j
ustwant edtogetheroffmyback.
Asenat hiwast ooquietf
ormyl i
king.
Ast hef oodarriv
ed,MrsDlamini
reci
ev edacal lfr
om afri
endneeding
herurgenthel p,sheapologi
sed
beforeshel eftus.Ofcoursesheleft
somemoneyf orust opaythebil
l,I
can'tsayt hatIam madt hatshel
eft
thought hiswassur el
ygoingtobean
awkwar ddinner.

Me:
"andt
henwena?
"

Ase:"
yousaidImustbehavemosand
that
'sexact
lywhatIdi
d."Wow!
Me:
"mxm.Idi
dn'
tsaygoal
l
.mut
e."

Ase:"That'showIbehav e,causeonce
Istarttal
kingIcan' tstopandIal ways
saybadt hings."Tel l
meabouti t
.
Beep!Thatwasmyphonei ndi
cating
atext."Ihav easur pri
sefordinner
tonight,
pleasewai tformebyt he
patioathal fpast6."Itwasf r
om
Sivuyil
e.

"Whyshoul
dIwai
tfory
ou?
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"
BecauseImightneedbackup."
WTF?!Iwasabouttocal
lhim butt
he
l
ookIgotfr
om Asenathi
stoppedme.

Ase:"
IfIl
i
keIcantakeoutmyphone
andFaceTimemyboy f
ri
end
thr
oughoutthi
swholel
unch,
unye
nyi
!"Yoh.

Me:
"I
'v
eputt
hephonedownnj
eAse.
"

Ase:
"Iwasj
ustsay
ing.
"
Wecar r
iedonwithourl
unchovera
l
ightconver
sat
ion.Iam sogl
adthat
MrsDl
ami
nil
eftbecauseIwasn'
t
goi
ngt
oenj
oymy sel
fifshewasher
e.
○
Atexactl
yhalfpast6Iwassitt
ingat
thepati
owaitingformyhusbandto
arri
vewithhi
ssurprise,
Ihope
whateverhei
sbr i
ngingisedi
bleand
nice.
Fewmi nutesl
aterthecarpar kedi n
frontoft
hepatio.Av erytallfigure
walkedoutofthecar ,Sivuyil
eal so
foll
owedfrom t
heot hersi de.I
openedmymout hslowl yast hey
walkedtowardsme, byt het imet hey
gottomemymout hwaswi deopen.
Whatam Iseei
ngi
nfr
ontofme.

TallGuy:
"MyMy!Pl
easetellt
hisi
sa
familyf
ri
endandnotoursist
er.I
don'twantt
ocommitincest.
"Our
sist
er?MyGod!

Sivuy
il
e:"
Haybhut
i!Thi
sismywi feso
eyesoff!
"Andhecall
shim bhut
i.
"Cl
oseyourmouth."Hewhisper
ed
befor
ekissi
ngmycheek.

Tal
lGuy:
"Nowonderyouar
ecall
ing
mebhuti,
youar
etryi
ngtoscor
e
poi
ntsusi
ngme."
Siv
uy i
le:
"I
'v
ealreadygotthewifesoI
don'tneedtoscor eanymorepoint
s."
Cansomebodyf i
llmeinaboutwhat '
s
goingonher e?Please-Iwantedto
tel
lthatout.

TallGuy:
"Abeaut
if
ulwi
feyouhav
e
herebrot
her.SoIt
akei
tshe'
sthe
chosenone?"

Si
vuy
il
e;
"I
nthef
lesh!
"

Tal
lGuy
;"Mynamei
sSi
phosam,
Iam
thisi
diot
'sbi
gbr ot
herIguess.
"I
clear
edmyt hroat.

Me:"Lunat
hi.
"Iofferedhim ahand
shake,i
nst
eadhej ustengulf
edmei n
ahugmucht oSivuyil
e'
sannoyance
becausehepulledhi m of
fme.

Si
pho:
"Rel
ax!
"

Me:
"Br
other
?How?
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
He'sdad'
ssonthatIj
ust
recent
lyfoundoutabout
."Hei
shis
f
ather
'sdupl
i
cat
e.

Me:"
Doesy
ourpar
ent
sknowabout
hi
m? "

Sivuyi
le:
"Onl
ydadknows. .
..buthe
doesn'tknowthatIbroughthim here
today.Hesaidhe'snotreadyto
i
ntroducehimtot hefamil
yy et
."Yoh!
DidtheKingcheatonhi swife?
"That'
swhyIneedy ouasbackup. "

Me:
"Whatam Igoi
ngt
odo?
"
Si
vuyil
e:"
Prot
ectmef
rom Dad'
s
punches.
"

Si
pho:
"Heal
sopunchesy
ou?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Her
ecentlydi
d.Al
lIcansay
i
smyjawhasn'
trecover
ed.
"

Si
pho:
"I
'v
ebeent
her
ebef
ore.
"

Me:"
Exactl
yhowam Igoi
ngt
o
pr
otectyou?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Byj
ustst
andi
ngnextt
ous.
Hewon'
tpunchusi
fyouar
enextt
o
us.
"

Me:
"Eh!That
'sr
isky
.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Not
hingbadi
sgoi
ngt
o
happen.
"

Me:
"Okayf
inel
et'
sgo.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Your
eadybr
o?"

Si
pho:
"Iwasbor
nready
."
Ican'
tbel
ievetheKinghasachi ld
outsi
dehismar r
iage.Iwonderhow
thequeenisgoingtor ecei
vethese
news.Wemi ghthav eanotherSandi
sit
uati
oninourhands.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t74
•
•
•
•
•
Iwasst i
ll
tryi
ngt or ecoverf r
om t
he
shock, Icouldn'
tbel ievethatMr
Dlami nihasanol dson, onet hatl
ooks
l
ikehi m exactly!Youwoul dswearhe
deniedatbi r
t hthewayhel ooksl
ike
him.Wewer eappr oachingt he
dinningroom wher eev eryonewas
sitt
ingandeat i
ngt heirfood.

Mrs'
D:"
Wheredidy
ougocausey
ou
wereherej
ustaminut
eago.
"
Me:"
Ohuhm Ihear
dSi
vuy
il
e'
scar
out
sidesoIwentt
ohi
m."

Mrs'D:"
Wher eishe?Hewas
supposedt obebackhour sago,
I
don'
tl i
kewhathe' sdoi
ngcausehe
hasn'treal
lyrecover
edfrom the
acci
dent .
"Shel i
kesbabyinghim.

Me:"
Hi sr
ighthe-"Iturnedandt hey
werenotbehindme." Excusemef or
asec."Iwalkawayf rom t hedining
ar
ea."Reall
yguys!"Theywer e
st
andingabi tf
urtherfr om thelounge
ar
guing,t
heyimmedi at elyst
opped
whenIgott
othe."
Andt
hen?
"

Sipho:
"cany oubel i
evehewant sme
toenterfi
rstwhi l
ehe'stheonewho
cameupwi t
ht hiswholeidea.AndI
'
m
astrangerhere."Isi
ghed.

Me:"
I'
ll
goi
nfi
rst
,aker
ethat
'swhatwe
agr
eedon.
"

Si
pho:
"Youar
eSot
ho?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"That
'sav
eryi
rr
elev
ant
quest
ion.Canwegopl
ease."Il
edt
he
waytot
hedinni
ng.Judgingbyt he
wayMrDlaminiAndabruptl
ystood
upfr
om t
hechairwhenIwal kedit
meanst
hattheydidnotstaybehind
l
iket
hefi
rstt
ime.

Mrs'
D:"
Lov
eur
ight
?"Shel
ookedat
hi
m.

Mr'
D:"Why?"Hesaidinalowtone
whi
lelooki
ngathisboys.MrsDlamini
f
oll
owedhisgazeandj ustl
i
kemeher
mouthwaswi deopenwhenherey es
l
andedonSipho.
Lul
ama:
"Whatt
hehel
l
?!Who'
sthi
s?"

Lumka:
"OhMyGod.
"Shesai
dsl
owl
y.

Mr
'D:
"Icanexpl
ain.
"

Ase:
"Yoh!
"

Mr'D:"Whatarey oudoinghere?!
"He
waswal ki
ngt owardshisboys,t
his
wasacl earsignformet omov e
away ,
butIdidn'
t.Thetwofools
decidedtostaybehindme." Youthink
becausey ouarehidi
ngbehind
Lunat
hiIwon'
tbeaty
ou?
"Eh!

Mrs'
D:"Nooneisbeat
inganyoneher e!
Expl
ainthi
sri
ghtnow!Whoi sthis
boyandwhydoeshel ookl
ikey ou?"

Ase:
"It
hinki
t'
spr
ett
yobv
ious.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Asenathi
!Don'
tmakemesend
yout
oy ourr
oom. "

Ase:
"ndi
phoswezindaba?Soze!
(and
missthedrama?Nev er
.)
"Thetwo
i
diot
slaughedbehindme.
Mr
s'D:
"Thet
haTat
a!"

Mr'
D:"
He'
smyson.
"Hesai
dinal
ow
t
one.

Lul
ama:"
Youcheat
edonmy
mother
?!"

Lumka:
"Wow!Li
kef
atherl
i
keson.
"

Me:"
Aibo.Thi
sisnotaboutSi
vuy
il
e."I
def
ended.
Mr '
D:"
Mantombazana!Niqal
eni ni
ukuthethanam ngol
ohlobo?
!(Girl
s!
Sincewhendoy outalktomelike
that?!
)"

Lul
ama:
"Thi
sisnot
imef
ory
-"

"Yeeey
!"Hebangedthet
abl
e
shocki
ngeveryone.

Lul
ama:
"xol
oTat
a."

Mr'
D:"
Idi
dn'
tcheatonyourmom.
Si
phowasconceivedaf
terIf
oundout
aboutmychosenone.Ihadonl
ymet
yourmotheroncebyt
hen.Idi
dnot
cheatonher.
"

Mrs'
D:"
thenwhydidyouhidehim
fr
om usallt
heseyears?
"Isshereal
l
y
aski
ngthatquest
ion.

Mr'D:"
BecauseIdidn'
twantt obr
eak
yourheartmylove.WhenIf oundhi
m
IknewIhadt okeephim asmy
secret
ecauseIknewt heelders
wouldwantmet omar ryhi
smot her
andIcouldn'
tdothattoyou."
Mrs'
D:"
wher
eishismot
hernow?
"I
woul
dalsol
iket
oknow.

Mr'
D:"
Shepassedonshor
tl
yaf
terI
f
oundthem."

Mrs'
D:"mmmh.Andyoust
il
ldi
dn'
t
br
ingtheboyhome?Whatki
ndof
manareyou?!
"

Mr '
D:"
bytheny ouwerepr
egnantwit
h
Sivuyi
leandy ouknowhowfragi
le
thatpregnancywas."
Mrs'
D:"
WowDlamini
!Ican'
tbeli
eve
youhi
dsomethi
ngsobigfrom meall
t
heseyear
s.HowdoItrustyounow?"

Mr'
D:"
I'
veneverli
edt
oy oumylov
e.
Thi
sisthefi
rstandl
astti
me.
"

Mr s'
D;"Yousaidy oufellinl
ovewi th
met hefir
stti
mey oulaidyoureyes
onme, butherewear estandi
ngi na
room wi thyoursecretechildthatwas
concei vedaft
erthev eryfir
styousaw
me. "WasIsensi nghur tinhervoice?

Ase:
"Amadoda!
"Shecl
appedonce.I
f
thequeenwasn'tsocaughtupwit
h
theKingoswearshewoul dhav
e
shoutedather
.

Mrs'
D:"Ineedt i
metomyself
.Excuse
me."Sher ushedoutt
heroom,hertwo
daught
er sfoll
owedbehi
ndher.

Ase:"Welllet'
ssitdownandeatthina
abalambi l
eyo(uswhoar ehungry
)."
Unbelievable.Isatdownnexttoher.
"Dabswental loutt
onightonl
ytoget
thesur pr
iseofherlife.
"

Mr
'D:
"Si
vuy
il
ear
eyout
ryi
ngt
orui
n
mymar
ri
age?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
WhywouldIdothat
?"I
handedhim hi
spl
ateoff
ood.

Mr
'D:
"Idon'
tknowy
out
ell
me.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Iam nott r
yingt oruinit
.Iam
j
ustt i
redofallthesecr etes,mom
deservedtoknowt het r
ut handSi pho
alsodeservest ohavear elat
ionship
withhisfamil
y .IfanythingIdidy oua
favour."
Mr'D:
"WhatdoIdonow?HowdoIf
ix
t
his?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Aibo!Howwoul
dIknow?
"

Mr'
D:"Youhav
eexper
iencei
nthese
ki
ndofthi
ngs.
"Igi
ggl
ed.

Sivuyi
le:
"Justapol
ogi
setoherand
reassureherofyourl
ove,
shewi
llbe
fi
ne."

Mr
'D:
"Mxm.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"Youalr
ightman?
"Hewas
l
ooki
ngatSiphosam

Si
pho:
"Yeah.It
hinkIshoul
dgonow.
"

Mr'
D:"
Nonsense.Sitdownandhav
e
di
nneraty
ourbrother'
shouse.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Yeahsi
tdown!
"

Ase:
"Andpl easedosleepoversothat
wecanhav ecelebr
ati
onnt onnton
tomorr
owmor ni
ng.
"Weal lbrokeout
i
nlaughter
,exceptf
orSiphoofcourse
becausehedi
dn'
tgett
hej
oke.

Mr'
D:"Sugezel
aumfazi
wam wena
Asenathi
(don'
tdi
ssmywif
e)"

Ase:"
It'
sonlyfair
.That '
showwe
welcomenewf ami l
ymember s
mos,doublestandardszezant oni
ngoku?Any wayBhut 'Si
pho
ndi
nguAsenat himna( BrotherSi
phoI
am Asenathi)yournewf avour
it
e
cousin/si
ster
."Siphochuckl ed

Si
vuy
il
e:"eshee!Whot
oldy
out
haty
ou
ar
ehisfavouri
te?"
Ase:
"Iam ev
ery
one'
sfav
our
it
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youwi
sh.
"

"Dad!Ar
eyouser
ious?
"Thatwas
LulamaandLumkawalki
ngin.

Mr
'D:
"What
?"

Lulama:"Yourwi
feiscryi
ngher
eyeball
soutinthatroom andyouare
si
ttinghereandeati
ng."MrDlamini
l
ookedatt hem."Wow!Iam
defeat
ed."Heputthespoon
down,st
oodupf rom t
hechairt
henhe
walkedout.Theybothsatdownon
thei
rseats.

Lumka:"Whatwereyouguystalki
ng
about
?Icouldheary
ourlaughter
fr
om upstai
rs.
"

Ase;
"Iwasj
ustsay
ingweneedt
o
hostacel
ebr
ati
onbreakf
ast
tomorr
owforBhut
'Si
pho.
"

Lul
ama:"
HaymarnAsenat
hi!Mom is
hur
tri
ghtnowy
oucannotbethinki
ng
aboutspi
tef
ult
hings.
"

Ase:"AndNat hiwasn'thurtaboutthe
Sandiissue?Hehakemhl ola!
"Lulama
shookherhead.Si vuyi
le'sarm was
aroundme, heleanedov erandkissed
mycheek, howr andom.

Lul
ama:
"Igi
veupony
ou.
"

Ase:
"ur
ight
!"
Weat eandconver
sed,t
ryi
ngt ogett
o
knowSiphosam more.Hewasa
real
l
ycoolguy.Hewas30y earsol
d,a
2yearoldsonwhi chst ayswi t
hhis
babymomma.Heal sohashe' sown
housewherehel eav esonhi sown
si
ncehe'ssingle,hedi dn'treal
ly
wantedtodiscloseabouthi s
occupati
onbeforehebecamei nt
eri
m
CEOf ort
hef amilybusi ness.
Aft
erhour
softal
ki
ngSi
phohadt o
l
eave,
wealsowentt
ooursepar
ate
bedr
ooms.

Me:
"So,
howdoy ouf
eel abouthav
ing
abi
gbrother
? "Wewerei nbedandhe
waslay
ingonmybr eastswhileIr
an
myhandsthroughhisfade.
Sivuyi
le:
"Idon'tknowhey .Iam so
usedtobei ngt heonlyboykumama
noTata,butnowt hingsareaboutto
change.IthinkIam goi ngtoli
ke
havinghim around,andIam looki
ng
forwardtohav ingar el
ati
onshi
pwi t
h
him."

Me:"
Iti
sgoi
ngtotakesomet
ime
get
ti
ngusedtot
hischanget
hough.
"

Si
v uy
il
e:"Yeah,
buthe'
sacool
dude,veryeasygoi
ngsoIthi
nk
every
thingwi l
lbesmoot
hsail
ing.
"
Me:"
Ihopeso,
we'
vehadenough
pr
oblemsfort
heyearweneeda
br
eak."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Tr
ue.Weshoul
dgoawayf
or
someti
me."

Me:
"Away
?Towher
emay
be?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Idon'
tknow.Youpicka
pl
aceandt hedat
ethenwewi l
l
l
eave,
weneedabr eakfrom ev
ery
one.
"
Me:"Stopit.
"Igiggled.Hewas
suckingonmybr east,def
ini
tel
y
l
eav i
ngal ovebite."Youcan'tjust
l
eav e.Youhavet wobusi nessesto
takecareoff."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Wehav eThembaforthe
surgery
,andSiphoi
sheretotakecar
e
ofthefamilybusi
ness.
"

Me:"
mmmhal r
ight.Iwil
ll
ookatsome
pl
aces,wewi
llprobablygoaft
ermy
fi
nalexams.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Great
."Iy
awned.

Me:
"I
'mt
ir
ed!Goodni
ght
."

Siv
uyi
l
e: "Wai
tbabe.Iboughty ou
something.
"Thedr owsiness
i
mmedi atel
ydissappered,whodoesn'
t
l
ikegi
fts?

Me:
"Real
ly
?"Iwasexci
ted.Hegotoff
meandjumpedofthebed,hewalked
t
othecouch.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Cl
osey
ourey
es.
"
Me:"
Wuuuuh!Howexciti
ng."Iclosed
myeyes.If
eltt
hethebedmov eashe
di
dcli
mbedOn,I'
m assuming.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Openyourhands.
"IdidasI
wastold.Hepl
acedasmal lboxi
nmy
hands.

Me:"
What '
st hi
s?It
'ssosmal l
."May
be
i
t'
saneckl ace.Youknowt hosecut
e
'
myot herhalf'
necklaces.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Openy
ourey
es.
"Iopened
t
hem sl
owly
.Ilookedatthebox,
thenI
l
ookedathi
m,theboxagainthenhim.
Hehasasmileonhisface,
thenerve!

Me:
"Condoms?Real
l
y?"

Sivuy
ile:
"Tada!"Ithrewt heboxof
condomsonhi schest ."
Hawubaby .
"I
l
aidonmysi deandcov er
edmy sel
f
withthecov ers."Myl ove,whyareyou
angry?Iboughtt hecondomswhi ch
meanswecanhav esaf esexwhichis
whaty ouwant ed."Iignoredhim.
"Baby?"Sil
ence." St
handwasam?
What'sthepr oblem now? "I
uncov
eredmy
sel
finanger
.

Me;"Thepr oblem t hatev ery thi

nghas
tobeaboutsexwi thy ou!Ev ersince
wegotbackt hat'
sal l
y ou'veev er
wanted.Insteadoff ocusi ngon
physi
cal t
hingsy oushoul dbepay ing
moreat t
entionont heemot ional
aspectsofourr elationshi p.You
shouldbet r
y i
ngt or egai nthel ov e
l
ostbetweenus, rev ivet her omance
andthespar k!RightnowIf eellikeI
am mor ewithmyol dboy fr
iendt hanI
am withsomeoneIl ov ewi thmy
wholehear t
.Idon' tcall youwi t
hpet
namesany mor ebecauseIcan' tfeel
thespar kweusedt ohav e!Now
wenai nsteadofwant ingsext he
whol edamnt ime,youshoul dbe
maki ngmef alli
nl9v ewot hy oual l
ov eragain!Youcheat edSiv uyi
le,and
thatisnotsomet hingt oeasi l
yf orgot
!
Nowi fyoudon' tmind, Iwantt o
sleep!"Ifeltl
ikeahugewei ghthas
beenl ift
edof fmyshoul ders.I'
ve
beenkeepi ngallofthisinf orsome
ti
me.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iyoh!
"
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Iwokeupv eryear lytodaybecauseI
couldn'
tsleepaf terallthethings
Lunathisaid.Whatdi dshemean
whenshesai dshenol ongerf eelsthe
sparkbetweenus?Doest hatmean
shedoesn'tl ovemeany more?Ij ust
can'
tbaret het houghtofhernot
l
ovingmeany mor e,t
hatwoul dbr eak
myhear tinhal f.Iknewt hatthings
werenotgoi ngt obef i
ne
i
mmedi ately,butIwashopi ngt hat
may bebeingi ntimat emi ghtbei ng
backtheconnect i
on, Ineverknew
thi
ngswoul descal atetothispoi nt
.I
shouldhav enev ercheat ed,
thisisa
l
essonlear nt.
Itwasnousegoi
ngbacktosleep
now,Iwentt
othebat
hroom t
ot akea
shower.

"Youshoul dbet r
yingt oregainthe
l
ovelostbet weenus. "Herwor ds
wereringinginmyheadast hecol d
waterrandownmyhead.Thi sclearl
y
meantshedoesn' tl oveme
anymor e,
howdoIgethert oloveme
agai
n?CauseIcan' tloseher.When
sheleftmeIdi dn'
tknowwhatt odo
wit
hmy self
,Ifel
tlostallIcoulddo
wast oblowherphoneupanddr ink
myselftosleep.Iwant edt otouchher
andhearherv oice,butIcouldn't
becauseshewasgone.Nowi magi ne
i
fshesay sshedoesn' tloveme
anymor e,
thatmeansshewon' tallow
met otouchherandf eel herwarm
ski
nagai nstmine,thatalonewi l
l bea
tor
ture.Ireal
lyl
ov ethisgi r
l,
ther
e
mustbesomet hingIcandot ofi
x
thi
s,Iam notgoingt ol osemywi fe
becauseofast upi dmi stakeIdid.
YesIwaswr ongf orcheat i
ng,may beI
don'tdeserveherlove,butIneedi t
.I
l
ovehermor ethanl i
fei t
self
.
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Iwokeupt oanempt ysi deoft hebed,
Iam notcompl ainingthoughIdon' t
thi
nkIwasgoi ngt obeabl etof ace
him aft
erwhatIsai dy est erday .Yesit
i
showIf eel,
butmay beIshoul dn' t
havetoldhiml i
ket hatespeci allyin
anger.May beIshoul dhav esathi m
downandt oldhi m proper ly,
somehow
Ifeelguil
tyforev erythingIsai d,ithad
tobesai dthough.ButIwasbei ng
honest,t
here'snot hingwr ongwi th
thatri
ght?All Iwanti sf orhi mt ot ry
andbui l
dupt her omancebet weenus
i
nsteadoff ocusi ngoni ntimacy .I
l
ov ehim,yesbutheneedst opr ove
hisloveforme, heneedst oassur e
met hathel ovesmet oo.Andont he
sexside, Iam notcomf ortableasy et.
WhatofIdon' tsatisfyhim asSandi ?
Whati fhet hinksIam bor ingi nbed
anddeci dest ocheatagai n.Hemi ght
havenotsai dit,
butIfeel l
i
kehe
cheatedonmebecauseIdi dn'treall
y
sati
sfyhimi nbed, Imeant hat '
sthe
onlyexplanat i
on.May behedi dn'ttel
l
mecausehedi dn'
twantt obr eakmy
heartorknockmysel festeem down,
Idon'tknow.Honest lyspeaki ngI
don'tfeelli
kebei ngint i
mat ewi thhi m
anyti
mesoon, myi nsecuri
t i
esar eon
askyhi ghl evel.
It
ookal
ongr
elaxi
ngbat
hbef
ore
changingint
omycasual
cl
othes,l
ucki
lyformewedi dnothav
e
anyclassestoday,
butIst
il
lneededt
o
study
.
Ifir
stwentt oChulu'sroom becauseI
washopi ngt hatherfatherwasgoing
towor ktodayandhopef ul
lybythe
ti
meIdeci detogodownst ai
rshewil
l
begone.ShewasawakeasIhad
expected,asalwaysshewasi nher
ownwor l
dt al
kingtoherpeopl eand
playi
ngwi thhertoys.

Me:
"Ther
e'smommy 'spr
eci
ous
j
ewel.
"Shelookedupandsaw
me,shecl appedherhandsand
mov edinexcitement."Hel
l
obaby."
Shecr awledtome, Ipi
ckedherup
bef
or ekissinghercheek."
Morni
ng
Mah. "

Manxel
e:"
mol
osi
si,
uvukenj
ani
?"

Me:
"Hant
lemah,
wena?
"

Manxele:"
kakhl
ekakhulusi
si.Awuyi
eskolweninamhlanj
e?(
Youar enot
goingtocampust oday
?)"
Me:"Nope.Ourcl
asseswer
e
cancel
ledtoday.
"

Manxele:
"kuhl
eke.Thatmeansyou
wil
lbespendingt
imewi t
hthel
it
tl
e
onetoday?"

Me:"Iwish,Ihav
etost
udy
."She
chuckled.

Manxel e:"
hayokaysi
si.
"Iturnedmy
attentiont oChul
uandstartedti
ckl
i
ng
her,shel aughedherl
ungsout
bri
ngi ngawar mfeel
i
ngtomyhear t.
It
'sf unnyhowshecapt uredmyheart
andsoul saf ewday saf terImet
her,she'
sabeaut i
ful soul.Iwonder
wher ehermot heris?Doessheknow
whatapr eciousjewel shel eftbehind?
"Youknowf ory ouragey ouar ereall
y
strong."Shesai doutoft heblue.I
l
ookedather ."
Lookaty ousmi l
ing
afterallthethingsy ou'vebeen
throught hesepastf ewmont hs.You
arer eal
lystrongmychi ldandy ouare
fi
tt obeaQueen, theDl ami ni
sar e
blessedt ohav eyoui nt heirl
ives."I
wasget t
ingemot ional.

Me:
"Thanky
ousomuchfory
ourki
nd
wor
ksmah."Shesmi
l
edand
nodded,
thenshel
eftt
her
oom.
Iwasr eal lysurprisedatherwor ds,I
didn'treal lyexpectt hem f r
om her .
Shedoesn' treal l
yinteractt hatmuch
witht hef amilyunl i
keMam' Luv o.Iam
gladsomeoneacknowl edgesmy
strengt h.Ihav er eallybeent hrougha
l
ott hisy ear,Imeani nthef i
rstf ew
weeksofmymar r
iageIf oundoutmy
husbandhadaki dwhi chIhadt ohelp
raise,t
henIwasaccusedofcheat i
ng
andchasedoutoft hehouse.Ont op
oft hat,Iwaski dnappedbyapsy cho
aspar tofhi sr evengepl an,asift hat
wasn' tt hewor stmyhusbanddeci ded
tocheatonme.Thatbr okemyhear t
i
nhal fcauseIr eall
ydi dn'texpecti t.
JustasIwasaboutt owor konmy
mar ri
age, t
hewor stt hi
ngev er
happened, Ilostmypar ents.That
wast hewor stthingev er,myhear t
wasbr okenintopi eces,Iam st i
ll
try
ingt opickupt hosepi eces.What
am If orgetti
ng?Ohhht hemi stress
camebackwi thaf akepr egnancy .
Howmuchcanonet akei nay ear ?
Foran18y earold,Ihav er eally
endur edtoomuch.I fIdidn'tknow
betterIwoul dsayt heDl ami nis
cursedme, becauseIf acedal l
these
challengesaf terIgotmar r
iedi nto
thei
rf amily.Iam sur prisedt hatIam
notanal
cohol
i
c.

Me:"Hehbaby!Mommyneedsa
breakfr
om thengeke.Whatdoy
ou
thi
nkaboutthat
?"

Chulu:
"Dadadadadadada.
"Shehada
toyinherhandwhi
chwaspl ay
ing
with.

Me;"Itakeity
ouagr eewi t
hmommy .
"
Iki
ssedhercheek." Let'
sgoandj oi
n
ever
y one.Youaresoheav yyoh.
"I
carr
iedherheav yselfall
theway
downst ai
rstothedinningroom,she
wasgr
owi
ngupt
obeachubbybaby
.

Ase:"
Final
l
y!It
houghty
ouwer
e
dead."

Me:
"Drama!I
'm act
ual
l
ysurpri
sed
t
hatyouareawakeatthi
sti
me."

Ase:
"Ishoul
dsayt
hesameabout
you.
"

Me:
"mxm.
"

Lul
ama;
"Youguy
sti
remeshame,
you
ar
eal
way
sbi
cker
ing.
"

Ase:
"That
'showweshoweachot
her
l
ove.
"

Me:"Goodmorni
ngfami
l
y .Yousee
AsenathiIdi
dn'
tev
engreetbecause
ofyou."

Ase:"
It
'snotmyfaultt
hatyoulef
t
yourmannersi
ny ourroom."
Isatdownnextt
othemot ormouth
whichwasopposi
teMr sDlamini
,
she
didn'
tl
ookl
ikeherusualsel
f.She
wasi nhergown, whichwas
dist
urbi
ngcauseshe' sal
ways
properl
ydr essedeverymorni
ng.
"Bhut'
Siphoishere."Shewas
whispering.

Me:
"Wher
eishe?
"

Ase:"He'soutsidewithyourhusband.
Madam her edoesn'tknowhecame. "
Sivuyi
leissti
llheremyGod!" Seeif
youwokeext raearl
yy ouwouldhave
preparedav eryveryscrumpti
ous
breakfast.
"Igiggled
Me:
"Iam notpet
tyl
i
key
ouAse.
"

Ase:"Youshouldtakenot essi
si,t
his
wasaper fectopport
unityforyouto
getevenwot hyourmot herinl
aw. "
Shewasst il
lwhisper
ing.Sivuy
ileand
Siphowalkedinlooki
ngl i
ke
twins,
eventhoughSivuyil
edidn'tl
ook
thatmuchl i
kehisfat
her .

Si
vuy i
l
e:"Morni
ng."Hecameand
ki
ssedmycheek.Iguesswear e
goingtopret
endingli
keever
ythi
ngi
s
fi
ne.
Lul
ama:
"Hai
ke!
"Shecl
appedonce.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
umonasi
si.
"Theyl
aughed.

Sipho:
"Goodmorningever
yone."We
al
l gr
eetedback.JustasSiv
uyi
leand
Siphosatdown,MrsDlaminist
oodup
andleftther
oom.

Sivuyi
le:"
Andthen?"MrDlaminishook
hishead,thenheexcusedhimself
.I
couldn'thel
pbutnoti
ceSipho'shurt
face.
Ican'
tbel
i
eveMr
sDl
ami
nidi
dthat
,
shewast heonepr eachingabout
for
giv
enessandaccept ancetome
whenIl efthersonbecauseofSandi .
Sheev enwentasf arasf or
cingSandi
downmyt hroatbywant i
ngherto
l
9veinandmar ryhersonbecause
'
theycan' tchanget radi
tionforme'.
Nowt hatt het ablesareturnedshe
can'
tpr acticewhatshepr eaches?
Thesear et hedoubl estandardsthat
Asewast alkingabout .
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
18PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t75
•
•
•
•
•
"
Youcan'tweart
hat
."Hewaswal
ki
ng
i
nfr
om thebathr
oom.

Me:
"Whynot
?"
Sivuy i
le:"
Itstoomuch, especiall
yfor
dinnerwi t
hmybr other.
"Wewer e
gettingr eadyf oraf amilydinnerata
restaur ant,
thiswasSi pho'
si dea.I
don'tknowwhyhewant edust ogoto
ther estauranti nsteadofhav i
ng
dinnerher eathome.

Me: "
Ther e'
snot hi
ngwr ongwi ththis
dress,i
t'sperfect.
"Itwasashor tt
ight
dress,itshowedof fmycl eavage.
Asenat hiactuall
ychosei tforme.
"Besidesi t
'
snotl i
key ourmom and
dadwi llbethere."Yep,Si
phodeci ded
ona' sibli
ngs-only'
dinner,
may behe
didn'
twantt omakeMr sDl amini
uncomfor
tabl
ehencehesai
dwe
shoul
dgot oarest
aur
ant
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Takei
tof
f.
"

Me:"No."Thi
ngswer eabitsomber
betweenus,wehav en'
treal
lyspoken
aboutwhatwentdownl astni
ght,wel
l
hehasn'tcometomet oaddress
whatIsaidtohim andIwasn' tabout
toforcehimtotalktome.He' sbeen
avoidi
ngmet hewhol eday,I'
m only
seeinghim whenhecamet otakea
showerandnowhe' scomplaini
ng
aboutmydr ess,
howamazi ngi s
t
hat
?*r
oll
i
ngey
es*

Sivuy
il
e:"Youarenotgoingout
l
ookingliket
hat,
ther
ewi l
l beabunch
ofthi
rst
ymeni nthatrestaurantand
theywil
lbelooki
ngaty ou."

Me:"I
twon'tbemyf aul
tmos.I
t'
snot
l
ikesther
e'sanyt
hingelset
heycan
doapartfr
om looki
ng."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Goandchange,
please.
"

Me:
"Idon'
thav
eany
thi
ngel
set
o
wear
."Iwasn'
tgoi
ngtochange,t
his
waspunishmentf
orhi
m avoi
dingme
t
hewholeday.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Thenwear
enotgoi
ngt
o
thi
sdi
nner.
"

Me:"
Suityour
sel
f,
nnakat
samay
a(me
Iam goi
ng)"

Sivuyi
le:
"Whydoy ouhavetobeso
stubborn?Al
lyouhav etodoisto
changet hef
reakendress.
"Ihummed
myt unewhil
ecombi ngmyweav e.
"Lunathi
!"
Me:
"keng?
(What
?)"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Changet
hatdr
ess.
"

Me:
"i
tsgoi
ngtotakemet
imet
olook
f
oranot
herout
fi
t."

Siv
uy il
e:"
Ohnowi t
sgoingtotakey ou
ti
me? "Ilookedathi
m."Change!Iam
l
eavingnow. "Hewasalreadydressed
andr eady,whi
leIwassti
llbusywith
myf acecausehewast alki
ngtome
nonest op.Unli
kehi
m Ican't
mul
ti
task.

Me:
"By
e."Hewaswal
ki
ngt
owar
ds
t
hedoor.

Siv
uy i
le:"
andifuni ukuxabanaplease.
(I
don'twantt of i
ghtwi thyou.)
"Hesaid
beforeleavi
ngt heroom.Aww
shame, he'
sf oolinghimself.Iam so
notgoingt ochanget hisoutfi
t,I
actual
lylovei tandIl ookhotinit.
Isatdownont hedressi
ngt ableand
carri
edonwithmyf ace.Ican't
beli
eveIst
il
lhavetodr i
vewi t
ht hi
s
persontot
hev enue.May beIshould
change,
j
ustt
oav
oiddr
ama?Neh?
Makeupdone!Ti
met ochanget
he
dressaspert
hebul
l
yhusband
request
ed.
Thisoneisper f
ect,
ifhecompl ai
ns
aboutthisthenuyahlanya(
he'scrazy
).
Iwalkeddownst ai
rsandasal ways
theywerewai t
ingonmeand
Lumka,thatoneisforeverl
ate!If
Afri
cantimewasaper son,
itwouldbe
her.

Me:
"Wher
e'sy
ourbr
other
?"

Lul
ama:
"Hedeci
dedt
ogo,
hesai
d
somethi
ngaboutust
aki
ngti
meto
getr
eady.
"Wow!Thathur
tsabi
t.

Me:
"Oh?
"Iwasabi
tdi
ssapoi
nted

Ase:
"What
'
swr
ongwi
thgoi
ngwi
th
us?"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tsayt
her
e'sany
thi
ng
wr
ong."

Ase:
"Yousoundeddi
sappoi
nted.
"

Me:
"No-
"
"
Thepr
incessi
sher
ewecango!
"

Lul
ama:
"Mxm.
"

Me:
"Waitasec,If
orgotsomethi
ngi
n
myroom."Ir
ushedupt hest
air
s.

Lul
ama;
"Hai
ke!
"

Ase:
"Iwonderwhatt
hatsomet
hing
i
s."
Igotint
omyr oom andrushed
str
aightt
othecloset
.ThankGodIdi
d
notret urni
tintheshelf
,Iwouldbe
screwedr i
ghtnow.Itookofthedress
Iwaswear ingandchangedintomy
previousone.Si v
uyil
eneedstobe
taughtal esson,hecannotavoi
dme
alldayl ongandexpectmet otakehis
orders.Whatmadehi mt odr
iveto
therest aur
antwithoutus?Meinfact?
He'sr eall
yavoidi
ngme.

Me:
"Letsgogi
rl
s."Isai
dasIr
eached
t
helastst
ep.

Lumka:"
Gir
l!
!Fl
amesiswhatyouar
e
ri
ghtnow.Nosexy
!Infactev
ery
compliment!AndhereIwast
hinki
ngI
wasn'tgoi
ngt ohav
ecompeti
ti
on."
Shetalksalotsometi
mes.

Ase:
"Ayeye!Iwasact uall
ywaiti
ng
unt
ilwegett otherestaurantsothatI
cantel
lyouwher etogetof ffornot
weari
ngthedr essIpicked."

Me:"
uyayi
thandai
att
ent
ion(
youl
i
ke
at
tent
ion.
)"

Ase:
"Kakade,Igrewupwi t
halotof
si
bli
ngsIdidn'tgetenoughat
tent
ion
gr
owingup."
Me:
"Youaresounnecessar
y.Canwe
gopl
ease.
"

Lul
ama:
"Af
tert
aki
ngpi
ctur
espl
ease.
"
Wet ookmult
ipl
epi
ctur
es,
weonly
l
eftthehousewhenSiv
uyi
l
ecall
edto
t
ellustheyar
ewaiti
ngonus.

"
Andtheyfi
nal
lydecidet
ograceus
wi
tht
heirpr
esence."Wesatdown.

Si
pho:
"We'
vebeenwait
ing,
and
wai
ti
ngandwait
ing.
"
Lul
ama:"
Goodt
hingsar
ewor
tht
he
wai
tbhuti
."

Sipho:"Toyourmenmay be,nothere.I
actuall
ywouldhav epreferredyouin
pjaysorlongassdr esses,lookatthe
attenti
onyouar eattr
actingtoour
table.Thewaitersareev enhuddli
ng
up, am sur
etheyar ediscussingyou."

Lumka:"Whowouldn'
t,Imeanhave
youlookedatus?AndImean
proper
ly,
unganxami
(don'
trush.
)"
Si
pho:
"mxm.
"

Ase:
"Theyshoul
dbetaki
ngour
or
dersinst
eadofdi
scussi
ngus.
"

Sipho:"
Yazinj
e.(
Youknow!
)"He
raiseduphishand,
onewai
tercame
toourtable.

Wait
er:
"Goodev eni
ngmynamei s
Musa,I
'
llbeyourwaiterf
ort
henight
."
Hehandedust hemenus."CanIget
youdri
nks?"
Ase:
"Yespl
ease.I
'
llhav
eagl
assof
redwi-
"

Sipho:
"excuseme?
"Hi sl
ookmyGod!
Ithi
nkwehav eastr
ictbr
otheronour
hands.

Ase:
"Uhm I'l
lhav
eappl ejuice.
"I
gi
ggled.NowIknowt hatt hereisa
per
sont hatcanint
imidate
Asenathi
,howamazingi sthat?It'
s
morethanamazi ng.

Me:"
I'
ll
havethesame."Iwascravi
ng
acocktai
l
,butaf
tert
helookAsenathi
gothayI
'
llpass.
Theoldersi
ster
sorder
edabot
tl
eof
winewhilet
hebrot
hersopt
edf
or
whiskey.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Asepleaseswappl
aceswi
th
Boi
tumelo.
"I'
m Boitumel
o?

Ase:
"Ascomfort
abl
easIam y
ou
wantmet ost
andupandmovetot
he
ot
hersideoft
hetabl
eandswap
pl
aces?Yohha-"

Si
pho:
"SukaAsenat
hi(
mov
e
Asenat
hi)
"

Ase:
"hayveleIwasgoi ngtomov e,I
don'
tli
kethel i
ghti
ngoft hi
ssi de.
"
Thetabl
eer uptedwit
hl aughter.She
wasnotgoingt omov eifSiphodi dn'
t
sayanythi
ng.Outofr espectforhis
si
bli
ngsIdecidedt oswappl aces
wit
hAsenat hi
.

Siv
uyil
e:"Ithoughtweagr
eedony ou
changi
ngt hedress.
"Youthought
wrongMr .
Thewai
terar
ri
vedwi
thourdr
inks.
"
I'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou"Hewasn'
treal
l
y
whisper
ingbutt
het
onewasl
owy
et
st
ern.

Me:"Youl eftme."Helookedatme
confused."Youdr ov
etot he
rest
aurantony ourownandl eftme
behi
nd."Isawasmi lecreepi
ngupon
hismout h.

Sivuyi
le:"Youwantedt odri
vewith
me? "I
shest upi
dorwhat ?"Wel
lI'
m
sorrybaby ,Ij
ustwantedtospeakto
Siphoaboutsomet hingbeforeyou
arri
ved."Iwonderwhatt hati
s.
Me:
"Youshoul
dhav
etol
dme.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Ar
eyoumad? "Hehadasi
l
ly
smi l
eonhisface.Hepeckedonmy
l
ips.

Si
pho:"Wearest i
llher
eyouknow? "I
bl
ushedandl ookedaway .Notso
l
ongagoIwasmadt hathewas
avoi
dingme,butlookatmenow
bl
ushingbecauseofhim.

Siv
uyil
e;"
Sorr
yaboutt
hat,Itendto
getcarr
iedawaysometi
mes. "He'
s
handlandedonmybarethigh."I
'm
st
il
l nothappyaboutt
hisdr
ess.
"He
whisperedinmyear.

Me:"
uzoqina!
(Youwil
lbestr
ong)"He
gav
emeal ookwhichIcomplet
ely
i
gnored.

"Sowhenar ewemeet i
ngyourson
bhut'
Sipho?"He'
s11yearsol
derthan
mesoIhav etor
especthi
m.Wewer e
devouringourmeal
s.

Si
pho:
"Assoonashismot
herget
s
backt
ohersense.
"
Lumka:
"Whatdi
dshedo?
"

Sipho:"
ayyshe'scausingunnecessary
drama.Shef oundmewi thagirlat
mypl aceonSat ur
daymor ni
ng,now
she'skeepi
ngmysonawayf r
om.I
don'tevenknowwhyshe' sacti
ngup
causewear enott ogetheranymore."

Lul
ama:"
Doy ouwantust oatt
endto
her?Maybehaveawomant owoman
tal
kwit
hher."Iknowexactl
ywhat
shemeansbywomant owomant al
k.
Sipho:
"youwoulddot hatforme? "He
hadasmi leonhisface,heclear
ly
doesn'
tknowt hatvi
olencewi l
lbe
doingthetal
kinginthattal
k.Thisis
Lulamawear etalki
ngabout ,
she
hangsoutwi t
hBont l
e.

Lulama:"
Ofcour
se.Youar
eour
brother
."

Si
pho:
"Iwoul
dlov
ethat
."

Lul
ama:"
sendmeheraddressand
tomor
rowyouwi
ll
seey ourson.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwonderhow.
"

Ase:
"Doyouev
enhav
etoask.
"We
l
aughed.

Lumka:
"Thi
sfoodi
sdeli
cious.Thank
youf
orbri
ngi
ngusher
eSipho."

Si
pho:
"Ihadt
oo.Iwant edt
obond
wi
thyouguyswithoutmakingy
our
mom uncomfor
table.
"Awwshame.

Lumka:
"Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
."
Sipho:
"Comeon,you'
veseenher
behavi
ourt
owardsmei nthosetwo
occasi
onsI'
vebeeninherpresence.
"

Ase:"
Ihav eshameandi t
'snot
ni
ce,especial
lycomingfr
om aper
son
whowaspr eachi
ngabout
acceptanceandf or
giv
enessto
someonewhowasi nasimil
ar
si
tuati
on."

Lul
ama:
"Ase.
"
Ase:"
NoLama!Let '
sbehonest ,
notso
l
ongagodabswant edLunathito
acceptSandi asBhuti
'ssecondwi fe
knowingv erywellt
hatbhuticheated
onLunathi wit
hher,nottoment i
on
accepti
ngt hepregnancythatwas
conceiv
edi nthatcheati
ngperiod."
Siv
uyil
etightenedhisgri
ponmy
thi
gh

Si
pho:
"What
?"

Ase:"
imagi
neaccepti
ngabetrayal
chi
ld.Sheevenfor
cedSanditomov e
i
ntothemansion,i
nLunat
hi'
sroom
nogal!Andyenashecan'tacceptan
ol
dchi l
dthatwasconceivedway
beforeshewasinthepictur
e?Hayno!
Sheneedst opr
acti
cewhatshe
preaches.Qhaqwaba!
"

Sipho:"Iguesspeopl
ereact
diff
erentlywhentheyaretheonesi
n
thesituation.
"

Ase:
"Sayt
hatagai
nbr
other
!"

Lumka:"
Mom justneedsti
me.She
wil
lsooncomet oter
mswi t
h
ever
ythi
ngandgiveyouthewarm
wel
comet
haty
oudeser
ve.
"

Sipho:
"Sointhemeanti
meImust
havesecretemeet
ingswit
hmydad
andsibli
ngs?"

Sivuyil
e:"
nobr
oh,t
here'
snoneedf or
that.Youaremorethanwel cometo
comeatmyhouseany t
imeofday.
Youar eourbr
otherthere'
snoneed
tohide."

Sipho:
"Idon'
twantt omakeherfeel
uncomf or
tabl
ei nherownhouseor
makeherf eell
ikeIam for
cingmysel
f
i
ntot
hef
ami
l
y."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Itdoesn'
tmatter
.Youar
e
ourbrot
her,weneedtohavea
rel
ati
onshipwithyou.Mamayenawi
l
l
j
usthavet obestr
ong."

Lul
ama;
"HaySi
vuyi
le!I
t'
snoteasyfor
awomantoacceptasecret
echil
d."

Ase:
"asi
fitwaseasyf
orLunat
hit
o-"

Lul
ama:
"khat
hul
e!(
shutup!
)"
Ase:"
No.Don'tgetmewrongIl
ove
youdabs,butIdon'
tl
iket
hewayshe
wentaboutthewholeSandi
sit
uati
on
andthewayshehasbeent r
eati
ng
Lunathi
."

Lumka:
"sheapol
ogi
sedt
hough.
"

Ase:"
Didshemeani tthough? "
Sil
ence"exact
ly!Actual
l
y,talki
ng
aboutthi
sismaki ngmet hir
sty,I
needmeast r
ongdr i
nk.
"

Si
pho:
"Hai
kewena!
"
Ase:
"kanci
nci
njebhut
i.Justone
gl
ass."

Si
pho:
"No.
"

Ase:
"Pl
ease.
"Helookedatherf
ora
whil
easshegavehim puppyey
es.

Sipho:"
Fine!Justonegl assonly
becauseIal soneedit,
let'
sgot othe
bar."Thebarwasn'treal l
yfarfr
om
wher ewewer esitt
ing.Wecoul d
actuall
yseet hem f
rom her e.
Lul
ama:"If
eelsosorryf
orhim.It
'sas
i
fhe'syear
ningforamother'
slove
andhewashopi ngtogeti
tfrom
mom. "

Lumka:"Yeahneh.Maybeweneedto
tal
ktomom andmakeher
underst
andtheimpor
tanceof
accepti
nghim andmaki
nghimfeel
welcomed."

Sivuyi
l
e:"Buthesai
dhewasf inein
thefamilydepar
tment
,hegotallt
he
l
ov eheneeded."
Lul
ama;
"andy
oubel
i
evedhi
m?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ihadnor
easonnott
o."

Lul
ama:"
Idon'
t.Whyel
sewouldbebe
sobot
heredaboutmom not
wel
cominghim?"

Lumka:
"Yeahneh.
"

Me:
"Maybehef
eelsl
ikehebrokea
f
amil
yapart
.Hedoesn'
twantyour
mom t
obeunhappybecauseof
hi
m,t
hatcoul
dbet
her
eason.
"

Lul
ama:
"Ma-
"

"Stopi tmarn!
!"Wet urnedoureyest
o
thebar ,i
twasmay hem.Siphoand
someguywer egr abbingeachother
byt heirnecksandAsenat hiwas
try
ingt obreakt hem apart.We
i
mmedi at
elyrushedt othebar,
Sivuyil
ecamet otherescueandwas
ablet obreakt hetwomenapar t
.

Guy:
"Thisishowyoudome
Asenat
hi?!
!Aft
erever
ythi
ngI
'
vedone
f
ory
out
hisi
showy
out
hankme?
!!
"

Ase:
"It
snotwhaty outhi
nk
Thandazani
."Ohhht hisi
sthe
Mini
sterofFinance,myGodhedoes
l
ookabi tol
d...notoldol
d,maybe35
year
sold.

Thandazani:
"Youfucki
nghim now?
!!
Couldn'ty
ouhav echosensomeone
el
se? !Whydidyougof ormyenemy
marnAsenat hi
!!
"

Sipho:
"Hayf
utsekwena!Howdare
youspeaktomel i
kethat
,hav
eyou
for
gottenwhoIam BOY?!!"Mini
ster
ofFinancethr
ewapunch
unfort
unatel
yitl
andedonSivuyi
le.
Mypoorhusband'sface.

Sivuyil
e:"
Ekse! "Heal sot hrewhi sown
punch,thent hemay hem st arted
Siphojoinedi nont hef ight.Wecoul d
reall
ydoany thingapar tfrom scream
forhelp.Af ewwai t
er sranupt ous
andt ri
edt heirbesttobr eakt he
fi
ght,al
lthesemenwer est rongand
veryangr yandi twasami ssion
getti
ngt hem t ostop!Ev erythingwas
amess, thewer escreamsf rom us
andgr owlsf rom thesemen, mymi nd
wasinadazeandi tstoodsti
llwhenI
hear
dagunshot .Afreakengunshot
i
nar estaurant.Iheldbothmyear s
andwentdownasI 'veseenthem do
i
nmov i
es.Itwasscr eams
ever
ywher e,t
heot hercustomerswere
al
soscar ed.

Sipho:
"Arey our eall
ygoingt opul
l
.out
aguni npubl i
c?!"Myey eswer e
completelyshut ."Youmi ghtwantto
pointthatgunsomewher eelseBOY!"
Iwasscar edf ormyl if
eatt hesame
ti
meIwant edt ogetupandchecki f
Sivuyi
l
ei ssafe.
Thandazani:
"Whoar
eyoucall
i
ngboy?!
Youthinkfucki
ngmygi
rl
fr
iendmakes
youaman? "

Ase:
"Thandazanipl
easeputthegun
down.Iam notcheati
ngony ou
okay!
"Thef owar
dAsenathiwas
gone,
thisoneri
ghtherewasaf ear
ful
Asenathi
."Heismybrother
"

Thandazani
:
"St
opl
yi
ngt
ome!
"

Ase:
"Iam not
!!Thi
sismybr
otherand
wewer eallher
eforaf ami
lydi
nner.
Putthegundownandst opact
ingl
ike
afool!
!"Shewast ry
ingtoactf
earl
ess
buti
twasnotwor ki
ngcauseher
voi
cewasshaki ng.

Thandazani
:
"Asenat
hi!Justshutup!
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Don'
tyoudar
escr
eam ather
wena!
!"

Sipho:"Futsekmarnwena!Isai
dpoint
thatgunsomewher eel
se.
"Icouldn'
t
bringmy selftoopenmyeyes,t
ears
off eararestreami
ngdownmyf ace.
Thandazani:
"Youknowhowi tgoes
i
nt hegameSni per
!Youdon'tstep
i
ntoanotherplayer
'st
err
it
oryand
expecthi
mt oletyouwalkaway ."I
heardhim cocki
ngthegun.

Ase:"Thandazani Nooooo!!
!"Iopened
myt earyeyes,theylandedont hegun
whichwaspoi nt edtoSiphowho
di
dn'tev enseem t obebothered.
Thandazi movedt hegunf r
om
Si
pho' schesttohi shead,
Asenathilet
outal oudscream.Iwassoscar ed,I
wantedt opeer i
ghtthereont hespot.
Il
etoutasighofrel
iefwhenIhear
d
poli
cesi
rensneari
ngtherest
urant
.
Someonemusthav ebeenbrave
enought
ocallthem.

Thandazani
:"
Thi
sisnotov
er!
!"Heput
thegundownandrushedoutoft
he
rest
aurant
.

Si
pho:"Let'
sgetoutofher enow! "
Asenathiwascryi
ngherey ebal
lsout.
Si
v uyi
l
ecamemeandhel pedmet o
standup,assoonashepl acedhis
arm aroundmywai stIletthetears
out,myheartwasbeatingoutofmy
chest.Wer ushedoutofthe
rest
aurant,
wel l
hewasr ushi
ngand
becausehisar m wasaroundmeI
hadnochoi cebuttomat chhispace.
Weal lgotintothecar
sandspedof f
theparkinglot!
○
"Youdatingolderguysnow
Asenathi?!
"-Sivuy
il
e.Wewer ei n
Sipho'
slivi
ngroom, hesuggest ed
thatwedr i
vestrai
ghttohishouse.
LulamaandLumkawer eflatout
asleepintheguestroom, Iguess
thosetwobot tl
esofwinet heyhad
showedt hem fl
ames.HowIwi shI
canbet hem,IdoubtIwi l
lfallasleep
toni
ght,
bitaf
tert
hatt
raumat
ic
experi
ence.

Sipho:"
Whateverhappenedtoboys
yourage?!Doy ouknowwhot hat
mani s?!
"Asenathinodded."
Noyou
don't
!Youthinkyoudo,butyoudon'
t!
"

Sivuyi
le:"YouareluckyIam not
wearingabel tri
ghtnow, otherwiseI
wouldhav ewhippedy ourasswi thit
!"
Theywer efuming,understandably
though." Whatisthatyoudon' tgetat
homet hatmadey ougof oranol d
guy?!Huh? !"Asenathishookherhead.
Sipho:
"Ihavealotofbel
tsi
nt hi
s
housemni nawa(l
it
tl
ebrot
her)maybe
alashortwomi ghtmakeheropen
hermout handtal
k!"

Me:"Canwedot hi
sinthemor ni
ng?
We'veallhadatraumaticni
ght!All
weneedi ssomer estandtocalm
down."YesIam protecti
ngmyf ri
end.
She'
snotaboutt ogetahidingwhileI
am here,
I'm sur
ebyt omorr
owt hey
wil
lwakeupcal m.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Seemywi
fei
str
aumat
ised
nowbecauseofy
ourst
upi
dshi
t!
!"
Hai
ke!

Me:"Canwegot osleepnowplease.
"
Iwaslooki
ngatSivuyil
e.Wewere
goi
ngtospendt henighther
eat
Si
pho'shouse.

Sivuy
il
e:"Yougomylove,Iwi
llf
oll
ow
youaftertal
ki
ngtot
hisone."Nomy
fr
iendhashadenought r
aumaf ort
he
day.

Me:"
I'
m scared,
Ican'
tgoint
her
e
al
one.Let'
sgoplease.
"Il
ett
he
water
wor
ksdothethi
ngs.Hel
ooked
atmeandsi
ghed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Alr
ightbaby
.Wena! "He
point
edatAsenathi"
wewi lltalk
aboutthi
sinthemorning.Let'sgo
babe."

Sipho: "
It
stheroom atthefarend.
Andwenabl esseeyoursisnextto
mi ne.Comel et'
sgo."ThankGodthey
agr eedtogot obed,hopef
ull
ythey
will becalmtomorrow.

Idon'
tknowhowIam goi
ngt
osl
eep
withmyhear tbeatingthi
sfast ,but
beingonhisbarechestandhi sarms
ti
ghtl
ywr appedaroundmei smaki ng
mef eelwaybetter.Foroncewear e
goingtosleepwithoutsext alksev en
thoughIam nakedandsocl oset o
him,Iguesshedoesr eal
iset hatthis
i
snott herightt
ime.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
○
Sor
ryf
ort
hel
atepost
.
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t76
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

IdonotknowhowIendedupf al
li
ng
asleeplastni
ght,
maybebei
ngheldby
myhusbandhel ped.I
'
m act
ual
ly
regret
ti
ngsleepi
ngnaked,
well
it'
snot
l
ikeIhadachoi ce.Itwashard
i
gnoringhistent,If
eelsoselfi
sh
becausehe'snotgoi ngtogetany
morningglory.Iam goingt
opr et
end
tobeasleepunt i
lhewakesupand
getsoutofthebedj usttoavoidany
confl
ict
sorawkwar dmoment s.
Ifel
twetl
ipsl
andingonmyf or
ehead,
Isti
l
lst
ayedincharact
er,
hedoesn'
t
knowIam awakemos.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Goodmorni
ng.
"Bust
ed!
Anot
herkissfol
l
owed.

Me:
"Howdi
dyouknowIwas
awake?
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Idi
dn'
t,
Iwasact
ual
l
ywaki
ng
youup."

Me:
'Coul
dn'ty
ouwakeupony
our
ownandletmesl
eep.
"

Siv
uyil
e;
"Il
ear
ntal
loft
hisf
rom y
ou.
"I
chuckl
ed.

Me:"Morni
nghusband.
"Helif
tedmy
chinandpl
ast
eredhisl
ipsonmine
giv
ingmeaheartf
eltki
ss.
Sivuyi
le:
"nowmydaycanoffi
ciall
y
start
."Iblushed."
Howar
eyouf eel
ing
thismorning?"

Me:"
I'
mf i
neIguess.Iwasj
ustscar
ed
l
astnight
."

Siv
uy i
le:
"Underst
andabl
y.I
'
m sti
l
l
confusedast owhyAsenathi
decided
todatesuchanol dguy.
"

Me:
"He'
snotthatol
d."Ihadnodoubt
t
hathewaslooki
ngatmei nanotso
f
ri
endl
ymannerr
ightnow.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Hei
sol
dLunat
hi.
"

Me:"Iam withyou,andy
ouar eway
ol
dert hanme."Thandazaniisver
y
ol
d, Iwasjustt
ryingtodefendmy
fr
iend.

Sivuyi
l
e:"I
t'
snotthesame, t
hatguyis
wayoldert hanme,he'sprobably
Sipho'
sageandt hatold!
"Ishrugged.
"Asenathigetseveryt
hingthatshe
wantsf r
om herfami l
y,
sureher
parentsarestri
ctbutbecauseshe's
theonlygir
l andthelastborn,t
hey
givehereverythi
ng.Incl
udingmeand
herbrother
,soIdon'tunderstandwhy
shewoul ddot hi
s."

Me:"
May
beshei
sinl
ovewi
tht
he
guy
."

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Bul
lshi
t!Shewasnoteven
supposedtolookhiswayi
nt hefi
rst
place!
"Ohohhe'sgetti
ngangryagai
n.

Me:"
calm down.
"Ibrushedhi
schest
.
"
Themustbear easonwhyshe'
sina
r
elat
ionshi
pwithhim."
Si
vuyi
l
e:"Ineedtotalktoher
."He
at
temptedtositup,butmyheadwas
onhi
schest .

Me: "
mmmhmar n.Youneedt ocalm
downandappr oacht hismatterwith
acool head.Youguy scannotbe
threateningtobeatherupwi tha
belt,
thatwi l
lonlypushherst raight
i
nt ohisar ms.Whaty ouneedt odoi s
sitherdownandt ryt ounderstand
thereasonf ortheirrelati
onship,t
hen
bhut'Siphocant el
lheraboutt heki nd
ofmanThandazani is.Makehersee
thaty
ouar eonhersideandy ouwant
what'
sbestforher.
"Afterseeing
Thandazani,
Iam al
soagai nstthei
r
rel
ati
onshi
p.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Sondimt
otobi
semnawhi
l
e
enzal
amanyal
a?"

Me: "
Ifyoudon'twanttol oseherto
Thandazani,t
heny es.Youknowhow
stubbornAsei s,
shedoesasshe
pleasesespecial
lyifyoucomewi t
h
thatatt
itudeyouhav erightnow.She
willdat
eThandazani justtospit
ey ou.
Arey ougonnakeeponbeat ingher?
Mmmh?
"Hesi
ghed

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Hayndi yakuv
ababy(Ihear
youbaby)I'l
lspeaktoSiphoandhear
whathehast osayaboutt hi
s."I
smiledproudly
."Sodidyouknow
aboutthi
sguy ?"OhGOD

Me:
"Idid,butIdi
dn'
tknowhewas
t
hatold."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Soy
ouadmi
tthathei
sol
d."

Me:
"mxm.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Doy ouknowhowmuchI
l
oveyou?"Butt
erf
li
es!Whenwast
he
l
astt
imeIfeltt
hem.

Me:
"NoIdon'
t
."

Sivuyil
e:"
IloveyouMaDl aminiwam.
Youar ethebestt hi
ngt hathasev er
happenedt ome.YouknowIam not
reall
yar omantic,
butIam wi ll
i
ngt o
tryjusttogetthatsparkback.You
mi ghtthi
nkwel ostit
,butIstil
lfeeli
t
everyti
meIl ookatyou.IknowIam t o
blamef orthewayy ouf eel,
andIt ake
full
responsibil
i
tyandIam r eall
y
reall
ysor r
yforthepai nIcausedy ou."
Ismi l
edashest areddeepi ntomy
eyes."Iloveyou,neverev erdoubt
that.
"Hepl acedaki ssonmyl ips.I
t'
s
amazi nghowwewer et alki
ngabout
Asenat hiaminut eago,butnowhe' s
expressinghislov eforme.

Me:
"Il
oveyout
ooJamakaSj
adu.
"
Hel
ookedatmeamused.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Howdoy
ouknowmycl
an
name.
"
Me:"Igoogledi tbeforewegot
mar r
ied.Bont l
eliedandsai dIwil
l
havet oreci
teitt oyouwhenIwal k
downt heaislebecauset hatshow
youdoi tinroyalty.
"Hel aughed.
"Don'tl
augh, Ididn'
tsleepf orday
s
try
ingtomemor i
zet hem."He
l
aughedagai n.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Bont
lei
sboss!
!"

Me:
"Shepl
ayedme!
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Shekindahelpedy
ou
though,
causenowy ouknowmycl
an
names.Youknowhowt
osof
tenme
up.
"

Me:
"ahh!That
'st
het
heonl
yoneI
r
emember .
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
ehopel
ess.
"
Wespentaboutanhourinbed
t
alki
ngaboutalotofthi
ngs,Iwon't
l
iemyheartwasatahappypl ace.I
wasfal
li
nginlovewit
hhim aseach
minut
epassed.
Aft
erourbondingsessionwetookan
i
nnocentshowertogetherandwore
ourl
astnightcl
othes,
becausewe
di
dn'
thav
eachangeofcl
othes.
Thesi
bli
ngswereal
lsi
tt
inginthe
l
ounge,
well
exceptf
orAsenathi
.

Si
vuy
il
e;
"mor
ningf
am.
"

Lul
ama:"Mor
ninglovebir
ds."Wesat
down.Yano,
Sipho'shouseis
massiv
eandit'
sasi ngl
estorey
house.

Me:
"Wher
e'smyf
ri
end?
"

Si
pho:
"Thebl
essee?She'
snoti
nher
room,Iguessshewokeupear lyand
ranaway."Ichuckl
ed,
that'
smyf r
iend!
Sheknewshewasi nhotwat er
sand
thebestwayt oavoi
dconf r
ontati
on
wastorunaway .Speakingof
confr
ontati
on..
..
.

Me:
"Whenar
ey oupay
ingt
hebaby
mommaav i
sit
?"

Lul
ama:"
Afterbr
eakf
astandy
ouar
e
comingwit
hus."

Me:
"Huh?
"
Lumka:
"Yes.
"Hayno,
Idon'
twantt
o
gowit
hthem

Me:
"Ngeke,
Ican'
t.
"

Lul
ama:"Youcanandyouwil
l.Thi
sis
asi
ster
s' j
ob,
remember?Andyouare
par
tofthesister
s."

Me:"yoh!Finethen."Iwasnotreal
l
y
upfort hatchal
lenge,Idon'
twantto
associatemysel fwithtr
oubl
e,and
tr
oublei swhattheywer egoi
ngto
causeatt
hebabymomma'
shouse.
○
Iknowt hishouse,
thisi
sactuall
y2
street
sawayf rom myhome.Ican't
believ
ethesegirl
sbroughtmeher eto
attacksomeoneIknow, wel
lIdon't
knowherper sonal
lybutI'
veseenher
standingatherhouseandatthe
storeafewt i
mes.Yeswewer eatt he
babymomma' shouse.Wehadt ogo
backhomet ogearupwhichmeant
theywer eheretofi
ght.

Lul
ama:"
IwonderhowSi
phoended
upwit
hagirl
li
keher.
"Wewere
parkedahouseaway,
butwecould
seeherfr
om wherewewereparki
ng
becauseshewassit
ti
ngoutsi
de.
"Let'
sgo!
"Wejumpedofthecar.

Me:"
Andt
hen?
"Ipoint
edatt
he
sj
amboki
nherhand.

Lulama:"What ?Wemi ghtneedit."

Wow!Wewal kedtowardsthehouse,
Iwasnotr eadyf orwhatwasgoi ngto
godownt her e.Weopenedt hegat e
ast hegirlstoodupandwat chedus
walkin,shelooksabi tdiff
erentfrom
thepictureswewer eshown-I '
m not
j
udgi
ngt
hough.

Linda:"OhGod, hell
o."Shehaswide
smi l
eonherf acewhi chwasnot
returned."Tumi ,
usungaka?"Ismil
ed
awkwar dl
y.Inev erknowhowt o
respondt ot he'Youhav egr
own'
statement s,
besideswewer enother
e
onaf r
iendlyvisit
.

Lumka:
"Hel
l
o."

Linda:
"Hi
i.
"Shegreetedagainwith
enthusi
asm,shedoesn'tknowthat
theyareheretof
ighttheirbr
other
's
battl
e."Kazengigezengani
namhl anjeukuzovakashel
wa
abasebukhosini(IwonderwhatI
bathedint ogetav i
sitf
rom r
oyal
ty
today.
) "

Lul
ama:"
Weareheret
odiscuss
somet
hingser
iouswi
thy
ouLi nda.
"

Linda:
"OhmyGod,youknowmy
name."Ifonl
ysheknew."Letmego
getyouchairst
ositon.Wouldy
ou
l
ikesomet hi
ngtodri
nk?"

Lumka:
"Nowear
efi
ne.
"Shenodded
anddi
ssapper
edt
othehouse.

Me:
"Wher
e'st
hesj
ambok?
"

Lul
ama;
"Il
efti
tatt
hegat
e."Good.

Me:"
she'
sanicegirl
,
wejusthav
eto
t
alktoheri
nacalm mannerand
makeherseereason-"

Lumka:"
hayshutup,
uyabhuda!Ifshe
wasanicepersonasyousayshe
i
s,doyouthi
nkshewouldhav ekept
awaythekidfr
om hi
sdad? "Idi
dn't
haveacomebackfr
om t
hat."
Exact
ly!
Soshush!
"Li
ndacamebackwith3
chai
rs,
wesatdown.

Li
nda:
"SowhatcanIdof
ory
ou.
"

Lul
ama:"Wear eherebecauseofa
del
icat
ematter,wewoul dli
keyouto
gi
veourbrotheraccesstohischi
ld.
"
Okaythat
'sagoodst ar
t.

Li
nda:"Yourbr
other?"Conf
usi
on
overcameher."Idon'
thaveachi
l
d
wi
t hthePri
nce.
"
Lulama:"Wear
etal
ki
ngabout
Siphosam."

Li
nda:
"Sam i
sy ourbr
other?Si
nce
when?"Sheevenhasani cknamefor
hi
m,howcute.

Lulama:"That'
snoneofy ourbusi
ness.
Wear ejustheretofetchthechil
dso
thathecanspendt imewi thhi
sdad."
It
'staki
ngal eftt
urn.

Li
nda:
"Excuseme?
"
Lul
ama:"Youwil
lbeexcusedassoon
asyougiveusourson.
"

Linda:"Lalelalawena! (Li
stenher e
you!)Youwon' tcomeher eatmy
homet odi srespectmel ikethat,y
ou
don'tknowmeandIal sodon'tknow
you,sol et'
snotdi srespecteachot her
orelsey ouwon' tli
kewhaty ouwi l
l
get."Thehumbl e'f
an'wasgone.
"Nowt akey ourflatassesbackt o
wher every oucamef rom andt ellt
hat
spinelessbr otherofy oursthathe's
notgoi ngt oseehi ssonunt ilIfeel
l
i
kei
t.
"

Lumka:"Haysisi
unengxaki,
awusafunwa!Shi
yeka
mntase!(gi
rlyouhaveaproblem.You
arenotwant ed!
)Getthatt
hrough
yourthi
ckskul l
andstopcausing
unnecessarydramaRha!"

Lulama:"Exactl
y !Whyarey oufor
cing
yourwayi nsomeone' sli
fe,someone
whodoesn' tevencar eaboutyou.
Youaredegr adingy our
selfasa
woman.Hayawuzi t
handishame(You
don'tl
ovey our
sel f
.)
"
Li
nda:"
Haibo!Ngiyali
ngwayini
?(Hai
bo!
Am Ibei
ngtested?!)Youhave
i
nsult
edmeenough, pl
easegetthe
hel
loutofmyy ard!"

Lumka:"Wearenotgoi
ngany
wher
e
unt
ily
ougiveusthechi
ld!
"

Li
nda: "
Niyanginy el
anina!Akhongane
eni
zoy i
tholala,ngabe
ngi
y asagana!(Youar eshit
ti
ngme!
Thereisnochi l
dy ouaregoingtoget
here,Iwouldbecr azytodothat!
)
Yourbr ot
hert hinkshecan
i
mpr egnateme, r
uinmyl i
feandleave
met oraisethisbabyalonewhilehe
gal
av antsouttherewit
hbi t
ches?!
Never!Heneedst ogethi sactri
ght!
Theonl ywayhecanseehi sbabyisif
wegetbackt oget
herandt hat
'sit
!"
Yoh!

Lumka:"Youar
eapsy
choy
ouknow
that
!"

Linda:"
cal
lmewhat ev
ery ou
l
ike,oksal
ayoyouarenotleavi
ngwi t
h
myson! !NowIsaidgetthehelloutof
hereorelse.
..
."
Lul
ama:
"Orel
sewhat
?"

Li
nda:"Youdon'
twantt
ofi
nd
out
,t
rustme."

Lulama:
"Maybey ouareusedt o
scari
ngpeoplewiththat
,butnotus.
Wear enotgoinganywhere!"

Li
nda:
"Hai
bosisi
ngi
yakukhuza(
Iam
warni
ngyou.
)"

Lul
ama:
"mxm.
"
Li
nda:"
Hehe!"Shecl
appedoncet
hen
shetur
nedonherheelsandwent
i
nsidethehouse.

Me:
"May
beweshoul
dleav
e."

Lumka:
"St
opbei
ngacowar d,
she'
s
notgoi
ngtodoany
thingtous.
"I
hear
dthegat
eopening.Anel
derl
y
womanmadeherwayt ous.

Woman:
"Sanbonani
?(gr
eet
ings)
"we
gr
eet
edback."Ar
eyouLindaor
Nompil
o'
sf r
iends?Hayangi
nazi
kodwanina(
Idon'tknowyouthough)
"

Me:"NoMah,
wear
eSi
phosam'
s
si
ster
s."

Woman:
"Ohhhumkhweny
ana.
"
Lul
amascof
fed.

Lul
ama:
"Hehake.
"

Woman:"
Areyouwait
ingforLinda?
Letmegogetherf
ory ou.
"She's
beeni
nthehousef
orawhi lewhich
makesmewor
ri
ed.

Me:
"Guy
sweshoul
dgo.
"Iwhi
sper
ed

Lulama:"HaymarnLunathi
!"Wewere
sit
tingonthesi
deoft hehouse,
not
farfrom t
hedoor.Themotherwas
abouttoleavewhenwehear da
splashassheturned!

Li
nda:
"Mah!
"

L'
mom:"Li
nda!
!Ungi
thel
elani
ngamanzi
wenamarn!(Whydidy
ou
spl
ashmewi
thwat
er?
!)"

Li
nda:"
Iam sosorrymom, Idi
dn'
t
knowyouwer ehere.Bengi
thi
ngit
hel
alaba(It
houghtIwas
spl
ashingthem.)
"

L'mom:"Hayv oetsekmar n!
!The
waterisev endi r
ty!!Yazi
uyangij
way elawena! !Zizowashwa
uwenal ezimpahl a!Rha!Suka
endlel
eni yam. (
Youar egoingtowash
theseclothes!Mov eoutofmyway )"
Shepushedheroutoft heway!Li
nda
l
ookedhor ri
fi
ed, shemustber eal
ly
af
rai
dofhermom.

Lul
ama: "
Onsecondt houghts,
Ithi
nk
weshouldl ett
helawyersdealwit
h
thi
s."Shestoodup,whichmeantwe
shouldstandupto.

Linda:"
Lawyer
s?"Wewal kedaway
from her"
Woah!Wait!"Shecatched
upt ous."
Youcan'tt
akemet ocour t
,
Siphowouldneveral
lowy outodo
that.
"

Lul
ama:
"Thatwasbeforeheknewthe
ki
ndofpsychoyouar
e."Sheshowed
herherphone."Irecordedour
conv er
sati
on,
I'
m prett
ysur ethatmy
brotherandthejudgear enotgoi ngt
o
behappyaboutt his.Amot her
keepingawayachi ldfrom hi
sf ather
forherownselfi
shr easons,t
hej udge
i
snotgoi ngtobei mpressedwi th
you."Hermouthwaswi deopen.

Linda:"
Pleasedon'tdothat!I
fy ou
takemet ocourtImightneverget
seemychi l
dagain."Lul
amal etouta
smi r
k."Please,
I'
llal
lowSam t osee
hischil
d."
Lul
ama:"
Areyousureyoudon'
twant
hi
mt omarr
yyoufir
st?
"

Li
nda:
"Yes!
"

Lul
ama:"Per
fect
!Wewill
takeourson
nowthankyouverymuch."

Li
nda:
"I
'l
lbr
inghi
mtomor
row.
"

Lul
ama:
"Nonow.
"

Li
nda:
"Okayf
ine.Gi
vemeafew
minut
es.
"Sheheadedi
nsi
dethe
house.

Lul
ama:
"Andt
hat
'showy
oudoi
t!
"

Me:
"What
?Thatwast
hepl
an?
"

Lul
ama:
"Yep!
"

Me:"Butyouwereall
gearedupand
armed,It
houghtyouwereheret
o
fi
ght.
"

Lul
ama: "
That
'swhatIwant
edhert
o
thi
nk.Iknewsomehowshewas
goingtodiscr
edi
ther
sel
f,henceI
recordedourwhol
econv
er sat
ion.
ThereisnowayIwasgoingt obeat
upmynephew' smom."Wow!Iam
defeated.

Lumka:"
andher
eIwasr
eadyt
ofi
ght
."
Il
aughed.

Me:"
Youal
sodi
dn'
tknowaboutt
his
pl
an?"

Lumka:
"No!Ievenwarmedupf
ort
his
fi
ght
."Welaughedather
!
Li
ndawal
kedtowar
dsuscar
ryi
nga
sl
eepi
ngbabyandabag.

Linda:
"Ther
ey ougo."Shehandedt
he
babytoLumkaandIt ookt
hebag.
"Whenar eyougoingtobri
nghim
back?"

Lul
ama;
"We'
l
lcal
lyou.
"

Li
nda:
"Bu-
"

Lul
ama:
"By
e."
Wewal
kedoutt
hey
ardandwal
ked
tothecar ,
thegirlswerehappythat
thei
rmi ssi
onwasasuccess.Iam
sureSiphoi sgoingtobeecstati
cto
hisson,hewassocut e.I
'
m not
surpr
isedt hough,t
heDlaminigenes
aregorgeous.
Wepassedbymyhomej usttocheck
onmybr otherssi
ncewewer einthe
neighbourhood,unfor
tunatelythere
wasnoonehome, sowedr ove
strai
ghttoSi pho'
shouse.Icoul dn't
reall
ystaybecauseIwasmeet ingup
withmyf ri
ends.
○
Iar
ri
vedatMac'
Dswher
ewewer
e
meeting,
wewereonastudent
budgetsowecoul
dn'
treal
lygo
anywhereel
se.

Me:
"Gi
vememyf oodpl
ease!
"Isai
d
t
heminut
eIsatdown.

Kay
:"Hel
l
otoy
out
oo.
"

Me: "
Gir
l!Iam wayt ohungryfor
greeti
ng."Asenathipassedmemy
food,yestheblesseewasal sohere.
"Thanky ou!"Ii
ndulgedinmy
burger,
theywat chedmeeatunt i
lI
fi
nished."I'
m notfull
."Theyl
aughed.
Zi
ntl
e:"Youar
epr
egnant
!"Il
aughed
outl
oud.

Me:
"Youwi
sh!
"

Kay:"
Yes!Thatwoul
dexpl ainyou
i
nsisti
ngonuscomi ngher eandnow
youwantanotherburger
."Ifonlyt
hey
knew.

Me:"
Becausey
ouguy
ssai
dyouar
e
br
oke."
Ase:
"Wewoul
dhav
emadeapl
an.
"

Me;"HowwhenyouandThandazani
ar
enotonspeaki
ngter
ms."

Ase:
"Eyy!Andhewassupposedto
tr
ansfermesomemoneyt oday
!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wenay ouarepr
egnant
,i
nsuch
ashortspaceofti
mehayyoudon'
t
wast
et i
megi r
l.
"

Me:"Howdoesonef al
lpregnant
wi
thouthav
ingsex.Iam notMary
guy
s."

Ase:"Woah!Youmeany ou'v
ebeen
star
vingmybrotherev
ersincey
ou
gotback?"Hai
ke!

Zi
ntl
e:"
Haywenay
oudon'
tdot
hat
!"

Me;
"Ican'
thel
pmysel
f.
"

Kay
:"Whyareyoust
arv
ingt
hepoor
man?Bluebal
l
smustbekil
li
nghi
m."

Me:
"I'
m notr
eadyt
ohav
esexwi
th
hi
m."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ha.
ah!St
opact
ingl
i
kea
vi
rgi
n."

Kay:
"I
fy oudon'
tgi
vethatman
some,he'sgoi
ngtogeti
tsomewher
e
el
se.
"
That'sexactl
ywhatIam afrai
dof,I'
m
scaredthathemi ghtgetsomeoneto
sati
sfyhisneeds.Atthesamet i
meI
am afrai
dt hati
fIhavesexwithhi
m
hemi ghtnotbesat i
sfi
edandsti
llgo
outtheretogetsomeonet osati
sfy
me.Att heendIam af r
aidofget
ti
ng
t
hesamer
esul
tsnomat
terwhatIdo.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Iam notf
eel
i
ngwel
ltoday
!
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t77
•
•
•
•
•
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Spendingtimewi thSipho' schi

ldwas
anextremespor t,
hei st ooenergeti
c
fora2y earold,Ithinkal lt
hesweet s
wegav ehim madehi m superhy per
acti
ve!Iwast i
red,I'
venev erhadt o
runaroundthehouset hatmuch
beforeanditdidn'thelpt hatSi
pho's
housewasmassi v ewi thalotof
corners.BythetimeIwentback
home,mybodywast i
redIneededa
hotshower .
Iwal
kedi
nthr
ought
hedoor
,andt
he
onlyt
hingonmymindwast
hat
showerinmyroom.

"Si
vuyil
e."Mom call
edasIpassedby
thelounge.Ist
oppedandsi ghed
beforegoingtoher.Isatdownona
couchnextt oher
.

Me:
"Hi
mom.
"Shesmi
l
ed.

Mom: "Hellomybabywho' sbeen

avoi
dingme. "Herewego.YesI '
ve
beenav oidinghereversi
nceSipho
showedup." Eversi
ncethatboy
arr
ivedy ou'vebeenti
edont hehip
wit
hhim,youdon'
tcar
eaboutme
anymore.
"

Me:"
Ohcomeonmama,
i
t'
sonl
ybeen
4days.
"

Mom:"4daysofyounotchecki
ngup
onmeandcompl etel
yavoi
dingme
l
ikeam ast
ranger
."Wow

Me:"Youaretheonewhohas
di
stancedhersel
ffr
om t
hefami
ly
.
Lastnighty
oudidn'
tcomedownfor
di
nnerandIdon'tknowwhy.
"
Mom:
"It
houghtt
hatboywasher
."

Me:"Si
phomom, hisnamei sSipho.
Hewasn' ttherel
astnight
,evenifhe
wasy oushoul dhavecameandhad
di
nnerwi thus.Doy ouknowt hathe
doesn'twanttocomeher eany more
becausehedoesn' twanttomakey ou
uncomf ort
able?"

Mom:
"That
'
sagoodt
hingmos.
"

Me:
"Noi
t'
snotMah.He'
sbeena
secreteallhi
sli
fe,andnowt hathe
fi
nall
yhasachancet ohavea
rel
ationshi
pwi t
hhi sfami
lyfreel
yyou
aredeny i
nghimt hatchance."

Mom:"Youcan'
texpectmewel
come
hi
m openarms."

Me:"Actual
lyIcan.Youwant ed
Lunathitodothesame, andIcan't
compar eyoursit
uat i
ontohers
becauseher swast heworstbutyou
sti
ll
expectedhert oacceptSandiand
thepregnancy.I
ny oursit
uati
onthere
wasnobet rayali
nvolved,
theonly
betrayalwasdadl y
ingt
oy ou.Si
pho
didn'tasktobehidden,
hedidn'
tdo
anythingtoy ousoyouhavenoright
tobeangr yathi
m andnotwanttobe
i
nt hesamespaceashi m."Shewas
getti
ngt eary.

Mom: "
Ican'
tbel
ieveyoumyonl yson
areaski
ngmet oacceptanot her
woman'sson.He'sgoingt otake
ever
ythi
ngawayf r
om y ou.Howdo
youwantmet oacceptt hat?
"Therei
t
i
s.

Me:
"Whatt
hehel
lmom?
!Ist
hatt
he
onlythingy oucant hi
nkabout ?
Siphosam needsaf amilyandwena
allyoucant hinkaboutist he
i
nher i
tance?Wow!Idon' tknowwho
thispowerhungr ywomansi tt
ingin
frontofmei s,
causeit'
sdef ini
tel
ynot
mymom. "Iwasdi sappointed.

Mom:
"Doy
oubl
ameme?
!"

Me:"FYImamaSi phohashi
sown
shi
t.AndsodoI !Andhi
m bei
ngher
e
andbeinginv
olvedint
hefamil
y
busi
nessisactual
lyagooddamn
thi
ng!ThatmeanIcanfocusonmy
sur
ger
ywhi
l
ehef
ocusesonZC.
"

Mom:"Iam af
rai
dokay!Iam af
rai
d
t
hatyourdadmighttr
eathi
m bett
er
t
hany ou,
hemightl
ovehim morethan
you.
"

Me:"Youknowt heki ndofmandad

i
s,andy oushouldnev ereverdoubt
hisloveforhischil
dren.Youshoul d
knowbet ter
."Shesni f
fed."Tomorrow
wear eleavi
ngf orECandSi phoand
hissonar ecomi ngwith,youneedt o
getoverwhat everissuesyouhav e
overhim."Istoodupandl efther
weepi
ng.
AsIwal kedi nt
omyr oom,Iwasmet
byabeaut if
ul si
ght.Twoofmy
favouri
tepeopl esleepi
ngont hebed
l
ookingal l
kindsofcut e.Itookout
myphoneandqui cklycaptured
them,thenImadei tmywal lpaper.
Afteradmiringmypeopl eforaf ew
minutes,Itookof fmycl ot
hesandhi t
theshower .
Iwasenjoyi
ngthehotwat erhit
ti
ng
mybodywhenIsuddenl yfeltsoft
handssneaki
nguponmyst omach,I
alr
eadyknewwhoi twas.Iturnedand
peckedonherli
ps.Wet ookashower
toget
her,
i
twasn'taslongasIwant ed
i
ttobecauseIknewt hel
ongerIstay
i
nt her
etheli
ttl
ewasgoingtowake
up,andIknowshewon'tl
ikethat
.We
gotouttheshowerandwentt ot
he
room int
owels.

Me:"Youdist
urbedmyr el
axat
ion
sessiony
ouknow. "Shegiggl
ed.

Lunathi:
"i
twasar omanti
cgest ur
e."I
chuckled.It
'
samazingthatshei s
comf ort
ableenought
ot akeashower
withme, i
t'
stwoshowersnow.That
meanswear emakingprogress,r
ight?
Iturnedandgrabbedherbyt hewai st
br
inghercl
osert
ome.

Me:"Hell
obeaut i
ful
."Ihaven'
tseen
hertoday,whenIwokeupshewas
alr
eadygonef orcampus.Igav ehera
l
ingeri
ngki sswhi chwokeup
feel
ings,
includingacer t
ainbodypart
.

Lunathi:
"Hel
l
osl
eepyhead.
"I
chuckled.

Me:"
SoIam sleepyheadbecauseI
deci
dedtowakeupl at
eforoncein
myenti
reli
fe.
"Shelaughed.
Lunathi
:
"Once?!Don'
tmakeme
remindyoubhutipl
ease.
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"I
tsaonceof
fthi
ng.
"

Lunat hi:
"Mmhmmh.Letmekeep
quiet."Ili
ft
edherchi nupand
smashedmyl ipsonher s.Iwas
Frenchki ssingher ,
Ihaven'tdonethat
i
nawhi l
e.It'
salway sbeenlipsand
not onguei nvolved.Thi
skiss
definitel
ygott helit
tl
emanexci ted,
shef eltitt
oobecauseshewascl ose,
shepul l
edoutoft hekiss."Weshould
getdressedbeforethi
ngsgetoutof
contr
ol."Iwantthem t
ogetoutof
contr
ol.Irest
edmyheadonher
shoul
der s.

Me:"
WhatdoIdowi
tht
his.
"She
gi
ggled.

Lunat
hi:
"Iwouldhel
pyoubutwehav
e
achil
dintheroom."

Me:"She'ssl
eepingandshedoesn'
t
understandthi
s?"
Lunat
hi:
"Youareadirt
yparent
,we
can'
tdothat.
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"Ohhh"Igaspedasherhand
t
oucheduZizi
.

Lunathi
:"
Turny ourbackont hebed. "
Shesaidinsexyv oice.Shedi dn't
needtotellmet wi ce.Shegotdown
onherknees, Ithankedt hegodsas
sheinsert
edZi zii
nherwar m mout h.I
wasmoani ngandgr oaningasshe
workedhermagi ct ongueonuZi zi
,I
knewIwasn' tgoingt olastfort oo
l
ong.Af ewsucksandl icksI
explodedi
nhermout h,IknewI
wasn'tgoi
ngtolast
,youcan'tbl
ame
thoughIhaven'
thadsomei nmonths.
Thebucketsweretoofull.

Me:"Shi
i
t!"That
'sal
lIcouldsayaft
er
thatmuchneededclimax.Shegotup
onherkneesandwi pedthesidesof
hermouth.

Lunat
hi:
"Sat
isf
ied?
"Ilookedherand
smil
ed,i
fshehadn'tj
ustswal l
owed
mycum Iwouldkissherrightnow.

Me:
"Mor
ethanany
thi
ng.
"Shesmi
l
ed
andmadeherbackt ot
hebathroom.I
tyremy selfonthebedtry
ingt
o
recoverfrom thatmarv
elousmoment.

"Si
vuy
ilemarn!Getdressed."If
orgotI
wascompletel
ynaked, whydidChulu
havetobeintheroom,may beIwould
begett
ingf
uckedr i
ghtnow.

Me:
"Ineedt
ogat
hermysenses.
"

Lunathi:
"Notnakedwit
hChuluinthe
room."Sheissuchamom.Isi ghed
anddr aggedmynakedselftothe
closet
.Iwor emyNikeshort
sanda
v
est
.

Me: "
Howlonghasshebeen
sleepi
ng?"Iaskedasshewal
kedi
n
thecloset
.

Lunat
hi:
"Nott
oolonghey.Ineedto
wakeherupsoonthough,
causeifI
don'
tshewon'tsl
eepatnight
,andwe
can'
ttr
avelwi
thacrankybaby."

Me:"Speaki
ngoft
rav
eli
ng,
hav
eyou
packedy et
?"
Lunat
hi:
"No."Igav
ehert
helook."
I
wasti
redwhenIgotbackfrom
campus,I'
l
lpacktoni
ght
."

Me:"Mhm Ihopeso.Justr emember

wear eonlygoingtheref
orthe
weekend, sodon'tbr
ingyourbi
gbag.
Youknowwhi choneIam talki
ng
about."Shelaughed.

Lunat
hi:
"Iwasactual
l
yplani
ngon
packi
ngallofourcl
othesi
nthatbag.
Lessbaggage."

Me:
"Okay
,asl
ongasi
twon'
tbey
our
cl
othesonl
y.
"

Lunathi
:"
Don'
twor
ry.
"Shet
ookouta
dressandworei
t.

Me:"
Seet
hisisthedressy
oushoul
d
hav
ewornthatnight
."

Lunat
hi:
"Youar
est
il
lov
ert
hat
?"

Me:"No,andIwon'tbeunti
lIpunish
you.Andy ouknowhowIwi llpunish
you."Iwinkedather.Shesmiledand
pushedmeoutoft heway."Ispoketo
mymom andtoldheraboutSi
pho
comi
ngalongwit
hus."Wewalked
i
ntot
heroom andsatonthecouch.

Lunat
hi:
"Andwhatdi
dshesay
?"

Me:"Idi
dn'
tgiveherachancetovoi
ce
heropini
ons.Ij
usttol
dhertosor
tout
heri
ssues."

Lunathi:
"Haynnay ourmom baff
les
me, Idon'tevenwanttogeti
nvolved
i
nheri ssuesbecausewear esti
l
l
try
ingtosor toutourown.
"True
that,
henceIal sochoset
oavoidmom.
Me:"
Yeahneh."Si
lence."Whendoyou
t
hinkyouwil
lbereadyt obeint
imat
e
wi
thme."

Lunat
hi:
"Wej
ustgoti
nti
mateaf
ew
minut
esago.
"She'
ssmart.

Me:"
YouknowwhatImean.
"Shel
et
outabr
eath.

Lunat
hi:
"Idon'
tknow.
"Si
l
ence.
"Si
vuy
il
eI '
m sacr
ed.
"
Me:
"scar
edofwhat
?"

Lunat
hi:
"ThatIwon'
tsat
isf
yyouand
youwil
lrunbackint
oherarms.
"

Me:
"What
?That
'sbul
l
shi
t.
"

Lunathi:
"i
sit?Cany oulookmei nthe
eyesandt el
lmet hatsexwasn'tthe
reasonwhyy oucheat ed?"Ohshit
,do
Ili
eortellherthetr
uth?WhatdoIdo?
"Exactl
y!Sheknewherwayar ound
thebedroom andIdon' t,
henceyou
cheatedonme. "
Me:"
That'
sbull
shi
tbaby .Yousat
isf
y
meinall
way spossi
ble.Yeahsure
she-uhm she.
"Idi
dn'
twantt ohurt
her
.

Lunathi
:"
Youcansayit,
wear
e
clear
ingtheai
rri
ghtnowsoi
t'
sbest
tobehonest."

Me: "
Okay.Shediddot hi
ngst hatyou
didn'
tdoinbed,thingsInev erthought
Icouldexperi
ence.Butt hatdoesn't
meany oudidn'tsatisf
yme, youdo.I
didn'
tstar
ttheaf f
airwi t
hher
becauseofthat,itwasbecauseof
mygr eedandst upidit
y.IthoughtI
couldhavethebot hoft hebestworld,
l
ov eandexoticsexandIwaswr ong.
Youar eenoughf ormebaby ,
andyou
willal
waysbe, y
oursexi sthebomb
dotcom!Youshoul dnev erdoubt
yourskil
lsbecauset heyalwaysleave
mebeggi ngformor eandy ouknow
thattoo.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Real
l
y?"

Me:
"Yesbaby
.Justthi
nki
ngabout
t
hem get
smeexcited,
l
ikenow.
"She
gi
ggl
ed.

Lunathi
:"Iwanty outopr omiseme
thatnomat terwhathappensy ou
won'tcheatonme!Pr omisemet hat
youwi l
lteachmewhaty oulike
i
nsteadofget t
ingitsomewher eelse.
Tellmeal lyourfantasiesbaby ,Iam
heretofulfi
l t
hem."Myhear tjumped
withjoy.

Me:
"Youcal
l
edmebaby
."

Lunat
hi:
"Pr
omi
semeSi
vuy
il
e."
Me:"
Ipromisebaby.Iwi
ll
neverhurt
youl
ikethatev
erinthi
sli
fet
ime."

Lunat
hi:
"t
hanky
ou.
"

Me:"doest
hatmeanthegatesar
e
openedforZi
zi
?"Shegi
ggled.

Lunat
hi:
"Yes,
al
lgat
esar
eopened.
"

Me:"
All
?Asinli
keallal
l?
"She
l
aughedandhitmyleg."
OhhLor d!My
wi
feisabul
ly!Somebodypleasehelp
me!
"Ishout
ed.Shel
aughed.

Lunathi
:
"Shhhy
ouwi
l
lwaket
heki
d
up."

Me:"Yousai
dyouaregoingtowake
herupanyway,
soIam helpi
ngina
way."

