A Diamond in The Rough

Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Pr
ologue
"everyonewant
stoper
sever
ebutnoonewant
sto
startfr
om t
hebott
om"
Thecommunitygat her
edar oundthedumpsi t
e
watchi
ngoverabodyofal it
tl
egir
l,shecouldbe
thi
rt
een,somerestedtheirhandsoverthei
rheads
whil
esomecover edtheirmouthsinshock.Notthat
i
twasasur pr
ise,womenandchi l
drenarerapedand
kil
ledal mostever ydayi nSout hAf ri
ca,therehas
beenal otofi ncident slately.I
tisnotconf ir
medi f
i
t'sjustoneper sonoragr oupoft hem, theyburna
subst ancet omakeever yonesl eepincludingdogs
thent heyr ansackpeopl e'shomeswi thoutdetect
ion.
Theyhel pthemsel vestot hewomenandl eavethem
fi
ll
edwi t
hsemenwi thoutconsci ous,the
communi t
iescal lthem "umal i
gaju"."haveyou
calledthepol ice? "oneoft heladiesaskedi nt
he
crowd, "yesandt heambul ance"t heotherone
answer ed.
Thuladopushedt hr ought hemob, shegaspedupon

reali
zingwhyt hepeopl ewer egat heredhere,she
ranbackt oherlit
tlehouseandgr abbedt wolatex
glovesshekepti nhercl eaningsuppl iescupboar d,
andbol tedoutreturningtot hedumpsi t
e.She
pressedt hr
oughoncemor emaki ngherwayt ot he
body,shet urnheroveronl ytofindshewasf reshly
bleedingbelowherr i
ghtbr east,probablyst
abbed.
Shel i
ftedherdressandt hebl oodgavei tal
laway,
shehadbeenr apedandst abbed.
Themul t
itudewentcr azyshout i
ngathert ostop
meddl i
ngwi t
ht hecr imesceneandt hatshewi l
lget
i
nt otr
oubl ewi t
ht heaut hori
ties"shewi l
ldiei
fwe
dontrushhert ot hehospi t
al"sher epliedster
nly,t
he
crowdwentqui etast heywat chedThul adoatt
end
tothewoundt r
yingt ost opt hewoundf rom
bleedi
ngf ur t
herusi ngherf avori
tej ersey.Sheasked
ayounggi rlt
ocal lMbusof orher,hewasoneoft he
fewpeopl ewhoownedacari nt
hiscommuni t
y,
peoplenor mal l
yhi r
ehi mt orusht hem t othe
hospitalforemer genci eseveni ntheweehour sof
themor ning, hedi dn'tmi ndbecauset hemoneywas
good.
Mbusoscr eechbehindthemobandr ushedto

whereThul adowascrouchingoverabeaut i
ful
unconsciousgirl
,hi
sheartwr enchedindisbelieve
astowhowoul dhurtsuchfragil
ecreatures."help
mecar ryher,becar
efulnottotouchherbl ood"
Thuladoexclaimed,
theyhelpedheri ntothecarand
theydroveof f
.
Att hehospi talThul adosatont hebenchesf eeling
cold, ifonl yshet houghtofat l
eastgr abbi ngaf leece
blankett hingswoul dbebet ter,nowshecoul dn't
l
eaveunt ilsheknowst hegirlisrecover i
ngwel l.
Mbusowasl onggone, it
'snotlikeshecoul daf ford
tohavehi m wai twithhersohecandr iveherback
home, event heR350hechar gedtobr ingherher e
shest il
lneededt obor rowandpayi tbackatt heend
oft hemont h.Beingacashi eratasuper market
didn' tpayt hatmuch, t
hedoct orappr oachedf inall
y
afterwhatseemedl ikeforever.Shest oodup
meet inghi m halfway" howi sshe? "t hedoct or
smi ledsi tti
ngont hebench, shejoinedhi m"she' s
recover i
ngwel l
,Iwant edt othankyouonherbehal f
forbr i
ngingherher eont i
meandf orst oppi
ng
furtherbl oodl oss, yousavedherl ife"hesai d
grat efull
y, "I
'm gladshe' swel l
,Iwilltakemyl eave
now" .
"youshoul
dcomecheckonhert
omor
row,I'
m sur
e
shewouldli
ket
omeettheper
sonwhosavedher
l
ife"hesaidwi t
hasmi l
e,"
Ididn'tdoi
tfor
recogniti
onbutbecauseitwast heri
ghtthi
ngt odo"
shesaidget t
ingonherfeet
."letmegetyourdet ai
ls,
thepolicewil
lwantastatementf r
om you,shewas
rapedandst abbedobvi
ously"hesaidpressingon
hisballpoint
.Thulador
ecit
edhercont actdetai
ls
andleft.
Int heeveni ngshewr appedagownar oundher

bodyandl ift
edupherpl asticbatht ubsoshecoul d
spillthedi rtywaterfrom herbat h, sheret urnedand
wipedhert ubleavi
ngi tbehi ndherdoorcl osingit.
Shest artedplati
ngt her iceandcabbage, itwast hat
ti
meoft hemont hwhent hingsstar t
edr unni ngout
atleastshet hrewinsomewor soi lthatshehadkept
forr ainydays.Shesatdownwat chingherl it
tleTV,
i
tgotl onelyatt i
mesl ivingal onebutherf ami lyl
ived
allthewayi nMooiRi ver ,itwasbestt hatwayever
sincehermot herdied, theyst art
edt reatingher
different l
y.Beingraisedi napol ygamyset ti
ngcan
beani ghtmare,herfat hert ri
estokeepi ncont act
buti t'
sj ustneverthesame.
Shemovedt oDur banaf t
ermat ri
chopi ngtogeta
spacet ostudybutherf athergotr etr
enchedand
couldn'tf
undherst udiesanymor e,i
fonlyshe
appli
edf ornsfasandwhenshef inall
ydid, t
heyjust
neverreplybackt ohersosheopt edtoremai ni
n
Durbant osearchf oraj obwhi leshewai tedforan
opportunit
yt ost
udy.Shest art
edasawai t
ress
whil
er enti
ngaoner oom shacki nani nformal
sett
lement ,i
twasR200permont h.Withtimeshe
managedt odoashor tcashi ercourseandnowshe
i
sapr oatt hetil
ls.
Shehasbeensl owl
ysavingsoshecanaf fordto
fundherst udi
estobeanur se.Shewi pedherplate
anddr ankaglassofwat erthenshecur l
edupon
hercouchwat ching"I
mbewu" ,shewasst artl
ed
whenshehear dcommot ionout side,thisti
me
aroundshewasn' tgoi
ngt ogoout sideandcheck,
shesavedagi r
l'
sli
fetoday, t
hat'sagooddeed
enoughf ortheday.Shecont inuedt uningintoher
favori
tesoapieseri
es,untilherdoorf lungopenshe
j
umpedi nfri
ght,
herhear
tplodded.I twasaman, he
l
iftedhisonehandinsurrender ,
theotheronhi s
chesttryi
ngtocatchhisbreath."Iwon'thurtyou"he
saidinhisdeephoarsevoice,"Ijustneedapl aceto
hide",
Thuladojustst
oodtheredumbst ruck,aft
era
fewmi nutesthecommotiondi eddownout si
de.
Thul adogawkedatt hestrangersitt

ingont hefl
oor
i
nonecor nerwi thahoodi eoverhishead, shewas
tooscar edt oaskhi m whyhewasi nherlit
tlehouse,
i
twasget tinglateandsheneededt osleep.Herbed
wasj ustont heonesi deoftheroom andhert i
ny
kitchenont heother." Iwanttosleep"shesai d
frantically, themangl ancedathert henfloppedhi s
head" youcansl eep, Iwil
lleaveintheweehour sof
themor ni ng" ,"
areyout herapist
sumal i
gaju? "t
he
manf rownedl ookingather ,
"what?"heasked
appal led, "nevermi nd"Thul adorepli
edshar ply
hoppi ngont oherbed.
Ther
ewasal
oudbangont
hedoor
,Thul
adowoke
upi nstantl
yshegl ancedatt hecor nerwher et he
manwassi tt
ingbuthewasn' tthere, theloudknock
ont hedooragai n"openthedoori t
'st hepolice,if
youdon' topenwewi l
lki
ckt hisdoordown"t hey
screamedi mpat i
entl
y.Thuladoj umpedoutofbed
checki ngthet i
meonherphone, itwas3: 40am she
rushedt owardst hedoorbuti twasn' tevenl ocked.
Thepol i
cebar gedinandst artedsear chi
ngt he
place, "
howcanIhel pyou?"Thul adosai dner vously,
"wel ookingforaman, hi
stal landdar k,hewas
wear ingahoodi ethepeoplesai dher anthisway" ,
"wellIhaven'tseenhi m",Thul ador eassur edthem.
Aftertur
ningtheplaceupsidethepolicef
inal
lyl
eft
,
Thuladoretur
nedtobedandexhal ed.Whatift
hey
reall
yfoundhim here,t
hatwasn' tgoi
ngtolook
goodatal l
.Sheturnedandt ossedwonderingwhy
wast hepoli
celookingforhim.
©ZamaGambusheYenga,
2021
_
___
___
Seeyouintwoweekst i
me,t
hisi
sfort
hef
avorI
askedyoufor
,thankyoutot
hosewhopar
ti
cipat
ed,
I
real
lyappr
eci
ateit
.
#esaphesheya
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er1
Exact ly7pm Thul adoj umpedof ft

het axi,lookingup
totheskyagr eysi lverycur veofamoonshi mer i
ng,
toobadt helight si nt hecityar esobr i
ght
commandi ngf oryourat tentionaswel l.Sheheaved
asi gh, reli
evedt hatt omor rowwasherdayof f,she
coul dsl eeptillthesungoesr ightinherbut t,she
giggledbecauset hat '
swhathermot herusedt osay
"i
ntombiayi l
alinj engaweThul ado, l
iphumei l
anga
kucaceukut hilizongenaezi nqeni "(agi rldoesn' t
sleepl ikeyouThul ado, yousl eepunt i
lthesunr i
se
full
y).Howshemi ssedhermom att imes, she
wonder edhowl ifewoul dbe, i
fshewasst illali
ve,
maybeshewoubei nUniver sityorhappi lymar ri
ed
withi gcokama( ahandsomef ashi onist
)f r
om t he
vil
lage.
Onherwayhomesheusesapat
hthatl
eadsher
throughacommuni tyfi
eldwher et heyhol d
communi tymeet ingsandpl aysoccer ,itwasnewly
builtsoever ythingwasf resh.Theyhadchangi ng
roomswi thtoiletsandshower s,thegat esare
supposedt obel ockedbutr umorhasi tthatthe
phar a'
s(junkies)br okeinsot heycoul duset he
toi
letsast heirhi deout.Thuladowal kedal lt
heway
tothemi ddlewher etheyhadmadeconcr et
eseats,
i
tact uall
ylookedl ikeami nist adium, shewoul dput
herhandbagandal oafofbr eadnextt oherand
enjoyt heview.I twasn' tmucht osee, justfourpol
es
oflightsstandi ngonei t
hersi desshi nningintothe
fi
eld, i
twasmost lyempt y…justlikeherl if
e.
Afterafewmi nut
esshewi l
lgatherherstuffand
resumeherwal ktoherl
itt
leroom,shestruggled
withherkeyonceagai n,sheadmi t
tedthatitwas
ti
met ochangeherpadlock"bloodyrust"
.Itwas
easyt okeepaoner oom clean,i
fonlyshecoul dget
ri
doft hepilesofbooksandmagazi nesbutt hat
won' tdobecauseoftheknowl edgeandyummy
recipesthepaperspossess.Sheent er
sbutbef or
e
shedoesanythi
ng,shepreparesabat
handchange
i
ntocleancl
othes,
shetidi
esherroom andput
ever
ythingi
ntheexactspotjustt
hewaysheli
kesi
t.
Livingal onehasi tadvant agesbecauseshedoesn' t

havet ocook, sheboi l
swat erwhi l
eshebut t
ersher
bread, aknockonherdoorcausedhert oslam t
he
but t
erkni feonhercupboar d" whycan' tpeopl estay
i
nt heirhouses…yer r"shemut tered." ubani?"she
screamedal mostatt hedoor ."it'
sNanaf r
iend"she
responded, sheunhookedt hechai nandopenedt he
doorj ustenoughsoshecoul dpeekherheadout .
"mngani !"(fri
end! ),
"Idon'tknowwhatmademe
thinkyouwoul dl etmei n,butanywayIneeda
favor !
",sheexcl ai med.Thul adowi denedhereyes
asani ndicationf orhert ocont inue, "pl
easebor row
meR1500, afriendofmi nesecur edaj obformeat
Transnet ,
canyoui magi neTr ansnet "shesai d
excitedly.Thul adost eppedoutcl osingt hedoor
behi ndher ,thiswasr atheri nterestingi fshecoul d
saysot oher sel f
."congr atulationsIguessbutI
don' thavet hatki ndofmoney, Ist i
lloweMbuso
R350"sher epl
ied."
eish,Idon'tknowwhatt odo,
todaywemett heguyhegaveusf ormst osi
gnand
tookourmeasur ement sforunif
orm andwor kboot
s,
IjustneedR1500t opayf orallofthatandI'
m
sorted"Nanaelaborated.
Isn'
tthatascam? ,
Thuladoaskedconcer ned."I
knewyouwoul dbej ealous,someofusar emeant
forgreatert
hingsthanst andingal ldayatti
llpoints
sulki
ngatcust omersbecauset heyhavemoneyt o
buyallthatfoodthatyouwi shyoucoul d"she
depri
catedher ,"
ouch"isal lThuladocouldsay." yes
ouch,youar ejeal
ousbecauseyouknowIwi l
lget
paidmor ethanyou, anywaysIwi l
lgoandbor r
ow
themoneyel sewher e"shet ur
nedonherheel sand
walkedawayl eavingThul adodumbf ounded.
SheputtheKettl
eonagai
nandf i
nishedbutt
ering
herbr
eadwhenherphoner angf r
om herbag,she
squi
ntedlooki
ngatt
heunregister
ednumber ."hel
lo"
shesaid,
"It
'sDuket
hedoctor,wemetyest er
dayat
thehospital"heexpl ai
ned, "
howcanIhel pyou
doctor?
",sheaskedcut tingtot hechase."wellI
wantedtot ellyout hatthegirli
sdoi ngwellandasI
assumedt hepol i
cewoul dlikeast atementfrom
you,canyoucomet othehospi talt
omor r
ow? "he
askedreluctantly."youluckyi t
'smydayof f
otherwi
se, i
twoul dhavebeeni mpossi bl
e,Iwi l
lsee
youtomor row"sher espondedt henshehungup.
Itwasgr eatt
hatt hegirlwasr ecoveri
ngwel l butit
wasst i
llaworryt hattheseincidentswi l
lcont inue
tobehappen, shef eltl
ikethepol i
cear edoi ngt o
l
ittl
et oputast opi ntothesecr i
mes.Shet ookbi g
bitesonherbr eadandbi ggul psonhercoolt ea,
shehadbeenhungr yforawhi lenow, everyt hing
wasast r
etchtowar dstheendoft hemont h, she
couldn'tevenaf f
or damer evetkoekswi thapol ony
sli
cef orlunch.Ifshedar epur chasethoset henshe
willbeshor tofftaxifare,hermi nddrif
tedof ft o
Nana, sheponder edonwhyshest il
lkeptherasa
fri
endbecausehonest lyshebr oughtnoval uei nher
l
ife,ifshe'snotscandal li
ngt henshei sjudgi ngher
onhowshewillneverkeepamanbecauseshe'
s
wier
dandupt
ight.
Thenshet houghtfurtheraboutt heTr ansnetj ob,

wouldn'titbenicet owor kt here.Theypaybet ter
,
shecoul devenaf fordpayi ngf orherownt uitionbut
thanthi
ssoundedt oogoodt obet rue, iftherei s
someonewhoi shar dtoempl oyitsNana.Shehad
nowor kexper i
ence, nomat ri
c,shecan' tevenspeak
Engli
shf l
uent l
yletaloner ead.Noof fense, yetshe
i
ssopi cky, Thuladoinvit
edherwhenshewentt o
dropoffCV' saroundt ownbutshebl at antlyr efused
onsomeshewant edanof fi
cej obwithni cehour s,
becauseshedoesn' twantt oslaveforI ndi an
bosses.
Thul
adowashedherdi shesleavingthem i
nthe
basi
ntodryont hei
rown, i
twasherspaceshe
coul
ddowhat eversheli
ked.Shehoppedont obed
andswit
chedonherTV, nor
mal l
yshewoul dsi
ton
hert
inycouchbuttodayshewant edtol
iedown,her
feetwer eachi ngfrom standingtheent ir
eday.
Imbewupl ayedshesatupexci t
edly,shehadami ni
crushonKwenzoNgcobo, hisZuluaccentwasf r
om
thesout hcoast ,hewasKhwezi 'sfather.Lindiwe
mustst opbeingdi ffi
cul
t,Sbongileistryingtounite
af atherwithherdaught erbutshekeepsf ocusing
ont hepast ,f
or get
tingthatthischil
dwi llgrowup
andaskaboutherf ather.Thuladoar guedi nher
head, itcoul
dbebecauseshecoul dn'tstandseeing
hercr ushhur torthat'sexactl
yhowshef eltabout
thi
st opic.
Imbewuf ini
shedshebusi edher sel
font hephone
anddozedof f,shewokeuphear inganangr ymob
outsi
de,thewhi st
lekeptgoi ngwhi chmeantt her
e
wasanemer gencymeet ing, shejumpedoutof fbed
putti
ngherslippers.Shepul ledoutacoatt hat
bel
ongedhermot her,i
twasl ongenought ocover
hernightdress,shelockedt hedoort hi
st i
meand
hurri
edtowher ethenoisecamef rom."shit
"she
mumbl edunderherbr eath,itwast he"blackbench"
someonewasaboutt ogetal i
fethreat
eningbeati
ng
f
rom t
hecommuni
ty,
shewonder
edwho.
Thecommuni t
yl eaderscamef orthwi thanger
writt
enal lovert heirfaces, theywer ehuf fi
ngand
puffi
ng." thisist hefi
ltht hathasbeenr ansacking
ourhomesandr appi
ngourgi rl
s"t heyspatout ,the
mobwentcr azy" baf
akeniebhent shini"theyal
l
agreed, withoutanyf urtheradot heywer erai
ningon
them likeat onneofbr icks, t
heircr iespierced
throughone' ssoulonanor maldayThul adowoul d
takeherl eavebecausesher esent edthispartit
alwaysr esul t
edt omur ders,per pet r
atorshardl
y
survivedabat teringfrom t hecommuni t
y.Buttoday
wasdi fferentthesemor onshavepet ri
fiedthem
enough, itwasevenmor escar i
erf ormai denslike
herwhol i
vedal one,itwast i
met heyst oppedliving
i
nf ear.
Oneofthel
eadersrai
sedhishandupindicati
ng
t
hatt
heyshouldstop."br
ingt
heelect
rici
tycables,
t
odaytheywil
ltel
lusthei
roperat
ionandwhot hey
arewor kingwi t
h"heexpl ai
ned, thel i
ttl
eboysr ant o
fetcht hecabl es."boysyoubet terst arttalki
ngorwe
willelect r
ocuteyou"hewar ned, don'tmesswi than
angr ymob, theywi llshowyounomer cyandt he
policewon' tevenar restthem becausenoonewi ll
snitch, t
heyar ef i
xingt hecount ry.Theysupposed
"mal i
gaj u'
s"ar elyingdownont hedust ygr oundso
weakl y,youcoul dal mostfeelsor ryf orthem, they
arecover edinbl ood, t
heirclot
hesar et ornf r
om al l
thest rokes" khulumanizi nja"(t
al kyoudogs)t he
meni nt hemobshout edimpat iently,"i
t'
sj ustuswe
aref rom thenei ghbor ingsettl
ement ,there'sthreeof
us"t heoneguysay, hestartsvomi tt
ingbl oodand
stopst alkingear ninghi mselfaki ckont hest omach.
"wher eisyourf r
iend? "oneoft hel eader sasked, "he
didn'twantt ocomeanymor e,
hi snamei sMhl engi"
.
Thecommuni tyabruptedinnoise,t
heyaccused
them ofwastingtheirti
me, t
heyresumedtheir
batt
eringThuladost ar
tedwalkingbackwards,she
knewf rom t
hereitwasoverf orthem.Normallyshe
wouldbei nherroom cr yi
ngandpr ayi
ngforthei
r
souls,
becauseitwasn'tani cesighttoseehumans
hateeachothersomuch, buttodayi sdif
fer
ent.She
wouldsleeppeacefull
yknowi ngt hatitwassafe,
sheglancedatherwat chbef or
est ret
chingand
yawning,i
tread3:45am shesmi l
edandsnuggl ed
underherblanketat
leastshest il
lhadacoupl e
hourstosleepbeforegoingt othehospi t
al
tomorrow.
Itwasmi ddaythesunwasscor chi ngbutt hebr eeze

compl imentedever ything, shet wi r
ledi nherbl ack
j
eansandasi mpl ewhi teT- shir
t, sheputonherpi nk
Nikesneaker s,theonl yexpensi vepai rsheowned
mat chingherl i
ttl
ebackpack, notf orget t
ingher
blackbuckethatf orthel adiescompl etingherst r
eet
l
ook.I twasf abulousonherwi thhershor tcutesel f
,
shewasl ikeabumbl ebee, l
itt
lebutst ingsl ikeno
other.Shear ri
vedatt hehospi t
al, t
hesmi ttendoct or
smi l
edbr oadly."heyyou"hesai dbr eathless, "
hi"
sher epli
ed.Thedoct oraskedf orhert of ollowhi m
i
nt othewar dsj ustl
ikehesai d, thegi rlwasawake
shel ookedsomuchbet terbutst i
llbedr i
dden
perhapsf rom thest abwound, shest artedbl i
nking
rapidl
ytear swel li
ngi nhereyes, Thuladocoul dn't
helpitbutf eelherpai nasi fitwasherl yingont hat
bed."Ihavebeent ell
ingthem aboutuncl eFredbut
theydidn'tbelieveme, hefinal l
yr apedmeandhe
saidhewi l
lkil
lmei fIscreamedbutIcoul dn'
tkeep
quiet,i
twassopai nfulandIhat edsol etitallout,
thenextt hingIr ememberIam her e"…Hest abbed
me, shesai dfranticallyl
ooki ngar ound" hehada
knifeIsawi t
,hewaspenet ratingmehol dingakni f
e,
ohGod…Hewi llfi
nishmeof f",shecr iedt erri
fied.
"hewon' tfindyou, wear eher e"Thul adoassur ed
her,shecal medast hesedat ionputhert osleep.
"whereisherf ami l
ythisisser ious?"Thuladoasked
thedoctor,"shedoesn' twantust ocallthem,but
eventuall
ywewi llneedtoo, she'sjustami nor"the
doctorresponded, "maybei nvolvesocialworkers
fi
rst
,she'sscar edwhosai dyoudon' tneed
prot
ectionf r
om yourownf ami l
y"shesai d
concerned.Dukecoul dn'tkeephi seyesofher ,she
wassonat uralineverything,honestlyhehasnot
beenmesmer i
zedbyagirlasThuladoisdoingto
hi
m." canitakeyououtfordinner
?"Dukeaskedout
oftheblue,
Thul adosmil
edshyly"doc"
..
."callme
Duke"hecuthershor t
.
Shesmi ledallherwayhome, sheneversawhi min

thatnotebutnowt hatheshowedi nter
estshe
couldn'
thel pitbutnot icehisbushyeyebr owsand
thatcockysmi l
e,hewaswel lbui
ltandsmel lednice.
Shewant edtoscr eam, ithasbeenawhi l
esi nceshe
wasappr oachedbyaman.I t'snotsomet hi
ngshe
dwellsonal ot,exceptwhenNanagoesonandon
abouthert hreeboyf ri
endswhom pr ovi
def orallher
needs."I'
m goi ngoutwi t
hadoct or"shewhi spered
assher ummagei ntoherwar dr
obelookingf oran
outfi
twor thytowearf oradinnerwi t
hadoct or.
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er2
Thedi nner…I twasever yt

hingandmor e,though
Thulado'sbr eathewashei ghtenedmostoft hetime,
i
twasj usttoomucht hi
ngst ogetusedt oinjust
oneni ght,from thecompl i
catedmenut ohernot
knowi ngasi ngledr i
nkser vedexceptcool dri
nk,how
embar rasing.Atl eastDukewasgent l
emanenough
tochaper onehert heent i
renight ,
thedateendedi n
ami ndbl owi ngsmoocht hatleftThuladoconf used,
wasi tpossi bletoplayhar dtogetaf teryouhave
accept edaki ss?Ther i
ppingof fclot
hesand
touchingki ndofki ss?Iguessyoucannotdr aw
backf rom such, shecoul dn'tthinkofavalidreason
todelaythi
scourt
ingprocess.Thuladowasnowa
doctorsgir
lf
ri
end,shecouldn'
twaitforNanato
comebr agabouthergreatli
fet
henshewoul d
shockherandwat chherchokewithj eal
ousy,f
inal
ly
adecentmansawherwor th.
Shear r
ivedhomeandDukewoul dn'
tstopcal ling,
thoughshewasexhaust edandhadt orestsocan
bef reshf orworkthenextmor ning,shedi dn'tmi nd
sacrifi
cingacoupl eofhoursfort henewl over .They
fooledar oundont hephonegiggl ingandwhi sper i
ng
sweetnot hingtoeachother
,itwasevenhar dt obe
thef i
rstonet ohangup.Finall
yThul adogotsome
sleep, t
hemor ni
ngcamecoat ingt henewday
Thuladogotr eadyandjustbeforeshecoul dl eave
thehouse, sherecei
vedacallf r
om herdad.
"
Hel
lobaba!
"Shesai
dsof
ly
"Thul
adomntwanawami
,howar
eyou?
"Heasked
concerned
"
I'
mfi
nebaba!
"Shecuthi
m shor
t
"Icall
edt obearyousadnews,umamkhul
u
usishiyi
le"(
haspassedon),hesai
dsadl
y
"
Oh!I
'
m sor
ryt
oheart
hatdad"
,sher
epl
ied
"Thef
uneralist
hisweekend,
youwi
llneedt
ocome
home",heorder
edher
"
I'
m notcomi
ng,I
'
m worki
ngandIdon'
thave
money",
shedi
smissedhi
m
"
youcanbor
rowandIwillgi
veyouwhenIgetsome
moneyt
o"hewascutshortoncemor
e
"Ican'
t,
pleasebur
ywel
l,
Iwi
llcal
lyou"shecutt
he
call
Tearswelledupi nhereyesasshet ookl ongstrides

totherank,shedidn' tknowifherhurthast urned
i
ntohateasshedi dn'twantanyt hi
ngt odowi thher
famil
yandMooiRi ver.Nowt hatoneoft hem is
dead,shemustdr opever yt
hingandr unt ot
hem
j
ustbecauset heyar ef amil
y.Shewasn' tlyi
ngwhen
shesaidshedi dn'thavet hemoney, maybei fshe
didshewoul dhavegonebutwhatanger edheris
thatherfat
herwaswil
li
ngtobor
rowmoneyf orher
togot oafuner
al,
meanwhil
ehehasneversenther
asinglecentj
usttomakesur
eshewasatleast
eati
ng.
Shedi dn'texpecthi mt otravelt oDur bantochecki f

shewasl ivinginasaf eenvi ronment , t
hat'
swhat
fathersdowhent heyhavedaught ers.Theymove
mount ainsf orthem buteversi nceherbel oved
mot herdi ed, shebecameal ostsheepwonder i
ng
aroundneedi ngandwant ingt i
lltodayshehasn' t
beenf ound.Shehoppedi ntoat axiafterwipingher
tears,thet raffi
cki nUmngenii st hewor seint he
mor ning.I fyoudon' tdepar tyourhouseat leastan
hourear l
ydeem your selflateatwor k,Thulado
l
ovedsi tti
ngnextt ot hewi ndowbecauseshecoul d
j
ustl ookoutandadmi retheci tyofDur ban.
"wor kshopekhoneni "shescr eamedl oudenoughf or
theconduct ortohearher ,withinmi nut eshebanged
thedoorf rom out sidest artl
ingpeopl einsi
det he
taxi.Conduct orsthrivedi nbei ngdr amat i
c,itwas
annoyi ng, iftheywer en'
tscr eami ngmonot onously
thestopstheywer egoingto,t
hent heywereupin
yourfacebeggingyout opickthei
rt axi
,asift
hat
's
notenought heywillgr
abyourbagsot hatyoucan
fol
lowthem butnot hi
ngbeatstheirslappi
ngofthe
doorindi
catingforthedri
vertostop.
Whent hesupermar ketisbusythehoursf l

y,
Thuladowasaf ewmi nutesawayfrom knockingof
f
ti
me, Dukesnamef lashedont hescreen.She
smiledtoherselfi
twasagoodf eeli
nghaving
someonet ocallyouf ornoapparentreason,onl
y
becausetheyloveyou.
"
Hel
lo!
"Shesai
dtr
yingt
osoundsexy
"
Hel
lomabhebeza!
"Duker
epl
iedcheer
ful
ly
"
HowcanIhel
pyou?
"Thul
adoasked
"Besi
dethefactt
hatImi
ssyou,Iwantedtotellyou
thatI
'
m goinghome,mom isnotwel
l.Ihadtot ake
anemergencyleave,
Iwi
llbebackaft
eraweek
dependi
ngonhowshei sdoingobvi
ously"Duke
r
esponded
"
I'
m sor
ryaboutyourmom,Ihopesherecover
s
t
hankyouforl
etti
ngmeknow"shesaidgratef
ull
y
"
Iwi
llbei
ncont
actOK…Il
oveyou"heexcl
aimed
"
Iloveyout
oo"sher
epl
ied
Atleastsomepeopl ehavemot hers, t

hi sisat hought
thatwentt hroughThul ado'smi nd, shecr ossedt he
robotsqui ckl
y,youcannevert rustDur bant axi
driverstheyaresuchoppor t
uni stasl ongast here'
s
nocamer aormet r
opol i
cei t
'sagap.Somet i
mes
theywoul dscar eyouandwat chyour unf oryour
l
ife,thentheywi lldri
veslowl ynextt oyouj ustto
ask" uri
ghtkodwant okazi?"ser i
ousl y?Wi tht hat
smi rkonyourf aceaf t
eryoual mostki ll
ed
someone' sdaught er?Thegi rlswoul dpul ltheir
facescl ut
chingont heirbagswal kingf ort
hunt i
lthe
sil
lydr i
vergivesupanddr iveaway…I twor ksfor
othersbecauset odaytheyar eknownast axi
queens.JustnotThul adoshespr intsacr osst he
robotsandcar r
yonmi ndingherownbusi ness.
Nanai salreadywaitingimpatientl
youtsi
deherdoor.
Shef r
ownedather ,
shewasst il
lmadf r
om the
horri
bleencount ert
heyhadyest er
day,i
fthere'
sone
personshewi shwoul dvanishinherli
feitwas
Nanabutf orsomer easonsheal waysall
owher sel
f
togetattachedt oherever ysi
ngletime,maybe
becauseshe' stheonl yf
riendshe'sgot.
"
Weneedt
otal
k"Nanasai
danxi
ousl
y
"
letmegett
hechai
rs"
,Thul
ador
epl
ied
"noi
t'
spri
vat
ehur
ry"shefor
ceful
lypushedi
ntot
he
house,
somuchtoThulado'
sannoyance
Shehat edinvit
ingpeoplei
nsideherperfectspace,
shewascont entwit
hhowt hingswerebutpeopl e
alwaysf oundawayt ojudgeandmaker emarks
aboutherr oom, t
her
eforeshedecidedthatall
visi
ter
sshoul dendrightbythedoor,shewasmor e
thanhappyt obr i
ngoutsnacksandchai rsoutsi
de
butNanahasforceful
lyi
nvit
edhersel
fin.Thul
ado
wasfumingherflar
ednosewasacl earindi
cat
ion,
butNanadidn'
thavetimetonurseheregoor
i
nsecuri
ti
esorwhateveriti
sthatmakesherso
wier
dandunwel coming.
"Fi
rstofal
l,
IowemashonisaR1650,t
hatguy
scammedus.Hi sphonei
soff,
canyouyoubel i
eve
i
tfri
end,heranoffwi
thourj
obs,ourmoney"she
cri
ed
"
Idi
dtel
lyou"Thul
ador
epl
iedannoyed
"t
hisi
snotthet
imetorubi
tonmyf
ace,
havea
heart
"sher
esponded
"
sor
ry"shesai
dboi
li
ngaket
tl
eofwat
er
"theyhavef oundthi
sMhlengiguy,apparentl
yhe
l
ivesint heneighbor
ingsett
lement.Theyareputti
ng
togetherateam togoandupr oothim,theyhaveto
ambushhi m sohedoesn'tr
unof f
"sheexplained
"
oh…t
oobadhi
sfri
endsaredeadnowhewi
llf
ace
t
hemusi
conhisown"shesaidbor
ed
"Ineedt
ogoandseemymani nt
ownmaybehehas
somemoneyforme"shesai
dget
tingonherf
eet
"
sur
e"shesai
dunbot
her
ed
"soyounotgoi
ngtot
ellme?
"Nanaaskedwi
thher
handsonherhips
"
tel
lyouwhat
?"Thul
adoaskedr
aisi
nghereyebr
ows
"
Iheardyouwer
eseendr
essedupi
ntheaf
ter
noon,
wher
edidyougo?"
"Iwentonadat
e,Ihaveaboyf
ri
endnow,
hisa
doct
or"shesmi
ledshyl
y
"
wellyouneedtogetri
dofallthisrubbi
sh,i
magine
awholedoctorcomi
ngi nt
oacl oggeduproom l
ike
t
his,l
osethebooksfr
iend"sheor der
ed
"
Getout
!"Thul
adospat
Shel ai
donherbedf eel
ingabitdown,i
twas
evidentthatt
odaywasn'tagreatdayf
orher.She
dialedDukehopingatl
easthewouldli
ftupher
mood.
"
hey"Dukesai
dsadl
y
"
notyouaswel
l"shesai
dinasul
kingvoi
ce
"Ij
ustgotacallfrom t
hehospital
,wecontactedt
he
parent
stodaytoinformthem aboutt
hegirl
,nowt he
shewasf ounddead.Noonesawanyt hing,she'
s
deadThuladojustli
kethat
.
"nono…didshekil
lher
self
?Somebodymusthave
seensomet
hing"
,shecri
ed
"nope…Ij
ustneedt
osl
eep,
canwecal
litani
ght
?"
hepleaded
"
sur
e…Goodni
ght
"shesai
d
"
night
"hehungup
@Fr
edSi
monsI
nc
Pearlpull
edupherG-str
ingfi
xinghert
wopiecesui
t,
sheflashedanaughtysmileatFredwhi
leheputon
hisclot
hesaswell
.Thishasbeengoingonforas
l
ongasamont hofSundays, theywouldpr etend
theyhavedeadlinest omeetj ustsotheycanadd
extrahourstotheirshi f
tsinthenight
s.Fr ed'
sof fi
ce
reekedofsex,Pear lopenedaf ewwindowsj ustso
freshaircoul
dchaseawayt heunwant edsmel lof
sin.Ayoungmot hermar r
iedtoosoon,shef eltshe
stil
lhadalott
oexpl or e,shewasbeautifuland
deservedwaymor et hanwhatshehad.
"Apennyforyourthought
?"Fr
edaskedherashe
but
tonedhisshir
t
"whydon'
twemaket
hingsof
fi
cial
?"shebl
urt
edout
ofthebl
ue
"youmarr
iedPearl
,youact
ual
lyhaveaf
ami
ly"he
saiddi
smissi
vel
y
"Iguessyour
ightbutyouareallIt
hinkof
f,Senzoi
s
greatbutwearen'
tcompati
ble"shecomplai
ned.
"gi
vehi
m achance,
thi
sisfunbutI
'm al
waysbusy
anywayanynewsonyourdaught
er?"hepr
obed
"
Senzosai
dsomet
hingaboutahospi
tal
,It
hinkhe
mi
ghtneedanot
herdayof
f"sher
esponded
"
Ican'tbegivi
nghim daysoffal
lthet
ime,soont
his
wil
laffectmyotherworker
s,Idon'
twanttobe
l
abeledasshowi ngf
avorit
ism"hesai
dsternl
y
"butthi
sisimport
ant,ourdaughterwentmissi
ng
mysteri
ouslyonthatdinner
,Senzohasn'tsl
eptnor
eateninthepastcoupleofdays"shesaid
defensi
vely
"Fi
ne,
butyouwil
lhavetopaymehandsomel
y"he
sai
dundressi
ngheroncemore
Asperusualt heyf uckedl i

kerabbit
s,ravishingone
anotherasi ft heyareone.Pear lwhowasj ustaPA
buttreatedl i
keaCo- ownerthenSenzoVi lakazia
mereheadofsecur i
tyforFredSimons, theyhada
goodr elati
onshi pwitht hebossinquest i
on.Hehas
beenal oyalfamilyfriend,t
heytrustedhim wi th
thei
rlivesandasagoodcompani onheal ways
camet hroughf orthem wheni tcamet of i
nancial
constraints.Heal sof i
ll
edthegapi nbetweent he
l
egsofMrVi lakazi'
swi fewhoseem t ohaveno
pr
obl
em what
soever
.
@t
hehospi
tal
Senzosatont hosecol dbenchesi ndi sbel

ieve,he
tri
edhiswi febutherphonekeptgoi nginto
voicemail,shewaspr obablybusy, withtheamount
ofwor ktheygeti nthatcompanyyouwoul dswear
sheget spaidmi ll
ions.Hewasst i
llwai t
ingfora
doctortoaddr esshi m,whatmadehi m uneasyisto
whatbr oughthisdaught erwhohavebeenmi ssing
fordaysinhospi tal.Wasshehur t
?Wasshe
kidnapped?Thedoct orinterr
uptedhi sthoughts,he
l
ookedathi m pit
if
ul l
ywhichdi dn'
thel pbutfuelup
hisanxiousness.
"pl
easefol
lowme,thedoctorwhowastendi
ngto
yourdaughteri
sonleave"t
hedoct
ori
nformedhi
m
"
that'
salr
ight
,Ij
usthaven'
tsl
eptindays,
wewer
eat
adinneri
nmyboss/ f
ri
end'shouseal
ongwit
hot
her
coll
eagues.Allt
hekidswereplayi
ngtoget
her
,we
didn'
tnoticet
hatourgir
lwasmi ssi
ngunti
lwewer
e
thelastpeopl
einthebuil
ding"hesaid
"hmmm anyt
hingcouldhavehappened,
sincet
he
placewascr
owded",herepl
ied
"mybosst hinksit'
shisenemies,hehasbeen
helpingus,t
hepol i
cehavebeenl ookingbutnothi
ng,
soyoucani magi nehowshockedIam t ogetacal
l
fr
om t hehospit
al…I'm act
ual
lyreli
eved"hesaid
sit
tingdownatt heoffi
ce
"accordi
ngt othef i
les,yourdaught erwasbr ought
i
nher ebyacer tai
nyoungl adywhof oundherina
l
ocaldumpsi t
e,unfor t
unat elyMrVi lakazishewas
rapedandst abbed.I tlooksl ikeshedi dn'
twantfor
yout obecont actedbecauset heper sonwhodi d
thistoher,youknewhi m anddi dn'tbeli
eveher.She
wasappoi ntedt osocial wor kasawayt oprepar
e
herbutsadl yshewasf ounddeadt hisevening,we
havesentherbodyf oraut opsyt oruleoutthecause
ofherdeathbecauseherdoct orsaidshewas
recoveri
ngwel l"heexpl ained
"No"hepausedlaughi
nghyster
ical
ly,
"mydaught
er
i
sn'
tdead,i
tcannotbe"hecri
ed
"I
'
m sorrysir
,youareall
owedtogoandvi
ewher
body,I
'm sor
ryforyourl
oss"hesai
dcl
osi
ngt
hefil
e
befor
ehim
"
didshegi
veyouaname?
"heasked
"maybedoctorDukewoul
dknowbuthi
sonl
eaveat
themoment"herepl
ied
"i
t'
sjustthatshehasnevert
oldmeaboutaman
touchi
ngher ,maybeshespoket
omywi fe…I-
Ican't
beli
evemyAngeli sgone,ar
eyousur ei
t'sher
maybet hisi
sacaseofmi st
akenidenti
ty"heargued
"youar
ewelcomedt
oconf
ir
m wi
tht
hecor
onersi
r"
heanswer
ed
Hispri
deandj oystr
ippedoffhim sogruesomel y,he
satonhisbutthugginghislegs,f
ortunatel
yPear l
wasn'
thomeyetwhi chmeanthecoul dcr yandbe
weakasmuchashewant ed,todecreaset hepain
hefel
tfrom withi
n.Heheardt hekeyturn,hequickly
ri
sedt ohi sf
eet,
hewonder edhowmuchPear l'
s
perfumecost sbecauseitwouldlasttheenti
reday,
shewoul dwalki
ntothehousesmel li
ngfreshli
ke
daisiesbuttodaywasn'taboutperfumes.Hisheart
poundednotknowi nghowt obr
eakt henewst ohi
s
beaut i
fulwif
e.
2021
_
___
___
___
Ihavesli
ghtl
ychangedmyf or
matit
'sforper
sonal
reasons,
pleasedon'
trushwhenr
eadingandbear
withme.
Pl
ease!Pl
ease!Pl
ease!
Evenifyouar
eonfr
eemode,checkoutmy3
previ
ouspost
sanddot
heri
ghtthing.
1.
Castavot
eforTshegof
atso
2.
Cli
ckonGagasif m hi
phopchar
tspict
ureand
wri
te"Esaphesheya"i
nthecommentsect
ion
3.Cl
ickonGagasifm hi
phopchart
spict
ureand
wri
te"EsaphesheyaBel
uga"i
nthecommentsect
ion
Iwi
llbef
orevergr
atef
ul,
thankyouguys.
..Uar
e
awesome
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er3
"youareherfat
herSenzo, youar
esupposedto
protectus,
howcanachi l
dgomi ssi
ngtoapointof
beingrapedandkil
ledri
ghtunderyournose…You
fail
edAngelandyouf ai
ledme",shespat
"Pear
lI'
m al
readyhurt
ingasiti
s,Iknowyouaret
oo
butpl
easedon'tpushthedaggerri
ghti
n,I
'mfeel
ing
l
ikeshit
"hepleaded
"Ican'
tbeli
eveImar
riedyou,nowmyonl ychil
di s
deadunderyourwatchSenzo.Youexpectmet osi t
hereandhugyou?Cr ywithyouwellI
'm not,Ineed
space.I'
m booki
ngi
n, Iwil
lseeyouinthemor ning
Fredgaveyouadayof f"shesai
dangrily
"Pleasestaywit
hme,ifyouleavemeal oneIwil
ldi
e,
youneedt ocryPear
ldon'tbott
lei
tin,
let'
scry
together
"hebegged
"
I'
m out
"shebangedt
hedooronherwayout
.
Shedi all
edFredast earstrickl
eddownherf ace, she
gotweakerwi theverystep.Obviouslyshewasat
thedinnerbutSenzoi sthecar i
ngpar ent,histhe
vigi
lantone.Howdi dhemi ssedt his,she
remember sdissapeari
ngwi thFredf oraqui ckie,
sher ecal
ledseeingAngelvi vidl
ypl ayingwi t
ht he
otherkidsstraightaft
ersher eturnedf rom Fred's
room.Heanswer edhisphoneal mosti mmedi ately.
"
missi
ngmeal
ready?
"hesai
dpl
ayf
ull
y
"I
'
m comi ngt
osl
eepover
,I'
m noti
nagoodspace"
sherepl
ied
"morereasonforyout
ostaywithyourbor
ing
husband,whatuseareyoutomeifyouaren'
tina
goodspacePear l?
"heaskedannoyed
"
Angeli
sdeadFr
ed"shecr
ied
"
ohuhm..I'
m sor
rybaby,youcancome,f
orgi
veme
f
orbei
nginsensi
ti
ve"sherespondedr
egr
ett
ably
Shehungupf
iddl
ingwi
tht
hekeysoshecoul
dst
art
thecar ,shepausedt hinkingaboutt hesestrong
feeli
ngssheaccumul atedovert heyearsforFred,
assadasi twasper hapst hi swasasi gnforherto
l
eaveSenzo.Shest artedthecaranddr oveoff,
meanwhi l
eSenzost oodbyt hewindowwi thhis
hear tbl
eedi ng,hedidn' tbl
inkunt i
lthecar
dissapear ed,tearsst r
eameddownhi sface.He
under st
oodt hatpeopl egrieveddiff
erentl
y,the
picturesofAngelf r
om t hel abwokehi sanger,she
wasonl y13whowoul dhat ehim somuchby
hurtinghisl i
ttl
egirlsomuch.
Thenextmorni
nghewokeupf r
om t
hefl
oor,his
bodyascoldasice,i
fonl
yhecouldremember
whenandhowhef el
lasl
eep.Hi
sphonevi
bratedon
thecouch.
"
hel
lo"hesai
dinasl
eepyvoi
ce
"
I'
m of
fi
cerDl
ami
ni,
ist
hisMrVi
lakazi
?"
"
yes"hesai
dsi
tt
ingdown
"t
heautopsyi
sback,t
racesofpoi
sonwasfoundi
n
Angelbl
oodstr
eam,cl
earl
ysomeonewantedher
dead"hesai
dsadly
"
butwho?
"heaskedi
nashakyvoi
ce
"wearei
nvest
igat
ingt
hehospi
talst
aff
,thefoot
age
showedusawomanwal ki
ngintoherwardatni
ght,
butnooneknowswhosheis"heanswered
"youneedt
ofi
ndthatscum,Iwantt
oknowwhy
sheki
ll
edmybaby"Senzosai
d
"
wedoi
ngever
ythi
ngwecan"t
heof
fi
cerr
epl
ied
Hehungupr ushingi
ntothebathr
oom,si
ncehe
couldn'
tprotecthert
heleasthecoul
ddowasfind
herjust
ice.Afterhewasdonecleani
nghi
mselfhe
dial
ledhiswife,whotookagestoanswer
.
"
hel
lo"shesai
dsof
ly
"t
hedoctortol
dmethatAngelknewtheper
sonwho
vi
olatedher
,hesai
dhetoldusbutwedidn'
tbel
ieve
her.Doyouknowanythi
ngaboutthat
?"
"Angelwasaver ynaughtygirlSenzo,whydoyou
thinkI
'm somadatyouf orfail
ingher.Shewas
stubbornandeveryt
imeshedi dn'twanttodothi
ngs
shewoul dmakeupl i
esthatpeopl ear
etouchi
ngher,
Itookherforavir
gini
tyt
estt omam mt shal
iand
shepassedit"shespat
"whodidshesaywast
ouchi
ngherPear
l?"he
askedster
nly
"canyoubelievethatgi
rlsai
dFredtouchedher
mxm, Fredwoul dneverdothat
"shesaid
defensi
vely
"ohandyoudidn'
tthi
nkIdeser
vedt
oknowt
his
Pearl
?"hesai
dangr i
ly
"If
orgott
ot el
lyou,
I'
m busyandt
hingssl
ip"she
answeredrudely
Whati
fshewast
ell
ingt
het
rut
h?Di
dthatt
hought
cr
ossyourmi
ndhuh?
Therewassi
lence,
hehunguphi
schestr
isi
ngand
fal
li
ng
@t
hemar
ket
Mhl engisatbehi ndhi saunt '

sfruitstall,t
heywer e
count l
essot hervendor sbutpeopl epi ckedwhere
theirfanci ed.Heputhi shoodieonl ear ni
ng
backwar dsast hef uner alofhisf ri
endspl ayed
throughhi smi ndl i
keamovi e,thef i
rstt i
mehe
decidedt ogoandst ealwiththem hegot
traumat izedbyt het hi ngstheydi d.Thoughhe
wasn' tfor t
unat et ober ai
sedbyhi spar entsbuthis
auntr ai
sedhi mt or espectandcher ishwoman, he
wasn' tpr eparedf orwhathesawt hereforeheran
offtohi dei nthenear estshack.Hi shear tplodded
ashesatont hatf l
oor ,hecouldhavebeencaught
byt hepol i
cethenl ockedupf orcr i
meshedi dn't
commi t
, wor sei fhewasst umbl eduponbyt hemob.
Rumorhasi tthati nt hatcommuni tyyoul eaveina
bodybagi fyouar ef oundwant i
ng.
Thankf
ull
yfort
heki
ndl
adywhodi
dn'
task
questi
onsandshel t
eredhimtil
lthechaosdied
down.Her emini
scedstandingoverherwhi l
eshe
snoredaway,hewant edtowakeherupt osay
thankyoubutsheseemedexhaust edjudgi
ngbythe
wayshecar el
esslyfl
oppedherlegsandar ms.She
hadkickedherblanketof
ffrom thenightheat,
he
smileddownatherandt i
ptoedoutt hehouse,t
hen
heranforhisdearli
fe.
"howmucharethetomat
oes?
"acust
omerst
ri
pped
him of
fhi
sthought
s
"
theseonesar
eR10andt
hebi
ggerbowli
sR15"he
r
epli
ed
"yhuuwhendi
dthi
ngsbecomesoexpensi
ve?
"she
complai
ned
Shedugi nt
oherbr acomingbackwithaR20note,
Mhlengihesit
antl
ytookthemoney.Itwas
dist
urbi
nghowwomensawnopr oblem i
nstashi
ng
thei
rmoneyi nthei
rbreast
sbuttofi
shitouti
n
publi
cwasanot herstor
y.
"givemethebowlf
orR15andsomebananas"she
request
ed
Mhlengididastol
dtheladyt
ookhergoodsand
di
ssapearedint
othecrowd,hi
scousi
nMusasat
downnextt ohi
m,hiseyeswerer
edandpuffedup.
Mhlengitookof
fhishoodiel
ooki
ngathim
worryi
ngly.
"
and?
"heasked
"ol
dage,highchol
est
erol
…eishi
t'
sbadMhlengi
mfowet
hu,theysai
dherstr
okeisfat
alshecoul
d
di
e"hesaidsadl
y
"I
'
m goi
ngt
oseeheri
ntheeveni
ng,
wil
lyoucl
ose
up?"
"yeahsur
eandMhlengiyouarebei
ngsought
-af
ter
byleader
sofJamai
ca"heinfor
medhim
"
whatf
or?
"heaskedconf
used
"
I'
m notsur
eiguessyouwi
llf
indoutsoon"he
r
epli
ed
Mhl engiputonhi sgoodieandbl endedi nwi ththe

crowd, hefoundhi mselfatt
heseasi deki l
li
ngt ime
sinceitwascl osertoAddingtonHospi t
al,hewal ked
i
naf ewmi nut esbefore7pm hi sstomachwas
growl i
ngf r
om mor ni
nghunger ,hewasal l
owed
atleasttwof ruit
sfrom thestallbutitwasn' tenough
tot ameagr ownman' shunger .Heenqui redand
wasl edt ohisaunt '
swar d,t
heur get ocryvi si
ted
him hepushedi tatthebackofhi smi nd
i
mmedi ately.Hisauntwasal lhehad, Godknowshe
cannotl oseher .
@Fr
edSi
moni
nc
SenzoleftPearlathome,
sheseemedexhaust ed
whenshear ri
vedt hi
smorning,hetoounder
stood
thatf
eeli
ngofcr yi
ngyourselft
osleeponlyt
owake
upont hefl
oor.Musthavebeenwor sef
orheras
t
hepersonwhocar riedAngelforninemont hs,he
wal
kedconf i
dentl
ybehindtwoof f
icers,eventhough
t
herewasn'tprooftheyweren'
taboutt oignorethe
f
actthatAngel
utt
uredFr
ed'snameatt hehospi
tal
.Doct
orDuke
confi
rmedit
,theybudgedint
ohisoffi
ce.
Fredwelcomedthem l
ookingascoolasa
cucumber,l
ikeagoodbusinessheshooktheir
handsfi
rmlywearingafr
iendl
ysmi l
e,heeven
askedSenzoaboutthepreparat
ionofthef
uneral
.
"
Weareher
et oaskyouaf ewquest
ionsMrSi
mons"
,
t
heof
fi
cerbrokethesi
lence
"
sur
e"her
epl
iedeversochi
ll
ed
"soweheart hatAngelwast akenfrom yourhouse,
yoursecur
it
yi spret
tytightMrFred.Whatar et
he
oddsthatastrangercouldhavebrokeinanddi d
thi
s?"
,heaskedgenui nely
"Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
sast
rangerandI
'
m gi
vingyou
per
missi
ontoinvesti
gat
emyst uf
fbecauseitwas
onl
yusinthepremisest
hatday"herepl
ied
"notthatwewi l
lneedpermissionfrom youbut
thanks,Fredwehaveaskedar oundandqui t
ealotof
peoplenot i
cedthatyoudissapearedforawhi l
ein
thedurati
onoft hedinner
/party!Hesaidsternl
y
"t
rue"hesai
dlooki
ngatSenzo
"whichmakesyouasuspect ,
youprobabl
ylur
ed
thechil
dsinceyouknewshet rust
syou,youhad
youwaybutuponr eali
zingthedamageyouhave
done,youstabbedherandt hr
ewherintot
he
nearestdumpsit
e"t
heof fi
cerexcl
aimedwit
ha
smirkplast
eredonhisface
"t
hat'
sabsur d,Idi
ssapearedbutwit
hsomeoneand
i
fyoul ookintoCCTVf ootageyouwil
lnoti
cet
hatI
didn'
tleavethehouset hatday,
nowpleasest
op
wasti
ngmyt ime.
"alri
ghtthenbutwearetaki
ngthisi
nvest
igat
ionto
thecrimesceneyourhouseanddon'tworrywewill
becomi nginhereal
otaswell
"theyst
oodont hei
r
feetwalkingaway
"
Vilakazi
!Awor
dpl
ease"hesai
dcal
li
ngSenzo,
he
f
loppeddownonhi
sseat
"howdar
eyouputthepol
iceonmeVilakazi
?Why
onear
thdoyout
hinkIwouldhur
tAngel?"hespat
"Idi
dn'tdoanyt
hingFred,
I'
mjustfol
lowingpr
otocol
,
Angeltoldt
hedoctori
twasyou,Isimplycoul
dn't
stopthem"herepli
ed
"that'
sjustarumoryouaremyfri
end,youshould
knowmebet t
er,t
hiswi
llr
uinmyreput
ationandmy
company…t hecompanythatf
eedsyouVi l
akazi
"he
roared
"Il
ostmydamndaught erFred!Angeli
sgoneman
andallyouthi
nkingaboutisyourdamnbusi ness?
I'
m sorr
yifthi
sinvest
igati
onismaki ngyousadbut
I'
m notgoi
ngt oint
err
uptbecauseIwantt ofi
ndt he
personwhohur tmychild"
.Hestoodonhi sf
eetand
l
efttheoff
ice.
Thenextday
Thul adodr aggedherf eetgoinghome, i
twasan
exhaust ingdayatwor k,t
hent hepoli
cecamet oask
foranot herst at
ementconcer ningAngel .Herst or y
wassad, shesomehowst art
edmi ssingDuke
thoughhecal l
edherever yday,shemi ssedhavi ng
pleasantcompany.Shef inal
lyreachedherdoor st ep,
strugglingt oopenherl ockagain,shegr untedi n
fustration.Thi smont hshewasdef i
nitelyget t
inga
newl ock, rightaft
ershepaysMbusohi sR350.I f
onlyshecoul dgetanewj ob,thatcanat leastpay
herenoughper hapsthismoneypr oblemswoul d
decr ease.Herphoner anginherbag, shesl ammed
thel ockhar donherwoodendoori nannoyance, she
fi
shedf ori tandasmi leappear eduponr eal
izi
ngt he
callerID.
"
Hel
lomyl
ove"shesai
deversosweet
ly
"
howar
eyousweet
hear
t?"her
epl
ied
"I
'
mj ustmadmylockwon'
topen,
it'
sful
lofr
ust
"
shecomplai
ned
"
wel
lyourmanwi
llsendyousomemoney,
maybe
youcangetanewoneandper
hapssomechanget
o
spoi
lyour
sel
f?"hesai
d
"
Icant
akecar
eofmysel
fDuke"sher
epl
iedf
lat
ly
"Ididn'
tsayyoucan'
t,Ij
ustwanttospoi
lmy
girl
fri
end"heanswer
edconfident
ly
"
fi
ne,
howi
smom?
"sheasked
"ar
ghi t
'sal
sooldageyouknow, I
'
m goi
ngtobe
heretheenti
reweek,Iwi
llseeyouonMonday
aft
ernoon"hesaid
"
OKnopr
obl
em,
Imi
ssyou"sheexcl
aimed
"
notasmuchasme…bye"
Hehungup,
Thul
adoresumedfi
dget
ingwi
thher
l
ock,
Nanacameoutofnowher
egivi
ngherafr
ight
.
"
kodwayi
niNanaungi
thusi
le"shemoaned
"
sor
ry,
I'
mjustexci
ted"sheapol
ogi
zed
"
bet
teryout
hanme"sher
epl
iedbor
ed
"
Igotaj
ob"shesai
dexci
tedl
y
"
congr
ats"Thul
adosai
dfocusi
ngonherkey
"comeonatleastpr
etendl
ikeyouhappyf
orme"
shebegged
Ansmsf r
om Dukepi
ngedonherphoneasshel et
her
selfin,t
hekeyfi
nall
yopened.Shereadthe
messagewi thasmil
e,R2000wasal otshewas
goi
ngt opayMbuso,buyal ockandsti
lldo
somethingnicef
orhersel
f.Shetur
nedt oNanawi
th
asmil
e.
"
sowher
ewi
llyoubewor
king?
"
"FredSimon'sIdidn'
tevenapplybutIwascall
edin
today.I
'm nothappywithmyj obdescr
ipt
ionbuti
t'
s
bettert
hanbeingacashi er
"shesaid
"okay!IguessI'
l
lbeaski
ngyouf
oraj
obsoon"she
saidsarcasti
cal
ly
"
nosil
ly,
I'
m moreli
keacleanerbuti
t'
sbet
tert
o
maketeaunderanair
conthensweati
ngfr
om
mor
ningt
il
leveni
ng"shepr
essed
"
luckyyout
hen"shebr
ushedherof
f
"
Icametotel
lyouthattheyfoundt hatguy,who
wasthemaster
mindoft hebreak-
insandr ape,
he
wil
lbeper
secut
edtonight"shewhispered
"
whydi
dn'
tyousayso"shehur
ri
edl
ychangei
nto
mor
ecomfor
tabl
ecl
othes"
.
Theyr ushedt othecommuni t

ymeet i
ngpoi nt
, t
he
menwai tedimpat i
entlywhilethewomancl utched
ont hei
rgowns, Thuladoalwaysar ri
vedlate.When
shepr eparesf orhersupperot her
sar ereadyt o
sl
eep, aft
eragood30mi nutestheleaderdraggeda
manwhoseemedt ohavebeenbat t
eredalready,he
wasj ustbroughti nher esothatthecommuni tycan
fi
nishhi m off.Theyer upt
edi nnoiseasanger
cl
othedt hem, oneoft heleaderspickeduphi shand
i
ndicatingf orthem tobequi et.
"
thi
sisMhl
engi
,wespenthour
swi
thhi
m,beggi
ng
hi
m, aski
nghimthesamequest
ionsbuthei
s
adamantthathei
sinnocent
"
"
wedon'tbegcr
iminal
s,makashaywe!
"avoi
ce
f
rom t
hecrowdinst
ruct
ed
Themobgr ewanxi ous,thecir clegettingsmal l

er,
Thul adosqueezet hroughoutofcur iosit
y, shealso
want edtoseet hisMhl engiwi thherowneyes.
Finallyshepushedi nfrontandt heireyesl ocked,
herhear tstart
edbeat i
ngf ast.Tear si t
chedhereyes,
thiswasdef i
nitelyhim, thatmyst er
yguyi nahoodi e,
sher emember edhowsoundl yshesl eptthatni ght
andnotevenasi nglethingwentmi ssingf rom her
shack.Thul adowasal lforjusticeandsaf etyoft he
communi tybutshedi dn'twanthi mt odiel ikethis,
Mhl engisatont hef l
oorbur yinghi sheadi n
betweenhi slegsawai tingdeat h.Thuladoexcused
herselfwhent heur get ogot ot hetoiletvi
si tedher.
Sher
anasfastasherlegscoul
dcarryher
,the
communi
tyst
artedbeati
ngMhlengiyoucouldt
ell
bythecheer i
ngfrom thewomenbutsuddenl ythe
sir
enswentof fthecrowddi spersedwi t
heveryone
runni
ngt oseekrefuge,asmuchast hi
swast he
onlywayt heycouldkeept heircommuni ti
esclean,i
t
wasill
egal.ThepolicepickedupMhl engi'
s
unconsciousbodyandl eft,Thuladowalked
backwardsasshewasl urkingf r
om adistance,
caref
ulthatnoonesawher .Sheturnedtogoback
toherhousebutbut theadswi t
hNana.
"It
houghtyousai
dyouhavearunni
ngtummy
Thulado,
whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?",
sherai
sedher
eyebrow.
Thul
adogott
onguet
ied…
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er4
"It
houghtyousai
dyouhavearunnytummy
Thulado,
whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?",
sherai
sedher
eyebrow.
Thul
adogott
onguet
ied…
"Mbusosentachi
ldtoremindmeabouthi
smoney,
soIwenttoset
tl
eit"shesai
dwalki
ngaway,her
hear
tthuddi
ngsoloudyoucouldheari
t
"
wheredidyougett
hemoney?
"sheasked
i
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"myboyf r
iendNana,what
'supwit
hthemil
li
on
quest
ions?"shesai
dthatwalki
ngf
urt
heraway
Shear r
ivedhomeandi mmedi atel
ylockedthedoor,
sheheadedst raightt
ohercouchhol di
ngherchest,
whywasshef eelingsogui l
ty?savi
ngsomeone' s
l
ifewasagoodt hing…right!Sheknewr ightther
e
andthenshewoul dn'
tbeabl etoevenswal low
bread,herthr
oatwasdr yt heref
oresheopt edfora
baththenshesl eptaway.
Theverysameni ghtthecommuni tymar chedto

Mhlengi'
shouse,singi
ngsl ogansoff reedom,
"enoughisenough"tothem thiswasvi ctory,
they
werecleani
ngthest r
eets.Theygat heredar oundthe
homesteadandst art
edchant i
ngf orthecr ookto
comeout ,i
nst
eadt hecousinst eppedoutpuzzl ed.
Themobwentsi lence,givi
ngt heleader sachance
tospeak.
"
bant
uabadal
ahowcanIhel
pyou?
"thecousi
n
askedpet
ri
fi
ed
"youandyourentir
ef amil
yhavebeenharbori
nga
thiefandrapi
stsotheref
oreweareaski
ngyout o
l
eave!Leavethisareabytomorrowmorningorwe
willburnt
hishousedown"oneoft hel
eaderssai
d
ont opofhisvoi
ce
"mymom issickinhospit
al,pleaseI'
m beggingyou,
canweatleastwaitf
orherreturn…Wer eal
lydon'
t
knowwhatyouar etal
kingabout "herespondedwith
ashakyvoice
"wegivingyouaweek!"wit
hthatthecommuni
ty
resumedt hei
rchant
ingofsongs,
turni
ngont
heir
heels.
Meanwhi lethephara'sbr okeintoseveralhomes

stealingelectr
icalappliances,itwasper f
ectti
mi ng.
Whi lsttheyaredistractedyoust ri
ke!Theygat hered
allt
hei rstol
engoodsi nanear bybushnextt ot he
rail
wayl i
nes,t
hent heycover edthem anddi spersed
sot heycoul dlaylow.
Aweekl
ater
Dukefini
shedhisrepor
tsatthehospi
tal
,whenhi
s
coll
eaguefr
iendjoi
nedhim,hesighedcl
osi
ngthe
fi
le.
"
howi
sthei
nvest
igat
iongoi
ng?
"heaskedhi
m
"i
twentcol
d"Duker
epl
iedf
ust
rat
ed
"Ican'tbel
ievethis!Achil
ddiedbecauseoft
his
andthepol i
cethinkit'
sbett
ertothr
owi nt
he
towel…thi
sisridi
culous!"t
hecoll
eaguesai
d
fust
rated
"moneyt alkssbari
,Fr
edisaknownbusi nessman,
throwingacoupl eoft
housandsisn'taproblem.
Imaginet heamountofwomenwhoget
discourageddailyt
orepor
tbecauseofsuch
i
ncompet ence!
"Dukesai
ddissapointed
"andthatwoman…Idon'tunderst
and…Howcana
wholestr
angerent
erourhospi
talwit
houtdet
ect
ion?
"
"thi
sisapubli
chospi
talSamit
o!Anyt
hingi
s
possi
ble"hest
oodupgatheri
nghisst
uff
"Ineedtogoandseemygi
rl
fr
iend,
Iwi
llseeyou
tomorr
ow"
Withthatheleftthehospit
al,pul
li
ngupThulado'
s
wor kplacehi
smi ndwasmi lesaway,hehadalot
goingon, asi
ckmot her,
thecaseandnowhehada
gir
lfri
end.HesawThul adoinherjeansandawor k
shirtl
ookingcute,hei
mmedi atel
yjumpedoutsohe
couldmeetherhal fway.
"
heyyou"hesai
dcl
osi
ngheri
nhi
sar
ms
"
heyImi
ssedyou!
"shesai
dsul
king
"I
'm herenow, l
etmetakeyouhome"t hedri
vewas
fun-
fil
ledtheysharednewsandj okes.Duketold
Thuladoaboutt hehor
rorsathospit
alincl
udingthe
pendingcaseofAngel,andThuladot oldDuke
aboutt hesi
tuati
oninhercommuni ty.
"youtryi
ngtotellmethatt
hemobki l
ledtwobig
crooks,onegotawaybutthisent
ir
eweekmor e
break-
insandmuggi nghavebeentakingpl
ace?"he
saidshockingl
y
"yes!I
t'
sli
kewear efuel
ingthesecr
imi
nals,I
'
m so
scaredli
vingal
one"shesaidinalowvoice
"
youcancomel
ivewi
thme"Dukeof
fer
ed
"youaresweetbutno,I
'mlooki
ngforanewpl
ace
i
nt own,
oneofmycol l
eaguesishooki
ngmeup"
sheanswered
"Town!Comeon,
thatpl
acei
snotevensaf
e"hesai
d
dissapr
ovi
ng
Thuladowast hetypet hatj

ustkeepsquietwhen
shedidn'tf eelli
kear guing,
shewentmut eandDuke
keptstealinggl ancesather .Theypull
edupthe
sett
lement , i
twasget t
ingdark,normal
lyThul
ado
wouldst i
llbei nsomequeuei ntownwaiti
ngtoget
i
ntoat axi.Theyar r
ivedatherdoor st
ep,shebegan
str
ugglingwi t
hherkeyanxi ouslywhi
leDuke
scannedt hepl ace,itwassocr ampedandthe
stenchofpi
ledupgabbagehi
thi
snost
ri
lsbutwhat
canhedo?
"
whyi
sther
eadumpnextt
othehouses?
"heasked
"youwon'
tunder
stand"shesai
dannoyed
"andthepuddles,don'tt
hei
rbri
ngmosquitoes,
surel
ythecommuni t
ycandosomet hi
ngaboutit
.I
meant heyhavetheenergytokil
lpeopl
ewhycan't
theygatherandcleanthi
splaceup"heasked
furt
her
"
Idon'tknowDuke,
maybeyoucanbeMandel
aand
t
ellt
hem"sheansweredshar
ply
Thel ockf
inal
lyopened,sheputthel
ightonand
i
nvitedDukein,shealr
eadyfeltj
udgedbyhi m so
shewast esti
ngthewaterstoseehowhewoul d
reacttoherli
tt
lehome.Dukeenteredlooking
around,hethenfl
oppedont hecouchtakingofhis
j
acket .
"Idon'thavemuchbutIboughtj
uicet
oday,
canI
offeryou"sheasked
"
sur
e"hesai
dst
il
llooki
ngar
ound
Thuladogotbusypi l
ingbiscui
tsandpouri
ngjuice,
shewasf eeli
nghotandsweat ythiswasthefi
rst
ti
meshei nvit
edamani nherli
ttl
espaceanditfelt
wierd.Dukeacceptedthebiscuit
sanddrankthe
j
uice,Thuladofr
iedwor sandsomemeatt oeatwi t
h
bread,shecouldnevercookwi t
hsuchnerves.
Whent hefoodwasr eadysheser vedhi
m andthey
ate.
"
soyoul
over
eadi
ngbooks?
"hebl
urt
edout
"
somet
hingl
iket
hat
"sher
epl
ied
"youknowyoucanmakemoneyi fyoucoul
d
recycl
ethosecont
ainers"hesai
dpoint
ingt
othe
stacksofi
ce-cr
eam tubs
"
oh…Inevert
houghtofi
t"sher
epl
iedshyl
y
Theyfinishedeating,Thuladowashedt hepl ates
andwal kedDukeout , whent heyr eachedhi scarhe
pull
edheri nt
oahugt henheki ssedher .Thul ado
wasn'tpresentbutf r
ant i
callywor r
iedaboutot her
thi
ngs,soshemi ssedt her omant i
cgest ure.He
wavedhi m goodbye, sher anhomeshut tingt he
doorcrying.Hejudgedher !Hemustf eeldi sgusted!
Itwasint hewayhepul ledhi sf acescanni ng
around.Sheknewt hathewi llneveral l
owhi mt o
enteragainjustl
ikeNanahewi llendbyt hedoor .
Meanwhi l
eDuket houghtofwaysonhowhecan
helphi sgirl
friend,thatplacewasn' tgoodenough
butf ir
sthewant edt ogetheri ntonursingschool.
Butwhat '
supwi ththepi l
esofbooksand
cont ainer
shecoul dn'tevent hinkinsucha
swampedpl ace,heswi tchedonsomemusi cand
focusedont her oad.Hest oppedatt herobotin
NorthCoastr oad, t
appinghi sst eeri
ngtot hemusic
hef eltsomet hingcol donhi stempl e,hejumped
terr
ified."
getoutoft hecar "avoi cesaid,
heputhis
handsupi nt heairlookingatt heguyi nfrontofhi
m.
Hequicklysnatchedhisphonef r
om the
compartmentear ni
nghimselfandbullett
hroughhis
head.Theyquicklydraggedhim outofhiscarand
droveoffl
eavinghim deadont hefl
oor.
@Mhl
engi
'
shouse
Theauntsatont hemat tresssur r

oundedby
candles, i
twasbusyast heypr eparedfort he
funeral.Mhlengil ockedhi msel finhisroom, hewas
parti
all
yheal edf rom thebeat ing,thedoct orsai d
slowlybutsur elyandt hathewasl uckybecause
nothingwasbr oken, hiswoundswer emost lyinhis
bodyr atherthanhi sf ace.Eversi ncehewas
dischargedhest ayedi nt her oom becausei twas
hisfault,t
hecousi nnar r
at edhowauntdi edaf t
er
hearingthathewashospi t
alizedf r
om abat teri
ng,
auntlovedMhl engi,hewasherf avorit
ebr ot hers
chil
d.Rai si
nghi m wasapl easure,andt oheart hat
hewasacr i
minalandar api str i
ppedlif
eof fher.
Inawayever yoneblamedhi mf oreverything,
becausest rai
ghtaft
ert hefuneralt
hef ami l
ymust
vacatethehouse, t
her estweregoingbackt othe
farm buthehadnowher et
ogobecauset heydonot
wisht oharboracriminalagain.Mhlengit oldt
hem
countlessti
mest hathedi dn'
tdoanyt hing,hewas
therebutitneverhappened.
Thenextmor
ning
Thetaxidr
iveri
ncr
easedt
hevol
umet
oli
stent
othe
news.
Anchor:communi ti
esuni teinangerastheyurge
thegovernmentt odosomet hi
ng, t
hecri
mes, t
he
deathsandt hedr ugsi nthesecommuni ti
eshave
skyrocketed.Thel eadershavet hr
eat
enedthatif
thei
rpleaisn'theardt heywi l
ltakethi
stothestreet
asaf orm ofprotestandi fpushcomest oshove
theywillt
aket helawi ntotheirownhands.(thenthe
anchordiverted)"breakingnews"amanwasf ound
deadinNort
hCoastroad,awit
nesssai
ditwasa
hi
jacki
ng,
theyshothi
mi ntheheadanddroveof
f
wit
hhiscar.
Peoplegaspedi nt hetaxiasthenewsanchor
conti
nueddeliveringthenews.Thul adolookedout
ofthewindowt hinkingifwhet hersheshouldj
oinin
thestr
ike,
shej umpedoutatt hewor kshopasusual
andblendedint hebusyst reetheadingtowork.Her
daywaspr oductiveandboywasshegl adtheday
hasended,sher eceivedacal lfrom Nana.
"
yebo"sheanswer
ed
"f
ri
end,whydi
dn'tyout
ellmecl
eani
ngwassucha
demandingj
ob?"shesai
dsoundi
ngtir
ed
"
ther
eisn'
taneasyj
obNana,
Ial
wayst
ellyou"she
r
epli
edshaki
ngherhead
"it
'sonl
ybeenaweekandI 'mreadytogi
veup,
thesepeopl
earefor
everaski
ngforteaandcoff
ee
thenIhavetocl
eanawungeke"shecompl ai
ned
"l
ist
enyouwant edajob,youhaveonenowcher ish
i
tuntilyoufi
ndsomet hi
ngbett
er.Ihaveappl
iedfor
ajobtocleantheroadskaMasipala(Munici
pali
ty)
"
shetoldher
"
wher
edoIgett
hef
orms?
"sheasked
"Ther
e'sabuil
dingnextto"
Playhouse"youmust
askaround"
sher epl
ied
"t
hanksmyf
ri
end,
wil
lseeyouj
ustnow"shehung
up.
Thuladowal kedintownwi thacoll

eaguewhowas
toshowhert heavailabl
eroom t
hatsheenquired
about,shecoul djustwalktowork.Thenshecan
saveont ransportmoneyandwhoknowsper haps
thi
siswhatsheneedssoshecanaf for
dtopayher
tui
ti
onf ees.Itwasonebedr oom,akitchenet
teand
abathroom, sli
ghtlybiggert
hanherspacer i
ghtnow,
shenoddedi napproval.
"
Iwi
llt
akei
t"shesai
d
"t
her entisR2000asyoucanseet heplacei
snot
propeykept ,noburgl
arguards,t
houghyoursel
f
swipei nit
snotthatsafe.Youjusthavetobestr
eet
smart "sheresponded
"Iwi
llmanage,
Iwi
llcomebackendoft
hismont
h"
shesaid
"weeeyouwi l
lnotf
indit
,theseroomsgol i
kehot
cakes,plust
hisoneisnewlyrenovatedi
naway,
takeitnow.I
t'
snexttomine"shepr obed
"
Ionl
yhaveat
housandf
ri
end"shesai
danxi
ousl
y
"IcanborrowyouR500, Iwillt
alktotheguythat
ownst heplace,hi
sveryunderstandi
ng.Comel et
's
go, hewil
lgiveyouthekeys"theyfol
lowedeach
otherdownst ai
rsbutunf
ortunatel
ytheguyhad
alreadyknockedoff
Meanwhi l
eNanaarrivedhomef i
ndi
nghermom
tal
kingtotheot
herladiesout
sideherhouse,
she
greetedandpassedtoenteri
nside.
"Someonemusthavealert
edthepol
ice,
nowthese
crooksarebayi
ngforbl
ood,t
hat'
swhyit'
sbet
tert
o
kil
lthem"oneofthel
adi
essaid
"Iagr
eewit
hyou,theymustbemovingingr
oups
andMhlengii
stheirl
eader
",
theot
hersai
d
"Idoubtthoughthattheyarel
inkedt
othehij
acki
ng
thosecri
mesar ehigherrankandMhlengi
'
screwdo
pettycr
imes",Nana'smothersaid
"st
il
lweneedtofi
ndoutwhocalledt
hecops,it
's
oneofus,cl
ear
lyther
e'sasni
tchamongstus"one
sai
d
"maybehehasagirl
fr
iend,
youknowthesegi
rl
s
l
ovedati
ngcri
minal
s"theothersai
d
"weneedtoinvesti
gat
ethi
s,t
hepersonmusthave
secr
etl
ylef
tthecrowdtophone"Nana'
smom said
Nanawaseavesdroppi
ngtheenti
reti
me,thenshe
rememberedThul
adorunni
ngoffbecauseofa
runnytummybutshestumbleduponherroaming
aroundoncemorewhenthepoli
cearri
ved.She
arguedinherhead, Thul
adowouldneverdothator
wouldshe?Shef oundher sel
fout
sidenar
rat
ingto
theladi
esofwhatt ookplace.
2021
-
--
--
--
--
--
--
-
Weareback! Thankuf orgivi

ngmet hi
sti
me.
"
Ther
e'sYou"wi
llbeavai
labl
ethisweek.
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er5
Pearlsi
tt
inginsi
deFred'
scarint
hepar
kingl
ot,
he
seemeddi st
ressandir
ri
tabl
e.
"Iwi
llt
alktoSenzo,
hisj
usthur
ti
ngatt
hemoment
"
shepleaded
"Youaresupposedtobeathomepr eparingfor
Angel'
sburi
alnothere,asforSenzoI'm donewith
him,I'
m wait
ingforever
ythi
ngtobeoverandI '
m
l
etti
nghim go!"hesaidl
ookingoutthewi ndow
"andwhataboutme…us?
"Pear
lasked
"youareamar ri
edwomanPear l
,whatisther
etodo
huh?I'm ut
ter
lydisgustedt
hatI
'
m accusedofsuch
fil
th,
IcangetanypussyIwantbuttorapeachild…
NomanSenzoi staint
ingme"hesai
dangr i
ly
"i
t'
snothim whoopenedt
hecaset
houghbutt
he
hospi
tal
"shesai
d
"Idon'
tfol
low?
"heaskedpuzzl
ed
"
apparent
lyit
'sAngelwhosai
ditwasyouFr
ed"she
r
aisedhereyebrow
"OK…thi
sismadness,
Iwouldneverdot
hat
.You
beli
evemeri
ght
?"heasked
"Ido,
wewer
etoget
hert
hatni
ght
"sher
epl
ied
"
Pearl!someonei
str
yingt
ofr
ameme"hesai
d
wideninghi
seyes
@Theset
tl
ement
LaterthateveningThul adosatont hef l

oorcryi
ng
herlungsout ,shemi ssedagr eatdealonar oom
andnowDukewentsi l
entonher .Shebr usheditoff
whenhedi dn'tcalllastnightbuttogot heentir
eday
withnocommuni cat i
onwasaconf irmationenough
thathewast urnedof fbyheryest erday.Aloud
urgentknockst artledher ,sherushedt oopenandi n
boltedNana, shecl osedt hedoorwi pinghertears.
"
youneedt
opackwhatyoucanandgo!
"shesai
d
pani
cki
ng
"Idon'
thavet
imeforj
okesokay,
myhear
tissor
e"
shesaidfl
oppi
ngonhercouch
"youdon'
tunderstandThul
ado,youar esummoned
bythecommuni tyOK…Theyknowt hatyoucal
led
thepol
icethatday"shesai
dfranti
call
ylooki
ng
around
"what
?Buthow…who?( shepausedstari
ngatNana)
youdidn'
tri
ght
?"shesaidwit
hglist
eningeyes
"
I'
m sorr
yIonl
yreal
izedlat
ethatIshoul
dn'
thave
menti
onedi
t"shesaidregr
ett
abl
y
"NanayouknowIdon'thaveanyone,youj
ustdon'
t
care…youaresel
fi
sh,wheredoyouexpectmeto
runtooatthi
shourhuh?"shescreamed
"I
'
m sorryOK…Theyhaveaskedmet olur etothe
meeti
ngpoi ntbutI'
m goi
ngt osayIdidn'tfi
ndyou.
Nowpackandhur rydownt herai
lwaytracks,no
onewillseeyoudownt here"shestar
tedst r
ipping
offcl
othesinThulado'
swar drobe
"
rai
lwayt
racks?ar
eyoui
nsane,
it'
ssodar
kand
danger
ousdownther
e.Icoul
dber
apedandki
ll
ed"
shesai
dshocked
"i
t'
syouronlyopt
ion,
Iwon'tbeabl
etol
ivewit
h
myselfshoul
dsomethinghappent
oyouinthi
s
communi t
y…hurr
yup"shebegged
Thuladoclimbedonherbedt ogr abahol dherbi g

bagandsui tcase,t
heyst ar
tedr unningaroundt he
room taki
ngt hi
ngst hatwer eofval ueshovingi ti
n
thetwobags, Nanahel pedhercar rythesuitcase
whileThuladohoistedt heheavybag.Shecamet oa
haltbyherdoor ,l
ookingatal lthethingsshewor ked
sohardt oaccumul ateovert heyear s,i
fonlythis
happenedatt heendoft hemont haftershemoves
out.Shecanonl yhopet hattheydon' tt
akeherst uff
perhapsshecangetDukeorsomeonet ocol l
ectfor
herbecauseoncet hemobsoughtf oryou,youar e
asgoodasdead.
Nanapulledherhandincompl
etepani
c,theybr
isk
walkeddownthehillheadi
ngt
othetr
acks,when
theyreachedt
hest
onesNanapul
ledThul
adoi
ntoa
squeeze.
"cal
lmewhenyouaresaf
e,cal
lyourboyfri
end,t
ell
himtocomeandfet
chyouatSmi t
hfi
eld"wit
hthat
sheranof
f
Thuladosnuggedi ntoabushr eeki

ngoff ear,she
tri
edcal li
ngDukef ortheumpt eenthtimetodayand
sti
llvoicemai l
,itwasget t
ingcol dsoshepul l
edover
herfleecet hrowt ocoverher self
.Whenshehear da
cracklingsoundf rom behi nd, herhear tal
most
cameoutofhermout h,adr opofur inewether
panties.Shequi cklygr abbedherheavybagsand
ranof fintothest oneyt r
acks, thesuitcasekepton
getti
ngst uckfuelingherf ear.Twof iguresappear ed
beforeherwhenshet urnedt ogobackt herewas
onebehi ndher,tear sst i
ngedhereyes.Thel i
ttl
e
hopeshehadwentoutt hewi ndowshecl utched
ontoherbagsandwai t
edherf ate.
"
what
'si
nthebagssi
si"oneoft
hem sai
d
"l
et'
sjustgetoveranddonewi
thi
tmaj
it
a"t
heot
her
onesaidimpatient
ly
"dr
opt hebagsdown"theonef rom behi
ndsai
d
pl
acinganokapi(pocketkni
fe)onherneck
"Pl
easedon'
thur
tme"Thul
adobeggeddr
oppi
ngt
he
bags
Theypushedherint
othebush,shestar
tedsobbi
ng
butahotclapacr
ossherfaceshuthermouth
i
nstant
ly.
"
lethergo"avoi
cecamef
rom behi
ndt
hem
Thethreement urnedar
oundinli
ght
ningspeed,
theyputthei
rknivesawayl
ett
ingThul
adogo.
"hadeboy,
wej
ustwant
edt
ohaveal
it
tl
efun"t
he
onerepl
ied
"she'
swi
thme"wi
ththatthemyst
eryguyt
urnedon
hi
sheelf
oll
owi
ngasprint
ingThul
ado
Sheranf orherdearl i
feeventhepumpsshewas
wearingwer enowher et obeseen,t
heguypicked
upherbagsf ol
lowongherasshest r
uggledt
hrough
thestones,sher anti
llshereachtheroadat
Smithfi
eld.Shef rant
icall
yscannedbehindwhen
shecouldn'tseeanyt hingshestoppedandcaught
herbreath.
"whatwereyoudoingdownther
eatthi
sti
me,they
weregoi
ngtohurtyou"hesai
dupsetandt
hatvoice
"mybags"i
sal
lThul
adocoul
dsayt
henshebr
oke
downcr
ying
"wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"heaskedconcer
ned
"
Idon'
thaveanywheret
ogo,thecommunityknows
t
hatIcal
ledt
hepoli
cetosaveyou"shecr
ied
"
itwasyou…y-
yousavedme"hest
ammer
ed
"andl
ookwher
ethatgotme,
myboyf
ri
endhas
ghost
edme,
I'
m al
lal
one"shecompl
ained
Mhlengil
ookedatherandapangofgui ltandpain
cl
othedhim,hebarelyknowsthi
sshortybutshe
hasdonesomuchf orhi
m withnot
hingtogai nand
ever
ythi
ngtolose.Howi sthi
sevenpossible?how
canonehavesuchahear t
?
"
fol
lowme"hecar
riedbot
hherbagsandhi
tthe
r
oad,Thul
adof
oll
owedcluel
esd.
Thewal kwasl ong,Mhlengist

oppedatt hesi deof
theroadhewal koverali
tt
lebushypl antandpul l
ed
outabl acksportbagthenhepr oceeded, Thulado
wantedt oaskbutdecidedagai nsti
t.Afteralong
dreadfulwalktheyarri
vedinfrontofabi ggate,
Mhlengipr essedthebuzzerandwai ted.
"Ri
zaBnBhowcanwehel
pyou?
"thel
adyont
he
ot
herendsai
d
"
I'
mlooki
ngf
orar
oom"Mhl
engisai
d
"
comet
hrough"sher
epl
ied
Thedoorsl i
dopen, Mhlengimot i
onedforThulado
toenter,t
heyfoll
owedeachot heral
lthewayt othe
recepti
on,sheputt hem onthesystem anddirected
them tothei
rroom.I twassmal l
,youcouldjusttell
i
twasoneoft hosecheapaccommodat i
onbut
beggarscan'tbechooser .
..
ri
ght.Thul
adostoodby
thedoorwhi l
eMhl engiputthebagsinonecor ner .
"t
hiswil
ldof ort
onight
,perhapsyourboyfr
iendwi
ll
growapai randcomef oryoutomorrow?"hesai
d
sarcast
ical
lypull
inghi
shoodieoverhisheadand
fl
oppingont hebed
"I'
m goingtoshower "shefi
shedint
oherbedf orher
toil
etrybagthendissapearedi
ntotheti
nybathroom,
Mhl engidr
if
tedoffthinki
ngofwhathewast odo
next.Hecouldgoj obhuntingtomorr
ow,ortake
overheraunt '
sst
all,hecall
edhiscousi
n.
"
hel
lo"hesai
dbor
ed
"sur
emf et
hu,wi
lli
tbeokayi
fIcont
inuesel
li
ngfor
auntyandyoucanpaymesmal l
"heaskedhopeful
"Areser i
ousrightnowMhl engi,
wear ei
nt hi
smess
becauseofyou, It
hinkit'
sbestyoustayawayf rom
us,justdissapearbro.Mymom l ovedyou
whol eheart
edlybutyouchoset okil
lher,
stri
pusof f
ourhomeandnowyouwantt osnatchawayf ood
from ourmout hs?Mhl engiwhatdi
dweeverdot o
you? "heasked
"Ididn'
tdoal
lthoset
hingsmf
ethu,whydon'tyou
bel
ieveme?.Youaremyonlyf
ami l
y,Ineedyou"he
begged
"j
ustl
eaveusal
one.Okay"hehungup
Thuladocameoutthebathr
oom withibhayi
wrappedaroundherti
nybody,
Mhl engisatup
smili
ng,herest
edhisbackontheheadboard,he
checkedheroutunderhi
shoodie.Thuladocar
eful
ly
fi
shedf orherpyj
amapant s,shesli
ppeditonunder
thecloakthenshewor ehertop,sheunti
edibhayi
headingtothebathroom t
ohangi t.Sheret
urned
standingoverthebed,Mhlengij
ustsmi r
kedlooki
ng
ather.
"
arewegoi
ngt
oshar
eabed?
"shef
oldedherar
ms
"Idon'
tIi
kesleepi
ngont hef
loorpl
usthere'
sonly
oneblanket
,IguesswesharingandIdon'twor
ryI
won'tt
ouchyou, I
'
m gay"hesquint
edhiseyes
"Okay"Thul
adosai
drel
axi
ng,
shehappi
lysnuggl
ed
underthecover
s
Mhlengidissapear
edint
othebathr
oom t
ocl
eanup
aswell,Thuladodi
aledDukeandafemal
e
answered.
"
hel
lo"shesai
d
"
canIspeakt
oDukepl
ease"sheaskedpol
it
ely
"
whoi
sthi
s?"sheaskedcur
iousl
y
Thuladohungupasherhear tclenched, itt

ooka
whileaf orhertoputt hepuzzlepi ecest ogether,I
guessi twast oogoodt obet rue, whywoul da
handsomedoct ordat eat roubledgi r
llikeher.She
quicklywipedhert earswhenMhl engir eturned
naked, shegaspedl ookingathi mf r
om headt ot oe,
theguywaswel lbuilt
.Hewasdar kaschocol ate,
averagehei ght,hewasbeaut iful.Thul adohi dher
faceundert hebl anketasherhear tracedshehas
neverseenanakedmani nherl i
f e.Mhl engilightly
chuckled,hef oundaboxeri nhi sbagandcover ed
upt henjoinedtheshymai denundert hebl anket s.
"whyar
eyouhi
ding,
Itol
dyouI
'
m gay"hechucked
somemore
"I
'
m nothi
ding,
I'
mjustgi
vingyoupr
ivacy"shesai
d
shyl
y
"butyouaremyfr
iend,
youdon'tmind.
..
ri
ght?
"he
sai
dbreathi
ngwar
m airint
oherfacesendi
nga
sensati
ondownherpri
vat
es.Sheswall
owedhar
d
asshef el
thi
sarmssnaki
ngaroundherwai
st
pull
inghercl
ose.
"
Ihaveaboyf
ri
end"shesai
dbr
eat
hless
"i
fyouweremygir
lf
ri
endIwoul
dn'
tletyououtof
mysight
"hesai
dshif
ti
ngcl
oser
"butyougay"sheaskedbr
eat
hingheavi
ly
"
yes"hechuckl
edgr
azi
nghi
sli
psont
oher
s
Shepartedherl i
psgi vi
nghim access,i
fDuke
thoughtshewasgoi ngtositandmopoverhi mt hen
hehadanot herthingcoming, Mhlengipul
ledher
evencloserinsert
inghisonel eginbetweenher
thi
ghspartingthem.Hecr epthishandunder
pyjamatopcuppi nghervirginbreasts,
sheclosed
hereyessavor i
ngt hemoment .
"
areyouokay?
"heaskedwi
thar
aspyvoi
ce
"
y-yea"sher
epl
iedi
nawhi
sper
Twolostsoul
swhobarelykneweachother,yetso
connect
ed,nodat
es,noquesti
onsasked.Just
natur
espeaki
ngontheirbehal
f.#r
emove
2021
-
--
--
--
--
--
Iwil
lwaitf
ormy600l
ikest
oevent
hinkofwr
it
inga
remove
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er6
Thuladofeltdif
ferent,itwaslikeapar tofherwas
gone,sheshookherheadi nembar rassment
thi
nkingofhowshej ustgaveawayherpr i
detoa
tot
alstrangerlastnight .Canyoubl amehert hough
whenhersi ll
ybodybet rayedher ?Mhl engiwas
gentl
eandpl ayful,hemadei tbearableand
somewhatpl easur able.Shest oppedatt heback
entr
anceandt ri
edDukeonel astti
me, andifhe
doesn'tanswert henshewast oburyt hehat chet
.
"
Duke'
sphonehel
lo"t
hesamel
adyanswer
ed.
"
canIpl
easespeakt
oDuke"Thul
adosai
d
"si
siyouhungupyest erdaybefor
eIcouldexplai
nto
you,I'
m hersist
er.Dukediedtwodaysago, i
twasa
hij
ackingunfort
unatel
yitclai
medhisli
fe"shesaid
soft
ly
"
ohmygosh"Thul
adosai
dinashakyvoi
ce
"It
akei
tyouguyswer
ecl
ose,
I'
m sor
ry"shesai
d
comfor
ti
ngher
"ohno,
myDukei
sdead,
ohGod"shecr
ied
"I
'
mr eall
ysorry,
Iwil
lcal
lyout
ogi
veyout
hedet
ail
s
ofthefuner
al"sheassur
ed
Thulado'
slumpgr ewbiggerchoki
ngherastears
st
reameddown, thenthethoughtofherhavi
ngsex
whileheractualboyfr
iendwascol di
nthemor t
uary
madehersi cktoherst omach,shebal
ancedont he
wallasherkneeswentweak.
Somewher
eint
hest
reet
s
Mhl engisatont opofthebags,hehadalr

eady
checkedoutt heBnBandpr omisedThul
adohe
woul dlookafterherbelongi
ngstil
lsher
eturned,
afterlastni
ghthef el
tsomet ypeofway.Hef el
t
responsibleforthi
sshor t
yyethehadabsolutel
y
nothingtogive,
hethoughtofwayshecanmake
moneysohecanpr ovi
def orherbutwithonl
ya
mat r
icitpr
ovedtobediff
icult.Hepull
edhishoodi
e
overhisheaddozingoffont opofthebags.
Laterthateveni ngMhl engileanedont hefenceofa

certaintaxirankwai t
ingf orshort
y,hepl uggedi n
hisear phonesl isteni
ngt omusicscr eeningoutt he
noiseoft heaf ternoonbusy.Hespot tedThul ado
clutchingonherbagcr ossingtheroad, hesmi led
puttinghisear phonesaway.Hesnuckbehi ndher
thenhel if
tedherupspi nningherar ound, Thulado
screamedbutqui cklyst oppeduponr eal
izingwhoi t
was.Heki ssedheronhercheeks, bef orepl aci
ng
herbackdown.
"
howwasyourday?
"heaskedexci
tedl
y
"dr
eadful
…lookMhlengi,canwef
orgetaboutwhat
happenedlastni
ght.Thankyouf
oreveryt
hingbutI
can'
tbecozywi t
hyou"shesaidl
ooki
ngathi m
"di
dIhur
tyou?
"heasked
"noyoudi dn'
t,
itwasreall
ygoodbutIj ustcannot
l
ivewithmysel f
,myboyfriendisdead.Infacthe
wastheoneki ll
edinthathij
ackingonNor thCoast
roadinsteadofmakingallmeanst ogetahol dof
him.Iwasbusybei ngpleasuredbyanot herman"
shewi pedhertear
s
"I'
m sor
ry,
butyoudi
dn'
tknow"hehel
dherhand
butsheyankedi
taway
"
sti
ll
,If
eeldi
sgust
ed,
pleasegi
vememybags"
Mhlengipausedl ooki
ngather ,hewant edt osayso
muchbuthedeci dedagai nsti
t.Hewal kedbef or
e
her,Thul
adobr iskwalkedbehindhi m si ncehewas
taki
nglongstrides,aft
erpushingt hrowt hecr owd
theyfi
nall
yarrivedtoal i
neofst reetvendor s.
Mhlengiwentt oaspeci fi
clady,hespoket oherand
gaveheraR20not e,theladyfishedf ort heirbags
underhertable,shegavet hem toMhl engi.He
stoppedmi dwayst ari
ngatThul ado, hegaveher
thebagswi t
houtshi f
tinghiseyes.
"t
hankyou"Thul
adosai
dbutMhl
engij
ustgawked
ather
"
Mhl
engiIsai
dthankyou"shest
ressed
Henoddedandwal kedawaydissapeari
ngwi t
hthe
crowds,Thuladohoist
edherbagsandmadeher
waytot heblockoffl
ats.For
tunat
elytodaythe
ownerwast here,heseemedtobef ocusedonhis
paperwork.Thuladometupwi t
hhercolleaguewho
hadalreadyputinagoodwor dforher.
"
hel
losi
r"shesai
dinnocent
ly
"
hey"hel
if
tedhi
sheadup
"Il
ikeoneoft
heroom upstai
rsandIwouldli
ket
o
occupyiti
mmedi
atel
y,I'
m desper
ate"shesai
d
nervousl
y
"Idon'
tmindhelpi
ngpeoplesi
si,
probl
em isyoual
l
comeinthi
smannerandmont hsdownt heli
neI
mustbechasingaft
eryoutopayrent,
butbecause
I'
m ani
cepersonandit'
slat
eforawomant obe
wonder
ingar
oundwi
thbags.Her
e"hegavehert
he
keys
"
Thankyou…t
hankyousi
r"shesai
dbr
eat
hingout
"yourf
ri
endher esaidyouhavesomesor tof
payment ,
nowsi tonthatchairandfil
lupthe
agreementformsandt hecont r
act.Youmustpayat
FNBusi ngyourrefer
encewhi chI'
m goingtogive
youjustnow,Idon'tdealwithcash"heelaborated
Thuladofl
ewthroughthepapers,i
nit
ial
ingever
y
page,shepromisedtodeposi
tthemoneyt omorrow
mor ni
ng.Theli
ftpi
ngedon4thf l
oor,
hercoll
eague
fr
iendsmiledather.
"
I'
m gl
adyougoti
t"shesai
dhappi
ly
"
allt
hankst
oyou"shesai
dgr
atef
ul
"I'
m goi
ngt obescar
cemyboyf r
iendl
iveswithme
soifyouneedanythi
ng,speaknoworforeverhol
d
yourpeace"shegi
ggled
"
ohyes…pl
easebor
rowmeabl
anket
"sheasked
"
doyouevenhaveamat
tr
ess?
"
"
Not
hing"sher
epl
ied
"OK,Iwil
lgiveyoumypumpupbedaswel l
,wai
t
here"shesaiddissapear
ingi
ntoherf
lat
Shecameoutwi t
haboxandabl anket
,shegave
them t
oThuladothentheypartedways.Thulado
rememberedtheplacewasn'tevencleaned,
she
quickl
yknockedonherdooragai n.
"
yes"shepeepedherhead
"
canIal
sobor
rowyourcl
eani
ngst
uff
"shepout
ed
"
ofcour
se"shesai
d
Thul
adochangedi ntoashor tdress,sheputon
somemusiconherphoneandshest arted
scr
ubbingtheplace.Halfwayt hroughhercl eani
ng
shefoundhersel
fthinki
ngofMhl engi…atti
meshe
wouldbequietli
kehewasn' tthereyetsopl ayful
andsil
ly.Shegiggledremini scinghowhekepton
sayi
nghewasgaybutcoul dn'tkeephishandst o
himsel
f,surel
yani ghtshewi l
lneverforget.Then
herheartbl
edt hi
nkingofpoorDuke, whywoul d
Godtakeawayherf i
rstproperboyf ri
endsosoon,
shewasst i
llyett
oknowhi m bet ter
,shef el
trobbed.
Shesighed,herphonevi bratedbyt hewi ndowsi l
l.
"
hey"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"thankGodyouareokay,whenyoudidn'
tcal
lI
thoughtsomet
hingbadhappened,Ij
ustcamefrom
buyingair
ti
me"sheranted
"
I'
mfi
neNana"sher
epl
ied
"didt
hedoctorresi
sthavi
nghi
smealst
ari
ngathi
m
thewhol
enight?
"sheaskednaught
il
y
"
ser
iousl
yNana?
"
"I
'
mjustaski
nghawu"shedef
endedher
sel
f
"Dukei
sdead,hewast
heonehi
jackedt
hatni
ght
"
shesai
dsadly
"ohmyThul
ado,
thenwher
ear
eyou?
,I'
m sosor
ry"
shesai
dgenui
nel
y
"If
oundaplace,
Ineedmystuf
f.Iwi
llhi
reavanto
comeandgetthem,canyoupl
easel
iasonforme?"
sheasked
"ei
shmyf r
iend,
whent heydidn'tf
indyouitwas
chaos.Theywerelivi
d,Icouldonlysaveyour
beddingsandpil
lowseverythingelsei
sgone
Thulado"shewhispered
"t
heybur
ntmyst
uff
?"shepani
cked
"no,
theywer
ejusthel
pingt
hemsel
ves"
"
myTV?,myfr
idge?Isavedf
ormonthstobeabl
e
t
obuyt
hoset
hingsNana"shest
ressed
"I
'
m sor
ryoe,
Iwil
lbr
ingyourbeddi
ngt
omor
row,
we
canmeeti
ntownaft
erwork"
Shehungup, Thuladopinchthebr i
dgeofhernose
shutti
nghereyest ightl
y.Li
fewasj ustdeal
ingwit
h
heraccordingly,
wasi tbecauseshet ur
nedaway
fr
om herf amil
y.Maybesheneedst ovi
sitMooi
Riverthenherancest or
swi l
lfavorher,
she
cont
inuedcleaningunt
ilt
hehousewasspar
kli
ng
andsmelli
ngf r
esh.Shepumpedupthebedand
sl
eptri
ghtaway.
@Senzo'
shouse
Hesatont hecouchi ncompl etedarknesst hings

haveturnedsouri nami nuteandforsomer easoni t
fel
tli
kethiswasmor ethanjustAngel'sdeat h.Dr
Dukediedinahi jacki
ngwhi chmeanst her
e's
nothi
ngsol i
dlefttowardsthecase,hecoul dal most
seeAngel'stearyfacewhent hescum r apedher ,
butimaginingthepainshewentt hroughf rom the
knif
ewoundcausedhi mt osobsof tl
y.Hehasn' t
report
edtowor kbecauset hemor ehehear sFr ed's
namet hemor ehewant stostranglehimt odeat h.
Pearlswi
tchedont heli
ghts,
sherol
ledhereyes
uponhearinghissnif
fs,shepul
ledhergown
coveri
ngherlongpyjamas.
"ar
eyouevergoingt
osleep,
youdoknowt hat
sit
ti
ngherecr
yingwi
llnotbr
ingherback"shesai
d
annoyed
"Pearll
etmebe…OKwear
egr
ievi
ngdi
ff
erent
ly"he
said
"youknowothermenarest
rong,
theyar
eambi t
ious,
theyhol
dthebullbyt
hehor
nsSenzobutyou"she
point
edathi
m
"PearlI
'm warni
ngyou,oneoft
hesedaysyouwil
l
answerf ort
hedisr
espectyouhavebeenshowi
ng
met hesedays"heansweredsharpl
y
"hee(shelaughed)youknowdamnr i
ghtthatyou
needyourjobatFredSimon'sbutinsteadof
focusi
ngonbur yi
ngourdaughteryouwantt omake
enemieswithyourbestfr
iendwhoi syourbossand
youwantmet osi
thereandpatyourback?Never "
shescreamed
"thatmanmighthaverapedourdaughterPear
l
forgivemebutIwil
lnottaket
hisl
yingdown"he
answer ed
"youwi l
l(sheclappedherhands)youwi l
ltakeit
l
yi ngfl
atont hegroundbecauseyouar enothing
Senzo…usel essifyouaskme,allofyourfri
endsare
flouri
shi
ngexceptf oryou…domkop"shespat
"
sot
hisi
saboutmyr
ichf
ri
endshuh?
"hest
oodup
"No,it
'
saboutyou. .
.stopt
hismadnessbefor
eyou
embarrassyoursel
f.Freddidn'
thur
tAngel
,gotothe
pol
iceandfixthisbeforei
t'
stoolat
e"shewarned
"Iwil
lnotdot
hat,car
ryonsweari
ngme.I
'm
choosi
ngtobel
ievemydaughter
"her
esponded
"yourdeaddaughteriscrazy,didshetellyouf aceto
facethatFreddidthosethings?Ifyouwer esmar t
youwoul dhaveknownt hatFreddyisabusi ness
man, andsomeoneoutt hereistryi
ngtof ramehi m.
Howsur ear eyout
hatthedoct oristel
li
ngt het r
uth,
i
t'sapitybecauseAngieisn'theretoanswerf or
herself
"shesaid
"Fredisaman,yeshismyf ri
endbutIsti
llt
hinkhe
candosuch.Iknowhim better
,soIwil
lwaitfort
he
poli
cetofi
nisht
hei
rinvest
igati
on.Pl
easestop
ref
erri
ngtomydaughterwithsuchdisr
espectPearl
"
hebegged
"Fredhasanal i
bithatni
ghtAngelwentmissi
ng,
stopit..bef
oreyouembarrassyour
self
"shesaid
wal ki
ngaway
"yout heali
bi"hechuckledsarcast
ical
ly,
"you
defendinghim, choosi
nghim overmeandour
daught er
,youar etheal
ibi
…Right?"heaskedwit
h
gl
isteningeyes
"don'tdot
hist
oyoursel
fSenzo"shesai
d
dissapear
ingi
ntot
hehallway.
Senzofoll
owedherwi
thhishear
traci
ng,he
for
ceful
lypushedt
hedoorcausi
ngPearltof
allon
thefl
oor.
"yousleepi
ngwi
thFr
edhuh?
…tal
ktomedamni
t"
hescreamed
"mxm l
eavemeal
one"shescof
fed
"t
hoselat
enight
s…ohmyGodi tmakesper
fect
sensenow,youarehavi
nganaff
airwi
thmyf r
iend"
hecar
ri
edhi
shandsonhi
shead
"doyoublamemekodwaVi l
akazi,
lookatus,
we
aresuf
feri
ng.Wearejustnotworki
ngoutandFred
ontheotherhand.I
'
m sorr
ybutit'
sthetrut
h…Iwant
adivor
ce"shesaidsit
ti
ngonthebed
"Pearlwhyarehurti
ngmel i
ket
his,youknowIlove
you,I
'm goi
ngtowor khar
dbutpleasebabedon't
hurtmeliket
his"hebeggedher
"I'
m sorr
yI'
mt ir
edofpretending,
andst
opcryi
ng
forAngelSenzo…Iknowyoul oveherbuti
t'
s
enoughnow.She' snotyours
WiththatPear
lst
oodupopeni
ngthecabi
net
s,she
unhookedthehanger
swi
thhercl
othesl
ayi
ngthem
onthebed.
"aren'
tyougoi
ngt
owai
tfort
hef
uner
alat
least
?"he
askedcalml
y
"
Iwil
lbeher
ebutI
'
m packi
ngmyst
uff
,justsoI
'
m
r
eady"
Senzowal kedoutt hedoor ,hisheartcl
enching,the
pai
nhewasf eelingwasunexpl ainabl
e,hereturned
backtother oom i nlightni
ngspeed.Howcanshe
humil
iatehiml iket his,asifthedailydemeaning
wasn'tenoughbutt ocheatandmakehi mr aisea
chi
ldthatisnothi s.Hegr abbedherbyt hehai rand
bangedheragai nstthewal l.
"
youbi
tch"hesai
dthr
oughgr
it
tedt
eet
h
"yourhur
ti
ngmeSenzo,
Iwil
lgetyouar
rest
ed…Let
mego"shescr
eamedinagony
Senzosl appedheracr osst hef aceshef el

ltot he
ground, heyankedheruppr essingheragai nstt he
wall,Pear lwi
denedhereyesi nshockshehasnever
seenSenzot hisangry.Shewi ggledherlegsand
armst ryingtoescapehi sgr ip,Senzogritt
edhi s
teethashi sl
ookbecamemor eandmor escar y.He
hookedhi sfi
rm handar oundherneckassweat
tri
ckleddownhi sface,hewasf umi ng,
hepr essed
onitenjoyingthegurgl
ingsoundscomingoutof
hermout h.Pearlsl
appedhishandstappi
ngoutbut
Senzoignor edandfocusedonthatt
inyneck,
Pearl
'seyespoppedout ,herbodysl
owlylosi
nglif
e,
shefloppedherheadandhands, herbodystopped
moving.
Afterawhil
eSenzosnappedoutofi t
,hequi
ckl
ylet
goofherbodyandwat cheditthudonthefl
oor.
Panickclot
hedhim,hestar
tedcryi
ngwhenhe
reali
zedwhathehaddone.Her antothest
orer
oom
grabbingashovel
,hewentatthebackandstart
ed
digging.
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
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|
Chapt
er7
Thecasketwentdown, Senzochokedi nhi sown

tears,i
nstant lyhef eltlonely,hef eltthevoi d.Ri
ght
atthismomenti tdidn'tmat t
erthatshewasn' this,
thememor iescamef loodingi n,herf ir
stbabyst eps,
whenshel osthert oothandhehadt osneaki n
coinsunderherpi l
lowwhi leshesnor edaway.He
usedt otakehert ot hepar ksohecoul dt eachher
howt or i
deabi ke,shewashi spr incess, thei
rbond
wasi ndescr i
babl e.Hegl ancedtohi sleftandher e
shewasdabbi ngt ear sunderherhugebl ack
glasses, f
orasecondhewi shedshehaddi edfrom
thatstranglingyetagai nt hatwoul dmean
somet hingel sef orhi m.
Thepani
chehadwhenher
etur
nedt
oanempt
y
room afterhoursofdiggingi nthebackyar d,
apparentlyshehadwokeupandr anf orherlife,
from t
hent heyhavebeencommuni cati
ngt hrough
thephone.Peopl egotintot hei
rcarsanddr oveof f
,
Pearlrodewi t
hFredwi thoutshame.Justwhen
Senzowast oenterhiscarabeaut i
fulwomancame
fort
h.Shewaswear i
ngf ul
lblack,apepl um dress
hugginghert i
nybeaut i
full
yshapedbody, sti
ll
etos
shapinghercar amellegsandahugehat .Heraura
waspeacef ulandi nvi
ti
ng, Senzowast akenbyher
beautybuthewasn' ti
nt hemood, thereforehe
waitedforthemai dentospeak.
"I'
m sorryforyourloss(shepausedf ighti
ngback
tears)Ijustburi
edmyboyf r
iendyesterday,
everythi
nghappenedsof ast(shedabbedher
flowingtears)I'
m Thulado(shereachedouther
hand)I '
mt heladythatfoundyourdaught eri
nthe
dumpsi te.
"thankyou"hesaidinashakyvoi
ce,
hepul
ledher
i
ntoahug, astheybothsni
ff
ed.WhenThul
adohad
enoughshepul l
edout.
"shewasscared,shebeggedDukenottocallher
parent
sbecauseyouwillnotbel
ieveher
"Thulado
sai
d
"Ididn'
tknowathing,
Ionlyf
oundoutlate.I
ttur
ns
outshe'sbeent
alki
ngtohermother.Fr
edismy
bestfri
endandboss"herepl
iedsadl
y
"I
'm sorry,
youknowDuke…t hedoct
orwas
passionateaboutthiscase,
welai
dhimtorest
yesterday"sheexplai
ned
"
Iheard,
nowt hecasewentcol
d.Noevi
dence,
no
wit
nessIfeell
ikeIf
ail
edher
"hecri
ed
"I'
m sorr
ybutshewil
lgetherj
ust
iceonewayor
another
,MaythegoodLordsendyoucomfor
t"she
squeezedhi
sarm andwalkedaway.
Hegawkedatherasshegracef
ull
ywalkedaway,
he
rememberedthathedi
dn'
taskf
orhernumber.He
chasedaf
terher.
"
sor
ry!Excuseme!Thul
ado!CanIpl
easehaveyour
number?IfeellikeIcant
alktoyou,yout heonly
personwhosawmydaught eronherlastdays.Wit
h
DukedeadIwi llneedsomeone"hesai d
stammeri
ngsi ncehewast alki
ngratherfast
.
"wil
lthatbeokaywi t
hyourwif
e?Ihear
dthat
womendon' tt
rustanyoneneart
hei
rhusbands
nowadays,notthatIwoul
ddoanythi
ngbutjust
"
shechuckledl
ightl
y
"she'
sdi
vor
cingme,
Ihaveabsol
utel
ynoone"he
said
"
okay"Thul
ador
ecit
edhernumbert
henshe
r
esumedherwalk
*
***
*
Mhl engiwipedthesweatonhisforehead,worki
ng
forconst r
ucti
onwasn'tf
orthefaintheart
ed,hewas
pickedacoupl eofdaysagoamongstt hement hat
sitont hesideofr
oadwithcardboardinit
ial
edwith
thet ypeofskil
lst
heypossessed.Welding,
plumbing,painti
ngandt i
lingshouldacarst opthey
al
lruntowar dsitwithhopest obet hepickofthe
day.Mhlengiwasdr owni nginhiswor r
ies,hewas
homelessandal one, hesatonther ockjusttocatch
hisbr
eatht hat'
swhenavansi gnalledforhimto
come.Hewal kedoverhesi t
antl
y,thewhi t
emant old
himtojumpi nhur ri
edlybeforetheotherreali
zedfor
hehadaj obf orhim.
Hej umpedi nwithnof urt

herquest ionsandwhen
theot hersnoticeditwast oolate,thevan
dissapear edaroundt hebend.Thesuni sscorching
andhewasdi ggingwi t
hot hersont hesi deofthe
road, i
twasat emporaryjobf ormuni ci
pali
ty.They
wer eputtingbiggerpipest odistr
ibutewat eralso
i
nt othenewl ybui l
tcommuni t
yhal l
, asixmont h
cont r
act.Dur i
nglunchhet ookast rolll
ookingfora
vendorwhocoul dsellhi
m vetkoeks, hewasn' tso
fortunateliketheothermenwhom car r
ied
homemadel unchesbyt heirgirl
fr
iendsandwi ves,
hewasj ustal oner.
Novet koeks!Wel latleasthef oundpi ecesoff rui
ts
whi chr emi ndedhi m ofhi saunt ,themostki ndest
womenheknew.Sadnesswashedoverhi m
remi niscinghowhi sf ami lystil
lblameshi mf orher
deat h.Hef oundshadeunderat r
eeandsatdown, a
girlwal kedpasswhent heireyesl ockedshe
frownedcl ickinghert ongue, it'
spr obabl ybecause
oft hedust ydirt
yover allhewaswear i
ng.He
chuckl edt akingabi gbi teofhi sappl e, gir
lsareso
predi ctable,i
fhewaswel ldresseddr ivingaposh
car ,shewoul dtripfrom gawki ngathi m.Thenhe
remember edaspeci algirl,t
heonl ygi rlthat
occupi eshi smi ndThul ado!, hisshor t
y, Godknows
hishear tbroket helastdayhesawher .
Howcanshedi scardhi m afterthatsplendidnight

theyhad?Itbaff
ledhi m,Inf
actitcutthr oughhis
soullikeashar
pkni f
e.Ofcour sehewasn' tgay,he
wasj ustmessi
ngar oundl i
keheusual lydoes
perhapsshetookthatl i
neser i
ously.Ohno!Coul dit
bethathewast err
ible!,
shelosti nt
erestbecause
hisstrokegamewaswhack, hepausedt aki
ngthis
i
n,shedidn'tl
ikei
t!Thuladohatedthesex!That
explai
nsit
.Withthathest oodupputti
nghishands
deepintohi
spocket s,
sadnesst ookoverashe
walkedbacktosightkicki
ngstonesont heroadsi
de.
*
***
*
Thuladosi ghedsi tt
ingont hef loorwi thacupof
blacktea,shehadnomi l
k, nobr ead, shehad
nothing.Shecookedpot atoesandr icetwodays
agoshef i
nishedt helastofi ttoday.Hercol l
eague
i
ski ndenought oallowhert ocookonherst oveand
potsthenshedecant sthef ood, taki
ngi ttoherflat
.
Endoft hismont hshepl annedonbuyi ngat wo
platestoveandsomepot sat l
east .Nanametup
withher,shenar ratedhowt hecommuni tydeal
t
withherdi ssapearing,nott hatshewasi nter
ested,
shewasdonewi tht hatplaceandshewassur e
donewi thNanat oo.
Shef
ini
shedhercupoft
ea,
itwasl
ateatni
ghtso
shechangedintohersl
eepwearfl
oppi
ngont
othe
ai
rbed.Acallcamet hr
oughherphone.
"
hel
lo"shesai
d
"
heyi
t'
smeSenzo"hesai
dner
vousl
y
"
ohyes,
yougood?Sheasked
"gett
ingther
e,t
hehousef
eel
ssoempt
y"he
chuckledner
vousl
y
"
int
imeyouwi
llgetusedofi
t"sher
epl
ied
"Iwasthi
nkingmaybewecandocoffeet
omor
row
orwheneveryouar
efree?
"heasked
"t
hat'
ssweetbutI
'
m wor ki
ngandi fI
'
m notI
'
m super
busy,Ij
ustmovei
ntoanewpl aceyouknow.Soit'
s
l
ikeI'
m star
ti
ngaf
resh"sheresponded
"
okay,
canIcomeandl
endahand"heasked
"
youj
ustl
ooki
ngf
oradi
str
act
ionIsee"shesai
d
"
gui
lt
yaschar
ged"hechucked
"
fi
neIwi
llseeyoui
ntheweekendt
hen"
Shehungup, Senzoseemedl ikeaniceper sonbut
hewasst i
llamar ri
edman.Thul adodi dn'twantt o
givehi m wr ongsi gnalsorwor setobecaughti na
mi ddleofahor r
ibl
edi vor
ce.Asshewassl eepi ng
shef oundher selfmi ssi
ngsomet hing,af eeli
ngt hat
shef eltwhenshespentt heni
ghtwi t
hMhl engi .She
startedt ouchingher selfwithhereyescl osed
i
magi ninghi sbigmascul arwarm bodyI ntertwined
withher s,thewayhet ouchedher ,
kissedher ,she
couldn'tbel i
eveamancanmakeyouf eelaf l
oati n
thatway.Shet ri
edbuti twasn'tthesame, shewent
throughherphoner eali
zingshenevert ookhi s
number …ohcr ap!
*
***
Fredwalkedupt ohisbal
conyst ar
knaked, hekept
l
ookingback,Pearlwassleepingsoundlyonhi sbed.
Helitupacigarett
eandpuf f
edlikehisl
ife
dependedonit.Wasshecr azy?Ifitwasn'
tf orhi
m
Senzowoul dbebehi ndbarsf oral
mostkill
ingher
andt hiswasal lhisf ault.Withthewayhehas
wrongedhi sfri
endt helastt
hi nghewant sisforhim
tobej ail
ed.Thent her e'
sPearl!Themostdumbest
chickhiseverl aid,thi swasmeantt obetheirfun
l
itt
lesecr etbutshehasmovedi n,
whatthef vck!
There'sar easonFr edwasn' tmar r
iedorwithout
chil
dbutPear lthinksshecanchangeal lt
hat .
Heki l
ledt
hebut tandthrewi tdownthebalcony,his
gardenerwillhavetoclearthatwhenhesweepst he
yard.Hereturnedtobedyanki ngtheblanketof
f
fr
om Pearl,sheyawnedst retchi
ng,t
henshesmi led
atFred.
"
Whenar
eyoul
eavi
ng?
"heaskedcol
dly
"Idon'tunder
stand"shesatup"
I'
m di
vor
cingSenzo
foryou"shesaid
"Ineveraskedyoutodot hat
,nowyouar erui
ning
everythi
ng.Ther
e'sareasonI'
m singl
ePearlandit'
s
notabouttochangesopl easetakeyourbagsand
r
etur
ntoyourhouse"hespat
"
youknowIcan'
tgother
e,FredIt
houghtyoul
oved
me"shesai
dinashakyvoi
ce
"Ihaveneversaidthat,yousat
isfyme,Ipr
omoted
you,gaveyoubenef i
tsheckIevenpr omot
edyour
husbandsot hatyoucanbehappy.Idi dn'
tdothat
soyoucanl eavehimf ormeno! "hesai
dharshl
y
"
ohmyGod…whathaveIdone"shecr
ied
"pl
easeleave…mynextgi r
liscomingi
nat
breakf
astandi fyoucan'
thandl
ethist
henIwil
l
havenochoi cebuttodemoteyouorperhapsl
et
yougo"hesai djumpingoutofbed
"Fred!Pl
easeyouknowIhavefal
leninlovewithyou,
pleasedon'
tembarrassmeli
kethis"shebegged
"comeonPear l
,don'
tmaket hishar
d.Ienjoyyour
pussysodon'tmaket hi
sawkwar dandhar d…j
ust
gohomeandapol ogize,Senzoisareasonableman,
hewillf
orgi
veyou"heexcl ai
med
"youdon'
tunderst
andFred,Ireal
lymessedup,
I
eventol
dhim aboutAngelnotbeinghi
s.Whydo
yout
hinkheal
mostki
ll
edme?
"sheexpl
ained
"areyouf ucki
ngdumb?Whywoul dyouhur tSenzo
l
ikethat,t
hatmanl ovesyou.Di
dyoutellhi
m whoi s
thefather
?I nf
actIdon'
twanttoknow,anythingis
possiblewithyou.Ther
ewasnoneedf orthat"he
saidamazed
"it
'sdone,t
hist
imehewi
llsucceedi
nki
ll
ingme"
shecried
"j
ustgoandsi
ncer
elyapol
ogi
ze,
suckhi
sdi
ckor
somethi
ng…Idon'
tknowbutyouneedt
ogo…
Now!"
Withthatheputonhi
srobeandl
eftPear
lhur
tand
confusedonthebed.
2021
_
___
__
Goodmor
ning
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er8
Senzol ai
donhi sbedscrol
li
ngthroughhi sphone,
hesear chedforThul
adoinallsocialmedia
platformsbutnot hi
ng,hejustwantedtost ar
eather
pictures,shewassodamncut e.Hef oughttheurge
tocal lheragain,i
twil
lmakehiml ookdesper at
e,
afterwat chingaseri
esonNet f
li
xvi ahisphonehe
dozedof f.
Meanwhi lePear lsl
owl yturnedt hedoorknob,
she
putheronehandonherchest ,l
etti
ngoutabreath
thatshef oundhi m sl
eepi ng.Shequi et
lyput
everythi
ngbacki nt
ot heirplaces,knowingSenzohe
wouldsleepl i
kehisdead.Whenshewasdoneshe
start
edcl eaningthehouse, somethingshehas
beendoi ngf orawhi l
enow, shecookedt henshe
watchedashowonDst v.
Lateri
nt heaft
ernoonSenzost retchedandyawni n
hisroom, heki
ckedont ohi ssl
ipon' sthinkingabout
whathewasgoi ngt oeat,hegott heshockofhi s
l
ifewhenher ealizedhowcl eant hehousel ooked,i
t
evensmel toffr
eshl ycookedfood, hewal kedover
totheloungeareaandf oundPear lsleeping,he
fr
ownedandl i
ght l
ytappedher .Shedi dn'teven
str
etchbutsatupasf astaslightning.
"whatbr
ingsyouher
e?"heasked
"
thi
sismyhome"shesai
dpl
ayi
ngwi
thherhands
"di
dyouforgett
hatdaysagowhenyoubur
ned
bri
dgeswi
thme? "heasked
"I'
m sor
ryIhavet
akenti
met oref
lectandIreal
ized
Iwaswayoutofli
ne,IguessAngel'
sdissapear
ance
anddeathhi
tmediff
erentl
y"sherepl
ied
"ohOK,whataboutcheat
ingonmehuh?What
aboutAngelnotbei
ngmine"heaskedi
nabr
eaki
ng
tone
"I
'
m sor r
yVi l
akazi
,Ihavenoexcusewhat
soever
,I
shouldn'
thavecheat edonyou.I
twasasil
ly
mistakes,Igaveint
ot empt
ati
on,pl
easef
orgi
veme
baba"shebegged
"Ialmostki
ll
edyoudamni
t!
"heshout
ed,
Pear
lgot
star
tl
ed
"
Iknowbaba,
I'
m sor
ry"shecr
ied
"arewest
il
ldi
vor
cing?
"heaskedr
aisi
nghi
s
eyebr
ow
"Idi
dn'
tmeanal
loft
hat
"shesai
dwi
thpl
eadi
ng
eyes
"
lookIneedt
imet
opr
ocessal
loft
his,
I'
m notsur
e
i
fIcanst i
llcarryonaf terever
ythingyouhavedone,
Idon'tt
rustyou.Buti t'
syourhouseaf terall(
he
shrugged)ar eyougoi ngtodishformeorIshoul d
doitmysel f
?Phel athingschangedi nthishouse
whenyoust art
edridingFr ed'
sdick"heelaborat
ed.
Pearlscurr
iedoutintothekit
chen, shewasl i
ter
all
y
walkingoneggshel ls,
itwaseitherthisorgoing
backhomewhi chwi l
lbeahugedi sappointmentto
herfamily,
especiall
ysinceshewast heonewho
rui
nedhermar r
iage.Shedishedforherhusband
andsuddenl ysheremember edever yt
hingher
mothertaughther ,
shedr ewoutat rayandanett o
coverthefood,thensheputwar m wat eri
ntoabowl
sothatherhusbandcanwashhi shands.Shehad
toovercompensat eunti
lthesit
uationdiff
uses.
*
***
*
Mhlengif
loppeddownont hesi
ngl
ebed,
itwasa
t
ir
ingdaybutatleasthehasapl
acetohi
dehishead
unt
ilmonthend,t
henfrom t
her
ehewillhuntfora
pl
aceofhisown.Therewasaknockont hedoor,he
wentandopened.Incamehernewfr
iendssister
wit
hat r
ayoffood.
"ut
heumahangikulet
helela!(
mom saidIshould
bri
ngyouthi
s)shepulleda20lit
rebucketfr
om
behindt
hedoor,pl
aci
ngi ti
nfrontofhi
mt henshe
putthef
oodontopofit.
"ngi
yabonga!(
thankyou)Mhl
engisai
d
Shegawkedathim, hewashandsome, wel l

buil
t
andaperfecthei
ghtforher.Shewoul dstareathim
whenhet al
kstoherbrotherwhent heyreturned
fr
om kwagobaiqolo(har
dl abor
),whenhe
smil
es…thedimplesmakeherf eelgiddyinside.
"i
stheresomethi
ngelse?"Mhlengiaskeddi
stur
bing
herfr
om hernaught
yt hought
s
"
nope"shesai
ddi
ssapear
ingoutt
hedoor
Mhl engit ookacol dbat h,hehar dlywenti ntothe
kitchenort heotherrooms, hedidn'twantt owor ry
them byaski ngforthings.Thepl ani stobeas
scar ceasf eathersonaf i
shunt ilhemovesout ,
whenhewasdonecl eaninghi msel f,hewent
out sidetot hediscar
dt hewat er
.Hewast oldthe
room bel ongedt otheirlatebrother ,hewast he
eldestsohehadanout sidebui lding.Hewas
grat eful,
sleepi
ngi nthest reetswasnochi l
d'splay,
thecol dinthenightandt hatf eeli
ngofbei ng
exposedbutwor seofi tallwassl eepi ngwithone
eyeopen.
Her etur
nedandstar
tedeati
nghisfood,hewent
outsidetor
insehi
splateandtookitbacktothe
ki
tchen.Hedidthi
severydaywithoutfai
l,
thi
sti
me
shef oundt
hemotherdrinki
ngtea.
"youknowyoucanstayher
eforasl
ongasyou
wantmfanawami"shesai
dsippi
ngherhot
bever
age
"IknowmabutasamanIalsoneedtof
indmyf
eet
"
hesaidqui
ckl
yremovi
nghi
shoodie
"IknowbutI'
m wor r
iedaboutwhenyourcont
ract
ends,t
henwhat ?Sfisosaysyouar
eagoodboy,
youshouldstay"sheinsi
sted
"yeboma"wi ththathewalkedout ,event houghhe
knewhewasn' tgoingtostay,hedidn'twantt ofi
nd
himsel
farguingwithanelder,thelastthinghe
wantsisarepeatofwhathappenedwi thhisfamil
y,
theywereallni
cet ohi
m untilt
hingsst art
ed
happeni
ngnowt heyhatehim.From nowonhe
wantedlongter
m goodr el
ati
onships.
Whenheopenedt heroom hefoundt hesist

er
nakedont hebed,hishear
tlit
erall
ystopped,he
quicklyscannedout si
detoseei fsomeonewas
there,hethenclosedthedoor.Hepi ckedupher
clothesfrom t
hef l
oorshovingthem inherhands.
"
putyourcl
othesonandgopl
ease"hebegged
"
notaf
teryougi
vemewhatIwant
"shesai
d
"No!Youlikemylit
tlesister
,Icoul
dn'tdi
srespect
yourhouseli
kethat,pleasegobeforeyougetme
i
ntotroubl
e,yourbrotherisagoodfriendofmine"
hesaidthr
oughgr i
ttedteeth
"comeonMhl engil
oosenup,wear
ebot
hadul
ts
here"shesai
dwalki
ngovertohi
m
Shewasyel l
owwi thperfecthipsandper kyboobs,
hecouldf uckherunt ilt
hemor ningbutt hiswi l
ljust
bri
ngpr oblemsf orhim andhecoul dn'taffordthat ,
sheattackedhi m wi t
haki ss,sli
ppi ngherhands
i
ntohissweat pantsMhl engishuthi seyes
weakening.Hepi ckedheruppl acingheront he
smallbed, hereturnedtheki sswhi legent lyrubbi ng
onherf l
ower .Aloudknockont hedoorscar ed
dayl
ightsoutofhi m,hej umpedof fbedwi thhis
heartbeatinghardagai nsthisr ibcage, hecoul d
dropdead.
*
***
Fredsati nt hedarkgul pi
nghi sexpensi
vewhi skey,
hecoul dhandl ethedr amat hatcamewi t
hPear land
Senzoputt hiscasel i
ngeringoverhisheadwas
stressi
nghi m out,thiscoul dbri
ngFredSimonsI nc
toitskneesshoul danyonecat chesawhi ffofit
.
Sincet hemai nper soninthecasewasdead, does
thi
smeant heycoul dcloseit?Hewonder edinhis
head, af aintknockont hedoorpul l
edhim outofhis
thought s.Het ookhiswhi skeyandmadehi swayt o
thetoopen.
Hereshewaswi thherfreshyoungbody, sheloves

fuckingPear lbecauseshei sbeauti
fulandt hethri
ll
ofdevour i
ngsomeone' swi femadei tal lf
unbutthe
gir
lcaughtf eeli
ngsandr uinedeverything.Nowhe
hadf reshmeatandt hi
sonewasmar riedtoa
businessassoci ate,
hegott urnedonj ustthi
nking
abouti t
.
"
areyour
eadyf
orme?
"heaskedbi
ti
nghi
slowerl
ip
"
yes,
Ineedt
ogoinanhour
,Iwanthi
mt oat
least
f
indmehome"shesai
dpul
li
ngFredcl
ose
"
whati
fhewant
ssome?
"her
aisedaneyebr
ow
"I
'
m abiggi
rlIcanhandl
eit
"shesai
dunbuckl
ing
hisbel
t
Histr
ousersfellont hefloor,thebel
tmaki ngt
hat
cl
ingsound,shest artedplayingwi t
hhisshaft,
Fred
putdownt hewhi skey,her emovedt hestr
andsof
hairf
rom coveri
ngherf ace,hewant edtoseeher
cl
earl
ywhenshegags, hest artedpushingherhead
i
nandoutwi t
hhi m gradual l
yclosi
nghiseyes.
*
***
Thuladotossedandturnedasthethoughtsof
Mhlengiint
ensif
ied,
sheneededt oknowifhewas
okay,nowthatshethoughtaboutit
,healsohada
bagwhi chwasapossi bil
it
ythathewashomeless
butwher
eonear
thcouldhebe?Shedi
dn'
teven
knowwheret
ost
artshoul
dshewishtol
ookforhi
m.
Hisphonevi
brat
ednexther
,itwasamessagef
rom
Senzo.
"Heycut
ie…Ican'
twai
ttoseeyout
hisweekend,
I
havesomethi
ngIwantustocel
ebr
ate"
Thul
adof
rownedl
ooki
ngatherphone,
sher
epl
ied.
"
youarest
il
lmar
ri
ed,don'
tgett
oocomf
ort
abl
e.
Whatar
eyoucel
ebrat
ing?
"
Senzowast
ypi
ng…
"
loosenup,
Itoldyoushe'
sdivorci
ngmeandi t
'sfor
t
hebest.WellIgotanewjob,Ihavebeenappl
ying
outofboredom buti
tactual
lycamethr
ough,Idon'
t
havetofacemywi feandfri
endatworkanymore"
Thuladosmi
ledgenui
nel
yhappyf
orhi
m,she
repl
ied
"
congr
atul
ati
onsandgoodni
ght
"
Sheputherphonedownandsi ghed.I
fonl
yshe
coul
dgetanewj obwit
habet t
erpayandgood
hour
s.Befor
esheknewi tsl
eepcameandt ookher
away.
2021
Happyval
ent
inesday
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er9
Theknockagain,Mhlengist
aredatt
hedoorwhi l
e
thesi
sterqui
cklygotint
oherclot
hes,shethenhi
d
behi
ndt hedoormotioni
ngforhimtoproceed.
"
who'
sther
e?"heaskedner
vousl
y
"awsulel
eyini
?Heaskedl
ight
lychuckl
ing(
awbr
u
yousl
eepingal
ready?
)
"whatdoyouthi
nk,I
'm undr
essed,
doyouneed
somethi
ng?"herepl
ied
"ainof
lopwewi
llt
alkt
omor
row,
stopmast
urbat
ing
andf
indagi
rl
fr
iend"hesai
dwal
kingaway
"
fuseg"Mhl
engishout
edback
Thesi
stergiggl
edcoveri
nghermout
h,shet
hrew
her
sel
font hesmallbedheavi
ngasi
gh.
"t
akemenowdaddy"shegi
ggl
ed"
thatwascl
ose"
shesai
dsmi
li
ng
"
yes,
youneedtogobefor
etheynot
iceyouar
en'
tin
t
hehouse"hesai
dst
ressi
ng
"l
et'
sdoaqui
ckone"shesai
d
"Ij
ustremembered…Idon'
thecondoms"he
scrat
chedhisheaddramati
cal
ly.
"don'
twor
ryIwil
ltakemor
ningaf
ter
stomor
row"
sheassur
edhim
"si
siweeit
'snotonlypregnancyyouwor r
yabout
whenyouhaveunpr ot
ectedsex,ther
eareSTD's
andSTI'
ssomeoft hem areincur
able.Qui
tefr
ankl
y
youdon'
tknowmeandwher eIhavebeenvice
versasonope,
I'
m nott
aki
ngt
hatchance"he
elabor
ated
"
sowhencanwehookup"sheaskedsadl
y
"
whenIgetpai
d,nowgo"hesai
d
"Icanbuyuscondoms…Ican'
twai
tthatl
ong"she
saidexci
tedl
y
"soyouwantt omet of vckyouatyourhouse, wit
h
yourcondoms?I sthathowl i
tt
leyouthinkofmesi si
?
Pleaserespectyour selforIwillt
reatexactl
yt hat
wayyoubehave…Isai dwhenIgetpai dnowl eave
beforeIcallSfi
so"heopenedt hedoormot i
oni ngfor
hertoleave,"andshave"hei nstr
uctedaftert
hathe
shutthedoorbehi ndher
Heletoutabreathresti
ngont hebed,"
thatwas
hecti
c"hethoughttohimself.Thi
swasasi gnthat
heneededtoleavethishouseassoonashecoul d
becausethi
sthir
stygirlwi
lll
andhiminhotwater.
Hetookoffhisclot
hesandsnuggl edunderhi
s
bl
anket
Thenextday
ItwasThul ado'sweekendof f,andsheplannedt o

uset hi
st i
met owi ndowshopf orhouseitemst hat
sheneededbutf ir
stsheowedSenzocof f
eewhi ch
turnedintoabr eakfast,
theysatcomf ort
ably
outsideFego.Senzof el
tathomei nherpr esence,
foramomentt herehi sli
feseemedhappyand
str
essf ree,hecoul dhavefoolalotofpeople.
"doyouhavetogym t
okeepyourbodyl
ooki
ngl
i
ke
that
?"Thul
adoaskedinnocent
ly
"of
coursecuti
e,yout
hinkIwasbornlooki
ngt
his
sexy?
"hechuckled"i
nmyl ineofwor
kyouhaveto
l
ookthepart"heexpl
ained
"soyouar
eabouncer
?"sheasked
"I
'
veneverworkedinclubs,I
'm moreofabodyguar
d
andwi t
hmynewj obIwillbeoneforasoccer
player
"hesai
dgrinni
ng
"ni
ce,youseem l
ikeagreatguy,Idon'
tunderstand
whyyourwifecheatedonyou"shesaidfeel
ing
sor
ryforhi
m
"Iwi
shIhadanswers,
Ithi
nkwecansaf
elysay
she'
sabi
tch"hesai
dgulpi
nghi
scoff
ee
"
wel
lthankyoufort
hisbutIneedt
ocont
inuewi
th
myday"shesai
dstandi
ngup
"wait
!"hehel
dherhand"I'
m comingwi
thyou
remember?Helpi
nghands?"hesaid
"
sur
e"sher
epl
iedf
acepal
ming
Senzodr oveherbackt otown,theywentf r

om shop
toshopcompar ingpr i
ces,whenThul adowas
sati
sf i
edshepl acedal aybyeatfurnit
ureandhouse
store,Senzoof f
eredt opaythedeposi tandtheylef
t.
Thuladot hankedhi m befor
ejumpingof fri
ght
outsideherbui l
ding,Senzodroveof fwithabig
smile.Inaf ewmi nuteshepulleduphi shouseand
whistledwal ki
ngin,hef oundPearlsitt
ingsadlyon
thecouch.
"youwer
er i
ght
,thi
shousei
sempt ywit
houtAngel
"
shesai
dtryi
ngtostri
keaconver
sati
on
"
yeah"hesai
dwal
kingpassher
"
Vilakazi
,Iwenttodomyhairtodayatt
hemal lonl
y
t
of i
ndoutthatoursavi
ngsardgone"sheasked
r
aisinganeyebrow
"Iborr
owedt
hemoney,
Iwi
llr
etur
nit
"heanswer
ed
fl
atl
y
"
whatdi
dyoudowi
thi
t?"sheasked
"howaboutyoust artbytel
li
ngmewhoi st hefat
her
ofthechi l
dIr ai
sedasmyownf orfri
kki
n13year s
Pearl…ifthat'
sahardquest i
onyoucant ellwhendid
youst artshaggingmyf r
iend?"hef l
aredhi snose
"si
nceyouar einthemoodofaski nguseless
questions,canyouanswert hatf orme?"he
screamed
Pearlkeptqui
etast
earsst
artedwell
ingi
nhereyes,
thi
sseemedl i
keasteephi
ll
,onlyGodknowsifshe
wast osur vi
vethi
s.Shef ol
lowedSenzot othe
bedroom, assoonasshear ri
vedthere,sheat
tacked
him withakissundressinghim.Senzodi dn'
t
protest
,innot i
mehewasheavybr eathi
ngontopof
her,hereleasedandfloppednexttoherf aci
ngthe
ceil
ing.Pearlwrappedherbodyi ntohis.
"comet ot
hinkofi
tyourpvssydoesn'
tgr
ipl
ikei
t
usetoo"hestol
eaglanceather
Pearlj
ustkeptqui
etbecauseshewasi nthedog
box,shewil
lkeepquietunt
ilherhusbandfor
gives
her.Senzopushedheroffl
ightl
ydressi
ngupagain,
hestaredatherwhil
ebuckli
nghisbelt.
"I
'
m goingtowatchasoccermatchatthepub,
don'
t
worr
yaboutt hemoney,
Iwil
lrepl
aceit
.Ihadan
emergency"hesai
d
"
withwhatbabe,youdon'twanttogoandf
ixthi
ngs
wit
hFred,youdon'thaveajob"shesai
dworr
ied
"andyouarestr
essedthatyouwillbef
eedi
ngme"
hechuckl
ed"rel
axitwon'thappen"
Withthathewalkedoutleavi
ngPearldeepi
nher
thoughts,
shepeepedoutt hewindowtomakesur
e
hewasgone, shedial
ledFred.
"
Imi
ssyoupvssy"t
hat
'showhegr
eet
sher
"yetyouletmegol
i
keyoudon'
tcar
e"shesai
d
pouting
"yout ast
ebet
terst
olen,Icanneverbei
na
rel
ati
onshipwit
hyou, Ican'
ttr
ustyouaf
teryou
cheatedonSenzo"hechucklednaughti
ly
"
wit
hyou"shesai
dbi
tt
erl
y
"
youcoul
dhavesai
dNo!
"her
epl
ied
"butyouar
eir
resi
sti
ble"shesai
dinaseduct
ive
voi
ce
"youmustf i
ndawayt ocomeandsaythatt
ome
Pearl
y,Iwi
llfvckbot
hthosehol
es,
youhearme"he
sai
dcoyl
y
"mmmh"sendmeanuber
"wher
eisSenzo?Whycan'
tyoudr
iveher
e"he
asked
"heissti
llsul
king,bor
ingsex,wat
chi
ngsoccer
matchesatthepub…sameol d…hehasthecarwit
h
hi
m"shesai droll
inghereyes
"I
'
m sendi
nganUberbutyougoi
ngbackhome
aft
erwar
ds"nomor
esill
ytear
s
"
Ipr
omi
seFr
eddy"shesai
dpl
ayf
ull
y
Shequi
ckl
ytookashowerandgotr
eadyt
ogo.
*
***
Senzoorderedhi sbeerandf oundat abl

eatthepub
towatchhisf avoritesteam t
her eddevil
splayi
ng
agai
nstLiverpool ,
hekeptgl ancingathiswatch.
Hourslat
erher ecievedanot i
ficat
iononhisphone,
thenhegulpedhisbeerandlef
tthepub.Heparked
outsi
detheflatj
ustwhenthedeli
ver
ytruckl
eft
,he
smirkedpul
li
ngouthisphone.
"I
'
m downst
air
spl
easecomeandbuzzmei
n"he
asked
"wel
lyouhaveal
otofexpl
aini
ngt
odo"shespat
Inaf ewmi nutesThuladoapproached,wearinga

bigf l
uffyjerseythatwentallt
hewayt oherkneesor
i
si tadr ess?,eit
herwayshel ookedsupercut ei
nit.
Shef oldedherhandswai t
ingforSenzot ocomet o
thegat e,whenhewascl oseenoughsheswi ped
himi n,thewal kupthestairswasintense.Assoon
ast heyar r
ivedThuladoputherhandsoverherhead.
"ar
eyououtofyourmi
ndSenzoVi
lakazi
?"shesai
d
panicki
ng
"
rel
ax,
wil
lyou?
"hesai
dinachi
ll
edt
one
"
soyour
eal
lyhat
emet
hatmuch?Fi
rstyouwantt
o
dinewit
hme, nowyouar ebuyingmestuffj
ereva,
expensi
vestuff.Youwantyourwif
etoblameyour
crumbli
ngmar riageonme?"shesai
dwal ki
ng
towardsthewindow
"ouch"Senzosaidf
rant
ical
lyl
ooki
ngar
ound,
clear
ly
hurtbythatst
atement
"
Ican'thavethem,t
akethem backr
ightt
his
i
nstance!"sheor
dered
"No!"hepaused" yousavedmydaught er
sli
fe
Thul ado,event houghIdi dn'tgettoseeheragain
butt hefactthatyougavehert hedecencytoat
l
eastgetmur deredinahospi t
albedmeansagr eat
dealt ome.Shecoul dhavedi edinthatdumpsite
(hechokedi nhist ears)I'
m surethesur r
oundi
ngs
wer efil
thy,fl
iesever ywherebutbecauseofyou.
Shedi edinamuchmor edecentenvironment,
pleaseacceptmygi ft"hetouchedherhands
"pleaseacceptmygr atit
udeonbehal fofAngel"he
begged
"andyourwi
fe,
Imeant
hisi
scr
azy"shechuckl
ed
nervousl
y
"stopworr yi
ngabouther
,weareinthemi ddl
eofa
divorce.Wear enotacoupl
eanymor e,
shedoesn't
l
ovemeandIcan' tbewi
thheraft
ereverythi
ng"he
saidclosingthegapbetweenthem.
Hesmashedont oThulado'
sli
ps,i
twasl
ikeadr
eam
cometr
ue,hecouldpickherupandpoundherr
ight
onthewal
l,butsheslowlypul
ledout
.
"youar
est
il
lmar
ri
edI
-Ican'
t"shesai
dst
eppi
ng
back
"wear edi
vorci
ngThul adothere'
snothingther
e,
whymustIsuf ferbecauseofPear l
?She'sbeen
enj
oyingsexallthi
swhi l
edeprivi
ngmebecause
she'
sforeverti
redandwhenIf i
nall
ymeetsomeone
whomakesmegocr azyIcan'tevenkissher
becauseI'
m sti
llmarri
edtoher …comeon"hesai d
putt
inghishandsinhispocket
"ar
eyougoi
ngtohel
pmeconnectal
ltheset
hings?
"
shesai
dwit
houtl
ooki
ngathi
m
"wi
thpl
easur
e"her
esponded
Theygotbusyconnect ingthefri
dge, t
hestove,
Thul adopackedherkitchenutensi l
sonherl it
tl
e
newcupboar d,t
houghi twasn'teveryt
hing.Itsurel
y
startedtolookmor eli
keahouse, shesmi l
edabi t
andSenzowasi mpr essedwithhi mself.Af
terthey
wer edoneSenzol eftandThulador estedonher
ai
r bed,thesecuri
tycall
edher .
"
hel
losi
r"shesai
d
"Thul
adot
her
e'sayoungmanher
elooki
ngf
oryou"
hesaid
"
I'
m notexpect
inganyone"sher
epl
ied
"yeshedi
dsayhewaslooki
ngf
oryou"pl
ease
comedown"heorder
ed
Thul
adoputonhersl
ippersi
rri
tabl
y,whocoulditbe,
i
t'
slat
enow.Allshewantedtodowast oshower
andsl
eep,whenshereachedthebott
om ofthestai
r
caseshecoul
dn'
tseeanyone,
sosheaskedt
he
secur
it
y.
"wher
eishe?
"sheaskedt
hrowi
ngherhandsi
nthe
air
"hi
sleaningonthewallout
sidemaybe"hest
oodup
cal
li
ng" youngman!youngman!"
Whenheappear edwithahoodi ebur yi

nghishead,
Thuladobl ushedshest artedf eel
ingallsortsof
weird,shesmi ledMhl engijuststoodt herewait
ing
forshortytodot henextmove.Sheswi pedthegate
openandr anintohisar ms, Mhlengipickedherup
spinni
ngherar ound.Itwasal mostl iketheyknew
eachot herforlong,eventuallyMhl engiputher
downandsheswi pedhi mi nside.
2021
-
--
--
--
--
--
--
-
If
ellasl
eep.
..I
'
m sor
ry
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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|
Chapt
er10
Thuladopull
edhimi nwithherhand,Mhl
engi
giggl
edhemi ssedher.Hestoppedonhistr
ack
scanningherli
tt
lefl
at,t
hegirlseemedt
obedoing
wellandthatcausedhimt orel
ax.
"
howdi
dyouf
indme?
",Thul
adobr
oket
hesi
lence
"Iwenttoyourworkplaceaft
ergraaf(
work)
,whenI
sawyourcolleaguesIranuptothem t
oask.Iwas
tol
dit'
syourweekendof fandtheonewit
hblonde
hairgavemedi r
ecti
ons"hesmi r
ked
"ohthatone"
,sheshookherhead,"shedoesn'
teven
knowyouyetshe'sgivi
ngyoudirecti
onstomyf l
at,
anywaysshe'sfr
iendswit
hthecolleaguet
hatfound
thi
splaceforme"sheexplai
ned
"cool
,sohowhaveyoubeen?
"heasked
"wecansi tonthatbed,asyoucanseeIdon'thave
seatsyet",t
heybothsatont hebouncyai
rbed,"
I'
m
goodnow, weburi
edDukeandIwentt oAngel
'
s
funeralaswell
,soI'm good"shesai
d
"I
'
m wor
kingtemporar
yformuni
cipali
ty,
asix
mont
hcontr
act"hesai
dtaki
ngof
fhi shoodi
e
"t
hat
'sawesome,soonyouwil
lhaveaper
manent
j
ob,t
hisi
showit'
sstart
s"shepr
obed
"youknowpeoplearefunny,thr
eeguysleftal
ready
becauseofhar
dl abor
.It
'sli
ketheywantjobsbut
don'twantt
owork"hechuckledindisbel
ief
"everyonewant stoper
severebutnoonewant sto
startf
rom thebott
om, t
hat'
swhywef al
lintothese
scams, wewantt omakequickmoneywi thout
l
ifti
ngaf i
nger"shesaid
"I'
m guilt
yofl ovi
ngf astmoney, withtherateof
unemploymentandcor r
uption,youcan'tgetajob
unlessyoupayabr i
beryIjustgetinfuri
ated.If
ind
myselfdrift
ingof fi
ntothingsIcandot ogetthat
money, butIdon'tmi ndwor ki
ngasl ongast her
e'sa
j
ob"hesai dt hrowinghishandsi ntheair
"wel
lyouhaveonenow"
,shesai
drest
ingherhead
onhisarm
"
yousost
icky"henudgedher
"becauseIhaven'
ttookmyni
ghtshower
",she
giggl
ed
"comeIwil
lscr
ubyou,Ineedashowertoo,
I'
mti
red
ofbat
hingi
napl ast
ict
ub"hechuckl
ed
"don'
tyoudarethrowashade,thosepl
ast
ict
ubs
keptuscleanforyear
s"shechortl
edsmacki
nghi
s
shoulder
"ouch…youar
esoabusi
ve,
youl
ovehi
tt
ingme"he
groaned
"youcallt
hishi
tt
ing?Mxm"sher
oll
edhereyes
standi
ngup
Mhl engiscoopedherupinabl inkofaneye,he

pinnedhert othewall
,Thuladostaredint
ohis
browneyes, herbr
eathheightened.Shetouchedhi
s
facecircl
inghisdimples,
Mhl engicoul
dn'tst
op
smiling.
"l
et'
sgetyoucleanedup",Mhl
engibr
okethesi
lence,
hepiggybackedheral
lthewaytothebat
hroom.
*
***
Aft
erbr
eadandt eat
heysnuggl
edunderthe
bl
anket
sti
ckl
ingeachother,
Mhlengidi
dn'
twantt
o
l
eaveandThuladowantedhimt
ost ay.
"sohowdi dyoumanagetogetthesest
uffso
quickl
y?"heaskedpoi
nti
ngtothenewfri
dgeand
stove
"Angelsfat
herboughtitf
ormetoshowgr
ati
tude
forsavi
nghisdaughter
"shesai
d
"wai
thol
dup…howdi dheknowexact
lywhatt
o
buy?
"heaskedsi
tt
ingup
"hecamewit
hme, wemetupf orcof
feet
otal
kthen
hetaggedal
ong"sheanswer
ed
"
areyoucr
azy?
"hesai
dangr
il
y
"
what
?"sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
s
"
youdon'tseeanyt
hingwrongwit
halloft
his?I
she
l
ikeyournewboyfr
iend"hesai
dputt
ingonhist
ruck
"wher
eareyougoing?Pleasedon'
tbeangry,
his
marri
ed.I
t'
sinnocentIpr
omiseyou"shegotoutt
he
bednakedsearchi
ngforherni
ghtdress
"Thul
adoyouwantmetodieofaheartat
tackhuh?
YouknowIdon'
thaveanyt
hingt
ogiveyou,Idon'
t
havemoneytoshowyouhowmuchyoumeant o
me,yetyouhangar oundguyswhowoul
dbuyyou
stuf
ff orf
ree.Ar
eyououtofyourmi
ndshorty?
Nothingisforfr
ee…nothi
ng"
,her
oar
edgatheri
nghi
s
shoes
"pleasedon'
tgoMhl engi,
Iwi l
lst
opt al
kingt
ohi m,I
honest l
ydi
dn'tt
hinkofitthatway.Iwantyou, I
don'tevenknowwhatt hatmeansbutmyhear t
smi l
eswhenIseeyou.Ihavebeenhavi ngsleepless
nightseversi
ncewepar ted,youallIthi
nkoff"
,she
pour edout
"
youweret
hinki
ngofme?"heaskedwal
kingcl
oser
t
oher
,shenoddedvi
gor
ously
Mhlengiswal lowed,hecuppedherf acetakinginal

l
herbeauty,hel ovedeveryt
hingabouther .Hel oved
howsheper fectlyf
iti
nhisarms, heri
nnocenceand
self
lessness.Hemadet r
ail
sdownherar mt henhe
pull
edhercl osemaki ngsuret here'
snogapi n
betweent hem, theywerebothbr eathingi
ntoeach
other.Mhlengileanedovergr azinghersoftlips,
Thuladocoul dn'tunder
standwhyi sitshefeltso
weakunderhim.It'
snotli
kehehadmoney,afancy
carorabeauti
fulhousebutGodshecoul
djustlay
herwhol
elif
ef orhi
mt odevour,
shecoul
dgivehim
hersoul
,shejustwantedMhlengi…
*
***
Pearlar
ri
vedhomeshewassogl adtofindthe
houseempt y,shequicklyhadashowert owashof f
Fred'
sscent,shewant edt hingst ogobackt owhat
theywere.Herenj oyi
ngheraf f
airwi t
hFredinpeace
butshewant edtokeephermar riageaswell,
otherwi
seshewi llhavenot hingtoshow.Senzo
nevernoti
cedbef oreuntilshest upidl
yconfessed,
shehitherheadcount lesstimesf orbei
ngaf ool
.
AtleastFreddoesn'
tonlygivehermi ndblowingsex
buthet akescar
eofherfinancial
lyaswel l
.Shegot
start
ledtoseeSenzostandingbehindher ,he
reekedofashebeen.Shedr oppedhert owelsoshe
couldapplyLoti
onbeforereti
ri
ngt obed,asshe
bendovershef el
tast ronggr i
ponherhai r,Senzo
yankedherupt henpushedheront othebed.He
wasr oughandemot ionlesssomet hi
ngshehas
neverseen, i
twaspr obabl ythealcohol.Hesprung
outhi slit
tl
eguy, hethenst ruggledoutofhisshoes
andj eanst henhecl i
mbedont hebed.Wi t
hout
warni ngheshovedi tinhermout h,aft
erhewas
sati
sf iedhef or
cefull
ypar tedherl egspoundingint
o
her,shor t
lyhecol l
apseont opofher .
Pearlwipedhertears,shewasal readysorefrom
Fredbutthemannerherhusbandt reat
edherhur t
herdeeply.Senzowoul dneverdot hat,wasthisher
fault
?Shewentt ofetchat owelinthebathroom to
wipeherselfandhim, shecoveredhi m wi
tha
blanketandwatchedhi m snor
eaway.
*
***
Mondaymor
ning
Senzowokeupearl
iert
hanusual, hewaschirpy
andsuit
edup.Pear
lwalkedint
ot heki
tcheninher
penci
lski
rtandwhi
teblousecl
ickingthosest
ilet
tos
normal
lySenzowouldgocrazybutnotanymor e.
Hetossedhisempt
ycof f
eemugi nthesink.
"
areyougoi
ngbackt
owor
k"Pear
laskedsmi
li
ng
"yeswif
eI '
m goi
ngt owork",
hesaidgi
vinghera
ti
ghtsmile,"
hurryupsoIcandropyouof f
…you
shoul
daskyouboyf ri
endtobuyyouacarreal
soon",
hesai dchuckli
ng
"ser
iousl
yVi
lakazi
,Ial
readyapol
ogi
zedf
ort
hat
"
shebegged
"I
'mjustki
ddi
ng…comelet
'sgo,
it'
snotl
ikeIcan
st
opyou,youarehi
sPAhecanhaveyouwhenever
hewants"hesai
dwalki
ngout
Pearlpausedbreathi
nginandout
,shet
hen
fol
lowedhim outthehouse
*
***
Thuladowal kedhandi nhandwi thMhl engi

, theplan
wast oaccompanyThul adot owor kf
irstt
hehecan
takeat axitosit
e.Hespentt hewhol eweekendat
herflatandGodknowshedi dn'
twanti ttoend, the
addicti
velovemaki ngsessi onstheyhadwi llgo
downt hebooksofhi story.Hedi dn'tknowt hatsex
canbet hi
sgood, youknowt hatfeeli
ngasi fyou
andyourpar t
nerareone, connect edtothedept hs.
Hekeptst eali
nggl ancesatshor tyandhej ustknew
hehadt odobettert okeepher .
"andwearehere",hel
eanedoverkissi
ngher,
Thuladohadglassesi
nhereyes,"whyareyou
cryi
ngshort
y?"heaskedconcerned.
"
I'
m goingt
omi ssyou"shesai
dthr
owi
ngher
sel
f
i
ntohisembrace.
"
Iwi
llcomepi
ckyouupl
atert
hen,
wewi
llwal
k
t
ogether
",heassur
edher
,shesmi
lednoddi
ng
t
hroughhertear
s.
Thuladoturnedt owal kaway, Mhlengicheckedher

outinthosetightjeanscur vi
ngherbut tandhips,
shewassoshor thefoughtt heedget or unafterher
sohecoul dpickherup, netf orcontr
ol.Theyhadt o
fi
ghtthismor ningbecauseshewant edt owearher
buckethatbutMhl engiwant edt oseeheraf r
o, he
thoughtshelooksabsol utelybeautif
ulwi t
hherhai r
opened.InreturnThul adoaskedhi mifhecoul d
stopwearingt hehoodi ejustf ort
oday, shewant ed
allt
hegirl
st oseehowhandsomehermanwas.
WhenThuladodi
ssapear
edintot
heshop,
Mhlengi
putonhi
shoodieandrantother
anksohi
snotlat
e
forhi
sshi
ft.
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
Chapt
er11
"Ihat
esayi
nggoodbyet
oyou"
~Thul
ado
Aspr omisedMhlengiwait
edforThul
adobyt he
usualspot,hedi
dn'tevengetachancetochange.
Thuladosawhi m shegall
opedacr
osstheroad
exci
tedly
"
Ohmygosh,
lookwhoneedsascr
ubbi
ngt
oday"
shesai
ddi
ssapear
ingi
nhi
sembr
ace
"
Youdon'
tmi
ndmydust
yover
all
s?"heasked
"
Youcomi
ngfrom wor
k,whatel
secanyoudo.Tel
l
meyousl
eepi
ngoveragai
ntoday"shesai
d
"Ihavetogobackshort
y,Iwil
lcomeseeyouagai
nI
promise"
,hesqueezedherhands
"
Ithi
nkI
'
m goi
ngt
odi
e"shepout
ed
"Youarejustdi
ctmi
ti
zedi
twi
llgetbet
ter
",he
expl
ained
"
NoI
'
m not
"shear
gued
"Yesyouare,youwanttohavesexever
ymi nut
e
everyhourbecausei
t'
snewt oyou"
,helaughed
"Mxm i
fyoudon'tcomet
oseemet hi
sweekagain,
I
wil
lgeti
tfr
om someoneelse"shesai
dnotl
ooking
athi
m
"
Soyouwantt
ocheatonme"hesai
dchuckl
ing
"Someoneelsewi
lldoyourj
obi
fyouar
enother
e"
sheelabor
ated
"
Ifyouevent
hinkofgi
vingsomeoneel
semy
treasureyouwi l
lfor
cemet odothingsthatIdon't
wantt odo,myl onglostgrannylivesin
"umhl ab'
uyal
ingana"she'sawi t
ch.Iwi l
lgother
e
andaskhert ot hi
ngsandl et'
sseei fyougoi
ngt o
cheat"hesaidwi thastrai
ghtface
"Areyouser i
ous?"
,shegasped,"youj oki
ngri
ght?
"
sheaskedagai nbutMhlengidi
dn' tanswerback,
"ohmygoshhi sseri
ous"shecover edhermouth
giggl
ing,
"InthatcaseIwillwai
t,there'
snothi
ngI
fearl
ikewitchcraf
t"shesaid
"That
'
swhatyouwi l
lgeti
fyoucarryonhangingout
witht
hatmarr
iedman, womendontplaywheni t
comestothei
rhusband,Ibetshedoesn'
teven
knowthatheboughtyouthosethi
ngs"hestressed
"Comet othinkofi tIhavenevermether ,it
'slikeshe
doesn'texist,
sheneverbot hers.Itr
iedreturningthe
stuf
fbutheassur edmethatit'
sjustagest ureof
grat
it
ude, Ireallyneedthosethings.SoIwi llkeep
them butifhet riessomethi
ngf unnyIwillcallthe
poli
ceandIwi llsurel
yretur
nthem" ,sheexpl ained
"
Hewant
syouI
'
mtel
li
ngyou"her
esponded
Thewal kbecamesi lentThuladot ookthistimet o
ref
lectbackandapangofgui ltstunginsideofher
whensher ecal
ledthekiss,shecan' tt
ellMhl engi
aboutitnowcanshe?Sheneededt otal
kt oSenzo
andsett herecordstrai
ghtbutwhenshe
remember seacht i
meshet oldhi mthatshecan
neverbewi thhimlikethatbecausehi smar r
ied
gaveherapeaceofmi nd,shel etoutasigh.
"
Yini
ndaba?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Wear
eher
e"shesai
dsadl
y
"I'
m notevengoingtogoupstai
rsbecauseIknow
ngekeuzeungi vumel
engihambe"hesaidgri
nning
(youwon'tall
owmet oleave)
"Ohlover
!Whatam Igoi
ngt
obewi
thoutyou"
,she
sai
ddr amat
ical
ly
"Ifyoucarr
yonli
kethi
sIwillf
indmyselftr
ekki
ngin
themi ddl
eoft
henightcominghere…behave"
,he
saidleani
ngovert
okissherThuladostoodonher
t
ipt
oesl
ikesheal
waysdososhecanatl
eastt
ryt
o
r
eachMhlengi
'
slevel
.
"Ihatesayi
nggoodbyet
oyou",Thuladosai
dwi
th
gli
steni
ngeyes,pul
li
ngoutf
rom thekiss
"
Iloveyoushor
ty"heassur
edher
*
***
Senzogl ancedathi swat chandPear lhasn' tsent

him at extsohecangoandf etchher .Her ecall
ed
seeingFr edwal kingoutahot elwi t
haf ami li
ar
womenwhowasawi f
etoanassoci ate, hejust
knewt hathewasscr ewingher .Shewasj ustl i
ke
Pearl,Fred' ssper m dumpsi t
e, nott hathewas
fol
lowinghi m buthewascoi nci dentall
ypar ked
outsidet hehot elguar di
ngt hesoccerpl ayer .This
gothi mt hinkingonhowhi sbeenr ecklesssl eeping
withherwi thoutpr otecti
on,howsadhi sl i
fehas
tur
ned.Awi fethathepai dlobol aforbecausehe
sawherpr eci
ousasagem, hedi drightbyherbut
nowhehast opr otecthimselff rom her .Ot hermen
whodi dn'
tevenforasecondt
hinkofafutur
ewi
th
herarebusychowi nghi
sgoodsforf
ree,how
fool
ishhefeelsnow.
Heshoul dn'
thavemar ri
ed,heshoul dhavest ayed
asapl ayerandgosl eepingar oundwi thnocar el ike
Fred, Imeanl ookathi m,hisaj erkbutyetwomen
throwt hemselvesathi m withoutevent hinki
ng.
Girlswi llcomplainaboutment reati
ngthem poor l
y
butassoonast heygetamanwhoi snice,caring
andl ovi ngtheyleavehi m anddi veeyesopenedi nto
theshar ksmout h…itbaffledhim. "Wet hegoodguys
aret akenf oraridethenl abeledbor ing,whycan' t
theysi tdownandvoi ceoutsowecant ryandf ix
ourmi stakesbef or
ehur ti
ngusl ikethi
s"het hought
tohi msel f.
Hegr abbedhiscarkeys,hecheckedhisgunand
droveout.Aft
eralengthydrivehearr
ivedatFr
ed
Simmonshel ethimselfin,
theplacewassoquiet
youcouldhearapi ndrop.Allt
heworkershave
gonehome, hetookt hest ai
rsbecauset heelevator
woul dpingal armingt hem, hearrivedonFr ed'sf l
oor
asexpect edt hedoorwascl osedandsower et he
blinds.Fort hefi
rsttimeheact uallylett
het ears
fl
ow, theener gyhehaddr i
vingoutofhi shousel eft
him, hefeltweak.Whatdi dheeverdot oPear land
Fredf orthem tocont inuet oinfi
lpaininhi mliket hi
s.
Heki ckedt hedooropen…hewasn' tpreparedf orthe
pictureinfrontofhi m, hestaggeredbal ancingon
thewal lashur tcoverhi ml i
keanunwant ed
cloak…hewassuf focating.
*
***
Mhlengiarr
ivedathi sfri
end'spl ace,afterbathing
hepackedhi sthi
ngsi nhisbags.I thasbecomea
habi
t,hedoesn'tleavehisbel ongingsl yingaround.
Tohimi twaslikear emindert hatitwasn' thisplace,
afai
ntknockont hedoorgothi m upt ohi sfeet
.He
openedandi twast hesisterwi t
hat r
ayoff ood, she
di
dn'tsayanythingwhi chwasunusual .Hepl aced
hi
sfoodont
opoft
hebucket
.
"
Thankyou"Mhl
engisai
d
"Uphumaphi
?"sheaskedcl
ear
lyupset(
wher
ear
e
youcomingfr
om? )
"Excuseme?
"herepl
iedhewasn'
tint
hemoodf
or
herrubbi
sht
oday
"
Youhear dmealri
ght
,youdi
ssapeart
heent
ir
e
weekend"shespat
Mhlengitookhisplateoffoodandst artedeati
ng,he
wasn'tafanoftalki
nganyway, onlyshor t
yget
thosepri
vil
egesnotr andom thir
styhoes.Nextt hing
theplat
ewentf l
yingintheairscat t
eringgrainsof
ri
ceallovertheroom, Mhlengistoodupi naswift
mot i
onalmostslappingher.Hecl enchedhi sfi
sts,
thedisr
espectwast oomuch, t
heywer estar
inginto
eachother.
"
Ihear
dSf
isot
ell
ingmom youwentt
oseeyour
gir
lf
ri
endaf teryoutossedmel i
kegar bageMhl engi
"
shecried,hewasn'tmovedhedi dn'tevenuttera
word,"Ievenshavedf oryoubutyoust i
lll
eftme
heretogof vcksomeoneel se…Ishaved"shesai d
Mhlengiat
tempt
edt
oleavet
her
oom butshecal
led
hi
m out.
"l
eaveher
…leaveheranddat
emeorI'
mtell
ingmom
andSfi
soaboutwhathappenedt
heot
hernight
"she
saidwi
thasmi r
k
"Idi
dn'
ttouchyou"her
oar
ed
"Yesyoudid,
other
wisehowcomeIr ememberthe
wordsyousai
dtomybr othert
hatni
ghti
fIwasn't
her
e"sheaskedchuckl
ing
Mhl engiscrat
chedhisheadvigorousl
y,t
hesear e
thet ypesofprobl
emsthatfol
lowhi m,whenwi l
lhe
catchabr eak,hewentoutsi
deforsomef reshair
.
Het houghtoftell
ingSf
isothetrut
hbutwhati fhe
choosestobelievehissist
er,hehardl
yknowshim
andifheleavesint hemiddleoftheni
ghtit
'sgoi
ng
tobeli
kehisgui l
ty.Thiswasmessedupbecause
theyst
il
lhadt owor ktoget
herforthenextf
ive
months.Whatmusthedo?
Her etur
nedtohisdesi
gnat edroom andi twas
cleanedandwi t
hanotherplateoffood, hel ai
don
thebedf aci
ngthecei
li
ng.Thesi st
erwal kedin
l
ockingt hedoor,
shekickedoffherslipper s
cli
mbi ngonthebed.Mhl engij
ustscreenedherout
asshef orcef
ull
ysnuggledonhi sshorty'schest.
*
***
Senzopar
kedoutsi
deThul
ado'sf
lat
,hedi
all
edher
,
hekeptwi
pinghi
sstreami
ngtear
s.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dinhersweetsl
eepyvoi
ce.
"
CanIpl
easesl
eepover
,Idon'
twantt
ogot
ojai
lfor
mur
der
"hepl
eaded
"Ican'
tSenzo, It
hinkwear eget t
ingtocomfort
able
andI '
m notpleased.Idon'twantt odat
eyou,Idon'
t
seeyoui nthatway"shef urthersaid
"AndIunderstandbutr
ightnowIneedaf riend,
you
theonl
yonlypersonIhave…ngiyakucel
a..
.I
fIgo
homeIwillki
llher
"hestressed
"Youaregoingtogetmeintot
roubl
e,yougoi
ngt
o
sleeponthefl
oor"shesai
d
"That
'sfi
ne"hewi pedhistears,
gather
inghiswall
et
andhousekeys.I naf ewminutesThulado
appeared,heswipedhi minthesecuri
tyguardgave
heradisapprovi
ngl ook.
Theyar r
ivedi nherr oom, hehandedhimt wo
blanket
sonef ort hebaseandonet ocoverhimself
.
Het ookhisjeansandT- shi
rt
,hewasl eftwi
thhis
vestandt runk,hewentundert heblanketand
coveredhimsel f.Hedi dn'twanttotal
kandr el
ivehi
s
tr
auma, Thul adof el
tpityforhim,sheshookher
headandsnuggl edunderherbl anket
s.
*
***
MeanwhileMhlengipi
ckeduphisbagsleavi
ngher
snori
ngintheroom,hewentintothebi
ghouseand
foundSfi
so'sr
oom, heli
ght
lyknocked,
inafew
minuteshecameoutyawning.
"
Andt
hen?
"heaskedconcer
ned
"I
'mleavingIdi dn'twantt ostr
essyourmot herbut
yoursisterisinmyr oom aswespeak, she'
sbeen
i
mposi ngher selfonme.Todayshehi taplateof
foodoutofmyhandbecauseIwentt oseeThul ado.
MymanIr espectyou, yourhomesoIchooset o
l
eavebef oret hi
ngsspi raloutofcontrol
.Earli
eron
shethreatenedt oaccusemeofr apebecauseshe
wasint her oom thatnightyoucameknocki ng,I
didn'
ttouchherIpr omise"heexpl ai
ned
"I
fIf
indoutt
hatyouar
elyi
ngt
omeboy,Iwil
lhol
d
youwit
hmyownhands"hesai
dwar
ninghim
"Idi
dn'
ttouchher,
thankyouforeverythi
ng,Iwil
l
comeatt heendofthemonthtothankmom
proper
ly"heputonhishoodi
eanddi ssapearedout
ofthehouse.
Sfisoputonhi sT-shir
t,hechosethet hi
ckestoutof
hisbeltcoll
ectionandwal kedoutofthemai nhouse,
shewasn' tgoingtobehavel i
keabl oodyprost
it
ute
i
nhi sfather'
shouse.LikeMhl engisaidshewas
sl
eepingont hebedwear i
ngcloset onothi
ng.A
str
okef rom thebeltst
uckonherski nshewokeup
i
mmedi atel
y,clear
lyshocked.Whenhereyesmet
anangr ySfisosheknewshewasscr ewed.Lashes
afterl
ashesherscr eamswokeupt heent i
rehouse,
Sfisoonlystoppedwhenhi smothercall
edoutf or
him.
"
Whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngonher
e?"
,shesai
dangr
il
y
"Askher,
Mhlengii
sgonebecauseofherwhoring
ways,askherwhati
sshedoingint
hisroom half
naked.SoIcan'
tbri
ngmyfri
endsoverthi
shouse
becauseIhaveapr
ost
it
uteasasi
ster
"heasked
angri
ly
Theirmotherbecomesoangrybythi
s,shegrabbed
herbytheearspull
ingheroutoft
heroom al
lthe
wayt ot
hemai nhouse,shewassobbi
ng
sorr
owfull
y.
"
I'
m sodi
ssapoi
ntedi
nyou,tomorrowyouaregoing
t
osayyouareraped,
meanwhi l
eyoulef
tyourroom
t
ogoandseduceavisit
or.
..
siesmaan"shespat
"Rememberthesecondpl
ateoffood?,
shehititout
ofhishand,
shecameandliedthatshetr
ipped"
Sfi
sosaid
"youwhor
ingwi
thmyfood"shepi
nchedherear
s
somemoreshescr
eamed.
*
***
ThankGodforDur
banlinertaxi
'
swhom f
ini
shvery
l
ate,Mhl
engimadeitt
ot own.Hear
ri
vedoutsi
de
Thul
ado'
sflat
.
"
Khabazel
akamavovo"
,hegr
eet
edt
hesecur
it
ywi
th
r
espect(
Mkhizecl
annames)
"AwuFuzeuwel
o"hesai
dopeni
ngt
hegat
e(t
hisi
s
you)
"Ican'
tst
ayawayf r
om herbaba,
whatmustIdo?
"
hesaidchuckl
ing
"Youboysareslow,
sendyouruncl
esbefor
ethe
onessmarterormoremoni
edtakeherawayfrom
you"headvised
"Wisdom onl
ybabyngi
yabonga"hesai
dinhi
sdeep
hoarsevoice
Luckyforhi
mt heli
ftwaswor ki
ngsohehoppedon
i
t,heremember edt
hathedidn'talertThuladoabout
hisunannouncedvi
sit,
toolat
ef orthatnow.He
knockedonthedoorafterafewmi nutesThulado
openedthedoor,herheartli
tt
erall
ystopped.She
swall
owedhar dMhlengipushedt hedooropened
andlethimselfi
natthesamet i
meSenzocameout
ofthebathroom.MhlengistaredatThulado,
di
ssapointmentwrit
tenalloverhisface.
"I
t'
snotwhati
tlooksl
ike…babe?
"Thul
adosai
d
soft
ly
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er12
"
Idon'
thavet
oacceptt
hingst
hatI
'
m notOKwi
th"
.
Mhlengi'
sroll
eduphissleeves,pul
li
ngdownhi s
hoodie,
youcouldseehisveinsbul gingonhi sneck,
hegraduall
yclenchedhi
sj awbuthiseyesst il
lfi
xed
onhisshorty.Heputdownhi sbagandwal kedover
tothewindow.Senzodartedhiseyesar oundin
confusi
on,hekeptonchucklingindisbeli
eve.
"Fuzewamii t'
snotwhatitlooksli
keOK, hecal
ledi
n
dist
raugtIlethiminbecauseIdidn'twanthi
mt oki
ll
hiswife"Thuladosai
dnervouslypulli
ngthehem of
herpyjamat op
"Wespokeshor t
y,Ithoughtwehadan
underst
anding.Isthi
swhatyoumeantwhenyou
sai
dyouwi llf
indsomeonet odomyjobf
orme?
"he
askedturni
ngt ofaceher
"
no!shesai
dshar
ply,
"Iwasj
ustj
oki
ng,
not
hingi
s
goi
ngbet
weenusIpr
omi
se"sheassur
edhi
m
"youlyingt omeThul ado,unamangawena!You
wantmet obel i
evethatlosgant sontsolo"he
pointedatSenzo, "
doesn'thavef ri
ends…huh?Ther e
areplent yofcheapl odgesandmot elsaroundt own
buthechoset ocomeher eshor t
y!Whyar eyou
doingt histome?Yousl eepingi napr esenceofa
mar r
iedmanknowi ngIdon' tapprove, don'
tgetme
start
edwi t
ht hewayyousl eep.Youknowyouget
hotandyouki ckyourblanketsopeni ngyourl egs
andal l,youexpectmet obehappyt hatanot her
manwi llseeyoui nthatposi t
ion…no…Fuckt his"he
chortledbitterl
y
"I
'
m sor
ryIwasj
usthel
pingout
"shecr
ied
"Thismotherfuckerknowsyourhear
tandhis
taki
ngadvantage,youseewhatImeant?"
,heasked
"
yes!
"Thul
adonoddedherheadi
nnocent
ly
"Ij
usthaveonequest ion"Senzobr oket
hesil
ence,
theybothturnedt
ol ookathim, "cuti
eIdon'
t
underst
and,howcomeyouhaveaboyf ri
endyetyou
j
ustburiedthedoctorr ecent
ly,
Ithoughtyouwere
si
ngle.Whereist
hisguywit
hafadedhoodiecome
fr
om cuti
e,youdeser
vewaybettert
hant
his.We
ki
ssedcutie,
whywouldyouleadmeonknowi ng
youhaveaman?Ir eal
lyt
houghtyouwer
edi f
fer
ent
"
hesaid
"Fuckthisshit"Mhlengiutt
ered,youknowwhat…I
don'thavet oacceptthi
ngsthatI'
m notokaywit
h
andt hi
s",hepointedatthem, "
I'
m notokaywi
ththi
s",
heat t
empt edtowalkoutbutSenzobl ockedt
he
door
"Yi
nimanj
ewena?
"heaskedi
rr
it
abl
y
"Wherear
eyougoingboy,
west
il
ltal
king"he
pushedhi
m backi
nsi
de
"Whatisyourpr
obl
em?",
Mhl
engiaskedwi
thhi
s
chestr
isi
ngandfal
li
ng
"Calmt hefuckdown,
li
stent
othel
adyandst
op
acti
ngl i
keweareinhi
ghschool
"hesai
d
dismissivel
y
"Youaresomat ur
edyetyoubuyingThul
adowit
h
money, nowonderyourwif
echeatsonyou,
youare
cluel
ess.Lookatyouwalki
ngaroundinagi
rl
s
apartmentintrunksandvestshopingthatshefal
ls
i
nl ovewithyou,nowyouhar assingmebecause
youwantt olookgoodi nhereyes",I
'
ml eavi
ngi
fyou
stopmeagai n,Iwil
lnotbeheldaccount abl
eof
whatIwilldo",hewalkedout
"Mhlengipl
easest
ay,
Senzowi
llgo"Thul
ado
pleaded
"I
'm onl
yleavinginthemor
ning"Senzosaid,
he
yankedMhl engi
'shoodi
ehestaggeredback.
Het urnedaroundi nli

ght
ni ngspeed, t
heydidn'
t
evenseewher etheokapicamef r
om, Senzowas
bleedingfrom hisarm,Thul adopani ckedand
start
edshi ft
ynift
ing.Mhlengidi ssapearedoutthe
door.Af t
eragoodf ortyminut esSenzowasseen
drivi
ngawayf r
om thebuildingbutMhl engiwas
nowher etobeseen.
*
***
Thuladosatont hefloorst ari
ngi ntospace, "what
thehelljusthappened? "shethoughtt oher self
,
beingnewt odat ingwasachal lenge,shehadnever
stayedupunt ilweehour soft hemor ningbecause
ofahear tbreak, shewassohur t.Asifwal king
away, l
eavingabl eedingmanwi t
hherwasenough,
helefthiscellphonei nhi sbag, doesn'theknow
thatshei sgoingt owantt ocal lhim,thatshei s
goingtowantt hehearhi svoice.Fr esht earsmade
wayt ohereyel idswhenshet houghtofhi m being
coldandangr yi nt hest reets,
"ohl over,pleasecome
back",shesaidt oher self.
Thenangerwashedoverherwhenshet houghtof
Senzo, hebehavedawfull
yimmat uredforavi si
tor
whowasi nneedofhelp,i
nst eadoft r
yingt odif
fuse
thesituati
on,headdedfuel
, didhehavet oment i
on
thekiss?Didheevenhavet ohi ntthathewas
i
nterestedinher?Fool
ishman.Thul adodi all
edhim
fur
ious, heansweredi
nasl eepyvoi ce.
"Areyousleepi
ng?"shechuckl
edbi
tter
ly,
"mustbe
nicebeingyouSenzo,youcomehereandr ui
n
thingsforme,t
henyour et
urnt
oyourhouseto
sleep"shespat
"Youchasedmeoutcut
ie,
whatdoyouwantmet
o
do?"heanswer
ed
"Iwantyoutostaythehellawayfr
om me,
don'
tcal
l
me,stopcomingtomyf lat.Il
oveMhl
engi
uyangizwa?
",shescreamed
"Whyar eyouhur ti
ngmecutie,youki
ckingaman
whilehisdownhuh?YouknowhowIf eelaboutyou,
Ireall
yt houghtyouar
ediff
erentbutyouarejusta
connivingbitchli
keal
lthewomeni nthi
swor l
d,you
useust hentossuswhenyouar esati
sfi
ed"hesaid
angril
y
"Don'
ttr
ymeI '
m anorphanIwi l
ldealwit
hyou
accordi
ngly,st
aywit
hyouhoeandl eavemealone,
I
didn'
tpromiseyouanything"sherepli
ed
"Whatdi
dyouj ustsay?Cuti
eIwil
ldri
vetherenow
andfuckthatatt
it
udeoutofyou,Iunder
standthat
youhaveaboyf r
iendandthatI
'
m notdivorcedyet
butyouwi
llgi
vemeaf
airchancet
opr
ovemysel
f"
hesaid
"Leavemeal one"shescr eamed.Thenshehearda
womanaski ngSenzowhoi shetal
kingtooonthe
phone, Hescoff
eddismi ssingher,
Thuladohungup
notinterest
edinthei
rbicker i
ng.
*
***
Aweekl
ater
Themont hhasended, peopl

ear epaid.Youknow
theexcit
ementofseei nganot if
icati
onofmoney
comingi ntoyouraccountbutt hent hef eeli
ngis
shortl
ivedwhenyour eali
zedyouact uall
ydon't
havemoney.Af terpayingrent,buyinggr oceri
esand
toi
let
ri
esyouar eleftwithdust,Thulador eall
y
wishedshecoul dgetanewj ob,itwasapubl i
c
holi
daysosheusedt histimetot horoughlyclean
herfl
at,Mhl engiwasst il
lgonesheempt i
edhisbag,
washedal lofhi
sclothesandr i
nsedthem withst a
softthenshepackedt henneatl
yinhercupboar d.
Shekeptchar gi
nghisphonej usti
ncasehecal ls,
thisalsogaveherthetimetogot hroughitandi t
hadabsol ut
elynot
hing,heseemedant i
soci
al
becausehedi dn'
thavesocialmediaaccount s.Just
at wopictur
esofhimself,f
ewcont actsandami l
li
on
pictur
esofThulado.
*
***
Mhlengigaveanenvel opet oSfi

sos' mom ast o
showgr ati
tudeforgivinghi m ashelterwhenhe
neededitthemost ,hebi dfarewellandl eft
.Hewas
nowcal m andcoll
ect ed,hisveryimpul sivewhen
hisemot i
onsarest i
rredwhi chiswhyhepr efer
sto
tal
klessandwal kawayi nanar gument .Hehated
confront
ationsbecauseoft hefearoff ail
ureorto
damagewhathehol dsdeari nhishear t.Hecoul d
havesaidsomet hingst upidorhurtfultowar ds
Thuladoifhestayedanot herminuteandt hat
sgantsontsokeptonget ti
ngi ntheway, heknew
nothi
nghappenedhenot i
cedt hethetwobl ankets
onthef l
oornexttoThul ado'sbedbutwhatt hefuck
washedoi ngther
e?Hedi dn'
twantanymanl urki
ng
aroundhisshor t
yinthatway.Hi swellawaret hat
hestabbedhi sarm andhedoesn' tcar
ebecause,
whatthehel lwasSenzot hinkingprovoking
uskhotheni?(hoodrat)hedon' tcareabouthi s
muscles,hecanf ini
shhi mi nsecondswhi l
ehi ssti
ll
rol
li
nguphi sfi
st.
Heal sowai tedi

nt heshadowst oseei fThulado
wouldsendhi m off,
hishear twaspoundi ngwheni t
tookf or
tymi nut
es, i
fshehadl ethim spendthe
nightafterthatalt
ercationtheni twasgoingt obe
overfort hem.Hewoul dn'tevenf i
ght,whatdoeshe
havet oshow?Hewat chedhi m driveawaywi tha
bandagear oundhisarm, thenheputonhi shoodie
anddi ssapearedinthest reets.Nowhewasr eady
tofacehi sshortyafterthatimmat urebehaviorwith
hopest hatshewi l
lwel comehi m wi t
hwar m hands,
hewentt otheshopsandboughthert opdeck
chocol
ate,Romanycr eamsbiscui
ts,layschi
psand
l
iquorf
ruitjui
ce.Justbef
orehewal kedouthe
remember edyoghurt
.
Thesecur
it
ywasfondofhi
m sohej
ustswipeshi
m
i
ninst
eadofcal
li
ngThul
adodownever
yti
mehe
comes.
"Youmustj
ustmoveinayi
khol
ent
oyakho"t
he
secur
it
ysai
dtohi
ml aughi
ng
"Ngampel
ababa?Hechuckl
ed,
"nowtel
lmedi
dthat
sgant
sont
socomebackhere?"
,Heasked
"No…Ievenaskedmycol l
eaguesthatIchange
shift
swith,hehasn'
tbeenher eandintokaziyakho
i
buyaemsebenzi nii
zihl
alel
eendlini
",herepli
ed
(yourgir
lf
ri
endcomebackf rom workandst ay
i
ndoor s)
"OKthankyousomuchbaba"
,hetookthest
air
s, t
he
l
iftwasn'
tworki
ngagai
n.I
naji
ffyhewasknocking
onthedoorbutther
ewasnoanswersohedecided
t
ol ethi
mselfin,t
hereshewassi
tt
ingbyt
he
windowlostinthoughts.
"Apennyf
ort
hought?
"hesai
dpl
aci
ngt
hepacket
ontopoft
hecupboar
d
Thul
adodidn'
tanswerhim,shewasmor
eint
erest
ed
i
nwhatwasi nthebag,shedugi
nandcameout
wit
hchocolat
e.
"Sawubonast
handwasami
"Mhl
engisai
dpul
li
ng
hercl
ose
"Whydon'
tyougobackwher
eyoucamef
rom"
,she
sai
dbored
"Hawu!I'
m sor
ryIj
ustneededt
ocoolof
f",
hesai
din
hisdef
ense
"AwholeweekMhlengi
?",
shesai
dthr
owi
ngbl
ocks
ofchocol
atei
nhermouth
"
I'
m sor
ryt
hat
'showIam,
Irat
hert
aket
imeaway
thentotakeoutmyangeronyou,becauseIwould
neverforgi
vemyselfshoul
dIdosomethinghur
tful
becauseIcouldn'
tcontr
olmyemoti
ons"he
elabor
ated
"I
'm sor ryaboutSenzo"shesai dwi t
hglistening
eyes, "Ithi
nkIwaswr ongt obefr
iendhim, honestl
y
hisnotokay.Heseem t olovehiswifebutshe' s
hurtinghi m andIhappenedt obeavail
abl etohear
him out .Hedef i
nitel
ymi st
akenedmyki ndnessf or
affectionorsomet hi
nglikethatbutweki ssedlong
befor eyour esurf
acedagai n,It
oldhim Icouldn'tdo
i
t.Hewasj ustbeingsil
lytheotherday,It hi
nkhe
needshel p"
, sheexplai
ned
"Iunder
standthatbutyoucan'thel
phim, t
hereare
peopletr
ainedforthi
skindofstuff
.Hisrudeand
hasshownmet hathiscondescendi
ng,Iwon't
hesit
atetoplungeaknifedeepinhischest"hesai
d
withaseriousface
"Yest
hekni
fe,l
et'
stal
kaboutt
hatkni
feyoungman"
,
shesai
drai
singhereyebr
ow
"
Howaboutwenott
alkaboutt
hekni
fe,
howabout
wegoshopping,
let
'
sgobuyyousomef
ood.Igot
pai
dtoday"
"
Real
ly?
"shesai
dherf
acel
itup
"Yes…nowgetr eadyl
et'
sgo"
,hesai
d
enthusi
ast
ical
ly,"Wher
earemyclot
hes?
"heasked
"
Int
hecupboar
d"sher
epl
ied
Herummagedinitcomingoutwi
thshort
sanda
bvd,
Thul
adochuckledshaki
ngherhead.
"Soittur
nsoutyoudohaveotherclot
hesei
ther
thanthesweatpant
sandthehoodiesyouwear
almostever
yday",shesmil
ed
"
Mindyouownyourbusi
ness"hesai
dlaughi
ng
Hehadnicel
egsandgreatbodythatisal
ways
hi
ddenunderhi
ssignat
uredresscode,t
hey
dr
essedupandlef
t.
*
***
Senzobal ancedont hewal ldrunkasaskunk, he

analyzedthemesshecausedl astnight,aft
erPearl
hadt heaudaci t
ytoconf rontheraboutt hephone
cal
lhebeatherupandchasedheroutt hehouse.
Heanswer edThul ado'scallinfrontofheron
purpose,shehadnor i
ghtt oquest i
onhi m after
whatshedi d.Thistimear oundhewas100%sur e
hewant edadi vorce, i
fhecont inuedhol dingont o
her,hewilldieofahear t
ache.Hedi all
edFr ed.
"
Sho"heanswer
ed
"I
ssheniceinbedhuh?Toapoi ntwher
eyou
disr
espectmethiswaybro?Fredwhatdi
dIeverdo
toyou?Isshetherewit
hyounow?Iwantmywi fe
youscum.Yourdayi scoming,
youthi
nkthatyour
moneywi l
lsaveyou…yourdayisf
ucki
ngcomi ng",
hescreamed
"
Senzoyouar
edr
unk"heanswer
edeversochi
ll
ed
"
Drunkenoughtogoandtel
lDlaminit
hatyouar
e
f
uckinghi
swife"hesai
dchuckl
ing
"
Nowyouar
etal
kingnonsense"hesai
dst
ernl
y
"Iknowyoumyf r
iend…wel
lusedtoo,
Isawyou
comi ngoutt
hehotelt
heot
herday"hesai
dhis
speechslurr
edwit
hmi l
dhi
cups
"
I'
m warni
ngyouVi
lakazi
,st
ayi
nyourl
ane"Fr
ed
r
oared
"
Ever
ydoghasi
t'
sdayFr
ed"Senzosai
dlaughi
ng
"
Idi
dn'tf
orcePear
l t
odoanyt hi
ng,
it'
snotmyf aul
t
t
hatshe'
sagolddigger
,thatyouarebrokeandsuck
i
nbedbro"heshotback
"Sheismywif
est
il
lFr
ed,youhadnor
ight
,youar
e
supposedt
obemyfri
end"hecri
ed
"
Enoughwit
hthetear
s, Iwi
ll
stop.She'
snother
eby
t
heway",
hesaidhangingup
*
***
Lat
ert
hateveni
ng
Thepairsatdownonaf l
uf f
ycarpettheybought
todayataChineseshop,theyeachhadapl ateof
yummyf oodthatwaspreparedbyMhl engi
.He
wantedtoshowof fhi
schefskill
staughtbyhisaunt
,
Thuladowasimpressed,heevenmadeasal ad.
"
SoIthi
nkyoushoul
dmovei nwithmeinst
eadof
l
ooki
ngforapl
ace,i
twi
llsaveus"Thul
adobroke
t
hesil
ence
"Itdoesn'
tfeelr
ight
,it
'sli
kengondliwaumfaziayI
can't
"hechuckledli
ghtly(Iam bei
ngkeptbya
woman)
"I
sn'ti
tbett
erthansleepi
ngatpeopl
e'
shouses,I
wouldlovehavingyouasmyr oommate"shefur
ther
said
"Andwhenwef i
ght?Youwil
lremindmethatyou
areshel
ter
ingme?"herai
sedhiseyebr
ows.
"
Noangi
thiyouwal
kaway,
soIwon'
tevengett
o
sayt
hat
"theyl
aughed
"
Iwil
lstaybutIwon'tst
opl
ookingt
henwewil
l
moveintomyplace"hesai
dfocusi
ngonhi
sfood
"
OKt
hen"shesai
d
Theyfini
shedeati
ngThul adocl eanedupandt hey
snuggledonthei
rbed,talkingaboutwor kandtheir
bri
ghtfuturet
oget
her.Thent heyhear dcommot ion
outsi
de,itwasamancal lingoutf orThulado,both
Mhlengiandshort
yhur r
iedt olookoutt hewindow
toseewhoi twas.
Thr
eemont
hsl
ater
…
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er13
"
yetagai
nanot
herbodyofabat
ter
edandstabbed
womanhasbeenfoundonbankofumngenir
iver
"
~Dur
bsr
adi
ost
ati
on
Thewomenhavet akeni ttothestreets,enoughis

enough,theabuse,rapeandmur derofwomeni n
thecountryhasskyr ocketed.Youdon' tknowwho
totr
ustandwher etohi de,theargumenti sheated
astowhyt hisishappening, somear guethatit
'sa
seedthathasbeenpl antedwat eredandnur tur
ed
nowit'
shast akenfullform.Somesayt hi
siswhat
yougetf orpr ovokingasnakei ni t'
shol e,menar e
beingsecr et l
yabusedi nt heser el
ationshipsand
sincet heyar en'temot i
onalbeingst heybot t
le
thingsup, whent hebott
leisfullitbur standpieces
from it,cutswhoeverst epsoni t.Other ssayifyou
aren'ttreatedr i
ghtandunhappywal kaway, isitt
hat
easyt hough?Toxi cl
oveissoaddi ctive,it
'sli
kea
drugt hatpr opel syoutogobackf ormor ebecause
brokenpeopl el ovehardbuthur teachot hereven
mor e.
Arewer aisingabr okennat ion?Femal esar etaught

tobeper fectf orthemal echi l
dyett hemal echildi
s
neglected, l
eftt owingi t
.Childrendon'tknowt heir
realfat
her sbecauset heirmot herschosewhoi s
besttof at hert hem, povert
yandt heirr
it
antofnot
affor
dingt hel i
f et
hatyoudesi re.Orphansroami ng
aimlesslyt r
yingt omakesomet hingoutof
themsel veswi thabsol utel
ynosuppor tsystem.Is
thi
st hef utureoft omor r
ow?
MhlengiandThul adosatsilentlyli
steni
ngt othese
topi
csont hefamousDur banr adiostat
ion.Someof
them hithomebecauseThul adof oundhersel
f
clut
chingont oMhlengi,
thinkingabouthowhei s
theonlyhumanbei ngshehasont hi
searthnot
knowingt hatMhlengiwast hinkingthesame.
"
Soyourboyf
ri
endf
inal
lysucceeded"Mhl
engibr
oke
t
hesi
lence
"
Pleasest
opcall
inghi
m myboyfri
end,i
t'
sst
art
ing
t
opissmeoff"shesai
dclear
lyupset
"wel
lever
yti
mehisdrunkheremember syour
addr
essandstart
scall
ingoutyourname,whatdo
youexpectmetosay"hesaidchuckl
ing
"
Angi
thandinj
alo"shecr
ied
"
I'
mjoki
ngshor
ty…I
'
m sor
ry"
,hewi
pedhert
ear
s
"Youcanbesomeansomet i
mes, can'
tyouseet
hat
hisst
ruggl
ing,Ihavef
orgi
veneverythi
nghehas
done,hi
shurti
ng"shesaidwiggl
ingoutofhis
embrace
"That'
swhyGodbl essedmewi t
hyou, youcandoal l
theforgi
vingi nthisfamil
yandIwillt
akecar eofthe
hate.I
'm sor r
yhisaf t
ermygirl
,Icannotplaynice
withhim.Theonl yreasonIl
ethim bewi t
hthese
drunkenepi sodesisbecauseyout hi
nkhi sact
ing
outofchar acter
"hesai dwit
houtremor se
"Godhavemercyonyou"shesai
dthr
owi
ngher
handsintheai
r
"Don'
tyout
hinkthi
sfr
idgeisbet
terthant
hefi
rst
oneandthestove?
"heprobedsquinti
nghi
seyesat
her
"Youjustt
ryi
ngtoaggravatemetoday",shesaid
throwi
ngapill
owathim, heduckedasifhisplayi
ng
ushumpu,Thuladochort
ledshakingherhead
"
I'
m ser
ioust
houghIthinkSenzokil
ledPear
l,allt
his
whi
lehi
sbeensingingabouti
t,It
hinkhefi
nallygot
t
hecourageanddidit
"hesaidwithaseri
ousf ace
"I
fit'
shi
mt henhissickert
hanIthought,
butIdoubt
Senzoisallt
alkbutnoaction,
hecouldn'
teven
divor
ceher,Pear
lmovedoutwhenshecoul dn't
handlehi
sabuse"shear gued
"Shelef
thim,t
hat
'smor
ereasonf
orhi
mtoer
ase
her"headded
"YouknowPear li
scrazyeversincet hatdayshe
camet oat t
ackmeatwor k,Ibelieveanythingis
possiblewithher.Shecouldhavef orcedSenzo's
hand,it'
sapi t
ybecauseifhedi ditthenheshoul d
bear r
estedbutI '
m af
rai
dhewon' tgetti
mei nst
ead
theywillsendhimt oapsychiatri
chospi t
alfor
surveil
lance.Hisdefi
net
elylostit"shesaidsadly
"Ser
vesherri
ghtforattacki
ngyou, i
nhernextlife
shewil
lknownott otouchIzintozaMhlengingino
Gogomina"helaughed( totouchMhlengi'
sthings,I
haveagranny)
"Youandthi
simaginer
ygr annyofyours"shesai
d
shaki
ngherhead,sheturnedtosleeponhertummy
butshefel
tdi
scomforttheref
oreshesatonherbutt
again
"
Icanseeandsmel
lmyP*
ssy"
,hesai
dbi
ti
nghi
s
l
owerl
ip
"
NoMhlengi…I'
mtir
edkadeungi
mele"shesai
d
wavi
ngherhandsathi
m,hejumpedonthebed
(
youj
usthadsome)
"ngi
zot
hinj
ekancanengi
yacel
a"hebeggedhi
seyes
shri
nki
ng(Iwi
llbequi
ck)
"Youalwayssaythatbutyougoonandon"shesai
d
soft
ly,
whileMhlengini
bbledonherneck.
"
Youstil
lwantmet
ost
op…mmmh?
"hegr
azedher
l
ipsundr
essi
ngher
"
mmmmh,
No"shesai
dbr
eat
hingheavi
ly#r
emove
*
***
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc
Nanacl earedtheboardroom, itwasabi g

shareholdersmeeti
ng, t
hingswer en'tlooki
nggreat
forthecompany, j
udgingbyt hetensionprobl
ems
weren'tsolvedyet
.Jobswer ebeingcutandNana
prayedthatshewasn' tnext.Sheact uall
ystar
ted
enjoyi
nghavi nganincomet hatshewor kedfor,
it
wasful
fil
li
nginwayst hatyoucannotbelieve.She
nowknowshowt osave,tospendsmar tandi nvest
i
nlonglasti
ngplans,i
tseemsl i
keThuladowas
ri
ghtaf
terall
.Shefoundher sel
fcal
li
ngher .
"Hel
lo"shesai
dpant
ingi
nar
aspyvoi
ce
"Ar
en'
tyoul
ucky,wearebusyworki
ngyouar
ebusy
bei
nghammered"shesai
dinpit
chyvoi
ce
"Howar
eyouNana?
",shechangedt
hesubj
ect
"Wel
lI'
m dr
y,noboyf
ri
end.I
'
mref
ormedmyf
ri
end"
shesai
dhappil
y
"
Idon'
tbel
ievet
hat
",shel
aughed
"I
'm seri
ous,I
'mtir
edoffool
ingar
ound.I'
mlooking
foraseriousman,whowi l
lbecommitt
edandwe
willset
tl
eandgetmar r
iedandmakecutebabies"
shesaidr ant
ing
"
Somanyands"
,shel
aughed
"I
'm ser
iousthat'
swhy"shechuckl
edembarr
assed,
"Youdon'tcallmeanymorebukamanjeyouare
beingservi
cedandIdon'tevenknowwhoyour
boyfr
iendis,
wazewangi
lahl
aoe"shesai
dsadl
y
(youabandonedme)
"Wel
lIhavemetsomeonespeci
al,
soonyouwil
l
meethim.Howaboutwecatchupthi
sweekend"
Thul
adoprobed
"
Ifonl
yIwasn'
twor
kingoe"sher
epl
iedsadl
y
"Iwil
ldr
opbyandsayhi ,Ihadt
ocalli
nsickt
oday,
I'
m soexhaustedandIhateworki
ngatthe
supermarketnow.Ir
eal
lywishIcoul
dgetanew
j
ob"sheadded
"Andyourman…isheri
ch?,
doeshehaveabi
g
house?
"sheaskedabi
tnosy
"NoandNo,
hetoohadt ocal
li
nsicksowecoul
d
spendt
imet
ogether
",shegi
ggled
"SowasitDukewhopoppedthecherr
y?Phel
athe
ThuladoIknowi
ssti
llavi
rgi
n"sheaskedi
na
whisper
"
OhmygoshNanayouwi
llneverchange"
,she
l
aughed
"
Tel
lme"shedr
agged
"
No"shesai
ddi
smi
ssi
ve
Theycar ri
edont alkingunti
lNanar emember edshe
wasst i
llondut y,sheempt i
edt hebi nsandheaded
tot hebossesof fice.Shegent lypushedt hedoor
j
usti ncasehewasbusy, fortunatelyitwasempt y.
Wi ththedeat hofhi sPAt hi
ngsar eabithecti
c,she
star t
edsor ti
ngouthi sdesk,pil
ingal lt
hefil
esneatl
y
andaccessi ble,sheempt i
edt hebi nsandbegan
sweepi ng, shehear dthedoorcl oseherhear t
l
itterall
ystoppedwhenshesawMrSi mmons
headi ngtohi sseat .Themanwasi nti
midati
ng,she
wasper sonallyscar edofhim andnowwi thjobcuts
shewoul dn'twantt opisshim of f
.
"Iwil
lcomebacklat
er"
,shesai
dgat
her
ingher
cleani
ngsuppl
ies
"
No…pr
oceed,
don'
tmi
ndme"hecuthershor
t
Shener
vousl
ywentaboutherbusi
ness,
whenshe
wasdone, shegatheredherstuf
ftogobutt he
agentofsatanwaswor ki
ngoverti
met oday,she
tr
ippedandf el
lonhertummy.Thebr oom anddust
panwentf l
yingintheroom,thedustpanchose
l
andnextt oFred,Nanascurri
edtopi ckitupwhen
shegotupherbi gbehindgrazedFred'sar m,he
stoppedworkingandst ar
edathertryingsohar dto
holdinalaugh.
"
Sorr
y"shesai
dembarr
assed,sheatt
empt
edt
o
wal
koutbutFr
edcal
ledherbackin.
"What
'syournameagai
n?"heaskedwi
thanaught
y
smil
e
"Nanasi
r…mynamei
sNana"shesai
dwi
thherhear
t
poundi
ng.
"
Youarebeaut
if
ulandahar dworker
,ar
eyou
mar
ri
ed?"heaskedinqui
sit
ivel
y
"
No,
I'
m si
ngl
e"sheanswer
ed
"ThereasonI'
m askingi
sbecauseIdon'thaveaPA
andinsteadofgoingthr
oughthedreadf
ulprocessI
canjustpr
omoteyou,butyetagai
nI'
m att
ract
edto
youandIdon'twantt
hattogetbetweenwork,I
guessIwil
lhavetogetsomeoneelse",
hesaid
wavinghertogo
"Sirdi
dyouj ustof
fermeaj obanddecl
inei
tagai
n?"
,
sheaskedwi thhereyeswidenedthi
swasthe
breakthroughshe'sbeenwai t
ingf
orandwouldbea
fooltoletitsli
pthroughherfi
nger
s
"Welldidyouhearever yt
hingt
hatIsaid,Iwould
rathertapthatroundasst hanscream atyoudur i
ng
deadlines"hesaidlickinghisl
ips,
Nanabl ushedthis
playfulsi
deofhi m helpedhertorel
ax."unless"he
saidstaringathiscomput er
"unl
esswhat?"sheaskedcuri
ous,Fr
edclosedhi
s
l
aptopgetti
ngonhisfeet
,hewalkedtowardsNana,
shelookedfl
ushedandtakenaway.
"
Unlessyoucandoboth"hepull
edherclose,
she
wassti
lli
nheruni
for
mf eel
ingunsexybutver
y
t
urnedon.
Fr
edl
etgoofherandl
ockedt
hedoor
,heundr
essed
herslowly,Nanawasbr eathi
ngheavi l
y,sheknew
thi
swaswr ongbutherbodybet rayedher.She
foundher selfmoaningunderherboss, whenhe
wasdonehemadehersi gnacont ractt
okeept he
arrangementbet weent hem andthatthejoboffer
willhavetogot hroughHRf i
rstbutitwasaseal ed
deal.Nanal eftt
heof f
iceguil
tystri
ckenbutwitha
newj obwi t
habet terpay.
*
***
Lat
ert
hatday….
Thul adoandMhl engispoonedeachot herstark

naked, t
heirheartbeats,
thei
rbreathswer e
Intertwi
ned,theywer eli
keafavori
t esongt hatyou
woul dplayonr epeattheenti
reday.Ther ewasa
thunderousknockatt hedoor,Mhlengiquicklyput
onhi sclot
hesat tendi
ngt oi
t,bef
orehim wer etwo
policeman.
"Whattooksolong?niyabhebhanalaandwear
e
working"
,hesaidmocki ngl
y(youar
ebusyhavi
ng
sex,whil
ewear eworking)
"
HowcanIbeofhel
p",
Mhl
engicutt
othechase
"
Wear
elooki
ngf
orThul
ado"
,Thepol
icesai
d
"
Concer
ningwhat
?",
heaskedst
ernl
y
"
It
'snoneofyourbusi
ness,
isshei
n?"
,Heasked
"
Mxm"hesaidangri
ly,
Thul
adopeepedbehi
nd
Mhl
engii
nnocent
ly
"
I'
m Thul
ado"shesai
drel
uct
ant
ly
"Youareunderarrestf
orthemurderofPearl
Vil
akazi,
youhavet heri
ghttor
emainsil
entor
anythi
ngyousayordowi l
lbeusedagainstyouin
thecourtoflaw,
youhavet her
ightt
oanat tor
ney"
thepoli
ceelabor
ated
"Thi
sismadness,
shedi
dn'
tdoi
t"Mhl
engipushed
herbehi
ndhi
m
"
Sirst
opi
nter
fer
ingwi
thourwor
k,wecandot
his
theeasywayort
hehar
dway"t
heyf
oughtover
Thulado
"Idi
dn'
tdoit
"Thul
adosai
dcr
yingandconf
used.
Youneedtocomewithusmi
ss
Thul
adobeggedMhlengitocalm down,sheopted
towal
koutbecausethethoughtofcuff
sinher
handwaster
ri
fyi
ngli
kewat chi
ngascar ymovie.
2021
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er14
Afterbei ngt hrownoutt hepol icest ationfor

i
nt erferi
ngwi t
ht heinvest i
gati
on, Mhl engiwasnow
paci ngupanddownnotknowi ngwhatt odo.I twas
Fridaywhi chmeantThul adowoul dspendt heent ir
e
weekendi nt hosecol dsmel l
ycel l
s, heknowst hem
toowel l
.Shor tywasdel icateandf ragiletoeven
stayami nut einside,hepunchedt hedoorhar dhi s
knuckl esst art
edbl eeding, t
hatf eeli
ngagai nhe
hat edit.Allhislifehefeltusel essandunr eliable,he
coul dn'thelphi sauntar oundt hehousef i
nanci al
ly,
hecoul dn'
taf fordthethingshewant edandneeded
soher esor t
edt ocr i
meandnowhi sshor t
ywas
arrestedf orsomet hi
ngshedi dn'tdoandhecan’ t
helpher .
HisphonedbeepedonthebeditwasSf
iso,
heread
thr
oughthemessagedandrepl
iedmaki
nghisway
out.Heputonhishoodi
eandrandownthestai
rs.
*
**
Att
hepol
icest
ati
on
Thuladosatacrossthebr ownwoodent able,f

