TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER01

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Myf eetareachi ng,myey esfullofsleep.Ihav ebeenworking

sinceThur sday ,
IwishIwasathomer est i
ngbutmy
responsi bil
iti
esar efartoogr eat.Someofuscan' tevensitdown
toenj oyapi ewi thoutthinki
ngofwhatt hemoneycoul dhav e
cov ered.Bei ngaf i
rstbornchi ldmademeadeput ypar
entwhen
myf atherwentoutt obuybr eadoneev eningandnev ercame
back, thathappenedwhenIwas13y earsofageandmymot her
waspr egnantwi t
hmyl ittl
ebr other
,Atang.Ev ersi
ncemyf ather
l
ef tmymot herhasn'tbeeni nt ouchwithr eal
i
ty,it
'shar
donme
butshedoesn' tseem tocar e.Iwor khar dtotakecareofmy self
andmysi bli
ngbecausenoonei slookingoutf orus.

"
YourNi
ger
iani
saski
ngf
ory
ou,
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"He'
snotmyNi geri
an,"Isayt
oKabel
o,mymanager.Hej
ust
chucklesandwatchesasIputoutmycigar
ett
ewit
hmyfoot.I
shouldstopsmoking,i
t'
sanexpensi
veaddi
cti
on.

Iquickl
yrushbackinsidetheclubt ogoservemybiggest
customer,asmuchasheannoy smehegi vesmegoodt i
ps.He's
i
nt heVIPsecti
onwi t
hhisf r
iendsandadi f
ferentgr
oupofgir
ls,
onei ssi
tt
ingontopofhi m.Shel ooksgor
geousIwon'tli
e,which
makesmewonderwhyLagosi saftermyasswhenhehassuch
fi
newomani nhi
sreach.Imeanthere'
snothi
ngi
nter
esti
ngwith
me,Idon'twearmakeuporweav es.I'
m al
waysweari
ngjeansand
sneaker
sev enwhenI'
m notworking.

"
Mybaby
,"her
oar
swi
tht
hatdeepwestAf
ri
canaccent
.

"WhatcanIgetf
ory
out oday
?"I'
m smil
i
ngl
i
keaCheshi
recat
,
smil
ingispar
tofmyjobdescri
pti
on.

"Theusual poisonmybaby ,"hesay sthr ought hel oudmusi candI

nod.Ihav ebeenser vingt hisguyandhi scr ewev ersi nceIstar ted
wor kingher e8mont hsago, he'salway sher eever yFr i
dayand
Sat urdayli
vingitup.Thi sisJohannesbur g,theyt akegr oovev ery
seriously.Iturntoleav eaf tercountinghowmanyt heyaresoI
bringenoughgl asses.Hespanksmyassandsl ipssomet hi
ngi n
thebackofmypocket .I'
m usedt oit,thecust omeri salwaysr ight
especi al
lyifhistipi
sbi g.Iremembert hef ir
stdayhedi dthatto
me, Il
ostitandswor eathi m.Hej ustlaughedandt ol
dmet o
checkmypocket ,Ileftangr il
yandwhenIgotout sideIchecked
mybackpocketandf oundat housandr and.Toagi rl
whohas
responsi bi
li
tiesbacki nt heVaal ,athousandr andi sev eryt
hing.
Mymanagercal medmedownandwentt ot al
kt oLagos, t
hat'
s
nothi sname.Ij ustcal lhiml ikethatbecauseIdon' tknowhi sr eal
name, Idon'tcaretoknowi tactuall
y.

Anyway,aft
ercalmingdownIwentt ogethi sorderf
rom t
hebar
andtookittohistabl
e,heapologizedf orwhathedidandI
apol
ogizedforhail
inginsul
tsathim.Thenextweekendheasked
mewhyapr ett
ygirll
i
kemewor ksher e,hetol
dmet oresignand
al
lowhimt otakecareofme.Ofcour seIlaughedandrefused,I
di
dn'tcomet othebigbadcitytodatef orei
gnman.Idon'thave
anythi
ngagai
nstthem butmajor
it
yofthem her
eareupt ono
good.Onlyafewareintol
egitmeansofmakingmoney ,plusI
haven'
tevendatedanyoneinmylif
e.Ihadt
ogr owupv eryqui
ckl
y
andavoidthi
ngsthatcoul
dcomplicat
emylifefur
ther
.

Itel
l t
heper sonbehindthebarmyor derandhequickl
yputsi t
togetherandIdeliveritt
oLagosandhi screw,thegi
rl
sgocr azy
whenIcomebackwi t
hmycolleaguetobr i
ngtwobigicebuckets
full
ofbot t
lesofchampagne.Yoursocal ledri
chauntson
Instagram.

I'
m atthebackrest
ingmyf eet,
Ilookatmywat chandit'
sonly
aft
er1am.Weonl ycloseattwobutwehav etostaybehindto
cl
ean.Igettotheflatatar
oundhalfpastthr
eetofourinthe
morning,t
hisi
sanev er
yweekendt hi
ng.I
'
m usedtoitnow, i
thas
becomeapar tofme.

"Her
ey ougo,"Iopenmyey esandfi
ndKabel
owithaplat
eoffood
andagl assofjui
ce.He'
sthebestmanageri
nthewor
ld,wor
king
underhim hasbeenamaz i
ng.

"Ohthankyousomuch,"Isaysi
tt
ingupstr
aightandtaki
ngthe
plat
efrom hi
m,It
endtoforgett
oeat.I
fitwasn'tf
orhimI'
ddrop
downbecauseofhunger.

"
Idon'twantt
oseeyouher
ethi
saf
ter
noon,
"hesay
sasI
'
m about
t
obitethi
sjui
cypi
eceofmeat
.

"
Don'
tdot
hatt
omepl
ease,
"Ineedt
owor
k.
"Lemo,Icheckedy
ourt
imet
abl
edol
l
.Youar
ewr
it
ingt
omor
row.
"I
heaveasigh.

"IcanmanageKabel
o,y
ouknowIneedt
hemoney
."Henods
underst
andi
ng.

"Youwon'
tbeabletomakemoneyi fyoudropdead,Iknowy ou
alsowor
katthatrest
aurantf
rom MondaytoWednesday ,
thenyou
comehereonweekendst oworksomemor e."That
'smylif
e.I
workandatt
endclasses7daysaweek, don'
taskmehowIdoi t
,I
j
ustdo.

"
Thatshoul
dtel
lyouj
usthowmuchIneedmoney
,"It
ryt
oreason
wi
thhim.

"I
'
llseeyounextThursdayLemo,from nowony ouonlywork
Thursday,
Fri
dayandSat ur
day.Sundaysyourestforschool
."He
saysandifIdi
dn'tl
i
kehi sgayassI'
dstrangl
ehim.

"
Notf
air
,"her
oll
shi
sey
es.

"You'
l
lthankmeoneday
,"hel
eav
esmeandIgi
vemyf
ood
att
enti
on.

Thest affbusleavesmeatt hegateatexactly4am,Idon'twant

anythingbutmybed.I 'ddowi thawar m bathbutmyey esneedto
beshutsoIcanr elax,t
heonl ytimemybodyandbr ai
nar edoi
ng
nothingi swhenI'
m sleeping.Itapmyaccesscar dandt hegate
opens, thesecuri
tyoffi
cedoorbyt hegateopensandBab' Mbel
e
appear s.Hegivesmet hatreassuri
ngsmi le,hehasbecomemy
parenti nthi
sGodFor sakenCi t
y.Alwayslookingoutf
ormeand
aski
nghowI '
m hol
dingup.Webecamecloseaf
terhefoundmein
thegar
denonenightcryi
ng,i
tal
lgotover
whel
mingformeandI
hadtocryi
tout.HewassogentleIendedupopeni
ngupt ohi
m
aboutmyli
fe.

"Mandeladi
dn'tgot opr
isonf
or27year
ssoourchil
drencanwork
unti
llt
heearl
yhour softhemorni
ng,
"ohGodno,nottheMandel
a
speech.I
'mtoot i
red.

"
Hedi
dn'
tbaba,
"Isayof
fer
inghi
m aweaksmi
l
e.

"
Justseehowt
ir
edy
ouar
eLemo,
"Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"
Idon'
thav
eanyot
herchoi
cebaba,
"Henodshi
shead.

"Gor estmychi ld,

"Ibi
dhim goodbyeandwal kaway.Ireachthe
stair
sandt akeadeepbreathbeforemaki ngmywayt othe3r d
fl
oorofourbui l
ding.WehaveelevatorsbutInev
erri
deal one,Iam
claustrophobicandIpref
erbeingwi thsomeonewhowi lldist
ract
mef ort hosefewseconds.Nooneknowst hi
saboutme, who
want speopl etoknowthattheyarescaredofconfi
nedspacesat
thisage?

Igeti
nsidetheflatandswi tchontheli
ght
,lookslikeUndiphil
e
wasout.Thear ebot t
lesofchampagneandgi nont hekitchen
count
er,herhighheelsandhandbagar eont hefloor.Shemust '
ve
beensuperdrunk, Iwonderwhoshewentoutwi thbecause
Amukelani'
scarisn'thereandshenor mal
lysleepsher ewhenthey
comebackf rom thecl ub.Myeyeslandonthewi ndow, i
t'
scall
ing
me.Ther e'ssomet hi
ngser eneaboutsi ttingont hatwi ndowand
l
ookingout si de, wehav eanamazi ngv i
ewofJohannesbur gfrom
ourdiningr oom wi ndow.That 'smyf avoritespott osi twhenI
wantt othink, wheni tget st omuchIj ustopent hewi ndowand
all
owt heai rtohi tmyf ace.IknowI 'mtiredbutIcoul dusea
minuteort wot ogat hermyt hought s,Iopent hecupboar dand
takeoutagl ass.Ipourmy sel fsomeofUndi phi
le'schampagne,
I'
venev erusedmymoneyt obuyt heseexpensi v ealcoholic
beverages.Mybestf riendsl ov et hef i
nert hi
ngsi nlifeandt hat '
s
howIgett or ideonandnotbel eftbehind.Ir emov emysneaker s
andtakemygl ass,headi ngt omywi ndowofpeace.Iopeni tup
andset tl
edown, thedar knessi ti
lluminat edbyt heci tyli
ghts.
There'sabuzzbusygoi ngont hroughout , t
hiscitynev ersleeps.I
neverthoughtI 'dbesocomf ortablelivi
ngher e,Iusedt ot r
embl e
atthement ionofJohannesbur g.Thest or i
eswer ehor r
if
yingandI
wasn'tgoingt ost epi ntot hisjungl e,butbecauseoft hecar eer
pathIwant edt of oll
owIhadt omakemywayupNor thfrom t he
Vaal,SebokengZone7.Ionceagai nhadt opackawaymyf ears
andhopef ort hebest .

Iopenmyey esandr ol
l overtotheot hersideoft hebedbef ore
str
etchingdramaticall
y.Ireall
yneededt hatsleep,t
het wogl asses
ofchampagneIhadbyt hewi ndowhel pedi nknockingmeout
whenIf inal
lycamet obed.Iam gr at
eful t
hatKabelot oldmenot
tocomet hr
ough,Iam tiredAF.Ir eachformyphonef rom under
thepil
low, i
t'
s2pm.Shi t!Ireal
lysleptthrought heafternoon, I
haven'
tev entouchedmybooksbutt hankGodI '
vebeenst udy i
ng
thi
spastweek.I '
llj
ustrev i
selaterintheni ghtorinthemor ning
becauseI '
m wr it
ingat2pm andf rom t her
eI '
m goingtomy
restaurantshift
,thehourstherear en'tstr
etched.Iworkfrom 4pm
to10pm, Mondayt oWednesday .Iremov et hecoversandgetof f
mybedt ogoopent hecurtai
ns.Thesuni supandscor ching,
a
gooddayt obel azy.Iwal
koutofmybedr oom andgetinthe
bathroom, i
t'
sj ustopposi
tetomyr oom.It akeoutmyt oothbr
ush
andt oothpastef r
om thetoil
etr
ybagandgetr i
dofmor ni
ngbr eat
h,
Isplashmyf acewi t
hwaterandexi ttheroom.

Undi
phi
l
eiswi
thAmukel
anii
nthelounge,t
heyar
edr
inki
ngt
he
bot
tl
eofgi
nIf
oundonthecount
eryester
day.

"
Hai
bo!
"Undi
excl
aimsasIt
hrowmy
sel
font
hev
acantcouch.

"
fri
enddi
dyouseetheti
me?Aren'ty
ousupposedtobeprepar
ing
f
orwork?
"Amukelani
asksaf
tertaki
ngasipofherdr
ink.

"No,Kabelotol
dmenott ocomet
hroughonSunday
s.Hesay
sI
shouldrest,
"Iexpl
ain.

"
Hal
leluj
ah!Somebodyfi
nall
ygotLemohangMohapit
ostop
wor
kingli
keaslaveandtakeaminute,
"thi
soneIl
i
vewit
hsays.