Lunat
hi:
"mxm.
"

Me:
"Buty
ouar
eabul
l
ybabe.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Iam not
."
Me:"Youare.Li
kenowyouare
bull
yingme,l
ookmyfeetareonthe
fl
oorwhileyour
sareonthecouch.
"
Scratcht
hat!Herf
eetwereact
uall
y
ontopofme.

Lunathi
:"
That'
snotbul l
ying,
that'
s
actual
lyyouportr
ayingagent l
eman-
l
ikebehaviour
."Ichuckled.Ididsay
thatshe'
ssmar t
.

Me:
"Yo-
"Mwaaaa!Gr
eatt
hepr
incess
wasawake.
Lunathi
:"
ThankGodshewokeupon
herown,Iwouldhavefel
tbadf or
wakingherup."Imovedherfeetand
gotuptoattendtothecr
ying
pri
ncess.

Me:"Hel
lougl
ymonkey .
"Iki
ssedher
cheekshesmiled."
Lookathow
pret
tyyouarewheny ousmil
i
ng."

Chul
u:"
bababa"

Me:"Wait
!IsthatbabaIam hear
ing?
Babeshejustsaidbaba.If
eel
honouredthatthefi
rstwor
dthat
cameoutofhermout
hisbabawhi
ch
meansdad.
"Lunat
hil
aughed.

Lunat
hi:
"Chul
uisnotZulu.
"Shej
ust
hadtoburstmybubble.

Me:
"Youj
usthadtor
uinmyhappy
momentdi
dn'
tyou?"

Lunat
hi:
"Ihadt
o,beforey
ougotabi
g
head.
"Mxm, welaughed.

Me:
"Yourmom i
sjeal
ousbaby
."
○
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Iwashonest lyhappyt hatIwas

fi
nallyabl etovoiceoutmyf earst o
Sivuyil
eandhewasal soabl et o
reassuremeandpr omi semet obe
fait
hful,
Ijustprayandhopet hathe
stayst r
uet ohiswor d.Af terthet alkI
hadwi thmygi rl
syest er
dayIf eltit
wasbestt ogiv
ehim at ast eof
somet hinggood, hencet hesessi on
aftertheshowerandIal sof eltthe
needt ot alktohim afterthegi rl
s
adv i
sedmehav easi tdownwi t
hand
l
ethi m knowhowIf eel,
communi cat
ioniskeyr ight?
Tomor r
owwewi llbeleav i
ngf orEC
forthecer emonyt hattheywi l
lbe
performi ngf orme, from whatI 've
heardi t
'snot hingbi gjustacer emony
thatinvol vesclosef ami l
ymember s.
Mysi bli
ngswer ecomi ngwi t
hof
course,theyar et heonl yclosef ami l
yI
am leftwi thafteral l
,andmyauntwas
alsogoi ngt obet hereasshewas
represent ingtheMokoenael ders.I
wasn' tr
eal l
yexcitedaboutt he
ceremonybutIwashowev erexcited
aboutbei ngbacki ntheXhosa
Kingdom andwaki ngt otheamazi ng
view.Izi ppedupt hesui tcaseasI
hadj ustf i
nishedpacki ng.Ipackedal l
thecl othesonmyownev ent hough
Sivuyilepr omisedtohel
pme, the
mi nuteIt ookoutthesuit
caseand
toldhi mt opickouthiscl
ot hes,he
wentout sidetoanswera" phonecall"
whi chwasal i
ebecausehisphone
didn'tev enring,
butIl
ethi
m be.
Ideci dednott ogodownst air
sf or
dinner ,Imeani fMrsDl amini cando
i
t,whycan' tI?I'
m kidding,Ijust
want edtogi vet hem ti
measaf amil
y
tot alkthingst hrough.Iknowt hey
hav en'treall
yspokenaboutt hisSipho
i
ssueandsi ncewewer eallgoingt o
ECt omor row,theymi ghtaswel lsor
t
thingsoutt odaybecauseot herf amil
y
member swilldefi
nit
elypickupon
thetensi
on.Isnuggledupt omy
beauti
fulpr
incessandcl osedmy
eyesprepar
ingt opray.
Iwasi
nthemiddl
eofmypr ayer
whenIhear
dthedooropeni
ng.

"
Baby
."Si
l
ence,
I
'm st
il
lpr
ayi
ng.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Lunathi
baby.
"Sheshookme.
Iwasfi
nishi
ngoffmypray
er.

Me:"
Amen. "It
urnedonmyothersi
de
andlookedathim."Whyar
eyou
di
stur
bingmypr
ayer
?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Youwereprayi
ng?Butyou
werel
ayi
ngonyoursideandqui
et.
"

Me:
"ev
erhear
dofasi
l
entpr
ayer
?."

Sivuy
il
e:"
Youshoul dhav
ekneel
ed
thenbaby."Ishookmyheadathis
stupi
dit
y.

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwantSi
vuy
il
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whyar
eher
esl
eepi
ngwhi
l
e
wear
edownt
her
eeat
ing.
"

Me:
"I
'm gi
vi
ngyouguysspaceasa
f
amil
ytosortt
hingsout
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youar
eal
sopar
toft
he
famil
y.
"

Me:"
YouknowwhatImean.Sipho'
s
exi
stencedoesn'
treal
l
yaf
fect
ingme
l
ikeyouguys."

Siv
uyil
e:"
ThenI'
m al
sost
ayinghere
causeIam donetal
ki
ngaboutthat
."
Hewasaboutt
otakeof
fhi
sshoes.

Me:"HaymarnSiv
uyil
e!Youneedt
o
tal
kwithyourmom aboutthi
s.
Tsamaya(Go.)
"Helookedatme.
"Hamba(Go).
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Fi
ne!Idon'
tseet
heuse
though."

Me:
"Youwil
loncey
ousor
tthi
ngsout
wi
thyourmom."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ihat
eitwheny
ougetl
i
ke
t
his.
"Il
aughed.

Me:"
Justgo.
"Hechuckl
edbef
orehe
l
eftt
heroom.
○
Thefoll
owingmor ningwewokeup
andpreparedforthej ourney.We
weren'
tgoingtoleav eint hemor ni
ng
perse,
butwehadt ocl eanupar ound
thehousesinceMam' Luv oand
Manxelewer ecomingwi thus,t
hey
werefrom theKingdom af t
eral
lso
thi
swasmor eli
keaweekendof ffor
them t
oseet hei
rfami lymember s.
Ev
ery
onewasupandaboutt
he
house,exeptforLulamawhowasst i
l
l
packing.Asenathiwasnother e,
she
sentmeat extmessaget el
li
ngme
thatshe'snotcomi ngwith
us,unfort
unatel
yherbrothersawt he
textfi
rst,
nowhe'sonhi swayt ofetch
her.Itri
ednotif
yingherbutherphone
wasof f,
sowhat everhappenswas
noneofmybusi ness.

Mr '
D:"Alr
ighteveryone,gogetready
thedr i
verwi l
lbehereinanhourt o
takeust ot heair
port.Makoti
,ar
ey our
sibli
ngsgoi ngtomeetusatt he
airport
,ortheyarecomi nghere?"
Me:
"Theywi
l
lmeetusatt
heai
rpor
t.
"

Mr'
D:"
Alr
ight
.Getreadypeopl
e!And
don'
tbelat
e,t
hisdr
iveri
svery
punct
ual
."

Mrs'
D:"
WenaTat
auz
ohamba
ngant
oni?
"

Mr'
D:"
sizodibanaphambili
(wewi
l
l
meetattheai r
por
t).Ihav
esomethi
ng
t
otakecar eofattheoffi
ce."
Mrs'
D:"
USiphoyenauphi
?(Wher
eis
Si
pho?)"Woah!

Mr'
D:"
He'
smeeti
ngmeatt
heof
fi
ce,
wewil
ldr
ivet
oget
her
."

Mr s'
D:"
OhokaykeTata.
"Iguesst
he
reachedal
evelofunder
standi
ngl
ast
night.
○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Me:"
Getdressedsi
siwedon'
thaveal
l
daysi
si.
"IwasatAsenat
hi'
sfl
at,
she
knewhowi mport
antitisforal
lofus
tobepr esentf
orthispart
icul
ar
ceremonyev enhersibl
ingsare
comi ngandshethinksshecanst ay
behind,why?

Ase:
"Idon'
twantt
ogobhut
i.
"

Me:
"Whynot
?"

Ase:"
BecauseIknowhowy ouare,
you
aregoingtot
ellobhut
i'
Sphel
oabout
thi
sandy ouknowhowt heycanbe.
"
Me:
"vel
eIwi
l
ltel
lthem.
"

Ase:
"ThenIam notgoi
ngany
wher
e."

Me:
"Ohyesyouar
e,ev
enifitmeans
mecarr
yingy
ououtofthi
sf l
at.
"

Ase:"
kodwabhut
ithat
'snotf
air
,I
shoul
dbeall
owedt ohaveachoi
ce.
"

Me:
"Noti
nthi
sfami
lyyouarenot
.
Hambohl
amba(goandtakeabat
h)"

Ase:
"yohubhut
i!
"Shedr
aggedher
feetanddi
sapper
edt
hrought
he
passage.
Shehasanot hert
hingcomi ngifshe
thi
nksIam goi ngt oleaveherher e.I
knowIsai dIam goi ngtot ell
her
brothersaboutthebl esser-bl
essee
sit
uat i
on,
butIdon'twanthert odieso
Iwil
l keepittomy selfIalsohav eto
speakt oSiphoaboutt hat.

Afewminutesl
atershecameout
dr
essedandcar
ryingabag.

Me:
"Goodgir
l!Masambeke.
"It
ook
t
hecarkey
sandwel eft
.
Ase:
"H1?Whendi
dyoubuyt
his?
"

Me:
"i
t'
snotmi
ne,
i
t'
sLungani
'
s."

Ase:"
mmmh,Lunganineh.
"Idi
dn'
tli
ke
thel
ookonherfacewhenshesaid
that
.

Me:
"Ey
y!Don'
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t.
"

Ase:
"what
?Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
"
Me:"Mmmmh! "Wedr oveal ltheway
toTripleT'shousei nsil
ence, Iwasn't
i
nt hemoodt oconv ersewi thher
becauseIknowi fIdid,i
twasn' t
goingt obepr et
t y.I'
m sti
l
l madabout
theThandazani issue,wedi dn'treal
ly
getachancet ot alkabouti tbecause
shechoset orunawaybef orewe
wokeup.Lunat hi saidIshoul d
approacht hismat t
erwithacool
head,butmyheadi snotcool ri
ght
nowespeci allyaf t
erthisidiother e
tri
edtost aybackher einJobur g
whilewear eal lsupposedt ogo
home, howdar eshe?
Wear
ri
vedatt
het
ri
pleThouse,
they
werejustchi
l
li
ngout
sideanddr
inki
ng
beer
.

Me:"
Ihopeyouar
eal l
readyt
ogo.We
hav
eapl anet
ocatch.
"

Thabang:
"Al
lready
.Wej
ustwai
ti
ng
onyou."

Me:"
Igotdel
ayed,
Ihadt
ogopi
ckup
sometrash.
"

Ase:
"Hai
bo!
"
Thabo:"t
rashentl
eso? (
suchbeauti
ful
tr
ash.)"Asenat
hiblushed,what
wrongwi thher
?Whydoesshel i
ke
ment hismuch?

Me:
"Wher
e'sBont
leandy
ouraunt
?"

Li
zwi:"
lastti
meIcheckedshewas
tr
yingtostoptheauntfr
om packi
nga
cookedchickeninherbag.
"

Thabang:
"Appar
ent
lyev
eryoneneeds
askhaft
inwhenwearetravel
l
ing.
"
Thapel
o:"
can'
twel
eav
eherbehi
nd?
"

Me:
"Nowecan't
.Doessheknowt
hat
wearef
lyi
ng.
"

Thapelo:
"shedoes,
butshe'
sst
il
l
i
nsisti
ngont hechi
ckenandst
eamed
bread.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"We'
l
lmakeapl
an.
"

Thabo:"
It
sal
readyonl
ockdowndon'
t
worry
."
Me:"
Canwegoplease,
becausemy
dadandSiphowi
l
lsoonbe
bombardi
ngmewithphonecall
s."

Li
zi
wi:
"Si
pho?Who'
sthatnow?
"

Me:"
mynewl ydi
scover
edbig
br
other
."Isai
dwithpri
de.

Thabang:
"Waitwhat?
!Woah!Your
dadhasanotherson?How?"

Thapel
o:"
heobvi
ousl
yhassexwi
th
someoneandthesonwas
concei
ved.
"

Thabang:
"hayf
utsekwena!Youknow
whatImean."

Me:"
Wer ecentl
yfoundoutabouthi
m,
4daysagoIt hi
nk?4daysright
?"

Ase:
"5.
"

Me:
"Yeah5day
sago.
"

Li
zwi
:
"Wher
ewer
etheyhi
dinghi
m?"
Me:
"he'
sact
ual
l
ymydad'
sson.
"

Thabo:
"Woah!Anditget
sworse.The
Kl
ngcheatedontheQueen?
"

Me:
"Fuckno!
"

Thabang:
"Areyousure?Causei
t
wouldexplai
nyourcheat
ingway.Le
fut
sontate."

Me:"
Haymarn!I
t'
snot
hingli
ket
hat
.
Si
phowasconcei
vedbefor
emymom
wasi
nthepi
ctur
e."

Ase:"
butsomehowshecan'taccept
hi
m,mmmhmandi t
hul
e."Sheputher
sungl
asseson

Thabo:
"Dramainthepalace.Ican'
t
waitf
orthisweekend.
"Mxm.

Me:"
There'
snodrama.Thegood
t
hingaboutal
lovert
hisi
sthatIhav
e
abigbr
other,
anddoyouknowwhat
t
hatmeans?"
Li
zwi
:
"What
?"

Me:"
Nomorebull
shi
tfr
om y
ouguys!
Causehewi
l
lfuckyouupwit
hhi
s
gun.
"

Thabang:
"andwhodoesn'
thav
ea
gun?Heeh!Dieman!
"
Bontl
eandtheauntcameoutoft
he
housecar
ryi
ngbags.

Aunt:
"Thabo!Potl
akaol at
et sedi
ng
dikhwama( Hur
ryupandf etchother
bags.
)Boitumelojustcall
ed,
theyare
al
readyatt
heai
rpor
t.

Thabo:
"hahwhyme?
"

Aunt:
"St
opcompl
aini
ngandj
ustf
etch
thebagshl
e!"
Hewenti nsi
det ofetchthebags
whil
ewemadeourwayt othecar.
Thabocameoutaf terafew
minutes,hepackedt hebagsi nthe
bootandgoti nsi
det hecar.Wedr ov
e
offt
ot heai r
portwhi l
eli
steni
ngt o
gospel,
itwast heaunt '
schoice.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t78
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
TouchdownXhosaKi ngdom!Iam
stil
lamazedbyt hebeaut yofthi
s
place,Iam notsurpr
isedt hatt
his
placehasbecomeoneoft hefamous
touri
stdestinat
ionsi
nSout hAfr
ica,
i
t
i
sbr eatht
akingl
ybeaut i
ful.
Assoonaswear rived,
every
one
rushedtowel comeuswi thsinging
andululuati
ng, i
twasabeaut i
ful
thi
ngt oexperience.Iwast i
redf r
om
thejourney,ImeanIhadt owakeup
earl
yandcl ean,thenIhadt ot akea1
andahal fhourf l
ight,
nottoment ion
thetwohourdr i
vet ofr
om theai r
port
tohere.Ijustwant edtolayinmybed
andsl
eep,
maybewakeupwheni
t'
s
ti
mefordi
nner
.

Knock!Knock!Iopened,
itwasa
womanIdi dn'
tknow.

Me:"
Hel
lo,
howcanIhel
pyou.
"She
l
ookedatme.

Woman:
"Iwant
edtoseewhat
's
t
aki
ngyousolongi
nthi
sroom."

Me;
"OhIwasjustaboutt
orestand
r
ecoverf
rom t
hetri
p."
Woman: "Haibomakot i
,
youcan'tdo
that.Nother e.Youar eabr i
deinthi
s
fami l
y,
y oushoul dbegoi ngupand
downt hisyardandhel pingother
womenpr eparef ort
hisceremony."
Ther egoesmyr esti
ngtime.
"Tshintshasi si
,zi
kuli
ndil
e
i
v eg(changesi si,
thevegesare
wai t
ingf oryou)"

Me:"Ohokaymah. "Shel
ookedatme
onemor et
imeandshookherhead
beforeleav
ing.IwasmadIwantedto
cry
, Iwassot i
redandal
lIwant
edto
dowassleepbutIcan'
tnow,orel
se
allt
heseaunt
iesar
egoingtocome
forme.
Itookmyapr onfrom t
hedr awerand
l
ef tt
her oom,ther
e'swasnoneedf or
met ochangeIdon' tknowwhyshe
saidIshouldchange,becauseIwas
wear i
ngal ongdressandmyhead
wascov ered.WhenIgotout si
dethe
womanwhowasi nmyr oom was
standingnextt oapil
eofv egetabl
es,
therewasnowayShewasexpect i
ng
met odot hisonmyown, wasshe?

Me:
"sendi
l
aphaMah(
Iam her
emah)
"
Woman;"Heke!Thesearethebuckets
youaregoingtousewheny ouare
donepeeli
ngthev eget
abl
es.Each
veget
abl
ehasi t'
sownbucket."She
showedmeabunchofbucket s.

Me:"
Maham Igoi
ngt
odot
hisonmy
own?"

Woman: "Yes,
abany
eomakot i
abakofi
ki,
nguwewedwaokhona( the
otherbr
ideshaven'
tarr
ivedasyet,y
ou
aretheonlyonewho'shere.
)"Shoot
menow." Ndi
ngumamuNosikomna( I
am Nosiko)Iam theKing'saunt
,your
husband'sgrandmother.Youcancall
meGog' Nosi"Ismil
edandnodded.

Me:"
It
slov
elyt
omeety
ougogo.
"It
'
s
not
.

Gog'Nosi :"hekentombi.Nowst art

witht hev egetabl
es,wear egoingto
needt hem soon."Inodded,shegav e
meakni fethensheleft.Ist
oodt her
e
forasecondnotknowi ngwher eto
startwi ththismountaininfrontof
me.It ookt hepotat
osackand
startedpeel ing,
whereismysi ster
andsi stersinlawwhenIneedt hem.
HowIwi shIalsoarri
vedlateli
ket he
otherMakot i
s,thi
sismycer emony
buther eIam wor kingli
keasl ave,
wher ear ethemaidsoft hispalace?
May bet heycanhel pme.Ohhy es
there'
sone!

Me:"
Sorr
y,hi
!Excuseme!
"Shet
urned,
Iwavedathershecametome.

Maid:"
nkosazana(pr
incess)
."Iwil
l
nevergetusedtobei
ngaddr essed
l
ikethat.
Me: "
Hi."Isaidwit
hapolit
esmile."
I
knowy oumustbebusywi th
somet hingatthemoment ,
butcoul
d
pleaseki ndl
yfi
ndmesomeonewho
canhel pmewi ththi
s."

Maid:"
Icanhelpyouwi
ththat
nkosazana,
youdon'
thavetoask.We
areherefort
hat.
"Ismi
led.

Me:
"Thanky
ouuh.
..
"

Mai
d:"
Sine.
"
Me;"Thanky ouSi ne.Wel ly oucango
i
nsideandgr abachai randakni f
eso
wecandot his."Shesmi l
edl i
ghtl
y
beforerushingi nt
ot hehouse.Thank
Godsomeonei sgoingt ohel pme
withthis.Sinecamebacki naf ew
seconds, west art
edpeel ingt he
potatoesov eral i
ghtconv er sati
on,at
fi
rstitwasawkwar dbecauseshe
wasscar edofmeandshef el
tshe's
notsupposedt ohav eaf riendly
i
nteractionwi t
hme, butaf terI
assuredhert hatIam j ustanor mal
person,theconv ostartedf lowing.We
spokeaboutt hecruelandsweet
auntsoft hef ami l
y,t
hesl ayqueen
wivesoft hecousinsandt hemi schief
oftheprincesandpr i
ncesses.Imust
admitthisDlamini f
ami l
ywasal arge
famil
y,
peopl einthisfamilysuredo
giv
ebirth.Ievenfor gotsomeoft hei
r
names.

Sine:"
Gog'
Nosiyenaisnotcr
uel.
"Oh
reall
ynow?"She'
sjustst
ri
ct,
butshe
i
sasweet heart
."

Me:
"Coul
d'
vef
ool
edme.
"Isai
dina
l
owtone.

Si
ne:
"Huh?
"
Me:"Ohnothing,I'
mjustst
ressi
ng
aboutthesev eget
abl
es.Iwonder
whentheot herMakotisar
e
coming,t
heirhandsaredefi
nit
ely
neededhere."

Si
ne:"Hah!Idon'tt
hinktheywil
lev
en
botherwit
ht hi
s,
may beLiyemaand
Ayakhami ghtbutI'
m notholdi
ngmy
breathontheotherones."Wow!

"Lookatyoudoi
ngyourwi
fel
y
duti
es."Hepl
acedhi
shandsonmy
shoulder
s.
Me:
"I
'm aper
fectmakot
ineh?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
mor
ethant
hewor
dper
fect
."
Mxm.

Me:
"Wher
ear
ethegi
rl
s?"

Sivuyi
l
e;"Ohhtheydecidedtogoto
themal l
toshopf oroutfi
tsf
or
tomorrow.TheysaidImust '
ntt
ell
you
though,
soShhh. "ThehusbandIwas
given,
Ididn'
tevenhav etobeghimto
tel
l methetrut
h.
Me:
"Hah!Andt
heyl
eftme?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Gog'Nosi
'si
nstr
ucti
ons."
Wow!AndthenSinesaysthatwoman
i
snotcr
uel."
Doy ouneedhelp?"

Me:
"Yes,canyouseehowmany
t
hesevegetabl
esare?
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Doy ouhaveanext
rakni
fe?
"
Ishookmyhead." Gi
vemyyours
then.
"Ihandeditt
ohim.Hetookone
potat
oandst ar
tedpeel
ingi
t,
how
sweeti
smyhusbandthough?He
wasnotpeel
ingi
tpr
operl
ythough,
but
whocares?Hewashel
pinghiswif
e
i
nneed.
Hewasonhi st
hir
dpotat
owhenhe's
br
othercamechargi
ngatus,
Li
zwi
wasbehindhi
m.

Si
pho:
"Wenzaninawena?
(Whatt
o
ar
eyoudoing?)
"

Li
zwi:"
Areyouseriousdude?Youl
eft
usinthekraal
justtocomehereand
peelpotat
oes.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
'swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?"

Sipho:
"Ever
y t
hing!Youshouldbein
thekraal
withot hermeninsteadof
peeli
ngpotatoeshere.Uyagebhul
a
nokugebhula(youarenoteven
peeli
ngproperly.
)"

Me:
"Leav
emyhusbandal
onepl
ease.
"

Sipho:
"Hai
kehusband,
weneedy
our
card.
"

Si
vuy
il
e;
"Forwhatnow?
"
Lizwi:
"Weneedtobuymor ealcohol
fortomorr
owandy ourfat
hersaidwe
shouldaskforyourcardsincethisi
s
yourwife'
sceremony .
"

Sivuyi
le:
"hayhay
!Andinamal
imna(I
don'thavemoney.)Goandtel
lhi
m
that.
"

Si
pho:
"khasaphei
khadimar
n.(
just
gi
ve.
usthecardmarn.)
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Butdadi
snotbei
ngf
air
,why
mustweusemymoney
."

Si
pho:
"sapha.
(gi
ve.
)"

Si
v uyi
l
e:"
AndIknowy ouguysare
goingtobuyexpensi
veshii
tand
l
eav emebroke.
"Theylookedateach
otherandsmil
ed."Hay!Iam comi
ng
withyou.
"

Sipho:"
youwerenotinvit
ed.Justsi
t
downandcar ryonwi t
hpeeli
ng
potatoesandleaveustodot he
men'swor k.
"Ishedissi
ngmy
husband?
Sivuy
ile:"HayIam done.I nat hatha
baby(her e,
takebaby )"thetraitor
handedmebackt hekni f
e."I'
m done
peeli
ng. "Theguy slaughed." BabyI
am sor ryneh,butyouhear dtheguy s
needmyhel p.
"Thismot herfucka.
"Mba? "Hepout edIlookeddownat
thepot atoinmyhandmaki ngt he
guyslaugh.Hecan' tbet r
aymeand
expectmet okisshi m,he'scr azy,he
j
ustditchedmef oralcohol.
"Ndakthandav amf az'wam( Ilovey ou
mywi fe,youhear ?)"Mxm.Theyl eft
.
Sine:
"Youguysaresocutetoget
her.
"
Ohwow, Ievenforgotshewashere
thewayShewassoqui et
.

Me:
"Thanks.
"Ismi
l
edwar
mly
.
○
Wef i
nall
yfinishedpeel i
ngallthe
vegetables,theot herbridesdi
dar r
ive
aboutanhouragobutt heydidnot
bothert ocomeandhel pusasSi ne
hadsuspect ed.Iwascompl et
ely
fi
nished,mybut twassor efrom
sit
tingdownf orsuchal ongti
me.It
wasal readydar kout si
de,wemov ed
allt
hebucket stot herondavel
l asper
Gog'
Nosi
'
sinst
ruct
ions.

Gog' Nosi
:"
Youcanst artcr
ackingwith
thesaladskesi si.Here'
sal i
stofthe
saladsIwant .
"Shehandedmea
pieceofpaper ."Oncey oudoneSi ne
willshowy outhecol droom whichis
wher eyouwillputt hem."Whyme?I
am qui t
ecertainthatthiswoman
hatesme.Shel efttherondavell
.

Si
ne:
"Unfort
unatel
yIhav et
ogo
pr
eparetheroomsf orourguest
s."
What?
!"Sorry
."Shealsolef
t.Ther
eis
nowayIam doingthisworkalone.I
tookoutmyphoneanddi
aleda
number.

Bont
le:
"Punki
e."

Me:"Ineedyourhelpi
nthef arlef
t
hut.
"Ihungup.Af ewmi nuteslater
theyshowedup."Chooseasal ad
l
adiesandlet'
sgetcracking."

Lumka:
"Haibo,
wher
ear
eyourf
ell
ow
Makoti
s?"

Me:
"Nowher
etobef
ound
appar
ent
ly.
"

Ase:"
They'
repr
obabl
yatmydad'
s
house."

Bontl
e:"
andtheyarelet
ti
ngmyli
tt
le
si
sterdoal
l t
hisworkonherown?
That'
snotfai
r."

Me:"Canwejustdothi
sandfor
get
aboutpeopl
ewhoar eanother
e."
Theymumbl edbutIdi
dnotcar
eIjust
neededthei
rhel
p.
Lumka:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngabout
tomor
row?"

Me:"Idon'
tfeel
anythingt
obequit
e
honestcauseIdon'tknowwhat
's
goi
ngt ohappen."

Bont l
e:"Iknow.Appar entlyt
heyare
goingt ogi veyouacowasa
forgivenessgi ft
,andyouhav et
o
slaught eritI
nf r
ontofev ery
one.Get
this,i
fitdoesn'tmakeasoundwhi l
e
youst icky ourknifei
ni t
,i
tmeansyou
hav en'tcompl et
elyforgi
venthe
Dlami nis."
Me:"
Iknowbet
tert
hant
obel
i
eve
any
thingy
ousay.
"

Bont
le:
"I
'm ser
ious.Tel
lherguy
s."

Ase:
"She'
st el
l
ingthetr
uth.
"Aseand
Bontl
eareliar
s,Idon'
tbeli
eve
anyt
hingtheysay.

Me:
"No.Si
vuy
il
ewoul
dhav
etol
dme.
"

Lulama:"
Iguesshedi
dn'
twantt
o
scareyou."
Me:
"Wai
t!They
'r
etel
l
ingt
het
rut
h?"

Lulama:
"Yep.
"Il
ookedatal
loft
hem
theywer
esoserious.

Me:
"No,
Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou.
"

Lumka:"Hai
ke?sui
ty our
self.Don'tsay
wedidn'twarnyou."Naht heymust
bepull
ingmyl eg,
there'
snowayi n
hel
lIam goingtoslaughteracow.
WhatdoIknowaboutsl aughteri
ng
ananimal?Acowofal lanimals.
Wecarriedonwi t
hthesal
ad
pr
eparation,
byt heti
mewewer edone
wi
thever yt
hingIwasdogt i
red.Al
lI
want
ednowwasmybed, Ican
of
fi
cial
lysayIhav ehadmyfir
stworst
makotiexperience.
Si
vuy
il
ewaslayi
ngont
hebedbusy
onhi
sphone.

Me:
"Heyt
rai
tor
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatdi
dIdonow?
"

Me:
"Youdi
tchedmef
oral
cohol
."
Sivuyi
l
e:"
theybeggedmet ogowith
them baby.
"Wow, Iam marr
iedt
oa
pathol
ogicall
i
ar.

Me:"
Yeahright
.Iam sot
ir
ed.
"It
ook
of
fthedressIwasweari
ngandgot
i
ntothebed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youl
ookt
ir
ed.
"

Me:"
Tellme,
what'
swr ongwit
hy our
brot
hers'
wiv
es?Noneoft hem helped
outwit
hanythi
ngtoday."
Sivuy
ile:"
Ayyt
heyarel i
ket
hatvele,
theythinkhi
ghlyofthemsel
ves.They
neverat t
endfamil
yceremoni
es."

Me:"
Thenwhydi
dtheycomet
othi
s
one?
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Maybetheirhusband'
s
for
cedt hem t
ocome, sinceever
yone
hastobepr esentforthispar
ti
cular
one."Iyawnedandnodded.

Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIam goi
ngt
oli
ke
t
hem.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youwon'tbethef
ir
stone.
Getsomesl eepl
ove,y
ouhavean
earl
ymor ni
ngtomorr
ow."
○
Ihav econcl uded,Iam themost
hatedper sonintheDl amini f
amily.I
waswokenupi ntheweehour soft he
mor ning,okaynotmeal oneSi vuyi
l
e
wasal sowokenup, butt hat'
snotthe
point..
.thepoi ntistheyhat eme..We
werel edt hroughthedar kt o
MaNdeka' shut ,
shewassi tti
ngona
mat tr
essal r
eadywai t
ingf orus.This
hutwasscar y,i
twasatrue
sangoma'shut.Myauntshowedupa
fewmi nutesl
ater,
notl
ooki
ngpl
eased
atall
mi ghtIadd.

Aunt:"
Jowwe! "Sheexcl ai
medasshe
l
ookedar oundt hehut ."
Boit
umel odid
youbr i
ngmeher etomakemea
sacrif
ice?Ah. ahhleBakoena, areyou
suretheyar ejustheretoappeaset he
ancestor sort heywantt oki
llus?
May bet hat'showt heyhaveal l
these
ri
ches.No, getmeoutofher epl ease.
"
AuntMapasekai sal ot,
thi
siswhyI
waswor riedabouthercomi ngher e.
MaNdeka:
"Canwebegi
n."

Aunt:
"begi
n?HowwhenIam notat
ease.
"

Me:
"r
akhadi
hle(
auntpl
ease)
"

Aunt
:"
Keng?Iam notcomf ort
able
andIhav
etov oi
cethatout.Iwantto
di
eanoutspokenwoman. "Sivuy
il
e
l
aughednextt
ome.

Me:
"Noonei
sgoi
ngt
odi
eher
e
hl
e,
stopi
t.
"

Aunt:
"I
fwegetkill
edhereBoi
tumel
oI
swearIwi
llmakey ourgr
avey
ardst
ay
uncomfor
tabl
e."Lordhel
pme.

Me:
"St
opl
aughi
ng.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"

Me:
"Wecanst
artmah.
"

Aunt
:"
Heh!
"
MaNdekat ookoutal
lthenecessary
thi
ngst hatshewasgoingt oneed.I
panickedwhenIsawar azor,
arethey
goi
ngt ocutapi eceofmyf l
esh
may be.

MaNdeka: "Kneel!
"Weal lkneel
ed.
"Givemey ourhands. "Wedidas
i
nstructed.Sheslightl
ycutbothof
mywr i
ststwice,alit
tl
eblooddripped
i
ntot heplatethathadincenseinit.
Shedi dthesamet hi
nggo
herself
,Si
vuy i
leandmyaunt .She
tookar edointmentandputi tonour
cuts.Shet ookamat chandl i
tthe
i
ncese,hergr owli
ngsoundswer e
slowingbecomi ngaudibleshocking
myaunt .Shespoket ot heancestors
urgingt hem toforgiv
et hem for
wr ongingtheirchosenone, shealso
promi sedtokeepmepr otectedand
l
ov edatal lt
imes.Si vuy
ilealsoasked
forforgivenessf orhi
msel fand
thankedt hem forchoosi ngmeashi s
wife,healsov owedt okeepmesaf e
andl ovedatal lt
imes.

Si
vuy
il
e:"nowwhat
??"

MaNdeka:
"wewai
t!
"
Aunt
:"
For
?"

MaNdeka: "
Asi gnof
acceptance,
whi chisrain.I
fitdoesn'
t
rai
noncey oul eavethishut,j
ustknow
thatt
heapol ogywasr ej
ected."

Aunt
:"
Yoh.
"Shecl
appedonce.

MaNdeka: "
butIdon'
tseeanyr
eason
fort
hem nottoacceptthi
s
apology,
youhaven'
tdoneanyt
hingt
o
upsetthechosenonehaveyouson?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
No.
"

MaNdeka:
"Theny
ouhav
enot
hingt
o
wor
ryabout.
"
West ay
edforacoupleofminutesin
thehutmuchtomyaunt '
sannoy ance,
shewantedtogetoutofthathutas
soonaspossibl
e,
butMaNdeka
advi
sedustostayforafewmi nutes.

MaNdeka:
"Youcanl
eav
enow.
"

Aunt
:"
fi
nall
y.Hel
pmeup
wena.
..
ntho(
You.
..
thi
ngy
),Si
vuy
il
e."
Sivuyi
lestoodupandhel pedherup
too,Ihadtostanduponmyownno
helpfrom husband.Myauntwas
quicktoleavethehut,
Iwasaboutt o
fol
lowwhenSi v
uyil
egrabbedmy
hand.

Me:
"Whati
sit
."Hehadawor
ri
edl
ook

Siv
uyi
le:
"Wha.
..whati
fitdoesn'
t
rai
n?"

Me:"
Itwi
ll
rai
n,
stopwor
ryi
ng.
"He
si
ghed.
Si
vuyi
le:
"Il
ovey
ous'
thandwasam.
"I
bl
ushed.

Me:
"Il
ovey
out
ool
over
."

Sivuy
ile:
"Let'
sdothi
s."Wewalkedout
ofthehuthandinhand."Nothi
ngis
happening."Wewerewalki
ng
towardst hemai
nhouse.

Me:
"Pat
iencebabe."Iwasalso
wor
ri
edbutt r
yingtoplayi
tcool
.We
wal
keduntil
wer eachedthehouse
andther
ewassti
l
lnor
ain.West
ood
i
nfrontoft
hepor
ch

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iam def
eat
ed.
"

Me:"Hey ,everyt
hingisgoingt obe
fi
ne.If orgaveyouandt hat'sallthat
mat t
ers."Hel ookeddeepi ntomy
eyes,Iembr acedhi minahug.We
heldont oeachot herforawhi le,
unti
l
ami raclehappened.Adr opf ellon
myf ace, adropofr ai
nwhi chwas
soonf oll
owedbyshower sofr ain.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yeeeeeees!
!"Heshout
edl
i
ke
amanwhohasj ustwonalott
ery
.He
peckedonmyl ipsmulti
pleti
mes.
"Ourapologyhasbeenaccepted.
"He
pickedmeupandspunmei n
excitement.

Me:"
seeIt
oldyouther
ewasnot
hing
t
owor r
yabout.
"Iti
sgoi
ngt
obea
wonder
fulday
.
○

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Todaywast
hehappi
estdayofmy
l
ifeeversi
ncetheacci
dent.The
ancestor
sandmywi fehaveforgi
ven
mepr operl
y,
andal
lisgoi
ngt obewell
now.
Iwassi t
tingbehindtherondav
ell
wit
h
mybr othersandt heMokoena
brot
hersj usthavi
ngacasual
conversationoverdri
nks.

Thabo:
"Nomorecheati
ngonmy
si
sterwenaorel
sethatli
tt
lef
istf
ight
weoncehadwi l
lbenothi
ng
comparedtowhatIwil
ldotoyou."

Me:
"r
elax
!Iwon'
tdoi
tagai
n."
Sihle:
"Howlongdi
ditt
akehert
o
forgiv
ey ou?
"

Me:
"Don'
tev
enask,
i
twast
ool
ong.
"

Si
pho:
"Sheshoul
dhavewait
edat
l
eastayearbef
oref
orgi
vi
ngyou.
"

Me:
"Ay
ear
?"

Si
pho:"
Yes.Andhav
easi
deni
gga
dur
ingthaty
ear.
"
Me:
"ThenIwoul
dbel ockupf or
mur
derri
ghtnow."Theylaughed.

Sipho:
"Howdoy oucheatont
hat
naweSi vuyi
le?"Il
ookedwher
ehe
waspoi nti
ng, mywomanwaswalki
ng
pastwithat rayofmeatl
ooki
ngas
beauti
fulasev er.

Me:"
Dudest
opchecki
ngmywi
fe
out
."

Thapel
o:"
Iwasaboutt
osayt
hesame
thi
ng.
"
Si
pho:
"Ohchill
,Iwasjustadmi
ri
ng
God'
screat
ion.Besi
desIhavemy
ownwoman. "

Me:"Youdo?Ithoughty
oudi
dn'
t
hav
eagi r
lf
ri
end."

Sipho:
"Idi
dn'tv
ele,wejustoff
ici
ali
sed
everyt
hingyest
erdaybef or
eIcame
here.Soyoucanr elax,
I'
m notaft
er
yourwife.
"

Me:
"Iknowy
ouar
enot
,ev
eni
fyou
wer
ey ouwouldn'
tsucceedbr
other
."
Welaughed.

Sphel
o:"
Uzi
thembi
l
eneh?
"

Me:
"NahIt
rusther
."

Sihl
e:"
Icheat
edonmywi fe.
"Hesai
d
randomlywhiledri
nki
nghisbeer
.Me
andmycousi nswereshocked
becauseSihl
ei sMrGoodygoody,
he'
s
whaty oucal
laperfectguy.

Zol
ani
:
"Wai
t!What
?!"
Me:
"You?WenaSihl
echeat
ed?Hay
not
hedevi
lisal
iar!
"

Thabang:
"Whyareyouguy
sshocked?
Guyscheatal
lthet
ime.
"

Sphel
o:"
Yeah,
butnotguy
sli
keSi
hle.
"

Si
hle:
"Wel
lIdid,
andIt
hinkam i
nlov
e
wi
ththegi
rl.
"

Li
zwi
:
"Ahh!
"
Thabo:
"Rul
enumber1ofcheati
ng
bro,
neverf
all
fort
hesi
depiece.
"

Sphel
o:"
asi
nev
er!
"

Sihl
e:"
Ican'thelpmy self
.Doy ou
knowt hatwhenAy akhafoundout
abouttheaf f
airshedi dnotreact
?
Sheact edli
keev er
y t
hingisnormal
andcar ri
edonwi thherlif
e."

Me:
"May
beshecr
iesi
npr
ivat
e."

Si
hle:
"Shedoesn'
t.Shedoesn'
thav
e
ti
mef orany thi
ngt hathast odome
withme, whi chist her easonwhyI
cheatedi nthef i
rstpl ace.Shedoesn't
l
ov emeany more. "Hehadabl ank
expressiononhi sf ace."Youguy s
areluckyt ohav ewi vesthatcare
abouty ou,Idon' tknowhowawi f
e's
l
ov efeelslike.Appr eciat
eyourwives
allt
het i
me. "Her aiseduphi sbeer
bottl
e.
○

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

I
'
vebeenmov
ingupanddownt
his
yar
dsincemor
ning,
lucki
l
yI'
vef
inal
ly
f
oundtimetoj
ustsi
tandrel
axwith
mygir
ls.

Me:"Iam sodonewiththisplace,
can
weleavealready.
"Theylaughed."I
'm
ser
ious,Idi
dn'tknowthatthi
sf amil
y
hassomanyr udepeopl
e."

Bont
le:
"Tel
lmeabouti
t.Iguesswe
metthebett
erhal
fonyourwedding.
"

Me:"
Iam noti
mpr
essedshame.I
sit
t
oolatet
ogetadi
vorce?
"They
l
aughedagain
"Divorce?Eh.ehngwanaka(nonomy
child.
)Nodi vorcefory
ou.Ifyou
divorcewher eam Igoingtogeta
tradit
ionalceremonythathas
champagne? "Thatwasmyaunt .

Me:
"I
'mj
o-"

Aunt:"
Shhhh!Wenay oujustneedto
maintainthismarri
agebyi mprovi
ng
yourskil
lsinthebedroom, wecan't
aff
ordtol oseourconnectiontosuch
afamily."Shethoughttheywantedto
ki
llherawhi leago,
nowshedoesn' t
wantt
oloseanyconnect
ionwi
th
t
hem.

Me:"Hawurakhadihaveyouforgott
en
thattheywantedt
omakey oua
sacri
ficeafewhoursago?"Ipull
ed
herleg.

Aunt:
"All
thathasbeenwashedaway
bythi
schampagne!Pl easemy
daughter
,dowhatev eryourhusband
saysyoumustdo.Phel athi
sisthe
l
ifeIwasmadef or,andnowIam
exper
iencingi
tallbecauseofy our
marri
age.Makesur ey ouholdont o
t
hismar
ri
age.
"

Me:"
Becauseoft
heweal
th?
"Iasked
hi
mj oki
ngl
y

Aunt :"
Yousaiditmygirl!Ot shwere
l
ot t
omo. (
You'v
ehitthejackpother e.
)
AndIhear dthatheoncecheat edon
you,comet omewenangwanakaI
willteachall
thatyouneedt oknowi n
thebedr oom,Ipromisey ouhewi l
l
thi
nkt wicebeforegett
ingi nbedwi th
anotherwomanagai n.
"OhmyGod!
LulamaandLumkawer ei nstit
ches.
"Letmegoandgetanot herbottleof
champagne.
"Shel
eft
.

Bontl
e:"
ImaginedadusedtosayI
takeaf
terher!Haynonever
!"We
l
aughed."Sheistoomuchshame."

Lul
ama:
"Hehel
ookwho'
stal
ki
ng!
"

Bont
le:
"Iam notev
encl
oset
obei
ng
l
iket
haty oh.
"

Lumka;
"Yeahr
ight
!"Wel
aughed.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Somethi
nglightforyouguystoenj
oy
yourweekend..
..
.becausesoon
thi
ngsaregoingtotakeasharptur
n.
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t79
•
•
•
•
•
3WEEKSLATER
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Thepast3weekshav ebeensmoot h
sai
lingf oral lofus, meandSi vuyi
l
e
werest il
l wor kingonour
mar ri
age, andnowehav en'tbeen
i
ntimat easy etsimpl ybecausehe
hasn'tbeenaski ngf orsex.Hesai d
wewi llhav esexwhent hetimeis
ri
ghtf orme, Iam al sostil
lworkingon
buil
dingmyconf i
dence.Siphohas
ki
ndoft akenov ertheZCcompany
whileSiv uyileisf ocusingmor eonhi s
surgery,whi chi sbringinghim mor e
moneyt hanexpected...Isawthe
surgery'
sfi
nanci
alst atementont op
ofhisstudydeskandIdeci dedtogo
throughit
,he'
sgettingal otofmoney
forastartupbusi
ness, butthat'
s
noneofmybusi ness, r
ight?
Lul
amaf i
nall
ydecidedtogobackto
herfamilyandfixthi
ngswithher
husband,whichwasl ongover
due.
Lumkaal somov edbacktoher
fl
at,
sinceherbrotherhascomplet
ely
heal
ed.
Todaywast he25thofNovember ,
i
t
wasChulu's1stbir
thday
.Iwasso
exci
tedthatmybabyhasgr ownso
much,ev
ent houghshewasst i
l
llazy
towalk, butatl eastshecanst andup
usingthet abl easasuppor tsy st
em.
Herfirstcl earwor dshesai dwas
"mama"whi chgotmeandSi v
uy i
le
argui
ng, wel l notr eallyarguingbut
debatingov eri t.Hest i
llbeli
ev edt hat
Chulu'
sf i
rstwor dwas" baba"whi ch
i
sdadi nisi Zul u, Iarguedt hatChul u
i
snotZul uandshedi dn'tev ensay
"baba",hewasj ustjealoust hat
"mama"wasourbaby '
sfir
stwor d.I
waswor r
iedt hought hatittookher
solongt osayt hebasi cwor dsl i
ke
'
mamaordada' butMr sDl ami ni
assuredmet hati t
'snormal because
Sivuyi
leal sot ookasl ong.
Ifi
nishedmyexamsaweek
ago,whi chgav emet i
met ofocuson
thepl anni ngofChul u'spar t
y,Iwas
grat
ef ul thatt hischi
ldhadwor king
auntswhower ewill
i
ngt opay
what everamountt omakei taspeci al
day,Ist il
l don'tgetthef ussaround
1stbi rt
hday s,Imeant hesepeopl e
won'tev enr ememberi toncet heyare
grown. ..butwhoam It ocompl ai
n?
Notwhi let hisonehasdr amatic
aunts.
Every
thingwassetf ort
hepart
y,t
he
decor,
thecakeandf oodwereal
ready.
Ideci
dedt ogofortheSofi
aTheFi r
st
theme,she'
saprincessandsois
Chul
u,
itmakessense.
Theguestsstart
edarr
ivi
nginbulk,
youhowsmal lki
dsneedtobe
accompaniedbythei
rparent
st oa
part
ymos, soIhadtomakepr ovi
sion
fort
heoldi
es.
Siphowalkedi
nhandi nhandwit
ha
verypr
ett
ypeti
tewoman, ontheot
her
handhewashol di
nghissonwho
i
mmedi atel
ybr
okef r
eewhenhesaw
meandr antome.

Me:"Heyboyboy
."Heshookhi
shead
pret
endingt
obesad."
Ohhheybig
boy.
"Henoddedwhil
esmi l
i
ng.I
pickedhi m up."Imissedy ou.Di dyou
mi ssmet oo?"Henodded.That '
s
howweal way scommuni cate,Iask
quest i
onandheal way sanswerwi t
h
hishead, unlesshe'sinthemoodt o
talk.He'sacl everchil
dt hough, Ihear
hedi dn'
tt akelongtost arttalking.
Siphoandhi sladyfinal
lyr eached, a
l
adywhowasnotLi ndabyt heway .I
putSphadownandher ant ot he
groupofki ds.

Sipho:
"Whydidn'
tyoutell
met hat
adult
shadt owearagown."I
chuckled.Hewasmockingme.
Me:"Youmusthav
emi ssedthe
memo,it
'snotmyf
aul
t.
"Hel aughed
andwesharedahug.

Si
pho:
"Howar
eMr
sDl
ami
ni.
"

Me:"
Tir
edandsonotr
eadyf
ort
his
par
ty.
"

Si
pho:
"soam I.Somanyki
ds?Wher
e
di
dyougetthem? "

Me:
"Asky
oursi
ster
sassoonast
hey
gethere,
theywereresponsi
blef
or
di
stri
buti
nginvi
tes.
"

Sipho:
"Iwoul dn'
tbesur pri
sedi fthey
postedt hi
sonI nst agram."We
l
aughed, t
heladycl earedhert hroat.
Shelookedabi tfami li
ar."
Ohhht his
i
smyl adyLusandaMbokazi ,Baby
thisi
st heladyoft hehouseLunat hi
Dlamini."Shesmi ledandgav emea
handshake.Lusanda?Don' tIknowa
Lusanda?Andshel ooksfamiliar.

Lusanda:
"Ni
cet
omeety
ouLunat
hi.
"
Me:
"Li
kewi
se.
"

Lusanda:
"ar
en'
tyouabi
ttooyoungt
o
ownsuchamassi v
ehouse.
"I
chuckl
ed.

Me:"Igetthatalotyouknow.Bhuti
I
needtogoandchange, y
oursi
ster
s
promisedt ogethereearl
ybutas
al
way stheyarelate,
soyouarein
chargeofev er
ythi
ng."

Si
pho;
"Hah!Wher
e'sSi
vuy
il
e?"
Me:"
Hesaidhe'
sgoi
ngt
obuyadul
t
bev
erages.
"

Si
pho;
"wi
thoutme?
"

Me:"
Ahhdon'
tbesad,
Itol
dhi
mtogo
wi
thouty
ou."

Sipho:
"ExcusemeMr sDl
ami
niare
youtry
ingbr eakmeandmybr
other
up?"

Me:"
Thatwoul
dgiv
emesuchapiece
ofmindi
fyouguy
swoul
dbreakup."
Wel
aughed.

Sipho:"
Don'tworr
yI'
l
ltakecareof
thingshere.Uncl
eSi
phot othe
rescue."

Me:"Andnosweets!
"Theyal
ways
giveSphaandChulusweet
swhen
theyarebaby
sit
ti
ng.

Sipho:
"Hawu!Howam Isupposedt
o
getthem t
oli
keme?"

Me:
"Fi
gur
eitout
.I'
m sur
eLusanda
her
ewi
l
lhel
pyouout
."

Lusanda:
"ohhno,Idon'
tknow
anythi
ngaboutki
ds."Ohhhkay.

Si
pho:
"wher
e'smi
sspar
ty?
"

Me:
"Don'
tcal
lmydaught
ert
hat
."

Si
pho:
"i
t'
sherpar
tymos.
"

Me:"
she'sgoi
ngt
omakeagr
and
ent
rance."
Si
pho:
"Iwonderwho'
sideat
hatwas.
"

Me:"Youknow.Letmego."It
urned
onmyheel sandrushedi
ntot
he
house.
AssoonasIgoti
ntomyroom I
qui
ckl
ychangedi
ntomyoutfi
tand
wentt
othespeci
all
ady
'sroom.

Mam'Luvo:
"t
shin
si
si,
awusemhle(
Wowyoul
ook
beaut
if
ul)
"Ismil
ed.
Me:
"Thanky
oumah.Hel
l
obaby
."

Chulu:
"mama!Mama! "Shewasso
exci
ted.Ipi
ckedherupandkissed
hercheeks.

Me:"
HappyBi
rthdaysweet
heart
.You
ar
ejoingt
hepartyr
ightmah?
"

Mam'Luvo:
"ofcoursesisi
.We'llbe
downinasec."Inoddedthenl eft
wit
hmypr i
ncess.WhenIst epped
out
sideSiv
uyil
ewal kedst
raightto
me,hedi
dn'tl
ookhappy .
Me:
"Youar
eback.What
'swr
ong?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?"

Me:
"Who?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Lusanda.Whoi
nvi
tedher
andhowdi dsheknowaboutt
his
part
y?"

Me:"
Lusanda?Ohhhshe'
sher
ewi
th
Si
pho."
Si
vuyi
le:"
What
?!That
'shi
sgir
lf
ri
end
hecan'tst
opt
alki
ngabout
?"

Me:
"yep.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Noi
tcan'
tbe.
"

Me:
"Howdoy
ouknowher
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Nev
ermi
ndIsai
dany
thi
ng.
"

Me:"Wait
!"Hehadal
readyl
eft
."We
aregoingtohaveagrumpydaddy
today.
"
Thepar t
yf i
nal lyst artedwhent he
famil
yar ri
ved.Theki dswer eeat ing
andandpl ay ingwi thgamest hatwe
hasprov i
dedf ort hem, alsojumpi ng
onthejumpi ngcast les..
.Asenat hi
andKaywer eal sopar toftheki ds
becauset heywer eal sointhej unping
castl
e.Wet ookahundr edsof
pict
ures,Lumka' hi
red' a
photographer ,butt heywer etoocosy
withhim whi chwassuspi cious.
Soonthekiddiespartywasdone,i
t
wastimefort headult
stohavetheir
moment.Ev eryki
dleftwit
haparty
pack,
j
usttot hankthem f
orthei
r
presence,
theyl
eftwit
hthei
rpar
ents
andonlyclosefr
iendsandfami
ly
wereleftbehi
nd.

Ase:
"Iam sot
ir
ed.
"

Me:
"Notmor
ethanmspar
tyher
e."

Ase:
"haska,khathazwey i
nna
l
o?(Mxm, whatmadehert i
red.
)All
shedidwassi tont hatchai
rofher
andstuffherfacewi thwhatev
erwas
i
nfrontofher .
"
Me:"
Shewasposi ngfort
he
camera,
thatshi
tist
ir
ingashel
l
."

Ase:
"Mxm.Sowhatdoy out
hinkof
Bhut
'Si
pho'
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
"

Me:
"She'
spr
ett
y."

Ase:
"Idon'
tl
ikeher
."

Me:
"Youdon'
tknowher
."

Ase:
"Idon'thavetoknowhert
onot
l
ikeher.Idon'tknowKhl
oe
Kar
dashi
anbutIador
eher
."

Me:
"I
tsnott
hesamet
hing.
"

Ase:
"I
tis.
"

Me:"
Letmegoputmybabyt
osleep,
I
don'
thav
eti
metoarguewi
thyou.
"

Ase:
"Causey
ouknowIam r
ight
."

Me:"
mxm.Spha,comebaby.
"Het ook
myhand,wewentupthestai
rs,
with
Chul
urest
ingonmyshoulder
.
"
Bri
ngthem t
hissi
de,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepwi
th
t
hem t
onight
."

Me:
"Ar
eyousur
eMah?
"

Manxel
e:"
yesntombi.Youaregoi
ng
t
omakenoi sewit
hyourfri
endsso
t
heyhavetobeclosesoIcanhear
t
hem cr
y."

Me:
"Ther
oomsar
esoundpr
oofnj
e
mah.
"
Manxele:
"whi
chisexact
lywhythey
needtobeclosetome."Ismi
led

Me: "
Okay,
ifyoui nsist.
"Wewentt o
herroom andIpl acedChul uont he
bedcauseshewasal r
eadyasl eep.
Sphaont heot herhandwasj ust
beingstubborn,hewassl eepybuthe
didn'
twanttosl eepf orwhat ev er
reasononlyknownt ohim.Af ew
walksaroundt her oom wor kedl ikea
magi c,
hewassoonf astasleep.I
placednexttohi ssisterandpl anted
akissonbot ht heirforeheads, Isaid
goodnighttoManxel ebef or
el eav i
ng
theroom.
"
Leav
e!"

Me:"
What'sgoi
ngonhere?"Istopped
onmytrackswhenIsawSi v
uy i
le'
s
handgr
abbingLusanda'
sforearm,i
t
wassuspici
ous.

Sivuyil
e:"
Heybaby .
"Hequicklyletgo
ofherf orearmlet
ti
ngmyi magination
runwi l
d.Hecamet ome."Iwasj ust
welcomi nghertothefamily
."Whyi s
helying?CauseIhear dhim cl
early
tell
i
nghert ol
eave.I
sthishis
sidechick?
Me:"
I'
ll
askyouagai
nSi
vuy
il
e,
howdo
youknowher?
"

Lusanda:
"Iam -
"

Siv
uyile:
"Justgett
hefuckoutof
here!
!"Ididn'
twanttocauseascene.
Shelookedatmewi t
hasmi l
ebefor
e
sheleft.

Me:
"What
'
sgoi
ngonher
eSi
vuy
il
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Not
hingbaby
."
Me:
"Ar
eyoucheat
ingonmeagai
n?"

Sivuyi
le:
"What
?Ofcoursenot
!That
's
absurd!Whywoul
dy oueventhi
nkof
that?
"

Me: "Ohhlet'
ssee,
becausey ouwere
standingwi t
hawomannextt oour
room, awomanwhoy ouareclear
uncomf ortabl
ewithherpresence
her e.Whatelseam Isupposedto
think?"Hepul l
edmei nt
otheroom
andcl osedthedoor.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iam notcheat
ing.
"

Me;
"Thenwhywer
eyoutel
li
ngher
eto
l
eav
e?!Whatar
eyouhi
ding?"

Sivuyil
e:"
Iwasj usttel
li
nghert hatif
shedoesn' thavegoodi ntenti
ons
aboutSi phosheshoul dleave,Iwas
beingaov er
protect
ivebrother."I
l
ookedathi m."Iwouldnev ercheat
ony oubaby ."Hepushedmet owards
thedoort henhel oweredhisl i
psto
mine,ourlipsmov edinsy ncasour
tonguesdancedwi theachot her.He
pulledoutafterami nuteorso, Iwas
sti
ll
yearni
ngformor e.Hetookmy
handandplaceditonhisharddi ck.
"Thi
sisally
oursbaby .
"Iwasflushed.
Inodded."
Ifyouwer enotwearing
j
eansIwoul dbeeatingyououtr i
ght
now."Whyam Iwet .Damnjeans!

Me:
"Icant
aket
hem of
f.
"Hechuckl
ed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Wecan'
tl
eav
eourguest
s
unatt
ended.
"

Me:"They'
renotguests.Theyar
e
comf or
tabl
emor ethanwear ei
nthis
house."Hechuckledagain.Heki
ssed
meagai
n,
bit
ti
ngmyl
owerl
i
p.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Let
'sgo."Mxm.Howdoes
heexpectmet oentert
ainpeopl
e
whi
leIam thishorny.

Me:
"Youar
esobor
ing.
"Hel
aughed.

Sivuyi
le:"
Youarethefirstpersonto
saythataboutme. "Hemov edme
from t
hedoorbef oreopeningi t
.We
walkedoutt heroom andwentt ojoi
n
theothers."Toni
ght,
it
'smeandt hat
ass."Hespankedme.Igi ggledabit
embar rassedbecausewewer e
al
readyinthel
oungewher
eev
ery
one
wassitt
ing.

Li
zwi:"
respectusplease.Youcan'tbe
spanki
ngourl i
ttl
esist
erinfrontof
us.
"Sivuyi
lelaughedandgr abbeda
beerandsatdown.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Comeandsitnextt
odaddy
baby
."Heheldouthi
shandforme.

Thabang:
"Haymarnwena!"We
l
aughed.Iwentt
ositnexttohi
m,he
peckedonmycheek.
Ase:"
worsekuthweniyaxabanake
phaphezulu(t
heysai
dy ouare
argui
ngupt her
e.)
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whosai
dthat
?Ohhhmxm.
"

Themba:
"Iexpect
edtoseeagr
umpy
Si
vuyi
l
ecomi nginher
e."

Lungani
:"
Ithi
nkwhateverLunathi
did
togiv
ehimt hathar
d-oncalmedhim
down."OhGodt henoti
ced.Theguys
l
aughed.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatwer
eyourey
esdoi
ng
onmydick?
"

Thabang:
"Canwestoptal
ki
ngabout
mysister
'ssex
ual
li
fe.
"

Si
pho:
"Wehaven'
tevenst
art
edmos.
Si
vuyi
l
ewhichposi
ti
ond-"

Mybrother
s:"
Haymar
n!"Ev
ery
one
l
aughed.

Thapel
o:"
IswearIam goi
ngt
oshoot
someonet
oni
ght
."

Li
zwi
:
"Notbef
oreIdo.
"

Lungani
:"
Theny
ouwi
l
llosey
our
badge.
"

Bontl
e:"
Don'
twor
ryIwi
l
lshoott
hem
fory
oubaby."

Theguy
s:"
Wooooooo!
"

Lul
ama:
"Howr
omant
ic.
"Wel
aughed.
Lumka:"
Lusandayoul
ooklike
someoneIknow,don'
tIknowy ou
fr
om somewhere?"

Lusanda:
"Idon'
tthi
nkso,
Iwasi
nthe
stat
esforawhile.
"

Ase:
"Expl
ainst
hef akeaccent
."She
si
ppedonherdrink.

Sipho:
"Bekaobot
ywal
a(putt
hat
al
cohol down.
)Goandpouryour
sel
f
somethingwit
hnopercent
."
Ase:
"That
'swat
er.
"

Si
pho:
"Exact
ly.
"

Ase:
"Yohuxol
okebhuti(
sor
rybrot
her
)
Iwil
lkeepqui
etf
rom nowon."

Si
pho:
"Goodbl
essee.
"Ohwow!

Lulama:"Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngi
nthe
states?
"
Lusanda:
"Ohuhm.
..I
..
."

Si
pho:"
Shewasdoi
ngnoneofy
our
busi
ness.
"

Thabang:
"Theyarejusttr
yingtoget
toknowtheirnewsisteri
nl aw,
why
areyoubeingdefensi
ve?"

Lumka:"
it
'snoti
nlawasyet
,l
et'
snot
cl
aim pl
ease.
"Theguysl
aughed.

Si
pho:
"That
'
sit
!Babewear
eleav
ing.
"
Si
vuyil
e:"
Goodi dea.
"Ilookedat
hi
m,heshr uggedhisshoulder
s.He'
s
hi
ddingsomet hingfr
om me.

Lul
ama:"Cal
m down,shedi
dn'
tmean
i
tinabadway .Wejustwantt
ohave
agir
lschatwit
hher.
"

Lungani
:"
Weareal
soher
esoi
twon'
t
beagirl
schat
."

Lumka:
"Usat
handai
ndabanangoku
wena?(
Yousti
ll
li
kenewsevennow?)"
Lungani
:
"Mxm.
"
Zint
lewalkedi
nlooki
ngdi
ff
erent,
she
wasf ol
l
owedbyThabo.Idi
dn'teven
noti
cethathewasnother
e.Ihope
theywerenotf
uckingi
nmyhouse!

Ayanda:
"zangeneey'
nkul
umadoda!"
Theguyscheered.Boysareso
chi
ldi
sh,
wellinthi
scasethey'
remen
whoareactingli
keboys.

Thabo:"Stopit
."IgaveZint
lealookas
shewentt osi
tnexttoAsenathiwho
wasal solooki
ngatherin
disappointment.I
fshereal
lydid
sl
eepwi t
hThaboasIam
suspecti
ng,t
henIam t
rul
y
disappoi
ntedinher
.

Themba:"
HehZi
ntl
euphi
uBarbi
e?(
Wher
eisBarbi
e?)Ihav
en'
t
seenheri
nawhil
e."

Ayanda:
"Ar
eyoukeepi
ngt
absonher
na?"

Themba:
"Who?Me?OnBar
bie?Nev
er
i
nami l
li
onyear
s!"
Bont
le:
"Mmmmm!
"

Themba:"
What
?Iam j
ustaski
ng
abouther
."

Zintl
e:"She'sinCapeTown, she's
tr
y i
ngt ogetherbusi nessoffthe
ground. "Everyonebursti
n
l
aught er,expectforme,Zi
ntl
e,Sipho
andLusanda.

Thabang:
"She'
stryi
ngt
odowhat
?"
Helaughedagain.
Thapelo:
"Whatbusi
nessi
sthat
?
Prosti
tut
ion.
"OhGod!Theyl
aughed
again.

Me:
"That
'snotni
ce.
"

Zint
le:
"No!I
t'
sactual
lyamodel
i
ng
agencyforyouri
nfor
mati
on.
"

Themba:
"ohhhshe'spi
mpinggi
rl
sout
now?Ohhokay."Theyl
aughedagai
n.

Lungani:
"I
tsbet
terthanher
prost
ututi
nghersel
f."Theywer
est
il
l
l
aughi
ng.What
'swr
ongwi
tht
hese
guy
s.

Si
pho:
"Iam sol
ost
.Whoi
sBar
bie?
"

Thapel
o:"
Sivuyi
le'
syi
n."Theylaughed.
"Shei
sSivuyil
e'
sexwife,arealli
fe
Barbi
egir
l.
"

Lungani
:"
Lastnumbery
amasl
ay
queen.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Mysi
steri
snotasl
ayqueen!
"
O-
kay.
Bontl
e:"Hai
boZint
legi
rl
!Youare
team Barbi
enow?"Iwasalso
surpr
ised.

Zint
le:
"She'smysister
,whyar
eyou
tal
ki
ngshi tabouther.
"

Li
zwi
:
"Thabogety
ourgi
rl
."

Thabo:"
Hayshe'snotmygir
l.
"Eyy
san.Siv
uyil
enudgedme,Iam not
gett
inginv
olved.
Lungani:"
AsIwassay ingkeSni-
Sipho.Shemar ri
edSivuyi
leforhi
s
money ,andwhenheaskedf ora
divor
ceshet ri
edtoextorthimforhi
s
assets.Youcan'ttel
lmet hat
'snota
sl
ayqueen. "

Si
pho:
"Thr
oughout
."

Lungani:
'Thanky ou!
"Theycl
i
cked
thei
rbottles.Zi
ntlest
oodupclear
ly
angry.Shewal kedout.

Lumka:
"Don'
tfor
gety
oubag!
"What
's
wrongwit
hher?
Li
zwi
:
"Ar
en'
tyougonnagoaf
terher
?"

Thabo:"
No."Hesippedonhisbeer
.
WTF?Mybr ot
herisanassehol
e.I
stoodup"oy akae?(
Whereareyou
going?
)"

Me:
"Tocheckonmybestf
ri
end.
"

Thabang:"
Mxm. "Iwalkedout.Iwas
abouttoexistt
heloungewhenshe
shootpastmepushi ngmei nthe
process.
Zi
ntl
e:"
Thabot
akemehome.
"

Thabo:
"Aski
es?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Takemehome!Now!
"Hai
bo.

Thabo:"
Hehe!There'
ssomething
call
edanUBERsi si
.Request
aand
stopacti
ngli
keyoucameher ewith
me."

Zint
le:
"Wow!IseehowmuchImean
toyou."Shet
urnedandwal
kedout
bumpi
ngonmeagai
n.

Me:
"Whatdi
dIdo?
"

Thabang:
"Waphapha,
that
'swhaty
ou
di
d."Theyl
aughed.Mxm.

Ase:"Iwasabouttofol
lowher,but
aftershepushedNathiIsatri
ght
backdown.ThankGodIam nott he
onewhost oodupf i
rst
,youtookone
fortheteam Nat
hi.
"
Iwentbackt
omyseat
.
Lul
ama:"Whatt
hehel
lj
ust
happened?
"

Me:"I
'
m al
soaski
ngmy
sel
fthesame
t
hing."

Lul
ama:
"Hawu,It
houghtZint
lewas
al
soant
i-
Barbi
e.Andthennow?"

Lumka:
"Met
oo.
"

Bontle:
"Youcan'
texpecthert
obe
anti
-Barbi
ewhenshe'sdoingthe
exactsamet hi
nghersist
erdi
d."
Lumka:
"Whi
chi
s?"

Bontl
e:"
Fucki
ngotherpeople'
smen.
AndwenaThaboIsur ehopet heday
Sli
ndi
lefi
ndsoutaboutthi
sshe
l
eavesyoursorr
yass.Whycan' tmen
keepiti
nthei
rpants?!Leyatena
marn!(
Youareannoying.
)"

Lul
ama:
"Sayt
hatagai
n!"

Lungani
:"
Don'
tattackal
lofus
becauseofThabo'si
nfi
del
it
y.Some
ofusdon'
tcheat
."

Themba:
"Yeahr
ight
."Theyl
aughed.

Bontl
e:"I'
vebeent ell
ingyouThabot o
stopfuckingwi ththatMsomi gi
rl.
"Ah
Zint
lehasbeenr educedt oamer e
Msomi gi
rl."I
fyoudon' tl
oveSl i
ndil
e
thenleavehert hefuckalone,she's
tooyoungt obedeal i
ngwi t
hy our
bull
shit
."

Lul
ama: "Zi
ntl
edoesn'
talsorespect
herself
.SheknowsThaboi sina
rel
ationshi
pbutshekeepson
openi
ngherl
egsf
orhi
m."

Bont
le:
"Whatdoy
ouexpectf
rom a
Msomi."

Me:"
Ah.ahBont
le.Zi
ntl
eisnothi
ng
l
ikeThandi
we.Thaboistheone
who'
sleadi
ngheron."

Thabo:
"Hel
lno!Zint
leisanadul
twho
knowswhatshe'sdoing,
andshe'
sin
arel
ati
onshi
p."

Me:
"Ohwow!Youguy
sar
edi
-"
Thabo:
"Ar
ewhat
?"Yoh.

Me:"
Letmegothrowtheseaway .
"I
st
oodupquickl
yandstart
edpicki
ng
uptheempt
ybottl
eont hetabl
e.

Lusanda:"
Letmehel pyou.
"Ohshe's
sti
l
lhere.Shepickedupaf ewbott
les
andfoll
owedmet othekit
chen,
we
putthem i
nsideablackdustbi
nbag.
Sheaskedf oraglassofwater,
I
pouredforher."
Sohowol dareyou?"
Random.
Me:
"Iam t
urni
ng19nextmont
h."

Lusanda:
"Mmmh."Idi
dn'tl
iket
hat
mmmh." Andyouarealr
eadyalady
ofthehouseandmotheri
ngtwo
ki
ds?"

Me:
"onl
yone.Sphast
ayswit
hhis
mom,I'
m sur
eyouknowthat
."

Lusanda:"
Buthespendsmostofhi
s
ti
meher e?"

Me:
"Nonotr
eal
l
y."
Lusanda:
"Soyouar
ethatl
i
ttl
ebaby
gi
rl'
smother?
"

Me:
"Yes.
"Il
ookedather
.

Lusanda:"
What'
shername?"Whythe
suddeninter
est
?Didsheseethe
cake?

Me:
"Chul
umanco.
"Shesmi
l
ed.

Lusanda:
"Happi
ness?That
'sani
ce
name.Younamedher ?"
Me:"
Iwoul
d.Herdaddi
d,Iki
nda
namedherMorat
uwa..
."

Lusanda:
"ShehasaSot
honame?
"

Me:"
Yes.
"Shetri
edtohi
dehershock
asIl
ookedather.

Lusanda:
"Ohhh.Youguysl
ookl
i
kea
happyfamil
y."Ismi
led.

Me:"Weare.
"Shef
akedasmi
l
eand
nodded.
Lusanda:
"Ni
cehousebyt
heway
."

Me:
"Thanks.
"

Lusanda:
"Letmegetbackt othe
group.
"Inodded.Shet urnedandleft
.
Thatwaswei rd.Thesuddeni nt
erest
onChuluwaswei r
d.Whati fsh-Wait
!!
Couldit
?!No!Ifshewasshewoul d
havesaidsomet hi
ngright?Ineedto
askSivuyi
le.
○
Theni
ghtwasov
er.Ourguest
shav
e
fi
nall
yleft,
well
notal lthem.His
fr
iendsaskedt otalktoSi v
uyil
e,
soI
l
ef tt
hem andcameupt omyr oom.I
neededt oknowwhot hisLusanda
l
adyi s,
ifi
t'
swhoIt hinki ti
sthenwhy
didn'
tshesayany thing?Sivuyi
le
knowssomet hing,andIknowexact l
y
howt ogetthetruthoutofhi m si
nce
hisbeingshady.
Icoul
dher ehi
m wal
ki
ngtowardthe
room becauset
hedoorwasopen.

"Woah!
"Hest
oppedonhi
str
acksas
hesawme.
Me:
"Cl
oset
hedoorl
over
."Hecl
osed
i
tqui
ck.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Hah!"Hewasatal
ossof
words.Ical
l
edhim usi
ngmyindex
fi
nger.

Me:"Likewhatyousee?"Henodded.
Hegr abbedmywai standgav
emea
l
ingeringkisswhi
chleftme
breathless.

Si
vuyi
le:
"I
'vebeenwai ti
ngfort
his
momentf ormonths."Hesaid
gaspi
ngforair,
Igiggled.
Me:
"Takeof
fyourcl
othes.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Withpl
easur
e."Het
ookoff
hi
sclothesunti
lhewascomplet
ely
nakedli
keme.

Me:"
Lookwhocametothepar
ty?
"I
st
rokedZi
zi
-ashecal
l
shim.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mmmmh!
"
Ipushedononthebedandcli
mbed
onhim.Iki
ssedhi
m whil
egivi
ngZi
zi
ahandjob."
Ohshit
!"Hesai
dasIsat
onZi
zi
.

Me:
"Youl
i
ket
hat
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Yes!
"HegroanedasImov ed
i
naslowpace."Shit!Il
ovey
oubaby !
Youaremywor l
d."Iwasuppingt
he
pace.

Me:
"Whoi
sLusanda?
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
What?"Imov
edf ast
erhe
gr
oanedloudl
y."
Damn!"
Me:
"WhoisLusanda?
"Ist
opped
movi
ng.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Don'
tst
opbabypl
ease.
"I
movedsl
owlyi
naci
rcul
armovement
.

Me:
"Whoi
sLusanda?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shei
sSi
pho'
sgir
l.Shi
t!
!"I
wasmovingi
nast
eadypace.

Me: "
Beforethatwhatwassheto
you?"Iwasal sofeel
i
ngthe
pleasur
e,butIwasonami ssi
onI
coul
dn'
taf
for
dtomoani
npl
easur
e.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Not
hing.
"ItwerkedonZizi
anduppedmypaceagai n,Icoul
dn'
t
helpbutmoanto."
Don'tstop!Don'
t
stop.
"

Me:"
TellmewhoLusandai sandI
won'
tstop."Imovedashegr oaned.
"
IssheChul u'
sbi
ologicalmother?"
Noresponse.Imov edfasteragain.
"
Ahhhh!AnswermeorIwi llstaaaap!
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Mmmhy es!Yessheis!
"
That
'sal
lIwant
ed."Waitbaby
,why
di
dy oust
op? "Igotoffhim"wher
e
areyougoing?"Igrabbedmygown
onthebedsideandwor eit
.He
j
umpedof fthebedasIst oodup.He
stoodi
nfrontofmewi thhi
srock
harddi
ckondi spl
ay ."
Woah!"

Me:
"Mov
eSi
vuy
il
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Butbaby
..
."

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyout
ir
edofsecr
ets?
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatsecr
etsnow?
"
Me:"Whydi
dyoutell
meabout
Lusandat
heminuteyousawher
?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyoubabyI
swear
."

Me:
"When?
!"

Sivuyi
le:
"Tomorrow."Iheldmest i
l
las
Iattemptedtoleave."IsweartoGod.
Ididn'
twantt orui
nourdaught er
s1st
bir
thday.Iknewy ouwer egoingto
wantmet otel
leveryonewhoshe
i
s,andthatwasgoingtocause
unnecessarydrama,
youknowhow
mysistersare.
"

Me;"
Don'
ttheyknowt
hatshe'
syour
ex?
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Idon'tt
hinkso.Theymi ght
havemethersomewher earound,onl
y
Themba' smom hasmethert hrough
me, andshel ooksdiff
erentnow.
Theyknowt hatIhaveanexnamed
Lusandawho' shusbandki dnapped
LumkaandThandaza, buttheydon't
knowt hatLusandai sChulu'
smom, i
f
t
heyfi
ndout
,al
lhel
li
sgoi
ngt
obr
eak
l
ose.
"

Me:
"Youneedt
otel
lthem!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwi
l
l.
"

Me:
"Iam ser
ious!Tomor
row!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:'
"
trustmeIwi
l
l.
"

Me:
"Howdi
dn'
ttheyr
ecogni
seher
?"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Li
keIsai
dshelooks
di
ff
erentnow.It
hinkshegotsome
workdoneonherface.
"

Me:
"Asi
npl
ast
icsur
ger
y?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
shef
ixedherf
eat
ures.
"

Me:"
ohhthat'
swhyshest
il
ll
ooksa
bi
tli
keChulu.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Not
heydon'
t.
"

Me:
'
Isai
dabi
t.Ial
sowantt
odomy
nose.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Canwet
alkaboutt
hislat
er.
Zizineedssomeatt
enti
on.
"Ican't
beli
evehewasstil
lhar
d.

Me:"
Ineedt
ouset
het
oil
et.
"Iwas
pul
l
inghisl
eg.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hah!
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"I
'm ki
ddi
ng.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yougotj
okesneh?
"He
pushedmeont
hebedandgotont
op
ofme.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t80
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Awonder fulmorni
ngitist
oday.Iam
veryhappybecauselastni
ghtIwas
thoroughl
yservi
ced,Iwasreminded
ofwhatI '
vebeenmissingouton.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mor
ningbaby
."Ibl
ushed

Me:"Morni
nglover.
"Wekissed.Itook
myphonef rom t
hebedsideand
checkedonmyWhat sAppasSivuyil
e
madehiswayt othebathroom.There
wasnot
hingfr
om Zi
ntl
e,t
herewasa
t
extf
rom KayandAsenat
hi.

"Whatthehell
isgoingon?Whydid
Zint
lel
eavethegroup?"
-atextfr
om
Kay.Shelef
tthegroup?Whatthehel
l
?

"Checkyourbest i
e'
sst at
us."-
Asenathi
.Iimmedi atelyvi
ewedt he
stat
uses.Zintle'sstatuswasal labout
fakefr
iends,allthosequot esyouget
aboutfakefriends,shepost edsome
ofthat
.Iwasr eall
yconf usedast o
whatisgoingonwi t
hher ,
fir
stthe
outbur
stfrom l astnight,
nowt his?I
don'thav
eti
metodealwit
hallof
thi
s,i
fshewant
stoactl
ikeachil
d
thensobeit
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whor
uinedy
ourmor
ning?
"

Me:"Justchi
l
dishgi
rl
s'st
uff
."He
chuckled.

Si
vuy
il
e:'
Tel
lmemor
e."

Me:"
It
sZintl
e,
she'sact
ingup.Shelef
t
ourWhatsAppgroupchatandnow
she'
sbusyposti
ngaboutfakefri
ends.
Ididn'
tevendoanyt
hingt
oherl
ast
night,
i
fanythi
ngIt
ri
edtobeafr
iend
toher."

Si
v uy
ile:"shereall
yshockedmelast
ni
ght.Imeansheal wayscontr
ibut
ed
wheny ouguyst r
ashed
Thandiwe, nowallofasuddenshe'
s
growingaconsci ous."

Me:"
Hayakedikenenna(
Iam not
get
ti
nginv
olv
ed.
)"

Siv
uyi
le:
"She'
syourbestf
ri
end,
you
shoul
dbebothered.
"
Me:"
Ofcour
seIam bother
ed,
she'
s
cal
l
ingmeaf akef
ri
end."

Siv
uyil
e:"
may beshewasn'
ttal
ki
ng
aboutyou."

Me:
'Heh!Youdon'
tknowhowgi
rl
s
r
oll
wenaneh."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Tryandf
ixt
hingswi
thher
."

Me:"
HowwhenIdon'tev
enknow
whatIhav
edonewrong?Ifany
thi
ngI
am t
heonewho'ssupposedt
ocal
l
herafakef
ri
end.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Justt
alktoherandgett
o
thebott
om ofthi
s."

Me:
"No.
"Igotupf
rom t
hebedand
mademywayt ot
hebathr
oom.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Youaresost ubborn!"I
l
aughed.Itookaquickwar m shower .
Si
vuyil
ewasst i
lli
nbedgoi ngt hrough
myphone,forGodknowswhat .Iwent
i
ntotheclosetandchangedi ntomy
sweatpantsandacr optop,itwas
goi
ngt
obeachi
l
leddayf
orme.

Me:"Ar
ey oudonegoi
ngthroughmy
phone?"Ihel
doutmylefthand.He
l
ookedati tf
orawhil
e."
What ?"

Sivuyi
le:
"Somethi ng'smi ssi
ng."I
l
ookedatmyhand.Hegotupf rom
thebedandwentt othecloset
l
eav i
ngmeconf used, Isatdownon
thebedandwai tedf orhim.Hecame
backaf ewmi nut eslaterwithhis
handbehi ndhisback." Tada!"He
openedhi shandr eveali
ngmyr i
ng.I
l
aughed." Whatisi t
?Whyar eyou
l
aughi
ng?
"

Me:"
I'
mj ustthi
nkingaboutthatday
youdecidedtosur pr
isemewi tha
boxofcondoms. "Wel aughed."Wer
e
youthatdesperat
ef orsex?"We
l
aughedagain.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"Canwef ocusont hi
s
momentpleaseandf orgetaboutt
he
embarr
assingpast.
"Ilaughed.

Me:"
Okay.
"Icomposedmysel
f."
So?
Areyougoi
ngtoaskmetomar r
yyou
agai
n?"
Sivuyi
l
e:"Hel
lno!Giv
emey ourhand.
"
Ihelditoutt
ohim,heputont hri
ng
onmyf i
nger
."Ther
ey ougo!Perfect
!
Rightwhereitbel
ongs."Ir
oll
edmy
eyes.

Me:
"Thi
sisnotr
omant
icatal
l
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iti
s."Mxm.

Me:"
Well
thankyouf
orgi
vi
ngme
backmyri
ng."
Siv
uy i
l
e:"Pr
omi
set
onev
ert
akei
tof
f
again?"

Me:
"Onl
yifyoudon'
tgi
vemea
r
easont
o."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Iwon'
t.Ipromise.
"We
sharedadeepkiss."Il
oveyou.
"

Me:
"Il
ovey
oumor e.
"Hepeckedon
myl
ipsmult
ipl
eti
mes.
○
2daysl
ater
,Ist
il
lhav
en'
tspokent
o
Zi
ntl
e,
she'
sbeentaki
ngj
absatme
throughherst atuses.I'vetri
edt oact
l
ikeIwasnotbot hered,butIwas.I t
hurtswheny ourfriendy ou'
veknow
almostal ly
ourl i
fecal l
sy ouaf ake
fri
endforsomet hingy oudon'tknow.
Aschi l
dishast hisf i
ghtis,Isti
l
l had
tosortthingsoutwi thhershei smy
bestfri
endaf terall.

Me:
"Youar
ereal
l
ynotcomi
ngwi
th
me?
"

Ase:
"No.Idi
dn'tdoanyt
hingmos.
"
Shepagedthroughthemagazi
ne.
Me:"
ComeonAse,
she'
sangr
yatt
he
bot
hofus.
"

Ase:
"Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngt
oher.
Hambawedwasisi
(Goal
onesi
si)
"

Me:
"Pl
ease?Forme?
"Shel
ookedat
meforawhil
e.

Ase:"
Fine!Onl
ybecauseyouar
e
annoyi
ngmewi t
hthebeggi
ng.
"

Me:
"Yeeey
!"
Ase:
"Sowher
ear
ewemeet
ingher
?"

Me:
"Atherhouse.
"Shesi
ghed.

Ase:
"Wear
edr
ivi
ngour
sel
vest
her
e
ri
ght
?"

Me:
"Ican'
tdr
ive.
"

Ase:
"Ican.
"

Me:
"Doy
ouev
enhav
eal
i
cense?
"
Ase:
"whatdoy
out
akemef
orkant
i?"

Me:"
Let
sjustgo.Taket
heCr
uze
pl
ease.
"

Ase:
"Whati
fIwant
edt
heRange?
"

Me:"
Haike!Don'
tst
artt
roubl
epl
ease.
"
Shelaughed.

Ase:"
Chil
l.
"Iwenttot
hedrawertoget
thecarkeys,It
hrewt
hem ather.
"Let
'
sgosor tthi
schi
l
dishmessout."
Saythatagai
n.Wegotintothecar
anddr
oveof
ftoZi
ntl
e'
shome.

Ase:
"Whati
fsheset
sdogsonus?
"

Me:"Ther
earenodogsher
e,and
pl
easestopwithy
ourwhatifs.
"She'
s
beenspecul
ati
ngonwhatZintl
eis
goingtodot
ouswhenwegett oher
house.
Wewal
kedinsi
detheyardandwent
t
othef
rontdoor
."Youknock.
"

Ase:
"Uphambene(
youar
ecrazy
.)
Theydon'
tevenknowmeinthi
s
house.
"Mxm.Iknockedonthedoora
fewti
mesunti
lMrMsomi deci
dedto
openthedoor
.

Me:"San'
bonababa(greeti
ngssir.
)"
Hegr eet
edusback.Hewashappyt o
seemeasal way s,
hetoldust hat
Zintl
eisinherroom.Iledthewayt o
theroom assinceIknewit."Knock
knock?"Iwaswonder i
ngifshewas
goingtoopen.

Ase:
"Whati
fs-
"

Me:
"Shutup!
"Iwhi
sper
edback.Af
ew
secondslat
erthedooropened."
We
comei npeace.
"Isai
dwi thasmi
le.
Shelookedatmeunf azed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Saywhatyouwantandl
eave
pl
ease,
youar
edistur
bingmypeace.
"

Ase:"
Aibosi
si,
what
'swi
tht
he
at
tit
ude?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Getoutofmyhouse.
"

Me:"
Zint
lecomeon,wejustwantt
o
t
alk.
"IgaveAsenat
hiawarni
ng
ey
e,sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youhav
efi
vemi
nut
es.
"

Me:
"What
'
sgoi
ngonZee?Whatdi
dI
dot
oyou?"

Zint
le:"
Ithoughty
ousaidyouwant
ed
totalk,
notaskquest
ions.
"Hai
bo

Me:"
Zint
let
alkt
omebabe,
tel
lme
whatIdi
dtohurty
ou?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ify
oudon'
tknowwhaty
oudi
d
t
henwhyar
eyouher
e?"

Ase:
"Tof
indoutwhatwentwr
ong?
"

Zintl
e:"
Wellyoucamet othewrong
place.I
'veneverbeenonetorel
ive
thepast."

Ase:
"Hehakesi
si!
"Shecl
appedonce.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yourf
ivemi
nut
esi
sup,
please
l
eave.
"

Me:
"ZeeYoudon'
tmeant
hat
."
Zi
ntl
e:"
Closet
hedoorbehi
ndyou
pl
ease.
"Mymouthwaswi deopen.

Ase:"masambeNat hi
(l
et'sgoNat
hi.
)"
IlookedatZint
leonemor eti
meas
tearswell
edupinmyey es,
shepl
ayed
withhernail
sandignoredme.Ihad
nochoicebuttoleavetheroom.

Me:
"Whatj
usthappenedi
nther
e?"

Ase:
"She'
sjustgoi
ngthr
oughsome
st
uff
,shewil
lcomearounddon'
t
wor
ry.
"

Me:"Zi
ntlehasneverbeenonetoshut
meout .Shetal
kstomeaboutabout
everyt
hing,
soifshewasgoing
thr
oughsomet hingshewouldhave
tol
dme. "

Ase:
"Sul
il
anawey uuh(
don'tcr
ymar n)
Youwill
getyourbestf
riendback.
"

Me:"
Whatifudon't
?"Sheshrugged.
Asenat
hihasneverbeenagood
comfor
ter
,IneededKayatthis
moment.Iwasbeyondthewor dhur
t.
Losingaf r
iendhur ts,butl osingabest
fr
iend,onewhowasl ikeasi stert
o
youist heworst.Ithur tsmor ethan
breaki
ngupwi thaboy f
riend.Iwas
l
osingmybestf r
iendandi thurtnot
knowinghowt of i
xt hingswi th
her,
thingsj
ustdr asticallychanged
betweenus.IknowIf el
therpul l
i
ng
awayf rom met hepastf ewweeks
butitdidn'
tthinkitwoul dl eadtoher
cutti
ngmeof fjustliket hat .

Ase:
"Whatdoy ouwanttodot ocheer
youup?"Ishookmyheadwhi l
e
wipi
ngmyt ears."
Stopbeingacry
baby,
uzabuyauZintl
ewethu(Zi
ntl
e
will
comeback)she' sjustbeingextra
fornor eason.May beshe'sPMSi ng."
Ohwow!" Aike!Andizuhlal
anesmumu
mna( Iam notgoi ngt ositwitha
mut e.
)Iam t aki
ngy oubackhome
andIam goi ngtoseemyman. "Ijust
l
ookedout sidethewi ndowandpai d
nomi ndt oher .Wedr ov et
hecari n
sil
ence,justt hemusicf eel
ingupthe
atmospher e.
WhenwegothomeIgotoutthecar
assoonasshepar
ked,
Irushedi
nto
thehouse.

"
Woah!Wher
ear
eyour
ushi
ngt
o?"He
hel
dmyhand.

Sivuyi
l
e:"Heyyy
.Whyar eyoucryi
ng?
Whohur tyou?"Asenathi
walkedin.
"Asenathiwhatdi
dy oudotomy
wife?"

Ase:
"Hai
bo!Me?Shej
ustbr
okeup
wit
hsomeone."

Sivuyi
l
e:"
What ?Youwer edati
ng
someoneLunat hi
?!"Idi
dn'thaveti
me
forthi
s.Iyankedmy sel
foutofhis
gri
pandr ushedupstair
sleaving
Asenathitoexpl
aintohim what
actuall
yhappened.Igotint
omyr oom
andt hr
ewmysel font hebedand
cri
edmyey eball
sout .Thi
shur t
s
mor ethani
tdidwhenwehadour
fi
rstseri
ousfall
i
ngouti ngrade5.I
don'tunder
standwhati sgoingon
withher.

"
Baby
,ar
eyouokay
?"

Me:"
I'
ll
befine.
"Isni
ff
ed.Hecli
mbed
onthebed.Imoveduptohim and
l
aidonhischestwhi
lehi
sarmswer e
ar
oundme.
Sivuyi
le:
"Don'
tworryyoursel
fabout
uselessthi
ngsmyl ove.OnceZint
lei
s
readytotalkandsolvethi
ngswith
yousheknowswher etofindyou.
"

Me:"I
thur
tsSi
vuyi
le.Zi
ntl
eisl
ikemy
si
ster,
andIdon'
tl
ikefi
ghtwit
hher.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Giv
eherspace.Maybeshe
hasagoodr easonf
oract
ingli
ke
thi
s."

Me:"Ifany
thi
ngI'
mt heonewho'
s
supposedtobeacti
nguponheraft
er
whatshedid,
butIchosenott
oandI
mov
edonf
rom t
hat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:'
Shhh,
i
t'
sokaybaby
."
Westayedint
hesameposi
tionf
ora
f
ewmi nut
esincompl
etesi
l
ence,
onl
y
mysnif
fsweremaki
ngasound.

Me:
"Wher
e'sAsenat
hi?
"

Sivuy
ile:
"I
nt hedinni
ng.It
oldhert
o
stayfordinner.
"Ikeptqui
et."
Iwant
totel
lthem aboutLusanda."

Me:
"Good!
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"ahh,y
ouar enotevengoi
ng
toaskmei fIam sureIwanttodo
thi
s?"

Me:"
thi
shastobedone.Iam tir
edof
secr
etsSi
vuyi
le,
andthat
'sal
lthi
syear
hasbeenabout,
secr
ets.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Youareri
ght.Iam just
worri
edaboutwhatt hi
sisgoi ngt
odo
tomyr el
ati
onshipwithSipho."

Me:
"I
tisgoi
ngt
obeawkwar
dsi
nce
he'
sdati
ngyourexwhohappenst
o
bethemotherofy
ourchi
l
d."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Don'
tremi
ndmepl
ease.
"

Me:
"Doy
oust
il
ll
oveher
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Who?Lusanda?Hel
lno!
"

Me:"Thennothi
ngi
sgoi
ngtoruin
yourrel
ati
onshi
pwit
hyourbr
other.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Youareright
.Ij
usthaveyo
assur
ehimt hatnothi
ngi
sev ergoi
ng
tohappenbetweenmeandthat
woman, pl
usIdon'
twanther
anywherenearmydaught
er.
"

Me:"
well
that
'si
mpossibl
esi
nceshe'
s
goi
ngtobeherequi
teoft
en.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Noshewon't.Shedoesn't
haveanyrel
ati
onshi
pwi thpeopl
e
whostayheresother
e'swillbeno
needforhert
ohangar oundthe
house.
"

Me:
"Si
phoi
sal
way
sher
e."
Si
vuy
ile:
"andhewi
llcomeal
one,
not
wi
ththatwoman."

Me:
"mmmhasazi
."
Ihopet herewon'tbeanydr ama
toni
ghtatt hedinnertabl
e.Iam j
ust
hoppingf orgoodv i
besandagood
conversationjustt
of or
getaboutthe
Zint
lesaga.
○

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°
Sensi ti
ve!That 'st heper fectwordto
descr i
bemywi fe.Ican' tbeli
evea
mer echil
dishf uedbet weenherand
herbestf r
iendhadheri ntearsand
stuf f
.Imeani fIwasherIwasj ust
goi ngtolett hingsbeandj ustmove
onwi t
hmyl ife,butt henagai nIam
notaf emalesoIdon' tknowhow
thingswor kint hei rregion.I
remembergr owi ngupwi thmy
sisters,I'
venev erseent hem cryi
ng
ov eraf ai
ledf ri
endshi p,notevenonce,
ormay bei t
'sbecauset heywer e
fri
endswi thguy sandy ouknowguy s
hav ezer odrama.
Speaki
ngofmysi
ster
s,Iam wor
ri
ed
abouthowt heyaregoingtotakethe
Lusandanews.ForSi pho'
ssakeI
hopetheywon' tbedramati
caboutit
causeitl
ooksl i
kethebigbrotheri
s
smitt
enbyt hegirl
,t
helastt
hinghe
needsishissister
shatingt
he
womanhel ov es.

Boitumelowasi nthekit
chencooking
dinnerwithAsenathi
,Iwasint he
l
oungewat chi
ngthesportschannel.I
receiv
edacal lf
rom Luzuko,Ihope
andpr ayhedoesn'tneedmyser vi
ces.

Me:
"Pl
easecal
lThemba,
yoh!
"He
chuckl
ed.

Luzuko:
"mxm.Iam notcal
l
ingabout
that
."

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwantke?
"

Luzuko:
"Whyareyousogrumpy
?Did
Idi
sturbahotsessi
onbet
weenyou
andthemadam? "

Me:"
Whatdoy
ouwantLuzuko.
"He
l
aughed.
Luzuko:
"Nahman,
Car
loswant
sto
meetwithyou.
"

Me:"
Carl
os?Why
?Ishesi
ckor
somethi
ng?"