aceto
facewithafemal edet
ectiveglari
ngather ,shekept
onplayingwit
ht hehem ofhert op.Herhear twas
beati
ngsohar dyoucoul dhearit,t
hepr esenceof
thatscarywomanwasner vewracki
ng.She
slammedaf il
eont oofthet abl
eandclickedher
tongue.
“BeforeIst
artIwanttosaygi r
lsli
keyoudisgust
me"sheexcl ai
med“ nowyouhavet oeit
herconfess
yourhandinMr s.PearlVi
lakazi
’smurderorIwil
l
dri
lloutofyou"shespat
“Idi
dn'tdoit”Thuladosai
dsof t
ly,
shehasbeen
sayi
ngt hesamet hingeversi
nceshegotherebut
shetol
dher selfshewil
lnotstopsayi
ngitunt
ilt
hey
beli
eveher
“
List
enher
eli
tt
legi
rl
”shepoi
ntedather“
I’
m not
heretopl aywi thyou,youseet hatinnocentlook
youhavegoi ngont herewi l
lnotwor kwithmesi si,I
eatbitchesl i
keyouf orbr eakfast.Didyouknowt hat
Mr s.Vilakaziwasmour ningt hedeathofher
daught er?Insteadofhol dingyourf el
lowwomans’
handyout hinkingself
ishlyf oryourselfnxa"she
glaredather
Anof f
icerl
ightl
yknockedonthedoor ,thedetecti
ve
screamedf orhi
mt ocomein,theof f
icer
respectf
ull
yhandedtoherafil
e, shepagedt hrough
i
tandnoddedherheadt heof
ficerleft.
“LookwhatIhaveher e,
it’
sfr
om thepathologist
s”
shegaspedcover i
nghermout hdramati
cally“you
wouldn'tknowthatnowwouldyou, youjusta
cashier
.Thisisfr
om thelabsweety,t
heaut opsy
resul
ts.Havealookyouathowyouchokedher ,
stabbedhertodeath"sheconcludedsearchingfor
Thulado
AssoonasThuladosawt hepict
uresofdeadPear
l
shefel
tsi
cktoherstomach,shestart
edgaggi
ng
cover
inghermouth.
“Youki l
ledher!”t
hedetecti
vescreamed, Ihave
statementsf r
om twodi f
fer
entpeopleandt heybot
h
thinkyouhadamot ive.DidSenzoVilakazimeet
youf orcoffeeandboughtyouf urni
turewithhis
wife'ssavings?”sheasked
“Idi
dn'
tknowthati
twashiswi
fe'
s,hesurpr
isedme,
andIonlysawthef
urni
tur
ebei
ngdeliver
ed”she
argued
“soyouknewhewasamar r
iedman, apossi
bil
ity
ofhi
m bei
ngmarri
edi ncommuni tyofproper
ty
meaningt
hatheusedhi swif
e'smoneyaswel lto
spoi
lyouandyougladlyaccepted”shesaidf
urther
“
Isavedhi
sdaughterhewantedtoshowgr
ati
tude
i
nthatwayIaccept
edit
”,sherepl
ied
“Suchanopportunist
,youknewhi svulner
abl
eaft
er
l
osinghisdaughterandf edonthat.Evena
bodyguardbyprofessionisgoodenought ot
ake
yououtofpovertyisitnot?”shear
chedher
eyebrow
“I
'
m notl
ikethat
,Ihaveaboyfri
endandhehas
nothi
ngbutheiseveryt
hingt
ome.Senzohasbeen
acti
ngr at
herweirdl
ytowardsmebutIspoket
ohim
aboutitandwer eachedanunderst
andi
ngbutas
forPearlI
’m notconnect
edther
e”shesaid
“Onest atement sstat
est hatyouar ethereasonher
mar ri
agewascr umbl i
ng,youwer ehavinganaf fair
withMr .,Vil
akazihewoul dcal lyouinfrontofher ,
spendt heirlif
esavingswi thyouandyoual soused
tocal lhim knowi nghisathomewi thhiswife.It
alsost atest hatPearlcamet oyourwor kplace
publiclyaccusi ngyouofsuchandyoudi dn'tdenyit.
Theot herstatementpr ovesthatt herewas
somet hinggoi ngonbet weenyouandSenzo, you
kissedandhewasseenatni ghti nyourbuilding,he
returnedhomei ntheweehour swi thastabwound
onhi sar m" ,shesmi l
edimpr essedwi thhersel f
.
“uyagwazanawenaangi thi?(Yougoar ound
stabbi ngpeopl e)
Thuladoopenedhermout htosaysomethingbut
nothingcameout,shewastonguetiedherstor
y
fl
owedper f
ectl
yandsuremadeherl ookbad,she
didn'
twanttoimpli
cateMhlengisoshekeptquiet
.A
soundofstil
ett
o’scl
icki
nghardontheconcrete
fl
oorinter
ruptedt
heinvest
igat
ion,
shethr
owher
bri
efcaseofthetabl
eandlearnedfor
wardlooki
ng
atthedetecti
ve.
“I
’m utt
erl
ygut tedwiththismediocrit
ygoi ngon
heredetecti
ve,ifitwasoneofyourmi nionsIwould
excusethisinsultbutyou, awomanofyourcal i
ber
vi
olati
ngani nnocentwomanr ights.Shameonyou,
Iheardeverything”shepaused“ ohI ’
m Nomal anga
yourlawyermi ssThulado”sher eachedouther
handt oshakeher s,Thuladorel
uctantlymether
half
way.
“
Ican'
taf
fordalawyershesaidsoft
ly”
,fr
ant
ical
ly
l
ooki
ngatthef
umi ngdetect
iveacr
ossher
“Yourboyf
ri
endhiredme,hisl
osi
nghismind
outsi
de”shesaidsmil
ing,
thedet
ect
ivewashear
d
cli
cki
nghertongue
“
I’
minamiddl
eofani
nvest
igat
ion”t
hedet
ect
ive
r
emindedt
hem
“Thul
adodon’
tsayaword"thevici
ousl
awyersai
d
ster
nly,
shegr
abbedachairlooki
ngatt
hefi
les
“mayI ”sheaskedt hedetecti
ve,shenodded.“ Fir
st
ofallthisisallhear
say,ther
e'snot angi
bleevidence
thatprovest hatThuladoisconnectedtoPearl’s
death.Idon’tneedt obeanof fi
certoknowt hat
Thuladoi stooshorttohaveinfli
ctedsuchwounds
tothislady,mayhersoulr estinpeace"shear gued
“Shehadamot i
veshecoul
dhavehi
redsomeonet
o
doit"shesai
ddismi
ssi
vel
y
“Proof!”shesaidst aringstrai
ghtintohereyes“you
aretraumat i
zingani nnocentlawabi di
ngciti
zen
whilsttherealperpetratorisoutthereli
vingi
tupor
youar ewaitingforanot herdeadbodyf oryouto
catchawakeupcal l,Thuladodidn'tkil
lPearl
,she
hasanal ibiandnothi ngconnectshert othe
deceased”Shef ur
thersai d
“Iwi
lli
nvestigat
eandIwi
llcat
chherandl
ockher
up"t
hedet ecti
vespat
“Youar eal
lpathetichonestl
y,Thuladoyouar
ef r
ee
t
ogo.Thi sisaj oke”theystoodupt ogobut
Nomal angastoppedandl ookedatt hedet
ect
ive,
“Didyouknowt hatPear lwashavinganaffai
rwith
Senzo’sfriendsandt hathewasphysi call
yabusing
her?Ithinkyouar elookingatthewr ongplaces
detecti
vebutber estassuredmycl i
entwillnotbea
scapegoat .Presentproperevi
denceandweshal l
tal
kunt i
lthen, wehavenobusi nesswi t
hthis
stati
on"shecl utchedonherbr i
efcaseandcl i
cked
herstil
etto’soutoftheroom.
Meanwhileoutsi
deThuladodisappearedin
Mhlengi’
sarms,shecouldn’
tbeli
eveshecheateda
weekendatapol i
cehol
dingcellj
ustli
kethat,
Mhlengiwasgladtohavehisshortyinhisembrace
agai
n.Nomal angaappr
oachedsmi li
ngatthe
l
ovebir
ds.
“
And”Mhl
engiaskedanxi
ousl
y,“
Isi
tasol
idcase?
”
“Nahtheywer ejusttakingchances,It
hinktheyare
avoi
dingt oarr
estther i
ghtpersonbecausehonestly
Senzoist hef
irstsuspectI’
m baffl
edthatthey
arr
estedThuladoi nstead,i
tdoesn’
tmakesense.I
don’tt
hinktheywi l
lbotherheragainnowt hatshei
s
mycl i
ent”sheassur edthem
“
Thankyou”Mhl
engisai
dsi
ncer
ely
“
It
’smypl
easur
e”shewal
kedaway
Thul
adoandMhl engiwalkedhandi
nhandtothe
busstop,t
herewasabi toft
ensi
onbutnoone
wantedtobreakt
hesilence.
“Wher
edi
dyougett hemoneyf
ort
hel
awyer
”
Thul
adof
inal
lysai
d
“
Shet
ookyourcasepr
obono,
Ihadt
obeg”hesai
d
“Thankyou!Ireall
yappr eci
ateit
,Ithoughtt
hatI
wasgoi ngtosleepinthere.Ihaveneverbeenthat
scaredinmyl i
fe,wellapartfr
om thatdayyoufound
Senzoinmyf l
at”shegiggled,I
’m gl
adthatyou
foundmehel p,thatdetecti
vewasgunni ngforme.
Sheeveni nsul
tedmeaboutmyeducat i
oncanyou
i
magi ne”,
Thuladosai d
“Al
lofthatwi
llchangesoon,
allt
hosewholook
downonuswi llsoonki
ssourfeet
”hesai
d
chuckl
ing
“
Howcomeyougotanot
herdayof
f,yourbosswi
ll
getangr
y”shesai
dconcer
ned
“It
oldyouI’
m hi
sfavor
it
e,heunder
stands”
,he
assuredher
Theyf
laggedataxii
nst
eadt
hebuswastakingtoo
l
ong,t
heyhoppedonandpaidR14.Thet
axitookoff
*
***
Att
hePub
Senzosati nonecor nerwherethelightshoneless

hewashavi ngaf east,ameatpl att
erand
bottomlessblacklabel,hetunedintoasoccer
mat chinthebackground.Hewassupposedt obe
celebrat
inghisnewj obbuthowcanhewhent his
darkcloudkeepsaf l
oatabovehi shead, achi
ldand
hiswifegonei noneyearohhowdr eadful
.He
fr
ownedwhenhesawaf i
guresitacrosshim,he
pickedupapi eceofmeatandt hrewi ti
nhismouth.
“
Youcanhavesome,
Icanor
dersomet
hingf
oryou
todri
nkaswellIknowyouar
est
arvi
ng.Mustbe
hardl
ivi
ngof
fawoman”hepokedhim
“Not hanks, I
’m heret owarnyou.St ayawayf r
om
Thul ado,stopincludinghernamei nyourst upid
statement s.Doyouknowt hatyoual mostgother
l
ockedupf ormur deringyourwi fe?Ar efucki ng
stupid?Lett hisbet helasttimewet alkaboutmy
girlwenasgant sontso.Youar esopat het i
c,very
weakyoucomeher eanddr inklikeaf ishthengo
andmakenoi sef orThuladocr yinglikebanshee.I fI
seeyourmuscl esneart hatbuildingIwi lll
eave
mor et hanjustast abwoundi nyourmuscl ebody…
ngiyathembauyangi zwa!”(Arewecl ear?)Mhl engi
responded
“youthinkyouscaremeboy”hel aughed“just
becauseIletyouhaveThul adodoesn’
tmeanI ’
m
scaredofyoui t
’sbecauseIcanseethatshe
actuall
ylovesyou,stupidgi
rl
”Mhlengipoppedhis
veinsfrom hi
sar m al
lthewaytohisneck“Shewil
l
l
iveinpover t
yfortherestofherl
if
ebutit’
sher
choice”hesaidgulpinghisbeer
“
Final
lyyouf
oundsomeoneyoucanmeasur
e
your selftoohuh?Becausef rom whatIgatheredal l
yourf r
iendsar eupt hereandyouar eabottom
feederasi fthat’
senoughyoumar riedagold
diggingbi tchandnowyout hinkhavesomet hi
ngt o
sayaboutmeandThul ado?Senzoyouar enot hing,
Iactual lyunderstandwhyPear ldi
dwhatshedi d.
Pleasedon’ tmeasur eyourselfwit
hme, I
’
m wayt oo
smar ttobef uckingwi t
hyou.Isawyout akinganab
atmyf adedhoodi esIwi l
lmakeyouswal l
owyour
wor dsoneday.Youcowar d”hespat
“Iwi
llpunchyourteethoutboy,don’tyoudaret
alk
tomel i
kethat
.Thisisnotthedirt
yst r
eetsyougr
ew
upin,Idon’
targuenamaphar aIwillswall
owyou
boy”hepouncedhol di
ngMhl engibyhisclot
hes
“I
’m notscar edofyou, yout hinkjustbecauseIl et
youpushmear oundi nf r
ontofThul adoI’m scar
ed.
Yourdaught erwasr apedandmur deredyoudi d
nothing,yourwi f
ewasf uckedbyyourf r
iendand
youst i
lldi
dnot hingyetyout hinkyouwi lldo
somet hingtome” ,hel aughedi nhisf ace“The
poli
cear elookingforPear lsmur dereralltheyneed
i
sanudget other i
ghtdirection,Ifyoudon’ tl
eaveus
al
oneIwi llt
ellt
hem aboutt
hedayyoualmostki
l
led
herandaboutt hathumansizehol
eyouduginyour
backyard.Youknowt heoneyoucover
edwithan
ol
df r
idge”hesaidwi t
hastrai
ghtf
ace
“Howdidyou?”Senzorel
easedMhl engiof
fhisgri
p,
“howdidyouknowaboutthat?”Mhlengifi
xedhis
shir
tandwalkedoutt
hepubl eavi
ngSenzof l
ushed
andfeel
inghot.
2021
-
--
--
--
--
--
I
'
m notbackIj
ustborr
owedmyhusband'
sphone
t
ogiveyousmallsmal
l.
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
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|
Chapt
er15
Wheni tfeelsl i
kethewhol ewor ldisrestedonyour
shoul der!Thatyouwantt ogi vein!Succumbt o
what everi tisthatispullingyoudown, thatishow
Thul adof eltasshedr aggedherf eetar
oundt heflat
,
i
fshecoul dbegi venanopt iont ogobackt obed
shewoul dgl adlyaccept .Sheputl i
dsonbot h
l
unchboxesandbeganwi pi
ngt hecount erwit
ha
dishcl oth,Mhl engimadesur etherewasnocl ot
hes
l
yingar oundcar elessly.Shef oundhi sshortyweird
becauseshehasst artedami nicollect
ionofice-
cream cont ainersandbooksofwhi chshedoesn’t
use, yetshewoul df l
ipshoul dshef i
ndevenapi ece
ofasockont hef l
oor.Toavoi dunnecessar yfi
ghts
Mhl engial waysmakesur etopickupaf terhimself.
“Ar
eyour eadyshor
tyifwestallanot
hermi nut
e,we
won’tenj
oyourwalk”Mhlengisaidhoist
inghis
backpackfrom t
hefl
oor
“I
’mready, youcant
akeyourlunchbox”Thulado
saidwalkingawaywithherf
ood, sheplacedher
l
itt
leboxinherbagthenwalkedoutt hedoor.
Mhlengilockedupandtheydescendedt hestai
rs.
*
***
Anotherdr eadfulandbor i
ngdayatt hesuper mar ket
Thuladowasyawni nganddi si
nterestedst andingby
thetil
l,shealreadypi ssedof ftwocust omer stoday
i
ndi r
ectlybynotaski ngt hem iftheyneededa
plasti
cbag, theymadeahugesonganddance
whent heypr esentedt heirownbagsanddemanded
thattheygetr eimbur sed.Thuladof urtherstir
red
them bynotr espondi ngsheopenedt het i
lland
gavet hem backt heirmoney, t
heymar chedt othe
manager ’
sofficetorepor therpoorser vices.Now
sheiscat chingupandt hemoneyi sn’tbal anci
ng,
sheisR500shor tandhasnoi deahowt hat
happened.
“
Youar
efi
red!
”themanagersai
dbehi
ndher
“
Sir
!”shesai
dconf
used
“Thuladoyouar ef ired,Ihavehadi tupt i
llherewit
h
youandyourst inkingat ti
tude.Youabscondedwor k
twiceanddi sappear edt hewhol eweekend, asif
that’
senoughyouar edisrespect i
ngthecust omers
andover al
lIt hinkyouar enotper formi ngwel l
anymor e,i
t’
sasi fyouwantmet of i
reyou.Ihave
beenobser vingyouf orawhi lenow, thisissad
becauseyouar eoneofmybestcashi ersbutIcan’t
takethisanymor e,eversi ncet hatwomancame
heretof i
ghtyoudi srupti
ngt hesupermar ketyou
havebeendoi ngt erri
blyandnowyouar elosing
money.Pl easepackyourst uffandgo, Iwillsur
ely
payyouf orthi smont h”,hesai dcalmly
“
SirIneedt
hisjobIwil
ldobet
terpl
easedon’
tfi
re
me”shesai
dt r
yingt
osoundconvinci
ng
“NoThul
ado!Icanseeyouarenother
e,I’
m not
doi
ngthi
sbecauseIwanttobutIhaveto,myjobi
s
tomakesurethi
ssuper
marketi
srunningsmooth
andyouar eanobstructi
on.Igaveyouaver bal
warni
ngf r
om thatal
tercati
onwiththePearllady,
thenIgaveyouawr itt
enonet odayfordi
sappearing
andnowt his”hefur
thersaid
“
Iexpl
ainedt
hatIwasf
alsel
yar
rest
ed”shepl
eaded
“Yeahaft
eryouabscondedt wiceIknowt hatfake
doctor
snote,Iknowhowt hisworks.Iknowyou
werehomewi thyourboyfri
endandt hefactthat
youwerearrestedisnoneofmybusi ness.Iwish
youallt
hebestf oryourf
utureendeavors”withthat
hewalkedaway.
Thuladoscannedonl yt onoticethatshewasby
herself
,themanagermusthavewai t
edforallthe
otherstogo, shewasn’tent i
rel
ysadbutwor ri
ed
becausef inanci
all
yherandMhl engicombi nedar e
si
nkingt remendously.Shepackedherst uffand
start
edwal ki
nghome, theli
ghtsont hebusyst r
eets
start
edf l
ickeri
ngthought hevendor swerest i
llther
e
hopingtosel lali
tt
lebitmor ebeforetheycallita
day.Peopl ewererushingt othei
rdesignatedr anks
tocatchthei
rridehome.Shesawonel adysitt
ing
behindherfrui
ttable,
shespott
edthebiggreen
avocado’s,
theyseemedj ui
cyshecouldalmost
tastei
tinhermout h.Shechangedherdi
recti
onand
crossedtheroad.
“Sawubonama, ngicel
aungipheukwatapheya
omt hat
hu”shesaidalmostdrool
ing(
hellomacanI
pleasehavethr
eeavocados)
“Thatwil
lbeR30”themamasaidchoosi
ngthr ee
bigone’
sputti
ngthem i
nasmallbl
ackplast
ic,it
’s
almostl
ikeshecouldseet
heexci
tementwri
ttenon
herface
Thuladopai dthankingthevendor,shegalloped
awayal mostforgettingthatshei
sof fi
cial
ly
unempl oyed.Shebumpedi nt
oahardchestand
wentflyingtothef l
oor,theguyquickl
ygat heredt
he
avocadosf rom thefloorthenshehelpedherup.
“Sor
rysisiIdi
dn’
tseeyout
her
e”,
hesai
d
apol
ogizingsi
ncer
ely
“I
tsfi
nethanks”shest
ret
chedherar
mtogether
avosbuttheguystar
edatherwit
hhismout
hopen
“
canIhavemypacketpl
ease”Thul
adosai
d
r
eluct
ant
ly
“OkIhavet
rul
ymetanangelnowIhavegottohave
yournumber
,Idi
dn’
tbumpi nt
oyoubymist
ake”he
sai
dwhenhedecidedtospeak
“
Notinter
est
ed”Thul
adosai
dsnatchi
ngherpacket
wal
kingaway,t
heguyranaf
terher
“Yourboyfri
enddoesn’tneedt oknow,youwillt
ell
mewhent ocall
.Youwi llst
irt
hisship,
Ipromiseto
becar ef
ulsothatIdon’tgetyouintotr
ouble”
,he
pleaded
“
No”Thul
adosai
dwal
kingf
ast
Theyguygrabbedherar m andpi
nnedhertothe
wall
,suddenl
ytwoot herguysappear
edfrom
nowheretheygrabbedherbagandcellphone,t
he
onewhocour t
edheryankedherbuckethatand
avocado’
s
“
Bitch”hesai
dandt
heydi
sappear
edasf
astas
l
ightni
ng
Thuladoremai nedstuckont hewal lf
oragood
minute,i
twasl i
keadr eam shehadbeenmugged
ri
ghtinthest r
eetsfullofpeopl e,andeverythi
ng
happenedsof astshecoul dn’tevenscream
becausei fshedidthet axidriverswouldhave
gatheredandbat ter
edt hoset hievesi
nmi nutes.She
fi
xedhert opandr esumedherwal khome, she
wantedt oatleastcrybutnot hingcame.
*
***
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc
Theysayneverl aughatsomeonebecauseyou
don’tknowwhatt omor r
owholds,nowthisisNana’s
favori
tesayingoflate,
shehasgr ownwingseven
herwalkhaschanged.I t’
snotchild’
spl
aytosweat
andmour nunderahandsomer ichmanever yday,
herjobhasn’tbeenfinali
zedyetbutsheisenjoyi
ng
herbenefit
salready.Theoffi
cewasempt yitwas
passknockof fti
mebutt hebli
ndst oFr
ed’soffi
ce
weredimmedandt hedoorwasl ockedhar bori
ng
thepair
,Fredwal kedovertohisdeskswi nginghi s
memberl eftandr i
ght.Nanagiggledli
fti
ngherl egs
totheskywai ti
ngf orthenexti
nstruct
ion,Fredshut
downhi slaptopandaskedNanat ogetdr essedso
theycouldleave.
“It
houghtwil
ldoonemoreround,Ican’
tget
enoughofyou”,
shesai
dinababyvoice
“Ist
il
lneedtodropyouof fsweety,
myj
obdoesn’
t
endattheoffi
ce.Ihavelateni
ghtmeet
ings
sometimes”hesaiddismissi
vely
“
Whoar eyoumeet
ingt
oni
ght
?”sheasked
i
nqui
sit
ivel
y
“MrsDl
amini
,shei
spi
tchi
ngapr
oductf
orme”he
answer
ed
“
Okay”Nanasai
dasshepi
ckeduphercl
othesf
rom
t
hefl
oor
Theelevat
orpi
ngedatt
hebasementt
hedoors
fol
dedopenandthepai
rmadethei
rwayout,
Nana
clut
chi
ngont
oherbagr
ocki
nghershor
tfl
oraldr
ess
thatFr
edhat
edsomuch.
“Youneedt
ogetnewcl
othes”hesai
dhar
shl
yNana
nodded
FredopenedhisMer cedeswhensuddenl ythree

manhel dthem atgunpoint
,hedroppedhiskeyst o
thefloorwhenhebendedt opickthem upagun
wentof f
,Nanascreamedi npaniconeguypl unged
aknifetwicei
nherabdomenandever ythi
ngwent
blank.
*
***
Senzodroppedhi sdir
tyoverall
sintothelaundr y
basketaft
erworkingtheent i
reaft
ernoonf i
ll
ingup
theholehehadf orgot
tenabout,heevendeci dedto
thr
owi nafewseedst oseewhatveget abl
eswi l
l
comeoutofi t
,forthefirstt
imeinawhi lehewas
sober.Hefoundhi mselfmissi
ngAngelandPear l
surpri
singly,her emini
scedt hegoodol ddayswhen
theywer eahappyf ami l
y,andt henhewason
googlesear chingforinformationaboutinfert
il
it
y.
Pearldiedwi thouttell
inghim whyt heycouldn’
t
havechi l
dren, hethoughtthepr oblem waswithher
butshehadAngelwi thsomeoneel seandt hi
sgot
himthinking.
Thereasonhegotmar riedwasf orl
oveandt ohave
chil
drenwhowi l
lbearhisnameandr i
ghtnowhis
dream wasf licker
ingandt hatdi
dn’tsi
twellwit
h
him,het houghtofThul adoshewoul dhavemadea
beautif
ulbrideandbearhi m gor
geouschildr
enbut
j
ustlikePear lsheprefersanotherguyoverhim.It
wasat oughpi l
ltoswallow,heknewhewasgood
l
ookingandt hathehadapant ydroppingbodybut
heneverget st hegir
lsthathewant s.
Histrai
lofthoughtsendedwi t
hFr ed,
allhecoul
d
seewashi m batt
eredtodeath,hewant edhi
mt o
suff
erforhurti
nghiml i
kethis.Deepdownhe
bel
ievedthatitwashim whoki l
ledAngelbutasto
whoki l
ledPearlwasamyst ery.Heknewhewoul d
beatherfrom ti
met oti
mebutnott ot
heextentof
ki
ll
ingher
,hest
il
llovedher
.
Hedialedhisf
ami lycommuni cati
ngaboutt heplans
forPearl
sburi
al,
thought heywer en’
tingoodt er
ms
butshewasstil
laVi l
akaziwifeanddeser veda
befi
tti
ngsendoff,hewast odohi sbesttomake
surethathepr
otect sherfrom allthedir
tysinful
deedsshedidbehi ndcloseddoor sbecauset his
couldcauseadriftbetweent hetwof amili
es.He
wasnowonacal lwi t
hhisuncl e.
“Sonyouneedtobestrong,don’
tlett
hem seethat
youarecryi
ng.Youwil
lfi
ndanot herwomanwho
wil
lgiveyouki
ds,t
hisPearlofyourswasmor e
worri
edaboutherfi
gur
ei nst
eadofbuildi
ngyour
famil
y”heexcl
aimed
“
Mal umewehadourownpr obl
emsIguess,IhopeI
wil
ldowellnextt
ime”hesai
dli
ght
lychuckl
ing
“Youknowwepai dlobolaforPearlandherf
amily
i
sveryroot
ed,whydon’ twegobackandaskf or
oneofheryoungersist
erstotakeoverfr
om her
?,
i
t’
spartofourcult
ure”hesaid
“
Hehmal
umeyouar
eont
osomet
hing,
Pear
lhasa
beaut
if
ulyoungsist
erandshehascousi
nstoobut
hersi
steri
sall
uri
ng.Doyouthi
nktheywil
lagr
ee?
thi
ngshavechanged”heasked
“There’
sonlyonewayt ofi
ndout,Iwil
lhintthi
sat
thefuneralandwewillt
alkabouti
tfur
t herbuti
nthe
meant i
megetclosetoher,bl
owherof fherfeet
”the
unclesaidchuckl
ing.
Hehungupwi thasmi leonhisf ace,hesenthera

messageonwhat sapp,heclickedonherpr ofi
le
pi
ctureashewaitedforhertor eply.Shewas
beaut
ifulandi
nnocentandI fshecoul dgethershe
woulddoeveryt
hingrightandmakeupf orthemess
hedidwi t
hPearl
.Shewast yping…
*heysbar
iI’
m notcopi
ngatall
,i
t’
sli
keI’m goi
ngto
seeherwalki
ngincli
cki
ngherheel
s,looki
ngall
fancy,
Ican’
tbel
ievemysist
erisgone*
Senzoreadt
hemessageandthef
eel
ingofsadness
washedoverhi
m,herepl
ied
*I
’m her
eifyouneedsomeonet
otal
k,heckIal
so
needsomeonetotalkt
oo*
Shewast
ypi
ng…
*
thankyou*
Senzodidn’
twanttopushher,hewantedeveryt
hing
tohappennatur
all
y.Ther
eforeheputhisphoneon
hissi
detabl
eanddozedof f.
*
***
Mhlengisatbyt heedgemassagi ngThul ado’

sfeet,
hefoundhersi t
tingont heirdoorstepgazi nginto
space,heopenedt heirdoorandf edhert henhe
wentonahuntf orherstol enbelongingsbutonl y
foundherbagt hecellphonewasal r
eadysol d.The
guysnegot i
atedwithMhl engiandThul adowast o
getabr andnewphone, theygotof fwithaf ewslaps
fortouchingher .HewasbackhomeandThul ado
seemedgl oomyi twasget ti
nghim wor ri
ed,it
’s
almostlikeshewasget tingdepr essed.
“
Shor
ty!
”hesai
dsof
tl
y
“
mmh”sher
epl
ied
“
Yougood?
”heaskedar
chi
nghi
seyebr
ow
“Yeah”sherepl
iedbored,shesatonherbuttand
touchedhisarm,“Il
ovetheseveinsonyourarms”,
sherespondedcircl
i
ngt hem
“
Theyar
ejustvei
ns”hesai
ddi
smi
ssi
vel
y
“
Ilovet
hem”sher
epl
iedget
ti
ngof
fbed
Shest art
edassembl i
ngheri ce-
cream cont
ainers
fortheumpt eentht
ime, Mhlengididn’
tunderst
and
thelogicbehindkeepingthem.Thei rspacewas
alr
eadysmal l,t
hedisplaywasunnecessar yifhe
wast obehonest .
“Areyougoi
ngt
ouset
hem f
orsomet
hing?
”he
blur
tedout
“
Yes”sher
epl
iedshar
ply
“Thuladot
alkt
ome, Icanseesomethi
ngis
botheri
ngyou”hesaidst
andingandwalki
ng
t
owar
dsher
“Il
ostmyjobtoday”sheanswer
edandforthef
ir
st
ti
mef r
om ever
ythi
ngthatt
ookplacet
oday…she
shedtear
s
Mhlengisighedpul l
ingherintohi
sembr ace,
her
snif
fsescalatedintoloudsobs.Theyst ayedli
ke
thatforawhile,wheni trai
nsforthi
scoupl ei
t
poured.Mhlengiknewhewasaboutt oembar kona
rockyjour
ney, adventurousbutassteepl i
kethe
l
adderofahay- mow.Hewasscar ed,shakingli
kea
l
eafbutamanmustst andfir
m chestoutandchi n
up.
“Wewil
lfi
gur
eitout
”hesai
dinhi
sdeephoar
se
voi
ce
“
I’
m sor
ry”
,shesai
dinbet
weenhersni
ff
s
*
***
Atthehospit
alNanaopenedhereyes,shefi
rst
panickedbutwhensherememberedthattheywer
e
att
ackedbyarmedr
obber
sshecoul
dn’
thel
pitbut
enqui
reaboutFr
ed.
“
Youneedtocal
m downmi
ss”t
henur
sesai
d
r
ushi
ngtowar
dsher
“
Wher
eisFr
ed?
”sheaskedt
henur
se
“Idon’
tknowsi sibuti
fyoudon’tcal
m down,
Iwill
callt
hedoctortosedateyou.Yougoingtodi
stur
b
yoursti
tches”shewarned
“Fr
edwasshotIneedt
oknowi
fhi
sokay”she
askedanxi
ousl
y
“Youwerebroughti
nher
ealonesi
si,
ther
ewasno
Fred.Appar
entl
yyouwerest
abbedduri
ngrobber
y”
sheassuredher
“
YesbutIwaswit
hFr
ed”sher
epl
iedf
rant
ical
ly
l
ooki
ngaround
“Doctor!
”thenur
sescr eamed,“
yiniengat
hi
seziyakushi
yanj
esi si
”thedoct
orcamei nrunni
ng
(youaregoingcrazy)
“What’
swr ong?
”thedoct
oraskedpl
uggi
nghi
s
stet
hoscopeinhisear
s
“It
hinkshe’shal
lucinat
ing,
shekeepsaski
ngme
aboutFred”thenurseanswered
Thedoct
orqui
ckl
yprepar
edaninj
ecti
onNanasaw
thi
sandscr
eamedtr
yingtowi
gglehersel
foutof
bed.
2021
-
--
--
--
--
-
Bor
rowedphone
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er16
“Paperchaser
,st
reetsmar
t,akr
uger
,I’
m ahust
ler
,I
hustl
ehard"
~Mhl
engi
“
Hoshgul
uva"hesai
dwi
thhi
sthumbsup
“
hoshKrugerl
amakr
uger
"theguysr
epl
iedwi
th
t
hei
rthumbsup
“YouguysknowmeI ’
m quietguy,Ist
ayi nmyl ane.
Irespecteveryoneincludi
ngbot tom f
eeder sli
ke
youbutyouguyskeeppoki ngasnakei nitshol e…
whygent s?Letmet el
lyoual i
ttl
estory,
Iwast aki
ng
astrolldownt herail
waylineonedayandguess
whatIst umbleduponkr ugerstryingt
or apean
i
nnocentl ady“ hepausedandl ookedatthem “ do
youyoungkr uger sneedlessonsaboutt her ul
es?Or
perhapsyouguysdon’ tknowwhatyouar edoi ng?
Wel ovemoneybutwedon’ thurtwoment hati
sf or
the28’
snotus.Backt othestoryIwastel
li
ngyou
about,
sot hatgi
rlhappenedtobenoneotherthan
myshor t
ysoyoucani maginewhathappenedto
them t
hereaft
er”
,hesaidlookingatt
hem str
aighti
n
theeye
Hesl appedeachofthem acrossthefacethey
staggeredback,af
terrubbi
ngt hei
rcheeksthey
l
aunchedt hei
rfeettothegroundstandinginali
ne
formation.
“Nowwher
ethef
ucki
sthephone?
”hesai
dthr
ough
gri
tt
edt
eet
h
“I
t’
sher
ekrugerl
amakr
uger”t
heonesai
ddr
awi
ng
outabr
andnewcell
phonebox
Mhlengismi
rkedopeni
ngi
tandi
ndeedi
twasa
br
andnewSamsungphone.
“Good!Thisisimpressive”hesai
d“ Nowyouwi l
l
eachpayaf ineforlayi
ngyourhandsonmygi r
l,I
wantyout obethenewspapert el
leverykruger
aboutmygi r
l,whenyouseeheryoumustsweep
thestr
eetsforher.YouknowIwi lldothesamef or
you”,
headded
Theguyseachgavehim R500andtheypart
ed
waysaft
erapol
ogizi
ngtohim,heputonhishoodi
e
andbl
endedwiththest
reet.
Att
hecl
ini
c
Thuladoyawnedcont i
nuouslyasshecl eanedthe
bencheswi t
hherj eansfol
lowi ngthequeuetoseea
nurse,shefel
tkindwei r
dinherbodyandhasn’ t
seenherper i
odsfort womont hs.Sinceshedoesn’t
haveaj obtheleastshecandoi stotakecareof
hersel
f,fr
om hereshehaspl anst oseeNanaatt he
hospit
al.Apparentlyshesurvivedar obber
yandgot
awaywi thtwoplungesi nherst omach,howhorri
ble.
“Next
!”t
hesisterpeepedf
rom t
hecorri
dor,Thul
ado
fi
xedhertopthatseemedtobetight
erthanusual
andscurr
iedaftert
henurse.
“
HowcanIhel
pyou?
”thenur
sesai
ddi
sint
erest
ed
Gett
inggoodservi
cesinapublici
nstit
utei
nSouth
Afr
icaisli
kemannaf r
om heaven,
it’
saoncei n
l
if
etimekindofthi
ng.It
’sal
mostli
keyouare
bot
heringorabusi
ngthepoorstaffbyshowingup,
thenyouar ri
veonedayandfindthatonenice
personwhowi l
lmakeyouwanttocr ybecause
hospital
it
yandgoodnessisstil
loutther
e.Thulado
fel
tawkwar dsincethi
swasherf i
rstt
imevisit
ing
thecli
nic,shewaskindofhopingthenursewillget
strai
ghtoni t
.
“Uhm I
’
m notfeel
ingwell
,Ihaven’
tseenmyper i
ods
i
nt womonthsandI’m al
waysexhausted”she
answered
“Goandur i
nat
eandbri
ngyourur
ineher
e”shesai
d
sti
llnotl
ooki
ngather
“Uhm youwantmetobri
ngtheuri
neher
e?”she
askednervousl
ycl
ear
lyconf
used
“Yebosisihawu,gotothebathroom andyouwi l
l
seeglassesther
e,takeoneandpeei nandbr i
ngit
here.Yousaidyouhaven’tseenyourperi
od’sri
ght?
Thuladonodded“ t
hengoandpee”shecl osed
Thul
adof eltt
earst
hreat
eningtofal
lassher anto
thet
oil
et,itwasthemannershespoket oher.She
knowshei swellmanneredandforsomeonet obe
socoldfornoapparentreasonbaff
ledher.She
arri
vedatt het oiletpat t
inghereyesdr ywi t
hhert op,
thenshespot tedt hef amousgl assesandt hest at
e
ofthem wasappal l
ing.Theywer epi l
edupst ained
withur inef r
om pr eviouspat i
ents…t otall
y
unhygi enic,thef liesbuzzedasi ftheywer ehavi nga
buffetpar ty,Thul ador olledoutat issueandr insed
outtheonet hatl ookedl essfil
thy.Af tershewas
sati
sf i
edsheur inatedandt ookitin.thenur se
i
nser tedt wost icksi nandwai t
ed, allThul ado
want edi sadi agnoseandt ogetthehel loutoft hi
s
horri
bl eplace, shemadeament alnot et oscrubher
handswi thsoapwhensheget stot hehospi t
alto
seeNana, perhapsal i
tt
lebitofsani ti
zer .
Thenur secameoutwi t
hanA4si zebookfr
om the
departmentofheal
th,sheaskedThuladof
orher
address,phonenumberandf ul
lnames.Shejot
teda
fewthingsinthebookthensheaskedherwhenl ast
shehadherper i
ods,whenshewasdoneshe
handedt hebookovertoher.
“Youarepregnantanditseemsli
keyouarefar
,
pleasetakeof
fyourclothesandl
ieonthebed”
Thuladodidastol
dt henursemassagedand
fondledwithhert ummyaf tershewassat i
sfi
edshe
askedhert odressup.“ youneedtocomebacknext
weekMondaysi si behereatsixbecausetherewil
l
beaant enatalf
irstti
merclass,thenyouwi l
ldoan
HIVtestandgett hepr operinj
ecti
ons,Ican’
tdo
anythingforyounowbecausei t’
slate”shesaid
star
ingatherbor ed
“
Okthankyou”shegr
abbedherbookandgotupt
o
l
eave
“Don’
tfor
gett
ocar
ryyourbook”shescr
eamedat
her
Thuladowal kedoutthecli
nicperplexedshewas
awareaboutpr egnancybutnowt hati twasri
ght
beforeher ,
itseemedal itt
lebi
ttoomuch.Shehas
beenenj oyingthecountlessorgasm fr om
unprotectedsexwi thoutcontr
acept i
veswhatthe
hel
lshet houghtwoul dhappen, shesawabi gst
one
anddeci dedt orestonit
.Shedi al
ledMhl engi
.
“
Shor
ty!
”hesai
dcal
mly
“
Doyoul
oveme?
”sheaskedhervoi
cesl
ight
ly
br
eaki
ng
“Wit
hever
ythi
ngi
nmebabe…what
’sup?
”her
epl
ied
concer
ned
“Idon’
tknowIjustf
eel
li
kepackingmybags,It
hink
Ishoul
dgobackt oMooiRivert
here’
snot
hingl
eft
formehere”shesai
dsnif
fi
ng
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”heaskedanxi
ousl
y
“
No!Mhlengidon’
tcomet
ome,wedon’
twantyou
l
osi
ngyourjobtoonowdowe?
”shecuthi
m shor
t
“
Doyouthi
nkIcareaboutthi
sjob,youwantt
o
l
eavemeshor
ty?”heaskedsoftl
y
“I’
m pregnantMhlengi,
Idon’tthinkwewi l
lsurvi
ve
this,
atleastbackhomeIwi l
leatwi t
heveryoneelse.
It’
snotexactlyawar mlovi
ngpl acebutwegr ow
vegetables,
Idon’tpayrent.Wewi llcommunicate
aboutthebabybutI ’
m goingbackhome”shehung
up
Sheresumedherwalkwit
htear sbli
ndi
nghervisi
on,
shet
extedNanathatshewillnotbecomingin.
whenshearri
vedatthefl
atshef oundMhlengi
si
tt
ingonthef
loor.Shedi
sappear
edi
ntot
he
bat
hroom t
oscrubherhands
“Thul
ado”hescreamed“YouleavingmebecauseI
cannotprovidef
oryouoryouleavingmebecause
youdon’tloveme?
“IloveyouMhl engi
,Ireal
lydobutI’m si
nkinginto
depr essi
on.Thecoupl eofdayssitt
ingheredoi ng
not hi
ngiskill
ingme, whenIcameher eIhadbi g
dreams.Iwant edtostudy,Iwantedtoworksot hat
Icanel evatemyselfbutlookatmeFuze.No
offensebutwear en’
tgoinganywher ewewi l
ljust
beeachot her’
sburdensunt i
loneofusbecomes
ti
red, I
’m choosingtoleavebecauseIwouldn’t
stomacht hedayyougett ir
edofme” ,shecameout
oft hebathroom dryi
ngherhands
“Sokahlekahl
eI’
m afai
lur
e,youdon’
tevenwantt
o
givemeachancet opr
ovemyself?
”heasked
droppi
nghishead
“
Wear ebar
elymaki
ngit
, nowt hereisababyont he
way,
yourcontr
acti
sfi
nishingthismonth…nowt ell
mesomethi
ng,doyouper hapsbelievei
nmiracl
es? ”
“I’
m akrugershor t
y,whenIsaidwewi l
lfi
gureitout
Imeantit,allIneedfrom youisali
tt
le
fait
h…ngiyakucela!Havefait
hinme!”hesaid
standi
ngt ohisfeetgrabbingont
oThulado’shand
“
Idon’
tunder
stand”Thul
adosai
dbewi
lder
ed
“Havefaithi
nus, havefait
hinmeshor t
y,youwillgo
backtoMooiRi verwithsomet hingwaymor ebigger
thanapregnancy.Idon’ twantthem t ol
aughatyou
andcallyounames.Al lowmet or eachmyf ul
l
capaci
tyandIwi llmakeyoucr yt earsofjoy”he
saidpull
ingherclose
“
Mhl
engi
!”shesai
dsof
tl
y
“shhhhstay…pl
ease!
”heki
ssedherpul
li
ngher
evenclose
*
***
Thepairspoonedonthei
rbedbot hlosti
nthoughts,
thesi
lencewasn’tgol
denatallbutitwasdeafeni
ng,
Mhlengi’
sheart
beatwasfastandr api
dthethought
offai
li
ngThuladoandhisunbor nchil
dwasgiving
him hear
tpalpi
tati
ons.Thuladoli
pscurvedi
ntoa
smilewhenshet houghtaboutherbaby,she
actual
lydidn’
tmindcarryi
ngal i
tt
lebundlei
nsi
de
hertummy, sheturnedtofaceMhlengi
.
“I
’
mfourmont
hspr
egnantandIdi
dn’
tknow”she
gi
ggl
ed
“Didt
heytel
lyout
hegender
?”heaskedmaski
ng
hisner
ves
“Noappar
entl
yIwil
lhavetogot oascanf ort
hat,
youaresobadyoudidn’
teventellmethatIhave
gai
nedweight
”shesli
ghtl
yslappedhisshoulder
“
Youlookgoodei
therway,
Idi
dn’
tthi
nki
twassuch
abi
gdeal”hesai
dsmili
ng
“
Fuzeyouwon’tbel
ievet
hatnur
seIsawt
oday,
she
wassohor
ri
bletome”shepouted
“Iwil
lcomewi t
hyounextt i
mesoIcanputheri n
herplace”hesaidj
okingl
y“bef
oreIforgetIhave
somet hi
ngforyou”hegotoutofbed,hewalked
overtohisbagandcamebackwi thaboxandr ol
ls
ofmoney.
“What’
sgoi
ngonher
e?”Thul
adoaskedsi
tt
ingon
herbut
t
“Thi
sisyournewphone, youcanl
oset hat
sgedl
emba( ol
dfault
yphone)youarecar r
yingand
thi
sissomethingsmallt
osaysorryformuggi ng
you”hesmirkedsit
ti
ngnexttoher
“
Howdi
dyouf
indt
heguys?
”
“
Ihavemyways,
I’
mj usthappythatt
heywer
eabl
e
t
ocompensat
eyou”hekissedhercheeks
“
Whati
saKr
uger
?”shet
urnedt
ofacehi
m
“
It
’sasl
angf
orahust
ler
”hesai
dlyi
ngonhi
sback
“Thankyousthandwasami ,R1500asanapol
ogy?
”
shechuckled“pl
easetel
lthem tocomemugme
again”shesai
dsarcasti
call
y
“ngekeuzeukubonel
okho”hesai
dlaughi
ng(
not
happening)
*
***
Twomont
hsl
ater
Senzoenteredtherestaur
antandscannedar
ound
butcoul
dn’tseePhi ndi
le(
Pearl
ssist
er)hedr
ewout
hi
sphoneanddi al
ledher.
“
hel
lo”shesai
dsof
tl
y
“Pl
easedon’
ttel
lmeyoust
oodmeup?
”heasked
chuckl
ing
“
NoI’mri
ghtatt
heback,
Icanseeyou”shesai
d
l
aughi
ng
“Whywoul
dyouchoosesuchalonel
ytabl
e?”he
askedwal
kingt
owar
dstheback
“
I’
m shyIdon’
tli
ket
hespot
li
ght
”sher
epl
ied
Senzohungupwhenshewasst andingbefor
eher,
shehadl ongr
elaxedhai
rthatshetiedint
oapony
tai
l.Shewaslookingsi
mpleyetbeaut i
ful
,sheki
nd
ofremindsherofPearl
.
“
Howi
sschool
”Senzoaskedf
loppi
ngont
he
opposi
techai
r
“
it
sgr
eatt
hankyou”shesmi
ledbl
ushi
ng
“Sodi
dyourf
athert
alktoyouaboutsomet
hing?
”
Senzosai
dgr
azingherhand
“Yes,butI
’m notsurei
t’
sli
keI
’m bet
rayi
ngmy
sist
er”shesaidlooki
ngdown
“Pear
lisgoneandIthi
nkshewouldpref
eryouto
takeoverherhouset
hanatot
alst
ranger,
unless
youdon’tl
ikeme”Senzosmil
edadmiri
ngher
i
nnocence
“
Ili
keyou”shesai
dget
ti
ngr
edonhercheeks
“Il
ikeyoutooyouar
esobeaut
if
ulandIwil
lbe
l
uckytohaveyouasmywife”hesai
dli
ft
ingher
handtokissit
“
Iwantt
ofi
nishschool
”sher
epl
ied
“Iwon’
tbotheryou,youcanstaywithmeandcarr
y
onstudyi
ng,Iwillt
akecareofyou”heassur
edher
“
Okt
hen”shesai
d
Theyconver sedoverthei
rlunchwhent heywer e
fi
nishedSenzohel dherhandast heyl eftthe
restaur
ant,shewasyel l
owandwi thaper fectl
y
curvedbodyj ustl
ikePearl
.Hef eltsoluckyasi fhe
wasget t
inghissecondchance, theyappr oached
thecarpark.Heopenedt hedoorf orher,Phindil
e
wasnotusedofsucht reat
ment ,beingpamper edby
handsomemanmadeherf eelsospeci al
.
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc
MrsDlaminicl
ickedherheel
ssashayingi
ntoFred’
s
of
fi
ce,hestoodupf i
xinghi
ssli
ngonhi sar
m and
metherhalf
way, heki
ssedherbri
efl
y.
“Wherei
syourat
ti
tudei
nfest
edPA?
”sheasked
scanni
ngar
ound
“Shewentforadoct
or’
sappoi
ntment
,tocheckon
herwounds”herepl
i
edret
urni
ngtohi
sseat
“Andyou!Howisyourar
m, Imi
ssyou”shesai
d
pouti
ngsit
ti
ngherbi
gbehindonFredsdesk
“Wherei
syourhusband?Igotatt
ackedi
tcoul
dbe
him,doyout
hinkheknows?”Fredaskedanxi
ousl
y
“Nahit’
snothim,hei
ssti
lloutoft
hecount
rypl
us
hewouldletyouknowitwashim,Dlami
nil
ovesto
gloat
”sheassuredhi
m
“
Iguess…t
owhatdoIowet
hisvi
sit
?”Fr
edasked
l
ooki
ngbusyonhi
sdesk
“It
houghtmaybeyoucoul
dtouchmealit
tle,
Imi
ss
you”shesaidget
ti
ngdownthedeskwal
king
towardshi
m
Shest ar
tedunbut toninghi sshi rtwhi l
eki ssinghim,
Nanabudgedi ntotheof f
ice.Shegaspedwi deni
ng
hereyes,FredpushedMr sDl ami niawayf rom hi
m
andgotonhi sfeet.Nanachar gedl andingher
handsonMr sDl ami ni
’sweave, Fr edtriedtogeti n
betweent hem butt hepushedhi m away.Nana
sweptMr sDl aminiof fherf eetshel andedont he
fl
oorshest artedthrowi nggi rlpunchesonherpr etty
l
it
tleface.Fredf i
nallygat heredt heener gyt opul
l
heroff.
“
Nanast
opi
t!
”her
oar
ed,
“andyoupl
easeseeyour
wayout
”hesai
dpoi
nti
ngatMr
sDl
ami
ni
Shepickedupherweavef rom thef
loorandputit
onfl
aringhernose,herchestwasrisingandfall
i
ng.
Shepoint edatNanawiggl
ingherpointerf
ingert
han
shewal kedoutcarr
yinghershoesathand.
“
Youcheati
ngonmeFr edwit
hamarri
ed
woman…huh?”shesai
dwit
habreaki
ngvoi
ce
“Andwhoareyou?Mymother?St
ayinyourl
ane
andgetbackt
owork”hesai
ddismissi
vel
y
“Howdoyouexpectmetowor
kaf
teral
loft
his?
”
sheaskedwi
pinghert
ear
s
“Youstart
ingtopissmeof f,
fir
styoufight
ingwi t
h
mycl i
entasmyPA, howthehelldoesthatlookto
you?Ishouldn’
thavehi r
edani l
li
ter
atehoodr atl
ike
you,youlackclassandelegance.Ithi
nkImadea
mistake”hespatwalkingouttheoffi
ce
Nanasatonthecouchandcri
edhol di
ngherpai
nful
abdomen,j
ustwhenshethoughtshefoundagood
maninFredhecomesanddot his.Shefel
tsohurt
andused.
*
***
Fredent
eredhi
scardial
li
nganumber,hescanned
aroundt
oseeifanyonewasatsi
ghtbutthe
basementwasdeadquiet
.
“Thi
smustbegood”t
heot
herper
sonanswer
edhi
s
phone
“Howmuchl
ongermustIdothi
s,thesewomanar
e
star
ti
ngt
odr
ivemecrazy”hesai
df r
ustr
ated
“Justali
tt
lel
onger
,I’
m notr
eadyyet
”hesai
dever
sochil
led
“Fuckthi
sshi
t”Fr
edr
oar
edangr
il
ypunchi
ngt
he
dashboard
“
Hanginther
e”t
hevoi
cesai
der
upt
ingi
nal
oud
l
aught
er
2021
-
--
--
--
--
--
-
Bor
rowedphone
[
11/
22,
13:
29].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er17
Phindil
epar kedout si
deSpurshewasf eel
ingal it
tl
e
peckishandwi t
hagener ousloverli
keSenzoshe
coulddoanyt hi
ngshewant s,youseet hatli
ttl
eguilt
shefeltforfindinghersi
stershusbandr i
diculously
hotandat tr
act i
veitvani
shedlikeitneverexisted.
Agreeingtorebui l
dhersi stershomewast hebest
decisi
onsheevermade, shef el
tlikeshewasont op
ofthewor l
d,from ast r
ugglingst udenttodri
vingher
owncart ovar sit
y, wellPearl'
scarbel ongedtoher
now.Insteadofst andinginendl essqueueswai ti
ng
tobuymedi ocr emeal satt hecaf eter
iashe's
enteri
ngSpur s…l evels.
Ont hefarcornershenoticedasmal lgroupof
l
adiessurroundedbybl ue,pi
nkandsi lverball
oons
j
udgi ngbythe“ mum tobe”satchelwr appedaround
theshortladyitwasababyshower ,acoupleof
presentsontheseatnextt oher“arghshame"she
thoughttoherself
,theymustbei mpover i
shed,her
babyshowerwi l
lbebigandf ancy.Thewai t
er
pull
edheroutofhercondescendi ngthoughts.
“Ar
eyoureadyt
oordermam"awai
teraskedwi
tha
penandabookathand
“400glambchopswi t
hveggiespleaseanda
passionfr
uitlemonade”sheplacedherorderever
sobougie,thewait
erdisappearedi
ntothekit
chen
area
Phi ndilepagedt hroughherphonebor edoutofher
mi nd, shest umbl eduponpi cturesofherandSenzo
ri
ghtaf terthedeed, theywer elyinginbedwithher
restingherheadonhi sbuffchest .Sheaddedsome
fi
lteroni tthenpost editonhersoci almediawit
h
“Capt i
ont his"shesmi l
edadmi r
inghermanandt he
l
ovet hatt heyshar euntilherphonest art
ed
vibratingvi gorously,withmessagesaf t
ermessages.
“i
sn'
tthatyoursi
ster
shusband?
”
“
youhavenoshame,youcouldn'
tevenwai
tforher
t
odiesoyoucoul
djumprightin"
“suchal
azygi
rl
,youchoosi
ngt
heeasywayout
.
Youcoul
dn'
tfi
ndyourownman?"
“
Phi
ndi
lei
sthi
swhatyour
eject
edmef
or?
”
“Chil
lguysandmindyourownbusiness.Thi
sis
actual
lyal
lowedi
nthebantucult
ure,knowyour
hist
orybefor
eyoujudgepeopl
e”
Theconver
sat
iongotheat
edi
nmi
nut
esast
hey
arguedaboutt hi
s,Phindil
eknewshewasgoi ngto
bejudgedbutnotsohar shlyshequi ckl
ydeletedt
he
pictureandl oggedout,fort
unat el
ythewaiter
appr oachedcar r
yingat r
ayoff ood.Shesmi l
ed
i
nwar dlyr
eadyt odevouronl yforhimt opassherto
placet hefoodont opoft hetablenexttoher,she
shruggedhershoul dersandsighed.
*
***
Mhl engiwor kedincloseliaisonwithNanat oput

togetherami nishowerforThul ado,sincet heywer e
cluelessaboutt hegenderi twasal it
tlebitof
everything,t
heyor deredacake, r
eservedat ablein
onecor neratSpurandmummyt obewasver y
pleased.Itwasonl ythreemont hslefttil
lthebaby
makewayt ot hi
swor l
dandMhl engiwasst arti
ngto
getusedoft heideathatsomeonewi llcal
lhim
daddy, andthathewi l
lber esponsibl
ef orawhol e
humanbei ng.Thef eeli
ngwasdaunt ingly
overwhel mingyetsot hril
li
ngatt hesamet i
me, he
sati
nt heopposi t
echairgawkingatThul adoi fhe
hadallt hemoneyi nt
hewor ld,hewoul dgodown
ononekneeandgeti toveranddonewi t
h.Hest il
l
couldn'tbel i
evehewaspai redwi t
hsuchabeaut if
ul
soulevent houghshewei r
dlycollectsicecream
containersandbookst ost ackinthehousef orno
apparentr eason,shewasst il
lperfect.Nanabr oke
thesil
ence, i
twasonlyherandt woofThul ado’s
for
mercol leagues.
“Okguysl etmet el
lyouaboutmyf riendher e,Iam
theonl yfriendshemadewhenshef irstbroughther
shor tselft oDur ban, wej ustcli
cked.Shei ssokind
hear tedandbr ave, Irememberwhenwesheused
todr aggedmet oj oinqueueswi thheratvar ious
univer sit
iesandcol legesbecauseshewant edto
studysobad, IjustgaveupIhat ereject i
onand
fail
ur eIcoul dn' ttakei tsoIl ef
thertobyher self
.I’
m
wor kingasaPAt odaybecauseofher ,whenI
appl i
edf ort hatj obasacl eaneratFr edSi mmons
neveri nmywi ldestdr eamshaveIt houghtIwoul d
beaPAt oday.Somyf r
iend…t hankyouf oryour
wisdom andadvice,Ican'
twaitfort
heli
ttl
ebundle
toemergesot hatri
chauntycanspoilhim orher
.
Congrat
ulat
ionsyoul ovebi
rds"shesaidli
fti
ngupa
glasswi
thsavanna.
“Didyouhavetol
aydownourhi
story”Thuladosai
d
chuckli
ng,“
Thankyout
hisi
sbeauti
ful”shesaid
gratef
ull
y
“Yourmanpaidf
oreveryt
hing,
Ijustboughtt
he
gif
ts”shesai
dcl
ari
fyi
ngthings
“ThankyouFuze"shesmi
led,hernosel
ooki
ngat
ad
biggerandherf
acedecor
atedwithpimpl
es
“
Iloveyou"i
sal
lMhl
engihadt
osay
*
***
Theelevatorwasn'
tworki
ngagainsoMhlengihad
tohelpThuladowalkupthestai
rsatasnai
lpace,
hertonguewasoutpantingwhenshereachedthe
top.Mhlengipour
edheracoldglassofmagali
es
j
uiceitwasoneofherfavori
tesatthemoment.She
thr
ewherselfcaref
ull
yonthebedkicki
ngoffher
shoes,
sher ecei
vedherdr
inkgul
pingitdown
wit
houtbreaks.
“Ihavenoti
cedyouspendalotofti
mehomeand
youalwaysavail
abl
ewhenIcallyou.Whendoyou
gettowork?”sheaskedar
chinghereyebr
ow
“Itol
dyouI '
m nowasupervi
sorIgetspecial
treat
ment,thi
sisnothi
ngli
kethatwatercontract
.I
haveagr oupofguysundermeIt eachthem skil
ls
andwhent heyarereadyIpassedthem overtothe
foreman"heexplai
ned
“Isee,
tel
lmeyousawsomet hi
ngdiff
erentabout
Nana?"shesai
dlower
inghervoice
“Idon'
tfol
low”Mhl
engisai
dconf
used
“Shedressesdi
ff
erentl
yandIdon'tunderstandhow
shegotpromotedfrom cl
eanertoPA"shesai d
squi
nti
nghereyes,“I'
m happyforherbutit
'sjust
doesn'
tmakesense”sheadded
“
Maybeshegotl uckyorshepaidherwayup,she
woul
dn'
ttellyounowwoul dshe?Angit
hiwenayou
l
iket
odot hingsbythebook!Whil
eotherswantt
o
getr
icht
oday"hesai
dli
ght
lychuckl
ing
“Pai
dherwaywi t
hmoney, t
hat
’sanot
herdebtt
o
mashonisa(l
oanshark),
whenIlef
tshewasowing
aboutR1700”sherepl
ied
“i
tcouldbebutther
e'smanywaysandpeoplealso
getscammedbecauseofdesperati
on,soyour
fr
iendprobabl
ypaidsomeonewithmoneyorpussy.
She'st
oodumbt obeaPA"hef urt
hersaid
“
hawuMhl
engi
”shesai
dcover
inghermout
h
“What?”hechuckled,
“Nanaisn'
texact
lyinnocent
andyouknowi t,
anywayt hesear
ejustspeculat
ions,
Icouldbewrong.Maybesher eal
lyear
nedt hatj
ob
i
nlesst hant
hreemont hsshe'
saPA”her esponded
shruggi
nghisshoulder
“Ihearyou”shesai
dsnuggl
ingi
nbed
Mhlengiknewshewi l
lbesnor i
ngi nafewmi nutes,
hebusiedhimselfpr
eparingingredient
sf orthei
r
mealtonight
.Whateveritismustnotbechi cken
becausetheQueenwi l
lthrowat antrum shouldshe
evencatchawhifforagl i
mpseofi t.Heact uall
y
founditf
ascinat
inghowshor tyhasdepi cteda
suddenchange,ifonlyt
hehor monescouldcause
hertodisl
ikehercol
lect
ionsthatir
kedhim somuch,
becausetheroom wassmal landnowver yconf
ined
becausethebloodyicecream contai
ner
sandbooks
areheretostay.
*
***
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc.
NanaandFr edwer esmoochi ngfondlingwitheach

otherintheof f
icewhent hedoorknobmadea
soundi nindi
cat i
ont hatsomeonewast r
yingto
forcethei
rwayi n,Fredletgoofhert oopent he
door,hiseyeswi denedtheywer easbi gassaucers
accompani edbyl abor
edbr eathi
ng.Hesl owly
steppedbackt il
lher eachedhi sdesk,hisgazedstil
l
fi
xedont her oundmanwi t
hhi sgoons.Fr ed
swal l
owedsal i
vaqui cklyaimingtocoathi sdry
throatbutitfail
ed, hestart
edsweat i
ngandt heurge
toloosenhist i
eandunbut tonatl eastthr
ee
but
tonsf
rom hi
sshi
rtwast
her
ebuthewouldn'
t
dar
emove,hedidn'
twantt
oli
fthi
seyesawayf
rom
hi
m.
“
PourmeadrinkSi
mmons,wil
lyou"
?Ther
ound
manaskedi
nasqueakyvoi
ce
“Dl
ami
ni!Youar
ebackint
own”Fr
edsai
dinahi
gh
pit
cht
ryi
ngtocal
m hi
msel
fdown
Nanacouldsenset heawkwardnesssoshequickl
y
gather
edaf ewglassesandabottleofwhi
skey
placi
ngiti
nt hetr
ay,shecuppedacoupleofi
ce
cubesandser vedthemen.
“Areyouf
ucki
ngthi
sonetoo"Dl
aminiaskedwhi
le
gropi
ngNana'
sass,shej
umpedinshock
“Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hatDl
ami
ni?
”her
epl
ied
downinghi
sdr
inki
nonego
“Easyont hedr
inkboy,Iknowyouweref
ucki
ng
yourlat
ePAt hat'
swhyI '
m aski
ngi
fyouaref
ucki
ng
thi
sonet oo"hesaidchecki
ngNanaout
“Si
rthisi
sawor ki
ngenvi
ronment,Idon'
tthi
nkit'
s
appropri
atef
oryoutotal
kli
kethatletal
onetouch
mywor
ker
sint
hatmanner
"Fr
edsai
dst
ernl
y
“
Iknowyouf
ucki
ngher
”hesai
dlaughi
ng
“HowcanIhel pyoutoday?
”Fredaskedtr
yingt
o
changethesubject“
orbett
ersti
llhowwas
Germany?”Fredaskedsli
ghtl
yrelaxi
ng
“I
twasgoodunt i
lIar r
ivedtoabruisedwi fe, you
knowt heamountofmoneyIspendont hatgi rl
?She
evenhasi nsur ancef orherskinbutIf oundher
bruisedFr ed.It
'slikeshewasf i
ghtingwi th
someone”hesai dl ookingatNana, shequi ckly
l
ookedawaywi thherhear tpounding.“whatIdon' t
under standiswhywoul dsomeonehi tmywi fe
becauseshe' sgotal lthemoneyt ober elaxingand
sippingonhercockt ail
s,massagesandal lthat
charade.I nallofthatshechoset oendupf i
ghting
l
ikeahoodr at…woman! ”hesai
dpour i
nghi msel fa
secondhel pi
ng
“ThereasonwhyIwon'
tmar r
y,t
hesebeaut
iful
creat
urescomewithaheadache”Fr
edsaid
l
aughingnervousl
y
“
Youshoul
dgetmar
ri
edi
t'
sgood,
haveyourown
pussy,gi
vehermoneyshewi l
lturnyourhousei
nto
ahome, butwhenyoudojustchosetheonewho
wil
lbearyoukidsnotl
ikemines,she'
smor ewor
ri
ed
aboutherwaist
”hesaidsadly
“
Hardpass,
Idon'
tevenwantki
ds"Fr
edsai
d
l
aughi
ng
“Thenwhoareyoubuil
dingthi
sempi
ref
orboy?
”he
saidpoi
nti
ngaroundt
her oom
“
Myself
”hesaidsi
nkingi
nhischai
r,i
twasasi
f
t
hesequest
ionswerebur
ninghi
m
“Heyyou"MrDlaminiscr
eamedatNana“
come
here"hegest
uredwit
hhishand
Nanawassoscaredshecouldhar
dlyspeak,
she
f
oll
owedorder
sli
keanobedientl
it
tl
egirl
.
“Li
ftupyourski
rtandsi
tonmyl
ap"MrDl
ami
ni
ordered
“
Nothappeni
ng“
Fredsai
dst
andi
ngup
“
Sitt
hef
uckdownboy"MrDl
ami
nispat
“
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngman?
”Fr
edscr
eamed
“
Makesur
ehedoesn'
tdi
stur
bme"MrDl
ami
nisai
d
t
ohi
sgoons
Theyhel dFr edbackwhi l

eheki ckedandscr eamed
tryi
ngt obr eakfree,
hewasmanyt hingsbutnota
rapist
s, andt obepresentwhileawomanwasbei ng
viol
atedwasenought odrainenergyoutofhi m.He
tearedsi l
entlyasNanahel dinhersobswi thagun
stuckonherhead, t
heroundmanwasdone.He
wasr idi
cul ouslysweati
ngasi fher anamar at
hon
from Dur bant oPMB, hecl
othedhi mselfandtold
Nanat ogobackt owork.
“Yousonofabi t
chyouwil
lpayfordoi
ngthatyou
pathet
icweakl
ing"Fr
edsai
dgrit
tinghi
steet
h
“Nextt
imeyourbit
chwillthi
nktwicebef
ore
touchi
ngmywi f
e"withthathestoodupandwal
ked
outfol
lowedbyhisgoons
Nanaf l
oppedherheadonherdeskandcri
ed,
Fred
ti
ghtenedhisl
ipst
akinglongst
ri
destowar
dsher,
he
caressedherf
rom behi
nd.
“I'
m sorr
ybabe, l
ookIwi l
lfi
xthis.Iwantyoutotake
theweekof f,Iwi
llbookyouinabeaut yparl
orand
youcandowhat everyouwant .Justdon’
tsaya
wor dtoanyoneok?Af teral
lofthisIwil
lar
range
therapyforyou,don’tl
etmedownokay…Iknowyou
wontbelievemebutIl oveyou” .
Nanar emai nedmutewhi leshecoll
ect edher
belongingsshovingthem i nherbag,sheswitched
offherlaptopandwal kedout .Fr
edpeepedoutt he
doortochecki fshewasr eal
lygone,whenhehear d
theelevatorpingi
ngatf i
rstfl
oorhequi ckl
ylocked
doorandsatcomf ort
ablyonhi schai
r .Hedial
eda
numberonhi spersonalphone.
“I
'
m disowningyou,li
kewecannotber elated,
what
ator
turousscene.Manyouj uststoodt here
hel
plessl
ywhilethatorosdi
shonor edourbear er
…
whatthefuckFred?Youdidfakol"heroar ed
“Fr
ankshutup,
Ineedsol
uti
onsnotl
ect
ures”he
sai
ddefendi
nghimsel
f
“I
t'
syourtur
ntogoonhol
iday,
I'
m comi
ngback”he
cuthi
m short
“Nothappeni
ng,youwi l
lrunt
hiscompanyt
othe
ground.Youver
yr eckl
ess"heshout
ed
“Yeahyeahli
es,I'
m moreslythanyou.Iknow
damnr i
ghtIwoul
dn'tbewhereyouarenow"he
spat
“Yeahbecauseyouwouldbesur
roundedbydead
bodies,
hardpass"hesai
dheavi
ngasigh
“I
t'
stimeanyway,
expectmet
hisweekend”he
scoff
ed
“FrankIknowIwaspani cki
ngandwant edyouto
returnbuti
t'snotagr eatidea.Ever
yonet hi
nksI
rapedAngelandnowt heythinkIki
ll
edPear lsoj
ust
l
ayl owuntilal
lofthisblowsup, Iwillf
indawayt o
bri
ngt hebearerforcleansing”hepleaded
“Ihearyoubutwhyshoul
dIl
ayl
ow?
”Fr
ankasked
confused
“
Iknowyouki
ll
edt
hem"hesai
ddi
sappoi
nted
“
Youmad,I'
m ever
ythi
ngexceptar
api
stman,
Angel
wasj
ustaki
d"hesaidoff
ended
“
Thenwhyt
heki
dsai
ditwasme?
”heasked
“
Idon'
tknowbutt
hati
sjustsi
ck"hesai
ddi
sgust
ed
“AndPear
l?”hear
chedhi
seyebr
owasi
fFr
ank
coul
dseehim
“
Ilovedthatpussyasmuchasyoudi
dbr
o,I
wouldn'
thave”
“
Thenwhat
'sgoi
ngon?
”Fr
edaskeddef
eat
ed
“Idon'
tknowbutwewi
llf
indoutsoonIguess"he
saidhangi
ngup.
*
***
Senzof r
ownedwhenhenot icedthepi cturePhi
ndi
le
postedwasr emovedj ustwhenhewasaboutt o
reactwithaheart,hethoughti twascut eanddidn'
t
minditbeingpublic,i
nfactitwasper fect.He
wantedt otaghimselfsoThul adocancat cha
gli
mpseofwhatshei smi ssing.Phindilewas
curvaceous,tal
landyellowsur elythatwoul dgr
ab
Thulado’satt
enti
on.Hedi all
edPhi ndil
e.
“
Hey”shesai
dal
mostwhi
sper
ing
“
whyar
eyouwhi
sper
ing?
”heaskedconf
used
“Ij
ustenter
edclass,
wast
her
esomet
hingyou
needed"sheasked
“
Iwantyoutoputt
hatpi
ctur
ebackonFacebook
t
hentagmeonit,i
t'
scut
e.Whywouldyouremove
i
t”heasked
“
Wel
lpeopl
est
art
edcomment
ing.
..
So"shedr
agged
“
Sowhat
,ar
eyouashamedofme?
”
“
No"Phi
ndi
lesai
dal
it
tl
eloud
“Thenputitbackdon’
tdissapoi
ntme,j
ustblock
whoeverhasapr obl
em withus…okbaby"hesai
d
seduct
ivel
y
“
Ok"Phi
ndi
lesai
dbl
ushi
ng
Thel ect
urerenteredtheroom Phi ndil
edroppedthe
callandpreparedher sel
fforthelesson.Meanwhi l
e
Senzopagedhi sphonest r
eami ngt hr
ough
Thulado’spict
ures,hisheartstartedbeati
ngfast
thensadnesscl othedhim sinceshechose
someoneel seoverhi m.Hest umbl eduponapi ct
ure
ofherandMhl engi,youcouldtellitwasthat
swar thyboybyhi shideousbl ackf adedhoodi e,
he
wascr adli
ngThul adoandshewasl aughingaway
l
ooki ngsobeaut i
ful,
Mhl engiwasf acingthe
opposi tedirecti
oninthatwayyoucoul dn'
tseehis
face.Senzor eactedwithal aughingemoj it
henhe
blockedPhi ndilefrom seeinghisr eactions,andhe
l
ef tasar casti
ccommentbef oreloggingout .
*NowIknowwhyphot
oshopwascreat
ed
nonet
hel
essyoul
ookgor
geouscut
ie*
Heshovedhisphonei nhispocketandr et
urned
i
nsi
dewher ethesoccerstarhewor ksforwas
l
eadi
ngameet i
ngforabusi nessvent
urehewant ed
t
oembar konapartfrom playi
ngsoccer.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
06].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
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|
Chapt
er18
Mhlengitiptoedcomi ngoutoft hebat hroom sot hat

hedoesn' twakeupshor t
y,shewasr estlesst he
enti
renighthehadt oopent hewi ndowsf orhert o
getsomesl eep, i
tmustbet heDur banhumi dity,
it
seemst owor senever yyear.Heal waysobser ves
Thuladoasshewaddl esaboutherday, shewas
shortyetcut e,hecoul dn'
twai ttowitnessher
nurtur
ingt heirbaby,wheni tcamet oshor tyhewas
cert
ainthatshewi llmakeaspl endidmot her .
Mhlengisucceededi npaddi ngar oundunt ilhe
mistakenlyki ckedoneofThul ado’scont ainer sand
theyallcamet umbl i
ngdownscat teri
ngal lovert he
room, hecur sedunderhi sbr eath“damni tbl oody
tubs!
".Hest
ackedthem uputter
lyvexed,
Thul
ado
satonherbuttr
ubbinghereyes.
“What
'sal
lther
uckusabout
?”shesai
dinar
aspy
voi
cethensheyawned
“Youneedtothr
owthi
sgarbage!
”Mhl
engisai
d
angri
l
ypointi
ngatt
hepil
e
“ButIt
oldyouI'
m goi
ngt
ouset
hem"shesai
dgoi
ng
backtosleep
“
Forwhathuh?
”heasked
Thuladocover edhersel fwithabl anketwi thmeans
toi
gnor et hequesti
on.Mhl engiclickedhi stongue
andcont inuedgetti
ngr eady, heputonhi sover al
ls
andconst ructi
onboot st henhepi ckeduphi sbagt o
l
eave.Hemadeau- t
ur natt hedoor .Her ummaged
i
ntot hedr awerscomi ngoutwi t
habl ackpl asticbag,
heshovedt hecontainersinsideal ongwi ththeold
bookst hathascollecteddust edandhoi stedt he
bagoutoft hehouse.AssoonasMhl engiwasout
ofsightThul adosobbedpai nful
ly, shecoul dn't
bel
ievet hatMhlengicanbesohear t
less, she
qui
ckl ygotoutofbedpushi nginhersl ippers.She
randownt hestair
swi thherbigst
omachpoi nt
ing
theway,sti
llinherti
ghtnightgown,shegreet
edthe
secur
ityguardinar ushpassingbypantingli
ke
deerthi
rst
yf orwater.Fort
unatel
yshecouldsave
hercoll
ect
ion.
Shest oodonhert i
ptoest r
yingt ogr abi tout,she
wasst i
ckinghert ongueoutst ret chinghershor t
arms, thesecur it
yshookhi sheadwal kingtowar ds
therubbi shpoi nt.Hegr abbedt hepacketf orher
holdingi nal augh, Thuladot hankedhi m wi thtears
i
nhereyes.Shet henwal kedbacki ntot heflat,she
ranupt hest airswi thapl anofvengeance, she
want edt oar rangehert hingsagai n“whatgi veshim
therightt othr owherst uffoutl ikethat ”shet hought
toher self,sheevencl i
ckedhert onguet hinking
abouthi sswar thyf aceandwhi teteet h,not
forgetti
ngaboutt hosedi mpl eshewashandsome
butshor tofahar dsl apacr osshi sbl ackf aceshe
arguedi nherhead.Sheevent houghtofwayst o
teachhi m al esson, deepi nthought sshe
accident all
ymi ssedast epandt oppl eddownt he
stair
s, t
hebl ackbagf lewi ntheai rbutl andedback
onherstomachshescreamedi
nagony,
the
secur
it
yranupthestai
rs.
Hef oundThul adocover edi ncontai
nersandbooks
heimmedi atel
ygotal armedbecauseshewas
pregnant .Hediall
edMhl engiknowingthe
ambul ancewi l
ltakelong.Thesecur i
tyhelpedher
upl eadinghertot hesecur it
yhousebyt heentrance,
Mhl engiwasbackatt hef lati
n30mi nuteshewas
fumi ngwhenhespot tedt heforbi
ddencont ai
ners,
hewentpassThul adowhowassi t
ti
ngdown
drowni nginherownt earsbyt hesecurit
y.He
disappear edupt hest ai
rsi nafewmi nuteshe
camebackdownwi thagownandhercl ini
ccard,he
request edanUbert oAddi ngtonhospital
.
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc.
Fr
edhadast eamingcupofcoffeei
nhishand,he
l
ookedoutthewindowlostint
houghts,
theseli
tt
le
i
ncident
swerestart
ingt
ogivehim sl
eepl
essnights.
Whatifsomeoneisoutther
etogethim?Whilehe
gall
ivantsmyst ifi
ed,hepinchedthebr idgeofhi s
noseasconf usioncreptin.Heturnedar ound
l
ooki ngtothedoorwhenhehear dt hesoundof
heelscli
cking,shesuddenl yl
ookedor dinaryand
unpleasant.Herhi psandassseemed
overwhelmi ngl
yunat tr
active,
theywer en'tthesame
packaget hatluredhimi ntobeddingher , maybeit
's
becauseheror osmancameanddi ddespi cabl
e
thi
ngsi nfrontofhi m,hewasst il
lthinkingifwaysto
makehi m pay.
“HowcanIhel
pyouPur
it
y?”Fr
edsai
dcut
ti
ngt
othe
chase
“I
'
m hornyandImissyou"shesai
dsl
ight
lyshaki
ng
herbodyexci
tedl
y
“Lastt
imeIcheckedyouweremarri
edMr
sDl
ami
ni”
heexclai
medfloppi
ngonhischai
r
“
Andt
hef
oulmood?
”sheaskedconcer
ned
“Idon'twantyouanymor
eok?Justfi
xyour
mar r
iageandleavemealone"Fr
edsai
d
disi
nterest
ed
“
Fredno…youknowyouar
emyr
emedy.Dl
ami
nii
s
j
ustahusbandbyname,hisboringanddoesn'
t
sat
isf
ymebutwithyouIfeelal
iveandyoumake
mehappy”shesai
dpleadi
ng
“Idon'
tgiveaf uckPurity,Idon'tknowwhatmakes
youthinkIcare.Youmar ri
edyouror osknowi ngl
y
becauseofhismoney, yougott hesof tl
ifebutyou
nothappy.Howt hefucki sthatmypr oblem?You
madeyourchoi cegoforyourf ancytreatmentand
vacati
ons,thi
si syourli
f esisi
”hesaiddi smissi
vel
y
“Fr
ed!Whatchanged?YouknowIdon'tmindbeing
yoursecr
eti
tdoesn'
tbotherme.Justpl
easedon't
shutmeout,doyouknowhowhar dIworkedtobe
heresoIcanseeyou"shescoff
ed
“Dlaminicameher eandr apedNanai nfrontofme
j
ustbecauseyout wower efight
ing,angi
thiyouar e
mar r
iedtoyourdaddi eswhom f ightyourbat t
les,
I
taker esponsi
bil
ityforthef i
ghtbecauseNanai smy
problem butIdetestrapists.Soforgivemef or
wantingnot hi
ngtodowi thyouandyourpi g.I'
m
cancelli
ngbusinesswi thyouaswel l
”hespat
“
Hedi
dwhat
?”shesai
dcover
inghermout
h
droppi
ngherbag,“
Howdi dheevenknow,hedi
dn't
askandIdidn'
tsayanyt
hing”shewi
denedhereyes.
“What
?Shit
"Fredsai
dget
ti
ngonhi
sfeet
,“You
needt
ogetoutofher
eNOW!”Hescr
eamed
Itwasalitt
letoolat
ebecauseinrolledinDl
amini
withhi
sgoons, thesmir
konhi sfacewas
unmissable,hewasproudofhimsel f.Fr
edfel
t
sweattri
ckli
ngdownhi sface,
thisroundpig
seemedt obestepsaheadofhi m…buthow?
*
***
Atthehospi talThul
adowassnuggedi nabed, it
wasj ustherandMhl engiwai t
ingont hedoct orto
doascanf orthem, t
her oom wassi lentasagr ave
j
ustagl areher eandt her
e.Thedoct orwalked
squinti
nghi seyesatt heclipboard,hetightenedhis
l
ipslookingatThul adowi thwar ni
ngeyes.
“Youneedtobecar
efulnow,rememberyouar
e
carr
yingpr
eci
ouscargo"hesaidpul
li
ngachai
rto
si
tnexttoher
,Mhl
engihadhi
sheadbur
iedi
nhi
s
hands.
“Thebabyi
sokayr
ight
?”Thul
adoaskedwor
ryi
ngl
y
“Welltheuter
usi shighl
ypr otect
ed,iti
ssurrounded
bystrongmuscl esandamni oti
cflui
dstoensure
safetytothefoetus.Inyourcaset hefal
lwasmi nor
Idoubttheywi l
lbecompl icati
onsbutIwi l
ldoa
scannowt oconfir
m”hei nformed
“
Itumbl
eddownthestai
rsandthest
ufff
ellonmy
t
ummy"Thuladosai
danxiousl
y
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”heasked
“
Ifeelf
inebutIcan'
thel
ptowor
ry”Thul
adosai
d
“Lookyouneedbeext ravi gil
antbecauseahar dfal
l
canbreakyourbones, andcancausepl acental
abrupti
on,t
heamni oti
cf l
uidscanl eakorthebaby
mighthavesomecompl i
cationsl i
keaf et
alskull
i
njuryandsoon.Thoughi t'sunlikelybutitcan
happen,nowl i
ftupyourni ghtdresssoIcandoa
scan,Mhlengislowl
ypi ckeduphi sheadatt he
mentionofpiecesofclothingbei ngl i
ft
edup, he
watchedast hedoctorsmear edthecol dgelon
Thulado’
sstomach.Hemaneuveredthe
sonographydevi
cearoundhertummywhi l
ehis
eyeswerefixedonthescreen,
aft
erhewas
sati
sfi
edhesmi l
edlooki
ngattheparent
stobe.
“Ever
ythingiswell,
thebabi
esarewel
l
congratulat
ionsoncemore"hesai
dtothem
“
babi
es?
”theybot
hsai
dtoget
herl
ikeachoi
r
“
Yeahyoucar
ryi
ngt
wins”heassur
edt
hem
Het henpointedatt hetwoblobsont hescr een,he
showedt hem theheadandot herbodypar tsthat
theycouldsee.Hesi gnedThulado’
sdi scharge
papersandr eleasedt hem.Mhlengirequested
anotherUberhewassot roubl
edhecoul dn'
teven
bringhimselftotalk.Thuladofrownedwhenhesaw
him point
ingatacar .
“
Idon'
tmindtaki
ngataxiFuze,
weshouldn'
twast
e
money”Thul
adosai
dbreakingt
hesi
lence
“
It
'sokay”
,Mhl
engisai
dsof
tl
y
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orhercar
ryi
ngherbel
ongi
ngs
i
ntheother
,theyhoppedinandt
heUberdr
iver
pr
essedontheacceler
ator
.
*
***
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc.
Earl
ieronMrDl aminiambushedFr edcat chinghim
redhandedwi thPurit
y.Peopl edidn'tunder stand
l
oveDl aminihadforhist rophywi fe,thej oyheget s
whenhef launtsaroundhi sbeautif
ulf lowert ohi
s
businessassociat
es,shecoul dgoanywher ewi t
h
Puri
tyandhewi l
lcommandr espect .Evenashor t
fatmanl i
kehim cangetaf l
awlessgi rlli
keher ,i
t'
s
amazingwhatmoneycandof oryou, butnow
handsomeboysl i
keFr edwantt ocomeanddest r
oy
hishomej ustl
ikethat.Dl aminiwasnothavi ngit!
Hisgoonsf l
oodedi nfirstgrabbingPur it
y.
“Goandlockherint
hecar"Dlaminii
nst
ructed,two
ofhi
sgoonspickedupascreamingandkicking
Pur
it
youtofFr
ed'
sof
fi
ce
“Youarest
art
ingt
obecomeanuisance”,Fredsai
d
steppi
ngcl
osewit
hhissuddenconf
idence
“BoyI'
m goingtoteachyoualessonyouwillnever
for
get
,Ihavebeenwat chi
ngyoufeasti
ngonmy
wif
e…ngizokubulal
awenanja"hesaidspi
tt
ing
“
Youknowyourwi f
ei snotevent hatgood, ni
ceass
t
houghbutshe'saver ageyenashame, butforyou
t
ogoar oundrapinggi r
lsbecauseI'm properl
y
f
uckingyourwifesomet hingyoucan'tdo"Fr edsai
d
l
ight
lychuckl
ing“it
'swr ongOros,youshoul dbe
t
hankingme"hewhi speredinhisears
Dlaminiwasbl i
nkingr apidl
y,hewasf uming.He
orderedhi
sguyst ohol dFreddownsohecoul d
teachathingort wof ormessi ngwit
hhi m,theguys
grabbedhim butjustashet ri
edtoswi ngapunch
Fredjumpedki ckedhi m whiletheotherguysheld
him onbotharmsDl ami niwentfl
ytot hefl
oor,
his
roundbodyt huddedont hef l
oorwit
habouncel ike
aball.Hi
sgoonsgotangr ytheypinnedFredtothe
wall,MrDlaministruggledt ogetupbutwhenhe
wasfinal
lyonhisf
eet
,hecharged.Thedooropened
ever
yonestoppedtol
ookatthatdi
recti
on,the
shockandconfusi
onwaswritt
enont hei
rface.
“l
ethi
m go!I
'
mtheonewhof
uckedyourwi
fe"
Fr
anksai
dswagger
ingi
n
Hewasadornedi nasli
mf i
tsuit
,combatbootsand
achi
skopthegr i
nonhisfacewasawf ul
lyannoyi
ng.
Hewasaspl itimageofFred,
theonlydif
fer
ence
wasthehai
r.MrDl ami
niopenedhi smoutht
ryi
ngto
pr
ocesseverythi
ngbuthewentdr y.
“
Whi
chonei
sFr
ed"Dl
ami
niaskedper
plexed
“
HisFred"Frankpoi
nted“butI
'
mtheonewho
f
uckedPuri
ty"hesai
dagain
“butIcaughtt
hem r
edhanded”Dl
ami
nisai
dangr
il
y
“Hepretendst
obemefr
om ti
metoti
mebuthe
doesn'
tfuckmywomen”Fr
anksai
dpour
inghi
msel
f
adrink
Dl
ami
nichar
gedathi
m butFr
edscr
eamedathi
m.
“
Nodon'
ttouchhi
m!”buti
twast
ool
ate
Dlamini’
sbodywast oastonthefl
oor
,hi
sguards
shookinfeartheyhaveneverseenanyt
hingl
ike
thi
s.Franklaughed.
“Don'tbescaredbecausenoneofyouareleavi
ng
her
eal i
ve,onceyoudonebeingfri
ght
enedcome
andtouchme"t hegoonscouldpeeonthemselves
asfearclot
hedthem.
“Ser
iousl
yFr
anki
nmyof
fi
ce”Fr
edsai
dannoyed
“I
t'
snotmyf
aul
t,hewant
edt
otouchme"hesai
d
gr
inni
ng
“
Sowhatdowesonow?
”Fr
edasked
“Weneedtot
akethebear
ertothesanct
uar
yfor
cl
eansi
ng,
wherei
sshe?”Frankasked
“Ibookedheri
nahot
eli
nuMhl
anga"Fr
edsai
d
“Iwil
llayl
owunti
lIcooldownthenyoucan
i
ntr
oduceme"Franksaidgulpi
nghisdr
ink
“
Finebymeandt
hesef
ool
s?”Fr
edaskedl
ooki
ngat
t
hebuf
fguys
“comeandt
ouchmeboys”hesai
dwal
kingcl
oser
tothem
Theyst
agger
edbackmovi
ngawayf
rom Fr
ank,
Fred
coul
dn'
tst
oplaughi
ng.
*
***
Nanawaswr appedi nawhi tefluffygownanda

100%cot tont owelonherhead, shel ookedl i
ke
somethingoutofamagazi ne.Shest rol
ledaround
thehotelwi t
hnot hi
ngt odo, sheal readyor dered
room service,attendedal lthebeaut ysessionst hat
areonof ferandnowwhat ?Sheyankedheri Phone
outofthechar gerscr ol
li
ngl ooki ngf orthecamer a.
Shesatont heot tomanandst ar tedsnappi ng
pict
uresofher selfandpost edt hem onI nstagram
capti
oningi twi t
h“ softl
ife"outoft hebl ueshe
recei
vedsomuchl ikes,somet hingt hathasnever
happenedbef ore.Shegaspedi nshockt henshe
decidedt of uelthingsupbycl imbingont hebed
exposi ngherl egs, t
henshedr oppedt hegowna
l
itt
leshowi nghershoul derswit honehandcover i
ng
herbr eastsyoucoul dswearshewasposi ngfora
model linggi g.Lastl
yshet ookcandi dsel
f i
es
outsidet hebal cony.Itwasalloversocialmedi aas
peoplest artedshar ingherpicturessothatshe
couldt rend, apartfr
om allthehor r
ibl
ethingsshe
wasgoi ngt hrought hi
sfeltgood.
Justwhenshewasreti
ri
ngtobedsher
ecei
veda
cal
lfr
om Fr
ed,shesatonherbut
tcl
ear
ingher
thr
oat.
“
Hey"shesai
dsof
tl
y
“Areyougood,Icanseeyourpi
cturest
rendi
ngon
socialmedi
a!”Fr
edaskedconcerned
“YeahI'
mf i
ne,
Iwasjustbor
edsoIdeci
dedtotake
pi
ctur
es”shesaidt
hrowi
ngherhandsi
ntheair
“Thepi
ctur
esar
eni
cebutnowal lt
heseguyswil
lbe
aft
eryouwhent
heyseeyourbody"hesai
dlight
ly
chuckl
ing
“Ther
e'snothi
ngni
ceaboutmybody,
ther
e'sal
otof
beaut
ifulgi
rl
soutt
her
e"shesai
dshyl
y
“li
keyou"Fr
edsaid,“Youcandowhat everyouli
ke
thereandIwanttoi
ntroduceyoutomybr othert
his
weekend.From t
herewewi l
ltakeyouhome”he
added
“Youwanttoi
ntr
oducemet
oyourf
ami
ly?
”Nana
askedsoundi
ngexci
ted
“Yesbaby,I
'
m sorryaboutwhathappenedbutas
promisedIwil
lfi
xit"hehungup
Nana'sl
ipscurvedi nt
oasmi l
e, t
hiswasbigrealbig.
Aslongasshedoesn' tbumpintothatf
atmanshe
wil
lbefine,herdreamswer eslowlycomingtrue.
Shewentbackonsoci almediaandsawt housands
offr
iendrequestsandcomment sonherpictures,
shesmirkedandat tendedtothem.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
15].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er19
“Ali
tt
lebutterf
ormybr
ead!Butmyvoi
cei
sdr
ied
outtorej
oice“
Mhlengipackedthegroceriesneatl
yinthe
cupboardandinthefridge,itwasthel
astFr idayof
themonth…Payweekend, youcouldtellthatpeople
arecashedupjudgingbyt hevibeymusi candt he
aromaofabr aaiwaft
ingint heair
.Durbani salways
ali
vebutatt heendoft hemont hpeoplewantt o
haveagoodt i
me, soal cohol
,meatanddanci ngitis.
Thul adosatont hebedhuggi ngherlegs,shewas
sti
llheldontot hatfall
ingepisodesheexper ienced
theot herday,Mhl engicamehomeandshout edat
hersomucht hatsheweepedherhear tout,but
Ml engistor
medoutl eavingherl i
kethat.Lateri
nt he
eveni nghecamebackal lcal
m andapol ogized,but
upt il
lnowshor tyisstilltr
aumat i
zed,Iguessshe
didn'tknowt hatMhl engihadi ti
nhimt oact ual
ly
raisehisvoiceather .
Mhl engifoldedt heplasti

cbagsshovi ngthem inthe
cupboar d,hesighedsi tti
ngont heedgeoft hebed
scratchinghi sscruffyhair.Hel
ovedThul adobut
couldn’tstomacht hi
sissueoficecr eam tubs
taki
ngovert heirpersonalspace,hedidn’t
under standwhyThul adocouldn’tj
ustdiscardthem,
shecr iespainfullyeveryti
meheat temptst ogetri
d
ofthem.
“I
’m goi
ngout
"Mhl
engisai
dwi
thoutmaki
ngeye
contact
“Youdon’twantmeanymoreMhlengi
,pl
easetel
l
mesot hatIcanpackmybagsandgobackhome.
Youdon’tspendevenanhourhome"shesai
d
tear
ful
ly
“I
’mjustgoingoutforanhourIwil
lbeback,Iwant
tocatchupwi t
hmyf ri
endssincewehardl
ysee
eachother”Mhlengianswer
edher
“FineI'
mj ustgoingt
osithereal
onewhil
eyougo
havef unwithyourfr
iends”shesai
dtur
ningaway
givinghim herback
“Youcancal
lNanaandhangout
”Mhl
engi
suggest
ed
“No!youknowNanacan’
tcomeher
e"shecuthi
m
short
“Exact
lyandIwonderwhysheisn’
tal
lowedto
comeher e”
,hesai
dlooki
ngforahoodiei
nthe
wardrobe
Thuladoj
umpedoutofbedfumi
ng,shecharged
towardsMhlengi
.Hej
usthel
dherar
mspi nni
ngher
tothewall
.
“I’
m goingout !Eitheryoul ikei tornot .I’
m notokay
wi t
halloft hisIneedsomef reshai r,maybet his
clutt
erwor ksf oryoubutf ormei t’
sdi sturbing.Soon
wewi llhavechi ldrenThul ado.Notonebutt wo, now
tellmehowar eyougoi ngt ocar ef orthem i nthis
dumpst er?Iknowyouar eacl eanper sonbecause
youscr ubt hef lat,youpackt hingsupni celyand
youdon’ twantt hingslyingar oundcar elesslyont he
floorbutt his”hepoi ntedatt hepiles“ thisisbullshit
,
Ihateit…Ican’ tevent hinki nthispl aceshor t
y…
throwt hisshi taway"hesl ightlyshookherandl et
goofher .
Mhl engigatheredhishousekeys, cel
lphoneandhe
l
ef t
.Thul adodroppedherf aceandcr ied, atthi
svery
momentsher egrett
edeverletti
ngMhl engiintoher
l
ife,andshemi ssedherl i
tt
leshack.Lif ewassi mple
andhappyt here,shewoul dcoll
ectherbel ovedtubs
andbooksi npeace, nooneexceptNanaasked
aboutt hem.Theyj ustdon’tgethowi mpor tant
theseitemswer etoher,shestartedthinki ngabout
themi l
lionthi
ngsshecanuset hem for ,shecould
plantsomeher bsandl eaveitoutinthever andafor
somevi taminsf r
om thesun.Shecoulduset hem t
o
storegrainsandcer eal
,thebookswereobviousshe
sti
llhadtof i
ndt i
meper hapswhenthebabiesare
bornshewi l
lsitandreadthem onebyone.How
doesMhl enginotseeallofthi
s?
Meanwhi leMhlengisatont hesandbyt hebeach,

themoneyf l
owwasokaybutnowt here'stwo
babiesandt hatwassomet hingtowor ryabout,then
there'
sthatfil
thdri
vinghi sheadi n.“Maybei t'
st he
pregnancy"heencour agedhi msel fbuthe
remember edseeingt hesamecl utterinherold
homewhenhewashi dingf r
om themob.Hedi dn't
payat t
entionbackthenbutnowi twasr i
ghtinhis
face,heglancedathi swat chandst oodonhi sfeet
dustingthesandof fhissweat pant s,heboltedto
thetaxistoplucki
lySout hbeachi snevershor tof
transport
.Hehoppedi ntoabangi ngt axiitwas
Fridaysot hemusicwasonf ul
lvol ume.Hej umped
outbehindUshakaMar i
neandbegant akingast rol
l
headingintothecentre,hegl ancedathi swatch
oncemor eandhewasj ust2mi nut eslateforhis
appoi
ntment
.Ther
ecept
ioni
stwel
comedhi
min.
“
WelcometoMonst
ainkuShakasi
r,appoi
ntmentor
wal
kin?”t
hel
adysai
dcalml
y
“
Appoi
ntment
!”Mhl
engianswer
ed”
“
Name?
”sheaskedogl
inghi
m underhergl
asses
“
Mhl
engiNgcobo”heanswer
edi
mpat
ient
ly
“
ohyouar etheonedoi
ngthethreepiece,
go
t
hroughthatdoorhi
swaiti
ngforyou"the
r
ecepti
onistsai
d,Mhl
enginoddedanddashed
t
hroughthatdoor
AtSenzo'
shouse
Phindil
ewaswear ingadeepvneckshor tdressyou
couldseeherbut tcheeks,Senzoloveditwhenshe
seducti
velyambl edaroundthehousewi thcloset
o
nothi
ng, shewoul dbedroppingandpickingup
i
nvisibl
eobj ect
sont hefl
oorjustsohecansee
hiddenthi
ngs,Phindil
ewasdefini
tel
ymor efunthan
Pearlyoucouldsayshewasmuchmor eint
oSenzo
thanhersist
ereverwas.Shewasst andingatthe
verandataki
ngavi deoofSenzodoingpushupsby
thegrass.
“Don'tjuststandt herecomeandj oinme"Senzo
saidpant i
ng, hegotupwal ki ngtowardsherwith
sweatmaki ngtrailsdownhi smuscul arbody.
Phindileraninsidet hehousebef orehecouldgeta
holdofher ,knowi nghi m hewoul dswoopherfrom
thegroundandshedi dn'twanthi ssweatwetti
ng
hernicedr ess.Senzodi dn’tcareaboutthedress,i
t
washi shar dear nedmoneyt hatwasusedt obuyit
thereforehechasedaf t
erher ,thesoundofthe
buzzergoi ngof fdisturbedt hem.
Senzoopenedthegatewithoutevenchecki
ngwho
wasoutsi
de,hewentintohisroom togetaT-shi
rt
andhefoundPhindi
lelyi
ngonhert ummyherbut t
barel
ycover
ed,hechuckledbecauseheknewwhat
shewanted.
“Wehaveaguest”hesai
dpul
li
ngherof
fthebed
andf
ixi
ngherdress
Theywalkedbackint
otheli
vingr
oom holdi
ng
handsbutSenzostoppedathist
rackswhenhesaw
whoitwasoutsidehi
sdoor,hechargedt
owardshi
s
di
rect
ion.
“Youar
enotwel
comedhereFred"hesaidpoi
nti
ng
athi
m wavi
nghi
spoi
nterf
ingervi
gorously
“Chil
lMsenzmanit'
smeFr
ank"hef
lashedhi
m hi
s
signat
urecockysmil
e
Senzorel
axedabitbecauseonl
yFr anksmi
ledli
ke
that
,heexhal
edopeningtheburgl
arguardgat
e.
Theybrohugchuckli
ngit'
sal
mostayearwi t
hout
seei
ngnorcommuni cat
ingwit
hhim.
“I
t’
sbeenami nutebro,
Igoawayacoupleof
monthsourbrother
hoodisbr
okenbecauseof
pussy?Real
lyman? ”Fr
ankaskedper
plexed
“I
twasn'tj
ustpussybraitwasmywi f
eFrank,I
expectedt
hiski
ndofbehaviourfr
om yousinceyou
alwaysbeenawomani zerbutFr
editwastoomuch
andIknowyouhear daboutAngel…adoctorsai
d
mygi r
lsai
ditwasFredwhor apedandstabbedher"
hesai
dsadl
y
“Nowel ovedAngell i
keourownIcanputmyl ife
downt ostandagainstthat,
Fredwouldneverhurt
Angelli
kethatman, andIhavesathi m downtotalk
aboutwhatt r
anspir
edbet weenthetwoofyou, i
t’
s
notcoolguyswecomeal ongway.I’m sur
ewecan
fi
ndawayt oputthi
sbehi ndussowecanwor k
toget
herinfindi
ngoutwhoki l
ledPearlandAngel”
hesaidpleadingl
y
“Idon’tknowman, youknowhehasn’ teven
apologized,hejustmovedonwi thhisli
feli
kehe
didn’
tjustruinedmi nes”hesai
darchinghis
eyebrows
“Hewantstoobuthisscaredbecausehe
underst
andsthedamagehecaused, comeon
MsenzmanI ’
m backeveryt
hingwil
lbebackt
ohow
theywere”heassur
edhim
“Fi
nebuthesti
llneedst
oapologizet
ome,
Iwant
himtoki
ssmyf eetandabrandnewcaras
compensat
ion”hesaidchuckl
ing
“
Youcanputt
hatupwi
thhi
m,howi
sever
ythi
ng?
Howar eyouman?Onceagai
nmycondolencesbr
a
Pearlwasagoodwomanhey,youl
ostadiamond
ther
e”hesaidsmi
rki
ng
“Ar
ghIdon’twanttotal
kaboutPearlGodhasgi
ven
measecondchance, meetmywi f
etobe”hesaid
l
ookingatPhi
ndil
ewhohavebeenqui etl
ysi
tt
ing
andlist
eni
ngtothei
rconver
sati
on
Franktookonelookatherandfr
ownedatthe
resemblance,
butqui
cklyfi
xedhi
sfacewit
hhis
mill
iondoll
arsmil
e.
“
Nicet
omeetyoumi
ss”hesai
dpol
it
ely
“Shei sactuallyPearl
syoungersist
er,
ourtr
adi
ti
on
all
owsust or emarryfr
om thefamil
yaslongasthe
mai denagr ees.Phindi
legavemeasecondchance
tohappi ness”hesai dstar
ingandsmil
ingata
blushingPhi ndil
e
“Excusemymanner s”Frankstoodupandshook
Phindil
e’
shandgentlysqueezingi
tanditwasso
soft.“
Ohwowar en’
tyoual uckyman,she’
s
gorgeous”hesai
dlookingatSenzo,“
nicetomeet
youagai
nmaPI
’
m Fr
ank”hecl
osed
“Youandyourbr otherneedtogoandf i
ndyour
fat
hersot hatyoucanbewel comedbyyour
ancestors,andstopbeingtr
oublesome,ni
dingi
amasiko( youneedar i
tual
)whoknowsmaybeyou
wil
lbel uckyandmeetabeaut i
fulwomant oo”
Senzosai dchuckli
ng
“I
fI’
m guaranteedawifewit
hbeauti
fulyounger
si
ster
s,Iwillswall
owmypr i
deandlookforthat
motherfucker”hesai
dsarcast
ical
ly
“MaybeFr edwil
lst
opsneakinguponpeople’
s
wives,onedayhewi l
ldi
ebecauseofthi
s.Peopl
e
don’tpl
aywi t
hthei
rwives”Senzosai
dster
nly
“Ihearyoumanbutwear enotwasti
ngourenergy
l
ooki ngforamanwhodi dn’
tbother
,mymot her
struggledti
llherl
astbr
eathraisi
ngus.Lookatus
today,doesi tl
ookli
keweneedhi m?Hellnohecan
stayunknownwear egood
“Maybeyouhavesibli
ngsoutther
e,whatifyou
sl
eepwithyourhal
f-si
ster
?”Senzoprobed
“
Idon’
tgi
veaf
uck,
it’
snotmyf
aul
t.I
t’
snotl
ikeI
knowthem,al
socanwestoptal
kingaboutthat
douchebag…heymaPdoyouhaveothersister
sor
cousi
nthatl
ooksl
ikeyou?
”heaskedplayf
ully
“
No”Phindi
lesai
dblushi
ng“ i
twasjustPear
land
t
herestar
eshortanddark”sheanswered
“
SoyouarePearlssi
ster
,samemot
herandsame
f
ather
?”heaskedagai
n
“
Yeah”shesai
dnoddi
ngherhead
“Babepl
easegetussomedr
inks”Senzosai
d
squeezi
nghert
high
Phindilest oodupi nhershortdressFrankshuthi

s
eyesbi tinghisli
psi l
entl
yandsneaki l
ysoSenzo
doesn’ tseehim, shewasj ustl
ikethei
rPearl
,body
structureeverything.Hecouldjustimaginehowshe
tastedi nbetweenherl egs.Hepr et
endedtobe
l
ooki ngathi swat chanxiousl
y.
“Ei
shMsenzmanIneedt odashout
,FredandIar
e
dri
vinghome.Iwi
llseeyouwhenweretur
n”hesai
d
wit
hat onef
il
ledwithur
gency
“
Awsosoon,anywayIwi
llseeyouwhenyour
etur
n
t
hen”her
epl
ied
Hehurriedlybol
tedoutthehouseint
othestreet
whereFr edwasparkedunderatree,heopenedthe
passengerseatandentered.
“
Andt
hen?
”Fr
edaskedbaf
fl
ed
“
Pearlhasasist
er,she’
sfl
amesandthatf
ooli
s
r
eadytomarryher”Franksai
dannoyed
“It
hinkwedidqui t
ewellf
orthenext5year
s, l
et’
s
l
eaveSenzoal one.Thepoorguysuff
eredalotin
ourhands,wegotwhatwewant edlet’
stur
nabl i
nd
eye”Fredbegged
“Iwon’
tgetcaughtli
keyou, wai
tunti
lyouseeherI
wanttoseeifyouwillsaythesamet hi
ng.She’
shot
andIjustwanttotapthatassonly”hesaidwit
ha
smirk
“Remembert hebearersheneedst ostayhappyor
thiswil
lbackfi
re,
imagineifshefindsoutaboutus
screwingthi
sflameyouar etal
kingabout”Fredsai
d
sternl
y
“NahFredpleasedon’
tmakethi
stoof or
mal,
keepit
coolot
herwiseyouwil
lgi
vehertoomuchpower ,
I
thi
nkit
’sbestshedoesn’
tknow”Frankdismi
ssed
him
Fr
edgl
aredathi
m anddr
oveof
f…
*
***
Thet wi
nsar ri
vedatt hehot elrestaurantwher et hey
weremeet ingNana, Fredt extherwi ththet able
numbert heyhadbookedj ustsot heydon’ tget
dist
urbed.Nanawal keddownt hestairshesawa
gli
mpseofsomeoneandshewassur eitwasFr ed
headingt ot hetoilet,shesmi ledandpr oceededt o
thei
rtable.Asshegotcl osershepausedl ooking
confused, shecoul dswearshej ustsawhi m
enteri
ngt het oilet
,shehesi t
ant l
ywal kedtowar ds
thetablelooki ngtoandf ro.Fr anknot i
cedt hissohe
stoodupmeet ingherhal f
way, heheldherbyher
waistpullinghercl osetocl eart heuncer t
ainty,he
recognizedheri nstantlyfrom al lt
het i
meshe
connectedwi
thhisbrother
.Heknewhowshe
moanedandwhi chspecialspotstotouch,he
smashedontoherlips.Nanawel comedhim asthey
wereatthebackawayf rom pr
yingeyes,theki
ss
deepenedunti
lFredshowedup.
“
Babewhatt
hef
uck?
”hesai
dthr
owi
nghi
shandsi
n
t
heai
r
“Huh”Nanasaiddart
inghereyesbackandfor
th,
shestoodinthemiddlebewi
lder
ed.Sheact
uall
y
coul
dn’tt
ellwhi
choneshe’sfucki
ng
“
Youki
ssi
ngmybr
other
”Fr
edadded
“It
houghtitwasyou.
..
I-
Iyoudidn’
ttel
lmeyouhave
anident
icalt
win”Nanasaidi
nherdefence
“That’
swhyIwant edtointr
oduceyou,Ican’
t
beli
eveyoucouldn’tt
elli
twasn’tme”hesaid
dramatical
lyr
oll
inghiseyes
Nanast oodthereembarr
assedthatheactual
ly
enjoyedakisswi t
hhersoontobebrotherinl
aw,
Frankpulledthechai
routforher
,shesatdown
reluctant
lyhol
dingontoherbag.Fr ankwast r
ying
sohar dtoputonaseriousf acebuthekepton
breakingintoasmil
e,Hecoul dseehowFr ed
freakedthepoorgir
lout.Hedecidedt oki
llt
he
silencewhil
eFredwasst i
llpret
endingtobehear t
broken.
“
I’
m Fr
ank”hesai
dreachi
ngouthi
shand
“Nana”shesai
dlooki
ngdowni gnor
inghi
shand,
shewasmadt hathetr
ickedher
“
I’
m sorr
ybabeIdidn’
tknowthatyouarewithhi
m,
I
’
ml onel
yIjustsawabeauti
fulgi
rlandIcoul
dn’
t
r
esist
,pl
easeforgi
veme”Frankbegged
“
It
’sokay”shesai
dsof
tl
y
“Nowthatyoumethim,l
etsgogetyourbagssoI
canloadthem i
nthecar
,wewil
lleavest
rai
ghtaf
ter
eati
ng”Fr
edinformed
Theyf
oll
owedeachot
herupst
air
s…
*
***
Mhlengif
eltski
nnyarmshugginghimfrom behind,
hegroanedsoft
lythehandsdetachedf
rom him
i
mmedi atel
y.
“
Ever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?”sheaskedwor
ri
ed
“
Yeahj
ustf
reshi
nk”her
epl
ied
“
Real
ly?Letmesee”shesai
dexci
tedl
y
“Someothert
imeI ’
m notaboutt
otakeof
fmy
clot
hesi
npublic”heanswered
“
Fine”shesai
dsul
king
“Soyouwant
edt
omeet
?”Heaskedar
chi
nghi
s
eyebr
ow
“
Yeahbutfi
rstwher
eisyourdri
nkorf
ood.Wear ei
n
aPubforf
uckssake”shesai
dinherwhi
teaccent
“
ComeonJessi
eIdon’
thaveal
lday”
,her
epl
ied
i
mpat
ient
ly
Jessi
esignall
edt
hewait
er,
sheor
der
edf
oodand
dri
nksforthebot
hoft
hem
“
Youar
esost
ubbor
n”hesai
dli
ght
lychuckl
ing
“
YouknowIcan’
twor
kwi
thoutf
ood”sher
esponded
“Canyouhel pmewi thaplacetostay,Iwanta
properplace.Twobedroom andi nasafearea,
my
probl
em isthatIhaveneverrentedbeforeso
ther
eforeIdon’thaveref
erences”heexplai
ned
“Youcanst
ayatthecot
tageit
’savai
labl
e,t
hatway
yougettor
econnectwi
thyourart
”shesaid
gri
nni
ng
“No!Idon’twanttost ayinyouryar
dandI ’
m not
touchi
nganot herpainti
nguntilt
heother
smakei tt
o
themarket,youknowmymot to.Moneytal
ks…I
don’tworkforfreeJessie”hesaidsl
ight
lyupset
“Wellyouwi
llbehappyt
oknowthatJul
ietGol
dings
cameknocki
ngonmydoor ”,
shesaidwiggl
ingher
eyebrows
“
Thear
tcol
lect
or?
”
“YesandIhandedi nguluvaandindoni,
she
absolut
elyl
ovedit.Apparentl
yyoulooki
ngat10
mill
ioneachintheUK, sheinf
ormedhim
enthusi
asti
cal
ly
“Jessi
epleasedon’
tpl
ayl
iket
hat
”hesai
dget
ti
ng
onhisfeet
“
I’
m ser
ious,wearein”shegi
ggled,“
thoughi
tmi
ght
t
akeawhi l
ebutyeah”shechuckled
“
Whodi
dyousubmi
t”heaskedent
husi
ast
ical
ly
“Thecrashi
ngwaveonly,t
heother
swer
en’
tgood
enough”shesai
ddissapoi
nted
“
Thiscal
lsf
oracelebr
ati
onhesai
dpul
li
ngJessi
e
i
ntohi
sembrace”shechort
led
“Soyoudon’tstaywi
thyourauntanymor
e?”she
askedi
nquisit
ivel
y
“Shepassedon”hesai
dsadl
ysi
tt
ingbackonhi
s
chai
r
“Arghyoupoort
hing,
I’
m sor
ry”shest
oodupt
ohug
him
Thewait
ercamewi t
htheirf
oodanddr
inks,t
hey
feast
edandnour
ishedthemsel
vescat
chingup.
2021
-
--
--
--
-
Thi
sist
omakeupf
orski
ppi
ngThur
sday
[
11/
22,
14:
15].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er20
"Ananchorissomeoneorsomethingt
hatkeeps
youinplace,itwasmemor
iesofmymom anddad
thenmybel ovedaunt
…Nowi t
'syouShor
ty"
~Mhl
engi
Thul adosatont hewi ndowsi l
llooki ngoutt he
streets,itwas11pm andt her oadswer est il
lbusy, I
guesst heni ghtwasst i
llyoung.Shehasbeen
sitti
ngt her ef r
om 9pm whenshecoul dn'tgobackt o
sleep, Mhl engiwasst il
lnothome.Shespot teda
coupl eemer gingfrom t heflatsopposi t
et hem by
thel ookoft hingst heywer ebot hsloshed, thegirl
seemedt obeshout ingatherboyf riend, thepoor
mansheepi shlyhel dherbyt hewai standt hey
proceededwi ththeirdestination.Theykept
stagger ingbackandf orthbal ancingonwal ls,
the
girlcont i
nuedyel l
ingThul adocoul dn' thearwhat
shewassayi ngbecauseshet oowaspl ayingmusi c
i
nt hebackgr oundj usttocal m hersel fdownbutt he
whol escenewashi lari
ous.Thegi rlwi ggl edoutof
theguysembr aceandat tempt edt ol urchawaybut
theguyst agger edaf terhergr abbingherbycl othes
theybot hwentt umbl i
ngt othef loor.Thul ado
snor tedlaughi ngoutl oud, everythingwasj ust
funnyaf teracoupl eofmi nutesofr est i
ngont he
fl
oort hegi r
li sseenhoi st
inghermanup, theopt ed
toret
urnbacktot
hei
rfl
at,
theydi
ssapear
edbyt
he
secur
itydoor
.
Somet i
messi tt
ingbyt hewi ndowwasent ert
aini
ng
becauseyougett osilentlyobservepeopleand
mostoft hetimetheycan' tseeyou,sheevenknows
whomovesdr ugsinherst r
eet.Chri
sbrownf t
Youngt hug's"Gocrazy"songser enadedherears, I
t
kindofmadehermi sshi m.Sher emember edhow
theyar guedwhenheboughtt hesoundsystem, she
didn'tseetheneedf ori tbutlookathernow
relaxingthroughMhl engi'sPlayl
ist
.
Tr
ipst
oyourcr
ibi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ght
Iknowt
hatyoumi
ssme'
causeIputi
tdownr
ight
Damn,
babe,
Icanputyouonaf
li
ght
Youknowt
hatani
ggal
ikemecanchangeyourl
i
fe
Oh,
baby,
ever
ythi
n'youdoi
samazi
n'
Ai
n'tnobodywat
chi
n',
gocr
azy
(
Igotwhatyouneed)Igotwhatyouneed
Ever
ybodyt
hinkyoushybutIknowyouaf
reak
Li
l'
baby
Thuladofoundher selfpl ayingitonr epeatf orsome

reasonitwasi fit
'sMhl engisi ngi
ngi ttoher ,she
smi l
edlooki
ngoutt hewi ndowaf t
eracoupl eof
minutesshegotst artledbyt heincreasingof
volume,shequi cklytur nedherheadl ooking
towardsthedoorandt herehewasst andingbyt he
system fl
ashingherasmi le.Sheclickedhert ongue
l
ookingoutt hewi ndowMhl engichuckled, het ook
offhishoodieandst ar tedscr i
bbli
ngont hef l
oor
withhisfeettoeheel ,backandf ort
h, Thulado
l
ookedathi m outoft hecor nerofhereye.
Mhlengiwentintohi
sdancemodeat alentthatno
oneknowst hathehas,hestartedpoppi ngand
l
ockingThuladowasamazedsheact uallytur
nedto
watchedhim completel
y,Mhlengididthewopand
therunni
ngmanaf terhewassat isf
iedwi thhis
moveshecl oseditinwi thsomekr umpingthen
halt
edl aughing.Het hrewhimselfonthebad
sl
ightlypanting,Thuladowal kedovertothesound
system andt urneditoff.Mhlengigotupinlightni
ng
speedandgr abbedherbyherf ul
lwaisthest ar
ted
whininghiswai stgrindingonherThuladoshook
herheadshyl ybecauseshehadt woleftf
eet.
"
dancewi
thmeshor
ty"hepl
eaded
"
themusi
cisof
f"Thul
adosai
dexcusi
ngher
sel
f
Mhl engiletitsl
ideandr esortedbackt obed,he
reekedofal coholandweedbutThul adowast o
madt oevenask, that
'showofascar edycatshe
was, eversof ri
ghtenedt ostartaconf r
ontat
ion.She
snuggl edundert heblanketswi thasorehear t
,she
wasn' tsurewhatwasgoi ngonbet weenherand
Mhl engi,butshewascer tai
nt hatsheloveshim and
doesn' twishtolosehim.
"Whyareyousti
llupshort
y?IthoughtIwouldfi
nd
youasleep"Mhl
engisaidi
nachi r
pymoodbut
recei
vednorepl
y.Hechortl
emovi ngclosert
o
Thuladosohecouldtouchherbigtummy.
"Youknowoneoft hesedaysIwi llhavesomuch

moneyandIwi llbui
ldyouasepar ateroom soyou
cancollectasmanycont ainersyouwantsi nceyou
cryifIt
hrowt hem out,I
'm sor
ryifIhur tyour
feel
ingsbydoi ngso,it
'sjustt
hatIdon' tunderst
and.
Makemeunder st
andshor t
y"hesai dranting
probabl
yf rom theexcessofalcoholheconsumed
"howmanyt i
mesmustIt el
lyouI'
m goingt ouse
them Mhl engi?Justleavemeal one"Thuladosaid
dismi ssively"youleavemeal oneforsol ong
knowi ngI'm heavi
lypregnantbecauseof
cont ainers"shespatwi t
hhersuddenbr averyand
conf idence" Idon'
tcar eifyoucan'tbreathebutI'
m
pregnantf orheavensakeMhl engiNgcobo, you
rathergoandwast emoneydr inki
ngandsmoki ng
i
nst eadofsavi ngupf oryourt wi
ns"sheaddedonl y
toheart hedr unkmansnor i
ngbehi ndher .
Shegr owledangri
ly,shejumpedoutoft hebedand
yankedhisvansout ,thenhepulleddownhi spant
s
androllsofmoneyf elloffhi
spocket.Shepacked
hisdirt
yclothesi
nt helaundryandleftthemoney
ontheirsidecupboard,sheknewi twast heendof
themont hbutforMhl engitobewalkingar ound
withthiskindofcashwasconf using.
Thenshehoveredoverhimlooki
ngatthebandages
onhisarms,chestandhisl
eftsi
debyhis
ri
bs…"whatt
hehellhappenedtohim?
"she
wondered
*
***
Int
hemor ni
ngMhl engiwast hef
ir
stonetowakeup,
hecleanedhi
mselfupaswel last
heirspace.He
not
icedthemoneyondi splayonthesidecupboar
d
hecursedunderhi
sbr eat
handhequi ckly
apprehendedit,hestart
edmakingbreakf
astf orthe
bothofthem.Thul adowaswokenbyt he
scrumptiousaromaoff ood,
shejumpedoutofbed
andwaddl edtothebathroom t
ocleanherselfthen
shecamebackandt hebedwasmadeup, shesat
onitgawkingatMhl engi.
"
Wher
eist
hemoney"sheaskeddi
sint
erest
ed
"
Itooki
t"Mhl
engir
epl
iedwi
thoutl
ooki
ngather
"Pl
easeenli
ghtenmeaboutthebandagesal
lover
yourbodyInf
actwherewereyouandexactl
y
happened?"sheaskedconcer
ned
"
Iwentoutwi
thafr i
endl
ikeIsaid,
thebandagesi
s
f
ormyink"herepl
iedbri
ngingthefoodt
oher
"Mhlengi
!"shesaidst
ernl
y"I'
m get
ti
ngmor eand
morewor ri
edaboutyourbehavi
orsthandwasami,
spendingreckl
esslyi
sn'
tli
keyou
"Rel
axIhaveeverythingundercontr
olandIcando
whateverIwantr
ight?Justl
ikeyou…screw
ever
ybodyelseaslongasyougett okeepyou
bel
ovedcont
ainer
s"hesmi
ledt
ight
ly
"
Ohwow,
thi
sisaboutt
hecont
ainer
s"shescof
fed
"Damnr ightitis,
IguessIcanspendr eckl
essl
y
aswelleveni fyoudon'tl
ikeitasl
ongasIgetwhatI
want…right?"hesaidarchinghiseyebrows
"Youdon'tunderst
and, i
nti
meyouwi llseetheuse
ofthesetubs,t
heywillhelpus.Ijustneeda
bookshel
fforthebooksandever yt
hingwi l
lbe
good"sheinformedhim butMhl engijustshookhi
s
headfocusingonthef ood,
"EatupIwantt
oshowyousomet
hing"hesai
d
excit
edl
y
"
what
?"shesai
dlazi
ly
"Youwi
llsee,
eatup"hesai
dget
ti
ngupwi
thhi
s
emptyplat
e.
"
Wher
edi
dyougetsomuchmoney"shebl
urt
edout
"Iwi
llexpl
ainl
ater
"hur
ryup"Mhl
engisai
dcut
ti
ng
hershort.
*
***
Thet axist
oppedinacor nerofasuburbwithnice
bi
ghouses, Mhl
engiheldThulado'
shandast hey
walkeddownt hestreet
st heycametoahaltinfront
ofabi ggate.Mhl
engipunchedi napinthegateslid
opened, adogbarkedfri
ghteningThul
adoshehi d
behindherman, Mhlengicroucheddownruffl
ingit'
s
hai
rt hedogbeganj umpingaroundinexci
tement .
"Don'
tworryhewon'
tbi
teyou"hesai
dsmi
li
ngata
verybewi
lder
edThul
ado
"What'
sgoingonMhl
engi
?"Thul
adoaskedl
ooki
ng
aroundfr
anti
cal
ly
Hegrabbedahol dofhersof
tli
tt
lehandsleadi
ng
hertothebackofthehouse,hefi
shedoutforakey
fr
om hispocketandopenedthedoor,Thul
ado
gaspedwalki
ngin.
"
Thi
sisanotherpartofmethatnooneknowsabout
,
I
'
m anart
istbynight"hel
aughed
"SthandwasamiInevert
houghtyou"shesai
d
stammer i
ng
"It
'sjustt
hatt
hist
alentofminetakesfor
evert
o
bringinmoneysoIjustdumpedi tandtr
iedot
her
things"hesai
dcutt
inghershort
"Cr
ime?Yout
ri
edcr
ime"shesai
dli
ght
lyshaki
ngher
head
"Eydesperat
eti
mescallf
ordesper
atemeasures
short
y,I'
m amoneychaser…Onedayyouwill
underst
and"hesai
ddismissi
ngher
Hebeganshowi ngherallt
hepaint
ingshehasdone
i
nthepast,t
heystoppedwhenawhi tesl
im woman
wit
hblondehairbudgedin,hersmil
edissapear
ed
whenshereali
zedMhl engiwasn'
talone.
"
Ohyouhaveaguest
"shesai
ddi
ssapoi
nted
"Yeah!
"Mhl engisai
dwalki
ngtowardsher,"I
'
m sorr
y
Ididn'
ttel
lyouIgotcarri
edaway,Ijusthadtoshow
her"Mhlengiexplai
ned
"OhIsee"shesai
dscruti
nizi
ngThulado,
hereyes
l
andedonherbumpshepi ckedt
hem upquickl
y
star
ingatMhlengihar
deninghereyesswal
lowing
sali
va
"Thi
sisThul
adomywoman,
Thuladothi
sisJessi
e…
Sheismymentor
"hesai
dcl
ear
inghisthr
oat
"
Nicet
omeetyou"Thul
adosai
deversosweet
ly
"
NooffenseThul
awhat
?"shesai
dmot
ioni
nghert
o
f
ini
shup
"
do…i
t'
sThul
ado"Mhl
engisai
dimpat
ient
ly
"Yeahthat,
youshoul
dhavetoldmeyoubringi
nga
str
angerintomyhouseMshlengi
"shesai
d
butcher
inghisnameli
keal
ways
"I
'
m sorryIj
ustwant
edt
oshowhermyar
t"hesai
d
proudl
y
"
CanIspeakt
oyoupr
ivat
ely"shesai
dfl
ashi
nga
f
akesmil
e
Theydissapearedintothebighouse,Thuladowent
backintotheartroom admiri
ngMhl engi
'sworkit
wasunbelievablethathewassoar ti
sti
cyetkeptit
underwraps.Meanwhi leJessi
ewasbr eathingf
ir
e
i
nt hehouse.
"Iunder
standyoudon'twantarelat
ionshipwi
thme
buttorubitinmyfaceisrat
herinsensit
ive
Mshlengi"shesai
dgetti
ngredintheface
"ComeonJessiemyi ntenti
onswereclearf
rom t
he
beginni
ng,youchosetotakeadvantageofme
becauseofmydesper ati
onI'
m notyounganymore,
Icandot hi
ngsformyselfasyoucansee"hesaid
rai
singhisvoi
ce
"she'
spregnant,youknowwhenIf oughttoothand
nailf
oryourarttoberecognized,Iwasn'tjustdoi
ng
thatf
oryoubutmeaswel l.Ithoughtperhapsone
dayyouwi l
lseemyhear tandgi veusachancebutI
canseethatyouwer eusingme.Youwai tedforme
togetyoumi l
li
onsthenboom youbr i
ngyourbi t
ch
t
o"myhouse"toshowheryourar
t.Whynow
Mshl
engi
?"shesaidscr
eaming
"Meusingyou?Wasi tnotyouwhousedt of orce
yoursel
fonme, usingmet osat
isfyyoursexual
desir
esevent houghyouhadaman, Ienduredal l
thatshi
tbecauseIwant edmyar tt
omakei tt othe
topbutwhenIr eal izedI'
m herejusttobeyoursex
toyandstressrelieverIst oppedcomi ng.
..
sodon' t
youdaretalkaboutusi ngbecauseyouknowdamn
ri
ghtthatyoustart edt hi
s"hespat
"
Getoutofmyhouse"Mhl
engist
ormedoutpi
ssed
Hewentt of
etchThuladoandlef
t.Thetaxir
ideto
t
hemal lwasquiet
,Mhlengiwaslooki
ngoutthe
windowtheenti
reti
me.
*
***
Att
hemal
l
Senzowaspushi ngat r
oll
eyalmostspi l
li
ngoffood
stuf
fandcl othingbutPhi ndil
ewasn'tsatisf
iedshe
wasst i
llpeekingherheadi neachstoreshe's
passing,shegaspedl ooki
ngatt heperfumesat
Foschinitheywer ebeauti
fuldi
splayedyoucould
seethem f r
om t heoutsidetheglass.
"Ij
ustrememberedIdon'
thaveaperf
ume"Phi
ndi
le
saidhereyesspar
kli
ngli
keali
tt
lechi
ldwhoj
ust
recei
vedapresent
"Goont henbutI
'
m goingtoWoolwort
hsforsome
j
uiceandchickenhesaidpushi
ngthetrol
leyaway,
Phindi
ledashedint
othestor
eenthusi
asti
call
y.
Meanwhi l
eThul adoscannedt hrought hebaby
clothes,shejustdidn'tknowwhatt opickeveryt
hing
seemedbeaut if
ulevent houghshet houghtMhl engi
wasbei ngr i
diculousbywant i
nghi sbabycl ot
hes
boughti nsuchanexpensi vestore.Thequalit
ywas
reall
ygood, shepi ckedupt woidenticalrompers
turquoiseandgr eyi ncolor
.Shehear daf amil
iar
voi
ce
"
Taket
hem t
heyar
ebeaut
if
ul"hesai
dsmi
li
ng
"
Areyouf
oll
owi
ngmeSenzo?
"Thul
adosai
d
f
rowni
ng
"Don'
tflat
teryour
self,
Wool worthsi sapubli
cstore.
I'
m actual
lyshockedthatyouar eher ebeing
i
ndecisiveonwhattobuy, Iwonderwher ehe
borr
owedt hemoney, orbettersti
llwhohest abbed
togetyouher epi
ckingandchoosi ng100%cot t
on"
hechuckled
"Mxm"Thul
adoshi
ft
edherf
ocusbackont
he
clot
hes
Senzor estedonhistr
oll
eyogli
ngher,
hewasinf
act
upsetthatshewasevenpr egnantf
orhim,
he
cl
ickedhi stongueaudi
bly.
"Senzowhydon'tyoucarr
ywithwhatyoucame
hereforandl
eavemeal one,
Mhlengiwil
lbeher
e
anymi
nut
e.Idon'
twantdr
ama"shesai
dpl
eadi
ng
"What?ishegoingt
ostabme?"hesaidsmil
ingat
hercuteness,
shewassoshor
tpushingthatbi
g
bel
ly
"
Justgo"shescof
fed
"Justbecauseyouareinlovewi thyourthug,you
thi
nkyouar ebett
erthanallofus.Youdon' treplyto
mymessagesevenonFacebook, oneofthesedays
hewi l
lcheatonyouorr unawaywhenhecan' ttake
careofthebabyandyouwi l
lremembermecut i
e.
AnywayIhavemovedon, I
'm sureyousawmy
beauti
fulnewgirl
fr
iend"hesai dsmi r
kingsearching
i
nhereyes
"Congratsthoughyourwi
fe'
sgr
avei
sst
il
lfr
esh"she
saidroll
inghereyes
"Ohsoyouseemystat
usbutyoudon'
treact,
she'
s
beaut
if
uli
sn'
tshe?
"heaskedarchi
nghi
sbr ow
"Who? "shesai
dmovi
ngt
otheai
slewi
thbaby
blankets
"
Mywoman"hesai
dpushi
ngt
het
rol
leyf
oll
owi
ng
her
"
Yeah,
shel
ooksj
ustl
ikePear
l"shesai
dbor
ed.
"Nowthat'
sawomanwhoknowswhatshewant s
unli
kesomeoneIknow…Thatboywi l
lnottakeyou
anywhere.Icantakecareofyoucut i
eIcaneven
l
eavePhindilef
oryou, Iwi
lltr
eatMhlengi
'
schi l
dli
ke
myown"hesai dlookingintohereyes
MeanwhileMhl engifol
lowedbehindthem l
ist
ening
toever
ything,
hi sbeenwatchingthem andhedidn'
t
wanttodistur
bhi m.Senzo'sphonerangitwas
Phindi
le.
"I
'
mi nsi
dewool
ies,
Ican'
tseeyou"shesai
d
anxi
ously
"l
et'
smeetatthef
oodsect
ionIwasl
ooki
ngatsome
cl
othes"hehungup
"Pl
easestopi
gnoringmymessages"hebeggedbut
Thuladoj
ustkeptquiet
.
Whenhet ur
nedaroundwithhi
st r
oll
eyhebumped
i
ntoMhlengi,
heswal l
owedwit
hhi shear
tploddi
ng.
Hedidn'
texpectt
oseehim soclose,heusedthe
ot
herwayandscur r
iedout.
"
Hefol
lowedmehere"Thul
adosaidqui
ckl
ybut
Mhl
engidi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingregar
dingt
hat
"
Areyouf
indi
nganyt
hing?
"heaskedi
nst
ead
"
Yeahpl easehelpmechoose"theyr
ummaged
t
hrought hecl
othest
ogetherbutMhl
engi
'
sthought
s
werefaraway.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
16].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er21
"
Ihavemoneyinmyheadandhear
t,I
'
m askel
m,
i
nsebenzi
…I'
m aKr
uger
"
Nanar estedherheadont hewi ndowl ookingoutas

Freddr oveherhome, shesmi ledabi tthinki
ngof
theevent f
ulweekendshehadwi ththet wins.Fred'
s
housei nDur banisposhbutt heirhomedownsout h
wasevenbi ggerandmor ebeaut if
ul.Whent hey
saidt heyar etakingherhomesheexpect edt obe
metbyf amilyorrelati
vesbutt hehousewasempt y,
sot heydr ank,ateanddi dsomesi ghtseei ng,Nana
enjoyedher selft
hor oughl
y.Itwasi nt hewayt he
twinshover edoverher ,tr
eati
ngherl i
keaneggt hat
willfallandbr eak,shewasast oundedathow
affectionateandcl ingytheybot hwer et owardsher .
Atfir
stitwasal armi ngbecauseoft hekissi
ng
i
ncidentt hatt
ookpl aceatt her estaurant,butFrank
assuredNanat hathel ovesherf orhisbrotherbut
shemustbef reear oundhi m sincet heytakecar eof
eachother '
spossessi onsi ncl
udi ngwomen.He
wouldoccasi onallyhugherandpl antkisses
anywher e,Nanaf oundi tweirdbutt houghtto
hersel
fthatmaybet hatishowt heirfamilyoperate,
i
t'
snotl i
keshecoul ddi sti
nguishwhoi swho
anyway.Heknewi twasFr edwhenhecomest o
bedatni ghttosleepwi thher .
ItwasMondaymor ni
ngwher enormalpeoplear e
maki ngtheirwayt owor kexceptforNana,Fred
thoughtitwouldbeni cef orhertorest
,morel i
keher
throbbingpussyneededt orepose.Shehadbeen
withFredf orawhi l
enowbutneverhasshef eltl
ike
thi
s, i
twasl i
keshewasbeenbeddedbyan
untamedani mal.Hewant editallt
heti
meand
everywhereandi neveryhole,asanobediencel i
ttl
e
gir
lthatshei s,shecompl iedandnowherpoorl i
ttl
e
vaginawascr yi
ngoutf orhelp.Notforforgett
ing
thepoundi ngheadachet hatkeptonr esurfaci
ngthe
enti
reweekend, shesleptthewholeaf t
ernoonon
Saturdayaf t
erthefestivi
ti
es.PoorFredhadt o
undressherandcoverherwi thablanketsoshe
couldsleeppr operl
y.Itwasapi tybecauseshe
couldn'tremembersomeoft heeventsbutshe
reminiscedhavingt hetimeofherlife
Fredpar kedatt hedeadendwher ehenor mally

dropsof fNana, ittookagoodmi nutef orhert o
j
umpoutt hecar ,shesuddenlyhat edthisplacewi t
h
everythingi nher,italwaysremindedheroft he
pover t
yl i
fesheact uall
yli
vesinbutFr edwasn' t
herssot herefor
eshehadt ogobackhomef rom
ti
met otime.Nott hathermot hercar esaslongas
sher emember stobuyt hem f
oodst uffandgi ve
them al i
ttlecash, whatevershedidwi thherl i
fe
wasn' tsuchawor r
yf ormotherdearest.She
draggedherf eetasshehobbl eddownt hedust y
walkway, shewant edt ogethomeandsi ti
nat ub
withcol dwat erper hapsthatwouldhel peaset he
pai
n.ShewavedFr
edof
f,asshehoot
edpassi
ng
her
.
*
***
Ast hedaypr ogressedFr ankcl oseddownhi s

l
aptopast het hought sofPhi ndil
ef l
oodedhi smi nd,
Fredwasr i
ghtt heyhavehur tSenzoenoughmaybe
heshoul dl
ett hisonego, it'
snotl i
keit'
sapr oblem
tofi
ndagi rltodi shitoutforhim.Hegott ohisfeet
headingtot hefridgetogr abacol dcanof
appleti
serunlikeFr edhewasn' ti
ntocof feeorany
hotbeverages, heswagger edbackt ohisseatas
boredom kickedi n.Thisisoneoft hereasonshe
getstobeawayl ongerthanFr edhehat edbei ng
coupedupi nt heof fi
cestaringatt helaptop,hence
whyFr edalwayscompl ainsabouthi mr unningthe
companydown.
Thecl
ickofheel
spull
edhi
m outofhi
sthoughtsbut
whenhesawwhoi twasatt
hedoorhescoffed.He
couldn'tst
omacht hetenaciousmar ri
edwomen,
theyalwayslosef ocusandendupf all
ingthenit
justmessesever ythi
ngup.I tbaf f
ledhim howt hese
couplesmar ryeachot herforallthewrongr easons
onlytoendupdoi nghideoust hingsbehindeach
other'
sbacks, oneofther easonshewi l
lnever
mar r
y.There'sfreepussyal lover,hedidn'twant
kidsandwoul dpr obablykil
lhisdearwi feshouldhe
trystuntsl
ikePur i
tyandPear l.
"Wherei
smyhusbandFr
ed"shesai
dnar
rowi
ngher
eyesathi
m
"
Idon'
tknow,Ishoul
dbeaski
ngyou…Youar
ehi
s
wif
e"Fr
anksaidfl
ashi
ngherasmil
e
"I
fyouhavekil
ledhimjustletmeknowsoIcan
prepar
emyselftomournhi m"shesai
dwal
king
seduct
ivel
ytowardsthetable
"Whatmakesyout
hinkI
'
m akil
lerPur
it
y?"Fr
ank
sai
dgropi
ngherbi
gassitj
iggl
ed
"Pl
easetellmeyouwerejoki
ngtheotherday,
Ican'
t
bewithoutyou"shesai
dsli
ghtl
yli
ft
ingupherdress
"Lockthedoorandcomebackhere"Fr
ankor
dered,
probablyFr
edsaidsomet
hingbuthewasn'
tabout
toletf
reepussygotowaste
"YouknowFr edIhopehi sdeadwher everheis,i
fhe
couldsleepwithanothergir
lbecauseshef ought
withmemademer eali
zethat,heprobablydoesit
ofteninhisendlesst
rips"Puri
tysai
dst r
ippi
ngoff
herclothes
"What.
.areyouhur
t?"Fr
ankaskedspi
nni
ngar
ound
hischai
renjoyi
ngt
heshow
"Of
courseI'
m hur
t"shegi
ggl
edsarcasti
cal
ly"l
ook
atmeFr ed,
I'
m amealandahalf
,heshouldbe
sat
isf
iedwithj
ustme"shesai
dtouchinghersel
f
"
Yetyoucheatonhi
m dai
lyPur
it
y"Fr
anksai
d
l
ooseni
nghisti
e
"I
fhewasgoodthenIwouldn'
tbeher
ebutIcoul
dn'
t
bepat
ientanymor
e"shesaid
"
Whatifhef
eltt
hesameaboutyou"hesaidwalking
t
owardsher
,hetur
nedherar
oundpinninghertothe
wal
l,
"maybeheknewwhatki
ndofab! tchyouare,
t
henhegaveyouallt
hemoneyasadi str
acti
onso
hecouldsat
isf
yhisl
it
tledesi
resonthesi
dewith
youbl
indedbythesoftl
if
e"hespatonhishand
thenr
ubbedherbutt
hole.
"
Frednott
her
e"shej
umped
"Youar
eabiggirlPur
it
y,youcanhandl
eit
.Now
benddownfordaddyyoulit
tl
eb!t
ch"Fr
anksai
dina
commandingvoi
ce
"
Fred!
"shesai
dsof
tl
y
Frankstuckhi sfingersinsidehertinyholeacoupl e
oftimesbef or etearinghiswayi n,shescr eamedi n
agony, f
ortunat el
yt heirof
ficewasupst airsaway
from everythingel se.Puri
tysweat edinstantl
yashe
rummagedi nt ohersomet hingheneverdi dbefore,
sheshuthereyesandmout hti
ghtl
ytappingl oud
sobsi nafterawhi lesherelaxedhermuscl estaki
ng
i
tal li
n.Itwasdaunt i
ngbutt hiswasFr edandshe
waspr obabl ygoi ngt oenj
oyt hisnewadvent ure
wi t
htime, helovedhi mthatmuch.
*
***
Mhlengiwasl yi
ngonthebeddeepi nthoughts,
Thuladosatnexttohim,sheopenedthecont ai
ner
wit
hoi ntmentandstar
tedappl
yingitonMhl engi
's
tat
too's,
somepl aceswereabitswoll
enbutshe
wasassur edit'
snormalsi
ncetheinkwasst i
llf
resh.
"
Sot el
lmeaboutthem,
theyact
ual
lyl
ookcool
.I
mightconsi
derdoi
ngoneaswell
"shesai
dsmil
ing
"
Real
ly?
"heaskedt
hinni
nghi
seyes
"Yeahbutf
irstt
ellmei
sitsor
e?"sheaskedbi
ti
ng
herlowerl
ip
"Welli
t'
saneedl esoitfeelsli
kesomeoneis
scrat
chingyou,Iguessasyour el
axyougetusedof
thefeel
ing.Idon'tt
hinkit
'sthatbad"hei
nfor
med
"
OK,nowtel
lmeaboutyours"shecl
osedthel
idof
t
heoint
mentpl
aci
ngitontheirsi
detabl
e
"Onmyleftsi
deisadol
larsi
gnsitt
ingonrol
lsof
moneyandthenumber26,it
'
sjustasignofa
Kr
uger.I
'm abor
nhustl
er,
I'
m apaperchaser
.Ihave
moneyinmyheartandmind"hesai
dchuckli
ng
"I
'
m star
ti
ngtothi
nkyoulovemoneymor
ethanme"
shenudgedhi
m playf
ull
y
"Youdon'tcomparetomat er
ialthingsshor
ty,
I
actual
lyloveyoumor ebutdon'tletmoneyhearme
saythat"helaughed
"mxm"shesmackedhisshoul
derhegr oanedi
n
pai
n,"
sorr
y!sor
ry!If
orgot
"shecaressedhim
"
Youar
ejeal
ousofmyi
nk"hesai
dpout
ing
"Mxm nowt
ellmeaboutt
het
att
ooonyourchest
"
sheaskedi
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"I
t'
sapr i
deofl i
ons,theyarefearl
ess,
powerful
,possessgreatleadershi
pandhave
ult
imatestrength.I
tsymbol i
zesmyf ami
lyhenceit
s
drawnont opofmyhear t,
thisismeasthehead
andundermei syoumyl ionessthenourcubs"he
saidsmil
ing
"Weonlyexpect
ingt
wokidsandyouhavet
hree
cubsdr
awn"sheaskedconfused
"
Iwantonemor
eki
dandwear
edone"her
epl
ied
"
Whati
fwegetanot
herset
?"Thul
adoasked
"ThenIwil
laddanot
hercub,
Ihavepl
ent
yofspace"
heresponded
"Ihavebeenmeaningtoaskabouttwins,
wedon'
t
haveanyinourfamil
y.Wherearetheycoming
from?"sheaskedbaff
led
"Ihavenoidea,
Idi
dn'
tseeanyi nmyfami
lytoo.
Maybeit'
sjustabl
essing"hesai
d.Shepi
ckedup
hisri
ghtar
m sli
ght
lyturni
ngit
"
Andt
hisone"shesai
dpoi
nti
ngatt
heanchor
"Ananchori ssomeoneorsomet hi
ngt hatholdsyou
i
npl ace,i
twast hememor iesofmyf ami l
y,myaunt
butnowi t
'syoushor t
y.Thet houghtsofyouandmy
unbornchildrenhol
dsmei nplace,i
never yt
hingIdo
goingfort
hIt hi
nkofallthepeoplethatmat teri
nmy
l
ifeandIknowIwon' tfl
oatawaybecauseyouar e
allhol
dingmei nplace"hef urt
hersaid
Thul
adol
eanedovert
oki
sshi
m,Mhl
engisatonhi
s
but
tsti
llhol
dingt
heki
ss,
hedeepenedi
tgent
ly
pul
li
ngherclose.
*
***
Lat
erthataft
ernoonFrankpar
kedi
nsi
deSenzo'
s
yar
d,hefir
stdial
edFred.
"
Howi
sitgoi
ngt
her
e?"heasked
"Al
liswellj
ustcold"Fredchuckled,
"Ican'
tbel
ieve
youfuckedPurit
yaf t
ereveryt
hingyoufool"he
added
"Shewantedi
tsoIgaveher
"Fr
anksai
dinher
defense
"Howisthebearer
,didyougi
veheradayof
f?"he
askedoutofconcerned
"YesIdi
d,ar
eyouf
all
ingf
ort
hisgi
rl
?"hear
chedhi
s
eyebr
ow
"
NoI
'
m not
,Ij
ustdon'
twantyout
omesst
hisupf
or
us…nowhavef
unpr
etendi
ngt
obeme"hel
aughed
"Youaresobori
ngFredit
'st
orturousbutdon'
t
wor r
yIwil
laddali
tt
levr
oom inyourl i
fe,
I'
mfal
li
ng
asleepher
e"heyawneddramaticall
y
"
Fuseg"hesai
dhangi
ngup
Frankl
aughedl
ooki
ngathi
sphone,
het
hendi
aled
Senzo.
"Sur
eSimmons"hesai
dwi
thnoi
sei
nthe
backgr
ound
"
I'
m hereatyourhouseforthedr
inksyoupr
omi
sed
me,arewestil
lon?"heasked
"Ei
shraincheck,
Ihadt
owor
kext
rat
oday"he
answered
"
OKI
'
mleavi
ngt
hen,
cal
lme"hehungup
Hestar
tedhi
scarPhindi
lemarchedoutoft
he
housei
nconfusi
on,
shejustopenedforhi
m now
hisleaving.Shegr oanedinannoyanceshehat edit
whensomeonedi sturbhershowsonTV, shewas
wear i
ngal it
tl
eshor tdenim wrapskirtandawhi te
croptop.Itwast hewayi tsatonherwai stthenthe
l
engt hwasj ustani nchbelowherbut tcheeks, her
yell
owt highsexposedFr ankcoul dalmostt aste
thatfatwetpussy, that'
sifshe'sanythinglikeher
sist
erPear l
.Heki l
ledtheenginecont empl ati
ng,his
l
ustwaspr ovingstrongerthanhisreasoni ng,acall
from Fredcamet hr oughhisphone, heanswer ed
quickly.
"
Don'
tdoi
t"hesai
dst
ernl
y
"
OK"hesai
dsof
tl
y
"
I'
m ser
iousFr
ank,
wespokeaboutt
his"hewar
ned
"
OkayIhear
dyou"hehungup
Phindi
leshr
uggedhershoulderI
mpati
entl
yher
breast
sbouncedupanddownsendingFr anki
ntoa
fr
enzy,hecursedunderhi
sbreat
hstar
ingather
desi
rabl
y.Heopenedthedoorandgotout,
he
pausedforafewsecondsbef
orefol
lowi
ngPhindi
le
i
ntothehouse.
Hefoundhersi
tt
ingonthecouchinf
rontoft
heTV
wi
thherlegscr
ossed,
heswallowed.
"HeymaP, I
'
m supposedt
obehavi
ngdri
nkswi
th
Senzobutheseemednottobeher
e"heact
ed
confused
"Youcanwaitforhi
m,hewillbei
nanyminutefrom
now"shesai
dhereyesf i
xedontheshow,she
probabl
ydi
dn'tknowthathewasworki
nglatetoday.
Franksatnextt
oher,hekeptst
eal
inggl
ancesather
butshewassogl uedtot
hescreenshedi
dn'teven
enter
tai
nhim.
"
Sowhati
sthi
sshowal
labout
?"hebl
urt
edout
"Fashi
on!Allthel
atestdesi
gnswegett
hem f
rom
here"shesaidexci
tedly
"
Doyoul
ovef
ashi
on?
"Fr
ankaskedi
nter
est
ed
"
YeahIstudyfashi
ondesi
gnatDUT"shesai
d
t
urni
ngtolookatFrank
"
That
'
samazi
ng"hesai
dfl
ashi
ngherasmi
le
"
CanIofferyousomethi
ngtodr
ink,
excusemy
manner
s"shesaidfacepal
ming
"
Sur
esomet
hingcol
d"Fr
ankr
epl
ied
Phindi
ler
etur
nedwit
hcool
dri
nkbutfoundFr
ank
tuni
ngint
osoccer
,shef
rownedchi
ldi
shly
"Seri
ousl
y?Ididn'
tknowvi si
terscoul
dchange
programsatpeople'shouses"sherest
edherhands
onherhips,Fr
ankl ovedtheview
"I
'
m aguestyousupposedtomakemehappy"he
chuckl
edpl
ayingwit
htheremot
e
"
NoFr
ankgi
vei
tback,
I'
m sor
rybutt
hisi
smyonl
y
ti
met owatchTVbefor
eIstar
tcooki
ng"she
str
etchedherhandt
ryi
ngtosnat
chitawayfrom
Frank
Hekeptonf ool i
ngar oundast heylaughedf i
ghting
overtheremot e,Phindilefel lonhim andFr ank
grabbedherbyherwai st,shef el
telectri
cit
ybol ts
shooti
ngalloverherbody.Fr ankstoppedsmi l
ing
l
ookingdeepi ntohereyes, hepul l
edhercl ose
l
ifti
ngupheral readyshor tski rt
,Phindilespreadher
l
egssohecoul dsi tonhi sl appr operly.Herhear t
wasbeatingsof astasherl ipsmethi s,sheknew
thiswaswrongbutFr ankwassoal lur i
ngandt hat
elect
ri
fyi
ngfeel i
ngpr obedhert oexplor emor e…
Whatwasi tthatshewasf eeling?
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
16].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er22
"I
'
m makinganeter
nalpi
ckinthedarkwit
hmyeyes
cl
osed,hopi
ngandprayi
ngit'
stheri
ghtone
becauseonceyouhavechosen,t
her
e'snogoi
ng
back"
Twomont
hsl
ater
Li
fe'sgood!Nanawasdefi
nitel
ydiff
erentf r
om the
personshewast womonthsago,herent ir
e
wardrobechanged,shemovedoutoft heshacks
andnowdr oveherowncar.Thetwinsr eall
ytook
careofher,t
heygoawayoftenjustthet hr
eeof
them,itwaseveneasierforhert
odisti
nguishthem
nowsi nceshespendsmostofhert i
mewi ththem.
Fredwasofagent l
enat ureandFrankwast he
smileyfacebutr
ough, shegotsoembarrassed
weeksagowhenshewokeupdr unkasf uckwith
bothtwinsinbedwithher.
Whent heygotupt heyexplainedhowshewant ed

bothoft hem af terani ghtofhar dcor epartying,she
apologizedandt heybr usheditoffasi fitwas
nothing.Eversi ncet hatcamet olightshehasbeen
havingt heser i
dicul ousdreamsoft hem fuckingher
together,soof tent hatsheenj oysi tandwant sitto
happenf orreal.Shesomet imesf indsher self
drooli
ngovert hem att heoff
icewhent heyar ebusy
withwor k,thankf ullyFrankhasayoungonet hathe
sneaksi nandoutt hehousewi t
houtanyoneseei ng.
Inthatwayi trestrainsherf i
lt
hyanddespi cable
thoughts.
*
***
Senzoar ri
vedhomeandf oundsi l
enceasi fnoone
wast here,hewasst arvi
ngandknowi ngPhindi
le
shewoul dhavecookedupast or
m si nceshehad
l
esscl assest oday.Hewentst rai
ghtt othekit
chen
enthusi astical
lybutitwasspar kl
ingcl eanwit
hnot
evenapotont hestove,heopenedt heovenand
therewasnocookedf ood,heheavedasi gh
dissapoi nted.Hehear dsomesof ttunescoming
from t hecor ri
doritwassomeol dschoolslowj ams,
hef ollowedt hetrailofmusicleadinghi mtotheir
bedr oom, heopenedt hedoorandf oundPhi ndil
e
outcol d.
Senzocover edherwit hablanket ,

shemustbe
exhausted,i
twasn'tlikehertoj ustsleep.He
retur
nedtothekitchent ostartcookingsomet hi
ng
fastandfil
li
ng,hewashungr yhecoul deatal i
on,
hemadeavi deocalltothetwi ns.Itwasgr eatto
fi
nall
yconnectwi t
ht hem again.Theybot h
appearedont hescreenf l
ashingasmi le.
"I
'
m cooki
ngthewi
feyi
ssl
eepi
ng"Senzosai
d
greet
ingt
hem
"
Cookman…Howzi
t"Fr
edsai
d
"Al
lgood,
Iwast hinki
ngofhavingameetingwit
h
youguys,Ineedadviceonthi
sbusinessvent
ureI
wanttoembar kon"Senzosai
dhopeful
"Sur
e,j
ustar
rangeitandwewi
llhel
pyouwher
ewe
can"Fr
anksaidassuri
nghi
m
Theyconver
sedunti
lSenzohungup, itwastimefor
hi
mt ostepup,hewantedtocli
mbt heladderl
ike
hi
sfri
ends.Pearl
swordssti
llechoesinhishead
andhedidn'
twantPhindi
letostartf
eeli
ngthesame.
*
***
Mhlengisi
ghedstandi
ngbefor
eJessie'
sgat
e,she
hasbeenignor
inghiscal
lsf
orawhilenowandit
wasst arti
ngtobot herhim sinceshehadal lofhis
valuablepaintings.Nowt hathisher ehisheart
start
edbeat i
ngf ast,Jessi
ewasvi ndicti
veand
persuasivehedi dn'twantltodosomet hingthatwil
l
hurtshorty.Hescr atchedhisheadi nfustr
ati
on
beforepunchi ngint hecodebutt ohi ssurpri
sethe
codebouncedbackasbei ngincorrect,hetr
ied
againbutnot hing.
"Whatt
hefuckar
eyoudoi ng?"ast
rangewoman
appear
edwithabul
ldog,"Ar
eyoutryi
ngtobreak
i
ntomyhouse?"shescreamedpreppingherdog
"NoI-
Iknowaladyt hatl
iveshere"Mhl
engi
stammeredwalkingbackwards,heheardst
ori
eson
howsomepeopl e'scansetthei
rdogsonyouifyou
tr
espass.Asconfusingt
hiswas, hewasn'
taboutt
o
bemauledbyadog
"
Thisismyyardyouhool
igan,
ifyoutr
yanystuntI
wil
lletmydogdothej
obyourfil
thymonkey"t
he
l
adyspat
"
I'
m sor
rymam,
Iwasl
ooki
ngf
orJessi
e"hesai
d
andat
tempt
edt
owal
kaway
"
AreyouMshl
engi
?"shescr
eamed
"
Yes"hesai
dsl
owl
ytur
ningar
ound
"Comeandgetyourhor r endouscr aft
s, Jessi ei stoo
kind,Iwoul dhavebur ntal lofit.Shepicksyouup
from thegut terandhel psyou, andasani ngr ate
thatyouar e, yout hankherwi thabucketf ullofshi t
.
Youpeopl edon’ tknowhowt ouseyourbr ainsand
whenwechi pint other escueyout ur
nar oundand
actli
keweoweyou…wedon’ toweyoushi t
, you
don’tdeser veJessi e’
sgener osityshespenther
moneybuyi ngyoupai ntsandbr ushes, shef edand
gaveyoul ovewhennoonecar edaboutyou”she
saidclutchingonherdogasMhl engiqui et l
y
gatheredhi sst uff
,“Al
lyourpar entsknowi s
openingt hei rlegsandhavi ngsexsensel essl y
planti
ngbabi esal loverwi t hnopl ansf ort hef ut
ure,
thenyoual lgr owupi nt hesamepover tyyouar e
bornin,youneedJessi eandwi thouthernoonewi l
l
l
ookatt hatt rashyoucar r
ying”shesai dr ubbi ngit
i
n
Mhl engipausedatt hegat ehewant edt oturn
aroundandgr abherbyt heneckbutdeci ded
agai nstit,heknewt hatr aci
sm andcr uelt
ywasa
newt rendoft hewor ldbutthisdir
tylookingladyis
crossi ngal lboundari
es, hewasboi l
ingbutkepton
takingl ongst ridesl
eavingthehousebehi nd.Wit
h
allhispai ntingsheknewhewi l
lneversetf oott
here
agai n,itwasachapt erofhislif
ethathewas
closing.
Hereachedthebusstopanditwasempty,
hesat
onthebenchdial
ingJessi
eforthel
astt
imeand
l
uckil
ysheanswer ed.
“
HowcanIhel
pyou”shesai
dcol
dly
“Heyyou,
Iwentt
oyourhouseandyouweren’
t
ther
eandmypaint
ingsar
einbinbags,
what’
sgoi
ng
on?”
“Isol
dmyhouseMshl engiandIaskedthel
adyt
o
holdontoyourpai
nti
ngsbecauseIknewyouwould
comef ort
hem event
ual
ly”sherepl
ied
“Youcoul
dhavemessagedmeorevenbett
er
answermycall
s.Wher
eareyou?
”Mhlengiasked
“I
’minCapeTown, l
ookthere’snoneedf orusto
communi cate.Whatbroughtust oget
herisover
,it
’s
fi
nished…youdon’tpaintanymor eandIhave
movedf r
om KZN.Iwi shyout hebestmovi ngon
wit
hyourl i
fe”shesaidinclosing
“
Jessi
ewhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”hel
aughedner
vousl
y
“Whatdoesi
tlookl
ikeI
’
m doing?
, I
’
m cutti
ngt
ies
andmovingonwithmylif
e”sheresponded
“Whatabout“
Guluva”and“
Indoni
”sur
elyyouneed
tocommunicatewit
hmeconcerningmyart”he
askedanxi
ousl
y
“Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
”shesai
d
eversocalml
y
“Jessi
e”helaughedbitt
erl
y“Don’tpl
aymel i
kethat
,
youknowexact l
ywhatI ’
mtalki
ngabout.Wow!Just
wow!Soyouwantt ostealmywor kr
ightundermy
nose,Jessi
eI’
m warningyou”hespat
“
Ifyoudon’
tst
opcal
li
ngmet
her
ewi
llbet
roubl
e,I
’
m
ti
redofbeingyourdoormat .Youtakemykindness
forgrantedeverysi
nglechanceyougetandIhave
hadenough.I fyoudon’tstopharassi
ng,and
accussingmeofst eal
ingyourdel usi
onalar
tworkI
willr
eportyoutothepolice”sheadded
“Hosh!Fi
newewi
llseewhowi
llhavet
hel
astsay”
hehungup
Hest oodonhi sf eetl

aughi ngi ndi sbel
ieve,so
Jessiethoughtshecoul dst ealf r
om akr ugerand
getawayhechuckl edpacingupanddownt hebus
stop.Fortunatel
yt he6pm bushoot edcomi ngtoa
haltatthestop, hewai t
edf ort hepassenger st
o
j
umpoutt henhehoppedi n, t
hebuswasgoi ngback
totownt ocollectmor etravellersasi twasknock
offti
me.Queue’ swer egetti
ngl ongerast hesun
start
edt oturnor angehidingbehi ndthecl ouds.
*
***
Sf i
soranupt hestai
rs,heknockedonThulado’
s
doorshepeepedout ,whenshesawi twas
Mhlengi’sf
riendshesteppedoutclosingt
hedoor
behindher,shewasst i
llnotcomfort
ablewit
h
peopleseeinghercoll
ectionbecausethequest
ions
thatfol
lowscarrysomuchj udgememtandshe
hatedit
.
“I
sMhl engii
n?”Sf
isoaskedget
ti
ngst
rai
ghtt
othe
point
“
Didn’
tyougot
owor
ktoday?
”Thul
adoasked
"
Idi
d,Icamestraightf
rom t
herebutIneedt
osee
Mhl
engiurgent
ly"heanswered
"
Awwthat'
sstrange,hel
efti
nthemorni
nggoi
ngt
o
wor
k…so"sheshruggedhershoul
der
s
"Ohsohefoundworkal r
eady,
that'
sgr eatt
hen.I
cametotel
lhi
mt hatthere'
sagapf orpermanent
worker
sonthelaborside"hef
urthersaid
"OKI'
m offi
cial
lyl
ost,
Mhlengiworksasa
super
visorat…"shepausedl
ookingatSf
iso,
she
cover
edhermout
hinshock
"
What
swr
ong?
"Sf
isoaskedconcer
ned
"I
t'snothi
ng,Iwillt
ellhi
mt hatyoust
oppedby.
Thankyou"Thul adosaid,sheopenedthedoorand
dissapearedinsi
deleavingSfisobaf
fl
edoutsi
de.
At7pm Mhl engidr aggedhi msel fi nsidet hef l

at,he
l
ookedf oraspott ostorehi spai ntingst onoavai l
,
theclutterseemedt obei ncr easingever ydayhe
fel
tli
kescr eami ngandt hr owi ngever ythingout .
Especiallyaf terthedayt hathehad, heended
putti
nghi spl asticbagsi nt hebat hroom.He
shower edonet i
me, hewasdeepi nthought sast he
coldwat ermadel inesdownhi schocol atebody, the
weightpl acedonhi sshoul derswasbegi nningt o
weighhi m down, Thuladocoul dpopanymi nut eand
heneededt ogethi sshittoget herbutt henbl oody
Jessiehappened.Hedr i
edhi msel fandmadehi s
wayi nt
ot heirkit
chen, bedr oom, loungeandst orage
i
twasmaddeni ng.Get ti
ngabi ggerpl acewasl ong
overdue, heki ssedThul adoaf terget tingdr essed
andf
loppednextt
ohershewasawf
ull
yqui
et.
"Howwasyourdayshor
ty"heaskedl
yingonhi
s
backf
aci
ngthecei
li
ng
"
Itwasokay,what
'si
nthebags?
"sheasked
i
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"
Mypai
nti
ngs"heanswer
ed
"Ther
e'snospaceinthef
lat
,youknowt
hebabi
es
arecoming"shesai
d
"Ohwow"hesaidlaughinggl
ari
ngatthepilesof
contai
nersandbooks,
"don'
tworryIwil
lgeta
properst
oragef
orthem"heassuredher,she
nodded
"Howwaswor
k?"Thul
adoaskedar
chi
ngher
eyebr
ows
"
Itwasf
ine"heanswer
eddi
sint
erest
ed
"
HowisSfi
so?
"sheaskedget
ti
ngonherf
eetand
waddi
ngt
owardst
hewindow
"
Sameol
d,hi
sfi
ne…what
'supwi
tht
hequest
ions?
"
Mhl
engisai
dsi
tt
ingonhi
sbut
t
"Idon'
tknowmaybei t
'sbecauseSfisocamehere
l
ookingforyouaboutajobhef oundf oryou,
i
magi nehowfool
ishIlookeddefendingmy
boyfri
endssuper
visor
stit
le"sheroared
"Cal
m downyougoi ngt
oupsetthebabiesandI'
m
notyourboyf
ri
endngiyi
ndodayakho(I'
m your
man)"hesaidtr
yingtoshyawayfrom t
hesituat
ion
athand
"Mxm Mhl
engist
opit
,I'
m ser
ioushere,
whywon't
youtel
lmewhat'
sgoingon?"sheaskedanxi
ousl
y
"Youknowt hedoct
ortol
dusthatweshouldn'
tdo
anythi
ngtospikeupyourBPsoforthesakeofmy
babiesIwi
llwit
hholdmyanswer"hesai
dsmi r
king
ather
"MhlengiNgcoboareyoubreaki
ngintopeople'
s
houses?Ar eyoumuggingpeopl
el i
keyourfr
iends
whodi dtomemont hsago?Iknowyouandt hat
okapiareinsepar
abl
e"shesaidster
nly
"Thul
adoj
ustl
eavei
t"hisf
acechanged,
hel
eftt
he
bedtogosi
tbythewindow
"Ican'
tbeli
eveI'
m stuckwi t
hacr i
minalforababy
daddy,youknowIt rustedyoubutIguessI '
m
horri
bleatjudgi
ngpeopl e'
scharact
er.Nowmy
chil
drenwillcomeintothismess,Mhlengiwhyare
youhur t
ingmel i
kethis"shewipedhertears
"Short
yIhavebeendoi ngmybestt oprovi
defor
youandsaveupf ormychi l
dren,andnoIhaven't
beendoingthethingsyouar eaccusingmeof f
,I
havebeenhustli
ng.InfactIlostmyjobshortl
yafter
youbutyoudidn'tnoti
cer i
ght?Sowewi l
lbefi
ne,I
justneedyoutohavef ai
thinme"hesai dwalking
towardsher,
hegr abahol dherhandbutshe
yankeditawayfrom hi
m.
Shemar chedtothestove,hert wopl ateswer e

alreadyplacedont hecupboar d,shedi shedt he
foodangr il
y.Mhlengisatont hebedandst aredat
Thul adoasshevi ol
entl
ypoket hespooni ntothe
ri
ceandbeefst ew,shecarelesslygavet heplateto
Mhl engi.Hearchedhiseyebr owsl ookingatherbut
shewal kedawayget ti
ngherownpl ate,Mhl engi
sighedst andi
ngup.Heputt hef oodint he
microwaveandgat
her
edhi
sst
uffwi
thoutsayi
nga
word.
"
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
oeat
?"sheaskedwi
that
ti
tude
"
NahIjustr
ememberedthatI
'
m nothungr
y"he
r
epl
iedputt
inghi
shoodi
eon
"Justeat,
wecanl ett
hefoodgot owast
enow, can
we? "shesaidsoft
lyr
eali
zingt
hatshemightbethe
causeoft hesuddenhungerst
rike
"Youservi
ngmel ikeI
'
m athingnje,
yazi
uyangi
jwayel
awenaThul ado,youcaneatthewhole
potonyourowni fyouwantnx"withthathebanged
thedoorandlef
t
Thul
adoputt
hefoodont
hesi
det
abl
e,shecur
led
i
ntoabal
landcr
ied.
*
***
InthemorningThul adost ret
chedherarmsyawni ng,
hereyesdartedar oundt heroom andMrgr umpy
wasstandingovert hest ove,shedidn'
tevenhear
himretur
nlastni ght ,
atleasthewaski ndenought o
coverherwithblanketot herwiseshewasgoi ngto
becold.Asmuchasshehat esitwhenhewal ks
awayfrom anar gument ,theweeddoeswonder s
becauseher et
urnsal lcalmedandcol l
ected.The
newsChannelwaspl ayingonTVandMhl engiwas
watchi
ngat t
enti
vel y.
"
Goodmor
ningnawe"Thul
adosai
dsof
tl
y
"
Hey"Mhlengisaidturningar
ound,"
ImadeMeal i
e
mealpor
ridgeIforgottobuybreadyest
erday,
isi
t
OK?"Mhlengiasked
"I
t'
sokayjustputtwobigscoopsofpeanutbutt
er"
shesaidj
umpi ngoutofbedmakingherwayt othe
bathr
oom
Mhlengii
ncr
easedt
hevol
umeast
henewsanchor
del
iver
ed.
*Fourarmedr obbersbrokei ntoaDur banNor th
homei ntheweehour soft hemor ningtoday,they
heldthehomeownerwhoj ustrecentl
ypur chased
thehouseatgunpoi nt
,theyr ansackedherhouse
l
eavingitclean.Marshallsecurityalongwi ththe
SAPSar einvesti
gati
ngt hemat ter,thehomeowner
i
dent i
fi
edthethievesasbl ackofr ace.Thent hey
playedaclipofthehomeownercr yi
nghereyesout ,
whilethesecurit
yheldherdown
"Theyki
ll
edmydog…Theyshothi
m dead"she
screamed
Thecamer aswi
tchedbacktothenewsanchor,she
shookherheadsadlyatt
hat.Shecont
inuedreci
ti
ng
thel
atestnews,
Thuladowaddledbacksit
ti
ngnext
toMhlengisher
estedherheadonhisshoulder
.
"
Didt
heyhavet
osayt
her
obber
sar
ebl
ackt
hough,
i
fitwaswhitestheypr
obablywouldhaveest
imated
thei
rageandjustsayfourmen"Thul
adoargued
sli
ghtl
yfuel
ed
"
Abl
ackmani
sal
waysasuspect
"Mhl
engisai
d
"Thewayshe'scryingf
orthatdog,
it'
sli
keshel
ost
herhusband"Thuladogi
ggled
"
Somepeoplelovepets,andi
fyoudon'
titdoesn'
t
makesense"Mhlengianswer
ed
"Thathouselookedli
ketheonewewentt
oforyour
paint
ings"Thuladoar
chedherbrow
"Nahthenthehomeownerwoul dbeJessie, Idon'
t
knowt hatwoman"Mhlengianswered,
hest oodup
togetherporr
idgeandhandedittoher.Theyat ei
n
sil
ence.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
16].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er23
Itwast heweehour soft hemor ning,mi st

yandcol d
youcoul dbar elyseet heper sonnextt oyou, theblur
ofthicktallt
reesdecor atedt hepat hwayast he
twinsst r
idethroughst arknaked, t
heirmanhood
swungsi detosi dewi thever ystep.Theyhavebeen
heresomanyt imesbutst illcouldn'tgrow
accust omedt ot hecr eepi ness,evenasoundofa
screechingbir dwasenought osendyout oyour
demi se.Theol dl adyhobbl edinbet weent hem, her
sceptreasanai dt ohel pherbal ance, shewas
coveredi nheavybl ackcl ot hesyoucoul dn'teven
seeherf ace.Thet ri
adwal keddeeperi nthet hi
ck
bushes, asiftheywer eent eringtheirfathersyard
buttheatmospher echangedwithinseconds,you
couldheart hesoundsofburbli
ngandwhent hei r
feettouchedthewar m wat
er.Theoldladystr
etched
outherscept r
eandaskedt hem toremainsti
ll
,they
compl i
ed,shehobbleddeeperintothewaterand
dissapeared.
Thisget st het winsever ytime, i

twascr eepybut
theyknewt hedr ill
.Theyst oodfir
m, legslaunched
i
nt ot hewat erwi tht heirhandsbef oret heircrotches.
Suddenl yaf orceknockedt hem downdr aggingt he
pairi ntot hedeepwat erdr owningt hem, theykicked
tryi
ngt of ightbuti twasusel essandonl ywhent he
forcewassat isfi
edi tvani shedi ntothinai randt he
wat erspewedt hem outi ntot hecoldsoi ljustnext
tothel ake.Theycoughedhyst eri
callygrabbi nga
holdt heirnecks, knowi ngt heycouldn'tleaveunt il
theol dl adyr et urnst heysatont heedgeoft he
wat erwi tht heirheadsf loppeddown.Speaki ngwas
forbiddeni nt hispl ace, afterwhatseem l i
kef or
ever
thel adyappr oachedf rom t hedeepwi t
hinshet hen
wal kedpassedt hem, theyknewwel ltojustfoll
ow
wi
thoutaski
ngquest
ions.
Oncet heill
usiondi ssapear edt hecoldintensifi
ed
theycoul df eelitdeepi nt heirbones,theyspot ted
theircarsbehi ndt het reeswhi chmeantt heyhave
l
eftt hesacr edreal m whent heyat t
empt edtor unto
theirvehiclestheol dl adyt ri
ppedt hem wi t
hher
scept r
enowt r
ansf or
medt oanor malst i
ck,she
strokedt hem whi letheyl aidnakedont hef l
oor .
Theywi ggledtryingtogetawaybutsheper sisted
enjoyingt hesoundoft heircries,whenshewas
satisfi
edshei nstructedt hem t ositbuttnakedon
thegr ound.
"Youhaveanger ed"thephantom"doyouknowt hat

i
thadt oleavetheil
lusionjustt
of i
xyourmess,one
ofthesedaysIwi l
lgetkill
edbecauseofyoutwo
knuckleheads"shepokedt hem wit
hthesti
ck,"and
Ihavebadnews"t heol dladysaidheavi
ngasigh
"Mawealmostdiedint
her
e,t
hephantom t
ri
edt
o
drownus.Whatdidwedotodeser
vesuch
t
reat
ment
?"Fr
ankaskedsul
king
"I
'
m mor ei
nter
est
edi
nthebadnews"Fr
edcut
Frankshor
t
"Thebadnewsi st hatyouwi l
lneedavi rginto
cleansethephantom asf ort heattack,servesyou
ri
ght.Whatwer eyout hinkingappear i
ngpubl icl
y
whenyouhaven' tsimmeddownf rom youriniti
ati
on
Frank?Thement hatdiedf rom touchingyou
automatical
lyappearsint hei l
lusi
on,hei snot
i
mpr essedbecauset heywer efil
thyanduncl ean"
sher oar
ed
FrankandFr
edlookedateachot
herr
emi
nisci
ngt
he
daywithDl
aminiatt
heoffi
ce.
"Nowyouneedavi rgi
nofapur eheartandIdon't
evenknowwhereyouwi llf
indonethesedays.The
bearershe'
sal
ri
ghtbutshe' sonlyoff
eringushalfa
decadeandweneedmor ethan,soboysyouneed
togoonahuntf oranotherbearer.Useyourgif
ted
charmsandmakesur et heydon'tknoweachother
becauset
heyneedtobekepthappyandweknow
womandon'tl
ikeshar
ingadick"shescof
fed
"Wear esorr
yma, I
-II'
m sorrymaf orbeingr eckl
ess.
Iwil
lpersonall
ygetthevirginandasf ortheot her
bearerhowaboutthemai denwear emat ingwi t
hat
themoment "Frankaskedi nqui
sit
ivel
yFr edshi f
ted
uncomf or
tabl
y
"Youseet hattrashyouneedt odiscardher ,
sheis
ofnouset ousanymor e,shei sasfi
lt
hylikeher
husband.Butt heyoungmai den"t
heol dlady
l
aughedwhi l
eshedi dal itt
ledance,"nowt hatst
he
energywewant ,everytimeyoumat ewi t
hherboys
especial
lytogethershegi vesmesomuchpower ,I
actual
lythinkshewi llmakeabet t
erbearerthanthe
fi
rstone"theoldl adyadded
"
What
swr
ongwi
thNana"Fr
edasked
"
Wellshehadamiscar
ri
age,al
if
ewasl osti
nherso
t
hatweakensher
"theol
dladyr
esponded
"Canwegonowsi ncewehaveworktodo"Frank
saidexci
tedl
yt hisist
heki
ndofworkhethrivedi
n
rat
herthanturninginanoff
icechai
r.
"Yesyoucango, j
ustbehaveanddon'tgoinpubli
c
untilyousimmer.Onlythebearercanseeyoulike
thisanddon'tworryboysyoudon'tneedtostupefy
heranymor e,youareallone"shel
aughedand
dissapeared
Theydustedthei
rbumsmaki ngthei
rwaytothei
r
cars,t
heyputonthei
rcl
othesanddecidedtochata
bitbef
oregoi
ngbacktoreali
ty.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveyousuggest
edPhi
ndil
eFrank,what
arewegoingt odowit
hSenzo"hescr
atchedhis
head
"Don'tactli
keyoudon'tenjoyherpussy,fr
om allof
them she'stheonlyonewhodoesn' tmindsleeping
withusbot hwithouti
ntoxicat
ionIt
hinkthi
sis
meantt obe, di
dyouseehowhappymai sabout
her?"Franksaidinhisdefense
"She'
sabi t
chthat'
swhyandshelovest
hings,
she
onlyagreedbecausewesaidi
t'
stempor
aryandthat
wewi l
lgivehermoney"Fr
edsaid
"Yesbutit'
sbeentwomont hsnowandshei
snot
complaini
ng,l
et'
sjustdowhatweneedtodo.I
'
m
fi
ndingavirgi
ntocleanseandyouneedt
ogetri
dof
Puri
ty"Frankfur
thersai
d
"Frankdoyouunder st
andt hatwewillbot
hneedto
sleepwiththatvi
rgi
n,wher eoneart
har ewegoing
tofindavirgi
nwhowi llal
lowt wogr
ownassmant o
popt hecherr
y?Thisisabsolutel
ycrazy"Fredsai
d
i
rrit
ably
"Nothi
ngi simpossibledearbrot
her,allyouneedi
s
money.Peopl ereekofdesperationthat'
swhenwe
stri
ke,don'twor
rybr opeopleouttherewanttoget
ri
chqui ckandifyoucanmakei thappenf ort
hem
theywilldoanythingforyou"Frankpat t
edFred
shoulderandwal kedovertohiscar.
Theybot
hdi
ssapear
edi
ntot
hei
rbeast
sanddr
ove
away.
*
***
Nanast eadiedthrought hetraffi
cdr i
vingtowor k,
sheheavi edasi ghassheputont her adi
o,she
knewi twasgoi ngt oal ongdr eadfulqueuebef ore
shebr eaksfreeintot henextr oadt hatleadstoher
toFr edSimmonsI nc.Justt hinki
ngaboutt hetwins
causedherl ipstocur vei nt
oasmi le,"whatifshe
canpl aydumbandf uckbot hoft hem knowi nglybut
pretendslikeshedoesn' tknow"shet houghtto
herself.
Shecoul dtotall
ypulli
tof
fpluswi t
ht hewaythey
spoilheritwast ot
all
yworthit
,"whowoul dhave
thoughtNanat hel
azydomkopwoul dbeli
vingina
mansi on,dri
vingherowncarandf uckingwithtwo
hotrichtwins…noone"shegi ggledtoherself
.
TuningintoDur bzradi
ostati
onthenewsanchor
camei n.
"Br
eaki
ngnews!t
hreemenhavebeenfounddead
onuMngeniRi
ver
,theSAPSdet
ecti
veJodesh
Nai doooft heDur banNor thpol i
cest ati
oni nformed
thatiti sconf ir
medt hattheywer edr ownedand
havebeendeadf oroveraweek.Themenhavenot
beeni dent i
fiedyetbuti nvest igati
onsar eunder way
andheur gest hecommuni tytocomef orthwi t
hany
i
nf ormat i
ont hatcoul dhel pwi ththecase.Ther ehas
beenyetanot hercashi nt ransitheistatVal ue
Cent reinSpr ingfield,theguar dsmanagedt oshoot
deadt hreeoft heper petratorsbutonegotawayand
i
sst i
llatl argewi thupt o3mi l
li
onRands.
Unf ortunat elydur ingt heshoot outthr eeinnocent
survei ll
ancegoti nj ured,theci ti
zensofSout hAf ri
ca
arest artingt of earf ortheirlivesast hesecr imes
arebecomi ngmor eandmor ecommoncl aimi ng
l
ivesofi nnocentpeopl ewhogetcaughti nt he
crossf ir
e.Last lyther ehasbeenayoungl adyf rom
Ntuzumat ownshi pwhoi saski ngf orhelpt opayf or
hermot herwhoi si nadi r eli
fet hreateningcondi tion
i
nhospi tal,shei ssuf feri
ngf r
om ar aretypeof
cancerandneedst ogof orsur geryi mmedi ately,i
f
anyoneoutt herewhof eelst ouchedbyt hisgi rl
s
storypl easecont actt hest ati
onon0315640575or
phoneNomzamoon0712133645f ormor e
i
nfor
mati
on.Rememberali
tt
legoesal
ongway,
my
nameisCi
ndyKingwi
thyournewsonDur
bzfm".
Nanawasl osti nthought st hinkingaboutt hecr i

me
i
nt hecount ry,shecl osedherwi ndowj ustincase
shegetshi j
ackedi tsuddenl yf eltunsaf et olive,thi
s
wor l
dwast ur ningintosomet hingunr ecogni zabl e.
Herthought st r
ailedof ftoNomzamo, sheknewhow
i
tistostruggl eandt hisgirlmustbehopel essand
desperat
et ogot ot her adi
o, per hapsFr edand
Frankcouldhel p.Sheendur edt het r
af f
icandwas
nowpul l
ingupt hebui lding,shewassur pr
isedt o
seethetwinscaratt hebasementpar ki
ng, she
wonderedwher etheyhavebeensi nceshedi dn't
seethem att hehousef orbr eakf astthismor ning.
Nanapar kednextt ot hem andcl i
ckedherheel s
headingtot heel evators.
*
***
Thul
adosatont
heedgeoft
hebedasMhl
engi
snor edaway, hemustbet iredf orhi m nottobeup
maki ngbr eakfastf ort hem, shescannedar oundt he
room andsi ghed.Thi sisnott hel i
f eshel eftMooi
Ri verf or ,
nowt hatshecal l
edMhl engiout ,he
doesn' tpr et
endt obegoi ngt owor kwi thhisover all
s
anymor e, hesl eepsi nanddashesoutwhenhe
needst oo.Thi ski ndofmadeherseet hingsf or
whatt heywer e,itwasal lsoexhaust ingi t
slikethey
wer est ucki nt hemi ddleofnowher enotknowi ng
whet hert ogol eftorr ight.Mhl engist i
llhadamoney
flowandshewasn' teveni nt erest edi ndiggingast o
wher ei tcamef r
om becauseoff earhi swaysmi ght
j
ustbr eakherhear t.Thent hebabi eswer edueany
secondf r
om now, shehoi st edher sel
fwaddl i
ng
towar dst hedoubl epr am/ car riageMhl engibought ,
ont opofi twasabi gbagt hatshewast otaket o
thehospi tal
.Shet ouchedt hest uffandsmi l
ed,it
wassur ealthatsoont heywi llbepar ents, i
twas
ter r
ifyingyett hril
li
ng.
Shewal
kedovert
othefr
idget
oscoutf
oranyleft
over
sfr
om l
astni
ght
,shewaswishi
ngforaheavy
meal.For
tunat
elyMhlengipackst helef
toversi
na
l
unchboxshegrabbeditcheerful
ly.Mhlengionl
y
wokeupwhenThul adowasf i
nishedwi th
umfudumezo,hesmiledshakinghi shead.
"Di
dyouevenbr
ushyourt
eet
h?"Mhl
engiasked
chuckl
ing
"Idi
dandyouoversl
eptsot
hisi
sal
lIcoul
dfi
nd"
Thuladosai
dinherdef
ense
"I
'
m sorr
yshorty,
IguessI'
mt i
red.Howdi
dyou
sl
eep?"heaskedget
tingoutofbed.
"
Itwasokay"shepushedherher
sel
fupt
oputt
he
l
unchboxaway.
Mhl engidi
ssapearedint
ot hebathr
oom aft
erafew
mi nutesheret
urnedlookingfr
esh,hestoppedathi
s
tr
ackswhenhesawThul adourinat
ingwhil
e
standinginthekit
chenarea.Hiseyeswidened.
"
Ser
iousl
y?Iknowt
hatyoupr
egnantbutar
eyou
j
ustgoingt
our
inat
eint
heki
tchen?
"Mhl
engiasked
annoyed
"What
?"Thul
adosai
dlooki
ngdownherl
egs,
"Shi
t!
"
shesai
drunni
ngtot
hebathroom
Shesatdownbutt heli
qui
dwasgushi ngoutr
ather
uncontroll
abl
y,sheranbacktot
her oom l
eavi
nga
tr
ailbehindher,sherummagedint
oherwar dr
obe
l
ookingf orachangeofclot
hes.
"Ohmygoshyouusuchamelaindluyonkekemanje,
yinivel
engawe?(
youuri
nat
ingalloverthepl
ace,
what '
swrongwi
thyou?
)heaskedirri
tably
"i
t'
snoturi
ne, mywaterbr
oke.Iremembertheytol
d
usatthecli
nic"Thul
adosaidhereyesf
ixedinsi
de
thewardr
obe
Mhlengishotup,hequickl
ygotamopandcl eaned
t
hedr opl
etsaroundtheroom andinthetoi
let
.He
f
lushedforherandreturnedt
ot hei
rspace,
he
grabbedthebagandrequest
edt
heUberwhi
le
Thuladogotready.
"
Areyoui
nlabornow?
"Mhl
engiaskedconcer
ned
"
Idon'
tknowbutIdon'
tfeelanypai
nsyet
"shesai
d
Shest art
edsweati
ngasanxiet
ygotthebett
erof
her,
shewassuddenl yworr
iedabouther
selfandthe
babies,shest
art
edcryi
ngforhermother.Mhlengi
pul
ledhercloseastheywalkedoutt
heflat
.
"Kuzol
unga!I
t'
sokayshort
y…I'
m her
eandwear e
goingt
obepar ent
s"Mhl
engiki
ssedherwetcheeks
andpull
edherintohi
sarms
2021
Happybirt
hdaytoKeleabet
sweKgafelaf
or
yest
erday,Ihopeyourdaywasamazingasyouar
e
sweetyoungl
ady
[
11/
22,
14:
16].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er24
Senzoslammedhisfistonthecount
erfumi
ng,he
fl
aredhi
snoselooki
ngatPhi ndi
lewhowasplayi
ng
wit
hherhandsinnocentl
yinthemiddl
eofthe
ki
tchen.
"
Aft
erever
ythi
ngIdi
dforyou,
pour
ingmyheartout
t
oyou,youwantt
oleaveme…OhGodI'
m sucha
f
ool
,youj
ustl
iket
hatbi
tchsi
steri
fyour
s,nowt
ell
mewhoishe?
"I
t'
snoonebabeIj ustwantt oli
veinressoIcan
studypr operl
y, youknowIl oveyoubutIcan' tstudy
here.AllIendupdoi ngiscleani
ng,cooki
ngbyt he
ti
meI '
m doneI 'm exhaustedandr et
urnfrom wor k
anddemandsex, i
t'
sr eal
lystart
ingtoaff
ectmy
schoolwor k.Ifyoul ovemel ikeyousaidyou,you
willal
lowmet odot his…please"shesaidwalking
cl
osert ohi m
"Youpr
omi
sei
t'
snotanot
herman?
"Senzosai
dabi
t
calm
"Il
oveyoualoneVi
lakazi
,sowil
lyoual
lowmeto
l
iveatRes?
"sheaskedslippi
ngherhandsi
nsi
dehi
s
pants
"It
'sfi
neyoucangobutever yweekendIwantyou
hereandI '
m buyingyouar i
ngtoshowt hatyouare
takenandpl easedon'tevent hi
nkofcheati
ngonme
girl
ieotherwiseyouwillendupsi xf
eetli
keyour
sister
"hesai dster
nly,heyankedherhandsr oughl
y
outofhi spantsthenhegr abbedhiscarkeysand
l
eftf
orwor
k.
Assoonashel
eftPhi
ndil
estuckhert
ongueout
di
ali
nganumberonherphone.
"mnakskwenzenj
an?
"thevoi
ceont
heot
herend
sai
d
"wemnaksl al
elaIhavet ri
edthekegalbal
lsto
ti
ghten,
Ili
edtot hebulldogthatI
'm onmyper i
ods
buthisget
ti
ngimpat ientbecauseIalr
eadytoldhi
m
aboutmovingout "shesaidalmostwhisperi
ng
"l
eadershi
pwena,nowyoumustsoaki nabathwith
vi
negarandyouwi l
lbesort
ed,t
hekukuwi l
lbeti
ght
asnew.Nowbecar efult
hatyoudontgetcaught
becauseamadodaayabulal
anaoe(mencanki l
l
you)"shesai
dchuckli
ng
"Don'
tworr
yIhaveeveryt
hingundercontrolsol
ong
asSenzothi
nkI'
mt hi
sinnocentli
ttl
egi
rl
,I'
m sor
ted.
IwanttomoveoutASAP, yaziIhavemoneybutI
can'
tusei
tbecauseigovuli
zongibuzaukuthi
ngi
yithathephil
emali(t
hebull
dogwillaskmewher e
Igotthemoneyf rom).Temptati
oncomesatmy
doorstepandoneoft hesedayshewi l
lwalkinon
usandIcan' thavethat
,Ineedtogo"Phindil
e
i
nformed
"Tr
ue!Iwonderwhyyoumar r
yinghi
mt hough
becausecl
earl
yyoudon'
tlovehim mnaks"thevoi
ce
sai
d
"Iact
ual
lydoinawaybutnotentir
ely,If
eell
ikeI
needtoenjoymyli
fefi
rstbef
orehetiesmedown
henceIaskedtof
ini
shschoolfi
rst
"sheanswer ed
"IhearyounamiI '
m onmywayt ot
at'
Mfenyane
undimelewet hu(hiswait
ingforme),
ngisayoj
ulukelwayikhehl
a"shesaidlaughi
ng(the
oldmani sgoi ngtosweatont opofme)
"
Youandt
heol
dies"Phi
ndi
lebur
stoutl
aughi
ng
"Idon'
twantdramai nmyl i
fe,al
lIwantismoney
andthat'
sit
.Atleastmyol di
escomeandgetsome
thentheygobacktot hei
rwivesandleavemein
peace"sheadded
"
Iguesst
hat
'syourpr
erogat
ivemnaksIcannot
bri
ngmyselft odosuch, maybeit'
sbecausemy
fat
heri
sst i
llali
ve.Anywayenj oyutataMf enyane,
I
needtopreparef orSenzowhenher etur
ns.It'
snot
l
ikehesaidanyt hingbuthejustsli
psin,Iguessmy
consci
encei swor ki
ngoverti
me"sheexpl ained
"Tr
ustyourgut ,
especial
lyifyourpeopl
earegif
ted
l
ikeyousayt heyare,kut
hiwamencant el
lof
anotherman'spresence,Idon'tknowhowt r
uethat
i
s"sher esponded
"
EishOK,
letmego"shehungupabi
tanxi
ous
Shelookedf
orvi
negari
nthecupboardsandlucki
ly
shefoundaseal
edbott
le,
thenshedashedtothe
bat
hroom.
*
***
Fr
edSi
mmonsi
nc
"It
hinkthebestwaytodothisi
stokeepthingsas
i
s, Nanacanneverknowthatshei
simportanttous
andsoi sPhi
ndil
e,t
hatwaytheywon'tgr
owwi ngs"
Franksaid
"Unti
ltheygett
iredofthi
sarr
angementt
henwhat?
Whatiftheymeetsomeonewhom t heyl
oveand
theywanttosettledownandcutti
eswit
hus?"Fr
ed
askedconcerned.
"Thatcanneverhappenbesi desthefactt
hatthey
areweakunderourspel l
,theydon'thavethe
necessaryrequi
rementstobemar ri
edhaveyou
forgott
enonceyougoSi mmonsyoucan' tgoback.
Whi chmanwi l
lsett
leforafruit
lessmarri
age…
rel
ax"FrankpattedFredsshoulder
"OKIhearyouwhataboutSenzo,hewant
stomar r
y
herandnowthis.Wehavebeenli
vingof
fthatguy
foryear
snow,Idon'
tknow"Fredsaid
"Senzosepoes!Thatguyisjustasbad,youthi
nk
helovesPhi
ndile?Wellhedoesn'thei
sjustusi
ng
hertospi
tethatshor
tgirlhi
smadabout ,maybehe
l
ovedPearlbutnotPhindil
e.Atl
eastwit
huswewi l
l
takecar
eofheri
nexchangef
orherwomb
ofcour
se"Fr
anksai
d.
"
Alr
ightandt
hevi
rgi
n?"Fr
edar
chedhi
seyebr
ow
"Ihaven'
tfoundherI
'
m planni
ngonvisiti
ngthe
rural
shopefull
ysomethi
ngwillr
eveal
itsel
fther
e"
heanswer ed
Nanacamei ncli
ckingherheelsi
nherver
yvery
ti
ghtandshortdress,t
hetwinswentmute
i
mmedi atel
y.Nanastoppedmidwaylooki
ngatthem
suspi
ciousl
y.
"Whatwereyoutal
kingabout
?Wasi
taboutme?
"
shethi
nnedhereyes
"
Youl
ookedi
ble"Fr
anksai
dst
andi
ngupwal
king
t
owar
ds
"Whydon'tyouj
ustl
ockt
hedooronet
ime"Fr
ed
order
edlooseni
nghi
sti
e
Nanaswal l
owedthinki
ngaboutherfil
thythoughts,
boththetwinsswaggeredherdi
rect
ion,shet ook
stepsbacksbutherkneeswentweakshet r
ipped
andFrankcaughtherbeforeshecouldtoucht he
fl
oor.
"What
'swr
ong?Yourbreathi
slabor
ed"Fr
ankasked
sof
tl
yashegrazedherli
ps
Fredsmiledenjoyi
ngt heshow, hehadasof tspot
forNanaandf ormat oconf i
rmt hatshewas
welcomingtothissetupmadehi m veryhappy.
FrankandNanawer eki ssingpassionatel
y,she
evenhadherhandsr unni ngalloverhisbodyso
comfort
ably.Shethenpausedl ooki
ngatFr ed,she
thencal
ledhim gesturingwi thherpointerf
inger.
"Ohyouwantmeaswel
l
?"Fr
edsai
dact
ing
surpr
ised
Thepairfussedoverherassheli
ednakedonthe
couch,herdream wasaboutt
ocomet r
ue.Aft
era
steamingsessionthetri
owasnowdressedand
focusedonr ealwork.
"There'
sagi rlthatweneedtohel
p,hermotherisi
n
hospitalandshedoesn'thavemoneyt osendher
forsurgery.Ifoll
owedherstor
yonther adi
o"Nana
saidstandingovert het
wins
"
Whymustwehel
pher
?"Fr
edasked
"BecauseIsai
dso"Nanasai
dsashayi
ngbackt
o
herdesk
FrankandFredlookedt
ooneanotherandthey
smi l
ed,
thesuddenconf
identandsasswasatotal
turnon.
"
Giveheracal
landwewillseewhatwecando
mam"Franksai
dsarcast
ical
ly
"
Vel
eIwasgoi
ngt
ophoneher
"shesai
dst
icki
ng
hert
ongueoutdi
ali
nghernumber
"
Imagi
neherandPhi
ndi
lei
noner
oom"Fr
ed
whi
sper
ed
"St
opgossi
ping…youar emen…eww"Nana
scr
eamedfrom herdesk,t
hetwi
nsl
aughed
Nomzamof
inal
lyanswer
ed….
"
Hel
lo"shesai
deversosweet
ly
"Hit
heremynameisNana,Ihear
daboutyourmom
soFredSi
mmonsI ncwantt
ohaveameet ingwi
th
you,sowecanseehowwecanhel pyou"Nanasai
d
"ThankyousomuchsisibutIhavefoundhel
p
alr
eady,wealr
eadymet.She'
sgoingtoseemy
mom tomorrow,t
hankyousomuch"Sher esponded
"Ohcongr
ats,
allt
hebestwi
thmom"Nanasai
d
hangi
ngup
Shest
aredatt
heboysandsi
ghed…
"
Wet
ool
ate,
shef
oundhel
pal
ready"shesai
dsadl
y
Puri
tybudgedinandtherecept
ioni
stranaf
terher
,
shethr
ewher sel
fonthetl
oftl
ofcouch.Shepoor
fr
ontdeskladystoodther
espeechl
ess.
"
Itr
iedt
ost
ophersi
r"shel
ookedt
othet
wins
"I
t'
sokay,gobackt
owor
k"Fr
edsai
d,shenodded
andscurr
iedaway
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Fr
edaskedangr
il
y
"Dlamini
!Hisdead,hewasamongstt hedeadmen
foundonumngenir iver
.Idon'
tknowwheretogo,I
don'tevenhavefri
ends"Shesaidinbet
weenher
sniff
s
"Shouldn'
tyoubeathomesi
tti
ngonamattr
ess
surroundedbycandl
esmarr
iedwoman"Fr
anksai
d
spit
efull
y
"
Justl
eavemeal
one"Shescof
fed
"Pur
ityj
ustgohome,yourfamil
ymustf i
ndyou
ther
e.Youcan'
tbeseengalavanti
ngunlessof
courseyouki
ll
edyourhusband"Fredsaid
"Ofcour
senot
,It
houghtyouguyswoul
d
sympathi
zewi
thme"shelookedatt
hem sur
pri
sed
"Thenstopbei
ngat hought
ist
"Fr
anksai
dmockingl
y,
Nanagi ggl
edsi
tt
ingonherdeskmindi
ngherown
business
"Notsolongago,youwant
edhi
m deadt
hough
Puri
ty"Fredsai
d
Pur
it
yopenedhermout
htosaysomet
hingbut
wor
dsfai
ledher
.
*
***
Meanwhil
eatt
hehospit
al,Mhl
engipacedupand
downanxi
ousasaleafaboutt
ofallf
rom at
ree,
he
keptonj umpinguponseei nganur seoradoct or
butnonehadnewsf orhim.Thenhet houghtoft heir
fl
at,itwasadumpandnotapl acefornewbor n
babies,i
nfacthishear tclenchedbecauseof
Thulado'shabit,het houghtshewoul dhavebeen
betterbynowbutt heki dsar ehereandt hehome
theyhavef orthem ist otall
yunaccept able.Hedr ew
hisphonef rom hispocketandpagedt hrough
l
ooki ngforAirbnb'st hathecoul duseunt i
lheget sa
biggerplace,hedi dn'tcareifThuladowasgoi ngto
agreeornot .Hef oundat wobedr oom apar tmenti n
southBeach, wit
houtwast i
ngtimehedi aledthe
host.
"
Hi!Sharonspeaki
nghowcanIhel
pyou?
"shesai
d
i
naf r
iendl
yvoice
"
Hiuhm…Ij ustsawroomshereonAirbnbandI'
m
i
nter
estedi
nt hetwobedr
oom faci
ngtheocean,
I
wantitf
oramont h"Mhl
engienqui
red
"OhOKthat'
sperf
ect
,iti
savai
labl
eIj
ustchecked
outaf
amilyther
e,whendoyouneedit
?"Sharon
asked
"
Immedi
atel
y!"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
"OKnoproblem,myhelperiscleaningthepl
ace,
youcangoaheadandf il
ltheform onli
neandthen
paythedeposi
t.Ist
hereanythi
ngel seyouneed
from me?
"theladyasked
"Yes,
canyoupl
easemakei
tchi
ldf
ri
endl
y,Ihave
newborntwi
ns"shesai
d
"Congr
atul
ati
ons,
IwilldowhatIcant omakesure
yourst
ayiscomfort
able,confi
rm yourdet
ail
sonl
ine
andpaythedeposit
"sheur ged
"
Rightaway"Mhl
engisai
dhangi
ngup.
Hesatbackonthebenchfi
ll
inghisi
nfor
mati
on,he
madeapaymentandt hel
adymessagedhim about
wheret
ogetthekeys.Thenursecameouti
nher
scr
ubs,shest
oodbeforehi
m.
"
SirI'
m sentt
oaskifyouwoul
dli
ket
ogotot
heatr
e
wit
hmi ssMdlet
she,t
hebabi
esar
etoobi
gsothey
wi
llhavet
ooper
ateher
"hesai
d
"NoIwillwai
there,Icannotbr
ingmysel
ftoseeher
i
npain"hesaidnervously
"Shewil
lbeputunder
,shewon'
tbei
npai
n"t
he
nurseassur
ed
"
Yousur
e?"heaskedr
eluct
ant
ly
"Yeahhurryupthi
sway, shehasbeenthr
oughal
ot,
wet houghtshewouldneedsomeonewhocareson
herside"shesai
dgivinghim at
ightsmi
le
Mhlengifol
lowedt henursetot heat hre,
they
sprayedhim andgavehi m scrubst owearandanet
forhisshoesandhead.Hewasdi rectedtowher e
Thuladowasal r
eadypr eparedf orCeaser ean,his
heartpoundedast hefearoftheunknownwashed
overhim.Whati fshedoesn'tmakei t
,hehear d
stori
esofwomendel i
veri
ngbutgi vingupaf terthei
r
kidsareborn.Thuladospottedhi m andsmi led
weaklyshelookedl i
keshewasf i
ght i
ngdr agons,
redpuffyeyesandaf l
ushedfacewi t
hdryl i
ps.
"hey"shesai
dweakl
ystr
etchi
ngherhandtot
ouch
him,Mhlengit
ookagi
antsteptohol
dher
"Welcomesi r
,justcal
m herdownandever yt
hing
wil
lbealright
.She'snotinpainshemi ghtf
eelabit
col
dsoshewi llshi
verbutal
lisgood"the
anesthet
istdoctoradvi
sed,Mhlenginoddedhis
head
"Mystr
ongwoman,youlooksobeaut
if
ul"Mhl
engi
sai
dleani
ngi
nforakiss
"ThankyouFuze,t
heysayi
ngyourbabi
esar
ebi
g"
shechuckl
ednervousl
y
"Shoul
dIbehappyaboutthat
?Yousur
eat
eal
ot
duri
ngthepr
egnancy"heanswer
ed
"
Ithi
nkit
'sagoodthi
ngbutIguessnotf
orme"she
t
ight
enedherl
ips
Meanwhi l
ethedoctor
shoveredaroundThul ado
behindthebari
cade,t
heycouldn'
tseethegor y
detail
s.Thedoctor
sadvi
sedthatshewi l
lfeel
pressur eastheypusht hebabi esoutbutnot hi
ngto
wor r
yabout ,Thuladonoddedherheadi ndeedit
wast ime.Af t
eracoupl eofsecondst heyhearda
l
itt
lecr y,t
hedoctorandt heat hr
est af
fcheeredit
's
girl
,theylif
tedherupbutqui ckl
yhandedherovert o
thenur sewhowascl eaningt hebabies.Theyadded
pressur eagainandthisti
meal oudercrywasheard
theyalllaughedcheer i
ngf orher .
"Thisonewil
lkeepyouup,for
getaboutever
sleepi
ngagain"hesai
dlaughi
ng
ThuladojustweptGodhasbl essedt hem wi thtwo

l
itt
legir
ls, t
heysuddenl yoccupi edaspeci alplacei
n
herheart.Mhl engikeptonwipi nghist ears,he
couldn'
texpl ai
nwhathewasf eelinginside.The
doctori
nt err
uptedtheirweepingpar t
y.
"
Haveyout
houghtofnames"
"
No!
"theysai
dtoget
herchuckl
ingi
nbet
weent
hei
r
sni
ff
s
"Wellcongrat
ulat
ionsagain,t
hebabi eswillbewit
h
youstraightf
rom here.Theyarehealthyandgood
togobutyouwi l
lbesentint
other ecover
yr oom f
or
8hour s,
dadyoucangoandgr eetyourkidsfora
coupleofsecondsbef orewetakethem away"t he
doctorsaidtoMhl engi
Het ookrel
uctantstri
destowardst hemobilecot,he
wasner vousashel l
.Andtheretheywer etwopi nk
babiesheavil
ywr appedinhospitalsheet
s,they
seemedt obesl eepi
ng.Hesmi l
edashi semot ion
roseaboutspirali
ngoutofcontrol,hewantedt o
holdthem andst aybythei
rsideandneverl eave
them.
"
Canyoudressthem up,
Iboughtthem cl
othes"
Mhl
engisai
dlookingatt
henurse
"
OKIwilldoi
tinther
ecover
yroom,
it'
swar
mer
t
her
e"sheassured
Theyr ol
ledthet winsoutandThul adowhowas
slowlydozingof f,
Mhl engirushedafterthem.When
theyreachedt hemat ernitywardhecoul dn'
tpass
throughther eceptionsoheki ssedThuladoand
thankedherf orthemi ll
ionthti
me, hewaitedfor
them todissapeart henheundr essedfrom the
scrubsandl eftheadingt otheBnB.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
24].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er25
"
Newbegi
nni
ngs,
NewChapt
er,
Newbor
ns"
MhlengimetShar onoutsidetheapar t
ment ,t
hey
exchangedpleasantr
iesandt hekeys.Shar onwasa
l
itt
lesad,shethoughtshewoul dgetagl impseof
thetwinsthatgotherallexci
ted,revel
li
nghert ogo
outofherwayt ocreateal i
tt
lefantasynurseryfor
them wit
hhelpf r
om fri
endsandf ami l
y.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveyoudidallinthati
nsuchashort
spaceofti
me, it
'sabsol
utelybeaut
if
ul"Mhl
engisai
d
gobsmackedhenevert houghtanurserywoul
dlook
thatbeaut
iful
"I
'm sorr
y!Whenyout ol
dmeyouhavenewbor n
twins,Ij
ustgotcarr
iedaway.Ij
ustlovekidsthey
aresuchwonderandher eIwast hi
nkingIwil
lgetto
seethem"themi ddl
eagedwhi t
ewomansai d
"
Unf
ort
unat
elyt
heywer
edel
i
ver
edt
hrough
ceaser
ean,theywil
lonl
ycomeher
eaf
tert
hree
days"Mhlengisai
d
"Ohwell,
youguysenjoy.Iwi
llseethem someot her
ti
me.Ijustwantyoutoknowt hatyouareblessed
beyondmeasure,i
fyouneedanyt hingj
ustshout"
Sherepli
ed
"I
'
m actual
lyl
ooki
ngf
oraplace,t
wobedr
oom i
na
safeenvi
ronment
"Mhl
engiadded
"I
fIhearanyt
hingIwil
lletyouknow,I
nfactIwi
llask
aroundamongstfr
iendsandf amil
ysomethi
ng
shouldcomeup"shef ur
thersai
d
"CanIaskyousomething"Mhlengisai
dsi
tt
ingon
thecouch,
hefeltf
reearoundSharoneventhough
hewasmeet i
ngherforthefi
rstti
me.Shewasj ust
sowelcomingandgenuine.
"
Sur
e,anyt
hing"shesatont
heopposi
tecouch
"Ther easonwhyI '
m her eisbecauseourf lati
s
trashed, I
'
m evenembar rassedtoevent al
kaboutit
butnowt hatmygirlsar ehereIfeell
ikeit'
stimeIdo
somet hing,butIdon'tknowwhatt odo.Mywoman!
Shecol lectsst
uffandi thaspiledupt hefl
attoa
pointwher ewear ewindi ngthroughever ythi
ng, I
l
oveherbutIcannotst andi t
,it
'sstinkyandst uff
y.
Itconfusesmebecauseshei sacl eanpersonbut
criessorrowf ullywhenIat temptt odiscardthe
clutter
,I'
m star ti
ngt othinki t
'shabitthatisstuck
withherf orever ,Idon'tknowhowmanyt imesI
haveconcl udedt hatI'
ml eavingherbutmyl ovef or
heranchor smedown"heheavi edaheavysi gh" I'
m
sor r
ytobombar dyoubutIdon' thaveanyonet otal
k
too,Ineedhel p,Ineedgui dance"hesai dlookingat
Shar onwi t
hgl isteningeyes
"Yep!Yep!"shesai dnoddingherheadi nagreement,
"Iknowt hatt oowel lyoungman, obviouslyI'
m nota
doctorsoIcannotgi veheradiagnosi sbutit
soundsl i
keahoar dertome, myauntwast he
biggesthoar derIhaveeverseen.I tbecamea
healthhazar dshewoul dkeepboxesofel ectr
ical
appliancesf oryear sandwoul dfli
pifyouwoul dask
forsome.Wor seshewasast hmatic,theplacewas
fil
thyandr evol t
ing.Shewoul dalsocol l
ectpetsand
storefood, weal lmovedoutt hehouseandl efther
alonet hi
nkingshewi llsel
fInt
rospectonl yto
real
izedt hatwemadet hingswor se.Shebecameso
sickshehadt obeadmi t
tedt othehospi tal,even
thereshewasal wayswai l
ingandanxi ousbecause
shet houghtwewoul dgot oherhouseandt hrow
everythingout .Ir ememberhowsheusedt ochase
usar oundt hehouset hrowi ngshoesatusi fwe
madeanat temptt ocleant hepl ace…mayhersoul
restinpeace.Thet hingi sitget swor sewi thage,
youl osef r
iendsandf amily, youaut omat ically
becomeani slandbecauseyouar etoo
embar rassedt oassoci ateyour selfwithot hersjust
i
ncaset heywantt otalkaboutyourcl utt
er .Youlive
yourl i
feinisol ati
on,somybestadvi ceist obe
gent l
eandever ythi
ngyoudo, doitinlovebut
definit
elygetherhel p, i
twi l
lonl ygetwor sef rom
here"shesai d
"Ohwow,Thuladocol l
ectsice-cr
eam container
s
andbooks,she'salwayslookingupf orgaragebook
sal
esorbookgi veaways.Firstl
yIthoughtshewas
abookworm butsheneverr eads, i
tbaff
ledme.She
i
ssoquicktot el
lmet here'
snospacewhenIcome
wit
hmyst uffandI'mlike"hell
o",hechucked."just
l
ikeyousaidourf r
iendsaren'
tall
owedtoourflat
,
notthatIwouldbringanyonetherebutshemadei t
cleart
hattheyaren'twel
comed"heexplained
"She'sdef init
elyahoar derbutpl easegetherhel p,in
hermi ndshet hinksthatt herewillcomeat i
me
whenshewi l
luset hestuff.I
t'sament alil
lness
connect edt osomet raumat heyhaveexper i
enced,
wel aterfoundoutandi tdawnedonus.Myuncl e
andherki dswer emur deredatthehouse, whenshe
returnedf rom wor kshef oundt hem swi mmi ngina
poolofbl ood.Wel aterfoundoutt hatitwashi s
fri
endwhowasal soabusi nesspar tnerwho
orderedt hehi t,
event houghhewasar rest
edherl i
fe
wasnevert hesame.Sot alktoheryouwi l
lbe
shocked"Shar onf urt
hersai d
"Thankyousomuch, thathel
psmeal
ot…yohIhad
noidea"Mhlengisai
dhonestl
y
Sharonstoodupandsqueezedhi
sshoul
derbef
ore
walki
ngtowardst
hedoor.
"
She'
sluckyt
ohaveacari
ngmanl
ikeyou,
feelf
ree
i
fyouneedmyhelp"shel
eft
Mhlengiscr
atchedhisheadvi gorously,
thi
swas
al
otofinfor
mat i
on,hegrabbedt hekeysandlef
t.He
neededtofetchsomestufffrom theirfl
at.
*
***
FortunatelyPhindilemanagedt oscoreherselfa
room oncampus, t
heper ksofbefr
iendi
ngt heSRC
i
twaseasypeasy.Gl uedonherphoneshewai t
ed
atther obotsjustoutsidetheRes,herstomachhas
beenr umbl i
ngeversi ncelunchti
meandnowshe
couldn'twaittogetherhandsont hatfr
iedchicken.
Wi t
hallthemoneyshehad, shecouldbuywhat ever
shewant s.Thecar sstoppedandshecr ossedthe
road,guysi nabl ackVW Pol ost
artedwhistl
ing
admi r
ingheryel l
owt highswhom wer evisi
bleand
entici
ng.Shescof f
edatt hem,shewasdeal ingwith
biggerf i
shesnotmer efuckboyswhosunkedi n
debt
s,l
ivi
ngof
fthei
rpar
ent
s.
Sheent er
edKFCandorder
edherdesiredmeal,she
crossedther
oadagai
nbutsuddenlyshefeltaclot
h
coveri
nghermouthandnose,shedroppedher
brownpaperbagasshesuccumbedt othe
darkness.
*
***
Att
heHospi
tal
Mhl engiwasbat hedsmel l

