PalesaMokwenaisa20y earoldthir

dyearnursing
studentatWit
suniv
ersi
ty,shei
saj obur
gborngi rl
fr
om Dav ey
tonandhasrecentl
ymov edfrom t
he
apartmentshewasrent
inginParktowntoMalv ern,
Jules.
Onherfir
stdayinherapar t
mentshehearsgunshot
s
comingfrom outsideandmi nut
eslat
er,
ast r
ange
woundedmancamet oherdooraski
ngforherhel
p,
theMansl eptov
erbutwhenshewokeupi nthe
morninghewasn' tthere.
Ihopeyouwi
l
lenj
oyPalesa'
sJour
neyasshef
inds
l
oveinsomanyst
rangeways.
PleaseLi
keandShar
eThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
feby
ZamaNdl ov
u
[
11/
6,12:
59]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Iheardaknockonmydoor ,
Ipull
edmybl ankett o
myf acebecauseIdon' tl
iketobedi sturbedonmy
beaut ysleep" PalesaIknowt hatyouawake, whydi d
youlockt hi
sdoor ?
"Thatwasmymom cal l
ingf rom
outside,mymom i sreall
yamor ningper son
somet imesi t'
si r
rit
ati
ngbecausewhenshei sawake,
shewant sev eryonetowakeup, "Palesawakeup,
I'
m notgonnacal lagai
n"sheshout ed, Ithrewt he
blanketangr il
yandopenedt hedoor"Mom doy ou
reall
yhav et owakemeup, atthi
st i
me?"GeezMom
whyar eyouf ighti
ng?","Didyoupackal lyourcl othes?
CozIseey ourclothesont hewashingl ine"',Shit!
Mom t ol
dmet opackal l
mycl ot
hest woday sago
butIdi dn'tpackcozIhadl aundry,y
est erdayIdi dal l
myl aundr ybutIki ndofforgottotakei tfrom t heline.
Iam notal aundryper sonandmymom knowsi tbut
shekeepsonpushi ngmet odomyownl aundr y,
todayIam goi ngbackt oVar sit
y,t
hisyearI'm doing
myt hirdyeari
nnur singatWi tsuniver
sit
y .School i
s
starti
ngintwoday st hat'swhyIhav etoleavet oday
andcheckoutmynewr oom thatIf
oundi nJozi .I
quicklyrushedoutsideandIpackedev erythi
ngt hatI
willneed.
"Don'tfor
gett hetabl
eclothes"Mom said,"Ipacked
thati
nthepi nkbagMa".Myl itt
lesi
sterwashelping
mewi ththepacking,she'
ssuchawonder fulsoul
,
she'l
lbeingr ade10thisyearbutsheknowsmor e
thanIdo,thesekidsgrowupt oofast
.
Ihaveabi gbrotherwhoisabankmanager ,
mymom
i
sagr adesev enteacherandmydadwor ksata
l
ocal muni ci
palit
y,myf amil
yisnott hatbigandwe
arenotr i
chbutwecanaf f
ordwhat everwewantt o
buybutsi nceI '
m goingbacktoschool thi
ngsare
reall
ytoughcozIhadt olookf oranotherplaceto
stay,Ifoundar oom inJules,Malvernt hati
s
affordableandIdi dn'
thesit
ate,Ij
ustt ookitwit
hina
bli
nkofaney e.
"Yourbr
otherwi
ll
dropyouaty
ournewpl
ace,i
t'
s
monthendintwoweeksmybabywewil
lsendyou
money"Mom sai
dlooki
ngatme.
Me:"Don'
twor
ryMa,asl
ongasIwon'
tgot
obedon
anemptyst
omach"
MyBrot
hercameandwest
art
edt
aki
ngt
hebagst
o
hi
scar.
Si
phiwe:
"Geezsomanybags,
arey
ousur
ethaty
ou
wi
llcomebackhome?"
Me:
"ComeonSphi
we"
Sphi
we:"
Thesebagsar
eheav
y,y
oucar
ryt
hisone
cozi
twon'
tfi
there"
Itooki tandIhuggedmymom andmybabysi s,Ifel
t
soemot ionalleavi
ngt hem, Iwasr eall
yenj oyingmy
holi
day sIwasn' treadyt ogobackt oschool ,thecar
drovef rom Dav eyt
ont oMal vern,i
taf ortyfive
minut esdr i
ve,Iwasher elastweekt ocheckt his
room andi thoughtitwascool ,Ipay edfori tandI
mov edmyf urnitur
ef r
om mypr eviousflatwhi chi s
nothingmuch, j
ustabed, cupboard, st
ov e,heat er,
wardr obe,twopot sandt wopl ates.Wet ookt he
bagsandgoti
nsi
demynewr
oom.
"I
tscosyher
e"MyBrot
hersai
dput
ti
ngt
hebaghe
washoldi
ngontopoft
hebed.
Me:"It
hinkIneedacouch"
Sphiwe:
"Andaf
ri
dgel
i
lsi
s,y
oucan'
tal
way
seat
cornedmeat
"
Me:
"I'
vebeeneat
ingt
hatf
ort
hepastt
woy
ear
s"
Sphi
we: "I
'
llt
ryt
obuyy
ouoneev
eni
fit
'sasecond
handfr
idge"
Me: "Ncoot hanky oubigbr o."Isaidhugginghi m.We
wentt othenear estshopandboughtt akeaway s,we
ateandhehel pedmeunpackedmywar drobe, my
brotheristhesweet estper sonev er,
hei sthreey ears
ol
dert hanmebuty oucan' tsaybecausewear ev er
y
cl
ose, weshar eeveryt
hingwi t
heachot her.Hel eft
andIwasl eftalone.Itookmyl aptopandwat cheda
mov ieuntilIfell
asleep, t
hef oll
owingdayIwentt o
Shopr i
teforsomel i
ttl
egr oceryshopping.Ididn' t
bothertakingoutt hethingsIbought ,Isatonmybed
pl
ay i
ngwi thmyphone, Iheardagunshotf ollowedby
many ,Igotscar edandl ockedmydoorbutatl east
myr oom isinthebackbutt
heotherpartofmewas
real
lyscared.Aft
ermaybetenminutes,
thegunshot
s
stopped,Iheardsomethi
ngpushingmydoor,maybe
i
t'swindbutFlashBackshi
tme,thegunshots!
Iheardapersonbreathinginpai
n, Iwantedtoopen
thedoorbutIwasr eal
lyscared,
Iwant edtosee
whatorwhoi twas,Islowlymovedt othedoorandI
openedthedoorjustsomyr i
ghtey ecouldseewhat
wasthat,amanwasl yi
ngthereleaningonmydoor .
Iopenedthedoor.
.
.
.
Hi
m:"
Please,
hel
pmegeti
nsi
de"
Helpyougetinsidewhere?Il
ookedathi m andI
couldf
eelhi
spai n,Ihel
pedhim getinsi
demyr oom,
i
t'
sthefir
stti
mei nmyuniver
sit
ylif
ehav i
nga
str
angeri
nmyr oom.
Hi
m:"Cl
eant
hebl
oodout
side"
Thener
vesoft
hisguy
,Ij
ustst
aredathi
m.
Him:"Ifyoudon'
tcl
eanthatbl
oody
ouwi
ll
bein
tr
ouble,hav
en'
tyouseenamanwhohasbeenshot
befor
e?"
Me:
"No"
Hi
m:"
Good,
nowgocl
eant
hatbl
ood"
Iwasi r
ri
tat
edbutIhadnochoicebuttot
akea
broom, wat
erbucketandcl
eanthatbl
ood.I
ttookme
l
esst hanfi
veminutestocl
eanitt
hanIcameback
i
nside.
Me:
"OhmyGod!Thebl
ood!Thebl
oodi
s-.
."
Hi
m:"What
?,y
ou'
venev
erseenbl
oodbef
ore?Get
mewat
erandacl
eancl
oth.
"
Thi
smani ssodemandi
ng,
hedoesn'
tev
enknowt
he
word"
Please"
Me:"
No,ImeanNoyouneedahospit
al,
I'
m cal
l
ing
anambul
ancenow,
Godyouarel
osingtoomuch
bl
ood.
"
Hi
m:"No,
doasIsay
".
Me:"Iam sor
rybutyouneedtogotot
hecli
nic,
hospi
tal
ortothedoctor
,losi
ngt
hatmuchbl
oodi s
notgoodf
ory
ourheal
th"
Isai
dtohi
m shaki
ng
Hi
m:"Areyoudone?,
nowl
ookatmeanddoasIsay
,
st
opshaki
ng.Isai
dgi
vemeacl
othandwat
er,
Now!"
.
Me:
"I-
..Ihaveafi
rstai
dki
tmay
bet
heahh,
thi
ngsi
n
t
her
emi ghthel
p"
Isai
dopeni
ngmywar
drobeandt
ookoutt
hebox.
Hi
m: "Thebul
l
etdi
dn'
tgetinsi
de,
itj
usthi
tme,
so
j
ustcleant
hewoundand-
..
"
Me:
"Iknowwhatt
odoI
'
m anur
singst
udent
".
Iputonmypl ast
icglovesfi
rstthanIcl
eanedhis
wound, hewasinpainsbuthet ol
dmet ocleani
t
withoutthi
nki
ngthatI'
m hurt
inghim,Iputthe
ointmentinhi
swoundt hanIclosedit,
Ipacked
everyt
hingandIgavehimt hepainkil
l
ers.
Hefellasleeponmybed, Ididn'
tknowhowt owake
him up,Iwasev enscaredt owakehim.Itookthe
twoext r
abl anketsthatIhav eonmywar drobeand
l
ayedt hem neat l
yont hefloorformetosleep,Iwas
scared,Ididn'twanttosleep.Thismanscar edme
andI '
m ev enregretti
ngwhyIopenedmydoorf or
him, Idon' tknowhowIf ellasleepbutmyal arm
wokemeupandwhenIcheckedmybedhewasn' t
there,thener vesst art
edkickingin,thedoorwasn't
l
ocked, Icheckedmywal l
et,phoneandmycl othesi
t
wasal l thereuntouched.Inot icedsomet hi
ngont op
ofmyl aptop, anoteandmoney ,Icountedthe
moneyi twasR3600t henot ewaswr it
teninZulu"I
am sor ryf oryest
er day'
stroubleandf orrui
ningyour
blanketwi thmybl ood,takethismoneyandbuy
yourselfanewbl anket .
"
Whothehell
doeshethinkhei
s,hef
ail
edt osaya
si
mple"Pl
ease"l
astni
ghtandnowhedidn'teven
Wri
tea"Thankyou".
.It
hrewthenot
eont hefl
oor.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
[
11/
6,13:
02]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

TodayI
'
m R3600r i
cher
,I'
vebeenhesi
tati
ngabout
thi
smoneybutsomehowIthi
nkIdeserveitIhel
ped
thatguyandheev ensl eptonmybed, noonehas
eversleptonmybedev enbackhomeIdon' tshar e
mybedwi thany one.Cl assesar ecommenci ngt oday
butmyf ir
stcl asswi llst ar tathal fonet hatmeansI
stil
lhav eenought imet obuymy sel fanewcouch, I
cleanedt her oom andwentout sidet oshower ,wel l
wher eI'mr entingt here'sabi ghouseandr oomsat
theback, I'm stayingi noneoft hoser ooms, toilets
andshower sar efort hepeopl ewhoar est ayingi n
thebackr oomsar eout si dewedon' tshar eitwi th
peoplewhoar est ayingi nsidet hehouse.If i
ni shed
myshowerandwentbackt omyr oom, Iwor emy
boy f
ri
endJean, vanst akki esandawhi tev est, Itied
myFoxl ocksi nabunandt ookev erythingIneeded
notfor getti
ngmyst udentcar d,It ookat axitot own
andIwentt ofairpr i
cef ur ni
tureshopt obuyacouch,
ItookaR900couchandt hankGodt her e'
sa
cheaperf ridget hatisR1999Ipai dfort hoset hings
andal solef tR200f ort ranspor t.
Me:"Her
e'smyaddressbutIwon'
tbear
oundunt
il
l
et'
ssayaround4"
.
Sal
esguy
:"Nopr
obl
em,
theywi
l
lcomeanddel
i
ver
around5,
I'
ll
tel
lthem t
ocal
lyouf
ir
stbef
oret
hey
comet oy
ourpl
ace".
Me:
"Okt
hanky
ou"
.
Il
eftt
hefurni
tur
eshop, Ir
ememberedthatIf
orgotto
eatmybreakf
ast,IboughtanAppl
eandbananat han
IwenttoGhandit
ot akeabustoschool
.
School
wasn'
tthatbadandevent
houghcl
asses
commencedtodayIal
readyf
eell
i
keI'
mthreeweeks
behi
ndmyschoolwork.
Thecouchandf
ri
dgewasdel
i
veredandmypl
ace
l
ookedsomuchbett
erandmorehomel
y.
.
.
.
Myl i
fewast hesame, school andthenhome, Iwas
nowusedt omynewpl aceandst arti
ngtol i
keit,my
previ
ousapar t
mentwasaf latandi twasv ery
expensi
vebutatl eastIwasshar ingther enteven
thoughmyr oommat ewashear tl
ess, shewaseat ing
myf oodsomet i
messhewi l
l notpayr entandt hat
wil
lalwaysbeonmet hat'
swhyIdecidedtol
ookfor
aoner oom t
orentandIdon'tneedanyr
oommate,
sor
ry.Myphoner anganditwasmom.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Mom:"Hel
l
omybaby
,ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?,y
ousoundso
down"
.
Mymom t
hough
Me: "I
'm al
ri
ghtMa,I
'mjustt
ir
ed,
ther
e'sal
otof
schoolwork,Iwasbusywit
hanat
omywheny ou
cal
led.How'sever
yoneathome"
Mom: "Every
onei
sgood,
yourdadgotthej
obt
hehe
appli
edforsowearemor
ethanhappy,
heiswavi
ng
atyou".
MyDadwor ksatthel
ocal municipali
tysowhent
he
postsatDepartmentofagricult
urecameout ,
he
tookthechanceandappliedf orthatpost.
Me:"Real
l
y?That
'sgoodnewsMa,
tel
lhi
mI'
m
pr
oudofhim"
.
Mom:
"Idon'
thaveenoughair
time,wewi
l
lcal
lyou
t
omor
row,t
akecareofyour
selfdear
".
Me:
"OkMa,
sayhi
toev
ery
one.Il
ovey
ou"
.
Ithanhungup,Imi
ssmyfami
lysomuchbutIdon'
t
haveachoice,
Ihav
etobeher
e.
°
°°°
°°°
°
.
.
.
.
I
thasbeent hreeweekssi nceschool st
art
edandI
havelotofwor k.Iwokeupf reshenupt henIwore
myblackshor tjumpsui t,whiteallstaranddenim
j
acket,Ilef
tmyl ocksl oose,Ihav ethemostbeautif
ul
bodytrustme, li
ghtincompl exionandIal wayskeep
myhai rnatural,Iam notaweav eperson.I
'ma
brai
ds,Foxl ocks, st
raightbackki ndagirl
,well
I'
m
notsay i
ngther e'
sany thingwr ongwi thweavesbutI
feel
mor ecomf ortableinbraids.
Thebusal waysl
eavesmef i
veminutesawayfr
om
school,
justwhenIgotoutofthebus,awhit
e
quantum taxi
wastherei
nthebusst op,
theguyi
n
t
her
ecall
edmeandIj
usti
gnor
edhi
m mxm st
upi
d
t
axi
dri
vers.
Hi
m:"
SawubonaNt
ombi
".
Ij
ustlookedathi
m andconti
nuedwal
king,Wi
tshas
hotguys,ver
yhotguys.HowcanIent
ertai
nataxi
dri
ver
?
Hi
m:"LookIdon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
his,
Itr
iedt
obe
ni
ce,
geti
nthecar"
.
Me:
"Don'ttouchme!
,whot
hehel
lar
eyou?Leav
e
mealone"
.
Hi
m: "Getinthatcarbef
oreIam f
orcedt
otakey
ou
t
heremy sel
f"
.
Me:
"Leav
emyhandorel
seIwi
l
lscr
eam"
.
Hi
m:"Okl
et'
sdot
hist
hehar
dway
"'
Hehel dmelikeababy,Istart
edkicki
ngand
punchinghim buthedi
dn'tfeelanypai
n,Ibi
thimin
hischestandhegotmor eangr y.Hegotmeinsi
de
thetaxiandIscreamedmyl ungsout.
Him:"
Shutthef
uckupwomen,l
ookifIwant
edtokil
l
youIwoul
dhavedonei
tthr
eeweeksback,l
ongago".
Me:"Whatdoyoumeanthr
eeweeksback?
,hav
e
youbeenf
oll
owingme?
".
Hi
m:"Youdon'
tknowany
thi
ngnowshutup"
.
Iam notgoingt oshutup,i
fheisgoi ngtokidnapor
ki
llmeletmedi eknowingthatIfoughtformy sel
f,I
havemyr ightsandtodayIfeelli
kemyr ight
sar e
bei
ngv i
olated,Iam goi
ngtoannoyt hi
sguyunt i
lhe
deci
destosendmebackt oschool .
Me:"Doyouknowthatwhaty
ouaredoi
ngnowisa
ver
ybigcr
ime,y
oucanbechargedf
orki
dnappi
ng"
.
Hi
m:"
I'
m notscar
edofpol
i
ce,
Idon'
tgetar
rest
ed"
Me:"Sot
hatwhaty
oualway
sdo?Ki
dnappi
ngy
oung
gi
rl
sandgetawaywit
hit
?"
Hi
m: "I
fthat
'swhatIdo,y
ouwouldn'
tbeonmyl
i
st,
t
herearemanyhotgirl
souther
e".
What ?Didhej ust,
ohwai thesai
dI'm nothot ,Iam
hot,beautif
ul,hecan'tkidnapmeandt hant el
lme
I'
m nothot ,whothehel lishetotel
lmet hat?Iwas
annoy ed,
Ist ar
tedsingingapr e-
school l
ulabythatI
usedt osingwi t
hmyl i
ttl
esist
erwhenshewas
y
oung.
Me:"
Dumpty,Dumptysatonthewall
,Dumpt
y,
Dumptyhadagreatf
all
,al
lthe-
..
."
.
Hestoppedt
hecaront
hesi
deoft
her
oadand
poi
ntedagunatme.
Hi
m: "Shutt
hehel
lupbef
oreIdosomet
hingIwi
l
l
r
egretl
ater
".
Ididn'
twaitforhi
mt osayi
tagain,
Ikeptqui etand
l
ookedatt hecarspassi
ng,t
earswer er
unningdown
myf ace,
Icouldn'
tholdmysel
fIcri
edal ot.Thecar
stoppedandhet ol
dmet ogetout,Igotoutand
foll
owedhimi nabondhouse,t
hehousei sbeaut i
ful
butnotbig.
Hi
m:"Gostrai
ghtt
hepassage,y
ou'l
lseet
hef
ir
st
r
oom onyourri
ghtandgeti
nthere"
.
If
oll
owedhisorder
sandwentt ot
hatroom, aman
waslyi
ngonthebed,faci
ngtheot
herside,hehear
d
mecomi ngi
nI'
m surecozhestar
tedspeaking.
Hi
m:"Ohyouareher
e,good.Opent
hatdr
awerand
t
akeoutt
hefi
rstai
dkitt
here"
.
OhmyGod!I t
'sthatguy,theguythatIhel
pedthe
otherday.Iopenedthedr awerandtookouttheki
t
andIjuststoodtherelookingathi
m.
Him:"
Wemanagedtotaket
hebul
l
etoutsoal
lyou
havet
odoi
scloset
hiswound"
.
Me:
"Whodoy
out
hinkIam,
yourpuppet
?".
Hi
m: "Idon'
tcar
eaboutwhoy
ouar
e,cl
oset
his
wound".
Me:"Idon'
twantt
o,y
oucankil
lmeanddumpmei n
t
heBusht obeeat
enbydogsIdon'
tcar
ebutIdon'
t
wantto"
.
Hi
m: "Thedogswoul
dn'
tcomeneary
ouev
enf
ora
bi
tenowdoasIsay".
Theseguysarear
rogant
,rudebuthot
,Idon'
tknow
whyI'm ev
ensayi
ngtheyarehotbutr
eall
ytheyar
e
hot.
Me:
"Idon'
tknowhowt
ocl
oseawound,
sor
ry"
Hi
m:"
Youar
eanur
se-
..
"
Me:
"Ast
udentnur
senotadoct
or"
.
Hi
m:"
Closet
hiswoundandst
opbei
ngsost
ubbor
n".
.
.
.
.
Hisv oi cescaredme, Iputont hegl ovesthanI
star t
eddoi ngsomet hingt hatI'venev erdonebef ore,
Iclosedt hatsmal lbull
ethol epr ettywellandIgav e
him pai nki l
l
ers.Iwentout sidet olookf ortheguy
whobr oughtmeher ebuthewasn' thereandt he
gat ewasl ocked, t
hewal li
ssohi ghev enifIwantt o
escapeIwon' t.Istayedout sidest ari
ngatmyphone,
Ithoughtofcal l
ingmyf amilybutwhati fI'
llputthem
i
ndanger ,noIcan' tdot hat,Iplayedwi thmyphone
unt i
lthebat terydied.Thegat eopenedandt hetaxi
camei nwiththreeguy si nside.Theypassedmeand
didn'tsayany thingasi fI'
mi nvisible,t
enmi nut es
l
at ert heguyt hatIjusthel pedwal kedoutasi f
not hinghappened, hewasn' tinanypai n.
Hi
m: "Taket
hismoney
,Sanel
ewi
l
ldr
opy
out
oyour
pl
ace".
Me:"Idon'
tneedy
ourst
upi
dmoney
,openthi
sgat
e
andl
etmegohome, Iwi
l
lgoonmyown".
Hest
aredatmeasi
fI'
m cr
azyGodhei
shot
.
Hi
m:"Ar
eyoudone?
"
Iopenedmymout
handcl
osedi
tagai
n
Him:"Good,i
fyoudon'
tneedt
hismoneyi
t'
sfi
ne,
Sanel
e!Takeherhome"
Hesai
dthatl
ooki
ngatmest
rai
ghti
nmyey
es,
Ifelttearscomi ngoutandIl efthim standingt her
e
andgoti nsidethetaxi,theguywhobr oughtmeher e
whoIassumei sSanelet ookmehome.Igott omy
placeandt hrewmy sel
finmybedandcr i
ed, my
phonebeepedt wotimes, t
hef i
rstmessagewasR5
000deposi tedinmyaccountandt her eferencewas
wr i
tten"Servicesrendered"andt hesecond
messagewasf rom anunknownnumberwr i
tten"
Stopbei ngsost ubbornPal esaandt aket hemoney ,I
hopey ouarri
vedsaf el
y".
.Whatam Igoi ngt odowi th
thisHotguyandhowt hehel ldidhegetmyaccount
number ,
nameandphonenumber ?
Myheartstar
tedbeati
ngfast
,Ical
ledthenumber
buti
tsaid"Thenumbery ouhavedial
eddoesnot
exi
st"
..
.Whot hehel
li
st hi
sguy?
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e.
.
.
Pl
easeLikemyot
herpage"TheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane"
[
11/
6,13:
02]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

YesterdayImissedmycl assbutatl eastIhadonly

one,thisthi
ngisreall
ydisturbi
ngmebutIwi llt
ryt
o
focusonmyschool work,ItookmyI Dcardandwent
tothebankt owithdrawmoney ,Icoul
dn'twit
hdraw
i
nt heATM becausemyl imitisR1500It ookthe
moneyandwentt oMTNt axi r
ank,Isearchedfort
he
queuet aximarshalandIfoundhi m.
Me:"Sor
rysi
r,Iam sor
ryt
odi
stur
byouIam l
ooki
ng
f
orSanel
e".
Hi
m:"Sanel
eWho?
".
Me:"Ahh,Idon'
tknowhi
ssur
namebuthedr
ivesa
whi
tequantum t
axi"
.
Him:"Wedon'tknowmostoft
hedriver
sher
eby
thei
rnames,wealway
srememberthem byt
he
numberpl
atesofthet
axi
'st
heydr
ive".
Me:
"What
?".
Him:"Gethi
snumberplat
ethanIwi
l
lbeabl
etohel
p
you,
areyouhisgi
rl
fr
iendor
?"
Me:
"Nev
ermi
ndwhoIam,
thanky
ouf
ory
ourhel
p".
Iam verystupidmay behei snotev enher e,t
her
eare
manyt axirankshereint own.Iwentbackt oCarl
ton
centr
eanddeposi t
edt hemoney ,itwasr eal
lyst
upid
ofmet owal karoundwi tht hishugeamountof
money ,IwenttoGhandi tot akeabust oschool
,
schoolwasj ustnormal aftermycl assesIwentt o
KG'splace,KagisoistheguyIgotal ongwi t
honmy
fi
rstyearandsincet henwehav ebeenf ri
ends.We
tr
iedtodatebutwebr okeup, ourrel ati
onshipdi
dn't
workout ,
wewer en'
tmadef oreachot herbutwe
conti
nuedbei ngfri
ends.
Kagi
so:
"Heybeaut
if
ul"
.
Me:
"Imi
ssedy
ou"
.
Isai
dhuggi
nghi
m
Kagi
so:"Whydi
dyoul
eav
epar
ktown?Thi
spl
acei
s
sobori
ngwit
houty
ou"
.
Me:"Andv
eryexpensi
ve,
I'
m hungr
ywhatdoy
ou
hav
ehere?"
.
Kagiso:"Checkinthefr
idgeI'
m sureyouwil
lfi
nd
somet hi
ngorlet
'scook,Imissyourcooki
ngeven
thoughyouarelazytocook".
Me:"Ican'
tremembert
helastti
meIcookedinmy
newplace,
Ialway
seatnoodlesorj
ustf
orgett
oeat
".
Westartedchoppingandwecookedpap, spi
nach
andgril
l
edchicken.Weat eandwewat chedmovi
es,
Iwantedtotel
lhim aboutthemyst
eri
oushotguybut
Kagi
soi sver
yoverprotecti
veofme,hedoesn'
twant
anyt
hingthatwil
lhurtormakemecr y.
Kagi
so:
"Pl
easesl
eepov
er,
Imi
ssedy
ou"
.
Me:
"Iwasn'
tgonnal
eav
e,i
t'
slat
enow"
.
.
.
.
.
West ayedunt i
llat
e,catchi
ngupandwat chi ng
ChicagoMed, Kagi
sost aysinaonebedr oom f l
at,
weshar edthesamebedwi t
hnof eeli
ngsat t
ached,
that'showst rongourf ri
endshi
pis,thefollowingday
IwokeandIwor emyJeanandKagi so'
sr edbat
j
acketandIwentt oattendmycl ass,onFr iday'
sI
hav et woclasses.AthalfpasttenIwasdonewi th
mycl assesandIwentt othebusstopwai ti
ngforthe
bust oar ri
ve.Thepolicecarcameandpar kedin
frontofusandt hedriverwasthatrudehotguyt hatI
sav edt wi
ce.
Hi
m:"Hel
l
oPal
esa"
.
Il
ookedar oundandal l
thest udentswerelookingat
him,Iignor
edhim andcont inuedpressi
ngmyphone,
hegotoutoft hecar,wearinghisfull
policeunifor
m,
i
tsuitshim perf
ectl
yandt hewayhewal ksIthinkhe
knowshowbeaut i
fulheis.Hest oodinfrontofme.
Hi
m:"
Soy
ounotgonnat
alkt
ome?
".
Me:
"Idon'
ttal
ktost
ranger
s,nowgo"
.
Hi
m:"Ok,
sui
tyour
sel
f"
.
Andhewalkedbacktothecar,Whatt
he?Thisguy
i
sav er
ystupi
darroganthotasshol
ehedoesn'
teven
begme,Ican'
tbel
ievehim
Hi
m:"St
opbei
ngababyandgeti
nthecar
,Ihav
e
wor
ktodo"
.
Idon'tknowwhybutIf
oll
owedhi
mtot
hecarand
gotin.
Hi
m:"
Wast
hathar
d".
Me:"Thepeopl
ewerelooki
ngt
hat
'swhyIgoti
n,
don'
tfeel
sospeci
al"
.
Hehal
flaughedandl
ookedt
heot
herway
Him:"
Youknow,
Nowomenhaseverspokentome
thewayy
oudoMbal
enhl
e,y
ounev
erceaset o
amazeme".
Me:"IseethatNooneshoty
out
hist
ime,
whyar
e
youhere?
".
Him:"Youaretheonewhoisinmycar
,soIshoul
d
betheonetoaskyouthatwhyar
eyouhere"
.
Me:
"Youcal
l
edmeher
e".
Hi
m:"Idi
dn'
tfor
cey
ou"
.
Me:"What
?St
opthecarnow,
Iwantt
ogetout
,I
knowmywayhome".
Him:"Theyalwayssaywomenar
esodr
amat
ic,
but
youareworse".
Hest
oppedi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
her
oad
Hi
m:"
Ify
ouwantt
ogo,
go"
.
.
.
.
.
Ij
ustl
ookedathi
m,t
hisguyi
ssounbel
i
evabl
e
Hi
m: "Ohwel
l,Idi
dn'
tthi
nksonowshutupandlet
metakeyouhome..Wheredi
dyousl
eeplastni
ght
?".
Me:
"Whot
hehel
lar
eyout
oaskmet
hat
?".
Hi
m:"Mi
ndyourl
anguagewhental
ki
ngt
ome,
wher
edi
dyousl
eeplastni
ght
?".
Me:
"Home"
.
Hi
m:"Don'
tl
iet
omeMbal
enhl
e".
Hesai
dthatsof
tl
y,hi
sZul
uissodeep,
ver
ydeep.
Me:
"Mynamei
sPal
esanotMbal
enhl
e".
Hi
m:"OkMbal
enhl
enowanswerme"
.
Whatt
he?
Me:
"Isl
eptataf
ri
end'
spl
ace"
.
Hi
m:"
Mal
eorf
emal
e".
Me:
"doesi
tmat
ter
".
Him:"WhenIaskaquest
ion,
youanswer
,youdonot
askmeback".
Me:
"Mal
e"'
Hi
m:"Boy
fri
end?
".
Me: "Nonofyourbusi
ness,
whydoyouwantt
o
knowev er
ythi
ngaboutmewhenIdon'
tev
enknow
yourname?".
Hi
m:"Youhav
enev
eraskedmemyname"
.
Me:
"Whati
syourname"
.
Hi
m:"Phi
l
ani
".
Me:
"Youar
eZul
u?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"YesIam"
.
Me:
"Wher
einKznar
eyouf
rom?
".
Phi
l
ani:"Youal
readyknowtoomuchaboutme
Mbalenhl
e,nomorequest
ionsnow"
.
Me:"toomuch?Ionl
yknowy
ourname,
youar
ever
y
st
range"
.
Phil
ani:"Morethany oucanimagi
ne,wehav
e
arr
ivedatyourplace,her
etakethi
smoneyandbuy
yoursel
fgrocer
ies,youneedtoeat"
.
Me:"IdohavefoodandIdon'
tneedyourmoney
,oh
andwait
!Yourmoneyisst
il
lwait
ingf
oryou"
.
Phil
ani
:"Mbalenhlet
hemoneyi
syour
s,Ihav
emor
e
thanenough,
trustme".
Me:"Ok,
Iwil
lgi
vei
ttotheguyswhost
aysi
nthe
st
reet
scozIal
sodon'
tneedit
".
Phil
ani
:"Peopl
elikeyouar ether
easonwhyt he
Nyaoperatei
sincreasingeachandever
ydayi nthi
s
countr
ybutdowhat everyouwantwithi
t,i
t'
sy our
money,remember?".
Me:
"Youar
esoannoy
ing"
.
Hi
m: "Andy
ouareenj
oyi
ngit
,wearr
ivedatyour
pl
acefiv
eminut
esagobuty
ouaresti
l
l her
e".
If
lushedi
nembar r
assmentthi
sguymxm Idon't
ev
enknowhowt oexpl
ainhowheis,heisj
usttoo
much,Igotoutoft
hecarandclosedthedoor
Phi
lani
:"OhandMbal
enhl
eIdon'
tl
ikei
twheny
ou
sl
eeparound"
.
Hesaidt
hatandlef
t,sl
eepar
oundwhere?Whydoes
heknowsomuchaboutme.Ev eni
fIweret
oask
hi
mi twi
l
lbethesamebecausehedoesn'
tgi
veout
much.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Don'
tforgettoli
kemyot herpage"TheHi
dden
Pri
ncess-Inkosazane"
[
11/
6,13:
03]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Godthisguyi sthedeat hofme, Iwentt otheallgi

rl
s
school mywhol eli
fe, afterschool Iwoul dgot omy
tut
orforext ralessonst hat'
swher emypar ents
wouldpi ckmeup, Inev erhadasoci alli
feasthe
Kasigirl
, Ial
way sgothomel at eandonweekendsi t
wasal way sfami l
yday s,Inev erhadf r
iendsinmy
Kasi,
Ionl ygotal ongwi thgirl
sf rom mychur chand
mycousi ns.Ineverhadaboy fr
iend, Ialwaysadmire
guysfrom af ar,Kagisowast heonl yguyIki ssedand
i
twassoawkwar dki ssingeachot herbecausewe
werefriendst hat'
swhywedeci dedt oendt he
rel
ati
onshi pandcont inuebei ngf ri
endsbecausei t
waslikeIwasdat i
ngmyownbr otherandv i
saversa.
Idon'
tknowwhatar eal ki
ssf eelslike.
Phi
lani
isav er
ygoodl
ooki
ngguywit
haverystr
ange
per
sonali
ty,
someti
meswhenIthi
nkofhi
m Iget
goozebumpsbuthispersonal
i
tycompl
etel
ybl
ocks
mybeauti
ful
thoughtsofhim.
AtleastnowIknowhi snameandhi soccupati
onbut
Ithinkthere'
smor etothisguy, whywasheshotnot
oncebutt wi
ce,Pol i
cedon'talway sgetshotbecause
theyar ethelastpeopletoar r
iveinacr i
mescene.At
thi
smomentIf eelli
keIwantt oknowmor eabout
him butsomet imesIdon' t,
hehasav er
ystrange
atti
tudeandper sonali
tybutIfinditabitsexy,Iknow
Isoundcr azybutt hat'
showIf i
ndhi m"sexy".Whatif
he'saser ial
kil
lerbuthewoul dhav ealr
eadykil
led
mer i
ght?.
Whydoesn' thewantmet oknowhim,I
'm notan
i
ntruderbuthe'stheonewhostart
edi
ntrudi
ng,t
he
guyprobablyknowswhatIateandwhatIdidnoteat.
Letmej ustfocusonmystudiesandf
orgetabout
hi
m.Ihear daknockonmydoorandIwentt oopen,
i
twasPhi lanii
nhisworkunif
orm.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
'
Phil
ani
:"If
eelt
hesamet oobutIdi
dn'
thav
eany
choi
cebuttobr
ingt
his"
.
HehadaNando'spaperbag,
aboxofpi
zzaand
Checker
spl
ast
ic
Me:
"I'
m nothungr
y".
Phi
l
ani
:"Wel
lIam,
soIguessy
ouwi
l
lwat
chmeeat
".
Hedidn'twai
tformetoi
nvi
tehi
min,hetookoutthe
t
hingsthatwereint
hepl
ast
icbagandputthem i
n
t
hef r
idge
Phil
ani
:"Yourf
ri
dgei
sempt
ybuty
ousai
dyouhav
e
food"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
please"
.
Phil
ani
:"Youneedt
oeat
,don'
tar
guewi t
hme,eat
thi
sthanwearegoi
ngt
odogroceryshoppi
ng,
Don'
t
arguewit
hme".
Weat ei nsilence,
hewaswat chi
ngme, Idi
deatalot
may beit'sbecauseI'
m eatingwithsomeonecoz
whenI '
m al oneIcompletel
yloseappetit
e,we
fi
nishedeat ingandIputonmyf l
uffyspongebob
sl
eeper s,Iwaswear i
ngmygr eytr
ackpantsandand
l
ongsl eev ecroptopJersey,hewasn'tdri
vi
nga
poli
cecarbutHewasdr i
vi
nganAudi RS3,t
hedriv
e
wassi
lentbutcomfor
tabl
y,wearr
ivedatEastgat
e
andt
ookat rol
l
eytoCheckers.
Phi
lani
:"Takewhat
every
ouwant
,Ihav
esomef
ew
cal
l
st omake".
Hesaidthatandleftsuddenl
y, It
ookever
ythi
ngI
neededandaftereveryfi
vemi nuteshewouldcome
andcheckifI'
m doneornot .
Me:"Phi
l
aniwe'veonl
ybeenher
etwent
ymi
nut
es
ago,
stoprushi
ngmeorjoinme".
Phi
lani:"Joi
ny ouwher
e?Shoppi
ngisf
orwomen,
be
gl
adt hatIevencameherewit
hyou"
.
Irol
l
edmyey esathim mxm rude,ar
roganthot
bustar
d.It
ookevery
thingIneededandIcalledhi
m
whenitwasti
met opay .
"
Phi
lani
:"Getinsi
deher
eandbuyy
our
sel
fcl
othes,
I
wil
lwaither
e".
Wewer
eout
sideEdgar
s
Me:
"agreeingtotakethi
sgr
ocer
iesdoesn'
tmean
I
'myourchari
tycase"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ohwel
l
,let
'
sgot
hen.Takemynumberand
whenev
eryourunoutoft
het
hingsy
ouneed,
cal
lor
sendacal
lback"
.
Me:
"Iwon'
tnee-
..
".
Phil
ani
:"Iknowthatyouwon'
tneedany
thi
ngbut
takei
t,j
usti
ncase".
Iwr
otehi
snumber
sinmyphone.
Onet hi
ngI'
venoti
cedabouthimisthathedoesn'
t
beg,hetakeswhatevert
hefi
rstansweryougivehim,
heisav er
yseri
ousguybuthelookssoy oungI'
m
evenscaredtoaskhisage,
hedroppedmeatmy
pl
acehedi dn'
tevengeti
nsi
deorhelpmewi t
hthe
groceri
es.
°
°°°
°°°
°
.
.
.
.
I
t'
sbeentwoday
snowandIhav
en'
thear
dfr
om
Phi
lani
,
LastnightIthoughtofcal l
inghim butmypr idedidn'
t
all
owmet o..Iwokeupandgotr eadyforschool,I
feltl
ikesomeonewasf oll
owingme, Iwaitedforthe
busandi ttookmet oschool ,
Iwentbackt omy
placenotf r
ee,IfeltlikeIwasbei ngfoll
owed.The
foll
owingdayIdi dt hesameandwhenIwas
crossingthestreet,ar edGTIal mosthitme.I t
'sbeen
aweekandIseet hisGTIev erywhereIgoormay be
I'
mj ustimaginingthi ngs,i
t'
saFr idayandmy
classesareov erthanIdeci dedt ocallPhi
lani
becauseIwasst artingt ogetnervous,hepickedup
i
nt wor i
ngs.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ny
ambose,
Hel
l
o".
Me:
"Hi
,Phi
l
ani
,i
t'
smePal
esa"
.
Phil
ani
:"Doyousti
ll
havefoodorhav
eyouchanged
yourmindaboutt
heclot
hes?"
.
Me: "No,
ifyouarenotbusypleasepi
ckmeup,I
knowIsoundcr azybutacarhasbeenfol
l
owi
ngme
thi
swhole-.
..
".
Phi
lani
:"GoddammitPal
esawhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me,
whereareyounow?
".
Me:
"I'
m atschool
,scar
edt
ogoout
".
Phil
ani
:"St
ayri
ghtwher
eyouare,
don'
tgooutIwi
l
l
sendsomeonetopi
ckyouupnow".
Hedr oppedthecallandsecondsl
aterhecal
ledand
toldmet hatSanel
ewi l
lpi
ckmeup, thi
rt
yminutes
didn'
tevenpassSanel epi
ckedmeup
Sanel
e:"Wemeetagai
n,howar
eyou?
".
Me:
"Iam goodt
hanks"
.
Wedi dn'
tgotot hatBondhouse,
het ookmetothe
suburbswithfancyhousesbutal
l t
hehouseslooks
thesame, hetol
dmet omakemy sel
fcomfor
table,
a
fewmi nut
eslaterIheardvoi
ces,
itwasPhil
ani
,
Sanel
eandt hreeotherguys
Phil
ani
:"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
haty
ouar
ebei
ng
fol
l
owed? "
.
Me:
"Inev
ert
hought
-.
..
".
Phil
ani
:"Thatsyourpr
oblem Pal
esa,
youdon'
tthi
nk
ohGody ouaresostubborn,
doyouknowwhat
coul
dhav ehappenedtoyou?"
.
Hewasshout
ingatmeandt
heseguy
swer
elooki
ng
atus,Iwant
edt
oshoutbackathi
mt el
lhi
mthatI
'
m
notPalesat
ohi
m,I
'm hi
sMbalenhl
e
Me:"Butnot
hinghappened,Iam hereal
i
veandwhy
woul
dsomeonewantt ohurtme? ".
Phi
lani
:"TheKi
tcheni
sthatway
,gomakey
our
sel
f
somethi
ngtoeat"
.
Isl
owlymov edtot
heKit
chenbutIst
oodint
he
entr
ancebecauseIwant
edtohearwhatt
heywer
e
tal
ki
ngabout .
.
.
.
.
Voi
ce:
"Thi
sisamesst
hegir
lcoul
dbei
ndanger
,
di
dyougoanywher
ewi
thher
?".
Phil
ani:
"Ipi
ckedherupatschool
andt
ookhert
o
eastgat
emall"
.
Sanele:
"Brotheryouhav
eruinedevery
thi
ngandnow
aninnocentpersoni
sindanger,
leaveheral
one,
st
opseei
ngher
".
Phil
ani
:"It
ri
edstay
ingawayfrom herbutIcan'
tand
besi
desshe'
sal
readyindangeral
lIhavetodois
prot
ecther
".
Voice:
"Brotheryouknowt herul
es,nogi
rl
f r
iends,no
dati
ng,shewillcostusevery
thi
ng,wecan'tstarta
warnow, t
heyal r
eadyknowherandnowi twi l
lbe
ourdutytoprotecther
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Fuck,
Fuckt
hisal
lamess,
shi
t!
".
Imov edtothef ri
dgeandt ookoutabot
tl
eofwat er,
whataretheyt alkingabout?Andhowam Ibr
inging
them danger.Ileftthewaterbot
tl
eandwentstraight
tothem
Me:"Ihear
dev
ery
thi
ng,
whatwer
eyout
alki
ng
about
?".
Phi
lani
:"I
fyouhear
dev
ery
thi
ngt
hanwhyar
eyou
st
il
laski
ng?"
.
Me:"Iam i
nvol
vedhere,
Iam t
heonewhoisbei
ng
f
oll
owedsodon'tleav
emeinthedar
k,t
ell
mewhat
i
sgoingonhere"
.
Phil
ani
:"Thisi
snottheti
mefory
ourdr
ama,
Isai
d
fi
xyoursel
fsomet
hingtoeat
".
Me:
"Iam nothungr
y".
Phi
l
ani
:"Fi
negot
ooneoft
her
oomsandsl
eep"
'
Me:"Idon'
twantanyoft
hat
,tel
lmewhati
sgoi
ng
onorelse-
..
"
Phi
l
ani
:"Orel
sewhat
?".
Me:
"Iwi
l
lleav
e".
Phil
ani
:"Idon'
tcar
eify
oul
eav
eorst
ay,
gett
hehel
l
outofmyway "
.
Ibitmyri
ghtcheektoholdbacktear
s,Ist
aredat
him wai
ti
ngforhimtochangehismindbuthedi dn'
t
evensayawor d,
Itookmybagandwal kedout,Iwas
walki
nginthemiddleoft
hesebeauti
fulhousesnot
knowingwhereIwasgoing.Iwascryi
ng.
Voice:"Youknowifoneoftheowner softhese
housesseey ouher
e,theywil
lcal
lthepoli
ceandyou
wil
l bearr
est
ed".
WhenIl
ookedi
twasoneoft
heguywhower
ewi
th
Phi
l
anii
nthehouse,
Hewasdr
ivi
ngsl
owl
yIdi
dn'
tev
enhearhi
m comi
ng.
Me:
"Why
?I'
mjustwal
ki
ng"
.
Him: "Thatstheproblem, noonewalkshere,
everyonedrives,ev
enki dsherehav
ecar ssoifyou'
re
foundwal ki
ngy ouwi l
lbeseenasani nt
ruder
,save
yourselfandgetinsidethecar".
Igotscar
edandgoti
nsi
dehi
scarandhedr
oveback
tothehouse
Me:
"Iwantt
ogohome"
.
Hi
m:"Youar
esaf
eher
e".
Me:
"Saf
efr
om what
?Whati
sexact
lygoi
ngonher
e".
Hi
m:"I
tsbet
teri
fyoudon'
tknow"
.
Me:
"Whyi
sPhi
l
ani
sor
ude,
isheal
way
sli
ket
his?
"
Him:"Heisnotrude,heisjuststubbornl
ikeyou.
Don'
tmindhim andatleastyoulookl i
ketheonly
onewhoputupwi thhisshi
t ,
givehim sometime,he
wil
lcomearound".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
TomorrowI'
m posti
ngontheTheHiddenPri
ncess,
I
'l
lposther
eagainonMonday .Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke"
TheHiddenPri
ncess-I
nkosazane"
[
11/
6,13:
03]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