"LemohangMohapi needsmoney ,shehasali

ttl
ebr
otherwho
dependsonherf orevery
thi
ng."Ir
emindthem andt
hatshut
s
them up.Bothmyf r
iendsknowmyl if
ebackhome,I'
m notf
rom a
fi
nancial
lyst
ablehomel i
kethebothofthem.Amukelani
'
sfather
ownsaLogi sti
cscompany ,Undi
phil
ehasahef t
ymonthl
y
all
owance.

"It
oldy ounottohel
pmewi tht
her
entandgr
ocer
iesbabe,
Igoti
t
covered."Ishakemyhead.
"
Ican'
tl
iv
eof
fyoul
i
ket
hatUndi
,
"shej
ustshr
ugshershoul
der
s.

We'vehadt hisconv ersati

onami l
li
ontimesbef or
eandInev er
givein.Thel asttimeIgott hi
ngsf orf
reewaswhenIwasi n
mat ri
c,myuncl estoppedhel pingwhenIwasaccept edi n
universit
y .Accor di
ngt ohim, Iwassupposedt ofi
ndaf ullt
imejob
thatwi l
lseemet akingcar eofmymom, hissist
erandAt angmy
l
ittl
ebr other .Thatwasn' tapar tofmylife'
splan,Iwasn'taboutto
l
iveabasi cl if
e.Ihav edreams, Ihaveplanstobet t
ermyl i
ttl
e
brotherslife.Imaybesuf feri
ngr i
ghtnowbutI 'mlooki
ngatt he
biggerpict ure.

"Sinceyouar en'tgoingtowor ktoni

ght,Iguessweshoul
djust
turnup.Youhar dlyevergooutLemohang, wedeser
veyour
attenti
onbabe. "Amukel ani'
spurposeistowearthoseexpensi
ve
clothes,putonl ongf or
eignhairandtur
nup.

"She'swri
ti
ngtomorrow,sonoturnupatnight
.Lemoneedsa
chil
ledSunday,t
hiswil
lbethefi
rstti
mewear echi
ll
ingt
oget
her
sinceshetooktherest
aurantj
ob."Undi
phi
l
esay s.

Ionlyst
art
edwor ki
ngattherest
aurant3weeksago,Ineeded
extr
acasht obeabletobuymybr ot
herhi
shockeythi
ngs,he
j
oinedtheteam andtheequi
pmentisexpensi
ve.

"
Rest
aur
antout
ing?
"Amukel
ani
asks.

"
I'
ll
goshower
,"Igetupf
rom t
hecouch.

Ihavesomechangetospar
e,Iwor
khar
dfort
hismoneyandi
t'
s
onlyf
airIspendi
tonmysel
foncei
nawhil
e.
MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Conti
nuetel
li
ngyourfamilyaboutourmar i
talprobl
emsMakhosi
andIwill
foreverr
ainter
rorony ou,"she'
sscreamingatmewith
thatgl
assofchampagnei nherhand.Howdi dImarrythi
stox
ic
womanagai n?Iam ti
redofsleepingwi t
honeeyeopeni nmyown
home.Iam tir
edofbeingmar ri
edt oher.

"
Thengi
vemeadi
vor
ceNof
oto,
"Iscr
eam backandsher
oar
s
wi
thl
aught
er.

"Youwil
ldi
vorcemeov ermydeadbody,mylov
e.Wesaidti
l
l
deathdousapartandsoshal
litbe,
"Ishakemyheadwhi
le
l
ookingatherthr
oughthemir
ror.

IneverthoughtI'
dregr etgetti
ngmar ri
ed,I'
m sti
l
lconfusedast o
howwegott othispoi nt
.Nof otowasgent l
eandsweet ,shedi
dn't
wantany thi
ngbutmyl ove.Shedi dn'
tcareaboutthemoneyand
famet hatcamewi thme, butl i
tt
ledidIknowIwasi nvit
ingthe
devi
lintomyl i
fe.Thisgirlchangedonmeaf terayearofmar r
iage,
thi
shasbeent hewor st3y earsofmyl i
fe.

"Whati
sitt
hatyouwantf
rom meNof
oto,
what
?"It
urnt
ofaceher
andshesmil
es.

"
Nothi
nghoney,Ihav
eital
l.
"ShesaysandIdr
opmytears,Il
oved
t
hisgi
rlwi
thal
lmyheartandneverdi
dIthi
nkshewoul
dt ur
nout
t
obethisper
son.

"
Ifyoukeeppushi
ngmeMakhosiniIswearIwil
lmakeyourl
if
ea
l
i
v i
nghell
,remembert
hedi
rtIhav
eony ou.Justrememberwhat
i
satst
ake,
whaty
oust
andt
olosei
fIopenmymout
h."Iswal
l
ow
har
d.

Iam bei
ngheldhostageforami
stakeIdidn'
tevenmake, Idi
dn'
t
knowtheori
ginofthatdi
amond.Butbecauseit
'smycompany ,
I'
ll
beheldl
iabl
e.It
houghtIwasconfi
dinginmywi febutshe
deci
dedtousetheinfor
mat i
ont
omakesur ethatIdon'tdi
vorce
her.

"
Icanal
readyi
magi
net
heheadl
i
nes,
"shei
spl
easedwi
thher
sel
f.

"Whyareyoudoi
ngthi
s?"Iask."
Ilov
edyougenuinel
y,t
ookcar
e
ofyouandgaveyouever
ythi
ngyou'veev
eraskedfor
."Isay
.

"No!youdi dn'
tgetmey ourfami ly
'srespect,youal lowedt hem to
l
ookdownonmef rom thev erydayy ouintr
oducedmet othem.
Theyl ookedatmel ikeIwassmel l
ing,itgotwor seaf tergetti
ng
mar ri
ed.Theyf orcedmet ogi veyouchi ldr
enasi fIwasmar ri
ed
forthatpurposesol ely,youar eadamnweakl ing.Mymot hertook
thatbullshi
tfr
om myf at
her '
sfami lyandwher edi dt hatgether ?
Hel eftherwit
hpl ent yofchildrenshecoul dn'tafford,I'm not
goingt owalkthatsamer oad.I'm breakingthatcur se, i
tstops
withme. "Ican'tbeli
ev ethenonsenset hatjustcameoutof
Nofoto'smout h.

"I
sthatwhyyouref
usedgivi
ngmechil
dren?Yout
hinkI
'
m
anyt
hingl
ikeyourf
ather
?"Unbel
i
evabl
e.

"
All
menar
ethesame,
"shesay
sandIgaspi
nshock.

"
Ify
oubeli
ev et
hat,whydi
dyouagr
eet
obemywi
fe?
"It
'smyt
urn
t
oscream backather.
"BecauseIwant edacomf ortabl
elif
e, youarear etheeMakhosi ni
Lukhele,theCEOofLukhel eDiamonds.Ionl yeverdreamtof
meet i
ngamanl ikey ouandwhenourpat hscrossedIknewt he
univer
sewast akingmeoutofmymi sery.Doy outhinkIwasn' t
goingtogr aspt heoppor tunitytolivecomf ortabl
yf orever?It
's
everygirl
sdr eam t obeMr s.Lukhele,fatechosemef orthepar t
dearesthusbandandIam r unningwi thituntilmydy i
ngday .
"This
i
snewst ome, Iam genui nelyhur t
."Stopcr yi
nglikeabi tch,fi
nish
up.Your" perfectf amil
y"iswai ti
ngf orus, i
fwear elatet hatold
cowwi llblamei tonme.Thi sisthelast"Sundayf ami lyl
unch"I
am attending, t
hosepeopl edon'tli
kemeandI 'm notgoi ngto
entert
aint hem anyf urther.
"Shesay swi t
hsomuchv ehemence.

Myhear
tist
orni
ntopi
eces,
lov
eshoul
dn'
thur
tthi
sway
.

Wegett omymot hershouseandmysi bl

ingsarealr
eadyhere,
Nof ot
osayssomethingunderherbr
eathandIknowi t'
snot
pleasantsoIdon'
tbothert
oask.Inowknowwher eIstandwit
h
thiswoman,Iam doneprayi
ngthatourmar r
iageworksoutand
wegobackt obeinghappy.Iam 32yearsofage,i
t'
snotl at
eto
fi
ndmyhappi nesssomewhereelse.

Ikil
ltheengi
neandclimbout,Iam headedtothedoorbutreal
ize
thatNofotoi
sn'
tfol
lowingbehi
ndme.Il ookbackandshe'ssti
l
l
sit
ti
nginthepassengerseat
,Iheaveasi ghandwalkbacktoopen
herdoor.

"
Nev
erf
orgety
ourmanner
swher
eI'
m concer
ned,
"shesay
s
der
isi
vel
y.

"Yesmadam Nofoto,"sheclickshertongue.Shetakesmyhand
handinhersandwewal ktot hedoor,whydoesshebother
playi
nghappycoupleinfrontofev er
yone?Theyaremyfamilyand
theycantel
lwhenI'
m notokay ,she'
sjustwasti
ngherti
me.

"Donottal
kaboutourmar ri
agetoyoursibl
i
ngs,Imeanit.
"She
saysandIdon'tbotherr
espondi
ngt oher
.It
'st
imeIall
owedmy
heartt
oacceptwhathasbeenhappi nginourmarri
ageforthe
past3years.Wefindmyl i
tt
lesi
sterandourbr
otherswi
feinthe
kit
chen.

"
Bhut
i,
"mysi
ster
,Mv
elosay
s.

"
Heybabydol
l
,youl
ookgood.
"Ihugherandshel
ooksatNof
oto.

"
Sist
er,
howar
eyou?
"

"
I'
mfi
ne,
"shedoesn'
tbot
herr
etur
ningt
hepl
easant
ri
es.

"
Myhusband,
"Gat
sha'
swi
fesay
s.

Nof
otohuf
fsbutwei
gnor
eher
.

"
Howar
eyou?
"Iask

"
Iam wel
lthanks,
Nof
otounj
ani
sisi
?"

"
Yoh,I
'
veal
readysai
dI'
mfi
ne.Ineedadr
ink,
"Thi
sisget
ti
ng
wor
se.

"
Whyar
eyoubei
ngr
ude?
"Iaskandshej
ustwal
ksaway
.

"What'
supherass?
"Mv
eloi
nqui
resf
oldi
ngherar
mswi
thar
aised
eyebr
ow.
"
Honest
lysi
s,Idon'
tknowwhat
'swr
ongwi
thmywi
fe.
"Isay
.

"
Letmetakethi
stot
hedi
ningt
abl
e,
"Zut
husay
sleav
ingt
her
oom
wi
ththesal
ad.

"
Isev
ery
thi
nggoodwi
thy
ouguy
s?"Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"
NoMv
elo,
mymar
ri
agei
saj
oke.
"

"
Iam sor
ryt
oheart
hat
,bhut
'wam.
"Shehugsme.

•
Not
hingmuch,
I'
mjustt
est
ingwat
ers.

Yourpar
ti
cipat
ionwi
l
ldet
ermi
nei
fwest
artear
lyorst
icki
ngt
othe
15th.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER02

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

InJohannesbur gyoudon' tcarryallyourcashi nthesamepocket ,

youwal klikey ouaretheowneroft hest reet
sbuty ouneedt obe
awar eofy oursur r
oundingsatt hesamet ime.Wheny ouseea
personget ti
ngmugged, hunnymi ndy ourbusiness.Youcan' tbe
wear i
ngy ourexpensiveweav eatSmal lStr
eet,theywi llrepossess
i
tr i
ghtfrom y ourhead.Ihar dlyevercomedownt ownbutI
neededt obuyt wopairsofbl ackjeansf orwork, I
'm usingmyf ree
threehour sbef or
emyl astshi ftoftheweekatt her estaurant
start
sat4pm.MyWednesday sarev eryshortatschool ,
Ifini
shat
1pm andt hatgi vesmet imet odomyl aundryandcl eanmyr oom
beforeleav i
ngf ormyshi f
t.

Ipassbyasal onandcan'tremembert hel astti

meIsatdownand
all
owedsomeonet oworktheirmagiconmyhai r
,I'
m al
way styi
ng
myhai rupi naneatbunandy es, Ir
elaxitmy sel
fathome.Imade
aR1000i nt ipsyest
erdayandMonday ,Ipaideveryt
hingt hat
neededpay i
ngsoImi ghtaswel l
spoilmy selfali
ttl
e.Iwal kint
o
thesalonandgaspi nshock,i
tlooksnot hi
ngl i
ketheout side.I
feell
ikeI'
vest eppedint
oacel ebr
itysalon,butwhyt hi
shi ghclass
placeont hissideoftown?Theymustcostaf ort
une,Ijustwanta
simplestraightback.Thi
splaceisnotf orme, Ineedtomakea
quickU-turn.
Ibumpint
oagiantmanatthedoorandstumblebackafewsteps,
Isthi
smanmadeofconcret
e?Whosl eepsonhischest
?Poor
woman.Il
ookuponlyt
ofindLagos,whatishedoingher
e?

"
Mybaby
,"hesay
swi
thasmi
l
e.

"Hey,
"hepinchest
hebri
dgeofmynoseandIst
epbackannoy
ed,
hereal
lycan'
tkeephi
shandstohi
msel
f.