ingf reshwhenhe
enteredt hewar dwher eThul adoandt het winswere
kept,itwast heaf t
er noonvi sit
inghour s.Hebought
herjuice, f
ruit
s,wat erandf oodasr equestedbyhis
shor t
y.Thul adostilllookedweakandi nalotofpai
n,
shest ruggledtosi tasMhl engiwal kedcloserto
them.I nthewar dwas7ot herbedsbutonl y5were
occupi edbyot herladi eswhoal sodeliver
edt hr
ough
ceaserean.Mhlengiki
ssedherandthenshif
tedhis
focusonhi spr
incesses,unf
ort
unat
elytheywere
sleepi
ng.
"
Canyouwaket
hem up?
"heasked
"
No!Apparent
lythi
sishowi t'
sgoingt
obefora
whi
le,
theywakeupt oeatthenofftol
alal
andagai
n.
Howareyou?"Thuladoasked
"Imissyou,Ican'tbel
ieveyouwil
lbeher
efort
hree
days"hesaidpout i
ngpicki
nguponetwin,"
sohow
dowedi ff
erenti
ate,t
heylookthesametome"
Mhlengisaid
"Si
ncetheydon'thavenamesyet ,
theyaremarked
AandBsoyoucar r
yingB"shechuckl
ed, "
andthat
oneistheloudwai l
er"shei
nfor
med.Mhl engi
l
aughedremember i
ngwhatthedoctorssaidabout
herkeepi
ngt hem upallni
ght
"
Haveyout
houghtofnames?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Iwant
edtogivet
hem mymot her
'sname, butt
hen
t
heywon'
tsoundi
dent
icalsoIdon'tknow.Perhaps
onecanhaveyourmother'
snameandtheothermy
mom'sname"shesaidli
ghti
ngup.Mhl
engiputthe
babydownandheldherhand.
"Thulado!Iwantust ost artoveronacl eansl at
e,to
createourownempi rethatisn'tconnect edt oour
past.Noof f
ense!Ilovemypar ent
sbutwhat everi
t
i
st heyhavet oofferendswi t
hme, whatmychi ldr
en
willgetmustbef rom theirfatherandmot her.Idon't
wantmychi ldrentosuf ferli
kemeandyoushoul d
somet hinghappent oussot heref
or ethisrighthere
i
sourof fspri
ng, t
heydeser venewnames, t
hey
mustmaket heirownmar kandnotf iti
ntosomeone
else'
sshoes.Noneofourki dsshoul dhavenames
ofourdeceasedi ncludingus, there'
spl entyofways
torememberyourl ovedone' s.Iwentanddi da
tatt
oof orme.I '
m noti mposi ngourbel ovedpar ents
i
nourki ds"hesai dsli
ght l
ysqueezi ngherhand
"OKI-Ididn'
tknowthat
'showyoufeel,andhonestl
y
ever
yt i
meIt hinkofmymom,Ijustcrybecauseit
hurt
st i
llthi
sday"shesai
dasfreshtearsappear
ed
i
nhereyes
"
Youseeshor
ty!Andal
lthatener
gy,
thesadness
wi
llf
alluponourchil
dren.I
'm sor
ryaboutyourpai
n,
wewillgett
hrougheveryt
hingmuntuwami "he
st
oodupt owipehertears
"
Howaboutyounamethem? "Thul
adosaid,tr
ying
t
odi
ff
usethesit
uat
ionastherewasotherladi
esin
t
her
oom
"OkayIwil
lthi
nkaboutit
,nowt el
lmehowdidyou
getyourname?"Mhlengiaskedarchi
nghi
seyebr
ow
"Well
!"shechuckl edl i
ghtl
y,"Apparent lyIwasan
angelfrom allmyf atherskids,theyusedt ocryand
getsickoftencausi ngmydadt orunupanddown
butwhenIcame, therewaspeace.I tdidn'thelp
becauseitseemedl i
kemydadf avor edmymom
amongstt heot herwi ves,
mymom sai dhewas
smili
ngadmi r
abl ywhenhesai d"uthul euthidu
ntombiyamiet handwauyi se,ungaf aninabobonke
abanye….uThul adu…hesai dandmymom st uckon
i
t(keepqui etandst aypeacef ulmyf avori
te
pri
ncess,don' tbel iketherest…t heonewhoi squi
et)
"Ohwow,itsoundsl
ikeyourf
atherl
ovesyouand
didyouf
ollowyournamegrowingup,Ist
il
lthi
nk
youarequi
etbutIthoughtmaybei
t'
sbecauseof
yourt
roubl
es"Mhlengisai
d
"Myfatherlovedusbuteversi ncemymom di ed
thi
ngschanged, hi
snotthesamemanIknow.YesI
fol
lowedmynamever ywelleveninbadtimes,I
wouldgetbul li
edatschoolbecauseofmyhei ght
andIwi l
ljustkeepquiet.Mysibli
ngswouldil
l-
treat
meandIwi llsweepitundertherugbecauseIam
theonethati squiet
"shewipedmor etear
s
"Nomor e,
theymusttryandhur
tyouagain.Iwi
l
l
forgetthatIst
il
lneedtogoandpaylobol
aandhurt
allofthem"hechuckled
"
That
'
soneoft
her
easonsIl
eft
"shesmi
led
"SowhyareyouThul
adot
heni
fyournamei
s
Thul
adu?"
"Theymadeami st
akeathomeaffai
rs,t
hroughout
myschoolli
fe,t
heycal
lmebywhatt heyseeinmy
cert
if
icat
eorIDbutathomeI'
m Thul
adu.IguessI
gotusedtobei
ngcall
edli
kethat
"shechuckled
"OK…Il
oveyouandpleasenomoretear
s.Iwi
llst
op
aski
ngquest
ionst
hatopenupwounds"hesai
d
pl
ant
ingakissonhercheeks,
thesecur
it
ycame
wi
thabelli
ndicat
ingt
hatvi
sit
ingt
imeswereover
.
MhlengipickedupbabyAandki ssedheraswell,
he
neededtol earntobef ai
ronbothkidsnoneoft hem
shouldfeelmor efavoredthantheother.Hebi
d
far
ewellandl eft
,theladi
esinthewar dsatontheir
buttsmili
ngatThul ado.
"Yourbabydaddylovesyoubaki
thi
,youguysar
eso
cute"t
hegir
linthecornersai
d
"
Thankyou"Thul
adosai
dshyl
y
"Youaresoluckyyoh,t
hisismychil
dalonethat
scum deni
edhim cabanga"thi
sonegir
lexcl
aimed
sadl
y
"Myekewenaoe"(leavehi
m)t heonegi rlsaid,"
we
aresousedofrai
singthesechil
dr enonourown,
becauset
hesemenar esoir
responsi bl
e.Yourchil
d
wil
lgrowupwithouthim,youjustl ovehim and
rai
sehimthebestwayyoucan, don'tmindhi m"she
added
"Idon'thaveachoi
ceoe,Idon'tevenhaveajobbut
Iwillhustl
eformyson.Youarever yf
ortunat
enjet
o
haveamanwhost icksbyyout hr
oughthickand
thi
n, i
t'
sveryrar
ethesedays"sheadded
"Ourchi l
drenaren'
traisedright
,wearebringi
ngup
abr okennation.Ourfutureisverybl
eak,ther
eis
j
ustsomuchangerandhat eouttherebecauseof
i
rr esponsi
bleparents"Thuladosaidasifshe'
sina
trance,shewasl ostinthoughtsbuttheotherl
adi
es
agr eedwithher.
*
***
Around8pm anur
sewal kedinwit
hawheel chai
r
fol
lowedbytwopol
icemen, t
heystoppedon
Thulado'
sbed,
shefrownedinconfusion.
"
MissThul
adoMdletshecoul
dyoupl
easecome
wit
hus,wehaveafewquesti
onswewanttoask
you"t
heonepol
icesai
d
"
Mychi
ldr
en!
"shesai
d
"
Don'
twor
ryt
heywi
llwat
chovert
hem"heassur
ed
Thenursehelpedherintot hewheelchai
r,t
ears
tr
ickl
eddownherf acethinkingofthelastt
imeshe
wasf al
sel
yaccusedandt hrownintoacell
.The
nursepushedher.
"
Pleasel
etmet
akemyki
ds"shebegged
"
Shhdon'
twakethem up,Iwi
llwatcht
hem f
oryou"
t
henur
seassuredheroncemor e
Theotherpol
icepushedheroutoft
hewar
d,her
hear
twaspoundingyoucouldhearit
.
2021
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ket
hepageandt
hei
nser
ts.
..
Thankyou
[
11/
22,
14:
24].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er26
Thepol i
cesatacr ossThuladoi nthef oyer,the
l
ightswer eabitdim, thesoundofmachi nesisall
youcoul dhearthat '
showqui etthef loorwasat
night.Notasinglenur seinsight,thisshotup
Thulado'sanxi
ety, shestart
edpl ayingwi thher
handsuncont r
ollably.Thetwoof f
icerj ustsmirked
stari
ngather,whent heyweresat isfi
edoneoft hem
cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
"
Apol
ogiesMissMdlet
she,weunderst
andt hatt
his
i
syourti
metorest
.Wewon' tbel
ongwej ustwant
t
oaskyouaf ewquest
ions"hesmil
edtryi
ngt oease
t
hesit
uati
on
"
Okay"Thuladorepl
iedst
il
lner
vous,shekepton
l
ookingatthedi
rect
ionwhereshelef
therbabies
wit
hstranger
s
"DoyouknowMhl
engiNgcobo?
"theonepol
ice
asked
"
Yes!hei
smyboyf
ri
end"Thul
adoanswer
ed
"
OK"hesaidnoddinghishead,
"Iguesswei nthe
r
ightpl
ace"headdedlooki
ngattheotherpoli
ceman
"DoyouperhapsknowaboutJessi
e,your
boyfr
iendsgi
rl
fri
end?"t
hemaninblueasked
archi
nghiseyebrow
"IknowJessi
eashismentornotgi
rl
fr
iend"Thul
ado
spatget
ti
ngalit
tl
eannoyed
"
OK,
thet
hingi
sJessi
edumpedMhl
engif
or
whateverreasons.Ialsowouldn'tputmyl i
feon
hol
df orahool i
ganlikeMhlengi,soJessi
esoldher
houseandr elocatedinCapeTownbutyourb! t
chof
amanwentbackt oherhouseonl ytofi
ndanew
ownerthere.Hegotangr yandr ansackedtheplace
wit
hhi sfr
iends,theladyident
if
iedhim",t
he
pol
icemansai d
"
That
'
sri
dicul
ous!
"Thul
adochuckl
edbi
tt
erl
y
"Youseem ver
ysure,
didn'
tMhlengigoandf
etch
hispai
nti
ngsatthehouse?"t
hepoli
cemanposeda
questi
on
"Yeshedi d,buthesleptont hi
schestandwokei n
betweent hesethighs,there'snowayt hatMhlengi
didallofthosethings.Wewat chedthenews
togethershockinglythef ol
lowi ngmor ningwhenwe
sawt hathisformerment orshousegotr obbed…
ayikhoyonkel ent
oani yishiyo"shesai dwi t
hsudden
confidence(hedidn'tdoal loft hosethings)
"Wouldyouknowifhewokeupint
hemi
ddl
eoft
he
nightandl
eft
?"t
hepoli
ceasked
"
Yes!I
'
m al
ightsl
eeper
…pl
uswewer
ever
ybusy
thatni
ghtsikhuli
saabant
wana"shesai
d
confi
dentl
y( havi
ngsex)
"Writ
eyourstatementhere,wehopeyouar et
ell
ing
thetrut
hsisibecausetheladyhasCCTVf oot
age,
foryoursandnewbor nssakeIreal
lyhopeyouare
tel
li
ngthetruthbecauseyouwi l
lendupinjai
lwith
yourboyfri
end"hesaidinclosi
ng
Thulado'sheartpoundedoutofherri
bcageasshe
wr ot
edownherst atement,
shewasf ri
ghtenedthat
thismightcomebackandbi teherinthefutur
e.She
sleepslikeadeadpersonandMhl engicoul
deasily
sneaki nandoutbutsinceshedidn'
tseeanything
suspiciousshewasgoi ngt
odefendhi m wi
thher
l
astbr eath.Shesi
gnedandhandedt hepieceof
paper
backtothepoli
ce,t
heywheeledherbacktoher
ward.Shesmiledwhenshesawherki dsst
il
l
sl
eepingjustt
hewaysheleftthem,t
henurse
noddedatherandleft
,sodi
dt hepol
iceman.
Shehoppedi ntot hebedandt railedofftowhatt he
meni nbluewer esayi ng,sher emember edhow
Mhlengihadaccesst oJessie'shouse, andt hat
ti
met heydissapear edintothehouse.Coul ditbe
thatt
heywer eseei ngeachot her?Butwhywoul dhe
takehertohisgi rl
fr
iendshouseheavi l
ypr egnant ,
it
j
ustdidn'tmakesenseatal l
.Sheact ual
lyf el
tgreat
fordi
smissingt hatbunchofcr ap,shewassopr oud
fornotentert
ainingr ubbi
sh.Shel ovesMhl engiand
Mhlengiloveshersheassur edher self
,shel owered
herbodyundert hethinsheet sandcl osedher
heavyeyes.
*
***
4am Thul
adowast hefirstt
out i
li
zethetoi
lets,she
heardst
oriesofhowfil
thygover nmentbathrooms
becomedur i
ngthecourseoft hedayandt hatthe
warm watercutsof
f.Shewai tedforhert
wi nsto
sl
eepandqui ckl
ywentt oshowerandr et
urned
uponarri
vingshesawt hattherewasanewl ady,
shemusthavej ustwokeupfrom t her
ecover
yr oom.
Thuladohoppedi ntobedmindingherownbusi ness,
thenursestroll
edintocheckifshemadei ttothe
room sincetheymakeyouwal konyourownj ustto
str
engthenyourbody, youwaddl eyourwayfrom
therecoveryroom toyourappointedward.
Thenursesawt hetrai
lofbloodandclotsont he
fl
oorshestart
edshouting,shewenttolookout si
de
andyelledontopofhervoice.Thel
adyhasbeen
bleedi
ngleavi
ngalineofbloodfrom t
her ecovery
room.
"Can'
tyouseet
hatyouar
emaki
ngamess?
"she
saidangr
il
y
"
Ther
e'snothi
ngIcando,
I'
minpai
n"shesai
dsof
tl
y
i
nherdefense
"Youarenott
hef i
rstonet
ogetanoperation,al
l
thesel
adiesi
nherehadonebutnoneoft hem did
whatyouaredoing.Changeyourpadclearl
yitsful
l,
doyouthinki
t'
snicet owi
pesomeone'sbloodon
t
hef
loor
"thenur
seaskedi
rr
it
abl
y
"I
'
mi npai
n,I
'
mtel
li
ngyou"shesai
drai
singher
voice
"Wellyouwil
lcl
eanafteryour
selft
henwi t
ht hat
atti
tude,
Iwasn'
tther
ewhenyoudeci dedt
oopen
yourlegsandmakeababy.Myj obistonurseyou
ti
llyougohomenottocl eanaft
eryounx"shesai d
thenwalkedout
Theladywipedhert
earsst
andi
ngoverherbed
l
ookingatherchi
ldsl
eepi
ngonthebed,oneoft
he
l
adieswhowasupf eedi
ngherbabyspoke.
"IfIwer eyou,Iwouldgol ookforamopandst art

wi pingbeforeyourblooddr i
esout ,i
t'
sther
ebythe
toiletsbecausethenightshiftstaffi
sveryheart
less
theywi llt
ellt
hemor ningshiftaboutyouandyour
stayher ewi l
lbehorri
ble"shesai d
"I
'
minsomuchpain,whycan'
tsheunder
stand.I
don'
tknowwhet
hersosi
torst
and"sheanswered
"I
t'
syourbloodsisi
, pl
usyouneedtochangeyour
padfr
equent l
ysoitdoesn'tf
il
lupquickl
y.Thisis
notapri
vatehospital,
asforthepai
nyouwi llget
usedofit
,cleanyourmesswhenyouar edonego
andaskforthepainkill
ersyouwil
lfeelbet
ter"she
added
Theladylef
ttheroom ali
tt
leupsetbutshedidn'
t
dareutt
erawor d,i
twasagovernmentinsti
tute
aft
erall
.Youappreciat
etheli
tt
letheydoforyou,i
t
wasfreehealt
hcare.
"
Thi
sone'
sat
ti
tudewi
llmakeherst
ayhor
ri
bleher
e"
t
hel
adywhowasadvi
singhersai
d
"Shepr
obabl
ythi
nksshehasr
ight
sinher
e"Thul
ado
said
"Notinhere,whentheychangeint
hemorningthey
willal
erteachotherabouther
…wat
ch"shesaid
crossi
ngherf i
ngers
"
Iwonderwhyshei
sal
waysshout
ingatpat
ient
s
t
hisone"Thul
adol
ower
edhervoi
ce
"Shejustwantstoberel
evantnj
e,Ipr
efert
he
chubbyfaironewhowaswat chi
ngyourbabiesand
thetal
ldarkone"shewhisper
edback
"Tr
ue!Theyar
enicebutthi
soneyouwouldswear
sheisthemanager
"theychuckl
edsof
tl
y
*
***
Thenextmor
ning…
At11am Mhl engiwalkedi nwi t

habr ownbaganda
packetfrom Pi
cknPay, hepl aceditonthelit
tl
e
cupboardnexttoThul ado.Heki ssedhert hen
pickeduponeoft hetwi ns,hecheckedt hewr i
sttag
andi twaswrit
tenA.Hesmi l
edathi sfi
rstborntwin
thefeeli
ngwasi ndescri
babl e,hecouldn'twai
tfor
them tobedischargedsohecoul dspendenough
ti
mewi t
hthem.
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
oday?
",hef
inal
lyasked
"I
'
m good,
thepai
nissl
owl
ysubsi
ding"Thul
ado
said
"
That
'sgood,ar
etheygi
vingyouanypr
obl
ems?
"
Mhl
engiasked
"No,i
t'
sabitt
ir
ingt
ofeedthem bot
hift
heyare
hungryatt
hesametime,butt
heyarepeacef
ul"she
said
"BeforeIf or
get,Ifoundtwosnakesatt heflat.One
camebehi ndthet ubsandt heotherbehi ndt he
books"Thul ado'seyeswi deneduponhear i
ngt hi
s,"I
l
ookedever ywherebutIcoul dn'
tf i
ndt hem , t
hey
j
ustdi ssapearedi ntheroom soIf i
gur ednomanwe
can'tbr i
nginthechi l
dreninapl acewi thtwobl ack
mamba' s.Ical
ledNi ckEvansbutunf ortunatelyhis
onhol idaysoint hemeant i
meIgotusapl acet o
stayin"Mhl engisaidfixi
nghi ssadt one
"Twobl
ackMambasomandla!"Thuladoputher
handsonherhead,
shewasterr
if
iedofsnakes
"
Twol
ongonesshor
ty"Mhl
engir
ubbedi
tin
"
Wher
eist
henewpl
ace?
"Thul
adoasked
"I
t'si
nSouthBeach,I
'
m alsol
ooki
ngforabi
gger
placeforournewhome"Thul
adonodded
Sheopenedt hebrownbagandst art

edeatingwhile
Mhlengitooktur
nscar r
yinghi
stwins,heseemed
happy,beingafathersui
tedhi
m asyoungashe
was.Thuladodecidedtobreakthesil
encesinceall
theotherladi
esseemedt obeoccupiedwit
ht hei
r
visi
tor
s.
"Thepol
icewereher
elastni
ght
"Mhl
engi
'
sface
changedinst
antl
y
"
Todowhat
?"heaskedal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y
"Toaskaboutyouandyourgi r
lfr
iend…Jessie"she
saidspit
efull
y,"
Apparentl
ythatdogl adyhasa
CCTVf ootageofthethi
evesbutIassur edthem that
i
twasn'tyou, Imeanyouwoul dn'tdothatr
ight?"
Thuladosaidarchinghereyebrow
"
Yasur
e!Idi
dn'
tdoi
t"hesai
dsof
tl
yshi
ft
inghi
s
f
ocusont
hebabi
es
"Youwerewithmethewholenightandwewer
e
verybusy,
iswhatIt
oldthem"Thuladosai
d
searchi
ngforsomet
hinginhi
seyes
"Yeahsure,t
hat'
swhat'
supbabe"hecont
inued
playingwi
ththechi
ldr
enevent
houghtheywerefast
asleep
*
***
SenzoparkedoutsideFr
edSimmonsI nc,hewas
sti
lli
nhi
sbl acksui
t,hecamest r
aightfr
om workto
seethet
wi ns.Hefoundthem atthei
roffi
cewait
ing
forhi
m.
"
Gent
s!"t
heybot
hgotupt
obr
ohughi
m
"
Heyndodawhat
'sup?
"theysai
dwor
ri
ed
"
Ithi
nkI '
mloosi
ngmymi nd,maybet
hisdati
ng
t
hingisn'
tforme.Phi
ndi
lebeggedmetolethergo
st
ayatRessoshecanf ocusonherschoolwor
k
butnowshejustvani
shedwit
houtaword"hesaid
l
ooseni
nghisti
e
"Howcanshejustvanish?"Franksai
dequall
y
fust
rat
ed,hewentstr
aighttohiswhiskybot
tl
e
pouri
ngthesubst
ancei naglass
"Wellshe'snowheretobefound,perhapsshe
wantedt orunfrom me,maybeshehasaman"
Senzosai dshruggi
nghisshoulder
s
"Nahsomet hi
ngisnotri
ghther
e,shecannotjust
dissapearman"Fredsai
d,t
hetwinsseemedver y
upsetaboutthi
sandcausedSenzotobeal ar
med.
"
Youbothseem t
ocareverymuch,youhave
l
it
ter
all
ygoner
edintheface"headded
"ThisisyourfiancéSenzoofcour
sewecar
eandwe
willhel
pyoul ocateher,
Iknowhowmuchyoulove
Phindil
e"Franksaid
"Yeah,butsomethingt
ell
smeshe'scheati
ngonme,
soI'm goingtogi
vethi
sacoupleofdaysifIdon'
t
hearfrom herorshedoesn'
tret
urntoResIwil
l
reporthermissi
ng.Aft
erwhatPearldi
dtome, I
cannotshaket
hefeeli
ngthatshe'
swithaman
wherevershei
s"Senzosaidshruggi
nghis
shoulder
s
Thetwinsjustl
ookedateachot
herguil
tystr
icken
si
ncetheywer etheoneschowi
ngPhindil
ebehind
cl
oseddoor sbuttheywer
eequall
yal
armedbyher
di
ssapearance.
*
***
Nanawaspacki ngherbelongings,shewasget ti
ng
readyt ogoseeThuladoatt hehospi t
alforthe
afternoonvisi
t.Fr
ankandFr edlefttheof f
iceearly
today, sheswit
chedherlaptopandsashayedout
theof fi
ce.Whensheopenedhercar ,hercellphone
vibratedvigor
ousl
yinherbag.Shej umpedi n
answer i
ngit
.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dconf
usedshecoul
dn'
trecogni
ze
t
henumber
"
Hisisii
t'
sNomzamo, Igotyournumberont
he
websit
eofthecompanyyouwor kfor
"Shesai
d
"
Heygi
rl
!What
'sup?
"Nanasai
d
"Eishtheladywhoof f
eredt ohel pmehasbai ledout
afterfi
ndingoutt hatmymot hermadehercancer
wor sebyr ef
usingt oqui tsmokinganddr i
nking.She
saidshedoesn' twantt owast ehermoneyon
someonewhodoesn' twantt olive,Iknowmy
mot herisstubbornbuti thurt
smet oseeherl ike
this.Ineedhert oli
ve, she'sallIhave.Sisicanyou
stil
lhelpmepl ease, youar emyl asthope"shesaid
pleadingly
"
Iwil
lor
ganizeyouameetingwit
hmybossesbut
t
heywereonboardthefi
rstt
ime,I
'mjustnotsur
eif
t
heywil
lst
il
lbekeen"Sherepl
iedtoher
"
Okay,
Ihavemyfi
nger
scrossed,
Iwil
ldoanyt
hing
f
ormymothert
ogetbet
ter
"sheassur
ed
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
26].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er27
"
Myl
ovef
oryoui
sdeepandi
twi
llal
waysst
and"
~Mhl
engi
Fourdaysl
ater
Thul
adohasbeenthi
nki
ngaboutthetwoblack
mama'st
hati
nvadedthei
rfl
at,
thethoughtof
movi ngintoanewpl acegaveherni ghtmar esbut
Mhl engiwasadamantt hatthisiswhattheywere
doingei t
hershelikesitornot ."
Whatkindofa
fatherwillthatmakehim, exposinghi
sonl ychil
dren,
hispr i
ncessesforthatmat tertotwovenomous
snakes? "iswhatheemphasi zedon.
TheUberpar kedout sidet heapar tment s,itwas

absol utelybr eat htaki ng, andt heoceanwasj usta
stonet hrowaway.Youcoul dheart hewaves
crashi ngi ntoshor e, thatf eelingofpeacebr oughta
smi l
eonThul ado' sf ace.Mhl engicar r
iedt hebagon
hisbackt hent het winswer esnuggl edi ncarri
ages
ofwhi chhecar ri
edi neachar m.Theel evator
pingedont hirdf loor ,atleastt hi
splacewaswel l
mai ntainedunl i
ket hatskor okor oli
fttheyhaveat
theirflat.Shar onout didher sel f
,Mhl engist i
ll
couldn' tbelievet heywer ewhi tepeopl ewhower e
soni cenat ural l
y.Hewassousedofr udeandr aci
st
Caucasi ansapar tfrom Jessi eofcour se, shewas
alwaysni cet ohi m, wel lunt ilshest artedshowi ng
i
nt erestonot hert hingsei thert hatar t
,untilhe
f
orcedher
sel
font
ohi
m.
"Thispl
aceissonice,
canwel
iveher
e?"Thul
ado
saidscanni
ngaround
"
Unfort
unat
elyi
t'
sanAirbnb,
wecanst
ayf
ora
month"Mhl
engianswer
ed
"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul!
"shesai
d
"Wai
tuntil
youseet
het
winsr
oom"Mhl
engisai
d
exci
tedl
y
"Theynotgoi
ngtosl
eepwi
thus?
"Thul
adoasked
archi
nghereyebr
ow
"No!Ireadsomewher ethat
'schil
drenmustget
usedtosl eepingontheirownspacef rom young,so
theygrowi nindependenceotherwisewewi llhavea
hardti
medet achi
ngthem from us.Alsoyouneed
properrest"Mhlengiexplai
ned
"Butt
heyaresoli
tt
le,
I'm scar
edIwon'thearthem i
n
theot
herroom,whatifsomethinghappenstothem
andIcan'
theart
hem? "Thuladostar
tedpanicki
ng
"
Rel
ax,
I'
m her
eandShar
onsai
dIshoul
dgeta
monitorandIdid.Wewil
lheareventheli
tt
lestof
sounds,I'
m her
eshort
y"Mhlengiassur
edher
"
Wher edi
dyougetal
lthi
smoneyf
rom?
"Thul
ado
f
inal
lyasked
"Pleaser
efr
ainfr
om aski
ngmet hatquesti
on,I
'
ma
manandIf indwaystoprovi
deformyf amil
y,t
hat
's
allyouneedtoknow"Mhlengisai
ddismissi
vel
y
"Iwor
rysthandwasami
,thepol
icear
eaf
teryou"
shesaid
"Abl
ackmani salwaysasuspect
,theyhave
not
hingonme.Ididn'tst
ealfr
om t
hatladyl
ikeI
sai
d..
.r
elax"Mhl
engirepl
ied
"
I'
m sor
ryt
hen…Il
oveyou"Thul
adosai
d
Mhlengishr
uggedhisshouldersandrelaxed,i
t'
s
beenlongsi
ncehehear dthesewordscomi ngout
ofhermouth.Heputt hebabi
esont hecouchand
pull
edherclosingt
hegapbet weenthem, he
smashedhislipsontoherski
ssingherpassionatel
y.
"Il
oveyoumor ethananyt
hing"her
epl
iedl
ooki
ng
str
aighti
ntohereyes
Hepi ckedupt hebabi esandl edThuladoi nt

ot he
nurseryshescr eamedi nexcitementwakingupt he
babiesi nthepr ocess.Sheonl ydreamedofsucha
setup,andshewasnevergoi ngtoachievethisat
theflat.Theplacewast urquoiseandGr ey,t
he
stuff
edani malsandcombi nedcots!Itwas
magni ficentshewal kedaroundt ouchingeverything.
"
Howonear
thMhl
engi
?"sheaskedent
husi
ast
ical
ly
"Honestlyt
heamountofl uckIhavebeengetti
ng
l
at el
yisoverwhelming,t
heowneroftheplace
steppedupanddi dallofthi
s.Sheaskedherfamil
y
andf r
iendsforhelpandvoîl
a!"hesai
dexcit
edly
"
Shar
on?
"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"
Yeah!Her
"heanswer
ed
"Ihopeshe'
snotanot
herJessi
e"shesai
d
sarcast
ical
ly
"Whatdoesthatsupposedt
omeThul
ado?
"he
askedstar
ingather
"Well
!Clearl
ysomethinghappenedbetweent hetwo
ofyou,atleastt
hat'
swhatt hepoli
cemanthinks.I
j
ustdon'twanttobef i
ghtingwit
hwhitewomenover
aman, I
'mf rom MooiRiverngi
zobabhonya"she
chuckl
ed
"Mxm youaresosi
llywhenyouwantt oo"Mhl
engi
saidrel
axi
ngabit
,"Sharonisasweetelder
lyl
ady
pleaseshowsomer espect
"headded
"
AndJessi
e?"sheaskedar
chi
nghereyebr
ow
"comeher e"shecomplied,
"Jessi
ei s-
wasmy
ment or,
Ididsleepwit
hherbef or
ebutt hatwaslong
beforeImetyou, whenItookyout othehouseit
wasl ongsinceIhaveseenher.That '
sthehonest
trut
h"Mhl engiconf
essed
"Soshewasyourgirl
fri
end"shewiggledhersel
f
from hi
sembrace,
"Yout ookmetoyourgirl
fri
ends
house,whatki
ndofdisrespecti
sthatMhlengi?
"she
spat
"
Itookyout
her
etoshowyoumyar
t,Shewasnever
mygi
rl
fr
iend,
wej
usthadsex"heassur
edher
"Wasshegood,she'sbeaut
if
ulwi t
hperfect
lytoned
l
onglegs.Shehasahousedef inetel
yabetter
choi
cethanme, wasshebetterthanme"shesai d
sadl
ywithtear
sstreamingdownherf ace
"No!Shewasn' tbet t
erthanyou.Il oveyou,you
shor tt
hingj
ustt hewayyouar e.Pleasestop
stressi
ngyoursel faboutnot
hing, youaremadef or
mekaMdl et
she, allt
hatisl
eftformei st
osendmy
unclestoyourf atherandIwillneverletyougo
thereonwards"heexcl aimed
"I
'
m sorry,
it'
sjustt
hatyouaremineMhl engi.You
arenotsupposedtosleepwit
hanyonebutme, you
arenotall
owedt ol
oveanyoneel
sebutmeeveni fi
t
waslongbef or
eyoumetme…youar ef orbidden
becauseyouar emine"shewi
pedhertears
"OKshort
y"hebl
ushedl
ooki
ngawayt
henhe
chuckl
ed
"
Whatar
eyoulaughi
ngat,
I'
m ser
ious"shesai
d
l
ooki
ngi
ntohi
seyessli
ght
lysmil
ing
"
Youar
esomet
hingel
se,
letmef
eedyousoyoucan
rest
"Mhlengipeckedherl
ipswal
kingoutt
he
nurser
y
Thuladoplacedt
hechil
drengentl
yonthecots,
coveri
ngthem wit
hfluf
fyminkbabyblanket
s,she
thenwaddledtothebedroom t
otakeashower.
*
***
@Thecof
feeshop
Thet r
iadsatout
sidethecaféwi
ththei
rti
ny
espressocups,t
hearomaofgoodcof f
eewaft
edin
theair,Senzobr
okethesil
enceaft
erheavi
ngabi
g
sigh.
"It
hinkI
'
m cursed!
"hesai
dshruggi
nghi
sshoul
der
,
"Whydoesthi
skeephappeni
ngtome?"hesai
d
sadly
"Atleastnowweknowt hatshewaski dnapped, we
willdoeveryt
hingtobri
ngPhi ndi
leback…i fonl
y
thosefvckerscoul
djustfvckencommuni cate"
Franksaidthroughgri
tt
edt eethcl
enchinghi sfi
sts
"Fi
rstitwasmydaught er
,thenmywi f
eandnowmy
fi
ancé.Thisisdirectedatmeman, i
fwedon' tf
ind
hertheywillki
llhertoo,t
hisisallf
rustrat
ing
becauseIdon'tknowwhoi sdoingt hi
sandwhy"
Senzoaddedt rappingtearsfrom f
alli
ngdownhi s
face
"Nowthatwehavesuccessful
lyr
epor
tedher
missi
ng,wewillal
sohireapri
vat
edet
ecti
vetol
ook
aswell
"Fredassured.
"
Youwoul
ddot
hatf
orme?
"Senzoasked
"
Ofcour
se"Fr
edsai
d
Fr
ed'
sphoner
angandi
twasNana…
"
Hey"hesai
dsof
tl
y
"
HeyFr
ed!Don'
tfor
getyourmeet
ingwi
th
Nomzamo"Nanar
emi
ndedhi
m
"Wearegoi
ngt
oherst
rai
ghtf
rom her
e"Fr
edsai
d,
shehungup
*
***
@Sout
her
nsunhot
el
Thet wi
nsswagger edi nsi
dethehotelsr estaurant
downstairs,Fr ankcarr yi
ngabouquetoff lower sand
Fredcar r
yingasmal l gif
tbag.Nomzamo
recognizedt hem instantlyfr
om thepictures
plast
eredal loft hei
rcompanygal l
ery,shet hought
theywer edevi li
shlyhandsomeandi twasasi n.She
composeher sel
fsot hatshedoesn'tst utt
er ,
it
happensal otwhensheget snervous.
"SawubonaNkosazane"thatwasFrankalr
eady
worki
ngonhischar ms,Nomzamowasbl ushing
uncontr
oll
abl
y,shockedeven!Thecolour
edman
coul
dspeakf
luentZul
u
"Yebo!"sher
epl
iedtryingtolookunbot
her
ed,she
wasn'theref
orallofthisbutshewasheretoget
helpforhermot
her
"Wethoughtwecouldbegentlemenandbringyou
somethi
ngjusttoeaseyournerves,
Nanatoldus
howanxiousyouwer eaboutt
hismeeti
ng"Fred
broket
hesilence
"Thankyou"Nomzamowasover whel med,t
he
fl
owerswereabsolutel
ybeauti
fulandshesawa
boxinsi
dethegiftbag,shej
ustwant edtoopeni
t
andseewhat '
sinsi
debutshewasn' tthatki
ndofgi
rl
.
"Youcanopeni t"Fr
anksaidasifshecoul dreadher
mind,Nomzamoopenedi tal
mostimmedi ately,
she'
sneverr ecei
vedsuchgif
tsbefore.JustaP. S
hereandat opdeckther
efrom hersecretadmi r
ers
atchurch.
I
twasapuregol
dnecklaceaccompani
edbystuds,
i
t'
swasshi
mmering.Shesmiledandputi
tbackin
t
hebag,
theshetookinabreathandt
henleti
tout.
"ThankyoubutIcannotaccepti
t,Iwi
llkeept
he
fl
owersbutt hej
ewelr
yIcannot,
especial
lysi
nceI
'
m
notsureifyouwil
lacceptmyproposal"Nomzamo
saidsoft
ly
"Weinsist
"Franktooktheboxpushingitint
oher
handsgrazi
ngherar m,shefel
tel
ect
r i
calbolt
sal
l
overherbody.Frankst
aredint
ohereyes,
Nomzamoswal l
owedlookingaway.
"Wehaveal
readypai
dforyourmother
'sbi
ll
,she'
s
goi
ngint
osurgeryaswespeak"Fr
edsaidwitha
smil
e
Nomzamoshuthereyest i
ghtf orafewmi nut
esand
whensheopenedt hem ariveroftearsfl
oweddown
herface,
shewassl owlystart
ingtogiveup.Now
shecanfocusonget t
ingintoschool,andfixher
povert
ystri
ckenl
if
e.
"
Canwegoupst
air
stosi
gncont
ract
s,t
heywi
ll
br
ingourf
oodup"Fr
edsai
d
Fredcar r
iedt
hef l
owersandt hegi
ftswhil
eFr ank
caressedacryingNomzamo, hekeptonrubbingher
andpl ant
ingki
ssesont opofherhead.Fredjust
gri
nnedshakinghi shead,healwaysthoughtthat
Frankwasover lyaff
ecti
onate.Hewassur ethat
Nomzamowoul dhavef al
lenforhi
m bynow.
Theyarr
ivedupst
air
sinthesui
te,
thefoodwas
fr
eshl
yplacedonthetabl
etheyst
art
edeati
ng.
"Thisisthecont
ractthatservesasanagreement
forourcompanyt opayf oryourmother
"Fredsaid
handingitovert
oNomzamo, shesi
gneditinst
ant
ly
beforetheychangetheirminds.
"
Youar
esobeaut
if
ul,
Ili
keyou"Fr
anksai
d
"
Ili
kedherf
ir
st"Fr
edsai
dchuckl
ing
Nomzamocouldn'tst
opget t
ingr
edonhercheeks,
whywouldwealthygorgeousmenquar
reloverher
,
shewonder
ed.Itwassur r
eal!
"
Okfine!Cl
earl
ywebot hwantyou.Whatcanyoudo
f
orus?"Frankfi
nal
lyaskedcut
tingt
othechase
"I-
Idon'
tknow…Iguessanyt hi
ng"Nomzamosai d
nervousl
yherthroatdri
edupabi t
,thebi
llwaspaid
andshehadt ofulf
il
lhersi
deofagr eement.Shedid
tel
lNanathatshewi l
ldoanythi
ng.
"OKwecanj usthavesex, i
twillstaybetweenus.
Youaresosexywecan' tr
esist,andi nr
etur
nyou
cangetwhateveryouwant .It
'snotl i
kewemaki ng
youpayforyourmot her,t
hat'
scomi ngfr
om the
bot
tom ofourheart"Fredsaid
"
Yeah!Wecoul
dpayforyourt
uit
ionf
ee,
ifyoucoul
d
j
ustgi
veusagoodti
me"Frankadded
Nomzamogul
peddownthef
lut
eofwineshewas
shyi
ngawayf
rom,
shehadneverhadsexbef
ore
andi nf
rontofherwer et wohandsomemenequal l
y
attr
actedtoher .Shewasgoi ngtoneedmor ewi ne
todot hi
s.Shecoul dn'tbeli
eveshewasgoi ngt o
giveawayherf ut
urehusbandst reasurelikethis,
butiftheycouldf undherstudi eswhyt hehel lnot?.
Sher eminiscedhowshehasbeent oil
ing, t
akingup
piecejobsf r
om neighbor sj
ustt ogetbywhi leher
mot herdri
nksherl if
eawayi nt heshebeens.Now
shehasbl oodycancerandi therwhoi slefttopick
upt hepieces,shepour edher sel
fanothergl assand
gulpeditinonego.
"Easyont
healcoholsweetheart
,wewon'
tdo
anythi
ngi
fyounotcomf or
table"Fr
edsai
d
"Iwil
ldoit
"Nomzamoshotup, shestartedwalki
ng
aroundthesuitewithaglassathand,shestr
uggled
abitinherhighheelsthatshenormall
ywearsat
church.Aft
erallt
heseyearsshestil
lcouldn'
t
properl
ysashayonhi ghshoes,worsethewinewas
alr
eadydoingitsjob.
Fr
ankchuckledoglingher,
het houghtshewascut e
i
nthatri
dicul
ouslylongchurchdr essenyi
swa
amaqhoks(heelsshowingherf l
ames) ,
Frednudged
hi
mt obehave,hetooheldinal augh.
"
Isai
dIwil
ldoi
t,whyar
eyouquietlooki
ngatme
l
iket
hat
"Nomzamoyell
edoutoftheblue
"Weheardyoumam, nowcomebackher eandr
elax.
Inf
actcomeandtell
usaboutyourdreamsandthe
schoolyouwantt
ogot o"Fr
anksaid
Nomzamothrewherhandsintheai
rsur
render
ing,
shewant
edtogetthi
soveranddonewit
hbutthe
pai
rwant
edtochil
lsomemor e.
*
***
@TheAi
rbnb
Thul
adoonlymanagedt ogettwohour sofsl
eep.
Thetwi
nswokeupmaki ngMhlengirunupand
downnotknowingwhatdo,het ri
edtocopeonhis
ownbutfai
leddismal
ly.Hefoundhi msel
f
scr
eamingThulado'
snameont hetopofhisvoi
ce.
"
Ithoughtyousai
dIcoul
dsleep?
"shesai
dina
r
aspyvoice,r
ubbi
nghereyes
"I'
m sorr
ybuttheyj
ustwon'tst
opcryi
ng…If
edthem
theirbot
tl
es,
thisi
sthesecondone"hesai
dheated
up
"Di
dyoucheckt
hei
rnappi
es?
"Thul
adoasked
chuckl
ing
"No..I
-Idi
dn'
tknowIhadtodot
hat
"hesai
d
shrugginghi
sshoul
ders
"Babiescryforareason,i
tcoul dbebecauset hey
arehungrybutyousai dyouf edthem al r
eadyso
that
'snotwhyt heyarecrying.Alsoonebot tl
eeach
i
senough"shechuckl ed,"Soi tcouldbebecauseof
awetordi rt
ydiaperandfat i
gueorsl eepiness.Also
whent heyareuncomf or
tableort heyarest art
ledby
anunusualnoi
se/
act
ivi
tyandwhent
heyar
enot
wel
l.
Thul adochangedbot hthei

rnappieswhi chwer e
fi
ll
edwi thur i
ne, Mhlengist
oodbywat chi ng
attentively.Shet ookturnsrubbingtheirbackst il
l
theybur ped,shei nstr
uctedMhlengitocar ryB.They
bot hwal kedar oundt heapartmentshushi ngthem,
thet winswer el ovingthesoundoft het heirparents
voices, thedrowsi nesswasenoughevi dence.
Mhl engir emember edsomet hi
ng.
"I
'
mr eadyt
onamethem,orper
hapsyouOKwi
th
umakaAB"hesai
dlaughed
"
Mxm f
usegi
"Thul
adosai
dgl
ari
ngathi
m
"l
et'
sgot
othecouch,Iwantt
onamethem andlat
er
Iwil
lgot
othemarkettol
ookfort
woli
vechickens
soIcanwel
comethem home"hesai
dproudly
"Ser
iousl
y?Whowi
llsl
aught
ert
hatchi
cken?
"
Thuladoasked
"Obvi
ouslyyouwerenotpartoftheplan,youscared
ofever
ythingthatmoves.Iwi
lldoeveryt
hingby
myself
,whenwehaveapr operhomeIwi lldoa
ceremonywi t
hgoats.Iwantt
odoever yt
hi ngr
ight"
headded
Thul
adojustsmiledathim, shewassopr oudoft
he
manshemadebabi eswith.Thoughshewasst i
ll
worr
iedabouthishustle,shewassti
llchuff
edat
howresponsi
bleMhl engiwas.
"
LetmegetmyphonesoIcandoavi deo"she
walkedint
othebedroom st
il
lcar
ryi
ngAaf teraf
ew
minutessheret
urned.
"Givememyf i
rstbor
n"Mhlengiordered,
Thul
ado
handedheroverandpropel
ledhervideotobeon
standby.
"A&B"heutter
edandlaughedshaki
nghishead,
"AmakhosazaneakoFuze,Iwi
shIcouldri
poutmy
heartandshowyouhowyoubot hmakemef eel
i
nside.It
'sapi
tyt
hatyouhaveuskhotheniasa
fat
her "Thuladogl aredathi m, hechuckledand
winkedather ,"
asIwassayi ngbef oreIgot
i
nterrupted,daddywi llmovemount ai
nsforyout wo.
Myl ovef oryoui swi derthant hewhol eworld,it
's
deepert hantheocean, i
twi l
lalwaysbe.Imaybe
nearorf arbutitwi l
lal waysbej ustso,i
twil
lstand
thetestoft i
me, neverwi l
litageorr unout.Iname
youLubanziandLumi nj
aloasasymbolofut hando
l
wami( myl ove),nomor eA&BbutLubanzi&
Lumi njal
oNgcobo"hesai dthiswi t
hhiseyes
gli
steningwi thtears.
"
Ncoooo"Thuladosaidfi
ghti
ngherownt
ear
s,"
That
wasmagicalMapholoba"sheadded
Mhlengil
ookedawaybl i
nkinghi
stears,
Thulado
pausedthevi
deoandst ruggl
edsit
ti
ngnexttohim
soshecouldrestherheadonhisshoulder
.
2021
~~~~~
Happybel
atedbi
rt
hdayt
omyWenyasha@Lucil
le
Moyofort
he17thofMarch,
Iknowyouhadagr
eat
day.
~~~~~
I
'
m sosorr
yguys.Myi
nconsi
stencyi
sappal
li
ngbut
i
fyouar
eparent
syouwil
lknowmyst r
uggl
e .
Sor
[
11/
22,
14:
27].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er29
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc
Senzo,
FredandFr
anksataroundtheboardroom
tabl
ewait
ingt
ohearf
rom t
hepr i
vatedet
ecti
ve.
"OKImanagedt otr
acethecarthattookher,
it
seemedlikesheiskepti
nsomehousei nI
nanda.I
havebeenaskingaroundfort
heowneroft heRDP
housebutnooneknowst hebutacari sal
ways
seenparkedther
eatnight
"heinformed
"Sowhatdoweneedt
odo?Shouldweinvol
vethe
poli
ce?Justt
oshowt
hem howusel
esstheyar
e?"
Franksai
d
"
Yes,
Idon'
tdoar
rest
sanymor
e,Ionl
yfocuson
fi
ndingthecul
pri
ts.Iwi
llgi
veyouallt
hedet
ail
sand
youcant akei
tupwitht
heSAPSt heycancal
lmeif
theyneedanythi
ng"hesaidst
andingup
"Thankyousomuch,
Idon'
tknowhowt
othankyou"
Senzosaid
"I
'
mj ustdoingmyjob,butyouneedt omovefast
beforetheycat
chawhi f
fofust ai
li
ngthem,
anythingcanhappenwhent hesekindofcr
imi
nals
panic"headded
"Wewi l
lal
ertthepol
icet
oday,t
hankyousomuch
foryourser
vices"Fr
edsaidst
andingupt
oshake
hishand,heleft
.
Thetri
adsatther
einsil
ence,
onenotknowi
ngwhat
tosaytheot
her.Senzo'
sphonerangi
nhispocket
,
heshovedhishandincomingoutwit
hit
.
"
Hel
lo"hesai
dwi
that
ir
edvoi
ce
"MrVi
lakaziyouwouldbehappytoknowt
hatwe
havef
oundyourwi f
e'smurder
er,
youcancome
downt
othest
ati
on"t
hepol
icemansai
d
"
Areyouser
ious?
"hesai
dst
andi
ngup
"
Yes"t
hepol
icemanassur
ed
Senzohungput
ti
nghi
sphoneawaythenheburi
ed
hi
sfaceinhi
shandsl
ear
ningagai
nstt
hewall
.
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"Fr
edaskedwor
ri
ed
"Theyhavef
oundtheper
sonwhoki
ll
edPear
l"t
ear
s
buil
tupinhi
seyes
"
That
'
sgr
eatnewsr
ight
"Fr
ed'
sfacel
itup
"Ineedthi
ssoIcanmoveon, Iwanthi
mtotel
lme
whydi dheki
llmywife!Herdeathri
ppedmeapar
t"
shesaidinabreaki
ngvoice
"Iknowman,let
'sgofacet
hisf
ucker
"Fr
anksai
d
patti
ngSenzoonhisshoul
der
Theyf
oll
owedeachot
heroutoft
heboar
droom…
*
***
@t
hest
ati
on
Thepoli
cemanl
edt
hemenint
oanoffi
ce,
they
foundt
heSAPSdet
ect
ivet
her
eal
readywait
ingf
or
them.
"
Baba!"Senzosai
dli
ft
inguphi
shandsasasi
gnof
r
espect
"Awmadoda!
"thedet
ect
ivesai
d,"
Sitdown"he
added
"Youdon'
tknowhowIfeelknowingthecul
pri
twho
kil
ledmywifei
sfound,
Ijustwanttoaskhi
m why?
"
Senzosai
d
"Unfort
unatelyit
'sshe",hesaidandhewat ched
them wideningtheireyes,"
she'sunderpol
ice
custody,don'tworryyouwi l
lgetyourcl
osure.So
wehavebeengat her i
ngevidenceaspar toft he
i
nvest igation,andoneoft het hingst hathel pedus
aloti st hest r
eetcamer a'
s.Thel ady' scarcanbeen
seenont hehighway, thenneart hebusheswher e
Pear lwasf ound.Wet henaskedar oundt hatarea
andonesecur i
tyguywhowor ksatabui l
dingcl oser
tot her esai dher emember edseei ngacarst opon
thesi deoft her oadbuthet houghtper hapst he
womanwaspr essedandneededt or el
easei nt he
bushes.Hei dentifi
edheri mmedi atelywhenwe
showedhi mt hepi ctureoftheowneroft hatcar ,he
waspassi ngbygoi ngt ohisni ghtshi ft
.St i
llnoone
sawherdr aggingherbody, Iguessshewai tedunt i
l
i
twascl ear.Wef oundanear ringont hesi deoft he
roadt hatmusthavef ellwhenshewaspul li
ngher ,
andwef oundt heot herearri
ngi nhercarr ecently.
Shei sst il
ldenyi ngandIcan' twai ttoseeherdi ea
mi l
liondeat hswhenwepr esentt heevi dencebef or
e
her, weal sost i
lldonotknowwhysheki lledher .He
i
nf ormed
"
Whoi
sit
?"Fr
edasked
"
Comet
hiswayandseef
oryour
sel
f"t
hedet
ect
ive
sai
d
Theyf ol
lowedhimi nt
oani nvesti
gati
onroom but
theyweren'tal
lowedin,theystayedbythewindow
whilethedetecti
veproceededin.Theycouldsee
herfrom theoutsi
de,thetwinslookedateachother
confused.
"I
sn'
tthatDl
ami
ni'
swi
fe"Senzosai
dnar
rowi
nghi
s
eyes
"
Yeaht
hatPur
it
y"Fr
edagr
eed
"I
'
m offi
cial
lyconfused,
whywouldPur
it
yki
llPear
l?"
Franksai
dscr at
chinghishead
"NowIsee…t hisisallyourfault
,you!"hesaid
pointingatFred, "
Thisisallyourfault,
youwer e
fvckingDlami ni'
swifeandnowhi sdeadandsoi s
Pear l
,shewasf i
ghti
ngf oryouFr ed.Godshemust
bet heonet hatkidnappedPhi ndil
e"het ooklong
stri
dest othedoorandst art
edbangi ngit,t
he
detectivegotstartl
ed.Heopenedt hedoorand
Senzowal
kedi
ntear
yandf
uri
ous.
"Shekidnappedmyf i
ancé,i
t'
sherpleasemakesure
shetell
suswher eshemovedhert oo"hesaid
point
ingather,"Sisiwabant
upleaset el
lmewhere
Phindil
eis,youb!tchhowcanyouki llsomeoneover
adickhuh? "Senzosaidboil
ing
"
MrVil
akaziyouar
en'tall
owedi
nhere,
pleasel
eave"
t
hedet
ecti
vesaidpushinghi
m out
.
"
Answermesf ebe!Howcanyouki
llsomeoneover
afvckendi
ck?
"hecr i
edast
heypushedhim outof
t
her oom.
*
***
@Nomzamo'
shouse
Nomzamowasst i
llal
oneint
hehouse,hermother
wasst
il
lheal
ingatthehospi
tal
.Thankf
ull
yshesti
ll
hadmoneyf rom t
het winst ogetby, shebought
food,paidforli
ghtsandwat erallthatwasleftfor
hertodoi storeconnectt heirdstvthenshecan
spoilhersel
ftoo.I
fonl yshecoul dgetsomesl eep,
eversincethatdayt hatpresencest il
lli
ngers
arounditsalmostlikeitfoll
owsherever ywhereshe
goes.
Shepraysandspr i
nklewateral
loverthehousebut
i
tonlydissapearsforawhi l
eandcomesback, it
wasstarti
ngtobot herher.Shefel
ttormented,coul
d
i
tbebecauseoff orni
cati
on?Isthi
showGodi s
puni
shingherf orenjoyi
ngsexualpleasuresthat
weremeantf ormar ri
age?Shegaspedcover ingher
mouth.Shewentdownonherkneesr epent
ingfor
hersi
ns.
"
Iwil
lnotdoi
tagainLor
dpleasefor
giveme,
chase
t
hisspi
ri
taway"shesai
dinatir
edvoice
*
***
Afterret
urni
ngf rom t
hehospi t
alsheateandwent
strai
ghttobed.Sher eadtheBi bl
eandpr ayedafter
awhi l
eshef ellasleep.Inherslumbershef el
t
somet hi
ngsnaki ngit
sar m ar
oundherbody, thenit
wasl i
keit'
stryingt oaccesshersexuallybutthere
wasnof aceorbodyj ustapresence.Shescreamed
"Jesus"inhersl eepandshegotup.
@t
hef
lat
Mhlengiwasatt
heent
rancet
alki
ngt
othesecur
it
y
guard.
"
Ithoughtyouguysmoved"t
hesecur
it
yguar
dsai
d
"Nowear et
empor
ari
lyl
ivi
ngatt
heAirbnb,
the
placeher
eissmal
landIwantt
hebestformygir
ls"
hesaid
"Congrat
ulati
onsonyourtwins,
Iheardf
rom
Thulado'
sf or
mercol
leagues"headded.
"Ngi
yabongaj l
lbaba!Ther eissomet hingIwantedto
askofyou.Mypar entsaredeceasedandIdon' t
real
lyhavear elationshipwithmyuncl es,Il
astsaw
them atthefuner al.I
'm pl
anningongoi ngtopay
l
obolaf orkaMdlet shebutIwantatl eastoneperson
whoknowsmer atherthenjustthem,Idon'twant
them toruinthi
ngsf orme"hesai drespectf
ull
y
"Youdon'tneedt
oaskMaphol
oba,
Iwi
lldoi
t"he
saidexci
tedly
"Thankyou,Iwil
lcomebacksowecant
alkabout
detai
ls"hesai
dwal ki
ngaway
"Wait!Theownerwasher e,hi
sunderthe
i
mpr essionthatyouaremovingoutandhewant
sto
showt heroom tootherpeopl
e"Thesecuri
ty
warned
"I
'm st
il
llooki
ngf
oraplace,Ihaven'tsecured
anythi
ngyetsounti
lthenIwillkeeppayingfort
his
fl
athere.Iwil
lwr
it
etohimifwear eleavi
ng"he
repl
ied
"
aikekuhl
eke"hesai
d
Mhl engijoggedupt hest ai
rsandi ntotheirroom,he
sti
llcouldn' tbeli
evethatheact uall
ylivedi naplace
l
iket his,
thet hingswedof orlove.Itwasa
compl etemessandt hatdampmoul dyst ench
overpower edassoonasyouopenedt hedoor ,
he
startedof fbyopeni ngthewi ndows.Thul adohad
senthi mt ocol l
ectmor eclothes,hest art
ed
rummagi ngi ntothewar drobelookingf orthat
speci f
ictopanddr esses.
Aknockont hedoordi stur

bedhim,thenhis
cel
lphonestart
edringing.Hecheckedthecal l
erI
D
anditwasthesecur i
ty,hefrownedconfused.The
knockpersi
sted,heopenedandhewasn' treadyf
or
whathesaw, hisheartstart
edploddi
ng.
"
MrNgcobo!
"thepol
icemansai
d
"
Y-yes"Mhl
engist
utt
ered
"
Youareunderarr
estfort
hecashintransi
theist
,
f
ort
hemur deroft
wosecur i
tyguar
dsandf orbei
ng
i
npossessi
onofanill
egalfi
rear
m"theysaid
pi
nni
nghi mtothewalldr
oppi
nghi
sphoneont
he
fl
oor
,theyhandcuf
fedhim.
"
Ididn'
tki
llanyone,
Idon'
thaveaf
ir
ear
m"hesai
din
ashakyvoice
"Youhavetherighttoremainquietoranythingyou
sayordowi l
lbeusedagai nstyouint hecourtof
l
aw, youhavetherighttoanattorney"theone
offi
cersai
d.
"
CanIcal
lmybabymama,she'
salonewithmy
t
wins,
she'
snotwel
lment
all
y…please"hebegged
"Youshoul
dhavet
houghtofal
loft
hatbeforeyou
deci
dedtobeacri
minal
"theot
heroff
icersai
d
Theyapproachedthebot t
om oft
hestai
rs,
the
securi
tyguywasedgy, hehadbeentryi
ngtowar n
him buthejustdi
dn'
tpickuphisphone.Helooked
athim pi
ti
ful,
Mhlengidroppedhi
seyesshamef ul
ly.
"
Pleasetakemyphoneupstai
rsandtel
lThul
adoI
l
oveher…"Mhlengisai
dbef
oretheyshovedhi
mint
o
t
hebackoft
hevan.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
27].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er28
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc
Nanawalkedintheof
fi
ceandwentst r
aighttoher
worki
ngspace,shedi
dn'
tgreetnoracknowledge
thetwins.Shewasf umi ngthattheydi
dn'tr
eturn
homel astni ght,i
twasbecomi ngahabitthatboth
ofthem wi llj
ustnotcomehome.Shesatdown
switchingherl aptopon, shewentthr
oughherdiary
checkingt heiti
neraryf orthedayandsheheaveda
sigh.Shet rail
edof fthinkingaboutThul
ado'stwins,
shedeci dedt odoavi deocall.
"
Hel
loaunt
y"Thul
adosai
dsof
tl
y
"Ohhel
lnoIdidn'
tcal
ltoseeyou,
Iwantt
oseemy
babi
es"shesaidsar
casti
cal
ly
"Letmegot othem,I
'm sti
llsl
eepingLumiisindeed
acrierthenshewakesupmyqui etbabyinthe
process,yhoothi
sgir
l"Thuladocomplained
j
umpi ngoutofbed
"Ist
il
lcan'
tbeli
evethi
syazi,Ial
waysthoughtI
wouldgetpregnantbeforeyousi
nceIwast hefast
oneandnowher eam Iwishi
ngtohaveachi l
dafter
Isawyouradorabletwins"Nanasai
d
"I
twasn'
tpl
annedhonest
ly,
Iwasfeeli
ngsometype
ofwaybuthavi
ngMhlengimakesever
ythi
ngeasi
er
andbet
ter
"shesai
dwal
kingi
ntot
henur
ser
y
"IneedmeaMhl engi
,I'
mt i
redofki
ssingfrogs"she
saidglar
ingatthetwins,t
heyjustl
if
tedtheireyest
o
l
ookathert hendroppedthem agai
nf ocusi
ngon
thei
rwork
"Whenyoumeetther
ightoneyouwi
llhaveyour
owntoo"Thul
adosmil
edather
"Yeah,maybeIneedtostartl
ooki
ngforaser
ious
manwhowant stoset
tl
eI'mtir
edofdati
ng,i
t'
s
exhausti
ng"shesai
dsighing
"
Mnyi
semj
olo"Thul
adosai
dlaughi
ng
"
Ohwowl aughatme!Ki
ckmewhi
leI
'
m down"she
l
aughed.
"Hereareyourbabi
es"Thul
adosai
dpr
opel
li
ngt
he
videoshowingthet
wins
Nanasawt hem sl
eepi
ngpeaceful
lyi
nthei
rcot ,
it
wasi ndeedthemostbeauti
fult
hing,
sheactuall
y
fel
temot i
onalremini
sci
ngwhenshedi danabor t
ion
yearsago.Shewasst il
lver
yyounganddidn'thave
muchofachoi
cebutnowshef
eltshecoul
dbea
goodmot
her.
"YouOKther
efr
iend?Youawful
lyqui
et"Thul
ado
askedbr
ingt
hephonebacktoher.
"
Y-yeahI
'
m…I '
mfi
ne,Iwanttost
ealt
hem"shej
oked
t
ryi
ngtodif
fuset
hesit
uati
on
"Nah-
ahmakeyourown,pl
usMhlengiwouldmur
der
someone.Heloveshi
schi
ldr
eni
t'
sbeauti
fult
o
watch"sher
epli
ed
"That'
ssweet
,anywayl
etmest
artwi
thwor
k"Nana
said
"
Nopr
obl
em,
thanksf
ort
hecal
l"Thul
ador
esponded.
Nanahungupandswitchedonherwor
klapt
op,
Fr
edsatopposi
teherwit
haf i
le.
"Pl
easet
akeoutthemi
nut
esf
ort
hemeet
ingwi
th
FogCo"Fredsai
d
"Wher
edi
dyout
wosl
eepl
astni
ght
?"Nanasai
d
angr
il
y
"Seri
ousl
y?Haveyouforgot
tenwherewear e?Wai
t
ti
llwegethometoaskthatnonsense"hesaid
dismissi
vel
y
"Sothi
sishowi t
'sgoi
ngt
obenow?IguessI'
m
goingt
ofindsomeonewhom I
'
m goi
ngtodissapear
tooaswell"Nanaspat
"Idon'
thaveti
mef orthi
s,wealreadyhavealoton
ourplates…pl
easejuststop"Fr
edr esponded
i
r r
it
ably
Frankwast roubledheneededt ofi

ndPhi ndi
leto
fi
nishthebear erri
tualbutshewasstil
lgone,itwas
fr
ustrat
ing.Hisphonepi ngedhequicklygrabbed
ontoithopingitwast hedetect
ivewit
hsomegood
newsbuti nsteaditwasNomzamo, hesighedin
di
ssapointment
*
Ijustwantt
oapol
ogi
zef
ort
hewayIbehaved
yester
day,itwasmyf ir
stti
mehandlingal coholand
myner veswerealloverthepl
ace.I'
m sorryfor
embarrassingmyself,t
hankyouforhelpingme,
thankyourbrotherf
ormeaswel l.Don'twor r
yabout
myt ui
tionIwil
lfi
ndotherwaystogett hr
ough*
Frankpi nchedthebr idgeofhi snose, thiswas

becomi ngat adtiri
ng, hewonder edhowmanymor e
girl
swi l
ltheygot hrought ofindpeace.Wi l
lthey
everfindi t
?Fredwassl owlylosi nginterestinthis
arrangementt oobutt hephant om isforever
want i
ng, hecouldn'tsleepthinkingaboutwhatt hey
didtoNomzamo.Shewasn' tliketheot hergirl
s,
theywer eeasyandl ovedmat erial
sbutshewas
j
ustapoorgi rldesper at
eforhel p,hedi dn'tnoti
ce
hehadt ear sonhisf aceunt i
lFr edsatnextt ohi m.
"
let
'sgof
orcof
fee"Fr
edsai
dgr
abbi
nghi
scoat
"
Sure"Fr
anksaidqui
ckl
ywi
pinghi
seyesbef
ore
Nanacouldnot
ice
Theyarri
vedinthebasementandtheybot
hcri
edin
eachother'
sarms.Forlongt
herewassil
enceunt
il
Frankdeci
dedtotalk.
"Forhowl
ongar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
hisFr
ed?
"he
asked
"I
t'saquest i
onIaskmysel feverydaybutafterl
ast
nightIt hi
nkI'
vereachedtoapoi ntwhereIdon't
caref orallt
hismoney.Wecan' thavechil
dren,we
can'tmar ryandtheseendl
esswomen…yer r"hesai
d
fustrated
"Nomzamo!If eell
i
keshi
tbro,
Icouldfeelher
energyelect
ri
fyi
ngmewhenIdidit,
shei ssopur e
i
t'sserenadi
ngandaft
erl
astni
ghtshewi llneverbe
thesame.Nowshedoesn'twantourhelp, i
nstead
ofbeingangryatusshei
sblamingherself"Frank
added
"Idon'
twanttot
alkaboutthatgi
rl
,i
t'
stoomuch
guil
tforme.Phi
ndil
eisgone,Nanaisstar
tingtoget
onmyner veswhat'
snext?
"heaskedr het
orical
ly
"
let
'sgo"Fr
anksai
d
Theybot
hent
eredi
ntot
hei
rcar
sanddr
oveof
f.
*
***
Nomzamost oodnakedi nfrontofthemirror,t

ears
madel i
nesdownherf ace.Shef eltsofi
lt
hyand
exposed,shecouldsti
llheartheirmoansand
groansevent houghshedr ankaf ul
lbott
leofwi ne
hermemor ywasasshar pasakni f
e.I
twas
confusi
ngt houghbecauseshewassoat t
ractedto
them,sheremember edhowshewasbl ushingand
sointothem butnowt hattheyrippedandr avi
shed
herbodyapar tshefel
tdisgusted.
Sheshruggedhershouldersandbeganapplying
l
otionget
ti
ngreadyt ogoseehermother,she
recei
vednewsthathersurgerywassuccessful.
Thoughshecouldn'ti
gnorethepai
ninhervagi na
andanusatleastsomethinggoodcamef rom all
of
thi
s,shewor
eherlongdressandpumps.She
combedherhai
rthengrabbedherl
it
tl
ebagandl
eft
fort
hehospi
tal
.
Uponar r
ivalshewasdi r
ectedtohermot her'
swar d,
shesmi l
edwhenshesawhersl eepingpeacefully
thoughshewasconnect edtoat r
acheost omyt o
helpherbr eat
he,
shest i
lll
ookedr ested.She
grabbedherhandpul l
ingachai rtosit,shegentl
y
squeezedherhand.Nomzamo' smot heropenedher
eyeslookingather,thedoct orwalkedi nwearinga
ti
ghtsmileonherf ace.
"
Hey"shesai
d
"
Hey!Thankyou"Nomzamosai
dgr
atef
ull
y
"Justdoi
ngmyj obandI'm sohappythatyou
managedt ogetherasponsorjustintime,
otherwi
sewewoul dbesayingsomet hingelseri
ght
now.Heroralcanceraff
ectedhertonguet her
efor
e
wehadt operfor
m aglossect
omy, t
or emovesome
partsofhetonguethenwedidaski ngr af
tofan
anter
olat
eralthighfl
aptohelpwi thherheali
ng
becauseofitstremendouslyversati
lesoftt
issue,i
t
wil
lblendinbringingbackthesensation.Shewon't
beabletospeakoreatpr operl
yf orawhilesowe
wil
lkeepherher etomonitorherbeforedischargi
ng
her.
"I
'
mj usthappyt
hatthecanceri
sgone"Nomzamo
saidwipi
nghertear
s
"Shewillst
il
lneedtotakecar eofherself
,shewil
l
needrestandalotofpatienceandsuppor tfr
om
l
ovedones.Shewi l
lunder goi
mmensechanges,
whichwi l
lbeoverwhelming.Canyouj ustimagi
ne
notbeingabletotal
k,tasteyourfoodandt hepain
from t
hesurgery?soIur geyoualljustholdher
handthroughallofthi
s"t hedoct
oradded
"I
'mtheonl
yonewhoisreal
lyther
e,t
osaywehave
famil
yisj
ustawordbutIwi
lldoasyousaydoct
or.
Thankyou"shesai
dagai
n
"Ohdearseemsli
keshedozedoffagai
n,sheisst
il
l
underheavymedi
cat
ion.Al
lowhertorest
"thedoc
sai
dthenshelef
t
Nomzamocl
osedhereyesandbegant
opr
ay.
"For
givemeohLor dforIhavesinnedagai nstyou
andmybodybutIhadt ooinorderformymot hert
o
getbetter
.Iknowyouar eprobablydissapointedin
meandf i
rthatIam sor r
y,butI'
m heretothankyou
forl
ovingmest i
ll
,thankyouf ormymot her '
s
successfulsurgery…thankyou"shesai dthenshe
openedhereyesst ari
ngathermot her
*
***
@TheAi
rbnb
Mhlengiwal
kedi
nwithtwofl
uff
yunicor
nsanda
shoppi
ngbag,hewasinsuchajol
lymood.
"
Shor
tyIwentt
ovi
ewanapar
tmenti
nMor
ningsi
de,
i
t'songroundf loorwi
thani cegreenyar datthe
back.Icanal r
eadyseemygi r
lsrunni
ngar oundwi t
h
watergunsi nhotsummerdays, thekitchenand
l
oungei sspacious.Thent hemainbedr oom i
sj ust
perf
ect,Ihavesomepi ct
urestoshowyou"heput
theshoppingbagont opofthecounterandt hrew
theunicornsont hecouch
"
Youl
iedt
ome!
"Thul
adosai
d
"Pl
easedon'
tst
art
,canweatleastcel
ebr
atemy
goodnewsbecauseIhaveafeel
ingyouaboutt
o
rui
nmyday"Mhlengisai
drol
li
nghiseyes
"YousaidNi ckEvansthesnakecat cherwason
holi
day,Ijustreadanarti
cleinFacebookwhereby
herescuedabl ackMambai nahomei nHil
lCr
est.
Wast hereevensnakesinourf l
at?"shesaidangr
il
y.
"Whydoyoul ikeFacebooksomuchhuh?I nst
ead
ofsleepi
ngsi ncethegirl
sarer
estingal
soyouare
herescrol
lingupanddownonFacebooknowyou
areaccusingmeoft hi
ngs"Mhlengisai
dtr
yingto
getawayf rom thequesti
ons.
"
Didyouseet
hesnakesornot
?"Thul
adoasked
agai
n
"Forhowl
ongareyougoingtodepri
vemesex?
,I
needtopr
epar
emyself"Mhlengisai
dsmi
li
ng
"Mxm"Thul
adogotupandmar
chedoutthebal
cony
shewassoangr
yshewantedt
oscream
"Whyareyousoangr
y?"Mhlengihel
dherfrom
behi
nd,
shetri
edt
owiggleoutbutMhlengihel
dher
ti
ght
.
"
It'
sthel
iesthatmakesmeangr
y,yout
reat
ingme
l
ikeachi
ld"shesaidsof
tl
y
"
I'
m sorryshor
ty,It
houghtyoul
ikedt
hispl
ace"
Mhlengisai
dnibbli
ngonherear
"Idobutyoudon'thavet
oli
e,i
sthi
saboutmy
contai
ners?
"sheasked
"Sortoff,
theotherdayItri
ppedandt
hosebloody
containersf
ellonmecover i
ngmeupt henbooks
foll
owed"hesai dsoft
ly,
"Isweart
oyouIalmost
died".
"
Liesagai
n"shechuckl
ed,"youar
enotget
ti
ngsex
f
orthenextt
hreemonths"shesai
d
"
Awungekewhy?
"heaskedl
ett
inghergo
"
That
'
showl
ongIhavet
owai
ttoheal
"Thul
adosai
d
"
Idon'
tthi
nkthat
'sf
air
!Ngi
zobhebhabani
kemi
na?
Ohheee"hesai
dworryi
ngl
y
"
Idon'
tknowmaybeJessie,
Shar
onort
hedogl
ady"
t
heyal
lwantyouangi
thi
"Respectyour
self
,Shar
onandt
hedogl
adyar
e
elder
ly"hewarned
"Thencongrat
syouar
elef
twi
thJessi
e"Thul
ado
saidscor
nfull
y
"
SoyousayImustf
lyal
lthewaytoCapeTown…OK
l
etmegoandbookmytickett
hen"Mhl
engisai
d
wal
kingaway
Thul
adowalkedi
ntotheapart
mentfastaf
terhi
m,
shepi
ckedupapill
owandt hr
ewithit
ti
nghishead…
"Anddon'
tcomebackyoupi
eceofsh!
t"Mhl
engi
ran
outl
aughi
ng
*
***
@Ni
ght
Nomzamowassl eepingwhenshest artedf eeli

ng
hot,shetossedandt urnedf eelingr atherunset tl
ed.
Thenshef eltsomesor tofpr esenceget tingintoher
bed,shej umpedpet r
ifi
ed,thepr esencebegant o
overwhelmt her oom, sweatst art edtri
ckl i
ngdown
herbodyashersal i
vadr i
edupcompl etelyinher
mout handt hroat .Somet hingtol dhert opr ay,she
start
edpr ayingl oudbutt hepr esencel i
nger ed.She
persist
edi npr ayeraskingf orthebl oodofJesust o
coverher ,shecal ledont hehol yghostf iretobur n
anyevilspi r
ithover i
ngar oundherhome.Wi t
hin
secondst her oom wentqui et,thatover whel mi ng
andover power ingpr esencewasnomor e,
Nomzamost oodagai nstthewal kcat chingher
breath.
Shewassoscar edtoevengotot hekit
chent oget
watertodri
nkdespit
ebeingparched.Shet ookher
Bibl
ewi t
hherandjumpedunderherbl anket
huggingitj
usti
ncasethedevi
ldecidestovi si
t
again.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
27].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er30
Nomzamowassweepi
ngatchur
chaf
tershewet
thef l
oor swi tht earsweepingtoGodf orprotection.
Thedr eamswhi chvisit
edherwer eintensifyingin
anover whel mi nglywaydeemi ngherpr ayer sweak
andt hatscar eddayl i
ghtsoutofher , shecoul dn't
eatnorsl eept hepr esencestil
lappear ed
nonet helessat temptingtotouchherwhi leshe
sleepsatni ght .Thismor ni
ngshedeci dedt ogoon
apr operf ast, shewi l
lgowi t
houtf oodandwat er
thenswi t
chof fherphoneandTVf r
om 6t o6f oran
entireweek.Ever ydayshedeci dedshewi llcomet o
chur chandcl eanmaybeont hatwayGodwi llhear
herpr ayer s,shesawsomewher eonFacebooka
prophetencour agedpeopl etopr ovoket heir
blessingsandt osowaseedbutshedi dn'
thavet he
moneyf ort hatt herefor
eservicesf r
om herhands
willdo.
Thepast
orent
eredtheandstoppedatthedoor
,she
hear
dhersi
nginginatroubl
edcroakyvoi
cesohe
deci
dedtowal
kcloser.
"
Nomzamowhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"heasked
"OhhiPast
orNkosiIj
ustwantedtodosomet
hingin
thehouseofGod,
thecleaner
sgavemethekeys"
sheanswered
"Si
tdown"hesai
dfl
oppi
ngonachai
r,Nomzamo
sataswel
l
"
Whathaveyoudone?Areyouperhapsbr
ibi
ng
God?
"heaskedl
ett
ingoutachuckle
"N-
noIjustwantedtodot
hisfr
om t
hebot
tom ofmy
hear
t"sherepl
iedshamef
ull
y
"Youknowsomet i
mesashumanswef orgett
hat
Godcr eatedt hiswor l
dwelivein,Heknowsever y
singlestrandofhai ronyourhead, Heknowsyour
tears,andHedef initel
yhearsyourpr ayers.Heis
Devine, Hisnotnotl i
keus.Youcan' tdosomet hing
justsoHecanansweryourpr ayer,it
'snota
businesst ransaction.Heispleasedwhenyoul i
ve
yourlifeinar ight
eouswayandal lt
hegoodt hi
ngs
areadded, t
heyar eaddedNomzamo.Youwor ship,
praiseHi m andl i
veahol yli
feandever yt
hingelse
willbepi l
edupont opofwhatyoual readyhave
andwhatHewasst il
lgoingtogi veyou.Mat hew
6:33Butseekfirstt
hekingdom ofGodandhi s
ri
ghteousness,andallt
heset hi
ngswi llbeaddedto
you,putthatbr
oom down, repentandf ixyour
relat
ionshi
pwithGod.Ifyouar estruggli
ngIwi l
l
organizeasessionwithmywi f
eper hapswomant o
womanyoucanmovemount ains"hesai dchuckli
ng
"
Thankyoupast
or"Nomzamosai
dsof
tl
y
Shewalkedawaywit
hataili
nbetweenherlegs,
she
headedtothest
orer
oom t
oputthebroom away.
*
***
@t
hePol
iceSt
ati
on
Mhlengidroppedhi
sheadavoi di
ngeyecontactwit
h
t
hedet ect
ive,
hevouchednottosayawor dunti
lhi
s
l
awyerNomal angaarr
ives.Thedetect
ivekepton
l
aughingandbangingthetablewithmeanst o
annoyhi
m.
"Yoush!t!Ngi
kubambi leKrugerl okunuka.You
thoughtyouareunt ouchablehuh?Fuckyou!I
wonderwhyyoudi dn'tdi
elikeyourf riends,you
deservetodieli
keadog.Mgul ukudu….If eelgood
man, Igotyouandyouar egoingt oeatoutoft he
palm ofmyhand.Youwi llt
elluswher eyoukeptt he
moneyandwhoi syoursour cefrom insideand
maybet hejudgewi l
lbelenientonyou, andshor t
en
youryears?Soyoucanr eunitewi thyourbaby
mamaandt wins"hesai dwithasmi rk,Mhlengi
l
ift
edhi sheadandgl aredathimt henhedr opped
hisheadagain.
"Youthoughtyoucl everSat
an!Youspedf rom the
cri
mescenel ikeSchumacherwi thmil
li
ons"he
l
aughedbangi ngt hetabl
eloud,"yourf
riendski ll
ed
twosecur i
tiesandi t'
sonCCTVt heyareluckyt heir
ancestorssnat chedthem beforetheycouldf eelmy
wrathbutf ortunatel
yforme, Ihaveyou"hel aughed
again,t
henhecal ledtheoff
icer,"Howfarishi s
l
awyer ,Ican'twaittoseehim shitonhimsel fwhen
heseestheevidenceIhaveonhi m"helookedat
Mhlengidevi
li
shly,"evenyourl
awyerwon' tsaveyou
fr
om thi
sboy,buti t
'sfinewewillwai
t"hepulleda
chai
randsatopposi t
ehim smil
ingwhil
ehe
drummedont het ablewithhi
sfinger
s.
*
***
Nomal angacli
ckedhersti
let
toswalkingint
ot he
i
nterrogati
onroom,shesighedthenplacedher
sui
tcaseont hetabl
e.Thelookhereceivedfrom the
detecti
vewasr at
herunsett
li
ngandt hatmadeher
sweatunderhersuit.
"Areyougoi
ngtogetmeachai
rphoyi
sa?"shesai
d
glar
ingatt
hedetect
ive
"
Surebyallmeans"hest
oodupagr abbedachai
r
f
rom t
hefarcorner
,Nomalangasatdown
"
Youdidn'tsayanyt
hingdi
dyou?
"sheasked
Mhl
engi,henodded
"Whatcanhesay,
heknowshi
sgui
lt
y"t
hedet
ect
ive
sai
d
"
CanIseetheevi
dencepl
ease?"Nomal
angaasked
t
hedet
ecti
ve,hepushedt
hefil
etowar
dsher.
Shescannedthroughthestatements,
thepict
ures
andaharddrive.Shepickeduphereyeslookingat
themaninblue,sheclosedthefi
leandsighed.
"
What
'si
nthehar
ddr
ive?
"Nomal
angaasked
"
CCTVfoot
ageandIhavepl
ent
yofcopi
es"hesai
d
wit
hasmir
k
"
HowdoIknowt
hatyouar
en'
tlyi
ng?
"sheasked
"Youdon'
tknowbutIcanshowyouanot hervi
deo
thatwegotfr
om agoodSamari
tan,Ial
sohave
plent
yofcopi
esofit
"hehandedhisphoneoverto
her
Sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
slooki
ngati
t,shet
hen
showedi tt
oMhl engi
.Itwasofhi m spri
nti
ng
towardsthecaranddr i
vingoff,hi
sfaceisseen
clear
ly.Hefoughtbacktears,notthathewas
scaredofjai
lbuthisthoughtswerewi thThul
ado
andhi sbabi
es,theywerestil
lsoyoungandhe
knewhi sshort
ywon'tcopeal one.
"
CanIpl
easemakeaphonecal
l?
"heaskedpol
it
ely
"
Her
e"Nomal
angagavehi
m herphone
Thedetect
ivegr
abbedt
hef
il
eandswagger
edout
proudl
y.
"
Mhlengi
!Youar
einbi
gshi
t!
"Nomal
angasai
d
t
hroughgri
tt
edt
eet
h
"
Iknow,
Idi
dn'
tki
llanyonet
hough"hesai
d
"I
t'
sclearwhowasshootingi nthevideobutyou
knowt heywantthemoney,justgiveitback.Test
if
y
agai
nstyourconnecti
onsinsideandyouwi l
lgeta
l
essersentence,
Iwil
lmakesur eoft hat"she
pl
eaded
"Idon'thavet hemoney, Idi
dn'tt
akei t
.Ther
ewas
fiveofus, Idon'tknowwher etheotherguyis.I
thinkhislayinglow, hehast hemoneynotme.Iwas
thedesignat eddr i
verforthatdayandwhenIsaw
thatshithitthef an,Iranforthehil
ls.Thul
adoisnot
wel l
,shewon' tsur vi
vewi t
houtme"hesai d
genuinely
"Youknowyouhavetotel
lmethetr
uthsoIcan
helpyouMhl
engi
!"sheemphasi
zed.
"
It
'st
het
rut
h"heassur
edher
"Okay…tel
lmeaboutThul ado'sment alheal
th,I
'm
goingtousethatandyournewbor nstopleadyour
case.Idoubtyouwillgetbailsi
ncetheyt hi
nkyou
havethemoneywi thyoubutIwi lltr
y"Nomal anga
added
Mhlengit
oldt
hel
awyerever
ythi
ngasshej
ott
ed
down.
*
***
@TheAi
rbnb
Thuladost aredatherphonef ortheumpteenthti

me
wai t
ingforMhl engitocallherandsayi twasa
prankandt hathewasn'tar r
ested.Shefeltapang
ofpai ninherhear tj
ustthinki
ngabouti t
,the
secur i
tysoundedsadanddownwhenhephoned
hertodel i
verthenews.Thesecur i
tyf
rom the
Airbnbcalledher .
"
Yes!
"
"mam t
here'
stwogentl
emenheret
oseeyou,
they
sai
dtheyarerel
atedt
oMhlengi
"hesai
d
"
Lett
hem i
n"Thul
adosai
d
Shecheckedonthet wi
nsandcheckedherdress
andshelookedpresent
abl
eapartf
rom herpuffy
eyes,t
herewasnothingshecoulddoforthose.I
na
fewminutesther
ewasaknockont hedoor,she
openedandincameSf isoandMusa.Sheknew
Sfi
sobuttheotheroneshehasneverseenbef or
e.
Sheledthem tot
hecoucht osi
t.
"
Thul
adougr
and?
"Sf
isosai
d
"Pl
easet
ellmeMhl engii
snotar
rest
edSf
iso"she
sai
dcryi
ngalloveragain
"
ncesemaansi
ster
aei
sh"Sf
isosai
d
Musast oodupsi tt
ingnextt
oherandhuggedher ,
thoughhi srel
ationshipwit
hMhlengiwascr acked
eversincehermot herdi
edshort
lyaft
erhear i
ng
abouthi ssheninegans,hewasstil
lhiscousinand
helovedhi m dear l
y.WhenMhlengicall
edhimt o
l
ookaf terhisbabymamaandki ds,heknewhehad
todother ightthing.
"
Sist
erat
hisi
sMusa,
Mhl
engi
'
scousi
n"Sf
isof
inal
ly
sai
d
"OhI-
Iheardal
otaboutyou,Mhl
engit
oldmehow
youtwousedtosellf
ruit
sforhi
saunt/yourmom,
nicet
ofinal
lymeetyou"Thul
adosai
dsof t
ly
"Ni
cetomeetyoutoo,
Idon'tknowwhatt
hismeans
butIpr
omisedhi
m Iwil
lcheckonyouandtheki
ds"
Musasaid
"
Heaskedi
fyoucoul
dgoandseeher ,
wewi
llwat
ch
t
heki
dswhil
eyouareinsi
de"Sf
isosai
d
"
Canwegot omorr
ow?Theremustbea
misunder
standi
ng"Thul
adosai
d
"
Wewi
llf
etchyoui
nthemor
ning"Musasai
d
MusaaskedifhecouldseethetwinsThuladot ook
them t
othenur
sery,t
heysti
llcoul
dn'tbeli
evethat
Mhlengimadeadoubleoutofnowher e.Theydidn'
t
knowanyonefrom t
hefamil
ywhowasat win.
*
***
@Si
mmonsmansi
on
Nanasatout sidet hebal

conysi ppingwine,shehad
al
otonhermi nd, butmostl
yitwashowunhappy
shewasst arti
ngt obecome.Thet winswerehar dl
y
home, shewasbegi nni
ngtof eell
onelyallt
hespa
tr
eatments, t
hef ancydressesandabi gfol
lowing
onhersoci almedi aaccountswer esuddenlynot
enough.Shemi ssedhavingaf ami l
y,cl
ose
fr
iendshipshewant edtobeoutt hereandinvolved,
shefeltal
ivebutyetdead.
Shemi ssedbei nginar el

ationship,goi
ngondat es
wit
hjustonemanwhocl ai
mst oloveyou, evenif
i
t'
sallalie.Thoset al
ksofl ovingeachot herforever
andstarti
ngaf amily,shewant edallofthatagain.
Thetwinsar eonl ygoodf ormoneyandsexbutt he
voi
dwasst i
llasst eepasahousesi de,shecr eated
aprofi
leononeoft hedat i
ngsi tes,t
henshe
upl
oadedheri nformat i
onandwai t
editout.Wi t
hin
minut
esshefoundafewmatches,
shepi
ckedone
guyandst
art
edchatt
ingwi
thhim.
*
***
Freddecidedt ot akeonet eam andputi nextr

a
hoursattheof fi
ce, t
hi swayhecoul davoidNana' s
constantbickering,ifshewasn' ttheirbearerhe
wouldhavel ongsentherpacki ng.Itwasannoyi ng
howshet houghtshewast hemadam oft hehouse,
i
nawayshewasbecausei t'
sherwombt hatis
keepingthem richandatt het op.Shoul dshedieor
meetsomeoneel set hi
ngswi llst
artcr umbli
ngsince
theydon'thaveabackuppl an.Pear landSenzo
havebeent heirbear erfrom thetimet heygavetheir
l
ife'
stothePhant om.
Her ememberedhowSenzo'si
nfer
ti
li
tyi
sbecause
ofthem,themoretheyhadPear
lhookedthey
managedt ot
akeherwombbymaki ngiti
nferti
lei
n
thespir
it
ualr
ealm.Ever
ytimeSenzowil
lattemptto
makeherpregnantt
hatbabydiesbef
oreheorshe
i
sevenfor
med, andthatwasthebegi
nningofFr
ed
Si
mmonsI nc.
Probl
em star
tedwhent hePhant
om wantedthe
wombsi nphysical
form,henceNanaandPhindil
eif
onlyt
heycouldlocateherandgetther
it
ualover
anddonewi t
h.Heopenedhi sl
aptopandgotlosti
n
hi
swor k.
Meanwhi leFr ankfoundhi msel fparkedoutsi

de
Nomzamo' shouse, i
foneshoul daskhi m whatwas
hedoingt here,hewoul dn'thaveananswerbuthe
waspar kedacr ossther oadst aringatthehouse.
Minutestur nedintohour sti
llhef el
lasleepinhis
car,
thankGodf orhi
sphonet hatvi br
ated
vi
gorouslyi nhisjacketpocket ,itpull
edhim outof
hisdeepsl umber .
"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"shesai
dwi
thur
gency
"
I'
m ont
her
oadwhy?
"Fr
ankaskedcur
iousl
y
"Whycan'tweaccessthevirgi
nyoupresent
edtous?
Mywhol ebackisburntbecauseofher…whoisthi
s
gir
l?Fr
ankwhatdi dyougetusinto…thePhant
om
i
sspitt
ingfi
re"shescreamed
"Idon'
tunderst
and,wedi
dever
ythi
ngaccor
dingl
y"
Frankrepl
iedhonest
ly
"Sheneedstodiebecausewear eat
tachedtoher
butwecan'taccessher,
it'
sli
kehavi
ngahomebut
youcan'tent
er…kil
lherthenfi
ndanothergi
rl
"she
spat
"
Ma…i
sther
enoot
herway?
"hepl
eaded
"Somet
imesIwonderi fyouaremychi l
dren,you
knowbloodywellthatwehavelimit
edopt i
onswhen
i
tcomest othephantom, i
fyoudon'
tdoi tt
henwe
l
ooseeverythi
ngincludi
ngourli
ves"shesaidina
l
oudshriek
"
ButmaNomzamo…"hi
smot
hercuthi
m shor
t
"
Kil
lthatbi
tch!
!…"shehungup
Frankputhisphoneawayandst
aredatNomzamo'
s
house,hejumpedoutoft
hecarandmadehisway
towardstheli
tt
legat
e.
2021
-
--
--
--
-
I
'
m payi
ngmybi
ll
s
[
11/
22,
14:
30].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er31
Thuladotappedherf ootundert het ablewai t

ingt o
seeMhl engi
,SfisoandMusaof feredtobabysi tthe
twinsoutsi
de.Shegotst artl
edwhenshehear dthe
burglargat
eopenwi thasqueak, i
tmustbeol dand
rusty,i
ncameMhl engifollowedbyanof ficer.He
hadbr ui
sesalloverhisf ace,yethest i
llmanagedt o
smi l
eshowingof fhisbeaut i
fulteethanddi mpl es.
Thuladojustcriedwhenhereyesmethi s,shewas
tryi
ngtobest r
ongbutt hiswasdi ffi
cult"howcanhe
smi l
elooki
nglikethis,howcanheevenshowhi s
teethwhentheywer ei nsuchasi tuat
ion"she
thoughttoherself
"
Mhl
engi
!"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"mamawezi
nganezami
"her
epl
ied(
mot
herofmy
chi
ldr
en)
"Pleasetel
lmet hi
sisami sunderst
anding,
tel
lme
theymadeami stake.Pl
easeMaphol oba…youcan'
t
getlockedup,Ineedyouourki dsneedyou.Lookat
yourf
ace"shesai
dwi
pingt
ear
s
"Myface?It'
sjustt
hatthesepol
icemanar ebull
ies,
theykeeptort
uri
ngmebecauset heythinkIhave
themoneybuti t
'snot
hingIcan'
thandle.I'
m sorry
short
y,Ireal
lyam"hesaiddroppinghi
sf ace
"Wait
!Whatdi
dNomal
angasay?
"sheasked
cur
iousl
y
"I
t'
snotl ooki
nggood,theevi
dentt
heyhaveistoo
str
ong, she'
sworkingongett
ingmeashorter
sentence"Mhlengisai
dsoftl
y
"Mhlengino!PleaseIcan'
tdothisal
one.Whendi
d
youevendot his?,Icansayyouwerewithme
babe…don'tgivein…please"shebegged
"Theyhavepict
uresandvideos"hesaidbl
inking
awayt ear
s,"
Thuladulookatme"hesaidsternly,
"I
wantyout obestrongshor
ty,Iknowthi
sisalotbut
pleasebe
str
ongf ormygi rl
s…Iwi l
lcomeoutandourl i
ves
willchangeforever"Thul
adocriedsomemor e,
"Thuladuli
stentome…shhhi t
'sokaybaby,Ihave
moneyi nyouraccounti t
sshouldlastyouf
orthis
yearandwheni tfi
nishessellal
lmypaint
ings,you
shouldatl
eastgetR1500/ R2000foreach…God"he
pausedlet
ti
ngthem f l
ow, "
IknowI'
mf ai
li
ngyou
ri
ghtnowbutpleaset ryandmanage,Musaand
Sfi
sowilll
ookaf t
erthethreeofyouunti
lIret
urn…I
l
oveyoushor t
yandI '
m sorr
y"hesai
dsadly
"Mhl
engiwhy?Whatdoyouexpectmet
ohuh?Oh
smakade!
"shecr
ied
"Shorty!
"hecalledhersof
tl
yhisvoi
cebr eakingbut
Thuladocont i
nuedcryi
ngpayinghi
m noat tenti
on,
"List
enIwi l
lgetaphoneandwewi llt
alkanddo
videocallsbabe"hesaidassuri
ngher
"Idon'twantvideocall
s,Idon'twanttohearyour
voice.Iwantyou!Myki dswillneedthei
rfat
her,I
wantyourt ouch,yourki
ssesandnowwewon' tget
allofthatbecauseyouar ehereMhlengiNgcobo.
AngithiwenauyiKr uger
?"shespat
"
Thuladu!Thi
sisnott
het
imef
ort
his"Mhl
engi
war
ned
"
YouknowwhatIcan'
tdot
his"shest
oodupand
wal
kedaway
"Thul
adu!Thul
adu!Shor
ty!
"Mhl
engical
ledbuthi
s
att
emptswerefuti
le
Theof
fi
cerescor
tedhi
m backt
othehol
dingcel
ls.
Meanwhil
eoutsi
det
heguysstoodunderatree
hidi
ngf
rom t
hesun,
Musar equest
edforanUberas
soonashesawThuladowalki
ngthei
rdir
ect
ion.
"
Isever
ythi
ngOK?
"Musaasked
"
Yeah…canwegonow?
"Thul
adoasked
"YeahIjustr
equestedforanUber
…Ihaveaskedmy
gir
lfr
iendtocomeandst aywit
hyouinthe
meant i
meuntilIcangetyouahel
pertoassi
stwit
h
thetwinsbutshecanonlycomeintwoweekstime"
Musasai d
"
It
'sokayIwi
llmanage"Thul
adusai
dlooki
ngaway
Sf
isoj
ustst
aredatherpi
ti
ful
ly,
hedi
dn'
tevenknow
whattosayinsituati
onsli
kethi
sbutdeepdownhe
fel
tsorr
yforThulado,heheardhowoverwhel
mingit
i
stor ai
setwins…andshewasal lal
one.TheUber
cameandt heyallhoppedin.
*
***
Fr
edSi
mmonsI
nc
Frankwal kedi ntheof fi

ceatl uncht i
me, hewas
adornedi nshor tsandagol fT- shirt
,youcoul dsee
hehadat attooonhi scarvei twasofabr oken
anchor.Theshar dsandt hechai nscatter edar ound
i
t,itwassi nkingall al
oneandt heshi pat tachedt oi
t
wasnowher et obeseen, itwoul df l
oataway
becausewi t
houtananchori tcannotbest oppedor
keptinplace.Thei nkwasal l
ur ingandver y
att
ractiveori sithi
sper fectlyt onedlegsort heway
hewal ksbuti tlookedappeal ingr egardlessofi t
s
message.
"Wheredi
dyoudi
ssapeart
olastni
ght
?"Fr
edasked
chuckl
ing
"
Isl
eptatt
hehot
el"her
epl
ied
"Al
soavoi
dingNana?
"heaskedar
chi
nghi
s
eyebr
ow
"Sor
tof…wherei
sshebyt
heway?
"Fr
ankasked
scanni
ngaround
"
It
'sl
unchti
me,shesai
dshe'
smeet
ingupwi
tha
f
ri
end"Fr
edinf
ormed
"Goodsowecanbr
eat
he,
anynewsonPhi
ndi
le?
"
Frankasked
"Nope,maybeit
'sti
mewel ookf oranot
hergi
rl
.
Havingonebeareri
sn'tsaf
e,haveyouspokento
yourmotherbeentryi
ngtocallhershe'
snot
answeri
ng"Fredsaid
"
Nope!Ihaven'
thear
dfr
om her
"Fr
ankl
ied
"Idon'tknow,Idon'
tfeel
greati
t'
sli
kesomethi
ngis
notrightbutIcan'
tputmyf i
ngeronit
…I '
m
suspect i
ngit
'saboutPhi
ndil
e,i
t'
sdrai
ningme"Fr
ed
compl
ained
"
That
'swei
rdwenormall
yfeelt
hesamet
hingbut
I
'
m perf
ect
lyf
ine"Fr
anksai
d
"
Wei
rd…maybeI
'
mjustt
ir
ed"hescof
fed.
"Haveyouthoughtofhowli
fewouldbei
fwegave
allt
hisup?
"Frankblur
tedoutoft
heblue
"Ihave…Ihavebrot
herandIt
hinkwewoul dbejust
finehonestl
y.Webothhavegoodquali
fi
cati
ons,we
havet heski
ll
sbuthowdowel eaveaf
tert
heblood
ritual
weperformed?"Fr
edposedthequesti
on
"Someti
mesIhat
emaf ormakingusdothi
swhil
e
shehidesawayi
nfarmswher enooneknowsher,I
j
ustwonderwhatit
'
sliketol
iveanormalli
fe…
maybeyoucanbeablet ol
oveNanaopenly".
"
Fvckof
f!
"Fr
edsai
dangr
il
y
"
Iknowyoulovethegir
l,Isawi
tfr
om t
hever
yfi
rst
t
ime"Fr
anksaidchuckl
ing
"
Evensoit'
simpossi
ble,
alsoIhavewrongedherso
muchIjustwantt
odie.Shewil
lneverfor
giveme
f
ortaki
ngherwomb,nowomani nthei
rri
ghtmind
wi
lldothatplusshe'
smat er
ial
ist
icI'
m goodwi
th
moneylikethi
s.Sheprobablywon'tevenl
ookatme
wi
thoutallofthi
s"herepl
iedsadl
y
"
Toobadforus"Fr
anksai
dget
ti
ngupt
ost
andby
t
hewindow
*
***
@Ther
est
aur
ant
Nanasatacrossherdatefrom t
hedati
ngapp,
he
wasneatandsmel l
ednice.Helookedabi
tner
dy
wit
htheglassesbutcoolandhandsome.
"
Sowhoi
sNana?
"heaskedf
lashi
ngasmi
le
"WellI'
m agi r
lfrom t
heTownship,I
'm aPAatFr ed
SimmonsI nc,I
'mthef i
rstbor
noftwowi t
honlymy
mot heral
ive.Ilovegoingoutandhavingfun"she
saidplayf
ul l
y
"MmmhOKI '
m Si
zwe, anI
ntrover
tquit
ethe
opposi
teofyoubutIlovebei
ngar oundsomeone
whocanbr i
ngcolori
nmyl i
fe.I'
m anaccount
ant
"
hesaidconfi
dent
ly
Nanawassold,sheknewr i
ghtther
eandt henthat
hewantstoseehim agai
n,theyconti
nuedtalki
ng
overt
hei
rlunchunti
litwastimetoretur
ntowor k.
*
***
Nomzamocamebackf r
om thehospitalwithasmi l
e
plast
eredonherface, hermotherwasr esponding
verywellt
othetreatmentandwast obedi scharged
soon.Shefeltf
reshaf t
erthatpeacefulsl
eepshe
recei
vedlastni
ght,Frankcameoutofnowher eand
kepthercompanyunt ilshefel
lasleep.
Shegotanoti
fi
cat
iononherphone,whenshe
openedi
t,i
twasanemailf
rom EdgewoodCampus
andi ti
ndicat
edt hatshewasaccept edatthe
universi
tytodoherBEddegr ee,shejumpedin
excitementthi
swasr eall
ygr eatnewsbutassoon
assher emember edthatshecoul dn'
taff
ordit
,her
j
oyt urnedsourimmedi at
ely.Shet hr
ewherphone
ont hecouchandshef oll
owedl yi
ngonherback
facingtheceil
ing.
Shepickedupherphonescr ol
li
ngt hroughnumber s,
shestoppedonFr ank'sname.Shet houghtcareful
ly,
i
ftherewassomeonewhocoul dsponsorheri twas
him,allshehadtodowast osleepwi thhim…easy
ri
ght?Thent hememor yofthepr esencet hathas
beentorment i
ngherlatel
ypull
edheroutoft hose
thoughts.Thepastorsaidshemustr epentandfix
herrel
ationshi
pwithGod, shesatonherbumsand
composedher sel
f.
*
***
@Si
mmonsmansi
on
Nanaexcusesher sel
flookingal
lsexyand
shi
mmer y,Fredarchedhiseyebrowscrut
ini
zingher
butshecouldn'tcar
eless,shegr
abbedhercarkeys
andsashayedout .
"Whyam Inothappyaboutt
hatexi
t…wher
eisshe
goi
ng?"Fredasked
"Not
hinggoodcomesoutf rom anangr
ywoman.I
cantel
lshe'
smadaboutsomet hingsoIguesst
his
i
sherwayofl evel
ingherscor
ewi t
hus"Fr
anksaid
"
Shebet
ternotcheat
,Isweart
oGodIwi
llbr
eakher
wit
hmybarehands"Fredspat
"Thenfoll
owher"Frankadvi
sed,"Shecan'
tsl
eep
aroundjusti
ncaseshemeet supwi t
habadomen
wewi l
lhavetocleanseheragai
n"Frankadded
"
Letmet
rackhercarf
ir
st"Hesai
d
Theyhear
dsti
let
toscl
ickingandthenoisewas
comingfr
om t
hedoor,theybothstooduptosee
andsurpr
isinglyi
twasthei
rmother.I
t'
sbeenlong
si
ncetheysawheri nnormalcl
othesandalldol
led
up,shewasal waysador
nedinheavyragsreadyto
gotothei
llusionandbeonewiththephant
om.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Fr
ankaskedpani
cky
"Iwouldn'
tbeher
eifi
twasn'
tforyou"shesai
d
bit
ter
ly
"
ma!Whati
fsomeoneseesyouher
e,youar
edead
r
emember?
"Fredsai
dworryi
ngl
y
"
Iknow,
Iwascar ef
ul.Nowtakemet
othatvi
rgi
n
t
hat'
ski
ll
ingus"shesaidcar
efr
ee
"Whatyoumeanki
ll
ingus?
"Fr
edaskedl
ooki
ngat
Frank
Theshortwomanunbut t
onedhershir
ttur
ning
around,
theyweremetbyahugebl ackpatchedof
burnwounds,itl
ookedfr
eshandsorebutshe
walkedi
nt hehouseli
kenot
hinghappened.
"Youwal
kingar
oundwi
tht
hat
?Isn'
titsor
e?"Fr
ank
asked
"Isaidwoul dn'tbeher eifyoudi dwhatIaskedyou
todoyest erday…whydi dn'tyouki llthatgi rl?Thisis
aspi ri
tualwoundi t
sspr eadingsl owl ybef oreyou
knowi titwi llsubsi demeandIwi lldie.I st hatwhat
youwant ?Youwantmeoutofyourl i
fej ustl i
keyou
uselessf atherFr ank?Doyoul ikeitwhenI 'm
sufferi
ngandi npai n?Yout woar ei ngrateIgaveup
mysoulsot hatyoucanl iveabet terl i
fe, Ili
vein
solidari
ty,lonel yandont hreadsot hatyout woar e
flouri
shingbutyoucan' tfollowsi mpl ei nst ruct
ions.
I'
m her etoki llthatgi r
lsinceyouweakandcan' tdo
i
t!You! "shepoi ntedtoFr ed,"
Theonl ybear erwe
havei sunhappy, onemi stakeandwear edoomed
becauseyoucoul dn'
tevenbr ingthesecondbear er
i
nr ecor dtime"sheshr ieked
"
Phindil
egotkidnapped"Fredsai
d,"
AndNana.
.I
wil
lfi
xthingswit
hher "Fr
edassured
"
Wewi
llf
indPhi
ndi
le"Fr
anksai
d
"
Takemet
othatgi
rl
"Shesai
dpoi
nti
ngt
oFr
ank
Hegr
abbedhi
skeysandt
heshor
twomanf
oll
owed
hi
m.
*
***
Fredpar kedout sidether estaurant,hecoul

dsee
Nana' scarfrom adi stance, i
thasbeenanhourof
him wai t
ing.FortunatelyNanaappr oachedbutshe
washol dinghandswi thanot herman, whenthey
reachedhercart heyki ssedandt heguyi sseen
groupingherass, Nanagi ggl
edent eri
nghercar.
Shedr oveof ftheguyst oodbywavi ngatherthen
hedi ssapearedi ntohiscart oo,Fredclenchedhis
fi
stinangerhewant edt ost r
anglethatnerdbut
decidedagai nstit,hefollowedNanabackhome.
Hefoundhersingi
ngintheshower,heenteredful
ly
cl
othedandstr
angledheragainstt
hewall
, Nana
ki
ckedwhil
eslappi
nghisstrongarm.Fredlether
goshef loppedtot hefl
oor,shelookedupt ohim
terr
if
ied.Shehel dandr ubbedherpoorneck,the
watercont i
nuedf l
owingwet t
ingFredthr
ough, he
didn'
tcaresol ongashedeal swi t
htheb!tchwhoi s
sabotagingtheirempire.
"Whatdoyouwantf rom Nana? "her oared,"Igive

youever ythi
ngmoney, ajobthatyoudon' teven
qualifyfor…yousuckatbei ngaPAbutIt urnabl i
nd
eyebecauseIl oveyou, Iam pr acti
call
ykeepi ngyou
butwhatdoyoudo?Yougoar oundki ssingmeni n
restaurantparkinglot s,youevenseducedmy
brothertosleepwi thyouIkeptqui etbecause
aslongasyouar ehappybutl ookatyounow.Nana
bewar ned,i
fyout hinkyouwi llbreakmyhear tand
ruinthingsformet henyouhaveanot herthing
comi ng…bi t
ch"hewal kedoutl eavingNana
horrif
ied
Hedri
ppedaroundthehouseleavi
ngtrai
lsofwat
er,
het
henpour
edhi msel
faglassofwhiskeyand
downi ti
nonego, hedeci
dedontakingashoweri
n
hisroom aswell
.Hetossedthewetclot
hesint
he
basketandlett
hewat erf
lowwashingawayhis
tear
s.
*
***
Frankpar kedoutsi
deanoldshack,thegrasswas
astallasat ree,
itwassl
antedt
ot hesideli
kethe
l
eaningt owerofPisa.I
twasdarkandt heoldlady
(ogug'ot
handayo)squint
edhereyest r
yingto
remembert hesurr
oundi
ngsassheasseeni nthe
spir
it
ualr ealm.
"
Itl
ooksandf
eeldi
ff
erent
"shesai
dlooki
ngatFr
ank
"Thi
siswher
ethegirll
ives,
unlessshel
iedt
ousbut
Icameherel
astnightandIfoundnoone.Thepl
ace
l
ookedabandonedeven"Frankadded
"Shedefini
tel
yli
edt
hisi
snott
hepl
ace,
canyoucal
l
her?"sheasked
"OurPAhavehernumbersandwearenoti
n
speaki
ngter
ms,Iwil
ltr
yandasktomorr
ow"Fr
ank
said
"Ican'tstaysi
nceyoulivewi
ththebearer
,shecan'
t
seeme.Thi sgi
rlneedstodi
etoday"t
hewoman
persisted
"ThePAi st
hebear erma,Iwil
lhavetodo
somethingbigforhertohel
pme, she'
svery
stubbor
n.Don'twor r
yIwil
lfi
nishthegi
rl
,youcan
go"hesaidsqueezingherhand
"Fi
ne!ButrememberifIdieyouaref
oll
owingt
oo,
noonewi l
lescapet
hewr athoft
hephantom"she
warned
"Iknow"theyfoll
owedeachotherbackt
ot hecar
andFrankdr oveoff
,hetr
ail
edoffthi
nki
ngofbetter
wayst okil
lNomzamo.Maybeacaracci dent,
a
breakinorpoison.Anyt
hingasl
ongashedoesn't
havetodoi thimsel
f.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
30].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er32
Amont
hlat
er….
Ithasbeenar ide!Nomzamo' smot herwas

dischargedtocompletehermedi cati
onathomeso
thereforeZamowast here24/7assur ingt
hatsheis
eatingwellandthatsheisresti
ng.Shet ookaleap
offaithanduset hel
it
tlemoneyl ef
tf r
om thesum
givent oherbythetwinstoregi
steratschool"God
wil
lpr ovide"ar
ethewor dsthatkeptri
ngingi nher
head.I twasaver ythri
ll
ingdaycomi ngf rom church,
thewor dwasuplift
ing.Thepast ort
appedi ntothe
"Agapeki ndoflove"thehi ghestandthepur estform
oflove, Nomzamof el
titdeepinherbones.God' s
l
ovei sn'tsenti
mental,butit'
sHischar act
erthat'
s
j
ustt hewayHei s,Nomzamocoul dn'twaitforher
sit
uat i
ont ochangeathomesoshecoul dspread
theloveshehasi nherhear t.
Shecr ossedtheroadwithalit
tl
egall
opwhenacar
camef rom nowhereandknockedherdown!And
thentherewaschaos, peopl
escreaminghover
ing
overherast heunknowndr i
verspedoffl
eavi
ng
cloudsofdustsbehind.
*
***
Nanakepthereyesgluedonthescr
eeneven
t
houghshedidn'thavemuchtodobutgoldbri
cki
ng
woul
ddof ornowasl ongassheavoi
dsFred
altogether
.Af t
erthatbathroom epi sodethi
ngs
startedtochange, t
hemansi onseemedt obig,the
twinswer en'
tsoappeal i
nganymor eshewas
actuallyscaredtoevencont inuet ocommuni cate
withSi zwebecauseFr edappear edatt herestaurant
outoft heblue.Theycoul dbebuggi ngevery
electri
calgadgetofhers, oneoft hedaysshe
thoughtofpacki ngherbagsandr unforthehill
s!
Butt hedarncont r
actthatshesi gned.
Fredwal
kedi
nthrowi
ngthef
il
eonFred'
sdesk,hi
s
facel
ooki
ngr
ed,hepi
nchedt
hebri
dgeofhisnose.
"
And?
"Fr
edasked
"Welostt
wosharehol
der
s"Franksai
ddi
ssapoi
nted,
hefl
oppedonthecouchinsurr
ender
"
Thi
sisnotgood,
Damni
t!
"hescr
eamedbangi
ng
t
hetabl
e
"
Weneedtogetmorepeopl
eonboar
d,l
astweekwe
l
ostani
nvest
or"Fr
anksai
d
"Ihavebeenrecki
ngmymindfort
hepastcoupl
eof
weeksandnot hi
ngiscomi
ngup"Fredr
epl
ied
getti
ngoutofhischai
r
"Pl
easegetussomefoodbabe!"Franksaidt
oNana,
shestoodupandscur
riedoutoftheoff
ice.
"I
t'
sdonewit
hvirgi
n,I'
m sureever
ythi
ngwi
llchange
goingonwar
ds"Franksaid
"
Phew!
"Fr
anksai
dlet
ti
ngoutabr
eat
hofr
eli
ef
"Ourbusi
nesswasslowl
yst
art
ingt
ocr
umbl
e"Fr
ed
chuckl
ednervousl
y
"Yes!Atl eastmawi l
lbeof fourbacks.I'
m yetto
fi
ndanot herbear
er,Phindil
ewon' tbefound.The
per sonwhot ookherdidn'tcallustoaskf orransom,
thepl acethedetecti
vefoundwasdef i
nitelyafalse
alarm.It hi
nkshei sdeadwher eversheis, Ij
ustfeel
sor ryforSenzobecauseheseemedt obehur tby
this"Frankadded
"Yeahhei
sn'
ttaki
ngitwel
l,
Iwi
sht
her
e'smor
ewe
cando"Fr
edagreed
"
AndNana…haveyouf
ixedt
hings?
"Fr
ankasked
"It
ri
edeverythi
ngIknow,it
'sjustnott
hesame.I
l
ostcontr
oltheotherdayandmanhandl edher
,now
sheispet
rif
iedofme.Iregretit
"Fredsai
d
"Shi
t!Areyoucrazy?
,nextt
imeIwil
lbr
eakyour
noseifyoulayyourhandsonheragai
nyoupvssy!
"
Franksaidir
ri
tabl
y
"Idon'
tknowwhatgotoverme,Ij
ustgot
aggravat
edwhenIsawherkissi
ngthatnerdi
nthe
parki
nglot.
..
heevengr
oupedherassbro,Il
osti
t"
Fredexplai
ned
"Igeti
tbutpleasenoviolenceonwomen, I'
m sti
ll
tryi
ngtolayoffthethoughtofki
ll
ingNomzamo, I
cannotdoit.That'
swhyIl ef
titt
oma, whatkindofa
manhur t
sawoman, Ij
ustcannot"Fr
ankinf
ormed
"
Nowyour
eal
lymaki
ngmef
eelbad"Fr
edadmi
tt
ed
"
Youshould,Iwi
llhavet
otal
ktoNana…t
hepoor
t
hing"hesai
dinasadvoice
*
***
Thuladot ookoutherbestdr esstoday, event hough
shewasgoi ngtocour t
, shewant edtol ookgoodt o
boostthewayshef el
ti nside.Nomal angamanaged
togetMhl engibail
,andhehasbeenapol ogizi
ng
endlessly,hespentallofhi sdayswi tht hetwins
andwi thThuladoathome, buttodaywast heeday
wher ethejudgewast oi ssueaver dict.Mhl engiwas
alr
eadygone, SfisoandMusawer etobr ingThul ado
sotheycanhel pwi t
ht hebabi es.
"Al
lri
se"theBail
if
foffi
cershri
eked,t
hegall
ery
compli
edast hejudgestr
idedintaki
ngherseat."
thi
scourtisnowinsession"headded
"
Youmaybeseat
ed"t
hej
udgesai
d
Shereadtherul
esandexplainedhowt hecour t
comestoaconclusi
onaf t
ercar efulconsi
derati
ons,
thecasehasbeenongoingandt odaywast heday
toheari
fMhlengiwi
llbesentencedoracqui t
ted.
Nomalangahasbeenf i
ghti
ngt oothandnai lt
oget
hi
m atl
eastal
essersentenceandt
hisr
ighther
e
wasthemomentoftrut
h.
"Inthiscour twet akecrimi nalof f

encesver y
seriousl yandt hiswi l
lser veasanexampl et oal
lthe
yout hsoutt her ethatnocr i
megoesunpuni shed,
aftergoi ngt hr oughal lt
heevi dencepr esent edto
meandwi tnessi ngthecr ossexami nationIhave
reachedadeci sion.Thedef endanthaspl eaded
guiltyf orbei ngapar tofthet eam t hathi tacashi n
transitvani nval uecent reSpr i
ngf i
eldbutnotgui lt
y
forthemur der sandt het heftoft hemoney.Ihave
wat chedvi deosandwassat isfied,Mhl engiNgcobo
i
saf irstt i
meof fender,anor phanandhei s
unempl oyedweunder standt hef rustrat i
onofnot
havingast ablei ncome.Mhl engir ecent l
ybecamea
dadt ogi rltwi nsnamedLubanziandLumi njalo,
he
i
sal sot heonl ypr oviderforhi slit
tlefami l
yhi s
girl
friendThul adoMdl etshest ressed.Havi ng
ment i
onedal loft hatthepeopl ewhower eseen
shoot ingt heof f
icerswer eunf or t
unat elyki l
ledon
thespot ,Mhl engibei ngt heonl yonesur viving,t
he
poli
cearestil
lsearchi
ngforthemoney.Thecourt
fi
ndsMhl engiNgcoboguilt
yofrobbingtheSBVvan
andwi l
lbesentencedfor10yearsinjai
l…thecour
t
i
sadj our
ned"shehi tt
hegavelandtherewaschaos.
Thuladowashear dwai l
inginthegal l
ery,Mhlengi
couldn'
teventur
nt olookather ,theMar shal
ls
camet owardshim hestoodonhi sfeetturni
ng
around.Hetookonel ookathi sfamilyandat ear
dropdownhi scheek,tenyear swasal ot.
Nomal angarantowardshi m bef
or etheycouldtake
him.
"Heyheyit
'snotbad…10yearsi
sgood,Iwas
l
ookingat25yearsMhlengi
…sowithgoodbehavior
youcouldbeoutin6-7year
s"Shet
riedtoassur
e
him
"Thankyouforever
ythi
ng"Hesai
dast
heygr
aba
holdofhim
"
Youwi
llbef
ine"shesai
d
Theoffi
cer
sledMhl engidownthestai
rs,
hekepton
l
ookingatwhereThuladowasseated,shewas
cryi
nghyster
ical
lyandthatscenewouldhaunthi
m
fort
herestofhisli
fe.
*
***
Att
hemal
l
Thul adopushedt hedoubl epr am att heshoppi ng

cent re,herhereyeswer estil
lpuf f edupf rom allthe
cryingbutl if
egoeson.Shehadchi ldrent ol ook
aftersincet heirf
atherdeci dedt hatgetar rested,
Nomal angakeptsayi ngi t
'snotbadasi f10year sis
tendays, Thuladoendedupt ell
ingherof fbecause
shewasn' taboutt ogiveherpr aisef orget ting
Mhl engi10bl oodyyear sbehi ndbar s,sheneeded
him athome.Shet ol
dhert ovoet sekwi t
hher
sti
lletos,Nomal angat houghtherf rustrati
onswer e
j
ust
if
iedsoshet
ookherbel
ongi
ngsandl
eft
.
Thuladowascompar i
ngpr icesatPicknPaywi t
h
Mhlengigonesheneededt ospendthemoney
wiselyunti
lshecanfi
ndanot herjob,shedeci
ded
onabi gcanofNanopt ipro.Afami l
iarvoi
ce
greetedherfr
om behi
nd, sheturnedaroundandyes
i
twashi m.
"
Hey"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"Iheardaboutyourboyf
ri
end,
I'
m sor
ry"hesai
d
genuinel
y
"ThankyouSenzo"Thul
adosai
dput
ti
ngt
hecan
underneat
hthetwinspr
am
"Myf i
ancégotkidnapped,shehasbeenmissi
ng
sincethen.Doyout hi
nkthere'
ssomethi
ngwrong
withmecut i
e?"heaskedsadl y
"No-yesIdon'
tknowSenzo, Ihaveprobl
emsofmy
ownandIdon'tf
eelli
keli
steningtoyoursbecause
monthsdownthelineyouwillbeharassi
ngme.I '
m
sor
ryaboutyourfi
ancébutIj
ustneedspace"
Thul
adocuthim shor
t
"I'
m sorr
yformaki
ngyouupset
,Iwasjustmaki
ng
conversati
on,
aret
heybot
hgirl
s?"hesai
dlooki
ngat
thetwins
"
Yes"Thul
adosai
dwi
thaf
aintsmi
le
"Theyar
eadorabl
e,theymaki
ngmewi
shf
ormy
own"Senzosaidhonestl
y
"
Godwi
llmakei
tpossi
blef
oryouaswel
l
"shesai
d
"Ihopebecauseallal
ongIthoughtIwasinf
ert
il
e,it
turnsoutIam notbutIdon'
tknowwhyIcouldn't
havechil
drenallt
hoseyears"hesaiddi
ssapoi
nted
"Ohwowmaybeyouhaven' tmetyourmat
chyet
"
Thuladosai
d,"
somepeopletakeyear
stof
all
pregnant
…giveitt
ime"sheadded
"Ormaybemymat chi
sr i
ghti
nfr
ontofmebutshe
doesn'
twantme"hearchedhi
seyebr
ow
"
Don'
tevengot
her
e"Thul
adowar
ned
"
I'
mjokinghawu…letmepusht hebabi
esf
oryou
whi
leyouenjoyyourshoppi
ng
Si
xmont
hsl
ater
..
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
30].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er33
Nomzamosatbehindt hehouseast earsthr

eat
ened
t
of al
l,
shewassot i
red,ifonl
yshejustdiedoncein
t
hataccident
.Thr
eemont hsi
nhospitalandshe
r
eturnstofi
ndhermot herbackatt
heshebeenand
smokingagain,shejustbrokedownandwail
edin
fr
ontofherthinki
ngofallshewentthroughj
ustt
o
getherheal
ed, af
terever
ythingshedeci
dedt
ogo
backtoheroldways.
Shecoul dbest udyingl ikeheragemat es,perhaps

withapar ttimej objustt okeept hemoneyf l
owf or
herwell-being,butshewasher esoakinghert op
withtears,mor ehopel esst hanever.Sheenvi ed
peoplewi t
hpr operf unctionalfamili
esoutt here,it
toreherintopiecest ogr owupandact uall
yseehow
brokenandexhaust edhermot herwashencewhy
shefelttheneedt otakecar eofher.Thoughat
ti
mesaf unyout hfulphaseseemedent ici
ng, going
outwithf r
iends,attendingconcer t
sandhavi ng
boyfri
ends, shewant edallofthatbutsadl yshe
wouldn'tkeepupeveni fshet ri
ed.Thatt r
ainwi l
l
j
usthavet omissher ,especiall
ynowt hatshe' sina
wheelchair,neverdidshet hinkonedayherl i
f e
wouldt urnoutt obel ikethis.
Thedr ivert
hatknockedherwasneverf ound
"bl
oodyscoundr el
"shet houghttohersel f
.That
creepyscar ypr
esenceseemedt ohavevani shed
i
ntot hinair
,shecoul dn'
tbehappiersheeven
promi sedGodthatshewi l
lneverf
ornicateagain,no
mat t
erwhatt hecircumstances.Herphonevi brat
ed
onherl ap,shewipedhert earswhil
ecl eari
ngher
throatandanswer ed.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dtr
yingt
osoundnor
mal
"HeySweet
ness,
howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
oday?
"he
asked
"
I'
m gr
eatt
hanks"Nomzamosai
d
"Ihopeyounotstrai
ningyourl
egs,
rushi
ngt
owal
k
andall"heasked
"
NoI'
m usingt
hewheelchai
r,I
'm ver
yseri
ousabout
myheal
ingIwantt
owalkagain"sheassur
edhim
"Good,Ihavepaidadermatol
ogi
stt
ohelpyouwith
yourscarssoyoudon'tneedtowor
ryabouti
t,I
paidinful
l"headded
"
Thankyousomuchforyourki
ndness,
Idon'tknow
whati
sitt
hatI
'
m doi
ngright
"hervoi
cebreaking
"
Wher
eismom?
"heasked
"
Youknowwher
eshei
s!"shescof
fed
"Remembertof
ocusonyourself,
mom i
sanadult
,
youhavedoneyourpar
t.Iwi
llcomeseeyoul
ater
"
hehungup
Nomzamof el
talumpgr owingbiggeronhert
hroat
,
shefoundher
sel
freleasi
ngasilentcry,
shewasa
wetdroopymessalloveragai
n.
*
***
@Thul
ado'
sfl
at
Sharoncamet odropoffabagfi
ll
edwit
hnew
cl
othes,eversincetheymovedbackint
othei
rold
fl
atshestil
linsist
edoncheckinguponthem asa
r
esul
tofhear
ingaboutt
hear
restofMhl
engi
.
"Theylooksobignow"shesai dpickingLumishe
wast hemostloudandener geti
csoaut omat
ical
ly
theattent
iongoestoherfi
rst.Lubiwasquietand
peaceful,
sheenjoyedpl
ayingonherownand
Thuladoappreci
atedhercharacter.
"Theyar
egrowingi
nlight
ningspeed,
butIcoul
duse
abreakfr
om t
hatdramaqueenyouar ecar
ryi
ng"
shechuckl
ed
"Letherbe"Shar
onsaidplayi
ngwit
hher ,
"haveyou
thoughtaboutwhatwespokeaboutthelastti
me?"
sheaddedwi thast
ernlookonherface
"I
'
m notahoarderSharon,
Iappr
eci
ateyourhelpbut
pleasest
opputt
ingthi
ngsinmyhead,I
'm notcrazy"
shesnapped
"Ididn'
tsayyouwer esweetheartbutt
hispl
aceis
hazardousandyouhavecr awl
ingbabiesnow,
unlessyouwantpeopl et
onot i
ceandt heywil
lcal
l
chil
dwel f
areforyou"Sharonsaidlooki
ngather
pit
ifull
y
"
Iwil
lmovethestuf
f"shesai
dal
mostimmedi
atel
y
whi
lepl
ayi
ngwithherhandsinf
rust
rat
ion
"
Okay"Shar
onr
epl
iednotwant
ingt
oupsether
f
urt
her
Sheconti
nuedplayi
ngwit
hthet
winsasthey
giggl
edandcooedather
,shedi
dn'
tunderst
andwhy
shewassoattachedtot
hem.
*
***
Around7pm Thul ado'sphonevi br

ated,shequickly
fi
xedher selfandpr opel
ledthet wi
nst ositupon
thei
rownt osurprisedaddy,shecl earedherthroat
andf i
xedherhai rthenshepr essedt heanswer i
ng
butt
on.Mhl engiappear edont hescr eeni
nor ange
overall
s,
judgingbyt hewhit
etilesont hewalls,he
wasi nthebat hr
oom.
"
Heyst
handwasami
"Thul
adogr
eet
edhi
m eager
ly
"
Heybeaut
if
ulmama"hesai
dfl
ashi
nghi
steet
h
"
I'
m good,
justmi
ssi
ngyou"sher
epl
iedback.
"
Aretheysit
ti
ngonthei
rown?"Mhlengiasked
f
rowningandbri
nghisfacecl
osert
othescr een
"Sur
prise!
"Thul
adoshoutedstar
tli
ngLubanzishe
star
tedcryi
ng,Lumi
njal
otri
edcrawlingfor
wardto
grabthephonebutshecouldn'
treach.
"shhhh"ThuladohushedbabyLubiplacingheron
herchest,Lumifell
onherstomachgr abbi
ngthe
phone.Mhl engil
aughedontheothersidewatchi
ng,
hewi shedhewashomewi t
hthem.
"
Areyoucopi
ngshor
ty?
"Mhl
engif
inal
lyasked
"Yeah!Bet
weenSharon,Sfi
soandMusaI'
m good.
Musa'sgir
lf
ri
endpopsbywheneversoIthi
nkI'
m
fi
ne,it
'sj
ustnott
hesame"sheansweredhonest
ly
thenshegrabbedthephoneawayf
rom adrowsy
Lumi
"I
'
m sorry!LookIneedyoutogiveMusaR2000,i
n
orderf
ormet oli
vecomf ort
abl
yandtostayaway
fr
om tr
oubl ei
nhere,Ineedtobeusef
ul.Si
nceI
'ma
Krugerwear eknownforbri
nginginmoneybutI
don'thaveanythi
ngtooff
errightnowsoIwi llneed
yout osendmeR1000onamont hlybasis,
givei t
toMusahewi l
lknowwhattodo"Mhl engiexplained
"Theyarenothur
ti
ngyouorr
api
ngyou?
"sheasked
anxiousl
y
"No"hechuckled,I'
m aKr
ugerandifdomypartI
wil
lbefine,the28gangarei
ntorapi
ngandsh!t
.I'
ve
alr
eadyidentif
iedmysel
fwit
hmypeopl esoI
'
m
good",
Mhl engiadded
"OKIwil
ldothat,
pleasebehavei
nthere.
Nomalangaexpl
ainedtomeabouttheparol
e,you
cangetacqui
tt
edongoodbehavior"shesai
d
"
Yes,
Iwanttoleavehereasint
oday,
soIwi
llbeon
mybestbehavi
or"heassur
edher
"Letmeputt hem downproperl
y,theyar
eboth
sleeping…lookatLumi"sheshi
ftthecamer
aso
Mhl engicoul
dseehersleepi
nglikeshe'
sdrunk.
Thul
adoputt
hephonedownpl
aci
ngLubiundert
he
bl
anket,theshepi
ckedupLumiandl ai
dhernextt
o
hersist
erthenshecover
edbothofthem.She
pi
ckedupt hephoneandMhlengiwasstil
lther
e
wait
ing.
"
Theyar
esl
eepi
ngnow"shesai
dpant
ing
"
Iwi
shIwast
her
ehel
pingyouout
"hesai
dsadl
y
"Youwil
lgetout
,I'
m pr
ayi
ngf
oryouever
yday"she
saidsmi
li
ng
"
umuhl
e"hebl
urt
edoutoft
hebl
ue
"
ThankyoubutIdon'
tfeell
iket
hat
,haveyouseen
mytummy"shepoutedtaki
ngoffherni
ghtdr
ess.
Shepositi
onedt hecamerabalancingitagainsta
bl
anket,shethenmovedbackst andingsidewaysso
Mhlengicoul
dseet heshapeofherbodywhi chshe
wasn'tpl
easedwi th.Shekeptoftouchingher
st
omachdi spleased,Mhlengil
ickedhisli
psshi f
ti
ng
onthetoil
etseatsohecoul dsitproperl
y.
"Youqui
et"Thul
adosai
dsi
tt
ingbackont
hebed
picki
ngupthephone
"
Youlooksosexy,
youassandhi
psl
ook
f
ull
er…l
ook"hesai
dshowi
ngThul
adohi
sbul
ge
"
Ohmygoshyouar
esonaught
y"shecover
edher
mout
h
"Whatdoyouwantmet odowhenyoujustst
ri
pped
nakedknowingIhaven'
ttast
edi
tinmont
hs"
Mhlengisai
dunzippi
nghisover
all
"
I'
m sosor
ryIdi
dn'
tthi
nk"shesai
dshyl
y
"whatmustIdowit
halloft
his"hesai
dunpacki
ng
hiscock,
it'
sspr
ungout
"MhlengiNgcobo!"shewhi
spered,"
Whatif
someonewal ksinonourconversat
ion?
"sheasked
concerned
"Thi
sist heclosestthi
ngtoprivacyher
e"helicked
hisl
ipsst r
okinghiscockupanddown, "
Sitproper
ly
onthebedIwantt oseeyourent i
rebody"Thulado
compl i
ed,"Nowspr eadyourlegsandtouch
yourself
"hesai dspitt
ingonhiscockstr
okingitup
anddown.
Thul
adof el
tawkwardatfirstbutt
hiswasMhl engi
hetrust
edhim wit
hherlif
e, shedi
ppedherlit
tl
e
fi
ngersinsi
deherpvssy.Hereyesf i
xedonMhl engi
andhiscock,shecouldalmostfeeli
tploughi
ngi n
andoutofhersleekpvssy,sheletoutasoftsexy
moan.
"That '
si tshor t
y…mmmmh"Mhl engisai dsoftl
yand
sexily.Hei ncreasedhi spacest rokinghi mselfup
anddownl ookingatThul ado' spi nkfleshgl i
steni
ng
withj uices, hecoul djustf eelherwar mthclothing
hisswol lencock, hei ncreasedhi spacewi t
ht he
handj obl etti
ngoutadeepgr oan.Thul ado
i
ncr easedherr apidit
yaswel lasi fitwasMhl engi
plungi ngdeepi nsideher ,hi sstronghandsandGod
hisscentshef eltlightni
ngbol t
spar alyzingheras
shebur stoutj uicesl i
keawat erf all
,Mhl engi
groanedl oudershoot inghi ssemenal loverhi s
thighs.Theybot hpant edl ikedeer slookingfor
wat
er,
noonesai
danyt
hingf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es.
"
Youal
ri
ght
?"Mhl
engif
inal
lyasked
"
Yeah"Thul
adorepl
ied,
"I'
m goingt
owi
pemysel
fin
t
hebathr
oom"shesaidrushingoff
Mhl
engigat
heredtoi
letpaperandhewi
pedhi
msel
f,
wai
ti
ngforThuladot
or et
urn.
*
***
Frankpar kedout si
deNomzamo' shouse,he
approachedt hehousecar ryingshoppingbagsf rom
Wool wor
t hs,i
twasr eall
yhar df orhi
mt ohidethis
gi
r lf
rom hisviciousmot her .Thoughhef eltli
ke
crapforlyingtoFr edbuti twast heonl
ywayt okeep
Zamosaf east owhyhewasdoi ngal
lofthis?It
wasamyst er
yevenf orhim.Hear ri
vedatthedoor
andknockedj ustincaseherdr unkardofamot her
wast her
e, whenhewasn' treceivedhedecidedt o
l
ethi
msel
fin.
Nomzamo' smom wascockedoutont hecouch

surroundedbyblackl
abelbott
lesheclearedthe
areaandcoveredherwithanoldblanketthatwas
foldedandplacedonthearmrest.Hethenpicked
uphi sbagsandproceededtotheroom, Nomzamo
wascur l
edont hebedfaci
ngthewal l
.
"I
sn'ti
tsor
escr
unchi
ngyourbodyl
iket
hat
?"Fr
ank
asked
"
it
'spar
tofmyexer
cise"sheanswer
edsof
tl
y
"
Iboughtyougoodi
es"Fr
anksai
dent
husi
ast
ical
ly
"Thankyou"shesai dsit
ti
ngonherbums, "Thank
yousomuchf orbeingtheonlypersonwhoact uall
y
caresaboutme, youknowIr eal
izedthatthereis
nothingIcandot orescuemymom.Il i
vedmyl ife
tryi
ngtohi det
heshame, Iwantedhertobepr oudof
meoneday.Iwant edtograduateandgetagood
jobsot hatatl
eastshealsohassomet hingtogl oat
aboutt
oherf
riends,
butIguessshewi
llal
waysbe
i
sdakwanj
e.ShehaschosenherpathandImust
choosemi
ne"shewipedhertear
s
Frankkickedoffhi
sshoesandj
oinedheri
nbed,
he
heldherfrom behi
nd.
"Thist hi
ngwi t
hourpar ent
sisverydeep, i
fthey
aren'tcondemni ngandcompar ingust ooursibli
ngs
andf riendstheyaresendingusst r
aighti
nto
depressi on.Atl
eastyourmot heri
sn'tobsessed
withr evengeandr i
ches,atl
eastshedoesn'tforce
youi ntodoingthings"hesaidsadly
"Youhavenoideawhatthatwomanforcedmet o
do,someti
mesIhateherbutthenoutoftheblueI
l
oveherwitheveryt
hingi
nme"shesaidper pl
exed
"
Becausenomatt
erwhat
,shewil
lal
waysbeyour
mother
"hesai
dki
ssi
ngthetopofherhead
Whi
let
heywer
echat
ti
ngFr
ank'
sphonevi
brat
edi
n
hi
spocket
…
"
Bro!
"hesai
danxi
ousl
y
"
Gethomenow!
"hesai
dst
ernl
y
"
Isever
ythi
ngOK?
"heaskedwor
ryi
ngl
y
"
ComehomeFr
ank!
"hesai
dhangi
ngup
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er34
Franktooklongstri
desmaki nghiswayt oFr
edwho
waslastseendr owninghissorrowsatthebar.
Nanast ayedonherlane,mindingherownbusiness,
Fredcamet oherhopi nghewillgetsomecomfort
butNanawasn' thavi
ngi t
.
"What'
sgoingonman? "Fr
ankaskedwit
hhishear
t
ploddi
ngagainsthi
sri
bcage,
itwasunusualf
or
Fredtosoundsopanicky.
"Idon'tknowFrankbutsomet
hingiswr
ong,
people
arepul l
ingoutoft
hecompanyonebyoneandmom
hasn'tbeenansweringmycal
ls"Fr
edcompl
ained.
"
Idon'
tgetit
"Franksai
dthi
swit
hhisheartbeat
ing
r
apidl
y,coul
dthisbehi
sfaul
tsi
ncehesaved
Nomzamo?
"Icalledyouheretogoandcheckonmot her,f
ind
outexact l
ywhatitgoingon,
Iwil
lstayhereand
figureouthowI '
m goingt
ofixt
his…Ineedafvck
andNanai sdepri
vingme"heexclai
medinhis
dr unkenness
"Nanaknowsherwor
th,
youdrunkl
ikeaskunkand
youwanttodowhat?
"hechuckl
ed
"
Ayf
usegi
!Gol
ookf
ormot
her
Fr
ankt
ookhi
scarkeysandl
eft
..
.
Fredbalancedusi
ngt hechairandcountert
henhe
stagger
edbackandf roheadingtoNana'sroom,he
threwhimselfonherbedpul l
inghercl
ose.Nana
j
ustkeptquietandlethim be.
"youaresuchabi t
chNana.Abeaut i
fulbi
tch.You
l
ovemoneyandt hefinert
hingsinlif
e…justmyt ype"
hechuckled,
"butyouareabi t
chbecauseyouwant
toleavemeanddat ethatnerd?I'
m goingt oki
llhi
m!
Finishandkl
aar"hepausedt ohiccup,"I
'm her
e
babyandmyhear ti
sbeatingforyou,can'tyouhear
i
t?"heasked
"Youar
edrunkFr
ed, Iknowyoudon'
tloveme"Nana
answer
eddismi
ssively
"
Iloveyousodamnmuch, I'
m neverl
ett
ingFr
ank
t
ouchyouagain…Ihavedeci
ded"hehicupagai
n
"That'
st hethingFred"shetur
nedaroundt oface
him, "
Yousayi ngthisnowcomet omorrowyouwi l
l
bebackt oyoursensesandIwi l
lbeleftdr
yonce
mor e.IthinkImessedt hi
ngsupbyal l
owingFr ank
i
ntot hemi x,Idon'
tthinkwecanrecoverfrom thi
s"
shesai dinasadt one
"FrankandIhavebeensharingwomeneversi nce
soi t
'snotaprobl
em,butifi
twassomeoneel se
theni twoul
dbeaproblem.Frankwi
llnottouchyou
againbaby"heansweredkissi
nghersloppil
y
"Ifonl
ywecouldhavet
hisconver
sat
ionagai
n
tomorrow,whenyouar
esober"Nanasai
dkissi
ng
him back
*
***
Exact
ly00:
00Frankpar
kedoutsi
dehi
smother
's
house,i
twassi
tuat
edinthehear
tofal
it
tl
efor
esti
n
somevi ll
age.Shechoset obeal onerinaforei
gn
l
andsoshecoul ddoherr itual
si npeacewithout
raisingsuspicion.Fr anktookadeepbr eat
hbefore
l
ett i
nghi mselfin,surpri
singlythatcoldchil
li
ng
feeli
ngwasn' ttheretoday.Fredandhi m always
compl ainedaboutt hatheavyhor ri
fi
cfeeli
ngyouget
assoonasyoust epi nt
otheyar dandshewi ll
alwaysbr ushitoffbysayi ng"Phant om was
protectinghersot hatsheisunt ouchableandmost
power ful".
Thehousewassmal l
.Justabedr oom,kit
chenand
aloungear ea, i
tdidn'
ttakelongforFranktof i
ndhi s
mot her,hegaspedi ndisgustashest aggered
backwar ds.Itlookedli
keshewasr i
ghtafterall
,the
burnwoundhadcover edherent i
rebodyincluding
herf ace.Shelookedhideousl i
kesomewounded
creature,Frankcouldn'
tevenbegi ntotouchher ,the
stenchofr otti
ngf l
eshhithi
snost ri
lshequickly
sprintedoutoft hehousenotknowi ngwhatt odo.
HephoneFr
edbuthedi
dn'
tanswer
…
Her emember edt

hatalldeat
hscausedbyt he
Phant om automati
call
yappear sintheill
usion,soon
theoldladiescorpsewi l
ldi
ssapeart oo.Thent hey
willhavetobur nt
hehousej ustincasesomeone
discoversitandstartaski
ngquest i
ons." whathaveI
done? "Fr
ankaskedhi mselfplacinghishandsover
hishead, heknewt hi
swasn'tacoi ncidence,him
savingNomzamodef i
nit
elyl
edt ohismot her
's
deathandFr edcannotf i
ndout .
Heenter
edhi
scaranddr
oveof
fleavi
ngdust
behi
nd…
*
***
Thenextday…
Senzoparkedout
sidet
hef
latt
henhephoned
Thulado.
"
I'
m her
ehur
ryup"hesai
deager
ly
"
OK,I
'
m sorr
yt het
winscanbeahandf
ulandI
'
m on
myowntoday"sheanswer
ed
"
Icancomeupifyouwant…twohandsar
ebet
ter
t
hanone"hesai
dchuckl
ing
"Andri
skthesecur
it
yseeingyou,Isweart
oyout hi
s
guyisspyi
ngforMhlengi
"Thuladosai
dlet
tingouta
chort
le
"Scr
ewMhlengi,
soyoucan'
thavef
riendsbecause
youaredat
inghim?
"Senzoaskedi
rr
itabl
y
"Younotexact
lyi
nnocentnow,
areyou?
"Thul
ado
askedarchi
nghereyebr
ow
"IknowI '
vest eppedont helinebef
orebutheshoul
d
begr atef
ulthatI'm her
ef oryouinthi
shardti
me,in
facthemustf ocusongoodbehavi orother
wisehe
willneverleavethosecel l
s"Senzoadded
"
Idon'
tli
kei
twhenwedi
scussmyman,
I'
m
suddenl
ynoti
nthemood"shesai
dgi
vingup.
"OK!Mymout
hiszi
pped,
pleasecomedown"he
begged
Withinafewmi nutesThuladocamewi t
ht hetwins
i
nmat chi
ngli
ghtbluetull
edr esses, t
hesecurity
foll
owedThuladoabi tpretendinglikehislooking
forsomeone, l
uckil
ySenzospot t
edhi mf i
rst
theref
orehehi di
nt hecarsohedoesn' tseehim.
Thuladostoodasi fshe'
swai ti
ngf oranUberwhen
themanr etr
eatedbackinside,Senzopar kedinfront
ofhershequi ckl
ygotinandt heyl eft
.
"Thisissi
ll
y"Thul
adosai
dpl
aci
ngt
hebabybag
nicelyontheseat
"Idon'
tknowwhywearehidi
nghonest
ly,
wear
en'
t
doinganythi
ngwr
ong"Senzoemphasi
zed
"Idon'
twantdrama,Iappreci
ateyouinsi
stingtobe
hereformebutupsetti
ngMhl engii
sthelastthi
ng
onmymi nd.It
'sworsethathecan'tbehere
physi
cally,
soeverysmallt
hinghehear
sismade
huge.Thent heconst
antf
ighti
ng…mygosh"she
sai
df acepalming
"
Youknowyouar
estil
lyoungcuti
e,t
enyear
sisa
l
ongt
ime"hewi
ggledhiseyebr
ows
"Il
ovehi
m Senzo,
youshoul
dknowthatbynow.
Anywaywhat'
sthest
orywit
hyourf
iancé?
"she
asked
"Atthi
spoi
ntIdon'
tknow, t
hekidnapperssenta
message.Wegotthemoneybuti twasamess, t
hey
tookthemoneyandvanishedintothinair
.The
poli
ceweresoangrybecauseappar entl
ytheywi
ll
keepcomingbackaski
ngf ormoresi ncewemadeit
easyfort
hem"hesaidsadly
"
Issheal
ive?
"Thul
adoasked
"
Ithi
nksobecausetheyshowedusavideot
helast
t
ime,i
t'
sti
mesl i
kethi
sIwishIhadal
otofmoney.
I
'
m suremygirlwouldbehomebynow"headded
"Don'
tlosehope"shesqueezedhisshoul
derf
rom
thebacksendingallki
ndsofsensat
ions,
Senzo
swall
owed
"Y-yeah…hope"Senzosaidstut
teri
ng,i
t'
sthesel
it
tl
e
thingsthatmakehim gocrazyaboutThul
adoevery
singleti
me
"Sowhatdidyoupl
an?
"Thul
adopul
ledhi
m outof
hissi
ll
ythought
s
"
APicni
cbythebeach,It
houghti
twouldbenicef
or
t
hem t
ogetusedofthei
rsur
roundi
ngs"Senzosai
d
"
Thatsver
ythought
fulofyou,
thankyou"shesai
d
f
lashi
ngasmile
*
***
Atni
ght
…
Thuladohi taquickshowert aki

ngadvantageofthe
l
ittl
et i
mesheget stoher sel
fwhent hetwinsnap,
shelot i
onedandador nedherbodywi thal ose
baggyshi rtt
osleepwi t
h.Thankst oSenzoshe
didn'thavetocook,everythi
ngwaspr ovided.
Suddenl ythi
nki
ngoft enyear sseemeddaunt i
ng,
shealr
eadycravedsexsobadandaman' stouch
waslongoverdue.ButshealsoknewMhl engiwil
l
neverf
orgivehershoul
dsheeatandwi peher
mouth."Speakofthedevi
l"whenherphonevi br
ated
onthesidetabl
e.
"
Fuzewami
"Shesai
dsweet
ly
"Nextt
imeyoudeci
det
ogooutwithyourboyfri
end
LEAVEMYKI DSALONE!"her
oar
edont heother
end
"
Babepl
easecal
m down"Thul
adosai
dsof
tl
y
"Thul
adoonlysixmonthsandyoualr
eady
enter
tai
ningaman?Wi thmykids?Wherei
syour
selfl
ovehuh?"hesai
dangril
y
"
CanIspeaknow?
"sheasked
"
fusegsf
ebe"hedr
oppedt
hecal
l
Thuladoputherphonedownandpacedupand
downi nt
helit
tl
espaceshecreat
ed.Forsome
reasonshefel
tguil
tyyethur
tbyhiswords,
ifonl
y
heknewt hatherheartonlybeatf
orhim.Herphone
pi
ngedandwhenheopenedt hemessages, i
twas
fl
oodingwithpict
uresofherandMhl engiatthe
beachandboyi tl
ookedsoi nappropr
iat
e,it
defi
nit
elysendedthewr ongmessage.
Onepi ct
ureSenzowashol dingboththetwinsand
Thuladowasl yingonthemati nhershort
seat i
ng,
theylookedl
ikeahappyf ami l
y.Shetr
iedcall
ing
Mhlengibutittookherstr
aighttovoi
cemail,she
sadlyhoppedont hebedandwai t
edforsl
eept o
takeover.
2021
-
--
--
-
Happybi
rt
hdaytoNondumi
soOni
caNgcobo-
MbheleandNduhfort
he6t
h,MayGodcont
inuet
o
bl
essyoupreci
ousl
ady'
s
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er35
"
Soscar
edoft
het
hought
sinmyhead"
~Thul
ado
Theearl
ybi
rdcatchesthewor m,t
hat'
show
Thul
adofel
tabouthertwins,t
heyweretheear
ly
bi
rdsandshewast hewor m.Sheisupever
y
morni
ngat5am withoutf
ail,
becausewhocan
i
gnoretwohumansi zealar
mswai li
ngloudenough
toburstyourear
drums.Wel lLuminj
aloisfamous
fort
hatbuthercriesprovokeLubanzitocryaswell
andthenthere'
schaos.
Shechangedt heirnappiesandfixtwobigbot tl
esof
mi l
kandchi l
ledthem inacont ai
nerfil
ledwi
thcol d
wat er.Shegavet hem bothbabyrattl
esandt hought
aboutMhl engi,shedidn'tl
ikei
twhenhecal ledher
b!tchevenifitwasoutofanger ,
soshest ar
ted
typingamessage.Hemi ghthaveswi t
chedof fhis
phonebutwhenhi scalm anddecidestoopeni t
agai n,hewil
lfi
ndi t.
*I'
m notab! t
ch!Refrai
nf rom call
ingmesuch.I
understandthatyouwer eangryit'
sjustif
iedbutno
namecal li
ng,don'tmakemel oset herespectIhave
foryou.I'
m sorryaboutSenzobutnot hingisgoing
on,it'
sreal
lydif
ficul
tformewi thoutyouher ewit
h
me, Ithi
nkI'
m slowlyslippingintodepression,I
don'tknowwhat 'snext.Nanai stheonl ypersonI
cancal lcl
oset omebutshe' snotavai l
ableand
Senzohasbeenher einnocentl
ytryi
ngt ohelpme.
Heknowsmyhear tbeatsforyouandhaspr omi sed
torespectme, Iknowyougoi ngtotellmeabout
MusaandSf i
sot het r
uthistheyhavet heirown
l
ives,theycan' tbedr oppingthei
rimpor t
antt hi
ngs
forme.Thepi cturesyousawwasf r
om yest erday,
hetookusf orapi cnicjusttorel
ax…not hingmor e.I
l
oveyouandIwi l
lwai tf
oryou"
Shereadthemessageonceandpressedsent.Lumi
wasalreadydangl
ingatt
heedgeofthebedroll
ing,
Thul
adocaughtherjusti
nti
me.
"Aveuphaphanj
alowena!
"sheshout
edather(
you
aretoofor
ward)
Lumijustlookedherlikeshedi dn'
talmostt
hudon
thefl
oor,Lubijustbusiedherselfwit
haratt
le
peaceful
ly.Herphoner angshepi ckedi
tupquickl
y
from t
hebedandanswer edalmostimmediatel
y.
"
Heybabe"shesai
dner
vousl
y
"Igotyourmessage!I
'm sorr
yforcal
li
ngyouabit
ch.
I'
m sorryt
hatyouaredepressedbecauseofme,I
real
lywishIwastheretolif
tofft
heweight
"hesai
d
softl
y
"I
t'
sokayFuze,Iknowthatal
lyoudidwasforus,
I
sti
lldon'
tappr
ovebutIunder
stand.I
t'
sapit
ythat
youar et
herenow"shesai
drelaxi
ngabit
"SoSenzo!Youar eokaybefr
iendingamanwho
almosthadyoul ockedupforsomet hingyoudidn't
do?Youokaywi ththatdr
unkardt obef amili
arwith
mydaught ers?Becauseyouar edepr essedImust
underst
andt hatyouar ef
ri
endswi thhi m andit
's
i
nnocent?Idon' tknowhowyout hinksomet i
mes
short
ybuti t
'scool.Dowhatmakesyouhappy
yezwa!Butpl easeleavemykidswi thMusaor
Sfi
so'
smot herevenShar onwhenyougooutwi t
h
yourfri
ends,Ijustwantmyki dstobesaf e.
Whatevermakesyouhappydoi t"heinformed
"
Idon'
tunder
standMhl
engi
,Idon'
tli
keyourt
one
andthet
hingsyouaresayi
ng"shesai
dwi
tht
ear
s
bui
ldi
ngupinhereyes
"It
'ssi
mplesi si,dowhatyouwant ,youwon'thear
mesayanyt hing.It'
sbett
erformet oknowthatI'
m
alonethenconst antl
yworryi
ngaboutmybaby
mamaget t
ingcl oset omenoutthere,wor
semen
thathavefeelingsf orher
..
.ngi
yabonaucabanga
ukuthingusnayi "(IcanseeyouthinkI'
mfool)
"
Idon'
twanttodoanythingwit
hanyoneMhl
engi
,
myheartbeat
sforyou"shesai
dsnif
fi
ng
"IloveyouThul adu,don'tcry"hesaidregr ett
ably,
"It
'sjustt hatI'
mf ait
hfultoyouandIexpectt he
same, i
feveryouf eell
ike10year sistoomuch,
breakupwi t
hmeandmoveon, atleastint hatwayI
canbegmyhear ttoforgetaboutyouwhi l
eI '
m sti
ll
i
nher e,Ipreferthatthenyoudoubl ecr ossingme.I
willnott akekindlytothat…never"hespat
"Justt
hinki
ngofmewi thoutyouscarest heshi
tout
ofme, t
hethoughtsinmyheadar escaringme.The
wayyout al
kingli
keyoucanjustforgetabout
me...
noooMhl engi
,weareneverbreakingup.No"
shesai
dst
ernl
y
"Ihearyou"heheavedaheavysi
gh,
"howar
emy
girl
s?"heasked
"Theyar
egood"shesni f
fedwipinghert
ears,"
Lumi
almostf
ellbecauseofukuphapha"shegiggl
ed
"
Letherbe,
andhowi
smyqui
etpr
incess?
"
"
Sheispl
easantasusual
,It
hinkt
hisonet
ookaf
ter
me"Thul
adorubbedi
tin
"Whatareyout
ryi
ngt
osayaboutLumi
?"he
chuckl
ed
"
Idon'
tknow,
per
hapsit'
saNgcobothingtobet
his
l
oudandener
get
ic"shesai
dsar
cast
icall
y
"Mxm"helaughed,
"Leavemychi
ldal
one"hesai
d
sti
lll
aughi
ng
"
Areyoust
il
lhat
ingt
hef
oodt
her
e?"Thul
adoasked
"Witht
hemoneyIgetIcontr
ibutetooneofthe
kruger
sinhere,
hehasbeenlockedupfor15year
s,
hewor ksi
nsi
deandhasapant ocook.SoIeatwi
th
him"heinf
ormed
"
Youcandot
hat
?"sheaskedi
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"Withouttheoffici
alsknowingobviousl
ybuthecan
smuggl ethingsinsincehewor ksinthepr
ison
cli
nic,i
t'snoteasythoughevenourphones, ifyou
don'thideitproperl
yitwil
lgettakenaway"he
added
"Isee,shoul
dIsendyoumor
emoneyt
hen?
"
Thuladoasked
"No,R1000isenough,
thatcashisf
oryouandt
he
kids.Usei
twisel
ybecauseit
'snotmuch"he
emphasized
"
Yesdaddywehear
dyou"Thul
adoanswer
ed
"
eishbyewi
llt
alkl
ater
"hedr
oppedt
hecal
labr
upt
ly
*
***
FrankoptedtorestataBnBonhi swaybackto
Durban,hewasr est
lessaboutalotoft
hings.Now
thathi
smot herwasnomor ewhowi l
lperf
orm
ri
tual
sont hei
rbehalf,t
hePhantom isint
owomen
andtheirf
rui
ts.Nomancanent erthei
ll
usi
onand
comeoutal i
veunlesschaperonedbyawomanwho
i
savesselalready.Coul
dt hi
sbet heendofthecul
t?
Whatwast ohappent othei
rbusiness?Whatwas
goi
ngt ohappentothem? .
Hej umpedintohiscarandhi tt
heroad,heneeded
toseeFredsot heycouldtalk.I
nacoupleofhours
hewaspar kedatthebasement ,hetooktheel
evator
totheoffi
ce.KnowingFredhewi l
lbeattheof
fice
alr
eady,hecrossedhisfingersnottofi
ndNana
there.Hedeci
dedt ocal
lher.
"
Hey"shesai
dinar
aspyvoi
ce
"
Areyouatwor
ktoday?
"Fr
ankasked
"No,I
'
m notf
eel
ingwel
l.Mywholebodyi
sachi
ng,
Fredsai
dIcoul
dtakeadayof
f"Nanasai
d
"OhOK,I
'm sosor
ry.Iwil
lgett
herecept
ioni
stt
o
sendyousomemedi cat
ion"Fr
ankassur
edher
"
NahFr
edhasdonet
hatal
ready,
thankyou"Nana
answer
ed
"
Coolt
hen"hehungup
Hesi ghedi nr eli

ef,t
heel evatorpingedatthethetop.
Hef oundt hedoorcl osedbutnotl ockedsohelet
himsel fin, hest oppedathi stracksashi sheart
clenched.I twasFr edl yinginapoolofhi sown
bloodont hef l
oor,hiscr i
spwhi teshirtst
ainedi
n
redbl obs.Tear stri
ckleddownhi sf aceandhe
hadn' tcriedf orsuchal ongtime, hekneeleddown
l
ooki ngf orapul sebutnot hing.Hewasst abbed
count lesst imesi nhisst omach, Frankslappedhim
l
ightlyonhi sfacehopi nghewi l
lwakeup.He
couldn' tevenf eelt
hatwar ningofdanger ,buthow?
Hepacedar oundtheof fi
cel
ooki
ngforsomething
buthedidn'tknowwhati twashewassearchingfor,
i
twasal lconfusi
ng.ItmustbethePhantom which
meanthewasnext .Hewentbacktohisbodyand
satnexttoit,
nomat terhowhardhetr
iedto
surpr
essit,hecouldn't
.Hefoundhi
mselfwaili
ng
nextt
oFr
ed.
"Pleasedon' tleaveme, youal lIhave, youal lIhave

known…don' tleavemeal onei nthispl ace.Fr ed
whodi dt hi
st oyou?Pl easebr oIwi llbel ostwi thout
you.Iwant edt otellyout hatmai sdead, herevi l
godsf inall
yki l
ledherbutneveri nmywi ldestdr eam
haveIt houghtyouwi lldi esosoont ooandl iket his.
Iwant edust ol eavet hePhant om, t
hei ll
usi onand
startafreshhowt hefvckam Igoi ngtodot hatnow
withoutyou, don' tyouknowyouar eli
kemybr ains,
myvoi ceofr eason.Yetagai nwepr obabl ydeser ve
thisafteralltheevi lwewer eropedi nto, IthinkI 'm
nextandIwi lljustwai tf ormyf at
e"hewi pedhi s
tearsandgotup.
Hecouldn'
tcal
lthepoli
ceyetuntilheknowsexact l
y
whostabbedhim, t
hephantom caneasi l
y
manipul
ateanyhumani ntodoi
ngt heirdi
rtywork.
Herummagedt hroughthebooksi ntheshelfwhere
t
heyhidacamer aforsecuri
tyr
easons, noone
knowsabouti texceptt hem.Hef oundt hememor y
cardinthel it
tledevi ceandsl ott
edi tinthePC.He
watchedi tattent i
velyatf i
rsthecoul dseeNana
l
eavingt heof fi
cei nt heafternoon, thenitwasqui et
.
Fredisseenent er i
ngt heof f
iceear lythismor ning,
hepour shimsel fwhi skyandr et
reatt ohischai r
.He
i
sseenwor ki
ngonhi scomput erthanheanswer s
thetel
ephone, afteraf ewmi nutesamani sseen
enteri
ngt heof fi
cebutFr edr elaxesont hechai r
whichmeanthewasexpect inghi m.Thet i
mer ead
5:30am ont hescr een, t
heysi tdownandt alkfora
whilethenFr edst andst opourt hem adr i
nk, t
he
manf oll
owshi m shor t
lywhenhet urnedar oundhe
heldhim andpl ungedt heknifesever altimesi nhis
abdoment henhel efthur r
iedly.
Frankcr i
edl i
keababy, clearl
ytheywer en'
t
protectedanymor ebecausenoonewoul dhurt
them li
ket hat.EVER!…t heirinst
inct
swer esharp
andt heywoul dstri
keyoudeadi noneswi ft
.He
checkedt henor mal cameraandt hewhol esyst
em
wasshutdown, whichmeanst hi
smur derwas
planned.Fr ankcall
edthesecur
it
yandthepolice,
he
knewt hatFred'
sbodywillpr
obabl
ydissapearint
he
mor guebutt hishadtoberepor
tedbecausepeople
woul dwonderwhathappenedt oFred.Asforthe
ki
ller,hehadpl ansforhi
m.
*
***
Si
mmonsmansi
on
Nanawassl eepingaf t
erdozingherselfwithsome
painkill
ers,outofasuddenshef el
thot ,
thehai rson
thebackofherneckst oodup.Shesatonherbum
tryi
ngt ocalm herselfdownbutapower fulpresence
subsideher ,i
tsurroundedherl i
ketherootsofat r
ee.
Shet ri
edtof i
ghtitbutherattemptswer ef ut
il
e,she
weakenedherbodygi vingi
nt owhateveritisthat
wasi nvadingherbody.
Shewokeupi
ntheaf
ter
noonf
eel
ingwor
se,
she
couldn' tevenwal k.I tti
mesli
ket hisshewi shedshe
washomei nherl it
tleshackwithhermot her ,
the
housewasqui etf rom yester
day.Nosi gnoft he
twins, shedi al
edFr edbutnothing,shet r
iedFr ank
andt her esultswer et hesame.Whatki ndofa
sicknesst hatatt
acksyouryourbodyl eavingyoual l
bruisedandexhaust ed.Thenightbef orewas
under standablesi nceshehadmi ndbl owi ngsex
withFr edbutt odaywasawhol edifferentst oryand
thent hatwei rddr eam ofsomespi r
ithavi ngi tsway
withherf orceful
ly.
*
***
AtNomzamo'
shouse
Shewasst uckattheshebeenwi t
hhermot her
passedout ,shehadnochoi cebuttowheelhersel
f
theresi
ncet heownercalledhercomplai
ningabout
hermot herbeingexcessi
velydrunkand
troubl
esome.Whenshear r
ivedt
hereshewashi t
withabil
lthathermotherhasbeenaccumul at
ing
dri
nkingoncredit
.Sheheavedasi ghaf
ter
promisi
ngtheshebeenownert hatshewilsett
let
he
bi
ll,nowtheprobl
em wasgetti
ngherhome, shehas
beenphoningFranktonoavail
.
Anhourl atershewasst i
lloutsidewai t
ingf or
someonet ofeelsympat hyandhel pt hem.Awhi t
e
Tazzpul lupthespotandadecentguyj umpedout
headingt othewi ndowtobuywhat everitisthathe
wanted.Onhi swaybackt ohiscarhespot ted
Nomzamosi t
tingimpover i
shlyanddest i
tutednext
toawomanwhoseemedt obesl eeping,havinga
drunkarddadmadehi m underst andi nani nstant
whatwashappeni nghere.Nomzamocaughthi s
eyebutqui cklylookedaway, thisi sthepar tshe
hatedthemost ,yessheneededhel pbutt hisguy
walkingtowar dsthem isalreadydepi cti
ng
sympat hyyoucanj ustt
ellbyl ookingathi seyes.
"
Yaneh!Yougotacal
ltocomeandf
etchher
?"he
archedhiseyebrowatNomzamo,"Andpr
obablyt
he
l
adyt oldyouaboutherendl
esscr
edi
tbal
ance"he
chuckled
"
Howdi
dyouknow?
"Nomzamoaskedcur
iousl
y
"Let
'ssayIhavedonethisazil
li
onti
mes,t
hedayI
foundajobandmovedoutoft hehousewast
he
dayIfoundpeace"heshovedtheboxofci
gar
ett
es
i
nhi sbackpocketandhoi
stedNomzamo'smom to
hiscar
"
Hey!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Nomzamoscr
eamed
"Eh…I
'm helpi
ngyout
akeyourmom home, unl
ess
youwantt osi
ther
eunti
lyout
elepor
ttoyourhouse"
hechuckled,"
Noonewil
lhel
pyou"helaughed
Whenhewasdone, hethenwheeledNomzamot o
hispassengerseatandhel
pedherin,hef
oldedher
wheelchai
rplaci
ngitinhi
sboot.Hehoppedonto
thedri
ver'
sseat.
"
I'
m Nj
abul
oandyou?
"heaskedst
ari
ngather
"
I'
m Nomzamo"sheanswer
edf
lat
ly
"
Okay!
"hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
|
|
Chapt
er36
"Canyoucal
lbr
eadal
oafwhenhal
foft
hesl
ices
aremissi
ng?
"
~Fr
ank
Thepolicecamet otheofficeever yot

herday,they
havebeenquestioningever yoneunderFred
Simmonspayr ol
laspar toft heinvest
igat
ion.Frank
hasn'
tbeenhomef ordaysnowbecauseNanai sa
mess,thedayheact uall
ygat her
edthecouraget o
saysomet hi
ngshej ustbrokedownandwai l
edlike
abanshee.
"Hetoldmehel ovesmeFr ank"shesaidinbetween

hertears,
"heactuall
ysai
ditandIcouldn'teventel
l
himthatIlovehim backbecauseIthoughtwestill
havetime"shecriedsomemor e
"
Her
eal
lydi
d,hel
ovesyouNana"Fr
ankadded
"Maybethat'
swhyI'
m sosick,
mybodywas
prepar
ingmet ol
osetheonethatownsmyhear
t"
sheresponded
"
Itwillbeokay"Fr
anksqueezedhershoul
derand
walkedout
Frankopenedhiseyesget ti
ngawayf rom his
thoughtsofasorrowf ulNana, hecheckedhisdiary
remember i
ngsomet hinghi sbeenwant ingtodo,at
l
eastwhent hewr athoft hePhantom findshim…thi
s
parti
cul
arthingmustbedone.Heemai led
EdgewoodCampust oenqui r
eaboutNomzamo' s
schooli
ng,heofferedt opayforthebalanceofher
degreebutaskedt obekeptanonymous.Hi sphone
rang.Speakofthedevi l.
"
Zamo"hesai
dsof
tl
y
"
Didyouf
orget
?Ar
gh"shegr
owl
ed
"
For
getwhat
?"heaskedconf
used
"I
t'
smyappoint
mentwi
tht
heDer
mat
ologi
st"she
saidal
mosti
rri
tabl
y
"Oh!I'
m sorr
y,i
t'
sjustt
hatIhaveal
otonmy
plat
e…itsl
ippedmymi nd"hesai
dapol
oget
ical
ly
"I
t'
sfi
neFrank,
IknowI'm aburdenandyouhave
donealotf
ormealready.Thankyou,pl
easesend
met hel
ocat
ion"shesaidtr
yingnott
ocr
y,t
heone
personwhom under
stoodhersit
uati
oni
snow
dri
fti
ngawayaswell.I
tstungli
keabee
"IcanpostponebecauseIwantt
otakeyout
her
e"
hesaidpleadingl
y
"
Sendmet
hel
ocat
ion"shesnapped
"Mybrotheri
sd-deadNomzamo, mytwi
n.Ifeell
i
ke
shi
t,I
'
mj ustwonder i
ngifabreadcanbecall
eda
l
oafwithsli
cesmi ssi
ng…Ihighl
ydoubti
t,If
eelso
i
ncompletewithoutFred"hesaidhi
svoi
cebreaking
"OhnoFr ankieI-
I'
m sorryforbeinginsensiti
ve,I
didn'
tknowyoupoort hing.LookIwi l
laskNj abul
o
totakeme, youjustrestandf ocusont hefuneral
andstuff.Letmeknowhowi tgoes,Iwi l
lkeepyou
i
nmypr ayer"shesaid
"
Wai
twhoi
sNj
abul
o?"Fr
ankst
oodonhi
sfeet
"Justanotherfr
iend…Iwi
llbewai
ti
ngforyour
message, Ineedtocheckonmymot her
,shehasn'
t
eatenyet"shehungup
"
Wai
tyoudi
dn'
ttel
lmeaboutNj
abul
o!Zamo…
Zamo…damnit"het
ightenedhisgriparoundhi
s
phone,
whenhereal
izedthatshejusthungup.
Hestaredint
ospacef
orl
ong,
thenhegr
abbedhi
s
carkeysandlef
t.
*
***
Nomzamowai t
edi mpati
ent
lyfort
helocat
ion,she
forcedhermothertoeatandshewentbackt osleep
strai
ghtaft
erwardsandnowsheonl yhadabout30
minuteslef
ttoleavethehouseandFrankwasn't
reachabl
eagain.Herphonevibrat
edanditwas
Njabulo.
"
Hey"shesai
dinal
owvoi
ce
"
I'
mready,
I'
m onmyway"heanswer
ed
"I
'
m st
il
lwai
ti
ngfort
helocat
iont
houghbutyoucan
come"Nomzamoadded
"
Seeyouj
ustnow"hehungup
Meanwhi leFrankpulledupout side, helockedhis

carthenwal kedtowar dsthedoor ,heknockedand
waitedtobewel comedi n.Nomzamowheel ed
hersel
ftot heloungear eaandr eceivedhi m,he
l
ookedsopai ned,hewasdef i
nitel
ynot hingli
kethe
charmingandal luri
ngFr ank.Hiseyeswer eredand
puffedallshewant edt odowashughi m.
"Youl
ookter
ri
ble"shesai
dbli
nki
ngawaytear
s,she
remember
edhowhear tcl
enchi
ngiti
stol
ose
someone.
"I
'
m her
etotakeyout
othedoct
or,
areyour
eady?
"
hesai
dleani
ngonthewal
l
"I
t'
srudetost
andinanot
herman'shouse,
myfat
her
maybedeadbutthisi
shishouse"Nomzamosai
d
chuckl
ing
"I
'
m sorry"Fr
anksai
dsmi
li
ng,
hesatononeoft
he
oldcouches.
Nomzamodi ssapearedbacktoherroom together
bag,shetr
iedcall
ingNjabul
obuthewasn' tpi
cki
ng
up,sheoptedforansmsatl easthewil
lseeitwhen
hecheckshisphone.
Njabul
oent eredthehouseandnoddedatFr ankas
aform ofgreeting,
hepassedhi m sit
ti
ngont he
couchandwentst rai
ghtint
oherr oom.Frankstood
upimmedi atelyfol
lowingHim,Njabuloenter
edthe
room f
indi
ngNomzamoshovi ngst uf
fint
oherbag.
"
I'
m her
e,l
et'
sgo"Nomzamoj
umpedi
nfr
ight
"
Youstar
tledme,whycoul
dn'
tyouwaiti
nthe
l
oungeNjabul
o?"Nomzamoaskedannoyed
"Whoisthatyel
lowbonei
nthel
ounge?
"heasked
disr
espect
ful
ly
"Noneofyourbusi
ness,al
sothatyel
lowboneis
dri
vingmetothedoctorbecausehei
st heonewho
bookedforme"shesaid
"
Thenwhydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e?"heaskedannoyed
"It
houghthewasn'tgoi
ngtomakei t
,hehasalot
goingonbuthemanagedt ocomesot hankyou,
andIwilldi
simber
seyourpetr
ol"Nomzamo
answered
"
Idon'
twantyout
opaymeforpetr
olcomeon!I
t'
s
j
ustt
hati
t'
snotni
ce"Hesai
dhonestl
y
"I'
m sorr
yItr
iedtocontactyou,l
ookIneedtogo"
shesaidwheelingher
selfout,Fr
ankrushedbackto
thecouchandsatdownpr et
endingt
obef ocusi
ng
onhi sphone
"Wecango!
"Nomzamosaid,
Njabul
ofol
lowed
behi
ndhergl
ari
ngatFr
ank
"Al
ri
ght
!"hepropel
ledhi
msel
ftopushNomzamo
outwhenNjabuloj
umpedinbeat
inghi
mtoit
"
Igott
his!
"Nj
abul
osai
dlooki
ngatFr
anki
ndi
sgust
"Sur
e"Franksai
dthr
owi
nghi
shandsi
ntheai
rin
surr
ender
"
YouknowNomzeetherearemenoutt
herewho
t
hinkhavi
ngaf
atpocketi
stheonl
ykeytogeti
n
betweenagi rl
slegs,theyflaunttheirpossessi
ons
onlytoeitherabusethegi r
lsorleavet hem dr
yaft
er
theyaredonewi ththem, butItrustyouNomzee"He
saidallofthi
sthrowingdagger satFr ank
Nomzamoshi ft
eduncomf ortabl
yt hi
nkingabout
t
hatfat
efuldayshegaveFr ankhervi rgi
nityj
ustso
t
hathermot hercanbecur ed, hereminiscedhow
t
hetwinstookt urnswit
hherbodyandi twasallfor
money!Thent here'
spoorNj abuloherewhot hinks
t
hatsheisst i
lli
nnocentandpur e…bl esshisheart.
"Li
stenmfethuifyouhaveapr obl
em wit
hme, we
cansolveitnow.Idon'ttakekindl
ytoinsul
ts
uyangizwaukuthingi
thini?(doyouhearwhatI'
m
sayi
ng)Icanseeyoudon' tli
kemeandIdon' tl
ike
youtoobutdoyouseemebei ngasissyabout?Hell
thefuckenno!Gogetg- stri
ng!"Fr
ankspat
"Angi
khuluminomfanaompofumina,i
yel
lowbone
ayingeke!
"(Idon'
ttal
ktoaf
airski
nguy,ayel
low
boneno!)
"
Guysst
op!
"Nomzamowar
ned
"
Please!Ibegyout
orepeatt
hat
"Fr
anksai
dheadi
ng
Nj
abulo
"Yel
lowbone!
"Nj
abul
osai
dpushi
nghi
m onhi
s
chest
Frankcamebackwithani
ronpunchNjabul
of el
lfl
at
onthefloor
,Nomzamoscr
eamedt r
yingtogetoff
thewheelchai
r.
"
Youar
eget
ti
ngi
ntot
hecarnow!
"Fr
ankr
oar
ed
Hecroucheddownsl i
ght
lyslappi
ngNjabuloonhi
s
cheek,heshi
ft
edabi t
.Frankwasrel
ievedhewasn'
t
dead,hethenhoppedint
ohiscaranddr oveof
f
aft
erhelpi
ngZamoi n.
Nomzamokeptondial
ingNjabul
of ur
iouslyonher
phone,
shecoul
dn'
tevenlookatFrankafterwhathe
did.Frankcouldn'
tcarel
esshekepthi
seyesont
he
road,Zamot r
iedforthel
astt
imeanditwent
through.
"
Njabsyougood?
"Nomzamoaskedconcer
ned
"Iwi
llcatchhi
m, hewil
lregretl
ayi
nghishandson
me.Yousatt her
eandwat chedyourboyfr
iend
assaultme"hesaidangril
y
"hi
snotmyboyf r
iend"Nomzamosai dt hrough
gri
ttedt
eethear
ningherselfadeat
hst arefrom
Frank,"
Butyoustart
edthisNjabul
o,youwer eoutof
l
ine"Nomzamosai d
"
Iwastryi
ngtoprot
ectyoubutit'
sokay,vel
eizwi
l
endodaengenamalial
izwakal
i,
kulungi
le
Nomzamo"(thevoi
ceofapoormani snothear
d)
"Nj
abulohearmeout
…Nj abs!…Njabul
o!"she
removedherphonef
rom herear
sandnot i
cedthat
hehashungup
Ther
idet
otheder
mat
ologi
stwasqui
etandsour
,no
onemadeanat temptt
ot alktotheother.Nomzamo
wasseenbyt heski
ndoct orandshest art
edwi t
h
hertr
eatmentandwhent heywer edoneFr ank
wheeledNomzamot owardst hecarpark,they
caughtawhiffofasmellofsomet hi
ngbur ning.
Nomzamol ookedupandnot icedahugef ogof
smoke.
"
It
'scomi
ngf
rom t
hatsi
de"Nomzamosai
d
Frankr ushedpushi
ngNomzamot hesmokecame
from wher ehehadparkedhiscar,peoplewere
runni ngaway, somedrivi
ngawaywi ththeircar
s
andsomewat chesinhorror
.Itwast hemostbizarr
e
thingbecauseonl yonecargotbur ntandthef i
re
camef rom nowhere.Frankj
uststoodt her
e
def eated.
"
Frankhowdi
d?…yourcari
sbur
ning"Shepani
cked
"
It
'sf
inewewi
llr
equestanUber
"Hesai
dwi
tha
st
rai
nedpai
nedvoi
ce
"I
'm sor
rybut
!Ij
ustdon'
tgeti
t"shesai
ddar
ti
ngher
eyesaround.
Fr
anksphoner
angandi
twasMavi
sthei
rmai
d.
"
Sir
..
.t
hehousei
sonf
ir
e"shesai
dhor
ri
fi
ed
"Sh!t
!"Fr
anksaidangri
ly,heturnedNomzamo
aroundtofacehim,
"There'ssomethi
ngIneedt
otel
l
you"Hesaidlooki
ngstraightint
ohereyes
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er37
Fr
anklaidhisheadonherl apst
ryi
ngt ocompose
hi
mself,
hewasn' tabouttocryi
nfrontofalady.Hi
s
l
if
ewascr ashi
ngr i
ghtbeforehi
m andt hi
ngswere
j
ustspi
rali
ngoutofcont r
ol.
"Zamo!"heli
ft
edhishead,"Iam averyhorr
ible
personandIthinkGodisver yangr
yatme, there'
s
nohopef orme"hesqueezedherhands, hewasst il
l
crouchi
nginfrontofherattheparki
nglot
"Frank!Weallmakemi stakes,wesineverydayand
thatisdispl
easingtoGod, I
nfactt
heBiblesayst hat
Goddespi sessin!Butit'
sanexcept i
ontonoone"
shewi ggledherhandsoutofhi sgri
pandt ouched
hisface,"Godismer ci
ful,allyouhavetodoi s
repentandallwi l
lbeforgiven"shesaidthatwithan
assuringsmile
"Zamo! "hesai dshaki nghishead, "Thi sisno
fairytaleSweet ness, t
hewagesofsi ni sdeat hand
unf ortunatelyI '
m notwor thyf orallthatr epent ance
andf orgivenesssh! t
, i
fItellyouabouthal foft he
thingsIhavedone, evenyouasNomzamo
Makhanyawi llflee…t hat'showbadanddar kmy
sinsar e.Nowl istent omeI -Iloveyou, Ihavebeen
cont rolledbyt hesest rongf eel i
ngst hathavebeen
maki ngmedosi ll
yt hings"hechuckl ed,"Thever y
fi
rstdayIl aidmyeyesonyouatt hehot elIj ust
knewyouwer edi fferent,andmybehavi orst arted
changi ng.I'
m sor ry!I'
m sor ryt hatItookyour
preci ousgi ftyouhadcar efull
ypackedf oryour
husbandandf oryourmar ri
age, pleasef or giveme
fort hat.Ittorment smeever yf uckenday! "Hel etgo
ofherandscr atchedhi sheadvi gorousl y,"IfIwasa
decentman, Iwoul dloveyou, mar ryyouandmake
yout hehappi estwomanal ivebutmyt imei sup
Zamo, Ihavenohopel ef
t.Iwi llbookyouanUbert o
gohome, walkandneverl ookback, fly!Theskyi s
thel imi t
.Onceyouar eheal edgobackt oschool
andr eachyourdr eams, what everyoudodon' tdate
thatNj abul oguy…hi snotr i
ghtf oryou…Il oveyou"
hesmashedhisl
ipsonhi
m ast
heyki
ssed
passi
onat
ely.
Whenhepul ledouther equestedanUber ,hekept

oncatchi
ngt earsbeforetheycouldfal
lonhi sf ace.
Thefi
refighter
sar ri
vedalongwi t
hthepolice,Fr ank
ki
ssedNomzamooncemor e,
t heUberwaitedj ust
bytheentranceoft hemedicalcentr
e,Frank
wheeledherallthewayandhel pedheri
nsi de.He
wavedatherwal kingbackwar ds,assoonast he
Uberstar
tingmot i
oningNomzamobr okeouti na
l
oudsob.
Frankhadachatwit
ht heoff
ici
als,t
heytookhi
s
statementast
heownerofthecar ,
heremembered
aboutthehousebur
ning,hetookouthisphoneto
callMavis.
"
Sir
!"Mavi
sanswer
edsadl
y
"
Wher
eisNana?
"heaskedanxi
ousl
y
"
Eishnkosi
yam,sheist
rappedi
nsi
desi
rthef
ir
e
f
ight
ersareher
etryi
ngtosubsi
det
hefl
amesso
t
heycouldgett
oher"Mavissai
d
"Mavi
s!howcomeyouar esaf
eoutsi
deandanot
her
per
sonistrappedi
nside.Youknowshe'
snotwel
l,
whydidn'
tyouhelpherout"Fr
ankaskedsadl
y
"MrFredtoldmewhenevert here'
sanemer gencyI
shouldtakethebr i
efcaseinthestudyoutt osafety,
somyi nsti
nctrant othatfi
rstal
ongwi thmyst uff.
Thef l
amesst art
edoutsmal lwhent hekettl
ecor d
bustedinflamesast ohowi tcoveredthehousei n
secondsonl yGodknowsbecauseIputt hebagsby
thegateplanningtor unbackinsi
debutt hewhol e
housewascover ed,i
t'sact
uall
ysurrealeventhef ir
e
fi
ghtersareveryconf used…I'
m sorry"Mavissaid
"
Iunderst
and,Iam deal
ingwi
thsomet
hingher
ereal
f
ast,
I'
llbether
e"hehungup
Thi
swasi t
!Allhehadtodowastowai tf
orhi
sturn
todi
e,butbef
orehediesheneededtodo
somethi
ng.HelookedforaCCTVfootageandsent
i
ttothepol
icedepar
tmentt
henher
equest
edan
Ubertot
hei
rhouse.
*
***
AtSenzo'
shouse
Hear r
ivedathomef r
om wor kandf oundFr ank
sleepingpeacef ul
lyinthespar eroom, hewas
wel comedi nhishouseeveni fhewasn' tar ound.He
l
ookedathi m piti
ful
lyitseemedl ikehehadt he
whol ewor ldonhisshoul ders,i
twasn' teasyl osing
al ovedoneheknewt hattoowel lwhenPear ldied
hest il
llovedher.Hepr etendedl i
keitdidn'taf f
ect
him buti tsl
icedthroughhi ssoullikeashar pknife
toapi eceofst eak,nowt heirproperti
eswer e
bur ni
ngonebyone, i
fonlyFr edwasst i
llhere.
Heresort
edt
otheki
tchenaft
erhechangedoutof
hi
ssuit,
hest
art
edprepar
ingsupperf
orthem.He
rememberedheneededt ocallThuladoshewas
dist
ancedagainandthatwaschi l
dishaccordingt
o
him,itmusthavebeenthatskhotheniboyf
ri
endof
hers.Hedial
edherputt
inghisphoneonl oud
speakersohecouldconti
nuewi thhischopping.
"
Senzounj
ani
"shesai
dinal
owvoi
ce
"Heyyou,di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong?
"heasked
sincer
ely
"
Nowhy?
"Thul
adopr
obed
"Yousuddenl
ycoldnj
e,di
dMhl
engigett
oyou?
"he
askedchuckl
ing
"
No, I
'
mjustbusynje.YouknowIhavebeen
t
hinki
ngSenzo,usbeingfr
iendsi
sactual
lystupi
dit
y
f
rom myside.Ti
llt
hisdayyouhaveneverexplai
ned
t
omewhyIgotar r
estedwhenPearldi
ed"hespat
"Ihonestl
ydon'tknow, It
hinkit'
sPear l
'sfr
iendwho
plant
edt hatseedinthepol i
ce'
shead, Ididtryt
otel
l
them thatyouaren'
tinvolvedinthat,Ievenwentto
thepolicestat
iontoclearthatconfusiononlytofi
nd
outt
hatyourl
awyeral
readygotyouout
,I'
m sor
ry"
hesai
dregret
tabl
y
"
Sti
llIdon'
ttr
ustyou"Thul
adoadded
"OKt hisiswei r
d,itactuall
ysoundsl i
keyour
boyf ri
end.Justt heot herdaywewentout
picnickingandj i
kiji
kiyoudon' ttr
ustme, howcome
youdi dn'tthinkofal ltheset hingsbackt henhuh?
Cut i
eIwi llneverhur tyou, thisi smeSenzo, I
woul dn'tdot hattoyou.Pl easedon' tpushmeaway!
Mhl engiisbei ngcont rolfreakIknowi t'
shim, hi
s
actuallyselfish,heknowshi sl ockedupandcan' t
doanyt hingf oryouyethi scr eat i
ngbar ri
cades
aroundyou, slowl yturningyoui ntoani sland…it
's
notf air
,bei ndependentanddon' tletamandi ct
ate
yourl i
fe.Lookar oundyoucut ie,womenar erisi
ng
upandst andi ngf i
rm withoutamanyoucandoi t
too,fetchyourl i
feandl etMhl engiser vehisti
mei n
prisoninpeace"Senzoconcl uded
"I
tdoesn'tchangeanyt
hingst
il
l"shemai
ntai
nedher
angertowardsSenzo
"
Iwi
llmakei
tupt
oyout
hen,
I'
m cooki
ngnowIhave
onethet
winover
..
.FrankSimmons,
Idon'
tknowi
f
youknowthem"Senzoinfor
med
"
YesIdo,t
heyar
emyf
ri
endsbosses"Thul
ado
r
esponded
"Yeah,
Oneoft hem wasbrutal
lykil
ledathisof
fi
ce
andnowFr ankisherewit
hmebecausehi shouse
andcarcaughtalitt
oday,howbi zarr
eisthat
?"
Senzosai
d
"What
?That
'sst
range…wi
tchcr
aftI
'
mtel
li
ngyou"
Thul
adosai
dgasping
"YeahI'
m suspect
ingtoo,I'
m wai
tingforhimto
wakeupsoIcanencour agehimtogoandseea
pastororseersomethi
ngi snotr
ighthere"Senzo
said
"
Andyourf
iancé,
anyt
hingonher
?"sheasked
"Thatone"heheavedaheavysi gh,"
Iwenttoaseer
withherfatherandhet ol
dusaboutancest or
s
beingangrywi thus,
itwasallconfusingbuthe
assuredmet hatPhi
ndil
eissafe,al
lwehavet odo
i
st oslaughteragoat"Senzosaid
"
Andshewi
llr
etur
njustl
iket
hat
?"Thul
adoasked
"
Ihonest
lydon'
tknowbutIhavet
otr
yever
ythi
ng
r
ight
?"Senzoanswer
ed
"
Yesdef
ini
tel
y!"shesai
d
"Wenastopbei
nggrumpy,
I'
m comingoverwit
h
foodwit
hlot
sofmeatandmagali
esjui
ceinice"
Senzosaidl
aughi
ng
"
Mymout hi
swateri
ngalr
eady,l
etmecomeover,I
wil
lgetsomeonetobabysi
tforme"Thul
adosai
d
"
Why?Iwantt
oseet
hebabi
esaswel
l
"Senzosai
d
"
Nope,
goandmakeyourown"shegi
ggl
ed
"Don'
tyouwantt
ohel
pmemakemyown?
"Senzo
askedsil
ly
"Ionl
ymakebabiesforMhl
engiunf
ort
unat
ely"She
answeredchuckl
ing
"Fai
renough,
luckyf
ishIt
ellyou"hesai
dincl
osi
ng
andhehungup.
*
***
Thet ablewasador nedwi thscr umpt i
ousf ood
preparedbyt heoneandonl ySenzo.Thul adosat
i
mpat i
ent l
ynexttohi m, buttheycoul dn'teatunt i
l
Frankj oinedthem, hewasst i
llbusyi ntheshower .
Afteracoupl eofmi nuteshewal kedbywear ingthe
samecl othesasear li
eron, hisshor tsandgol fT-
shirt
.Het ooklongst r
idest owar dst hetabl e, he
greetedThul adoandsatdownbuthequi ckl ygotup
remember inghisfavor i
tewi net hathel ikeswi th
foodi nSenzo' scoll
ection.Thul adocoul dn' tstop
stari
ngathi m,hewast rulygor geousandal l
uring,
shecoul dn'thelpitbutnot icedt heanchort attooon
hisnicel egsthatremi ndedherofMhl engi…t here
wasj ustsomet hi
ngf ami l
iarabouthi m.
Frankret
urnedandoffer
edtopourf
orthem but
Thuladoref
used,shewasn'
tadri
nker.
"Sot
hisi
sFrankmyf r
iendandFrankthi
sis
Thul
adoalsomyfr
iend"Senzofi
nall
ysaid
"Ni
cet
omeetyouThul
ado,
youar
ebeaut
if
ul"Fr
ank
sai
d
"Thankyou!Uhm ni
cet
omeetyout
oo"Shesai
d
shyly
Thetri
adenjoyedtheirdinnert
oapointt
hat
Thul
adoendeduphavi ngtwoglassesasshewas
st
art
ingtofeellef
tout.Itwasnow10pm andSenzo
wassnori
ngf rom al
lthealcohol.
"Ineedtogett
omyki
ds"shesai
danxi
ousl
ylooki
ng
attheti
me
"
Iwoulddriveyoubutmycar sarecatchi
ngfir
e
myster
iously,
I'
m scar
edyoumi ghtgethurt
"Frank
r
epli
edast heysatinf
rontoftheTV
ThuladophonedSharonjustt
ocheckont hekids.
Sheassuredthattheywerehappi
lysl
eepingand
thatsheshoul
dfetchthem i
nthemorning,she
encouragedhertohavefunandunwind.Frankgot
anotherbot
tl
eofwi ne,t
heydrankgetti
ngmor e
snackswhil
ewat chingamovie.Frankdecidedto
takeSenzotosleepinhisbedroom becausehis
snori
ngwasbecomi ngunbear
able,Thuladokepton
giggl
ingnonstop.
Frankretur
nedsi t
ti
ngnextt otheshor tlady,she
rest
edherheadonhi sshoulder,itwasal mostl i
ke
shewassi tt
ingnexttoMhlengi .Frank'sheartwas
withNomzamobuthewast akenabackwi t
h
Thuladocutenessandshewasador ablyshor t,he
couldjustpickherupandf vckherbr ainless,i
twas
overwhelmingnowt hathersof tbodywasat tached
tohis.
*
***
Att
heHospi
tal
Acathasni
nel
ives,
thati
ssomet
hingbef
it
ti
ngt
o
saytoNana, t
hef i
redidn'
tsucceedinki
lli
ngherbut
l
eftsomeser i
ousbur nsonherbodybutf ort
unatel
y
forher,
herbeautif
ulfaceremained.Hermother
washor r
if
iedtoseeheronl ygi
rlchi
lddrapedin
whitebandagesalloverherbody,shesatnextto
herandbegancr yi
ng.
*
***
Thenews.
.
"Breaki ngnewst her ehasbeenanot herarmed

robber yinDur banNor t
h, ami ddleagewomangot
shotl astnightasf ourheavi l
yar medmen
ransackedherhouse.Sadl ythel adyhadgirltwins
underhercar e,thepol i
cear et r
yingtocontactt he
mot hert onoavai l.Thef amilyofShar onDani elis
over whel medbyever yt
hingandhopi ngthatt hey
childrenwi l
lbet akenhomet osaf et
yassoonas
possi ble.Thesebr eak-i
nsar ebecomi nganor mt he
quest ionisarethepol i
cedoi ngenought ost op
thesecri
mes? ,
wearebr
ingi
ngyoutoyoul
iveatt
he
scenedetect
iveNai
doofrom t
heDur
banNorth
PoliceSt
ati
on"
Mhlengiwat
chedt
henewsi
nhor
rori
nhi
spr
ison
cel
l…
5year
slat
er…
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er38
Dur
ban
Nomzamost oodinf
rontofthemirr
orfixingher
weave,sheletoutabreat
hthensmi l
edather
beauti
fulsel
f.Shedoesthi
severymor ningbefor
e
sheleavesthehousetogotowor k.
"Zamoyougotthi
s"sheutt
eredhermorningmant
ra
befor
egrabbi
ngherphone,carkeysandbag.
Hermot her'
shouseneverl ookedt hisdecenteven
whenherf atherwasst il
lal
ive,i
t'
sapi t
yt hather
mot herwasf i
ght
ingf orherli
feinhospi talonce
againinsteadofenj oyingthef r
uit
sofherdaught er.
Shel ockedthehouseandpr essedt hebut t
ontoher
blackToyot aYaris,shehoppedonandpr opell
ed
thecarf ormot i
oning.Shewassuchamor ninglark.
Shet hri
vedi nwakingupear l
ytost artherday
avoi
dinguneccessar
ypr
essur
e.
Afterwindi
ngabouti ntheheavymor ni
ngt r
affi
cshe
arri
vedatschoolandheadedst r
aightt
oher
classroom onsecondfloor,sheopenedallwindows
toletinsomef r
eshair,chasingawaythatmust y
smel l
beforeherstudentscouldcomei n.Herphone
rangandshesmi l
edlookingatthecall
erID.
"
Heybabe!
"shesai
dsweet
ly
"Heyhowar
eyou?It
akei
tyouar
eatwor
kal
ready?
"
heasked
"
I'
m goodandyesIj
ustgother
e"shesai
dgi
ggl
ing
"
Wel
l!Enj
oyyourday…Il
oveyou"hesai
d
"
Iloveyout
oo…Imi
ssyou"shesai
dsadl
y
"SoonIwi
llr
etur
n…I'
m alsopar
kedout
sidet
he
offi
ce,
Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
"hesaid
"
Alr
ightbye"shehungup
Shesighedsi t
ti
ngdown, itwasonl yacoupl eof
weeksl eftti
llhermother'
sest i
mateddeat h, shejust
didn'
tunder standthiscancer .Onemi nutet he
personisf i
net henextitcomesbackagai nt henthe
doctorst el
lyouhowl ongyouhavet il
lyoucandi e,
whatkindofwi tchcrafti
sthat ?.Atleastthist i
me
aroundshewasatpeaceknowi ngshedi d
everyt
hinghumanl ypossiblet osaveherbutl i
ke
theysayyoucan' thelpsomeonewhodoesn' twant
tobehel ped.Itwasnow7: 30am, t
imef orthe
assembl y,sher ushedoutclickingherheel sdown
thestairs.
*
***
MooiRi
ver
Thulador anouttheBruntvil
leCommunit
yHeal t
h
Centreinaver geoftears,assoonasshereached
outsideshecr ouchedtothegroundandcri
ed.She
couldn'tbel
ievethatshescoredajobas
professionalnur seandmi dwif
ewithoutmuch
experienceal lthankst oSharon.I
thasbeent ough
yearsf orherj uggl
ingschoolwor kandt wobabies,
shef eltli
kest andi
ngont hemount ainandscream.
Shegotupanddust edherGr eyhigh-waistf
ormal
pantst hatshepai redupwi t
habut tonupwhite
blouseandbl ackst i
lett
os.Shelookednot hi
ngover
15year sthathowshor tandcuteshewaswi thher
nowmassi vestubbor nafro.
Sheheldontoherbackandwi pedherfacedry,
she
thenambledatal ei
surel
ypacegoingthroughher
phone,shepressedonShar on'
snumber .She
answeredalmostimmedi at
ely,
shehasbeen
waiti
ngtohearfrom her.
"
Igoti
t!Igott
hej
ob"shegi
ggl
edhyst
eri
cal
ly
"Ohpr ai
setheLor
d,phew!"sheletoutabreat
h,"
I'
m
sopr oudofyouyounglady"shesaidwit
hhervoice
breaking
"
Iwoul
dn'
thavedonei
twi
thoutyou,
from ever
yone
Mhlengiaskedtowat
choverus,
youhavebeen
phenomenalit'
sli
kemymotherr
eincarnat
edi
nyou,
thankyousomuch"Thul
adosaidsincerel
y
"Youdeser
veit
,nowyoucant akecareofyour
sel
f
andMhlengil
it
tl
egir
ls"Shesaidtear
ful
ly
"Yes!Youdon'
tknowhowgr eati
tfeel
sknowing
thatIwil
lbeabl
etoprovi
deforthem,Mhlengidi
d
hispartandnowit
'smyturn"shesaidpr
oudly
"
Andschoolfort
hem?…Idon'tmindthem st
aying
wit
hmeandcont i
nui
ngwit
htheirnur
seryschool,
I
r
eall
ydon'
t"Shar
onsaid
"
Iwil
lmakesur etheyvisi
tyougranny"shelaughed
"
butIneedtopr ovetoMhlengit
hatI'
m capableof
l
ooki
ngafterthem, If
oundaniceschoolthi
sside,
i
t'
scall
edTrevertonPrep"sheadded
"
OKt
hen…al
lthebest
"shehungup
Thuladowasnowatt hest
opwaiti
ngf orataxiwhen
ablackBMW parkedinfr
ontofher
, shelooked
awayi mmedi
atel
y.Shewantedtofocusandmen
wer ethelastthi
ngonhermi nd, Mhlengist opped
treati
ngherlikehisgi
rlf
ri
endhej ustfriendzoned
herunnot i
ceablyaft
erthatnightSharongotshot .
Shewasexpect inghi
mt oshoutandbi teherhead
offforendanger i
nghiskidsbuthedi dn't.Everytime
hecal l
sitsaboutthekidsandt hat'
sit!Themoney
ranoutwhenshedeci dedtogot oschool ,
therefore
shehadt osel lt
hepainti
ngsasi nstr
uct edby
Mhl engiwhoseemednott omi ndabouthergoi ng
toschoolwi thhismoney.
Themoneyf rom thepainti

ngsal sodepl eted,
Mhlengistartedsendingabi tofcashf r
om t he
i
nside,onlyGodknowshowhepul ledthatof f
,
thoughitwasn' tmuchbuti twasenought obuy
food.Sharont ookthem inwhent heygotevi cted
from t
heflatfordamagi ngthepr oper t
y,theowner
caughtawhi ffonThul ado'
scl utt
erandhewasn' t
havingit
.SfisoandMusast i
llcallandcheckont he
kidsfr
om timet otime.
Withever ythingThul adodeci dedt ogobackhome
whenanoppor tunit
ypr esent edi tselfinaf or
m ofa
herdr eam j ob.Shecanneverf orgett hel ookonher
father'
sf acewhenhesawMusa' scarpul l
ingupi n
theyar d,theyal lcameoutf rom t heirhousest o
witnesst hepr odigaldaught er sgr andr eturn.Her
fatherlookedol dandf r
ai l
,per hapshei ssi ck
becauset hatwasnott hest rongoxhel eftyears
ago.Hewashappyt owel comeherhomebutt he
mot hersal ongwi tht hei rchildr enkepton
scruti
ni zi
ngher ,t
hechaosandi nsul tser upted
whent heysawt hatThul adoact ual lyhadchi l
dren
outofwedl ock, howt hemi ght yhavef alleniswhat
theyref err
edt oher .Goi ngt ot hebi gcityonl yto
comebackwi thil
legitimat echi ldr en,Musai gnored
them andf oll
owedi nst ructionsonwher et ooffl
oad
theluggages.Hest ayedandhel pedThul adoweed
aroundhermot her '
sr ondavalt hatl ooked
abandonedanduncar edf orinyear s,whent hey
wer esat i
sfiedtheyputever ythi ngi nside.
Musabi
dfar
ewel
ltohi
scousi
n'sdaught
ersandt
o
Thul
ado,
thent
heempt
inessbegan.
"Youwil
lwai
tawhi l
e,l
etmedr opyouof
f"t
hedr
iver
saidpul
li
ngherbacktoreal
it
y
"
NoI
'
mfi
ne"Thul
adosai
dcheeki
ly
"Comeon, don'
tbest
ubbor
n.Idon'
tbi
te"hesai
d
chuckl
ing
"
That'
showwomengomi ssi
ngandtheyar
enever
f
ound,i
t'
sbecauseoft
hatst
upi
dli
neofyours"She
r
epl
ied
Thedri
verkil
ledtheengi
nej
umpingoff,
hecamet o
si
tnexttoher,hesmell
edni
ceThuladothoughtt
o
her
self
.
"FineIwil
lwaitwit
hyou",
hesai
dstar
ingather
,"But
i
t'sgoingtorai
nsoon,youwoul
dn'
twanttomess
yourbeautif
ulhai
rnowwouldyou?Oryour
beautif
uloutf
it
?"hesai
dtryi
ngt
oreachout
"Don'tyouhaveawi
feoragirl
fr
iend…surel
yyoudo,
pleaseleavemeal
one"shesai
di r
ri
tabl
y
Thest r
angerchuckl edtaki
ngouthi sphone, he
openedacandycr ushgameandst artedplayi
ng.
Thul adokeptonst eal i
ngglancesathi m, hewas
neatandl ookedi nviti
ngthoughshepr eferr
edthem
bad, roughandscr uffywit
hthem ni cel egsli
ke
Mhl engi.Thewayshemi ssedhi m att i
mes, butt
he
guyi snotevenspar ingami nute,shewoul dwear
revealingclot
hesorbehal fnakedf orvideocalls
butNgcobowasn' tfazed.Itwasal lfustrati
ng
becauseshedi dn'tdoanyt hi
ngwi tht helikesof
SenzoandFr ank, i
twasj usttheal cohol .
Itst
arteddri
zzli
nglift
ingoffasoilaromaof fthe
groundthathitThulado'snostr
il
spleasurably.
Nothingbeatsthesmel loffr
eshnessf r
om mot her
nature,t
hestrangertuckedhisphoneawayand
archedhisbushyeyebr owsatThul ado.
"Iknowwesitt
ingunderashel t
erbutIcoulddrop
youoffathome,Ipromiseyouyouwi llonl
ypayme
bygivi
ngmeyourcor rectcel
lphonenumber "he
said
"
DoIhaveanincor
rectnumberyi
ni?
"sheasked
i
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"Nope!Butgi
rl
slikedoi
ngthat,
soI '
m hopi
ngyou
areanhonestandsensit
iveperson…wherear
eyou
headed?"heasked
"
Mpof
ana!
"shesai
d
"Cool…let
'sgo,
mynameisMkhuzeni
Mthethwa"he
pickedherbagandl
edheri
ntohi
sshi
nyblackcar.
*
***
Dur
ban
"
Plast
ic?
"Nanasai
dlooki
ngatt
hecust
omer
"
Yespl
ease"sheanswer
ed
Ithasbeenast eephillf
orher ,t
her oadtor ecovery
wasani ghtmar e,goingbackt opover tyandl ivi
ng
i
mpover ishl
ywi thpeoplei nthecommuni tyagai n
wasaver ydif
ficultt
askf orher.Shet ookdownal l
hersocialmedi aaccountandvani shedint hef ace
ofeart
hunt ilhermot herst ar
tedcompl ai
ningabout
heridl
enessandempt ylife,t
heref
or eshest arted
j
obseeki ngandf ort
unatelyfoundacashi erj obat
PicknPay.
Herlif
echangeddr asti
call
ywi t
hherbur nmar ks,
shecoul dn'
tfl
auntherbodyanymor e,i
nsteadshe
wearscl ot
hesthatcoveredhertotall
yevenon
scorchi
ngdays.Fr ankdissapearedrumorhasi t
thathewasoneoft hefewpeopl ewhodi edwhen
FredSimmonsI nccoll
apsedafteritcaughtfir
e
mysteriousl
y.Everythi
nghappenedsof ast,
one
minuteshewasl i
vingtheli
feandnextshewasf l
at
onthegr ound.
Shepackedt hegr
oceriesinthepacketsforthe
customerandwai tedforthesupervisort
ocome
andr el
ievehersoshecoul deatanduset he
bathroom.Onherwayt othestaffroom shephoned
Sizweherner dyboyfr
iend,shewast akenaback
thathest i
llwant
edheraf t
ereveryt
hing.Infacthe
wassuppor t
ivet
hroughout.
"
Heyst
handwa"hesai
dcheer
ful
ly
"
HeyI
'
m onbr
eak"shesai
dbor
ed
"Solat
e!Iwishyoucoul
dgobackt
oschooland
studysoyoucangetbett
erj
obswi
thbet
terhour
s"
hesaidconcerned
"Wearen'
tal
lmeantf
ort
hatandyouknowit,
anywayareyoucomi
ngformethi
saft
ernoon?"she
asked
"
Yeswest
il
lon"heassur
edher
Shedecidedtostopbythebat
hroom fi
rst
,she
suddenl
yf el
tpr
essed.Asshewasurinati
ngshef
elt
theat mospher echanging,sher olledhereyesand
rel
axedherbodybecausesheknewexact l
ywhat
wast ohappen.I t'
sbeenf ivelongyear sandthis
presencej ustcomesf rom nowher eandt orments
her,itwasoneoft hereasonsshej ustwi shedshe
coulddie.Ithoveredar oundherhavi ngit'
swayt hen
afterawhi leitdi
ssapears, shepant edassweat
tri
ckledalloverherbody.Sher olledt issueonher
handandwi pedhersel
f,sheal wayswonder edhow
comenooneeverappearwhent hemonst eri
s
around.
Shefi
xedher
selfandl
eftt
hebat
hroom af
ter
cl
eani
ngherhands.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er39
Dur
ban
Nomzamomadet hemostofl ivi