WhenIgotbacky esterdayIwentst raightt ot he

bedroom andf ell
asl eep,Philani'snotbeggi ng
problem isreallyannoy i
ngandi thurt sbecause
somet i
mesIf eellikehedoesn' tcar eaboutmebut
whywoul dhecar e?I 'm nothisgi rlf
riend.Phi lani
doesn' tdoj
okesbutsar casm, youcan' tjokewi t
h
hi
m becausehewi ll
takeev erythingser ious.Li ke
whot hehel
l doest hat ?Wher eisf rom, Mar s? .I
checkedt het i
mei tisnear lysev ent hirtyi nthe
mor ningandmybat terywi l
ldiesoon, Iam l azyt o
wakeupbecauseIdon' twantt of acePhi lani,he
didn'tevencomet osay"Pal esaIam sor ryf orthe
wayIspoke"Nohedi dn't
,Iwokeupandwent
downstai
rsdamnt hishouseissobi g,
he'sa
poli
cemanhowcanheaf fordsuchabi ghousewit
h
suchexpensi
velookingfurni
turebutmaybeit'
snot
evenhishouse.Ifoundtheguyt hatbr
oughtme
homeinthekitchenandSanel e.
Me:
"Mor
ning"
.
Hi
m:"
Howdi
dyousl
eep?
".
Me:
"Notbadt
hanksahh,
what
'sy
ourname?
".
Him:"HahaI
'
m Phel
elani
,Phi
l
ani
'
sbr
otherbuty
ou
cancal
lmePhe"
Me:
"AndSanel
e,y
ouar
eal
sohi
sbr
other
?"
Sanel
e:"
Yep,Phi
l
anii
stheol
dest
,I'
m maki
ng
scr
ambledeggsher
edoyouli
kesome?
Me:
"Not
hanks,
I'
m nothungr
y".
Phil
aniwalkedinshirt
less,hewaswear inghi
sgr ey
tr
ackpantsandsl eepers,Lordthi
sguyi saGoddess,
helooksli
keanMBApl ayerorsomething.Hetooka
bott
leofwat eri
nthef r
idgeandwal kedoutwit
hout
evenlooki
ngatme, hestoppedandsai d.
Phi
l
ani
:"Sanel
emakeHert
hosescr
ambl
edeggs,
sheneedst
oeat
".
Het
hancont
inuedwal
ki
ngupst
air
s.
Phe:"Phi
l
ani
hat
eswast
edf
ood,
your
eal
l
yneedst
o
eat
".
Me:
"Iwantt
ogohome,
Idon'
twantt
obeher
e".
Sanel
e:"
Wedon'
thaveanysayi
nthatj
usteatand
maybetr
yandt
alktohi
m,okay?
"
Me:
"Okay
"
Weat escrambl edeggs,toastedbr ead, bacon, and
tomatocookedsal ad,Theseguy sar eallbeautiful,
hot.PheandSanel ebot hlooky oungert hanPhi lani,
todayIdidn'
tev enbrushmyt eeth,wef i
nishedeat i
ng
thanSaneletookt hedishest othedi shwasher .They
showedmePhi lani'
sroom, Iwentt her eandst ood
outsi
de,Ididthebr eat
hinandoutmyhear twas
beati
ngsof ast.Iknockedandhecal ledmei n,he
wasst i
l
lhalfnakedbusywi thal aptopi nhisdeskt op.
.
.
.
.
Me:
"H-
..Hi
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esa"
.
Istoodthereli
keachi
ldwhogotcaughtsteal
ing
sugar,helookedatmeandrai
sedhiseyebrow.
Me: "Phil
ani
,I-
..Ididn'
tbri
nganyclot
hesandIcan'
t
stayinthesecl
ot hesfor
everandthetoot
hbr
ush,un-
..
underwear".
Godwhatam Idoi
ng,t
hisi
snotwhatIcamet
osay
,I
cantot
ellhi
mthatIwantt
ogohomeandwhyam I
evenst
utt
eri
ng.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ok,
youwi
l
lgett
hatI
'
mtwohour
s".
Hesai
dthatandconti
nuedpr
essi
nghi
slapt
op,
he
st
oppedandlookedatme.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sther
eany
thi
ngel
se?
"
Ist
her
ewhat?Icrossedmyarmsinmychestand
l
ookedathi
m,heisthereasonwhyIam st
uckhere
andwhymylif
eisdangerGodknowsfrom what
Me:
"Whati
syourpr
obl
em ex
act
ly?Wheny
oucame
runninginmydooraskingf orhel
pwhydi dn'
ty ou
disappearf
orev
er?Whyy oukeptcomi ngbackt ome
i
fy ouaregonnatreatmel i
keshit!Iam notyour
puppetorwhateveryouthinkIam, Ihatebei
ngher e,
Iwantt ogotomypl ace,
Iwantt oliveanormal l
if
e".
Isaidthelastwordsi nwhisper,If
eltl
ikeabigst
one
hasbeenr emov edf r
om mychest ,Iwasproudof
my sel
fforfinal
lystandi
ngupt ohim, hecl
osedhis
eyesandopenedt hem, helookedlookedatmewi t
h
thosebeautiful
smal lChineseeyes.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoudone?
".
Me: "What?isthatal
lyoucansay
,youareso,mxm I
don'tevenknowwhat -
.youknowwhat,
Iam done
here,Iam donewithyou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whati
sexact
lyy
ouwantMbal
enhl
e?"
.
Myangercalmeddown,Ist
oodtherelooki
ngdown
athi
m, hesai
dthatwhi
speri
ng,
hecalledme
Mbalenhl
e,hi
soneandonlyMbalenhl
e.
Phi
lani
:"Iam try
ing,Iam real
l
ytryi
ngandy oudon'
t
seeanyofthat.Nogirlhasevercameintomyhouse,
Ibr
oketherules,Ibr
okesomanyr ul
esjustfory
ou.
Butyouknowwhat ,
Ican'
tkeepyouhereagai
nst
yourwi
ll,
ifyouwanttogo,
go.Iwil
lmakesurethat
Noonewi ll
everf
oll
ow youagai
n.Iwil
ltel
lmy
brot
herstodri
veyouhome".
Ifel
tLikehundredsofkni
vesarestabbi
ngmyhear t
,
IhaveneverheardPhi
lani
speaki
ngl i
kethi
sbefor
e,I
haveneverseenthi
ssideofhi
m.Iwant edtosayI
am sor
rybutIalsohavepri
dethatcontr
olsme.
Phil
ani:"Iam sorr
yforbri
ngi
ngsomuchtroubl
ein
yourli
fe,youwill
neverhearf
rom meagai
n".
Me:"'
What?No,that
'
snotwhatImeant
,that
'snot
whatIwant.Pl
easedon'
tdot
his"
.
Phil
ani :
"Iam notgoodforyou,I
'm abadguyaver
y
badguyandIdon' twanttointr
oduceyouinmy
world,youhaveabr i
ghtf
uture,f
ocusonyour
studies".
Me:
"Youcan'
tdot
hatt
ome,
tous"
.
Phil
ani:
"I'
m sorr
yifImisl
eadyouPal
esa,Inever
l
ookedaty ouinthatwaybutonl
yasafri
endanda
personwhohelpedme.Therewasneverusandt he
realt
rut
his,youremindmeofmyt wol
it
tlesist
ers"
.
.
.
.
.
Ist ar
edathi m,fai
lingtocont rolmyt ear
s,Icl
osed
thecl osedt hedooronmywayout ,
Ican'tbel
i
eveI
wast hisstupidtot hi
nkthathei si
nterest
edinme.I
l
ookedf ormybagandSanel etookmebackt omy
place, hedi dn'
tevenbot hert ospeakt omebecause
oft hest ateIwasi n.Igott omypl ace,putmyphone
i
nt hechar gerandcal l
edmymom, assoonasI
hear dherv oice,Icouldn'tstopmy selfandcri
ed,I
criedal lmysor rowst oher, shekeptquietand
all
owedmet ocry.
Mom:
"MyBabywhat
'swr
ong"
.
Me:"Mom Iwantt
ocomehome,
Idon'
twantt
obe
her
e".
Icr
iedv
eryl
oudt
oher
.
Mom: "Pal
esatal
ktome, don'
tcr
yli
ket
hisy
ouar
e
hur
ti
ngme, Pal
esa!Pal
esa!"
.
Me:"MamaIwantt
ocomehome,
Iwantt
obewi
th
youmama"
.
Mom:"Okmybabyyoucan'
tl
eav
eschool
,Iwi
l
l
cometoyouf
ir
stt
hingi
nthemorni
ng,
ist
hat
al
ri
ght
?".
Me:
"Mamay
oudon'
tunder
stand,
doy
ou?Mamai
-.
."
.
Mom: "OkI'
m comingri
ghtnow,
Iwil
lbether
e
bef
orethr
eeintheafter
noonmybaby.Mom i
s
comingdon'
tcryt
oomuch" .
Me:
"OkMa"
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Don'
tforgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
6,13:
07]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iwasst arti
ngt ogetaheadachef rom cryi
ng,I
decidedt ot akeashoweraf terthatIwor emy
Pijamasandwentbackt obedagai n.Maybe
relati
onshi psar enotforme,Itrieddatingmybest
fri
endbuti tfeltsoawkward,Idev elopedfeeli
ngsf or
thewr ongper sonwhoonl ysawmeashi slitt
le
sister.Ididn'tknowt hi
swill
hur tthismuch, Isentmy
mom myl ocat i
onandI '
m wait
ingf orher,Ifel
lasleep
andmyphonewokemeup.
Me:
"Mama"
.
Mom:
"I'
m out
side"
.
Iwokeupandputonmysl eeper
sandr
ushed
out
side,
Ihuggedherandwewenttomyroom
Mom:
"Ar
eyoudonecr
ying?
".
Inodded
Mom:"CheckI'
mthatplast
icbag,
Iboughty
our
f
avor
it
eLunchbari
cecream".
ItookitandItookmylaptopandwewatcheda
mov i
e,Imissedthi
s,mymom islikemyfr
iend
actual
lyever
yoneinourfamil
yiseasyt
otalkt
o,
ev
enmydad.
Me:
"How'
sdad'
snewj
ob?
"
Mom: "
Heisenjoyi
ngit
,hehashisnewofficeandi
t
l
ooksl i
kehegetalongver
ywel l
withhi
snew
col
leagues,youknowhowy ourfat
heri
s,he'sa
people'
sperson".
Me:
"Sot
hisy
earI
'
m get
ti
ngacar
?"
Mom:
"What
?Whywoul
dwebuyy
ouacar
?"
Me:"Becauseyourl
i
ttl
egir
lthaty
oul
ovewhol
e
hear
tedlyi
stur
ningtwent
yone".
Mom: "
Hahayouwi
sh,
Pal
iyouneedt
ofocuson
yourst
udi
es"
.
Me: "
MamaIam andI
'v
ebeendoingev er
ythi
ngyou
wantmetomywholeli
fe,
I'
m ev
enst udyi
ngnursi
ng
becausey
ouwantedmeto.SopleaseIneedacar".
Mom: "
Youarestudyi
ngnur
singbecausey
ougota
nur
singschol
arshi
p".
Me:"Idi
dn'
twantt
oacceptthatscholar
shipbutyou
guy
sf or
cedmetoaccepti
tandt hatmeansy ou
guy
soweme, soam am Igett
ingthatcar?
".
Mom:
"Pal
esaNo"
'
Me:
"Mommypl
ease"
.
Mom:
"Iwillspeakt
oyourf
atherbutI
'
m not
pr
omi
singanythi
ng"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ouandt
hanky
ouf
orcomi
ngher
e".
Mom:
"Doy
ouwantt
otal
kabouti
t"
.
Me:
"Mom i
sther
eany
thi
ngwr
ongwi
thme?
".
Mom:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Idi
dn'
tknowhowt oexpl
ainthi
sbutIhadt
omake
Herunder
standwhatI
'mtalki
ngabout
Me: "Imeani nfewmont hsIwillbetwent
yoneandI
don'thaveaboy fr
iend,I
'
m av i
rgi
nandIalsodon'
t
havefriends.
.Mom mostgi r
lsinmyagear emarr
ied,
theyhav ebabiesbutI'
m her
eal l
alone"
.
Mom: "Dontev
erthinkli
kethat,
youarebeaut
if
uland
smartanyguywillbeluckytohavey
ou.Youwillf
ind
theoneactual
lyhewillfi
ndyou".
Me:"Wel
ll
ooksdon'
tmeananythi
ngother
wiseI
woul
dn'
tbei
nthi
ssit
uat
ionbutIwil
lj
ustfocuson
mystudi
esandfor
getev
ery
thi
ngev
ent
houghi
t
won'
tbeeasy"
.
I
twil
lneverbeeasy ,
Iexpect
edt
oomuchf
rom t
his
guy
,hereall
yledmeonandIwasstupi
denoughto
bel
i
evethathelikedme.Ohwell
!
Mom:
"Di
dsomeonebr
eaky
ourhear
t"
.
I
t'
smorethant
hat
,tr
ustme,
ifonl
yyouknewmama,
i
fonl
yyouknew
Me: "
No,notatal
l
,Ij
ustmissedy
ou,
Ifel
tsolonel
y
thanIbr
okedownbutI'
m sohappyt
hatyouare
here"
Mom:"Iknowthatyouarenottel
l
ingmethereal
t
rut
hbutwhateveri
tisIhopeyouwil
lheal
from i
t"
.
Mymom t houghsheal way sknewwhenI 'm not
tel
li
ngt het r
uthbutIl i
keitbecauseshedoesn' t
wannageti nvolvedinmybusi ness,mymom cooked
andGodImi ssedhercooki ng,shesleptoverandwe
stayedupunt i
llate,
gossipingaboutourneighbors
andhercol l
eagues.mor ningshewentbackhome,
herpr esencemadeev eryt
hingf eel
somuchbet t
er,
I
deletedPhi l
ani'
snumberandt hiswasi t
,mov i
ngon.
Schoolisgood, iti
st heonlythingthatiskeepingme
saneatthemoment ,allmyassi gnmentsar eupto
datethereisn'tanythingthatIcancompl ainabout.
It
'saSaturdayandmypar entssentmemoney ,Iam
goingtoEast gateforsomel i
tt
legroceryshopping.I
wor emysimpl eclothesandt iedmyl ocksandt hey
nowneedst obechanged.Iboughtmygr oceri
es
andwentt oMcDonal d'sforsomet hi
ngt oeat.
.
.
.
.
Voi
ce:
"Hi
,CanIsi
ther
e?"
Me:
"Sur
e".
Him:"it
'ssopackedi
nher
e,ohsor
ry,
I'
m That
oand
youare?"
Me:
"Pal
esa"
.
That
o:"
Iti
sni
cet
omeety
ouPal
esa"
.
That
ost
aysi
nBedf
ordv
iewandhasr
ecent
lyst
art
ed
wor
kingasani
nter
nasanAudi
tor
,sohesay
s.
Weat eandshar edconv ersati
ons,heseemedl i
kea
verygoodguy ,heofferedt otakemehomebutI
refusedbecauseIhar dlyknowhi m butwe
exchangednumber s.Het ext
edmeassoonasIgot
homeaski ngifIarr
ivedsaf el
y ,
text
ingandcall
ing
mebecamehi sregularthing.Thatoinvi
tedmet ohi
s
fri
endsbirt
hdaypartyt hiscomi ngweekendandI
couldn'
tsaynobecausemyweekendsar eal
ways
boring.
Aft
erschoolItookat axitoRosebankandwentt o
H&M forsomethingt owearandIgotsomepr ett
y
ni
ceoutfi
tsthere,Ili
kehowmyl i
fehasturnedout ,
I
am l
ivi
nganor mal str
essfreel
ifewit
hnowor r
ies.I
ThankGodf orint
roducingThatoinmylifeheislike
afri
endthatI'
venev erhad.
Voi
ce:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e"?
.
Me:
"OhheyKagi
so"
.
Isai
dgi
vi
nghi
m ahug
Kagi
so:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
".
Me:"
YeahI'
m cool
,I
'mi
nvi
tedtoabi
rt
hdaypar
tysoI
cameher
etobuysomethi
ngtowear
".
Kagi
so:
"Bi
rt
hdaypar
ty,
wher
e?"
.
Me:
"Imi
nvi
tedt
oapar
tyandIcoul
dn'
tsayno"
.
Kagi
so:
"Okbabygi
rlpl
easeenj
oyy
our
sel
f"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ou,
Iwi
l
ltexty
ouwhenIgethome"
.
Itwasget t
inglateandIhadt oreturnt
omypl ace,
wher eI'
m stayi
ngl otsofpeoplear est
ay i
ngwi t
h
theirboyf
riends/husbandsandt hankGodt heyare
alloldert
hanme, Ialwayslockmysel finsi
de,
study i
ngorwat chingmov i
e.
That
otoldmethatheiscomingt
odayandImade
sur
ethatmyroom i
scleanandIcooked,
heknocked
andIwelcomedhi
mi nsi
de.
That
o:"
Thi
spl
acei
ssocozy
".
Me:
"Yepcozyenoughf
oroneper
son,
Ienj
oyi
ther
e".
Isai
dgi
vi
nghi
m agl
assandabot
tl
eofcol
ddr
ink
That
o:"
Whydon'
tyouhav
earoommat
e,most
st
udent
sar
eshari
ngapar
tment
s".
Me:"
Iwasshari
ngbef
oreImov
edherebutshar
ing
i
snotforme,
Ithi
nkIenj
oymypri
vacy
".
.
.
.
.
Thisguyisar eall
ygoodguytobearoundwit
h,he
crackjokes,hespeakhismindandheisaveryfr
ee
personwi t
hagr eatper
sonal
it
y.
Theyalway ssayfriendsar ethesi bli
ngsGodnev er
gaveus, Ionl
yseeThat oasaf ri
endnott heper son
I'
ddateorhav ear elati
onshipwi th.Hei sv ery
att
racti
vebutnotf orme.That o'scompanywas
goodasal ways,hewentbackt ohi splaceandIwas
l
eftalone.Fri
daycameandIat t
endedmycl asses
andwentbackt omypl ace,thefollowingdaywas
thedayoft hepartyandThat osai dhe'l
l pickmeup.
Aroundtwoi ntheaf ternoonIwasget tingr eadyfor
theparty,Iworethecl othesIbought ,ahi ghwei ghst
ri
ppleJeanbum shor t,awhitecr optop, deni m
j
acketandmywhi t
eal lstarIlookedatmy selfinthe
wardrobemi rr
oranddamnIwasl ookinggood,
Thatocalledandsaidheisoutsi
de,It
ookmybag
andlockedt heroom,Thatowasalsoweari
ngJean
toJeanwi thawhi t
eT,Igoti
ntohiscarandablue
BMW bl ockedourway.
That
o:"
Whatt
hehel
li
sthi
sguydoi
ng"
.
Theguycameoutdressesingr
eyNi
ket
racksui
tand
whit
eniket
akki
es,
Philani
.OhGod!
That
o:"
Whyar
eyoubl
ocki
ngt
heway
".
Hekeptqui etandcamest r
aighttowher
eIwas
seated,thi
sguyhasav erystrongegoandmyhear
t
star
tedbeat i
ngfastIdon'
tknowwhyhehassucha
bigeffectonme.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esa"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
".
Hel ookedatmeandIlookedbackathim,Godthi
s
guyi sthedeat
hofme,afterever
ythi
ng,
ever
yheart
breakhehasputmet hrough,myhearti
sbetr
ayi
ng
me, it
'ssti
l
lbeati
ngsof
astf orhi
m.
Me:
"Whyar
eyoubl
ocki
ngt
heway
?,That
opl
ease
mov
etot
hatsi
de"
.
Phi
l
ani
lookedatmeanddi
dn'
tsayawor
d
That
o:"
Youknowhi
m".
Me:
"Iwi
shIdi
dn'
t,
let
sgo"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"St
opt
hecar
,Pal
esaweneedt
otal
k".
Me:
"That
odon'
tst
opt
hecar
".
Phi
l
ani
tookoutagunandpoi
ntedatThat
o
Phi
lani
:"Tel
lyourgi
rl
fr
iendtogetoutoft
hiscar
bef
oreIstar
tshooti
ngy ou"
.
Me:
"Ar
eyoucr
azy
?St
opi
tPhi
l
ani
!"
.
Hedi
dn'
tev
enl
ookatme
Phi
l
ani
:"Tel
lher
".
Thatowasshaki
ngandIf
eltsor
ryf
orhi
m andgot
outofhi
scar
Phi
lani
movedhi
scarforThat
ot opass,
Igotangr
y
andwenti
nsi
demyroom andlocked
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esaopent
hisdoor
!"
.
Ikeptqui
et
Phil
ani
:"I
fyoudon'
t,Iwil
lSt
artshoot
ing,
opent
his
goddamndoorPalesa".
I
fhest
artshooti
ngIwi l
ll
oseaplacet
ost
ayandI
wi
ll
beintroubl
e,Iopenedthedoor
Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Usuy
ajol
amanj
ewena?
".
Me:
"What
?"
Hi
m: "Whatwashedoi
ngher
eatni
ghtandwher
e
wer
ey ougoi
ngwit
hhim"?
.
Me:
"Ohsonowy
ouar
efol
l
owi
ngme?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Answert
hedamnquest
ionPal
esa"
.
Me:"Youcan'tcomet omyplaceanddisrespectme,
Idon'tknowwhoy out hi
nkyouarebuty oucan'ttal
k
tomel iket
hat.Idon'
thavetoanswerany thi
ngt o
you,Icanremindy ouofyourli
tt
lesi
sterbutthat
doesn'tmakemeher .WearedoneherenowGo" .
Helookedatmesurpr
ised,
hedidn'
tsayanyt
hingbut
j
uststar
ingatme,
Iopenedthedoorforhi
m
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasel
eav
e,t
samay
atuh"
Hepushedt hedoorandlockedit
,hepushedme
againsti
tandgotclosert
ome, Iwasfeel
inghishot
breathundermyskin,mybodystart
edshiver
ing,my
heartbeati
ngfast
er,hewhisper
ed
Phi
l
ani
:"Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
e".
Hisrighthandt ouchedmyback, hebr ushedmybar e
skinsinceIwaswear i
ngacr optop,hishandsl owly
mov edtomyt highs,Ican'texpl
ainthef eeli
ngorthe
connectionIfeel betweenus, helookedatmeandI
l
ookedbackathi m buthishandnev erst opped
brushingme.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Hmmm"
.
Hest ar
tedbiti
ngmyl owerli
p,teasingme, hethen
kissedme, hi
sl i
pssosof tandwetIcoul dn'tstopmy
selfbuttomoani nbetweentheki ss.Ican'tcompar e
thistoanythi
ngal iv
einthisworld.Hewentdownt o
myneck, I'
venev erbeenkissedlikethisbef oreandI
couldfeelundermypant iesthatIwaswet ,sowet .
Hebi tmyneckandImoanedi npl easure,hest opped
buthisheaddi dn'tl
eavemyneck, wewer eboth
cat
chingourbr
eat
hs,
Inev
err
eal
i
zedhowt
all
hewas
unt
ilt
oday.
Phi
l
ani
:"Mbal
enhl
eyouar
emi
ne,
onl
ymi
ne"
.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Don'
tforgett
oLi
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
6,13:
07]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe
.
.
.
.
.
UnEdi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

There'sonlyoneplacewhereIf eelsaf
e,whereI
for
getev eryt
hingnegat
iveinmyl if
e,whereIfi
nd
warmt h,t
hatplaceisPhil
ani'
sar ms.Wewer e
cuddlinginmycouch, l
i
steningtoeachot her
's
heartbeat,t
hisist
hemomentt hatIwanttolast
f
orev
erIdon'
twantt
hist
oendandIdon'
twanthi
m
t
ogobackhome,Ineedhi
m her
ewit
hme.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Baby
"
Me:
"Whatwi
l
lhappenbet
weenusnow?
".
Hegotupandsatst
rai
ght
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
emi
neandI
'
myour
ssi
mpl
e".
Me:"Youar
enotreal
l
ygoodwi
thwor
ds,
doest
hat
meanwearedat
ing?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Yeswear
e".
Me:
"Justl
i
ket
hat
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Li
kewhat
?"
Me:"Youowemeanapol ogy,
youneedtotakeme
outonadateandaskmet obeyourgi
rl
fr
iend,
you
needtoshowthatI
'
my our
sandy ouar
emi ne"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Apol
ogi
zef
orwhat
?"
Me:
"Youdon'
tknowwhaty
oudi
dwr
ong?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Idon'
tapol
ogi
zeandbei
ngher
emeans
more,i
tshowsthatyouaremi ne,whywoul
dIask
youtobemygirl
fri
end?,
Mbal enhleyouar
emineand
Idon'
tneedtoaskthatf
rom any one"
.
Gosh!Talki
ngtothi
sguyi
sli
ket
alki
ngt
oawal
l
,I
j
ustlookedathi
m
Phil
ani:"Ihav
enevert
akenanygi
rlout
,okfinel
et'
s
go,tel
lmewher ey
ouwannagoandIwi l
ltakeyou
ther
e".
Me:"Idon'
twannagoanywhere,youknowwhat?
Let
'sst
opallt
hiscozIseet
hatitwon'tgetus
any
where".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
ewef
ight
ingnow?
".
Me:
"Nowear
enotf
ight
ing"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"ThankGod"
.
Hekissedmeoncemor e,
weorderedpizzaandit
wasdeliver
ed,Phil
anitookthebeersfr
om hiscar
andputthem inmyf ri
dge,Iwasdrinki
ngacolddrink
becauseIdon'tdri
nkbutsometimesIdobutmy self
abottl
eofwi ne,Il
ookedathim andhelookssof r
ee
andfull
oflif
e,Iwanttoknowmor eabouthi
m
Me:
"Sohowmanysi
bli
ngsdoy
ouhav
e?"
Phi
lani
:"Wewer
eabigf
ami
l
y,sev
ensi
bli
ngsbutt
wo
di
edinanacci
dent
".
Me:
"Wasy
oursi
steri
nthatacci
dent
?".
Phi
lani
:"Bot
hofthem andnowit'
sonl
yusboys,
I
hav
et woolderbr
other
sthanSanel
eandPhe"
.
Me:
"Yourpar
ent
s?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Ial
readyt
oldy
oumor
ethanenoughabout
myself
".
Me:
"Whyy
oudon'
tl
iket
ell
i
ngmeabouty
our
sel
f?"
.
Phi l
ani
:"Becauset here'snothingtotellabout
my self
,babypleaset hisrel
ationshipthingisn'tmy
thingmeetmehal fwayandt herearet hingsthatI
am notcapableofdoi ng,don'texpecttoomuch
from me".
Me:"IguessI'
l
lhav
et ol
iv
ewit
hthatbutIfeell
i
ke
youarenottel
li
ngmesomethi
ng,WhywasIbei ng
f
oll
owed, whati
sgoingonPhi
l
ani
,Ideserv
et oknow"
.
Phi
lani
:"Youaresafenoonewil
lhur
tyou,
youdon'
t
hav
et oworryaboutany
thi
ng,
Ok".
Ohwellli
keIhav
eachoice,
Iwil
lnotpushhi
m what
matter
smostisthathei
sherewi
thmeandhei s
mine.
Phi
laniwenthomel at
eandcal l
edmewhenhegot
home,Iwasmor ethanhappy .Thi
ngsweregoing
ver
ywellandIcouldn'
taskf ormore,Phi
l
anicall
ed
andsaidIshoul
dgetr eadyhewi l
lcometopickme
up,Iworeasimplebutsmar toutf
it,
heknockedandI
welcomedhiminside.
Phi
l
ani
:"Heyy
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul,
let
'sgo"
.
Hesai dhewant stotakemet ohisf avoriteplace
andIcannotwai t,wear r
ivedandi twaspr ettynice
here,i
t'
sar estaurant/Bar ,everyt
hingt hereisAr t,
from t
hedesi gnst othef oodandt hel i
veband, they
playJazzmusi c, i
t'
schi l
ledandy oucant ellthatall
thecust omer sar eri
ch, weor deredourdr inksand
food,enjoyingt heliveband, itwasbeaut iful.This
wholet hingislikePhi l
ani ,
Iwoul dn'texpecthi mt o
takememay bet osomecr azyclubst hatpl ay svery
l
oudbanger sy est hi
sishi spl aceandev ent he
waiter
sknowhi m.Wef i
nishedandwewentoutt o
thecar, wewer eenj oyingt hemusi ct hatwaspl aying
i
nthecar
,sochi
l
led.
Phi
l
ani
:"Seat
bel
ton"
.
Idi
dn'
thearhi
m cl
ear
ly,
heswi
tchedof
fthemusi
c
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esaIsai
dputony
ourseat
bel
tnow!
".
Hewasnowshouti
ng,Idi
dsot
hanhest
art
ed
speedi
ngupt
hecar.
Me:
"Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
.
.
.
Heignor
edme, her acedsof astandIthoughti
nthat
momentIwasgoi ngt odie,whenIlookedatthe
backacarwasf ol
lowingus, speedi
ngafterus,
I
hear
dawi ndowbreaki ng,
AGunshot !
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngon?
".
Heracedt
of astandthenstopped,het
urnedhiscar
andnowthesecarswer efaci
ngoneanother,
hewas
speedi
nggoi
ngst rai
ghttothatcar
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Puty
ourheaddown"
.
Hetookagunandst art
edshoot
ing,Ihavenev
er
seensuchathinginmywholeli
febutonlyi
nmov i
es,
hefi
redthegunshotsandIwasscreamingver
yloud,
hestoppedt
hecar.
WhenIr aisedmyheadupandopeni ngmyey es,t
he
othercarwasi nt heot hersi deoft heroad, hegot
outandwentst r
ai ghttot hatcar ,
hef ir
edmay be
threegunshot sandt ooksomet hingthanhecame
backt othecar .Thedr ivewassi l
entandhewasn' t
say i
ngany t
hing, Iwasscar edofhi m,If oundmy self
askingsomanyquest i
ons, howcanIl ov ehim af
ter
thi
s.Hest oppedt hecarandhet oldmet ofoll
ow
himi nsi
de,thisbui ldinginsidewasonl yof fi
ces,we
foundav erybeaut ifullady,dressedi nabl ackshort
dressandherBr azi li
anhai rwasonpoi nt
Phil
ani:"
Amandat
akeal
ookatt
hisgi
vemea
feedbacknow"
.
Ohhernamei sAmanda,
she'sr
eall
ybeaut
if
ul,she
openedanenvel
opandstar
tedtypi
ngonherlaptop.
Phil
anidi
dn'
taskhowIwasfeel
ingaft
erwhat
happened,
hedi
dn'
tev
enl
ookatme.
Amanda:
"Igoti
tsi
r,i
t'
saah"
.
Shel
ookedatme
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esapl
easegi
veusamoment
".
Igav
ehi
mthe"Whatt
hef
uckl
ook"
Phi
l
ani
:"Isai
dgi
veusaf
ewmi
nut
es"
.
Il
efthim andwenttohiscar,Ifoundmy sel
fcry i
ng
andIdon'tevenknowwhy ,
afewmi nut
eslaterhe
gotbackanddi dn'
tevenlookatme.Idon' t
underst
andhim, oneminutehisfineandtheot her
hi
sattit
udecompl et
elychanges
Me:
"Pl
easet
akemet
omypl
ace"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"NotnowPal
esapl
ease"
.
Ikeptqui
etandwearr
ivedt
ohi
sfancyhouse,
I
foundall
fourofhi
sbr
other
s
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esapl
easegi
veusamoment
".
Me:
"Sanel
epl
easet
akemehome"
.
Theyal
ll
ookedatme,
Phi
l
ani
tookmyhandandl
ed
meupst
air
s,hewasdraggi
ngmel
i
ket
het
hreey
ear
ol
dki
d,heclosedt
hedoor
Phi
lani
:"LookIhavemor ebi
gandver
yimpor
tant
i
ssuestodealwithjustst
opwit
hyourdr
amaand
st
ayhere".
Me:"Whyar
eyoumaki
ngyourpr
obl
emsmi
ne?Huh?
Isai
dIwantt
ogohome,now!
".
Iopenedthedoorbuthebl ockedmeandcl osedit,I
pushedhim andhef el
ldown, helookedatme
shockedbecausehewasn' tready,hegotupand
l
ookedatmei ndisbeli
ef.Hesl appedmeonmyf ace
andIslappedhim back, Iwon'tall
owhi mtoev er
touchmyf aceli
ket hat!
,Hehel dmebymyj acket
andthrewmei nhi sbedl i
keast upidusel
esspi l
l
ow,
heslappedmeandIcr iedinpai n
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
stop!St
opi
t!
"
Phil
ani:
"Nowomenevert
alksbackatmeortouch
me,whenItalky
oul
ist
enanddowhatItel
lyoutodo,
underst
and?
".
Me:
"Iunder
stand"
.
Isaidthati
nbet weentears, hewalkedoutand
closedthedoor,Icri
edandcr i
edunt i
lIf
ell
asleep.I
wokeupt ocheckt heti
meandi twasar oundfivein
themor ni
ng,Igotupbutmywhol ebodywassor e,I
checkedmy selfint
hemi rrorandmyey ewasblack,
myf aceswollen.Iwenttot heKit
chent ogeti
ce
may beitmighthelpandIf oundhimi nthekit
chen,
helookedatme
Phil
ani
:"Letmesee,Iwi
l
lgotothephar
macyand
getyoumedici
ne,youwi
llbef
ine"
.
Thi
smani snotr
emor
sef
ul,
Ilookedathi
m and
di
dn'
trespond
Phi
l
ani
:"Fi
neIwi
l
ltakey
ouhome"
.
Thatwasgoodnews,Het ookhi scarkeysandwe
wenttohi scar,t
hedr iv
ewassi lentandIwasagai n
heartbroken,hedidn'tapol
ogize, hel
eftmeatmy
placeandIt ookabat hthanlookedatmysel finthe
mi r
ror
,itwasn'tt
hatbadal i
tt
lemake- uphereand
therewill
help.Igotintomybedandf el
lasl
eep,a
knockwokemeupandi twasPhi lani
.
.
.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Baby
".
Thisguy,
hebeatthehel
loutofmeandthanhasthe
audaci
tytocal
lme"Baby"
,Iignor
edhi
m andhegave
meabr ownpaperbagwithmedici
nei
nsi
de
Phil
ani:
"Youwil
lapplyt
hiscr
eam onyourf
aceand
thesepil
lswi
l
lhelpyouwitht
hepains"
.
Idi
dn'tsayanyt
hingIj
ustlookedathi m,Ithought
aboutmyl ov
eforhim andev enaft
erallthi
sIst i
l
l
l
ovehim mor et
hanany t
hingelse,helookedatme
andIcouldseethepaininhiseyes,hegotcl oserto
meandImov edbackav oi
dinghistouch
Phil
ani:"
Mbal enhleyouwill
befinest
handwasami ,I
am sorry,Idon'tknowwhatcameov erme, I'
ma
mess, I
'
m br okenbeyondrepai
r.Ihave-
..babyIam
sorr
yIpr omiset oneverdothi
stoyouagai nbabyI
promise".
Me:
"Ital
lst
art
sli
ket
his,
Idon'
twannabey
our
punchi
ngbagPhil
ani,i
fthi
siswhatyoucal
lLov
e
thanIdon'
tneedi
t,Ionl
yneedyoutolov
emenotto
abuseme".
Phil
ani
:"From nowonIpromiset obehonesttoyou,
Iwil
lopenupt oyouaboutallmyprobl
ems, youare
theonl
ythingthatmakessensei nmyli
feandIdon't
wanttoloseyou,Il
oveyou,IloveyousomuchandI
haveneverfel
tli
kethi
sbefore.Ineedyoubymysi de,
IadmitwhatIdidiswrongbabyIam sorry
".
Myheartmelt
ed,thesearethewordsIwantedto
hearf
rom hi
m, hesurpr
isesmeeachandev eryday
,I
don'
tknowthissideofhim andI
'
m happythatI
knowitnow.MyPhi l
ani
.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
.
[
11/
6,13:
10]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[8]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Idon'twanttobet hevicti
m ofabusebutIdon' twant
tolosePhilani
, I
'
m gladt hather eali
zedhi smistakes
andapologized.Iam soi nlove,Ihaveknownhi mf or
suchashor tper i
odoft imebuti tfeel
slikef or
ever.
Hekeepsal otfrom me, Philanii
sr i
chsor ich,no
policei
sr i
chlikehei s,
Idon' tknowwher ehegett he
moneyf rom andIdon' twantt oquest i
onhi m.He
pickedmeupf rom school andt ookmet otheof f
ice.
Me:
"Ist
hisy
ourof
fi
ce?
".
Phil
ani:"
It
'safamil
ybusinessnotmi
ne,
wai
ther
ein
therecept
ion,
I'
m coming".
Iwai
tedandhewenti
nsi
de,
Itookamagazi
net
hat
wasther
eandreadi
t.
Voi
ce:
"MrMt
het
hwasai
dyoucancomei
nsi
de"
.
WhenIl
ookedup,i
twasthatbeaut
if
ulAmandagi
rl
,I
murmur
edathankyouandgotinsi
de
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?".
Me:
"I'
m nothungr
y".
Phi
l
ani
:"It
hinkNando'
swi
l
lbef
ineandanor
ange
j
uicef
ory
ou"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
Isai
dI'
m nothungr
y".
Phil
ani:
"Youneedt
oeat,
youl
ostal
otofwei
ghti
n
thesepastf
ewweeks"
.
Hei
ssocontroll
i
ng,
HecalledAmandaandtol
dher
t
oordersomethi
ngtoeatf
orusandforher
Me:
"Idon'
tl
iket
hewayy
oul
ookather
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Andt
hati
s".
Me:"Li
key
ouar
ereadytoeather
,youhav
enev
er
l
ookedatmet
hatway"
.
Heclosedhi
slapt
opandl
ookedatme,
Godmy
handsomeman
Phi
l
ani
:"Howdoy
ouwantmet
olookaty
ou?
"
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
Comeon"
.
Phil
ani
:"Youbr
oughtt
hisupsoweneedtot
alk
abouti
t,howdoyouwantmetolookaty
ou?"
.
Me:
"Li
key
oul
ookather
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
enotexpl
aini
ngany
thi
ngt
ome"
.
Me:
"Wer
eyoudat
ingher
?"
Phi
lani
:"Youar
emyf
ir
stgi
rl
fr
iend,
Itol
dyout
hat
bef
ore"
.
Me:
"Hav
eyouev
erhadsexwi
thher
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
vehadsexwi
thmanygi
rl
s".
Me:
"Andher
?".
Phil
ani:"
No,Ar
eyouj
eal
ous?Ormay
bey
ouf
eel
thr
eatened"
.
Thosewor
dsdi
dhi
tthener
ve
Me:
"N-
no"
.
Phil
ani
:"Thanwhati
syourpr
obl
em wi
thher
,you
don'
tevenknowher"
.
Me:
"Youknowwhat
,Ineedt
ogohome"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Li
ker
eal
l
ynow?
".
Me:
"Yesl
i
ker
eal
l
y".
Phi
lani:
"Itlooksl
ikeyouwil
lhav
etowaitbecause
I
'm busyhereandy oust
il
lhavet
oeat
,youcan'tgo
homewi thouteat
ing"
.
Me:
"Idon'
tneedy
ourf
ood"
.
Phi
lani
:"BabyIknowbutyouwi
lleat,
Idon'
tl
ike
wastedfood,Nowsitandst
opbeingababy"
.
Heopenedhislaptopandcont
inuedtyping,
someti
mesIr eal
lywanttobebabied,
Ireall
ywant
hi
mt obegme, explai
nthi
ngstomewi thlong
par
agraphs.Amandacamewi thfood.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ama,
youcanj
oinus"
.
Ama?Hehasnevershor
tenedmyname,
Nomat
ter
howhappyhei
s
Me:
"Soy
oual
soeatl
unchwi
thy
ourempl
oyees?
".
Phi
lani
:"Ther
e'sal
oty
oudon'
tknowaboutmeBaby
,
l
et'
seat".
Il
ookedathi
mli
keWTF
Amanda:
"Ihav
eafewcal
l
stomakeMrMt
het
hwa,
I
wi
ll
eatonmydesk"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Hel
ookedatme
Me:
"What
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Youmadet
hepoorgi
rll
eav
e".
Me:"Me?Idi
dn'
tdoanythi
ngmyl
ove,
let
'seat
bef
oret
hefoodgetcol
d".
Phi
l
ani:
"Younev
erceaset
oamazememi
ss
Mokwena"
.
Hesmil
edandweat
eourfoodi
npeace,Lat
erhe
tookmehomeandt
ookouthi
sshoesandrel
axed
onmybed
Phi
lani
:"Sthandwasam'
,Ithi
nkIshoul
dfi
ndy
oua
bi
ggerplacenextt
oyourschool
oryoucanmovei
n
wit
hme" .
Me:"Nothanky
ou,thi
splacei
senoughf
ormeand
besi
desIcanaff
ordrent
".
Phil
ani
:"Icanpayyourrentandify
oustaywi
thme
youwon'thavetoworryaboutanyt
hing,
youwon'
t
evenspendy ourmont
hlyall
owance".
Me:
"Not
hanky
ou"
.
Phi
lani
:"Babyheret
hetoi
l
eti
sout
sideandashower
,
i
t'
snothealthyatal
l
".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasedon'
ttr
ytochangemymi
nd"
.
Phil
ani
:"Okt
ell
mewheny
oudeci
det
ochangey
our
mind"'
.
.
.

Thef oll
owi
ngdayaf terschoolIdecidedt otakea
taxit
oPhi l
ani'
sbecauseschool sarecl osingandI
havet ogobackhomet hef
oll
owingday ,thetaxi
droppedmebyt hegat eandIgotinside,Amanda
wasnotatt hereceptionsoIwentst rai
ghtt ohis
offi
ce,Ipushedt hedooropenandt herehewason
topofAmanda, Amandawasnaked.
Phi
l
ani
:"Baby
,pl
easedon'
tgo"
.
Icoul
dn'
tcont
rol
myt
ear
s,t
heycameout
uncont
rol
l
able
Me:
"I'
m sor
ryf
ordi
stur
bingy
ou"
.
Iranoutoftheof
fi
ce,
onethingI'
venoti
cedisthat
alwaysl
ist
entoyouri
nst
inct
s,Ihadthefeel
i
ngt hat
ther
ewassomet hi
nggoi
ngonbet weenthem but
becauseIt r
ustedhi m wi
thmyl ifeIpushedaway
thosecrazythought s,
Igotat axiandIwascr yi
ngin
thetaxi,Idi
dn'tcareaboutt hepeopleinside,
thetaxi
droppedmei ntownandIhadt owal kt ogettothe
othertaxist
hatwi ll
takemet omypl ace,Icalmed
mysel fdown, whenIar r
ivedatmypl acePhil
aniwas
alr
eadyt her
e,Iignoredhim andopenedt helock,he
pushedhi mselfinsi
demyr oom
Phi
l
ani
:"MyLov
ethat
'
snotwhaty
out
hink"
.
Me:
"Ok"
.
Phil
ani:"
Wehav eneverdat
edbutwedosl eep
together
,Imeanwedi dbutassoonasImety ouwe
stopped,Idon'
tknowwhathappenedtodaybutit
wasami st
ake,aver
ybigmistake"
.
Me:
"Ok"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Mbal
enhl
epl
easesaysomet
hing"
.
Me:
"Mynamei
sPal
esa,
Pa-l
e-sanotMbal
enhl
e".
Phi
lani
:"St
handwasam'
pleasedon'
tdot
hatt
ome,
tous".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
youhav
enev
ert
ouchedmesexual
l
y,
youal
way
ski
ssme,youhavenevert
ri
edtohav
esex
wit
hmeandnowIf
ull
yunderst
andwhy".
Phil
ani:"Iwaswaiti
ngfortheri
ghtti
mebaby ,Iknow
thatyouhav eneverhadsexbeforeandIrespect
that,
that'swhyIdidn'
twanttorushyouindoing
thi
ngsy ouarenotcomf or
tabl
ewi t
h".
Me: "Whosai dIdi
dn'twanttohav esexwithyou?
Phil
ani Inowunder standthatI
'm notyourty
pe, I
'
m
notami niski
rtorhighhealsgir
lwithlongBrazil
i
an
hair,
Iam Pal esawithanAf roandfoxlocks,Ican
neverbel i
keAmanda, Icanneverturnyouonbyj ust
standingnextt oyou".
Phil
ani:"
Youareexactl
ywhatIneed,y
ouar e
beauti
ful
,smart,
educatedandyouhavethemost
amazingbody,Iam l
uckytohaveyoudon'tever
thi
nkthatyouarenotenough"
.
Me:
"Goodf
ory
out
han,
I'
m sor
ryf
ordi
stur
bingy
ou"
Phi
l
ani
:"Babypl
ease-
..
"
Me:"Donty
oudaretouchmewit
hthosedi
rt
yhands,
Gohomeandbat hPhil
ani
yousmel
lli
keari
verf
ull
ofsper
ms,getout"
.
Helookedatmeandsl owlywalkedout,Iclosedt
he
doorandcried,It
ookoutmyphoneandt oldmy
brot
hertofetchme, Ipackedmyclothest hatIwi
l
l
needfortheseshortholi
days.Mybrothercameand
wewenthome.
Dad:
"Imi
ssedy
ousomuchmybaby
".
Me:"Imissedy
oumor e,l
etmesettl
edownsothat
youwil
ltel
lmeever
ythi
ngaboutyournewof
fi
ce".
Dad:
"HahaYouwoul
dn'
twantt
oknow"
.
Mom:"Imethi
scoll
eaguesl
astWednesdayt
heyar
e
sof
unnyandyoung"
.
Me:"Iwil
lcomewit
hy outoyourof
fi
cetomor
row
daddy,Iwantt
oseeitandyournewcol
l
eagues"
.
Dad:"
Theseboy
sar
esonaught
y,Idon'
twanty
ou
neart
hem".
Me:
"Hahacomeondad"
.
Itwasf unt
obebackhomeandImi ssedev er
yone
somuch.Phi l
anikeptcal
li
ngmeandIendedup
switchi
ngoffmyphonebecauseIdi
dn'tevenwant
tothinkabouthi
m, Iwentt
oDadsof
ficeandthe
peopl
ether
ear
esomuchf unt
obearoundwit
h,i
t'
s
aSatur
daymor
ningandI
'
m sti
l
linbed,
Imissthi
s
Kamo:"
"Heysi
swakeup,
someonei
sher
elooki
ng
fory
ou"
.
Kamogel
oismyy
oungersi
ster
Me:
"Who?
""
Kamo:
"Comeandseef
ory
our
sel
f"
.
Igotupandputonmysl
eeper
sandwentt
othe
Kit
chen.
Mom:"Ohther
eshei
s,Yourprofessori
sher
e,he
want
stotal
kabouty
ourpract
icals"
.
Me:
"Pr
act
ical
s?"
Mom:"Yes,si
nceit
sy ourthi
rdyearandnextyear
youar
edoingyourlastyear,
youneedtospendmor e
t
imeatthehospit
al,her
etakethesetothedini
ng
r
oom,heisthere"
.
Iwasreal
lyconfused,Itookthej
uiceandgl
asses
whenIgotinsi
det hediningr
oom itwasPhi
lani
'
s
ol
derbrot
her,Scebi.
.
.
.
.
Scebi
:"Wi
l
lyoupl
easeexcuseus"
.
Mom:
"Ofcour
se,
ofcour
se"
.
Theyl
eftt
her
oom l
eav
ingus
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Scebi
:"Phi
l
ani
needsy
ou"
.
Me:
"Wel
lIdon'
t"
.
Scebi:"
Wear
egoingnowPhi
l
anii
sfight
ingforhis
l
ifeandwecan'
ttakehi
mtot
hehospit
al,heneeds
you".
Me:
"Iam notadoct
or,
pleasel
eav
e".
Scebist
oodupandwentt
omypar
ent
s,het
ookout
alet
terandgav
ethem
Mom:
"Pal
iyouneedt
ogo, t
hisl
ett
ersaysify
ouf
ail
t
owor
kduri
ngthehol
iday
s,youwil
lloseyour
schol
arshi
p".
Me:
"What
?Gi
vemet
hatl
ett
er"
.
Ireadt helett
erandt hesebustardsf akedev eryt
hing
i
nt here,itl
ookedconcr eteandpr ofessional.Myso
call
ed" Professor"offeredt ogi
vemeal i
ft,my
parentsar esoi gnorant,theyshouldhav easkedhi m
mor equest i
ons, Nopr ofessorvisi
tst hestudent?I
packedmybagandwentt oScebi'scar,Ididn'
tev en
bath,Ijustchangedmypaj amas, wegoti ntothecar
andhest art
eddr iv
ing, hekeptquietanddi dn'teven
l
ookedatme, thedr i
v ewassi l
entandwear r
ivedat
Philani
'shouse.
Scebi
:"Thedoctortookthebul
let
soutandl
efthi
m
i
nthest abl
econdit
ion,soyouneedt
otakecareof
hi
m" .
Me:"Wheret
hehelli
shi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?Iam nothi
s
gi
rl
fri
endandIhav
enobusi
nesswithhi
m, Iwon'
tdo
anyt
hing"
.
Scebi
:"Ar
eyoudone?
".
Whatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
tht
heseguy
sandbei
ng
r
ude?
Me:
"Ineedt
ogohomenow"
.
Scebi:
"Phi l
anididmentionyouhav
edr amabutI
neverthoughtitwasthisannoyi
ng,
I'
m surey ou
knowhi sroom andpleasestopmakingnoise,he
needsy ouplease".
Me:
"Ihat
eyoual
l
,youdi
sgustme"
.
Iwentupst ai
rstohi sroom andhewasl y i
ngt her
ein
bedl i
fel
ess,Idon'twannal ieIlovehim andIhat e
him,Igotclosertohi m andl ookedathim, Iwanted
topunchhi sbeaut i
fulsleepi
ngf acebutIst opped
my sel
f,i
sheagangst erorahi t
man?Whyt hey
alwaysshoothi m, Ifel
ttearscomi ngout,hecanbe
abust ar
dbutIal way shav easof tspotforhim andI
l
ov ehim.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Don'
tforgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
6,13:
13]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[9]
.
.
.
UnEdi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It
'sbeent woday snowsi nceIcameher eandPhi lani
hasn'twokenupy et
,I'
mf eel i
ngal it
tl
ebi tnervous
now, Iwanthimt ogetbet ter.Nomat terhowmucha
personcanhur tyoubutnev erwi shbadt hingson
them.Phi l
anihashurtmebuti thur tsmet oseehi m
got hroughsomuchpai n.Ihav en'tseenAnyofhi s
brother'
sbutI'
m enjoyingmyowncompany .I
fi
nishedchangingPhi l
ani'sbandagesandIwent
downst air
sforsomet hingt oeat, Iwassost arving,I
gott otheKit
chenandf oundpeopl etalki
ngIdi dn't
evencheckwhot heyar e,Ijusttur nedbackbutt hey
stoppedme, av erybeautifulwomenwhoi smay be
i
nherear l
y50'sstoppedme.
Her
:"YoumustbePal
esa,
right
?".
Il
ookedatPhebuthel
ookedt
heot
herway
Me:
"YesMa'
m".
Her
: "Dontbescar
ed,
I'
m Mr
sMt
het
hwa,
Phi
l
ani
'
s
mother"
.
Phi
lani
'
smother
?Phil
ani
neverment
ionedt
hathe
hasamother
,notev
enonce
Me:
"It
sNi
cet
omeety
ou"
.
Mr sMt het
hwa:"Ihaveneverev
ermetPhi
l
ani
's
girl
fri
end,notevenoncebutmysonhasaver
ygood
taste,youareverybeaut
if
ul"
.
Me:
"Thanky
oubutI
'
m notdat
ingy
ourson"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"I
sit?Wel
lI
'm sor
rymychil
dbuti
f
youar
enotdat
ingthanwhatbri
ngsyouher
e?"
.
Me:"YourSonScebi f
orcedmetocomehere,Idon'
t
meant oberudeMrsMt het
hwabutIdon'
twantto
behere,pl
easeexcuseme".
Idon'tcareifIsoundedsodi srespectf
ul butt hiswas
supposet obet hetimet hatIgett ospendwi thmy
familynotlockedupi nsomebi gmansi ont aking
careofthedy ingexboy f
ri
end, thatdoesn'tev en
makeanysense, Ididt hesamet hefoll
owi ngday ,
taki
ngcar eofPhi l
ani,Icall
edmymom t hanIwent
backt oPhil
ani'sbedroom buthewasn' tupy et,I
decidedtogot otheroom whi cht heygav emef or
somesl eep.
Iwokeupar oundeightatni
ghttocheckonhim andI
foundallhi
sbrother
sandhismom t herewit
hhim
awake,IstoodatthedoorbecauseIdidn'
twantto
di
stur
bthi
sfami
l
ymoment
,theyt
urnedandl
ooked
atme
MrsMthethwa:
"Comei
n,don'
tj
ustst
andt
her
eby
t
hedoor".
Me: "No,
I'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tmeant
odi
stur
b,Icamet
o
checkon-.
."
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Hei
sawakenow,
oht
hanky
oul
ord"
.
Sanel
e:"
Dontfor
gettot
hankPalesa,
she'
sal
soour
Lordf
ortaki
ngcareoft
heBrazo".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Hahay
oucansayt
hatagai
n".
Phi
l
ani
:"Howar
eyou?
".
Il
ookedathim anddi dn'trespondtohim,theyall
l
ookedatmebutIdi dn'tsayawor d,thi
sguyhas
destr
oyedmei nsomanyway s,
beingcheatedon
destr
oysyouasper son.Iwal kedoutofther oom
andirequest
edanuber ,Inevertookmyclot hesout
ofthebagandt hedirtyoneswer einthehandbag,
anuberwasout si
deandIt ookmybagsandwent
out.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Soy
ouwer
egoi
ngt
oleav
ewi
thout
t
ell
i
ngany
one?Wher
ear
eyourmanner
syoung
l
ady?"
.
Me:
"Iam sor
rybutIt
hought
-.
."
MrsMthethwa:"Youthoughtwrong,Comebackand
saygoodbyetoall
ofus,youcan'tj
ustwalkoutin
somebodyelse'
shousewithoutl
etti
ngthem know".
Sher
eal
l
yhadapoi
nt
Me:
"Butt
hecari
sal
readywai
ti
ngf
ormeout
side"
.
MrsMthethwa:"Ther
eareplentyofthosei
nthi
s
house,
Sanele!Gopaytheguyout si
deandtel
lhi
mto
gobackwher ev
erhecamefr om".
Ilookedathersurprised,thiswomeni sr i
ch,youcan
tell
byjustl
ookingather ,herclothes,herweav e,
her
shoesandnails.Shehasi tall
,thedini
ngt abl
ewas
preparedwit
hdifferentdishesoff ood,theyalso
helpedPhil
anitocomet ot hetable,
whenIl ookedat
him allt
hehate,
loveandhear t
achecameback.
Me:"MrsMthethwathanky
ouf
ory
ourhospi
tal
i
ty
butIr
eal
lyhav
et ogo".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Pl
easeeatf
ir
st,
Ihav
enev
ersaw
y
oueatev
ersi
nceIcamei
nthi
shouse"
.
Me:"
Iwouldreal
lylovet
obutIcan'
tst
ay,
Ihaveto
gohome,schooli
sopeningi
naweeksot hi
sli
tt
le
ti
methatIhaveIreal
l
yneedtospendi
twithmy
fami
ly
".
Phil
ani
:"Palesadon'
tbestubbor
n,l
ist
ent
omom and
eatandit'
slatenow,youcangobackhome
tomorr
ow" .
Il
ookedathi
m,whot
hehel
li
shet
otel
lmewhatt
o
do
.
.
.
.
Me:"Ifyoudon'twantt
ogobackt
othatbedfor
anot
herthreedaysyouwil
ll
ear
ntomindyourown
busi
ness".
Hi
sMot
herl
aughed.
..
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esaj
ustst
opbei
-.
."
Me: "Stopbeingwhatexact
lyPhi
lani
?Youar ewith
yourf amil
yhereandIneedtogobackt omine,your
brotherforcedmetocomeher e,
isn'
tthatenough?
Youar ebett
ernowsowhyshouldIcontinuestayi
ng
here".
Phi
lani
:"That'
snotwhatImeant ,Palesai
t'
salmost
ni
neatnightandfrom her
et oDav ey
t oni
st wohour
s
ormore,whatwil
lyourparentssaywheny ouget
homeatt hatt
ime?".
Me:"Whatt heywillsaywon'tmatteraslongasI'
m
home, Ij
usthateseeingyourface,I
'm notaski
ng
anyt
hingfrom you,Ijustwanttogo".
Phil
ani
:"Fi
ne,
Go,yourmoneywi
l
lbedeposi
tedf
ir
st
thi
nginthemorni
ng".
Me:
"Whatmoney
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Fort
aki
ngcar
eofme"
.
Me: "Ihatedeverysingl
emi nuteofit,
Iam here
becauseIdidn'thaveanychoi ceandIdon'tneed
yourmoney ,keshapkay onaPhi l
ani.MrsMt het
hwa
Iam sorrybutIhav etogo,Iam verysorr
yIdon't
meant obedi srespect
fulorrude"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Iunder
standmybaby
".
Shesmi l
edatmeandIr
equest
edtaxi
fyt
histi
me,
thesepeopl
emakemesickandI'
mtir
edofthem
Me: "GuysIhavenothi
ngtodowit
hyouory our
brot
herpleasestopmakingmeyourpersonalnur
se
becauseI'
m not,st
ayawayfr
om me.Pleaseletme
l
ivemyl i
feinpeace"
.
Iclosedt hedoorandwai tedoutsi de,onethingI'
ve
noticedisthatifyoukeepqui etthesepeopl ewi l
l
takeadv antageofyou, I
'mt i
redoft heseMt hethwa
guy sandInowhat eallofthem,thet axifyt
ookme
tomypl ace, Isl
eptthereandi nt
hemor ni
ngIwoke
upand50000wasdeposi tedinmybankaccount ,I
wentt othebankandl ucki
lythemoneywas
transfer
red,Iaskedthebankt otransferthemoney
backt oitowner
BankTell
er:
"Iam sor
ryma'
mI'
m af
rai
dwecannot
dothat
".
Me:"Youcannotdowhat
?Idon'
tknowt hatmoney
andmaybeit
'ssomeonewhoisafraudsterwho
deci
dedtousemyaccount
,Iam notsafehere,
pl
easefi
ndoutwhothi
saccountbel
ongst
oand
tr
ansf
eri
tbacktoi
towner"
.
BankTel
l
er:
"OkIwi
l
ltr
ytodot
hat
".
Me: "
Pleasedon'
ttr
y,doi
tnowandI
'
m cl
osi
ngt
hat
accountIneedanewone".
IknowIwasr udebutIwasangr y,Phi l
ani'sbr ot her
tookadv ant
ageofmej ustbecauset heyhav emoney
tobribeme?Theychangedev erythingandatl eastI
wasf eel
ingmuchbet ter,Idon'twantany thingt odo
withtheseguy s.IwentbackhomeandIt hought
may beIwi l
lgetacal lf
rom Phi l
ani butIdi dn't,the
holi
daysendedandIcamebackt omypl ace.Thi ngs
weregoi ngwell andIshoul dbehappyt hatPhi lani
wasn'tinmyl if
eany mor ebutIwasnothappy , Iwas
heartbroken,Iblamedmy sel
ffort r
ust i
nghi mt hat
easil
y,Icouldn'tbel i
evehowst upidIwas.School
start
edandaf termycl assesIwentt othebusst op
thantherethepol icecarwas, Iignor edhim, hecame
outandcamest raightrightwher eIwas.
Phi
l
ani
:"Hi
".
Ii
gnor
edhi
m
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esaweneedt
otal
k".
Lucki
lyt
hebuscameandIl ef
thi
mt her
e,It
ookasit
andtookoutmyheadsetandsomeonesatnextt
o
me.Phil
ani
!
Phi
l
ani
:"Pl
easePal
esaj
usthearmeout
,pl
ease"
.
Me:"Ever
yonei
slooki
ngatus,
getoutPhi
l
ani
Idon'
t
wanttotal
ktoyou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Fi
ne,
youl
eav
emenochoi
ce"
.
Hest
oodupandaskedf
orev
ery
one'
sat
tent
ion
Me:"
OkI'l
lgetof
fnowbutI
'
m onl
ygi
vi
ngy
ouone
mi
nute"
.
Wegotoutt
hebus
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Tal
k".
Phi
l
ani
:"GodIhat
ethi
sbeggi
ngt
hing,
I'
m notev
en
goodati
t"
.
Me:"
Phi
laniI
'
m sureyoudi
dn'
tgetmeoutoft
hat
bust
onurseyourego"
.
Phil
ani:"Babywhatyousawi nt
heoff
icewasa
mistake,averyst
upidmist
akethatwi
l
l nev
erbe
repeatedagai
npleasebeli
eveme".
Me:"Whaty
oudidint
hatof
fi
cei
snotmybusi
ness
any
morePhil
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whydi
dyour
etur
nyourmoney
".
Me:"It
'syourmoneyPhi l
aninotmine,ifIcamet o
hel
pyouwi l
li
ngl
ymay beIwasgonnat aket hemoney
butnothankyou..Phi
l
ani Idon'
twanty ou,Ihave
movedonandpl easedisappearandleavemeal one"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sthatwhaty
ouwant
?".
Me:
"That
'sexact
lywhatIwant
".