Luzuko:
"Appar
ent
lyi
t'
snotbusi
ness
rel
ated.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tev
enknowhimthat
wel
l
,whywouldhewantt
omeet?"

Luzuko:
"Idon'
tknow,
I'
mjusta
messager."
Me:
"When?
"

Luzuko:
"Toni
ght
,ar
ound7?
"

Me:"
Ican'
tdotoni
ght,
Ihave
somethi
ngimport
anttodo.May
be
tomorr
ow."

Luzuko:
"Sho,
I'
ll
lethi
m know.
"

Me:
"Al
ri
ghtt
hanks.
"
Luzuko:
"Nowl
etmegoenj
oymyse-
"

Me:"Fuckoffbr
uh!"Hel aughed.I
hungupwhi lel
aughing.Thephone
cal
l l
eftmeconfused,Carlos?Why
wouldhewantt omeetwi thme?I '
ve
barel
yheldadecentconv ersat
ion
wit
ht hedudeandnowhewant sto
seeme?Iwonder !

Thedinnert
abl
ewassetandmy
sist
erwereal
lheresi
tt
ingonthe
tabl
e,wewerejustwai
tingonSi
pho
toarri
ve.
Lumka:
"Iwonderwhat
'st
heoccasi
on.
Phel
ayouguysdon'tl
i
kehost
ingus.
"

Me:
"Don'
tl
ie,
youal
way
seather
e."

Lumka:
"HahVuvu,eversi
nceImov
ed
backt
omypl aceI
'
v eneverhad
di
nnerher
e."

Me:
"Iam surey
ourpl
acei
sfi
l
ledwi
th
t
akeaway s.
"

Lumka:
"Youknowmet
oowel
l
."She
rol
l
edhereyes.
Lul
ama:"
Kant
iwher
eisSi
pho?Am
hungr
yashel
l.
"

Ase:
"Youar
eal
way
shungr
y."

Lul
ama:"
ndakuqhwabawena!
(Iwi
l
l
sl
apyou.
)"

Ase:
"Hawu!Fort
ell
i
ngt
het
rut
h?Hay
si
siphol
a."

Lul
ama:
"Mxm."Lunat
hiwal
kedin
wit
habowlofdesser
t,
shewasn'
t
alone,Shewasfoll
owedbySi pho.My
smi l
eimmediat
elydissapper
edwhen
IsawLusandabehindme.

Ase:"
Ithoughtt
hiswasaf amil
y
di
nner."Shewhisperedl
oudl
yforus
peoplearoundt
het abl
etohearher
.

Lul
ama:
"I
'm al
sosupr
ised.
"

Si
pho:"
Heyguys.Sorr
yIam l at
e."He
pul
ledachai
rforhi
sladybef or
e
si
tt
ingdownnexttoher."Ihopey ou
guysdon'
tmindIbroughtaguest ."
Lumka:"
Wecansee.Asurpr
ise
guest
."Shel
etoutanawkwardgi
ggl
e.
IthoughtIspecifi
callyt
oldSiphot
hat
thi
swasaf ami l
ydinnerandIhave
somet hi
ngt osharewi t
hthem,why
thetel
l wouldhebr i
ngLusandahere?
Whati fIdon'twanttosharemynews
withher,di
dn'thethinkofthat?

Si
pho:
"shei
nsi
stedoncomi
ng.
"

Ase:"
nosur pr
isethere.
"Sherol
ledher
eyes.Asenathicl
earl
ydidnotli
ke
Lusanda,Iam prett
ysureaft
erItel
l
them whosher
eal
l
yisshei
sgoi
ngt
o
hateher.
Wedishedupinsi
l
enceandat
eint
he
samesil
ence.

Si
pho:
"Whyareyouguy
ssoqui
et?
Youar
eneverthi
squi
et.
"

Ase:
'
Tabl
emanner
s."

Si
pho:"
sincewhen?Khani
meni
nina.
"
Helaughed.

Lul
ama:
"Lunat
hiwhenwast
hel
ast
ti
meyouspoketoZint
le?
"Iguess
shewastr
yingt
obreakthe
awkwar
dness.

Lunathi
:
"Canwepl
easenott
alkabout
her.
"Shamemanmypoorcrybaby.

Lul
ama:
"Ohokay.
"Wef el
li
ntot
he
awkwar
dsil
enceagai
n.

Ase:
'
HehLusandad-
"

Si
pho:
"Si
si!
"
Ase:
"Ohh.Si
si Lusanda.
"She
emphasi
sed."Didyoudoy ournose
j
obbackintheUS? "Lunathichoked
onherdr
ink.

Lunat
hi:
"OhmyGodAsenat
hi.
"

Ase:'
What
?Ijustwanttoknow.
"
Lusandaf
akedasmi l
e.

Lusanda:
"I
tsokay
.Ididn'tdoanose
j
ob.Thisi
smynat ur
al nose.
"

Ase:
"Ohmybad.
"Weal
lsi
ppedon
ourwines.Asapersonwhoknows
Lusandaverywel
l,
shedidgetanose
j
ob.Idon'tknowwhyshe'
slyi
ng
aboutit
.

Lumka:"Sowher
ear
eyouf
rom
Lusanda."

Lusanda:
"OhhI
'
mfr
om Por
t
El
izabet
h."

Lul
ama:
"Whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
"

Lusanda:
"Ri
ghtnowIam st
il
lj
ob
hunti
ng,
I'
vebeenstr
uggl
ingwi
th
gett
ingajobeversi
nceIcameback.
"

Lunat
hi:
"andwhenwast
hat
?"

Lusanda:
"3mont
hsago.
"

Lunat
hi:
"August
,Isee.
"Iwonderwhat
she'
sthi
nkingabout.

Ase:
"Wher
edi
dyouandbhut
imeet
?"

Sipho:
"Whydi
dn'
tanyonet
ell
met hat
thiswasgoi
ngtobeanint
ervi
ew
di
nner
."Wel
aughed.

Lul
ama:"Wearej
usttr
yingtogetto
knowournewestaddi
ti
onabit
bett
er,
kal
okuwenayoudidn'
tgiveus
achancethel
astti
meshewasher e."

Si
pho:
"Hai
kecar
ryon.
"

Lusanda:
"Hahbabe,
Ithoughty
ou
weregoingtor
escueme."

Sipho:
"Sor
rybaby
."Theylaughed,
he
tookherhandandkissedit
.My
brot
herwast rul
ysmitt
en,howdoIt ell
herthatheissmashingthesamegi rl
Iwassmashi ngandendedup
knockingherup?Orthatherpsy cho
exkidnappedhissi
ster?Idon'twant
tostealmybrother
shappi nesscause
hegenuinelyl
ookshappy.

Ase:"Howlongwereyouinthestat
es
for?
"Iguesssheforgotabouther
fi
rstquest
ion.

Lusanda:
"Mmmh,
7or8mont
hsI
thi
nk."
Ase:
"andyoualr
eadyhaveanaccent?
Haythat
hagirl
!Icoul
duseyourbrai
n
whenIam studyi
ngformyexams
yazi
."

Lusanda:
"meani
ng?
"

Ase:"
unent
lokoet
hambi
l
esi
si.
"She
fakedasmile

Lusanda:
"t
hanky
ou.
"

Lunat
hi:
"now'st
het i
metotel
lthem.
"
Shewhisperednexttome.
Me:"Notyet."Iwhisperedback.I
couldfeelhereyesonme, butIdar
ed
nottolookather ."Howaret hi
ngs
goingatZCbhut i?"Ichangedthe
subject
.

Si
pho:
"i
t'
s-"

Lunathi
:"
Ohcomeonnow, wedon't
wanttolist
entoyouguysgoingon
andonaboutbusiness.Wearestil
l
tr
yingtogettoknowLusanda,r
ight
?"
Thegirl
sagreed.
Lumka:"
Wedon'twantt
ohearabout
yournewbor
ingdeal
splease.
"

Lunathi:
"SoLusanda,doy ouhaveany
mi niy
ous? "Lusandalookedathera
bitconfused."KidsImean."Who's
childi
st hi
s?

Lusanda:
"Ohhkids.
..
ohuhm.
..
..not
real
ly
..
..y
eah."

Lulama:"
Whichonei
sit
?Notr
eal
l
yor
yeah?"Ohshit
!
Me:"
she'
sChul
u'
smot
her
!"Ibl
urti
t
out
.

Them:
"What
?!!
"

Sipho:"
Woah!Whatdoy
oumean
she'sChul
u'
smom?Whatdoesthat
makeLunathii
fshe'
sChul
u'
s
mot her
?"

Me:"
She'st
hebi
ologi
cal
mot
herof
Chul
u."

Si
pho:
"No!
"
Me:"I
'
m sor
rybroh,
it'
sthetrut
h."
Lusandal
ookedatmepi ssed.

Sipho:"
whydidn'
tyout
ell
meabout
thisyest
erday?
!HuhSi
vuyil
e?"

Me:"
Iwant
edtookay!ButIcoul
dn'
t!I
di
dn'
twanttor
uint
hemood! "

Sipho:
"Soy oucaredmor eaboutt
he
moodt hant el
l
ingmet hatIam
fucki
ngy ourbabymomma? !What
kindofstupidi
tyi
st hat
?!"
Si
vuyi
le:
"I'
m sorr
ymkhul
uwa.
"That
's
al
lIcoul
dsay .

Sipho:
"Andwenawhatdoy
ouhav
eto
sayforyour
sel
f?"

Lusanda:"
Iwasgoingt otelly
ou,i
nmy
ownt ime.
"Shehadt earsinher
eyes,howdramati
c."Sivuyi
leyouhad
norighttogoabouttell
ingmy
businessli
kethat
!"

Lunat
hi:
"excusey
ou!Thi
sisabouthi
s
daughter
,hesur
ehashel lhaveev
ery
ri
ghttotell
them aboutt
his."

Lusanda:
"shutupmar
nwena!Thi
s
hasnothi
ngt odowi
thyou!
"

Ase:
"Rha!Awuci
ngi
kal
oku!
"
Il
ookedatLumkaandLul amat
hey
werebot
hstil
lshocked.

Sipho:"
whenwer eyougoi
ngtot
ell
me?Youl iedtomeandsaidyou
don'thavekids!
!Whywouldy
oudo
that?!
"
Lulama:"causeshe' sahor r
ibl
e
mot herthat'
swhy !"Shef i
nall
yspoke.
"Shelefther1mont holdbabyatt he
doorstepexpect ingSi v
uyil
et otake
careofher !Whatdi dSivuyil
eknow
aboutbabi es?!Youar easel f
ish
humanbei ng!Youdi sgustmemar n!
"
Shespi t
.

Lunathi
:
"Whydidn'
tyoucomeand
checkuponherwheny oucameback
fr
om thest
atesatleast
?"

Lusanda:
"Justshutup!Iam st
il
l
t
alki
ngt
omyman.
"

Lul
ama: "
That'
sallyoucareaboutvel
e!
Amadoda!Idon'tknowwhet herto
gi
veyouabi t
chslapf orabandoni
ng
mynieceortopunchy ouforget
ti
ng
mysisterki
dnapped."

Si
pho:
"What
?!"

Lulama:"Yes!Thi
shoeofy our
swas
mar r
iedtoapsy chot
icgangst
er,she
cheatedonherhusbandwi thSivuyi
le
evenafterbeingwarnedbyher
fr
iends,herhusbandthendecidedto
ki
dnapLumkaandThandazaaspar
t
ofhi
srevengepl
an!
"

Lusanda:
"Idi
dn'
tknowaboutt
hat
,I
sweartoGod."

Lumka:"Butyouknewt haty
our
husbandwasapsy cho,
yetyou
carr
iedonsleepi
ngwi thmybrother
endangeri
nghisli
fe!"

Lusanda:
"Healsowant
edme!Iwas
nottheonlyoneatf
aul
t.
"
Ase:"
NowonderIdi
dn'
tl
ikey
ouf
rom
thegetgo.
"

Lumka:"
Ifeel
li
kesl
appi
ngy
ouso
har
drightnow."

Lunat
hi:
"Nonoguys.Canwejustsi
t
downandtalkaboutt
hiscal
mly.
"

Lul
ama:"Hay
iMotherTer
esa!Thi
s
bi
tchneedsasl
apthatwil
lbri
ngher
backt
ohersenses.
"

Ase:
"Hayunesbi
ndi
sisi
!(
Youhav
e
guts!
)Youcomet ot hi
shouseacting
l
ikeMi ssinnocentyetyouknowv ery
wellt
haty ouleftababyhere?!Hay
ungcolil
eshame! (
Youar ecr
uel).A
disgr
acet owomen! "

Lusanda:"SiphoIam sor
rybaby,
can
wej ustgohomeandt al
kaboutthi
s
properlyplease.
"

Si
pho:"Iam nottheonewhoy ouowe
anapologytoo.Youowei tt
ot hat
l
it
tl
eupst ai
rsthatyouabandoned.
Youalsoowei ttomysister
."
Lusanda:"
Ididn'
tknowmyex
husbandwasgoi ngtokidnapher
.I
havenothingtodowi t
hher
ki
dnapping."Shetr
iedtoholdhi
m

Sipho:
"Getof
fme!"Heroared."
Ican'
t
evenbaretolookaty
our i
ghtnow.
Youdisgustme!"Hepushedthechai
r
andstoodup.

Me:"
Woahbhut
i.Ar
ewecool
?"He
l
ookedatme.

Si
pho:"
Wewil
ltal
k."That'
shopef
ul
ri
ght
?"Masambewena! (
Let'
sgo
y
ou!)"Lusandaqui
ckl
yst
oodupand
f
oll
owedSi pho.

Ase:"Ai
bosisiwearenotdone
tal
king!
"Theyweregone."Hayguys
niy
amy eka?Areyoureal
lygoingt
olet
hergetawayjustl
iket
hat?"She
seri
ouslywantedtofi
ght.

Lunat
hi:
"Eyy
oul
i
kev
iol
ence.
"

Ase:
"Ut
hul
ekewenaMar
ia.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Fi
rstIam mot
herTer
esa
nowIam Mar
ia?Haynoguy
s."They
l
aughed.

Lumka:"
Don'
tworrywenamnt ase
tomorr
owissti
ll
anotherday
.She's
goingt
opayforthepai
nshecaused
thi
sfamil
y.
"

Ase:"
Good!That '
st hespiritwena
si
swam( youmysi ster.
)Sheneedst o
paytoapoi ntwher eshewi l
lneedto
getanothernosej ob!"Theyl aughed.I
coul
dn'tjoi
nthem, Iwaswor ri
ed
aboutmybr other.Hewassoangr y
whenhel efthere.Ev enthoughhe
saidwewi l
ltal
k,Idon'tthinkwewi ll
fi
xthingsalmostimmedi atel
y.Iam
surehe'sangrythatIdidn'ttel
lhim
aboutLusandaimmedi ately,
butinmy
defenceIdidn'
twantt oruin
everyone'
snight
.Iwasgoi ngt otel
l
hi
m ev ent
uall
y.

Lul
ama:"
Wenahowl ongwerey
ou
goi
ngtohidet
hisf
rom us?
"

Me:"Iwasn' tgoingtohideit
.Iwas
goingt otellyouaboutit
tonight,
hencewei nv
itedyouguys
heref ordinner.
"
Lulama:"
Howl onghaveyouknown
thatsheisback?Konawhydidyou
l
ieaboutChulu'smom beingaone
nightst
and?"

Me:"Thedayofthepar
ty.AndIl
i
ed
aboutChulu'
smom becauseIdi
dn'
t
wanty ouguyst
ohatemydaughter
."

Lumka:"youthoughtwewoul dhate
herbecausehermot heri
sthatthi
ng?
Hayuphambeneshame( Youat
crazy
.)Chul
uisourf l
eshandblood,
wewoul dneverhateoneofourown. "
Me:
"Iknow.
"

Lul
ama:"Youshoul
dhavet
oldus
kodwanaweVuv u,
j
ustt
oavoidal
l
thi
sdrama."

Ase:
"Nowwhat?Bhut
iisdat
ingyour
ex,
andkeshamethat
'sanono."

Lumka:
"Ohplease!Thatr
elat
ionshi
p
i
soverIam t
elli
ngyou."

Ase:
"Ar
eyousur
e?Bhut
iseems
t
akenbyMissbot
chednose.
"They
l
aughed.

Lul
ama:"
Didyouseei
tthough?I
t
l
ookedawful
."

Lunathi:
"Ithoughtshewasoneof
thoseTLCpat i
ents."Theylaughed
again,Ijustchuckled.Yeah,my
familyischaotic!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t81
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

"Thatwasadramat
icdi
nner
."Isai
d
asIgotinbed.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Arey
ousur
pri
sed?
"I
snuggl
eduptohi
m.

Me:
"Notreal
ly
,Iwasjusthopingthag
f
oroncetheywon'
treactinthat
manner
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Hah!Iwish.
"Ichuckl
ed."
Do
youthi
nkSiphotookthi
swel l
?"

Me:"
Idon'
tknowbabe,
heseemed
pr
ett
yangryandhur
twhenhelef
t.
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Iknow.Hehasn'tevencall
ed
mey etandwealwayscalleachother
befor
ewegot obed."Ichuckled

Me:
"Ist
il
lfi
ndt
hatv
erywei
rd.
"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"not
hingwrongwit
hbrot
her
s
showi
ngeachotherappr
eci
ati
on.
"

Me:"YeahIknow,butyoudon'
tcal
l
yoursist
ersever
ynight.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youknowhowtheyare,I
woul
dhaveni
ghtmar
eseverynight
."I
l
aughed."Siphoistheonewho
star
tedthi
swhol ecall
i
ngt hi
ng.At
fi
rstIf
oundi twei
rdtoo,butnowIam
usedtoit.
"

Me:"
May behe'stooexci
tedabout
hav
ingabr ot
her.Didhegrowupas
anonlychi
ld?"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tknowhey,
henever
tal
ksaboutthefami
lyt
hatrai
sed
him."

Me:
"Hedoesn'
t?That
'swei
rd.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Ormaybehe'snot
comfort
ableasyet
."Idon'
tthi
nkso.

Me:
"mmmhmay
be.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
EnoughaboutSi
pho
now,ti
met ogetdowntosome
seri
ousbusiness.
"Hewentdownto
myneckandsuckoni t,
Igi
ggl
ed.

Me:"St
opi t
."Igi
ggled."
Iam st
il
lsor
e
fr
om lastnight.
"Turnsouti
fyou
spendal otofti
menothav i
ng
sex,
youvi
rgi
nget st
ightagai
n,who
knew?Lol
.Plusitdi
dn'thel
pthatt
his
manwashav ingati
meofhi sli
fewit
h
mybody.

Sivuyi
le:"
Icanki ssitbet t
er.
"Igiggled
somemor eashi slipslandedon
mine.Weshar edasl owdeepki ss.
Hegr abbedmyboobandgav eita
squeeze, Imoaned.Hemov edthe
handt omyt ighs,slowlymov i
ngitup
thethighunt ilher eachedmy
paradise.Myl egsaut omat i
call
y
openedwi de,hest artedrubbingon
mycast lesl owl ywithmypant i
eson.I
wascompl etelyturnedon.Hebr oke
thekissandgotonhi sknees.He
pull
edmedownandhel dmyknees
upbef or
etakingoffmypant y
,he
snif
fedit."
Damn!"Hewentdownon
meki ssi
ngmyi nnerthighswi t
hhi s
wetlips,
unti
lhereachedmycast le.I
moanedoutl oudasIf elthi
sl i
ps
comei ncontactwithmyv i
rgi
nallips.
Imissedhav i
nghisheadst ucki n
betweenmyl egs.
○

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Theannoy
ingsoundofanal
arm
wokemeupf rom thedept hofmy
sleep.Ihatewhoev erinventedt his
noisyt hi
ng,whatwasheorshe
thinki
ng.Iwokeupandki ssedmy
sleepingwi f
e'scheek, sheget st o
sleepal l
daybecauseshe' sdonewi t
h
herexams, whi leIhavet ogot owor k
anddeal wit
hannoy i
ngpat ients.As
muchasIenj oymywor k,Ist i
llenjoy
l
azi ngaroundt hehousewi thmywi f
e.
Ithinknotgoi ngt owor kformont hs
mademel azybecausewaki ngup
thispastweekhasbeenast ruggle.
Igetoffthebednonethel
essandgo
str
aightt
ot hebathr
oom totakea
quickshower.Lunat
hiissti
l
lasleep
whenIgetbacki ntheroom, Igoto
theclosetandwearthecl ot
hesthat
shepickedoutandi r
onedf ormethe
previ
ousnight.I
t'
samazi nghowev en
thoughwehav ehelpers,
shestil
ldoes
thesekindofthi
ngsforme.
Byt hetimeIam doneget ti
ngready
forwor k,
she'
sstil
lfarfarawayinher
sleep,andthenshewi llcal
lmea
sleepyhead,yetshesleepsli
keal og
ofwood.Iki sshergoodby eandleave
ther oom.
Mam'Luvowascl eani
ngupinthe
l
ounge,
Igreetandbidherf
arewell
t
henIwalkoutthehouse.Igotinsi
de
mycaranddr oveofft
oworkwhi l
e
j
ami ngtor andom musi cplayi
ngon
theradio.Imustsayonet hingI
missedwasdr ivingmy selfaround,
theleginjuryreallyfuckedmeupf or
mont hsandIhadt oputupwi t h
beingdrivenar oundt own,whi ch
annoy edthehel loutofme.
Iwalkedintotherecepti
onar ea,
and
asalwaysThembawasf li
rti
ngwi th
ourrecepti
onist,
I'
m pret
tysureifshe
wasn'tmarriedshewoul dhav elong
gaveintohim, t
hewayshebl ushes
Thembast artshisshenaniganson
hermyGod.
Me:"Morningguy s.
"Thegreetback
cheerl
y."
CanIpl easehavemycof fee
i
nmyof f
iceplease,Ihav
eapat ient
cominginsoon. "Isai
dwhilewalking
tomyof fi
ce.

Thoko:
"Comi
ngr
ightupsi
r!
"

Afewmi nut
esl
ater
,Thembawalked
i
nwithtwocupsinhishand.He
pl
acedoneonmyt able.

Themba:
"Andt
henwena?Didy
ou
wakeuponthewrongsi
deoft
hebed
today
?"
Me:"Whatdoy
oumean?"Iputt
he
pat
ient
sfil
eawayandt
ookmycoffee.

Themba:
"Yougr
umpyandthatmakes
youl
ookmoreugly
."Wow!

Me:
"I
'm notgr
umpy
."

Themba: "
Ohhreal
l
y?Thenexpl
ain
thatlookonyourf
aceandyour
atti
tude.
"

Me:
"Fi
rstofal
l
,gety
ourassof
fmy
desk.
."Ihi
thi
m wi
tht
hef
il
e.

Themba:"
SeewhatImean?"Hesat
onthechai
r."
Comeon,outwi
thi
t."I
si
ghed.

Me:"
Itol
dthem aboutLusandal
ast
ni
ght.
"

Themba:
"Ohshi
t!Howdi
dtheyt
ake
i
t?"

Me:"mysister
stookitwel
lI
guess,
seeingthatt
heyarest
il
ltal
ki
ng
tome.Siphoont
heot
hersi
de.
..Iam
notsosure.
"

Themba:
"Di
dhesaysomet
hingt
o
you?
"

Me:"
That'
sthethi
ng,
Ihaven'
tspoken
t
ohim eversi
ncehelef
tthehouse
l
astnight
."

Themba:"
Hah!Kanti
!It
'sonlybeena
fewhour
sman, soyoucan'treal
l
y
concl
udethathe'
sangryaty ouyet
."
Me: "
Youdon'tunderst
andhowmy
relat
ionshi
pwithSiphoisnt
wana,
and
youdi dn'
tseehowlivi
dhewaslast
night.
"

Themba:"
it'
sunder st
andablethough,
I
meanhej ustfoundoutthathe's
fucki
nghislit
tl
ebrother
'sbaby
mommaandt hathe'
sgirl
fri
endli
ed
tohim.Unlessshedidtellhi
mt hat
shehasaki dsomewher e?"

Me:
"Nahshedi
dn'
t.
"

Themba:
"ThenSi
phohasev
eryr
ight
tobeangry,notatyouthough.Maybe
he'
sstil
ltr
yingtosortoutwit
hhis
missus,
givehimtime."

Me:
"Sor
tthi
ngsout
?Hewoul
dn'
tdo
t
hat
."

Themba: "Ibetyouhewoul d.That

mani stakenbyLusanda, andy ouof
allpeopleknowhowst r
ong
Lusanda's" spel
l
"is."Hemade
i
nv ert
edcomasi ntheair."Thatman
i
ssmi t
ten.Iwouldn'tbesur pr
isedif
hef or
givesandf orgets.
"Woul dhedo
that?
Aknockonthedoordi
stur
bedmy
t
houghts.

Me:
"comei
n."

Thoko:"
DrDl
ami
ni,
yourpat
ienthas
arr
ived.
"

Me:"
Lethiminpl
ease.
"Shenodded
andclosedt
hedoor.

Themba:"Nt
wana,letmeleav
eyouto
i
t.I
'm al
soexpecti
ngoneofLuzuko'
s
guysinafewmi nutes.
"
Me:
"Al
ri
ghtsho,
wel
ltal
klat
er.
"

Themba:"Sharpsharp.
"Hestoodup
andwalkedoutt hedoorbumping
i
ntomypat ient
.

Me:"
Goodmorni
ngMrMoloi
."Ist
ood
upandwal
kedtowar
dshi
m.
○
Itwasfi
nall
yLunchtime,Iwasonmy
feetf
orhours.Oursurger
ywasv er
y
busytoday,
wehadal otofpat
ients
comingin.There'
swasstil
lmorein
therecept
ionarea,
butIwastoo
hungrytoat t
endtoasickper
son.I
wil
lonlyattendtoali
feordeat
h
matteratthispoi
nt.
AsalwaysThembawal kedi
nmy
off
icel
ikeitwashi
s,hewascar
ryi
ng
bothourtakeaway
s.

Themba:"t
odayy
ouareeati
ngli
kea
si
ngleman.Didyouf
ightwi
th
Lunathi
?"

Me:"Hel
lno,shewasasl eepwhenI
l
eftandIdidn'twanttowakeher .
"
Lunathi
alway spackslunchfor
me,
i
t'
sthesweet
estgest
ureev
er.

Themba:"
Hehe,
youwor
eheroutl
ast
ni
ghtneh?"

Me:
"Fuckoff
,I'
m notgoi
ngtodi
scuss
t
hatwithy
ou."Helaughed.

Themba:
"Youknowy ouandLunat
hi
i
nspi
reme,may besomedayIwil
l
al
sofi
ndmy sel
faMr smesomeday .
"

Me:"
Awwuwena?Itwoul
dbehel
lon
ear
th.
"Hel
aughed.
Themba:
"What
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?"

Me:"
Thembawenay
ouar
escar
edof
commitment
."

Themba:
"Iam not
!"Hedef
ended.

Me:"
Dude!Whathappenedt
o
Anat
hi?
"

Themba:
"Webr
okeup.
"
Me:
"Why
?"

Themba:"Shewastooser
ious,
can
youimagineshewasalr
eadythi
nki
ng
aboutourfut
ure?
"

Me:"
Yesucandef i
nit
elyi
maginethat
.
Thatgi
rll
ovedyou,
andIbeli
eveyou
l
ovedhertoo,
wenay ouar
ejust
scar
edtocommi t
."

Themba:
"nahnt
wana,
i
twasnott
hat
deep.
"
Me:"DoIneedtor
emindyouofhow
manyt i
messhebrokeupwithyou
andy ouwentt
obeghertotakeyou
back?DoI?"

Themba:
"Thatdoesn'
tmeanIl oved
her,
i
tsi
mplymeanst hatIenjoy
edher
company.That
'sal
l.
"Ilaughed.

Me:
"Yeaht
hat'
sright
!"Ishoul
dbe
r
oll
i
ngmyey es,
butIwon't.

Themba:"
Okay,
maybeIam notready
tocommittoaseri
ousrel
ati
onship
ri
ghtnow,
BUT!Thatdoesn'
tmeanI
hav
eacommi
tmentphobi
a."

Me:"
Alr
ightnt
wana,whatevermakes
yousl
eepatnight
."Iwinkedathi
m.

Afterlunchwewentbackt owork,I
wasal readyt i
red.Ijustwantedt o
relaxonmycouchanddr i
nkani ce
coldbeer ,
that'
sal lIwantedtodo.My
planswer eruinedbyat extfr
om
Luzukor emi ndingmeofmymeet i
ng
withCar losat7, Isowant edto
postpone, butIwascur i
ousast owhy
hewant edt omeetwi thme.Ihope
theydon' twantt oincludemei nto
moreoft heirgangstershit
,causeI
am notinterested.Buti
fthatwast he
case,
thenLuzukoandLut hando
wouldhav edonet hatthemselves.I
wonderwhat '
sthisabout.We
knockedof fwor katexactl
y7o'clock,
wehadav erybusyday .

Themba:
"IfIwasmar riedIwoul dbe
sayi
ngIcan'
twaittobewel comedby
ahomecookedmeal ,butbecauseI
am si
ngl
e,Ican'
twaittot astethat
col
dbeerinmyfridge."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Youwer
ebi
tt
enbyamar
ri
age
bugt
oday
,Iswear
."Hel
aughed.

Themba:"
Mxm,
seey
out
omor
row
ntwana.
"

Me:"
Sur e."Wegotintoourcar
sand
drov
eof f.Iconnect
edmyphonet o
theBluetooththendi
aledmywi f
e.

Lunat
hi:
"Lov
er.
"Ismi
l
ed.

Me:"Iam goi
ngtobehomel ate,what
shouldIbri
ngyou?"Iwastry
ingto
soft
enherupsinceIforgott
ot el
lher
t
hatIwi
l
lbecomi
nghomel
ate.

Lunat
hi:
"Nobayi
ntoni
babe(
Any
thi
ng
babe)
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"I
thengiswaphil
onobay i
ntoni
s't
handwasam( Wher edot heysell
thatanyt
hingmyl ove)"shegiggled.

Lunat
hi:
"Nobakuphi
lov
e(any
wher
e
l
ove.)
"Il
aughed.

Me:"
Iguesst
hatmeansIshould
comehomeemptyhanded,al
ri
ght
t
hanksmadam.
"Shel
aughed.

Lunat
hi:
"Ar
eyoust
il
latwor
k?"

Me:"Nah,I
'
m dr
ivi
ngtoLuzuko'
s
houseforasmall
any
anameet i
ng.
"

Lunathi
:"
Ohokay
,sendmyr
egar
dst
o
Phil
asande.
"

Me:
"Wi
l
ldobabe.Il
ovey
ou.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Il
ovey
out
oo."Ihungup
wit
hasmi l
eonmyface.Lovei
str
uly
abeaut
if
ult
hing.
Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfrom Si
pho
i
mmediatel
yaf
terhangi
ngup.

Me:
"br
o?"

Si
pho:
"Whereare?
"No
gr
eeti
ngs,
nothi
ngvel
e?

Me:
"I
'm onmywayt
oameet
ing.
"

Si
pho:
"Thi
slat
e?"
Me:
"Yeah.
"

Si
pho:
"dl
ulangam,
Iwantust
otal
k."

Me:"Tomorrowbr
o.I'
mtir
ed,
aft
ert
his
meet i
ngIj
ustwanttogohomeand
cuddlewit
hmywi f
e."

Si
pho:
"Yourwi
fewil
lst
il
lbether
e
whenyougetbackmarn.
"Yoh.

Me:"Fi
ne.Wherear
eyou?"Hetol
dme.
Luckil
yhewasnotfarf
rom wher
eI
was,andther
oadtoLuzuko'
shouse
passedbyther
e.Ihopehehas
cal
meddown, Icouldn'
treal
l
yread
hi
semot i
onsoverthephone.
Hewasalreadystandi
ngbyt heroad
whenIgotther
e,hegoti nt
othecar
andwecarri
edonwi ththejour
ney.

Si
pho:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"

Me:
"Tomymeet
ing.
"

Sipho:"
Yourlateni
ghtmeetingat
someone' shouse?Mmmh. "We
al
r eadyenter
ingLuzuko'
s
nei
ghbour
hood.

Me:
"Yeah,
what
'swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?"

Sipho:"
Nothi
ng,not
hingatall
."Mxm.
Wedr oveincompletesil
enceunti
lwe
reachedLuzuko'shouse.

Me:"
Areyougonnawaitf
ormeher
e
or
?"IaskedasIpar
kedthecar

Si
pho:"
Fuckno, I
'
m comi
ngwit
hyou.
Maybey ouareheret
omeety
our
mist
ress,whoknows.
"
Me:"Mxm.Let
'sgo."Webot hgotout
thecarandwalkedtothedoor.I
knockedafewt i
mesont hedoor.
Phil
asandewast heonewhoopened.
"Heyy.
"Shesmiled

Phi
l
asande:
"Hi
i
.Longt
imenosee.
"

Me:"Yeahhey,unf
ort
unate
ci
rcumstancesdidn'
tal
l
owmet
o
comet hr
ough."

Phi
l
asande:
"ihear
daboutt
he
acci
dent
,I'
m sosor
ry.
"

Me:
"I
tsf
ine.
"

Phil
asande:
"Howareyoufeeli
ng
though?Havecomplet
elyheal
ed?"

Me:"
I'
dli
ket
othi
nkso.
"Shesmi
l
ed
pol
i
tely
.

Phi
lansande:
"That
'sgoodtohear.
How'sLunathihol
dingupaft
erher
par
entspassing?"
Me:"
She'
sdoi
nggoodhey
,she'
s
heal
i
ng."

Phi
lasande:
"Well
,t
ellhermyt
hought
s
ar
ewi t
hher."Inodded.

Me:"
Ohhshesendsherr
egar
ds.
"I
al
mostfor
got
.

"Hawu!Whataboutme?"Thatwas
Luzukowal
kingfol
lowedbyCarl
os.

Me:"
Whataboutyou?
"Phi
l
asande
l
aughedali
tt
le.
Luzuko:
"mxm.
"

Phi
lasande:
"Letmeleaveyouguyst
o
hav
ey ourdi
scussi
on."Shelef
t.

Luzuko: "
Wellwellwell
!Whoknew
thatthemi ghtySniperwoul
dbe
standingrighthereinmyhouse?How
doy ouknowt hi
smanSi vuy
il
e?"Oh
he'stalki
ngaboutSi pho?

Me:"
Ohhhthi
sismybigbrot
herSipho.
Si
phothi
sisLuzukoandCar
los.
"
Luzuko:
"I
tsapleasuretofi
nall
ymeet
youinperson.
"Heext endhi
shand
whichSi
phodidn'tnotshake.I
clear
edmyt hr
oat.

Me:
"Car
losmyman,Iheary
ouwant
t
otal
ktomeaboutsomethi
ng.
"

Carlos:"Ja!Canwemovetothe
study."Hesai di
nhi
sdeepcoloured
accent .Luzukol
edt
hewaytohi s
study.
Assoonaswesatdown,
Car
lost
ook
outhi
sgunandpl
acedi
tonthet
abl
e.
Me:
"O-
kay
!"Iwasconf
used.

Car
los:
"DoyouknowwhoIam?"He
waslooki
ngstr
aightatme.

Me:
"Whatki
ndofst
upi
dquest
ioni
s
t
hat
?"

Car
los:
"Answerme!
"

Me:"
YesIobviousl
yknowwhoyou
ar
eCarl
os."Isaidi
nanannoy
edtone.
Car
los:"
wrong!Youdon'
tknowwhoI
am.Becauseifyoudi
dy ououl
dnt
hav
ef uckedwit
hmygi r
l!
"What?

Me:
"Yougi
rl
?Thef
ucky
ouonabout
?"

Car
los:
"Yesmygirl
!Youfuckedwit
h
mygirl
,
andnoonedoest hattome!"
Hetookhe'sgunandpoint
editatme.
"
Jyhoore?!
(Youhear?
!)"

Sipho:
"Don'tyoueveri
ny ourl
if
e
maket hemi st
akeofpointi
ngoneof
myownwi thyourgun.
"Hesai dina
cooltone.Carlossl
owlyputthegun
down."
Goodboy
."

Me:"Car l
osIam notpsychi
c.Ei
ther
yout el
lmewhot hi
sgir
lyouare
tal
kingaboutis,orIam get
ti
ngthe
fuckoutofhere."Iwasreal
ly
annoy ed.

Carlos:
"Youdon'tknowwhoy ouwer
e
fuckingothert
hany ourwi
fe
recentl
y?"

Me:
"That
'si
t,I
'
mleav
ing.
"Ist
oodup.
Car
los:
"Si
t!
"

Me:"
Lookman, Iam t
ir
ed.I'
vehada
l
ongday,
thelastthi
ngIwantt obe
doi
ngisl
ist
eningtothisbul
lshit
."

Carl
os:
"Isai
dsi tyourmother
fucki
ng
assdown!"IlookedatLuzukowho
wasonhi sphonenotevenbot her
ed
aboutwhatwasgoi ngon.

Me:
"Saywhatyouwanttosayman!
"I
wasslowl
yget
tingpi
ssed.
Car l
os:
"Sandi!That'
smybaby
momma' sname. "Ohwow!" You
fuckedherandwant edtoforceher
i
nt omarryi
ngy ou!Youwant edto
keepmeawayf r
om mydaught eryou
pieceofshit!
!"Hest oodupand
glaredatme.Icoul dfeelhi
sbreath
hitt
ingmyf ace,t
hat'
showcl osehe
wast omyf ace.

Me:"
ist
hatwhatshetol
dyou?"Isai
d
i
nachil
ledt
one."Andyoubel
i
ev ed
her
?"

Car
los:
"Ofcour
seIbel
i
evedher
,she'
s
t
hemot
herofmyf
ucki
ngchi
l
d!"

Me:"
Wouldy
oucalm downbefor
eyou
gi
veyour
sel
fahear
tattack.
"

Carl
os:"
Sarni
e,
whoareyout
alkingt
o
l
ikethat
?!"Hemovehisf
acecloser
.

Me:"Iam talkingtoyou.Youcal led

meher etotalknotforascr eami ng
contest.Nowsi tyourmot herfucking
assdownandcal my our
selfsot hat
wecant al
klikerealman."Iwasnot
shoutingbutmyt onewasv eryst ern.
Helookedatmeoncebef or esitti
ng
downandbreat
hingoutl
oud.Isat
downtoo."
Now,t
ellmewhatshetold
you.
"

Carlos:
"Shetol dmet haty ouguys
fuckedwhilewewer ef ucking,
shegot
pregnantandy ouassumedt hatthe
babywasy ours.Shesai dy ouforced
hertomov ei ntoyourhouseaf t
er
youraccident,andyout hreatenedt o
takeherchildawayi fshedoesn' t
mar ryy
ou."What ?Whatki ndofsi ck
personisSandi .Icouldn'thelpbut
l
augh."Ohht hisisaj oket oyou?!It'
s
ajokeneh? !"
Me:"Whyar ey
ouev enget
ti
ngwor
ked
up.Ithoughtyouwerenoti
na
rel
ati
onshipwithher.
"

Carlos:"
Yeah, butt
hatdoesn'
tmeanI
wil
l l
etsomeonehur ther
.You
actuall
ydi sr
espectedmebyt appi
ng
herwhi l
eIwast appi
nghertoo!You
don'tdot hat!Nomat t
erthenatur
eof
myr elat
ionshi pwit
hher!
"

Me:"
Idi
dn'
tevenknowshehad
someonei
nthepict
ure.
"
Car
los:
"Youar
ely
ingmar
n!"

Me:
"Whywoul
dIl
i
e?"

Car
los:
"Whywoul
dshel
i
e?!
"

Me: "Becauseshe'
saconni vi
ng
psy cho,t
hat'
swhy!"Ir
aisedmyv oi
ce.
"Thatbi t
chistheonewhowas
forcinghersel
fint
omyl if
e!Why
woul dIwannamar rythat,
whil
eI
alr
eadyhav eaqueenforawi f
e?!
"

Car
los:
"Becausey
ouar
eagr
eedy
bastar
d!That'swhyyoucheat
edon
yourwife!Becauseyouar
enever
sati
sfi
ed!"Istoodupandhel
dhim by
hisneck.

Me:
"Speakaboutmywif
eonemore
t
imeandIwi l
lmakey
oumeetyour
makertoni
ght!
"

Car
los:
"Gety
ourfuckinghandsoff
me.
"Hewasst r
ugglingtospeak.

Me:
"Nowl i
stenhere!Iam onlygoi
ng
t
osaythisonce.Ididn'tknowshe
waswit
hy oubackt hen!Inever
forcedhertodoanythi
ng.She'
sthe
onewhol iedtomyfamilyandtr
iedt
o
pinthepregnancyonme!Shewas
j
ustameani nglessf
uck,
nothi
ng
mor e!
"

Car
los:
"L.
..
e..
tg.
..
oo.
..
fm.
..
e!"

Me:"Letmet helastti
mey ouaskt o
meetupwi thmet otal
kaboutt hi
s
ki
ndofshi t
!Ithappenedandi t
passed,sogetov eri
t!Andt ellt
hag
bit
chofy oursthatifshecar ri
eson
spreadi
ngliesaboutme, Iwillmake
surethatsheget sburri
edsi xfeet
under,f
arawaywher enoonewi l
lfi
nd
her.Verstaanjy?(
Doy ou
understand?)"Henodded.Iletgooff
hi
sneck, hecoughedv er
yhard."
Let'
s
broh."Siphostoodupwi than
amusedl ookonhisface.

Luzuko:
"Whatthefuckjusthappened
here?Man,
wher ehaveyoubeen
hi
dingthi
sSivuyil
e?"Hewasal so
amused.

Me:"
Somewherefarf
araway.Idon'
t
l
ikebei
ngprov
oked.Lett
hisbea
l
essontoyouCar
los.
"Luzuko
cl
appedhi
shands!

Car
los:
"W.
.a.
.t
..
e..
r"

Luzuko:
"Yano,
todayhasbeenfi
l
led
wit
hsurpri
ses.
"Iam real
l
y
surr
oundedbystupi
dpeople.

Me:
"Man,
Ihav
etogo.Saygoodby
e
t
othel
adyoft
hehouseforme.
"

Luzuko:
"Wil
ldo."Wefi
stbumped.
"AndSniper
,IhopeIwil
lseeyou
againsoon.
"Siphoj
ustlookedathi
m
andwal
kedoutt
hedoor
,Ihadt
o
fol
l
owbehi
ndme.

Me:"
Thatwasver
yrudeofy
ou.
"Isai
d
asIstar
tedt
hecar
.

Si
pho:
"What
?"

Me:"t
hewayy
ouact
edt
owar
ds
Luzuko.
"

Sipho:
"Ij
ustdon'
tl
ikepeoplewhoact
l
iketheyknowmewhi letheydon'
t.
"I
chuckl
edaswedr oveoff.
Me:"Sowhatdi
dyouwantt
otal
k
about?"

Sipho:"
Lastni
ght
."Ohboyher
eiti
s.
"We'reyouandLusandaev
er
seri
ous?"

Me:"Atsomepoi ntwewer e,
thatwas
unti
lIfoundoutt hatshei
smar ri
ed.
"I
coul
df eelhiseyesonme." Butwe
weren'
texclusivewhenChul uwas
conceived.Iwasal r
eadywith
Thandiwebyt hen."Iwastry
ingto
makehi mf eelbett
er.
Sipho:"
Thatdoesn'tr
eallychange
things.
"Itdoesn'
t?Haike."I
sitso
wrongf ormet ofal
lforher?"Ohshi
t!

Me:"
No,"Isai
daf
terafewsecondsof
si
l
ence."I
t'
snotwrong.
"

Si
pho:
"Shei
sy ourexSivuyi
l
e!My
ni
ece'
smotherforfucksakes.What
i
sChulugoi
ngt othi
nk?I'
m heruncl
e
sl
ashstepf
ather?Whatisourfamil
y
goi
ngtosay?"
Me: "Youshouldn'treall
ycareabout
whatt heythink.Youshoul douty our
feeli
ngsf i
rstbeforeany oneelse'
s."I
wasn' tabouttoadv icemybr otherto
l
eav eLusandaal one.Whywoul dIdo
that?Forwhatgoodr eason?Itwould
ber eall
yselfi
shofmet ostand
betweenwhatcoul dpot enti
all
ybe
truelove.

Sipho:"
Idon'
tcareaboutrandom
peoplerunningt
heirmouths,but
familybro?That
'sdif
fer
ent."

Me:
"Igett
hat
,butatt
heendoft
he
dayy ouarenotgoingtomar ryyour
famil
y .Soyoushouldletthei
r
thoughtsbethereasonwhyy oulet
goofsomeonet hatyoulove.
"
LulamaandLumkawoul dski
nme
ali
veifthei
rheardmeencour aging
Siphot ogoaft
erLusanda.

Sipho:
"Butshel
iedt
ome,
howdoI
tr
ustheragain?
"

Me:
"Wel
lthat
'supt
oyouguy
stof
ix
t
hat
."

Si
pho:
"oursi
ster
sdon'
tl
ikeher
."I
chuckl
ed

Me:
"Thatt
heydon'
t,
andf
oragood
r
eason.
"

Si
pho:
"Iam soconf
used.
"

Me:"I
tsunderstandabl
e,
youdidn'
t
knowIwaswi t
hherbeforeyoudated
herandfel
lforher ,
sonoonewould
blameyouforcar ry
ingonwi
thher."

Sipho:"Idon'
twantt
orui
nmy
relat
ionshipwit
hyouguys.Youar
e
thefir
standonl
yfami
l
yIhav
e."Fi
rst
?
Ithought
..
.?

Me:"Youwon't
.Wewon' tlov
ey ouany
l
essbecausey ouchoset ofoll
ow
yourheart
.Suretheyaregoingt o
hateLusandaandmakeherl if
ea
l
ivi
nghellmaybe,butthatdoesn't
meant heywil
lhateyouf ordati
ng
her.
"

Sipho:
"Howi sitt
hatyouar
eso
understandi
ngaboutthi
smatter
?I
meant hispersonisy
ourex.
"
Me:"Keywor disex.Whatwoul dI
gai
nf rom standingi
ny ourway?
Nothing.Idon'tevenhavefeeli
ngsf
or
her
,sot hatwouldbesel f
ishand
chi
l
di shofme. "

Sipho:"
Iwi
shy oursi
ster
swoul
dbe
thisunder
standi
ngtoo."

Me:
"Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hoseones.
"

Si
pho:"
Youknowhowt
heyar
e."I
l
aughed.
Me:"Yeah.Buttheyaresofti
esat
heart,
theywill
understand.ButIdon'
t
thi
nktheywilll
ikeyourgirl
fr
iend
though,t
hatIcantel
lyou."He
chuckled.

Sipho:"
OhGod!Don' tremindme.And
there'
syourmot herngapha(t
his
side.)
"Hesighed."She'sgoi
ngto
hatemef oreverifIdothi
s."

Me:"Shewon't
.Stopworr
yingabout
thi
sman,justt
akethel
eapoff ai
th
andy ouwil
ldeal
witht
hefalli
ngout
l
ater.
"
Si
pho:
"Idon'
tknowbr
o."Isi
ghed.

Me:"Takey ourt
imeandthinkabout
thi
sbef or
ey oumakeadeci si
on.Just
knowt hatyouhavemyf ull
support
onwhat everiti
sthaty
oudecideon."
Helookedatmeandsmi led.

Si
pho:
"Thanksbr
o."

Me:
"Wher
eto?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youcandr
opmeof
fatmy
house.
"

Me:"
Alr
ight
."It
urnedontheroad
l
eadi
ngt ohi
sarea.Fiv
eminutesl
ater
wearri
vedathishouse.

Si
pho:
"Thanksf
ort
het
alkman.
"

Me:
"Any
time.
"

Si
pho:
"cal
lmewheny
ougethome.
"

Me:
"Sho.
"Iwait
edforhi
mt owal
k
i
nsi
dehisgat
ebeforedr
ivi
ngoff
.I
hopeLunat hi issti
llawake, Ican'
t
believethesepeopl ekeptmeaway
from mywi f
ef ormeani nglesstalks.
Wel lCarl
osdi d,becauset hetalkIhad
wi t
hSiphohadt obehad.Al thoughI
stil
lfeell
ikewehav est i
llhavetot al
k
abouthi schildhood, andhedoesn' t
reallyl
iketalkingaboutt hat.
Iarri
vedathomear oundhalfpast10.
I'
m prett
ysur emywi fewaslong
asleep.Icall
edSiphoinfor
mi nghim
aboutmyar ri
val
,wespokef oraf ew
minutesthenIhungupandwentt o
myr oom.I ndeedasIhadsuspect ed,
mydar li
ngwi fewasindreaml and.I
tookoffmycl othes,
andgotinbedi n
onl
ymyboxer
s.

"
Youback?"Iguessshewasnot
r
eal
lyasl
eep.

Me:"
Yeah."Shesnuggl
edupt
ome
andplacesheadonmychest
.I
ki
ssedherhead.

Lunat
hi:
"Goodni
ghtbabe.
"

Me:
"Goodni
ghtmyl
ove,
Ilov
eyou.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Lov
eyout
oo.
"Ifshewasso
sl
eepyIwasgoingt
oaskherwho
l
oveswhosinceshedi
dn'
tsay'
I
',
butI
wi
lll
etherbe.
Isti
l
lcan'tbelievethatSandi act
ual
ly
tol
dCar l
ost hatIwasf orci
nghert o
marryme!I magi ne!Evenwhenshe' s
outofmyl ife,
she'sst i
l
l causing
dramaf orme!Ican' twai ttotell
Lunathiaboutall oft-Ormay beI
shouldn'
t,Idon'twantt ohur therby
mentioningSandi '
sname.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t83
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Thi
ngshavebeengoi
ngswif
tl
y
wel
l,
Siv
uyi
l
eandSiphoaregood
now,thesistershavealsof orgiven
himf orhi
dingLusanda' sidentity.I
don'tknowaboutSi phoand
Lusanda'sr el
ati
onship,event hough
Sivuyil
egav ehim agreenpassonhi s
babymomma, west i
lldon'tknow
whati sgoingon.Siphohasbeenv ery
secreti
veaboutt herelati
onshi p.

"Youhav
eat extfr
om Zint
le.
"Hesai
d
ashewalkedintheki
tchen.Myhear
t
smil
edabit.

Me:"
Whatdoesshewant?Ihope
she'
snoti
nsul
ti
ngme."
Siv
uyil
e:"
Ohhcomeonshewould
neverdothat
."Iwi
pedmywethands
wit
hacl ot
h

Me:"Withthewayshe' sbeen
behavinglatel
y,
anythi
ngispossibl
e."
Hehandedmet hephone.Ivi
ewed
myWhat sAppandwentst rai
ghtto
hertext,
shewasaski ngtomeetup
wit
hme.Iwonder .

"
Whenandwher
e?"Ir
esponded.
Si
vuyi
le:
"Letmelov
eandl
eaveyou
baby
."Hecamet omeandpeckedon
myli
ps,t
henheleft
.

Me: "
Yourlunch!"Herushedbacki n
andt ookhislunch,
thenleftagai
n.I
carri
edonwi thmycl eaning.Atext
camet hroughmyphone, itwasZint
le
i
nf or
mi ngmeaboutt hemeet ing
placeandt i
me.
Iwon'tl
ieIam ki
ndofgl
adt hatshe
reachedoutt
ome, wedoneedt o
sortoutsomeunderl
yi
ngissues
betweenus.
Af
tert
idy
ingupt
heki
tchenIt
ookmy
phoneanddi
aledAsenat
hi.

Ase:
"Bi
tch.
"

Me:
"Hey
.Di
dyougetZi
ntl
e'
stext
?"

Ase:
"Text
?Nope.
"Ohshi
t!

Me:
"Ohhokay
.By
e!"

Ase:
"Wai
t!Shesenty
ouatext
?But
shedi
dn'
ttextme?Why?
"
Me:"Idon'tknow.Gi rlIhaveto
go,
Chul uiscrying."Ihungupbef or
e
shecoul devensayany thi
ng.Iwas
surprisedthatZintledidn'
tfeelt
he
needt otextAsenat hiandaskt o
meetupwi thher.Imeani fshe
want edtoapologiseshewoul dhave
i
nvitedAsenat hitooright?Right
!
Whatdoesshewant ?
○
Iwassi t
ti
nginther est
aurantwaiting
forhertoarri
ve,becauseIwas
anxiousaboutthismeetingIdecided
tocomeear lyanddownsome
cocktai
lbeforeshegetsher e,Idon't
needasobermi ndtodeal wit
h
her
,shemi
ghtbei
noneofhermoods
whoknows.
Isawherwalkingtowardsme,
I
coul
dn'
treall
yreadherbutIdi
dn'
t
noti
cethatshehasgainedwei
ght
andherskinwasglowing.

Zint
le:"
Hey.
"Ohhwear esmil
ing
today.Shesatdownacrossme.

Me:
"Hi
.
"Ir
etur
nedt
hesmi
l
e.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ihopey
oudi
dn'
twai
tfort
oo
l
ong.
"
Me:"Notatall
,I'
m ear
ly.
"Shenodded
withasmi l
e.Wesatinanawkwar d
sil
enceforafewseconds.Whoknew
thatmeandZi ntl
ewouldbeinthi
s
kindofsit
uati
on.

Zint
le:
"Whydon'
tweordersomet
hing
toeatbefor
ewestar
ttal
king?
"

Me:"Sure,
noprobl
em."Isi
gnal
l
edfor
thewaitertocome.Ipl
acedmyfood
order.
Zint
le:
"AndIwill
hav eporkr
ibsand
buff
alowingsplease."Thewaiter
noddedwhi l
ejot
tingdownonhi s
notepad."Andacr anber
ryj
uice."

Wai
ter
:"
Alr
ightl
adi
es.
"Hesmi
l
edand
wal
kedaway.

Me:"
Por
k?"Shedoesn'
treal
l
yli
ke
por
ksoIwassurpri
sedatheror
der
.

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
vebeencr
avi
ngi
t.
"

Me:
"That
'snew.
"Shegi
ggl
ed
ner
vousl
y.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iknowr
ight
."
I
naf ewmi nutesthewai t
ercame
backwithherjuice.Ican'
thel
pbut
feel
li
keadr unkard,hereIam si
pping
onanalcohol beveragewhil
eshe's
havi
ngjuice,
howawf ul
."So.
..
."

Me:
"So.
..
?"wel
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Howhav
eyoubeen?
"

Me:
"I
'v
ebeengoodIguess.Li
fei
s
goi
ngwel
lforme.Andy
ou?
"

Zint
le:
"Iam goodt
oo,Ij
ustgotsome
shocki
ngnewsy est
erdaythough.
"

Me:
"Shocki
ngnews?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
ll
tel
lyoual
labouti
tlat
eron.
"
Wewai t
edf orourfoodwhi l
e
engagi
ngi nameani ngless
conver
sation.Ourfoodf i
nal
lyarr
ived.
Shewasr eall
ydevouringtheplat
eof
ri
bsinfrontofher.Shemusthav e
beenreall
yhungry.
Me:
"Sowhyam Iher
e?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
OuchBoot
y,
that
'sabi
thar
sh.
"
I
t'
snot.

Me:"I
'
mj ustasking.Imeanthel
ast
ti
meIsawy ou,youwerenotwil
l
ing
total
ktomef orsomereason
unknownt ome. "Shesi
ghed.

Zint
le:
"Iwasgoi
ngthroughsome
emot i
ons,
andIdoapologi
sefort
hat
."
Inodded.
Me:
"Whathappenedatt
hepart
y?
Whatmadeyoufli
pli
kethat
?Atme
i
nfact
?"

Zintl
e:"
Ididn'tl
i
ket
hethingst hey
weresay i
ngaboutmysi st
er,andI
expectedy ouasmybestf r
iendto
sidewithmewhenIt oldthem Iwas
notcomf ortabl
ewi
ththeThandi we
topi
c."Excuseme?

Me:
"What?Youexpectedmet ocome
t
oThandiwe'
sdefense?"Thatdi
dn'
t
makesenseatal
l
Zint
le:"Nothers,butmine.Bootyy ou
sawt hatIdidn'tli
kewhatt heywer e
saying,andIevent oldthem tostop.
Wenai nst
eadofal sot
ell
ingthem to
stopy oujustcar r
iedonandl aughed
attheirstupi
dj okes."Hebana!

Me:"Fi
rstofallIwasn'tlaughingat
whattheywer esaying.AndIdo
remembert el
li
ngthem t ostopt alki
ng.
WhatIdon'tunderstandi swhyy ou
aresuddenlygrowingaconsci ence
ontheThandiwet opic,weren'tyou
thesameper sonbadmout hinghert o
thesamepeopl ey ouexpectedmeto
defendyouf r
om?Youar etheone
whomadet hem thinki
t'
sokaytotal
k
aboutyoursisterhoweverthey
want,t
hat'
snotmyf aul
t.
"

Zintl
e:"
Iknowokay .Wear etr
yingto
rebuil
dourrelat
ionship,
Iguessthat'
s
whyIgotwor keduphear ingthem
sayallofthosethingsabouther.
"

Me:"Youshouldhavet ol
dthem t
hat
i
nsteadoflashingoutonev er
yone
forabsolut
elynoreason.Theydon'
t
knowt hatyouarefi
xingthi
ngswith
yoursi ster
,theydon' tknowt haty ou
arenowuncomf ortablewhent hey
saybadt hingsabouther .Wenanj e
youshoul dhav et oldt hem t hatandI
guar anteey out heywoul dhav e
respect edy ouenought ost op
talking,
butwenay ouj ustst arted
scr eamingandshout ingatev eryone
whi chwasnotcool atall."Shel ooked
down." Andy oust artedcal li
ngmea
fakef ri
endov ert hatbul l
shi t?Wasn' tI
thesameper sonwhowasur gingy ou
tof ixyourrelationshi pwi thy our
sister?Mmmh? "

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youwer
e."
Me:"All
thatIam say i
ngis,y
oushould
havetoldthem i napol
it
emanner
thatyoudon' tli
kewhattheyare
sayingsincey ouareonadi f
fer
ent
pathwithy oursist
ernow."

Zintl
e:"
Iunderstandfri
end,
andI
acknowl edgemywr ongdoing.ButI
feelli
key oushouldtoo,
whatyoudid
thatnightwaswr ongandshadyas
hell
."Haibothisgir
l.

Me:
"Wr
ongandshady
?"
Zint
le:
"Yes!HenceIcall
edyouaf ake
fr
iend.
"Ithoughtwewer egoing
somewher ewitht
histopic.

Me:"Iwaswr ongandshadyf
or
keepingmymout hshutwhenpeopl
e
werediscussingt
hingst
hatdon'
t
concernme? "

Zi
nt l
e:"WellIgettheThandi
si
tuation,butwhataboutwheny our
br
ot heractedlikeajer
kinfrontof
everyone?Yousawmest or
mi ngout
i
nt ears."
Me: "
AndIf ol l
owedy ou!Youwal ked
ri
ghtbacki nandpushedmeoutof
theway ,whatdi dy ouexpectmet o
do?"Silence."AndIl ongt oldy out o
stayawayf rom mybr other,butyou
didn'tl
i
st ent ome. "Silence."Youar e
call
ingmef akehuh?Whatabouty ou
Zintl
e?Huh?Wher ewer ey ouwhenI
neededy out hemost ?Wher ewer e
youwhenmypar entshadj ustpassed
on?Mmmh?Ir ecal l
seei ngy ouonl y
oncebef oret hefuner al,
afterthaty ou
wentMI Aandonl yshowedupont he
dayoft hef uneral
.Youwer en'tthere
forme,y ouwer en'tther etocomf ort
andsuppor tmeonmywor stday s.
I
nsteadyouwer ef
ussingovermy
brot
her,
thesamepersonwhot reated
youli
keanobodyinfrontofpeople."
Shewasget t
ingemoti
onal.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iwast
her
enj
eBoot
y."

Me:"Notf ormey ouwer en't

.Yesy ou
werear oundt heMokoenay ard,
but
youwer ethereforThabonotme.You
spentday sandni ghtswithhim and
youfor gotaboutl it
tl
eol dme.Ther e
areal otofthingst hatyoudi dtome
Zint
le,thi
ngst hatIhav enot
confrontedy ouabout ,butnoteven
oncehav eIcal l
edy ouaf akef ri
end.I
thinky oudoal lt
heset hingst hathurt
mebecausey ouknowam agood
per son,youknowIwi llj
ustmov eon
withoutaddr essingthem wi t
hy ou.
Kodwawenaont heotherhand
sisi,onesmal lthinghappens, your
fi
nger sstartdoingthewor konsoci al
medi a.Idonotappr eciatebei ng
calledaf akef ri
endf orsomet hingI
hadnobusi nessbeingi nv olv
ed
i
n,wenay ouhadi ssueswi ththose
peopl enotme!Soy ouwer et heone
wr ongi nt hi
sscenar i
o,notmebabes. "
Ihonestl
ydi
dnotpl antost
artt
alki
ng
aboutthi
ngsthatIhavemovedon
from ont hismeet ing.Iwasr eall
y
hur twhenZi ntl
edeci dedt osuppor t
mybr ot
herov ermeaf termypar ents'
passi ng,Icr i
eddayandni ghtandmy
fri
endwasn' tt
her et ocomf ortmeasI
thoughtshewoul dbe.Thatpi ssed
Bont l
eoff,shewasmadatZi ntl
efor
qui etsomet i
me, Ithinkshest i
lli
s
mad.Li keme, sheexpect edZi ntl
eto
bebymysi deallthet i
me, butket he
girl chooseadi ckov erme.IknowI
pushedt hem awayatf i
rst,but
ev entuall
yIpul l
edt hem backi nand
allowedt hem t ocomf ortme, butshe
onl yshoweduponce.She, ofal l
peopl eknowst heki ndofper sonI
am,sheknewf orsur ethatIneeded
herinmycor nerdur i
ngthatti
me, but
shewasn' tther e,butwhoam It o
compl ain?Iam Mar iamos?If orgive
andf orgetquickl yevenwhenpeopl e
don'
taskf orfor giv
eness?Yept hat's
me,theMar i
aoft hewor l
d.

Zintl
e:"
Iam sosorr ybooty.Ididn't
meant odoal lofthat,Idi
dn'tmean
tohurtyou.IthoughtIwasgi vi
ngy ou
spacet ogri
eve,andy ouknowhow
yougetwheny ouar eheartbroken.I
thoughtitwaswhaty ouwant ed."Is
thisgi
rlheari
ngher self
?"Forgiveme
myf ri
end.Canwej ustmov eonf rom
t
his.
"Il
ookedatherf
orawhi
l
e.

Me: "
Iguesswecan. "Shesmi l
ed
throughhertears.Shest oodupfrom
herchairandcamet ogivemeahug
whi l
eIwasst i
llsit
tingdown." Andlet
i
tbet helastti
met haty oucallmea
fakefri
endke, causenextt i
meIwon't
besof orgiv
ing."Shel aughedandsat
downont hechairnextt ome.

Zint
le:
"Ohhplease,
yourhear
tist
oo
purenottoforgi
ve.
"

Me:
"t
hat
'swhypeopl
etakeadv
ant
age
ofme. "Hersmi ledissappered."
I'
m
kidding.Li
ghtenupman. "Shegiggled.
"Lookaty ou.Youar eacryi
ngmess,
wi peyourfacepl easebefor
epeople
sayIam abusi ngy ou."She
l
aughed, beforetakingoutat i
ssue
from herbagt henshest art
ed
wi ppi
ngherf ace.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yousoundl
i
keAsenat
hi.
"

Me:
"OhGodno!
"Wel
aughed.

Zint
le:
"Iam abi
tdisappointedt
hat
shedecidednottopitch.Iwas
hoppingt
osor
tthi
ngsoutwi
thher
too.
"Hawu!

Me:"
Ical
ledherandshesai
dshe
di
dn'
trecei
veanytextf
rom y
ou.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
What
?Isentherat
extnj
e."

Me:"YouknowhowAsei s,
shenev er
l
ies.Ifshedi
dn' twanttocomeher e
shewoul dhavet ol
dmest raightup
i
nsteadoflyingaboutnotr eceivi
ng
thetext.
"Shet ookoutherphoneand
star
tedpressingoni t
.
Zi
ntl
e:"
IswearIse-OhShi
t!
"

Me:
"What
?"

Zintl
e:"
Ithi
nkIfellasl
eepbeforeI
couldpresssend."Shehitherhead
withherhand."OhGod!I '
m sur
eshe
hatesmer ightnow."

Me:"ShewasmadwhenIt
oldher
aboutmytext
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
MyGod!Thi
sbabyi
snotev
en
herebuti
t'
salreadyr
uini
ngthi
ngsf
or
me."Shesighed.Wai
t!Whatnow?A
baby?!

Me:"Didyoujustsayababy ?"Iwas
shocked.Shelookedatmewi t
hher
eyeswi deopen."Zintl
eareyou
pregnant?"Sheslowlynodded.Shock!
"Thatexplai
nsthegl owandthewe-
*ahem*t hecurves."Youdon'ttel
la
pregnantwomant hatshehasgai ned
weight.

Zint
le:
"Yep.Thr
eemont
hs.
"Ohshi
t
she'
scr y
ing.
Me:
"Heyy
yy,
don'
tcr
y."Iwi
pedher
t
ear
s."Ababyi
sabeautif
ulbl
essi
ng.
"

Zi
ntle:
"Iti
sifyouaremarri
edand
fi
nanciall
ystabl
e.Iam st
il
li
nschool
B!Whatam Igoi ngtodowithi
t?"I
t?
Yoh!

Me:"Doyourparent
sknow? "Iasked
whenshef i
nal
lycalmeddown.She
nodded."
Andwhatdi dtheysay?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Dadf
li
ppedoutcompl
etel
y.He
gavemeav erypainf
ulhidding."Oh
God!AndIknowexact l
yhowMr
Msomi roll
s."Mom wasobv i
ously
mad, shesaidaf ewhurtfulwords.
Especiallyaft
erfindi
ngoutt hatI
don'tknowwhot hefatheris."Andit
getswor se.

Me:
"Whatdomeanf
ri
end?
"

Zi
ntle:
"Thabowasalr
eadyi
nthe
pi
ctureduri
ngthatt
ime.
"Woah!

Me:"
Andyoudi
dn'
tusepr
otect
ion?
Zi
ntl
ehowcoul
dyoubesocareless?
"
Zint
le:
"Iwasnot .Iusedcondoms
withbothoft hem, Iguessitbur
ston
someoneandhekeptqui etaboutit
."
Howsel fish!Thissur eashellsounds
l
ikesomet hingmybr ot
herwoulddo.
Hewast heoneact ingallcr
azyabout
Zint
le.Butt hatwasmont hsago,he
hasSlindilenow, r
ight?

Me:"
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo
now?"

Zintl
e:"
Idon'
tknow.Ineedtodomy
researchaboutDNAtesti
ng.
"
Me:"
Youaregoingtodoitwhil
eyou
ar
estil
lpr
egnant?Zi
ntl
ethat
'sri
sky
!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Idon'
tcar
e!"

Me:"Wel
l Ido.Thatcoul
dpotential
l
y
bemyni eceornephewi nt
here,andI
am notgoingtoallowtoputthat
chi
l
datr isk.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
It
smychoi
ceLunat
hi!
"Wow!

Me:
"Fi
net
hen.
"Ir
aisedmyhandsi
n
sur
render
.

Zintl
e:"
Ineedtoknowokay
,bef
ore
thisbabyisev
enborn.
"

Me:"
Evenifitmeanput
ti
ngt
hebaby
's
l
if
eatrisk?
"

Zint
le:
"what
everittakes."Wow,letme
keepmymout hshut ."Andplease
don'
ttell
yourbrotheraboutthis."
What ?
!

Me:
"HahZi
ntl
e!Youknowt
hat
's
goingtobeahardchallenge.Ican'
t
l
ietosav emyl
i
fe,especial
lytomy
brother
s."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youcani
fyoudon'
ttal
kabout
me."

Me:"
Yoh,whatyouar
easkingfr
om
meisveryhardZeeandyouknowit
t
o."Isi
ghed."Fi
neIwon'
ttel
lhi
m."

Zintl
e:"
Thankyou!Andt
hanky
ouf
or
forgi
vingme."
Me:"
YouknowhowIam,
Idon'
thol
d
gr
udges.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youar
epay
ingt
hebi
l
lri
ght
?"

Me:
"What
?"

Zint
le:
"Yes,
takei
tasy
ourf
ir
stgi
ftt
o
yourni
eceornephew.
"

Me:"
Youarereal
l
yusi
ngthebabyto
scam me?Howcruel
."Wel
aughed.
○
"
Areyousur
eshe'
snotgoi
ngt
oki
ck
meout?"

Me:"
Shewon't.
"Wewer est
andi
ng
out
sideAsenat
hi'
sfl
at.

Zint
le:
"Youknock,I
'
llj
uststandher
e
behi
ndy ou.
"Irol
ledmyey es.

Me:
"Fi
ne.
"Iknockedont
hedoor
.

"
Ngubani
?(Whoi
sit
?)"

Me:
"I
t'
sme.
"
Ase:"
Hayandi
mazimnau-
it
'sme(
Hay
Idon'
tknowanyi
t'
sme)"t
he
bit
ch,
sheknowsmyvoi
ce.

Me:
"Justopent
hedoorman.
"

Ase:
"Whati
fyouar
eaki
l
leror
somethi
ng?
"

Me:"Bulamar n!
(Openman!)"Ihear
d
thekeytur ni
ngthenthedooropened
slowly."
Whatwer eyougoingtodo
withthat?"Shehadawoodenspoon
i
nherhand.

Asi:
"noneofyourbusi
ness."Ient
ered
andZintl
efol
lowedswiftl
ybehindme.
"MmmhIseey oubroughtaguest
withyou.Anunwelcomedguestat
that.
"

Me:
"St
opbei
ngmean,
please.
"

Ase:
"I'
mj ustsaying.
"Mxm.Iwent
st
rai
ghttot hekitchentogetwhatI
wanted."Don'tt
ouchmysweet s
pl
ease!"Shey el
ledfrom t
helounge.
Toolatefri
end.Asenathihadajarof
sweet si
nherkit
chen, andIal
way seat
them whenIam her e,i
t'
sapitythat
theyarenotsourthough.Iwentback
tothem wit
hahandf ulofsweets,I
satdownnexttoZi ntle."
Doy ouknow
thatever
yti
mey ouar ehereIhav et
o
restockmysweets? "

Me:
"Youar
ely
ing.
"

Ase:"
Nyaniket
ana(ser
ious)
.Youare
asweetmonster,
andit'
snotcut
e
causeyouaref
ini
shingmymoney .
"I
chuckl
ed.
Me:"
Stopcomplai
ningandj
ustbuy
sweetsqhawena.
"

Ase:
"Mxm.Tell
y ourhusbandtobuy
youastockofyourown, pl
ease.
"

Me:
"t
hat
'snotabadi
dea.
"

Ase:"
Speaki
ngofbadideas,
Inear
ly
cal
ledThandazani
today.
"

Me:
"Ihopey
oudi
dn'
t
."

Ase:
"Awuv
akewena(
Youdon'
tl
ist
en)
Isai
dnear
ly!Keywor
dnearly
!That
meansIdi
dn't!
"Il
aughed.

Me:"Geezcalm down!"Sherol
ledher
eyes."Bef
oreyoutellmeabouty our
Thandazanii
ssue,canyouatleast
sortthi
ngsoutwithZintl
e."

Ase:"There'
snothingt osor touther e.
Shecal l
edusf akef r
iends,ev en
thoughshe'sthef akestamongus.
Asil
ibalanga(
wehav en'tforgotten)
thatyouchoseadi ckov ery our
fri
end,butyoudidn'tseeusr antingon
What sApp.Wenay ouwer ejustbeing
dramat i
ct hatnight,
there'swas
absolutelynor easonf oryout oact
thewayy oudi dandt hewas
defi
nitelynor easonf oryout oatt
ack
Lunathi.Incasey ouwer ewonder i
ng,
Bontl
ei snotpl easedwi t
ht heway
youcar ri
edy oursel
faf terthepassing
oftheirpar ent
s,soam I ."

Me:
"Asewehavemov edonf
rom t
he
f
uneral
sit
uat
ionhl
e."

Ase:
"NoIwasjustgivi
ngheraheads
upsothatshedoesn'
tactsurpr
ised
whensheseesBontlegiv
inghera
col
dshoul
der
."Ir
oll
edmyey
es.

Me:"Wear enotheref
orBont
le,we
arehereforyouke.Arey
ouwi l
lto
for
giveandf or
get.
"

Ase:"
Myapologyisver
yexpensive
si
si,i
tisev
enmor eexpensi
veifIwas
cal
ledafakefr
iend.
"OhMyGod.

Me:
"Canyouatl
eastl
etherexpl
ain
whysheact
edthewayshedid?"

Ase:
"mmmh.
"Shel
ookedatZi
ntl
e.
Zintl
e:"
MysisterandIareworki
ngi
n
rebuil
dingourrel
ati
onshi
p-"

Ase:
"Ngokut
hinasingenaphi
?(so
wher
edowef iti
t?)
"

Me:
"l
etherf
ini
sh.
"

Zint
le:
"Iwasabithurttoheart hem
sayalloft
hosethingsabout
her,
henceIwasdef endi
ngher .AndI
expect
edy ouguysasmyf riendsto
beinmycor ner
."
Ase:"
Heeeeeh!"Sheclappedonce.
"Youexpectedustodef endy our
sist
er?Thesameper sonwhomade
ourli
vesajoke?Hayi t
hi uyadlal
a
babes(t
ell
mey ouar
ej oking).
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Nother
,me.
"

Ase:"
Haysi si,
theywerenottalki
ng
abouty ou.Theyweretalkingabout
yoursister,
thesameper sonthatyou
alwayst r
asht al
knaweokukwakho!
Nowy ouwantpeopl et osuddenly
stoptalkingaboutherwhileyouare
theonewhoenabl edt hem t
otal
k
aboutherhowevert heywantinyour
presence?Ungasiphambaneli
thi
na.(don'
tbecrazy)"

Zint
le:"
Lookugetwher ey ouare
comingf rom,Lunathi
alsosai dthe
samet hingandIunder stood.Iacted
outofchar actert
hatnight,Imade
i
mpul siv
emov esandf orthatI
humbl yapologisetoyouAse. "

Ase:
"I
'm sur
eMar
iahasf
orgi
veny
ou.
"

Me:
"Voet
sek!
"Shel
aughed.
Ase:"
LikeIsaid,
myf or
giv
enesscome
ataprice,
av eryexpensi
veoneat
that
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
ll
buyyousomet
hing,
buti
t
won'
tbeexpensi
ve.
"

Ase:
"Hai
ke!Masi
yekekesi
si(
let
's
l
eaveit
!)
"Sheissodramat
ic.

Zint
le:
"ComeonAse,Ineedtosave
theli
tt
lemoneyIhav
er i
ghtnow."
Ase:
"wena(you)pl
ussaving?Don'
t
makemel aughplease.
"

Zint
le:
"Idon'treal
lyhaveachoi ce.
"
Shesighed." Iam pr
egnant .
"Icoul
dn'
t
helpbutlaughatt helookon
Asenathi'
sface.Forthef i
rstti
me
ever,
mybl ubbermout hfri
endwas
speechless."Saysomet hi
ng."

Ase:
"Yoh!
"Welaughed."
Sowho
scor
edbetweenthetwooft
hem?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Idon'
tknow.
"
Ase:
"Hah!Kwany
ukel
abawo(
andi
t'
s
get
swor se.
)"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iknow.
"

Me:"
shewantstodoaDNAtestas
soonaspossi
blet
hough.
"

Ase:"Youshoul
dbabe,youcan'twal
k
aroundwithanunknownseed."What
i
swr ongwit
hthi
sgir
l."
Nowt hat
explainsy
ourmelodr
amatic
tantr
ums."
Me:
"I
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeal
ong6mont
hs.
"

Ase:
"Iam notpr
epar
edbet
huna.
"

Zint
le:"I
fyouguysare
compl aini
ng,
j
ustimaginehowIf
eel
."
Wel aughed.

Ase:
"onaseri
ousnot
e,ar
eyour
eady
fort
hisj
our
ney?"

Zint
le:
"Idon'
tthi
nkso.I
tst
il
lhasn'
t
sunkinthatIam pr
egnant
,IguessI
wi
l
lacceptast
het
imegoesby
."

Ase:"
Soar ey
ougoi
ngt
otel
lthebaby
daddies?
"

Zintl
e:"
No!Ineedt
oconf
ir
m whot
he
fatheri
sfi
rst.
"

Ase:
"How?
"

Zint
le:
"OnceI'
vedonemyr esearch
aboutthetest
ing,
Iwil
lgetthei
r
samplesandthenwewi l
ltakeitfr
om
ther
e."
Me:"
Don'twor
ry,
Igot
chy
ouwi
th
Thabo'
ssample.
"

Zint
le:
"howam Igoi
ngt
ogetThami
'
s
though?"

Ase:
"Youdon'
tneedit
,aslongasy ou
haveThabo'
s.Weknowt hatifhe'
s
notthef
ather
,t
henThami is.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ohy
eah!
"

Me:
"Nowt
hebi
gissue,
howar
eyou
goi
ngt
ohi
dey
ourst
omach?
"

Zint
le:
"Shi
t!I
'm hopi
ngt
odothetest
beforeIst
artshowingf
orr
eal
."

Ase:"Heyy
!Wehav eadoctoron
standbymos, wecanask
bhut'
Sivuyi
leaboutt
hisDNAtesti
ng
am sureheknowssomet hi
ng."

Me:
"Yes!Whydi
dn'
tIt
hinkoft
hat
."

Zint
le:
"Noguys,Idon'
twanthi
mto
knowaboutthis.Becausei
fhe
knows,i
t'
sonl
yamatt
eroft
ime
befor
eThaboknows.
"

Me:"
excuseme,
whatareyout r
yingt
o
sayaboutmyman?"Theylaughed.

Ase:
"akanasi
fuba(
hecan'
tkeepa
secr
et)"

Me:"
ofcoursehecan.
"Idefended.
Mymancankeepasecr ete.He'sa
ver
ysecret
ivehumanbeing,Iknow
t
hatforsur
e.
Zi
ntl
e:"
okaykeBoot
y,
hecan.ButI
st
il
ldon'
twanthi
mtoknow."

Ase:"
Don'
tworry
,Nat
hiwi
ll
comeup
withsomet
hingwit
houtment
ioni
ng
yourname.
"

Me:
"Whyme?Yousai
dWEaregoing
t
oaskhim.WE,
asi
nmanypeopl
e."

Ase:"
He'syourhusband,I
'
m surehe
wil
lansweryouwi t
houtgett
ing
suspi
ciousmarn."
Me:
"Ican'
tl
ie!
"

Ase:"
Wellyouneedtol
ear
nhow
to,
causeyourbestf
ri
endneedst
his.
"
Lordhavemercyonme.

Me:
"Yohmar
aguy
s!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
PleaseBoot
y."

Me:
"Fi
ne!I
'
llseewhatIcando.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Justmakesur
ethatyoudon'
t
menti
onmyname,orsomethingt
hat
wi
l
lmakehi
m suspi
cious.
"

Me:
"Howthehel
lam Isupposedt
o
dot
hat?
"

Ase:
"Youwillf
igur
eitout.Youhave
theMokoenagenesaf t
erall
,It
rust
you.
"Mxm, Iam notmysi bl
i
ngs.

Wespentt hedaytal
kingand
l
aughi ng,wehaveforgiveneachother
anditf el
tgoodtohavemyf ri
ends
togetheronceagain,
ev enthoughKay
wasmi ssi
ng.Asenat
hi wasst i
l
lon
Zint
le'swasaboutherdr amat i
c
moment s,
shekeptonmakingfunof
hernowandt hen,
i
twashi
lari
ous
especi
all
ywhenhemi mi
csher.
○
Iwassitti
ngi nmyroom onmybed
updati
ngmyst at
us,Ir
eallyhada
wonderfuldaywithmygi rl
s,Iam gl
ad
wefinall
yironedthi
ngsout .Wealso
addedZintlebackint
ot hegroupand
expl
ainedtoKaywhathad
happened,helaugheditoffandcall
ed
uschil
dish,i
magine!

"
Soyouaretel
l
ingmet
hatZint
lei
s
wor
kingonbei
ngaper
fectl
i
ttl
esi
ster
toThandi
we?
"Mymanl
i
kest
o
gossi
p.

Me:
"Yes.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
hehIwonder.
"Hegotonhis
kneesbehindmeandstarted
massagingme."I
'
mj usthappyt
hat
youarehappy.
"Hekissedmy
shoul
der.

Me:"andIam shame.Idi
dn'
tl
ikewhat
washappeningbetweenus.
"His
ki
ssesmov eduptothebackofmy
neck."Baby
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Mmmh?
"

Me:
"You'
readoct
orr
ight
?"

Siv
uyil
e:"
lastt
imeIchecked,
yes.
"I
chuckl
ed.

Me: "
Wewer ewatchingthi
sseries
neh,soint hi
sseriesthewomani s
pregnant,nowthepr oblem i
sthis
womanhasahusbandandasi de
niggaandshesl eptwithbothof
them aroundthetimet hebabywas
concei
ved.
"Thi
sisnotgoi
ngwel
l

Si
vuy
il
e:"
So?"Hewassti
l
lmassagi
ng
meandkissi
ngmyneck.

Me:"SoIwanttoknowwil
li
tbe
possibl
eforhert
ogetaDNAtest
doneonherunbornbaby
?"

Siv
uy i
le:
"BabyI'
mtryi
ngt
ogetfr
isky
withyouher e,
andwenay
ouarebusy
askingmeaboutsomewomanIdon' t
know."
Me:"Ij
ustwantt
oknowhawu,
phel
aI
mightnotgetachancet
owat
chit
agai
n."

Sivuyi
le:
"Yohbaby."Lol."
Yesshe
can,buti
t'sr
iskyespecial
lyi
fshe'son
herfir
sttri
mester.
"Hesoundedabi t
i
rri
tated,
butIneedt hi
sinfor
mation
formyf r
iend.

Me:"
Soexpl
aint
hewhol
etest
ing
pr
ocedur
etome."

Si
vuyil
e:"
Hayhay!I
fyouwantt
oknow
I
'l
ltel
lAsenat
hit
osendyouthe
seri
es,
ngekekal
oku,
yoh!
"What
's
wrongwithguy,
sexi
snotgoi
ngany
where.

Me:
"ButIwantt
oknownj
e."

Si
v uy
il
e:"
AndIwantt
ogetf
ed
s'
thandwasam."

Me:"
Yo-"heshutmeupwi
thaFr
ench
ki
ss."
Mmmh. "
IguessIwill
havetodomyresearch
someot hert
ime,
Zint
lewi
l
lfor
giveme,
Ihavetotakecar
eofmyman.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t82
•
•
•
•
•
°
•ZI
NTLE•
°

Thingsinmyl ifewer espir al

ingoutof
control
,every t
hinghasbeent akinga
l
eftturnlatel
y .Myf r i
endshav e
abandonedme, IknowIam t obl ame
forthewayt heyar eact i
ng.Ihonest ly
don'tknowwhyIl ashedouton
everyoneatt hepar tythatni ght,but
whent heyspokeaboutmysi sterthat
waysomet hingi nmej ustmov edand
Ifl
ipped!AndThaboal soact edl i
kea
j
erkwhi chreal l
ybr okemyhear t.I
knowmyr elationshi pwithhi mi sano
str
ingsattachedr elati
onshi p,
whi chI
wast heonewhosuggest edi t
.But
somehowIf oundmy selffal
lingf or
him, Imeanhe' sahotguy ,
youcan' t
blameme.Ihadal sohoppedt hathe
wasf eeli
ngt hesamewayaboutme
butIguesshewasnot ,
heconf i
rmed
thatont heni ghtofthepar ty.Seet he
thingwi thmeandThaboi sthathe
askedmeoutaf t
erLunat hi'
sweddi ng,
Ilaughedi toffthinkinghewas
j
oki ng,buthewasper si
stentandwas
notgi vingup.BecauseIwasst i
ll
madl yi nlovewi t
hThami my
boy fri
end, Ididwhatanysensi ble
per soni nar elati
onshi pwoul ddo, I
rejectedhi m.Ast i
mewentbyhegot
mynumberandwest art
edt alki
ng
overt hephone, Iwon'tli
eIdi d
dev elopsomesor tofli
ki
ngt owar ds
him butbecauseofmyboy f
r i
endI
keptourr el ationshipatast rictl
y
fri
endsl imi t.Thingschangedaf t
erI
wentt osomepar tyinthe
neighbour hood, hewasal sot herewe
par ti
edandspoket hewhol e
night,onet hingl edt oanother ,
we
fucked.Thef oll
owi ngmor ningwe
discussedt hei ssue,hestil
lwant edto
pur suear elationshi pwit
hme, butI
stil
l r
ejectedhi m.Ithendeci dedt hat
weshoul dhav eanost ri
ngsat t
ached
relati
onshi p,becauseIhadf unwi t
h
him andher eallyknewhi sbusi ness
i
nt hebedr oom.Wehi dt hisfrom
ever yone,
includingLunat hi -Ididn't
wanthert oknowabouti tasIf el tit
woul dst r
ainourf ri
endshi p.Ididn' t
plant ofallforhim,butwehadspenta
l
otoft i
met ogetherformont hs, soI
keptondev el
opingf eelingsf orhi m
whi chulti
mat elyledt olov e.Whi chi s
whyIwashur twhenhesai dallthose
thingst omeatt hepar ty .Wi th
Lunat hialso,Iwashur t.If eelli
keshe
didn'tdoany t
hingt odef endmef rom
herf amily,whichwasr eal l
ywr ongof
herasaf riend.Ireallydon' tmi ndAse
notsay i
ngany t
hingbecauseIknow
howshei s,butwi thLunat hi i
t'
sa
differentst ory.Ifeelli
keshecoul d
hav edoneorsai dsomet hingtomake
them st opt alkingt hemi nuteIvoiced
outt hatIwasnotcomf or t
ablewi t
h
them t alkingaboutmysi sterli
ke
that,i
nst eadshej ustkeptqui etand
l
aughedwi t
ht her estofthem.Iam i n
thepr ocessoff i
xingthingswi thmy
sister,wear et ryi
ngt orebui l
dour
relati
onshi p,henceIwassensi ti
ve
aboutt hem maki ngheranegat iv
e
topic.
Iwil
lsay,Iwi
shIhandlethi
ngsina
dif
fer
entmanner,butIwastooangr
y
tocontr
ol my
self
,andthesedays
onceIgetangryIjustt
akeimpul
siv
e
deci
sions,
l
ikingleavi
ngthegroup
chatf
orinstance.AllIam sayi
ngi
sI
missmyf r
iends,andIwanty osor
t
thi
ngsoutwi tht
hem.

"Zi
ntl
e!Vuka!
"-Thatwasmymot
her
bangi
ngonmyr oom door
.

Mom: "
Yeeeeywena!Ukhi
yeleni
l
a?(Whydidyoulock?
)"BecauseI
di
dn'twantanydi
stur
bancet hat
's
why!"Zi
ntl
e!"

Me:"Ngiy
ezamah(I'
m comi
ngmom.)
"
Igotoffthebedandwentt
oopent
he
door
.

Mom: "
Ya!Kwenzenjani
kwakhiywa
i
minyangokwami ?
(Whatsgoing
on,
whyar ey
oulockingdoor
si nmy
house?)
"

Me:
"I
tsmyr
oom nj
emah.
"

Mom: "
kodwaket hi
senti
rehouseis
mine,
andt heonl
ydoorsthatwi
ll
be
l
ockedaret hefr
ontandback
door,
notroom door
s."
Me:
"ButMahIneedpr
ivacynj
e."

Mom: "
Privacykwami ?Haysi si
l
ey ontouzoy it
holamhlazane
wat huthalakaMsomi .
(Pri
vacyinmy
house?Youwi l
lgett
hatthingtheday
youmov eoutofmyhouse. )"Wow!
Whydi dIhav etobeblack?"Vuka
ugeze,siyakadokotel
a.(
Wakeupand
takeabat h,wearegoingtot he
doct or
.)"

Me:
"Doct
or?I
'
m notsi
cknj
e."

Mom:
"Youar
enot
?Hehe!Gezawena
uyekeukungi
bhedela(
Takeabat h
andstopyournonsense.)
"Whywould
mymot herwanttotakemet othe
doctor
?OkayfineIknowI '
vebeen
moaningaboutaheadacheand
vomiti
nglat
ely
,butIassur
edherthat
i
t'
snothingmajor.

Me:"
Mahngineny ongo,
there'sno
needtogoseeadoct orf orthat
.We
canbuysomethingtocleanmy
syst
em andIwil
l bebetterinno
ti
me."Somethi
ngwascomi ngup

Mom:
"I
nyongoy
asekseni
kphel
a
Zintle?Awuy ekeukuzenzai sli
-.
(You
onlygeti tint hemor ning?St op
acti
ngl ikeaf o-)
"Ipushedheroutof
thewayandr ushedt othe
toil
et ,
l
uckilyImadei tont i
met othe
toil
etseat .Irinsedmymout hand
walkedbackt omyr oom,mymom
wasst i
llstandingnextt othedoor .
"I
nyongoneh?Heh! "Shecl apped
once.Iknewmymom wasn' tgoingto
l
ett hisdoct orv i
sitgo,especiall
yafter
that.

Me:"
Finekemah!Butjustknowt
hat
youarewasti
ngyourmoneyon
somethi
ngthatcanbetakencar
eof
r
ighther
eathome.
"

Mom: "Mxm! "Shel eftmyr oom.I

l
azilywal kedt owar dst hebedand
startedmaki ngi t.Iwasi nnomood
togoany wher etoday , Ijustwant ed
tohav eal azydayi nmyr oom,reada
nov elorwat chamov ie,probably
sleepwhi chi ssomet hingIdoal ot
theseday s.Iti
diedupmyr oom
befor egoingt othebat hroom t otake
abat h.

"
Usheshel
apho(hur
ryupint
her
e.)
"
Mymom saidasshepassedmein
t
hepassage.
Idi
dn' teventakethatmuchtimeto
bath,butmymom wasal r
eady
knocki ngonthedoortel
li
ngmewe
don'thav eal
lday.MyGodt hi
s
womanneedsacl assofpati
enceI
swear !
Il
otionedmybodyandwor emybl ack
j
eans, whichwasabi tofast r
uggl
e
pull
i
ngt hem upmybut t.Thiswas
wierdbecauseIdon' thav eabig
butt
,that'
sLunathi'
sbusi ness,
Ohh
howImi ssher.Shewoul dbe
l
aughi ngherheadof frightnow
seei
ngmest r
ugglewi t
hf i
tt
ingint
o
myjeans, Asenathiwouldstrai
ghtup
tellmet hatIam fat.Wai t
!Am If at?
DidIj ustgainwei ghtov ernight ?
Finally,
theJeanwentup.Nowt he
strugglewasbut t
oningit,itjust
woul dn'tbuttonup.Ther ei s
absol utelynowayt hatIgai ned
wei ghtjustlikethat!Iboughtt his
j
eanamont hagoandIhav en' teven
wor eitandal r
eadyi tdoesn' tfitme?
Hayt hisi swi t
chcraftIswear !I
screamedi nf rust
ration

"Kwenzenj
animanj eZint
le?
!(Whats
wrongnow? !
)"Irushedouttheroom
andwenttoher s.
Mom:
"Yi
ni(
Whati
sit
?)"

Me:"
Myj eansMah!Theydon'
tfi
tme!
"
Iwantedtocry
.

Mom: "Manjeiyonalento
ekukabal
azisayo(sot hat
'sthethi
ng
that'
smakingy ouscr eam? )
"Trusta
blackparenttoactlikethisiny
our
ti
meofneed.

Me:"
Mah!Ifi
tt
edthisbef
oreIbought
i
t,
anditf
orperf
ectl
y.Nowitdoesn'
t!
Thi
siswi
tchcr
aftmahngeke!
"

Mom: "
Wi t
chcrafti
swhat '
sgr owing
i
nsidey ourstomachr ightnow. "What
?
"Justgoandl ookforsomet hingel
se
towearmar n,wearerunningoutof
ti
me. "Ilookedatheronce." Ungazi
amaj eanani umuntuezokiny a
i
ngane. "Iheardhermumbl easI
walkedout .Ababy ?Whatbabyi sshe
tal
kingabout ?
Ipi
ckedoutalosefit
ti
ngdressinmy
wardr
obe,ev
ent houghIdi
dn'tf
eel
l
ikeweari
ngadress,Ihadnochoice.
Mom: "Idon'tknowwhyy oudidn'
t
wearthi si
nt hefirstpl
ace.
Ukuphaphanj e!
"Ididn'
tanswerher.I
wasst il
lheartbrokenaboutmynew
j
eans.Wet ookThandi we'scarand
l
efttot own.Thedr i
vewas
sil
ent,
mom pai dnoat t
enti
ontomy
sulki
ngshej ustsanghergospel
tunesandmi ndedherownbusi ness.
Wefinall
yar
ri
vedatt
hedoctor,she
wenttospeaktot
herecept
ioni
st
whi
leIsatdownandlookedaround
t
hear ea.