ngalone,shewas
i
nhershor tsilkgownt uningintoherfavori
te
romanti
cser i
esonNet fl
ix,gr
aduall
ypour i
nghersel
f
wineinherflute.Shemadeadeci sionlongagonot
toall
owprobl emswei ghherdown.Shewentt osee
hermotheraf terschoolasperusualandi tsaddens
herbutshechoset otakeherselfbacktothat
horr
ibl
eplaceandunf ort
unatelythi
stimet he
canceri
sdomi nati
ng.
Shecheckedonherbot
tl
eandi
twasempt
y,she
cursedwal ki
ngt owar dsthebintodi scardthebottl
e
thenshewentt oherl it
tl
estashandgotabr and
newbot t
le,shejustneededonemor eglassandshe
wouldcal li
tanight.Onet hi
ngshel ikedaboutwi ne
i
st hati
tdoest hejobqui ckl
yandi fyoubalance
yourwaterpr operl
yt henyouwakeupf eeli
ng
normal..
.nobhabhal az.Aknockonherdoorst ar
tl
ed
her,sheknowshergat ewasl ocked.
"Who'sthere?"shesai dpetri
fi
ed,l
ivingal onesucks
whent hingsli
ket hi
shappens.Ther ewasno
answer ,Nomzamor ushedt ogettheempt ywine
bottl
efrom thetrashslightl
ywobbl yfrom the
percentage.Sheopenedt hedoorslowl y,she
pausedandgaspedput t
ingthebottledownwhen
shesawahumongousbouquetofr edr oses.She
grabbedt hem al
mosti mmedi atel
yandt herehewas
hidi
ngbehi ndthem.
"Whydidn'
tyoutel
lmeyouwer
ecomi
ng,
Ithought
nextweek"shesai
dsmil
ing
"
Nohug?
,ki
ss?Evenahel
lowi
lldo"hesai
djoki
ngl
y
"Hi
!Wespoket hi
smorningandyoudi
dn'
tsay
anyt
hing"shesai
dfur
ther
"Iwant
edtosurpr
iseyou,
Iwasher
ewhenucal
l
ed
you"hechuckl
ed
"
Apleasantsur
pri
sei
ndeed,
comei
n"shemadeway
f
orhimtoenter
Themanstr
utt
edin,hehadapr esentboxinhis
hand,
hesatonthecouch.Nomzamoar r
angedher
fl
owersi
navaseandcamet ojoinhervisi
tor
.
"
Thi
sisf
oryou"hesai
dhandi
ngherabox
"Ohmy…thankyou"sheopenedt heboxanda
dazzl
ingneckl
acewithearr
ingsstar
edbackather
,
"Thi
sisbeauti
ful
"shesaid
"
I'
m gl
adyoul
ikei
t"hesai
dwi
thasmi
le
"Thankyoubabe,shoul
dIf
ixyousomet
hingt
o
eat?"sheasked
"Drunkl
iket
hat?Nothankyoupl
usIhaveeat
en
alr
eady.Howisyourmother
?"heasked
"Ver
ybad,
I'
mjustwai
ti
ngf
oranyt
hingyouknow"
shesai
d
"shuuuuyoudidyourbestwhenitcomest oher,
comeher e"hepull
edhertosi
tonhislap,hekissed
herbutthestenchofal
coholt
urnedhim offsohe
pull
edaway.
Hel i
kedhersoberandnat
uralnowshewassl
owl
y
changingandheneededtostopitbef
orei
t
deteri
orat
es.
"Whyareyoudr
inkingduri
ngtheweek?Are
appl
yingt
obeadr unkar
d?"heaskedster
nly
"No"shesaidsoft
lyshegotoffhim,
"It
'sj
ustthatI
hadahect i
cdayandmymot her,
Iwantedto
unwind"shesaiddefensi
vel
y
"
Justwatchit
!Ihavesomegoodnews"hesai
d
wiggl
inghi
seyebrows,
"I
mrel
ocat
ingbackt
o
Durban,
Igotpr
omot edsoIhavet
oret
urnt
ohead
of
fi
ce"hesaidexci
tedl
y
"Ohwow"Nomzamosai dent
husiast
ical
ly,
"That
's
greatthi
slongdi
stancewaski
ll
ingme, I
'
m sohappy
foryou"shesai
d
"Yeah,al
soIwantedtotellyousomet
hingbut
pleasedon'
tbemadatme, Ihaveachi
ldandhis
oneyearold"Hesaidnervously
"
WowNj
abul
o!"shesai
dget
ti
ngup
"I
'
m sorrybutt
her
e'snot
hingIcandothebabyi
s
herenowandIneedtotakecareofhi
m"hesaid
ster
nly
"
OK"shesai
dthr
owi
ngherhandsi
ntheai
r
"NomzamoI '
m aman,wher
edoyouthi
nkIwas
gett
ingsexfr
om huh?Wehavebeent
oget
herfor
almosttwoyear
sandyoudon'
twantsl
eepwit
hme,
whatmustIdo?"heshout
ed
"
Youmustbeoutofyourmi ndNjabul
o,i
fyouthinkI
wil
lsl
eepwithamanwhor eli
keyou,pr
oblem i
syou
t
hinkI
'm st
upid.Ihavebeenobservi
ngyouallthi
s
whil
e,youhavebeencheat
ingeversi
nceandnow
youevenmadeababy"shel aughed,
"Itol
dyouI
wanttowaitf
ormyhusbandandcl earl
ythat
'snot
you"shesai
d
"Thati
ssool
dfashi
oned,noonedoesthatthese
dayshun,
youwanttodieavi
rgi
n?"hescream
Nomzamoshi ft
eduncomf ort
abl yandwentmut e
becausesheknewshewasn' tavirginanymor ebut
shetreat
edhersel
fli
keonebecauset hatdaywith
FrankandFredwasasacr if
icialthing,shewanted
towaitandenj
oysexwi t
hherpar tnerbutclearl
y
Njabulowasn'
tworthyofhercooki e.
"
Ineversai
dIwasavi
rgi
n"shespat
"
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsayt
ome?
"hewal
kedcl
oser
"
I'
m notavir
gin,I
'
mj ustabst
aini
ngbecauseIwant
t
owait"shesaidi
rri
tabl
y
"Soyou"hechuckl
edl
ooki
ngaway,
"Youfool
edme
bit
ch!Youprobabl
ysl
eepi
ngar
oundsoyourfool
Njabul
owi l
lwaitfool
ishlywhileot
hermenar e
chowing.YouknowwhatI 'm gl
adIcheat
ed,you
ungrat
efulbi
tch"hewal kedtowardsthedoor,
then
hedecidedagainstandr ushedbacktowardsher
pinni
nghertothewal l.
Hel i
ftedhersi lknightdr essandshewasbar e
underneat handt hatalonear ousedhi m, hepi nned
hertot hewal lwhi l
eunbuckl inghi sjeanst heyf ellt
o
thegroundf ol
lowedbyhi sunder wear.Hei nserted
hiskneei nbet weenherl egsandpar tedt hem,
Nomzamowast ryingtof i
ghtagai nsthi m buther
drunkennessdeemedherweak, hel i
ftedherupso
hecansl i
dinbutshewassot i
ght ,hef orcefull
y
tri
edpushi nghi sd! ckinsidehervagi nabutnot hing,
clearl
yt hi
sneededt i
meanddel icacy.Hedr opped
herdown, shef ellonherbumscr ying, hepul l
edup
hisjeansandl eft.Nomzamoqui cklylockedher
doorbehi ndhi m, sheswi tchedof ftheTVasshe
soberedi nstantly,shesatoncouchsi lent l
y…she
wasshocked.
*
***
Nextmor
ning
MoorRi
ver
Mkhuzeniwasalreadyparkedfewhousesaway
fr
om Thulado'
shomestead, i
twasdi
srespect
fult
o
j
ustparkedoutsi
deagi rl
shome,heplayedhi
s
candycrushwhil
ewai t
ingforher
.
Meanwhi l
eThul adopreparedhert wi
nssothey
haveeverythi
ngt heyneedf ortheday.Shewasin
hernursesuniform, r
eadytot ackl
etheday.She
gavethem thei
rl unchboxes.
"Don'
teatanythi
ngfrom peopl
einthisyardexcept
from auntNhl
anhloOK?"Theynoddedt hei
r
heads,"I
fyougethungr
yagainafteryour
l
unchboxesar efinishedaskherbuti
fanyoneelse
offeryoufood,evensweet ssayt
hankyouandt hat
youar eful
l.Iwi
llbringyousomeyummyt reat
s
tonight
"sheassur ed
"
Iwantt
oli
veatGogo'
shouse"Lumisai
dpout
ing
"Soyoudon'
twantmummyt obeanurseandsave
peopl
e'
sli
ves?"Thul
adoaskedherl
oudmouthchi
ld
"Idobutt
hishousei
snotni
cel
ikeGogo'
s"she
complai
ned
"
I'
m goi
ngt ot
ellGogothatyouar
ebei
ngungr
atef
ul,
r
emembershesai dwemust n'
tgi
vemummyahar d
t
ime"Lubisai
dsternl
y
"
I'
m nott
alki
ngt
oyou"Lumisai
dcheeki
ly
"
I'
m goi
ngt
otel
ldaddy"Lubisai
d
"
What
ever
"Lumisai
drol
li
nghereyes
Thul adoshookherhead,
shewasn'tinthemoodf
or
theircatfi
ghts,
herphonerang.Sheanswered
withoutlooki
ngatit
.
"
Hel
lo"sheanswer
ed
"Youready?"hesai
dwithhist
hunder
ousvoice,she
stoppedathertr
acks,t
hesedayswhenhephones
i
t'stotal
ktohisdaught
ersbutdi
dhejustasked
abouther?
"
Me?
"Thul
adoaskedt
obesur
e
"
Yesyoushorty,
areyour
eadyf
oryourf
ir
stdayat
wor
k?"heaskedagain
"
Y-yeahI
'mreadyal
ldressedup,I
'
mjustget
ti
ngt
he
r
ascalsr
eadyandsett
led"shesai
dgi
ggli
ng
"St
opcalli
ngmychil
drenr ascal
s"hechuckl
ed,
"Pl
easetakeaf
ullpi
ctureformei nyouruni
for
mI
can'
tseeyouproper
ly,Ibetyoulooki
nghot"hesai
d
sexi
ly
"Iwil
l"Thul
adosaidblushing,i
t'
sbeensol
ongsince
theyhadawar m conversati
onandthi
siswhatshe
neededt oki
ckst
artherday.
"Iwantyout
oknowthatI
'
m proudofyou,Iknow
howmucht hi
smeanstoyouandI'
m cert
ainyou
wil
lshowthem fl
amesatBrunt
vil
le.Li
keI'
m
swell
ingwi
thpri
de...
wel
ldone,
here'sanot
hergood
thi
nghappeni
ngf ormeeit
hert
hanmyki ds,t
hank
you"hesai
dsincerel
y
"
Thankyousomuch"shest
art
edcr
ying
"Don'
tcryshort
y,yousupposet
obej
umpi
ngand
bubbl
ing"Mhlengisai
d
"Youdon'tknowhowl
ongIhavebeenwait
ingfor
youtotalktomeli
ket
his,
whyhaveyoubeen
dist
ance.Doyounotl
ovemeanymore?"Thul
ado
asked
"Thul
adu"hesi ghed,"
Idon'tthi
nkther
e'sanopt ion
formenott ol oveyoumaMdl et
shebutr eali
tyhi
t
mehar dbabygi rl
.Ir
ealizedt
hatIcan'thinderyou,
I'
m notthere.AsmuchasIwantyout owai tf
orme,
i
t'snotfai
r.Soyouar efreetodatewhoeveryou
want,it
'sbetterthanyoucheat i
ngonme.Thatday
whenyoul eftt hechil
drenwithSharonopenedmy
eyes,youyoungandyouneedt ol
ive,
unwi ndand
stuf
f.Iwantyout obehappyOK!Sodon' tworr
y
aboutme, I
'mr eapi
ngwhatIsowedandt hatdoesn'
t
meanIshoul ddragyout oo.Iwi
llalwaysl
oveyou,
myshor ty,
themot herofmykids"hechuckled
bit
terly."
Justsoyouknow, whenIcomeoutIwant
myt hirdkidfrom you,Idon'
tcar
ei fyouar
ei na
rel
ationshipornotbutIwantmyt hir
dchil
d"hesai
d
chuckl i
ng
"Ican'
tli
stent
othis,
her
etal
ktoyourki
ds"Thul
ado
angril
ygavethephonet
othetwi
ns.
Shewentout
sidet
ocol
lecther
sel
f,meanwhi
le
i
nside.
"
babaIsai
dsor
ryt
oLubi
"Lumisai
dqui
ckl
y
"Uh-ohLuminj
alowhatdi
dyoudo?
"Mhl
engiasked
archinghi
seyebrow
"Sheisgi
vingmaahar
dti
mebaba,
gogoShaysaid
weshouldbegoodt
omabutLumii
snot"Lubanzi
said
"
Stopl
yingLubi
"Lumi
njal
ost
art
edcr
ying
"
Vel
ehawu…event
hismor
ning"Lubisai
dtoher
f
ace
"OKgirl
s,youbet t
erbegoodtomummybecause
shewor ksreall
yhardforyouOK,ifIhear
complaintsthenyouarenotgett
ingpresent
sfor
your5thbirt
hday"Mhlengisai
d
"BabaIpromiseIwi
llveryver
ygood,Iwil
lbet
he
goodest
"Lumisaidputt
ingherhandstoget
her
beggi
nginthecamera
"
I'
m al
waysgood"Lubisai
d
"Goodgi
rl
s,daddyl
ovesyouOK"Mhl
engisai
d,t
hey
noddedhappi
ly
"
Givet
hephonet
oma"Mhl
engior
der
ed
Theyranoutoftherondavalfi
ndingThuladoonher
waybackinsi
de,theyhandedhert hephone.
Mhlengit
ri
edtospeakbutThul adocancel edthe
cal
l.Shegat
heredthekidsstuffandlockedt he
house,t
heywentupt oNhlanhla'
shouse.Thul ado'
s
fat
herhadapolygamyandal lhiswiveslivedint he
yardwit
hthei
rownr ondavalsandf l
ats.Nhlanhlo
happil
yrecei
vedt
heki
ds,
shewasThul
ado'
shal
f
si
stertheonl
yonecl
oset
oher
.
"
Your
eadymnt
ase?
"Shesai
dwi
thabi
gsmi
le
"Yep,
I'
m doingthisbutpl
easelookaft
ermykids.I
haveever
ythingtheyneedinthei
rbags"Shesai
d
"Don'
twor rytheyareingoodhands, youmustcall
usduringyourbr eak.YaziIwentoutthegateafew
minutesagoandIsawMkhuzenipar keddownthe
path,
I'm surehishereforyou"shechuckled
"Ar
ghi scef
e,hei
ssoannoyi
ngbutsmel
lssogood"
Thuladosaid
"Hi
sloaded,t
her i
chestbusi
nessmani nthi
svi l
lage
butal
soapol ygamist,
hehast wowivesalr
eadyso
don'
tfal
lforhim.Wenanj eenjoyf
reeri
desbecause
tr
ansporther
ei sanightmare"Nhl
anhloadvised
"I
'
m notinterest
edbutthankyou"Thuladosl
ammed
her,"
Pleasetakeapict
ureofme, Iwanttoupl
oad
onmyst atus"Shehandedoverherphoneand
star
tedposing.
Shehuggedherki
dsandwal kedoutthegate.She
wasamblingpost
ingpict
uresofher sel
fonsoci al
media,
withi
nminutespeopler eact
edandstarted
commentingonherbeauty.Senzocal l
edher
i
nstant
ly.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"
Wow!Youar
eser
vingusf
lames"Hesai
d
"
Howar
eyou?
"Thul
adoasked
"I
'
m goodnowthatI '
mtal
kingt
oyou,youj
ustup
andlef
tmedry.Allmyfri
endsaregoneI
'mlef
tby
myself
"hecomplained
"I
'
m sorr
ybutI'
m act
ual
lyr
ushi
ngt
owor
k"Thul
ado
cuthi
m shor
t
"OKcool,
youlookabsolut
elygorgeousand
congr
atul
ati
ons"hesaidsincer
ely
"
Thankyou"Shehungup
*
***
Thul adowaswal kingal ongt hedust ypat hhoping

sheget sat axiimmedi ately,hermor ningwas
delayedabi t.Shecompl etelyignoredMkhuzeni '
s
presencewhenshespot tedhiscarj ustl ike
Nhlanhl ainf
or med, shewasst i
llupsetbecauseof
Mhl engi.I
fshewant edt omoveon, shewasgoi ng
tomaket hatdecisionher self,
itwasf ust r
ati
ngthat
het houghthecoul dmakedeci sionsf orher.What
wasshet odowi thal lthel oveshehasf orhim,
Mkhuzenipar kedinf rontofherandj umpedout ,he
waswear ingabl ackBr ent woodt rouser swith
creasessoshar pt heycoul dslicethroughaf ly
passi ngby,redcar vel a'sandacr i
spwhi teshirt
…a
realbhinca.
"AwwmaMdlet
she,youj
ustgoi
ngt opr
etendl
ike
youdi
dn'
tseeme?"heaskedsmil
ing
"
Yoh!Justl
eavemeal
onepl
ease"shepl
eaded
"
Youal
waysi
nabadmood"hechuckl
ed
"Ij
ustdon'tl
ikei
twhenpeopl
eareupinmy
business,
gohomet oyourwi
ves"shespat
"
Notwi
thoutyou"hesai
d
"
Ifyout
hinkIwi
llt
hrowmysel fi
ntoapolygamy
t
henyoumustbehi ghonsomet hi
ngst
rongbhuti
wabant
u,al
loft
his"shepoint
edathim andhiscar
,
"
Doesn'
tmoveme"Thul adosaid
"
Thenwhatmovesyou?
"heaskedl
icki
nghi
sli
ps
"
Peace"shesai
dlooki
ngaway
"
ngiyakuzwant okazi
,butyouaregoi
ngtobelatefor
workandi t
'syourfir
stday.Geti
nbecausethenext
t
axiwillbehereinanhour "hesai
dster
nly
Thul
adogrowledangr
il
yheadi
ngtothepassenger
door
,shehoppedinandMkhuzenihi
tthegas.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er40
Tr
iggeral
ert
‼
Dur
ban
Nomzamol oat
hedjoini
ngtheotherteachersinthe
staffroom becausetheygossipandlaterproblems
ariseandpeopl ear
ecalledint
otheof f
icefor
discipli
nary.Sosheoptedtoenjoyherlunchesi n
hercl assr
oom, t
hatwayshecanmar korcheck
assignment saswell.Oneofherstudentswalkedi n
wi
thabouquetofr
osesandchocol
ates.
"Mi
ssthisisforyou,t
hepr
inci
palsai
ditwasa
del
iver
y"thegir
lsaid
"
Thankyousweet
heart
"Nomzamosai
drecei
ving
t
hefl
owers,
thegi
rlr
anout.
Shesi ghedl
ooki
ngatthem,nor
mall
yshewould
rejoi
cebutnotaft
erwhatheatt
emptedt
odolast
nightandaft
erdroppi
ngsuchabombonher.He
spottedacardandreadit
.
*
I'
m sosor
ry*
Shedeci
dedt
ocal
lhi
m,heanswer
edi
mmedi
atel
y.
"
Babe"hesai
dinapai
nedvoi
ce
"
Irecei
vedyourf
lower
s"shesai
dbor
ed
"BabeI'
m sosorryforwhatIdid,Idon'
tknowwhat
cameoverme.Ij ustgotsoangryandIlostcont
rol
,
Iwantyout oknowt hatIr
espectyouandyour
wishes,pl
easeforgi
vemei twil
lneverhappen
again"hesaidsi
ncer el
y
"Idon'
tknow,Ineedti
me.Youreal
lyshockedme
plusyouhaveachild…Ir
eall
ydon'
tknow"
Nomzamosai d
"Pl
easedon'
tleaveme,
Iwi l
lchange.Iwil
lnever
l
ookatanotherwomanagain, Iwantt
omar r
yyou
sowecanbui l
dahomet ogether"hepl
eaded
"Ineedt
imet
othi
nkbutt
hankyouf
ort
hef
lower
s"
shehungup
Shethenarr
angedthebouqueti
navaseand
resumedhereat
ing.
*
***
West
vil
lePr
ison
Mhlengiwasl yingont helowerbunkbedgoi ng
thr
oughhi sphone, hecreatedaghostaccounton
Facebooksohecoul dseeThul ado, heknewshe
won'tnoti
cebecauseshewasn' tonsoci almediato
beginwit
h.Hewasscr oll
ingt hroughherpi ct
ures
andhest oppedwhenhef oundonewi t
ht het
wins,it
seemedlikeitwasShar on'shouse.Theywer e
havingaplayt eapar tywithf akepl asti
ccupsand
saucers,
eachper sonhadat eddybear .They
seemedsohappywi t
houthi mi thur ts,
Thuladowas
smili
ngwi t
hhercut eface, hei magi nedhimself
sit
ti
ngbehi ndher ,snakinghi sar msar oundhertiny
bodyast heypl aytheirgirli
egames.
Hecontinuedscroll
ingti
llhefoundtheonehewas
l
ookingfor,t
hepi ct
ureofherinunif
orm, hefound
himsel
fchuckling.Shewassoshor tandbeaut i
ful
,
hewonder edifpeoplewouldtakeherseriousl
yat
themedicalcentrebecauseshelookedlikea15
yearol
di nnurseunifor
m buthehadsomuchf ai
th
i
nher ,
deepdownheknewt hatshewillpulli
toff
.
"ei
taKrugeruyaf
unekangal
ana"amani
nor
ange
overal
lstol
dMhlengi
"
Bywho?
"heaskedar
chi
nghi
seyebr
ow
"Tumelo!Hi
sbackf
rom ekhul
ukut
hu"(
sol
it
ary
confi
nement)t
heguyanswered
"
OKshongi
yazwakal
a"hesai
d,heheavedasi
ghof
r
eli
ef.
Hewasr unningaver ydanger ousoper at

ionof
drugsinside,standinginf ort
heKr ugerwhogoti nt
o
tr
oublef orstabbinganot herpri
sonerovert er
rit
ory.
Hewassenti ntoconf i
nementf oramont h,he
preferr
eddi st
ributi
onbecausei twasquickand
stressfreebutbei nginchargeoft heactual
businesswasdaunt ingandyouhavet osleepwith
oneeyeopened.Thet hinghef earedthemostwas
getti
ngcaught , t
hatcouldaf f
ecthissentenceand
hewant edt ogetoutoft hatplaceasi nyesterday.
Hehi dhisphoneandl efttogoseeTumel o.
*
***
Secr
etl
ocat
ion
Phindil
ecaref ullyfl
oppedont hecouch,sherested
herswol l
enlegsonast ool
, t
heheatmadet hi
ngs
dif
ficul
tforher .Shehear dthedooropeningshej ust
scoffedlookingaway, i
fonlyheknewhowmuch
shehat edhim.Hehasmanagedt okeepheraway
fr
om ever yt
hingandever yoneforfi
veyears,only
Godknowshowhepul l
edt hi
soff.Al
lshewant ed
nowwast odel iverthi
sbabybecausei twasaddi ng
ontoheranxi eties.
"
Iboughtyougr
ocer
ies"hesai
dhappi
ly
"
Ist
il
lhavef
ood"Phi
ndi
ler
epl
ied
"I
fyoudon'
twanti
t'
sokaybutyouwi
lleatonbehal
f
ofmyson"hesai
dcockil
y
"
Youdon'
tknowifi
t'
saboyoragi
rl
,sost
opsayi
ng
t
hat
"shespatf
ustr
ated
"
Shutt
hef
uckup"hesai
dwi
thhi
sfacechangi
ng.
Heunpackedt hef
oodplaci
ngitneatl
yinsi
dethe
cupboards,
heboil
edwaterandaddedsalti
nit.He
pickedi
tupandplaceditbyPhindi
le'
sfeet
,he
waitedf
orthewatert
ocooldownt henhestar
ted
washingherfeeti
natt
empttohelpwiththeswell
ing.
"YouknowIl ovedPear lwithever ythinginme, I

actuallyknewt hatshel iedaboutAngelnotbei ng
mi ne,Ioverheadhert alkingt oherf riendoverthe
phonebutIpl ayeddumbf oryear sbecauseIl oved
hert hatmuch.Ever ythingwasgoodunt i
lshe
startedsleepi ngwitht hoset wins,herwi ngsstar
ted
togr ow"hechuckl edbi tterly,"
everyonet hinks
Senzoi sabigf ool,Pear lmademet hinkIwas
i
nf erti
lebecausewet ri
edf orsomanyyear sfora
kidonl ytofindouti tsbecauseofherl ooseness
thatIcoul dn'tmakechi l
dr en, t
hoseevi l
boys
somehowwer eusingmyf ertili
tyandher sfort heir
weal t
h.Fuck!ThankGodf oryourf atherbecausehe
tookmet oaseerandhet oldmeal lofthis
otherwiseIwoul dst i
llbegoi ngar oundai ml essly
l
ikeaf ool .IkilledFredandIwasr eadyt oki l
lFr ank
butdeat hbeatmet oi t
,Ihopet heyar eburningt en
ti
mesi nt hef i
re'sofhel lforwhatt heydi dt omeand
Pear l
.WhenIbr oughtyoui n, Ithoughtyouwer e
differ
entf rom yoursi st erdearPhi ndi l
ebutno,
bitchescutf rom thesamecl oth, Iwonderwhoyou
takeaf t
erbecauseyoudonothaveabackbone, I
thinkyouar ewor sethanPear litdi dn'ttakemuch
convinci ngf oryout ost artspr eadi ngyourl egsf or
thoseboyssf ebesanonkr oyi,youf vckenpr ost it
ute.
Youl eftmenochoi cebecauseIknewwhenyou
want edt omovet oRest of ocusonyourst udi es
wasact uallytof ocusont heSi mmonsdi ck"he
l
aughs, "gir
lst hough…youl ovemoneyt oomuch,
andevi lknowst hattoo, Iact uallysavedyouf rom
thepal msofSat an.Iki dnappedyoubecauseyour
fami l
yowesmechi l
dr enaf teral lthel obolaIpai d
andl ooknowI 'm goingt obeaf ather "hesmi led
andki ssedt hebabybump
"I
'
m sorryforeveryt
hingIdi
dn'
tknowVi l
akazibut
youdon'thavetokeepmeher eanylonger,Imissed
fi
veyearsofschool.Let'
sgobackhomesoIcanat
l
eastgoback, Iunderst
andyourf
rustr
ati
onsand
angerbutit
'senoughnow"shepleaded
"I
fyouwer en'tsuchabitchIwouldn'
thavedoneall
ofthis,
Idon' ttrustyouanymore.Butbecauseof
myson, I'm wor kingonawaytot akeyouback
withoutthepol iceonmynecksocal m yourti
ts"he
said
"Iwonderwhatpeopl
ewil
lthi
nkoncetheyfoundout
whatyoudidthi
stomeespeciall
ymyf at
her,
nothi
ngstayshi
ddenfor
ever"shesai
dangril
y
"Butthekidnapperswillmessagemet odropyou
off,
Ihavemi ll
ionsthatIscammedf rom those
wizards…wear eri
ch.Iwillbet
heherof orfi
nding
youandwewi llgetmar r
iedandli
vehappi l
yever
aft
er,ifyouthi
nkf orasecondyouwi llescapefrom
me"hel aughed, "
youwi l
lreuni
tewit
hyoursi st
er"he
said
"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
omar
ryamonst
erl
ikeyou"shespat
,
Senzosl
appedheracr
osst
hef
acet
henhechoked
her
"Iwil
lkil
lyouandbur yyoui nmybackyardbit
ch,i
f
youthinkyoucanchal lengeme, youneedtor
eset
thatst
upidbrainofyour s.Iworkedhardt
oget
whereIam today, doyoui t
'sni
cehuh?Doyouhave
anyideahowi tfeelstogetscrewedoverandover
againbypeoplet hatyoutrust?
Doyout hi
nkIli
kedoingalloft
his"hepoint
ed
aroundtheroom,"
I'
m notabadper sonPhindil
ebut
peoplet
urnedmeintothi
smonst er,sodon'tyou
dareupsetme"heroared
Phi
ndil
ewentmute,
sheknewifsheopenedher
mouthagai
nshewil
lgetmor
ethanjustaslap,
he
hasdoneworset
oher.
*
***
Weeksl
aterSenzowasatwor
kwhenamessage
poppeduponhi
sphone.
*
comegetyourgi
rlatBuchananpar
k*
Hepr
etendedt
opani
crunni
ngt
ohi
sboss…
"SirPhindile!
"hesaidf
rant
ical
lyshowinghimthe
message, herel
easedhimfrom hi
sdutieswit
hout
questions.Everyoneknewhowherdi ssapear
ance
tookat ollonhim.
Onhi swayhecal l
edtheof fi
cerswhom l ed
Phindile'
scase, theyaskedhi mt owai tforthem
beforegoingt herejustincaseitsat rap.Af tera
coupleofmi nutest heyappr oachedt hepar kandas
promisedPhi ndilewassi t
ti
ngont hebenchsoaki ng
i
nt ears,Senzor ant owardshert henhegr abbedher
pull
ingheri ntohi sembr ace.Peoplepassi ngby
quickl
ygat her edandt heyimmedi atelymel tedat
thehear twar mingr eunion, t
hepol i
ceclear edthe
areaandtookPhindi
let
ot hest
ati
onfi
rstf
ora
st
atementthentheyrel
easedhertogoandrestat
homewi t
hSenzo.
*
***
Senzowat chedoverPhi ndi

let il
lshef el
lasl
eep, he
sighedheadi ngtohi slit
tlebar ,hepul l
edouthis
favor i
tedr inktocelebr atehisGr ammydeser vi
ng
actingski ll
s.Hegul pedt wogl asseswi t
houtcare,
her emember edthel umpsum hecol l
ectedfrom the
twins.Atl easthegotsomet hi ngf rom thosedirty
dogsf rom allthepai nandhumi l
iationtheycaused
him, hewentt ot
hest oreroom pul l
ingoutadust y
bag, hebl ewt hedustof fthenopenedt hezipper.He
closedhi seyesopeni ngt hem agai nbuthesawt he
samet hing, herummagedt hrought hebagcomi ng
outwi thpi ecesofnewspaper .Her emember ed
count ingthecashwi thhi sfriend, sot hi
swas
bemusi ng.Hepul ledouthi sphoneandcal l
edhi s
dear estfriendbuti twentst raightt ovoicemai l
.
Hewentbackt ohi
sal coholstashandpoured
anotherglass,
behindt hebott
leshespott
eda
cornerofanenvelope, hepull
editout
.He
rel
uctantl
yopenedi tandoutpoppedal et
ter,
he
wentt ositont
hecouchsohecoul dread,thi
swas
bewilder
ing.
*Yougoi ngtoneedagl assofJamesont oread

this…*thebegi nningofthel etterstipul
ated.Senzo
startedsweatingt hatf
eelingoft heunknown, who
wrotet helet
ter?andwhatwasi tabout ?
,hismoney
wasonhi sbelovedPear l.Hest il
lwasgoi ngto
makePur i
typayf orkil
li
nghi swi fe,shehadnor i
ght
becauseshet oowasabi tchj ustl i
keher,what
madehert hi
nkt hatshedeser veddeat handhert o
l
ive,hewaswai t
ingforri
ghtt imet ostri
kebecause
everyonethinksSenzoi saf ool .Hepour edhimself
hisfavorit
eJamesonandr eturnedt othecouch
*
It'
smeFr
ank,
Ijustwantyout
oknowt
hatIknow
youki l
ledFr ed.Isentt heCCTVf oot aget oapol i
ce
fri
endofmi ne, Iaskedhi m nott oar restyour i
ght
awaybecauseIf eellikeyourangeri sj ustifi
edaf t
er
everythingwedi dtoyou, unfor t
unat elythemoney
yout hinkyouaccumul atedf rom Phi ndi l
e'sransom
won'tdoanyt hingf oryoubecausei t'sbl oodmoney.
Itshalldi ssapearwi thever ythingweownunl ess
youdosomet hi ngwi thitimmedi ately,wear esor ry
forever ything.Pl easebr i
ngbackPhi ndile,Iknow
youdon' tloveher ,she'sst i
llyoung.I t
'snotherf ault
thatshef ellforus, theywer eunderaspel ljustl i
ke
Pearl.Forwhati t
'swor thwer eallyl ovedyouasa
fri
endbutwewer eropedi ntoevi l byourmot her ,we
aresor ryf oryourchi ldren.Nonet hel essIr efuset o
l
etmybr other sdeat ht ogounpuni shed, yout ook
theonl yf ami l
yIhavesot hisisj ust i
cef ormet oo
sinceyougotyour sbyki ll
ingmybr other .Iknow
youhavebeendr inkingt hatJamesonsel f
ishlyand
becauseoft hatI '
m atpeace, ifyoushowanyone
thisl
et tertheywi llknowt hatyour apedandki l
led
yourowndaught eryoudi rt
ydog…f uckyouVi l
akazi,
seeyoui nhel lyoupvssy*
Senzowassweat i
ngl ikehisi nasauna, het ookt he
l
ettertothesinkandopenedr unni ngwat eroni t
thenhescr unchedi taf t
eral lt
hei nkf adedaway, he
thenshovedi tinthebi n.Hedr ankf r
om t he
Jamesonbot t
leasavi deooft hatf at efuldayhe
tookouthisangeronAngel .HesawPear lsneaki ng
i
nsideFred'shousewhi l
et her estoft hest af
fwer e
havingfunout si
det heyar d, hej ustknewshewas
goingtogetf ucked.Het ookAngelanddr oveout
goingbackt otheirhouse, hevi olat edherhol ding
thebiggestknifehecoul dfindar oundt hehouse,
butthegirlwouldn'tst opcr yi
ngt her eforehet old
herhewoul dsl i
thert hroatopenandt henki llher
mot heri
fshedoesn' tkeepqui et .
Whenhewasdonehei nst
r uctedthatifpeopleask
thenhemustsayi t
'suncleFr edorhewi l
lburnher
andPearlinthehouse,Angelcompl i
edbutwhenhe
camebackt ohissensesher eal
izedhowdi rethe
sit
uati
onwasandi fthi
sshoul dcomeoutpeopl e
won'tunderst
andwhyher apedal it
tl
egi r
lbecause
ofhermot her'
scheat i
ng.Hepani ckedandf ound
herselfplungingakni f
ei nherstomach, hethen
disposedheri nat ownshi pdumpsi t
eandr anforhi
s
l
ife.Her eturnedlatetothepartyandheknewt hat
Pearlwon' tnoti
cehi sdissapear
ance, hewast he
fi
rstonet oraisesuspicionthatAngelwasmi ssi
ng
thentherewaschaos.
Senzostaggeredtoandf r
oast earsstreameddown
hi
sface,thealcoholwasinfullprocess.He
bal
ancedont hewal lgoi
ngtothecouch, hesatonit
andlett
hem flow.Thei magesofAngelcover edin
bl
oodplayedinhi sheadtormentedhim, hetooka
si
pfrom theJamesonbot tl
e
oncemor
eashecr
iedsi
lent
ly.
I
nthespi
ri
tualr
eal
m
Inthei
ll
usi
on.ThePhant
om fel
tweakenedand
neededmorepower,
wait
ingonthevessel
sto
deliverwasl i
kewai ti
ngf orpaintt odry.Heneededa
vir
gi nandheneededonenow, het el
eport
edt ot he
near esttwinandt hatwasFr ed.Hesear ched
throught hecrowdbutnovi r
gini nsightbut
i
nter esti
ngl ytherewasat roubledman, hi
shear tso
weakt hatitmadehi m vulnerable.Hesawan
oppor tunitywhenFr edwasbusyhumpi ngPear lin
thebedr oom, hefeltli
keapuppet eer.Thesi nand
l
ust fulnesst hatdomi natedthepar t
ygavehi mj oy,
thent heangerandr evengef ueledhim up,Senzo
hadamot i
vesohebecameaper fectcandidate.
Heenter
edi
nhim andthatwaswhenhi
seyes
l
andedonAngel
,theresti
shist
ory…
2021
*
***
*
Pl
easel
iket
hepageandt
hei
nser
ts.
..Thankyou
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er41
*
Aweekl
ater
*
MooiRi
ver
ItwasaSatur
daymor ni
ng,Thuladowassi
tt
ing
outsi
dehermother
'shouselookingatt
hegr
aves,
it
wasf arbutyoucoul dseethem f r
om wher eshe
wassi tti
ng.It
'sbeenyear ssinceshepassedonand
thi
ngswer enevert hesame,flashesofevent sthat
l
edt oherdeat hhaunt shereverysi ngl
eday.
Thought hesunwasshi ni
ngbeaut iful
lyandthe
twinsranar oundt heyardhappilyhunt i
ngforbugs
fortheircoll
ecti
on, ever
yreasont omakeher
cheerfulbutinsteadshef oundt earsmakinglines
downherf ace.
Shewasabout10.Hermot herwasthenewestwi f
e
from theot hertwo,shewasbeautif
ul,youngand
mostl ovedbyherf at
her.Shenowknowt hatshe
gott hisirr
it
ati
ngshor thei
ghtfr
om her.Thul ado
remember edhermot herasasweetandki nd
woman, sothatdayshehadt ogotother i
veralong
wi t
hherhal fsister
stogetwater,t
hevill
agehada
bigdr ought.Soi ft
herewasar ai
nitwaswi seto
collectasmuchasyoucant okeepyout i
llnext
shower s.
Herf atherwasat ruckdr iverthatdel iversgoodsf or
l
ongdi stance,evenoutofSout hAf r
icasomet imes
sohewoul dbeabsentf r
om homemostoft he
ti
mesl eavingthewi vestobeoneachot herst hr
oats
24/ 7,hermot herswasdi f
ferent.Shel ockedher self
i
nherr ondavalandr eadherbooks, allshewi shed
shecoul ddowast ogot ouni versit
yandbea
Psychol ogistbutherf amilymar r
iedherof finstead.
"Yourhusbandhasmoney, i
fyouar el uckyhewi ll
sendyout oschool "herf ami lysaidandt heywer e
right,sher emember edherpar entshavi ngsuch
talks,Herf at
herwi llreturnfrom hi stripsandst art
s
from hermot her'
sr ondavalf ir
stbef or evisit
ingt he
ot herwives.
Hewoul dbr
ingtubsofice- cr
eam forhersi nceshe
l
oveditsomuch, thethreeofthem woul dsi tont he
bedandeatitoutfrom thecontainerthanher
motherwouldwashi tandpacki tupi nthecup
boar
dt ouseitt
ost or
eherspi cesandot hergrainy
andpowderedfoodst uf
f .Hewoul dpullThul ado'
s
warsnottotel
ltheothersaboutt heice-cream since
hedi
dn'tbr
ingforthem i
twast
hei
rli
tt
lesecr
et,
she
compl
iedfait
hful
ly.
Att
heri
verwhi
lescoopingwat
erf
orherbucket
Nhl
anhl
owhowast hesameageasThulado
whi
sper
edinherears.
"Youseet heyarenottal
kingt
ous?It'
sbecauseour
mot her
ssai dt
hatdaddyhasfavori
ti
sm, Nombuso
sawdaddycar r
yingi
ce-cr
eam fr
om hiscari
ntoyour
house,nowt heyaremad…butI '
m notmad"she
saidfil
li
ngupherbuckettoo
Thuladojustkeptquiett
hat'
swhatshedi dbest,
the
gir
lswalkedingroupswi t
hbucketsont hei
rheads,
ThuladoandNhl anhl
oatt hebackastherewerethe
youngest.Suddenlyoneofthegirl
sinthefront
screamed.
"
Kuyashaekhaya!
"(ourhomei
sbur
ning)t
hey
bri
skedwal kasf astastheycouldcar efulnotto
spil
lthewat erfrom thei
rbuckets.Thecl oserthe
camet hemor ecl earerwherethef ir
eeruptedfrom
Thuladodr oppedt hebucketsprintingtothe
dir
ectionofherhousebutoneoft hemot hers
yankedherback" Wheredoyout hinkyouar e
going!"shesaidangr il
y,Shepushedhert otheback
whereal lt
heot herkidsstoodast onished.
"Wher
eismymot
her
?"sheaskedsof
tl
ybutnoone
answer
ed
Theyputt hefir
eoutwi t
hsandandwat er
for
tunatelythegapinbetweent hehousesi nt
he
rur
alareashadaf ai
rdist
ancetoeachot hersoit
wasunlikelyfortheotherhousestocatchal i
t
unl
essit'sawi ndyday.Justli
kethatThulado'
s
motherdied, t
hepoli
cecameandt ookstatement
s.
Whenherfatherret
urnedonshor
tnoti
ceupon
hear
ingaboutthetr
agedy,hel
osthi
smi nd
temporary.Hewashur tandcrushed,helostthe
l
oveofhi slifeinthemostgruesomeway, hewould
haveThul adobyhi ssi
denomat terwhat,evenwhen
runningerrandshemadesur ehisli
tt
legi
r lwaswit
h
him.Afterthef uner
alhecall
edameet ingwi t
h
everyonepr esent.
"Fir
stofallIwantt ot hankyoual lforuni t
ingint his
hardtime, Idon' tthinkIwi lleverbet hesameaf t
er
thi
s, I
'
m gr atefulforyourl oveandsuppor t"the
wivesshi f
teduncomf ort
abl y,"
I'
m aski ngyouf rom
thebot t
om ofmyhear tf
oryout olookaf t
ermyl it
tl
e
girl
,withouthermot hershei sexposed, shewi l
l
needt enderl oveandcar e,canIpl easecounton
yout otakeheri nasyourown"t herewassi l
ence,
Thuladoer upt edinal oudsobshecr iedsopai nfull
y
thathisfatherj oinedi n,hepi ckedherupt ositon
hislap.Insteadshel atchedonhi m cr yingonhi s
chest,itwashear tbr eakingt owat ch." Ist i
lldon't
understandhowaper soncanbur nt odeat hand
there'
speopl ei nt heyar d,whydi dn' tyoubr eakt he
doororsomet hing"heaskedcat chi nghi stears
"Theprobl
em isthatshelovedlocki
ngherselfi
nher
room whenwet r
iedtoopeni twaslocked,bythe
ti
mewegott oolstobreakthedoorthef l
ames
becamedomi nant,t
heentirehouseincl
udingthe
doorwasonf i
re"thefir
stwifeanswered
"I
tmusthavebeenthebooksandcontainersthat
shekeepsint
hehouse,t
hehousei seasiert
ocatch
fi
rewhenitcr
ammedup, i
t'sr
eall
ysadthatitcame
tothi
sbutwetri
edbaba"thesecondwifeargued.
Intheendt heyagreedt ocareforThuladobutas

yearswentbysher eal
izedthosewer ejustwords,
herfatherstart
ednotcomi ngbackhomef or
mont hsandwhenhedi d,her et
urnedwi t
hanother
wife.Withheraroundhenegl ectedeveryoneelse
i
ncludinghiskids,Thul
adogr ewupal oneunt i
lshe
movedt oDur ban.
Pul
li
ngheroutofherthoughts,shespott
edt
heold
manhobbli
ngdownt hehil
lwi t
hhiswalki
ngsti
ck,
shequi
ckl
yranuptohel phim down,shewent
i
nsidet
ogr abachairandapil
low.Theysatoutsi
de
i
nawkwar dsil
ence,
hest ar
edatthetwi
nsast hey
bi
ckerbackandfort
h,hechuckled.
"
Thatonehasabi
gmout
h"hesai
dpoi
nti
ngatLumi
"Shedoes"Thul
adoagr
eedt
henshej
oinedi
n
chuckl
ing.
"Thisoneisli
keyouandyourmot her
"hesaid
painful
lypoi
nti
ngatLubi,Thul
adokeptqui
et
l
ooki ngaway."I
'
m sor
ry"hesaid
"Iknowyoul ovedhermorethananythi
ngbaba,
whatIdon' tunderst
andi
swhyyounegl ect
edme
knowi ngverywellyouwer
eallIhad"shesaid
painfull
y
"I
t'
snoexcusemnt wanawamibutIwasbewi t
ched,
whenIfoundoutyouwer ealreadygoneandIj ust
knewthatitwast
ool at
e,asyoucanseet hatmy
wifet
hatcameafteryourmot heri
sgone.Isenther
packi
ng,onlymykidsfrom herremained"hesaid
"
It
'swashar
dbutGodsawmet
hrough"shesai
d
wi
pinghert
ear
s
"I
'
m soproudofyou,Iknowyourmotheri
stoo"he
added,
"Whereisthei
rfat
her,
heneedstocomeand
dotheri
ghtt
hing"hesaidfur
ther
"
He-hisinjail
"Thuladosai
dplayi
ngwit
hherhands,
"
Hecal l
st hem andhehasbeentaki
ngcareofus
r
egardless,hi
sagr eatman"Thul
adosaid
"
Ifhewasagreatman,
hewoul
dn'
tbebehi
ndbar
s"
t
heoldmansaid
"Atleasthedi
dn'
tabandonhischildren"Thulado
saiddefensi
vel
y,herf
atherkeptquietlooki
ngdown.
"Whatst
hei
rsurnameandwashetheonewho
ent
eredmykraal?
"hel
ookedatherst
ernl
y
"
Ngcoboandyeshewas"Thul
adosai
dshyl
y
"Goodatleasti
t'soneman,yoursi
ster
shave
shamedmei nthisvi
ll
age,
Idon'
tevenhaveapl
ace
tohide"hechuckled
"
Doyouwantsomet
hingt
oeatIcooked"shesai
d
wit
hasmi
le
"
YesandIhopeyoucookl
ikeyourmot
her
"He
chuckl
ed
Thuladodissapearedi
nsi
deandt
het
winsr
ant
o
thei
rgrandpa'sdir
ecti
on.
"Mkhul ulook,wef oundl adybir

ds"theyshowedhi m,
hecoul dn'tstopsmi l
ingitwassomet hingabout
Thuladoandherki dst hatgavehim peaceand
happiness, havingthem backathomesur el
y
changedt heatmospher e.Coulditbet hathel oved
Thulado'smot herwit
hhi swhol eheart?Andt hat
whateveri sassociatedwi ththatbeautifulsoulis
soothingt ohim?Maysher estinpeace.
*
***
Dur
ban
Nomzamowal
kedhandi
nhandwi
thNj
abul
o
steppingoutfrom amovi e,shedecidedtof orgive
andgi veNjabuloalastchancetopr ovehimsel f.
Sheaskedar oundf oradviceandthel adi
est oldher
whatdi dsheexpectt hepoorguytodowhenshe
wasdepr ivi
nghim, theycall
edhim offforthe
attemptedrapebutNomzamosai ditwasherf ault
andt hathehadneverdoneanyt hingl i
kethatbef ore.
Soher etheyareallloveydoveydatingandal l
,
Nomzamor ecievedacal l
,shecheckedt hecal l
erID
andi twasthehospi tal
.
Shepausedandl ookedatNjabulowit
hherheart
pl
oddingagainstherri
bcage,shesuddenl
yfel
t
downasi fi
twasgoi ngtobebadnews.Njabulo
deci
dedtotakethephonef r
om hersohecould
answer.
"
Hel
lo!
"hesai
dpul
li
ngNomzamoi
ntohi
sembr
ace
"
IsNomzamoar
ound?
"thenur
seasked
"
Yes,
youcant
alkshe'
sli
steni
ng"Nj
abul
osai
d
"
Nomzamobabemom…she, shel
eftusaf
ew
minut
esago"shesai
dsadl
y
Nomzamoj ustcri
edsi l
ently,shebur i
edherfacein
Njabulo'schestsot hatshedoesn' tdr awacrowdat
themal l.Thenursecont i
nuedt al
kingt oNj
abulo
aboutthear rangement sandwhent heywere
sati
sfi
edshehungup.Nj abulohuggedherf orlong
all
owinghert ol
etitallout,thought heywere
expectingthis,i
twasst il
lver ysad.
*
***
Senzowaswat chi
ngsoccerwhi lePhindi
lesaton
thesingl
ecoucheat ingfriedchickenandbusywi t
h
hersocialmediaaccount s,peoplecouldn'tst
op
sendingherheartf
eltmessagesaboutherr et
urni
ng
home.Theyshower edherwi t
hsomuchl ovethati
t
broughttear
stohereyes, thentherewasa
pregnancythatshedi dn'
tknowhowt oexpl ai
n.
Automat i
cal
lypeoplewi l
lknowshewasr apedby
theki
dnapper
s,yett
heculpr
itisri
ghtunderthei
r
nosesoshedecidednott
otellanyoneforher
safet
y.
Thebuzzerwentof
f,Phi
ndi
lewaddl
edtowardst
he
doort
opresssothegatecoul
dopen,shewaddl
ed
backt
ositandeat.
"Di
dyouevencheckwhoi
twasatt
hegat
e?"Senzo
asked
"Nobutyouwi
llf
indoutsoonangi
thi
?"shesai
d
annoyed
Thedoorwasopensothepoli
cedidn'
tneedt
o
knock,
theyst
rut
tedi
n.Senzostoodupimmediat
ely
wit
hhiseyesasbigassaucer
s.
"
H-howcanIhel
pyou?
"heaskedner
ve,
recked
"
Yeswenanj
a!Di
dyouenj
oyyourf
iveyear
sof
freedom?Iwant edyoupuf fyourbi gchestandt hink
yougotawaywi thyourmal i
ciouscr i
met henIcome
andbustyourbubbl ewi thagr inonmyf aceyou
fvcker .Youar eunderar restfort hemur derofFr ank
Simmons, r
api ngandat t
empt edmur derofAngel
Vilakazincncncyoudi r
tydog, anddon'twor r
ywe
l
ongar r
estedyourf riendwhoposedl i
keal ady
nur seandi njectedthepoorgi rlwithpoisont ofini
sh
herof f…asambendoda! "thepol i
cemansai d,
Phi ndilegaspedcover inghermout hwhenshe
hear daboutAngel ,sher emember edhowhur t
Senzoappear ed.Heputal lthebl ameonPear l
meanwhi l
eitwashi m al lalong, sheglancedather
humongousbabybumpandshef el
tdisgust edthat
shewast oblesst hi
smonst erwi thachi l
d, hedidn't
deser vesuch.Shebal ancedont hecoucht ogetup.
"Canyoupleaseaddkidnappi
ng,rapeandlyi
ngto
thepoli
ceaboutmydissapearance,hekeptme
awayfrom myf ami
lyandschoolforfi
veyears,
thi
s
babyI'
m carr
yingwasfrom hi
mr apingme
countl
essti
mes"Phindil
espat
"
Youneedtocomedowntothest
ati
onsowecan
t
akeyourst
atementmam"t
hemaninbluesai
d
TheycuffedSenzoandpushedhi m out ,hewas

shortofwor ds, allhisliesanddeceitcaughtupt o
him,hehadnowayoutexceptconf essal lhi
s
cri
messohecangetasent ence.Atl eastpri
sonis
notsobad, hewi llstil
lgetaneducat ion,abedand
foodforfree.Itwasn' tthatbad,hethoughtt o
himself
,hewoul dbehaveandber el
easedonpar ol
e
thenret
urn.Her elaxedhi sbodyast heyshovedhi m
atthebackoft hevan, Phindil
estoodout sidethe
gatewithherhandsr estedonherhips, herstomach
pokingout.
Ayearl
ater
…
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er42
*
MooiRi
ver
*
Theyardwasbuzzing,thetentwasbeaut i
ful
ly
adornedinbl
ackandgol dwithatouchofleapard
pri
nt,t
hechair
swerecover edinwhiteandhel i
um
ball
oonsineachcornerandont heroofofthetent.
Nhlanhl
osnappedapi ctur
eandr anbackinside,
shefoundThuladosit
tingonthebedl osti
n
thought
s.
"Ther
eyougo,
Itol
ditwi
lll
ookbeauti
fulPi
nky
knowsherwor
k"Shesai
dexcit
edly
"Am Idoingther
ightt
hingt hough?Mymot herwas
i
napol ygamyandIdon' tknowi fi
t'
sbearabl
eshe
didn'
tli
velongenoughtoadvi ceme!"sheheaveda
sigh
"Doyoul
oveMkhuzeni
?"Nhl
anhl
oaskedsi
tt
ing
nextt
oher
"Supr
isi
nglyyesIdo,Inevert
houghtIwouldhear
myselfsaythisbutIl
ovehim andsofarsogood,he
hasbeengr eat
"shesaidgenuinel
y
"ThenI'
m happy,
rememberumshadoakusi
loi
jel
e,i
f
youaren'
thappy…comeback!
"Nhlanhl
osai
d
(marri
ageisn'
tapri
son)
"I
t'
sjustt
hatIi
magineddoingt
hiswit
hMhl engi
and
notanyoneel
sebutIguesssometi
mesthingsdon'
t
goaccordi
ngtopl
an"Thuladosai
dlowly
"I
t'
salobol
ayoust
il
lhaveti
metot
urnt
hisar
ound"
shesai
dtryi
ngt
ocheerherup
Nombusot hei
roldersi
stercamei
nlooki
ngfancyi
n
hershweshwetwopi ece,sher
est
edherhandson
herroundwaist
.
"Youarethef i
rstonetogetthi
skindoflucki
nour
famil
y,pl
easedon' tgother
eandembar rassuswith
yourfi
lt
h,leavethosebooksandcontainersbehi
nd
assembli
eft og"shesaidpl
eadingl
y
"Ser
iousl
yNombuso?
"Nhl
anhl
osai
drol
li
ngher
eyes
"Indabayobunukunovucuayi phele,ot
herwisewe
wi l
lbet helaughingstocki
nt hi
svill
age,the
Mt hethwa' sareri
chandyoumadam mustmai ntai
n
theirstandards,unlessyouwanthi sotherwivest o
haveaf iel
dsdaywi thyou?Alreadypeopleare
gossi pi
ngaboutyourki ds,t
heywantt oknowi fyou
l
eavi ngt hem behindoryoutakingthem wit
hi nto
yourmar ri
age"Nombusosai df ur
ther(thehabi tof
untidinessandr ubbishmustend! )
"
Theymustmindthei
rownbusi
nesskuphel
anj
e!"
Nhl
anhl
oanswered
"Ar
eyoul ikeThul
adu'sspokesper
son,i
t'
snotyour
l
obolasisi,I
'mtal
kingtothi
sone"shepoint
edto
Thulado,Nhlanhl
ocli
ckedhertongue
"Ihearyousi
siandt
hankyou,
Mkhuzenisai
dI
shouldbri
ngmygirl
swit
h"Thul
adofi
nall
y
answered
"
OK, bythewayI'
m heretot
ellyouthatthe
Mthethwa'
sarehere"Sheadded,Thuladonodded.
*
***
*
Dur
ban*
Phindil
esmiledatherson,hewassuchahappy
baby,shemanagedt oconvincethedeanst oget
backtoschool, wi
thhel
pfrom herfamilyandher
newbaeshenowhasast ayinmaidt olookaf t
er
babyOkuhle,that'
sthenameshesawbef i
tt
ingfor
herboy.Shedi dn'
twanthimtobeanyt hinglikehi
s
dad,thatat
rociousmonster,
unfort
unatelyforhim
hedi dn'
tlivelongenought omeethi m.He
remember edt hatdayl ikeitwasyest er
daywhen
sher ecei
vedacal lfrom prisont hathedi edfrom
Thallium poisoni ng,sher emi ni scedhowcr azyhe
posedt obet hroughouthi s, trialtryingtoappear
unst abl
ebutt hej udgewasn' thavi ngi t
.Rumorhad
i
tt hathewasgr oupedwi tht he28gangwhom
rapedhi m cont i
nuousl y,shor t
lyaf terthathestart
ed
l
oosi nghai randchangi ngcol or .Onlyat oxi
cologi
st
wasabl et ofindt racesofhi ghdosesoft hepoison
butnooneknowshowi tgoti ntohi ssystem andt he
testsshowedhehadconsumedi tdaysbef orehis
arrest.
Phindil
ewaspet r
if
iedthinki
ngshewasgoi ngtobe
primesuspectbutnoonequest ionedher,shewas
reli
eved.Senzo'suncle'ssawi tfi
tforPhindil
eto
takeoverhishouseandcar s,sincetheywer eina
processofget t
ingmar ri
edandhepai dlobolafor
heraswel l
.Phindiledidn'
tinformt hefamilyabout
herkidnappingandt hechar gesshepr essed
againsthim becausethatcoul dhavecausedchaos
whenitcamet ohispossessionsandpr oper t
y.She
cont
inuedpainti
ngagoodpi ctureti
lleverythi
ng
wasinpl acebutshepr
omi sedherselfthatoneday
shewillcomeoutandtelleverybodyherst ory.
*
***
NjabuloslidoutofNomzamopvssy, itf
eltsogood
tofi
nal l
ysmashi t,t
hegirlhasbeenhardonhi m.He
couldn'tbeli
evethathisactual
lyi
nacommi t
ted
rel
ationshipfai
thful
ly,
hepul l
edoutthecondom
fi
ll
edwi thhissemenandshookhi shead.
"Ncncncthi
sisal
lmychi
ldr
enI
'
mfl
ushi
ngaway"
hecomplai
ned
"Youalr
eadyhaveachildsor
est,
I'
m nothavinga
chil
duntilIgetmar
ri
ed"Nomzamosaidwiping
hersel
f
"
Andyounotreadyt
ogetmarr
ied!Exact
lywhati
sit
t
hatyouwant
?Ihavebeensogoodbabe"hesaid
huggi
ngherf
rom behi
nd
"Thi
slinerightherealwaysremi ndmeofyourdi rt
y
ways,untilitbecomesyourlif
est yl
ethanmaybeI
wouldconsi derbeingyourwife.Idon'teverwantt
o
fi
ndmysel fdivorci
ngyetIwillnotstaywi t
han
unfai
thfulpartnersoIneedtobesur eI'
m doingt
he
ri
ghtthing"shesaidwalkingi
nt othebathroom
"Youhurtmeever
yti
meyousayt
hat
"Nj
abul
o
sulked
"I
'
m goingtothesalon,
areyoucomi ngwit
h?"
Nomzamoaskedherwhi l
esheletshowerrunon
herbody,sheswit
cheditofft
henappliedher
showergel
"
Nah,
wewi l
lbewatchi
ngsocceratt
hePubt
oday,
I
'
m meet
ingtheguys"Nj
abul
orepli
ed
"
SoIwi
llseeyouonFr
idayagai
n?"sheasked
"
Yeah,Iwillhavepri
ncethi
sent
ireweek,
it'
smy
t
urn"Njabulosaidputt
ingonhi
sclot
hes
"
Youmustbringhi
m onFri
day,Ihaven'
tseenhi
min
awhi
le"shesai
dscreami
ngloudenoughf or
Nj
abul
otohearher
,theshowerwasopenedagai
n
"Ei
sh,
thenhegoesandtel
lshi
smot her
,youknow
shedoesn'
tli
keyouar
oundherchi
ld"Njabul
osai
d
"Sowhati
sgoi
ngt
ohappenwhenwegetmar
ri
ed?
"
sheasked
"uyaphaphanjel
oyanabutforpeacesake,
Iwilll
et
i
tslidefornow…I'
m outbabe,Il
oveyou"Njabulo
screamed
"
Iloveyout
oobye"hel
eft
Nomzamodr i
edher sel
fandl otioned.Shewant edto
feelgoodt oday,
sosheopt edforherthreequarter
thighsl i
tbluedenim skirtthathuggedherhi ps
per f
ectlyandawhi tecropshi r
t,shealwaysfelt
goodi nthesethenshef i
nishedherl ookwit
hwhi t
e
blockheel sandl eftthehouse.Shear ri
vedatthe
salonandaskedf orcor nrowst hatshecantieinto
abunf orwor kpurposes, herbraiderhadthe
neat esthandhencesheal wayscomest oher.When
shewasdoneshesmi l
edl ookingintothemirror
l
ovi ngt hehintofgoldaccessor i
essheputonher ,
shepai dandl eft.Shewasdr ivingonuMngenir oad
l
ooki ngf orar estaur antwhereshecansi tal
oneand
enjoyl unchwi thoutdi sturbance, shef oundher self
atNi kko'sinDur banNor th,shespot tedashor tl ady
walkingi nwi t
hanot epadinherhandshewasso
cutei nheraf ro,youwoul dswearshewas15year s
oldevent hoseheel sdon' tdoj usticet oherhei ght .
Thenanot herf ami l
iarfacewal kedi nbutshewas
over l
ydr essedf orthehotDur banweat her,when
shel ookedcl osel yitwasNanat hel adythat
connect edhert oFr ankandFr ed.Sher emember ed
i
nst antlythatshenevert hankedherpr oper l
y,she
gotdi stract
edbyt heor dealthatt ookpl aceatt he
hotel.Itwasdef init
elyherbutshel ooksdi ff
erent ,
shewasski nnyanddul l
,shewonder edwhat
happenedt oher .
Heror derar
rivedsoshedugbutmaki ngsur eshe
i
sn'tlosingher,shethoughtitwouldber udeofher
t
oj ustwalkupt othem, shewillj
ustwaitforthe
r
ighttime.Meanwhi leThuladosatdownwi t
hNana
atableopposi t
eNomzamo' s,Nanalookedaround
fr
anti
cal
lypr
ayi
ngandhopi
ngnooner
ecogni
zes
her.
"Woul
dyoustopdoi
ngthat
…isthi
sthereasonwhy
youdidn'
twantt
ocometomylobolanegot
iat
ions?
"
sheasked
"Arghyouwon'tunderstand.Haveyoueverwi
shed
therewasaresetbutt
onsomewher e,
Iwouldl
ove
thatki
ndofthing,
startoverandmakesur emy
pathsdon'
tcrosswithFr ed,
thatguyrui
nedmyli
fe"
shesaid
"Iwouldrewi ndandr efuseMkhuzeni 'sproposal,t
he
guyisgreatbutsomewhatcont roll
ingandhi s
famil
yhat esmychi ldren.Theot herdayhi smiddle
wifewasf loggingmyki dsbecauset heyspiltj
uice
onherPer siancarpet, cabangaoeIhaveneverl ai
d
ahandont hem.Theybeggedmet ot akethem
homeandonl ymydadandNhl anhlolovesthem
dearl
y,Ihadt obr
ibet hem nottotellMhlengi
becausehewoul dfli
p"Thul adosaid
"
Areyouf
orr
eal
andwhatdi
dyoudoabouti
t?"
Nanaasked
"IspoketoMthet
hwaphelabuthebrushedi
tof
f,I
j
ustpackedmyst uf
fandret
urnedhome.Theyare
sti
llbusywi
thmyhousesot hat
'smyexcuse…that
myhousei snotr
eady"Thul
adoadded
"Wherewereyoust
ayi
ngtheni
fyoudon'
thavea
houseyet
?"Nanaasked
"I
nhismai nhouseandyoushouldseet heeyesI
wasgetti
ngbecauseapparent
ly,hedoesn' tall
ow
anyonethereunl
essit
'si
mportant.Hevi si
tallhis
wivesi
nt hei
rhomes,i
fyouneedhi m sendf orhim
andherecomesanonvi rgi
nnewwi f
ewi thkidsto
occupyhismancave"shechuckled,"Ifeelli
keI'm
l
ivi
ngmymom' sli
feal
loveragain"sheadded
"Icannever !polygamy?I nfactI'
m donewi t
hmen
afterwhatIwentt hrough.Sizwefvckedmef or
yearssayinghel ovesandhewant smar r
yme, only
forhimt opayf oranot hergir
lwhil
ststi
llwithme.
DidInotcr y?WhenIconf r
ontedhim hetoldmehe
wasn'tconnect i
ngwi t
hme, andthatoursexual li
fe
wasj ustdead…i ndodaoe"shecl appedherhands, "
Amanwhohavebeenf vckingmef orfivefri
kki
n
years.Atfi
rstIthoughtitwasmybur nmar ks
tur
ninghim offbutnah, hewasj ustajerk,i
fhehad
beenhonestwi t
hmef rom thebeginni
ngIwoul dn't
hurtli
kethi
s.Souponmyi nsecuri
ti
esIwentt oa
gynaetochecki feverythi
ngwasokaywi t
hmeand
guesswhatf ri
end"shepr obe,hereyesget t
ingred
"
Whatwast
hei
ssue?
"Thul
adoasked
"Ther
ewasnot hingwr ongwi t
hmebutIdon' thave
awomb"shecr ied, "SizweandIneverused
condomssoIwassupposedt ofallpregnantwi thi
n
theyearsbutmywombi sgoneandIdon' teven
knowhowi thappenedbutIcanneverhavechi ldren
ofmyown"sheexhal edwipinghert ear
sand
fanni
ngher sel
f,"SoIwentt oaseerandwhathe
toldmeshr eddedmei ntopieces,appar entlyallthat
highli
feIwasenj oyingwasf rui
tsofmywomb,
thosewer emyki ds.Fr edusedmywombf oracul t
sacri
fi
ceandt heirgodhasbeenr apingf oryear s
evenafterhisdeat hbecauseappar entl
yFr anki s
ali
veso, Thul
adoFr edconf essedhi slovef orme
befor
ehedi edandIt houghthemeanti tmeanwhi le
i
twashi sguilt
yconsci
oustalki
ng,Iwil
lnever
for
givehim eveni
ndeathforwhathedi dtome.The
seercleansemeandI '
mfree,I'
m evengoi
ngto
churchnowbutI '
m donewithmen"shesaid
snif
fing
"
I'
m sosorryyouhadtogothroughthatmyfri
end,
I
wassowor ri
edwhenyoudissapear
edandnowI
f
eelter
ri
blefornotbei
ngt
hereforyou"Thul
adosaid
"I
t'
sokay,yout
aughtmel ifelessonsever
ychance
yougotandIdidn'tl
ist
en,IreapedwhatIsowed,I
reapedpai
nful
ly.DidyouhearaboutSenzo?"Nana
askedher
"Yeahtot
hinkIwasthiscl
osetodat
inghi
m,hehad
usallf
ool
edhey"Thuladosai
d
"
Yeah"Nanar
esponded
Nomzamogott ir
edofwai ti
ngsoshepr opell
ed
her
selfandwalkedtowardsthetable,
thought hey
weredeepinconversati
onshecouldn'tmakeout
whattheyweretal
kingaboutbutitwasdeep
j
udgingbythei
rbodyl anguage.Theclosershegot
shehear
dthem di
scussi
ngaki
ddi
espar
tyt
hey
werepl
anni
ng.
"Hel
lol
adies,
sorr
ytodi
stur
b..Mi
ssNanaIdon'
t
knowifyourememberme?"Nomzamoasked
"
Yeah…Nomzamohey"Shesai
drel
uct
ant
ly
"Inevert
hankedyouf orhelpi
ngwit
hmymot her,
thoughsherelapsedlandi ngher
sel
finhospi
tal
againandunfortunatelytheycoul
dn'
tsaveherthe
secondtimebutt hankyou"Nomzamosai d
"I
t'
snot
hinghey,
youl
ookgood"shecompl
iment
ed
her
"Yeah, Godhastrul
ycomet hroughforme"She
rummagedi nherbagandcameoutwi t
haR1000,
"It
'snotenoughbutit'sal
lIhavewithmenow,
thankyousomuch"shesai dgenuinel
y,Nana
receivedthemoneyt earf
ull
yGodknowsshe
neededi t
"
Thankyou"shesai
dsof
tl
y
Nomzamobi
dfar
ewel
landl
eft
….
"Ineededt
hismoney,
mysalaryissoli
tt
leat
least
nowIhaveenoughfortr
anspor
tforthemonth"
NanasaidtoThul
ado
"Iwil
lsendyousomecashaswel l,
soI'
m doi
ngthi
s
partyatSharon'shousenotuShakaMari
neI'
m not
goingtoall
owt hesekidst
odentmypockets"
Thuladocompl ained
"Mkhuzenihasmoneyhawu,
spoi
ltheki
ds"Nana
sai
d
"I
t'
snothiskids,hedoesnothavetosayitbutIcan
see,soi
t'sfi
ne.Iwil
lusemyowncash, Iinvi
tedhi m
andhiskidsbutthewivesref
usedandhemadean
excusefornotnotcoming.Ihadnochoicebutt o
bri
ngittoDurbansinceSharonist
oosicklytodrive
sofarandMusaandSf i
so'
skidsarehere"Thulado
said
"
It
'smakessense.
..
sowhi
cht
heme?
"Nanaasked
"Ihavet
obr
ingAval
orandEdendal
etoget
her
becauseLuminjal
oisaf anofpr i
ncessElenaof
AvalorandLubanzil
ikesprincessAnafrom
Frozen…canyouimagi ne"Thuladosaid
"
Andwhatt
hehel
list
hat
?"Nanaaskedconf
used
"I
t'
stheirfavor
it
eTVprogramsbabe"shegiggle,
"MhlengisaidImustmakeithappensoyeahI
cannotgetawayf r
om t
his.Shar
on'shouseisnice
andthere'
sapoolsoIwi l
lworkaroundit
"shesaid
i
nclosing
"
Wel
luseme.
..
im her
e"Nanasai
d
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
34].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er43
*
Dur
ban*
ItwasaFr idayafternoon.Nomzamowasi nher

bluejeans,asimpl eT-shir
tandAdi
dassneaker
s
standinginfrontofNj abul
o.
"Pl
easecomewi thme, I
t'
sful
fi
ll
ingandqui ck.We
wil
ljusthel
pwi t
hdishi
ngthefoodt hechil
drenwi
ll
for
m al i
netocoll
ectandwearedone, t
henwecan
gotothebraai"Nomzamosaidpl eadingl
y
"Aythesechari
tythi
ngsi
sforyounotme,youknow
wherethebraaiis,
youwi
llf
indmethere"Nj
abul
o
argued
"Howcomeyouneverwantt odothi
ngswit
hme,
yetIat
tendyoursoccermat
chesandbraai
'
sbut
whenit'
syourt
urnt
her
e'sal
waysexcuses"she
askedsadl
y
"Don'tuseemot i
onalbl
ackmai li
t'snotcut
e.I'
m
sensiti
ve,Idon'
twanttobel ookingatpeoplewith
pit
if
uleyes, pl
easedon'
tforcemet odothi
ngst hatI
don'twant"Hesaiddismissively
"Fi
nethen,Iwil
lseel
atert
hen"shegr
abbedhercar
keysandleft
AtAlber
tParkthesoupkit
chenwasalreadyther
e
whenNomzamoar r
ived,
oneoftheguysthrewan
apronathershecaughti
tbefor
eitl
andedont he
ground.
"
Sor
ryI
'
mlat
e,gothel
dup"Shesai
d
"Onl
ybecauseyouar
ebeaut
if
ul,
youar
eexcused"
hesaidsmir
king
"Ver
yf unnyJoash"shesai
dblushingali
tt
le,hewas
acuteI ndi
anguy,hehadthosenicehai
rylegsand
helovedwearingshort
sbutshehadaboyf riend
anddi
dn'
twantt
ogi
vehi
mideas.
"I
tseemsli
kewehaveal
otofki
dstoday,
eventhe
str
eetki
dsfr
om Sout
hBeachcaughtawhif
f"Joash
said
"
Ihopeyoudidn'
tmakesoupandbread,
thatusual
ly
r
unoutquick"Nomzamocomplai
ned
"
Icookedbreyanit
oday,
itshoul
dcoveral
ot"He
r
esponded
"l
et'
sdothis"Nomzamosai dtyingtheapr
onaround
herwaist
,shemetJoasht hroughchurchandhas
beendoingthissoupki
tchenwi thhi
m andhi
s
famil
yforacoupleofmont hsnow
"
Yourboyf
ri
endbai
ledoutagai
n?"heaskedbei
nga
l
it
tl
enosy
"
Isn'
titobvi
ous"Nomzamosai
d
Joash'sauntst
art
edcontroll
ingthequeuesothat
handingoutwouldbegin,
withinminuteski
dswhom
l
ivedinthefl
atsaroundAlbertParkhadpaper
plat
eswithfoodinthei
rhands,theysatingr
oups
underthetreesenj
oyi
ngt heirmeal
sandt heshade.
Whent hekidswerecoveredt hent
hestr
eetkids
for
medt heirownqueuewi thacoupleofhomeless
adult
s,theauntydeci
dedt ogoandservet headul
ts
tosavethem theembarrassmentofqueuingupl i
ke
thechil
dren.
Thepot swer eempt yandt hekidswer ef ull,you

couldtellwhent heyst art
edrunningar oundt he
groundswi thasoccerbal l
,Joashandhi sf ami l
y
l
oadedt hevan.Nomzamot ookofftheapr on
ret
urningi ttoJo, whenshewasheadi ngt ohercar
somet hingt oldhert oturnandlookback, hereyes
l
andedont headul tssitt
ingonthegr asseat ing.
Oneoft hem wasst anding,hewaswear ingt orn
shortsandwor noutshoes.Hehadbr acketl egsand
afami l
iartat t
ooonhi sleg,Nomzamor ubbedher
eyesthinkingper hapsshewashal l
ucinat i
ng.
ShetookaU-tur
nandwalkedhi
sdi
rect
iont
henher
phonerang,
shestoppedt
oanswer
.
"
Babe!
"Shesai
d
"Howmuchl
onger
?Thebr
aaihasst
art
ed"Nj
abul
o
said
"I
fyoucamewithmeyouwoul dn'
tbecal
li
ngme
andaskingmesil
lyquest
ions"Nomzamosaid
i
rri
tabl
y
"Hawubaby,
it'
sokayt
hen,
comewhenyour
eady"
hesai
d
"That'
sthepl
anangit
hi?"shehungupwhenshe
turnedtol
ookwherethemysterymanwasstandi
ng,
hewasgone.
Sherant
othegr
oupofmenst
il
lsi
tt
ingdown,
she
greet
edt
hem.
"Sorr
ytodist
urbyoubutt
herewasaguystandi
ng
here,hehasatat
tooonhi
sleg.Wher
edidhego?"
sheasked
"OhSphi
we?Hejustl
eft
"theoneguysai
dtheyall
seemedhomel
esswit
htornclot
hesandfr
ailbodi
es
"
Hisnamei
sSphi
we?
"Nomzamoasked
"
Yes"
,theguyr
epl
ied
"
Oh,hel
ooksli
kesomeoneIknow…t hanks"
Nomzamosai
d,butt
heguyl ookeddisi
nter
est
ed,
"
Wheredoyouguysli
ve"sheaskedfurther
"
Whatkindofquestionist
hatsisi
?Isn'
titobvi
ous.
Weliveeverywher
e,someti
meswebyt hebeach,
f
iel
dstreetandsometimeshere"hesai
di r
ri
tabl
y
"
Ohok,
thanks"shet
urnedonherheel
sandl
eft
*
***
Mkhuzenipar kedoutsideSharon'shouse, hehelped

Thuladobr i
ngthingsinsi
det hestret
cht entthey
hir
edf oroutsi
denextt othepool,t
hepl acelooked
breathtaki
ng.Sharonropedi nherfamilyandf ri
ends
tochipi nandtransf
ormedt hepartydecori ntoa
fai
rytal
e.Thuladowas100%sur et hetwinswoul d
l
oveit
,thet
urquoi
seandr
eddi
dn'
tlooksobadaf
ter
al
l.
"
Thisl
ooksbeaut i
fulmaMdlet
shebutI
'
m verysad
t
hatyoudidn'tuseyourcar
dforal
loft
his,
why?"
Mkhuzeniaskedsadly
"Thet winsaremyr esponsibi
li
ty,whenIdecidedto
bewi thyoui twasnotbecauseI '
ml ooki
ngfora
fatherforthem, hissti
llal
iveandver ymuch
i
nvol ved.Idon'twantyout ost
ressandupsetyour
wives, Icanseehowyouavoi dcall
ingthem out
whent heymi st
reatmychi ldr
enbecauseyouwant
tomai ntainpeaceatyourhome"shesai d
"Not hatcan'tbegood, Iloveyouandyourchi l
dren.
Myhousei st heirhomebecauset hat'swher
etheir
mot heris.Itbreaksmyhear tthatyoudon'tbri
ng
them overanymor ebecauseofwhathappened.The
reasonIdi dn'ttakeitser
iousisbecausewhenI
broughti nmysecondwi f
eitwast hesameissue
amongt hem, Ithoughtit
'safazeofj eal
ousyandit
willpassbutnowIseet hatit
'sser
iousandIwi l
l
sorti
tout,
Ipromiseyou.Iboughtthem gif
tsbutI
won'tst
ayforlong,
Ihaveameet i
ngbackhome, I
'
m
j
ustgoingtowaitsoIcanseet hem i
nthei
r
pri
ncessdressesandIwillgo"headded
"
Nopr
obl
em"Thul
adosai
d
Af t
erthelastbox,Mkhuzenicamebackwi thtwo
giftbagsfrom theboot.Hehandedt heoverto
Thuladoandki ssedher.Hest ayedandhelpedwith
thelasttouchupandi twasr eady,Sharonwasto
bringthem ri
ghtont i
mef orthebigsurpri
se,she
bribedthem withanice-cr
eam dat esotheywouldn'
t
seewhatt heirmotherwasupt oo.Mkhuzenigave
Thuladohi scarkeys,shelookedathim and
frowned.
"I
'
ml eavi
ngmycarwi thyou,mybrotheri
soutsi
de
withmygolf,Idon'twantmywifetowonderand
squashintaxi'
s.Youcandr i
veyoursel
fandthe
chil
drenbackhome"hesmi l
ed
"
Areyousur
e?Thi
sisyourBMW Nyambose?
"
Thul
adoasked
"Anythingformywife…nowIhavetogopl
easet
ake
pict
uresf orme,
it'
salongdr
ivebackt
oMooi
Mpof ana"hesai
d
"Thankyouforever
ythi
ng,
Ireal
lyappr
eci
atet
his"
Sheclungontohim,hesmashedonherli
psand
theydeepenedtheki
ss
*
***
Nomzamoar ri
vedhomeandchangedi ntoapar ty
dressandheel s,thoughshewasn' tinapar t
ymood
shehadt ogof orNj abulo'ssake.Shef oundher sel
f
dri
vingont hewi ndingr oadalongthebeach, she
neededf reshai randapeacef ulmoment .She
decidedt oswitchof fherphoneandnotgot othe
braai.Shef oundaspotont heparkingl otatthe
beachandst eppedout ,whensher eachedt hesand
shet ookoffherheel sandl etthegrai
nsexf oli
ate
herfeet.Shef oundher selfsi
tti
ngbyt hepi er
l
ookingi ntothewat er,herli
fewasi norderbut
somethingwasmi ssi
ng,onl
yGodknowswhat .At
fi
rstshethoughtmaybei fshesleepswit
hNjabul
o
shewoul dfi
llt
hevoi dbutnotevenali
tt
le,
everyt
hingstil
lfel
tthesame.
Whenshel ookedonshor eshespot t

edagr oupof
meni ntheirchur chregaliascoopi ngseawat erwit
h
thei
rtwol it
recokebot tl
es, "wear esobl essed"
Nomzamot houghttoher sel f
, Godhasgi venus
everythi
ngweneedt osur vive.Andt henitdepends
onhowweuset heresour cesgi vent ous, thenher
eyesshi f
tedtoaf amil
yr unningar oundpl ayinga
gameoft agont hesand.Theyseemedhappy, f
ora
momentt heresheenvi edt hatset ting,shenevergot
toenjoybei nginaf amily,itwasal wayshert aki
ng
careofhermot hereversi nceherf atherpassedon
whenshewasver yyoung.Onedayshewant sa
familytoo,justtoknowhowi tfeelstobel ong.
Hereyesroamedaroundlandi
ngonagr
oupof
homelesspeopl
e,sherememberedt
hemyst
eryguy
shesawear l
iersoshewal
keduptot
hem.Even
thoughitwasn'tt
hesamepeopl
eshesaw,
itwon'
t
hurttoask.
"Hel
loguysI'
m sor
ryt
odist
urbyoubutI
'
mlooki
ng
forSphi
we,hehasatatt
ooonhisl
eg"Nomzamo
said
"
Ananchorr
ight
?"t
heoneguyasked.
"
Yes"Nomzamosai
dqui
ckl
y
"HisacarguardatAddi
ngt
onbutsl
eepsi
nfi
eld
st
reet
"hesaid
"
Thankyousomuch"Nomzamosaid,hegavet
hem
R200not
etoshar
eandrantohercar
.
Shepar
kedoutsideAddingt
onandst ar
tedlooki
ng
ar
oundforcarguardsbutnothi
ng,
shewal ked
ar
oundlooki
nglostunti
laguypassingbyasked.
"
Heyar
eyouOK?
"heasked
"
Yes,I
'mjustl
ooki
ngf
orsomeone"shesai
d
f
ustr
ated
"
Ther
e'sacarguar
dthatkeepsducki
ngovert
her
e"
t
heguygiggl
edoverhi
ssnitchi
ngski
ll
s
Nomzamor ant hatdirect

ion, hefoundt hestrange
mansi t
ti
ngont hef l
oorwithhi sheadbur i
edin
betweenhislegs.Hi shairwasl ong,curledupand
knott
ed,clearl
yuncar edfor ,hisskinover l
ytanned
fr
om beingint hesun.Hel ookr oughedupand
scruf
fy,butthosel egsshecanneverf orgetthem.
Shecrouchedi nf r
ontofhi m andt ouchedhi sleg.
"It
houghtt
hatyouaredead"shesai
dgett
ingcl
oser
,
"Fr
ank"shecal
ledhi
m soft
lybuthi
sheadremai
ned
buri
ed.
*
***
Shar
onpar
kedi
nheryar
dthet
winswer
eal
readyon
asugarr ushbutt hatwasnecessar ybecauset hey
hadguest stoent ertain,theywer eturningsi xt oday
andt hepar tywason.Shar ont ookt hem st r
aightt o
thehouset ochangei ntothei rcust om made
princessdr esses, Lubanziwasi nbl ue,bl
ackand
withapi nkcapewhi lstlumi nj alowasi nr ed, both
princessesr epr esent ingt heirki ngdoms.Musa,
SfisoandNanasati nt het ental ongwi t
ht heot her
kids, someofShar on' srelativeschi l
drenwer eher e
andt heexci tementont heirfaceswer eunmi ssable.
Thul adocamei ntost ylethei rAf ro'
sintocut egirl
ie
buns, sheaddedsomeshi mmer ingaccessor ieson
them andt heyt rulylookedl iker oyalty.Firstitwas
Lubanziwal kingi nt oherFr ozensong" Leti tgo"the
childrencheer edsi ngingal ong, thenLumi njalo
camei ndancingt oherupbeat" Elena"songshe
wasj ammi ngasshewal kedi nandi tkindof
remi ndedThul adoofMhl engi .
Theyallsati
nthei
rappoi
ntedtabl
e'sforthatpar
ty
tobegi
n, t
heMCgr eet
edthechil
drenbutLubanzi
outofnowherescreamedontopofherl ungs,
somet
hingyouwoul
dexpectf
rom Lumi
njal
o
"
Daddy!Daddy!Daddy!
"ever
yonest
oppedand
l
ookedtothedir
ect
ionshewaspoi
nti
ngat.
Lumi njal
ocl i
mbedont het abl
eknockingofsome
plateswithchi psandmar shmal l
ows,youdidn'
t
needt otellhert wiceshespr i
ntedtoMhlengi'
s
directi
onbutLubanzij ustwailednotknowingwhat
todowi t
hher self,Thul
ado'shear tbr
oketoseeher
childr
enl i
ket his.Shewentovert oLubanziandhel
d
herhand.
"
Come…l
et'
sgomeetdaddy"shesai
dtohersof
tl
y.
Mhlengistoodatthebackofthet hetentwitht
wo
wardensbehindhim, hewasinabl acktuxedowith
aredandbl uenapki
nt uckedi
nhi ssuitj
acketfor
bothEdendaleandAval or
,youcouldseehi ssexy
bracketl
egsvisi
blyinthatsl
imfittr
ouserhewas
wear
ing.Luminj
alowasalr
eadyinhisarmsbythe
ti
meThuladoandLubanziarr
ived,
MhlengiputLumi
downandpickedupLubi.
"Heyprincess!don'tcry...
daddyi shere"hesaid,he
putherdownandhel dbot ht heirti
nyhands" Iheard
therewasabi gpart
yt obehel dher e,
Edendal eand
Avalorcombi ned,Ij
ustcoul dn'tmissit"hesaid
huggingbot hofthem.Thewar denshadt wobi g
presentsintheirhands, Thul adoshowedt hem
wher etoputthem.Shar onwasacr yi
ngmess, she
camet ohugMhl engiandever yonewhoknewt he
storycouldn'
tstopwi pingt heireyes,itwastoo
emot i
onal.MusaandSf i
socamet obrohugt heir
fri
end,theyspokeaboutaf ewt hingsandt hepar t
y
resumed.
Itwasthebestdayeverwheni twastimef
orgames,
theki
dschangedi ntomorecomf or
tabl
ecl
othes,
l
uckil
yMhlengi'
scl ot
heswerekeptinShar
on's
housewhenThul adogotevi
cted,hewasinshort
s
andasimpl
eT-shi
rtaswel
ljoini
nginthef
un.
Thul
adosatnextt
oNanaawf ull
yqui
et.
"What
swr ongf
ri
end?Youhavebeenver
yqui
et?
"
sheasked
"Hedidn'
ttellmehiscoming,seeinghi m here
makesmesomad.YouknowIdon' tevenknowhow
Ifel
linl
ovewi thMkhuzenihonestlybecausecl ear
ly
mymi ndandhear ti
ssti
llhere"shesai dpointi
ngat
Mhlengiwithhereyes
"
It
'snotl
atet
ochangeyourmi
nd"Nanasai
d
"I
tis,theguypai dl
obolaandhasbeenamazi ng,
whatwi llbemyexcuse? .Youknowbet weenyou
andme, Ihavetatt
oos"Nanagasped, shockedthi
s
wasThul adoshewast alki
ngt oo,"
shhhqui et
"she
whispered, "
Ihaveoneonmyl owerbackwi th
Mhl engi
'snameoni tandMkhuzenidi dn'
tevenask
meabouti t,
Iwassoembar rassed"shesaid
"Maybehismatur
edenought oknowthatyoudid
them bef
oreyoumethim, t
ellmeabouttheother
one"Nanaaskedinqui
sit
ivel
y
"
Someot
hert
ime"Thul
adoanswer
ed
Itwasget t
ingdar kandt heguestswer eleavingi n
dribsanddr abs, Nanaalsoleftshehadwor kt he
foll
owi ngmor ning.Sfi
soandMusaal sobi df arewel
l
takingt hei
rki dswi t
h,Sharonofferedtot uckthe
twinsi n.Mhl engihadachatwi t
ht hewar denand
theydr oveof f,hewentbacki nside.Thuladowasi n
herni ghtdressaf t
eranicelongbat h,shewasgl ad
thatthepar tywasover ,shesentaf ewpi csto
Mkhuzenioft hegirlsandthei
rf r
iends,shebi d
goodni ghttohi m andputherphoneont hepedest al
.
Mhl engiwal kedi nandwentst rai
ghttot he
bathroom, af teracoupleofmi nutesher eturnedand
j
oinedshor tyundert hecovers.
"
Thankyouf
ort
his,
itwasper
fect
"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Theyar
emyki dsaswel
l"shesaid,
"Whydidn'
tyou
t
ellmet
hatyouwerecoming?"sheasked
"
Iwantedtosurpr
iseyouhawu,Ikeptmyf
reepass
f
ort
his"hesaidsmili
ngather
"Whyar
eyoushowi
ngmeyourdi
mpl
es"sheasked
get
ti
ngredont
hecheeks.
"Wenawhyareyoul
ooki
ngatmyf
ace!
"heasked
pul
li
nghercl
ose
"
Becausenaweyoul
ooki
ngatme"shesai
dgi
ggl
ing
"I
sitt
rue?Thatyouar
enowsomeone'
swi
fe?
"he
askedhisvoi
cefi
ll
edwit
hpai
n
"EyMhlengiIdon'
twanttotal
kabouti
t,youmadei
t
cleart
hatyoudon'twantmeandthatIshoul
dmove
on…Idid"shesaidir
ri
tabl
y,shej
umpedoutofbed
"IknowIsai
ditbuttogetmarr
iedshorty?Doest
his
meanyoudon' tl
ovemeanymor e?"hesaidj
umping
outofbedfol
lowinghert
othewi ndow
"Ijustdon'
t"shepausedcover i
nghereyestryi
ngto
hidehertears,"
Idon'tknowwhat 'sgoi
ngon,Ilove
yousomuchMhl engibutIalsoloveMkhuzeni
…I
don'tevenknowhowt oexplainit
"shesai
d
Tl
ofTl
ofcont
ent
Mhl engihel dherf rom behindki ssingherneck
sendi ngsensat ionsal loverherbody, shesqui rmed
underhi m,"Doeshemakeyouf eelli
ket his?"
Thul adoshuthereyesbr eathi ngl aboriously,he
pickedheruppi nninghert ot hewal l
,Thul ado
coul dn'tst
opst aringathi sbigl i
pst heywer ejustso
i
nviting.Hehel pedheroutofherl it
tl
esi lknight
dressandshewasl eftexposed, hebal ancedont he
wallwi thhi sknee, hethendet achherf rom thewal l
takingherbackt obed.Hegr azedhi slipsont oher s
hishandf indingherpvssyt hatwasal readymoi st
andr eady.Heki ssedherpassi onatelygent ly
squeezi ngherf ullbreasts,Thul adowant edhim
i
nsideofherasi nt hismi nute, shedi dn'tevent hink
aboutherhusband.Mkhuzeniwho? .
Mhlengiplant
edwetki ssesalloverherbodyl eaving
wetcoldtrai
lsallthewayt oherpussy,Thuladol et
outamoanar chingherpelvi
cant i
cipat
ingonwhat
wastocomenext ,
Mhlengigentlypushedherback
downspr eadi
ngherl egs,hekisseditfi
rstadmiri
ng
theyummyf r
uit,
ithasbeenl ongsi ncehesawt he
realthi
ng,hiscockt wit
chedinexci t
ement .He
dippedhist onguedeepi nsi
deherhol e,Thulado
closedhereyesl ettingthepleasur esubsideher
whol ebody, Mhlengislidhisfi
nger si nwhilehe
l
appedandl ickedt heli
quidsglisteningoutofher
sleekpvssy, Thuladoscr eamedi ndel ight
.She
squeezedhi sheadi nbetweenhert highswhenshe
fi
nallyreachedherhappypl ace, Mhl engipoli
shed
hisblackcockbef orepositi
oningi tonherwet
entrance.
Hekissedhersensual lyashepl ungedhiscock

i
nsideherpvssyunhur ri
ed, heshuthi seyes
savori
ngt hemomentt hefeel ingwassogoodhe
wantedt ocry.Thuladohuggedhi mf r
om hiswaist
pushinghim deepi nsi
de" Fvck"heut t
eredsoftl
y,he
beganmot i
oninginandout ,thewar mthandmoi st
wasjustever ythi
ngheneeded, heincreasedhis
paceknowi nghewon' tlastl ong.Thuladostarted
moani ngloudandhedi dn'twantt odissapointher
sohehel dhimsel fi
nassheexpl odedoncemor e
buthequi cklypulledoutpanti
ng,"Turnaround"he
ordered,Thul adocompl i
ed.Heglancedattheinkon
herback, itwasat remendouslyhipnot
iconher
sexypetitebody.Thul adobuckedherass, l
aying
herchestf latdownj ustl
ikehetaughthim how,
givi
nghim agor geousviewbutMhl engitr
acedhis
handont heanchorandf l
owersarounditwereso
perfect
.
Hef eltsoweakandemotionalbecauseheknew
thatthispi
ecewasinspi
redbyhi m butwhenhi s
eyeslandedonhisnamepr int
edont hesmallofher
backhedr apedhisarmsaroundher .Hefel
lont he
bedhol di
ngherinhisar
ms.
"
Andt
hen?
"Thul
adoasked
"Gi
vemeasecond"hesai
dhi
dinghi
sfaceonher
back
"
Areyoucr
ying?
"sheaskedconcer
ned
"
Forwhat
?"her
epl
iedwi
thhi
sthunder
ousvoi
ce
Hel i
ftedheronel egandent eredherf rom theback
whi l
est il
llyingont hesi de, hisonehandgr abbedon
herbr eastwhi l
ehepl oughedi ntoher ,ther hyt hm
wasst eadyandser eneThul adowasamoani ng
mess, Mhl engiwant edtokeepheri nhi sar ms
forever.Thent heyr esumedt heirdoggyst ylebef or
e
theywer eint errupt edbyMhl engi 'sepisode, he
rummagedhi sbl ackcocki nsi dehol dingherwai st
wi t
hbot hhi svei nyhands, hist ouchwasdel i
cat e
whenhandl inghi sshor t
y.Hehammer edi ntot hat
meat yhol ewhi l
el i
cki nghi sl i
ps, graduallylooki ng
athisname, hi slipscur vedi ntoasmi leashe
swel l
edwi thpr ide.Thi swashi snomat t
erwhat ,
shor t
ywashi s.Hef uckedt hatpvssyl ikehowt he
ownershoul d, Hegr untedwhi l
er ummagi ngt hrough
thoset inglingf leshest hatkeptgr azi
nghi scockso
beaut i
fully.Thul adowascr yingr ealtearsf rom t he
pleasur e,shecoul dn' tr
emembert hel asttimeshe
wasf uckedsogood.Mhl engiincr easedhi spaced
digginghi shandsdeepi ntoherski n,her oar edand
frozer i
ghti nsi deshoot inghi sl oadi ntoherwomb,
allhisveienspoppedoutandhistoescurl
ed
proddingi nt
othesheet
s.Theystayedl
ikethatfora
coupleofsecondsassweatt ri
ckl
eddownt heir
bodies,theybothfl
oppedontothesheetsfaci
ngt he
ceil
ing,hissemenmakinglinesdownThuladobum
l
ine.
"I
'
m notdonewit
hyou"Mhlengisai
d,Thulado
shif
tednextt
ohi
m,rest
ingonhischest.
2021
-
--
--
--
Haveal
ovel
yweekend
[
11/
22,
14:
35].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er44
*
Dur
ban*
Thenextmor ni
ngwasal azyone, Mhlengiwi shed
hedi dn'
thavetogobackt oPr i
sonbuthi spasswas
over,thewardenshavet oreturnhim bef orehe
breacheshisconditi
ons.Thul ado'sphonevi brated
ont hepedestal,
itwasMkhuzenihecl ickedhi s
tongue.HecheckedonThul adoshewasf ast
asleep,sohemadehi msel
fcomf ort
ableont hebed
andwentt hroughherphone.Hef oundapi ctureof
Mkhuzeniinhi sfamousdresscode, hegi ggl
ed
l
ooki ngathisredcarvel
awhenhewassat i
sfiedhe
senthimsel
fhi
snumberandapi
ctur
ethenheput
Thulado'
sphoneback.
Heshower ed, l
otionedanddr essedupt henhewent
i
ntot hesecondguestr oom wher ehisdaught ers
wer esleeping, hegent l
yturnedt hedoorknoband
thepicturehef oundt herewasj usttoobeaut i
ful
.
Theyl ookedsoomuchl i
keThul ado,thecuteness
wasj ustover whel ming.Heki ssedbot hoftheir
foreheadsbef or eshakingthem t owakeup, hegave
them af ewmi nutestoyawnandst r
etch.
"Myangel
s…daddyneedst
ogoback"hesai
dwi
tha
sadvoi
ce
"Pl
easestaybaba,pl
easeIwantyout
ostaywit
hus.
Idon'
tli
keuncle'
schil
drent
heyaresomeantous"
Lubanzisai
d
"Yesdaddyandi
fwehitt
hem t
hei
rmother
sshout
atus,t
ell
ingust
ogobackhome"Lumi
njal
osai
d
"
Wai
t!Whatdoyoumeant
hei
rmot
her
's?
"Mhl
engi
set
tl
ed
"Theyl
ivet
ogetheri
nthesameyar dbutdif
ferent
housesandwel i
veinuncle'
shousebecause
mummy' shouseisnotfi
nishedyet
"Lumisaid.
"Unclehastwowi vesandmummyi snumberthr
ee,
hissecondwi feGugu'
smot herbeatuswit
hher
shoebecauseweacci dental
lyspil
tjui
ceonher
carpet"Lubanzisai
dsadly
"Excusemeshedi dwhat ?Whatt
hefuck…notmy
girl
s"Mhlengisai
dboili
ng,hest
oodupand
mar chedouttheroom backt
owhereThuladoand
him weresleepi
ng.
Hef
oundheront
hephonewi
thMkhuzeni
…
"Swi
t chthatthi
ngoff"her oar
edpointi
ngather ,
Thuladowi denedhereyesi nshock,sheindi
cated
forMhl engit
okeepqui etbutinst
eadhet ookthe
phoneandsmashedi tont hewall.Thul
ado'sheart
gotst uckonherthr
oat, sheswall
owedhar dshe
wassoscar
edseei
ngMhl
engisoangr
y.
"Sofrom al
lthemanyoucoul dchooseThul adu,you
choseapol ygami st?I
nf actfr
om nowonwar dsit'
s
noneofmybusi nessbuthowi sitthatmychi l
dren
aregetti
ngabusedunderyourwat chshor t
y…how?
Inganezamizi yashaywaandIhaven' tevenlai
da
handont hem?Nowl i
stenandl i
stentomecar ef
ull
y,
myki dsarenotgoi ngbackt oMooiRi ver.Theywill
stayherewi t
hShar onandIwi l
lpersonall
yhirea
nannytohel pher, t
akeyouryourst upidassback
farmsandenj oyyourmar ri
age…notwi thmyki ds
nxa"hewal kedout
Hef
oundSharonhavi
ngteai
ntheki
tchen,
she
smi
ledput
ti
ngdownhercup.
"CanIaskyouaf
avorpl
ease"hesai
dcat
chi
nghi
s
breat
h.
"
Anyt
hing"Shar
onr
epl
ied
"Canmygirlsst
ayherewi t
hyou, Thul
aduistoosoft
andIjustf
indoutshe'sinapolygamistmarri
age,I
knowforsuremychi l
drenwil
lsuf f
erandshewon't
domucht oprot
ectthem"hesai dinthever
geof
tear
s
"I
fshe'
sokaywi
tht
hat
,Iwi
llgl
adlytaket
hem i
n.I
t
getsl
onel
yonmyown"sherepl
ied
"Shedoesn'thavemuchofachoice,
theydon'
twant
togoandt heylai
dthei
rhandsonmygi r
lsShar
on"
hesaidpainful
ly
"Ohgoodnessgraciousme!Thatcan'tbegood,I
wil
lmakesur et
heyst ayplusThul
adoissti
llpr
ett
y
muchahoar derbeent r
yingovert
heyearsbutshe'
s
notbudgi
ng"shesai d
"LookIwilldowhat
everi
ttakestokeepmykids
here,evenifi
tmeansput
ti
ngt hesoci
alwor
kson
her"Mhlengisai
d
"No!Don'
tdothat,Iknowyouloveher.Don'tacti
n
angeri
fyoudot hatitwi
llr
uinwhateverchanceyou
havetogetherback"Sheadvised
"
Att
hispoi
ntIonl
ycar
eformychi
ldr
en,
Thul
adoi
s
mar r
iedandt
oapol ygamist.I
'
m surethatguyi
s
fuckenbit
chthatsleepsaround, I
'
m notgoingt
o
comebackonadi seaseinfestedvagi
na…nope"he
saidwalki
ngaway, Sharonshookherheadand
sippedonhertea.
Meanwhileupstai
rsThuladobl ast
edtheki dsfor
sni
tchi
ng,sheinstr
uctedthem t ogetreadysot hey
cangobackbutt hekidsrefused.Sheat t
emptedt o
smackthem butMhl engibudgedi nandglaredat
her
,shelookedawayembar rassed.
"Youar estayi
ngwithgogoShay, mummywi llcome
visi
tyouwhenevershewant s.I
nt hatwayIknowno
onewi llbehit
ti
ngyouf orsi
ll
ythings"Mhlengisaid
l
ooki ngatThulado.Daddyisgoing,Iwil
lcontinueto
callyouandchecki fyouarebehavingwell"Mhl engi
said
"WhataboutmeMhl engi,
doesitmatt
erwhatIhave
tosay?Ineedmychi l
drenwit
hme.WhymustIbe
alone?Myfeel
ingsdon'tmatt
ertoanyone?Youare
picki
ngonmebecauseI '
mt inyandcannotstandup
formyself
?"shecri
ed,Mhlengipul
ledheroutofthe
chil
dren'
sroom i
ntothenext.
"Shor t
yl i
stentome, I'
m sor r
yOKbutt hesear emy
children.Iwi l
lnotal l
owt hem tobei nan
envi r
onmentwher etheycannotbef reeandhappy.
Youst i
llneedt olearntost andupf oryour sel
fand
pleaset ellmehowar eyougoi ngtopr otectthem
whenyoucan' tprotectyour self
?Shor t
ypl easestop
thismadnessbef oreit'
stool ate,t
hisguy…hewi l
l
hur tyou, Icanguar anteeyout hathewi llbe
bringinganot herwi fesoon, hisgotthemoneyf orit
butasf oryou, i
t'
lll
eaveyoubr okenbabe.Iwi l
l
comeoutsoonandIwi l
lgiveyouever ythingthat
youeverwant edandmor e, pl
easemaMdl etshe"
Mhl engisai dcalmly
"OK,Iwil
ltal
ktohi
m andIwil
lst
opallofthi
s.I
talso
hurtmetoseemychi l
drent
hist
err
if
ied,I
'
m sorr
y"
Thuladosaid
"I
ntheti
mebei
ngl
ett
hem st
ayher
e"Mhl
engi
beggedher
"
OKf
ine"sheagr
eed
Hekissedherpassi
onatel
ywhenhepul l
edouthe
j
okingl
ysaid"goandbrushyourteeth"Thulado
chuckl
edcoveri
ngherface.Shedissapearedint
o
theguestbat
hroom.
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
Thuladopar kedinsideherf ather

'syardwithher
heartploddingagainstherchest ,shewentstr
aight
tohermot hersr
ondaval ,Nhlanhl
ocaughtagl i
mpse
ofherandr anaft
erher .Theyent eredatt
hesame
ti
me, shet hrewherselfonthebedandcr i
edloud
withapi l
lowcoveringherf ace.
"
Hawuwhathappenednow?
"Nhl
anhl
oasked
concer
ned
"
I'
mi nshit
,Isl
eptwithMhlengiandI ovedi
t.Idon't
r
egretIwanthim butI'
m soscarednowbecause
Mkhuzeniwil
lfl
ip.Mhlengibr
okemyphonewhi l
eI
wasstil
lonthephonewi t
hhim,I'm soscar
edt o
f
acehim"Thuladosaid
"I
st hatwhyyouar ecrying?Mxm….Justst op,
I'
m
goingtogetyouvi negar ,
youwilldrinki
tandsoak
yournunuini t,
youwi llbefi
neanddon' tyouhave
fr
iendsinDur ban?Cookupast or yandaskafriend
tobeanal i
bihawu…t hisissi
mpl eandt henwork
outanexitplan"Nhlanhl osai
ddi ssapeari
ngoutthe
door
Aft
eraf ewminutessheret
urnedwiththevi
negar,
Thul
adodr anki
tandsoakedherpr i
vat
esinitas
i
nstruct
edthenshesattherelooki
ngatNhlanhl
o.
"Herecal
lhi
m"Nhl
anhl
ogavehert
hephone,
she
dial
edhim
"
Hel
lo"hesai
d
"Nyambosei t
'smeThuladu,youwon' tbeli
evethis
butIsleptatNana'
splaceafterthepartybecause
Sharon'sfamil
ydeci
dedt osleepoveraftertheparty.
Twomenr obbedusatgunpoi ntwhileIwast al
king
toyou,bavelebat
helekanjeandr ansackedmy
fri
endshome.Idon'thaveaphoneaswespeakbut
I'
m homenowandI '
m exhausted"Thuladosai d
"
Who'
sphonear
eyouusi
ngnow?
"Mkhuzeniasked
"
Nhl
anhlo,
I'
m athomeandI'
mt i
red,
canIseeyou
t
omorr
ow"Shesaidpl
eadi
ngly
"
I'
m comi
ngt
ocheckonyoul
ater
"hehungup
Thulado'shear
tpoundedhar dyoucoul dheari
t,she
hadscenar i
osinherheadandt heywer eall
horri
fyi
ng,whatifheaskherquest i
onsandshe
sli
psupi nvol
untar
il
y,suddenlyshefeltnot
hingbut
l
ovef orMkhuzeni.Shewasn'tsureifshewantst o
l
eavehi m anymore,Nhlanhl
opul l
edheroutofher
thoughts.
"
And?
"Nhl
anhl
oasked
"
Hiscomi
ngt
oseemel
ater
"Shesai
dner
vousl
y
"Rel
ax,hewon'tknowunl
essyougivei
taway,i
fyou
areshaki
nglikethi
shewi
llknowsomethi
ngis
wrong"Nhlanhl
osaid
*
***
*
Dur
ban*
Tl
ofTl
ofcont
ent
Zamosatont hebedlooki ngathiminhisdeep

sl
umber ,
underthatshabbyhai randraggedbeared
wasaver yhandsomeman, hiseyesweresti
llhazel
nomat t
erhowhar dhetriedt odenyhi
sident
ity
ear
li
eronNomzamocal ledhi m out
.Hewasleft
def
eatedandendedupl eavi nghandinhandwi t
h
herfrom thatcarpark,
Nomzamocoul dn'
tstop
cryi
ng, shecouldn'
tbeli
evethathewasal i
veand
suff
eringrightunderhernosewhi l
esheelevated.
Hetracedheranonymoussponsorf orherdegree
anditledbackt oFrank,butatthatt
imeitwast oo
l
ateforhert othankhim becausehewaspr esumed
dead.
Shebookedhi mintoahot elbecauseher efusedt o

gotohermot her'
shousej ustincaseitcatchesf i
re
too,Nomzamovouchedt ost aybyhim untilhegets
backonhi sfeet,sheundr essedleadinghimi ntothe
showerandscr ubbedhissmel lybody.Shedi dallof
thi
sjoyful
ly,Frankdidn'tsayawor d,
hejustl ether
be.Shescr ubbedhim cleanandwhenshewas
sati
sfi
edshedr i
edbot hofthem, thenhelotioned
him andtuckedhi m underthecoverl i
keal i
ttlebaby.
Hisli
pswerecr
acked,mult
ipl
ybruisedonhi
sface,
youcouldj
ustt
ellt
hatl
if
edealtwit
hhi m
accordi
ngl
ybutt
hesparkinhiseyeswassti
llt
here,
allheneededwaspropernut
ri
tionandahai
rcut
,
thentherealFr
ankwil
lemerge.Heopenedhi
seyes
andsmi l
edlooki
ngather.
"
Youneedahai
rcut
"Nomzamosai
dchuckl
ing
"
Youdon'
tli
sten"hesai
dget
ti
ngoutofbed
"
I'
m donel
ist
eni
ngtoyou,i
t'
sti
methatyoul
ist
ent
o
me"Nomzamosaidfol
lowi
nghim
"I
'
m cur sedZamo,your
eal
lyneedtoletmego"he
saiddissapear
ingi
ntot
heti
nybathroom t
obrush
histeeth
"
Romans3:23Forallhavesi
nnedandf
allshor
tof
t
hegl
oryofGod,but1John1:9
Ifweconf essoursins,
heisfait
hfulandjustt
o
forgiveusoursinsandtocleanseusf r
om all
unrighteousness"Nomzamosai dconfi
dentl
y
"Nomzamol ookatme"hesaidshruggi
nghis
shoul
der,heri
nsedhi
smout hthenwentbackint
o
thebedr
oom
"
Frankyoucan'
tdenymeachanceathappi
ness
becauseyouthinkyouarecursed,Il
oveyoudamn
i
t!,It
ri
edtomoveonanddot hingstomakeme
happybutkushodawena"Nomzamosai dshout
ing
(youaret
hemi ssi
ngpiece)
"Doyout hinkIlovelivi
ngli
kethis,gi
vingupont he
l
oveofmyl i
fejustbecauseIcan?Doyouknow
howmuchmyhear tyearnsforyou?ButIhavedone
terr
ibl
ethingsandi tbeatsmehowI '
m sti
llali
ve
todaybecauseGodknowsIhavebeenwai t
ingfor
mydeat hbuti tref
usest ocome"heshout edback
"Youknowwhy?I t
'sbecauseofmypr ayer
sandmy
tearsthat
'swhatkeepingyouali
ve"shesaid
throughhertearst
hanshechuckledshakingher
head, "
Idi
dn'tf
indyoubymi st
akeMrSi mmons"she
wal kedcl
oser.
"Isacr
ifi
cedyourvir
gini
tyt
omygod, mymot herwas
sureshehadki l
ledyouint
hataccident
,you
suffer
edbecauseofme"Fr anksai
dwi t
hglisteni
ng
eyes,"I
'm sor
ryZamo"hesaiddroppinghishead
"
ButIdidn'
tdie,
youknowwhy?Becauset
hereisa
manthatlovesmesomuchthathewentagai
nst
hi
sf amilyandhiscultj
ustt
osavemyi mpover
ished
l
ife.Youpaidmybi l
ls,myphysi
osoIcouldwalk
again,youpaidforadermatol
ogistt
otr
eatand
nourishmyskinandmyeducat ion"Nomzamosaid
walkingcloser
"Whatisthat?Justmateri
als,
Ididallofthat
becauseImadeyougot hroughallofthat.Just
i
magi newher ewil
lyoubeifyoursacrif
icewas
accepted,yourl
if
ewouldbedest royed"hesaid
"
Butitwasn'taccept
edandI '
m herer
eadytowal
k
t
hroughhellwithyou"shesaidpassi
onat
ely
Frankmovedbackwi thhishear tpoundi ng,t

hisgirl
want edtoawakenabeasthehadmanagedt oput
tosleepformanyyears,shewant edhim andhe
knewhecoul dn'
tref
useit.Shet rappedhi m onthe
walllooki
ngdeepintohiseyes, Frankflashedher
hisfamoussmi l
ethatal
waysgotNomzamoweak
toherknees.Frankhel
dherwai stpull
inghercl ose,
hekissedhersloppi
lynervously,hehasn' tbeen
i
ntimat ewi
thawomani nyear sandt hiswas
Nomzamo.Hedi dn'
twanttomessitup,Nomzamo
pushedhim ontothebed,hewasstarknakedhis
cockrockhard,Nomzamot ossedal
lofhisold
cl
othesint
ot hebinpromi
singtogethim newones.
Shehel dhiscocki nherhands, Frankt riedtogetup

butshepushedhi m down.Shewasn' tthatinnocent
virgi
ngi rlanymor e,sheknewhowt ohandl eher
mansoshespatonhi scockandst artedst r
okingit.
Frankgr untedwhenshesl iditi
nhermout h
war mi ngitup,thenshel i
ckedandsl urpedi nand
out ,
Fr anksatupgr abbingherbr aidshegent ly
pushedherheadi nandoutofhi scockgr adually
closinghi seyes.Thi swast oogoodt or efuse,when
hef elthewascl osehei ncreasedhi spacef vcking
hermout hNomzamosl ightlygaggi ngwi t
htears
comi ngoutofhereyes.Fr ankremovedherhead
andshothi sloadal loverherneck, hegr abbeda
towelt owi pehert henhepi ckedheruppl acingher
ont hebed.
Nomzamowasweakunderhi slovespel l,Frank
kissedherpassi onately,whi lehisf ingersfucked
herunhur ri
ed,helefthermout handl ickedand
suckedonhert i
tti
esNomzamol ovedt hesensat i
on
from thatsur pri
singl
y.Fr ankwasnoweat i
ngher
pussyt hebestwayheknewhow, hef ocusedont he
clitwhilehisf i
ngerscar essedt hemeati nsideher
pussy, Nomzamowasmoani ngi nsomuch
pleasur e.Frankkeptonwor ki
ngont hepussyunt il
Nomzamosqui rt
edal loverhi sf aceandhands, he
wi pedhi sfaceandpr opelledhi sbi gcockonher
ent r
anceandr ammedi nsideherf oldswi t
hout
war ning" awemah"Nomzamocr ied.Fr ankalways
l
ovedi tfastandhar dsopoorNomzamowas
fuckedl i
keshe'sonar oller-coast erride.He
ploughedi nherinangl est hatbl ewhermi ndaway,
shescr eamedor gasmi ngf orthesecondt i
me.
Frankturnedheroveranddugi nt
ohersl appi
nghis
bodyintoher s,
hewant edtoseehi
shipsandbums
j
iggli
nglikejell
y,Nomzamocr i
edinsurrenderFrank
i
ncreasedhispacef reezi
nginsi
deher,hisfeet
l
aunchedi
ntothebedcover
s"Fuck"hemutt
ered.
Hefl
oppedonthebedNomzamosl owlyf
oll
owed,
t
heywerebothpanti
ng.
"
Whatawow"Nomzamosai
dinawe
"
I'
m sor
ryIgotcar
ri
edaway"Fr
ankapol
ogi
zed
"
Itwasper
fect
,If
eelal
ive"Nomzamor
epl
ied
Theyf
eelasl
eepshor
tl
yaf
tert
hat
…
*
***
Nomzamopar kedout sidehermot her'

shouset he
nextmor ning,
havingbeenawayf oradayspendi ng
i
twithFr ankatthehot elwithherphoneof f.She
spott
edNj abulo'
scarwhi chmeanthesl eptover
herei
nsteadofhi shouse, sheclickedhertonguei n
annoyance.Sheunl ockedt hedoorandent er ed,she
wentstraighttothebat hr
oom towashof fallthe
goodsexshehadbef
oreNj
absnot
ice.
Njabuloglancedatherf rom thecor nerofhiseyes,

hewasi nfuri
atedbyherbehavi or.Sincewhendoes
sheswi t
chherphoneof fandsl eepout ,hewassur e
shewascheat i
ng.Heknewt hi
sconductt oowel l
becauset hat'
swhathedoesundet ected,hestrut
ted
i
nherdi recti
onshi rt
less.Hecoul dn'tevenclosehi s
eyeslastnightthinkingaboutanymanhumpi ngher
gir
lthewayhedoest heentirenight,hecould
almostseet hedifferentstyleshedi donher …that
darndoggyst yle!Hef el
tli
kecrying…hef eltl
ikecrap.
"Wherear
eyoucomi
ngfr
om anddon'
teventhinkof
l
ying"Nj
abul
osai
dfi
ndi
ngherwipi
nghersel
finthe
bathr
oom
"YoucancallLondy,Idecidedt
ohaveagi r
l'
snight
i
nstead.Si
nceyoudon' tli
kedoingthi
ngswithme,I
fi
guredwhyshouldIcomet oyourbraai
'
s"shesaid
shruggi
nghershoulders
Njabul
olookedatherwithrageinhiseyes,i
twasin
thewayshespoket ohim,theatt
it
ude.Just
becauseshe'sst
ableshehadat endencyofcoming
outasrude,shelookedatherandcli
ckedhis
tonguewalki
ngaway.Hegr abbedhiskeys,hi
sshir
t
andwalkedout,Nomzamoexhal ed…thatwastoo
damnclose,nowsheneededawayoutoft his
rel
ati
onshi
p.
*
Sixmont
hsl
ater
….*
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
35].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er45
*
Dur
ban*
Thepast orchosetobethecheeseandgar
nishto
thesandwi ch,wi
thNomzamoandFr ankoneit
her
sides.Hedar t
edhiseyestoandfr
othenhe
chuckledlight
ly.
"Howdoesitf
eelt
obeanewmanSi
mmons?
"The
past
orasked
"Iwi
shIhadwor
dst odescri
bei
tbutt
heyjustr
un
awayassoonastheyreachmyli
ps,i
t'
samazing"
heanswered
"
Good, nowgoandsi nnomor e!Leadaholyl
if
e.
Godblessestheright
eous!Hesurroundst
hem wi
th
favorl
ikeashiel
d"hesmiledl
ookingatFrank
"
Yespast
orandt
hankyou"her
epl
iedr
espect
ful
ly
"Nomzamo!CanIst
ealSi
mmonsforamoment
"the
past
orsai
dlooki
ngatNomzamo
"Sur
e!"shesai
d,Frankhandedovert
hecarkeyst
o
herthenshewalkedaway.
ThepastorandFr
ankt
ookacoupl
eofst
epsi
n
awkwardsil
ence…
"IknewNomzamof rom thet imeshewasal i

ttlegir
l,
sheuset oat tendmywi fe'
sSundayschoolcl ass,
verybr ightchi l
dandshehast hatsparkinher .
Sadl yherpar ent swer en'tbelieversbuttheyal lowed
hert ojoi nthenei ghborst ocomet ochur chever y
Sundayandj ustl i
ket hatshebecameapar tofour
fami l
y.Thenei ghbor sthati ntroducedhert ous
relocatedt oRi chard'sBaybutt hatdidn'
tdi m her
l
ights, shest i
llattendedchur chf ai
thfull
y.Wewent
onaf astandpr ayf orhermot herwhenshegave
herlifet oal coholandsmoki ngbutunf ortunat elywe
cannoti nterferewi ththewi llofGod, I
'm sureyou
arewonder ingwhyI '
mt ell
ingyoual lofthis"the
past
oraskedobser
vingFr
ank
"
Nonopl
easecont
inue,
I'
mint
erest
ed"Fr
ankr
epl
ied
"Iknowyouar everyinterested"hechuckl
ed,
"Nomzamoi sadaught erofmi neSi
mmonsandI
wantwhat 'sbestforher .Icanseethatsomet hi
ng
i
sgoi ngonbet weent het woofyouandIencour age
i
tbutyouwi l
lneedt ost epupanddot herightthing.
Iwi l
lnotstophavingt hisconversat
ionwit
hyou
unt i
lIgetaninvit
ati
onf orlobol
anegoti
ati
ons, I
wantt omar r
yyouof fsoIcanhavepeace.Just
becauseshe' sanor phandoesn' tmeanshe'salone,
shehasgotmywi feandI …soSimmonsdot her i
ght
thingndoda!"headded
"
Yespast
or"Fr
anksai
dshyl
y
"Alsonowt hatIknowshe'swithyou,Idon'twantto
hearanyst or
iesaboutthatboycall
edNj abulo.His
l
uckyI 'm apastornowot herwi
sebengizomubamba
ngenqi ndikubencaneindawo,uyadelel
al oyamfana
(Iwasgoi ngt opunchhi mtoapulp,his
disrespectful
)"thepastorsai
d
"
Nomzamohasar
est
rai
ningor
deragai
nsthi
m,I
'
m
al
sowat
chi
nghi
m"Fr
anksai
d
"Good…letmel
eaveyoutoenjoyyouraf
ter
noon,I
wil
lseeyouonSundayagai
n"theyshookhands
andwentonopposi
tedi
rect
ions.
Frankhoppedont
ot hedr
iversseat,
hetookthe
keysfr
om Nomzamoandst art
edthecar,
meanwhileshest
aredathim wait
ingforhi
mt ospi
ll
.
"
And?Whatwast
hatabout
"sheaskedi
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"Not
hingmuch,justmenstuf
f"Fr
anksai
ddr
ivi
ng
outofthechur
chparki
nglot
"
Hawu,
whatmenst
uff
"Nomzamoasked
"Justmenst uf
f,Icanonlyt
ellyoui
fyouarea
man. .
.hencemenst uf
f"hesaidemphasi
zingt
hen
hewi nkedather
"mxm"Nomzamosai dlooki
ngoutthewi
ndow,
Frankchuckl
edf
ocusingontheroad.
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
ItwasaSundayaf ternoont hesunwasset ti

nginit
s
beauti
fulorangeandMdl etshewassitt
ingout si
de
withhi
sdaught er
sNombusoandNhl anhlo.They
wereeatingamadumbe( Yams)andsweetpot at
oes
whilewaiti
ngforsupper ,Mkhuzeniparkedout si
de
theyard.Hejumpedovert hegateandmar chedto
wheretheywer esi
tting,hisnosefl
aredlikethatofa
camel,hewasi nf
uriated.
"
Wher
eismywi
fe"hecutt
othechase
"Justbecauseyouhavemoneyyouthinkyouar
e
God, ourgat
eiscl
osedfort
hedaywhichmeansno
visi
torsbuther
eyou.Howdidyouentermyyard
youngman? "Mdlet
sheaskedget
ti
ngwar medup
"I
'
m nother
eforsmal
ltal
ks,
thi
sfami
lyhad
humil
iat
edmeenough,gi
vememywi f
e!"Mkhuzeni
r
oar
ed
"DoyouseeThul
adohere?"youdon'
tevengr eetyet
youaski
ngusnonsense.Youbeatupsisterandshe
fl
ednowyouwanttocomeandaskus.Weshoul d
beaski
ngyousgoralent
oeshayaabafazinxa"
Nombusospatangri
ly
"I
'
m nottal
kingtoyou, yousupposedtomar r
iedi
n
yourownhome, insteadyouareherepopping
babi
esfrom dif
ferentmensoshutt hefvckup"
Mkhuzenisaidpointi
ngatNombuso
"Youar everydisrespectf
ulMthethwa, I
'm gl
ad
Thuladur an,Ihopeyouneverf i
ndher .Youdon' t
deservemychi l
d,youar eawil
dani mal,itwi
llnot
bewel lwithyougoi ngforwar
d.Yout alki
ngtoyour
elderandyouar est andi
nginsult
ingmydaught ers
andI "Mdletshesaid
"Idon'
thavetimef orfor
mali
tiesol
dman, Ij
ustwant
mywi feandIwi l
lleaveyoualli
npeace.Ihave
everyri
ghttobeangr y,Thul
adocheatedonmeand
fel
lpregnant,
nowt el
lmeMdl et
shehowwoul dyou
havereactedifyouwer einmyshoes?Wehaven' t
evendoneourweddingceremonybutshe'salr
eady
l
ooseli
keaprosti
tut
e.Ihaveeveryri
ghttobeangry,
buti
t'
sokay…I'
m wil
lingtofor
giveherandtakeher
backhomebecauseIl oveher
"Mkhuzenisaid
"NoIhavehadenoughofyoui nthesecoupleof
mont hs,Iwi
lldi
ebeforeIletmydaughterret
urnto
youaf t
erwhatyoudi d.Youhavethemoney,find
anotherwifeandleavemyl oosechi
ldalone"
Mdletshesaiddismissivel
y
"I
t'
snotuptoyouoldman, Ipaidl
obolaforThul
adu
andyouacceptedit
.Dotherightt
hingbeforeIf
orce
yourhand"Mkhuzenisai
dangril
y
"Thul
adugaveyouyourl obolabackbutyour efused
i
t,awusimel engenyongowenaMkhuzeni !Wasi t
notyouwhowasal sofoundwithThobekai nyour
yard,
aschoolgi rlri
ghtunderyourwivesnose?
Whatdoyoucal lthat
?We' r
eyounotcheat i
ngon
yourwivesandonThul adu?Orit'
sjusti
fi
edbecause
youareaman?Youar ejustmadbecausemysi st
er
showedt hatyouar enothi
ng,somethingthatyour
wiveswoul dn'
tdobecauset heydependonyou, you
l
ousyexcuseofaman.St oplooki
ngf ormysister,
shedoesn'
twantt
obef ound,
it'
sapi
tybecausewe
havetosuf
fert
oobecauseofyou…rubbi
sh"
Nhlanhl
osaidi
nhi
sface
Mkhuzenisl appedheracr osst hef ace,shehel dher

cheek.Mdl et shegr abbedhi swal kingst i
ck
balanci ngt ost andup, whenhewasonhi sfeethe
strokedMkhuzeniacoupl etimeswi ththever y
samest i
ckbutMkhuzenil osthi stemperand
pushedhi mt ot het hef loor.Hef el
lonhi sbunsand
wincedi npai n,Nombusoj umpedonhi m whi l
e
Nhl anhl or ani ntot hehouse, shegr abbeda20l itr
e
bucket .Out sideMkhuzeniki ckedNombusoonher
stomachshef eltweakst agger ingback, whilehe
wasf lexingNhl anhl opour edt hewhol ebucketof
wat eronhi m.Thenshebeathi m wi ththebucketoh
hishead, Nombusor egainedherst rengthand
grabbedt hest oolshewassi tt
ingon, t
hepai rbeat
Mkhuzenif astgi vinghi m notevenchancet o
breat he.Hesawanoppor t
uni t
ywhenNhl anhlo
realizedt hatherf atherwasi npai nont hefloor,she
rant ohel phi m, Mkhuzenir anj umpi ngoutt hef ence.
Nombusokeptonscr eami ngandswear i
ngathim,
whenher eachedhiscarher eal
izedthathiskeys
weren'
tinhispocketpr obablysoakingwetont he
gr
oundf rom t
hewat er.Fortunatel
yhi sphonewas
i
nhisbackpocketandi tdidn'tf
alloff,hecal
ledhi
s
br
othertocomewi thaspar ekeyf orhisBMW.
Laterthatni ghtNhlanhlogaveMdl etshepai nkil

ler
s
ri
ghtaf terhissuppersot hathecansl eept hepain
off
, shesatont hesideofthebedl ookingather
fat
herpi tif
ully.I
fhehadsonsshebett helikesof
Mkhuzeniandever yothermenwoul dn'twalkall
overthem l i
ket heyaredoingnow, theyt ook
advant agebecausehewasol dandpower less.On
herwayt oherr oom, shedecidedtocal lThuladu
butherphonewasn' tgoingthrough,shegr owledin
i
rri
tationbecauset heywereal sowor r
iedabouther .
Shedeci dedt ocal
lNana.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dpant
ing
"
Hisor
ryt
odi
stur
byou"Nhl
anhl
osai
dapol
oget
ic
"NoIj
ustwal
kedi
nfr
om wor
k,howcanIhel
pyou?
"
sheasked
"St
il
lnonewsonThul adu?Mkhuzeniwashereand
heattackedus,butwer et
ali
atedandI
'm scar
edhe
wil
lreturn"Nhl
anhlosaid
"
Whydon'tyoucall
thepol
iceonhi
m,geta
r
est
rai
ningorder
?"Nanasaid
"I
tdoesn'
tworkher
e,hisgotmoneysoheget
s
awaywithalot
"Nhlanhl
osaidsadl
y
"I
nal lhonestyIal
sodon'
tknowwher
esheis,even
Sharoni sworri
edabouther
.Shet
ookherki
dsand
dissapeared"Nanasai
d
"
Iguessshesafet
hen,
Ijusthopethi
sfooldoesn'
t
f
indhernkosi
yami
"Nhl
anhlorepl
ied
"
YeahbutI'
m wor
ri
edaboutyouguysnow,whatif
t
hisguyhar
assyoucont
inuousl
y?"Nanaasked
"
Notwhatif,
hisal
readydoingi
tbutwefine"
Nhl
anhlosai
dheavingasigh,t
heyspokesome
moreandshehungup
*
***
*
Dur
ban*
Nanat ookabatht
henshesnuggl
edunderthe
sheetsofhersmal
lbed,
shethendial
edherlove
i
nterest.
"
Awmabhebeza"hesai
d
"
howar
eyout
oday?
"sheasked
"I
'
m goodnowt
hatI
'
mtal
kingt
oyou"hesai
d
chuckl
ing
"
lookIneedyourhelp,
canyoupleasegi
veme
Mhlengi
'
snumberi t
'surgent
"shesai
d
"That
'
seasybutwhati
sini
tforme"heasked
naughti
ly
"
OhmygoshSf
iso,
Icannotwi
thyou"Shegi
ggl
ed
"
Not
hingi
sforf
ree"hesai
d
"
OKke,
whatdoyouwant
?"Nanaaskedbl
ushi
ng
"
Iwantust
ogoeati
ce-
cream eWor
kshop"hesai
d
l
aughi
ng
"
Awngeke"shelaughed,"
Notevenl
unchatKFC…
I
'
mtoooldforthat
"shelaughedsomemore
"
I'
mjoki
ng"hej
oinedi
nlaughi
ng,"Iwantustohave
l
unchatMoyobythepi
er"heaskedconfi
dentl
y
"
OKIcandot
hat
"shesai
dbeami
ng
"Ial
sowantyoutodresscomfort
ably,
youdon't
needtohideyourburnmarks.Il
oveever
ythi
ngin
you"hesai
dinaserioust
one
Therewassi lence,Nanawi pedhert earsasher

emot ionsgotthebetterofher,shewasal ways
feel
inghotundert helayersofcl othesshewear s
becauseherbodywasherconf idenceandaf terthe
fi
reshedevel opedalowsel fest eem anditdi
mmed
herlights.Af
terthepartyshewenthomewi thSfiso
andt hingshappenedandnowt his.
"
Areyoust
il
lther
e?"heasked
"YesI
'm her
e…Iwi
llseewhatIcando"she
answered
"Per
fect
!Iwil
lsendyouMhl
engi
'
snumbershor
tl
y
onwhatsapp"heanswer
ed
"
Thankyou"shesai
dandhungupqui
ckl
y
Af
teramomentt
oher
sel
fshedeci
dedt
ocal
l
Mhlengi
…
"
Hel
lo"hesai
dinhi
sdeept
hunder
ousvoi
ce
"
It
'sNana"shesai
dimmedi
atel
y
"
Sho"hesai
d
"
Thul
adui
smi
ssi
ng!
"shesai
d
"
OK?
"hesai
d
"Mkhuzenii
sharassi
ngherfami
lybackhome,t
hey
arescaredt
hathewilldosomet
hingdr
asti
c"Nana
saidfur
ther
"Sh!
t"Mhlengisai
d,"
OKt hankyouforlet
tingme
know…canyousendmeanumberofaper sonIcan
contact
,aslongasit
'snotThuladu'
sfather"
Mhlengisaid
"
Iwi
llsendyouNhl
anhl
o'snumber
"Nanasai
d
"
Sho"hehungup
*
***
*
Thenextmor
ning*
Itwasaround4:30am Fr
ankputonhi
swor
kboots
andkissedNomzamoonhercheeksheshi
fted,
he
satnexttoheronthebed.
"I
'
ml eavi
ng,
Iwil
lseeyoul
ater
"hesai
dtr
aci
nghi
s
handonherface
"
Didyoumakel
unch?
"Sheaskedi
nasl
eepyvoi
ce
"Yesandmadef
oryouaswell,Iwil
lcal
lyouat6am
soyounotl
atef
orwork"heassuredher
"I
'
m soproudofyou"shegi
ggled,
"fr
om aCEOtoa
gener
alworker,
wit
hthatat
ti
tude,
youwillgof
ar"
shesaidsmil
ing
"Thankyouf ornotgi vinguponme"heki ssedher,
"I
'm goingtobef atherandIhavet opayl obolafor
someone.Idon' thaveachoi cebuttowor khard,
surpri
singlyit
'sveryf ulf
il
li
ng,nowIknowwhati t
meanst obreakyourbackandwor khard.Iknow
howi tfeel
st obethosegent l
ement hatusetowork
forFredandI ,it
'snoteasybei ngtoldbysomeone
whatt odobuti t'
sfulfil
li
ngknowingyouear ning
yourkeep"hebeamedpr oudl
y
"Wel
lgogetthem Simmons"shesai
dsl
ight
ly
smacki
nghisarm, heki
ssedhert
henhelef
t.
Nomzamobr ushedhertummy, i
twasn'
tbigbutshe
knewsomeonewasgr owinginsi
deanditwassuch
agreatf
eeli
ng.I
t'
sbeenahect i
cfourmonthstr
ying
tobri
ngFrankbacktoli
fe,shewasthi
scloseto
givi
ngupunt i
lthedayshef oundoutshewas
pregnant .Frank'sat t
it
udechangedi nst ant l
y,he
couldn'tbel i
evei tatfi
rstbecauseoft heircul the
wassur ehewoul dn'
tbeablet ohaveki ds, hestil
l
beli
evedt hathecoul ddr opdeadanymi nute
becauset heonlywayoutoft hePhant om was
deathbutbyt heGr aceofGodal lofthatwas
reversed.Nomzamodr aggedhi mtochur ch,the
fi
rstcoupl eofSundayswer ejusttosavef ace, t
ime
wentbyhest artedaskingquest i
onsandt hatwas
whenNomzamoknewhewasact uall
yl isteningto
thewor d.
Sheadvi sedt hattheygoonaf astandpr aywhich

wasver ysuccessf ulbecauseatt heendFr ank
wantedt oknowmor eaboutt hi
sGodpeopl espeak
sohighlyof f,thepastorst eppedinandhegothi s
deli
verance.Hest art
edappl yi
ngforwor k,aft
era
multi
tudeofr eject
ionwhi chhedi dn'tt
akewel l,
he
fi
nall
yr eceivedacal lfrom aconst ruct
ioncompany.
Theyneededper manentgener alworkersandFr ank
gothimsel fhired,despitetheear l
ymor ningsand
har
dlabour
,hewasamanonami
ssi
on.
Atexactl
y6am Fr
ankcal
ledNomzamo,
she
answered…
"Ti
met ogetupsl eepyhead,Ij
ustarr
ivedatwor
k,I
foundthetaxi
'
sf ullatt
herank,Idi
dn'
thavetowait
"
hesaidchuckli
ng
"
Howi
stheweat
her
?"sheaskedj
umpi
ngoutofbed
"I
t'
schi
ll
ybutbyt
hetimeyoul
eavet
hehouse,
the
sunwil
lbeout
"heassur
ed
"Wellt
hankyou,
I'
m upnow"shesai
dyawni
ngand
str
etchi
ng
"
Awesome,letmegoandmarktheregi
ster
, send
meatextwhenyouarri
veatwork,
Iwil
lcallyouat
l
unchti
me"Frankassur
ed
"
OKbaby,
Iloveyou"shesai
d
"
Iloveyoumor
e,t
akecar
e"hehungup
*
***
Nomzamopar kedoutsi
detheyardtol
ockthegat
e,
t
henshejumpedi nhercaranddroveof
f,
meanwhil
eNjabulowasparkingonehousedown
f
rom her
s,hefoll
owedher….
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
36].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
[
unedi
ted]
Chapt
er47
*
Dur
ban*
"Njabul oMakhanyahasbeenseenout si
de
Nomzamo' shomeandt hispr ovest hatallofthisis
medi tated, itwasper fectl
ypl anned.Heknewhe
woul df indheral oneatt hatt i
me, hej umpedover
thef enceandi nvitedhimsel fi nmi ssNomzamo' s
homeandat t
ackedher ,never thelessMrMakhanya
i
sal soaf irstti
meof f
ender ,af atherandat ax
payingci t
izen.Theaccusedi schar gedandpl eaded
guiltytoassaul twi thintenttodoGr ievousBodi l
y
Har m, possessi onofani l
legalf ir
ear m andt he
breachoft hepr otectionor deragai nsthimt herefore
Ifi
ndNj abul oMakhanyagui ltyoft heaboveandwi l
l
besent ence3year sf orassaul t,10year sforthe
unlicensedf ir
ear m and6mont hsf orgoingagai nst
ther estrainingor der.Cour tdi smi ssed!"the
magi stratebangedt hegavelont hedesk, sher ose
toherf eetandl eft
.
Njabulostoodupandbl ewaki sstohisbabymama
andsonast hepoli
ceescor tedhim downt hest
air
s,
thebabymamaj ustsatt herewit
ht earsstr
eaming
downherf ace.Shedi dn'tknowwhati sitshedidt
o
deservesuchhur t
,from thecheatingsheendured
from Njabulot
obeingl efttofendforhersonalone.
Shegat heredherstuff,
wi pedhertearsandleft
.
Meanwhi leFr ankhel pedNomzamoup, thankf ull

y
thebabywashi ghlypr otectedf rom al ltheext ra
paddingi ntheut erus,thoseki cksf rom Nj abul o
couldonl ygivehi m avi brationnohar m obt ai ned
butNomzamohadt obehospi tal
isedf ort hr eedays,
shehadbr ui
sesandswel l
ingonherf ace.Nott o
ment i
ont heexcr uciati
ngpai nshef eltont hesi deof
herribcage,shef i
ledforsi ckleavesoshecoul d
stayathomeandr est.Frankst il
lfeltli
kei twasn' t
enough, hewant edt oteachNj abuloal essonhewi l
l
neverforgetf ortryingtoki llNomzamoandt he
babybuthehadt olearnt hatnotal lprobl emsar e
solvedbyvi olence, somet imesweneedt oal lowt he
l
awt
otakei
t'
scour
sei
swhatNomzamot
oldhi
m
*
***
Nanawassi t
tingoutsi
deeat i
ngherl unchqui ckly
beforesheget ssummonedbacki nside,shenow
understandsThulado'sfrustr
ationswor kingasa
cashier
, youcouldhardlybreatheandt he
customer saresomet i
mesannoyi ng.Herphone
ranginherpocket ,
shedr ewitoutandanswer ed.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dsof
tl
yaf
terchecki
ngt
hecal
lerI
D
"
Mabhebeza"Sf
isosai
dont
heot
hersi
de
"
Unj
ani
"sheasked
"
Ngi
grandwena?
"heasked
"
I'
m good"shesai
dthent
heawkwar
dsi
lence
"Iwon'tbeabl
etomakeitf
ortomorrow,ther
e's
somethingwearesor
ti
ngoutinMpof ana,It
hought
i
twillbedonebynowbutit
'sprovi
ngt obedif
ficul
t.
I'
m notcanceli
ngonourdat ebutI
'
m post
poni
ng,
as
soonasIr et
urnwewi l
lresumemaybewecandoa
weekendatSout her
nSun? "hesai
d
"AdateatMoyobyt hePierisperf
ect"Nanasai
d,
shewantedtotaket
hingsslowandnotgetexcit
ed
fort
hesoftl
if
eanymor ebecauset hepri
ceshepai
d
waswaymor ethanwhatshebar gainedfor
"
Perfect
,letmenotdel
ayyouf
urt
her
,Iwi
llcal
lyou
l
ater
"Sfisosai
dandhehungup
Nanagobbledthelastofhersandwi
ch,
shest
ood
updust
ingoffherpantsthenshemadeherway
backi
nsidethestore.
*
***
ThuladojumpedinhercaroutsideLif
eeNtabeni
hospit
al,
sherushedtofetchthetwinsfr
om thei
r
newschoolinGlenwood,theyfoundahappyhome
i
nManorGar densjustafewmi nutesawayfrom
HowardCollege.Att
herobotshenoti
ceda
par
ti
cularcarthatwast
ail
ingherfr
om thehospi
tal
,
shedi
aledMhl engi
.
"
Shor
tyi
sever
ythi
ngOK?
"hesai
danxi
ousl
y
"
Ther
e'sacarthat'
sfol
lowi
ngmewhatmustIdo,
I
'
m scared"Thul
adusaid
"OKl i
stentome…br eatheinandout,Iwantyout o
drivetothenearestpolicest
ati
onOK?Whi l
eyoudo
thatIwantyout odescr i
bethecarandgetmet he
numberpl ate…Don'tpanicandavoi
deyecont act,
j
ustf ocusont heroadanddr i
ve"Mhlengisaid
calmly
"
OK…ohGod"shesai
dwi
thhervoi
cebr
eaki
ng
"Short
ycal
m down,rememberyourBPshouldn'
tgo
up,whatcari
sitandthecolor
?"Mhl
engiasked,
Thuladogl
ancedattherearvi
ewmirr
or
"I
t'
sabl ackgol
fgti
"Thul
adosaidwhil
edr
ivi
ngas
fastasshecould,
thankGodfortheBl
uet
oothshe
couldtalkwhi
ledr
ivi
ng.
"
OKgood,youdoi
ngreal
lygood…Nowtryandget
methenumberpl
ateandanyt
hingt
hatmighthel
p
t
heguys"Hesai
d
"It
'sND600"shepausedglanci
ngattherearview
again,"
454t hedr
iveri
sfai
rski
nnedwit
haf ade…
that'
sallIcanseeMhlengi
"
"OKgreat,
keepdri
vinghewon'tdoanyt
hing,his
probabl
ylooki
ngforagapt oi
nti
midat
eyou, don'
t
l
ookathim keepyoureyesontheroadunti
lyou
dri
veint
oapol i
cestat
ion"Mhl
engiemphasized
"
O-okandmyki
ds?
"Thul
aduasked
"
Iwil
lcallt
heschooltokeepthem ataf
tercar
eunti
l
wesortoutthi
scarthat
'sfol
lowi
ngyou, OKbabe?I
l
oveyou"hesaid
"Okay"shesaidtur
ninglefti
ntothepol
icestat
ion,
thecarwentpassinf ul
lspeed.Thul
adoletouta
breat
hofr el
ief
.
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
NhlanhloandNombusobr oughtteaandbutter
ed
steam breadtot
hemensi t
ti
ngout si
detheyardwit
h
Thulado'
sf at
her
,theyt
hankedthenandstarted
eati
ng.
"Soyouarefr
iendst
oLuminjaloandLubanzi
's
fat
heryousay?"Mdl
etsheaskedagai
njusttobe
sure
"
Yebobaba"Sf
isosai
drespect
ful
ly
"Isee"hesai dsi
ppingonhi stea,
"Howdi
dyou
knowaboutwhatt hisboyisdoing??,
thi
sboyhas
disrespectedmeint hi
svil
lage.Hehasnorespect
forelders"hesai
dpai nf
ull
y
"Don'
twor ryabouthi
m baba,Mhlengisai
dwe
shouldn'tleaveunti
lthi
smatteri
ssor t
edout.
Mhlengit oldustocomeher eonliasonwit
h
Nhlanhlo"Sf i
sosaid
"
OhNonhl
anhl
a,mmmhOK"het
ookabi
teofhi
s
br
eadandsi
ppedonhi
shi
tbever
age
Meanwhi
lei
nsidethehouseNhlanhl
oand
Nombusohadthei
rshareoflunch,t
hedist
ressand
t
hetensi
onaroundtheyardwasoverwhelming.
"Ibl
ameThul
adof
oral
loft
his"Nombusobl
urt
ed
out.
"Don'tberi
diculous!Howwasshegoi ngt oknow
thatMkhuzeniusedmut hionher ?Youj ustl i
ke
blamingherf oreveryt
hingt hatgoeswr ong
somet i
mesthi ngsgobeyondyourcont rol .Wenadid
youknowt hatyourbabydaddywasamar ri
edman?
Oryoual sofoundoutaf teryouhadanewbor nbaby
i
nyourhands!Mustwebl ameyouf orf
al l
ing
pregnantbyamar ri
edman?Nosi sibutwe
understandthatyouwer emani pulated.Thul ado
didn'
twantMkhuzeniIr ememberver yclearly,she
toldmeshewasn' tint
erestedj i
kiji
kishe' smadl yi
n
l
oveonl ywhendadpoi ntedi toutitstartedtomake
sense.Ifhewasn' tsoobser vantThul adowoul dbe
apunchi
ngbagkaMt
het
hwa"Nhl
anhl
osai
d
"Iunderst
andkebutshe' ssafel
ytuckedwher ever
sheiswhi l
ewebusydodgi ngbull
ets,herownf ather
hasbeendehumani zednotoncebutt wice,
sorryf or
myout burst
sbutit'
sbr eaki
ngmyhear tt
osee
Mdletshethishel
pless"shesaidwipinghertear s.
"IknowIfeelthesamebutThuladohast okeepher
chil
drensafeaswellandMhlengisentusprotecti
on,
that'
sgoodenough.Theonlypersonwhoweshoul d
beangryatrightnowisMkhuzeni,t
hatidiot
ic
douchebagneedst opayforwhathedid"Nhl anhl
o
said
"
TheangerIhaver
ightnowi
sindescr
ibabl
e"
Nombusoadded
"Iknowhowyouf
eel
dade,
hewi
llpay"Nhl
anhl
o
said
Theycontinuedconver
singunti
lthei
rlunchwas
fi
nished,
theywentoutsidet
ocollectt
heempty
mugsandpl at
esfr
om theguys.
*
***
*
Inhospi
tal
*
Mkhuzenist aredatt hecei l

ing,thatambusht ook
him bysur prise.Neveri nmi ll
ionyear sdidhet hink
hewoul dgetat tackedi nhisvill
age, everyonef eared
him becausehewasaMt hethwa!Hewasweal t
hy
anddanger ous.Heknewi twasn' tacoi ncidence
thathewast argetedshor tl
yaf t
erthatjailbir
dgave
him awar ning, couldi tbethattheyhavet he
Mdletshehomest eadsur rounded?Thatwon' tbe
goodf orhim, t
akingi ntoaccountt hathei sn'tsur e
aboutthesepeopl e,
theywer ealljustamyst eryand
thei
rmast er mindwasi njai
lyethecoul dst i
llmake
thi
ngshappen.
Hehir
edatrackert
olookf
orThul
adoinDurbanand
whenhesentamessagetoinf
orm hi
mthathehas
foundherwasgreatnews.Nowal
lneedsheneeds
todoisbri
ngherbackhomeunderhiswi ng,she
couldbeki
cki
ngandscr eami
nghedidn'tcare
asongassheret
urnshome.Hecall
st hetrackerguy.
"
Hel
lo"Theguysai
d
"
And?
"hesai
d
"Shemusthavenoti
cedbecauseshedr
ovei
ntoa
poli
cest
ati
on"theguysai
d
"
damni
t!
"Mkhuzenisai
dangr
il
y
"Don'
tworryboss, Iwi
llchangecarsandf ol
lowher
tomorrow…I'm goodatthis.Ij
ustneedtoseewhere
herkidsgotoschoolandwher eshest ays"hesai
d
eversochil
led.
"
OKIwi
llwai
tforyourcal
l"Mkhuzenisai
d.
"
Nopr
obl
em"t
heguysai
dandhehungup
*
***
*
West
vil
lePr
ison*
Mhlengimarchedupanddownthecel
lwai
ti
ngf
ora
cal
lfrom hi
sfri
endsont
heoutsi
de,
hedial
edSf
iso
i
nfuri
ated.
"
ShoKr
uger
!"Hesai
dal
mostwhi
sper
ing
"Theydidn'
tfi
ndthatmor
onthatwasfol
lowi
ngmy
gir
l,hi
scarwasabondoned…what'
sthenextpl
an?
"
heaskedi mpati
ent
ly
"
Ithi
nkIneedtogobacktoDurbani
fThul
aduand
t
hechil
drenar
eindanger
"Sfi
sosaid
"
NonoIneedyout owatchthatsh!
tfl
y,eveni
fhe
movesani nchIwanthi
sbrainsspl
att
eredonthe
f
loor…heannoysthesh!toutofme,Musai swi
th
t
hem andt heywon'
tbegoingoutunti
lIfi
ndhim"
Mhlengisaid
"Mhl
engidon'tdoi
tmfet
hu,youal
mostther
edon't
ri
skget
ti
ngcaughtbecauseyouwil
lregr
eti
t"Sf
iso
sai
dconcerned
"ThenwhatmustIdohuh?Thuladoneedsthatj
ob,
shecan'
tbeabsentf
ortoolong.I'
m sur
ether
e's
somethi
ngwecando"Mhl engisai
d
"
Ihaveani
dea…gi
vene24hour
s"Sf
isosai
d
"
Sho"Mhl
engihungup
Mhl
engifl
oppedonhisbedcoveri
nghisf
ace
f
eel
inghel
pless.Apr
isonercameint
ocallhi
m.
"
ShoKr
ugerbr
aTumel
oisaski
ngf
oryou"hesai
d
"
Whatnow?
"heaskedi
rr
it
abl
y
"
Ther
e'sanewKr
ugert
hatneedsini
ti
ati
onandhe
want
syoutodoi
t"t
hepri
sonersai
d
"Argh"Mhlengigrowl
ed,"AsifIdon'
thaveenough
problems…tellhi
mI '
m coming"hesaidannoyed
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
36].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er46
*
Dur
ban*
Nomzamousual l
ygethomebef or
eFr ank,theperks
ofbeingat eacher ,shebusiedherselfwi t
hprepping
fordi
nner .Shewascr avi
ngforsomet hi
ngmeat y
butfi
lli
ngt hereforesheopt edforalambpi l
au,she
choppedherveggi eswhi leboi
li
ngherr ice.Shethen
seasonedt hel ambst ewandcookedi t,
shewas
goingtoputal it
tl
ebi tofcurr
yandchi ll
iestoavoid
amout hfulfrom Fr ankabouttoomuchspi ceswhi l
e
pregnant.Shemadeher selfasandwi chandsat
downwhi let
hefoodwascooki ng,af
terawhi leshe
wentt ocheckherbubblingpot sandeverythingwas
blendingaccordingl
y.Shehear ddiff
erent
testi
moni esabouthowpr egnantwomenpi ckand
choosef oodclearl
ynotherbecauseshest i
lleats
everythi
ngandawhol elotofittoo.
Thef oodwasr eadyandi twasjustacoupl eof

minut esleftforFrankt ogethome, shefellasleep
onthecouch.I nherdeepsl umbershef el
tacol d
met aldiggi
ngi ntohercheeks, whensheopenedher
eyesherhear tskippedabeatandadr opofur i
ne
wetherpant yliner,
itwasNj abulointheflesh.He
l
ookedvexedandpet ri
fyi
ng, heputthegunaway
andyankedNomzamooutoft hecouchbyher
brai
ds.Sheadher edregardlessofthepainshewas
feel
ing,herheadf oll
owedhi shands.Hepi nnedher
tothewal lpressedt hesideofherf acetot hecold
concr et
e,hepr essedi thardasifhewant edt o
breakherj aw
"Pl
ease"Nomzamomanagedt
osay,
tear
sgushi
ng
outhereyes
"WhyNomzamo?It houghtIwoul dgetoverwhat
youdi d, buteverydayIaskmysel ft hever ysame
quest i
onwhy?Andt heonl yper sonwhocangi ve
met hatansweri syou.Youcompel l
edmet o
changesot hatyoucanbehappy, Ididbutt hat
wasn' tenoughf oryou.Ihavebeenher ef oryou
whennobodycar ed, Istoodbyyoursi dewhenyour
mot herwassi ck, Iheldyout i
llyouf ellasleept hose
dayswhenshepassedonandyoucoul dn'thandl e
thepai n…Nj abulowast here,yesImademi stakes
butIf i
xedt hem, heckI '
m notper fectbutIl oveyou,
andwhatyoudi dt ome?Youspatonmyf aceand
discardedmel i
ket r
ash.NomzamoIcheat edyes
andi twasyourf aultbecauseyoudi dn'
twantt o
connectwi thmesexual ly,youknewIneededi tbut
becauseyouwant edtocont r
olme, youposedl ikea
virgi
nsoIwoul dn' tbotheryou.St i
llIstayedwi th
you, Ilovedyou, youwat chedmel i
keaf ool
planningaf uturewi thyouknowi ngver ywel lthat
youar en' tt
heresf ebe!Hi di
ngbehi ndchur chyou
prostit
ute"heletgoofhershef ellonthegr ound
holdinghercheekandmovi ngherpai nfulj
aw, "
Now
Iwaitedf oryouforal mosttwoyear stot apthatass
andt hatfoolresurfacesandyouopenyourl egs
wideopenf orhimi nsecondswhi lestil
lina
rel
ationshipwi t
hme!Asi fthat'
snotenoughyou
breakupwi thmeandgetar est
raini
ngor der
withoutevengi vingmecl osureNomzamo?Tohel l
withNj abulo!whatdoest hatyell
owbonehavet hatI
don'thave?Whyhur tmelikethisbabe?
"I'
m sorr
yNj abulobutIwasscaredtotel
lyouhowI
reall
yfel
laboutFr ank,Icoul
dn'
tli
etoyouany
l
onger .I
sn'titbett
ertoknowthetrut
hthanli
vinga
l
ie.Nowyoucanbewi t
hyourbabymamaf reely,
that'
sgoodr ight?Foryourson"Nomzamosai d
nervously
"Thi
si sallgoodf oryou"heroar
ed, "
Don'tdot hat
,
don'tactlikeyoudi dthi
sforme,thisisallbenefi
cial
toyou.Inal lhonestyIcanmoveont hat
'snot
problem butt hatt
hingyouarecarryinginyour
stomachi st ormenti
ngme, i
t'
sli
keaconst ant
remindert hatyoucheatedonmeandyougotaway
wit
hit…andIcan'
thavet
hat
"hesai
dscr
atchi
nghi
s
head
"Nj
abul
opl
easedon'
thur
tme,
please"Nomzamo
begged
Njabulopi ckedherupandsl appedheracr ossher

face,sheshr i
ekedi npain.Het hent hrewheront he
fl
oor,hewal kedtowar dsherwhi leshecr awled
reachingoutf orthecouch.Nj abuloki ckedher
stomach, Nomzamoscr eamedcover ingitwi t
hher
handsbuther emovedt hem andki ckedi tagain.
Meanwhi leFr ankl ookedatthewat chshewas
goingt obeat adl at
etoday,thet axitookl ongtofil
l
upint own, Nomzamomustbewor ri
ed.I naf ew
minutest het axicamet oahal tdownt hestreetand
hejumpedout .
Hesawt henei
ghbor speepi
ngthroughthecurtai
n,
heshookhisheadsomepeopl eactuall
yneededt o
getal
ife.Heunlockedthegateandenteredclosi
ng
i
tshutbutnotlocki
ngit,hewasgoingtodot hat
l
ater.Thecloserheapproachedt hedoorhehear d
soundsofthingsbreaki
nghepi ckeduphi sf
eetand
bolt
edtothedoor ,
hiseyeswi denedl ookingatt he
amountofbl oodonthefloor.Hedr oppedhi sbag
andchargedt owar
dsabust edNjabulo, hedidn't
expecttobeher ef
orthi
sl ong,hewant edtohur t
Nomzamoandl eavebeforeherguyr eturnedfrom
work,hetookhisti
mecal culati
ngt heirstep.
Frankdisarmedhim ofhi
sgunandhechokedhi
m
againstthewal
l.Hi
seyesbecomingsmal
landeeri
e,
Njabuloswall
owed.
"Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
?"heaskedi
nragef
il
led
voi
ce
"
I-
Iwasl
eavi
ng"Nj
abul
osai
d
Fr
ankkickedhiminhiscr
otchusinghi
sknee,
Nj
abuloyelpedi
npainsli
ghtl
ycrouchi
ngthenFrank
wokehim upwit
hauppercuthisheadhitthewall
andi mmedi at
elybl
eedfrom t
hemout h,Fr
ank
punchedhi m sever
alti
mesonhi sjawandst omach
Nj abulo'
sbodyweakenedashef el
ltotheground.
Frankki ckedhim onhisheadcont i
nuouslyuntil
Nomzamoscr eamedt hatsheneededt hehospit
al,
Frankr anupt oher.Shewasst i
llont hefl
oor,
he
hel pedherupwhi lehescannedt heloungeareafor
thecarkeys, t
hepoli
cebudgedi nstoppingattheir
tracksast oundedbytheamountofbl oodonthe
fl
oor .
"Whathappened,
thenei
ghbor
scal
led"t
heone
off
icersai
d
"Ineedt otakehertothehospi
tal
,thatguyont
he
floorbreachedtherestr
aini
ngorder"Fr
anksai
d
wal ki
ngoutt hehousewithNomzamowhowas
coveredi nblood
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
Mkhuzeni'
sphonerangont hepedestalandi
twasa
pr
ivat
enumbersohei gnoreditbutthephonebl
ew
upagain.Thobekagotirr
it
atedandgr abbedi
t
gi
vingi
ttohim
"
Idon'
tanswerpr
ivat
enumber
s"hesai
d
"I'
m goi
ngtoshowert hen,i
t'
sal
mosthomet ime.I
needtoblendinwi t
htheschoolchi
ldrengoing
homeormypar entswil
lknowIdidn'tgotoschool
today"shesai
dj umpingoutofbed
"Tel
lthem Iwi
llcomepayf
oryousoon"hesai
d
spankingherass
"Youkeepsayingthatknowingverywellyourwi
ves
don'tl
ikeme,doyour ememberhowt heybeatme
upwhent heyfoundmeher e?"shesaidarchi
ngher
eyebrow
"
Thatwon'
thappenagai
n,itwasbecauseofmy
wif
eThul
adushealer
tedthem aboutyou,
other
wise
t
heywoul
dn'
thavecomeher
e"hesai
d
"Youst
il
lcal
li
ngheryourwi
feaf
terwhatshedi
d?"
sheaskeddi
sgust
ed
"I
sshenotmywife?Il
ovehersoonshewi
llbeback
here"hesai
dget
ti
ngofft
hebed
"Shedoesn'
twantyou,l
ethergo.I
'
m awomanand
I'
mt el
li
ngyout
his.St
opwast i
ngyourt
imewit
hher,
youhavetwowivesandme"Thobekasaidpul
li
ng
him cl
ose.
"Aywenamusanj eukungiphaphel
a,goandt
ake
thatshowersoIcandropyouof f
"hesai
d
dismissi
vel
y(st
opbeingforward)
Whi
leThobekawasbusyi
nthebat
hroom,hi
sphone
r
angagainandthi
sti
mehedeci
dedtoanswer.
"
Ya"hesai
drudel
y
"Shomf ethu,
ist
hisKhuzaniorMkhuzeni
?"t
he
otherpersonsai
d
"Wenaufunabani
?"Mkhuzeniaskedi
rr
it
abl
y(who
youlooki
ngfor
?)
"Aymfet
huyout
alki
ngt
oMhl
engi
"hesai
dwi
thhi
s
deepvoi
ce
"MhlengiIdon'
tknowyou,
whatdoyouwant
?"he
asked
"Youknowmever ywel
l,
itmustbehardforyou
fucki
ngyourwif
ewithmynamepl ast
eredonher
back"hel
aughed
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"heaskedi
nfur
iat
ed
"Don'trushI'm gett
ingt
here,f
ir
stofallIwanttotel
l
tostopl ooki
ngf orThul
adu…phumanj elapho,stop
goingtoherf ami l
yandembar r
assingyoursel
for
youwi llfor
cemet omakeyoupayf orallt
hethings
youdi dtomyf ami l
y"hesaideversochill
ed
"Thuladuismywi f
e,Iwil
lnotstoplooki
ngforher
justbecauseajai
lbi
rdtoldmeso, wenastayt her
e
andst r
etchyouranvsforot
herpr i
soner
stof vck
youandst ayoutofmybusi ness"Mkhuzenisaid
spitt
ingfi
re
"OhOKsoyouhavest ori
es?OKIsee…wat chyour
backsono.I nfactsleepwithoneeyeopen,Iknow
thatuglythingyoucal lawi f
elai
dherwit
chhands
onmychi l
dren, Iknowthatyoubeatupmybaby
mamaandt hatyouwentt oherhouseand
harrassedherf ami l
y…Ican'twaitt
ogetmyhands
onyoumhl athiwakho"Mhl engir
oared
"babymamahuh?Thul aduisloose,di
dyouknow
she'spregnant
?Sobef oreyouspeakhighlyofher
youneedt oknowIhaveever yri
ghttoher ,
Ipaid
l
obol af
orhershe'
smywi feIwilldowhateverIwant
withher.Youshouldfocusonyoursent enceand
yourchildr
enandleavemyf amilytome, I'
m not
scaredofyou"Mkhuzenishotback
"Justbywear i
ngr edcarvel
a'sandextracentsi
nthe
bankyout hi
nkyouar eGod,stayawayf r
om the
Mdl et
she'sI'
m war ni
ngyou,youwi zar
d,skhwama!
uzozwangat hiuyasha.Lobolaischangeandyou
willgetitbutyoudar estepintothoseyardsagai
n,
youwi llseewhatSaulsawonhi swayto
Damascus"Mhl engiadded
"
Ngekengi
zwengawemf
ethu"hehungup(
Iwi
llnot
bet
oldwhatt
odobyyou"
)
Mkhuzenit
hrewhisphoneonthebed,hecl
enched
hisj
awinanger,nowhefel
tchall
engedandhe
wantedtof
indThuladomorethanever
.Hewanted
topr
oveapointthathewasn'
tsomeonetobe
messedwith,hedi
aledanumber.
"
Tal
ktome"t
heper
sonanswer
ed
"
Yourst
uffi
snotworki
nganymor
e,maMdl
etshel
eft
me"hesai
dannoyed
"Thatmeansshefi
guredoutt
hatyouwer
eusing
somethingonher
,that
'scommonsenseMthet
hwa"
thepersonsai
dbored
"WhatdoIdonow?Ineedherbackhome"hesai
d
desper
atel
y
"
Whydon'
tyougetanot
hergi
rl
?"t
heper
sonr
epl
ied
"Iwantt
hisone,I
'
m morei
nter
estedthanever
becauseit
'scomeswi
thachall
enge"hesaid
"
Thenbri
ngsomet
hingt
hatbel
ongst
oher
,ifi
tback
f
ir
esdon'
tcomecr
yingt
ome"hesaid
"I
twon't
,Iwi
lll
ookf
orsomet
hing"hesai
dget
ti
ng
exci
ted
"ngi
zobonangawe"hehungup(
Iwi
llbewai
ti
ngon
you)
Mkhuzenir ummagedi nherclosetbutcoul dn'

tfi
nd
anything,Thuladuwasver yparticul
arexceptwi t
h
herice-cr
eam t ubsandbooks.Het hrewthem out
whenshel ef
tandnowher egretsit,heopenedhi s
drawercomi ngoutwi t
hagun.Hewast ogobackt o
theMdl et
she's, theywoul
dn'tdaretouchhimi fthey
seeagun.Hemessagedhi sfri
endst oaccompany
him,allhewant edwassomet hingthatbelongedto
Thuladu.
*
***
Lat
ert
hateveni
ngMkhuzenipar
kedoutt
hegat
e,he
openedf ir
eshoot i
ngthepadlockatt hegateitwent
shatteri
ngt otheground.Heenteredf ol
lowedbyhi s
fri
endseachwi thagunathand, Nhlanhlolocked
thedoorhi dingunderthebedwi t
hhersi ckl
yfather
thei
rhear t
spl oddi
ngoutoftheirri
bcage.Nombuso
gatheredtheot her
shidingi
nwar drobeswi ththei
r
mot her,t
heywer esoscaredatwhatMkhuzeni was
todo.
Mkhuzeniwanderedar oundtheyardaimlessl
y
sur
pri
sedatthesuddensi l
ence.Hewasn'tsure
whi
chrondavalbelongedt oThulado'
smot hersohe
wasgoingtoenterallofthem incl
udi
ngthef l
ats.
"Thesemoronsareinherehidi
ng,Iwantyoutofind
alloft
hem sotheycanrepeatal
ltherubbi
shthey
saidtometheotherday"hesaidtohisfri
ends.
Tobesear chedfi
rstwasThulado'
sfather
'sroom,
theyshotatthedoorbreaki
ngthelock,Nhlanhl
o
heardfootstepsdrawi
ngclosershecoveredher
mouthinf earandf el
tl i
quidswet t
ingherl egs,tears
fel
lfr
om hereyesbecausesheknewi twasherdad
uri
nati
ngf rom probablyfrom terr
or.Atthismoment
shehatedMkhuzeniandshewi shedhi m bad.One
ofthefri
endsnot icedthelinesofur i
necomi ngfrom
underneaththebed, theycommuni catedwi t
ht heir
eyesandt ogethertheylif
tedthebed.
Nhlanhl oscreamedsor r
owfullybeggi ngf ormer cy,
Mkhuzeniki ckedheronherr ibs,Mdl etshet ri
edto
getupbutwasboot edbackdownhewi ncedi npain.
Mkhuzenior deredthattheywer edraggedoutt he
room sot hattheycanshowt hem whi chonewas
Thul ado'
sroom, Nhlanhl
oscr eamedont opofher
voicebutMkhuzenishotathermi ssingherearwi th
ani nch.Shewentmut einst
antlyleftwi t
hj ust
hiccups.Theydr oppedthem ont hedust ysoil
outsideandsuddenl ybullet
swentf lyingi ntheai r
,
ast owher etheycamef rom i
twasamyst ery.
Mkhuzenigotshoti
nhi
sar
m andl
egwhi
lehet
ri
ed
runningoutt heyar d,theot herf ri
endpi ggybacked
himr unni ngtowar dst hecar , unfortunatelyt heother
onegotgunneddown, hewasf i
nishedwi thabul l
et
throughhi sheadandhedi edont hespotj ust
outsidet hegat e.Mkhuzeni 'sf r
iendpr essedont he
accel er
ateandl eftdustbehi nd.Thepol i
cewer e
alert
edal ongwi ththef orensi cteam t ocol l
ectthe
corpse, quest i
onswer easkedbutnooneknewwho
shothi m butt heyknewt hatMkhuzeniwasi nt he
yard.Thepol icebr ushedi tof fbysayi ngt hebul l
ets
wer emeantf orMkhuzenisi ncehewasaknown
businessman.Theypr omi sedt odoani nvest i
gati
on
butt heMdl et
she'sknewt hatwasj usttosavef ace.
*
Aweekl
ater
…*
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
36].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er48
It'
sthelit
tl
et hingsthatmat ter,
thingslikesleeping
i
nyourownbed, usingyourownbat hroom, eati
ng
thekindoff oodt hatyouwantevenwat chingyour
ownf avori
techannel .Mhlengicouldn'
twai ttoget
out,thi
sshar ingofspaceset updrovehi sheadi n,
thenewKr ugerwasmoani nginpainont hef l
oor ,
hisli
eslandedhi mt here.Mhlengiaskedhi mt o
i
dent i
fyhimsel fwitht henumberbuthecoul dn'tdo
fakol,f
ir
stdayi nacel lhemadeabadi mpression
nowhewashi sproblem.Hewasl iar
,penni l
essand
uselesstot heKr ugerssoTumel ocommandedt hat
hesleepsont hecol df l
oorunti
lhecanear nhisbed.
"Eybabasomeofusar etryi
ngtosleep"Mhlengi
saidinatonef il
ledwi thannoyance,hequi
eten
downbutaf t
eracoupl eofminuteshewasbackat
i
t,"Isai
dshutt hef uckup"Mhl engisai
dgetti
ngon
hisfeet
,theot herprisonerscri
ngedundertheirt
hin
blanket
sf eari
ngf orthenewKr uger'sl
if
e.
"
S-sor
ryboss"hesai
dinal
owqui
ver
ingvoi
ce
"I'
m notyourbosssono,butr i
ghtnowyouar e
distur
bingmysleep,Ihavepr obl
emsofmyownso
manupandendur eyourpai n.Youputyourselfi
n
thissi
tuati
on,di
dn'
ttheytellyouaboutjai
l?You
beatpregnanthel
plesswomenandyoudon' teven
knowanyt hi
ngaboutsurvivalkahlekahl
e
uthembeni?"heasked(what '
syourbackuppl an)
"I'
m sorr
ymf et
huIwasonl yt
ryi
ngt oprotect
myself,
butIwillbeusef ulIpr
omi se.Iwil
lbringi
n
money!That'
sal lIcandoh- honestlybutpleaseI
needtocallmyf amily"hesaid
"That'
swhatyoushouldhavesaidwhenyou
arr
ivedher
enotthatnonsenseyoudi
dearli
eron,
nowyouwi l
lbeapunchingbag"hepausedlooki
ng
athim,"
Icangiveyoumyphonebutyouwi
llhave
topay…nothi
ngformahhal
a"hesai
dhandi
nghi m
hisphone
Thenewguyr eachedoutf ort

hephoneandsaton
hisbum, dialinganumber .Mhlengiwentunderhi s
blanket shecoul dhearhi sconver sationloudand
clear.Hef oundoutt hathisnamewasNj abulo,he
hasasonandt hatthewomanhehur twashi s
ex…st upidfool !Mhl engithoughttohimsel f,j
ustli
ke
thatskhwamaMkhuzeni .Thepl anshehadi nhis
headwer et errif
ying,whodar eprovokeasnakei n
i
t'shol e,nowThul adumusthi delikeaf ugit
ive
becauseoft hisdweeb.
Thenewguyfi
nished.I
tseemsl i
kehi
sf amil
ywil
l
bri
nghi
m somecash!Goodf orhi
m becausehewas
goi
ngtosl
eepont hefl
oorfort
helongestofti
mes.
"
ThankyouKr
ugerl
amaKr
uger
"hesai
drespect
ful
ly
"Sohowar eyougoingtobr i
ngthemoneyin
becausevisi
torsgetcheckedbefor
emeeting
pri
soners"Mhlengil
ookedathim archi
nghis
eyebrow
"
Eish!
"thenewguysai
d
"Weeee!Iactuall
yfeelsorr
yf oryou"hesaid
shakinghishead,"t
ellt
hem t osende-wal
letorsend
i
tviashopr i
te/
checkersthere'ssomeonewhowi ll
getitforus"Mhlengisai
dlooki ngathi
mf r
om the
bed
Thenewguyphonedagainandexpl
ainedt
he
process,
heaskedt
hem touset
hesamenumber
whenhewasdonehet hankedMhl
engi.
"Thatwil
lbeR100, sowhenthemoneyarr
ivesI
'
m
taki
ngmycutf ir
stbeforeyouhandi
tint
othe
council
"Mhlengisaidtaki
nghi
sphone
"
Okay"t
henewguysai
d
"
Nowt
ellmewhydi
dyoust
oopsol
ow?Whyar
e
yousuchacowar d,
Ifeel l
ikeslappi
ngyou
ngikubhanqenodongaf orbeingabusive.Don'tyou
knowt hatwomenar edelicate?Whatal ameexcuse
ofaman, uhlulwaukubhebhaumam nj ewena,
there'
sanot herdweeblikeyououtt herewhowear s
redcar vel
a'
s, hi
smakingmyCher i
eli
vel i
kea
fugiti
vejustli
keyou,hel aidhisashyhandsonmy
shortyandI '
m angry"hesai dclenchi
nghi sf
ist
"hadeKrugerbutmyst or
yisdif
ferentNomzamo
wasmygi r
l,hecheat
edonmewi t
hacol ouredrich
guyaftereveryt
hingwewentthroughtogether"he
saidpainf
ull
y
"Yetyouhaveababymamaacl eari
ndicationthat
youcheatedfi
rst,
itwasn'tnicewhenshegaveyou
atasteofyourownmedi cine,wel
lyourstoryand
mineissimil
arInf
actthatdweebpai dl
obol aformy
babymamasonowhet hinksheownsher "Mhlengi
said.
"Idon'tseeaneedf oryout
obesoangr yt
hough
clearl
ysheagr eed"Thenewguysaid,
"womenare
gulli
ble,i
fyouf indanicegi
rlt
hesedaysconsi
der
yourselflucky"headded
"Whenyoucheat edandIgotl ockedupi swherethe
problem st
art
ed.I '
m notmadt hatshewantedto
moveonbutIwoul dn'trestifthatmanwasabusi ve,
hellno!Thatguyusedmut hionmywomanso
that'
sawhol edifferentstory.Youopenedt hatgap
whenyoui ntroducedi nfedil
ityinyourrel
ati
onship,
youwer esupposedt omanupandl eave,Iwas
preparedtodot hatevent houghIl ovethatgir
lwith
everythi
nginme"Mhl engisaid
"Iguessyouareright
,Nomzamowasani cegi r
l.
Whatkill
edmei sthatshemademewai tt
ot apher
onlyfort
hisdudet of
vckherinminutesupon
reki
ndli
ng,hefvckedhershefel
lpregnantsame
ti
me, whi
leI'
m beingstuf
fedwit
hcondoms"t he
wholeceller
uptedinlaught
er
"Whatasor eloser
"Mhl engisai
dinbet
weenhis
chuckl
e, "
Clearl
ytheguyknowshi scharm,unl
ike
youpretendingtobenice.NowIwantt oseethis
guythatmadeyoul andyoursel
finj
ail
"Mhlengi
sai
dstil
llaughing
"
Thisi
sseri
ousandyouguysar
elaughi
ng"hesaid
i
rr
it
abl
y,"
Eyfusegwena,
givemehisname"Mhlengi
sai
dst
ernl
y
"FrankSimmons, hehadatwin…ri
chguysbut
seemsl i
keheisn'tr
ichanymoreandhist
wi nwas
kil
ledyearsago"hesaidcurl
ingi
ntoaballonthe
fl
oor,Mhlengii
ndicatedf
ortheoneguytoatleast
thr
owhi m ablanket
Mhl engiGoogl etheSi mmonsandher eitwas.The

twins!Pi cturesoft hem inbi gcruiseboat s, big
mansi onal wayssur roundedbybeaut i
fulgi rl
s.He
thenl ookedf orFr ankSi mmonsi npar t
icular ,he
cli
ckedonhi spi ctureandshowedt heguysi nt he
cell,t
heyst artedl aughingal loveragain.Mhl engi
returnedunderhi sbl ankettakingacl oserl ookat
Frank, hel ookedf ami l
iarsohecl ickedonmor eof
hispi cturesunt i
lhecameacr ossonewher ehewas
wear ingshor ts,thelegst ructureandt hatt attoo…
theanchor ,justlikehi s.Hezoomedi ntohi spi ctur
e
andhi shear tbegant opound, coulditbe?Hewas
fai
randat adshor t
erthanhi m, Mhlengiwast alland
darkbutt her esembl anceandbodyst ructur ewas
thesame.
Hisphonerangwhi
lsthewasbusyont
hephone,
he
answered.
"
Fuze"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"
Shor
tyi
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"heaskedconcer
ned
"
Imi
ssyou"shesai
dsni
ff
ing
"Imissyout
oo,
I'
m sor
ryf
orbeingawayforsolong
butIwil
lmakei
tal
luptoyou.Howisthebaby?
"he
asked
"Thebabyisgood,I
'
mj ustal
waysti
red.Lumi
njal
o
i
sgi vi
ngmeahar dti
me, t
hatchi
ldi
ssomethi
ng
elseMhlengi
"shesaidwhini
ng
"
She'
sjustachi
ld"Mhl
engisai
d
"Youal
wayssayt
hat,sheissodif
fi
cultIpr
omise
youoneoft
hesedaysI'm goi
ngtojoi
nyouthere"
shesai
dwithabr
eakingvoice.
"Cal
m downbaby,
Iwi
llt
alkt
oheri
nthemor
ning"
hesaid.
"Pl
easebecauseIwi
llbeatherandIwi
llki
llher
"she
sai
dsnif
fing
"
Ohmypoorchi
ld"Mhl
engimumbl
ed
"Poorchil
dyokunukayi
ni?Youaresupposedt
o
say..poorme,I'
mtheoneinapredi
camentnot
Lumi "shespi
tfi
re.
"I
'
m sorry…OK…Ohmypoorshor
ty"hesai
d
sarcast
ical
ly
"
Mxm f
useg"shesai
d
"
Iwi
llsor
titout
,isMusat
her
e?"heasked
"
Yeshi
ssl
eepi
ngi
nthel
ounge"Thul
adosai
d
"OKgood,tomor
rowst
ayhome.Iwilltel
lyouwhen
i
t'ssaf
eforyout
ogobacktowork.Iloveyou"he
said
"
I'
m hor
ny"shesai
dshyl
y
"OK,I
'm goi
ngtothebathroom now.Let
'sdoavi
deo
cal
l"hesaidst
ernl
ylookingattheguys
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
Att
heHospi
tal
Thenext,i
twaslunchtimeandMkhuzenijusta
fi
nishedhavi
nghisfr
uitsalad,hehadast
ackof
pil
lstodri
nkther
eaft
eraspar tofhi
smedi
cati
on
course.Hi
sphonerangj ustashewasaboutto
switchontheTVandt uneintosoccer
.
"
Hel
lo"hesai
ddi
ssapoi
ntedbyt
hecal
ler
"
Baba"shesai
dfr
ant
ical
ly
"
Yini
?uzokhul
umanomacha? "hesai
dfust
rat
ed
(
areyougoingtot
alkornot
)
"
Wejustgotrobbedanhourago,wej ustmanaged
t
obreakthedoorofther
oom theylockedusinto,
t
heytookeveryt
hingi
ncl
udi
ngt hecars"shesai
d
"
What
?"Mkhuzenisai
dshocked,
"Howdi
dthey
ent
er?Didyoucallt
hepol
ice?Di
dtheyhur
tyou?
"
heaskedworryi
ngly
"Notheyj
ustmanhandl edus,t
heyhadgunsi nf
ront
oftheki
ds.Theytookourphones…everythi
ngonly
clot
hesarel
eft.Ical
ledthepol
iceusi
ngtheland
l
ine"shesai
d
"Shi
t!
"hesaidastounded,
"Allofmycar
s?
Fuuuuuuuuck"hesaidget
tingmoreworkedup
"
awemaaaaah"shescr
eamedoutoft
hebl
ue
"yi
ni?Whyar
eyouscr
eami
ng?
"Mkhuzeniasked
star
tled
"Yourhouse…i
t'
sbur
ningbaba…weeeej
esu"she
cri
ed
"Ai
bo"hesaiddefeat
ed,"
Gotosafet
y…Iwi
llsend
mybrothertocomeandcheck…aibo
kwenzekal
ani!
"heaskedrhet
ori
cal
ly
Hehungupsti
llper
plexed,t
henacallcamet hr
ough,
hesmil
edwhenhesawt hetr
acker
scallerI
D.
"
Tel
lmegoodnews"hesai
dheavi
ngasi
gh
"Yazavol o,shlama30!Whatdi dIsayt oyou?
Angi shongoukut hiuzozwangat hiuyasha…kunj ani
mekunj e?( di
dn'tIsayIwi l
lcatchyou?Howar e
thingsnow) ,
Iwillmakeal otofcashsel l
ingyour
stuff,yourcarsar eonthewayt othebordernow
andyouwi l
lneverseethem agai n.Nextti
meIwi l
l
dowor se,carryonchallengingme…l eaveThul adu
alonenx!Ohbef oreIforget,comeandcol l
ectyour
deaddog"hehungup
Mkhuzeni'
seyeswereasbi
gassaucer
s,he
wonderedhowishedoingt
hiswhi
lei
njai
l,
he
di
aledhiscopfr
iend.
"
ShoNyambose"hesai
d
"Ihaveathorninmyf l
esh,Iwantt
oknowhowi she
reachingtomewhi l
einpri
son?"heaskedcut
ti
ng
strai
ghttothechase
"
Hisgotconnect
ions…si
mpl
e,whi
chpr
ison?
"he
asked
"
Ithi
nki
nWest
vil
le"hesai
d
"Awthenhisat opdog,wedon'
tmesswiththat
l
eague.Wear esmal l
comparet
othosepeoplet
hat
side,
thoseauthori
ti
eshandl
egangs"hesai
d
dismissi
vel
y
"SoImustjustsither
eandaccept.Thatmanhi
red
peoplet
okillme,heransackedmyhouse…my
houseisonf i
reaswespeak"hesaidwithhi
schest
ri
singandfall
ing
"Justdowhathewant
sNyamboseoryouwi l
ldie.
Youar et
ooyoungtol
ivelikeaf
ugit
ive…justgive
him whathewant
sandf ocusonyourtenders"he
saidster
nly
"Idon'
tli
kethi
s,i
maginepayi
ngf
orpr
otect
ionandI
getthi
s…f i
neke"hehungup
Hewasbesidehi
mselfbutt
hinki
ngoft he
i
nvest
mentshisl
ost
,heckhewasst i
llpayingf
or
t
hosemachines,
hejustf
ini
shedcustomizinghi
s
house.Hewastoofur
ioustoevent
hinkabout
Thuladu,
hedel
etedhernumberandcursetheday
hemether .
*
***
Aweekl
ater
*
Dur
ban*
Thuladowassi t
tinginthethecaf et
eriawit
ha
burgerandchi psi nfr
ontofher,itwassoni ceto
fi
nall
ybef ree.Mhl engiassuredhert hatt
he
problem wassol ved,justaf
tershet ookabiteofher
foodt henewdoct orf
loppednextt oherwithhis
meal.
"
MissMdlet
sheIhopeI
'm noti
mposing,
youare
l
essi
nti
midati
ngt
hantheotherst
affmember
s
ar
oundthehospi
tal
,I
'm newher
e"hesai
dopeni
ng
hi
stakeawaybox
"
AaahDrNwokoye!
"Thul
adosai
dremember
ing
"I
feanyichukwubutyoucancal lmeIfe,
myname
i
t'
st oolongandt oocomplicatedifyouaren'
t
Nigeri
an, onlymyparent
scal lmebyf ul
lwhenI'
m
beingrepr i
manded"hegiggled
"Iwil
lst
icktoIf
e,whatdoesi
tmean?
"Thul
ado
askedcuriousl
y
"I
tmeansNoonei sgr
eaterthanGod,thatGodi
s
mostpowerf
ulandyoursitsoundsl
ikeanexoti
c
name"hechuckl
ed
"Wel
lit
'snot
,justaner
rorf
rom homeaff
air
sbutmy
nameisThuladuanditmeanstokeepqui
et"hesai
d
shyl
y
"Wow!I'
m suret
here'
sast orybehi
ndt
hat
?Why
keepqui
et?"heaskedinquisi
ti
vel
y
"MydadsaidIwaspeacef
ulandqui
etasababyso
hesawthenamebefit
ti
ng,andboydi
dIf ol
lowmy
name.IknowhemeantwellandIl
oveitbutI'
m
suchacowar
d"shesai
ddi
ssapoi
nted
"It
hinkyouar enaturall
ysweetbutoutt herewe
havebul li
eswhom don' tappreci
atepeacef ulpeopl
e.
Ili
keit,focusontheposi ti
vemeani ngbehi ndyour
name, lookatmef orinstance.Ifi
ndi thardtofoll
ow
mynamewhent hingsar en'
tgoingrightinmyl if
e,I
for
gett hatnooneisgr eaterthanGod"hesai d
chortl
ing
"IguessIshoul
dembr
acemyqui
etnat
ure"she
heavedasigh
"
Yes!Iseet
hatyouroveni
sbaki
ng…congr
atsIhave
t
wokids"hesai
d
"
Ihavegi
rlt
winsaswel
l"Thuladosmil
ed,
"Thi
sone
mustbeaboysoIcanclose"shesai
d
"
Whoi
sthel
uckyguy?
"heaskedbei
ngt
oonosy
"Youwoul
dn'tknowhi
m buthi
sever
ythi
ngt
ome"
shesai
dblushing
"Luckyyou,Iam st
uckwithawi f
eIdonotwant
.My
parentsf
orcedmet omar r
ythisgir
lIgr
ewupwit
h,
she'ssweetandallbutIneverwantedt
omarr
yher.
Nowwehavetwochil
drenandI'
m st
il
lnothappy"
hesai
dsadl
y,hecl
osedhisboxfl
oppi
ngfurtheri
nto
hi
sseat
"I'
m sorr
yaboutt
hat,wher
eisshe?Thi sisbadto
thebothofyoubecauseshewon' tknowhowi t
feelstobel
ovedandyouwon' tknowhowi tfeel
sto
bewi t
hsomeonethatyoulove…thisishorr
ibl
e"she
said.
"Tellmeabouti
t"hesi
ghed,"
she'
sbackathome,I
want edt
oworkfarfr
om hersoIdon'
thur
therby
beingadouchebagbutI'
m exhaust
ed"hesai
d
"
Haveyouspokent
oyourpar
ent
s?"sheasked
"
Myparentsaretradit
ional,
accordi
ngtot hem t
hey
f
oundmeani cegi r
l,agoodwi f
emat er
ialthat
'sal
l
t
hatmatt
ers…theywon' thearme"hesaid
"Thi
sishorr
ibl
e"shegl
ancedatherwatch,
"won'
t
youlookatt
hat,l
unchi
sover"shesai
d.
"Damnit,Idi
dn'tevenfini
shmyf ood…youcangoI
wil
lgoblethisr
ealquick,I
'mrightbehi
ndyou"
Thuladostoodonherf eetandleft
*
***
*
West
vil
lePr
ison*
Mhlengidial
edt
henumberhef ounddur
inghis
sear
ch,hishear
tpoundedhardwhatifheiswrong?
butGodknowshowhappyhewoul dbetofi
nda
brot
her.Itwasr
ingi
ngandthepersonontheother
endpickedup.
"
Hel
lo"
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
38].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er49
*
Dur
ban*
"
Hel
lo"t
heper
sonont
heot
herendsai
dagai
n
"
Hi…uhm…am Ispeaki
ngt
oFr
ank?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
No!I
'
m Luke"hesai
d,"
Wrongnumber
"headded
Mhl engihungpinchingthebr i
dgeofhi snose,this
waspr ovingtobedi f
fi
cult,hewasact uallysadand
dissapointed.Hisemotionswer ehei
ght enedand
readytot alktoapossiblebrot
herofhi s,onlyt
ohi t
adeadend, hesatont hebedbur yi
nghi sheadi n
hishands.Nj abulowalkedlookingti
red, hewas
l
impi
ngbutwor
kneededt
obedone.
"ExcusemeKr uger
,Iwantedtof
indoutift
helady
managedt ogetthemoney.Iwouldr
eall
ylove
sleepi
ngonaspongeatl eastmybackiski
ll
ingme"
Njabulosai
d.
"
Eyfusegwena,di
dyoucleant
hebat
hroom?
"
Mhl
engiaskedhar
shl
y,hewasn'
tint
hemood
"
YesIdi
d"hesai
dsadl
y
"
Nowl
eavemeal
one"Mhl
engisai
d
Hecoul daskf orhelpbuthedi dn'

twantpeopleto
knowhi svulnerabil
it
y,helikest oactli
kehedoesn't
careandt hatthingsdon'taffecthim butwhenhis
alone…hisamess.Hecr i
edhi mselftosleepwhen
hef oundoutthatThul aduact uall
ywentaheadand
gotaman, butnooneknowst hatbecausehisa
Krugerandt here'snoroom f orweakness.
Hi
smi
ndwasr
aci
ng,
itmadesenset
hough.
LubanziandLumi njaloareident i
caltwinsjustli
ke
FredandFr ank,mayhi ssoulresti npeacehe
thoughtt ohimself.Het r
iedget ti
nginformation
from hisdrunkarduncl e'
sbuti twasanepi cfail
,
theywer ejustmessi ngar oundmaki ngupstories.
Allhewant edt oknowi sifhisf atherhadanaf fair
andmadechi l
drenoutsideofhi smar r
iagewithhis
mot herbecausef orthelongestoft i
me, hewast he
onlychild.
Hewassoemot ionalheneededtot alktohis

anchor,someonetohol dhi
mi nplace, hedial
edhi
s
short
y.Tohisdissapointmentwhenshor t
y
answereditwaschaosi nthebackgr ound,the
chi
ldrenwerescreaming.
"
Kwenzenj
an?
"Mhl
engiaskedi
nal
owvoi
ce
"Isweart
oyou,I
'm goi
ngtoki
llt
hesechi
ldr
en"
Thuladosai
dthr
oughgrit
tedt
eeth
"Youneedtocalm down,
youcannottakeoutal
lof
yourf
ustrat
iononthechi
ldr
en"Mhlengisai
dster
nly
"Fustr
ati
ons?Howaboutyoucomeoutofthatcel
l
anddoyourj obasafat
her.I
'mti
redOK!Li
keIhave
reachedtoapointwher
eIam exhaust
ed,I
'
m
pregnant,
I'
m worki
ngandthesechi
ldr
enwantme
deadstruuGod"shesni
ffed
Mhl engiputhi sonehandonhi sfacecover i

nghis
eyes, sheact uall
ycouldpictureThulado.Shewas
probabl yright,sur
elyit
'snoteasybei ngasingle
parentwi thnoper manenthel p,hekeptquiet
l
isteningt ot wi
nswai l
.Ont opofhervoi cewas
Lumi njaloyoucoul dswearshehadabr okenlegor
somet hi
ng, shebelt
ingitoutmi l
kingittot
all
y.
Thul adothr ewsomet hi
ngather ,i
tsoundedasi f
shewasr unningawaybecausehercr iesfaded
away.
"Andyou?Whatarelooki
ngat?
"Thuladoshout
ed,
probabl
yatLubanzisi
nceLuminj
aloranaway
"
I'
m sor
rymummy"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"
Her
etal
ktoyourf
ather
"Thul
adosai
dgi
vinghert
he
phone
Thulado'
svoi
cet
rai
ledoffasshescr
eamedfor
Lumitocomeback.Mhlengicl
ear
edhist
hroatand
begantospeakt
ohisdaughter
.
"
Whyar
eyoui
ntr
oubl
ewi
thmommy"heasked
"Iwasj ustdoi
ngasci enceexper i
mentwi t
hmi lk
andf oodcoloring,Isawi tonTVwhenmom was
sleeping.DaddyIsweart oGodIpour edat inybitin
mypl ate"Thuladowal kedbacki nwhi leLubanzi
wasexpl aini
ngt oherf at
her,sheleanedont hewal l
quietl
ysoshedoesn' tdisturbher,"Iputblue,red,
pink,orangeandgr eenbecauset hosear etheonl y
colorsmom hasi nthecupboar d,thenpour edat iny
bitofmi l
kinthemi ddletheni tdi
dmagi cdaddy, it
pushedt hecoloursintodi ff
erentdirecti
onsmaki ng
abeaut if
ulcolorsplash"shesai dexci t
edly
"Ist
il
ldon'
tunder
standt
hepar
tthatmademom
upset"Mhl
engisai
d
"Oh!
"Lubisaidlooki
ngdown,"WellIkindofdi
dn't
askforpermissionbutIwascar
efulwhenIclimbed
onthechair,
thenLumicameanddi ppedherhands
onmycol orsplashandmadehandpr i
ntson
mommy' swal l
"shesaid
"
Ohohoh"Mhl engi
saidcr
ingi
ngbutholdi
ngina
l
augh,Thul
ado'
sangerisj
usti
fi
ed,
theli
ttl
ear
tist
wasatplay
"Fir
stofal lyoursci enceexperimentsoundsr eal
l
y
nice,itwasabr il
liantideatotryitoutbutinthe
futurepleaseaskf orpermissi
onbecauseyoucoul d
havef all
enandhur tyourselfwhil
eyouwer e
cli
mbi ngont hechai r
,mommy' sri
ght,al
sothen
mom wasgoi ngtomoni t
oryourlitt
leproj
ectand
I'
m sur eLumiwoul dn'thavedonewhatshedi dif
mom waswat chingyour i
ght?"Mhlengiprobed.
"
Right
"Lubiagr
eed
"Nowyouneedt
odotherightt
hingandcal
lyour
sist
erf
orme"Mhl
engisai
d
Lubanziputt
hephonedown,
Mhl
engiwascoul
d
hearherapologi
zingtoThul
adothenLumist art
ed
cryingal
loveragain,
sheevenhadhiccups.She
pickedupthephoneandwai l
edinMhlengi'
sear ,
he
shookhisheadsmi li
ng…Lumi
njal
odefini
tel
yt he
l
ittl
esti
nkernodoubt.
"Luminj
alo!
"Mhlengical
ledheroutst
ernl
y,she
quickl
ywipedhertearsandcoll
ect
edherself
"
Daddy"shesai
dinawhi
neyvoi
ce
"
Kwenzenj
an?
"heasked
"Mommyhi
tmewithhershoe"shesai
dinababy
voi
cet
henshef
akedacough
"Whydidmommyhi
tyouwi
thashoe?
"Mhl
engi
asked
"Idon'
tknow"shesai
dt hr
owi
ngherhands
dramati
call
yintheai
rresumi
ngherf
akecryi
ng
"EyeyStop!Stop!
"Mhl engisai
dsternl
y,Luminj
alo
halt
edimmedi at
ely,
it'
snoteverydayyouhear
Mhlengihardenhisalr
eadydeepvoi ceathi
skids.
"Don'
tactli
keyoudon' tknowwhatyoudi d,
fir
stof
allyoudippedyourl i
tt
lehandsinLubanzi'
sproject
,
that'
snotni ce.Ifitwasyoursyouwoul dhave
thrownaf itbutyetyoudi dtohersanywaybecause
youar eLumi njaloasifthat
'snotenoughyou
decor at
edmom' shousewi thyourti
nyhandprints"
Mhl engisaid
"I
tlooksni ceit'
sjustthatmom doesn'tl
ikethe
colorsper haps?"sheasked,Mhlengiheldinalaugh
tr
yingnott obreakthatseri
ousaffai
rhehadgoi ng,
Thuladot riedtomaintainherangryfaceaswell.
Thecal lwasi nloudspeakersot heycouldhear
everything.
"i
tmaylooknicebutsti
lli
t'
smom'shouseandit'
s
herrul
es,she'
sthebossandyoubett
erli
stentoher
orIwil
lcomet her
eandspankyouwithmybi g
daddyshoe"hesaid.
"Nott
hebigdaddyshoethatwi
llmakemysmal
l
bumssore"Luminj
alosai
dinshock
"Wel
lthat
'swhatcomingyourwayifyoudon'
tli
sten
tomummy, remembershe'
sworki
nghar dandshe's
car
ryi
ngal i
tt
lebabyi
nherstomach"Mhlengisai
d.
"Al
ri
ghtdaddy"shetur
nedar
oundandsai
d"I
'
m so
sor
rymybeaut i
fulmummy"
"
OK,nowgogetabucketbecauseyouar
ecl
eani
ng
t
hismessup"Thul
adosai
d
"
ButIsai
dsor
ry"shecompl
ained
"AndIsaidOKbutt
hemesswon'
tcl
eani
tsel
f"
Thuladosai
d
"
Iwi
llhel
pyou"Lubanzisai
d
"
Thankyousomuch,youar
ethebestsi
steri
nthe
whol
ewidewor
ld"Lumisai
dexci
tedl
y
"
Iloveyougi
rl
s"Mhl
engisai
d
"Weloveyout
oobaba"Theysai
ddi
ssapear
ingi
nto
cor
ri
dor
"
I'
m sor
ry!
"Mhl
engisai
dtoThul
ado
"I
t'
sokay…howareyou?"Sheaskedf
loppi
ngonthe
chai
r,shewasnowholdi
ngthephoneinherhand
*
***
Nomzamof oundhercarcover edi nr ott
eneggsi n
theschoolpar kingl ot,heaskedt hesecur i
tybutno
onesawanyt hing.Sheendur edt hesmel lti
llshe
arr
ivedhome, shef il
ledabucketwi thsoapywat er
andascoopofcomf ortfabriccondi ti
onerand
beganwashi ngt heeggspl attersof f,itwas
bewilderingthati thappenedatherwor kplace.It
couldbef r
om thest udent s,childr enatschoolt hese
daysbehavedl i
ket heyar epossessedbydemons,
youcan' tevenrepr i
mandachi ldwi thoutfearingfor
yourlife.Therefor et eacherst eacht hosewhowant
tolearnandl eavet hoset hatdon' twant ,shewas
pantingwhenshewasf i
nishedt hensher esorted
backi ntothehouse, sheshower edandchanged
i
ntomor ecomf or tabl eclothes.
Shewasnowf i
xingher sel
fasandwichandcold
dri
nkasacheatonceaweek, shewenttositi
n
fr
ontoft
heTVcat chi
nguponhershowsand
befor
esheknewi tshef el
lasl
eep.Anhourlat
ershe
wokeupandrealizedthatshedidn'
tprepar
edinner
,
sheyawnedandstr
etchedheadi
ngtothekit
chen,
butshewentbl
ankshedidn'
tknowwhattomake.
Sheheardt
hedooropened,i
twasFrankforsur
e.
"
Zamo!"hecal
ledfr
om thedoor
,hemadehiswayto
t
heki
tchen.Hesmiledwhenhesawherrest
edon
t
heki
tchencounter
,hehuggedandki
ssedher.
"
AreyouOK?
"heaskedconcer
ned
"Yeah…I'
mjustexhausted,If
ellasl
eepbef
oreI
couldevencook"shesaid
"Don'tst
ress,
Iwi
llcook.Goandr
est
"hesai
d
dissapeari
ngtot
heroom
Nomzamot ookoutt hechopsf r

om thef r
eezer
alongwit
hsomef rozenvegetables,shedefrost
ed
themeatinthemi crowaveandpl acedt heveggies
i
nwat eronthesinkt henshewentbackt ositonthe
couch.Aft
eracoupl eofmi nutesFrankr et
urnedall
freshandsmell
inggood.
"Sowhatam Imaki
ngt
oday?
"heaskedf
loppi
ng
nextt
oNomzamo
"Idef
rost
edmeatthatsi
de,
youcandowhat
ever
youwant"shesai
d
"OK,
letmegoandstart
,st
ayrighther
e.Iwi
ll
massageyourf
eetandsharewithyoumygood
news"
"
Tel
lmet
henewsf
ir
st"Nomzamowhi
ned
"WellIdon'tknowwhyIdi dn'tt
hinkoft hi
sbef or
e
butremembert hatallourproperti
esgotbur nt?We
coveredallourpr operti
eswithinsurancewhi ch
meansIcoul dgoandcl ai
m, al
lthefir
e'sstart
ed
withanelectricalfaultsoII'
m headedt her
e
tomorrow"Fr anksai dexci
tedly
"
Real
ly,
youcoul
drebui
ldFr
edSi
mmonsI
nc?
"
Nomzamoasked
"
IcouldthoughIdon'
thavecl
ient
sanymore,
after
whathappenedIdon'
tthi
nkanyonewil
lwantto
workwit
hme"hesai dsadl
y
"
Sowhati
syourpl
an?
"sheasked
"
Myhelpermanagedt osaveourdocumentsf
rom
t
hefi
re,soIhaveeveryt
hingbutastowhatIwil
ldo
t
her
eaft
erI'
m notsureyet"Hesaid
"
Wewi l
lhavetoprayabouti
t,l
ett
heLor
dgui
deyou
t
hist
imearound"sherepl
ied
"
True"hesai
dst
ari
ngi
ntospace
"Mycarwaseggedatwor kt oday,
canyouimagine?
IhadtocleanitwhenIarr
ivedherehencewhyIf el
l
asl
eep.Idon'tseemysel
fteachingfort
herestof
myl i
fenotwhenschoolki
dshavebecomet hi
s
unrul
y"shescoffed
"Surel
ysomebodysawsomet
hing"Fr
anksai
d
alar
med
"
Iaskedt
hesecur
it
ybuthewasj
ustasper
plexed"
Nomzamosai
d
"Noharm shouldcomet oyouandt hebabyorIwi l
l
personal
lygoandst r
angleal
lofthem inthatschool
,
i
fit'
sthechil
drenIwillt
eachthem alessontheywill
neverfor
get"hesaidangri
ly
"
Iwi
llf
indoutt
omor
row"shesai
d,"
Goandcooki
t'
s
get
ti
ngl
ate"shesai
dhi
tt
inghi
sshoul
der
Fr
ankst
oodupandmadehi
swayt
otheki
tchen.
*
***
*
Thenextday*
Frankhadapr omi singout comef r

om themeet i
ng,
thought heywer en' twill
ingt opayf oreveryt
hingat
fi
rsthet hreatenedt otakei tfurtherwithlawyer'
s
event houghatt hebackofhi smi ndhedi dn'
thave
singlecentt ospar e.Itwor ked,nowal lhis
document swer et obepr ocessedandt heywoul d
getbackt ohim, hedeci dedt ogof orcoffeeatthe
mal lther eaf
terjustt obeonewi thhisthoughts.I
t
wast hewayhemi ssedFr ed, l
if
ewasst i
llwei
rd
withouthi m andt hef actt hathewasnotabl et ogo
tohi sgr aveandj ustconnect ,hef eltr
obbedthathe
couldn' tgivehim anor malbur ial.
Hiscoffeear
ri
ved.Whil
ehewassi ppingonhis
Americanohenoti
cedaf amil
iarwoman,shewalked
i
ntoFegohandi nhandwi t
hanotherman.She
seemedhappyandt hatawakenedhisemot i
ons,
thi
swasmeantt obehisbr ot
hersgi
rl
.Without
thi
nki
nghewal keduptothem.
"
Shomf et
hu"Franksai
dtot
heguybutthemanj
ust
f
rozel
ookingathim,"
Nana!
"Fr
anksai
dsadly
"
Leavemealone,
stayt
hehel
lawayfr
om me"Nana
wavedherl
it
tl
efi
ngert
owar
dsFrank
"Nanaweneedt
otal
k,pl
easehearmeout
?"Fr
ank
pleaded
"Nothappening!Iknowyouknewwhatyourbr other
didtomeandt heaudacitytoli
eabouthimloving
me.Itwasbet terknowingthatyouaredead,now
seei
ngyour emi ndsmeofFr ed…apar tofmylifeI
wanttoburyi ndept hsofear
thsoIdon'teverr
elive
i
tagain,sopleasel eavemealone"Nanasaid
"I
'
m sor ry…I'
m sorryforeveryt
hing.Fr
edwant edto
change, hewant edtol eavet
hatlif
esohecoul dbe
withyou, Iknowhedi edasadman.Her eal
lyloved
youI '
m sorry"Franksai dwit
hglist
eni
ngeyes, the
l
itt
lealtercati
ongott hem anaudiencejustatt
he
entranceoft hecoffeeshop
"Idon'tbel
ieveyouandIdon'
tcar
e.Herobbedme
ofachancet obeamothersoscr
ewandhim and
you…comeonbabel et'
sgo"Nanasai
dpulli
ngher
partneroutoftheest
abli
shment
Frankqui ckl
ycaughthistears,
hewentstraightto
thetil
l
st opayt henhewalkedout .Hebumpedi nt
o
awomanpushi ngababypr am,hequickl
y
apologizedwithoutl
ookingandr esumedhisescape
from t
het hepryi
ngeyes.
"Frank!
"avoicecal
ledoutinthecrowd.Frank
stoppedt ol
ookbackbutuponr eal
izi
ngwhoi swas
hescur r
iedouthur
riedl
y,i
twasal mostli
kehispast
wasst art
ingtocat
chupwi thhi
m.Her anoutoft
he
mal
landonl
yst
oppedwhenher
eachedt
her
ank.
*
***
Meanwhi l
ePhi ndileputherhandonherhead, she
mustbedr eami ngt othi
nkt hatFrankwasst i
llali
ve,
shefeltsi
ll
yforcal li
nghim outl i
kethat
,people
mustt hi
nkshe'scr azy.Shechuckl edtoherself,t
he
nannyf r
ownedatherandr ecommencedpushi ng
thepram aft
ert hatcarel
essmanal mosttri
ppedher
andthebaby…" peopleneededt owat chwheret hey
weregoing",shet houghttoher sel
f.
Theywal kedintoSpurandal lPhindil

ecouldthink
aboutwasFr ank,
thatfatef
uldayhef vckedher
brainl
essinSenzo'shouse, itwasthemosti nsane
thi
ngshe' severdoneandbecauseoft hatshewi l
l
neverforgethim,heleftherwant i
ngmor eandmor e.
SurelySenzowasj ealousoft hem,theywerea
catchPear lwasproof.Thoughi twasnaught ybut
thosesteamysessi onswer etoogoodnott oenj oy
andSenzohadtobeawi zar
d..Goodri
ddancet
o
badrubbi
shshethoughttohersel
f.
"Di
dyouseethemant hatbumpedi
ntoyou"
Phi
ndi
leaskedthenanny
"No,
Iwastoomad,
heal
mostknockedmeover
"
shesai
dir
ri
tabl
y
"HelookslikesomeoneIknow, i
t'
sapityIdidn'
tget
toseehim pr oper
ly.Rumorhasitthathediedina
fi
rebuttherewasnof uner
al.Thosepeoplewere
ri
chI '
m sureitwasgoingtobeabi goneifher eal
ly
died"Phindil
esaid
"
Somepeopleli
ketokeepthi
ngsdiscreetmaybe
t
hat
'swhathappened"Thenannysaid
"Per
haps!Butt
hosemencanf
vck"shesai
dli
cki
ng
herl
ips
"Ai
kewenamaPyouhaveaman, st
opthinki
ng
aboutot
hermenpl
ease"shesai
dchuckl
ing
"
DoIevenhaveaman"shesai
drol
li
nghereyes,
"
Yesyoudo…nowar
eweher
etot
alkort
oeat
?"t
he
nannysai
dchangi
ngt
hesubj
ect
Awai
tercamewit
halit
tl
enotepad,hei
ntr
oduced
hi
msel
fandtookdownthei
rorder
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
38].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er50
*
Dur
ban*
Ther
e'snoshadowYouwon'
tli
ghtup
Mount
ainYouwon'
tcl
imbup
Comi
ngaf
terme
Ther
e'snowal
lYouwon'
tki
ckdown
Li
eYouwon'
tteardown
Comi
ngaf
terme
Oh,
theover
whel
ming,
never
-endi
ngr
eckl
essl
oveof
God
Oh,
itchasesmedown,
fight
s't
ilI
'
mfound,
leaves
t
he99
Icouldn'
tear
nit
,Idon'
tdeser
vei
t,st
il
lYougi
ve
yoursel
faway
Oh,
theover
whel
ming,
never
-endi
ngr
eckl
essl
oveof
God
Nomzamosangt
hatsongsoftl
yassherubbedher
st
omach,
shehasbeenreckl
essforhour
sandher
l
owerabdomenst artedrel
easingalit
tlesti
ng.
Inst
eadofpani cki
ngshest ar
tedsingingthissong
byCoryAsbur y-Recklesslove,overandoveruntil
shewasi ntears.Frankwasnowkneel i
ngnextto
herwithhiseyesclosed,Nomzamobel tedoutin
prayer
.
"Mount ai
nsmayst andbef oreusbutbyt hement i
on
ofyourNamei tshal lbecasti ntotheseasbecause
youar etruet oyourwor dohGod, I
'mr estlessand
weepi ngaiml esslybutIknowyouar et enst eps
aheadofme, wear ekneel i
ngbef oreyouasyour
childr
enandweaskf oryourpr otecti
on, coverus
withyourbl ood.Gui deusi nt heway, yout ol
dus
thatthywor di sthel ampunt oourf eetsandt he
l
ightunt oourpat hs…showust hewayHeavenl y
Father.Ibr i
ngourunbor nbaby, Ispeakgoodheal th
andsaf edel i
veryi nJesusName, t
hedevi lshal
l
forgetournames, ouraddr essheshal lknowusno
mor e.IbringFr ank'sproject st oyoucr eatorofthe
heavensandear th,lettheinsur ancecompanycal l
uswi thgoodnews.Letal lfundsber eleasedand
mayyousendt herightpeoplehisway, peoplethat
willhelphi m buil
dsomet hingposit
ive.Youhave
givenhi m achancet ostar
toveronacl ean
sl
at e.
..allourhopei sinyou"Shequi etendown
whenshehear dFr ankmumbl ingapr ayerunderhis
breath, shesangt hesongoncemor eandl ethi
mt o
cont i
nuewi t
hhispr ayer
.
"
Amen"Fr
anksai
dwhenhewassat
isf
ied
Nomzamoj umpedoutofbedandwaddl
edintothe
bat
hroom Frankf
oll
owedherl
ikeal
ostpuppy.
"Thankyouforal
wayspr
ayi
ngforme,thoughyou
scaredmetoday…ar
eyoual
ri
ght?"Heasked
"Yeah,
Iwasjustrest
less.I
t'sal
mostlikewear e
goingtobetr
iedandthef i
rstt
hingIthoughtabout
wasyourmeet i
ngwiththeinsurancepeople"She
saidsi
tti
ngonthetoi
letseat
"
Hopefull
yever
ythi
ngwil
lgowel
l"Hesai
d
t
ight
eninghi
sli
ps,"I
'mt
hinki
ngt
hatmoneyi
sst
il
l
di
rtymoney,whatifthePhantom burnsever
ythi
ng
again.I
'
m scept
icalallofasudden"headded
"Mathew21:22Andallt
hings,whatsoeveryeshall
askinprayer
,bel
ievi
ng,yeshallr
eceive.Sodon't
worr
yGodwi l
lbr
eakeverychainandyouwi llget
ever
ysinglecent
"Nomzamor epl
ied
"
Pleaser
ubof
fsomeofyourf
ait
honme"hesai
d
f
lashi
ngasmi
le
Nomzamof ini
shedur
inat
ing,shewipedhersel
fand
cl
eanedherhands.Fr
ankcont i
nuedwalki
ngbehind
herasshemadeherwaybackt othebedr
oom, t
hey
bothhoppedint
obedwhileconversi
ng.
*
***
*
Nextday…*
Nanawasenj
oyi
ngherdayof
f.Sheopt
edt
ospend
thi
stimewithSfi
so,t
hingshavebeenmarvelous
betweenthetwo.Shestar
tedbei
ngcomfortablei
n
herskinonceagai
n.Theywerecuddli
ngi
nbedi n
Sfi
so'shouse.
"Sowhatisi
tthatyoudo?Andwhatwereyoudoing
i
nMpof anahonestl
y?"Nanaaskedwhi
leshedr
ew
cir
clesonhi
schest
"
I'
m acop…adet
ecti
vefort
heSapst
obepreci
se.I
wenttohel
pafr
iendoutwi
thsomei
ssuesi
nMooi
Ri
ver"hesai
d
"
OK,Iwoul
dli
keapol
ogizefort
hewayIcar
ri
ed
mysel
fatt
hecof
feeshop"Shesai
d
"Noneed,whoi
sthatguy?Hel
ooksl
ikeMhl
engi
"
Sfi
sosaid
"Oh…nowthatyouhavementi
onedi
tbutt
hat
's
Frank,
hisFr
ed'stwi
n"Shesai
dsadl
y.
"
Oh,
theonewhowaspr
esumeddead?
"heasked.
"
Yeaht
hatone!
"sher
epl
ied
"
Maybeyoushoul
dhearhi
m out
,thi
scoul
dbet
he
cl
osur
eyouneed"Sf
isoadvi
sed
"
It
'snouse"shesai
ddi
smi
ssi
ngt
het
opi
c
*
***
Thuladopackedherst uf f
, shehadt orushhomet o
rel
ievet hechil
dr en'
saupai r,
thi
si ndependent
womansl ashsi nglemot herwasn' tawal kinthe
park.Somedayswer ebet terthant heother,she
promi sedthegir l
samovi enightandsheknows
bestnott obreakherpi nkiepr omise.Shecl osedher
eyesandt hankedt heLor dforapr oductiveday,she
hoistedherbagandl eft.Shej ustlockedher
drawer sbutleftitopensot hatthecleanercanhave
access.Bef oreshecoul devenst epoutt hebuil
ding
DrNwokoyecal l
edoutf orher .
"
Nur
se!
…mi
ssMdl
etshe!
"Hesai
dbr
eat
hless
"
HeyI
fe!I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?"Thul
adoasked
"
No!
…I'
m goi
ngt
oper
for
m anemer
gencyceaser
ean
andIneedanAPRN(
AdvancedPr
act
iceRegi
ster
ed
nur
se)coul
dyoupl
easehel
pme?"hesai
d
pl
eadi
ngly
"Pl
easet el
lmeyouar ejoki
ng,
Ineedtogethomet
o
myki ds.Nightshi
ftshoul
dbehereal
ready"
Thuladosaidannoyed.
"Youaret
heonlyAPRNavai
labl
eri
ghtnow,pl
ease
hurr
y.Thebabyisi
ndi
str
ess"If
esai
drunni
ngback
i
ntothehospi
tal
"Great
!Justgr
eatnxa!
"Thul
adosaidpushi
ngher
bigstomachbackint
othehospi
tal
Shequi ckl
ygotintohersurgeryscr
ubs, she
messagedt heaupai rt
ohangonal i
ttl
el onger
sinceshe'shavinganemer gencyatwor k,shealso
textedMhlengi.Shecoveredherhairandshoesand
l
ef tfort
hetheater
,If
ewasal readyt
herewi t
hhis
tools.
"
Ist
heanest
het
isther
e?"Thul
adoasked
"Yes!Hefi
nishedhispartandhi
sshi
fti
sover
"If
e
answeredherfocusingonthewomanwhowas
panicki
ng.
TheTheat erst
afffussedoverthepregnantladyas
Ifestart
edtheprocedure.Thuladorest
ednexttothe
patient
sheadandst artedtel
li
ngheraboutt he
process,thenshewentt ohelptheobstet
rici
anwho
i
snoneot hert
hanI f
eNwokoye.Thepai rtagged
team thedeli
veryofabouncingbabyboy.
Meanwhi
leathometheaupairreceivedacal
lthat
hermot
herwasrushedtohospital
,shetookt
he
twi
nsanddroveof
fwiththem pani
cking.
*
***
*
Unknowndest
inat
ion*
Thespi rithover edar oundthef aceofear th
searchingf oranewhome, it
'sbeenl ongsi nceit
wasr ejuvenat edwi t
hthegi f
tofl ife.Itknewt hat
fi
ndingavesselwasaneasyt askbutf i
ndi nga
warm homewast hehar dthing.I ntheout skirt
sof
Kwa- Zulunat alt heshimmer ingwat ersoft he
umt havunaRi verf oundfavorf rom t hisspi ri
t,i
t
l
andedj oyousl y.Itformedani ll
usionar oundi tso
thatonlyt hosewhoar eseeki ngcanf indit ,andto
thosewhom ar eobl ivi
ouswi l
lseej ustal ake.
ThePhantom i
nit
iatedthewaterbycreating
bubbl
es,i
tswam toandf romarkingit
st err
it
oryand
whenitwassati
sfieditsunkdeepintothestil
l
water
sandwaitedf ori
tsnextprey.
Agr oupofboyst ookof