Phi
lani
:"Ok,ok,
PalesaIwanty
out
oli
stent
ome
andli
stenver
ycareful
l
y".
Ohher
ewegoagai
n!!
!!
Me:
"Idon'twanttol
i
stent
oyou,
Iwanty
out
oleav
e
mealone,
please"
.
Phil
ani:"Ili
stenedt oyoumor et hanenough
Mbalenhle,Mbal iyami andIthinkIhav egiveny ouso
muchspacebutnowI '
m backi ny ourli
fe,Il
ovey ou
andI'm notgonnal ety ougothateasi ly
, y
ouare
mineMbal enhle,yesImakemi stakesandnoone
saidI'
m perfect.Ionlyaskedt wot hingsfrom you,to
meetmehal fwaysi nceIhav enev erbeeni na
rel
ati
onshipandt oloveme, Inev ersaidIwon'tmake
mistakes,Iwast empt edandIpr omi senott oallow
temptati
onst ogeti ntomeagai n.Ideserv e
everyt
hingyouar edoi ngtomer i
ghtnowbutIwon' t
all
owy outol eaveme" .
Me:"Well
I'
m sor
rybutIcan'
tbewi
thy
ouany
mor
e,I
am f
inewi
thouty
ou".
Phi
l
ani
:"Doy
oust
il
ll
oveme?
".
Ikeptqui
et
Phil
ani:
"Lookatmei
ntheey
esandt
ell
met
haty
ou
don'
tlovemeanymor
e".
Me:
"Idon'
twantt
obewi
thy
ouPhi
l
ani
".
Phil
ani:
"Youarenotansweri
ngmyquest i
on,
y ouwil
l
l
earntobewithme, If
ightf
orwhatIwantandI
al
way sgetwhatIwantandrightnowIwantyou,I
needyousodon'tthi
nkthatIwil
lleav
eyoual
one".
Me:"Phil
anipl
easest
ayawayf
rom me,
Idon'
tl
ove
youanymore".
Isai
dinbet
weentear
s,cr
ying,
hel
ookedt
heot
her
wayandThanbackatme
Phi
l
ani
:"Youdon'
tl
oveme?
".
Me:
"YesIdon'
t"
.
Helookedhurt
,ver
yhurt,
Iwascryi
ngandl
ooki
ng
down,Icoul
dfeelt
hathewaslooki
ngatme,If
ixed
mybagandl ef
thim st
andi
ngther
e.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esawai
t!
".
Idi
dn'
twai
tbuther
ant
omeandhel
dmyhand
Me:
"Letmego"
.
Phil
ani:"Iwon'
tLetYougo,
Iwill
nev erl
etyougo
Mbaliyami.YouaremyMbalenhle,
myl ove,my
ever
ything.Myli
fewasusel
essbeforeyoucameinto
mylifebutyoucameandgav emet hereasont
oli
ve,
Il
ovey ousthandwasami
,pl
easegivemeanot
her
chance,pl
easeMaMokwena, pl
easemylov
e".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
,Ineedt
othi
nkaboutt
hisIneed-
..
"
Phi
l
ani
:"Mar
rymeMbal
enhl
e".
Me:
"What
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Pl
easeMar
ryMe"
.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
6,13:
15]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
10]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ist
oodt
her
elooki
ngathi
m,i
sthi
sguycr
azy
?He
wantstofixhi
swr ongdoingsbymar r y
ingme?
Anotherfl
ashcrossedmymi nd, Ihaveneverbeen
askedforahandinmar ri
age,ifIdon'tacceptt
his
whatifI'
m cr
eati
ngbadl uckformy selfinthef
utur
e
butthosearej
ustmy thsri
ght?
Phi
l
ani
:"Tal
ktome,
pleasesaysomet
hing"
.
Me:"Il
oveyouPhil
anisomuchandeveni
fIt
rynot
t
obutIcan'
t,y
ouaretheonl
ypersont
hatI
'
velov
ed
t
hismuchbutIcan'
tmarryy
ou".
Phi
l
ani
:"Atl
eastt
hinkabouti
t"
.
Me:"Ther
e'snot
hingt
othi
nkabouti
t,Ican'
tmar
ry
you"
.
Iturnedandwal kedtot het axissincemor ethant wo
buseshav eleftme,mypl acewasamessandI
didn'tevenbothercl
eani ngi t,
Ijustthrewmy sel
fon
mybed, somanyt hought swer ecr ossingmymi nd.I
l
ov ePhilanisomuchbutwehav en'
tev endat
edf or
threemont hsbutalreadyhewant stomar ryme, I
mov edt oofast,
Iexpect edt oomuchf rom hi
m
forgetti
ngthatIdon'tevenknowhi mt hatmuch,If el
l
asleepandIal waysforgett oeatwhenI '
m al
one,I
j
ustdon'
tgethungr y
.ThenextdayIdidn'
tfeell
ike
waki
ngupf orschool,Idi
dmyl aundr
yandcleaned
ther
oom andfellasleepagai
n,Ishoul
dbehappybut
Iwashur
tmyhear twasbrokeninsomanypi eces.
Myphonerangandi twasKagi so.
Me:
"Heyy
ou"
.
Kagi
so:"
Heylov
ewhyar
en'
tyouatschool
,Il
ooked
al
loverf
ory
ou".
Me:
"Ijustneededadayof
fmanbutI
'
llcome
t
omorr
ow" .
Kagi
so:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Me:
"YeahI
'
m good,
Why
?".
Kagiso:"Youdon'
tsoundsoconv
inci
ng,
sendme
yourlocat
ion"
.
Me:
"KGIam fi
nepl
easebel
i
eveme,
youdon'
thav
e
t
ocomeal
lthewaydownhere"
.
Kagi
so: "OkI'v
eneverbeentoyournewplace,
send
mey ourlocati
onandpleasecookI'
m sohungr
y,you
bet
terstartcooki
ngnow".
Me:
"Geezok,
I'
ll
sendi
tnow"
.
Ihungupandsenthi m alocati
on,Istart
edcooki ng,
i
nt hirt
ymi nut
eshewasatt hegateandseei nghim
heremadeev ery
thi
ngbetter,Ifi
nishedcooki ngand
west artedeati
ng.Iendedupt el
li
nghi m about
Philani
Kagi
so:
"Icanseet
haty
our
eal
l
ylov
ehi
m".
Me:"
IdoandIdon'
t
,Idon'
tknowwhat
'sgoi
ngon
wi
thme".
Kagiso:"Justgi
veyour
sel
fti
met othinkabouti
tand
don'tmakeanydecisi
onsyet
,ifhelovesyouhewil
l
waitforyou,t
rustmeandhewi l
lnevergi
veupon
you".
Me:
"It
hinki
t'
seasi
ersai
dthandone"
.
Wecat
chedupandwat
chedmov
ies,
mymom cal
l
ed
me.
Me:
"Mama"
.
Mom: "I
ntwoweeksi
t'
syourbi
rt
hdayandwear
e
t
hinki
ngabouty
ourbi
rt
hdaysweet
hear
t".
Iscr
eamedandl
ookedatKagi
so
Me:
"Real
l
yMom?
"
Mom:"Whynot?Youonl
yturntwent
yoneonceso
babyy
oudeser
vethi
sbir
thdayandmore,y
ouhave
madeust
hemostproudparentsonear
th"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ousomuchMa"
.
Mom: "Youwil
lsendawhatsapptell
ingmewhat
youwantordonotwantthanwewi llor
ganizeit
,we
don'
twantyoutomissoutony ourschoolwork".
Me:
"OkIwi
l
ldot
hat
,Il
ovey
ouby
e".
Ihungupandt
urnedt
oKagi
so
Me:
"Cany oubel
i
eveit
?Mypar
ent
sar
eor
gani
zi
ng
mytwent
yfir
stbi
rt
hday"
.
Kagi
so:
"Real
l
y?"
.
Me:"YeahandIwishI
'mther
etoorgani
zei
t,my
mom wil
ljustdoev
ery
thi
nginherownwaynot
mi
ne".
Kagiso:"Letmejustsav
etheday,
sinceI
'
m anev
en
organizermaybeImighthel
p".
Me:
"Real
l
y".
Kagi
so:
"Whynot
?".
Me:"Ihav
eatestonMondaysopleaset
rytogo
homeonweekendIwil
ltel
lmypar
entsbecauseI
havet
ostudyonweekend"
.
Kagi
so:
"Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou"
.
Myent i
remoodcompl et elychanged, Kagisowent
backtohispl aceandIj ustf ell
asleep.Inthe
mor ni
ngaf terfresheni
ngupIwor emyl eggi ngand
spongebobJer seyandmyNi ketakkiesand
att
endedmycl asses,mycl assesf i
nishedear lyt
han
Iwenttot hesal ontowashmyf oxlocks, Idon'twant
tochanget hem nowsi ncei tsmybi rthdayi ntwo
weeks,letmer atherchangemyhai rst yl
eonmy
bir
thday,theyt akesolongt odr yup,Iwasi nthe
dryerr
eadi ngamagazi newhenmyphoner ang,i
t
wasanunknownnumber .
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Voice:"Hel
l
oPal
esai
t'
sPhi
l
ani
'
sMot
her
,Howar
e
you?".
Me:"OhMr
sMt
het
hwa,
Iam goodandhowar
e
you?
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Iam good,
Ihavenev
erthankedyou
f
orwhatyoudi
dformysonbutIwanttomakei tup
f
orthat
,Whydon'
twemeett omorr
owforlunch?
".
Me:
"Mr
sMt
het
hway
oudon'
thav
etodot
hat
,-
..
."
Mr
sMt hethwa:
"Ir
eall
ywantt
o,Iwill
sendoneof
mydr
iverstopi
ckyouupfr
om school,
ist
hatok?
".
Me:"Thatwon'
tbenecessar
y,j
ustt
ell
mewher
eand
Iwi
l
l come"
.
MrsMthethwa:
"Youareaver
yimpossi
blegi
rl
Pal
esa,okwewill
meetatMabonengPat
aPata,
let
's
sayar
oundtwo".
Me:
"Nopr
obl
em,
Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row"
.
Myhear tstar
tedbeati
ngf astnowwhywoul dshe
wanttomeetwi thmecozI '
m sur
eit
'snotabout
whatIdidforPhil
ani,
Ifi
nishedandmyhai rl
ooked
asbrandnew, IwenthomeandonFr i
day'
smy
classesf i
nishear l
y,IwentbackhomeandIchecked
mycl othes, Whywoul dIev enwearsomet hingfancy,
Iwor emyadi dasblackandwhi teleggi ngsanadidas
sweat erandsuper stars,
Itiedmyl ocksi nabunand
tookmybag, Iwassi mplebutsmar t
, t
hankstomy
body ,Itookat axif
yf r
om mypl acet omabonengi t
's
R20, Iarri
vedandt hereshewast alki
ngt oaphone,
geezherGucci bagwast odiefor ,
ev eryt
hingabout
herisf ancyandper fect,
shewav edatmeandIwent
towher eshewas, shedr oppedthecal l
MrsMthet
hwa:"Thankyousomuchf
orcomi
ng,
you
l
ookev
enmor ebeauti
ful
today
".
Me:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Thewaitercameandsheor deredacocktai
lwhi
leI
order
edanAppl ej
uiceandItoldherIwasn'
thungr
y
becauseIdidn'
twantthe'MthethwaMoney '
tobe
spentonme
MrsMt hethwa:"Thankyousomuchfortaki
ngcare
ofmyboy ,
theseboysdon'
tl
ikehospi
tal
sbutlucki
l
y
enoughy ouweretheret
ohelp"
.
Di
dshemean'
l
ucki
l
yenoughmyot
herar
rogantson
for
cedyoutotakecar
eofhi
m'Ij
ustlookedather
andIhaven'
tevent
ouchedt
hej
uicesheboughtfor
me
MrsMthet
hwa:"Iknowmay
bei
twashar
dfory
ou
butt
hankyoumybaby".
Me:
"Mr
sMt
het
hwai
-.
..
"
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Ohpleasecal
lmeMom, y
ouarethe
sameageasmyyoungerson,
Sanel
esopl
easecal
l
meMom" .
Me:"Idi
dn'tt
akecar
eofPhil
anibecauseIwantedto,
i
t'
sbecauseIwasforcedt
o,t
hreedaysinthathouse
f
eltl
iket
hreeyear
s".
Shesmi
l
edatme
Mr sMthethwa:"That
'swhatIl
ikeaboutyou,you
speakyourmi nd,
Iwonderhowy ouandPhilani
standeachotherbecauseheissostubbornjustl
i
ke
youare".
Me:
"I'
m notst
ubbor
n".
MrsMthet
hwa:"That
'
sexact
lywhathesaysbut
don'
tworr
yInowseewhyhecan'
tstayawayfr
om
y
ouandal
lmyboy
sli
key
ouf
ort
hei
rbr
other
".
Me:"I
t'
ssadthatPhil
aniandIar
eov
erandwewi
l
l
nev
ergetbacktoget
her"
.
Mr sMt het
hwa:"ButwhyPalesa,youl
ookgood
togetherandIcanseethatyouloveeachother
.
Theseday shedoesn'
teveneat ,
heisalway
s
wor ki
ngdayinanddayout,pleaseatl
eastspeakt
o
him" .
Me:
"Ma,
yoursoncan'
tcl
osehi
spant
s".
MrsMt het
hwa:"MthethwaManarelikethatMy
chi
ldandinfactal
lmanareli
kethat,
y oucan'
tbr
eak
upwithyourmanbecauseofanotherwomen
becauseeventhenextmanyou'
l
l f
indwillal
so
cheat"
.
Me: "No,Ican'
tstandbei
ngcheat
edon, hehas
neversl
eptwi t
hmebuthesleepsaround.That
showst hathedoesn'
tlov
eme".
MrsMthethwa:
"OhsoInowseewher etheprobl
em
i
shere,whotol
dyouthatthelovei
sshownby
havi
ngsex?Herespect
edy ouenoughnottohave
sexwit
hyoubeforemarri
age".
Me:
"Buti
t'
sst
il
lthesame"
.
Mr sMthet
hwa: "Noit'
snott hesame,i
fhi
s
i
ntenti
onswer etouseyou, hewould'
vesl
eptwith
youanddumpedy ouli
kethatbuthedidn'
t,butI
'
m
sureyouwill
gety our
selfaperfectmanwhowi l
l
runawaywhenheseesgi r
ls".
Me:
"Phi
lani
issost
ubbor
nandhewant
sev
ery
thi
ng
t
ogohi
sway "
.
MrsMt
hethwa:"Justl
i
key
oubutt
hat
'snotwhyI
cal
l
edyouher
e".
Wet al
kedandsheisaver
yni
ceper
son,
Iev
ent
old
heraboutmybir
thday
.
.
.
.
.
Iwentbacktomyplaceandthoughtabout
ever
ythi
ngthatMrsMthet
hwasaidbutthere'
sno
wayI'
m all
owinghi
ssontocomebacki ntomyli
fe
nomat t
erhowmuchIlovehi
m, Iworemypajamas
andgotinsi
dethebl
ankets,
Ihear
daknockandIgot
uptocheckwhoitwas,itwasPhil
ani
wearinghis
navyandwhiteGangtr
acksuit
sandastr
aightcap,
heissogoodlooki
ng.
Me:
"It
'sl
ate,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Phi
lani
:"I
t'
sgoodt oseey
out
ooPal
esa,
Whyar
e
youalway
sfight
ing".
Il
ookedathi
m
Me:
"I'
m notf
ight
ingI
'
mtr
yingt
osl
eep"
.
Hecamei
nsi
deandl
ockedt
hedoor
Phil
ani:
"Oksorr
yfordi
stur
bingy
oubutIhear
dmy
mom say i
ngy
oudidn'
teatt
odaysoIbr
oughtthese
foryou"
.
Me:
"Idon'
twanty
ourf
oodandI
'
m nothungr
y".
Phi
lani:
"WellIdon'
thaveanypl
anstoni
ghtsowe
canplaythi
sgamet hewholeni
ght
".
Hetookmylapt
opandst
art
edscr
oll
i
ngt
hrough,
the
ner
vesoft
hisguy
Phi
l
ani
:"EatPal
esa"
.
Thisguynev ergi
v esup,Itookt hepieceofmeatand
i
twasdel i
cious,Iateunt i
lIwasf ull
,noonewas
tal
kingtoeachot her,Igotinsi
det heblanketsandI
don'tknowhowIf el
lasleep,whenIwokeup, Phi
l
ani
wast heresleepingint hecouch, mycouchwasv ery
cheapsoi t'
snotcomf or
tableenought osleeponit,I
checkedt het i
meandi twasar oundonei nthe
mor ni
ng.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
,Comet
obed"
.
Hegotupandtookouthi
sJer
seyandpant
s,hewas
l
eftwi
thhi
svestandboxer
s
Me:
"Yousl
eepony
oursi
deandIsl
eeponmi
ne"
.
Heroll
edhi
seyesatme, wedrif
tedtosleep,
Iwas
warm sowar
mt hatIdi
dn'tev
enwanttowakeup, I
openedmyeyesandIwasi nhisarms,hewas
l
ookingatme
Me:
"Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatme"
.
Phi
lani
:"Youaresobeauti
ful,
doy
ouknowhowhar
d
i
tistostayawayfr
om you?".
Me:
"Dontst
art
,ti
mei
sup,
it'
sti
mef
ory
out
ogoand
pl
easedon'
tar
gue"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Nopr obl
em?Iexpectedhimt oargueorsomet hi
ng
buthedidn't
,Iwasalit
tl
ehurt,doesthatmeanhe
doesn'tl
ovemeanymor e?Cozt hePhil
aniIknow
wouldhav esai
dheisnotgoingany where,
hegot
dressedandIwasinbedl ooki
ngathim
Phil
ani
:"Youknowt
hisi
sthel
astt
ime,
I'
mleav
ing
you"
.
Me:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Phil
ani:"I
'
m givi
ngyouaweekt othi
nkaboutusand
nowt hatI
'm sur
eaboutyourf
eeli
ngsforme,I
'm not
backi
ngdownonmypl an".
Me:
"What
'sexact
lyar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Youwill
nev
erbreakupwi
thme,
because
webot
hloveeachot
her
".
Me:
"Andwhoexact
lyt
oldy
out
hatIl
ovey
ou?
".
Hel
ookedatmeandheundr
essed
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Hewasonl yleftwit
hhisboxers,hegoti
nsi
dethe
blanketsandl ookedstr
aightatme,myheartst
art
ed
beatingfast,
heputhi swarm handundermypajama
vestandmov editslowl
y
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Idon'tknowhowbutt hequest ioncamei nwhi sper,
mybodywasr espondi ngsof astlongingf
orhi s
touch,Icouldfeelhishotbr eathi nmyneck, I
wantedhi mt okissme, Iopenedmyl egsforhimt o
fi
tperfectlyinbetweent hem, hecont i
nuedbr ushing
mybel l
yt hanhest opped, hegothi sfacecloserto
mineourl ipsalmostt ouching,Iclosedmyey es
waiti
ngf orhimt okissmebuthegotupandputon
hispants, Iwasconf usedIdidn' tsayanyt
hing,he
dressedupandputonhi stakkies,hecamecl oser
andlookedatme
Phi
lani:
"Yousayyoudon'
twantmebuty
ourbody
say
st heopposi
te,
HaveagooddayMbal
iyami
".
Hekissedmyf or
eheadandlef
t,Ihav
enev
erbeen
t
hisembarrassedinmyenti
reli
fe.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Don'
tforgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
6,13:
18]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
11]
.
.
.
.
UnEdi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Thi
sPostConnt
ainsMut
uredCont
ent
sBeWar
ned.
.
.
.
MaybeI'
m obsessedorcr
azybecauseIcan'
tst
op
t
hinki
ngabouthim,Iwrot
emyt estonMondayandi
t
wasok,IwentbacktomyplaceandIcall
edmy
mom.
Mom:
"Pal
i
"
Me:
"Mamahowar
ethepr
epar
ati
onsgoi
ng?
Mom:"Kagi
soisdoi
ngaver
ygoodj
oband
ev
ery
thi
ngisgoi
ngwell
"
Me:
"OkIwi
l
lseey
ouonFr
iday
"
°°
Icannotwai ttogohomeonFr i
day,thi
sweekend
i
t'
sall aboutme, ev eryt
hingisaboutme, mytwenty
fi
rstbirt
hday,youonl yturntwentyoneoncesono
onecanbl amemef orbeingthishappy ,
Ihavenever
heardf r
om Phil
ani ,hedoesn' tcal
lmeandmypr ide
doesn'tall
owmet o.Myweekwentpr ettywel
l,
af t
er
mycl assesonFr idayIcoul dn'twaittogotomy
pl
aceandpackmybagsf ormybi r
thdaylong
weekend, Phil
anicameatt hebusst opandhedi dn'
t
havet ocallmeIwentst r
aighttohim° °
Me: "Youshouldst
opcomingherewi
tht
hese
expensivecar
speoplewi
l
lstar
tthi
nki
ngI
'm dat
ing
blesser
s".
Phi
lani:
"AslongasI
'
myourbl
esser
,Idon'
tsee
any
thingwrong"
.
Me:
"Pl
easedon'
tfeel
sospeci
al"
.
Phal
ani
:"Hahageti
nsi
de"
.
Igoti
nsi
det
hecarandhedr
oveof
f
Me:
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pat
ienceMyl
ovepat
ience"
.
Me:
"Phil
aniwearenotdat
ingsopl
easest
opcal
l
ing
mewit
hallt
hesepetnames".
Phil
ani:
"Youal
way
swantt
orui
nmymoodbutI
for
giveyou"
.
Ikeptqui
etandwedrov
et oSandton,heparkedthe
carandwewenttotheBMW Gar age,
I'm notreal
l
ya
fanofcar
sbutIdol
ikethem
Phi
l
ani
:"Thesecar
sar
esobeaut
if
ulai
n'
tthey
?".
Me:
"Andexpensi
vet
oo"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Moneyi
snotapr
obl
em myl
ove"
.
Me:"Besi
desbei
ngapol
i
cemanwhatot
herj
obsdo
youdo?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Manuf
act
uri
ngandt
axi
busi
ness"
.
Me:"Butwhomanagesthebusi
nesseswheny
ou
ar
edoingyourpol
i
cejob?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Myf
ami
l
y,It
hinkt
hiscari
sper
fect
".
Me:"Sothat
'swherey
ougetal
lthemoneyf
rom?I
meanlookatth-
..
".
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
tl
iket
alkingaboutmysel
f,y
ouknow
al
lmyfami l
ynowandt hat'
senough"
.
Me:
"Buty
oupr
omi
sedt
otel
lmeev
ery
thi
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youdumpedmer emember
?SoIcan'
ttel
l
myExever
ythi
ngaboutme".
Iswal
l
owedhar
d,he'
stel
l
ingt
het
rut
hthough
Me: "Thanwhyam Iwi
thyounowi
fyoudon'
twant
yourex'st
oknowaboutyou?"
.
Phil
ani
: "IneededsomecompanyandbesidesI'
m
theonlyonewhocanputupwi t
hyourannoying99
questi
onssobegl ad"
.
Me:
"Ihat
eyou"
'
Phi
l
ani
:"Real
l
y?"
.
Me:
"Yesr
eal
l
y".
Phi
lani
:"Thef
unnythi
ngi
s:Youdidn'
tsayt
haty
ou
hat
emet heot
herdayiny
ourroom buti
nst
eadyour
ey
eswer
etel
l
ingmet
haty
ouneededme"
.
Me:
"Mxm Dontf
eel
sospeci
al"
.
Phil
ani
:"Ohr
eall
ynow?Palesawebot
hknowt
hat
youwantme,youcan'
tev
enstandt
oseemehal
f
naked"
.
Me:
"May
bei
t'
stheot
herwayar
ound"
'
Phi
lani:"Ok,Idon'
tli
ket
heor
iesI
'm mor
eofa
pr
acticalper
son,let
'
sgotoyourpl
acenow"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
justst
opi
t"
.
Phil
ani
:"Buty
oul
i
kei
t,y
oushoul
dseey
ourf
ace
ri
ghtnow".
Thanhelaughed,
Idi
dn'
tfi
ndaj
okei
nev
ery
thi
ng
thathesai
d
Me:
"Wowt
hiscar
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Doy
oul
i
kei
t?"
.
Me:"Il
oveitandthecol
our,wai
tformet
il
lIst
art
wor
king,
you'l
lseemeinit"
.
Phil
ani
:"It
'st
henewBMW 4Ser i
esCoupe`
,They
saytheexper
iencei
sgood,
let
'st
akei
tfort
hetest
dr
ive.
Me:
"Idon'
tknowhowt
odr
ive"
'
Phi
l
ani
:"don'
twor
ryI
'
lldr
ive"
.
Me:"I
t'
snotnecessar
yandwhyexact
lyar
ewe
her
e?".
Phil
ani
:"IneedanewcarbutIt
hinkaf
terseei
ng
theseI
'
vechangedmymi nd"
.
Me:
"Okbyt
hewayIhav
etogohome"
.
Phi
lani
:"OkI'
l
ldr
ivey
out
oyourpl
acebutnott
o
dav
ey t
on".
Idon'
treal
lyunder
standwhyweevencameherein
thefi
rstpl
ace,wewenttomyplaceandIst
art
ed
packi
ng.
Me:
"Pl
easet
akemet
othet
axi
s".
Phi
l
ani
:"RequestanUberIwi
l
lpay
".
Me:
"Geezi
t'
ssoexpensi
vesor
ryIwon'
t"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"That
'
swhyI
'
m say
ingIwi
l
lpay
".
Me:
"OkbutIwi
l
lpayy
ouback"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
esodi
ff
icul
t"
.
.
.
.
.
Irequest
edanuberanditcame, Ican'
tbeli
evet
hat
hepaidsomuchbutIt hi
nkthosear epacksof
havingmoney.Igothomeandt hevibewasso
amazing.
Kagi
so:"Okbabeyourout
fi
t,weboughtt
hreebut
youwil
lchooseone"
.
Me:
"Whendi
dyoucomeher
e?"
.
Kamo:
"Henev
erl
eftbutIl
ovehi
scompany
".
Me:"
Ithoughty
ouwentbackt
oyourpl
aceon
Monday"
.
Kagi
so:"
Ilov
ey ourmom'scooki
ngandyourdad'
s
j
okessoIdon'tseewhyIshoul
dleav
e".
Me:"Okbutt
heseoutf
it
sareal
lsobeaut
if
ul,
Idon'
t
knowwhichonetochoose"
.
Kagi
so:
"Takeal
lyourt
imeanddot
hef
it
ti
ngf
ir
st"
.
Ifi
tt
edtheout
fi
tsandtheyar
eall
sobeaut
if
ulbutI
thi
nkI'
l
lmakemydecisioni
nthemor
ning
Kagi
so:
"How'
sMrP"
.
Me: "Dontevenask,he'
ssti
ll
stubbor
nandhotandI
don'twanttotalkabouthi
m, Iwantt
oseet
hedecor
outside,come".
Thestretcht
entwasupandIcoul
dfeel
that
ever
ythingwasgoi
ngperf
ect
Me:"Mom,themusi
cwil
lpl
ayunt
ilmor
ningso
pl
easedon'
tcomeouther
eandstar
twi
thyour
dr
ama".
Mom: "
Morni
ng?Not
hatwil
lnev
erhappen,
the
nei
ghborswi
l
lcompl
ain"
.
Kagiso:"
It
'st
hei
rproblem notours,
it'
sthet
went
y
fi
rst
, wecan'
tgotosleepatseven".
Mom:
"OkbutIdon'
tneedanycompl
aint
s".
Me:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Wechi
l
ledandt
alked,
Kamogel
owasunbr
aidi
ngmy
Foxlocks,MyBr ot
hercamehomewi t
hhisf r
iends
fr
om wor k,wechi l
ledtogetherwhil
etheywer e
dri
nkingtheirbeers,Inoti
cedsomet hingdif
ferent
wit
hKagi so,ishedat i
ngmyl i
tt
lesi
ster?Cozifheis
I
'm goingtokillhim,Idraggedhimt omyr oom
Me:
"Speak"
.
Kagi
so:
"Whatnow"
.
Me:"Whyareyouact
ingdi
ff
erent
,ar
eyoudat
ingmy
l
it
tl
esist
er?
".
Kagi
so:
"What
?Godno,
Iwi
l
lnev
erdosuchat
hing"
.
Me:
"Whati
sitt
han?
".
Kagi
so:
"Not
hing,
youar
ejustseei
ngt
hings"
.
Me:"Kagi
soIknowy ouandI'
m hundr
edper
cent
sur
ethatI'
m notseei
ngthi
ngs".
Kagi
so:
"Okf
iney
ouar
egonnaf
indoutany
way
-..
"
Me:"OhMyGod!She'
ssoy oungKagi
so,howcan
youdosomet
hingl
ikethi
s?She'sachi
ld.
Kagi
so:"Woah,wai
tformet ofi
nish,
I'
m ki
ndofl
i
ke
i
narelat
ionshi
pwit
hy ourbr
other
".
Il
aughedsol
oudbutwhenIlookedathi
m hewasn'
t
l
aughi
ng,hewasdeadser
ious
Me:"
Youareser
ious?Buthow?Ithoughty
ouar
e
st
rai
ghtandmybrotheri
salsost
rai
ght"
.
Kagiso:"YouassumedthatIwasstraight,
lookwe
datedforli
ketwominut
es,Palesayouar ebeaut
iful
andy ouhaveabodytodieforbutIbrokeupwi t
h
you,Whydidn'
tyouaskyourselfwhy?"
.
Me:
"It
'sbecauseI
'
m mor
eli
key
oursi
ster
".
Kagiso:"
Wrong,
I'
m at
tract
edt
oguy
sPal
esaand
yourbrot
heri
sto".
Me:
"No!Notmybr
other
".
Kagi
so:
"Pal
esapl
ease"
.
Irushedt
othet
entandcal
l
edmybr
othert
omy
room
Me:
"Youar
eGay
?".
Sphi
we:
"St
opshout
ingMom wi
l
lheary
ou"
.
Me:
"Andi
t'
sasecr
et?
".
Sphi
we:
"Pal
esaIsai
dcal
mthef
uckdownandI
don'
thav
etoexpl
ainany
thi
ngt
oyou"
.
Me:
"Okf
ine.
.Mom!Mom!
".
Sphiwe:"
Stopit
, Whyareyoucalli
ngher?,okfineI
'
ll
explai
nevery
thi
ngt oyoubutpleasedon'ttel
lour
parent
syet,I
'm dat
ingKagisobutIhaven'tcomeout
yet"
.
Me:
"Ar
eyouf
orr
eal
,ohGod"
.
Sphiwe:"YesI
'
mf orr
ealsopl
easegi
veusy
our
supportanddon'
ttel
lMom".
Me:
"It
'sst
il
lwei
rdbutIwon'
ttel
lany
oneYet
".
Sphi
we:
"Thanky
ousi
s,Iowey
ou"
.
Wewentbackt ot hetentandwesl eptverylat
e,I
hadt owakeupv eryearlyf
ormyhai r
,nail
sandmake
-up,aroundhalfpastfourIwasup, Ididmyhai rand
nailsbutIl
eftmymake- upf orlatersincethepar t
y
wasgoi ngtostartaroundt hreeint heafternoon,I
wasi nthekit
chenmaki ngbr eakfast,wehear d
peoplecall
ingout si
de,mydadwentoutaf terten
mi nut
eshecamebackandcal l
edmymom, minutes
l
at ert
heycall
edmet otheirbedr oom
Dad:
"Ist
her
eany
thi
ngy
ouwantt
otel
lus?
".
Me:
"No,
why
?".
Mom:
"Pal
esat
alkdammi
t"
.
Me:
"MamaIdon'
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
".
Mom: "Youdon'
tknowwhatI'
mt alki
ngwhenthere
areZul
uManal lovermyhouselooki
ngforyouand
youaretel
li
ngmet haty
oudon'tknowanythi
ng"
.

Iopenedmymout
handt
hancl
osedi
t
.
.
.
Dad:"
ThePeopl
eout
sidear
eher
etopayy
our
Lobol
a".
Me:
"MyLo-
..
.What
?".
Mom: "Youknewthatt
heyarecomingher
e,You
haveaboyfri
endPal
esa?Wesentyoutoschool
to
studynott
orunaft
erboys"
.
Dad:
"Tel
luswhatt
odo,
yout
ell
us"
.
Me:"DaddyIdon'
tknow,IswearIbrokeupwit
hhi
m,
heaskedmet omarryhi
m butIdidn'
tsayyes"
.
Mom:
"Thanwhyar
etheyher
e".
Me:
"Idon-
..
"
Mom:
"Dontt
ell
met
haty
oudon'
tknow"
.
MyBr
othercamei
n
Sphiwe:"GuysgivePal
esaabreak, j
ustacceptthat
she'sgoingtobesomeoneelse'sdaughter,she'
snot
yourstokeepf or
ever
,Welcomet hosepeopleinand
hearwhatt heycametosay.Youshouldbepr oud
thatsomeonewant stomarryherandseest hatshe
hast hequali
ti
esofbei
ngawi f
e".
Theykeptquietandwentout si
detocal lt
hepeopl e
i
nside,t
hir
tymi nut
esl atermyuncle'scamet omy
houseandtheywer etal
kinginthesitti
ngroom, I
fi
nall
yremember edt hatIhaveaphone, Itookitand
Irememberedt hatIdeletedPhil
ani'
snumberwhenI
brokeupwithhi m,Iwaswi thmysi ster
,brotherand
Kagisoinmyr oom whenmymom camei n.
Mom:"Takethi
sdukeandpl easeweresomethi
ng
l
ongt
hatcoversyourkneesandy ourbody
".
Me:
"Forwhat
?".
Mom:"I
'
m sopr
oudofy
oumychi
l
d,Ican'
tbel
i
eve
t
haty
ouhavegr
own"
.
Me:"'
Butyouwereshouti
ngandscr
eamingatme,
pl
easedon'tt
ell
met haty
ouaccept
edtheLobol
o"'
Mom:"Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
histhat
'swhyIwasangr
y
aty
ouandyesweacceptedtheLobolo"
.
Me:"What
?Wi t
houtdi
scussi
ngi
twithme?MamaI
t
oldyout
hatIbrokeupwit
htheguy
".
Mom:
"Phi
l
ani
isav
erygoodman"
.
Me:
"Awhat
?Si
ncewhendoy
ouknowhi
m".
Mom: "Weaskedtoseehim andhe'sI'
mt hesit
ti
ng
room,hedi
dsayyouwillactl
iket
his,changeyour
clot
hesandcome,ever
yoneiswait
ingf oryou"
.
Shewentout
,Ican'
tbel
i
evemymom
Me:
"Sphi
wedosomet
hingpl
ease"
.
Sphi
we:
"Si
sKagi
sot
oldmeabouty
ouandt
heguy
andit
'
spr et
tycl
earthatyoubot
hloveeachot
her
.
Stopyourst
ubbornnessandgother
e".
It
'snotlikeIhadachoi ce,Ichangedandwentt ot
he
sit
ti
ngr oom, t
heyagr eedthattheyknowmeand
Mom t oldthem t
ost ayformypar tybecausewe
werenotr eadyforthem that'
swhywedi dn'
tcookat
thatmomentwel l
theyagr eed,Isentmyl i
lsi
stert
o
callPhil
aniandhecamet omybedr oom, wemade
surethatmypar entsdon'tseehi m
Phi
l
ani
:"Thatdukesui
tsy
ouMr
sMt
het
hwa"
.
Me:"Youhav
ethener
vesPhi
l
ani
,Whydi
dyoucome
her
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Tot
akewhatr
ight
ful
l
ybel
ongst
ome"
.
Me:
"Idon'
tbel
ongt
oyou"
.
Phi
l
ani:"Butyoudonowandy
ourpar
ent
slov
esme
wel
lthat
'sthebonus"
.
Me:"Iwil
ltel
lmypar
ent
stor
etur
nwhat
evermoney
yougavethem".
Phi
l
ani
:"Because?
".
Me:
"BecauseIdon'
twantt
omar
ryy
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Why
?Iwantt
oknow"
.
Me:
"BecauseIdon'
twantt
o".
Phil
ani:"Youarenotgi
vingmeanyr eason,Iwil
lgo
outthereandtel
lthem t
hatal
lthi
sisov er
,Iwill
cancelevery
thi
ngbutonlyify
outell
mewhyy ou
don'
twantt omarryme".
Il
ookeddowncozser
iousl
yIdon'
thav
ear
eason
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esal
ookatme,
Doy
oul
oveme?
".
Iwhi
sper
edandr
epl
i
ed
Me:
"Idon'
tknow"
.
Phil
ani
:"Pleaset
ell
meIwantt ocancelever
ythi
ng
now,Ican'
tbeart
oseey ouunhappy,Iwantyou
happybecauseIl
oveyou,sopleaseanswerme".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
i-.
."
.
.
Il
ookedathim andthewordscouldn'
tcomeout,he
cameclosert
ome, hetouchedmyf aceandhi
sface
wasclosert
omi net
oo,hisli
pstouchedmine,
his
l
ipsarealway ssof
t,heki
ssedmeourl i
psmovingi
n
sync,hekissedmewi thl
ustanddesi
re,mydoor
opened..
Kagi
so:
"Hol
yShi
t,Iwil
ltel
lev
ery
onet
haty
ouguys
ar
enother
eandpleaselockt
heGoddamndoor
"
Philanil
ockedt hedoorandnoonewast al
ki
ng, he
cont i
nuedkissingme, andledmet omybed,he
slowlytrail
edthekissesdownt omyneck,hepul l
ed
outmyT- shi
rtandbra, heki
ssedmyrightbr
eastnot
forgetti
ngtogiv et
hesameat t
ent
iontotheother
one,

Heloweredandkissedmybel lybutt
onpl ayful
ly
,he
wentupagainandki ssedmybr eastsinbetween,I
ontheotherhandwast r
yingt
ocont rolmyr api
d
br
eaths,
Ihav eneverfeltl
iket
hisbefore( I
M SORRY
I
M NOTGOI NGTOCONTI NUETHEMUTURED
CONTENTS)
Wefoundourselvesly
ingt
hereinmybednakedand
f
inal
l
ywehav econsummat edourlov
e,onmybed,in
myfather
'shouse,Iwassosorebuti
twasn'
tthat
bad
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Me:
"YesIam"
.
Phi
l
ani:"Thanky
ouf
ort
rust
ingmewi
thy
our
sel
f
Mbali
yami".
Me:"Wehavetogetdr
essedbef
oremymom cal
l
sa
sear
chi
ngpar
tyforme"
.
Phi
l
ani:
"Butanswermyquest
ionf
ir
st,
Doy
oul
ove
me".
Me:"DoyouthinkIwould'
vegaveyoumyv i
rgi
nit
yif
Idi
dn'
tl
oveyou?Philani
Iloveyou,Inev
erst
opped
l
ovi
ngyou,It
hinkIwasjusttooproudtoadmiti
t"
.
Phil
ani
:"Iknewt haty
oulov
emeIjustwant edyouto
tel
lme,Il
ovey ousomuchMr sMt
hwet hwa,
Tradi
ti
onal
lyyouar emywif
enowbutlet'
sjustwait
tomakeitLegall
y "
.
Me:
"Ok,
Getupnow"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkMa'
m".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'
tforgettol
ikemyot
herpageTheHi
dden
Pr
incess-I
nkosazane.
.
.
.
Pl
easeforgi
vemeguy sI
'm Zul
ubutIdon'
tknowi
f
i
t'
sLobolaorLobol
o..Pl
easefor
giv
eme.
[
11/
6,14:
00]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
12]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TheMthet
hwaf ami
lywereinthesi
tti
ngroom, t
he
decort
eam wasbusywitht
heirwork,Ist
il
lhadto
deci
dewhattowearbutaslongasmyhai randnail
s
wereonpoi
ntIwassorted.
.
Kagi
so:
"Speak"
.
Me:
"What
".
Kagiso:
"YouandMrHotguy
,whatt
ooky
ousol
ong
i
ny ourroom?
".
Me:
"I'
m notdi
scussi
ngmysexl
i
fewi
thy
ou"
.
Kagi
so:
"Hol
l
yMol
l
y,awhatl
i
fe?Di
dyou?
".
Me:
"Kagi
socanIpl
easechangei
npeacet
uh"
.
Kagi
so:
"Fi
nebutwear
enotf
ini
shedher
e".
Me:
"Isai
dGO"
.
Helaughedandwentout ,
Iwasst il
lundeci
dedbutI
didmymake- upandchoseonedr ess,yesIwas
l
ookingf l
y,ev
eryonewast her
e,mynei ghbor
s,hi
gh
school f
ri
ends,cousi
nsandmychur chfri
ends,
every
t hi
ngwast hewayIwant edittoo,t
hefoodwas
severedandthepar t
yingt
imest ar
ted..
Phi
l
ani
:"Wheni
sthi
spar
tyendi
ng?
".
Me:
"Tomor
rowmor
ning"
.
Phi
lani
:"Okdon'
tdr
inkt
oomuch,
Iwi
l
lpi
cky
ouup
l
atetomorrow"
.
Me:
"NoonMondaymor
ning,
nott
omor
row"
.
Wesaidourgoodbyesthanhelef
t,Iwasmissi
ng
hi
m somuch,thepart
yendedandMondaycamef or
metogobackt omyplace,Phi
l
ani pi
ckedmeup.
Phi
lani
:"Let
sgohomemom madesupperandshe
wantsyoutojoi
nus"
.
Me:
"ButIneedt
ogot
omypl
ace"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"It
hinky
ouhav
etomov
einwi
thus"
.
Me:
"NoI
'
m notmov
ingi
nsor
ry"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OhkIwon'
tfor
cey
ou"
.
Icouldtel
lthathewasdisappoi
ntedbutI
'
m not
readytomov einwithhi
m, wegottohi
splaceand
everyonewast her
eeventheuncl
esthatwereat
homear ehere
Me:
"Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmeabouty
ouruncl
es"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Thesear
eourt
axi
dri
ver
snotmyuncl
e'
s".
What?Ican'
tbeli
evehebroughtt
hetaxidr
iver
sto
myhousemaki ngmyparentsbel
iev
ethattheywere
hi
sfamily
MrsMt hethwa:"Pal
esamychil
dit
'ssogoodtosee
you,pl
easecomet hissi
deIwanty
outotell
me
ever
y t
hingaboutyourpar
ty"
.
Me:
"Wel
li
twasgoi
ngwel
lunt
ily
oursondeci
dedt
o
t
ryt
orui
nev
ery
thi
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Buty
oul
i
kedev
erysi
ngl
emomentofi
t"
.
Me:
"Don'
t"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Comeandhel
pmei
ntheki
tchen"
.
Wewentt otheKi
tchenandlef
tevery
onei
nthe
l
ounge,hi
smom isav er
yfreespi
ri
tedper
son,
she
wasprepari
ngsupper
MrsMthet
hwa:"I
'
m happyt
hatt
henegot
iat
ions
wentv
erywel
l"
.
Me: "
Well
I'
m shockedIdon'
tknowwhattypeof
voodoomagicdidyouuseonmyf amil
yorhow
muchmoneydi dyougivet
hem cozIknowmy
parent
sarenoteasi
lyconvi
nced"
.
MrsMt het
hwa:"Theysawmyson'
scharmsthat
's
whytheyagreedandwhenar
eyoumovingi
nhere,
youhavetovisi
tmyhouseal
so"
.
Me:
"Youar
enotst
ayi
ngher
e?"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"NoIhav
emyownhouse,
sowhen
ar
eyoumov i
ngin?
".
Me:
"I-
..
.I'
m notsur
eaboutmov
ingy
et"
.
MrsMthethwa:
"Why
?Ist
her
eany
thi
ngwr
ong?You
cant
alktome".
Me:"Nonot hi
ng, i
t'
sjustthateveryt
hingi
s
happeni
ngtoof ast,Il
ovePhilanisomuchbutIfeel
l
ikeIsti
l
ldon'tknowhi mt hewayIwantt oandnow
hepaidLobolali
keev ery
thingisjusttoomuch"
.
Mr sMt het hwa: "Iunderstandbuty ouar elucky,I
was17whenIf el
linlov
ewi t
hhi sfatherandhewas
at axidr iverher ei nJohannesbur g,hewasf ouryear
s
oldert hanme, Ifoundoutt hathei mpr egnated
anot hergi rlinmyv i
ll
aget hanIbr okeupwi thhim,I
washur tanddi dn'twantt oev enseehi m nearme,
hi
m andhi sbr otherstookmebyf orcewhenIwas
comi ngf rom school andIwentt ohisf amilyhouse.
Tradi t
ional lyitwast herightthingtodo, backinthe
day swhenaZul uManl ikest hegirlandt hegir
l
doesn' tlikehi m back, hewoul dtakeheragai nsther
willandmakeherhi swi fe,i
t'
scal l
ed" Ukuthwalwa"
sot heydi dt hatt omeandt heypai dtheLobol a
after".
Me:
"Geezi
sthatev
enl
egal
?".
MrsMthethwa:
"Itwasthetradit
ional
law,Phil
ani
'
s
ol
derbrot
herwantedtodot hesamet oyoubutI
st
oppedthem,Mysonr eall
ylovesyoubutplease
moveinwhenyouar eready".
Me:"Iwil
lseethi
sisnewt
omebutIt
hinkIwi
l
l
adaptt
othissi
tuat
ion"
.
MrsMthethwa:"That
'
smygi
rl
,pl
easehel
pmewi
th
t
heseplat
es".
.
.
.
.
.
Wepr epar
edt hetableandevery
onejoinedin,
Phil
ani'
solderbrothersScebi
andSceloaret wi
ns
fol
l
owedbyPhi l
ani,PheandthelastbornSanele
Scel
o:"Makot
iwhenar
eyoumov
ingi
n?"
.
Il
ookedatPhi
l
ani
tosav
emebuthel
ookedt
he
ot
herway
Me:"I
-I'
m notsure,
Ithi
nkwehav et
ogetmar
ri
ed
f
ir
stbefor
eIthinkofmovingi
n".
Scelo: "
Marri
age?Tradit
ionall
yy ouar
ehiswife,y
ou
willgetmarri
edbuty oucan'tli
veapart
,Phi
laniI
didn'tknowthatyouaret hi
sweakt oall
owy ourwif
e
toli
v ealonei
nthatunsaf eplace".
Whot hehelli
shetotel
lmewhattodo,
Phi
lani
just
keptquietandthat
'
swhati
rr
it
atedmethemost
Scel
o:"Youneedt
othi
nkaboutt
hisfast
,youar
e
nowaMt het
hwayoucan'
tl
iv
efarfr
om us".
Me:"It
hinkit
'sget
ti
ngl
ate,
Ihaveschool
tomor
row,
Phi
l
ani pl
easetakemetomyplace"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Okl
etmet
aket
hekey
s".
Ithankedhismom fort
hefoodandIsai
dmy
goodby est
oevery
one,thewhol
edri
vewassi
l
ent
,we
arri
vedatmyplace
Me:"Whydi
dn'
tyoudef
endmewheny
ourbr
other
wastal
ki
ngt
ome? "
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
fwhaty
ouar
edoi
ngy
out
hinki
t'
sar
ight
thi
ngtodowhydoyouneedt
obedefended,You
don'
twantt
ostaywi
thusandIsai
dok,whatmore
doyouwant?"
.
Me:"Iwi
l
lmoveinwhenI'
mr eadyy
ourbr
othercan
hat
emefort
hatbutIdon'
tcare"
.
Phil
ani
:"Canwestoptal
ki
ngaboutt
hiscozwebot
h
knowthatt
hiswi
l
lleadtoafi
ght
".
Me:
"Fi
ne"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m st
ayi
ngt
oni
ght
".
Me:
"Noy
ouar
enot
,Ihav
etogetr
eadyf
orschool
".
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
twantyoutaki
ngtaxi
s,f
rom t
omor
row
I
'l
lsendadr i
vert
opickyouup".
It
'snotli
keIhadachoi ceaboutt hat,heleftandI
wasl ef
tallalone,thefoll
owingdayIat tendedmy
classesandIdeci dedtogot oPhi l
ani'
sof f
ice,he
toldmet hathewi llbeintheoffi
cesincet hiswhol e
weekhei swor kingani ghtshi
ftatthepol i
cest ati
on,
whenIgott her
eAmandawasst il
lthere,Ijust
passedwi thoutgreeti
ngherandwentt oPhi lani'
s
offi
ce,hewaswi thtwogent l
emen. .
Phi
l
ani
:"Wai
tformeatt
her
ecept
ion"
.
Gent
leman1:
"Whoi
sthi
sbeaut
if
ull
ady
?".
Philani
:"She'
snonofy
ourbusi
ness,
Isai
dgot
othe
recepti
on".
Ir
antother
ecepti
onconfused,hewashappyt
osee
mewhenwespokeov erthephonebutnowhis
moodhascompletel
ychanged
Amanda:
"CanIgi
vey
ousomet
hingt
odr
inkmi
ss"
.
Me:
"Iam noty
ourmi
ssnowl
eav
e".
Iwassoi
rr
it
ated,
Sanel
ecamei
n
Sanele:
"Palesa,
theytol
dmet
otakey
ouhome
Phil
aniisi
nthemeeting"
.
IagreedbecauseIcouldn'
tsaynotohim, heistoo
sweet ,wearethesameagebuther espectsmel i
ke
I'
m olderthanhim ormaybei
t'
sbecauseI '
m dat
ing
hisolderbrot
her,whenwearri
vedIquickl
ymade
foodf orusandwewat chedtv
..Phi
l
ani,Scebiand
Scelocamei n
Phi
l
ani
:"Whydi
dn'
tyouwai
tformeatt
her
ecept
ion?
Whydi
dyoucametomyoffi
ce?"
.
Me:"BecauseInev
ert
houghty
ouwer
eina
meeti
ng".
Phi
l
ani
:"NowI
'
minbi
gtr
oubl
ebecauseofy
ou"
.
Me:
"Whatdi
dIdo?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Youdi
dev
ery
thi
ngwr
ongPal
esa"
.
Scebi
:"Stopshout
ingather
,shehasnot
hingt
odo
wit
hthis"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Sonowy
ougonnat
ell
mehowt
ospeakt
o
mywif
e?
Het
ookouthi
shandsi
nsur
render
Me:
"Sanel
epl
easet
akemet
omypl
ace"
.
Hel
ookedatPhi
l
ani
forappr
oval
Me:"St
opl
ookingathim andtakemehome, Phil
ani
I
won'
tbebul
li
edar oundbyyou,fi
xyourt
hingsand
l
eavemethehelloutofit
".
Phi
lani
:"Youarenotgoi
ngany
wher
e,Wewi
l
lfet
ch
al
lyourst
uff
".
Il
ookedathi
m mxm t
hisguydoesn'
tknowmev er
y
well
Ihat
esomeonewhocontrol
sme, Irequest
edan
ubberanddisappear
ed,
Iar
ri
vedatmypl
aceand
Phil
anical
l
edme. .
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Phi
l
ani:"Pal
esawhydi
dyoul
eav
e,It
oldy
ounott
o
l
eave"
.
Me:"Sowheny ouarehappyweallsupposedtobe
happyandwheny ouareangryweallhavetobe?
Phil
aniIdon'
tl
ikeyouratt
it
ude,t
hewayy ouspoket
o
meinfrontofyourbrot
hersli
keI
'm ali
tt
lechi
ld,
No
maan".

Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m comi
ngt
ofet
chy
ou"
.
Hehungup,Ilockedthedoorandgotint
omybed, I
heardsomeonetryi
ngtobreakthedoor,
butifit
's
Phil
anihewouldhaveknockedandmynei ghbors
arest
il
latwor
k,thebangi
ngoft
hedoorgothar
d,I
tookoutmyphoneanddial
edPhi
lani
'
snumber.
.
Phil
ani
:"I
'
m onmyway
,not
hingy
ousayordowi
l
l
changemymind"
.
Me:
"Someonei
str
yingt
obr
eaki
nandI
'
minsi
de"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
?".
Me:"Pl
easecome,
theyar
ebr
eaki
ngi
nandI
'
m
scar
edPhil
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Fuck!Fuck!I
'
llbet
her
ein15mi
nut
esmy
l
ovepl
easedon'tpani
c".
Thedooropenedandt woguy scamein,theyman
handledmewi thoutsayingaword,Itr
iedscreami
ng
buttheytookaheadwr apthatIwaswearingand
cl
osedmymout hwithit
, t
heyfor
cedmet othewhit
e
quantum taxi
,Icoul
dhearacarf oll
owingusandI
knewi twasPhilani
,thetaxir
aced,t
heManspoke.
Hi
m:"Theysai
dnott
ohur
tthegi
rl
,Getherdown"
.
Hepushedmesohar dmynosehitthechai
r,t
hey
st
art
edshoot
ingaf
teraf ewminut
esthetaxi
st
oppedandthedr
iversgotout
,Ihear
dgunshots,
it
wentquietf
orafewminutesthanSanelecameand
helpedmeoutofthecar,myheadwashur t
ingand
mynosewasbl eedi
ng,Igoti
ntothecarandhe
start
eddri
vi
ng,Idi
dn'
tevenseePhilani
.
Whenwearri
vedathi
splaceIcleanedmynoseand
dr
ankthepai
nkil
l
ersthatSanel
egav eme,
thefour
br
other
scamein
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyouhappynow?
".
Me:
"Whywer
etheyt
ryi
ngt
oki
dnapme?
".
Theykeptqui
et
Me:"Fi
rstIwasbei
ngfoll
owedandnowsomeone
want
edtokidnap,
whatthehel
li
sgoingonPhi
l
ani
?".
Phil
ani
:"Nowisnottheri
ghtti
mePal esa,
Itol
dyou
nottol
eavethehousebutyouescapedandwentto
yourpl
ace,
whatdidyouthi
nkwi l
lhappen?"
.
Me:"Ohsonowi t'
smyfaul
t?Tel
lmewhat'
sgoi
ng
onPhil
ani
,sothisi
showit'
sgoi
ngtowor
k,youwil
l
keepsecr
etsfr
om me?Whydoy ouev
enwantto
marrymethan?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ok,
Ok,
it'
sanol
dgr
udge,
ataxi
busi
ness
thaty
ouwon'tevenunder
standwef oughtbackt hen
andnowIthi
nktheyheardthatI
'm getti
ngmar r
ied
nowtheywanttohurtusbyhurt
ingy ou.
.It
'snothing
youhavet
owor r
yaboutjustl
ist
ent owhatItellyou
andyouwil
lbesafe"
.
Me:"
SonowI'
mi nv
olv
edinyoursil
l
yt axi
busi
ness?,
t
hati
snotwhatIwant
,Idon'
tdeserv
eanyofthis"
.
Hedr
aggedmei
ntohi
sbedr
oom andcl
osedi
t
Phil
ani:"Doy ouknowhowmanyt imesIfoughtwit
h
mybot hersabouty ou?ButbecauseIloveyou,you
arehere,yesy oudon'tdeserveanyofthi
sandI
don'tdeserv
ey oubuteversinceyoucameintomy
l
ifesomanyt hingsmakessense, Iam ahorri
ble
personPalesaandI '
m afr
aidthatmaybeifyougetto
knowt herealmey ouwil
lleavemeandIdon' twant
toloseyou".
Me:"Iwon'
tl
eaveyou,
Iwil
lneverl
eav
eyou,pl
ease
t
ell
medon'thi
deanysecr
etsfr
om me,pl
ease"
.
Phi
lani:
"Beingi
nat axibusi
nesshasmanypr obl
ems
andit
'snoteasy,i
t'
sdanger ous.
.Ourliv
esare
al
way sindangerbutdon'tworryI
'm heret
okeep
y
ousaf
e,not
hingwi
l
lhappent
oyou"
.
Me:"Whydon'
tyouleav
eitthan,
Whydon'
tyou
l
eav
ethisbusi
nessandstar
tanother
".
Phil
ani
:"Nowecan'
t,
it'
sourfat
her'
sbusi
ness,he
star
tedi
tandgoti
twhereiti
snow,wewi l
lnev
er
cl
oseitdown,
hisl
egacyconti
nuesthr
oughthi
s
busi
ness".
Me:
"Buty
ourl
i
vesandmi
near
eindanger
".
Philani
:"Ther
e'snothi
ngwecan'thandl
eandbaby
pleasestayhere,Ineedy
ouhere,Ipromi
setokeep
yousaf e".
Me:
"Buty
ouar
enott
ell
i
ngmet
heent
ir
etr
uthher
e".
Phil
ani:
"Youcanl eavey ourproblemsunsolvedi
n
thepastbutthoseproblemswi llalwayscomeback
andmesswi thyourfuture,that
'swhathappening
ri
ghtnowandi t'
sallIcansaybutpl easet
rustme
that
'sal
lIneedmyl ove,y ourtr
ust".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Pl
easeLikemyot
herpageTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
31]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
13]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ineverknewt hatl
ovi
ngsomeonecomeswi t
hso
manyt hings,
thegoodandthebad.Ihatebeing
scared,nowIhav et
owatchbackeverywhereIgo,
Phil
anipr omi
sedtokeepmesafebutI'm st
il
l scar
ed,
Phil
anicamei n.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoudonebat
hing"
.
Me:
"YahbutIneedcl
othes"
.
Phi
l
ani:"
YoucanwearmyT-shirti
tlooksv
erygood
onyou,
we'l
lgofet
chyourcl
othes".
Me:"ButIdon'
tthi
nkI
'
m hundr
edper
centsur
eabout
st
ayi
nghere".
Phil
ani
:"Wespokeaboutt
hispl
easel
et'
snott
alk
abouti
tanymore,
Ineedyouher
eOk".
Me:"Fi
nebutIcan'
tgooutl
iket
hiswi
thy
ourT-
shi
rt
onl
y,whatwi
l
lyourbrot
her
ssay?"
.
Phil
ani
:"AndI '
ml uckycozI'l
lbetheonlyonewho
wil
lbelooki
ngatt hosef r
eshthighs,
thi
sismyhouse,
ourhouse,mybi gbrothershavethei
rownplaces
andSanelestayswi thPhe.Sopleaserel
axandif
youarenotcomf ortabl
ewi t
hthem cominghere
ever
yday,Iwi
lltellt
hem tostop".
Me:
"NoI
'
mfi
newi
tht
hem comi
ngher
e".
Phil
ani
:"Okl
etmegot
oyourpl
acecozy
ouhav
e
school
tomor
row"
.
Heki ssedmyf oreheadthanleft,Ist
oodupand
touredthewhol eplace,t
hishousei samazing,I
openedt hefri
dgeandi thadaf ewt hi
ngsinsi
de,I
tookt heredmeatandandgr i
ll
edi twit
hpapand
spinach,Iopenedt hetvandwat ched'sayyestothe
dress'
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sthatt
vwor
king?
".
Me:"You'
reback,
yeahi
t'
swor
king,
youdon'
twat
ch
i
t"
.
Phil
ani
:"NobabyIdon'
t,
Ithi
nkIpackedevery
thi
ng,
damny ourl
andl
ordwascomplai
ningthaty
oudidn'
t
tel
lhi
my oumovingout
".
Me:
"Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"It
hinkt
heguywant
syoubutIpai
dhi
m".
Me:
"Myf
urni
tur
e?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Ahhbabyy
oudon'
tneedt
hatany
mor
e,y
ou
hav
eev ery
thi
ngher
e".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
that
'swhatIhat
e,i
-.
."
Phi
l
ani
:"BabyI
'
m sohungr
ylet
'sgooutt
oeat
".
Me:
"Youar
erunni
ngawaynow"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ij
usthat
efi
ght
ingwi
thy
ou"
.
Me:
"Icookedpapandst
eak"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youcook?
".
Me:
"YesIcancook"
.
Hedi dn'tbeli
ev ethatIcookandt hathur
tmy
feeli
ngs, Ithi
nkwer ushedev erythi
ng,ev
ery
thing
happenedt oof astthatwedon' tevenknoweach
otherver ywel l
,weat eandher eall
yli
kedmyf ood,I
wasl azyt ounpackmybagsbutIt ookoutthethings
I
'llneedf orschool ,
thet houghtofsleepi
ngwithhi m
i
noner oom r eall
yscar edme, yeswedi d
consummat
eourl
ovebutI
'
m st
il
lner
vous.
.
Phil
ani:
"Whyareyousl
eepingwit
hyourpaj
amas,
it'
s
notli
keyou'
l
lneedthem anyway
".
Il
ookedathi mindisbeli
efandthewayhewas
walki
ngar oundnakedohIr eal
l
ywantedtorunout
oft
her oom andi wishIhadtheconf
idenceof
walki
nglikethatnaked
Phi
l
ani
:"Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
?".
Me:
"Putsomecl
othesonPhi
l
ani
".
Hel
aughedandl
ookedatmer
aisi
nghi
sey
ebr
ow
Phi
l
ani
:"Soy
ou'
reshyt
oundr
essi
nfr
ontofme"
Me:
"N-noI
'
m not
".
Phil
ani
:"Okifyouar
enotscar
edt
hent
akeof
fal
l
yourcl
othes"
.
Me:
"What
?".
Phil
ani:"
Comeonmyl ov
ey ouarenotscar
edto
undressinf
rontofmesotakeoutyourpaj
amas".
Me:"
Iaskedy
out
oputy
ourcl
othesonsopl
ease
st
opit
".
Phi
lani
:"Wel
li
nthatcaseIt
hinkIhavetowalk
ar
oundnakedint
hishouseunti
lyougetusedthi
s".
Me:"OhGodwhyt
hehel
ldi
dyougi
vemesucha
man".
Phi
l
ani
:"Il
ovey
out
ooMaNy
ambose"
.
Ial
waysbl
ushwhenhespeaksbutIdon'tl
i
keit
whenhewalksar
oundnakedwithoutev
enan
under
wear
,Igoti
nsi
detheblanket
sandhejoi
ned
me
Phi
lani
:"It
oldyout
otakeoutyourpaj
amas,
youar
e
averyst
ubbornwomenMbaliy
ami "
.
Hestar
tedr
ubbi
ngmybreast
sandhist
ouchis
al
wayswarm,ev
eryt
imehetouchesmeIj
ustneed
more
Me:
"Phi
-l
a-ni
please"
.
Hei gnoredmyr equestandst
artedki
ssi
ngme, going
downonmyneck, Iwasmoaningingreatpl
easure,
aft
eraf ewmi nuteswewer enakedcuddl
ingtr
yingto
catchourbreaths..
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Me:
"Iam butyouhavet
ogi
vememoneyf
ort
he
mor
ningaf
terpi
ll
s".
Phi
l
ani
:"What
'
sthatf
or?
".