"Whatbr
ingsyout
omysalon?
"Heownsthi
splace?Ohwow, ButI
doubti
tmakesbucket
sofmoneyf
orhi
mt obepoppingbot
tl
es
ever
yweekend.

"Iwaslooki
ngtodomyhai
r,butIr
eal
i
zedIcoul
dn'
tpossi
bly
affor
dthispl
ace.
"Hi
ssmil
efades.

"
Abeauti
fulwomanli
keyoushouldn'
tst
ressaboutsucht
hings,
mybabyItol
dyoutoletmetakecareofyou.
"Ishakemyhead.

"
Ipr
eferwor
king,
thanky
ouv
erymuch.
"Isaywi
thal
i
ttl
esass.

"
Stubbor
nwoman,
what
'sy
ournamemybaby
?"HeasksandIr
oll
myeyes.

"
Lemohang,
"Ir
espondt
ohi
squest
ionandhef
rowns.

"
Wel
l
,mynamei
sEbuka,
"Ipr
essmyl
i
psi
nat
hinl
i
ne.

"
EbukaObi
Uchendu.
"Isayandher
oar
swi
thl
aught
er.

"
Youar
eaf
anofBi
gBr
otherIsee,
"

If
lar
emynose,
shaki
ngmyhead.
"No,Idon'thaveti
mef orTV.I'
m al
way sworki
ng,Ievenhavetobe
atworkin...
"Ilookatmywr i
stwatch"intwohours,soIshoul
dbe
fi
ndingasal onIcanaffor
dandget t
ingmyhairdone."Itr
ytowalk
pasthim butEbukathinksit
'sokaytopul
l mebackinfr
ontofhim
bymyar m.

"
Weareaf
for
dabl
e,whatdoy
ouwantt
odoony
ourhai
r?"Heasks
wi
thasmi
le.

"
Justst
rai
ghtbackcor
nrows,
"henodssl
i
ght
ly.

"
Comel
etmewashy
ourhai
r,
"he'
sdr
aggi
ngmet
othesi
nk.

"
Heywai
t,howmuchi
sitgoi
ngt
ocostme?
"Iaskandhel
aughs.

"
It
'sont
hehouse,
"Iy
ankmyar
m.

"
Thi
sisJohannesbur
g,Ebuka.Not
hingi
sformahal
a,
"

"OhLemohang.I'
m showingyouhowgoodwear e,thenextt
ime
youwon'tgoanywherebuthere.I
'm al
sousingyouasmymodel ,
peopl
ewi l
laskwhereyoudidyourhairandyou'
l
l t
ellt
hem about
mysalon.Seeit
'snotformahala,
"Ismile.

"
Youhav
eananswerf
orev
ery
thi
ngIsee,
"

Isaysi
tt
ingdown,
atl
eastI
'
m sav
ingmymoney
.

"
Andy
ouar
est
ubbor
n,"

Idon'
trememberthelastti
meIf eltandlookedsobeauti
ful
,I
hardl
yeverhaveti
met ofocusonmyl ooks.Tometimeismoney
,
i
fIlookpresent
abl
ethenI '
m outthedoor.Thisi
sthenicest
strai
ghtbackI '
veev erdone,Lagosi stheonewhodi dmyhair.His
empl oyeeswereshockedt oseehi m busy,apparentl
yhehasn't
touchedhai ri
ny ears.Heisreall
yt r
yingtosweepmeof fmyf eet
butI'm notfai
li
ngf orit,
eventhisridetomywor kplacei
nhis
Mer cedesisn'
tdoingwhathet hinks.Ionlyall
owedhi mtodrive
mebecauseIwasgoi ngtorunlateifIhadusedpubl ict
ransport
,
Theonl yluxur
iouscarI '
vefoundmy selfi
nbelongst oAmukelani.

"
Yousai
dyouaregoi
ngtowork,
butthi
sr out
eyou'
remaki
ngme
t
akei
sabsol
utel
ynotl
eadi
ngustotheclubLemohang.
"hecal
l
s
mynamewaytoomuchJesusChri
st.

"
Yesi
tisn'
t,
Iwor
ktwoj
obs.
"Isay
.

"
Arey
ouser
ious?
"Il
aughathi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
on.

"
Iam deadser
ious,
agi
rl
sgot
tadowhatagi
rl
sgot
tado,
"Isay
.

"I
'm shocked,mostgirl
sI'vecomeacrosswouldratherbetaken
careof,nonofthem woul dbeabletokeeponejob.Talkabout
two,myr espectforyoujustwentupanotch.
"Hesay sandIcan
hearthesinceri
tyinhisvoice.

"
Thanky
ou,
"

Hi
scarstopsout
sidet
her
est
aur
ant
,Iseet
woofmycol
l
eagues
wal
ki
ngin.

"
Thanky
ouf
ort
hehai
randt
her
ide,
"Isay
.

"
It
'sapl
easur
e,super
woman.
"Ichuckl
e.

"
I'
ll
seey
ouar
oundt
hen,
"heunl
ocksmydoorandIopent
ocl
i
mb
out
.

"I
'
llbeexpect
ingcust
omer
stof
loodmysal
onmybaby
,"Ir
oll
my
eyes.

"
Youwil
ldefi
nit
elyseear
etur
niny
ouri
nvest
mentSi
r,
"her
oar
s
wi
thl
aughter
.

He'
sal
way
slaughi
ng,
amushybear
.

It
'sasl owdayatwor k,meani ngt het i
psaren'tcomi nginf ast.
Nor mal l
yinonehourofmyshi ftI'
v eservedabout5t abl
es, some
peopl etipbigbutsomej ustdon'tt i
patal l
.I'
m standingwi thmy
colleaguesbyt heent r
ancewai tingf orcustomerst owal kin,
there'sthisoneguywho' sturnedi ntoanenemyj ustbecauseI
refusedt obehi sgirl
fr
iend.Appar entlyhewant st ochowev ery
newgi r
l,butsorryforhimI '
m onlyher et omakemyt wocent sand
l
eav e.Hei sgoingoutofhi swayt omakemeuncomf ortable,he
evenspr eadssi ll
yrumour saboutme.Hel aughedwhenev er yone
wasgi vi
ngmecompl i
ment sonmyhai rstyl
ebutIdon' thol dhi m
tohear t,heisledbyhi sbruisedego.Il eaveev er
y onestandi ng
theret ogouset hebathroom, myphonev i
bratessoonasIwal kin.
It
'smymot her
, Ibl
owoutasi gh.Wehar dlyevertalk,sheexi stsin
herownwor l
d.Awor l
dthatdoesn' tincludemeandAt ang, allshe
everwant sisherhusbandback.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.

"
Lemohang,
"shesoundsbet
ter
.
"
Ma?
"

"
Wher
eismyson?
"Icl
osemyey
es.

Igetthiscall
oncei
nabluemoonandInev
ergi
veherananswer
.I
can'
triskherknowi
ngwhereAt
angis,
shewoul
dgother
eand
causehav oc.

"
Atangi
satschool
,youknowt
his.
"Ianswerher
.

"Whi
chschool?Ineveragreedtohim goi
ngtoanyschool
Lemohang.Iam hi
smot her,noty
ou."Shescr
eamsinmyear.

"You'venev
erbeenamot her
,toei
therofus.Al
lyoueverdi
dwas
neglectus,
y oudidn'
tgi
veashitaboutus.That
'swhyItookhi
mto
thatschool
,"Irespond.

"
I'
m goi
ngtothepol
icestat
ion,
youwi
l
lgi
vememyson.
"I'
m
t
ryi
ngtokeepmybreathsequal.

"
Goodby
ema,
"Iendt
hecal
l
.

Youwoul dt hi
nkshewoul dbegr atefulthatItookherburdenaway ,
shedi dn'tcaref orAtang.Myl i
ttl
ebrot herwasneglected,she
nevercar edf orthatboyev ersincehewasbor n.Al
lshedi dwas
cryforamant hatdisappearedt oGodknowswher e,shewoul d
beatAt angf orcr yi
nganddoi ngwhatbabi esdo.Iwasy oungand
couldn'tdomuchbackt hen,butIpromi sedthatIwoulddobet ter
formybr other.Hei sataboar dingschool ,i
tdoesn'
tcomecheap.
Iwor kthishar dsohecangetagoodeducat ionandbef arfrom
ourmot her'
st oxici
ty,hestar
tedt hi
sy earandhei shappy .Isleep
bett
eratni
ghtknowingthathe'sdoinggoodandnotget
ti
ng
puni
shedforourfat
hersdisappearance.

Ihadahor r
ibl e1sty earofuni versit
y,Ihadt otransitionf rom high
school t
ov ar sit
y.Adj ust i
ngt ol ivi
ngonmyowni naci tyI've
alway sfearedandt ot opi tall
,Ihar dtost ar
twor kingsoIcoul d
sav etogethi m ev ery thi
nghewasgoi ngt oneedf orschool .Last
yearwashect i
conme, Idon' tknowhowIsur vi
v edandhowIkeep
sur vi
vingwi theachpassi ngday .Iam achi l
dmy selfandbei nga
par enttoa6y earol dget stoomuchsomet imes.Idr awi nsome
airandcal m my self,Ican' tbecr y
ingatwor k.Ileav et hebat hroom
andnot i
cet hatt heent rancehasnowai ter,
Iquickl yheadt here
andj ustont imeacoupl ewal ksi n,Igreetthem andl eadt hem t o
at able.Al i
ttleboy sisr unningbehi ndus, Iwasn'tawar et heyhad
theirchildwi tht hem.Hemustbemyl ittl
ebrother sage, helooks
happyandwel ltakencar eof.Soonast hey'
reset tl
edhest arts
pagi ngthroughhi smenuandaski nghi smom i fit'
sal rightto
orderacer taindi sh, t
hewomani sgent l
ewi t
hherson.I 'mt ryi
ng
sohar dnott ocr y ,aftermymot herscallIhavet oser v esucha
war mf ami l
y .Itremi ndsmeoft hef ami l
ywedon' thav e, afami l
y
Atangdoesn' thav e.Myl ittl
ebr othermustbewonder ingwhyhi s
l
ifei ssodi fferentf rom ot herchi l
drenatschool ,Idomybestt obe
hisev erythi
ngbuti twi llneverbeenoughbecauseI 'm nothi s
mom.

"Ar
eyouokay?
"Theladyaskshol
dingmyarm andIqui
cklysnap
outofi
tandof
ferherasmil
e.Myey esar
eswi
mmi ngintears,
Godpl
easedon'
tl
ett
hem f
all
.

"Yes,woul
dy ouli
ketopl
aceanorder
?"Iask,myt
hroati
sdryand
i
t'staki
ngeveryt
hingi
nmet okeepmyemot i
onsi
ncheckbutI'
m
soov er
whelmed.

Theygiv emet heirorderandIhur r

ytopl aceitintheki t
chen,I
needami nute.Aftertakingt heirdri
nksIr ushout si
det othe
smokingar ea,Ijustsettleont hebenchandwai l
painfull
ywhi l
e
clut
chingatmychest .Ihav ebecomeamar tyr
,sacri
fici
ngmy sel
f
formybr other.Forthef utureIbel i
eveIcanaf for
dhi m.Ilostmy
chil
dhood, Ihadt otakesomuchr esponsi bi
li
tyonmyshoul ders.
Mymot hercouldn'tcarel ess,whenshe' sl uci
denoughandnot
cryi
ngov ermyf athershecal lstothreatenmewi ththepol i
ce.
Whenwi l
lIli
velifeli
kemymat es,tonotf eelguil
tyforspending
myhar dear nedmoneyonmy self?

"
Lemohang,
"

That'
stheowneroft
herest
aurant
.Shi
t,Idi
dn'
twanttodothi
sat
work.Ican'
tri
skawarni
ng,
Ineedthi
sjob."
Isever
ythi
ngokay
?"
Sheasks.

Iwi
pemyt ear
s,"
yes,
I'
mfineEmmy .
"Isayoffer
ingheraweak
smi
le."I
'
llgocheckonmyor der
,"sheholdsoutherhandwit
ha
wor
riedexpressi
ononherface.

"
No,youcan'
tbecr
yingl
iket
hatandsayy
ou'
ref
ine.What
'st
he
mat
ter?
"Ishakemyhead.

"I
tjustget
sov
erwhel
mingatt
imes,
myl
i
fei
snotabedofr
oses.
"I
sayandblowoutasi
gh.
"Howdoyoudoit?Be20year
sofage,
worktwoj
obsandsti
ll
att
enduni
ver
sit
yful
lti
me?
"Ichuckl
eandshr
ugmyshoulder
s.

"
Ihav
etodoi
t,Idon'
thav
eany
onet
oassi
stme.
"

"I
t'
scl eary ouar egoingt hroughal ot
,keepingi tinsi
dewi l
lonl
y
makey ouexpl odeandt hatwon' tbehealthy.Iwentt othesame
universityasy ou, Iwasov erwhelmedwi thmyst udiesandlucki
ly
theuni versit
yof ferssessionswi thapsychol ogistforit
'sst
udents.
Talkingt oast rangerhelps, t
ryitout.
"Ididn'tknowt hat
.ButIdon't
seemy selfopeni ngupt oacompl etestr
anger .