fthei
rclothesandj umped
i
nt otheri
verskinnydi
pping,t
heirlaughsfil
ledthe
airasthewatercooledthei
rbodiesf r
om the
scorchingsun.Suddenlyoneboyst art
edflapping
hisarmsasi fthoughsomethingispulli
nghi m.The
otherstri
edt ohelphim outoft hewaterbuthe
drowneddi sappear i
ng,theotherboysswam outof
fear.Theysatt hereforacoupl eofminutesscared
togor eportbecauset heywer epull
edbyt heearnot
toswi mint hatri
ver,eventual
lytheydeci
dedt o
braveitoutandgohomeandt ellt
heparents.The
confusion,thetraumaandhur t.
Thecommuni t
yqui
cklygather
edaroundther
iver
,
thepol
iceandther
escueteam wascall
edtohelp
l
ookfortheboy.
2021
*
***
*
Sponsor
edbyNt
habi
sengTema*
Iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngt
owr
it
etoday,
spentmydaywi
th
f
ami
lybutNt
habisai
dpl
easedosmal
lsmal
l
[
11/
22,
14:
38].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er51
*
West
vil
lePr
ison*
Mhlengiwalkedi nsl
owlyhissmilebroadenitwas
al
mostr eachinghisears,
hiswhiteteethand
dimplesbutteri
ngThuladuwhowassi tt
ingonthe
chair
.Shecamet oseeMhl engii
nprison,Mhlengi
halt
edmi dwayadmi ri
nghisshortyThuladoblushed
pl
ayingwi
thherhands.Thewar
denwant
edt
odi
e,
hefoundt
hissoannoying.
"Awkodwaicherieyami ,
doyouknowhowni cei
t
feel
stoseeyouinper son.Idon'
tknowwhyyou
don'
tcomehereof t
en"hesai dst
il
lstandi
ng
exposi
nghisbrackets
"Eh,
ifIwasn'
ttendi
ngtoyourt
roubl
esomechildr
en
andjuggl
ingapregnancywi
thademandingjob,
maybeIwouldspendmostofmyt imehere"
Thulador
epli
ed
"Comeher e!"hepul l
edheri ntohug,hecr ouched
smoochi ngherbi gbell
yal lover
,thenhest oodon
hisf eetwhilegropingherassandsqueezi ngit,he
kissedher .Thewar denclearedhisthroat,Mhlengi
stoppedandwi nkedathim, thewar denjustglared
athi m.Mhl engiretreat
edput ti
nghishandsi nthe
airletti
ngThul adogo." Howar eyoushor ty?"hesaid
pulli
ngt hechai rforhertosi t
"
I'
m exhaust
ed"shesai
dheavi
ngasi
gh
"
Whenar
eyougoi
ngonmat
erni
ty?
"Heasked
"Onmy8t hmont h,butseemssof ar.Ican'
ttakeit
anymore.Theincompet encyatwor kisappall
ing,
I'
m pr
egnantbutIf i
ndmysel fworkingmor eharder
thant
heot her
s…i t
'sjustnotfai
r"shesaidwhining
"Whenicomeout
,al
lthi
swi
llbeover
"hesai
d
assur
ingher
"Ireallyneedyou,I'
mt i
redMhl engi"shesaid
pout i
ngt henshecried,Mhlengiputhi shands
toget herbeggi
nglookingatthewar den,heshook
hisheadandshr uggedhisshoul der.Mhlengithen
satnextt oThulado,hertummywast oobigforhim
tocr adleher.
"Youaresuchast r
ongwoman, Iadmi reyouso
much.Iwi l
lneverstopapol ogizi
ngf ormakingyou
gothroughthisalone.I
t'
sf unnybecausewhenI
dreamedofhavi ngchil
dren, Ialwayshadapi ctur
e
ofmei nthemi dstofi
tallandnowyouar eoutthere
andI'
m here.Iwi l
lmakeitupt oyou, Ipromise
nonethel
essyouar eawesome!" hesaidkissingher
"Ayayyounotsupposedt
obetouchi
ngNgcobo,
what
'swrongwit
hhumankindkant
i?Yougi
vea
personahandandnowt heywantt
hewhol
ear
m"
thewardencompl
ained
"Awwar deni
cheri
eyamiiyakhal
a,Ican'
tjustsi
t
hereandwatchher,t
hisi
spr eci
ouscargoright
here…can'
tyouseewarden?"Mhlengisai
d
pleadi
ngly
"
Ididn'
tmaketherul
esNgcobo,t
onedownt
he
i
nappropr
iat
etouchi
ng"Hesai
dster
nly
"
Yini
?Arewemakingyourrodtwit
ch?"hechuckl
ed,
"
Youcouldj
ustcl
oseyoureyes"headded
"AyMhlengi
!"Thul
adocal
ledhim of
f,t
hewar
den
shookhisheadsli
ght
lysmil
ing
Thepai
rdi
ver
tedt
hei
rat
tent
ionbackt
oeachot
her
.
"Sowhat
'
sthest
orywi
tht
heaupai
r?"Mhl
engi
asked
"She'
sgreatwit
hthekidsandIunderst
andshehad
nochoiceandyoushouldn'
tbehardonher .
Apparent
lyhermothersuf
fer
edast r
oke,anditwas
af
terhour
sshewasj
ustbei
ngki
nd"Thul
adosai
d
"Ohshit
!OKit'
sjusti
fi
ed.Ijustdon'
twantmykidst
o
beexposedto,st
rangers.Perhapsnextti
meshe
shoul
ddr opt
hem offbyShar on?"Mhlengi
suggest
ed
"Except
,weareinGlenwoodandSharoni
sumngeni
that'
swaytoofar.I
twasaonceoffthi
ng,
it'
snot
herfaul
t"Thul
adosaid
"
Ihearyoubutst
il
l"Mhl
engisai
d
"Ican'
twaitforyoutocomeandacqui reyoursetof
greyhair
sfrom yourbeloveddaught
ers,Iswearyou
probabl
ythinkingI
'm exagger
ati
ng"Thuladogiggl
ed
"Theyar
ej ustki
ds…enoughaboutt
hem.Howar e
you?Areyout aki
ngcar
eofyoursel
f.Thespa
treat
ments,ohandIneedafavorfr
om you"hesai
d
excit
edl
y
"
I'
mf i
ne,
whenIgetthet
imeIdogof ort
he
t
reat
ment…what
'st
hefavor
?"sheasked
"Ineedyout
otakeapi
ctur
ef orme,si
mil
arl
ikethe
oneItookwhenyouwerepregnantwi
tht
hetwins.
Justputati
meront hecamer
abutmakesureIcan
seeyourtat
toos…pl
ease"Mhl
engibegged
"Yohdoyout hi
nkIhaveti
mefort
hatser
iousl
y?"
shesaidscoffi
ng,
"Ihavest
ret
chmarkst
histi
me
around"sheadded
"HaveIevercompl
ained?Pl
ease"hegr
ovel
led
somemor e
"
FineIwi
lldoi
t"Mhl
engipunchedt
heai
rer
rat
ical
ly
*
***
Phindi
leputherbagonhert eacherst abl
ereadyto
l
eave,sti
llnooneknowswhoeggedhercarbutat
l
eastnowt hesecur i
tyisalert
,heact uall
ypatr
ols
aroundtheschooli nsteadofj ustsit
tingbythegate
postwithhiseyesgl uedt ohisphone.Phi ndi
le
dial
edFrank, shewasqui t
eanxi ousabouthis
foll
owupmeet ingwi t
ht heinsurancecompany,
rumorhasi tthatitcoulddragoutf ormont hsbefor
e
thefundsar ereleased.Frank'sphoner ang.
"
Zamo!
"hesai
d
"
Heybabehowzi
tgoi
ng?
"sheasked
"
I'
mt hi
rdi
nli
ne,
thequeuei
smovi
ngsl
ow"he
r
epli
ed
"
OhOK, I
'
m alsopackinguptol
eave,
rememberGod
i
sincont
rol
.Iloveyou"shesai
d
"
Iloveyout
oo,
Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
"Fr
anksai
d
Nomzamohungupandheadedtothepar
kinglot,
j
ustwhenshewasaboutt
ostar
thercaracallcame
t
hrough.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dfr
owni
ng
"yawenasf ebesebor nagain!Iwonderhowdoyou
sleepatnight,mysoni ssufferi
ngbecauseofyou.
Whycoul dn'tyoujustleaveNjabuloalone?Nowhi
s
i
nj ai
landI'ml ef
ttopickupthepi eces…uthi
angiyondl
enganil enganemi na?(wit
hwhatmustI
feedt hi
schild)i
twil
lnotbewel lwi
thyouNomzamo,
myt earswillnotfal
lonrockygr ound.Ifyout hinkI
willsuf f
eralonethenyouhaveanot herthing
comi ng,watchyourback.Nj abuloandIwer ehappy
untilyoucameal ongandchangedhi mf ort he
wor sesf ebe…youbusyhi dingbehindchur ch
wher easyouar erot
tentothecor ebusyopeni ng
yourl egsandbr eakingpeople'srel
ati
onshi ps,then
yougot ochur chandscream Jesus…f ire….Iwi ll
showyou"shespat
"Soinot herwor dsIwassupposedt ojustclosemy
eyesandpr etendli
keNjabulodidn'talmostki l
lme
andmyunbor nchil
d?DoyouknowIhada
protecti
onor deragainsthi
m?Idi dn'twantyour
mananymor ebutbecausehiscr azyinhi sheadhe
justwoul dn'
tstop.NowI '
m sorr
yaboutj uniorbut
myl if
ewasont hel
inehereandsi siift
her e'
s
someoneyoushoul dbeangryather e…it'
sNj abulo
notme, Idi
dn'tknowyout wower edat i
ng, inmy
knowl edgehecheat edonmewi thyouandyouf el
l
pregnant "Nomzamosai d
"
Yout
alksh!
t!Ever
yoneknowst
hatNj
abul
oandI
havebeent oget
herforyears,don'tcomewitht
hat
bull
sh!t
,I'
m surehelearnthi
sl essonwit
hthe
beati
nghegotf rom yourmant her
ewasnoneedf or
youtohavehi mlockedupf orsomanyyear s.What
am todoNomzamo? "shecri
ed
"I
'
m sor r
y",
shepausedf eel
ingconfl
ict
ed,"IguessI
didn'
tthi
nkthisfarbutit
'st
oolatenow, Iwas
scaredformyl i
fetooOK…hehadagunandhewas
ki
ckingmyst omach, hecouldhavekil
ledme"she
saidsadly
"Buthedi dn't
,hewasjustmad.Nomzamoi twil
lnot
bewel lwithyouIsweartoGod.Yousl eepi
ng
peacefullyinyourman'sarmswhi l
eI'
m soaki
ngmy
pil
lowswet ,it
'sfi
nebutIwillhavet
helastl
augh.
Yout hinkyouhaveitallf
iguredout,
weshallsee"
shehungup
"Excuseme!"Nomzamosai
dgetti
ngworkedup,
"Nx
backtothesender
,hawui
mihlol
ayami
"shesaid
putti
ngherphonei
nherbag.
Sher
ever
sedandhi
tthegasl
eavi
ngt
heschool
.
*
***
Frankwasdoi ngsomer esear chonherphone, he

hadpl entyofbusinessi deasbutt heyal lneeded
capital.Hisstylewasdi f
ferentf rom Fr ed'sandhe
didn'twantsomet hingthatwi l
lf orcehimt ospend
hisdayscoupedupi ntheof f
ice, hewant edtobe
outt heregettinghishandsdi r
ty.Thecl ickingof
heelscaughtever yone'sat tention, t
hel adywas
wear ingapeept oeankl eheel edboot s,Fr ank
traveledupheryel l
owl egsandf ort helongestof
ti
meshewasj ustbar eunt i
lhiseyesr eachedt he
ruggeddeni m bum shor tssl i
ght l
yshowi ngherbut t
cheeks.Thel adyhadabodyt odi efor,thehipsand
theass…t hiswasdef i
nitelyasi nt hensheador ned
hersel fwithaf l
oraltankt op,final l
yhear ri
vedatt he
destinat i
onbuthi seyesqui cklyl ookedawayupon
reali
zingwhoi twas.
"
Frank"shescr
eamedwal
kinghi
sdi
rect
ion,
"Fr
ank
i
t'
sreal
lyyou!
"shesai
d
"Next
"thel
adyinthecubicl
esaid,Fr
ankst
oodup
headi
ngther
e,complet
elyignor
ingher.
Shegawkedathi mi ndi sbeli

ef,shescoffed
dissapeari
nginoneoft heoffi
ces.Afteralong
processofsigningf ormsandscanni ngof
fi
ngerprint
s.Franklef ttheplacegloomy, hesti
llhad
towaitbecauseappar entlytheywerest i
ll
processingeveryt
hi ng.Hecaughtagl impseof
concretebenchesj ustbyt hewat erfountai
nout si
de
theoffi
ces,heneededami nutetogatherhimself
beforegoinghomet oNomzamo.Hewast i
redof
dissapoint
ingher,soonhi schildwil
lbebor nandhe
wasbr okeasapi ecr ust ,
itwasembar r
assingfor
someonewhohadal lthemoneyi nt
hewor ld.
Hewassolosti
nthought
sthathecoul
dn'
teven
heart
hel
adycli
ckhershoeswalki
nghi
sdir
ecti
on.
"YouknowIcanmakeyouf
eelbet
ter
"shesai
d
sit
ti
ngnextt
ohim
"
Phi
ndi
ler
est
!"Fr
anksai
ddi
smi
ssi
vel
y
"Whydidyoupr
etendl
ikeyoudi
ed"Sheasked
cur
iousl
y
"
Idi
dn'
tpr
etend,
that'
swhatever
yonet hought
,
i
ncl
udi
ngyou.Iwasn'
tint
hatbuil
ding"heanswer
ed
"
Isi
ttr
ue?
"sheaskedl
ooki
ngst
rai
ghti
nhi
seyes
"
What
?"Fr
ankaskedi
rr
it
abl
y
"Thatyouwerei
nacul t
,thatyoudi
dn'
tbri
ngina
sacri
fi
cesoyourkingdom crumbl
edhencethef
ir
es"
shearchedhereyebrow
"Iknowyourboyfr
iendi
sthemanagerinthi
s
buil
ding,sonowwhatdoyout hi
nkhewouldsay
seeingyouherewithme?"Fr
ankaskedchangi
ng
thequestion
"Hi
smarri
ed,hedoesn'
tcont
rolmyli
fe,butImust
saynoonecanfvckmet hewayyoudiddaddy"she
sai
dputt
ingherbar
elegonFrank'
slap
"
Youneedt
ost
opwi
tht
hiski
ndofbehavi
or
becauseitwil
llandyouinhotwat eroneday,gi
rl
s
l
ikeyouar epr
eyi nt
hisworld.Allthewickedness
haseyesonyoubecauseyouar esoeasyand
welcoming.Giveyoursel
falit
tl
el oveandfocus
Phindi
le"hesaidpushingherlegaway
"Youuset ofvckeveryholei
nmeandyoul ovedi t
sopl easedon'tcomeher eandacthol
y.Don'tyou
darej udgemeFr ank,Ili
vemyli
fethewayIwantno
manwi llt
ellmesh!t…youandIhavesome
unfinishedbusiness,youcanpl
ayhardtogetall
youwantbutweal lknowyoucan'
tresi
stal
loft hi
s"
shebentoversl ightl
ytwerki
ng,
shewalkedaway
giggling
Frankbitherl
owerliptouchinghiscrot
ch,hedida
sil
entprayerf
orGodt odeliverhi
mf r
om temptat
ion.
Hegotonhi sfeetandwal kedawayheadingtothe
taxist
op.
*
***
Thul adofinishedmaki ngpopcor n,thegi r
lsalready
choset hemovi e.Forsomer easont heywant edt o
watchaDCf il
m andBl ackPant herwonbecause
Lubanziwasf asci natedbyShur it
hepr incessof
Wakanda, shewassoi ntelli
gentandgl uedupwhen
i
tcamet ot echnol ogythenLumi nj
al olovedt heDor a
milajeladiesbecauset heywer estrongandcoul d
fi
ghtt oprotectt heKi ng.Thespongewasont he
fl
oori nfrontoft hecouch, theylai
doutext r
api l
lows
sot hattheirmom wasni ceandcomf ortable.
Thul adomadei treall
ygor geousandf un, she
handedt ot hem t hebowlofpopcor n.Theyphoned
Mhl engiear l
ieronandhewassoj eal ousbut
wishedt hem wel l,Lumipr essedplaywhent hey
wereal lseat ed.
Rightatthebeginni
ngoft hemovieThulado
growledwhent heint
ercom buzzerwentoff
,she
balancedonthecouchget ti
ngup.Shewonder ed
whatwast heissuenow, sheyankedthephoneand
putitonherear.
"
Hel
lo"shesai
dannoyed
"Sor
rymam,ther
e'samanbyt
henameI
feher
eto
seeyou"t
hesecuri
tysai
d
"Oh!
"Thul
adosai
dfrowni
ng,wheredi
dhegether
addr
essandwhatwashedoinghere?
,"Lethi
min"
shesai
dputt
ingdownthephone
Shewasi nherlongti
ght sandafl
aretop,shewas
walkingbaref
ootexposi
ngherbeautif
ull
ypedicured
l
itt
lefeet,
shewassocut eandt
inywit
hherbi gbell
y.
Afterafewmi nut
esIfeshowedupatherdoor st
ep,
youcouldseehowner voushewasbyavoi di
ngeye
contactwithmissMdletshe.
"Hey,
Ibroughtthi
s"hesaidhandingoveragi f
tbag,
"somethi
ngforyouandthekids,Ijustwantedto
comeandt hankyouforbeingki
ndandhel pful
towar
dsmeatwor k"hesai
dnervously
"
OhOK, wel
lyoudidn'
thavet
ocomeallt
hewayt o
myhouse,i
nfacthowdidyouknowwhereIl
ived?
"
Thul
adoar
chedhereyebr
ow
"Iwil
lconf
ess,Il
ookedi
ntoourfi
lesatwork…sorr
y
i
fIcrossedtheli
ne,I
'mj
ustboredandalone"he
giggl
ednervousl
y
"
I'
m watchi
ngamoviewit
hthegirl
s,Idon'
tknowi
f
i
tsagreati
deat
oinvi
teyouin"shesaid
"
Iwi
llbeasqui
etasamouse"hepr
omi
sed
Thuladol ethi
mi nandcl osedt hedoor,he
i
ntroducedhi m asafriendthatshewor kswith,t
he
gi
rlsdidn'tpaymuchat t
entiont ohim,hedecidedto
si
tont hecouchsohedoesn' tinvade.Hewas
happyt heywerewat chingoneofhi sfavori
te
movies.Lumi njal
okeptongl ancingatIfeeveryt
ime
helaughedataf unnyscene.
*
Ayearl
ater
…*
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
38].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er53
Mhlengiandagr oupofpr i
sonerswereplaying
cardsinthecel l
,whenani nmat ebudgedin,they
hurri
edlythrewat owelcoveringthesetupjust
i
ncasei twasawar den.Notallofthem werein
businesswi t
ht hem t
hereforetheyneededtobe
al
ertanddi screeti
nt hei
rdealings.
"
ShoKr
uger
!Youhavebeensummonedi
ntheof
fi
ce,
Vadersai
dIshoul
dtel
lyoutomeethi
m byt
he
gat
es"Themaninorangesai
d
"Surengiyazwakala!
"Mhlengisai
dnoddingathim,
"ngiyabuyaji
taz"Mhlengisai
dgett
ingonhisfeet
,he
stoodt ohi
sfeet.
Hemeander edallthewaytothegat es,wit

htwo
wardenstail
inghim atadi
stance.Aspr omisedthe
seniorwardenwast her
ewaiti
ngf orhim,they
openedthegateandMhl engiwasescor tedtothe
off
ice.
"
Ngcobo!
"Hesai
dsmi
rki
ngathi
m
"
Vader
!"Mhl
engisai
dinut
mostr
espect
"Peopledon'tgetti
redofcommi tt
ingcrimesout
there,i
t'
salarming!wehavemur derers,r
apist
s,
thievesandawhol elotofcrap"hetookoffhis
glassesandr ubbedhiseyes,"WellI
'
m exhausted!
"
hesai dputt
inghisglassesbackon, "
It'
sli
kepeopl
e
don'tvaluethei
rownf reedom,Il
ovemy
comfortabl
ebedandmysever alcol
ourfoodthat
mywi feprepar
esforme, nowimagi
ner i
ski
ngallof
thatt
ocomeher eandlookatmenallday"headded
fl
oppingbackonhi schair
Mhl engisatt herequietl

ywai t
ingt ohearwhywas
hecal ledher e, hehadmanyt heor i
esplayinginhis
head.I tcoul dbet hathegotr attedoutbyot her
gangs, everyoneknewt hathewaspushi ngdrugs
andt hathehost edgambl i
ngst akesf ortheKrugers
l
edbyTumel o.Godknowshowmanyt imesTumel o
havebeensenti nt
osol i
taryconf i
nementf orgett
ing
i
ntof ightspr otectingtheoperat i
on,oritcouldbe
becauseoft her ai
dtheydi dinhi scellr
ecentl
y,they
turnedt hepl aceupsi dedownandt hosestupid
wannabewar densappr ehendedcel lphonesand
toothbr ushshi v'sandshankst hatwasf oundunder
themat tresses.Whi cheveritwas, heknewhewas
i
nt roubl eandi twasn' tgoodforhi srecord.
"
What
sonyourmi
ndNgcobo…t
alkt
ome"t
he
war
densai
dsoundi
ngr
atherbor
ed
"
Not
hingVader
!"hel
ied
"Wellwi
thoutwasti
nganymor eofyourt
ime, Ihave
beenwatchingyouclosel
yandImustsayyouhave
chari
smamyboy, ifonlyyoucoulduseitf
orgood
youwouldbef ari
nlif
e.Areyouplanni
ngonsel li
ng
thosepi
ecesofartintheartr
oom? "t
hewar den
asked
"
No!
"Mhl
engisai
dimmedi
atel
y
"Toobad,
Iwaseyeingthem.Theyar
eexcept
ional
"
hesaidsl
ight
lygr
inni
ng
"Thankyousi
r,t
heyaren'
tfi
nishedandmyspecial
paint
sareathome"hesaidshruggi
nghisshoul
der
"
Tellmeaboutyourf
ami
ly"Thewar
denasked
i
nquisi
ti
vel
y
"Oh…uhm…Ihaveagirl
fri
endshe'
sanadvanced
pract
icalr
egi
ster
ednur
se"hepaused
"
Whatst
hediff
erenceandwhyar
eyousmi
li
ng?
"the
war
denprobei
nterest
edi
nhisst
ory
"
Shest
udi
edt
owar
dsaBachel
ordegr
eei
nnur
sing
science,herf
ocusesismidwi
feryandshewants
addanest het
istt
otheli
staswell
,she'
smy
everythi
ng…that'
swhyI'
m smil
ing"hesai
dproudl
y
"
Hmmm i
nter
est
ing"t
hewar
densai
d
"Yeahshei saforcetobereckonedwit
h,Ir
eallylet
herdownbyget t
ingmyselfmixedupwitht
he
wr ongcr
owd.Myancest or
sgavemeabeaut i
ful,
sweetgirlwit
hthepur estf
orm ofl
oveandinreturn
Ileaveherwithtwinstorai
seallonherown,without
moneynorpr otecti
on"hesighedsadl
y
"Butyouhavemoney,Iknowyouknowwher
et hose
mill
ionsar
e…fr
om theheist
"thewar
denwi
ggledhis
eyebrows
"Iwi
sh.ThereasonIf l
edfrom t
hecr i
mescenewas
becauseofi
cherieyami,Iknewshoul dIgetcaught
i
twouldbetheendofme.Themoneywast helast
thi
ngonmymi nd,Ihonest
lydon'tknowwher eiti
s"
heexplai
ned
"Li
es"hechuckledbi
tter
ly,"
backt
owhyIcall
edyou
here.Pri
sonsareful
lNgcobo.Weneedtomake
room fordanger
ouscriminal
snotwi
shywashy'
s,
mur derer sandr apistsareoutt herest roll
ingthe
streetsbecausej ail
sar efil
ledbyt hel i
kesofyou.
Sot hankyourGodandancest orsbecauseyouar e
oneofaf ewconvi ctschosent obegi vengr acein
thisprison, l
ikeIsai dIhavebeenobser vi
ngyou.
Youcar ryyour selfwi thpoiseanddi gnity,you
managedt ostayoutoft roubleandmost
i
mpor t
ant lyyourf amilyneedsyou.Nowdon' t
dissapoi ntme, Idon'twantt oseeyoubackher e
againNgcobo.Iknowl i
feishar dbuti ndodasweat s
forhisf ami l
yandar ealmandoesn' tchooset o
l
eavehi sf amilyunguar ded.Ihopeyoul earneda
valuablel essonbybei nginher e,obviousl ythere
wasasecr etscr eeningpr ocesst hatwedi dont he
prisonerswear el ett
inggosodon' tthinkyouar e
special.Besi desyourgoodbehavi or,youar eonl y
l
ef twitht woandahal fyearswhi chmeansyou
sentencei salmostoverbutonemi stakeandyou
willbackher eforgood.Nowsi gnher eandgohome
toyourf ami ly"Thewar densaidpushi ngast ackof
formst owar dsMhl engi.
Mhlengilookedatthewardenwaiti
ngforhi
mt osay
heisjokingbuthejustst
aredbackathim,he
openedhi smouthbutwordsfail
edhim.Heslowly
grabbedt hepenandini
ti
aledever
ysingl
epage
beforethemani nbrownchangeshismind.
"Nowyouar en'
tfreeasi nfreeyouwi llsti
llabi deby
therulesoftheCor rectionalSuper vi
sionPar ole
Board( CSPB),youwi llbeundersuper visi
onunt il
yourtwoandhal fyear siscompl eted.Youwi llbe
appointedtoacour sei nt hecommuni tywher ebyan
off
icerwillbemoni toringyouunt ilyourper iodi s
fi
nished"headded
"Thankyousir
,Idon'
thavewor
ds"hesai
d
emotional
ly
"Gohometoyourchi
ldr
enNgcobo"hest
oodupt
o
standbyt
hewindow
Mhl
engiquickl
ywipedhistear
sandsteppedout,
t
hetwowar densweresti
llwai
ti
ngforhi
m outsi
de
t
heoff
ice.Theyescort
edhim backt
othecell
s,he
ambl
edinst
il
linshock,
hewentstr
aightt
otheli
tt
le
ol
dbedandsatburyi
nghisf
aceinhishands…he
wasf
ree!
*
***
Nomzamowassi tt
ingont hebedstar
ingintospace,
shejustmangedt oputSbusitosl
eep.Frank
walkedinwithacupoft eaforher
,hewasst i
lli
na
j
ollymoodaf t
ertheconfir
mationt
hathewi llget
disi
mbersedbythei nsur
ancecompanyaf teralong
fi
ght,monthsbecameayearbuti ntheendi twasall
worthit
.
"
I'
veputmymom'slandupf orsal
eint
herural
s,I
won'
tusei
t"Fr
anksaidhandingZamothecupof
t
ea
"
Whatapi
ty,
it'
ssoni
ceandspaci
ous"Nomzamo
r
epl
ied
"
Itcar
ri
esal
otofbadmemor
ies,
Ihat
eit
"hesai
d
"Thenyoumadeagooddeci si
on"Zamorepli
ed,
"BabedidyouseeThulado'
sbaby?Iknowit
'ssi
ll
y
buthelooksli
keyou"Nomzamosaidbut
i
mmedi atel
yregr
ett
edsayingi
tbecausei
tsounded
sil
ly
"Whatyoumean? …IknowshethinksIl
ookl
ikeher
manbutt oresembl
emewi t
hherbabeisrat
her
dist
urbi
ng"hesaidl
yingonthebed
"Whendidshesayyouresembleherman?"
Nomzamot urnedqui
ckl
ylooki
ngatFrank
quest
ionabl
y
"
What?DidIsayher?ImeantIf
esai
dIl
ookli
keher
man"Fr
ankquickl
yreconst
ruct
edhi
ssent
ence
"
OhOK…t
hat
'swei
rd"Zamosai
d
Frankfel
tsil
lyl
yingaboutThulado,surely
Nomzamowoul dn'thaveaprobl
em, i
twasal ong
ti
meagobutseei ngThul adosouncomf ort
abl
ein
thechurch'
sparkinglot,
maybeitwasbet tert
his
way.
*
***
Thuladowal kedar oundherr oom si ngingalull

aby
forNtobeko, heseemedt ol ovehear i
nghismom' s
voice,i
tonlyt akesacoupl eofmi nutesbefore
Thuladostartf eel
ingnumbonherar msf r
om the
str
ainofcarr yingherr ockofason, hewast hat
heavy.Hepl acedhi m gentl
yi nhiscotandsnuggl ed
him wit
hhisbl uefluff
ybl anket,thet winspeepedin
andsawt hatt hebabywassl eeping.Theygave
Thuladothumbsupbef oretiptoeingbacki nt
ot hei
r
room,sheputonhersi l
kgownandheadedout .
Shef oundLumiandLubisnuggl edinthei

rbeds
eachwi thastor
ybookt hattheywishedthei
rmom
toreadforthem,Thuladoclearedherthr
oatand
reci
tedthestori
esforthem, sheki
ssedthem
goodnightandheadedt otheloungearea.Her
housewasst arti
ngtopileupagainnomat t
erhow
hardshet r
iedtoti
dyup, wit
hinminutesshefound
herselfmovingalltheice-
cream tubstothecorri
dor
atleastitwon'tbeinpeople'
seyes.Shest ackedall
thebooksj ustbehindthecouchnextt othe
Bookshel ft
hatwasal r
eadyover f
lowingwi t
hunread
books, shedustedherhandsst andingbacksoshe
couldseei ft
hel i
tt
leshif
tmadeadi ff
erence.
Sheheavedasi ghofdi ssapointment ,atleastt he

placelookedneat er
,itwouldhavet odobecause
shecoul dn'tdi
sposet hebookswi t
houtr eadi ng
them andt hetubswer etheref orrainydays, she
smi l
edthinkingabouthermot her.Shehopedt hat
shewaspr oudofher ,eventhoughshewasn' t
mar r
iedbutshemanagedt ogetaneducat ion
somet hi
ngt hatshediedyear ningf or.Ar umi nati
on
ofthought splayedinherhead, herchildhood, her
parentsloveydoveymoment sbutst opsatt hef i
re
andever yti
met hishappensshesi tsont hef loor
andcr yrockingherselfbackandf orthjustlikehe
didthatday.
Whenshewassat isfi
edshedeci dedt omopt he
fl
oorandt i
dyt hekitchensothatshecansl eepi n
themor ni
ng,shecheckedi fthedoor swerelocked
andclosedal lwindowst henshedr aggedherwor n
outbodytot hebedr oom.Thul adofeltst
ickyand
yuckytheref
or esheopt edforaqui ckshower ,then
shecrawledundert hecoverswhenshewas
fi
nishedwithmoi sturi
zingherbodyandshesl ept.
*
***
Musapar kedoutsi
dethegat eoftheEstate,she
wavedatt hesecuri
tyandhequi ckl
yrecognized
him andopenedthegat e.Musaparkedrightbythe
securit
yhouse,Mhlengijumpedout ,
hewas
wearinghissweatpantsandhoodedsweat shi
rt
fol
lowingafterMusa.
"
Baba"Musasai
dgr
eet
ingt
hesecur
it
y
"
AwMf
anauyaphi
lakodwa?
"heaskedj
oyf
ull
y(my
boyar
eyougood?
)
"I
'
m good!Babat
hisisMhlengi
…theoneIhave
beent
ell
ingyouabout,
histheownerofuni
t20"
Musasaid
"
Ohyesyes,
what
'syoursur
name?
"Themanasked
"
Ngcobo!
"Mhl
engianswer
ed
"
OhMapholoba,
thatshor
tbeaut
if
ulgi
rli
syour
s?"
Heasked
"
Yebobaba"Mhl
engisai
drespect
ful
lyandbl
ushi
ng.
"
OhOK…I '
m gl
adthatyouarehere,t
omor
rowyou
mustcomeanddoyourfinger
pri
nts,t
hemanager
wil
lbeher
e"headded
"
Iwi
lldoj
ustt
hat
"Mhl
engisai
d
Thepai
rwentbacktot
hecaraft
ert
hei
ntr
oduct
ion,
Musaparkednextt
oThul
ado'
scar.
"
I'
m notgoi
ngi
n,wewil
lseeyoual
lproper
ly
t
omorrowandher
earethespar
ekeys"Musa
handedt
oMhl
engi
"
Thankyou,Idon'
tknowhowIwi l
leverr
epayyou.
Al
lIcansayisIwil
lneverf
orgett
his"Mhl
engisai
d
Musahootedanddr
oveout
…Mhl engisl
ott
edt
he
keysandt
urnedi
tar
oundopeni
ngt hedoor
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
38].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er52
*
Dur
ban*
Peopl escatteredlikeantsaft
eral ovelyservi
ce,the
pastorf ocusedonhowt obal
ancemi nist
ryand
fami l
ybecausepeopl et
endtonegl ectonewhen
focusedont heot her.Youareapast oratchurchbut
ahusbandandaf atherathome, loosenupandbe
theref oryourchildrenbecauset heygr owupt oo
fast.There'sadi f
ferencebetweent hetwoand
becauseofnotbei ngabletodistinguishf ami
lies
arebr okenandt hati snotGodly.OurLor disthe
Godofor der,Heist hesymbolofl oveandbr i
nging
peopl etogether,Het hri
vesi
ngoodnessand
ri
ght eousness.
Famili
esweresmil
ingandlaughingwi
theachother
asplansonwhattomakeforSundaylunchcame
about.Thul
adof
oundherselfmissi
ngherfat
herso
shephonedhim.
"Hel
lo"hesai
dinascr
atchyvoi
ce,
theol
dmanwas
gett
ingold
"
Hel
lobabaunj
ani
?"Sheasked
"
I'
m goodmydaughterandyou?Banj
aniabazukul
u?
(
howar emygr
andchil
dren?
)
"Theyaregreat,
I'
m pl
anni
ngatr
iptobri
ngthem
over
,didNhlanhl
oshowyouthepict
uresoft
heli
tt
le
one?"Thul
adoasked
"Yes,
hel
ooksdi
ff
erentf
rom t
hegi
rl
s!"
hesai
d
"
Yesbecauset
hegirl
slookli
kemeandhel
ooks
j
ustl
ikehi
sdad"shesaidchuckl
ing
"OhIsee,youmustbr
ingthem.Letmeseeal
lmy
grandchi
ldr
enbef
oreIdi
e"hesaidwit
hsli
ght
chortl
e
"
Don'tsayt
hatbaba,youwil
lli
vel
onger
.I'
m pr
ayi
ng
f
oryout ol
ivel
onguntilI
'
m abl
etofi
xmyhomeso
t
hatyoucanbeproudofme"shesaidsadly
"I
'
m alr
eadyproudofyount
ombiyami,youar
e
str
ongjustl
ikeyourmot
her
…theloveofmyli
fe"he
said
"
Youmi
ssherdon'
tyou?
"Thul
adoaskedsmi
li
ng
"
Ido…IheardthatMkhuzenii
ssi
ck,
hewentbackt
o
t
hewheelchai
r"Heinf
ormed
"Idon'
twanttosayanythingbadbecauseI
'
ma
Christ
iannow,I
'
m actuall
yatchurchaswespeak"
shesai d
"Iwasjustlet
ti
ngyouknow, allhisevil
deedsare
catchi
ngupt ohim andyoumustt hankGodfor
snatchingyououtofthatsi
tuationwhenHedi d"he
saidgladly
"Youcansaythatagainbaba,bewel
l.Wewil
lsee
yousoon.Ineedtofeedthesechi
ldr
en,t
heyare
star
ti
ngtowhine"shesaid
"
Alr
ightnt
ombi
yamiusal
ekahl
e"hesai
dhangi
ngup
Ifewal
kedupt oThulado'
sbabyblueHyundaii x35,
shewasst i
llonthephonesohedeci dedtogr eet
thegir
ls,
theywer est
andingbehi
ndt hecar
watchi
ngaki ddi
esvideoonYout ube.Thuladohad
them i
nmat chi
ngblacktull
eski
rt
s,whi t
eDi sneyfun
Tshirt
sandaddidassneaker
s,theyhadthat
Rockstarki
ndoflookandLuminjal
olovedit
.
"
Yougi
rl
slookl
ovel
y"i
fesai
dent
husi
ast
ical
ly
"Thanks"Lubanzisai
dhereyesst
il
lgluedt
othe
phone,Lumipickeduphereyespl
acingherti
ny
handsonherwai st.
"Doyouknowmyf
ather
?"Lumiaskedar
chi
ngher
eyebr
ow
"
No"I
fer
epl
iedi
nnocent
ly
"
Wellhi
stal
lerthanyouandst ronger,hisgot
muscl
esandt att
oosallover.Hewillcomebackand
marr
ymymot her"Lumisaidwithatti
tude
"
OhOK"I
fechuckl
ed
"
Andyouar
ejustmom'
sfr
iendr
ight
?"sheasked
"
Yes,
wej
ustf
ri
ends"I
fesai
dwi
thasmi
le
Luminjalof
oldedherar
msgivingI
fethest
inkyeye,
If
efeltli
kebeingsi
ll
ysohestuckhi
stongueoutat
Lumiandwalkedaway,
Lumi
njal
ogaspedi
nshock
shenudgedLubanzi
.
"Di
dyouseet
hat?Hej
ustshowedmehi
stongue"
shesai
dfr
ant
ical
ly
"St
opitLumi,youknowyoushoul
dn'
tli
eabout
adult
s"Lubir
epri
manded
"I
'
m notl
ying,thatDrj
ustst
uckhi
stongueatme"
sheemphasized
"Pl
easedon'ti
ncl
udemei nyourthings,Idon'twant
togeti
ntotr
ouble.Fi
rstofall
mom war nedyou
aboutt
alki
ngtouncleIfeli
kehisyourmat e"Lubi
sai
d
"Iwasjusttel
linghim aboutubaba, hei
stheonly
onethatlovesmom andt heywillgetmarr
ied.Uncl
e
Ifei
sjustaf r
iend"shesaidroll
inghereyes
"
Youal
wayssayt
hat
"Lubishr
uggedhershoul
der
s
"
YesbecauseIl
ovemydaddy"Lumisai
d
"
Ilovehi
mtooandmummywi l
lmarr
yubaba…
t
here'
snoneedt
oworr
y"Lubisai
d
"OKfi
ne,
buthemustst
ophuggi
ngmom"she
added
"
Areyougoi
ngt
otel
lhi
m?"Lubiasked
"
Shoul
dIt
ellhi
m?"Lumiasked
"It
hinkthat
'sagoodideabutdon'
tletmummy
catchyou"Lubiwhi
spered
"
OK"Lumiwhi
sper
edback
If
epickedupthebabyf
rom Thul
ado'
sar
msasshe
prepar
edtheseatf
orhi
m.
"Hi
sget
ti
ngfatt
erbyt
heday"I
fesai
dst
ari
ngatt
he
babi
escut
eface
"
Andheavyt
oo"Thul
ador
epl
ied
"Sowhatdoyouthink?Aboutt
hechur
ch"
!"I
fe
askedsqui
nti
nghiseyes
"
Ilovei
t!i
sn'
tthi
slikemyt hi
rdweek.I'
m maki
ngit
myhome, t
hepastorisniceandtheSundayschool
i
sawesomeygi r
lslovei
t.Youknowt hatwar
m
f
eeli
ngwhenyouenterthedoor ?Il
oveitsoyeah
I
feanyi
chukwuyouwereright"shechuckl
ed,"
that
's
whatyouwantmetosayr ight?
"sheadded
"YesbecauseIt
oldyou,
youar
egoi
ngt
olovei
t"he
saidsmil
ing
"
Wheni
syourf
ami
lyar
ri
ving?
"Thul
adoasked
"
Youj
usthadt
oremi
ndme"hegr
owl
ed
"
What?Ei
theryoul
ikei
tornot
,sheisyourwif
eand
t
hosear
eyourkidsMrNwokoye"Thuladosai
d
"Iknow,If
eelli
kesuchahorri
bleper
sonforfeel
ing
thiswayaboutthem…Chineke!Hel
pwit
ht hi
sone"
hesaidinpidgi
n
"Iloveitwhenyouspeakl
iket
hat
"Thul
adosai
d
closingthedoor
"Yasoyoucanteaseme,nothanks.Ihat
eitwhen
peoplet
hinkt
heycanspeakpidgi
n,youguyssound
funnyoo"hel
aughed
"Myfr
iendgetoutf
rom her
e"Thul
adot
ri
ed,
butI
fe
bur
stoutlaughi
ng
"
Seeyour
sel
f!Chai
!!Thi
sshoul
dbeacr
ime
oo…l
eavet
hisonef
ormeabeg"hecont
inued
l
aughi
ng
"
Mxm t
sek"Thul
adosai
d
"Wehaventevenl
eftthechur
chpr
emisesandyou
areal
readyswear
ing…mbano"hesai
dsnappi
nghis
fi
nger
s
"Gi
rl
s"Thuladoscreamed,theyappearedf r
om
behindthecarf
oll
owingeachot herlooki
ngrat
her
guil
ty,"
Whatareyouupt oo?"Thuladoasked
"Not
hing"t
heysai
dinunison,t
heyj
umpedint
othe
carandshutt
hedooravoidi
ngeyecont
act
"Theseki
dswi l
lbethedeathofme"Thul ado
mumbl edunderherbreath,
Ifewasjuststar
ingat
herinadmirat
ion."
What ?
"Thuladoasked
"
Ifonl
y"Hesai
d
"
Ifonl
ywhat
?"sheasked
"
Not
hing"her
epl
iedl
ooki
ngaway
Al
adycar
ryi
ngababywal
kedupt
othem,
shewas
smi
li
ng.
*
***
Nomzamost eppedoutofchurchwhil
eFrankwas
havingachatwit
hthepastor
,onherwayt ot
hecar
herecogni
zedaparti
cul
arlady,shesmil
edand
walkeduptoher.
"Sanibonani
!"shesai
dseeingthatt
hel
adywas
standingwit
haf amil
iarchur
chmember
"
hawuyebo,
havewemet
?"t
heshor
tladysai
d
"
Yeswehave,I
'
m Nomzamo.Wemetatthe
r
est
aur
antyouwerewi
thNana"Nomzamosai
d.
"
Yes,
nowIr
emember
.I'
m Thul
adu"shesai
d
"Iwasabouttoask,
thepai
nofknowingsomeone
butnott
heirname"shesai
dchuckl
ingnervousl
y
"
Iknow,i
t'
sgetsmeal lt
heti
me"Thul
adorepl
ied,
Ife
l
eanedagai
nstthecardrawi
ngouthi
sphonegivi
ng
t
hel
adi
espr
ivacy
"
ImustsayI
'
m happyt
oseeyouher
e!"Shesai
d
"Yeah,
I'
m maki
ngi
tmyhome.Ijustt
oldI
fe,
plusi
t'
s
closet
omyhouse,
soyeah"Thul
adosaid
"That'
sawesome,t
hishasbeenmyhomeforyear
s,
youmakingtheri
ghtchoi
ce"Nomzamo'
sbaby
star
tedcryi
ng
"Ncoooi
sitf
eedi
ngt
ime?
,shei
ssocut
e"Thul
ado
said
"
Thankyou,
Ithinksheneedsanappychange"
Nomzamorepli
ed
"Ihaveonet
oo,wel
lthr
eenow",
Sheopenedthecar
andshowedNomzamot hetwi
nswhohappil
y
wavedather,
thent
hebabyboywhowasalreadyin
l
alaland.
"I
'
m sojealous,theprocessofpregnancyis
daunti
ng.Theyar esobeautif
ul,
congratul
ati
ons"
shepaused" t
hisonel ooksf
amili
ar"Nomzamo
probedlooki
ngatt hesleepi
ngbaby
"
Hel
ooksl
ikehi
sdad"Thul
ador
esponded
chuckl
ing
"
hmmm"Nomzamosai
dst
ari
ngathi
m
Meanwhi l
eFranksteppedoutofchur chheadi ngto
thecarbutnoti
cedt hatZamowaschat tingwi th
somechur chmember s,Nomzamowassucha
people'
spersonandt hiswasachar acterhe
admiredthemosti nher.Shewasj ustsobr ight,her
l
ightwasunmi ssable,heheadedherdir ecti
onsohe
couldtakethebaby.Hecoul dseef
rom adi stance
thatshewasget t
ingrestless.
"Letmet akeher"hesai
dstr
etchinghisarmsbut
stoppedathi st
rackswhenhiseyesmetwi t
h
Thulado."Hi"hesaidst
udyi
ngherf ace,
Thulado
l
ookedawayavoi di
ngeyecontact.
"Hey"shesai
dquickl
y,"
Itwasnicechatt
ing
Nomzamo, Iwil
lseeyouaround"Thul
adosaid
att
empt i
ngtol
eave
"
Wai
tletmei
ntr
oduceyou,
thi
sisFr
ankmybaby
daddy,babet
hisi
sThul
adushe'
snewatt
he
church"Nomzamosai
deager
ly
"Ni
cet
omeetyou"Fr
anksai
dst
ari
ngatThul
ado
deepi
nhereyes
"Li
kewise"Thuladosaidfaki
ngasmile,
"If
eI'
m out
,
thanksagain"Thuladocall
edout
,shehoppedinher
caranddr oveoff.
Nomzamofr
ownedlooki
ngatFr ank,shet
hought
t
hatwasawkwar
d,shebidfar
ewel lt
oIfeandthey
wal
kedsi
detosi
deheadingtothecar .
"
Thatwasawkwar
d"Nomzamof
inal
lysai
d
"
Wasi
t?…Idi
dn'
tnot
ice"Fr
anksai
ddi
smi
ssi
vel
y
Nomzamochangedt
hebabyatthebackseat,
aft
er
shewasdoneFr
ankhitont
hegasanddr oveout
.
*
***
Thul adoandherki dswer estr
ollingar oundt he
estate,itwasl avi
shlymani cured, thegr asswas
healthyandgr een.Theirgardenswer ewel l
taken
careof ,theplacewasbi gandi tmadeeasyf orbusy
fami li
estojustst r
etchtheirl
egsi nsteadofgoi ngto
thepar k.Atthebackt heyhadapl aygr oundwi th
swings, jungl
egym andapoolf ortheki ds.Itcost
anar m andal egbuti twassaf eandwor thit
,
Mhl engialwayssayi tgiveshi
m api eceofmi nd.
Whenshear ri
vedhomeaf terchurch,shefedt
he
ki
dsandnowt heywereenjoyingthefreshai
r
beforedi
nner.Lumipl
uckedar osefr
om thebed,
Thuladogaspedinshock,somet imesshewondered
i
fshewasokayupst air
soutoft hebl
ueshewould
dosomet hi
ngthatwil
lleaveyougobsmackedi n
shortnot
ice.
"
Whatthehelldi
dyoudothatf
or?
"Thul
adosai
d
t
hroughgr
it
tedteet
h,shedi
dn'
twantt
oshoutl
oud
anddr
awat
tent
ion
"I
t'
sforyoumummy"shesai dinnocent
ly,
Thul
ado
gotdefeat
ed.Sheheavedaheavysigh
"Thankyoumybabybutpl easedon'tj
ustpluckout
ofthegarden,rememberweneedt oaskfor
permissi
onbecausewepayt hegardenertogrow
thesebeauti
fulfl
owerst
omakeourest at
et obest
l
ookingonei nthear
ea"shesaid,
Luminoddedher
head.
"
Sor
rymummy"shesai
dsadl
y
Thuladofel
tguil
tyinstantl
y,it
'sal
mostli
keshe
shoutsathereveryday,thoughitwasessent
ial
becauseshewasver ynaught ybutsometimespoor
Lumimeantwel landdeser vescompli
mentsforher
gooddeeds.
"I
t'
sbeauti
ful
!Il
ovei
t"Thul
adosai
dwi
thasmi
le,
shethensnif
fed
"
I'
m gl
adyoul
ovei
t"Lumisai
d,hermoodwas
upli
ft
edbecauseshestar
tedgall
oping,Lubanzi
j
oinedher.Thul
adohadNtobekoinhispr am,he
waspl ayi
ngwit
hhisr
attl
egradual
lylookingathi
s
si
sters.
Sati
sfact
ion!Andrighttherewasthatfeelingshe
l
ivedfor,
herchildr
en'shappiness,t
heonl ypieceof
thepuzzl
et hatwasmi ssingwasMhl engi.Her
phonepingedf r
om hershor t
s,shereachedoutf ori
t,
i
twasamessagef rom Ife.
*
I'
mfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thyou*
Thuladofrownedandcl i
ckedhert ongue.Shehadit
upt oherewit
ht hesemenr opi
ngt hemselvesint
o
herlif
ejustbecausetheyareaftersomet hi
ng.She
typedamessage.
*Asmyrespectf
oryouwaftsoutoft
hewindow.My
hear
tbel
ongstoMhlengi
,youknowthatver
ywell
,
si
nceyouchoosingtodisr
egardal
lofthat
,our
fr
iendshi
pisof
f.Idon'
twanttoberesponsi
blef
or
yourpredi
caments*
Shepr
essedsent
.
*I
'm sorr
yi fImadeyouangry,Iwasjustbei
ng
honest.Ifeelbet
ternowthati
tisoutofmychest
.I
wil
lkeepmydi st
ance,Il
oveyou*
Anot
hermessagecamet
hrough.
*
fuseg*
Thul
ador
epl
ied.
* Iknowwhatt
hatmeans,
Godi
swat
chi
ngyou*
Anot
hermessagepoppedup
*Godiswat chi
ngyoutoo,
youar
eamar
ri
edman
yetyoureyesarepryi
ng *
Thentherewassilence.Thul
adodeci
dedtovideo
cal
lMhlengibuthiscelldi
dn'
tgothr
ough,shetri
ed
agai
nbutnothing.SheloggedontoFacebookasthe
ki
dsbusiedthemselvesinthegar
den,shestumbled
uponbreaki
ngnews24.
"Anot herchilddr ownsatMt avunaRi ver"this

mar kedt hef ourthdeat hinthatarea,itwasal lover
thenewswhent wogi rlswer efounddeadf oll
owi ng
aboyt hatdiedl astyear .Thuladofoundher self
l
ooki ngf orswi mmi ngcl assesforthet wins,
perhapst hoseki dsdidn'tknowhowt oswi m not
thatshewoul dallowt hem anywher enearar iver
butitwasagoodski lltoacqui r
e.Shef oundaf ewin
thear eaandenqui r
edaboutt hepri
cesand
structure.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
39].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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*
SPONSORED*
Chapt
er54
*
Dur
ban*
Mhl
engit
urnedt
hedoor
knob,
heambl
edi
nthedar
k
aimlesslylookingf oraswi tch, her emember edthe
fl
ashl i
ghtonhi sphoneandputi tont henvoi l
a!He
tookaf ewmi nut estaki ngi tallin, hewashome, he
wasf ree!Hescannedar oundt heki tchenandhe
wasi mpr essed, thepl acewascl eanandi tlooked
great,hepassedt heki tcheni ntowhatseemedl i
ke
aloungesl ashdi ningr oom t heTVandt hedecor
wasj ustr i
ght,ever yt
hi ngscr eamedshor tyhef ound
himselfchuckl ingbutt hatwasqui cklyr eplacedby
afrownwhenhespot t
edt hebookcl utter…t he
hoardingmonst erwasst i
llaround, hewal kedpast
theloungear eaandwasmetbyanot hercl utterof
tubspr essingthecor ridori ntoat hinwal kway, he
meander edthroughi twi thasor ehear t.
Heopenedt hefi
rstdoorhecameacr ossjudgi
ngby
thecount lessvideocallshehasdonewi t
hthem he
knewt hiswast hegi r
lsroom…quiteobvi
ousreall
y,
therewasabi gsignt hatsai
d"Pri
ncesshead
quarter"youcoul dtellt
hatitwasmadebyt hegir
ls
withhelpf rom Thulado,hepeepedhisheadinandit
wasdar k.Hestoppedmi dwayandsteppedback,
wouldn'titbeani cesurpr
iseiftheywakeupt ohi
m
i
nt hemor ning,hegentlyshutthedoorand
proceededt othenextroom.Het ipt
oedlet
ti
ng
himselfincarefulnottowakeupt heli
tt
leman,
thoughhewasdyi ngt
ohol dhimi nhisarms.He
undressedandmadehi swayi ntotheensui
te
bathroom.
Hest oodundert heshowerl etti

ngt hehotwaterrun
overhi m,hehel pedhi mselft oThulado'sspecialgel
thatsmel ledli
kef r
eshf lower sintheSpr i
ng,he
smear edital
loverhi sbodycr eati
ngf oamylather,
het henscr ubhisphysi quef ramewi thabat
hing
brush.Whenhewascont enther i
nsedhisbodyand
steppedoutdr yinghi msel f.Hef el
tf r
eshbutsmel t
femi nine,
hecoul dn'twai tt
ogooutt her
eandmake
hispr esenceknownbutf ir
stbondi ngwi t
hhis
fami l
ywasatt hetopofhi slist.
Hestr
oll
edstar
knakedar
oundther
oom,steali
ng
gl
ancesatThul
adoshewasnakedt
oo,sl
eeping
soundl ywithherlegsopen.Heal wayst houghtshe
wasadeepsl eeperasi ft
hat'
snotenoughshesl ept
carelesslyl i
keast arfishandhogst heent i
rebed, oh
howhemi ssedher .Hedeci dedt ocheckont hel i
ttl
e
Mhl engibef orejoininghi sshortyinbed, henoticed
thathewasn' tcover edsohepul ledupt heblanket
andpl aceditoverhi schunkyl it
tlebody.Justlike
thet winst heywoul dki ckofftheirblanketsinthe
middl eofni ghtregar dlessoftheweat herandthis
madehi m wonder" whydoki dshat ebeing
cover ed?".
Hesl idundert hesheetsaf t

ercover ingThulado
whodi dn'tevenmoveani nch, shesleepsli
kesheis
dead.Hedr apedhi sarm aroundherandsl owly
drif
tedof fintoadeepsl umber .Ntobekof ussedin
hiscribki ckingofhi sblanketoncemor e,heletout
aloudcr yThul adowokeupal armedi twas
fascinatinghowshewoul dsleepr i
ghtthroughand
nothearat hi ngbutletoneofherki dscryshe
woul dbeal ertedinaninstant.Shej umpedof fbed
runningt owar dsNtobeko'scribandi ndeedhewas
whineyandr
est
less,
shepickedhi
m upsoshe
couldgi
vehi
m anappychangeandfeed.
Hepl acedhim onhi schangingunitandst art

ed
workingonhi m, whenshet urnedont hebot t
le
warmershegotaf r
ightofherlif
eseei ngaman
l
yingcomf ortablyonherbed, hereyeswi denedbut
herfeetsti
lll
aunchedi ntooneposi t
ion.Shedi dn't
knowwhet hert oscream orjusttakehersonand
runout .Nt
obekost art
edwai l
ingfrom t hehunger ,
themenont hebedshi ftedprobablyfrom t henoise,
Thuladodidasi lentprayerasherhear tthudded
agai
nstherr i
bcage.Nt obekowoul dn'tstopcr ying.
"Shhhshhh"Thul
adotri
edtogett
hebabytoqui
eten,
shesqueezedhervagi
najustt
omakesureshewas
fi
ne.
"
Hey"t
hemansai
dget
ti
ngoutofbed
"Mhl
engi?Isthatyou…ho-how?
"Thuladosai
d
l
oosingenergy,Mhlengir
anuptoherandtookt
he
babyaway.
"Yougood?Heyheyi
t'
sme…Mhl
engi
!"hesai
d
concer
ned
"
Youscar
edmedamni
t!
"Thul
adosai
dint
ear
s
"I
'm sorryit
'sme…youwer esleepingsopeaceful
ly"
hepul l
edherintohisembr acewi t
hNt obekoi
nthe
middle,hewasj uststari
ngatMhl engiheeven
for
gott hathewascr ying
"
Anot
herf
reepass?
"Thul
adoasked
"
Yes!Butt
hisonei
sfor
ever
!"Mhl
engismi
led
"Whatdoyoumeanbyf
orever
?"Thul
adoasked
plucki
ngt
hebot
tl
eofmil
koutofthewarmer
"Youl
ookingatafreeman,I
'
m her
eforgood"He
saidf
urt
her.Thul
adopausedandpout
edherli
ps
"
Don'
tpl
aywi
thmel
iket
hat
!"shewar
ned
"I'
m notpl
ayingshort
y,I
'
m outongraceper
iod,
there'
ssti
llafewrul
esIneedtofol
lowbutI
'm not
goingbackt her
eagai
n"heassur
ed
Thul
ado'
sli
pst
rembl
edshel
etoutasof
tsob,
she
cri
edsor r
owf ulthrowingherselfonthebed,
Mhlengi'
seyesgl i
stenedwi t
htearsaswel l.Hef ed
Ntobekowal kingar oundtheroom withhi m andhi s
cockdangl i
ngashewasst il
lnaked,afterwhat
seemedf oreverthel it
tl
emanhadf al
lenasl eepin
hisfat
her'sarmf ort heveryfi
rstti
me, thefeeli
ng
wasmagi cal.Hepl acedhim backi nhisbedand
hurr
iedovert owher eThul
adowasst i
llcurl
edi ntoa
ball
.Hepi ckedherupandsl idherundert hesheet s
andjoinedher .
"I
'
m sorr
yI-
Ithoughtyouwoul dbehappytoseeme!
Thiswasnotthereacti
onIexpect
ed"Mhlengisai
d
wipingt
hetearsoffherface
"I'
m veryhappyli
keyoucannotbel i
eve,I'
m not
cryingbecauseI'
m sadbutbecauseIhavebeen
waitingforthi
sdayf oraverylongt i
me.Mhl engiit
wassohar dforme, Idon'
tknowhowmanyt i
mesI
j
ustwant edtogi
veupbecauseIj ustmissedyou
terr
ibly.Peopl
ethinkI'
m crazy,Icantel
ltheyar e
onlyt ol
erat
ingmebecauset heyar edoi
ngyoua
favorbutIknowt heygossipaboutmeandi nt he
midstofal
lthatcr
apmybestfr
iend,t
heonl
yperson
Itr
ustisl
ockedupinj
ail
"shesaidinbet
weenher
sni
ffs
"I
'm her
enowandnoonewillmakeyoufeell
ikethat
againOK?"Mhl
engisai
dki
ssingheral
loverher
face
"
Areyousur
eyouout
?"Thul
adoaskedagai
n
"
Yesshor
ty,
I'
m her
etost
ay"hesai
d
"
I'
m happy,
thegir
lsar
egoingt
olooset
heirminds…
wemustdoabr aai
"Thul
adosai
dsli
ght
lychuckli
ng
"Nah,Iwantt
ospendt imewi thyouandthekids
fi
rst,
wecandoabr aaisomeot herti
me"hesaid
grazi
nghisli
psonher s,"I
'
m sopr oudofyou
Thuladu,
Ital
kaboutyouwi t
hpr i
de,t
hethi
ngsyou
haveaccomplishedovertheyearsareimpressi
ve,
welldonebabe"Hesai d
"Youkeptmestrongandyourki
dsheavenlyFat
her
,
I'
m sogladyouarehere,
maybewewillhavesome
orderi
nthehouse"shechuckl
ed
"
Whatdoesyourf
athert
hinkofme?
"Mhl
engi
bl
urt
edoutoft
hebl
ue
"
Wellheal
waysaskedwhenareyougoi
ngtodo
r
ightbyme?"Thul
adoanswer
edhonest
ly
"
Howwoul di
tmakeyouf eel
tobeawif
eofa
Kruger
?"Mhl
engiaskedsqui
nti
nghi
seyes
"Pl
easeyouneedt ostopwit
ht hi
sKr ugernonsense,
i
fyougetarrestedagainI
'mleavi
ngyou…Iwi l
lnot
berai
singchil
drenalonewhil
ewai t
ingforyou,I'
m
notdoi
ngthat"Thuladospat
"Hawujustl
iket
hat
?"Mhl
engisai
dhi
dinghi
sfacei
n
herti
nychest
"I
'm notdoingitagain,Ihavebeensexuall
y
fust
ratedforyearsandyourr ascal
ssi
tt
ingonmy
neck…angi yenzenjeleyonto"Sheroar
ed
"Soyoudon'twanttobemywif
e?"Mhl
engiasked
sti
llhi
dingunderherbr
east
s
"
Younothear
ingme"Thul
adosai
d
Shefel
tthewarmnessofhi
stonguemakingtwi
rl
s
onhernippl
es,
sherel
axedherbodyl
ett
ingout
beaut
if
ulmoan,heli
ckedandsuckedonhert
it
ti
es
l
ikeali
tt
lebabysuckl
ingf
ormil
k.
"Youdon'
twanttobemywi feshort
y?"Mhl
engi
askedinhi
sthunder
ousvoicethatwasnowlabor
ed
from t
hefi
rehewasfeel
ingbecauseofshor
ty'
s
warm andsmoothbody
"Idoit
'sj
-j
ustthat,
aaahMhl
engi
"shesai
d
breat
hingheavil
y
*
Sexualcont
ent
*
Mhlengi
'sfingerswer edi ppedinherpussy, twirl
ing
andpoking,scratchingt hatit
ch.Hel eftwetsloppy
ki
ssesalloverherbodyunt i
lhislipslandedonher
pvssyThuladoshi veredi npleasure,heslurpedand
l
appedgent lypull
ingonhercl itshemoanedabi t
l
oud.Mhl engicoveredhermout hbeforeshewakes
upthebaby, shewi ggledandshi ver
edasMhl engi
eatherpussyupmer ci
lessly,shesqueezedhi s
headl ockingitinbetweenherthighswhenshe
reachedherf irstorgasm.Mhlengicr eptuptoher
kissinghermaki nghertast
eherliquids,Thul
ado
l
at chedonhi m deepeningthekiss,herhands
touchedal loverhisbodydepictedhungerandt hi
rst
Mhl engijustwant edtofvckherbrainless.
Hepushedherdownst icki
ngheront othesheet s,
heinsertedhiscockwi t
houtwar ningThul ado
screamedbutqui ckl
ycover edhermout hremember
Ntobeko, Mhlengipickedupherl egs, hepushed
them allthewayt ohershoul dersandpl ungedinto
her.Herpussywaswar m andwel coming,her
ti
ghtnessf ueledhim evenmor ebecausei tmeant
shewaswel lbehaved, hestrokedherdeepandf ast
thenhewoul dgraduall
ygyr ateslowandst eadi
ly.
Thuladoenj oyeditsomucht hatshecr ieddiggi
ng
hertinyhandsi ntohisar ms.
"
Tur
naround"Mhlengiorder
ed,
Thul
adocomplied.
Mhl
engipol
ishedhi
sblackcockbef
oreposi
ti
oning
i
tonhersl eekgl i
steni ngmeat yent rance, hedi pped
histwof ingerwhi l
elickinghi slowerl ipf ullaroused
thenher ammedi ntot hathol ewi thhungerand
urgency.Hepoundedherl ooki
ngathi sname
embr oideredont hesmal l ofherback, hespankher
butqui cklyr emember edt hebabyandr etreated.He
startedgr unt i
ngf eeli
ngt hesensat iondr awi ng
closer,hehel dherbyt hewai standpushedheri nto
hiscockashesl ammedi ntoherThul adol ostitand
screamedi npleasur e, "AaahMhl e..
"shecr ied
vibrati
ng." cum f ormebaby"Mhl engisai d
pleadinglyashi shappypl acer eachedt het i
pofhi s
rod" Aaah"Thul adosai dsexi l
yexpl odingoncemor e,
Mhl engisl ammedi nherhar dthatt heybot hfellon
thebed.Hest ayedont opofherashi st oescur l
ed
enjoyingt her eleaseofhi ssemeni nherwar m
moi stpussy, hesqueezedherboobsst i
llrestedon
her.
"
Mhl
engiyouar
eheavyonme"Thul
adowhi
ned
"
Fuck!Thatwasamazi
ng"heut
ter
edsof
tl
ythen
f
loppednextt
ohersmear
ingdr
opsofhi
scum on
herbut
tsandt
highs.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
39].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
SPONSORED*
Chapt
er55
Mhlengifr
ozeinsideherpvssypi
nni
ngherhard
ont
ot hecoldwallwhil
ecradli
ngher
,hegr
unted
pumpi nghisseeddeepi nsideherint
eriorhethen
caressedhert inybody,holdingherfordearli
fe.
Thuladoclutchedonherman, sherestedherhead
onhisshoul derast earsstr
eameddownherf ace
from t
hepl easureandt hatgiddyfeel
ing,itwasst i
ll
unbeli
evablet hatthi
swasMhl engiconnectedwi th
heraftersuchal ongt i
me.Shewaspul ledoutofher
thoughtswhenshef el
tcoldwaterhitherbody, she
j
umpedi nshock.
"Mhl
engii
t'
scol
d"shesai
dreachi
ngf
ort
hewat
er
swit
ch
"I
t'
sthef
irstbi
t,i
t'
sgoingtogetwar
mj ust
now…rel
ax"Mhlengisaidpl
anti
ngakissonherl
i
ps
"Weneedtohur
ryt
heki
dswi
llbeupby8am"
Thul
adosaid
"Ithoughtwewoul
dhaveanot
hersessi
on"hesai
d
playful
ly
"Hellno!I'
mti
redI
'
m di
ckedoutngeke,
youhadme
allnight
"Thul
adocompl
ained
"Doyouknowt hepainofknowingyouhavei cheri
e
ebabayo(asexygirl
fr
iend)butyoucan'tt
apher?
ThepainofseeingthatpvssybutIcan'
tdipin?I
don'
tthi
nkyouknow…t henyouhavethelikesof
Khuzanidoi
ngast heypleaseonmywoman, infact
l
oyaskhwamauyangi jwayel
a"Mhlengisai
dget t
ing
workedup
"Fuze!Fuze!Lookatme"Thul adosaidholdi
nghis
facesoshecoul dlookstrai
ghtint
ohiseyes,"His
notwor t
hi t
,mydadsai dhissickandsti
llona
wheelchai r
.Iwouldratherhaveyouherewithme
andourki dstheninjai
lbecauseofalowl i
fewizard
l
ikeMkhuzeni "Thuladosaid
"Hel
aidhi
shandsonyoushor ty,
hehityoudamn
i
t…Isweartoyouthi
sisnottheend,hewil
lpayone
wayortheother
"Mhlengisai
dputti
ngThulado
down
Thuladostart
edpanicking,
whatifMhlengidoes
somet hi
ngthatwil
lbreachhisparol
e,shewouldn'
t
for
givehersel
fforgetti
nginvol
vedwithMkhuzeni.
Shest
art
edplayingwithherhandswhil
eMhlengi
smear
edgelalloverherbody,i
nafewmi nut
esboth
oft
hem wer
edoneandr eadytost
artt
heday.
"
Sowhat
'
sthepl
an?
"Mhl
engiasked
"WellIwast
hinkingwemakebr eakf
astf
orthem,
thatwil
lbeatreatespeci
all
yyoubri
nghere"
Thuladosai
dent husi
asti
cal
ly
"Let'
sdoit!
"Mhl
engipickedupNtobekowhowas
alreadyupandj
oyful
.Thuladol
aidoutal
lthe
i
ngr edi
ent
sonthecounterwhil
eMhlengiplayed
withhisson.
"SoLumiismor el
ikeyou,she'snoti
ntosweetstuf
f
andLubii
sl i
keme…sweett oot hgal
oret
herefor
eI
wil
lmakepancakesf orLubanziandyoucanmake
anomeletforLuminjal
o"Thuladosaidgr
abbinga
spat
ulafr
om thedrawer
"
Awbuti fImaketheomelett
hanwhowi
llpl
aywi
th
Ntobeko?"Mhl
engiasked
"Youcanjustputhi
minthepr
am andgi
vehi
m at
oy,
hewillbefi
ne"Thul
adosai
d
"Hi
sgoingtocr
y,rememberhehasn' tseenhis
fat
herphysi
cal
lyi
nhi swholeli
fesothisisourti
me.
YoucancookIwillhelpyoubutI'
m notputti
ngmy
sondown"Mhlengisaidsmirki
ng
"Ohmygoshl ies…Ntobekoisnotacrybaby,but
whatcanIsay? "Shesaidthr
owingherhandsinthe
air
,"Takeoutt
hei ce-
cream f
rom t
hefr
eezer"
Thuladoorder
ed
"
Ist
hatpar
toft
hebr
eakf
ast
?"heasked
"Yesasatreat
,Idon'
tusual
lydot
hissoi
t'
sgoi
ngt
o
bespeci
al"Thul
adosaid
Minutesl
aterNt
obekowasfastasl
eeponMhlengi,
Thuladogl
aredathi
m whenherefusedt
oputhim
down.
"
Puthi
m downnow!
"Thul
adospat
"
Fine…youar
esoj
eal
ous"Mhl
engisai
d
di
ssapear
ingi
ntot
her
oom
Her eturnedandfoundThul adosett

ingupthetabl
e,
Mhl engipickedherupfrom behindandspunher
around.Thul adogi
ggledkickingherlegsi
ntheair
,
screami ngforMhlengit
oputherdown.
"
Theki
dswi
llgetup,
putmedown"Thul
adosai
d
"
Ileaveforacoupl
eofyearsandyouar eorder
ing
mear oundandyest
erdayyouref
usedtobemywi fe.
Whathappenedtomyshor t
y"Mhlengiasked
j
okingly
"Shegr
ewup,I
'm notawal
koveranymor
e"Thul
ado
saidwi
thmuchatti
tude
"Hmmmm awusukanimadodai cher
ieyami ,
the
nurse,mybabymama"Mhl engisaidpraisi
nghis
gir
l,Thuladoblushed,
"Yabonababy!t hingswil
l
changef rom nowonwards,Icanpr omiseyouone
thi
ng…I '
m nevergoingtobackt ojai
l,youhavemy
wordf oritbutbei
ngaKr ugerispartofwhoIam,
canyoul
ovemej
ustl
iket
hat
?"Mhl
engiasked
ner
vousl
y
"
Iloveyou"Thul
adosai
dsi
nki
ngi
nhi
sembr
ace
"Thankyou,Ipromi
seyouIwon'
tdowhatIdi
d
again,fr
om nowonallmypr
ior
it
iesl
ieswi
thmy
family"Headded
"Ibeli
eveyou"Thuladosai
d,Thuladogl
ancedatt
he
clock,shequi
cklycoll
ect
edherself
"I
t'
stime,I'
m goi
ngtowaket hem up,
justhi
deinthe
ki
tchen,don'tmakeasound,whenIclearmythroat
bri
ngthefood"Thuladowhisper
ed
"
Sur
e"Mhl
engisai
dexci
tedgi
vingheronet
humbup
Thuladodissapear edintotheroom,Mhlengi
preparedhisphonet or ecordthewholemoment .I
n
acoupl eofminut esThul adocameintotheki t
chen,
shegest ur
edf orMhl engitocomebutinsteadhe
didasi gnforhert ot
aket hephoneandr ecord,
Thuladocompl ied.Sher etur
nedtothechildr
enand
cl
earedhert hroat,Mhlengitookthetwoplatesand
madehi swaytot hedi
ningt
able.Lubanzif
rozein
herchair
,Lumihadherheadbur iedonthetabl
eit
wasasi fshesti
llwant
edtosleepsomemor e.
Lubanzibrokeoutinashakyvoice.
"Baba!"hervoicevi br at
ed, Lumiqui ckl ylif
tedupher
headi nli
ghteningspeed, shej umpedof fherchai r
almostknocki ngof ft hefoodt hatwasi nMhl engi's
hand, Thul
adot ookt heplat esput t
ingi tont het abl
e,
Lumiwasnowst uckonhi sf atherlikegl ueandshe
wasn'tplanningoncomi ngdown.Lubanzibur ied
herheadi nherhandssoaki ngi ntear s,t
hisal ways
brokeMhl engii tki
ndofr emi ndedhi m oft hepar t
y.
Itwasi nt
erestinghowhert winswer eidenticalyet
diff
erentintheirper sonality,heputLumidownand
crouchedinf rontofLubi .
"Doyouwantt ogi vedaddyahug? "Mhlengiasked

i
nhi sthunder
ousvoi ce,Lubij
umpedonhi m
cli
ngingandstickingli
keleech.Mhlengigentl
y
str
okeherback, thiswashisprincess,
hisfi
rstbor
n
twin,shewassereneandquietl
ikemummybutwi
ll
alwaysbespecial
.Hethencarri
edt hem bot
h
darti
nghiseyestoandfro,
itwaslikeseeing
Thuladodoubled.
"Daddydi
dyougetper
missi
ont
ovi
sitagai
n?"Lumi
asked
"
I'
m backf
orgood"Mhl
engii
nfor
med
"Yessss"Lumipunchedtheai
rcelebr
ati
ng,"
Now
uncleIfewil
lst
opcominghere"Lumisaid,
Thul
ado
wantedt odi
eri
ghtther
e
"WhoisuncleIfe?"Mhlengiaskedi
nquisi
ti
vel
y,
Lubanzij
ustrestedherheadonMhl engi'
schest
qui
etl
y.
"Heismom'sf
ri
endbuthel
ikescomi
ngher
eand
huggingmom"Lumisai
d
"
Lumi
njal
o!"Thul
adowar
nedi
rr
it
abl
y
"Leavemychi
ldal
one"Mhl engisaiddi
smi
ssivel
y,
"Tellmemor
e"Mhlengiaskedput t
ingt
hem down
eachonthei
rseat
s
Lumikeptonbabbl i
ngThul adowant edt odigahole
andbur yherselfinit,i
t'
snotl i
keanyt hinghappened
butitj
ustdidn'tlookgoodatal l,
thegi rl
sat ethei
r
breakf
astandMhl engiservedthem ice- cream whil
e
hehadcof feeandmuf f
ins,Thulador esor t
edt ot
he
bedroom togetawayf r
om Lumi 'sbigmout h.After
whatseemedl i
kef oreverMhl engiwal kedi nthe
bedroom andhel ockedt hedoor ,heopenedhi s
drawerandr evealedhi sgunput tingont opofthe
pedestal.
"Nothi
nghappened!"Thul
adosaidqui
ckly,
"Heismy
coll
eagueatwork,wearejustf
ri
ends.Heisnewin
thecountr
y…Iswearnothi
ngisgoingon"Thul
ado
saidshaki
ngli
keal eaf
.
Mhlengichangedi
ntohi
ssweat
pantandahoodi e
j
acket,heputonhi
svansandsli
dt hegunbehi
nd
hi
sback.Hebentovertoki
ssThulado.
"I
'
m goi
ngt
oseeSf
iso,
canIbor
rowyourcar
?"He
said
"Y-
yes"shesai
dstummering,
sheswal
lowedhar
d
poi
ntingatt
hecarkeys.
"
Iwil
lbebackandmaybewecangoout,I
'l
lbegone
f
oranhouroftwo"Mhl
engisai
dbef
orest
eppi
ngout.
Thuladol etoutabr eat

hofr el
ieve,shefeltsosill
y
forblurt
ingoutal lt
hatnonsenseandt heway
Mhlengiwassocoolaboutever yt
hingkindof
worriedher .Sheplannedt ogoandbeatt hesh!tout
ofLumibutdeci dedagai nsti
t,shechoset olayon
thebedf acingthecei l
ing.
*
***
Mhlengipar
kedoutsi
deSfiso'
shouse,
heknocked
onthedoorandwaitedbutNanaopenedt
hedoor,
shefrownedconf
usedastowhathewasdoi ng
her
e.
"
Awskwi
zaa!
"Mhl
engisai
dsmi
li
ng
"
Am Iseei
ngt
hingsor
?"Nanaasked
"
No,t
hisi
sreal
…isSf
isoar
ound?
"hecutst
rai
ghtt
o
t
hechase
"Yeah"shet
urnedaroundcall
ingSf
iso,i
nafew
minutesheappear
edshirt
lessshowinghisl
it
tl
epot
bell
y
"
AwKr
uger
,zi
thi
nil
apho"Sf
isof
istpumpMhl
engi
"Yi
zomf ethu,l
ookIhaven'
tforgot
tenwhatyoudi
d
forme.Ar ealmanstandonhi sword,
thankyou.
YouandMusacover edmyshameandIwi l
lpayi
t
forwar
d",hesaidpul
linghi
mi ntoabrohug.
"
Owaki
thiwena,
onewayMpumal
anga"hesi
gnal
ed
wit
hhi
stwothumbsupandMhl
engidi
dthesame.
"
Skel
m Yi
zo"Mhl
engiaddedandwal
kedaway.
Sfi
sowantedt
oaskabouthisf
ami
ly,
eversi
ncehe
sawthatmani
nrest
aurant
swhowasaspl i
timage
ofMhl
engibuthedi
dn'
twantt
obef
orwar
dincase
hei
swrong.
*
***
Mhlengifoundhi mselfatt hebeach, theseabr eeze

andfreshairisoneoft het hingshel ongedf orwhen
hewasi nside.Hewoul dbel yingifhesai dhe
wasn'thurtbywhatLumisai dbutatt hesamet i
me
heknewThul adoandhet r
ust edher.He
remember edhowgul l
ibleandeasi l
yt rustingshe
canget,buthewasconsol edbyknowi ngt hat
nothi
nghappened, Thuladowasn' tsomeonewho
caneasilyli
ebuti t
'sbeenyear sandpeopl echange.
Heputonhi shoodieandwal kedbackt ot he
parki
nglotmeanwhi l
eFr ankpar kedrightnextt o
him,hetooneededf r
eshai r.Hehadal otonhi s
mindandver yli
tt
leti
me, hewassoaf raidofmaki ng
thewrongchoi ce,thi
st imear oundheonl yhadone
chancetomakei tworkorever yt
hingwi l
lbei nvain
andhewi lll
ooseever ything.Heopenedt hedoor
andst
eppedoutoft
hecar,Mhlengipaused
fr
owni
ngitwasalmostl
ikehi
seyeswer edecei
ving
hi
m.
2021
-
--
--
--
-
Abigthankyout ooursponsorstodayf
or
gi
vingustwoi nsert
s,mayGodi ncr
easeyou.I'
m
humbledandgr atef
ul
Nt
habi
sengTema
Amogel
angMokhwi
ti
Si
phi
weDuduzane
Nt
ombi
zodwaNobandaMuzondo
Thankyougi
rl
s…
[
11/
22,
14:
42].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er56
*
Dur
ban*
Mhlengishutt
hedooroft
hecarcl
osedandr
ushed
af
terher
"Jessi
e!Jessi
e!"Hecal
ledouti
nthecr
owdbutthe
l
adycont i
nuedwalked,whenhewascl
oseenough
heyankedhershoulderandthewomantur
ned
ar
oundst
art
led
"
Whatt
hehel
liswr
ongwi
thyou?
"sheyel
led
"
I-
I'
m sorry,
It houghtyouwer
esomeoneIknow"
Mhlengiapologizedgenui
nel
y
"Wel
lI'
m not
!"Shesnappedf
ixi
nghert
op,
she
scof
fedandresumedherwalki
ng
Mhl engifeltshi
tt
yandembar rassedsohewalked
backt othecar ,
meanwhileFranksawaman
runningaf t
erawoman, hejustglancedathi
m but
didn'tgettoseehisfaceproperlysohechoseto
mi ndhisownbusi nessandpr oceededtot
hepier
.
Mhl engiignit
edthecaranddroveof f.
*
***
Mhlengiwast opl
ess, i
nhisshortsandpul
li
nghis
Adidasslipon'
swhilecarryi
ngLubanzionhisback,
Thuladowasi nherbiki
nisetcoveri
ngwit
haf r
inge
tr
im crochet
,youcouldsti
llseeherbodyand
tatt
oosthroughthegapsandt hegirlwasserving
flames,Mhlengimadesur ehekepthercl ose,Lumi
wasgal l
opinginfrontofthem becauseshewast he
onewhochoseuShakaMar i
neasanout ing.The
planwast oindul
gei nthewetnwi ldthencatcht he
Aquarium l
aterwhent hechil
drenarewar nout, so
theycanbecal m andenjoythedolphinshow.
Thul adofoundaspotwheretheycouldsitwhilet
he
twinsr anri
otinexcit
ement,
theyjustdi
dn'tknow
whi chsli
dtor i
defir
st.Mhl
engihadThuladoin
betweenhi slonglegsandThuladohadNt obekoin
frontofher.
"
Youl
ookhot
"Mhl
engiwhi
sper
edi
nherear
s
"Wit
hthest
ret
chmar
ksIdon'
tthi
nkso"shesai
d
sadl
y
"Thosemar ksar
everysacredtomebecausei t
'sa
signofgivi
ngmet hemostpr eci
ousgif
ts…my
chil
dren,
Iloveeveryt
hingaboutthem"henibbl
ed
onherneck
"
S-st
opwear
einpubl
ic"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"SoIcan'
tloveyoui
npubl
ic?
"heaskedsnaki
nghi
s
armsaroundherbody
"Idon'
twantustogetchasedout
,ther
e'ski
dsi
n
here"Thul
adoexpl
ained
"I'
m notdoi
nganyt hi
ngwrong"hepl ant
edaki sson
herneck,"I
'm goingtotakeNtobekoandwewi l
ljoi
n
thegirl
s…let'
sgoandhi r
estorage,wecan'tjustsit
hereit'
safami l
yf unday"Mhlengisaidstandingon
hisfeet.
Theywentandpai df orasl ottokeepal lthei

r
belongi
ngs, theywer egivenakeyt okeepandt hey
l
eft.Thuladodi dn'twantt or emovehercr ochett op
becauseofherst retchmar kssoshej umpedi nt o
thewaterj ustli
ket hat,Mhl engicarri
edNt obeko
downt hesl i
dest houghThul adobeggedhi m nott oo
becausehewasst i
llsmal l
,hear guedthathewasa
boyandheneededt obest rong.Theywentont he
Mambar idetoget her,Thuladowast otall
yagai nstit
butMhl engiwasnothavi ngi t
,heheldhi ssonand
wentr i
ghti n.Theguar dstriedtost ophi m buti twas
tool ate,Nt obekowashear dwai l
ingi nsidethe
tunnelpr obabl ywhent heypassedt hedar kplace,
whent heyr eacht hebottom Mhl engipi ckedhi m up
i
nt heai rsohewoul dn'
tdipi nthewat er,he
l
aunchedhi sf eetonbubbl i
ngwat erandscr eamed
"wooooo"Nt obekokeptqui etandst artedgiggling
ast hewat erspl ashedalloverhi sf aceandbody.
Thet winswer ealreadyatt hebot tom cl apping
handsi nexci t
ement ,Thuladoappear edl ooking
ratherf rantic, sheputherhandonherchestsi ghing
i
nr elief,shet hrewdagger satMhl engibuthej ust
winkedatherf l
ashingasmi l
e.
"Pleasedon'
ttr
aumat
izemybaby"Thul
adosai
d
pleadingl
y
"Relax!I
nfactyouneedt
ojoi
nus"Mhl
engisai
d
planti
ngakissonhercheek
"Yesmummypl easecomer idewit
hus"Lubanzi
begged,
Thuladosmiledlooseni
ngup.Thetwins
pull
edherbacktothetopandMhl engir
emained
withNtobeko, hespot t
edal i
ttl
epatchofwat eri
t
hadparentsandt heirl
it
tl
echi l
drensohewentt here
taki
ngNt obeko.Ther ewasl it
tl
eridesandawhol e
l
otofinteresti
ngt hingsforyoungerbabi es,Mhlengi
tookhimt othewat erwheelhepour edwat eronit
andhewat chedinamazementwhent hewheel
movedf astersplashingwat eronhim hegi ggled
eagerl
ybecauseatl eastthetemper at
ureoft his
waterwaswar m.
Twoski nnygi r
lsapproachedthem,t
heywerein
thei
rfancybi ki
ni'
swi thl
onghair,
wellt
heotherwas
j
ustwear ingaBr azil
ianweavejudgi
ngbyhowdr y
theywer elookingtheyweren'
theretoenj
oythe
waterfestivi
ti
es.
"
hei
ssocut
e"t
heonewi
thaweavesai
d
"
CanIst
ealhi
m"Thebl
ondewi
thbl
ueeyessai
d
"
Thankyouandno"Mhl
engisai
dchuckl
ing
"
aaaahbummer
"Thebl
ondesai
d,"
I'
m Cour
tney"
shesaidt
hrowingherhairatt
hebackgr
adual
ly
fl
utt
eri
nghereyelashes
"
AndI
'
m Zi
yanda"Theot
hersai
dgi
ggl
ing
"
OK…I 'm Mhl
engi
"Hesai
dkeepi
nghi
sgazeon
Ntobeko
"Alr
ightt
henseearoundHD"Cour
tneysai
dand
Ziyandagiggl
edbl
ushing
SuddenlyThul
adosnat chedawaythebabyfr
om
Mhlengiandshemar chedaway,Mhlengir
anaft
er
her
.Ziyandascreamedr egr
ett
abl
y.
"Sorr
y"theybothscur
ri
edawaygiggl
ingcover
ing
thei
rmout hs.Mhl
engicaughtupt
oThulado
grabbingherfr
eehand.
"
Heyhey…what
sup?
"Heaskedsof
ly
"Theki
dsareenoughwi
tht
hewat
er"Shesai
d
dismi
ssivel
y
"
OKt
hen,
let
'sgoandchange"hesai
dtr
yingt
oget
Nt
obekobackbutThul
ador
efused.
"
CanIpl
easehol
dhi
m?"Mhl
engiaskedni
cel
y
"Goandholdt
hosegi
rl
syouwer
eent
ert
aini
ngnx"
Thul
adostompedaway
"ButIwasn'
tent
ert
aini
ngt
hem,t
heyweretal
kingt
o
Ntobekonotme"Hesaidf
oll
owi
ngherl
ikealost
puppy
"
Mxm"shesai
dent
eri
ngt
hest
orager
oom
Theywer enowsi t
tingintheaudi t
orium wai ti
ngfor
theshowt obegi n,thetwinscouldn'tcont ai
nt hei
r
excit
ementbutThul adojustwant edt ogohome, ifit
wasn'tforthechi l
drenshewoul dn'tbeher e
anymor e.Theshowbegunwi thsomef unkymusi c,
thehostsmadet heDol phinsperform somet ri
cks.
Thent herewast ri
ckinneedofvol unteers,Lumi
screamedont opofhervoi ce"pickmeeeee"peopl e
tur
nedar oundl ookingatherchuckl i
ng, Mhl engi
decidedtomakeherst andonhi sshoul der ssoshe
couldbeseenwhi leshescr eamed, t
hehost s
l
aughedl ookingather .Courtneyappear edwear i
ng
adiver
sgear
,shewhi
sper
edsomet
hingi
nthehost
s
ear
s.
"Alr
ightyouattheback"shesai dpointi
ngatLumi ,
"Won'tyoucomedownwi t
hyourt winsister"
Lumi nj
alocl
imbeddownMhl engishoulder sand
bolt
eddownt hest ai
rsleavingLubanzibehi nd.
MhlengiscoopedLubanziof ft
hegr oundand
descendedthestairswithherbecauseheknewshe
woul dj
ustgetshyandnotgo.Cour t
neyr ecei
ved
them atthegat
esandshel edthem insi
det he
fencedarea.Mhlengireturnedupt heaudi t
ori
um
sit
ti
ngnexttoThul adowhowast ooquiet ,Mhlengi
drapedhisarm aroundherbutshewasj ustcold.
LumiandLubiwerenowgi ventheprivi
legetofeed
thedol
phi
ns,Lubanzikeptonaskingquestions
aboutt
heseacreaturesthatwerekeptinthe
Aquari
um whi
chraisedaneyet oCour t
ney.
"
Whatwoul
dyoul
iket
obewhenyougr
owup?
"
Cour
tneyasked
"Iwantt
obeaMar
inebi
ologi
st"shesai
d
confi
dent
ly
"
Iwantt
obeasuperst
ar"Lumisai
dthr
owi
ngaf
ish
i
nthewaterf
ort
hedol
phintoeat
"I
'
m aMar i
nebi
ologi
st"Cour
tneysai
dsmili
ng,
Lubanzi
'
sfacel
itupshejustcoul
dn'
tbel
ievei
t
"
Reall
y?"SheaskedbeamingbutLumiwasn'
t
movedsheconti
nuedwithhertask
"Yes!Youshouldaskdaddytobri
ngyouher
e
duringtheweek,Icant
akeyouinthet
anksand
showyouar ound"Cour
tneysai
d
"Ohmygosh…yesssss"shesai
dbounci
ngupand
down
"
Doyouknowhowt
oswi
m?"Cour
tneyaskedher
"Gogoshaytaughtusbutmom sai
dweneedto
l
earnmoretricksandsosheist
aki
ngusfor
swimminglessons"Lubisai
d
"OhOKcool
,Iwil
lbewait
ing.Whenyoucomet el
l
daddyt
oaskforCour
tneyorZiyandaoneofuswil
l
comeandfetchyoubecausenooneisal
lowed
unl
essit
'saspeci
alar
rangementl
iket
hisone"
Cour
tneyadded
"
OK…t hankyou,
canwegonow.Iwantt
oaskmy
mom anddad"Lubisai
d
"
I'
m st
il
lfeedi
ngt
hedol
phi
n"Lumiwhi
ned
"ButtheDolphi
nsal
readyatetheful
lbucketand
that
s25kgsoff i
shi
fyougi vehi
m morethanhewil
l
betoof ul
ltodomor
et r
icksfort
heshow"Lubanzi
said
"Oh!"Lumisaiddeepinthought
,"Iguesswear e
donet hen"shesai
ddustingherhands.Cour
tney
tookthem towashtheirhandsandleadthem back
tothegat es
Hescannedf orMhlengiinthecrowdbutcoul dn't

seehimtherewasj usttoomanypeopl estanding
andchil
drenjumpingupanddowner r
ati
cally
becauseofthemusi candt heshow,shestoodt here
watchi
ngthegi r
lsascendingthestai
rs,t
henshe
l
ostthem i
nt hecrowd,sher et
urnedbackstage
whereherrealworkwas.Thefunwasoverso
Mhlengideci
dedthattheyshoul
deatt
hei
rdinnerat
SpurinuShakaMar i
nesothatThul
adudoesn'
t
havetocook.
Itwasbedt i
me.Mhl engihypedt heki dssomuch
thatther ewasmor egi ggli
ngt hananyt hing,Thulado
shookherheadanddeci dedt otakeNt obekoi n
sincehewasconkedoutal readyhehadal ong
eventfulday, probablyf orthef i
rsttimeever .She
tuckedhi mi nandpr oceededt ot akeaqui ckshower ,
whenshewasdonecl eaningher selfshesnuggl ed
undert hebl anketsandl oggedi nt ohersoci almedi a
platf
orms.Shepost edpi cturesfrom t odayand
i
mmedi at el
ysher eceivedsomanyl ikesandsome
peopleshowi nghappyemoj i'
sseei ngt hatMhl engi
wasi nt hemi x.
Mhlengicameinwithhishear
tpoundinghecould
tel
lthatshewasn'
tokay,andt
hiswast hef
ir
stti
me
Thuladowasmadaboutsomet hingl
ikethi
sandhe
di
dn'tknowwhattoexpect
.Hewentstr
aighttot
he
bathroom t
oshoweraf
terhewasdonehejoined
herinbed.
"It
hinkit'
sti
mef ormetogetthesesoci
almedia
handles"Mhlengisai
dpull
inghercl
osetohim but
Thuladodidn'
tsayanythi
ng,"I
'
m sorr
y"Mhlengi
sai
d
"JustsoyouknowIoncehadaf igureandasmoot h
bodylikeyourgi
rl
fr
iends,al
ltheyneedistogive
birt
handt hei
rbodi
eswillchangejustl
ikemine"She
said
"Iknowthat"hesai
dkissi
ngher ,
"I'
m notherefor
yourbodybutforyou,
can'tyouseet hatI
'mi nl
ove,
ngisemathandweni
"hesangt helastpart
,thenhe
ti
ckledher
"
Stopchangi
ngthesubj
ect
"Thul
adosai
dtr
yingt
o
r
esistl
aughi
ngbutshef
ail
ed
"
Stopbei
ngsourandangryforsil
lythings.Ithink
t
hosegir
lsworkt
hereandtheywer ejustbeingnice.
I
t'
sNtobekoyoushoul
dbeangr yatbecauset hey
wereactual
lycompl
iment
inghi
m notme"He
chuckl
ed
"Isawyousmili
ngshowi
ngoffyourdi
mpl
es"
Thuladosai
drol
li
nghereyes
"Welel
e"Mhlengiburst
edoutlaughi
ng,
"Ist
hisyour
j
ealousside?Il
ikeit
….i
t'
stur
ningmeon"Mhl engi
sai
dslippi
nghishandi nbet
weenherthi
ghs
"Goandf vckyourtallmodelgirl
fr
iendswithlong
hair
,it
'safiesta…onebl ackonewhi t
e,l
onglegsf l
at
bumsandshi nyskin"sheroll
edhereyes
dramatical
ly,Mhlengilaughedsohar dt
il
lhet ear
ed.
"Mxm"Thul
adosai
d,"
Goodni
ght
"shegavehi
m her
back.
Mhl engikeptplant i
ngki
ssesonherbackadmi ri
ng
hert att
oo, i
fonlysheknewhowpr eci
ousshewasi n
hi
sl ife,hewoul dn'
thavetoworr
yaboutt heot
her
gi
rls.Thul adost ar
tedwi
ggli
ngpokingherbutton
hi
scr ot
ch, Mhlengimoanedgetti
ngarousedbythe
fr
iction.Hiscockwasnowpi er
cingThulado'
sback.
"
Ngi
cel
aungi
bhebhi
semamazi
"hebeggedher
"
Isai
dgoodni
ght
"Thul
adosai
d
"
Awngeke!Youkeepshaki
ngyourbumsand
t
ouchi
ngme,it
'
snotfair
"Mhlengiwhi
ned
*
***
NomzamoandFrankprayedbefor
ehoppi
ngi
nto
bed,
Sbusiwasnotwel
lther
efor
eZamogavemeds
todi
ff
useherf
ever.
"Doyouthi
nkshe'
sgoi
ngtobeal
ri
ght?"Fr
ank
asked,
hepani
ckedasi
fshewasgoingtodie
"Yes,
she'
steet
hing,
it'
snor
mal
"Nomzamo
chuckl
edi
nhumour
"Whatsf
unny?I
'veneverhadtodealwithachi
ld
bef
ore,f
orgi
vemeforbeingtoocaref
ul"Fr
anksaid
"
It
'scut
e,don'
tmi
ndme"Zamosai
d
"I
'
m cancel
ingmymeet
ingt
omorrowsoIcanl
ook
aft
erherwhil
eyougot
owork"Fr
anksai
d
"Nononothatmeetingisimpor
tant,j
ustgo…the
nannywi
llhandl
eher "Nomzamor epl
ied,
"Your
meeti
ngwillonl
ytakeanhour"shesaid
"Nothi
ngismor ei
mpor t
anttomel ikeyouand
Sbusisi
we"Fr anksaidpul l
inghercl osekissingher ,
"Comeandsi tonme"Fr ankor dered, Nomzamogot
excit
edbecausesheknewwhatwast ohappen.
Theykissedpassi onatel
yfondl i
ngwi theachot her
,
theywerebothmoani ngandgr untinginpleasur eas
thesoundofski nslappingt oeachot herfil
ledt he
air,
sweatmadel i
nesdownt heirbodi esasFr ank
poundedintoNomzamo' spvssyr emor sel
ess, she
screamedindef eat.Theybot hr eachedtheirhappy
placeandfloppedont hebedpant i
ng.
*
***
Sfi
sotr
iedt
ouchi
ngNanabutshepushedhi
shand
away.
"Awcumon"hesaidannoyed,"
Youact
ing
chi
ldi
shl
y"hecal
ledherout.
"Idon'
tthinkthisisgoi
ngtowor k,yourbaby
mama' sarerudeandi t
'sli
ketheyknowIcan' thave
chil
dren,Idon'tthi
nkIshouldhurtmyselfany
furt
her"shespat
"Ar
eyoudat ingmeormybabymama' s?"heasked,
"Di
dInott el
lyout hatIwil
lsortitout?"heasked
anotherquest i
on, "i
fyout hi
nkI'm heretoplay
gamest henpleaseseeyour selfout,Itol
dyou
countlesst i
mest hatIloveyouandIwantt obuil
da
homewi thyoubutt hisnonsenseyouar eobsessed
wit
hi sat otalt
urnof f"hesaidjumpingoutofbed
"Somypr edi
camentisatur
nofftoyouSfiso?I
knewyouwer eact
ingyoujustl
ikeal
ltheother
men"Shesai dj
umpingoutofbedaswel l
looki
ng
forhercl
othes
"
Andyouj
ustl
i
ket
heot
hergi
rl
s,It
houghtyouwer
e
mat
uredbutIwaswr
ong"her
oar
edback
"
Mxm f
useg"Nanasai
dangr
il
y
"Don'
tyoudaret
alktometomelikethatNana
uyangi
zwa?I'
m notyourf
ri
endungangij
wayel
ikabi
"
hespatvenomously
Nanakeptquietshepickedupherpiecesof
cl
othi
ngandj ustasshewasaboutt oleaveherli
ps
tr
embledandshebr okedowncr yi
ng.Sfisoheaved
aheavysighwalkingtowardsher,
hepul ledheri
nto
hisembrace.
"I
'm sorry,pl
easedon'
tcry"hesaidr
egr
ettabl
y,
"Ngiyakuthanda"hesai
dsof t
lyki
ssi
ngthetopof
herhead
"I
tst
il
lhur
ts,
Ineedhel
p"Nanasai
d
"OKwewi l
lgethelp,
butpleasedon'tmeasur e
your
sel
fupwi thmyex's.Theyarejustmot hersto
mychil
drenandt hat
'si
tandyouar emyl ovet her
e's
ahugediff
erence,Il
oveyouandIwi llpr
otectyou.If
theysaythi
ngstoyouj ustdon'tshowt hem i
t'
s
gett
ingtoyoubecauset heywi l
lmakeitahabi t.
Theydon'tknowifyoucanhaveki dsornot,i
t'sin
yourhead,Iwasaboutt othankyouf orbei
ngso
goodwithmychildrenandyouwantt ospoilitwith
thi
s…nooomamazi ,don'
tdot hat"Sf
isosaid
"
I'
m sor
ry"shesai
d
"I
'
m sorr
yforbei
nghar
sh,comelet'
ssleep"he
pull
edherbackt
obedandtheyslept
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
42].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
|
|
Chapt
er57
*
Dur
ban*
It
'sMondaymor ning,thel aziestoft hem all,
theday
wher etheal arm cri
est heloudestandt heblankets
feelsthewar mest.Thul adowasal readyador nedi
n
herspeci alnurseunifor m sinceherr ankingswer e
higher,herswasdi f
ferentf r
om t her est.Mhlengi
couldn'tgethi seyesofher ,seeingheri nper son
wasevenmor eful
fi
ll
ingt henal lthosepi cturesshe
hadsenthi m.Hepi nnedheragai nstt hewall
pickingherupspr eadingherl egs,heki ssedher
hungr i
lybutThul adopul l
edoutpant ing.
"I
'
m goingt
obel
atef
orwor
k"shesai
dlooki
ngi
nto
hiseyes
"
Kancaneplease"hebeggedhi
seyesshr
unkedl
ike
aspi
nachinaboi l
ingpot
"Ah-
ahyoual readygotsome,west i
llneedt odrop
offt
hechil
dr enfir
standthet
raff
iciscr azyout
ther
e"Thuladosaidtryi
ngtowiggleoffhi sgri
pbut
hekissedheragainthenhelethergoabi tsad.
Hedr essedupandpi ckedupt hekeys, hewas

droppi ngof ft hismor ning, theyal lhopedi ntothe
carandMhl engidr oveout .Fi rstlyhedr oppedoft he
twins, heescor tedt hem insi det heschoolf orthe
veryf irsttime, heevengott hepr ivil
eget oget
i
nt r
oducedt ot heirteacherandt heyshowedhi m
aroundbr iefly,thenhespr int edoutt heschoolaf ter
givinghi sgi rlshugsandki sses.Af t
erwi ndi ng
throught het raffi
chepar kedout sideeNt abeni
hospi talThul adoj umpedoutwhi leMhl engi
unbuckl edNt obeko, t
hiswasgoi ngt obet hefirst
ti
meseei ngThul ado'swor kpl aceandt osayhewas
feelingpr oudwasanunder statement .Theyst r
oll
ed
i
nsi debysi de, Thuladogr abbedhi sf reehandwhen
theyent ered, shewant edever yonet oseet he
famousMhl engishewoul dn' tstopment ioning.
Mhl engiwasbeami ngscanni ngar ound,t
hestaff
turnedt heirheadsadmi ri
ngt hecouple,amongst
them wasDrNwokoyewho' shear tbrokeintoa
millionpieces.Heknewt herewasnowayhewoul d
gethernow, heswallowedanddi ssapearedintohis
officewi t
hasor eheart
.Event ual
lytheyarri
vedin
Thul ado'sroom, Mhlengistayedforabi tandlefta
fewmi nutesaf t
er8whenThul adowast ostart
attendingt oherpatients.
*
***
Frankpar kedNomzamo' scarout si

det hehotel,he
fi
xedhi sgr eyslimf i
tsuitandmadesur ehelooked
goodandpr esentabl
e.Striki
ngadealwasal waysa
ful
lpackage, youcanhaveami ndbl owingproposal
butgett urnedawayj ustbecauseyoul acked
confidentandl ookeddi sorganized.Hewasmeet i
ng
apot enti
alinvestorforhisnewl yestabl i
shed
business,itwasast eephillhonestlyandt hesetype
ofthingsal waysmadehi m mi ssFredsodamn
much.Heheadedt
other
ecept
ioni
standenqui
red
f
ortheper
sonhewasmeeti
ng.
"Suit
e25f ir
stfl
oor"Ther ecepti
onistr
esponded,at
fi
rsthewaspuzzl edast owhyt heyar
en'
tmeet i
ng
i
noneoft heloungesbuther ememberedtheyuse
todoi tt
ooespeciallyi
fit
'sameet i
ngwithalotof
people,i
tneededal otofplanningandhotels
provi
deever yt
hingtomakei tsmooth.Soifyou
wantt oreal
lygooutyourwayt oimpr
essacl i
entor
i
nvestorthisisanidea.
Theelevatorpi
ngedonf i
rstf
loorandhewander ed
offl
ookingforroom 25,
fi
nall
yfounditattheend,he
knockedcleari
nghisthr
oat.Thedoorcreakedopen
andal adyinasuitappearedatthedoor.
"Comeoni n,youarerightonti
me"thefai
rladysai
d,
shedir
ectedhimt othebalconywhereatablewas
setprofessi
onall
ywi t
hast ackoffil
esbythelook
ofthi
ngsitwasameet ingfort
hree.
"Youcanhaveaseat,theyar
epr
epari
ngour
breakf
ast
,wewilleatwhil
ewewaitf
ormypart
ner
tojoi
nus"thel
adysaid
"OK"Franksai
dner
vedr
ecked,t
heprof
essi
onal
ism
i
ntimidat
edhimtot
hecore,
evenhi
scharmswere
shaken
"I
'm Li
saMj aj
aori
ginall
yfrom theSouthCoastko
Mthavunabutbasedi nDur banbecauseofbusi
ness,
I'
m marriedwit
htwoki ds"shesaidstr
etchi
ngher
hand,Frankshookitandnodded
"I
'
m FrankSimmonssoontobemarr
ied,
Ihaveone
beaut
ifulbabygi
rl
"Hesai
dfl
ashi
nghisf
amous
smil
e
"
Ohhowcut
e,howol
disshe?
"Sheasked
"
1year3mont
hs"hesai
d
"Soontheywilltakeoveryourhouse,Ir
ememberi t
l
ikeitwasyest erday.It
oldmyhusbandI '
m done
aft
erthesecondone, Iwant
edtofocusonmy
business"shesai d
"
Nice,
Iloveever
ypar
tofbei
ngapar
entmaybei
t'
s
becauseshe'
smyf
ir
st"Fr
anksai
d
"Def
init
ely,onceumar ri
edandhavemor eki
ds
thi
ngswi llst
arttochange.MyhusbandandIar ei
n
abadspaceaswespeakbecausehef eelsl
ikeI'
m
notassubmi ssi
ve,i
t'
salmostli
keIshoul dn'
tchase
mydr eamsandf ocusonhim andt hekidswhichis
tot
albull
"t hefoodcameIt hepairstar
tedeat i
ng.
"AhwellIhaveneverbeenmar r
iedsoIdon'thave
adviceforyoubutwhatIknowist hatwhenI
elevat
esodoesmypar t
ner…weneedt osupport
eachotherinaunion"Franksai
d.
"IagreeIwi shmyhusbandcouldseethi
ngsinmy
perspective,nowwearedri
ft
ingapar
t.Hisbeeni
n
Jobur gforamonthnowandapar tofmeknowshi s
avoidingme"sheadded
"
Tal
ktohi
m,don'
tgi
veup"Fr
anksai
d
Aft
erbreakf
astthestaffcametoclearthetabl
e,
Li
salai
doutt hefi
lesandopenedabot tl
eofwine.
Shepouredforbothofthem andtheystart
ed
dri
nki
ngwhilehavingaf l
owingconversat
ion,t
hey
bot
hkeptgl
anci
ngatt
hei
rwat
ches.
"Idon'
tknowwhat'
skeepi
nghim solong,
it'
sunlike
him"Lisasai
ddi
ali
nghispart
ner
sphonebuti tkept
ontaki
nghertovoi
cemail
,sheexcusedhersel
fto
usethebathr
oom.
Frankf eltmor erelaxedaf tertwogl assesofr ed,j

ust
whenhewasaboutt ocallthenannyt ofindout
aboutSbusiLi sar eturnedinjustherbr aanda
thongFr ankst artedpani cking, knowi nghi shi
story
withwomenhet ri
esbyal lmeansnott obei n
compr omi singsituat i
onsl i
ket his,het urnedhis
chairandf ixedhi sgazeout side.Hedi vertedhis
thi
nkingt oNomzamo, shewasbeaut if
uland
everyt
hi nghewant sandneedsnextt hinghef el
t
herhandssl ippi
ngi nsidehi sshi rt,
shewal ked
aroundandsatonhi scr otch.Shest arteddry
humpi ngonhi m keepi ngthest ar e.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Fr
ankaskedswal
lowi
nghar
d
"Maybethi
sisasignyouknow, youcouldhelpagi r
l
outandwewi l
lneverspeakoft
hisagain.Ijustneed
tobl
owof fsomesteam"Lisasaidsexil
y,Frank'
s
cockbetr
ayedhim herpvssywassitt
ingrightonit
andallhewantedtodowast opokeitinsi
deofher .
"
I-
Ican'
tdoi
t"Fr
anksai
dpushi
ngherof
f
"Yesyoucan,Icanfeelyourdi
ck…comeon,wewi
ll
bequick"Shesaidopenherbraandherper
ky
boobssprungout
"Shit
!"Frankutteredunderhi
sbreath,
hejumpedup
grabbinghisbagt or
unoutbutLisabeathert
oit
,
shest oodblockingthedoor.
"
Notsofast
,notaft
erIhaveembarr
assedmysel
f
l
iket
his…pl
ease"shesai
dpleadi
ngl
y
"l
ookyouar ebeauti
fulandallbutI
'm notaboutt
his
l
ife"sheshuthim upwithadeepkissl ocki
ngher
l
egsar oundhim,Frankpinnedhertothedoor
ki
ssingherback…savedbyt hebel
l.Herphone
start
edringi
ng,shecursedunderherbr eat
hwalki
ng
outtothebalconywhereshel ef
tit
.
"Hello"shesai dgather i
ngher self
, "
Acci dent?OKI
willrequestanUberf oryou"shel i
ckedherl i
ps
hangi ngup, whenshepi ckedupherheadFr ank
wasgone, shescr eamedi nanger.Sher anintothe
bathr oom todressup, swearwor dsf lowedoutof
hermout hlikeafount ain,howwi llsheexpl ainthi
s
toherpar t
ner.Meanwhi leFrankrestedhi sheadon
thest eeri
ngwheelout sidethehot el,hewasso
shamef ult
hatheact ual l
yent er
tainedt hatbitchabit
.
Howwashegoi ngtof aceNomzamo, allthi
swhi l
e
het houghthewasst r
ongnowandt hathewoul dn'
t
gobackt othatlif
eofi mmor ali
tyboyhewaswr ong.
Infacthowdoyouknowyouhaveover comean
obst aclewithoutbeingt ested?Andhef ail
edhis
test.
Heshamefull
ystar
tedt
hecarheadinghome,no
busi
nessdealandawholel
otofdissapoi
ntment
…
hedroveof
f
*
***
Mhl engiplayedsomemusi candbegandanci ng
withNt obeko,theywer etheonlyone'slef
tinthe
house.I twasonl yaf ewmi nutesleftf
orhimtogo
andf etchthetwinsf rom school,Ntobekowiggled
outofhi sar mspoi ntingatayellowballthatwas
stuckinbet weent hebooks, Mhlengiplacedhim
downandwat chedhi m balancewi t
hthecouchand
theTVst andti
llher eachedwher ehewant edtogo,
hetr i
edgr abbi
ngt hebal lbuti
twasf urt
herin.
"Howdi dyouseei t
?",Mhlengiaskedchuckli
ng,he
tookitoutforhimthenhet houghtjustonenudge
andallthosebookscoul dcomet umblingdownon
hisson.Hepi ckedhim upmovi nghim awayfrom
thestack,hethencheckedhi semailaddresstosee
i
fanyoft hepsychologist
sheenqui redfrom r
epli
ed
buttherewasnot hi
ng.Het hendecidedtocall
Nhlanhlo.
"
Sbar
i"shesai
dpr
oudl
y
"
Hey…yougood?
"heask
"
YeahI
'
m good,
howcanIhel
pyou?
"sheasked
"
Whatdoesdadt hi
nkofme?Iwantt
osendalet
ter
t
ohim soIcancomeandtal
ktohim bef
oreI
f
inal
iset
hings"hesai
d
"Hedoesn'
tknowyousohewon' tsaymuch,his
ver
ygratef
ulandimpressedthatyouprotect
ingus,
comethroughitshoul
dbefine"Nhlanhl
oanswer ed
"Hi
snotmadt hatIi
nvadedhi
sdaught
er?
"heasked
chuckl
ingner
vously
"
Justcome,
youwi
llbef
ine"sheassur
edhi
m
"
OK, but
terhi
mf orme,
Iwi
llmakei
twor
thyour
whi
le"Mhlengisai
d
"Notmanymenar eresponsiblel
ikeyouMhlengi,
youhavenothi
ngtowor ryabout.Aslongasyou
conti
nuetoshowmysi sterreall
ovewear ehappy,I
knowdadwi l
lchooseyouf orThuladoanyday"
Nhlanhl
osaid
"Youdon'tknowhowluckyIam t
ohavemet
Thulado,
pur el
ovei
shardtofi
ndandIcanpr
oudl
y
saythatI'
m oneoft
hel
uckyone'
s.Il
oveher
"
Mhlengisaid
"Youknowaboutherpr
oblem?
…shet endst
o
coll
ectst
uff
"Nhl
anhlosai
dhesit
ant
ly
"Yeah,
she'
sahoar
der
,I'
m goi
ngt
ogetherhel
p"He
said
"Hermot herwast hesame, shehasbeent hrougha
l
ot .She'sawar et hatpeopl ear egossi pingabouther ,
sheact slikeshedoesn' tcar ebutIknowshedoes.
Theyusedt ocallheri nuku( di
rty/untidyper son)
her eathome, theyt r
iedcount lesst i
mest ogetr idof
thest uffbutshewoul dfli
p.I'm sogl adyouar eout
ofpr i
sonbecauseIwassowor r
iedabouther "she
saidbr eaki ngintoasob, "
Iknowshel ooksl i
keshe' s
crazy, other sdon' tunderstandbutIt hinkshe' sstil
l
traumat izedbyhermot her'
spassi ng"Nhl anhlosai d
sniffi
ng, "Iknowwedon' tshareamot herbutshei s
myyoungersi sterandIl oveherr egardless, i
thur t
s
toseeherl i
ket his"Sheadded
"Shewillbebet
ter
"Mhl
engisai
dandhungup
quickl
y.
Hecaughthi stearsbef oretheyfelltot hegr ound,
thiswashi sshor t
yandGodknowshewoul ddie
fi
rstbefor ehecoul dgiveuponher .Hecoul d
almostseehi sgor geousgi rlwalkingdownt heaisle
andhi m wai ti
ngf orherundert heal t
er ,hi
smi nd
startedracingt othatdayhebudgedi ntohershack
hidingfrom t hemob, thent othatdaywhenhe
almostdi edt hecommuni tywantedt oki l
lhi
ml ikea
dogbutshor t
ysavedt hedaybycal l
ingt hepolice.
Her emini scedt heveryf ir
stdayt heywer einti
mat e,
theywer ebot hhomel essi nsomeBnBl it
tl
edidhe
knowt hathewasmessi ngwithavi r
gi nthatday.
Shewassosweetandi nnocent,hesmashedi t
playfull
ynotknowi ngt hathewoul dgetmesmer i
zed.
From thatdayt hingswer eneverthesame, heknew
hewant edt ogett oknowherf orther estofhisl i
fe
andt odayt heyar eher ewi t
hkidsandal l.
Hegl
ancedathiswatchanditwast
imetogoget
hi
sgi
rl
s,hepickedupNtobekoandl
eft
.
2021
-
--
--
--
--
--
-
Goodni
ght
[
11/
22,
14:
42].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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Chapt
er58
Thegangwassi
tt
ingout
sideMcDonal
d'seat
ing
thei
rlunch,Lubanzicouldn'
tst opyappingabout
seeingCourtneythi
safternoonbutLumi nj
alo
thoughtitwasgoingtobebor ingshewasmor e
thri
ll
edthatshewasgoi ngf orherar tl
essonswi th
gogoShay.Mhl engiwaitedf orThuladu'
scal l
,they
decidedthatshewillt
akeLubit ot
heAquar ium after
theydropoffLumiinDur banNor t
h.Ntobekowas
busywi t
hhischickennugget swit
hnocar eint he
world,f
inal
lyMhlengi'
sphoner ang.
"
Shor
ty!
"Heanswer
ed
"Ei
shbabe,I'
m worki
nglat
etoday.Peopl
eare
cal
li
nginsickandthehospit
ali
sshortst
affed,
I
havetocover.Youwil
lcomefetchmeatnine"
Thuladosai
dsadly
"OhOKandt
heki
dsext
ramur
alt
oday?
"Mhl
engi
asked
"
Youcancal
ltheaupai
rtot
ackl
eit
,sheknows
whatt
odo"Thul
adosai
d
"
Iwantt
odoi
tsi
nceI
'
m athome"Mhl
engisai
d
"OKthen,dr
opoffthetwinsatShar
on'
sandyoucan
staywit
hNtobeko"Thuladosai
d
"Hawu!Di
dyoufor
gett
hatLubanzihasan
appoi
ntmentwi
tht
heMarinebi
ologist
?"Mhl
engi
asked
"Shecangosomeotherti
me,
theynor
mal
lydot
he
artcl
asst
ogether
"Thul
adoar
gued
"Seri
ousl
y?SoLubanzimustdosomet hi
ngshe
doesn'tl
ike,
foronceshe'
sexci
tedforthisnowI'
m
goingtohavetobreakherhear
t!"Mhlengisai
d
dissapoi
nted
"
Fine!Takehermaybehookupwi
ththebl
ondi
eas
wellwhi
leyouati
t"Shesai
dangr
il
y
"
HaveIevergaveyouareasontodoubtme?Thisis
f
orourgi
rl
,canyoujustst
opplease"Hesai
dsternl
y
"
Okyoucango…seeyoul
ater
"Shehungup
Mhlengisi
ghedpinchi
ngt hebr i
dgeofhi
snose,
thenhenoti
cedanot i
fi
cationforanewemail,he
pressedonitandasmi l
ecr eptonhi
sface.I
twasa
repl
yfrom t
hepsychologist
s,shewasbasedin
Durbanandwasmor et hanhappytoseethem.He
call
edthenumbergivenimmedi at
ely.
"El
aineWat
sonhere,
howcanIhel
pyou?
"she
answeredt
hephone
"
HiI'
m Mhl
engi,
Ijustsawyourrepl
ytomyemai
l
.
WhencanIbookforasessi
on?"heasked
"OhhiMhl engi,
Ihavesl otsthewholeofnextweek.
Thef ir
stsessionwewi llj
usthaveachat ,thenfrom
thereIwillbeabl etosaywhi chdirect
ionwewi l
l
takebutIwantt ocommendyouf orseekinghelpfor
yourwoman.Hoar dingisaser i
ousment alil
lness
andi tcanonl ydeteri
orate,somepeopl edieas
hoarderstheynevergethel pbecauset heydon't
wantt obehel ped…wel ldonet oyou"shesai dso
sweet l
y
"Ireall
yhopeshewil
lall
owust ohel
pher ,
itwi
ll
breakmyhear ti
fsheref
uses,Idon'
tseemyself
stayingwit
hherfort
herestofourli
vesifshe
choosestor emai
nli
kethis,
I'
vebeenthereandit
's
f
ust
rat
inganddr
aini
ng"hesai
dsadl
y
"Andt hat'st hethingabouthoar ding, peoplearound
yougetf edupandbef oreyouknowi tyouarelike
anIslandandt r
ustmei t'
snotani cefeeli
ng.Soyou
doingt her ightthing,yourchil
dr enwi llgr
owand
thei
rf uturer elati
onshipswillgeaf fectbyhercl ut
ter,
theywon' tbr i
ngf r
iendsover,theywi l
lstr
ugglewi t
h
thei
rsel f-esteem andt hemosthur tfuliswhent hey
startgettingembar rassedoft heirownmot her"she
added
"
Ican'
tlett
hathappen!
"Mhl
engiassur
ed
"
Good!Youcanbookonl
ineandIwi
llseeyounext
week"Shesai
d.
"Thankyou"hehungupt houghtf
ull
y,hestaredat
hischi
ldr
enandsmi l
ed,hestil
lcouldn'
tbeli
evehe
wasaf at
herofthr
ee,"
Comeonl et'
sgo!"heorder
ed
them
LumiwasdroppedofatSharon'
sandnowt hey
wereonthei
rwayt ouShakaMari
ne,t
heyaskedfor
Court
ney!t
herecepti
oni
stphonedherandshe
appearedaf t
eracoupleofminutes,
herhai
rwas
bouncingupanddown.Shesmi ledwit
hhereyes
too,Lubanziranupt oherandj
umpedhuggedher
butMhl engistayedonthesamepositi
onhol
ding
Ntobekoi nhisarms.
"
Hey"Cour
tneysai
dsweet
ly
"Hi"Mhlengisai
d,hehadt
oadmitt
hegir
lwas
beauti
fulbutwhenshetur
nedar
oundthewasno
fvckenass
"
Comet
hrought
hisway"Shesai
d
TheywereinCour
tney'
soffi
ce,
itseemedli
keshe
wasprepar
edfort
his,shehadacoupleofscuba
di
vinggear
slai
doutrandomlyindif
fer
entsi
zes.
"OKLubiI'
m goingtogetyoudr essed, I
'
m goi
ngto
havetoholdyouinsidet
heAquar ium andmyfri
end
Ziyandawi
llbetheretotakepicturessoyoucan
keepthem f
orever"Shesaidexcitedly
"
OhIcan'
twai
t"Lubisai
d
"Andyoudaddy,
youcanwat
chfrom out
side.Iwi
ll
showyouwhereyoucanwai
t"Cour
tneysaid
"OKthat'
scool"Mhlengisai
ditwassoni
cetosee
Lubanzithi
sexci
ted,hejustknewt
hathehadto
nurt
urethisdr
eam ofhers.
"OKf i
rstupt hisisawet suit,youneedt of eel
comf ortableandl ightitfeelslikeyoursecondski n,
thenyouwi l
lputonscubagl ovestokeepyourl it
tle
handswar mi nthewat er.Themaski stopr otect
youreyesandt hesnor kelwi l
lhelpyout obr eath,I
willcarrythet ankt ogiveyouai r
,youst i
lltoosmal l
"
shechuckl ed,thent hefi
nsar etohelpyoumove
seaml esslyint hewat erwi t
houtusi ngtoomuchof
yourener gywhenswi mmi ng"shedr essedherup
compl etely,"Areyour eady? "Sheasked
"
Yes"shesai
dshowi
nghert
humbsup
Court
neyundr essedleavi
ngonl
yherthongandbra,
Mhlengit
urnedt olooktheot
herway,apartofhi
m
wantedtolaughbuthehel dhi
mself
.Court
neyput
onherscubagearandl eadthem out ,
Mhl engi
stayedout si
det hegl
asst ankswai t
ingt oseeLubi,
heevenhadhi sphoneonst andby.Afterwhat
seemedl ikefor
everZiyandai sseenf irstswimming
upwi thacamer aathandt henCour t
neyswam
alongwi t
hLubii nherarms.Cour tneyshowed
LubanziMhl engiandNt obekoshewaved
vi
gor ousl
y.Mhl engiwasbeami ngt akingavi deo,
i
nsidet hetankwasdi ff
erentkindsofseacr eatur
es.
Cour t
neyt ookhertoseet hesti
ngr ays,t
hent he
turt
lesandawhol elotofdi ff
erenttypesoff ish,
thenshesawsomest arfi
shatt hebot t
om oft he
tanks.Af t
erwhatseemedl i
keforeverCour tney
decidedt oaddacher r
yont op, shetookLubanzii n
thecaget oseet heshar ks,sheknewhowspeci al
thi
spar twasespeci all
yt othechi l
dren.Lubanzi
wasi nawe, shewi shedshecoul dtoucht hem but
shehadt obeinsidebecauseshar kswer eabi t
danger ousandsaf etycomesf i
rst.
Ntobekohadf al
lenasleeponMhl engi'
sar ms,sohe
deci
dedt ositonthebenchespr ovi
dedi nsidet
he
Aquari
um, theywerewai t
ingforthefutureMarine
biol
ogist
stor et
urn.Lubanziapproachedr unni
ngin
exhi
larat
ion,shelat
chedonherdadwi thherheart
beati
ngoutofhermout h.
"
Cal
m downpumpki
n"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Isawthesharksdaddy,t
hehammerheadandeven
t
hegreatwhi
teshark"shesai
dimmensel
y
"OK!OK!youneedtobreat
he"hechuckl
ed,
Court
neyappearedfr
om aroundt
hebend,shewas
gri
nningi
nsati
sfact
ion
"So?Whatdoyout
hink?
"Sheaskedcr
ouchi
ngt
o
herlevel
"
Itwasamazi
ng!Il
ovei
t!
"Lubisai
d
"Well
I'
m havi
ngat al
kattheSharksboar
don
Satur
day,t
heywillbegut
tingareall
if
e
hammerheadifyouwanttocome"Cour t
neyof
fer
ed
"
CanIgodaddy?
…pl
ease"Lubibegged
"
Yougoingt
ohavetoaskmummybutI
'
m cool
"
Mhl
engisai
dtoLubi
"
Thankyou"shehuggedherdadcar
efulnott
owake
Ntobeko
"
Thankyou"Mhl
engisai
dtoCour
tney
"
It
'sapl
easure"shesai
dbatt
ingherl
ongeyel
ashes,
"
ohandI'm goi
ngtoneedyournumbert
osendyou
t
hepict
ures"sheadded
"
OhOK"Mhl
engir
eci
tedhi
snumberandt
heyl
eft
*
***
Frankarri
vedathomeandspentsomequal it
ytime
withSbusibef oreheexcusedhi mself
,thenanny
tookoverandhewentt olockhimsel
fint heroom.
Sleepgotthebet terofhim,whilei
nhissl umberhe
sawhi mselfinaKi ngsizebedhehadagi r
lon
eit
hersideofhi sarms, bythelookofthingshehad
athreesomewi t
ht hem anditwasgood.Hegl anced
toseetheirfacesbuti twasjustablurhecoul donly
i
ndul gei
nt heirsexybodies,yell
owboneswi th
curvesandni celonglegs.Hesmi l
edandf acet he
ceil
ingbutsuddenl ythebedst art
edmovi ng, hegot
start
ledsit
tingonhi sbuttsandnot i
cedf oramat ter
offacthewasi nastil
lri
ver.Itwasmassi vebutst i
ll
asast at
ueyett hebedwasmovi ng,helooked
aroundfrantical
lynotknowingwhatt odo, hetri
ed
wakingupt het wogirl
sbutt heywer efastasl eep.
Hest oodont hebedat tempt ingt ojumpi nt heri

ver
buthesawt hePhant om eager l
ywai t
ingt ograspat
him soher etreated,hef elttheur getopr ay.He
prayedinhishear tandt hatseemedt ohave
angeredthephant om becauseheaggr essively
destroyedthebed, hesmashedi tintopiecesFr ank
l
osthi sbal
ancef all
ingoverandj ustbeforehe
couldsplashi ntothewat eraboatmi raculously
appearedwi thamanasar after,t
hest r
angerr aft
ed
theboatinhi ghspeedl eavingt hewr eckedbed
behindasf ort heladiesunf ortunatelytheyf el
l
i
nside.
Hewassavedj ustl i
ket hat ,thest rangert ur nedon
hisheell eavinghi m atshor e,hecoul dn'tseehi s
facebuthef eltsocl oset ohi m, hewal kedj ustli
ke
him andt hebodyst ruct urewasasi fhi sseei ng
Fredorhi msel fapar tf rom t heski nt one, hewasa
taddar k.Nowi twasl ikehewassl eepingagai nin
thehouse, thePhant om camehover i
ngoverSbusi .
Frankscr eamedf orhi mt ogetawaybutt he
Phant om pi ckedherupandat tempt edt ol eavewi th
hersuddenl yNomzamoappear edf rom nowher e
andsnat chedSbusiaway, thePhant om l eftinanger ,
hiswander i
ngl edhi mt oanot herhousebuthe
wasn' tfami li
arwi t
hi t.Hesawt hemonst er
Phant om hover ingovert wingi rl
sandal ittl
eboy
whowasaboutSbusiage, Frankscr eamedonce
mor ebutt histimear oundt hever ysamemant hat
helpedhi mi nthewat erappear edwi thtwobeaut if
ul
woman.Theywer eshor tinhei ghtandt oget herthey
createdabar r
icadeovert hechi ldren, t
hePhant om
dissapear edi ndef eat.Thenextt hinghef elt
strangulat i
ononhi sneckbutcoul dn' tseewher eit
wascomi ngf rom, heki ckedandgaggedt ryingt o
breakf ree.Hepr ayedi nhi shear tandt hegr i
p
aroundhisneckvanished,hesatonhisbutt
s
pantingandsweati
ng, hewentonhiskneesand
prayedhard.Whenhewasdonehet ookaquick
showersohecouldf etchNomzamof rom work.
Nomzamobeamedseei ngSbusiattheback
buckl
edinherseat
,it
'snotever
ydaythather
daught
erfet
chesheratwork.
"Hell
osmushy!
"Shesaidkissi
ngheral
lover
,Sbusi
giggl
ed."
Howisshefeeli
ngnow?"Nomzamoasked
"
She'sgood,nomorefeverbutshe'
sst
il
lnoteat
ing
l
ikebef
ore"Frankr
eport
ed
"I
t'
snormal
,aslongassheeat
ssomet
hingand
dri
nksherl
iqui
ds"Nomzamosaid
"Iguessshei
sgreatt
hen,howwasyourday?
"They
kissedwhenNomzamoj umpedi
nfr
ontseat
"I
twasokay,
andyourspl
easetel
lmet
hegood
news"Nomzamosaiderr
ati
cal
ly
"
Theypost
poned"hesai
dkeepi
nghi
seyesont
he
r
oad,
hewast
ir
edofdi
ssapoi
nti
ngher
"
Butwhy?
"Sheaskedwor
ryi
ngl
y
"Theotherguydidn'
tcomeduetosomeemergency,
Iwil
lhavetoreschedul
ewit
hthem agai
n"hesai
d
"OhOKcoolt
hen,
youl
ookexhaust
ed"Nomzamo
sai
d
"Ihadaterr
ibl
edream,i
t'
sli
keIwil
lneverescape
thePhantom…hissti
lll
ooki
ngforme"Franksaid
honest
ly
"Thedevi
lli
kestot
estGodbutHealwayscomes
outvi
ctor
iousfr
etnotbaby,
youdon'
tbel
ongtohi
m
anymore"Nomzamosqueezedhisshoul
der
*
***
At9:05pm Thuladosatoutsi
dethehospit
alinIfe'
s
company,hesai dhewouldn'tl
eaveunt
ilThulado
wasf et
chedsincesherefusedforhi
mt odropher
off
.
"
Icoul
djustt
akeyouhomeyouknow"I
fesai
dagai
n
"AgainI'
mt el
li
ngyout
hatMhlengii
sfet
chingme"
shesaid,"YoucangoIwil
lbefine,
thesecur
it
yis
here"sheadded
"Ij
ustwantt
omakesur
eyouar
esaf
e"hesai
d
honest
ly
"
Igi
veup"shesai
dthr
owi
ngherhandsi
ntheai
r
"Whycan'
thebuyhimsel
fhi
sowncari
nst
eadof
hoggi
ngyours?
"If
easked
"
Aymi
ndyourownbusi
ness.
.Pl
ease"Thul
adosai
d
"OK"Ifesaidshruggi nghi
sshoul der,"
Ijustcannot
understandwhysomemenar eOKwi thbei ngkept
byawomen, notnecessari
lyherebutever ywhere.
It
'sbecomi ngat rend,aman'sjobi stopr ovidefor
hisfamilybuttodaymensl eepinwhi l
et heirwomen
breaktheirbackst oputfoodont hetable…t hel
evel
oflazi
nessi nthiswor l
dtodayisadi sgrace"hesai d
i
rrit
ably
"
NoIunder
standwhatyoumeanbutt
hat
'snot
Mhl
engi
"Thul
adosai
dconf
ident
ly
"
Ifyousayso"I
fesai
dshaki
nghi
shead
"
Howi
sIj
eomaset
tl
ing?
"Thul
adoasked
"She'sfi
neoo,she'
snottooimpr
essedwitht
he
mar ket
shere,
it'
snotthesameasbackhomebutI
tol
dhershewi l
lalwaysfi
ndsomethingsi
mil
arand
thatthi
sisSouthAfri
caandnotNigeri
a"Hesai
d
chuckli
ng
"
Icanimagine,
Ithinkthat
soneofther
easonsI
woul
dn'twantt
or el
ocate,
IlovemySout
hAfri
can
f
ood"Thuladosai
dchuckling
"Homei salwaysspecialbuti
t'
salsonicetoexpl
ore
othercult
uresinst
eadofcompl ai
ning,younot
homeandyoucan' texpecti
ttobelikehomeyou
know"Ifesaid
"Beni
cehawu,
Ithi
nkyouar
etoohar
donher
"
Thul
adosai
d
"
I'
mtr
yingbutIdon'
tthi
nkIwantt
hem t
oli
vewi
th
me…Ij
ustcan'
t"Hesaidsadl
y
"Gi
veherachanceman,
maybeyout
hinkt
hegr
ass
i
sgreenerontheothersi
deattheendoftheday
shei
sawomanj ustl
ikemeorothergi
rl
syouare
l
ookingat,
sheisyourwif
eIfe"Thul
adoinfor
med
sadl
y
"Let
'schanget
hesubj
ectabeg,
thi
sthi
nguna
makemyheaddeyscatter
"Hesaidbur
yinghi
s
head
Mhlengiappearedf
rom nowhere,
heputhi
shands
i
nhi spocketst
andi
ngbeforethem wi
thhi
shoodi
e
coveri
nghishead.
"i
cherieyami
"hesai
dsmili
ngatThulado,
she
grabbedherbagandrani
ntohisar
ms, Mhlengi
pickedherupandki
ssedherhungr
il
y
"
ByeI
fe"Thul
adosai
dinbet
weent
heki
ss
Mhlengiwalkedt
owar
dsthecarst
il
lcarr
ying
Thuladoinhisar
msIf
ejustwat
chedthem in
di
sbelief
.Hepull
edhi
stonguei
nannoyancet hen
hestompedtowardshiscar"
Mxm idi
ots.
.Lookat
them mcwmcwmcw"hesai dinsi
det
hecar,hehi
t
thegasanddroveoff
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
42].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er59
*
Dur
ban*
ItwasaThur sdayafternoonandt hechur
chwasa
hosti
ngawomen' smeet ingsoNomzamoi nvit
ed
ThuladoandThul adoinvitedNana.Themenwer e
l
eftwiththekidsast heladiesmetoutsi
dethe
churchparking.Nanabei ngthemostbubbly
j
umpedoutofSf i
so'
scarf ir
stf
oll
owedby
Nomzamo, shealmostscr eamedseeingNanashe
wasn'texpectingtoseeherher e,
thenThul
ado
j
oinedthem f i
nall
y.
"Heyladi
es,
Iinvi
tedNana,
Ihopeyoudon'
tmi
nd"
Thuladosai
d
"
Nonotatal
l,
I'
m act
ual
lyhappy.Themor
ethe
mer
ri
er"Nomzamosaid
"Thankyouladi
esIneededt
his,
myli
fei
sweighi
ng
onme, Ineedapickmeup"Shesai
dheavi
ngasigh
"
Nothi
ngbeatsswimmingint
hehol
yspi
ri
t,you
madether
ightchoi
ce"Nomzamosai
d
Theyal
lmadet
hei
rwayi
n.Thepast
orswi
fewas
alr
eadyseat
edinfrontr
eadi
ngtheBible,
assoonas
shesawthem shestoodonherfeetandwel
comed
them wi
thwarm hugs.
"Youarewel comed,I
'm Sar
ah"shesaid,Nomzamo
i
ntroducedNanabecausesheal readyknew
Thuladofrom theSundayservi
cesandher
i
ntell
igenttwins.
Mor ewomencamei nshewentandgr eeted

everyone,Thet
riadsatinthefrontwai
ti
ngf orthe
meet i
ngtobegin.Whenever yonewassettledthe
wifestart
edthemeeting.Sheopenedinpr ayerthen
shesmi l
edattheladiesinadmi r
ati
on.
"OKf i
rst
lythisisnotachur chser vi
ce,wear eher e
tohavef unandr elax,
Ihaveor ganizedforour
meet i
ngt otakeplaceint hegar denandI '
mt olditis
ready,sograbyourst uffandl et'sgo"thepast ors
wifeordered, t
heyallf
ollowedeachot hertot he
backwher et hechurchgar denswer esit
uated, t
hat
areaswasusedforSundayschoolonl
ybecauseof
thebeaut
if
ulgr
ass.
Ther ewasast retchtentcover ingt hel avi

shly
ador nedtableandchai rs,i
twasbeaut iful
,therewas
varieti
esofcupcakesandcakescover edont he
tablethenther ewaspl atesandcut lerywhichmeant
theywer egoi ngtof east.Ont hesi det ablewer e
drinksinglassj uicedispenser swi tht aps,they
l
ookedsi zzlingcol dandent i
cingi nt heDur banheat.
Theywer einstructedtoeachgr abacar dwi t
ha
l
etterandwheni t'
stheirturntheymustsayt hefir
st
thingthatcomest otheirmindst ar
tingwi ththe
l
ettertheyhavei ntheirhands.Ladi esst art
ed
blurti
ngoutt hingsl i
kecar ,banana, shoesand
moneywheni twasNomzamo' st urnshescr eamed
"Frank"theladiesbur stedoutl aughi ng
"Ah-ahIknowyoul
oveyourmanbutpl
easelethi
m
stayathometonur
sethebaby,
thi
sisaboutyou"
Sarahsaid
"
Sor
rybutt
hatwast
hef
ir
stt
hingt
hatcamet
omy
mindwi
ththel
ett
erF"Shesai
dtoherr
escue,
Nana
shi
ft
eduncomfor
tabl
y.
Theyallgottointr
oducethemselvesoverjuiceand
cupcakes,itwaschil
ledandrel
axingf orr
eal,Sar
ah
all
owedt hem t
omi nglebef
oreshei nt
roducedthe
nextacti
vityontheli
st.SoNanat houghtthi
swas
theri
ghttimetoask.
"
SoFr
ank?
"NanaaskedNomzamo
"Iknow,Iknow"shesai
dshyl
y,"
Icoul
dn'
tignor
eit
anylonger,Il
ovehi
m sohar
d"shesai
d
"Ihear
dmam mf
undi
sit
alki
ngaboutababy?
"Nana
asked
"Yeahwehaveadaught
er,
sameageasThul
ado'
s
boy"Nomzamosaid
"Ohwowmustbeni ce,
nooffensebutyoudeserve
bett
er.Idon'
tknowwhatani ceper
sonlikeyousaw
i
nFr ankhonestl
y,hi
sadouchebagl i
kehisdead
brot
herFred.Theydestr
oyedmanylivesincl
udi
ng
mine,t
heyusewomenforthei
rdi
rt
ycult,
hewill
cheatonyouandl
eaveyoudrysi
si"Nanasai
d
unapologet
ic
"
Nanast
op!
"Thul
adowar
ned
"WhyshouldIstop?Hmmm?Theyt ookmywomb
Thuladowhycouldn'
ttheysacr
if
icethei
rsperms
huh?I'mtheonesuffer
ingnowandheget shis
happil
yeveraft
er…fuckthi
sshit
,Ihopehis
daughterdi
esnxa"Nanasaidwithherli
pstrembl
ing
"Nanadon' tyoudar espeakt hosewor dsagai nstmy
daughteryouhearme?If eelforyou,Ireallydoand
Frankregretsiteverysingledaybuthi sref or
med
andunf ort
unatelycannotchanget hepast .Also
Nanayouwer en'tforcedyoumadeachoi cet hat
camewi t
hahor ribl
econsequences, justlikeImade
achoicet osleepwi t
ht hem andIwast orment edby
ademon…youneedt oheal,butleavemydaught er
outofthis"Nomzamospat
"I
thurt
s,Iwi
shIcoul
dchanget
hehandsoft
ime,
it'
s
hurt
s"shesai
d
"
It
'sOKbabe,
it'
sokay"Thul
ador
ubbedherback
Afterawhil
etheywer
ecall
edbacktotheirseats,
Nana'smoodwasdampenedshedi dn'
tevensi t
nexttoThul
adoandNomzamoanymor ebutrightat
theendonherown.Sarahstar
tedt
alki
ng.
"Aaaaahyouf eelt hat?"shesai d, "

Peaceand
sil
ence…noki ds, nohusbands…i sn'titnice?"She
asked, thel adiesgi ggledinagr eement ."wellwe
onlyhaveanhourbef orewegobackt oreality,now
beforeIgetont ot henextl evelofourgat heri
ngI
haveaquest iontoaskeachofyou.Whati sthat
onet hingyouwantt hemost ?Iwi l
lgof i
rst,Iwant
healing.Iwanteachoneofyout oheali nwhat ever
i
ti syouar egoi ngt hrough,weal lhavei ndividual
demonst hatwear ef i
ghti
ngever ysi ngleday.
Somet i
mest heycr eepoutandi nterruptourdayt o
dayr unni ngofourl ivesHEAL, doi tforyour self"she
saidt akingherseat .Nanast oodupf irst
, she
clearedhert hroat.
"
Iwantchi
ldr
enandIcan'
thavet
hem becausemy
wombwassacr i
fi
cetoacult..
.i
t'sgone…lit
erall
y.I
wenttot hehospit
alandont hreeoccasionsi twas
confi
rmedt hatIdon'
thaveawomb.It houghtIwas
enj
oyingmyl i
feandthatwhenI 'mreadyIwi llset
tl
e
downmaybegetmar r
iedandhavechi ldrenbut
i
nsteadIgotbur nmar ksal
lovermybodyandI '
m
wombl ess"tear
skeptonf l
owingdownherf ace,
Sarahwal keduptoherandpul ledherintoan
embrace.
"I
t'
snotoversthandwasami,
yourstoryisnotover
"
Sarahwhisperedi
nherear
,whenshecal meddown
Thuladostoodupbutimmediat
elyst
artedplayi
ng
withherhands.
"Iwantt ogetmar r
iedmor ethananything.Iknow
thesedayst heysaymar r
iageisnotanachi evement
butf ormei twillbe.Ihaveadegr eemycar eeris
j
ustashowIdr eamedofi ttobe,Ihavet hree
beaut if
ulchildr
en.Ihaveever yt
hingIlongedf or
growi ngupexceptar ingonmyf inger,forgiveme
forletti
ngthet eam downbutIwantt ogetmar r
ied"
shesai dshyl y
"
Itmaynotbeanachi
evementf
orot
her
sbutf
oryou
i
twi l
lbeandnot hi
ngwillstandi
nyourway,youwi
ll
getmar ri
edinJesusName"Sar ahsai
dandt he
otherladi
esagreedinunison,Nomzamostoodupa
bi
tsadf rom t
healter
cat
ionshehadwi t
hNana.
"MineissimilartoThulado,obvi
ouslyIdreamedof
aweddi ngtoobutmyr easonsaresli
ghtlydiffer
ent.
Mymom nevergotmar r
iedbutshewasl i
vingwi th
mydad, unf
ortunatelyhepassedonbef orehecoul d
fulf
il
lhispromiset oherandunluckyformeIhadt o
growupwat chingdrownhersor rowsaway, she
diedwi t
habr okenhear t
,Idon'
tknowwhati t'sli
ke
tobeinawar m, l
ovinghomewi thbothparents.
Memor i
esofmychi l
dhoodaren'tsogreatsoIwant
somet hi
ngdi f
ferentforSbusi
siwe,Iwanthert o
havewhatIdi dn't"shesaidandtookherseat .
Sarahprayedwi t
htheladiesaf
terhear
ingeachand
everyoneofthem.Thenanear l
ysupperwasserved,
theyateoverjokessharedbythechurchladi
es
aboutthei
rhusbands.
"Inclosi ngladi esIwantt oencour ageyout opray
foryourhousehol ds, f
oryourmenandchi ldren.
Therepoweri napr ayer f
ulwoman, andin
everythi ngpl easet akecar eofyour self,
Iknowwe
havebusyschedul es.Fr om wor kwehavet hese
ment opl easeandt hesechi l
drent onurtur ebut
don'tf orgetaboutyour self
, gof orthoset reatment s
andt akecar eoft hatbody, eatheal thyanddr i
nk
l
ot sofwat er.Sl eep!Resti sessent i
al,Iwasr eading
thest or yofEst hert heot herdayandIpi ckedupa
fewt hings, theBi bl
esai dEst herwasbeaut ifuland
shehadani cef igure,theni twentonandsai dshe
wentf orbeaut ytreatmentf oroneyearbef oreshe
couldbepr esent edt ot heKi ng, si
xmont hswi thoil
s
ofmyr rhandsi xmont hsofper fumeandcosmet i
cs,
shehadpeopl eappoi ntedt ot reathersot hatshe
wasr el axedandbeaut ifultobeseenbyt heki ng"
shechuckl ed, "
Whyam Isayi ngt his?Shi ne
beaut i
f ulLady!Don' tletyour selfdown, pamper
yoursel fsmel lnicef oryourpar t
ner.Bathador n
yoursel fsot hatwhenheseesyou, hedoesn' twant
tolookel sewher enonet helesst heKi ngpi cked
EstheroverQueenVasht inotonl ybecauseofher
beautyandt hetreatmentsbutitwasthefavorof
God.Notever ythi
ngi si
nmanpowerbuti nHis
hands, berealandstoptryi
ngtobel i
keotherslet
thefavorofGodpl aceyouwher eyoushoul dbe…
stopfighti
ngit,becauseattheendoft hedayHis
willbedone"shesai d,t
herewassilence,"
Itwas
nicespendingt i
mewi thyou,Ihopetoseeyoual lat
churchonSundayshesai d.
*
***
Fr
ankwasonacal
lwi
thoneoft
hei
nvest
ors.
"
I'
m sorr
yIwasl at
e,Ihadminorcaracci
dentcan
wereschedul
e?"heasked.
"Yeahsurebutcanweuset
hel
oungepr
efer
abl
y?"
Frankasked
"Wecantrybutthel
astti
metheywerefull
,thati
sa
popul
arbusi
nesshotel
.Didyounotl
ikethe
set
ti
ng?"heaskedworryi
ngl
y
"Nojustnj
e…it
'sf
inel
et'
sreschedul
e"hesai
d
heavingasigh
"
Tomor
row?
"heasked
"
That
'
sper
fect
!"Fr
anksai
d,hehungup
Thenamessagecamet
hroughonhi
sphone,
itwas
Li
sa.
*I
'
m sorr
yaboutthewayIcar riedmysel
f,I
'
mr eal
ly
embarr
assedpleasedon'tt
ellanyoneandIpr
omise
i
twil
lbestri
ctl
ybusinessfr
om nowonwar ds*
Frankj
ustdel
etedt
hemessageandi gnor
edher
,hi
s
headwaspoundingfr
om al
lthest
ress.Nomzamo
cameinlooki
ngrat
hergl
oomy.
"
Andt
hen?
"Fr
ankasked
"Nanawasatthemeet
ingandsheisangr
y,you
needtot
alkt
oher"Shesai
dsadly
"
That
'
sifshecanl
etme"Fr
anksai
d
"Shetoldmeal otoft
hings,doyouevert
hinkof
cheatingonme…wi l
lyouleaveme?"Sheaskedwit
h
gli
steningeyes
"What?Nonopleasedon'
teventhi
nkt
hat
…Il
ove
you"hesai
dsqueezingheri
nhisarms
Af
terawhil
eFrankaskedtogoandgetsomef
resh
ai
r,het
ookthecarandlef
t.
*
***
Thuladowal kedintoabusyki tchen,

Mhl engiwasin
anapr onwi t
hNtobekoonhi sbacksl eeping,the
twinsseemedt obehel pingpreparedinner.She
stoodt herer
esti
ngherhandsonherhi ps,shewas
i
mpr essed.Shegr eetedeveryoneandpr oceededto
goandchangei ntocomf or
tableclot
hes, t
heywer e
nowsi tti
ngonthet ablet
oeat .Lucki
lyitwasn't
anythi
ngheavysi ncesheal readyateatchur ch,
t
heymadeburger
sanchipssoshetookahandf
ul
f
orherpl
ateandhal
fofherbur
ger.
Itwasbedt i
meandal lthechil
drenwereasleep,
Mhl engidecidedtodate,
theychoseamovi eto
wat ch.Thuladowantedtowat chthepr
oposaland
Mhl engiwant edamarvelsuperheromovi
ebut
becausehei sagentl
emanheal l
owedThuladoto
pick.
"
I'
m goingtoCapeTownf
oracoupl
eofdays"
Mhlengisai
doutoft
hebl
ue
"Mhlengidon'
tst
artpl
ease!
"Shesai
dinan
accusi
ngtone
"
Noit'
snot hi
ngli
kethat
,I'
m goi
ngf
orameet
ing…
i
t'
sbusiness"hesai
d
"I
fyougobackt oj
ail
,I
'mleavi
ngyout
hat
'sal
lI
havetosay"shesai
dster
nly
"Iwon'
tgotoj
ailbecausewhatI
'm goi
ngtodohave
nothi
ngtodowithcri
me"hesaidchuckli
ng,
he
ni
bbl
edonherear
"
Ifyousayso"Thul
adosai
d
"AndwhenIret
urn,
Iwantt
otakeyousomewher
e"
hesai
dkissi
ngher
"
Iwonderwhatyouupt oo"Thuladosai
d,"Ohand
I
'm al
sopl
anni
ngat ri
phome, thekidshaven'
tseen
mydadforawhilenow"sheadded
"
Cool"Mhlengisai
d,t
henhisphonepi
nged.Itwas
messagesfrom anunknownnumber,hepr
essedon
i
tandsawpi ct
uresofLubanzit
henheremembered
i
twasCour t
ney.
*
She'
sanat
ural
,don'
tfor
getaboutSat
urday!
*
Themessageread,Mhlengicoul
dn'
tstopsmili
ng
l
ooki
ngatLubanzi,t
hetwinswerear epl
icaof
Thul
adojustt
all
er,
theywerebeauti
ful.
"
Whatar
eyousmi
li
ngat
?"Thul
adoasked,
Mhl
engi
handedthephonet
oher
,shescr
oll
eddownt he
pi
ctureswit
hasmil
ebutt
hatwasquickl
yreplaced
byafrown.
"I
sthiswhyyougoingt
oCapeTown?Youwantt o
gowithher,
what'
sthemeaningoft
hismessage
Mhlengi
?"Thul
adoaskedangri
ly
"What
?Noaibo…she'
stalki
ngabouttheShar
ks
boar
dyoucanaskLubanzi,CapeTownhasnothi
ng
todowit
hher"Mhl
engisaidinhi
sdefense
"Don'tyoudaredr
agmydaught eri
ntothi
s,feel
free…youcango,I'm usedofbeingaloneanyway"
shesai dheadi
ngtowardstheroom.
Mhlengir
oll
edhiseyesandsighed,hewentt
othe
room,heopenedthedrawercomi ngoutwi
thhi
s
gunandhisweedstash.
"I
'
m goi
ngoutf
orf
reshai
r"hegr
abbedt
hecarkeys
andl
eft
.
*
***
Itwasdar kwi t
hnosi gnofl if
eatt hebeachand
that'sexact l
ywhathewant ed, Thuladoiscrazyhe
knewt hatandwal ki
ngoutal wayswor kswonder s
forhi mitwassomuchbet terthanent er
tai
ningher
i
nsecur i
ti
es.Hel ituphi sjointbef orehecouldst ep
ont othepi er
,thebr eezewasat adcol datnightand
theoceanseemedr oughandr i
sen.Hewal kf urther
i
nsohecoul dsitbyt hebench, hi
sgunwasr eady
justincaseanyonet r
iessh! twithhim, hewillshoot
andt osst hecor pseint heseaf orthesharkst o
feaston.Thecl oserhewast ot hebenchhesawa
figuresitt
ingdown, theper sonwasdeepi n
thought shewasn' tevenmovi ng.Hesatnextt ohi m
puf f
inghisgr ass.
"
Wat
kyn?
"Mhl
engisai
dspr
eadi
nghi
slegs
"Watkynekse?
"theot
herguyr
epl
iedkeepi
nghi
s
gazeontheangrywaves
"
Women?
"Mhl
engiaskedchuckl
ing
"
Youguessedt
hatr
ight
"thest
rangersai
d
"Here'
sbl
aat
ji
e"hesaidgivi
nghimthej
oint
,the
str
angert
ookitwit
houthesi
tat
ion,
hepul
ledand
puff
edinper
fecti
on
"
Yousmoke?
"Mhl
engiasked
"Yeahbutmygir
ldoesn'
tknow,myl
if
eisf
vcked
bro"hesai
dchuckl
ingbi
tt
erly
Aft
erabout30mi
nutesofsi
lenceandpuff
ing
cl
oudsofsmoke,
thetwomenst ar
tedspeaki
ng
agai
n.
"
I'
m Mhl
engi
!"hesai
dreachi
nghi
shandout
"
I'
m Fr
ank!
"Hesai
dst
ret
chi
nghi
sar
m aswel
l
Theyl
ookedi
ntoeachot
herandf
roze…
2021
-
--
--
-
Thankyouonceagai
nBongi
weSel
ekaf
or
sponsor
ing
[
11/
22,
14:
44].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er60
*
Att
hepi
er*
"Wai
t!TheeFrankSimmons?"Mhl
engiaskedj
ustt
o
besure,hel
itanot
herj
oint
"Yesandpleaseihopeyounotoneofthose
groupi
es,Iwil
lpunchyouint
heface"hesaid
chuckl
ing
"UyamaziuSagi
la?
"Mhl
engisai
dinbet
weenhi
s
puffs(
DoyouknowSagil
a)
"Notpersonall
ybutIknowaboutthatmot
herf
ucker
"
Franksaidtakingt
hejointawayf
rom Mhl
engi
"
Fuck!
"hesai
dnotknowi
nghowt
opr
oceed
Itwasi
nsane.I
twasthewaytheyf
oldedtheirarms
andopenthei
rlongl
egswi
dewhensi t
ti
ng,their
movementsandhabit
sweret
hesame.
"
Howdoyouknowhi
m?"Fr
ankaskedi
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"
Hismyf
ather
!"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Ohkt
hati
smyqueue"Fr
ankr
oset
ohi
sfeet
"
Howl
ongar
eyougoi
ngt
orun?I
t'
snotbymi
stake
thatwearesi
tt
ingher
eal
oneatthi
stime!
"Mhlengi
saidkeepi
nghi
sgazeonthecr
ashingwaves
"FuckyouandSagi l
a"Fr
anksaidat
temptingtowal
k
away,Mhlengicockedhisguni
nasplitsecondand
point
edathimt henherosesl
owlyt
ohi sfeetwi
tha
smirkonhisface.
"Fuckenbl oodycowar dandI '
m 100%sur eyougoti t
from yourmot herbecausethinakwaNgcobo
siyiqondanqoi mpi(weholdt hebullbythehor ns)
forhowl ongar eyouplanningtorunhuh?Idon' t
needaDNAt oknowukut hiuFuzewena, umashiya
amahl engat hiazoshumayel a,youaremyf ucken
brother .LookatmeFr ank,youandmear ethesame
bro"hesai df eeli
ngemot i
onal,"Nowt el
lmewher e
thef uckyout hinkyougoingbecausewest i
ll
talking?"heasked
Frankangr
il
ymarchedbackt ohi
m, Mhlengi
disar
medhisgunshovingi
tbackandgr abbed
Frankbyhi
sclot
hesandFr ankgrabbedhimtoo,
theywerel
ooki
ngintoeachotherwithnothi
ngbut
r
age.
"Whoyoucal
li
ngacowardboy?Acowardisthat
usel
essmanyoucal
lafather
.Iwantnot
hingtowith
youorhi
m…clear
?"Fr
anksaidthr
oughgrit
tedteet
h
"Bloodyfuckencowardli
keyourbi t
chmot her,what
kindofamanar eyou?Allthoseyearsyouar eli
ving
offtheli
esyourmot hert
oldyou.Sagilawas
everythi
ngbutacowar d,yeshecheatedonmy
mot herIrecentl
yfoundthatoutbuthewasn' ta
cowar dnowt el
lmewhatsyourst ory?"Mhlengi
asked
Frankpunchedhi m onthef acehest aggerredback

holdinghisachingjaw, withinsecondshechar ged
knocki ngFranktothef l
oor,het henrainedpunches
onhi m whileonthef l
oor,Frankmanagedt ohold
hisar ms.Hest r
uggledbutt ur nedhi
m overgai ni
ng
poweroverhi m,hereturnedt hepunchesbut
Mhl engiblockedhisfacewi thhi sar
ms, Mhl engi
pushedhi m offhim pantingtheysatont hecold
concret
ecatchi
ngt
hei
rbr
eat
hs,
bloodoozi
ngf
rom
thei
rbrui
ses.
"
Youhitl
ikeabit
ch,i
fyouweren'
tmybr
otherI
woul
dhavestabbedyoulongti
me""
Mhlengisai
d
"
Whatar
eyou?
"Fr
ankasked
"Noneofyourbusi ness,allIknowi sthatyouar ea
cowar d,Imett heguyt hatbeatyourpr egnantgirl
i
nt oapul pinpr i
son.Iwassodi ssapoi nted,hesti
ll
hadever ythingintactjustacoupl eofscr atches…
seriousl
y?I fthatwasmyshor t
yIpr omi seyouhe
woul drunifheevenhear shername, I'm stil
l
planningsomet hingforthatf oolthatthoughthe
couldmar ryi cherieyamiwhi leI'
m st i
llalive"
Mhl engiblabber ed
"I
'm notacowar
d!Whatgoodwi llitdoifIharm him?
Youwantmet ogetarrestedandleavemygi r
lto
rai
seourchil
dalone?Leaveherwi thoutpr
otecti
on
becauseofalowli
fecrazyboy…nahIdontt hi
nkso"
Franksaid
"
Iguesst
hat
'swher
ewear
edi
ff
erent
,Iwi
llsor
tyou
outIdon'tcareifIl
andi njai
lbutasl ongasthebad
canceriseli
minated…I '
m good, ngekengihl
ale
ngit
hidekengi bukeusnayiezenzelengamikanye
nomndeniwami …never!"Her oared(Iwil
lneversi
t
andfoldmyar mswhi l
eaf ooldoast heyplease
wit
hmeormyf amil
y…never !
)
"Vengef
ul!Al
rightIgeti
t"Fr
anksaidwipi
ngbl
ood
comingfrom hisnosewithhisj
acket
.
"
Canwet al
k…please,t
hetruthi
sIhavebeen
l
ooki
ngforyou"Mhlengisaidgenui
nel
y,Fr
ank
l
aughed.
"ThoughIf
eellikeIwi
llbebetrayi
ngFredbecause
wevouchedt hatwewillnevergoseeki
ngfor
uSagil
aever
!Hedi dn'
twantusandweshoul dn't
wanthim"Franksaid
"
Hisdead!
"Mhl
engisai
dpai
nful
ly
"
What
?"Fr
anksai
dshocked
"Yeah,he-
hedi
edwhenIwasabout10/11Iwas
rai
sedbymyaunt.Mymother
'ssi
ster
"Mhlengisai
d
sadly
"Ohwow! "Fr
anksaidbli
nki
nghistears,
"Fuck!
"he
sai
dbur yi
nghisheadinhishandsjustl
ikehow
Mhlengidoes
Mhlengimovedcl
osert
oFrankanddrapedhi
sone
arm ar
oundhim,t
heyst
ayedli
kethatf
orthel
ongest
ofti
me.
*
***
*
Unknowndest
inat
ion*
Itwasaparty.Thepl acewaspackedever ythi

ngin
abundancefood, al
cohol ,l
adi
esandj ustaf ewmen.
Itwasanicehousei naposhar ea, onlythosewho
hadfatwall
etscouldaf f
ordthi
ski ndofl i
fe.Theone
man'sphoner angwhenhenot icedt hecallerID,he
rej
ect
edthecal landr esumedhi sdr i
nking.Phindil
e
cameandsatonhi slapandst artedgr indi
ngonhi m.
"
Iwantt
ogoandsl
eepnow"t
hemansai
d
"Ohnobabyt henightissti
llyoung"Phindi
lesai
d,
themangr owledbutretr
eatedthisisthe
disadvant
ageofdatingayoungone.
Phindi
le'
sphonerangi
twashernanny.She
answeredquickl
y.
"
Yes!
"Shesai
dsoundi
ngchi
rpyandsl
oshed
"
Areyoucominghomet oni
ghtorIshoul
djustsl
eep
i
nthenur
sery"sheasked
"
I'
m notsur
ejustwat
chhi
mfort
heni
ght
"Shesai
d
"
OK"Thenannyr
epl
i
edandhungup.
Phi
ndi
lewenttojoinhergroupoffr
iendsinone
cor
ner
,leavi
ngtheoldmanal onehedecidedtogo
tot
hebathroom andret
urnthatcal
l.
"
baba"sai
dthevoi
ceofamat
uredl
ady
"
Yawhat
'
swr
ong?
"Heaskedi
rr
it
abl
y
"Youhaven'
tgivenusmoneyforfoodthi
smonth,
I'
m notaski
ngyoutostayathomebutatleast
provi
deforyourchi
ldr
en"shesai
dwi t
habreaki
ng
voice
"Whathaveyoudoneast hemot herofthehouset
o
provi
de?Allyouknowi ssit
ti
ngathome.Bea
womanandmakeapl an,unti
lIcansendyoucash
butri
ghtnowI '
m busy"Hesaiddi smissivel
y
"WhathaveIdonet odeservet his?Youupr ooted
meoutofmycomf or
tablehomeasyounggi rl,
you
promi sedt otakecareofme, tol ovemeandnow
thatyou' vehadenoughyout reatingmel ikethis
baba?Ot herwomanar ebeingl ovedandt reated
nicelybyt heirhusbandsbutl ookatme.Whati smy
faultMandl a?There'sabsolutelynothingyou
haven' tdonet ohumili
atemei nt hisworld,youhave
mademedoubtmysel f,youhavedeemedme
uselessi nthiscommuni ty.Ican'tevenshowmy
faceinpubl i
cbecauseofyou, yousleepingar ound
wit
hyounggi r
lsasi fyoudon' thavedaughtersof
yourown,youtaket hemoneyt hatissupposedto
beforyourchi
ldrenandgi veittoslayQueenswhil
e
westruggl
eherei nyourhomet hatyoubui
lt.I
t'
s
okaybababutmyt earswon' tfallonthegr
ound,
carr
yonbutmyGodwi l
lrememberme"shesai d
"
Ifyoucoul
dtakethesameenergyyouspendon
t
alki
ngandbuil
dingyour
sel
fthi
ngswouldn'
tbel
ike
t
his,st
opcal
li
ngmenx"hesaidangril
y
"I
twillnotbewel
lwi
thyouandal
lyourbi
tches"she
saidhangingup.
Mandlaswi
tchedof fhisphoneandr et
urnedtothe
par
ty,
hesatont hecouchandst ar
edintospace.
Oneofhisf
riendsjoinedhim pouri
nghim aglassof
whi
skey.
"
Ijustcamebackf
rom asmal
lsessi
oni
nthecar
"
Hechuckled
"
AndIj
ustgotacal
lfr
om mywi
fe"Hesai
ddowni
ng
adr
ink,
"Shei
ssoannoyi
ng"hegr
owl
ed
"Justsendhersomemoney, t
hat'swhatIdoandI
carryonwit
hmyl i
fe"hechuckled,"
Theyareal
lthe
same, t
heylovemoney"hesaid
Mandl atookouthisphoneswi tchingi tbackonand

sentR2000t othewifeandslotitbacki nhispocket.
Phindileretur
nedsitt
ingonMandl a'sl
ap, hestar
ted
ki
ssi nghim andtouchinghim.Mandl awasar oused
i
nst antl
y,shewhisperedinhisear sandt heywere
seenl eavingthehouse.Theyenter edthecar
outsidesitti
ngattheback,Phindil
eunbuckl edhi
s
beltandst art
edplayi
ngwi t
hhisr od.
"
Let
'sgetoutofher
e"Mandl
asai
d
"OKbutIwant edtoaskyouforasmal
lamountof
money, Ineedtodomyhai randmysonneedsnew
clot
hes"Phindil
esai
d
"
Ijustgaveyoumoneyatt
hebegi
nni
ngoft
he
month"Mandlawhi
ned
"Yest
hatwasf
orgr
ocer
iesandpet
rol
"Shesai
dina
babyvoi
ce
Mandladrewouthi sphoneandsentPhi ndil

e
R2000,hethenpul l
edherupmaki nghersi tonhis
barecrot
ch,Phindil
esl i
di nandst artedbouncing
andgyrati
ngonhi m, shedi dthi
svi gorously
knowinghewon' tl
astt hatlong.Wi thinacoupleof
minutesheshotuphi sloadandgr untedli
kea
woundedani mal,t
heyf ixedtheirclothesmovi ng
i
ntothefrontseatsandMandl adr oveoutoft he
venue.
"
I'
m goinghome,
canIdr
opyouatyourpl
ace"
Mandlaasked
"I
fyougohomej ustknowyouwon'tseemefort
he
nextcoupl
eofweeks,Iwil
lbever
ybusy"Shesai
d
l
ookingoutthewindow
"Ihavetoseemyki
ds,youseeyoursonever
yday
don'tyou?
"Mandl
aasked
"IdobutIdon'
thaveamanwaiti
ngformeathome
unli
keyou"Shesaidf
oldi
ngherar
ms
"Don'
tboremewi t
hthatsh! t
,youknewIwas
marri
edwhenyoucamet ome, Iknowyouwi t
hme
becauseofmoneyPhi ndil
e,Iwasn'tbornyester
day.
I'
m notgoingt
obecont rol
ledbyyou, j
ustgetyour
headoutofthatnonsenseandi fyoucan'thandlei
t
thenbyallmeansgetlost"Mandl asai
dangril
y
Phindi
lejustpout edlooki ngoutthewindow,
Mandlat urnedonhi sblinkertot ur
nleftoutof
nowher eacarcamef l
yingi nmaximum speedasi f
i
thasl ostitsbrakes.Itcrashedi nt
oMandl acar
draggi
ngi tuntili
twasbi ndedflatwit
hapol eonthe
si
deoft her oad,thelastt heyheardwasPhi ndi
le
screamingi nterr
or.
*
***
Thul
adowassi
tt
ingonherbedpl
ayi
ngwi
thher
hands,Mhl engihasbeengonef oreverandshewas
start
ingtowor ry.Shetri
edhisphonebutitrang
withoutanswer ,whil
eshewaspani ckingacallf
rom
Nomzamocamet hrough.Sheansweredalmost
i
mmedi at
ely.
"
Yes!
"Shesai
d
"I'
m sor
rytocal
lyouthi
slat
ebutIcan'
tsl
eep
becauseofwhathappenedbet
weenNanaandI
today"Shesai
dhonestl
y
"
Shewi l
lbefi
ne,shejustneedshel
ptodealwi
th
whatshefeel
sinside"Thul
adosaid
"Am Iabadper
sonforf
all
ingi
nlovewi
thFr
ank?
"
Sheaskedgenui
nel
y
"Noyounot ,youcan'tcontr
olwhoyouf al
linlove
with,
Nanai stakingoutherangeronFr ankbecause
ofFredandNomzamoNanaknowsshei shalfto
blameforever yt
hingthathappenedtoher ,
theday
sheadmi t
stot hatthenherheali
ngwillstart
…ithas
absolut
elynothingtodowi thyou"Thuladosai d
"
Yhu"Sheheavedasighofreli
ef,"
That'
swhatI
t
hought
,Ihopesheheals"sherepl
ied
"Mymanhasgoneawol
"Thul
adosai
doutoft
he
blue
"
Minet
oobuthi
soutf
orf
reshai
r"Nomzamosai
d
"
That'
swhathesaidbefor
ehelef
t…isther
eno
f
reshairi
nourhomes?"Thul
adoaskedchuckl
ing
"
Idon'
tknow,
yout
ellme…Ij
ustl
ethi
m be"
Nomzamosaid
"Iguessyouar efine,Imi
ghthaveover r
eactedabit
aboutsomet hing.IknowMhl engil
ovesmebutIget
sojealouswhenheget satt
entionfrom ot
her
womenbecauseIknowhi schar ms…mycr azyhead
tel
lsmesi l
lythingsthenIact"Thuladosaid
"
Weee"Nomzamol
aughed,
"Uneskhwel
e!"(
youhave
j
eal
ousy)
"Mineisworse,Ij
ustloseit
.Icanevenbreakup
withhim onthespotyethisseenmewithaman
thathasbeenshowingi nt
eresti
nmeanddi d
nothi
ng"Thuladosaid
"
Ser
iousl
y?Hedi
dnot
hing"Nomzamoasked
"Yes!Iwaswaiti
ngforafistfi
ghtbecauseMhlengi
i
sl i
kethatbuthecompletel
ydisregardedhi
m and
start
edkissi
ngmer i
ghtthere"Thuladosai
d
"
Andyoucal
lthatnot
hing?
,het
rust
syou"
"
Iguess"shesai
d
"Stopthr
owingtantr
ums,IknowFr
ankiscapabl
eof
cheati
ngandI '
mtryi
ngmybestnottogi
vehima
reasons,j
ustdon'
tpushhim"Nomzamosaid
"OK…ei
shIwoulddi
eifhecheat
sonme…l it
eral
ly,
myself
-est
eem i
sasi
zeofamust ar
dseed"She
sai
d
"Iwonderwhybecauseyouar
efl
ames"Nomzamo
said
"
Idon'
tfeell
ikef
lames"shesai
d
"Iheart
hedoor,Ithi
nkFr
anki
shome…wewil
ltal
k
someot hert
imes"Nomzamosai
dhangi
ngup
Af
teragoodt
enmi
nut
esMhl
engiwal
ksi
nbutgoes
str
aightint
ot hebat hr
oom, Thuladoj umpsoutof
bedboltingafterhim,shegaspedwhenshesawt he
brui
sesonhi sf ace.Mhlengihadt akenoffhis
hoodieandt hrewi tonthefloor
, Thuladopickedit
upandputi nt helaundrybasket.Mhl engiputhis
gunont hetoiletseatwhilehest aredathimselfi
n
themirror.
"Whathappened?
"Thul
adoaskedwal
kingcl
osert
o
him
"
Someonet
ri
edt
orobme"hesai
ddi
smi
ssi
vel
y
"Ar
eyouOK? "Sheaskedlooki
ngfort
hefir
stai
d
bagshekeepsinthedrawersi
nthebathr
oom
"
Yeah"Mhl
engisai
d
"
SitsoIcancl
eanyourbr
uises"Mhl
engicompl
ied
Thuladowentonnur sef
ullmode,shedisinf
ected
al
lthecutsandappliedsomeoint
ment sthereaft
er,
i
twasn'tbadbuttheyneededalit
tlecar
e.She
gl
ancedatthegunt hatwasnowint hesink.
"
Ihopeyoudi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingst
upi
d"Shesai
d
l
ooki
ngathi
m
"
Nah"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
"Wereyousmoki
ngweedorweedwassmoki
ng
you"shegi
ggl
ed
"Why?Doyouwantmetosmokeyou? "Mhlengi
askedsl
ippi
nghi
shandunderherni
ghtdress
"
Maybe"Thul
adusai
dshyl
y
"Whydon'
tyoucomet oCapeTownwi thmethen,
wewil
ldropoffthekidswit
hShar on,
youtakeoff
andwego"Mhl engiaskedtouchi
ngherlabi
a
"
Noyoucango"Shesai
dsi
tt
ingonhi
m
"
Yousur
e?"Heasked
"Yes!I'
m sorryf orbeingsuchapai n.Idon'tknow
whyI '
ml i
ket his.Thesegi r
lswillbethedeathofme,
oneoft hesedaysIwi llt
ransformintoafighterand
Iwillbeattheshi toutofallofthem forl
ookingat
myman"Thul adosaidshyl ycoveringhereyes
"
Ubashayewenababy!Theyl
ovel
ooki
ngatme"
Mhl
engisai
dplayf
ull
y
"
Ohuyangihl
ohl
akhonabezongi
bhonya"she
l
aughed(
youarefuel
ingsot
hattheycanbeatme)
"Iknowyouar eacowar dandwoul dn'tevenhur ta
fly,
Ialsoknowt hatyouaret hemostbeaut i
fulgir
lI
haveseen, notjustout
sidebuti nsi
deaswel l
.Don't
everwor r
yaboutmecheat i
ng, Ihavebeenchowi ng
pvssyf r
om youngmamazit here'snothingnewt o
explorehonestl
y.Perhapsallthosemenwhocheat
theyarejustgreedyorneverexpl oredenoughwhen
theywer eyoungbutIdidandnopvssyt ast
easa
goodasmi neri
ghthere"hesai dkissingher
passionatel
y.
Sexualcont
ent
Mhlengit
racedhi
sbi
ghandsonhersmal lback,she
wassosmoot handwarmi tdrovehim cr
azy,onone
swif
tmovementhernightdresslandedsoftl
yont he
fl
oor,Mhl
engiwasal
readytoplesssotheirskin
touchedsendi ngsignalst otheirprivates,Mhlengi
start
edsuckingonherr oundbr eastshi sonear m
drapedaroundhert i
nybodyhol dingheri nplaceso
shedoesnotf al
l.Thuladocoul df eelhiscock
pockingfr
om i nsidehisbl ackjeans, sheshift
edso
shecouldseti tfree…i
tspr ungoutashar dasar ock,
shesmi l
edl i
ckingherl i
ps.Mhl engi '
seyeswer e
smallandr ed,hecouldn' twaittof eelthewarmt hof
hermeatywal l
s,sheslidi nslowlyunt ilhewasal li
n
andshest artedbounci ngonhi m.
Mhlengiheldherwai stwithat i
ghtgri
p,hi
sgazed
fi
xedonher ,hel ovedthewayshewoul dgraduall
y
cl
osehereyesandt hrowherheadback, t
hent hose
softmoansbl ewhi m awayever yf
vckentime…
Thuladogyratedherwai stlocki
nghermuscl esto
gri
phiscock, thenshewoul dbounceandswi rli
n
ci
rclesMhlengist art
edgr untingholdi
nghert i
ght.
"Fuck!don'
tdot
hat
"hecr
iedti
ghteni
nghisgri
p
diggi
ngdeepint
oherwai
st,
Thuladobouncedfast
soshecoul dor gasm bef orehi m shefeltherponies
andr ainbowsr eal cl
ose,sher odet hatcockin
cir
clesunt i
lshef elthermuscl est i
ghtening.She
pausedenj oyingt heexplosion,Mhl engistart
ed
movi ngsmashi ngherpussyi ntohi sballshedid
thi
sf astunti
lhet oof rozeinsideherpvssyshoot ing
hissemen.Theyst ayedlikethatinsi l
enceonly
heightenedbreat hingcoul dbehear d…t hepoor
toi
letseat.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
44].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er61
*
Dur
ban*
*
Breaki
ngnews*
Therehasbeenaterri
blecrashonNor thCoast
RoadnowknownasChr isHani ,j
ustoutsi
deBluff
Meatsuppli
er,
twocarscollidedclai
mingt woli
ves
andleavi
ngonebadlyinjur
ed.Thebodi esofthe
deceasedhasnotyetbeenident i
fi
edbutallwe
knowisthati
t'
samal einhisear l
y30'sanda
womani nherl
ate20'sthepol i
cearesti
ll
i
nvesti
gati
ngthecauseoftheacci dent,
bothcars
havebeenwrit
tenoff
.
*
Att
heHospi
tal
*
Al
adyi
nasi
mpl
efl
oraldr
essandadoekonher
headisseenst andingoveramansever ely
bandaged, thedoctordidn'twanttosaymuch
exceptthathei sinacr i
ti
calconditi
on, t
hewoman
sheddedat earshakingherhead.Thi swasher
husband, themenhevouchedt ostaywi t
hf ort
he
restofherl i
febutnowhewasasgoodasdead.
Shewi pedhert earsandclut chedonherol dbrown
ruggedhandbagandwal kedout ,i
tpainedher
becausef ami l
ywillcomeinnumber swi t
h
expectati
onsf rom herashi swifebutwhenhewas
busyhumi l
iati
nghernoonesai dawor d.
Phindi
le'
snannytri
edhercellfortheumpteenth
ti
mewi thnoluck,i
twasunli
kehert obeawayfrom
hersonthisl
ongandsomet hinginherwas
unsett
li
ngandt hechi
ldwouldn'tstopcryi
ng.
"
Whati
sitt
hatyouneednow?
"sheasked
"
Iwantmummy"hesai
d
"Sheiscoming,
comeIwi
llputMashaandbearf
or
you"hekeptqui
etf
oll
owi
ngthenannyint
othe
l
ounge,
whi
lehewi
pedhi
stear
s.
*
***
*
AtFego*
Mhl engiwassi t
tingatt hebackwaiti
ngf orFrank,
afteramoppyni ghttheydecidedtot r
yagai ntoday
i
ndayl i
ghtsot hatt heydon'tendupf eel
ingeach
other'sstrength.Fr ankwalkedinwear i
ngasui t,a
bagathandhel ookedl i
kehejuststeppedoutf rom
amagazi ne,hisf reshcutthatmadehi shazeleyes
standout .Mhl engibeingMhl engii
nhi sGr eyNike
sweat pantsandamat chinghoodiewi t
hbl ackvan
stoodt ohi sfeetnoddi nghisheadinagr eement.He
cl
appedhi shandsj ustloudenoughf orFrank'sears,
hescof fedandf l
oppedonhi sseat.
"Real
ly,whatt
hef
vckman?
"Fr
anksai
dabi
t
embar r
assed
"Youcleanupgood, evenyourbrui
seslookgood"
hechuckled,"
Aynoyoul ookli
kemeshamebut
unfor
tunatel
yI'm mor eofacatch,wena
uyi
sphalaphalanje"hechuckled
"Nahfam,I
'vealwaysbeenthegoodlooki
ngone,
thepant
ydropperevenFredmadepeacewi t
hitand
Iwil
lnotbedethronedbyasmallboy"heshotback
"Oksal
ayongi
muhlekunawe"Mhlengisai
dwi
tha
smirk(
I'
m morehandsomethanyou)
"
Youwi
sh!
"Fr
anksai
d
"
Fine!Getmeasuittooandl
ett
hepeopl
ejudge"
Mhlengisai
dconf
identl
y
"Ser
iousl
y?Fuck!NowIknowhowitfel
ttobeFr
ed,
youareannoying.Youki
ndofremi
ndmeofmyself
"
hesaidsignal
li
ngthewait
ress
"Youl
ookgoodbro,Iser
iousl
ywantasui tt
hough…
sowhat'
stheoccasi
on?"Mhlengiaskedseri
ousl
y
"
Thanks,I
'
m meet
ingwi
thi
nvest
orsst
rai
ghtaf
ter
t
his"Fr
anksai
d
Thewaitr
esscamebywithherpenandli
tt
lepad,
shegreet
edtheover
whel
minglygor
geousmenwi t
h
herkneesget
ti
ngweak.
"CanIgetacupofcof
fee,
Amer
icanobl
ackwi
thno
sugar
"Franksai
d
"AndIwi
llhaveahotchocol
atewithsugarplease
andwewi l
lbot
hhavethebigbreakfast
"Mhlengi
said.
"
Dude!I'
m goi
ngtoameet
ingaf
tert
his""
Franksai
d
wideni
nghiseyes
"Thankyousisithatwi
llbeal
l"Mhlengisi
gnaledt
he
waitr
esstogo, "
Whydoneedi nvestor
s?"Mhlengi
askedinqui
sit
ively
"Ihaveabui
ldi
ngandbusinesspl
anbutIdon'
thave
enoughmoneytokick-
star
titf
rom t
hebot
tom"
Franksai
dheavingasi
gh
"
Youdon'tneedinvest
ors,
justf
orgetaboutt
hem"
Mhl
engisaidfl
oppingbackonhisseat
"
Youar
eful
lofj
okes,
for
getaboutt
hem t
henwhat
?
Humormeexconvi
ct?
"Fr
anksai
dchuckl
ingbi
tt
erl
y
"Meetmeeroadhouseatmidni
ght
,wear
comfort
abl
yprefer
ablyboot
s"Mhl
engisai
dwi
tha
smirk
"Hardpass,I
'
mt ryi
ngtochangemyl ifeandyouare
comingwithtemptati
ons.Whateveryourpl
anisit
's
eit
herdarkorcri
minalandIdon'twantanypartof
i
t"Franksai
d
"Justcomeanddon' tkeepmewait
ing,
youdon'
t
needinvestor
s, t
ellmeaboutyourbusi
nessI
'
m
i
nterested"Mhlengiasked
"Fredwast heidealbusi nessmanandmenotso
much, Ihatesit
tingint heoffi
cestar i
ngatthePCit
drivesmenut s,Ipreferamor ehandsonj obbutfor
myf ami l
yIwoul ddoanyt hi
ng.SoIhavedeci dedto
startonacl eansl ateinsteadofcont i
nuingwith
whatFr edandIusedt odo, I'
ml i
vingthatl
ifebehi
nd
me.Iwantt omakebr i
cksandsel lthem,it
'sin
demandandpaysal otbecausepeopl earealways
building"Franksai d
"
Notbad,
it'
sfunnyhowwear
esosi
mil
arbutl
ike
yousai
dforourf amil
ieswewoul ddoanythi
ng,I
wasthi
nkofhavi ngmi l
lst
omakemeal iemealand
fl
our
,wewillexpanditintoafoodgroup.Wecan
makethi
ngslikespicesandpackf oodforbi
g
compani
es"Mhl engisaidexci
tedl
y
"
That
'sabri
ll
ianti
dea"Franksai
dgobsmacked,
"
Soundsf
unt oo"headded
"Scr
atcht
hoseinvest
orstheyhavenobusinessin
sti
cki
ngthei
rfi
ngersinourwealt
h"Mhlengisai
d
"IhavedissapointedNomzamosomuchandIdon' t
wanttomesst hingsupnow, sounlessyouhave
somethingtangibleIcanlist
ent oyouunti
lthenI
havetomeett hei nvest
ors"Franksai
d
"
Don'
tsignanythi
nguntilwemeett
oni
ght
,it
'sver
y
i
mport
ant"Mhlengisai
dst er
nly
"
Fine"Fr
anksai
ddefeated,
"Whatam Igoi
ngt
osay
t
oNomzamo? "Frankasked
"Justfvckherbef
oreyougoandf vckherifyoufind
herupwhenyour et
urn,
youdon'tcountyour
chickensbefor
etheyhatch,
everyt
hingyoudof rom
nowonwar dsmustbeasur pri
setoavoidlett
ingher
down.Younotgoingtoletherdownifshedoesn'
t
knowwhatyouar euptoo.Short
yknowshowIget
mymoney, butsheaskedami l
li
ontimesbutIwil
l
nevert
ellhert
hedetai
ls…womensl i
pupbecause
theyl
ovetalki
ngaboutthi
ngs"Mhlengisai
d
"
Ihearyou"Fr
anksai
dsippi
ngonhi
scoff
ee,
the
wai
tr
essbroughtt
hei
rfoodawhi
leago
"Wehaveanuncl ewhodr i
nksl i
keaf ishbut
unf ortunatel
yf orushi st heonl ysour ceof
i
nf ormat ionwehave, whenIsawyourpi ctures
onlineIenqui redaboutSagi la'
saf fairsonl ytof i
nd
outt hathedi dhaveasi dechi ck,theyuset ocallher
uml ungu( awhi t
ewoman) .Hemetheratwor kand
theyst art
edseei ngeachot her,appar ent lyuml ungu
wasver ydemandi ngshewassosmi ttenbySagi l
a
thatshewant edhi mt ol eavemymot hersohe
coul dbewi t
hherbutmyf atherwasn' thavi ngthat,
souml ungut hreat enedt ol etmymot heri nabout
theaf fairbuti nsteadmyf athercamecl eanandt hat
wast heendofi t
"Mhl engipausedsi ppi ngonhi s
hotchocol ate, "
Fr om whatIknowi st hatt heshor t
beaut ifulwomanwasf iestyandf or cef ul,Iguess
t
hatswhereIgetmyeyef orshortgor
geousmama's,
i
t'
sfrom Sagil
a.Youshouldseemygirll
ordhave
mercy"Mhlengisai
dexcit
edly,
Frankchuckl
ed
"Wel litsoundsaboutr ight !HernamewasSi mone
shef itst hedescr ipti
onbutshewasmi xednotwhi te,
mygr andf atherwaswhi teappar entl
yandmy
grandmot herwascol our edt her eforeIguessI
shoul dunder standwher et henameuml ungucame
from.Shewasbeaut iful,wegotherski ntoneand
eyesbutt herestwewer et oldwel ookli
keour
biologi calfatherthatdi dn'twantus, shestruggled
wi t
husal ot.Irememberwhenwewer eteenagers
wewoul daskt oseehi m butshewoul dcrysaying
thatwewanthert odieofahear tatt
ack…talkabout
purebl ackmai l
, shewoul dr emi ndushowhedeni ed
us, howhechoseasi dechi ckoverandmar r
iedher.
Wewer eimpover ishedMhl engii twasbad, thenwe
gotsi ckshesentust ot hisr i
verwhi chwel ater
knewi tast hei l
lusion,wewer et ol
dweneededt o
getcl eansebecauset her ejectionf rom ourNgcobo
bloodi sheavyonussi ncewear etwins,wegot
cleansebutbef oreweknewi titwasanor m.She
woul dgetusnakedbyt her iverbank, wewoul dwai t
forheratf reezingcol dwhi leshegoesunderwat er
forlong, whensher eturnsshewoul dsmearj uices
ofar ootal loverusandsai di twasbl essi ngsf orus.
Wewentt oschoolbecausesuddenl ySi monehad
money, wewer eini ti
atedinacul tfr
om young
unknowi ngl yandt hat'showwebecamer i
ch.When
wewer eol derwest art
edquest i
oningt hiscul tthat
constant lyr equiredust osl eepwi t
hwomendai ly,I
can'tsaywedi dn' tenj oythatbutwehaddr eamsof
ourown, wewant edt ogetmar ri
edandst ar t
famili
esbutunl uckyf orust hePhant om begana
feti
shforwombsandchi l
drenf rom ther eweknew
we'redoomed, i
nt hemi dstofever ythi ngwest ill
yearnedf orourf atherbutpr idewoul dn' tal l
owust o
searchf orhi m…Imeanwhyl ookf orsomeonewho
doesn'twantyou?AndSi mone"hepausedand
growledf acepal mi ng, "
Thatwomanwast r uly
demandi ng, forcef ul,assertiveandbul lish.She
somet i
mesmademewonderi fwewer etr ulyher s,
whichl ovi ngmom woul dmakeherchi ldrendoal lof
thosethi ngs"Fr anksai dfust rated
"I'
m sorryman, Ican' tsayIhadi teasy.Ist ar
ted
steal
ingf r
om youngbecauseofhungeraf terthe
deathofmypar ents.Sagilast ruggledt ohaveot her
kidsaftermesoIwast heonl ychi l
d, Iknowf ora
factthathedi dn'tknowaboutyouot herwisehe
wouldhavedonet her ightthing,ifthere'sonet hi
ng
abouthi m,hewasr esponsible.Don' tbeatyour self
upabouti t,hepassedonwhi lewewer eall
teenagersiguessandIdon' tknowwhyyourmot her
chosenott ot el
lhim.Myuncl eagr eest hathe
probablydidn'tknow, I
'mr eallysorry"Mhl engisaid
squeezinghi sshoul der
"Ibel
ievei
t,Si
monewaswicked…OhFr
edl
ookwhat
Iknownow"hesaidsadl
y
"
Tel
lmeabouthi
m?.
..Fr
ed"Mhl
engisai
d
"Fr
edwasmyl if
eat ruemeani ngofmyot herhal
f,I
sti
llcannotgetusedt ofactt hathei sgone"hesai d
getti
ngemot ional,"
Therear etimest hatIjust
want edtodieaswel l,af
terwel osteveryt
hingIwas
pover t
ystri
ckenont hest r
eet sandmygi rlr
escued
me, Ican'
twai tf
oryout omeetherbyt heway.Fr ed
wassubt leandf ocused,businessmi ndedand
reserved,hewasmor eofani ntr
overtal ways
rescuingmef rom t r
ouble.Hewasar ealbigbrother
thoughwear ethesameage, hewasahar dworker
butdr anklikefishwhent hingsdidn'tgohi sway, he
couldn'tstandt hesl i
ghtestimper f
ection.Imisshi m
andIknowhewoul dhavel ovedthisrighthere,we
wantedt ol eavet hePhant om especiallybecause
webot hmetgi rlsthatweact ual
lywant edtodate,
wewer edrainedf r
om shar i
ngpvssyt heent i
reti
me"
hepaused
"
What?Youshar
edpvssywit
houtme?I'm hur
t.That
woul
dhavebeenepi
c"hel
aughedjoki
ngly
"Itwasni ce…ver ycoolatfirstunt ilwest ar
ted
hatingthef actthatwemessedupwi t
ht hewomen
wel ove,Iremembert hedayweneededt ogetl aid
wi t
hNomzamo.Hecoul dseeIwassmi ttenfrom
thewor dgo, hehar dlydidanyt hinghej ustdippedi n
andst oppedl it
erall
y,hedidt hatf orme.Hef ellin
l
ovewi t
hNanaaf t
erwehaddonehor ri
bl ethi
ngst o
her,wef vckedt hatgirlmercilesslyalmostever y
dayandshel oveditnotknowi ngt heef
f ectsof
thosesessi onsi nthelongrun…i twast ool atef or
Fr
edt
otur
nanewl
eafwi
thher
"Fr
anksai
d
"
AndNomzamoi sstil
lwit
hyouaf
teral
loft
hat
?"
Mhl
engiaskedshocked
"Surpr
isingl
yyes!ShewasaGodsenti ntomyl i
fe.
Shehel pedmef i
ghtthetorment i
ngthatcamewi th
l
eavingt hePhantom,IregretthatdayIfvckedher
l
ikethat,Icouldhavebeenmor egentl
yhadIknew
shewi l
limprinti
nmyhear t.Ibrokehervirgi
nit
yand
fvckedherass"hesaidr egret
tably
"Nomzamoi stheonethat
'scar
ryi
ngyourri
bbro,
thi
sisyourgir
lfam.Ihopeyouarefai
thf
ultoher,
it
seemslikeyouhadenoughpussy,Idon'
tcondone
cheat
ing"Mhlengisai
d
"
NahItr
ulyhadtoomuch,I
'
m happywi
thZamo"he
r
epl
iedt
akingabit
eofhi
sbacon
Theycont
inuedt
alki
ngandcat
chi
ngup.
*
***
*
Breaki
ngnews*
*Pri
ort hecrasht hemani njuredandi sinacr it
ical
condi t
ioni
si dentifi
edasMandl aCelet heChi ef
Oper ati
ngOf fi
ceroft heZGYi nsurancecompany, a
caseofdr unkanddr ivi
nghasbeenopenedas
tr
acesofal coholwer efoundi nallthevi cti
ms
system.Thef emal ethatdiedont hespoti s
i
dent if
iedasPhi ndileKhumal owhowasappar entl
y
havinganaf fairwi t
hMrCel e,Phindilewasa
studentandamot her,thenannyi sl eftdistr
aught
bythenewsandshedoesn' tknowwhatt odonext .
Theyoungmant hatwassai dtohavecausedt he
accidentisidentifi
edasSi zweDl ami nithesonofa
awel lknownbusi nessmani nDur ban.St aytuned
wewi l
lbebackwi thmor enewsaf terthebr eak.
2021
Don'
tfor
gett
opressli
keonthei
nser
ts,
that
wi
llmeanalottome.Thankyou
[
11/
22,
14:
44].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er62
*
AtSenzo'
shouse*
Thefamilywasnowseat edint hel

ounge.The
Vil
akazi'
sandt heKhumal o'
s,itwasapitythat
Phindi
le'
sf atherwasn'
tal i
vetoadvocateforhis
daughter.Hepassedonshor tlyaft
erSenzo'sdeat
h,
theVil
akazi'swer espi
tt
ingf i
re.
"Wewantnothi
ngtodowithyou"t
heoneuncl
esai
d
poi
nti
ngatthePhi
ndil
e'
sfamil
y
"Ehl
isaniumoyabant
ubasemzini(
pleasecal
m
downouri nl
aw)wecan'tal
lowangertogett
he
bett
erofus,wehavelostafamil
ymember "t
he
unclesaidpol
it
ely
"No,yourdaught ershavebr oughtnot hingbutpai n
emagcekeniakoVi lakaziIcannotbegi nt odisclose
theshameandabomi nationt heydraggedi n.Itis
clearthatyoudi dn'traiset hem well,mysondi ed
withabr okenhear t,hewaspoi sonedandnowI '
m
convincedi twasyourdaught ersoshecoul di nherit
hisweal t
h.I tdi
dn'ttakeherl ongbef oreshe
resumedherwhor ingways, wal ki
ngar oundwi th
shortrevealingclothingadver ti
singherbodyt othe
wholewor ld.Mysont oldmewhatt hisPhindiledid,
wewer ewr ongtot hinkshewasbet terthanPear l
…
i
zifebelezi"hesai dspi tt
ing
"Weunder st
andyourangerbutyoursonwasn' t
exactl
yinnocent
,didhenotgetarrestedf
orraping
andkill
ingAngel
?Pearlsdaughterdiedbecauseof
him,didhenotkidnapourdaughterandmadeher
pregnant
…pleasedon'
tcomewitht
hat
,gost
rai
ght
tothepoi
nt"Theuncl
espatback
"Thepointiswedon' twantherheretheydidn'tget
mar r
ied.OnlyPearli
sourwi fe,
takeherthingsand
thi
sboyshe' scall
ingoursonandgol !WhenSenzo
tookherawayi twasbecauseshewaspr osti
tut
ing
herselft
ohisfri
ends.Wewi l
lnotburythatbit
ch,
sheevendi edwithanotherwoman' shusbandand
thatshouldtel
lyoual otaboutthekindofperson
sheis"Theuncl esai
df uming
"Thi
sisSenzo'
shouseandtheboyhasri
ght
s
becauset
hisishi
sfat
her'
shousesoIdon'
tknow
whatyoumeanbysayingheshouldgo?
"Theuncle
said
"Thi
sisnotourchi
ld,
Senzocouldn'
thavechil
dren.
Theenti
refamil
yknewabouthisinf
ert
il
it
y,t
akeyour
fi
lt
handleavewewantnothi
ngt odowithyour
famil
yeveragai
n"heanswer
ed
"Pl
easedon'tdothi
s,t
hechil
disi
nnocent
"
Phindi
le'
sunclesai
dpleadi
ngl
y
"
Getout
!"Theyst
art
edpushi
ngt
hem outoft
he
houseviol
entl
y,t
hewomant hr
ewbagswit
h
Phindi
le'
sclot
hesandhersonout
side.
Thenannycl ut
chedontotheboycr yi
ngsilentl
y,thi
s
waslikeabl owf orher
.Phindilelovedhersonand
hadbigpl ansforhim,heissousedofl i
vinga
comfor t
ablelif
eandnowhei st hrownoutofhis
fat
her'shouse.Shecr i
edast heypushedt hem out
oftheyar d,yel
li
nghurtf
ulwor ds,shecover edhis
earssohecoul dn'
thear.
"Ewu!whatwil
lwedonow? "Theuncl
esaidwit
hhis
handsonhishead,"Idon'
tevenhaveacenttobury
mybr ot
her'
sdaughter,
howam Igoingtoeventake
careofatoddl
er"hesaidgetti
ngemoti
onal
"Icanl
ookaf
terhim,t
houghitwasapai djobbuthe
i
sl i
kemychi
ld.Icanwatchhim unt
ilsomethi
ng
comesupatleasthei
sfamili
arwithme"Thenanny
said
"Ewungi
yabongamntanami,
Ewui mi
khuba
yoPhi
ndi
lenoPear
l"hesai
dclappi
nghishandsi
n
shock(
Phi
ndi
leandPear
lssheni
negans)
Theywal
keddownt
her
oadheadi
ngt
othebusst
op.
*
***
Li
sawaslyi
nginbednexttoherguyatt
hehot
el
af
terast
eamingsessi
on.
"Icouldjustdi
vorcemyhusbandandbewithyou
foreverandever"shesai
ddrawi
ngcir
clesonhis
chest
"Yeahexceptt
hatcannothappen,t
her
e'sal
otat
stake"hesai
droll
inghiseyesatt
hebackofhi
s
head,hedidn'
tevenli
keherthatmuch
"
Iknow!Iknow!I
tsucks"shesai
dpout
ing
"Sohowi sgoi
ngwit
hthenewi
nvest
or?
"hesai
d
caressi
ngherbody
"
Hisindesperat
eneedofthemoneysoIthi
nkhe
wil
lsi
gn,hetookthepaper
shome"Shesaid
"Good,ver
ygood…oncewedobusi nesswi
thhi
m
ourthi
ngswi l
lfl
ouri
shyouwi
llsee"themansai
d
withadevil
ishgri
n
"Ist
il
ldon'tunder
stand,
wecoul
ddoeveryt
hing
oursel
ves.Whydoweneedhi m!
?"sheasked
i
nquisit
ivel
y
"Youdon' tquest
iont
hePhantom,i
fhewantshi
mi n
theil
lusionthati
swhatwewi l
ldo,
andI'
m st
il
l
disgustedthatyoucoul
dn'
tfvckhi
m"theguysai
d
"Whosai dIcoul
dn't
?Itoldyouwegotdi
stur
bed.I
'
m
j
ustwai t
ingforhi
mt olethi
sguar
ddownandIwi l
l
str
ike"shesaidconfi
dentl
y
"Yes!That'smygirl,
fvckhi
m andhewi l
lbeini
ti
ated
backi ntothei
ll
usionandwi t
hhi schar
mswewi l
lbe
abletogetsacrif
icesundetected.Apparent
lyhi
sa
natural"Theguyinformed
"Fr
ank?Idi
dn'
tknowhewaspar
toft
hePhant
om"
shesai
dsit
ti
ngonherbums
"Helef
tbutt
hePhantom want
shim back,i
fthi
s
doesn'
tworkwewil
lhavetouseotheral
ter
nati
ves"
hesaid
"
Ohwow.
.OK"shesai
dast
ounded
*
***
Thuladowassi ttinginherof f
icecat chingher
breath,itwasonl yaf ewmi nut esbef oreshecango
anddel iverababyf orherpat ient.Thel adychose
herasherappoi ntedmi dwife,andt odaywast he
day.Shedi dasi lentprayerforGodt ogi veher
wisdom andbl esst heent i
repr ocess, onemi stake
andever ythi
ngcangowr ong, alsowi thther umors
ofnur sesst eal
ingpl acenta'stosel ltowi t
chdoct or
s
shehadt obeext ravigi
lant.Acal lcamet hroughher
phone.
"
Heyt
her
e"sheanswer
ed.
"
Areyour
eady?
"Sheaskedexci
ted.
"
I'
m goi
nginaf
ewmi
nut
esf
rom now"Thul
ado
r
esponded
"Fr
etnotmysi
sterGodisthemidst
,Iwillpr
ayfr
om
theti
meyougointil
lyouaref
ini
shed,schooli
sout
Iwil
lbeinmycl
ass"shesaid
"Youarepreci
ousIt
ellyou,
nowIf
eelbet
ter
"
Thuladosaid
"Youwilldofi
ne,
youhavedonet
hisbef
ore"she
saidchuckli
ng
"Yes…I'
m goi
ngtodel
iverabounci
ngbaby…get
prayi
ng"Thul
adosai
dchuckli
ng
"
Yesmam"Nomzamosai
d
Thul
adofixedherscrubsandcoll
ect
edhert
ool
s
andheadedtothelabourward.
*
***
Mhl
engiwai
tedf
orThul
aduandki
dst
osl
eep
soundl y,hethensl
ipi nhismi l
it
arybootsandl eft
.In
afewmi nuteshepar kedatroadhouse, hewai t
ed
therewhi lehebusi
edhi mselfonhisphone.The
streetswer esoquietyoucoul dhearapi ndrop,ina
fewmi nuteshesawl ightsandimmedi atel
yt hecar
pulledupbehi ndhim, hecheckedt herearview
mir r
orandi twasFr ank,heignit
edt hecardroveoff
andFr ankf ol
lowedhi m onhistail
.
Exactl
ymi dnighttheypar kedinabushj ustofffree
way, t
heybot hcameoutwi t
hshovel sfr
om t heir
bootsandpr oceededcl imbingthest eephillin
compl et
esilence,itwasj ustabushont hesideof
theroadtoor dinaryeyesbutaver yspecialplaceto
Mhlengi.Whent heyreachedt hetop,Mhl engi
examinedt hefloorforawhi lecausingFr ankto
panic,hi
shear twasal readypoundi ng.
"
Whatthef
vckar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
ornow?
"heasked
t
err
if
ied
"
Youneedt
orel
ax!
"Mhl
engisai
d
Aft
erwhatseemedli
kef
oreverMhl
engipokedt
he
shoveli
nthegr
ass,
hestar
teddi
ggi
ng.
"
It
'sher
e!"Mhl
engisai
dinr
eli
ef
"
OKl
et'
sgett
hisoveranddonewi
th"Fr
anksai
d
Theystart
eddi ggi
ngaf t
eral ongdreadfulwai
t
somethingappear ed,
Mhl engiusedthetorchfrom
hisphonetogi veli
ght,asmi l
ecreptonhisface
whenhiseyesmett hebag.Hequi cklydugaroundit
andpull
edi tout,i
twassoi ledandmust ybutthat
didn'
tmatteratall
.Frankj ustst
oodtherein
amazement .
"
Didyoubr
ingt
hebags?
"Mhl
engiasked
"NoIdidn'
t,
yousawmefol
lowi
ngyouwi
thj
usta
shovel
"hesaidi
rr
it
abl
y
"
Weneedt
hosebagsFr
ank,
wecan'
ttaket
hishome
l
iket
his,
it'
sgoi
ngt
orai
sesuspi
cion"Mhl
engisai
d
"Fi
nelet
'st
akei
ttot
hecarandwewi
lldecanti
t"
Franksai
d
"Hel
lno!Andri
sksomeoneseeingus…nonogo
andgetthebags"Mhl
engisai
d
Heunzippedthebagr eveali
ngthestacksand
stacksofmoney,Frank'sjawdr opped,
heletthe
shovelthudonthegroundpl aci
nghishandsonhis
head.
"
Ist
hatwhatIt
hinkiti
s?"Hesai
dinal
mosta
whi
sper
,hecoveredhi
smouth
"I
tdependsonwhatyout
hinki
tis"Mhl
engisai
d
chuckli
ng,"
Gogett
hebagssowecangohome"He
saidtouchi
ngt
hecash
Frankspri
nteddownthehi l
lheadi
ngtowardst
he
car,hef
ranti
cal
lyscannedtoseeifther
ewasany
carsandtherewasnothing.Heopenedtheboot
andgr abbedthebr andnewbagsMhl engi
i
nstructedhimt obuy, hisheartwasbeat ingsohard
asifitwouldstop.Her anupt hehillso
ent
husi ast
ical
ly,hear r
ivedatthet opandt her
ewas
nosignofMhl engi, hescannedar oundbutnot hi
ng
j
ustthet woshovelsl yi
ngcar elesslyont heground.
Frankstoodt hereper
pl exed,di
dthisboycallhim
heretohumi li
atehim orwhat ?Hest oodther
e
defeat
edr esti
nghisar msonhi swai st,
suddenlya
torchshonehi sdir
ecti
on.Hedi dn'tknowwhet herto
runorjuststaylaunched, hepickedupt heshovels
att
empt i
ngt orunbutt hevoicecalledout.
"Staywhereyouare,don'
teventhi
nkabouti
t!What
thehel
lareyoudoinghereatthi
sti
meofthenight
"
Thescaryvoicesai
d
Fr
ankst
utter
edter
ri
bly,
sweatst
art
edt
ri
ckli
ngdown
hi
sbum l
ine,hi
sni
ghtcoul
dn'
tbeanyworse.
"
I-
Icame…
2021
-
--
--
-
Enj
oyyourweekend
*
Don'
tfor
gett
opr
essl
ike
[
11/
22,
14:
44].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
SPONSOREDbyAmanda*
Chapt
er63
*
Dur
ban*
"What?Acatcaughtyourtongue?Whatareyou
doi
nghere.Areyouburyi
ngaper son?That'
sitI
'
m
cal
li
ngthepoli
ce,whataretheseshoveldoi
ng
her
e?"hesaidsearchi
ngforhisphone
"N-
nopleasedon'
t"hest
ammered,
"Ther
e'snodead
per
son"hesaidhi
ghlyst
rung
"EybafoIthinkourjobi sdoneher
ewecango"a
voicecamef rom behindtheman,itwasMhlengi.
Frankletoutasighofr eli
efevent
houghhewant ed
topunchhimi nt
hef ace,hewasgladitwashim
"
Whoar
eyou?
"themanasked
"
Ayibabawhat
supwi
tht
hemi
ll
ionquest
ions,
is
t
hisyourhil
l?Thequesti
onweshouldbeaski
ngi
s
whatareyoudoinghere?"Mhl
engisai
dget
ti
ng
t
ickedoff
"Ihaveari
ghttoquesti
onyoubecausepeopleare
beingki
ll
ed,bur
iedandneverfoundbythei
rfamil
ies.
Hereyouarewithshovelsatt
hishour
,ofcourseI
'm
goingtobesuspici
ous"hesai
dsternl
y
"Weal sohavear i
ghtnottoansweryoubecause
peopl earekil
ledandmut i
lat
edtheybodypar tsar
e
thensol dtowi t
ches,canyouimaginehowhor ri
fi
ed
mypoorbr otheristoseeyouhereatt his
quest i
onablehourbutoutofrespectI '
m goingto
tellyouthatwear eheretoburyinsil
ayet hu,we
wer einstr
uctedtodosobyi nyangat hatwas
cleansingus"Mhl engisai
dconfidentl
y
"
OhOKIsee,
I'
m aheal
erI'
m her
etocol
lectsome
r
oot
s"t
hemansaidabitcal
m
"Aikewearedoneher
emf et
hu,I
'
m doneuri
nat
ing
wecangonow"Mhl engisai
dtoFrankwhowasjust
glari
ngathi
m
Themanbi
dfarewel
landdi
sappeareddeepi
ntot
he
bush,
Mhl
engibust
edoutl
aughing.
"
Youshoul
dhaveseenyourf
ace"Hesai
dlaughi
ng
"I'
m gladyouf i
ndthisfunny,
Ialmostdi
edup
there…fuck!IneverknewIcouldbethi
sscar
edsh!
t"
Franksaid
"Isawhim soIr
antohidet
hebag,i
fanyoneseesi
t
Icouldgobacktoj
ailf
oraver
ylongti
me"Mhlengi
i
nf or
med
"
Igeti
t,nowwher
edi
dyouputi
t?"Fr
ankasked
"Iputbehi
ndthatbush,
let
'sgodownt
hisway"he
saidpoint
ingatt
hebush
*
***
Ntobekobel
teditoutcr
yingi
nhissleepThulado
j
umpedst ar
tl
ed,sherushedovertohiscotgett
ing
hi
m out.Shecradl
edhim warminguphismi l
k,t
hen
shewal kedar oundhushi nghi m onl yt henhe
noticedt hatMhl engiwasn' ti
nbed, shewenti nto
thebat hroom…not hi ng.Thewar mermadeanoi se
toindicat et hatt hemi l
kiswar m, shepl uckedi tout
andst artedf eedi ngNt obeko, hesuckl edwi t
hso
muchur gencywhi chmeanthewast hirsty.She
placedhi m backi nhi scotandt hechunkyboyl aid
onhi ssi deenj oyinghi swar m milk,Thul ado
searchedt hedr awer sandnot icedt hegunandcar
keyswer en'tther e, shesatont hebedwi thher
anxietyshoot i
ngof fther oof.Coul dMhl engidot his
tothem oncemor e, orper hapshewentt othat
Cour t
neygi rlfrom whatsheknewi st hatmenwi ll
cheatf ornoappar entr eason,shest arted
hyper vent i
latingt hi nkingofal ldifferentscenar iosin
herhead.
Shecheckedont hebabyandasexpectedhewas
conkedoutwithabottl
esti
llst
uckinhismouth,
Thuladogent
lyremoveditandcoveredhi
m.She
rushedovert
oherpedestalandgrabbedherphone
dial
inghi
m buthisphonewasswi t
chedoff
,she
slowlysli
ppedundert hebl anketswi thtear
swel li
ng
uphereyes.Thatf eeli
ngofabal lofpai nclogging
yourchestnomat terhowhar dyout r
ytoqui et
enit
downbuti t'
sthere,shet r
iedt hi
nkingabouthappy
thoughtsbutthebal lf
inall
yr eachedhert hroat
forci
ngasof tsobt oescapehermout h.IfMhlengi
wasbackt ohisKr ugerwayssheknewver ywel l
thati
twasonl yamat t
eroft imebef oreheget s
caughtandgett hrowni ntojailagainandt hat
thoughtalonewasr evvingheranxi etysobadlyand
i
fhewascheat i
ngt hent hatwoul dbet heendofher .
Shecurl
edint
oabal
lhuggi
ngapi
ll
owt
hat
'smeant
tobeforhi
m.
*
***
Phindil
ewassitt
inginthedarkonthecoldfl
oor
whi l
eNana'swordskeptechoingi
nherhead"Frank
willcheatandl
eaveyoudry",t
henthatf
vckboy
tendencyhedepict
edthatdayshelosthervi
rgi
nit
y
atthehot el
,allofthesethought sf l
ashedinher
mindlikeasl ideshowonsl owmot ion.After
Njabul
o, shemadeapr omisenevert osett
le
becauseofl ove,shet ol
dher selfifamancheat s
thenhewi l
ldoitagai nandagai nsowher edid
Frankfitinallofthis.Wheret hehel lcoul
dhebeat
thi
stimeoft henightwithoutt el
li
ngher .
Shef oughttheur getodialhi snumberbecauset hat

willshowhervul nerabil
it
yanddespar ati
on,she
l
ovedhi m somuchi thurts.Hemustsweat ingon
topofanot hergirlasinri
ghtnow, shecouldal most
hearhi sgroansandherpi tchyannoyingmoans.
Frankwasabeasti nbed,shewant edthatallto
herselfbutnowshewasn' tsosureanymor e, she
shuthereyest i
ghtanddr opletsoftearsfl
owed
maki nglonglinesdownhercheeks.
ShewantedtocallThuladoandatl
eastventbuti
t
wouldberude,
itwasi ntheweehoursofthe
morning,
shemustbecuddl ingwar
mi nherman's
arms.Sheswi t
chont heli
ghttocheckonSbusi
thensheprayedandr esor
tedbackunderthecol
d
sheetshopingthatsl
eepwouldcome…" t
hese
bloodytear
s!Argh"shethoughttohersel
f.
*
***
Mhlengiwasstandi
ngatthebott
om oft
hebank
wi
thhishandsonhi shead,
itwasal
mostasifhe
wi
llexplode.
"Yousai
ditwashereMhlengi,wher
ethehel
ldi
dit
go?"Fr
anksaidt
hroughgri
ttedteet
h
"
Isweart
oyouIputi
ther
e"Mhl
engisai
dhonest
ly
"
Iseewhatyout
ryi
ngtodo,
soyoubroughtmeher
e
t
omockme? "Fr
anksai
dgett
ingf
uel
edup
"
ShutthefvckupOK…j
ustshutup.Can'
tyousee
whatI'
mtryingt
odoher
e?Whatwi l
lIgai
nfrom
t
ri
ckingyouFrank?
"Mhl
engisai
dangered
"
Thenwher
eist
hemoney?
"Fr
ankaskedagai
n
"Idon'
tfvckenknow, Il
efti
there"Mhlengisai
dina
vergeoftears,
"Ispentalmost7yearsbecauseof
thi
sbagandnowi tvanishedjustl
ikethat
"hesaid
sadlypacingupanddown
"That
'
si tI
'
m goi
nghomet osignthosepapersat
l
eastIhavesponsorsandI'
m notcomi ngt
o
Capetownwithyou,
Ichangedmymi nd"Fr
anksaid
Thepausedwhent heysawt heoldmancomi ng

downf r
om thehi
ll
,theywait
edf orhimt oenterhi
s
caranddroveoff,
Frankcl
ickedhistongueand
headedtohiscaraswell
.Mhl engisatthere
watchi
ngFrankdriveaway,hetoodr aggedhi msel
f
totheHyundaianddroveawayf eeli
nghear t
wrenched.
*
***
Fr
ankwasdr
ivi
ngi
nhi
ghspeedgr
adual
lyhi
tt
ing
thest eer
ingwheeli nanger ,hecoul dn'tbelievehe
associ at
edhimsel fwit
ht hel i
kesofMhl engitot hink
thatheact uall
yt r
ustedhim.Howcanabagf i
ll
ed
withmoneydi ssapearjustlikethat?Hescr eamedi n
fury,nowhehadt odealwi t
ht hatskankLi saona
dailybasis.Hesl oweddownappr oachi ngan
i
nt ersect
ionbutwhenhet urnedleftsuddenl yal ight
fl
ickeredr i
ghtinfrontofhim, hishear tt hudded.I f
hedoesn' tdietodayofahear tattackt heni twillnot
happen, hehoot edbutthel i
ght sjustflickered
continuously.
2021
-
--
--
-
ThankyouAmandaJamesMyo
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er65
*
Dur
ban*
Thul adoent
eredt
hewar dhol
dingontoherhand
bagnotknowi ngwhattoexpectbutwhenshesaw
Mhl engismil
ingf
rom cheekt
ocheeksheexhaledi
n
rel
ief.
"Ever
ythi
ngisajoket
oyou,nowtel
lmewhat
happened?"Thul
adoaskedst
andi
ngoverhi
m
"I
twassobadshortyIj
ustwantahugand
ki
ss"
Mhlengisai
d,Thul
adoleanedovert
oki
sshi
m
butMhl
engigr
abbedherpi
cki
ngherup.
"Seri
ously?Thepoordoct
orsthi
nkyouneedhel
p,
wazewadl alangaboawunal
uthowena"Thul
ado
saidgiggli
ng
"Ki
ssme"Hesai dlookingint
ohereyes, t
heykissed
passi
onatelyforawhi l
eunt i
lThuladopull
edout
rememberingtheyar einhospital
.Knowinghow
shamelessMhl engiwas, hecouldsli
diti
nr i
ght
hereandrightnowwi thoutcare.
"
Whydi
dyoust
op?
"hemoaned
"Thi
sisahospi
tal
.Respect
!"Thul
adosaidsl
ippi
ng
underhi
ssheet
ssoshecanr estherheadonhis
chest
"SoImustn'
tgetaf
fect
ionat
ebecauseI
'
min
hospi
tal
?"Heaskedwhining
"Wherewereyouyester
dayMhlengiandwhydid
yousneakout"Thul
adochangedthetopi
cinst
antl
y
repl
aci
ngitwit
hanaccusator
yone
"
Idi
dn'tsneakout
,it
'sjustt
hatwhenIl
eftyouwer
e
f
astasleepandIdi
dn'twanttowakeyouup
mamazi
"Mhl
engisai
dki
ssi
ngt
hesi
deofherhead
"Youdi
dn'tf
ini
shanswer
ingmyquest
ion"Thul
ado
saidst
ernl
y
"
Idi
dn'
t?Whatdi
dIl
eaveout
"hesai
dsoi
nnocent
ly
"
KadeukephiMhl
engi
?"sheaskedget
ti
ngt
ickedof
f
(
wherewereyou?
)
"Oh"hechuckl
ed,"
Iwasn'
twi
tht
hegir
landIwasn'
t
doinganyt
hingi
ll
egalipr
omi
sebutIwaswit
hmy
brother
"hesai
d
"Yohsoyoureal
lythi
nkI
'
m stupi
d?Yousuddenl
y
haveabrot
hernow?Wowmxm"shesai dwiggli
ng
outofhi
sgri
pt r
yingt
ogetof
f.
"i
ma!Ima!Manjeuyaphi
?I'
m st
il
ltel
li
ngyounje"he
saidt
ight
eni
nghisgri
paroundher(wait
!wai
t!
Whereyougoing?
)
"I
'
m notgoi
ngtost
ayher
eandl
ist
ent
oyourl
ies"
Thul
adospat
"I
'
m notlyi
ng,Ir
ecentlyfoundoutthatmydadhad
anaff
airwhichresul
tedinpregnancybutapparent
ly
hedi
dn'tknow.Imethi mjusttheotherdayandhe
i
saspliti
mage,soonyouandt hechil
drenwillmeet
hi
m.Wehadapr essi
ngissueweneededt odiscuss
i
tcoul
dn'twai
tbutunfort
unatel
yformeIsl i
pped
andhi
tmyheadonar ockwherewewer echi
lli
ng,
heist
heonethatphonedyou"Mhl engisai
d
"OhOK"Thuladosai
ddoubfulbutshedi
dn'twantt
o
pest
erhi
mr ememberingNomzamo' swor
ds
"Yes,hewi l
lbecomingwit
hmet omymeetingin
Capetownandwhenwer etur
nyoucanorganize
thatbraaiyouwantedtodowithf
ri
ends"Mhlengi
saidkissi
nghersomemor e
"Doyout
rusthi
m,Imeanyouguysj
ustmet
"
Thul
adoaskedconcer
ned
"
Itrusthi
m"Hesai dhonestl
y,"
Buti
fhebetraysmy
t
rust,Iwi
llcuthi
m outwit
hinaneyebl
ink"headded
"
OKt
hen,
Iwantmyt
ear
sback"Shesai
d
"Don'
tworr
ymamaziever ythi
ngwillchangef
orthe
bett
erfr
om nowonwar ds, t
heonlytearsyouwil
lcr
y
areofj
oy…Iwil
lful
fi
llallthepromisesImadet o
you"hesai
dpull
ingherf oranotherkiss.
Hi
sphoner
angi
fwasFr
ank,
hesmi
ledanswer
ingi
t.
"
Shobaf
o!"Hesai
dlooki
ngatThul
ado
"Ei
shbroNomzamosoundsupset,whatshoul
dI
sayjusti
ncaseshewant
stoconf
ir
m withyou"
Frankaskedanxi
ousl
y
"Don'
twor
ryIwi
llsendyoual
lthedet
ail
smf
ethu"
heanswer
ed
"
Youwi
thyourst
eki
ether
e?"heaskedl
aughi
ng
"
Yest
hat
'
str
ue"Mhl
engisai
d,Fr
ankl
aughed
"OKjustsendi
ttome,
I'
m al
mostbyt
hegat
e"he
sai
d
"
Sure"Mhl
engisaidhangi
ngup, het
hent
ypeda
messagef
orhim andpressedsent
*
***
Frankparkedoutsideandexhaledbefor
epropell
ing
togoi nsi
de,
helethimselfi
nfindingZamositt
ing
onthecouchstaringattheTVt hatwasn'
teven
switchedon.
"
Babe!
"Hesai
dsof
tl
y
"Pl
easecomeandsi
t"Zamosai
d,Fr
anksatnextt
o
her
,"Whatsgoi
ngonSimmons?
"sheasked
"Nothing!Lookthere'
snoneedt ogetwor kedup,I
waswi t
hmybr otherl
astnight
.Wehadt hingsto
discussandsoonyouwi l
lmeethi m,buthehadan
accidentandcalledwhenIar r
ivedheresoIhadt o
rushhi mtothehospital
.Youcanseet hebl oodin
mycl othes"Fr
ankanswer ed
"I
'
m notachi l
d!Youhavenoreasontosneak
around,
allyouhavetodoisjustt
ellme.NowI
mustbewor ri
edallni
ght
?forwhat?"Sheshout
ed
"
I'
m sor
ry!
"Hesai
dhonest
ly
"Nowgivememeyourbr
other
'snumber
"Zamo
asked
"Oh!Mybrot
her'snumber
?OK"Franksai
dwi
dening
hiseyes,
helookedforMhl
engi
'
snumberandgave
Nomzamo
"
Thankyou"shesai
dst
andi
ngup
"Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ocal
lhi
m?"Fr
ankaskedf
oll
owi
ng
aft
erher
"
Yeah!
"sheanswer
ed
"Andsaywhat,
Ihavet
oldhi
m suchgreatt
hings
aboutyou,
don'
tembar
assyoursel
f"Hesai
d
"I
t'
sjustt
hatoutoftheblueyouhaveabrot
her
meanwhileIonlyknewaboutFred…It
hinkI
ook
stupi
dtoalotofpeopl
e"shesaid
"Noyounot,I'
m notl
ying…soonyouwi l
lmeethim
andyouwillfeel
sodumbt ohavemadet hatcal
lbut
goahead"Franksaidgoingi nt
other
oom wher e
Sbusiwaspeacefull
ysleeping.
Nomzamosl owl
yputherphoneaway,
shewasst
il
l
notconvi
nced.
*
***
Mhlengiwassleepingint
heroom aft
erbei
ng
di
schargedThuladodrovethem st
rai
ghthome,the
ki
dswer eint
hel oungegoi
ngcrazyasusualunder
Thulado'
ssupervisi
on.
"mummyI'm sohappydaddywillbeabl
etocome
andwat
chmyf i
rsteverbi
gconcert
"Luminj
aloshe
sai
dtwi
rl
ingaround
"I
'
m happytoo,
nowt el
lmewhatyougoi
ngt
obe
doingi
ntheconcer
t?"Thul
adoasked
"Wegoingtobedanci
ngtoSwanLakeandt
her
e'sa
ski
t"shesai
dimit
ati
ngthedance
"
Stop!Youmaki
ngmedi
zzy!
"Lubanzicompl
ained
"Don'
tbejeal
ousLubi
,Iknowyouaresadbecause
youdidn'
tgetapar
t"Luminj
alosai
d,Lubij
ustgl
ared
atherandkeptqui
et
"
That
'
snotni
ceLumi
"Thul
adosai
d
Whileshewast wir
li
ngandj umpingshemi sseda
stepandt r
ippedknocki ngast ackofbooks,they
camet umblingdownf al l
ingonherandonehi t
Ntobekowhowassi t
ti
ngont hecarpetmindinghis
ownbusi ness.Luminjaloyelpedi npai
nand
Ntobekowai l
edl i
keanambul ance,Mhlengi'
ssleep
wascutshor t.Hehur r
iedt otheloungeand
i
mmedi at
elyknewwhathappened, heglar
edat
Thuladoangr i
ly.
"That '
si tyouar egoingf orcounsel ing"hesai d
pickingupNt obeko,hehadacutonhi st highand
wasbl eedi ng.Herushedhi mt othebedr oom sohe
couldt reathi m,heplacedhi m ont hebedand
rushedi ntot hebathr
oom t ogett hef i
rstaidbag
meanwhi leThuladoshamef ullypeel edof fl ayersof
booksof fLumi ,
shef el
thor ri
bleandhur tatt he
samet ime.Hor r
ibl
ebecauset hesewer eherbooks
andi fshef oundabet t
erplacet ost oret hem ei ther
thant hel ounget hi
swoul dn'thavehappened, she
felthur tbecauseoft hewor dst hatMhl engij ust
uttered.Shemanagedt of r
eeLumi njalof rom t he
mound,
Lubanziwasj
ustwat
chi
ngi
nhor
ror
.
Thuladoexaminedherbutsheseemedfineexcept
shekepttouchi
ngherheadandr i
ghtar
m, Thul
ado
pickedherupplaci
ngheronthecouch.
"
Areyouokaysweet
y?"Sheaskedi
napai
nedvoi
ce
"Myheadandhandhur
ts"shesai
dasshecr
ied
sil
ent
ly
"It
hinkyoubrui
sedyourhandandabookhi tyour
head,Iwil
lbeback"Thul
adosaidrunni
ngtothe
bedroom,uponenteri
ngshefoundMhlengil
yingon
hisbackwithNtobekoonhi
schest.
"
Isheokay?
"Thul
adoasked
"
Whatdoyout
hink?
"Heaskednotl
ooki
ngather
"I
twasanaccident,
itcoul
dhavehappened
anywher
e"Thuladosaidinherdef
ense
"Sowhatar
egoingtodot
opr
eventf
urt
her
acci
dent
s?"Heasked
"I
'
m movi
ngt
hest
ufft
oal
essbusi
erpl
ace"she
said
"Youdon'tcareaboutus?Yourchi l
drenjustgothurt
andyoust il
lnott
hinkingofgett
ingridofthestuff
?"
hesigheddeeply,Thuladoignor
edhi m andgrabbed
thefi
rstaidbagleavingtheroom angri
ly.
Shet reatedLumiandgavehersomemedi cati

on,
Lubanziwassi t
ti
ngnexttohergraduall
ystr
oking
her.Itdidn'
ttakelongf
orallt
hechi l
drentofal
l
asleep,thetwinssnuggledonthecouchand
Ntobekowassl eepi
nginhisparentsbed.Mhlengi
foundThul adointhekit
chencryingwithherhead
buriedinherar ms.
"Iknowyoumi ssherandyoudi dn'tgettodealwith

thewayshedi ed"Mhl engisai
dhol dingher,
"I'
m
sorryIl
ashedoutmaybei t'
sbecauseIdon' tknow
whatyougoingt hroughandbecauseoft hatImay
notunderst
andyourways.I t'
sjustthatourchil
dren
aregrowingshortyandIr eall
ywishyoucoul dopen
youreyesandseewhatyourcl
utt
eri
sdoi
ng"he
sai
dsof t
ly
"
It
'snotacl
utt
er"shesai
dangr
il
y
"Yourmot hercoul
dhavesur vi
vedthatfireifshe
didn'thavealloft
hosefl
ammabl ethingsi nthat
room, whenyouwantt omakeaf irewhatdoyou
uset ocreateaspark?Youusedr ytwigsandst icks,
plasticandpaperbecausethosethingsbur nfast
andt heycreateafl
amei nst
antl
y"Mhl engitri
edt o
explain
"Theykill
edmymot herMhl engi,thishasnot hingto
dowi t
ht hetubsandbooksbutt heyki l
ledheroutof
j
ealousy.Myf atherlovedmymot hermor et hant he
otherwives,Iknowt heyletherbur nonpur pose.My
mom wasal wayscar ef
ul,Idon'tunder standwhat
wasshebur ningi nourroom whent hekitchenwas
i
nt hemai nrondaval.Iknowpeopl et hi
nkI 'm cr azy
i
ncludingyoubutmymom wasmur deredi nt hisis
theonlywayIcanconnectwi thher ,theyhur tme
andstrippedmeofmymot heratat enderaget hen
theyfail
edtof i
llhershoes.Iwasl eftallalonet o
fendformysel f
, whatdoyouknowhuh?Doyou
thi
nkthatyourparentsgavebi
rthtoat hief
?Iknow
theydi
dn't
,Iknowt heyhadbigplansforyoubut
becauseofli
feyouar eherewit
hacr i
mi nalrecor
d
andasproudKr ugersoleavemet hefuckal one"
shesaidwithtear
sst r
eamingdownherf ace
Mhlengiwantedt osaysomet hi
ngbuthistears
chokedhim,hef oundhimselfteari
ngtoo.Hepull
ed
achairsit
ti
ngnextt ohischeri
e,theycri
edtoget
her
smearingthebreakfastnookwi t
htears.
*
***
Atexactl
y5pm Mhlengigotacal
lhi
sbeen
anxi
ouslyfor,
itwasfr
om averywell
knowntech
sl
ashtrackercompanythebesti
nthecount
ry.
"Sho"hesai
dwait
ingt
ohearaf emal
evoice,
thel
ast
hecall
edhespoketoaNkosazaneNorwoodbuti
t
wasamal e.
"
Shoi
sthi
sMhl
engi
?"heasked
"
Yest
hat
'
sme"heanswer
edst
andi
ngup
"
OKbroyouspeaki
ngNt
sikaKhozat
heCEOof
Kt
echs"Hesai
d
"What
?NtsikayomuziKhozatheki
ngof
eNgonyameni?"heaskedast
ounded
"
Yes!MysisterrunsthecompanywhenI '
m busy
wit
hmypal aceduti
esbutwheni tcomestotracki
ng
I
'mtheonlyonewhocandoi tsoIbeli
eveIhave
i
nformat
ionforyou"hesaidchuckli
ng
"
Wenaongasenhl
a!Thi
sisanhonor
"Mhl
engisai
d
r
espect
ful
ly
"JessicaisnotinCapetownl i
keshehasbeen
saying,infactsheneverleftKZN.Thehousestill
belongst oher,itseemslikeherandherauntt
ricked
you.She'sact uall
yinHil
lcrestli
vingi
nhermother'
s
house"Nt sikasaid
"
What?Pleasetel
lmet hi
sissomesi
ckj
oke"
Mhl
engisaidchuckl
ingbit
ter
ly
"
Nope,
asf
arast
hemoneyi
sconcer
ned.I
t'
sina
fi
xedaccountexactl
y20mi l
li
onwhichmeansyou
goingtoneedmor ethanonedayt ogetitout,Ican
hackintothebanksystem andtakeitout
undetectedonl
yifyoucanpr ovetomet hatyou
aren'
tjustst
eal
ingfrom t
hiswoman"hesai d
"Isweartoyousirthisi
smyhar dwor
k,shesol
dmy
painti
ngsandnowshe' skeepi
ngthemoneyto
hersel
f"Mhlengisaidemoti
onal
ly
"OK"sendmepr…"Ntsi
kagotdi
stur
bedbyal
ady'
s
voi
ceinthebackgr
ound.
"It
'shismoneyBhovunganeandt el
lhimthatthere'
s
adar kspir
itthatisfoll
owinghisbrot
her,
tellhim
thattheymustpr ayot her
wisetheyseewilldeaths.
Thespi r
iti
snotf ri
endlyatalli
t'
sbayingforblood
andt heancestorsar etoobusyfi
ghti
ngoverhi s
brothertoprotectthem"theladysaid
"Youaregoi
ngtochasemycl i
entsawaywit
hyour
thi
ngsDiamante"Ntsi
kasai
dtothelady,
meanwhi
le
Mhlengiwasli
steni
ngatt
ent
ivel
ytothe
conver
sati
on.
"
I'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
,it
'smywi
fe…Ihopeyouhear
d
whatshesaidbecauseshe'
sgi
ft
edint
hatarea.I
wi
llgetyouyourmoneyonMonday"hesai
d.
"
Wenaongasenhla"Mhl
engisai
drespect
ful
ly,
Ntsi
kahungup.
Mhlengisatont
hecouchdi
gest
ingwhathej
ust
heard
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
SPONSOREDbyNonduNduMat
he*
Chapt
er64
*
Dur
ban*
Frankpull
edupbyt hesideoftheroadadheri
ngto
thefl
icker
inglight
,inami nut
eamet ropol
ice
walkedupt ohim shini
nghistorchinhi
sface.Fr
ank
cri
ngedshut t
inghiseyes.
"Ther
ehasbeenahi jackingi nthisareather
efore
wechecki ngeveryvehicle,canIpl easeseeyourID
andlicense"t
hecopsai d,Frankopeneda
compar t
mentont her oofoft hecar ,
hecameback
withhisident
if
icati
ondocument sandhandedt hem
overtothepolice.
"I'
m goingt
ocheckyourvehiclenow,pleasestep
outofyourcar"Fr
ank'
shear tstar
tedpounding
thinki
ngofthesoi
ledshovelinhisboots,howwill
heexplaint
his
Thecopstart
edinternal
ly,hesear
chedunderall
seats,
openedallcompar t
mentsandlast
lytheboot.
Whenhewassat i
sfi
ed,hecamewi thabreathal
yzer
aski
ngFranktoblowi nitaft
erwhatseemedl i
ke
for
everheasked.
"Whereareyoucomingf
rom wi
tht
hatshovelatt
he
back"Thecopasked
"
I'
m comingfr
om mybr ot
her
'shouse,
hebor
rowed
i
ttoworkinhi
sgarden"hesaid
"Soi
fIaskyourbrot
hernowwil
lhet
ellmetheexact
samethi
ng?"hearchedhi
seyebr
ow,Frank
swal
lowedbefor
eanswering
"
Y-yes"heanswer
ed
"OKIwantt otakedownyourdet ail
sandyouwi ll
takemet oyourbrother'
shouse.Iwantt oseet
he
garden"thecopsai d,Frank'
seyeswi denedasthe
airclosedinonhi m,hedidn'tevenknowwher e
Mhl engistayedandt her
ewasnogar den.Heknew
thathewasdoomed, nowheregrettedsayingthi
s
l
ie.Mhlengi
'
sl i
ewasmor ebel
ievablebutthis
narri
ngcopwi l
lpr
obablyaskf
ort henameof
i
nyangaandj ustl
iket
hathewouldbebust ed.
Suddenlyaspeedi ngcarpassedwi thvroom!