Me:"Wehavet
ostartusingpr
otect
ioncozI
'
m not
r
eadytobeamotheryet"
.
Phi
lani
:"Don'
tworr
yyouarenotpregnant
,Iwil
ltake
youtomydoctorf
orthepr
eventi
onpill
sorinj
ecti
on".
Me:
"Orwehav
etouseapr
otect
ion"
.
Phil
ani
:"Youar
emywi
fe,
I'
ll
nev
eruset
hatwi
thy
ou,
for
geti
t".
Me:"Ohreal
lyIt
hinkwebothhavetodot
hebl
ood
t
estcozseri
ousl
y,Idon'
ttr
usty
ou".
Phi
lani
:"Thathur
tsbuti
fitwi
l
lmakey
out
rustme,
I
wil
ldoit
".
.
.
.
.
Ismiledatmysel fandwesl eptpeaceful
ly,
sleepi
ng
i
nhi sarmsalway smakesmef eelbet
terwhenI
wokeuphewasn' tther
e,Imadet hebedandt ooka
showerandpr epar edmy sel
fforschool,
Iwent
downstair
sandf oundav erybeauti
fulwomenbusy
i
nt hekit
chen,Ilookedather .
.
Her:
"Ohgoodmor ni
ng,youmustbePalesa,
I'
m
Phi
ndil
ethehousekeeper,
woul
dy oul
i
kesomet hi
ng
eat
?".
Me:
"Wher
eisPhi
l
ani
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
nhi
sof
fi
ce"
.
Il
efthert
her
eandf
oundhi
m busywi
thhi
slapt
op
Phi
l
ani
:"Ohy
ouar
eawake?
".
Me:
"NoI
'
m not
,Whenwi
l
lthi
sev
erst
op?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"What
?".
Me:"ItwasAmandaandnowIf i
ndanot
hergir
l
cl
aimingtobeahousekeeper
,ar
eyousl
eepingwi
th
hertoo?
".
Phil
ani:"
No,babyno,Phindil
ewasonleavebutnow
she'
sback,she'
sav erynicegir
l,y
ouwil
lgetal
ong
j
ustfine"
.
Me:"Getal
ong?AndAmandawasa'
poorAmanda'
unt
ilIf
oundyout
wonaked"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Sot
oyouI
'
m sl
eepi
ngwi
thev
erygi
rl
?".
Me:
"Wel
li
tlooksl
i
ket
hatt
ome"
.
Phi
lani
:"I'
m noti
nthemoodtofi
ght
,ify
oudon't
wantPhindil
eher
eit'
sfi
neI
'
llf
ir
eheri
fthat
'swhat
wil
lmakey ouhappy
".
Hel
eftmei
nthestudy
,Iwentt
oourbedr
oom t
o
t
akemybooksandwentdownst
air
s
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
enotgoi
ngt
oeat
?".
Me:
"NoI
'
mfi
ne"
.
Phi
lani
:"Thecari
swait
ingfory
oui
twi
l
ltakey
ou
wherev
ery ouwantt
ogo".
IwenttothecarandIwenttoschool,schoolismor e
peacef
ulandIwaswor r
iedaboutthatgir
l,Idon't
tr
ustmymanar oundthegir
ls,Myclassesf i
nished
earl
ybutIdeci
dedtostayatthel
ibrar
yanddomy
assignment s.Lat erIwenthomeandt hehousewas
empt ycozPhi lani wasatwor k,Isleptaloneandi n
themor ninghewasn' talsothere,Igotr eadyfor
school ,
hecal l
edandaskedi fIwasf i
neandt oldme
thathedi dn'
twantt odisturbme, it
'sbeent hr
eeday s
nowandIhav en'tseenhi m,Imi sshim somuchand
I'
m ev enscaredt ogot ohi soffi
cebecauseofwhat
happenedl astt i
me, Fri
daycameandIf eltsolonely
thatIwant edtov i
sitmypar ents.Idon'tknowwhyI
feelli
ket hi
sbutt hishousei stoobi gforme, Ifound
my selfcryi
ngandIwentupst airstopackmycl othes,
Philanicamei nandIi gnor edhim.
Phi
l
ani
:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Me:
"Home"
.
Phil
ani
:"Soyouarenothomenow?Palesat
hisi
s
yourhomeifyour
unawayf r
om i
twhosegonnal
ook
aft
erit
".
Me:
"I'
m notahousekeeper
".
Phi
lani
:"Whenyouaredonepacki
ngpl
easef
ixme
somethi
ngtoeatI'
m sohungr
y".
Me:
"I'
m goi
nghomePhi
l
ani
Idon'
thav
eti
met
o
pr
epar
eyouf
ood"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatdi
dyousay
?".
Il
ookedathi
m andhewasdeadser iousnotsmil
ing,
Il
eftmycl
othesthereandwenttotheKit
chen,I
madehim asandwichandgavehim,helookedat
meannoyed
Phi
l
ani
:"Isai
dIneedf
oodnotbr
eakf
ast
".
Hethoughtmay beIwasgoingt oargueoraskhim
wherehewasi nthepastf
ewday s,
Ijustkeptcalm
eventhoughIwasangryandIwentt otheKit
chen
andcookedriceandbeefstew,Ithoughtmay behe
wasgoingtocomet otheKitchenandexplain
ever
ythi
ngtomebuthedi dn't.
.Hewasbusywi ththe
pl
aystati
onwhenIgav ehimf ood.
Phi
l
ani
:"Thanky
ou,
ain'
tyougonnaj
oinme?
".
Hemustbeoutofhi
smindf
oract
ingl
i
ket
her
e's
not
hinghedi
dwrong.
Me:
"NoIdon'
twantt
ogethomel
ate"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esay
ouar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e".
Me:
"What
?Youcan'
ttel
lmewhatt
odo"
.
Hest
oodupandcamecl
oset
ome
Phil
ani:"Mylovemay bethere'
ssomethingthaty
ou
don'tunder
stand,thatl
obolathatIpai
dtoyour
parentsmeanst hatyouarenowmywi f
esoasy our
husband

I
'
mtel
l
ingy
out
haty
ouar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e"'
Me:"
Sot
hiswhol
elobol
athi
ngwasbecausey
ou
want
edt
ocontr
olme".
Phi
l
ani
:"NoI
'
m bei
ngar
esponsi
blehusband"
.
Me: "Responsibl
ehusband?Youleftmeherealone
fordaysandy oudidn'
ttell
meany t
hingandnowy ou
arebackbuty oudon'tevenapol
ogizetome".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ther
e'snot
hingt
oapol
ogi
sef
or"
.
Me:
"Ohr
eal
l
y?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Palesapl
easest
opwi
thy
ourdr
amaand
eat
,I'
mt i
red".
.
.
.
.
He'stir
edohwow!Iwentupst ai
rsandchangedi
nto
mypaj amas, Itookoutmybooksandfini
shedmy
assignments, hecameandgotinsi
detheshower
thanhegoti nsidethebl
anket
s.
Me:
"Whatareyoudoi
ng?It
houghty
ouwi
l
lsl
eepi
n
t
heotherr
ooms"
.
Phi
lani
:"Whatf
or?Thi
sismyr
oom andi
won'
tsl
eep
any
whereelse"
.
Me:
"Okf
ineI
'
mtheonewhoi
sgoi
ng"
.
Phil
ani
:"Pal
esadon'
tyoudar
eopent
hatdoor
,Get
backtobed"
.
Ii
gnoredhi
m andtookmyphone,
hecameand
bl
ockedthedoor
.
Phil
ani:"
Doy ouknowhowti
redIam,
Idon'
thav
e
ti
mef orthi
s,Getbackt
obed".
Me:"Whydoy oucare?Youli
edt
omePhil
ani,
ify
ou
wereworki
nganightshi
ftt
hanwhydi
dn'
tyoucome
backhome?".
Phil
ani
:"Oht
hat'
swhyyouar
eangr
y?,
I'
m aman,
I
don'
tthi
nkIhav
et or
epor
tev
ery
thi
ngtoyou"
.
Me:"
Ohsothat'
showitgoes?Thanmov
eaway
f
rom t
hedoorIwantt
ogosleep".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whyar
eyousost
ubbor
n?"
.
Me:
"Ij
ustneedy
out
omov
e".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
fyoudar
eopent
hisdoory
ouwi
l
lseeme"
.
Hemovedandt hewayIwasupsetIdi
dn'
twantto
l
ookathim,Iopenedt
hedoorandwenttotheother
r
oom,Iforgott
olockt
hedoorandhecamei n.
Phil
ani
:"Pal
esawhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Whatdi
dI
saytoyou?"
.
Me:"Whyshoul
dIlist
ent oyouify oudon'
teven
car
eabouthowIfeel,
noteverythingisaboutyou
Phi
lani
nowgetthehelloutofthisroom".
Phil
ani:
"Pal
esaI
'
my ourmannoty
ourMom,
wat
ch
thetoneofy
ourv
oice".
Me:
"Idon'
tcar
e,Getout
".
Hecameandsl
appedmehar
dmynosest
art
ed
bleedi
ng,Itouchedmycheekandl ookedathi
m,
tearscomingout ,
helookedathi
shandsnot
beli
evingwhathedi d,
hecameclosertomeandI
mov edback
Phil
ani
:"BabyI
'
m sor
ry,
I'
m sor
rypl
easef
orgi
veme,
Idon'
tknowwhatcameoverme".
Me:"Yousai
dyouwon'
tdoi
tagai
n,Phi
l
ani
you
pr
omised"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Iknowmyl
ove,
please-
..
"
Me:
"Getout
".
Hel
ookedatme
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasegetout
".
HewalkedoutandIcleanedmynoseandgoti
nthe
bed,
Ifel
tsoemotionalandcr
ied.
Inthemor ningIwentt oourroom andhewasn' t
there,Il
ookedatmy selfi
nthemirrormyeyeswer e
swol l
enfrom cr
yingandmyr i
ghtey ewasgreen,I
packedal lmyclothesandbooksandchangedmy
clot
hes,Iwentdownst air
sandall
hi sf
amil
ywas
therewithhim.
MrsMthethwa:"Pal
esamychi
l
d,wher
ear
eyou
goi
ngwithall
thesebags"
.
Idi
dn'
twantt
ofacet
hem
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esa!
".
Itur
nedandt
heyal
ll
ookedatPhi
l
ani
,hel
ooked
down
Scebi
:"Youhi
twomennow?
".
Phil
ani
:"Icanexplai
n,Ipromi
sednev
ertodoi
t
agai
nbuty est
erdayIal
lowedmyangert
ocont
rol
me".
MrsMt het
hwa:"Soitwasn'
tthefi
rstt
ime?Ir ai
seda
mannotacowar dPhil
ani
,youbroughtthispoorgir
l
i
ntoyourhousetoabuseher?Ify
oudon' tl
oveher
anymorewhydidn'
tyousendherbacktoherpar ents,
huh?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"MaIl
oveher
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Ifyoulov
eheryouwoul
dn'
tdothi
s
t
oher,
beatmesinceyouareawomenbeat
er,
beat
mePhil
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"NoMaIcan'
tdot
hat
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Scebi
giv
emey
ourbel
t,Now
Scebi
!"
.
Scebi
tookouthi
sbel
tandgav
etohi
smot
her
Phi
l
ani
:"ComeonMay
oucan'
tdot
hat
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Youar
eamannowisit
?Letme
showy
ouwhatIdotoman,
Lockt
hedoor
sSanel
e".
Onethi
ngI'
venoti
cedisthatwhenthei
rmom speaks
theyal
lj
ump,Shetookthebeltandhi
tPhi
l
aniwithit
sohardandsever
alti
mes
Phi
l
ani
:"ComeonMast
opi
t"
.
Mr
sMt
hwet
wa:
"Ohnowy
ouwantt
ofi
ghtme?
".
Shet
hrewt
hebel
tandstar
tedpunchi
ngPhil
ani
,I
want
edtol
aughwhenshewasusingthebel
t

Butt
hepunchesar
etoomuch,
shereal
l
yboxedhi
m
andt
hechancehegother
anupst
air
s.
MrsMthethwa:"Phil
aniOscarMthet
hwa, i
fyoudon'
t
comeoutinthatroom Isweary
ouwi l
lregr
ettheday
Igav
ebirt
htoy ou".
Shedi
dn'
thav
erepeati
t,hecameoutandhisri
ght
eyewasswol
l
en,damnthiswomendidhithi
m har
d.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pl
easedon'
thi
tmeagai
n,Mom I
'
m sor
ry"
.
MrsMt hethwa: "Youareapol ogi
zingtothewrong
person,i
fIev erhearthatoneofy ouherehasev er
beatenupawomen, youwi l
l seeme.Andy ouPalesa
youareawi feher e,
youcan' talway sr
unawaywhen
thi
ngsgowr ong,thi
sisy ourhousei fsomeonehas
tomov eout, i
t'
shim Phil
ani.Don'thesitatetot
hrow
him out
,thisisyourhouse" .
Me:
"YesMa"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Phe,
takeherbagst
omycar
".
Phi
l
ani
:"ButMaIgotmypuni
shment
,shecan'
tgo"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Youwantt
obeatheragai
n".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
twasami
stake"
.
MrsMt hethwa:"Itwasneverami st
ake,l
ear
nt o
control
youranger ,
sheisnotyourpunchi
ngbag.
Palesaisgoingtostaywit
hmef orawhi l
eandI
don'twanttoseey ounearher
,doy ouunder
stand?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"ButMa-
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Pal
esawillcomebackt
oyouwhen
shef
eelsl
i
kesheisreadyandyoudeser
vei
t"
.
Phetookmybags, Ifel
tsorr
yforPhi
l
anibutther
e
wasnothingIcouldhavedonecozhedeserv
edit,I
di
dn'tevensaygoodbye,Ij
ustfol
l
owedhismom t o
hercarandwel ef
t.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
35]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[14]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
MrsMthet
hwashowedmemyr oom andherhouse
l
ooksmoreli
keamansioni
t'
shuge,Itookavery
l
ongbathandchangedmycl
othes.
MrsMthethwa:"Pal
esacomeeat
,pl
easef
eel
comf
ortablet
hisisy
ourhome"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ouMa"
.
MrsMt hethwa:
"I'
ll
havet
osendsomeonetot
he
chemisttogetyousomet
hingt
oremovet
hatbl
ack
eye"
.
Me:"Don'
tworr
yMaIstil
lhav
etheoi
ntmentt
hat
Phi
l
aniboughtl
astt
ime"
.
MrsMt hethwa:"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
hathewas
beat
ingy ou?"
.
Me:"Heapol
ogi
zedandt
oldmei
twi
l
lnothappen
agai
n".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Theyal
lsayt
hatandthenextt
hing
youknow,
youwil
lbecomethevi
cti
m ofabuse"
.
Me:"Iknowbutl
et'
shopehel
ear
nedhi
slessonand
t
hankyouforst
andi
ngupforme"
.
MrsMt het
hwa:"Youar
eallmyki
dsandIwantt
o
tr
eatyouequal
l
y ,
youknowwhat?Si
nceit
'sa
Satur
daywhydon'twegooutf
orshoppi
ng".
Me:
"AhhIspental
lthecashIhadonmybi
rt
hday
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Nopr
obl
em,
let
'sgo"
.
Ichangedagainandwewenttot hemal
lthatwomen
canshopandal l
thethi
ngssheboughtar
ev er
y
expensi
ve,shegavemepermissiont
oswipewith
hercardandIgotenoughcl
othes.
MrsMthethwa:"Ithi
nkyouneedtochangeyourhair
andweneedmake- uptocoverthemarkonyoureye,
tomorr
owI '
m hav
ingalunchandlot
sofpeoplewil
l
bether
e,Iwanttoint
roduceyoutothem,y
ouaremy
daught
ernow".
I
t'
snotli
keshewasgi
vi
ngmeachoice,
webought
make-
upandwewenttothesal
on
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Whi
chhai
rdoy
oul
i
ke?
".
Me:
"Br
aidsorf
auxl
ocks"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"What
'
sthatsweet
y?Pl
easegi
veher
a30i
nchweave".
Me:
"I'
m notaweav
eper
sonMa,
Ithi
-.
."
MrsMthethwa:
"Youhavetotr
yitandtr
ustmeyou
wi
llbemorebeaut
if
ulandIwantPhil
ani
tohang
hi
mselfwhenheseesyoutomorr
ow".
Theydi
dmyhai
randt
rustmet
hatweav
elooksso
goodonme, itwasalongdaythatwehad, wewent
backtot hehouseandthedinnerwaspr epared,
she
hassomeonewhocooks, al
adywhocl eansand
anotherladywhodealswithherlaundry, weateandI
wentt obed,whenIwokeupi nthemor ningIsaw
Phil
ani'smissedcal
lsandIdidn'
thav eairti
met o
repl
y,Holidaysar
ecomi ngsoonandIt hinkIneedto
getmy selfajobandmakeex tr
acash, Iwent
downst ai
rsandfoundhismom t al
kingt osome
people.
MrsMt het
hwa: "Iwanty outomoveall
thesechai
rs
andputthatlongtableherewit
h14seatsandIneed
ori
ginalmarbl
estoansher e,
thetabl
ehastoready
beforeoneintheafternoon"
.
Theguy
sagr
eedandst
art
edwor
king
Mr sMthet
hwa: "Ohyouar
eawake,
makeyoursel
f
breakf
astbecauseNandi
phai
sbusypi
cki
ngthe
fl
owersoutsi
de".
Me:
"Ok"
.
Iwenttot
heKit
chenandmademy selffood,Iwent
backupst
air
sandthepassagewasfull
off amil
y
phot os,theboy swhent heywer eandt wogir
ls,t
wo
beaut i
fulgirl
sthatlookslikeallt
heboy s,another
pictureofamandr essedinav erynicesui
t,t
heman
i
sr eallygoodl ooki
ngandl ooksexactl
yli
kePhi l
ani
andSanel e,Icoul
dt el
lthathisatti
tudewasexact l
y
l
ikePhi lani'
satti
tude..
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Oht
hisi
smyhusband"
.
Me:
"Wher
eishe?
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Ther
ewasahugeaccidentl
asty
ear
andIl
osthi
m andmytwogi
rl
s,theot
heronewasin
matr
icandtheot
heri
ngr
adenine"
.
Me:
"I'
m sor
ry"
.
MrsMthethwa:"I
t'
sal
lri
ghtandthat
'swhyIenj
oy
havi
ngyouhere,myhusbandbur
ntinacarhe
coul
dn'
tcomeout "
.
Me:
"Hel
ooksmor
eli
kePhi
l
ani
andSanel
e".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Andhi
sat
tit
udewasexact
lyl
i
ke
Phi
lani
'
str
ustme,hewasf
ullofhi
msel
f"
.
Me:
"Exact
lyl
i
kePhi
l
ani
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Hahaexact
ly"
.
Icont
inuedl
ooki
ngatt
hepict
uresandIwentt
omy
room t
obath,Mr
sMthethwaknocked
MrsMthet
hwa:"There'
ssomeonewhowant
stosee
you,
canIl
ethi
mi n?"
.
Me:
"I'
m notwear
ingany
thi
ngbutat
owel
onl
y".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Wai
tforhert
ogetdr
essed"
.
Phil
ani
:"She'
smywi f
eeveni
fshe'
snakedIwoul
d
geti
nsi
de,MapleaseIneedt
oseeher"
.
Iopenedt
hedoorandohmymanwasher
e

.
.
.
Me:
"It
'sf
ineMaI
'
llcal
lyoui
fIneedany
thi
ng"
.
Shel
eftandIwel
comedPhi
l
ani
Phi
l
ani
:"Baby
".
Me:
"Hi
Phi
l
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m sor
ry,
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry,
Ilov
eyouandi
t
dri
vesmecr azytoseeher
e,Ideser
veev
ery
punishmentbutbabyyoucan'
tleav
eme".
Me:"Event
helastti
mey ouweresor
ryandy
ouev
en
pr
omisedtoneverdoitagai
n".
Phi
l
ani
:"IknowandI
'
m sor
rymyl
ove"
.
Me:
"Youwantmet
ofor
giv
eyou?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Yesst
handwasam'
Iwi
l
ldoany
thi
ng"
.
Me:
"Any
thi
ng?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Toseey
oubackhomeagai
nyesany
thi
ng"
.
Me:"Youlef
thomeMondayandy oucamebackon
Fr
iday,
youonlycal
ledmeonTuesdayandt
hanyou
di
sappear
ed,wherewerey
ou?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Itol
dyout
hatIwaswor
kingani
ghtshi
ftat
apoli
cestati
on"
.
Me:"atthepoli
cest
ati
onyouknockof
fatsi
xbut
youneverevencamehome,Phi
lani
wherewer
e
you?
".
Phil
ani
:"ComeonbabyIhadsomet
hingst
odoand
thati
snoti
mport
ant
,pl
easecomebackhome"
.
Me:"Youwill
nev
erchangewi
l
lyou?
Iwantt
odr
ess
pl
easeleav
e".
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esacomeon"
.
Me:
"Leav
e".
Iopenedthedoorf orhim andhecamet okissme
butImov edback,Philanii
sl y
ingandIhat ethat
abouthim,Iusedthemake- upthatweboughtand
myhairwasonf leak,Iwor emymi nipeachbubbl e
dressthati
sabobt ubeandmysandl es,Iwas
l
ookingfly,
itwasal r
eadyoneo' cl
ockandIwent
downstair
s,al
leyeswer eonme, Phil
anicamet ome..
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasenotnow"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
ebeaut
if
ul"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Sheknows,
Pal
icomet
hissi
deI
wantt
oint
roduceyout
osomeone".
Itookherhandandwewenttot heol
dwomenwho
wasdrinki
ngwine,shei
ntr
oducedmet oherandwe
hugged,Iwentt
otheKit
chenforajui
ceandPhilani
foll
owedme..
Phi
l
ani
:"Weneedt
otal
k".
Me:
"It
hinkwehav
edoneenought
alki
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youwi
l
lfi
ndmei
nyourr
oom now"
.
OhGodnotagai
n,If
oll
owedhi
m upst
air
s
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
what
'
swr
ongnow?
".
Phil
ani
:"Every
oneisl
ooki
ngaty
ou,
youneedt
o
changethatdr
ess"
.
Il
ookedathi
m
Me:
"Doy
ouseehowy
ourangeri
scomi
ngout
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Si
ncewhendoy
ouwearweav
es?
".
Me:"Sincet
hedayyoudeci
dedt
omakemey
our
punchi
ngbag,ar
eyoudone?"
.
Phil
ani:"BabyI'
m sor
ry,
youaresobeauti
ful
ver
y
beauti
fulandithur
tsmet oseeal
ltheseman
undressyouwi t
hthei
reyes"
.
Me:
"Ar
ewedoneher
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"BabyIneedy
oubackhome"
.
Me:
"Ineedsomet
imepl
easeunder
stand"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkMyLov
ebutcanIki
ssy
ou?
".
Me:
"Noy
oucan'
t"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Babycomeonj
ustal
i
ttl
eki
ss"
.
Hesaidcomingcl oserto,hi
stouchohl ord,
hi sthe
onlyper
sonwhomakesmybl oodrunf astwhenev er
hetouchesme, hebitmybot t
om li
p,hestarted
mov i
nghisli
psandIr esponded,Ourl
ipsmov ed
toget
herinsync,Ithoughthewasgonnagof ur t
her
buthestopped..
Phi
l
ani
:"Pl
easecomehomewi
thmet
oni
ght
".
Me:
"Not
hatwon'
thappen,
let
'
sgobackdownst
air
s".
Phi
lani
:"ComeonbabyI
'l
lbr
ingy
oubackver
year
ly
i
nthemor ni
ngbef
oremymom wakesup"
.
Me:
"It
'sst
il
laNo"
.
Phil
ani
:"IknowIdeser
vet
obepuni
shedbutt
hisi
s
toomuch".
Me:"Let
'sgobef
orey
ourmom comesl
ooki
ngf
or
us"
.
Iopenedthedoorandhefol
l
owedme, t
hat
'swhatI
want,Iwanthi
mt omissmeandreal
i
zehowwr ong
i
twast obeatme,ever
yonewast
alki
ngtoeach
ot
herandIwentt
ost
andnextt
oSanel
eandPhe.
Sanel
e:"Hhaysi
suy any
isaevenbi
gbro.Can'
ttake
hi
seyesoffyou,
pleaseforgi
vehi
m now".
Me:
"NotnowSanel
e,Iwashi
mtosuf
feral
i
ttl
e".
Phe:
"Oht
roubl
einpar
adi
se"
.
Me:
"What
?".
OhAmanda, whatt
hehellwasshedoingher e,
Phi
lani wasdri
nki
ngwhiskeywithScebiandhis
mom t alki
ng,
thegi
rlj
ustwentstrai
ghtt
ot hem, Mr
s
MthethwahuggedherandIf el
tsojeal
ous.
Me:
"Phegi
vemey
ourgl
ass"
.
Phe:
"That
'swhi
skeynotwi
ne"
.
It
ooki
tinhi
shandanddr
ankal
lofi
t
Sanele:
"Guyslet
'
sgot ot
hegardenbecauseIcan
seethatsomeoneisnowangr
y".
Me:
"Nowai
tforme,
wai
ther
e".
Phe:
"Don'
tev
ent
hinkabouti
tPal
esa"
.
Me:
"Wat
chMe"
.
.
.
.
.
Mybl
oodwasboi
li
ngIwentst
rai
ghtt
othem and
st
oodnextt
oPhi
l
ani
MrsMthethwa:"Ohy
ouareher
e,AmandaI
'
m sur
e
youal
readyknowPal
esa"
.
Amanda:
"AhhyesMa,
it'
sgoodt
oseey
ouPal
esa,
Howareyou"
.
Shest
ret
chedherhandt
oshakemi
nebutIj
ust
l
ookedati
t.
Me:
"I'
m Mr
sMt
het
hwat
oyou,
pleaseexcuseus"
.
Idr
aggedPhi
l
ani
'
shand
Phi
l
ani
:"Babewast
hatnecessar
y?"
.
Me:
"Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e"?
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
tknowmymom i nv
itedherbaby
pl
easestopthi
s,ther
e'snot
hinggoingonbetween
uswhaty
ousawt
her
ewasj
ustami
stake"
.
Me:
"Thatwor
dagai
n'mi
stake'
"
Phi
l
ani
:"ILov
eyouonl
yyou,
justst
opwi
thal
lthi
s".
Hekissedmyforeheadandwentbackt
ot hem,t
ear
s
wantedtocomeoutbutIbitmycheekt
ohol dt
hem
back,It
ookaglassofwinefr
om t
hewaiter
Voi
ce:"Whyabeaut
iful
womeni
sst
andi
ngher
e
al
one,
mindifIj
oiny
ou?".
Me:"I
fyouhavesor
rowst
odr
inkaway
,youar
eso
wel
cometojoi
n".
Hi
m:"Boy
fri
endst
ress?
".
Me:
"It
'smor
ethant
hat
,tr
ustme"
.
Hi
m:"I
'
m Wal
ter
".
Hetookouthi
shandt
oshakemi
neandr
esponded
back
Me:
"Pal
esa"
Walt
er:"Yourf
acei
snotf
ami
l
iar
,it
'sy
ourf
ir
stt
ime
her
e?".
Me:
"Yesi
tis"
.
Walt
er:
"Thesemeet
ingsar
esobor
ing,
Ionl
ycame
her
eforfood"
.
Me:
"Hahat
hisi
sameet
ing?
".
Walter:
"Welli
t'
str
adi
ti
onwherer i
chbusiness
peoplemeetonceint
womont hsdiscussi
ng
busi
nessandthanaft
ertheydri
nkexpensiveal
cohol
andeat".
Me:
"Soy
oust
il
lgonnahav
eameet
ingher
e?"
.
Wal
ter
:"Not
hemeet
ingi
sfi
nishedandt
hankGod
f
ort
hat".
IsawScebi
comi
ngt
ous
Me:
"Oht
hat
'sgood"
.
Scebi
:"Wal
ter
".
Wal
ter
:"Howar
eyoumyguy
?".
Scebi
:"CanIbor
rowt
hisbeaut
if
ull
adyf
oraf
ew
minut
es".
Wal
ter
:"Nopr
obl
em,
I'
ll
seey
oul
aterPal
esa"
.
Scebi
heldmyhandandhet
ookt
hewi
nei
nmyhand
andgavemejui
ce.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Scebi
:"Isawy oudri
nki
ngaglassfull
ofwhiskey
thaty
outookfrom Phe,y
oudon'tneedal
cohol
anymore,whatwereyoutal
ki
ngaboutwithWal t
er?
".
Me:
"Not
hing"
.
Scebi
:"I
tdidn'
tlookli
kenothi
ngtomeandyou
shoul
dthankMom f orbei
nghereot
her
wiseWal
ter
wouldbeinhospit
alnow".
Me:
"Whatf
or?
".
Scebi:
"Walt
erdiditonpurposetocomet oyou,
he
knowswhoy ouareandhej ustwant
edtopissof
Phil
aniandt
rustmet heyhavealonghi
story
".
Me:"Idon'
tcareaboutPhi
l
ani,Whywoul
dhecare
aboutwhoItal
ktowhenhei swit
hhi
sgir
lf
ri
end?
".
Scebi
:"Let
'sgot
othem"
.
Itookaglassofwineandl
eftthejui
ceandwestood
nexttot
hem, t
hisAmandagirl
isjusttoomuchandI
hateher
Amanda:
"Ididn'
tknowthaty
oudr
ink,
Phil
ani
once
tol
dmethathedoesn'
tl
ikegi
rl
swhodri
nk"
.
Ohher
ewegoagai
n!
Me:
"Sot
hat
'swhyy
ouar
enotdr
inki
ngnow?
".
Amanda:
"Not
hat
'snotwhatImeant
".
Me:
"Thanwhati
sitt
haty
oumeant
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esawhat
'
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
".
Me:"What'
swrongwithme?Ohwow!Whydon'
tyou
askherwhat
'swrongwit
hher
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esanotnowpl
ease"
.
Me:"SonowI '
mthebadpersonhere?I
'
m sur
e
whatev
ershe'sgi
vi
ngyoui
sgoodt haty
oueven
f
orgetthaty
ouhavesomeone".
Phal
ani
:"Pal
-.
..
"
Me:
"Idon'
twantt
oheari
t"
.
It
ookaglassofwhi
skeyi
nScebi'
shandanddrank
al
lofi
tandIgavehi
m hi
sglassbackandIl
eftt
hem
Wal
ter
:"Ar
eyoucr
ying?
".
Me: "Youknowsomet i
mesIblamemyparentsf
or
taki
ngt hatLobol
a,i
ttheydidn'
tIwoul
dbeinmy
room, watchi
ngTheNot ebookfort
he100t
htime
andt heonlystr
essI
'l
lhavewasgoingtobeformy
upcomi ngexamsonly".
Walt
er:
"Palesay
ouarebeauti
fulandsmar
tdon'
t
al
l
owany onetot
ell
youother
wise".
Me:"Looksdon'tmeanany
thi
ng,
ift
heydomyman
woul
dn'tbecheati
ngonme".
Wal
ter
:"Don'
tcr
yPal
esa,
comeher
e".
Hehuggedmesot i
ghtandhiswarmthmademe
f
eelbet
ter
,af
terbr
eakingthehug,
IsawWalt
er
f
all
i
ngdown,Phil
anipunchedhim.
.
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Whatt
hear
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
'sgoupst
air
s".
Me:
"I'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou"
.

Phi
l
ani
:"DoIhav
etor
epeatmy
sel
f?"
.
Walt
er:
"Shesai
dshe'
snotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
th
you"
.
Phil
ani
:"Isweari
fIhearanot
herwordcomingfr
om
thatdi
rt
ymouthofyours,y
ouwill
regr
etit
,I'
mtal
king
tomywi f
ehere"
.
Walt
er:
"Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo,
huh,
whatar
eyou
goi
ngtodo?
".
Istoodther
elikeafoolandevery
onewaslookingat
us,Waltert
ookoutagunandal lthef
ourbrot
hers
excludi
ngSaneletookoutthegunsandpoint
edat
Wal t
er,
Iwantedtosaysomet hi
ngbutthewords
couldn'
tcomeout.
Walt
er:"Yourwomenwascr y
inghereyouasshol
e
andyouwerebusywithanot
hergir
linsteadof
comfor
tingher
,youdon'
tdeserv
eher ,
shedeserv
es
waybettert
hanyou"
.
Twoguy
scamebehi
ndWal
terandt
ookoutt
hei
r
guns,
Phi
lani:
"Doyoursel
fabigf
avorWalt
erandgetout
ofherebef
oreyouseeyour
sel
fburi
edinabackyar
d
al
ive"
.
Walt
er:
"I'
m al
soani
nvest
or,
I'
m notgoi
ng
any
where"
.
Phi
lani
:"Fi
nekeepyourhandsof
fmywomen,
br
otherl
et'
sleav
ethi
sdog".
Theyl
oweredt
hei
rgunsandMrsMt
het
hwacal
l
ed
meandthem t
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.
MrsMt het
hwa:"Whathappenedwi
l
lnev
erev
er
happenagain,
doyouhearme? "
.
Theyal
lagr
eed
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Good"
.
Phil
ani:"Pal
esali
stenher
eev er
yoneher
eknows
thatyouaremywi f
e,whatthehell
wereyoudoi
ng
huggingWalter
?".
Scelo:"Pal
esawhaty
oudi
dwaswr
ong,
youdi
dn'
t
respectus"
.
Me:"I
'm notgoi
ngt
oapol
ogi
sei
fmay
bet
hat
'swhat
youwant".
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
-.
."
Me: "Pal
esawhatPhi l
ani
?Irefusetobebulli
ed
aroundbyy ou,youwerebusywithyourgir
lf
ri
end
andy ouexpectedmet obefi
newi t
hthat?Eversi
nce
shecameher eyouwereaft
erherandy oueven
forgott
hatI'm her
e".
Scebi
:"Soy
ouar
ejeal
ousofAmanda"
.
Me: "Jealousofwho?Ther e'snothingtobej eal
ous
aboutbecauseI'm waybet t
erthanher ,Idon' tsl
eep
aroundwi thmybossi nt heof f
ices,Ihav estandards,
i
fshecanopenherl egsf ory ouany wher ejustthi
nk
abouthowmanypeopl eshedoest hattoandnex t
ti
met elly
ourbrotherstomi ndtheirownbusi ness,
I'
m dati
ngy ounotthem. .I'
m doneher egobackt o
yourgirl
fr
iend.
.beforey oust ar
tjudgingmeask
yoursel
fwhowoul d'vest ayedaf t
erfindingherman
nakedinhi sof
fi
cewi thhi ssecretary".
Il
eftther
oom andwentupst
air
s,al
cohol
wasdoing
i
tpartandIf
ellasl
eep,
Iwokeupinthemorni
ngand
Ihadtogotoschoolbutmyheadwasheavy
,I
bathedandtookmybooksandwentdownst
air
s,al
l
ofthem wer
eintheki
tchen.
Me:
"Mor
ning"
.
Theyr
espondedback,
Isentmymom cal
l
backsand
myphonerang.
Me:
"Mom"
.
Mom:
"Howar
eyoumychi
l
d?"
.
Me:"I
'mfineMa,
I'
mrunni
ngshor
tofcashcany
ou
pl
easesendmesome,pl
ease"
.
Mom: "OkI'
m onmywayt
owor
k,I
'
llt
ransf
eri
twhen
Igett
here"
.
Me:
"Okt
hanksby
e".
Ihungup
Phi
l
ani
:"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
haty
oudon'
thav
e
money
?"
MrsMt het
hwa:"Whydoesshehav
etotel
lyou?I
sn'
t
yourr
esponsi
bil
it
yashermantogi
veher?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"NoMabutsheshoul
dhav
etol
dme,
Pal
esa
someti
mesIdon'
tknowhowyout
hinkmaybemy
brot
her
swereri
ghtabouty
ou,
wej
ustrushedt
hings"
.
Il
ookedathi
m,thosewordsreal
l
ybr okemyhear
t,I
j
ustl
ookedatal
lofthem andwalkedout.

.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
37]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
15]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mydaywasnotal r
ightIkeptthi
nki
ngaboutwhat
Phil
anisaid,doesthatmeanhei shavi
ngsecond
thoughtsaboutme?Nomat t
erhowmanyt i
meswe
fi
ghtbutIstil
lhaveasof tspotf
orhim,Ilovehim
mor enowandIgetj ealousbytheli
tt
lethingshe
does.Iatt
endedal lmycl assesandcall
edKagi so
becauseIneededt ocl earmyheadbuthet ol
dmehe
wasnotar ound,thet houghtofgoi
ngtot hatpl
ace
reall
ymademefeel
worri
ed,
Iwentbackaf
termy
classesandMr
sMthet
hwawashome.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Whydoy
oul
ooksowor
ri
ed?
".
Me:"I
t'
snot
hingMaIj
ustneedt
ofet
chmybookby
Phi
l
ani'
spl
ace".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Soy
ouar
ewor
ri
edaboutt
hat
?".
Me:"Notreal
ly,
it'
sjustt
hathi
sbrot
hershateme
andIdon'
tknowwhatIdi dtot
hem,theonlypeopl
e
whoarenicetomei sPheandSanel
ebuttheothers
ai
yMa".
Mr sMthethwa:"Iwanty outoremembert hi
s,i
f
SceloandScebi hav
eapr obl
em withyou,i
t'
stheir
problem notyoursandpleasetell
yourmant ostop
di
scussingy outohisbrother
sy ouaregonnaget
mar r
iedtohim, nothisbr
other
s".
Me: "Asi
fitwasthateasyandwhathesaidhe
brokemyheart,
whatifhehaschangedhismind
aboutme?".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Theonlypersonwhomaybesai
d
t
hatt
ohimi sScel
o,Idon'
tknowwhathi
sprobl
em
buthedoesn'tbelieveinmarri
agebecauseofhis
pastexperi
enceinhi smarri
age,maybehewant sto
prot
ecthisbrothersbutdon'tworr
yeveryonehere
l
ikesyouandt here'snothi
ngnottoli
keaboutyou".
Me:
"Thanky
ouMa,
Ithi
nkIhav
etogonow"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"I'
l
ltel
loneoft
hedr
iver
stot
akey
ou
t
here"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Ipray ednottofindPhilanihome,thedri
verdropped
meandwhenIgoti nsi
det hehousetheclot
heswer e
allov erthecouchandhi sworkunifor
m, Iwent
upst air
s, t
hebedroom wasupsi dedown,Isearched
formybookandf oundi tandwenttotheKitchen,
Philani wastherecooking.
Me:
"Hi
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Hey
,Idi
dn'
theary
oucomi
ngi
n".
Me:
"Ij
ustcamef
ormybook,
arey
oumov
ingout
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"No,
Why
?".
Me:
"Ev
ery
thi
ngi
supsi
dedownher
e,y
ourcl
othes"
.
Phil
ani
:"Ohthat
,Iwant
edtowashmyclot
hesbutI
can'
tusethi
swashingmachi
neandIl
ostt
he
manual"
.
Me:
"Wher
e'st
hatgi
rlwhowor
ksf
ory
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Yout
oldmet
ofi
reherr
emember
?".
Me:"NoIdi
dn'
tandbefor
eherwhowascl
eani
ng
whenshewasonleav
e?".
Phi
lani
:"Shesenthercousi
nbutshewascl
eani
ng
par
ttime"
.
Me: "I
'
m sorryIthi
nkyoushoul
dcallherbackhere,
I
'm nothereanymoreandIover
reactedthatday
,I
neverthoughtyouwil
lact
ual
lyf
ireher"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Whyishethiscal
m?Iknowmanyot
hersi
desofhi
m
butnott
hisone.
Me:"Icanr
epayyoubyhel
pingyoucl
eanandIknow
howtouseawashingmachi
ne".
Phi
l
ani
:"Noy
oudon'
thav
eto"
.
Me:
"ButIwantt
o".
Iwentt
othesi
tt
ingandt
ookt
hewashi
ngt
othe
washi
ngmachi
ne
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
llj
ustf
ini
shupcooki
ng"
.
Me:
"Cool
"
I
tdidn'tt
akelongtocleanthishousebecauseit
wasn'tdi
rty
,itwasjustafewt hi
ngsthatneededto
beplacedinthei
rownpl aces,ot
herwisei
twasclean.
Me:
"It
hinkIhav
etogonow,
I'
m done"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ai
n'
tyoust
ayi
ngf
orf
ood?
".
Me:
"No,
I'
ll
eataty
ourmot
her
'shouse"
.
It
ookmybook
.
.
.
.
Phi
lani
:"ButPal
esay
oucan'
tj
ustl
eav
eli
kethat,
pl
easecomebackhome,Imi
ssyousomuch".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasenotnow"
.
Phil
ani
:"I
fnotnowwhen?,
weneedtofi
xthings,I
needtofi
xthi
ngswi
thyou,
Iam sor
ryf
oreveryt
hing"
.
Me:"Don'
tyougett
iredofapologi
zi
ngever
yti
me?
Yousai
dityour
sel
fthatwerushedthi
ngssowhat
moredoyouneedfrom me?".
Phi
lani
:"Iwasunderpr
essur
e,Iwasn'
tthi
nki
ng,
Iam
sor
ry".
Me: "Yourbr
other
shatesmeandyougav
ethem t
he
sat
isfact
ionofhat
ingmemorewhenyousai
dthat
".
Phi
lani
:"Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo,
babyt
ell
me
andI'
ll
doit
".
Me: "
'
Ican'tt
ell
youtobreakyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi th
yourbrot
hersbutIwantthem t
oknowt hei
rplace".
Phil
ani:"Iam sor
ryforthatandevery
thi
ngthatIdi
d
mylove, Imaydoal otofthi
ngsbutmyl ov
eforyou
i
sonet hingthatwil
lneverchange,pl
easecome
back".
Me:"Iwast
hinki
ngoflooki
ngformyownpl
ace,
I
can'
tcomeback,
Ihavetothi
nkabouti
t"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoubr
eaki
ngupwi
thme?
".
Me:"NoI'm not
,It
hinkweneedspacej
ustt
othi
nk
aboutwhatweexactlywant
".
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
tdot
hat,Idon'
tdospaces,Iwantyou
andIknowthatsowhatdoIhavetothinkabout
?".
Me:
"Idon'
tknowbutIcan'
tcomeback"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esaar
eyoubr
eaki
ngupwi
thme?
".
Me:
"NoI
'
m not
,Ij
ustneedspace"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"That
'
swhatIdon'
tunder
stand,i
tei
thery
ou
l
ovemeoryoudon'
t
,doyouloveme?".
Me:
"Il
ovey
oubutIca-
..
"
Phi
l
ani
:"That
'
swhatIneedt
ohear
".
Me:
"ButPhi
l
a-.
."
Heclosedmymouthwithhishand,
hegotcl
osert
o
meandcl osedt
hegapbetweenus,hi
smout
hcame
cl
osertomyearandwhispered.
Phil
ani
:"Iwon'
tall
owy out ol
eavemethateasily
,I
can'
timagi
nemyl i
fewithoutyou,y
esI'
m notthe
romanti
cmanandIcan' tsaytheri
ghtt
hingsthat
youwanttohearbutonet hi
ngIknowisthatIlove
y
ou,
onl
yyou"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
Ineedt
-.
."
Hestoppedmebyki
ssi
ngmyl
i
ps,
wesl
owl
yki
ssed
andhebroket
heki
ss.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youwer
esay
ing?
".
Thewor dscouldn'tcomeout ,hest art
edki ssingme
again,sopassi onate,t
hatki sst ol
dmeat housand
wor ds,Idi
dn'twantt hekisst ost op.Het rail
eddown
toearandImoaned, hecar riedme, Mylegswer e
aroundhi swaist ,
hewal kedf rom theKi t
chent ot
he
sitt
ingroom wi thoutbreakingt hekiss,wewentt o
thecouchandhewasont opofme, hekissedmy
necksosl ow, Itri
edtost ophi m becauseoft he
pleasureIwasf eel
ingbuthedi dn'tstop,Iwant ed
mor eofhim, myhandwasi nhisbel t
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
trush,
rel
ax,
letmet
aket
hel
ead"
.
Istoppedandminut
eslaterwewer
einhi
scouch
naked,noonewastalki
ngwewerebothl
i
steni
ngto
eachother'
shear
tbeat.
Me:
"It
'sl
atenowIneedt
ogo"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Comeonbabypl
easest
ayj
ustf
ort
oni
ght
".
Me:"NoIcan'
t,
yourmom i
sexpect
ingmeback
home".
Phil
ani
:"Babypl
easedon'
tsayt
hatagai
n,she'
sal
so
yourmother
".
Me:
"Okbutl
et'
sgetdr
essed"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkI
'
lldr
ivey
ou"
.
Wegotdressedupandwet ol
dthedr
ivertogoback,
poorguy,Ievenforgott
hathewaswaitingforme
outsi
de,
Phi l
anidrovemetohismother'
shouseand
hi
smom waswat chi
ngtv.
MrsMt
hethwa:
"It
houghty
ouar
enotcomi
ngback
any
more"
.
Me:
"No,
Icoul
dn'
tfi
ndt
hebook"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Fort
hreehour
s?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Iforgotwher
eitwassowewer
ebusy
l
ookingforit
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Youwer
elooki
ngf
ori
twher
e?"
.
Godt
hiswomen,
IlookedatPhi
l
ani
andLor
dhi
s
pant
swer
ebackwar
ds,
Ifel
tsoembar
rassed
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"SoIt
akei
tthaty
ouf
ixedt
hings"
.
Me:
"No"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ma"
.
MrsMthethwa:"Hmm ok,
I'
ll
bei
nmyr
oom i
fyou
needany
thing"
.
Phi
lani
:"I
'
mlazyt
ogobackhomecanIst
ayf
ort
he
ni
ght?"
.
Il
ookedathi
mindi
sbel
i
ef
MrsMthethwa:"Soyoul
efty
ourhouseandy
ou
wantt
ofinishi
therei
nmyhouse?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Fi
nishwhatMa?Wedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng"
.
MrsMthethwa:"Fi
nishl
ooki
ngfort
hebookofcause,
wasn'
tthatwhatyouweredoi
nginyourhouse"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
isnotst
ayi
ngher
etoni
ght
,don'
twor
ry
Ma"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whynot
?".
Me:
"Becausey
ouar
enot
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Don'
tworry
,Phi
l
ani y
ouwil
lsl
eepi
n
t
heguestr
oom t
hati
snextt
omyr oom".
Phi
l
ani
:"What
?".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Ist
her
eany
thi
ngwr
ong"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"NoMa"
.
MrsMt hethwa:"Good,sonextti
mewheny ou
decidetolookforabookdon'tf
orgettoweary
our
pantsproperl
yandPalesayouneedt ousemake-
up
i
nt hoselovebit
es(Hickey
s)".
.
.
.
Iknowit
'sshor
tbuti
t'
sbet
tert
hannot
hingatal
l
,
ri
ght?
.
'
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
42]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
16]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Idon'
tknowwhat '
swr ongwithPhil
ani
'
smom butI
l
ikeherpersonal
it
y,Il
eftthem andwentupst
air
sfor
aquickshower,Phil
anicamein.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Phi
lani
:"SoI'
m notev
enal
l
owedt
ocomeneary
ou
i
nthishouse?
".
Me: "Nowhati
fyourmom comes?Godownst
air
s
I
'm alsocomi
ngforsupper
"'
Phi
l
ani
:"Okcool
".
Heisnowact i
ngli
keathr
eey earoldkidwhofol
lows
youaroundwhenyoupromisedtogi vehi
m sweets
butIdidn'
tpr
omisePhi
l
aniany t
hing,Iwentt
othe
Kit
chen.
Phi
lani
:"Youdi
dn'
twantt
oeatmyf
oodbuty
ouar
e
eat
inghere"
.
Me:"Don'tbesuchababy
,youhav
etocookagai
n
andi
nvit
eme" .
Phi
l
ani
:"No,
I'
ll
nev
ercookf
orawomen"
.
Me:
"Whynot
?".
Phil
ani
:"I
'
mt heheadoft
hehouseandcooki
ngis
forwomennotmeanddon'tar
guewit
hmef ort
hat"
.
Me:
"Mxm Zul
uman"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Andpr
oud"
.
Me:"SoonI
'
llf
ini
shmyexamsIt
hinkIneedt
ogo
home".
Phi
l
ani
:"We'
l
lgof
oroneweekendt
hancomeback"
.
Me:
"Whatdoy
oumean,
we?
".
Phi
lani
:"Youar
emywi
feIwi
l
lgowi
thy
out
hanwe'
l
l
comeback".
Me:"Youar
est
art
ingagai
n,Whydoy
oual
way
s
hav
etorui
nmymood".
Phil
ani
:"Youjustr
unawayfr
om thetr
uththat
'sal
l
butbabythat
'showiti
sandyouneedtocomeback
home".
Me:
"Her
ewegoagai
n".
Phi
lani
:"Butwe'
l
ltal
kabouti
tlat
er,
canIsl
eepwi
th
youtoni
ght?
".
Me:
"Noy
ou'
renot
".
Phi
lani
:"ButIal
wayssl
eepbet
terwhenI
'
m wi
thy
ou
pl
easesthandwasam'
".
Me:
"Isai
dnoandpl
easegi
vemey
ourpl
ateIwant
t
owashit
".
Iwashedt hedishesandwentt omyr oom, It
ri
ed
sleepingbutIcoul dn'
tsleepknowingt hatPhil
ani
is
i
nt heot herroom, Iwokeupandt iptoe'dtothe
room hewassl eepingin,Iopenedthedoorandgot
i
n, Ipull
edt heblanketsandhoppedi n.
Phi
l
ani:
"Iknewt
haty
oual
socan'
tsl
eepwi
thout
me".
Me:
"Pl
easedon'
tfeel
sospeci
al"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Hahacomeher
e".
WhenIwokeupIt ookPhilani
'
sphoneandchecked
theti
meGodIwasgoi ngtobel at
eforschoolIover
slept
,Iwentt
omyr oom togetreadyforschool
andI
wenttotheKit
chenforsomethingtoeat.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Shoul
dn'
tyoubeatschool
?".
Me:"Ishoul
dbutIover
slept
,atl
eastwear
est
art
ing
ourexamsnextweek"
.
MrsMt het
hwa:"OhIsee,
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dgoback
t
oy ourhousenow"
.
Me:
"ButwhyI
'
m st
il
lenj
oyi
ngi
ther
e".
MrsMt het
hwa: "MyBabyyouar
enotenjoy
ing,
her
e
wecan'tgi
vey ouever
ythi
ngt
hatyouneed,
Phil
ani
haseveryt
hingyouneed".
Godthiswomenisast rai
ghttalker,
yest
erdayIsl
ept
i
nPhilani
'
sroom becauseImi ssedhim somuchbut
howdoessheknowt hatIsl
eptt her
e?WasImaking
toomuchnoiseatnight?OhNo. .
Me:"YeahIt
hinki
t'
sagoodidea,I
'
llt
ell
Phi
l
ani
to
packmyclot
hesandgowit
ht hem"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Onemor ething,
Idon'teverwantto
seeyoul
eavi
ngy ourhouse,thati
sy ourhouseand
NoOnecantell
youot her
wisei nthathouse,doyou
hearme?"
.
Me:
"Iheary
ou"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Good,
don'
twor
ryI
'
llt
ell
Phi
l
ani
to
gowi
thyourbags"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Itookthef r
uitsandwentt oschool,t
hedaywasj ust
normal butIhadl otofrevisiontodo,Il
ikedoi ngmy
school workatt heli
braryaf t
ermyclassesbecauseI
don'twantt ostressmy selftoomuchaboutt he
undoneschool work,IwenthomeandPhi l
ani had
alr
eadyl ef
tforwor k,unti
l nowIdon'tunderstand
whyi shewor ki
ngasapol iceman,t
hefoodt hat
Phil
ani cookedwasst i
llt
her eandheisagr eat
cookerIdon' tknowwhyhehat esi
t,Iwatchedt vand
wentt obed..someoneknockedont hebedr oom
doorandwhenIopenedi twasScebi..
Scebi
:"Makot
iputony
ourcl
othes,
wear
egoi
ng"
.
Me:
"Goi
ngwher
e?"
.
Scebi
:"St
opaski
ngquest
ions,
bef
ast
".
Iwor
emyt r
acksuitandtakki
esandIf
oll
owedhim,
wewenttothei
roffi
ces,Phil
ani
wasal
sot her
e
wear
inghi
sPoliceunif
orm..
Phi
lani
:"IaskedScebi
tocomewi
thy
ou,
arey
ou
al
ri
ght?"
.
Me:"YeahI
'
m good,what'
sgoi
ngon,
Whywakeme
upi
nthemiddl
eofthenight
".