Mom:
"Woz
a!(
Come!
)"AwwIwasst
il
l
enj
oy i
ngsitt
ingdownnj e.Ist
oodup
andfoll
owedhert hr
ought he
corr
idor,
unti
l.wereachedanopen
door,
sheent eredwithoutknocki
ngI
fol
l
owedsui t."Goodmor ni
ngdoctor
."
TheDoct orsmi l
ed

Dr
:"
MrsMsomi
,
howar
eyou.
"

Mom: "
EyyIam notgooddoct
or,
Iam
notgoodatal
l.
"Iwonder.

Dr
:"
What
'swr
ongdear
?"
Mom: "Mydaught erhereissick.
"I
rol
ledmyey es,
luckil
yshedidn't
noticeorelseIwoul dhavegot t
ena
backslap."She'sv omit
ingevery
mor ni
ng,she'salwayssleepi
ngand
alwayscr y
ingaboutaheadache.I
suspectthatshei spregnant.
"

Me:"What?
!"Icoul
dn'
tcont
ainmy
shock."
MahIam notpregnant
."

Mom: "
Shutupwena!Iam nottalki
ng
toyou."Iam notpr
egnant."
Youknow
thesesymptomsdoctor.SoIbrought
herheresothatyoucandoa
pregnancyt
est.
"What ?
!Ifsher
eall
y
thoughtuwaspregnantshecould
haveboughthomepr egnancyt
ests
i
nsteadofbri
ngmeher e.

Dr
:"
That
'sal
lyouwant
?"

Mom: "andanultr
asound, Iwantto
knowhowf arsheis.
"JesusChrist!
ThiswomanIcal lmymot herreall
y
bel
ievesthatIam pregnant.

Dr:"
Okay.Let
'sgetst
arted."Ist
il
lcabt
beli
evethatmymom t hinksIam
pregnant
.Iam notpr
egnant .
TheDoct
orgavemeacupandt
old
metogopeeinit
.

Me:"
Justgi
vemet
het
est
,I
'
lldoi
t
myself
."

Mom:
"Haibo!Youev enknowhow
howt
ousei t
? !Hayimhlol
a!"Mymom
i
saty
picaldramaticblackparent
.

Me:"
I'
veseenLunathiuseitonce."
Li
es!ButIknewshewoul dn'
tsay
anyt
hingbadsinceLunathii
s
marri
ed,
she'sboundtobepr egnant
.
Mom: "
Ohhh. "Thedoct orhandedme
thesmal lsti
ck.Iwentt ot he
bathroom anddi dmybusi ness,Iwas
sti
llcertainthatIwasnotpr egnant.I
am justdoi ngt histestjusttorejoi
ce
i
nmymot her'
sf acewhent heresults
comebacknegat iv
e.Iwal kedback
i
ntot her oom andpl acedthest i
ckon
topoft het ablebef oresitt
ingdown.
"Howl ongar ewesupposedt owait
doctor?"

Dr:
"Let
'swaitgiv
ejusttobeonthe
saf
eside."LordIcan'
twaitf
ort
hese
results.Iam notr eallynervous
becauseIknowIam notpr egnant,I
am ont hepil
l f
orheav enssake!
"Alr
ight, wecancheck! "Shet ookthe
sti
ckandl ookedati tf orawhi l
e.She
l
ookedatmet henmymot her,t
hen
shel ookedatmeagai nwit
hasmal l
smile."Congr atul
ation,youaregoi ng
tobeamot her."Wai twhat?!

Mom:"Amen!NgafauMsomi !(
Msomi
i
sgoingtokil
lme.)"Iwasstuckon
t
heseatwithmymout hwi
deopen.
How?When?Why ?Am Ievenready
f
orthi
sbaby?Hellno!Ihavemy
whol
elif
eplannedoutandababyf i
ts
nowher
einmypl
ans.

Me:"
Iam notkeepi
ngi
t.
"Thwaaaa!A
sl
aplandedonmycheek.

Mom:"Youarenyotny eepingnyi
t
makwenzenjan?Whoaskedy outo
gooutthereandopeny ourlegsfor
bigaandnotusepr otecti
on?Didthi
s
babyasktobemade?Notkeepi ngit
yamasimba!Youmadey ourbednow
l
ieini
t!"Iwassti
l
linshock.Mymom
j
ustslappedmeinfr ontofadoctor
andont heot
herhandIam pr egnant.
Dr:
"MrsMsomi
,It
hinkt
hisshoul
dbe
herchoi
ce.
"

Mom: "
Choiceyani?Theonlychoi
ce
sheshouldhavethoughtaboutwas
thecondom brand!"I
tsmaxnownot
choi
ce,Iwantedtosay .

Dr:"
Okaylet'
scalm down.Thestr
ess
i
snotgoodf ort
hebabyMr sMsomi.
"
OhGodt here'sababynow!Iam
pregnant
!"Canwecar ryonwit
hthe
scan?"

Mom:
"Yah!
"Mymom i
ssuddenl
y
pissedof fbutshewasokaywhenwe
l
ef tthehouseandwhenshewas
tell
ingthedoct ort
hatIam
pregnant ,
butnowshe' slooki
ngatme
l
ikeabul lseeingapersonweari
ng
somet hingr ed.
TheDoct orinstructedmet ogoand
l
ieont hebed, IdidasIwast ol
d.She
l
ift
edmydr essupandpl acedpaper
towelsonmyt ighs,thensheappli
ed
thecoldgel onmyst omach.Shetook
hertoolandst artedmov ingitar
ound
myst omach.

Dr
:"
Ther
e'sourt
inybaby
."OhGodI
am reallypregnant."Everyt
hingis
perfectl
yf i
newi t
ht helit
tl
eone."She
saidafterasecondsofmov ing
aroundmyst omach.Icouldn'thelp
butletthet earsfal
l outofmyey es.
Shet ookt hepapert owelandwi ped
thegel offmyst omach.Igotof fthe
bedandwentt ositnexttomy
mot heragai n.

Mom: "
Ukhal
elai
ni?
(Whatar
eyou
cr
yingfor
?)"

Dr
:"Ev
eryt
hingisperf
ectl
yfi
ne,Iwi
ll
dr
awsomebl oodjusttot
akeittot
he
l
abfort
esti
ngbeforeIcanpr
escr
ibe
medi
cati
onforher.
"

Mom:
"Howf
aral
ongi
sshe?
"

Dr
:"13weeks.
"That'
s3mont
hsanda
week,
howthehelldi
dImi
ssthi
s?

Mom: "Haike!Wel comet o

motherhoodsi si.
"OhGod." Hayhay!
Ungakhali.Angithi bekumnandi
umfanael elephezukwakho?Suka
l
ezozinyembezi ke. (Nono!Don' tcry
!
I
twasni cewhent heguywasont op
ofyour i
ght?Wi pet hosetears)
"What
am Igoi
ngtodo?Whatam Igoi
ngto
tel
lmydad?Ohmydad!He'sgoingt
o
murderme.
TheDoct ordrewsomebl oodbef ore
weleftthesur gery.Iwasnothappy
atal
l,
Iwasanemot i
onalwr eck, my
mom di dn'tseem t ocareabout
that
,i
nsteadshekeptonmaki ng
j
okesabouthowIam nol ongergoi ng
togoout ,
howIam goi ngt odr opout
ofschool andt akecareoft hebaby .
Shewasj ustaddi ngont ot hest ress.
Sheevenwentasf arasbuy ingal ot
offr
uits,say i
ngt hatshe'spr eparing
met ostar teatinghealthysot hatI
don'
tgai nmor ewei ght
,whatki ndof
motheristhist
hough?Ifi
twas
someoneel se,
Iwouldhavel
aughed
mylungsoutbutbecauseit'
sme,I
am upsetandcryi
ng.

Mom: "Nowt ell me, who' sthefatherof

thi
schi l
d?"Ohshi t!Wewer eathome
i
nt heki tchen." Yini wathukangat hi
awumazi (Whyar ey ouscar edli
key ou
don'tknowhi m) "silence."Zint
le!"I
l
ookeddownandf i
ddledwi thmy
fi
nger s."Haywena!Youdon' tknow
thefat herofy ourchi l
d? !
"Sher aised
herv oice."Msi ndi si!
!Whatdi dIdot o
deser vechildrenl iket hismyLor d.
Whyme? !Zintley ouar ealsosleeping
aroundli
keyoursi
ster
?HuhZi
ntl
e?!
"
Whyi sshecompari
ngmeto
Thandiwe.

Me:
"Chamah(
nomom)
"

Mom: "
Pho? (
Then? )
"Silence."Iswear
Iam bei
ngpuni shed!Hayngabol a
amathumbomi nastrunasi !Thereis
nowayIgav ebi r
thtotwogi rl
swho
arebi
tches!!
"Thathur t
st ot hecore.
Nothi
ngi smorehur t
ful l
ikebeing
i
nsult
edbyy ourownmot her."So
whatdoIt el
lyourfatherZint l
e?Huh?
DoItellhi
mt hatyouar epr egnantbut
youdon'
tknkwwhot hef at
herofyour
chi
ldi
s?"Si
lenceagain!"
Phendula
marn!
"Shehitthecountershocki
ng
me.

Me:
"I
'm sor
ryMah.
"

Mom: "nyam ny orr

ynyah!Isthatwhat
youar egoingt osaytoy ourfather
?"I
shookmyhead." Hayungehluli
le
Zintl
e!Notonl yareyoupr egnantat
theageof19buty oualsodon'tknow
whot hef atherofyourchil
dis.Hay
ungiphoxilemnt anam(Youhav e
disappointedmemychi ld.)
"Ifeltmy
heartsinki
ngtothepi tofmy
stomach.Thatwor d!Thatwordhasa
verydeepimpactonachi l
d'
slif
e.
Onceapar entsaysthatwor d,
j
ust
knowt hatyouhavereceivedthe
worstpunishmentev er.

Me:
"I
'm sor
rymah.
"

Mom:"angi
funuam sor
rywakho
mina(
Idon'twanty
ourapology.
)Ij
ust
wantthenameofthefather.
"

Me:
"Iam notsur
emama.
"
Mom:"NaniZintl
enihambani v
ula
i
mlenzemar nnivul
elawonke
l
amadodala!( Zi
ntl
ey ougoaround
openi
ngyourlegsf oreveryman!
)"
HowdidIgether e?"Howmanyguy s
coul
dpotenti
allybethef at
her
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Two."Isai
dshamef
ull
yShe
cl
appedonce.

Mom:"
Ungehlul
esi
si!NowwhatdoI
t
ell
yourf
ather?
"
Zintle:"
Pleasemahdon'tt
ell
him as
yet."Shel ookedatmeli
keIwas
crazy ."
Justuntil
Ifi
gur
eoutwhot he
fatheris."

Mom:"
andhowexact
lydoy
oupl
an
ondoi
ngthat
?"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
butIwi
l
lfinda
way
."Shel
ookedatme."
Pleasemah.
"

Mom:"2day sZi
ntl
e!That'
sallIam
gi
vi
ngy outocomeupwi t
haname. "
Shestoodupandleftthekit
chen.I
am of
fici
all
yscr
ewed!Mydadi snot
goingtobehappyaboutt his,Iam
reall
yscaredabouthowhe' sgoingto
reacttothesenews.Mydadi sreall
y
stri
ct,
hestill
li
v eshisli
feaccordingto
theancientway s,
al
thoughhe'scalm
andcollected,butheisav er
yv ery
cruelman,whi chiswhyIam shaki ng
i
nmyboot s.
○
2DAYSLATER.

Itr
iedfi
guri
ngoutwhot hefat
her
couldbe,butIcoul
dn'
t.Tur
nsout
duri
ngtheweekIconceivedthebaby
Ihadsexwi t
hbothThaboand
Thami ,
andIusedacondom wi thboth
oft hem sinceIwasn' tont hepi l
lback
then.Iguessbet weent het woof
them, acondom bur standwhoev erit
burstonkeptqui etanddi dn'ttel
lme
abouti t
,howsel fi
shist hat?!Iwas
stressedoutofmymi nd!Mymot her
wasexpect ingananswerf rom me
soonandIdi dn'thavei t
.WhatdoI
tel
l her
?Andshe' splanningont ell
i
ng
mydadaboutt hepr egnancyt oday !
Fuckmyl ife!
Ihavebeenavoi
dingmymom ev er
sinceshecamebackfrom wor k
today,Iwasi
nmyr oom l
isteni
ngto
musicandunderthecovers.Ihad
absolutel
ynointenti
onsofget
ti
ng
outofthisroom,ifmymom want st
o
tal
kt ome,shewillcomeandgetme
herself
.Iam act
ual l
ysur
pri
sedthat
shehasn'tbangedont hedoor
screamingmyname.
Thismusicwasmaki ngmedr owsy,I
wasslowlydri
fti
ngof ftosleep.I
couldf
eelmysel fr
eachingt hedepth
ofmysleepwhenIsuddenl yf el
tcold
ai
ronmybody ,nextthi
ngIf elta
sti
ngonmyt high.Ijumpedof fthe
bedinshockandr eadyt oattack
whoeveri
tisthatbeatme.If rozeasI
sawmyf umingdadi nf r
ontofme
wit
habeltinhishand.
Dad:"Usuyal
alawenahuh? !
(Youhave
sexnowhuh? !)"
"Anothersting
l
andedonmyar m." Umit
hi
Zint
le?!
(youarepregnabtZintl
e?!
"

Me:"
Ngiyax
oli
sababa.
(Iam sor
ry
dad)
"Isobbed.

Dad:"Uxoli
selani?!(whatar
ey ousor
ry
for?!
)"Twomor el ashesonmyt hi
ghs.
Itsti
nglikehell,Icouldn'
thelpbut
scream intears."Fusegmar nubanga
umsi ndo!!
(Voetsek/ Pi
ssoff!Youar
e
makingnoi se!)
"
Me:"
Ngiyax
oli
sababa!(
Iam sorr
y
dad!
)"Iwasonthefl
oorcur
v edl
ikea
bal
lashewhippedme.

Dad:"
usukwaz iukulal
awenamanj e
Zi
ntl
e! (
Youcanhav esexnow
Zi
ntl
e? !
)"Mor eandmor elashes
l
andedal lovermybody ."Awuyazi
i
cli
nicukuthi i
ngakephi?
!
Awuy enzangaiLOeskoleni?
Huh?(Don'tyouknowwher ethecl
ini
c
i
s?!Didnty oudoLOi nschool?!
)"I
wascr yi
ng."Phendulamar n!
Awuy enzangaiLO?(Answermeman!
Di
dnty
oudoLO?
!)"

Me:
"Ngi
yenzi
l
ebaba.
(Ididdad)
"I
r
epl
iedi
nmycr y
ingv
oice.

Dad: "Pho?Konakalekephi
?!
Nosi swakhowesi l
imaubeazi
ngokuzi khuselamarn!
!Wenauhl ul
we
yini?Huh? !
(So?Whatwentwr ong?!
Ev eny ourstupi
dsist
erknewabout
protect i
nghersel
f.Wasthatdif
fi
cult
fory ou?!)
"

"Babahaysekwanel
emanj
e!(
My
husbandit
senoughnow!
"
Dad:"Kwanel
eini
?!Fanel
eafunde
i
sifundolomarn!
(Enoughwhat?!She
needstolear
nherlesson!
!)
"

Mom: "Haykanj ebaba.

NgiyamxoliselaMsomi .(
Notl i
ket hi
s
myhusband.Iapol ogi
sef orher)"My
daddidn'tl
isten.Hewhi ppedmewi th
thebeltagain."Baba!Hlisaumoy a
ngiy
akucela...
.YobeNomnday i
!(
My
husbandcal m downpl ease!
ApologiesNomnday i
!"Hest epped
awayf rom mehuf fi
ng.
Dad:"
Ngizokubul
alawena!
!(
Iwil
lki
l
l
you!!
)"Hepoint
edatmewi t
hthe
belt
,t
henheleftt
heroom i
nanger.
Mymom r ushedtomeandhelped
meup.

Mom: "Areyouokay?"Ofcoursenot
!
I
'vejustbeenwhippedwi t
habeltal
l
overmybody ."
Arey oufeeli
ngany
pains?"

Me:
"Yes,
mybodyst
ings.
"

Mom:"Yourst
omach?Anycr
amps?"I
shookmyhead.Shesi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.
"Ayynani Zint
le!Niyamkhat haza
umunt u."IguessIam goi ngt o
apologiseforthisforther estofmy
l
ife."Youar el
uckyy ourfat herdidn'
t
sendy oupacki ng.
"Ididn'tsay
anything,mybodywasi npai n.
"Ngiyabuya.(I
'
llbeback)"
I
sitcruel
ofmet owishthatt
he
woundsIsufferedareenoughto
makememi scarr
y?Idon'twantt
his
baby,
andsinceIcan'tt
akecareoffi
t
myself
,Iwishnaturedoes.
Mymom camebackwi t
habasi nthat
wasfil
ledwi
thwater
,i
thadwei rd
l
eaves.Shest
art
edcleaningmy
br
uiseswit
hthewarm wat er
,af
ter
thatsheappl
iedanoniamentonmy
bodywhichkindofsoothedt
he
burni
ngsensati
ononmybody .

Mom: "Icanonl ygiveyouPanado

ri
ghtnow. "Itooki tandgulpedit
downwi t
hwat er."Havesomer est
,I
wil
lwakey ouupwheni t
'stimet o
eat.
"Shet uckedmei nthebedbef ore
l
eaving.Thiswassowei r
d,mymom
i
snev erthiski ndespeciall
yi fwegot
punishmentt hatwedeser ved,
i
nsteadshej ustt ell
sustost op
cry
ingort omov eawayandgocr y
somewher ev eryf arf
rom her.This
wasadi fferentsi detohert hatIam
wi
tnessing,
thesoftandgent
lesi
de,
I
am notcomplaini
ngthough.
It
'sday sli
ket hi st hatImi ssLunat hi
,i
f
wewer eont al kingt ermsshewoul d
callmeandt r ytocheermeupr i
ght
now, whichissomet hingIneed.I
havebecomeanemot i
onal
wreck,andIam bl ami ngi tonthis
pregnancy .Ri ghtnowmypi ll
owi s
wetwi thtear sandsnot ,
becauseI
can'tseem tost opcr ying.Myl i
feis
fal
li
ngapar t
, Iam pr egnantandI
don'tknowwhot hef atherofthebaby
i
s,oncemydadf indsoutaboutt his
heusdef i
nitelygoi ngt okickmeout
ofhishouse.Wher eam Igoi ngtogo?
Ican'
tgothr
ought
hisal
one,
Ineed
suppor
t.

"
Canwemeetupandt
alk?
"-Sent
!

Letmejustsl
eepandletmywounds
heal
.Iwil
lworr
yaboutever
ythi
ng
el
setomorrow.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
BecauseIam team i
nsomni
a !
Youguysarelucky.
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t84
18SNL
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
SolastnightIgotder
ail
edfrom my
missi
on, asmuchasIwant edt ofind
outabouttheDNAt esti
ng,
Ienj oyed
themultipl
eorgasmsIgotlastnight.
Todayisanotherday,
Icanst i
l
ltryand
domyr esearch,
butIthi
nkhewi llbe
suspi
cioussoIguesswewi l
lhavet o
rel
yont heint
ernetasal
way s.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Heybaby ."Mi ndyouhewas
sti
ll
insideme, wasIf eeli
ngthatmuch
pl
easur ethatIdidn'tfeelhi
s
heaviness.Hegav emeaki ss

Me:
"heyl
ove.
"It
hinki
t'
swaypastt
he
mor
ning.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wher
e'smysmi
l
e?"Igi
ggl
ed.

Me:"howdoy ouexpectmetosmil
e
whent her
eisaheavyloadontopof
me."Hechuckled.

Si
vuyi
le:"
Youwer
en'
tcompl
aini
ngl
ast
ni
ghtnje.
"

Me:
"Lastwasl
as-mmmmh"hewas
movi
ng.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youwer
esay
ing?
"

Me: "Ahhhnot hi
ng."Iletmyey essli
p
closet aki
ngint hepleasurethat
camewi theacht hrust.Afewmor e
thruststheintensepl easur
est ar
ted
buildingup,soonwebot hexploded.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Damn!"Hekissedmet hen
hepul
ledoutwhilepanti
ng,
helaidon
hi
sback."Il
oveyousomuch. "I
l
aughed.

Me:"Youlovemeormycast
le?
"He
chuckled.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Bot
h,buty
oumor
e."

Me:
"weneedt
ogetup.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Nowedon' t
.It
'sthe
weekend,wecanstayinbedthe
wholedayanddowhatwedobest ."
Hebitmyshoulderli
ghtl
y.Imarr
ieda
sexaddict,
Iswear
.

Me:"Nothankyou.Youwantt
ori
pmy
pussyapart
."
Siv
uyil
e:"
It
'snotmyf aul
tthatit
's
sweetandwar m andIcan'tget
enoughofit.
"Igi
ggled.

Me:
"Youar
easexaddi
ct.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Onl
ywheni
tcomestoyou.
"
Hesuckedonmyneck,
mybreat
h
hi
tched.

Me:
"mmhmm baby
,Ineedt
ogetup.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whymyl
ove?
"
Me:
"Ihav
epl
answi
thmyf
ri
ends.
"

Si
v uy
il
e:"
Soyouarechoosi
ngyour
fr
iendoveruZi
zi
?"Il
aughed.

Me:"Whydoy
ouhav
etoi
nvol
vey
our
di
ck?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"causeheneedsy
our
at
tent
iontoday.
"

Me:"
don'twor
ry,
toni
ghtIam al
l
your
s,asal
ways.
"Hechuckled.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Hayokaykebaby.
Khandiphef
uthi
(gi
vemesomeagai
n)
befor
ewewakeup. "Hai
ke!

Me:"
No!
"Iunt
angl
edmysel
ffr
om hi
s
gr
ip

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Babymar
n."

Me:"
ah.ah.
"Imovedawayfr
om hi
m
andendedupfal
l
ingonthefl
oor,
he
l
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
uncamel
aukuwakunokut
hi
undiphe?
(soyouwoul
drat
herfall
thantogivemesome)"Welaughed.

Me:"Leavemeal onetuu."Hegotup
fr
om t hebed,Iknewhewasgoi ngto
comet ome.Istoodupandr antothe
bathroom whil
elaughing,
Ilockedthe
door.

Siv
uy il
e:"
Iwill
cat
chyou. "Il
aughed.
Thisguy '
ssexdrivei
st oomuch, I
can'tkeepupwi t
hhim.Wemadel ov
e
l
astni ghtandthi
smor ning,
buthestil
l
want smor e?HaynoIcan' t
.
Ideci
dedt
otakeal
ongbat
h,j
ustt
o
makesur ethatwhenIgobackt ot he
room he'snott her e.Af termyl ong
relaxi
ngshower ,Iwr appedmybody
withat owel thenwentbackt othe
room, wellIti
pt oedi ntot heroom
checkingwhet herhe' sint heroom or
not ,
l
uckilyhewasn' t
.Il otionedmy
body ,
thenIcheckedmyphone.Ihad
amessagef r
om Asei nformingme
thatwear emeet ingatKay '
sflat
.The
sunwasbl azinghotout side,
sowhy
notshowof fsomeski n?Si vuyil
ewi l
l
hav etoforgivemeshame.Iwor emy
blackmi niskirt,
alimebr atopandI
toppedi toffwi t
habl ackdeni m
j
acket .Everyoneshoul dshowof f
someski nnowandt henr i
ght ?
Besi desI'l
lbei ndoor s,
noonewi l
lbe
l
ooki ng.Myhai rwasgr owi ngshame,
buti twasst il
l tooshor tf ormy
l
iking, mybobweav ewi l
l dof ortoday.
Ilookedr eallycut e,Ihar dlywear
theseki ndofcl othes,butt odayIj ust
feltli
kewear i
ngt hem.NowIneedt o
fi
gur eoutawayofl eav ingt hishouse
i
nt hesecl othes, Iknowf orsur ethat
Sivuy il
ewon' tbehappywi tht his
out fi
t,soIhav et otryandsof tenhim
upsomeway-NoIam notgoi ngto
offerhi m sex,Ican' t.Okay ,her egoes
not hing!Itookmyal readypacked
sli
ngbagandl eftther oom.
○
Iarri
vedatKay '
sf lat,mygirl
swer e
alr
eadyher ecauseIcoul dher ethe
noisefrom outside.Ididn'teven
botherknocking, Ij
ustent er
ed,they
wer esi
tti
ngint hel i
vingroom witha
coolerboxont hef loor,
musi cbl
asting
thr
ought hespeaker s.

Me:"Hehe!Whydidn'
tanyonetel
lme
thatwear ehavi
ngapart
y!!
."The
cheered!Kaylower
edthevolume.

Kay
:"Wedi
dn'
theary
ougeti
n."
Me:"Wi t
ht hemusi cblasti
ngsoloud,
I
am notsupr i
sed."Isatdownnextto
Lucy,Ididn'tevenknowt hathewas
goingtobeher e,
nott hatImind
though.

Kay:
"I
t'
snott
hatl
oud.
"Coul
dhav
e
fool
edme.

Me: "andthen?Whatarewe
celebrati
ng?"Ever
yonehadadr
inki
n
theirhand.

Ase:
"mor
eli
kewear
edr
owni
ngour
sor
rows.
"
Me:
"Whathappened?
"

Ase:
"Mar
kischeat
ingonme.
"

Kay:"
Mypar ent
swantt
opaylobol
a
forZekhet
heloonmybehal
f.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iam pr
egnantandIdon'
tknow
whothefat
heris.
"

Me:
"AndwenaLucy
?"
Lucy:
"Iam dr
inki
ngformor
al
support.
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Youguysar
egoi
ngt
hrought
he
mostneh?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youhav
enoi
dea.
"

Me:"WenaZi
ntl
eyouar
enotev
en
supposedt
odri
nk."

Zint
le:
"onegl
assofwinei
snot
harmfultot
hebaby.
"
Me:
"Andt
hat
'sy
ourf
ir
stone?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yes.
"

Me:
"andi
tbet
terbet
hel
astone.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yesmom!
"

Me:
"Asehowdidyoufi
ndoutt
hat
Mar
kischeat
ingonyou?"

Ase:
"Isawhim wit
hmyowntwoey
es.
Ihav
enev erbeensohur
t.
"
Kay:"
Whyareyouhurt
?Youwere
cheati
ngonthepoorguyt
oo.
"

Ase: "AndImadesur ethathenev er

foundout .Yenahecoul dn'tevenbe
car eful withhissidepi ecet omake
showt hatIdon'tfindout .Theywer e
maki ngouti npubl ic,
Inev erdi
dt hat
wi thThandazani .InfactMar kwast he
sidepi ece."Shesippedonherbr utal
fruit."Ididnotexpectt hisfrom Mar k,
Ithinkt hat'
swhathur tsmemor e."IfI
coul dIwoul dlaughatAsenat hi'
s
hy pocr isy,
butIcanseet hatmypoor
f
ri
endi
sreal
l
yhur
tsoIwon'
tl
augh.

Me:"
Askiesfri
end(
sor
ry)
,Mar
kisa
l
oser.Helostoutonagoodgi
rl
."I
hadtocomf or
ther

Ase:
"Ohhhel
lno!Iam notgoi
ngt
o
br
eakupwithhim."

Me:
"Youar
enot
?"

Ase:
"No!Ther
eisnowayi nhell
Iam
goi
ngtoall
owanothergir
ltopush
meoutofmyboy f
ri
end'sli
fe,
nono
nono.Thatwon'thappen,notto
Asenathi
.Besi
des,Idon'tthi
nkIcan
survi
vebeingman-l
ess"wel aughed.
"Idon'
twanttowakeupav i
rgi
n
mna,yohsoze.
"She'scrazy.

Lucy
:"Andgi
rly
oudoneedsomeone
todr
il
l y
ouever
yfl
i
ppenti
me!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Exact
ly!I
maginehowawf
ull
i
fe
woul
dbewi t
houtsex."

Lucy
:"GeezIdon'
tev
enwantt
o
i
magineit!
"
Zi
ntle:
"Ihav
en'
thadsexindaysandi
t
al
readyfeel
sli
keali
fet
ime."

Kay
:"Hah!Igotser
vicedl
astni
ght
."
Wecheered.

Me:
"oool
ala!Whowasi
t?"

Kay
:"SomeguyImetl
astni
ght
."

Me:"
Andyouhadsexwit
hhi
m?You
don'
tev
enknowhim."
Kay:"
Idon'tneedtoknowhi m,asl
ong
ashisdickcandot hejobthenIam
cool,
andboydoesheknowhi sjob!
Damn!I '
m gett
inghornybyjust
thi
nkingaboutoursession.
"

Lucy
:"Washet
hatgoodf
ri
end?
"

Kay:
"Youhavenoidea!I
t'
sapityI
don'
thavehisnumber,
causeifIdi
d
mmmhhewoul dbedril
l
ingmer i
ght
now."Remindwhyarewet al
ki
ng
aboutsexagai
n?

Ase:
"Youar
ebusyt
hinki
ngabout
bei
ngdril
l
edwhil
eyourparent
sare
aboutt
ogetyouabri
de."Welaughed.

Kay
:"Don'
tbor
emepl
ease.
"

Ase:
"Poorgi
rli
sinf
orat
reat
."

Kay:"
Canwenottalkaboutt
hings
thatmadeusbuythisal
coholint
he
fi
rstpl
ace?
"

Us:
"Agr
eed!
"

Ase:
"Heh!Idi
dn'
tnot
icet
hatMar
iai
s
showi
ngof
fsomeski
ntoday
."

Kay
:"Who'
sMar
iaagai
n?"

Ase:
"Lunat
hi.St
andupandletme
seeyouproperl
y.
"Whyam Istandi
ng
upandstri
kingaposenogal
?"Girl
!
Whatdidyourhusbandsaywhenhe
sawy ouweari
ngli
kethat
?"

Me:"Nothing.
"Shelookedatme.
"Okay,Isnuckoutbeforehecanev
en
seeme. "Theylaughed.
Kay
:"Hei
sthecont
rol
l
ingt
ype?
"

Me:
"No.
"Isai
ddef
ensi
ve

Ase:
"Yes!MyGodheisgoi
ngt
oki
l
l
you.
"Shelaughed.

Me:"Hewon't.Ij
usthav
etomake
surethathedoesn'
tseemewear
ing
l
ikethis.
"

Lucy
:"Youl
ooksexy
."

Me:
"Thanky
oudol
l
."
Lucy
:"I
'
m sur
eify
ousenthi
m api
c,
he
wouldlov
eit
."

Me:
"Ahhnohewon'
t!
"Theyl
aughed.

Ase:"
Youshoul
dwearli
ket
hismor
e
oft
en,youl
ookcut
e."

Me:
"Isti
ll
val
uemyl
i
fe,
thanky
ouv
ery
much."

Kay:
"Doyouknowwhattheysay
aboutt
hecontr
oll
i
ngty
pe? "
Zi
ntl
e:"
What
?"

Kay:
"Theyarever
yver
ygoodinbed.
Sotell
me,ishegoodi
nbed?"Il
etout
anaughtysmil
e.

Me:"
Letsjustsay
,Igett
horoughly
ser
vicedeveryni
ght.
"Iwi
nked,they
scr
eamed.

Lucy
:"Hedoeslookl
ikethet
ypethat
cangivei
ttoyouall
nightl
ong.
"
Me:
"Youhav
enoi
dea!
"Cheer
sagai
n!

Ase:"I
t'
ssoweir dtal
kingaboutmy
brother
'ssexli
fe."Wel aughed.
"Speakingofmybr other,di
dy ouask
him aboutthetesti
ng?"Ohshoot .

Me:
"I
..
.uh.
..It
ri
ed.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whatdoy
oumeany
out
ri
ed?
"

Me:"Iaskedhi
m neh,
hetol
dmet hat
youcangetitdonebuti
t'
squi
terisky
i
ny ourfir
stt
ri
mester
.Bef
oreIcould
gethimtotel
lmeaboutt he
procedur
eandthedi
fferenttest
s,shi
t
happenedanduhIcouldn'taskhim
anymore."

Zint
le:
"Whatdoy
oumeanshi
t
happened?"

Me:"Hejustwasn'
ti
nter
est
edi
n
heari
ngmet al
kaboutawomanina
seri
es.
"

Ase:
"Womani
naser
ies?
"
Me:"Yousai
dIshoul
dn'tment
ion
Zee'
sname,soImadeupsomet hing.
Itol
dhim wewerewatchi
naseries
andthewomanwasi nZint
le'
s
posi
on."

Ase:
"Youshoul
dhav
epushedt
oget
moreinf
o."

Me:
"Icoul
dn'
t.
"

Ase:
"Whynot
?"

Me:
"Because.
..
..
"Il
ookedaway
.
Zi
ntl
e:"
That
'
snotananswer
."

Me:"
Igotdi
str
act
edf
rom t
hemi
ssi
on,
okay
."

Ase:
"Bywhat
?"Haike!Whatwi
tht
he
3r
ddegreequest
ions

Me:"
Canwet
alkaboutsomet
hing
el
se?"

Kay:
"Shegotdi
str
actedbyt
hedick
guy
s."I'
m pr
ett
ysuremycheekswere
r
ed.

Ase:
"No!
"Ishr
ugged.

Me:"
I'
m pret
tysurewecangetthi
s
i
nfor
mationfrom t
heint
ernetguy
s."

Lucy
:"I
'
m al
readyoni
t.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wewant
edadoct
or'
sopi
nion.
"

Me:
"sor
ry,
Ihadt
oat
tendt
omy
man'
sneeds.
"
Ase:
"Tr
ait
or!
"Il
aughed.

Lucy:"Igotsomethi
ngher
e.There'
sa
testcalledtheNon-
Inv
asi
vePrenatal
paternit
yt est
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Howdoesi
twor
k?"

Lucy:
"accor
dingtothis,
youjustneed
abloodsampl efr
om themot herand
acheekswabf rom thepossibl
e
fat
her.Sendthosesampl etothelab
andwaitforyourresult
s."
Zi
ntl
e:"
WhencanIdoi
t?"Thatwas
qui
ck.

Lucy:"
asearlyas7weeksi
ntot
he
pregnancy.Youare3mont
hssoyou
candoi tr
ightaway.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wher
e?How?
"

Lucy
:"Youcanordert
heki
tonl
i
ne.Let
mecheckf orasec.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Shi
t!Howar
ewegoi
ngt
oget
Thabo'
scheekswabwi
thouthi
m
bei
ngsuspi
cious.
"

Me:
"Thatwi
l
lbei
mpossi
ble.
"

Ase:
"maybeyoushoul
dtell
him.I
meanheknowsaboutThami ,
hewil
l
sur
elyunder
standwhyyouneedto
dothi
s."

Zi
ntl
e:"
No.Hewi
l
lthi
nkam abi
tch.
"

Me:
"Ofcour
senot
."
Lucy:
"Yept
her
e'saki
tyoucanor
der
onli
ne."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wai
t!Ineedt
otel
lThabof
ir
st.
"

Kay:
"Ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
odo
that
?"

Zintl
e:"
WhatdoIhav etolose,r
ight
?"I
nodded" Cany oucal
lhi
m? "Whyme?
"Ithi
nkitwill
bemuchbet tercoming
from you."

Me:
"HahZi
ntl
e!It
hinkheshoul
dhear
i
tfr
om y
ou.
"

Ase:"
Ayymar n!I
tdoesn'
tmatt
erwho
hehearsi
tfrom,aslongasheknows
qha!Wejustneedthatsampl
e."How
rude.

Me:
"Fi
ne.
"It
ookoutmyphonefr
om
mybaganddial
edhi
snumber
.

Ase:"
Loudspeakerkal
oku.
"Iputi
ton
speakerasi
trang.

Thabo:
"Punki
e."
Me:
"Ohhhel
l
oabut
i.
"

Thabo:"
Heysweet
hear
t,
isev
ery
thi
ng
okay?"

Me:
"Yeahev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
"

Thabo:"
Areyousur e?Youdon't
soundokay."May bethat'
sbecause
am abouttotell
y outhatyouare
goingtobeaf ather,
wellpossi
bly
.

Me:
"I
'mf
ineabut
i.Ar
eyoual
one,
can
y
out
alk?
"

Thabo:"
I'
m wi
thSl
indi
le,
butyesIcan
tal
k."He'
swit
hhisgir
lfr
iend?

Me:"Ican'
tdothi
s."Imout
hedt
omy
fr
iends.Asesnat
chedmyphoneand
coveredthemic.

Ase:"
Youhavet
odot hi
s."Icoul
d
hearmybrot
hercal
l
ingmyname

Me:"He'swit
hhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend,
didn'
tyou
hearthat?
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Wedon'tcar
eaboutt
hat
,j
ust
doit
."Hai
bo.

Me:
"Youdoi
t.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
PleaseBoot
y."Isi
ghed.

Me:"Fi
ne!"Ar
ehandedmebackt he
phone,Ican'
tbel
i
evetheyar
emaki ng
medot his."
Abut
iareyoust
il
lther
e?"

Thabo:
"Yes,
whathappened?
"
Me:
"Net
wor
kpr
obl
em,
sor
ryabout
t
hat
."

Thabo:"
Alri
ght,
sowhatcanIdofor
myPunki epie.
"OhGod.Heregoes
nothi
ng.

Me:"Zint
leispregnantandshe
doesn'tknowwhot hefatheris
betweeny ouandherboy f r
iendnow
shewant stodoat esttof i
ndout
whot hefatherissi
ncey ouknow
abouthersituati
onwewer ehoppi ng
thatyouwoul dbewi l
li
ngt odot he
test
."Iwasr umbli
ng,onceIst arted
tal
kingIcouldn'tst
op, Iwastoo
nervous.Iwasexpect ingsome
responsefrom him buttherewas
sil
ence,IcouldseeZi ntl
e'
seyes
getti
ngteary."Abut
i areyousti
l
l
there?"

Thabo:
"Yeah,
*ahem*I
'
m st
il
lher
e."

Me:
"Di
dyouhearwhatIsai
d?"

Thabo:
"YeahIdid.
"O-kay
."Wherei
s
Zi
ntl
erightnow?"Zint
lemoti
onedfor
menott otel
lhi
m.
Me:
"Uhm she'
snother
e."

Thabo:
"nanayou'
veneverbeena
goodli
e.Putheronthephone
pl
ease,
andleavetheroom."Excuse
me?Thisismyphonemos.

Me:"
Ohh."Igav
eascar
edl
ooki
ng
Zi
ntl
ethephone.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hel
lo.
"Shestoodupandwent
downthepassage.
Ase:
"wherei
sshegoi
ng?Weal
so
wanttohear
."Lol
.

Lucy :
"Yourbr otheri
ssosweet.You
arethel astbor nri
ght?
"Inodded.My
mi ndwasont hephonecal
lwith
Zintl
e."Het reatsyouli
keababy .
"

Ase:"
Tellmeabouti
t."Sher
oll
edher
eyes."
Iwishmybrothersal
solov
ed
mel i
kethat
."

Me:"
Whatarey
outal
ki
ngabout
?Your
br
other
slov
eyou.
"
Ase:"Iam tal
kingaboutmyr eal
brothers,
notmycousi ns.Siv uyi
le
l
ov esmemor ethanmybr ot her
s
do,allt
heydoi sthr
owmoneyatme
andr emotelycontr
olmyl i
f e.Hav e
youev erheardmesayIwasont he
phonewi thanyofmybr ot
her s?
"I
shookmyheadno." Exactly !They
don'tcareaboutme. "

Me:
"TheydoAse.
"

Ase:
"Notheydon'
t,
andpleasedon'
t
tr
yandconvincemeother
wise.
"Hay
l
etmeshutmymout h.Wesatin
sil
enceanddrankouralcohol
.Afew
minuteslat
erZint
lecamebackwi t
h
thephoneonherhand, Icoul
dn'
t
real
lyreadher
.

Lucy
:"Wel
l
?Whatdi
dhesay
?"

Zint
le:
"Hesai
dhewill
doi
t.
"We
cheeredi
nhappi
ness.

Kay:"
Whydon'
tyoul
ookhappy
though?
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Iam."Welookedather."
I'
m
j
ustsadthati
fthebabyis
Thabo'
s,
thenmybabyisgoingto
growupwithtwoseparat
eparents.
"
Duh!

Me:
"obv
iousl
y.
"

Zintl
e:"
Idon'
twantthatformychild.
"
Haike!Isatbackonthecouchand
downedmyBer ni
n,Iam notaboutto
entert
ainthi
sconversat
ion.

Ase:"
Youdon'tr
eall
yhav eachoi
ceIn
thi
ssituat
ionmylove.Ihat
etobreak
i
ttoyou,
butThaboisintohi
s
gi
rl
fr
iendunf
ortunat
ely.
"Thanky
ou
Ase!

Zi
ntl
e:"
Wedon'
tknowt
hatf
orsur
e."

Ase:
"Ido.Andyouneedtosave
your
selffr
om ahear
tbr
eakandstop
i
maginingyouandThabotoget
her.
"

Zi
ntle:
"Whoknows,maybethi
sbaby
mightbri
ngustogether
."

Kay
:"I
fit
'shi
s."
Zi
ntl
e:"
Ithi
nki
t'
shi
s,Icanf
eel
iti
n
mybones."

Ase:
"Hehakesangoma!
"Wel
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
isi
twrongf
ormetobeinl
ove
wi
thThabo?"Shewasl
ooki
ngatme.

Me:"Iam notgett
ingi
nvol
vedsisi
.I
warnedy oumulti
plet
ime,Iam not
doi
ngi tagai
n."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youdon'
tknowmy
rel
ati
onshipwithThabo,he'
sprobably
wit
ht hatgi
rlj
usttogetoverthehurtI
causedhim whenIreject
edhim."

Me:"right!
"Ican'tsayany t
hingcauseI
don'tknowwhat 'sgoingoni nmy
brot
her 'shead,butIdost rongmy
beli
ev ethatmybr ot
herisov erZi
ntl
e.
Shej ustneedst oacceptitandf ocus
onThami andherbaby ,
infactshe
shouldj ustbesinglebecausei t
seemsl i
keshe'snol ongerintoThami
now.

Kay
:"Canwej
ustdr
inkandbemer
ry?
Wewi l
ltal
kaboutthisbabyi
ssue
someot herti
mehl e.Wearetoo
stressedtobediscussingt
hatki
ndof
topic.
"

Ase:
"Yes!Makunxi
lwe!
(Let
'sget
dr
unk.)
"Sheraisedupherbott
le.

Lucy:"
bumpt hemusicupplease!
"
Kayincreasedthevol
ume,we
screamedasDJZi nhl
e'sUmlil
ocame
on.
○
"Babe!Wher
earey ou?
"IshoutedasI
enter
edthehouse.Iwasalit
tl
ebit
ti
psy,
hencetheshouting,Ij
ust
wantedmymannextt ome.
Someonewasdef ini
tely
cooki
ng,maybeitwasMam' Luv
oor
Manxelecausemyhusbandcan' t
cooktosavehisli
fe.Imademyway
tothel
ounge.

Me: "
Lover."Hewassi t
tingont he
couchwi thSipho,thatexplai
nst he
unfami l
i
arcari nthedriveway." Ohh
hell
o."Iwentt ositnextt o
Sivuyi
le,
whoi mmedi at
elyputhi s
handonmyt highasIsatdown.He
squeezedi tsendingasensat ional
feeli
ngdownt here.Itr
iedkissing
him,helookedawayandi tlandedon
hischeek.Iam notaf anofkissi
ngin
fr
ontofev eryone,
buttodayIjustf
elt
l
ikedoingit,Ithi
nkit
'sthealcohol
.

Sipho:
"Heyy
ou.Wher
ehav
eyou
been?"

Me:"
Atafr
iend'
shouse.Whendi
dyou
ar
ri
ve?"

Si
pho:
"AboutanhouragoIt
hink.
"

Me:
"Wher
e'smychamp?
"
Sipho:
"He'swit
hhismother
unfort
unatel
y.I
'l
lbr
inghi
mt omor
row
though."

Me:
"Yeey
!Ican'
twai
ttoseehi
m."

Si
pho:
"He'
sbeenaski
ngabouty
ou.
"

Me:
"Aker
eyouarekeepi
nghi
m away
f
rom me.
"Hechuckl
ed.

Si
pho:
"i
tsnotme,
it
'shismot
her
."
Si
vuyi
l
ewasoddlyquiet.
"Foodwi l
lre-ohhhhither
e."She'
s
alsohere?Andshe' scooki
nginmy
kitchen?
!Idon'tthi
nkIli
kethat.

Me:
"Hi
Lusanda.
"Ismi
l
ed.

Lusanda:"Hey.
"Shesatdownnextt o
herman, Iguesstheyhavefixed
thi
ngs."Foodwillbereadyinaf ew,I
knowy ouguy smustbest ar
v i
ng."

Me:
"Ohhy
ouar
etheonecooki
ng?
"
Lusanda:
"Yes.Isawthatyouwere
nothereanditwasgetti
nglat
e,soI
deci
dedtocook.Ihopey oudon'
t
mind."DoImind?Ithi
nkIdo.

Me:"Noatal l."Ismi l
edalitt
le.Wesat
i
nsilencef oraf ewmi nut
es." Excuse
meguy s,Ineedsomewat er."Istood
upandwentt ot hekit
chen.Iwent
str
aighttot hef ri
dgeandt ookouta
bott
leofwat er.Owon' tli
eherf ood
smeltniceshame, Iwassot empt ed
toopent hepot sandseewhatshe
wascooki ngbutIdeci dedagai nstit
.I
wonderwhogav eherper-
Me:"WTF? !
"Thebott
lesl
ippedoffmy
handassomeonegr abbedmywai st,
theper
sont urnedmearound."
Geeez
youscaredmeman! "Isi
ghedinrel
ief.
"What'
swr ong?"Hel
ookedmad.
Damnhe' ssodamnsexyev enwhen
heispissedoff

Si
vuy
il
e:"Youl
i
kedef
yingmeneh?
"

Me:
"Whatdi
dIdo?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyou
wear i
ngLunat hi?"Ohhshoot !If
orgot
aboutt hat
."Toni ghtIam goingto
teachy oual esson."Hepushedt ot he
counter.Her oughl yki
ssedmy
l
ips,hi
shandswer esqueezingmy
waist,Icouldn'thelpbutmoan.I '
ve
beenhor ny,Ithinkit'
sbecauseoft he
wine.

Me: "
Ouch."Isaidashebi tmyl i
p.He
tur
nedmear ound,Icouldfeelhis
bulgeonmyass.Hehandmov edup
myt high,hetouchmyal ready
dri
ppingwetcast l
e.Her ubbedi tf
ora
fewseconds, hepulledthepant yto
theside,Ifel
tZiziknockingatmy
entrance.Herubbedmyv aginali
ps
withZizi,Iwant
edhiminsideme
alr
eady .Iwassti
ll
enj
oyingthe
feel
ingwhenhesl ammedZi ziinsi
de
me." Ahhhh."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Shhhh.
"Ican'
tshhhwhi
le
he'
ssl
ammi ngi
nsi
demel i
kethi
s.

Me:"
OhGod. "Heclosedmymout h
wit
hhishand,hebi tmyshouldert
o
pr
eventhimselffr
om makingnoise.
Heuppedhi space,eachst
rokecame
wit
hitsownmi ndbl owi
ngpleasur
e.
I
'v
enev erdoneitl
ikethi
s
before,especial
l
ywi thpeopleinthe
nex troom,andtheycoul dwalkin
any ti
me." Mmmmh. "Hebi tmy
shoul derharder
,itwaspai nand
pleasur eall
inone.Wai t!He'
sabout
tocum " mmmhmmmh. "Iwantedto
tellhi
mt owaitforme, butIcouldn'
t
becauseofhi shandonmymout h.
Hewasn' tgentl
eatal l
wi t
hhis
thrusts

Sivuyi
l
e:"Shi
t!
"Her eleasedhissemen
i
nme, thenhepulledout ."
Goand
changet hi
soutf
it.
"Hel eft
.Didhe
j
ustleavemehangi ng?Ididn'
teven
reachmycl i
max,howcoul dhebeso
selfi
sh?Ifthisishispunishmentt hen
hehassucceeded.Ist oodt herei
n
thekitchentryi
ngt ogathermy
strength,Icoul
df eel
ani tchdown
thereandi tneededtobet akencare
ofsoon.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Il
ookedather

Me:'
Yeahuhm, uhI'
mf i
ne."NoI
wasn't
!Myhusbandj ustdepr i
vedme
anorgasm.Icouldfeelherey eson
me,maybesheheardt henoiseofshe
sawsomet hi
ng.Iquickl
yexistedthe
ki
tchenbecauseIcouldn'tstandher
star
eanylonger
.It
ookmy
unsati
sfi
edsel
ftomyroom.
Isti
llcan'tbeli
evet
hatSi vuyiledid
thattome, Iwassocloset oget t
ing
myhappyendi ngbuthehadt odeny
met hatchance.Ifthisisn'tcruel,
then
Idon'tknowwhati tis.Ichangedi nto
mysweatpant sandhi st-shirt,
thenI
j
oinedt hem inthedinni
ngar ea.
Theconv er
sat i
onwasn'tthatexciti
ng
onthetable,itwasokay .Thepeople
whower etalkingthemostwasSi pho
andSivuyil
e,
meandLusandawoul d
j
ustpit
chi nher eandthereandt hat'
s
i
t.Wedi dn'
tev enhaveaconv ersati
on
amongour selves,weabsol ut
elyhave
nothi
ngincommon, wehavenothi
ng
tosharewitheachot herandI'
ve
beensensingabi tofhosti
li
tyf
rom
heretoni
ght,Idon'tknowwhat's
wrongwithher.
○
Thebor i
ngdi nnerwasf inall
yov er
,
Lusandat ooki tuponher selft
owash
thedishesbef oretheyleftthehouse.
Idon'tknowwhoshewast ryi
ngto
i
mpr essbyact ingliketheladyoft he
house,may beshewant edt oshow
Siphothatshei sawifemat er
ial
.Her
foodwasni ceshame, Iwon' t
l
ie,Si
phowi lldefini
tel
ygetf atoncehe
start
slivi
ngwi thher .
Sivuyi
le:"havey ouseenmyphone? "
Okeptmymout hshut ."Awwusoy ou
arenotgoi ngtot alktomenow? "
Sil
ence" Baby?"It ookof fmysl eepers
andgoti nsidethecov ers."Hawuy ou
aresleepingalready ?It houghty ou
wer eallminetonight ?"Hewi shes!
Notaf terwhathedi dtome." Kodwa
Lunathi youarewr ong.Iwasj ust
punishingy oufordef yingmyor ders.
Youcan' tgooutt her einpubl ic
wear i
ngwhaty ouwer ewear ing,and
we'vespokenaboutt hisbef orebut
wenay ouchoosenott olist
en. "He
mov edt heblanket soffme.
Me:
"I
'mt
ryi
ngt
osl
eepher
e."

Siv
uy il
e:"
Notbef oreyoufeedZizi.
"I
want edtolaugh."Pleasebaby,you
knowIcan' tsleepwi t
houtsayi
ng
goodnighttomyspeci alpl
ace.
"I
couldn'thel
pbutl augh.

Me:
"Leav
emeal
onet
uu.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Pleasebaby,
letmetake
careofthatit
ch.
"Heloweredhis
head,Imethim hal
fway.Ourli
ps
col l
ided.Hebr oket hekiss"Youar e
ev enwear ingaonesi e,baby.You
wer ereallygoingt oletmesl eep
wit houtagoodni ght .
"Igiggl
ed.He
kissedmeagai n,thistime
hungr il
y,
indicati
ngt hathewasr eady
tomov etot henextl evel,
andsowasI ,
Ihadani tchthatneededt obet aken
car eof f.Hismout hwasonmyneck
kissi ngandl i
ckingwhi l
eheunzi pped
myonesi eandt ri
edt ot akeitoff.I
l
iftedmyhi pst ohel phim pull i
foff.
Hewedgedhi sshoul dersbet ween
myl egst ohol dt hem open, anddov e
ri
ghti n.Ifelthist ongueswi rl
ing
aroundmycl i
t,li
cki ng,l
apping,
t
ast
ing.
“
OhmyGod"Imoanedi
npl
easur
e.
Het easedmebypul lingt hef olds
backandf l
ickingthenubt hatwas
exposedwi t
hhi stongue, thenby
nibbl i
nglightlyoni twi t
hhi st eeth.I
want edmor e.Hesl i
ppedaf i
ngeri nto
mywetcast l
e,thent wo, thenhe
star t
edhumpi ngt hef i
nger si ntome,
har d.Theor gasm r oll
edt hroughme
l
ikeawav e,justagent l
eswel l t
hat
l
ef tmeempt y.“Yout ast esosweet ,
”
hesai dwhi l
emov ingupt omyl ips,
hepr essedhi sli
psagai nstmi ne,
sli
ppi nghi stonguei nsidemymout h
soIcoul dtast emy self.Idi dn’tmind
thetasteofmyowncum atal l
,
especiall
ynotwheni twasmixedwit
h
thetasteofhim.Hest oodup,he'
s
boxerswer estraini
ngagainsthi
s
harddick,Iwant edtopounceonhim
ri
ghtthereandt hen, Il
i
kehowhewas
slowlyturni
ngmei ntoasex
addict,
onlyforhimt hough.

Me:"Letmet akecareofyou."Isaidi
n
avoi cefulloflust
.Igotupfrom the
bedandst oodi nfr
ontofhi
m, Igot
andpul l
edhi sboxersdownandZi zi
sprangoutwi t
hexcitement
, I
'l
lnever
getov erthesizeofhim.Ipushedhi m
ont hebedt henIleanedforwardto
l
ickthedr opofpr e-cum from his
cock.Itwassl i
ghtlysalty
, Istart
ed
myassaul tonhi sdickwi t
hmyl ips
andt ongue.Il i
ckedar oundt hehead
af ewtimesbef oreslippi
ngmy
mout hoverhi m andsucki nghim, I
heldhim st eadywi t
hmyhandand
start
edbobbi ngmyheadasIj er
ked
him,myot herhandcuppi nghi sbal l
s
andshaki ngt hem likeapai rofdi ce.
Hemoaned.
Sivuyi
le:
“Ohyeahbaby
,that
'si
tri
ght
there.
"Hegroaned.
Iobli
ged,taki
nghim deeperi
ntomy
mout h.If
elthi
shandsonmyhead.I
stoppedasheshiftedupthebed.
"
Let
'
str
ysomet
hingnewt
oni
ght
."

Me:"Andwhat '
sthat?"Het oldmet o
cl
imbont hebed, Ididthat.Hemade
mel ieoftopofhi m,myf acewason
hi
sdi ckwhi l
emymyv aginawas
al
mostonhi sface,thi
swasi ndeed
somet hingnew.Hebr oughtmyhi ps
downandst artedeatingmeout
again,Iletoutaloudmoan.Igr abbed
hi
sdi ckandst artedsuckingoni t
.We
stayedlikethatforawhi l
e, pleasuri
ng
eachot her.Hepushedast ifftongue
i
nsidemycast l
e, andImai ntainedmy
suckingonhi sdick.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"Ohshit
!I’
m get
ti
ngreal
ly
cl
ose,baby
.AndIdon'twanttocum
i
nyourmout h.
”
Iswungmyl egoverandt urned
around.Iwasst i
ll
st r
addli
nghi m, but
Iwasl ookingathisf acenow.Ihel d
Zizist
eadywi t
honehandand
l
ower edmy sel
fontohi m, l
owering
my sel
fonhi m.Webot hmoanedat
thesensations.Hehel dmyhandsas
Istart
edt omov eslow,justshif
ting
forwardandback, getti
ngusedt ot he
feelofhimi nsideme.Iwant edto
takecontrol j
ustincasehedeci des
todenymemyhappyendi ngagai n,I
uppedt hepaceal it
tle,movingup
anddownhi sbody ,unti
lIwas
bouncingonhi m.Isl oweddown
again,gri
ppinghimt ightwit
hmy
i
nnermuscl esandj ustmov ingmy
hi
psi naslightl
ycircularway,gr
indi
ng
downonhi m hard.Hegr oanedand
pul
ledmedownf oraki ss.
Heheldmecloseandf
li
ppedmeover
unexpect
edl
y,l
andi
ngmeonmyback.

Si
vuyi
l
e:“Iam goingtofuckyou
now.
”Somuchf ortaki
ngcontr
ol,
how
amazi
ng* ey
esrolli
ng*
Hepumpedi
nandoutofmesof
astI
coul dbarelykeepup.Wi thev er y
thrustapower ful sensationwas
buildingup,moanswer efil
l
ingupt he
room.Hesl owedt hepaceaf tera
whi l
et ogiveusbot hti
met ocat ch
ourbr eath.Ourbodi eswer esl ickwi t
h
sweat ,
andmycum haddr ipped
betweenmybut tcheeks.Hegr ound
hishi psonmi ne,justholdingi tthere
whi l
ewet ookaf ewdeepbr eat hs.
Andt henhepul ledoutal mostal lthe
way ,beforepumpi nginagai n, going
deepandsur eandf ast.Hedi dt hi
s
overandov er,ev erythrustt akinghi m
deeperi nsideme.Hequi ckenedt he
paceagai n, andIcoul dfeel the
orgasm buil
dingup,Hegr abbedmy
l
egupov erhi
sshoulder,t
henew
angledeepeningthepenet r
ati
on.I
couldn'
tholditanymore,Iscreamed
l
ouderasIl etgo,l
ett
ingnaturetakei
t
course.Mybodywast wit
chingasI
camehar d!
Hegav eaf ewl aststr
okesandt hehe
trembledandl ungeddeepi nsideme,
cryi
ngoutaspl easurealsoovercame
him, If
elthiscum coat ingmywal l
s
warml y.“Il
ov ey ou"Hewhi speredin
ahoar sev oice.Icouldfeelthewal l
s
ofmyv aginacl enchi
nghi m
rhythmically,milki
nghisdickf l
uids.
Mymuscl eswer equiveri
ngaround
hi
m,andhewassodeep,
IswearI
coul
dfeel
hist
ipi
nsi
demystomach.
Wheni twasover
,heputmylegdown
andhel ai
ddownnexttome."I
fuckenlovey
ousomuchbaby .
"

Me:"Iloveyoumor e."Hekissedmy
shoulder.Whataper fectwayt oend
myni ght.We'veneverdone
somet hingl
ikethisbefore,
Iwas
happy .Isl
eptwithasmi leacrossmy
face.
○
UNKNOWN
Shepar
kedhercari
nthemi
ddl
eof
thet rees,thensheembar kedont he
shotj ourneyt othesmal l hutupt he
hill
.Shewant edt odot his,henceshe
travelledsof artogett hehel pthat
sheneeded.Shehadnochoi ce,orso
shet hough.Shewasawomani n
l
ov e,orisi tawomani nfatuat ed.Al l
shewant edwast obewi tht heman
thatshel ovesandherchi ld,andno
onewasgoi ngt ostandi nherwayof
gettingt hat,shewasdet er mi nedt o
dot his.Shef inal
lyreachedt hehutup
thehi ll
,therewasnoonei nsi ght.She
knockedont hedooronce, allshe
hear dwasl oudnoi seswhi chscar ed
thehel l
outofher ,t
hedooropened
butther
ewasnoonei nfrontofher
.
Shecheckedt hecoastonemor e
ti
mebef oreenter
ingthehut.Shewas
goingtogetwhatshewant ed,no
mat t
erthecost.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Longesti
nser
tint
hehi
stor
yofTCOB.
Adi
osmyl
oves
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t85
•
•
•
•
•

UNKNOWN!
Shecoul dn'tbarestayi
nginthathut
anymi nutel onger
.Assoonasshe
gotwhatsheneeded, sheleft
i
mmedi atl
ey .Herbodywas
cri
nging,butshehadt odot his.She
beli
evedt hathewast heloveofhi s
l
ifeandt hisistheonlywayt hatthey
weregoi ngt
oendupt ogether
.She
gotintothecaranddroveoffasfast
asshecan.Shehadt oreturnthecar
beforetheownernoti
cesthat'
sit'
s
nothere.
Assoonassheparkedthecarwhere
i
tisusual
lypar
ked,
shegotoutand
rushedi
nsidet
hehousewhil
e
checki
ngthecoast
.

ZI
NTLE
MONDAYMORNI
NG

Waki
ngupinahousewher
eever
yone
i
sgiv
ingy
ousil
enttr
eat
menti
sa
tort
ur e,yepmypar entsdeci dedt o
actlikeIdon' texistinthiswor ld,
wel l
mydadt oexact .Mymom i smad
thatIam pr egnant,
andshe' sgi vi
ng
meacol dshoul der,
butat l
eastshe
doesanswermewhenIaskher
somet hi
ng.Unl ikemydadwhoj ust
l
eav est her oom whenIent er,that
j
ustf eelslikeast abinmyhear tev er
y
ti
mei thappens, butIunderst andt hat
heisangr yandheneedst i
met oget
usedt othef actthatIam pr egnant .I
am gr eatful t
hought hattheydi dnot
chasemeoutofmyhome, I'
m pr etty
suremom hasev eryt
hingtodowi th
thi
s,phel atheMsomi Iknowwoul d
havelongsentmepacki ng,butI
guesshiswi fetr
iedtosoft
enhim up.
Icansafelysayhomewasnott he
bestenvir
onmentf ormet obein,
ifI
couldIwoul dmov eoutbutIcan'
tdo
thatcausethatwouldbe
disr
espectfultomyparents.

"Mor
ningMah.
"Isai
dwhi
l
esi
tt
ing
downonthechai
r.

Mom:"Morni
ng."Sheplacedabowl
of
sof
tporr
idgeinfrontofme.

Me:
"CanIpl
easehav
esome
vi
negar?
"Shel
ookedatme, I'
venever
beenafanofvi
negarbutI
'vebeen
crav
ingsomet
hingsourl
ately
.

Mom:"
Youknowwedon' tbuyvi
negar
i
nthi
shousehol
d."Ohshucks!

Me:"Mayonnaisethen."Shelookedat
mel i
keIam crazy."What?"She
shookherheadbef oreshewentand
gotmemymay o.Itookaspoonf ul
andputitinsi
demypor ri
dge,Iwas
abouttotakeanotherwhenmymom
stoppedme.
Mom: "Ngathilomunt uwakho
uzosiqedelaigrocerengakofi
ki
nokufika.
(Seemsl ikethisper
sonof
yoursisgoingt ofini
shourgrocer
y
beforeheev enar r
ives)"ohwow!

"Whowasusi ngmycary esterday ?

"
Hewal kedint hekitchen.Ohshi t
!
"Nkosokazi?"Mymom l ookedatme
asIswal l
owedhar d.I'
mt heonewho
usedhiscarwhi l
ehewentt ov i
sithis
fri
endinthenei ghbourhood, Idi
dn't
thi
nkany onewoul dnot i
ceandr unt o
goandt ellhi
m
Mom: "i
twasme, Ihadsomeerrands
torun."Dadnodded.Thanky oumom
forthesave.Ifmydadwer etofind
outthayIwast heonewhowas
dri
vinghiscar,hewouldn'
thesi
tateto
givemeanot herbeati
ng.

Dad:"
Ithoughti twasthis
di
srespectfulchil
dofy ours.
"Hegav e
meanast ylook."Sowheni sthisboy
ofcomingher etofacehismusi c?
"
He'
st al
kingt omet oday?That'snice.

Me:"Uhm. .
.he.
..
uh.
..he*
ahem*
doesn'tknowaboutthepregnancyas
y
et.
"

Dad:"Hedoesn' tknow?Thi sj ustgoes

toshowt hathei sst il
laboy .Indoda
yangempel ai yaziimi chamel eumunt u.
Iyazi
zwamay i
mi thisil
e(Ar eal man
knowswhenhehasej aculatedi n
someone.Hecanf eelitwhenhehas
madeagi r
l pregnant .)"Icringedat
thewor d"chamel e(ejaculated)" Yi
ni?
Ungazozenzamsul wal a.Angi thi
wenausuy akwazi ukuv ul
elaamadoda
amat hanga? (What ?Don' tact
i
nnocenther e.Isn'titnowy oucan
openy ourlegsf ormen? )"Iam nev er
goingtoheart heendoft his.
Me:
"Ngi
yax
oli
sababa(
Iansor
rydad)
"

Dad:"Changaney am,ugayixol
isel
iint
o
ukuthandaukuy enza(Nomy
chil
d,don'tapologiseforsomet hi
ng
youenj oyeddoing. )
"Ikeptquietand
playedwi thmypor r
idge."
Ngi f
una
ukumbonal omf ananynawakho
kungekudal a,
si
y ezwana? (
Iwantto
seet hatsmallboyofy our
ssoon, do
youherame? )
"Inodded.Hel ooked
atmeoncebef oreshakinghishead
withal ookofdi sgustonhi s
face,thenhelefttheki t
chen.
Mom:"Whatar
ey ougoingtodo?You
don'
tknowthefatheroft
hebaby
mos."

Me:
"Iwi
l
lsor
tthatoutsoonmah.
"

Mom:"Youbetter
,causeyouknow
yourf
atherdoesn'tpl
ay.
"ThatIdo
knowwell.
Luckil
ytodayIwasmeet i
ngupwith
Thabof ort
heDNAt est
,I
'm st
il
l
surpri
sedthathet
ookthese
pregnancynewssowell.Hesounded
calm onthephonewhenIspoketo
me,whichgi vesmeasenseofhope
thatmay behe' stheoneresponsible
forthi
spr egnancy .Justt
hinki
ng
abouthowmuchofagoodf atherhe
willbetothiskidwar msmyhear t,
he
agreatbigbr othertoBhet reatsher
l
ikehe'schild,sothatmeanshewi ll
beaper fectfathertohisownchi ld.
Hehadani ghtshif
t,sohesai dhe
wantedt osleepabitbeforewecan
gotot hedoctor.Iwassoexci tedto
seehim, Ievendressedupj ustfor
him.Ihadt oshowwhathecoul d
have,
insteadofbeingwi tht
hathi gh
school gi
rl
fri
endofhi s.
At2i
ntheaf
ter
noonIr
eci
evesat
ext
fr
om himt ell
i
ngmet hathe'
satthe
shop.Igotupf r
om thecouchin
exci
tementandt helef
tthehouse,
I
hadtolockupsi ncemom anddad
werealreadyatwork.Icoul
dn'
t
contai
nmysmi l
ewhenIsawl eani
ng
onhiscar ,
thi
sguywasr eal
ly
handsomet hatiswhyIam socrazy
overhi
m.

Me:
"Hey
."Isai
dwi
tht
hebi
ggest
smi
l
eever.

Thabo:
"Sho."Iwasexpecti
nghimto
hugme, Ideci
dedtodot hehonour
s.
"Ar evay aj
oe( l
et'
sgodude) ,Ihave
somepl acest obeataf terthi
s."SoI
am 'joe'now?Okay .Iwentar ound
andgoti nt
ot hepassageseatashe
goti nhissideanddr oveoff.One
thingaboutThaboi st hatheisa
typicalghettoguy,henev eropens
door sorchair sf
oral ady .

Me:"Howdoy oufeelaboutallof
thi
s?"Heshruggedhisshoulders.
Whatthehell
?Thisisn'
tthesame
ThaboIspoketoont hephone.

Thabo:
"I
tiswhati
tis.
"
Me:"Wellwhatyouhoppingfort
he
resul
tstosay?"Iwasobv i
ousl
y
hoppinghewoul dsayhewantsthem
tocomebackposi ti
ve.

Thabo:"I'
m notexpecti
ng
anyt
hing,youneverknowwit
hthese
ki
ndoft hings.
"O-kay!

Me:"Wel
lIwantt
hebabytobeyour
s."
Isai
dwithasmil
e,hecl
earedhi
s
thr
oat.
Thabo:"
I'
llacceptanyt
hing.I
fthe
babyismi ne,
coolIwil
lsupportand
bethereforhim orher.
"Whatabout
me?

Me:"andwil
lyourl
i
ttl
egi
rl
fr
iendbe
happywiththat
?"

Thabo:"
Hernamei sSlindi
l
e.Andno
sheobviouslywon'tbehappy
becausethischi
ldwasconceived
whenshewasal r
eadyinthe
pict
ure,
butIwill
tryandconvi
nceher
."

Me:
"andi
fshedeci
dest
owal
kouton
y
ou?
"

Thabo:
"Shewon'
t.
"Hesoundsso
sur
e.

Me:"
butwhati
fshedoes?Youknow
howgir
lsar
e."

Thabo:
"Shewon'
t!Canwedr
opt
his
topi
cpl
ease.
"Yoh

Me:
"Wow,okay
."West
ayedi
nsi
l
ence
f
orawhil
e.
Thabo:"
Haveyout
oldhim about
thi
s?"Iknowwhohimis.

Me:
"No,
noty
et.
"

Thabo:"I
t'
sprobablybestthatyou
didn'
t.Imeany oudon'twanttobreak
thepoorboy'sheart.
"See?Heal so
beli
evesthatthischi
ldishis.

Me:"
Yeahneh,
especi
all
ywi
tht
he
r
esult
sandstuf
f.
"Heclear
edhi
s
t
hroat
Thabo:
"Yeah.
"See?

Me:"
Wear eseei
ngSivuy
il
e?"Wewer
e
par
kingathi
ssurger
y.

Thabo: "Yeah,he'stheonl yoneI

trust."Fairenough.Wej umpedof f
thecarandwal kedi ntot hesurgery.
I'
venev erbeenher ebef or e,butthi
s
surger ylookslikeheav en.I tmust
hav ecostt hem af or t
unet obuil
dthis.
Wear egoi ngtobeher ef orawhi le
j
udgi ngbyt heli
neIseei nfrontofme.
"Hello."Hesai dtot her ecept i
oni
st
Recept
ioni
st:
"Goodafter
noonsi
r,
how
mahIbeofassi st
ance."

Thabo:
"Ihav
eanappoi
ntmentwi
th
Si
vuyil
e."

Receptioni
st:
"OhhDrDl amini?CanI
pleasehavey ournameandsur name
please."Hetoldher.Shetypedinto
hercomput erforawhi l
e."OhhIsee,
youwer esupposedt oseehi m 15
mi nut
esago, youarelatesoy ouwil
l
hav etowaiti
nl i
ne.
"

Thabo:
"aski
es?
(excuseme?
)"She
cl
ear
edhert
hroat
.

Recept
ionist
:"
Uhm thosear
ether
ules
ofthesurger
ysir
."

Thabo:"
Stopwasti
ngmyt i
mewena,
gointhereandtel
lSivuyi
lethatIam
heretoseehim.Busyt el
l
ingme
aboutstupi
drul
es."TherudeThabo
i
sheretoday.

Recepti
oni
st:
"Unf
ort
unat
elyIcan'
tdo
thatsi
r.
"
Thabo:"
Ifyoudon't,Iwil
l.AndIwi ll
takeoutanyonewho' sinther eri
ght
nowandt hatwillbeyourf ault
."She
l
ookedathi m supri
sed."Okay .Looks
l
ikesomeonei snotget ti
ngt heir
i
nject
iontoday."Heat t
empt edt o
walktotheconsul t
ingroom di r
ecti
on

Recept
ioni
st:
"Nowai
t!I
'l
ll
ethi
m
knownthatyouar
ehere.
"

Thabo:
"Great
!"Thepoorladygotup
fr
om herchai
randleftus.

Me:
"Yourdr
amai
ssounnecessar
y
somet i
mes."Hegavemeal ook.The
recept
ioni
stcakebackaf
terafew
minutes.

Recepti
oni
st:
"Hesai
dhewil
lseeyou
aft
erthepat
ienthe'
swi
thr
ightnow.
"

Thabo:
"Thatwasn'
tsohar
dbowwas
i
t?"OhGod.Wewentt osi
tdownt
he
chai
rs.

Me:"
Iam sohungr
y."Ir
eal
l
ywas.He
l
ookedatme.
Thabo:
"Hav
eyouwentf
ory
ourf
ir
st
scan?"

Me:"
Yep,
thedayIf
oundoutIwas
pr
egnant
."Henodded.

Thabo:
"Sowhenwi
l
lyoust
arteat
ing
soapwithr
ice?
"

Me:
"Soapwi
thr
ice?
"

Thabo:"Yeah,Ihaveheardthat
pregnantwomengetwei r
dcr av
ings
andstuff."Icoul
dn'
thelpbutlaugh.
Me:"Yest heydo,
buttheycraveedibl
e
thi
ngs,thankyouverymuch. "Soap
andrice,i
magine."
Butnotal l
pregnantwomangetwei r
dcr avi
ngs.
"

Thabo:"
Wenawhatofcr avi
ngsdoy
ou
get?
"Ahhlookathim beingan
i
nterest
edbabydaddy.

Me:"
Nor
mal cr
avi
ngs.I
'
m alway
s
cr
avi
ngforset
ti
ngsour,
andpor
k."

Thabo:
"Weneedt
ofi
ndoutf
rom t
he
doctori
fthat
'sheal
thyornot
."I
she
thesweetest
?

"Wellwell
well
.Ifi
tisn'
ttheIT
coupl
e,orshoul
dIsaytheI T
shaggingbuddi
es.
"OhThembai sso
annoyingGod.

Thabo:
"Exent
wana.
"Thef
istbumped.

Themba:"I
sn'
tthi
scozy ?"Ihadmy
headlai
donThabo'sshoul der."
To
whatdoweowet hepleasure?"Dowe
tel
lhi
mt hatwearepregnant ?
Thabo:"
Ijustcametocheckupon
thatst
upidfri
endofyour
s."Iguess
not.

Themba:"I
sitnow?"Ithought
Lunganiwastheonlyonewhol i
ked
news."Hayokay!Letmel eaveyou
guystoitt
hen.AndwenaThabo, we
haveapool matchonSatur day
."

Thabo:
"Ihav
en'
tfor
got
ten.
"

Themba:
"Al
ri
ghtsur
ent
wana.See
youguy saround."Hewentonand
pickedapat i
entfrom t
heline,
thenhe
disappear
edi nt
ot hecorr
idorwithher
.

Me:"Wherewe-"he'
sphone
i
nteruppt
edme.Het ookitout,
I
coul
dn'thel
pbutnot
icethesmi l
ethat
for
medi nhi
sli
psashesawt hecall
er
i
d.

Thabo:"
Baby ?.
..
..ofcoursewear e
sti
llon.
..
..nah,Ididgetsomesl eepin
themor ning..
..
.don'tworrymybaby
I'
ll
seey oui n2hour smax...
.or
ight
mabhebeza( mybaby )"Hehungup
wit
hasmi lesti
llpl
ast eredonhi sface,
apangofj ealousyhi tme.Washe
r
eallyoverme?Di dher eal l
ylov
ethis
l
it
tl
egi rl
fri
endofhi s?No, itcan'
tbe.
May behej ustwant stomakeme
j
ealous,henceheanswer edthecallin
mypr esence,ri
ght?Ri ght!
Ourt
urnfi
nall
ycame, wewalkedi
nto
t
heconsult
ingroom andsatdownon
t
hechair
s.

Thabo:
"Ift
hatpati
entwasn'
taman,
I
wouldhavesaidyouwerefucki
nga
pati
ent
."Helaughed.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iam notl
i
key
ouThabo.
"

Thabo:"What 'sthatsupposedt o
mean? "Theybot hlaughed.
Mxm, boy s.Iwassoannoy edwi th
Thabo, Ididnotev enwantt obei nhis
presencer ightnow.Howdar ehe
answershi sgi r
lfr
iend'
scalli
nf rontof
me?Whatki ndofdi sr
espectisthat?
"Sodoy ouhav ewhatIaskedy ou
for?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Yep,
herei
tis."
Hepoi
ntedat
somethi
ngont het
able.
Thabo:
"Al
ri
ght
,l
et'
sdot
hist
hen.
"
Sivuyi
letookthekitthatwasont he
table,
heopenedi tandtookoutal ong
bigearbud.HeinstructedThabot o
openhi smouth,heputi ti
nsidehi
s
mout hforafewsecondst henhe
tookitoutandputi ti
nanenv el
ope
them sealedi
t.

Sivuyi
le:
"Zi
ntleIneedy outogosit
overthere.
"Hepoi ntedmet othebed.
Isatonit,hecamewi t
hhi s
equipmentanddr ewmybl oodint
oa
smal l
tube,t
henheal soputitinit
s
ownsepar ateenvelope."Iwil
lmake
sur
ethatt
hesegetdel
i
ver
edt
othe
l
abASAP."

Thabo:"
Whencanweexpectt
he
resul
ts?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
7wor
kingday
s."

Thabo:
"That
'
stoolongbro,
can'
tyou
speedupthepr
ocess?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
l
lseewhatIcando.I
'
m not
pr
omisi
nganythi
ng.
"
Thabo:
"Al
ri
ght
,t
hanks.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Sodoesmywifeknowabout
thi
s?"Inodded."
What
?Andshekept
i
tfrom me?"

Me:"Iaskedhernott
otel
lany
one
aboutthis.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ican'
tbel
iev
ethatmysweet
i
nnocentwifewasabletokeepsuch
athi
ngfrom me."Welaughed.

Me:
"I
t'
scal
l
edl
oyal
ty.
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Mxm.Alri
ghtguy s,
Ihave
pati
entstoat
tendto,I
'
llcall
youas
soonasIgettheresul
tsback."

Thabo:
"Thanky
ouonceagainman.
"
Theyfi
stbumped.Westoodupand
sai
dourgoodbyesthenl
eft
.

Me:"
I'
m hungry
."Iwastr
yingt
ostal
l
hi
m sothatheforget
sabouthi
sdate
wi
thhisgir
lf
ri
end.

Thabo:
"Youwi
l
leatathome.
"
Me:"
Hah!Butt
hebabywant
spor
k
r
ibs.
"

Thabo:
"sincewhendoest
hebabyt
alk?
Haymar nZint
le.
"

Me:"canwepassbyspur
,pl
ease.
"I
begged.

Thabo:
"No.
"

Me:
"Pl
ease!
"Ipul
l
edaf
ace
Thabo:
"Thatshi
tonl
ywor
ksonmeof
mysist
erdoesit.
"

Me:"
Pleasebabe,
IswearIwillnever
ev
erasky ouanyt
hingagai
n..
..
.thi
s
week.
"

Thabo:
"Fi
ne.
"

Me: "Yeepy!
"Iwassoexcited.I'
m
aboutt ohavelunchwit
hmypot ent
ial
babydaddy ,
Iam goi
ngtouset hist
o
tryandgethi mtotal
kabouthi s
feeli
ngsf orme.Wedrovef orafew
mi nutestoanearbyspur.Ijumped
offt
hecarexpect
inghi
mt odothe
samebuthejustsatt
here."
Younot
coming?
"

Thabo:
"No,Iwasj
ustdr
oppi
ngy
ou
off
."What?

Me:
"Ohcomeonbabe.
"

Thabo:
"Comeony ang?It ol
dy ouI
havetobesomewher eafterour
appoi
ntment,
andwenay ouwant ed
spursoIam dri
ppi
ngy ouof fhere
youwil
lgoinandhavey ourpor kri
bs
whil
eIatt
endtomymat ters.
"
Me:"I
twon'
tbethesamewit
houty
ou.
Idon'
twanttoeatal
one.
"

Thabo: "Don'
twor ryyouwillfi
nd
fri
endsi nthere.Ihav etogo."I
thoughthewaspul l
ingmyl eg,butno
hewasn' t
.Hest art
edt hecarand
droveof f,
myey esfi
ll
edwi t
ht earsas
Iwat chhim driveaway .Hedi dn'
t
evenl eavemesomemoneyt obuy
thoser i
bs,howcr uelcanonebe?I
don'thav ealotofmoneywi thme
ri
ghtnow, may beIcanonl yaf f
ordto
Uberhomet hat '
sit,
Iguessnopor k
ri
bsf orme.Tothi
nkmythroatwas
alr
eadyreadytowelcomethose
ri
bs,myGod.Ihadnochoicebutto
requestanuberhome.
Mypar entswerest i
llnotbackf
rom
work,Imademy selfamay o
sandwichwithjuice,Isatdownand
devouredmyl unch.Myphoner ang
asIswal l
owedmybr ead.

Me:
"Heysi
s."

Thandi
:
"Heyy
ou.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:
"I
m goodandy
ou?
"

Thandi:
"I
'm goodt oo.
"Sil
ence,i
t'
s
al
way sli
kethiswhenwear eonthe
phone.Wenev erknowwhatt osayto
eachother,butatleastwearetryi
ng
bycall
ingeachot herregul
arl
y.

Me:
"uhm so.
..how'
sisi
tgoi
ngwi
th
t
hebusi
ness? "

Thandi
:"
sof arsogoodhey .I
'
v e
si
gnedaf ewmodel salr
eady,andone
ofthem gotthi
sbiggigli
nedup. "
Me:
"Ohwowthat'
sgood.Hav
eyou
f
oundani
nvest
oryet?
"

Thandi:"
Notyet.Myall
owancef
rom
Siv
uy i
leisst
il
lmaint
aini
ngmy
businessfornowandit'
snot
enough."

Me:
"Hesti
l
lsendsy
oumoneyev
ery
month?
"

Thandi
:
"Yes.It
'
spar
tofourdi
vor
ce
set
tl
ement."Ohwow."
Buthehasn'
t
sentmeanymoneyt hi
smonth.
..
.
whichi
sthereal
reasonwhyIam
cal
li
ngyou.
"Ohwow.

Me:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Thandi
:"
Iwantyoutotal
ktohi
m and
askhim whyhehasn'
tsentmeany
moneythismonth.
"What?

Me:
"Ohhel
lno!Idon'
tfi
tinany
wher
e
i
nyouri
ssueswit
hhim."

Thandi
:
"ComeonZee,
Iwoul
dn'
tbe
aski
ngy
oui
fIwasn'
tsodesper
ate.
"

Me:"
Whydon'tyoucal
lhi
m andask
hi
my our
sel
f?"

Thandi
:"
Iwoul
difIhadhi
snumbers.I
del
etedi
taft
erthedi
vor
ce,Iwast
oo
mad."

Me:"
Andyoudon'
tknowi
tof
fby
hear
t?"

Thandi
:
"No!
"
Me:"
How?!Youwer
ewit
hthi
sguyfor
year
sandyoudi
dn'
tmemori
zehi
s
number
?"

Thandi:
"Yeah.Ididn'
tseetheneed
to.
"OhmyGod!Whati swrongwith
her?Whodoesn' tknowtheir
boyfr
iend'
snumberof fbyheart?Even
IknowThabo' snumberoffby
heart
,andhe'sjustmysidepiece.

Me:
"Youar
esowei
rd.
"

Thandi:
"canwef ocusontheser
ious
matterplease.
..Soarey
ougoingto
t
alkt
ohi
m?"

Me:
"Hel
lno.
"

Thandi:
"ComeonZee.Dot hi
sfor
yourbi
gsi st
er.I
'
m desper
ateandI
needthatmoney .
"Isi
ghed.

Me:"Fine!"Shescreamed." Wai
t!
Beforey ougett ooexci
ted,Iam not
goingt otalktohim,Iwi
llj
ustgetyou
hisnumbert henyouwillaskhi
m
yourself.
"
Thandi
:
"That
'sf
inet
oo.
"

Me:
"Good.
"

Thandi:
"Thankyou.
"Ohshecansay
thankyounow?Awwmysi steri
s
real
lychanging.

Me:
"Don'
tsweati
t.
"

Thandi
:"
Ihavet
ogo,
mycl
i
enti
s
wait
ingforme.
"

Me:
"Al
ri
ghtby
e."Shehungup.My
sist
erisr eal
lyseriousaboutt hi
s
businesst hi
ng, Ireal
lyhopeandpr ay
thatitsucceedssot hatshecan
provesomepeopl ewr ong.Iknow
shehasmadeal otofmi stakesinthe
past,butatleastshewor ki
ngon
ri
ghtingherwr ongsandget t
ingher
l
ifebackont rack.Iknowf orsur et
hat
mypar entsareproudofherandso
am I.
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Cel
aiDecemberLoan!
!!
Ihaven'
tfor
gott
enthatsomepeople
promisedmegift
s showy oursel
f
please,
si
sneedsyou!
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t86
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Thesunwasshi
ningthrought
he
windows,
mypl
anstogoshopping
todaywer
esl
owingbeing
di
scouraged,
especi
all
ybecauseI
wantedtogowi t
hChulu.
Iwassitti
ngintheloungetryingt o
feedChuluherlunch,
I'
m sayingt ryi
ng
becauseshewasnotmaki ngi teasy
forme,shewantedtof eedher selft
oo
anditwasast r
ugglefighti
ngov era
spoonwi t
hher.

Me:"nobaby,y
ouar emakingamess."
Shehadjustpull
edt hespoonoutof
myhand.Hasany onereal
isedhow
ti
ghtababy '
sgri
pi s?Idon'
tknow
wheretheseli
ttl
erascalsgetthe
str
engthfrom.
"Ohheyunloy alwi fe.
"Ir oll
edmyey es
ashecamei n.That '
swhathe' sbeen
call
i
ngmeev ersi ncehef oundout
aboutZint
le'
spr egnancyy est
erday.
Accordi
ngt ohim, Iam supposedt o
tel
lhim ev
erything, nomat t
erhow
smallorsecreti
v ei ti
s.Myhusband
l
ikespeoplenews, Ithinkit'
ssafeto
sayheisagossi p.Heki ssedmy
cheekthenkissedChul u'scheek.

Me:"Hi
.Whyar eyouhere?"Chul
u's
armswer eal
readyoutforherdaddy
totakeher."
Don't
!"Isai
dashe
r
eachedf
orher
.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whynot
?"

Me:"shehast of
ini
shherfood
fi
rst,
thi
sisoneofhertact
icsofnot
eati
ng."Helaughed.Chul
u'
sistoo
cl
ev er,
i
tbaf
flesmesomet i
mes,her
tr
icksaresoweird.

Chul
u:"
dada.
"

Me:
"no!Nodadaunt
ily
oufini
shthi
s
f
ood.Don'
ttel
lmeyouareheref
or
l
unchcauseIgaveyousomet
hingt
o
eatdur
ingl
uncht
ime."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
I'
m hungr
yforsomethi
ng
el
se.
"Hetouchedmythigh.

Me:"
Hah!From who?Yourunl
oyal
wi
fe?Forgetmybrother
."Hel
aughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
I'
mjoki
ng,Thembahadan
emergencytoatt
endto,Idecidedt
o
makeitmyownemer gencyand
cl
osedthesurgeryj
usttocomeand
spendthedaywithmygi rl
s."I
l
aughed.
Me:"
Whywouldyoudothat?You
hav
epati
ent
sthatneedyou."

Si
vuyi
le:
"HayI'
mti
red.Theywon'tdie
j
ustbecauseweareunavai
labl
ef or
j
ustoneday."

Me:"
Youaresol
azy.Youar
eev en
wi
ll
ingt
ousesomeone'semergency
j
ustsoyoudon'
tgettowor
k."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Leavemeal
onet
uu.
"I
l
aughedagain.
Me:
"Si
nceyouareher
e,wecangot
o
t
hemallt
ogether
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Forwhatnow?
"

Me:
"Manxel
egavemeali
stofthi
ngs
t
hatIhav
etobuyfort
hehouse.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Yoh.Whydi
dIcomeback
herethough.Thi
sissupposedt
obe
myr el
axingday.
"

Me:
"mxm.
"If
edChul
uthel
astspoo
ofherfood."Missi
onaccompli
shed!
Youcant akehernowdada."He
removedt hebi
bf r
om herbef
ore
taki
ngherf r
om herfeedi
ngchai
r.

Sivuyi
le:
"Heypri
ncess.
"Chul
usmi
led
recall
inghersmallt
eet
h."Ar
ewe
takingherwithus?
"

Me:"Yes,
aker
eyousai
dyouwantedt
o
spendthedaywit
hyourgi
rl
s.Pl
usI
needsomeonetocarr
yher,
whil
eI
shoparound.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
SoIam basi
cal
l
ybei
ngused
i
nthi
ssi
tuat
ion.
"

Me:"usedforyourfatherl
yduti
es."He
chuckled."
Letmecl earupherethen
wewi l
l go.
"Icl
earedev ery
thi
ngup
andwentt oputintheki t
chenthenI
wentbackt othem."Done?Let '
sgo."

Sivuy
il
e:"
Arey ougoi
ngtoweart
hat
?"
Iwaswear ingashotsummerdr
ess
thatr
evealedmyback.

Me:"Don'
tst
artpl
ease,
i
t'stoohot.
"He
chuckl
edandstoodupwi thChul
u.I
tookmybagandwel eftthehouse.
Hebuckl
edChul
uinherseat
,wegot
i
nthecaranddr
oveoff
.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Seeifyoucoul
ddri
ve,
you
wouldbedrivi
ngnowsinceIam so
exhaust
ed."

Me: "
Youarealwaysexhaustedwena
ay."Helaughed.Theguar
dopened
thegateforusandwej oi
nedt he
roadanddr ovetothemall

Siv
uyil
e:"
onaser i
ousnotebabe,you
needtolear
nhowt odr
ive.I
'm pr
ett
y
sureal
lyourfr
iendscabdr i
veand
t
heyhav
eli
censes.
"

Me:
"Asenat
hican'
t.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
ButZint
lecan.Whendi
dshe
getherli
cense?"

Me:
"Ear
lyt
hisy
ear
,It
hink.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youneedt
ogety
our
stoo.
"

Me:"Why
?Ihav
eachauff
eurthat
dr
ivesmewhereev
erIwantt
ogo."
Siv
uyil
e:"
Ihopeyouar
enott
alki
ng
aboutmekesi si
."

Me:"Okay
."Il
ookedawayHelooked
atmeonceandshookhishead,he
tur
nedhiseyesbacktot
heroad.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Wearestar
ti
ngwithyour
dr
ivi
nglessonst
hisweekendbaby.
"

Me:
"Why
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
BecauseIwanty
out
olear
n
howt
odr
ive.
"

Me:
"Andi
fIdon'
twantt
o?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hai
kebaby
."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
Finewewil
lstar
twit
hthe
l
essonskaweekend."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Good.
"
Wegottot hemal landshoppedfor
whatweneeded.Ial sodecidedt
odo
someclothesshoppi ng,
muchto
Siv
uyi
le'
sirri
tat
ion.Hewasnothappy
atall
,
butatthesamet i
mehedi
dn't
wanttoleavemealoneint
hestor
eto
goandsitinthecar
,sohehadt
o
fol
lowmear ound.
○
"Idi
dn'
tknowSiphowascoming
today.
"Isai
dasweparkedi
nthe
driv
eway

Sivuyi
le:
"Metoo.Lusandai skeepi
ng
him busythesedays."IpraytoGod
thatshe'
snother etoday.Wegotout
thecarandof foffl
oadedsome
plast
ics,
Sivuyi
leaskedoneoft he
guardstohelpwi t
hther emaini
ng
bags.Wewal kedint hehouseand
pl
acedt heplasti
csont opofthe
ki
tchencount er
.Siphowast her
e
dri
nkingjui
cef r
om thejug.

Me:"
Lastti
meIcheckedwehad
gl
assesinthi
shouse.
"

Si
pho:
"Shit
!"Heplacedt
hej
ugback
i
nthefri
dge."Heyguys.
"

Me:
"YaziIthoughtyouwer
edi
ff
erent
f
rom yourbrother
."
Si
pho:
"I
'm sor
ry.
"Si
vuy
il
echuckl
ed.

Me:"
Iwil
laccepty
ourapologyi
fyou
hel
phimtounpackthegrocery
."They
bot
hlookedatme.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ididn'
tsayIwasgoi
ngt
o
unpackthese."

Me:"Youdidn'thavet omyl ove.Get

onitkeboDl amini."It
ookmy
shoppingbagsandwentupt omy
room wit
ht hem.Looksl ikeLusanda
i
snother etoday,boyam Igl adabout
that
.Idon'twhati tisabouther,but
somethi
ngisv er
yunsettl
i
ngabout
herauor
a.Iplacedt
hebagsont opof
mybedt henIwentbacktot he
ki
tchen,
wheretheguyswer esti
llbusy
wit
hunpackingthegrocery.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
thi
sisal
lyourf
aul
tbr
o."

Sipho:
"St
opcompl
aini
ngandj
ustdo
thework.
"
Ifeltsomet hi
ngpul l
ingmyleg,
well
someoner athersinceitwasChul
u
tr
y i
ngt ousemyl egashersuppor
t
structuret
ost andup.
Me:"
Whyi ssheont
hef
loor
unat
tended?"

"Ohsorry.
"OhGod!"Iwasbusy
putt
ingtheseaway,
Ididn'
tthi
nkshe
wouldleave.
"Whydon'tmywishes
evercomet r
ue?Doesshealways
havetotagalongwit
hSipho?

Me:"Ohh.Idon'tl
ikehercr
awling
around,
especiall
yintheki
tchen.
"I
saidasIpickedChuluup.

Lusanda:
"I
'l
lkeepthati
nmindfor
nextti
me."Nextti
me?Bitchpl
ease.I
l
ookedatSiv
uyil
e,
whowasal
so
l
ookingatme.Si
phocl
ear
edhi
s
t
hroat.

Si
pho:
"Uhm guys,
ther
eissomethi
ng
wewouldl
iketodiscusswi
thyou.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Soundsser
ious.
"

Si
pho:
"I
tis.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Wel
llet
'sgosi
tdowni
nthe
l
oungeandt
alk.
"
Me:
"Ah.
ah!Fi
nishupher
efi
rst
."

Sivuy
il
e:"
Hahbaby!Wewill
fini
shup
l
ater.
"DidIment
ionthatmyhusband
l
ikesnews?Wellhedoes.

Me: "
Siphoi
snotgoi ngany where,I
'
m
prett
ysurethatwhat everhewant sto
discussneedsourf ull
attenti
on."I
t'
s
ti
meSi vuyi
lehelpsaroundt hehouse
too.Siphochuckled.