"Youwon'thavetoworr
yaboutpaying,yourt
uit
ioni
ncl
udes
studentsuppor
tandcounsel
i
ng."Ididn'
tknowalloft
his,
buti
t'
s
notli
keIknowmuchany way.

"ThankyouEmmy,I
'm sor
ryf
orbr
eaki
ngdownatwor
k."Isayand
shepatsmyshoul
der.

"
It
'sokay,youareonl
yhuman.Icannotev enbegintoi
magi ne
whatyou'
regoingthr
ough,"Ishouldst opwatchingSaraf
ina,t
his
whit
egirli
snotsobad."Takeami nute,I'
l
l mi
ndy ourt
ableso
l
ong,"Iof
ferherasmileandshel eaves.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Iwoul
dratherbeatworkthangohometomywi f
e,t
hatpl
aceis
nol
ongerahome.It'
saplaceofpai
nforme,apl
acewhereIam
const
antl
ymadet ofeel
li
keaworthl
essman.Nofot
odoesn'
tsee
me, shej ustdoesn'tregar dmeany more.Shemadei tclearthat
she'swi t
hmef orthemoney ,tohaveacomf ort
ableli
fe.Iwi shI
l
istenedt omymot herwhenIf ir
stbroughtherhome, butIthought
shewasj usttry
ingt obabymel ikeal
way s.Ihavealway sbeent he
emot ionalchil
doft hetrio, Mveloisevent ougherthanmebutt hat
didn'
tmeanIam aweakl ing.Ibel i
eveindealingwithmyemot i
ons,
keepingt hem bottl
edupwon' tmakemeamanl ymanbutr ather
onet hat'
semot ionallycrippled.Idealwithmypai n,Icryifneeds
beandI '
m notashamedoft hat.

Myoffi
cedooropensandi nwalksGat sha,myel derbrot
her.Ilast
sawhim onSundayatmoms, wehar dlyhadt hechancet otalk.
Nofot
okeptcomi ngt opullmeeacht imeshesawmewi t
hhim,
thel
aststrawoftheaf t
ernoonwaswhenshesuddenl yfeltsi
ck
andaskedt hatweleave,wehadn'tev enhadourdesser t
.My
motheravoideddramaandt oldmet ot akeherhome, everyone
knowsherandhert heatri
csandt heydon' tbotherentert
aini
ngi t
anymore.I
t'ssadthatI'
m onlyseeingwhatt heyallsawthislate,I
usedtostandupf orherandmakeexcusesf orherbutit
'sallclear
now.

"
Baf
o,"hegr
eet
sandpul
l
soutachai
r.

"Youaregai
ningweight,
Zet
huf
eedsy
ouwel
l
."Hel
aughsand
brusheshi
ssmallbell
y.

"She'
scompl
aini
ngabouti
tthough,
say
sIshoul
dhi
tthegy
m."I
scoff
.
"Youknowwhatt heysayaboutthesizeofyourmanhoodwhen
youstar
tgrowingabelly
.Shewaspol it
elyt
ell
ingy
outhati
t'
s
shri
nki
ng,"hecli
ckshistongueandthrowsapenatme.

"
Vot
sekwenasan,
"

"
I'
mtel
l
ingy
ouGatsha,"Il
ovepul
li
ngmybr
other
sleg,
itdoesn'
t
t
akemucht
ogethim workedup.

"
whydi
dIev
encomeher
e,"Il
augh.

"
I'
ll
leti
tgo,
"

"
how'
sbusi
ness?
"Heasks.

"Wearedoinggr
eat
, wear
eintheprocessofpur
chasi
ngabig
diamondfr
om asel
leri
nCongo,"Iexpl
ainandhehol
dsouthi
sfi
st
forabump.

"
Wayt
ogo,
yousur
ethi
sonei
slegi
t?"Heasks.

"Imadeitapointtocheckift
hesell
ermeet
stheKimber
ly
Processrequi
rements,ev
eryt
hingi
suptospeed,
"hesi
ghsin
rel
ief
."Oncebitt
entwiceshy,
"Iaddandhenods.

"Andint
hehomef r
ont?Zet
hut
oldmewhathappenedi
nthe
kit
chenonSunday
,"Icl
osemyeyes.

"There'
snohomef
rontGatsha,
mywi
fei
snot
hingbutagol
d
digger,
"Hef
urr
owshisf
orehead.

"
You'vefinal
lyseenherforwhatshei
s?"He'sshockedbymy
r
evelati
on."Thatgi
rlnev
erlovedyoubafo,
wecoul dal
lsmellher
motivesfrom mil
esaway .
"Ifonl
yheknewhowmuchIwi shIhad
l
ist
enedt othem.
"Yeah, myl oveforherbli
ndedme.I thur t
slikeamot herfucker,
"
Gat shai sonlyasweetandemot i
onal persont ohi
swi f
e, Zethu
andt heirkids.ButIappreci
atethatheal l
owsmet oshowmy
emot ionst ohim,hedoesn'tseemeasweakj ustbecauseI '
d
ratherv oiceoutmypai nthankeepingi ti
nandber egardedasa
manl yman.Wear etheLukhelebrothers,weshar ethesame
bloodbutwear edif
fer
entineveryaspectandt hathasnev erbeen
apr oblem.

"Div
orcei snotabadt hi
ngf oryouatthi
spointMakhosini
,you
deserveawomant hatwi l
ll
ov eyou.Awomanwhoi sn'twit
hyou
becauseoft hemoney ,ther
e'ssomeonegenuineforyouout
there.
"Ijustnod.IknowI '
veseenNof otof
orwhoshet rul
yisbut
evenso, she'
sstil
lmywi feandIl ovet
hatwoman.Ineedt i
met o
fal
loutofl ovewit
hher ,
timet oallowmyheartt
obeli
ev ewhatmy
mindalreadyknows.

"Wewil
lal
way sbehereforyou,Ibegy
out oputyour
sel
ffi
rst
Makhosi
ni.I
twon'tbeeasyIknowbuty oudeser
vesomuch
bet
ter
,"

I
t'
saf
ter9pm whenIgett
omyhouse, Gat
shaandIdeci
dedt
ogo
t
osomebararoundmyof f
iceandhav
eadr i
nkort
wo.

There'
sabsol
utel
ynothi
ngtorushbackto,al
lwedoisargue
morethesedays.If
indpeaceofmindwhenI'
m anywherebutthi
s
housewithNofot
o.Iopenthedoorandcli
mboutaftergr
abbing
mywor kbagfr
om theback,I
'm sl
uggi
shl
ymakingmywayt ot he
fr
ontdoor.Wi
theachstepItakemybodyjustgoescold,
one
cannotknowwhatt oexpectwi thawomanl i
keNof ot
o.I'm
desperatetohaveapeacef ulni
ght,Ihopeshegivesthatt ome.
What everdr
amashewant stocauseshecansav eitf
ort omorr
ow,
tonightIj
ustcannotdeal wi
thher.She'ssi
tt
ingintheloungewith
abot tl
eofchampagnei nherhand, t
here'
snoglassonsi ghtsoI
knowshe' sdri
nki
ngstraightfr
om thebottl
e.Iheaveasi ghand
attempttowalkaway .

"Wher
ethef
uckhaveyoubeen?"Ist
opi
nmyt
racksanddr
opmy
head,
shedr
ainst
hesouloutofme.

"
Outwi
thmybr
other
,"at
leastmyv
oicecameoutal
ri
ght
.

"
Oh,y
ouwerebusydiscussi
ngmewitht
hatsonofabi
tch?
"Her
e
wegoagai
n,Isl
owl
yt ur
ntofaceher
.

"Youwi l
lnotdi
srespectmymot herl
ikethat,
youwi l
lnotev
en
refertomybrotherwithsuchwords.Wat chyourtongueNofot
o!"I
delivert
hatwit
hast rongsteadyt
one,shewillnotmisshow
seriousIam ri
ghtnow.

"
Makhosi
ni,
whot
hef
uckdoy
out
hinky
ouar
etal
ki
ngt
o?"

"
I'
m warni
ngy
ou."I'
m point
ingatherwi
thmyi
ndexf
inger
.She
l
aughs,
anevi
llaughthatsendschi
ll
sdownmyspi
ne.

"Ohsoyou'
vegr
ownapai
rnow?Youcant
alkbackatme?
"Am I
hear
ingwel
l?

"Howthehel
ldi
dIfal
lforader
angedwomanl i
keyou?Whatdi
dI
evenseei
nyou?FuckMakhosi
ni,t
hishasbeenyourwor
st
mi
stake.
"Shegaspsi
nshock.

"
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsayt
ome?
"She'
sli
vi
d.

"
Youhear
dmeNof
oto,
"Isay
.

Thiswomanr oughlyr
emov est hewigonherheadandt hr
owsit
carel
essly
,itknocksoffthev aseont hesi
detabl
ebutitdoesn'
t
break.Iwatchasshedr i
nksf rom t
hebot t
le,
andsome
champagnespi ll
ingfr
om hermout h.Iam shockedwhenshe
breaksthebot t
leandshe'slefthol
dingtheneckli
keaweapon.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iaskhercal
mly
.

"
Ohsonowy ouknowhowt otal
ktomeinapropertone?Wher
e's
t
heener
gyanddisr
espectf
rom afewminut
esago?"She's
wal
ki
ngslowl
ytowardsme.Thisgi
rli
sgoi
ngtokil
lmet hi
sni
ght.

"Nof
oto,
watchyoursel
f.
"Iwarn"t
hat
'
sit,
I'
m call
ingt
hepoli
ce.
"
Thatmakesherst
opandl ookatmeli
keI'
vegrownhorns.

"
Pol
i
ce?
"Whyi
sshesmi
rki
ng?What
'
swr
ongwi
tht
hisgi
rl
?

"
Yes,
youar
ebei
ngcr
azy
."Sheshakesherhead.

"
Youhav
en'tseencr
azymylov
e,cal
lthepoli
ceandIpr
omi
set
hat
y
ou'
ll
betheoneleavi
ngt
hispl
aceincuff
s."Whatt
he?

"
I'
m nottheonetr
yingt
ouseaweaponony ou,"sheslowly
r
emov esherni
ghtgownandpullsupthesleeveoft hepy j
amatop.
Nofotohol
dsoutherwri
standusesthebott l
et ocuthersel
f,my
j
awi sonthefl
oorasIwatchherbl
eeding.

"
Cal
lthem Makhosi
ni,
"shesaysandI
'
mjustst
andi
ngher
etr
ying
t
ofat
hom whatjusthappened.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER03

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Ihadtostandonmyownt wofeetanddealwit
hthissit
uati
on
befor
eNof otokil
lsmeinmyownhouse.Idon' tunderst
andthat
womanany more,shehasbecomeacompl etestr
anger.The
NofotoImety earsagoisdef
ini
tel
ynotthecrazypersonIam
l
ivi
ngwithatt hemoment ,
I'
vetri
edandtri
edtomakesenseofher
behavi
orbutnot hi
ng.

Theonlypersonwhoknowsherbettert
hanany oneishermother,
she'
stheoneper sonwhocanhelpmebetterunderst
andherchil
d
andthethingsshehasbeenmakingmegot hrough.Iam hopi
ng
andprayi
ngt hatthi
smeet
ingwit
hherwill
bef r
uitf
ul,
becausein
al
lhonestyIdon'tknowwhatt
odoany more.

IdriveintoDuduza, that'
swher eNofot oisf rom.Hermot herand
sistersti
ll l
iveher ewhi leherothersiblingsar escat teredacross
neighbor i
ngt ownshi ps.Therewasat imemywi feaskedmet o
mov ethem t ot heNor th,whenIr ef
usedal lhell brokeloose.Ionly
managedt ocal m herdownwhenIpr omi sedt ogi vethem a
mont hl
yal l
owance.Ishoul dhav erealizedheri ntenti
onswi thme
andourmar r
iaget henbutIdi dn'
twantt obel i
ev eshehadany
mot iveot hert hantol ovemeandshar eherl ifewi thme.It akea
turnont hei rst r
eet,thehousei snolongerwhati twasbef oreI
mar riedtheirdaught er.Shereall
yusedmymoneyt oupgr adeher
homesi tuation.Idi dn'thaveaproblem wi t
hi tunt i
lIlearnedthati
t
wasallther
easonsheagr eedtobeaLukhel ebri
de.Iparkmycar
outsi
dethegateandcli
mbout ,Ididn'
tbri
ngany t
hingfort
hem
andIknowt hey
'l
lquest
ionitbutthisisamatterofli
feanddeat
h.
They'
llf
orgi
vemef ornotbeingfatherChr
ist
mast oday.

"Lukhel
e,
"mymot
heri
nlawgr
eet
sasIwal
kint
hrought
heki
tchen
door.