Phi
lani
:"I'
m sorr
yforthatMyl
ovebuty
oucansl
eep
i
nthiscouch,Iwantedyouher
ewit
hme" .
.
.
.
.
Scel
o:"Sowhatdowedonow?
".
Phi
lani
:"Iwi
ll
speaktot
hePol
i
cei
nNewcast
le,
they
wil
findsomet
hing"
.
MrsMt hethwa:"ButwhenPhi
lani
?Bot
hmyson'
s
ar
emi ssingandyouaretel
l
ingmeaboutt
he
Pol
ice?".
Scebi:
"Ithi
nkt
hisi
spersonal
,theyst
oppedour
taxi
sintheN3t
axir
outeandever y
oneknowsthat
,
t
hatrout
eisal
soour
sandnowPheandSanel
ear
e
missi
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Weneedt
ogot
oKznnow"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"I'
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou"
.
Phi
lani
:"May ouarenotcoming,wedon'
tknow
whatthesepeopl
eareplanni
ng".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"I'
myourMot
hery
oucan'
ttel
lme
whatt
odo;"
.
Il
ookedatt
hem conf
used,itwasl
i
ket
heywer
e
speaki
ngi
naforei
gnlanguage.
Scebi
:"Weneedt
otal
ktothetaxiassociat
ionf
ir
st
befor
ewegohome,wecan'
tjustdothingsonour
own".
Theyagreedandnoonesl ept
,I'
mt heonlyonewho
hadanof f
icecoucht
osleepon, Idi
dn'
twanttoask
somanyquest i
onsbecauseeveryonelookedver
y
str
essed.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyouokay
?".
Me:
"No,
what
'
sgoi
ngon?
".
Phil
ani:"PheandSanel
ear
emi ssi
ng,t
hetaxi
they
weredrivi
ngwasfoundonthesideoft
heroadbut
theywerenotther
eandourtaxi
sareouti
nthetaxi
route"
.
Me:
"Butwhowoul
ddosuchat
hing?
".
Phil
ani
:"Wedon'tknowbutoncey ouownat axi
just
knowthatyouwill
hav esomanyenemi es,Idi
dn'
t
wanttoleaveyoualoneathome, Sanel
ewas
supposedtocomet onightbutt
hishappened"
.
Me:
"It
'sf
inebutIdi
dn'
tmi
ndsl
eepi
ngal
one"
.
MrsMthethwa:
"Ithi
nkwehavet
ogotomyhouse
t
haninthemorningy
ouwil
lal
lgotot
heassoci
ati
on"
.
Welef
ttheoff
icesandwenttoherhouse, i
twas
al
mostfouri
nthemor ni
ng,wewentt obedand
whenIwokeupPhi l
aniwasn'
tther
e,Icheckedt
he
ti
meanditwast eni
nthemorning,Iwentdownstai
rs.
MrsMthethwa:
"Whyar
eyouup?Wesl
eptv
eryl
ate
gobacktobed"
.
Me:
"Wher
eisPhi
l
ani
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Theyar
eont
hei
rwayt
oNewcast
le"
.
Me:
"ButMadoy
out
hinkt
heywi
l
lbesaf
e?"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Theywi
l
lbe"
.
Shedidn'
tsoundconv i
ncing,Istayedinthel
ounge
watchi
ngt vbutIthinkitwaswat chi
ngmebecause
mymi ndwasn' teventhere,Iwast hi
nkingof
Phi
lani
..
.SaneleandPhedoesn' tdeservetobe
har
med, theyarethemostf ri
endlypeopleever,
I
sl
eptinthecouchandwokeupagai nbuttherewas
nosignoft hem.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Youneedt
obat
handeatt
heyar
e
f
ine"
.
Me:
"Youspoket
othem?
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"YesnowGobat
hyoudon'
twant
Phi
lani
toseey
ouliket
his"
.
Iwashappy ,
Itookav erylongshowerandchanged
tomycl othesthatPhilanil
eft
,Iat
eandwaitedfor
them buttherewasnosi gn,i
twaslat
ethanI
deci
dedt ogot obed, Iwaswokenupbysomeone
gett
inginsidetheblanket..
Me:
"Youar
eback"
.
Phi
lani
:"Mymom sai
dyoudi
dn'
twannaeatt
oday
pl
easedon'
tev
erdothaty
our
sel
f"
.
Me:
"Iwaswor
ri
edabouty
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Butst
il
l,
don'
tev
erst
arv
eyour
sel
f,ok?
".
Hesaidt
hatki
ssingme, everyti
mewegeti nt
imateit
feel
ssospeci
albutt
histimei twasmorethanthat,
somanyemotionswereinv ol
ved,wecuddl
edandI
washappytoseehim backhome.
Phi
l
ani
:"Baby
".
Me:
"Hmm"
.
Phi
lani:
"DoyourememberwhenIt ol
dyouthatyou
ar
et heonl
ythi
ngthatmakessenseinmyli
fe?"
.
Me:
"YesIr
emember
".
Phi
lani
:"Don'
teverf
orgetthatandwhenI'
m no
l
ongerherepl
easedon'tf
orgetthatIl
ovey
ou,Il
ove
yousomuchPalesaandIcan' ti
maginemyli
fe
wit
houtyou"
.
Me:
"What
swr
ong,
didsomet
hinghappen?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Al
othappenedmyl
ovebutl
et'
snotwor
ry
abouti
t,l
et'
ssl
eep"
.
Thewaywemadel ovetol
dmeat housandwor ds
andnowt hi
sbutmaybeIwasjustov ert
hinki
ng,I
cuddledi
nhisar
msanddr i
ft
edtosl eep,
ohLor dI
l
ovehi m,
whenIgotupIfoundeveryoneinthe
ki
tchenassoonastheysawmet heykeptquietand
l
ookedatme.
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Goodmor
ning"
.
TheygreetedmebackandIcoul
dseet
hat
somethingwasup.
Phil
ani:"Pal
esaafteryou'
vef
ini
shedeati
ng,Iwi
l
l
takeyouhome, Ij
ustspoketoyourpar
entsandthey
don'thaveaprobl
em" .
Me:
"Idon'
tunder
stand"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"It
hinky
oushoul
dgohomeandv
isi
tyour
par
ent
s".
Me:
"Why
?".
Hel
ookeddown
Me:"Ar
ey oubr
eaki
ngupwi
thme,
ist
hishowy
ou
wannagetri
dofme?".
Phi
l
ani
:"No,
it'
snotl
i
ket
hat
".
Scel
o:"Pal
esa,
we-
..
"
Me:"Ohyourbr
other
sagain?Am Idatingyouory
our
brot
her
s?Soitwasthei
rideathatIshouldgo
home?".
Scebi:"Pal
esathisisf
oryourownsaf et
y,wear enot
getti
ngridofyou,youareoursi
sternowandi twill
kil
lusifsomethingbadhappenstoy ou,
it'
sjustfora
fewday s"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
fshedoesn'
twantt
ogoshewon'
t"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"ButPhi
l
ani
wet
alkedaboutt
his"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"AndIchangedmymi
nd,
she'
smywi
fe"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Okweheary
ou"
.
WewenttoourhouseandPhil
anit
ookaver
ylong
shower
,Iwasi
nthebedroom pr
epari
ngt
obath.
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
whatar
eyouhi
dingf
rom me?
".
Phil
ani:"If
uckedup,yest
erdaywhenwewentt o
l
ookf ormybr ot
her
s,i
tendeduppr et
tybad,Ishot
thetaxiownerfr
om Nkandlaandthosepeopleare
verydangerous"
.
Me:
"Ishedead?
".
Philani:
"Wedon'tknowbutourlivesareindanger
thosepeopledon'tmindcomingher eandshooti
ng
allofus,Iknowthem myfatheroncedealtwit
h
them buttheywerescaredofhim andrespect
edhim,
myf at
herwasav er
yrespect
edper son"
.
Me:"That'swhyy
ouwant
edmetogohome?But
Phil
aniIcan'
tl
eav
eknowi
ngt
haty
ourl
if
eisi
n
danger
".
Phi
lani
: "Youdon'
thavetoleave,
not
hingwil
lhappen
toy
ou, usZuluswedon'tki
llwomeniftheyt
arget
ed
me,itwillbemenotyou".
Me:
"ButIdon'
tunder
standanyoft
his,
Whydi
dthey
ki
dnapPheandSanel
eandwhywer
ethet
axi
staken
outoft
herout
e?"
.
Phil
ani:"I
t'
salongstorymyl ovebutlet
'sjustnot
tal
kaboutthisnow,I
'm notgoingtowor k,Ijustwant
tofor
getaboutevery
thingandbewi t
hyou, being
wit
hy oumakesev er
ythingbett
erIlovey ouMbal i
yami".
Me:
"OkIl ov
eyoumor
e,sowhydon'
tyoucookf
or
metoday
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Not
hatwi
l
lnev
erhappen"
.
Me:
"Pl
easej
ustt
oday
".
Phil
ani:
"Let
'sbot
hcookcozI
'
llnev
erseet
heendof
thi
s".
If
ini
shedbat
hingandwest
art
edcooki
ng.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Mydadl
ovedgr
il
ledmeat
".
Me:
"That
'swhyy
oual
sol
ovei
t,Howwashel
i
ke?
".
Phi
lani
:"hewasaverygoodmanbuthar
donus.He
wantedustogetmar
riedbef
orehedi
ed"
.
Me:
"Isawhi
spi
ctur
esy
oul
ookl
i
kehi
m".
Phi
l
ani:
"Iusedt
ogetthatal
otandt
hehar
destt
hing
wastobur
yhiminashes"
.
Me:
"Thecarbur
nti
ntheacci
dent
?".
Phi l
ani:"Yeptonor ecognitionandhisasheswer e
mi xedwi t
ht hecarsashessoi twasthehardest
thingwehadt ogot hroughandal solosingbothmy
sister'
sbutatl eastt
heirbodi esdidn'
tcaughtt
hefir
e,
soonwehav etodot heunv eili
ngcozintwomont hs
i
twi llbeay earsincetheirpassing".
Me:"I'
m sor
ryt
haty ouhadtogothroughal
lthatl
ets
nott
alkabouti
t,her
epealthesecar
rots"
.
Wef i
nishedcooki
ngandwehadamostbeaut i
ful
dayever,weenjoyedeachot
her'
scompany, t
he
fol
l
owingdayIhadt ogot ot
heli
brar
ytostudysince
onTuesdayIwasst art
ingmyexams.Iwenttothe
l
ibr
arybutIstart
edatMcDonald'
sforbr
eakfast.
.
.
.
.
Voi
ce:
"Thebeaut
if
ulPal
esa,
mindi
fIj
oiny
ou?
".
Me:
"Wal
ter
!Pl
easet
akeasi
t"
.
Wal
ter
:"Thanky
ou,
howhav
eyoubeen?
".
Me:"GoodthanksandI'
m sor
ryaboutwhat
happenedt
heotherday
".
Walter
:"Itwasn'
tyourf
aul
t,I
'
mjustgl
adt
oseey
ou
notcryi
ng".
Me:
"Yeahandt
hanky
ou"
.
Walt
er:"Noprobl
em,Iknowwhaty
ourfamil
yis
goi
ngthroughandIki
ndofli
kef
eelsor
ryf
orthem"
.
Me:
"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?".
Walt
er:
"They oungbrot
her
s,t
hetaxi
sandthe
Nkandl
ataxi
owner ,
Iknowever
ythi
ngPal
esa"
.
Me:
"Idon'
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
".
Walter
:"That'
snotmyproblem,Thei
rli
vesar
ein
danger,i
ncl
udi
ngPhil
ani
'
sl i
febutyoucansave
them".
Me:
"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutWal
ter
?".
Walter:"There'
sanenv elopthatIneed,it'
sabig
brownoneandout sideitiswri
ttenconfidenti
al,
that
envelopisinMr sMthethwa'shousei nthesafe,so
fi
gureoutt hepinandgiv emet hatenvel
opt hany our
famil
ywi l
lbef r
eefrom danger".
Me:
"Ifyouwantthatenv
elopwhydon'
tyout
alkt
o
t
hem y
oursel
f?"
.
Walt
er:
"TheMt het
hwaf
amilyi
ssostubbor
nthey
woul
dn'tgi
vei
ttomebecauset
heyknowwhat's
i
nsi
dethatenv
elop".
Me:
"Sor
ryy
oucamet
othewr
ongper
son"
.
Walter:
"Youknowwehav ebeenfoll
owi
ngyouall
thewholeday,howdoyout hi
nkIknewthatyouare
here?AndyourPhil
anii
sbeingfoll
owedbyjustone
callt
heycanshoothim,sodecide"
.
Me:
"It
houghty
ouwer
eni
ce"
.
Walter:"Iam..that
'
swhyIwantt osavey ourfami
l
y,
soify oudon'twanttoseey ourhusbandint he
hospitalbedgot othathouseandgivemet he
envelop,thi
sisoursecret,don'
ttel
lanyonenoteven
Phil
ani "
.
Me:
"Wal
terIwi
l
lnev
erl
i
-..
".
Wal
ter
:"I
'
m gi
vi
ngy
out
hreeday
sPal
esa"
.
Hest
oodupandl
eft
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
.
.
.
Don'
tforgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
46]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
17]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

OnethingIdon'tneedr i
ghtnowi sstr
ess,t
omor r
ow
I'
m start
ingmyexamsandal readyI'
m str
essed
aboutsomet hi
ngwhi chisn'tpartofmyschool work,
Iwentt otheli
brar
yandst udiedt henwenthome, I
can'
tbet r
aytheMt hethwa'sli
ket hat
,Iam partof
thei
rfami l
yandIlovePhilanisomuch.Icookedand
wentt omybedr oom tostudyagai n.
Phi
l
ani
:"MyLov
e".
Me:
"Hmm"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m hungr
y,cany
oudi
shf
orme?
".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
can'
tyouseet
hatI
'
m busyst
udy
ing"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OhWow!
".
Hewentoutoftheroom,Idi
dn'tmeant oberudeto
hi
m butseri
ousl
yIwasbusy,Iputasi
demybooks
andrestedabi
t,GodwhatWaltersai
dwasr eal
ly
dri
vi
ngmecr azyandIdi
dn'
twantt oworryPhil
ani
becausehewasgoingthr
oughal otl
atel
y
Phi
l
ani
:"What
swr
ong?
".
Me:
"Not
hingI
'
mjustwor
ri
edaboutt
heexams"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
twor
ryt
oomuchy
ouwi
l
lpassIbel
i
eve
i
nyou"
.
Me:
"Howsev
ery
thi
nggoi
ng?Imeant
het
axi
thi
ng?
".
Phil
ani:
"It
'ssti
llqui
etbutt
hetaxi
sar
enotbackon
therout
eyet,babywear el
osi
ngmoney"
.
Me:
"Ist
her
emay
besomet
hingy
oucando?
".
Phil
ani
:"Wear esti
l
ltr
yingbutnot
hingi
shappening
atthemoment ,
babytheNkandlaguysmightcome
forme,Iam notsaf
e".
Me:
"Howsur
ear
eyou?
".
Phil
ani
:"Theyburnedt
wot axi
sandthatisasignbut
don'
tworrynot
hingwil
lhappentoyou,what
ev er
happenstomejustneverf
orgett
hatIlov
ey ou".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasedon'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
".
Phil
ani:"Mbal iyami somet imeswehav etof ace
real
ity
,thishouseandev eryt
hingt hatIhav ewi l
lbe
yours,Itol
dmymom t oday ,wecan' tfightthose
guysmybr otherswant edt ofi
ghtt hem butIcan' t
puttheirli
vesindangerbecauseofwhatIdi d.I
knowi t'
shar dbutIwon' tfightthem butsi ncey ou
arebusywi thy ourexamsIcan' ttellyoutogoback
toyourpar entshouse, youcanst ayatKagi so's
houseorI '
llrentyouahot elnexttoy ourschool ,unt
il
allt
hisisov er"
.
Me:
"ButPhil
anihowcanyousaysomethi
ngl
i
ke
t
hat
?Iam notgoingany
wher
e,Ican'
tl
iv
eyouher
e".
Phi
l
ani
:"MyLov
ethi
sti
meImessedwi
tht
hewr
ong
people,
therealt
rut
his,
theguyIshotdidn'
tmakei
t,
hedied.Thesepeopl
ewon'tst
opunti
ltheypay
rev
enge".
Me:
"Butst
il
lI'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e".
Phi
lani
:"Mbal
enhl
edon'tbest
ubbor
n,y
ouneedt
o
go,
hereyouar
enotsafe".
Icr
ied,
Iwassohur
tthatIcoul
dn'
tev
enst
opmy
sel
f.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pl
easedon'
tcr
yyouar
ehur
ti
ngme"
.
Wecuddl edandIcouldn'ti
magi nemy selfwithout
Phi
lani,heismyfir
sttrueloveandIcan' tlosehim,
wefellasleep,
Idi
dn'teveneat .Iwenttoschool and
myf i
rstpaperwentverywell,afterschoolIrecei
ved
acallfr
om anunknownnumber ..
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Voi
ce:
"Howwasy
ourpaper
?".
Me:
"Wal
terwhatdoy
ouwant
?".
Walt
er:"I
twasn'tgoodIguess,
Palesayouhav
etwo
day
snowandcal l
meont hesenumberswhenyou
hav
et heenv
elop".
Me:
"Wal
terl
eav
emet
hehel
lal
one"
.
Wal
ter
:"OkI
'
llseey
oui
ntwoday
s,By
ePal
i
".
Thi
sguyi ssoannoying,Iwenthomest r
essed,what
Phil
anisai
dreal
lyscaredmeandIt hinki'
ddo
anyt
hingtoseehim ali
vewithme, Itoldthedri
verto
dri
vetoMr sMthet
hwa' shouse,If
oundNandi pha.
Me:
"HeyNandi
pha"
.
Nandi
pha:
"Heysi
sihowar
eyou?
".
Me:
"I'
m goodwher
e'sMa?
".
Nandi
pha:"Shewentt
othemeet
ingbutI
'
m sur
eshe
wil
lbebacknow".
Me:"OkIf
orgotmyJeanher
esoI
'
llj
ustgoupand
t
akeit
".
Nandi
pha:
"Ify
ouneedany
thi
ngIwi
l
lbeher
e".
Iwentupst airsnerv
ousmyhear twasbeat i
ngf ast
,
I'
l
ldoany thingtoseePhilanial
i
vebutdoest hat
meanst eali
ngf rom hi
sownf amil
y?Iwentt oMr s
Mthethwa'sr oom andicouldn'
tseethesafe, I
l
ookedev ery where.
.Ir
emov edthepi
ctureofherand
herhusbandont hewallandtherei
twas, It
ried
dif
fer
entcodesbutIcouldn'
tfi
gurethem out,It
ri
ed
theyearofwhichherhusbanddiedonandi twent
thr
ough,thesafehadlot
sofmoneybutIj usttook
theenvel
opandputev er
ythi
ngbackt hewayitwas.
Iputtheenvelopinsi
demybagandwentt othe
bedroom IusedthetimeIwasthereformyJean,
I
wasn'tatease,Isai
dmygoodby estoNandi
pha,I
tookmyphoneanddi al
edWalt
er'snumber.
.
.
.
.
Wal
ter
:"Pal
i
".
Me:"MynameisPal
esa.
.let
'smeett
omor
rowat
McDonal
d'
s".
Wal
ter
:"Good"
.
Godwi l
lfor
givemef orwhatIwasaboutt odo,
Phil
aniwasatwor kandt hefol
lowingdayIhadone
paperstowrit
ebutfirstIwantedtomeetWal t
er,
I
di
dn'tcookbecausewehadl eftov
ersandPhil
ani
wasatwor ksoi twasonl ymeandSanel ewhower e
goingtoeat ,
thewayIwasf eeli
ngnervousIcoul
dn't
eveneat,Ijuststudiedunti
lIfel
lasl
eep,Phil
ani
camehomear oundsev eninthemorni
ngf r
om work
andthattimeIwasr ushingtomeetWal t
er,Iwai
ted
forhi
m atMcDonal d'sandhecamei nhisexpensiv
e
suit
.
Wal
ter
:"Pal
i
,Pal
i
,Pal
iwhyt
hel
ongf
ace?
Me:"Walt
erwearenotfr
iends,
beforeIgi
veyouthe
env
elophowsur
eam IthatMyf amil
yissaf
e?".
Wal
ter
:"I
'mthemanofmywordsPalesa,gi
veme
t
heenvel
opandev
ery
onewi
llbehappy".
Isl
owl
ytookoutt
heenv
elopandgav
eitt
ohi
m.
Walter
:"Iknewt
hatIcant
rusty
ou,
goodl
uckwi
th
yourpaper"
.
Me:
"Whatwi
l
lhappent
oPhi
l
ani
?".
Wal
ter
:"AsIsai
dI'
mthemanofmywor
ds"
.
Idon'
tknowbutIcoul
dn'
tbel
iev
ehi m,Iwrot
emy
paper,
ever
ythi
ngwentwel
lbutitki
ll
edmeev er
yday
toli
etoPhi
lani
,hemaynotbeperfectbuthedi
dn'
t
deserv
etobeli
edto,
ever
ythi
ngwasquiet
,Phi
lani
'
s
poli
cejobwasdoi
ngwell
andIfi
nishedmyexamsin
peace.
Phil
ani
:"Mymom call
edusandIdon'
twantt
ogo
ther
ebuti
tsoundedseri
ous"
.
Me:
"Comeondon'
tbesuchababy
,let
'sgo"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Okst
handwasam'
.
Iwasdonewi t
hmyexams, Phi
l
anididn'twantmet o
gohomebutpr omi sedthatwewillv
isitmyf amily
overtheweekend,wer efr
eshedandwentt ohi s
mother'
shouse,hisbrotherswereal
sot here,she
cal
ledtheworkersandus, shewasser i
ousnot
smili
ng,shewasn'ttheusualMrsMt hethwat hatI
know.
.
.
.
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Oneofy ouopenedmysafeand
t
ooksomethi
ngthatdoesn'
tbelongt
othem,Iwanti
t
back"
.
Wealllookedateachot
hermyheartwasbeati
ng
ver
yfast,Iwant
edthefl
oortoopenandswall
owme.
Shetookoutagunandst ar
tedt
alki
ngpoi
nti
ngitat
us.
.
MrsMthethwa:"Thatpersonknowstheinsandout
oft
hishouse,Iwon'
trepeatmyself
,Iwantthat
env
elopnow!".
Scel
o:"ButMa-
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Don'
tMame,
Ineedt
hatenv
elop
now"
.
Shelookedatusandnoonespoke,Isqueezed
Phil
ani
'shandandhelookedatmeandshookhi s
head,i
twaslikehecanreadmymind.
MrsMt
het
hwa:"Oksi
ncenoonewant
stot
alk,
Iwi
l
l
makey
ouall
tal
k".
Shestoodupandpour
edher
sel
fagl
assofwhi
skey
thanshedi
sappear
ed.
Me:
"Phi
-.
."
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
t!
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwacamebackwi
thasj
ambok.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"MaI
'
mtheonewhot
ookt
heenv
elop"
.
Weal
llookedathi
m,Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evet
hathedi
d
t
hatf
orme. .
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Whatdi
dyousay
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
-It
ooki
t"
.
MrsMt het
hwa:"What
?MyownSonstol
efr
om me,
Phi
laniItr
ust
edyouwit
hmyownl
if
e,why?Phi
l
ani
why?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Mom Idon'
tknowbuti
-.
."
MrsMt het
hwa:"Youdon'
tknow?Youstealfr
om me
andthanyoutel
lmethatyoudon'
tknow?Idon't
carethaty
ouaremysonIcanshootyourighther
e,
ri
ghtnow!".
Scel
o:"MaNoo!,wearefamil
ylet
'snotal
l
owanger
tocont
rol
us,
letPhi
laniexpl
ainMa".
Scel
otookt
hegunf
rom herhands.
.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"MyownSonstol
efr
om meandy
ou
ar
etel
l
ingmenott
oal
lowangert
ocont
rol
me?
Phil
aniIwantt
hatenvel
opbackandjustknowt
hat
fr
om nowony ouarenolongermySon".
Phi
l
ani
:"ComeonMay
oucan'
tdot
hat
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Ij
ustdi
d,gett
hehel
loutofmy
house"
.
Phi
lanil
ookedathi
smom onemor
eti
meand
st
artedwalki
ng
Me: "Phil
aniwait
!Ican'
twatchy ourui
nyour
rel
ationshi
pwithyourmotherbecauseofme, Ididi
t,
I'
mt heonewhot ooktheenvelop,Walt
er-Walter
tol
dmet hati
fIgivehi
mt heenvelopPhil
ani
wi l
lbe
safe
Andev ery
thi
ngwi ll
befi
ne, Idi
dt hattopr
otect
Phil
aniIcouldn'
tlosehi
m, Ican'tlosehi
m.Soi f
ther
e'sanyoneyoushouldpuni shi smenotPhil
ani.
Heisy ourSon,youcan'
treplaceasonbuty oucan
repl
aceadaught erinl
aw".
Shel
ookedatmei
ndi
sgust
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Phi
l
ani
takey
ourt
hiefoutofmy
house"
.
Tearswerecomi ngout ,
whenIl ookedatPhi lanihe
wassitt
ingont hef l
oorhishandscov eringhisface,I
passedhim andr equestedanubber ,Iwaitedforit
outsi
decrying,i
tcameandIpay edforitwhenIgot
home.Ididn'tknowwhatt odo,Istart
edpacki ngmy
bagscozIknewt hatmymar r
iagewasov er,
Philani
cameandst oodont hesideofthebedr oom door
fol
dinghishandsi nhischestandhi sey eswerer ed,
hewasl ookingatme. .
Phi
l
ani
:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Me:
"Home"
.
Phil
ani
:"Iknowthaty
ouwant edtopr
otectmebut
whydidyouliet
ome?I thur
tsthatmyownwife
doesn'
ttr
ustme".
Me:
"Iwant
edt
opr
otecty
ou"
.
Phil
ani
: "ButPal
esapr
otectmebysteal
i
ngf
rom my
famil
y,ourfamil
yandl
ying,doy
ouknowhowangry
mymom i s?
".
Me:"IknowbutI
'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
thav
eachoi
ce
Phi
l
ani".
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
,Pal
esay
our
eal
l
y
di
sappoint
edme".
Hewentt
othecupboar
dandt
ookoutabox
Phil
ani :"Ihadt hi
sr ingspeciall
ymadef oryou,thi
s
ri
nghast wentyoneor i
ginaldi
amonds, number
twentyonei sveryspeci altome.Pal esawhenIf i
rst
camet oy ourplacewoundedt hedat ewast he21st ,I
fel
linlov ewithy ouatf ir
stsight,Ipaidl
obolafory ou
andal sof i
rstsleptwi t
hy ouony our21stbi r
thday,
twentyonei sreallyspecialtome.Iwasgoi ngto
off
iciall
ypr oposet oy ouont hetwent yfi
rstofthis
mont h,y oucant akethisringwithy ouIwon'tneedi t
becauseImadei tf oryou".
Icoul
dn'
tst
opmyt
ear
sfr
om comi
ngout
Me:"Phi
l
aniIam sor
ry,
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
rypl
ease
f
orgi
veme,don'
tbeangryatme"
.
Phi
lani
:"Iam notangryatyou,
I'
mjustdisappoint
ed.
Youdon'thav
et oleav
etoday,t
hisi
salsoy ourhouse,
I
'mtheonewhoi sgoi
ngtomov eout"
.
Me:"NoPhi
l
ani
thi
sisy
ourhouse,
I'
m goi
ngback
home".
Hedi
dn'
tar
guewi
thme,
hej
ustl
eftt
her
oom.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
49]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
18]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Thewor stthingt hatcanhappeni ny ourlif

eiswhen
someoney oulov ef eelsbetray
edbyy ou,Iknowt hat
Ihideveryt
hi ngfrom hi m butIneverev enonce
thoughtoft heconsequencesy esIdi dbeli
evewhen
Wal t
ertol
dmet hathewi l
lmakeev eryt
hing
disappearbuti fIdidt ellt
heMt hethwa'swer ethey
gonnabel i
ev eWal ter?Iwaswr ongi nmaki ngt
he
decisi
onsal onebutwhat '
sdonei sdone, thewhat
i
f'sandcoul d'v
e'swon' thelpanymor e.Ihadmoney
onmybankaccountbecauseIwasn' tusingmy
scholar shipal l
owanceany more,Thehousehad
everythingIneededandIwasdr i
v ent oschool soI
hadenoughmoneyt otakemehome. .Irequest edan
ubbert ot akemet owonder asscozt hat '
swher e
Davey tont axisare,Igotinsidethet axiandwai ted
unti
litwasf ull
thanitdrovetodav eyton,Iarrived
homeandt herewasnoonet hehousewasl ocked
butlucki l
yt hegatewasn' tl
ocked, Iwai t
edout sidein
thever andat hewayIwassohear tbrokenIf eltlike
mywor ldhasr eacheditend,Iusedmyhuge
suit
caseast hepill
owandf el
lasleep..
Voi
ce:
"Pal
esa!Whyar
eyousl
eepi
ngout
side?
".
Me:
"I'
m sor
ryMa,
thedoor
sar
elocked"
.
Mom:"I'
m sor
rymybaby,
whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
ust
hat
youar
ecominghome".
Me:"Aski
eshl
eemama,
IthoughtIwasgonnaf
ind
Kamohome".
Mom: "Letmehelpyouwithyourbags,Kamowent
toyourfat
her'
soff
icet
heyhaveaf unct
ionsoI
coul
dn'tgothat
'swhyIaskedKamot ogowithhi
m".
Me:
"OkMa"
.
Wegoti nsi
deandIwentst
raighttomybedroom,I
keptonchecki
ngmyphonet hinki
ngthatmaybemy
dearhusbandhascal
l
edbutt herewerenomissed
cal
lsofhim,If
eltt
ear
scomingout ..
Mom:
"Pal
esawhat
'
swr
ong?
".
IbrokedownIcoul
dn'tev
enhel
pmy sel
fandshe
huggedme,Iconti
nuedcryi
ngi
nherchest
Me:
"It
'sov
ermamai
tov
er,
hehat
esme"
.
Mom:"Ohmybabypleasedon'
tcr
yli
ket
hisPal
iya
mama,cal
m downngwanaka"
.
Me:"Irui
nedeveryt
hingandnowit'
sover,
mamaI
l
ovehim Il
ovehim somuch,it
'shar
dIdon'tt
hink
t
hatI'
l
leveracceptthi
s,I
thur
tsmamai thurt
s".
Mom: "I
t'
sokt
ocry,cr
yal
lyoursor
rowsout,I
'
m
r
ighther
emychil
d,Mamaisheremybaby".
Icr
iedunt
ilmyheadst
art
edhur
ti
ng.
.
Me:
"Ineedt
osl
eep"
.
Mom:
"Oki
fther
e'sany
thi
ngy
ouneedj
ustsenda
cal
l
backIwi
l
lcomet
oyourr
oom"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ouMa"
.
Mom:
"Any
thi
ngf
ory
oumychi
l
d".
Itr
iedsleepingbutIcouldn'
t,Iwokeupandwentt o
thebathroom, Ipr
eparedmy selfabubbl
ebath,I
rel
axedandcameoutwhent hewaterwasstarti
ng
tobecol d.Bathi
ngreall
yhelpsbutitdoesn'
ttakethe
heartbreakaway ,Iworemypaj amasandwentt o
thesit
ti
ngr oom.
Kamo:"Heysiswhydidn'
tyout
ellmeyouar
e
comi
nghome, Iwantedtocometoyourr
oom but
mom stoppedme".
Me:"I
'
m sor
ryi
twasn'
tpl
anned,
didy
oupasst
his
t
erm?"
.
Kamo:
"YeahIdi
d".
Dad:"Kamogelopl
easeexcuseus,
weneedt
otal
k
toyoursi
ster
".
Kamowentt
oherbedr
oom
Dad:
"Whatdi
dthatZul
uguydi
dtoy
ou?Isweari
f-
..
"
Me:"Dad,hedidn'
tdoany
thi
ngI
'
mtheonewho
r
uinedever
ythi
ng".
Dad:
"Pal
esadi
dyoucheat
?".
Me:"PapaNo,Iwoul
dnevercheatonhi
m,ImeanI
wasn'
tcheat
ingonhi
m".
Dad:
"Thanwhathappened?
".
Me:"I
tsomet
hingel
seandIdon'
twantt
otal
kabout
i
tnow".
Mom: "Mokwenaifshe'
snotcomf
ort
abl
eint
alki
ng
abouti
t,l
etherbe"
.
Me:
"Thanky
oumom"
.
Mom prepar
edsupperandweat e,
mypar ent
s
for
cedmet oeat
,mybrotheralsoj
oinedusfor
suppert
hanIwenttomybedr oom.
.
.
.
.
Kamo:
"I'
m sl
eepi
ngwi
thy
out
oni
ght
".
Me:
"Thankssi
sbutIneedt
obeal
one"
.
Kamo:
"Goodcozy
ouwon'
tev
enf
eel
thatI
'
m her
e".
Me:
"Kamogel
o!"
.
Kamo:
"St
il
lI
'm notl
eav
ing"
.
Me:
"Gody
ou'
resost
ubbor
n".
Kamo:"I
'l
ltakethatasacompl
i
mentbecause
Juni
oral
sosay sthesame".
Me:
"Andwhoi
sJuni
or?
".
Kamo:
"MyCr
ush"
.
Me: "YourCru-what?Kamogeloyouar
est
il
lyoung
forboys,f
ini
shschoolfi
rstandt
hanyouwi
l
lStart
dati
ng".
Kamo:
"ButI
'
m Si
xteen"
.
Me:
"So?
".
Kamo: "Pal
esalookIknowt hatyoumeanwelland
youaremysi st
erIloveyousomuchbutIdon'twant
myhighschool l
if
et obeasboringasyour
s".
Me:"OhGodt
hischi
l
d,myhi
ghschool
li
fewasn'
t
bor
ing"
.
Kamo: "Tel
lthattosomeonewhodoesn'tknow,al
l
thehotguyswer eal
lovery
oubutyoudidn'tdat
enot
evenone".
Me:
"Whi
chhotguy
s".
Kamo:"Li
kePri
ncewhost
aysnextt
othecarwash,
Pri
ncewashotandhei
sevenmorehotnow,he
dri
vesagol
f7now".
Me: "Pr
incei
safatheroft
hreewit
hthr
eedif
fer
ent
babymamaswhoar enowsingl
emothersi
fIdat
ed
him maybeIwoul
d'
v ebeenbabymamanumber
four
".
Kamo:
"Buthe'
sst
il
lhot
,oknextonei
sThabang"
.
Me:
"Thabangf
rom nextdoor
?".
Kamo:"Yahandhest
il
ltal
ksabouty
ouev
eryt
imeI
seehi
m".
Me:"Hemaybecutebuthe'
sjustt
oosoftf
orme,
daaimankar
ekechappi
esnj
eandIdon'teveneat
chappi
es"
.
Kamo: "Hahahayewwbutatleastyougotyour
sel
fa
world'
shott
estman,di
dyouseehowt hegi
rlswer
e
drooli
ngoverPhi
l
anionyourbirt
hday?"
.
Me:
"Okt
hat
'si
t,Got
oyourbedr
oom"
.
Kamo:
"Butsi
s-"
Me:
"Kamogel
oIneedt
osl
eepnow"
.
Kamo:"Idon'
tknowwhatIdi
dtodeser
vesucha
bor
ingsi
ster
".
Me:
"Il
ovey
out
ooKamo"
.
Kamo:
"Mmxm"
.
Ilovehert oobi tsbutIdon'twantt otalkabout
Phil
ani,Ihav ecr i
edenough.If el
lasleepev enthough
Icouldn'
tst opt hinki
ngaboutPhi l
ani,beingathome
madeev erythingal i
lbetter,
MyBr otherwasmov i
ng
out,hewasgonnar entaf l
atinBenoni andKagiso
wasmov ingi nwi thhim,IaskedKagi sotogi v
eme
hisfl
atsincehe' l
lbest ayi
ngwi thmybr otherandmy
parentsagr eedt opaymyr ent,Ideletedev eryt
hing
thathadt odowi thPhilani,t
heschool swer eopening
soIhadt ogobackt oschool..Isettl
eddowni nthe
newf l
atandIwaswai
ti
ngf ormycl
assest
o
commencebecauseIarr
ivedtwodaysbef
oreschool
star
ted.
Iwaswat
chi
ngt
vandmyphoner
ang.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Voi
ce:
"MayIspeakt
oPal
esa"
.
Me:
"Speaki
ng"
.
Voice:"MeetmeatKfct
heonet
hati
snextt
oBr
ee
taxir
ankinanhour
".
Me:
"Whoar
eyou?
".
Voi
ce:
"It
'saboutt
heMt
het
hwaf
ami
l
y".
Me:"Sor
ryabut
iIdon'
tknowwhoy
ouareandIdon'
t
wi
shtoknow,Ihavenot
hingt
odowit
hthatf
amil
y,
l
eavemethehellal
one"
.
Idroppedthecall,
Idon'
tknowwhoi spl
ayi
ngt hose
dir
tytri
ckswithme, t
henumbercalledagainandI
endedupswi tchi
ngoffmyphone.Noonehasev er
call
edmenotev enPhil
aniandIhaveacceptedthat
wehav ebrokenupev enthoughi
t'
ssohar dsowhy
wouldsomeonecal lmenow, Iwenttobedearly
becausethefoll
owingdayIhadtodomygr ocery
shopping.SomeoneknockedonmydoorandwhenI
checkedtheti
mei twashalfpastel
evenatni
ght,I
wenttoopent hedoorandtherehewasWal t
er.
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Wal
ter
:"I
'
m goodandhowar
eyouPal
i
".
Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwantWal
ter
?".
Wal
ter
:"I
'
m gi
vi
ngy
out
enmi
nut
est
ochange"
.
Il
ookedathi
m
Wal
ter
:"ei
ghtmi
nut
esnow"
.
Ipushedt
hedoorandhest
oppedi
twi
thhi
sfoot
.
Wal
ter
:"Gody
ouar
esost
ubbor
n".
Het
ookoutagunandpoi
ntedi
tatme
Wal
ter
:"GoandchangePal
esa"
.
Iwenttomybedr oom andchangedmypaj
amastoa
Jean,t
akkiesandajacket
,whenIwentouthewas
wait
ingforme.
Walt
er:
"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulasal
way
s,l
eadt
heway
pl
ease"
.
Il
ookedathi
m andwewentouttohiscar,
hestar
ted
dri
vi
ng,wewenttooneoft
hefancyhousesIdi
dn'
t
knowwhereIwas.
Walt
er:
"Youwi
l
lsl
eepi
nthi
sbedr
oom,
goodni
ght
Pal
i
".
Ididn'tevenwanttoquesti
onhi m,Ikeptquietand
gotinsidet hebedbutImadesur etolockedthedoor
fi
rst,IlovedPhil
aniandIst
il
llovehim buteversince
hecamet omylif
esomanyt hingshav echanged
andIev endidsomethi
ngthatI'
veneverdone.Int he
mor ningIwaswokenupbyaknockandIwokeup.
Wal
ter
:"I
'
m sur
eyoumustbehungr
y,Come"
.
Me:
"I'
m nothungr
y".
Wal
ter
:"Pal
esay
oudon'
twannagot
her
e".
Ihadnochoi
cebutt
ofol
l
owhi
m,someonewas
al
readyeat
ingatt
het
abl
e,Isatdown.
Hi
m:"Youknowthisi
smyfavori
te,
gril
l
edmeat,I
ev
enhavei
tforbr
eakf
ast
,Pleasehelpyour
sel
f"
.
Hewasfaci
ngdownbutIst
aredathi
m andIsai
din
whi
sper
Me:
"M-MrMt
het
hwa"
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
52]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
19]
.
.
.
.
.
UnEdi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Helookedupatme, Ihav
eseenhispict
uresandI
knowhisson'
shelooksexact
lyl
ikethem speci
all
y
Phil
aniandSanel
e..
Me:
"Buty
ou-
-youar
edead"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Isi
t?"
.
Isi
t?Whydoesn'
thejustgetst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt
andtel
lmewhatisgoingon.
Me:
"Buthow?
".
MrMt het
hwa:"WhatIneedyoutodoi
s,gotothat
houseandtel
lPhi
l
anithatIwantt
omeethim".
Me:"Me?Webr okeup,
Ican'
tj
ustgother
eandhe
won'
tevenbel
i
ev emecozyoudead"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"DoIl
ookdeadt
oyou?
".
Me:"Nobuty
esy
ouar
e,Imeant
heyknowt
haty
ou
ar
edead"
.
MrMthethwa:
"Goodfort
hem,
IneedPhi
l
ani
my
ol
derSontocomeseeme".
Me:
"ButScel
oandScebi
arey
ourol
derson'
s".
MrMt het
hwa: "Don'tquest
ionmeyoungladydoasI
say,
Wal t
erwilldr
iveyoutohispl
ace,hehasbeen
i
ndoorslatel
yIthi
nkhei smourni
ngthebreakupof
youtwo".
Me:"Sor
rysi
rIdon'
tthi
nkIwil
lbeabl
etodot
hat
,
youcametothewrongper
son".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wal
ter
!"
.
Wal
ter
:"Yessi
r"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Dr
ivePal
esat
oPhi
l
ani
'
shouse"
.
Wal
ter
:"Yessi
r,Let
sgoPal
esa"
.
Isleptwi t
hmycl othesandIdi dn'tev
enbr ushmy
teeth,wewentt oWal terscarandhedr oveust o
Phi l
ani'
shouse, Itri
edt oaskhim questionsbuthe
didn'tevenlookedatme, wearri
v edatPhilani
'
s
houseandt hisplacehassomanygoodmemor i
es,
I
feltsoemot ional.Irangt hebellandSaneleopened
thedoor .
Me:
"Hi
Sanel
eisPhi
l
ani
her
e?"
.
Sanel
e:"Comeongi
vemeahug,
Imi
ssedy
ou"
.
Ihuggedhi
m
Sanel
e:"Phi
l
ani
isuhm-ehh.
."
Phi
l
ani
:"Whowasr
ingi
ngt
hebel
lSanel
e?"
.
Igoti
nsi
deandPhi
l
ani
wascomi
ngdownt
hest
air
s
shi
rt
less,
agir
lwasfol
l
owi
nghim behi
nd,I
swal
lowedhardandbi
tmycheektoavoi
dthet
ear
s
fr
om comingout
.
Me:
"Hi
,canIhav
eamomentwi
thy
ou?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Iam busyPal
esa"
.
Me:"Ididn'
twanttocomeher ebecauseIknewy ou
wouldactthi
swaybutI '
m nother
etotalkaboutus,
Phi
lanisomeoneisfol
lowingmeandhesai dhe
won'tst
opuntil
heseesy ou".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whoi
sfol
l
owi
ngy
ou?
".
Me:"Theyt
oldmet
ocomewi
thy
ounowandi
t'
s
ur
gent"
.
Phil
ani
:"Pal
esadon'
ttal
kinr
iddl
esgetst
rai
ghtt
o
thepoi
nt"
.
Me:
"Ican'
tsaywhoi
tisy
etbutpl
easecomewi
th
me"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esaIdon'
thav
eti
me,
pleasego"
.
Me: "Thatper
sonwon'tl
eavemeuntil
youmeethi m,
eversinceImetyouI'
vebeenmeet
ingpeoplewho
pointsgunsatme,Iwannali
veanormall
if
eI'm not
her
et oaskforthel
ovebackNoPhil
ani
,Ineedmy
nor
mal l
ifebacksoyouowethatt
ome, youare
comingwithmenow" .
Hel
ookedatmei
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Gi
vemet
womi
nut
es"
.
Hewentupst
air
sandcamebackwear
ingat
-shi
rt
Phi
lani
:"Sanel
epl
easet
akeherwher
evershewant
s
togo".
Hetookmoneyandgav
eitt
othegi
rlhecame
downst
air
swit
h..
Me:
"By
eSanel
e".
Sanel
e:"Sendmey ournewaddr
essIwannacome
vi
sity
ousometimes".
Me:
"Cool
,Iwi
l
l".
IwenttoWalter
scarandPhilani
saidhe'
ll
dri
vehi
s
carmxm hisatt
it
udesti
nks,wearri
vedatour
dest
inat
ionandwewenti nsi
dethehouse.
Wal
ter
:"Pl
easef
eel
comf
ort
abl
e,t
akeasi
t"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Nomant
ell
smewhatt
odo,
whatam I
doi
ngher
e".
MrMt het
hwa:
"Ny
amboseomkhul
uyouwi
l
lnev
er
change".
Phi
l
ani
lookedathi
minshock.
..
.
.
.
.
Phil
ani:"Nyambosewha-whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,
ai
n'tyou-.
..OhGodpleaset
ell
memyeyesare
decei
v i
ngme".
MrMthet
hwa:
"Yehl
i
saumoy
amf
ana"
.(Cal
m down
Boy
)
Phi
lani
:"Ngehl
iseUmoya?Arey
ouseri
ouslytell
i
ng
met ocal
m down?Wherewereyoual
lthesemont hs?
Youmadeusbel i
evet
hatyouar
edeaddammi t
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Mf
anawami
-.
."
Phi
lani
:"Don'
t,
don'
tevengothereIam notyourboy,
youlef
tus,wemournedyourdeat
h,I
'm sur
ey ouare
her
etot
ell
met
hatmysi
ster
'sar
eal
soal
i
ve"
.
MrMthethwa:
"Ny
ambosecal
m down,
Let
ssi
tdown
andt
alk"
.
Phil
ani:"Talk?Youarejoki
ngri
ght
?Weal
lbel
i
eved
thatyouaredead, Gone!Wher
ewerey
ou,
wherethe
fuckwer eyou?".
MrMt het
hwa: "Ify
ouwi l
lgi
vemeachance,
Iwi
l
l
expl
ainever
ything,pl
easesi
tdown"
.
Phi
lani
:"Isweari
fyoul
i
etome,
Iwi
l
lshootandki
l
l
youmyself
".
TheysatdownandIr
emai
nedst
andi
ng,
itwasabi
t
awkward.
.
Me:
"It
hinki
t'
sti
meformetogonow,
itwasgood
t
omeetyouMrMthet
hwa"
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Youar
epar
tof
myfamil
ynow".
Me:
"NoI
'
m not
,weahhbr
okeupsoIt
hinkIsho-
..
"
MrMthethwa:"Phi
l
aniarey
ougoi
ngt
oal
l
owy
our
wi
fet
ol eavey
ouagain?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ny
ambosei
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed"
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Nonsensethi
syounggir
lhel
pedme,
I
'mtheonewhowantedtheenvel
op".
Phil
ani
:"Godyouar
esounbel
iev
ablesoyou
deci
dedtoinv
olv
ePalesai
nyourscams?
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Ihadnochoi
ce"
.
Phil
ani:"Youalwayshav eachoice,
youarea
coward, y
oulefty
ourwifeandkidstodealwit
hthe
pai
nal onewhil
ey ouareoutGodknowswher e
enj
oyingy ourl
i
fe,youdisgustmeNy amboseyou
don'
tev endeserv
et obecalledafat
her"
.
MrMthethwa:"Watchy
ourl
anguagey
oungmanI
am st
il
lyourf
ather
".
Phi
lani
:"Youwer
emyf
athert
enmont
hsagonot
any
mor e"
.
MrMt hethwa: "Doy outhi
nkIhadachoi cehuh?Yes
Ifai
ledtoprotectyoursister
s,thecarwasonf ir
e
andatleastIgotthem out si
det hecarbef
oreitbur
nt
i
ntof l
ames, i
twast oolatewhenIhel pedthem out
ofthecar,thatbustardwhohi tmycarwi t
hat r
uck
cameoutandshotme, hewantedtomakesur eI
wasdeadbutIsur vi
vedal l
that,
Ipret
endedtobe
deadandIhear dhim speakingt
othepersonwho
senthi
mt hatthejobwasdone. .DoyouthinkIchose
al
lthat
,huh?".
Phi
lani
:"Iknowyouwerei
nat
axi
busi
nessbutwho
would'
vedonethat
?".
MrMt hethwa:"Idon'
twanttotalkaboutitnow,that
personisdangerousandIsentWaltertotell
Palesa
abouttheenvelopbecauseIneededmyf reedom, I
am tir
edofhidi
ngandi fWalt
erwasn'thereI
would'vedi
ed,youcanhatemebutatl eastyounow
knowt hetr
uth".
Phi
l
ani
:"TheAsheswebur
ied?
?".
MrMt het
hwa: "Idon'
tknowbutWaltertookcar
eof
t
hat,Iam hereSonandIwaspr oudwhenIheard
t
haty ouareabouttobemarri
ed,Iapologi
zefor
whatPalesadid,pl
easefor
giv
eher".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whenar
eyoucomi
nghome?
".
Wow!Hei
gnor
edwhathi
sfat
hersai
d..
.
MrMt het
hwa:"Ther
earesomef
ewthingsthatI
needtofi
xfi
rstandIwantt
omeetwi
thy ourMot
her
befor
eIcomebackhome" .
Me:
"Sor
ryt
odi
stur
bbutIneedt
ogohome"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Iwi
l
ldr
ivey
ou"
.
Me:
"Not
hanky
ou,
Iwi
l
laskWal
ter
".
.
.
.
.
IaskedWal tertodrivemet omypl aceandGodi t
wast helongestmor ni
ngint hehistoryofhuman
kind,assoonasIar riv
edatmypl aceIt ookabat h
andwentt oKi l
l
arnyMal lf
oragr ocer yshopping,I
wentbackhomeandchi ll
ed,Ihadabdomenpai ns
andIt houghtmay bei t'
sthatti
meoft hemont hand
yesIwasi nmyper iodsandt hef oll
owingdaymy
classeswer ecommenci ngIwentt oschool butthe
periodpainswer ejusttoomuch, Iwentt othe
phar macyforpil
lsbutIcoul dn'tsleepatnight.The
foll
owi ngdaythepainswer eali
ttl
ebet t
erandt he
bloodwasn' tt
oomuch, Iwenttoschool andt he
painsst ar
ted,
Icouldn'tevenwalk,Iwentt ot he
benchesandchi ll
edf oramoment ,Idrankt hepi l
ls
andwenthome, Ifeltbett
er,myclasseswer egoing
well andtheweekendcame, Sat
urdaymor ning,Idid
myl aundryandwat chedtvatleastthi
sf lathasat v,
someoneknockedonmydoor ,whenIopenedi twas
Philani.
Phil
ani
:"Hi,Myfami
l
yaskedmet
ocomef
etchy
ou
forl
unchtoday
".
Me:
"Goodf
ort
hem butIcan'
tcome,
thanky
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Why
?".
Me:"BecauseIdon'toweyourf
ami
lyanythi
ngand
wor
set heyarenotevenaski
ngmenicel
ytojoi
n
t
hem forlunch,
I'
m busy"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esay
oudon'
thav
eto-
".
Me:
"Iwon'
tcomePhi
l
ani
".
Phil
ani:"Ar
eyouangr
ythaty
ouf
oundmewi
thagi
rl
theotherday?
".
Me: "MaraPhilani
doIlookangrytoyou?AndI'
m
notangry,
it'
syourli
fePhil
aniev
enifIfoundy
ouwit
h
hundredsofgir
lsI'
dstil
lnotbeangry
".
Phil
ani
:"Sobythatyoumeanyouhav
emov
edon
butIdon'
tseeanyguyher
e".
Me: "Movingondoesn'tmeanrepl
aci
ngy ouwith
someone,mydef i
nit
ionofmovingonisthatIhave
madepeacewi thwhathappenedbetweenusand
I'
m notheartbr
okenany mor
e,myheartisatpeace"
.
Phi
l
ani:
"Soify
ousaysocomet
otheLunchmy
Mom want
stotal
ktoy
ou".
Me:
"Not
han-Aahhh"
.
Thepai
nsinmyabdomenwer
ewor
seandbl
ood
cameout.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esawhat
'
swr
ong?
".
Me:
"Ithur
ts,
itAhhh"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
sgot
omycar
".
Hehel
dmei
nbr
idal
sty
leandwewentt
ohi
scar
,the
painsdi
dn'twanttostop,theywereheavy,we
arri
vedatCharlot
teMaxekehospi t
alandIwas
rushedtoanemer gencyroom, Iwassoti
redandI
passedout,Iwokeupar oundhalfpastf
ourinthe
after
noon,thedoctorcamet ocheckmeup.
Doct
or:
"MsMokwenahowar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
".
Me:
"Bet
ter
,Thepai
nsar
egone"
.
Doct
or:
"Whendi
dthepai
nsst
art
ed?
".
Me:"Duri
ngtheweekandIthoughtmaybeitwas
j
ustthenormalpai
nsbutt
heygotworse,t
heydid
st
oppedbutstart
edagai
ntoday"
.
Doctor:
"Isee,wetookyourbloodsampleand
ther
e'snot
hingwrongwithi
t,Ithi
nkweshouldcheck
youruri
nemay beyouhavesomei nf
ect
ion"
.
Me:
"Ok"
.
Iwentt
othebat
hroom t
our
inat
eandt
hedoct
or
tookmyuri
ne
Doct
or:"Visi
ti
ngti
mei sov
erbutsi
nceyour
boyf
ri
endhasbeenher esi
ncemorni
ng,Iwi
ll
giv
e
youguysjustacoupl
eofminut
esbutI'
m sur
eIwil
l
r
eleasey
ousoon"
.
Ikeptquiet
,Ican'
tbel
i
evehejustcal
l
edPhi
l
ani
my
boyfr
iend,Phi
lani
camein.
..
Me:
"Whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?"
.
Phil
ani:"Icoul
dn'
tl
eav
eyouher
eal
one,
whatdi
dthe
doctorsaid?"
.
Me:"Hesai
dnot
hingi
swr
ongwi
thmebuthet
ook
myuri
ne"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youwi
l
lbef
ine"
.
Thedoct
orcame.
..
Me:
"Sodocdi
dyouf
indsomet
hing?
".
Doctor
: "Ohyesbloodi
snormaldur
ingt
hefi
rst
tri
mester,Iwi
l
ltakeyoutot
hesonarnowtochecki
f
thebabyisok".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ababy
?".
Me:
"Whatbabydoct
or?
".
Doctor
:"Youar
enineweekspregnantMi
ss
Mokwena,Iwi
ll
tel
lthenur
setotakeyoutot
he
sonarr
oom".
Phil
ani:
"Palesay
ouar
epr
egnant
,i-I
'
m goi
ngt
obe
afather
?".
Ir
oll
edmyey
esathi
m,i
sthi
sguyev
enser
ious?
Thedoctorcameanddi dthecheckupev erythi
ng
wasf i
neandthepainkil
ler
sthatIdrankdi dn'
taf f
ect
thebaby,t
hepainswerecausedbyst ressingtoo
much, t
hedoctoradvi
sedmet oavoiddr i
nkingt oo
muchsugardrinksandalsoavoidstress,Iwent
backtomyf l
atwithPhil
anidr
ivi
ngmeofcour seand
didn'
twanttospeaktohim onourwayt omyf lat,we
arri
ved.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Wer
en'
tyoupr
event
ing?
".
Me:"Remembery ousaidyouwi
llt
akemetoyour
doctorf
orani
njectionbuty
oudidn'
tandIal
so
for
gottoremi
ndy ou".
Phi
l
ani
:"Outofal
lthet
hings,
thi
swast
hel
astt
hing
onmymind"
.
Me:
"Whatdoy
oumeanPhi
l
ani
?".
Phil
ani
:"I
tjusthar
dtobel
i
evet
hatI
'
m goi
ngt
obea
fat
her"
.
Me:
"Good,
nowGo"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
?Ican'
tl
eav
eyoual
one"
.
Me:"Thankyoufort
aki
ngmetothehospital
and
nowit
'syourt
imetogo,Phi
l
aniwebrokeup
remember?AndIneedsometi
mealone".
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
esounbel
i
evabl
emxm I
'
mleav
ing"
.
Me:
"Good"
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
54]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
20]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Myheadwasspi nni
ngIcan'tbepr
egnantnotnow, I
am notreadyt
obeamot herandit
'shardtobelieve
thatt
here'
ssomeonegrowinginmytummy .Ibathed
thanrel
axedabit
,Idi
dn'
twantt ot
ell
myf ami l
yy et
,
someoneknockedonmydooragai n,I
'mjusttir
edof
peopl
ewhocomeher eunannouncedandt here'
sa
secur
it
ydownstai
rswhyisheallowingpeopleto
comeherewit
houtlet
ti
ngmeknowf i
rst
.Iopened
thedoorandi
twasPhilani
Again!!
Me:"Youknowi t
'srudecomi
ngatot
herpeopl
e'
s
housesuni
nvi
ted".
Phi
l
ani
:"Goodf
ory
ou,
mov
eIwannageti
nsi
de"
.
Hegoti
nsi
deandIl
ockedt
hedoor
Phi
lani
:"Sowhatdoyouwanttoeat,Ihear
dthat
pr
egnantwomenhavecrav
ings,whatareyou
cr
avingfor
?".
Me:
"Your
eal
l
ywantt
oknow?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Yah"
.
Me:"I
'
m cravi
ngf
ory
out
oleav
emyf
latandnev
er
comeback".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sthatal
l
?".
Me:
"Yes"
.
Phil
ani:"GoodcozI'
m cr
avi
ngtosl
eepher
etoni
ght
,I
can'
tletmychil
dsleepal
one".
Me:"Don'
tev
engother
ecozIhav
en'
tthoughtabout
whatt
odowithi
tyet
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Doy
ouwantt
oki
l
lmychi
l
dPal
esa"
.
Me:
"Idon'
twantt
obeasi
ngl
emot
her
".
Phi
lani
:"Iam herenowain'
ti
?IfIwasgonnaleave
youIwould'
veranawaytheminutethedoct
ortold
usyouarepregnant,
sostopbei
ngsuchababy ".
Me:"Ij
usthat
eseei
ngyouherePhi
lani
,Idon'
twant
any
thi
ngtodowithyouandy
ourfamily
,Ihat
eit
".
Phi
lani:
"If
eelsorr
yfory
oucozy
ouarecar
inga
Mthethwabutdon'
tworr
yMamakhey
ouwillbe
st
rong".
Hedoesn'
tev
encareortakeseri
ousl
ywhatI'
m
tel
li
nghi
m,hecont
inuedchangi
ngthetvchannel
s.
Somethi
ngwaseat
ingmei nsi
deandIhadtoask
him..
Me:"Phi
l
aniwhoi
sthatgi
rlIf
oundy
ouwi
tht
he
ot
herday?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whydoy
ouwantt
oknow?
".
Me:
"I'
mjustaski
ngasaf
ri
end"
.
Phi
lani
:"Palesayouarenotmyfr
iendandIdon'
t
hav
ef r
iends,ar
eyoujeal
ous?"
.
Me:
"No,
I'
mjustaski
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
t'
snonofy
ourbusi
ness"
.
Ilookedathi m shocked, Iconti
nuedmi ndingmy
ownbusi ness..Isleptinmybedr oom andhesl epti
n
thesof a,Idon'tknowwhybutmyhear twas
breakingi nt
opi ecesbywhathesai dbuthewas
tell
i
ngt het ruththoughwhathedoesi sr eall
ynonof
mybusi ness,inthemor ninghewentbackhome, my
l
ilsist
erwascomi ngtoEast gatemallwi thher
fri
ends, Itookat axi t
oseeher ,
whenIar ri
vedthey
wer eatSpur .
.IenjoyedmydayandIr et ur
nedtomy
placefindingPhi laniwaitingoutside.
.
Me:"I'
l
lst
artcompl ai
ningnowaboutt hesecurit
y
guysdownst
airs,Ipayrenthere,
theycan'tal
low
someonetocomet omypl aceastheypleases.What
doyouwantPhi l
ani?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youwantmet
ost
ayawayf
rom y
ou?
".
Me:
"Pl
ease"
.
Phi
lani
:"Okjoi
nmyf amil
yfordinnert
oni
ghtt
han
youwon'tseemyhandsomef aceanymor
e".
Me:
"Idon'
twantt
o".
Phil
ani
:"Iknewt
haty
oul
i
kei
twhenIcomeher
e
ever
yday"
.
Me:
"Fi
neI
'
llcome"
.
Hewait
edformet ochangeandwewentt ohis
f
amil
yhouse,thel
astpersonIwant
edtoseewashi s
mom,I'
m sur
eshehat esmeforwhathappenedlast
t
imeandIdon'tbl
ameher .
.
Scel
o:"Makot
i,i
t'
sgoodt
oseey
ou"
.
Scebi
:"Youar
esogai
ningwei
ght
".
Me:"I
tshowshowhappyIam wi
thouty
ourbr
other
,
I
tsgoodtoseeyout
oo"
.
Sanel
e:"Youst
il
lhav
en'
tsentt
hel
ocat
ion"
.
Me:
"OhI'
m sor
rybutyoucancomet
oWi
tsandt
ell
mewhenyouar
ethere"
.
Phe:
"I'
l
lal
socomeandpl
easecookf
orus"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwacameandIwassur
pri
sedt
oseeMr
Mt het
hwawit
hher ,
nooffensebutIwouldn'
ttakemy
husbandbackthateasi
l
yaf t
erhefakedhisdeath,
theygreet
edmeandweal l
satinthetabl
e.
MrsMt hethwa:"PalesaIam sorrymychildabout
t
hewayIt r
eatedyou,Idi
dn'tknowt haty
ouwer e
t
ryingtohelpmyhusband, Ihopey ouwil
lfindi
tin
yourhearttofor
givemeandPhi l
ani".
Me:
"I'
vef
orgi
veny
oul
ongago,
Idon'
thol
dgr
udges
Ma"
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Sodoesthatmeany
ouar
ecomi
ng
backt
ostaywi
thPhi
lani
".
Me:
"Webr
okeupandIt
hinki
t'
sbet
tert
hisway
".
Phi
lani
:"Pal
esacameher
ebecauseshedoesn'
t
wanttoseemeagain"
.
MrsMt hethwa:"What?PalesaIapol
ogisedyou
don'
thav etorui
nyourrel
ationshi
pwit
hPhi l
ani
becauseofme" .
Me:"I
t'
snotbecauseofy
ou,
somet
hingsar
ejust
notmeantt
obe".
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
twor
ryMa,
Pal
esawi
l
lbepar
tofour
l
i
veswhet
hershel
i
kesi
tornot
".
Scel
o:"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Phi
lani
:"BecauseI
'
m goi
ngt
obeaf
ather
,she'
s
pr
egnant"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"OhmyGod,
arey
ouf
orr
eal
?".
MrMt het
hwa:"Youjustmademet hehappi
est
f
atherNyambose,I
'mv er
yproudofyou"
.
Thewayt heyweresohappyi twasli
ketheyarethe
oneswhoar epregnant
,Ijustsatt
hereandlookedat
them,t
hisfamil
yhasdr amaandIdon' twantmy
chil
dtogrowupher e.
MrMthethwa:"Ourfamil
yisUni
ted,
wecan'
tal
low
yout
olivefarf
rom us,
youneedtocomeback
home".
MrsMt het
hwa:"Iwil
lSt
artbuy
ingpr
egnancy
magazinesandclot
hesandbabyyouneedto
changeyourdi
et"
.
MrMt het
hwa:"Phi
l
ani
youneedt
ogowi
thherand
packherthi
ngs"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkSkhul
u".
Me:"I'
m sor
rybutI
'
m notmov
ingbackatPhi
l
ani
'
s
house"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esanotnowpl
ease"
.
Me: "I
fnotnow,when?I
'm sor
ryforgoi
ngagainst
yourwishesbutPhi
l
aniandIareoverandI
'm not
mov i
ngbackwithhi
m".
Scel
o:"Youar
ehi
swi
fe,
wepai
dLobol
afory
ou"
.
Me:"ThanIwi
llt
ell
myfami
l
ytor
efundy
out
he
moneyyoupai
dforme"
.
MrMt het
hwa: "OhMany aboseAmahlesiyali
ngwa
yi
ni?Lobolacannotbereturnedorr
efund,
y ouare
cr
eatingbadluckforyourself
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Youdon'
tl
ovePhi
l
ani
any
mor
e?"
.
Me:"Phi
l
anii
stheonlyguyI
'
vebeenwithandIl
ove
hi
m somuchbutIcan'
tbewit
hhim,Idon'
twantt
o".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"It
'st
hehor
monesspeaki
ng"
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Don'
twor
ryt
imebyt
imey
ouwi
l
l
f
orgi
vehi
m".
Me:
"No,
youdon'
tunder
stand,
Idon'
twantt
obe
wi
thhi
m andt
her
e'snot
hingher
etobef
ixed"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whataboutmychil
d?Mychi
l
dwon'
tgr
ow
upi
notherpeopl
e'
shouses"
.
Me: "It
'sal
somychi l
dsopl easedon'tfeelso
special
,Idon'
twanty ouPhilaniandIdon'twanna
comebackt oy ourhouse,Ican'tsacr
if
icemy
happinessbecauseofthischildI'
m carry
ing"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Iwi
l
ltakemychi
l
d"
Me: "Ev ersinceImetPhi l
ani t
hisfami l
yhasbeen
decidi nghowIshoul dli
vemyl i
fe,youpai dLobola
withoutt el
li
ngmeandnowMrMt het hwausedmet o
gett heenv el
opandwhatdi dIgetf rom that?
Not hing!IlostPhil
ani andhi smom cal ledmeat hief,
noonecheckedonmet oseehowIwasdoi ngand
I'
mt heonewhocal ledPhi l
anitocomemeethi s
fat
her ,Ican'tmoveinwi thPhilani
,hesl eepswith
dif
fer entgir l
sever
yni ghtifhelovesme, hewould've
waitedf orme.Nooneher ecaresaboutmebuty ou
allcar eaboutwhatIdof ory ou,Iam t i
redandthisall
endst oday!".
.
.
.
.
Idon'
tknowhowbutt ear
swerecomingout
,Itook
mybagandl eftt
hei
rhouse,
Iarr
ivedatmyf
latand
cri
ed..t
herewasaknockonmydoorandIopened
Phil
anifol
l
owedme..
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
I'
mti
redpl
easel
eav
e".
Phil
ani :"Wheny ouf oundmewi t
ht hatgirlt
hatday,I
tookherf r
om t heclubi nSandt onandbr oughther
home, Iwant edtosl eepwi t
hherbutPal esaI
couldn'tbet r
ayy oubyal lowingagi r
lImeti naclub
tosleepi ny ourbed, ourbed, Igav eheraguestr oom
andi sleptal one.Shewast hef ir
stgirlIbrought
homeaf tery ouhav eleftandIdi dn'tevenkissher,I
maybet hewor stper sonev erbutIlov eyouPalesa.
Whaty ousai dbackathomer eal
lybr okemyhear t
,I
am sor ryifyouf eelused, I
'venev erreali
zedthatwe
werenott reati
ngy ouwel l.IwishIcoul d'veseenit
soonerandchange.Pal esaIf ail
edy ouandIam
sorr
y ,Iam sor ryandi fthere'sany t
hingIcandot o
changeev eryt
hingIwill
.Il
ovey ou,Iloveyouso
muchandIt houghtthatIwastreatingyouright
.I
am nother etotryandchangey ourmi ndaboutme
butIjustwanty outoknowt hatIam sor r
yandIlove
you".
.
.
.
Onet earcameoutandhecl osedthedoorandl eft
,it
washar dtosleepandIwasn' tproudofmy selfthe
wayIspoket ohi spar ents,itwasrude.Rel ati
onships
arenotper fectandnoonei sperf
ect,IthinkI
expectedPhi lanitodot heimpossible,Ifellasleep
andthef ol
lowingdayIwokeupf orschool ,school
wast heonl ythingthatwaskeepi ngmesaneaf ter
school mymom cal ledandt oldmet hatthe
Mthethwa' scalledandaskedt omeetmyf amilyon
thefollowingweekendsoonFr i
dayIhadt ogo
home. .Theweekwassl owandIdi dn'
twantt otell
mymom ov erthephonet hatIam pregnant ,On
Fri
day smycl assesf inishesear l
yandIhadal r
eady
packedmybagsthepr
evi
ousday,It
ookataxi
to
Daveyt
onandIwashappytoseemyfamil
y.
.
Mom:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngnow?
".
Dad:"Butmychi
ldoutofal
ltheguy
souther
eyou
choseaZuluguy
?".
Me:
"ButDad-
..
"
Dad:"HahaI'
mjoki
ngIwant
edt
oseehowy
ourf
ace
wil
lchange"
.
Me:
"Somet
imesy
ourj
okesar
enotf
unny
".
Dad:
"Buty
ourmot
herl
ovest
hem"
.
Me:
"Becauseshedoesn'
thav
eachoi
ce"
.
Dad:
"Hahay
eyIwi
l
lbeaty
ou,
lookatt
hischi
l
d"'
Me:
"I'
mjoki
ng,
Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou"
.
Mom:
"What
swr
ong?
".
Me:
"Not
hingi
swr
ongMa,
wel
lI
'm pr
egnant
".
Dad:"Pregnant?Pal
esayouwil
lbeanursev er
y
soon,y
oushoul dknowaboutcont
racept
iveand
theset
hings".
Mom:
"Wow!Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
".
Me:
"I'
m sur
eyouar
eashamedofme"
.
Mom: "Nomybaby,youar
esomeone' swif
esothi
s
wasexpect
edbutyouandPhil
anibrokeup,howar
e
yougoingt
ohandl
ethissi
tuat
ion?
".
Dad:"Iwil
lleav
eyoutotal
ktoher,
hermarr
iageis
fal
li
ngdownbef or
eitev
enstar
tedandnowshe's
pregnant
".
Mom: "Mokwenadon'
tsayt
hat
,sheneedsour
support
".
Me:
"Dadi
sri
ght
".
Mom:
"Nomychi
l
d,di
dyouf
ixt
hingswi
thPhi
l
ani
?".
Me:
"Nowedi
dn'
t"
.
Dad:
"Youdon'
tl
oveeachot
herany
mor
e?"
.
Me:"Ilov
ehi
m somuchbutIf
eel
li
kewear
efr
om
di
ff
erentwor
lds"
.
Dad:
"Yourhappi
nesscomesfi
rst
,wecan'
tfor
ce
yout
obewithhimifyouar
enothappy
".
Me:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Wet alkedandt alkedt hanwewentt obed, inst
eadof
focusingont hebadt hingsthatsomeonedi dstart
searchingfort hegoodones, Ifel
lasleepandwe
wokeupear l
ymymom st ar
tedpr eparingfoodfor
theMt hethwa'smymom i sv erygoodwi thpots,her
foodal waystast emagi cal
ly
..Iwentt obat handt he
Mt hethwa'sarrivedar oundtwel ve,i
twasMrandMr s
Mt hethwawi t
hPhi lani.
.Myf ami l
ywel comedt hem
andt heystartedt alki
ngbef or eeati
ng..
.
.
.
.
MrMt hethwa:"Iam surethatyouall
knowthatwe
aregoingtobegr andpar
ents,Ihav
eneverbeenthi
s
happyinmyl i
fe".
Dad:
"Yesunexpect
edgoodnewsi
ndeed"
.
MrMt het
hwa:"IwasawaywhenPal
esacametomy
houseandIfeell
ikemyfami
l
yfai
l
edtotr
eatPal
esa
aswewer esupposedt
o".
Mr
sMt het
hwa:"Pal
esaismydaught
erandi
tpai
ns
metoseeherhur
tbecauseofus"
.
Mom:
"Weunder
stand"
.
MrMt hethwa:"Wecamet oapologize,yougaveyour
daught ertousbecausey outrustedus..Pal
esa
doesn'twantt obewi thPhil
anianymor eandwe
respectherdecisionbutwear eher etoaskthe
Mokwena' stogiveuspermissiontobei nachi
ld's
l
ife,Wear eaverytr
aditi
onalfamilythat
'swhywe
wantt opayf orthedamagescausedbyPhi l
ani,we
doev erythingt
radit
ional
ly"
.
Dad:"Iheary ou,Ifmydaughterisnothappywi
th
yoursonIdon' tseeanyreasonwhyweshoul df
orce
her,
wewi l
l acceptthechil
d'
sdamagesbecause
tr
adit
ional
lyitistheri
ghtthi
ngt odo".
MrMt het
hwa:"Thanky ou,Palesaweapol ogizefor
ever
ythi
ngwedi dtoyouandy oudon'thavetor et
urn
theLobol
athatwaspaidt oy ourfamil
y..Phi
laniyou
havetoacceptthatPal
esai snotinyourlif
e
anymore,whatbri
ngsyout ogetheristhechil
dshe's
cari
ng,doyouhearme? ".
Phi
l
ani
:"Iheary
ou"
.
Mom: "SoPhi
lanii
snotmysoninlawanymore,
We
r
espectPal
esa'sdeci
sionasl
ongasshe'
snappy"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Iwasst
art
ingwi
tht
heweddi
ng
pr
epar
ati
onsbutit
'
sfi
neweaslongasbot
hofyou
ar
ehappy"
.