Sipho:"
Themadam oft
hehousehas
spokenbro.
"Si
phoisagood
i
nf l
uencemos?
Itookmybabyandwentt othe
l
ounget owatchsomeTV, nott
hatI
paidat t
ent
iontoitbecausetheli
tt
le
princesswantedalleyesonher.
Afewmi nuteslat
erthethr
eeoft
hem
walkedi
nandsatont he
couch,
Sivuy
ilesatnextt
ome.

Lusanda:"
CanIhol
dher
?"I
sshe
tal
ki
ngt ome?

Me:"
Uhm,shedoesn'
treal
l
yli
ke
st
ranger
s."
Lusanda:"Stranger
s?I'
m herm-I'
ve
beencomi ngherefordaysnow,
I'
m
prettysureshe'susedtome."The
atti
tude,myGod!

Me:"Youdon'tr
eal
lypayat
tenti
onto
herwheny ouarehere,
sot
hat
techni
cal
lymakesy ouast
ranger.
"I
hadaseriousfaceon.

Lusanda:
"Ar
eyouseri
ousshe'
smy -
"I
gaveherastar
e.Shewasn'
taboutt
o
saythatnowwasshe?

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yeeey
!"
Sipho:
"Babecal
m down.
"Hehel
dher
hand,mxm.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Canwegett hi
sov erand
donewithbrother
,causeIseey our
gi
rloverther
ehassomei ssuesthat
wearenotaboutt oentertai
n."Si
pho
cl
earedhisthroat

Sipho:
"Wewerewonderingi
fyou
couldgi
veChul
utousf oraweekend
getawaythi
sweekend.
"
Me:"
Excuseme?"May
beIdi
dn'
thear
hi
m proper
ly.

Si
pho:
"Uhm wewantt
otakeChulut
o
aweekendget
awaywit
hus."Hehe!

Me:
"byus,
whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"

Sipho:
"Me,
LusandaandSpha.
"Oh
theywantt
oplayhappyfamil
ynow.I
chuckl
edandplayedwit
hmybaby.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m conf
usedastowhyyou
woul
daskussuchat hi
ngknowi
ng
ver
ywell
howLusandaf
eel
sabout
mydaughter
."

Lusanda:
"What
'st
hatsupposed
mean?"

Me:"
Itmeansy
oudon'
tcar
eabout
t
hisbaby.
"

Lusanda:
"Idocareabouther
,t
hat
's
whyIam tryi
ngtobuildabondwi
th
herbutyouwon'tletme.
"

Me:
"Damnr
ightIwon'
t!
"
Lusanda:"BabeIthoughtyousaid
Lunathiisareasonableandnice
person?Shei sn'
treal
lyport
rayi
ng
thatpersonarightnow."Sotheywere
expecti
ngmet ojustsayyestothem
taki
ngmybabyonaweekendaway ?
Nev er
!

Si
pho:"
Letmedot
het
alki
ng
babe,
please.
"

Lusanda:
"B-
"
Si
pho:
"Lusanda!
"Hewar
ned.

Lusanda:
"Fi
ne.
"Sivuyi
l
erel
axedon
thecouchandcrossedhi
slegst
hen
heputhisarm ar
oundme.

Sipho:"
GuysIgetwher eyouare
comi ngfr
om, butri
ghtnowy ouare
notbeingfair
.Lusandai str
yingto
buil
dabondwi thherdaughterand
youguy sarestandi
ngi nthewayof
that.Wearenotaski ngyoutogiveus
Chulupermanent l
y,
wej ustwanther
fortheweekendnot hingmuch.
Besidesasheruncl eIthi
nkIalso
deserv
etospendt
imewithherj
ust
asmysonalsospendst
imehere
too.
"

Sivuyil
e:"
Sipho,asmybr otherI
respectyou, butri
ghtnowy ouar e
wr ong.YoucannotuseSpha' s
situati
onasbai tf
orustogi vethat
womanourdaught erforthe
weekend, thi
si snotabouty ou,
it
's
abouther .Lusandahasnotmadea
singleeffortwithChulu,
andnowal lof
asuddenshewant stogoon
vacationswi thher?Doest hatmake
senset oy ou?Iam notevengoi ngt o
l
iet oyouandsayIam notpr ohibi
ti
ng
hertohav earel
ati
onshipwi thhe
daughterbecausethat'
sexact l
ywhat
Iam doing.Thatwomannextt oy ou
abandonedev er
yrightshehadt othi
s
chil
dthedayshel eftheronmydoor
stepandchoset oflybehindaman!
Thereisnowayi nhellIam goingt o
all
owhert ohaveanyf orm of
rel
ati
onshipwithmydaught er.
"

Sipho:"
andIunder st
andthatbro,but
ri
ghtnowdon' tv i
ewherast hatkind
ofawoman.Takeherasy our
brother
'sgir
lfr
iend,awomanwhoi s
tr
y i
ngtorightherwrongs."
Me: "
rightherwrongs?Wher e?When?
Idon'trememberhert r
yingtori
ght
thosewr ongs.Eversinceshe'sbeen
here,she'
sbeenhungupony ouand
thi
sf amily,
butnotonChul u.Noteven
oncedi dsheapologisef orl
eavi
ng
Sivuyil
estrandedwithamont hol
d
baby."Thisissuewasupset ti
ngme.

Sipho:"
Okayl
et'sdothis,
Sivuyi
letake
i
tasi fyouar
egi v
ingChulut omef or
theweekend."Didhejustlowkey
dismissmefrom thi
sconv ersati
on?
Me:
"No!
"Theyt
hinkt
heyknowme.

Lusanda:
"hewast
alki
ngt
othef
ather
ofthebaby.
"

Me:"AndastheMOTHERoft hebaby
Iam sayi
ngno!"Iam t
ir
edofpeopl
e
taki
ngmef orap***
s

Lusanda:
"Psssh!
"Sheroll
edherey
es.
Iguessshecan'tpr
etendwit
hme
anymore.

Me:
"r
oll
yourey
esunt
ilt
heyf
all
off,
I
don'
tcar
e.Factofthematt
eri
sthatI
am Chul
u'
smot her
,andy
ouarejusta
gl
ori
fi
edcarr
ier
."

Lusanda:"
Child!Don'
tyoudaret
alkt
o
mel i
kethat!Iam wayoldert
han
you.
"

Me:
"Yety
ouactli
key
ouarey
ounger
t
hanme."Ir
oll
edmyeyes

Lusanda:
"Youar
eluckyy ouare
carr
yingmydaught
er,orelse.
..
-"
Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Orel
sewhat?"Shecl
osed
hermout
h."
Thoughtso!
"

Me:"al
ri
ght!Thi
sconv er
sationisover.
SISLUSANDAy ouarenott aki
ngmy
daughteronanygetawayandt hat
's
fi
nal
."Istoodupwithasl eeping
Chuluinmyar ms.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Likeyousaidbr
other
,t
he
madam ofthehousehasspoken.
"He
si
ghed

Sipho:
"Iheary
ouguysandIrespect
yourdecisi
on.
"Ineedt
hem t
ol eave
myhouser
ightnow!

Lusanda:
"Youun.
..
-"

Si
pho:
"Woul
dyoushutup!Damn
woman!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arey
oust
ayi
ngf
ordi
nner
?"

Sipho:
"Letmetaket
hisonehome
andIwi l
lcomebackfordinner.
"I
don'twanttoseehi
m here!I'
m sti
l
l
madathi m.
Sivuyi
l
e:"Al
right
."Mxm,Ir
oll
edmy
eyes.Idon'tthi
nkIl
ikeSi
pho
anymor e.

Si
pho:
"masambe!
(Let
'sgo)
"

Lusanda:"
No,Iam notgoi
ng
anywhere.Westi
llhavealott
o
di
scuss!"

Sipho:
"Lusanda!
!"Hewarned!
"Ndit
hi,
masambe! (
Isai
dlet'
sgo.
)"

Lusanda:
"mxm!
"Shest
oodupand
sheangr
il
yst
ormedoutofthe
l
ounge,
weheardt
hefrontdoor
bangi
ngasshewentout.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youar
egoingt
opayf
orany
damageshecauses.
"

Sipho:
"mxm.I'l
lseeyouguysl
ater
."
HowIwi shhedoesn'tcomeback.He
tookhiscarkeysandleft
.

Me:"
I'
m notcooki
ngtoni
ght,
Idon'
t
knowwhatdinneryouwerei
nvi
ti
ng
himtoo.
"
Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Don'tstar
twi
thyourdr
ama
pl
ease.Siphodidn'
tdo
anythi
ng,
Lusandawast heonei
n
wrong."Mxm."Letmegoputher
bed."

Me:"
I'
ll
doi tmy sel
f.
"Hegav
eanasty
st
are."
Fine!"Ihandedhi
mthebaby
.

Sivuy
il
e:"Nxah!"Whatarewef ight
ing
aboutnow?Het urnedandl ef
twit
h
hischil
d.Igetthatheispissedoff
aboutwhatj usthappened,
soam I ,
but
thaydoesn'tgivehimtherighttobe
rudetome.Heshoul
dbeport
rayi
ng
theseemot
ionst
ohisbr
other
,i
nst
ead
ofsucki
nguptohim.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t87
•
•
•
•
•
°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Iwassi t
ti
nginthebedr
oom chatti
ng
wit
hmyf ri
endsonthephone,
Chulu
wassleepingbesi
desme.Sivuyil
e
walkedinandlookedatme,Ilooked
athim onceandbackatthephone.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whyar
eyousi
tt
ingi
nher
e?"

Me:"I
'
m gi
vingyouandy
ourbr
other
spacetocatchup.
"Asi
f!
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Foodi
sready
."

Me:
"Whocooked?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Manxel
e."

Me:"
Okay
,butI
'
m nothungr
ysoy
ou
cangoonandeat.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"DidIdosomet hi
ng?Cause
youseem mad. "Ishr
uggedmy
shoul
ders."Okaykes'thandwa
sam,I
'
m sorryforwhatev eri
tist
hatI
didtoyou.Bowcanwegoeat
?"I
she
seri
ous?

Me:"
Isai
dI'
m nothungr
y."Hecame
andsatont
hebed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
'swr
ongbabe?
"Heput
hi
shandonmyknee

Me:"
Nothi
ngiswr
ongSi
vuy
il
e,
I'
mjust
nothungr
y."

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Wepr omisedt
o
communicat
ewitheachot
her
babe,
remember?Nowt
ell
mewhat
's
wrong?"Isi
ghed

Me:"I
tsy ourbrot
her,
okay!Di
dn'ty
ou
hearthewayhedi smi
ssedfrom t
he
conversati
onear l
i
er?Hewasl owkey
tel
l
ingmet hatIhavenosaywheni t
comest oChul u.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Ohcomeonbaby,
I'
m sur
e
that'
snotwhathemeant.
"

Me:
"mxm,
whatdi
dIexpectf
rom y
ou
mar
a."
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
What
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?"

Me:
"Sivuyi
lekopaotswetuu(Please
l
eave.)Yourpreci
ousbr
otheris
wai
tingforyou."

Siv
uyil
e:"
NoI'
m notgoi
ngany wher
e
unti
lwehavethi
sconversat
ion.
"

Me:
"Wel
lIam noti
nthemood.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hai
boLunat
hi.
"Ishr
ugged
myshoulders."
What'
swrongwi t
h
youthesedays?Youare.
..di
ff
erent
."
Am dif
fer
ent?

Me:"Leav emealone, pl
ease."He
l
ookedatmeoncet henst oodupand
l
eftther oom.Sivuyilereall
yneedst o
l
earnhowt ostandupt ohisbrother,
ever
y t
hingSiphodoesorsay sisright
i
nhisey es,nomat terhowwr ongitis.
Heneedst ostopbei nganassl icker,
Igetthathisexcitedabouthav i
nga
bigbrother,
butSiphohasbeenher e
forweeksnowt heexci tementshoul d
havealreadydieddown.
○
2DAYSLATER

Thingsbet weenmeandSi vuyil

ehave
beenabi tsombr e,hest illdoesn't
fi
ndany thingwr ongwi thwhathi s
brothersai dandher efusest otalkto
him abouti t
.I'
vedeci dedt oletitgo
andcar r
yonwi t
hl if
e, I'
m st i
llnota
fanofSi phoatt hemoment ,whatshe
andhergi rlf
ri
enddi dwast otall
yout
ofor der.Lusandahasnocl ai
m
what soev eronChul u,sot hem asking
totakeheronaweekendget away
witht hem wast ot all
ywr ong, f
ir
stof
allt
hisgi r
lhasn' tev enacknowl edged
hermi stakes,shehasn' tapol ogised
toany onef orwhatshedi d, andshe
expectsust ogiv eherourbabyj ust
l
ikethat ?Nev er!WhatIam happy
aboutt houghi st hatSi vuyi
lei s
adamantt hathedoesn' twant
Lusandaany wher enearChul u, Idon'
t
knowhowheexpect sthatt ohappen
whileLusandai sdat ingSipho, and
Siphoal way sspendshi sfreet ime
hereandLusandai sal wayst aggi ng
along.Nowi fitwasupt ome, Iwould
havelikedf orhert onev ersether
footint hi
shouseev eragain, butI
knowt hatwoul dki ndofaf fectSi pho
andifitaff
ectsSiphot hatmeansi
t
will
affectSi
vuyi
le,it
'sjustamess.I
am gladthatt
heyhav en'
tbeenher
e
thoughthesepasttwoday s.

Iwasonmywayt oSivuyi
le'
soffi
ce.
Sincethingshav en'
treal
l
ybeenokay
betweenus, Idecidedtohithim wi
th
asurprisevisi
t,Imissedhim.
Ijumpedoffthecarandwenti nside
theoff
ice,t
her ecepti
onistwastedno
ti
me,sheshowedmet ohisoffi
ce.
Therewerenopat i
ents
today,
for
tunately.Iwal
kedintohis
offi
ce,hewasbusywi t
hsomet hing
onhi
slapt
op.

Me:"
Hey .
"Iwalkedt
ohim andbend
ov
ertokisshischeek,
helookedat
mewi t
hasmi l
e.

Sivuy
il
e:"Hibaby .Whenwast hel ast
ti
meIgotoneoft hose."Iroll
edmy
eyesandwal kedaroundandsaton
thechairacrosshi m."IthinkI
deserveapr operkiss,these2day s
havebeenhel lwit
houtit.Icouldn't
evenconcent rateatwor k.
"

Me:
"I
'm sur
eyougav
eal
otof
pat
ient
swr
ongi
nject
ionsneh?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youhav
enoi
dea.
"I
chuckl
ed

Me:"
Youaresodr amati
c.Anyway,
I
br
oughtyoulunch."Ipl
acedt
hefood
onhisdesk

Si
vuyi
le:
"Ohsweet!Thanky
ou
baby
,youthebest
."

Me:"Iknow.
"Hel
aughed."
Lov
e,I
hav
et ogo."
Si
vuyi
le:
"Gowhere?Ithoughty
ou
weregoi
ngtostayforafew
minut
es."

Me:"
Nah,Ihav
esomet
hingst
otake
car
eof.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
I'
m sur
ethoset
hingscan
wait,
Imissedspendi
ngti
mewi th
you."

Me:"
Andwewi l
lbabe,Ij
ustneedt
o
sor
tthi
soutqui
ckly.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Ohwow,t
heregoesmy
qui
ckywish.
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Iknewi
t!That'
swhaty
ou
mi
ssed."Welaughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youcan'tblameme, i
t'
s
been3day s.
"Il
aughed."Don'
tlaugh
baby,t
hisisser
ious.Idon'
twantus
tofi
ghtanymore,hayit
'st
ort
ure."

Me:
"Wewerenotfi
ghti
ng,Iwasj
ust
t
ryi
ngt
oteachyoualesson.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lessonl
ear
ntkebaby
!"

Me:"mxm,asi
f.
"Istoodupfrom t
he
chai
r."
I'
ll
seeyoulater
."Iwal
kedto
thedoor

Sivuyi
l
e:"Nogoodby ekissvele?"I
blewhim aki sst
henlefttheoffice
i
mmedi at
ely.Ibi
dfarewelltothe
recept
ionistandwentout .Igotint
o
thecarandSi zwedroveof f.

"
I'
m goi
ngt
oteart
hatp*
*syapar
t
t
oni
ght
."-Ibl
ushedasIr
eadt
het
ext
.

Iinstr
uctedSiz
wet odrivestrai
ghtt
o
Zintl
e'shome,Ihadtoseeherabout
somet hi
ngimportant.Asaf r
iendI
hav etoshowherthatIwi l
lalwaysbe
theretosupporther,
butatthesame
ti
meIneedt ocheckherwhenshei s
doingsomet hi
ngoffi
sh,t
hat'swhat
realfr
iendsdo.
Thecarcamet oahal ti
nfrontoft
he
gate,Ij
umpedof fandtol
dSizwethat
Iwill
callhi
m whenIam done.Her
fat
her'scarwasnotintheyard,
which
meansherpar entswereatwork-
per
fectf
orme.
Iknockedoncet
henIl
etmy
sel
fin.

"Zi
ntl
e!"Ishout
edasIstoodint
he
middleofthehouse."
Zint
lemar
n!"I
heardadooropening.

Zi
ntl
e:"Yini
?!
(What
?!)
"Sheemerged
fr
om thepassage."
Ohhit'
syou.
"She
wasstill
inherpaj
amas.

Me:
"Hel
l
otoy
out
oof
ri
end.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
sor
ryheybabe.
"Weshar
eda
hug.

Me:"Andthen?Youstil
lsleepi
ngat
thi
stime?Andt hefr
ontdoorisnot
evenlocked,
youknowhow
dangerousthi
sneighborhoodisNt
le.
"
Shesmi l
ed.

Zi
ntl
e:"Ihaven'thear dthatnamei na
l
ongt i
me. "Ireturnedthesmi le."
I'
m
st
ressedf ri
end, Ididn'
tfeell
ike
wakingupt oday ."

Me:
"St
ressedaboutt
her
esul
ts?
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Nah,
it'
ssomet
hingel
se.
"I
si
ghed.

Me:
"Canwesi
tdownandt
alk?
"

Zint
le:
"Letmegoandf r
eshenup
fi
rst
."Inodded.Sheturnedand
walkedintothepassage.Isatdown
onthecouchandt urnedont he
TV,j
usttopasstimewhi l
eshe'sin
ther
e.
Afewmi
nuteslat
ershecameback
l
ooki
ngf
reshinhercasualcl
othes.
"
Wherei
stheloudmouth?"Shesaid
shesatbesi
desme.

Me:"
Idon'
tknow,
Ihav
en'
tspokent
o
hert
oday.
"

Zint
le:
"Shecal l
edmet hi
s
morning,shesaidshewaschecki ng
uponherbaby .Apparentl
yIam no
l
ongerr elevanti
nherlifenowthat
ther
ei ssomeonenewcomi ng.
"I
l
aughed." Andshest il
lwantsher
apologygi f
t!Thatchil
dLord!Where
didtheygethermar a?"

Me:
"Shei
sar
arebr
eed.
"Wel
aughed.
"Canyoubeliev
et hatshe'ssti
ll
avoi
dingherbrothersafterthe
Thandazanisaga."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yoh,Iwoul
dt oo.Theolder
br
otherseemsscaryashell.
"

Me:"
Iknowright
!"Isi
ghed."
Any
wayI
wantedtot
alktoyouabout
somethi
ngimportant
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Andwhati
sthat
?"

Me:
"I
'm her
easaf
ri
endbutonanot
sof
ri
endl
ymat
ter
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Whi
chi
s?"

Me:"Mybr other .
"Shel ookedatme
confused."Hecal l
edmet hismor ni
ng
andaskedmet otal
kt oy ouaboutt he
wayy ouhav ebeenbehav ingthese
pastfewday s.Appar entl
yy ou've
beencal l
i
ngandsendi ng
i
nappr opri
atet extmessagest ohi m.
Pleasetellmet hat'
snott rue?"She
l
ookedaway ."Look, i
niti
all
yIdi dn't
wanttobei nv olvedinwhat everitis
thatyouguy shadgoi ngon, because
honestlyIdon'tlikeit.BUTr i
ghtnow,
thewayy ouarebehav i
ng, Iam f orced
toinvolvemy selfint his.Zint l
e, my
brotherhasagi r
l andhel ov est hat
girl
,surehewasi ntobuty oukepton
blowinghi m offobv i
ousl yt hatwas
goingtomakehi ml ov eyoul essand
eventuall
ymov eonf rom y ou, andhe
hasf i
nall
ymanagedt odot hat .He
hasser i
ousf eeli
ngsf orSlindi le,
that's
whyheaskedmet ot ell
yout ost op
withthet ext
sandt hecal ls."She
l
ookedatme

Zint
le:
"Whydidhekeeponcomi
ng
backtomet heni
fheissoi
nlov
e
wi
thhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?Mhm?
"

Me:"Idon'tknowZintl
e,I'
m onlyhere
totelly
ouwhathet ol
dme.Andr i
ght
nowwhaty ouaredoingisdegrading
yoursel
f,youmakingy oursel
fseem
desperateandthat'
snotat tr
acti
veat
all
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youar
esay
ingIam desper
ate?
Me?"

Me:"Yes!Whatdoy oucal
lwhatyou
aredoingri
ghtnow?Icameher eto
tal
ktoy oubecauseyouaremyf r
iend
andIloveyou,Iwouldnotwantto
seeyoubecomi ngsomeonethatyou
arenotbecauseofmybrother.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
ButIl
ovehi
m."

Me:"It'
stool atenow.Mybr otheris
notint oyouany more,hehasmov ed
on.Accepti tandfocusony our
boyfriend,
fory oursakeplease. "She
hadt earsinherey es."Babe,ifThabo
sti
ll
lov edy ou,t
rustmehewoul dtel
l
you.Idon' tknowwher etheseThabo
feel
ingscamef r
om becausey ou
weresoadamantt haty ouar einlove
withThami andyoudon'tlovemy
brother,
nowallofasuddeny ouare
acti
ngl i
keanobsessedgi r
lf
ri
end.As
fr
iendIam tell
i
ngy outoletgo,
for
yoursake.Youaregoingt ogethur
t
myl ove.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Idon'
tthi
nkIcan,
I'
vef
all
en
waytoodeep.
"OhGod.

Me:"Youhavetotryhar
derlove.
Honestl
yspeakingyouarebeing
sel
fi
sh,Thabogav eyouall
thespace
youneededwithThami ,
he
underst
oodwheny oublewhim off
forhim andnowwhenhehasf inally
gotagi rlthathecancal l
hi sown, you
areprophesi ngy ourlov ef orhi m?
That'snotf airZintl
e.Mybr ot
her
l
ov edy oumay behest illdoes, buthe
i
snol ongerinl ovewi t
hy ou.AndI
knowhi m,oncehesay ssomet hi nghe
meansi t,
andt hat'
swhathet ol dme. "
Zintl
ewascr y i
ngherey ebal l
sout .I
grabbedherandputherheadonmy
l
apwhi lebrushingherback." AndI
am goi ngtoadv i
cey out obr eakup
withThami sincei t
spr ettycleart hat
youdon' tlovehi m anymor e,youcan' t
stri
nghi m alongt hatwoul dn'tbef air
onhim.Not hinghur tslikel oving
someonewhodoesn'
tlov
eyou,so
spar
ehishear
tandsethi
mfree."

Zint
le:"
Ican'
t,whati
fthebabyishi
s?
Idon'twanttobeasinglemother.
"
Shesni f
fed

Me: "Youwon'tbe.Whosai dbr eaki

ng
upwi t
hthefatherofy ourchi l
d
makesy ouasinglemot her?The
fatherwillst
il
lbetherei nthebaby '
s
l
ife,buthewon'tbei nvolvedi nyour
l
ife.AndIdef i
nitel
yknowt hatThami
won' tfor
sakehischi l
d."Shegotup
from myl apandwi pedhert ears
Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
venev
erbeensi
ngl
ebef
ore.
"
Il
aughed.

Me:"
Nowthat
'sali
e,
youcamei
nto
t
hiswor
ldsi
ngle.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
YouknowwhatImean.
"

Me:"Wel
lther
ei saf i
rstti
mefor
ever
ythi
ngIguess.Don' twor
ryonce
thebabyisborn,y
ouwon' tev
enfeel
thevoi
dofnothav ingaman. "
Zi
ntl
e:"
Yout
hinkso?
"

Me: "
Iknowso.Thatbabyi sgoi
ngt
o
requir
ey ourful
latt
ent
ion,y
ouwon'
t
havet i
mef oranyoneelse.
"She
sighed.

Zint
le:
"ButwhatdoIdowit
hal
lthese
feel
i
ngsf ory
ourbrot
her
?"

Me:
"Takeitonest
epattheti
me,
they
wi
ll
eventual
lydi
sappear
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yout
hinkso?
"
Me:
"Iknowso.
"

Zint
le:"
Whydoesy ourbrotherhaveto
besol oveablethough?"Shesaidin
fr
ustrati
on,Ilaughed."
IguessIwi ll
havetot r
yandmov eonf rom him.I
will
callhim andapologiseforthe
wayIhav ebeenbehav inglatel
y."

Me:"
Nahdon' t,
I'
llpassont he
message.Thesoonery oumi nimise
communi cat
ionbet weenthet woof
youthesoonery ouwi l
lgetov erhim.
Andy ouneedtor especthis
r
elat
ionshi
pwi
thSl
i
ndi
l
e."

Zint
le:"
Ayy
yIam goingtomissour
sessionst
hough.Yourbrot
hersur
e
knewhowt opleasealady.
"

Me:
"euw!
"

Zint
le:
"I
'm seri
ous.ThewayIwasso
hurtwhenher efusedtofuckmethat
ni
ghtofChul u'
spar t
y,
yohwena!
"

Me:
"It
houghty
ouguy
shookedup.
"
Zintl
e:"
Iwant edust o,buthepied
me,imagine!"I'm shocked."That'
s
actuall
ytheni ghtheendedi t
.Wellhe
endedi tafewhour sear l
i
er,It
hought
i
fIgav ehim somehewoul dchange
hi
smi nd,buthedi dn't
."

Me:"
andt hatst
il
ldi
dn'tgi
veyouan
i
mpressionthathedidthatf
orhi
s
gi
rl
fr
iend?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
ayyIdi
dn'
tcar
eaboutthat,
qui
etfr
ankl
yIdon'
tcareaboutt
hat
gi
rl
."
Me: "
Welldon'
tl
etthatmot i
vateyou
totryandruint
hei
rrelati
onship
please.
"Shekeptquiet."
Zint
le!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Chi
ll
!Iwon'tr
uinyourpr
eci
ous
br
other
'sr
elat
ionshi
p!"

Me: "
Youbet ternot.Don'tbethatgi
rl
please,thatwilldefi
nit
elymake
Thabol oseal l
therespectthathehas
foryou,met oo.AndThaboi shappy
withthatgirl
, I
'
m prettysurehewas
hurtwhenhecoul dn'thavesomeone
hewant ed."
Zi
ntl
e:"
Isai
dIwon'
tdoany
thi
ng.
"

Me:
"Youbet
ternot
."

Zintl
e:"
Youaresoupti
ghtgeez.Ineed
Ase,I'
m pr
ett
ysureshewouldhave
encouragedmet ogoaft
ermyman. "I
roll
edmyey es.

Me:"Don'tst
artplease,aft
erall
my
seri
oust al
kyouar esti
llgoingt
ocal
l
himy ourman? "Shelaughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
m ki
ddi
ng.LookB,
I
appr eciateyouf ordoingt his, Iknow
youdon' tl
iketheseki ndoft hingsbut
Iwantt othanky ou.Youar er ight
aboutev eryt
hing,Ineedt ost op
actinglikeadesper ategirl
, Ial so
needt or espectThabo' sdeci sionand
hisrelationship.Youar eal sor i
ght
aboutl etti
ngThami go,i
t'
sunf airt
o
sti
llbewi t
hhim whi leI'
m nol ongeri n
l
ov ewi thhim.Ij ustneedt of ocuson
my selfandmybaby ,
therestwi l
l
fol
low. "Ismi l
ed.

Me:
"Nowt
hat'
smyfri
end!
"She
smi
l
edandhuggedme.
Zintl
e:"
Itsgoi
ngtobehar d
though,consi
der
ingthatImightbe
pregnantwithThabo'
schild.IguessI
willhavetomakeitwork."

Me:"Welll
et'
sjustpraythatit
's
Thami '
ski
d."Shedidn'tsayanythi
ng.
"Oryouwantittobemybr other'
s
baby?"Sheshruggedhershoul ders.
"Wellwhoeveristhefather
,I'
m prett
y
surethatt
hebabywi l
lbeloved."

Zint
le:"
True.
"Shesai
dwithasmile.
"Wait!I
'mjustwor
ri
edthati
fthebaby
tur
nsputt obeThami'
s,
hewi
llhat
eit
becauseIcheatedonhi
m wi
th
Thabo."Isi
ghed.

Me:"There'ssti
l
lthat.Wellhedoesn'
t
reall
yhav etoknow,sinceyouar e
goingt obreakupwi thhi
m, doeshe?
"
Shel aughed.

Zintl
e:"
Lookatthat
,Mari
ahersel
f
teachi
ngmedi shonest
y."Il
aughed.

Me:
"Fut
sek!
"
Zintl
e:"ButIfeell
ikei
fIam goi
ngto
breakupwi thhim,heneedstoknow
thereasonwhy .
"

Me:"Wellyouarenotbr eakingupwit
h
him becauseofmybr ot her,
sohe
doesn'tneedtoknowabouthi m.You
arebreakingupwithhim cause
you'
v efal
lenoutoflove,that'
swhat
youhav etotel
lhim."

Zint
le:
"Neh?MmmhI 'l
ljustsaythat
.I
can'
tI'
mt aki
ngrelat
ionshipadvice
fr
om you!Phelawenay ou'
veonly
beeninonerelat
ionship!"Welaughed.
"
Ohshit
!Whatam Igoi ngt
otellhi
mif
t
hebabyturnsoutnottobehis?He
wi
ll
knowt hatIcheat
edonhim."

Me:
"Wewil
lcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhen
wegett
her
e."

Zi
ntl
e:"
We?
"

Me:
"Yesgi
rl
!Igot
chy
ou!
"Shesmi
l
ed!

Zi
ntl
e:"
Bestf
ri
endsf
orev
er?
"

Me:
"For
everev
erev
erev
erev
er!
"We
l
aughedaswehugged."
Any
way
s,I
'
m
hungr
ysopl
easemakeme
somethi
ngt
oeat!
"

Zint
le:
"ohbett
eryet!Youmyfr
iend
cantreatmeandmybabybyt aking
usoutt ospur
."Il
ookedather
.

Me:"Thatbabyisn'
tev
enher
easyet
butshe'sal
readymakingmebr
oke.
"
Shelaughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youarepr
acti
cingy
ourGod
motherdut
iesmar
n!"
Me:
"Mxm,
dut
iesmyl
eftf
oot
."

Zint
le:
"So?Areyougoingtot akeus
out.
"Ilookedather."
Don'tactli
ke
youdon'thavemoney ,
yourmangi v
es
youmoneyev eryt
ime."

Me:
"Formysel
f,
nott
ofeedpregnant
t
eenager
'scr
avi
ngs.
"Shelaughedout
l
oudIjoi
nedher
.

Zint
le:
"uyi
njaBootyyezwa!Nawe
uzomithaandngizokunci
shaimal
ika
gir
lyeqol
o(Youaresuchadog.You
arealsogoi
ngtofallpr
egnantandI
won'tusemybaby '
sgrantmoneyon
you)"Welaughed.

Me:"
How?I'mtheGodmothermos,
soIam ent
it
ledt
othatmoney.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Udaki
we!"Welaughedsome
more."
Letmegoanddr essup,
you
aret
akingmetoSpurandthat'
s
fi
nal
."

Me:"
Youaresuchabull
y.
"She
l
aughedasshewenttoherr
oom.
Itookoutmyphoneandt exted
Asenathitocomeandj oinus,Kay
wasunav ail
ablehewasal r
eadyin
KZNf ortheDecemberhol i
daysand
hehadawi f
et opreparefor,which
remindsme, Ineedtoaskhi mifhe
wasabl etostophispar ent
sf r
om
payinglobol
af orZekhethelo."
Hurry
up!"Iwasalreadyonmyf eet

Zi
ntl
e:"
Bit
chst
opshouti
ng!"She
wal
kedinweari
nghercut
edr ess.

Me:"
Idon'
tev
enknowwhyyouar
e
car
ryi
ngabagbecausey
ouar
enot
goingtopayf
orthemeal."Shet
hrew
thesli
ngbagatme,Iduckedandran
outthedoorl
aughi
ng.

Zint
le:
"unesdi
nashame(
Youar
eso
annoyi
ng.)"

Me:
"andy
oul
ovemel
i
ket
hat
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Unf
ort
unat
ely
."

Me:
"Asenat
hii
sgoi
ngt
omeetus
t
her
e."
Zi
ntl
e:"
hal
ala!I
'
m goi
ngt
ohav
etwo
meal
s."Il
aughed.
Irequest
edanuber,wetookpi
ctures
forthegram whi
lewewait
edforthe
driv
ertoarri
ve.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t88
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Asenathiwasalr
eadysit
ti
ngatthe
tabl
e,
sippi
ngonherglassofwine.I
slowl
ysneakeduponherasherback
wasturnedtotheentr
ance.

"Uselaut
y wal
a?(Youar
edr
inking
alcohol
?)"Isai
dinadeepvoicenext
toherear.Shejumpedupstartl
ed,
andt
urned

Ase:"
Shit!
!"MeandZi ntl
ediedwi th
l
aughter."Fuckmar nLunat hi!
!I
thoughtyouwer eSipho!Youar eso
annoyingy eeermarn!Nxah! "Shewas
sopissedandi tmadet hesituat
ion
evenfunniert ome.Isatdownwhi le
sti
lll
aughing."Uphambenena
wena? !
(Ar
ey ounuts?)"

Me:
"I
'm sor
ry,
Icoul
dn'
thel
pmysel
f.
"

Ase:
"Youar
esoannoy
ingshame.
"
Zi
ntl
e:"
she'
sondr
ugst
oday
,Iswear
."I
l
aughed.

Ase:
"Isweart oGodIthoughti
twas
Bhut
'Sipho.Inear
lypeedonmy
pant
s."

Me:
"Youar
esuchacowar
d."

Ase:
"Don'
tactl
i
key
ouar
enotscar
ed
ofhi
mt oo.
"

Me:
"Notr
eal
l
y."Ishr
uggedmy
shoul
der
s.

Ase:"
Mxm.
"Thewaitercametoour
tabl
e,
wepl
acedourordersandhel
eft.
"
SomuchfoodZint
le,y
uuhha.ahsi
si.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
awung'
yekewena(
Leav
eme
al
one.
)"

Ase:"
Don'tcrytomewheny oucan'
t
fi
tint
oy ourjeanskesi
si,
because
wit
hallthiseatingt
hat
'swhereit'
s
goingtolead."
Me:
"Asenat
hi!
"

Ase:"
Ohhkanene,wehaveasensi
ti
ve
Zint
lefort
henextcoupl
eofmonths,
howbor i
ng.
"Sherol
ledherey
es.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Mxm.
"

Ase:
"So,
howdi
ditgowi
tht
het
est
s?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Itwentwel
l,
allwehav
etodo
i
shopef ort
hebest.
"

Ase:
"Whi
chi
sThabobei
ngt
he
father
."Welookedather."
What ?
Thatwouldbet hebestthi
ngev er
.We
don'twantanuglychil
dhere,
and
that'
sexact
lywhatThami isgoingto
giveyou.MbiuThami(Thami i
sugly.
)"

Me:
"Youarel
yi
ngmar
nAse.Thami
is
r
eal
l
yr eal
l
ycute.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yazi
uyabhedal
o."

Ase:
"Eny
'i
nto,
Idon'
tfi
ndbr
okeguy
s
cut
e."
Zi
ntl
e:"
Gol
ddi
ggerv
ibes.
"

Ase:
"AndIdi
gdeepshame.
"She
si
ppedonherwine.Wel
aughed.

Me:
"Howar
ethi
ngsbet
weeny
ouand
Mar
k?"

Ase:"
bad!Ihaven'
tspokentohi
m
eversi
nceIfoundhim wit
hthatgi
rl.
He'sbeencall
i
ngnon-stop,
butI
'm not
ther
ewethu."

Me:
"Hawu,
wenaf
uthi
?What
happenedt
onotlet
ti
ngameregir
l
geti
nbetweenyouandyourman?
"

Ase:"Iwasdrunkinlove."Shesaid
carel
essly."
Themor eIsataloneand
thoughtaboutthis,
themor eIsobered
upf r
om thatlov
e.Itwoul dreal
lybe
stupi
dofmet otakeMar kback
i
mmedi at
elyaft
erhebr okemyhear t.
"

Zint
le:
"ncoohshame,
youhav
eahear
t
kanti
?"

Ase:
"Tsek!
"Wel
aughed
Me:"
Soyounotget
ti
ngbackwi
th
hi
m? "

Ase:"
atl
eastnotnow.Heneedst o
l
earnhisl
esson,ndinguAsenathi
kay1mnakaloku,nobodycheatson
meandget sawaywi thi
t.Markwon't
knowwhathithim onceIam done
wit
hhim."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iwonder
."
Ourf
oodcame,
andwedugi
n.
"Ay'
suka!"Shesai
dasshesi
l
enced
herri
ngingphone.

Me:
"i
sitMar
k?"

Ase:
"no,
i
t'
sbhut
'Si
pho.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
forhowlongar
eyougoi
ngt
o
av
oidthem? "

Ase:
"unti
ltheyfor
getaboutt
he
Thandazanidrama."

Me:
"Goodl
uckwi
tht
hat
."
Zint
le:
"It
hinkyouneedt
osee
them,j
usttogetthi
smessov
erand
donewi t
h."

Ase:
"Ay
."

Me:"Speaki
ngofSipho,
hewantsto
takeChulutoafamilyweekend
getaway."

Ase:
"ooout
hat
'sni
ce.
"

Me:
"Noi
t'
snot
,Lusandi
sal
sogoi
ng
t
obet
her
e."

Ase:
"What
?!Ihopey
out
oldhi
mtogo
hel
l.
"

Me:
"Weeeh!Asi
fyouwoul
ddot
hat
."

Ase: "
tel
lmet hewholestory,howdid
heasky ou."Inarr
atedthewhol e
storytot hem, i
ncl
udinghow
disrespect f
ulLusandawast ome.
"Goodgi rl!Kudostoy ouforstandi
ng
upf oryour sel
fbabes.Whodoesshe
thinkshei s?Thener veofthatgirl
!"
Zint
le:
"Youdidgoodbabe,
theyneed
toknowt hatyouai
n'
tnowalkover.
"

Ase:
"HowIwishIwasther
e!Iwas
goi
ngtotel
lherof
f,
andgiv
ehera
sl
apasabonus!"

Me:"
Mustther
ealwaysbev
iol
ence
whenyouarei
nvolv
ed."

Ase:"
Somepeopl eonl
yunderst and
thatl
anguage.Somethi
ngisfishy
aboutthatgi
rlIswear
,Idon'
tlikeher
andIneverwil
l
.InfactIam goi
ngt
o
doeveryt
hingi
nmypowert obreak
them up,
mncwistr
ue!"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Haywena,don'
tdothat
.She
makesyourbr
otherhappy
."

Ase:"
Idon'tcar
eaboutt hat.Hi
s
happinessisdi
srupti
ngt hepeaceof
thefamily
.Hewi l
lfi
ndanot hergi
rl
thatwil
lmakehimj ustashappy ,
i
f
notmor e.
"

Me:"
Iam soti
redofher,
shei
sal
ways
ar
oundSipho.Wherev
erhegoesshe
i
sthere,
she'
sal
way
sar
oundmy
house.
"

Ase:
"Youneedtoputyourf
ootdown
andtel
lubhut
ithaty
oudon'twanthi
s
gi
rl
fri
endhangi
ngaroundyourhouse
anymore.
"

Me:"
nahIcan'tdot
hat
, t
hatwil
lsur
ely
messupSiphoandSivuyi
le'
s
r
elat
ionshi
p."

Ase:
"I
fbhut'
Sipholovesbhut
'Si
vuy
il
e
asmuchashedoes, t
henhewon't
al
lowastupi
dpl asti
cgir
ltocomein
bet
weenthem.AndIdon'
tthi
nkhe
wil
ldot
hat,helooksl
i
kesomeone
whoval
uesf amil
y.
"

Me:"butwon'
titseem l
i
keIam
standingi
nthewayofLusanda
buil
dingarel
ati
onshipwit
hChul
u?"

Zint
le:
"Shedoesn'
tevendeservet
o
havear el
ati
onshi
pwithher.I
fIwere
youIwouldkeepherasfaraway
fr
om mydaught er
."

Ase:
"Exactl
y!Andy ourhusband
madeitclearthathedoesn'twant
Lusandaany wher enearChul u,
so
whoar eyout odisputet hat
?Youar e
theonlymot herChuluknowsandhas,
i
fLusandawant stobui ldabondwi t
h
Chulusheneedst owai tunti
lshe
tur
ns18,whenshecanf i
nal
lymake
herowndeci sions.Rightnow, you
havetherighttomakedeci sionsfor
Chulu.
"

Me:
"Ri
ght
!Thatmakessense.
"

Ase:"
ImagineLusandaspending
quali
tyti
mewi t
hChulu.She'
sgoing
toteachmynieceplast
icsurger
yat
suchayoungage,
myGod!
"We
l
aughed.

Zint
le:
"Hernosei
st hefi
rstt
hingI
noti
cedwhenIf i
rstsawher.
"

Ase:"
Howcoul dyounot,
i
t'
sthefi
rst
thi
ngt hatgreet
sy oubef
oresheeven
does."Wel aughed.

Me:"
Iam sodonewi
thy
ouguy
s!"We
l
aughedsomemore.
○
Ihadj
ustgotbackf
rom t
hedat
ewi
th
mygirls,
i
tl astedf orhoursasusual,
ti
mer eal
lyf l
ieswheny ouarehaving
funandit'salway sli
kethatwhenI
am withmygi rls.Si
vuyil
ewasal r
eady
backfrom wor k,hewassitti
nginthe
l
oungepl ay i
ngwi t
hhisdaughter.

"Lookwho'sback..
.It
'smommy ."I
walkedtothem andsatdownont he
couch.Chului
mmedi atel
yhel
dout
herhandstomeasIsatdown, Itook
her.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Chuluissuchatr
ait
or,
we
werebondingjustnowandnowshe'
s
turni
ngonmebecausey
ouar
eher
e."
Ilaughed.

Me:"
Youshouldbeusedt
othisby
now.She'
samomma' sgi
rlt
hisone.
"
Iki
ssedherl
i
ps.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
"

Me:"
Iwentt
oseeZi
ntl
e,t
henwewent
outf
orl
unchwit
hAsenathi
."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Seeher
?Isshenotf
eel
i
ng
wel
l?
"
Me:"Nahshe'
sfi
ne.Ihadt
ogot al
kto
herabouthersi
tuat
ionwi
thThabo.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ithoughty
oudidn'
twantt
o
i
nvol
veyoursel
fint
hat
."

Me:"Idon'tvel
e,
butnowt hingshav e
escalatedtoapointwher eIhav eto
i
ntervene."Helookedconf used.
"Thabocal l
edmel astni
ghtandhe
tol
dmeaboutcer tai
nunusual things
thatZintl
ehasbeendoi ng, hethen
askedmet otal
ktoher .
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Whywouldheasky outo
tal
ktoherknowingver
ywellthaty
ou
werenottoohappyaboutt
heir
'
rel
ati
onship'
?"

Me:"
Hesai
dmaybeshewi
l
lli
steni
fit
comesf
rom me.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"andnaweyouwentahead
andspoketoher.
"

Me:"Ihadtobabe,Zintl
eismybest
fr
iendandIdon'twanthert ocome
acrossasapsy cho,al
somybr ot
her
's
happinessmeanst heworldtome
andri
ghtnowhei
sver
yhappywi
th
Sli
ndi
l
e."

Siv
uyil
e:"
True.Hedoesn'
tst
opt
alki
ng
abouther.Justl
i
kemewhenIfi
rst
metyou."

Me:"
Don'tl
iebabe.Youdidn'
tli
keme
wheny ouf
irstmetme,y
out r
eated
melikeshi
t.
"

Si
v uy
ile:"
Ididnosuchthing!
"Ilooked
athim." Thefi
rstt
imeIsawy out he
fi
rstthingthatcameint
omymi nd
was,'Iam goingtotapthatass'.I
act
ual
lyl
ikedyou,Iev
enwentasf ar
asget
ti
ngy ournamefrom Zi
ntl
e."

Me:"Youwer elusti
ngoverme,ther
e's
adiffer
ence.Butaf t
eryoufoundoutI
wasy ourchosenone, y
ouwer enot
happyaboutt hat.Admi
tit?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwas.
"Il
aughed.

Me:"
Youar
esuchal i
ar.Icouldsee
t
hehatr
edthroughyourey es.And
whenwefi
nallygotmar r
ied,you
t
reat
edmelikeshit.
"
Sivuyi
le:
"Nowy ouar
elyi
ng.Iwasso
nicetoy ou,ev
enaft
eryouusedme
forsex."Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutlaugh.

Me:"
Youknowwhat,
let
'sst
opt
his
conv
ersat
ion.
"Hel
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No,
I'
m enj
oyi
ngi
t.
"

Me:"
Well
I'm s-
"myphoner
ang
i
nter
uppt
ingme."Babe?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hey
,If
orgott
oasky
ou
somet
hingy
azi
."

Me:
"Whati
sit
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Coul
dyoupleasesendme
Si
vuyi
le'
snumber
?"

Me:"
Huh? "Idon'
tthi
nkIheardher
cor
rect
ly."YouwantSivuy
il
e'
s
number?"Sivuyi
l
elookedatme

Zi
ntl
e:"
yesgi
rl
."

Me:
"Why
?"
Zintl
e:"
OhThandiweneedsthem,he
needst otal
ktohi
m about
somet hi
ng."What
?!I
sZint
leseri
ously
doingthis?

Me:
"Ar
eyouser
ious?
"

Zint
le:
"Yes.
"Soshedoesn'
tsee
anyt
hingwrongwit
hthis?Wow!I
hungupwi t
houtev
ensay i
ngaword
toher.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whowast
hat
?"
Me:"Zi
ntl
e.Shewantsyour
number,f
orhersi
steri
magine.
Apparent
lysheneedstotal
ktoyou
aboutsomethi
ng."

Sivuy
il
e:"
OhGod,i
tmustbebecauseI
for
gottosendherhermont
hly
all
owance."

Me:"Al
lo-What
?!Youaret
ell
i
ngme
thatThandi
wegetsmoneyfr
om y
ou
everysi
nglemonth?Why?
"
Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Itwaspar
tofourdi
vor
ce
sett
lement.
"

Me: "
Heh! "Iclapped" Par tofyour
div
or ceset t
lement .Whywoul dyou
dot hatthoughSi vuyi
le?Youar e
basicall
yst i
lltakingcar eofyourex
wife,inwhatwor l
dist hatokay?To
makemat t
erswor sey oudidnoteven
tel
lmeaboutt his!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whyshoul
dI?I
t'
smymoney
mos.
"

Me:
"Oh?I
t'
sli
ket
hatnow?Wow!
"
Sivuyile:
"NobabeIdi dn'
tmeani tthat
way .
"Ist oodupandwal kedaway .
Sivuyilecanbeanasssomet i
mes.Al l
hehadt odowasi nform meabout
thedi vorcesettlement,t
hat'
sall.One
thi
ngIhat eabouthi mi shissecrecy
andl ackofcommuni cati
on,buthe's
alway spr eachi
ngt hatweshoul d
l
ear nhowt ocommuni cate,
asifhe
practicest hat.

Me:"Yourdadisanass."Isai
daswe
walkedinManxele'
sroom,shewas
si
tt
ingont hebedandpackingher
cl
othes."
Ohhsor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tknowy
ou
werebusy.
"

Manxel
e:"
Ohnoi
t'
sfi
nemntanam.
Di
dyouwantmetotakeher
?"

Me:
"yes,
butIwi
l
laskMam'
Luv
o."

Manxele:
"She'
sal
sopacki
ngher
cl
othes.I
t'
sokayIwi
llmanagewi
th
her
."

Me:
"OhthankyouMah."Shel
aida
smal
lbl
anketonthef
loorwit
htoy
s,I
placedChul
uther
e."
I'
m sur
ey ou
can'twai
ttogohomeneh?"She
smi l
ed.

Manxel
e:"Icannotwaitt
oseemy
babi
es,butIam goingtomissy
ou
andChulu."Ismil
ed

Me:"
Wewi llmissyoutoo.
"Isatdown
andhelpedherpackherclot
hesover
ali
ghtconversat
ion.

Iwasinthekit
chencooki
ngdinner
whil
eli
steni
ngtomusicwhenSivuyi
le
deci
dedtowalkinanddist
urbmy
peace.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Babywam."Icar
ri
edonwit
h
whatIwasdoingandpaidno
att
ent
iontohim."
Undiqumbel
e?(
Are
youangryatme?)
"

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwantSi
vuy
il
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Iwantt
ospendt
imewi
thmy
wi
fe.
"

Me:
"Wel
lI'
m busy
."Hesi
ghedand
wal
kedt
owardsme.Hehuggedme
f
rom behi
nd.

Sivuyi
le:
"Lookbaby,I'
m sorr
yforwhat
Isaidearli
er.Youtookitt
hewr ong
way .
"Itr
iedt omoveawayf rom hi
m
buthehel dont i
ght

Me:"HowwasIsupposedt ot akeit
?
Youwer enotsupposedt osayt hatin
thefi
r stpl
ace.Igett hatit
'syour
moneyandy oucanspendi thowev er
youlike,al
lIwantedf rom youwast o
tel
lmeaboutt hi
s,butkei t'
syour
moneybosssocar ryonandspendi t
onyourexwi f
e.Idon' tcare.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Comeonbaby
,I
'm sor
ry.
"

Me: "
Don' ty ougetti
redofalways
apologising?Youar etheonewho' s
alwayst alkingaboutcommuni cati
ng
butitseemsl i
keyouar ef
ail
ingtodo
that.Somet imesIhonestl
ydon't
thi
nky ouar ereadyformarri
age
Sivuyil
e,y oust i
l
ldothingsasifyou
aresingle. "Heletgoofme

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Hayuyabhudakengoku(
Now
youar
etalki
ngnonsense.
)Whatdo
youmeanIam notreadyf
ormarri
age?
I
'
m al
sot
ryi
ngher
eokay
!"

Me:"
That'
sthethi
ng,
youar
etr
ying
andnotdoi
ng."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo
keLunat
hi?
"

Me:"
Beabett
erhusband!
"Iswi
tched
of
fthest
oveandwalkedawayfrom
hi
m.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Whythehel
lar
eweev en
fi
ght
ing?"Iwal
kedout
.Siv
uyi
l
e
makesmesomadsomet i
mes, he
actslikehe'sachi l
di nt his
rel
ationshipwhi l
eIam t hey ounger
one.Iwasmor ehur taboutwhathe
sai
dear l
iert
oday ,thismeanshe' snot
goingt oconsidermyopi ni
onwheni t
comest omoneymat tersbecauseI
don'tbr i
nginanyi ncomei nt hi
s
house.Thi sjustgoest oshowt hat
Thandi wewillalway shav eapl acein
Siv
uy il
e'sheart,whyel sewoul dhe
careaboutherwel l-beingifhe
doesn' tl
oveherst il
l?
Il
ockedmysel
finChulu'
sroom,I
di
dn'
twanthimtofol
lowmear ound
andannoymewithhi
sstupidapology
.
Myphonebeepedi
ndi
cat
ingan
i
ncomingt
ext.

"I
'
m sti
llwai
tingf
orthenumber
Booty
."-thi
soneisalsopi
ssingme
off
.Iputmyphoneonsi l
entandlai
d
onthesingl
ebedthat'
sintheroom.
○
Iendedupf all
ingasl
eepinChul u'
s
room, IguessManxeleorMam' Luvo
decidedtosleepwithhersincethe
doorwasl ocked.Ipul
ledoutmy
phonet ocheckthetime,Ihada
dozenmi ssedcall
sfrom Sivuy
il
eand
2from Zintl
e.Thetimewas1am, I
can'tbel
iev eIsl
eptf orthatlong.I
wishIcoul dsleepher eunt i
lthe
mor ni
ng, butIcan'tthebedi snot
comf ort
abl e,
i
tdoesn' tevenhav e
pil
lows.Igotof fthebedand
unlockedt hedoor ,
thenIwal kedto
mybedr oom.Thel i
ghtswer esti
ll
on,buthewassl eepingf aci
ngthe
otherway .Itookof fallmycl ot
hes
andswi tchedofft helights,
Igotinto
bednaked.

"
Wher
ewer
eyou?
"Ohhe'
sst
il
lawake.

Me:
"Iwasi
nChul
u'
sroom.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
canwet
alk.
"

Me:
"Notnow.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Okay."Heputhi
sarm
ar
oundme,Iturnedandl
aidmyhead
onhi
schest.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t89
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

HereIam si
tt
ingonthisbed
pret
endi
ngtobeasleepbecauseI
don'
twanttofacehim.We'vebeen
havi
ngalotoffi
ghtslat
erandIam
honestlytired, butIst il
l can'
tmov e
pastwhathesai dt ome.He' s
awake,he'sbeent ossingandt urning
foranhournow, Ihear dhi ml etouta
l
oudsi ghaf ewmi nutesago.He' s
probablywai tingf ormet owakeupt o
sothatwecan' talk'
,I'
m dr eadingt hi
s
tal
kIdon' tthinkIcanl istentoany
mor eofhi sst upi dapol ogies.Foras
l
ongaswe' vebeenmar riedhe' sbeen
apologisi
ngf orwr ongingme, wheni s
hegonnachange?I '
m honest lytir
ed
ofthiskindofbehav i
our ,j
ustthinking
aboutourmar riage'sf uturewei ghs
medown, howi sourf utur egoingt o
beifhekeepsondoi ngoneandt he
samethings?He'sv er
y
secr
eti
ve,cannotcommuni cat
eworst
ofal
lhejustspewshur tful
wordsout
ofhi
smout hwit
houtev enthi
nki
ng
howIam goi ngtotakethem,he'
s
basi
cal
lyinsensit
ive.

"
Baby
."Bust
ed!Iopenedmyey
es

Me:
"mmmh.
"Hesi
ghed

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Canwet
alk?
"

Me:
"Soear
lyi
nthemor
ning?
"My
backwasagai
nsthim,Idon'
teven
knowwhenImov edfr
om hischest
.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Pl
ease."Ishutmyeyesfora
fewseconds,It
urnedtofacehi
m.

Me:
"Tal
k."Myey
eswer
eonhi
m

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m s-
"Icuthi
m shor
t.

Me:"Ifthat
'showy ouaregoingt
o
startthi
sconv er
sati
on,
Imightaswel
l
getoutoft hi
sbed."Helookedatme
astonished."Youareforev
er
apol
ogisingandwhatpi
ssedmeof f
themosti st
hatyouar
eapologi
sefor
somethingthaty
oudidonpurpose.
"
Helookeddown.

Sivuyi
le:"
Lov e,IknowIam assandI
knowIcomeacr ossasar rogant
somet imes,butthatdoesn' tmeanam
abadper son.Iadmi ttherearesome
thi
ngst hatIneedt ounlearn,I
promisey ouIam wor kingont hem.A
personcannotchangehi schar acter
overnight,andIam wor ki
ngont hat
change.Iknowt hatIdon' tdeserve
you,butbelievemewhenIsayIwi ll
wor ktwiceashar dtobet hemant hat
youdeserve.Iam sosor ryforall
the
stupidthi
ngsI'v
esaidt oyou,I'
m
sorryformakingyouf eelli
keyouare
i
nt hismarri
agealoneandI 'm al
so
sorryformakingyouf eelli
keIam not
readyforthi
slif
ethatwear eli
vi
ng.
Forgivememyl ov
e."Ilookedathim

Me:"Ididnotsayy ouar eabad

person.Ijustwaswantt of eell
ikeI
am inamar r
iage,r
ightnowt hi
sf eel
s
l
ikeamer erelat
ionship.Yesy oudo
showmel oveandwehav ef un
together,
butyounev erincludemei n
thedecisionmaki ng.AllthatIam
askingforisthaty oukeepmei nt he
l
oopaboutthingsgoingoniny our
l
if
e,al
somakemef eelli
kemyopi ni
on
matter
s,Iwanttobet r
eatedli
kea
wif
enotat r
ophygirl
fri
end."

Sivuyi
le:
"Iunderst
and.Ididn'tknow
that'
showy oufel
t,I
'
m act ual
lyglad
thatwehadt hi
sfi
ght.NowIknow
whatt oworkonandf i
x."Ismiled."
I
l
ov eyouMamokoena!Andl osingyou
wouldcrushmysoul .
"Hebentdown
andpeckedonmyl i
ps.

Me:"
Youshoul
dworkonyour
self,
we
don'
twantt
oseeyoucr
ushed,now
dowe?"Ichuckl
edbuthedi
dn'
t"I
'
m
ki
ddi
nghawu. "

Si
vuyi
le:
"Don'
tj
okel
i
ket
hatpl
ease.
"I
l
aughed.

Me:"So?Areyougoi
ngtotel
lme
abouttheThandi
weall
owance?
"

Sivuyi
le:"Ohhy eah.Shewant edhalf
ofmyasset s,
soIofferedhera
mont hlyallowancet ostopherf r
om
fi
ghti
ngf ormyasset s.Itdidn'
twork
though, soIhadt otakeot her
measur est ogethert obackdown. "
Me:"
Buty
oustil
lcar
riedonandgav
e
hert
heal
lowance?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yep.
"

Me:
"Why
?"

Si
vuyi
le:"
Idon'
tknow,Ij
ustthoughti
t
wastherightt
hingt
odo. "Il
ooked
away
." What?Whatisit
?"

Me:"
Ijustf
eell
i
keThandi
westi
ll
hol
dsaspecialpl
acei
nyourl
i
fe.I
meanwhyel seyouwouldtakecare
ofherever
ymont hforabsol
utel
yno
reasoni
fshedoesn'tmean
somethi
ngtoy ou.
"

Siv
uy i
le:"
What?!Fuckno!Idon'tgive
adamnaboutt hatgirl
.Speci
al pl
ace
i
nwho' shear
t?Myhear tonlyhasone
rul
erandt hatpersonisyoubaby .I
don'thavespacef orbit
ches."

Me:
"Pr
omi
se?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ipr
omi
se.
"
Me:"
Thent
hismeansnomor
e
al
l
owanceforThandi
we.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
done!I
'
v ebeent
hinki
ng
aboutstoppi
ngitforawhi
lenow."

Me:
"Good!Idon'
twanty
oui
nvol
ved
wi
thyourex.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youdon'thav
etowor
ry
aboutthatbabe.
"

Me:
"Whi
chbr
ingsmet
othi
s,Idon'
t
wantLusandat ocomeher e
anymore."Helookedatme." I
'm
seri
ous.Telly
ourbrothertostop
comingwi t
hherhereany more,Idon'
t
tr
ustheraroundmyf amily.
"He
chuckl
ed.

Sivuyi
le:
"Youandmebot hbaby.
Problem issheisalwayshangi
ng
aroundSiphoandi fIstopherf
rom
comingherSi phowillal
sostay
away .
"

Me:"
Ifheval
uesther
elat
ionshi
pthat
youguyshavet
henhewon' t
.Just
t
alkt
ohi
m andmakehim underst
and
whywedon'
twantt
hatgi
rlhere.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"I
'l
lseewhatIcandoabout
that.
"

Me:"Youbett
ercomeupwi t
haplan
fast,
orIwil
laskAsetoassi
stme
withbanni
ngLusandafr
om thi
s
house."

Siv
uyi
le:"
Heh!Wherehast
hatone
beenhidi
nghersel
f?"
Me:
"ahhshe'
sar
ound.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ist
il
lneedt
ohav
eat
alkwi
th
her.
"

Me:
"OhGod,
hav
en'
tyoumov
edon
f
rom t
hat
?"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Notunti
lIhav
eapropersi
t
downwi thher.Andyouar
egoingto
setitup.
"

Me:
"Me?Whyme?
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Causeyouar
eherf
ri
endand
shetr
ustsyou.
"

Me:"
Howexact
lyam Igoi
ngt
oset
t
hisup?
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Callherher
ef oravi
sit
,t
ell
herI'
m nothereIguaranteey
oushe
wil
lcome."

Me:
"Andwher
ewi
l
lyoube?
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Hidi
ngbehi
ndthesofa
wai
ti
ngtomakemygr andent
rance.
"I
l
aughedasIimaginedhi
m hi
ding
behi
ndthesofa.

Me:
"Soyouwantmetot r
ickmy
f
ri
endandbreakhert
rust
? "

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Exactlymyl ove.
"Hesay s
casuall
ybeforeget t
ingoutoft hebed.
"Joinmei ntheshower ?Please?"I
draggedmy selfoutofthebedand
foll
owedhi mtot hebathroom.We
gotintotheshowerandhad
steamingshowersessi on.

"
She'
sont
heway
.Ist
il
ldon'
tgetwhy
youhadt oinvit
eSi pho.She' sgoing
tohatemeaf t
erthis. "Wewer esi
tti
ng
i
nt heloungewai t
ingf orAsenathito
arri
ve.Ifi
nall
ygav ei ntomy
husband'splantot rickAsenat hi,
I
wassl i
ghtl
yregrettingt hi
sbutatt he
endoft hedaysheneedst of aceher
brother
s.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Cal
m down,
shewon'
t.
"

Me:"
ForyoursakeIhopeso,causei
f
shedoesyouwon'tbegett
ingany
sexfr
om me."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hahbaby
!"

Me:
"I'
mt-
"

"
Issheher
eyet?"Si
phoaskedashe
wal
kedint
helounge.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Noty
et,
butshe'
sont
he
way.
"

Sipho:
"Iwonderwhatmadeherstay
awayforsuchalongtime.
"Ishe
seri
ous?"HeyNathi
."
Me:
"Hel
l
oBhut
'Si
pho.
"

Sipho:"Uhm l
ook,I'
dl i
ketoapologise
forwhathappenedt heotherday.It
wasnotmyi ntenti
ont odismissyou
from theconversati
on,itwaswrong
ofmeandI '
m sorry.
"Iguesshi s
brotherspoketohim.

Me:
"I
t'
sfi
ne,
Iaccepty
ourapol
ogy
."

Sipho:"
AndIrespectwhatever
decisi
onsthatyoutakewithregar
ds
toChulu,y
ouarehermot heraft
erall
."
Ismi l
edandnodded.Sivuyi
le'
sphone
r
angbef
oreIcoul
dsaysomet
hing.

Sivuyi
l
e:"Jobe?"Oneoft heguar
dsat
thegate."Ohokay .Thankyoufor
i
nformingme. "Hehungup." Shejust
walkedint hegate."

Me:"andrememberguy s, don'tbe
hosti
le.She'sy
oursister,shejust
needsy outoshowhert hewayi na
poli
temanner .
"Sipholookedatme
l
ikeI'
vegr owntwoheads" I
'm
seri
ous,youdon'twanttopushher
away .
"
Si
pho:
"Fi
ne,
wewi
l
ltr
ytobegent
le.
"

Me:
"Ar
ey oust
il
lgoingt
ohi
debehi
nd
t
hecouch?"Il
aughed

Si
pho:
"What
?I'
m notdoi
ngt
hat
."

Me:
"I
twasy
ourbr
other
'si
dea.
"

Si
pho:
"Hel
lno!
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Wel
lyoucomeupwi t
ha
bett
eronesmart
ypant
s."Il
aughed
Si
pho:"Wewillhi
deinthe
ki
tchen,
thankyouverymuch!
"He
walkedaway,Si
vuyi
l
ef ol
l
owedbehi
nd
hi
m.
Afewsecondslat
erAsenat
hiwal
ked
i
n,shedi
dn'
tevenknockonthefr
ont
door.

Ase:
"Hel
loskwiza!
"Shesai
dloudl
y!
Shenevercal
l
smet hat
.

Me:
"Doy
ouhav
etobesol
oud?
"
Ase:
"Whynot
?It
'sabeaut
if
ulday
!"

Me:"Youhavenomannersmar
a
wena,y
oudidn'
tknock.
"

Ase:"Thisismybr othershousewhi ch
technical
lymakesi taDl amini
househol dwhichmeansi t
'safami l
y
housewhi chmakesi tmyhome, I
don'tneedt oknock."Wel l
thatwasa
l
ot ."
Stopaskingmest upidquestions
andpourmeagl assofwi ne,Iknow
youhav east ashhiddensomewher e."

Me:
"Musty
oushout
?"
Ase:"
It
'snotli
keSiv
uy i
lei
shere,
sohe
won'thearme."I
fonlyheknew.
"
Wi nekaloku!
"Sheclappedherhands.

"Idi
dn'tknowmywi fehasawine
stash!
"Gr eat
!Sheabrupt
lyst
oodup
from t
hecouch.

Ase:
"Bhut
i!
"Shesentawarni
ngstar
e
tomeasshesai dt
hat
."Idi
dn'
tknow
youwerehere.
"

Si
pho:
"Wear
ebot
hher
e."Hewal
ked
i
n,i
flookscoul
dkil
lIwoul
dbesi
xfeet
underri
ghtnow.

Ase:
"Wel
lthi
sisani
cesur
pri
se.
"

Sipho:"
Itsureis.Andit
hi wena
uyasibaleka(i
sn'
tityouar eavoi
ding
us)sowehadt ocomeupwi thaplan
toseey ou.Imagine,
hav i
ngt ogo
throughal lt
histr
oublejusttoseeour
l
ittl
esister.
"Asenathilookeddown.

Me:"
uhhletmeexcusey ouguys.
"I
qui
ckl
ywal kedoutbefor
eanyone
coul
dprotest.Idi
dn'
twantt
obea
partofthatconversat
ion,with
Asenathi'
sstaresandall.Ideci
dedto
kil
lti
mepl ayi
ngwit hmybabyi nher
room.
Aft
eranhourorsoAsenat
hiwal
ked
i
n,
hereyeswerebloodr
ed,
wasshe
cr
ying?

Ase:"
Youaresuchawi tchyaz!
"I
l
aughed."ButThankyoufordoing
thi
s.Idon'
tknowhowl ongIwasgo
i
nt oavoi
dthem."OhIgetat hank
you?Howwonder ful
.

Me:
"Wer
eyoucr
ying?
"
Ase:
"No!Ij
ustgotabuta
emoti
onal,
that
'
sall
."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
abitemoti
onal,
Isee.
"Shesat
downnexttome."Sowhatdidy
ou
guystal
kabout
?"

Ase:"Thedanger sofdatingoldguy s.
"
Sher oll
edherey es."Canyoubel i
eve
theyhadt he'tal
k'withme?Imean
am I12y earsold?"Ilaughed."Ican't
beli
3v eSiv uyi
lesti
llexpect
smet obe
av i
rginwhi l
ehe'ssticki
nghisdickin
an18y earol deverynight.
"
Me:
"excusey
ou,
soont
obe19.
"

Ase:
"mxm.
"

Me:"Sowhywer eyoucry
ing?"She
gavemeast ar
e."
Ohsorryletme
rephrase,
whydidyougetalit
tl
e
emot i
onal?"

Ase:
"Whattheydi di
ntherejust
showedmehowmucht heycar e
aboutme."Ilookedather"Stupi
dI
know!Buttheymademer eali
sehow
l
ovedIam, Idon'
tneedtogoout
t
hereandl ookforatt
enti
oninthe
wrongplacesbecauseIhavethem i
n
mylif
e."Ismi l
edather.

Me:
"That
'snotst
upi
d."

Ase:"Youknowmysi bli
ngswoul d
neverdot hi
s,i
nsteadt heywoul djust
l
etmebeandj udgemef r
om afar.
They '
veneverreallyshownmel ov e,
evenmypar ents,
they '
realway
st oo
busyf ocusi
ngont heirol
derkids
i
nsteadofpay i
ngat tenti
ontome, I
don'tknow,may bei t
'sbecauseI'ma
girlandt hatmakesmel ess
i
mpor tant.Theonl yr ealloveI '
ve
exper i
encedi sfrom uncl eBav uyise's
fami l
y,asmuchast heQueeni sashe
-devil,
shegav emet hemot herl
ylov e
thatIneededbuti twasnev erenough,
allIwantorwant edr atherwast oget
attentionf r
om myi mmedi atefami ly.
Butnotany mor e,whathappened
todayj ustshowedt hatmycousi ns
aret heonl ysibl
ingsIneedi nmyl i
fe.
"
Wewer ebot hgettingemot ional,I
couldn' thelpbutgi veherawar m hug.

Me:"
Youareimpor
tantmylov
e,don'
t
ev
erforaseconddoubty
our
i
mpor tance.Therear epeopl ewho
valuey ourpresencei nt heirl
ives,
me
i
ncl uded.Yourbr othersar eso
unfor t
unatet onotexper i
encet he
kindofper sont hatyouar e,
youar ea
tr
uegem!AndIam sol uckyt ohav e
youasaf r
iendandasi ster,Il
ov e
you. "

Ase:"
Ilov
eyoutooMar
iawam.
"I
pushedherf
rom me

Me:
"Yousuredoknowhowt orui
na
moment."Shel
aughed."
Wipeyour
t
ear
sy oulookl
i
keamonkey .
"
Ase:"
Agor geousmonkeyatt hat!
"
Andshe'sback!Shewi pedhertears.
"Ouch!YohChul u!
"Whendidshe
evengethere,l
astti
meIcheckedshe
wasplayingwi t
hhertoysont hefl
oor.
"Doesthi
schi l
dknowhowexpensi ve
thi
shairis.
"Ilaughed.

Me: "
Leav emychi l
dal
oneplease."I
pickedheruppl acedheronmyl ap.
"Baby,stop!"Shewasplay
ingwith
Asenat hi'
sweav e.

Ase:
"pot
ent
ial
weav
esnat
cher
spot
ted!
"

Me:"Yeey!Don'tyoudare!Herfat
her
willbuyherallt
heweav esinthe
world."Chuluwassof asci
natedby
Asenat hi
'
sweav e,
shecouldn'
tstop
touchingit.

Ase:"
I'
m ki
ddi
ng!She'
sgoi
ngt
ohav
e
tast
e,j
ustl
i
keheraunt.
"

Me:"
Mybabyi
swayt
oyoungt
obe
i
ntoweav
es.
"
Ase:
"Wel
lshecan'
tst
opl
ooki
ngand
pl
ayi
ngwithmine.
"

Me:
"So?Ar
eyousi
ngl
enow?
"

Ase:"
Assingleas70yearol
dwidow.
"
Il
aughed"it
'sgoingt
obealongdry
season.
"

Me:
"Pi
tyIcan'
trel
ate.
"Shepunched
myarm,Il
aughedoutloud.

Ase:
"Youar
esuchabi
tch.
"
Me:
"Il
ear
ntf
rom t
hebest
."

Ase:
"Bef
oreIf
orget
,Ineedy
out
ohel
p
mepack."

Me:
"Packwhatnow?
"

Ase:
"Mystuf
f,Iam mov
ingi
nwi
th
bhut
'Si
pho.
"

Me:
"Huh?Why
?"

Ase:"
Hesaidhi
shousei
swaytobi
g
forustobewasti
ngmoneyon
rent
ingafl
atforme.Ij ustthinkhe
wantstokeepacl oseey eonme
becausehedidn'treal
lygiv
emean
opti
onaboutthismov i
ngthing."I
don'
tblamehim,Asei stoowi ldshe
needsadul
tsuper visi
on.

Me:
"Whatabouty
ourf
lat
?"

Ase:
"Thecontr
actisendi
ngendof
Feb,
andtherenthasalr
eadybeen
pai
dfor,
butl
ikeIsaidhedidn'
tgi
ve
meachoice."

Me:
"Youdoknowt
hatwear
egoi
ng
homesoonri
ght
?Soyoucanmove
nexty
earwhenwecomeback.
"

Ase:
"Hewant
smet
omov
einasi
n
now.
"

Me:"
ohokay
,butwhydoIhav
etohel
p
you?
"

Ase:
"BecauseIsai
dso,
tshi
n!"Mxm.

Me:
"Fi
ne!
"

Ase:
"Getup,
weneedt
ogetgoi
ng.
"
Me:
"wai
t,
youmeantt
oday
?"

Ase:
"Yes!Whatdi
dyout
hink.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
tomor
rowmay
be?
"

Ase:"
Idon'tdohardlabouron
Satur
days."Thenerveofthisgi
rl
!"Put
thebabydown, andl
et'
sgo."Chulu
wasalreadysleepi
nginmyar ms,she
i
ssuchal azybabysomet imes.I
stoodupandputheri nhercot.
Me:"
Youarerui
ningmypl
ansf
ort
he
dayyazi
wena!"

Ase:"Don'
tactlikey
ouhadexcit
ing
planssisi
."Thisist
hesameperson
thatwascr yi
ngnotsolongago,
but
nowshe' sbeingherusual
annoying
self.
○
Wear ri
vedatAsenathicompl ex.I
spott
edZi nt
leassoonaswegotof
theli
ftonAse'sfl
oor.Ihaven't
spokent ohert
oday,Ijustfoundit
weir
dt hatshewouldaskf orMY
husband'snumbertogi vetoHER
si
stertowhohappenstobeMY
husband'
sex-wi
fe,
noitwasact
ual
l
y
di
srespect
ful
.

Me:"
Youdidn'
ttel
lmet
hatshewas
coming.
"

Ase:"
Ineedal lthehelpIcanget."I
scoffed."
Wai t!Don'
ttel
lmey ouguy s
foughtagain?Youknowwhat ,
Idon't
evenwantt oknow.Youwi l
lsortthi
s
outyourselves,Iam notget
ting
i
nv ol
ved.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Heyguy
s."Shegr
eet
edwi
th
exci
tement,
Aserepl
i
ed."Ihopey
ou
aregoingt
opayusf oral
lthi
swork
wewi l
lbedoingi
nhere."

Ase:"
AndhereIwast
hinki
ngyouare
doingthi
soutoft
hegoodnessof
yourheart
."

Zintl
e:"
Youwish!Openup,Ineedto
pee."AseopenedthedoorandZintl
e
rushedin.

Ase:"I'
mjustpackingmyclot
hes,the
restleaveither
e."Shewasrent
inga
full
yfurni
turefl
at,
theonl
ythi
ngthat
sheboughtwast
hecut
ler
yand
plat
es.

Me:"Wedidn'tneedanext
rasetof
handsforthatyouknow?"Sherol
l
ed
hereyesandl edthewayt
oherroom.
Wewereinthemiddl
eofpacki
ng
whenZi
ntl
edecidedt
ofi
nall
yjoi
nus.

Ase:
"uyadoj
abuty
ouwi
l
lwantmet
o
payyouinful
l.
"

Zint
le:
"Sor
ryaboutt
hat
,Iwasont
he
phone."
Ase:
"Wi
th?
"

Zint
le:
"Youli
kenews.
"Asethrewat -
shir
tather,
shel
aughed."
I'
m kiddi
ng,
i
twasThami .Hewantsustomeet
tomorrow.
"

Ase:
"Ahhkant
i!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
m goi
ngtouset
his
oppor
tuni
tytobr
eakupwit
hhi
m."

Ase:
"Ooouuu!Why
?"
Zi
ntl
e:"
Idon'
tl
ovehi
m any
mor
e."

Ase:"Areyousireyouar
enot
breakingupwi thhi
mforacer
tainhot
Sothobr otherwhohasagi
rl
fr
iendby
theway !"Ichuckl
ed

Zint
le:
"No!I'
m doingthi
sf ormy
self
.I
hadat al
kwi t
hBy ester
dayandItook
i
nev er
y t
hingthatshesaid."

Ase:
"mmmh,
hayokay
."
Zi
ntl
e:"
Boot
y,areyouokay?
"Ij
ust
l
ookedatherandcarr
iedonwi
th
whatIwasdoing.

Ase:"
Apparentl
yyouguysfought
,I
'
ve
al
readytol
dherIam notgetti
ng
i
nvolved.
"Thisishernotget
ti
ng
i
nvolved?Ohwow!

Zint
le:
"Fought
?Idon'
trememberany
fi
ghtbetweenus,
asfarasIam
concernedweareokay."

Ase:
"Hai
keTshawe!"Icoul
dn'
thel
p
butbr
eakint
olaughter
.
Zi
ntl
e:"
TsekAsenat hi!
..
.Boot
ywhat
di
dwef ightabout
,pleaseenl
i
ght
en
mesinceI'minthedar k.
"

Me:"Whatwasthel
astt
hingwe
spokeabout
?"

Zint
le:
"Idon'
tremember.OhhIasked
youforSivuy
il
e'snumbers.
"

Me:
"Forwho?
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
ForThandi
w-ohhh.
"Ase
gasped." Ishouldhav et houghtthat
through,damn!I '
m sosor r
yBooty .
"If
sorrywaswor tht housands,Iwoul d
hav emadeaki ll
ing,t
odayonl y."
I
reall
yr eall
ymeantnohar m.Nowt hat
Ithinkabouti t
,itwasr eal
lywrongof
met odot hat,
nomat terwhatthe
cir
cumst anceswer e."Inodded."Am I
forgiven?"Ishrugged." Comeonl ove
ofmyl if
e."Shegr abbedmycheeks
"Pleasef orgi
veme? "

Me:"
Stopit
!"Il
aughed."
Ifor
giv
eyou
i
fitwil
lmakeyoustopplayi
ngwit
h
mycheeks."
Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
ll
taket
hat
."

Me:"
SoAsenat
hi,
howmuchar
eyou
goi
ngtol
ayus?"

Ase:"
Howdoy ouexpectmenothave
ablesserwhenIhav
ef r
iendsl
ike
you?"Wecrackedupinlaught
er.

Zintl
e:"
Youar-"Herphone
rang,i
nter
uppti
ngher."I
t'
sy our
brother.
..
.Hel
lo.
..
.al
ready?Whydi dn'
t
yout el
lme?..
..
OhIunderstand.
...
no
youcantell
menow...
..
Oh!."
Meanwhil
emeandAsenat hiwere
qui
et."
Sure,
bye.
"Shethrewthe
phoneonthebedbeforesli
dingdown
onthefl
oor.

Me:"Hey ,
what
'swrong?"Ir
ushedand
kneeledinfr
ontofher.Shelooked
defeated.

Ase:"Di
dyourecei
vebadnews?"She
shruggedhershoul
der
s.Shewasnot
okayatall
.

Me:
"Tal
ktousbabe.
"
Zintl
e:"
Hego-"Herphonebeeped.
"Pleasepassi
ttome."

Ase:"
Youwi l
l dealwiththatlater
,t
ell
uswhatwassai di
nthatphonecal l.
"I
guesslikingnewsr unsint heDlamini
famil
y.IgotupandgotZi ntl
e'
sphone.
Sheimmedi atelytookitwhenI
handedi ttoher ,Il
ookedatAsei n
confusi
onasZi ntl
efiddl
edwi thher
phone.Shel etoutadef eatedsigh
beforehandi ngt hephonet ome.

Me:
"What
'
sthi
s?"I
twasapi
ctur
eofa
document
.

Zi
ntle:
"Read."Izoomedint
ot he
pi
cturetogetapr operl
ook,Ist
il
l
wasn'tge-.
..
.ohhh

Me:"I
sthi
swhatIthi
nkiti
s?"She
nodded,
Asesnat
chedthephoneout
ofmyhand."Hey
!Iwasstil
lreadi
ng.
"

Ase:"
Uyacothanawemar n!
(Youar e
tooslow).
"Sher eadthr
oughitf ora
fewseconds."Sohe'snotthef ather
?
Eish!
"Itookthephoneandl ookedat
thepict
ureagain,i
ndeedmybr other
wasnotresponsi
blef
orZi
ntl
e'
s
pr
egnancy.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Yep!0.
0%possi
bil
i
ty.
"Shesai
d
i
nalowt one.

Me:
"Wow!
"That
'sal
lIcoul
dsay

Ase:
"Well
whydoy ousoundsosad?
Youshoul
dber ej
oici
ngthatyou
fi
nal
lyhaveanamet ogivetoyour
dad!
"Shesaidcheerf
ull
y.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Right
!"
Me:
"Zi
ntl
ewespokeaboutt
his.
"

Zint
le:
"Iknow,
butyoucan'
texpectme
toswitchofmyfeeli
ngsinj
usta
day.
"Ri ght
!

Me:"Well
nowy ouknowt hemost
i
mpor t
antinf
ormati
ony ouneeded.
Justbehappyaboutthat.
"

Ase:"St
opfrowning."Shefakeda
smile."
Mxm!Let '
sgetbackt owork
l
adies!Theseclothesarenotgoi
ngto
packt
hemsel
ves.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgohome.
"

Ase:"Phambene! (Youarecrazy !
)We
arenott heoneswhosai dy oumust
beasangomaandconcl udethat
Thaboi sy i
urbabydaddy ,soplease
don'tyoudar eswi t
chuponusr ight
now.Wecameher etopackmy
clot
hes,andt hat'
swhatwear egoing
todo,whet heryouar ecr
y i
ngor
l
aughi ng,Idon'tcare.
"Zi
nt l
elaughed
i
ndef eat.
Me:
"Youar
esoi
nsensi
ti
ve.
"

Zint
le:
"Whatam Igoi
ngt
odowi
th
youthough?"

Ase:
"Youwill
figur
ethatoutonce
we'v
efini
shedpacking.
"
Asenat
hii
ssomet
hingel
se!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t90
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Wetri
edtocheerZi nt
leupsinceshe
waskindofsadaf t
ergetti
ngthe
r
esult
s,Ihonestl
ydon'tknowhowt o
f
eelabouttheresul
ts.Ifi
twas
Thabo'sbabyIwoul dhav
ebeen
happy,sameasIam happythatit'
s
nothis.Zintl
eneedstomoveonf rom
mybr otherandfocusonhersel
fand
herchildthat'
sontheway.
WedroppedZi
ntl
eof
fatherhouse
bef
orewewenthome.

Ase:"
Homesweethome! "DidI
mentionthatshe'
salway sloud?We
walkedinthroughthelounge,i
twas
empty.Iwonderwher eSivuyil
eis."
I
am sohungry ,
makotif
ixme
somet hi
ngtoeatfastfast.
"
Me:"Lastt
imeIcheckedy
ouhad
hands."

Ase:
"Lastti
meIchecked,
youwer
ea
Dl
ami nimakoti
.Somakefast
nt
ombazana( gi
rl
)"

Me:"
wahl
anya(
youar
ecr
azy
),I
'
m al
so
t
ir
edandhungry.
"

Ase:"
It
sdaysli
kethesewher
eImi
ss
dabawo(aunt
y).
"

Me:
"Mxm.
"Ir
oll
edmyey
es.
"
Ohhyouareback."Siv
uyil
ewalkedi
n
f
oll
owedbymybr other,
Thabo

Ase:
"No,
thi
sisnotus,
i
t'
sa
hol
ogram."

Me:"Abuti!Idi
dn'tknowy ouwer
e
here."Ir
ushedt ohim andgavehi
ma
hug,hekissedmyf or
ehead

Thabo:"
I'
m gl
adt
oseet
hatIwas
missed.
"
Me:
"Youhavenoi
dea.Youst
ayi
ng
f
ordinner
?"

Thabo:"Ican'
tPunkie,Ihavesome
mat t
erstoattendto."Ipul
ledasad
face."Howaboutadat e?Justme
andy outomor r
ow?"Ismi l
ed.

Me:
"Soundsgr
eat
."

Ase:
"Andwhoam Igoi
ngt
obel
eft
wit
h?"

Me:
"wi
thy
ourbr
other
,obv
iousl
y.
"
Ase:
"No!Youcan'
tleavemewi
tht
his
bori
nghumanbeing."

Me&Si
vuy
il
e:"
Excuseme?
"

Me:"
Myhusbandisnotbor
ing,
thank
youver
ymuch."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Tel
lherbaby
."

Ase:"
Ofcour
seyouwil
lsayt
hat
becausehegi
vesyoudi
-"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Asenat
hi!
"Hewar
ned.

Ase:"
Iwasgoingtosaydeli
cious
food!Eyybhut
iyouli
kejumpingint
o
conclusi
onsneh?"Thabol
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
est
upi
d."

Thabo:"EyyPunkie,
letmeleav
ey ou
guys."Iremovedmyar msfrom hi
s
waist."I
'
llseeyousoonneh?"I
nodded.Heki ssedmegoodbyeand
bi
df arewellt
oAsenathiandSiv
uyil
e.
Ase:
"Youar
esuchababyy
oh!
"

Me:"ndi
ri
ght!
"Ist
uckoutmyt
ongue
ather,
sherol
ledherey
es.

Ase:
"Youst
il
ldon'
twantt
omakeme
somethi
ngt
oeat?"

Me:
"Yep.
"Isai
dwhi
l
econcent
rat
ing
onmyphone

Ase:
"It
hink2cowsshoul
dbebr
ought
backfr
om yourhome.
"
Me:
"Justgomakeyoursel
fsome
f
oodandstopannoyi
ngme. "

Ase:"
Mxm. "Shestoodupand
l
eft,
Sivuy
il
ewalkedinandcametosi
t
nexttome.Icouldfeelhi
sey
eson
me.

Me:
"Youar
est
ari
ng.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"I'
m admiri
ng.
"Iblushedand
mov edmyey esfr
om thephonet o
him."Youar esobeautif
ulmfaz'wam
yeses!Youar etheLor
d'smast er
piece!I'
m prett
ysuremanenv y
me,youar
esodamnbeaut
if
ul!
"My
cheekswerebur
ning

Me:
"St
op.
"

Siv
uy i
le:"Umhlerhaa!"Ilaughedwhi l
e
bl
ushing." Ifi
twasupt ome, I
wouldn' tevenletyououtofmysi ght.
Yourbeaut yi
soutoft hiswor l
d.I'
m
j
usthappyt hattheancest orsandthe
Lordblessedmewi t
hsucha
beautifulkindandlovingsoul .
"Ihid
myf acei nhischest."Umhl e(y
ouar e
beautiful)babywam. "Hisl i
pslanded
onmyhead.
Me:
"Thanky
ou,
Iguess.
"Hechuckl
ed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youguess?
"

Me:
"st
opi
tpl
ease.
"Hel
aughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Yousti
ll
hav eyourshynessI
see.Ihar
dlyseethatsi
deofy ou.
"

Me:
"I
'm usedt
oyounowphel
a."

Si
vuy
il
e:Tr
ue.Ey
ybef
oreIf
orget
,your
br
othergott
her
esul
tst
oday
."

Me:"
YeahIwaswi
thZi
ntl
ewhenhe
gott
hem."

"Whydidhegetthem al
one?Wasn'
t
hesupposedtogetthem wi
thZi
ntl
e?"
Shehadaplateoffood.

Me:
"I
'm al
soconf
used.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Wel
ltheresul
tswere
deli
veredtomysur ger
y,If
etched
them andcal
ledthebothofthem to
i
nformt hem aboutthi
s.Zint
le'
s
phonewasof f
,Thaboanswer edand
hecamebyt othesurgeryonhisown.
Hepl eadedwithmet olethi
m have
theresult
s,Iagreedontheconditi
on
thatheopenst hem i
nfrontofme."

Ase:"
Sowereyout
her
ewhenhe
cal
ledZi
ntl
e?"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Yes,I'
mtheonewhoeven
tookapictur
eofthoser
esul
ts.
"

Ase:
"Youshoul
dhavetol
dhim what
hewadoingwasinsensi
ti
ve.Hecan'
t
t
ell
someonet
hoseki
ndofnewsov
er
t
hephone.
"

Me:"
Haibo!Thel
esscontactZi
ntl
e
andThabohave,
thebet
ter.
"

Ase:
"Ohr
eal
l
ynow?
"

Me:"Yes.Look, i
fZintlegottheresult
s
togetherwi t
hThaboshewoul dhav e
beendi sappointedwhi chwoul dlead
tomybr othercomf orti
ngher,which
mightleadt oZintletakingthat
gesturet hewrongway .LastthingI
wantt oseei smyf riendhurtov ermy
brot
her ,
she'
sont hepat hofmoving
onandget ti
ngherlif
et oget
hershe
doesn'tneedmybr otherasa
di
structi
onfrom t
hat."

Ase:"
mmmh.Doy ouhonestly
honestl
ybel
iev
ethatZint
lei
sgoi
ng
tostayawayfr
om Thabo?"

Me:
"Yes,
Ihav
efai
thi
nher
."

Ase:
"Haywewi
l
ljusthav
etowai
tand
see.
"
Me:
"Don'
tdot
hatpl
ease.
"

Ase:"What?Look, I'
v eseent heway
Zint
leiswheni tcomest oThabo, she
hasr ealgenuinef eeli
ngsf orhim
whichcomeacr ossasbei ng
obsessed,I'
vet oldhert hisbefore.It
's
notgoi ngtobeeasyf orhertolet
go,i
t'
sasi fZintleisaddi ctedtoy our
brotherandweal l knowt hatfi
ght i
ng
addicti
oni snotv eryeasy ."Isi
ghed.

Me:"
Iguessyouareri
ght,
butIj
ust
hav
ehopet hatshewi
llmoveon.
"
Ase:
"Wenabhutihavey
ouspokent
o
Thaboaboutt
his?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
AboutZi
ntl
e?Yes,
butnoti
n
agoodli
ght
."

Ase:
"Sot
hatmeanshe'
sreal
l
yov
er
her
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Icanconf
ident
lysayso.
"

Ase:
"Iguessther
ereall
yisn'thopefor
thet
wooft hem."ThankyouLor d!
"
Letmeeatmyf oodandst optalki
ng
aboutot
herpeopl
e'
sbusi
ness.
"

Siv uyil
e:"Pleasegoandmakeme
somet hingt oeatmnt anasekhaya(
my
sist er)
"Asel ookedathi m asshe
chewed." Hayyintoni?Phakama
uy okwenzel aubhut 'wakho
ukut y
a(What ?St andupandgomake
yourbr othersomet hingtoeat)
"

Ase:
"Thesamebrot
herwhohasa
wif
ewithhands.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Asenat
hiawufuni
ndi
kut
humendimdalakuwe?(
You
don'
twantmeinst
ructy
ouasy
our
ol
derbr
other
?)"

Ase:"Yohkodwabhut i
!"Shel ooked
i
rrit
ated,
Sivuyilejustgav eherast are.
Sheputherpl ateont hetableand
stompedal lthewayt otheki tchen
l
ikeani r
ri
tatedt oddler.Ilaughed.

Me:"Bi
gbrot
heri
sabul
l
y."He
chuckl
ed.

Afewminut
eslat
erAsenat
hicame
backwi
thasandwichf
orSi
vuyil
e.
Sivuyi
le:"
Lunathiisal
sohungry.
Andithibaby?(
rightbaby)
"Inodded.
Asenat hil
ookedl i
keshewantedto
explode,Iwasl aughi
ngsil
ent
ly.

Ase:"
Kodwabhut
iyouar
enotbei
ng
fai
rri
ghtnow.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"Don'tbedisrespect
ful
Asenathi,
ifIsendy outogoanddo
somethingy oumustdoi twi
thout
complaining,
I'
m olderthanyou
kal
oku."Shel ookedlikeshewas
abouttocr y,
oney oumustknow
aboutAsenat
hiist
hatsheloves
food,
soyoumustneverdist
urbher
whenshe'seat
ingorel
seitwon'tbe
nice.

Me:"
Sitdownandeatmyf ri
end,
I
'm
nothungry
."Isaidasshewasabout
tol
eave.Shetookherplateandsat
downimmedi atel
yandstart
edeati
ng.

Sivuy
il
e:"Uyakut
handaukut y
a
yeeer!
(Youlovefood.)
"Ilaughed.Ase
keptquietandfocusedonherf ood.
Theycarriedoneati
ngt hei
rfoodand
IwatchedTV." Ha.
hababy ,
yousaid
youarenothungr
y."Hesai
dasIt
ook
abit
eofhissandwich.

Me:
"Iam notvel
e,
butt
hatdoesn'
t
meanIdon'twantt
otast
eyourfood.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
woman.
"Hemumbl
ed,
I
gi
ggl
ed.

Theyfi
nishedeating,wesatdown
andwatchedTVt oget
her,
nott
hatwe
wereconcent r
ati
ngonitbecausewe
weretal
king.Ihadmyf eetontopof
hi
slap,andIr est
edmyupperbody
onthearmr estofthesof
a.
Ase:
"Doyout
hinkLusandast
ayswi
th
bhut
i?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
dli
ket
othi
nkso.
"

Ase:
"Gr
eat
!"Il
ookedather"What
?"
Shehadasmirkonherface

Me:
"Gr
eat
?Whyi
sitgr
eat
?"

Ase:
"I
t'
sgreatt
hatBhuti
'
sgirl
fr
iend
st
ayswithhim,
thatmeanshewon't
beonmycaseal lt
heti
me."Idon't
l
i
ket
hel
ookonherf
ace.

Me:
"Whatar
eyoupl
anni
ng?
"

Ase:"
Who?Me?Whatmakesy ou
thi
nkIam pl
anni
ngsomet
hing?"

Me:
"Thel
ookony
ourf
acesay
sital
l
."

Ase:"
Welly
ouar
eint
erpr
eti
ngi
t
wrongdear.
"

Me:"
Mmmh! "Shegav
emean
i
nnocentsmil
e.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Ihopeyouarenotgoi
ngt
o
causedramathere.
"

Ase:"
Whatisdrama?Isi
taperson?I
f
i
tiswhereisthatper
sonfr
om,Iwoul
d
l
iketomeethercauseshesur
e
soundsi
nterest
ing.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
babe,
doy
ouknowanysit
e
whereyoucansel
lahumanbei
ng?"I
l
aughed

Me:
"I
tdoesn'
texi
stmyl
ove.
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
pit
y,Isur
ecouldusesome
extr
abucksandsel l
i
ngAsenathi
wouldcomei nhandy."