"
MamBl
angwe,
"

"Myownsoni
nl awwalksi
ntomyhousewit
houtev
enabot
tl
eof
coke,
arewef
ighti
ng?
"Iknowthem pr
ett
ywell
.

"
YouknowIal wayscomebear i
nggift
sbutnowmyhear ti
sheavy
mama, Icoul
dn'
tthi
nkofanythi
ngelse."Isayandshefurr
owsher
f
oreheadandpointstoavacantki
tchenstoolformetosit.

"Youar
escaringme,ismymot her
'sphotocopyalri
ght?"Sheasks
pani
cki
ng.Apparentl
ymywi f
elooksexactl
ylikehergrandmother
,
hencet
heycallherNofot
o.Hergovernmentnamehowev eris
Nombulel
o,shehatesthenamebecauseherf at
hergaveitt
oher.

"Unf
ortunat
elynot,ma.Yourdaughterhasbecomethereasonour
marri
ageisstandingononef oot
."Shegaspsinshockandstops
peel
ingthepotatoesi
nfrontofher.

"Howdoyoumean,
Makhosi
ni?
"Iheav
easi
ghandpl
acemyar
ms
onthet
abl
e.

"
haoLukhel
e,
"that
'smywi
fe'
sel
derbr
otherent
eri
ng.

"
Blangwe,
unj
ani
baf
o?"Iaskget
ti
ngupandhol
dingoutmyhand
f
orashake.

"
Iam al
ri
ght,Idi
dn'
tknowyou'
llbecoming.Wher
e'smysi
ster
?"
Heaskstr
yingtopeepint
heloungeinhopesofseei
ngNof
oto.

"She'
sathome,
Ineededt
otal
ktoy
ourmot
heral
one.
"Hef
rowns
atme.

"Pl
easesi
tMakhosi
ni,
I'
m worri
ed.Youwer
esayi
ngyourmar
riage
i
sstandi
ngononefootbecauseofmydaught
er?
"Inodandsettl
e
backdown.

"Hai
bo,y
ouandFot
oar
ehav
ingi
ssues?
"Vumi
l
easkspul
l
ingouta
chai
r.

"Ihavebeenhopi ngthatthi
ngswi l
l changeandshewi l
lbebackto
beingmysweetNombul el
obutnot hing.Yourdaughter
disrespectsmymot her,i
nsult
sev erymemberofmyf amil
y.She
doesn' twanttogiv
emechi ldr
en,recent l
yshet ol
dmeshedi dn'
t
getmar r
iedfort
hat.Shebluntl
ytoldmet hatsheagreedtobemy
wifef ormymoney ,tohaveacomf ortabl
elif
e."It
ell
them andher
mot herhasahandonhermout h.

"No,t
hatcannotbemydaught
er.Inev
err
aisedsuchachi
l
d,
never
!"Iwasexpect
ingt
hat
.

"Butshei smama.She'sabusi vetowardsmeandt urnsaroundto

playthev i
cti
m,justtwoday sagoshebr okeabot tl
eof
champagneandat temptedtost abmewi t
hit.WhenIt ol
dherI'
ll
callthecopsshesai dI
'l
lbet heoneleavingwi t
hhandcuf fs,
she
l
iter
al l
ycutherownwr i
sts."Hermot her'
sey esareswimmi ngin
tears,Itur
ntolookatVumi leandhebur stsoutlaughing.Iam
shockedt
osayt
hel
east
,howdoeshef
indt
hisf
unny
?

"Idon'
tthi
nkther
e'sany
thi
ngf
unnywi
thwhatI
'
vej
ustsai
dher
e,"I
saypissed.

"Didyousaymysist
erisabusi
ve?Whatkindofmanar eyou?No
womancanev erabuseaman, don'
tcomehereandjoke.Have
youseenhowsmal lmysist
eri
scompar edtoyou?
"Ichucklei
n
disbel
ief
.

Thisiswhymenwhoar eabusedbyt heirsigni

ficantothernever
speakout ,societylaughsatt hem andcal lsthem weakl i
ngs.They
don'tunderstandt hatit'snotaboutphy sicalpower ,Iam bi
gger
thanNof ot
oandIcanov er
powerherbuti t'
snotaboutt hat
.When
shet r
ansfor msintot hathor r
ibleperson, shesomehowbot t
les
meup.I tbecomeswor sewheny ouar enott het ypeofmant ouse
physicalst
r engthtodeal withthings.Ont heotherhandIam at
hermer cy,she'shol di
ngdocument sthatcoul dr ui
nme.Ihav e
workedt oohar dtol oseev erythi
ngbecauseofami stakeIdidn'
t
make.

"
Soawomancannotbeabusi
vet
owar
dsherhusband?
"Iask.

"Unl
essift
hatmandoesn'thavetheball
stohandl
ehi
sbusiness.
IfMando,mywi f
edidal
lthosethi
ngsyouaresayi
ngNofotodi
d,I
wouldbeatsensebacki
ntoherhead."Abuser
unsint
hisfamil
yI
see.

"Welli
nthatcasebaf
o,I'
l
lst
artkicki
ngandbeat
ingyoursist
er
blackandblue.
"Hegetsonhisfeetalmosti
mmediat
ely.

"
Tryt
hatLukhel
eandI
'
llbur
nyoudown,
"Ishakemyheadand
st
andt
ofacehi
m.

"Youj
ustsaidyou'
dbeatyourwi fei
fshedidwhatyoursist
erhas
beendoing,t
hat'
sthesol
ut i
ony ouar
egivi
ngmet otheproblem I
cametoy ouwit
h.Sowhyar ey ounowplayi
ngHerculesonme? "
Hisupperli
pistwit
chi
ng,hewant stosaysomethi
ngbuthe
knowsheshothimselfi
nt hefootwithhi
sstupi
dstatement.

"Wil
lyoubothsi
tdown,"MamBl angwesaysandI'
mthefir
stt
o
sett
lebackonmychair.Idon'
thavetoengageinapi
ssing
contestwi
thVumil
e,especial
l
yaftert
henonsensehepuked.

"
Lukhel
e,Iwi
l
ltal
ktomydaught
er.
"Shesay
s.

"
Pleaset
ell
herIam notherf
ather
."Isay
.

"
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?"Vumi
l
eroar
s.

"
IsaidIam notyourfather,
she'
spunishi
ngmeandf ami l
yfort
he
mistakesyourf
atherandhispeoplemade.Forsomereasonall
menar ethesame,thatincl
udesyouVumile.
"Iam hol
dinghis
i
ntensegaze.Thisbastardmustnott
hinkIwouldn'
thol
dmyown
wi
thhi m.

"Iam not
hingl i
kethatsonofabitch,
"he'
sli
vid,
itlooksli
kethey
allhatet
heirfather
."Iwouldnev
erleaveMandot oraiseour
childr
enalone,whil
eIlivehappi
l
ywi t
hanotherwoman. "Headds.

"Iwouldn'talsodothattoyoursi
sterVumil
e,butshe'smakingme
payf orallofyourst
rugglesgr
owingup."Hi
sexpr essi
onsoftens.
"Idon'tdeservetobeinsult
edandmadet ofeell
ikeal i
tt
leman, I
don'tdeser v
etobecaughti nbet
weenmyf amilyandmywi f
e.But
guesswhat ?Iam goi
ngt hr
oughalloft
hatbecausemywi f
e,your
sist
erf eelsl
ikeeverymanhast obepunishedf orthepainyour
motherwentt hr
oughbecauseoft hemant hatbirthedyouandhis
famil
y .Ithurt
sli
kehell,al
way sbeingquestioned,accusedand
i
nsultedf ormistakesyou'v
enev ermade. "Mymot herinlawcl
asps
myhand." I'
vedonenothingbutlov eandprotectNof ot
omama, I
makesur eshewant sfornothingbutallshedoesi shurtand
beli
tt
leme.Ican' ttakeitanymor e.
"

"
Divorcei
snotanopti
onMakhosini
,youki
dscanwor
kthr
ough
t
his.Iwil
ltal
ktomychi
ld,
"Ishakemyhead.

"Idon'
tthi
nkanythi
ngwi
l
lchangewithher
,Idon'
tseehowwecan
mov epassedthi
s.Howwil
lIl
ookatherandnotseethemonst
er
sheistomeeachandeveryday?
"Iask.

"I
t'
sgoi ngt obehar dyesbuti t'
sgoi ngtowor kout .Youare
nothingliket hatman, Makhosi ni.Nof otoisblessedtohav e
mar ri
edawar m,protecti
veandl ovi
ngmanl i
keyou.Iam her
mot her,Ihav edealtwi t
hmypai nandIwon' tletitbethereason
whyshel osessuchaf i
negent leman.Pl easef i
nditinyourheart
andgi veheronel astchance, Iwi l
ltal
kt oherandmakehersee
reason.Mkhweny anawami pleasedoi tforme, j
ustonechance."I
mopmyf acewi thmyhand, i
fonl ysheknewhowt ir
edIam.
Vumi leclearshist hroatandIl ookhi sway ,helookslikeawet
chicken.Isuspecthi smot hergav ehimt heeyewhenmyey es
wer eshutcl ose.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI
Ihadt oli
stentoEmmy '
sadv iseaboutseei ngashr ink,Ihav ebeen
throughsomuchandst i
llgoingt hroughthingsIhar dlytalkto
any oneabout .Myf ri
endsj ustknowmyl i
fest oryandt heynev er
askany t
hingunlessIt alkabouti t,whi chisal mostnev er .It
s
alreadyt oomuchl ivingmyl ife,talkingabouti twi l
ljustdepr ess
memor e.Imadei nqui resaboutt alkingtoashr inkandi tturned
outEmmywasr ight,ourt uiti
onf eecov er
sst udentcounsel li
ng
andsuppor tamongstot herthings.Iwasn' tawar ethatmanyof
myf ell
owst udentsar egoi ngt hroughsomet hing,thear esomany
psy chologist
sav ai
labl ebutt helistofappoi ntmenti slongt oo.I
gotaMondayappoi ntmentandt heymadei taf t
ermycl asses, I
textedEmmyt heappoi ntmentcar dandshet oldmenott ocome
throught oday.Iam sadt hatI'l
lbel oosingoutont i
psbutshe
promi sedt opaymef ortheshi ft.At l
eastIhadagoodweekendat
thecl ub.

It
s5mi nutesbefor
eIhav etogoinandseet heshrink, I'
m
smoki ngthemi l
l
ionthci gar
etteoft
heday .Cigarettejustcalms
medownf orsomer eason,Iwon'tt
ellyouexact l
ywhenIgot
addictedbutIcant ellyouit'
sbeenlong.Iprefersmoki ngto
alcoholbutonceIdr inkIsmokeev enmor e.OnceI 'm done, Iappl
y
l
ipbalm andpopami nti nmymouthbef oreapplyingl oti
ont omy
hands.Yes, Igoalloutt ogetri
dofthesmel l.

Iwalkinandt heladybehindtherecepti
ondesksmilessweetlyat
me, Ir
etur
nmi nebutit
'sanervousone.Sheasksformy
appoint
mentt icketandcl
ickssomet hi
ngonherkeyboard.She
tel
l
smet otaket hehal
lwayandgot oofficenumberB13further
downmyr ight,myst omachi sinknot s.I'm nervousashel l
, Iwant
toturnandwal kawaybutsomet hingi spr opelli
ngmet ogo
forward.Myhear ttell
smet hatIneedt obur poffsomet hing' ssoI
canbeabl etobr eathebutmymi ndi st ell
i
ngmet hatwhoev eritis
I'
ll
bet alkingtodoesn' tcareaboutanyoft het hi
ngsI '
m goi ng
through.Theper sonwi l
ljustbedoi ngt heirjobandget tingpai d.I
gettot hedoorandheav easi ghbef orehittingmyknuckl esont he
woodendoor ,adeepbar itonevoicet ell
smet ocomei n.Itur nthe
doorhandl eandwal kintot heoff
ice, i
t'snot hi
ngf ancy.Atleast
nothinglikehowt heyshowshr i
nkof ficesi nthemov i
es.Amani n
hislatetwent iesgetsupf rom hischai rbehi ndthedeskal r
eady
wear i
ngabeaut i
fulsmil
e, hehasonedi mpleonhi sl
eftcheek.He
l
ookswar m andwel coming, makingt heknot sinmyst omach
l
oosenal ittl
e.

"
YoumustbeLemohang,
"hesay
shol
dingouthi
shand,
Iqui
ckl
y
t
akei
tforashake.

"
Yes,
Iam Lemohang.
"Myv
oicei
sshaky
.

"Mynamei sDr .Mabut hoMkhwanazi ,pleasebecomf ort

ableand
rel
ax.Whatev erwet al
kabouti nherewi llremainbetweenus,no
j
udgement snonwhat soever."Hisvoiceiscalm andsoothing,
makingmebel ievei
nev erywor dhejustut ter
ed."Youcansit
whereveryout hinkyou'l
lbecomf ortable."HeaddsandIl ook
around,t
here'sacouchbehi ndmeandachai rfacinghi
m.Idecide
onthechair,onceI '
m settl
edhet akeshi sseataswel l
.