Me:"Youcancont
inuewi
tht
heweddi
ng
pr
eparat
ions"
.
Theyal
ll
ookedatme,
MrMt
het
hwasmi
l
ed.
.
Mom:
"What
?".
Me:"WhatIsai
dtoy
oulastweekwasbecauseI
wasangr
yandIapol
ogi
zeforthewayIspoket
o
you"
.
Dad:"Palesayouarest
il
lconf
used,
youdon'
thav
e
toputyoursel
fthr
oughall
thi
s".
Mom: "Isitbecauseyouarepregnant
?Youcan'
t
sacri
fi
cey ourhappi
nessbecauseofthechi
l
dyou
arecarr
ying".
Me:"IfI
'm notwi
thPhi
lanit
hat
'swhenI
'
m
sacr
if
ici
ngmyhappiness".
Phi
l
ani
:"OhThankGod"
.
Mom:
"Pal
esaar
eyousur
e?"
.
Me:"Imayfi
ghtwithPhi
lani
andsaythi
ngsIdon'
t
meanbutIam nev
ergoingtoli
vewi
thouthi
m andhe
won'
tli
vewit
houtme".
Dad:"Howdoy
ouknowt
hathewon'
tli
vewi
thout
you"
.
Phi
lani
:"BecauseIl
oveher
,Iam amesswi
thout
her
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Iknewi
t"
.
Phi
lani
:"Let
sjustdi
scusstheweddingdat
eandMr
AndMr sMokwenaifyourdaught
ercomescry
ingt
o
youbecauseofme-.
."
MrMthet
hwa:
"I'
m gi
vi
ngy
ouf
ull
per
missi
ont
oki
l
l
hi
m".
Phi
l
ani
:"Dad!
".
Me:
"Don'
twor
ryI
'
llf
ir
stki
l
lhi
m my
sel
fthanmy
par
ent
swi
l
lfi
nishhi
m".
Theyal
ll
aughed,
Ilov
ePhi
l
ani
!!
!!
!!
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Don'
tforgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,07:
59]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
21]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

WhenIwentbackt oJohannesburgIj ustwent

straighttoPhil
ani'
shouse, Sanel
eandPhehel ped
mewi thmyst uffbecausetheyneededt heflatIwas
stayingat.Ifi
nishedpackingmycl othesandI
cooked, Phil
aniwasatwor kandhewasgonnabe
backhomeany ti
mesoon, Ikeptmy selfbusyby
wat chingtv,
SaneleandPhecame. .
Phe:
"Heysi
swhatdi
dyoucookI
'
m sohungr
y".
Me:
"Letmedi
shupf
ory
ou,
Ial
sohav
en'
teat
eny
et"
.
Idi
shedupf
ort
hem andf
ormy
sel
fthenwest
art
ed
eat
ing.
.
Phe:"Thegi
rl
sther
ebyt
hatf
lat
,whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
us?"
.
Me:
"St
udent
s?Theywi
l
lmi
l
kyoudr
ytr
ustme"
.
Sanel
e:"It
oldhi
m".
Me:"Buti
fhehaslot
sofmoneyt
ospr
eadar
ound
hecantr
yhisl
uck"
.
Phe:
"I'
m nott
hatst
upi
dtospendmoneyongi
rl
s".
Phi
l
ani
:"Sohow'
syournewpl
aceguy
s".
Sanel
e:"Goodbutweneedsomeonewho'
sgonna
cl
eanforus"
.
Me:
"Cl
eanwher
e?I
nthatonebedr
oom f
lat
?".
Phe:
"Yahi
t'
sal
otofwor
k".
Phi
l
ani
:"Sowho'
sgoi
ngt
opayt
hecl
eani
ngl
ady
".
Sanel
e:"Iwas-Imeanwewer
egonnaasky
ou,
Mom r
educedourmont
hlyal
l
owancesowedon'
t
hav
eenoughcash"
.
Phi
lani:
"It
sbecauseyoudr
inktoomuchandIwon' t
gi
vey ouanymoneyIcanbuyyougrocer
iesonl
y".
Sanel
e:"Pal
esa"
.
Me:
"Don'
tl
ookatmei
nnotwor
kingr
emember
".
Phi
l
ani
:"It
hinki
t'
sti
mef
ory
out
ogonow"
.
Phe:
"Razocomeon"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m notgi
vi
ngy
ouanymoney
".
Icl
eanedthedishes,
PheandSanel
elef
t,wewentto
ourbedr
oom, Phil
aniwentf
oraqui
ckshowert
han
cameback..
Phil
ani:"Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
ost
artt
hecheck
ups?".
Me:
"Idon'
tknowbutIt
hinkIhav
etost
artsoon"
.
Phil
ani:"Ithi
nkweneedt
hebestpr
ivat
edoct
orand
besidesIhavetoknowwhenar
ewesupposedto
stophav i
ngsex"
.
Me:
"Tel
lmey
ouj
oki
ng,
li
ker
eal
l
y?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
?It
'si
mpor
tantf
ormet
oknow"
.
Me:"I
t'
sthel
astt
hingyoucant
hinkabout
,passme
t
hatpi
ll
owIneedtosleep"
.
Igoti
nsi
det
hebl
anket
sandf
acedt
heot
herway
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Whaty
ouar
edoi
ngi
srude,
facet
hissi
de"
.
Me:
"I'
mti
redIwantt
osl
eep"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Okbabysl
eep"
.
Hetr
ail
edhi
swarm handonmyback,
myblood
st
art
edheat
ingup,
hethenki
ssedmyback
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
Iwantt
osl
eep"
.
Phi
lani
:"Youdon'
thav
etowakeupbabyI
'
llbe
qui
ck".
Hegotont
opofmeandstar
tedki
ssi
ngmyl
i
ps,
he
sl
owl
ymovedtomyearandmyneck.
.
Me:
"Ph-i
l
ani
".
Isai
dt hatinbet
weenmymoansIwast ir
edI
wantedhi mtostopbutatthesametimeIneeded
more.Ienjoyedever
ymomentofi tandnowI
understandwhyIfel
lpregnantt
hateasi
l
y,hi
sfir
st
touchmakesmel osemymi nd,
thatni
ghtwedi d
threer
ounds,
I'
mt hemorninghewenttoworkandI
wenttohismother'
shousebecausesheinv
itedme
over.
MrMthet
hwa:"Palesamychi
l
d,howar
eyou?i
s
Phi
l
aniatwor
k?".
Me:
"I'
m good,
he'
satwor
k,wher
eisMom?
".
MrMthethwa:
"She'
scomi
ngdownr
ightnow,
Ihave
ameeti
nginmyoffi
ceIwi
l
lseey
oul
atermychil
d".
.
.
.
.
Inoddedathi m, MrMthethwat r
eatsmel i
kehisown
chi
ld,Iwentt otheKit
chent omakemy sel
fa
sandwich,Iheardadooropeni ngandt hought
may beitwasPhi l
ani'
smom, Imadet wosli
cesof
chi
ckenmay osandwichandIt hinkmay beIusedtoo
muchbut tercozIfelll
i
kev omiti
ng,Idrankaglassof
waterandcl eanedtheKit
chencount erbutmy
nauseawast oomuchIr ushedt othebat hr
oom and
tri
edtov omitbutnothingcameout ,Isatonthe
toil
etsitf oramomentandIst oodupt owashmy
faceint hesi nk.IwantedtogohomebutIcoul dn'
t
l
eav ewi thoutseeingMr sMt hethwa, Iwalkedtoher
room butIst oppedinthepassagewhenIhear d
voicescomi ngf r
om theotherroom, Iheardher
voiceandwentt her
et oknock, Istoppedandf i
rst
tri
edtocheckwhowasshewi t
h, Icouldn'
tsee
clearl
ycozt hatspacewast oosmal l.

MrsMthethwa:"Youneedtocalm downanddon'
t
doany
thingstupi
d,hedoesn'
tknowanythi
ng"
.
Voice:"Heistoocl
everyouknow,It
hinkheknows
everyt
hingandhe'
sjustpret
endi
ngtobestupi
d".
MrsMthethwa: "Iwoul
dknowifheknowsanyt
hing,
hedoesn'
tpretendIknowhim,
hewoul dhav
ekil
led
usal
readyifheknew" .
Voice:
"Butwehav
etomakePhi
l
ani
losehi
spol
i
ce
Job".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Nowecan'
tdot
hat
,Phi
l
ani
ist
her
e
toprot
ectourbusi
nessi
fhequit
sorloseshisj
ob,
all
thepol
icewil
lbeonourback,
Phil
ani
isthereto
prot
ectus"
.
Voi
ce:"ButIdon'
ttr
ustyourhusband,Idon'
ttr
ust
hi
m,somethingist
ell
ingmet hatheknows
somet
hing".
MrsMthethwa:"Rel
axhedoesn'
tknowanyt
hingbut
i
fIsuspectsomethi
ngIwi
lll
etyouknow"
.
Voi
ce:"Thesedayshei
sver
ycl
osewithPhil
ani
maybetheyarepl
anni
ngsomet
hingt
ogether
".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"St
opov
ert
hinki
ng,
hedoesn'
tknow
any
thi
ng".
Voi
ce:"Heisverydangerous,i
fsomet
hingisupI
wil
lhavet
oattackfir
stcozIknowhowhei sandhe
wil
lhavet
odiewi t
hPhilanit
histi
me"
.
Mr
sMt hethwa:
"Areyououtofyourmind?Phi
l
ani
is
myson,yourbr
otheryouwi
llnev
ertouchhi
m".
Voi
ce:
"Theywi
l
lleav
emenochoi
ce"
.
Isl
owlymovedaway,t
hevoi
cesoundedver
yfami
l
iar
butIcoul
dn'
ttel
lwhoi
tbel
ongedt
o,Iwent
downstairsandl ookedaround,I
fIleavewhati fMr
Mthet
hwat el
lshi swif
ethatIwasher e,Ical
med
mysel
fdownandmynauseacamebackagai n, I
wenttot heKitchenforwater,whenIsawMr s
Mthet
hwaIwant edtorunformyl i
febutIkept
mysel
ft ogetherandcont i
nuedwhatIwasdoi ng.
MrsMthethwa:
"Palesamybaby,
howlonghavey
ou
beenher
eIam sor
ryforkeepi
ngyouwai
ti
ng"
.
Me:"Notlong,
Iwastryi
ngtomakemysel
f
somethi
ngtoeatbutcoul
dn'
teatt
hechi
ckenmay
o".
MrsMthet
hwa:"I
'm sor
rymybaby
,Doy
ouneed
any
thi
ngtoeat
?".
Me:
"IhavenauseasoIguessI
'
llhav
etodr
inkwat
er
t
hewhol
eday".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Thatwil
lnotbenecessaryIbought
youpr
egnancymagazi
nesithasever
ythingincl
udi
ng
f
oodtoeat,l
etmegofetchthem".
Iwantedtoseetheper
sonshewasspeakingt obut
thatper
sonnevercameoutandIalsowantedtoget
outhereIcan'
ttr
ustMrsMthethwaanymore,she
camebackwi t
hthemagazines.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Her
eandi
tcomeswi
tht
hel
i
stof
f
oodyouhavet
obuy".
Me:
"Thanky
ousomuch"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Iwant
edust
odi
scusst
heweddi
ng"
.
Me:
"TheWeddi
ng?
".
Mr sMthet
hwa: "Yesdear,Iwantittobet het al
kof
SouthAfri
caandIhav ethelisthereofthet op
weddingplannershereinMzansi soIthinky ouwil
l
havetochoosewhi choney ouwoul dl
iket oplan
yourweddingbutIthinkyouhav etoseet heirwork
fi
rstt
hat'
swhyIbr oughtthesealso".
Me:"I
'l
ltakealookatthesewhenIgethomefor
nowIthi
nkIneedt odosomegr ocer
yshoppi
ng
bef
orehungerkil
lsme".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Whydon'
tyousendyourhel
perto
dothegr
ocer
yfory
ouorshopatpicknpayonline"
.
Me:"Wel l
wedon'
thaveahel
peranymor
eandIfeel
l
ikeIneedtost
ret
chmylegsI
'mtir
edofstay
ingat
homet hewhol
edaydoi
ngnothi
ng".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Iunder
standmybaby
,tel
lmewhat
youthi
nkoftheweddingpl
anner
swheny
ouar
e
donewithev
eryt
hing"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ousomuchMa,
Iwi
l
lseey
ou"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Sendmygr
eet
ingst
oPhi
l
ani
".
Itookthemagazi nesandpaper sandr ushedout si
de,
thedriverwasstil
l waiti
ngforme, I
'v
ebeenf ol
lowed
beforeandwhent hatguyt ol
dMr sMt hethwathat
he'l
lkil
lbothPhil
ani andhisf atherwher edoest hat
l
eav eme?Myhear twasbeat ingnervouslyandIwas
scared,Icoul
dn'tgohomecozIwasgonnabeal one
thewhol eday,Phil
ani knocksof fatsixandget s
homeathal f6ort o7..Phi l
ani hasmor eexplanat i
on
todoabouthi spolicejob..Itookmyphoneand
dial
edhi snumber.
.
.
.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"MyLov
e".
Me:
"Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
".
Phil
ani
:"Haubabyhowcanyouaskmet hatcozy
ou
knowthatI
'm atwor
kandIknockof
fat6".
Me:
"I'
m scar
edt
ost
ayal
oneathome"
.

Phi
l
ani
:"Di
dsomet
hinghappen?
".
Me:"Notr
eal
l
ybutIcan'
tbeher
eathomeal
onet
he
whol
eday"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sthatt
hewayoftel
li
ngmethaty
oumi
ss
meorIdi
dn'
tsat
isf
yyoul
astni
ght
?".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
stopi
t,I
'
m ser
iousher
e".
Phil
ani:
"MyLov eIcan'
tcomehomenowi fyoudon't
feel
safegototheoffi
cesIwi
llcall
mydadandt el
l
himthatyoucomingthanIwi
ll
t r
ytoknockoffear
ly
andpickyouup".
Me:
"Oknopr
obl
em"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Okmyl
ovel
etmecal
lmydad"
.
Hehungup,It
oldthedri
vert
odr i
vetotheoff
ices
andwhenIgotther
eAmandawast her
ewhydon' t
theyf
ir
ethegi
rlcozshe'
ssoirr
it
atingandIdon'tl
i
ke
her
,Ist
ayedi
nther
ecept
ionandi
gnor
edAmanda.
Amanda:
"MrMt
het
hwasay
syoucancomei
nsi
de"
.
Ididn'tevensaythanky ou,Ican'
tbefri
endl
ytothe
girlwhowassl eepi
ngwi thmyman, Iwentt
othe
offi
ceandf oundMrMt hethwabusywi t
hthepaper
wor k,thi
smani sveryhandsomeanddoesn' tl
ook
old..Isatonthecouchandhel ookedupatme..
MrMt het
hwa:"Phi
lani
toldmet haty
ou'
vebeen
fol
lowedbef
ore,Doyouthinkt
hosepeopl
eareback
again?
".
Me:
"N-no"
.
MrMt hethwa:"What'swrongPalesay
oucantal
kto
me,Iam y ourf
atherandbesidesIoweyoumyli
fe
si
ncey ouhelpedme" .
Me:"Thelastti
meIkeptasecr
etf
rom Phi
l
ani
I
r
uinedourrel
ati
onshi
p".
MrMt het
hwa:
"What
'
swr
ong,
didsomet
hing
happen?"
.
Me:
"Whyi
sPhi
l
ani
wor
kingasapol
i
ceman?
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Becausehel
oveshi
sjob"
.
Me:
"MrMt
het
hway
ouar
ely
ingt
ome"
.
Hel
aughedandl
ookedatme.
..
MrMt hethwa:"Thesear
eoneoft
hereasonswhyI
thi
nky ouaregoodformyson,
youar
enotsoft
Palesa".
Me: "Idon'
tknowwhattosaybutall
Icansayi
s,I
don'twanttobeawidowandIdon'twantmychi
ldto
growupwi thoutaf
ather
,Ican'
tev
enimagi
nemyl i
fe
withoutPhi
lani"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wher
edoesal
lthatcomef
rom?
".
Me:
"Iwi
l
ltal
ktoPhi
l
ani
".
MrMthethwa:
"Youwer
einmyhouse,
whatdi
dmy
wi
fesay?Whatdi
dyousee?
".
Me:
"Not
hing"
.
Hestoodupandlockedthedoor
,hepull
edhi
schai
r
andsati
nfrontofmelooki
ngstr
aighti
ntomyey
es.
..
MrMt hethwa:"Tal
k,Ipr
omiseIwil
lpr
otecty
ouand
Phi
lani,
nothingwil
lhappentoyouaslongasI'
m
her
e".
Me:
"Yourwi
fewasi
nvol
vedi
nyouracci
dent
?".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Whatel
sedoy
ouknow?
".
Me:
"I'
m aski
ngy
ou"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Whatel
sedoy
ouknowPal
esa?
".
Me: "I
fyoushowy ourwif
ethaty
ouknowsomet
hing,
yourli
feandPhi
lani'
sli
fewil
lbei
ndanger
".
MrMthethwa:"
Fuck!Thi
swomeni
sget
ti
ngonmy
ner
vesnow?".
Me:"Idon'tknowbutshewastalki
ngtosomeoneI
don'
tknowi fi
twasScebiorScelobutsomet
hingi
s
goi
ngont herepl
easedosomet hi
ng".
MrMt hethwa:"Palesalookatme,thi
sconv er
sat
ion
neverhappened,Iwill
trymybesttoprotectyouand
myson, nothi
ngwi l
lhappen.Don'
ttel
lPhil
aniunt
il
heasky ou,Iwil
ltal
ktohimf i
rst
.It
hinkweneedt o
tr
ainyou".
Me:
"Tr
ainmef
orwhat
?".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Howt
ouseaGun"
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
01]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
22]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Schoolswereopeningsoonandi twasmyl ast
semest er
,Ij
ustwannagetitdonewi thi
tandrelaxat
home, Iam al
wayssickl
atel
yandIcan' teatanythi
ng
besi
desMaheuandanAppl e,thedoctortol
dmet hat
aft
erthreemonthsIwill
bebett erandI'
l
lbeablet o
eat.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
'
sal
lthesemagazi
nesf
or?
".
Me:"Yourmom boughtthem f
ormeandmay
bewe
shoul
dreadt
hem toget
her".
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
tev
enreadanewspaperwhatmakes
youthi
nkI'
llr
eadamagazi
ne?"
.
Me:
"Becausei
t'
sapr
egnancymagazi
ne,
itwi
l
lhel
p
usdur
ingmypr
egnancy
".
Phi
lani
:"Yesbabydur
ingyourpregnancynotmine,i
f
youneedanythi
ngIwi
llgi
veitt
oy oubutIwon'tread
amagazine"
.
Me:
"Di
dyout
alkt
oyourf
ather
?".
Phil
ani
:"YesIdi
dandy
ouhav
enot
hingt
owor
ry
aboutyouar
esafe"
.
Me:
"Andt
heGunt
rai
ning?
"
Phi
lani
:"Youwon'
tdot
hat
,Iam her
etopr
otecty
ou
andI'
ll
neveral
l
owyout
ouseagun".
Me:
"Buti
t'
sformyownpr
otect
ion"
.
Phil
ani
:"Don'
targuewit
hmePal esa,
youwi
l
lnever
useaGunandpl easewhenyouseemymom again
actnor
mal,don'
tshowherthaty
ouknow
somethi
ng".
Me:
"Iunder
stand,
Iwon'
t"
.
IwantedtoaskwhyandIwant edtoknowt hatwhy
wouldshehurtherfamily,
Igotinsi
dethethe
bl
anketsandfel
l asl
eep.InthemorningIf
reshened
upandwentt otheKitchenforsomethi
ngtoeat ,
I
madeul
tr
amel
wit
hMar
iebi
scui
ts.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatar
eyoueat
ing?
".
Me:
"Her
e,t
ast
eity
ouwi
l
llov
eit
".
Phi
l
ani
:"ThankGodI
'
m notawomen"
.
Thebel
lrangandhest
oodup.
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Thatwi
l
lbemydad"
.
Heopenedi
tandcamebackwi
thhi
sdad.
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esamychi
l
d,howar
eyou?
".
Me:
"I'
m goodandhowar
eyou?
".
MrMthet
hwa:
"I'
m good,
IsPhi
l
ani
sti
l
ltr
eat
ingy
ou
wel
l
?".
Me:"He'
str
yingbutheknowsthatI
'
llki
l
lhi
mifhe
t
ri
estodosomethingst
upid"
.
MrMthet
hwa:
"AndIwi
l
lbegl
adt
ohel
pyouhi
dehi
s
body
".
Phi
lani:
"Hell
o!I
'
m st
il
lher
e,whyar
eyout
alki
ngl
i
ke
I
'm nother
e?"
.
Me:
"Hahast
opi
t,CanImakey
ousomet
hingt
o
eat
?".
MrMthet
hwa:"I
'
veal
way shasbreakfastbutIhave
t
ocomebackandeatyourfood,Ihav
en'teatenfood
t
hati
scookedbymydaughterInlaw"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"She'
sagr
eatcookerj
ustl
i
kehermom"
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Iwi
l
lal
wayshav
emysupperher
e
t
hanstar
ti
ngf
rom t
oni
ght
".
Me:
"Youar
eal
way
swel
come"
.
MrMt hethwa:"Yourmom i
spl
anningahugepart
y
tomorrow,Canyoubeli
evet
hatIonlyf
oundout
aboutthi
snow? ".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sitsomeone'
sbi
rt
hday
?".
MrMt het
hwa:"No,
She'
scelebr
ati
ngme,t
hatI'
m
backhome,It
hinkt
hatshe'
suptosomet
hing"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Butwhat
?".
MrMthet
hwa:
"Idon'
tknowy
etbutIcan'
tbei
nthat
par
ty"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"No,
Wear
eal
lgoi
ngt
othatpar
ty"
.
Theycont
inuedt
alki
ngandIdi
dn'
twantt
oget
i
nvolv
edintheirconv
ersati
on.Mr sMthet
hwaisa
ver
ycoolwomenbei ngevildoesn'tev
ensui
ther,
the
daywentonandPhi l
aniwasof f
.Thenextdaywe
wokeupPhilaniwasprepari
ngtogot othepar
ty.
Phi
lani
:"Butbabeever
yonewi
l
lbev
erydi
sappoi
nted
i
fyoudon'tcome".
Me:
"I'
m solazyandbesi
desy
ouwon'
tev
enl
ookat
meint
hatparty
".
Philani
:"Whathappenedl
astt
imewon'
thappen
againtoday
,ifyoudon'
twantt
ogothanI
'm al
sonot
going".
Me:"Fi
neI'
l
l come,yourmom sai
dbybei
ngapolice
youar
eprotecti
ngthei
rbusi
ness,
whatbusi
ness
wasshetal
kingabout?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Taxi
busi
nesspl
easechangey
ourcl
othes"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
anistopl
yi
ngt
omecozIknowt
hatt
her
e's
mor
etot
his"
.
Phi
lani
:"Babepl
easeI
'
m notint
hemoodt
ofi
ght
,
youwil
lfi
ndmedownstai
rs,
hurr
y".
Hel
eftmeandwentdownst
air
s,Ichangedmy
cl
othesandputabitofmake-up,Iknewt hatPhil
ani
waslyi
ngtome, t
herewasmor etothistaxi
busi
nessthi
nganditwassomet hingbig,il
legal
and
danger
ous,Iwentdownst
air
sandhewasi nacal l
,
hecameandkissedmyl i
psthanhedr oppedt he
cal
l.
.
Phil
ani
: "Mbali
y amihav
eIev
ert
oldy
ouhow
beauti
fulyouare?"
.

Me:
"Notnow,
let
'
sgo"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatdi
dIdonow?I
sitt
hehor
mones?
".
.
.
.
.
Inarr
owedmyey esathim andwalkedoutt
hedoor
,
hefoundmei nthecar,helookedatmeandshook
hi
sheadt hanwedr ovetohismother'
shouse,
peoplewerestar
tingt
oar r
iveandwealsowent
i
nside..
MrsMthethwa:
"Mybabi
escomet
hissi
de,Pal
esa
howar
ey ou?Havey
oureadt
hemagazi
nesyet
?".
Me:
"Yesbutnotal
loft
hem"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Pl
easedon'
tdr
inkanyal
cohol
i
c
bev
eraget
oday
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Shewon'
tev
ent
ry,
howar
eyouMama?
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"I
'
m goodmyboy,
Iwi
l
lseey
ouI
hav
etowelcometheguest
s".
Phi
l
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Hehel
dmebymyhandandhest ar
tedi
ntr
oduci
ng
metosomepeopl
e,Wal
tercame.
.
Wal
ter
:"MrandMr
sMt
het
hwa"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Wal
ter
".
Wal
ter
:"How'
smybeaut
if
ulPal
i
".
Me:"Ial
way
stel
lyout
hatmynamei
sPal
esanot
Pal
i
".
Wal
ter
:"I
sitPhi
l
ani
whoonl
ycal
l
syouPal
i
".
Me:
"Hedoesn'
tcal
lmePal
i
,I'
m hi
srose,
arar
eone,
Ngi
yiMbal
iyakhe"
.
Wal
ter
:"Ohr
eal
l
y?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Ni
cetoseeyouWalt
er,
pleaseexcuseme
andmybeauti
ful
rar
erose"
.
Walt
erwasspeechl ess,
wewentt osi
tdown, Sanel
e
andPhewer enotthereotherwi
seIwoul d'vegoneto
si
twiththem,Ir
eallyenj
oyt hei
rcompany ,Mr
Mthethwawaswi t
ht heothertycoonsandPhi lani
di
dn'tevenwanttoleavemyhand, awaitercamet o
us.
.
Him: "Miss,Someonesentmetogivey
outhisdri
nk
andtoldmet ot
ell
youthathehear
daboutyour
pregnancy,congr
atul
ati
ons"
.
Il
ookedatPhi
l
ani
.
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Hesai
dtot
hewai
ter
..
..
Phil
ani:
"Ididn'
tknowthattheyalsohavefr
uit
cocktai
l
sinthispart
y,Motherreal
lypl
annedit
,
shouldIdr
inkitor
?".
Me:
"It
smydr
ink,
youcan'
tdr
inki
t,gi
vei
ttome"
.
Itookitandstarteddr
inki
ngit,
thesweetsourtaste
ofthepineapplewasreall
ymout hwat
ering,
that
's
whatIneededsweetandsourt hi
ngsinceIhavea
verylowappetit
e, t
heroom wascrowdedandIwas
feel
ingveryhot..
Me:
"Ineedsomef
reshai
r"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"CanIcomewi
th?
".
Me:"No,t
hegardeni
sful
lofpeopl
e,y
ouwi
l
lfi
ndme
i
ntheki
tchen"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkmybabyIwi
l
lbewi
thy
oui
nasecond"
.
Theattent
ionhewasgivingmewasev er
ythi
ngI
needed,Iwentt
otheKitchenandt hewayIwas
feel
i
nghotwasn'tevennor mal,It
ooktheicefrom
thefr
idgeandstar
tedeatingthem, Iwassweating.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esay
ouar
esweat
ing,
arey
oual
ri
ght
?"'
Me:"I
'
m notal
ri
ght
,theheati
sinmyt
hroatnowi
t'
s
har
dtobr
eath"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
sgoout
side"
.
Wewentoutsi
debuti
twasver
yhar
dtobr
eat
h,
bl
oodst
art
edcomingout.
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
,bl
oo-
d".
Helookedatmeandpi ckedmeupi nbri
dalstyle,he
tookmet ohiscarandhedr oveoff,Iwasn'
tfeel i
ng
thepai
nsbutt heheatonly,
wear ri
vedatNet care
hospi
talandwesi gned.
.Thepainsst ar
ted,
thepai ns
I'
veneverexperi
encedbefore.Phi
laniwastalkingbut
Icoul
dn'thearhi
m becauset hepainsweresohar d.
.
Iwasintearscryi
ng..
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°
.
.
.
.
Nur
se:
"Si
rpl
easemov
eout
side"
.
Phi
lani
:"What
'
shappeni
ngt
oher
,tal
ktome
dammit!
".
Nurse:
"Thedoct
ori
sbusywi
thher
,wewi
l
lbewi
th
youinamoment"
.
Phi
l
ani
didn'
tev
ensi
tint
hecouchesi
nthewai
ti
ng
area,hewasupanddown,ev
ery
onewaslooki
ngat
her.Aft
er30minut
esadoccameoutandcall
ed
hi
m. .
Phi
l
ani
:"Howi
sshe?
".
Doct
or:
"Wemanagedt
osav
eher
,she'
sint
heI
CU"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Thebaby
,di
dyousav
emybaby
?".
Doct
or:
"We-
".
Phil
ani
:"We,y
ouwhat?I
'
m aski
ngyouasi
mpl
e
questi
ondi
dyousav
emychild?
".
Doctor
:"Nowhateveri
tiskil
l
edt hebaby,i
twas
poi
sonandwedraineditfast
,thankyouforbri
ngi
ng
herher
efast
.Herbloodisonthewayt othelabcoz
wewanttoknowwhatki ndofpoisondidsheeat"
.
Phil
ani:
"Poi
son?Mywi
fedi
dn'
teat
-ohwai
tthe
cocktai
l
".
Doct
or:
"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?".
Phil
ani:"Doct
orpl
easetakecar
eofher,makesur
e
thatsherecov
erspl
easeIcan'
tlosehert
oo.Shei
s
myl i
fe"
.
Phil
ani'
sheadwasspi nningar
ound, hekepton
askinghimselfthatwhosentt hewaiterthatcocktai
l.
Hedr ovetohishouseandwentt othebasement
wher et
her e'
sdif
ferentki
ndsofguns, hewasi ntears,
hemi ghtlosehiswifesinceshe'si
nt heICU,he
thought,hetookav eryhugegunbiggerlikeanAK47,
hewentbackt ohiscarandlookedathi mselfinthe
revi
ewmi r
roranddr ovetohi
smom' shouse.
Thepar tyhadj uststart ed,Pal esagott hepoison
beforet hepartystartedi tal lhappenedt oofast ,
he
parkedt hecari nthedr iveway .Hecal ledasecur ity
guyt otelleveryonetogat heri nthegar den,the
securitydidthatev ent hewor kerswhower ehi r
ed
forthatdaywentt othegar den, ever yonewas
confusedbutf oll
owedt heor dersany way ,evenMr s
Mthet hwaher selfwassur pr isedsi nceshewast he
hostess, Phil
ani l
ockedal lthedoor si nsidethe
houseandwhenhewentt ot hegar den, hetooka
chairandal solockedt hesl idingdoor ,thegar den
wasatt hedoor ,ever
y onegotner vouswhent hey
sawhi m wi t
hahugegun. .Her elaxedont hechai r.
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Phi
l
ani
what
'
swr
ong"
.
Phil
ani
:"Don'
tcomenearme,Youal
lwi
l
lli
stenandI
will
dothetal
ki
ng,i
fany
onedarest
omoveIwillki
l
l
them".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Phi
l
ani
arey
ououtofy
ourmi
nd?
Phil
ani:"Isai
dI'
mtheonewhowi
l
ldot
het
alki
ng,
shutthehellupMot
her"
.
Theyal
lkeptqui
et.
..
Me:"Ther
esnonet
wor
kher
eify
out
ryt
ousey
our
phone,
hardl
uck
Ther
eisadogher eandifthatDogdoesn'tcomeout
nowIwil
lshootyouall
,thatmot her
f**sent
someonetogiv
emywi f
eadr inkandmywi fei
snow
fi
ght
ingf
orherli
featthemoment -"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"OhmyGod,wher
eisPalesashe
wasj
usthereImeany
outwowerejusther
e".
MrMthethwa:
"Ny
ambosewhathappenedt
o
Pal
esa?
".
Phil
ani:
"Youtwoshutthefuckupbefor
eIshooty
ou,
thatper
sonwhopoisonedmywi f
emustcomeout
nowbef or
eIki
ll
youallandburnt
hishousedown,
NOW!
!"
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
02]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
23]