Leavingever yonegobsmacked, therewasno
movementf orasecondt hent herewaschaosas
themet ropol i
cehoppedi ntot heircarschasing
afteri
t.Frankwasl eftal
one,hewasn' tsurewhether
tojuststayther eandwai tforthem t oretur
njust
i
ncaset hepol iceremember edhi snamebutt he
naughtinessi nhim choseot herwi se.Hemadeau-
turnandhi tthegas, hewasn' ttakinganycopt ohis
brother'
shouset hathedidn'tknowhi mself,
he
thoughtheshoul duseanot herr outetogohome.
*
***
Theweehours.Peace,
tranqui
li
tyandbei
ngone
wit
hyour
self
.Mhlengiwasnotacr i
erbutt
hist
ime
aroundhef eltitnecessary,t
hest i
ll
nessoft he
roadst hesoundsofsi lenceall
owedhi m be.Hel et
them f l
owpar ki
ngont hesideoft heroad, hel i
tupa
j
oi ntthathehadbeenpr epari
ng.Hedi dn'tdr i
vefar
from thathillofsheninegans,af t
erhislastpul lhe
threwt hebudoutt hewi ndowigniti
ngt hecar .That
eer i
efeeli
ngoft henightwassl owlystrippingaway,
beingr epl
acedbyabi tofli
ghtandwar mt h.
Hepar kedont hesamespotasear l

ierbutnowhe
wascal m andwi t
hshar penedsenses, hishighwas
starti
ngtoki ckin.Hecl i
mbedupt hehi l
lwit
h
meanst otracehisst eps,t
herewasnowayhewas
l
osingt hatcash.Hegaveuphi sf reedom andapar t
ofhischi l
drenl i
fejustsohecoul dsecur ethem a
betterfutur
e.Hewasnowst andingont hefreshly
buriedthatsoi lt
heyhaddugear li
eron, heputon
historchandwal kedt hedir
ectionheusedt ohi de
thebag, hewentdownt hehillandhal t
edbyt he
bush.Hepeel edthebr anchessl owlyandwi th
focus…butnot hing,hewant edt oscr eam thisti
me
around.Themoneywasr eallygone, hesatdown
nexttot hehedgewi thhisheaddr opped.Hewant ed
tocallThul adowhenhenot icedhermi ssedcallbut
decidedagai nstit
,hewasn'tplanningont el
li
ngher
theent i
retruthaboutthemoneybecausewomen…
womenchange, onedayshecandeci detorathim
outjustf orcontr
ol.Nooneknowswhatt hefutur
e
holdssot obesafe,shecouldn'tbeletinon
everythi
ngandhehopedFr ankwoul ddot hesame.
Helift
edhi sheadl ooki ngatt hetreesandt hegr ass
thenheseessomet hingr ightatt hebot t
om.I twas
anotherthicketbutsmal lerthant heonehehi dthe
bagin,therewassomet hingbl ackpeepi ngf r
om it,
hestoodupi nl i
ghteningspeedal mostsl i
dingdown
thebank, goingdownt hehi l
l wasr eallyslopedand
sli
ppery,heshovedhi sphonedeepi ntohispocket .
Asmi l
ecr eptonhi sf acewhenher eali
zedi twas
hisbag,hehel dont oabr anchr eachi ngoutsohe
doesn'tl
osebal anceandf all.Hedi dn'tknowwhat
wasont heot herside,af t
erst rugglinghegr abbeda
holdofthebagbutt hewei ghtbecamet oomuchf or
thepoorlittl
ebr anch.Itcr ackedbr okenl ett
ing
Mhlengigoalongwi
thhispr
eciousbag,hehithi
s
headonar ockandspl
ashedintoastr
eam r
ightat
thebott
om.
*
***
Frankpul l
edupt heyardfeel
ingdrainedli
kehis
beenf i
ghtingdragonstheentir
enight,helethimsel
f
i
ngoi ngstr ai
ghtintot
heensuite.I
twas2:30am, he
switchedont helighti
nthebathroom andbegant o
shower ,meanwhi leNomzamomadeherwayi nto
theroom andl eanedont hewallwatchi
nghi m
shower .Whenhewasdonehej umpedi nfri
ght
seeingNomzamo' spainedface.
"
Wher
edi
dyougo?
"Sheaskedpol
it
ely
"Iwaswi t
hapossibl
efamilymember,Iwil
ltel
lyou
allabouti
twheneveryt
hingiscl
ear
…rightnowI
needt osl
eep"Fr
anksaiddryi
nghimself
"
Youexpectmet
obel
ievet
hat
?Whenyoul
ookat
meyouseeaf
oolr
ight
?"shesai
dchuckl
ingbi
tt
erl
y
"No!Pleasedon'
tbeliket
hat
,justgi
vemeti
meandI
wil
ltellyouever
ythi
ng"Fr
anksaidleavi
ngt
he
bathroom.
Heswi t
chedont heli
ghti
nthebedr
oom, hewalked
overtothepedestalsohecoul
dchargehisphone
butitst
art
edringing
Mhl
engi
'
snamepoppedup.
"
Sur
e"hesai
d
"In-
needyourhelp,Ifoundthemoney.Pl
easec-
comeandcollectit,
andt akemet
ot hehospi
tal
,I
'm
hurt
"hesaidbreathingheavil
y
"Heybro!Staywit
hme…whereareyou?"Fr
ank
askedgetti
ngdressed,
hewasgett
ingworr
ied
"SameplacebutIfelldownthehi
lli
ntoastr
eam,
I'
m
bleedi
ngbro…pleasecomet aket
he-t
hem-money
andkeepitsaf
e,callmygirl
"hewentquiet
"
Hey!Hey!I
'
m comi nghanginther
e"hesaidbut
t
her
ewassi l
ence,thenli
newassti
llal
ivebut
Mhl
engiwasn'tt
alkinganymor
e.
"Shi
t!Nonono"her
equest
edandUbertothe
near
estgar
agehesawont heway,
justi
ncase
Nomzamoneededthecar.
"What'
sgoi
ngon? ,
wher
ear
eugoi
ng?
"Nomzamo
askedworr
yingl
y
"Iwi
llexpl
ain,
Iloveyouokay…I
'
mleavi
ngt
hecar
"
heboltedout
Heranf rom thegaraget othedirectionoft hehil

l
andindeedMhl engi
'scarwasst i
llparked, he
spri
ntedupt hebankandexami nedt hear ea.At
l
eastitwasst arti
ngt ogetli
ghter,hesl i
dawayf r
om
thethi
cketbecauset heywerebl ockingthewayand
youcouldn'tseewhatwasbehi ndi t.Thecl oserhe
wast othegroundhespot t
edMhl engilying
unconsciousnextt ot hest
ream, thebagnextt ohim.
Hehur r
iedovert ohim andwentbl ankast owhathe
neededt odo, hehoistedhi
sbrot herupal ongwi th
hiscell
phoneandcarkeys, franti
call
ylooking
aroundf orabet t
erpathbecauset herewasnoway
hewasgoi ngtomakei tupt hehill
.Hescanned
aroundai mlesslyfi
ndingapat h,hefoll
owedi tunt
il
i
tledhimt otheroadbutt hecarwasnowont he
otherside.Het oil
edwi thhimt il
lhereachedt he
Hyundai ,heplacedhim att hebackont herecover
y
posit
ion, t
henhespr intedbackt ogett hemoney…he
knewMhl engiwasgoi ngt oaskaboutt hecashas
soonashewokeup.
Hethrewthebagi nthebootanddr oveout.Hewas

nowsitt
ingont hehospit
albenchesscroll
ingdown
hi
sphonel ookingf
orshorty,andjustl
ikehe
guessedhef oundher.Hedialedt
henumberanda
l
adyanswer edbythesoundoft hi
ngsshewas
cryi
ng.
"Hiuhm I
'
mlooki
ngf
orMhl
engi
'
swoman"Fr
ank
said
"
Whathappened?
"Sheaskedasi
fshewas
expect
ingt
his,
"Ishear
rest
ed?
"headded
"
No,hi
sinhospi
talhei
mhur thi
shead,heaskedme
t
otel
lyoubef
orehelostconsci
ousness"Fr
anksai
d
"
OhmyGod,
isheal
ri
ght
?"sheaskeddevast
ated.
"
I'
m notsur
ebutI
'
m her
eateThekwi
ni"Fr
anksai
d
"Themedicalai
dprocessi
sn'tconcl
udedyet,t
hey
aregoingtowantcashtotr
eathimthere.Canyou
gethimtransf
err
edtoeNtabeni…Iworkther
e"she
said
"Don'
twor
ryaboutmoney,
justcomeher
e"hesai
d
hangi
ngup
Thedoct
orwalkeduptoFr
ank,
her
oset
ohi
sfeet
wait
ingi
nant
icipat
ion.
"Heisawake!Justaswel l
ingaroundthear eathat
hitt
herock,for
tunat
elythere'
snoi nt
ernalbleedi
ng,
Ihavegivenhim somemedi cati
onanddonesome
test
s.Iwilbebacktorunmor etestsbutint he
meant i
meyoucangoi n…hisaskingforhiswoman"
t
hedoct
orchuckl
ed
"
Thanksdoc"Fr
anksai
dwal
kingi
nMhl
engi
'
swar
d.
HesatupwhenhesawFr
ank,
hesmi
rkedathi
m.
"
Kwaphel
aukuphapha!
"hesai
dchuckl
ing
"
Mxm!Di
dyougett
hecash?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Whatcash?
"Fr
anksqui
ntedhi
seyes
"
Don'
tfuckwit
hmesono,
wher
e'st
hatbagekse?
"
Mhl
engisai
d
"Yasi
syoulovemoney! "Mhlengisaidchuckl
ing,
"Don'
tworr
yIgotit,Ir
iskedyourlifebyleavi
ngyou
unconci
ousinthecarsoIcangett hatbagbecause
Iknewthat
'sthefi
rstt
hi ngyouwillaskwhenyou
wokeup"Frankadded
"Youdidwel
l!
"hesaidl
aughi
ng,
"Di
dyoucal
lmy
gir
l?"Mhl
engiasked
"
Yesshor
tyi
sont
heway"Fr
ankr
epl
ied
Theycarri
edont alki
ngabouttheirbusi
nessplans
unti
lFrankexcusedhi msel
ftogoandexpl ai
nto
Nomzamoaboutt hedissapear
ing.Onhiswayout
hebumpedi ntoThuladoandshej ustfr
ozeher
heart
ingbeati
ngf ast
.Frankpull
edherintoacorner.
"
Hey!
"hesai
dlooki
ngi
ntoherbeaut
if
uleyes
"
Heyw-
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Thul
adoasked
"I
'
m hereformybr
other,
Iwantustotalk…Ihave
beenmeaningtot
alktoyou"Fr
anksaidholdi
ngher
softhands
"
Tal
k!"Thul
adosai
d
"Aboutthatni
ghtIwantyout
oknowthatit'
sokay,
i
t'salongtimeago.Youdon'
thavet
ofreezeoract
l
ikeyouhaveseenaghostwhenyouseeme"Fr ank
said
"
Ohuhm…okay, Icandothat…Iwasafr
aidthatyou
wil
lst
artt
ell
ingpeopleandthatwoul
djustcrush
me"shesaidpulli
ngherhandsoutofhi
s
"
Don'tworr
y,I'
m withNomzamoandIcanseeshe
i
sfondofyou,Iwoul dn'
tri
skspoil
ingwhateveri
tis
t
hatyouarebuildi
ng"Franksaid,
ifhewasst i
lla
womanizer
,thi
swaswhohewoul dpursuebuthe
waschangedman
"Thankyou"Thul
adosaid,"
Ineedt
ogomymani s
i
noneoft hesewards"shesai
dwalki
ngaway,
Frank
stoodther
etaki
ngherin
"Youlookgor
geousbyt heway"Franksai
dloud
enoughforhertohear
,Thuladoshowedhim
thumbsupwal ki
ngdownt hewalkway.
Frankpi
nchedhimselfstr
utt
ingoutt
hehospi
tal
,
thatwassi
llyhethoughtt
ohimself
.Hedrewouthi
s
phonecall
inghisQueen.
"
Hey"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"I'
m get
ti
nganUbertocomehome, Ij
ustwantedto
tel
lyouthatIl
oveandthatyouar
ebeauti
ful
"Frank
saidschmoozingher
"
Getyourasshome!
"Nomzamocuthi
m shor
t
"
Okay"Fr
anksai
dcr
ingi
ng,
hewasi
ndeept
roubl
e.
2021
-
--
--
--
-
Thankyout
oourweekendsponsor
s
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er66
*
Dur
ban*
Mhlengiparkedoutsidehisuncl
e'
shouseinthe
outski
rt
sofI nanda,heblewairi
ntohi
shandsthen
helookedtoFr ankandhewasj ustst
ari
ngint
o
space.
"
Bro!
"hecal
ledhi
m out
,Fr
ankgotst
art
led
"
Y-yes!
"Her
esponded
"LookmfethuIknowt hatthi
sisheavybutIpr omi
se
youthatI'
m goingtostandbyyoursi de,wehave
nobodyinthiswor l
dbuteachot her
.TheQueensaid
thatt
hingisbayingforbloodsonotevenour
chil
drenaresafebro,butfi
rstl
yIwantust ogo
i
nsideandspeakt omyuncl e.Hisadr unkar
d
unfort
unatelyandouronlyshot,hehast odoa
ceremonyf oryou"Mhlengisai
d
Fr
ankbur
iedhi
sfacei
nhi
shandsandbr
okeouti
n
asof
tsob,
hecr
iedsosor
rowf
ult
hati
tcutt
hrough
t
hesoul
.
"
Wewil
lbeatt
hist
hingFuze,
youar
enotgoi
ngback
t
her
e"Mhl
engisai
d
"I
fsomethi
ngshoul
dhappentothekids,
ohGodmy
Sbusi
,Isweart
oyouIwil
ldi
etoo"Franksai
d
"
Noti fwedoast ol
d, yourki
dsar
emyki dstoo.
Don'tgivei
n,thatt
hinghavebeentormenti
ngyou
foryears,i
zonyastr
aightkemanje!
"Mhlengisai
d
i
rri
tably
"Iappreciateyoubrobutt
hePhantom i
saspir
it
,
youcan' tshootorstabhi
m,hedealswi
thyouinthe
spiri
tualrealm"Fr
anksaidsni
ff
ing
"Iwillgoi nt
ot hatspiri
tualreal
m andIwi llshoot
andst abhim, I'
m notafraidofanyt hi
ng"Mhl engi
saidhonest l
y,hethenbr ohugFr ank, "Let'
sgoi n"
theyj umpedoutoft hecarl ooki
ngar oundt hearea,
theai rwasabi tdi
fferent.I
twasr efreshingwi ththat
calmi ngef f
ect,abrowndogi sseenout sidesitt
ing
rightbyt hedoorasi fhiswaiti
ngf orsomet hi
ng.
Thebr othersstruttedi nt othelit
tl
egat ethatwas
wideopen, Mhlengihadabot tl
eofSmi r
nof f1818
asat okenofwhat everhej ustknewt hathisuncle
wasal waysdr unkf rom Mondayt oSundayand
wouldappr eciatethegest ure.Thedogj ustr an
awayi nsteadofbar king, theywer enowknocki ngon
thedoorabi tnervous, af teracoupl eofmi nutesa
l
adyappear edfrom i nsi de,shehadadoekonanda
blueisishweshwedr essj udgingbyt hewayshewas
comf ortabl
ywal kingar oundshemustbet he
womanoft hehouse.Mhl engismiledather
respectfull
y.
"
Sawubonamah, weher
eforubab'
omncane.I
'
m
Mhl
engiNgcoboandthi
sisFrankSi
mmons"
Mhl
engisai
dextendi
nghishand
"Heee"shesaidclappingherhands,"
Youdon'thave
toint
roduceyourselfyoubothlookl
ikeyourfather
anduncle,i
t'
slikeyouar et
wins"shesaidrest
ing
herhandsonherhi ps,"Comein!Youruncl
ei s
sl
eeping"shesai
dmaki ngwayf orthem towalki
n.
Shedissapear
edintooneoft herooms, af
ter
minutesshecameoutent er
inganot herone
probabl
ythekit
chen.
Aft
erwhatseemedl ikeeter
nit
ytheunclesauntered
i
ntotheli
ttl
elounge,hebeameduponr ecognizi
ng
Mhlengibutstoppedathistr
ackswhenhesawan
i
denti
calpersonsitt
ingnexttohi
m,thediff
erence
wastheskintone.
"AwSvini
niuyaphi
lamfanawami
?"(
Svi
ninimyboy
areyouwell
?)heaskedsit
ti
ng
"
Ewubaba'omncaneyoust
il
lhungont
hatname"
Mhl
engisaidshyl
y
"Iwi
llneverl
etitgo"hesaidlaughi
ng,"Mybrot
her
gaveittoyou"hesaidsteal
ingglancesatFr
ank
"Fai
renough!Babat
hisi
sFrank!RememberwhenI
call
edyouweeksbackwhenIwasst i
lli
npri
son,
thi
sistheguyIwastel
li
ngyouabout"hesai
d
"SvininiIwasver yhurtmyboy, veryhurtinfactI
gotillwhenIhear dyouar einprison.Thisisnotthe
l
ifemybr otherwouldhavewant edf oryou.Youtold
meyouwer estudying!Thenextt hingyouar eint
o
cri
mi nalactivi
ti
es…Svi nini
!Svinini"hesaid
reprimandinghi m,Mhl engidroppedhi shead
respect f
ull
y."I
'm sorrymyboy, whati syourname
again? "hesaidlookingatFr ank
"
I'
m Fr
ankbaba!
"her
epl
ied
"
Mmmh,
yourmot
heri
suml
ungu?
"Heaskedagai
n
"
Yebobaba!
"Fr
ankr
esponded
"AyOKmf anawami ,thisisyourhome.Idon'tneed
toaskmor equest i
ons, Icanseet hatyouar
ea
Ngcobo"hesai d,"WenaSvi niniyouneedtobe
cleansedsot hatal
lthebadl uckyoucameback
withfrom Pri
sonmust n'tf
oll
owyouandyourf amil
y,
I'
m verymadatyounowwher ear emy
grandchil
dren"hesaid
"
Athomewit
hthei
rmot
her"Mhlengianswer
ed,
he
t
ookoutt
hebot
tl
eofSmir
noffputt
ingitont
hetabl
e.
"
AwwyabonakeMf
anawami
,Ngcobo!Fuze!
Mashiy'
amahleengathiazoshumayel
a!"hesai
d
reci
ti
ngthei
rclannames.Mhl engiwi
nkedatFr
ank
andheheldinalaugh.
"Babaweneedyourhel p!Withmycl eansi
ngasyou
putit
,butmosti mportantl
ymybr otherhereneeds
properr
itualstobeaccept edi
ntothef ami
ly.Ther
e's
adarkcloudt hat'
sfol
lowingusandyouar eouronly
hope"Mhl engisai
d
"
YouknowI'm poormyson,
wherewi
llIgetmoney
t
oconductcer
emonies?
"hesai
dsadl
y
"Don'
twor
ryaboutmoney,
Iwi
llpr
ovi
de"Mhl
engi
assur
edhi
m.
"OKthere'
snopr oblem!Youar emychi l
drensoiti
s
myr esponsi
bil
it
ytodot hesethingsforyouasan
elder
"hesaidopeni ngthebottleofalcohol,
theaunt
approachedwithat rayadornedwi t
hegg
sandwichesandbl acktea.
Sheplacedinfrontoft
hemenandi twasj ustso
ent
ici
ngt houghitwasn'
tasfancyasusualbutthe
l
oveandwar mthmadeitext
raspecial
,theydugin
astheuncl
enar
rat
edst
ori
esf
rom t
hegoodol
d
days.
"Thisonewasaver ycompet iti

vegrowingup, sowe
woul dsendt hem t odi f
ferentshopsandwhoever
returnedf i
rstwi l
lrecievedsomesor tofr eward, i
t
mer elyjusttomakei tfunandal sothattheydon' t
getsi detr
ackedont heway…youknowhowboys
are.Mhl engiwoul dbebacki naf l
ash,hewasf ast
runneri ngener alsomybr otherwouldmakeabi g
songanddanceabouti t…hewoul dbelike" aww
Mf anawamiuSvi ninimadoda"andf r
om t hatday
wecal l
edhi m Svinini"hechuckled
"
Ili
kei
t…aweSvi
"Fr
anksai
d
"
Aywewon'tgetalongi
fyoucal
lmet
hat
"Mhl
engi
war
ned,
Franklaughed
"
Het
ell
smeyouhadat
win?
"heaskedFr
ank
"Yes!Fred,unl
ikeMhlengiwehadaver yt
ragic
upbringingwenevergotachancet or
untot he
shops, ourmotherhasalwaysbeenprobl
emat i
c.
Afterherparentspassedon,herf
amil
ygaveupon
herandIwouldbelyi
ngi
fIwouldsayIknowt hem.
Ithi
nkshe'sf
rom t
heNor
thWestthat'
sallIknow
butshedidanumberonus"Fr
anksaid
"Eyuml unguwasapr obl em forreal.Mybr other
thoughthewasj ustst ealingandt hathewoul dwi pe
hismout hundet ectedbutuml unguwasn' tthatkind
ofgirl
.Sher ui
nedever ythi nginhopest hatSagila
willl
eaveMhl engi
'smot herandmar ryherbuti t
didn'
twor k.Sagilalovedhi swi f
esomuchhe
couldn'
tlosehersoheconf essed,whenshe
reali
zedherpl ansdi dn'twor kshevani shedi nt
ot hin
airandwasneverhear dof fagain.Sagil
awant ed
mor echil
dr enbutunf ortunat el
yhiswi fehad
compl i
cationssoIknowi fheknewaboutyouand
yourbrotherhewoul dhavedonet heri
ghtthing"he
i
nf or
medandFr anknoddedhi sheadi nagreement .
Itwassuchaf unfill
edti
meatt heuncleshouse,
aft
eracoupleofhour stheauntcamewi thdombol o
andafullchi
ckent hatmusthavebeenki l
ledinthe
backyard,i
tlookedfreshandsizzl
ing.Sheplaced
thewoodenpl at
terinfr
ontofthem withextr
asalt
andaknife,Mhl engiwasthef
ir
sttosquatinf
ront
oftheli
tt
letable.HewinkedatFrankt
ojoinhi
m, he
cutthechickenintosmall
erpi
ecesandthe
dombolo,theydugi n.
"I
nourcul t
urewhensomeonei svisi
ti
ngandhave
tr
avel
edf ar,weslaught
erananimalsowecanf east
tocel
ebratethegatheri
ngoffamil
y.Unfor
tunat
elyI
don'
thavecat t
le'
sbutonlyacoupleofchi
ckens,I
hopethi
si sacceptabl
e"hesaidapol
ogeti
c
"
Thi
sisper
fect
!"Mhl
engisai
dwi
thamout
hful
"Youmustmarryherbaba"Franksai
dwi t
ha
stuf
fedmouthaswell,
"Il
ikeheral
ready!
"headded,
theuncl
ejustl
aughedgulpi
nghisbeverage.
Whent heboysf
inal
lybidf
arewellt
heyweresof ull
thei
rcl
othesweregett
ingt
ightbythewaist
,theyleft
unclewit
hsomemoneybef oredepart
ing.
*
***
Theypar
kedoutsi
deabigyardinHill
crest
,itwasa
humongoushouse,youcoul
dtel
litbel
ongedt oa
ri
chfami
ly.
"
Ist
hist
hepl
ace?
"Fr
ankasked
"
Appar
ent
ly!
"Mhl
engianswer
ed
"
Sowhatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoi
nsi
de?
"Fr
ankasked
"Nothi
ng,I
'
m her
etogl
oat.Shet
hinksshe'ssmart
butI'
m her
etoshowherI
'
m smarter"Mhlengisai
d
withasmirk
"
OKt
henl
et'
sgoandgl
oat
""Fr
anksai
d
Thepr
essedt
hebuzzerbutahel
peranswer
ed.
"
Hel
lo!
"Shesai
d
"Hel
lomahI'm her
eforJessi
e,t
ellheri
t'
sMhl
engi
!"
hesaidchi
rpl
y
Theli
newentqui
etandaf
teracoupl
eofmi
nut
es
Jessi
ewasontheli
ne.
"
Whatdowant
?"Sheaskedannoyed
"Imissyou!Canwet alk?"Mhl engisaid,shecl eared
hervoiceandkeptqui et.Thenextt hingt hegat esli
d
open, t
heypar kedinsidet heyar dandheadedt othe
door.Jessiewasal r
eadybyt hedoori nherwhi te
denim bum shor t
s,acr opt opandsl ippers.She
halt
edl ooki
ngatt hebr others,youcoul dj usttel
l
shewasconf used.Shel ett hem in,t
heywer eled
i
ntot heloungear ea,thehel perbroughtinj uiceand
muffins.
"
Howdi
dyouf
indme?
"WasJessi
e'
sfi
rstquest
ion
"
Ser
iousl
y?Youreal
lyt
houghtyoucoul
dhi
def
rom
me?
"Mhlengiasked
"
Whoi
sthi
s?"Shesai
dogl
ingFr
ank
"
Mybr
other
!Why?youwantt
ofuckhi
mtoo?
Mhl
engiaskedl
aughi
ng
"Real
lyMshl
engi
?"shesai
dcl
ear
lyhur
tbyhi
s
stat
ement
"Wellyoudolikebl
ackd!
cks!
"Mhl
engisai
d,Jessi
e
blushedlooki
ngaway
"
Isshegood?
"Fr
ankaskedsar
cast
ical
ly
"
Youcant
ast
eforyour
sel
f"Mhl
engisai
dlaughi
ng
Acolouredboywal kedpasstheguest s,hegreeted

them andproceededint
othenextr oom, helooked
l
ikehecouldbet enyearsbutjustverytallf
orhis
age.Jessi
eshifteduncomfort
ably.
"Canwet aket hismeet ingi

ntothebedr oom"She
saidri
singtoherf eet,t
hebrother
sf ol
lowedherint
o
themast erbedr oom.Shecl osedthedoorafter
them andsati nt hemi ddl
eofherbed, butMhlengi
andFr anksettledont heOttoman,Itseemedlike
Jessi
ehadot herpl ans.
"SothehouseinDurbanisaver
ageImeant hi
s
houseiswaybetter
,mustbenicebeinga
mill
ionai
re"Mhl
engisai
dsarcast
ical
lyscanni
ng
around
"
I'
m notami
ll
ionai
re"Jessi
esai
dinherdef
ense
"Butyouar
e,Isawmypainti
ngsinsomefancy
gall
eryi
nEngland"Mhl
engisai
dchuckl
ing
"
Getoutofmyhouse!
!"Jessi
esai
dget
ti
ngonher
f
eet
Mhlengilif
teduphi
shoodieasifhi
sstret
ching
himselfandhisgunwasexposed,Jessi
ewentmut e
i
nstantly,
shedart
edhereyesfr
om onebr ot
herto
theother.
"
Youcan'
tdoanyt
hingt
ome,youwil
lgobacktoj
ail
.
Myhel
perandmysonareher
e"shesai
dinpani
c
"I
'
m notgoi
ngt
odoanythi
ngt
oyou,I'
m her
etotel
l
youtoenj
oymymi
ll
ions"Hel
aughedheadi
ngtothe
door
"Wel
eavi
ngalr
eady,It
houghtweareher
etochow
somecheapf
reepvssy"Fr
anksai
dsarcast
ical
ly
"
It
'shor
ri
ble!Tr
ustmel
etsgo"Mhl
engisai
d
Themenbi df
arewel
ltothehelperandt
heboy.
Theyenter
edthei
rcarandlef
t,onthewayFrank
asked.
"
So?
"
"Tomorrowwear emeetingtheKingandhewi l
l
cleanheroutundetect
ed,thedayshegoesand
clai
mt hemoneyi swhereshewi l
lreal
izet
hatt
her
e
i
snomoneyt oclaim"Mhlengisaid
"
Butshewi
llsuspectyou.
..
ri
ght
?"
"Yesbutit'
smineright
ful
lyshoul
dIreportthi
sshe
willgetarr
est
ed.Iwanttohurtherwher
ei thur
tsthe
most ,andIwanttoseeifshewil
lhavethenerveto
comeandconf rontmeaf t
erwhatshedid"Mhlengi
answer ed
"
OK…soaboutt
hei
nvest
ors?
"Fr
ankasked
"Owaki
thiwena,youseethatbagyoukeepi
ng.That
i
swhatwewi lluseforourbusi
nesses,
Ican'
tuseit
undermynamebecausei mmedi at
elyt
hecopswill
know"Mhlengisaid
Fr
anksmileduponhear
ingthesenews,
final
lyt
her
e
wasl
ightattheendoft
hetunnel.
2021
-
--
--
--
--
-
Pl
easedon'
tfor
gett
opr
essLI
KE
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er67
*
Dur
ban*
Thuladomar i
nadedthemeatwi t
hherhomemade
spiceswhenshewassat i
sfi
edshecoveredher
steaksandchopsint he8l
tcontai
ner,
thenshe
movedont othechickenfl
ati
esandthat'
swhen
Nanawal kedinwearingalit
tl
eapronthatshe
borrowedfrom t
heladyofthehouse,theywereon
makot imode.
"I
'
m donewi
tht
hesal
ads,
what
'sl
eftt
odo?
"Nana
asked
"
Justmakesuret
hedr
inksarechi
ll
ed,
maybeIneed
morei
ce"shesai
dner
verecked
"
Rel
axyougott
his"Nanasai
d
"Thi
sist hef i
rstt
imeI'
m hosti
ngpeopleeverinmy
l
ifeandMhl engisai
ditsimpor
tant
,I'
m soscared"
shesaid, Nanahuggedherandassur edherthat
everyt
hingwi llgoaccordi
ngl
y.
Musa'
sgi
rl
fri
endst
ompedi
nverypi
ssed,shef
olded
herar
msstandi
ngi
nthemi
ddl
eofthekit
chen.
"Thuladooe!maybepeopl earescar edtotellyou

butIwi ll
,thoseice-cr eam tubsandbooksneedt o
go!"Nanagl aredathert ryi
ngtot el
lhertoabor tbut
sheignor edher ,"Ubunukunemf ucuzaendl i
ni
akufuneki!Youmaki ngt hewholehousel ookf i
lt
hy
andyouhavechi ldrenf orheavensakehawu,
awusemuhl enobunuku, ngazengamuzwel a
uMhl engi"shecl appedherhandsandmar chedout
(fi
lt
handunt idynessi sunaccept abl
ei nthehouse,
youar esobeaut if
ulandyoudoi ngt hi
s.Ifeelsorry
forMhl engi!")
Thul
ado'
slipst
rembledast
ear
swel l
edi
nhereyes,
Nanasqueezedherhandst
houitwaswetf
rom t
he
mari
nade.
"Justignoreher
,Iheardshe'
saloudmout h"Nana
said,Thuladowipedhertear
sandcontinuedwit
h
whatshewasdoi ng.Herphonestar
tedri
ngingshe
quicklyri
nsedherhands,shewipedthem and
answer ed.
"
Hey"shesai
dsof
tl
y
"Heygirl
,I'
m makingt
hiscalltoletyoudown.Fr ank
justcal
ledandhesaidwear ei
nvitedtoabraaiand
i
twasi mpor t
antt
ogosoIwon' tbeabletocomet o
yours.IknowIsaidIwillcometohel pandstuffbut
hejustchangedlastminute"Nomzamosai d
"
It
'sokay"Thul
adosai
dheavi
ngasi
gh
"
Areyouokay?
"Nomzamoaskedwor
ri
ed
"
Iwi
llbef
ine,
enj
oyt
hebr
aai
"shesai
dhangi
ngup
*
***
Thul adosmel ledandl ookedf reshaf terthatwel l

deser vedhotshower ,theki dswer ecleaned
dressedaswel l
,theywer eecst ati
cthatt heywer e
host i
ngguest si nt hei
rhome, especial l
yt hechi ldren
youcoul dtellfrom t hewayt heysmi ledandr an
arounddoi nger r
andst irelessly.Musa' ski dsand
Sfisower ealreadyi nthemi dstbutMhl engit old
them t hattheywi llmetacousi n,nowt hatwas
somet hi
ngt heywer elooki ngf or wardt oo.They
screamedwhent heysawShar onambl i
ngi nl ooking
frailanddr ained, Thul adoqui ckl yhelpedhert osit
shehasbeenunwel ll
at ely.Thel ightsofni ght
shimmer edandt heski eswer eascl earascr ystal
,
thechar coali ntensi fi
edi nr ed, givingt hemeata
sizzleint hebr aaist and.Mhl engiandhi sguys
conver sedoverbeer sandweedatback, whilethe
l
adi esdr ankwi neandci dersout sidethepor ch.
Fi
nal
lyFr
ankandhi
sfami
lypar
kedi
ntheyar
d,he
gaveMhl
engiacal
ltosayhehasar
ri
ved.
"
I'
m comi
ng"Mhl
engisai
d
Withi
naf ewmi nutesheappear edcomi ngfr
om the
backyard,hewasi njeans,vansandahoodi eas
al
ways.Youcoul djustf
eel t
hevibe,Frankj
umped
outandbr ohughi m hethenopenedt hedoorfor
Nomzamo, Mhlengiwaitedtobeintroducedwithhi
s
handsbehi ndhisback.Zamounbuckl edSbusisiwe
outofherseat,shewasi nherl
itt
lepartydr
ess,wit
h
cuteli
tt
leponiesonherhead.
"Mhlengit
hismywomanNomzamoandmy
daughterSbusi
siwe"Fr
ankf
inal
lysai
d
"Ihavebeenwai t
ingforthi
sdayNomzamoyouar e
wel comed,I
'm sohappytohavemetyouandl i
ttl
e
princess.Fr
anktalksaboutyouguysalot"Mhlengi
said,FranktookSbusisi
weandMhl engihugged
Zamo.
"
Nicet
ofi
nal
lymeetyout
oo"Nomzamosai
d,she
feltsoguilt
yf ort
hinkingthatFr ankwaslyingthe
ent i
reti
me.Thoughhecoul dn'tseeMhlengi
properlybutshecoul dfeel t
hesameaur aas
Frank'sandt heywer ebuiltthesame.Thent hey
startedwalkingtowardst hehouse, Nomzamo
gaspedi nshocki twasl i
keFr ankwaswi thFredbut
j
ustt all
er.
*
***
Thul
adoandtheot herl
adieslayedoutthefoodon
thet
ableout
side,Lumicamet otellhert
hatdaddy
i
scalli
ngheri
nside,sheleftt
heot hergi
rl
sto
cont
inueassheexcusedher self
.
"Hereshecomes"Mhl engisai
dopeni nghisar msto
hugherasThul adoappearedfrom outsidefoll
owed
byLumi ,
Thuladopickeduphereyesl ookingat
FrankandNomzamost andingbeforeher ,
she
wishedthatshecouldsinkinMhlengi'sembr ace
andnevercomeout ."Babetheyaretelli
ngmeyou
guysmetalreadyi
nchurch,t
heyrecogni
zedt
he
twi
ns"Mhlengisai
dtoThulado.
"Heyguys"Thul
adofinall
ysai
d,"Yes,
weat t
endthe
samechurchandNomzamoi sthatfr
iendIhave
beenref
erri
ngtoo"Thuladoadded
"Ohwow,t
hisi
sunbel
ievabl
e"Mhl
engisai
d
ast
oni
shed
"If
eelsost
upi
dri
ghtnow"Nomzamosai
dface
palmi
ng
"
Wel
comet
othebr
aai
"Thul
adosai
dsmi
li
ng
"
Likeser
iousl
y,Ishoul
dhavej
ustcame"she
l
aughed
"Sor
rytocutyoul adiesbutmamaziFr ankhereis
thebrot
herIhavebeent ell
ingyouabout,Iwanted
himtomeetyouguysf ormall
y"hecall
edt het
wins
andpickedNtobeko, theywer eal
lst
andinginthe
middleoftheroom lookingateachothernot
knowingwhatt osay.
"
Let
'sgoeat
"Thul
adosai
d,shel
edt
hem t
otheback
*
***
Mhlengi '
sbr aaiwasasuccess, theplateswer e
cl
ean, themeatwasf i
nishedandt hechildrenwer e
puttosl eep.Hewasnowdr i
vingShar onbackhome
shehadabl astdi ni
ngwi thyoungvi brantpeopl e,i
t
ki
ndofr ejuvenat edheri naway.Thul adodeci dedto
goandgetabr eatherwhi l
etheot hersenj oyedtheir
beveragesout side,shesatont hebedandt ears
vol
unt aril
yst artedfal l
ingevenshedi dn'tknowwhy.
Shecur ledi ntoabal landcr i
edsi l
entlyunt i
lthe
doorcr eakedopen, shei mmedi atelysatupwi pi
ng
hertears…i twasFr ank.
"Heyyougood?"heaskedcl
osi
ngt
hedoorbehi
nd
himthenhesatnextt
oher
"Yeah…youshoul
dn'
tbehere"shesai
dsof
tl
yso
shedoesn'
twakeupNtobeko
"IknowbutIgotworr
iedwhenIdi
dn'
tseeyou
outside"Fr
anksai
d
"FrankI'
m beggi
ngyou,Mhlengicanneverfindout
.
Itwaseasierknowingyouareastrangerbutnow
youar efamil
yit
'sevenworse"shesaid
"Iknowi t'
scrazy,
neverinami l
li
ont i
mesdidIt hink
thingswi l
lendthi
sway, nowIr ememberyouuset o
sayIl ookli
keyourman, Ibumpedi nt
oyouatt he
hospital!I
tjustdi
dn'
tcli
ck…damn!Butyouar er ight
Mhl engicanneverfi
ndout ,Ir
eallylovewhatwe
have, youandNomzamoar er eall
yclosetoosof or
bot hourfamili
esweshoul dtaket hi
stothegrave"
Franksai d
"Thankyou"Thul
adosai
d,Fr
ankheldherhands
l
ookingint
ohereyes,
shewassobeaut i
ful
.Thul
ado
yankedherhandsaway,
"Youcanleavenow"
Thuladosai
d
"Y-
yeahsure,I
'm sor
ry.I
'
m gladyouaremybrot
her
s
gir
l,her
eall
ylovesyou"FrankInf
ormed,
hethen
walkedouttheroom.
Musa'sgi
rl
fr
iendwasheadingt
otheki
tchenwhen
shecaughtagli
mpseofFrankgent
lyl
atchi
ngt
he
door,shewat chedhi m careful
lyasshewi pedher
l
ipsit'salmostlikehewasgui l
tyofsomet hingthen
hefixedhi sgolfT-shirtandproceeded.Thegi r
lran
i
ntot hekitchenbef oreFrankcouldseeher ,she
coveredhermout hi nshock.Shegr abbedtwosi x
packofSavannahandheadedback, theyneeded
moreofi toutside.Thecool erboxandt hebuckets
weresl owlygoingdownwi ththerateeveryonewas
dri
nking.
*
***
Thuladoemer gedjustacoupl eofmi nutesMhl engi

returnedfrom droppingoffShar on,hehuggedher
from behindThul adosmi l
ed.Theyj oinedtheot hers
ont hechairs,Nanawasqui ettheent i
retime, she
choset oignoreFr ankandNomzamot hought hey
keptkissingandgi ggli
ngloudenoughf orever yone
tohear ,
shef eltt
hef i
reinherebur ningheri nsides
allwasl ef
twasf orhert ovomiti tout.Thuladowas
nowsi tt
ingonMhl engi'
slapwi thaf l
uteofwi ne, she
wasn'tasloudastherest.Musa'
sgirl
fr
iendkepton
givi
ngherthateyebutThuladoremember edhow
sheinsul
tedherearl
iersoshelookedawayt oavoi
d
eyecontact.
Thenightwentonandnoonewaspl anningon
l
eavingscr ewMonday, Nanastoodupoutof
nowhereandt ri
edtostandstil
lbutkepton
stagger
ing, shebalancedwiththechairandfaked
atthedirectionofFrank.
"
Sitdownbabyyougoi
ngt
ofal
l"Sf
isowar
ned
"That'
sit!I'
m done….You! "shesaidpoi nt
ingat
Frank,"Youar eheresmoochi ngandf ingeri
ngyour
girl
fri
endwhi l
eI '
m si
tti
ngher eanddyingi nsi
de.
EveryoneFr ankisarituali
st,hi
m andhi sbrother
sacrif
icemywombsot heycangetr i
ch, t
heyused
fuckmet oget
heratthesamet ime..
.Nomzamo
there'
snot hi
ngspecial aboutyousisi,thi
soneused
tofuckme"shesai dlaughing,Frankjustsatthere
whileSfisowhi skedNanaaway.
"
Whatt
hef
vcki
swr
ongwi
thyou?
"Sf
isoshout
ed
"Leavemealone,
Iwantever
yonetoknowwhatt
hey
didtome"sheweepedpainf
ull
y.
Sfi
sol ockedherinthecarandr eturnedtogethis
j
acketandphone.Heapol ogizedtoFr ankand
Mhl engibefor
edeparti
ng.Musa' sgirlwasalso
tempt edtospil
lthebeansaboutwhatshesaw
earli
eronbutThul adoexcusedher selff
oll
owedby
Nomzamo. .
.Talkaboutbeingsavedbyt hebel
l,she
gulpedhersavannaandshookherhead.I nsi
det he
houseThul adoapologizedtoZamo.
"
It
'sokay,
she'
syourf
ri
end"Zamosai
d
"
Idon'
tevenknowhowt oavoi
ditbecauseSf
isoi
s
f
ri
endswithMhlengi
"Thul
adosaidsadly
"I
t'
sok"theyhuggedinsi
de,
theyli
tt
leloveydovey
part
ywasi nt
err
uptedbyMusa'sgir
l,shebitt
he
savannaonthetablel
oudenoughtogett hem
star
tl
ed.
"
Iwouldn'
thugt
hisonei
fIwasyou"shesai
d
l
ooki
ngatNomzamo
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er68
*
Dur
ban*
Nomzamot ur
nedtol
ookatMusa'
sgir
lf
ri
end
j
udgingbythewayshel
ookedshewassloshed
beyondherl
imit
.
"Iwi
llhugmyThul aanyt
imeIwant
"Zamosaid
l
aughing,Thul
adowonderedwhyshesai
dthatbut
shebrusheditof
f.
"That
'showwel oseourmen,whileyoubusy
huggingandfr
iendingyouremainman-less
becausesomepeopl ethi
nkonl
yt heydeser
vegood
thi
ngs"shesai
dl ooki
ngatThulado
"Doyouhaveapr oblem?"Thuladoaskedi
nfur
iat
ed,
surpr
isedwithhersuddenbravelyi
tmustbethe
winetalki
ng
"Iwil
lkeepqui
ettorespectMusaother
wisewena!"
Shesaidpoint
ingatThulado,
"Wena!Wena!"she
saidagainbef
orewalkingout
"
Yho!
"Nomzamosaid,
"Whatwasthatal
labout
?If
i
t'
snotNanai
t'
sthi
sgi
rl"Zamoadded
"
Ithi
nkshedoesn'
tli
keme,
atl
eastwi
thNanayou
canblametheal
coholbutshei
nsult
edmeearl
ier
andthatwasbef
oreshegotdrunkl
"Thul
ado
i
nfor
med
"
Maybeshe'
senvi
ousofyou"Nomzamosai
d
"There'
snothi
ngt
obeenvi
ousabout,
Ithinkshe'
s
j
ustmean.Anywayareyouguyssl
eepingover?"
Thuladoasked
"
NoI'
m act
ual
lycall
ingitani
ghtnow,
I'
m wor
king
t
omorr
ow"Zamor epli
ed
"
Ineedt
osl
eept
oo"sheyawned
Nomzamowentbackout si
det ogetFranksothey
couldgo.Musaal sodecidedthatitwastime,they
al
lgatheredthei
rchil
drencar r
yingthem i
ntotheir
carssi
ncet heyweresleepingandt heyl
eft.
*
***
Meanwhi
leSf
isopar
kedout
sidehi
shouse,
he
openedthedoorwi thsomuchf ury,Nanahasbeen
weepingtheenti
retripbackhome.Hepul l
edherout
ofthecarandhelpedheri nt
ot hehouse,hewast oo
angrytoevenopenhi smout h.Her anawar m
showerandundr essedher,hepushedherundert he
waterandclosedthecubiclestaringather.He
tur
nedtowal koutbutNanacal l
edhim out
.
"Wher
eareyougoi
ng,
aren'
tyougoi
ngt
ojoi
nme?
"
sheasked
"
No,
I'
m goi
ngback"hesai
d
"Youleavi
ngmeher
eal
one?
"Nanaasked
astounded
"
Yes,Il
eftabr
aaiandmychi l
drensoyeahI
'
m
l
eavi
ngyouherealone"hesai
dpissed
"I
'm amessSfi
soIneedyouherewi thme,Ineed
youtoholdmeandt el
lmethateverythi
ngisgoi
ng
tobeOK…t hechi
ldr
enaresafewithThuladoand
Mhlengipl
easest
ay"shesaidpleadingl
y
"
Nah,
I'
m goi
ng…Iwi
llseeyouwhenIr
etur
n"he
sai
d
"
Sfi
so!
"shecal
ledhi
m outi
ndi
smay
"Ileftmyf r i
endsbr aaiandmyki dsbehindNana!
Becauseyouar esuchamesst hatyoucan' teven
cont rolyour self.Allthatshi tyousai daboutFr ank
andFr edf vckingyouwasunnecessar ynow
ever yoneknows!Howdoexpectever yonet olookat
me?Letmeguessyouwer en'tthinki
ngaboutme
becauset hisi sallaboutyouNana.GodknowsI
empat hizewi thyoubutt hisbehavi orofyour si s
rubbi ngmeof fthewr ongway, youneedt imet o
your selfandt hor oughcounsel ingbutIcan' tdot his
anymor e.Ther e'snowayi nhel lIwil
lstophangi ng
outwi t
hmyf r
iendsbecauseofyou, thosepeopl e
havebeenwi t
hmet hrought hickandt hin,didyou
forasecondt hinkaboutThul adowhoi syourf ri
end.
Canyoui magi newhati st hisdoi ngtoher ,you
ruinedherf ami lycelebr ati
onwi thyourout burst,
that'showsel fishyouar eNana.AndIt hinkit'
st i
me
Itellyout his!Al lthet hi
ngst hathappenedt oyoui s
alsoyourf ault,FrankandFr edpai dfortheirsinsso
Ithinki t
'st i
mef oryout ogoandt akeagoodl ooki n
t
hemir
rorandt
ellmewhatyoucameoutwi
th"he
r
oar
ed
"SoIcan' texpressmysel fbecauseImustt hink
aboutnothur ti
ngotherpeopl e'sfeeli
ngs?Youguys
aregoodyouar enothur t
inglikeme, youhaveno
i
deawhatI '
m goingthrough.Iwi l
lcont i
nue
expressingmysel fr
egardless,there'
sabsol ut
ely
nothingwr ongwi thbeingselfishsomet i
mesi fi
t'
s
foryourwel l-
beingandsani ty.It'
speopl eli
keyou
thatmut eus, peopleratherdiebecauseof
depressionbecauset heycan'tspeak, theymustact
acertainway, t
heymustbehaveandt heymust
thi
nkofot hers.We'l
lIrefuse,Iwillact,Iwil
lnot
behaveandIwi l
lthi
nkofmysel f…r i
ghtnowI '
m
numberone"shescr eamed
"
Nanagof orcounsel
ing,
yousoundr
eal
lyst
upi
d
r
ightnow"heclappedback
"
Youal
sost
upi
d"shescr
eamedback
"
Bye"hesai
dwal
kingout
Nanar
anoutt
heshowerl
eavi
ngi
trunni
ng,
she
chasedaf
terSfi
soinhernakedness, Sfi
sorushed
i
ntothecartoavoidf
urtheralt
ercat
ions.ButNana
j
umpedont othebonnetscreamingathimt hr
ough
thefr
ontwindow,heheavedasi ghjumpingout.
"
Getof
fmycar!Arefvcki
ngpossessed?Youl
eftmy
wat
errunni
ngandnowyouactingli
keacrazy
woman"Sfi
sospat
"Youarenotgoinganywhere,I'
m goi
ngtoburnthi
s
house"shesai
dst er
nly,Sf
isodashedbacki
ntothe
house,hehurr
iedint
ot hebathr
oom andswit
ched
offt
heshower.
Nanawasr ightbehindhim bi
cker
ing,hewalkedout
ofthebathr
oom i ntohi
sbedroom tr
yinghar
dt o
screenherout,thenextthi
nghefeltasti
ngonhi s
backwhenhet urnedaroundi
twasNanat hrowing
thi
ngsathim.
"
Stopt
hatr
ightt
hisi
nst
ant
!"Sf
isowar
nedbuti
twas
asifhewasfuel
ingher.Shescannedaroundfor
evenheavi
erobj
ectbutSfisor
anupt oherandheld
herhands
"
Getdr
essedI
'
mtaki
ngyouhome"hesai
d
"No!Youarenotgoi
ngbackt
oMhl
engi
'
shouse"she
screamed
Sfisorummagedi nt
ohi sclosetlookingforadress
orsomesor tofclot
hingt hatbelongedtoher,
fortunat
elyhef oundakni tt
edpol yneckdress.Nana
ranoutoft heroom intothel oungeandshest art
ed
droppingvasesscat t
eringcushi onsonthef l
oor,
Sfisopouncedonherst ranglingherdown.
"I
ist
enhereyoubi t
ch!Iwillki
llyouri
ghthere,
right
nowuyangi zwa.Nowputt hisdressandgetthefvck
outofmyhouse, youtrashingmypl aceknowing
youdon'tevenhaveacentt oyourname.Doyou
evenknowhowmucht heset hi
ngscostinthe
shops?JustbecauseI'
m understandi
ngtowar
ds
you,youthinkI'
m aweakl
inguyanyastrai
ght
.Get
up!"hesaidlet
ti
nggoofher ,Nanahel
dontoher
neckwhileshewascoughi ng.
Sfisot hrewt hedr essather ,sheslowl yputi ton, he

thencockedhi sgunandt oldhert ogetoutshe
compl i
ed.Ther idet oNana' shomewasqui etand
fri
ght eningi twasasi facatcaughthert ongue, he
par kedupt her oadandwai t
edf orhertoent erher
houset henhedr oveof f
.Hewasnowheadi ngt o
Mhl engi'shouse, hehadal otoft hi
ngspl ayingi nhis
mi nd.Her egr ettedmanhandl i
ngherandr esor ti
ng
i
nusi ngaggr essionbuti twast heonl ywayt oget
hert ocal m downandl eave.Godknowshet ri
edbut
i
twast r
uet hatyoucan' tfixever yt
hing,i
twascl ear
thatNanawasgoi ngt obet oxicandhewast oo
grownupf ort hatsh! t
.Shei rkedhim byt rashi nghis
placebutt henai lwasal r
eadyhammer edont othe
cof fi
nwhenshepr oudlyannouncedt hathewas
fvckedbyt womenatonce…whatt hefvck!
*
***
Thul
adoandMhlengiweresleepinginthei
rroom
remi
nisci
ngthef
ir
stevergettogethert
heirhost
ed
asacouple.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkitwasbadatal
l
,thef
oodwasgr
eatby
t
heway"Mhlengisai
d
"Exceptf
orNana,Ir
eal
lydon'tknowwhatt
odo"
Thuladosai
dwithaboredsigh
"Rel
ax!Fr
ankiscoolI
'm worr
iedaboutSf
iso.The
guyevenlef
thiski
ds"Mhlengisai
dconcerned
"
Theyar
esaf
eher
e,Idon'
tmi
nd"Thul
adosai
d
"Whywouldawomanai rsuchembar rassmentin
fr
ontofever
yone.Nanaactsasifshewasr aped.
Frankt
ell
smehowsheseducedhi m andt hatshe
l
ovedeveryminuteofi
tplusshewasl ivi
ngherbest
l
ifeasasoci
almediacelebr
it
y"Mhlengisai d
"Al
lofthati
struebuti
tdoesn'tchangethef
actt
hat
sheishurti
ng,
she'scr
yingforhelp"Thul
adosai
d
"Thenshemustdot herightt hingandgof or
counsel i
ng, shemustchooseherheal thandsani ty
becausehonest l
yherout burst sareonly
embarr assingherf urt
her .Idon' tseeSfisocarrying
onwi t
hheraf t
ert hatt
hreesomeepi sode,IknowI
wouldn'tnowt hegentsmustl ookatyouwi t
ht hat
eyethatyourl adyi snotspeci alallt
heguyshave
beenfucki ngher .NowSf isoknowst hatFrankhas
seenNana' snakednessandweknowt oosoi twe
alwaysbeat hing.Wet akepr ideinourwomen"he
chuckled,Thul ado' sheartpoundedhar dagainsther
chestthinkingoft hatnightwi t
hFr ankthough
thi
ngsar eabl urbutsher emember sbitsandbobs
oftheexpl icitscenest hatt ookpl aceaftercuddling
onthecouchandGodknowsshewoul dhateitif
shelosesMhl engioveroneni ghtofstupidit
y.
"
AreyouOK?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Y-yeahI
'
mjustt
hinki
ng"shesai
d
"
Aboutwhat
?"Mhl
engiasked
"
Areyouashamedofme?
"sheaskedoutoft
hebl
ue
"
No!Why?
"Mhl
engiar
chedhi
sbr
ow
"Musa'sgir
lf
ri
endinsul
tedmecalli
ngmeunti
dyand
thatshefel
tsorr
yforyou..
.t
hatgotmewonder
ing"
Thuladosaid
"
Firstofallyouarenotunti
dyandIloveyouso
mucht hatithur
ts.I'
m st
il
lgoi
ngtodealwit
h
Khuzanifortouchingmycake"hesaidseri
ousl
y
"
Hewaster
ri
bleIkeptonthi
nki
ngaboutyout
he
whol
eti
me"sheblur
tedout
"Stil
l…nooneisal
lowedtoevenl
ookati
t,i
fIwas
SfisoIwouldhavediedr
ightt
her
ewhenNanathrew
thatstunt
"hechuckl
ed
"
Buti
thappenedalongt
imeago,
theywer
en'
teven
t
oget
herthen"Thul
adot
ri
edt
oreason
"Youdon'tunderstand,nowt hatweal lknowi t'
sa
dif
ferentstor
y.Wear epr oudofourt hings
especial
lyourwomen"Mhl engiemphasi zed,"Back
towhatMusa' sgi r
lf
ri
endsai d, she'
sjustnast ythat
one.Sheal waysupi npeopl e'sbusiness, Iwil
ltalk
tohim andhewi llsortherout .Youar enotadi r
ty
personbutyouj ustneedhel pondeal i
ngwi t
h
certai
nthingsandIwi l
lholdyourhandr ight
t
hroughi
t"Mhl
engi
final
lysai
d
Thuladokeptquietandturnedgi
vingMhl
engiher
back,ther
ewasasoundofsomeoneknocki ngon
thedoor.Mhlengijumpedoutofbedandheadedto
thekit
chentoattendtheknock.I
twasSfi
so,helet
himinandhel ookedlikeshambl
es.
"CanIsleeponyourcouchman?
"heaskedi
na
vergeoftear
s
"Sur
e! "
Mhlengisaid,
hebr ohuggedhi mt hanhe
l
ockedt hedoor,hedissapearedintohisbedroom
andr et
urnedwithasheetandabl anket.Sfi
so
snuggledont hecouchandst aredintospace,
Mhlengifeltpi
tyforhim ashewal kedawaygi vi
ng
him space.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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Chapt
er69
Sfisowokebef oreever yoneandwai tedforhiskids

assoonast heywer eup, hethankedThul adoand
Mhl engithenhel eft.Hepar kedoutsidehishouse
andi nstr
uctedt hatt heyst ayedinthecar,hedidn't
wantt hem toseet hemessbecauseonewor dto
theirmot hershel lwillbreaklooseshef et
chedt hei
r
i
roneduni f
orm, hel earntf r
om youngt oalwaysbe
readybecauseyouneverknowwhenanoppor tuni
ty
willpresentitselfsobecauseoft hatlessonf r
om
hismot her,hiscl othesar ealwaysironedandr eady.
Het ookt heclothesandt hebagswi t
ht othecarand
drovehi skidst ohismot her'shousewher etheygot
readyforschool.Theyknewbett
ert
hant oquesti
on
daddyoft hesuddenchangeofrout
ine,
hedr opped
them offatschoolandret
urnedt
ohistrashed
housetocl ean.
*
***
Afterthemor ningr ushMhl engiwasschedul edto

meetupwi t
hFr anksot heycoul ddrivedownt othe
Khozaof fi
cest obeacquai ntedwi t
ht heKi ngforthe
bigtransact i
on.Af terdroppingof fThul adohewas
backhomest ar i
ngathi sbrandnewt uxedot hat
Frankor ganizedf orhi m,hewant edthem t olook
l
iketwi nsandconf uset heenemy.Hel aughed
shakinghi sheadbef orecar eful
lyput ti
ngitonandi t
fi
ttedhi mlikeagl ove, hisbracketlegswer e
beautifull
ycar vedi nhi spant sandt hej acketwas
l
ikehi ssecondski n.Hesl i
di nhisloaf ersafter
putti
ngonhi ssecr etsockst henhest oodi nfrontof
themi rrorstaringhar d,savoringtheawkwar d
sil
ence, suddenl yhef eltal
lkindsofemot i
ons.This
wasabeginningofgr
eatt
hings,hewastowr
it
ea
onacleanpage,hewasgoingtomakeanamef or
hi
mselfandthere'
snowaybettert
hantodoi
twith
abrot
hernexttoyou.
Afteraccessor izinghimself,hekneel eddown

conduct ingashor tprayerasThul adoi nstr
uct
ed
himt odo, hest il
lhadanhourbef oretheycould
embar kont hi
sj ourneysohedeci dedt ospendt hi
s
ti
mebyt hepi erandenj oythecal mnessoft hesea
whilehesel fintrospect.Meanwhi leFrankparked
outsidet hehospi tal
,hewasal ldressedupf orthe
meet ingaswel l,lookingequallydazzl i
ngas
Mhl engibutf orsomer easonhi sdemonsl edhi
m
here.Her equest edf orMissMdl etsheatthe
recept i
on, thefriendlyladydirectedhi mt owhere
Thul ado'sr oom was.
Hewaitedoutsidesi
nceshewasbusywitha
pati
enti
nside,aft
erawhatseemedli
keeter
nit
ythe
dooropenedandapr egnantl
adywaddl
edout,
Thuladopeepedherheadtocallfort
henextpatient
butstoppedathertr
ackswhenshesawFr ank
st
andingtohisfeetl
ooki
ngstraighti
ntohereyes.
"
Frank!
"shef
rowned
"
Canwet
alk?
"heaskedpl
eadi
ngl
y
"OhOK"Thul adodissapearedbacki
nsidetowash
herhands,thenshef ol
lowedFrankoutofthe
hospit
al,
theywer enowst andi
nginthegardenj
ust
outofpeople'st
houghyoucoul dsti
llseet
he
parki
nglotinadistance.
"
Thul
ado!
"Fr
anksai
dhol
dingherhands,
hewant
ed
t
ocry
"
Whati
swr
ong?
"sheaskedwor
ri
ed
Franksnakedhi sarmsar oundherwaistand

smashedi ntoherli
ps,Thul adoj
ustfr
ozeinone
posit
ion,
Fr ankreal
izedwhathewasdoi ngand
pull
edoutqui ckl
yscratchinghishead.
"
Fuck!
"hemumbl
ed
"Soyoucameal lt
hewayheretodot hi
s?"Thul
adu
asked,"
Soyoudon'twanttoseemehappy, you
wantMhl engit
ofi
ndoutandendthingswithme,
that
'swhatyouwantri
ght?"Thul
adoadded
"No!Ineedhelp…Idon'tknowwhatthefvckis
happeningtome, Ican'tevensl
eepatnightt
hinki
ng
aboutyou.Ithi
nkI '
mf all
ingi
nlovewit
hmy
brot
herswoman…I '
m doomed"hesaidwi t
htears
str
eamingdownhi sface
"Nono!Nonono!Youar enotfal
li
ngi nlovewit
hme
becauseIloveMhlengiandyouloveNomzamoget
thstt
hroughyourt
hi ckskul
l….St
opt hismadness
OK?St opit
,youar
ehur ti
ngme.Ilovemyf amil
y
FrankOKandIdon' twantanyofthis"Thuladosai
d
walki
ngbackwards
"Pleasehearmeout,l
ikeIsaidIdon'
tknowwhat's
happening.I'
mreal
lysorryandIpromiseyouI
'm
notgoingtoactonit,
Ijustneededsomeonetotal
k
too"Hesaidhonest
ly
"
Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
sagoodi
deat
hatyoukeepcomi
ng
tomethoughespeci
all
yaf
terwhathappened"
Thul
adosaidst
ernl
y
"
Imi
ssFred,
ifhewashereIknowhewouldhel
p
met
hrought
his"hel
aughedthr
oughhi
stear
s,
"I
'
m sorr
ybutIhavetogo"Thuladoranbackinsi
de,
i
naf ewminut
esFrankcoll
ectedhimsel
faftert
hat
embarr
assi
ngepisodeandstr
ut t
edtohiscar.
Ifecouldn' tbel i
evewhathesawwi thhiseyes, he
foll
owedaf t
ert hem whenhenot i
cedt hem taking
ther outetot hegar dens,heknewbr otherFredf rom
chur chandwonder edwhatwashi sbusinesswi t
h
Thulado.Whenhesawt heki ssher anforhisdear
l
ifebef oret heycat chhi m, peopl
ewhoar edoi ng
thingst hatt heyar en'tsupposedt obedoi ngcan
evenki llyoui fyoucomeoutandsayyousawt hem.
Forhi slifeoo, hewasgoi ngtomi ndhi sown
business.
Frankrecl
inedtheseatoft
hecarsohecoul
drest
backthenthatdayatSenzo'
shousepl
ayedinhi
s
headl i
keamovi e.Thuladocuddl ingwi thhim onthe
couch, hewasar ousedtot hemaxandThul adowas
vi
bingt oo.Heremember edpickingherupf rom t
he
couchast heywer ekissinghungr il
yintot hespare
bedr oom, hethrewheri nbedandt urnedar oundto
l
ockt hedoorjusti ncaseSenzomi raculouslywakes
upt henhewentbl ank…itwasal ongt i
meago, t
hen
i
tcamebackagai nsl
owl y,herecalledlookingather
beaut ifulf
lowert henhewaseat ingupt hatpvssy
mer cilessl
y,shewasmoani ngsol oudhegavehera
pil
lowt ocoverherf acebutwhensher eachedher
orgasm shescr eamedMhl engi'sname.
Beingapossesedj erkbackthenhehadt hought sof

fvckingherbr ainl
essinherholeandi nheranusf or
call
inghi m byherdudesnamebutheri nnocence
andbeaut yactedli
keacoveringspellar oundher ,
hejustdi dn'tseehimselfhur
tingherliket hatsohe
retr
eat edandt heyslepti
neachot her'
sar ms.I nthe
mor ningt heshor tl
adywasi ncompl etepani cwhen
sher ealizedwhathadhappenedandFr ankf ueled
herbyf abricati
ngliesaboutthem goingal linnast y
buthethoughtshewoul df i
gureitoutsinceshewi l
l
feelt
hepainofpenetrati
ont henextdaybuti t
seemedlikeshewascl ueless.Hewant edt oget
evenwithSenzoaswel l,seeingThuladowaki ngup
nexttohim…hisdream gi r
lthathecouldn'tevenget
butthi
ngsdidn'tmateri
ali
zet hatwaywhenshe
foundoutthatherchil
drenwer eindanger .Shelef
t
andheneversawheragai nunt i
lnow.
Hest i
llfeltl
ikemessi
ngar oundwit
hhersomemor e
butt hingswer edif
fer
entnow, hewashisbrot
her
s
girlandheneededt oprayagainstt
hesedestr
uct
ive
feeli
ngs.Hewassoangr ybecausehedidn'
tknow
wher et heycamef rom andwhywer et
hey
i
ntensi fying.
"HeavenlyFather
"heutteredt
henhewi pedhis
tears,
"I'
m goingast
rayagain,
Icanalmostseet he
promiselandbutobstaclesar
epull
ingmedown. .
Pleasehelpme"hesai dbefor
estar
tingthecar,
he
pressedont hegasandleftcl
oudsofdustbehind.
Inaf ewmi nut eshepar kedout sideNomzamo' s
wor kplace, t
hesecur i
tywasexpect inghim,he
ascendedt hestairstoleavet hecarkeyswi thZamo,
Mhl engiofferedt odri
vet hem insteadofwast i
ng
petrolonbot hcar s.Nomzamobeamedseei ngher
manl ookingdapperout sidet heclassroom the
chil
dr enpeepedoutandbegannudgi ngeachot her
i
twasn' tever ydayyougett oseeyourt eacher'
s
signifi
cantot her.Shehuggedabot heredFrankt hat
l
ookedr i
diculouslyredonhi sface.Shef r
owned
gawki ngathi m.
"
Areyouokay?
"sheaskedconcer
ned
"Y-
yeahjustst
ressedaboutaf
ewt
hings"hesai
d
honest
ly
"Rel
axever
ythingwi l
lworkoutthewayi tsupposed
tooandnowatl eastyounotalone,youhave
Mhlengi
"sheassur edhi
m andseal editwithakiss,
shenoti
cedthest r
ongtasteofment holi
nhi ssali
va
thenafemini
nescentwaf tedswift
lyfrom him.She
pull
edoutandstudi
edhi
m, "
Icansmell
awoman
butIdon'twantt
orui
nyourmorni
ng,
wewil
ltal
k
l
ater"shesaidl
ooki
ngaway
"Hey!"Franksaidpul
li
ngherclose,
"Don'trui
nyour
daybyt hinki
ngofnegati
vit
y.Yesyouar esmelli
nga
woman, lIstoppedatt
hegaragetobuysome
sweet sandIbumpedi nt
ooneofmyol demployee,
shegotcar ri
edawayandhuggedme, Iloveyou"he
said
"
Iloveyout
oo,
Goodl
uck"Shesai
dwavi
ngathi
m
Heheavedasi
ghofrel
iefbef
oredescendi
ngthe
st
air
s,hewast
owaitforMhlengiatt
heparki
nglot
.
*
***
Mhlengiwasonhiswaytopi
ckupFr ank,he
decidedtocal
lThul
ado,
heconnect
edt hecal
ltot
he
Bluetoot
h.
"
Fuze!
"shesai
dsweet
ly
"
Cher
ieyami
!What
'sgood?
"heasked
"Nothi
ngmuch,
Iwantmydayt
oendal
ready"she
said
"Justacoupl
emorehours,
I'
m onmywaytopickup
Frankandwearegoodtogo"hesai
dexci
tedl
y
"
That
'
sgood"shesai
dner
vousl
y
"Iwant
edtotellyout
hatIl
oveyoumamazi andI
cannotwaitt
omakei tupt
oyou.Foral
lthoseyear
s
youputupwi t
hmybul l
sh!
tIwi
llt
hankyouproperl
y"
hesaideagerl
y
"Themostpr eci
ousgi
fti
stowakeupnexttoyou
everyday,Il
oveyousomuch"Thul
adosaid
genuinely
"
Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
"hesai
dthenhehungup
Hepul
ledupt heschoolandcaughtaglimpseof
Fr
ankfocusi
ngonhi sphone,hehoot
edathim,
Fr
anksmiledandj oggedatthedir
ect
ionofthecar
wi
thhi
shear tthumpingitwasalmostasifMhlengi
wil
lseet
hroughhi
sshort
comi
ngs.Hehoppedi
n
andavoi
dedeyecont
actbyal
lmeans.
"
Washalazamanje,
what
'sup?"Mhl
engiasked
l
aughi
ng( whyar
eyouedgy)
"
I'
m ner
vous"hesai
dchuckl
ingner
vousl
y
"
Rel
axthisi
sadonedealmf
ethu,
wegott
his"
Mhl
engisai
d
Frankchort
lener
vousl
yasMhl
engidroveout
,they
wereheadedtomeetupwit
hNtsi
kaforthe
tr
ansacti
on.
*
***
Sbusiwewokeupf r
om hernapwhilet
henannywas
busyinthekit
chen,
shesawaf igur
eofsomething
thatscar
eddayli
ght
soutofher,shewail
edwiththe
l
astofvoicesshehadi
nher .Hercr
ywassharpand
l
oudt henannyboltedi
ntothebedr oom wit
hher
heartpounding,whatsortofcrywast hat?She
quicklywhiskedheroutofhercr i
bandcr adl
edher,
shekeptqui etbutyoucouldsti
llhearherheart
beatingfastandshedidn'twantthenannyt oput
herdown.
2021
-
--
--
--
Haveal
ovel
yweekend
[
11/
22,
14:
45].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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Chapt
er70
"I
'
mtryi
ngtoscr
eam butmyheadisunderwat
er,
andt
hisdemon'
scl
awi st
ryi
ngtocatchahol
dof
myhem"
~Fr
ank
*
Dur
ban*
Mhl engiandFr ankst oodoutsideinawe!lookingat

Ktech'sitwasmassi veandsomoder n,
theyhad
glasswal l
sandt heywer eshinningli
keadi amond.
Thegr assont hewal kwaywasheal thyandgr een,
andt echinventiveswer edisplayedrandoml ywith
pridejustbytheent rance,youdi dn'
thavet oaskif
thecompanywasdoi ngwel l
.Assoonast hey
walkedi ntheyweregr eet
edbyt herecepti
onistwho
thenledt hem t
otheboar droom upstai
rs,upon
arri
valtheyfoundthreemenador nedinexpensive
suit
st heyrosetotheirfeettowelcomet hem.
"
Youwel
comegent
s!I
'
m Nst
ika"t
heonesai
d
"Wenaongasenhla!
"Mhl
engisai
dgent
lybowi
nghi
s
head,
Frankdidthesame
"
Pleaset
here'
snoneedforthather
e,l
et'
sjustchi
ll
"
Ntsi
kasai
d,"Pl
easemeetmybr ot
herNkosana
Khozaandmybr ot
heri
nlawNkanyeziNorwood"
Ntsi
kasai
d
"
Iknowal
otaboutyousi
r!
"Fr
anksai
dexci
tedl
y
l
ooki
ngatNkosana
"
Ihopeal
lgoodt
hings"Nkosanasai
dchuckl
ing
"Mybrotherl
ookeduptoyouhewasanupcoming
busi
nessmogul ,
heabsolut
elyl
ovedyouandwhat
youstandfor
"Franksai
d
"Youcantel
lhimtocomethr
oughsoIcanpickhi
s
brai
noverbreakf
ast
,whoknowsImightl
ear
na
t
hingort
wof
rom hi
m"Nkosanasai
d.
"Sadlyhisl
ate,
hewasmyt
winFr
ed"Fr
anksai
d
shrugginghi
sshoul
der
s
"I'
m sor
ryforyourl
ossmanandher eIwasthi
nki
ng
thatyoutwoaretwins"Nkosanasai
ddar
ti
nghis
eyesbetweenthebrother
s
"Ni
cetomeetyoual l
"Mhlengif
inal
lysaid,
"Befor
e
westartIwanttoknowwhobui l
tthi
splaceit'
s
exqui
sit
eandt hedecor
…justwow"Mhl engiadded
"Youl ooki
ngatt heman"Nkanyezisai
d,"
The
previousbuildingwasalr
ightbutt
hefaceli
fti
s
betternowi tlooksl
ikeatechcompany"headded
"
Blowyourhor
nNor
thwood"Nkosanasai
d
"Yes!Iwil
lbl
owmyhor nbecauset
hisplacel
ooks
hell
afinebecauseofmywork…Norctur
ebaby!"He
saidturni
ngwithhi
schai
r
"Asyoucanseewear epr oudmeni nhere.Youare
l
ookingattheCEOofKt echs,K-empir
eandNoct ur
e
archi
tect
sunfor
tunat
elymyot herbrother
scouldn'
t
makei t
,pl
easetakeaseat "Nt
sikasai
d
Theyal
ltooktheirdesi
gnatedseatsaroundt
hedark
chocol
ateboardtable,
Ntsi
kalockedthedoorand
dimmedtheblindsbeforehecouldproceed.
"
OKnowtel
lmewhatar
eyourpl
ans"Nt
sikaasked
wit
hast
rai
ghtf
ace
"Wewantt ostartbusi
nessesbutIhaveacr i
minal
recordandI'
m notoutofthegutteryetsomy
brotherher
ewi l
lbetheforef
rontofital
l"Mhl
engi
said
"
Whatwer
eyoui
nfor
?"Nkanyezi
asked
"
Moneyhei
st"hesai
dfl
oppi
ngbackonhi
sseat
"
What ?"Nkanyezisai
dchuckl
ing,
"Youshoul
dmeet
Mfanayout wowi l
lgetal
ongl
ikeahouseonfir
e"
Nkanyeziadded
"Tr
ue!Nowthatweknowyouaren'
tarapi
stsoran
abusi
vepri
ckwecantal
k"Nkosanasai
d
"
NahI'
m noneoft
heabove,
wecanpr
oceed"
Mhl
engisai
d
"
OKnowtel
laboutt
hisJessi
egi
rl"Nt
sikaasked
wit
hast
rai
ghtf
ace
"
She'
srich"Mhl
engisai
d,t
heyal
lbr
okeouti
n
l
aught
er
"I
t'
sclearmybr
otherher
elovesmoney"Fr
anksai
d
chuckli
ng
"
Moneyi
sgood"Nkanyezisai
d
"Besidethefactt
hatshe'
srich,whatdoessheli
ke.I
wantt osendheral i
nksothatIcanaccessherher
personalinf
o"Ntsikasai
d
"She'
sadogper
son,
anar
ti
standabi
tch"Mhl
engi
said
"
Don'
tfor
getthatshel
ovesbl
ackd!
cks"Fr
anksai
d,
t
heyal
lchuckled
"I
nter
esti
ng!Iwi l
lsendhersomethi
ngthatshewi
ll
openimmedi atel
y,doesshecheckheremail
s
regul
arl
y"Ntsika.
"
Yeah!
"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
Therewasaknockont hedoor ,Nkanyezi was
cl
osertothedoor ,soheopenedi t.Ther eceptioni
st
pushedinat r
ipl
et i
ertr
ayfil
ledwi t
hf ood, itwasa
vari
etyofmeat ,
saladsandphut hut hent herewas
plat
esandcut l
ery.Thefoodl ookedappet izing
Mhlengi'
stastebudswer ealreadyshar penedhe
wasaf oodieunapologeti
c.
"
Ist
hisf
rom t
her
est
aur
ant
?"Nkanyezi
askedNt
sika
"
No!It
'scomingfrom Nkosana'
shouset
hewi
ves
madeit"Nt
sikaanswered
"Iwasshockedthi
nki
ngtherest
aurantmakes
phuthuaswell
"Nkanyezisai
dchuckli
ng
"
Never!masaidifwewantphut
huwemustopena
r
estaur
antfort
radi
ti
onalf
oodstr
ict
ly"Nkosana
r
esponded
"
Youguysgoaheadandeat
,letmef
ini
sht
hisbai
t
l
ink"Nt
sikasai
d
Theguyspl
atedt
hef
oodandt
heyst
art
edeat
ing,
Nt sikawasf ocusedonhi sscr eenwhi lehisf inger
s
wer er unni ngont hatkeyboar dlikehewasaboutt o
wi namar athon.Fr ankwast akenabackbyt he
aut hent i
cityoft heseguys, whenFr edandhi m were
att het op, theyat et hosef ancyoyst erdishesf r
om
topr est aurant s.Itwasessent ialfort hem t obeseen
i
nhi ghpl acesdoi ngt hingsonl yt her i
chcoul d
affor dbutsi t
tingar oundt histabl eoccupi edby
fi
lthyassr i
chmendem whoser vedheavy
traditionalmeal si nmeet ingswasi mpr essi veand
war m.Her eal l
ylovedt hevibehewasget ti
ng, i
t
ser vedasani nspirati
ont ohim, hef oundhi mself
l
ooki ngatMhl engiwhoseemedt obei nhi selement.
Hewasl aughi ngandgel ingwi tht heguysl ikehe
knewt hem f rom manyyear sago, hef eltfi
rei nsi
de
him andhewassur ethathewantt hiski ndof
atmospher ef orhi m andMhl engi.
"Done!"Nt
sikasaidheavi
ngasighofr
eli
ef,he
grabbedhisplat
eandat t
ackedt
hemeatfir
st
"Sojustbysendi
nganemai
li
t'
sdone"Mhl
engi
askedinter
est
ed
"No,there'scodehiddeni nthatemai l.That
'swhy
somet imesyoushoul dn'tjustopensuspi cious
emai lthatpopsupyouri nboxi tcouldbeahacker
wait
ingt ohol dyourpossessionr ansom.Jessi ewil
l
getani nvitat
iontoalegitnewlyopenedgal ler
yto
beoneoft hespeakers,Imadesur etheper sonwho
i
nvitedherwasbl ackmanandi fsheiswhatyou
descr i
bedt hanshewillt
akebai t
!"Ntsikasaid
confidently
"
Youneedt
oteachme"Mhl
engisai
d
"Never
!ThelastpersonItaughtwasmybestf riend
andhealmostgotmei nt
osomeser i
oussh!
t,you
areaKrugerIcanjusttel
l.Youwillcl
eanpeopleout
andIcanseeyoucan' tevencoveryourtr
acks
other
wiseyouwouldn'thavegottencaughtbythe
copsforthehei
st"Ntsi
kasaid
"Ei
sh!
"Mhlengiscr
atchedhi
sheadsmi
li
nghi
ding
hisembar
rassment
"Sti
llt
heydidn'
trecoverthecash"Franksai
dinhis
brothersdef
ense,"It
hinkhisagreatKruger
"Frank
said
"
Grant
ed"Nt
sikasai
d,"
Butyouboysaresti
llsmal
l
i
nthegame,youneedgui
dance"Nt
sikasai
d
Nt
sikacheckedhi
sscr
een,
hej
umpedi
nexci
tement
.
"Wein"hesai
dwi
thagr
in,
"Shehasr
epl
ied"he
added
"
Justl
iket
hat
?Wow"Mhl
engisai
dgobsmacked
"OKI'
m goi ngtomovei tintoaghostaccountf ora
montht hanIwi llmovei ntooneofourpr otect
ed
dummyaccount suntilyoutwof igureitoutbecause
onemi stakeyouwi l
lloseeverything.Afteramont h
Iwil
lli
qui datethisaccountsot heycannevert race
i
t,Maphol obayouar enowami ll
ionair
e!"Nt si
ka
sai
d,theyal lapplaudedf orhi
m
"
Areyouser i
ous?
"Mhl
engiasked,
Nkosanaand
Nkanyezismir
ked
"Yeahman!Whatdoyout
hinkIwasdoi
ngher
e?
Playi
ng?
"Ntsi
kasai
d
"
Ithi
nkyouneedt
oteachJessi
eal
esson"Nkanyezi
sai
d,"Shecan'
tgoaroundf
raudi
ngpeopl
eusi
ngher
pri
vil
eges"Headded
"
I'
m notint
othatrandom sh!
tanymore.Al
lIcando
i
ssellsomethi
ngthatbel
ongstoherandthemoney
wil
lcomebackt oyou"Hesaidlooki
ngatMhlengi
"
Sel
lthathousei
nDurbanNor t
h,Iwantt
hatol
dhag
whoi
nsultedmetogetevi
cted"Hesaidl
aughi
ng
"Sure,Iwillputitupforsale.Wewillbeincontact
,I
haveal lherinformati
onwi thme"het ur
nedthe
screent oshowt hem Jessi
caIDnumber s,
cell
phoneandt el
ephonenumber s,
bankpi nsI
nfact
everythingaboutherwasdi spl
ayedont hescr
eenit
wasf ascinating.
"
Remindmenevert
omesswithyouguys…howt
he
f
vck?
"Franksai
dhi
seyesasbi
gassaucers
"Nothi
ngisimpossibleexceptf
ort het
hingsofGod,
youcanneverbet oocareful
.Justbyclicki
ngona
messageonyourphoneyoucanl oseeveryt
hing
butonlyafewpeopl ehavethekindofknowledgeI
have"Ntsi
kasaid
"
Mindbl
owi
ng"Mhl
engisai
d
"Howaboutwescheduleanothermeet
ingt
otal
k
aboutbusiness,
Ithi
nkIcanhel
pyouguys.We
actual
lyspokebefor
eyoucamei nt
hat
'swhywear
e
here"Nkosanasaid
"Yeah, Ntsikafoundinterestinyouandheal ert
ed
usbecausewehaveapr ogram wherewehel p
aspi r
ingbusi nessment obuildthei
rbusinesses
from scratchbutt her
e'sapr ocesswhichourwi fe
Nt ombifuthihasi npl
ace, yougetscreenedandall
oft hatbutf orguyswecanj usttal
k"Nkanyezi
added
"Youhavealotofmoneybutwi t
houtproper
guidancei
tcanfini
shwithi
nasnapofaf i
ngerand
i
twi l
lbeli
keyouneverhadit,
wear eheretohelp.
That'
sifyoutwoareint
erest
ed"Nkosanasaid
"Pl
easehel
pus.Webothhavef amil
iesandwehave
suf
feredaloti
twoul
dbet er
ri
blet
oloseallthi
s
moneywithnothi
ngtoshow"Mhlengisaid
"AndIthoughtIknewi
tal
lunt
ilIl
osti
t,i
twasclear
thatmylatebrot
herwast
heonerunni
ngt heshow"
Franksaidhonestl
y
"
It
'sadealt
hen,
wewi l
lmeetyouagai
ngentlemen"
Ntsi
kasai
d,t
heyal
lagreedshaki
nghands.
Ont heirwayoutt heymett hewi ves,t

heywer e
si
tti
ngbyt hef
oyerdr i
nkingcof fee,t
hemenwal ked
uptot heirpar
tnersandst artedkissi
ng,Mhlengi and
Franklookedar oundaiml essly.Therecept
ioni
st
sawt hisandshechuckl ed, t
heywer eusedofi t
.
"Sorryguys"Nkosanasaid,"
Weal waysgetcarr
ied
away"hesai dsnakinghishandaround
Masabat ha'
swaist,"MeetMasabathashe'sal
l
mi ne"Hesaidki
ssinghercheekMasabat ha
blushed
"Meetthemostbeauti
fulwomaninthewor l
d,my
HermosaNkosazaneNor wood"Nkanyezisai
d
proudl
y,Zaneshookherheadgiggl
ing,"
Niceto
meetyouguys,Ithi
nkwespokeovert hephone"
ShesaidtoMhlengi
"
Yeswehave"Mhl
engiagr
eed
"Hermajest
y,miDiamanteMrsNtsi
kayomi
zithe
secondKhoza"Ntsikasai
dst
ari
ngatNandil
icki
ng
hisl
ips
"Nicet
omeetyouboFuze"shesmi
led,
Mhl
engiand
Frankgent
lybowed
"
Thankyou,
nicet
omeetyoual
l"t
hebr
other
ssai
d
t
oget
her
Theybi
dfar
ewellbutj
ustastheywer
eaboutt
o
st
epoutNandical
ledt
hem out.
"Sor
rytoappearf
orwardbutIhaveamessagef
or
you"Shesaidl
ookingatFr
ank
"
OhOK"hesai
drel
uct
ant
ly
"
Iwi
llwai
tint
hecar
"Mhl
engisai
dwal
kingaway
"Fol
lowme"Nandisaidl
eadi
nghi
mint
oar
oom j
ust
behi
ndtherecept
ion
Ther
ewast
wocouchesandacof
feet
abl
eint
he
middle,Nandisatcomf ort
ablyont heoppositeseat,
shefoldedherl egsst aringatFrank,themor ehe
squir
medunderherpr esencethegazi ngfrom
Nandiintensif
ied.Itwasasi ftheywer ehavinga
spir
it
ualconver sat
ionbuti ncompl et
esi l
ence.
Frank'
slipstremblecausi ngasof tsobtoescape
hismout h,hecover edhi sfacehidinghisbar eness
butNandiwasher ef orar eason.
"Thingsaren'
tlooki
nggoodf oryouisn'
t?"Nandi
askedgl oomil
y,i
twasasi fshepouredgallonsof
parrafi
ninthefir
e,Frankwasnowcr ying
i
nconsol abl
yandNandif el
tnothingbutpit
yf orhi
m.
Afterawhi l
ethewaterworksstoppedandFr ank
coll
ectedhimselftotal
ktotheQueen.
"Howarefeel
ing"Nandiasked,nott
hatshedidn'
t
knowtheanswerbutshewant edtohearhim speak.
"Ifeell
ikeI'
mt aki
ngf i
vest
epsforwardbutthenI
taketenback.I '
mt r
yingt
oscream butmyheadis
underwat er,
andt hi
sdemon'sclawistr
yingto
catchaholdofmyhem"hesai
dhi
svoi
cesl
ight
ly
fadingf
rom al
lthecr
ying
"
Whileyourdi
str
act
ed,hehasreachedyourchi
ld"
Nandisai
dwithast
rai
ghtface
2021
-
--
--
-
Ifyoudidn'
tread"
INGONYAMA"t hent
hese
charact
ersaregoi
ngtoconfuseyoubuttheyare
onlymakinganappearance,
it'
snotabi
gdeal..
Hel
loever
ybody
[
11/
22,
14:
47].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er71
"
Whileyourdi
str
act
ed,hehasreachedyourchi
ld"
Nandisai
dwithast
rai
ghtface
"
Whatyoumean? "Franksatupstr
aighti
twascl
ear
t
hatNandihasgott
enhisattent
ion
"Thedemonthat'
stor
menti
ngyou,ithasr
eached
yourchi
ldwhil
eyouweredist
ract
ed"sherepeat
ed
"I'
mreall
yconf used,Igavemyl i
fetoGod, Il
ear
ned
howt opray,
mywoman…she' sprayer
fulaswellI
thoughtbydoingal lofthist
hatIwouldbef r
ee,and
thatthePhantom wi l
lleavemealone"Franksai
d
"I'
m nopast
orbutIdoknowthatwhendemon'sare
castoutofsomeonetheyar
en'
thappy,
doyout hi
nk
theywil
lrej
oicebybei
ngremovedfr
om thei
rhost
…
theirhome?Noi tdoesn' twor kl i
ket hat .Youseet he
Phant om asyoucal litli
vedi nyouf oryear s,it
wor kedt hroughyousot herefor easi mpl epr ayer
won' tkeepi taway, itwi llgof oral ittl
ewhi lebut
wheni treturnsi tcomesbacksevent imesst r
onger
thanbef orebecausei tunder st andsi mmedi ately
thatitisatwar .Sor ightnowi tisar medandr eady
totakebackwhatoncebel ongedt ohi m, thisdoes
notmeant hatpr ayeri sn' tst
rongbuti tsi mpl y
meanst hati twon' tbet hateasyandwhenyougi ve
yourl i
fet oGodyouneedt ofillthatgapwi t
h
holinessandr i
ght eousness.Youcan' taf fordt ol et
yourguar ddownandyouwer edoi ngver ywel lunt i
l
youweakenedyourhear tforyourbr other'swi f
e.Do
youknowt hatLi saandt hatinvest orwassentt o
l
ur eyoubutt heAngel sofLor dwer eint hatr oom
withyou? ,thatni ghtGodgaveyouar evel ationof
howt hePhant om i sgoi ngt odest royyoubutyou
sawamanwi tht wowomenpr otectingyour
offsprings, thatwasyourf ather ,hiswi feandyour
brother swi fe'
smot her "Nandipausedl ooki ngat
Frank, "Yourf atherandt hetwol adi esar et ryingso
hardt opr otectyoubutyourmot herkeepsf ighting
them, she'schasingthem awaybecauseyouar e
notthei r
s.There'ssomuchchaosasf arasyour
ancest orsareconcerned, theNgcobo'
sar efuri
ous
atyourmat ernalfamil
y, t
heywanttotakeyouaway
butyourmot herkeepsst andingasabar r
ierandher
familyisstandi ngataf ardist
antl
ookingatherin
defeatbutt heyar enottryi
ngt ost
opher ,
itasif
theydon' twantt ogetinvolvedandthatiswhy
theset hi
ngsar ehappeni ng"Nandiadded
"SoI
'mlikethi
sbecauseIal
lowedmyselft
of al
lfor
Thul
adoandbecauseofmymot her
?"Heaskedand
Nandinoddedherhead,"
Thatbit
chywit
ch!"Frank
sai
dinfury
"Thulado!Isthathername? "Franknodded, "
Don't
wor r
y,it
'snotthatdeep.Ifyoukeepyourdi stance
awayf rom herandf ocusonyourwi fethatGodhas
givenyoual lwil
lbewel l
.Yesyourfeelingsar ereal
buttheyar einf
luencedbyt hataimtodi st
ractyou,
I'
m sureyouwer eawaret hatyouhadaconnect ion,
somesor tofasoftspotforherthen,that
vulnerabil
it
ywaschannel edt obeusedt okeepyour
mi ndoffimportantstuff
.Ifyoudon'tcontrolthis
youwil
ldie!She'
snotyours,
shelovesyourbr
other
andheloveshertoo.Yourwomanwasgi vent
oyou
bytheLord,i
t'
sherthatyoul
ovedearl
yandinti
me
youwil
lreali
zethi
sbuttheywil
lbeprobl
ems"she
sai
dsearchingforhi
m
"
IloveNomzamo,Iknowt
hatf
orsur
e.Idon'
twant
t
ohur ther
"Fr
anksai
d
"I
fyoudon' twantt ohurthert hanyouwon' t,goona
fastandpr ayforsevendaysbef oretheydot he
ceremonyandst ayawayf r
om Thul adoort herewi l
l
bet r
oubl e,thi
ngsar egoingt ohappenj ustbe
strong.Butmymessaget oyout odaywasabout
yourbr other,hi
si ndarknessandhecannotsee, his
drowni nginawoman' st earsandhi salsocr yingfor
help.Hi sbodyi sinuMngeniRi ver,
mor eli
kehi s
remai ns,gatherthem andbur yhim.Taket he
womanwi thyou, sheneedst ohealandbyseei ng
hisremai nsandbur yi
nghi m herhealingwi l
lst ar
t"
sher oset oherfeetandwal kedovert ohim, she
gentlysqueezedhi sshoulderandwal kedout
Ntsi
kasawNandicomingoutfr
om theroom,he
roset
ohisfeetst
ret
chi
ngouthi
shandst oreci
eve
hiswif
e,heki
ssedherandt
heystr
olledout
.
"
Howdi
ditgo"Nt
sikaasked
"
Hisamess"Shesai
dsadl
y
"
Theywi
llmakei
tri
ght
?"Heaskedwor
ryi
ngl
y
"
I'
m notsur
e,l
et'
shope"Nandisai
d
Meanwhi leinsideFrankwi pedhi stear sasthel ump

onhist hroatgrewbi gger,
hef eltli
kehehadt he
wholewor l
dsitti
ngonhi sshoul ders, hecouldonl y
hopef orbetterdays.Her oset ohisf eetbuthis
kneesweakened, thelumpt hreateningt ocomeout
ofhismout hheletoutacr ybal ancingagai nstthe
wall
.Thi sissupposedt obeahappyt imeforhi m
andNomzamobuthowar et heygoi ngt obewi thall
thi
sbaggage, aft
erandhourofsel f-pityandcr yi
ng
hedriedhi sredfacewi thhissui tj
acket ,cl
earedhis
thr
oatandf i
xedhi mself.
Hef oundMhlengilyingonthedriverseat,hehad
recl
inedthechairt
obecomf or
tableandcover edhi
s
facewithahatthathef oundinthecar,assoonas
hehear dthedoorclosinghesatupswi tchingof
f
themusi c.
"Watkynsono?
"Mhlengisai
dplayf
ullybutassoon
ashenoti
cedhisbr
other'
spuff
yeyesandr edface.
Hisj
okewentsour,
hisfacewasreplacedbyworry
andsadness
"Mfet
huukahl
e?"Heaskedwor
ryi
ngl
y(ar
eyou
good?)
"No!Myl i
feisamess, Idon'
tevenknowwher et
o
begin.Ihavetogointoasevendayf ast
,Ihavet
o
goandf etchFred'
sremainsinuMngeniwithNana…
i
magi nethatwomanhat esmeMhl engiandIneed
toburyhim sothathecanbef reef
rom the
darkness"hesaid
"I
'
m heref
oryou,Iwi
llcomewi
thyoutouMngeni
andIcangetSf
isotocomesothatNanadoesn'
t
actoutagain"Mhlengisaid,"
Wecanburyhim
beforeyourceremonysot haywecanintr
oducehi
s
spi
rittothefamil
yaswel l
…hemi ghtbeprobl
emat
ic
i
fwel eavehim out"Mhlengisai
d
"Yes!Pl
easeleaveSfi
soout,Idon'twanthimtosee
Nanabreakforanothermaninf r
ontofhim.Ithi
nk
helovesherandIdon'tt
hinkthi
sisagr eati
dea"
Franksaid
"True"Mhlengiagr
eed,
"Wewi l
lgett
hrought
his
togetherasafamil
y"Mhlengisai
dandFrank
nodded
Frank'
stroublessenthi
m straightt
osleepso
Mhlengiplayedsoftmusicdrivingbackhome, he
hadmount ainstocli
mbhi mselfespecial
lytheone
hehast ocli
mbwi thThuladobuthewoul ddo
whateverittakest
omakesur ethathi
sbr otherwas
fr
eef r
om allthebondagesthatwer epull
inghim
down.
*
***
Theni ghtwasst i
llyoung. .clear l
y!Mhl engiwasnow
freshandchangedi ntobl ackj eans, awhi tegol fT-
shirtthatwasneat lytuckedi n, hef i
nishedhi s
casuall ookwi thhisbl ackvans.Heopenedt hedoor
forThul adoshewasper plexedathi ssudden
behavi or ,hefetchedherf rom wor kasusualwi t
h
theki ds.Di nnerwasal readypr eparedt hekidsat e
butt henMhl engiinst r
uct edthatshegoesand
freshenupt heywer egoi ngsomewher e.Thul ado
skippeddi nneranddi dast ol
d, whenshecameout
oft heshowershef oundanol i
vegr eendr esswi t
h
thel ongestsl itshe'severseenandanot eont op
thatr ead" weari t
"sheexci tedlydidsoaf ter
thor oughlymoi st
ur i
zingherbody.Thesexydr essfi
t
heri ntoherl ikeagl oveandt hesl itstoppedonher
thighs, hert i
nybodypoppedoutt hankst o
mot her hoodherhi psandasswer enowf ullerand
themor eMhl engishowedappr eciati
onofher
gainedwei ghtthemor eshef el
linl ovewi thher sel
f.
Sher
ummagedhershoer
ackl
ooki
ngf
ort
heper
fect
shoes,thenvoi l
ablackst i
letto'
swer est ari
ngather
wit
hglisteningeyespl eadingt hatshepi ckedt hem
andshedi d.Shet wir
ledar oundf eel
ingherself ,
she
putarobeonandsati nfrontoft hemirroranddi d
hermakeupj ustthewayNanat aughthert hough
shewasn' taf anbutsincet hisiswhatwomendi d
whentheygooutshewasn' tgoingt olether self
down.Shesmi l
edinsatisfactionaf t
erfixi
ngher
bushyaf r
o, sherosetoherf eetandspr ayedsome
ofherexpensi veperfumet hatshespoi ledher self
wit
hawhi leagowhenMhl engiwasst i
llinprison.
Nowi nsidethecarner vousreckedshewasn' tsure

whatwasgoi ngon.Mhl engiparkedoutside
Chartwellcentr
e, hejumpedoutj oggi
ngt othe
passengersidet henheopenedt hedoorfor
Thulado,helockedt hecarandwal kedwi thher
handi nhand.Thul adolookedaroundinawe!The
placewasbr eatht aki
ngandi thadthatthri
ll
ingvi be,
shewonder edwhatMhl engiwasupt oo.Onl ywhen
theywer ewelcomedbywai tr
essesatt heentrance
ofOlive&Oili
tdawnedonher ,theywereonadat e.
Shewant edtojumpupanddownbecauseof
exhil
aration,t
hiswasgoi
ngdowni nhistor
y…their
fi
rstdate, t
heyweresoconsumedbyl i
feproblems
thatt
heyneverdat edandforMhlengit
obet heone
whoi ni
tiatedthi
smeanteveryt
hingtoher.
"Thi
swaysi r
"Thefri
endlywait
resssaidafter
Mhlengiaskedforatabl
efortwo,theyfounda
perf
ectoneinthecornerwit
hjustenoughl i
ght.The
wait
resssaidshewil
lgivethem t
imet odecide
"
Ist
hisadat
e?"Thul
adobl
urt
edoutel
ated
"Y-
yesdoyoul ikei
t?I'
m goi
ngt
obehonestwith
you,Ihaveneverdonethisi
nmyli
fesoifI
'
m doing
i
twrongpl easefor
giveme"Mhl
engisai
dnervousl
y
"
Wel
l…IhavebeentodinneroncebutIdon'
t
r
ememberbei
ngthishappy…itfeel
sli
keI'
m doi
ngi
t
f
ort
hefi
rstt
ime"shesaid
"
Wasitt
hatdoctorguyyout ol
dmeaboutwhenwe
mett
hatni
ght?
"Mhl engiasked
"
Yes!Duke…het
ri
ed"Thul
adosai
d
"
I'
m sorr
yt hatIdi
dn'tdothi
ssooner,gi
rlsl
ove
t
hesethingsandI '
m soembarrassedthatInever
t
houghtofi tt
hen"Mhlengisai
dhonestly
"Ineverthoughtofitei
ther
,wehadalotinourheads
sothisisperfect
…let'
snotrui
nit
"Thuladosaidwit
h
asmi l
e
"
Whatshoul
dIor
der
?"Mhl
engiaskedpagi
ng
t
hrought
hemenu
"Tr
ysomethi
ngnew,l
et'
sordersomeseafood,
we
areal
wayseati
ngmeat"Thul
adochuckl
ed
"
Youor
derf
orme"Mhl
engisai
dsmi
li
ng
Thuladosi
gnall
edf
orthewait
resswhowaswai
ti
ng
pati
entl
yfort
hem,shewasreadytoj
otdownt
hei
r
request
s.
"Canwepl easehavet hePeriPer

ichi
ckenliver
s
ti
mest wof orourstart
ersandHakeandPr awn
combof orthemai nthankyouandIwillhavea
glassofwhi t
ewi neplease"Thul
adosaid
"CanIhavej
uiceandst
il
lwat
erpl
ease"Mhl
engi
said
"ThePr
awncomboti
mest
woaswel
l
"thewai
tr
ess
askedj
ustt
obesur
e
"
Yes"Thul
adosai
d
"
Gri
llorf
ri
ed"t
hewai
tr
essasked
"Gri
ll
edandpleaseaddanextr
achi ckensal
adwith
l
otsofAvo's"Thul
adosai
dremember i
nghowmuch
Mhlengil
oveshissal
adsespecial
lywi t
hayummy
dressi
ngandthispl
aceseemedt obeaper f
ect
ion.
Thewai tressdi ssapearedleavingt hepair,Mhlengi

hadherhandi nhisandhekeptsqueezi ngit,
Thuladowasr edonhercheeksf rom allthe
blushi ng.Bei nginlovewi t
ht hi
st hugwas
overwhel minglyweakeni ng,hewassoi mperfectyet
herhear tthrobbedsodamnhar dforhim.Mhl engi
ont heot hersi dejustcouldn'tbelievehest r
uck
straightint hehear tsuchabeaut i
f ulgi
rl
,hewasso
compl etewi t
hheranddi dn'thavet hatfeeli
ngof
want ingt oexpl oremore,hewascont entjustwhere
hewas.Heknewhel ovedThul adot hatverysame
nighttheymadel oveinthatBnBwi thnowher etogo
andnot hinginhishandst oshow, butloveal one
wasn'tenough, hesti
llwasn'tsureifshewast he
onebutaf t
ershestayedinlovewi thhim afteral l
thebullshitheputherthroughhewascer t
if
iedt he
l
oyaltyhewasyear ni
ngforandt hatwasever ything
forhim.
Thef oodcameandt hepairindulged,Mhlengil

oves
foodandf oodl oveshimtoowi t
hinmi nut
eshi s
platewascl eananditwasonl yThul adowhowas
struggli
ngwi t
ht heprawnsorper hapsshewasabi t
ti
psyf rom t
het woglassesofwi neshehad, thi
sis
exactlyhowhei magi
nedhisr el
ationshi
ptobel i
ke.
Hewant edhertobebef reeandf orhertodowhat
shel i
kedandwheneverasl ongasi twasn't
disrespectf
ultohim.
"Sowhendidyoust
artdr
inki
ng"Mhl
engiaskedout
ofcur
iosi
ty
"AskyourdaughterLumi"Thul
adoanswer
ed,
yes
shewasdef i
nit
elyti
psy
Mhlengilaughedher eachedoutf orthel i

ttl
eboxi n
hisbackpocket ,hefondledwi t
hitundert het able
butquickl
yputi tbacki nhi
spocket .Hewant edher
tobesober edupf i
rst,herdecisi
onshoul dn'tbe
i
nfluencedbyal cohol.Whent heywer esat i
sfied
Mhlengidrovethem t othebeach, Thuladocar r
ied
herstil
ett
osinherhandbef oresteppingintot he
grainsofsand.Mhl engiwasl osti
nt houghtsand
Thuladonot i
ced.
"
Yougood?
"Sheasked
"Yeah"heswoopedheroffherf
eetrunni
ngwithher
i
ntothewat er
,Thul
adoscreamedforhimtoputhi
m
downl ucki
lyt
heshorewasempty.
Hepi
ggybackherast
heywat chedthewavescr
ash
onMhlengi
'
slegs,
hedidn'
tcareabouthi
sshoes
andj
eansgetti
ngwetbutt
hesilence,
thetr
anqui
li
ty
wasj
ustsuff
ici
entandMhlengitur
nedhishead
l
ooki
ngtoherandsaid.
"
IloveyouThul
aduMdl
etshe"
"
Iloveyouevenmor
eMhl
engiNgcobo"sher
epl
ied
2021
-
--
--
--
Thankyouf orthemessages.El i
jahlooksbetterbut
hesti
lllacksappeti
teIguesshi sgumsar est i
llsor
e
butI'
m happythef everisgone…wear est
il
lver y
cl
ingyandwhi neybutIdeci dedtopreparethis
i
nsertforuguysi ntheweehour softhemor ning…
hopeitwaswor t
hit….enj
oy
[
11/
22,
14:
47].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
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|
Chapt
er72
Sexualcont
ent
Thever ysameni ghtFr ankpinnedNomzamot othe

wallpoundi nghar dandf asti
ntohermeat yhole,
shecl osedhereyest akingitalli
n.Hewasal ways
roughandener geticandshel ovedit
,buttoday's
sessionwasf il
ledwithsomuchemot ionsitwasas
i
fhewast r
yingt otel
lhersomet hi
ng,orasi fhewas
offl
oadingal lofhistroubl esonher.Thismade
Zamof eelspecial,
itwasherj obtobet hatsafe
havenf orherman, shewasgl adtobet hatreli
ever
shef
oundher sel
fsmi
li
ng,
diggi
ngherhandsdeeper
i
ntoFranksback.
Whenhewasexhaust edandr eli

evedhercarr
yher
backtobedthenhesl idout,hi
ssemenf l
owedout
herpvssydownhi slegsashepl acedhergentl
yon
thebed.Hegrabbedhi sT-shir
tthatwascarel
essly
l
yingonthefloorandwi pedhert henhi
scoated
cock,heheavedasighofr eli
efthenhehopped
underthesheetsj
oiningheraf t
ertossi
ngthedir
ty
shir
tbackont hefl
oor.
"Your
eadyt
otalknow?"Zamoaskedr
est
ingher
headonhi
sbarechest
"
Iloveyou"hebl
urt
edout
"
Iloveyout
oo"Zamoassur
edhi
m
"
It
'sgoingtobealongr
oadbutIwantyoutoknow
t
hatIloveyouandIwil
ltr
ymybesttoconqueral
lof
t
his"Franksai
d
"
Youscar
ingme"Nomzamosai
dset
ti
nghergaze
onhi
m
"Ihaveast
ri
ngofthingsIneedtodowi
thMhlengi
andsomethingsIhavetodoalone,
Iwi
llbegoi
ng
onasevendayfast"Hesaid
"OK,
Icangiveyouspacef
ort
hat
,that
'sgood"
Zamosaid
"Thankyou,pl
easeconti
nuet oprayformeandfor
Sbusi,t
hemeet i
ngaboutthebusinesswentwel
l
though.Wewillbeworki
ngoni tsoonbutwehave
toburyFredandsomer i
tualsneedtobedone"
Frankadded
"OKthen,Iwilldoanythi
ngforyoutobeyourhappy
sel
fagain",sheperkedhischestandf
ellonher
pil
lowtosleep
"
Goodni
ght
"Hesai
dashet
urnedhi
sbackt
oface
t
hewall
.
*
***
Mhl
engiandThul
adower
etheonl
yone'
sint
he
parkingl otwhi chwassomet hi
ngyour arelyseei n
theDur banshor esbuti twasl ateatni ghtand
peoplewer eathomewi t
ht heirf ami li
es.Thul ado
l
ookedatMhl engiwi thseduct iveeyesandsuddenl y
shehadsi ll
ycr azyt hought s,shef oundher sel f
sit
ti
ngonMhl engi'
sl ap.Hej ustr ecli
nedt heseat
thenhest artedsqueezi ngherbr east s,hewar ned
Thuladot hathewasar ousedbyherst untbutshe
bitherlowerl i
pf ueli
nghi ser oticism, Mhlengi
grazedherl ipshear i
ngherhear tbeatf asterand
faster,hehel dhercl oseassur ingt hathisgother .
Thuladowel comedhi m bypar tingherl ips, her
pvssymoi stenedandhungr yfort her od,their
tonguespul satedi neachot hersmout hvaul t
sendingt ant ali
zingsensat ional lovert heirbodi es.
Itwasvagueonhowhi scockspr ungoutbuti twas
i
ndeepandThul adowasbounci ngandgyr atingon
i
twhi leshet hrewherheadbackgi vi
ngMhl engi a
perfectvi ewofherf ullbreast,hi seyesshr unkand
hismout hwentdr yf rom thepl easur ehegr adually
coatedhi sl ipswi t
hsal i
vaasgr oansescapedsof tl
y,
hemut teredunderhi sbreat hwhenThul adoswi r
led
herhi ps.Shewast akingoverhi sbodyandhewas
l
ettingher ,i
twastoodamnni ce,hewasdr ooling
even.Thul adomoanedsosweet l
yandt hatalone
char gedMhl engit
opushherbut tint
ohiscrotch
evenhar der,hemetherrhythm halfwaycausingthe
plungingt ogoevendeeper,hegr untedi
n
enjoyment .Thewar mt
hoft hosemeat ywall
s
coat edhiscocksoperfect
ly,hewant edtostayin
theref or
ever.
Thewi ndowswer eengul fedf r

om t hefogof
height enedbr eathsandt hecarwasmovi ngf r
om
theout si
de,apol icepat r
olvanhal tedtakinga
closerl ookatt hecar .Thet wopol i
ceof f
icer s
steppedoutheadi ngt otheHyundaii x35.Thul ado
scr eamedi nsidehershr ieki
ngcoul dbehear d
faintlybyt hemeni nblueandMhl engigrunt edi n
hisdeepvoi cet hereafterthent herewassi lence.
Theaut horit
iesdeci dedt othenknockont he
window, Thuladohoppedof fMhl engiinli
ght eni
ng
speeddr ippi
ngsemenal loverhi st hi
ghandi ntothe
i
nt eriorofthecar ,theknocki ngintensifi
ed.Mhl engi
threwhi sshirtovert ohersosgecanweari tquickl
y,
heopent
hewi
ndowst
il
lshi
rt
less.
"Hi
"Mhl
engisai
dflashingt
hecopsasmi
le,his
voi
cewassti
llr
aspyfrom t
hatyummymarathon
"
What
sgoi
ngonher
e?"Thepol
icemanasked
"
Wegoi
nghome"Mhl
engisai
d
"Soyoutwoarehavingsexinpubli
c?Andthere'
sa
str
ongofhotel
sbehindyou.Doyouknowt hatwhat
youaredoingisaseri
ousoffenseandIcancharge
youfori
t?"Thepol
icemansaid
"
Wear
en'
thavi
ngsex"Mhl
engisai
d
"uThokolo?
"Thepol
icemansaidpoint
edathi
s
gli
steni
ngcockt
hattouchedhi
snavel,Mhl
engi
pret
endedtobeshockedandcoveredwit
hhis
hands
"
Oh"hesai
d
"Pl
easewear
esor
ry,
wewi
llgonow"Thul
adosai
d
spooked
"
No!Wehavepr
oofandyout
woar
eunderar
rest
"
t
hecopssai
d,Thul
ado'
stear
swel
leduphereyes.
Mhl engipulleduphi spant sandunder wearf rom his

anklest henhej umpedoutoft hecarst il
ltopl
ess, he
closedt hecarandhadachatwi ththecops.
Thul adokeptpl ayingwi t
hherhandshi ghl
yst rung,
shecoul dnotimagi nebeingar r
estedjustbecause
theycoul dn'tcontrolthemselves.Sheal ways
wonder edhowcarsexwasbutnowi tendedi n
tearsf astandsheknewt hi
swast hefi
rstandl ast
ti
me.Shekeptonl ookingatthedi r
ecti
onoft het wo
copsandMhl engi.Theni tdawnedonher …Mhl engi
wasst il
lonprobat i
onwhi chmeansonemi st
ake
andhewi l
lbethrownbacki njailandshecoul dn't
affordt hat
,justwhenshewasaboutt ostepout
Mhl engienteredt hecarwi thawor ri
edexpr ession
plasteredonhi sf ace.
"
And?
"Thul
adoaskedanxi
ousl
y
"
Weneedtogoandbidf
arewellt
otheki
dsandthen
r
epor
ttot
hestat
ion…wegett
ingarr
est
ed"Mhl
engi
sai
d,Thuladowai
ledasMhl
engipr
essedont
he
accel
erat
or
"Whyareyoucr
ying?
"Mhl
engiaskedar
chi
nghi
s
eyebr
ows
"Howcantheyarr
estusf
orhavi
ngsex?Ther
e'sbi
g
cri
mesoutther
eandtheythi
nkt
hisi
sit?
"Shesaid
i
nbetweenhersnif
fs
"Soyoudon'tt
hinki
t'
swort
hit
?Thatwasmi nd
blowi
ng,Idon'
tmindgoi
ngtojai
lfort
hatsessi
on"
Hechuckled
"Mxm!"youaresosi
ll
y.Thi
sisisser
iousandyou
arebusyplayi
ngj
okeshawu"shescoffedhi
m
"
HawuOK"Mhlengisai
dsmi
li
ngfi
xinghi
seyeson
t
heroad,
thent
her
ewassil
ence
"Ar
etheyreal
lygoingt
oarrestus?
"Thul
adoasked
agai
nsti
llbaf
fledandshocked
"Yeah!Theysaidyourmoansar
etoosweett
obe
heardinpubli
c"Mhlengisai
d
"
Myki
dsMhl
engi
"Thul
adosai
d
"
I'
m ki
ddi
ng"Hel
aughed,
"Iwasst
il
lhavi
ngsomuch
f
unteasi
ngyoubutyouhadt
obr
ingt
heki
ds"
Mhl
engisai
dlaughi
ng
Thul
adoj umpedsmackhi sshoulders,
Mhlengi
swervedofftheroadbutquicklygainedcontr
ol
j
oini
ngt heroadagain,heglaredatThuladosti
ll
wearingthatcoysmirk,Thuladocli
ckedhertongue
i
nannoyance.
"
Youal
mostgotuski
ll
ed"Mhl
engisai
d
"Nxa!That
'sformytear
sandener
gyIwast
ed
cryi
ng"Thuladosai
d
Mhlengigl
ancedont hefl
oorandnoticedthatthe
vel
vetri
ngboxwasi nsurface,hi
sfootlef
tthe
accel
erat
orandkickeditundertheseatbefor
e
short
ycouldseei
t.Het henret
urnedhisfootback
onthepedalandputmor egasast hecarwhooshed
away.
*
***
*
Thenextmor
ning*
MhlengiaskedSf isotocomewi thtof etchNana

j
ustincaseshechoosest ogocr azy, hedi dn'thave
pati
encef oranywomanexceptf orhisshor t
yhence
hewasneveri naser i
ousr elati
onshi pbefor e.He
j
ustchowedpussyandmovedal ong, hewoul dtry
dati
ngbutt hent hegi rlbecomest oattachedand
demandi ng,allthoseaspect swer ebeyondhi s
capacit
yhedi dn'thavet i
met obel oveydovey.He
wasaKr ugerandneededt omakemoneyatal l
costsandgi rl
swer ealwaysaset back, untilhemet
shortysuddenl yhewant edtodoi tall
.Nana
moochedbyavoi dingeyecont actwi t
hSf iso,he
j
umpedoutoft hecart oopent hedoorf orthel ady,
hegreetedherbr ief
lybutitwasal ltoawkwar deven
Mhlengicoul dfeel thetension.
"
Awwwhat
'
supNana!
"Mhl
engisai
dchi
rpi
lyt
ryi
ng
t
odi
ff
uset
heat
mospher
e
"
Sur
e..Wher
eam Igoi
ng?
"Nanaasked
"
WedroppingSfi
soatwor kandIwantyoutocome
wit
hmesomewher e"Mhlengisai
d"shenodded
t
hanshelookedoutthewindow
Theydr oppedSfisooff
,hestaredatNanaf ora
minutebef orewalki
ngaway, Nanalookedaway
withgl
isteningeyes.Mhlengistar
tedthecarand
keptsteali
ngglancesatNanasi tt
ingattheback.
"I'
m sorryforwhatmybr othersdidtoyou, butI
wantyout oknowt hattheywer eropedintot hat
l
ifestylebyevilandbef oret heyknewi tt
heywer ein
toodeep.Ri ghtnowI 'mt akingyout oapl acewher e
wewer etoldwewoul df indFr ed'
sbody, Frankwent
tothepol i
cestationandwewi llmeetthere.We
thoughtyouhavear ightt obet hereforclosur e,
I
don'tknowi fwear etakingi ttoofarorsteppi ngon
yourt oes?"Mhlengiposedt helastsentenceasa
quest i
onbutNanadi dn'tanswer ,shejustletthe
t
ear
str
ickl
edownherf
aceandi
twasapai
nfulsi
ght
t
osee.
*
***
Mhl engisloweddownont oRi versideroadj ustpass

theuMngenibi rdpar k,hespot tedNomzamo' scar
i
nf rontoft wopol i
cevan, heindicatedandpar ked
behindt hel i
neofcar s,
theyjumpedof fand
foll
owedhet railthatledthem downt hebank.He
fel
tachi l
ldownhi sspinesuddenl yitallfelteerie
andover whelmi ng,thestenchofr othithi snostril
s
astheydr ewcl osertowher ethet eam was.They
seem t oper plexedj udgingbyt heirhandsr est
edon
theirwaists, t
heyar guedt hatsinceitsbeenyear s
hisbodyshoul dhavebeenf oundbecauseadead
bodyf loatsaf teracoupl eofdaysofdi sposabl ei n
thewat erbutt heboneswer eallscatt
eredont he
ri
ver bed,everysi ngleoneoft hem.Thet eam
suspect edt hatsomeonehadt hisbody, they
mut il
atedi tanddumpedwhatwasl ef
tont heriver
si
ncehiscorpsewasneverr ecovered.Fred'
sdeath
wasamyst ery,
thoughFr ankknewever yt
hinghe
coul
dn'
tjusttel
lthem aboutthePhant om t
hey
wouldt
hinkhiscrazyalsoallhewant edwashis
brot
her
'sremainsohecanbur ythem.
Thepol icesai dtheywoul dtakethebonesf orDNA

fi
rstbeforer eleasingt hem justtomakesur eitwas
FredlikeFr ankhadi nf ormed.Thef or
ensi cteam
crouchedont hebedandbeganscoopi ngt hem out,
Nanast oodt herewat chingwi t
haheavyhear t
,she
couldn'tbelievehereyes.Thosebonesbel ongedto
Fred,shet houghtshewasdoneandt hatshe
detestedhim butseei ngal lt
hosebonesevokeda
diff
erentkindoff eel
ing, afeeli
ngofunr eali
ty,she
wassadanddi st
raught ed,shewasgr ief-
stricken.
Theauthori
ti
estookhisremainedandpromisedt o
getbacktoFrankonceal lt
hetest
saredone,they
wantedtofurt
herinvest
igatet
hismatt
erbutFr ank
stompedallovert
hosethoughts,hewantedtobury
hist
winandmoveon.Senzoki ll
edhi m andheknew
wherehewasal lalongandhewasgl adthathe
fi
nal
lygothisbonesatl east
,Mhlengihuggedhi m
ti
ghtassuri
nghimt hathewasher eforhim.Ont hei
r
waybackt othecarFrankhookedhi sarm around
Nana,hepulledherclosebecausehonest l
yshe
wastheonlypersonwhoknewFr edt hatwayand
hecouldtel
lthatsomet hi
nginherwasshi ft
ed.
"I
'
m goi
ngtol
ightupcandlesforhi
m athome,
you
arewel
comedifyouwant"Franksai
dsofly
"
Iwi
llcome,
thankyou"shesai
dwi
pinghert
ear
s
Nanahoppedi nthef
rontseatofThul
ado'
scarand
Mhlengidroveoff
,Fr
ankjumpedintoZamo'scar
andhedr oveoff
.
2021
-
--
--
--
Thankyouforyourmessagesandyourpati
ence.El
i
i
swellandrunningnow,eat
ingevensoI'
m ahappy
mum agai
n.
[
11/
22,
14:
47].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er73
Theforensi
cDNAlabranacoupleoftest
sand
confi
rmedthatt
hepostmortem t
estcameback
posi
ti
ve,Itwasi
ndeedFred'
sbonesfoundonthe
ri
verbed.Nomzamocleanedthehouseandshif
ted
somef ur nituret omaket hel oungel ookspaci ousi n
thespar ebedr oom shear rangedamat tr
essandl i
t
whitecandl esf orFred.Fr anksatonal i
ttl
ebench
j
ustont heot hersidestar i
ngatt hecandl es, t
he
hypnotizingf l
amest hatkeptswayi ngfrom si det o
side.Hef el tempt yalloveragai n,hewi shedFr ed
couldwal kupt hedoorandsay" Igotyou, itwasa
prank"buti nt hedepthofhi shear theknewhi s
wishfulthi nkingwasf arfet ched.Zamowal kedi n
theroom wi that rayoff oodf ol
lowedbySbusi ,she
carri
edherl i
ttl
eteddywi thnocar einthewor ld,
uponseei nghi sfat
hersi tt
ingal lalonesher anupt o
him andj umpedhughi m.Fr ankdr apedhi sbig
armsar oundherl it
tl
ebodycar ryingherup, she
giggledlooki ngatFr ankamused.Zamowasi na
l
ongbl ackdr essanddoekasaf orm ofrespect ,
therewasaknockont hedoort her efor
eshequi ckly
rantoat tendt oit.
Thegatewasopenjustincasepeopl
ethatknew
Fredwantedtopayt
heirrespect
.Att
hedoorwas
Mhlengiandhisf
amil
y,Zamowel comedthem i
n.
TheuncleandMhl engisati
ntheloungebut
ThuladoandNanaf oll
owedZamot othekit
chen.
Thekidsfussedovereachothereagerl
y,t
heyknew
theywereafamilynow.
"Goandgetyourbrot
her"Theunclesai
dtoMhlengi,
hecomplied.I
nafewmi nutesFr
ankfol
lowedafter
Mhlengiwit
hhisheadfaci
ngdownhi swholebody
drooped.
"Si
tdownson!"theuncl
eordered,"
Weneedt ohold
yourbrot
her'
sfuner
alatmyhouse, nothere.We
needtodothenecessaryri
tual
stotoi nt
roducethe
bothofyoubeforeweburyhim butitcan'
tbedone
i
nt hi
shouse"Theuncleadded
"
Idi
dn'
tthi
nk…Ijust
"Hepaused,
"It
'sf
inewecando
t
hat
"Fr
anksaid
"Iwil
lor
gani
zeever
ythi
ng,
youj
ustr
est
"Mhl
engi
said
"
Thankyou"Fr
anksai
dsadl
y
Nanawalkedinfol
lowedbyThulado,t
heyplaced
foodonthecoff
eetablewhi
letheunclescr
uti
nized
them.Whentheylefthesmi
ledwiggl
inghis
eyebr
ows.
"Sot
hisbeaut
ywasgoi
ngt
obeyourbr
other
'swi
fe"
Theuncl
easkedFr
ank
"
Idon'
tknowbuthel
ovedher
"Heanswer
ed
"Imustsayyouboysdi dn'
tdissapoi
nt,t
heyareal
l
sobeaut i
ful,
theyarelikethemor ni
ngsunand
fl
owersbl oominginspr i
ng"hegr i
nned,"
andyou
Svini
ni!youar ej
ustli
keyourf ather
,helovedt
hem
shortandver ybeauti
ful.Bothyourmotherswere
gorgeousandpet it
e"theboyschuckl ed
"Thuladoi
sagem, Iseewhatyoumean
bab'omnance.Mymom wasl ikeherappear
ance
wisebutevilandmanipul
ati
ve"Franksai
d
"Mymom wasthecompleteopposit
ebutIguess
I'
mli
keSagil
aaft
eral
l,
I'
veneverreal
lynot
icedunt
il
youment
ionedi
t"Mhlengisai
d
Theystart
edeat i
ngwhi
lethegir
lsi
nthekit
chen
awkwar dl
ycleanedupaft
erthemesstheymade
prepar
ingfood.Nanafi
gureditwasnowornever.
"I'
m sor r
y! "Shebl urt
edout ,"I'
m sor r
yf orallt he
nastyt hingsIsai dt oyouNomzamo, I'
m ashamed
thatIal l
owedmyemot i
onst akecont rolofme, at
thattimei tseemedappr opriateandIf eltgood
burstingoutl i
ket hatbutever yt i
meIgot osl eepI
woul ddr enchmypi l
lowswi tht earsbecausedeep
downIknowI 'm onlyembar r
assi ngandhur t i
ng
mysel f"shechuckl edbitterl
ywi pi
nghert ears, "I
t
feelsbet tert ofindsomeonet obl amef ort hings
goingwr ongi nyourl if
e, i
t'
slikeadi vergentbecause
everyoneel sewi l
lfocusont hatper sonr athert han
yourownhandi nyourdownf all
.Thet ruthi sIl ove
Fred,Ilovedt hatmanmomat terhowt wi stedour
arrangementwas, It
houghtIwast heref ort hegood
l
ifebutIwaswr ong…If ellinlovewi thhim and
whenhedi edIwasbesi demysel fnowi magi ne
fi
ndingoutt hatthemanwhoownsyourhear ttook
awayyourfuture?I'
m mixedemotionsrightnow,I
wanttoconti
nueandbeangr ybutanotherpartof
mewant st
ot akethi
stimeandmour nhim…formy
hear
tsake"shesaidgrievousl
y
"Don' tapol ogi zeforbei ngangr y,youhaveever y
right "Franksai dleani ngonthewal loft heki tchen
ent rance, "
Iknowhei ssomadatmef ornott rying
har denought osoot heyoursor ehear tbutI '
m nota
strongper son, Iwassocaughtupi nmyt roubl es
thatInegl ect edyou.Iknowi fhewasal i
vehewas
goi ngt omakei tr
ightNana, youar etheonet hat
tamedhi shear tafteraverylongt i
me.Hewasa
dr unki nhisl astdaysbecausehi slovef oryouwas
over whel mi ngandIknowhehadbi gplansf ort he
bot hofyou, hel ovesyou"Fr ankhel dherhandsi n
themi ddleoft heki tchen."I
'
m sor ryaboutyour
wombIwi sht herewasawayt orever set hatbut
ther eisn'tbutIwantyout oknowt hatwedi dn' t
chooset obel ikethis,ourmot hert ri
ckedusi ntothe
cul tandbef or eweknewi t
,wewer ei ntoodeep.I
knowf orgivenessdoesn' thappenover nightbut
pleasef i
ndi ti nyourhear ttofor giveus, tof or give
hi
m oneday"hepul
ledheri
ntohi
sembr
aceand
Nanawail
ed.
ThuladoandNomzamol ef
tthem i
ntheki
tchento
givethem space.Thi
swastheirt
imetomournFred,
theyaretheonlypeoplet
hatknewhimli
kethissoit
wasi nthei
rri
ghts.
"I
'
m sor ryItooki
toutallonyoubuthi
sdeadFrank,
Iwantt olookhiminthefaceandyell
athimfor
hurtingmel i
kethi
s,Iwanttopunchhim onhi
s
chestandscr eam f
orrobbingmeachanceto
mot hermyownof fspri
ngbuthisnother
e"Nana
saidi nbet
weenhersniffs
"AndIhappent
olookj
ustl
ikehi
mri
ght
?"Fr
anksai
d
chuckl
ing
"Yes!Soi
t'
seasyi
t'
sli
keI
'
mrai
ningonhi
m"She
smiled
"Fai
renough!butyouaregoi
ngt
oneedtofor
give
yoursel
f,i
t'
saprocessbuti
ndueti
meit
's
beneficial
..
.sit
"Fr ankpul ledachai rf orher ,
"I
fi
guredt hatyout ookonegl anceatmeandyou
thoughtIwasl i
vingi tupwhi l
eyouwer esuf feri
ng
butthehonestt ruthisNo…I '
m notl ivingi tup,allof
thi
si sNomzamo' sdoingj ustl i
kehowSf i
sohas
beendoi ngf oryou.I '
m not hingNana, Ihave
absolutelynothing.I'mt roubl edandt hatdemon
hadbeent orment ingmeever since, Iwoul dpr ay
andi twi l
ldissapearonl yf oritt oret urnagai n.My
l
ifeisamessr i
ghtnow, justbecauseIdon' tactout
i
npubl icdoesn' tmeanIhavemyducksi na
row…i t
'sapr ocessbutyourmi stakei st hatyouar e
pushingpeopl ewhoar esuppor tingyouawayand
youneedt hem Nana.Ther e'snot hingl ikeagood
suppor tsystem, Zamof ishedmeoutofadumpi n
thestreetsthat'swher eIdi ssapear edt ooaf terthe
explosionIlostever ything"Hesai dhonest l
y
"
What
??f
orf
iveyear
s?"Nana'
seyeswi
dened
"Yeahf i
vewhol eyears,
Iateoutofthe
dustbin…imagine.FrankSimmonsrummagi ngin
thetrashforfood,Ianti
cipat
edmydeat hever
yday
butitnevercameandnowIknowt hatGodhasa
purposef ormyl i
fe.IalsoknowHehasonef oryour
l
ifetoooryouwoul dhavedi edi nthatfir
ebutyou
didn't
,letgoofalltheangeri t
'sdoi ngnothingbut
delayyoui nyourlife.I
twillf
uelupunt i
lit
mat eri
ali
zeintosomet hingsinisterandyouwi llfi
nd
yourselfindarkestpitsofhell
,Isawt hati
nmy
mot her'
slif
e.Shedi edapr oudwi tchbutdest r
oyed
ourlivesintheprocess, pl
easedon' tr
uinli
feli
ke
thatbabe…l etgo"hesai dsqueezi nghershoul der
*
***
Aheal erdidarit
ualont hebankwher eFr ed'
sbones
weref ound,aft
erspr ayingal i
quidandchant ing
i
ncant ati
oncalli
ngonFr ed'sspiri
ttocomehome
withthem, heorderedt hathisspi r
itrestonal eafy
brancht hathewillcar r
yallthewayhome, aftera
l
ongdr i
vetotheout skirtsofInandat heyar r
ived,
Fred'
sboneswer einaboxbutout sidet hegat e
coveredi nablankett hehealersaidt heyshoul d
waitforthem toreturnbef orebringinghi min, hi
s
spiri
tandbonescannotbesepar at
ed.Theladies
wer ehel
pingtheuncleswomansetupf ort
heday
sinceitwasstil
ltheweehour softhemor ni
ng,
Nanabeggedt hatshesitsont hemat t
resseven
thoughshewasn' tmarri
edtoFr ed.Shedidn'tcar
e
abouttradi
ti
onbutshedi ditasawayt oremember
thegoodt i
mest heyhadtogether.
Themor ningsunshonei nfi

eryor
angeitengulf
ed
theskylikeaf l
ameoff ir
e,anditmarkedtheday
thattheywillfi
nall
yburyFred.Thetentwasupand
theneighborsflockedinthei
rnumber st
ohelp
prepare,Nanar emainedcoveredunderthebl
anket
s
onthemat tress.Frankcamet osi
tnexttoher,
he
heavedasi ghlookingattheboxsurroundedby
candles.
"
Wedoi
ngt
his?
"Hemut
ter
edunderhi
sbr
eat
h
"
Yeah"Nanasai
d
"
Itf
eelssurreal
,It
hinknowIcanmakepeacewi
th
t
hefactthathisnevercomi
ngback"Hesai
d
"
Andformetoo,butatl
eastyouhaveMhl
engi
,i
t'
s
l
ikehi
sher
etoreplacehim"Nanasaid
"Andthatscarest
heshitoutofme,
whati
fIf
orget
abouthim"Frankasked
"Peopl
edi ebutneverfor
gotten,Ist
il
lmissmydad
ti
met otimebutyoul ear
nt oli
vewithoutthem and
thenyoumoveon.Theyar ealwaysi nyourmindbut
j
ustaf aintmemoryandt hat'
sgoodenoughbut
Fredwillalwaysbeapar tofyou…Justlookinthe
mirror
"Nana, sai
d
"
Thankyou"Fr
anksai
dgr
atef
ull
y
"
Howdoesi
tfeel
?"Sheasked
"
What
?"Fr
anksai
dar
chi
nghi
seyebr
ow
"
Bri
ngi
ntr
oducedt
oyourancest
ors?
"Nanasai
d
"
Ifeell
ikeIbel
ong,
it'
sindescr
ibabl
e"Fr
anksai
d
"
Congr
ats!
"Shesai
d
"yeah,soyouwil
li
ngtobecur
sedbyancest
orsfor
sitt
ingonthemattr
essf
orsomeonewhodidn'
t
mar ryyou?
"Fr
ankaskedchuckl
ing
"Nooneunder standswhatI '
m goingthrough,when
thetimecomesIwi l
lslaught
eragoatbutr i
ghtnow
Ineedthis…I'
m beingselfi
shont hisone,pluswe
weremar ri
edbyevi langit
hi?
"Sheposedt helast
sentenceasaquest ion
"
Iguess"Fr
anksai
d,hegott
ohi
sfeetandl
eftt
he
r
oom.
*
***
Theboxwentdownatt hebot tom oftheyar d, Fred

wasl ai
dtorestnextt ohi sfatherandst epmot her.
Theuncl eaccumul atedthef amilyhousebei ngt he
onlyoneofbl oodst i
llali
vesoever ythingf el
tr i
ght,
Mhl engidrapedhi sar m aroundFr ankbot h
watchi ngtheirbrot
hergosi xfeetunder .Nanasat
nextt othegravequi etlyandf orthefirsttimei na
whileshedi dn'thavet earstoshedbutshef elt
serene, t
het r
anquilit
yt ookoverherandshef eltfr
ee
butt hethoughtofnothavi ngchi l
drenst i
llevokeda
pangofpai ninherhear t
.
*
Resti
npeaceFr
ed*
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
47].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er74
Thuladowaseati
ngfrom herlunchboxout sidethe
gardensatwor
k,sheloveditinDur banandwas
gl
adshet r
ansf
errednevermindther easonsbutshe
wast hi
nki
ngofthatt
ripshepromi sedherf ather
.
Sheputherboxonthespacenexttoherandcal
led
hi
m butNhlanhl
oansweredi
nstead.
"
Heywenahhumusha!
"Shesai
dchi
rpi
ly
"
Heyar
egood?Wher
eisdad?
"Thul
adoasked
"Hi
sgett
ingready,
wegoi
ngt
ocol
lecthi
spensi
on"
Sheanswered
"OKImustsendhim somemoney,Ihopeyouwil
l
hir
esomeonetotakeyouinst
eadoftaxi
'
s"Thul
ado
probe
"Yesmam, t
hat
'swhatIhavebeendoing.Wehave
nochoiceamaphar
aabhokil
e(thi
eveswhotake
drugs)
"Shesai
d
"Good,I
'
m comingthisweekend.Ihavebeencaught
upwithMhlengi'
sfamil
ystuffbutI
'mfreenow.Tel
l
himI'
m bri
ngingthechi
ldr
en"Shesaid
"Ohgoodie,hehasbeencomplainingthatyou
promisedtocomeandnowyouqui et
.Ican'
twai
tto
see,heehphelauMkhuzenii
swal kingoncrut
ches
now"Nhlanhlogiggl
ednaughti
ly
"
ArghIdon'
tcar
eabouthi
m honest
ly"Thul
adosai
d
"Idon'
ttoobutthesati
sfacti
onIgetwhenIseehim
hobbli
ngwi t
hthosecrutches,Isomet
imeswishI
couldyankthosethi
ngsawayandt hr
owthem far
thenorderhimtogoandgett hem"shechuckled
"
AikeNonhl
anhl
a!"Thul
adogi
ggl
ed
"Ihaven'tf
orgi
venhimf orwhathedid,Iwishhecan
getstruckbylight
ningnxa,t
heworldisallbet
ter
withoutpeopleli
kehim"Nhlanhl
oadded
"Leti
tgosthandwaforyoursani
ty,
hei
snotwor
th
yourener
gy"Thuladosai
d
"
Iloveyou"shebl
urt
ed
"Oh…I…Il
oveyoutoo"Thul
adoanswer
ed,
shet
hen
hangupquickl
y.
Shetookadeepbr eat
ht r
yingtoprocesswhatjust
happened,
itwasevidentthatNhlanhlowasthe
cl
osesttoherfr
om allherothersi
blingsbuti
twas
weir
dtohearthelovecomi ngfrom home,Iguess
shecaughtheroffguard.Whileshewasponder i
ng
deepont
hismomentsomeonecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
fl
oppi
ngnextt
oher
.
"Soyougoi
ngtosi
tther
eandeatmyf
oodI
fe?
"
Thul
adoasked
"
Yourbr
eadisget
ti
ngdrysoI'
m doi
ngi
taf
avor
"he
r
epl
iedt
aki
nganotherhugebi
te
"Where'
syourf easttoday?Idon'tunder
standwhy
yousocol dtowardsyourwi f
ebecauset hatgi
rl.
Thatgir
llovesyou, wealwayssal i
vat
ingoverthe
mealsshepr eparesforyourlunch"Thuladosaid
"I
jeomaisagoodcook,
can'tyouseemybel
le?
"He
saidst
roki
nghi
sli
tt
lepotbel
ly
"
Youdeeatwel
lwel
l
"Thul
adosai
d
"
Thisyourpi
dgi
nEngl
ishi
sfi
neoo"hesai
d
l
aughi
ng
"
Idet
ryna!
"Thul
ador
epl
ied
"Iti
swell
,ver
ygood"hepausedandbecame
seri
ous."
Idecidedt
omendt hi
ngswit
hmywi fe,
I
thoughtt
hegrasswasgreeneront
hesidebutnah"
hesai
ddr
oopi
nghi
sbody
"I
'
m gl
ad!youmadeagoodchoi
ce"Thul
adosai
d
beami
ng
"Ihaven'
tseenyoui
nchur
ch,
what
'swr
ong?
"He
asked
"Yohwehavebeenbusy, yourememberFr ank?It
turnsouthi
smyMhl engi
'sbrothersowehavebeen
goingbackandforthtryi
ngtosor toutf
amilythi
ngs
butsoonwewi l
lresume"Thul adosaidheavinga
sigh
"Youneedtostopwhatyouaredoi ngThul
ado,I
'm
sodissapoi
ntedi
nyou.Ireal
lythoughtyouwere
oneofthegoodone'sbutnowt hatIknowthat
Frankandyourguyarebrothers…whatyouare
doingisnotcool
"If
esai
dser i
ously
"
Idon'
tfol
low?
"Thul
adosai
d
"
Isawthebot
hofyoukissi
ngtheotherday,I
f
oll
owedyouguys"Headded,
Thuladofrozeher
t
ummyt ur
nedasfeart
ookcontr
ol
"
I-
Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
"She
st
oodupt
owal
kaway
"
Youcanpr
etendbutIhaveavi
deo"hel
ied
"I
fepl ease…youdon' tknowwhatisgoingon,
pleasej ustleaveitOK…ther
e'snot
hinggoi
ngon
bet weenFr ankandI ,
whatyousawi sa
mi sunderstanding"Thul
adosaidpl
eadingl
y
"
I'
m notst
upi
d"I
fesai
dst
andi
ngup
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Thul
adocuthi
m shor
t
"Anightwi
thyou…j
ustoneni
ght
"hesai
dget
ti
ng
close
"
Youf uckingcr
azy…I'
m goi
ngt
otel
lIj
eomaabout
t
his"Thuladoscoff
edhim
"Sheknows,Iconfessedeveryt
hinggotoherand
youwillear
nyourselfabeati
ng"Ifesai
dwit
ha
smirk
"
Youdel
usi
onal
!"Thul
adosai
dst
ormi
ngawayf
rom
i
fe
I
fe'
shear
tst
art
edbeat
ingf
ast
,hewasj
ustt
aki
nga
chancebuti fhecouldpullthisoffi
twi l
lbeadr eam
comet r
uef orhim.Alsoanoppor t
unitytogl
oatat
thatMhlengiwi l
lbeasatisfacti
on,itwasobvious
thatThuladodidn'twanthim hencewhyhedeci ded
topatchthingswi t
hIjeomabutf orhertorejecthim
strai
ght
forwar dtomessar oundwi thherbrother
i
nlawwasagamechanger ,hewant edtohumi l
ate
herthendr opher.
*
***
Nhl
anhl
oanswer
edherphoneexci
tedl
y,i
twas
Mhl
engi
.
"
Heysbar
i"shesai
deager
ly
"
Heyyou,I
'
mr ecki
ngmymi
ndher
e,hasher
ecei
ved
i
tyet
?"Mhlengiasked
"Yes!Rel
ax,
hewi l
lanswert
oyouIthinkhi
sjust
stal
li
ngonpurposeplusThul
adoiscomingover
maybehewantt otal
ktoherfi
rst
"Nhlanhl
osaid
"OKbutwhatdoeshet
hinkofme?Imessedup
didn'
tI?
"Heaskedwor
ryi
ngly
"Rel
axwil
lyou!Everythi
ngisgoi
nggood, Iwil
lcal
l
youassoonasIknowwhathet hinksbutri
ghtnow
hehasn'
tsaidanything"Shesai
d
"OK..
.t
hankyou,youmustsendmeyourbanking
detai
lssoIcanbuyyousweets"Mhl
engisai
d
chuckli
ng
"Youdon'
thavet
oaskmet
wice"Sher
epl
ied,
he
hungup.
Nhl
anhlosentherbanki
nginf
ormat
ionandsmi
led
wal
kingtowardsherfat
her
'sr
oom.
*
***
Mhlengil
aughedshaki
nghisheadstar
ingatt
he
messagefrom Nhl
anhl
o,hesentsomemoneyt o
herandturnedt
olookatFr
ank.
"Whenar
eyoupayi
ngl
obol
aforNomzamo?
"He
asked
"Assoonaswegetthi
sshiprunni
ng,Ihaveso
muchi nmyheadandIthi
nkIneedtoslowdowna
bit
"Frankanswer
ed
"Ihearyou,Iwanttopr
oposetoshor
tybutIwantt
o
bemakei tspeci
al"Mhl
engisai
d
"Gi
rl
sloveflashythi
ngs,buyheragiftandtakeher
toafancyrestaur
antmaket hem or
ganize
somethi
ngf oryou.Theycouldsl
iptheringi
nher
dri
nkorfood"hesaid
"Nahshor
tyisnotli
kethat,Iwantsomet
hingt
hat
shewil
lneverf
orget"Mhlengisai
d
"Youknowyourgirlsomethi
ngwillcomeup,Ij
ust
cannott
hinkofsuchr i
ghtnow"hesaidheavi
nga
sigh
"
Letmegetyouhome,wewil
ltal
kaboutthe
meet
ingwi
thNkosanatomor
row"Mhlengisai
d
"
Canwewai
tunt
ilIf
ini
sht
hissevendayf
ast
?If
eel
l
ikeI
'm notgi
vingmyallbecauseI
'
m notatmy
best
"hesaidhonest
ly
"
Per
fect
!Iwi
llwai
tonyout
hen"
Mhlengist
artedthecar,
heswi t
chedonther
adio
andFrankrecli
nedtheseatsohecanbe
comfort
able.Frank'
sphonestart
edri
ngi
ngbut
whenhesawt hecall
erI
Dhejustleti
tri
ngti
ll
voi
cemail.
*
***
Nanawaswear i
ngal ongblackdr essandadoekon
herhead,shesaunt eredacrosst her oadi ntothe
fi
eldwhereagr oupofchildr
enwer epl ayi
ng.She
halt
edlookingatt hem,shesatont heconcr et
e
benchesandwat chedthem attentively,it
'snotli
ke
shewasr ushingsomewher e.Theki dswer etopless
andinshorts,itwasacoolaf ternoonandt hesun
waspreppingt ogot osleep.Thechi ldrensepar ated
themselvesintot eamsandbeganki cki
ngt heball
butinthemi ddleoft hegameoneboyhel dthei
rold
andfadedbal ltrappingi tinhisunder arms,Nana
wonderedi fi
twasn' tscr atchyonhi sski nbecause
clear
lythatballhasseenbet terdays,theboywho
seemedbi ggerthant her estheldtheot herone
aggressivel
ybyhi sclothes.Nanar ushedoverto
them andsepar atedt hem.
"
What
sgoi
ngonher
e?"sheasked
"
Not
hing!
"thebi
ggerboysai
dembar
rassed
"
Hewant
edt
ohi
thi
m"t
heot
heronesai
d
"Whywoul
dyoudothat?Youareolderwhich
meansyoushoul
dprot
ecttheyoungerone's"Nana
sai
d
"Iwantt
odothatbutt
heyl
ikepr
ovoki
ngme"he
saidl
ooki
ngaway
"Lett
hisbethelastti
meIseeyouboysact ingt
his
way,there'
sot
herwayst osolveconf
li
cts.I
fhesays
somethingyoudon'tli
kethenyoumustt el
lanadul
t
butyoudon'thavearightt
olayyourhandson
other
s"Nanasaidandt heboysnoddedthei
rheads,
"Nowapologizetoeachother
"sheadded
Shewat
chedt
hem mut
ter
ingapol
ogi
est
oeach
ot
her
.
"
Sowhatar
eyoupl
ayi
ng?
"sheaskedi
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"
Soccer
"theonesai
d
"
CanIpl
ay?
"Nanabl
urt
edout
"Aahauntyyouar
etoool
dandyouar
eagi
rl
"the
bigboysaid
"Ther
ewouldn'tbebanyanabanyanaifgi
rl
sweren'
t
all
owedtoplayandwhosai dI'
m ol
d?"shesai
d
placi
ngherhandsonherwai st
"OKthenyouwi
llbeourgoal
keeper
"Theboyssai
d
beaming
"Let
'sdothi
s!"Nanasaidt
yingaknotonherdress,
sheleftt
hehousetotakeastrol
ltocl
earherhead
andnowshewaspl
ayi
ngsoccerwi
thchi
ldr
en…
howgreat
!
*
***
*
Atni
ght
*
Nomzamogaspedsi tt
ingonherbut t,
shehashad
dreamsbef orebutt hisonewasbi zarre, she
dreamedofachi ldsmear ingpoopont hesi deof
herface.Maybeshewaspr egnantagai nage
thoughtitwashi ghlypossi blewiththewayt hey
werefvckinglikerabbits,shebr ushedi tof fand
headedt othebat hroom.Whensher etur nedshe
passedbySbusi siwe'scri
b, shewassl eepi ngbut
herbreathi
ngwasf unnyandZamonot icedshewas
sweating.
Shewi
pedherdryandr
educedthebl
anketsthen
madehersl
eeponhert
ummy, maybethesleepi
ng
posi
ti
onwasnotcomf
ort
abl
eforher.Sheret
urned
tobednextt
oFr
ankwhowasfastasleep.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
48].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er75
Zamowast hefi
rstt
owakeup,shecheckedon
Sbusi f
ir
standsheseemedtobesleepingpeacef
ul
st
ill
.Shesmi l
edtouchi
ngherl
it
tl
ehand, shewas
growingimmenselyitwasasuchblessi
ng.She
madeherwayi ntothebathr oom t
ogetr eadyf or
work,fir
stupsheur inat
edt henshewashherhands
andbr ushhert eeth.Whenshet ookagl anceont he
mirrorshenot i
cedapat chofpimpl esbr eakingout
onthesi deofherf ace,sheobser vedcl oselyand
herhear tsunk.Ifthere'
sonet hingshedet estedit
wasski nirri
tat
ion,shemadeament alnotet otake
careofitaf t
ersheshower s.
Shewasnowdr essedstandinginfr
ontofami r
ror
andt hepatchseemedt ohavespr eadedtotheother
partsofherfaceandt heylookedbiggerand
disgusti
ngperhapsi t
sbecauseshehadpopped
them earl
ieron,thi
swasser iousl
ybuggingher.
Frankwal kedinthebathroom withhi
seyeshalf
closed,heknewexact l
ywher ethetoil
etseatwas,
helift
editupandai medatt heholetourinat
e.
"
Mor
ningbabe"hesai
dinhi
ssl
eepyvoi
ce
"Morni
ng"Zamosai
dlowl
y,whenshet
urnedar
ound
Frankj
umpedstar
tl
ed.
"Whatt
hehel
lhappenedt
oyourf
ace?
"heasked
ast
ounded
"Idon'
tknow,Iwokeupl
iket
his"shesai
dint
he
vergeoftear
s
"
Whatt
hef
uck!
"hemut
ter
ed
Nomzamostor
medout ,
shewantedtocalli
nsick
buti
twasexam t
imeandherchi
ldr
enreli
edonher ,
shegat
her
edherstuf
fandheadedtothekit
chen.
Fr
ankwasnowdr i
vingNomzamotoschool,hekept
onsteal
inggl
ancesatherandherfacel
ooked
di
sgusti
ngbutdidn'
twanttost
ressherf
urther
.
"Whydon'tyoubookinwi
thadoctortogett
hat
checkedout,youcoul
dbeal
ler
gictosomethi
ng"
Franksuggested
"
Yeah!Iwast
hinki
ngofthesamethi
ng,
Iwi
llbook
i
nduri
ngmylunchbreak"Nomzamosai
d
"OK!Don'
tstressabouti
t,i
t'
sjustpimplest
heywi
ll
goaway"Frankassuredher,shejustnodded
l
ookingoutthewindow.
Theyar ri
vedatt heschoolparkingl ot,Frankcar r
ied
allofNomzamo' smanybagsi ntohercl assroom
l
ikeheal waysdoi nthemor ni
ng,het henki ssedher
briefl
yt henwi shedheragr eatdayahead.Onhi s
wayhef oughttheedget oreturnthosemi ssedcall
s,
hewasser i
ousabouter asingThul adoof fhismind,
hewant edt ofocusonNomzamoandmakehert he
happiestgi rlonear t
h,hefoundat rai lofat ear
fall
ingonhi sface.Nomzamowast rulyagodsend,
shewassounder standi
ngandal truistic.Shehas
stoodbyhi m onhi slowestwher enogi rlcouldhave
done, shekepthi m whenhehadnot hingt ohis
name, hewasbl essed.
*
***
Thul
adobol
tedoutoft
hehospi
talavoi
dingI
fe,
she
foundMhlengialr
eadyparkedout
side.I
twasFr i
day
andshewasdr ivi
ngtoMooiRiverwitht
hekids,i
t
wasablessingindisgui
setobeawayf r
om allt
his
chaosThuladothought.
"i
cheri
eyami
!"Mhl
engisai
dleani
ngonthecar
,he
greet
edThul
adowit
hadeepenedkiss
"Heybabe!"Thuladosai
dsi
nki
ngdeepi
nhi
s
embrace,sheloveshim
"Let
'sgogett
hekids,
ever
ythi
ngi
sready.Allyou
havetodoisfr
eshenupandgo"Mhlengisai
d
"Thankyou,
I'
m sur
edadwi
llbehappy"Thul
ado
said
"
Doyoul
oveme?
"Mhl
engiaskedheroutoft
hebl
ue
"
IloveyousomuchMhl
engi
"hereyesgl
ist
ened
"
Iwanttospendtherestofmyl i
fewit
hyoushor
ty"
Hesai
dstari
ngintoherglossyeyes.
"
Ihadi
maginednootherway"sheanswered.
Mhl
engiswal
lowedt
henhenoddedhi shead.
Heopenedthedoorf
orher,shehoppedthenhe
wal
kedovertothedr
iver
'ssi
deandleftdustbehi
nd.
*
***
Thehypei nt hehousewasi ndescr i

babl e,thet wins
wer esohappyt hatt heywillgettoseet heir
grandf atherandt heirbel
ovedauntNhl anhlobut
most lytheycoul dn'twaittogoonabughunti nthe
thickets,Mkhul uhadnumer ousf ruittr
eesi nt he
yar dandaveget ablepatch.Thul adot oldthem i f
theywer eluckyt heycoul denjoysomemeal i
esand
peaches, t
heyf acesl i
tupitwasobvi oust hatl i
fei
n
ther uralwasl ikeanadvent ureifyoul ivedi nt he
city.Thet ranqui l
itywaspur ebl i
ss,Mhl engij ustsat
ont hecouchst aringathislitt
lefami l
y, verysoon
theywi llbet akingt r
ipstogethernott hesedr ibsand
drabsbuthet houghti twoul dbedi srespect fulto
justshowupatThul ado'
shomest eadasababy
daddy.Hewant edt odot hi
ngsr ight.
"
I'
m goi
ngtovi
sitmalumeandperhapsspendsome
t
imewithMusaunti
lyouguysr
eturn"Mhlengisai
d
t
oThulado
"
backt
otaki
ngt
axi
'
sagai
nhuh?
"shesai
dchuckl
ing
"
Idon'
thaveacarsoIcan'
tcompl
ain"Her
epl
ied
wit
hasmirk
"Howaboutwebuyyouacarf
oryou?
"Thul
ado
suggest
ed
"Don'
tworr
yaboutme,youhavebeencover
ingmy
shameforfart
oolong,
it'
smytur
nnow"Mhl engi
said
"I
fyouinsi
st,
I'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssyou"shesai
d
pouti
ng
"
It
'sj
ustaweekend,goandspendt
imewi
thyour
f
amil
y"Mhlengisai
d
Theyroundedoffthekidsthenl
oadedthecar,
Mhlengial
readycheckedthewater,
oilandtyr
es,
ever
ythi
ngwasper fect
.Thuladohootedasshe
dr
oveoutt
heEst
ate.
*
***
Frankwasl ockedupi nther

oom, hejuststar
tedhis
sevendayf asthewasi ndeeppr ayeranddevot i
on,
heswi t
chedof fhisphoneandscr eenedoutt he
worldjustt
obeonewi thGod.Whi lehewast ryi
ng
togetsomesl eephehear daf ai
ntknock, he
groanedgetti
ngoutofbed, allhewant swassi l
ence
andpeacebutSbusiwasst i
llinhousewi thher
nanny.Hewentt oopenthedoorandwasmetbya
dist
raughtguar di
an.
"Si
r!Somethi
ngiswrongwi thSbusisi
we,it
'sbeen
daysnow"sheturnedaroundt oshowhimt he
sweatychil
donherback."Everydaynowwear el
ike
thi
s,shedoesn'
twanttoplaysoIwor kwithheron
myback.Thisstar
tedafterthedayshewokeup
screamingbutwhenIcheckedonhersheseemed
fi
nejustawkwardl
ycli
ngyandt hi
sisunl
ikeher"
Thenannysai
d
"Doyout
hinkshei
sil
l?
"Fr
ankaskedworr
ied,
"
Bri
nghertome"hesai
dobser
vingher
.
Sheopenedhereyest oseewhowascar ryi

ngher
whenshesawherf athershesmiledfai
ntl
yand
resumedhersl
eeping.Frankcall
edNomzamoand
l
uckil
ysheanswered,hewasj usttr
yinghi
sluck.
"
Hey"shesai
dinal
owvoi
ce
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Heasked
"Youmustseemyf aceandyou?Ithoughtyou
swit
chi
ngoffyourphone!"Sheasked
"I
t'
sanemer gency,it
'sSbusi
siweshei
ssweating
andverylethargic,
thenannysaidshethi
nks
somethi
ngi swr ongwi t
hherbecausesheisacti
ng
outofcharacter"Franksaid
"
Youknowlastni
ghtshewassweat i
ngtooandI
t
houghtmaybeIgavehertoomuchblankets,she
wasevenbr
eathi
ngfunny.I'
m goi
ngtocallThulado
she'
sar
egi
ster
ednur
se,
maybeshecanhel
p"Zamo
sai
d
"
Okay,l
etmeknow.Maybeweshoul
dtakeheri
nfor
acheckup"Fr
ankadded
"
Defi
nit
ely!Letmegetbackt
owor
k.Letmeknowi
f
i
tworsen"Zamosaid
"
OK…Il
oveyou"Fr
anksai
d
"
Iloveyoumor
e"shehungup
Frankwentonhiskneesandprayed,whenhewas
donehefellasl
eepwit
hSbusinexttohim.
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
Nhlanhl
oulul
atedasThul
adodroveint
otheyard,
Thuladogi
ggl
edshakingherhead,
itwasal
ready
darkandt hechildr
enwer efastasleep.Theywent
fr
om sor t
ingcarsincol or
stocount i
nganimalsand
allsort
sofgamest heycouldplaytomaket heirtr
ip
seem shor ter
.Whent heywereallcalm andhush
Thuladopl ayedsomesof tmusicandt hatsentthem
strai
ghtintoaslumber .
"
Icl
eanedyourroom si
si,
ever
ythingisr
eady…
wel
come!"Nhl
anhlosai
decstatical
ly
"Aahwhatwoul
dIbewi
thoutyou"Thul
adosai
d
genui
nel
y
Slowlytheot hersgat heredi ntheyardt osee

Thulado,somer estedt heirhandsont hei
rhips
scruti
nizi
ngt heshor tgi rlfr
om headt otoelooking
forthelit
tl
iestfaultbutsadl yt
heyf oundnone,
Thuladowast oohappyt obesi mmer eddown.
Nombusoappear edwal kingwiththeirfat
her,she
l
aughedsar casti
cally.
"Awumf azikaMkhuzeni
"shesaidl
oudenought
o
ear
nherselfaglar
efr
om Nhlanhl
o(awwMkhuzeni
's
wif
ehasar r
ived)
"ungazosbhedel
alawena,uMkhuzeniakanamfazi
l
ayikhaya!"Nhl
anhl
osaidscof
fi
ngher( don'
ttal
k
nonsenseMkhuzenidoesnothaveawi feint
his
yard)
"
I'
mjustki
dding!l
oosenup,
wher
ear
emyki
ds?"
Nombusoasked
"Theyar
esl
eepi
ngatt
heback,
hel
lobaba!
"Thul
ado
said
"
Mydaught
eryouar
ewel
comed"MrMdl
etshe
r
epl
ied
Theyal
lfol
lowedeachothertot
hemainhouse,
NombusoandNhl anhl
ocarri
edeachoft
het wi
ns
andThul
adocr adl
edNtobekowhowasalreadyup
fr
ontal
ltheruckus.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
48].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er76
*
SPONSOREDbyAmandaJamesMyo*
*
Dur
ban*
Intheweehour softhethemor ni
ngNomzamo
wokeupf eeli
ngr at
herunsettl
ed,herfacewas
coveredwithhideouspimplesthatwer e
unexplai
nable,shewasyett ogettothebott
om ofi
t
butthateer ief eeli
ngshecouldn'tshakeoff
l
ingeried.Shewentt ocheckonherSbusi si
webut
whatshef oundi nhercri
bcouldn'thaveprepared
her.Sbusi siwe'seyeswer eopenedbutshewasn' t
bli
nking, shet ouchedhert ogetsomesor tof
reacti
onbutnot hing,i
tseemedlikeshewasl ooki
ng
atsomet hingonl yshecouldsee.Nomzamo
becamehyst ericalshaki
ngSbusitosnapoutofi tto
noavai l
,Fr ankwokeupi ntheprocessandr ushed
overtot hem.
"Somet
hingi
swr ongwit
hmybabyFr ank"
Nomzamoscreamedf r
anti
cal
ly,
"Wakeherup,
look
atmybabyFrank"shecri
ed
Fr
ank'
seyeswi
dened,
hepani
ckedi
nst
ant
ly.
"Weneedtopray,putheronthebed.I'
m sor
ry
Nomzamot hi
si sal
lmyf aul
t…pl
easeforgi
veme"
Franksai
dwipinghistearst
hatbl
indedhisvi
sion.
"Whatdidyoudo?Frankwhatdi
dyoudot
omy
baby?"sheshr
iekedpai
nful
ly
"I-
Idon'
tknowbutIj ustknowthisismyf aul
t"he
touchedherallovernotknowingwhattodo." Oh
Godmybaby…Sbusi siwe!Sbusii
t'
sdaddycanyou
hearme? "Fr
ankcal l
edoutbutnothing,
"Mybaby"
hecried
Theystartedpr ayi
ngoverSbusi si
webutt hepai nin
thei
rheartwast oheavytheyfoundt hemselves
cryi
ngmor ethanprayingandSbusi siwe'
seyes
werestil
lwi deopenandnotbl inkingitwaslikeshe
wasf r
ozen, li
keast at
ue.Frank'
sphoner angf rom
thepedestalher ushedtoitandsawanumbert hat
wasn'tsaved, heansweredangr il
y.
"
What
?"Hesai
d
"
SendNtsi
kayourl
ocat
ion….Now!I
t'
sNandi
"The
l
adysai
d
Frankhungupanddi dashewast old,hethen
call
edMhl engitheonlyfamilyhehas.Hewas
besidehimself,heneverthoughthewoul dcryso
helplessl
yinfrontofNomzamobutt he
ci
rcumst anceswasbeyond.Hescr atchedhishead
pacingupanddownwai t
ingforMhl engit
opickup.
"
Fuze!
"Mhl
engisai
dchi
ll
ed.
"Mhlengimybaby,she'
snotmovi
nghereyesare
openl i
keI'
m soscar
ed…Idon'
tknowwhattodo,I
can'tevenpray…pl
easehel
pme"hesai
dhisvoice
breaking
"I
'
m onmyway, hangi
ntheMaphol
oba!
"Mhl
engi
saidhangi
ngup
*
***
Mhlengiwasthefi
rsttoarr
ivehewasequall
y
worri
edabouthisniece,
thenshort
lyaf
terhi
m
par
kedt hr
eeMercedeshaltedbehi
ndeachotheron
theroadsi
de.NandiandNtsikabolt
edintotheyar
d
fol
lowedbyNkosazane,NkanyeziandNkosanaand
Masabatha.Theyent
eredthehouseasi ft
heyknew
exactl
ywhatwasgoingon.
"Lightupawhi t
ecandl eandputacomf ort
able
blanketont hefl
oor,she'sokay"Nandisai dlooki
ng
atFr ankandNomzamo" She'sokayIpr omideyou
butshesawt hemonst erwi t
hherinnocenteyesand
that'
swhyshei sl i
kethis,thi
sspiri
thasbeen
hover i
ngoverherforlongnow.Hi slookingforways
tohur tyoubutthi
schi l
di sprot
ected"Nandi
assur edthem
"Thenwhyisshel
iket
his?Lookather
!"Nomzamo
screamed
"LikeIsaidshesawt hePhantom wi thherinnocent
eyes, i
twastoomuchf orherbuthecoul dn'tt
ouch
her .I
t'
sjustt
hathispresencehavebeenwear i
ng
herdownandmaki ngherscar edbutshei sf i
ne.
Lightupacandl eandweshal lallpray,i
fyoucan't
prayt henIsuggestyouleavether oom andwai t
outsidebecauseanyt hi
ngcanhappen"shepaused
l
ookingatZamo, "Yourface!Iseeawomanwi t
h
yourpi ct
ure,shehasdonet hi
ngstoit
.Thiswoman
i
scr yingandhert ear
sar efall
ingonyourpicture,
shewant syoutosufferjustli
keshehassuf fer
ed.
Youwi l
lneedtofi
ndaheal ertocl
earyourface
don'tevenwast eyourener gytogotoadoct or"She
added
"
Whowoulddosuchathingt
omebaki t
hi?
"
Nomzamopl
acedherhandsonherhead
"Idon'
tknowher,al
loft
hesethi
ngsaredist
racti
ng
thebothofyou,
youaren'
tasprayer
full
ikebefor
e,a
gapwasopened"shesaidtendi
ngtoSbusi.
Nomzamosl iddownthewal ldefeatedshel anded

wit
hherbuttont hef
loor,i
twasal lt
oomucht otake
i
n.Frankwaitedeagerl
ytofoll
owi nstructi
onsl edby
Nandi,
theyplacedSbusisi
weont heflooranda
candl
enexttoherandt heystart
edpr aying.Mhl engi
andtheotherguyswaitedinthelounget hey
coul
dn'tbedeepinprayerli
ketheirpartnersbut
theyprayedsil
ent
lyint
hei
rhear
ts.Fr
ankwasone
roari
nginprayerwit
hthel
adi
es,Nomzamojoi
nedin
aswel l
.
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
LubanziandLuminjal
ower egearedupi ntheir
bootsl
eggingsandjerseys,t
heyhadt heirplast
ic
magnifyi
ngglassandclearcontainer
s,allthetool
s
youwouldneedwhenyougoonabughunt .
"Di
dyouevenf
ini
shedyourpor
ri
dge?
"Thul
ado
asked
"Yestheydi
d,Imadesur
eofi
t"Nombusosai
d
appeari
ngbehindt
hem
"Oh!It
houghttheywer
ewi t
hNhlanhl
oint
he
kit
chen"Thul
adosaidr
eluct
ant
ly
"Yeahshewasther
ebutumam' ncanesummoned
hersoIstayedwi
ththem"Shesaid
"
OhOKt
hankyou"Thul
adosai
d
"
Mummycanwegonow?
"Thegi
rl
sasked
i
mpat
ient
ly
"
Yeahsur
e…don'
tleavet
heyar
d"Thul
adowar
ned
"
Yesmummy"t
heysai
dinuni
sont
hent
heyr
anof
f
"
Youarerai
singsnobsItel
lyou,Sazesaf
aisingi
si"
Nombusocomplained(
wear edyingofEngl
ish)
"Theyknowhowt ospeakIsiZulubutt
heyareused
ofEnglishbecausethat'
showt heyspeakatschool
andtheyspendmostoft hei
rtimether
eanyway,
andr ememberweusedt oli
vewi t
hSharonsoI
cannotavoidital
together
"Thuladosaidinher
defense
"Nooff
ensebutt
heymustbeabletodi
sti
nguish
whentospeakandwhennott
oo,theycousi
nsdon't
under
standt
hem mostoft
heti
meandi t'
snotnice"
Nombusoadded
"
OK!Iwi
llr
emi
ndt
hem"Thul
ador
epl
ied
"Ihopeso,anywaydadi
saskingf
oryouatt
het
op"
Shef i
nal
lysaidandwal
kedaway.
Thuladostuckhert ongueandr aisedhercl aws

behindherback, itwasal wayssomet hi ngwith
Nombuso, she'sneversat i
sfi
ed.Shecl osedt he
doorquicklyremember ingthatNtobekoshoul dbe
bythekitchen,sher anupthelit
tlehil
l.Whenshe
madei tt
ot hetopshecaughtagl impseofhi mi n
hisbluedinosauronsi esitti
ngonherf ather'
slap,
shesmi l
edheavi ngasi ghofrel
ief.Shegr abbeda
chairandsatnextt oherdad, t
hemor ni ngsun
shonebeaut i
ful
lyr ejuvenati
ngtheirskin.
"Baba!Youcal
ledf
orme?"Thul
adosaid,Nt
obeko
cli
mbeddownhi sgr
andpaandwalkedovert
ohis
mother
"
Yes!Thechi
ldr
enhavegr
ownyouar
edoi
ngagood
j
ob"hesai
dhonest
ly
"
Thankyou"Shebl
ushedsmi
li
ng
"Howaret
hingsbet
weenyouandt
hei
rfat
her
?"He
asked
"Theyaregood,r
eal
lygood.I'
m happyhishome
withusnow,itmakesever
ythingeasi
er"she
answered
"Good!Doyouseeyour
selfspendi
ngt
her
estof
yourli
fewi
thhi
m? "Heasked
"Idon'tseemyl
if
ewi
thanyoneel
sebuthi
m baba"
Sher epli
ed
"Iwantyout oknowt hatjustbecauseyouhave
threechi l
drenwi thhim andt hathewasyourf i
rst
doesn' tmeant here'snothingbet t
eroutt here.Iwant
yout obehappyi neverysi nglewayThul adu
mnt wanawami , bewi t
hamanar ealman.Yousaw
fir
sthandhowt hatboyMkhuzenideci evedyou,
somepeopl ewi l
lhidet heirtruecolorsthroughout
andonl ymanifestonceyoui ntoodeep.It r
ustt hat
youknowl omf anawakwaNgcobo, heseems
genui nebutafterwhatMkhuzeni di
d,Icannotbe
toocar eful
.Idon' tl
ikethef actthathewasar rested
andl eftyoualonewi t
hki dsbuthehasr edeemed
himsel
fandisshowingintegr
it
yandIr
especthi
m
fort
hat.Doyoulovehi
m? "heasked
"
Ido"sher
esponded
"Doeshehityou?Isheacheater
?Ishei
ndebt
s?"
hefl
oodedherwithquest
ions
"
No!No!andNo"Thul
adochuckl
ed
"
OKKuhl
eke"hesai
dlooki
ngaway
Thuladosatt
her
equiet
lywai
ti
ngformor ebutit
seemedliket
heoldmanwasdone, Nt
obekostarted
playi
ngwitht
hesandandThuladocal
ledhim off
.
"Lethim be,
hewil
lgrowstrongandheal
thy.
Childr
enneedtoplayandgetdir
ty,
it'
spartof
growingup"hesai
d,Thuladocri
ngedbutleti
tsl
i
de.
*
***
*
Dur
ban*
FrankandNomzamosati nsil
enceinthei
rroom,
Sbusisiwewasbacktonormal,
shewasst i
llshaken
butatleastshewaseat
ingandplayi
ngasusual.
"
So?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ogot
otheheal
er?
"Fr
ankasked
"I
'
m aChr i
sti
anFrank,
I'
m notabouttogoint
o
shri
nes.Iwil
lpr
ayandt hi
sthi
ngwillwearof
f"She
saidangri
ly
"TheQueensaidt
hemanisnotasangomabut
knowledgeabl
ewi
thher
bs"Fr
ankinf
ormed
"TheQueent his,
theQueenthat…i mtir
edOk,li
kei
m
drai
nedbyal lofthis.I
fit
snotthePhantom i
tswork,
nowt hi
sandawi tchwhenwillIcatchabr
eak?Im
ti
redFrank"shesai dhonest
ly
"
I'
m sor
ry!
"Fr
anksai
dget
ti
ngoutofbed
"
Sorr
y?Youshouldbesor r
ythi
sisallyourfaul
t,
Godknowsineverwantedtosaythi
sbuti t
sthe
t
rut
h.Thi
sisallbecauseofyouandI'm st
arti
ngto
thi
nkit'
soneofyourwomanwhodi dthi
stome,
onceacheateralwaysacheat
err
ight
?"Shesai
d
gett
ingonherfeet
"
Zamot
hat
snotf
air
"Fr
anksai
dwi
thgl
ist
eni
ngeyes
"What'
snotfai
rFrank,l
ookatmyfaceandmychil
d
almostdi
edbecauseofyourthi
ngsandyouwantto
tal
kaboutfai
rness?"Nomzamoshoutedwi
tht
ears
str
eamingdownherf ace
"Doyouhonest l
ythinkI'
m enj
oyingalloft
hishuh?I
canseewhatyout r
yingtodo,iwil
lnotshif
tmy
focusontheLor d,
youknowi mf ast
ingandyouare
tryi
ngtodist
ractme…getbehi ndtheesatannot
today!
"Frankspatback
"Youcal
li
ngmesat an?Youaret
hebiggestsatan,
youcameintomyl i
feandrui
nedit
.From backthen
iwasinawheelchairandl
ookatmenow"
Nomzamor oar
ed
"Di
diputagunonyourheadNomzamo?Di difor
ce
youtobewithme?Ibeggedyout
oletmebebut
youri
nsi
sted,youdr
aggedmeoutofthest
reetaf
ter
Ipl
eadedforyoutol
eaveme…iknewIwasacur se
andnowyoutal
kingl
iket
his?Wow"hesaidsi
tt
ing
onthecol
dfl
oor
,hisf
acewasr edandhi
seyes
puf
fed
"Iknow"Shesaidsoft
ly,"
I-Il
oveyout
hatmuchI
guessI '
mjustt
ryi
ngtof i
ndsomeonetoblame…I
'm
sorry"shesai
dregret
tabl
y
"I
'
m goingtomybrot
her
'splace,
cal
lmei
fyouneed
anyt
hing"Fr
anksai
dget
tingup
"
I'
m sor
ry…pl
easedontgo"Nomzamopl
eaded
"Ij
ustneedtocl
earmyhead"heputonhi
scl
othes
andshoesthenhelef
t.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er77
*
Dur
ban*
TheUberhal t
edoutsi
detheEstate.Fr
ankdial
ed
Mhl engiwal
kinguptothegate,
thesecur
it
y
recognizedhi
mi mmediatel
yandopenedforhim.
"
Areyouhome?
,im out
side"Fr
anksai
dtot
hephone
"
Comet
hrough,
I'
m home"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
Fr
ankgr eet
edt
hesecuri
tyandpr
oceededinsi
de,
Mhlengiwasal
readywai
tingf
orhi
m bythedoor.
"
Comei
nsi
de!
"Hef
oll
owedhi
mint
othel
ounge.
Hespot t
edaplat
eanditwasloadedwith
scrumptiousf
oodhismouthwatered,
thejui
cy
piecesofchopsandworswil
ldogoodf orhi
mright
nowbuthewasf asti
ng.
"
Youwantsome?
"Mhl
engiof
fer
ed
"Youknowwhat ?Dar
nit
,Ihaveal
readyr
uinedmy
fastt
oday,
ijusthadafi
ghtwit
hNomzamo"hesaid
grabbi
ngapieceofmeat
"Letmegoandgetmor erol
ls,Thul
adoandthe
chil
drenar
egonet oMooiRiverandI'
m noti
nthe
moodt ocook"hechuckl
ed
"Whycookwhenyoucangril
landf
rymeatbr
o?It
doesn'
tmakesense,
thi
sishowamanshouldeat
…
l
otsandlot
sofmeat"Fr
anksaid
"
Withphut
huandsal
adr
ight
?"Mhl
engiscr
eamed
f
rom t
hekit
chen
"
Youknowidi
dn'
tgr
owupliket
hatbutI
'
ml ovi
ng
t
hewayNomzamocooks,
thehear
tymealsiswhatI
l
ookf
orwar
dtoo"Fr
ankscr
eamedback
Mhlengiret
urnedwit
hmorer
oll
sinabowlandan
ext
raglassforcool
dri
nk.
"Sowhatbringsyouher
e?Nott hatimi
ndbutyou
didn'
tevenaler
tme"Mhlengiaskedconcer
ned
"Ihadnowhereel
setogo,myheadisallovert
he
placebutNomzamosaidthi
ngsthatgotme
thinki
ng"Fr
ankpausedsohecouldchewonhis
food
"
Soar
eyousl
eepi
ngover
?"Mhl
engiasked.
"
Yeah!I
fthat
sok?
"Fr
ankasked
"Yeaht
hatsgood,Iwil
lpr
epar
ethegi
rl
sroom f
or
you"Mhlengir
epl
ied
"No!Notmyni ecesroom,t
hisbadspir
iti
sroaming
around,idon'
twantittodi
stur
bthei
rpeacelikei
t
didwithSbusi.Iwi
llsl
eeponthecouch"Frank
reasoned
"
Ok!
"Mhl
engisai
d
Aftert
heyhavecl eanedthepl at
esMhl engiclear
ed
thecoffeet abl
etaki
ngallt
hedi rt
ydishest othe
kit
chen.Fr ankfol
lowedhim shortl
ytowashhi s
hands,aftertheyweresati
sfiedtheyreturnedtothe
couch.
"
I'
mli
steni
ng"Mhl
engipr
obed
"Youknowt hatsayi
ngt hatgoeslike*payclose
attentiontosomeonewhoi sangrybecauset hat
s
whent hetruthcomesout ,
whensomeonesays
somet hinginangert heyhavebeendyi ngtotel
lyou
that"*Franksai d,"
Nomzamosai dt hi
ngstodayand
I'
m gui lt
y,iguessithurtscomi ngfrom hermouth
butit'sthetruthandnowt hatiknowhowshef eels,
idon'twantt obotherheranymor e"Frankadded
"Onef
ightandyouwanttogiveup?Idon'
t
under
standbro"Mhl
engisai
dastounded
"
Youdon'
tunder
standbr
o,t
hisi
sdeep.Nomzamo
fi
nall
yadmitt
edt
hatirui
nedherli
feandt
hat
ever
ythi
ngismyfaul
t.Icoul
dseeiti
nhereyes,she
regr
etsbei
ngwit
hme"Fr anksai
ddryi
nghiseyes
"
I'
m sor
rybutjustdon'tgi
veuponher,she'
shuman
t
ooandshe'spr obabl
yhurti
ngandexhaustedit
s
j
ustamistake,shewil
lsitandt
hinkandreali
zeher
f
ault
"Mhlengisaid
"Ij
ustwanttogiveherachancetobehappyand
wit
houtmyt r
oubles.Ineedaplacetost
ay"Fr
ank
sai
d,"Thi
sthingofusbeingkeptbyourwomen
muststop"headdedl i
ghtl
ychuckl
ing
"
Iknowright!Wewillf
ixi
t"Mhlengisai
d,"Iwonder
whatSagil
athinksofusr
ightnow"Mhl engiadded
"
Wef
uckenpat
het
icman"Fr
anksai
d
"Aynotme…I'mt oocooltobepatheti
c,imayhave
fai
ledinsomethingsbutI'
m notpatheti
c…haveyou
everseenapatheti
cpersonlooki
ngl i
keme?"he
askedjoki
ngl
y
"
I'
mlooki
ngathi
m"Fr
anksai
d
"
Fusegmasendakho!
"(
yourpr
ivat
es)
"Howcanyouswearaper
sonwhoi
sfast
ing?
"
Frankasked
"
Aft
erfi
nishi
ngmymeatyouremember
edyou
f
ast
ing"heaskedbutFr
ankl
aughed
"
Mxm,soar
eyougoi
ngt
ohel
pme?
"Fr
ankchanged
t
het
opic
"Defi
nit
elybutononecondi t
ion!Neverneglectyour
chil
dbro,justbecauseyouandNomzamoar egoing
thr
oughar oughpatchdoesn' tmeanthatSbusisiwe
shouldsuffer.Itr
ustyourjudgmentasagr ownman
asfarasNomzamoi sconcer nedbutintheli
ttl
e
ti
meIhaveknownhericant ellt
hatsheisagood
womanandt hosearerar
et of i
nd.Don'
tgivehertoo
mucht i
mebr o"Mhlengiemphasi zed
"
Yeah!
"Fr
anksi
ghed
"SoI'
mt hi
nki
ngyoubuyahouse!Somet hi
ngchil
d
fri
endl
yandinasaf enei
ghbor
hood.Inmyspare
ti
meihavebeenl ooki
ngandisawsomeni ce
housesinwestvi
ll
eandDurbanNorth"Mhl
engisaid
"
Letslooki
nDur banNort
hbecauseit
'sclosert
o
whereouroff
iceswil
lbe"Fr
anksuggested
"
Okt
hen"her
epl
iedswi
tchi
ngt
heTVon
*
***
Nanagl ancedatt hephot ographoncemor e,her

hesrtcl enchedshecl osedt hedr awersi t
tingonher
bed,sheshookt helitt
lebot tleshewasgi venbyt he
herbalistbeforepour ingadr opi nhert ea.She
snuggl edonherbeddr inkingherhotbever age,
everythingwasf alli
ngintopl ace.Herjour neyt oher
heali
ngwasi npr ocess,shewasl ookingf orwar dto
thesessi onwi ththeshr inkt omor rowandt hef act
thatSfisoof feredtodr i
vehert herewasacher ryon
top.Itwasgoi ngt obef oolishofhert ol oseagood
manoversomeonewhoi sdeadandgone, sheput
onherBl uetoothspeakerandpl ayedmusi cfrom
herphone.Shesl idunderherbl anket
sandwai ted
forsleept ocome.
*
***
*
Thenextmor
ning*
Nomzamowasbawl i
nghereyesouti nfrontofthe
mirror
, shecoul dn'tbelievethatshewasl ookingat
herface, t
hepi mpl escover edeveryinchofher
beautyandi thur tsobad.Asi fthiswasn'twor se
butFrankdi dn'tr etur
nhomel astnight
,shet hought
i
twasj ustgoingt obeawal katthebeachbutnow
thi
s.Youknowt hatmomenti tdawnsonyout hat
youmessedup, shewasdoi ngsowel li
nr egulat
ing
herstressesaboutFr ankbutnowshebl ewupand
hurthim withherwor ds.
Yesit'
struethatdeepdownshef eelsli
keFrank
broughtallt
hesethingsintoherli
febutlovecovers
amul t
it
udeofbadr ight?Andt hat
sit!Herlovefor
hi
mi senought owal kthr
oughhel lwit
hhim but
whatcanshedonow?Wor dsareoutandFr ankis
gone,shewi pedhertearsandcont i
nuedapplyi
ng
l
otiononherbody.Usual lyFrankwouldwakeup
aroundthist i
me, hewouldsaunt eri
ntothe
bathroom wi t
hhi seyeshal
fclosedunt i
lhearri
ves
i
nf rontofthet oil
etseat
,hewoul dli
fti
tupandai m
thi
swashi srout i
neeverymorningwi t
houtfai
l…
Nomzamof el
tt hevoidi
mmedi atel
y,nowshehast o
dri
veher selftowor kandcar
ryherheavybags.
Shewasr eadytoleavesoshehuggedandki ssed