Ase:
"Excuseme!
"Il
aughed.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Youar
eexcused,
vel
eIcould
usesomet i
mealonewit
hmywife."

Ase:"
YazibhutiI
'v
elongnot i
cedthat
youdon'tl
ov eme,i
t'
sfineI'
l
lmake
thi
ngseasierforyouandleaveyou
wit
hy ourpreci
ouswife."
Sivuyi
le:
"Mxm don'tactli
keyouare
doingmeanyf avour
s,youar
eonly
l
eav i
ngbecauseoft hatphonethat
keepsonf l
ickeri
ng.Goandt al
kto
yourboyfri
end,he'
sbeencalli
ngfora
whilenow."

Ase:
"I
'm notl
eav
ingbecauseoft
hat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
mxm.
"

Ase:
"Any
ways,
goodni
ghtfamily
."She
st
oodupandranoutofthelounge,
soonwehear
dal oudsl
am!Sounded
l
ikeabodyhi
tt
ingthefl
oor

Si
vuyi
le:
"Tshot
sho!
(Ser
vesy
ou
ri
ght
!)
"

Ase:
"Nothi
nghappenedkenawe!
"
Sheshoutedf
rom thest
air
s.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Shefel
l
."Icoul
dn'
thel
pbut
l
augh."Ithi
nkweshouldal
sogoto
bed."

Me:
"Notnow,
ther
e'samov
ieIwantt
o
wat
ch.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Howaboutwegoandmake
ourownmov i
e."Hi
shandwentunder
mydressandmov edal
lthewayup.

Me:"St
aap."Isai
dwhil
eopeni
ngmy
thi
ghs,heplacedhi
shandonmy
coochi
e,thewayIwassit
ti
nggave
him agoodaccess.

Sivuyi
l
e:"I
t'
sbeenawhi l
e."I
t'
sonl
y
beenaf ewdays."I
'
vemi ssedput
ti
ng
myhandt here.
"Igaspedashe
gropedmypussy ."
Don'ttel
lmeyou
don'
tmissthat
."Inodded.Hemov ed
thepant
ytothesideandstart
ed
massagi
ngmypussywi t
hhisthumb.

"
Nkosazana!
"Iqui
ckl
yclosedmylegs
wi
thSivuy
il
e'
shandsti
ll
inbetween
mythi
ghs.Mam'Luvowalkedi
n.

Mam' Luvo:
"OhhIjustwantedtotell
yout hatI'
veputChulut obedinyour
room. "Ohshit!If
orgotwewer e
sleepingwithhertonightsi
ncethe
twowomanwer eleavingfi
rstt
hingin
themor ni
ngtomor r
ow.
Me:"Al
ri
ght,
thankyoumah."She
nodded."
Andhav easafejour
ney
tomorr
ow,I
'm pret
tysur
ey ouar
e
goingtol
eavebeforeIevenwakeup.
"

Mam'Luv
o:"
Thankyousana'
lwam.
"
Shebowedbefor
eleav
ingus.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'swascl
ose!
"

Me:"Tel
lmeabouti
t,
doy
out
hinkshe
not
icedsomethi
ng?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Idon'
tthi
nkso.Yourdr
essi
s
tool
ong.
"Ihopeso.Helookedatme
andsmil
ed."
HaveItol
dy ouhow
amazi
ngyouare?"

Me:
"What
'
swrongwi
thyoutoday
?
Ar
eyoudyi
ng?
"Hechuckl
ed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
SoIcan'tcomplementmy
wi
fenjeoutoft
hebl ue?
"

Me:"
Somanycompli
mentsonone
day
,youar
escar
ingme.
"Helaughed

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
esuchabl
ackper
son
mylove.Any way,youareamazi ng.I
l
ovethewayy outreatomama, y ou
don'
ttreatthem li
ketheirareyour
hel
pers,yourespectthem li
key our
mothersandt hatisanamazi ngt hi
ng.
Youaret rul
yablessingandt hemost
perf
ectchosenone. "Icamecl oserto
hi
m andgav ehi
m aki ss.

Me:
"Nowl
et'
sgoj
oinourdaught
eri
n
t
heroom.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Can'
twehav eaquicki
e
befor
ewegot her
e,Zizi
isawakemy
l
ove."Igi
ggl
edasIr anmyhandon
hisbul
ge.Helaunchedatmeand
gavemeaFr enchkiss,
andbeforeI
knewitwewer ehavingaqui
ckieon
thecouchi
nt hel
ounge.

Iwaswokenupbysomeonepl ayi
ng
withmynose,itwasnoneotherthan
thepreci
ousdaughter.Thener
v eof
thi
sli
ttl
egirl
,
she'savi
sitori
nthis
room butshehasthegut st
owake
meupi nmyownr oom.

Me:
"Youl
i
kepul
l
ingmommy
'snose
don'
tyou?
"

Chulu:
"mama!Mama!"Shesmi
ledi
n
exci
tement
,Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutsmil
e
too.

Me: "Morningcut ebaby .

"Isatup
straightbeforet akingher e."
Lookat
thatcut elit
tl
esmi l
e.Mommy '
sbig
gir
l."Hersmi l
eisj ustgorgeous."You
abi ggirl
,aren'
ty ou? "It
ickledher
,she
l
etoutacut elaugh" Yesy ouare.
"She
l
aughev enmor easIt i
ckledher.
Sivuy i
lewalkedi nwhi lewewer estil
l
i
nt hemi ddleofour' ti
ckli
ngsession'
hestoppedandwat cheduswit
ha
smil
eonhi sface."Okaylet
'sst
op,
yourdaddyisstari
ng."

Chul
u:"
Dada!
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Dadaisherebaby.
"He
j
oinedusont hebed."
Iseethel
i
ttl
e
misswokey ouup."

Me:"
Idon'
tknowwhotol
dhert
hat
whenshe'
sawakeshemustwakeup
ev
eryonet
hat'
sar
oundher.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shej
ustmissedhermommy
.
Di
dn'
tyoumylove?
"

Chul
u:"
oww.
"Il
aughed

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whati
sshesay
ingnow?
"

Me:
"Pr
obabl
ytr
yingt
osaymyl
ove.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Thi
schil
disf
orwar
dmar
n
yeer.
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Pr
obabl
ytakesaf
terAsenat
-.
."
Si
vuyil
e:"Nooooooo!
"Ilaughedeven
more."OhLor dshecan'tdothatme.
Wecan' taff
ordtohaveanother
Asenathiinthefami
ly.
"

Me:
"I'
m ki
ddi
ng!
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Ihopeshedoesn'
ttakeaf
ter
herforreal.
"

Me:
"Shemi
ght
!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
ah.
ahnana,
don'
tsayt
hat
pl
ease.
"Ilaughed."
Ican'
trai
sea
Asenat
hi.
"

Me:"
Ifi
t'
syourdaught
ery
ouwon'
t
hav
eachoice."

Siv
uyile:"
Stopsayingthat,Idon'
twant
acrazydaught er.
"Ilaughed."I
'mjust
gl
adt hathertalki
ngi snotasslowas
herphy si
calmov ements."

Me:"Apparentl
yyouwerealsoli
ke
thatasat oddl
er,
ubuxoxauhlel
i
phantsi
(youusedtotalkwhil
esit
ti
ng
down)."
Si
vuyil
e:"
Ohwow, l
ikef
atherl
i
ke
daughterIguess.
"
Wet al
kedforafewmi nut
es,t
heni
hadtobathChulubeforegoi
ng
downstai
rstohavesomebr eakf
ast
.
Asenathi
wasal r
eadyawakeand
si
tt
inginthelounge.

Me:
"Mor
ning.
"

Ase:
"Heyguy
s."

Me:
"Ohmy
,di
dyoucl
eant
hehouse?
I
tsmel
l
sfr
eshi
nher
e."

Ase:"
Theloungeandafewr ooms.
Thishouseistoobi
g,Iwasalready
ti
redbefor
eIcouldevenfi
nishit.
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Atl
easty
out
ri
edwena
mntase."

Me:
"WhendidMam'
Luv
oand
Manxel
eleav
e?"

Sivuy
il
e:"
It
'sbeenhour
snow,
Itook
them tot
hebusstati
on."
Me:
"Ohokay
."

Sivuyi
le:
"anywaybabe,I'
m goingto
seeThembaandhi smom andI 'm
takingChuluwit
hme, coul
dy ou
pleasegetherreadyforme? "

Me:
"sur
enopr
obl
em.
"

Ase:
"CanIdoi
t?"Webot
hlookedat
heri
nshock."
What?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou
t
oday
?"

Ase:
"Hayyouguysneedhelp.WhenI
don'
thel
paroundthehousey ou
complai
n,
andwhenIdoy oust i
l
l
complai
n?Youarenotseri
ousy azi
."

Me:"
Wear ej
ustshocked,
you'
venev
er
of
feredt
ogetChuluready.
"

Ase:"
andnowIam. "Inodded."Now
givehertoaunty.
"Shesaidaswal ked
towardsme.Ihandedov erChuluto
her"bythetimeIam donewi th
her,
shewillbelooki
ngfabulous."
Si
vuyil
e:"
Pleasedobarei
nmindt
hat
ourdaughterisnotadol
l
."

Ase:
"Chi
l
lbhut
i!
"Shel
eftt
hel
ounge.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thatwassur
pri
sing.
"

Me:
"Tel
lmeabouti
t.
"

Si
vuy
il
eandChul
uhav
ebeengone
forahoursnow, Itookandanap
afterAsenathidecidedtodit
chme
andgooutwi thwhoev ershewas
goingoutwi th,
may beshehasanew
boy f
ri
end,butit
'stoosoon.Iwas
basical
lyhomeal one,
soIhadno
choicebuttosl eepsinceIwasbored.
Itookoutmyphoneanddeci dedto
callBontl
e,Ihav en'
tspokentoherin
awhi l
e.

Me:
"Ausi
!"

Bont
le:
"Heybaby
."
Me:"wenaong'
l
ahli
leshame(
youhav
e
abondendedme."

Bont
le:
"Iwoul
dnev
erdot
hat
,youal
so
knowit
."

Me:"I'
m kiddi
ng.Areyougood?I
haven'tseenyouinawhileandyou
don'tsoundwell.
"Shereal
lydi
dn'
t
soundl i
kethebubblyBontl
e

Bontl
e:"
EyyI
'
mfi
nesi
s,
not
hingIcan'
t
handl
e."
Me:
"What
'
sgoi
ngon?
"Shesi
ghed

Bont
le:
"Li
zwi'
sauntsdeci
dedt
oshow
uphereatourpl
ace."

Me:
"What
?Af
tersomanyy
ear
s."

Bont
le:
"Iknowr
ight
."

Me:"
I'
m pret
tysur
eabut
'Li
zwi
is
ecst
ati
c."

Bontl
e:"
Hewas,
unt
ilhefoundoutt
he
real
reasont
heyar
ehere."
Me:"andWhati
sthatr
eason?"She
keptqui
etf
orawhil
e."
Ausi?"

Bont
le:
"agrandchi
l
d,somet
hingIcan'
t
gi
vethem."Myheartsank.

Me:"OhmyGod, It
houghtt
heyknew
aboutyourcondi
ti
on.
"

Bontl
e:"Theydo,Idon'tknowwhat
theyaretryi
ngtoachiev ewi
tht his
unnecessarymesst heyarecausi ng
ri
ghtnow.Iov er
heardt hem t
alking
aboutget
ti
ngLizwi
asecondwi
fe,
I
don'
tevenknowwhatt
odo."

Me:
"Whati
shesay
ingaboutt
his?
"

Bont
le:
"He'
sobv
iousl
ymadabouti
t.
"
Mysist
erwasnotokay.

Me:"They'rebeingselfi
shnow.Abut i
tol
dt hem nott oexpectanychil
dren
i
nt hi
suni onandt heypretendto
agreewi t
ht hat,
nowt heyarecomi ng
withthisbullshi
t!Whodot heyt
hink
theyare?!"Iwasr eal
lymad.
Bontl
e:"
EyyTumi ,Idon'
tevenhave
theenergytofightt
hem.Wheni t
comest othechildr
entopicyouknow
howIfeel,
andt hem bei
nghereisjust
l
ikeaddingsalttoanopenwound. "
Myheartbr okeevenmor e.

Me:"
NoBontl
e,youneedt
oki
ckt
hem
outofy
ourhouse."

Bont
le:
"Ican'
tBoi
tumel
o,t
hatwoul
d
bedi
srespect
ful
."
Me:
"Theyar
ealsodi
srespect
ingy
ou
i
nyourownhouse!
"

Bontl
e:"I
-.
.."IheardLizwical
li
ngher
i
nthebackgr ound."Ihavetogo
Punki
e."

Me:"Okaywewi llt
-.
..
"tutut u,shehung
up.I'
venev erheardmysi ster
speakingwi t
hsuchhur t,
itbr okemy
hearttothecor e.Onet hi
ngt hat
Bontlehasal wayswant edi stohave
herownki ds,i
tbrokeherf i
ndi ngout
thatshecannothav ebabi esbot hhim
andLizwi,butshemov edonf r
om
thayandshef ocusedont heposit
ive
sideofli
fe.Nowt hoseoldhagsare
heretoopenupol dwoundsagai n!
It
'sreal
l
yr eal
l
ysad, IhopeLizwiwil
l
standbyhernomat terwhathappens.

"Heyy,areyouokay?"Iwasdeepin
myt houghtsthatIdi
dn'
tevennoti
ce
him enter
ing.Iqui
ckl
ywipedatear
thatwasal mostfal
li
ng.

Me:"
I'
mf i
ne.
"Isai
daf
tercl
ear
ingmy
t
hroat.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Noy
ouar
enot
.Tal
ktome.
"
Hecametosi
tnexttomeand
br
oughtmecl
osertohi
schest
.

Me: "
I'
mj ustt
hinki
ngaboutmy
parents,
nothi
ngmuch. "Ihadt ol
ie,
I
can'tputoutmysi ster
'sbusi
nesson
blastli
kethat,
evenifit
'stomy
husband.Thismat teri
sjusttoo
sensiti
ve.

Si
v uyi
le:
"Iknowy ouarel
ying,buti
t'
s
fi
ne.Wewi l
ltal
kaboutthi
swheny ou
areready."Imovedfrom hischest

Me:
"Wher
eisChul
u?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
OhhIlef
therwi
thThemba'
s
mom,Isenty
ouamessage."

Me:"
Ijustwokeup.
"Henodded."
Is
shesl
eepingovert
her
e?"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Yep,
whilemeandy
ougoout
tohav
esomef un.
"

Me:"Out?I
'
m notr
eal
l
yint
hemood
babe."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ohhcomeon,
wehav
en'
t
beenoutinal
ongtimelov
e."MaybeI
shoul
dgoout,j
ustt
otakemymi ndof
mywor r
yaboutmysist
er.

Me:
"Okayf
ine,
wewi
l
lgoout
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Letmegoandtel
lAse.
"Oh
she'
sback?Hegotupfr
om thebed
andlef
ttheroom.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Ihopeyouareenj
oyi
ngy
ourfest
ive
season.Remembert
oal
waysbesafe.
Muchl
ove
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t91
•
•
•
•
•

YouknowwhenSi v
uy i
lesaid'l
et'
sgo
outtoni
ght'It
houghthewast al
king
aboutgoingtoarestauranttohav e
someni cedinner,
butnothebrot
her
wast al
kingaboutaclub.Asenathi'
s
excit
ementwasonanot herl
evel
, she
didnotev enwaittobetol
dtwice
beforepicki
ngoutanout f
itf
orthe
night
.

Ase:
"Ican'
twai
ttogetdr
unkunti
lI
can'
tremembermynamet oni
ght
."I
l
aughed.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Haike!Yourdri
nksar
egoi
ng
tobemonit
ored."Il
aughed

Ase:
"Hahbhut
i!I
t'
sDecemberal
l
ow
ust
ohav
efunpl
ease!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Decemberisj
ustanordi
nary
mont
h,t
here'
snot
hingspeci
alabout
i
t.
"

Ase:
"i
tsJesus'bi
rt
hdaymonth,what
doyoumeant her
e'snot
hingspeci
al
abouti
t?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
anddr
inki
ngi
sasi
n."

Ase:
"Jesust
urnedwateri
ntowi
ne
bhut
i,
whichmeansbraGapprovesof
al
cohol.
"Si
vuy
il
ejustshookhishead.
"Sowhenareweleavingfort
he
Club?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Soon!
"

Ase:
"Howsoonissoonbhut
i?Ineed
togetr
eadykal
oku.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Youguysshouldactual
l
ygo
getreadyrightnow,
Idon'twantt
o
waittoni
ght .
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Youneedt
oat
tendpat
ience
cl
asses.
"

Ase:
"Don'tworr
yI'
l
lwil
lteachhi
m,ata
feeofcourse.
"Il
aughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Asi
fthosecl
assesexi
st.
"

Ase:
"I
'v
eopenedt
hem up.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shutupandgogetr
eady
!"

Me:"
Justsoyouknow,Iam goingto
wearsomethi
ngshortt
oni
ght."He
gavemeanunimpressedl
ook."I'm
j
usti
nfor
mingy
ou.
"

Ase:
"Loosenupbhuti
,
youaregoingt
o
bearoundheral
lthet
ime.Lether
be.
"

Me:
"Exact
ly!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Fine!ButIwon'
tl
ety
ouout
ofmysi
ght .
"

Ase:"
Youaresodr
amat
ic.
"Sher
oll
ed
hereyes.
Wewentont oourr oomst ogetr eady
forthenight,
Iwasr eallyexcited
abouttonight,
Ihaven'
tbeeni nclubin
ages!Andt otopitalloff,
Iwi l
lbewi th
mydar li
nghusband,I'
venev erwentt o
aclubwi thhi
m.Iwon' tlieIdomi ss
Chulu,Iwantedtocall andcheckup
onherbutI '
m notreall
yusedt o
Themba' smother,soIdon' twantt o
comeacr ossasi fIdon'ttrusther
withmychi l
dorsomet hing.
Myfacewasdone!Ti metochoose
anoutfi
t,
wellIal
readyhadanout f
iti
n
mind,
sot her
ewasn'tmuchst r
uggle.I
woremywhi tebacklessdr
essthat
hadtasselsontheentir
edress,I
pairedi twi t
hmyGol dstilettos,I
want edt owearmysneaker sbutt hey
woul dn'tgowel lwitht hedr essIam
wear ing,plusI'm prettysur eAsenat hi
woul df orcemet ot aket hem of fand
wearheel s,soIsav edmy selfsome
trouble.Ilookedsexywi thmybob
weav ef inishi
ngof ft helook.Iwent
downst air
st ojoinmyhusbandwho
wasal r
eadydr essed, heact uall
y
changedwhi leIwasst il
ldoi ngmy
face.

Me:"
Alldonebaby!"Thel
ookonhis
f
acewasenoughf ormetogive
myselfaninv
isi
blepatonthe
shoul
der
.Het
ookasi
pofhi
swhi
sky

Si
vuyi
le:
"It
hinkweshoul
dst
ayi
n."I
l
aughedwhilethr
owi
ngmyhead.

Me:
"Don'
tbesi
l
lypl
ease.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Baby,
hav
eyouseenhow
sexyyoulook?
"

Me:
"Themi
rr
ornev
erl
i
es.
"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Youlookabsol
utel
yhot!I
couldeatyouupri
ghtnow!"Il
aughed.
Me:
"St
opi
t!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m defi
nit
elynott
aki
ngmy
ey
esoffyoutoni
ght."

Me:
"Wher
e'sy
oursi
ster
?"

Si
vuyil
e:"
She'sst
il
lupther
e,andI
al
readytoldhert
hatwearel eav
ingat
8whethershe'sdoneornot."

Me:"
justaf
ewminut
esl
eft
."He
l
ookedatme"What?
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Arey
ousur
ey ouwantt
ogo
tothecl
ubweari
ngl
ikethat
?"

Me:
"Yes.
"Hesmi
l
edal
i
ttl
e.

Siv
uyil
e:"
I'
m goi
ngtofindi
thardto
concentr
ateonanythi
ngtoni
ght.
"He
bi
thislowerli
p,Ibl
ushed.

Wespentthelastf
ewmi nut
es
ki
ssi
ngandtouching,
Asenat
hiwal
ked
i
nonuskissing.
Ase:
"getar
oom pl
ease!
"

Si
v uyi
le:
"Inourhouse?"Sherol
ledher
eyes."I'
m gl
adtoseet hatyoucanbe
punctualsometimes."

Ase:
"wereyougoi
ngtol
eav
eme
behi
ndifIwaslat
e?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yes.
"

Ase:
"Butbhut
iifitwasLunathi
you
woul
dhav ewaitedforher
."
Si
vuy
il
e:"
She'
smywi
fekal
oku.
"

Ase:
"andwhatam I
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"JustsomeoneIknow.
"I
l
aughed.

Ase:"
Hahbhut
i!Youar
ehur
ti
ngmy
feel
i
ngsyouknow?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
ndiy
adlal
awena
nomdade(
I'
mj oki
ngmysister
.)Wena
youar
emybestoft hebestsi
ster
."
Shesmil
ed.
Ase:"
I'
m onthehi
ghestr
ankof
si
stersri
ght
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youknowi
t!
"

Ase:
"Good!
"Theset
womyGod!

Me:
"Canwegopl
ease.
"
Siv
uy i
l
edownedt hel
astbi
tof
whiskeyhehadinaglass,
hetookt
he
carkeysandweleftt
hehouse.We
gotintot
hecaranddroveofft
othe
cl
ub.
Whenwegott hereSivuyi
le'sfri
ends
werealr
eadyseat edonVI Pboot h,
theyal
lhadgirlsont hei
rlaps,well
Thembawasnother easy et.Assoon
aswegott othem, Lungani
i
mmedi atel
ymov edt hegirlfrom hi
s
l
ap.

Gi
rl
:"
Ouch!
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Gents!"Hegr eet
edthem
gi
v i
ngaf istbumpt oeachand
everyoneoft hem,exceptthegi
rl
sof
course.Weal sogr eet
edbefore
si
tt
ingdownont
hecouch.

Lungani:
"Ididn'
tknowAsenat
hiwas
goingtojoinus."

Ase: "
Yintoni
?Areyoumarki
nga
registerofpeopl
ethatcometoa
club?"Theguy sl
aughed.

Lungani
:
"No.
..
uhIwasj
ustsay
ing.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wher
e'sThemba?
"

Ay
anda:
"Heshoul
dbehe-
..
..ahh
speakofthedev
ilandheshal
l
appear
."

Themba:"
IhopeI'
m notthedevil
."He
greet
edever
yone."
Andt hen?"He
waslooki
ngatthegir
lsont heboys'
l
ap.

Nkazi
:
"Longst
oryndoda.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Ithoughtwewer
emeet
ing
yournewchicktoday.
"

Themba:
"Ey
yIwast
oobusywi
th
mom andChuluIlosttr
ackoft
ime,
so
shecancel
l
ed,onsomeshecan't
l
eavethehouseafter8shi
t.
"The
guysl
aughed.

Lungani
:"
Wai
t!Howol
disy
ourgi
rl
kanti
?"

Themba: "
Ayygents,
Ihaven'
teven
hadapr operdr
inkandyouguysare
al
readybombar di
ngmewi th
questi
ons.CanIhaveadr i
nkfi
rst
!"

Ase:
"Ial
sohaven'
tbeenof
fer
ed
anyt
hingtodr
inkwenaThemba.
Thesepeopl
edon'
thav
emanner
s."

Lungani
:"
Whatwoul
dyoul
iket
odr
ink
babe?"Hewasl
ooki
ngatAse

Ase:"Haysisi
,
nantsiindoday akho
i
mka( Yourmani sleav i
ng).Hejust
call
edmebabe. "Wel aughedexcept
forthegir
ls.

Themba:"
Mbambeni
!Mbambeni
fast
!(
Grabhi
m gr
abhi
m!)"We
l
aughedagai
n
Ase:
"Andmakabanj
we,
nzomthatha
mna(andheshoul
dbegrabbedcause
Iwil
ltakehi
m)"

Lungani
:
"Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndy
azi
."

Gi
rl
:"
Excuseme?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Whatdoy
ouwantt
odr
ink?
"
Hewhisper
edinmyear

Me:
"Gi
nandpi
nkt
oni
cpl
ease.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Doy
ouknowwhatIwantt
o
dr
ink?
"

Me:
"What
?"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Yournat
ural
jui
ces.
"Iwas
fl
ushed.

Me:
"Lat
er.
"Iwhi
sper
edback

Ayanda:"Excusemelovebir
ds!We
areal
l havingaconver
sat
ionhere,
all
ofus."Sivuyi
leki
ssedmycheek
befor
ehemi xedmeadr i
nk.
Siv
uyil
e:"
Whatwereyouguys
sayi
ng?"Hegavememydr i
nk,It
ook
asipandsmil
edinsati
sfact
ion.Il
0ve
myginwi t
hpi
nktoni
c.

Themba:"Theladi
eswer eaboutt
o
i
ntroducethemselves.
"

Ase:
"Dower eal
l
ycarethatmuchto
knowthei
rnames?"Hereyeswer e
fi
xat
edonLungani.Theguys
l
aughed,
I'
m convi
ncedthatt
hese
guysar
egoingtolaughatever
ythi
ng
Asesays.
Themba:"No,
butIj
ustwanttoknow.I
don'twantt
ofindmyselfcal
li
ng
them wit
hsomethi
ngthatIseeon
them."

Ase:"
Forinst
ancecall
ingher
'
nompuml wana'becauseofhernose,
yeahIgetyou."Shepoint
edatthe
l
adysitt
ingnexttoLungani.

Gi
rl
:"
What
'
swr
ongwi
thmynose?
"

Ase:
"Nothi
ng,
nothi
ngatall,
it
'sjust
br
eathtaki
ng.Li
ter
all
y."Theguy s
weredeadwithl
aughter,
Icouldn't
hel
pbutj
oini
n.

Ay anda:"Si
vuyi
lekhuzaumnt anaki
ni
tuu(Sivuyil
erepri
mandy our
sister
,please).
"Hesai dwhile
l
aughi ng.Sivuyi
lejustshruggedhis
shoulder s.

Gir
l:
"Oht
hanky ou.
"Shedidn'
tgett
he
j
oke.Welaughedevenmor easshe
gaveusaconfusedlook.

Themba:"
Hayguy
s,wher
edi
dyouget
thesegi
rl
s?"
Lungani:
"I
tdoesn'
tmatt
er.Cabwe
j
ustdrinkandbemerryplease!
"

Ase:"Youdon' thav etotellmet wice."

Shet ookashotanddownedi t.Weal l
start
eddr i
nki ng,
themor ewedr ank
thelouderwegot .Theal coholwas
kicki
ngi nthesy stem.Asenat hipul l
ed
met ot hedancef l
oor,
wej oinedot her
peopleanddanced.Iwasenj oying
my selfwayt omuch.Aswewer e
dancingIfel thandssnaki ngaround
mywai st
,Iwasaboutt ot ur
nwhen
Sivuyil
ewhi spered'rel
ax'inmyear .
Wedancedt ogether
,Iwasdefi
nit
ely
on'Boit
ymode' Iwastwerki
ngand
gri
ndingonhim, wedancedver
y
i
nti
mat el
y.Wedancedunt i
lwe
couldn'
tanymore.Ipul
l
edhim back
tothebooth,
Isatonhislap.

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Pleasepassmemybeer .
"
Hisvoicewasdiff
erent
.Igr
abbedhis
beerandabot t
leofwaterf
orme.
"Thanks.
"HesaidasIhandeditt
o
him.

Ay
anda:
"Ur
ightnt
wana?
"
Si
v uy
il
e:"
Uhm,yeahsure."Theguy s
l
aughed,Iwast ot
all
ymi ssi
ngt he
j
oke."Babydon'tyouwantt ostep
outsi
deforawhi l
e?"Hewast al
king
cl
oset omyear.Istoodupandgav e
hi
m myhand, hegotupbef oretaking
i
tandwedi sappearedthrought he
crowd.
Hisli
pslandedonmet heminutewe
gotoutsi
de,wesharedanintenseki
ss.
"Shi
t!Baby,
Iwantyou."Iwantedhi
m
too,
but.
..

Me:"Now?Babewear
enotev-.
..
"He
shutmymouthupwit
hakiss."
Wow!"
Iexcl
aimedashemademet ouchhi
s
harddi
ck,Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutsqueeze
i
t.

Sivuyil
e:"
Don' tdot hat,
damn! "He
grabbedmyhandandpul l
edmet o
thecar.Heunl ockedandwegoti n
thebackseat .Hewast ednot i
me,he
wasal readyki ssingmewhi l
e
caressingmybody .Wewast edno
ti
mewi thforeplay ,
wej ustjumped
strai
ghtintobusi ness.Thecarwas
fi
ll
edwi thourgr oans,Iwasn' teven
wor r
iedaboutpeopl ewhower e
passingt hrough,thepl easurewast oo
much.Byt het imewewer edonet he
carwasfi
l
ledwi
thadif
fer
entscent
andthewi
ndowsweresweaty
.

Me:"Wow!Thatwasf un.
"Isai
d
breathlessl
y.Hegrabbedahandful
l
oftissueandwi pedmecleanbef
ore
wipinghi sdi
ck.

Sivuyi
le:
"It
hinkweshouldj
ustdr
ive
backhomeandf i
nishup.
"Ial
sosti
ll
yearnedformoreofhim.

Me:
"Wecan'
tl
eav
eAsebehi
nd.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"Damn!If
orgotabouther.I
don'
twanttogobacki nsi
de,Ij
ust
wanttosither
ewit
hy ou."Ismi
led.

Me:"Wecabheretohavefunand
that
'sexact
lywhatwearegoi
ngto
have,
let
'sgoback.
"Hesighed

Sivuy
il
e:"
Fine!Butweneedtogetri
d
ofthi
ssmel l
."Igi
ggled.Weopened
thedoorsjusttogetsomefreshai
rin.

Aft
erafewminut
eswewentback
i
nsidet
ojoi
ntheother
s.
Nkazi
:"
Siv
uy i
l
emyman, whydoyou
l
ooksodiffer
ent?Whatwerey
ou
guysdoi
ngout si
de?
"OhGod.

Si
vuy i
le:
"Hayshutupwenaandf ocus
onthechi ckenony ourlap."Theguy s
l
aughed.Idi dn'tf
eelli
kedr i
nkingany
mor e,soIoptedf ordr
inkingwat er.
Surpri
singlySivuyi
lewasal so
dri
nkingwat er.Wedancedsome
mor eandhadanepi ctime.
Wedrovebackhomearound3
o'
cl
ockinthemorni
ng,
Asenathi
was
papdr
unk,
sheevencri
edforLungani
say
ingshewantst
ogohomewit
h
hi
m,itwassof
unnytowat
ch.

Wewentst r
aighti
ntoourr ooms
whenwear r
ived.Thepaininmyf eet
i
spr ovethatIhadsomuchf un
tonight
,t
houghIdor egretwearing
sti
lett
osthewhol enight.
Ithr
ewtheshoesthatwer
einmy
handonthefl
oor,
Itookoffmydr
ess
andgoti
ntobed.
Si
vuyi
lecamebackf r
om t
he
bat
hroom andj
oinedmeinbed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Toni
ghtwasawesome.
"
Me:
"Youcansayt
hatagai
n."

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Whoknewt hatyoucanget
downli
kethat
."Il
etoutachuckl
e

Me:
"Ihaveal
otofhi
ddent
alent
mi
ster.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"Whydon'tweputsomeof
thathi
ddent al
entingooduse."He
removedt hecoversfr
om me" and
l
ookatt hat,
she'
scompl et
elynaked.
Areyout r
y i
ngtotempmeMr s
Dl
ami
ni?
"

Me:"
Onl
ytheweakgett
emptedby
t
hisMrDlami
ni.
"Hegotont
opofme

Sivuyil
e:"
IguessIam oneoft heweak
then."Igiggledashel aunchedhis
l
ipsonmyneck, hesuckoni tl
eaving
amar kthere.Hisli
pscamei n
contactwi t
hmi ne,
hemaneuv er
ed
histonguei nsidemymout h,
our
tongueswer einsyncasweki ssed
passionately.Hisonehandwas
squeezingonmybr east,
sendi
nga
sensat i
ondownt here.
Ifel
thishandonmyt hi
gh,hishand
wasmov ingbetweenmyt highs,al
l
thewayupt omypussy .Hisfingers
mov edfr
om mycl i
ttothefoldsofmy
pussy.Hepulledonmypussyl i
ps,
mov i
ngthem tothesideasheused
hismiddl
ef i
ngertorubaroundt he
openingtomypussy ,di
ppinghis
fi
ngerinonlyasfarashisfingernai
l.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Youli
kethat
?"Inoddedwith
myeyesclosed"You’
resowet,”he
sai
dwithasmi l
einhi
sv oi
ce.

Il
etoutal
i
ttl
emoanashepushed
hi
sfi
ngerf
urt
heri
ntome.

Siv
uyi
l
e:“Tel
lmeyoul
i
keit,
”hesai
d,
usi
nghisthumbt
orubli
ght
lyonmy
cl
it
.

Me:
“I
…Idol
i
kei
t,
”Ianswer
ed.

Ifel
thishandabr uptl
ymov eaway
andcomedownhar dwi t
hasmack
onmysensi tivepussy.Iscr eamedin
pl
easure.Heopenedmyl egsandgot
i
nbet weent hem,Ifel
tZizi knocki
ng
attheentranceofmypussy ,Idi
dn'
t
evennoticethathewasal sonaked,I
wasjustr
eadytowelcomehim.He
r
ubbedmyf oldsandmycli
twithhis
t
ip,
herubbedevenfast
erwhichdrove
meinsane.Iwantedhi
minsi
deme
i
mmedi at
ely.

Me:
"Iwanty
ounowbaby
!"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Youwanti
t?"Inodded."
Tel
l
mehowmuchy ouwantmet ofuck
you."OhGodIam sot urnedonri
ght
now.

Me:
"Iwanty
out
ofuckme.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
How?"Hewassti
l
lrubbi
ng
mycli
twit
hhi
srockhar
ddick

Me:"
Fuckmeunt
ilIcan'
tfeel
my
l
egs!
"

Siv
uy il
e:"Yourwi shismycommand. "
Hesl owlyent eredhisdickintomy
paradise, Imoanedashest arted
mov i
ngi nast eadypace..
..Soonhe
wasonbeastmode, andIwas
screami nginpl easure.
○

Iwassl eepinginthecomf ortof

Sivuyi
le'schest,
whenmyphone
decidedt oringanddistur
bmy
peaceful sl
eep.Itookitandcheck
thecallerid,
itwasanunsav ed
numberIputt hephoneonsi lentand
wentbackt omysl eepi
ngplace.

"
Whowasi
t?"Andhi
sawake.

Me:"
Idon'
tknow,
i
twasanunsav
ed
number.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"mmmh."Heki
ssedmy
for
ehead."
Howareyoufeel
i
ngt
his
morni
ng?"

Me:
"I
'mt
ir
ed,
Ican'
tfeel
myl
egs.
"

Sivuy i
l
e:"
I'
m gladIcoulddeli
ver
."I
coul dhearthesati
sfacti
ononhis
voice.Wehadcount l
essroundsat
theweehour softhemor ni
ng,you
woul dswearwewer emakingupf or
thet i
mewewer enothav i
ngsex.I'
ve
nev erbeenpleasuredli
kethatbefor
e,
seeSi vuyi
le'
ssexgamei sonpoi nt
butearlythismor ning,
itwasj
uston
anotherlevel.I
fther oomswerenot
soundpr oofI'm prett
ysureAsenat
hi
wouldhav ehear dmyscr eams,Iwas
real
l
yr eall
yloud.

Me:"
Idon'
tthi
nkIcan'tgetupf
rom
t
hisbed.
"Hechuckled.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Youhavetoo,Themba's
mom i
nvit
edusforSundaylunchpl
us
wehavetogofet
chChulu."Dowe
havet
ogo?

Me:
"Shei
nvi
tedus?Asi
nmeand
y
ou?
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Yep.She'sbeendy
ingt
o
of
fi
cial
lymeety ou."

Me:
"Ohwow,
that
'sni
ceofher
."

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Yeah,
sowehavetoget
readyandleav
e.Thembahasl
eftme
3messagesal r
eady.
"

Me:
"Wedi
dn'
tev
engetmuchsl
eep.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wewi
l
lsl
eepwhenweget
back.
"

Me:"
wit
hyourdaught
erar
ound?
For
get!
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Sheissuchanui
sance
thesedaysneh?"

Me:
"Hey!
"Ihithi
schest
,hel
aughed.
"
Don'
tsaythataboutmydaughter
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
m ki
ddi
ng.
"

Me:
"Butshei
sanui
sanceshame.
"
Webothlaughed."
Likef
atherl
i
ke
daught
er.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Excuseme?
"Il
aughed.

Me:"
ButIl
oveyouboth,
wit
hyour
nui
sancebehav
iour
s."

Wewerenowreadytoleaveandgo
t
oThemba'shouse,Asenat
hideci
ded
t
oinv
iteher
sel
falong.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Asenat
himar
n!"
"I
'
m cominggeez!
"Sheshout
edf
rom
upthest
air
s

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Fir
stshei nvi
teshersel
f,
and
nowshe'
smaki ngusl ate.
"Asenat
hi
camedownt hestair
sr ushi
ng.

Ase:
"I
'm sor
rykal
okubhut
i.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Mxm. "Hewalkedt owards
thedoor,wehadnochoi cebutt o
foll
owbehi ndhim.Asheopenedt he
door,t
herewasSi phostandingin
frontofi
t,helookedl
ikehewasabout
toopeni ttoo."Awwmkhul uwa(big
brot
her)
"theygreet
edeachot
heri
n
thei
rownway .

Si
pho:
"Canwecomei
n."

Ase:"
theli
tt
leshedev
ili
sher
e."She
whisper
edt ome.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Weareact
uall
yonourway
outbhuti
.Canwedothisl
ater
."

"
Please,
wewon'ttakeupmuchof
y
ourtime."Ohshe'
sreal
lyher
e.
Ase:
"It
oldy
ou.
"

Lusanda:"
Ijustwantt
osayaf ew
thi
ngs,
please."Si
vuyi
l
esighedand
l
ookedatme, Iwascuri
ousasto
whatshewant st
osayus,soInodded.
Hemov edawayf rom t
hedoorandl et
them i
n.Lusandahadacakei nher
hand.

Ase:
"Iwonderwho'
sbir
thdayi
sit
."
Shewasstil
lwhi
speri
ngtome.

Lusanda:
"Canwepl
easegoandsi
t
down."
Siv
uyi
le:
"si
siweh,
wear
erunni
ngl
ate
thi
na.
"

Me:
"Babe,I
'm sur
ewecansparea
f
ewmi nut
es,aker
e?"Hesi
ghed

Si
vuyi
le:
"Fi
ne!
"Hel
edthewaytothe
l
ounge."
Whatdoyouwanttosay
? "

Lusanda: "
uhuhm...
.Ijustwantto
apologisetothebothofy ou,I
shouldn'thav
espokent oy outheway
Idi
d.I-...
"Anotherapology,
myGod.
Thisonedi dn'
tevenseem si
ncere,
I
actuall
ydon'tevencareabouther
Stupidapology,
Idon'
twanther
anywher enearmyhouse."Lunathi
."
Everyonewasl ooki
ngatme, Idi
dnt
evenhearwhatshewassay ingI
compl et
elyzonedout.

Me:
"Yes.
"Shesmi
l
ed.

Lusanda:
"Thanky
ou.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Wealsohavesomethi
ngto
say,Idon'tmeanthi
sinabadway
butIwouldlikef
oryouLusandato
stopcomingt
oourhousef
rom now
onwards.
"

Si
pho:
"What
?Why
?"

Lusanda:"I
tsokaybabe."Sheheld
Sipho'
shand."Iunderstand
Sivuyi
l
e,andIrespectyourdeci
sion.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
Good!Nowt hatal
lussor
ted
out,
cabyoupleaseexcuseus,
we
havesomewher et
obe. "

Si
pho:
"Wai
t!Ist
il
ldon'
tgetwhyshe
doesn'
thav
etocomeher
eany
mor
e."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youdon'
thavetogeti
t
br
other,
i
t'
smydecision.
"

Sipho:
"ifshe'
snol ongerwel
come
herethatmeansI '
m alsonot
welcomeher ethen."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Dowhat eversui
tsyou
mkhuluwa."Ohwow!Iwassopr oud
ofmyman, foroncehestoodupt o
hi
sbrother."Canwegopl ease."He
waslookingatmeandAsenat hi
Lusanda:
"CanIat
leastgoandput
thi
scakeinthefr
idge,
it
'smypeace
off
eri
ng."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hur
ryup.
"

Me:
"WhatwasIyesi
ngto?"I
whi
sper
edtoAsenat
hi,
shelaughed.

Ase:
"Youjustsai
dyeswi
thoutev
en
hear
inganythi
ng?"

Me:
"Izonedoutwhi
l
eshewas
t
alki
ng.
"Shel
aughedsomemor
e.

Ase:"Whatifshewasaskingt oshar
e
yourhusbandwi thyou?
"Iroll
edmy
eyes."I
'
m kidding.Shewasjust
askingify
ouacceptherapol ogyor
not.
"

Me:"mxm, ka-.
."Iwasi nterr
uptedbya
l
oudscr eam comi ngfrom thekit
chen.
Wel ookedateachot herbef or
e
rushingtotheki tchen.Wewer emet
byadi stur
bingsi ght,
Lusandawas
fl
atont hefloor,mov i
ngherhands
aroundheront hef l
oor.Itl
ookedlike
shehadgonecr
azy
.Asenat
hil
etout
aloudl
aught
er.

Lusanda:
"Whoi
sther
e?"

Si
pho:
"babe,
areyouokay
?"He
cr
ouchednexttoher
.

Lusanda:
"Ican'
tseeSi
pho!
!"

Us:
"What
?!"

Sipho:
"Whatdoy
oumeany
oucan'
t
see?"
Lusanda:
"Iam bl
i
nddammi
t!!
"That
expl
ainswhyshewasfi
ddl
i
ngwi t
h
thefl
oor.

Sipho:
"Nonono!Baby
,ar
eyousur
e
aboutthi
s?"

Lusanda:"Yes!Ican'tsee,
Ican'tsee
anythi
ng."Shesobbed." OhmyGod!
Whatisgoi ngon? !
."Wewer eal l
shocked.Shel etoutanotherloud
scream.
Asenat
hi:
"Hai
bosi
si!
"

Si
pho:
"Br
ohy
ouhav
etohel
pme.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
What?How?I
'
m notan
opt
ometri
stdude!
"

Si
pho:
"Comeon.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ican'
thel
pyou.
"

Ase:
"Bet
hunaar
en'
twel
atef
ort
he
l
unchna?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Inf
actwear
e."

Ase:"
Thenlet'
sgo,usi
siwil
lbefi
ne
wethu."Shewalkedtowar
dsthedoor
.
"
Arey ouguyscomi ngorwhat?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Rightbehi
ndy
ousi
s."

Sipho:
"areyouser
ious?
!Mygir
lf
ri
end
i
sbl i
ndandallyouguyscar
eabouti
s
yourstupidl
unch?!
"

Ase:
"Haybhut
i,wehadpl
ansbef
ore
youguy scamehere.Wecan'tchange
them nowbecausey ourgi
rl
fr
iend
suddenlywent'
bl
ind'.
"

Sipho:"
Yout hi
nkshe'sfaki
ngthis?"
Asenathishruggedhershoulders."
I
can'tbel
ieveyou!Youknowwhat ?I
don'twantyoui nmyhouseany mor e!
Youar evil
echild,
nowondery ourown
sibl
ingsdon'tl
ov eyou!Ubol
il
emar n
yeses!"

Sivuyi
le:
"Don'
tyoudar
etal
ktoherl
i
ke
that!
"
Si
pho:
"Masambebaby
."Hehel
ped
hi
sgir
lf
ri
endst
andup.

Ase:"Youar esayi
ngallthoset hings
becauseoft hi
sevilgi
rlf
ri
endofy ours?
Ohwowbhut i
andhereIwast hinking
youlov edme, buti
t'
sfineifyouar e
choosingt hathoeov -
..
."Thwaaa!A
slaplandedonhercheek.Si vuyil
e
quicklyreleasedapunchonhi sjaw.
Af i
ghtbr okeoutbetweent het woof
them,fist
swer ef
lyi
ngallover.

Me:"
STOPI
T!!
!"Si
vuy
il
epushedhi
m
of
fhim.
Siv
uyil
e:"
All
thi
sbecauseofagi r
l? !
!
Youareweak!I'
m evenashamedt o
cal
lyoumybr ot
her.
"Hespi tonthe
fl
oorinfr
ontofhim."Getthehel
l out
ofmyhouse!Now! !
"Siphotool
Lusanda'
shandandl edherout

Ase:"
Uzozi
solabhuti
(youar
egoingt
o
regr
etthi
sbrother
.)
!"Sheshout
ed

Me:"
Whatthehel
lj
usthappened?
"I
sai
dinashockedtone.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Nxah!
"Hewasfuming."Let
s
go!
"Wearesti
l
lgoi
ngt
ot helunch?

Me:
"Baby
,youst
il
lwantt
ogo?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yes.
"Hewal
kedoutt
hedoor
.

Me:
"Ar
eyouokay
?"Shesmi
l
ed.

Ase:
"I
'mf
ine.
"

Me:"Ar
ey ousu-
..
."pi
i
ii
p!'
Thatwasa
carhoot.
Ase:"
Let
'sgobeforehecomesand
fet
chus."Werushedouttheki
tchen
andoutthefr
ontdoorwewent.I
l
ockedthedoor,
thenwegotinthecar
anddroveof
f.
Ther i
dewast ooqui et,I
'
m guessi ng
theywer ealsost il
lbattl
eqi ththeir
thoughtsaboutt hefight.Iforone
cannotbel i
vet hatbithappened, I
can'tbel
ievet hatSiphosl apped
Asenathi andsai dallthosemean
thingstoher ,
heev enf oughtwi th
Sivuyi
leallbecauseoft hatgi r
l,
well
thatwoman!Thatwasdef i
nitel
ythe
biggestfighttheyhav eev eryhad,I
wonderhowt heyaregoingtocome
backfrom thatone,
*sigh*.AllIneed
ri
ghtnow, i
sjusttoseemydaught er
,I
desperatel
yneedoneofherwar m
hugsrightnow.Thisisaf uckedup
si
tuati
on!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB

I
sitt
olat
etowi
shy
'al
lamer
ry
Chr
ist
mas? ‍♀

Seey
oui
nJAN
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t92
•
•
•
•
•

Wedidnotreall
yspendalotofti
me
atThemba'shome,Si
vuyi
lewasnot
okaysowehadt ocutthelat
elunch
short
.Ihadagreatti
me
though,Themba'smom isa
sweetheartanditturnsoutsheused
towor kwithmymom.I '
mj ustgl
ad
thatshedidn'
tbringherupal oti
nour
conversati
on,
otherwisethelunch
wouldhav ebeenr ui
ned.
Ourdr i
vebackhomewasassi lentas
theonewet ookt oThemba's
mom, onlyChul uwasmaki ngnoi se
withhert oyandmypoorbabywas
tal
kingalone,it'
sonl
yamat t
eroft i
me
beforeshecr iesbecausenoonei s
pay i
ngattenti
ont oher,
andmybaby
l
ov esattenti
on.Luckil
ywear ri
ved
homewi thouthercryi
ng,Ibuckled
herfrom herseatandf oll
owed
Asenat
hii
ntot
hehouse.Siv
uyi
l
e
fol
l
owedshort
lyandj
oinedusi
nthe
l
ounge.

Me:"
Areyouguy sokay?"Whatam I
aski
ng,
Imeant heyjusthada
massiv
efightwitht
heirbrot
her
.

Ase:
"I
'l
lbef
ine.
"

Me:"
Baby
?"Helookedatmebef
ore
gi
vi
ngmeaf ai
ntsmil
e.

Ase:
"I
'mj
ustshockedt
hatbhut
i
react
edthatwaybecauseoft
hat
plast
icdol
l!
"

Siv
uy i
le:"
I'
venevertakenhimt obea
personwhowoul dturnhisbackon
hi
sf ami l
ybecauseofagi rlhejust
met .I
'
v ealwaysviewedhim as
personwhov al
uedf amil
y."

Ase:
"That
'stheimpr
essi
onhegav
e
us.
"Ikeptquietf
orawhi
le.

Me:"Guys,
don'
tyout
hinkther
e's
somethi
ngwr ongwi
ththewayhe's
behavi
ng?"
Ase:
"ofcour
set
herei
shesl
apped
me!Thatwaswr-
"

Me:"
No,Imeandon' ty
outhi
nk
somethi
ngisinf
luenci
ngthewayhe
i
sbehaving?
"Theylookedatme
conf
used.

Siv
uy i
le:
"Hi
slov
eforLusanda,
of
course."

Me:"
No,ImeanwhatifLusandaf
ed
hi
m somethi
ng,
youknow...
kor
obel
a(l
ovepot
ion)
"

Ase:
"Shewoul
dn'
tdar
e!"

Me:"Imeant hinkaboutit,
theSi
pho
wesawt odayisnottheSi phowe
know."Theykeptqui etfora
whil
e,theylookedli
ket heywere
thi
nking.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youcoul
dber
ighty
azi
baby
."

Ase:
"I
fsher
eadydi
dfeedhi
m al
ove
poti
on,I
'
m goingtoki
ll
hermy self
!I
wasslappedbecauseofher!My
cheekissti
l
lburni
ngevennow
becauseofthatkor
obela!
"Ichuckled.

Me:"Thisi
snotaboutyouAse.
Besideswearenotevensurei
fshe
real
l
yf edhersomethi
ng,
shedoesn'
t
l
ookl i
kethatty
pe.
"

Ase:"
Haisuka!Shedi
dwethu!Iam so
l
ividri
ghtnow,Iwanttogostr
aightt
o
thathouseandshowherwhatIam
madeof !"
Me:
"Cal
m down,
wil
lyou?
"

Ase:
"Cal
m down?Excuseme,youar
e
nott
heonewhor ecei
vedahothard
cl
ap!Ihaveev
eryri
ghttobel
ikethi
s."

Me:"
She'snott
heonewhosl
apped
youthough.
"

Ase:
"I
t'
sherf
aul
tthatIwassl
apped!
"

Me:"
Ay yIgi
veup."Ir
aisedmyhands
i
nsurrender
."Baby,
couldyougoand
putt
hisonetosleep.
"Hest oodup
andtookasl
eepi
ngChulufr
om my
arms."I
'
m cr
avi
ngforsomet
hing.
"

Ase:
"somet
hingl
i
ke?
"

Me:"
Idon'
tknow,Ij
ustwantt
ochew
onsomethi
ng."

Ase:"
hayNathiyouar
eal
way seat
ing
theseday
smar n,may
beyouhave
wormsorthere'
sabunintheoven."

Me:"
Uyahl
anya?(
Youar
ecr
azy
.)I
'
m
notpr
egnant
."
Ase:
"Thenwhydoy
oueatsomuch?
"

Me:
"I
'm cl
oset
omyper
iods.
"

Ase:
"Mmmmh.
"

Me:
"EyyyouDlamini
slov
eassumi
ng
t
hatI'
m pr
egnant,
yoh!
"

Ase:"
Wewanttoseel
it
tl
eSivuyi
les
runni
ngar
oundthi
shouse,
tshi
i
!"
Me:"
Inthenextfi
veyear
sor
so,
defi
nit
elynotnow.
"

"
What
'shappeni
ngi
nfi
vey
ear
s?"

Ase:
"Ut
hishewil
lonl
yst
arthav
ing
babi
esaft
er5years.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Oh?
"Hesai
dinal
owt
one.

Ase:
"Tellherthatwewantki
ds
bhut
i,
please."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hay
,Ihav
enosayi
nthi
s
mna.I t
'sherbodymos. "Iroll
edmy
eyes.Whyar eweev entalkingabout
babies.Ist oodupandmademyway
totheki t
chen.Iwasr eall
ycr av i
ngf or
somet hing,Ijustwant edt oeat .I'
m
prett
ysur eit'
sbecauseIam cl oset o
myper iods.May beIwi llfi
nd
somet hingi nt hef ri
dge.Oh
great,
Chocol atecake.Exact lywhatI
needt of eedmycr av i
ng.Itooki tout
ofthef r
idget henIcutmysel fasl i
ce
beforeput t
ingi tbacki nthef ridge.I
atethesl iceofcakeandpour ed
my sel
fagl assofj ui
cet owashi t
down.Imustsay ,
i
twasv eryt asty.I
walkedbackt ot heloungeandsat
downnextt
oSivuy
il
e,Ipl
acedmy
feetont
opofhi
m.

Sivuyi
le:
"Whatwer
eyoueat
ingi
n
there?
"

Me:
"Cake.
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Uy
avi
mbababe,
whydi
dn'
t
youcutusasl
ice?
"

Me:
"Youdon'
tl
ikecakenj
ebabe.
"

Ase:
"Yeeey
!Speaki
ngofcake,
we
needtogetri
doftheoneLusanda
bought
.Idon'
ttr
ustthatgi
rl
."

Siv
uyil
e:"
True.
"Shegotupandwent
totheki
tchen."So,
in5years,
huh?
"I
l
ookedathi m conf
used."
Thebabies.
"
OhGod

Me:
"Ohhh!That
."

Si
vuy i
l
e:"Yes,t
hat.Whywasn'tI
i
ncludedi nthedecisi
onofhavi
ng
babiesin5y ears?"
Me:"
OhcomeonSi
vuy
il
e,
it
'snotabi
g
deal
."

Siv
uy i
le:"
notabigdeal?Baby,
you
knowhowmuchIwantt ohav
ekids
wit
hy ouandwenay ousuddenmy
decidedt hatwewil
lhavethem ata
l
aterst ageinourl
if
e?How' st
hat
supposedt omakemef eel
?"

Me:
"I
-.
."Ist
oppedmi
dsent
enceas
wal
kedin

"
HeeehLunathi
sisi
,
whi
chcakedi
d
y
oueat?"Shehadtwocakesi
nher
hands,
bot
hchocol
ate.

Me:
"Theonet
hati
scut
."

Ase:
"bot
hthesecakeshav
ebeen
cut
."

Me:"
Ay yIdon'
tknowheh.
"Isai
d
car
elessl
y.

Ase:"
Haibosisi
,
aren'
tyouworr
ied
thatyoumighthaveeatent
heshe
devil
'
scake?"
Me:"Whatdi dsheputinit?Poi son?"I
l
aughed,theywer enotlaughingwi t
h
me." Chi
llguy s,
I'
m surethere's
nothingwr ongwi thLusanda'scake.If
therewas, Iwouldhav efelt
somet hi
ng. "Theybothlookedatme.
"I
'mf i
ne!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arey
ousur
e?"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Ase:"
justt
obesaf e,
I
'm goi
ngt
o
thr
owbot hthesecakesaway.
"
Me:"No!"Theycan'tdot
hat
,Ilove
chocolatecake."
Whatam Igoingto
eati
fy outhrowthem away
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
l
lbuyy
ouanot
herone.
"

Me:
"Youbet
terSi
vuy
il
e."

Ase:
"Haynozi
Per
iods!
"Shet
urned
andl
eft.

Siv
uyi
le:
"Ar
eyousur
esur
esur
ethat
youfi
ne?"
Me:"
poisontakest i
metowork,
I'
m
sur
eIwi l
lfeelsomethi
ngabitl
ater
."
Hegav emeaser iousl
ook."
I'
m
ki
dding,
geez!"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
enotf
unny
."Il
aughed.

Me:"
Chi l
l
.WhywouldLusandawant
t
opoi sonal
lofus?Shegotwhoshe
wantedmos."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
eish,
kanenether
eist
hat
pr
obl
em.Ineedt ospeaktoMaNdeka
aboutt
his.
"

Me:"Youwil
ltal
kt oherwhenweget
homenextweek. "Hesighed."
Stop
str
essingaboutt
hi s,
wearenoteven
sureifSi
phohasbeenf edthelove
poti
onornot."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
True.
"

Me:"Sofornow, pleaseturnyour
att
enti
ont omyf eet.
"Igavehim abi
g
smileashel ookedatmewi tha
boredexpression."Prett
yplease.
"He
chuckl
ed,beforeput ti
nghishandson
myf
eetandst
art
edmassagi
ngt
hem.

Iwaswokenupbyashar ppaininmy
abdomi nalarea.Iopenedmyey es
andl ookedar ound,noonewasi n
sight.Isatupst rai
ght,Icouldf eel
thatmypant ywasdamp, Iguessmy
periodsdeci dedt of i
nall
ycome.Iwas
aboutt ost andupwhenanot herpain
camet hrough, t
histimei twasmor e
painfulthant heot her,Iscreamed
l
ightly.Isatbackdown, waiti
ngf ori
t
topassbyl iket hefir
stone.I nstead
ofpassi ngby ,
anotheronecame!It
wasv eryintense,i
tfeltl
ikesomeone
wasint enti
onallysqueezingmy
uter
us, Icri
edoutl oud.Thesecannot
possiblybeper iodpains,t
hey'
venever
beent hispainful.

Me:"Sivuyil
e!!
"Ishouted."Asenathi!!
"
Stil
lnoanswer .Theymusthav egone
out.OhGod, whatam Igoi ngt odo?
Thispaini stoomuch.Imanagedt o
standup, t
hepai nsweregetti
ngmor e
andmor eintenseandIwasf eel
inga
bitl
ightheaded.AsIwal kedtowar ds
thekitchen,Inot i
cedthatmyski rt
wasabi theavierthannormal,I
touchedt hebackofi tandmyhand
camebackf ull ofblood.Anot her
shar ppaincomet hrough, Iscreamed
asIf elldownt hef l
oor .Icouldf eel
my selflosingst r
engt h."Sivuyi
le!"I
usedt helastbi tofst rengthIhadt o
shout .Myey eswer eget ti
ngheav i
er
byt hesecond, Icoul dn'tkeept hem
openany mor e,therewasl iquid
runningoutofmynose.
"Si.
..vu..
yi
..l
e. "If el
tmyey esclosing
slowly ,
thelittlel i
ghtIcoul dn't
see,turnedi ntodar knessi naspl i
t
second.

○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Wewer eonourwayf r
om t he
shops,my self
,AsenathiandChul u.
LunathifellasleepwhileIwasst il
l
massagi ngherf eet,
Ifiguredthatby
thetimeshewakesupshewi l
l betoo
ti
redtopr eparedinnerf orus.SoI
decidedt ogobuysomet hi
ngtoeat
forus,andherf avouri
techocol ate
cake.

Ase:"
Canwepl easepassbyat
tops,
please.
"Topswasnearbymy
house.

Me:"HayhayAsenathi
!Youwere
dri
nkingyest
erday
,andyoust
il
lwant
todri
nktoday?Hayno."

Ase:
"Ineedt
odi
str
essbhut
i,
please.
"

Me:
"Di
sst
ressy
ani
nawena?
"

Ase:"
TheBhut'
Siphodrama.My
cheekisst
il
lpai
nful
,andonlya
speci
ficwi
necanheal i
t.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
"Wenay
ouwi
l
luseev
eryexcuse
t
odri
nk!
"

Ase:
"Pl
easehl
ebhut
i,
justonebot
tl
e."

Me:"
YouareluckybecauseIhav
erun
outbeer
sathome."
Wemadequi ckst
opatt
opsandI
boughtwhatweneeded,Iadded
chi
psf ormylovel
ywi
fe,
herfavour
it
e.
Wedr ovebackhome.

Ase:
"Ibety
oushe'
sstil
lsl
eeping.
"
Shesaidaswewalkedtowardsthe
f
rontdoor
.Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
Iwoul
dn'
tbesupr
ised,
shel
oves
sl
eepi
ng.
"

Ase:
"Yohndoda,
Chul
uisheavyyeer
!
Whatdoyouguysfeedher?
"Shewas
behi
ndmeaswewal kedinthehouse.

Me:
"Askhermother
."Sheputheron
t
hefl
oor.Wewenttoputour'st
uff'
in
t
hekit
chenandwenttothelounge.
"
Whereissh-
..
..
"
"
OhMyGod!
"Shey
ell
ed!
Mywi f
ewasl y
ingl
if
elessont
he
fl
oor,
withbl
oodall
overherwhi
te
ski
rt
.

Ase:
"Bhut
i!
!"Shey
ell
edagai
n.

Me:"Asenathi,
takeChul u!.
"Chuluwas
si
tti
ngnextt ohermot her,
play
ingwith
hernoseasshenor mallydoeswhen
shewant shert owakeup.Asenat hi
stoodfrozenont hespot" Now
Asenathi!
"Ishout ed.Shegot
fr
ightenedandqui ckl
ytookChul u
awayf rom Lunathi.Irushedtoher
andcheckedherpul
se."
Herpul
sei
s
fai
nt.Weneedtogethert
othe
hospit
al.
"

Ase:
"I
'l
lcal
lanambul
ance.
"

Me:"itwil
ltaket ime.Getmycar
keys,Now!"Iscoopedherupand
rushedoutwi thher .Mybr ai
nwas
ful
lyondoct ormode, that'
swhyIwas
socal m.IfIhadf ocussedont hefact
thatshe'smywi f
e,Iwoul dbe
panickingrightandt hatwoul dmake
thesituati
onev erhar der."James!!
"I
yell
edf oroneoft heguar dsthatwas
nearby .Her anupt omeashe
noti
cedt hel i
felessbodyonmyar ms.
"Takeust ot hehospi tal."Aset ossed
Jamest hekey ,Igoti nt hebackwi t
h
Lunathi asJamesgoti ntot hedr iv
er
seat,wespeedoutof ft hepr oper t
yall
thewayt ot hehospi t
al .Ont hewayI
wassi lent l
ypr ayingf orGodt osav e
her,Ican' timagi newal kingont his
j
ourneyofl ifewi thouther ,l
i
fewi thout
herwoul dbemi ser ableandi t'
s
somet hingIam notl ooki ngforwar d
to."Staywi thmebaby ,don'tleav e.
"I
whisper ed.
Wearri
vedi
nhospi
tali
nnoti
me,Igot
outt
hecarwit
hherandrani
nsi
dethe
hospi
tal
."Hel
p!Hel
p!"Thenur
seran
tome,aport
ercamewi t
habed,Iput
heronit
.

DR:"
Whatdowehaveher
e?"Idon'
t
evenknowwher
ehecamefrom.

Nurse:
"Shejustgotindoctor
,she
bl
eedingheavilyonherlowerbody.
"
Theyrandownt hepassagewitht
he
bed,
Iwasbehi ndthem.

DR:
"Sir
,Ineedyout
owai
t
her
e,pl
ease."
Iwat chedt hem di sappeari ntothe
doubl edoor swi thhandsonmyhead.
Isankdownont hef loorandbur i
ed
myheadi nmyknees.I tallcame
crushi ngdownonme, myheadwas
spinningasIt houghtoft he
possi bil
ityofl osi ngher .Ifeltl
ikethe
wor ldwascl osi ngi nonme.Il etouta
l
oudscr eam, thet earswer enot
comi ngout .If eltlikecrying,butIhad
not ear sandt hatf rustratedmeev en
mor e.Whatam It obecomewi thout
her?Shecan' tleav eme, Ineed
her,shemakesmeabet t
erman, a
betterhumanbei ngingener al
.The
Godscan' ttakeherf rom me, t
heyjust
cannotdot
hatt
ome.

Isatthereforanhour ,
therewasst
il
l
noonecomi ngouttotellmewhat
wasgoi ngon.Iwasl ostinmyown
thoughtswhenIhear dnoi secomi
ng
towardsme, itwastheMokoena
sibl
ingsandt heywereqi t
hAsenat
hi
andChul u.

Thabang:"Howisshe?
"Ishr
ugged
myshoul der
s."
Whatdoyoumean
youdon'tknow?!
"

Bont
le:
"Thabang!
"Hesi
ghed.
Thabang:
"sor
rymyman.Howar ey
ou
hol
dingup?"Ishr
uggedagai
n.

Li
zwi:"She'
saf ight
er,
don'
tworry
she'
llbefine.Iknowshewi l
lbe.
"It
soundedl i
kehewast ryi
ngto
convi
ncehi msel ft
hanme.

Me:"I
'm assumingAsenathitoldy ou
aboutthesituati
onwef oundheri n?"
Theynodded." Iguesswewi l
lhav eto
waittohearfrom thedoctorwhat
causedhert obleedsomuch. "I
al
readyhadani deainmyhead, but
somehowIr efusedt
obeli
eve.I
fit
wastrue,t
henhowdidwenotnot i
ce
anyt
hing?Plusthebl
oodwaswayt o
muchf ori
ttobewhatIthi
nkiti
s.

Wesatandwai t
edf oranupdat ef ora
while,
butnoonewascomi ngout .I
keptonl ookingatthedoubl edoor s
theydisappearedintoear l
i
er
on,hopingthatsomeonewi llemer ge
from t
hem andt elluswhatt hehel lis
goingonwi t
hmywi fe.Thewaiting
waski l
lingme,butnonewsi sgood
news,ri
ght ?
Ase:"
maybeweshoul djustgohome
andcomebackt omorrow.I'm pret
ty
surewewill
getanupdat ebythen."
Noonemov ed."Guys!I
t'snouse
si
tti
nghereint
hiscoldhallway,wem
-.
..
"

Me: "Asenathii
fyouwantt ogo,
you
cango!I 'm notabouttoleav
ethi
s
placewi thoutknowingwhatthefuck
i
swr ongwi thmywi f
e!"Iwasget
ting
wor kedup

Ase:
"Hai
bobh-
..
."
Me:"Hayfutsek!Justshutupandsi
t
downliketherestofus!Wedon't
needyoursmar tmout hri
ghtnow!
Yeses!"

Bont
le:
"Cal
m downSi
vuy
il
e."

Me:"
I'
m sorr
yAse,I'
mjustso
f
rust
ratedri
ghtnow."Atearescaped
myeye, Iwi
peditqui
ckl
y.

Ase:
"I
t'
sokaybhut
iIunder
stand.
"I
smil
edali
ttl
eandnodded.
Adoct
orcameoutoft
hedoor
s,we
st
oodupi
mmedi
atel
yandf
ocused
onhi
m.

DR:
"Ev
eni
ngev
ery
one.
"

Me:"
How'smywif
edoing?
"Helooked
atev
ery
one."
They'
ref
amily
."

DR:
"MrsDlaminihaslostal
otof
bl
ood.Wear esti
l
ltryi
ngtofi
gureout
whatcausedthebleedi
ng,
b-.
..
"Icut
hi
m short
.

Me:
"Ij
ustwantt
oknowhowshei
s?"
DR:"
Sheissti
ll
inacrit
ical
condi
ti
on
ri
ghtnow,butthepr
ocedurewent
well
."

Thabo:
"Pr
ocedur
e?"

DR:
"Yes,
uhm wehadt ocleanher
womb,sheuhm...Sheunfort
unat
ely
suf
fer
edami scarri
age.
"

Me:"No!No!Youaremist
aken!My
wifewasnotpregnant
!Shewasnot!
!"
Ishouted.
DR:
"Sheact
ual
l
ywassi
r.
"

Me:
"Howf
aral
ongwasshe?
"

DR:
"3weeks.
"

Me:"
Dammi t!
!"Ipunchedt hewall.
HowcouldIhav emi ssedthat?How
di
dInotnoticethatshewaspr egnant
.
Thesignswer enotthere,orwasit
st
il
ltoearl
ytopoi ntoutthesigns?
Howam Igoi ngtotellheraboutthi
s?
"
Siv
uyi
l
e!"Isni
ff
ed.

Me:
"Ya.
"

Thabo:
"Bestr
ongman.
"Het
ouched
myshoulder
.

Me:
"Wher
eisBont
le?
"

Thabang:"She'
sgoingt
odonate
bl
oodf orPunkie,
appar
ent
lyshel
osta
l
otofblood."Irubbedmyfacei
n
fr
ustr
ation.
Me:"
Howam Igoi
ngtobreakthi
sto
her
?Shei
sgoingtobeshutt
ered.
"

Thapel
o:"
Thedoctorsai
dthey '
veran
sometest,wewil
lsoonknowwhat
causet
heuhm. .
..
themiscarr
iage."
Thewordonitsownf el
tli
keast abin
myheart.

Me:
"Ihav
etoseeher
."

Li
zwi
:
"Notnow.
"

Me:
"Ij
ustwantt
otouchher
hand, please.Iwanttoseeher .
"
Feelingherhandagai nstmi newould
certainlymakemef eelabitbetter
,I
j
ustwantt otouchher,
that
'sall
.Iwas
breaki ngdownont heinside.

Ase:"
Thedoctorsaidwecanonlysee
hertomorr
owbhut i.
"Isatdownon
thechai
rfeeli
ngli
keIhadt hewor
ld
onmyshoul ders.

Me:"
Youguyscango,
I'
l
lwai
ther
e
unt
ili
t'
sti
metoseeher.
"

Thapel
o:"
Alr
ight
,wewi
l
lsi
ther
ewi
thy
-
..
."

Me:
"No!Iwantt
obeal
one.
"

Thabang:
"Si
-.
..
"

Me:
"Pl
ease.
"Isai
dinal
owt
one.

Chulu:"
Mama! "Ir
aisedeyesand
l
ookedather .HowIwi shIwas
her,
clueless.Ihel
dmyhandsout ,Ase
hesi
tant l
yhandedhert ome."Dada!
Mama? "Tearsstartedwell
i
ngupi n
myey es.Shewasgoi ngtohavea
l
itt
lesi
bli
ng,shewasgoi ngtohave
someonet oplayaroundwit
h,not
anymore.Ibroughthertomychest

Me:"Daddylov
esy ou.
"Ikissedher
head.Ikeptonrepeat
ingthosewords
unti
lasobescapedmyl ips.

Thapelo:"
Sivuy
il
e,
nonono.Youare
scari
ngher .
"Hetookherawayf
rom
me.Ibur i
edmyf acei
nmyhandsand
whispered'whymeLord'
.
Bontl
ecamebackaf t
erafew
minut
es,Itol
dt hem t
oleave,
she
pr
otestedatfi
rstbutevent
uall
yher
husbandwasabl etoconvinceherto
go.AssoonasIwasl ef
talone,tears
camegushi ngoutofmyey es.The
hurtIwasf eeli
nginmyhear t,
was
beyondexpl anati
on.Thetearswer e
fal
li
ng,butnosoundwascomi ngout
ofmymout h.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Hel
l
o
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t93
•
•
•
•
•

"
Siv
uyi
l
e!"

"
Mhmh"

"
Siv
uyi
l
e,wakeupman!
"Theyshook
mehar
der
.

Me: "Ei
sh.
"Islowlyopenedmyey es.I
actuall
ydon'tknowhowIendedup
fall
ingasleepintheseuncomf or
t abl
e
chairs.Ir
emembert henurseofferi
ng
met omov etothewai t
ingroom
sinceitwasmor ecomf or
tabl
e,butI
refusedbecauseIdi dnotwanttobe
farawayf rom Lunathi
.

Thabo:
"Gohomeandhavesomer
est
dude.
"Ishookmyhead."
Si-
..
"

Me:
"No!Iwon'
tl
eav
ethi
spl
ace
wi
thoutseei
ngher
."

Thabang:"
Idon'tthi
nkshewould
appreci
ateseeingyouinthi
sstate.
Comeonbr o,
j
ustgohomeandt akea
nap,
thencomebackal lfr
eshened
up."

Me:
"Isai
dno.
"

Thapel
o:"
Youareonest
ubbor
n
mother
fucker
."

Me:
"Il
ear
ntf
rom t
hebest
."
Them:
"Punki
e."Wechuckl
ed.

Me:"Sheisatoughcooki
ethat
one,andshealwaysdeni
esthatshei
s
stubborn.
"Isai
dwithasmil
e
pl
ast er
edonmyf ace.

Thabo:
"Tel
lmeabouti
t.
"

Thabang:
"Howdoy out
hinkshe'
s
goi
ngtotakethenews?"Heasked
aft
erafewsecondsofsil
ence.
Me:
"Idon'
tknow.
"

"
Goodmor ni
ng.
"Wegr eet
edback.I
t
wasBontl
eandshewaswi t
h
Asenat
hiandZint
le.

Zint
le:
"Weboughty ouguy
ssome
coff
ee."Theyhandeduseachacup.

Thabang:"AhhZintlekhant
eubun
kannete?(Youarereall
ypregnant?
)"
Shenoddedwhi l
erubbinghervisi
ble
tummywi thasmile.Herstomach
wasn'treall
ythatshowing,
but
becauseshewaswear i
ngatightt-
shi
rty
oucoul
dnot
icei
t.

Thapel
o:"Thabo,
youdon'
tsaythat
you'
veplacedabunintheoven?"

Thabo:
"I
t'
snotmi
ne.
"

Thapel
o:"
Ohhhhh!Youdon'
tsay
brot
her
,wh-.
..
"

Bontl
e:"
Wear enother
efort
hat
Thapel
o,soshutit
!"

Thapel
o:"
AwuIj
ustwant
edt
o
know,
that
'sal
l
."

Bont
le:
"Thapel
o!"

Thapel
o:"
Mxm.
"
Thedoct
orwal
kedt
owar
dsus.

DR:"Goodmor ningever
y one.
"We
greetedback."Iheardf
rom the
nursesthatyouguy sarehereal
ready
soIf i
guredIshouldgiv
ey outhetest
resul
ts."

Thabo:
"Whatdot
heysay
?"
DR:"Nothing."Wel ookedathim
confused."Ther esult
sallcameback
clear.I
fany t
hingMr sDlaminiwas
perfect
lyheal t
hytocar r
yababyfull
term."Isatdownconf used.

Ase:
"Whati fi
twassomet hi
ngshe
at
ethatcausesi t?
"Thesi bl
ings
l
ookedather ."Thecake."Shesaid
whil
elookingatme.Ist oodup
i
mmedi ately.

Me:
"YesDoc!Mywifeat
eacaket
hat
wesuspectmi
ghthavebeen
poi
soned.
"

Thabang:
"What
?!"

Thabo:
"Whatcake?
!"

Thapel
o:"Howcouldyoul
etmysi
ster
eatapoisonedcake?
"

Bont
le:
"Nowi
snott
het
imeguy
s."

Me:
"Doc?
"
DR:"Wedidnotdetectanypoi
son
from hersy
stem oranyt
hingl
i
ke
that
."

Me:"
Thenwhatt
hehel
lhappenedt
o
her
?!"

DR:"MrDl amini cal

m down,
miscarriagehappenal l t
heti
me,some
arecausedbysomet hingwhole
othersjusthappen.I '
m notareli
gious
personorany thi
ng,butIwoul
dl i
keto
thi
nky ouar e.May beGodf el
tli
keit
wasnott herightti
mef orhertohave
ababy .
"
Me:
"CanIseeher
?"

DR:"
Shehasnotwokenupasy et.I
suggestyougohomeandgetsome
rest
,wewill
cally
ouassoonasshe
wakesup."Inodded."Pleaseexcuse.
"
Inoddedagain,
het ur
nedonhi sheels
andleftusi
nourf eel
ings.

Thabo:"
Babebaqadil
ehapebaha
Dlamini
!(
TheDlamini
shavest
art
ed
again!
)"
Me:
"What
'
sthatsupposedt
omean?
"

Thabo:
"I
tmeansthi
smiscar
ri
agehas
yourGodswr
it
tenal
lov
erit!
"

Bont
le:
"Ah.
ahThabo!
"

Thabo: "NoBont l
e,howwoul dyou
explainwhatj usthappenedt oPunkie?
TheDoct orhimselfcannotexplai
nit!
Thisjustgoest oshowt hatboloiba
haDl ami ni
(theDlaminiwhichcraft
)
hasst ruck!"Igavehim adeadlylook
Bont
le:
"Thabo!
"

Thabo:
"I
'mj
-.
..
."

Bontle:
"Shutup!Justshutupokay?!
Can'tyouhearhowst upidyousound?
Whyt hehellwouldtheancestor
s
takeawaysuchabeaut i
fulbl
essi
ng?!
Stopbeingdumb!Yeses! "Thabo
sighed

Thabo:"I
'm sor
ry,
I
'm.
justf
rust
rat
ed
that
'sall
."
Me:"
Weallar
e,butyoudon'
thearus
cal
l
ingot
herpeoplewit
ches.
"

Thabo:
"I
'm sor
ry.
"Ishr
uggedmy
shoul
der

Me:
"Sho!
"

Thabang:
"Ist
il
lwanttoknowabout
thepoi
sonedcake."

Me:"
Wewi l
ltal
kaboutt
hatl
ater
,Ijust
wanttohomeandgetsome.r
est."
Ase:
"Aibo!Laterf
orwhobhut i
?Idon'
t
mindtell
ingthestor
y."Ishookmy
head

Me:
"Youal
way
sreadyt
otal
kneh?
"

Ase:
"For
ever
!"

Thapel
o:"
Tel
lusAse.
"

Me:"Youwi l
lfi
ndmei nthecarAse.
"I
stoodupandl eftasshestar
ted
narrat
ingthestorytot
hem.Iwas
certai
nlynotinthemoodt oseethe
Mokoenasi bl
ingsreacttowhat
ever
Asenathiisgoingt
ot el
l
them,becauseIknowf orsur
ethati
t'
s
goingtobedr amati
c.
Isati
nthecarwai
ti
ngf or
Asenat
hi,
sheandZi
ntl
eshowedup
aft
eragood15minutes.Theygoti
n
andIdroveof
fimmediatel
y.

"Bhut
i!"Isnappedoutofi
t"Ar
eyou
okay?"Iclear
edmyt hr
oat

Me:
"yeahI
'
m good."Iwasstandingin
t
hespotwher
ewef oundLunathii
n.I
wast
hinki
ngaboutthestatethatwe
f
oundherin,i
tbrokemyhear tasI
i
maginedit
.Isti
llcan'
tbeli
evethat
wehavelostourfir
stborntogether
.

Ase:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"Inodded

Me:"Ij
ustneedt otakeanap,t
hat'
s
al
l.
"Shel ookedatmewor ryi
ngly"
I
wil
lleavemyphonewi thy
oujustin
casethehospitalcall
swhil
eIam
napping.
"

Ase:
"Alr
ight
."It
ookoutmyphoneand
gaveitt
oherbefor
eheadi
ngoutto
myroom.IdoubtIwasevengoingt
o
nap,
Ihadal
otr
unni
ngonmymi
nd.

"
Bhut
iVuka!
"Sheshookme.

Me:"
mmmhwhat ?
"Iopenedmyey
es
andmetherwi
desmil
e

Ase:
"Lunat
hiisawake!Getupwe
needtogettothehospi
tal
!"Ij
umped
upthebedimmediatel
y

Me:
"Weneedt
ogot
her
enow!
"Igot
offt
hebedandrushedt
othe
door,
shel
aughed."
What
?"

Ase:"Youneedbat hfi
rstandwear
decentclothes.
"Ilookeddownon
my selfandreal
isedIwasstil
li
nmy
bl
oodycl othes.

Me:
"Ri
ght
!"

Ase:"
Wel lhur
ryupandgetr eady.I'
l
l
gocalltheothers."Shel
efttheroom.
Itookoffmycl othesandrushedto
thebathroom,thenItookaquick
shower.Ichangedi ntomytracksui
t
thenIwentdownst
air
stomeet
Asenathi
.

Me:"
I'
mr eady!
"Ical
ledout
.She
emergedfrom t
heloungewit
hher
bag.

Ase:
"Thatwassuperqui
ck.
"

Me:
"Idon'
thav
eti
met
owast
e."

Ase:"
Bont
leandthem ar
ealr
eadyon
thei
rwaytothehospi
tal
."Welef
tthe
house.
"
WardD16"wethankedt
henurseand
madeourwayt
oLunathi
'swar
d.
Whenwegoti n,shewaslooking
outsi
det hewindow,myey esdarted
tothedripinser
t edonherarm,she
tur
nedandgav eusaf ai
ntsmi l
eas
shefeltourpresence

Me:"Heybaby!"Ipl
acedt hefl
ower s
thatweboughtont hewayher e,
on
thebedsi
de.Iheldherhand." Doy ou
haveanyideahowwor r
iedIwas
aboutyou?"Ididn'
twaitforherto
answer,
Iplacedalinger
ingkisswhi ch
sher
espondedt
o

Ase:
"Hel
lo!I
'
m st
il
lher
eyouknow!
"I
br
okeit.

Me:"
IthoughtIwasgoi
ngt
olose
you.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Thatwon'
thappen.
"

Ase:
"I
'mj
ustgl
adt
oseey
ouokay
."

Lunat
hi:
"Whathappened?WhywasI
bl
essi
ngsomuch? "Aselookedatme,
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.

Me:
"Uh.
..uhm wel
-.
..
"

"
Punki
e!!
"Theyal
lrushedt
oher
.

Bont
le:
"OhMyGod!I
'
m sogl
adt
o
seeyou!
"

Lunat
hi:
"Ican'
tbr
eat
he.
"Thabo
qui
ckl
yletgo

Thabo:
"I'
m sor
ry,
I'
mjustgl
adt
osee
youali
ve.
"
Lunat
hi:
"Youar
enotgoingtogetr
id
ofmethateasi
ly!
"Welaughed.

Thabang:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"She
shr
ugged

Lunat
hi:
"Idon'
tknow,
wei
rd.
"

Thapel
o:"
HasSivuy
il
eorthedoctor
i
nformedyouaboutwhathappened?"
Sheshookherhead

Me:
"Iwasaboutt
owheny
ouwal
ked
i
n."Isai
dasInot
icedt
hel
ookt
hey
gaveme.

Lunat
hi:"
what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Il
etouta
hugesigh

Me: "
Uhm baby,It
hinkyouremember
thestat
ey ouwereinbeforeyou
wokeupher einthehospit
al.
"She
nodded."Webroughtyouinherelast
nightaf
terwefoundy -
..
."

Lunat
hi:
"Justgett
othepoi
ntSi
vuy
il
e
pl
ease!"
Me:"
Woah!Thedoct
orinf
ormedus
l
astnightt
haty
oumiscar
ri
ed.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Miscar
ri
ed?HowcauseI
wasnotpregnant?
"

Me:
"Apparent
lyy
ouweremyl ov
e,i
t
wassti
l
ltooearl
ytonot
ice.
"

Bont
le:
"I'
m sosor
rynana.
"She
embracedher.

Lunat
hi:
"Whatcausedi
t?"Sheasked
cal
mly
.

Me:"Wedon'
tknow.Thedoctorr
an
sometest
,buthecoul
dn'
tfi
ndthe
cause.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Soi
twasnotmyf
aul
t?"

Thapel
o:"OfcoursenotPunki e!Even
i
fsomethinginternal
lycausedt he
miscar
ri
age,i
twoul dn'
tbey ourfault
."
Shesmiledfaint
lyandnodded.Weal l
l
ookedatheri nsil
ence
Lunathi
:"Whatdidyoubringmet
oeat
?
Iam starvi
ng!"Shebrokethe
si
lence,welaughed.

Ase:
"Ibr
oughtyouyourf
avouri
te.
"
Shehandedherapacketoff
ood

Me:
"Whyar
eyoust
eali
ngmyshine?
I
'mt
heonewhoboughtthat
."

Ase:
"I
'mtheonewhocameupwi
th
thei
deaofbuyi
ngfood.
"

Lunat
hi:
"Okay
!Thanky
out
oyoubot
h
guy
s."TheMokoenasi
bli
ngsl
aughed.
Wesatandwat chedhereatovera
l
ightconversat
ion,westayedf
oran
hourkeepinghercompany .

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Myfamil
yfi
nal
lyl
eft
,butSi
vuy
il
e
deci
dedt
ostaybehi
nd.

Me:"
Youdoknowthatv
isi
ti
nghour
s
ar
eov err
ight
?"
Siv
uy i
le:
"Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
hat,
Ij
ust
wantt osither
ewithy
ouandlookat
you."Ismiled.

Me:"
Soyoujustwantt
ost
areatme
andnotsayaword?"

Siv
uy il
e:"Yep,
that'
smyf avouri
te
hobby ."Hesaidwi t
haf ai
ntsmi l
e.I
couldt el
l t
hathewasnotokayashe
wasl etti
ngon, themiscarr
iagereal
ly
hurthim butIont heotherhanddon't
knowhowt ofeelaboutit
.Iam kind
ofhur tthatIl
ostmyf ir
stbabybuton
theotherhandIam rel
iev
ed,don'
tget
mewr ongIwasnotr eadytohavea
babysosooni ntomymar ri
age.Ist
il
l
haveschool t
oworryabout,
Ihave
Chulutotakecareof.Ababyreall
y
doesn'tf
itanywher
einmyl i
feplans
atthemoment .
"
Don'tt
hinktoomuchabouti
tlov
e,we
wi
ll
getthrought
hist
ogether
."

Me:
"Huh?
"

Sivuyil
e:"Wecanalwaystr
yfor
anotherchil
d."Ohhhe'
stal
kingabout
that.Inodded.
Me:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Ishoul
dbeaskingyouthat."
Icannottellhi
m howIreal
lyfeel
,he
wil
l bemor ehurtandpr
obabl
yv ery
angry

Me:"No, Iwantt oknowhowy oufeel

.
Peoplet endtobotcar eabouta
man'sf eeli
ngswheni tcomest o
thi
ngsliket his.I
twasy ourbaby
to,
youar eal l
owedt oexpressyour
feel
ings."
Siv
uyil
e:"
Youar
emat
uredf
ory
our
age."

Me:
"Tal
ktome.
"Hesi
ghedwhil
e
r
ubbi
nghisf
acewi
thhi
shands.

Sivuyil
e:"
Idon'tknowhowt oexpress
howIf eel.Ijustf
eel l
ikeIhav ethe
whol ewor l
donmyshoul ders,
Ifeel
broken,hurt
,angry.I'
m abunchof
mix edemot ionsrightnow."At ear
escapedhi sey e,
hequi ckl
ywi pedit
.

Me:
"Youareal
l
owedt
ocr
yabouti
t
myl
ov e.
"
Siv
uyil
e:"
Ican'
tl
etmysel
fcryi
nfr
ont
ofyou,
thatwouldbesel
fi
shofme.
"I
shookmyhead

Me:"Comeher e."Iopenedmyar ms
forhim.Hest oodupandl ai
dhis
headonmybr eastsashehuggedme.
Ibrushedhisbacksl owly,
soonhis
shoulderswer emov ingandf ai
nt
soundswer ecomi ngoutofhi s
mout h.Seeinghi mlikethatevoked
sademot i
ons,Icouldn'thelpbut
shedt earstoo,butmycr ywassi l
ent
.
"Leti
tal l
out."Isniff
ed.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
Si
sisi
ssol
azyt
owr
it
e
I
'
llpostagai
nlat
ert
oni
ght
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t94
•
•
•
•
•

2DAYSLATER

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Iwasf i
nallydischargedf r
om the
hospit
al.Sivuyilei
nformedhi sfamily
aboutwhathappened, hismot her
i
mmedi atelysai dwemustcome
homebecauseweneedt obear ound
peoplewhol ov eus.Iwasr eally
scepti
cal aboutgoingt otheEC, I
wantedt ospendChr i
stmaswi t
hmy
si
bli
ngssi ncei twasgoi ngtobet he
f
ir
stChr
ist
maswi
thoutourpar
ent
s.

Me:"
Ican'
tbel
iev
ewehav
etogot
o
East
ernCape.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Butyouknewthatwewere
goi
ngtogohomef orChr
ist
mas.
"

Me:"Ididn'tt
hinkwewould,
Iwantto
stayhereandbecl osebymysibli
ngs.
Iwantust ohaveaspeci
alChri
stmas
togetherjustthewaymymom used
toplanit."Hesatdownnexttome.
Si
vuyi
le:
"Igeti
tbabe,
butyouar
e
marr
iednowandy ourhomeisint
he
Ki
ngdom. "

Me:
"Bu-
..
."

Siv
uyi
le:"
NobutsLunat
hi.Weneedto
behomear oundfami
ly
,youal
soneed
tobecleansed.
"

Me:
"Cl
eansed?Idi
dn'
tknowabout
t
hat
."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Yes,
MaNdekaneedst
o
cl
eansey
ou.
"Isi
ghed.

Me:
"I
sSiphocomi
ngwi
th?
"Ichanged
t
hesubj
ect

Sivuy
il
e:"Idon'
tknowandIdon't
care.
"Ilookedathim."What?Sipho
madei tcleart
hathedoesn'tv
alue
famil
y,sowhyshoul dIcar
eabout
him?"Hesai dcoldl
y

Me:"Youcareabouty
ourbrot
her
,st
op
tr
yingtoconvi
nceyoursel
f
otherwi
se.
"
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Canwest
opt
alki
ngabout
hi
m,pl
ease.
"

Me:"No,
whatar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
l
yourdad?"

Siv
uy i
le:
"LunathiIj
ustlostachi
ld,i
donthavet imetobet hinki
ngabout
uselessthingsli
keafightIhadwith
myst upi
dbi gbrother
!"Hesnapped

Me:
"Butba-
..
."
Sivuy
il
e:"
Youknowwhat?I'
m goi
ngto
excusemy sel
fandgof
etchChulu.
"

Me:
"AwuIthoughtwewer
egoi
ng
t
ogether
?"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Nah,
youneedtorest
.Bye!
"
Hetookhisphoneandcarkeyst
hen
hel
eft.

"
Andt
hen?"Sheaskedassheent
ered
t
hel
ounge.

Me:
"He'
sangr
y."Shej
oinedmeon
t
hecouch.

Ase:"
He'sreal
lyt
aki
ngthi
s
miscarr
iagethi
nghar
dman."

Me:"
Iknow,
butwhatactual
lypissed
hi
m offmor
eistheSiphotopic."

Ase:
"Ohhh,
Idon'
tbl
amehimt hough.
Whatbhuti
didwasunaccept
able.
"

Me:"
YeahIknow,butyouguysar
e
fami
lyandSi
phoal soneedst
obe
homeforChri
stmas.Howi st
hat
goingtohappenwhent hereis
tensi
onbetweeny '
al
l?Sivuyi
l
esai
d
hedoesn'tcar
e."

Ase:"
It'
stheangert
alki
ng,nothi
m.
Plusthehurtt
hatheisfeeli
ngri
ght
now."

Me:
"Iguess.
"

Ase:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"

Me:
"I'
mfi
ne.
"Ismi
l
edal
i
ttl
e.
Ase:"
I'
m ser
iousLunat
hi,
howar
eyou
feel
i
ng?"

Me:
"Li
keIsai
d,Iam f
ine.
"

Ase:"Lunat
hiy
ouj
ustlosta
chi
ld,t
h3rei
snowaythatyouar
e
fi
ne."

Me:"WellIam."Shelookedatmewith
whatlookedl i
kepi
ty."
Haveyou
packedyourbagsy et?
"Sil
ence
"Asenat
hi?!"Shesnappedoutofi
t.
Ase:
"Ohwhatwer
eyousay
ing?
"

Me:"
Yourbags?Aretheypacked?
"
Sheshookherhead.

Ase:"
NathiIam r
eal
lyworri
edabout
you.Eversi
ncethemiscarr
iageI
haven'
tseenyoushedat ear.
"

Me:"I
'mfine!
"Shelookedatme
shocked."Sor
ry.I
'mfi
nebabe, i
t'
sno
usemoppi ngaroundbecauseof
whathappened.Atsomepoi ntwe
havetomov eon,andIchoosetodo
thatnow."
Ase:
"Buty
ouhav
etomour
nfory
our
l
oss.
"

Me:
"AndIhav
e."

Ase:
"Na-
..
"

Me:
"Canwej
ustdr
opt
his?Pl
ease.
"

Me:
"Good.
"

Ase:
"Fi
ne,
I
'l
lst
opt
alki
ngabouti
t.
"
Me:
"Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
"

Ase:
"Iwentt
ogetmysel
fsome
goodbyedi
ck!
"WTF?

Me:
"Hawu!Fr
om Thandazani
?"

Ase:"
Ay y
y!Don'
ttal
ktomeaboutt
hat
grandpa.If
oundmy sel
fanewdi
ck.
"
Shestuckhertongueout.

Me:"
Awwuhe'
sagrandpanow?Who
i
sthi
snewman?"
Ase:
"Ican'
ttel
lyou.
"

Me:
"Whynot
?"

Ase:
"becausei
t'
snotser
ious.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tcar
e!Iwantt
oknow.
"

Ase:
"Hay
"

Me:
"comeon.
"
Ase:
"No.
"

Me:
"Pl
ease.
"

Ase:
"No.
"

Me:"
Fine,
ifyoudon'twanttotel
l
me,I
'l
ltel
lSi
v uy
il
et hayyouhavea
newman.Am pr et
tysurehewon't
havetr
oublewithget t
ingt
hename
outofyou."

Ase:
"Youar
ewitch!YouandLusanda
sameWhatsAppgroup!"
Me:"I
'
mf ucki
ngthesameguy sshe
usedtof
uck,nosurpr
isethere.
"She
l
aughedoutloud."
Stoplaughingand
tel
lmewhoy ournewmani s?"

Ase:
"He'
samanandhe'
snew.
"

Me:
"Ase!
"Iwhi
ned.