-Phi
l
ani
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ever
yonekeptquietsomeofthem eventhoughtthat
maybehewasdr unkbutno,hewassober .Tear
s
coul
dn'
tstopcomi ngout
,hewascr y
ing.
.
MrMt het
hwa:"Sonl
ett
hesepeopl
ego,
let
'st
alk
aboutthi
s".
Phi
l
ani
cli
ckedhi
stongue,
hest
oodupandev
ery
one
mov
edinfear
,hedraggedt
hewait
erwhogav
ethem
t
hedri
nkandpoi
ntedthegunathi
m..
Phi
l
ani
:"Tal
k!Whosenty
out
ogi
veust
hedr
ink"
.
Hekeptqui
et.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Oksi
ncey
oucan'
ttal
-"
.
Wai
ter
:"I
twasy
ourbr
other
,yourbr
otherScel
o".
Phil
anif
eltli
kehisli
fei
sbr
eakingi
ntopieces,i
tcan'
t
behisbrother
,theycamealongwaytogetherhe
can'
tdosuchat hi
ng.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"St
opl
yi
ngt
ome!
".
Him:"Iam notl
yi
ng,Ialwaysworkhereinal
lpart
ies
andIknowallofyou,hegavemet hedri
nktogiv
ei t
toyourwi
fetocongratul
ateher
".
Phil
ani
:"Ev ery
bodyout!Exceptyou,thepartyi
sover
andwait!nothinghappenedhereifIeverhear
someonet alki
ngaboutthisIwil
lcomef orthem,i
s
thatcl
ear?"
.
Theynoddedandr
ushedout
side,
hisf
ami
l
yandt
he
wait
erremai
nedbehi
nd.
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Maybether
e'sami
sunderst
andi
ng,
ar
eyousuret
hatitwasScel
owhosentyou?".
Wai
ter
:"Ye-YesMa'
mI'
m sur
e".
Phi
lani
:"Youwil
ldoonl
yonet
hingf
orme,
tel
lme
whereyoursoni
s".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Idon'
tkn-
".
Phil
ani:"Don'
ttel
lmethatyoudon'tknow,Iwi
l
llook
forhim andwhenIfi
ndhim besurethatyouar
e
preparedfort
hefuner
al"
.
MrMt
hemt
hwa:
"Ny
ambosepl
easecal
m down"
.
Phi
lani
:"Mywifeisf
ighti
ngforherl
i
feandIl
ostmy
chi
l
dhowt hehell
cany outel
lmetocal
m down?"
.
Scebi
:"Phi
l
anivi
olencewi
l
lnev
ersol
veany
thi
ng,
l
et'
stal
kaboutt
his".
MrsMthethwa:"Hei
sri
ght
,wear
eaf
ami
l
y,wecan'
t
l
etthi
sbreakus".
Phi
l
ani
:"AndPal
esai
sn'
tfami
l
y?"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"That
'
snotwhatImeant
".
Phi
l
ani
:"That
'
sexact
lyhowIhear
dit
".
Hetookhisgunandleftt
hehouse.
..Het
ookhi
s
phoneandsearchedfort
henumber..
Phil
ani
:"Hell
o,Iwantyoutol
ookf ormybrot
her
Scel
o,Ineedhim bef
oresunr
ise,
Doy ouhearme?
Okgetonitnow".
Hest art
edsear chingwherehi sbrotheralwayshang
outbutcoul dn'tfindhim,het urnedbackandwentt o
thehospi tal
,Palesawasbr eathingforhersel
fthey
tookoutt hemachi nes,hestoodbyt hedoorand
thanleft
, hewentt ohishouset ot akeashowerand
fel
lasleep.Int hemor ninghewaswokenupbyt he
bell
ont hedoorwhenhecheckedhi sphone,
the
guyssenthi m amessagesay ingt heyhaven'
tfound
himy etbutt heyar esti
lll
ooking.Hewentdownst ai
rs
andhi sfami l
ywast here.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wher
eisPal
esawewantt
oseeher
".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Pl
easePhi
l
ani
".
Phi
lani:"Idon'
ttr
ustanyofy
ouwit
hmywi
fe,
are
youplanningonfini
shi
ngher
?".
MrsMt het
hwa:"Howcanyouevesaythat
?Wear
e
yourf
ami l
y,wewil
lnev
erdosuchathi
ng".
Phi
lani
:"Famil
y?Don'
tevengother
emother
,Skhul
u
Iwi
llonl
ytakeyoutoseePal
esaandther
estofyou
gobacktowhereyoucomefrom".
Scebi
:"ButPhi
l
ani
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Gett
hehel
loutofmyhouse"
.
MrMt
het
hwagoti
nsi
deandPhi
l
ani
closedt
hedoor
..
.
.
.
.
Phi
lani
:"Skhul
uIswearwhenIf
indt
hatDogIwi
l
l
bur
yhim al
ive"
.
MrMt het
hwa:"Ny
ambosewhatdi
dexact
ly
happened?"
.
Phi
lani
:"Thatwait
ercamet ogivePal
esaacocktail
say
ingsomeoneissendi ngthecongr
atul
ati
ons
messageforherpregnancy,
Iwassost upi
dtolet
herdri
nkit
,af
ewmi nuteslatershestartedf eel
i
ng
thepai
nsandIrushedhert ot hehospital,
itall
happenedsof
astSkhul u.
.Whatwi l
lPalesasay
whenshewakesupandf indoutt hatshel osther
baby?Ifai
l
ed,
Ifail
edt oprotecther".
MrMt het
hwa:
"Don'
tbl
amey
our
sel
fbutwewi
l
lfi
nd
Scel
o".
Phil
ani:
"IfIdidn'
tgetther
eontimeIwouldhav
elost
hertoo,Scel
oneedst opayforwhathedi
d,hemay
bemybr otherbutnotanymore"
.
MrMthet hwa:"Iwil
lgowit
hy outothehospi
tal
than
f
rom thereIwill
Star
tthesearch,wedon'
tknow
whathe'splanni
ngwhereverheis".
Phi
l
ani
:"Letmet
akeaqui
ckshower
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"OkSon"
.
Phil
anitookaqui
ckshowerandtheywentt
othe
hospit
al,Pal
esawasawakebutPhil
ani
wantedt
o
speaktoherdoctorf
ir
st.
.
Doct
or:
"MrMt
het
hwashei
sawake"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Yeahdocbuthowi
sshe?
".
Doctor:"Shei
sbet
ter
, y
oudidagoodt hi
ngby
bri
ngingherher
eonti
me, wedrainedal
lthepoison
befor
eitdamagedher.MrMthethwaIam sorry
aboutthebaby"
.
Phil
ani
:"Noproblem,
Ijustwant
edt oknowhow
she'
sdoingbecauseI
'
mr eal
lyworr
iedabouther
".
Doctor
:"Iunder
standbutshe'
sfi
neandal
soy
our
br
otherwashere".
Phi
l
ani
:"Mybr
other
?".
Doct
or:
"Yes,hewasr
eal
l
ywor
ri
edbuthecame
whenwewere-"
.
Phil
ani
:"Howcanyoual
l
owsomeoneyoudon'
tev
en
knowhere,
didIt
ell
yout
oal
l
owvisi
tor
stovi
sitmy
wif
e?".
Doct
or:
"MrMt
het
hwahe-
".
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
twantt
oheari
t,di
schar
gemywi
fe
now!"
.
Doctor
:"Butt
herear
esomecheckupsthatweneed
todo,maybeshecanbedi
schar
gedtomorr
ow"
Phi
l
ani
:"Idon'
tcar
edi
schar
gehernowandy
ouwi
l
l
cont
inuedoi
ngy
ourj
obi
nmyhouse"
.
Doct
or:
"MrMt
het
hwaIam notapr
ivat
edoct
or"
.
Phi
lani
:"Iwil
lsuethi
shospit
al,y
ounearl
yputmy
wif
e'sl
if
eindanger,t
hishospi
talwi
l
lbecloseddown
andyouwill
nevereverworkasadoctoragai
n,do
youhearme?".
Doct
or:"Iwil
lsi
gnt
hedischar
gingpaper
snowand
youwil
ltel
lmewhattodonext"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Good"
.
Hewentt
ohi
sfat
her
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Hewasher
e".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"What
?Whati
swr
ongwi
tht
hisboy
?".
Phi l
ani
:"Theyaredi
schargi
ngPal
esanow,
Skhul
u
pleasetakeherhome, Iwi
ll
comeIhav
esomefew
thingsthatIneedt
ofix".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Nopr
obl
em"
.
°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°°
°°
-
Pal
esa
.
Iremembert heheatandt hepai
nsbutaf tert hatI
don'tknowwhathappened, thehardestthingwast o
wakeupaski ngifmybabywasf inethanthedoct or
toldmet heycoul
dn'tsaveit
.Iwasdonecr ying,tear
s
couldn'
tcomeoutany more,Phi
laniwasn'tther e
whenIwokeupandI '
m surehejustdroppedmeand
l
eft,Ihadtofeelthepainoflosi
ngababyal one.Mr
Mt het
hwacamei nandhuggedme. .
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
".
Me:"Idon'
tknowhowI 'mfeel
i
ng,
Idon'
tknowi
fthi
s
pai
nwillev
erdisappear
".
MrMthet
hwa:
"Theyaredischar
gingy
ouI
'
m her
eto
t
akey
ouhome, Phi
l
ani
said-".
Me:
"Idon'
tev
enwantt
ohearhi
sname"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"ButPal
esahe-
".
Me:
"Pl
easeIdon'
twantt
otal
kabouthi
mri
ghtnow"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Ok,
Iwi
l
ltakey
ouhome"
.
Wesignedsomepaper
sthanwewenthome,t
hey
f
orcedmetostayi
nbed,It
ookmyphoneandcal
l
ed
mymom.
.
Mom:
"Pal
i
".
Me:
"Mama"
.
Icoul
dn'
thol
dmy
sel
ftear
sst
art
edcomi
ngout
..
Mom:
"Mybabyar
eyoucr
ying?
".
Me:
"Il
ostt
hebabymama,
i-
".
Mom:"OhMyGod,Iam sorr
ymychi
l
d,I
'
m sosor
ry,
doy
ouwantmetocome? ".
Me:"Nomamay
oudon'
thav
eto,
Ijustwant
edt
o
t
ell
you"
.
Mom: "Iwi
ll
praymychi
l
d,Iam sor
ryohLor
dwhyi
s
t
hishappeni
ngtous,
howisPhi
lani
?".
Me:
"He'
sfi
ne,
wewi
l
ltal
klat
er"
.
Mom: "Okbest
rongmybabyandt
ell
Phi
l
ani
tobe
st
rongtooIwi
ll
prayf
oryou"
.
Me:
"Thanky
ouMa"
.
Iputt
hephonedown,Iwaswonderi
ngwher
ePhil
ani
was,MrMthet
hwaorderedf
oodforust
oeat,t
he
manisv
eryki
nd.Phil
anicameandMrMt
het
hwa
st
oodupandl
efttheroom..
.
.
.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Myl
ove"
.
Me:"Wherear
ey oucomingfr
om?WhenIwokeup
youwer
enotthere,Il
ostt
hebabyPhi
l
ani
,ourbaby
buty
oudidn'
tevencaretobeher
ewit
hme".
Phi
lani
:"IknowbabyI'
m sorr
y,Scel
oistheonewho
gav
ey outhatdr
ink,
I'
m busyl
ookingforhi
m".
Me:
"Whywoul
dScel
odosomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ial
sodon'
tknowbuthowar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
".
Me:
"Howdoy
out
hinkIam f
eel
i
ng?
".
Phi
lani
:"Thatbust
ardkill
edmybabyandnearl
y
ki
ll
edyou,theyt
oldmet hathewasathospi
tal
that
's
whyItol
dthem todischar
geyou".
Me:"Buti
tdoesn'
tmakeanysense,maybei
twas
hi
m whowast al
ki
ngt
oy ourmom theot
herday
".
Phil
ani
:"Maybeyouareri
ghtbutpl
easemyl ove
don'
tstr
esstoomuch,Iwil
lfi
ndhim andIt
hinkwe
needextr
asecur
it
iesher
e".
Me:
"Whatwi
l
lyoudot
ohi
m wheny
ouf
indhi
m?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
llmakehi
m payf
orhur
ti
ngmyf
ami
l
y".
Me:"It
hinkyoushoul
dfol
l
owy
ourmom,
may
beshe
knowswheresheis"
.
Phi
lani:
"Okmyl ovebutIdon'
twanty
out
oget
i
nvolvedinal
lthi
s".
Thedoct orcamet ocheckuponmeandt herewas
medi cinethatIwasdr i
nking,Ialsowenttocleanmy
womb, dayspassedandIhadt ogobacktoschool.
Afterschool I'
l
lwaitatSaneleandPhe' splacefor
Philani orMrMt het
hwat opickmeup, Phi
lanidi
dn'
t
tr
ustany onearoundmeandIwassur ethat
every onehatedmebecauseoft heatt
enti
onIwas
getting.ItwasaSat ur
day, abellrangandPhil
ani
wentt oopenadoor ,i
twasScel o..
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Scel
o:"Youwer
elooki
ngf
orme,
wer
en'
tyou?
".
Phi
l
ani
tookouthi
sgunandpoi
ntedathi
m..
Scel
o:"Youwon'tshootmeot
her
wisey
ouwoul
d'
ve
doneital
ready
".
Healsot ookouthisgunandpoi ntedatPhil
ani,
Iwas
l
ookingatt hem scaredbutIwouldn'tal
lowScel
ot o
kil
lPhil
aniinfr
ontofme. .Ir
anupst air
sandmay be
theythoughtIwasr unni
ngawayf rom them,Phi
lani
shouted..
Phi
l
ani
:"Lockt
hedoorPal
esaanddon'
tcomeout
".
Ilockedourbedr oom doorandsearchedeverywher
e
forsomet hingIcandefendmy sel
fwith,
Phil
ani'
s
policeuniform hadagun,Il
ookedatitbutIwas
afraidt
ot akeit,It
ookitanyway,i
twasheav y
,I
openedt hedoorandwentbackt othesi
tti
ngroom
andpoi nt
edatScel o.
.
Phi
lani
:"Pal
esawhatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
tht
hatgun,
gi
veitt
ome" .
Me:
"Heki
l
ledmybabyandal
mostki
l
ledmenowhe
hasthener
vest
ocomei
nher
eandpoi
ntagunat
you"
.
Scel
o:"Pal
esat
hishasnot
hingt
odowi
thy
ou"
.
Me:
"Ithasev
ery
thi
ngt
odowi
thme"
.
Thi
shasnothi
ngt
odowithme?Heki l
ledmybaby
andal
mostkil
l
edmebutithasnot
hingtodowit
h
me?Mybloodwasboi
l
ing.
Myheartwasbeat
ingfast
,veryf
astall
thepai
nand
hear
tbr
eakIwentthroughaft
erl
osingmybaby
cameback.
Ipul
l
edthet
ri
ggerandfel
ldown,Idi
dn'
tgetup,
I
cl
osedmyeyesbecauseIdi
dn'
tknowwhoIshot..
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tforgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazaneforthenewstor
y'MyDad'
sSecondWif
e
byZamaNdl ovu'
[
11/
7,08:
05]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
24]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ikeptmyfacedown,
Icoul
dn'
tcont
rol
thet
ear
sfr
om
comingout.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esa!
".
Iqui
ckl
ylookedupandr
ant
ohi
m..
Me:
"It
hought
-"
.
Phil
ani:"Youdon'
tl
ist
en,It
oldyoutostayupstai
rs,
babydon'teverdot
hatagai
ny oucoul
d'
v ehur
t
yoursel
f".
Hehuggedmetightl
yandkissedmyfor
ehead,Scel
o
waslay
ingdownli
fel
ess,Il
ookedathi
m andthan
Phi
l
ani.
.
Me:
"Let
'scal
ltheambul
ance"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Can'
tyouseet
hathe'
sdead"
.
Me:
"I-NooPhi
l
ani
".
Ist
art
edcr
yingagai
n,Iki
l
ledaper
son,
mybr
otheri
n
l
aw.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esacal
m down,
lookatme"
.
Me:
"Iwil
lgotojai
lPhi
l
ani
,mymom isgoi
ngt
oki
l
l
me,
Iki
ll
edyourbrot
her
,ohGodnooo"
.
Phi
l
ani
justf
oldedhi
shandsandl
ookedatme.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoudone?
".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
i-"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Babyshutup,
wear
enotcal
l
ingany
one"
.
Me:
"What
?Whatabouthi
m?Yourmom,
your
-"
.
Phi
lani
:"Youwil
lnevergotojai
ldoy
ouhearme,
st
opcrying,
youki
ll
edhim andhewil
lnev
erev
er
wakeupsodealwithit
".
Me:
"But
-"
.
Phi
l
ani:"Weneedtogetri
dofthebodyandthatwas
apret
tygoodshot
,wheredi
dyoulear
nthatbaby?"
.
Il
ookedathimindi
sbel
i
ef,
hewascal
m andal
so
j
okingabouti
t.
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
iki
l
ledy
ourbr
otherandy
ouar
eokwi
th
i
t?"
.
Philani:"Whatdoy ouwantmet odo?Callthecops,
well I
'mt hefuckin'
copandI '
m here.Hewasgoi ngt
o
ki
llbothofus, hekill
edourbabyPal esa,I
'
m not
sayingwhaty oudidisr i
ghtbutthisbust
ard
deser v
edi t.NowBabyshutupandbeast rong
women, doy ouremembert hePalesawhowas
holdingagunaf ewmi nutesago?,Ineedhernow,
l
et'
sdeal wi t
hthisandwe' ll
mour nlat
er"
.
Itr
iedbutIcouldn'
t,I
'
v eneverbeent
hisclosetoa
deadper sonbefor
e,Phil
aniwenttothegarageandI
wantedt ofol
lowhim becauseIwasscaredbutI
di
dn't,hecamebackwi t
habi gwhit
eplasti
c,he
l
ayedi tdownandlookedatme.
Me:
"No,
Iwon'
ttouchhi
m".
Phi
l
ani
:"St
opbei
ngsuchababy
,comehel
pme"
.
Me:
"Isai
dNo"
.
Helookeddownandpushedt
hebodyt
othepl
ast
ic
androl
ledi
t.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Comewi
thapl
ast
ict
ape"
.
Me:
"Wher
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Checki
nthet
ool
box"
.
Isearchedfori
tandIfoundi
t,hewrappedi
tar
ound
him,hedraggedthebodytot
hekitchen.
Me:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Comeandhel
pmeher
e".
Hetookoutmaybetent
ilesint heki
tchent
hanhe
pr
essedabutt
on,themetal t
hingopenedandther
e
werest
air
sgoi
ngdown, Ilookedathim.
Phi
l
ani
:"Iwi
l
lexpl
ain"
.
Hepushedt hebodydownandIf ol
lowedhim
becauseIwant edtoseewhatwasi ntheremay be
thereweremanybodi esthere,
itwasdarkbutwhen
heswi t
chedont heli
ghts,t
hebasementi sbeauti
ful
,
withlot
sandl otsofgunsthatI'
veneverseeninmy
enti
reli
fe,di
ff
erenttypesofguns.
Me:
"Whydoy
ouhav
esomanygunsher
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Isai
dIwi
l
lexpl
ainbutnotnow"
.
Il
ookedathi
m agai
ntoshowhi
mthatIwasn'
tev
en
l
aughing,
heknowsmylook.
Phil
ani
:"Youar
enott
hinki
ngofshoot
ingmear
e
you?"
.
Me:"Ify
oudon'
ttel
lmewhat
'sgoi
ngonher
einmy
houseIwil
l
".
Phil
ani
:"Okbaby,
thi
sisourbusi
ness,
wear e
deal
ingwit
hil
l
egalweapons,
anydangerous
weaponsyoucanthi
nkof"
.
Me:
"That
'swhy
-..
".
Phil
ani:"That
'
swhyI '
mthepoli
ce,t
here'
sapoli
ce,
constableMofokenghewasonourbackt hat
'swhyI
decidedtobeapol i
cetoprot
ectourbusi
nessbuthe
hatesmeandst il
ltr
iestodi
gdeeper".
Me:"I
ftheyfindoutt
haty
ouar
eadeal
erwhatwi
l
l
t
heydotoy ou?".
Phi
lani
:"Welll
if
esentencemylove,
that
'swhywe
ar
esor i
ch,
it'
sbecauseofthi
s".
Me:
"Andt
het
axi
s?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Taxi
sdoesn'
thav
emuchmoneyast
his,
t
hiswast hesecretIwasprotecti
ngy oufr
om Pal
esa,
I
'm acriminal
hidi
ngi napoli
ceuniform,I'
veki
l
ledso
manypeopl ebecauseofthi
sandpl easebabydon'
t
t
ellanyonebecauseonceoneofusf indsoutt
hatI
t
oldy ouaboutthi
s,theywil
lkil
lyou".
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Why
?".
Phil
ani
:"Becauset
hisi
sdangerousandi
t'
sahuge
secr
etthatneedst
obeprot
ected".
Me:
"Thoseri
chpeopl
ethatal
wayscomet
oyour
f
amil
ypar
ti
esareal
soinvol
ved?"
.
Phil
ani:"Thoseareourbusinesspar t
nersand
cli
entsactuall
ythosearenotjustparti
es,i
t'
sour
bidi
ngorshoul dIsayaucti
onmeet ingsthanaf
teral
l
thatweenj oyfoodanddri
nks".
Me:
"God,
li
keIdon'
tev
enknowwhatt
osay
".
Phi
lani
:"MyLov
ethi
siswhoIam andIcan'
tchange
i
t,l
et'
sgoup"
.
Ididn'
twantt oaskhim mor equest i
onsandt he
bloodont hef loorneededtobecl eaned, thewayI
wasshaki ngIdi dthespringcleaningint heDining
room cozi didn'twanttoseenotev enasmal lspot
ofblood.If inishedandwentt ot hebat hroom totake
ashower ,fi
rstt hi
ngIthrewup, vomi t
edev er
ythi
ngI
ate.Itookof fmycl ot
hesandopenedashower ,I
criedsol oudi nsidetheshowert hinki
ngaboutScel o.
Ilookedatmyhandsandcoul dn'tbelievewhatIdi d,
Ifini
shedbat hingandwentt oourbedr oom, I
couldn'teatIwasnumb. .
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ngnow"
.
Me:
"Youar
egoi
ngwher
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Towor
k,r
emember
?".
Me:"Butyoucan'
tleav
emeher
eal
onewi
tht
hat
-.
.
Phi
l
aniI'
m scar
ed".
Phil
ani:
"Not
hingisgoi
ngtohappenyouarej
ust
scared,
Iwi
ll
callSanel
etocomesleepher
e".
Me:
"But
-"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Il
ovey
ou,
I'
ll
seey
oui
nthemor
ning"
.
Hekissedmeandl eft
,Ilockedthebedroom door
andprayed,IwasscaredIcouldn'
tevengotot he
ki
tchen.Aft
ertwohoursSanelecameandknock.
Sanele:
"Whyar
eyoul
ocki
ngy
our
sel
fher
e,i
nyour
bedroom?"
.
Me:
"Idi
dn'
tev
ennot
icet
hatIl
ockedt
hedoor
".
Sanel
e:"Iunder
standandI
'
m sureyoumustbe
scar
ed,Phil
anit
oldmewhathappened"
.
Me:
"Hedi
d?"
.
Sanele:"Yah,
whatScel
odidwasv er
ysel
fishand
I
'm sorr
ybutdadandphil
aniar
elookingf
orhim,he
won'tcomenearyoueveragai
n".
Yuuhmyhear tnearl
ycameout ,atl
easthedoesn't
knowt heactualstor
y,hewentdownst ai
rsandI
l
ockedt heroom again.IwasscaredandPhilani
kept
oncheckinguponme, Idon'
tknowhowIf el
lasl
eep
butIdidandnot hi
nghappened, Phi
laniwokemeup
forschooli
nt hemor ni
ng.
Me:
"DoIr
eal
l
yhav
etogo?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Yesandy
ouar
egoi
ng"
.
Me:"Idon'
tevenl
i
ket
hiscour
se,
Itooki
tcozIwon
aschol
arshi
p".
Phi
l
ani
:"Butst
il
lyouar
egoi
ngt
oschool
".
Me:
"Buti
needsome-
".
Phi
lani
:"Act
uall
yI'
mtakingyoutoschool
,I
'l
lsl
eep
whenIgetbackandI'
l
lfetchyou"
.
Iwasn'treadyforschoolbuthepushedme,myday
atschool wasnormal andveryl
ong,ar
oundt
hree
Phil
anifetchedme.
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
'sgot
omypar
ent
shouse"
.
Me:
"Noar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Why?
".
Me:
"Ican'
taf
terwhatIdi
d".
Phi
l
ani
:"Justgetov
eri
t"
.
Me:"Ican'
tbutmaybeIwil
ltr
ytogetov
eri
twhen
he'
snotinthehouseany
more".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
twasy
ourf
ir
stt
ime,
Iunder
stand"
.
HedrovehomeandItr
iedtoeat
,Iwasreal
l
yscar
ed
Phi
lani
evennot
icedi
t,hedi
dn'
tgotoworkandIf
elt
saf
einhisar
msandfellasl
eepear
ly.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esa,
babywakeup"
.
Me:
"Whatnow?Whatt
imei
sit
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
tshal
fpastt
wel
ve,
wakeup"
.
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatwasgoi
ngonbutIdi
dwakeup.
.
Phil
ani
:"Heretakethi
sclothesandwearthem don'
t
for
getthehoodiei
t'
salit
tlecoldout
side"
.
Me:
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
".
Phil
ani
:"Imadeaf
ewcallsandImanagedt
ogeta
space,
thegr
avei
sready
".
Me:
"Whatgr
avePhi
l
ani
?".
Phil
ani
:"Wear egoingtoburymybrot
hernowand
don'
tstar
twithyourstor
ies,
Ial
readyt
ookhimtot
he
car
,let
'sgo"
.
Iqui
ckl
yworet
heclot
hesandfol
lowedhimtothe
van,
hedrov
eoffandwearr
ivedatthecemet
ery,
my
fearcamebackagainbutIdi
dn'
twanttoshow
Phil
anibecausehewasn'
thimsel
f,wedrov
ei nsi
de
thecemeteryandheknewwherehewasgoi ng.
Phi
l
ani
:"Weary
ourhoodi
eandcomehel
pme"
.
Idi
dasIwastol
d,wecarr
iedhi
m andthr
ewhim
i
nsi
dethegr
ave,hegav
emeashov elanddi
dn'
tsay
any
thi
ng.
.
.
.
.
Hestartedthr
owinginthesandandIfol
lowedhim,
it
camet oapointwhereIwastir
edveryti
redbutI
didn'
twanttostop,whenwewer edonePhil
anit
ook
theshovelsandIfol
lowedhim,wedrovebackhome..
Idi
dn'tevengoupstai
rs,Iwentt
otheshower
downstai
rsandgotinsideasIwas,Idi
dn'
ttakeout
myclothes,Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt odobuttocry.
Phi
lanigotinsi
det
heshowerandst art
edundressi
ng
me.
Phil
ani:"Ihavedonesomanythi
ngsbutInever
thoughtI'l
lev
erburymyownbrot
her,
Iwasi gnori
ng
thi
sbuti thur
ts,
itr
eall
yhur
ts,
wegrewupt ogether
,
heismybr ot
her
".
Me:"i
t'
smyf aul
tPhil
aniiam sorry
,Iwisht
here'
s
somet
hingIcando,Iwil
lgotot hepol
icefi
rstt
hing
i
nthemorning"
.
Phil
ani:"Inowknowt hatIwasn' twrongabouty ou,
youaremyt ruesoulmat e.Ifyoudidn'
tpullt
hat
tr
iggerwewi llbesingingadi f
ferentsongnow, you
savedmef r
om myownbr other,hewasgoingt okil
l
me.Iknowt hatwithyoubymysi deI
'm saf
e,youar e
notgoingtoj ai
lforprotecti
ngy ourhusband.Mbal i
yami,babylookatmebaby ".
Il
ookedupathi
m..
Phil
ani
: "Iowey ou,Iowey oumyl if
ef orsavi
ngme, I
cannotrepayy oubutIcanpr omisey ouonet hi
ng
andIwi l
lforev
ercherishthat,BabyIwi l
lneverever
l
eavey ou,youaremyr i
deordi ebaby.Iwill
take
ever
ybul l
etforyou,Iloveyou".
Me:
"Il
ovey
oumor
eNy
ambosewami
".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
07]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
25]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ithasbeent woweeksnowsi ncewebur i

edScelo
andI'mt ry
ingt
odeal wit
hit,wehav en'
tvisi
ted
Phil
ani'smom everyti
meshecal l
sandwant sust o
meetf ortheweddingpreparati
onsIjustcomeup
withexcuses.I
twasSat urdaynightandwewer e
chil
li
ngi nbedtal
ki
ng..
Me:
"It
hinkweshoul
dgot
ochur
cht
omor
row"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
est
art
ingagai
n".
Me:
"If
eel
li
kemysoul
wil
lfi
ndpeacei
fIgot
o
chur
chandI
'
mtaki
ngy
ouwi
thme"
.
Phi
lani
:"WhenIsai
dI'
l
ldoeveryt
hingf
ory
out
hat
di
dn'ti
ncl
udegoi
ngtochur
ch".
Me:
"Whydoy
ouhat
ethechur
chsomuch?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Idon'
t,
Ijustdon'
thav
eti
met
ogot
her
e".
Me:"Ify
ouwantust
ovi
sity
ourpar
ent
slet
'sgot
o
chur
ch".
Phi
l
ani:
"That
'
snotf
airbabyy
ouar
ebl
ackmai
l
ing
me".
Me:
"Wel
li
t'
supt
oyou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Off
inei
t'
snotl
i
keIhav
eachoi
ce"
.
Me:"Thankyouandmyl ov
epl
easet
rustmeyou
won'
tregreti
t,Remembert
het
imeIt
oldyouabout
Mit
chell
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Thecr
azyone"
.
Me:"Hmm y ahshe'
l
lbesohappyt
oseeus
tomor
row,she'
salwaysaski
ngmetovi
si
therchur
ch
andshesaysthech-
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Sowegonnat
alkaboutt
hechur
chnow?
".
Me:
"YesandasIwassay
ingt
hatMi
tchel
lsai
d-"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OhGod!Comeher
e".
Icouldn'ttal
kanymorebecauseofhistouch,Idon't
knowhowmanyt imeswemadel ovethatnight.I
n
themor ningweat ebr
eakfastandpr
eparedf or
churchev enthoughPhil
aniwascomplaini
ngt he
wholetime, chur
chwasgoodandMi t
chellwas
happyt oseeus.
WellMi
tchel
lwasthegi
rlIwentt
oschoolwi
th.Af
ter
chur
chwedr ov
etotheMt het
hwahome..
Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
mreadyt
ofacey
ourf
ami
l
y".
Phi
lani
:"Butsoonerorlat
eryouhavetofacethem
j
ustbey our
selfandi
ftheytal
kaboutScel
ojustkeep
i
tcalm baby,pl
ease"
.
Me:
"Iwi
l
ltr
ybuti
twon'
tbet
hateasy
".
Phil
anical
l
edhismom inthemorningandtol
dher
thatwewerecoming,whenwearri
vedshehad
alr
eadycookedever
ySundaycoursemealyoucan
fi
nd,thewomenisjustt
oomuch,may bei
t'
sbecause
shehasmoneycozshegoesextrainevery
thi
ngshe
does.
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Mybabi
es,
itbeenal
ongt
ime,
how
ar
eyouPali
?".
Me:
"I'
mfi
nemama,
howar
eyou?
".
MrsMt het
hwa:"Iam good,y
oul
ooksobeaut
if
ulI
thi
nkwehav emorecatchi
ngupt
odo,wehavetogo
outshoppi
ng".
Me:
"Wehav
eto"
.
Idi
dn'
tknowhowtoact,
Ikil
ledherson,i
twasv
ery
har
dtopret
endasi
feveryt
hingwasalri
ght.
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esahowar
eyoumydaught
er?
".
Me:
"I'
m goodandhowar
eyou?
".
MrMthet
hwa: "I
'
m goodandget
ti
ngy
oungereach
andev
eryday
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Hehe,
whot
oldy
out
haty
ouar
e
get
ti
ngyounger
?".
Me:"Buthel
ooksl
i
kehei
sPhi
l
ani
'
sbr
othernothi
s
dad"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatexact
lyar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osaymysonl
ooks
ol
d?"
.
Me:
"HahaBabasav
emet
uh"
.
MrMthethwa:"Theyarejustj
ealousdon'
tmi
nd
t
hem andI'
m happythatIhavesomeonewhotakes
mysi
deint hi
shouse".
Me:"Whenev
ery
ouneedanar
my,
don'
thesi
tat
eto
cal
lme"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"You'
l
lnev
erwi
n".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wewi
l
lseeaboutt
hat
".
I
twasnothowIt houghtitwasgoingtobe,wewer e
talki
ngandjoki
ng.Atchur chIdi
daskf or
giveness
from GodandIknewandbel i
evedthatheforgave
mef ormysins,goingtochurchwasmor ethanj ust
pleasingt
hepersonwhoi nvit
edmebutt oask
forgi
venessfr
om Godf orallmysins.
.
Ididn'treal
i
zethatIwasdrooli
ngunt
ilPhi
l
ani
brushedmyt hi
ghs,atl
eastt
hetabl
ewascoveri
ng
al
l that,
Iwhisperedtohi
m..
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"It
oldy
out
obey
our
sel
f"
.
Me:
"Buti
am"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Noy
ouar
ecount
ingt
her
ice,
stopi
t!
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Ar
eyouki
dsal
ri
ght
?".
Phil
ani:
"Pal
esawascompl
aini
ngaboutt
he
headachewhenwecameher
e".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Whydi dn'
tyout
ell
us,
youcant
ake
t
hefoodasthetakeawayandgohome".
Me:
"NoMaI
'
llbef
ine"
.
Philani
:"Noyouar
enotf
ine,
we'
l
ltaket
he
takeaway".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Noprobl
em,I'
l
ldi
shupf
ory
ouand
Phi
lani
makesuret
hatshedr
inkst
hepai
nbl
ocks"
.
Shef
ini
shedandgav
eust
heTupper
war
e,onour
wayhomethedr
ivewasqui
et,
whenwear
ri
ved
homeIwentt
orel
axonthecouch.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
'
syourpr
obl
em?
".
Me:"Phil
aniy
oucan'
texpectmet
opr
etendl
i
ke
ev
eryt
hingisf
ine"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Li
ker
eal
l
ynow?
".
Me:
"It
'shar
d".
Phi
l
ani
:"Fol
l
owme"
.
HestoodupandIfol
lowedhim,hetookoutthet
il
es
andwewentinsi
dethebasement,heswit
chedon
thel
i
ghtsandopenedanotherdoor
..
Me:
"I'
mti
redwhatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?"
.
Hetookagunandgavei
ttome,hetookt
hebeer
bot
tl
esandputtheont
opofthewoodendrums.
.
Phi
lani
:"Don'
tworr
ythi
swallhasabul
letproof
,I
wantyoutoshoott
hebott
lenothi
ngel
se".
Me:"Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his,
Phi
l
ani
arey
ououtofy
our
mi
nd?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Foroncei
nyourl
i
fej
ustdowhatIt
ell
you
t
odo"
.
Me:
"Idon'
twantt
ouset
hisgun"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Buty
ouki
l
ledSc-
".
Me:
"Fi
neI
'
lldo"
.
Phil
ani
:"Easybaby
,don'
tgowi
tht
heemot
ions,
rel
ax
yourbody?
".
Me:
"Buti
t'
sheav
y".
Phil
ani
:"Letmehelpyou,hol
ditl
i
ket hi
s,nobaby
rel
axyourshoul
der
s,I
'
llcounttot
hree.One,t
wo,
thr
ee".
Ishott
hebottl
e,thr
eeofthem i
narowwit
hout
missi
ng,Phi
l
ani l
ookedatmeshocked.
.
Phi
lani
:"Ar
eyousur
eyou'
venev
erusedagun
bef
ore?"
.
Me:
"Don'
tst
artpl
ease"
.
Phil
ani:"Buty
ourshotsareperfect
,youdon'teven
miss,let
'sdothi
soncemor e,Iwantyoutotakeall
yourfearandangerout
.Babywhatdonei sdone, we
can'
tchangethepastfrom todayIdon'
twanty outo
t
alkaboutwhathappened,
doy
ouhearme?
".
Inoddedmyhead.
.
Phi
lani
:"Goodnowshootandt
akeal
lyouremot
ions
out
".
Ishotagai
nwit
houtmissi
ngasingl
ebot
tleand
Phil
anil
ookedver
yuncomfor
tabl
e,Ismi
l
edal i
tt
le.
.
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
twantt
oseey
ouusi
ngort
ouchi
nga
guneveragai
n".
Me:
"Why
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"BecauseIsai
dso"
.
Hecoul dn'
tst
oplooki
ngatmeandIwashundr ed
percentsuret
hathefel
tver
ythr
eatened,
Itookthe
foodthathismom gaveusandstar
tedeati
ng.
.
Me:
"Whyar
eyoust
ari
ngatme?
".
Phil
ani
:"Pal
esai
sther
esomet
hingy
ouar
ehi
ding
fr
om me?".
Me:
"Idon'
tunder
standnow"
.
Phi
lani
:"Babydoyouknowhowmanyt
imesa
per
sonhast ot
rai
ntoshootl
i
ket
hat
?Babyyouar
e
t
alent
ed,
ver
ytal
ent
ed"
.
Me:"Soy
ouar
etr
yingt
otel
lmet
hatmyt
alenti
sto
ki
l
l?"
.
Phi
lani:"NobabyNo,Idi
dn'
texpectt
hisl
i
kebaby
I
'm shockedver
yshocked"
.
Me:
"Let
'sst
opt
alki
ngaboutt
hispl
ease"
.
Thedaywenton, t
hef ol
lowingdayIwentt oschool,
thingswereprett
ytoughatschool cozwewer e
starti
ngtoprepareforthef i
nalexams,Ihadal ot
goingonsincethey earstartedbutIdidn'tal
l
owi tto
comebet weenmeandmyst udies.Phi
laniwasstil
l
goingt owor
kandal soint heirf
ami l
ycompany ..
Phi
lani
:"Iwaswit
hmyf ami
lytodayandt
heyar
e
st
arti
ngtoworr
yaboutScel
o".
Me:
"Whatdi
dtheysay
?".
Phi
lani:"Thathehasneverdi
sappearedbef
ore,
I
wonderwhobr oughthi
m herethatdaycozhi
scar
wasn'toutsi
de".
Me:
"Doy out
hinkt
hatper
sonmi
ghtgot
oyour
f
amil
y?"
.
Phi
lani:"Maybeanuberdr oppedhi
m her
e,Scel
o
washer etoki
llus,Idon'tthi
nkhewould'
vehir
ed
someonet odri
v ehim herebutScebii
sbusycall
i
ng
hi
sfriends"
.
Me:
"May
beIshoul
djustt
ell
thet
rut
h".
Phi
l
ani
:"Thatwi
l
lnev
erhappen"
.
Myfearstar
tedagai
nbutIremember
edPhi
l
ani
's
wor
dst okeepitcal
m..myphoner
angandi
twas
Phi
l
ani'
smom.
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esahowar
eyou?
".
Me:
"I'
m goodMa,
howar
eyou?
".
MrsMt
het
hwa:"I
'
m goodmybaby ,
whatar
eyou
doi
ngt
omorr
owafterschool
?".
Me:"Wel
lnothi
ngbesi
desst
udy
ing,
whyar
eyou
aski
ngMa?"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Imadeaf ewcal
lsguesswhatI
managedt
ogethol
dofthebestweddi
ngplannerin
t
ownandIwon'
ttel
lyouhi
snamecozi t
'sasurpr
ise".
Me:
"Real
l
y?"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Yesr
eal
lysopleaset
omor
rowI
'
ll
sendadri
vert
ofet
chyouaft
erschool
".
Me:
"OkManopr
obl
em Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Okby
e".
Idr
oppedt
hecal
l
..
Me:"Yourmom arrangedameet
ingwi
tht
he
weddi
ngplannert
omor row"
.
Phil
ani:"Okbaby,
don'tf
orgettoaskhi
m howmuch
he'
llneedsothatI
'l
lpayhim al
lhi
smoneybefor
e
ever
y t
hing"
.
Me:
"Iwon'
t"
.
.
ThenextdayIwentt
oschool
andexact
lyaf
termy
classesthedr
iverwasalreadywai
tingforme,he
tookmet oaver ybeaut
if
ul r
est
aurant
,Mr s
Mt hethwawasal r
eadyt
herewaiti
ngforme, I
huggedandgr eetedher
..
Me:
"howl
onghav
eyoubeenher
e?"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Notthatl
ong,t
akethemenuand
or
deranyt
hingt
hatyouwanttoeat
".
Shewasn'
ttheMrsMthethwat
hatIknew,
Iorder
ed
astuf
fedpumpki
nwit
hl ambandapeachjui
ce.
.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Ior
der
edaf
ull
bot
tl
eofwi
ne,
doy
ou
l
ikesome?
".
Me:
"No,
jui
cewi
l
lbef
ine"
.
Idon'
tknowifitwasmeorsomethingbutherl
ook
wasdangerous,shewasn'
tnor
mal r
eall
y,t
hewait
er
camewi t
hfoodandIwasf ami
shed,Iat
e
i
mmedi at
ely.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"How'
syourf
ood?
".
Me:
"Itt
ast
esgood"
.
MrsMt
het
hwa:"That
'
sgoodtohear,
youknowIl
i
ke
t
oseemyson'
shappybutt
heyal
lknowwhat
happensi
ftheyst
artbul
l
shi
tt
ingme"
.
Me:
"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?".
MrsMt
het
hwa:"MySondi sappear
edandit
'snotl
i
ke
hi
mtoj
ustdi
sappearwi
thouttel
li
ngme".
Me:"Phil
anit
oldmebutI
'
m sur
ehe'
sonv
acat
ionor
somethi
ng".
MrsMt hethwa:"Vacat i
onhaha, notScel
o,Ispoketo
hi
sf r
iendsandt heytoldmet hathewast i
redof
hi
dingf r
om hisbrotherthat'
swhyhet ookhisgun
andtoldhisfri
endst hatheisgoingtoconfrontyour
manPhi lani
that'
swhent heylastsawhim".
Myheartst
art
edbeat
ingf
astandIwant
edthe
gr
oundtoopenandswall
owmebutIkeptmyhead
st
rong.
.
Me:"SoScel
owant
stoki
l
lPhi
l
ani
andy
ouar
efi
ne
wi
thit
?".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Phi
l
ani
ismysonbutScel
oismor
e
t
hanthat
".
Herwor
dsmademeangr
y..
Me:
"Mr
sMt
het
hwaIhopey
ouf
indy
ourSon
sooner
".
MrsMt hethwa:"Whatdidy outwodotomyson,he
can'tdi
sappear,
hepoisonedy ouandkil
ledy
our
unbornchildsoyouhadev eryreasont
opay
revenge"
.
Me:
"Wear
enotashear
tl
essasy
ourSon"
.
MrsMthethwa:"Watchyourtongueyoungl
ady,
I
sweari
fIfindoutt
hatyourhusbanddidsomet
hingI
sweari
'
l-
".
Me:"Whatexact
lyar
ey ougoi
ngtodotohim,kil
l
hi
m?Likeyoudidtoyourgi
rl
sandyourhusband?"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Whot
oldy
out
hat
?".
Me:"List
enher
eMrsMt het
hwayoudon'
tdeser
vet
o
becal
ledaMother
,youarethr
eat
eni
ngtohurty
our
ownSon? "
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Don'
tyoudar
emesswi
thme,
do
youknowwhoIam? "
.
Me:"Idon'
tevenwanttoknowbutther
eis
somethi
ngthatyouneedtoknow,i
fmyhusband
comeshomewi thasingl
escrat
chi
nhisbody,
you
wil
lregr
ett
hedayy
ouev
erwel
comedmei
ntoy
our
house".
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Hahahawuuuhdon'
tmakeme
l
aughandwhothehel
lar
eyoutot
hreat
enme"
.
Me: "PalesaMokwena-Mt het
hwaandt
hat'
snota
threat
,it
'sapromise.Ithi
nkIneedt
hatwi
nenow,
pleasepassmet hatglass".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
10]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
26]
.
.
.
UnEdi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Athomet
hingswer
enor
mal
andIdi
dn'
twantt
otel
l
Phil
aniabouthi
sMom, shethreatenedtohur thi
m,
herownSon, i
fItel
lhi
mi twi
ll
def i
nit
elybreakhim.
Scel
o'ssearchwassti
llongoi
ngbutnoonehada
cl
uewher ehewasexceptforus..Phil
aniwasback
fr
om worksincehewaswor ki
ngadayshi ft
,wewere
i
nadi ni
ngroom eati
ngandwat chingtv.
.
Me:
"YouknowIwast
hinki
ng?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatbaby
".
Me:"AlothashappenedlatelythebabyandScel
o
soIwasthinki
ngthatIshouldgohomemay be
tomor
rowaf t
erschoolsi
nceit'sFri
day"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Butthi
sweekendI
'
mver
ybusywhydon'
t
wegonextweek".
Me:"No,youcanst
aybehindandf
ocusonyour
wor
k,I'
l
lgo,pl
ease,
Ireal
l
ymi ssmyfami
l
y".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ok,
Nopr
obl
em"
.
Atleasthedidn'tf
ightitwefini
shedeat
ingandwent
tobed,thefoll
owingmor ningIpackedmybagand
wenttoschool ,
afterschoolIwenthome,Ir
eall
y
missedthisplaceandmyf amil
y,mymom hadbeen
cal
l
ingaski
ngwhereIwasandt
hewayshecoul
dn'
t
wai
tformetogethome..
Mom:"Icamebackear
lyf
rom wor
kcozIwant
edt
o
cookf
oryou"
.
Me:
"Buty
oudi
dn'
thav
etoMa"
.
Mom: "Nomybaby
,Iwant
edt
o,t
akey
ourbagt
o
yourr
oom".
Iwenttomyroom andr
elaxedabi
t,Imi
ssedmy
room andmybed.
.
Mom:
"Pal
i
,what
'
swr
ongwhyar
esl
eepi
ng?
".
Me:
"Not
hing'
swr
ong,
Iwasal
i
lti
redt
hat
'sal
l
".
Mom:
"Buthowar
eyout
hough?
".
Me:"I
'
mf ineandhappy,
Icouldn'
taskf
oranymani
n
t
hisworl
d,Phil
ani
isever
ythi
ngIneedandmore"
.
Mom:"I'
m happyt
oheart
hat
,howar
eyoucopy
ing
af
terl
osi
ngthebaby?
".
Me:"Itwashar
dandi
t'
sst
il
li
sbutev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne
now".
Mom:
"Howdi
dyoul
oset
hebabyPal
esa?Wer
eyou
hav
inganycompl
i
cat
ions?Youneedt
ogot
ochur
ch
mychil
d".
Me:"Nomamai t
'
snothi
ngl
i
kethat,
act
ual
lyIwas
poi
sonedandt
hepoi
sonwasquickt
oharmthe
baby"
.
Mom:
"Butwhowoul
ddosuchahor
ri
blet
hing?
".
Il
ookeddownt hi
nki
ngaboutScel
o,GodIdi
dn'
teven
wanttotal
kabouthi
m andIwasnotgoingt
otel
lmy
mom thatPhi
l
ani'
sbrot
herwastheonewho
poi
sonedme..
Me:"It
'sf
ood,Imeanfoodpoi
sonbutt
hematt
er
hasbeensor
tedoutandweareall
goodnow"
.
Mom: "I
'm happyt
oseet
haty
ouar
ehappy
,wel
land
yourbr
other"
.
Shet
ookal
ongbr
eat
hbef
oresay
ingt
hat
..
Me:
"What
'swr
ongwi
thSphi
we,
isheal
ri
ght
?".
Mom:"Heis,youknowI'
vebeensuspecti
ngthat
maybehel
ikesboysbutIhav
eneverthoughti
t'
s
r
eal
lytr
ue"
.
Me:
"Oht
hat
,howdi
dyouf
indout
?".
Mom:"Itdoesn'
tmatterhowIfoundoutbuti
t'
shar
d
t
oacceptallt
hisbutaslongasheishappy"
.
Me:
"AndDadwhatdi
dhesay
?".
Mom: "Welli
t'shardbuthe'
stryi
ngv eryhardnotto
showitbecausehewant st
oseey ourbrotherhappy
andanotherthingis,hi
sexgir
lf
ri
endi spregnant.
Sphi
wehi dal
l thatfr
om us"
.
Me:
"Hehadagi
rl
fr
iend?Wow!
".
Mom:"Yourf
atheri
shappyt
hatatl
eastwewi
l
l
hav
ekidsi
nthi
shouse"
.
Me:
"Ki
ds?
".
Mom:"Yeahshe'
scar
ryi
ngt
winsandshewi
l
lgi
ve
bi
rt
hatanyti
menow".
Me:
"Wow!Andshe'
sokwi
thSphi
webei
nggay
?".
Mom: "Wel l
shesay stheybrokeupbeforesheknew
shewaspr egnantandwe' v
eal r
eadypai
dt he
damagesf orthekids,t
hegirlsai
dsheisgoingback
toschool nextyearsowear egoi ngt
olookaftert
he
kids.Yourfatheri
sv eryhappyev ent
houghyour
brotheri
sdat ingthatboynow" .
Me:
"Imi
ssedal
other
eyeses"
.
Mom:
"Getupsot
hatI
'
lldi
shupf
ory
ou"
.
Igotupandf ol
lowedher ,shecookeddumpl ingsand
beefstew,myf avori
te.
.Weat e,Mydadandl i
tt
le
si
stercamebackhome, i
twasf unandImi ssed
eachandev ery
oneoft hem, Iwenttobedwi thmy
l
itt
lesi
sterandwesl eptv er
ylatebecausewewer e
busygossipi
ng, shetoldmeev ery
thingthathad
beengoinginDav eyton,Myphoner angandi twas
Phil
anical
li
ng.
.
.
.
.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Phi
lani:
"MyLove,
I'
m sor
ryf
ornotcal
l
ing,
didy
ou
ar
ri
v esafe?
".
Me:
"Idi
dandhowar
eyou?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Bad,
Imi
ssy
ou"
.
Me:"Haaalr
eady?ButImissy
outooandI
'
mver
y
sl
eepybabyl
et'
stal
kinthemorni
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkMyl
ove,
goodni
ght
".
Hedroppedthecall
andGodImissedhi
m even
more,If
ell
asleepandthef
oll
owi
ngday,Iwas
wokenupbyhi scal
l.
Me:
"MrMt
het
hwa"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"MyLov
e,di
dyousl
eepwel
l
?".
Me:
"Ican'
tcompl
ainandy
ou?
".
Phi
lani
:"Nobad,babeIwascheckingupony
ouI '
m
goi
ngtomymom' shouseshecal
ledme,IWil
lcal
l
youlat
er,
Ilov
eyou".
Me:
"Il
ovey
oumor
eby
e".
SphiweandKagisocame, mypar ent
sarev er
y
underst
andingpeopl
eI'm gl
adthattheydi
dn'tjudge
mybr ot
herbutaccepthi
mf orwhohei s,t
hedaywas
good,onSundayKagisowasgoi ngtojozisoI
deci
dedt ogetali
ftf
rom himthanItookanubert o
myhouse. .
Phi
l
ani
:"It
houghty
ouar
ecomi
ngbackt
omor
row"
.
Me:
"Wel
lichangedmymi
nd"
.
Phil
ani
:"Imi
ssedy
ou,youknowAmandahasbeen
sendi
ngmemessages"
.
Me:
"Whatki
ndofmessages?
".
Phil
ani
:"Seduct
ivemessagesandnudessheasked
toseemey est
erdaybutIt
oldhert
oleav
emeal one"
.
Mysuper
mani
stel
l
ingmet
his?Iwaspr
oudandf
elt
l
oved.
.
Me:
"And?
".
Phi
lani
:"MyLov ey
ouknowsomethi
ngdoesn'tadd
uphere,MyMom call
edint
hemorni
ngandasked
howmyni ghtwas,
didIhav
efunandal
lthat
".
Me: "Soyourmom isbehindthi
swholeAmanda
thi
ng,wellI
'
m notsurpr
isedandIfeelsor
ryfort
hem
i
ftheirpl
anistobreakusupcozI '
m notgoi
ng
anywhere"
.
Hesmi
l
edandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:
"What
?".
Phil
ani:"Youhavechanged,youarenotthesoft
Palesawhoi sal
wayscryi
ng,youarenowhmm how
canIputit,y
ouarenowact i
nglikeacri
mi nal
s
gir
lfr
iendandIli
kei
t".
Me:
"Comeony
ouar
ejustexagger
ati
ng"
.
Phil
ani:
"Nobabe,youknownowI
'
m ev
enscar
edt
o
doublecrossy
ou,
Iloveyou"
.
Heki ssedmyl i
psandt ookmybagupst air
s,hav eI
reall
ychanged?Nobuty es,thewayIspoket oMr s
Mt hethwawasn' tnormal butIwoulddoany thingand
everythingtopr otectPhi l
ani andourrel
ationship,I
owei ttohi m,forGod' ssakeIki ll
edhisblood
brotherev enthoughi twasami stakebuthef orgave
meandt r
iedsohar dt opr otectme.Thel eastIcould
doi stoaccepthi mf orwhohei s,Noonei sasai nt
that'
swhatIt oldmy sel f.Philanicamebackand
disturbedmyt hought s..
Phil
ani
:"BabeDadjustcal
l
edandi
t'
sur
gent
,Iwi
l
lbe
backnowordoy ouwannacomewit
h?"
.
Me:"NoI
'mt
ir
edandhungr
yIwantt
ocookbutsay
hi
tohim"
.
Hecamecl
oserandst
art
edki
ssi
ngmyl
i
ps.
.
Phi
lani
:"I
'
mv er
y,v
eryhungr
ymakesurethefood
youcookcomeswit
hmychocol
atefount
ain"
.
Me:
"St
opi
t,pl
easegot
uuh"
.
Phi
lani
:"May
bemydadcanwai
twhydon'
twest
art
wit
h-"
.
Me:
"Got
oyourdadwe'
l
l-
".
.
Icouldn'tf
inishashestart
edkissi
ngmeandone
thi
ngl edtot heot
herweendedupi nt
hecouch
try
ingt ocatchourbreat
hs,hi
sphonerang.
.
Phil
ani:"Skhul
u,I
'
m onmywaygi
vemej
ustf
ive
minutes".
Hedr
oppedt
hecal
landst
art
eddr
essi
ngup.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Iwi
l
lcomebacknownow"
.
Hekissedmyf or
eheadandleft,
ohmyGodIl ove
thi
sguy,Il
ockedt hedoorsandwentupst ai
rsfora
l
ongbat hthanIstart
edcooking,Ifi
nishedcooking
andwaitedf orhi
m..Iwai
teduntilei
ghtatnightbut
hedidn'
tcomebacksoIst ar
tedeating,thebellr
ang,
Ist
oodupt oopenthedoor,t
hreeguy swer e
st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofme.
.
Me:
"Hi
,canIhel
p?"
.
Theyjustpassedmeandgoti nsi
de,
thenervesof
theseguys,Il
ookedatthem upanddown,Awhite
guywearingaleatherj
acketst
art
edspeaki
ng..
Hi
m:"Youl
ookev
enmor
ebeaut
if
ulPal
esa"
.
Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?".
Him:
"OhI'
m sorr
yfornoti
ntr
oduci
ngmysel
f,my
nameisHi
l
ton,i
tisni
cetofi
nall
ymeety
ou".
Hestr
etchedouthi
shandf
orshakebutIj
ustst
ared
ati
t.
.
Him:"Ohmybad,sobackt
obusi
ness,
Your
boyf
ri
endPhi
l
ani-
".
Me:
"Husband"
.
.
.
.
.
Him:"Oh,I
'm sorr
yMr sMthethwa,y
eshim,Your
husbandhassomet hi
ngthatdoesn'
tbel
ongtohi
m
soI'
m her
etot akeit
".