Sbusi
siwe,thenannypr omisedtocallhershoul
d
somethi
nghappent ot hebaby.Sheent er
edthecar
anddroveouttheyar d, sheconnect
edherphonet o
theBl
uetoothanddi aledFr ank.
"
Hey"hesai
dinasl
eepyvoi
ce
"
Onear
gumentandyougonehuh?
"shesai
dsadl
y
"
Nomzamo!
"heut
ter
edi
nawhi
sper
"NoFr ankanswerme!I'
m al
waysher
eforyoubuti
burstoutonceandyoudon'tcomebackhome!
"she
sai
dt hroughgri
tt
edteet
h
"
Babe!Il
oveyouokaybutweneedt
imeapar
t"
Fr
anksai
drel
uct
ant
ly
"No!No!No!Idon'
tneedyourf
ucki
ngtimeapart
,i
needyourassbackhome.Youcan'tl
eaveusata
ti
melikethi
s,weneedyou"shesai
d
"Thethingsyousai dlastnightwer et
rue,iknowyou
verywell.Ittookal otforyout oevenutt
erthose
wor dsandI 'm gladyoudi dbecausenowicando
thingsri
ght .Istil
lloveyoubutI '
m notcomi ngback
toyourhouse.Ineedt imeof fsoicanfocuson
thesethingst hatar efol
lowingmeandi fyoust i
ll
wantmet hereaf t
erwewi l
ltakeoffwherewel ef
t
butiwillnotr eturntoyourhouseagai n"hesaid
sternl
y
"
FrankI
'
m sor
ry"shecr
iedout
"
Iknow…dontst
ress.Iwi
llst
il
lmaket
imef
orSbusi
,
I
'
mj ustacal
laway"hehungup
Nomzamo'stear
swell
edupinhereyesbli
ndi
ngher
vi
sion,
shepull
eduponthesi
deoftheroadand
cr
ied.
*
***
Nanaf el
tpositi
veabouthersessi ont oday,she
woremakeupandhershor tweavejusttoboostup
herconfidence.Shegl ancedatthetimeandSf iso
wast oarri
veanymi nute,shegrabbedherbagand
rushedupt owaitbyt heroadunf ort
unatelythere
wasnopat hthatledtoherhousef oracar ,
shehad
towalkashor tdistancebutyoucoul dst i
llseeher
housef r
om theroad.Shet appedherbootont hetar
waiti
ngf orherman, orwasi tsti
ll
?Shedi dn'tknow.
Sfi
soparkedi
nfrontofherandsherushedtoget
i
nsideitwasali
tt
lechi
ll
y,thegent
lemangreet
ed
herbri
efl
y.
"
Soyoudoi
ngt
his?
"Sf
isoaskedst
art
ingt
hecar
"Imisst
hedaysyouwouldsay-WE"Nanasaidbut
Sfi
sosnort
edlooki
ngoutt
hewindow,"
I'
m sor
ryfor
whatidid,thewayIact
ed.Ihadenoughti
meto
ref
lectandbabeyoudidn'
tdeser
vethewayit
reat
ed
you.Pleasefor
giveme"shesai
dsincer
ely
"Il
ongfor
gave"Sfi
sosaidkeepi
nghi
seyesonthe
road,
Nana'sl
ipscurvedi
ntoasmil
estar
ingathi
m,
hechuckl
edblushi
ng
Thedrivebecamesil
entther
eaft
er,
Sfisohal
ted
outsi
dethecenterheunbuckl
edhisseatbel
tsohe
couldtur
nandlookatNana.
"I
'mreall
yproudthatyouaredoingthi
s,i
t'
sgoingto
begoodf oryou"heheldherhandandleaned
for
war dtoki
ssher,i
twasdeepandemot i
onalwhen
hepulledouthetouchedherface."
I'
mleavingfor
Joburg"Hesaidsit
ti
ngbackonhi sseat
"Ohok…whenareyoucomi
ngback?"Nanaasked
herhear
tst
il
lbeat
ingf
astf
rom t
hatmagicalki
ss
"
I'
m notcomi
ngback,
thi
sisgoodbye"Sf
isosai
d
"
Idon'
tunder
stand!Yourki
ds…me"Nanasai
d
f
rant
ical
ly
"Itookthatj
obitoldyouabout,t
hepayisbet
terand
mor eexperi
enceforme.Myki dswil
lal
waysbemy
kids,iwil
lcomedownt ovisi
tandtheycancomeup
i
tsj usthour
sapart"Hesai
d
"
Me?Whataboutme?
"Nanaasked
"Yougoi
ngtobelateandiwishyounot
hingbutt
he
bestf
oryourf
uture"hesai
dunlocki
ngt
hecar
"Soyoubr
eaki
ngupwi
thme?
"sheaskedwi
tha
pleadi
ngt
one
"Nana!"HesaidbutNanasnapthedooropenand
shutitvigor
ously,
Sfi
sowatchedherst
orm away.
Heignitedhiscarandpr
essedonthegas.
2021
*
***
*
Sor
ryf
ort
hei
nconsi
stency,
I'
m ext
remel
ybusy,
my
daysarever
yunpr
edi
ctabl
eandi
t'
sst
ressf
ulbutI
'
m
al
iveandwell
.
Loadsofl
ove
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er78
*
Dur
ban*
Nomzamohadagl
oomydayatschoolandcoul
dn'
t
behappi ertoknockof fsoshecoul dlockher selfin
theroom wi thsomechocol atecakeandper iperi
wings, hernumberonecomf ortfood.Onherway
homeshest oppedatwool iesandgotacakeanda
fewt hingsf ort hehouse, sheendur edt hest ares
sher ecievedf r
om peopl eitmustbebecauseofher
face.Whenshewasf inishedshecal ledRoco
mama' sf oranor dertocol l
ectbyt het i
meshe
windsdownt hetraff
ic, herf oodwillber eady, the
sunwassmi li
ngdownf rom par t
soft heskyget t
ing
readyt oset .Itwasbeaut i
fultowat ch,Nomzamo
enviedi t
swar mt handt heener gyitshar edwi th
everyone, i
twasn' ti
nl inedwi t
hhowshef eltinside.
Shecoul df eelherhear tbr eakingfurtherjustby
thi
nkingofi t,tearsstreameddownherf ace.
Shewassur ethatFr ankwast heonebutaf t

erthat
cal
linthemor ningsheknewhewasj ustbei
ngnice
andthattheywer eover,j
ustbywor dsshecoul d
havearrangedbetterorjustavoidaltogether,
now…nowshel osttheloveofherlifeandherf ace
wasdamagedandhersel f-
esteem outt hewindow.
Frankwassupposedt orevivehisbusiness,marry
herandt heywoul dmakemor echil
drenandl i
ve
happi l
yeveraf t
erbutwhy?Whycoul dn'
thegetover
i
tandf orgiveher .Li
kesheant ici
patedbythet i
me
shear ri
vedatt herestaur
antherf oodwasj ust
dispatched, itwasst eaminghotyoucoul dfeelit
fr
om t ouchi ngthebr ownpaperbag.Nomzamopai d
andl eft
,whenshear ri
vedathome, t
henannywas
al
r eadydr essedt oleaveandSbusi siwewassi tt
ing
onherf l
uffycar petwatchingthetv,shehadal it
tle
cont ai
nerinf rontofherwi thchipsandbiscuit.
"
Heyma!
"Nomzamosai
dtot
henanny
"
Hel
loZamo,
howwasyouyourday?
"sheasked
"I
twasokay, wher
edidshegett
hechi
psand
biscui
ts"Zamoasked
"MnumzaneFrankwasher ewithhi
sbrot
her,he
spentt
imewit
hherandhel ef
twit
hhiscl
othes"The
nannysai
darchinghereyebrow
"
Oh!Maiboughtyousomethi
ng,pl
easewai
tforme
i
nthecar
"shesai
dhandingherabrownbag.
Nomzamodi ssapear
edintother oom tochangei nt
o
comf ortabl
eclothes,
shecouldj ustfeelt
he
empt inessadi f
fer
entki
ndofairhover edar ound
andi tmadehercr ysobad.Af t
ert hewaterwor ks
shewashedherhi deousfaceandl ef
ttheroom, she
pickedupSbusionherwayoutandshest art
ed
cryingbecauseshewaswat chingherf avorit
e
FancyNancyshow.
"
No…TVmummy"shecr
ied
"Wewi
llcomebacknow,
weneedt
odr
opof
fgogo"
Zamosaid
Sbusicri
edsi
lent
lyasNomzamobuckledheratt
he
back,t
henannyconsol
edher.Nomzamostart
ed
thecaranddr
oveout
"Wheredi
dyougeti
schi
thof
rom?
"thenanny
blur
tedout
"
It
'ssomewomeni
don'
tknow"Zamor
epl
ied
"Eyamadodat heyr eall
ydon'tcare,
theygoaround
sleepi
ngwi thwi t
cheswhocomebackandat t
ackus,
forwhat ?Idon'tknowngobaumunt ukumele
athakatheindodal eyakhe( apersonmustbewi t
ch
herman)butyoucan' tjustl
eaveitl
ikethatmygirl
,
got opeoplewhowi l
lhelpyouandmoveonwi th
yourli
fe"thenannysai d
"How?HowdoImoveonwhenmyheartst
il
lbeat
s
forhi
m.Il
oveFr
ankminama,
ngi
funayenanot
anyoneel
se(
iwanthi
m)
"Thistooshallpass,
it'
llbeli
keadream,there'
s
nothingtimecannotfix,wehavebeendumpedso
manyt imesthatwear enumb.Youj ustacceptand
moveon, i
nmyageidon' tcar
eaboutmenanymor e
thesethingsareallt
hesame"shesai d
"
Frankisadiff
erentbr
eedma, hei
sjustgoi
ng
t
hroughalot
…ngi zoml
inda"Zamorepl
ied
"If
eelforyou"shesai
dshaki
ngherheadl
ooki
ng
outthewindow.
*
***
*
UnknownPl
ace*
Mr sCel ewal kedi naroom packedwi thpeopl e,it

wasMandl a'sfami l
yandher s,shef ixedherf l
are
dressandsatdownnextt oherchi l
dr en.Her
per fumewaf tedfill
i
ngt hewhol er oom, shel ooked
fabul ous, t
hehi ghheelsandt hehai rstyleshehad
onmadeherl ookat adyoungert hanhi sage.
Mandl awasl aunchedinonecor ner,hewasgoi ng
tobei nawheelchai rfort herestofhi sli
fet he
doct or sadvi sed,ithasn'tbeeneasyf orhi m ever
sincet hecr ash.Thebot tom partofhi sbodywasn' t
funct ioningwhi chmeanther el
iedonot her stodo
thingsf orhim, hegotf iredf r
om wor kf ormessi ng
withcl i
entsandgi vingthecompanyabadname,
Phi ndilewasaval uedcust omeratt he
establ ishmentt heywer ei nsuri
nghercar s.
Hi
spsychol
ogi
calst
atewasi
nshambl
es,
hei
sst
il
l
attendi ngtherapyt oacceptr ealit
ysot hathecan
adapti ntohi snewl i
fest yle,allthef r
iendshehad
fr
om bl esseedaysvani shedi nt othinai r
,themighty
Mandl aCel ewasnowyest erdaysnews.Hewas
l
ooki ngt hin,frailandagi ngimmensel y,Mr sCel
e
nur sedhi mf rom t het imehewasdi schargedfrom
hospi tal,shebat hedhi m, cookedf orhim andmade
surehet ookhi smedi cat i
on.ThemomentMandl a
startedr ekindlingt hatspar kheoncehadf orher
wast hedaysher ealizedt hatt hiswasi t
,shetold
him shewant edadi vor cehencet hereisameet i
ng
now.
"Awmakot i
!Weunderstandthatyouar eangryand
thatyouar egoi
ngthr
oughdeepemot ionsrightnow
buttoent eri
naroom fullofyouri
nlawsdressed
l
ikeat eenageri
sdisr
espect f
ul"Mandla'
ssister
call
edherout
"
HowmustIdr
esssi
si?
"Mr
sCel
easked
"Ayawuthingi
thul
emnt akababa!
"shesai
dcl
appi
ng
herhandsonce(ayletmekeepqui et
)
"
Good!
"Mr
sCel
esai
d.Mandl
acl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
"Icall
edthismeet i
ngbecauseweneedyour
guidance, f
irst
lyIwanttoapologizet omybeaut iful
wi f
e,tomychi ldr
en, myfamilyandf ami l
yi nl
awf or
theembar r
assment .Iam ashamedofal lthethings
Ihavebeendoi ngtomywi f
eandmychi ldren,I'
m
sorrypleasef i
nditinyourhearttof orgi
veme.I
don'tknowwhyIwassoeasi l
yinfluencedbyt he
fastli
fethatIneglectedwhatt r
ulymat t
ered, t
he
truthisIlovemywi f
eandIdon' twantt ol oseher.
Shewant stodivorceme…Iunder standheranger
andr esentmenttowar dsmebutIam her ebegging
youal lt
opl easecounselandgui deus"hesai dwi th
abr eaki
ngvoi ce
"Onl
yaf ewpeopl ecanhumbl ethemsel vesandsay
sorr
y.Son!Ar ealmanapol ogi
zeswhent heyhave
madeami stake,Icommendyouf orthat.Makoti!
Youar enotwr ongt owanttoleavebutashei sher
e,
putt
inghimsel font helineI
'
m pleadingt hatyou
consideryourdeci sion"Mandl
a'suncl esaid
"
AlsoGodsai
dweshouldf
orgi
vethosewhodous
wrongasHehasf
orgi
venusofourwrongdoi
ng,
thi
nkmydaught er.Thi
sisyourhome, onceyou
l
eaveanot herwomanwi l
lcomeandchange
everyt
hing,yourkidshaveawar m homebecauseof
youbuti fyouleavetheymightnotevenhavea
homeanymor e"Mr sCel
e'sauntsaid
"Mydaught er, youar emychi ldsoIwontt ellyout he
wr ongt hing, forgive.Mysonwhatyoudi dtoZodwa
cannotbeundone, nowomanr ecover sfrom
i
nf idelit
ysobasi callyyouhavedest r
oyed
somet hingt hatwasbeaut ifulbecauseyoucoul dn't
keepi tinyourpant s, youneedt ounder standt hat
thisi sallyourf ault"peopl emut t
eredundert heir
breat hsevoki ngchaos, someagr eedbutsome
slashedt heaunt swor ds"No!Letmef i
nish,youal l
spokeuni nter rupted, l
etmef ini
sh"shesai dpi cking
upheronehandi nt heai r,"Mydaught erf orgive
becauseyoumi ghtbel eavingher ethinkingt hat
ther e'
sbet teroutt her ebuti t'
snotl i
ket hat,Wego
throught heseki ndoft hingsdai l
ybuti tshowyou
dealwi thitthatmat ters.Iencour ageyout ogi ve
your selftimeandi fyoust illwantt oleavet hen, Iwill
suppor tyou, youwor kf oryourmar ri
age"Zodwa' s
auntsai
d
"Thankyoual l
!Icanseeyoual ldon' tknowexcept
fortheCel e'stheyknowever ythingbecauseIuset o
comecr yi
ngbeggi ngtot hem, Mandl ahasn' tbeen
myhusbandf oryear s,hemademequest ionmysel f
asawomanpl entyoft imes.Iwoul dst andi nf ront
ofthemi r
rornakedscr utini
zingmysel fandeven
thoughIt houghtIwasbeaut if
ulandwoman
enough, Iturnedhi shousei ntoahome, Igavehi m
beaut i
fulchildren, Isuppor t
edhi m andmost
i
mpor t
antlyIal ways, alwayssubmi tt
edt ohi m yet
stil
lthatwasn' tenough.Mandl aher ewoul d
dissapearf orweekswi thoutevenl eavi ngacentf or
ust oatleastbuybr eadt oeat ,heconst antlymade
funofmyunempl oymentst atusandbecauseof
thatwewoul dst arve,whi l
ehedr inksexpensi ve
alcohol,drivi
ngi nf ulltankswi t hyounggi rlsand
fi
nedi ningmeanwhi l
elhischi ldrenst ruggled…ask
them theyknow, Idon'thavesoci almedi abutt hey
do.Imagi nehowt heyf eltseeingt heirf atherlivi
ngit
upaswebot hernei ghbor saski ngf orcupsofr i
ce
andsugar ?I'ml eavinghi m becauseIhavef al
len
outoflovewit
hhim andf al
leninlovewi t
hmysel f,
I
knowwhatI '
m doingisnotwr ongbecauseMandl a
i
sasgoodasdead, i
fhecouldgetoutoft hat
wheelchai
rhewillcheatagain,al
sowhenimar r
ied
Mandlahewasheal t
hyandwel l,
thisri
ghther ei
s
notthemanImar riedsolethimf i
ndanot her
womanwhowi l
lcleanafterhim…I'm done!"shesaid
"Youmakingfunofmybr otherj
ustbecausehei
s
l
ikethi
s,si
sil
etmet el
lyounooneknowst omor
row
don'
tbetooquicktocondemn, don'
tyoudaremake
funofhim"Mandla'
ssistersai
d
"Hisuselesstomeandt hat'sthetruth.I'
m goi
ngto
fi
ndmysel faman, arealman"shel aughed,"I
'
m
donesuf feri
ng,fr
om nowonIwantt ofocuson
mysel fandmyf reedom.Isuf fer
edwhenhehad
moneyandImustt oi
lagai nwithhim whenhi sgot
nothing…not hankyou, I
'm divor
cingMandl aand
I'
mt akinghalfofeverythingheowns"Zodwasai d,
chaoser uptedinthehouse
Theywasshout
ingandi
nsul
tst
hrowni
ntheai
r,
Mandl alockedeyeswi thZodwa, hestaredather
pl
eadi ngl
ybutshel ookedaway.Tear sst reamed
downashebur i
edhisf aceinhishands, Zodwa
crossedherl egsandf oldedherarmsl ett
ingthem
swearatherbutsuddenl yMandla'
ssisterlungedat
her,shepunchedZodwabuthersonpushedher
awayshehi tthewallandt huddedtothegr ound.
"Mymot herismakingt heri

ghtdecision,sheis
marriedincommuni tyofpropertysowhat evermy
fat
herownsbel ongst oheraswel l
,dad!"hesai d
l
ookingatMandl afil
ledwithrage,"I
tbreaksmy
hearttoseeyoulikethisbutyoudeser veit,
Ipr ayto
Godt hatInevert
urnoutt obelikeyou"hepul led
hermot heroutoftheroom foll
owedbyhi ssister
.
*
***
Mhlengiwassi
tti
nginthetheloungeeat
ingchi
cken,
whil
eFranksatoutsi
dethegardenmedit
atingi
n
God'swordandprayi
ng.Mhlengi'
sphonerangand
i
twasNhl
anhl
o.
"
HeySbar
i!
"Hesai
dli
cki
nghi
shand
"HeyIhavegoodnewsf
oryou"Shesai
dwi
th
exhi
lar
ati
on
"
OkI
'
mli
steni
ng"Mhl
engisai
d
"AsI'
mtalki
ngtoyouij
ustfi
nishedwr
it
ingal
etter
backtoyou,t
heli
ghti
sgreen"Shesai
dinawhisper
"
Areyouser
ious?
"Mhl
engiaskedsur
pri
sed
"
Yes!Youj
ustber
eady"Nhl
anhl
osai
d
"
Thankyousomuch,youdon'
tknowwhatt
his
meanstome"hesai
d
"
Keepbuyingmesweet
s…bye"shesai
dhangi
ngup,
Mhl
engishookhi
sheadchuckl
ing.
*
***
*
MooiRi
ver
*
ThuladostrappedNtobekoonherback, shewas
alr
eadyshor tbutwi
thachi l
donherbacki twas
evenwor se,i
twasasi fshe'
scar ryingherli
tt
le
brother
.Shewaspani ckingsincet herewasnosign
ofthegirl
s,Nhlanhl
oappear edfrom behindthe
house,shewassmi li
ngf rom cheekt ocheek.
"Iwonderwhat'
smaki
ngyousmil
elikethat
!"
Thuladosai
dlooki
ngar
oundfr
ant
icall
y
"Somet
hing"shesai
dwiggli
nghereyebrows,
"And
youwhatareyoulooki
ngfor?"Nhl
anhl
oasked
"
Ihaven'
tseent
hetwinsandIaskedt
hem nott
o
l
eavethepremi
ses"Thul
adosai
dangri
ly
"Il
astsawthem playi
ngbehi
nddadshousewi
tht
he
otherchi
ldr
en,
letsgocheckupther
e"Nhl
anhl
osai
d
Theywalkedupt
hehi
llt
oget
herast
hatunset
tl
ing
feel
ingt
ookover
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er79
ThuladoandNhl anhloarrivedatthespotwher ethe

ki
dsusuallyplaybehindt heirgrandpa'
shousebuti t
wasempt ynotasi nglesightofachi l
d,Thulado'
s
heartst
art
edbeat i
ngf astmanyscenar i
osbegan
pl
ayinginherhead.Att hesamet imeherphone
star
tedri
nging,shejustignor editpl
acingherhands
onherhead.
"
Wher
ecoul
dtheybe?
"sheaskedNhl
anhl
o
"Anywherereal
ly!Phel
aavezi
zul
aizi
ngane
zalayi
khaya(t
hesechil
drenl
ovewander
ingar
ound)
"Theyaresoforwar
dNhlanhl
o,i
t'
snotsafef
orthem
tojustwander
…wher edoIl
ook?"Thul
adoasked
panicked
"Theyl
oveswi
mmi ngi
ntheri
verort
heycoul
dbei
n
someone'
shouse"Nhl
anhl
osaid
"Thesechi
ldr
enwi
llbet
hedeat
hofme"Thul
ado
exclai
med
Theyembar kedonasear ch, f

ir
stt heycheckedwi th
theneighborsbutonlyf oundther estofthechi l
dren
whom Nhl anhl
oscof fedbackhome, t
heyal l
clai
medt ohavel ef
tthegi r
lsathome.Thul ado
becamemor eanxious,wher ecouldt heygoal one?
Thepai rwasnowgoi ngt otheriver,uponar ri
val
theysawasmal lgroupofchi l
drendr ying
themselvesonthegr ass,itl
ookedl iketheyhad
enoughswimmingfortheday.Thulador emi
nisced
watchi
ngthenewsandhowchi ldrenmyst er
iousl
y
wentmissi
ngbecauseofthissport,herhear
t
cl
enchedbutj
udgingbyhowr elaxedthechildr
en
wereshewashopeful.
"Haveyouseentwogirl
s,theyaret
winsandt hey
arenewinthispl
ace"Nhlanhl
oasked,thechil
dren
shookthei
rheadsno,"Doyouknowt hatawitchput
abigsnakeinthewatersoitcangobblechi
ldren?
"
shesaidarchi
nghereyebrows
Thechil
drenquickl
ygotupput
ti
ngont
hei
rcl
othes
andranforthei
rli
ves.
"
Andt
hen?
"Thul
adoasked
"Theyaresti
llsmallandit
'snotsaf
ehonestl
y.
Theseparentsjustlett
hem comehere,
ifanyofour
kidscomeher eIbeatthem"Nhlanhl
osaid
"
Sowher
edowel
ooknext
?"Thul
adoasked
"Idon'
tknowandit
'sgett
ingdar
k"Shesai
d,"
Let
sgo
homeandr egr
oup"Nhlanhl
osuggest
ed
Thulado'sheartwasnotatease,theymazedback
homeandf oundtheotherkidsst
andingaroundt
he
yardbathedandi nthei
rsleepwearsti
llnosi
gnof
thetwins.
"
Ithi
nkIneedtocallMhl
engi
"Thuladosai
dwi
th
t
earsmakingl
inesdownherface
"
Wai
t!
"Nhl
anhl
osai
dknocki
ngonherf
ather
sdoor
Aft
erafewminutesheopenedandt hechi
ldr
en
fl
ockedi
nsi
de,hejustchuckl
edshakinghi
shead.
"
baba!Wehavebeenl
ooki
ngf
ort
het
wins"shesai
d
"Oh!Bot
hwereheretel
li
ngmeaboutt hei
rbugs,
sleept
ookoverwhi
letheywatchedTV,Ithi
nkthey
hadalongdaybutuponwakinguptheytoldme
theyar
egoi
ngt
oputt
hei
rbugsaway"MrMdl
etshe
said
"
Theymustbei nthehousethen"Thul adosaid,she
r
ushedther
ebuti twasempt y.Shescannedt he
r
oom andspottedthetr
anspar entcageforthei
r
i
nsect
s.Thul
adoheavedasi ghofdef eat
,then
Nhl
anhlowalkedinwit
ht hem.
Thuladogawkedatthem angr
il
y,shel
ungedatt
hei
r
di
recti
onbutNhlanhl
ostoppedher.
"Rel
ax!Theydi dn'tleavethepremi sesli
keyou
i
nstructedthem, theyfellasl
eepatmyf athersbut
whent heycameoutbot hofuswer egoneas
expectedtheypani ckedandt hat'
swhenNombuso
tookthem in.Ifoundt hem watchingTVt here"
Nhlanhlosaid
"Geti
nside!
"Thuladosaidt
heyscurri
edinsit
ti
ngon
thebedquietl
y,Thul
adolookedatNhlanhl
o,"
Thank
you"shesaid,shenoddedandclosedthedoor.
"Iwassoworri
edaboutthetwoofyou,it
hought
somethi
ngterr
ibl
ehappened.Whatdi
dyoudoat
Nombuso'shouse?"sheasked
"
Wewer ewatchingTVbutwesai
dthankyout
othe
f
ood"Lubanzisaid
"AndIam st
arvi
ngIwasthi
scloset
oeat
ing"
Luminj
alosaidpi
nchi
nghert
humbandpoint
er
fi
ngert
ogether
"
Wena!
"Thul
adosai
dgl
ari
ngather
Shef i
nall
yputNtobekodownwhohadbeen
anti
cipati
ngtotouchtheground,hegiggledjoi
ning
hissist
ersonthebed.Thuladofixedthem some
sandwiches,soontheywereallgoingtogatherand
eatinthemainkitchenwithherfather
.Sheboiled
waterinthekett
letopreparebat
hsf ortheki
dsf i
rst
.
*
***
*
Dur
ban*
Nomzamoneededpet rolandthere'
snoperfectti
me
tofi
lluptheni
nt heeveningbecausetheroadswer e
star
tingt
oclearout,sheslott
edSbusiint
oauni corn
onsieandproceededoutt othecar.Fr
ank'
scal l
camet hr
oughsheanswer edalmostimmediatel
y.
"Heybabe!
"shesai
dsmacki
ngherheadli
ght
y…
habit
s!Shehadtor
emi
ndhersel
fthatt
heyweren'
t
toget
heranymor
e.
"
Nomzamo!Howar
eyou?
"heasked
"
I'
m okandyou?
"
"I
'
m good,canIpleasetal
ktoSbusi
?"heasked,
Nomzamonoddedandgavet hephonetoher
daught
er,
"It
'sdaddy"Zamosaid
"
Daddy!
!"shesai
deager
ly
Zamobuckledherwhilstsheconver
sedwithher
dad,i
twassti
llsur
realthattheywer
en'
ttoget
her
anymore,
shethoughtper hapsshewoul
dwakeup
anymomentf rom t
hisbaddream.Theyarri
vedat
thegarage,Sbusisi
wewasst il
lyappi
ngawaywith
Frankyouwoul dsweartheywerehavi
ngadecent
conversat
ion,apetrolat
tendantcametoassi
stand
fi
nall
ythepr i
ncessdecidedshewasdoneand
handedovert hephonetoNomzamo.
"
Youver
ypat
ient
"shesai
d
"Ihaveal
ltheti
mei
nthewor
ldf
ormydaught
er"he
saidchuckl
ing
"
Imi
ssyou"shebl
urt
edout
"NomzamoIcanseet hatyoudon'tt
akeme
seri
ously,
toyouIwil
lal
waysbet hatguyyou
rescuedfr
om thedump"Franksaidget
ti
ngworked
up
"
That
'
snott
rue,
Iwasj
ustbei
nghonest
!"shesai
d
"
Haveyouseenaher
bal
ist
?"heaskedst
ernl
y
"It
oldyouI
'
m notdoi
ngthat
,Iwil
ltal
ktomypast
or
about,
hewil
lpr
ayforme"shesaid
"
Idon'
tknowwhyIevenbot
her
,Godgaveus
everythingweneedt ohealourselves,Hehas
provided,allweneedi stheknowl edgeofwhatt o
mixwi thwhat ,noteveryt
hingneedsami racle.A
herbalisti
snotasangomaj ustsomeonewhohas
knowl edgeabouther bs,j
ustgot here"Hesai d,but
Nomzamokeptqui et,"
AnywayIwant edtot ellyou
thatI'
m buyi ngahouseandiwoul dli
kefort obring
Sbusi intoshowher ,alsosoyoucanadvi semeon
howt omakei tchil
dfri
endlyforher "
"
Okbye"Zamosai
d
Shequi cklywipedhert earsbefor

et heycouldf all
,
Frankwasnowbuyi nghouseswi thouther ,
she
alwaysdr eamedt hattheywoul dgohousehunt ing
togetherandoncet heyagreeononet heywoul d
purchasei tcoll
ecti
vely.Nomzamof eltherhead
poundt hepai nwasgoi ngstrai
ghtintohereyebal ls,
shedeci dedtogoandgr abapanadowhi l
sttheguy
wasst il
lbusyf i
ll
ingupt hetank.Shepi ckedup
Sbusi andmar chedt owardsthegar ageshop, on
herwayi nshebumpedi ntoawomanwhowasj ust
steppingout ,
sheapol ogizedprofuselybutthelady
j
uststaredather
.Shehadaboyathand,Zamo
recogni
zedhimimmediat
elybutt
heboyhasgr
own-
upandhewasaspl iti
mageofhisfat
her
.
"IneverthoughtIwoul
dmeetyoul
iket
hisagain,
from t
het i
mesweusedt oshar
eaman"thelady
saidwithatti
tude
"
Oh,
hi"Nomzamosai
dgr
aspi
ngSbusi
"
Ohyougavebi
rt
htoagi
rl
,congr
ats"shesai
d
"WethankGodshesur
vived,shecoul
dhavedied
youknow"Nomzamosaidf eel
ingabi
tbi
tchy
"Rubiti
n,at
leastNjabuloi
spayingf
orhi
ssin.When
areyoupayingforyours?Lookatmysonandlook
atyourdaughter,
I'
m sureyoucanspott
he
dif
fer
ence"theladysaidsadl
y
"Iworksi
si,
Idon'
tdependsol
elyonherf
athert
o
provi
de"Zamosaid
"Sobecauseofthat,wemuststr
uggl
eOk.Iwant
youtoknowt hatifNj
abulowasher
ehissonwoul
d
bewelltakencareof,hewoul
dbeunderasaf
eroof
wit
hl ot
'soffood,keepthati
nmi nd…therei
sachil
d
outtherewhoi ssuffer
ingbecauseofyourwhor
ing
ways"theladyspat
"Thi
si sbul
lshit
!Iam nottakingr
esponsibi
li
tyf
or
that
,ifyouwantmet ogiveyoumoneyf oryour
chil
dIcan, butNjabul
owant edtoki
llmesohe
deservestobewher ehei s"Zamosaid
"Li
kehowyoudeser veallofthatonyourf ace"she
l
aughed, "Iwonderwhosemenyout ri
edtosnat ch
thisti
mear ound"shel aughedhar d,"
Notal lgir
lsar
e
assof tasme, Ionlythreweggsonyourcar
becauset hatsasbr aveasIcangobutt hist i
meyou
havemetyourmat chandgi r
lyoudeser vet hi
sand
mor e"shesai dpullingherson, "
Wedon' tneedyour
money, butIwoul ddosomet hingaboutt hatifiwas
youoryoumustsaybyebyet othathunkmanof
yours"shel aughedsomemor el
eavingZamo
standingwit htears..
Shesni
ff
edwipi
nghert
ears,
sheshovedt
houghts
oft
hepanadoandr
etur
nedtohercar
.Shewait
ed
fort
hepetrolat
tendancet
ofi
nishsoshecoul
dpay
andleave.
*
***
ItwasSundayaf ternoonwhenThul adopul ledup

heryar dafteral ongdr i
ve,theki dswer ef astasleep
andshewasexhaust ed,Mhl engiheardt hesoundof
theHyundaiandcameout sidet orecievehi sfamily.
Heki ssedThul adobr ief
lyandor deredhert ogo
i
nsi deandr elaxhewi lldot her est,
Thul adowast oo
happyshej ustwant edashower .Mhl engisar t
ed
wi t
ht hekidsandl astlybroughti nt hebags, thecar
hadl ayersofdustandcoul duseagoodscr ubbut
rightnowhewant edtobondwi thhi sshor t
y.When
hewasdonehef oundThul adosi ngingint he
shower ,hesmi ledandr etur nedbackt other oom.
"Howwast het
ri
p?"heaskedasThuladocameout
oftheshowerwit
hatoweldrapedar
oundherbody
"
Itwasneeded"shesai
d
"
Imi
ssedyouguyssomuch"hesai
d
"Wemissedyout
oo,
Imi
ssedyou"shesai
dsi
tt
ing
onhi
slap
Mhl engicoul dfeelt

hewar mt hofherpussygr azi
ng
hiscr otch,hegotarousedi nstantl
y.Hest art
ed
kissinghersl oppil
yandhungr i
ly,withi
nmi nut
es
Mhl engi '
scockwasbur rieddeepi nsideThulado's
pussy, t
heirbreat
hsheightenedt her oom asthey
tookt urnsr eachi
ngthei
rclimax.Theyl ai
dnakedi n
eachot hersarmssilent
ly,j
ustt heirheart
beatdoing
thet alki
ng.
"
Iwantust
ochooseahouse"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Real
ly!
"Thul
adosai
dexci
tedl
y
"Yesbutfir
stIneedyoutogotal
ktosomeone
aboutyourtubsandbooks,Ipr
omiseyouIwi
llbuy
youwhicheverhouseyouwantifyoucoul
ddothat
"
hesaidkissingt
hetopofherhead
"Okay!Asl
ongasIchooseanyhouse,
Iwi
llgo"
Thuladosai
dexci
tedl
y
MhlengismiledheknewthatThuladowast aki
ngit
l
ightl
ybutshewasi nforasurpri
sewhent he
psychologi
stgetsi
ntoherheadandpeellayersand
l
ayersofemot i
ons,shewil
lwishshehadn'tagreed
butintheenditwil
lbeworthit
.
"Anot
herthing!Fr
ankisstayi
ngwi
thusforacoupl
e
ofdays,I
nfactwegoingtoputanoff
erf
orhis
housetomor r
ow"Mhlengisai
d
"
Franki
sher
e?"Thul
adoasked
"Yeahhi
sbeenher
eeversi
nceyoulef
t,hi
sint
he
gardenpr
ayi
ngaswespeak"hesai
d
"
Whathappened?
"sheasked
"
Theyf
ought
,theyar
eonabr
eak"hesai
d
"
Ohdear
!"shesai
dsadl
y
Itwast imef ordinnerandever yonesatar oundthe
table,nomor eeati
ngint helounget hemadam of
thehousewasback.Theyat eandf inishedsupper
withoutFr ankashewasst i
llfasting,Thulado
offeredtocl eanthedishessi nceMhl engicooked,
thechi l
drenwer etoohappybecauset hatmeant
theyhadt imet oplaywi thdaddybef orebedt i
me.
Thul adocleanedt hekitchenanddeci dedt ostep
outf orsomef r
eshair,shemazedar oundt he
gardent hinkingaboutthet herapyshej ustroped
herselfinto,perhapsitwast imet of aceher
demon' sandmoveont houghshef eltthetubsand
bookswer en'tsuchabi gdeal .Shewasi nthe
medi calfi
eldandadmi tti
ngt ohoar dingwaspr oving
tobedi ffi
cult.
"Ihopemystayher
ewon'
tbot
heryou"Fr
anksai
d
start
li
ngher
"
Nahi
t'
sfi
ne"Thul
adosai
d
"
Isawyourmi
sscal
ls"hesai
d
"
Andyoudi
dn'
tret
urnt
hecal
l.
.Why?
"sheask
"I
'
mf ast
ing,
Idi
dn'
twantanyt
hingt
odi
str
actme"he
said
"
Butyouar
eher
e?"
"
Idi
dn'
thavemanyopt
ions"hesai
dhonest
ly
"
Whathappened?
"
"Nomzamosai dthi
ngsthatwer ehurtf
ulbutt
rue
andIt houghtishouldgiveherspace,Ihavehurt
thepoorgi r
lenough.I'
m scaredthatonedayshe
willf
alloutoflovewithmeandt henwhat ?Because
i
t'sonlylovethatskeepi
ngust ogether,
deepdown
she'smadatme"hesai d
"
Don'
tgi
veupsoeasi
ly"shesai
d
"
Onl
yti
mewi
llt
ell
"hesai
d,t
hent
her
ewassi
lence
"
Someonesawusatt
hehospi
tal
"shebl
urt
edout
"
No!no!no!
"hecr
iedout
"Yes!Andhisblackmail
ingmetosl
eepwi
thhi
m or
hewi l
lsendthevideoofyouki
ssi
ngmetoMhlengi
"
"
Hismad!Hewonttouchevenastr
andofhai
r,over
mydeadbody!
"?Hesaidangr
il
y,"
Tellhi
mtosend
i
t"hesai
dget
ti
ngr
edonhi
sface
"Excuseme!Doyouknowwhatwi
llhappeni
fhe
sendsit?
"sheaskedannoyed
"
Idon'tcar
e,hisapr
edat
orandhispreyi
ngon
wronggrounds.Whoist
hisnaai
?"heasked
"I
feNwokoye,youknowhimfr
om chur
ch.Hi
sa
doct
oratwork"sheanswer
ed
"
What?"hel
aughed,"
Isn'
themar
ri
ed,sot
hemanof
Godhasawanderi
ngeye,howpr
edict
abl
e..
.l
eavei
t
t
ome"hesaid
"
Int
hemeant
imewhatshoul
dIdo?
"sheasked
"Justi
gnoreandstaycl
earofhi
sway,
Iwi
llsor
tit
out,I
'm sor
ry"hesai
dhonest
ly
"
Cool
"shesai
dwal
kingaway
Frankcoul
dn'
tbel
ieveI f
eandhedidn'twantt
orui
n
thi
ngsforhi
sfamil
y,ifhecouldf
ini
sha
conver
sati
onwit
houtt ouchi
ngThuladomeanthe
wasgetti
ngsomewher e.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er80
FrankandMhl engistoodi nthemi ddleofthehouse

theyhadjustbought ,
Mhl engiwasexci tedand
Frankwant edtocr y.Hewasnowahomeowner
withouthavingthem st r
ipnakedandf reezetodeath
i
nf r
ontofriver
swhi l
ehismot herdissapearedint
o
thedepthst ogetsomemyst eri
ouspower sfr
om the
Phantom, hewasgoingtobuyacarwit
houthavi
ng
tosleeparoundwithagazil
li
onofwomenand
steal
ingthei
rwombs.Het urnedtoMhl
engiandf
ell
i
nt ohisembrace,
heweptsilentl
y.
"
It
'sOkbaf
o…i
t'
sok"Mhl
engi
sai
d
"ThankyouFuze, youhavenoi dea.Ineverthoughti
wouldseethisday, t
hroughaf at
herithoughthated
meInowhavehavet hi
s,becauseofabr otherthat
l
ovesunconditi
onal l
yIam freefrom bondageandI
cannowst ar
tafreshandl i
veanor mallif
e"hesai d
muf f
li
ngacry
"Don'
tcryFuze, Ibeli
evet
hatthi
swasplannedby
God,Hewant edyoutoturnyourl
if
earoundsothat
youcanf eelthereall
oveoffamil
y…nowput
furni
tur
eint hehouse,sor
toutyourfamil
ybecause
wear eaboutt ogetbusy,
wehaveabusi nesst
o
run"hesaid
"
Ineedt
opul
lmysel
ftoget
her
"hesai
d
"Il
oveyoubr
o, r
ightnowIneedt
ogoandpickup
short
y.Shef
inall
yagreedt
ogofort
her
apy"he
chuckl
edheadi
ngt
owar
dsdoor
"
Goodl
uck!"Frankscr
eamedl
oudenoughso
Mhl
engicouldhearhi
m.
Het ookadeepbr eathtakingever yt

hingin,the
beautyofcol or
scoor dinatedtol i
ghtupt hehouse, i
t
wasokaybutneededaspeci altouch, hethen
remember edNkosanat alkingabouthi swife's
i
nteriorhandywor kst hecompanycal l
edK-designs,
appar ent
lyshewast hebesti nthegame.Once
Nomzamocomest hroughhewoul dgiveheracal l
tocomeanddot ouchups.Suddenl yhefeltthe
urget oprayandaf tereverythi
nghehasbeen
throughhel ear
nednevert oignoret hatcue.
"Ii
nviteyouholyspi ri
tdwel li
nthishouse, youare
welcomed, takef
ul lcontrolandtouchever ywal l
,
windowanddooroft hishome.Mayt hedevi lf
ind
nothingnotevent het i
niestholetoenterthishome
forthisplacebel
ongt ot hechil
drenofGod.Thank
youHeavenl yFatherf ormyf reedom,thankyouf or
thesegiftsbutmostimport
antl
ythankyouf
ort
he
giftofli
fe.Iprai
seandworshi
pyouandyourName
willrei
gnf or
evermore.Amen"hesaid
Her
equest
edf
oranUberaf
terl
ocki
nghi
shouse.
*
***
Onhi swayt oThuladoMhl engi'

sphonepinged,i
t
wasanot if
icati
ontoremindhi mt ogoandsignwith
theofficerthatishandli
nghi sparol
ecase,heisyet
tostartwithhiscommuni t
ywor ksoon.Thenacall
hewasn' twai t
ingforcamet hroughcausi
nghi mto
rol
lhiseyes, hesighedbefor eansweri
ng.
"
HeyCour
tney"hesai
d
"Ishoul
dbeangr
yforstandi
ngmeupattheshar
ks
boardbutI
'
m not
,Iunderst
andpr
obabl
ysomethi
ng
cameup"shesai
d
"
Yes!I
'
m sor
ryIf
orgott
omessageyou"hesai
d
"
That'
sfi
ne,HowisLumi?Ther
e'sanot
hershowbut
t
hist
imewewi l
lbegut
ti
ngagreatwhit
eshark,I
t
houghtshewouldl
ovetoseethat
"Sheinf
ormed
"
Soundsgr
eat
,sendmedet ail
s.Iwi
llt
alktomy
womanandIwil
lletyouknow"Mhlengirepl
ied
"
Great
!"shesai
dhangi
ngup
MhlengifoundThuladowait
ingoutsidethehospit
al
surpri
singl
y,t
hatwasnotther eact
ionheexpected
from hersi
ncesheneverwant edtogo,heparked
thenmetherhalfway.Theykissedbrief
lyand
proceededtothecar.
"
Thatexci
tedhuh?
"Mhl
engit
eased
"
NahIhadnot hi
ngtodoinsi
de"shelied,
shecan'
t
t
ellMhl
engishe'
savoi
dingIf
enow, canshe?
"
Ok,
let
'sdot
his"
Mhlengiignit
edthecarandlef
t,aft
erafewminutes
anUberst oppedatthedropoffzonej
usti
nfr
ontof
thehospital
.Frankjumpedoutandheadedst
raight
totherecepti
onist
.
"I
'
m her
etoseeDrIf
e"hesai
dflashi
nghisfamous
smil
e,t
hepoorl
adyswoonunderhisspel
l
"
DrNwokoyeyoumean?
"sheasked
"
Yeshi
m!Wef
ri
ends"Fr
anksai
d
"Normall
yyoucanonlyseehim byappoint
mentbut
sinceyouaref
ri
ends,Idon'
tseeaproblem"she
saiddir
ecti
ngFrankt
othedoctorsoff
ices.
Thedoorwasn' tlockedsoFr anklethi mselfin,

beholdDrNwokoyewasver ybusy, sleevesroll
edal
l
thewayt ohi
sel bows, l
inesofoi l
ysaucedr ipped
downhi shands, helookedcont entandi nhis
element.HenoticedFr anklyimmedi atel
ybuthi s
l
unchwaswayt oosweett oputaside, hecuta
piecefr
om hisfuf uanddi ppeditint heokrasoup
thathadchunksofdi
ff
erentki
ndsofmeat
.Fr
ank
satontheopposit
eseatandbeganpl
ayi
ngwit
hhis
phone.
"
HowcanIhel
pyou?
"If
easkedwi
thamout
hful
"
Youcanf
ini
shyourl
unch,
I'
m noti
nahur
ry"Fr
ank
r
epl
ied
"
Doyouwantsome?I
t'
ssweetoo!
"hesai
dexci
tedl
y
"
Not
hanks"Fr
ankr
epl
iedwi
thaser
iousf
ace
If
ecleanedhisbowlswithsomuchappet i
te,
hegot
uptowashhi shandsthenret
urnedtohischair
.He
smil
edlooki
ngatFr ank,
hewasn'tsurewhathe
cameher ef
or.
"
Idon'
tseeanappoi
ntmentmybr
other
,ar
eyounot
wel
l?
"If
easked
"Dependsonyouranswerst
oday?
"Franksai
d
archi
nghiseyebr
ow,"YouknowIj
eomaisbeaut
if
ul
gir
l,atrueAf r
icanqueen, t
hickboot
yshei sjust
shortofamanwhowi l
lloveherwit
houtholding
back,thenmaybeshecant onedownwi thallthese
skinbleachingproducts.Rumorhasi tshecancook
too,she'sfait
hfulatr
uegem butunf ort
unatelyfor
hershel andedherselfyou"Franksaidchucklinga
bit
"
Soyoucamet
omyof
fi
cet
oinsul
tme?
"If
easked
wit
hasmir
k
"
I'
mjustt
ell
ingyout
het
rut
h"Fr
anksai
d
"Justl
ikehowyouscr
ewi
ngyourbr
other
swoman
huh?"Ifespat
"Idon'tknowwhatyouar etal
kingaboutbutiknow
thatyouar eblackmail
ingmybr otherswif
etosleep
withyou"Fr ankshookhishead, "Youareso
predictabl
emanandI '
m heretosay…i nyour
fucki
ngdr eams"Fr anksaidsternly
"I
'
m amar ri
edmanbr os,
Idon' tneedtodoanythi
ng
withThul
adobutIhavepr oofofal i
tt
lesmoochdy
smoochepisodeinthegardenandl etsseehowthat
pansoutforyou"I
fesmiledfloppingbackonhis
seat
"Goahead!Mhlengii
smybrot
her,whathappened
betweenThuladoandIwasamisunderst
anding"
Frankrepl
ied
"YouknowwhatFrank,
getoutofmyof fi
ceokay
andstayawayfr
om mybusiness.Leavemealone
ooorIwil
lspi
llt
hebeans"I
fewarned
"Shutthef uckup!Ther e'
sonl ythreeopt i
onsand
onlyonewi l
lwor koutf oryousanno, fi
rstl
y!Ican
j
ustputabul letinbet weenyoureyesandl etthe
peacet akeover ,nomor eIfe,secondlyyoucant ell
Mhlengi ,Iwil
lapol ogize,vanishtogivet hem space
andretur ntomyf ami l
ybutt heniwi l
ltellhim about
theDoct orthat safterhisshor t
yandknowi ng
Mhlengiheal r eadyknowsaboutyouri ntentions,hi
s
j
ustwai tingforyout oslipupandt hi
sisper fect.
Nextthingnewsf l
ash, adoctorwasf oundi nthe
ri
ver…dead…oryoucoul dfocusonyourf ami l
yand
l
eavemi nealonel ytie"Franksai dwit
haf i
rm voice
andaneer iel
ookt hatsentchi l
lsdownI fe'sspine.
"
Are-
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
"If
easkedt
ryi
ngt
o
l
ookaschi
ll
edascanbe
"Iknowthere'
snovideo,youarejustbei
nga
predat
or.Ihavebeeninthegame, Iknowmenl ike
you.Stayawayf r
om Thuladui
fyouknowwhat s
goodforyou…younaai"hesaidgettingup,heglar
ed
athim onelastt
imebeforetur
ningonhi sheel
.
If
ewaitedtomakesur
eFrankwasoutofsi
ght
,he
bangedthetabl
ewi
thragest
andi
nguptohisf
eet
.
"i
diot!Fool
ishman!Ekwensu! "hecl i
ckedhistongue,
"I
magi nethisidi
ot,hedetel
lmeI fenott of
uck
Thulawhi l
ehedechopam al one.I nfacthi
m way
supposest ayawayfrom hi
m brother '
swif
e…i di
ot!
Hegoat …Igoknackherakpakoi fiwant …igo
mar r
yam i fiwant…younogof i
tstopme…
nonsense!"hef l
aredhisnosesitt
ingbackdown,
whenhewasupsetheonl yspokei nhisNiger
ian
pidgi
n.
(Translati
on)-idi
ot!Foolishman!Sat an!
"hecl i
cked
histongue, "
Imaginet hi
si diot,hewanttotel
lmeI fe
nott ofuckThulawhi lehisbusychowi ngheralone.
Infacthistheonewhoi ssupposedt ostayaway
from hisbrotherswife…idi ot!Hegoat…iwi l
lfuck
herifiwant …iwi l
lmar r
yi fiwant …youwontst op
me…nonsense! "heflaredhi snose)
*
***
Mhl engisatnextt
oThuladoheintert
wi nedhishand
withher ,
hecouldhearherheartt
humpi ng.He
promi sedtostaywit
hherunti
lthesessi onwas
fi
nished,thepsychol
ogi
stsmiledlookingatt hem.
"Wel
come,I
'm Amandamotheroftwo,
I'
m di
vor
ced
andIl
ovesurf
ing"shebr
oketheice
"
Yousurf?Wow"Mhlengisai
d,"
I'
m Mhlengiher
man"hesai
dadmiri
ngThulado,"
Iwilll
eavether
est
t
oher"hesai
dsnaki
nghi sar
m aroundherwaist
.
"Thul
aduMdletshe,
Ihavetwobeautifult
wingir
ls
andli
ttl
eboy,I
'
m verynervousbecausethisi
sthe
fi
rstt
imeI'
m doingthi
s"shesai
dast earswell
edup
hereyes.
"Feelf
reeThulado,
Iwil
lfol
lowyourl
ead.I
fyouf
eel
i
t'stoomuchwest op,
thi
sisyourti
meandyou
havefullcont
rol
…OK?"Amandasai d
"
Thankyou"shesai
dnoddi
ng.
*
***
*
Att
heder
mat
ologi
st*
Thedoct
orr
etur
nedtother
oom wher
eNomzamo
wasseat
edpati
ent
ly.
"Ok!Iwil
lsendthosesampl estot
helabsowecan
gettobottom ofthi
soutbreak,
int
hemeantime
dri
nkalotofwat erandcutdownonjunkfood,
rememberwear ewhatweputi n.Younour ishyour
bodyandyourski nwi l
lthankyou, iwillwri
tedowna
cream t hatyoumustappl yonyourf ace.Washyour
facet wiceadaywi thplainwater,dabi twithaclean
cloththenappl ythecream andyouracneshoul d
comer ightbuti
fnothinghappenscomeback,
surelybyt henwewi llhaveyourr esults.I
tcouldbe
anal ergyreacti
onbutwewi l
lsee"t hedoct or
i
nf ormed
"
ThankyouMel
"Zamosai
d
"Youcanpaybyt herecepti
oni
stonyourwayout "
shehandedtoherapr intoutt
hatreadR800,she
gaspedquiet
lybutproceededout.Shewoulddo
anythi
ngtogetridofthepimplesonherface,
anythi
ngbutwitchcr
aft!
2021
*
***
Mypar ent
si nl
awarel
eavi
ngendoft
hemont
hso
soonwewi llbebacki
n
schedule
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er82
Itwasaf amilyr
eunionatFr anks,t
hechil
drenloved
i
tther e,i
twasni ceandspaci oustheycoul
drun
aroundf reelywit
houtwor r
yingaboutpil
estumbl i
ng
ont hem.Fr ankandMhl engimadehot dogs,f
rench
fri
esf orthekidsdinnerwhil
et heyindul
gedinmeat
andbeer s.Whent helit
tl
epeopl ewerewornout
t
heywer
etakentosleepi
nther
oom andt
hat
's
whenMhl
engir
eali
zed.
"Idi
dn'tbr
ingNt
obeko'
sni
ghtbot
tl
eandmi
lk"he
saidtoFrank
"
Doyouwantmet
oandf
etchi
t?"Fr
ankasked
"Nah,letmeaskforr
ecommendat
ionsonwhatsapp,
I'
m surether
e's24hoursphar
maciesopeni
nthe
area"hesaidscof
fi
nghim
"
Sur
e,t
hat
'sagr
eati
deat
oo"
*
Wher ecanigetababybot
tl
eandbabyf
ormul
aat
t
hishour?*
Hewr
oteonhi
swhat
sappst
atusandwai
ted.
"Ial
waystakeoneforSbusit
oobutshedr
inksNan
1yearandup"Franksai
d
"
Ntobekodri
nksSi
mi l
acsomet
hingt
odowi
thcol
ic
whatwhat"Mhl
engisaid
Whil
etheytunedint
osoccerwai
ti
ngforsomeoneto
cometotheirr
escue,acal
lcamethr
oughMhlengi
'
s
phone.
"
Heyyou"hesai
dsmi
li
ng
"Hey!I'
mj ustafewminutesawayfrom Nor
thwor
ld
DayNi t
ephar macyIcoul
dgr abt
hebottl
eand
formulaforyoubutIcannotdri
vetoGlenwoodto
giveitt
oyou"shesaid
"
I'
m actuall
yinDur
banNor
th…mybr
other
spl
ace"
Mhlengisaid
"Oh!Coolt
hen,
whi
chbr
anddoyouwant
?"she
asked
"AnyNukbot
tl
eandt
hef
ormul
aisSi
mil
ac"Mhl
engi
said
"Okcoolthen,j
ustsendmeyourl
ocat
ion,
I'
m wi
th
Ziyanda"shesai
d
"
Coolt
hanks"hehungandturnedtol
ookatFr
ank,
"
Shesaidshe'
swit
hZiyanda"hechuckl
ed
"Shebett
ernotmakeamoveonmebecauseiwill
fuckherbrai
nless,
ihaven'
thadsomef
orawhi
le
now"Franksaidwithasmirk
"Theyarel
oose,youbett
erhavecondoms"Mhl
engi
saidsl
ight
lychuckl
ing
"Igotmysel fabox,wasn'tplanningt
ousei tbut
Nomzamoshowedmeanot hersidetodayandI '
m
notgoingt owaithereli
keaf ool.Canyoubelieveit,
shesaidshe' sgoi
ngoutt hewhol eweekendandI
mustst aywi t
hSbusi,Iknowshe' sgoingtobewi th
adickar ghwomen! "hesighed
"Thul
adubetternott
rythatshi
twi
thme,Isweart
o
youIwil
lmur dersomebodyandburyt
hem ona
shall
owgrave"hespat
Franklaughedr
esort
ingtohi
sphone,
hepaused
andglancedatMhlengi
.
"
Look"hesai
dshowi
ngMhl
engi
"
What
?"heaskedshuf
fl
ingcl
oser
"
Lookcl
osel
y"Fr
anksai
d
"
Wher
eist
his?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Wear
enotgoi
ngt
her
e!"Fr
ankscof
fedhi
m
"
Whatift
heydosomet
hingst
upi
d"Mhl
engiasked
wor
ryi
ngl
y
"
Theyarebot
hgrownupsandwehaveki
dsi
nher
e,
wecan'
tupandgo"Fr
ankemphasi
zed
"
Mybl
oodi
sboi
li
ng"Mhl
engisai
dfr
ant
ical
ly
"
Rel
ax"Fr
ankr
epl
ied
Mhlengidrewouthisphonedial
ingThul
adobutshe
r
ejectedthecall
,hestoodupwit
hhisjawhit
ti
ngthe
f
loor,hecouldn'
tbel
ieveit
.
"
Shejustr
eject
edmycal l
,sheactual
lydi
dit
"
Mhl
engisai
dput t
inghi
sfisti
nhismout h
"
Justl
etherbe"Fr
anksai
d
Thebellr
angandFr ankgottohi sfeet,Mhlengisat
backdownsl owl
y,hejustcouldn'tbel
ieveit.He
tr
iedagai
nbuthiscallwentstraighttovoicemai l
.
Frankret
urnedwit
hasmi l
eplasteredonhi sface.
"
Yourguest
sar
eher
e,ij
ustl
ett
hem i
n"Fr
anksai
d
"
Whyar
eyousmi
li
ng?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
I'
m notsmi
li
ng"Fr
anksai
ddef
ensi
vel
y
"
Yesyouar
e"Mhl
engii
nsi
sted
"
I'
m not
"hechuckl
ed
Af aintknockonthedoorhal tedthei
rbicker i
ng,
Frankj oggedtoopenandi ncameCour tneyand
Ziyanda, t
heysmiledgreeti
ngFr ank.Courtney
handedapacketwi thformulaandabot tletoFrank
het hankedherwel comingthem in.Henot i
ced
Ziyandahadt wo6packsofSavannaonei therhand,
Frankchuckledi nwardly.Mhlengismiledand
greetedthetwol adiesastheymadet hemselves
comf ort
ableont hecouches.Cour t
neycr ossedher
l
ongshavedl egsallowingherdeepsl itt
oopen
furt
herintothetopofhert highandf orthefir
stt
ime
Mhlengiactuallylooked.
Frankfloppednexttohisli
ttl
ebr
othersti
llweari
ng
thatnaughtysmil
e,Mhlengiglar
edathi m buthe
shruggedhisshoulderpleadi
nghisinnocence.
"Thankyousomuchl adi
esforcomi
ngthrough,
whenhewakesupf r
om her
e,hewil
lbeexpecti
ng
hisbott
le.If
orgothi
spackathomeandIlostmy
keys"Mhlengisai
d
"Whycoul
dn'
tthemom bri
ngi
tforyou?
"Cour
tney
askedbei
ngalit
tl
enosy
"She'
sfarandi
t'
snotabigdealr
eall
y.It
'smyf aul
t
andI'
m alr
eadyt
ipsysoIcan'
tdr
ivethere"headded
"
Luckyf
oryou,
Iwasf
ewmi
nut
esawayf
rom t
hat
pharmacy"Cour
tneysai
dbat
ti
ngherl
ashesand
thosebeaut
if
ulbl
ueeyes
"
Luckyf
orme"Mhl
engisai
dsmi
li
ng
"Thedi
mplesCoco…mygosh"Zi
yandawhisper
edi
n
Court
ney'
searsl
oudenoughf
orthetwoguysto
hear
"Excusemyfri
endher
e,she'
sal
readysl
oshed"
Courtneygi
ggl
ed
"Ok!Ladi
esIdon'thaveanythi
ngcookedtooff
er
youguys, it
akeityouguysareher
etostayhence
yourbeverages.Doyouwantmet ochil
litf
oryou
guys?"Frankasked
"Yesandyoucanchi
llmeanyt
imeFr
anky"Zi
yanda
saidgi
ggl
ing
"
Zee!
"Cour
tneynudgedher
"
What
?Hi
shot
"Zi
yandaar
gued
Frankchuckl
edandl eftf
ortheki
tchen,Cour
tney
st
aredatMhl engi.Mhl
engikeptl
ookingaway,but
Courtneywasn'tbacki
ngdown.
*
***
*
@Cubal
ounge(
MosesMabhi
da)
*
"
So?
"Zamosai
d
"
Sowhat
?"Thul
adoasked
"Ar
ejustgoi
ngt
ostar
eatyourf
oodorgoi
ngt
o
eat
?"Zamoanswer
ed
"WhyareyouandFr
anknotf
ixi
ngt
hings?
"Thul
ado
asked
"Pl
easedon'tbor
eme, Iknowthat
snotwhat
's
bother
ingyou.Whathaveyoubeenuptoo?You
ver
yscarcelatel
y"Zamosaid
"Ar
gh!Workandsameol
d,not
hingspeci
alr
eal
ly"
Thuladof
inal
lysai
d
"Iwantt
ogetdr
unk,
Iwantt
odancet
il
lthemor
ning"
Zamosaid
"
Exceptt
hispl
acecl
osesat11pm"Thul
ador
epl
ied
"
Wecangot oacl
ubt
hen"Zamosai
dwi
thherf
ace
l
ight
ingup
"Hardpass,10pm I'
m headi
nghome.Ij
ustwantto
sleep"shesaid,
"Youneedtogotoaherbal
istfor
yourface,someoneisbewit
chi
ngyououtthere"
Thuladoblurt
edout
"Obviousl
yandFrankknowswho…youknowI
thoughtIcoul
dwaitforhi
mtodowhateveritishe
needst odobutt
henSbusi'
snannywasright.I
don'twanttowastemytimewit
hhim,l
ovewi llf
ade
away"shesaid
"Iwishihadyourcour
age,I
'
m soscar
edt
obe
withoutMhlengi
,Il
ovehi
m somuchNomzamo"
Thuladoanswered
"Il
oveFranktoo"shecr i
ed,"
ButI'
m humanandI
havefeeli
ngs,yessomet i
mesifel
tlikehei
sthe
reasonformymi serybuthisl
oveformeshouldbe
enoughforhimt oforgi
vemebuthechoset oleave
me…I '
m angry"sheblurt
edoutwipinghert
ears
"
OKt
hat
'si
t,weget
ti
ngdr
unk"Thul
adosai
d
"That'
sitanddon'tworr
yaboutmyf ace,I
'm goi
ng
toseesomeoneIj ustdidn'
twantFranktosayItol
d
youso, I
'veal
readyspentsomuchmoneygoi ngto
doctorsbutdolol
o"Sheslight
lychuckl
ed
"
Youver
yst
ubbor
n"Thul
adol
aughed
"Youhavenoi
dea,
youshoul
dhavei
nvi
tedNana"
Zamosaid
"Honestl
y!Ihaven'
tbeent
alki
ngt
oheraf
tert
hat
saga,Ihavebeencaughtupinmyowntr
oublesas
well
"Thuladosaid
"
YouandMhl
engiar
esoper
fectt
hough"Zamosai
d
"Yes…soIhavebeenhear
ing"Thul
adosai
d
chuckl
ingbi
tt
erl
y
Shef
laggedt
hewai
ter
,hecamer
unni
ng.
"
Pleasebr
ingusabot
tl
eofRed"sheasked
Thewai
ternoddedandscur
ri
edaway
*
***
Mhlengikeptlooki
ngathi
sphonewhi
leFr
ank
exchangedjokeswitht
heladi
es.
"
Mhl
engiChel
seaorManchest
er?
"Cour
tneyasked
"
Huh?
"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
"It
oldyouhewasmi l
esaway"Cour
tneysai
d
shruggi
nghershoul
ders
"Sorr
yguys,
letmecheckonmyki
ds"hesai
d
standi
ngup
"
Theyar
efi
nebr
o,youj
ustcamet
her
e"Fr
anksai
d
Mhlengifl
oppeddownagai n,Frankcheckedhi
s
whatsapponcemor e,hi
sfacechangedi ntoaf
rown.
Hehandedhi sphonetoMhl engiangri
lyandavi
deo
ofThuladoandNomzamodanci ngnextt
omen
fuel
edhim up,hethr
ewFr ank'sphonebacktohim.
"
I'
m goi
ng"hesai
d
"Noyounot,youar
en'
tdr
ivi
ngi
nthi
sst
ate"Fr
ank
stoppedhi
m
"
Ineedfreshai
r"hest
ormedoutoft
hehousei
nto
t
hegarden
Aft
eraf
ewmi nutesCourt
neyfoll
owedhim.Ziyanda
smil
edl
ooki
ngatFr ankmischi
evousl
yassheshe
wait
edi
nanti
cipati
onforCourt
neytodissapear
"So?"shesai
d,"
Ihavebeenlooki
ngatyoufrom t
he
ti
meIcameher e,It
hinki
t'
stimewedosomet hi
ng
aboutthi
stensi
onbetweenus"shewhisper
edthe
l
astpart
"
Noti
nher
e,myki
dscoul
djustwal
kin"Fr
anksai
d
Hehel
dherhandleadi
ngheroutsi
det
hegarden
wher
ethepoolwas,t
heyst
artedki
ssi
ngZi
yanda
pinni
ngFranktothewall.MeanwhileCour
tneysat
nexttoMhlengibytheconcret
ebenchoverlooking
thefount
ain,t
herewasmi ni
mum lighti
nthatarea
probabl
ythereasonwhyMhl engichosetogot her
e.
"Hey, i
t'
sgoingt obeal ri
ght"Cour tneysaidholdi
ng
hishand, Mhl engifel
ttearsstinginghiseyesbuthe
wasn' taboutt ocryinfrontofCour t
neyshewasn' t
thatspecial.Shel eanedingrazingherl i
psonhi s,
Mhl engipartedthem givingheraccess, i
ffooli
ng
aroundwi thCour tneywast ohel phi mforgethis
troublesthenhemi ghtaswel ldoi t.
2021
*
***
*
Thi
sinserti
sforTendy,
Happybi
rt
hdaysweet
hear
t,
st
ayblessed.Loveyouloads
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er81
*
6weeksl
ater
*
Thoughi twasn'tidealatfirstbutMhl engiqui t

e
enj
oyedgi vingbackt osoci etyi
naf orm of
communi t
ywor k,hewasi napr ogram wher ehe
sweptthest reet
sandpai ntedpublici nsti
tuti
on
aft
errevampst ogiveitsomel i
feandst il
lhadto
cl
ockinatt heof fi
ceandcoverhi spor t
ionofwork
al
ongwi thFr ank.Aftereverypr oj
ectdonehewast o
si
gnwi ththeof fi
cerwhowasi nchar geofhi s
parol
ecase, butinthemi dstofi tallt
heel ephantin
theroom wasst i
llthere,standinghuge.Thul ado's
hoardi
ngmul t
ipl
iedint hemat terofweekseven
thoughshewasat tendingt herapy,shespokeal lt
he
ri
ghtwordsbutheract ionsar ecompl et
elydiffer
ent
andthatalonewasst arti
ngt ostressMhl engiagain.
Thent her ewasCour tneywhohasbeensucha

greathel pasf arast het winsar econcer ned,
Mhl engihasl earnedt ohi deheri nvolvementi nall
thef unact i
viti
eshi sbeendoi ngwi ththechildren
afraidt hati twil
lcreateast irint heiral
ready
probl emat i
chome.Goi ngoutwi thhi skidsgavehi m
somesor tofful
f i
ll
ment ,anythingr eall
yt ogetoutof
thehouse.Hewaspar kedout sidet hehospital
wai t
ingf ortheloveofhi sli
fetoknockof fsohecan
takeherhome, thoughhi shear twasheavyhest il
l
l
ovedherandwant edtospendt her estofhislife
withher .Hedi aledFr ank.
"
Heybr
o!"Fr
ankanswer
edpant
ing
"
Areyouhavi
ngsexatt
heof
fi
ce?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
What?No!I'
m notl
ikethatanymor
e,ij
ustcamei
n
f
rom get
ti
ngthepost"Herepli
ed
"
Wehaveworkerswhocandot
hatyouknow?
"
Mhl
engir
espondedback
"Iknow,
Ijustwant
edt
ost
epout
,what
'sup?
"he
asked
"
I-
II'm sotemptedtomoveoutoft heEstat
eand
i
ntothenewhousebutatt hesametimeIfeelli
ke
I
'm goingtobelett
ingherdown, Idon'
twantt ogo
t
hrought hi
sagainbr o.Ireal
lyt
houghttherapy
wouldhelpher"Mhl engisaidwit
habr eaki
ngvoice
"Hey!Rememberyouboughtt hathouseforyour
family,
it'
ssupposedt obeasurprise,
nothi
ng
shouldchangeFuze.Womenar ejustnatur
ally
stubbornbutdon' tgiveuponher ,
shelovesyouand
youloveher .I'
m sor r
ytosaybutthereisastri
ngof
menwhoar ewaitingforyout
of uckupsot heycan
stepup, don'tgi
vet hem t
hesati
sfacti
on"hesaid
"
Butyouhavegi
venuponNomzamo!
"Mhl
engisai
d
"NomzamoneedsspaceandI '
m gi
vinghert
hat,I
t
hurt
sthatI'
m associ
atedwit
hallherpai
n,iwantto
seeificanbewithouther
"Franksai
d
"
Yout
alki
ngshi
t!
"Mhl
engisai
dwi
thal
ightchuckl
e
"
Iknow!
"hesai
dchuckl
ingback
"Okbro,
I'
m comi
ngtosleepoverwi
tht
heki
ds…I
canseehercomi
ng…bye"hehungup.
Mhlengiqui
ckl
yjumpedoutofthecartomeet
Thuladohal
fway,shesmi
ledfaint
ly.
"Heyshor
ty"hesai
dsof
tl
yengul
fi
ngheri
ntohi
s
embrace
"Hey,
Ithoughtyoubri
ngi
ngt
heki
dswi
th"Thul
ado
saidj
umpinginthecar
"
Well
,It
houghtwecoul
dtal
k,t
heyar
ewi
thShar
on"
Mhl
engir
epli
ed
"Youcan'
tleavet
hem t
her
eMhlengi,Shar
onisold
andti
redyouknowhowenerget
ictheyare"shesai
d
"
I-
Ical
ledt
henanny"Mhl
engisai
dner
vousl
y
"
Youbroughthert
oourhouse,
Idon'
twantanyone
t
her
e"sheshouted
"
No!She'
satShar
on'
s"her
espondedwi
thasi
gh
"
Ohok"shesai
dlooki
ngoutt
hewi
ndow
"
What
'sgoi
ng…babe?
"
"
Not
hing,
youguysneedt
oleavemeal
one"shesai
d
"
Ok!Wemovi ngout,I
'
m notdoingthi
salloveragain.
I
'mtaki
ngthechil
drenyoucanstayinyourshithol
e"
Mhl
engisai
dangril
ypr essi
ngontheacceler
ator.
*
***
Theyarri
vedatt heEst at
e,Mhlengij umpedoutand
di
dn'tevenbot heropeningthedoorf orher,he
dashedintothebedr oom andst artedpackinghi s
bel
ongingsintobl ackbags.Thul adof ol
lowedsui t
andthrewher selfonthebedst aringintotheceili
ng,
Mhlengicouldn'tbeli
eveherattituder i
ghtnow, he
glar
edathert henshookhi shead.Godknowshow
badhewant edt oblastherri
ghtnowbuthedecided
againsti
t,hewasnowdr agginghist
hingst
ogether
withthechil
dren'soutsi
dethenhephonedFr ankto
comeandhel p.
"Soyoujustgoi
ngtotakemykidsandgo,whot
he
helldoyouthi
nkyouare!Huh?
"Thuladosai
dsi
zing
thetal
lmanup
"
Pleasest
op,t
hatdoesn'
tsui
tyou.
..
stop"Mhl
engi
r
epli
edwalki
ngaway
"
I'
m goi
ngtogetyouar
rest
edf
orki
dnappi
ng,
don'
t
t
ryme"Thul
adospat
"Becauseyouknowiwil
lgetthr
ownbacki
njai
l,
so
youcanstayhereandendangermyki
dswit
hthis
clut
ter?
"heasked
"Youcan'tseparat
emef r
om mychi
ldren,
I'
m goi
ng
tocleart
hest uf
fbutmykidsst
aywithme"shesaid
soft
lysli
ghtl
yembar r
assed
"
No!I
fyouwantt
ogetmear
rest
edgoaheadbut
youwillnotkeepmychi l
drenhere,
I'm goingtoget
chi
ldservicesonyoueveni fI
'
m arrest
ed.Iwoul d
rat
hertheystayinahomeatl easti
t'scleanerand
safert
hanher e"hespatback
Frankpar kedout side, Mhlengiboltedoutl eaving

Thul adointhemi ddl eofthehouse, hertearskept
maki ngli
nesdownherf ace.Shej ustwant edt o
vanishint hefaceoft heear t
h,everythingwas
crumbl i
ngr i
ghtbef orehereyesandshedi dn'tknow
whatt osavef i
rst.Shecoul dsaveher sel
fbyl ett
ing
Mhl engitaketheki dssoshecant aket hemoment
thatsheneedst omakesenseofever yt
hingorshe
couldsaveherr elationshipandt hrowawayher
tubsandbooksbutt henthevoi dwi l
lonlygr ow
biggerorshecoul dj ustdot hedar ntasksshewas
givenbyAmanda, onlyiftheywer en'tsodiffi
cult.
Wherecanshestar
t?,
ever
ytimeshescansaround
thehousel
ooki
ngforsomethingshecoul
ddiscar
d,
shefi
ndsabsol
utel
ynothi
ng.Everyt
hingt
hatis
ther
edeser
vestobether
eandevent
uall
yther
ewi
ll
beaneedfori
t.Fr
ankbudgedi
nstar
tli
ngher.
"
Andt
hen?
"hesai
dlocki
ngeyeswi
thher
ButThul adolookedawayavoi dingeyecont act,

she
scur r
iedint
ot heroom leavingFr ankdumbf ounded.
Finallyhecaughtt heglimpseofwhatMhl engiwas
talki
ngaboutandhewasast ounded, hehadonl y
seent hisment ali
ll
nessont hoser eali
tyshowson
TVbutt oactuall
ybeinacl utterfil
ledroom was
sur r
ealandover whelming.Hecover edhisnose
pickingupt heblackplasti
cbagf rom thefloor
headi ngout.Hef oundMhl engicover i
nghi seyes
i
nsi dethecar ,i
twasFr ank'
snewwheel s.
"Brol
ikewhatthef
uckdidIj
ustsee?
"heaskedwi
th
hiseyesasbigassaucer
s
"That
stheki
ndofshi
tImustputupwi
thFr
ank"he
saidi
nalowvoi
ce
"Wow!I'
m speechl
ess…howcanapersonf
il
lupa
placei
nlessthan6weeks?
"heasked
"
Thuladuisnotokay,Iwishshecoul
dact
uallysee
whatshe'
sdoingtous, I
'
m doneschmoozingher…
I
'm donebro…let
'sgo"hesaidadj
usti
ngtheseat.
Thedr
ivet
oFrank'
shousewasqui et
,hewasn'
tsure
whatt
osaytohisl
it
tl
ebr ot
her
, i
fitwasMhlengihe
woul
dhavemadehimf eelbet
terbynowbuther e
hewasfai
li
ng.
"Doyouwantmetofet
chyourcar?I
t'
susel
ess
delayi
ngyouar
egoi
ngtoneeditnow"Fr
ankbroke
thesil
ence
"Yea!CanIuseyour
sfornow.Iwanttodropthese
atthehousebutwewillsl
eepatyourpl
acetoni
ght
i
fyoudon'tmind"hesaid
"
Yeahyouguyscanst
ayatmyhousef
oreveri
fyou
want
"Franksai
d
"
Itwi
l
lonl
ybef
oracoupl
eofdaysmaybe,
ijust
needtocallacl
eaningcompanyt odosome
thor
oughwor ki
nthere,I
'm sur
ethestenchofpai
nt
i
sstil
lther
e"hesaidwithli
ghtchuckl
e
"Ican'
twai
ttoseewhatyoudi
d,Ihaveseensome
ofyourpai
nti
ngsbro,
youarer
ealgreat
"Franksai
d
l
ighti
ngup
"I
nduetime,nowI'
m sosadbecauseIwanted
shor
tytobepartofever
ythi
ng,
eventhecarI
wantedtof
etchitwit
hher"her
epli
edsadl
y
"
Don'
tgi
veuponher
,shel
ovesyou"
"Idon'tknow, shedidn'
teventryt
ost opme.She
wasmor ewor ri
edaboutthekids,soifi
twasj ust
megoi ng,shewouldhavesaidnot hi
ng.She
l
itt
erallythrewherselfonthebedwhileiwas
packingl ooki
ngupt otheceil
ing,
doest hatsound
normalt oyou? "heprobed
"Bl
oodywomen,
theyar
esoconf
usi
ng"hechuckl
ed
ner
vousl
y
"
Yeahtellmeabouti
t,wor
sei
sIgotar
epl
yfr
om her
f
atherandnowthis"
"
Damn!
"Fr
anksai
d
"
Ya!Damn"
*
***
Latert
hateveni
ngFr ankpar
kedoutside
Nomzamo' shouse,whenhetriedhi
skeysonthe
gatehereali
zedthelockwaschanged,hechuckl
ed
l
ightl
ypull
ingouthisphonediali
ngher.
"
Hey"Nomzamosai
d
"
HeyI
'
m att
hegat
e"her
epl
ied
"
Ok!I
'
m comi
ng"
Aft
erafewmi nutesZamoappear edwearingclose
tonot
hing,I
'mtalki
ngbum shortsandacr optop.
Shedangledhernewsetofkeysbef or
eopeningt he
gatef
orFrank,youcouldsenseheratt
itudefr
om
mil
esawayi tgotFrankl
aughing.
"
Soyoul
ockedmeout
?"heasked
"Youdon'tl
iveher
eanymor
esoI'
m notcomfor
table
i
nyouhavi ngaccesst
omyhouseandI'
m nothere"
shesaid
"
Ohok,
issher
eady?
"heasked
"Yeah!canyoukeephert
hewhol
eweekend?
"she
asked
"
Why?
"Fr
ankaskedi
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"
Iwantt
ogoout
"sher
epl
ied
"
Wit
hwho?Thul
ado?
"heasked
"Ayayit
'snoneofyourbusi
ness"sher
epl
ied
dismi
ssi
vely
"
Oh…ok…I-Iwi
llkeepher
"Fr
anksai
dbur
nt
"
Thanks"Nomzamosai
dent
eri
ngt
hehouse
SbusisawFrankandinst
antl
ysliddownthecouch,
sheranuptohim wi
thexhil
arat
ion.Fr
ankpicked
herupandgr
abbedt
hebag.
"
Saybyet
omummy"Fr
anksai
d
"
Byemummy"
Nomzamogotupt oki
ssheronthecheek,
she
pull
edawayashereyesl
ockedwit
hFranks,shefel
t
herheartl
eapbuti
mmediat
elyl
ookedaway,Frank
grabbedherhand.
"
Pleasedon'
tdoanyt
hingst
upi
d"hesai
d
"
Leavemeal
one!
"sheyankedherhandoutofhi
s
"Whatdidthedoct
orsay?Yourf
acel
ookswor
se"
Frankaskedconcer
ned
"
Takeyourdaught
erandl
eave…pl
ease"shesai
d
Fr
anksi
ghedt
henhewal
kedout
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
50].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er83
*
Caut
ion sexualcont
ent
*
Court
neypul l
eddownMhl engi'
ssweat pant
salong
wit
hhisunder wearhiscockspr ungout ,
shesmiled
coyl
yfill
ingherhandwithhi sblackrod.Shespaton
i
tandst art
edstroki
ngit,
ever yt
hingwasgl i
steni
ng
underthestarsandthemi nimum lightwasjust
perfecttomaskt hesinfulacttheywer eabouttodo.
Mhlengir el
axedhisbodyasCour tneyslurpedand
l
ickedhi srockhardd!ck,shewassogoodhecoul d
j
ustnuti nhermout h.ThesoundofSbusi siwe
waili
ngi nthehousest art
ledhim, heopenedhi s
eyesbutCour t
neydidn'tstop,thebaby'scr y
becamef ai
ntwhichgavehi m hopet hatperhaps
Frankwast her
ealready.Cour tney'
smout hwor k
wasf ir
ebecauseMhl engifelthishappypl aceatthe
ti
pasheexpl odedinhert hroatandal loverher
mout h,shegiggleddevili
shlyandswal l
owed.
Mhl engismi l
edtryi
ngt ohidetheguilthewas
suddenlyf eeli
ng,onotherdayst hi
sactwoul dhave
beensexyashel lbuthisheartwasbeat ingfastas
thoughtsofThul adoflashedthroughhi smind
vigorously.Hestoodtohi sfeetdressingup,
Cour t
neyl ookedathim confused.
"
Whereareyougoi
ng?
"sheaskedwi
that
onef
il
led
wit
hhur
t
"
Didn'
tyouheart
hebabycr
ying"Mhl
engiasked
"Well
she'snotcryi
ngnow,I'
m sur
eFranki
s
att
endingtoher"Cour
tneysai
drushi
ngbehi
ndhi
m
"Youdon'tunderstandCourtney,
mychi l
drenare
here.I'
m-I
'm notsupposedt obedoingthi
sok…
pleaseunderstand,I'
m sor
ry"Mhlengisai
drunning
i
nt othehouse
Assoonashecli
mbedthestair
case,Frankbudged
i
ntoopant
ing,
Mhlengipausedconfused.
"
Sbusi
siwewascr
yingIt
houghtyouar
einsi
de?
"
Mhl
engiasked
"Iheardhercr
ythat
'sI
'
m her
e"Fr
anksai
dinar
aspy
voice
Boththemenr anupstair
s, onl
yt ofi
ndLumiand
Lubif
eedingboththebabi es,FrankandMhl engi
bothheavedasighofr el
ief.Thet wi
nslooked
pl
easedwi t
hthemselves,Mhl engiandFranksaton
t
hef
loorwat
chi
ngt
hei
rki
ds.
"Daddywear ebiggi
rl
snow!Wecanlookaft
erour
babysibl
ings"Lumisai
dfeedi
ngSbusi
siwe
"ButImixedt
hebot
tl
es,
youdi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo"
Lubisai
d
"Buzzof
fLubanzi
,nooneaskedyout
hat
"Lumi
njal
o
saidget
ti
ngworkedup
"
Noneedt
ofi
ght
,youbot
hdi
dgr
eat
"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Ialwayslookwhenmummyi
smi
xingt
hemi
lkf
or
Ntobeko"Lubanzisai
d
"ButIhel
pyouputthewar
m wat
eri
nthebot
tl
es
Lubiisn'
t?
"Lumisai
d
"
Yes!Youdi
dandisai
dthankyou"Lubanzisai
d
Frankgiggled,thesetwocangoontheentir
eday,
foramomentt herehethoughtofFr
ed.Thetoddl
ers
werestart
ingt olookdrowsysothedadstookover
rel
ievi
ngtwi nsoffthei
rtemporar
yduty,
they
resor
tedtobed.I
naf ewmi nutesthebrot
hers
shameful
lyret
urnedtothei
rguest s,
thetwoladi
es
l
aidquiet
lyoneit
hercouch.Mhl engiandFrank
stoodatafardi
stantscar
edt omaket hefi
rstmove.
"
It
'syourhouse,
youshoul
daskt
hem t
oleave"
Mhlengisai
dtoFrank
"
uyahl
anya,
theyar
eyourguest
s.Youshoul
dtel
l
t
hem t
ogo"Franksai
d
"
That
'
snotf
air
"Mhl
engisai
dfr
owni
ng
"I
'
m donebreaki
ngwomen'
shear
ts,
it'
syourt
urn"
Franksai
dwalki
ngaway
Final
lytheyjoinedthegi
rl
s,Ziyandashotup
excit
edl
yogl i
ngFr ankbuthelookedawayavoidi
ng
eyecontact.Courtneyontheotherhandcoul
dn't
evenbar et
ol ookatMhlengiandhecouldn'
t
carel
ess.
"
Ithi
nkwehavesomeser
iouswor
ktodoher
e,how
aboutanor
gy"Zi
yandabl
urt
edout
"
No!
"bot
htheguyssai
datt
hesamet
ime
"Wearecal
li
ngitanightandourchi
ldr
enar
e
upst
air
s"Mhlengisai
d
"
Yes!Whathesai
d"Fr
anksai
d
Cour tneygotupi mmedi atel

yshest artedcol
lecti
ng
herst uff,sheputonhershoesandgl aredat
Mhl engioncemor e.Shewasf uming,shespotteda
glassf i
lledwithwat ershequicklygrabbeditfr
om
thet ableandthrewi tonMhl engi
"
Mycouches"Fr
ankscr
eamed
"
Jer
k!"Cour
tneysai
dtoMhl
engi
"
Bit
ch"Mhl
engispatback
"Ti
llwemeetagai
n"Zi
yandasai
dshowingtheguys
thepeacesi
gnasshewalkedoutf
oll
owingali
vid
Courtney
"
Youmor
ewor
ri
edaboutyourcouchesandwhat
aboutme?
"Mhl
engiaskedFr
ank
"Whataboutyou?Lookatmycouchesman,
they
arebr
andnew"Fr ankwhi
ned
"Whatabr
otherIhave"Mhl
engisai
dtaki
ngof
fhi
s
hoodi
e
*
***
*
@Cubal
ounge*
Zamowasdi rtdrunkshecoul
dn'
tevenst andon
thoseheel
sanymor e,soThul
adodrapedherarm
overhershoulder
sandhelpedhert
osi tdown.
"It
hinkweshoul
dgonow"Thul
adowhi
sper
edt
o
her
"No!I'
m goi
ngwiththatdudewi t
hthepinkgol
fT-
shir
tandyouwillgowiththatbusinessman,what
's
hisnameagain?
"Zamosai ddrunk
"No!No!Ichangedmymind.Thoseguysarecreepy
ashell
,wearegoinghome"Thuladowhi
spered
"I
'm notababyThul adu,
youarej
ustscar
edto
dissapoi
ntMhl engi
.Hecangetpussywit
hinaspl
it
second,whileyoubusyplayi
ngmotherMaryher
e,
l
iveal i
tt
le"Nomzamosai d
"No!Theseguysar
ebadnews,
Idon'
tfeelr
ight
"
Thuladosai
d
"Youjustachicken,tast
eanotherdickandyouwi l
l
knowt hatMhlengiisnotallt
hat.Icheat
edon
Njabulothat'
showIdi scover
edt hatFr
ankwast he
beasttothisbeautyoverhere"shesaidchuckl
ing
"IwaswithMkhuzenit
oodar
li
ng,
socal
m yourt
it
s"
Thuladusai
d
Shedrewherphoneanddi
aledMhl
engi
,he
answeredi
mmediatel
y.
"
H-hey"hesai
dner
vousl
y
"
Mhl
engiIdon'
tknowwhoel
set
ocal
lbut
Nomzamoi swastedhereandther
e'st
woguysI'
m
scar
edaregoingtotakeadvant
ageofheri
fIl
eave
herher
ealone,coul
dyoupleasegetFr
anktocome
andgether"Thul
adosaid
"
Iloveyou"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Ser
iousl
y?"Thul
adoasked
"
Yes!LookI'
m comi
ng,
don'
tleavehersi
ghtyou
mightbei
ndangert
oo"Mhl
engisaid
"
Ok!I
'
llwai
t"Thul
adoassur
edhi
m
Thetwoguysreturnedbacktothetabl
e,t
heone
wit
hapi nkGol
fT-shir
tstar
tedt
ouchingZamoand
shelethi
m,Thuladoscowledathim.
"
Don'tbejealous"t
hebusi
nessmansai
dnextt
oher
,
atadtooclose
"There'
snot
hingt
obej
eal
ousof
f,she'
stoodr
unk"
Thuladusai
d
"
Andsheagr
eedt
ogohomewi
thhi
m bef
oreshe
gott
hisdr
unk,
justl
ikeyouagr
eedt
ogowi
thme"
Theguywit
hapotbellysai
d
"
Iwasj
ustj
oki
ng"Thul
adoscof
fedhi
m
"
Hey!Doyouwanttogetyourf
ri
endsomewat
er?
"
t
hepinkshi
rtguysai
d
Thuladoscannedt
heplaceforawaiterbutt
heyal
l
seemedoccupied,
whileshewasn'tl
ookingt
he
otherguysli
ppedapi
llinherdr
ink.
"
Justgogetityour
sel
f,yourf
ri
endi
spasssi
ngout
"
t
hebusinessmansaid
Thuladogotupheadi ngtothetillpointtobuythe
water,aft
eraf ewmi nutessher eturnedwi t
hstil
l
water.Shehel pedZamodr inkandever yti
meshe
l
ookedatherf aceitwashideousandshecoul dn't
bel
ieveshest ayedl i
kethatforthislong.Af t
erafew
gul
pssher esumedonherchai randgul peddown
herdrink,i
tdidn'teventakelongf orhert ostar
t
f
eel
ingdr
owsy.Shegrabbedhol
dherbagtightas
t
heurgeofwant
ingt
osl eept
ookoverher
.
*
***
*
Thenextmor
ning*
Thuladowokeupi nt hemi dstofwhi t

esheet s,her
bodyf eltweakandsor easifshewasbat teredby
theent irecommuni t
y, hermouthwasdr yandshe
somewhatf eltdisori
ent ed.Shescannedar oundthe
forei
gnr oom andshecoul dn'
tseeherbel ongings,
sheliftedt hebl anketandnot icedshewasnaked.
Paniccl othedher ,wher ewasshe?andhowdi dshe
gether e? ,shecoul dn'trememberwhathad
happenedbutNomzamoandherwentoutl astnight
,
sher emember edCubal oungebutt herestwas
blank.Shewr appedher sel
fwithasheetl ookingfor
herclot hesbutnot hingi nsi
ght,shewaddl ed
towar dst hedoorbuti topent hat'
swhenshebut t
headswi thNomzamoshewasi nawhi tegown.
"
Oht hankGod,
it'
syou"Thul
adosai
dsoundi
ng
r
eli
eved
"
Hey!Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Zamoasked
"I
'
mf eel
ingf
unny!Wher
ear
emycl
othes?
"Thul
ado
asked
"Aboutthat!Youcanusethegowninthecloset
,
seemslikeIgotalit
tl
eexcit
edyest
erdayandI
vomitt
edandmessedbot hofus…I'm sor
ry"she
saidgenuinely
"
Ican'tr
ememberat hi
ng,
wherearewe?
"Thul
ado
f
inal
lyaskedopeni
ngthecabi
net
"
AtFr
ank'
shouse,
Mhl
engicamef
orus"Zamosai
d
"
Oh!
"Thul
adosai
dtr
yingt
oremember
"LookThuladoI '
mreall
ysorr
y,Fr
anki ssomadat
me, Iputourli
vesindangeryest
erday.I
fitwasn'
t
foryouwewer egoingt
ogetrapedorwor se
traf
ficked,
thereasonwhywecan' tr
emember
anythingisbecausewegotroofi
edlastnight
"Zamo
saidshamef ul
"Ohmygosh!I
'
m nevergoi
ngouti
ntheni
ghtagai
n"
Thul
adosai
d
"No!Iwasreckl
ess,youweref
ineyouevencal
led
Mhlengicomplai
ningaboutme,I
'mtakingt
he
blame.Nextti
meweshoul dbecaref
ul"Zamosai
d
Thedoorcreakedopen,thenFrankappear
edwi
tha
tr
ayoffood,hisi
ratef
acialexpr
essi
onwas
unmissabl
e,heplacedthefoodonthebedand
walkedout
"Fr
ank!"Thul
adocal l
edout,hepeepedbackinbut
sai
dnot hi
ng,"Ar
eMhl engiandthekidsher
e?"
Thuladoasked,Franknoddedhisheadandleft
.
"
Tol
dyouhi
sangr
y"Zamosai
dsadl
y
"Ar
ghaslongaswearesafe,
thebi
gheadswil
lget
overit
"Thul
adosai
d,"
Let'
seatandgoseeour
chil
dren,
thi
spl
aceisni
ce"Thul
adosai
d
"It
'sgorgeous,
youshoul
dseethegar
denandthe
poolarea,Whenwearedoneeati
ngIwil
lshowyou
ar
ound"Zamosai
dexci
tedl
y
"
Youver
yexci
ted"Thul
adosai
dsi
deeyei
ngher
"I
'
m not,don'tbesil
ly.Fr
ankaskedformyhelpi
n
accessori
zingit
,IguessI'
m ali
tt
leproud"Zamo
said
"
Nice,
let
'seatsoyoucanshowme"Thul
adosai
d,
t
hepairi
ndulgedt
heircheer
ful
ly.
*
***
Mhlengiwaswokenbyt inyhandsonhi sface,i

t
wasbot hSbusisiwe'
sandNt obekowi tht
hetwins
si
tti
ngj ustabovehishead,hehadnochoi cebutto
sl
eepi nthekidsroom andont hefloorsi
ncethe
guestsbedr oom wasnowoccupi ed.
"
Wakeywakey"t
hechi
ldr
ensai
d
"Daddywhyar
eyousleepi
ngonthefloor
?"Lubi
askedki
ssi
ngMhl
engionhischeek,
Lumijoined
hi
m undert
hebl
anket
s
"
IhadtosleepheresoIcanwat
choveryou"
Mhl
engirepli
ed,
"Andguesswhat
?"Mhl
engisai
d
"
What
?"t
het
winsaskedi
nuni
son
"Youguysar
enofun,youweresupposedtoguess
butmummyi sher
e"Mhlengisai
dthekidsf
aceli
t
up
"Daddycanwest
ayher
efor
ever
…pl
ease"Lumi
njal
o
asked
"
Butmummywillmaketheplacedi
rt
yagainLumi,
r
ememberhowniceourhousewas"Lubanzisai
d
l
owly
"
Yeah!
"Luminj
aloagr
eedl
ooki
ngr
athersad,
Mhl
engi'
shear
tsank.
"Ihaveasur
pri
sef
oryoul
ater
"Mhl
engisai
dget
ti
ng
up
"
Whati
sitdad?
"Lumi
njal
oasked
"
It
'sasurpr
iseLumi
,daddycan'
tsay"Lubanzi
r
esponded
"
Iwasn'
ttal
kingt
oyou"Lumisai
dwi
that
ti
tude
"
Youquest
ionsar
eal
wayssi
ll
y"Lubanzisai
d
Lumigl ar
edather,Mhl engipickedupbot hoft hem
andr anaroundtheroom wi ththem, t
heyscr eamed
i
nexhi lar
ati
on.NtobekoandSbusipi ckedupt heir
handswai ti
ngfortheirturn,Mhlengiputthebi g
girl
sdownandwhi skedt heli
ttl
ekidsfrom the
groundandr answingingt hem, t
heygiggledwavi ng
theirti
nyhandsintheai r.
"Okit
'sti
mef orbr
eakfast,l
etsgobrushourteet
h"
Mhlengisai
d, t
hekidsranintothebat
hroom int
he
hal
lwayfoll
owedbyMhl engi
.
Afterwhatseemedl i
kef or everMhlengidescended
thestai
rswiththekids,Fr ankhavebeenwai t
ingfor
them downstai
rs,bowlsofcer eal
wer eallr
eadyand
somet oastwit
hjam fort hedaddy's.
"
Aywhereisthegr
easybreakfast
,ist
hiswhatyou
wokeupearl
yfor
?"Mhlengiasked
"
Wellyoushoul
dhavewokenupandcookedr
ather
,
I
'
m notinthemood"Fr
anksai
d
"
Wher
ear
ethey?
"Mhl
engiasked
"Zamoisdoi
ngahousetourwit
hThuladoasi
f
nothi
nghappened"Fr
anksai
dvexed
"
Lett
hem be"Mhl
engisai
d
"
I'
m moredi
sappoi
ntedi
nmyself
,weshoul
dhave
wentwhenyouwantedt
oo"Fr
anksai
d
"Nah!Youwer eri
ght
,itwasgoingtobesowei r
d
especi
all
ywi t
hthekids,wethankGodthatIgot
ther
eont i
meandt heywi l
lbeext
racar
efulnext
ti
me"Mhl engisai
d
"I
'
mr eal
lygl
ad,I
'vebeent
her
ebr
oitcoul
dhave
beenworse"Fr
anksaid
Thekidsrushedthroughthei
rbreakfastbecause
theyhadplansinthegarden,Mhlengicleanedand
that
'swhenThuladoandNomzamoappear ed.
Frankcouldn'tst
andherf ace,i
twasasi fshewasa
monster,i
nf acthefeltnauseatedsoheexcused
himself
.Mhlengiglaredatt hepairasawkward
sil
enceengul f
edtheroom, suddenlyNomzamof el
t
theurgetovomi tsher anoutsi
det hebat
hroom was
tofarfr
om thekitchen.
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Mhl
engiaskedThul
ado
"
Wei
rd!Thankyouf
orcomi
ngl
astni
ght
"Igotanemai
lfr
om Amandalastni
ght,appar
entl
y
youhavebeenabscondi
ngyoursessi
ons"Mhlengi
said
"Somuchf
orconfi
dent
ial
it
y,Iam l
ooki
ngforanew
shri
nk,
Amanda'
smethodsaren'
tforme"Thul
ado
sai
d
"Ohok!ExceptIpai
dinf
ullbecauseshecame
highl
yrecommended"Mhlengisaid
"AndIcanretur
nyourmoneyi
fthat
'sapr
obl
em"
Thuladosai
dwi t
hat
ti
tude
"
Soyouar
edanci
ngwi
thmennow?Youdon'
tcar
e
aboutme?
"Mhl
engiaskedi
napai
nedvoi
ce
"Iwasjustgoi
ngwiththefl
ow,i
t'
snott
hatdeep"
Thuladosaidr
oll
inghereyes
"
Youdon'tl
ovemeanymor
e?"Mhl
engiasked
wal
kingcl
oser
"
Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
"Thul
adoanswer
ed
"
Soyoudol
oveme?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Whyar
ewedoi
ngt
hisr
ightnow"
"
Answerme"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Arghmxm"Thul
adowal
kedoutoft
heki
tchen
Frankwal
kedi
nwal
kingsl
owl
y…hepathi
m onhi
s
back.
"Youar
esomushy,i
fIdi
dn'
tknowThul
ado.Iwoul
d
sayshegaveyoual
ovepor
ti
on"Fr
anksai
d
"It
hinksheknowshowmuchIloveherandshe'
s
grat
ingmyheartr
ightnow"Mhl
engisai
dir
ri
tabl
y
"Yougiveawayt oomuch,andthi
sri
ghtherei
sthe
disadvantage"Fr
anksaid,
"Il
oveZamobutifshe
knewi tal
l,Iknowshewouldwalkal
lovermesoI
giveittoherinbit
s"Fr
ankadded
"
Yout
hinkso?
"Mhl
engiasked
"Yes!Ali
tt
let
oughl
ovewi
llsor
toutThul
ado"Fr
ank
assured
*
***
Laterintheaft
ernoonNomzamoandThulado
chi
lledinthepoolareaast
heki
dschasedaft
erone
anotherinthegarden.
"
Maybeweshoul
dcook"Thul
adosai
dtoNomzamo
"I
'
m notcooking,
thi
sisnotmyhouse.I
'
m aguest
hereasfarasI'
m concer
ned"Zamosai
d
"Yeah!Youar
eri
ght,
I'
m st
il
lmadatMhl
engi
anyway"Thul
adosai
d
"
Butwhatdi
dhedo?
"Zamoasked
"I
t'
sal
ongst
ory"shesai
d,shewasn'tr
eadyfor
Zamot
oknowabouttheclutt
eratherhouse
ThenCour tneyandZiyandaappearedoutof
nowhere,theyscannedthepoolareaandwavedat
theladi
es.Zamowast hefi
rstoneup,Thulado
fol
lowedsui twi
thherheartthuddi
ngagainsther
ri
bcage.
"Hey!Frankletusi
n,I
'mlooki
ngformykeys"
Ziyandasaidlooki
ngaroundf
rant
ical
ly
"
Whatwoul
dyourkeysbedoi
ngher
e?"Zamoasked
"Iwasher
elastni
ght
"Zi
yandasai
dCourt
neyfol
ded
herarmswit
hasmi r
kpl
aster
edonherf
ace.
Thekidscamedangl
ingakey,Zi
yandasmil
ed
becausesher
ecogni
zedthem i
nstant
ly.
"HeyCourt
ney!Whenar
etheydoi ngashowatt
he
Sharksboar
dagain?
"Lubanziasked
"Iwi
llar
rangewi
thdaddyifsomethi
ngcomesup
agai
n…OK sweetheart
"shecrouchedhuggi
ngher
"Thankyousomuch,I
'
vebeenlooki
ngf
ort
hem"
Ziyandasai
dpoi
nti
ngatt
hekeys
"
Ifoundt
hem i
nthegar
den"Lumisai
d
ZiyandaandCourt
neybi
df ar
ewellandlef
t,Zamo
andThuladogawkedateachother,Thul
ado'st
ear
s
escapedhereyes,
sheplacedahandonherchest.
"
Hey!Cal
m down"Zamosai
dhol
dingher
Mhlengiappearedfrom i
nsi
dethehouse,
hewasal
l
cl
eanedupador nedi ngr
eysweatpant
sanda
hoodie,
hecalledforthechi
ldr
en.
"
Comeonl
etsgo!
"Hescr
eamed,
theki
dscame
scr
eechi
ng.Theyal
ldi
ssapear
edi
ntot
hehouse.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
51].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er85
Lumi nj
alobusiedherselfwit
hdrawinginthecorner
whileLubanzisatcomf ort
ablyonthecouch
watchingnati
onalgeogr aphi
calchannel
.Mhlengi
walkedincarryingNtobekowhohasj ustwokeup
fr
om hisnap, hesli
ghtlysmiledr
ubbinghiseyes
whenhesawhi
ssi
ster
s.
"
Areyougoi
ngsomewher
edaddy?
"Lubiasked
"Yes,
I'
m goingt
otheof
ficeandIhavecal
ledyour
aupairtocomeandwatchyouguys"Mhlengi
answered
"
Wear
ebi
gdaddy,
wewi
llbef
ine"Lubiar
gued
"Iknowbutwi t
hPagewi l
lbeheretomakesur
eyou
twodonotf i
ghtandsheal wayshaveni
ceact
ivi
ti
es
plannedoutforyouguys…r i
ght?
"
"
True,
areyout
heboss?
"Lubiasked
"Yes"Mhlengisai
dchuckl
ing,
"Bot
huncl
eFr
ankand
Iarebosses"Heclar
if
ied
"
Youl
ookf
ancyi
nasui
t"Shesai
d
"
Andyout al
ktoomuch"Mhl
engisai
dput
ti
ng
Ntobekodown
Sheranovert
oLubanziandti
ckl
edher,
whileshe
rol
ledont
hecouchLuminjal
ocamefrom nowher
e
andclimbedonMhl engi
.Hewhi skedherof fhis
backandswungherar ound, Ntobekogi ggl
edt he
mot i
onwasj usttofunnyaccor dingt ohi m.Aftera
roaroflaughterMhlengiputLumidownandr an
backupst ai
rs,heknewoncet heyent ertheirplay
modei tneverends.Heopenedhi sbedr oom door
andsighed, t
hisisnothowhei magi nedhi sli
fe
wouldbe, hefastenedhissuitbut t
onsandf lopped
onhisbed.Wi thhim bei
ngaf ul
ltimedad, hecould
onlywor kful
ldaysonweekendsandt hankst o
Page,shewasal wayswill
ingtobabysi tonasl ong
assheget spaiddouble.
Hecoul dhearthebuzzerf r
om ther oom butoneof
thetwinswi l
lbeabletogetthegat esincehet aught
them onhowt ouseit
,itmustbePage.Thul adohas
beenscar ceeversi
ncethatincidentwithCour t
ney
andZi yandaatFrank'
shouseandhersi l
encewas
deafening,evenacallt
oaskaboutt hechildren
wouldbeenoughf orhi
m.Nhl anhlocalledhim afew
daysagoaski ngaboutt hepreparati
ons,the
dissapointmenti
nhert onewhenhei nformedher
thatt
heweddi ngwasonhol duntilfurthernoti
ce.
Musawassoont obemarri
edtohi sbabymama
andSfisowasset tl
ingwel
linBryanst on,hisbra'
s
weredoingthet hi
ngsandhewashappyf ort
hem.
HedialedFrankandheanswer edaf terwhat
seemedl i
keforever.
"
Areyoust
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
"Heasked
"
Yes…whatthef
uckdoyouwant
?"Fr
ankaskedi
na
r
aspyvoi
ce
"
Aif
okofmaaan"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
"
It
'st
hef
ucki
ngweekend!
"Fr
anksai
d
"Someofushavewor kt
odo, whi
leyoul
azybum
sleepal
lday"hesai
dchuckl
ing
"
I'
m abossincaseyouhaveforgot
ten,
Iwor
k
wheneverIwant"Fr
ankchuckl
edback
"
Ohlookatme, t
hehardworki
ngemployeegoi
ngto
wor
konaweekendwhi l
ethebosshangshisbal
ls
i
nbed"Mhlengirepl
i
ed
"
Youar
eannoyi
ng"Fr
anksai
d
"
Incaseyouhavef or
got
tenthat
'smyjobasyour
l
it
tl
ebr ot
her,so!
!Whatneedsmyatt
enti
on?"
Mhlengiasked
"Il
ookedatyourproposalont
hatcour
iercompany,
Ithi
nkit'
sbri
ll
iantbr
o.Howdoyouwantt ogoabout
i
t?"Frankasked
"Iknowi tseemsl i
keI'
m overlyambi t
ious,we
alreadyhavet hr
eedepar tmentswithi
nourcompany
buti fweopenami l
linyourmot herslandandthis
cour iercompanywewi llbecreati
ngmor ej
obs,I
knowhowi tfeelsnottohaveanyt hi
ngsomyai mis
topr ovideempl oymentt hr
oughoutSout hAfri
caso
thatouryout hsaren'
tcapturedbycr i
meatat ender
age"Mhl engisaid
"Orendupdini
ngwit
hthedevi
ltogetr
iches,
I
tot
all
ygeti
tbroandI'
m 100%behi
ndyou"Frank
said
"Per
fect!Iwi
llwor
konthatsoIcanmeetupwi th
MnqobiandNkosanaforsomel egalandbusi
ness
expert
iseonMonday"Mhlengisai
d
"
Youknowwhat
…I'
m comi
ngaswel
l.Sbusii
sgoi
ng
toapart
ywit
hZamosoIwi
llbeal
onet
hewhol
e
day"Fr
ankadded
"
Ithoughtyouarehi
tt
ingof
fwi
thZi
yanda?
"
Mhlengiasked
"Nah!Ijustwanttobealone,It
hinkI
'mruini
ng
thingsbyseeingotherpeopl
e,Icanseeshe'
s
starti
ngtouseSbusiaspawnt ogettome"Fr ank
said
"
Yeah,
it'
snotwor
thi
tman!
"Mhl
engisai
d
"Yeahmydaught
ermeansever
ythi
ngt
ome"Fr
ank
saidsof
tl
y
"Okthen,
I'
llseeyoui
nawhi
l
e.Pagei
sher
esoI
'
m
out"hehungup.
Mhlengigat
her
edhisfi
lesandcarkeys,j
ustwhen
hewasabouttoleavehisphonerangonthebed,
andatthatmomenthereali
zedhewasaboutto
for
getit
.Heansweredwithoutchecki
ngt
hecall
er
ID.
"
Hel
lo!
"hesai
d
"
HeyMshl
engi
,i
t'
sAmanda!
"
"
Ohhey,
what
'sup?
"
"I
'
m sorr
ytocallyoubutIcannotgett
hrought
o
Thul
ado,shehasn'tbeencomingtosessi
onandI
'
m
worr
iedabouther"Shesaid
"Thul
adoisverystubbor
n, I
'
m gett
ingti
redof
beggi
ngher,ifshedoesn'twanthelpt
hanmaybe
weshouldleaveher"Mhlengisai
dgetti
ngirr
it
ated
"Ij
ustcannotgiveuponher ,
Ihaven'
ttr
ied
everyt
hingyetandunti
lthenIhavetopushharder
.
I'
veneverfai
ledacli
entbeforeandIwontstar
tnow"
Amandasai dconfi
dent
ly
"
Iadmi r
eyourenthusiasm Amandabutthi
sis
whereIgetoff
,I'
m drainedbyal
loft
his…goodluck"
Mhlengisai
d
"Youpai
dforthi
s,don'
tyouwantt
oseewher
eitwi
ll
end?"Amandaasked
"Justdowhatyouwant
,idon'
twantthemoneyi
f
youareworri
edaboutt
hat"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Okthen,
istheaddr
essont
hef
orm st
il
lthesame?
"
Amandaasked
"
Yes"
"
Thanks"andshehungup
Mhlengistoodthereforsecondsbeforemakinghis
waydownt hestai
rs,
andj ustashethoughtPage
wasalreadydoingsomet hingwit
hthechildr
en,she
wasanat uralandthekidslovedher
.
"
HeyPage,
Icanseeyoual
lset
tl
ed"Mhl
engisai
d
wit
hasmil
e
"
Wewon'tevenmissyou"shesai
dst
icki
ngher
t
ongueoutt
henchuckled
"
Ouch"Mhl
engisai
dhol
dinghi
schest
"
Youl
ookni
cedaddy"Lumi
njal
osai
d
"Thankyou,begoodandli
stent
oPage…iwillsee
youalll
ater
"hekissedal
lofhi
skidsandl
eft
*
***
Zamof i
nishedpl
ait
ingSbusicur
lyaf
ro,
shewas
al
readydrowsyallt
hatheadther
apymadeherf
eel
sl
eepy.
"
Mummy!Sl
eepi
ngt
ime"shesai
d
"
Okmyangel
"Zamosai
dpi
cki
ngherup
"
Wher
eisdaddy?
"Sbusiasked
"Heisbusy,
youwi
llseehi
m nextweekend"Zamo
answered
Shecar ri
edSbusiintotheroom andl aiddownwi t
h
heruntilshewassoundasl eep,shesnuckoutof
bedandbacki nt
othelivi
ngr oom.Shescr ol
led
downherphonebor ed,i
nthemi dstofal loft
hatshe
stumbleduponherol dpicturesandmi ssedhow
happyshewas, shethenfoundher selfonZiyanda's
profi
l
eoncemor e.Eversincet hatdayshecoul dn'
t
helpherselfbuttost
alkheronsoci almedi aand
everyt
imeshedoesi tbr
ingshermooddownt ozer
o,
Ziyandawassl i
m withlonglegsthatshimmered
shesur eknewhowt ocar eforherdarkski
n.Not
evenNj abul
o'sbabymamat hreat
enedherli
ke
Ziyanda,shescoffedexit
ingherInst
agram.
Headi ngtoherwinerackshenot i
cedanotif
icati
on
ofamessagef rom t
hepastorswifebutshe
woul dn'
tdareopenitbecausethenshewi l
lbe
compel ledtoanswerandshewasn' ti
nthemood
forthat.Thenanothernot
ifi
cati
onpoppedup, itwas
from theherbal
ist
,Zamo'sfaceli
tup.
*Yourorderhasbeendi
spatched,
itshoul
darr
ivei
n
twodays,fol
lowalli
nst
ruct
ionsprovi
dedint
he
package*
Itt
ookalotforhertoactual
lyvi
sitt
heherbal
ist,
uponherarrivalt
heladyknewexactlywhatt
ogi ve
herbef
oreshecoul devenexplai
nedhervisi
t.After
whatThuladosaidshedecidedtoputherpri
de
asideandconsul t,herhear tkeptont humpingas
thet houghtofi nvol vingher sel
finvoodoot hi
ngs
thatar eagai nsttheBi bl
efloodhermi ndbutver y
quickl yhermout hwaszi ppedwhenshesawhow
moder nandor ganizedt hepl acewas, i
tevenhasan
onlinest orejustlikeanor malphar macybutt he
diff
er encei sit
'sallt r
aditi
onalor gani
cherbst hey
usef ort heirproduct s.Evenot herraceswer e
queuei ngf ordetoxconcoct ionsandi mmune
boost ers,suddenl yshewasatease.
Thul adohasbeenqui et,per

hapssheneededspace
afterthatalt
ercati
ont heyhad,Zamot ookt i
meand
googl edabouthoar dingandsher eali
zedhowhar sh
hercommentmayhavesounded, itexplainedthe
defensiverouteThul adochoser at
her.Howshe
wishedshecoul djustreachout.Whi l
est i
llinher
thought ssheremember edthatSbusiissupposed
tobei napar t
ydanci ngwi thot
herkids, shegoogled
picturesofagi r
lybirthdaysetupandupdat edon
what sapp.
*
***
Amandawasbyt hesecurit
yoftheEst
atetr
yingto
getthroughbutt
heguardsneededapprovalfrom
Thuladoforhert
obeallowedin.Thesecuri
ty
buzzedherbutnoonepi ckedup.
"
Areyousur
e,she'
sinsi
de?
"Amandaasked
wor
ryi
ngl
y
"Yes!Hercarisparkedoutside,Isawherin
afternoonyest
erdaytaki
ngawal k.MissMdletshe
l
oveskeepi ngtohersel
f,shewillprobabl
yleavefor
wor konMonday"Thesecur itysaid
"Ineedtoseeher
,canyoupl
easegoandcheck
atl
east"Amandabegged
"
Fine!
!"
Theonesecurit
ywentleavi
ngt
heotherinsi
dethe
cont
rolr
oom, aft
erafewminut
estheotherguard
phonedsayi
ngt hatt
her
e'snomovementplushe
coul
dhar dl
yseet hrought
hewi ndows,
theywer
e
almostcovered.Boththesecuri
tyandAmandaran
towardsthedirect
ionofThulado'
shouse.
"
Opent hedoor
!!Shecoul
dbehur
t"Amandasai
d
f
rant
icall
y
Thesecuri
tyopenedpanicking,assoonasthedoor
fl
ungopenthestenchhittheirnost
ri
ls,
theycover
ed
thei
rnosesteppi
ngback.
"
Whathappenedher
e"Theoneguar
dasked
"
I'
m goi
ngi
n"Amandasai
dcover
inghernose.
2021
*
***
**
I'
m back!
!Thanksforyourpat
ienceandcont
inued
support
.Alli
swellnow
[
11/
22,
14:
51].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er84
Thewheelsont hebusgor oundandr ound,

roundandround, roundandr ound Lumi nj
aloled
thetr
oopinMhl engi'snewMer cedes,hewanted
somethingsuit
ablef orhi
slit
tlefamilyandFrank
gothimjustthat.Theywer eont hewayt oseet his
surpr
isedaddyhaspr omisedthem.
"Ok!Whenwegett her
eI'm goi
ngt
oaskyout
o
closeyoureyes!
"hesaid
"
Wuuuut
hisi
sexci
ti
ng"Lubanzisai
d
"Whati
sthesur
pri
sedaddy?
"Lumi
njal
okepton
aski
ng
"
Soon"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
Ntobekokeptonbouncingonhi sbrandnewcarseat ,
hedidn'
thaveacl uewhatwashappeni ngbuthe
wasequallythri
ll
ed.Mhl
engisloweddownent er
ing
aquietstr
eetinaSuburbanarea,youcoul donl y
hearthesoundofdogsbar ki
ngbehindt helong
concret
efencing.Hehalt
edinfrontofgatet hen
tur
ntolookathi ski
ds.
"Nowcloseyoureyes,
ifyoupeekthanwear enot
havinggri
ll
edchi
ckenforsupert
oday"hesaid,the
chil
drencl
osedthei
reyesimmediatel
yexceptfor
Ntobeko
Mhlengipr
essedthedevi
cei nhi
shandandt hegat
e
sli
dopen,hedrovei
nandpar kedthenheopent he
doorforhi
sgirl
swhom sti
llhadtheireyesshut
fai
thf
ull
y.Hethenunbuckl
edNt obekocarryi
nghim
outofthecar
.
"Ok!Youcanopenyoureyesnow"t hegir
lsslowly
openedt heireyesbuttheireager nesswasr epl
aced
byaf rown,theywer eperplexed, theywer en'
tsure
whatt obesur prisedabout."Followme"Mhl engi
saidandt heydi d.Heopenedt heent r
ydoor
engineeredhar dwoodf r
om Ler oyMer l
in,youcould
onlyantici
patewhatt heinsidel ookedl i
ke.
"
Welcomehomezinganezami"(
mychi
ldr
en)
Mhl
engisai
dlooki
ngatthet
wins
"
Home?
"Lubanziaskedar
chi
nghereyebr
ows
"Yes!Iboughtthi
shouseforus,
thi
sisournew
home"Mhl engisai
dwithawidegri
n
Lubanzismil
edaswellshescannedaround
thor
oughly,
Luminj
aloscreamedrunni
ngaround.
"Homesweethome!Wuuuuuu, Ilovei
t,Iloveit"She
saidontopofherl ungs,shedroppedtot hefloor
makinginvi
siblesnowangel s,
Lubanzijoinedher .
NtobekowiggledoutofMhl engi'
sarmsj oini
nghi s
sist
erst
oo,Mhl engitookavideoofhiskidsr eacti
on
anditwaspriceless.
"
Timef
orat
our
"Mhl
engisai
d
"DaddyI'
m sohappy,
thi
shousel
ooksf
ancyandi
t'
s
big"Lubanzisai
d
"Waitunt
ilIshowout
side"Mhl
engisai
dwi
ggl
inghi
s
eyebrows
"Dadhowarewegoi ngtostopmummyf rom
makingthi
shousedirt
y?"Luminjal
oasked,Mhl
engi
paused,het
houghtforasecondonhowhewi l
l
fi
lt
erhiswordsbef
oreutter
ingthem out
.
"Kids!Mummyi ssi
ckandsheneedshel p.Wewi l
l
stayher eunt i
lsheget
sbet t
erandwhenshei sall
goodonl yt henshecancomeandl ivewithus,but
wewi llsti
llseehereveryday"Mhl
engisaid
"
Imi
ssher
"Lubanzisai
dtear
ing
"Iknowmyangel ,Imisshert
oo,Godknowshow
muchIwi shshecanbeher ewithusri
ghtnow,but
i
twoul dbereckl
essofmet oconti
nuetoall
owmy
chil
dr entol
iveinast at
eli
kethat
…it'
snotgood"
Mhl engisai
dast earswell
edupinhiseyes
"Ijustwantt
ohugmummy…pl
easedaddy"Lubanzi
pleaded
"Youdon'
twanttoseeyourbedr
oom f
ir
st?
"Mhl
engi
saidt
ryi
ngtochangethetopi
c
"
Arewenotshar
ing?
"Lubanziaskedwi
pingher
t
ears
"No!Ever
yonewi
llhavet
hei
rownr
oom"Mhl
engi
answered
"Thi
sisal
lexci
ti
ng"Lumisai
d,"
Byebyet
othat
smell
yhouse"sheadded
"
Luminj
alo!Behaveyour
sel
f"Mhl
engiwar
ned,
she
wentmuteinst
antl
y
Thoughshewast el
lingthet rut
hbuthewasn' t
goingt oal
lowthechi l
drentomakef unoftheir
mot her'
ssituat
ion,plusThul adowasst i
llt
hel oveof
hislif
eanddeepdownhewant edhertobeatt hisso
shecoul dj
oi nt
hem her e.Hewat chedhi
schi l
dren
hoppingandgal lopingar oundthehousej oyfull
y
andhi sheartwasf ull.
"Nowt hebi greveal

…t hisi sLumi njalo'
sr oom"
Mhl engisai dopeningt hedoorsl owly,Lumir ani n
screami ngshewassuchadr amat i
cchar acter.She
bouncedonherbedwhi lstther esttooki nthe
beaut yoft heartont hewal l
s,ther oom wasbl ush
pinkwi that ouchofwhi te.Ther ewaswhi te
furnit
ur eandabi gmi rr
ornextt oherdr essertable
thent hisfascinati
ngsi lhouetteofabal leri
nagi r
l
paintedont hewal l
dr oveLumi njal
ocr azy, Mhlengi
knewhowar t
yandaper formerhi sdaught erwas.
NextitwasLubanzi '
sroom, i
twast urquoiseblue
withaf eelofwhitejustli
keLumi nj
alo's.The
diff
erencewast hear tofthewall,Mhlengipainteda
sil
houet t
eofamer maidonherwal linsteadsince
shewasi nt
omar inebiologyLubanzicr i
edhuggi ng
hisfather.Mhlengicrouchedandpul ledherintohis
embr ace,hemadesur ethathispainti
ngsoft he
charactershadaf rohairsotheycanr elatewi
t h
them.
Lastbutnotl eastt heyal lwenti nt othelitt

le
Champsr oom, i
twasbabybl uei ncolorwi t
hal itt
le
chandel i
erhangi ngf rom thet op.Ther ewasawhi t
e
chestofdr awer swi thacol lectionofcar sont opof
i
t,at eddybearsof tcarpetont hef loor,ashelff i
ll
ed
withst uf
fedani mal sandmor et oys.Mhl engimade
suret hatineachr oom t herewasaBookshel fso
thathischi ldrenwi l
lgrowupr eadi ngt oincrease
theirvocabul aryandi magi nation, Ntobeko'sr oom
sti
lllookedpr et t
yempt yitneededThul ado'st ouch.
Ont heirwayoutt hechi l
drenaskedt oseet he
parent sroom, ont hewal kwayt herewer emor e
worksofar tt
hatMhlengihadbeenbusywi t
hinhis
ti
mebehi ndbars,
final
lyhegottodi spl
aythem but
i
nhi sroom wasmul t
imill
ionpaint
ingsthathe
neverwishedtosellbecausetheywer esodearto
hisheart.
Theyarrivedout sidehisbedroom thekidswal kedin

andtheireyesl andedont hepai
ntingabovet he
headboar d,i
twasofapr egnantwomant ouching
herbigbel l
yyoucoul dn'
tseeherfacebecauseshe
waslooki ngtot hesidebutsomet hingabouther
seemedf ami l
iarandont heri
ghtsideoft hewall
wasanot herpai nti
ngoft hesamel adythistimeshe
wasfacingt hef rontyoucouldseehersmi l
eand
herstomachwasbi gbutnotast hef i
rstpainti
ng.
"
Mummy"Nt
obekosai
dpoi
nti
ngatt
hepi
ctur
e
"Yes!
"Mhlengisai
dpicki
nghim up,
"Thi
sismummy
andhereshewaspr egnantwi
thyou"Mhlengi
added
"
Icannotbel
ievet
his"Lumi
njal
ogasped
"Wasshepr
egnantwi
thusont
hatone?
"Lubanzi
asked
"Yes"Mhl
engir
epl
ied,
helookedatthepai
nti
ngs
att
enti
vel
y,"
Sowhatdoyouthink?
"heasked
"
It
'sbeaut
if
uldaddy"Lubanzisai
dtr
uthf
ull
y
"
It
'sfabul
ous"Lumisaidwanti
ngtobedi
ff
erent
,
Mhlengil
aughedl
eadingthem out
"
Canwegoandseemummynow?
"Lubanziasked
"It
hinkshemightbeatuncleFrank'shousesti
ll
,
l
etsgo.Plusweneedtobuygr i
lledchickenf
or
supper…remember?"Mhlengir
emi ndedthem
"
Yes!
"thechi
ldr
ensai
d,Mhl
engidr
oveoutandont
o
t
hemainroad.
*
***
Thegangarr
ivedatuncl
eFrank'
shousewit
hfour
bagsoff
lamegril
ledchi
ckenfr
om Nandos.
"
Iboughtrol
lsaswel
lbutnott
hesal
ad,
wecan
makeitf
resh"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Fourbags?
?"Fr
ankasked
"
Don'
twehaveguest
s?"Mhl
engiasked
"Theyl
eftshortl
yaft
eryou,Idon'
tknowwhat
happenedafterCour
tneyandZiyandal
eft
"Fr
ank
said
"
Ayangi
zingeniIguessmor
eforus"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
"Yummy!Letmegoandstartwit
hthesalads…you
canplat
efort
heki
ds,Sbusigotbor
edalonesoshe
tookanap"Fr
anksai
d
"
Thegi
rl
swi
llgoandgether
"Mhl
engisai
d
Heupdatedhiswhat sappstat
usbypost ingthe
vi
deoofthechi l
drenrol
li
ngont hefl
ooratthenew
house,i
mmedi atel
yhenot i
cedthatThuladowast he
fi
rstt
oviewitsohedeci dedtosendat exttoher.
*
"Hey"
*
Buthegotbl
ueti
cked,
hecli
ckedhi
stongueand
tookt
hebagsofchi
ckent
othekit
chen.
"GoandwakeSbusigentl
yinherroom"Mhl engi
scr
eamedtothechil
drentheyascendedthestai
rs
caref
ull
ywi
thNtobekooneitherhands.
*
***
ThuladotypedaparagraphtoMhl
engibutjust
whenshewasaboutt osendshedel
etedit,
shehas
beenlockedinherhousethewholeaf
ternoon,
she
di
aledNomzamo.
"
Hey"shesai
dinal
owvoi
ce
"
Doyout
hinkhesl
eptwi
thher
?"Sheasked
"I
fhi
sanyt
hingl
ikeFr
ankthenhedid,
IknowFrank
sl
eptwi
tht
hatgi
r l
.Di
dyouseetheatt
it
udesoyeah
t
heydi
d"Zamosai
d
"
I'
vel
osthi
m"Shesai
dpani
cki
ng
"Hey!Relax!Youwil
lmeetsomeonewhowon' t
cheatonyou, i
t'
sbett
ernowthatyouknowhisnot
asperfectasyouthought
.Heisamanaf t
eral
l,
ther
e'snoneedt ocr
yoverspil
tmilk"Zamosai
d
"
Ilovehi
m"Shecr
ied
"Il
oveFranktoo,
butIcan'
thavehi
m...
tough"Zamo
sai
d,"CanIcomeover?"Zamoasked
"No!Noyoucan'
t,
uhm Iwi
llcomeover
"Thul
ado
said
Shegotreadyanddroveout.Shewastooashamed
tobr
ingNomzamot oherspace.Af
terwhatseem
l
ikef
orevershearr
ivedatZamo'shouse.
"
Youher
efast
!"Zamosai
dopeni
ngandl
eadi
ngher
i
n
"
It
'si
ntheni
ghtsot
her
oadsar
eempt
y"Thul
ado
sai
d
"
I'
m hor
ny,
shoul
dIcal
lsomeguys?
"Zamosai
d
"No!Pl
easedon't
,youneedtogobacktochur
ch
befor
eyouselfdestr
uct
"Thuladosai
d
"
Bor
ing!
"Zamosai
d
"
Whathappenedt
oyou?
"Thul
adoasked.
"Frankhappened,aft
ereveryt
hingwehavebeen
through,hi
schuckingmeoutandyouknowwhat
hurts?HehasmoneyandI 'm notther
etoenj
oymy
frui
ts,someotherbit
chwillenjoy"shesai
dpainf
ull
y
"It
houghtIwaswrongt
ofeelt
hatway,Mhl
engi
cannotdothi
stome"Thul
adoalsosai
d
"Idon'tunderst
and,youandMhl engiweregood!
"
Zamosai d,
"Howcoi nci
dent
all
ythattheybothgo
coldonusnowt hattheyaremonied,li
kewhatthe
fuck?"Zamosai dwideninghereyes
"
I'
m ahoar
der
!"Thul
adobl
urt
edout
.
"
What
'st
hat
?"Zamoaskedper
plexed
"
Icol
lectt
hingsandIcannott
hrowt
hem away
that
'swhyMhlengileftme.IhavetasksthatIhave
todofrom mypsychol ogi
standIonlywentasfar
astaki
ngpict
ures,Ijustdon'
twanttothr
owmy
thi
ngsaway"shebr okedown
"
Ohsweet
y"Zamosai
dhuggi
ngher
Theysatonthecouchinsi
lencest
ari
ngi
ntospace,
Thuladohandedhert
hephonetoshowherthe
pi
ctures.
"Ohcr
ap!I
sthi
showyourpl
acel
ookl
ikenow?
Zamoaskedshocked
"
Yesandt hat
swhyIdon'twantvi
sit
ors,
youguys
wontunderst
and"shesnat
chedherphoneaway
f
rom Zamo
"Weneedwi ne!
"Zamosai dgetti
nguponherf eet.
Shescur
ri
edi nt
othekitchen,sheheldontothe
count
ert
ryingtoprocessThulado'sfi
lt
h.Hoarding?
Whatawayt or
omantici
zeadi rt
yperson,shesaid
toher
sel
f,shethoughtThuladojustneededa
cl
eani
ngcompanyt hatwi
llscr
ubthepl
aceandget
ri
dofal
lthosepi
lesandtheprobl
em wi
llbesol
ved.
"
CanIbehonestwi
thyou"Zamosaidcomi
ngf
rom
t
heki
tchenwit
habott
leandglasses
"
Okay"Thul
adosai
dner
vousl
y
"Nomanwi l
lst
aywi t
hyouifyouar
eli
kethatbabe,
getacl
eaningser
vicesandhir
eapermanenthelper
ther
eaf
ter
"Zamosai dhandi
ngheraglassofwine.
"
Justlikenomanwil
lstaywit
hyouwithafacel
ike
t
hat,youlookl
ikeaf
rog"Thul
adosai
dgulpingt
he
wine
"
Ouch!
"Zamosai
dhur
tful
ly
"
Yeaouch!
"Thulador
epl
ied,
"Andbye"Thul
ado
t
urnedonherheel
sandl
eft.
Shej
umpedinhercarf
eel
ingali
tt
let
ipsy"
Whata
wast
eofpet
rol
"shesai
dsteppi
ngonthegas
2021
*
***
*
Todaywesayi
ngbyet
othegr
andpar
ent
s
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er86
BothFrankandMhl engihadthei
rcoat
shangingon
thei
rchair
s,theywereworkingonaperfectpl
anto
expandtheirbusi
ness,andonMondayt heywantt
o
pi
tcht
hei
rideast
othei
rnewf
oundment
ors.
"It
hinktheperf
ectcandi
dateswil
lcomef r
om that
l
istofappli
cantsf
rom Khozalogi
sti
cs,Nkosanadid
saytheyhavethousandsofappli
cati
onsbut
unfort
unatel
ytheycan'
thelpever
yone"Mhlengi
suggested
"
Perfectandthatwil
lsaveust hepainofcreat
inga
websit
etoexplainourrequirements,wewil
lfi
sh
t
hem from t
herejustt
ot akeofftheloadfr
om them,
i
t'
stheleastwecando"Fr ankagreed
"
Sor
ted!
!"Mhl
engisai
dfl
oppi
ngonhi
schai
r
"
Thi
sisni
ce!
"Fr
anksai
dget
ti
ngonhi
sfeet
"
What
sni
ce?
"Mhl
engiaskedar
chi
nghi
seyebr
ows
"WhenFr edandIr anSimmonsI nc,Iwasn'treal
ly
i
nvolved.Hedi dallthehardworkIjustchi
ppedi n
hereandt her
et handissapearbutl
ookatus
spendingaSat urdaymor ni
ngattheoffi
ce"he
pausedandchuckl ed,"
Thisisni
cebecausei n
everyt
hingwehavel ost,wehaveal
lofthistoday
andIhaveabr
otheronmysi
de"hesai
dincl
osi
ng
"I
t'
scool,
Inevert
houghtI
'dhavesibl
ings.Bot
hmy
parent
spassedonandIjustknewiwasal lby
myself
…lit
tl
edidIknow"Mhlengisai
d
"It
hinkweshoul
dgohavel
unchsomewher
e"Fr
ank
sai
dexcit
edl
y
"
Agr
eed!Myphonei
sfl
at,
Iwi
llchar
gei
tint
hecar
"
Mhl
engiwhi
ned
"Mineisabouttoswit
chofft
oo,
let
sgo"Fr
anksai
d
headingtowardsthedoor
*
***
Amandamaneuver edt hrought hestackoftubsand

pil
esofbooks, i
twaspackedi nawayt hatt
here
wasst i
llati
nywi ndingpat hint
ot hehouse, Amanda
keptoncal l
ingoutf orThul adobutt herewasno
repl
y.Theoneguar dr eturnedtohi spost,whil
ethe
otherbraveditupandf ollowedAmandadeepi nto
thehouse.Thepoorguycoul dn'tbeli
evethatthi
sis
howt heplaceofabeautif
ulgirll
ikeThul
adolooked
ont hei
nside,t
hestenchintensif
iedassoonasthey
reachedtheheartoftheunit.
"Whatisgoi
ngonher
e?"t
hesecur
it
yguar
dfi
nal
ly
asked
"I
t'
sasi cknessbutshewillbefi
ne,I
'
m going
upstai
rs,pleasekeepcheckingdownhereshecoul
d
betrappedundert hesepi
les"Amandasaid
"Howar eyougoingtogetupstai
rs,l
ookatthe
stair
case"Thesecuri
tyguardaskedpoint
ingatt
he
clusterdecor
ati
ngthestai
rs
"
Iwi
llsqueezet
hrough"Amandar
esponded
Sheascendedt hestai
rsasgentl
yandcar eful,
one
bumpandt hewhol epil
ewouldtumblewi t
hherin
themiddle,thankGodf orhersl
enderbodyshej ust
sli
dthrought hepathwaydissapear
inginthedirt
.
Theguar dcontinuedlooki
ngaroundevent hough
hiseff
ortswer equickl
ydiscour
agedbyt hemess,
hewasj ustnotcutoutfort
his.Hef oundhimsel
f
standingoutsi
deforsomefreshai r,
Amandaar r
ived
i
nt hebedroomsandasexpect edt heywerestar
ting
tofil
lupaswel l
,ali
tt
lel
essinthechi ldr
en'
s
bedroom butsti
llnosi
gnofThul ado.
Shet riedhercel l
phoneoncemor ebutnot hing.
Meanwhi lethesecur i
tywasst i
llcont emplating
whet hert ogobacki nornothehear dar i
ngtone
comi ngf rom theinside,hef oll
owedi tatt
entively
until
lhewascl ose,t
houghi tdieddownbutheknew
exactlywher eitcamef rom sohest ar t
edpeel i
ng
thelayer sofbooksonl ytof indi tjustont hef l
oor.I
t
musthavef all
enandsl idunder ,judgingbyt he
screensaveryoucoul dtellitbelongedt oMiss
Mdl etshe.Amandaappear edf rom upst ai
rslooking
abitdef eated,shesighedi rritablywhenshear ri
ved
atthebot t
om oft hestaircase.
"Wherecoul
dshebe!
!"Shesai
dpl
aci
ngherhandon
herfor
ehead
"I
twasr
ingi
ngIfounditundert
hispi
le"Thesecur
it
y
guar
dsaidhandi
ngthephonetoAmanda
"Iwascal l
ing,Doyout hinkshe'
soutt herewi t
hno
phone?"Amandaposedaquest i
ontot heguar d,he
j
ustshr uggedhisshoul ders,
"Maybeshel ostit
,it
happensal ltheti
mewhenyouar eli
vingin
condit
ionsl i
kethi
s,youl oseyourjewelery,your
petsandal lthenit
tygritt
ystuff
,thenslowl yyou
star
tlosingyourself"Amandasai dasi fshe's
tal
kingtoher sel
f
"
I'
m conf
used"t
hesecur
it
yguar
dsai
d
"Aahit'
snothing"Amandasai
ddismissi
vel
y,she
didn'
twantt oenduptel
li
ngst
ranger
sabouther
cli
entsdiagnosis.
Theywerenowst
andi
ngoutside,Amandat
ryi
ngto
getgetahol
dofMhl
engibuthisphonewasoff
.
"Ar
eyouf
indi
nganyt
hing?
"Amandaaskedt
he
guard
"Ther
e'snot
hingthatshows,Mhlengii
stheonly
numberont hecal
llogexceptforansmsthatshe
recei
veddaysago"Theguar dsaid
"
Nofr
iends,
nofamily?
?Whoi sthemessage
f
rom?
? "Amandaaskedshocki
ngly
"
Mkhuzeni,
heseemst oknowherwellbutever
yone
i
ssavedbytheirnamessoit
'
shardtotellwhois
who"Theguardrepl
ied
"Letmet
ryMhlengionelastt
ime,youcal
lthe
numberandaskifheknowsThulado"Amandasai
d
Shest emmedawaydi al
ingMhl
engionelastt
ime,
whilethesecuri
tydi
all
edMkhuzeni
.Amanda
thankedherluckyst
arswhenMhlengipi
cksup.
"
Thankgoodness!Ihavebeentr
yingtocont
actyou"
Amandasaidheavingasighofr
elief
"
Mybat
ter
ydi
ed…what
'sup?
?"Mhl
engiasked
"
I'
m her
ebytheEstat
eandThuladoisnother
e,we
f
oundherphoneunderpi
les.Mhl
engiI
'm wor
ri
ed
abouther
"Amandasai
dwor
ryi
ngl
y
"
Iwillsendyouherfri
endsnumber si
nthe
meantime,she'
sprobablywit
hZamoorNanaand
whenI '
m doneatt
heof f
iceIwil
lpassbyt
heEst
ate"
Mhlengisaid
"Iwanttocallacl
eani
ngcompany,i
t'
sti
met
o
speedthisup"Amandasaidner
vousl
y
"
Isai
dI'
m done!
!"Mhl
engisai
dinast
ernt
one
"
Iknowyoust
il
lcar
e"Amandar
esponded
"OfcourseIcare,
butshewi l
lbeli
vidandbefore
youknowi t,t
heclut
terwil
lgrowagain.Iknowthis
toowell
, Thul
adodoesn'twanthel
punf or
tunat
ely"
Mhlengiadded
"
Onel
astt
ime?
?"Amandaaskedanxi
ousl
y
"Fi
ne…cal
lthecompany,I
'l
ltaket
hef
allbutl
etme
warnyou.
..
youarewasti
ngyourti
me"Mhlengisai
d
hangi
ngup
Amandasmi
ledl
ooki
ngatt
hesecur
it
yguar
d.
"
And?
"Shesai
d
"Mkhuzenii
sonhisway,hesai
dhisThul
ado'
s
husband"Thesecur
it
ysaidl
ooki
ngevenmore
perpl
exed
"
What?
?Amandawhathaveyoudone"shesai
d
l
owl
ytouchi
ngherf
orehead
"Pl
easemam,Idon'twanttr
oubl
e.Asyoucansee
Thuladoi
snother
e, It
hinki
t'
sti
mefort
ogo"He
sai
d
"I
'
m sorr
y,i
fthi
sisprobl
emati
cIwil
ltaket
he
blame…t
hankyou.Acleani
ngcompanywillcome
al
ongwithMhlengi
"Shesaid
Thesecur
it
yguar
dfol
lowedheroutoft
hepr
emi
ses
wher
ehercarwaspar
kedoutsi
de.
*
***
Nanalookedatherphonef ort helongestoftime, i
t
hasbeenawhi lesinceshehear df r
om Thuladoand
nowsheget sacall f
rom stranger saskingforher .
Shewasdonef or
cinghersel fint
oThul ado'sl
ife,
sheclearl
ychosewhi chsideshewasset tl
ingfor.
AccordingtoherThuladoal wayst houghtshewas
bet
terthaneveryone,she'
st heki ndthatkeepst o
her
selfandhasr i
diculousrul esonwhent ovisither,
i
twasal ltoomuchf orNana.
Shefelttoogrownupf orsuchfriendshippol it
ics
andafterSfisoleftshedeci dedtof ocusonher self
andhert her
apyandl eavet heperfectpeopl ealone.
Shewasdoi ngwel latthesuper marketanda
promotionwasl ingeringoverherheadandshe
didn'
tevenwantt oblink,justi
ncaseshemi ssesi t
.
Howni ceitwoul dbet obeasuper visorrathert han
j
ustacashi er,i
twoul dpr obabl
ychangehershi ft
s
andgivehermor efreedom t odoot herthings.She
suddenlyfoundani nterestonorphanagesand
wantedt odomor etohel p.
*
***
Mhlengiunbutt
onedhiscrispwhit
eshir
tbefore
dri
vingoutoftheoffi
ceparki
nglot,
hewast omeet
thecleani
ngcompanyatt heEst
ate.Hopeful
lysee
Thuladoaswell,af
terafewminuteshelethi
mself
i
nandsecur i
tystoppedhim.
"
Ever
ythi
nggood?
"Mhl
engiasked
"Yesboss,thecompanyisal
readyinther
ebutI
wantedt ogiveyouMissMdl
etshe'
sphone,t
he
whiteladylefti
ther
ewithme"Hesaidhandi
ngover
Thulado'sphone
"Ohok,
thankyou,
letmeseewhatt
hesepeopl
eare
doi
nginther
e"Hedrovedownt
hepathint
othei
r
home.
Thecompanyhadfi
ll
edonevanwit
hdirtandthey
werereadyt
ogoanddumpi t
,Mhl
engigavethem a
thumbsupashepagedthr
oughThul
ado'sphone.
Hiseyeslandedonmi sscal
lsfr
om Mkhuzeni
,hi
s
moodchangedi nst
antly,
hereadthemessageon
Thul
ado'sinboxoverandoveragain.
*I
'
m sorr
yf oreveryt
hingIhavedone,I
'm achanged
mannow, Ievengot ochurch.Li
fehasreal
lytaught
mesomegoodl essons,Pl
easegivemeachancet o
makethi
ngsr i
ght*
Thesmscamet hroughaweekagoandThul ado

havebeenignor
ingMhlengial
ongwiththeki
ds,
wassheconsideri
nggoingbacktoMkhuzeni??
Mhlengiwasinf
uriat
ed,heswit
chedoffThul
ado's
phoneandenteredthehouse.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er87
Mhlengisatinhiscarwhil
et hecleaningstaff
mar chedupanddownwi t
hbagsf i
ll
edwi thtr
ash
from thehouse,
hecouldn'thelpitbuttoscan
aroundhopingtoseeThul adoappear i
ngf rom
somewher e,i
twasallconfusingbecausehercar
wasst il
lpar
kedintheyard.Hisphonest ar
ted
ri
ngingsnappinghim outofhisinvestigati
ve
thoughts.
"
Sur
e"Hesai
dwi
thasmi
rk
"
Krugerl
amakr
ugerkuhambani
??"heasked
"
ahmf
ethukuyal
enal
e!Si
yahl
angani
sa,
howi
sJozi
t
reat
ingyou?
"Mhl
engiasked
"
Itwil
ltakeal
otofadjust
ingbutit
'sgood,metup
wit
haf ewgentsthi
sside"heresponded
"Sfi
sobro,cri
meisaddict
ivebutt
heconsequences
bro,yousawhowIsuf f
ered.Youhaveajob,f
ocus
onit"Mhlengisai
d
"Ahrel
ax,I
'm al
ertpl
usI'
mint
hef
orcesoIwon'
tbe
detect
ed"Sfi
sorepli
ed
"Thatst het
hingaboutcr i
me, forasl
ongasyou
aren'tcaught,i
t '
sneverendi ng.Theandrenalineand
mot i
vat i
ontodomor e,yout hinkyouareinvinci
ble
thereforeyoucandowhat everyouwantbutone
daykr ugeryourwhol elifewi l
lspl
ashbeforeyou
andyouwi l
lwi shforar ewindbut t
onbutitwon' tbe
there.Izwami nanjayami ,
it'
snotwor t
hit,focuson
yourj ob"Mhlengiadded
"
Youget
ti
ngsof
tandcol
dKr
uger
"Sf
isosai
d
"No!Thi
sisnotaboutsoft
nessorweaknessbutI
knowbetter
!!
"Mhlengir
esponded
"
Howi
smygi
rl
??"Sf
isochangedt
hesubj
ect
"Ihaven'
tseenher
,she'
sveryscarceprobabl
y
heali
ngfrom t
heheartbr
eak"Mhlengianswered
"
Pleasekeepaneyeonherf
orme"Sf
isosai
d
"
Sur
ecase"hehungup
Mhlengisi ghedscratchinghishead,Sfisohasbeen
hisfri
endf rom thegloryoldkrugerdaysandhi s
rel
ocationi sbecomingsomet hingelse,hewas
hopingt hatallhisf
riendsinthe26gangwoul d
l
earnf r
om hi smi st
akesbuthewascl earl
ywr ong.A
messagei ndi
catingthathehadami ssedcallfrom
Frankpoppeduponhi sscr
een,ther
eforehedi aled
him back.
"
And?
"Fr
ankanswer
ed
"Nothing,she'
sst
il
lnothere.I
'
m wai
ti
ngfort
he
cleaningcompanytofini
shandIwil
lgohome"
Mhl engisaid
"
Areyouokay?Yousounddown"Fr
ankasked
"
It
'sSf
iso,
Ithoughtwi
thal
lthemoneyweacqui
red
from heistandthenewj obasadetectivewi l
lkeep
him busybutIwaswr ong.Iexpect
edt hisbehavior
from theyoungerKr uger
snothim.Hisi nvol
vedin
someheavyshi tinJoburgandIcan'tshaket hat
feel
ing"Mhl engisai
d
"LookSfi
soisanadult,
hisevenolderthanyou.
There'
sabsolutel
ynot
hingyoucandof orhi
m goi
ng
forwar
d,i
fhei sadamantaboutt
hiskindoflif
ethen
whoarewe? ?"Frankr
esponded
"Hedoesn'
tknowtheaf
termath,andl
omthaka
unezi
nganemfethu!
"Mhlengisai
drel
easi
ngasigh
"Youaren'
tresponsi
blef
orhi
m,hi
sagr
ownman"
Frankadded
"
So!Youwer
etr
yingt
ocal
lme?
"Mhl
engiasked
"Yeah"hechuckl
ed,"
YouknowSbusiwasmeantt o
beatapartyhenceIcouldn'
thavehervi
sitthi
s
weekend.Ical
ledherandsheinnocent
lybroke
downherdayi ndet
ail
s"Frankpaused
"
Ok?
"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Ther
ewasnopar
ty,
shewasathomet
heent
ir
e
t
ime,
whenIaskedZamo,
sher udel
yt ol
dmet hat
t
heycancel
edt
hepart
yonlastminute"Frankadded
"
Lies!
"Mhl
engisai
dchuckl
ing
"Exact
ly!
!"YouseewhatIhavet
ogot
hrough?
"
Franksaidwithasi
gh
"Women…eyletmecal
lyouback,I
'm hear
ing
commoti
oncomingfr
om insi
dethehouse"Mhlengi
sai
d
"
Maybet
heyf
oundasnake"Fr
anksai
dchuckl
ing
"That
'
shi
ghl
ypossi
ble"Mhl
engisai
dandhehung
up
Mhl
engipickeduphispaceashest r
etchedhi
slong
l
egsst
ri
dingt owar
dsthehouse,twoguysandtwo
l
adi
eshoveredaroundsomething.
"
What
sgoi
ngon?
"Mhl
engiaskedanxi
ousl
y
"
Yohnkosi
yam!
"oneoft
hel
adi
esshr
ieked
"
What
??Khul
umani
!!
"Mhl
engir
oar
ed
Herushedtothespotbuti
mmedi at
elystoppedat
hi
strackswhenhiseyesmetwithherlyi
ng
unconsci
ousl
yont hecol
dground,Mhlengi'
sbody
wentsti
ff
,hestoodther
einutt
ershock.
"Whatshouldwedo?,t
heoneguyasked"Mhl
engi
j
uststoodther
ewithhi
smouthdroppedandhi
s
eyeswideopened
"
Checkherpul
se"t
heonel
adysai
d
Af
teragoodminuteMhl
engisnappedoutofi
tand
cr
ouchedtoherl
evel
.
"
Thul
adowhathaveyoudone?
"hesai
dlowl
y
Hepickedherupandrushedoutofhouse,
the
cl
eaningst
afffol
lowedhi
m.
"Youguysfi
nishup,mybrotherwil
lcomeand
checkbefor
eyouguysleave…I '
mrushi
nghertot
he
hospi
tal
"Mhlengisai
d
HeplacedThul
adogent
lyatt
heback,
hewasn'
t
sur
eifshewasali
veordead.
*
***
*
Att
heHospi
tal
*
Itwasnow7pm andMhl engiwassi t

ti
ngout si
det he
hospitalpat i
o,deepinhisthoughts,i
twasami xture
ofever ything.Hisl
if
e,thechil
dren,Thuladoandt he
business.Justwhenhi sfi
nancial
lystableandhi s
businessesar ecomingup,Thuladodeci dest o
deteri
or atecausinghimtost r
ess.Inhisdr eams
aft
erj ailheimaginedhimselfinhishousewi thhis
wifeandchi ldr
enboyhewaswr ong…ver ywr ong.
Hedi aledFr ank.
"
Hey!
"Hesai
dpl
ayi
ngwi
tht
hebut
tonsofhi
sshi
rt
"
Heyhowi
sshe?
"Fr
ankasked
"Idon'
tknow…t
heyhaven'
tsai
danyt
hing"He
snif
fed
"Thekidsar
eatmyhouse, It
oldPaget ogohome.
Thulado'
shouseisspar
kli
ng,Ichecked…wecould
j
ustcomet her
eifyouwant"Franksaidworr
ied
"No"Mhlengicuthi
m short,"Idon'
twantmy
chil
drentoseemel i
kethis,Imessedupwi t
h
Thulado.Ishoul
dn'
thavel ostitwit
hher,sheneeds
me…damni t!
!Iwastooblindt osee,Sheneedsme"
Mhlengisaidwipi
nghistears
"Andyouarethere…okay…wearenotperf
ectas
humanbeings.Sometimeswemakedecisionsthat
soundgoodatt het
imebutwereal
izel
aterthatwe
werewrong"Franksai
d
"Iremembert hef
ir
sttimeilai
dmyeyesonher,she
wasbeaut i
fulandinnocent
.Thoughshehidmethat
nightbutIhadalottosayinmymi nd.Howcanshe
al
lowast r
angertoseekrefugeinherhouse,ifthe
mobf oundmeinhershackt hatnightshewas
goingtobeinbigtr
ouble.Iwatchedhersoldieron
coveri
ngupformewhenIdi dn'thaveanyt
hingnot
onceshegaveuponmebutl ookwhatIhavedone"
hesniff
edsomemor e
"Hey!Don'tbehardonyour
sel
f.Youdi
ditf
ort
he
chil
dren"Frankadded
"No…Iwasgivi
nguponher …shedet er
ior
ated
becauseofme,shewast r
appedunderthecl ut
ter
Frank…myshortybrotr
appedunderthedirtwhile
I'
ml i
vingi
tupi
nabi ghouse.EvennowIdon' tknow
howbadherconditi
onis,If
eelli
keshit
"Mhl engi
saidhangi
ngup
*
***
Mhlengiret
urninsi
dethehospit
alaf
t erwhatseem
l
ikeforever
,shesatonthebenchesint hewait
ing
area.Justwhenshewasst r
etchi
nghi slegsgett
ing
comf or
tabl
eMkhuzenistr
idedinfol
lowedbyt wo
guysinBrentwoodandgolfT-shir
ts,Mkhuzenii
n
hi
sr edCarvel
a'
s.Hescannedar oundthewaiti
ng
areaspott
ingMhlengibutdi
sregardedhim ashe
washeadingtowardstherecepti
onist
.
"
I'
m her
eforMi
ssMdl
etshe"Mkhuzenisai
d
"Oh!Howar
eyout
wor
elat
ed?
"Ther
ecept
ioni
st
asked
"
She'
smywi
fe"Hesai
dconf
ident
ly
"Oh…"therecept
ioni
stsaidconfused,shekept
steal
inggl
ancesatMhl engiwhowascal mlysi
tt
ing
down, "
Thedoctorsaresti
llbusywithher,youcan
fi
ndaseatsi r
"Therecepti
onistconcluded
Mkhuzeniandhisf r
iendsfoundanempt ybench
andsatdown,Mhl engicouldfeeltherageinsi
deof
him pi
erci
ngtocomeoutbuthet r
iedbyallmeans
tostayincont
roluntilheknowsexactlywhat
Mkhuzeniwasupt oo.
Afteracoupleofminut
esofawkwardsi
lence,
a
doctorappearedf
rom t
hewalkwaycar
ryinghi
s
cl
ipboard.
"MissMdl etshe?
"heaskedscanningaroundthe
waiti
ngar ea,bot
hthemenst oodup,"Okonlyone
visi
toratat i
me,sheisveryti
redandneedsrest,
takeiteasy"Thedoctorsaidandwalkedaway
MhlengiandMkhuzenigl
aredateachot
her
,the
coldwarwasevidenti
ntheroom andwhowil
lgoi
n
fi
rstwasthepr
izetobewont oday.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er88
Aft
erani
ntensestari
ngcompetit
ionMkhuzeni
shr
uggedhisshoulder
ssteppi
ngback.
"
Thebabydaddycangoinf
ir
st"hesai
d,hi
sremar
k
f
oll
owedbyademeaningsmir
k
Mhlengiclenchedhisfi
stenraged,heturnedonhi s
heel
sandt r
ekkedtowardsThulado'sward,assoon
ashiseyesl andedonthehospi t
albedhishear t
begantohur tagai
n.Ifhewast herenoneoft his
wouldhavehappened, hepulledachairpositioning
i
tnexttohi scheri
eandstaredatherbeaut i
fulface.
Eveninabl uehospit
algown, shewasstillt
hemost
beauti
fulwomanhehaseverseen, hesl
owlyt raced
hi
sfingersonherarm andthatear
nedhi
m amoan
andawi ggl
efr
om thepatient
.Thul
adobegant
o
openhereyessli
ghtl
y.
"
Shhh"Mhl
engisai
d
"
F-f
uze"Thul
adowhi
sper
ed
"I
t'
sokay,t
hedoctorsai
dyoumustr est
.Youdon'
t
havetosayanyt
hing"Mhlengisai
dsoft
ly
"
Myki
ds!Howar
ethey?
"Thul
adoasked
"
Theyar
egood,
Frankhast
hem"Her
esponded
"Iwast ryingtodomyt asks,Iwaspackingi nthe
chil
dr en' sroom butt henIcouldn'tfi
ndmyphone, I
want edt ocallAmanda.I nthelastsessionshe
i
nst r
uct edmet ot akepi ctur
esfir
stthenstartslowl
y
andchooset hi
ngsi nthepi l
esthatI'
m wi l
li
ngtolet
go.It rippeddownt hest ai
rsandknockedof fa
stackofbooks, itcamet umbli
ngcoveringme
compl etely,t
hedoct orsai dIsprai
nedmyankl eand
hitmyheadhar d"Thul adopaused
"
Thecl
eani
ngst
afff
oundyouunconsci
ousunder
t
heclutter
,afterAmandasearchedf
oryoudefeat
ed
i
nthehouse.Theyf oundyourphonethough"
Mhlengisaid
"Whoist
hey?Ther
ewaspeopl
einmyplace?
AmandawasinmyhouseMhlengi
?"shesai
d
get
ti
nganxi
ous
"
Yestherewer
epeopleinyourhouseokay!Rel
ax!
I
nfactwewoul
dn'
thavef oundyouifi
tweren'
tfor
Amandaandthesecuri
ti
es"Mhlengiadded
"
Oh!Yeah!Iguess…t
hankyou"Thul
adosai
d
l
ooki
ngaway
"
Yourhusbandi
sout
side"Mhl
engibl
urt
edout
"
Husband?
"Thul
adoaskedconf
used
"
Yestheoneyouhavebeencommunicat
ingwith"
Mhl
engisai
d,"
Isawyourmessages"headded
"Soyouwentthr
oughmyphone?CanIhaveitback
pleaseandwhocal
ledhi
m her
e?"Thul
adoasked
i
rrit
ably
"Idon'
tknow,buthi
sheretel
li
ngeveryonehi
syour
husband.Iwonderwhatyoupromisedhim"Mhl
engi
pr
obed
"Don'
tyoudarestartwi
thmeMhl engi
,don't
.It'
s
noneofyourbusinesswhoItal
ktoo,becauseyou
movedouttakingmychildr
enthenyouf l
aunted
yourwhit
ebitchwithafl
atassinmyf aceandIsai
d
nothi
ng.Let
hai f
oniyamihawunx"Thuladospat
"
Thul
adu!
"Mhl
engiwar
ned
"Pl
easebr
ingmemychi
ldr
en,
Imi
sst
hem"Thul
ado
sai
d
"Thisi
showyout alktomenow?I si
tMkhuzeni or
thatdoctoratyourwor kpl
ace?Youget
ti
ngadi ck
Thulado?That'swhyyouar espeaki
ngt
omel ikeI'
m
somet rash?"Mhlengiasked
"Yousai
dmyhusbandi
soutsi
de,pl
easegoand
bri
ngmychi
ldr
en"Thul
adoadded,Mhl
engist
oodup
andlef
t.
"Gi
vememyphone! !
"Thul
adoscr
eamed,
"Mhl
engi
!"
shecal
ledout
,buthewasgone
Mkhuzenient
eredaf
terami
nut
e,hewal
kedi
n
slowlywit
hhi shandsinhispocket
s,hi
str
ousers
thoroughl
yironedandit'
screasessoshar
pitcoul
d
sli
ceaf l
yintwo.Hegr i
nnedgawkingatThul
ado,he
satdownhi seyessti
llf
ixedonher.
"
Mama!
"hesai
d
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Thul
adoaskedcur
iousl
y
"
I'
m her
etoseeyou"Mkhuzenir
epl
ied
"
Seemef
orwhat
?"Thul
adoasked
"Lookirecievedacal
lthatyouweremi ssi
ng,and
I'
m here.Howar eyoufeel
ing?"Mkhuzeniasked
genuinely
"I
'
m okay…nowthatyouhaveseenmeyoucango,
I
don'
twantt
roubl
e"Shesaid
"Troubl
ewithyourbabydaddy? "Mkhuzenisaid
thenhechuckled,"Li
keIsaidont hephoneI'
ma
changedman, I'
m herebecauseIcareaboutyou
nottocauseproblemsbuti fIf
indoutthatNgcobo
i
sr esponsi
bleforyourhospit
ali
zati
onthanIwill
act"Mkhuzenisaid
"Act
?"Thul
adosai
dlaughinghar
d,"
Mhlengii
snota
cowardMthet
hwa,I
'm nother
ebecauseofhi
m"
Thul
adoadded
"Thenexplai
nwhyhel eftf
uri
oushuh?Yout woar e
fi
ghting…anywayi t'
snoneofmybusiness.Iknowi
mademi stakesbeforebutIhavechangedandI
wouldneverdot hethingsIhavedonebefore.Ifyou
givemeanot herchanceyouwi l
lseeforyourself
,
PleasemaMdl etshe"Mkhuzenipl
eaded
"
NoMkhuzeni
,st
opi
tal
ready"Thul
adosai
d
"
Iwon'
tgi
veup!wher
ear
etheki
ds"Mkhuzeniasked
"
Theyar
ewi
tht
hei
rfat
her
"Sher
epl
ied
"Youknowhowt oleaveamar k"Mkhuzenibl urt
ed
out,"
Iremembert hefir
stti
mewespokeundert he
shelt
er,t
herewasj ustsomethingmagi calabout
you.Thenyouopenedyourmout h,t
hisshortli
ttl
e
stubbornthi
ng"Mkhuzenichuckl ed,"
Youcapt ured
myhear tandallIwantedtodo, wastomakeyou
mine"Headded
"Yes!Unti
lyoustar
tedsl
eepingwithschoolgi
rl
s,
youlaidyourhandsonme, har
rasedmyf amil
y
Mkhuzeni
…youdon'
tdothatt
opeopl
ethatyou
l
ove"Thul
ador
espondedsadl
y
"IknowImessed,
Iwi
shIcoul
drewi
ndsoIcan
showyouhowmuchIloveyou"Hesai
d
"
I'
m exhaust
ed"Thul
adosai
dwi
thasl
ightyawn
"Thedoct
orsai
dso,l
etmeleaveyout
orestIwi
ll
seeyoutomorr
ow"Mkhuzenisai
d
"Oryoucouldgobackhomet
oyourwi
vesandki
ds"
Thuladoshotback
"
Youalsomywi f
etradi
ti
onall
y…r
emember
?"
Mkhuzenisai
dwit
hasmi le
"
Hambauyof
a!"Thul
adochuckl
ed
"Seeyoutomor
rowwi
fey"Mkhuzeni
blewheraki
ss
andwalkedout
"
Mxm"Thul
adout
ter
edshaki
ngherhead.
*
***
*
AtFr
ank'
shouse*
"
Whati
sPagest
il
ldoi
ngher
e?"Mhl
engiasked
"Sheoffer
edt
okeeptheki
dscompany,
Iguessshe
couldseehowdi
str
essedIwas"Fr
ankanswer
ed
"Sheevencooked?
"Mhl
engiaskedr
aisi
nghi
sone
brow
"
Yeah!
"Shei
nsi
sted
"
She'
smyaupairandshe'sast
udentFr
ank"
Mhl
engisai
dgl
ari
ngatFrank
"
Iknowt
hatal
readyhawu"Fr
ankr
esponded
"
Behave!
"Mhl
engisai
dfl
oppi
ngont
hecouch
"Relaxhawu,yenashe'
sbeauti
fulbutNomzamo
woul dmakemyl if
eali
vinghel
l.Imissmychur
ch
gir
l"hechuckled
"
Youarer
esponsibleforthatdr
agonyouunl
eashed
i
nher
"Mhlengisaidlaughing
"
Iknow"Franksai
dheavingasigh,"
Soyouactual
ly
l
eftt
hatguyatthehospi
talwi
thyourshor
ty?
"Frank
asked
"Idi
dn'thaveachoice,
Icouldhavest
all
edbutI
waspissedalr
eady"Mhlengisai
d
"Yeah!Let
stalkaboutt
hat…velewhyareyouangr
y?
Hitt
ingaspli
fli
keyourli
fedependedonit
?"Fr
ank
exclai
med
"That
'
stheonlythi
ngthatcankeepmecal m,but
uyambonauThuladumfethu!Thatshor
tli
tt
lethi
ng…
hmmm"Mhl engihuff
ed
"
Ohdear
!"Fr
anksai
dsi
tt
ingback
"Youshouldseeherbr
o,hermouth,t
herudeness
i
t'sonster
iods,
she'
sdamnl uckyIl
oveher"Mhlengi
added
"Ayudlal
angoThulado,Nomzamoisthecrazybit
ch
here,
lookatal
lthethi
ngsshe'sdoi
ng"Fr
ankt r
iedto
l
evelup
"Nah!Thuladouyadel
elanj
e,shetoldmet ogo
becauseherhusbandisoutsi
de,justbecauseI
wentthroughherphone"Mhlengisaid
"
She'
sjustupset
,youhavet
oadmi
tshe'
sgoi
ng
t
hroughal
ot"Fr
ankr
esponded
"
Igett
hatbut
"Mhl
engipausedandsi
ghed
"Butnothi
ng,youneedt
ogetthatf
arm boyoutof
here.Youtol
dmehi sawizar
dandyetyoulefthi
m
withyourgir
l"Fr
anksai
d
"Iknowal lofthatbutThul adohasbeent alkingt o
him, shemadei tcleari t'
snoneofmybusi ness.
LookIr eall
ywantt ot urnanewl eafnotj ustf orme
butformychi l
dren,ifIr eactI'm goingbackt oj ai
l
andmyki dswi l
lbelef twi thahoar dingmot her.
Wor seIknowThul adowi llgobackt ot hatskhwama
shoul dIgetlockedup, soIr efusetor eactbecause
thatwoul dbelikeI'm handi ngovermyf ami l
yt ohim
onasi l
verplat
ter…nah"Mhl engisaid
"Nowthatyouputi
tli
ket
hat
,guesswest
andi
ng
down"Franksai
d
"Yeah!Westanddown,Iwi
llbet
hereforherst
il
lbut
Iwillt
rymybesttoi
gnoret
hem andfocusonmy
kidsandthebusi
ness"Mhl
engiadded
"
Myman"Fr
anksai
dfi
stpumpi
ngMhl
engi
Pagecamet hr
oughwit
hatrayoff
oodplaci
ng
i
nfrontoft
hemen,shesmi
ledandwalkedaway.
"Lookatt
hisfoodbro,i
tsurel
ywentt
oapr
ivat
e
school
"Franksaidgrabbi
ngaplat
e
"I
'
m payingforal
loft
his,
thisi
sover t
imefor
Page…uzosebenzaminala"Mhlengicomplai
ned
"
Yesandyougoi
ngtopayher
,rememberweekend
i
sdoubl
e"Fr
anksai
dwithamouthful
"
Fokof
f"Mhl
engisai
dashegr
abbedhi
spl
ate
"
She'
ssl
eepi
ngoverr
ight
?It
'sl
ate"Fr
ankasked
"Youknowwhatmaybet hePhantom shoul
dretur
n
becauseyouareslowl
ygoingbacktoyourold
ways"Mhlengisai
dsideeyei
ngFrank
"Godforbi
d!!
"Franksaid,
theybotheruptedin
l
aughter,"
I'
mj ustbei
ngnice…r
elax"Franksai
d
honestl
y.
2021
(
unedi
ted)
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
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|
Chapt
er89
ThenextdayMhl engiparkedhisMercedesinthe
hospi
talparkinglot,
hej umpedoutsohecoul d
unbuckledNtobekowhi l
ethetwinsdi
smant l
ed
themselves.Theexhilarat
ionwasunmi ssabl
e,the
kidsmissedtheirmot heragreatdeal
.
"
YouseewhyIt ol
dyout
owearyourj
acket
s?"
Mhl
engiasked
"ButI
'
m notcolddaddy,Iwantedmummyt
oseemy
newpinkdress"Luminj
aloresponded
"
Youaren'
tcoldbecauseyouar
ewear
ingaj
acket
"
Mhl
engishotback
"
It
'sokayLumi
,youwi
llt
akeofft
hejacketandshow
mummyt hedr
ess…ri
ghtdaddy?
"Lubanziasked
"
Yes!Nowcomelet
sgo"Thechi
ldr
enf
oll
owed
Mhl
engii
nsi
de.
Theywalkedint
ot hef
oyer
,passi
ngtherecept
ioni
st,
Lubanzispot
tedthevendi
ngmachineandpaused.
"
DaddycanIpleasegetsomethi
ngfr
om t
his
machi
ne"Lubanziaskedpoi
nti
ngati
t
"
NotnowLubi
,l
etsgo"Mhl
engisai
danxi
ousl
y
"
Pret
typl
ease"Lubanzipl
eaded,
Mhl
engist
aredat
hert
henheavedasi
gh
"
Fine…whatdoyouwant ?
"Heaskedputt
ing
Ntobekodown,
hereachedoutf
orhiswall
et
"CanIpleasehavet
hechi
psandchocol
ates"
Lubanzisaid
"
Met
oo"Lumi
njal
oscr
eamed
Mhlengiselectedt
hesnacksasperrequest,
he
sl
ottedthemoneyi nandwatchedthefacesofhis
chi
ldrenli
tupast hesnacksf
ellt
othebottom sl
ot
oft
hemachi ne.
"I
'
m goingtoshar
emychocolatewit
hmummy"
Lubanzisai
d,Mhl
engil
ookedatherandsmi
led
"
Thankyoudaddy"Lumi
njal
osai
d
"
Thankyousomuchdaddy"Lubanzif
oll
owed
"Youwelcomednowcanwego? "Mhl
engiasked
andthekidsnoddedt
hei
rheads.
Astheywindeddownt hehallwayandint
ot he
wai
tingarea,thet
winsrecognizedMkhuzeniwho
wasont hephone,theybothheldont
oeithersi
deof
Mhlengi
'slegs.
"
What
swr
ong?
"Mhl
engiaskedper
plexed
"
Wedon'twanttoli
vewithuncl
e,wewantt
ost
ay
wit
hyou"Luminj
alosai
dinavergeoft
ears
"
Uncl
eFr
ank?
"Mhl
engiaskedst
il
lconf
used
"
Nohim"Thet winssaidtoget
her
,poi
nti
ngat
Mkhuzeniwi
ththeireyes
"What ?Never!Hisheretoseemummynotf oryou"
Mhl engiassuredthem,hehuggedthem bot
hand
plantedkissesont hei
rfor
eheads
"
Idon'
tli
kehishousei
nfacthi
swhol
efami
lyi
s
mean"Lumisai
d
"Andournewhousei
sni
cer
,ithasapoolanda
garden"Lubisai
d
Mkhuzenispot tedt hem walki
ngawayhewavedat
them butthekidsl ookedawaycl ut
chingontot
hei
r
father,Mhlengicoul dn'
twaittoreachthewardso
thegi r
lscouldrelaxabit.Eventuall
ytheywere
i
nsi deandThul adowassi t
ti
ngonherbut tocks
staringatthefood.
"Nothungr
y??"Mhl
engiaskedi
nhi
sthunder
ous
voice
"I
'
m wi
shi
ngf
orsomegr
easyf
ood"Thul
ado
admi
tt
ed
"Idi
dn'thavet
imetoprepareamealf
oryoubutI
haveor der
edfood,
Frankisbr
ingi
ngi
t"Mhl
engi
repl
ied
"
Myki
ds"Thul
adoshr
ieked
Ntobekostar
tedcr
yingreachi
ngouthisarms
t
owar dsThul
ado,Mhlengil
ethim goont
ohis
mother'
sarms.
"
Mum!dadsai
dwhenyoubet t
eryoucancomeli
ve
wit
husi
nthenewhouse"Luminj
alobl
urt
edout
"Newhousehuh?"Thul
adosai
dlooki
ngatMhl
engi
buthej
ustlookedaway
"YesLubanzisaid,
it'
sbeaut
if
ulmummy, Ipray
everydaythatyougetbett
erbecauseImissyou"
Lubanzisai
d
Tearswel l
edupThul ado'
seyes, everythi
ngthat
madeherhear tbeatwasrightinfrontofher,she
didn'
treali
zehowmuchshemi ssedt hem nowt hat
theywereal lsurr
oundingher.Shewi pedhert ears
andst ar
tedt i
ckl
ingNtobekowhocoul dn'
tstop
giggl
ing.
"
I'
m goi
ngtogetbet
ter
"Thul
adosai
doutoft
hebl
ue,
"
Ipromi
se"sheadded
"
I'm sorr
yfortaki
ngthem away"Mhlengisai
d
r
eachi ngoutf
orThulado'
shands,suddenly
l
ightningbol
tssparkedasthei
rhandstouched,
they
l
ookedintoeachot
hereyesandt
hedesi
regr
ew
i
nstant
ly.
"
Fami
lyr
euni
on?
"Avoi
ceatt
hedoorcr
iedout
"Whycan'
tyouwaitf
oryourt
urn?
"Mhl
engiasked
get
ti
ngonhisfeet
"Rel
ax!Whymustyoubel iket
hiskukhona
i
zingane..
.r
elax"Mkhuzenisai
d,"Pl
usIwasher
e
fi
rst
,Ijustst
eppedoutbecauseofaphonecall
"he
added
"Ar
gh"Mhlengisai
dsteppi
ngback,
hesli
dhi
shand
i
nhissweatpantsandwalkedt
owardst
hewi
ndow
andthet
winsfoll
owedhim
"Mama!Ineedtor
etur
ntoMpof
anabutIwil
lcal
l
youandletmeknowwhenyougetdi
schar
ged"
Mkhuzenisai
d
"I
twasni ceofyoutocomebutI
'
m good…r eal
ly…
pleaseyoudon'thavet
ocomehere"Thul
adosaid
"No…Iinsi
st.
.It
'st
hel
eastIcandoafterever
ythi
ng
Iputyouthr
ough"Mkhuzenisai
dhonestl
y
"
Saf
etr
avel
sthen"Thul
adosai
d
"Angisat
hol
ingi
shoamanzie-
ori
ntshi
?"(
I'
m not
gett
ingevenakiss)
"
Aibof
orwhat
"Thul
adol
aughed
"
Justf
orcl
osur
e"Mkhuzeniaskedl
icki
nghi
sli
ps
"
ByeMkhuzeni
"Thul
adosai
d
Heleaneddownai
mingf
orhercheekbutMhl
engi
yankedhi
m away.
"Ungazodakwasaan!I '
m goingt
ocountt othree,i
f
younotoutofher e.Iwil
ldragyououtmysel fnx.
Fir
stofallyourpresencealonei
sdi st
urbingmy
chil
dren'
speace,andnowyouwantt ostall
…fuseg
hamba"Mhl engisaidthr
oughgr i
tt
edt eet
h
"whoah!"Fr
anksai
dwal
kingi
n,"
Cal
m downbr
o"he
pleaded
"
Theki
dsMhl
engi
"Thul
adobegged
Mhlengil
etgoofagri
nni
ngMkhuzeni
,hef
ixedhi
s
gol
fT-shi
rtandwal
kedout.
"
And?It
houghtwestandingdown? "Frankasked,
"
Heykot
i,her
eisyourfood"hesaidplacingaRoco
mamabrownbaginfrontofThulado
"
Thanks"Thul
adosai
d
Mhlengiwalkedoutthet
winswant
edt
ofol
lowbut
Fr
ankcalledthem backi
n.
"
Iwantdaddy"Lubanzisai
d
"
Hiscomi
ngback"Fr
ankassur
edt
hem
"Hi
snotgoi
ngt
odoanyt
hingst
upi
dri
ght
?"Thul
ado
asked
"
Nah!Hi
sgoi
ngf
orawal
k"Fr
ankr
epl
ied,
"MummyIboughtyouachocol
atef
ordesser
t"
Lubanzisai
d
"
Don'tli
e,youdi
dn'
tbuyit
.Dadputmoneyi
nt he
machineandthesnackscameout
"Luminj
alospat
"
Yes!ButIaskeddaddyt
odot
hat
"Lubanziar
gued
"Youdidn'
tbuyi
t,i
tcamef
rom t
hemachi
ne"Lumi
saidcheeki
ly
"
Youbeingmean"Lubanzisai
dcl
osi
ngherf
aceand
f
oldi
ngherar
ms
"Thankyoumyangel"Thul
adosai
dtoLubanzi
,she
glar
edatLumi
,shelookeddown
"
SorryLubibutyoudi
dn'
tbuyi
t"shemumbl
edt
he
l
astpart
Frankjustsmi
ledshakinghishead, t
heki dsbegan
toplayamongstthemselveswhi l
eThul adoateher
burgerandchips,Fr
ankremai nedquietfocusedon
hisphone.Mhlengiret
urnedlookingrathercal
m
withredeyes.
"I
'
m goingtoNomzamosoIcanseemygirlbef
oreI
star
ttheweekagai
nsi
nceIwastr
ickedi
ntonot
spendi
ngt
imewi
thher
"Fr
anksai
dtoMhl
engi
"
Noprobl
em,thanksbr
oforcol
lect
ingmyor
der
"
Mhl
engir
epl
ied
"Soist
hatthehusband?
"Fr
ankaskedThul
ado
gaspedinshock
"Yes!
"Mhlengirepl
iedhol
dinginagiggl
eandt
hey
erupt
edinlaughtersomucht oThul
ado'
s
annoyance
"
hahaha"Thul
adosai
d,"
Iwasbewi
tched"Shesai
d
i
nherdef
ense
"Li
keyouli
tt
erall
ypair
edyoursel
fwit
hthatgoof
bal
l"
Frankemphasizedashelaughedsomemor e
"Yeahjustl
ikehowyouwer
einacul
tforr
iches"
Thuladoshotback
"Ouch!
"Fr
anksai
dhi
sfacechangedi
nstant
ly,
"Bye
guys"Hesai
dtoMhl
engiandt
hechil
dren.
"I
'
m sickandt
ir
edofpeopl
epi
cki
ngonme"Thul
ado
screamed
"
What
ever
"Mhl
engimumbl
ed
"Whatwast hat?Firstofallyoul ef
t…after
everyt
hingwehavebeent hroughyoul eftmeata
ti
mewhenIneededyout hemost ,
thenyouconspire
withAmandat ocl eanmyhousewi thoutmy
permission.I'
m stillgoingtoreportAmandaf or
i
nvadingmypr i
vacyl i
kethat,yout wodepr i
vedmea
chancetoact uallyt hr
owt hoset hi
ngsmysel f
Mhlengi.Whenwi llyoust optreati
ngmel i
keachil
d?
"Thuladohuf fed
"
I'
m sor
ry"Mhl
engisai
dlowl
y
"
Youaresorry?Cour
tney?Areyousor
ryabouther
t
oo?"sheaskedwipi
nghertears
"Canwet alkaboutt
hissomeothert
ime,t
her
e's
kidshere.Ial
readyt
raumati
zedthem wi
thwhatI
justdi
dher e…cumon"Mhlengipl
eaded
Thuladoopenedhermout htosaysomet hingbut

nothingcameout,shewipedhert earsandlaidback
downont hebed.Mhlengijustsattherest
aringat
her
, hewasstil
lmadthatMkhuzeni wasaboutto
ki
ssherandThul adowasgoi ngtoallowhim but
t
hiswasnott
het
imef
ort
hat
.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er90
Mhlengient
eredtheward,i
twasli
ket
hewhol e
worl
dwassi tt
ingonhisshoul
der
,hef
loppedont he
chai
rasThuladolimpedaroundt
hebedgatheri
ng
herbel
ongings.
"
Doyouneedahand?
"Heasked
"
Not
hanks,
I'
mfi
ne"Sher
epl
ied
"Ohksui
tyoursel
f,I
'
m goi
ngforasmoke.Ringme
whenyourdischar
gepapersar
ri
ve"Hestoodup
andlef
t
Thuladoputallherexcesscl othesi
nt hebag,t
he
doctorgaveherthegr eenlighttogohomeand
Mhlengioff
eredtodr opherof f.Herphonerangon
topofthesidecupboar d,sheanswer ed.
"
HeyNomzamo!
"
"Gi
rl
…Iheardwhathappened,
mygoodness"She
sai
dworryi
ngl
y
"
Yeah,iguesst
hewhol
ewor
ldknowsnow"Thul
ado
r
esponded
"I
t'snotl
iket
hat,youknowIhavebeeneducat i
ng
myselfeversi
nceyout oldmeabouthoardi
ngandI
j
ustwantt osayI'
mr eall
ysor
ryforwhatIsaid…I
didn'
tknow,I'
m sorr
yImadeyoual ldef
ensive
i
nsteadofbei
ngt
her
eforyoumyf
ri
end"Shesai
d
genuinel
y
"AaahNomzamo!Youj usthadt odot hisnow?
Goshwher edoIbegi n,Imi ssedyou.Ineeded
someonebutIj ustkeeppushi ngeveryoneaway.
Nonhlanhla,Nana,youandmosti mportantl
y
Mhlengi.I'
mt heonewhoneedst oapologize,I
'
m
sorryforsayi
ngyoul ooklikeaf rog"Thuladosaid
withtearsstr
eamingdownherf ace
"Youwer eri
ghtandifyoudidn'
tsaythat
,Iprobabl
y
wouldn'thavegonetotheherbali
styoumustsee
myf acenow…sot hankyouf orbei
ngbrutal
ly
honest"Nomzamogi ggled
"Youwent
??WowI
'
m gl
ad…i
sitwor
king?
"Thul
ado
asked
"Li
keacharm,Icanseeadi f
ferenceal
ready.Idr
ink
andsteam t
henthere'sanoi
ntment,i
t'
sreall
ygood
stuf
f",
Zamoelaborated
"WhenI
'
mr estedIwi
llcomebyI'
llbri
ngt
hechi
ldr
en
sowecanallhangout"Thul
adosaid.
"
Greati
dea,
mayber
esumeourchur
chSundays,
it'
s
beenawhi
le"Zamoadded
"
Fortheki
dsIwil
lendur
eseei
ngI f
e'sannoyi
ngface,
t
hatguyismaki
ngmyl i
fehel
l"Thul
adoadmitted
"
If
e?Real
ly?
"Zamoasked
"Yeah,
heseri
ousl
ywantsmetobehisside
cabangaandremembermyex?"Thul
adoasked
"
Yes!Thest
aunchZul
uguyf
rom Mpof
ana?
"
"Yes!Hi
m…Idon' tknowhowbutAmandamy
psychologi
stcall
edhim andhewasher
eand
pissedoffMhlengi"Thul
adogi
ggl
ed
"WhereisNjabul
owhenIneedhi
m,Iwanttoshow
Frankflames.Hi
sbeeni
gnori
ngmypresenceandi
t
hurtsyezwa"Zamoadmi
tted
"I
sitwor t
hitthough?Wedon' tneedtoselfdest
ruct
togettheirat
tenti
onyouknow, honestl
yIdid
capi
tali
zeonMkhuzeni '
spresencebutIwouldn't
havedonei tdeli
berat
ely.Il
oveMhlengiandIknowI
wouldn'twanthimt omoveon, Ithi
nkI'
dloseit"
Thuladosaid
"Il
oveFr
ankt
oobutIj
ustdon'
tunder
standwhywe
aren'
ttogether
,ithurt
sbecauseIl ai
ddownmyl i
fe
becauseIhaddeci dedt hati
t'
shim ornoone.How
doIsuppr esstheseevilthought
sinmyhead? "she
asked
"Idon'thaveal lt
heanswer sbutIoncehear dthat
sil
encei sjustasl oudmaybepr et
endlikehedoesn't
affect.Treathim normalandcr yi
nthebedr oom
j
ustt oreleasebutasf arashei sconcernedyou
aren'tabi t
terbit
chyabo!"Thuladosaid
"
Ithoughtr
eacti
ngandtal
kingwasbet
terbot
tl
ing
t
hingsup?"Zamoasked
"Yesandi tworkswonder sinsomesi t
uationsbut
somet imesyouj usthavet obest r
ong,l
ookatNana.
Shechoset oexpr esspublicl
yhowshef eltinside,
i
thi
nkt hingswer ebetterwheni twasonlyaf ew
peopleknewwher eshe'scomi ngfr
om now
everywher eshegoest heyjustseeagolddi gger
whogotwhatshedeser ved,nowshe'sdistancing
hersel
ff rom everyonebecauseofal lt
he
humi l
iati
on"Thul adoadded
"
True,
tal
kingaboutNana…haveyoucheckedon
her
?"sheasked
"Honestlyno…Ihavebeensooccupiedwithmy
ownshi tthatiscr
eenedever
yoneout,
Ilastsawher
atthatbraai"Thul
adoadmitt
edshamefull
y
"
Yoht
hat
'sbad"
"
Tel
lmeabouti
t,l
ookI
'm gett
ingdi
schargedand
t
hedoct
ori
shere.Iwi
llcal
lyoulat
er"shehungup
Thedoctorpl
acedt
hepaper
sonthedeskbel
owt
he
pat
ient
sbed,hesmil
edatThul
ado.
"Youareaheal
thworkersoyouknowwhatyou
needtodomissMdletshe"Thedoct
orsai
d
"
Yes,
yesandt
hankyou"Thul
ador
epl
iedgenui
nel
y
"
Takecar
e….Rest
"Hesai
dbef
orewal
kingout
Thul
adodi
aledMhlengi
,thephoner
angacoupl
eof
ti
mesbef
orehepickedup.
"
I'
m comi
ng!
"Mhl
engisai
d
"
Ok"shesai
dthenhungup
Amandawalkedi
nwar
il
ycl
utchi
ngont
oher
handbag.
"
Heyyou"Shesai
dner
vousl
y
"Ihavedraf
tedanemailtot
heAHPCSAbecause
whatyoudidwasunethical
,asi
fclear
ingmyhouse
withoutmyconsentwasenough,youcal
ledmyex"
Thuladospat
"Thul
adoI'
mr eal
lysor
ryandIunderst
andthatyou
areangr
y,youhaveeveryri
ghttobeandIaccept
mypunishment"Sherespondedsheepi
shl
y
"I
'
m gladwehaveanunderst
andi
ng"Thuladoshot
backgrabbi
ngherbagof
fthebedaggressi
vel
y
"I
twasme!"Mhl
engisai
dwal
kingin,"
Ical
ledt
he
cl
eani
ngcompanynotAmanda,hersi
nwascaring,
shewasworri
edaboutyouandt ookituponhersel
f
tocomeandcheckuponherpat i
ent…everythi
ng
elsewasj
ustamistake.Shortycan'tyouseehow
muchwecareforyou,wear en'tyourenemies…
cumonbabe"Mhlengisaidwhol eheart
edl
y
"ThankyouMhlengibutIt hi
nkmywor khereis
done…WhenIt akeinpatientsmypr omiseis100%
resul
tsandIhavekeptitjustsoforfiveyearsand
Thuladowil
lbemyf i
rstfailhenceIam refundi
ng
youinful
l"Amandasaid
"Ohdon'
ttal
knonsense,wewouldn'
thavesaved
Thul
ado'sl
if
eifi
twasn'tforyousopl
easekeepit
,
i
t'sf
oryourt
roubl
e"Mhlengiassur
edher
"No…Ii nsist"Sheat t
empt edtoleavebutst oppedat
thedoor ,shet urnedt olookatthepai r
,"Mymot her
wasahoar der,shekeptshoppi ngbags, magazines
andcat s.Itallstartedwhenmydaddi edonapl ane
crash,wewer eal laffectedbyhisdeat hobviously
butmymom…shechanged.Wehadt omoveout
becausei twasal lpainfultowatch,duringthose
dayshoar dingwasnotr ecognizedlikeitistoday
theref
oreshedi dn'tgethel p,
insteadshewas
ri
diculedandi nsul
tedevenbyourf amily.Wehat ed
herforturningourhomei ntoadumpst er,wegot
bulli
edforhercondi t
ion.Sowhi l
ewewer ebusy
beingmadshemetaf ir
eacci dentwhichcl ai
med
herlif
e,forensicsai
dt hefir
est art
edf r
om t he
kit
chennowyoucani magi nehowwef elt,suddenly
oureyeswer eopened.Imadeapr omiset omysel f
thatonedayIwi l
lhelppeopl eovercomet hisil
lness
becauseIf ail
edmymom, t
hiswayIcanr ecti
fymy
pastmi stakes"shewipedhert ear
sasMhl engi
embr acedher .
Thuladowatchedi
ntear
s,t
hef l
ashbacksoft
hat
fat
efuldayi
nMooiRiveri
ntensi
fi
ed.
"Amandayoudi dn'tfailyourmother,youdi dn'

t
know.Youneedt of orgiveyoursel
fokay, Icoll
ect
theset
hingssoIcanf eel cl
osetoher .Mymot her
hadhercoll
ectiontoo, thi
swayIf eellikewehave
somethi
ngincommon.Iwast ooyoung, Isti
ll
neededher,isuff
eredAmanda…Mhl engiIsuffered
ti
llt
hisdayIwishIcouldhearhervoice,Iwantt
o
smellherscent…ijustwantmymot her"Thul
ado
saidwit
htearsstreamingdownherf ace,t
heyal
l
huggedandst ayedli
kethat
.
*
***
*
AtNomzamo'
shouse*
Sheheardabangi ngsoundcomi ngfrom thelounge

whereSbusiwaspl ayi
ng,shedroppedt hespatul
a
andranofftocheck.Uponar r
ivalshefoundthedoll
houseFrankjustboughtforherrecentl
yinpieces
ontheground,Sbusistar
ingatthemesswi t
hno
remorse.
"Whatthehellhappenedhere?SbusiI'
mt al
kingto
you!
"Zamoaskedwi thherchestri
singandfall
ing
butSbusif
oldedherar msandf r
ownedl ooki
ng
downavoidingeyecontact,"
I'
m goingtoaskyou
onemor eti
me, whathappened? "Zamoaskedagain
butsilence."
Ar eyoupossessed?Justyesterday
youbr okeyourt easetandtodayt hi
s,wher
edoyou
thinkwegett hismoneyf rom younglady?Doyou
thinkmoneygr owsont r
ees?"Zamobombar dedher
clearl
yinfuri
ated
"
Iwantdaddy"Sbusimumbl
ed
Nomzamot ookof fherslipperinl

ightni
ngspeed
shebeganspanki ngSbusionherbums, she
screamedont opofherl ungsbutthatdidn'
tmove
Nomzamoshef loggedhersomemor eunti
lshe
wassat isfied.Shet heninstr
uctedhertogocr yin
theroom, Sbusir anf orherdearli
febeforeshegets
mor e.Zamosi ghedasshecr ouchedpicki
ngt he
pieces,shehat edi twhenchi l
drendidn'
tappreci
ate
whatt heirpar entsdof orthem andSbusiwas
getti
ngcheeky.
"nywenyweIwantmydad….I
syourdadi
nsi
det
he
dollhouse,
ishei
nthet
easet
?Nx"Zamomumbled
t
oher
sel
f
2021
*
***
*
Iknowi t'
sonet hingaft
ertheot herbutit
'sbeyond
mycont r
ol,t
hesedaysIj ustwingi t
..
.Apologi
esfor
theinconsistencyit'
sfr
ustrati
ngmet oobutmy
boysar en'
twel l
..
..Thi
swhol eweeknj e
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
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Chapt
er91
Mhlengifol
lowedThul
adocarr
yingherbags
headi
ngt owardst
hehouse,
shel i
mpedcaref
ull
yti
ll
shereachedthedoor.
"
Canyoubri
ngthechi
ldr
enoverfort
heni
ght
?I
misst
hem"Thul
adoaskedMhlengi
"Oryoucancomeoverandspendt
heni ghtwit
hus
soyoucanseeournewhouse"Mhlengirepl
ied
"What
swr ongwit
hthem comi
ngher e?Thi
shas
beenthei
rhomeforthel
ongestofti
meyouknow"
Thul
adorespondedwhil
esheunlockedthedoor
"I'
m notdisput
ingthatbutyouacti
ngasifyouaren'
t
all
owedt ocomet oourhouse,eversi
nceIbought
thehouseyouhaven' tsetf
ootorevenaskaboutit"
Mhl engiadded
"Maybebecauseit'
snoneofmybusi
ness,
it'
syour
houseafteral
l,pr
obabl
yahavenf
oraboCourtney
andZiyanda,Idon'
twantt
owanti
ntr
ude"Shesaid
sar
cast
ical
ly
"
Ist
hatjeal
ousyI'
m sensing?Youcan'
thaveital
l
madam,youaresomeone' swi
feremember?"
Mhl
engishotbackplayf
ully
"
hahaha"Thul
adosai
dst
icki
nghert
ongueout
Sheflungthedooropenwal kingi nslowly,and

suddenlyherheartclenched.Theempt i
nesswas
l
oud,notasi ngletubnorbooki nsight.Shestood
ther
einsilencetakingeverythingin,Mhl engipl
aced
thebagsont hecleanf l
oorsnaki nghisar msaround
herfr
om behi nd.
"Youshouldhavewait
edforme,
Iwant
edt
odoi
t
gradual
ly"shesai
dlowl
y
"Iknowshor tyandI'm sorr
y,from nowonIwi l
ldo
thingsatyourpaceasl ongasyoupr omisetodo
somet hingaboutthi
shoar ding.I
fyouchooset o
i
gnor eitagainit
'sfi
net oobutIwillkeepthe
childr
enatt henewhouse"Mhl engisaid
"
Iwantustol
ivet
oget
her,l
ikeoldt
imes…Iwantmy
f
amil
yback"Thul
adosai
dturningar
oundtof
ace
Mhl
engi
"Iwantthatt
ooshor
ty,
bel
ievemebutIdon'twant
thecl
ut t
erar
oundmychil
dren"Mhl
engisai
d
genuinely
"Iwil
lgetbet
ter
,Ipr
omi
se"Thul
adosai
dwi
th
gli
steni
ngeyes
Mhl engileanedovert oherpr ettyface, t

heybot h
breatheint oeachcl osingthegapbet weent hem,
theirli
pst ouched.Thedesi regr ewwi thi
nseconds
ast hekissdeepened, inaswi ftThulado'sbackwas
pressedagai nstthecol dwal landherl egswer e
drapedar oundMhl engi'swaistashepumpeddeep
i
nt ohermeat yfolds,thesoundofsweetmoans
fi
lledtheai raccompani edbytrickl
ingofsweatand
slappingofski n.Afteracoupl eofmi nut es,
Mhl engi
shothi sseedi ntoherwombandsl i
doutl eaving
trail
sdownhert highs.
"
Thi
smat t
erisnotover
,packwegoi
nghome?
"
Mhl
engisai
dsternl
y
"
Iwantt
oli
edown"Thul
adowhi
ned
"
Youcanli
edownathomeaswel
l
,comel
et'
sgo"
Mhl
engior
der
ed
"
Okay…okay"Thul
adosai
dinsur
render
Mhlengipiggybackherupt
hestai
rs,Thul
ado
changedintocleancomfor
tabl
ecl
othes,shepacked
anoverni
ghtbagandt heyl
eft.
Thedr i
vetoMhl engi
'
shousewasqui etand
serenading,Thuladokeptonsmi l
inglooki
ngoutthe
window.I t
'sbeenawhi lesinceheranhishandsall
overherbody, shedidn'tknowshecraveditt
hat
much, l
atelytheyhavebeenoneachot her
sthroat
s
andshewast iredofit.
"
Nicecar
!"Shesai
dswooni
ngunderhi
sspel
l
"
Uyayi
thanda?
"Mhl
engiaskedwi
thsmi
rk
"
Yeah…yi
nhl
e"Thul
adoassur
edhi
m
"
I'
m gl
ad"Mhl
engisaidincr
easingthevol
umeon
t
heradi
oas"Angi
k'del
i"bySjavasett
ledi
n
Kugi
ji
m'i
gazimawungt
hint
angi
yashi
sa
Inhl
iziyoi
shayangamandl
amawungi
bamba
uyayizwa
I
mizwai
xoxai
ndaba
Thul
auzoyi
zwa
Angi
k'
del
i…angi
k'
del
i
Mhlengisangalongcl
ear
lyi
nachirpymood,
Thuladokeptonsmili
ngandshaki
ngherhead.
"
Wuuuukwazekwamnandiukudl
aumfazi
womunt
u"Mhlengiscr
eamedhi
tt
ingt
hesteer
ing
wheel(
It
'ssoni
cef
vcki
ngsomeone'
swi
fe)
"Mhl
engidon'
tbor
emepl
ease"Thul
ador
esponded
showi
nghimthehand
"
Velehawu,ngi
khuphukangoshunikaAugust
Alsi
na*ent
angl
ement*"Mhlengiadded(
I'
m doi
ngi
t
l
ikeAugustAl
sina)
"
Fokof
"Thul
adosaidbur
sti
ngintol
aughter
,"You
wor
sethanAugust
,yout
ookitastepfur
therby
maki
ngbabi
esMrNgcobo"Thuladoadded
Mhl
engist
aredatThul
adoandbeamed.
"
Imi
ssedyou"hesai
dgenui
nel
y
"Imi
ssedyoutoo"Thul
adosai
d,Mhl
engiswi
tched
offt
heradi
oandparkedonthesi
deoft
heroad
"
Bemi ne…letsf
ini
sht
his,
all
owmet ogotoyour
f
atherandpleadmycase…pl
ease"Mhl
engisai
d
wit
haseriousface
"
Mhl
engi
….Ar
eyou?
"shepaused
"NgishademaMdlet
she"Mhl
engisai
dashegent
ly
grabbedherhandsi
ntohi
s(Marryme)
"Mhl
engi
!"Thul
adosai
dast
ear
swel
ledupi
nher
eyes
"Mywholel i
ferevolvesaroundyou,It
riedlooki
ng
i
ntootherperspectivesbutitj
ustdoesn'tmake
sensewithoutyoui nit
…makeanhonestmanout
meshorty…ngi yacelacheri
eyami"Mhlengipleaded
"Whattookyousofucki
nglong?It
houghtmaybe
becauseofmyill
nessyoudidn'
twantafut
urewi t
h
meanymor ebutLordknowsIhavebeenwaiti
ngfor
thi
ssodamnl ong"Thul
adosaidswimmingintears
"Let
sdot hi
sthen…hoardingornotmyheartspeaks
l
ouderthanmymi nd.Wewillf
aceitt
oget
her,I
promise"Mhlengisai
dleani
nginforaki
ss
*
***
*
Att
heof
fi
ce*
Therecept
ioni
stwal
kedintoFr
anksof
fi
cewi
tha
smil
eplast
eredonherface.
"
Sirthenewlogohasj ustar
ri
ved,theguysare
wait
ingdownstai
rsforyourguidanceonwhereyou
wantthem t
oputit"shesaidenthusi
asti
cal
ly
"Alr
eady…gr eat
!"Fr
anksai
drubbinghi
shands
together,"
I'
llbether
eshort
ly,
Ineedtocal
lmy
brother"Frankadded,t
herecept
ioni
stl
eft
Hedi
aledMhl
engi
…
"
Fuze"Mhl
engisai
dhappi
ly
"
Yousoundgood"Fr
anksai
dar
chi
nghi
seyebr
ow
"Youhavenoi
dea,
howcanIhel
pyou?
"Mhl
engi
asked
"Wel
lyouwillbehappytoknowt hatourf
inal
companylogohasarri
ved,I
'm goingdownstai
rst
o
l
ookatitaswespeak"Frankexclaimed
"l
ist
en,
letmedropmywomanhomeandIwi llbe
ther
em…don'tdoanyt
hingunt
ilIgett
her
e"Mhlengi
said
"Yessi
r…wai
tdi
dyouj
ustsayyourwoman?
"Fr
ank
asked
"Yes!youhear
dri
ght…Iwi
llt
ellyoual
labouti
twhen
Igetther
e"hehungup
"
Okay!
"Fr
anksai
dconf
used.
Frankar
ri
vedatthefoyermeet
ingupwi
tht
het
wo
gentl
emeninconstr
ucti
onunif
orm.
"Gents!"Hesaidextendi
nghi
shandf orashake,
"My
brotherandpartneriscomi
ng,butwecanhave
refr
eshment swhilewewait
"Franksaidandthe
menagr eed.
"CanIhaveapeak? "Thetwoguysfussedoverthe
sign,
theyunpackeditreveali
ngt
henameoft hei
r
companyafteralongdebat e.
Atfirsttheywant edtonamei taftertheirfat
her,
theni twasFr edbutevent uallyitmadesenset o
giveitabef it
tingnamet hatt heirchildrencanr el
ate
toowhent heygr owup.Fr ankcover edhi smout has
thename* Fuzelihl
e*emer gedf rom thepackagi ng,
hecoul dn'tbelievehiseyes,itwasper fect.Thegold
andbl ackscr eamedpowerandst rength,thiswas
i
t…t hebegi nningofmanygoodt hings.Hi sphone
chimedi nhi spocketdisturbingt hemoment .
"
hel
lo!
"hesai
dagi
tat
ed
"
Simmons!
"Thevoi
ceont
heot
herendsai
d
"
Yes!I
t'
sNgcobonowbutyes"Fr
anksai
d
"Ohcongr
atul
ati
onsont
henamechange,
looki
t'
s
past
or"t
hemansaid
"
Ohuhm…hel
lopast
or""
Franksai
dfr
ant
ical
ly
"
Youver
yscarcet
hesedays,
isever
ythi
ngwel
l
?"t
he
manofGodasked
"Yeahi
tswell
,I
'mjustbusyget
ti
ngmyl
if
etoget
her
"
Frankr
esponded
"Good,l
ist
encanyoucomet omyhousethi
s
aft
ernoon,t
her
e'ssomethi
ngIwantust
ochat
about…i
fyouaren'
tbusy"t
hepast
orsai
d
"
Yes!I
'
llcome,
I'
llbet
her
e"Fr
ankassur
edhi
m
"Awesome!BeblessedSi
mmons…sorr
yNgcobo,I
wil
lseeyoutoni
ght"Thepast
orsai
dbefor
ehangi
ng
up
"
Shi
t!
!"Fr
ankmut
ter
ed
Heshovedhisphonei
nhi
spocketandsmi
ledatt
he
meninblue.
"Youcanleavethesi
gnshere,Pri
scil
lawil
lwatch
overthem...
thi
sway"heledthem t
oanof f
icenext
totherecepti
onwheretheyawait
edtheirf
ood.
*
***
Mhl
engidr
oppedThul
adoandt
hechi
ldr
enat
Zamo'
shouse.
"Wewi l
ltal
ktoni
ght
,thesi
gnsfort
hecompanyhave
arr
ivedandIwanttobetherewhentheyputitup.
Letmeknowi fyouguysneedanyt
hing"Mhlengi
sai
d
"Allt
hebest
,Icannotwai
ttoseewhatyouand
Frankareuptoo"Thul
adosai
dwithasmile
"I
nal
ldueti
mecherr
ieyami"Hepeckedherl
ips,
Thul
adoj
umpedoffunbuckl
ingNt
obeko
Thetwinsrani
ntot
hehouse,
Thul
adofol
lowedsui
t.
TheyfoundNomzamobrowsingt
heTV.
"
Heyf
ri
end"Thul
adosai
d
"Heyyou,youar
ejustgl
owi
ng.Giveagi
rlsome
ti
ps"Nomzamosaidasshedrapedherarmsar
ound
Thulado
"
Itst
art
swi
thaD"Thul
adosai
dmi
schi
evousl
y
"Mybabieswhydon'
tyougoandwakeSbusiup,
she'
sintheroom"Nomzamosai
dchasi
ngthekids
away,Thul
adochuckl
ed
"
Isshenotwel
l?
"Thul
adoasked
"No,she'
sshowi ngmehercheekystr
eakmy
goodness.Ismackedherearli
eron,
Ithi
nkshecr
ied
hersel
ftosleep"Zamoresponded
"
Goeasyonher
,she'
sbar
elyt
hree"Thul
adosai
d
"Yeahyeahsoshecantakeovermyhouse…
anywaytel
lmeaboutthecapi
talD,
Idon'
tbuyi
t…I
knowyouwouldneverdoMhlengil
iket
hat,
yout
oo
l
oyal"Zamoadded
"Youright
"Thuladochuckled,"It
'sMhl engi,f
uck
Nomzamot hisguy"Thul
adosai dbr eathinginand
out,"
Sohepi nnedtothewal landploughedmer eal
good…st r
aightfr
om thehospitalthenonourwayt o
hishouse"shepausedstil
lindi sbeli
ef,"Heasked
met omar r
yhi m…outofthebl ue…justlikethat
"
Thuladoconcluded
"
Nooway,ohmygoodness…babe"Zamogasped,
"
Congr
atul
ati
onswow!Youknowyouguysdeserve
i
tri
ght?
….NowI'm soj
eal
ous"Zamosai
dwi
tht
ear
s
wel
li
nguphereyes
"
It
'sokaysi
s,don'
tcr
y"Thul
adosai
dhuggi
ngher
"Don'tgetmewrongI'
m happyforyou,
Ireal
lyam…I
j
ustwi shsomeonecouldknocksomesenseinto
Frank…ijust
"Shecri
ed
"Shhhh…i t
'sokay,youandIareverysimil
ar.
Mesmer izedbythesebrother
s,MhlengiandIare
goingthroughalotsti
ll
…everyt
hingwillf
alli
nto
placejustall
ownat ur
etotakeit
scause…don'tfi
ght
i
t"Thuladosaidinawhi sper
Nomzamo'
sphoner
angont
opoft
hecof
feet
abl
e.
"I
t'
smamfundi
siyoh…Ihavebeenavoi
dingher
nkosi
yam"Zamosaid
"
Justanswermaybei
t'
simpor
tant
"Thul
adosai
d
"
Helloma"Zamosaidi
nahighpit
ch,
shequi
ckl
y
wipedhert
ear
scol
lect
ingher
sel
f
"KodwaNomzamo, Youdon'
tdissapearl
iket
hatmy
chil
d.I'
vebeenworr
iedsi
ckaboutyou,Iwasthis
closetocomingt
othehousetolookforyoubutI
thoughtmaybeyouneedspace"shewentstr
aight
tothecore
"
Yesma, Ihavebeenbusywithwor
kandt
hechi
l
d…
I
'
m sorryfornotcommunicat
ingmy
i
nconveni
ences"Zamosaid
"
It
'sokay,
wellI
'
m cal
li
ngtoi
nvi
teyout
odi
nner
.I
wantustochat
"shesai
d
"Iwi
llcomema…t
hankyou"Zamosai
dthr
ough
gri
tt
edt eet
h
"
I'
mlooki
ngf
orwar
dtoi
t…bebl
essed"shehungup
"
Yohkwashuba!
"Zamosai
d
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Thul
adoasked
"
Dinner
..Tonight
..Past
orshouse.IknowI'
m goi
ng
t
ogetgril
led"Shesaidfl
oppi
ngbackont hecouch
"
Yaneh"Thul
adosai
dpl
ayi
ngwi
thherhands
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
52].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er92
Lumi
njal
oandLubanzicamebackf
rom t
her
oom
l
ooki
ngabitwor
ri
ed.
"Mom Sbusidoesn'
twantt
opl
aywi
thus"Lumi
njal
o
sai
d
"Yes!Shekeepsf
oldi
ngherhandsandshe' s
showingustheangryface"Lubanziadded
"YouseewhatImeantaboutthatl
it
tl
edi
va?
"
NomzamosaidtoThulado,"
Letmegoandgether
"
Sheadded
Thetwinssnuggledont hecouchwit
hThulado
fol
lowedbyNt obeko,af
terafewminutesNomzamo
appearedwithasniff
ingSbusisi
we.Assoonasshe
sawThul adoshewailedloudl
y.
"Ngi
zokuphi
nda!Youbettershuti
tnow.Inli
feyou
don'
talwaysgetwhatyouwant ,l
ookathownicel
y
behavedyourcousi
nsare"Zamosai dpoi
nti
ngat
theother
s
"I
t'
sokayZamo,
bri
ngherher
e"Thul
adosai
dand
shedi
d
"
Letmefixyouguyssomet hingt
oeat.Ohbefor
eI
f
orget
,ar
eyouabl etowatchherformeasIgof or
t
hisdi
nner.Ican'ttakeheranywherewi
tht
hisnewly
f
oundbehavior"Zamosai d
"
Sur
e,shecansl
eepover
.Wewi
llbeatMhl
engi
'
s
house"Thul
adosai
d
"
Thankyou"Zamor
epl
iedt
henshedi
ssapear
edi
nto
t
hekit
chen
Thuladopull
edSbusiint
oherembracesomuchto
Ntobeko'
sjealousy,
heslowl
ycl
imbedonhertoo
tr
yingtopushSbusioff.
"
Relaxchamp,Il
oveyoubot
h"Thul
adosai
dkissi
ng
Ntobeko,
"What
swrongangel
"Thul
adoaskedSbusi
"
Iwantdaddy"Shesai
dsof
tl
y
"Ok,mummywillcal
ldaddyforyouokay"Thul
ado
saidpl
aci
ngheronthecouch,"I'
m comi
ngjustnow"
shemadeherwayt otheki
tchen.
Int
hekit
chenNomzamowasf
ixi
nghot
dogsf
ort
he
chi
ldr
en.
"
Heycanwechat
?"Thul
adosai
dhol
dingherhand,
"IknowI '
mt helastper sontogi veyouadvi cebuti fI
don'tt heniwillbejustasgui l
ty.LookIknowt hat
feeli
ngofwant i
ngthingst ogoyourway, indi r
ectl
y
thechi ldrensuffer
!Don' tkeepSbusiawayf rom her
dad, childrenhaveawei rdwayofr egulatingt heir
feeli
ngs.Theydon' tknowhowt oputi tintowor ds
sot heirfeeli
ngscomeouti ntheirbehavi or ,
I
promi seyouspanki ngherwi l
lonlymaket hings
wor seandbef oreyouknowi t
,youwi l
lbean
abusi vemot hertoher .Shej ustmissesFr ankandi t
comesoutascheeki ness,takehert ohim andyou
willseeachange"Thul adosai d
"Iunder
standbutI
'
m notgoingtoall
owhertobr
eak
thi
ngsaroundthehousebecausetheni
twil
lbea
habit
"Zamosaiddefensi
vel
y
"Iunder
standbutshe'sst
il
lsmall
,cr
ouchtoher
l
evelwhensheget sli
kethatandencour
agehert
o
useherwor ds"Thul
adosaid
"WhymustFr ankhaveiteasy?"Zamosi
ghed,
"Sbusisi
weandIar eapackage,whymusthehave
everyt
hinginl
ife…I'
m sohurtt
hathebri
ngsthose
gir
lsinhishouse.That'
smyhouseThulado,Idon'
t
carewhatpeopl
esaybutI '
m supposedtobe
cookingint
hatki
tchenandsleepi
ngont hatbed.
Sbusisi
wewouldn'thavetomisshimifhedidn'
t
dist
ancehimsel
ffrom us"Zamoyelled
"Iknowhowyouf eel
butdoi tf
oryourchild,
they'
re
youngbuttheycansee.I'
vehadmyf airshareofli
fe
l
essonsfrom mychil
dren.Icanonlyadviseyousis"
Thuladosai
dpull
ingherint
oherembr ace
"
Thankyou,
let
'sf
eedt
hechi
ldr
en"Zamosai
d
Theyeachgrabbedt
hepl
atesandheadedt
othe
l
oungearea.
*
***
Atexact l
y7pm Fr ankpar kedhismachi nei
nthe
yard,hejumpedof fnoti
cingaf amil
iarcarbuthe
shookt hatthoughtof f
.Hegr abbedthebottl
eof
wineandabouquetoff lowersheboughtf orthe
pastorswi f
e,ift
her e'
sonet hi
nghiswi ckedmother
taughthim wast ohavegoodet i
quetteespecial
lyi
f
youar eaguest.Het ookonel astlookathi ssui
t
anddamnhel ookedf ine,si
ncehedi dn'tknowwhat
toexpectbehindt hatdoor,atl
easthel ookedand
smelledpresentable.Drawingclosertot hedoorhe
couldhearlaughterroaringfrom insi
desohe
knocked,insecondst hedoorcr eakedopenedwi th
thepastorsti
ckinghi sheadout .
"AwNgcobo,youmadei
t!
"Thepast
orsai
d
del
ight
ful
ly
"
IsaidI'
dbehere"Fr
anksaidextendi
nghishandfor
ashake,hehandedoverhi
stokenofgrat
it
udeto
t
hepastor
"
Thi
sisni
ce…t
hankyou"Thepast
orbeamed
"Thankyouforthei
nvit
e"Franksai
drespect
ful
ly,
Thepastoropenedthedoorwidesohecouldenter.
Thepast
or'
swi
fest
oodupt owel
comewhi l
e
Nomzamosatdownpr
etendingt
obefocusedon
herphone.Fr
ankwasdir
ectedt
ositnextt
ohis
babymamaandt hepast
orssatontheopposi
te
si
de.
"
Hey"Fr
ankgr
eet
edZamo
"
Hey"shegr
eet
edback
"I
t'
snotacoi ncidencet
hatyouguysar
ebothhere,
I'
m sureyouguyshavef igur
edi
toutal
ready"The
pastor
swi f
ebl urt
edout
"
Yeah"t
hebot
hsai
drespect
ful
ly
"
Besidethefactthatyoudi
ssapear
edwithnowor d,
t
herearefewthingswewoul dli
ketochatabout
"
t
hepastorswifeadded
"Li
kemywi fehavest atedbutf
ir
stlet
'sopeni n
prayer"theyal lheldhandsandclosedt heireyes
"Fatherwet hankyouf orthemealsyouhave
providedf orust oday,wearesogr at
efulthatyou
areconst antlystretchi
ngoutyourhandi nourl i
ves.
Wepr ai
seandwor shipyou,wesayhallel
ujaht o
mosthi gh.Nowgui deusaswepr oceedour
meet
ingletitbeabl essi
ng,l
eti
tbefr
uit
fuli
nthe
Nameoft heFat her
,theSonandtheHol
ySpiri
t…
Amen"theyal lsaidamen
"Wecanpr
oceedtoeat,
Zamodi shforFrankplease.
Youknowwhatheli
kes"Thepastor
swi f
eor dered
"Ngcobo,youmadeapromisetomeawhi l
eago
andtil
lthi
sdayIhaven'
thear
dfrom you"Thepast
or
said
"Yesyes,
Iremember
.Justgi
vememor
eti
me"
Franksai
dlooki
ngaway
"
IcanseeSbusii
sgrowi
ngni
cely,
I'
vebeen
f
oll
owi
ngyourstat
usZamo"Thepastor
swifesai
d
"
She'
sdoi
ngwel
l"Zamoanswer
ed
"What'
sgoingonbetweent
het
woofyou?
"The
past
orfinal
lyasked
"
Not
hing!
"Theybot
hsai
dinuni
son
"
Tal
k!"Thewi
fesai
d
"Fr
anklef
tme"Zamosaidheavi ngaheavysi
gh
thr
owingthefor
konthetable,
"Isai
dthi
ngsoutof
anger
,hetookthem t
oheartandlef
tme.Nowhis
galavanti
ngwithgi
rl
sinmypr
esence,t
henhe
expectsmet osendmychi
ldt
ohimt owit
nessal
l
thatrubbi
sh"sheadded
"No…nopoi ntofcor
recti
on.Iaskedf orabreak
becauseIcouldseethatthoset hi
ngsshesai d
camef rom wi
thi
n,I'
m oldenought oknowwhen
someonei sspeaki
ngthet r
uth.Thegi r
lsyousawat
myhousewasacoi ncidence,Idon'tbr
inggirl
sin
thepresenceofmydaught er.Youar eoverr
eacti
ng"
Franksaid
"Youlyi
ng,youtell
ingli
es"Zamoyelled" Imakea
mistakeonceandyoudeci detogo,afterever ythi
ng
wehavebeent hrough.Youaremyever ythingand
beingwit
houthasmessedmeupFr ank, ithurtsme
sobad"Shesaidbr eaki
ngintoaloudsob
"Zamo!Don' tcry…hey…lookatme"heheldher,
don'tcryokay.IloveyoubutIthoughtmaybeyou
want ednothingtodowithme,youchangedandit
scaredmebutbel i
evemewhenIsayIl oveyou"
Franksaid
"
Thenwhyar
eyounotwi
thme?
"Zamoasked
"I
…Ij
ust
"Heopenedhi
smout
hbutwor
dsdi
dn'
t
comeout
"Yousee,youaremywi
tness"Zamosai
din
betweenhertear
s.
"Good…nowt hatwehavebr okenthei
ce,wecan
beginbutf
ir
stletsclearthet
ableandprepar
efor
dessert
"Thepastorswi f
esaid.
"Fr
ankwon'
tyoucomewi t
hmet othest
udypl
ease"
Thepast
orasked,
Franknoddedfol
lowi
nghi
m
Inthestudythemensatonopposi
tesi
des,
wit
hthe
pastorglar
ingatFr
ank.
"Idon'
tthi
nkimademysel fcl
earNgcobo,
Nomzamoi sli
kemyownchi l
dandIhat eseei
ngher
l
ikethisbecauseshehasnoone.Ifyouhad
encounter
edpr obl
emswithherIwouldhave
expectedyoutocomeandt al
ktome, i
nsteadof
all
owingthingstodet
eri
orat
e"Thepastorgawkedat
Frank
"Apologi
esther
e,everyt
hinghappenedsofast.I
foundmyselfoutofthehouse,anditj
ustescalated.
I'
m sorryt
hatIhaven'
thonoredmypr omise"Frank
said
"Frankyoudefi
ledherandmadeherpr egnant
,I
expectyoutodor i
ghtbyher,giventhatyousti
ll
l
oveherofcour se.Wedon'twantpeopl etobe
trappedinl
ovel
essmar r
iages,thoughduringour
ti
mesyouwoul dhavebeenf orcedtodoso"Past or
emphasized
"
Iloveher
"Fr
anksai
d
"
But
?"Past
orasked
"
Ineedtoknowt hatshelovesme,t
hatshe'snot
f
orcedtobewithmebecauseIt ookherpurit
yand
madeherpregnant.Iknowwoment endtosacrifi
ce
t
heirhappi
nessjusttoholdontoacertai
nstatus,I
wantahealt
hymar ri
age,Iwantmorechil
drenandI
wanthertobethat"Franksai
dhonestl
y
"Fi
ne…Iwi llor
ganizecounsel
ingforthebot
hofyou,
everyt
hingwi l
lbewell
.Nextti
mesi tdownandt al
k,
womenr untheirmouthwhent heyar
eupset,i
t'
s
t
hei
rdef
ensemechanism al
lyouneedt
odoi
stake
awal
ktocoolof
f,comebackwhenshe'
sal
lcal
m"
t
hepast
orsai
d
"
Yaei
sh…Iwi
lll
ear
n"Fr
ankr
epl
ied
"Comebackandhitherwit
ht herodonet
ime,i
t
worksli
keacharm"thepastorsaidwi
thasl
ight
chuckl
e,Fr
ankjoi
nedin.
Meanwhil
eintheki
tchent
hepastor
swi f
ewipedt
he
count
erswhil
eNomzamodr i
edthedishes.
"
Soyouwantt
ogi
veup?
"thepast
orswi
feasked
"
No!
"Zamosai
dlowl
y
"Thenfight
!Stopbeingaweakl ing.Doyout hi
nki
didn'
thavecompet i
ti
onwhenpast ormar r
iedme?I
didbutiputmyf ootdown.St opcr yi
ngbecauseof
otherwomen, getyourmanandst aywi thhim.The
onlythi
ngyoushoul dn'tbepatientforisabuse,
eit
herthanthatli
fewilltestyouandl etitnotf
ind
youweakbecauseyouwi lll
osethemant hatyou
l
ove.Frankisacat
chandni
yafanel
ana!
"the
past
orswifesai
dwithasmi
rk
"
AndIl
ovehi
m"Zamoadmi
tt
ed
"Pr
ayf orhi
m, pr
ayforhi
sclot
hes,shoeshiscar.
Don'tstopprayi
ngf
orthatman,yourprayerwil
l
coverhim"Shesaid
"
Iwi
ll
"Zamosai
dwi
thasmi
le
Aft
ersometi
methepast
orandFrankj
oinedt
he
l
adiesi
nthel
oungef
orsomecake.
"I
twasgreat
,thankyousomuchf
ort
hei
nvi
te"
Franksai
d
"
Yeah,
itwasr
eal
lygr
eat
"Zamoadmi
tt
ed
"Thi
sisnott
helastt
imeweseei
ngt
hebot
hofyou,
I
hope"t
hepastor
swifesai
d
Thepairnodded,t
heybi
dfar
ewellandl
eft
.Outsi
de
bythecarsFrankandZamostoodinawkwar
d
si
lence.
"
So?
"Fr
anksai
d
"
I'
m sorr
y…I'
m sor
rybabakaSbusisi
we,f
orthe
t
hingsisai
dtoyou,mybehavi
or.Pl
easef
orgive
me?"Zamosaid
"Doyouwanttoapol
ogi
zepr
operl
yatourhouse?
"
Frankaskedpi
nni
nghert
ohiscar
"
Icanthi
nkofmanywaysIcandot
hat
"Zamosai
d
t
ouchi
ngFrank'
sface
"I'
m sor
ryformakingyoufeelli
ket hat
,don' tworry
aboutZiyandaandCourtneythere'
snot hingt her
e.I
l
oveyouNomzamoandImeani t,youseet hisdress
thatyouareweari
ng.Itr
emi ndsmeofal ot,theway
i
thugsyourbodymygoodness"Fr anksai dclosing
thegapbet weent
hem.
Hekissedherlif
ti
ngupherdr essallt
hewaytoher
buttcheeks,
exposingherfatthi
ghs,hesl
idhi
s
handinsideherpanty.Nomzamoswoonunderhis
spel
l,shedeepenedt
heki
ssbutsoonpull
edaway
rememberingtheywer
est
il
lout
sidet
heirpast
ors
house.
"
Whati
ftheyar
ewat
chi
ngus?
"shewhi
sper
ed
"
Lett
hem wat
ch"Fr
ankwhi
sper
edback
"
Toyourhousenow!
!"Nomzamoor
der
ed
Fr
ankl
ookedatt
het
entonhi
spant
sbi
ti
nghi
s
l
owerl
ip…
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
53].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er93
Caut
ion -sexualcont
ent&st
rongl
anguage
MhlengifindsThuladosit
ti
ngoutsidet
hebalcony
withherlegsrestedontherai
li
ng,theni
ghthad
sett
ledandyoucoul dseethemi r
ageoftheli
ghts
gli
steni
ngi nthepool.
"Beaut
if
ulni
ghti
sn'
tit
?"Mhl
engisai
dfr
om behi
nd
her
"
Yeah,
aret
heysl
eepi
ngnow?
"Thul
adoasked
"I
ttookawhil
ebutyes,It
hinkSbusii
sallexci
tedt
o
beherewit
htheother
s"Mhl engir
epl
ied
"
Shame!Youneedt
otal
ktoFrank?
"Thul
adosai
d
t
urni
ngsoshecoul
dseehi
sface
"
About
?"-Mhl
engi
"Heneedstofi
xthi
ngswit
hNomzamo,unl
esshe
doesn'
twantheranymor
e"-Thul
ado
"Hewi l
lint
ime,alsoIwi
shIcouldsithereandtal
k
aboutmybr ot
herbutmyf i
ancéisrathermore
i
nt er
esti
ng"Mhlengisai
dwhiski
ngThul adoof
fthe
stool"
"Mhl
engiwhenwillyouevertakemeser
iousl
y"she
sai
dinbetweenhergiggl
ing
"Thi
sismetaki
ngyouser
iousl
y"Mhl
engir
epl
ied
swingi
ngherar
ound
"Mhl
engist
op"Thul
adoscreamed,"
Youjustpi
ckme
upandtossmearoundl
ikeI'
m oneofyourchi
ldr
en"
Thul
adowhined.
"Naweyouaretoocut
eandti
ny,Ij
ustcan'
tresi
st"
Mhlengisai
dgentl
ypl
aci
ngheronthebig
comfort
ablebed.
"
Youst
upi
d!AndIl
oveyou"Thul
adosai
d
"
Iloveyoumor
e"-Mhl
engi
Mhlengidi
mmedtheli
ghtsasheundr
essed
sl
ippi
ngundert
hecovers,
Thul
adofol
lowedsui
t.
"Thi
shousei sbeautifulMhl
engi,Il
oveeverythi
ng
especial
lyt
hepai nti
ngs.Youarever yt
alent
ed"
ThuladosaidlookingintoMhlengi'
seyes
"
Thankyou"Mhl
engir
epl
iedbl
ushi
ngabi
t
"Thatdayigothur tIwasbusypr eppingtodomy
acti
vit
ies.I'
m scaredFuze,Iknowmychi l
drencan
seethatI'm notwellandthewayt heylookatme
withpityjustbreaksmyhear t.Iknowt heytal
k
aboutme, I
'vecaughtthem countlesstimes,t
hey
havebeent ryi
ngtohelpmeatt heirt
enderage"
Thuladosai dsadly
"Shhhh"Mhlengisai
dpecki
ngherl
ips,
"It
'sokay"he
saidsoft
ly
"Thethi
ngisI'
m afr
aidthatitwil
lonlybeamat t
erof
ti
mebef or
eistar
tfi
ll
ingthehouseagai n,tr
ustme
i
t'seasyandIdoitsubconsciously.Ineedhel
p,
pleasehel
pme"Thul adopleaded
"Youdon'tneedt
obegme,I'
m her
ef oryou.You
don'tknowhowhappyIam t
ohearyout alkabouti
t
withoutmakingmef
eelgui
lt
y"-Mhlengi
"
Thattoo,I
'
m sor r
y.IknowIhavebeenhorri
ble,
Nhl
anhlostoppedcalli
ngmeaswell.Ir
eal
lyneedto
f
ixt
hings"-Thulado
"
Youmust
"-Mhl
engi
"SoMrNgcoboIknowyouproposetomeandall
butIseenori
ngonmyfinger
"Thuladobl
urt
edout
changi
ngthetopi
c
"Mmmmhi fyoucoul
djustwai
t,maybe…j
ustmaybe
youmightgetone.Whoneedsar i
nganyway"
Mhlengiscoff
ed
"Wuuuuunever!Pl
easedon'
tbet
hatguy.Iwanta
ri
ng,propercer
emoniesf
ormybi
gday,I'
m only
doingthi
sonceandIwantitt
obeperf
ect"Thul
ado
shotback
Mhlengiwat
chedherr
anti
nadmi
rat
ion,
hel
oveher
,
al
lofher.
"Ngi
kuzwil
ekemadam"Mhlengisai
dsl
ippi
ngoutof
thebed,
"Comeher
e,Iwantt
oshowyousomet hi
ng"
headded
"
What
?"-Thul
ado
"
Ifyouf
oll
owme,youwil
lsee.Br
ingt
hemoni
tor
s
wit
hyou"Mhl
engior
der
ed
Thuladopi ckedupthemoni t
orsforNtobekoand
Sbusi,shef ol
lowedMhl engioutofther oom.I
na
fewmi nutesMhl engiunlockedoneoft heguests
room downst air
sswitchingont heli
ghtsasthey
crui
sedi n.
"Ohmygoodness,whendi
dyoudot
his?
""Thul
ado
askedaf
teragasp
"
Whenyouwer eoutatNomzamo's,Iwant
edtodoi
t
i
nourroom buti
twouldhavebeenobvi
ous"
Mhl
engisai
dwi t
hasmi r
k.
A whi tecl othont hefloorador nedwithr osepet al
s,
pil
lowsscat teredhereandt here,abucketwi t
hice
andt wobot tlesofspar kli
ngwi nenextt oittwo
fl
ut es.Inasmal lcontainerwer etwor eadyr oll
ed
j
oint sandal ighter
,ont heot hersideapl att
erwi th
strawber ries, cream andchocol atesauce.Ona
woodenpl attersomebi ltong,savorysnacksand
dips.Mhl engil ockedthedoorandswi tchedof fthe
l
ight sallowi ngt hefourl anternsoneithersidesof
theset upt ogi veli
ght.
"
Thi
sisamazi
ng"Thul
adosai
dinexhi
lar
ati
on
"Isawitontheint
ernet,Idi
dn'tgett
imetohire
someonet odoapr operjobsoIquickl
ydashedto
@Homet ofi
ndthesethings,l
uckyformet her
ewas
aladyreadytohelp…soI '
mr eall
yhappythatyou
l
oveit"-Mhlengi
"
Kuhl
est
handwasami
"-Thul
ado
"
Ihavesomet
hingf
oryou"Mhl
engisai
dget
ti
ngup
Hewalkedtowardst
hecloset
s,hecamebackwi
tha
gi
ftbag.Hesatdownhandingitt
oThul
ado
"
Whati
sit
?"-Thul
ado
"
Openi
t"-Mhl
engi
Sheslowlydippedherhandsinthebagcomi ngout
wit
hasmal lbox,
insi
dewast wosetofkeys,
Thuladolookedatthem conf
used.I
twasobvi ous
whattheywer ebutshewasn'tsur
ehowt ofeel
aboutit
.
"Ican'
taccepti
t"Shesai
dput
ti
ngt
heboxdown
slowly
"
Why?
"-Mhl
engi
"Iagr
eewi t
hyout hatishoul
dcomelivewithyou
whenI'm bett
er,Iwon'tf
orgi
vemysel
fshouldI
maket hechil
drengot hr
oughthi
sagain"Thul
ado
admitt
edwi pi
nghereyes
"Iunder
standbutthoseareyourkeysandt
hisi
s
yourhouse,youcandecideonhowyouwantt odo
thi
sbutit'
syours"-Mhlengi
"
Awhol
eRangeRoverMhl
engi
?"Thul
adoasked
"
YouknowIboughti tt
oget herwit
hmyMer cedes,
i
nit
iall
yIwantedust ogot ogetherandgetournew
r
idesbutshithappened.Ithasbeendesper atel
y
wait
ingforyoutodriveit
…poorcar "-Mhl
engiwith
achuckle
"
Thankyou"-Thul
ador
espondedwi
thapout
"
Wewi
llgoandgeti
ttomor
row"-Mhl
engi
Thul
adodugi
ntot
hegif
tbagagai
ncomi
ngoutwi
th
aperf
umeandsomel
inger
ie.
"
Aaaahyouar
eonesneakybast
ard"Shel
aughed
"
Canyouweari
tforme?
"-Mhl
engi
"Ofcourse"Thul
adosai
dthrowi
nghersi
lk
night
dresscarel
essl
yonthefl
oor
Shest oodther
est arknakedwhi l
eexami ningthe
piece,sheworeitgent l
ywhi leMhlengisatbackand
wat ched.Heendedupopeni ngabot tl
esohecoul d
poursomeoft hedr ink.Thuladotookhert i
me
perfecti
ngthelook,shet urnedar
oundbendi ngover
topi ckuptheempt ygiftbagcausingMhl engito
mur murunderhisbr eath.
"
godamn!
!"Mhl
engisai
dinaudi
ble
"Huh?
"-Thuladosai
dactingdumb, "
Areyousayi
ng
somethi
ng?"sheasked,
Mhl engiswal
lowed
"Ihaveneverseenapersonpi
cksupagi
ftbagso
beauti
ful
lyyoh!"Hesai
d
"
Mmmmh"-Thul
ado
Sheplacedt heempt ybagont hebed, shewent