Ase:
"Promisey
ouwon'
ttel
lanyone.
..
.
andbyanyoneImeanSi
vuyi
le!
"I
nodded."
Promise!
"
Me:
"Ipr
omi
se.
"

Ase:"
it'
sLungani
."I
ttookt
imet
o
regi
sterinmymind

Me:"What?!Lungani
asinSivuy
il
e'
s
fr
iend?"Shenodded."Wai
t!How?I
di
dn'tevenknowy ouli
kedhim!
"

Ase:
"Ai
bo!I
t'
snott
hatdeep,
i
t'
sjust
sex.
"

Me:"
Youcan'thav
esexwit
hsomeone
youdon'
tl
ikeAse.How?
"
Ase:
"Itj
usthappened.
"

Me:
"Mar
aAsey
ouar
esuchahoe!
"

Ase:
"I
'l
lgl
adl
yacceptt
hatt
it
le.
"

Me:"Iwantdet
ail
s!Howdi
dit
happen?"

Ase:"Apparent
lyuguyhasbeen
crushingonmeev ersi
ncehemet
me,sot hedaywet ooky out
o
hospitalhecameher elooki
ngf
or
ubhut i
andhewasnother e.Whenhe
wasaboutt ol eav
eIaskedhimt o
stayforabitandhav esomethingto
eat.Weor deredfoodanddrankov er
agr eatconversat
ion,
andt
her esti
s
hi
stor y
."

Me:
"Ase!
"Isai
dindi
sbel
i
ef

Ase:
"What
?"

Me:
"Youseducedy
ourbr
other
'sbest
f
ri
end.
"
Ase:
"Idi
dnosucht
hing,
ifany
thi
ng
he'
stheonewhoseducedme."

Me:
"Pl
easedon'tt
ellmeyouhadsex
i
nthi
shousethatnight
?"

Ase:"
No.Ourfi
rstt
imewastoday
."
Shesaidwit
hasmi l
est
ruckonher
face

Me:
"so.
..
.Howwasi
t?"

Ase:
"Chi
l
d!Can'
tyouseet
hesmi
l
eon
myface?"
Me:
"Heeeh!AwuAse!
"Wehi
ghf
ived.

Ase:
"Pl
ease,
don'
tsayawor
dtobhut
i
orel
sehewillmur
derme.
"

Me:
"Myl
i
psar
eseal
ed.
"

Ase:"
It
'spi
tywehavetogohome
tomorrow,
other
wiseIwoul
dhav
e
spenttheni
ght.
"

Me:
"Haikewenayout
endtot
akei
t
t
oofar.Howwereyougoi
ngt
o
expl
aint
hatt
oyourbr
other
?"

Ase:
"Ohhhkanenet
her
e'st
hat
."

Me:"Thi
sishowy oual
waysget
your
selfint
roubl
e,y
ouoverdo
t
hings."

Ase:
"Ar
eyougivi
ngmeami
schi
ef
l
esson?
"Ichuckl
ed.

Me:"
mxm.Ihopewewill
leav
eear l
y
tomorr
ow,
Ineedtoseeadoctoras
soonasweland.
"
Ase:
"What
?Why
?Ar
eyounotf
eel
i
ng
well
?"

Me:"
NahI'mfi
ne,
ther
e'sj
ust
somethi
ngIuhm.
..needclar
if
icat
ion
on.
"

Ase:
"Whydon'ty
ougett
hatcl
ari
ty
fr
om ubhut
i?"

Me:"No!"Icl
earedmythroat
."No,I
don'twanttostresshi
m andhe'
s
str
essedasi ti
s."
Ase:
"MmmhIhearyou.Wel
lwecan
l
eaveearl
ytomor
row,
vel
enooneis
usi
ngthejet
."

Me:"
Canwejustbookour
sel
vesa
f
li
ght?Imeani
t'
sjustt
hetwoofus.
"

Ase:"
Goodlucktr
yingtoconvince
yourhusbandtodot hat
."Isi
ghed.

Me:
"ai
ithatone!
"Ir
oll
edmyey
es.

Ase:
"Youknowhowy
ourmani
s."
Me:"
I'
mj ustgl
adthathe'snotcoming
wi
thust omorrow.I
'm goingt
omi ss
hi
mt hough."

Ase:"
Itsj
ustgoingt
obeoneday
dude."Sherol
l
edhereyes.

Me:"Idon'texpecty
out
o
understand."

Ase:
"Excusey
ou,
Ihav
eamant
oo!
"

Me:
"Awwhe'
syourmannow?
"
Ase:
"Shutup!
"Il
aughedasshest
ood
upandleft

Me:"
Bri
ngmesomeicecr
eam
pl
ease!
"Ical
l
edout

Ase:
"Uy
any
a!"Thi
schi
l
dLor
d!

Thefoll
owingmorningwewokeup
earl
yinthemorni
ngandpr epar
edf
or
thetr
ip.Iwaswor
riedabout
Sivuy i
le,hedi dn'
ttouchmet hewhol e
nightnott hatIwant edhi mt o,but
knowi nghi m asa' sexaddi ct' I
expect edhi mt omakeamov eonme
buthedi dn't
.Infacthedi dn'tev en
cuddl emet hewhol eni ght .The
mi scar ri
agei sreallyhi tt
inghi m har d
andi t'ssomehowmaki ngmef eel
guiltyt hatIam f eeli
ngt hisway .I
wantt oshar ehispai n,butIcan' t.I
can'texpr esshowIam f eeli
ng, Iwant
tocr yaboutt hisbutt hemomentI '
m
aboutt oIcomf ortmy selfwi tht he
factt hatIwasn' treadyf orachi ldand
thesadnesswoul di mmedi at ely
dissapper ed.
Me:
"I
'm goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou.
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Comeonbabe, I'
llbethat
sidetomor r
ow."Ismi
led."CanIget
mygoodby eki
ssnow?"Atl easthe
stil
lwantstokissme.Ileanedov er
thenhepl acedapeckonmyl ips.

Me:
"Babear
eyoual
ri
ght
?"Henodded.

Siv
uyi
l
e:"I
'
mj ustnotl
ooki
ngforwar
d
tobel
eftall
aloneint
hishouse.
"
Me:"
YouknowIcanstaybehindwi
th
youri
ght
?"Heshookhishead.

Sivuyi
l
e:"No,mom isal r
eady
expecti
ngy ou."Sivuyi
lewasstayi
ng
behindtosortt hi
ngsoutattheir
surgery,
thenhewi llbehomethe
fol
lowingday .

Me:
"Youwi
l
lbeokay
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
I'
l
lbef
ine,
i
t'
sjustoneday
."

Me:
"Al
ri
ght
.CanIgetapr
oper
goodby
eki
ss?
"Hechuckl
ed.

Sivuyi
le:
"I
'mt heonewhousual lysay
that.
"Heki ssedme, itwasn'tthe
normal ki
ssest hatweusual l
yshare.
Thisonewasdi ffer
ent,Icouldfeel
theemot ionaldetachment ,
butIwent
alongwi t
hi t
.Iwasnotsat isfi
ed
though

Me:"
Alr
ight!I
'
m all
readyt
ogonow.
"I
f
ixedmyl i
pgloss.
Hetookmyl uggageandcar
ri
edi t
downst
air
s,whil
eIcarri
edChul
u's.
Asenat
hiwasal r
eadydonewit
h
ever
ythi
ng,
wewastednoti
meand
l
oadedthebagsi
nthecar
.

Ase:"
Howlongar
ewegoi
ngt
ost
ay
ther
efor
?"

Me: "
Thisiswhathappenswhena
vi
llagegir
lgetsatast
eoft hecit
y
l
ife,t
heyforgett
hei
rroots.
"Sivuyi
le
chuckled

Ase:"
Uyaspeeday
oh!
(Youar
e
for
ward.
)"
Me:
"Ngenaemot
weni
(geti
nthecar
)
f
arm gi
rl
."

Ase:
"Wena!
"Shepoi
ntedatme."
One
dayi
soneday."

Me:"
mxm."Wegoti
nsi
det
hecarand
dr
oveof
f.
Wegottotheai
rportandbidfarewel
l
toSiv
uyi
l
e,weboardedtheplaneand
offwewentt
otheEast er
nCape.

○
EC
Assoonaswear ri
vedIwentt osee
thedoctorandsor tedoutmy
aff
airs,
whichwasget t
ingabirt
h
control
.Yes,Ididnotinfor
m Sivuy
il
e
aboutthis,Ithi
nkit'
stoosoont obe
tal
ki
ngaboutany thi
ngt owit
h
babies,
butIwi l
ltel
lhim whenthe
ti
mei sri
ghtofcour se.

Afterhoursoftrav
ell
ingwefinal
lygot
totheXhosaKi ngdom pal
ace,and
boywasIt ir
ed.Travell
i
ngwitha
toddleri
snoj oke,
andnoonecar ed
toinform meaboutthat.
Mr s'
D:"halalmyki dsarehome! "She
saidexci t
edlyasshemetupont he
dri
v eway ."Anisebahlebant abam( You
aresobeaut if
ulmyki ds.)"Asegav e
meashocked/ confusedl ook,Ijust
shruggedmyshoul ders.Shegav eus
bothhugs, butminelast edabi t
l
onger .Itwasact uall
yasqueeze
mor ethani twasahug." Howar ey ou
feeli
ng? "Ihatethatquest ion

Me:
"I
'mf
ineMah.
"

Mr
s'D:
"Youdon'
thav
etoactmy
chi
l
d,i
fyouarenotf
inet
ell
me,weare
her
eforyou,
youdoknowthatr
ight
?"

Me:
"Iknowmah.
"

Mrs'D:"
Good!Ri
ghtnowwhaty ouare
goingtodoisgoupt oyourroom,get
i
nundert hecov
ersandsitthere
comf or
tabl
y,
wewill
catertoyour
everyneed.
"

Me:
"Ohno,
Ican'
tal
l
owy
out
odo
t
hat
."
Mrs'
D:"
It
'snotupfordi
scussi
on
Lunat
hi.
"Isi
ghed

Me:
"Onl
yifAsewi
l
lst
ayupt
her
ewi
th
me.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Nono!Iwantt
hisonecl
oset
o
mesoIcansendherallov
ert
his
pal
ace.
"

Ase:
"Hahmah!
"

Mrs'
D:"Yint
oni?
(What
?)"Ar
emumbl
ed
something."Uf
ane
wambomba,ukuk'
thumakona
ndi
zokut
huma."

Ase:
"Yohkodwamama!
"

Mrs'D:
"Akhokodwaapha!(Nobuts!)
Konawhyar eyoumakingLunathi
carr
ythebaby?Awunangqondo
kodwaAsenathi!
(Youhavenobrains
Asenathi
!)
"

Ase:"Mamawhatdi
dIdotoy
ou
today?WasIi
nyourni
ght
mare
may be?"
Mr s'
D:"Khawuyekeukundi
buza
bubhanxawena( stopaski
ngme
stupi
dquest i
ons)Youneedtogoand
checkupony ourbrot
her'
sgir
lf
ri
end.
"
Shet ookChulufrom me.

Ase:
"Whichbrot
her
?Causet
heyar
e
al
lmarr
ied."

Mrs'
D:"
USipho,
uzenal
ant
ombazana
uLi
sanda(hecamewit
hthatgi
rl
Li
sanda)"
Ase:
"Lusandamama!
"

Mrs'
D:"
samet
hing,
j
ustwi
thdi
ff
erent
vowel
s!"

Ase:
"Heh!Tshi
saMambhel
e!"

Mrs'
D:"
Mxm.Let
'sgoinsi
de
bant
abam(
mykids)"

Me:
"Mahwhendi
dBhut
'Si
phoar
ri
ve?
"

Mrs'
D:"
Lastni
ght
.Ey
ythatonei
sjust
br
ingi
ngusprobl
emsmarnayy!
"She
t
urnedonherheel
sandl
eft
.

Me:
"Ican'
tbel
i
evethatSi
phoi
sher
e!
Wi
thLusandanogal
?"

Ase:
"mnaI'
m sti
llshockedbyyour
motheri
nlaw'sbehaviour
.Ihaven'
t
seenthi
ssideofherinmonths.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Izanimarn!(
Comemar
n!)
"We
qui
ckl
yr ushedbehi
ndher
.

○
°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Ast heni ghtfal lIbegant odisappear

mor eandmor eintomyownwor l
dof
thought s.AllIcoul dthinkaboutwas
thechi l
dt hatIl ost,thechi ldInev er
gott ohol dwi thmyhands.Iwas
nev ergrantedt heoppor tunit
yt obea
fathertot hatchi ld.Iwoul dhav ebeen
thereev eryst epoft hewaydur i
ng
Lunat hi'
spr egnancy .Iwoul dhav e
beent her etof eedhercr av i
ngs, l
ist
en
tohert ant r
ums, beherpunchi ngbag,
catert oherhi ghl ibido.Ev eryt
hing
sheneededwasgoi ngt obepr ovided
forherdur i
ngt hepr egnancy !ButI
nevergottheoppor
tuni
tyt
o
experi
encethat
.WhyLord?

Me:"Why?!Kutheni ni
ndij
ikeleMazizi
amahle?!(
Whyhav eyout urnedyour
backsonmemybeaut i
ful
ancestor
s?!)
"Ithrewt heJohnni e
walkerbott
lethatwasi nmyhandon
thewall,
Istaggeredbackwar dsand
fel
lfl
atonmyass, beforeIknewi t
l
oudsobsescapedmymout has
tear
sflowedlikear iv
er.
Thi
siswor
stpai
nIhav
eev
erf
elt
!
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t95
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
Aspert hequeen' si nstr
ucti
onIwas
coopedupi nmyr oom undert he
coversthewhol efreakenday ,Iwas
sobor edbecauseAsenat hiwasno
wher etobef oundandChul uhas
offi
cial
lyturnedonme.Imeant he
gir
lhasbeenst uckt oher
grandmot her'
shi psi ncewegother e
andIhav en'theardanycompl ai
ns
abouther,whi chmeansshei s
behav i
ngher self
.Thi sisnoton, Iam
boredoutofmymi ndandnoone
seemst ocar eaboutme, wellexcept
thequeenwhokeepscomi ngt o
checkuponmeev erysecond, I
'
m
sayingeverysecondcauseshe' s
beeni
nhereformorethantenti
mes.
Imustsayherni
cebehavi
ourisreal
l
y
fr
eaki
ngmeout .

"Kothi
kothi
(knockknock)
"she
alwaysknocksbefor
eshecomesi
n.

Me:
"Comein.
"Sheent
eredwi
that
ray
off
oodandajugofj
uice.

Mr
s'D:
"Ibr
oughty
oudi
nner
."

Me:
"ThankyouMah."Shepl
acedi
ton
t
hesideboar
d.I
nst
eadofleavi
ngasI
hopedshewoul
d,shesatdownont
he
bed.

Mr s'D:"Lunathi mnt anam, IknowI

hav en'tbeenagoodmot hertoy ou
especi allyaftery oulosty ourown
mot her .Iwassoconsumedwi t
hmy
ownj ealouslyt hatIlostsightoft he
factt haty ouar ehur ti
ngandt hatyou
needamot hernotamonst erinlaw,
andf orthatIdoapol ogisemychi ld.I
shoul dn'thav ecar r
iedmysel finthe
manner ,i
twasi nappr opri
ateandv ery
unfor givable.Ihopey ouwi ll
findin
yourhear ttof orgiv
et hisbitt
erol d
cow. "Ichuckl ed.
Me:"
Youar
ecertainlynotacowMah.
I
fyoumustknow,Ilongforgav
eyou.
I
'v
eneverr
eall
ybeenonet oholda
gr
udge.
"

Mr s'D:
"OhtrustmeI'm acow.The
wayIt reat
edy ouwashor ri
bleand
that'snotthekindofpersonIam.
LikeIsaidIwasconsumedby
j
eal ousy,
butI'
velear
ntmyl esson
now. "

Me:"Jeal
ousy
?Whatwer
eyouj
eal
ous
about?"
Mr s'D:"
Youmychi ld.Iwasj eal
ous
thatt her
ewasanot herchosenonein
thepal ace,
notjustabasi cchosen
butonewhocomeswi t
hgreatness.
Satanhadmebyt hewashi ngmy
child."Il
aughedal i
ttle"Hehdon't
l
aughmychi l
d,Iwaspossessed. "I
l
aughedagai n

Me:"
Ifthat
'st
hecasethen,IguessI
wil
lexcuseyourbehav
iourthenMah.
"
Shelaughed.

Mr
s'D:
"Butj
okesasi
de,
Idohumbl
y
apologisemychi ld.Ipromisefrom
nowon, Iwil
lbet hemot herthaty ou
deserve.IknowIwon' trepl
acey our
mom orf eelinthev oidthatshehas
l
eft,
butIwi l
ltr
ymybestt ogiv
ey oua
mother'slove.
"Ismi ledasIsawt he
si
ncerityinherey es.

Me:
"Thanky
ouMah.
"

Mr
s'D:
"Ih-
..
."

"Heh!Wonder
sshallnev
erend!
"She
saidasshebudgei
ntotheroom wi
th
aplateoff
oodinherhand.
Mrs'
D:"Yeey
ewena!Whatev
er
happenedtoknocki
ng?
"

Ase:"
Sor r
yMah,ther
ewasnot i
mef
or
that
.Ijustsawsomet hi
ng
dist
urb,well
rat
hersmeltit
."

Me:
"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"

Ase:"Mamzowhydidn'ty
out
ell
me
thatyouarehar
bouri
ngahomeless
personint
hathutnextto
MaNdeka's?"
Mr
s'D:
"Homel
essper
son?
"

Ase:"
Yes,t
hewayitsti
nksinsi
dethat
hut
,Lordhavemercy!Doesn'
tthe
per
soni nther
ebath?"

Mrs'
D:"
HaiboAsenathi
!Iput
ai
rfr
eshner
sinther
enje."

Ase:
"Welltheyar
enothel pi
ngkesi
si.
Kona,
sincewhendoy outakei
n
homelesspeoplethatsti
nk?"
Mrs'
D:"That
'snotahomel essper
son
wenamar n!It
'syourbr
other'
s
gi
rl
fr
iendLisanda."

Me:
"LusandaMah.
"

Mr
s'D:
"Mxm!
"

Ase:
"That
'sLusandai
nthathut
?Hay
mamay ouarejoki
ng!
"

Mr
s'D:
"Iam notket
ana.
"

Ase:
"What
'
sgoi
ngonwi
thher
?"
Mrs'
D:"
Eyywedon'tknow.
Appar
entl
eyshe'
ssick.
"

Ase:
"Kengoku,
whydidbhut
ibr
ingher
her
e?Thisisnotahospi
tal
mos!"

Mr
s'D:
"Ay
ymnt
anam!
"Sheshr
ugged

Ase:
"Comeonmama, Iknowy
ou
know.Sospi
l
lthebeanswoman!
"

Mrs'
D:"
Youdidn'
theart
hisfr
om me
ke.
"Wequickl
ynodded."Kal
okuusi
si
l
oshewasi nadistur
bingcondit
ion
whentheyarr
ivedher
el astni
ght
,wel
l
shest
il
lisi
nthatconditi
on."

Me:
"Whatcondi
ti
oni
sthat
?"

Mrs'D:"
Shehassor esalloverher
body,andont heot herhandshe's
bli
nd."Weexcl aimedi nshock.
"Niy
adlalanina!Shei srott
enIam
tel
li
ngy ou!Shehassmal lworms
comingoutoft hosesor eandbythe
l
ooksoft hingst heyareeatingherup
thewayshe' sinagonyngakhona! "
Ase:"
MyGod!Whendi dall
oft
his
happencausethelastti
mewesaw
hershewasokay ,
wellmaybenot
okaybecauseshewasbl i
ndbutshe
di
dn'thaveanysores.
"

Mr s'
D:"
Accordi
ngt oSiphowhenthey
wokeup3day sagoshehad
sores,
thenthenextday sshehad
thosewormscomi ngoutofher.
Yuuuhakanuki bantabam!(
theway
shesmel l
s!)
"

Me:
"Thi
sisbady
oh!
"
Ase:
"I
t'
skar
ma!
"

Mrs'
D:"
Karmay
ant
oni
nawena?
(What
kar
ma?)"

Ase:
"Thatwomanisveryevilmama,I
woul
dn'tbesur
pri
sediftheseareher
si
nscatchi
ngupwithher."Mah
cl
appedonce!

Mrs'
D:"Yoh!I
'venev erseen
somethingli
kethati nmyenti
rel
if
e.
Shelookshorri
ble,shedoesn'
tev
en
havestrengt
htot alk.
"
Ase:"
I'
m st
il
laski
ngt
hesame
questi
on,
whyissheher
e?"

Mr s'
D:"YesterdaySiphocalledthe
Kinginfor minghim aboutthe
sit
uat i
ont hatthegirl
isin,
theking
theninsi st
edt hathebri
ngsherher e
sot hatMaNdekacanhel phersince
het hi
nkst hishassomet hingtodo
withwi tchcraft.
"

Me:"MyGod!I'mjusti
magi
ninghow
herbodylooks.
"Mybodyshookas
mybl oodwentcold.
Mrs'
D:"
It
sasightthaty
oudon'
twant
t
oseemnt anam."

Me:"
SowhenisMaNdekagoi
ngt
o
at
tendt
oher?
"

Mrs'
D:"
Assoonasshecomesback
f
rom t
hefor
est.
"

Ase:"Andwhenwi llt
hatbe?CauseI
can'tstandthefactt
hatIam
breathi
ngt hesameairwitht
hat
plasti
cgirl
."
Mr s'D:
"She'scomi ngbacktomorr
ow.
Hopef ull
yshewi l
latt
endtoher
tomor row.Ialsodon'twantherhere
i
nmypal ace!Butbecausesheis
Sipho'sgi r
lf
ri
endanduhm. .shegave
birthtomygr andchi
ldwehadto
assisther .
"

Ase:"
Icannotbel
i
evet
hatt
hisi
s
happeni
ng."

Me:
"meei
ther
."
Mr s'
D:"
Speakingofwhi
ch,
Ineedt
o
ensurethatthemaidshav
esenther
food."

Ase:
"Hai
bomama?
"

Mrs'
D:"
Yintoni
?(What
?)OrDidyou
wanttotakeitt
oheryoursel
f?"

Ase:
"Hel
lno!
"

Mr s'
D:"Thul
akeuy ekeuku'nyaboza'
.
Futhithedayaft
ert omorr
owy our
brothersarecominghome. "Ase
r
oll
edherey
es.

Ase:
"Youdi
dn'
thav
etot
ell
met
hat
."

Mr s'
D:"
Ijustwantedy
outoknowso
thatyoupr epar
eyour
sel
f
emot i
onall
y .
"

Ase:
"Idon'tneedt
o.Iam donet
ryi
ng
toi
mpr essthosepeopl
emnadabs."

Mr s'
D:"
Hah!I'
m backt
obei
ngdabs
nowt hatIam t
ell
ingy
ouabouty
our
brother
s?"
Ase:"
Ical
lwit
hwhatev
ercomesfi
rst
tomymi nd,
naweuy
azi(y
ouknow
that
)"

Mrs'
D:"Youneedt
ocorrectt
hatke
si
si,
sti
cktooneti
tl
e.AndifIl
ike
'
mama' ."

Ase:"
YouwantMaNdl ovutoskinme
ali
vendiy
abona(
Isee).Icanonlycal
l
youthati
jpr
ivat
e."MaNdlovuisher
mother.
Mrs'D:
"Ahhh!Mandikuy
eke
mntanam( l
etmeleaveyoual
onemy
chi
ld)"

Ase:
"Youknowhowdr
amat
icshei
s."

Mrs'D:"
Ido.Letmegoback
downstair
sandseei fSiphoandhe's
fat
herarenotbacky et
."Shestoodup
andmadeherl eave.Shestoppedat
thedoorandl ookedatAse" and
wenamakesur ethatyoudon'tdir
ty
Lunathi
'sroom withthatfood.
"She
l
eftandclosedt hedoorbehindher.
Ase:"
What '
swr ongwit
hhertoday
?
She'
st eam Lunathi
nowallofa
sudden."

Me:"
Shedidapol
ogisef
ortheway
she'
sbeentr
eati
ngme,andshewant
s
ustost
artonacleansl
ate.
"

Ase:
"Fi
nall
y!Iwasget
ti
ngti
redoft
he
ani
mosityshehadtowar
dsyou.
"

Me: "
MetooI'
m gl
adshe'
sbackt
o
beingthewomanshewaswhenI
fi
rstmether.
"
Ase:
"It
hinkt
hemi
scar
-.
..
"

Me:"Geezdoesever
ythi
nghavet
obe
aboutthestupi
dmiscar
ri
age?
!"I
snapped.

Ase:
"Hai
boLunat
hi.
"Isi
ghed.

Me:"Sor
ry,Ij
ustdon'
tl
ikehowy ou
al
way swanttoincl
udethe
miscarr
iageinever
ysingl
ethi
ngthat
wetalkabout."
Ase:"
Lunathiy
ousaythatyouare
fi
ne,
butthewayy ousnapwhenI
bri
ngITupspeaksv ol
umes.May be
youshouldtal
ktosomeoneabout
thi
s,nextt
hingweknowy ouwill
snappingatever
yoneforever
yli
ttl
e
thi
ngtheysay."

Me:"Thatwon'thappen.Idon'
tneed
totalkt
oany oneaboutanythi
ng.I'
ve
mov edonfrom thi
sandI '
d
appreci
atei
tifyoudot hesame."She
l
ookedatmeandshookherhead.

Ase:
"Fi
nei
fyousayso.
"
Wesatinsil
enceassheateherfood,
Iwasn'
thungryany
moresoIjustsat
ther
eandwatchedhereat
."Doy ou
wantmetobr i
ngChul
uhere..
..or?
"

Me:"
No,
she'sfi
newi
thher
gr
andmother.
"

Ase:
"Al
ri
ght
,goodni
ghtt
hengi
rl
."

Me:"
Night.
"Shestoodupandl eft
.It
's
goi
ngtobeal ongnight
,I'
m allal
one
i
nthismassivebed..
.whichreminds
me,Ihaven'
tspokentoSivuyi
leever
si
nceIgothere.Ineedt
ocall and
checkuponhi m.Itookmyphone
anddi aledhi snumber s,
itrangt o
voicemai l.May behe'sal ready
sleeping,butnoi tcan'tbehedoesn' t
usuallysl eepthisearly.Itried
again,andt herewasst il
lnoanswer .I
couldn'thel pbutletmyt hought s
wondert oanawf ulplace.Whati f
he'swi t
hawoman?No!Hewoul dn'
t
dot hatt omeagai n,
right?"Okayl et
met r
yt hehousephone. "Ical ledthe
houset elephonebuti trang
unanswer ed,Itri
edacoupl eoft imes
butIst i
llgott hesamer esul t
s."He
promi sedhewon' tdoi tagai n.
"My
thought swer ewhy l
i
ngoutofcont rol
.
Ideci
dedt
osendhi
m at
ext
.

"Ihopeyouarenotouttherecheat
ing
becauseifyouare,Iam goi
ngtoki
ll
you!"Iswi
tchedoffmyphoneand
threwitonthebed.

"
Wakeywakeysl
eepyhead.
"

Me:"Hai
mar
n!"ImoanedasAse
openedupt
hecurtai
ns.
Ase:
"Wakeup!
"

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Ase:
"Yourcompany
."ShehadChul
u
onherwaist

Me:"I
t'
ssoear
lyinthemorni
ng
Asenathi
,
gobothersomeoneel
se
tuu.
"

Ase:
"Youarecr
azy,
i
t'
shal
fpastone
i
ntheafter
noon.
"Ij
umpedup
Me:
"What?
!Whydi
dn'
tany
onewake
meup?"

Ase:"
Asifyoursel
fappoi
ntedbody
guardwouldall
owust odothat
."I
l
ookedatherconfused.
"Dabawo(Si
vuyi
le'
smom) "

Me:"
Ohhh.Youshouldhav ewoken
meupt hough.Ican'
tbesleeping
unt
ilthi
sti
mei nmyhusband
home,Gosh!Mymom woul dbeso
di
sappoint
edinmer ightnow."Iwas
makingthebed.
Ase:"
Calm down,youneededt orest
."
IknowIdid,buti
t'
sembarrassing.I
onlymanagedt osl
eepat5o' cl
ock
thi
smor ni
ng,mymi ndwast oo
occupiedf
ormet osleep.

Me:
"I
'm soembar
rassedr
ightnow.
"

Ase:"
There'
snothingtobe
embarrassedabout.Ifi
twasupt o
dabsyouwoul dsleep-i
nthewhole
enti
redaywithnodi st
urbance.She
onlyal
lowedmet ocomeupher e
becausetheli
ttl
emi ssherewas
cry
ingforyou.
"Ilookedatlitt
le
t
oddl
eronherhi
pandsmi
l
ed.

Me:"
Ithoughtshewassti
l
lenj
oyi
ng
bei
ngwi t
hherGranny
."

Ase:"
Thatdidn'tl
astl
ong.
"Chuluheld
outherhandst ome,Imovedtothe
othersi
deoft hebedandfixedi
t.
"Takeher.
"

Me:"
uhm...y
oucanputheronthe
f
loor
."Shegavemeaweirdlook.

Ase:
"Hai
boNat
hi,
si
ncewheny
ou
don'
tl
ikecar
ryi
ngChul
u?"Icl
ear
ed
mythroat
.

Me:
"I
t'
snott
hat
,I'
mjustbusyf
ixi
ng
t
hebed."

Ase:
"Themai
dscandot
hat
."

Me:"
Ihav
etogotakeabat
h."She
l
ookedatmeforawhi
le

Ase:
"Okay.
"Iqui
ckl
yrushedtothe
bat
hroom andcl
osedthedoorbefor
e
l
ett
ingoutahugebreat
h.Ist
ood
t
hereforami
nut
egat
her
ingmy
t
houghts.
Itookof
fmycl
othesandgoti
ntot
he
shower.

"
Ohhy ouaresti
llhere?
"Iwaswal ki
ng
i
nfrom thebat
hroom.It ookoutmy
t
oil
etr
iesandloti
onedmybody .She
wassitt
ingontheedgeoft hebed
wi
thChul uonherlap.

Ase:"
Nathi
am Icrazyoryoudon't
wanttocarr
yyourchil
dforreal
?"I
chuckl
ed.
Me:"
Youarecrazy.Iwascar
ryi
ngher
yest
erdaymos."

Ase:"
Onlybecauseshewascr ying.
Shesatwithmet hroughtheentir
e
tr
iptohere,
youjustkeptonignoring
her.
"

Me:
"t
hat
'snott
rue.
"

Ase:
"I
sn'
ti
t?"

Me:"
It
'snot
.Whywoul
dn'
tIwantt
o
car
rymydaught
er?
"
Ase:
"Idon'
tknow,
yout
ell
me.
"I
swal
lowedhard.

Me:
"Youar
ejustbei
ngcr
azy
."

Ase:
"Am I?Lunathiy
ouneedt
odo
somethingaboutthi
sbef
oret
hings
getworse."

Me:"
Fine,
I'l
ltakeherwhenwego
downstai
rs.
"

Ase:
"I
'm nott
alki
ngaboutt
hat
.Iam
tal
ki
ngabouty
ourbehav
iouri
n
gener
al.
"

Me:
"Ther
e'snot
hingwr
ongwi
thme.
"

Ase:
"Soyoukeepsayi
ng.
"Shest
ood
upwithChul
uandwalkedout
.I
si
ghedoutofrel
i
ef.

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Thi
smor
ningIwokeupwi
tha
poundingheadache.Idon' tknowhow
muchIdr anklastni
ght,butjudgi
ngby
thelooksofthingsIreall
ywenthar d
onthebot t
le.I
fitwasupt omeI
wouldstil
lbesleepingrightnow,but
becauseIhav eafli
ghttocat chIhave
togo.Thankheav ensthatJohnmy
bodyguardwasabl et owakemeup
ontime.
Il
eftt
hekeywit
hJohnbef
oredr
ivi
ng
of
ftotheai
rpor
t.

Fewhour sl
aterwegottotheXhosa
Kingdom,Iwasreall
yhappyabout
beingathome.Thisispl
acehas
somet hingpeacefulaboutit,
and
that
'sexact l
ywhatIneedr i
ght
now,peace.Peaceofmi nd.Ijumped
offthecarandl ookedar oundfora
bit
.Bef oreIknewitmom cameout
thepalaceul ul
uati
ng.

Mom: "Thizauthunjanawam
bethuna!(mylastbor n)
!"Shecamet o
meandgav emet hewar mesthug
ever,
Ifel
tl i
kecryi
ngmyey eball
s
out,
butI'vecri
edenough.Fora
man,yesI '
vecriedenough."Unjani
Toto?"Ilookedather ."HayYint
oni?
Tomey ouar esti
llababy .
"Ismiled
Me:
"I
'mf
ineBhel
ekaz
i,
howar
eyou?
"

Mom: "Couldyouandy ourwifestop

withthisIam fi
nebusi ness?It'
s
reall
yirr
it
ati
ngthelif
eoutofme! "I
haven'tevensetfootinsidethe
palaceandI '
m al
readybei ngshout ed
at,welcomet omyl i
fe!"Youneedt o
l
ear nhowt otal
kabouty ourfeel
ings
mar n!Notthi
s'Iam fine'bull
shit
."
Hawu.Si l
ence!

Me:"Doy
outhinkthatsheisfi
ne?
"I
askedaf
teracoupleofsecondsof
si
l
ence.

Mom:"No,shesaysthatsheisfi
ne
butf
rom whatIgather
edf r
om Ase
shei
snotf i
ne.
"

Me:"
Idon'
tthi
nkthatt
hismi scar
ri
age
hasaff
ect
edher,i
fanyt
hingshe
seemscoolwit
hthefactthatwe
havel
ostachil
d."

Mom:"Nowomani nthi
senti
rewor l
d
i
severhappyaboutmiscar
ryinga
baby
.She'
sbuil
dingupawal ltohi
de
herr
ealf
eeli
ngsandIam afraidt
hat
whent
hatwal
lcomescrashi
ngdown,
wewon'
tbeabl
etohandleher.
"

Me:"Mama, Ihavenotseehersheda
tear
,notevenonce.She's
smil
ing,l
aughingandtell
i
ngjokes.
That'
snotsomeonewho' sgri
evi
ng.
"

Mom: "
Wegr ieveindif
ferentways
son.Thatmi ghtbehercoping
mechanism.If eell
i
kethatchil
dhas
beenthroughsomuchandIam
tal
ki
ngaboutt hisyearonly,
shehas
beenthroughal ott
oapoi ntwhere
shefeel
sl i
keshe'simmunet o
sadnessorheartbreak.Andnoonei s
i
mmunet othat
,henceIam say ing
whent hegr
ieff
inallybreaksthrough
thewallst
hatshei sbuildi
ng,i
t'
s
goingtobehardt ocomf orther.
"I
sighed.

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkofi
tthatway
."

Mom: "I
t'
sunderstandble,youjust
tookwhatshe'sgiv i
ngy ou.Youare
alsofocusi
ngony ourownpai nthat
youaref ai
l
ingtoconf r
ontherown
painthatshe'
shidingbehi ndthose
smilesandlaughs."
Me:
"It
hinksotoo,
I'
mj ustsobr
oken
Mah.Myhearti
sbleeding.
"

Mom: "Iknowmybaby ,
andit'
sstil
la
fr
eshwound.ButIneedy out otal
kto
yourwi f
e,f
orcehertoconfrontt
he
painthatsheisfeel
ing.Sheneedst o
cryandgr i
eveaboutthis,
sothatshe
canbeabl etomov eonf r
om it.
"

Me:
"HowMah?
"

Mom:
"Youwi
l
lfi
gur
eitoutson.
"I
si
ghed

Me:
"Wher
eissher
ightnow?
"

Mom:"I
nyourr
oom,shejustcame
backf
rom t
hemall
wi t
hAsenathi
."

Me:
"Al
ri
ght
,l
etmegoseeher
."

Mom:
"Okaybaby
."

Me:"
Ohhhandcany oupl easechar
ge
myphone."Ihandedhermyphone
andthecharger
.Wewal kedinsi
de
thehouse,Iwentst rai
ghtuptomy
room.Ienteredwi t
houtknocki
ng,she
wassitt
ingont hebedwithherback
faci
ngthedoor .Shehadaphoneon
herear,
i
ndicatingthatshewas
makingacall orshewasont he
phonewi t
hsomeone.

Lunathi:"
Sivuy
il
eweh!Ifyoudon't
wanttobemar ri
edanymorewhy
don'
ty ousaysoi nst
eadofswitching
ofyourdamnphone!Cal lmeassoon
asyougett hi
smessageorelsey ou
won'tfindmeher ebytheti
mey ou
deci
det oshowup.Nxah!"Shestood
upandt hr
ewherphoneont hebed,
sherubbedherf acewi
thherhands
beforeshelookedupandnoticed
thatIwasinther oom.

Me:"
Heybaby
."Thest
areIgotcoul
d
easi
l
ysendmet ot
hegrave.

Lunat
hi:
"Si
vuy
il
e?"

Me:
"Baby
?"

Lunat
hi:
"Si
vuy
il
e?"

Me:
"Babe?
"
Lunat
hi:
"Doy
oust
il
lwantmeasy
our
wif
e?"

Me:
"Ofcour
seIdo.
"

Lunat
hi:"
Thenwhyt hehellwereyou
notansweringyourphonelastni
ght?!
AndwhenIt r
iedcal
li
ngagainthi
s
morningitwasof f
!Evennow,i
t'
ssti
ll
off
!"

Me:"
Baby,Ihadmi
spl
acedmyphone
l
astnight
."
Lunathi:
"St
opl
yi
ng!Siv
uyi
lear
eyou
cheatingonme?"Shewasmad
pissed.

Me:"
What?Lunat
hihowcoul
dyou
askmethat
?"

Lunathi:
"Areyou?"Ichuckledin
disbel
ief."
Youareev enlaughing!It'
s
niceneh?Youj ustgotanewpussy !
WhySi vuyi
le?Howcoul dy oudot hat
tome?Why ?IsitbecauseIwasn' t
womanenought ocar r
yy ourbaby ?Is
i
tbecauseoft hemi sca.
..-
"She
swal
lowed,astear
sst
art
edcomi
ng
downherface.

Me:"
Hehhaywenauphambene
st
ruu(
Youarecrazy!
)"Iwaspissed
of
f.Pissedt
hatshewouldthi
nkso
l
owofme.

Lunathi:
"I
'm cr
azy?!Whataboutyou
whogoesoutt hereshovi
ngyourdi
ck
i
nev eryvaginathatyoucome
across.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
FutsekLunat
hi!Fut
sek
uy
eva?!
(Youhearme?)IfIcheat
edon
youasyousay,maybeit'
sbecauseI
wanttofor
getaboutthepainthatI
am f
eeli
ng!Iwanttodist
ress!
"

Lunathi:
"Ididn'tknowt hat
'showwe
dealwithpai n!Ifthat'
sthecaset hen
may beIshoul dalsogooutt hereand
getmy selfsomer andom dicksince
youarenott heonl yonewhol osta
chi
ld!!
"Bot hourv oiceswer ehigh.We
werebot hbei ngtakenbyt he
emot i
ons.

Me:
"ButIam t
heonl
yonewho'
s
f
eel
i
ngt hepai
n!!
"
Lunat
hi:
"Excuseme?AndIam not
?!"

Me:"Youar enotact i
ngl i
kesomeone
whoj ustlostachi ldLunat hi
!Youar e
somewhathappyt hatt hi
shappened!
Iknowt haty oudon' twantt ohav e
kidsyetbutIdi dn'tthinkitwouldget
toapoi ntwher eyoudon' tevenfeel
botheredbymi scarryingone!What
kindofper sonar ey ou?!Youar eone
fuckeduphear t l
esshumanbei ng!
!"I
yell
ed.

Lunat
hi:
"Taket
hatback!
"Shewal
ked
uptome." Isaidtakeitback! !
"She
start
edpunchingmychestwhi le
cryi
ng."Takeitback!!Iam not
heartl
ess!Iam nothear t
less!"I
grabbedherhandsandbr oughther
tomychestandshewai led.Ibrushed
herback.Icalmeddownabi t

Me:"
That
'si
t,
leti
tal
loutbaby
."Her
cr
ywascalmingmedown.

Lunathi:
"Whydi
dGodt akehim away
from us?Isi
tbecauseIsai
dIwasnot
readytohaveababy ?OrwasInot
womanenought ocarr
yit
?Why ?!
Why ?!"Shecr i
edsomemor e.Iledher
downt othefloorandsatflatonmy
buttasIhuggedhert i
ght."
Iwas
goingt olovehim eventhoughI
wasn' treadyforhim.Iwasgoi ngto
protecthim andcar eforhi
m.I
want edhi m,IknowIsaidIdidn't,
butI
di
d."

Me:"Shhhhit
'salr
ightbaby
,
everyt
hinghappensforareason.
"I
saidwithabreaki
ngv oi
ce.

Lunathi
:
"Ithur
tssobadSi
vuy
il
e!I
t
hurt
s!"
Me:"Iknowbaby ,Iknowmyl ove."I
wipedt het
earsthewereaboutt o
fl
owdownmyf ace."Wearegoingt o
getthroughthi
s,t
ogether
.There'sno
needt oactstr
ongnowmyl ove."She
carr
iedoncr yi
ng.
ThisisallIwant edfr
om her.Herto
showemot ion.Iwantedtoknowand
feelherpain,andthat
'sexactl
ywhatI
am feeli
ngr ightnow.If
eelli
kewe
sharethesamepai n,
unli
kethelast
fewday s,
itfeltli
keIwasaloneinall
ofthisbutnowIknowwear e
together.
Aft
ercry
ingforawhil
e,
shefi
nall
y
cal
meddown.Wej umpedont hebed
andIspoonedherf
rom behi
nd.

Me:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"Isai
dafteral
ong
si
l
ence.Iki
ssedthebackofherneck.

Lunat
hi:
"No,
I'
mt heonewho'
ssorr
y."
Shehadablockednoseandhi
ccups.
"Andt
hankyou."

Me:
"Forwhat
?"
Lunat
hi:
"Maki
ngmereal
i
sethepainI
wasrunni
ngawayf
rom.Itwasgoing
tocat
chupwithmesoonerorl
ater.
"

Me:"
I'
mjustgl
adt
haty
ouar
efi
nal
l
y
gr
ievi
ng.
"

Lunathi :
"I
'v
ebeenav oidi
ngit.Ikept
ont el
lingmy selfthatIam okayand
thatiwasn' treadyf orachi l
dany way
andmay bet hatthisisabl essingin
disguise,butthepai nwassi l
ent l
y
eatingmeaway .Doy ouknowt hatI
haven'tbeenabl et ohol dChulu?And
i
t'sallbecauseofmysel fishness."
Shesni
ff
ed.

Me:"
Nobaby,weal
ldeal
wit
hpai
nin
di
ff
erentway
s."

Lunathi
:"
Iknow,butthi
swasgoingto
aff
ectus,i
twasgoi ngtoaf
fectour
daughterandthat'
snotri
ght.
"

Me:"Let'
sletallofthatgo,andfocus
onthepr esent.Wear egoingtoget
thr
ought histogetherasaunit.God
wil
lblessuswi t
hmor ebabiesinthe
fut
ure,may beinthenextcoupleof
mont hsyouwi llbepregnant
again,
whoknows?
"Shecl
ear
edher
thr
oat.

Lunat
hi:
"uhm Si
vuy
il
e,
ther
e's
somethi
ngIneedtotel
lyou.
"

Me:
"I
'ml
i
steni
ng.
"

Lunat
hi:
"I
'm onbi
rt
hcont
rol
."

Me:
"What
?!"

Lunathi:
"BabyI
'm notr
eadyforababy
.
Especial
lyaft
erthemiscar
ri
age.
Whati
fIhaveanotherone,
then
what
?"Icl
earedt
hel umpinmyt hr
oat

Me:"I
t'
sal
ri
ghtmyl
ove,
Iunder
stand.
"
Idon'
t.

Lunat
hi:
"Iknewyouwould.
"Ineedt
o
dosomet hi
ngaboutt
his.

Me:"
Uhm letmegoandcheckupon
Chul
u,Ihaven'
tseenhersi
nceIgot
her
e."Iatt
emptedtogetup

Lunat
hi:
"No!Pl
easedon'
tl
eav
e
alone.
..
.justhol
dmef
orawhi
l
e,wi
l
l
you?"

Me:"
Gladly
."Ibr
oughthercloseme
agai
nandhel dherfordearl
if
e.We
weregoingtobejustokay.Myhear
t
wasatpeace.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t96
•
•
•
•
•

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Ismi l
edasIl ookedather ,hereyes
werecl osedandshewassnor i
ng
l
ightly.Shelookedgor geous,my
gorgeousst ubbornwi f
e,soontobe
mot herofmychi ld.Iknowshe' son
bir
thcont rolbutsoonshewi l
lbe
carr
yingmyseedcomehel lorhi
gh
water.Ileanedinaplantedakisson
herli
ps,shemoanedal i
ttl
ebefor
e
openingherey essl
owly.

Lunat
hi:
"Therei
snopeacewheny
ou
arear
ound."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"Iwasn'
twaki
ngyouup.Youar
e
t
heonewhochosetowakeup."

Lunathi
:"
Whatdidyout
hinkwas
goingtohappenwhenyouki
ssed
me? "
Me:"
nothi
ng,
becauseyousometi
mes
sl
eepli
keadeadperson."She
l
aughed.Ismi
led.

Lunat
hi:
"Qui
tst
ari
ng.
"

Me:
"ILov
eyou.
"Shebl
ushed.

Lunathi:
"Il
oveyoumorebaby
."We
sharedabr i
efki
ss."
Sowhendoes
thecleansi
ngtakepl
ace?"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
may
bet
omor
row.I
didn'
tseeMaNdekawhenIar
ri
ved
yazi.
"

Lunathi
:"
Ohhshe'satt
hef
orest
,wel
l
she'ssupposedt
obecomingback
today.
"

Me:"
Maybeshe'
sal
readybackcause
i
t'
slat
enow."

Lunat
hi:
"Iwonderi
fshe'sgoingto
att
endtomef i
rstorLusanda."

Me:
"Lusanda?Whi
chLusandaar
e
y
out
alki
ngabout
?"

Lunat
hi:
"Yourbabymomma. "Igav
e
herastare."
Sipho'sgi
rl
fr
iend.
"She
sai
dwhi l
elaughing.

Me:"
Whatdoesshewanthere?
Matt
eroffactwhogaveher
per
missi
ont ocomehere?
"Iwas
get
ti
ngangry.

Lunat
hi:
"Shecamewi
thSi
pho.
"

Me:
"What
?"Igotof
fthebedandwor
e
myshoes."Theyaregoi
ngtoknow
mewel l
today!
"Iopenedthedoorand
gotoutbefor
eslammingitcl
ose.

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Mymi ndwasst i
l
lindazeaf t
erthe
wayhel ef
tthedoor .Ididn'
twantto
foll
owbehindhi m butthewayhel ef
t
IknewIhadt o.Ijumpedof fthebed
andwor emysl eepersandleftthe
room.Iranallt
hewaydownt he
stai
rsandrushedt owher eIcould
hearv
oices.

"
Siv
uyi
lest
opit
!"MrsDsai
dasI
wal
kedint
hedi
nningar
ea.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Nomama!Iwantt oknow
whati
shedoingherewit
hher?!Why
di
dhebringherher
e?"

Si
pho:
"Sheismygi
rl
fr
iend,
shegoes
wher
everIgo!
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Nother
e!!
"Hewasfumi
ng
andIwassoconfusedwhyhewas
soangr
y."Iwantheroutofthi
s
Ki
ngdom,nottomorr
owt oni
ght!
"

Mr'D:
"Si
vuy
il
e,yi
hlany
ana(
calm down
son)wecan'tki
ckherout
."

Sivuy
ile:
"Whyt
hehel
lnot
?!"Iwal
ked
towardshim

Me:
"Si
vuy
il
e!What
'sgoi
ngon?
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"St
epasidebaby.Iwantthat
wit
choutofhere!I
fyoudon'tgether
outi
n5mi nut
esIwilldoitmyself!
"
Me:
"Si
vuy
il
eshei
ssi
ck!Shecannot
l
eav
e."

Siv
uyi
le:
"Idon'
tcar
e!Idon'
twanther
anywher
enearmyf amil
y!"

Si
pho:
"She'
sal
sopar
toft
hisf
ami
l
y!"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"I
nyourdr
eams!Sheisnota
par
tofitandshewil
lnev
erbe!
"

Mrs'
D:"
What'
swrongwithyouwena?
!
Whyareyousoangryatyour
br
other
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Hebroughtthatbi
tchher
e
mama!"MrsDslappedhisshoul
der

Mrs'
D:"
Whereyour
espect?Rha!That
gi
rli
snotgoi
nganywhereunti
lsheis
heal
ed.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Oh.
..wewi
l
lseeaboutt
hat
."
Hest
ompedout.

Mrs'
D:"
Whatiswrongwi
ththatboy
?"
Si
phostoodupandranaf
terhim."
Go
tal
ktohim mybaby.
"Isighedbef
ore
runni
ngaft
erthem.Theywere
outsi
de.

Sivuyil
e:"
Whereisshe? !
"Hewas
walkingaroundthey ar
d."Wherethe
fuckisshe? !
"Helookedl i
keamad
person,Iwasgettingscared.He
walkedupt ohisbrother."
Wheredid
youhi dethatwi
tch?"

Si
pho:
"Don'
tyoudar
ecal
lhert
hat
!"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Youar
eright,
she'
snota
wi
tchshe'
samurderer!
"Apunch
l
andedonhi sjaw."That'smygi-..
."
Sivuyi
le'
sf i
stcoll
idedwithSipho's
face.BeforeIcouldblink,i
twasaf ull
onwr estl
ingmat ch.Ikepton
screamingf orthem tostopbutitwas
alli
nv ai
n.AllIcouldseewer efist
s
fl
yingacross!

Me:"Tata!!
"Forthefir
stti
meev erI
call
edt heking't
ata'"
Stopi t
!Stop
fi
ghting!"Theykeptonthr owing
blowsateachot her."Guards!
Guards!"Iscreamedmyl ungsout.
Theguar
dsfi
nall
yarr
ivedand
managedtobr
eakthefight
.The
par
ent
swerealr
eadyoutsi
dest
ari
ng
att
hem i
nshockandanger.

Mr '
D:"Whatt hehel l i
swr ongwi t
hy ou
makwedi ni
?!(boy s) "her oaredi n
anger .Thetwoguy swer ebreathing
heavilyinthear msoft heguar ds.
"Niphambene? !Sivuy il
e!(Arey ou
crazy? !Si
vuyile!Si pho! )WhoI '
mt heir
ri
ghtmi ndsfighti napal ace? !Hav e
younor espectf orr oyalty?
!Wher edo
yout hinkthi
si s? !WWE
smackdown? !
"I '
venev erseenhi m
thi
sangr ybefor e,hel l
I'
v eneverhear d
himr aisehisv oice.
Si
pho:
"uxol
otat
a(sor
rydad)
"

Mr '
D:"
Niyandiqhela
makwedi ni!
NizenzaoJohnCena
noRomanRei gnskwam? !
(Youare
getti
ngfami l
iarwithmeboy s!You
areturni
ngt oJohnCenaandRoman
ReignsinmyPal ace?!
)"Ihear
d
gi
ggles,Iturnedonl yt
of i
ndthesi
ster
standi
ngaf ar.

Mrs'
D:"ni
lwelwantoninanina?!
(Why
areyoufighti
ng?!
)"Theykeptquiet
.
"Ndi
yathethaandi
suzi!
(I
'mt al
ki
ngnot
f
art
ing!
)"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uxol
omama(
sor
rymom)
"

Mrs'
D:"
ndibuz
eumbuzo,andi
funanga
xol
olwakhomna!(
Iaskedaquest i
on,
Idi
dnotaskfory
ourapology!
)"

Mr'
D:"
Kuthi
ndibavuthul
ulenge
mvubukungoku!(
Ifeell
ikehit
ti
ng
t
hem wit
hasjambokr i
ghtnow!)
"

Si
pho:
"Hai
boTat
a!"
Mr'D:
"ny aibony any a!Futsek!
!"He
wasr eallypissed." Isthisawayt o
conducty ourselvesasDl ami
ni
men? !"Theyshookt heirheadsno.
"Kengoku? !Kutheni ni
silwa?!
(So?
Whyar eyouf ighting?!)"Theykept
quiet
." Iwillnotaskagai ndammi t
!!
"

Sipho:
"Hecal
ledmygi
rl
fr
iendawi
tch
andamur der
er.
"

Mr
'D:
"Si
vuy
il
e?Di
dyoudot
hat
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
YesIdi
d!"
Mr
'D:
"Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Becauseshei samurder
er.
"
Siphoattemptedtobreakf
reefr
om
theguards'hol
d,butt
heyhel
dhim
ti
ght.

Mr
'D:
"Whodi
dshemur
der
?"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Mychil
d!Shemurder
edmy
unbor
nchil
d!"Hesaidwit
habreaki
ng
voi
ce.Weallexcl
aimedi
nshock.I
can'
tbel
iev
ehe'smakingsuch
al
l
egat
ions.

Me:"
Baby !
"Myvoicewasal
so
br
eaking.Iwal
kedtowar
dshim.

Mr
'D:
"Makot
i!
"

Mr
s'D:
"My
ekeTat
a."

Me: "Lethim go."Theyr el

easedhi
m.I
heldhi scheeksandl ookedint
ohis
glossyey es."Baby,youcannotsay
thingslikethis.Iknowt hatyouar
e
stil
lhurtandt ryi
ngt oacceptour
l
oss, andmay bey out hinkbl ami ng
someonef ori twilleaset hepai nbut
i
twon' tmyl ove.Ifany thingi twill
makemat t
er swor se,youcan' tblame
yourbr ot her'sgir
lfri
endf ort hi
s,I
won' tallowy outor uinsucha
beaut i
ful brotherhoodt haty ouhav e
allbecauseofhear tbreak.Ify ouwant
tobl amesomeonef orthi s
mi scarriagebl amemebaby , I
'
mt he
onewhowascar ryingt hechi l
d.
Blameme, don'tbreakt hef ami l
y
apar tbecauseoft his.Bl ameme
please. "Ibrokedown.Hepul l
edme
i
nt oahug.
Sivuyi
l
e:"
Itwasherbaby,Ipromi
se
you.She'
stheonewhoki ll
edour
chil
d!Iswearonmylife!
"Ipushed
him

Me:"
Siv
uyi
lest
opit!Juststopokay!I
f
wewanttohealandmov eonfrom
t
his,
youneedtostopallofthi
s!"

Sivuyi
le:
"I'
m sorry,Ican't.Sheis
responsibl
ef orthemi scarri
age!
Believ
emeshei s!"Ilookedathis
tearyeyesagai n,her eallybel
iev
ed
whathewassay ing.
Me:
"Buthow?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Thecake.
"Iopenedmyeyes
wi
deasIcamet ot
hereali
sat
ion

Me:"
No!"Henodded.Ishookmyhead,
Idi
dn'
twantt obel
i
evethatmybaby
wasmur der
ed.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Nowy ouunderst
andwhyI
am angry?"Inoddedsli
ghtl
y

Me:
"Whatdowedo?
"
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
I'
m goi
ngtomakeherpay !
Noonespil
lsaDlamini
bloodandget
awaywit
hit!
"Hesaidalit
tl
elouder

Mr'
D:"
Son!Thoseareser
ious
al
l
egati
onsthatyouaret
hrowing
ar
ound."

Siv
uyil
e:"
IknowTata!Iwoul
dn'
tbe
sayi
ngallofthi
sifi
twasn'
ttr
ue.
"

Mr'
D:"
Canwej ustgobacki
nsi
deand
t
alkaboutt
hiscalmly
."
Si
pho:
"Talk?Tal
kaboutwhatTata?!
Don'
ttell
mey oubel
iev
ethebull
t hat
i
scomi ngourofhi
smouth?!
"

Mr'
D:"
Son,Ijustwantt
ogett
othe
bot
tom ofthis.
"

Sipho:
"Bullshi
t!Youbel i
evehim!Why
am Inotsur pr
ised!Youal way s
choosehim ov erme!You' vechoosen
him whenwewer eyoungandy ouare
doingitagainev enwhenIam par tof
thefamily!Whenwi llyouev erputme
fi
rst?Huh?You' vealway slovedhim
mor ethanme! "
Mr
'D:
"Sont
hat
'snott
rue!
"

Sipho:"WhatdoIhav et odotoearn
yourloveandl oyal
ty?Huh? !
..
.you
knowwhat ?Iam done!Iam done
withyou!AndIam donewi ththis
family!Al
lIev erwantedwast ohav e
abiglov i
ngf amil
y,
butIguessI '
m not
goingt ogetthathere!"Hebrokefree
fortheguar dandwal kedaway

Mrs'
D:"
Sipho!Si
pho!"Hei
gnoredher
andwalkedtowardsMaNdeka'shut
.
Lul
ama:"Whatt
hefuckjust
happened?
"Ial
sodon'tknow.

Mrs'
D:"Tataml andelepl
ease!(
Foll
ow
hi
m please!)"IlookedatSivuy
il
ethe
angerhadv anished,helookedsad
andhurt.
MrDr anafterSipho,Sivuyi
lelooked
atmebef oreher anaf t
erthem.I
hopehewasgoi ngther eforhis
brotherandnott oat tackhis
gir
lf
riend."Let'
sgoi nsidemy
chil
dren."Wewal kedinsideandwent
tositatthelounge.Thi sisav er
y
emot i
onal ni
ght.
Lumka:
"idramaengaka
kwaDl
ami ni(Somuchdramai
nthe
Dlami
nis)"tell
meaboutit
.

Me:
"Whendi
dyouguy
sgether
e?"

Lul
ama:
"Soonaf
tery
ourmanar
ri
ved.
Wewa-.
..
"

Lumka:
"Hai
boAse,
arey
oucr
ying?
"
Shei
nter
rupt
ed.

Ase:
"No!
"Shequi
ckl
ywi
pedherf
ace.
Mrs'D:
"Ndondo?Youarecr y
ing.
Kuthenisi
si?
(What'
swr ong?)
"She
shookherheadandr anout."What
'
s
goingoninthispal
acetoday?!"

Lul
ama:"
Nam ndi
xakeki
l
e(I
'
m al
so
conf
used.
)"
Wesati nthel oungef orsomet i
me
waiti
ngfort hement ocomeback.I
foronewashoppi ngt hattheysor t
outthei
rdifferencestonight,Idon't
wanttheirrelati
onshiptober ui
nedall
becauseofmer egirl
,agi r
lfr
iend
nogalnotev enawi fe!WhenSi pho
sai
dallofthosethingsi f
elthim,I
coul
dfeelthattheywer ecomi ng
fr
om deepwi t
hinhim.Hewasv oici
ng
outabitofwhathe' sbeenf eel
ingfor
al
mosthisent i
reli
fe.

Theyfi
nall
ycamebackaft
er30long
minut
es.Siphodi
dnotev
ensaya
wordhejustwentupt
ohisroom,I
'
m
assuming.

Mrs'D:
"Andt
hen?"Thet
women
j
oinedusinthel
ounge.

Mr
'D:
"Ispoket
ohi
m."Hesi
ghed.
Mr
s'D:
"And?
"

Mr'D:"
Thatboyishur t
ing.Heisr eal
ly
hurti
ngandIhav en'
tbeenpay ing
att
entiontohishurtandhisissues.
Het hi
nksIdon'tlovehim mfaz'wam. "
Hewasget t
ingabitemot i
onal,butwe
al
lknowt hatAfri
canmenbel iev ethat
cry
ingi sasignofweakness, andhe
wasn'tabouttodot hat.

Mrs'
D:"
OhmyGod!Di
dyout
ell
him
t
hat'
snott
rue?
"
Mr'
D:"It
ri
ed,buthe'
semot
ionsare
r
unninghighatthemoment.Iwi
l
ltal
k
t
ohimt omorrow."

Sivuy
il
e:"WealsosawMaNdekawi t
h
regar
dst otheLusandasit
uat
ion.She
saidall
wi l
lberev
ealedtomor
row."

Mr
s'D:"
Doesthatmeant
hatgi
rlki
l
led
mygrandchi
l
d?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
wedidnottalkaboutthat
wi
thher
,SiphowasalsothereandI
di
dn'
twanttofi
ght
."Ohht hat
'sgood.
Mrs'
D:"
Thenwhati
sshet
alki
ng
about
?"

Si
vuyil
e:"AyyIdon'
tknowmama!
Maybeshei stalki
ngaboutt
he
miscar
riage."

Mr
'D:
"Sonpl
easel
ett
hisgo,
please.
"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"
Never!Let'
sgobabe.
"He
hel
douthishand,It
ookit
.

Me:
"Goodni
ghtev
ery
one.
"
Them:"Goodnight."Wewentuptoour
room.Wedi dn'tsayanyt
hingt
oeach
other
,wejustgoti nbedandsl
ept.

THENEXTDAY

Themoodwasabi tsombrearound
thehouse.IguessMrDl aminiandhis
sons'moodwasr ubbingoffon
everyone.Wehadt hequiet
est
breakfasti
nthehistor
yofbreakfast
s
i
nthi
sfami
l
y.
Duri
ngl
unchthemendecidednott
o
j
oinusandthatdi
dli
ght
enupthe
moodabit.

Lumka:"
SoAse,
whatwer
eyoucr
ying
forl
astni
ght
?"

Ase:"
Iwasn'
tcryi
ng,stopsayi
ngI
was!"Shesnapped.Aseisneverone
total
kaboutthi
ngst hatbot
herher
.

Lumka:
"Yoh!Shootmef
orcar
i-
..
."
"Hel
lohel
lofamil
y!
"ThatwasAse'
s
mom walkinginwit
honeofher
daught
erin-l
aws.

Mr
s'D:
"Hel
l
osi
si.
"Weal
lgr
eet
edback.
Theysatdownaft
erexchangi
ng
pl
easantr
ies."
Wedidn'
theary
ou
arr
ivi
ng.HowwasMar gat
e?"

Ase:
"Mar
gat
e?"

Ase'
sM:"
Itwasfabul
oussi
si,
thesea
wasall
Ineededtofeel
bet
ter."
Ase:
"Butwedohav
eabeachher
ein
PE."

Ase'sM:"
Kuthethaabantuabadala
Asenathi
!Yibanembeko! (
Adult
sare
tal
kingAsenathi!Hav
esome
respect
.)
"Aser oll
edhereyes.

Mrs'D:
"Uphiusbari
yena?
(Wher
eis
yourhusband?)"

Ase'
sM:"Hesai
dhewant edtohav
ea
wordwithhi
sbr
otherabout
somethi
ng."
Mrs'
D:"OhOkay.SootomorrowI'
m
supposedtotakeAseforsome
shoppi
ng,butsi
nceyouarehere
maybey oucantakeher
."

Ase'
sM:"
Ohhhnosi
si,
Ial
readyhav
e
pl
ansfort
omorr
ow.
"

Lul
ama:
"Can'
tyoucancel
?"

Ase'sM:"
unfort
unatel
yIcan'
t.Si
ba
hereispregnantandIneedtotake
hertothedoctorforacheckup."
Mrs'
D:"I
stheresomet
hingwr
ongwit
h
thebaby?Didshehav
eanycramps
onthewayher e?
"

Ase'
sM:"No!Ofcoursenot.Ij
ust
wanttoseemygr andchi
ld'
sscan
that
sall
.
"

Lul
ama:"
Don'
ttheyhav
eanyt
hatt
hey
canshowyou?
"

Ase'
sM:
"Not
h-.
..
"
Ase:"
Youcanstopmakingexcuses!I
don'
twantyogoshoppingwithyou
ei
ther!
"Shestoodupandstomped
outtheroom

Ase'sM:"HeeywenaAsenathi
!"She
wasl onggone."
What'
swr ongwith
thatchil
d?"

Lumka:
"You.
"Shemumbl
ed.

Ideci
dedtoexcusemysel ff
rom the
awkwardmoment .Iwenttomyr oom
andlai
dinther
euntilIf
ell
asleep.
"
Nat
hi!
"Shake!"
Nat
hiVuka!
"

Me:
"mmmh!What
?"Iy
awned.

Ase:
"Ther
e'sameeti
ngdownstai
rs
andyouareneeded.
"Meet
ing?

Me:
"Ohokay
.I'
l
lbet
her
einami
nut
e."

Ase:"Nope.Let'
sgonow,knowing
you,youmightgobacktosleep.
"I
sighedandst oodup."
MaNdekais
alsothere,
youknowwhatthat
means."Iwenttotheshelveandtook
outaheadscar f
."Addthree
more,
somepeopl edecidedtoshow
upwit
houtcov eri
ngthei
rheads."I
tookt
hescarfsandwewal ked
downstai
rs.
Wemethersist
er-i
n-l
awsont he
st
air
case,
Igavethem thescarf
s.

Wewal kedinthel
oungeand
everyonewasseated,whenIsay
everyoneImeanev eryone!The
uncles,
aunts,t
hechil
drenandthe
wivesoft heDlami
nifamily.MaNdeka
call
edmet ocomeandsi tnextt
o
her
,Idi
d.Myhear
twasbeat
ingoutof
mychestthewayIwassoner
vous.

MaNdeka:
"Right
!Weareal
lhere.
Nowwecanbegi n.
"Oneuncl
e
cl
ear
edhisthroat
.

Uncl
e1:
"ahhMah,
I'
m st
il
lconfusedas
towhyt
hismeeti
ngwascalled."

MaNdeka: "
Keepquietandyoushal
l
knowsoon! .
..
.Si
phogoandf et
cht
he
gir
l.
"Siphostoodupandexcused
himself
.Theunclesstart
ed
whisperi
ngamongt hemselves.
"Si
l
ence!
"Theyi
mmedi
atel
ykept
qui
et.
SoonSi
phor
etur
nedwi
thLusanda.

Ase'
sM:"Yuuhy uuh!Mbekengase
mnyangopl ease!
(Putherbythe
door!
)"Shesaidcov er
inghernose.
Ever
yoneelsef ol
lowedsuitasthe
foul
smel l
fill
edthehouse.

Aunt1:"
Bhelekazi
Iknowyouhavean
ai
rfreshenersomewherei
nthi
s
house."
Aunt2:
"Yeeerbawosaf
a!(
Lor
dwear
e
dyi
ng)"

MaNdeka:"
Thulani
!(
Sil
ence!)Don'
tact
l
ikeyou'
veneversmeltthi
sbefore.
Andndit
showenaNomakhwezi !
(I'
m
tal
ki
ngaboutyouNomakhwezi )"the
auntl
ookeddowni nembarrassment.

Mr'
D:"
Mahcanwegett hi
sov
erand
donewithsothatwecan
l
eave,
please.
"

MaNdeka:"
Thi
schil
dbefor
eyouis
LusandaMbekweni
.Shehappenst
o
bethemot herofyourgrandchi
ldand
sheisalsoyoursonSipho'swoman!
Assomeofy ouknowSi phobrought
thi
schil
dher ebecausehewant edme
tohealher.Unfor
tunat
elyIcan'
tdo
that
."

Si
pho:
"What
?"

MaNdeka:"Ican'tdothatbecauseI'
m
nottheonet hatbroughtt
hisupon
her.
"Every
onel ookedatherin
confusi
on."Thiswascausedbyt he
angerofourancest or
s.Shewr onged
oneofus."Ev er
yoneexclai
medi n
shock

Sipho:
"Makhul
u!Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about?"

Mr
'D:
"Letherf
ini
shson.
"

MaNdeka: "
AsIwassay i
ng,thischil
d
ri
ghtheredidsomet hi
ngsi nister
againstourown.Wel lt
woof
them,butall
oft hi
swasi shappeni ng
becauseoft hatonespecialhuman
beingshecausedpai nto."
Mr'
D:"
Mamacoul
dyoust
opt
alki
ngi
n
r
iddl
eshl
e!"

MaNdeka:"Iwil
lnowal l
owLusanda
thestandtotell
everyoneher ewhat
happenedandt oalsoapologiseto
thepersonsheneedst oapol ogi
se
to.
"Shewal kedtothemi ddlewhere
Lusandawasl ayi
ng."Standupchi l
d!"
Lusandaslowlystoodup." Talk!
"

Lusanda:
"uhm mont
hsagoImet
Siphoatt
-..
."

Uncl
e1:
"Yeeeynt
ombazana!Wedon'
t
havetimeforhi
stor
y,j
ustt
ell
uswhat
weal l
wanttohear.
"Lusandacl
ear
ed
herthroat
.

Lusanda:"
Ididsomethi
ngbad, Idi
dn'
t
meant obutIdidit
.Iwasdrivenby
greed,
envyandjeal
ousy.Iall
owedall
thoseemot i
onstotakecontr
ol ov
er
meandt hatledmet odoing
somethingIdidnotthi
nkIwoul ddo
i
nmyent i
reli
fe.
"

Ase'
sDad:
"Khawuthethemar
n
nt
ombazanandini
(tal
kyougi
rl
!)
"
Lusanda: "IfedSi phoal ovepot ion.
"
Everyoneexcl ai
med." I
twasnot
meantf orhim, i
twasmeantf or
Sivuyile.
"Ther ewer emoreshocked
exclaims." Iwant edt ohaveaf amil
y
withSi vuyil
eandourdaught er,I
want edust oraisehert ogetherasa
coupl e.AfterSiphoconsumedt hat
l
ov epot ion,Ideci dedthatIneededt o
wor konanewpl an.Iknewt hat
Sivuyileismar r
iedt oLunathiandt hat
helov esher ,whi chmadehermy
compet i
tion."Shesni ff
edast ears
wer egushi ngoutofherey es." I
assumedt hatinor dertogetSi vuyi
leI
hadt ogetr i
doft hecompletion.I
thencameupwi thapl antopoi son
Lunathi.Itookacaket otheirhouse
andsaidi twasapeaceof f
ering,but
i
twasn' t.Thecakehadv ery
dangerousher bsi nitwhichwer e
goingtoki l
lLunathi.Iknewt hat
chocolatecakewasherf avouri
teand
Iknewf orsur ethatshewasgoi ngto
eatthecake. "Shebr okedown

Uncle2:
"Don'tyoudaremakenoi se
forus!Tellme,wherethehelldi
dy ou
getallt
hoseher bs?
!Whoint hei
r
ri
ghtmi ndshelpedyoutotryandkill
ourchosenone?Awhol eDlamini?
!"
Lusandcar r
iedoncryi
ng."Phendula
mar
nswi
ne!
"

Lusanda:"
Itwasawi t
chdoctorImet
thr
oughaf ri
end.Hedidwarnme
againstdoi
ngitbutIdidnotl
ist
en.
"

Lulama:
"Whati
fSi
vuy
il
eal
soat
ethe
cake?!
"

Lusanda:"
Iknewhewasn'tgoingt
o
eatitsi
ncehedoesn'
treal
lyl
ike
chocolat
ecake."

Lul
ama:
"Rhaungcol
i
lent
ombazane
ndi
ni!
(Youar
eev
il
!)
"Shespi
t.
Shelookedatmeandwal
ked
towardsmeslowl
y.
Lusanda:"I
'm sosor r
yLunat hi!Please
for
giveme.Iam r eal
lyreallysor r
y."
Shekneeledi nfrontofme." Forgive
mepl ease!Iam beggi ngy ou.Iwi l
l
anythi
ngt hatyouwantmet odo, just
for
givemepl ease.Ihav erealisedmy
err
orsandI 'm askingyout of orgi
v e
me."Ilookedatherwi thtears
str
eami ngdownmyf ace.

Me:"Whatdi
dIeverdot
oyou
Lusanda?Huh?I
'
v ewel
comedy
ou
i
ntomyhome!It reatedyouwel
l!I
waskindto!Idon'
tremember
of
fendingyouinanyway!Why?!
"

Lusanda:
"I
'm sor
ry.
."Shesobbed

Me:
"Why
?!"Al
ley
eswer
eonus.

Lusanda:
"Youhadev ery
thingI
wanted.Theman, t
hehouse,the
famil
y,
theli
fest
yle.Ienvi
edy ourl
i
fe.
"

Me:"Youdidal
loft
hatf
oramanwho
doesn'tev
enlovey
ou?"
Lusanda:
"Ihadhopethathewas
goingtol
earntolov
eme"

Me:"Youar
enotsor
ry.
"Ishookmy
head.

Lusanda:
'
Iam.
"

Me:"Noyouarenot !Youarejust
apologi
singbecausey ouneedmy
apologytoheal!
!Youbr okeme
Lusanda!Youtookawayal i
fethat
wast i
edtome!Yout ookaway
someonet hatwasgoi ngtolove
for
ever.AndforthatIwillneverever
for
giveyou!Notinthisli
feti
me! "

Lusanda:
"No!No!Lunat
hipl
ease!I
am beggi
ngy ou!
"

Me:"
Youdon'tdeservemyapology .
Thephysical
painthatyouarefeeli
ng
i
snothingcomparedt othepai
nIam
i
n.Nothingwil
lbri
ngbackmychi ld!"

Lusanda:
"I
'm so-
..
..
"wit
hinabli
nkof
aneyeSiphowasont opofher
str
angli
ngher.Ever
yonescreamed
forhimt ostopbuthedidn'
t.Si
vuy
il
e
pushedhi m of
fher,asever
yonewas
starti
ngtobecalm hestart
ed
strangli
ngher.

Me:"Siv
uy i
l
estop!Stopit!
"He
squeezedherneck."PleaseDl
amini
.
NdiyakucelaZi
zi
,l
ethergo.She'
snot
worthit.Pl
eases't
handwasam! "

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Shedoesn'
tdeser
vet
oli
ve.
"

Me:"
Andy oudon'tdeser
vetogoto
j
ail
.Pleasebaby.
"Isaidwitht
ear
s."
I
can'
tl
osey outoo,Ican'
t.
"He
stoppedsqueezi
ngasIsai dt
hat.He
l
etgoofherneck, Lusandacoughed
uncontr
oll
ably
.Sivuyi
lecameto
me,andgavemeahugehug.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youar
enotgoingtoloseme.
Youhearme?"Inoddedinhi
sar ms."
Youarenotgoi
ngtoloseme!"He
ki
ssedmyhead.

Lusanda:
"Si
pho.
..
."Shesai
dina
cracki
ngvoi
ce."
I'
m sorr
y."

Sipho:
"Getthefuckawayfrom my
face!Getthefuckoutofherebef
oreI
ki
l
lyou!
"

Lusanda:
"Si
ph-
..
."

Sipho:"Fuck!
!"Hescreamed!"You
bi
t ch!Youalmostcostmemyf ami ly!
Whatki ndofaper sonareyou?You
ki
lledmyunbor nnephew!Youused
met ofulf
ily
ourevilpl
an!
!Ihatey ou!I
hat ewitheveryfi
breinmybody !You
di
sgustme!Rha! "Hespit
.

Me:"
Itwasn'
tmyfaul
t.
"Isai
dasI
l
ookedint
ohisey
es."Idi
dn'
tki
l
lhi
m."
Sivuyi
le:
"Noonet
houghti
twasy
our
faultmylove.
"

"Cansomeonetakeawaythi
swi
tch!
"
Thatwastheki
ng."Guar
ds!!
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ilov
eyou.
"

Me:
"Il
ovey
out
oo.
"
Isobbedi
nhi
sar
ms.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t97
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°
ItwasChrist
masday .Day saftert
he
wholeLusandaordeal,everyonewas
sti
ll
tal
kingaboutthatdrama.They
weresti
llr
eeli
nginfrom theshock, I
guess.
Ihavemi xedemot ionsabouti t,butI
doknowt hatsadi soneoft he
feel
ings.Onequest ionthatkeeps
poppi ngupi nmyheadi swhatdi dI
everdot ohert hatmadeherchoose
tohur tmet hisway ?Iknowshe
want edSi vuyileall
t oherself,
butshe
couldhav etriedotherway st oget
him wi t
houtki l
li
ngme.Thi sj usttel
ls
met hatshehat edme, shedidnot
onlyenv ymyl ifebutsheal sohat ed
me, foramannogal ?It'ssadt hat
womendosuchev i
l thingsjustt oget
aman, Imeant hewor ldisfullof
thesespeci esbutagi r
l wil
lgoonf ul
l
she-dev ilmodej usttogett hatONE
guyasi ftherearenoot herguysi n
thiswor ld.ImeanLusandahad
Sipho,Siphowhol ovedherdear l
y,but
shechoset oignoreal lofthatand
wentoutofherwayt ogett heman
thatSHEwant s!Amanwhoi st aken
byt heway !Iwil
lnev erunder stand
mygendershame, i
tdi ssapointsme
somet i
mes.

"
Not
hingst
il
l!
"Hesai
ddef
eat
ed.
Me:"Don' twor rybabyhewi l
lshow
up."Wewer ei nourr oom getti
ng
readyf orthef ami l
yChr istmasdinner.
Appar entlythisi swhatt heynormally
doher ef orChr istmas, coolafeast
anddr essupf ancyf ort hedinner
.I
thi
nkt histimear oundi t'
sjusttol
ift
upev eryone'sspi r
itbecauseofwhat
happenedaf ewday sago.

Sivuyi
le:"
It
'sChri
stmas,ourfi
rst
Christ
maswi t
hhim.He' ssupposed
tobeher e,enj
oyingal
lthese
festi
vi
tieswithus."Si
pho!Sipho!Well
Si
phohasbeenMI Aev ersi
ncethat
ni
ght.Hej
ustl eftwi
thoutsayi
ng,and
heisnowheret obefound.Heleft
wit
houtatrace.

Me:
"Hejustneedst i
met ohimsel
f.I
meanthi
spersonj ustfoundoutt
hat
t
helov
eofhi sli
fewasusi nghim.
He'
sal
lowedt oreactthisway.
"

Siv
uy i
le:
"Iknowbaby,i
t'
sjustthatI
wasl ookingfor
wardtothi
sday .Once
again,Lusandahasrui
nedev eryt
hing!
Damn! "
Me:
"Cal
m downl
ove.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Iwantt
oki
l
lher!Iwantt
o
ki
l
lherwit
hmyownbarehands!"

Me:"
No!No!Donotl
ett
hatwit
cht
urn
youi
ntosomethi
ngt
hatyouar
enot.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Shedoesn'
tdeser
vet
oli
ve
babe!
"

Me:"
Iknow.Butherthi
ngswi l
leather
upunti
lsheevent
uall
ydies.Lether
suf
fer,
kil
li
ngherwil
lbeli
key ou
gi
vingheraneasywayout.She
deserv
estosuff
er.
"Hesighed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Youar
eri
ghtbabe.
"

Me:"Letitbethelastti
met hatyou
arethisworkedupov erthatgir
l.
She'sanon-factorinourli
ves.Let
's
mov eonandbehappy ,thatwil
l
surelyaddtohersuf f
eri
ng."He
smiled

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youar
er i
ght
.She'
sa
nobody.
"Hewalkeduptomeand
peckedonmylips.
Me:
"Ri
ght
!Your
eady
?"

Siv
uy i
l
e:"
Ist
il
ldon'
tgetwhywehav e
todressup,
mom isjustbei
ngext
ra.
"

Me:"
You'
vebeendoi
ngthisforyear
s
andyouar
eonlycompl
ainingnow?"

Sivuyi
le:
"THEYhavebeendoingthi
s
foryears,t
hisi
smyf i
rstt
ime
dressi
ngup.Sheusedy outogetme
todressup."Il
aughedasI
remember edhowthequeenasked
metoconvincehi
mtodr
essupf
or
t
hedinner
.

Me:
"SheknowsIknowwhi
chbut
tons
t
opress.
"

Sivuyi
le:"
Andt hat
'snotf
air
.Idon't
l
ikedr essingupjustt
ostayathome
andbear oundpeoplewhoareused
toseei ngmei nsweats.
"Ichuckled.
"Atleastlastyearwewerehosting
otherpeopl e.
"

Me:
"Woul
dyoust
opcompl
aini
ng!
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ayy!
"Il
aughedatt
hef
rown
onhi
sface.

Me:
"Smil
elove,
it
'sahappyday
t
oday.
"Helookedatmef orawhi
l
e.
"
What?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"Ar
eyouokay
?"

Me:
"Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Babewespokeaboutt
his.
Don'
thideyourf
eel
i
ngsfrom me."I
si
ghedandsatont
hebed,
hej
oined
me.

Me:"I'
m notokay .InawayIam happy
thatIdidnotmi scar r
ybecauset here
wassomet hingwr ongwi t
hmebut
thatsti
lldoesn'tchanget hefactthat
wel ostachild.Ther eissti
ll
that
sadnessi nmyhear t,ever
yti
meI
comeacr ossapi ctureofascanora
pregnantwomanIj ustwanttotear
up."Helookedatmeandsmi le.

Si
vuyi
le:
"I
t'
sokayt
ofeelt
hatway
baby
.ButIdon'
twantyoutof
eelsad
orhurtwhenev eryouthinkofour
baby,Iwanty outosmi leandbe
happy."Il
ookedathi m." Hisl
if
ewas
sacri
fi
cedtosav ey ours.Ifhedi
dnot
die,
youwoul dn'
tbeher etoday.We
wouldbepr epari
ngf oryourfuner
al,
I
wouldbeinmyr oom cr yi
ngwith
snotscomingoutofmynose. "

Me:
"Euw!
"Il
aughed.

Siv
uyil
e:"
Mypoi
ntis,
youshoul
d
spendyourt
imemoppingaround.Be
happyandli
veyourl
if
etotheful
lest
,
l
iveforhi
m!Wear est
il
lgoi
ngto
makeami l
li
onsbabiestoget
her
.Not
thatwewil
lberepl
acinghim.
"I
smiled.

Me:"I
t'
sfunnyhowweal lrefert
ohi
m
as'hi
m' y
etwedi dnotevenknowthe
sexofthechil
d."Hechuckled

Si
vuyil
e:"
Itwasgoi
ngt
obeabi
t,
I
guess.
"Isighed

Me:
"Sowhatnow?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Wemov
eon.Wel
i
ve,
we
l
aughandbehappy.Nomorecr
ying.
I
thurt
syes,
butwenowknowthe
r
easonwhywelosthim.
"Iwi
pedmy
l
i
ttl
etear
s

Me:
"Ri
ght!
"Itookadeepbreat
h."
Let
s
goj
oinev
eryone."Ist
oodup

Sivuy
il
e:"
Letsgo.
"Heal
sostoodup.
Wehel dhandaswewentoutthe
room.

Me:"
HowIwishmysi bl
ingswerealso
her
etoday
.Thisi
sourfirstChr
ist
mas
wit
houtmom anddad,i
twouldhave
beenl
ovel
ytospendi
ttoget
her
."

Sivuy
ile:
"Yeahhey.YoucanFaceTi
me
them aft
erdinner
."

Me:
"YeahIwi
l
l.
"
Wegott owher ethefami l
ywas
sit
ti
ng.Thesetupwassol ov
elyand
every
onewast her
e,itwasawhol e
l
otofpeopl e,
youwoul dswearthis
wassomesor tofmini f
uncti
onor
something.Therewer e3longdinner
tabl
esoccupiedbyf amilymember s.
"Woah!Thisisbeautiful
."
Si
vuyil
e:"
Yeah,
Iguess.
"Hesai
dina
not
-so-i
nter
est
edtone.

Mrs'
D:"
Final
lythedi
vacoupl
eshows
up!
"Theylaughed.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Div
a?Hai
bomama!
"

Mr s'
D: "
Ewedi va!You'vebeeni nyour
room f orsol ongni zit
hithiv
ata,di
va
tendenci esndi kuxelel
e(Itellyou!
)"
Every onel aughed." I
'm prett
ysureour
guest sar etiredofsi t
ti
ngi nthe
car,yohkuni ni si
nil
indil
e!(We'vebeen
wai t
ingf ory ou.)
"
Me:
"Guest
s?"

Sivuy
ile:
"Fir
stofallmamawedi dn'
t
takethatlong.Secondly
,I'
mtheone
who'ssupposedt oannouncethe
guests.Youar esteal
i
ngmyshi ne
Queen! "

Mr s'
D:"Thewayy outookt i
mei nthat
room, Iev enfor
gotaboutallofthat.
AndI '
mt heonewhopl annedthis
whot hingsoIcandowhat everIli
ke.
I
fany thingy ouaret
heonewho
wantst ost ealmyshi
ne."
Mr'
D:"
Mxel
elewenamfaz'
wam!
(Tel
l
hi
m mywif
e.)"Wel
aughed.

Zol
ani:"
Theoldmani
sst
ickupf
orhi
s
wif
e,hal
ala!
"

Me:
"Sowher
ear
etheguest
s?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Pat
iencedar
li
ng.
"

Mrs'
D:"
Akhopat
iencey
ani
xapha!
Sphel
ogoandfetchMYguest
s
pl
ease.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Eshe!Amabhongont
ombi
."

Mrs'
D:"
EweIneedt
ospeci
fyt
hatt
hey
ar
eMYguests."

Lulama:"
Therewasreal
l
ynoneed
causetechni
cal
lyt
heyarenotr
eal
l
y
yoursmom. "

Mrs'
D:"
Ungenaphi kewena? (
Where
doyoufitin?
)"Weal ll
aughed.My
Godwhenwast helastti
meIsawt he
Queenthisplay
ful
?I t
'
sbeensol ong.
Lul
ama:
"Yohmama!
"

Mr s'D:"
Heke!"Shegotupf rom her
chai rIfol
lowedherwi t
hmyey esas
shewal kedtotheentranceoft he
room.Myey esglowedasIr eali
sed
thatt hegueststhatshewasgoi ngto
wel comewer eactual
l
ymysi bl
ings.

Bont
le:
"Supr
ise!
"TheQueensmi
l
ed
andwalkedawayfrom us

Me:
"Youguy
s!"Ir
ushedt
othem.I
gavet
hem allt
ightsqueezes."
Ohmy
God!Whydidn'
ty outel
lmeany t
hing
whenwespokeont hephoneearl
ier
."

Thabang:
"Andr
uint
hesur
pri
se?
Never!
"

Me:
"OhMyGod!
"Iwassohappy

Thabo:
"Damn!Ar
eyoucr
ying?
"

Me:
"Noam not
!"

Thapel
o:"
Youar
esuchacr
ybaby
."
Hewi
pedmyt
ear
s.

Me:
"Where'
sabut
'Li
zwi
?"Hewasnot
amongthem

Bont
le:
"Ohhhe'
sout
sidewi
thS-
..
"

"Pri
ncess!
"Ismi
l
edandj
umpedon
him!

Me:
"Abut
i!
"

Li
zwi
:"
Car
eful
now!Youar
egr
own
now.
"
Me:
"What'
sthatsupposedt
omean?
"
Hechuckl
ed.

Li
zwi
:
"Not
hing.
"Heputmedown.

Me:
"I
'm soha-.
..OhmySi
pho!
"Isai
d
i
nashock.Siphowasbehi
ndLi
zwi.

Sivuyi
le:
"Where?"Hewal kedtous,he
stoppedonhi str
acksashesawhi m
"Bhuti
!"Awu!He'sbhut i
today!Si
pho
gavehi m af
aintsmile."Mamahe's
back!"Boththeparentswalkedupt o
hi
m.

Mrs'
D:"
Sipho!Wher
ehaveyoubeen?!
Doyouknowhowwor ri
edwewer e?
!
Uphambenenawena?!
(Areyou
cr
azy?!
)"

Sivuyi
le:
"Mamacanwej ustbehappy
thatheisback?"Shegav ehim an
hug,whichcameasasur pr
iseto
us,especi
all
ytoSipho.

Mrs'
D:"
I'
m sogl
adt
haty
ouar
eback
homesafe!"
Si
pho:
"uhm t
hanks.
"Hesai
dina
wei
rdt
one.Sheletgoofhi
m.

Mr'D:
"Son!
"Si
pholookeddownbef
ore
shaki
nghishand."
I'
m happyy
ouare
home."

Sipho:
"I
'm sor
ryf
orcausi
ngal
lthe
unnecessarywor
ry.
"

Mr'D:
"I
t'
sokayson,
asl
ongasyouar
e
back.
"Henodded.Thi
swassucha
beaut
iful
moment .
Mrs'
D:"
Enoughwiththesoapystuf
f!
Si
phogotoy ourroom andchange
i
ntosomethi
ngnicesot hatwecan
st
artwi
ththedinner.
"

Sipho:
"Somet
hingni
ce?
"Heasked
confused

Mrs'
D:"Yes!Hur
ryup.
"Shecl
apped
herhands.

Si
pho:
"Okay
."
Mrs'
D:"
Andpl
ease!Donotwear
j
eans!
"

Si
pho:
"AhhMr
sDl
ami
ni!
"

Mrs'
D:"
Yeeey
!"Si
phosighedbefor
e
hetur
nedonhisheel
sandleft
.

Siv
uyi
le:
"I'
m comingwi
th!
"He
shout
edfoll
owingbehi
ndhisbr
other
.

Mrs'
D:"
Mxm."Sheturnedt
omy
si
bli
ngs."
Comelet'
sgositsi
tdown.
"
Igr
abbedherhandasshewas
l
eaving."
What '
swr
ong?"Mysibl
ings
andthekingwentaheadt
ositdown
onthetable.

Me:"uhm Mah, Ij
ustwanttosay
thankyouforinvi
tingmysibl
ings
over.Ir
eal
lyreall
yappreci
ateit
."

Mrs'D:
"Youdon' thavetothankme
dear,t
heyar efamily.Theywere
actual
lysupposedt obeher ewhen
youarri
ved."Ismi l
ed."MaThabiso
wasmyf r
iend,andIknowf orsure
shewoul dhavel ovedmet otakecare
ofherkidsforher .
"Igotemot i
onalat
t
hement
ionofmymom'
sname.

Me:
"Thanky
ou.
"

Mrs'D:"
Stopthankingmemar n
mntanandini!"Ichuckl
ed."Asa
motherit'
smydut ytoensurethatmy
chi
ldrenarehappy ,andIknewy our
si
bli
ngsbeingher ewoul dmakey ou
happy."

Me:"
Idon'
tknowwhattosay
anymoresi
nceyoudon'
twantmet
o
sayThankyou.
"Shel
aughed.
Mrs'
D:"
Justgoandsi
tdownwit
hyour
si
bli
ngsandenj
oytheni
ght
."

Me:"Iwi
ll
defi
nit
elydothat
."We
walkedbackt
oev ery
onehandin
hand.

°
•SI
VUYI
LE•
°

Isatonthebedashewasi
nthe
cl
oset.
Sipho:
"Ionl
ybroughtj
eansanda
tr
acksuitbroh!
"Heshoutedfr
om t
he
cl
oset.

Me:"
Don'
tyouhaveadar
kjeant
hat
shewon'
tnot
ice?
"

Sipho:
"Goti
t!
"Ikeptqui
etasIwai
ted
forhimtofi
nsh.
Af ewminut
eslat
erhecameout
dressedonbl
ackpant
sandawhite
shirt
.
Me:
"Youneedaj
acket
."

Sipho:"Idon'
thaveit
.Idi
dn'
tknowon
thisfami l
yyouguysokaydr
essupon
Chr i
stmas."Ichuckl
ed.

Me:
"I
'l
lgi
vey
ouone.Youdon'
twant
t
ogetonmom'swrongsi
detoday
."

Si
pho:"What
'supwithherand
Chri
stamsvele?Sheseems
obsessedwit
hit.
"

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
Iguessshel
oves
i
t.
"

Sipho:
"Neh?Whichexpl
ainst
hehug
shegav eme,she'
sinagoodmood."

Me:"
shehasaccept
edy
ou.
"He
l
ookedatme.

Si
pho:
"Yout
hink?
"

Me:
"Iknowso.
"

Sipho:
"Maybe.Imeanshe'sbeenni
ce
tomeev ersi
nceIgothere,somaybe
shehas.
"Hesmi
l
edal
i
ttl
e.

Me:
"Anyway
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"
Hesi
ghed

Si
pho:
"Fuckedup.
"Hel
eanedonthe
wal
l."
Ican'
tbel
iev
eIwasfool
edbya
meregir
l.
"

Me:"
Youwer
einl
ove,
noonecan
bl
ameyou.
"

Sipho:
"That
'sbul
landyouknowit
.I
shouldhaveknownthatt
herewas
somet
hingwr
ongwi
thher
!"

Me:"Comeonbroh,
shehady ou
underaspel
l
."Heclenchedhi
sjaws
i
nanger.

Si
pho:"
Sheisgoingt
odi
easl
ow
pai
nfuldeat
h,I
'
m goi
ngt
omakesur
e
oft
hat!
"

Me:"Pl
easedoinv
itemetot
he
kil
l
ings!
"Ther
eisnowayIam goi
ng
tomethergetawaywit
hkil
l
ingmy
unbornchi
ld.
Sipho:
"Yougoti
t."Wesati
nsi
l
ence
forafewminutes.

Me:"
So?Hasthespel
lwornof
fyet
?"
Helookedatmel
ikeIwasbei
ng
st
upid.

Sipho:"
Howam Isupposedt
oknow
that?
"

Me:"Wel
ldon'
tyouf
eel
anyl
ovef
or
heranymore?
"
Si
pho:
"No!
"

Me:"
DidMaNdekagiv
eyou
somethi
ngmaybe?
"Iwascur
ious.

Sipho:"Yeah,
butthatwasbeforethe
confession.Shesaiditwasfor
i
ny ongo,si
nceItoldherthatIhav
en't
beenf eeli
ngwell
."

Me:
"Whatdi
dshegi
vey
ou?
"

Sipho:
"Muthibroh!Shemademe
vomitwit
ht hatMuthi.What
'swi
tht
he
3r
ddegreenawena?
"Heasked
i
rr
it
ated.