"
SowhatdoesLemohangmean?
"HeasksandIr
aiseaney
ebr
ow.
Thi
sist
hefi
rstt
imeany
onehasbeeni
nter
est
ingi
nthemeani
ng
ofmyname.

"
Itmeans,
takecogni
sance.
"Henods.

"Beaut
if
ulmeani
ng,sotel
lmealit
tleabouty
our
sel
f.
"Hesay
sand
Ilookdownfi
ddl
ingwit
hmyfingers.

"Well
,Iam asecondy
earmini
ngengi
neer
ingst
udent.I
'mfr
om
Sebokeng,i
ntheVaal
.I'
mtwentyy
ear
sofageandy eah,
"

"Mini
ngengineer
ing,
youmustbesmar
tthen.
"Ishr
ugmy
shoul
ders.

"
Ihol
dmyown, Icoul
ddobetterthat60per
cent
sonmymodules
i
fIonl
yfocusedonmystudies."Het i
l
tshi
sheadtot
hesi
de.

"Why60percentandwhyarey
ounotfocusi
ngony
ourst
udi
es
alone?
"HeasksandIheaveasigh.

"Becausemybur sarywant
snot
hinglesst
hanthatortheywi
l
l
stoppayingforme.Iworktwoj
obs,somyt i
mehast obespl
it
accordi
ngly.
"Hef r
owns.

"Twojobsandful
lti
meuni
ver
sit
yat
tendence?
"He'
sshockedt
o
saytheleast
.

"
Ineedt
hemoney
,"

"Buty
ouj
ustsai
dyouhav
eabur
sar
ypay
ingf
ory
ou.
"Hesay
sand
Inod.

"Theypayformyt ui
ti
on,
bookal l
owance,par
tsofmyrentanda
l
itt
lesomethingformygroceri
es.Whattheydon'
tpayf
orismy
brother
sschoolandupkeep."Henods.
"Whyi
sthatr
esponsi
bil
i
tyony
ourshoul
der
sLemohang?
"Heasks
sof
tl
y.

"Mymot herli
vesinherpain,myfat
herl
eftt
obuybreadwhenI
was13andhenev ercameback.Shehasbeenholdingapi
ty
partyforher
selfsi
ncethen,negl
ect
ingmeandAtanginthe
process."

"
Atangi
syourbr
otherIassume?Howol
dishe?
"Heasks.

"Yeshe'
smylit
tl
ebrother,hei
s6year
s."Hel
eansi
n."
Ever
ythi
ngI
do,Idoi
tformybrother.
"Tear
sar
eblindi
ngme.

"Youareast rongyoungwoman.Carry
ingsomuchatsucha
tenderage,youshouldbefocusi
ngony our
self.Youareiny our
prime,yetyouar epl
ayi
ngparent
.Howdoest hatmakey ouf eel
?"
There'
sahugel umpinmythroat
,It
rytoswallowi tbuti
tleaves
mebur ning.

"I
'
vealwaysdoneit
,befor
evarsi
tyIdi
dn'
tdomuchbecauseIwas
sti
ll
youngmyself
.I'
m usedt
oi t
,Ihav
etodoi
t.
"Henods.

"Iunderst
andthatbutmyquesti
onwas, howdoest hi
swhole
sit
uationmakey oufeel
?Yourf
ather
'sdisappear
ance,your
mot hercr
yingoversomeonewholeftherandtheirki
ds?"
Emot i
onstakesovermel i
keator
nado,Ifeelsomanyt hi
ngsat
once.

"Ifeelrobbed,
robbedofanor malli
feev
ery20yearoldisli
ving.
Whi l
emypeer sareliv
ingituponweekends,Iam servi
ngthem
dri
nks.Ihav etoendurement ouchi
ngmeinappropri
atebecause
they'l
lgivemegoodt i
ps,Ihavetowipemymat es'pukewhent hey
aredrunkfrom thealcoholIservedthem.Ifeelempt y,empt y
fr
om thelackofl oveandaf f
ectionfr
om mymot her.If eelangry
,
madashel lbecauseshei sn'tevengrat
efultomef ormaki ngsure
Atangisokay .Myf at
her?Thatman?Igetenr agedt hinkingabout
hi
m, Idream ofstrangli
nghim andhedi es.I
tfeelssogoodwhenI
wakeuppant ingbecausei tsomehowf eelsli
keI'vel etoutsome
ofmyangeri nthatdr eam.
"I'm shaki
ng,whil
et earsar egushing
downmyf ace.

"
Haveyoutol
dyourmot
herhowy
ouf
eel
?"HeasksandIshake
myheadno.

"
Itwi
l
lbepoi
ntl
ess,
"

"Someti
mesy oudon'tevenneedt ohearar esponsefrom
someonewhohashur tyou,al
lyouneedisf orthem toli
stenwhil
e
youtel
lthem al
lthey
'vedonet ohurtyou.
"Hesay sandIswallow
mysali
va.Hedoesn'tunderstandmymot her'
sstateofmi nd.

"Iheary
ou,
"hebendsdownandopenssomethi
ngthencomes
backwithabot
tl
eofwaterandhandsi
ttome."
Thankyou,
"

Herubshi shandst ogether,"oursessionsaren'tgoingtobeshor t

l
iketheonesInor mall
yhav ewi thotherstudents.Wehav eal ott
o
unpack,"Inod."Domeaf av or,eachandev erymor ningaft
er
openingy oureyes.Ineedy out osaysomet hingnicet oyoursel
f,
remindy oursel
fofhowst rongandr esil
i
enty ouare.Howbeaut if
ul
youarei nsi
deandout ,beli
ev ethatyou'l
lheal f
rom yourpainand
theuniversewillal
ignforyou. "He'ssmili
ngwi theachwor d.

"
Iwi
l
l,
"Igul
pdownt
hel
astofmywat
er.
"Idon'twanttoinconveni
enceyou,youwor kever
ydayandhav e
classestoattend.Oursessi
onswi l
lj
usttakemor eofthetimeyou
alreadydon'
thav e.Dr
awmey ourschedule,
incl
udeschool,wor
k
andl ei
sureandlet'sf
indsomet i
mef oroursessi
ons."Igaspi
n
shock.

"Won'
tthati
nconveni
encey
ou?
"Iaskandheshakeshi
shead,
his
eyesar
et wi
nkl
ing.

"No,myjobistoli
stenandhelpyoudealwit
hwhaty ou'r
egoing
thr
oughLemohang.Yoursi t
uati
onisoneI'
veneverhadtodeal
withbef
ore,
I'
mi nspir
edbyy ouandIwanttohel
pinkeepi ngyou
sane.Toseeyoucont i
nuehelpi
ngyourbr
otherwhil
ey oualso
workongraduati
ngont ime.
"Inod.

"
Thanky
ouDoct
orMkhwanazi
,
"

"
Comeseemetomor r
owwit
hthatti
met
abl
e,yes?
"Inog
v
igor
ousl
yandaknockcomest
hrought
hedoor.

Hecheckst
heexpensi
vewr
istwat
chandwhi
stl
es.

"
That'
smynextappoi
ntment
,comet
omor
rowat1pm,
Ihav
emy
l
unchbreakt
hen.
"

Whatam Igoi ngtodowi thmyself

?Iam notusedtohavingsome
fr
eet i
me, t
hef l
atiscl
eanandmyl aundryi
swashedandpacked
i
nt hecloset
.Ishouldjustgohomeandl ookatmybooks, butmy
headisspinning.Idon'
tthinkI
'
llbeabl
etoconcentr
ate,Imightas
wellj
usttakemy selfoutforadri
nkandaquickbit
e.Ineedsome
met i
me, aquietspacewher eI
'l
lbeabl
eabletotal
ktoLemohang
andt ellherev er
ythi
ngi sgoingtobeokay .Igett othemainr oad,
therear enot axi
sappr oachingbutIknowi twon' tbelongtil
lonce
comes.Thi sisJohannesbur g,t
axisareev erywhere.Acar
i
ndicat estomysi deandst opsnexttome, Istepbackal i
tt
leand
preparemy selftorun.Idon'twanttotakeanychances, human
traf
fickingismaki ngroundsi nthi
scity.Thewi ndowr ol
lsdown
andIsi ghinr eli
efwhenIseeLagos, ImeanEbuka.

"
Arey
oust
alki
ngmedude?
"Hel
aughs.

"
Mybaby
,ofcour
senot
."Ir
oll
myey
esandr
elaxal
i
ttl
e.

"
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
"Heasks.

"
From campus,
"hi
sfor
eheadcr
eases.

"Youal
soatt
enduniv
ersi
ty?Whati
sitt
haty
oudon'
tdo
Lemohang?
"Ichuckl
e.

"
Idon'
tki
l
lpeopl
e,
"hescof
fs.

"I
'
dbesur pr
isedwit
hy ou,
"he'
slooki
ngatmewit
hsomany
quest
ionscrossi
nghismind.Iknowwhathewant
stoask.

"
Wher
ear
eyouheaded?Icandr
opy
ouof
f.
"Heasksi
nst
ead.

"
Iwant
edt
ogosi
tdownandeat
,I'
mfami
shed.
"Henods.

"Hopin,
"heopenst
hefrontpassengerdoorandIgetinsi
dethe
car.Hestar
tst
heengi
neanddr i
vesoff,hi
splay
ingNigeri
an
music.

Wai
t,he'
sdr
ivi
ngadi
ff
erentcar
,thet
imehet
ookmet
owor
kwe
wer
eri
dingaMer
cedes,
thi
sisaBMW.

"
Whatdoyoudoforali
vi
ng?"Thequesti
oni
sal
readyoutofmy
mout
hevenbef
oreIcanthi
nkaboutit
.

"
YouknowIhav
easal
on,
mybaby
."Ishakemyhead.

"
Iknow,buty
oursaloncannotpossi
blyaff
ordal
lthesecar
sand
t
heli
fest
yley
oulead."Helaughsandthatannoy
sme.

"
Youareri
ght
,"Isi
ghi
nrel
i
ef."
I'
ll
tel
lyoumysecr
eti
fyout
ell
me
y
ours,
"If
rown.

"
Whatsecr
et?"Iaskwit
houtevenl
ooki
ngathi
m,myey
esar
e
f
ixedont
heroadlikeI
'
mt heonedri
vi
ng.

"Whydoyouwor ksomanyj obs?"Ibl

owoutsomeai r
.I'
vespoken
aboutmyli
fealotthesepastfewdays.Inar
rat
etohim whyand
he'
sshockedashepar ksatsomeshoppingcomplex.

"
Idon'
tli
ket
his,
youshoul
dbefocusi
ngony
ourst
udi
esandnot
wor
ryi
ngaboutmoneymybaby
."Inod.

"
Idon'
thav
eachoi
ce,
Ebuka.
"

"
Wel
l
,Icanhel
pyou.
"Ishakemyheadno.

"YouareaniceguybutIwouldn'
tdateyou.I
'
m notl
ookingto
date,
plusIdon'tt
hinkyouaremytype.
"Hedoesn'
ttakeoff
ense
becausehetit
tersl
ikealway
s.

"
I'
vecometoacceptthat,
andinal
lhonest
yIwoul
dn'tsur
v i
vewith
agir
lf
ri
endli
keyou.Youaretoost
ubbornmybaby
,"Ismirk."But
t
hatdoesn'
tmeanIcan'thel
pyousti
l
l.
"
"It
oldy
ouEbuka,I'
drat
herear
nmykeep.
"Isaybr
iskl
yandhe
nodsunder
standi
ng.

"Irespectthat
,Iam aski
ngtohelpyoui
nawayyouwillaccept
.
Wor kingtwodemandi ngj
obsisnotgoi
ngtodoi
t,qui
tthe
restaurantandfocusonschool.
"It
urntof
acehi
m andhe's
serious.

"ThemoneyImakeattheclubdoesn'
tcov
erev
eryt
hingmy
brot
herneeds,
howcouldyoupossibl
yhel
pme?"Hesighsand
mopshisfacewit
hhi
shand.

"Idon'tselldrugs,I'
m sur
ethat
'swhatyout hi
nkIdo.MostSout h
Af r
icansthinkNi ger
iansaredr
ugdealer
s, humantraff
icker
sand
fraudsters.Iagreethatsomeofmybr othersaredoingthather
e
butI '
m not."Hesay smeeklyandIswall
owmyembar r
assment.

"Thesal
ondoesn' tmakemuchf ormet oli
vethisnicel i
fe,I
openedmychai nofsalonsf ormyf el
l
owf orei
gnsi sters.Theyfi
nd
themsel
v esherewi t
houtpaper sandwor kandf orthatr eason
theyendupbei ngpr eytopeoplewhouset hem forpr ostit
uti
on
anddrugt r
aff
icking.Ihelpthem survi
veinthisjungle, Lemohang.
Iownal ucrat
ivecompany ,
abusi nesspart
nerofmi nei saSouth
Afri
can.
"Idon'tknowwhatt osaybutI '
mr eall
yproudofwhathe
doestohelpot hers.