downonal lfoursandst artedcr
awlingbackto
whereMhl engiwassi tt
ing.Youcouldseeher
breastsl
ightlybouncinglikebal
ls,
Mhl engibi
thi
s
l
owerli
p,Thul
adol
ookedst
rai
ghtintohi
m hereyes
f
il
ledwit
hdesir
emixedwi
thmischief
.
"Wuuuuuyougoi
ngt
opaymami
"-Mhl
engisai
d
shi
ft
ingcl
oser
"Nah!Yousitr
ightther
e"-Thul
adosai
dpushi
ng
him of
fhersli
ghtl
y
Thuladost art
edtouchi ngherselfsensuall
yl ett
ing
outasof tmoant hatdr oveMhl engiofftheedge,
shespr eadherthighsopent hatpi eceoflingerie
barel
ycover edandi thadahugehol eexposi ngher
meat yfolds.Shestartedtouchingherf l
esh
thr
owi ngherheadback, heronehandgr adual l
y
squeezingherbr easts.Mhlengicoul dn'
twai tany
l
onger .Inaswi f
t,hehadheri nhi sarmsdef eat ed
andweakunderhi ski ss.
Herbackwasonewithfl
oorthecl
othbarel
yser
ved
asapaddingbutwhocared,
Mhlengiki
ssedand
worshippedherbodysl owandst eadi
lycarefulnot
tomi ssaspot ,hecaressedandbi tonhersof t
smoot hskinThul adomur murinpleasure.He
spreadherl egswi deopenasheki ssedheri nner
thi
ghhi sfi
ngerf ondli
ngattheent r
ance,Thul ado
moanedl oudwhenhi stonguel ef
twarm wett r
ails
downt here,thefeeli
ngwast oomagi caltoignor e.
Heki ssedandsuckedherpr operl
yhertoescur l
ed
whensher eachedherf i
rstorgasm.
Mhlengispr ungouthi shar dbl ackcock,heknel t

cl
osert oherf ace,sheknewwhatsheneededt odo.
Thuladogotonherhi ngespr opelli
ngherself
,she
palmedhi scockandst artedspi tt
ingwhilestr
oki ng
i
t.Shenowhadhi minhermout hslur
pingand
suckinghi m,hemoanedl ooki ngather,hiseyes
burningwi t
hdesi re.Shewascut eandtinybelow
her,hecoul dn'twaittot ossheri nandouthi sr od,
Thuladocont inuedpl easur inghim makingsur eher
eyesarel ockedwi thhi s.Mhl engiincr
easedhi s
pacegr aspingt herootsofherbushyhai rhard, she
coughedcausi nghimt ost op.
Hespankedherbubbl easshar
ditechoed,he
spr
eadherlegsandr ummagedintoherpussy
wit
houtawarning,shescreamed.Hefvckedher
har
dandf ast
,thenhepausedkissi
nghersensuall
y.
"Turnaround,Iwantt
oseet
hatt
att
oo"Mhl
engi
orderedinaraspyvoi
ce,
Thul
adocompl
ied
Hesmackedhi scockonherassbef oresli

dingitin
herpussyoncemor e,hehookedhi shandsonher
wai standploughedherni ceandsl owl y,admiri
ng
hisnameembr oideredonherback, hekepton
pumpi ngwhi l
ehisot herhandtracedovert heink.
Hishear twarmedupj ustknowingt hatshedi dallof
thisbecauseshel oveshi m.Hisdesi redgreweven
bigger,allhewantedt odowast onuti nherwar m
meat ywal l
s.Hecoul dfeeltheti
nglingf eeli
ngclose
sohegr abbedherar mslockingthem andpr essed
them onherback, herchestwasf l
atont hehard
fl
oorandsweatt ri
cklingmakinglinesdownher
body.Hesmashedi nt
oherf asterandharder
Thuladocr i
edoutwhensher eachedhersecond
orgasm, Mhlengirummagedhar danddeeponhi s
l
astst r
okef r
eezinginsideher.Hegr oanedloud
di
gginghi sfi
nger si
nherwai st,aft
eraf ewseconds
hefelltothefloor.
"
Yoh!
"Thul
adosai
dfl
oppi
ngononeoft
hecusi
ons.
*
***
Nomzamowascr yi
ngfordearlifeasFr ankt
iedher
onthebed,
str
oki
ngherf r
om behi nd,i
thadbeen
agessi
nceshehadsuchwi l
dr oughsexandFr ank
l
ookedli
kehewasn'tdonewithher .
"
fvckZamo"Fr
ankmut
ter
ed
Heunt
iedherandki
ssedherhungr
il
y,i
twasl
ikehe
hadbeencravingherf
oryear
sandnowhef i
nall
y
hadher.Hepickedherupsmashi
ngherbodytothe
wall
,hesli
dinandmadeherbounceinandoutof
her
.
"l
ookatme"Hecommanded,Zamocompl
ied,
"I
wantyout
ocum wit
hme"Frankwhi
sper
edinher
ear
Zamof eltherheartt
ingl
eweakeningherunderhis
presence,shewrappedherhandsar oundhisneck
andsmashedont ohisli
ps.Fr
anksmackedi ntoher
evenharder,shescreamedlouderthanbefore
"
AaaaahFr
anki
e"-Nomzamo
"
Shi
ii
it
"Fr
ankmut
ter
ed
Hefrozespr
ayinghi
scum deepi
nherwomb,
he
f
loppedhisbodyonher
,theybot
hsl
idtot
hef
loor
.
©ZamaGambusheYenga
[
11/
22,
14:
53].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er94
Franksmear
edl
otionalloverNomzamo' sbodyand
hebegansmoot
hingitout,shejustsatt
herestar
ing
athim.
"Whatareyoul
ooki
ngat
?"Fr
anksai
dwi
thal
ight
chuckl
e
"I
t'sli
keI'
m dr
eaming,
I'
m goi
ngtowakeupandI
willbeatmyhouse…lonel
y"shesai
dhereyesst
il
l
gluedtohim
"
Givemeyourl
eg"-Fr
ank
Shest
ret
chedoutherl
egs,
Frankbeganwor
kingon
i
t.
"
Zamo,
doyoul
oveme?
"-Fr
ank
"
Isn'
titobvi
ous?
?"-Zamo
"
Iwantt
ohearyousayi
t"-Fr
ank
Nomzamokeptqui et,
shehuggedheroneleg.Fr
ank
fi
nishedmoist
uri
zingherbody,
hegotuptositon
theedgeofthebed.Zamomovedclosertohim
hugginghi
mf r
om behind.
"
Iloveyou"-Zamo
"
But
?"-Fr
ank
"Butnothing.Ispokeoutoff rustrat
ion,honestl
y
therewasat i
met hatithoughtmyl ifewouldhave
turnedoutdi f
ferent
lyifihadn'tmetyoubutIwas
wrong.Thi sishowi tshouldbeFr ank,everysingle
thi
ngt hathadhappenedi nourli
vesmoul dedust o
bewher ewear etoday.Iam sogl adIwentt othat
hotelandmetupwi t
ht wi
nswhohel pedmesave
mymot her,yesitwasunf ort
unatethatitwasn' t
pureintenti
onsatf i
rstbutIwoul dn'
thavef al
lenso
deepf oryou.Sot oansweryourquest i
on,yes…yesI
l
oveyou"-Zamo
"Areyousure?NomzamoI '
m notpr
oudofmypast ,I
knowal lt
hethingsIdi
dwer ewrongbutIknewifelt
somet hi
ngtheveryfi
rstdayil
aidmyeyesonyou.I
sti
llr
ememberyoust ruggli
ngtowalki
nheelsand
thatchurchdressyouwore…itwasallr
idi
culousl
y
cute"Franksaidwit
hachuckle
"
Ohmygoshst
op"Zamosai
dcover
inghereyes
"Iwantyoutobehappy,t
ogeteveryt
hingt
hatyou
everdreamedoff
.IwantSbusi
siwetogrowwith
bothofusundert hesamer oof .Iwanttoseeyou
walkdownt heaisleeversobeaut iful
,Iwantyoubut
Iwouldn'
tforgi
vemysel fifIeverf indoutthatyou
wantmebecauseyoudon' thaveot herchoicesor
i
t'
sbecauseofhowwemet .Itookyourpur ityand
madeyouamot heroutofwedl ock,It
'snaturalt
o
wantmet ofini
shwhatI 'vest artedbutIneedl ove,I
needtobesur ethatyoul ovemeandt hatyoudon't
pi
tyme"-Fr ank
"Rememberwhent hePhant om wast or
ment ingyou,
theveryfi
rstti
me.Yousl eptinmyhouse, onmy
bedandi nmyar ms? ?Anygi rlwoul dbeterri
fied,
probablychasedyououtoft hehousebutiwant ed
your i
ghtther
e.Ifeltsoconnect ed,Ifel
tli
keI
belongwithyou,Iloveyouwi t
hal lofmeandt here'
s
nopi t
yhere.NgiyakuthandaNgcobowami "Zamo
"IguessI'mj ustf
ragi
le,
Iwassohurtwhenyousaid
thosethings.Ithi
nkbecauseIknowthatwhatyou
saidistrue,Ididmessupyourli
feandnowIwant
tofixit
,Iwantt omakeyouthehappiestwomenon
earth"-Frank
"
Ihaveaf
ewi
deas….Oneoft
hem i
ncl
udest
wo
ski
nnybi
tchest
hathavebeenwal
kingar
oundf
reel
y
i
nmyhouse"-Zamospat
"Yourhouse?It
hinkI
'
m goi
ngt
olovet
his"Fr
ank
saidwit
hachortl
e
"
Vel
eideser
veal
loft
his,
thi
sismyhouse"Zamo
"
Ever
ythi
ngIownbel
ongst
oyouandSbusi
"-Fr
ank
"
Good"-Zamosai
dpuf
fi
ngherchest
Franklaughedshaki
nghishead,
hepouncedonher
ti
ckli
ngdaylight
soutofher
.
*
***
*
Mhl
engi
'
shouse*
"I
'
mf eel
ingabi
tcol
d,l
etsgetundert
hebl
anket
s"-
Thul
ado
"
Iwantmor
enj
e"-Mhl
engi
"
MmmhNo,
mypussybur
ns"-Thul
ado
"
I'
m sor
ry,
canIki
ssi
tbet
ter
?"-Mhl
engi
"
Maybel
ater
"Thul
adosai
dhopi
ngont
othebed
"I
'
m goingtohi
tajoi
nt,
dowantsomeoft
he
snacks?"-Mhl
engi
"CanIhavesomeBi
lt
ongpl
ease"-Thul
ado
"I
'
m comingtofeedyoust
rawberri
esandcream l
ike
i
nt hemovi
es,maybeIcansmearsomechocolate
saucedownthereandki
ssitbet
ter?"-Mhl
engi
"
Getl
ostMhl
engi
"-Thul
ado
Mhlengiplat
edsomesnacksforThul
adobef
ore
openi
ngt hewindowsohecouldsmoke.
"Iwantyoutoseeourof
fi
cesshort
y!I
t'
slikeI'
m
dreaming,
Iownacompanyshorty"-Mhlengisai
d
"Youdeservei
t,Ihadnodoubtt
hatonedayyouwi
ll
behere"-Thul
ado
"
Real
ly?
"-Mhl
engi
"Yeah,
youalwayshadthatfi
rei
nyouandthi
slove
formoneyhadeveryt
hingtodowit
hit
.I'
m pr
oudof
you"-Thul
ado
"
Areyour
eall
yproudofme?"Mhlengiaskedki
ll
ing
t
hebudbefor
ethrowi
ngitoutt
hewindow
"Yes!From thetimeImetyoutil
lnow,youhaven't
changedonebi t
.Yousti
llmyhoodierocki
ng,money
l
ovingkr uger,
yousti
lll
ovingandcari
ng.Youstill
l
ovemeevenwhenI '
m notwithyou,Icanfeeli
t.I
don'tknowwhatIwoul deverdowi t
houtyou"-
Thulado
"
Icher
ieyami
"-Mhl
engi
"
Soont
obeyourwi
fe"-Thul
adosai
dchuckl
ing
"
Ican'
twai
t"-Mhl
engi
"
Comesi
tnextt
ome"-Thul
ado
"YouknowIwantt
obuil
dmyuncleahouse, Ial
so
wanttohel
pMusafixmyaunt
'shouse.If
eelli
keI
oweittot
hem asmyonl
yfamil
ylef
t"Mhlengi
"
That
'
sagr
eati
dea,
andSf
iso?
"-Thul
ado
"
Igavehi
m cash,
hissor
ted"-Mhl
engi
"Doyouknowi
fhef
ixedt
hingswi
thNana?
"-
Thul
ado
"No,
Idon'tknowandIdon'
twantt
oinvol
vemysel
f"
-Mhlengi
"
Let
stal
kaboutCour
tney"-Thul
ado
"
Ayiayipl
easedon'
trui
nmymomentpl
ease"
Mhl
engipleaded
"
Somethinghappenedbet
weent
het
woofyou
r
ight
?"-Thul
ado
"Nothinghappened,pl
easestopbor
ingmeabout
Courtneyaymaan.Notsol ongagoyourexwas
here,youdon'tseemeaskingabouthi
m ever
yday
ay"-Mhl engisai
dangri
ly
"Idon'
taskyoueverydaybutIj
ustwanttoknow.
Whydoyougetdi smissi
vewhenIment i
onher?"-
Thulado
"BecauseIdon'
twantt
otal
kabouther
"-Mhl
engi
saidrai
singhi
svoi
ce
"
Yousl
eptwi
thher
,that
swhy"Thul
adomumbl
edas
shecover
edher
sel
fwi
tht
heduvet
Mhl
engij
ustst
aredatheri
rr
it
abl
y.
"
nxa"-Mhl
engi
"
Nawenxa"-Thul
adosai
dundert
hecover
s
"I
siqalaukubai
scefenj
eleobsessi
onyakhono
Courtney!
"-Mhl
engi(Yourobsessi
onwit
hCourt
ney
i
sst art
ingtoi
rr
it
ateme)
Thul
adouncover
edher
sel
fsl
owl
yasr
agef
il
ledher
hear
t.
"Excuseme?Iknowshewant syoubutthatgi
rlwi
ll
notdisrespectmebecauseI '
m shortandshe'
sas
astallasapol engizombhonyami naneshwapha
nx"Thulado( Iwi
llbeatherf
latass)
"
What?"Mhlengiaskedl
aughi
ng,"
YouThuladu
Mdl
etshebeatupsomeone"Mhlengil
aughedeven
har
der
"
Keeplaughi
ng"-Thul
adosai
dtur
ninggi
ving
Mhl
engiherback
"
I'
m notl
aughingatyouhawu,
comel
etmeki
ss
i
nanazi
,woza"-Mhlengi
"
Not
hankyou"-Thul
ado
"Wozahawu,I'
m goi
ngtoputsomecr
eam and
chocol
atesauce,
come"-Mhlengi
"
ongi
yekapl
ease!
"-Thul
ado
Mhl engil
eanedi nki
ssingherneck,sheshif
tedabi
t
butMhl engiheldherinplace.Hecuppedherbare
breastskissi
ngher ,
Thulador el
axedherbodyand
returnedthekiss.
*
***
*
Thenextmor
ning*
Nanaandhercoll
eaguesweregat
heredi
ntheof
fice
f
oraquickbr
ief
ingbeforet
heycoul
dstar
twork.
"Ok, I'
m sur eyouar eal lwonder i
ngwhyyouar e
calledi nher e,wel lwehavesomenews.Fi rstofall
ourManagerShar oni snol ongerworkingwi thus,
wecan' tr eal
lysaymuchbutwehavedeci dedto
replaceherwi t
hanewManagerwi thimmedi ate
effectbecauseobvi ouslyit'
snotgoodt oleaveour
storewi thoutmanagement .Sopleasehelpme
wel comeAnel eJant ji
e, hewi l
lbetaki
ngover
Shar on' sdutiesi mmensel y.Soifyouhaveany
quest ions, querieswhat '
ssoeverpl easefeelf r
eeto
directt hem toyournewst oremanager .Thatwi l
lbe
all
, thankyou"t hel adyi nat wopiecesaid
Thegr
oupdi
sper
sedheadi
ngt
othei
rpost
s.
"
Wai
twai
t,cansomebodyj
ustbegonel
iket
hat
?",
Oneoft
hecashi
ersaskedNanai
nawhi
sper
"Doyouthi
nkshewasi
nvol
vedi
nthatf
oodpar
cel
scam?"Nanaasked
"
Itmustbet
hat
,she'
sfi
red"Thecashi
err
epl
ied
"Thei
nvesti
gati
onisnotovert
hough,
Ithi
nkmor
e
peopl
ewilldi
ssapear
"Nanasaid
"Yoh!IthankGodI '
m notint
ofastmoney.Idon't
knowwhatI '
ddoifIlosetheonlyj
obIhave.It'
snot
muchbutat leastIcantakecareofmyfamily"t
he
cashiersaid
"
Fastmoneyneh!
"Nanasai
ddeepi
nhert
hought
s
"Ihopeyouar
en'ti
nvol
vedaswellgir
li
ngs,youand
Sharonwerecl
ose"Thecashi
ersaidnarr
owingher
eyes
"What?No,
I'
m noti
nvol
vedandSharonwasj
ust
nicet
ome,wearen'
tfri
ends"Nanasai
d
"Goodthen,t
heonlywrongt hi
ngIwil
ldoistodr
ool
overournewmanager …nowt hat
'sonethi
ngIcan
getfi
redforshamel
essly"Thecashi
ersaid
smackingNana'sshoul
der
"
Yeahhi
snotbad"Nanar
epl
ied
"Nono,youdidn'
tlookathi
m pr
oper
ly.MrJant
ji
eis
hot"Thecashi
eremphasized
"
AyI
'
m donewi
thmen"Nanascof
fed
"I
'
m pret
tysureyoudonotgetpai
dtosi
tar
ound
andgossip"avoi
cefr
om behi
ndroar
ed
BothNanaandthecashi
ert
urnedtheirheads
sl
owly,
fearst
ri
cken,
youcouldheartheirhear
tbeat
.
"Ki
ndlyreportt
oyourpost
s…thankyou"Anel
esaid
walki
ngaway, thel
adi
eswait
edf orhi
mtodissapear
bef
oreletti
ngoutabreat
h.
"Yoh!Hisnotcut
eanymor
e,Itakeitback.I
nfactI
don'tl
ikehi
m onebi
t"t
hecashiersai
d
"Yeahhisannoyi
ng,Imi
ssSharonalr
eady"Nana
saidheadi
ngtowardshert
il
lpoi
nt.
*
THREEMONTHSLATER*
[
11/
22,
14:
54].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er95
Amandacl
osedherbookandgaveThul
adoan
appr
ovi
ngsmil
e.
"
Sohowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"-Amanda
"ExcitedbutIdon'
twanttobetooexcit
ed,
Isti
llsee
Mhl engiandthechil
drencl
earoutaf
terme,we
agreedt hatassoonasthenumberofbooksortubs
reachfourwemoveitt
ot hespar
eroom, ofwhich
weallsitt
oget
heranddiscar
deveryt
hingattheend
ofthemonth"sheexpl
ained
"
That
'swonder
ful
,seemstomet
hati
t'
saf
ami
ly
t
imeaswell
"Amandaprobe
"Yes,
it'
sreall
yfunandthisot
herni ghtidreamedof
her…mymot her
,fort
heveryfi
rsttimeIsawher .
Shelookedjustli
keme,itwasli
keI 'mlookingat
myselfinthemirr
orbutIcoul
df eelthatit
'sherand
notme.Sheseemedhappy"-Thul ado
"Doyout
hinkshewast
ryi
ngt
otel
lyousomet
hing?
"
-Amanda
"Yes!AndIf eelsomuchbet ter
,she'shappywhi ch
meanst hatIcanbehappyt oo.Amandat hankyou
foreveryt
hingyouhavedonef orme, IknowIwas
probablythemostdi ff
icul
tcli
ent.Apar tofme
wantedyout oquitonmebecauseIdi dn'twantyou
tobelike"Ifixedher"
,Isawmysel fnormaland
hatedallthosejudgementalremar ksbutdeepdown
Iknewt hatyouallcaredforme…t hankyou"-
Thulado
"Whyam Isad?Doest
hishavet
obeourl
ast
sessi
on?
"-Amanda
"
Youcoul
dcomet
omyweddi
ng!
"-Thul
ado
"Noway!Hepr
oposed?
"-Amandagasped
ast
oni
shed
"Yes"shesai
dbl
ushingandpl
ayi
ngwithherf
ingers,
"Hisgoingt
opaylobol
athi
sweekend,
I'
m act
uall
y
goingtoMooiRi
vertoni
ght
"Thul
adoadded
"Congrat
ulat
ionsandthankyouforshar
ing.Just
emailmet heinvi
teIwi
lldef
ini
tel
ycome,thi
sis
great
"-Amanda
"
Yeah!I'
vebeenwait
ingf
orever
.Mhl
engiandIcome
alongway"-Thul
ado
"
Youareoneoft
heluckyone'
s,hel
ovesyou.
Advi
cefr
om adi
vor
cee?"-Amanda
"
Pleasebyal
lmeans,Ineedallthewisdom Icanget
t
omaket hi
smarr
iagewor k"-Thulado
"Donotl
oseyoursel
fwhil
etryi
ngtopleaseyour
spouse,
don'
tgiveupyourcareeroryourdr
eams.
Manywomenputt hei
rthi
ngsasideandwhen
probl emsar i
seyouar eleftr ockbot t
om wi th
not hing.Younotgoi ngt oal waysbehappywi th
Mhl engi ,therear etimeswher ebyyouwi ll
i
nt entional lypretendyouar e,especiall
ywhenyou
guysgot hr oughr oughpat ches.Itdoesn' tmean
youar enoti nloveanymor ebuti tsimpl ymeans
youar eover whelmed, putmor eeffortandr evive
thatspar kbecausel ifecanchangeyou.Suppor t,
tolerance, compr omi seisal sover yimpor tant.My
biggestmi stakewast hinkingt hatget t
ingmar r
iedt o
Grantwasgoi ngt ocompl eteme, boyIwaswr ong.
Itwascl earIdi dn'tknowwhatIwant edandIj ust
goti nt hinkingitwi l
lf i
xever ythingbuti tmade
thingswor se.Icheat edonhi m…poorGr ant,Ibr oke
hishear tbutnowIf oundl oveandI 'mt akingitsl ow
andGr antr e-
mar ri
edandhi shappy.SoThul adon' t
bel ikeme"-Amanda
"
Thankyousomuch,
Ican'
ti
magi
nemyl
if
ewi
thout
Mhl
engi
"-Thul
ado
"
Youguysar
esocut
e,Imustadmi
t"-Amanda
"
ThankyouandIwillsendyouthei
nvit
ati
on…letme
r
eleaseyoubef
oreyourcli
ent
slosei
t"-Thul
ado
"
Theywi
lll
ive"-Amandasai
dchuckl
ing.
*
***
Nanaki ckedtheballt
ot heli
tt
leboy,assoonashe
gotit,
her anwi t
hitasfastaslightni
ngthenhe
scoredagoal .Allt
heboysi nhisteam ranuptohim
picki
nghi m up,Nanasmi l
edinadmi rati
on,t
hiswas
herfavorit
ethingtodoonherdaysof f.Bei
ng
aroundt hechil
drenmadeherhappy.
"Di
dyoubl
ockmeorwhat
?"Avoi
cesai
dfr
om
behi
nd,
Nanatur
nedsl
owl
y
"
Hel
lot
oyout
oo"Nanasai
ddi
sint
erest
ed
"Hawu!Youblockmeandyougi
vingmeacol
d
shoul
der"-Thul
ado
"HowcanIhel
pyouThul
ado?
"Nanasai
d
dismi
ssi
vel
y
"
Iwantust
otal
k"Thul
adosai
dpoi
nti
ngatt
heshi
ny
blackRangeRovert
hatwaspar
kedont
hesi
deof
theroad
"HahahaThulador
eal
ly?Whatdoyouwantt
otal
k
about
?"Nana
"Peoplear
ewat
chi
ng,
let
sgoi
nsi
det
hecar
"-
Thulado
"Orwecant
alkbymyhouse"Nanasai
dwal
king
away
"I
'
mi narushIneedtodrivetoMpofanatoni
ght,
ifI
gotoyourhouseitwi
llberudetorushbecauseI
haven'
tseenmom inages"-Thulado
"That syourpr obl
em Thul
ado,justbecauseMhl engi
wor shipst hegroundyouwalkondoesn' tmeanwe
willalldot hesame.Youarever yselfabsorbed
Thul ado, eversi
nceyoulef
thereyouhavechanged.
Youdi ssapearwithnoword,youkeept oyour self
andappearwheni tsui
tsyou.Wher ewer eyoual l
thi
swhi le?Ineededyouandyouwer en'tavai
lable.
Butyouar eherenowandImustsmi leandclapmy
hands"-Nana
"
That
'
swhyI
'
m her
e,Iwantt
otal
k"-Thul
ado
"Thuladoyouhaven' tseenmymot herf
oryear
s,that
womanwat chedoveryouf r
om thetimeyouwere
l
itt
le.Iknowshe' snotperfectbutshewatchedover
you,atleasttocomeandsayhiwon' thurt
"-Nana
"Wow!Your eallyhavei tinformet oday, t
hanksf or
maki ngmef eelbad.Andyouar erightabout
everyt hing,thet hingi sIhavebeensi ckNana.I '
ve
beencol lectingt hingsIdi dn'tneedi nt henameof
grievingmymot her , I
'm sureyouhavenot i
ced.I
neverusedt oi nviteyout ocomeoverbecauseI
wasscar edyouwi lljudgemeandt hatyourmot her
willtellthewhol ecommuni tyaboutmycondi ti
on.It
hasbeensohar df orme, Ialmostdi edandt he
reasonIdi ssapeari sbecauseIal waysf eltli
keyou
areal llookingatme, thatyouwi llthi
nkI '
m cr azy.I
haven' tbeent her ef oryoubecauseImysel fwasa
mess, beenat tendingt herapy,myhousei scl ean
now.I 'mt r
yingsohar d,t
heki ds,Mhl engitheyar e
allhelpingme…Iam ahoar dermyf r
iend"-Thul ado
"Ohmygosh,itdi
dn'tcli
ck…Ialwayswonder
edbutI
didn'
tknowi
twast hat.I
'm sor
ry…areyouOK?"-
Nana
"
Yes!Ar
eyouokay?
"-Thul
ado
"OhThulado"shesighed,"Til
lthi
sdayIreall
ywi shI
couldpr
esst hatrewi
ndbuttonbutI'vel
earned…
ngif
undi
leolukhuluandnowI 'm atabet
terplace.I
wanttodowel landbestablesoIcanadoptachi l
d
oneday"-shesai dwit
hsmi l
e
"
Real
ly?Thati
samazi
ngmyf
ri
end"-Thul
ado
"Yeah!Tot hi
nkI'
venevert
houghtofitbeforebut
nowsi nceIcanneverhavemyown, Ihavean
opportuni
tytogiveanorphanedchil
doutt her
ea
home…i t'
sallexci
ti
ng"Nanasaid,Thuladohugged
herverytight
"I
t'
sgoodt
oseeyou,youlookabsol
utel
yamazi
ng
andIl
oveyournewcar"-Nana
"Mhl
engi
,i
t'
sal
lMhl
engicanyoubel
ievei
t"-
Thul
ado
"
Hisagoodguy,
I'
m happyf
oryou"-Nana
"
AndSf
iso?
"-Thul
ado
"
Ohmyman"Sheheavedasigh,
"Imadepeacewit
h
t
hatt
oo,
beengoi
ngondateswit
hmymanager "-
Nana
"
ah-aNana"Thul
adowar
ned
"I
t'
snotli
kethat
,wej
ustvi
bing.Hi
sni
ceandI
'
m
si
ngleso"-Nana
"
Ohwell!Atl
eastyouwi
llhaveadat
eformy
weddi
ng"-Thul
ado
"
Weddi
ng?
"-Nanaaskedper
plexed
"Iknowthi
sZul
umandi dn'tgi
vemeari
ngbuthe
proposedandI
'
m gett
inglobol
athi
sweekendandI
wantyoutobether
e"-Thulado
"Ah-hanowIknowwhyyouarehere,youneedme
becauseyouknowever
ythi
ngwi
llf
allapar
twithout
mwaa"-Nana
"Verytr
ueindeed,whatcanIbewit
houtyou.I
promisewhenwer et
urnI'
m comi
ngtoseemom
withgrocer
ies"-Thul
ado
"
Good!Youknowyoucan'tcomeempt
yhanded"-
Nanasai
dwithachuckl
e
"Yeyyi
!"Thul
adolaughed,
"SoI
'
m wai
ti
ngf
oryou,
go
getyourstuf
f"-Thul
ado
"
AiboIsti
llneedtotal
ktoAnel
etoext
endmydays,
I
'm onl
yofftodaytomorr
owit'
sbackt
owork"-
Nana
"Angi
thiyousl
eepingwi
tht
hemanager
?Goand
packhawu"Thuladosai
dcoyl
y
"Youwil
lgetmeint
otroubl
ewenabutmyf r
iendi
s
gett
ingmarri
edsoi
tiswhatiti
s"Nanasai
d
exci
tedl
y
Shedashedoutdissapearinginbet
weentheshacks,
aft
erwhatseem l
ikeforeversheret
urnedwi
tha
sui
tcase.
"Idi
dn'tsayvacat
ion,
it'
sjustf
ort
heweekend"-
Thulado
"
Leavemeal
onepl
ease"Nanasai
d
Thul
adodr
oveof
f…
*
***
Mhlengicl
osedhisl
apt
op,hestar
tedcl
ear
inghi
s
deskthenFrankwal
kedinwit
hhisbag.
"
Areyour
eady?
"-Fr
ank
"
Yes!Thul
adoisgoingt
oleavef
orMooianyt
ime
f
rom now"-Mhlengi
"Good!Youlookdi
stantt
hough,
areyour
eal
ly
good?"-Fr
ank
"I
t'
sjust
"hesi ghed,"Iwishmymom anddadwer e
heretowitnesswhatI 'm aboutt
odo,Ijustwantto
seethelookont heirfaces.Aret
heyproud?Ismy
mothergoingt ocrytearsofjoy…Iwishtheywere
ali
vetoseemychi l
dren, t
oseeThulado"-Mhlengi
"Yohbro!Iknowhowyouf eel
.It'
sjustushey,itj
ust
usbutIknowt heyareherei
nspiri
t.Idreamed
aboutFred,t
hatni ghtZamosleptatthehouse,I
sawhim smi l
ingatmet henhedissapeared.They
arewit
husokay, wejusthavetokeepdoi ngwhat
wedoandgrowourlegacy,r
aiseourchi
ldr
enand
makeourwi
veshappy"-Frank
"
Wiveshuh?
"-Mhl
engi
"YouknowI
'
m mar
ryi
ngmybabymama…don'
tact
"-
Frank
"
Ithoughtyoumar
ryi
ngPage"-Mhl
engi
"Ohhel
lno,
Iwasjustf
ool
ingar
ound,dudehave
youseenNomzamo??Haveyou??
"-Frank
"Yeahshe'shot…Iwantedtoseehowst
upi
dyou
are"-Mhlengisai
dlaughi
ng
"Yohshecomest othehouseandgi vemesome
madsext hatl
eavesmecr i
ppled,t
henshecooks
threest
armealsandjustherpresencebri
ngsso
muchcol or
,Iwantheri
nmyhousewi thmy
surnamesowecanmakemor ebabies"-Mhl
engi
"Whenyout alkaboutcol
or,youtalki
ngaboutshort
y.
Yhongiyayi
thandaleyangane,withagesheget s
morebeautifulandnowt hatwearefighti
ngthis
hoardi
ngissuewear ecloserthanbefore.Ial
so
thi
nkshe'spregnant"-Mhlengi
"Nononoyoucan' tbepregnantbeforeme,yazi
Nomzamoucl ever
.Ithi
nksheshe'son
cont
racepti
ves,Thatonehasatti
tudefordays.I
needtotoneitdownabit"-Fr
anksai dwit
hasmi r
k
"Don'
twor r
y, wewil
lcal
luncle.I'
m sur
eheknows
someonewi t
hsomest r
ongher bsbythemar ket
,I
heardifyoudetoxwiththeseherbsthenno
contr
aceptivesfor
medagai nstyoushallpr
osper"-
Mhlengisaid
"
Let
scal
lhi
m now"-Fr
anksai
dlaughi
ng
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
54].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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Chapt
er96
St
rongl
anguage
Festi
viti
esatt heMdl etshehousehol dever yonein
thevill
agecoul dtellf
rom af ar,i
fitwasn' tthetenti
n
bri
ghtcr eam andbl uetheni twast heswar m of
peoplebuzzingar ound.Thel astti
met heyhada
functi
ont hatrequir
edguest swaswhent heyhad
funeralsandthatt i
meThul adowaspai dforby
Mkhuzenibutt odaywasadi f
ferentday, itwasa
dayforMhl engiandThul adoevent heheavens
agreed.Thesunshonebr ightandt heai rcolored
withfreshbreeze, t
hemer ri
menti nt heat mosphere
wasunmi ssable.Carsmadel inesal ongsidethe
Mdletshehomest ead,andpeopl ewer edr essedto
kil
l.
"
Iexpl
ainedt
oyou"Nanasai
dtot
heper
sonont
he
phone
"I
'
m nothappyaboutt
his,
it'
sver
yunpr
ofessi
onalof
you"-Anel
e
"
Anel
ewhyar
eyousost
uckup?
"Nanaasked.
"Fi
rstofal
lthisisawor kcallwhi chmeansI '
m Mr
Jantj
ietoyounotAnel e,Idon'tmi xpleasurewith
workunfort
unat el
ysisiwabant u.I'
m servingthi
sas
averbalwarning,i
fyoudon' tproduceadoct or'
s
noteonMondayt henI'
mr ecordingt hisasunpaid
l
eave.Nexttimepl easeplanyourt hingspr oper
ly
wit
hyourf r
iends"-Anele
"
Itol
dyouitwasl
astmi nut
ethi
ngs,
Thul
adoi
smy
f
ri
endIhadtobehere"-Nana
"Iunder
standt hatbutitseemsl i
keyoudidn'tr
ead
yourcontractproperl
y,there'
swaysandcl ear
i
nstruct
ionstof i
leforl
eave.Nott hi
sstupi
dsms
yousentmeonl astmi nute,pl
easedobetternext
ti
me"-Anel e
"
Fine!
"-Nana
"
Nowt
hat
'soutoft
hewaypl
easedoenj
oyandsend
mel
oadsofpi
ctur
es"-Anel
e
"
What
everbye"-Shehungup
Nanamarchedbackint
othehousewher
eThul
ado
wasget
ti
ngr eady.
"
I'
m donewi
thAnel
e"-Shesai
d
"
Whatdi
dhedonow?
"-Thul
ado
"
Hisli
tt
eral
lygoingtogivemeaverbalwar
ningand
r
ecordthi
sasunpai dleavesi
nceIdi
dn'
tfi
lefort
he
l
eaveproperl
y"-Thulado
"
Ohdear
,hi
sthathect
ic?
"-Thul
ado
"Youhavenoidea,heboresmet odeat
hwi
thhi
s
grandpat
endencieswii
ii
ii
i"-Nana
"I
'
m sorrythisi
sallmyfault
,Iwil
lpaythedif
fer
ence
shouldtheycutyoursal
aryorIcouldpayforafake
doctor'
snote"-Thul
ado
"
Yeah!Gr
eati
dea"-Nana
"
Nownosul
kingi
t'
sahappyday"-Thul
ado
Nhlanhl
owalkedlooki
ngallbeaut
ifuli
namustard
shweshweoutfi
t,Thul
adowassi t
ti
ngont hest
ool
fi
xingherf
acebeforeshegetscall
edin.
"
Thatdresswasmadef oryoumnt
ase,Idon'
t
r
ememberyouput t
ingthi
smucheffor
twhen
Mkhuzenicameandthismakesi
tsoclearwhoi
tis
t
hatyoulove"Nhl
anhlo
"Thankyousis,Mhl
engit
ell
smeyouhavebeen
helpi
nghim wit
hdad"-Thul
ado
"Yes!Hewast er
rifi
ed,imagi
nedadissucha
sweetheartbutawhol eMhlengii
spet
ri
fi
edofhi
m,I
meant hi
sisMhl engi"-Nhl
anhlo
"Mhlengiisnotscary,hi
snormalj ustli
keany
normalguyoutt here.Herespectsmyf ather,
Ithink
hewasscar edbecausehi salr
eadydonehi m wrong
bytakingmypur it
yandmaki ngmi l
li
onbabies
ther
eafterngaphandlekokuvela"Thulado
"
It'
sgood,somemendon'tevencareaboutt
hat.I
t'
s
l
iketheydon'
tknowourcul
ture,
it'
ssi
ckeni
ng"
Nhlanhl
o
"IrememberwhenIl ostmyvirgi
nity,thatst
upid
boysaidhewasn' tsureIwasavi rgin.YetIrecal
l
him str
ugglingtoputhist
hingin,wehadt otrya
coupleoft i
mesbutwhenmymot herandmyaunt s
wenttor eport
.Heliedandsaidhisnotsur eIwasa
vi
rgin"-Nana
"
Whathappened?
"-Nhl
anhl
o
"Hesucceededinplant
ingtheseedofdoubt ,Iwas
i
nsult
edforsleepingar
oundyethewast heonly
manIknewsot heseguysareevi
l.It
'snotli
kethey
don'
tknowcul t
urebuttheyarei
rresponsibl
e"-Nana
"
Iremembert
hatdouche"-Thul
ado
"AnywayI'
m heretotel
lyouthatyourpeopl
eare
sti
llwai
ti
ngoutside,
wecan'tstar
twithoutt
he
Mthethwa'
s"-Nhlanhlo
"
Idon'
tfol
low!
"-Thul
ado
"
Dadsai
dsomet
hingaboutdoi
ngt
her
ightt
hing,
the
l
obolamustretur
ntotheMthethwa'
s,heisn'
t
al
lowedtocoll
ectdowrytwi
ce.Sotheycall
ed
Mkhuzenit
obepar toft
henegoti
ati
ons"-Nhlanhl
o
"Youfuckingki
ddi
ngme,Mhlengiwon'
tbe
comfortablewi
tht
hat
"Thul
adosaidstandi
ngt
oher
feet
"
Itdoesn'
tconcernus,
nowsither
eandwai
tfor
me…t hi
sdoesn'ti
nvol
veus"-Nhl
anhl
o
"Whycan'tdadcoll
ectthengi
veMkhuzeni ,
he
doesn'
thavet osi
tin.I
'
m nothappywiththat,
he
doesn'
tdeservetobetreat
edwithsuchrespect
aft
erever
ythinghisdonetome"-Thulado
"Iknowsisbutl
et'
strustdad…okay…rememberhi
s
notwell
,i
fyougooutt herethenyouput
ti
nghi
m at
riskt
orel
apse"-Nhlanhlo
Thul
adosatdownslowl
y,Nhl
anhl
opatheront
he
backbef
orewalki
ngout
.
"
Nanapl
easegooutt
her
eandf
indMhl
engi
,Iknow
hi
sgotagun.Tel
lhi
m ever
ythi
ngbef
oreher
eact
s"-
Thul
ado
"
Oknopr
obl
em"-Nana
Thedoorcr
eakedopenandNombusocamehol
ding
ol
dSharoninherar
m.
"Shar
on!!
"Thul
adosaidrushi
ngtowar
dsher
,"You
came!"Thul
adoaskedexcit
edl
y
"ThankstoMusa, hegavemeal i
ft
.Arthr
it
isornotI
wouldn'tmisst
hisdayforthewor l
d.Musai ssucha
gentleman,hewassopat i
entthroughoutthewhole
tri
p,Ican'
tsaythesamewi thhiswoman"-Shar on
"I
'
m sohappyyouher e,thetwi
nswil
lbeel
ated.
Thankyouforsacr
if
icing"-Thul
adosai
dwithtear
s
well
ingi
nhereyes
"Don'tcrymyangel,youandMhl engideservet
his
andmor e…nowIj ustneedacupoft ea,Ilovet
his
placeit'
ssopeacefulandgreen"-Sharon
"
Dif
fer
entf
rom t
heci
tyhey!
"-Thul
ado"
Ver
y
di
ff
erent
"-Shar
on
"I
'
llgomakeherteaandI'l
lfi
ndMhl
engi
.Howmany
spoonsofsugargogo"-Nana
"
Thr
eespoonsandmi
lk,
thankyou"-Shar
on
Nanadi
ssapear
edoutt
hedoor
.
*
***
Nanawasnowwal ki
ngoutsidetheyardsear
ching
f
orMhlengi
'scar
,shespott
edhi sMercedesundera
t
reesoshemadeherwayt here.Sheknockedonthe
windowandMhlengiunl
ockedthecar.
"
Mkhwenyane"-Nana
"
HeyKot
i,i
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"-Mhl
engi
"Al
liswell
,yourgirli
seagerl
ywai
ti
ng.Wher
ear
e
yourrepr
esentat
ives?"-Nana
"
Theyjustbeencall
edi
naft
ersol
ong,
doyouknow
what
'sgoingon?"-Mhl
engi
"That
'swhyI'
m her
e,apparent
lyyourfat
heri
nlaw
waswaiti
ngforMkhuzeniandfamily,
theywil
lbe
sit
ti
nginfort
henegoti
ati
ons"-Nana
"Isawtwocar sdr
ivi
ngi nnotsolongagocbutI
couldn'
ttel
lexact
ly,
it'
sokay.Iwasexpect
ingthat
,
i
t'spartofourcul
tur
e,howi sThulado?
"-Mhlengi
"
Youwi
llhavet
oseeherf
oryour
sel
f"-Nana
"
Uzumt
shel
eukut
hingi
yamt
handa"-Mhl
engi
"
Iwi
ll
…letmer
etur
n"-Nana
Justbefor
eshecouldentert
hegateshef
eltahand
pul
li
ngherbehindthefence,
shetr
iedtof
ighti
toff
butitwastoost
rong.
"
Shhhhi
t'
sme"Thevoi
cewhi
sper
ed
"
Sfi
so!
"Shesai
d
"
Youj
ustwal
kpastmycart
her
e,It
ri
edt
owaveat
youbutyoudi
dn'
tseeme"-Sf
iso
"
WellIdi
dn'
tseeyou,
aren'
tyousupposedt
obe
i
nsi
de?"-Nana
"NahIcamel ate,pl
ussomeonehasgott okeepa
l
ookoutj usti
ncasethatboytr
ieshi
sstunts,Isaw
him ent
eringwithel
ders.I
'
m onstandby"-Sfi
so
"
Who'
srepr
esent
ingMhl
engi
"-Nana
"
Hisuncl
e,Fr
ankandMusa"-Sf
iso
"
Ohok"-Nana
"
Howar
eyou?
"-Sf
iso
"Seri
ously?I'
mf i
neSfi
so.I
fyouthi
nkIst
ayed
miserablebecauseyoulef
tme,youar
ewrong.I
'
m
doingfine"-Nana
"
Dat
ingyourmanager
?"-Sf
iso
"
Areyouhavi
ngmef
oll
owed?
"-Nana
"No!
"hesai
dlaughi
ng,"I
'
m akr
ugermi
nadal
i,
we
haveourways"-Sf
iso
"
Okkekr
uger
,Ineedt
ogobacki
nsi
de"-Nana
"Packyourbags,movetoJobur gwi t
hme.Wewi l
l
star
tafr
eshawayf r
om everything.Youcangoback
toschooli
nsteadofst
andingt hewhol edaybyt
he
ti
ll
s.Comeandst ar
tali
fewi t
hme"-Sf iso
"WhateverSf
iso…bye"Shewi
ggl
edher
sel
fof
fhi
m
andleft
.
*
***
Thentherewascommot ioncomi ngfr

om themai n
house,neighborswhower ehelpingi
nt heyard
stoodtoseewhatwast heissue.MhlengiandSf i
so
camei nt
ot heyardrunningwi thgunsintheirhands,
theypushedt hr
ought hecrowdt hathasgathered
outsi
de.Theybudgedi ntothehouse,assoonas
Franksawhi sbrother
, herushedt ohim.
"
Let
stal
kout
sidebaf
o"-Fr
ank
"
No!What
'sgoi
ngoni
nher
e"-Mhl
engiasked.
"
AsambeniIwi
llexpl
aint
oyouout
side,
younot
al
lowedi
nher
e"-Fr
ank
Ther
ewerenowstandi
ngout
sidebyMhl
engi
'
scar
smokingaj
oint
.
"
Didyouhavetobudgeinli
ket
hati
nfr
ontofyour
i
nlaws,
car
ryi
ngagun? "-Fr
ank
"YouthinkI'
m happyt hatfoolisi
nthere?I'
m only
composi ngmyselfformywi feandchil
dren,ngabe
kadengaqedangal elagol ominamfethu.Ngabe
semathambumhl ophel oyaskhwamaandt heywont
evenfindhisbody"-Mhl engi(
Iwouldhavekill
ed
himlongt i
me)
"
Iunderst
andbrobutr
emembert
hepol
icear
esti
ll
wat
chingyouli
keahawk,
onesli
pupandyouback
i
nsi
de"-Frank
"
Nowt
ellmewhathappenedi
nther
e?"-Mhl
engi
"Theywantustocleansetheirhouse,
theywanta
cowf r
om youf
orimpr egnat
ingThuladowhil
ehe
wasingodusoyabo"-Frank
"Nxaifokoff,I'
m notdoingthatshi
t.Thuladohas
alwaysbeenmi ne,histheonewhoi ssupposedt o
paymef orbewi t
chingmygi rl
,hecangof uck
himself.Iwillpayeverythi
ngthatMdletshewants
forshorty,everythi
ngandmor e.Iknowmycr i
mes
wheni tcomest oThulado,I
'l
lpayforhervir
gini
ty,
thechildrenbutKhuzaniyenahemustcomeand
askmef orthatcleansingcow…mant oman" -
Mhlengi
"
Sobei
t"-Fr
ank
Theyki
ll
edt
hebudandwal
kbacki
nsi
de.
"Ngcoboyouar en'tsupposedtobehereunt
ilt
he
negoti
ationsaref ini
shed.Icanseeyouareusedof
beingdisrespectfulinpeople'
shouses?
"-Mdlet
she
"I
'
m sor r
ybaba"Mhlengisaidrespect
ful
ly,
"I
panicked,It
houghtsomethingbadwashappeni
ng,
ngiyaxol
isa"heemphasized
"
Iwi
llhavet
ofi
neyouasheepf
orwal
kingi
ntomy
yar
dasasoni nl
awwi t
hagun,
Ihopeyou
under
stand"-Mdl
etshe
"
Iful
lyaccept
"-Mhl
engi
"AsIwassayingMdletshewhatThuladodidwith
thi
smanhur tmeandbr ui
sedmyego, itt
aint
edmy
i
magesoI '
m enti
tl
edforacleansi
ngandIpr omiseI
wil
lnotst
andi nt
heway.Ihavemadepeacet hat
shedoesn'
tloveme,I'
mr el
easi
ngherwi t
hapur e
heartsol
ongasIgetmycl eansi
ng"-Mkhuzeni
"eybabangekengizengi
kwenzelokho,uyangi
zwa.
Takeyourcowsandgetlost,
youlaidyourhandson
mywoman, yesshewasmi ne,youtri
edtotakeher
awayfrom mewithyourwit
chcraf
t"-Mhlengi
"
Doyouhavepr
oofoft
hat
?"-Mkhuzeni
"Idon'
tneedproof
,thelongevit
yoft
hatjokeyou
call
edamar r
iageisproofenoughbecausewhenI
came,theowner.Thingshappenedwithinabl
inkof
aneyesani,whatmor eproofyouwant?"-Mhl
engi
"Youthinkyouhavesuperpower
s,youthi
nkyouare
untouchable.Iknowyoust
olemycarsyoufucki
ng
thi
ef"-Mkhuzeni
"
Athi
efuyi
hlomsunu"Mhl
engist
oodup
"
Youwi
llcl
eanseme"-Mkhuzenisai
dst
andi
ngup
t
oo
"
Never
!Nowtakeyourcent
sandgobr
ibef
ormor
e
t
ender
syouweakl
ing"-Mhlengi
Mkhuzenicl
ickedhi
stongueandwalkedout
,his
el
derstookt
hemoneyt heyweregi
venandfoll
owed
sui
t.
"
NowI '
mfi
ningyouacowf orusingst
rong
l
anguagei
nmypr esenceandstandi
nginthe
middl
eandyouareachildi
nthishouse"-Mdlet
she
"
Ngi
yaxol
isababa"-Mhl
engi
Sfi
sowentbackt
ocheckt
hepostoutsi
defol
lowed
byMusa.I
twasnowFrank,uncl
eandMhlengil
eft
i
nside.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
54].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er97
~Thest
orm camebef
oret
hecal
m~
MkhuzeniMt hethwahadgone, theNgcobo'sand

t
heMdl etshe'swereleftt
osalvagewhatwasl eftof
t
henegot i
ations,andtheceremonypr oceeded.
Mhlengipaidallhisduesandear nedhimselfawi fe,
t
hemot herofhi schil
drenandthel oveofhisli
fe.
Therewer enowseat edint hetentwhil
ethel
adies
screamednamesoff ami l
ymember stocome
for
war dt ocollecttheirblanketsandgift
s,Mhlengi'
s
unclet houghtitwoul dbebet tertocombinethe
l
obol aandi zibizosot hatthecoupleislef
twithjust
theweddi ngs.Theni tt
ygr i
tti
eshaveawayof
delayingthingsbef oreyouknowi t,i
t'
stwoyears
l
aterandst i
llnotmar ried.
Immedi atelyeveryonepreppedt heirphone'sand

foundt heirseatswhent heyhear dsingingcoming
from outside,i
twasNombusoandNhl anhlohel
ped
byacoupl eofgirlsfr
om thevi l
lage.Theywer e
singingasi gnif
icantsongt hatfitt
edt heceremony
perfectl
y,Thuladowasbei nghandedovert othe
Ngcobo' sasyoungasshei s,shewasgoi ngtoher
housenow, him andMhl engiwer etobemadeone.
Aniboyi
lekel
ela,isencanelengane thesi
sters
bel
tedoutast heypushedt hroughthecr
owdwi t
h
Thuladointhemi ddle,herheadlooki
ngt
othe
ground, t
earsflowingdownherf ace.Thoughthere
wasul ulat
ingfrom allcorner
soft hetent,
she
couldn'thearhermot her,shewishedshecoul dat
l
eastf eelhertouch,justherpresencebutshe
wasn'tthere.Onl ywhenNombusoandNhl anhlo
stoppedshepi ckedupherhead, hereyesmetwi th
his.Hewasont hefl
oorwi t
hbot hknees,hiseyes
gli
steningtoo.
"Iknowt hisi
sr ever
sed,butIwant edt
odoi tr
ight
shor t
y,IknowI '
m notperfectandIhavedone
thingswr ongforlongestoftime"-Mhlengi
"
Standwasamipl
easest
andup"-Thul
ado
i
nter
uptedhi
m
"
Nonotunt
ilI
'
m done"-Mhl
engi
"
Iloveyou"-Thul
ado
"
Iloveyoutoo"-Mhl
engisai
dwi
thal
ightchuckl
e,
t
het entwasnowsil
ent
"
AsIwassayi ng,
Youstayedbymysi
dewhenI
l
eastexpect
edit,
youknewmewhenIwasnothi
ng
andyousawbeyondt hat.Idon'twanttot alkmuch
becauseIwantmyact i
onstospeakf orme.Ichose
thi
st i
met odoitbecauseIknowyoudon' thavea
choicebuttosayyes" -Mhlengisaid,theguest s
chuckled,"
Ont herealthough, Iwanteveryoneher e
toserveasawi t
nessofourl ove,Iwant edtowai t
unti
ldadagr eesthatIam allowedt oproceedwi th
thi
sjourneyandnowt hatwesatandi ront hingsout.
Iwantt oaskyoucher ieyami …areyouokaywi th
me?, areyouhappyt ospendt herestofyourl ife
wit
hme? "-Mhlengi
"Yes,I
'dbel
yingi
fisai
danyotherthi
ng.Iwoul
d
chooseyouoverandoverandoveragai
nFuze"-
Thulado
"Ahhyizoke"-Mhlengisaidsli
ddi
ngthediamond
ri
ngont oherl
it
tl
ef i
nger.Hestoodtohi
sfeetand
dustedhiskneesthenpulledThul
adoint
ohis
embr ace.
Thecrowdwentcrazywithjoyouscel
ebr
ati
on,
Mdlet
shejustsatt
herequiet
lynextt
oNombuso's
mother.TheDjincr
easedthevol
umepl
ayi
ngsome
calm musicasplat
esoffoodmadet
hei
rwayint
o
thetent
.
*
***
Lat
erthatnightFr
ankandNomzamocar r
iedthe
ki
dsintothecar,t
heyplannedtodr
ivetoanearest
B&B.Theyar dwasjusttoocr
owdedandt her
ewas
nospacef ort
hem torestf
ortheni
ght.
"
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
"-Fr
ank
"
I'
llf
oll
owyou,justsendmet
hel
ocat
ionwhenyou
f
indaplace"-Mhlengi
"I
sitsafe?Rememberwear enotinDur
ban.I
s
ever
yonesafeaftert
hatal
tercat
ionwi
th
Mthethwa?"-Fr
ank
"I
'
m notsurebutSfi
sohasever
ythi
ngundercontrol
,
hedi
dn'tcomealonebutFr
ankit'
sunderyourseat…
i
fpushcomest oshove…useit
"-Mhlengi
"Heyhey…areyoucrazy?"Fr
anksaidholding
Mhlengicl
ose,"Ther
e'saguninmyf ucki
ngcar?
WhatifIgetstoppedbythepol
ice,
whati fZamo
seesit
?"-Frank
"Ohmygoshseriously?Canyoustopfreakingout
andbestrong…okay.Thatgunhasbeent herefora
whil
enowandZamohasn' tseenit
,butshewi l
lif
youpani
ck.Youknowyouhaveourchi l
dren,your
woman,Frankyouhavegott oprot
ectthem"-
Mhlengi
"Ali
tt
lewarni
ngwoul
dbeni
ce!
"-Fr
anksai
dthr
ough
gri
tt
edteet
h
"Justrememberever yt
hingItaughtyou,dri
vesaf
e
andr i
ngmet hemomentyouseesomet hing
suspicious.Iloveyoubro"-Mhlengi
"
Fine,
okandIl
oveyout
oo"-Fr
ank
TheyhuggedandMhl
engisawthem offbef
ore
ret
urni
ngint
otheMdl
etshehousehol
d.
*
***
Thul
adowasnowseat
edwi
thherf
atheri
nhi
sroom.
"
Ican'tbel
ievethatyouwi
llknowbel
ongt
oanot
her
f
amily"-Mdletshe
"IknowbutI
'
mr eall
yhappybaba,I
'm gr
atef
ult
hat
yougottobepartofthi
s"-Thul
ado
"Youdon'
tknowhowhappyandproudIam,eveni
f
Godcancomeandt akemenow,myhearti
sat
peace"-Mdl
etshe
"
Don'
ttal
kliket
hat
,Ist
il
lneedyout
owal
kmedown
t
heai
sle"-Thul
ado
"
Youmusthur
ry"-Mdl
etshesai
dlaughi
ng
"
Iloveyoudad"-Thul
ado
"Il
oveyoutoomybaby"-Mdlet
shesaidproudly,
"YouknowlomfanawakwaNgcoboul uhl
aza,he
putMkhuzenii
nhispl
aceanddeepdowni nmy
heartt
hatgavemepeaceandI'
m ver
yhappy
becauseIknowt hathewilll
oveandpr otectyou
eveninmyabsence.Iwasdi ssapoint
edt hathe
sworeinfr
ontofmewi thnor emor sebutwhenIput
mypr i
deasideIsawbeyondwhathappeneddur i
ng
negoti
ati
ons,Isawamanwhoi snotapushover ,a
manwhowi l
lfi
ghtforhisfamily.Hisbrave,ver
y
braveandyoumydaught erareingoodhands" -
Mdletshe
"
Yetyouf
inedhi
m dad"-Thul
adosai
dchuckl
ing
"Yes,t
hisismyhouse.Hecan'
tdoashepleases,
I
bir
thedhiswif
ether
eforehemustr
espectme"-
Mdletshesai
dwithachortl
e
"
Grant
ed,
I'
mti
rednow,
I'
m goi
ngt
orest
"-Thul
ado
"
Noprobl
em butfi
rstbr
ingyourhusbandher
e,I
wantt
otal
ktohim"-Mdl et
she
*
***
ThuladofoundMhlengisit
ti
ngonthebedi
nher
rondavelt
hatoncebelongedtohermot
her
,shesat
nextt
ohi
m.
"
Youokay?
"-sheasked
"Ei
shshor
tyI
-Imessedr
ealbad,
howcanImake
suchfl
op?
"-Mhlengi
"
Youdi
dwhatwhatyouhadt
odo"
-Thul
ado
"Icouldhavegottenthesameoutcomei fIuseda
betterappr
oachbutno, Iwentf
ullonkrugermode.I
don'tevenwantt oi
maginewhatyourfatherthi
nks
ofme, I'
mr eal
lysorr
yaboutthi
s"-Mhlengi
"Aahplease,don'
tapologize.IknowyourheartandI
alsoknowhowper fectyouwant edthist
obe.
Nhlanhlotol
dmeever ythingandhowyou
anti
cipatedmeeti
ngmyf ather"-Thulado
"
Andibudgedinduri
ngnegoti
ati
onswithagunin
myhand,asift
hatwasenoughIsworeinfr
ontof
myfat
herinl
aw…fuckenshi
t"-Mhlengi
"
That'
swhatIloveaboutyou,youkeepitr
ealal
lthe
t
ime.I
t'
sbett
erthanpretendi
ngyouthischur
ch
l
ovi
ngguymeanwhi l
eumi sii
nombolobehindour
backs.Thi
sismyMhlengi…don'tst
ressi
t,ohand
myf at
heraskedf
oryou"-Thul
ado
"
Why?Pl
easecomewi
thme?
"-Mhl
engipl
eaded
"
Areyouscar
ed?
"-Thul
ado
"
NoI'
m notscar
edbutpl
easeaccompanyme,
what
i
fhebeat
smewi thhi
swalki
ngsti
ckandbr
eakmy
l
egs?
"-Mhlengi
"Weeeeyouaresuchababy…comel
et'
sgo"-
Thul
adolaughed
Aft
erafewminut
estheywal
kedhandinhand
ent
eri
ngMdlet
she'
sroom,hewasalr
eadyseat
ed.
"
Webackbaba"-Thul
ado
"
Iwi
sht
ospeakt
ohi
minpr
ivat
e"-Mdl
etshe
"Ok"
-Thul
adosaidwalki
ngout,
shewinkedathi
m
andMhlengil
ookedatherwi
thpleadi
ngeyes
"Di
srespect
?Ngcobodisrespectwasthel
astt
hingI
expectedfr
om youaf
tereveryt
hingyoudi
d.You
cometomyhousefort
hefir
sttimeandyoudot hi
s
Ngcobo?I
sthi
swhatyourparentst
aughtyou?
"-
Mdlet
she
"No"-Mhl
engir
epl
iedwi
thhi
sheaddr
oppedt
othe
ground
"Fi
rstyoudefil
emydaughterandyoudon' tdo
anythi
ng,thenyoumakeherpregnantandst i
ll
sil
ence.Youhumi l
iat
edherbyi
mpr egnat
ingher
whileshewast obemarri
edtosomeoneel se…
Ngcobo?"-Mdl et
she
"Baba!ThuladoI'vealwaysl ovedher,andIknew
thatonedayGodwi l
lgivemet hestrengthand
mightIneeded, todor ightbyher.I'
mr eallysorryf or
whattranspir
edear li
eroni twasn'tmyi ntentionfor
youtoseet hatsideofmebutbabauMkhuzeni
thri
vesinprovokingme.Iknewhewasgoi ngt otry
something,iwasal ertbutbabaIcanonl yapol ogize
forbehavi
ngi nappropr i
atel
yinfrontofyoubutI
meanteverysi nglewor dIsaidtohim.Thul adotold
meever yt
hinghedi dandIwon' tall
owhi mt ocome
emagcekeniakoMdl etshetodoashepl eases, over
mydeadbody"-Mdl etshe
"Youdi dwel lson, deepdownIhopedf orapunch
onhi sfaceandaki ckonhi sballsuyadel ela
l
oyamf anabutbecauseofcul tureIhadt of ineyou.
I'
m wel comi ngyoui nt
omyhomewi t
hwar m hands,
excusemyexci tementbutasyoucansee, God
blessedmewi thgirlsonl y,Idon'thaveasont o
expandmyl egacy, togrowmynamebutat l
east
nowIcansayIhaveason.Respectwi llber estored
i
nt hisfami l
y, NgcoboI 'm notwel landIcangobe
withmycr eatoranyt i
mef rom nowbutpl easet ake
careofmyf ami l
y,mybabyThul adu.Il eaveheri n
yourhands, I'
m aski ngfr om thebot tom ofmyhear t
thatyoudon' tchangeonher .Sheneedst hatf eeli
ng
ofbelongi ng,af ami l
ythati sgoingt oloveher
uncondi ti
onal l
y.Nonhl anhl atoldmeabouther
sicknessandIcan' thelpi tbuttobl amemysel ffor
allofthat,shedi dn'tgrievepr operlyi nst eadI
shovedheri ntot hehandsofwi tchwhom abused
heranddr oveheroutofherhome.Iwasn' ttheref or
her,Ineverst ayedathome, Iwouldst ayi nt he
fi
eldshi di
ngbehi ndwor k.Forasl ongasIsent
moneyhomei twasenoughaccor dingt ome, only
nowir ealizedt hemessIcr eated.It'stool ateforme
butpl
easel
ookaf
terherf
orme"
-Mdl
etshe
"
Iwi
lldot
hatbaba,
thankyouf
orwel
comi
ngme"-
Mhl
engi
Mhlengist
oodt
oherf
eetbiddi
ngfarewel
l
,that
s
whenNombuso'smom budgedin.
"
Ifeelsorryforyou,I
'm st
art
ingtosuspectthather
motherleftherwit
chbagswi thher
,it
'sveryclear
t
hatyouar ebewi t
ched"-shesaidpoi
ntingto
Mhlengi,"
Butit'
snoneofmybusi ness,onlyti
me
wil
ltel
l"sheadded
Mhl
engir
ushedout,
herantoThul
ado'
srondavel
,
hef
oundherlyi
ngonthebed.
"
Youar
ecomi
ngwi
thme,
packyourst
uff
"-Mhl
engi
"
What
'swr
ong?Whatdi
ddadsay?
"-Thul
ado
"
Not
hingbuthesai
dIcant
akeyouwi
thme"-
Mhl
engi
Thul
adopackedherbags.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
54].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er98
Mhlengiswooshedthecaronthedi
rtroadl
eaving
cl
oudsofdustbehind.Thul
adostar
tedworr
ying,
t
hel
evelofsi
lencef
rom hermanwasal
armi
ng.
"
Fuzewhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"-Thul
ado
"
YouknowIl
oveyouandmychi
ldr
enr
ight
?"-
"
Mhlengi
"
YesIknow"-Thul
ado
"I
'
m notcomfortabl
ewi t
hyoucomi nghere,i
sther
e
awaytohavedadvi si
tusi nstead,
Icanorgani
ze
someonetofetchhim andI '
l
lmakesurehis
comfor
tabl
ebutIdon'twantyouguysspendi ng
ti
meinthathouse"-Mhl engi
"Mhl
engit
hat
smyhome,
thathousei
smyhome"-
Thul
ado
"Iknowbutit
'snotagoodplacef
oryouandthe
chil
dren,
Idon'tt
rustyourmot
her
s"-Mhlengi
"
Oht
hem…yeahbutyouknowwhatt
heysayabout
f
ami
ly"-Thul
ado
"Ij
ustdon'twantustofi
ndoursel
vesintr
oubl
eor
apartbecauseofwit
ches,Idon'
ttr
ustt
hem"-
Mhlengi
"Sowej ustgoi
ngt orunandbeanIsl
and,
segr
egat
e
oursel
vesf r
om everyone?
"-Mhl
engi
"
No!WehaveFrank,
Nomzamo,Nanaeven
Nhl
anhl
obutt
hathousei
scover
edwit
hevil"-
Mhl
engi
Thul
adokeptqui
et…
"Wegoi ngtotheB&Bj ustint

heout
ski
rt
sofMooi
Mpof ana,it
'scal
ledRearsbyFar
m,Nomzamo
pickedit"-Mhlengi
"Iheardit'
sabeautif
ulpl
ace,sodoest
hismeanwe
willhavetodri
vebackhomei nthemorni
ng.We
can'tjustdi
ssapearl
iket
hat"-Thul
ado
"Youcancalldadandlethim knowwear
enoti
nthe
yardsotheydon'taskquest
ionswhenwecomein
themorning"-Mhlengi
"
Ithoughtyousai
ddadknew"-Thul
ado
"
Justt
rustmeokay"-Mhl
engi
Thul
adokeptqui
et…
Thecloudsgatheredanddarkened,thesoundsof
crackl
ingthunderbur
stthr
ought heeardr
ums,the
heavensopenedupandi tpoured.Mhlengiand
Thuladolookedtoeachothersuspici
ousl
y.
"OhmygoshMhlengi
,NanaIl
eftherbehi
nd.
Ther
e'snowayshewil
lbecomfort
ableal
lal
one"-
Thul
ado
"
Don'
twor
rySf
isoi
scomi
ngwi
thher
"-Mhl
engi
*
***
*
Thenextmor
ning*
Thecr
ewmetupf
orbr
eakf
asti
nthedi
ninghal
l,
the
chi
ldrenbuzzedtheycoul
dn'twaittoparti
cipatein
act
ivit
iespl
annedforthem att
hef arm B&B, t
hough
i
trainedcatsanddogsthenightbeforethechi l
dren
werealwaysinthemoodf oradventure.
"Youguyscannotdoanyt
hingoutsi
de,i
t'
sal
lmuddy
pluswedri
vingbackhometoday"-Thul
ado
"
Awmaaan"t
het
winssai
dtoget
hersadl
y
"
WecancheckiftheweatherisgoodinDurban,
maybewecansqueezeinat ri
ptouShaka"-
Nomzamosuggestedt
heki dsfacesl
itup
"
Wher
ear
ethesemen?
"-Nanaasked
"Il
eftMhlengisl
eepi
ngf
lat
,hel
ookedexhaust
ed"-
Thulado
"Funnybecauseit
'sthesamewi t
hSf i
soandI
noti
cedhisbootsaremuddy,it
'sli
kehewas
walki
nginmudbutwedr oveherelastni
ght
"-Nana
"
Doesthatmeanyouguyssor
tedt
hings?
"-
Nomzamo
"
Your
eal
lygoi
ngt
otal
ktomel
ikenot
hing
happened?
"-Nana
"ComeonNana, I'
m cool
.Weal lhaveapastandI'm
will
ingtopretendli
kenothi
nghappened.Wedon' t
havet obeoneachot her
'sthr
oatsyouknow, Ihave
nothingagainstyouhonest
ly.Unlessyouaft
er
Frank"-Zamosai dwithachuckle
"Not hanks,
ifyouar
eokayt
henI'
m goodt
oo,
I'
ve
healedandIpr omi
senomoreout
burst
sfr
om my
side"-Nana
"GoodienowIcanenjoymyf r
iendsinpeaceki
nini
ngiminci
le"(
I'
vebeenhol
dingmybr eat
h)-Theyall
burstoutinl
aughter
Thent
hemencamei
nlooki
ngr
atherdr
ained.
"Mor ni
ngbeauti
fulpeople"-Mhl
engisaidkissi
ng
Thulado,hethenpeckedt hechi
ldrenontheir
foreheadsbefor
esitti
ngdown.Fr ankdi
dt hesame,
theyallsatar
oundt hetable.
Sfi
sonowhadabandageonhisarm,Fr
ankand
Mhlengihadbrui
sesher
eandt
her
e.Theyal
lst
art
ed
eat
inginsil
ence.
"
Musaarri
vedsafel
y,hedr
oppedoffShar
oni
nthe
weehour
s"-Mhlengibr
okethesi
lence
"
ThankGod,
Ican'
tst
andhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend"-Nana
"
Tel
lmeabouti
t"-"
Thul
adosai
dner
vousl
y
"That
'sgoodbro!howcr
azywast
heweat
herl
ast
night
?"-Franksai
d
"
Yeah,Ihadtogathert
hechil
drenandpraybecause
i
tsoundedli
keitwasoutsi
deourdoor"-Zamosaid
"
Maybeit'
sbecausewear
eint
hemount
ains,
itwas
r
eal
lyi
ntense"-Nana
"
Yeah,
gentscanIbeexcusedf
rom t
het
ripbackto
t
heMdlet
she'
s.Ineedtogotot
hehospi
tal"-Sf
iso
"
Yeahsure,
Nanacandriveyou.Wewillj
ustbi
d
f
arewel
landwewil
lfol
low"-Mhlengi
*
***
Whent heyar ri
vedatThulado'shouse,peoplewere
sit
ti
ngingr oupsundert r
eesandout sidethe
homest ead,therewasmeatandmqombot himaking
rounds.Mdl etshespott
edthecar ssoheambl ed
withhiswalkingsticktowardstheirdir
ect
ion.
Mhlengijumpedof ft
hecarf astsohecouldhelp
him,theyardwasmuddyandsl i
ppery.
"
Son!
"-Mdl
etshesai
d
"
Baba!
"Mhl
engi
"
Youdidwellbytaki
ngThuladolastnight
,her
mot
hersrondavelgotst
ruckbyl
ightning…look"-
Mdl
etshesai
dpoi nt
ingi
twithhi
sst i
ck
Mhlengi
'seyewidened,
Thuladowal
kedslowl
yin
shock.I
twasli
kedejavu,t
hatdayhermother
burnedi
ntoasheswithnoonetohelpherout
.
"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay"-Mhl
engi
"Takeyourf
amil
yandgo,wewil
ltal
kont
hephone
abouttheweddi
ng"
-Mdlet
she
"Babawhydon'tyoucomeandst aywit
hus,youwil
l
gettoseeyourgrandchi
ldrenandyouwil
lbecl
oser
togoodhospit
als"-Mhlengi
"TemptingbutIwi l
lhavet odecl
ine.Thisi
smy
home, Ibui
ltthishousefrom scr
atch, mychi
ldren,
mywi vesareher e.Runningawaywi llonl
ymake
thi
ngswor se,justkeepthem safeandawayf rom
here"-Mdletshe
"
Babapl
ease"-Thul
ado
"I
t'
sokaymyangel,
aslongasyouandmy
grandchi
ldr
enar
esafe.Il
oveyou"-Mdl
etshe
Mhl
engipull
edThul
adoaway,
Mdlet
shewavedat
t
hem astheyal
ldr
oveoutt
heyar
d.
*
***
Thecr ewdecidedt ochangeintobeachatti
reand
headedt ouShakaMar i
neworld.Thetri
pfrom Mooi
toDurbanwasr athershor
tandt heweather
eThekwiniwasbr i
ghtandwarm.Mhl engiandFrank
tookthekidstot hesli
desint
hewetnwi ldsect
ion
whileThuladoandZamochi l
lednexttothepool
area.
"
Thatr
ingi
sspar
kli
ng"-Nomzamosai
dinawe
"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul,
Ilovei
t"-Thul
ado
"
Howdoesi
tfeel
?"-Nomzamo
"Sur
realbutIhavethatwar
mf uzzyfeeli
ngf
rom
deepwithi
n,Icannotexpl
aini
t"-Thulado
"
I'
m pr
egnant
"-Nomzamobl
urt
ed
"
Youl
ie"-Thul
adosai
dgaspi
ng
"I
'
m ser
iousbutIhaven'
ttol
dhim yet
,I'
m sohappy
Thul
ado…Ilovehim somuch"-Nomzamo
"
Thi
sissogr
eat
,congr
atul
ati
ons"-Thul
ado
"Thankyouandyourcer
emonywasbeaut
if
ul"-
Zamo
"Eishit
'snothowIenvisi
onedit,
honest
lybutI
'
m
gladithappened.SomethingwasamissandI
cannotputmyf ingeronit
"-Thul
ado
"
Mustbet
hatMkhuzeniguy"-Zamo
"
Iguess,butmyweddi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
obewhatIwant
i
ttobe"-Thul
ado
Thul
ado'
sphonest
art
sri
ngi
ng…
"
HeyNhl
anhl
o!"-Thul
ado
"
Heydade!Di
dyouar
ri
vesaf
e?"-
Nhl
anhl
o
"Yesweareactual
lyatt
hebeachwi
tht
heki
ds,
it'
s
sohott
hisside"-Thul
ado
"
Hownice,
pleasefi
ndmeamant hatsi
deaswel
l
,
I
'
mtir
edoflivi
nginther
ural
s"-Nhlanhl
o
"I
'
m planni
ngatri
pfordadt
ocome,youmustjoi
n
him andfi
ndyour
sel
faman"-t
heybothl
aughed
"
WellIcal
ledt
otel
lyout
hatMkhuzenii
sdead"-
Nhl
anhlo
"
What
?"-Thul
ado
"Yeah,hewasf oundinhiscari
nsideari
ver.Hewas
outdrivi
nglastnightanditi
ssuspect
edthathesli
d
offtheroadsli
ppingintoari
verwherehefail
edto
freehimsel
foutoft hecar
.Hedrownedanddi ed.
"-
Nhlanhlo
"
Shame,
hispoorchi
ldr
en"-Thul
ado
"Yeah,butwhatwasheoutdoingatnightinsuch
badweat her
.I'
m suspect
inghi
swizar
dt endeci
es"-
Nhlanhlo
"Youneverknow,anywayt
hanksf
orl
ett
ingme
know"-Thulado
"Noprobl
em,enjoyguys.Iwi
lldef
ini
tel
ycomewit
h
dadngikengi
shayweumoyanami "-Nhlanhl
osai
d
thenshehungup
"
Mkhuzenii
sdead"-Thul
adosai
dtoNomzamo
"
Goodr
iddancei
scef
enj
e"-Zamo
"
Youneedt
ogobackt
ochur
ch,
yourhear
tncnc"-
Thul
adosai
dwi
thachor
tl
e
"
Godwillf
orgi
veme"-Nomzamosai
dasshe
l
aughedcover
inghermout
h.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
54].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er99
Thechil
drengat
her
edaroundthepoolareaast
he
uShakaMarinewor
ld'
soceanwarri
ormascots
madetheirwaytot
heli
tt
lebr
idgeoverthepool
,you
couldjustseetheexcit
ementwrit
tenont hei
rfaces.
Themusi cstartedpl
ayingint
hebackgroundand
theentert
ainersstar
teddanci
ng,t
hechildren
cheeredandt heparentscl
appedthei
rhands.
"Del
iathedol
phi
nisaunt
yCour
tney"-Lubanzi
blur
tedout
"Don'
tli
e,aunt
yCour
tneyi
samar
inebi
ologi
st"-
Luminj
alospat
"Yesbutsometi
mesherandaunt
yZiyandawearthe
costumesandpret
end,
Isawthem t
heotherday.I
havebeenherebef
oremoret
hanyouLumi "-Lubi
"Butst
il
lDel
iat
hedol
phi
nisnotaunt
yCour
tney"-
Lumi
"I
tisher
!Andt
her
e'snothi
ngyoucansaythatwi
ll
changemymindbecauseIsai
dso"-Lubi
"
Oksal
ayoi
t'
snot
"-Lumi
"
Stopi
tyout
wo"-Mhl
engiwar
ned
Thet
winsf
oldedt
hei
rar
ms,
pout
ingt
hei
rmout
hs.
"Nowyourf
riendismaki
ngmychil
drenf
ight
"-
Thul
adowhisperedi
ntoMhl
engi
'
sear
Befor
eMhlengicouldrepl
ytheMCl
adyscr
eamed
thr
ought
hemi crophone.
"Hell
oeverybody, welcometouShakaMar i
ne
world'swetnwi ld,whatabeautif
ulsunnydayt obe
here,thankyouf orchoosi
ngus.Nowt othosewho
havebookedi nfortheAquari
um theywillbe
feedingthesharksat3pm f oll
owedbyt hedolphin
showsopl easemakeyourwayt her
eint i
mesot hat
youdonotmi ssout .Nowourmascot sloveto
dancebuti tgetsalitt
lel
onelyuphere,whowoul d
l
ovet ovolunteertocomedancewi t
hus…showus
thosecoolmoves"-TheMcbel t
edout
Al
ltheki
dsj
umpedupanddownr
aisi
ngt
hei
rhands.
"Wel
lmakesur
ethatyouchooseapar
entt
ocome
upwit
hyou"-Mc
"
Me!Me!Me!
"Lumi
njal
osai
deager
ly
Mhlengipi
ckedherupandputheronhi sshoul
der
soshecouldseeproper
ly,Luminj
alost
art
edgetti
ng
i
mpat i
entasmorekidspickedupthei
rhandsso
theycoul
dgetchosen.
"Pi
ckmeandmydad,wecandance"-Lumi
scr
eamedont
opofherl
ungs
TheMcchuckl
edbefor
epoint
ingather,
Mhl engir
an
upther
ampwithherandt
hecr owdcheered.
"DoesMhlengievenknowhowt
odance?
"-Zamo
askedThulado
"
Wai
tandsee"-Thul
adosai
dwi
thacoysmi
le
"Hemustn'tmakeaf
oolofhi
msel
f"-Fr
anksai
d
chuckl
ing
Themusi cst artedandt heushakamar inemascot s

stoodinaf ormat ionasi ftherewer egoi ngtohavea
danceof f."Itaintme"t heamapi anor emi xblasted
offthespeaker st hecrowdwentcr azyandsodi d
Lumi nj
alo, shej umpedi nexci tementMhl engijust
smiledlooki ngather .Themascot swentof ffir
st
withtheirfirstroundofdanceandwhent heywer e
fi
nishedt heyst oppedgi vingupt hedancef l
oort o
LumiandMhl engi,thepai rclappedt heirhands
beforesur prisingever yonewi ththeirr outinedance
thatseemedt ohavebeenpl annedbef orehand,
Lubanziwasal sodanci ngont hegr oundwi ththem
evenThul adogotshocked.Af tertheywer eal l
fi
nishedi twasobvi ouswhowont hebat tl
e.Mhl engi
andLumi njalower etakent ot hebackt ocol lect
thei
rprizes.
"
Aibosoyouthr
eehavebeenpracti
cingdance
r
outi
nesbehi
ndmyback?"-ThuladoaskedLubanzi
"Yes!Dadhasbeent eachi
ngusathome,
it'
sfor
somethingspeci
al"-Lubanzi
"
What
'st
hat
?"-Thul
adoasked
"
Ican'
ttel
lyou"-Lubanzi
Thuladoshookherheadi nutt
ershock,shewasnot
expectingt
hat.Suddenl
yshef el
ttheurgetouset
he
bathroom,sheexcusedhersel
fandl ef
t.
*
***
Thechil
drenstar
tedyawni
ngandt
her
ideswer
en'
t
soenti
cinganymore.
"
Weshoul
dhavebookedf
ort
heAquar
ium aswel
l
"-
Nomzamo
"
I'
m gl
adwedidn'
t,
howmanyt imesmustwewat
ch
t
hoseshar
ksanddolphi
n?"-Fr
ank
"
Excepti
t'
snotf
oryoubutt
hechi
ldr
en"-Nomzamo
"
It
'sbor
ing"-hesai
dhonest
ly
"
What
everFr
ank"-Nomzamo
Whilet
her ewerest
il
lbi
ckeri
ngZiyandaappear
ed
walki
ngt owar
dsthem,Franksheartst
art
ed
pounding.
"
Heyf
ami
ly"-shesai
dsar
cast
ical
ly
"
Yawhatdoyouwant
?"-Nomzamo
"
Def
ini
tel
ynotyou"-Zi
yandasai
drudel
y
"Pr
oblem isthatyout
hinkyouar
eent
itl
ed,youand
yourfr
iend.Stayawayfrom myf
amil
y,I
'm warni
ng
you"-Nomzamo
"I
t'
sokaybabe,t
her
e'snoneedt
ocauseascene"-
Frankwhi
spered
"
Frankcanwet
alk?
"-Zi
yandasai
dfol
dingherar
ms
"Youcantal
kri
ghther
ebecausemymani
snot
goinganywher
e"-Nomzamo
"OhIsee,
soyouwantt ohearhowsli
dint
omy
pussy,
makingmemoan, youwantt
ohearhowhe
mademepr egnant
?"-Ziyanda
"
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?
"-Nomzamosai
dget
ti
ngup
"Eish!Nonowear
enotdoingt
his,
wehavechi
ldr
en
closeby"Fr
ankmutt
ered
"
Frankwhati
sshet
alki
ngabout
?"-
Nomzamo
"
She…she"-Fr
ankgott
onguet
ied
"YesFrankpl
easet
ellyourugl
yduckl
ingwhat
'sup"
-Ziyanda
Ahotslapl
andedonZi yanda'
sface,thatal
one
earnedt
hem acr
owd, Frankpull
edZiyandaaway
fur
iousl
ybef
orethei
ralter
cati
onturnedintoafi
st
fi
ght.
Mhlengirushedbackwit
hst uf
fedtoysthat
Lumi nj
aloandhi
m wonf rom t
hedancebat t
le,
he
fussedoverateari
ngNomzamo, t
hechildr
enwer e
toointr
iguedbyLuminj
alo'sgi
antstuf
feddolphin.
"
Heydon'
tlethergetunderyourski
n"-Mhl
engisai
d
t
oNomzamo
"SoFrankreallysl
eptwithher?YouknowIwasso
happythatwear ewor ki
ngthi
ngsout ,Ievenfound
outthatI'
m pregnantandIwaspl anningontell
ing
himtonightbutnowi tdoesn'
tmat t
er"-Zamo
"Itdoesmat t
er,youarecarryingourseed.Youar e
veryspecialtoourfamilyZamo, don'tworryabout
Ziyandashe'sjusttr
yingtor uint
hingsbetweenyou
andFr ank,sheknowst hathedoesn' tseeherli
ke
that"-Mhlengi
"TheysleptMhlengi
,howdoIer
asethatinmyhead
anditlooksli
kether
ewasnoprotect
ion,
shesai
d
she'spregnant
"-Zamo
"What?"-Mhlengisai
dastounded,hehuggedZamo
unt
ilshecalmeddown, "
Wher eisThul
ado?"he
f
inal
lyasked
"Shelef
tfort
hebat
hroom awhil
eago"-Zamosai
d,
suddenlyshewi
denedhereyes
Mhl
engipani
ckedandr
anof
f.
*
***
Thuladocameoutf rom t
hebat hr
oom meet ing
Courtneyrightatthedoor,suddenlyfearclothedher.
Event houghshevouchedt obeatherupshoul dshe
meddl einherrelati
onshi
pwi t
hMhl engi,deepdown
sheknewshewasn' tt
hatkindofgirl
.Shewoul dn'
t
evenhur tafly,
shepr et
endedlikeshedidn'tseeher
andwal kedpassher .
"Youdidnotpr
etendl
ikeyoudi
dn'
tseeme"-
Court
ney
"
Ohhi
"-Thul
adosai
dinapi
tchyvoi
ce
"
Ihavesomet
hingt
oshowyou"-Cour
tneysai
dwi
th
asmil
e
"
Not
hanks"-Thul
adosai
dat
tempt
ingt
owal
kaway
"Areyouper
hapsscaredthatyouwilldi
scovert
hat
hisnotsoper
fectaf
teral
l…huh?"-Court
ney
"
What
'syourpr
obl
em?
"-Thul
adobl
urt
edout
"Fol
lowme,wewillbequi
ck.Ij
ustwanttogett
his
outandIwil
lbeoutofyourhai
r.
..
forgood"-
Courtney
Thul
adoswal l
owedhardbutcuri
osi
tygott
hebest
ofher,shef
oundhersel
finpr
ivat
eroomsthatshe
di
dn'tevenknowexi
stedatuShaka.
"SoIdidn'
twanttosayitoutl
oud, butMhlengiandI
havebeenshagging,heaskedmet okeepitasecret
becausehedidn'
twantt ohur
tyou.Iwasn' tgoingto
sayalloft
hisbuthisverydi
shonest,hepromi sed
thatwhenyouarewel l
,hewouldletyougoandt ake
mesowecoul draisethechil
drentogetherand
possi
blyhavemor
eki
ds"-Cour
tney
"
Het
oldyout
hatI
'
m notwel
l?
"-Thul
ado
"
Duhi
sn'
titobvi
ous"-Cour
tneysmi
rked
"
Ok,
youcanhavehi
m"-Thul
adosai
d
Tear swel l
eduphereyesandherl i
psst artedt o
tremble,shemadeherwayt othedoorbuti thad
automat ical
lylocked.Shest artedfeelinghotand
dizzy,shebal ancedagai nstt hewal ls.Cour tney
stoodt hereamused, shenot icedhersweat ing
rapidlyandcapi tal
izedont hatbyi ncreasingt he
heatont heai rcon,shet henusedt hebackdoort o
l
ether selfoutandqui cklyshuti tclosedlocki ngit
from outsideleavingThul adotost ruggleal lalone.
*
***
Mhlengiandever
yoneelsehavesearchedtheenti
re
marineworl
dforThuladobutt
heycoul dn'
tfi
ndher,
Fr
anksuggestedtheyrepor
thermissingathelp
desk.
"Maybesheleft
,anadul
tcannotgomi
ssi
ngher
e"-
Theladyrepl
iedtot
hem
"
Wecamet oget
herwi
thourchi
ldr
en,
shewoul
dn'
t
j
ustl
eave"-Mhl
engi
"Sir
!Theset hi
ngshappen, onedayapersoni
shere
l
ookingal lhappy,thenexttheyar
egone.Onl
yto
fi
ndoutt herewer en'
tashappyasyouthoughtt
hey
are"-Helpdeskl ady
"Ukhul
umaamasi
mbawena,
Frankt
hisi
sawast
e
ofti
me"-Mhl
engi
"CanIt
alkt
oyourmanager
"-Fr
anksai
dtot
hel
ady,
givi
ngherast
ernl
ook
"Orwecouldgot
otheCCTVcont
rolr
oom"-t
hel
ady
quickl
ysai
d
Nomzamowassopani cked,sheoptedt
otakethe
chi
ldr
enforanearl
ysupperatSpurwhil
etheguys
wentsear
chingf
orThulado,
shefeltatf
aul
tfornot
checki
nguponherwhensher
eal
izedshehadgone
fort
oolong.
*
***
Meanwhi l
eThuladowiggledandturnedonthefloor
astheheatint
ensif
ieddeprivi
ngherairt
obreathe,
shewassoakingwetf rom t
hesweat i
ng.Shetook
onelastbigl
aboredbreatheandthenshestopped.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
55].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
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Chapt
er100
Frankwalkedi
ntoSpurwi
thhi
sshoul
der
sf l
opped,
hesatnexttoNomzamo.Sheshi
ft
edabitavoi
ding
eyecont
actwithhi
m.
"Youguyscangopl aysinceyoufi
nishedyourf
ood,
pleasewatchthel
it
tleone'sgi
rl
s"-Nomzamosai d
tothechi
ldren
Theygotupexci
tedl
yheadi
ngt
othepl
ayar
ea.
"
Didyouf
indher
?"-Zamo
"
No!
"-Fr
anksai
dsadl
y
"
Wher
eisMhl
engi
?"-Zamo
"
Theyar
egoingt
hroughthef
oot
ageoverandover,
I
want
edtocomeandcheckonyouandthechi
ldr
en"
-Fr
ank
"Wegood,theyhaven'tnot
icedyet
,theyjustasked
andItoldt
hem she'scomingnow, Ithi
nkIwillt
ake
them homeaftert
his"-Zamo
"That
spr obabl
yagoodi
dea"-Fr
anksai
dgi
vingher
hiscarkeys.
"Zi
yanda?Youlef
twit
hheraf
terIsai
dyouwer
en'
t
goi
nganywhere"-Zamo
"Idi
dn'twantpeoplet
of i
lm mywomanacti
nglikea
hooli
ganinpublic,
wit
hourchildr
enr
ightnextt
o
her…comeonnow"-Fr ank
"
Soyouar
eexpect
ing?
"-Zamo
"No,I
'm not
…pleasedon'ttel
lmeyoubeli
evedher
l
ies!Zi
yandaisjustst
ir
ringtr
oubl
e.Iwoul
dn'tput
youatriskl
iket
hat"-Frank
"
Butyousl
eptwi
thher
?"-Zamo
"Thuladoi
smi ssi
ngandyout hinkit
'sfi
tforustobe
tal
kingabouttheset
hings,anci
enthistoryfort
hat
matter…focusZamo,mybr otherisbesidehimsel
f
outtherewhichmeansI'm notgoodaswel l.Ij
ust
needyout
osuppor
tmenotcr
uci
fyme"-Fr
ank
Nomzamoswall
owedf ol
dingherar
ms,t
hewai
ter
cametochecki
fever
ythi
ngwasf i
ne.
"
Canior
dert
akewayspl
ease"-Zamo
*
***
Thest af
fstart
edgett
ingi
mpatientasti
mef orthem
toknockof fwasbythedooryetMhlengisti
ll
i
nsistedoncheckingthecct
vfootageforthe
mil
lionthti
me.
"Si
r,wecandot hisagai
ntomor
row.Maybetr
yher
cel
lphone,shecouldbesomewhereenj
oyi
ngher
space"-securi
ty
"
Shedi
dn'tl
eavethepremises,Thul
adoonlywentt
o
t
hebat
hroom anddidn'
tretur
n.I'
m notl
eavi
ngthi
s
pl
aceunt
ilIf
indher
"-Mhl
engi
"
Youknowshecoul dhavedisguisedher
self
,these
t
hingshappen.Goandr estwewi llr
egr
oup
t
omor rowbutwehavet oclose,wealsohave
f
ami l
iestogoto"-Thesecurit
y
Mhlengiscr
atchedhi
sheadvi
gor
ousl
y,heheaveda
si
ghandl ef
t.
Thecleaningst uf
fstr
uggledt oopentheprivate
rooms,theiraccessmachi neseemedf ault
y.Itwas
mandatoryf orthem t
omakesur etheplacewas
spotl
essbef oreknocki
ngof f.Court
neysawt hem
fi
dgeti
ngwi ththedoor,sherushedt owardsthem.
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"-sheaskedt
hem pol
it
ely
"Yesmam, wejustwantt
ocl
eanher
eandgo"-one
ofthecl
eaner
ssai d
"
There'ssomethi
ngwrongwit
hthataccess
machine,I
'veal
ert
edt
hetechni
calt
eam.Iwas
t
ryi
ngt oenterear
li
eronmyself
,youguyscangoI
wil
lexplai
ntoyoursuper
visor
"-Cour
tney
Thel
adi
espi
ckedupt
hei
rbucket
sandl
eft
.
*
***
*
AtMhl
engi
'
shouse*
"Wesupposedtobecelebrati
ng,Ipl
annedawhol e
engagementpart
yforhersinceshedidn'
tgetone.
I'
vebeenwatchi
ngvideosonyout ubeandplanned
ongoingdownononekneeandaskedheragai nthe
ri
ghtwaythi
stime.WhatdidIdot odeser
vethis
Frank?
"-Mhlengi
"Wewil
lfi
ndher
,doyouthi
nkit
'sourenemi
es,
Ijust
don'
tknowwher
etostar
t"-Fr
ank
"
Ihaveabadf
eel
ingandIj
ustcannotexpl
aini
t"-
Mhl
engi
"
Let
spr
ay"-Fr
ank
"HeavenlyFat herwecomet oyouassi nners,we

comet oyoust ainedbutbecauseyouar eourFat her
weknowyouwi llrecieveus.Wepr ayforThulado
wher evershei s,mayyourAngel '
spr ot
ecther,we
don'tknowherst atewher evershei sbutwetrustin
yout okeephersaf e.I'
m prayingaspeci al
prayer
formybr ot
her, givehi m st
rengthandwi sdom.We
prayf orourfami ly,helpust ostandst r
ong,helpus
toconqueri nyourName…Amen"
"
Thankyou"-Mhl
engi
"
Wewi
llf
igur
eitout
"-Fr
ank
"Uncl
eandMusaarecomi
ng, unf
ort
unatel
yIcan'
t
openacase,
Ihavetowai
tfor24hours"-Mhl
engi
"Getsomerest
,I'
l
lkeept
hechi
ldr
enunt
ilf
urt
her
noti
ce"-Fr
ank
"
IsZi
yandapr
egnant
?"-Mhl
engi
"
Hel
lno!She'
scr
azy"-Fr
ank
"
Pleasedon'thur
tNomzamoliket
hat
,she'
sbeen
t
hroughalotandshe'
scar
ryi
ngpreci
ouscargo"-
Mhlengi
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"-Fr
ank
"She'spr
egnant
!Shewantedt
otel
lbutIt
hink
Ziyandarui
nedi
tforher
"-Mhl
engi
"
Wow!Youpl
ayi
ngwi
thmer
ight
?"-Fr
ank
"
Congr
atul
ati
ons!
!"-Mhl
engisai
dwal
kingaway
Fr
ankchuckl
eduncont
rol
labl
y,pl
aci
nghi
shandson
hi
shead.
*
***
Thenextmor
ning
Fr
ankwasbusyonhi
sdeskwhenhi
stel
ephone
st
art
edr
ingi
ng.
"
Hel
lo"-Fr
ank
"
Sirit
'sr
ecept
ion,
there'
saguyher
elooki
ngf
or
Mhlengi
"-Recept
ioni
st
"
Butyouknowhi
snoti
nthi
smor
ning"-Fr
ank
"It
oldhimt hatbuthewant
stoseeyoui
fhi
snot
here"-Recepti
onist
"
Fine,
sendhi
m up"-Fr
ank
Hesatt herewonder i
ngwhatwast hisabout,inthe
midsthef oundhi mselft hi
nkingaboutNomzamo,
hedidn'tdareaskherl astnightafterheupsether
withthiswhol eZi yandasaga.Hehopedt hatshe
tol
dhi m herselfsohecant ellherwhat '
sinhisheart,
deepdownhepr ayedi twasaboyt obalance
everythi
ngup.Hi st houghtsgotdi sturbedbyt he
fi
nickylookingmant hatscannedar oundt heoffi
ce
rudely,i
nsteadofgr eetinghewal kedar oundliked
heownedt hepl ace.
"
CanIhel
pyou?
"-Fr
ank
"Hel
lot
oyoutoo"-hesai
daf
tert
hathepul
leda
chai
randsatback
"
HowcanIhel
pyou?
"-Fr
ankr
epeat
ed
"
Whoownst
hispl
ace?
"-Theguyasked
"
That
snoneofyourbusi
ness"-Fr
anksai
dir
ri
tabl
y
"Letmetellyou,soonandver ysoonIwi l
lbesitti
ng
i
noneoft heof f
icesher ebecauseMhlengiNgcobo
owesme.Heknowst herul
esverywellbutI'
m
shockedthathet houghthecoul drunawaywi th
mi l
li
onst
hatmybr othersdiedforandhedidn'teven
giveusasi ngl
ecent"-theguy
"Getoutofmyoffi
ce,thi
splaceisarevampof
SimmonsI ncandMhlengididn'
tevencont
ri
butea
cent,sot
akeyourfi
nickyselfoutofmybui
ldi
ng"-
Frankspat
"Wel
lthenshowmepr oof,
bri
nginyourfi
nance
managerIwanthi
mt ogivemeabr eakdownof
ever
ythi
ngti
llI
'
m sat
isfi
ed"-Theguy
"
I'
m notdoi
ngt
hat
!Whot
hef
uckyout
hinkyouar
e,
comi
ngher
etodemand"-Fr
ank
"Iwi
llbebackandyouwi lldowhatIaskedyout
o.
Whetherit
'svolunt
ari
lyorbyfor
ce…uzokwenza!
"-
Theguysai dbefor
ewalkingout
Fr
ank'
shear
tpounded,
hedi
aledMhl
engi
.
"Canyoubel
ievei
t!Youdon'thavetowaitbef
ore
openingami
ssingpersoncase,I'
m att
hepolice
stat
ionaswespeak"-Mhlengi
"
Mhl
engi
,wehaveapr
obl
em"-Fr
ank
"
Whatnow?
"-Mhl
engi
"
It
'sr
eal
lybad"-Fr
ank
*
***
Nomzamor ushedt
othecarpar
k,whent
he
pr
inci
palgr
antedheranear
lyl
eave,
shewas
grat
eful
.Shewantedtobeabl etogoforhercheck
upandpickupallthechil
drenfr
om schoolsince
Pagewasbusywi thexams.Asshet ur
nedl ef
tint
o
thedoct
orsroom shenoti
cedacarbehindher ,i
t
wasthesamecarshespot tedinthemorningwhen
shewasdrivi
ngtowor k.
Shequi ckl
yparkedrunninginsidethebui l
dingj ust
i
ncaseherf indi
ngswer eri
ght,shecoul dn'
thel pit
butthinkaboutThulado.Whati fshewasr eally
foll
owedandThul adowaski dnapped.Coul ditbe
thatherfamilywasindanger .Shebr ushedt hat
thoughtoffandcomposedher selfbeforewal ki
ng
i
ntoherappoi nt
ment .
"CanIpleasehaveapr
intoutoft
hesonaranda
video"-Zamo
"
Sur
e,nopr
obl
em.Haveyout
oldhi
m yet
?"-Dr
"
No!Ever
ythi
ngiplannedwasj
ustr
uinedbutIwant
t
ogivehi
mt hi
s"-Zamo
"Good,everyonearoundyouneedtoknowbecause
youwi l
lneedallt
hesupportyoucangettor
aise
twins"-Dr
"Yeah…Ifigur
ed"-Zamor
epl
iedasshechuckl
ed
nervousl
y
*
***
Ziyandasatnextt
oCour
tneyj
ustout
sidet
hepr
ivat
e
rooms.
"
Doyouknowwhent
heywi
llf
ixt
hedoor
?"-Zi
yanda
"Icall
edthem t
heyshoul
darri
vetoday,
whyis
everyonesuddenl
yobsessedwit
hthisroom,
we
hardlyuseit
"-Court
ney
"Iguesswenotusedofhavingaplacet
hati
s
unaccessi
ble"-Zi
yandasai
dchuckli
ng
"
Iguess"-Cour
tneychuckl
edbackner
vousy
"
YouknowIt
ookyouradvi
ceandt
ri
edget
ti
ng
Franksatt
ention,
fri
enddiditnotbackf i
re.Ieven
earnedmyselfaslapandhumi liat
ionont op,I'
m
donemakingmysel fafool.Godwi llsendtheright
guyforme, someonewhowi l
lloveandappr eciate
me"-Ziyanda
"Somet i
mespeopleneedal i
ttl
epush,soifyouare
usedofquitt
ingandgivi
nguppl easedon'
tdragme
i
ntoit.Mymom alwayst oldmesomet i
mesyou
needt owor
kextrahardtogetwhatyouwantand
that
sexactl
ywhatI '
m doing,Il
oveMhl engi
"-
Courtney
"Evenifwear
en'
tlovedbackCourt
ney?Comeon,
youmustalsoknowwhent othr
owi nt
hetowel
"-
Ziyanda
"
Idon'
tthr
owt
owel
s…ever
"-Cour
tney
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
55].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er101
Themor ni
ngwascoolandt hedayhadbeganat
uShakaMar ine,thecl eanersstartedmovi ngin
groupst ocleant hepl acebef or
ei tisopenedt othe
public.Thesecur i
ti
espat rol
ledaroundat t
entivel
y,
l
ookingf oranyt hingoutoft heor dinary.Yesterday'
s
groupmadet heirwayt othepr i
vat eroomsonce
mor ebutthist i
met heyfoundasecur i
tyalr
eadyat
thedoor .Heswi pedhi mselfinandt hedooropened
withouthassl es.
"
Sebewukhandi
leyini
?"-oneoft
hecl
eaner
sasked
(
havetheyfi
xedit
?)
"
Whenwasi
tbr
oken?
"-Thesecur
it
yasked
"Yester
daywecouldn'
tenterwetr
iedwithourcards
butnothing,
unt
ilCour
tneytol
dusitwasf aul
tyand
thatshehadcal
ledinthespeci
ali
sts"-t
hecleaner
"OhIdi
dn'tknowaboutt
hatandIdi
dn'tseeanyone
comingherebuti
t'
sworki
ng"-Thesecuri
ty
Theyallfol
lowedeachot heri
nside,theireyesmet
Thul
adosl eepingi nonecorner,
itseemedl ikeshe
bundletogetherwhat evershecouldf i
ndt omakea
bed,youcoul dn'topentheroomsf rom inside
wit
houtanaccesscar doracode,alsoyoucoul dn'
t
beheardeveni fyouscreamed.Thebestwaywoul d
betocallsomeonebutThul adoleftherphonei nher
bagwi t
hNomzamo.
"Ai
bowhoissheandwhyi
sshesl
eepi
ngher
e"-
Thecl
eanerwhi
sper
ed
"
Itmustbetheladythatgotl
ostinhereyest
erday,
l
etmecallheadsecurit
y"-Thesecuri
tyguar
dsai d
speaki
ngi
ntohi
sbur
nerphone
"Howdi dsheenterher
e?Maybeshewastryi
ngto
steall
it
tl
edidsheknowhowt r
ickyt
hesedoorsar
e"
-Thecleaneradded
*
***
Courtneypl annedtogett owor klatet hismor ning,

sheknewt hatbynowThul adowoul dhavedi ed
from whatevershewassuf f
eri
ngf rom yest erday
whenshet ryingtotalktoher.Thequi ckershedi es
thebetterandt hegoodt hingaboutt his,i
st hatshe
didn'
tevenhavet olif
taf i
nger,shel ovedi twhena
planfall
sint oplace.Shespentt heent i
renight
reminisci
nghowMhl engiwillmar r
yheraf terhe
reali
zeshowmuchhel ovedher ,t
heywoul dr aise
thekidstoget herandhavemor e.
I
twassuchaperf
ectpl
aninherhead,
Mhl
engiwas
f
orher
.Befor
esheknewitt
hedri
vewasoverand
shesashayinginsi
deuShaka,
shegreet
edher
col
leaguesinachir
pymoodmakingherwaytothe
off
ice.Zi
yandabudgesi
nlooki
ngfl
ushed.
"Whyareyour
unni
ngsoear
lyi
nthemor
ningZee"-
Cour
tney
"
Cour
tney"-Zi
yanda
"That
'smyname…yes"-Cour
tneysai
dswi
ngi
ngon
herchai
r
"Theyf
oundThuladointheprivat
erooms,
thepol
ice
areher
eandforensi
c"-Ziyanda
"Musictomyear s"-Court
neysai dgetti
ngonher
feet
,shegiggledpushingherblondehai rback,
she
couldn'
tbel
ieveherplanworked.Thul adowasout
ofthepict
ureandnowMhl engiwoul dneeda
shouldert
ocr yonandapvssyt ofvck.
Court
neypickedupherphoneanddi
aledanumber
,
Zi
yandafrownedather,
shewasacti
ngr at
her
st
range.
"Mshl
engii
t'
smeCour t
ney,haveyouheardthe
news?Theyfoundherbuti
t…itwastoolat
e,
Thul
adoisdead"-shesai
dwi t
hsnif
fsi
nbetween
Zi
yanda'
seyeswidened,
sheshookherheadnoand
si
gnal
edCourtneyt
oendt hecal
l.
"Whatthehel
liswr
ongwi
thyou,
Thul
adoi
snot
dead"-Zi
yandascr
eamed
"
What
??"-Cour
tneysai
dshocked
"Shewasjustst
uckinsi
de,t
heyfoundherasl eep.
Shesaidsomeonewhowor ksherelockedheri n
whileshewashavingapani
cattack,Ihear
dt his
from t
hecl
eanersandsoIrushedhere"-Ziyanda
"
Shedi
dn'
tdi
e!Thatbi
tchdi
dn'
tdi
e"-Cour
tney
r
oar
ed
"
Youar
eact
ingwei
rdandi
t'
sscar
ingme"-Zi
yanda
"
Zeeyouar
eact
ual
lyannoyi
ngmer
ightnow,
you
areacowardandIdetestcowardswhodon'
tget
thi
ngsdone"-shegr
owl edbef
oredashi
ngoutof
theroom.
*
***
*
@Fuzel
ihl
eof
fi
ces*
"
Canyoudescr
ibehi
m?"-Mhl
engi
"Ver
yfi
nickyandparti
cul
ar,
hewal
kedinher
eli
ke
heownst hepl
ace.Shoul
dIbewor
ried?
"-Fr
ank
"
Damni
t!
"-Mhl
engisai
dbangi
ngt
het
abl
e
"Mhlengicomeontalkt
ome…shoul
dwebewor
ri
ed
abouthim? "-Fr
ank
"Iworkedveryhar
dtogethere,
Isuf
feredforcr
ying
outloud,howthehel
ldi
dthismosquit
ofindout"-
Mhlengi
"Washetel
li
ngt
het
rut
h?Wer
eyousupposedt
o
shar
ethemoneywi
tht
hem?"
-Fr
ank
"YesbutIwasn'tgoingtodothataft
eriwaslocked
upforalmosttenyears,whereweretheyFrank?My
womanandmychi l
drensuff
eredandallt
he
Kruger
sdissapearedintothi
nair
,noonecamet o
visi
tmeandnowt heywantacut …ngekebakubone
l
okho"-Mhlengi
"Igetyoubrobutwedon'twanttroubl
eforthe
business,wearedoi
ngsowel l
.TheKhoza'shave
i
nvestedinusaswel l
,j
ustrememberwecan' t
j
eopar di
zethebusi
ness,worseourfamil
y"-Frank
"Weneedapl an,
allIknowi
sthatnoonewi l
lget
thismoney,
thepeoplewhom deser
veditandwho
actual
lywor
kedforitare6f
eetunder,
therestcan
kissmyass"-Mhlengi
"Ok,
uhm Iguess.Whatwer
eyousayi
ngabout
Court
ney?"-Fr
ank
"Shesai
dThuladowasf ounddeadatuShaka,
I
don'
tknow…Idon'tbel
ieveher,
itwassomethi
ng
abouthervoi
ce.I
'
m actuall
ygoingt
herenow"-
Mhlengi
"
Shesai
dshe'
sdead?
"-Fr
ank
"Yeahli
ke,Ij
ustwanttogoandseeformyself
.
Thuladocannotbedead,Iwoul
dhavefel
tit
"-
Mhlengi
"Okay,
whatshoul
dIsayt
othi
sguyi
fher
etur
ns"-
Frank
"
Don'
tlethi
min,
Iknowwher
etof
indhi
m"-Mhl
engi
*
***
*
@Hospi
tal
*
Mhlengirusheddownthehospi
talcor
ri
dor ,
he
ar
ri
vedatuShakaandt heyexpl
ainedeverythi
ngt
o
hi
m.Al lhewantedtodowastoseeshor t
y.
"
I'
m her
eformi
ssThul
adoMdl
etshe"-Mhl
engi
"
Secondf
loor
,takeyourl
eft
"-Ther
ecept
ioni
stsai
d
Uponarr
ivalThul
adowassit
ti
ngcomf
ort
abl
yont
he
bedwit
hat rayoff
oodbef
oreher
.
"
Heyshor
ty"-Mhl
engisai
dpl
ant
ingaki
ssonher
l
ips
"
Ohhey,
wher
ear
emyki
ds"-Thul
ado
"
Theyar
ewi
thZamo,
howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"-
Mhl
engi
"I
'
m good,I
'
mf i
nereal
ly.Iwasj
ustdehydr
atedand
hungr
y"-Thul
ado
"
Whathappened?
?"-Mhl
engisai
dsi
tt
ingdownnext
t
oher
"
Igotl
ockedi
noneoft
her
ooms"-Thul
ado
"
Idon'
tunder
stand,
howdi
dyouendupt
her
e?"-
Mhl
engi
"Ibumpedi nt
oCourtneycomingoutoft he
bathr
oom thenshel ur
edmei ntotheroom, shesaid
shewant edtoshowmesomet hingandoutof
curi
osit
yIf ol
lowedher.Honest
lyIstartedfeel
ing
hotandsweat yinsi
de,sheputtheaircononhigh
heatandlockedmeinside,shepr
obablythoughtI
wasdying.Theniwaitedinsi
dehopingsomeone
wouldcomeandr escuemebutbef oreiknewit,
it
wasinthemor ni
ngthenextday"-Thulado
"Cour
tneyphonedmethi
smor
ningt
ell
ingmet
hat
youaredead"-Mhl
engi
"
That
'
swhatshet
hought
"-Thul
adosai
dlaughi
ng
"I
'
m gladyouar
efi
ndi
ngt
hisf
unny?
"-Mhl
engisai
d
ster
nly
"Whatdoyouwantmet odohuh?Youshoul dlook
i
nt hemirr
orandyouwil
lgetanswer
st oal
lofthis.
Onlyyouknowwhatyoupr omi
sedher,cl
earl
yshe's
fi
ghtingf
orsomethi
nghereandthefooli
sme"-
Thulado
"Idi
dn'
tpromiseheranyt hi
ng, yaziI'
vegotsomuch
onmypl at
erightnowandCour tneyisnotevena
fact
orinmylife.Ican'tbel
ievethatyouar ehere
becauseofher"-Mhl engi
"
Wel
lduh"-Thul
ado
"
Getyourst
uff
,I'
mtaki
ngyouhome.Ican'
tbel
ieve
t
his"-Mhl
engisai
dshaki
nghi
shead
"Youbestbeli
evei
tandIopenedacasewit
hthe
poli
ce.Iwi
llnott
akethi
slyi
ngdown"-Thul
ado
"
Ihonest
lydon'
tcar
e,Ijustwantyouhomesaf
e
wit
hthechi
ldr
en"-Mhlengi
Mhlengihel
pedThul
adooutofbed,
toget
hert
hey
gat
heredherbel
ongi
ngsandleft
.
*
***
Mhlengipl
ayedsoftmusi
cashedrovei
ntoa
suburbanar
eagoingtohi
shouse.
"I
'
m goi
ngtoaskyouaquest
ionandiwantnot
hing
butt
hetr
uth"-Thul
ado
"
Shoot
"-Mhl
engi
"
Didyousl
eepwi
thCour
tney?
"-Thul
ado
"
Shegavemeaheadandt
hat
sit
"-Mhl
engi
"mmh"-Thul
adosai
dlooki
ngoutt
hewi
ndowwi
th
anachi
ngheart
"
Itmeantnot
hing"-Mhl
engisai
dswi
tchi
ngof
fthe
r
adio
"Ican'
tbel
ievet
hatI
'mindangerofbei
ngki
ll
ed
becauseofastupi
dblowjob"-Thul
ado
"Don'
tworr
yaboutthatone,
shewil
lregr
ett
heday
shemetme, shecanhurtmebutnotmyshort
yor
mykids"-Mhlengi
"Naweyoujusthadt
odangleyourr
odforher
,I
can'
tbel
ieveyouMhlengi
.Whywouldyoudothat
?"
-Thul
ado
"
Awmamazi
"-Mhl
engisai
dpl
eadi
ngl
y
"
Aimaannaweai
"-Thul
ado
"Angithii
t'
syou, youweresomeant omeandt hat
brokemyhear t,thosetwocamet oFrankshouse
andt hathappenedbuthonestlyther
e'snothi
ng
there.Minangithandawenasnqamusami "-
Mhlengisaidwi thali
ghtchuckle
"Thatdoesn'
tchanget
hatyoushowedhermyt
hing"
-Thulado
"
Sayi
t"-Mhl
engi
"Ehhenayoushowedhermyj
oyst
ick"-Thul
adosai
d
coyly
"
I'
m sor
ryyezwa,
Iwon'
tdoi
tagai
n"-Mhl
engi
"
Weshal
lsee"-Thul
ado
"Sodidyouf
indoutwhyyouf
eltsi
cki
nthef
ir
st
place?
"-Mhl
engi
"Yeah…somet hingaboutt
heNgcoboseed,
angazi
kanjanikanj
ani"-Thul
ado
"Wai
twhat
?"-Mhl
engisai
dst
oppi
ngt
hecar
"
Keepdr
ivi
nghawu"-Thul
adosai
dchuckl
ing
"
No,
areyouser
ious?
"-Mhl
engi
"
Yes,
I'
m pr
egnantagai
n"-Thul
ado
"Fvck!
!Sh!tIknewIscoredbutwhenyoudi dn'
t
show,Iwassodi ssapoi
ntedinmyselfbutnow…
yessss"-hepunchedtheair,
"Thankyoumkami ,I
wanttobeher eeveryst
epoftheway, t
histi
me
ar
oundIwi
llbeher
e,Ipr
omi
se"-Mhl
engi
Thul
adosmi
led,
shepl
acedherhandonhi
scheek.
*
TWOMONTHSLATER*
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
55].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er102
Youcouldhearthelaughterf
rom t
hestr
eet
.
Mhlengi,Fr
ankandtheiruncl
econver
singwit
hthe
pastorandhiswif
e.
"Ngcoboyouhavedonewel
l,
I'
mreall
ygrat
efult
hat
youkeptyourpr
omiseanddi
dther
ightt
hing"-
Pastor
"Iknowherparentswoul dhavebeensohappyand
proudofher,Nomzamoi safighter.I
twasreal
ly
wor r
isometomewhenhermot herpaston,Iwasso
scaredthatwewoul dlosehertot heworl
dbutGod
i
sgood…congr atulat
ions"-Pastorswife
"Si
bongenj ethatyouhavehostedusandt hatyou
all
owedmysont ocomeher eandpluckhi
s
beauti
fulfl
ower,asyoucanseemyboyshaveeyes
forbeauti
fulthi
ngs.Nowt heNgcobohouseholdwill
j
ustbloom, I'
m pleased.Thankyou"-Uncl
e
"
FrankandNomzamoar echosenbytheLordand
wit
htimeHewillr
evealHi
splantoyou,andwhen
t
hathappenyouwillr
ememberthisday.I
fyouthi
nk
t
hatthethi
ngst
hatyouhavebeent hr
oughwerejust
i
nvai nthanIdon'tknow,youhavebeent estedand
cameoutvi ctori
ousbecauseofHismer cyand
grace.Nowdon' tfor
gettoputHimincent erof
everythi
ngthatyouwi l
lbedoingwithyourwi fe,
samegoesf oryouNgcoboomncane.Godhas
favoredyouandyourhousehol d,
giveHim pr aise
andal lt
heglory"-Past
or
"Amenbaba,wewillt
akeourleavebecausewesti
ll
haveanot
herfunct
iontoat
tendofwhi chyouar
e
i
nvit
edtooihope"-Theuncl
esai dl
ookingatFr
ank
andMhlengi
"Yesofcour
sewear
einvi
ted,
wewi
llseeyout
her
e"
-Pastor
swife
Themenst oodupfol
lowedbythepast
or,he
escort
edthem out
.Thepast
orswif
erushedtot
he
guestbedroom.
"
And?
"-Past
orswi
fe
"
It
'sr
eal
lyhappeni
ngma"-Nomzamo
"Yesi
tis"-Thepast
orswi
fesai
dwi
thgl
ist
eni
ng
eyes
"I'
m hiswifenow, hepaidformyheadmama.I
knowi t'
sover r
atedtocrybecauseofmar ri
agein
today'sdayandagebutI '
mr eal
lyhappy,I'
vel
onged
forthi
seversi nceIwasl i
tt
legir
l.Iwantedtomeeta
handsome, ri
chmanandgetmar r
ied,
havechil
dren.
Ienvisionedourkidsrunningintheyard,Godgave
meever yt
hingnowbuti nHisownuni queway"-
Nomzamo
"YouthoughtHehadfor
sakenyouright
?
Somet i
mesther
earethi
ngsweneedt olearnabout
l
ifefi
rstbef
orewecanfulf
ilHi
spromise,perhaps
youneededthatandnowyouar er
eadytor unyour
homeandgi vegl
oryt
oHi m"-Past
orswife
"Thankyouf
orbel
ievi
nginme,fort
akingmei nand
cari
ngformeli
keI'
m yourown,
Idon'tdeser
vethe
l
oveIgetint
hishome"-Nomzamo
"Ohwel oveyouangel
,fr
om t
heti
meyouwerea
l
itt
legi
rlinyourcut
egreendr
essyouworeat
Sundayschool,wesawsomethi
nginyoubuti
nal
l
honest
yitwasal
lGod'
splan.Nowwewi lldeposi
t
thel
obolamoneyi
ntoyouraccount
"-Pastorswif
e
"
Nonono,keepit
.Ifmypar
entswereherethey
woul
dhavekepti
tsoIwantitj
ustl
iket
hat"-
Nomzamo
"
Youwi
llneedi
tfort
heweddi
ng"-Past
orswi
fe
"No,Ihavepl
ent
yofmoneyf
ort
heweddi
ng.Thank
you"-Nomzamo
"Wel
l,
wewanttotreatyoutodi
nner
,sogetdr
essed
sowecango"-Pastorswif
e
Nomzamowi pedhert
ear
sandsmil
edl
ooki
ngat
t
hisphenomenalwomanofGod.
*
***
*
@FegoCaf
e*
Thul
adocal
ledNomzamo…
"Heysi
s,congr
atul
ati
onsandwel
comeof
fi
cial
ly
kwaNgcobo"-Thul
ado
"
Thankyousi
s,nowyoust
uckwi
thmef
orever
"-
Nomzamo
"
Poorme"-Thul
adosai
dtheybot
hbur
sti
nto
l
aught
er
"
What
'sup"-Nomzamo
"NanaandIareout,weareatther
est
aurantaswe
speaksoIhaveleftt
hechil
drenwi
thPageifyou
don'tmi
nd"-Thulado
"
Pageisperf
ect,
I'
m al
soprepar
ingt
ogot
odi
nner
wit
hthepast
ors"-Nomzamo
"
Iwi
llseeyout
oni
ghtt
hen"-Thul
ado
"
Shar
p"-Nomzamo
Thul
adohungupplaci
ngherphoneont
het
abl
e,
shegawkedatNana.
"
What
?"-Nana
"Youmademedol lup,
wearacocktai
ldr
essand
heel
sj ustt
ocomechil
latacof
feeshop?Real
ly?
"-
Thulado
"
Sorr
y,IguessIgotali
tt
lecar
ri
edawaybutyou
l
ookgorgeous"-Nana
"
Yout
oo,
sot
ellme…what
'sgood?
"-Thul
ado
"
Ibrokeupwit
hAnel e,
hisani
cemanbutIdon'
t
t
hinkIli
kehi
mt hatmuch"-Nana
"
AwwbutIt houghtyouguyswer
egood,
hisgood
f
oryou"-Thulado
"That'
sit
, Idon'twantt
ofeell
ikeI
'
m somepr oj
ect
.I
wantpur elove,wit
hAneleIhavetobecaref
uland
properandpeopl ekeeptel
li
ngmet hathi
sgoodfor
mel i
keI'
m goi ngtostr
ayandgor ogueor
something"-Nana
"Oh,I
'
m sorrywemaki ngyoufeelt
hatway.Look
youareanadul t
,ifyounotf
eel
ingAnel
ethenIwill
supportyou"-Thulado
"YeahalsoIwil
lstopgetti
ngeyesfr
om work,Idon'
t
evenseemyselfgr owi
nginthatpl
aceaft
erthis,
it
willal
wayslookli
kehisfavouri
ngmebecauseI
wakeupunderhi ssheet"-Nana
"
True"-Thul
ado
"
Wit
hthatsai
d…I
'
m…I
'
mleavi
ngDur
ban"-Nana
"
Hawuandt
hen?
"-Thul
adosai
dconf
used
"I'
mr el
ocati
ngt oJoburg,everyt
hingisset.Af
ter
tonightI
'm gone,I
'l
lbestudying,IknowIwi l
lget
j
udgedbutIneedt hi
s.Achangeofenvi r
onment,
starti
ngonacl eanslat
ewi thsomeonet hatI
actuall
ylove,Iwantthi
ssobad"-Nana
"
mmm,
Sfi
sor
ight
?"-Thul
ado
"
Yea"-Nanasai
dcover
inghereyes
"
Noneedtogetshy,i
fthat
'swher
eyouwantt
obe
t
hengofori
t"-Thul
ado
"Not
ellmewhatyout
hink,
tel
lmeIwil
lregreti
t,t
ell
meI'
m maki
ngami st
ake…tel
lmesomething"-
Thul
ado
"
Nanat
hef
actt
hatyouhaveever
ythi
ngi
npl
ace
meansyouhavet houghtabouti t
,Sfi
soisagreat
guy,I'
veseenhiml oveyouandi t
'snotaboutwhat
wewi l
lsay.Youknowwhat '
sinyourheart,
people
wil
lalwayshavesomet hi
ngt osay.Lookatme, Ifel
l
i
nlovewithacr i
minal,Iharbouredhim,gavehim all
ofmeandf ellevendeeperf orhim butl
ookwher e
wear enow.Goandbewi t
ht heloveofyourli
fe"
-
Thuladosaidsqueezingherhand
"It
houghtI
'm donewit
hhi m butt
henIsawhissexy
shadysel
fonyourlobolaandmypoorl i
tt
lehear
t
wentbonker
snowI '
mr elocati
ng…mjol
oneh"-
Nana
"
Mjol
othepandemi
c"-Theybot
hchuckl
ed
"Oknow, Iwantustogosomewher e.Ihavea
surpr
iseforyoubefor
eIleaveyou,butI'
m sucha
goodfri
endyazi,I
'mleavi
ngyouint hearmsofyour
husband,Iknowyouwi l
lbewellt
akencar eofi
nmy
absence"-Nanasaidgett
ingup
"
Don'
tfl
att
eryour
sel
f"-Thul
ado
"
I'
m goi
ngt
opaybyt
het
il
ls"-Nanasai
d
"
Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
ieveyoubr
oughtmeher
ejustf
or
cof
fee"-Thul
ado
"
Angit
hiI'
mtel
li
ngyout
hatIhaveanot
hersur
pri
se
f
oryou"-Nana
Theybot
hhopedi
ntoThul
ado'
scaranddr
oveof
f.
*
***
Thesunwasst ar
ti
ngtoset,andever
ythingin
nat
ur ecal
meddownexceptf ort
hebreezethat
whooshedar oundcausi
ngt hetr
eestodance.
Thuladocamet oahaltoutsideagol
festatei
n
MountEdgecombe, shelookedtoNanawhom was
gi
vingnothingaway.
"
Okwhat
'snext
?"-Thul
adoasked
"Gi
vemeami nut
e"-Nanasai
dgoi
ngt
hroughher
phone,
aft
eracoupl
eofminut
esshel
edherinsi
de.
Thuladocoul dn'
tclosehermout h,thepl acewas
beauti
f ulandelegant,i
twasexqui si
telydecorated
withfreshf l
owers,thehallwasfullcream witha
touchofbl ackandgol d.I
tmustbeaf ancypart
yor
aweddi ngforsomeoner i
chThul adot houghtto
hersel
f, shewonderedwhatt heywer edoi nghere.
"Ar
eweatt heri
ghtplace,seemsli
keweare
i
ntruding"-Thuladowhisperedhol
dingt
hehem of
herblackcocktail
sdress
"
Fol
lowme"-Nanawhi
sper
edback
Shel
edthem t
oapr
ivat
eroom att
heback,where
shemetupwit
hNomzamoandt hepast
orswif
e.
"Andthen…what
'sgoi
ngonher
e?"-Thul
adoasked
perpl
exed
"Iwasabouttoaskthesamethi
ng"-Nomzamosai
d
gett
ingonherfeet
,shetoowasadornedi
nabl
ack
cocktai
ldr
ess.
"
Wel
lladi
es,
ther
e'sonl
yonewayt
ofi
ndout
"-Nana
Thepast orswifesmi l
edatt hem al
mostasi fshe
wasapr oudmot her,shethenledthem outgoing
backt othehall
.Nowt herewassof tmusicplayi
ng
andaf ewpeopl egather edaround,Nomzamo
spottedtheluxuriouslookingwomanst andingnext
totheirpart
ners.Shel eanedinwhisperi
ngin
Thulado'sears.
"
Isn'
tthatt
heKhoza'
s?"-Nomzamo
"I
t'
sdefi
nit
elyt
hem,
Isuddenl
yfeelunderdr
essed"-
Thulado
"
Youtwolookamazi
ng,
don'tst
ress"-Nana
whi
sper
edtothebot
hofthem.
Themusi cpl
ayedlouderwhenthedjsawt hetwo
l
adiesbeingusheredi
n,theguestsstoodin
for
mat i
onandinawe, Thul
adoandNomzamower e
natur
all
ybeauti
fulandtheconstantblushi
ngmade
them appearevenmor ei
nnocent.Rightinthe
middlestoodFrankandMhl engiadornedi nblack
tuxedo'
s,Mhlengibei
ngdarkandt het al
lest.Frank
fairski
nnedandwi t
hahintofcoloured, butthere
wasnodoubtt hattherewer
ebr others.Themusi c
quitendownwhent hecouplesmetandhel dhands
i
nt heheartofthehall
.
Fr
ankwentdownonhi
skneef
ir
st.
"Nomzamoyouhavebeenpat ientwi thme,youar e

unreal.Idon' tthi
nkthereisaper sonoutt herewho
i
sl i
keyou, youaremyspeci althing.I '
m sorryfor
thethingsIputyout hrough,Idraggedyoui ntomy
mess, Ir ui
nedyourl i
feandyoust i
llloved
regardless.Iadmi reyousomuch, noonecanever
underst andwhatwehave, evenIst i
llt
hinkit'
sa
dream somet imes,Il
oveyouZamo.Canyoube
niceandacceptt hisri
ng,dof oreverwi t
hme? "-
Frank
"Idon'
tknowwhyyout
ookt
hisl
ongFr
ankNgcobo
andyessi
ll
y,al
sowearepr
egnantwit
htwi
ns"-
Nomzamosaidwit
htear
sgushingdownherf
ace
ThecrowdcheeredandFrankpi
ckedherupand
twi
rl
edheraroundinexci
tement
.
Mhl
engismoochedThul
adoandt
hecr
owdwas
smi
tt
en.
"I'
m sorr
yIcoul dn'tr
esistawusemhl e!Youtaki
ng
mybr eathaway"-Mhl engisaidgoi ngononeknee,
"WellI'
vealreadyaskedyouandyousai dyesbut
what '
sthepoi ntofhavingallthesedr eamsthat
aren'
tfulfi
ll
ed.Al i
ttl
ebirdi
etoldmet hatwomenl ike
thesethingsandIwantyout oonl ydot hi
sonce
withjustmet ill
wegot oourgr ave.Wher edoIstart
?
Howdi danobody
l
ikemeendupwi t
hanal tr
uist
icwomanli
keyou,
yousavedmyli
fetwiceandyoudidn'
tevenknow
me,youhadt
oupr ootfr
om yourhomeandleave
everyt hingbehi ndforaloserlikeme.Ir emember
thatni ghtwewal kedatni ghtaimlesslynotknowi ng
wher et ogo, Ifeltl
ikeshitbecauseIhadnot hi
ngt o
myname, notevenshackt ohideourheads.
Thul adoyoul ovedmewhenpeopl el aughedatyou,
youhel dthef ortshorty,
youhel dmedownl ikean
anchorhol dsashi p.Iknewi nyouIf oundmy
mi ssingr i
b, iknewIwant edt ospendt her estofmy
l
ifewi thyou.Il oveyouwi theverythinginme, thisis
justar i
ngyouknow, mypr omiset oyoui scomi ng
from thedept hsofmyhear t.Iwantust obui ldthis
homet ogether ,ngiyakut
handaThul adoMdl etshe"-
Mhl engi
"YouknowIl oveyout oomuchi tscaresme, i
t'
sli
ke
youar ethedefi
niti
onofloveandI 'vetr
iedtothink
ofmyl if
ewi t
houtanddamni t
spr ett
yscary.You
thi
nkI '
mt hi
sshinningli
ttl
ediamondFuze, butyou
havebeent heonlythingthatmakesensei nmyl i
fe
forthelongestofti
me, yougavemeahomeand
beautif
ulchil
dren.Yousuppor t
edmei nti
mes
wher eIwascer t
ainyouwoul dleave,wahlalanami.
NgiyakuthandaMhl engiNgcoboandyesl et'
sbuil
d"
-Thuladosai
dgivi
ngMhl
engiherhandsohecoul
d
sl
idtheringi
n.
Thecr
owdcheeredandthemusi
cblast
edsett
ing
themood.I
twasanengagementpar
tyaft
eral
l.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
55].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
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Chapt
er103
[
unedi
ted]
Mhlengiaskedt
obepardonedashegent
lypul
led
Thuladoawayfr
om t
hegroupofladi
eswhofussed
aroundherandNomzamo.
"
IhopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bing"-Mhl
engi
"I
t'
sokay,
Idi
dn'tknowthewiveswer
esocool ,I
wasevenoff
eredajobatK-medhospit
al"-Thul
ado
saidwi
thachort
le
"That
'
sni ce,
wear ebl
essedt
ohavethatf
ami
lyi
n
ourcorner.I
fyouwanttomakef
riendswi
tht
hem
goforit"-Mhlengi
"Toolat
e,NomzamoandIaregoi
ngt
oaSpadat
e
nextweek.Appar
ent
lyt
heyownone,
canyou
beli
eveit
"-Thul
ado
"
DoyouwantaSpat
oo?
"-Mhl
engi
"
What
?NoIwantmydr
eam carf
ir
st"-Thul
ado
"
Okay"-Mhl
engisai
dwi
thasmi
le
"
Sowhyar
eweout
side?
"-Thul
ado
"
Forf
reshai
r"-Mhl
engisai
dpul
li
nghercl
ose
"Thankyou,Ihonestlydidn'
tthi
nkaboutan
engagementparty.Itisperf
ect,j
ustthethi
ngI
neededtogetintothatspiri
tofplanningmy
wedding"-Mhlengi
"Anyt
hingf oryou"-Mhl
engisaidplanti
ngakisson
herli
ps,kissi
ngherpassionat
ely.Hepulledout
breat
hless,hiseyesst
ari
ngatThul ado.
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"-Thul
ado
"Yes,don'
twor r
yabouti
t.Ibroughtyououthereto
tel
lyouthatIloveyouandthatI'
m sohappyt hatwe
arehere,Godcouldn'
thavegivenmeabet ter
partner
"-Mhlengisai
dcatchingatearbeforeit
couldmakelinesdownhi scheek.
"
No!What'
swr
ongFuze,Idon'
tli
keseei
ngyouli
ke
t
his…t
alkt
ome"-Thul
adosaidholdi
nghimti
ght
"
I'
m gr
atef
ulandIj
ustl
oveyouThul
ado"-Mhl
engi
Hewi
pedhi
seyesdr
ythenhepul
ledherback
i
nsi
de.
"
Youcangobewi
tht
heot
her
s,I
'
llseeyoul
ater
"-
Mhl
engi
"
Ohokay"-Thul
adosai
dconf
used.
Nevert
hel
essshemadeherwaybacktowherethe
l
adieswereseat
ed,
theysqueal
edatherr
etur
n.
"
Hej
ustcoul
dn'
twai
t"-Zanesai
d
"Iguess"-Thul
adosai
dshyl
y,Nanal
ookedher
suspici
ously
"I
sever
ythi
ngokay"-shewhi
sper
edi
nherearand
Thul
adonodded
Nomzamowasi nherel
ement ,
herconversati
ons
wereflowi
ngwithNell
yandNet he,
whi leThul
ado
foundEnhleandNandiint
erest
ingsincetheywere
alli
nthemedicalf
iel
d,t
hemenkeptst eal
ing
gl
ancesatt
hei
rwomenandi
twasasi
ghtt
osee.
Mhlengipul
ledFr
ankout
sidei
nonesecl
uded
cor
ner.
"
Isever
ythi
ngOK?
"-Fr
ankaskeddowni
nghi
s
whi
skey
"Ineedyoutot
akeourwi
vesoutofher
enow,
you
haveyourgunri
ght
?"-Mhl
engi
"
YesIhavet
hegun,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
"-"
Frank
"TheKr ugersarehereandIknowi twon'tendwell
,
pleasetakeThul adoandNomzamooutofher e.Get
homecol l
ectthechil
drenanddr i
veoutofDurban
untilyougetacal lf
rom me,ifyoudon'tgetmycall
pleasetakecar eofmyf amil
y.CallSf
isohewill
knowwhatt odo"-Mhl engi
"Whatthef
uckareyout
alkingabout?Areyou
crazy?
?I'
m notl
eavi
ngwithoutyou"-Fr
ank
"
Youneedt ogoFrankanddoitdi
scr
eet
ly,
they
must
n'tsuspectathi
ng,t
her
earetwoguysinsui
ts
atthebackandt wobythedooronyourl
eft
.I'
m
surethatguywhocameatt heoff
icei
ssomewher
e
aroundaswell"-Mhlengi
"I'
m notl
osi
ngyoudamni t
,IlostFr
edbutnowI'
m
notlosi
ngmyli
ttl
ebrother
,ift
heyareher
eforyou
thentheyar
ehereformetoo"-Frank
"Exceptwewillbeputti
ngourwivesindanger
i
ncludingourguests,af
teryouaregone,Iwi
ll
negot i
atewi
ththem andseewhathappens"-
Mhl engi
"
Wecanal
lgo"-Fr
ank
"Youdon'
tunder
standFr ank,
theyhavethei
reyes
onme, I
'
vebeenobservingthem theent
ireni
ght,
nowdoasIsay"-Mhl engi
"Theyhavebeenher
etheentir
enightandyoudi
dn'
t
seetheneedtocal
lthepol
ice?"-Fr
ank
"
Callt
hepol i
ce?Areyoucrazy?Lookbaf
otheseare
mypeopl eandI'
m notacoward,Iknowhowtodeal
wit
hthis"-Mhlengi
Theuncleandpast orapproachedcausi
ngt
hetwo
topausetheirbi
ckeri
ng,theyquickl
yworef
ri
endl
y
smil
eswal ki
ngtowar dsthem.
"Svi
nininawebhunusengi hembebafanabami,l
et
mel eavetheyoungstarstoenj
oy.Thefuncti
onis
beautif
ulandcongrat
ulati
onstothebothofyoubut
yourauntandIcan'tgoonwear en'tasyoungli
ke
before"-uncl
e
"
MalumeIwil
lor
ganizeyouanUbert
otakeyout
o
t
hehotel
"-Mhl
engi
"
Ngi
yobongamf
anawami
"-uncl
e
"I
'
vealreadybidfar
ewel
ltoyourwi
ves,wel
ldone
andblessingst
obothyouruni
ons,
thisi
snot
goodbye"-Pastor
"
Saf
etr
avelsandthankyouf
orever
ythi
ng…bye
Mal
ume"-Frank
Theoldmendissapear
edinsi
del
eavi
ngt
he
brot
hersal
oneonceagain.
"
Awwmadoda"-avoicer
oar
edbehi
ndt
hem,
itwas
Mfanapuf
fi
ngaj
oint
"
Skeyfmf
ethu"-Mhl
engi
Mfanatookonelastpullandgavethebl
aatj
iet
o
Mhlengi
,Frankj
uststoodt her
ewit
hhishandsinhi
s
pocket
s.
"AwwNgcobomf et
huIseecharact
ersinsi
det
he
hall
,ar
ethoser
atsyourguest
s?"-Mfana
"
Doyouknowt
hem?
"-Mhl
engi
"
IknowaratwhenIseeone,
I'
mfr
om t
hest
reet
s
t
ooli
keyou"-Mfana
"
MmmhIsee, l
ikeyousaidrat
s…ratsdon'tget
i
nvi
tedt
heycomel i
kescavenger
sthattheyare"-
Mhl
engisai
dgett
ingworkedup
"Aymfethurelax,
ngekebenzeni
x,t
heyare
outnumbered"-Mfanasai
dgetti
nghisphone
Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
esNkosanaandYandacame.
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"-Nkosana
"
Wehaveuni
nvi
tedguest
s"-Mf
anasai
d
"
coder
ed?
"-Yanda
"
Ayj
usthungr
yrat
s"-Mhl
engi
"Weneedt
ogetthewomenoutofher
e"-"
Frank
sai
dinapani
ckedtone
"
Manj
ewakhulumaengat
hiuyasabandoda"-Mf
ana
(
Yout
alki
ngl
ikeyouscar
ed)
"I
'm notcutoutf
orthi
sshit
,Idi
dn'tgrowupinthe
str
eetsli
keyou.Ididot
herstuf
fjustnotgunsand
rat
s"-Franksaidfr
anti
cal
ly
Mfanalaughedli
ghti
ngupanotherj
oint
,Mhlengi
wasawf ul
lyqui
et,hecl
enchedhi
sjawstar
ingint
o
space.
"I
'
llgetNkanyeziandLangatogetthel
adi
est
o
safet
y,Ntwenhle'
shouse?"-Yanda
"
Yes,butyouandNtsikashoul
dst
aybecause
Mnqobiisn'
ther
e"-Nkosana
"
Ntsikai
sleavi
ngforeNgonyamenit
oni
ght
,Idon'
t
t
hinkheshouldst
ay"-Yanda
"
ThenNkanyezimustst
ay,
Langacant
aket
he
l
adi
es"-Nkosana
"
I'
llgowi
th"-Fr
ank
"
Bri
ll
iant
..
.comewi
thme"-Yanda
Theydi
ssapear
edbacki
nsi
de.
"
Whatareweget t
ingour
sel
vesi
nvol
vedi
n?"-
Nkosanaasked
"
It
'st
hekruger
stheywantmoneytheydi
dn'
twork
f
or,t
heywerenotevenapar
toft
heheist
"-Mhlengi
"
Idon'
tunder
stand"-Mf
ana
"
It
'st
hei
rbr
other
sbutt
heywer
eki
ll
ed"-Mhl
engi
"Andyouweresupposedtogi
vet
hei
rfami
li
esacut
kruger
,youknowthedri
ll
"-Mf
ana
"Never!Isuff
eredandnotevenasi ngleoneoft hem
came.Mywomanwasl eftalonetostrugglewithmy
chil
drenwi t
hnokr ugerinsight.Nowt heythinkthey
cancomeher eandmakedemands, ngifungaoFuze
bephelelaIwil
lkil
lalloft
hem"-Mhl engisaid
gett
ingwor kedup
Hetri
edtodashinsi
debutNkosanaandMf
ana
pul
ledhi
m back.
"
Rel
ax"-Mf
ana
"Wewillwai
theref
orYanda,
justsowedon'
tdr
aw
att
ent
ion"-Mfanasai
d
Suddenl
ytheyhear
dgunshotcomi
ngf
rom i
nsi
de
t
hehal
l.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
56].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
Chapt
er104
Caut
ion -St
rongl
anguage&Gr
aphi
cs
"Mywife…mywi f
e"-Mhlengicr
iedout
,hedr
ewout
hisgunandcockeditandsodidMfanaand
Nkosana
"
Shi
t!
"-Nkosanamut
ter
ed
Guestfl
edoutthehalli
ndiff
erentdir
ecti
ons,
Mhlengicoul
dhearThulado'
svoicepierci
ngfrom
i
nsideandhisheartshat
ter
ed.Her aninsi
deonlyto
bepushedoutbyYandawhom hadThul adoand
Nel
lyoneitherhand.
"Fr
ankyout akemyBenz,it
'sbul
letproof.Foll
ow
Langa,Iwil
lsendMikeourdri
vertofetcht he
chi
ldrenandyournanny"-Nkanyeziordered
"Whatsgoi
ngonMhl
engi
"-Thul
adoshr
iekedi
n
utt
ershock
"
Iloveyoushor
ty"-Mhl
engir
epl
iedshamef
ull
y
Ntsi
kahadNandiandNomzamo,theyrushedt hei
r
womeninthei
rprot
ect
edcarsanddroveoff.Left
behi
ndwasNkosana,Yanda,
MfanaandMhl engi.
"
Aikemadodal
etsgot
alkt
other
ats"-Mf
anasai
d.
"
Ist
her
eanyonehur
t?"-Nkosana
"No,t
heyshotint
heairwhent heysawusl
eavi
ng,
I
guesstheypi
ckeditup"-Yanda
*
***
Thul
adocouldn'
tstopcryi
ng,shecouldn'tst
op
aski
ngforherchi
ldrenandNomzamowentmut e,
Nanatr
iedherbesttocalm herdearf
rienddown.
"
Mychi
ldr
en…somebodycal
l
edPage"-Thul
ado
"Don'twor
rysi
sNkaisor
gani
zingf
orthem t
oget
pickedup,t
heywi
llbewi
thusshor
tl
y"-Zane
"Youaresaf ewit
hus, butyouneedtocalm down
andbest rongforyouandyourchi l
dren.They
must n'
tseeyoulikethissisi
,athometheywillmeet
otherkidsandtheywon' tevenknowwhat '
sgoing
on"-Masabat
ha
"
Youguysdon' tunderst
and,Mhlengii
snotoutof
t
hegutteryet.Idon'
twanttolosehim,Idon'
twant
t
ogot hroughthispr
egnancyaloneagain.Iwantmy
man"-Thuladosobbed
"
Hiswit
hourmenandt
heywon'
tlett
hathappen"-
Nel
ly
"Pageandthechi
ldr
enjustgotpi
ckedupThul
ado,
sothere'
snoneedtoworry"-Fr
anksai
daft
er
hanginguponthephone
*
***
Mhlengiwalkedinsi
det hehal
lslowly,itwasquiet
youwoul ddenythattherewasabeaut iful
engagementpartynotsol ongago.Chai rswere
l
yingont hefl
oor,pi
ecesofbrokengl assesandt he
decorwrecked.Theroofwashangi ngf rom t
he
bull
ets,t
heowner softhisest
abli
shmentmustbe
horr
ifi
ed.
Mybuddy,
mybuddy,
wher
everIgo,
hego
Mybuddy,
mybuddy,
youcanr
unf
oryourl
if
e
I
'
mast
ickhi
m outt
hewi
ndow
Mybuddy,
mybuddy,
I'
lll
ayyaassout
Mot
her
fucker
,it
'ssi
mpl
e,st
ayi
nyourpl
ace
Ir
ecommendorsayhel
lot
omyl
it
tl
efr
iend
Mhlengisangt helyri
csto50cent 'ssongwi t
hno
emot i
ononhi sface,hesangt hosewor dsoverand
overti
llhewasst andinginthemi ddleofthehal
l.
Hewasangr yandt hekrugerswerenowher etobe
seen,hecrouchedt othefloorwiththeguni nhi
s
hands,hefeltdisr
espectedandi thurthimtothe
core.Suddenlyhef el
tacol dmetalonhi shead,
he
stoodupslowl ywithasmugonhi sf ace.
"
Tur
nar
oundskhot
heni
"-Thevoi
cesai
d,hedi
d
"
Yamsunukanyoko"-Mhl
engispat(
yourmot
her
's
pr
ivat
es)
"FuckenMhl engi,alwayst heoptimist"-t
heguysai d,
Mhlengil aughedmocki ngl
y,"ut
hembenindoda
becausewesawal lofyourcheeseboyf ri
endsleave,
theymayhavet akenyourwi vesbutwewi l
lget
them andyourchi ldren.Myguysar eont heway
thereaswespeak, yabonanamhl anje!I'
m
dethroningyourgr eedyass.Youcan' tbeaKruger
andbehavel ikethis, youarenothingMhl engi
…ver y
weak" -t
heguy
"Sawoti
!!"-Mhl engiroar
edenr aged,"Sawotinj
a!!
Youthinkyoudeser vemymoney?Yout hi
nkyou
deservetol ead?Fineyoucanhavet hekruger
sbut
youwi l
lbedeadwi t
hinayear.Youknowwhy?
Becauseyoust upid,emptyhead…don' tgetme
star
tedwi thyourlazyass,kuyaset shenzwandoda!!
Thisisnotki ngshitwhereyousi tandyourservant
runaroundl icki
ngyourass, i
ndodai yaphuma
i
sebenze! !
"-Mhl engi(amanwor kshar d)
"Iwantmymoney!
"-Sawotisai
dangri
lyast
hreeof
hisguyscamei
nwithgunsinthei
rhands
"
Idon'
toweyoumoney"-Mhl
engi
Sawotil
andedahotcloutonMhl engi'
sfacehe
growl
edinangerbutsuppressedit.
"
Isai
dIwantmymoney"-Sawot
i
Mhlengil
ookedatSawot ii
ntensely,
Sawotigrabbed
him byhi
sjaw,heforcedopenhi smouthand
shovedaguninside,
thenhel aughedproudly.
"Icoul
djustpul
lthet
ri
ggerandbl
owyourf
ace"-
Sawoti
Mhlengiretal
iat
edwi t
haheavypuncht hatl
anded
Sawot ionthefl
oor ,Mhlengibeganki
ckinghi
m on
hi
sribs, t
heli
ttl
ekr ugerscockedthei
rgunsinfear
poi
ntingittoMhl engishakil
y.
"bekaniivolovolophansi
"-Mfanasaidstr
oll
ingin,
thekrugersi gnoredhi
m poi
nti
ngatMhl engi
,"Ngit
he
bekaniintshizaphansi"-Mf
anaroaredtheboys
hesit
ated( putthegunsdown)
"
Eyni
na!
!Don'
tli
stent
ohi
m"-Sawot
icr
iedouton
t
hefl
oor
"
Eyfusegwenaumsi
ndo"-Yandacuthi
m shor
t
(
pissof
fyoumaki
ngnoise)
"Aylobhakauyangi
xakamfethu,
usekewuli
sa
okwenganenotsolongagohewasact ingli
kethe
punisher"-Mf
anasaidli
ght
ingajoi
nt(Hisnow
cryi
nglikeababy)
"
Evencal
li
nguscheeseboys"-Nkanyezi
sai
d
l
aughi
ng
"Manj
eseshodangepent
i"-Mhl
engi,
theyal
lbur
st
outl
aughi
ng.(nowheneedsapanty)
Oneoft hekr
ugerspani
ckedandopenedfir
e
str
iki
ngYanda,hesteppedbackhol
dingontohi
s
chest.TheBi
znizandMhlengif
ir
edback,fr
esh
bloodgushedfrom t
hebodi
eswhom l
aidcol
don
thefl
oor.Sawoti
'seyeswer
easbi
gassaucersas
thehorr
orsett
ledin.
"
Yayouwer
esayi
ng?
"-Mhl
engiaskedSawot
i
"Ar
eyouokay?
"-NkosanaaskedYanda,henodded
unbut
toni
nghi
sshi
rtexposi
nghisbul
letpr
oofvest
.
Nkanyezimadeacal
ltot
hei
rcleaner
s,whi
le
Nkosanaoptedt
ogonegoti
atewitht
heownersof
t
heestate.
*
***
*
AtNt
wenhl
e'
shouse*
ThuladoandNomzamosatout
sidewat
chi
ngt
hei
r
chi
ldrenbl
endi
nwitht
heother
s.
"
I'
m scar
ed"-Thul
ado
"I
fsomet
hingbadhappenedwewoul
dhaveknown
bynow"-Nomzamo
"
Areweevergoi
ngt
obehappy?
"-Thul
ado
"
Yeswewil
lbehappy,
rightnowweneedt
otr
usti
n
t
heLor
d"-Nomzamo
"Ij
ustwanttohearhisvoi
ceNomzamo, Fr
ankhas
beenpacingupanddownever si
ncewearri
vedher
e,
I'
m pret
tysur
ehet oohasn'
thear
dfrom hi
m"-
Thulado
"Thul
adopleasestopokay,Iknowyouf eeli
ng
helpl
essbutwecan' tbenegat
ive.Mhlengiwilbe
fi
ne,l
et'
sjusttr
ustthem andwait"-Nomzamo
"
Wher
eisNana?
"-Thul
ado
"
She'
sgone,sheleftwhenyouwer
easleep,
her
f
li
ghtpr
obablydepart
edanhourago"-Thul
ado
Abr
upt
lyt
het
winsshr
iekedi
nexci
tement
,theyr
an
towar dsthedoor,Thuladost oodt oherfeetclothed
i
nf ear .Heremoti
onswer esor aveledshecoul dn't
dif
ferent i
ate,
shecriedthinki
ngt hewor sefoll
owi ng
thechi ldr
en.Shecamet ohal twhenshesaw
Mhl engiwear i
nghissweat pantsandahoodi e,he
musthavechangedf r
om t hetuxedo.Mhl engiput
thechi ldr
endownandst aredather .
"
I'
m sor
ry"hewhi
sper
ed
Thul
adocriedi
nreli
ef,
shethrewhersel
finhi
sar
m
andthehuggedfort
helongestoft
ime.
*
ONEMONTHLATER*
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
56].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapt
er106
Cloudsgatheredi
ntheskydarkeni
nginseconds,
therai
nstart
edpouri
ngfor
cingeveryonet
oseekfor
shel
ter.
"
Thi
srai
ncameoutofnowher
e"-Nomzamo
"
Youthink,
mypoorchildr
en.Pagemustjustt
ake
t
hem home, t
heywontbeabletoswi
m underthi
s
weat
her"-Thulado
"
Thepoolsar
eheat
ed,theyshoul
dbef
ineort
hey
wil
lbegr
umpyashell
"-Zamo
"
True,
let
'sgr
abacupofhotchocol
atesowecan
t
alk"-Zamo
"
Pleasedoublecheckifyouhavelockedyourcar ,
t
her emotejamminginmal l
sisreal
.Theycl eaned
mycol l
eaguescarthi
sonet i
me,theytookher
l
aptopandgr ocer
iesbecauseshedidn'tcheck"-
Nomzamo
"
Ial
wayshearabouti
tbutIf
orget
"-Nomzamo
"Unt
ili
thappenstoyou,
imagi
nehavi
ngt
ogoback
andshopagain"-Nomzamo
"Mhl
engiwoul
dfindt
hem i
nlesst
han24hour
s"-
Thul
adosaidwit
hasmir
k
"Ohkonje,
howcanIf or
getwhohubbyis"-
Nomzamor espondedandtheybot
hbrokeint
oa
chuckl
e
"Ontherealt
hough,
Ishoul
dgeti
ntot
hehabi
tof
checki
ng"-Thul
ado
"
Yesandyouneedt ocal
lthepoli
cestat
ionandt
ell
t
hem aboutwhatt
ranspi
redhereear
li
eron"-Zamo
"
Courtney?Mxm Isti
llwanttomakehersquirm.I
wanthertokeeplookingoverhershoul
der
,ifshe
getarr
est
edshewi llgetusedofbeinginacellthan
aft
eracoupleofmont hsshewillgetagli
mpseof
hopeandstartcounti
nghowmanydaysl eftt
illshe
getsherf
reedom.Butr i
ghtnow,she'seat
ingoutof
myhand"-Thuladosaidwi t
hasmug
"Exceptshemighthar
m you,
ifIdi
dn'
tcome,only
Godknowswhatwoul dhavehappened…quitt
his
gameandl etCourt
neyfacet
hemusic"-Zamo
"Okf
ine,
Iwi
llcal
lthedetect
iveoncewear
eseat
ed
atMugg&Bean"-Thulado
Aft
erdoublechecki
ngthecarThul
adoand
Nomzamomadet hei
rwaybackint
othemallagai
n,
butthi
sti
met ogrababit
e.
"
So?
"-Thul
ado
"
What
?"-Nomzamo
"
Overthephoneyousai
dyouhavesomet
hingyou
wantt
oaskme"-Thulado
"
Okuhm…Iwantyout
oknowt
hati
ftheansweri
s
no,Iwi
llt
otal
lyunder
stand,
noawkwar
dness"-
Zamo
"
Getoutwi
thi
t"-Thul
ado
"AsyouknowI'm anorphanandweunanimously
deci
dedthatpastorshoul
dmar r
yus,Iwas
wonderi
ngifyoucouldpleaseshar
eyourdadwit
h
me.IcouldwalkdownonmyownbutIj ustwi
sh"-
Zamopausedwi pinghertear
s
"Hey.
.hey,absolut
ely.Icansharemyfatherwit
h
youobviousl
yI'm goingtoaskhimfir
stbutIknow
hewillsayyes.Don'tcry"-Thul
ado
"
I'
m bei
ngababy,
Iknow"-Zamo
"
Noyounot ,i
fthi
sishowyouenvi sionedi
tthenwe
wil
lmakeithappen,ialsowishmymom coul dbe
t
hereyouknowbutit '
scool"-Thul
ado
"
That
'
sal
lIwant
edt
oaskyou"-Zamo
"I
nthatcaseletmecal
lmymanandf
indoutwher
e
heis"-Thul
ado
Shedi
aledMhl
engibuti
twentst
rai
ghtt
ovoi
cemai
l,
shedial
edherfat
herandNhl
anhl
obutt
hei
rcel
ls
rangunanswer
ed.
"
Theyar
en'
tpi
cki
ngup"-Thul
adosai
dwor
ri
ed
"
Theywi
llcal
lyoubackmaybei
t'
snet
wor
k"-Zamo
"
Yeah,
letmememessaget
hedet
ect
ive.
*
***
LaterthatnightThul
adot uckedinthekidsand
returnedtothelounge,sheswitchedofftheTVand
staredintospace.Ther
ewasnosi gnofMhl engi
andal lthei
rphoneswer enowof f.Herphone
chimedont hecoff
eetable,shegrabbeditand
answer ed.
"
Hel
lo"-Thul
ado
"HeyMi ssMdlet
sheit
'sthedet
ect
ive,
I'
m sor
ryt
o
callyousolat
e"-hesaid
"
HowcanIhel
pyou?
"-Thul
adosai
dimpat
ient
ly
"Thankyouf orthemessage,wehavearrest
ed
Courtney,shewashi di
ngathermother
'shousein
Hill
crest.I
'
m goingtoneedyoutocomet ostat
ion
tomor r
owf orastat
ementofwhattookplaceatmall
thi
smor ni
ng"-Captain
"
Sur
e,Iwi
llcome"-Thul
adosai
dhangi
ngup.
Shedi
aledNomzamo.
"
Hel
lo"-Zamo
"Hey,I
'm sor
ryt
ocallyounow,
IhopeI
'
m not
dist
urbi
ngyou"-Thulado
"Nonowej
usthoppedi
ntobed,
isever
ythi
ngOK?
"-
Zamo
"Theyarr
est
edCour
tney,
thecapt
ainj
ustcal
ledme"
-Thulado
"
Final
ly!Nowwecangetmar
ri
edi
npeace"-Zamo
"
Yeah,
doyout
hinkIshoul
dbewor
ri
ed…Mhl
engi
i
sn'
tbackyet
"-Zamo
"Ser
ious?Ar
eyouOKt her
e.IcanaskFr
ankt
ocome
andcheckonyouguys"-Zamo
"Nono,t
here'
snoneed.I
'
m sur
eMhl
engiwi
llcal
lor
somethi
ng"-Thul
ado
"
Yousur
e?"-Zamo
"
Yes…goodni
ght
"-Thul
adosai
dthanshehungup.
Shesatinsil
enceunti
lther
ewasaknockont he
door,i
twasobviousl
yaf amil
ymemberbecause
theywouldn'
thavepassedthrought
hegatewit
hout
thecode.SheopenedthedoorandinwalkedMusa
andhisbabymama.
"Heykoti
,sorryt
ocomesol at
ebutIhavean
emergencyandIdi dn'twantt
oleavet
hem al
one"-
hesaidpointi
ngtot hebabymamaandt hechil
d
whowasal readyinpj's
"
It
'sOK,
youguyscomei
n"-Thul
ado
Theymadet
hemsel
vescomf
ort
abl
e.
"Youcantakehimtosl
eepinthechi
ldren'
s
bedroom Hl
engi
we"-Thul
adosaidtothebaby
mama, shenoddedandusher
edtheboyupt he
stai
rs
"I
'm goi
ngtogo,
Iwillcomefort
hem i
nthemor
ning.
I'
m sosorr
ybutMhlengisai
dIcoul
dcomehereifI
haveanemergency"-Musa
"Sur
e,Idon'tmi
nd.Ijusthopeyouarenotdoi
ng
anyt
hingil
legal
"-Thuladosai
dworryingl
y
"Relax"-Musasai
dcoyl
y,heshowedhert
humbsup
beforewalki
ngoutinahur
ry.
Fewminut
eslat
erHlengi
wer
etur
nedf
loppi
ngi
n
oneoft
hecouches.
"
Doyouknowwher
ehi
sgoi
ng?
"-Thul
adoasked
i
nqui
sit
ivel
y
"I
'
velearnednottoaskanymore,
somet
imesI
'm not
sureifIwantt
ol i
vel
iket
hisbutt
henmyhear
t
betr
aysme"-Hl engi
we
"Mhlengihasn'
tret
urned,
helef
tthi
smorni
ngtogo
fet
chmyf at
her
.Hisphoneisoff
"-Thul
adosai
d
nervousl
y
"Stor
yofmyl i
fe,
hisakr ugerntombot hi
sisintheir
blood.I'
vepreparedmysel fthatonedayI'l
lseehis
bloodybodyont hesideoft her oadwit
h20bul l
ets,
probablyhisfacedisf
iguredbecausepeopl ewho
l
ivethisli
fedieli
kedogsandqui t
efr
anklynobody
cares"-Hlengiwesaidcarelessly
"
Idon'
twantMhl
engit
odi
eli
ket
hat
"-Thul
adosai
d
"I
t'
snotuptoyou, butthem.LookatSf i
sohewent
toJoburgnotonlybecauseoft hetr
ansferbutto
enlar
gethei
rter
r i
tor
y,hethinkshisinvi
nci
blesince
hisatopdetect
ivebutoneday"Shesai dshaking
herhead,"
Doyouhavewi ne"-Hlengiwefur
ther
asked
"
Yes,
gol
ooki
ntheki
tchen"-Thul
ado
"
Butthi
sisyourhouse,youshoul
dser
veme"-
Hl
engiwesai
djokingl
y
"I
'
mtoostr
essedt
odothat,i
fyouwai
tformet
hen
youmi
ghtaswell
for
geti
t"-Thul
ado
Aft
eranhourofHlengiwedri
nki
ngandThulado
l
ookingatherphone,
itrangi
twasFrank.
"
Hel
lo"-Thul
ado
"
Hey!youal
ri
ght
?"-Fr
ank
"
YesI
'
m good"-Thul
ado
"
Hashecal
ledyouyet
?"-Fr
ank
"
No,
I'
m st
il
lwai
ti
ng"-Thul
ado
"
Doyouwantmet
ocomet
her
e?"-Fr
ank
"
No,
noI
'
m wi
thHl
engi
we"-Thul
ado
"Okcool,
pleaset
ellhi
mtocal
lmewhenher
etur
ns"
-Frank
"
Wher
eismyhusbandFr
ank?
"-Thul
adoaskedwi
th
ashakyvoi
ce
"Idon'
tknow,
hesai
dhewasgoi
ngt
oMooiRi
ver
"-
Frank
"
Don'
tli
etome"-Thul
ado
"I
'm beinghonest
,Ipr
omiseyouhehasagood
explanati
onforal
loft
his.Don'
twor
ry"-Fr
anksai
d
hangingup
Thul
adowi
pedt
het
ear
swel
li
nguphereyes.
"
Wast
hatFr
ank?
"-Hl
engi
wesai
dlooki
ngdr
owsy
"
Yes"-Thul
ado
"Youknowwhatyoutwoaredoingi
snotr
ightand
onedayitwi
llcomeout
"-Hlengi
we
"
Excuseme?
"-Thul
ado
"Isawyou,
I'
m notachi
ld.Mhl
engiwi
llki
llyoubot
h"
-Hlengi
wesai
dgiggl
ing
"
Youar
edel
usi
onali
fyout
hinksomet
hingi
sgoi
ng
onbet
weenFr
ankandI
"-Thul
ado
"Thul ado!TheQueen, it'
sal waysaboutyou"
Hlengi wesai dmocki ngl y,shedr ankt hel astof
what 'sleftint hebottle,thist i
menotevenusi ngthe
glass, "Youar esospoi ledandIcanseei thas
gotteni ntoyourhead, l
ookatyou.Youdi dn'
tclean
yourhouse, pili
ngupdi rtinsteadofcal l
ingyouout ,
wewer etoldt oletyoubebecauseyouknow, it
's
Thul ado, Whi l
eNomzamoandIgett ossedar ound,
yougetr oyalt reatment .WhenMhl engiwasi njail
ourmenhadt odropever ythingbecauseThul adois
i
nt roubl e,yetyoucheatonyourmanwi thhi s
brother "shel aughed, "Yout aki
ngNomzamof ora
foolhuh, areyousl eepi ngwi t
hMusat oo,
ngizot r
apakemi nasi si…angenzi wanj al
o.I nfact
carryoniwi llsitherewi thabagofpopcor nand
wat chyouendyourl i
f ebecauseonedayMhl engi
willfindout "-Hl engi
wesai dlaughing
"
Findoutwhat
?"-Mhl
engisai
dst
andi
ngatt
hedoor
Thul
adot
urnedherheadi
nthespeedofl
ight
ning,
hereyespoppedoutandherhear
tthr
obbedagai
nst
herri
bcage.
"
Whati
sHl
engi
wet
alki
ngaboutThul
ado?
"-Mhl
engi
"
M-Mhl
engiI
"-Thul
adomut
ter
ed
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
56].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
|
Chapt
er105
*
Mhl
engi
'
shouse*
"
Doyouneedhel
pwi
tht
hat
?"-Mhl
engi
"I
'
m al
mostdone,butyoucouldgetNtobekor
eady,
Pagei
scomingtopickthem up"-Thul
ado
Mhlengihuggedherf
rom behi
ndl
eavi
ngat
rai
lof
ki
ssesonherneck.
"
AwwMhl
engi
"-Thul
adosqueal
ed
"How'
sthel
it
tl
eone,
shoul
dn'
thebeshowi
ngby
now?"-Mhl
engi
"
It
'sst
il
lear
ly,pl
usSHEmustst
ayhi
ddenunt
ilaf
ter
t
hewedding"-Thul
ado
"
Whyar
eyousayi
ngi
t'
sashe?
"-Mhl
engi
"
IwantNt
obekot
obet
heonl
yboy"-Thul
adosai
d
wit
hasmug
"
What
!that
'snotf
air
,myboyneedsal
it
tl
ebr
other
t
oplaywi
thj
ustl
iket
het
winshaveeachot
her
"-
Mhl
engi
"
Wel
lwewi
llhavet
owai
tandsee"-Thul
ado
"
OkI
'
m goi
ngt
obeonmywaynow"-Mhl
engi
"Okpl
easenospeedi
ngandbecaref
ulnobut
ti
ng
headswit
htheMthet
hwa'
s"-Thul
ado
"Ipr
omisenomor et
roubl
e,I
'
mjustgoi
ngt
ofet
ch
yourfat
herandcomeback"-Mhl
engi
"
Thankyou,I
'vehadenoughofdr
amainmyl i
fe,
I
j
ustwanttogetmarr
iedandenj
oymyfamily
wit
houtl
ooki
ngbehindmyback"-Thul
ado
"
Yesmam"-Mhl
engisai
dcoyl
y
"I
'
m goingtobi
dfarewellatt
hehospi
talandI'
l
lbe
headi
ngtothemalltopickupafewthings,
doyou
wantanythi
ng?
"-Thulado
"
Iwantyou"-Mhl
engi
"
I'
m ser
iousnj
alo"-Thul
ado
"Ihaveever
ythi
ngIneedbutdoyoureal
lyhaveto
bidfarewel
l?I
t'
snotl
iket
heycareaboutyou,j
ust
l
eavet
hem hangi
ngl
iket
hat
"-Mhl
engi
"Asabusinessmanyouwi llsoonl earnthatyoudo
notburnbridges,justbecauseI'ver esi
gnedt owor k
atK-meddoesn' tmeant heyarebeneat hme, those
peoplecarr
iedmewhenIwasr unni ngfrom
Mkhuzeni,t
heygavemeaj obwi t houtquestionslet
alonetheexperienceIacquiredt here"-Thulado
"Bett
eryouthanme,alett
erisenoughI'
llsay
goodbyeont hedayandneverret
urnbutwomen,
youwantt opart
yandcrynonethel
essenjoyandtel
l
thatdoct
orwhowant syouthatIsai
dhi"-Mhlengi
,
Thuladothi
nnedhereyeslooki
ngathim.
"
Howdi
d…youknowwhatnever
mind"-Thul
ado
Thet
winscamer
unni
ngi
ntot
heki
tchen.
"
Mummyyouhaver
eachedmaxi
mum"-Lumi
njal
o
"
Maxi
mum what
?"-Thul
adoaskedconf
used
"
Youri
ce-
cream t
ubs,
it'
smor
ethanf
ive"-Lubanzi
"
Oh"-Thul
adosai
dembar
rassed
"Mummywewi l
ltaket
hem t
othest
orer
oom"-
Luminj
alosai
ddashingout
"
MummyIcanseeyoutryi
ngveryhard,
thehouse
i
sni
ceandcl
ean.Yougett
ingbet
ter
"-Lubanzi
Thul
adoquickl
ycaughthert
ears,
Mhl
engihel
dher
handgi
vingital
it
tl
esqueeze.
"AndIwouldn'tbegetti
ngbett
erifi
twasn'
tforyou
all
,especi
all
ymyl it
tl
eflower
swhomakesur e
mummydoesn' texceedherl
imit
…thankyou"-
Thulado
Lubanzir
antohugbot
hhermotherandf
athert
hen
di
ssapearedoutt
heki
tchen.
"Youdoingr
eal
lywellshor
ty"-Mhl
engisai
d
plant
ingaki
ssontopofherhead
Hewal
kedoutaswel
l.
Thuladowipedhert
ear
sasasmi lecr
eptonher
face,shet
hendrewoutherphonecal
li
ngNomzamo.
"
Mfazi
"-Zamo
"
YeboMf azi
,canwemeetatt hemal
lrat
herIhave
t
ostartatwork,t
heyprepar
edsomesortofa
f
arewellpar
tyforme"-Thul
ado
"Eish,
whydon' tImeetupwi t
hMasabathaandI'l
l
updateyou?Becauseshehasanot hereventshe'
s
planningIdoubtshewillhaveti
me"-Nomzamo
"Youknowwhat ,youareri
ght.Let
sdivi
deand
conquer,Ist
il
lneedtoshopformyf at
her'
sar
ri
val
"-
Thulado
"
AssoonasI'
m doneIwil
lcomeandmeetyout
her
e,
t
her
e'ssomet
hingIwantt
oaskyou"-Nomzamo
"
Ok"-Thul
ado
Shehungup.
*
***
*
Frank'
shouse*
Fr
ankwal
keduptoNomzamotostealaki
ssbef
ore
gr
abbi
ngabot
tl
eofwaterf
rom t
hefri
dge.
"
Adoubl
eweddi
nghuh?
"-Fr
ank
"YesandI'
m exci
ted,afterever
ythi
ngthathappened
Ithi
nkthi
sisbest,kil
ltwobirdswit
honest one.I
t
makessense,wehavet hesamecircl
eoffriends
andweareaf amily"-Nomzamo
"Don'toverwor
kyoursel
fnow,youcar
ryi
ngpreci
ous
cargo.AllowMasabathatodoherj
obinpeace"-
Frank
"
I'
m notli
ft
ingafi
nger,shejustwantstorunbya
f
ewt hi
ngswithusbeforefi
nalizi
ngwehavea
monthtogetever
ythi
ngi norder"-Zamo
"I
namont hsti
meyouwil
lbeNomzamoNgcobo,
verybef
it
ti
ng"-Fr
anksai
dwit
hasmirk
"ThedayIwalkedintot
hathotelseeki
ngf ora
sponsorformymot her
,neverinmywi l
destdreams
haveIthoughtI
'dbehererightnow"-Frank
"
Iloveyou"-Fr
ank
"
Iloveyoumor
e"-Zamo
"I
'
m goingtot
heof f
icebutI
'
llknockoffear
lysoI
cancook.Youjustr
elax…Okay"-Frank
"
Yessi
r"-Zamo
*
***
*
Themal
l
*
Thuladopackedhergif
tsandflowersshegotf r
om
thehospi
tali
ntoherboot,
it'
sthelit
tl
et hi
ngsthat
canmakeyouat argeti
npar ki
nglots.Thebestway
toavoidatai
list
okeepyourval uablesawayfrom
pryi
ngeyes.Sheclosedherbootanddi aled
Nomzamo.
"
I'
mr i
ghtt
here,
I'
m aboutt
odr
ivei
ntot
hepar
king
l
ot"-Nomzamosaid
"
OkIwi
llwai
tforyou"-Thul
ado
Sheleanedonhercarpagingthr
oughherphone
whenshenoticedapresence,whenshel
if
tedher
eyesshejumpedfrom f
right
.
"Stayawayf
rom meyoucr
azybi
tch"-Thul
adosai
d
steppi
ngback
"
Ijustwantt
otal
k"-Shewhi
sper
ed
"
Ihavenot
hingt
osaytoyou,
ifyoudon'
tleaveIwil
l
r
earr
angeyouri
nsel
fdef
ense,I
'm abl
ackgirlandI
canki
ckass.Don'
tbef
ool
edbymysi
ze"-Thul
ado
"I
'
veal r
eadylostmyjob,
myimageistai
nted.I'
m
beggingforyoutopl
easedr
opthecharges,iwil
l
dissapearandmovetoanot
herpr
ovinceplease"-
Courtney,Thul
adol
aughedl
oudsheevencl apped
herhands
"Ist
hatwhyyouwal ki
ngar oundwiththathideous
hatandhumongousgl asses?Whyar eyour unni
ng
awayf r
om yourcr
imesgirly?Handyour selfoverto
thepoli
cewhoknowsmaybet heywil
lbel enient
"-
Thuladosai
dinamocki ngt one
"Whyar esostuckupdamni t?Webot hknowI
didn'
ttouchyou,Ilostmyjobandyouhadyourf un.
Idon'twantMhlengianymorejustdropthe
charges…comeon, Idi
dn'
ttr
ytokil
lyou,Ididn'
t
touchyou"-Courtneysaiddesper
ately
"Youleftmel ockedinther
eandyouprevented
peoplefrom enteri
ng,nowtel
lmewhatwasyour
planhuh?Youl ur
edmei ntothatr
oom f
orar eason,
youwant edtoki l
lmesoyoucanhavemyhusband"
-Thuladosaidwavi ngtheri
ngonherface.Cour t
ney
t
urnedr
ed.
Shegrabbedherbyherneck,cl
enchingherjawsas
shepressedonThulado'
sthr
oat.Thuladokicked
Cour
tney'sabdomenwithherkneeshel etgo
pant
ing.Nomzamocamescr eaming.
"Youl
ayyourhandsonheronemor et
imesf
ebe
andwewilldecor
atet
hispar
kingl
otwit
hyourdr
y
body…b!
tch"-Nomzamo
Courtneywal
kedbackwar
dsherchestr
isi
ngand
fal
li
ng.
"
I'
m notdonewithyoubitch,
youbil
tong…youcan
r
unbutyoucan'thidenx"-Thul
adoscreamed
r
ubbingherneck,shet
urnedtoNomzamo" What
t
ookyousol ongshealmostkil
lme"-Thulado
"
Youaresuchacowar
d"-Nomzamosai
dhol
dingi
n
alaugh
"
Gir
lsl
ikeheraredanger
ous,di
dn'
tyouwat
cht
he
movi
e"Obsessed"-Thul
ado
"
Aisuka"-Nomzamo
Shehel
dherhandandt
heywal
kedi
ntot
hemal
l.
"
Sohowwast
hemeet
ing?
"-Thul
ado
"I
twasgr eat,It
oldherwhatwewantandshesai d
i
t'
sver ypossibl
eandt hatResorti
sgorgeousit
actuall
ybelongstoher,wellpar
tofthefamil
y
business"-Nomzamo
"YouknowIwantt hesamef orus,weneedtol
earn
from t
hem sothattomorrowweareabletobui
ldan
empireforourchi
ldren"-Thul
ado
"Iwasthi
nki
ngoft
heexactsamet
hing"-Theybot
h
smiled
"
Isentyout
hepreweddi
ngi
nvi
tat
ion,
yougoi
ngt
o
l
oveit
"-Nomzamo
Thul
adopagedt
hroughherphoneandgasped.
"
Whatarewewai
ti
ngf
or,
let
sdi
str
ibut
ethem.Il
ove
i
t"-Thul
ado
Theyexci
tedl
ynudgedeachot
herf
idget
ingont
hei
r
phones.
2021
[
11/
22,
14:
56].
:Adi
amondi
nther
ough
|
|
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|
|
|
Chapt
er107
"
Whati
sHl engiwetal
kingabout
"Mhl
engisai
d
t
aki
ngoffhisjacket
"
It
'sasurpri
sehawu,
youweren'
tsupposedt
ohear
t
hat"Hl
engiwesai
dgett
ingup,"
Goodni
ght
l
ovebi
rds"shesai
dshowingt
hem t
hepeacesign
"
She'
sbeendr
inki
ng"-Thul
adosai
dner
vousl
y
"
Oh,
wher
eisMusa?
"-Mhl
engi
"
Hel
eftanhourago"-Thul
ado
"
Oh"-Mhl
engisai
d
"Wher
ehaveyoubeenandwherei
smyf
ather
?"-
Thul
adoasked,
Mhlengisi
ghed
"
Iloveyou"-Mhl
engisai
dembr
aci
ngher
"
Tal
ktome"-Thul
adopl
eaded
"Comesitdown"Mhl
engisai
dhol
dingherhandt
o
sitont
hecouch.
"
Youget
ti
ngmewor
ri
ed"-Thul
adogr
ovel
led
"SoIar ri
vedathome, everythi
ngwasgood.
Mdl etshe'sbagswer epackedandhewasr eadyt o
comebutwehadt owai tforNhlanhl obecauseshe
want edt ocomeaswel l.Dadcompl ainedof
ti
rednesssohewentt ot akeashor tnapwhi l
ewe
waited.Il oadedhisluggagei nthecar , t
henext
thi
ngNhl anhlowasscr eami ng,weal lrant othe
room anddadwasgaspi ngforair.Itriedshor t
y,I
rushedhi mt othehospi talandbeggedhi mtof i
ght
becauseyouget ti
ngmar ri
ed,Icri
edandbegged
him.Hesqueezedmyhandsandt oldmet hatnow
hecanr est"-Mhlengipaused, "
Thenur sesclosed
meoutast hedoctorattendedtohi m buthedi dn't
makei t
,dadl ef
tusshor ty"-Mhlengif inall
ysaid
holdingThul adoclose
Shej
ustsatt
her
esayi
ngnot
hing…
"
Shor
tydidyouhearme?Mdl
etshei
sgone"-
Mhl
engisai
dbutThul
adosai
dnothi
ng
*
***
*
Amont
hlat
er…*
Thuladoworeal ongblackdr ess,acoatandabl ack

doek,shegrabbedachai rf
rom i nsidehermot her'
s
rondavel
.Sheplanteditoutsidef acingthethetwo
gravesatthefarendofthehomest ead.She
watchedsadlyasMhl engiandFr ankcleaned
aroundtheareaasweedsst artedtogr owengulfing
thetombstones.
"Ar
eyousureaboutal
loft
his"-Nomzamo'
svoi
ce
echoedbehi
ndher
"
Yes"-Thul
adosai
d
"
I'
m sor
ry"-Nomzamosai
d
"Forwhat?Whatar
eyousor
ryf
orNomzamo?
"-
Thulado
"
Aboutever
ythi
ng,
Iknowhowyouf
eelIhavebeen
thereandi t
'sadarkandscaryplace.Butyouneed
tocr y,youneedtoall
owyourselftogot hr
oughthe
emot i
onsotherwi
seyouwil
lfindyour sel
finhouse
fullofcontai
nersandbooksagai n,l
etgo"-
Nomzamosai dbef
orescur
ryi
ngaway
Thuladoturnedherheadsoshecoul dlookatthe
menatt hegr avesit
eagain,Mhl
engihandledthe
funeralsi
ngle-handedl
yandnowhewant edtoleave
theplacecleanandnur tur
ed.Nhl
anhlomadeher
wayt oThuladosi deaswell.
"
Heysi
s"-Nhl
anhl
o
"
Hey"-Thul
ado
"Iknowthiswil
lsoundsel
fi
shbutwhataboutus
here,youcan'
ttur
nyourbackonusjustbecause
dadisnomor e.Wearesist
ers,
weareyourfamil
y
Thulado"-Nhl
anhlo
"
Nooff
enseNonhlanhl
aIhavebeenalone,my
f
ami
lyisMhl
engiandmychildr
en.Idon'tf
eelat
homeher esoyouguyscankeept hisplace
becauseyourmot hersdon'
twantmeher e,they
hatedmymot herandIwi l
lbeaf ooltothinkthat
theycanl oveme.At l
eastmyf atherisrest i
ngright
therenexttothel oveofhislif
e,Ibethi shappyand
peaceful,atl
eastt hi
swayIcanacceptt hatI'
m an
orphan.Looki t'snotpersonal
,youknowwher eto
fi
ndmebutI 'm donewi ththi
spl ace.Pleaset ake
careoft hei
rgr aves,youcanevenhi r
esomeone
whowi llmakesur etheyarecleaned…I 'l
lpay"-
Thulado
Nhlanhlo'
slef
thurriedl
ywi pingthel
inesoftear
son
herface.MhlengiandFr ankmadet heirwayback
l
ookingallsoil
edandsweat y,Thul
adosmi l
edwhen
hereyesmetwi ththeir
s.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
obat
h"-Fr
anksai
d
"I
'
mr i
ghtbehi
ndyou"Mhl
engisai
dcr
ouchi
ngt
o
Thul
ado'
slevel
"
Thankyouf
ordoi
ngt
his"-Thul
adosai
dtouchi
ng
hi
ssweat
yface
"
Theyar
emypar ent
stoo,
ifi
twasn'
tfort
hem I
woul
dn'
thavebeenher
eandsohappy"-Mhlengi
"
Soi
t'
sjustmeandyounow"-Thul
adosai
d
"
Meandyoushor
ty"-Mhl
engi
Thul
ado'sli
pst
rembl
edasshebrokeintoasob,
for
thef
irstt
imesi
ncesheheardt
henews, Mhl
engi
embracedherf
oraslongassheneeded.
"Iwantust
ogetmar r
iedandfocusonourli
ves,
I'
m
seri
ousaboutnotcomingbackhereagai
n"-
Thulado
"Anyt
hingyouwant
,letmegetcl
eanedsowecan
go"-Mhlengi
"
Ok"-Thul
ado
*
***
AtFuzel
ihl
e.I
nc
Mhl
engiandFr
anksatar
oundtheboardr
oom wi
th
t
heKhoza'
sandNorwoodsforameeti
ng.
"
Ithi
nkweneedtocelebr
atef
orsei
zingthi
smult
i-
mil
li
oncont
ractf
rom t
heGermans"-Nkosana
"
Stel
larper
formancet
heNgcobo'
syouguyswer
e
magi
cal"-Ntsi
ka
"Iwassweati
nginmypantsbro,whydi dyouthr
ow
usunderthebusonlastminut
e?"-Frankaskedsti
ll
shocked,
theboardr
oom er
uptedinlaughter
"
Trustmeifwehadtol
dyou,youwouldhave
messedup.Yourpr
esent
ati
onwasauthenti
cand
t
heGermanshavegoodinsti
nct
s"-Nkanyezi
"Tr
ustmegentsyoubettert
hanme, Iwoul
dhave
endeduptel
li
ngthem dalawhatyoumustekse,
I'
m
ter
ri
blewi
ththesethi
ngs"-Langa
"
Ican'
tbel
ievewebaggedi
t"-Mhl
engi
"Yagentst
hisisbig,wear ethefi
rstyoungblack
groupofbusinessment ogetsuchadealandImust
sayitwasFrank'ssmoot htongueandMhl engi
's
charmthatwonust hisone, youguyswereclean..
I'
mi mpr
essed"-theyallcheeredclappi
nghands.
"Yourpresencei nthisr
oom gaveusconf i
dence,
everynodandt humbsupshowedust hatwewer e
goingint heri
ghtdirect
ion…toteam work!
"-
Mhl engisaidl
ifti
nguphi sgl
ass
"
Team wor
k"-t
heyal
lsai
dli
ft
ingupt
hei
rgl
asses.
*
***
Att
heSpa
Theladieswereadornedint
heirwhitegownsand
sli
ppers,t
heyallhadfl
utesi
ntheirhandssi
tt
ingby
thepoolarea.
"
Thisistheli
fe"-Nomzamosai
dsi
ppi
ngonhernon
-
alcohol
icchampagne
"
Youcansayt
hatagai
n"-Thul
adoagr
eed
"
Wewor
khar
dsowedeser
vei
t"-Nkosazane
"
Weneedt
opl
anat
ri
p"-Net
hesuggest
ed
"
Mal
dives"-Nel
lyscr
eamed
"
yesss"t
heyal
lsai
dunani
mousl
y
"
I'
m oni
t"-Masabat
ha
"
Letstal
kaboutt
heweddi
ng,
I'
m exci
tedf
ort
hat
"
Nandiasked
"
AskSaba,
she'
stheboss"-Thul
ado
"Al
lisi
nor der
,thebri
desjustneedt
owal
kint
o
par
adise"-Sabathasaidwit
hasmi r
k
"
Aino,youneedt
otel
luswhatyouhavepl
anned"-
Nomzamo
"Andr
uint
hesurpri
se…never
!Yougavemeaj
ob
andIpl
antodel
iver
"-Sabat
ha
"
Aikewearei
nforatr
eathere,f
retnotl
adies
Masabat
haknowsherst
uff"-Nkosazane
"
Indeed"-Nandi
"
IsMbal
iandSanej
oini
ngus?
"-Net
he
"Yes!Theywentt
ofetchSneatAndre'
shouse,
I
sweartoyouthatgi
rluzomi
tha"-Nel
ly
Theyal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
er…
"Don'
tlaughguys,I
'venevermetagi r
lwhol
oves
dickl
ikethatone,
poorAndr e"-Nel
ly
Thegi
rl
slaughedsomemor
e.
*
***
*
Ont
hei
rwayhomef
rom t
hemeet
ing*
Frankpull
edupont hesi
deofther oadandgawked
atMhlengiinawe,
hechuckledlightl
yshaki
nghis
head.Mhlengismi
ledbackblushingthenhelooked
outofthewindow.
"
Whowoul
dhavet
houghthuh?
"-Fr
ank
"
Theboysar
eeat
ingnow!
"-Mhl
engi
"Theboysarefucki
ngeat
ing"-Fr
anksai
dfi
st
pumpinghisli
tt
lebrot
her
"Wedidit,
wef i
nal
lyf
igur
edt
histhi
ngcal
ledli
fe.
Businessi
sdoingwell
,wear
egetti
ngmarri
ed"-
Mhlengisaidwi
thqui
veri
ngl
ips
"
Fuck!
"-Fr
anksai
dwi
pinghi
sownt
ear
s
"Ifsomeonewoul
dhavecomeupt omeandsay
thatonedayIwouldbehere,Ipr
omiseyouIwoul
d
havelaughedi
ntheirf
aces"-Mhlengi
"Nomoresacr i
fi
cesj
ustuswor
kinghardtomake
anhonestl
ivingandbui
ldi
nganempireforour
chi
ldr
en"-Frank
"
Nomor
ehei
sts,
I'
m donebr
o.I
'
m notdoi
ngt
hat
sh!
tagain,Ican'
tkeepput
ti
ngmyf amil
yindanger
.
Godhasgi venmeanotherchancetost
artona
cl
eanslateandI'
m grabbi
ngthisoppor
tuni
tywi
th
bot
hhands"-Mhl engi
"
Let
sgogett
hem boy"-Fr
ankcheer
ed
"
Let
sgogett
hem"-Mhl
engicheer
edback
Fr
anki
gni
tedt
hecarj
oini
ngt
her
oad
*
***
*
*
Weeksl
ater
*
Thul
adol ookedatthediar
yshegotf rom Amanda, i
t
wasstil
lsealed.Thedayshegoti tshethoughtit
wasuselessbutt odayshefel
tdiffer
ent
.Bynowshe
hadgottentoknowher sel
fbett
er,herstrengt
hsand
weaknesses.Shewasn' tt
hatpersonwhowi l
lgoto
someoneandventyetshehadal otofthi
ngs
buil
dingupinsideofher,shehadtofindawayto
dealwitht
hisissue.Sheunpackedthef r
eshbook
andopenedt hefi
rstpage.
Deardi
ary
I'
mf ivedaysawayf r
om myweddi ngandI'm
ecstatic,l
ifehasbeenhar dformebutt hr
oughHi s
graceI 'm herepushingf or
war d.Mychil
drenar e
growi nggr acef
ull
yandt hehappinesst
heybr ing
i
ntomyhomei spriceless,Icanproudl
ysaymy
hoardi ngdaysar einthepastnow, i
twasn'teasy
butwi thsuppor tanythingispossibl
e.
Myf r
iendNanai sdoi ngwellandseem t obehappy
i
nJobur g,andmysi sterNonhlanhlachecksupon
meever ynowandt hen, t
hat'
ssatisfactoryenough.
It
'snotthatIhatethem butbei ngint hatplacesti
r
meme, i
topenupwoundst hatIthinkhaveheal ed
soformysani tyit
'sbestIdet ach,it
'snotlikethey
wi
llmi
ssme.
Nomzamohasbecomemybestf ri
end,thi
s
orphanagewer uni nt
hisf
amilyisgrowinghealt
hy
andst r
ong,weallgeteachotherbecauseweal l
don'thavepar
ent s.Werel
yonuncl eandthe
pastors,t
hebusinessisdoi
ngwel landourcir
cleis
thebest.
Wor ki
ngatK- medhospi
talischall
engi
ngyetgood,I
feelsafeasifIbel
ongthere,Idon'
tneedt
o
compet ewit
hanyone,ijusthavetodomyj ob
whichistokeepmot her
sandbabi esheal
thyatal
l
ti
mes.
Sadlyalltherosesinmyl if
egetstoapointwhere
theywilt
,gogoShar onsuccumbedt ocancer
l
eavingmychi ldr
endistr
aughtbutwekindofused
toitbynow.Todaywehol dgoodmemor i
esthatwe
sharedwi ththatgoodsoul,bl
essherheart
.
Lumi nj
aloinherit
edallherart
workandtool
sand
Lubanzigott
okeept
hegol
dfi
sh.
Courtney'
st r
ialisstil
lcoming,she'
str
yingt
oplay
theinsanit
ycar dsbutt hedetect
ivei
snotgi
vingher
atimeofday.Zi yandasanglikeacanarywhenher
j
obwast hreatened,shechokedmeandIwontl eti
t
sli
dethateasi l
y.
Istil
lhaven'ttol
dMhl engiaboutFrank, yesitmight
l
ookbadbutt hesebr othershavegrownt obeso
closeandIwi llnotall
owsuchasmal lthingrui
nthis
family.Hl
engi wewi l
lhavet owaitalit
tl
el ongerwit
h
herpopcor n,Ihaveassur edherthatI'
m not
cheatingonMhl engiandIneverwi l
l.Il
ovehi m way
toomuch, Ihopeshebel ievesmebecauset hatone
i
sdanger ouswhenshe' sdr unk.
That'
sitfornow,I'
l
lbebacktotel
lyoumore…thi
sis
meof fl
oadingbecauseheal
ingi
saneverendi
ng
process.
*
Theend*
Wewi l
lhavetoendher efornow,I'
mt aki
ngabr eak.
There'
sjustsomuchgoi ngoni nmyliferi
ghtnow
andI'mfail
ingtomulti
-t
askwi t
hwrit
ing.Iwillbe
backwithmor eexci
ti
ngst uf
f,t
hankyouf oryour
cont
inuedsupport.
Iappreci
ateandloveyouguysfrom t
hedept
hsof
myhear t.Pl
easel
ikeandfol
lowthemainpageas
wellbecausewewi l
lret
urnt
here.
Thi
sisnotgoodbyebuti
t'
sseeyoul
ater

A Diamond in The Rough

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A Diamond in The Rough

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Adi

Thuladopushedt hr ought hemob, shegaspedupon

Mbusoscr eechbehindthemobandr ushedto

Int heeveni ngshewr appedagownar oundher

Thul adogawkedatt hestrangersitt

Exact ly7pm Thul adoj umpedof ft

Livingal onehasi tadvant agesbecauseshedoesn' t

Thenshet houghtfurtheraboutt heTr ansnetj ob,

Itwasmi ddaythesunwasscor chi ngbutt hebr eeze

Shesmi ledallherwayhome, sheneversawhi min

Thedi nner…I twasever yt

Tearswelledupi nhereyesasshet ookl ongstrides

Shedi dn'texpecthi mt otravelt oDur bantochecki f

Whent hesupermar ketisbusythehoursf l

Atleastsomepeopl ehavemot hers, t

Asperusualt heyf uckedl i

Senzosatont hosecol dbenchesi ndi sbel

Mhl engisatbehi ndhi saunt '

Mhl engiputonhi sgoodieandbl endedi nwi ththe

Theyr ushedt othecommuni t

Themobgr ewanxi ous,thecir clegettingsmal l

Theverysameni ghtthecommuni tymar chedto

Meanwhi lethephara'sbr okeintoseveralhomes

Thuladowast hetypet hatj

Theauntsatont hemat tresssur r

Thuladowal kedintownwi thacoll

Weareback! Thankuf orgivi

LaterthateveningThul adosatont hef l

Thuladoclimbedonherbedt ogr abahol dherbi g

Thuladosnuggedi ntoabushr eeki

Thewal kwasl ong,Mhlengist

Thuladohungupasherhear tclenched, itt

Mhl engisatont opofthebags,hehadalr

Laterthateveni ngMhl engileanedont hefenceofa

Hesatont hecouchi ncompl etedarknesst hings

Senzosl appedheracr osst hef aceshef el

Thecasketwentdown, Senzochokedi nhi sown

Hej umpedi nwithnof urt

Howcanshedi scardhi m afterthatsplendidnight

Shegawkedathim, hewashandsome, wel l

Whenheopenedt heroom hefoundt hesist

Hereshewaswi thherfreshyoungbody, sheloves

ItwasThul ado'sweekendof f,andsheplannedt o

Senzodr oveherbackt otown,theywentf r

Senzoorderedhi sbeerandf oundat abl

Inaf ewmi nutesThuladoapproached,wearinga

Whenheappear edwithahoodi ebur yi

Mhl engiscoopedherupinabl inkofaneye,he

Mhlengiswal lowed,hecuppedherf acetakinginal

Thuladowal kedhandi nhandwi thMhl engi

Thuladoturnedt owal kaway, Mhlengicheckedher

Senzogl ancedathi swat chandPear lhasn' tsent

Het urnedaroundi nli

Themont hhasended, peopl

Mhlengigaveanenvel opet oSfi

Heal sowai tedi

Senzobal ancedont hewal ldrunkasaskunk, he

Thewomenhavet akeni ttothestreets,enoughis

Arewer aisingabr okennat ion?Femal esar etaught

Nanacl earedtheboardroom, itwasabi g

Thul adoandMhl engispoonedeachot herstark

Afterbei ngt hrownoutt hepol icest ationfor