Me:"Theonlyt
hingt
hatbel
ongstohim her
eisme
butt
herestbel
ongstome,soyoucan'
ttell
methatI
don'
tbel
ongtohim".
TheBlackguytookouthisgunandInearl
yfaint
ed
butIkepti
tcalm notshowi
ngthatIwasscaredor
cl
osetourinat
eonmypant s,Hil
tonwavedathimto
stopandhedid..
Him:"Youareaveryi
nterest
ingwomen,Your
att
it
udeisver
ysexybuttheseguyswi
llsear
chthi
s
housenow".
Me:
"Sor
rysi
rbutt
hat
'
snotgoi
ngt
ohappen"
.
Hecamecl
osert
ome,
ver
ycl
ose.
..
Him:"Wearenotyourschool
fri
endPalesanow
keepqui
etandal
lowust odoourjob"
.
Inoddedner
vouslyandtheysear
chedandsear
ched
butcameoutwithnothi
ng..
Hecameandl ookedatme, t
hantheyl
eft
..If
oll
owed
them andlockedthedoor,t
hewholeti
meIwas
holdi
ngmybr eath,Ir
eal
iseditandqui
ckl
ywentto
thetoi
lett
opeet hewayIwassoscar ed.
.
Itookmyphoneanddial
edPhi
lani
'
snumberbutit
tookmetov oi
cemai
l
,evenhi
sdad'snumberwason
voicemai
l
..
Thewhol
ehousewasupsi
dedownandIdi
dn'
tev
en
knowwhatt
heywer
elooki
ngfor
.
IwaitedbutwhenIcheckedt heti
meitwast otwel
ve
butstil
lIcoul dn'
tfi
ndPhilaniorhi
sdad,Istart
ed
getti
ngwor riedcozseriouslyIwasn'
tgoi
ngt ocall
hismom, Ithoughtaboutt heguyswhocameand
start
edcry i
ng, It
ookmyphoneagai nandlefta
voicemailforPhilani
..
Me:"Phi
laniiswearifyoudon'tcomebackhome
nowIwil
lsqueezey ourball
sandcookthem, Baby
pl
easeswitchony ourphone,t
hewholehousei s
upsi
dedown, ,
thesepeoplewhocameher e-God
pl
easecomebackhome" .
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
11]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
27]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Iwasscar edtogosleepupst ai
rsbesidesthewhol
e
fur
nit
ur ewasupsidedown, Isatonthecouchand
endedupf all
ingasl
eep, Iheardthebellri
ngmany
ti
mes, Iwokeupandcheckedt heti
mei twashalf
pasttwoi nthemorning, whenIopenedi twas
Phil
ani,Iwentbacktot hecoucht osleep..
Phi
l
ani
:"Baby
".
Ij
ustkeptqui
et,
hecamecl
oserandt
ouchedme.
.
Me:
"Donty
oudar
etouchme"
.
Hewast
ir
ed,
hel
ookedt
ir
ed.
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Ourt
ruckswer
ehi
j
acked,
twot
ruckswi
th
ov
erat
housandofweapons"
.
Ikeptqui
et.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Theycan'
tgetawaywi
thi
t"
.
Me:"Youseethatt
hehousei
supsidedownandyou
don'
tevencar
etoaskwhathappened,
youonl
ytel
l
meyourprobl
ems?".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m sor
rybabywhathappened?
".
Me:"Besi
desweaponswhatel
set
haty
oudo
i
ll
egal
ly
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Not
hingbaby
".
Me:"Therewasawhi t
emanher ehesaidhewants
whatbel
ongstohim andyouhaveit,
hesearched
t
hiswholehouseandy ouwerenotevenher
e,whati
f
t
heydidsomethingt
ome? ".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whowasi
t?"
.
Me:
"Hi
l
tonIdon'
tknowbutsomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
".
Phil
ani:
"Hi
l
tonknowsmev
erywel
lhewi
l
lpayf
or
thi
s".
Het
ookouthi
sphoneandchar
gedi
t.
..
Phi
lani
:"BabyI
'm sor
ryl
et'
sgot
obed,
we'
l
lcl
eanup
i
nthemor ni
ng"
.
Ist oodupandf ol
lowedhim upstai
rs,noonewas
talking,hewastir
edandIwasangr y ,
wef el
lasleep,
i
nt hemor ni
ngwhenIwokeuphewasnott here,I
wentt oshowerfr
om ther
eIwentdownst air
s,
ever yt
hingwasbackt onormal,MrMt het
hwawas
alsot here.
.
Me:
"Goodmor
ning"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esa,
howar
eyoumychi
l
d?"
.
Me:
"I'
m good,
doy
ouneedany
thi
ngt
oeatordr
ink?
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Iwoul
dlov
ethat
".
Iwenttothekitchenandlef
tthem tal
king,Imadean
easybreakfast
,scrambl
edeggs, minicheese
sausages,baconandtoastwithorangejuiceanda
coff
ee,Iservedittot
hem andalsojoinedthem..
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esai
sal
socomi
ngwi
thme"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'sagoodi
dea"
.
Phil
ani
:"Sheknowsaboutt
hisbusi
nessandshe
doesn'
tfeel
safeher
eanymore"
.
MrMt het
hwa:
"Iunder
stand,
Ican'
tgoagai
nsty
our
deci
sion"
.
Phi
lani
:"Pal
esapackourcl
otheswear
eleav
ingi
n
anhour"
.
Me:
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Dur
ban,
Babypl
easebequi
ck"
.
Istoodupandwentt oourbedroom, Idi
dn'
teven
knowwhatt opack,Ij
usttookwhati sawfir
stand
packedi ti
nonebi gsuit
case,notf
orgett
ingmy
toi
letr
ies.Phil
aniopenedthedoor,hecamet ome
andgav emeal ongdeepkiss.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoudone?
".
Me:
"It
hinkIam butIdi
dn'
tknowwhatt
opack"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
t'
sokmyl
ove,
wecannowl
eav
e".
Me:
"Now?Ineedt
ochange-
".
Phi
l
ani:
"Babyyouaresobeaut
if
ul,
mydadi
s
wai
ti
ngdownst
air
s".
HetookthebagsandIfoll
owedhim,
itwasjustt
he
t
hreeofus,wedrovet
ot hepr
ivat
eai
rpor
t,ahuge
Jetwaswait
ingforuswri
tt
enSkhulu,Il
ookedat
Phil
ani
,heal
wayscall
shisfat
herSkhulu,
doesthat
meanheownst heJet,
Theladythatwefoundther
e
spoke.
.
Her
:"MrMt
hemt
hwa,
iti
sgoodt
oseey
ouagai
n".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Asanda,
it'
sgoodt
oseey
out
oo"
.
Wegoti
nsi
deandt
heyhel
pedwi
thourbags.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Me:
"Wel
lI'
venev
erbeenonapl
anebef
ore"
.
Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedmyf
orehead.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Wel
lwewi
l
lcel
ebr
atet
hatl
ater
,si
ther
e".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esaar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
e?"
.
Me:
"YesIam"
.
MrMthet
hwa:
"Ist
il
lthi
nkit
'sabadideaf
orhert
o
comewit
husNyambose,Asanda!
".
Asanda:
"Yessi
r!
".
MrMthet
hwa:"Pl
easebringussomer
efr
eshment
s
ndaj
uiceformydaught
erinlaw"
.
Shenoddedandl
eft
..
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Walt
erdi
daver
ygoodj
ob,
the
Gov
endersar
ealsocomi
ng"
.
Phi
lani
:"Ionl
ywantt
oseethatasshol
eHi
l
ton,
he'
l
l
payforhar
assi
ngmywif
e".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"I'
m notget
ti
ngi
nvol
vedi
nthat
".
Theyconti
nuedtalki
ngaboutbusinessthr
eehour s
l
aterwewer einDurban,t
hedri
vertookusfrom the
air
por
ttothehotel,t
heydidn'
tcheckin,
theygreeted
theworker
sliketheyknowthem.
.
.
.
.
Wet ooktheli
ft
sandgotof font he8t
hf l
oor,Mr
Mthethwawentont heotherroom andPhilani
openedthedoor,itdidn'
tlooklikeahotel
,insi
dei
t
wast hef
ullhouse,ahugesui te..
Phi
l
ani
:"Ineedt
otakeashower
".
Me:
"Ok"
.
Istart
edlookingar
oundadmiri
ngt
hebeautyoft
he
place,Ihear
daknockandIwenttoopenthedoor
,a
guydressedinahoteluni
for
m wasinf
rontofme..
Him:"Goodaf
ternoonma'm,Iboughtt
heseast
he
youngMrMthethwarequest
ed".
Me:
"He'
sint
heshower
,I'
l
ltakei
tonhi
sbehal
f"
.
Hi
m:"OkMa'
myoucansi
gnher
e".
Isignedandcl
osedt
hedoor
,Phi
l
ani
wal
kedoutof
theshower.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"I
sthatmysui
t?"
.
Me:
"Youwer
easui
t?"
.
Phi
l
ani:
"YesbabyIdoandt
hisi
syourdr
ess,
Itwi
l
l
l
ookgoodonyou"
.
Me:
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
".
Phil
ani:"Gr
oundfl
oor
,takeaqui
ckshowerwhil
eI
getreadyandIhav
esomef ewcal
lst
hatIneedto
make".
Iqui
ckl
yjumpedi
ntheshowerandIf
ini
shedqui
ckl
y,
Ididmymi nimake-
upandwor
ethedress,
itwas
real
lybeaut
if
ulandfi
tt
edmeperf
ect
ly.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul"
.
Hi
sdadknockedandcal
l
edhi
sname,
hequi
ckl
y
wentt
oopen.
.
MrMthethwa:"Pal
esayoulookbeaut
if
ul,
I'
m sor
ry
t
osaythisbutPhil
aniwecan'
tgowithPal
esanowat
l
eastf
etchherlat
ernotnow".
Phi
l
ani
:"But
-"
.
Me:
"It
'sf
ineI
'
llst
aybehi
nd"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Okbaby
,I'
l
lseey
oul
ater
".
TheyleftandIclosedt hedoor ,Il
ookedar oundbut
therewasnot hi
ngIwasgoi ngt odo,Ilookedat
my sel
foncemor einthemi r
r orandtherewasno
wayIwasgonnawast emyhusband' smoneyby
changingthisdress,Ilef
tmyphoneandwentt othe
l
ift,ev
eryoneintheliftwaswel ldressed,Iwantedto
seewher etheywer egoingthenqui cklycomeback, I
foll
owedt hem andthel i
ftstoppedatgr oundfl
oor,I
foll
owedt hem i
nsideanddamnIwasi nahuge
casinowi t
hrichpeopl e, t
herewasalsoabaront he
otherside,amal ewai tercameandgav emeagl ass,
Idon'tknowi fitwaswi neorchampagnebutIt ooki t
anyway ,Il
ookedar oundandt hankGodPhi l
aniand
hi
sdadwer enowher et obeseen,Istoodinone
placeandwat chedpeopl eplayi
ngPokerRoul et
te,it
myf avorit
e,Iusedt opl ayitwi
thmydadandmy
brother.Theywer erobbi ngtheguyandt ookall
hi s
money ,theguyspoke.
Hi
m:"Rol
l
ingov
er,
roundone,
who'
sin?
".
Me:
"Iam"
.
Theyalllookedatme, t
herewasnogi rljustrich
gentl
emenonl y,theguylookedatmeandopeneda
chai
rformet ositon.Isatdownandst ar tedlooking
atmyst ockcar ds,westarteddeali
ngtwocar ds
each,aroy al
flushbeatsast rai
ghtfl
ush, Istart
ed
beati
nghi gh-
car dsingl
e,wecont i
nuedandev eryone
wasshockedatt hewayIwaspl ayi
ng,whenIl ooked
upPhilaniandhi sdadwer ealsowatching, Iwon..
Thegent l
emenst oodup..
Hi
m:"Howdi
dshewi
n?"
.
Me:
"Wel
liguessy
oucan'
tscam ev
ery
one"
.
Phi
l
ani
camet
ome.
.
MrMt het
hwa:"Youknowno-
onehasev
erwon
agai
nsttheseguy
s".
Phi
lani
:"Youar
esost
ubbor
nwhatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Pal
esal
ookout
".
HepushedmeandIf ellont
hefl
oor,
whenIlooked
upeveryonewashol
dinggunspoi
nti
ngateachother
,
MrMt hethwawasl
ayingdown.
.
Me:
"Babaar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
MrMthethwa:"I
thurt
salit
tl
ebutI
'
mfi
ne,
Ial
way
s
comeprepar
ed,yousee"
.
Heshowedmet hebull
etproofvest
,hehel
pedme
up,t
heguywhowant edtoshootwasstandingI
n
fr
ontofPhi
l
anipoint
inggunsateachother.
.
MrMthet
hwa:
"Ri
char
d,pl
easet
akePal
esaoutof
her
e".
Awhi
teguyt
ookmyhandandwewentout
,Iwas
nervous,wet ooktheliftandwentt othehot elr
oom,
hewashol dingav eryhugegun, hestoodatt hedoor
l
ikesomeki ndofabody guar
dnott al
kingandont he
otherhandIwasshaki ng,heli
stenedt ohis
earphonesandhel ookedoutt hewindow, Ialso
l
ookedoutandsawt heguywhowant edt oshootme
walkingontheot hersideofther oad,Ilookedat
Richardandhi sgun..
Me:
"Gi
vemey
ourgun"
.
Hel
ookedatmeasi
fIwascr
azy
,Ir
oughl
ytooki
t.
.
Hi
m:"Dontbest
upi
dcome"
.
.
.
.
.
Ifol
l
owedhi
m out,wewenttot
heot
herr
oom andhe
openedt
hewindow,hel
ookedatme
,whenIlookedatt
heguyoutsi
dehewast al
kingtoa
phone,
Ipointedst
rai
ghtathi
m andshott
wice
wit
hinasecondhewasdown, Richar
dopenedhis
ey
esindisbel
i
efanddraggedmebymyhandout
,we
wentbacktother
oom andhelookedatme.
.
Hi
m:"Whot
aughty
ouhowt
oshootl
i
ket
hat
?".
Me:
"DoIneedt
ogot
oschool
fort
hat
?".
Hi
m: "Fuckbut-youar
eagi
rl
,changey
ourcl
othes,
I
wi
llberi
ghtback"
.
WhenIlookeddownout sideever y
onewasgat hered
i
nonepl ace,
am Ireal
lyaki ll
er?Itookmyphonet o
cal
lPhil
anibutmybatter ywasf lat,someone
knockedandIthoughtitwasRi chardsoIquickl
yran
toopenthedoorbutitwasMr sMt hethwa.
.
Me:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
MrsMthethwa:"Ial
waysthoughtyouareasweet
i
nnocentgir
lwhoknowsnothingaboutourwor
ld,
moveIwantt ogeti
nsi
de"
.
Shepushedmeandgoti
nsi
de,
thener
vesoft
his
women..
MrsMthethwa:
"Your
eal
l
yknowhowt
opr
etend
don'
tyou?
".
Shet
ookt
hechampagneandpouri
tinagl
ass,
I
tooktheglassfrom her,shecan'
tcomeint
omy
hotel
,insul
tmeandt hanhastheaudaci
tyt
odr
ink
myalcohol no!
..
MrsMthethwa:
"OhWellany
wayIdon'
tev
endr
ink
t
hatcheapchampagne"
.
Ij
ustl
ookedather
..
MrsMthethwa:"YouandIar
egoi
ngt
obev
erygood
f
ri
endsfrom nowon".
Me:
"Whyexact
lyar
eyouher
e?"
.
Mr sMthet
hwa:"Well
,youwill
tellmewhatPhil
ani
andhisfat
herareupto,y
ouwi ll
tell
meev er
ysi
ngl
e
steptheymake,whoaretheytal
kingtoandwhoare
theymeeti
ng".
Me:
"Andwhydoy
out
hinkI
'
lldot
hatf
ory
ou?
".
MrsMt hethwa:"Pal
esamybaby,
y oudon'
thavea
choi
cef r
om nowony ouwi
lldoevery
thi
ngItel
lyou
todo,everyt
hing"
.
Il
ookedatheri
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
..
MrsMt
hethwa:"YouknowFar
enzoisHi
lton'
sbest
f
ri
endwhohappenstohaveagrudgewi
thyourdear
husbandandFar
enzo'
sdad,
isawel
lrespect
edand
fear
edman".
Me:
"Whyar
eyout
ell
i
ngmeal
lthi
s?"
.
MrsMt hethwa:"BecauseIam y ourguardianangel ,
byjustonecal lIcancallthef amilyofthemany ou
havejustki l
l
ednowandt el l
them ev er
ythi
ngandt he
manl ay i
ngdownt herelif
elesshappenst obe
Farenzot hesonoft hemostf earedmanIhav eev er
known, somydear estdaught erinlawpleasedeci de,
Idon'tblamey out houghthemanwant edtokillyou
butyourdear estfatheri
nl awt ookabul l
etforyou,
youar ev er
ylucky".
Ist
art
edsweat
ing.
..
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
12]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
28]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

MrsMt hethwalef
ttheroom,shelef
tmenumb, how
di
dsheknow?May beRichardtol
dhim,t
herewas
anotherknockandIshouted'comein,
Richar
dwas
back..
Me:
"Wher
ewer
eyou?
".
Ri
char
d:"Iwentt
ocl
eanupy
ourmess"
.
Me:"YouknowIhatesni
tches,
Ihat
epeopl
ewho
t
alkaboutmebehi
ndmyback" .
Ri
char
d:"Whathappened?
".
Me:
"Youdon'
tknowwhathappened?
".
Ri
char
d:"Iwoul
dn'
tbeaski
ngi
fIknew"
.
Me:"Someoneel
seknowswhathappenedher
e,so
yout
ellmehow".
Ri
chard:
"Idon'
tknowwhaty
outalki
ngaboutand
pl
easedon'
tinv
olv
emeinyourt
rusti
ssues"
.
Il
ookedathi
m andwenttothebedr
oom t
otakemy
paj
amasthenItookaver
ylongshower
,someone
openedt
hedoor
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Mi
ndi
fIj
oiny
ou?
".
Me:
"I'
m done,
whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
".
Phi
lani
:"Al
othappenedaf
tery
oul
eft
,letmet
akea
qui
ckshower
".
Iworemypajamasandwenttothel
oungetoeat
,
Ri
chardwasn'
tthereany
moresoIwatchedt
vand
wai
tedforPhi
lani
,hecameout
..
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
tfi
nishev
ery
thi
ng,
I'
m al
sohungr
y".
Me:
"Whosai
dI'
l
lfi
nishev
ery
thi
ng?
".
Phil
ani
:"Iknowy
ou,
youcanf
ini
shev
ery
thi
ngi
nthat
tabl
e".
Me:
"Inot
herwor
dsar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayt
hatIeat
t
oomuch?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Yousai
dit
,itdi
dn'
tcomeoutofmymout
h".
Me:
"Iwi
l
lgety
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Li
ker
eal
l
ynow?Pl
easeshi
ftal
i
ttl
e".
Idi
dandhesatnextt
ome.
..
Phi
l
ani:
"Thatguynear
lyki
l
ledusandtheywer
e
manybutwhenhewentoutsi
desomeoneshothi
m".
Me:
"Real
l
y,i
sheal
ri
ght
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Nohedi
edont
hespot
".
Il
ookedaroundbecauseIdi
dn'
tknowhowtot
ell
hi
mt hatIwastheonewhoshottheguy
..
Phil
ani:"Whoevershothi
mreal
l
ysav
edusal
otof
energyandenemies"
.
Me:
"Dot
heyknowwhoshothi
m?"
.
Phil
ani:
"Hisfatherwasn'tsur
pri
sedbecausehe
knowsthattheyhavelotofenemiesbutthey
checkedallt
hecamer asherebutdidn'
tfi
ndanyt
hing
coztheythoughtthebull
etcamef r
om thi
shotel
".
Me:
"Howsy
ourdad?
".
Phi
lani
:"He'
sgood,
hewentt
obedear
lycozwe
hav
eal ongdayt
omorr
ow"
.
Me:"Ihavesomet
hingthatIwanttot
ell
youbut
pl
easepromisemethatyouwon'tbemadatme".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whati
sit
".
Me:"Fi
rstpromi
sethaty
ouwi
l
lli
stent
il
ltheendand
youwon'tbemad".
Phi
l
ani
:"Okf
ineIpr
omi
se"
.
Me: "WellIwaswithRichardhereandi thappened
thatwesawt heguyout si
de,hewast alki
ngtot he
phoneandhel ookedmadsoIt houghtmay behewi l
l
comebackanddosomet hi
ngbadt oy ouandy our
fathersoItookRi
chard'sgunandshothi m" .
Phi
l
ani
:"Youwhat
?Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Me:
"Buty
ousai
dyouwi
l
lli
stenunt
ilIf
ini
sh"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"No!Pal
esaGodwhathav
eyoudone?
".
Hetookhisphoneandcal
ledhi
sfat
herandRi
char
d,
af
termaybetenminut
estheycame.
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"What
'
swr
ong?
".
Phil
ani
:"Askher,youknowwhatBabaPal esa
doesn'
tli
stent
ome, she'sstubbor
n,verystubbor
n,
wetoldhertostayinr oom butshedecidedtofoll
ow
usandplayedpokert hatshedoesn'tknowany t
hing
about"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Ny
ambose,
cal
m down"
.
Phi
lani
:"NoIcan'
t,
Pal
esai
stheonewhoshot
Far
enzo".
MrMthet
hwa:"That
sabsur
d,Pal
esadoesn'
tev
en
knowhowtohol
dagun".
Phi
lani
:"Skhuluyoudon'
tknowanyt
hing,
sheshoots
anddoesn'tmiss,
Idon'
tevenknowwhereshe
l
earnedthat,
SheneedstogobacktoJoburgnow".
Ri
char
d:"ButPhi
l
an-
".
Phil
ani:
"Don'tevencall
myname, Itol
dy outolook
af
terherbecauseItrust
edyouandy oudecidedto
pl
aywi t
hguns,Shesgoingbackhomenowandi fI
everseeyouholdingagunyouwil
l r
egretit
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Let
'
swai
tti
l
lmor
ningatl
east
".
Phil
ani
:"Howmanypeopl
ewi
l
lbedeadbyt
hen?She
needstogo"
.
Me:
"What
?Howcany
ousayt
hat
?".
Richard:
"Iam sorrytoi
nter
ferebuty
ouwi l
lneed
Palesa,youneedher.Tomorrowyouaremeeting
withdangerouspeoplewhohav emorethan50
guards,wit
hPalesa'sgr
eatshooti
ngski
llswewon't
hav
eapr
obl
em"
.
.
.
.
.
.
Phil
ani
:"Idon'
tbel
iev
ethi
s,ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd,
she'
smymywi f
eforGod'
ssake"
.
Richard:"Shewon'
tevencomenearthosepeopl
e,
shewi ll
befarfr
om us,Pal
esadoesn'
tmissI
'v
eseen
thistoday"
.
Phi
lani
:"No!She'
sgoinghomeandt
hisst
ays
bet
weenthefourofus".
Me:
"Someoneel
seknows"
.
Ri
char
d:"Who'
"
.
Me:
"YourMom washer
eandshet
ri
edt
obl
ackmai
l
me"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Whatdi
dshesay
?".
Me:
"Shewant
smetorepor
tev
ery
thi
ngy
ouguy
sdo
t
oher,
ever
ysi
ngl
est
epyoumake"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esahowcany
oubesost
upi
d?"
.
MrMthethwa:"Act
uall
ythat
'
snotabadidea,you
wi
ll
doexact l
ywhatshewantsyoutodobutourway
,
wewil
ltell
youwhattosaytoher"
.
Inoddedmyhead.
..
MrMthet
hwa: "NyambosePal
esaisnotgoi
ngback
home,massageher,makesomebabiesandst
op
bei
ngsoangry".
Theyleftther oom,itwasjustPhi
laniandMe, he
wasangr yIdi dn'
tevenknowhowt oapologi
zeto
hi
m, Ijustlefthimintheloungeandwentt othe
bedr
oom af t
eraf ewmi nut
eshefollowedmeandhe
wasn'ttal
kingt ome. .
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
I'
m sor
ry"
.
Phi
lani
:"Thi
sthingofki
l
li
ngpeopl
eisahabi
ttoy
ou
now,whatexact
lydowantinl
i
fePalesa"
.
Me:
"What
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Fi
rsty
ouki
l
ledmybr
otherandnowt
hisguy
,
howmanypeopl
ear
ey ougoi
ngt
oki
l
lfory
out
o
real
i
zet
hatt
hisi
swrong?"
.
Me:"Soeveryti
mewef
ighty
ougoi
ngt
oremi
ndme
aboutScel
o?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Buti
t'
sthet
rut
h".
Me:"Itwasselfdef
ence,y ourbrotherki
l
ledmy
unbornchi
ldandhewant edt okil
lusboth,thatman
wantedtokil
lmebuty ourfathertookthebulletf
or
me,excusemef ornotbeingperfect".
Phi
l
ani
:"That
'
snot
-"
.
Me:
"Youhav
esai
denough,
goodni
ghtPhi
l
ani
".
Iwasangry,It
ooktheblanketandwentt
osl
eepon
thecouch,
hedidn'
tfol
lowme.
Iwashear
tbrokenbecauseIthoughtmaybehewi
ll
fol
l
owme, aft
ermay bethi
rt
yminuteshecameand
l
ookedatme, Icl
osedmyey espret
endi
ngtobe
asl
eepbutIcouldfeel
hiseyesonme.
Phil
ani
:"Wheny
ouar
edonepl
ayi
nggamescome
backtobed"
.
Ikeptqui
et.
.
Phi
lani
:"Idon'
tthi
nkIneedt
osayi
tagai
n,st
op
act
ingl
ikechil
d".
Me:"Meacti
ngl
ikeachi
ld?Youar et
heonewhoi
s
wr
onghere,
Isav
edy ouf
rom thatguy"
.
Phi
lani
:"Soyouwantcr
edi
tfort
hat
,OhWel
ldone
Spi
derman,ar
eyouhappynow?"
.
Iwasi r
ri
tated,Ipull
edtheblanketuptomyf ace, he
tooktheblanketf r
om meandwentt othebedr oom, I
hadnochoi cebutt ofol
lowhim.Igotinsidethe
blanket
sandf acedtheotherway,healsofel
l asleep.
Inthemor ningIwokeupandt ookashower .
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatdoy
ouwantt
oeat
?".
Me:
"I'
m nothungr
y".
Phi
l
ani
:"OkI
'
llj
ustor
deranor
mal
breakf
ast
".
HeorderedandIwentt othebedroom forsomet hi
ng
towear,
itwasv erysunnysoIdecidedt oweara
deni
m bumshor t
,print
edT-shi
rtandv anstakki
es,
whenIwentt otheloungePhil
anilookedatmeup
anddown, IknewIwasf l
ames.
Phi
l
ani
:"Foodi
sher
e".
Me:
"Isai
dI'
m nothungr
y".
RichardandMrMthet
hwacame,
Richar
dwas
carryi
ngtheMcDonal
d'
sbag.
Ri
char
d:"Ibr
oughtbr
eakf
ast
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Nowear
efi
nebutt
hanks"
.
Me:
"Speakf
ory
our
sel
f,I
'
m sohungr
y".
Isai
dthatopeni
ngt
hebagandst
art
edeat
ing.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Yousai
dyouar
enothungr
y".
Me:
"Iam now"
.
HewaspissedbutIdi
dn'
tmi
ndhi
m andcont
inued
eat
ing.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wehav
etogonow"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esachangey
ourcl
othes"
.
Me:
"Whatf
or?
".
Phi
lani
:"Youarenotgoi
ngoutl
i
ket
his,
weara
nor
mal Jean"
.
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
pleasedon'
tst
art
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Youwi
l
lfi
ndusi
nthecar
".
Theywentout
..
Me:"Youcan'
ttel
lmewhatt
owearorwhatnotto
wear
,thi
sismybodyandmyclot
hessopl
ease".
Hestar
edatmeandsighed,het
ookhisphoneand
wentout
,hewasnothi
mselfandIf
eltsoguil
ty,
I
fol
l
owedhim,wegoti
ntothecar
,hedidn'
tevenlook
atme.
MrMthet
hwa:"Palesat
aket
hisear
piece,
Iwi
l
l
communi
cat
ewi t
hy ou"
.
Me:
"HowdoIputi
t?"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wewi
l
lshowy
ou"
.
.
.
.
.
Thecardr
ovepasst
hewar
ehouses,
thecarst
opped.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Letmehel
pwi
tht
hese"
.
Heputt
heear
pieceonmyear
..
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Cany
ouhearme?
".
Inodded.
.
Richard:"Thisistheper
fectspot
,lookt
hatway,
therearef ourguy
soutsi
deandoneatt hedoor
,her
e
theywon' tseeyou".
MrMt het
hwa:"Youwil
lhearf
rom meonceIcal
l
yournameyouwill
knowthatyouhavet
ostart
shooti
ng"
.
Inodded.
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Rel
ax"
.
Phil
anidi
dn'
tevensayaword,theystart
edacarand
wenttothewar
ehouse,Isawalltheguytheywer
e
tal
ki
ngaboutholdi
nggunsoutside.Aft
erthi
rt
y
minutes.
MrMt
hemt
hwa:
"Pal
esa"
.
Hesaidthatinawhisper,Ist
artedshoot
ingtheguys
outsi
de,Idi
dn'tev
enmi ss,Theycameoutwi thhuge
bags,t
hecarcameandwewentbackt ot hehotel
.
Myphoner
ang.
Me:
"Hel
l
o".
Voi
ce:
"Youdon'
tl
ist
en,
doy
ou?
".
I
twasMr
sMt
het
hwa.
..
Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Iwi
llt
ell
thefatheroft
hemany ou
ki
l
ledi
fyoudon'
ttel
lmetheinformati
onIneed"
.
Shedroppedthecal
l,
Phil
ani
wasmoodyIdi
dn't
wanttobotherhi
m wit
hmyprobl
ems.Myphone
beeped.
Message:
' I
fyoudon'
ttel
lmewher
eyouwer
etoday
Iwi
llr
eportyou"
.
Thewomenwasst ar
tingtoannoymebutatthe
samet i
meIwasscared,Iopenedt
hetvbutIwasn'
t
exact
lywat
chi
ng,i
twaswat chi
ngme.
Me:
"yourmom i
sthr
eat
eni
ngmeagai
n".
Phi
l
ani
:"Goodf
ory
ou"
.
Me:
"What
?".
Phi
lani
:"Palesay
oudon'
tevenknowwhoIam t
o
youanymore,whyar
eyoutel
li
ngmeyour
pr
obl
ems?
".
Me:"Iam sorr
yaboutt
hismorni
ng,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
e
spokent
oy outhewayIdid"
.
Phi
lani
:"It
'snotonl
yaboutthi
smor
ning,
youev
en
makedecisionswit
houtt
ell
i
ngme,youhave
complet
elychanged".
Me:
"I'
m sor
ryaboutev
ery
thi
ng"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
everhey
".
Me:
"Phi
l
ani
whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo?
".
Phil
ani:"Not
hing,
howmanypeopl
edi
dyouki
l
l
today?
".
Me:
"What
?But
-"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Exact
ly,
Pal
esaIdon'
tknowy
ouany
mor
e".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/
7,08:
13]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
fe[
29]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Phi
lani
wasright,
Ihadchangedalotbutt
hatwas
whoIwas,heintr
oducedmeintothi
sli
fe,
ithur
tme
goi
ngtobedwi t
houtseei
ngeyetoeyewit
hhim.
Phi
l
ani
:"Packy
ourcl
otheswear
egoi
ngbackhome
i
nanhour"
.
Istoodupandpackourbag, itwasonlyonesui tcase,
wesi gnedoutandl efttot
heai r
port,
Philani
wasst il
l
moody ,
MrMt hethwawast heonlyonewhowas
tal
kingt ot
hebothofus.Thej etwasalreadywai ti
ng
foruswhenwear r
ivedatTheai r
port
.Whenwegot
i
nsidePhi l
aniopenedt heotherdoorandgoti nside,
l
eav ingmeandhi sf at
herinthepassengerseat s,
Philaniwasacti
ngl i
keagi r
l.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Youwer
efi
ght
ingagai
n?"
.
Me:
"Ifonl
yyouknew"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
".
Me:
"Not
hing,
hewi
l
lbef
ine"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Justl
i
ket
hat
?".
Me:"Babat her
e'snot
hingIcando,
Idi
dapol
ogi
ze
buti
tjustgetsworse"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Howdoy
ouapol
ogi
ze?
".
Me:
"Whatdoy
oumean?It
oldhi
mI'
m sor
ry"
.
MrMt hethwa: "Letmet el
lyousomethi
ngmychi l
d,
usman, wedon' tjustgetangr y
,wegetangryfort
hat
fewmi nutesandaf terthatwewi ll
befi
ne.I
fyour
manget sangr ywithy ouforthewholedayortwo,i
t
real
l
yshowst here'ssomet hi
ngy ouar
enotdoing
ri
ght"
.
Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIunder
standy
ou"
.
MrMt het
hwa:
"Ify
ouarenotgi
vi
ngy ourman
enoughti
meinbedhi
smoodwi l
lchange"
.
Iwasget
ti
nguncomfort
abl
e,Icoul
dn'
tdi
scusst
hat
wit
hmyfatheri
nlaw.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Wear
ebot
hadul
tsher
edon'
tfeel
uncomf
ort
abl
e".
Godi
twasl
i
keher
eadmymi
nd.
MrMt hethwa:"Ifyouaregi
vingy
ourmanenough
ti
mei nbedhewi llf
orev
erbeangry,sometimest
ake
charge,cont
rolevery
thi
nginbed,don'tal
wayswai
t
forhim.Beli
keapor nstart
".
Me:"What?Sorr
ybabaImeanIthi
nkour
conv
ersat
ionhastost
opnow".
Hel
aughed.
.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Am Imaki
ngy
ouuncomf
ort
abl
e?"
.
Me:
"Ver
y,Ican'
tev
enl
ookaty
ounow"
.
MrMt het
hwa: "That
'
sgoodbecauseitgi
vesy
ou
enoughreasonswhyshoul
dgot oyourmanandt
alk
tohim".
Me:
"NoI
'
m notgoi
ngi
nther
e".
MrMthet
hwa:"Well
ok,
asIwassay
ing,
youshoul
d
buyt
hosesexy
-".
Me:"Ithi
nkI'
l
lgot
ohim now,
thi
sconv
ersat
ion
doesn'
thavet
ocont
inue"
.
Het
ookagl
assofhi
swhi
skeyandl
aughedsol
oud.
Iopenedt hedoorandcl osedi t,
Philani
wasi nbed
sl
eeping,thepr i
vatej etwasr eall
ybeautif
ul.It
ook
offmyshoesandl ayednextt ohi m,helookedatme
andkeptqui et.Philaniact
edl ikeababy .Eversince
ourrel
ationshipstar t
edIhav enevermadeamov e
onhim, Iwasscar edbutIt houghtofMrMt hethwa's
words,Iwant edhimt oforgivemeandsexual l
yI
wantedhi m,Philani wasirresist
ibl
ebecauseIl oved
hi
m, everythi
ngabouthi m wasat ur
non.
Me:
"Ar
eyoust
il
langr
y?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Pal
esawhatdowant
?".
Hewaswear i
ngdar kgr
eyt
racksui
tpant
sanda
matchingjacket
,Itookmyhandtohisstomachand
st
artedplayi
ngwi t
hhisbel
l
ybut t
on,GodIlov
edhim.
Me:
"Howl
ongar
eyougonnast
ayangr
yatme?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Justst
opwhaty
ouar
edoi
ng"
.
Hisvoicewasn'
tfi
rm orconvi
ncing,myhandwent
downt ohi
spantsandIcouldfeel t
hathewas
gett
ingahardon,Isl
owlybrushedhi m.
Phi
l
ani
:"Godwomencomeher
e".
Hegotont
opofme, heslowl
ykissedmyli
ps,
he
t
easedmybot
tom l
ip,Iwashot,
Iwantedhi
m.He
t
ookoffmyT-
shi
rtandlookedatme.
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
esobeaut
if
ul"
.
Ismi l
ed,hekissedmyl ipsoncemor e,hewentdown
onmyneck, Icouldn'
tstopmoani ng,Iwasoncl oud
nine.Hebr ushedmybr easts,
hest art
edkissing
them whiletakingoffmypant s.Ev ersi
nceImethi m,
hehadnev ergivenmeaheadl ikehedi d,i
twas
diff
erent,i
tcamewi thsomanyemot i
ons,Icouldn't
stopmymoans, hetookoffhispant sandgoti nside
me, heentrustedsohar dandf ast,Imoanedoutl oud,
hedi dn'
tslowdown.It ouchedhi m andhuggedhi m
closerwhenwebot hcame, hest ayedont opofme
whilewewer ebothtryi
ngtocat chourbr eaths.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Inodded,
Icoul
dn'
tev
ent
alk.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
sgetdr
essedbutwear
enotdone"
'
Me:
"Wel
li
fthi
sismypuni
shment
,Il
i
kei
t"
.
Phil
ani
:"Nomatt
erhowmuchIcanbeangr
ywi
th
butIfi
ndi
thar
dtoresi
sty
ou"
.
Me:
"Youl
ovemej
ustadmi
tital
ready
".
Phi
lani
:"Youbewi
tchedme,
may
bey
ouusedsome
kor
obelaonme".
Me:
"Iusedj
ustal
i
ttl
e".
Phi
l
ani
:"Domywor
ryI
'
llt
akei
tal
loutt
oni
ght
".
Me:
"Ar
eyoust
il
langr
y?"
.
Phi
l
ani:"I'
m start
ingt
othi
nkt
hatIwasn'
tangr
y,I
wasjusthorny
" .
Il
aughedathi
m andgotdressed,
wecuddledand
gotupwhenwelanded,wetookourl
uggageand
st
art
edwal
ki
ngout
.MrMt
het
hwacamecl
oset
ome.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Di
dyouf
ixt
hings?
".
Me:
"Yeswet
alked"
.
MrMt het
hwa:"That
'
sgoodmychil
dandnextti
me
makesurethatyoul
owery
ourv
oiceali
tt
lewhenyou
t
alk"
.
OhGodhehear
dmemoan.
.
Hewentt
ohiscarandPhi
l
ani
tookt
heot
hercar
,we
dr
ovehome.
Me:
"YourDadhear
dus,
wasIt
hatl
oud?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Youar
eal
way
sloudandIl
ovei
t"
.
Me:"Phi
lani
wearet
alki
ngaboutyourdadher
e,my
f
atheri
nlawhear
dmehav i
ngsex"
.
Phi
lani
:"Youweremaki
nglovenothav
ingsexand
cal
m downbefor
eyougiveyour
sel
faheartat
tack"
.
Hedidn'
tcarethathi
sdadhear
dus,
wear
ri
ved
home,Imissedourhousealot
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
.
Me:"Youcanor
dersomet
hingcozIcan'
tcook
t
oday".
Phi
l
ani
:"Letmesear
chmyphone"
.
Mybeeped,
itwasamessagef
rom Phi
l
ani
'
smom.
-"Youar
emessi
ngwi
thawr
ongper
son"
.
Ii
gnor
edi
tbecauseIwant
edt ohav
esomet
imewi
th
mymanwithoutbei
ngdi
stur
bed.
Phi
l
ani
:"What
'
swr
ongnow?
".
Me:
"Not
hing"
.
Phil
ani
:"Thi
ngswer
ehect
icatt
hewarehouse,
I
don'
tevenknowhowwemadeitoutal
iv
e".
Me:
"Whatwer
eyouguy
sexact
lydoi
ngt
her
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"RememberwhenIt
oldy
out
hatourt
rucks
wer
ehi
jacked?
".
Me:
"Yah"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Wef
oundoutwhohi
j
ackedt
hem"
.
Me:"Sothebagsy
ouwer
ecar
ryi
nghadt
hose
guns?
".
Phil
ani
:"Nobaby,
thosebagsareful
lofmoney
,we
don'
tevenknowhowmuchi ti
s".
Me:
"Butt
rut
hful
l
yIr
eal
l
yhel
pedy
ou"
.
Phil
ani
:"YoudidbutIdon'
tl
ikei
twhenyouplaywi
th
guns,i
t'
sdanger
ous,Idon'
twantt
oloseyou"
.
Phil
aniwasget
ti
ngbett
ereachdaywithwords,I
rememberwhenIfi
rstmethi
m, hewasn'
ttheperson
wholiket
oopenup,hekepthi
mt ohi
mselfifyou
knowwhatImean.
Butasourr el
ati
onshi
pgrewhest art
edchangi
ngand
I
'm gladthathefel
tmorecomfortabl
ewithmet hat
helearnedtoopenup.Iwenttothebathr
oom to
takejustaquickshowerandcameback.
Phil
ani
:"Thesepeopl
ear
etaki
ngl
ongandI
'
m
hungry
".
Me:"Ormay
bel
etmepr
epar
esomet
hingqui
ckf
or
you"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"NobabyI
'
m sur
etheyar
eont
hei
rway
".
Wewait
edaft
erafewminut
est
hedoorbel
lrang,
I
st
ooduptogeti
t,t
hemanwascar
ryi
ngabrown
paperbagwasatt
hedoor
.
Me:
"Hi
?".
Hi
m:"I
sthi
s10t
hAv
ehouse102?
".
Me:
"Yeah"
.
Hi
m:"Okma'
am her
e'sy
ourf
ood"
.
It
ookthepaperbagandputitonthefl
oorbecause
hetookoutsomethi
ngl
ikeapaperformet osign,
whenIlookeduphewasholdingagunpointi
ngitat
me.
Hi
m: "Shhh,
slowl
ycl
oset
hedoorandcomewi
th
me".
Iwasconf
usedandst
art
edshaki
ng.
.
Hi
m:"Wedon'
twannahur
tyourhusband,
dowe?
".
Ishookmyhead.
Hi
m:"Ver
ygood"
.
Itookt
hepaperbagandthrewitathi
m,It
ri
edtor
un
buthequi
ckl
ycatchedme,heclosedmymouthwit
h
hi
shandandtookmet ohiscarboot.
'
GodIwasgoi
ngt
odi
e'
,It
houghtt
omy
sel
f.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
.
Pl
easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
I
nkosazane
[
11/7,
08:
14]Mai
kundai
:ThePol
i
ceman'
sWi
feby
ZamaNdl
ovu
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

-Phi
l
ani
.
.
Her
eal
i
zedt
hatPal
esawast
aki
ngl
ong,
hewentt
o
thedini
ngr oom andchecked, t
oasur pri
se, t
hedoor
waswi deopenandt hefoodwasal lover,
hewent
crazy
.Hequi ckl
ywentout si
detolookforherbut
shewasnowher etobefound.Atthesubur bsthere
arecamer asev ery
where,hetookthesecur i
ty
compani esnumberanddi al
edit
,theycall
edhi mto
watchthev ideoclipbutthecarhadnor egistr
ati
on
number .Hecal l
edhisdad.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Ny
ambose"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Theyt
ookPal
esaSkhul
u".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Phi
lani
:"Pal
esai
snother
eanunknowncart
ook
her
".
MrMt
het
hwa:
"I'
m comi
ngj
ustnow"
.
Hedroppedthecal
l,
Phi
l
anicoul
dn'
twait
,hewas
i
mpatient
,af
terafewminut
eshi
sdad,Sanel
eand
Phecame.
MrMt
het
hwa:
"Whathappenedexact
ly?
".
Phi
lani
:"Ithi
nkthedel
i
ver
yguyistheonewhotook
her
,Iorder
edfoodandwhentheycametodel
iv
er
she'
stheonewhocameher
etot
hedi
ningt
otake
theor
der"
.
Ther
ewasaknock,
itwasMr
sMt
het
hwa.
Phi
l
ani
:"Mot
her
".
MrsMthethwa:"Ij
ustheardt
hesadnews,wehave
t
ofindherbefor
esomet hi
ngbadhappenst
oher"
.
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
.
MrMthet
hwa:"Youdi
daverygoodthi
ngbycomi
ng
her
ebecausey
ouareourf
ir
stsuspect
".
MrsMthet
hwa:"Me?Howcanyouevensaythat
?If
I
'mtheonewhotookherdoy
outhi
nkIwouldbe
her
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
sst
opal
lthi
sar
gumentandf
indpal
esa"
.
Phe:
"Hav
eyoucheckedt
hecamer
asher
e?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Thecarhasnor
egi
str
ati
onnumber
,It
ri
ed"
.
MrsMthet
hwa:"Iknowabestpr
ivat
einv
est
igat
or,
hecanhel
pus"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"OkManopr
obl
em"
.
MrsMt het
hwat
ookoutherphoneandwentt
othe
ki
tchen.
Sanel
e:"Idon'
ttr
usther
".
Phe:
"Why
?".
Sanel
e:"Shehasbeenmeet
ingwi
thl
otsofpeopl
e
l
atel
y".
Phi
l
ani
:"Andst
alki
ngPal
esat
oo"
.
MrMthethwa:
"Phe,
fol
l
owy
ourmot
herev
ery
wher
e
shegoes".
Phe:
"I'
m oni
tchi
ef"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwacameback.
.
Her:"Thi
sguyi
sthebest
,Pal
esawi
l
lbef
oundv
ery
soon".
Phi
l
ani
:"Thanky
ouMot
her
".
TheMt
het
hwaf
ami
l
yknewexact
lyhowt
opr
etend.
MrMthethwa:
"Whoi st
hepr
ivat
einv
est
igat
ory
ou
wer
etalki
ngabout
?".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"It
'st
heguyf
rom Kzn,
hei
sver
y
good"
.
MrMt
het
hwa:"OhIsee"
.
MrsMt het
hwa:"Whydoy
ousoundl
i
key
ouar
e
doubt
ingme?".
MrMthet
hwa:
"Iwil
lneverdoubty
ou,
Phi
l
ani
wewi
l
l
t
alki
nthemor
ningson"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em Skhul
u".
MrsMt
hethwa:"I
'
mleav
ingal
so,
Iwi
l
lcomebacki
n
t
hemorni
ng".
Phi
l
ani
:"Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng"
.
Theybot
hlef
t.
.
Phe:
"It
hinkMot
heri
supt
osomet
hing"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Shei
sbutweneedt
obest
epaheadofher
".
Sanel
e:"Iwil
lfol
l
owher
,weneedt
henameofher
i
nvest
igator
".
Theyallagreedwitht
hat,
theydi
dn'tsl
eept r
yingt
o
tr
acenumber sbutwi
thnosuccess,Phil
aniwas
goingmadandhewasbl aminghimselffor
everyt
hing.
'Whatift
heyhav ealr
eadyki
ll
edPal
esa,
butf
or
what?
'Het houghttohimsel
f.
Phil
ani
:"Whoev
ert
ookPal
esawant
ssomet
hing
fr
om us".
Sanele:"Tr
uebutwhyhaven'
ttheycal
l
edandsay
whateveramountofmoneytheyneed?"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"That
'
sthepr
obl
em,
thi
sisdr
ivi
ngmecr
azy
".
Phe:
"Wewi
l
lseei
nthemor
ning"
.
Theyal lwenttobedbutPhi l
aniwastossi
ngand
turning,
itwasmi dni
ght,hegotupandchangedhi s
clothes,hetookhiscarandwentt ot
hePolice
Stationwherehewor ks,ever
yonewassurprisedto
seehi m.Hiscoll
eagueandf ri
endNti
yisocamet o
him.
Nt
iyi
so:
"Zul
uboywhat
'
swr
ong?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ineedy
ourhel
pbr
o."
.
Nt
iyi
so:
"Tal
k".
Phil
ani
:"Ineedt
hef
il
esoft
hosei
l
legal
fir
ear
ms
cases"
.
Nti
yi
so:"Youknowt
haty
ourf
ami
l
y'sf
il
eisal
so
t
here"
.
Phil
ani
:"Iknowthere'
ssomet
hingt
hatIur
gent
ly
need,mywifei
smi ssi
ng"
.
Nti
yiso:
"Whathav
eyoudonenowt
othatpoorgi
rl
ShakaZulu?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Comeon,
Ireal
l
yneedt
hosef
il
es"
.
Nt
iyi
so:
"Ok"
.
Hewentoutoft
heof
fi
ceandcamebackwi
thmay
be
f
ivef
il
es.

.
.
.
.
Phi
lani
:"Ineeddet
ail
sandnumber
sofev
erysi
ngl
e
per
sonwr i
tt
enonthesefi
l
es"
.
Nt
iyi
so:
"Whydi
dn'
tyousaysobutIneedabot
tl
eof
Hennesseyf
orhel
pingy
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Al
cohol
wil
lki
l
lyouShangaanboy
".
Nti
yi
solaughed,
theywr
otedownt
henamesand
number
s.
Phi
l
ani
:"Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
rowni
ght
".
Nt
iyi
so:
"Okdon'
tfor
getmybot
tl
e".
Phi
l
ani
:"Dontwor
ryI
'
llbr
ingt
hewhol
ecase"
.
Nt
iyi
so:
"ShakaZul
uwai
t!
".
Phi
l
ani
wai
ted.
.
Ntiyi
so:"I'
mt el
l
ingyout hi
sbecausey ouaremy
fri
end,theyarei
nvesti
gat i
ngyourfamily,
someone
report
edf r
audagainstyourfather,
bankaccount
s
andev eryt
hingwil
lbefrozenbyt omorrow".
Phi
l
ani
:"Whor
epor
tedt
hat
".
Nti
yiso:
"Ei
yZuluboyIdon'
tknowbuti
twasan
anonymouscal
l
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Thanky
ousomuchbr
o."
.
Hecoul
dn'
tbel
i
evei
t,hedr
ovet
ohi
shouseand
wokeuphi
sbr
other
s.
Phi
lani
:"Wehav eaver
ybi
gpr
obl
em now,
thePol
i
ce
ar
einvest
igat
ingus"
.
Sanel
e:"What
?".
Phil
ani:
"Phepleasedealwit
houraccount
snow
becauseift
heyfi
ndal otofmoneyi
nouraccount
s
wewi l
lbeintr
ouble"
.
Phe:
"Dontwor
rybi
gbr
o.Iwi
l
ltur
nev
ery
thi
ng
ar
ound"
.
Phil
ani
:"Ever
ythi
ngwillbefi
ne,t
heywon'
thav
ea
caseagai
nstusiftheaccount
sareempty
".
Phe:
"Iftheaccount
sareemptytheywi
l
lsuspect
somethi
ng,Iwil
lj
ustkeepi
tnor
mal "
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Sur
e".
.
.
-Pal
esa
WhenIwokeupIwasinastranger
oom, t
her
oom
f
ull
yfur
nishedandv
eryni
ce,
whenIlif
tedupmy
headIcoul
dn'tbecauseitwaspoundi ng,Idon'
t
knowwhatdr ugtheyusedonme.Igotupandwent
outofther
oom, itwasupstairs,
Iwentdownbyt he
stai
rsandstart
edheari
ngnoi sefrom theotherroom,
i
twasl i
ketheywerewat chi
ngsoccerorsomet hi
ng.
Voi
ce:
"AhhThebeaut
if
ulPal
esa"
.
WhenIlookedbackitwasanoldwhit
eguybuthi
s
accentwasdi
ff
erentnotSout
hAfri
can.
Him:"HowcanIbesor
ude,
pleasecomeandsi
t
here"
.
Ther
ewasacouch.
.
Hi
m:"Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
.
Ishookmyhead.
Hi
m: "Perfect,
howdoy ouli
kemyhouse?My
i
nter
iordesignercamefrom I
tal
y,t
heguyr
eal
l
yknew
hi
sjob,howar eyoufeel
ing?
".
Me:
"Whoar
eyou?
".
Hi
m:"It
houghty
ouwi
l
lnev
erask,
I'
m Rober
t"
.
Rober
t?Thenamedi
dn'
tri
ngabel
l
..
Rober
t:"Youseet
hisbi
gpai
nti
ng?
".
Il
ookedati
tandkeptqui
et.
.
Rober
t:"MySonboughtitforme,itwasthel
ast
thi
ngheboughtformebeforehedied,hewasthe
onl
yone,mayhispreci
oussoulresti
npeace"
.
Ikeptqui
et.
.
Robert:"Hewastakenawayfrom meonmy
bi
rthday,hewasnosaintbutsomeoneki
ll
edhimlike
adog, t
hemostpainfult
hingwastofi
ndhiminthe
middleofthest
reetdead.Pal
esawhydidyouki
llmy
son?".
Inear
lyf
ainted,t
heworl
dstoppedforamoment
,he
wasthefatherofthemanIshotatt
hehot
el.
Rober
t:"Rel
ax,
I'
m notgonnaeaty
ou"
.
Ihonest
lydi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Robert:"MySonwasbeateninapokergamebyy ou,
hegotangryandshotyoubutyourfat
herinl
aw
savedthedaybytaki
ngabull
etforyou,t
henyou
decidedtot
otakehisl
if
e,Comet hi
sway".
Hest
oodupandIf
oll
owedhi
m,wewentt
other
oom
t
hatl
ookedl
i
keacasi
no.
Rober
t:"Hel
ovedpokerwi
thal
lhi
shear
t,pl
ayi
tfor
hi
m".
Me:
"What
?Ican'
tpl
ayi
tal
one"
.
Rober
t:"Isai
dpl
ay!Youwi
l
lonl
yst
opwhenIt
ell
you
to"
.
Ikeptqui
etandst ar
tedplay
ing,It
ri
edtostopbuthe
wastherewatchingme, Ipl
ayedforl
iket
wohours,I
wastir
edandt earswerecomingout.
Rober
t:"Excel
l
ent
!Br
avo!
".
Hecl
appedhi
shand,
Iwast
ir
ed,
deadt
ir
ed.
Rober
t:"Comet
hissi
de"
.
Ist
oodupandf
oll
owedhi
m.
Rober
t:"St
even!
".
Amancame.
.
Rober
t:"Comein,pl
easetakethedear
estPal
esato
herr
oom, i
t'
sgonnabefun,youwil
lenj
oyitPal
esa"
.
Theguyt
ookmet
other
oom f
ull
ofmi
rr
ors,
het
ook
aropeandti
redmyhandsupt othecei
l
ing,
thet
ear
s
werecomingout,
Icoul
dn'tst
opthem.Mybodywas
swingi
ngi
nt heai
r,myhandsti
edonthecei
li
ng.
.
.
.
.
-Phi
l
ani

Theysl
eptf
orl
i
ket
wohour
sandwokeup.
Phe:"Phil
anii
tracedallt
hesenumbersandnames,
thesepeopl
ewoul dn'
tcomeagainsty
ou".
Hekeptqui
etf
orwhi
l
e,hewasl
osi
nghi
smi
nd.
Phi
l
ani
:"Hi
l
ton!
".
Phe:
"What
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"Ineedt
ofi
ndHi
l
ton"
.
Hest
oodupandlef
thi
sbrot
her
saski
ngquesti
ons,
hewentt
othet
ownhousesi
nsandt
on,heknew
Hil
ton'
sroom andknocked,
abeaut
if
ulbl
ondegi
rl
openedthedoor.
Her
:"Hel
l
o".
Phi
l
ani
:"Mov
e!"
.
Hegotinsideandf
oundHil
tononthecouchnaked,
hehel
dhi m wit
hhi
sneckandpushedhimtothe
dr
essi
ngt able.
Hi
l
ton:
"Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thy
ouman?
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Wher
eismywi
fe?
".
Hi
l
ton:
"What
?Ar
eyoucr
azy
?".
Phi
l
ani
:"I
'
m notgoi
ngt
orepeatmy
sel
fagai
n".
Het
ookouthi
sgun.
.
Hi
l
ton:
"Okay
,okay
,Rober
thasy
ourwi
fe"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Let
'sgo"
.
Hi
l
ton:
"Ihav
etowearsomepant
s".
Phi
l
ani
:"Idon'
tcar
e,mov
e".
Theywentout,Hi
lt
onwasnaked,
Phi
l
ani
openeda
carbootandputHil
toni
nsi
de.
Phil
animadeananonymousphonecal
ltot
hePol
i
ce
Stat
ionrepor
ti
ngacri
me.
Hewentst
rai
ghttoRobert
'shouse,
thehousemay
be
hadmoret
hantwentyguards,
theysear
chedhi
m
andt
ookhisgun.
Rober
t:"Howni
ceofy
out
ojoi
nus,
comei
n".
Phi
l
ani
:"Wher
eisPal
esa?
".
Rober
t:"Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ke,
wineorwhi
skey
?".
Phi
l
ani
tookRober
t'
sgunandpoi
ntedathi
m.
Rober
t:"Youdon'
twantt
odot
hat
,doy
ou?
".
Hisguar dscameandt ookPhi
laniri
ghtwherePalesa
was, hesawPalesahangingont hecei
li
ng,t
heyalso
ti
edhi m upandlockedthedoor,Pal
esacoul
dn'tstop
herself
,shecri
edoutloudwhenshesawPhi l
ani.
Phi
lani
:"Babypl
easedon'
tcr
y,t
hePol
i
cewi
l
lbe
her
esoon".
Pal
esa:
"Whydi
dyoucal
lthePol
i
ce?
".
Phi
lani
:"ThePoli
ceareinv
esti
gat
ingus,
wecan'
tki
ll
any
mor epeopl
e,i
ftheyarr
estt
heseguyswewil
lbe
f
ree"
.
Palesa:
"Heknowst
hatI
'
mtheonewhoki
l
ledhi
s
son".
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
twor
rybaby
,wewi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
".
Adooropened,
Rober
tcamei
n.
Robert
:"Ihav
eav er
yimpor
tantguestwhowant
sto
seeyou,comein"
.
Mr
sMt
het
hwacame,
theywer
ebot
hnotsur
pri
sed.
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Howar
eyout
wodoi
ng?
".
Theykeptqui
et.
.
MrsMthet
hwa:
"Todayy
ouwi
l
lbot
htel
lmewhat
youdi
dtomySon"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"I'
mtal
ki
ngaboutScel
o".
Phi
l
ani
:"Wedon'
tknowany
thi
ngaboutScel
o".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"Rober
t,ki
l
lbot
hoft
hem"
.
Shesai
dthatandwentout
,Theyhear
dPol
i
cesi
rens
fr
om out
side.
Rober
t:"Youbust
ard,
youcal
l
edt
hePol
i
ce?
".
Hequi ckl
ywentout
,theyheardgunshot
soutsi
de,
SergeantKgomowhowasal waysaft
erPhi
l
ani'
s
famil
yf orsomanyyearscamein.
Kgomo:"ShakaZul
uwhyam Inotsur
pri
sedt
osee
youher
e".
AtthePol
i
ceSt at
ionwherePhi
l
ani
wor
kedt
hey
cal
l
edhim ShakaZuluorZul
uBoy.
Phi
lani:"I
'
mtheonewhocal
l
edy
ouher
esodon'
tbe
sur
prised"
.
Kgomo:
"Whyshoul
dIbel
i
evey
ou"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Takemyphoneandchecki
t"
.
Kgomot ookhisphoneandcheckedi t
,hethencut
theropesandledthem outsi
de.Robertandhi
s
guardswerelayi
ngdowndead.MrMt hethwacame
runni
ngtohissonandPal esa.
Kgomo: "Wait!
,Wef oundmoneythatwas
tr
ansferredi
l
legal
lytooneoftheMthethwa
accounts,MrsMthethway ouar
earrest
edforf
raud
andil
legalmoneytransfer
s".
Mr
sMt
het
hwa:
"What
?Idon'
tknowany
-".
Kgomo:"Anyt
hingyousayordowil
lbehel
dagai
nst
youi
nthecourtofl
aw,youareal
l
-".
MrsMt hethwa:"No,t
heremustbea
misunderstandi
ngher
e,Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing,
thi
sisa
setup".
TheytookheroutandPhewi
nkedathisbrot
her
Phil
ani
,thepar
amedicscameandcheckedPhil
ani
andPalesa.
MrMthethwa:"I
'm gl
adthatyouarebothfi
ne,y
ou
di
dverygoodbyinvol
vingthePol
iceother
wisewe
woul
dbei nt
roubl
enow" .
Phi
l
ani
:"YahSkhul
u,l
etmet
alkt
omywi
fe"
.
Hewentt
oPal
esa.
Pal
esa:
"Thi
sisov
ernow"
.
Phi
lani
:"Nomyl
ovewehav
eonemor
ejobt
ofi
nish,
come".

.
.
.
.
Theywenttohi
scarandPhi
l
anidrov
et oJozit
own,
hestoppedi
ntheCBDandgotoutofthecarhethen
openedacarboot
.
Pal
esa:
"Hi
l
ton"
.
Hil
ton:"Phi
lanimymanI
'
mver
ysor
ryf
orev
ery
thi
ng
Idi
dt oyourhouse"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"If
orgi
vey
ou"
.
Hi
l
ton:
"Pl
easel
etmegobackt
omyapar
tment
".
Phi
l
ani
:"Al
ri
ght
,youcango"
.
WhenHil
tongotoutoft
hecarhewasnakedand
r
eal
izedt
hathewasi nt
hemiddl
eofJozinaked.
Het
ri
edt
ogetbacki
nthecar
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Don'
ttouchmycar
,sof
rom her
eyouwi
l
l
wal
ktoSandt
on".
Hi
l
ton:
"ButI
'
m naked,
Ineedsomepant
satl
east
".
Phi
lani
:"That
'
snotmypr
obl
em,
hav
easaf
ejour
ney
Hil
ton"
.
Theybothgoti
nsi
det
hecar
,leav
ingHi
l
tonnakedi
n
thest
reet
sofJozi
.
Palesa:
"Godhewantedtocr
ybutatl
easty
ou
shouldhav
egavehi
mt r
anspor
tmoney".
Phi
lani
:"Nobabyhedoesn'
tdeser
vei
t,wher
edo
youwanttogo"
.
Pal
esa:
"Ij
ustwantt
ogohome"
.
Phi
l
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em myl
ove,
Pal
esaIl
ovey
ouso
much"
.
Pal
esa:
"Il
ovey
oumor
e".
Phi
l
ani
:"Toget
herf
orev
err
ight
?".
Pal
esa:
"For
ever
".

.
THEEND
.
.
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ke
Shar
ethepage
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sofLov
e
.
.
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easedon'tf
orgett
oli
keTheHi
ddenPr
incess-
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nkosazane