"Mypar t
nerandIownaNonBankFi nanci
alInst
it
uti
on,wehave
brunchesinall9prov
inces.Ourcompanyiscall
edEli
teFi
nances,
youcancheckourwebsi te.
"Whatthefuckisthat
?Hechucklesat
myf aci
alexpressi
on.

"
Wel
lweof
ferbankl
i
keser
vicesbutt
heonl
ydi
ff
erencei
sthatwe
cannotacceptdeposit
sfrom t
hepeople.Weneedtohaveour
owncashf l
owt oofferourl
oansandlendi
ngproduct
s."Ihearhi
m
butIdon'
tunderstand.

"
Ist
il
ldon'
tgety
ou,
"hel
i
ckshi
slowerl
i
pandnods.

"Atradi
ti
onalbankhasabanki nglicense,wedon't.Abankcan
takedeposit
sf r
om cli
ents,wecan't.Banksofferl
oansand
l
endingproductsandwedot oo.Differ
enceisthebanksusesthe
deposit
sfrom thecli
entstoruntheiroperat
ions.Wehowev er
needourowncashi nvest
orstobeabl etoborrowourcl i
ent
s
moneyf orpersonal
loansandot herlendi
ngpr oduct
s."Inod
underst
anding,fi
nal
ly.

"Nowyouaremaki
ngsense,
howdi
dyouf
indy
our
sel
fint
his
busi
ness.
"

"That'
salongstory,Ihadt ohustle.From maki nghai
r,dr
ivi
ng
cabsandev er
ythi
ngel se.Ther easonI '
mt elli
ngy outhi
sis
because,
Iwantt ogivey ouajobandIwi llpayy ouwell
.Youwon'
t
havetocomei ntotheof fi
cetowor k,
y ou'l
lwor kthr
eedaysand
submitontheforthday .I
twillprobablyt akey ouaboutthr
eeor
fourhour
sdailytocompl ete.
"If r
own.

"
What
'st
hej
ob?
"Ican'
tbeaccept
ingany
thi
ng.

"Paper
wor kIshoul
dbedoi
ngmy sel
fbutIhavealott
ot akecar
e
of.Iwi
llshowy ouhowi
t'
sdoneandIpromiseit
'snot
hinghecti
c,"

"
Howmuchwi
l
lyoubepay
ingme?
"Iaskandhel
aughs.

"
Strai
ghttobusi
ness,Ili
kethatabouty
ou.Youhav
enoti
meto
waste,i
fyouweren'
tstubbornyouweregoi
ngtomaket
heper
fect
par
tnerf
oramanl
i
keme.
"Hesay
swi
thasmi
l
e.

"
R5000,
"headdsandIgaspi
nshock.

"Areyouki
ddi
ngme?
"Heshakeshi
sheadandt
ear
swel
lupi
nmy
eyes.

"
Youar
ebei
ngov
erl
ygener
ous,
aren'
tyou?
"Hecl
oseshi
sey
es.

"Al
lowmet ohelpyou,
Iwon'taskanyt
hinginappr
opriat
efrom y
ou
Lemohang.JustdothepaperworkandIwillpayyouattheendof
themonth.St
opwor ki
ngattherest
aurantandfocusonschool.
"

"
Whyar
eyoubei
ngsoni
cet
ome?
"Iask.

"IwishIhadsomeonet ohelpmewhenIwasy oung.Someone

whocoul d'
vehel
pedwiththebur denIwascarryi
ng,maybeifIhad
thatIwouldn'
thav
edonesomet hingsIam notproudof.
"Hesays
andIcanf eel
thesadnesslacedinhisvoice.

"Themoneywi l
lbeenoughtopayforAtang'sf
eesandboardi
ng
schoolaswellashisext
ramural
activ
iti
es.ButI'
dst
il
lneedto
takeweekendshif
tsatthecl
ubtobeabl etopaypar
tsofmyr ent
andclothesf
orus."Henods.

"Keeptheclubjob,i
twi
llhelpyour emainfocused,
hungr
yand
determi
ned.Ijustwant
edt olesseny ourbur
den.You'
l
lbeabl
eto
restandfocusonschoolmor e,"Inod.

"
ThankyousomuchEbuka,
youdon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
vej
ustdone
f
orme."Ial
l
owmytearstof
all
.

"Youcanpaymebackbybei
ngsuccessful
,onemoreAf
ri
can
sist
eri
nthemap.
"Ismil
eandwipemyt ear
switht
hebackofmy
hand.

"Ican'tj
oinyouforl
unch,
Iwasonmywayt
oameet
ing.I
'
m
alreadylat
e,"hesay
s.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ou,
"heshakeshi
shead.

"Idi
dGodswor k,
I'
m happy
."Heopenshi
swal
l
etandt
akesouta
coupleofR200notes.

"
You'
veal
readydonesomuchf
orme.
"Ir
efuset
hecash.

"Iknowy oudon'taccepthandout
s.Thisi
sy ourshar
eofthe
cli
entsthatcamet othesalonbecauseofyou."Hesayswit
ha
smi l
eandIrollmyey es.Thi
sonet hi
nksheissmar t
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER04

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"
Itot
all
yunder
stand,
"Emmysay
sandIbl
owoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef.

"
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ryf
ordr
oppi
ngy
ouatt
hel
astmi
nut
e."Iadd.

"Lemohangr el
ax,It
ot al
lyunderst
and.Youhav eal otonyourplat
e,
Iwanty outodowell atschool.
"Shei ssuchasweetper son.Iwas
theonewhobeggedf ort hi
sjobandnowI '
m droppingher."
Iwil
l
deposityoursal
aryfort heweeksy ouwer ewit
husi ntoyour
account,shoul
dyouneedaj obdur i
ngt hehol
idayspleasedon'
t
hesit
atetoletmeknow. "Iat
tackherwi thahug,Ithoughtshe
wasgoi ngtohatemef orthi
s,butshe'ssupporti
ve.

"
Godbl
essy
ou,
Emmy
."Il
etgoofher
.

"
Allt
hebestLemohang,
"Inodandturntowal
kaway,Idi
dn'
thav
e
f
ri
endsheresoIdon'
thavetosaygoodbyet
oanyone.

Ist
roll
tothemainr
oadwheret axi
'spass,
Iflagonedownand
boardit
.Iset
tl
edownatthebackseatandt akeoutmyphoneand
l
ogont omysocial
media,Imost l
yfol
lowcelebr
it
ies.I
'
m pr obabl
y
fol
l
owing6peopleIknowinrealli
fe,I
'
vealwaysbeenal oner.

"
Sisi
,hei
!Youatt
heback,
"Iqui
ckl
ylookupt
ofi
ndt
hedr
iver
l
ookingatmet hr
oughthereviewmi r
ror."Youdidn'tbookati
cket
toboardthistaxi
.Myfareplease,
"thet axidr
iversaysandthefew
passengerslaughatmyex pense.Iquicklyopenmybagandt ake
outmywal let,
comingbackwi thaR20not e.

"I
'
m sorr
yabuti
,"Isayembar
rassedandpasst
henot
etot
he
personi
nfr
ontofme.

I'
m gratefulwhenev eryonewhohear dt hedr ivercl
imboutbefore
me, I
fIhadgoneof fbef orethem IswearIwasgoi ngt obeatopi
c
ofdiscussion.Ifi
nall
ygett omyst opandcl imbout ,hedoesn'
t
sayany thi
ngt omeandpr aisetheLor df orthat .St
udentsare
goingtocampuswhi l
eot hersarecomi ngt otheirfl
atsfrom
schoolorel sewhere,j
ustl i
keme.Igett ot hegat eandt apmy
accesscar d,it
'sBab'Mbeleondut y .Ihav en'tseenhimi nawhil
e,
he'
swear i
ngabeaut ifulsmi l
e.

"Lemo, mntanami.
"HesaysandIr
etur
nhi
sgenui
nesmi
l
eandgo
sitnexttohim ont
hebench.

"
Howhav
eyoubeenbaba?
"Iaskandhesi
ghs.

"Hei
,myjoi
ntsar
eachi
ng.Ol
dagei
snowr
efusi
ngt
obackdown,
"
Ichuckl
e.

Heisindeedol
d,appar
entl
yhehasbeenworkingasasecuri
ty
guar
datt hi
sbl
ockoffl
atsfory
ear
s."It
hinki
t'
stimeIret
ir
edand
wenttoenjoymypensi
onfundwit
hmywi fe,
"hesaysandInod
vi
gorousl
y .

"
That
'sagoodi
dea,
youneedt
oenj
oyy
ourmoneywhi
l
eyoust
il
l
can.
"

"
How'
sschool
andwor
k?"Heasks.

"Schoolisgr
eat
,Inol
ongerworkattherest
aur
ant.Igotaj
obthat
won'trequi
remetogotothei
roff
ice,I
'
llr
estmorenow."Ii
nfor
m
him.

"
Godi
sgood,
"hesay
scl
aspi
ngmyhand.

"
All
thetime,
"thei
nter
com r
ingsi
nsi
det
heof
fi
ceandIl
eav
ehi
m
t
oattendhi
spost.

Igetinsi
dethef l
atandit
'sapart
y,Lor
dwear egoingtoget
anotherwarning.Managementprohi
bit
spar t
iesduri
ngtheweek
becausestudentshavetofocusontheirst
udies,t
hisblockof
fl
atsispri
vatelyownedbuttheownerspreferrent
ingthefl
atsout
tostudentsonly.

Amukelanii
stwerkingforsomeguywhoi sdefini
tel
yenjoyi
ngt he
fl
oorshow,Undiphi
leissandwichedbet weensomer eal
lygood
l
ookingguys.Nothi
ngcr azyishappeningbetweenthem, t
heyar e
j
ustdri
nkingandengagi nginaconversati
on.Thebathroom door
opensandoneguyexi ts,whyaretheseboy ssohotandbui l
t?
Thei
rfacesarealsofami l
i
arthough.

"
Hey
,"t
heonef
rom t
hebat
hroom say
s.

"
Hi,
"Iof
ferhi
m af
orcedsmi
l
e.

"
Fri
i
ii
eeeennnndddd!
"Amukel
ani
slur
sandIr
oll
myey
es,
she'
s
dr
unkonaTuesday
.

"
Lemo,
youar
ehomeear
ly.
"-Undi
phi
l
e.

"
You'r
egoingtohav etogetusedt oit
,I'
l
lbehomemore.Ist
opped
worki
ngattherest
aurant,I
'
llonlyworkFriday
sandSat
urdaysat
t
heclub.
"Iexpl
ain,Icoul
dn'tyester
daybecauseshewasn'
thome
whenIwenttobed.

"
Whyi
sthat
?"Undi
phi
l
easkspani
cki
ng.

"Canwehav ethisconversat
iontomorr
owmor ning?Nowwehave
tocel
ebrat
et hatourfri
endwi l
lnotbeworki
ngli
keaslave
anymore,
"Amukel anisaysshovingabott
leofchampagneinmy
hand.

There'
snohar
minlet
ti
ngloose,
Iknowmyl
i
mit
sandIwon'
tgo
overboar
donaweekday.

"Eibabe,who'
sthi
snow?"TheguyAmukel
ani
wastwerki
ngfor
asks,Idon'
tli
kehi
m al
ready.Hel
ooksl
i
keaplay
erofnot
e,t
his
onejustuseswomanforfun.

"Oh,guy
sthisisourfri
end,
Lemohang.She'sUndiphi
l
e's
roommatealso.Chommi e,t
hisisFano,
Zuba,TshepoandTebogo.
Theyaresoccerplay
ers,al
lplay
ingfort
heschool.
"Shesays.

NowIknowwhytheyl
ookf
ami
l
iar
,ourcampusf
oot
bal
lteam
pl
aysi
nthePSL.

"Ni
cetomeetyouguy s,
I'
m gonnagohaveasmokeinthe
bal
cony.
"Isayal
readyheadedther
ewit
hthebott
leofchampagne
i
nmyhand, Undi
phil
egetsupfrom t
hecouchandhol
dsmyar m.
"
Arey
ousur
eyouar
eokaybabe?
"Myf
orev
erconcer
nedf
ri
end.

"I
'
m surebabe,I
'mjustgoi
ngtosmokeandt henjoinyouguys.
"
ShenodsandIheadout si
det
ot hebalcony.Iset
tleontheold
matt
ressweplacedouthereandlightupaci ggy
,thesli
dingdoor
i
sopenedal i
tt
lesoIcanheartheamapi anoplayi
nginside.

"Sky
fnkaoza,
"oneoftheguyssayssett
li
ngdownnexttome.I
don'
tbotherl
ooki
ngathim,Ij
usttakeoutanot
herci
garet
tefrom
myboxandgi vei
ttohim.Hetakesthel
ight
erontheashtrayand
l
ightsup.

"
Thanky
ou,
"hesay
sandbl
owsoutsmoke.

"Youl
ookcal
mert
hany
ourf
ri
ends,
"Ir
aiseaney
ebr
owandl
ookat
him.

"
Wedohav
edi
ff
erentper
sonal
i
ties,
yes.
"Isaybor
ed.