Me:
"Ij
ustwantt
oknow,
that
'sal
l
."

Si
pho:
"Knowwhat
?"

Me:"Thaty ouweregivensomethi
ng
togetridofwhat ev
erthatwit
chput
i
nsideyou.Wedon' twanttoseey ou
act
ingcr azyoverheragai
n."

Si
pho:"
Bel
ievethatwon'
thappen.I
am donewit
hlove!"
Me:"
Don'
tsaythat
.I'
m pret
tysureyou
wil
lfi
ndsomeonewhoi sri
ghtfor
you.
"

Si
pho:
"No!Iam donewi
thwomen!
"

Me:"Doesthatmeanyouaregay
now? "Hegavemeast er
nlook.
"Wrongjoke,
sorr
y."

Sipho:
"I
'v
etriedthi
slovethingmor
e
thanonceandi tdi
dn'tworkout
.I
alwaysatt
ractfuckedupwomen!I
am done!I
'
m ev ent
hinki
ngofaski
ng
dadtohookmeupwi thmarri
age
wit
honeoft hesevi
ll
agegir
ls.
"

Me:
"It
houghty
ouwer
edonewi
th
women"

Si
pho:
"I
'm donewi
thl
ove,
not
women."

Me:
"Bu-
..
."

Si
pho:
"Woul
dyoushutup?Damn!
"
Me:
"Yoh,
okay
!"Heshookhi
shead.

Si
pho:
"Let
'sgo.
"

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Siv
uyil
eandhisbr ot
herfinal
l
ycame
back.Thedi
nnercommenced.I twas
suchabeauti
fulday,f
il
ledwithfood,
l
aughterandsmileseverywhere.

Ase:
"Myst
omachi
saboutt
obust
!"
Sphel
o:"Servesyour i
ghtforeat
ing
ever
ythingont hetable.
"Sherol
led
hereyes."Uyadelelawena,y
eer!
(You
aresodi sr
espectful.
)"

Ase:"
Mxm. "Sphelol
ookedatherwi
th
whatwoul dpassashurt."
Sowhat
arewel at
ertoni
ght?Cl
uborarewe
beingthevibebackher
e? "

Sipho:
"Not
hing!Wenay
ouaregoing
tobedassoonaswear edonehere!
"
Ase:
"Andhe'
sback!
"Wel
aughed.

Bontle:
"Andyouguysneedtodeci
de
fastorelseI'
mtaki
ngmatter
sinto
myownhandsandy ouwon'tl
ike
whatIdo. "

Thabang:
"Ifeel
li
kehitt
ingt
heclub.
Lastti
mewewer eherewedidn'
tst
ay
forl
onginthatclub.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
True.
"

Lumka:
"Ther
e'st
oomanyofus,
and
cl
ubsareal
wayscr owdedduringthis
ti
meoftheyear.Ij
ustthi
nkwe
shoul
dgetourownsuppl yofalcohol
anddoourownl i
tt
lethi
nghereat
home."

Lul
ama:"
Hah!Wit
hyourmom ar
ound?
Shewouldnev
eragr
eetot
hat.
"

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Yourdadtoo.Hewil
laskus
wherehaveweev erseenapar
tyat
theroyal
house?"

Sphel
o:"
Ihav
eahousewecangot
o!"
Bont
le:
"Gr
eat!That'
sset
tl
edt
hat
's
wher
ewear egoing."

Thapel
o:"
Youdon'tev
enknowthe
househeist
alki
ngabout
,butal
ready
oreyes.
"

Bontl
e:"Youcan'
tblameme.Ij ust
wanttohav efuntonight
!Iwanttolet
l
ooseandf or
getaboutallmy
tr
oubles!"Ohhhthein-l
aws.

Li
zwi
:
"Youandmebot
hbaby
."
Sphelo:"
So?Doweall agreetogoing
tomyhouse? "Weallagreed.
"Awesome.Nowwehav etosortout
thealcoholandev
ery
thingwear e
goingtoneed."

Si
hle:
"Andit
'sChri
stmast
oday
,ther
e
ar
enol i
quorstor
esopen.
"

Zol
ani:
"Ihav
eaf ri
endwhocanhelp
usoutwiththat
."The'
Dlami
nis'
l
ookedathim."What?"
Ase:"EvenMrUptightispart
ying
tonight?Hayi
t'
sgoi ngtorai
n
fatcakesIam t
ell
i
ngy ou.
"She
clappedonce.Wel aughed.

Zolani:
"YouguysgotoSphel
o'
s
houseandIwi l
lsor
ttheal
coholi
ssue
out."Hestoodup.

Si
pho:
"I
'l
lcomewi
thy
ou.
"

Li
zwi
:
"Met
oo.
"

Zol
ani
:
"Ineedt
ochangef
ir
st.
"Ohh
t
hef
ormal
clot
hes.Thegotupf
rom
t
het
abl
eandwalkedaway.

Mr
s'D:
"Yeeey
!Wher
eyougoi
ng?
"

Zol
ani
:
"Wewi
l
lbebackdaps!
"

Mr s'
D:"
That'
snotwhatIasked! "And
theyweregone!"Wherear ethey
going?"Shelookedatourtable.We
allshr
uggedourshoulders."
Mmmh. "

Lul
ama:"
Wealsoneedt
ochange.
"
Sheat
tempt
edtogetup
Sihl
e:"Woah!Waitunt
ilt
hedinneri
s
fi
nished.Youknowhowy ourmom
gets."Sherel
axedonherchair.
Wecar ri
edonchat t
ingabout
whateverwecoul dtalkabout.Soon
thedinnerfi
nished,theelder
sall
madet heirwaytothel oungetorel
ax,
Iguess.Weal lgotupandwentt oour
separateroomst ochange.Af t
er
changingwebi dfarewelltothe
adult
sandgoti ntothecar sand
droveofftoSphelo'
shousef ora
goodt i
me.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
(
2inser
tst
omor
row)
-ThankyouLuthandofortheai
rt
ime
gif
t,Ir
eall
yappreci
ateit
.Cheer
edme
up!
-Sl
i
ndo!Al
sot
hankyouforal
ways
buyi
ngmedatawhenIneedi
t.
Shoutoutt
othoset
wobeaut
if
ul
l
adies!
-
Fir
stt
imet
hisy
earget
ti
ngagi
ft
f
rom peopl
eont
hispage!
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
Inser
t98
•
•
•
•
•

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

ThehousethatSphelotookust oo
wasn'tt
hatbig,
i
twasper fectforour
crowd.Thebigbrot
hers(Zolani,
Sipho
andLizwi)f
inal
l
ycamet ot hehouse
withacarf il
l
edwi thalcohol ,whoever
thi
sZol anifr
iendisher eall
ycame
throughforus, orthem r at
hercauseI
wasn'tplanningondr i
nkingtonight.
Thepar tywascomi ngal ongjustfi
ne,
i
twasr eallyapar t
ybecauseAse' s
brother
sdeci dedtoi nvitesomeof
theirf
ri
endsandt hef r
iendscame
withfri
ends,eventuall
ywehadal otof
peopleinthehouse.

Iwassitt
ingoutsi
dewi t
h
Sivuy
il
e,
whileotherweresett
ingt
he
roofonfi
reinsi
det hehouse.
Me:"
Woah!Idi
dn'
tknowthati
twas
goi
ngtobesuchaturnup.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
KnowingSphel
o,I
'm not
supri
sed.Hehasalwaysbeenapart
y
animal.
"

Me:"
Mmmh.Heseemsl
i
keapeopl
e'
s
per
son.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ohhei
s."

Me:"Iwonderwhyt
heyar
eal
lso
di
stantfr
om Ase.
"
Si
vuyi
le:
"She'
stheonl
ygi
rlathome
babe.
"

Me:"Sti
l
ldoesn'
texcuseanythi
ng.She
shouldbetheAppleofthei
reyes,
thei
r
l
itt
lepri
ncess.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"Iknow.Iguessit'
sbecause
theparentsalsot r
eathert
hesame
waysot heypi ckeduponthe
behaviourandf oll
owedsuit
."Ishook
myheadi ndisappoint
ment.
Me:"MyGod!Ase'smom istheworst
!
Sheoncerefusedtogoshopping
withherj
ustbecauseshehadtogo
forascanwothAlakhe.
"

Si
v uyi
le:"
I'
m notsupri
sed.Shehas
bail
edonsomanyout i
ngswi t
hher
daught er
.I'
mjustgladthatmymom
steppedi nandtri
edtoplaytherol
e
ofamot heri
nherlif
e."

Me:"butt
hatdoesn'
tchanget
hefact
thatAseneedsherownmom! "Iwas
getti
ngpissed
Si
vuyi
le:
"Yohbaby
,cal
m down.
"I
si
ghed.

Me:"Itj
ustmakesmesomadethatal
l
thesepeoplear
esodist
antf
rom
her,
theyareheefami
l
y."

Sivuyil
e:"
Theyareact ual
l
ydi stant
from everyone.Theydot hingson
theirown,I'
m actual
lysupr i
sedt hat
theyarepar t
yingwithust onight.
"

Me:"
IthoughtSphel
owasapar
ty
ani
mal."
Si
vuyil
e:"
Yeahhei s,
butheal
ways
par
tywithhisfr
iendsorhist
winSi
hle.
Butneverwit
hus."

Me:"
Theythi
nktheyareall
thatneh?
Al
lhighandmighty,
tooPorscheto
br
eakbreadwithfamil
y.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
It
'showtheirmotherrai
sed
them.Aseisdif
ferentbecause,
well
youknowt hesi
tuati
on."

Me:
"Wel
lsher
aisedho-
..
."
"
IseeI'
m nottheonl
yonewho'snot
i
nthemoodf orapart
y."Wequickl
y
t
urnedandwewer emetbyZolani'
s
wi
fe.Shepul
ledachairandsatnext
t
ous.

Si
vuyi
le:
"Heymommyt
obe.
"She
smil
ed.

Alakhe:"
Pleasecallmet hatwhenI
am showi ng,
notnow."Theyl aughed,I
fakedasmi l
e."Whyaren'tyouguys
partyi
ngitupl i
ketherestoft hem."
Shelookedatme.
Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Hah!Whatdoy
oucallt
his?
"
Herai
sedhi
scanofHei
neken.

Alakhe:"
Wellyouar esi
tt
ingher
ef ar
fr
om thepeopl e,
thati
snotpart
ying.
"
Si
v uyi
lechuckl
ed

Sivuy
il
e:"
Wear
est
il
ltr
yingt
ogeti
n
themood."

Alakhe:
"Iseeyouar
enotdr
inki
ng.Ar
e
youalsoexpecti
ng?
"Ohwow!Whata
wayt or
uinmymood."What?DidI
saysomet
hingwr
ong?
"

Me:"No!"Ishookmyheadwi thaf
ake
smile."
Uhm I'm gonnagofi
nd
Asenathi.
"Itookmyj ui
ceandwal
ked
i
nsidethehouse.
Themusicwasbl ast
ingthroughthe
speaker
s,peopleweredancingand
screami
ngoutloudcheeringfor
whoeverwasont hei
r'st
age'.Il
ooked
aroundsear
chingforAsenathi.

Thabo:
"Punki
e!"
Me:"
Hey
!HaveyouseenAsenat
hi
any
where?
"Ispokeabov
ethemusi
c

Thabo: "
Isawhermaki ngherwayt o
theki tchenaf ewmi nut esago! "He
yel
led.Inoddedandmademywayt o
theki tchen, l
eav i
nghi mt ojoint he
party.It ur nedont hehal lwayand
wentt ot heki tchen.Icoul dhear
voicest al kingasIgotcl oser.Ist ood
byt hedoorasIr eal i
sedwhot hose
voicesbel ongedt o.I twasAseand
hersi bli
ngs, theylookedl ikethey
wer ehav ingav eryint ense
conv ersat ion.Iwi l
l justwai tf
ort hem
tofinisht histalk,
It houghtt omy sel
f.
"ThankyouLordthatyouarehere
gir
l!
"Ase'sv
oicesaidasIwast urni
ng
toleavet
hekitchen.It
urnedback.

Me:"Ohno!Iwasj ustl
eav
ing,
Idi
dn't
meant odi
sturb.
"Shejumpedoffthe
ki
tchencounter.

Ase:"TheLordsentyoutosav eme
from al
loft
hisnonsense,sodon'
t
turnawayfrom y
ourpurpose."I
wantedtolaugh,
butIheldmy sel
f.
Zol
ani
:
"Asenat
hiwear
est
il
ltal
ki
ng!
"

Ase:"Wel lIam done!"Shegrabbed

myhandandpul ledmeoutoft he
ki
tchen.Iwonderwhatwast hatall
about .Shegott othealcohol secti
on
andt ookasi xpackofBel grav i
a,then
shepul ledmeal lthewayout side.
Sivuyilewasstillsi
tt
ingtherewi th
Alakhe.

Sivuy
il
e:"
Haibo!Andthen?Asewhy
areyoupull
i
ngmywi fel
ikethat?"Ase
i
gnoredhim andpull
edmeal l
theway
tothepoolabitfarf
rom thenoise.
Shesatdownandputherfeeti
nthe
pool
,Il
ookedatherforawhil
ebefor
e
doi
ngthesamething.
Shelookedi nt hewat erf orafew
minutes,beforeIknewi ttearsstar t
ed
gushingoutofherey es.Ididn'tknow
whatt odo, Ijustgr abbedherand
comf ort
edher .Iheldheri nthat
posit
ionf oraf ewmi nut esasshe
cri
ed.Fort hef irstti
meIwasseei ng
hercrygenui nel y,Imeanr ealtears.
Thelastt i
meshewast hisemot ional
waswhenSi phoandSi vuyil
ewer e
havi
ng' t
het alk' withher ,andIdi dn'
t
real
lyseehercr ysheonl ycamet o
theroom wi thr edey esandnot ears.
Shebr oketheembr aceandwiped
tearsoffherface.Sheletoutahuge
sigh.

Me:"
Talktome."Shetookouttwo
cansofBelgr
aviaandhandedmeone.
"No,
I'
m notdr
inkingt
oni
ght."

Ase:
"Pl
ease,
Idon'
twantt
odr
ink
al
oneri
ghtnow."

Me:
"As-
..
."

Ase:
"Comeon,
MaNdekahasal
ready
cleansedyou.Youcandowhat ev
er
youwantnow. "Ishookmyheadand
tookt hebev
erage.Sheopenedhers
andt ookahugegulp.Iopenedmine
andt ookasip,ImustsayIneedthi
s
drink!
"YouknowI '
velongedf ormyf ami l
y's
l
ov eandattenti
onf orsuchal ong
ti
me,buttheynev erreall
ycaredabout
me.Al lt
heydidwast oshipmeof fto
boardingschool,
throwmoneyatme
andexcludemef rom famil
yact i
viti
es.
Thatusedt ohurtmesomuch, Ihated
beingaexcluded."Shet ookadeep
breath."
Eventual
lyIgotov erthat,and
nowt heyarecomi ngtomesay i
ng
theywanttoknowwhyIhat ethem so
much.Theyar eacti
ngl i
ket heydon't
knowwhatt heydid,
theyar eacting
l
iketheydon'tknowthatt hey'v
ebeen
treat
ingmelikeanout castformany
years!"

Me:"
Heyyy
,cal
m down.Don'
tl
ett
hem
gett
oyou."

Ase:"OhnoI '
m notgoingtolett
hem
darl
ing.I'
m notcryi
ngbecauseIam
hurt
, Iam cr
yingbecauseIam pissed.
Iam pissedthattheydon'
twantt o
acknowledget hei
rwrongs.Theyare
makingi
tseem l
ikeit
'smyf aul
tthat
thi
ngsar
eliket
his.
"Ilookedather
sadl
y.

Me:"Aseli
key ousaid,
youdon'
tneed
them.Theydon'tdeserveyour
tear
s,hel
ltheydon'tdeser
veanysor
t
ofreacti
onfrom you."

Ase:"Youareri
ght!Ican'
tletthem
breakmeagai n!Andthisisapar t
y,
wear eheretogetdrunkunt i
lwe
forgetournamesnott ofocuson
narcissi
sti
cbrother
swhodon' tl
ove
me! "
Me:"Idon'tmeany oushouldbottl
eup
yourf eel
ingst hough.I
fyouwantt o
t
alkaboutt hi
s, pl
easedo.Don'tl
et
t
hist urny ouintoaballofnegati
ve
f
eelings,please."

Ase:"
Don'
tworry
,Iwon'
t.Thosedon'
t
havethepr
ivi
l
egetobreakme. "I
chuckl
ed.

Me:
"That
'smygi
rl
."

Ase:
"Enoughoft
hispi
typar
ty,
we
needt
ogobackt
other
eal
par
ty!
"
Shegotup

Me:"
Wait
!Let
'sfi
nishthesedrinks
bef
orewegoback, becauseoncewe
gobacki
nthere,
Iam notdr i
nking.
"

Ase:
"Ahh,
youar
esuchabor
e."

Me:
"You'
vetol
dmethatpl
ent
yof
t
imesbefor
edarl
i
ng.
"
Shesatbackdownandwecar ri
edon
wit
hourdrinki
ng.Wesatt
hereforan
hourt
alki
ngaboutst
upidt
hings,we
shewastheonesay i
ngthest upidest
thi
ngs.Wewer elaughingnon-stop,
unti
lwedecidedtogobackt othe
houseandjoinintheparty.

Thefoll
owingmor ningwewokeup
andcleanedaroundt he
house,
everyoneelsewhowasnot
famil
ydidnotsleepov er,
theyhadto
l
eaveasdr unkast heywer e.The
wholewaswasamess, t
her ewere
bott
leeverywhereandsomeoft he
foodwasscat t
eredont hef l
oor,
tal
k
aboutungr
atef
ulpeopl
e.
Aft
ercleani
ngthehouse,
ofwhi chwe
di
dn'tgetmuchdonebecauset he
peopleIwassupposedl
ycleaning
wit
hwer ehungoverashel
l.They
coul
dbar el
ypi
ckup5bot t
leswi t
hout
complaini
ngaboutaheadache.
Wejumpedi
nourdif
fer
entcar
sand
dr
ovebackt
othepal
ace.
Whenwegott hereevery
onewentto
thei
rroomstosleepoffthehangover
,
becauseIl
ovesleepi
ngIalsodeci
ded
tojoi
nin.
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB

-Lastonet
omorr
ow!
!!
(Idon'
twantt
o
postitt
oni
ght
)
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t99
•
•
•
•
•
AMONTHLATER

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Thi ngswer efal

li
ngi ntoplacebitby
bit.Siphowasdoi ngokay ,Iguess.He
hadr esignedf r
om bei ngtheCEOof
thef ami lycompany , hesaidhewant s
tof ocusonhi sbusinesst hathe's
beenwor kingonont heside.He
spendsal otoftimeatt hehouseas
perSi v
uy il
e'si
nstructions.Ithi
nkhe
want edt okeepaney eonhi m and
alsomakesur et hathedoesn' tfeel
alone, ev enthoughAsenat hihas
offi
ciallymov edi nwithhi m.Speaki ng
ofAse, hersibl i
ngsdr amahas
foll
owedhert oJobur g!Appar ently
herbr otherswantt ofixthingswi th
her,
butshei snothav i
ngi t
.She
doesn' twantany thingt odowi th
them, it'
sev enwor senowt hatSphelo
andSi hlear emov ingt oJobur g.I
don'tknowwhet herit'
sbecauset hey
wantt of ixthingswi t
hherf orrealor
may bet heygotnewj obst hi sside.As
soonast heyt ol
dust hattheywer e
mov ingt hisside,theyaskedAsenat hi
tomov ei nwit hthem, ofcour semy
gir
ldecl ined.Idon' tev enknowwhat
theywer ethinkingaski nghert hat
whileknowi ngv er
ywel l
thatthei
r
rel
ationshi pisv er
yrocky.There'
sjust
somet hingaboutt hoseguys,some
sortofar rogance, ti
ll
thi
sdayt hey
haven'tpr operlyapologi
sedfor
everythingt heyhav edonetoherbut
somehowt heyexpecthert oforgi
ve
them.I treallydoesn'tmakesense.
Ontheot herIhav eproblemsofmy
own,thingsbet weenandSi vuyi
l
eare
fi
ne,Ithink.Ohwhatt heheck!They
arenotfine,atall.Si
vuy i
lei
s
somehowdi st
antf r
om, wel
lnotreal
ly
di
stantdi stant
,Imeanhi sdicki
s
di
stantfrom mypussy .Myhusband
i
sav erysexual humanbei ng,soit
wor r
iesmewhenhegoesf orday s
withoutaski ngforsex, andt hat'
s
exactlywhat 'sgoingonr i
ghtnow.I t
hasact uallybeenweekssi ncewe've
beeni nt i
mat e,amont handweekt o
bepr eci se.Actuallythelastt i
mewe
madel ov ewast henightbef oreIwas
admi tt
edatt hehospi t
al.Idon'tknow
what '
sgoi ngonwi thhim, I
'vetri
ed
maki ngadv ancesathi m butnot hi
ng
seemst obedoi ngt het r
ick,Itri
ed
seduci nghi m. .
.y
esIt ri
edseduci ng
myownf reakenhusband!Al l
weev er
doi scuddl eandt alk.Whatpi sses
meof fthemosti sthatIcanseet hat
hewant sme, butsomehowhef i
ndsa
waytot urnmedownandl eaveme
l
yingont hebedl i
keawetchi cken.I
haven'
thadt hecouragetotalktohim
aboutthis,andtobehonestIam
sexual
lyf rustr
ated.Si
vuy
il
ei sthe
sameper sonwhomademegetused
tohavi
ngsexal lthedamnt i
meand
nowhecan' tfeedmyaddiction!That
i
snotfai ronme!
Iwastryi
ngmybesttokeepmy
feel
i
ngsincheckaboutthi
s,butI
can'
tdoitany
more.Iam goingtotry
onelastt
imeandifi
tdoesn'twork
out,
Iam conf
ront
inghim aboutt
his.
AsIhav ement i
onedt hatSipho
resignedfrom t
heCEOposi ti
onat
ZH,Sivuyi
lehadtost epbacki nas
CEO.Imustsayhewasr eall
yhappy
tobebackatZH, appar ent
lyworki
ng
atthesur ger
ydoesn'texcitehim
anymor e.Ist
il
ldon'tgetwhyhedi da
Medi nci
nedegree,hecoul dhave
chosenabusi nessmaj orsincehe
enjoyswor ki
ngathisf amilycompany
somuch.

"
Baby
!"Isnappedoutofmyt
hought
s.

Me:
"Mmmh!Ohsor
ry,
didy
ouneed
somet
hing?
"

Siv
uyi
le:
"Yeah,
myshi
rt
..
..
it
'si
nyour
hand.
"

Me:"Ohhhyeah!Thereyougo."I
handedittohim.Heputi tonandI
hel
pedhimt obuttonitup.Ipl
aceda
ki
ssonhi sli
ps,herespondbutbroke
i
tquickl
y.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
eishbabe,I
'
m goi
ngtobe
l
atef
ormyf ir
stdayatwor
k."He
cl
ear
edhisthroat
.
Me:"
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng,
ner
vous
or
..
.?"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
I'
m exci
ted,
eventhoughIam
goi
ngtomisswor ki
ngwit
hThemba."

Me:"
Butyouwi
ll
sti
l
lseehi
m
whenev
eryouwant
."

Sivuyi
l
e:"
Yeahandwewi llwor
k
toget
herwithhelpi
ngLuzukoandhi
s
ga-*ahem*histeam."
Me:"
Helpi
ngLuzuko?Whatar
eyou
hel
pinghi
m wi
th?"

Si
vuy
ile:
"Uhm.
..i
t'
sjustapr
ojectt
hat
hehi
redustodo."

Me:"
Apr oj
ect
?Youmeanagangst
er
pr
oject
."

Si
vuyil
e:"
what?Gangster
?What
makesy outhi
nkLuzukoisa
gangst
er."I
shebri
ngf orr
eal
?

Me:
"Ar
eyouser
ious?
"
Sivuyi
le:
"Howdi
dyouknowabout
that?
"

Me:
"Hewor
kswi
thmybr
other
s."

Si
vuyi
le:
"Youknowabouty
our
br
otherstoo?How?
"

Me:"Theyt
oldme.HehSiv
uyil
ewhat
happenedtonotkeepi
ngt
hingsf
or
eachother
?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ahhbabyy
oual
sokeptqui
et
abouty
ourbr
other
s'gangst
eri
sm
nj
e."

Me:"
It
'snott
hesame, wenayoudidn'
t
t
ell
meabouty oubeingassoci
ated
wi
ththegangster
s."

Sivuyi
le:
"Iam notassociat
edwit
h
them,Ijusthelpthem outher
eand
there.
"

Me:"Thatisbeingassoci
atedwith
them!Youshou- .
..youknowwhat ,
you
goingtobel atef
orwork,soyou
bettergetgoing.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Butbabywear
est
il
ltal
ki
ng.
"

Me:"Youaret
heonewhosaidyou
don'
twanttobelat
eonyourfi
rstday
back,sot
samaya(
go).
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Arewef
ight
ingr
ightnow?
"

Me:
"No.
"

Sivuyil
e:"
Good!CauseIdon'
tneed
thistoday."Il
ookedathi
min
disbeli
ef.Howdar ehesayt
hattome?
"Gottogo."Hekissedmycheekand
l
efttheroom.Isatdownont hebed
andlookedatthedoor.Whatthehel
l
i
swr ongwi t
hhim?
Istoodupandcleanedtheroom
beforegoi
ngdownstair
s.Igot
supri
sedwhenIsawAsei nt he
l
oungewat chi
ngTV,wellt
heTVwas
watchingherr
ather
.

Me:"Hey!Idi
dn'
tknowyouwere
here.
"Isatdownnextt
oher.She
snappedoutofherownworld.

Ase:
"Hey
.Uhm Iaskedbhut
itodr
op
meof
fher
esi
ncehe'
sgoi
ngoutof
t
own.
"

Me:"
Areyouokay
? "Shegav
emea
f
aintsmi
l
e."Ase,
talktome.
"

Ase:
"Sphel
oandSihl
eareof
fi
cial
l
y
movi
ngt hi
ssi
detomorr
ow."

Me:
"Ohhr
eal
l
y?Howdoy
ouknow
t
hat
?"

Ase:"
Sihl
ecal
ledmetodayt
otellme
thebignews.
"Sher
oll
edhereyes.
Me:
"Howdoy
ouf
eel
aboutt
hat
?"

Ase:
"Idon'tcar
e,honestl
yIdon't
.I
j
ustdon'tgetwhyt heywouldchoose
tocomeher eofallcit
ies.Theyj
ust
enj
oyruini
ngmyl i
fe!
"

Me:
"Whatdi
dwesayaboutgi
vi
ng
t
hem power
?"

Ase:
"YeahIknow,
Iknow.
"

Me:
"Youknowwhat
!Weshoul
dgo
outf
orluncht
oday
,me,
youand
Zi
ntl
e."

Ase:"
Youpay
ingr
ight
?"Ir
oll
edmy
eyes.

Me:
"Asusual
!"Shel
aughed.

Ase:
"Let'
scal
lZi
ntl
ethen.
"Shetook
outherandst
art
eddial
ingZi
ntl
e.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Bit
ch!
"

Ase:
"Cancel
l
inganypl
ansy
ouhav
e
t
oday
,wear
egoi
ngout
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youpay
ing?
"Il
aughed

Ase:
"Hel
lno!Nat
hii
s."

Zint
le:
"Awesome!Andcanweplease
gotoSPURI '
vebeencr
avingt
heir
ri
bs."

Me:"
Aibosisi
!Youarenotpay
ingbut
youhavetheli
vert
ochoosea
r
estaurant
."
Zint
le:
"Don'
tbecruelBooty,
al
lowme
tofeedyourGod-chi
l
d.It'
swhatshe
wants.
"Ilaughed

Me:"Mani
pulat
ion!Fi
newewi l
lgo
ther
e.Bereadytobepickedupat1
ke."

Zint
le:
"Makei
t2pl
ease.Ihavean
appoint
mentat1wi
thmygy ne.
"

Me:
"Oh-
..
."

Ase:
"Cancel
it!
"
Me:
"Ar
ecr
azy
?"

Ase:
"What
?"MeandZi
ntl
elaughedat
her
.

Zint
le:
"Ineedt
ocheckonhowmy
babyisdoingAse.
"

Ase:
"Ourbabyy
oumean.CanIcome
wit
h?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
m act
ual
l
ygoi
ngwi
thThami
."
Ase:
"Ohhht
hat
'sni
ce.
"

Zi
ntle:
"YeahIknow.Guy
s,wewi
l
ltal
k
l
aterneh."

Me:
"Al
ri
ghtboo,
bye.
"Shehungup.

Ase:
"Seemsl
i
keThami
isst
eppi
ng
up.
"

Me:"
Ial
waysknewhewoul
d.He'
sa
goodper
son.
"

Ase:
"Doy
out
hinky
ourbr
otherwoul
d
hav
edonet
hesame?
"

Me:
"Defi
nit
ely
.Mybr
otheri
sver
y
r
esponsi
ble.
"

Ase:"
True.Doyouthi
nkshe'
sfi
nal
l
y
overhim?"Ishookmyhead

Me:"Idon'tt
hinkso.Aweekdoesn'
t
gobywi thoutheraski
ngmeabout
him.Butshei str
yingt
omoveon
though."

Ase:
"YeahIknow.Wehav
etal
ked
abouti
t.
"

Me:"Wewi l
laskherallabouti
t
today.
"Shenodded.Herphone
beeped.Herli
psformedi nt
oasmi
l
e
assher eadwhatevershewas
readi
ng.

Ase:
"Babes,
Ihav
eyogo
somewhere.
"

Me:
"Wher
e?Wi
thwho?
"

Ase:
"somewher
emom!
"Mxm
Me:
"Butwehav
epl
ansnj
e."

Ase:"
Westi
l
lhav
epl
ent
yoft
ime
befor
e2.
"

Me:"Youbett
erbebackbef
oret
hatke.
Iknowhowwegetwhenwear e
aroundadick.
"

Ase:
"Whosai
dthi
sper
sonhasa
di
ck?"

Me:
"Mxm.Onl
yadi
ckappoi
ntment
canmakey
ousmi
l
eli
ket
hat
."

Ase:
"Seeyouinafewbabes.
"She
worehershoesandranout
.
Iwonderwhoshe' sgoingto?She
hasn'tsaidany t
hingaboutanewman
i
nherl ife.Thesmi leshehadonher
facejustshowedt hatwhatevershe
hasgoi ngonwi t
ht hatper
sonis
mor ethanj ustsex.Ineedtoknow
whot hatper sonis,andsheisgoing
totellmet oday!I'
llmakesureofi t
.
Igotupf
rom t
hecouchandmademy
waytoChul
u'
splayroom.
○

Afewhourslat
erAsenathifi
nall
y
cameback.Weimmedi atel
ylef
tfor
our'
date'
whenshear r
ived.We
passedatZi
ntl
e'
shouset opickher
upthenwedrovetothemal l
.

Zintl
e:"
LordI'
m sogl
adwear
efinal
l
y
here!"Shesai
daswesatdown.The
waitercameandgaveusmenus.

Ase:"
whydidn'
tyouaskyourbaby
daddytobuyyousome?Orhe
doesn'
twantyoinvol
vehi
mselfinthe
cr
avi
ngssect
ion?
"

Zintl
e:"Ohnohedoes.Heact uall
y
want stobeinvlovedi
neveryt
hing,he
saidhewant stotakecareofmy
everyneed.Hedi daskmeaboutmy
cravingsandItoldhim,
helaughed
andsai dhi
sbabyhasanexpensi ve
taste."Welaughed.

Me:"Hei
sri
ght
.Ot
herpregnant
womancravef
ort
hingstheyhaveat
homeandwenayouwantr est
aur
ant
thi
ngs.
"
Zint
le:
"I
t'
snotmyfaul
t.
"Thewait
er
camebackandtookourorder
s.

Ase:
"St
opusi
ngmychil
dasashiel
d
fory
ourcr
avi
ngs.
"Shel
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iam not
,t
hebabyistheone
whomakesmecr avetheseri
bs.
"

Ase:
"mxm oho.
"

Me:"
So,howarethi
ngsathome?Your
dadsti
l
l gi
vi
ngyouthesi
lent
tr
eat
ment ?"
Zint
le:"
Yep.He'sastubbornmant hat
one.Butatleasthedoesn'tleav
ethe
room whenIent eranymore,
sothat'
s
progress.Mom saysIshouldgive
him mor et
imehewi ll
calm down."

Ase:"
Buti
t'
sbeenov
eramont
h,t
hat
's
alongaddti
me."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Iknow,butI
'
llbepat
ient
."She
smil
edalit
tl
e.

Ase:
"Yeah,
andy
oushoul
dn'
tst
ress
aboutt
his.Appar
entl
yst
ressi
snot
goodforthebaby.
"

Zintl
e: "
I'
mt ry i
ngnott ostress,
butI
can'thelpi t.ImeanIst aywiththi
s
personi nt hesamehouse.Ev en
thought hedi sgustedlooksandhi m
l
eav ingt her oom hasst opped,the
factt hathei sst i
l
lnott al
kingtome
hurts."

Me:"Awwbabe.Look,whydon'
tyou
mov ei
nwi t
husf ort
heti
mebeing.
Justunti
lhecomesdownandaccept
thi
spregnancy.
"Sheshookherhead
Zint
le:
"Nah,Ican'
tdot
hat.That
woulddefini
tel
ymakehim more
angry.
"

Me:
"t
joh!Sowhatnow?
"

Zintle:
"Idon'
tknow.IguessIjust
hav etotryandfocusontheposi t
ive
things,
justformybaby'ssake."I
smi l
ed

Me:"Yousti
l
ldon'
twantt
oknowt
he
gender?"
Zint
le:
"Yeah,
Iwanti
ttobeasur
pri
se
andsodoest hedaddy.
"

Ase:
"Hambadaddy
!"Wel
aughed.

Zi
ntl
e:"Ohyes!
"Shecheeredanddi
da
minidanceasourfood
ar
riv
ed,makingthewai
tr
esslaugh.

Wai
tr
ess:
"Sor
ryformaki
ngy
ouwai
t
mommy .
"Shelef
t.

Ase:
"Speaki
ngofdaddy
,howdi
dhe
t
akethenewswheny
out
oldhi
myou
wer
epregnant
?"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Hewasweirdl
yexci
ted,
asi
f
hewasexpect
ingt
henews."

Me:"
Woah!Thatmeanshepl
anned
t
his!
"

Zintl
e:"
That'
sexactl
ythesamet hi
ngI
saidtohim,buthedeniedi
t.Hesaid
heissuprisedbuthappyatthesame
ti
me. "Aseshookherhead
Ase:
"Heli
ed.Heplannedt
o
i
mpregnateyou.
"

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyouangr
y?"

Zint
le:
"atfir
stIwas,butImov edon
fr
om that.Idon'
thaveti
met obe
angryoversomethingIcan'
treall
y
change."

Me:"
Heh!You'
ver
eachedt
hemat
uri
ty
l
evel
."

Zi
ntl
e:"
Uyangi
'
jway
elekemanj
e!"We
l
aughed.

Ase:"
Thami sai
dthathewi l
ltakecare
ofyoureveryneed,
ri
ght?"Zi
nt l
e
nodded."Doesthatmeanhewi l
lalso
takecar
eofy ourhorni
ness?Cause
I'
vehadthatpregnantwomanar e
alwayshorny.
"

Zint
le:
"Noooooo!Thatwon'thappen,
I
can'
tall
owhimt odot hat
."

Me:
"Whynot?He'
sthebabydaddy
mosnot
hingwrongther
e."
Ase:"
IbetifitwasThabo,
you
wouldn'
tev enthi
nktwi
ceabouti
t.
"
Zint
legiggl
ed."Ah!Youst
il
lgi
ggl
eat
thement i
onofhisname?That'
snot
good."

Zint
le:
"No!Ij
ustf
indwhaty
ousai
d
funny.
"

Ase:"
Don'
tli
etome, y
ouar est
il
lnot
overtheMokoenabastar
d?"

Me:
"Ai
bo!Whyi
sheabast
ardnowal
l
ofasudden?
"

Ase:"
Hebr okemygirl
'sheart
,soI'
m
onherside."Ir
oll
edmyey es."Rol
l
them al
lyouwant,hedidi
t."

Me:
"mxm.
"

Zint
le:
"Hedidn'
t,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
e
caughtfeel
i
ngs."

Ase:
"Xa'
i
cat
chisai
yacat
chi
sasi
si,
you
di
dn'
tdoanythi
ngwrongwena.
"
Me:
"Ri
ght
!"

Ase:"HehNathi,
tell
meexact l
ywhy
don'
ty ouwanty ourbrot
hertodate
Zint
le?Doy outhinkyouaregoingto
marryy ourbr
otherifyoukeep
pushinggirl
sawayf rom hi
m?"

Me:"Fi
rstofallIdon'
tpushgirl
saway
fr
om hi m,mybrother
scandat e
whoev ertheywant.Secondl
yZint
lei
s
myf ri
end, mybestfr
iendrat
hersoI
wouldn'twabttoseeherheart.I
warnedheraboutdat ingmy
brot
her ,
becauseIknowhi m.Ihav
e
nev erinmyent irelif
eseenThabo
faithfultoagi rl
,soIknewhewasn' t
goi ngt obef ait
hf ult
omyf ri
end, Ihad
towar nherof ft herelati
onshi p.Not
becauseIdi dn'twanthert odat emy
brot herbutbecauseIdi dn'twabtt o
seeherhur t.Ev enaf t
ert heirli
ttle
situationshipcamet omyat tent i
on,I
war nedherbutshedi dnotl istenand
Ileftitlikethat.Nowl ookathow
thingshav eturnedout ?Onet hingisI
knowmybr other ,
andIwasl ooki ng
outf oraf ri
end. "

Ase:
"Woah!Cal
m downIwasonl
y
ki
ddi
ng.Idoknowthaty
our
i
ntent
ionswer
epur
e."

Me: "
Idonotappr eciatey oucalli
ng
mybr otherabast ardora
heartbreaker ,
hedi dn'tbreakany one's
heart.Mybr otherlov edZeebutshe
didn'
tf eelthesameway ,heagr eedt o
what everagr eementhehadwi th
Zintl
ebecausehewant edheri nhi s
l
ifebutshest ill
wasn' tbudging.Now
thathehasmov edonandf oundl ove
withsomeoneel se,i
t'sacr ime?
Kahleni bo!Ifany thi
ngZi nt
leist he
onewhobr okemybr other'
shear t
.
Womenneedt ot akeaccount abili
ty
fortheiractionsandst opblami ng
menf oreveryt
hing!"Iwaspissedoff
.
Idon'
tknowwhet herit
'sbecauseAse
cal
ledmybr ot
herahear t
breakerand
worstofallabastardorit'
sbecause
oftheproblemsIhav einmyown
homewi thmyhusband.

Ase:"
Hai boNathi,Iwasonl yjoki
ng
gir
l.I
'
m sor r
y,Ididn'tmeant ocall
yourbrotherabast ard.Ithoughtyou
weregoi ngtotakei tasoneofmy
j
okes,I
'm sorrygirl
."Ilookedather
andblinkedawayt ears."
Babear e
youcrying?IsaidI'm sorry.
"
Me:"Nonono, I'
m notcryi
ngbecause
ofthat.
"Iwipedawaymyt ear
s."
I'
m
al
sosor r
yforlashi
ngoutony ou,I
shouldn'
thavedonet hat
."

Ase:
"Thenwhyar
eyoucr
ying?Isi
t
Si
vuyil
e?Whatdi
dhedot
histime?"

Me:
"Not
hing.
"

Zint
le:
"Doesn'
tl
ookl
i
kenot
hing.Tal
k
tous."

Me:
"It
hinkhe'
scheat
ingonme.
".
Zi
ntl
e:"
What
?!Agai
n?!
"

Ase:"
Woah!Whatmakesy
ousaythat
?
Idon'
tthi
nkbhut
iwoul
deverdot
hat
toyouagain.
"

Me:
"Hehasn'
ttouchedmei
namont
h!
Whatdoest
hatmean? "

Ase:
"i
tcouldmeanalotofthi
ngs,
maybehe'sstr
essedoutatworkor
somethi
ng."
Me:"Ij
ustdon'tknowwhatt omake
outoft hi
s.I
'm notusedt oaceli
bate
Si
vuy i
le,onewhoj ustcuddlesat
ni
ghtandnotdoany t
hingsexualto
me."Theyst ar
tedgigglingbefor
e
bursti
ngoutwi thl
aught er
.

Zintl
e:"
Girlyouaresexuall
yfrustr
ated!
Sivuyi
leisnotcheatingony ou.Have
younot i
cedanychangef r
om him
otherthanhi m depr
ivi
ngyousome
dick?"Ishookmyhead." Thenhei s
notcheating.Ifhewasy ouone."I
sighed.
Me:"Iknow,
Ijustdon'
tknowwhatt
o
t
hink."

Ase:
"Justdon'
tthi
nkaboutcheat
ing.
"
Il
aughed

Me:
"Iwon'
tsi
s'
wakhe!
"

Zint
le:
"Yeahl
et'
seatandst opt
alki
ng
aboutheavyst
uff,
please.
"

Ase:
"Isecondt
hat
!"

Me:
"Wenakemi
sssecondt
hat
,who'
s
thenewmani nyourl
i
fe.
"She
blushedandl
ookedaway.

Zi
ntl
e:"
heeeh!She'
sevenbl
ushi
ng!
NowI'm morethani
nter
est
ed."

Ase:
"Ther
eisnonewmanguy
s."

Me:
"Li
ar!
"

Zint
le:
"Icanseeitinyoureyes,
usemat handweni
,usemathandweni
wena!"Shesang
Ase:
"St
opi
t!
"Shebl
ushedsomemor
e.

Me:
"Tel
lushl
eAse.
"

Ase:"
Fine!Andthisthi
nghasbeen
burni
ngmei nside.So.
..
.meand
Lunganidecidedtopursuea
rel
ati
onship.
"

Me:"What
?!"Wescreamedin
exci
tement,
butsoontonedi
tdown
whenwer eal
isedpeopl
ewere
watchi
ng."Whendidyoudeci
de
that
?"
Ase:"
Whenwer eal
i
sedthatwehad
feel
i
ngsforeachother
."

Me:
"Soy
ouguy
sar
eacoupl
enow?
"

Ase:
"Yep.
"Sheblushed."
Heisso
sweetguys,
hegetsmeandhe
makesmef eel
reall
yspecial
."

Me:
"Ay
eye!
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
SowhataboutMar
k?
Ase:
"Who'
sthat
?Whereisheeven
fr
om?"Welaughedandhi
ghfi
ved
eachot
her
.
Weateourlunchwhi letal
kingand
l
aughi
ng,i
twasr eallyfun.Kaywas
t
heonlyonemi ssing,
unfortunat
elyhe
i
ssti
ll
notbackf rom KZN.
AfterourlunchAseconv i
ncedusto
got o'ourstor
e',
yourememberthe
sexshopwewentt o,
whereIboughta
l
itt
lenumbert osupr i
semyhusband?
Yept hatone.ShesaidIneedtobuy
somet hingtorevi
vethefi
reinmy
bedroom, shealsoboughtsomething
forherself
.
○

Soher eIam nowsi t

ti
nginasexy
poseonmybed, weari
ngav ery
skimpyout fit
.Iam waiti
ngf or
Sivuyi
letocomebackf r
om wher ever
heishel dupashesai dont het ext.
I'
m notasner vousasIwaswhenI
fi
rstdidthis,theonlythi
ngt hatis
makingmener vousri
ghtnowi shi m
possiblyrejecti
ngme.Theout fitthat
Asechosef ormei sanotr eallythat
dif
ferentfrom thefir
stoneIhad, well
thi
sisashor tnetdress,i
tisv ery
ti
ghtandunderneathIam not
wearinganythi
ng.Thebestreacti
onI
am hopingforishi
m droppi
ngt hi
s
bri
efcaseandteari
ngthispi
eceof
cl
othingoffofme.
Iheardthedoorslowl
yopeni
ng,
may behethoughtIwasal
ready
asl
eep.
Ipullmysexylookashewalksinthe
room.Iwatchedhim ashetr
iesto
closethedoorslowl
y,hedi
dn'tev
en
noticemesitt
ingonthebed.

Me:"Heyl
overboy
."Hej
umpsi
n
shock.
Sivuyi
le:
"Shi
t!Youscaredme.I
thoughtyouwer ealr
eadyasleep.
"Oh
wow.Heputhi sworkbagandhi s
blazeronthefloor
.Ifi
twasanot her
dayIwoul dscoldhimfordoing
that,
butmyf ocusisnotonthatright
now.

Me:
"Ofcour
senot.I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ng
f
oryou.
"Ist
oodupandmademyway
t
ohim.Heclear
edhist
hroat

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uhm why
?"
Me:
"CauseIhav
easupr
isef
ory
ou.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Su.
..
.su.
..
supr
ise?
"

Me:
"Yes.
"

Siv
uyil
e:"
okay
,whati
sit
?"I
she
seri
ous.

Me:"Suprise!
"Itwirl
ed."Doy ouli
ke
i
t?"Henodded." Don'ty
ouwanna
takeitoffme? "Isaidseductiv
ely.Ibi
t
hisearl
obeal itt
le."
I'
m allyours
toni
ght."Ismashedmyl ipsonhis.
Weki ssedf orafewseconds, thenI
brokeit."Letmet akecareofy ou.
"I
unbuttonedhi sshir
tandtooki toff
.I
ranmyhandsdownhi supperbody
unti
l t
heywer eont hebelt
.I
crouched,andstartedunbuckl eli
ng
hisbelt.JustasIwasaboutt ounzi p
hispant shestoppedme." Relaxbaby,
I'
m goingt otakecareofy ou."I
unzippedhi spants.

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Stop."Icarr
iedonwi thwhat
Iwasdoi
ng."Lunathistop,
please.
"

Me:
"t
her
e'snost
oppi
ngt
oni
ghtbi
g
daddy.
"Igrabbedhi
ssemihar
ddi
ck
andtookitoutofhi
sboxer
s.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Damn!Isai
dst
op!
"He
pushedmeoffhim.

Me:"WhatthefuckSiv
uyil
e?!"Igotup
fr
om thefl
oor."Whatthefuckis
wrongwithyou?!"Heputhisdick
backinhi
spant s.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
No!Whatthefuckiswrong
wi
thyou?Youwerereadytorapeme
woman!"
Me:"
Rapeyou?
!Ar
eyouhear
ing
your
sel
f?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Itol
dyout
ost
op!
"

Me:
"Why
?Why
?!"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
BecauseIam noti
nthe
mood,
geez!
"

Me:"Maybet
hisi
swhyIwantedt
o
takeyouasyousay
!Youar
ealways
notinthemood.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'snott
rue.
"

Me:"
Iti
s!Youaresayi
ngonet
hing
whil
eyourdicki
ssayi
nganot
her.
Whatiswrongwithy
ou?Whydon't
youwanttohavesexwit
hme?!"

Sivuy
il
e:"Canyoustopwiththe
theat
ricspl
ease!I
'
vehadal ongday
andIjustwanttosleep.
"

Me:
"Whoi
sshe?
"Iaskedcal
mly
.
Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
?"

Me:"
Thebit
chthat
'smaki
ngyoul
ose
i
nter
esti
nme,whoisshe?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Ther
eisnobi
tch.
"

Me:
"Don'
tpl
aywi
thme.Whot
hehel
l
i
sshe?!
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Ther
eisnooneLunat
hi.I
am notcheat
ingony
ou."

Me:
"I
fyouar
enot
,t
henwhydon'
tyou
wantt
osleepwit
hme?Yougott
obe
get
ti
ngitsomewher
eel
se.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"That'
snott
rue.Ther
eisno
one.I
'
mj ustnoti
nthemood."

Me:
"Notint
hemoodforawhol
e
month?
!Hehwenadon'
tpl
aywi
th
me!
"

Sivuyi
le:
"Jesus!Al
lthi
snoi sefordi
ck?
Brownmeat ?Areyouser i
ous?!
LunathiIam notcheating.Youneed
tostopthisthingofyoursof
accusingmeofcheat ingev enwhenI
am not
."

Me:"
Wel ldoyoubl
ameme?You'
ve
doneitbefor
e."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Youknowwhat
?Idon'
thav
e
ti
mef ort
his.
"Hewal
kedawayt
othe
bathr
oom.

Me: "Hejustturnedmedown!He
turnedmedown! "Iwaspaci
ng
aroundt heroom."No!Heisdefi
nit
ely
cheating.That'
sgottobeit!
"Icoul
d
feeltearsbuil
dingup."
Nononobaby
gir
l,heisnotcheat i
ngonyou.He
promi sedhewoul dn'
tdoi tagain.Let
mecal m downandspeakt ohim
aboutt hiscalmly.
"Itookdeep
breathst heIwalkedtot hebathroom.
Islowlyopenedt hedoor ,asIwal ked
i
nIcoul dhearmoaning.Iwal kedi n
futher.Mymout hhungopenasImet
amust arbat
ingSivuyil
e.Igaspedi n
shock.Hequi ckl
yopenedhi sey es
andsawme.

Sivuyi
le:
"Baby !
"Ishookmyheadand
l
eftthebat hroom.Iwentstrai
ghtto
theclosetandchangedi ntomy
onesie.Iwentbackt otheroom,and
themast urbaterwassitt
ingonthe
bed."MyLove.
"Ii
gnor
edhim, and
removethepil
l
owsoffthebed.Igot
i
nt hebedandsatonmybum whi l
e
l
ookingathi
m.

Me:"al
lthi
stimeIthoughtyouwer e
cheati
ngonmewi thaperson,khant
e
noyouar echeati
ngonmewi thyour
hands."Helookedatmewei rdly.
"Mothoojeswamapi pekemat soho!
Wow! "

Si
vuy
il
e:"
That
'snotcheat
ing.
"

Me:
"I
tisi
fyouar
egoi
ngt
oleav
eyi
ur
wifewhoisreadyt ohavesexwi th
youtogoandmast urbat
ei nt
he
bathr
oom."Myt onewasl ow.
"WatsebaSi
vuyil
ey ouhav edefeated
me.Youseet onight,
ong'hlot
se
shame."

Siv
uyi
le:
"CanIj
ustexpl
ainwhyIdi
d
thi
s?"

Me:"
Idon'tthi
nkitwil
lmakeany
di
ff
erence,butcarr
yon."

Si
vuy
il
e:"Af
tery
outoldmethatyou
ar
eprevent
ing,
youdon'
twantany
kidsIwashurt
.Yououtofal
l peopl
e
knowhowmuchIwantki ds,soIfelt
l
ikeitwasusel
esshavi
ngsexwi th
someonewhodoesn'twanttohav e
kidswit
hmeany t
imesoon.Ididn'
t
wanttowastemyspermsony ou.
"

Me:"Soyouwouldr
atherwastet
hem
onyourhandsandthefl
oor?Canyou
hearhowstupi
dthatsounds?
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Lunathiareyoucal
l
ingme
st
upi
d?Don'tdisr
espectmeplease!
"

Me:
"Idi
dnotsayy
ouar
est
upi
d,Isai
d
whaty ouaresay ingisstupid.Heeh
mot ho!Wespokeabouthav ingkids
waybef oreIhadami scarr
iage.Itold
yout hatIwantt of ocusonmy
studiesandChul u,soIcannothav e
kidsfornow.Wenay ouareact i
ng
l
ikeit'ssomet hingnew, i
t'
snot !You
knewaboutt hisandy ou
under stood,
sowhatchanged? "

Si
vuyil
e:"It
houghtaf
tert
he
miscar
riageyouwouldwantt
ohav
e
morekids."

Me:
"Why
?"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
BecauseIwantmor
eki
ds.
"

Me:"That'
sthepr oblem, youare
makingdeci sionsbasedonwhaty ou
wantandy ouwantmet odot he
same.Wet alkedabouthav ing
chi
ldrenandweagr eedt hatIcan't
carr
yonwi thbei ngont hepill
,
right
? "
Henodded." Sonowbecausey ou
wantkidsIshoul dal sowantki ds?
Worstpartwehav en'tev enhadat al
k
abouthavingki ds.Ev enbeforet he
miscarri
age.Iknowy ouwant
chi
ldren,
butwenev erspokeabout
havi
ngt hem!Yourpr oblem isthat
youwantt odot hingswithouttalki
ng.
YesIwaswr ongforresumi ngthe
contracepti
vewithouttell
ingyou, I
apologisedfori
tandIt houghty ou
for
gav emeandwemov edon.Cl earl
y
notcauseher eyouar epunishingme
kasex, andsati
sfyingyourselfwith
yourhands."

Si
vuy
il
e:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"

Me:"Si
vuyi
l
ewang'khat
hatsa
marn(Youti
reme)Iam tooyoungf
or
t
his.Whatdoyouwant?Tellwhaty
ou
want
."Myv
oicewasst
il
ll
ow.

Si
vuyil
e:"
Iwantt
ohav
eki
ds,
asi
n
ri
ghtnow."

Me:"AndIdonotwantt
ohaveany
chi
ldrenatt
hemoment.Chul
uis
enoughfornow.Nowwhat?"

Sivuyi
le:"WhatIknowi sthatIwantto
haveaki datleastbytheendoft his
yearorear lynextyear.Whetherthe
kidisfrom y ouorsomeoneel se,I
don'tcare."Whatqui ckchange,fr
om
anapol ogeticpersontoanasshol e.
Me:"Ohhthat '
showi t'
sgoi ngtobe
now? "Heshr uggedhisshoul der
s.
"Wellyouhav ejustdecidedt hef
ate
ofthismarriage.Switchof fthel
ights
ony ourwayoutpl ease."Ilaidonmy
sideandpul l
edt hecoverov ermy
head.AssoonasIcov eredmysel f
tearsstar
tedspi l
li
ng.Iwai t
edunt i
lI
heardhiml eavebeforeIl etoutasob.
Justl
i
kethatmymar r
iagewascl
ose
tobei
ngover,
ori
sitover?
•
•
•
•
•
#TCOB
[
2/6,
12:
19PM]DeeBee:
#Inser
t100
•
•
•
•
•

*
FLASHBACK*
..
18MONTHSAGO
Waki ngupt hef oll
owingmor ning, I
satont hebedandt houghtaboutour
exchangeofwor dslastni ght.My
heartbl edasIt houghtabouthowmy
husbandt oldmeonmyf acet hathe
goingt ocheatonmej ustsohecan
getachi l
d.Idonotgett hisf uss
aroundhi m hav ingaki d, weal ready
haveChul uwhoi snotev enmy
biol
ogi calchil
d,andnowhewant sto
gooutt hereandmakeanot herchi l
d
outsideofourmar riage,
andI 'm
supposedt ost andf orthat ?Why
can'theunder standandr espectmy
decisions?BecauseIam notsay ingI
willnothav eachi l
d,I'
mj ustput t
ing
thatonhol dbecauseIhav etof ocus
onmyst udi esandgetmydegr ee
thenonl yt henwewi llplanforababy .
Iam r eall
ynotaski ngf oralot,oram I ?
Ihav enev erfeltsodi srespectedi n
myent ir
el ife,
onceagai nSivuy il
ehas
managedt obr eakmyspi ri
t.One
thingIwi ll notst andf orisbeing
disrespect ed, andt hat '
swhathedi d
l
astni ght .Asawi fehedoesn' tsee
me, hellhedoesn' tevenseemeasa
mer ehumanbei ngandt hatis
somet hi
ngIcannotdeal wi
th.

Me:
"hediddecidethef
ateofour
mar
riage,
didn'
the?
"Iwipedofthe
tears." Timet ot akeast andbaby
girl
.
"Igotupf rom t hebedandwent
tothebat hroom, passingt hroughmy
bagst hatwer eal lov erthef l
oor.I
couldn' tsleeplastni ght,soIstart
ed
packi ngmycl othes.YesIam
l
eav ing, i
t'
snousest ayi
ngwi thaman
whodoesn' tl
ov enorr espectme.I
wasr aisedbet tert hant his,
Iam not
desper ateforlov e.
Igotintheshowerandt ookal ong
hotone.Iletthetearsflowal ongwith
thewater.Ij
ustcoul dn'
tbeli
ev ethat
onceagain,Iam leav i
ngthishouse
becauseofhi sself
ishness.Ithurt,
it
hurtsobad, ImeanIl ovethisman, I
am mar
riedtot
hisman.ButIguessi
t
i
swhatitis.
Igotoutt heshowerandwentbackt o
theroom, Ilot
ionedmybodyand
changedi nt
omybl acktracksui
tand
mybl acksneakers.Icombedmy
shorthairandputabeani eon.Idi
dn'
t
havet i
met odressupandl ook
cute,
withweav esandall
.
Ipull
edmysui t
casesdownst ai
rsone
byone.It'
sfunnyhowIonl ycame
herewith1bigsuit
caseandasmal l
bagandnowIam l eav i
ngwith2big
ones,all
thankstoAseandher
shopoholi
ctendencies.Ismi
ledasI
thoughtaboutthat
.
Me:"Damn! "IexclaimedasIputmy
l
astsui tcasenextt ot hedoor .Iwent
backupt oChul u'sroom, hopefull
y
she'sst il
lsleeping.Iwon' tbeablet o
dowhatIwantqui cklyifshe'sstil
l
awake.Iopenedt hedoorsl owlyand
walked, luckilyshewasst ill
sleepi
ng.
Iquietl
yt ookherbagandpl acedon
thef l
oor ,thenIst artedempt yi
ngout
herclot hesf rom theshel vesandinto
thebag.Icoul dn'
tleav eherl i
keIdid
thelastt ime, atleastnowIam not
goingt ot hehot el,Iam goi ngbackt o
mypar ents' house,myhome.Sowe
wil
l beinachi l
df r
iendl y
envi
ronment,
andIam suret
hatmy
brot
herswil
lhel
pmewi thher.

Me:
"ohhh!Lookwho'sup!
"She
smi
l
edr eveal
inghert
inyt
eet
h.

Chul
u:"
mama!
"

Me:"
hell
omyl
ove.
"Ipl
ant
edaki
sson
herl
ips.

Chulu:
"That
he!
"Shehel
douther
hands.
Me:"
Youaresuchalazychi
ld."I
madehersi
tonherbutt."
Sitsti
l
l,I
'
ll
bedonej
ustnow."
Iwentbacktothepacki
ng.If i
nished
upandzippedthebag."Alri
ght
booboo.Let
'sgo.
"Itookherf r
om t he
bedandwalkedoutwithheronmy
hi
pandt hebagonmyot herhand.

"Hai
bont ombi!Kuthenina
ngoku?(Haibogir
l,
what'
swr ong
now?)"Iplacedthebagnexttomy
bagsandt urnedtolookather.

Me:
"Uhm mor
ningMah.
"
Manxele:
"Hel
losi
si.What
'swi
tht
he
bags?
"Ishrugged.

Me:
"UhI
'
m mov
ingbackhome.
"

Manxele:
"I
ntoni
?!
(What
?)Why
?What
happened?"

Me:"
Ican'
treal
l
ytal
kabouti
t,butI
'
m
goi
ngbackhome."

Manxele:
"NoChulu?"Inodded."
Ohh.
DoesthePrinceknowaboutt hi
s?"I
shookmyhead."
Youshouldt
alkt
o
him,
youcan'
tl
eavewi
thouthi
m
seei
ngyou.
"

Me:"
I-
..
.he'
satworkri
ghtnow,andI
don'
thavet
ime,Ineedtol
eaveri
ght
nowasIhavealongdayaheadof
me."

Manxel
e:"
Noheisher
e,Idi
dn'
tsee
hi
mleaveforwor
kandI'
vebeenup
si
nce6int-.
."

"
What
'sgoi
ngonher
e?"
Me:"speakofthedevi
landheshall
appear."Imumbled.Manxelequi
ckl
y
bowedandexcusedus, t
akingChulu
wit
hher .Iguessshenot
icedthati
t
wasn'tgoingtobeaprett
yt al
k.

Si
vuy
il
e:"
What
'swi
tht
hebags?
"

Me:
"I
'ml
eav
ing.
"

Si
vuyi
l
e:"
Leavi
ngtowhere?Ar
eyou
goi
ngonvacati
onorsomethi
ng?
"
Me:
"somet
hing.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"St
opwit
hyourchil
dish
games.Wherear
eyougoing?"

Me:
"Home.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Todowhat
?"

Me:
"Tost
ay,
duh.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Butt
hisi
syourhome.
"
Me:
"Notany
mor
e."

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Me:"
I'
ll
simpli
fyt
hisfory
ou.Iam
l
eavi
ngy ou.Weareover
,andIam
goi
ngbackt oMYhome."

Siv
uyi
le:
"What?!Youcan'
tdothat.
Lunat
hiyoucannotalwayspackup
andgoeveryt
imewegeti nt
oal i
tt
le
si
ll
yargument,
that'
snothow
marri
ageworks."
Me: "
Sillyar gument ?!Ther e'
swas
nothingsi l
lyaboutt hatar gument
Sivuyile!Yout ol
dmest raighttomy
facet haty ouar egoi ngt ogoout
thereandhav eachi l
dwi thsomeone
else.Iam notgoi ngt ogot hrough
thatpai nagai n,painofbei ngcheated
on.Wor stpartnowt herewi l
lachild
i
nv olved.Nev er!
"Iy ell
ed.I
sighed, calmingmy selfdown." You
knowwhaty oudi dy esterdaypr oved
tomesomet hingt hatIhav ealways
knownbutI 'vebeeni ndeni al.Youdo
notrespectmeSi vuy i
le,
y oudonot
valuey ou.Youdon' tcareaboutme
asper son! "
Siv
uyil
e:"
That '
sbul
lshi
t,andyouknow
i
t!Whatdi dyouwantmet osayordo?
Ishoul
df oll
owwhaty ousayknowing
verywellthatIdonotagreewithi
t.
"

Me: "
Yourproblem isthatyoucannot
l
isten!Assoonasy ouhear
somet hi
ngt hatyoudonotagr ee
with,
yourear sautomatical
lyclose.I
didnotsayIdonotwantt ohav ea
babywi t
hy ou!IsaidIwantt of i
nish
mydegr eebef oreIhaveaf reaken
chil
d!Wej ustlostachildamont h
agoandal readywenay ouwantt o
makeanot
herone!What
'swr
ongwi
th
you?
"

Si
vuyil
e:"
Iwantt
ohaveachildwi
th
mywi f
egoddammit!I
sthatso
wrong?!
"

Me:"I
tisifyouaregoingt oforceme
tohaveone, Iam notready.Iam not
abouttobringachildin-.
..y
ouknow
what,Iam donewi t
hthis
conversati
on."

Siv
uyil
e:"
Soyouarel
eav
ingme
becauseIwantachi
l
dandyoudon'
t?
Howst
upi
dist
hat
?!"

Me:"Onceagai ny ouandt hepoi ntare

str
angers.Iam notl eavingy ou
becauseoft hat,Iam l eavingy ou
becauseofwhaty ousai dandhow
youmademef eel .Youdi srespected
meSi vuyi
le!Youhur tmyf eel
ings!
AndIwi l
lnotst aywi thamanwho
makesmef eel l
ikeIam notwoman
enoughjustbecauseIwantt opur sue
mydr eam fir
st!Ify oudonotsuppor t
mydr eams,theitmeany oudon' t
l
ove,i
tmeansy oudon' tcar eabout
me."Isaidinabr eakingv oice."You
hadthener vetot ellmei nmyf ace
thaty ouaregoingt osleepwi th
anot herwoman, makeababywi thher,
andam supposedt ostaywi thaman
whodoest hat?Whatki ndofwoman
woul dthatmakeme?Iwi llnotall
ow
yout odestroymeagai n,you'
vedone
i
toncebutnotagai n!Iam setti
ngy ou
free.Youar efr
eet ogooutt hereand
sleepwi t
hwhoev eryouwantt osleep
wi t
handmakeasmanybabi esas
youcan.Iam donewi thyou,forgood
thistime."

Siv
uy i
le:
"Lunat
hiyouarebei
ng
unreasonableri
ghtnow."
Me:
"am I
?Am Ir
eal
l
y?"

Sivuy
il
e:"Youarel
eav
ingmef
ort
he
secondtime?"

Me:"andwho'sfaultisit?"Itur
nedon
myheelsandwal kedtowher e
Manxelewas,withChul u.Iquickl
y
wipedmyt earsbef or
et heysawme.
"Uhm Mah,it'
sti
met oleavenow.I
needthelit
tl
emi sus."Shel ookedat
mesadl y
.
Manxel e:"
Mnt anam,
akwenzi wakanje
emendweni (
mychi l
d,t
hisisnothow
thi
ngsar edonei nmar r
iage.)Asa
wifey ouneedt obethepi l
larofa
home, i
fyoukeeponl eaving
everytimehedoessomet hingwr ong
whodoy out hinkwi
llbuil
dt hi
sfamily
?
Kuyany amezel waemtshatweni
mnt anam. "

Me: "Wit
hallduerespectMah,thi
sis
nott he1960s.Thatkuyanyamezelwa
sh-..st
atementdoesn'tworkinthi
s
era.Iknowmywor th.
"Sheshookher
headi ndisappoi
ntment."Idon'
tknow
i
ft heroyalfamil
ywillal
l
owmet o
enl
istyourservicessincetheydonot
wantany onelookingafteruChul
u.I
wil
ltalkt
ot heQueenandf ind
out
,thenIwi l
lcontactyouor
Mam' Luvo."

Manxel
e:"
Haykul
ungi
l
esi
si.
"

Me:"
Baby,
izamasambe( comelet'
s
go)
."Shedroppedwhatshewas
doi
ngandcamet ome.It ookherinto
myarms."Usalekakhl
emah( st
ay
wel
l)andpleasedosaymygoodby es
toMam'Luvo."
Manxel
e:"
Alr
ightsi
si.Byebyesisi
za.
"
Shepl
ayedwithChulu'scheek.

Iwentbackt owheremybagswher e,
Sivuyi
lewasnolongerther
e.That
kindofstungabit,
may beali
tt
lepart
ofmewant edhi
mt obegmet ostay,
butIguesshedoesn'thaveti
mef or
that.

Me:
"Thi
sisi
tbaby
!"

○
It
'sbeenamont hsi nceI '
vebeen
backathome, Ihav en'
theard
any thingf rom Sivuy il
e.Wel l
,
hedoes
callonl ytospeakt ohisdaught er.At
fi
rstwhenhecal ledIt houghthe
want edt ot alkaboutus, ort
obegme
tocomeback, soIi gnoredthecal l
.
Onl yf orhi mt omessagemeaf ew
mi nut esl atersay inghewantt ot al
k
tohi sdaught er
.TheyFaceTi meev ery
night ,andhear inghi svoicejustfeel
s
l
ikeast abt omyhear t
,butIli
stento
theirconv ersat
ionbecausesomehow
hisv oi ceal sosoot hest hepain.
Wei rd, right ?
Hehasn'
tspokent
omeaboutour
break-hehasn' tmadeanymeanst o
tryandgetbackwi thme.I'
m actual
ly
suprisedthatnoonef rom the
Dlami ni
fami l
yhascalledtofindout
whati sgoingon.Ormay betheydo
know?Butt hat
'simpossibl
ebecause
thelasttimeIleftthehouset hey
knewabouti ti
mmedi atel
y,Iwonder
whatdi f
ferentnow.Ormay bethey
j
ustdon' tcare?
Myr i
ngingphonedi st
urbedt
hetrai
l
ofmyt houghts.Iansweredwi
thout
checki
ngt hecall
er.

Me:
"Hel
l
o."
Caller
:"
Hekesisi
!I'
vebeentryi
ngto
getahol dofSi
vuyi
leandhe'snot
takinganyofourcall
s.Canyou
pleasegivehi
mt hephone."I
twashis
mom.Wai t
!WhatdoesshemeanI
shouldgivehi
mt hephone?Don't
theyknowaboutourseparati
on?

Me:
"uhhhhhe'
snothereatt
he
momentMah,canItakeamessage?
"

Mrs'
D:"
Notreal
l
y,Ijustwantedtofi
nd
outi
fhe'
sokayna,actual
lyall
ofyou.
Wehaven'
theardfrom youguysina
mont
h."

Me:"
Ohhsorr
y,we'v
ejustbeenabit
pr
eoccupi
edthat
'sall
."Whyam Il
yi
ng?

Mrs'
D:"Toapointofnotchecki
ngup
onyourfami
ly?That'
snotgoodmarn
bhabha."

Me:"
IknowmahandIapol
ogi
se,
on
Si
vuyi
le'
sbehal
ftoo.
"

Mrs'D:
"Hayal
ri
ght
.Ihopey
ouwi
l
l
changethi
sbehav
iour
."
Me:
"Def
ini
tel
ymah.
"

Mr
s'D:"
Ihavetogokebhabha.Kiss
mygranddaught
erf
ormepl ease.
"

Me:"
Wil
ldo,
bye.
"Shehungup.I
si
ghedi
nrel
ief.

"Whydidn'
tyout
ell
yourf
ami
l
yabout
us?"-sent
!
Ithr
ewt hephoneont
hebedi
n
fr
ustrat
ion.
"Andthen,
wena?"Shewal
kedi
nand
satonthebed.

Me:
"Keng?
(Whati
sit
?)"

Bont
le:
"Ishoul
dbeaski
ngy
out
hat
."

Me:
"Ij
ustgotof
fthephonewi
th
Ma'
Dlamini
."

Bontl
e:"
Eh!Whatdidshesay
?Isshe
backtobeingherol
dbit
chself
?"

Me:
"No.Shewasact
ual
l
yver
yni
ce.
"
Bontl
e:"
Awu!She'
ssti
ll
nicetoyou
eventhoughyouhav
eseparated
fr
om herson?"

Me:"
That
'sthethi
ng,
shedoesn'
t
knowaboutit
."

Bontle:
"What
?!How?Di
dn'
tSi
vuy
il
e
tel
lthem?"

Me:
"Iguessnot
."

Bont
le:
"Iwonderwhy
."Ishr
uggedmy
shoul
ders."Punki
e,don'
tyout
hink
you'
vepunishedhim enoughal
ready
?
Maybehehasl earnthis
l
esson,maybey oushouldgobackto
yourhouse.
"

Me:"Mang?Si vuyil
e?Hedoesn' teven
feelguil
tyaboutwhathesai d.Till
today,Ihaven'tgotanapol ogyf r
om
him.May bei fhedi dapologiseI
wouldconsi dergoi ngbackt o
him,othert
hant hatsorr
yshame.That
manneedst oknowt hatwhathedi d
wasunaccept able,healsoneedst o
l
earnhowt or espectmenotonl yas
hiswifebutasahumanbei ngalso."
Bont
le:
"Soifhewoul
dcomehereand
apol
ogi
se,y
ouwouldfor
givehi
m and
gobackhomewi t
hhim?"

Me:
"No.I
t'
stool
ate.
"

Bont
le:
"Hai
boPunki
e."

Me:"
I'
m ser i
ous.Nnaausi Iam done
wit
hSivuy il
e.Iam donewi ththe
marri
age, Iwanttobefr eeanddomy
ownthingswi thoutworryi
ngabout
whatwillsoandsosay .Iam tir
edof
l
ivingf orotherpeopl e,Iam t iredof
doingt hingst opleasepeopl e, Iam
ti
redofbei ngt hi
slit
tleper fectwi fe
thatsay sy est oeverythingt hat
peopl eask, y
ohIam t i
redausi !Iwant
tobeappr eciated,Iwantt obel oved
ful
ly, Idon'
twantsomeonet omake
mef eelli
ket heyaredoi ngmea
favourbybei ngwi t
hme, Iwantt o
ful
f i
lmydr eamsandmakeourl ate
parent sproud.Iknowf orsur et hat
ourmot herwoul dnotl iket oseeme
pregnantwi thoutfi
nishingschool .
"

Bont
le:
"Igetl
il
sis,
andIunderst
and
wher
ey ouarecomingf
rom andy our
poi
ntsar
evali
dausiwaka.Butdon'
t
youl
ovethi
sguy?"

Me:"Ido,trustmeIdo,butsomet imes
l
ovei sjustnotenough.Sivuy
il
e
doesn'tseeany thi
ngwrongwi t
hwhat
hedid, hedoesn'tgett
hathehur t
me."Iswal lowedalumpi nmyt hroat
.
"I
'
m pr ett
ysur eheishappywher ever
heis."

Bont
le:
"Youdon'
tknowt
hat
."

Me:"Ido.Ifhe'snothappyaboutthi
s
separati
ont henwhydidhenott r
yto
convi
ncemet ost
ay.I
'
m pret
tysur
e
hethi
nksIwi l
lgobacktohim
crawl
ing,
that'
showweakhet hi
nksI
am.Wel lhe'
sgotanot
herthi
ng
coming."

Bontl
e:"
AyyIdon'tknowwhatt osay
anymore.Youaresost ubbor
n
Boit
umelomar n.
"Ishrugged."
Ineed
togonnajwale,Lizwii
saboutto
knockoff,
soIneedt ogoandcook."

Me:"
Wai
t,
befor
eyougo.How'si
t
goi
ngwi
ththeadopt
ionpr
ocess?
"
Bont
le:
"ohhh,
theyar
einter
viewi
ng
fami
lymember st
omorrow."

Me:"Ohwow!Soonyouwi
llbe
approvedt
oadopty
ourl
it
tl
ebundl
e
ofjoy.
"

Bont
le:
"Hopef
ull
yhey
."

Me:
"Don'
tworry
,youtickever
yboxi
n
t
hatcr
it
eri
athattheyhave.
"

Bont
le:
"Eyyl
etmegomyl ov
e.Iwil
l
seeyoutomorr
owaft
erschool
."
Me:"
Alr
ightsi
s,
bye.
"Shegotupand
l
eftt
heroom.

Lat
ert
hatnightIwassi
tt
ingi
nt he
l
oungewatchingTVwit
hmybr other
s
andmydaught er
.

Thabo:"Youneedtot eachthi
schild
Sesotho,pl
ease.I
'v
ebeent ryi
ngt o
tal
ktoheri nSesotho,shej
ustlooks
atmel i
keIam crazy .
"
Thabang:
"That
'sbecauseshei
snot
Sotho,
she'
sXhosa."

Thabo:
"Butshehasuncleswhoare
Sotho,
sosheneedstolearnASAP.
"

Thapelo:
"Youjusthadtoincl
ude
yoursel
finthatequati
onneh?"Icoul
d
hearwhattheywer esayi
ngbutmy
mindwasnotcompl et
elyher
e.

Thabang:
"Punki
e!"
Me:
"Mmmh?
"

Thabang:
"Oshar
p?(
Arey
ouokay
?)"I
nodded.

Me:
"YeahI
'
mfi
ne.
"

Thabang:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Me:
"Yeah.
"

Thabo:"Hayokay.Nnabahaeso(my
people)Ihavetogocheckont he
misus."
Thabang:
"Isti
ll
cannotbel
i
evet hat
youhaveonegi r
lf
ri
endwatseba?
Wenakaof el
aThabo!(
Youofall
peopl
e)"

Thabo:
"I
'v
ealway
sbeena
monogamist
."

Thapelo:
"Yeahri
ght
.You'venev
er
beenloyaltoanygi
rlwena."We
l
aughed.

Thabo:
"That
'
snott
rue,
Ihav
eal
way
s
beenl
oyaltoeachofthegi
rl
sthatI
wasdati
ng..
.atthesameti
me."We
l
aughedevenmor e.

Me:"
That'
swhaty
oucal
lbei
ngl
oyal
?
Yeahri
ght.
"

Thabo:"Atleasttheyknewt hatwe
werenotexcl usive.Unl
ikewena
Thabang, y
oul iartopoor
gi
rl
s,promiset hem heavenandear t
h
onl
yf oryout obreaktheirheart
s."

Me:
"RemeberMapul
e?"
Them:"
Mapul
ethepsy
cho!
"We
l
aughed.

Thabang:"
Damn!Ist
il
lhavet
hatkni
fe
scar!Thatgi
rlwasl
oco!"

Thapelo:
"Idon'
tbl
ameher !Youslept
withhertwobestfr
iendsont heother
sideyouaremakingherthinkshe'
s
theonlywomani nyourl
if
e."

Me:"
Youpl
ayedt
hepoorgi
rl
s
shame!
"
Thabang:
"ButI
'
vechangednow.
"

Me:
"Yeahr
ight.Ist
il
lhav
en'
tmety
our
1st
ablegi
rl
fri
end."

Thabang:
"Don'
twor
ryy
ouwi
l
lmeet
hersoon.
"

Thapel
o:"Ihopeshe'snotapsycho,
wenayouhav eat endencyof
at
tract
ingpsy chos.
"

Thabang:
"NoIdon'
t.
"
Thabo:
"Iwi
shIhadtimetol
i
st
them,
MaraIdon'
t.Ihav
etogo.
"

Thapel
o:"
Giv
ehert
ome.
"Hehanded
Chulut
oher.

Thabo:
"Seey
ousucker
s.By
ePunki
e."

Me:
"By
e."Helef
t."
Doyout
hinkSl
ii
s
t
heonl
ygirl
inhisl
if
e?"

Thapel
o:"
Yeah.Hel
ovest
hatgi
rl
."
Me:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"

Thabang:"
Isthatyourwayofaskingi
f
he'
sov eryourgirl
?Ifyoumust
know,y
eshei s.Hedoesn'
ttal
kabout
heranymor e,
andy ouknowonce
Thabomov esonf r
om somethi
nghe
doesn'
tlookback."

Me:"
That'
snotwhyIwasaski
ng,
Iwas
j
ustmakingsuret
hathewon'
tpl
ay
t
hatli
tt
legi
rl
."

Thabang:"
Ayywedon'tknowabout
that
,butsofarhe'
sbeenact
ing
accor
dingl
y.
"

Me:"MmmhIh- ..
."myphoner
ang,
di
sturbi
ngourconv o."
giv
eme
str
engthLor
d!"Itookadeepbr
eat
h
befor
eanswering.

"I
'
m outsi
de,
Ineedt
oseey
ou.
"Tut
ut.
Justl
i
kethat.

Thabang:
"Cl
oseyourmouthbef
ore
youdrool
allov
erthef
loor
.Whowas
that
?"
Me:"Thedevi
ltest
ingme.
"Igotup
thecouchandwor emyshoes."
Kea
khutl
a(I
'l
lbeback)
"

Hegotoutt hecarassoonasIcame
outthegat e.Myhear tskippedabeat
asIlaidmyey esonhi m.Ihav en't
seenhi minawhol emont h,al
l I'
ve
beenhear ingishisvoicethrought he
phone.Somet i
mesIf indmy self
goingt hr
oughhi spict
uresonmy
phone,butseeinghimr i
ghtnow
standinginfrontofmei sgivi
ngmea
whol ediff
erentfeel
ing.Ihad
forgottenhowhandsomehei s, well
may benot .Hisl
ipslookedasj ui
cyas
ever
,ormaybeit
'sbecauseIhav
en'
t
ki
ssedthem i
nawhile.
Iqui
ckl
ycl
earedmythr
oatasI
real
i
sedIwasdrool
i
ng.

Me:
"Hi
.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Hey.
"Iwantedtojumpon
hi
m andgivehim ahug,
butmaybe
not
.

Me:
"Hey
y."Isai
d,agai
n!

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Uhm I
'
m sur
eyouar
e
wonder
ingwhyIcal
l
edyououther
e."
I
sthisi
t?I
sthi
swhatI'
vebeen
wai
ti
ngtohear?

Me:
"Uhm y
eah.
"

Si
vuyi
le:
"Iwantedust
ocomeupwi th
astor
ytotellourf
amil
yaboutwhat
's
goi
ngonbet weenus.
"Ornot!Wow!

Me:
"ahhh,
what
?"

Siv
uyi
l
e:"Yes.Weneedt
otel
lthem
somethi
ngjustsot
heydon'
tget
suspiciousaboutt hedramat hat's
goingonbet weenus. "Ilookedathi m
tryi
ngtopr ocesswhathewassay i
ng.
Ithoughthecameher etoapol ogi
se.
"May bewecant ellt
hem thaty ou
mov edoutt oapl aceclosertoschool
forawhi le,
becausey ouhav elate
classesorsomet hi
ng."Howdumbi s
thisguy ?

Me:"Ar
ey ouseri
ousri
ghtnow?Do
youhonestlyt
hinkt
heirar
egoi
ngto
bel
ievethatcr
ap?"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Itwi
l
latl
eastbuyussome
ti
mef ory
outogetoverwhat
everi
tis
thaty
ouaregoingthr
oughandcome
backhome."TF?!

Me: "
OhmyGod!Ican' tbeli
evey ou
ri
ghtnow.Youknowwheny ousai d
youar eout side,Icameouther e
hopingt haty ouar esomehowy ou
wer egoingt oapol ogi
esf orwhaty ou
said.Ithoughty out ooktimet o
yourselftounder standwhyIl eftand
whyIam f eelingt hewayIf eel?Iwas
evenpr epar edt oforgiveandcome
backhomewi thyoui fyouapol ogised.
ButIguessIwasaf ool t
othinky ou
woul ddosomet hinglikethat.
"
Siv
uyi
le:
"Whatdoyouwantmetodo
Lunat
hi?Apol
ogi
seforwhat
?"

Me:"Youjustdon'tgeti
t,
doyou?"I
shookmyhead." Youknow
what,t
hereisnoneedt ocomeup
wit
hal ieforyourfamil
y,It
hinki
t'
s
ti
mewet ell
them thetr
uth.
"

Si
vuy
il
e:"
Whi
chi
s?"

Me:
"Thatwear
eover
!Done!Fi
nit
o!
Cal
lameeti
ngwit
hyourf
amilyas
soonaspossibl
e,I
'
llspeakt
omy
auntsothatwecanputanendt
othi
s
marri
age."

Siv
uy i
l
e:"Hai
boLunat
hi,
nowy
ouar
e
beingcrazy.
"

Me:"I
fthisisbei
ngcrazy,
thenIguess
Iam bipolar
.YouknowSivuy i
lehad
yourespectedme,nonoft hiswould
havehappened.Youknowwhat 's
goingtohappennow, Iam goingto
fi
ndmeahandsomemanwho' s
goingtoloveandappreci
ateme, he'
s
goingtorespectmeandv alueme
andheisdefini
telygoi
ngtosupport
mydreams,allthethi
ngsthaty
ou
fai
l
edtodot hroughoutourmarri
age.
"

Sivuy
il
e:"
Fine!I
fthatwhaty
ouwant
thensobei t
!"

Me:"
Good!Myfamil
ywi
l
lbei
n
cont
actwit
hyour
s."

Si
vuyil
e:"
CanIatl
eastseemy
daughter
."

Me:
"Noy
oucan'
t.Nextt
imemakean
appointmentbefor
eshowi
ngupher
e
l
ikethisisyourhouse.
"
Iturnedonmyheel sandlefthi
m
standingt her
elikeafoolt
hatheis!
Si
v uyil
enev erceasetoamazeme!
Thatbi gassheadofhi shasnothi
ng
butunpl uggedwi r
es.
Ibangedt
hedoorasIgoti
nthe
house.

Thabang:
"Yeeey
!Youwi
l
lwakeherup
wenamarn!"

Me:"sor
ry.
"If
uri
ousl
ysatont
he
couch.
Thapel
o:"
keng?
"

Me:"WatsebaSi
vuyi
l
eissofull
of
hi
mself
!Icannotbel
iev
ehi
m! "

Thapel
o:"
Whatdi
dhedot
hist
ime?
"

Me:
"NotwhatIexpect
edhi
mtodo!
"

Thabang:
"Whi
chi
s?"

Me:
"I
tdoesn'
tmat
ternow.Meand
hi
m ar eover.Ineedyouguyst
o
contactboRakhadi l
e
boMal ome(auntsanduncl
es)Iam
off
icial
lyendingthi
smarri
age.
"

Thabang:
"Ah.
ahboBoi
tumel
o."

Me:
"What
?"

Thabang:"
Whatdidwet eachyou
aboutmakingdecisi
onsinanger?We
al
way stel
lyounottomakeany
deci
sionswhil
eyouar eangry
,aker
e?"
Me:
"Iam notangryabut
i.Iam hur
t
mor
et hananythi
ng."

Thapelo:"
Pride."
hesai drandoml y
.
"That'
swhaty oubot hhave,noneof
youiswi l
l
ingt obet hebiggerperson
andmaket hefirstmov etofixthi
s
mess.Youwoul dr atherdi
vorceeach
otherthantoswal l
owy ourpri
deand
mov eonf r
om t hispettyfi
ght.
"

Me:"Pri
deabuti
?Thisisn'
taboutpr
ide.
Youofal l
peopl
eknowt hatIam
al
way sthebi
ggerperson,Iapol
ogi
se
fi
rst
,evenwhenIam notatfault
.But
notthisti
me.WhatSi vuy
il
esaid,I
cannoteasil
yforgetit
.Hehurtme
abutiandhedoesn'twantto
acknowledgethat.Sesot
hoser e
l
eseny oakamolomol eloki
swaka
molomo( amouthcandest r
oyand
fi
x),
allhehadtodowast oapol
ogise.
He'stheonewi t
hpr i
demoh.Notme! "

Thapel
o:"
Pu-
..
"

Me: "Noabuti
!Iam donetal
ki
ngabout
this.Actual
l
yletmejustgotobed.
Kopangwana. "IgotupandItookt
he
sleepingChulufr
om hisarms.
"
Goodni
ght
.

Them:
"Ni
ght
."

Iwentst
rai
ghttomyroom.It
ucked
Chul
uin,Ichangedi
ntomypajamas
andgoti
nunderthecover
swit
hmy
baby.
Myt houghtstr
ail
edbackt othe
conversat
ionIhadwi t
hSi v
uy i
leafew
minutesago.Thener v
ehehad
expecti
ngmet oforgivehim and
for
getaboutev er
ythi
ngwi thouthim
evenaskingformyf orgi
veness.This
i
st hesamet hi
ngAsenat hi
'sbrothers
wantedfr
om her
!Iguesst
hiski
ndof
behavi
ourrunsi
nthefami
l
y.

○
18MONTHSLATER

°
•BOI
TUMELO•
°

Thisisi
t!ThemomentI '
vebeen
waiti
ngfor,
forthepast2months.
HereIam wear i
ngawhite
dress,
waiti
ngtowalkdowntheaisle
towedt heloveofmylif
e.2years
agoIthoughtIwasdonewi t
h
l
ove,
butIguessl
ovewasn'
tdonewi
th
measy et
.

"Tumi,
it
'st
imet
ogo.
"It
ookadeep
breat
h.

Me:
"Let
'sdot
his.
"

Zee:
"Let
'shopethesecondt
imewi
l
l
beacharm."Il
aughed.

Me:"
Ibel
iev
et hethi
rdonei
sa
char
m."Shelaughed.
Zee:"
Hel
lno!Youcan'
tgot
hrough
thi
sagai
n."

Me:
"Youar
eright,t
histi
mei
t'
sgoi
ng
t
oworkoutperfect
ly.
"

Zint
le:
"Notnecessar
il
yperfect
ly,
becausey ouknowmar r
iagesarenot
perf
ect."

Me:"
noneedtotel
lmeaboutt
hat
,I
knowthatv
erywel
l.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.

Zi
ntl
e:"
Youl
ookst
unni
ng.
"Ismi
l
ed.
"Whowoul dhavethoughtthatyou
wouldhavethisbeauti
fulfai
ryt
ale
weddingthatwealway sspokeabout
befor
eme?Phel awenay ouwere
afr
aidofboys,Ieventhoughtyou
weregoingtogetmar ri
edattheage
of30."

Me:
"Iwasn'
tthatbad.
"

Zint
le:
"Ohhplease!Youusedtorun
awayev er
yti
meaboyappr oached
you.
"

Me:
"That
'snott
rue.
"
Zintl
e:"
Itis.RememberThoriso?
"I
couldn'
thel pbutl
aughasIremember
runningawayf rom hi
m bef
orehe
couldev ensay'Hel
lo'

Me:
"Hewasi
nmat
ri
candIwasi
n
Gr
ade8!
"

Zint
le:
"Chi
ld!Don'
tl
etmeremi ndyou
aboutallt
heotherboy
s,pl
ease."We
l
aughed.

Me:
"Okay
,youar
eri
ght
.Iwasaf
rai
d
ofguy
sbackt
hen.
"

Zint
le:
"Andlookatyounow,al
ldol
led
upandl ooki
ngamazing,r
eadytowed
yourdream man."Ibl
ushed.

Me:"Youknowaf t
erwhathappened,I
vowednevertowalkdowntheaisle
everagai
n.ButhereIam,
doingit
again.
"

Zint
le:"
Itol
dyouthatl
ovewasn't
donewi thyouasyet
.Justbecause
youhadonebadexper i
enceina
marriage,
doesn'
tmeanyoushould
gi
veuponi
t.
"

Me: "Iwasbr
oken.
..Iwasn'
treal
l
y
l
ov ed.Theonlyt
hingthatwascared
aboutwaswhatIwasbr i
ngi
ngont he
table."

Zint
le:
"Ngaphahewant
edbabi
esand
youwer enotr
eady
."

Me:
"Ey
yydon'tbri
ngbackol
d
memori
es,
please.
"

"
Knock!Knock!Ti
met
ogol
adi
es.
"
Zi
ntl
e:"Letmegot otheot
her
br
idesmai ds.Youl
ookgor
geous
br
ide!"

Me:
"Sodoy
oumai
dofhonour
."

Zintl
e:"
Ohsnap!Ihopetheki
dsar
e
sti
lll
ookinggood,
youknowhow
thoserascal
sare.
"

Me:
"Especi
all
yTJ.
"

Zi
ntl
e:"
Don'
tremi
ndmeaboutt
hat
one, t
heonlythinkhegotf r
om us
fatherishi
slooks.Hei sso
problemati
c.Thami '
smot hersai
d
Thami wasnot hingl
ikethatgrowi
ng
up"

Me:"Hecopi
edt
helooks,
butnothi
s
behavi
our.
"Wel
aughed

Thabang:
"Haibo!Nako
bathong!
(Ti
me!)"Heshout
edf
rom
outsi
de.

Me:
"MrPunt
cual
isher
e."
Zintl
e:"
Letmegobeforehemurder
s
us."Sherushedt
othedoorand
opened."Sorr
yaboutt
hat.
"

Thapel
o:"
Nowwedon'
thaveti
meto
gi
veherourownpept
alk.
"Zi
ntl
e
l
aughed

Zi
ntl
e:"
I'
m sor
ry,
yoh.
"Shewal
ked
away.

Thabo:"
Wow!Punki
e,y
oul
ook
st
unning."Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
"Thanky
oubr
other
."

Thabang:
"Mom woul
dbesoproudt
o
seeyouinthi
sbi
gwhitedr
ess.
"

Me:"Def
ini
tel
y.Ir
ememberhow
happyandproudshewasonBontl
e'
s
weddingday.
"Ibli
nkedawayt
he
tear
s.

Thapel
o:"Hey
y,t
hisisahappyday
.No
tear
splease.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Me:"Not ears.Idon'twantrui
nmy
makeupbef orethedayevenends."I
fannedmyey es."Ri
ght!Ar
eyouready
todot hisfort hesecondti
me
brothers?"

Thabang:
"Wewer ebor
nr eady.Ev
en
whenwedoi tforthet
hirdti
mewe
wil
lsti
l
lbeready."Welaughed

Thabo:
"Thatwasunnecessar
y."

Me:
"Yeahno,
ther
ewon'
tbeat
hir
d
t
ime.
"
Thapel
o:"
Please!
"Il
aughed.

Me:
"Wher
e'sabut
iLi
zwi
?"

Thabang:
"He'
ssu-
..
."

"
Sor
ryIam l
ate!
"Ismi
l
edwhi
l
erol
l
ing
y
m eyes.

Me:
"Asal
way
s."

Li
zwi
:
"Kopanodi
dn'
twantmet
oleav
e
herwit
hhermom. "Kopanoi
sthei
r
sonthatt
heyadopted.

Me:
"Hei
ssuchadaddy
'sboy
."

Li
zwi
:
"Youknowi
t.
"

Me:
"Let
sdot
hisboy
s!"

Thabang:"
boyskemang?
(Whoar
e
boys?)"Il
aughed

Me:
"YouknowwhatImean.
"
-
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

Thegr oup047st artedperformi

ng
thei
rhitsong' Wen'ungowam' asI
walkeddownt heaislewit
hmy
brothers.Iwassoner vous,myheart
wasbeat i
ngfastandmypal mswer e
sweat y.Ihel
dont i
ghttothebouquet
andsmi l
edasIremember edthatI
am notwal ki
ngalone.Lizwi and
Thabangwer ewalkinginfrontof
me,whi l
eThaboandThapel owere
walkingbehindme.
Whenwegot ot
heendoft
he
ai
sle,
theyal
lgav
emehugsbefor
e
goi
ngt
osi
tatt
hei
rrespect
iveseat
s.
Ilookedathim andsmil
ed,hebli
nked
awayt hetear
swi t
hasmileonhis
face.Thatwasjustconf
ir
mationthat
myhear tneeded,t
hiswasdefi
nit
elyi
t!

Hi
m:"Ar
eyoureadyt
odot hi
sone
moreti
mewit
hme? "Inodded.

Me:
"Iwasbor
nready
."

Hi
m:"
Ilov
eyouBoi
tumel
oMokoena!
"

Me:
"Il
ovey
oumor
eSi
vuy
il
eDl
ami
ni.
"
Si
vuy
il
e:"
Let
sdot
his!
"
Wet ur
nedandf
acedt
hepast
orhand-
i
n-hand.
•
•
•
•
•

THEOFFI
CIALEND!
!