"
Idi
dn'
tmeanthati
nabadway,I
'
m sorr
yifi
tcameoutt
hatway
."
Hequi
ckl
yaddsandIsof
tenmyexpr
essi
on.

"
It
'sokay
,"

"Youat
tendandst
udyt
hesamet
hingast
hem?
"HeasksandI
shakemyheadno.

"Nope,Undi
phi
l
est
udi
espsy
chol
ogyandAmukel
ani
isdoi
ngher
LLB."

"Whatabouty
ou?
"wehonest
lydon'
thav
etobehav
ingt
his
conver
sati
on.

"
Ist
udymi
ningengi
neer
ing,
"hewhi
stl
es.
"Niceone,
sohowdi dy '
all
meet?"Godcanthisguyjustshutthe
fuckup?"I
'm nott
ryi
ngt obeannoyi
ng,i
t'
sjustt
hatI'm more
reserv
edthanmyf ri
endstoo.SoIsawyouandt houghtmay bewe
canjustvi
befortoday,
"canhereadminds?

Iam notarudeper
sonandIwon'
tst
artnow,
thepoorguyhasn'
t
doneanythi
ngformetobepi
ssedathi
m.

"LastyearIwasst ay
ingatsomebl ockoffl
ats,itwasn'tsafebutI
tookitbecauseitwasaf f
or dabl
e.OnedayIwascomi ngfrom
schoolandIgotmugged, theytookmyl aptopandphone.IknewI
hadt omov etoasaf ersi
desoIwentt ocampusFacebookgr oup
andaskedi fanyonewasl ookingforaroommat e,Undiphi
leleft
hernumberandwemetandImov edinhere.ImetAmukel ani
throughUndi andwehav ebeenf ri
endssince."Iexplai
n.

"
Soi
t'
ssaf
etosayy
ou'
recl
osestt
oUndi
phi
l
e?"Inod.

"
Yes,
butIappr
eci
atet
hem bot
h."

"
Heyyoutwo,
weareheadedtoMabonengforsomevibe.Come
l
et'
sgo,
"Amukel
ani
isfuckendr
unkandshesti
llwant
stogoout.

"
Nopewear
enot
,"Undi
phi
l
esay
swal
ki
ngoutt
hehouseaf
terher
.

"
Ohcomeon,
theboy
swannat
urnup.
"Iam goi
ngt
oletUndi
deal
wi
thher
.

"Amuwehav eschooltomorrow,ifwegooutwear egoi

ngtoturn
upti
lltheearl
yhours.Ican'
tmi ssclasses,
testweekiscoming
soon."OnethingaboutUndiphi
le,whenshesay snoshemeans
no.May bethat'
swhyIunderstandhermor ethanAmukelani.
Don'tgetmewr ong,Il
ovehertoobutt hatonejustgoeswit
hthe
wind.Shehasnot hi
ngtoworryabout,
herparentsmadesur
eshe
hasaf att
rustfund.Unl
ikemeandUndi phi
l
ewhoi sj
ustl
ivi
ngof
f
herGrandmother,anyt
hingcanhappentoheratanymomentand
herauntswill
defini
tel
ystopsuppor
ti
ngherwi t
hsomuchmoney .

"
Okay,
ify
ouandLemodon'
twantt
ogoI
'
lll
eav
ewi
tht
heboy
s."
OhGodno.

"
AmukelaniNkoveni
,wearenotgoingout
.Ify
oudar
etr
ytol
eave
I
'
llcal
lBab'
Mbeleatthegat
eandy ouknowwhathewoul
ddo.
"I
t
hreat
enandshegaspsinshock.

"
Lemohang,no!
"Iwinkatherandgetupfr
om t
hemat t
ress."
We
wi
ll
conti
nuedrinki
ngint
hehouse,theguy
scanleav
ealone."Isay
l
oudenoughforthosei
nsi
detohearme.

Iam al i
tt
lehangover,
Iev enwokeupl at
eandmi ssedmyf i
rst
class.Thegir
lsandIreallysleptl
ate,Ievenhadtocall
Amukel ani
'smothertotellherthatherdragondaughterwas
goingt osl
eepover.Shedi dn'
tsoundwor ri
edatall,
Idon'
tev en
thinkshewasawar ethatAmuwasn' thomeatt hatti
me.We
har dl
yevergotoAmukel ani'
shouse, butshe'
salwayshere.

Thesoccerplayersleftpi
ssed,
exceptfortheoneIwaswi thinthe
bal
cony .Theothersweremadt hatIcockblockedthem, notthatI
care.Iknewtheonet hatAmuwast werkingforwasj usttr
yingto
getherinhisbed,iftheydohavesexletAmukel ani
besoberand
herconsentclear.
It
'sWednesdayandmydayt oatt
endasessi onwi t
hDoct or
Mkhwanazi ,yesterdaywedrewaschedul e.MyMonday sand
Wednesday sar enotsobusysowedeci dedt ohavesessions
aftermycl asses.Iam start
ingmynewJobnextweek, Ebukasaid
hewi lldr
opt hepaper workeverySundayaf t
ernoonandIwi l
lhand
them backt ohi m onThursdayafternoon.Isti
ll
can'tbeli
eveI'l
lbe
maki ngR5000amont hf
orjustworking16hour sweekly,inthe
comf ortofmyownhomeev en.SinceI'
m notwor ki
ngatt heclub
onSundayhewi l
lcomepickmeupsohecanshowmewhati s
requiredofmet obeabl etogetthejobdone.

"Hey,Lemohang."Therecepti
onistatthestudentcounselli
ngand
supportoff
icesaysasIwal ki
nthr oughthedoor .I
'v
eonlybeen
here2t i
mesandsheal readyknowsmyname, talkaboutlovi
ng
yourj
ob.Howmanyst udentswal kthroughthosedoor s?

"
Hey
,canIgot
hrough?
"Iask.

"Yes,he'
sexpecti
ngy ou."Ismil
esweet l
yatherandheadt o
DoctorMkhwanazi'sof f
ice.Thedoorisopen,hesignalsformet
o
comei nashe'sbusyt al
kingonthephone.He'slaughingtowhat
thepersonontheot hersideoftheli
neissayi
ng.Thatdi mple
makeshi mlookextrahandsome.

Iknowi t
'sinappropri
atebutI'
m ki
ndofattr
actedt
othisguy
,not
l
ikeanythingwi l
lhappen.I'
m sur
ehisgir
lf
ri
endiswaybeauti
ful
andsuccessf ul
,hewoul dn'
tevenhaveeyesforadul
land
burdenedgi r
lli
kemy self
.

"
Pinkypi
nky
,letmecal
lyoul
ater
.Ihav
east
udentt
osee.
"He
says.He'
sdef
ini
tel
ytal
ki
ngtohisgi
rl
fr
iend,j
ustl
ookatthat
beauti
ful
smil
e."
Okay,l
atert
hen.
"Hesay sandhangsup.

"Lemohang,
welcome.
"Whyar
ehi
sey
esal
way
stwi
nkl
i
ng.Why
am If
eeli
ngthi
sway?

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Idecidedt ocomeseemymot herwhenMv el

ot ol
dmeshewas
outwi t
hherboy fri
endandcoul dn'
tgrabadr i
nkwi thme, Iwonder
whent hatgoati splanningonmaki nganhonestwomanoutofmy
sist
er.Theyhav ebeendat i
ngforwhatseemsl i
kef orev
er,Ihope
heisnotj ustst r
ingi
ngourl i
tt
leMv eloal
ong.Butthenagai nIhope
theydon'tgeti ntomar r
iagepremat ur
ely
,thelastthingIwantis
forMv el
ot ofindher sel
finonehell ofatoxi
cmar riage.

Mamawal ksbacki nthedinni

ngr oom hol
dingatray,Ihadt owait
forhertopreparemesomet hingrealqui
ck,andbyr ealquickI
mean1andahal fhour.Shecookedupast ormf orme, I'
m going
toenjoythisonebecauseIhav en'
thadaplateofhomecooked
meal si
ncet heSundayNof otocausedherunnecessar ytheatr
ics.
Shehasn'tcookedsi ncethen,that'
soneofthethingsshe
withhol
dswhenshe' sgett
ingbackatmef orshitshecr eatesi
n
herhead.
"Youhav
elostal
otofweightf
anoo,
"shesay
spul
l
ingachai
raf
ter
placi
ngmyfoodi
nfr
ontofme.

"Idoubtmabecausemycl othesst
il
lfi
t.Thanksforcooking,
"She
smilesandnodsatme.Mamai sbigontablemannerssoshe
all
owsmet oeatt
hisdel
ici
ousfoodinsilence.OnceI
'm doneI
uset hewetdi
shclotht
owi pemyhands.

"Thatwasa10outof10,
"Igr
abmygl
assofwat
erandgul
pit
down.

"
I'
m gl
adyouenjoyedit,
thoughyouat
eli
key
ouhav
en'
teat
eni
n
y
ears.
"She'
sfi
shing,Iknowher.

"
Iwouldn'
tbeal
ivei
fthatwast
hecase,
ma.
"Shecl
i
cksher
t
ongueandIchuckl
e.

"
Howar
eyout
hough,
Makhosi
ni?
"Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"I
'
m good,wor
kisgood.Wehaveadi
amondcomi
ngi
n,
"It
ryt
o
changet
hesubjectf
rom myl
i
fetomywor
k.

"That'
sgood,youandy ourbrotheraremakingmepr oud.Lukhel
e
mustbebr aggingabouthisboy sinheaven,
"shesaysbeaming
withpri
de."Evenso,Iwasn'taskingaboutworkfanoo,Iwas
askingaboutyou.Makhosiniyoudon' tl
ookli
kethesonIknow, i
s
everyt
hingokay?"Shejustsawr ightt
hroughmybullshi
t.

"
Iam f
inemama,
"Icl
aspherhandandt
ear
swel
lupi
nherey
es.

"You'
renott
ell
i
ngmet hetr
uth,
you'v
eal waysbeenmyemoti
onal
baby.Eacht
imeyourhear
tisheavyIfeeli
t,Icar
ri
edy
oufor9
monthsandthebondIsharedwit
hy ouwill
alwaysmakemefeel
wheny ouarenotal r
ight
.Iknowy ouareamanandy ouknowhow
todealwit
hy ourissues,butifyouneedanyt
hingmydooris
alwaysopenfory ou.Yoursibli
ngsknowthi
stoo,"shesaysand
dropshertears.Amot her'
sloveissomethi
ngelse.

"Iappreciat
ey ousomuchmawami (mymother )
"Ican'ttel
lher
thetruthaboutwhathasbeenhappeni ngbet
weenmeandNof oto,
IknowCebi sil
eMaNgobeseLukhel e.She'
smot herhenwheni t
comest ousherchi ldr
en,shewouldmakeNof oto'
slif
eal iv
ing
hellandint urnthatwomanwi l
ltur
nonmeandr el
easet he
i
nf or
mat ionshehasonmeandmycompany .Myf ami
lyknow
aboutt hemi stakethathappenedatwor kbutt
heydon' tknowt hat
myownwi feisblackmaili
ngmei ntostayi
ngwithherbecauseof
i
t.

Iunlockthef r
ontdoorandwal kintoadar khouse, WTF?Ipayt he
bil
lsmy selfsowhyi smyhousedar k?Iwalkbackout si
deand
noticethatourneighborshaveelectri
cityandourout sidelights
areon.Ihopet hisisnotmewal kingintomydeat h, Istri
def urther
i
nandt herearecandlesil
l
uminat i
ngt hediningarea,Ifrownand
switchont heli
ghts.Nofotoi
sst andingbyt hetable,she'snot
l
ooki ngli
keader angedwomanwi thabot tl
eofchampagnei nher
handwhi lewearinganightgown.She' swear ingabeaut if
ul dress
withhighheels,hermakeupi sdoneandherweav eisfall
ingof f
hershoul der
s.

Thet
abl
eissetr
omant
ical
l
y,If
rownl
ooki
ngatherbutsheof
fer
s
measmil
e.
"Welcomehomemyl
ove,
"Isqui
ntmyey
es.Whati
nGod'
snamei
s
happeningher
e?

"
Andt
hen?
"Iaskandshej
ustchuckl
es.

"Thisi
sdinner
,Icookedyourf
avor
it
e."Il
astf
eltl
i
keal ovedand
appreci
atedhusbandyear
sago.Iam nowusedtoinsult
sand
screams.

"
Youshouldn'thav
ebot her
edhey,Ial
readyateatmymot hers.
"I
t
ellherandshepressesherli
psint
oat hi
nline,
Icanseeshe
wantstoexpl
odebutf orsomereasonshe'sholdi
ngheroutbur
st.

"
I'
m sureyoucanmanageasmall
por
ti
on,
Iwental
lout
Makhosini
."Ishakemyhead.

"
Youhaven'
tbeencooki
ngformesoIdi
dn'
tl
eav
espacef
ora
l
i
ttl
epot
ion,
"sheheavesadeepsi
gh.

"Iam t
ryi
ngherebabe,
pleasemeetmehalfway
."Ipl
acemywor
k
bagdownont hefl
oorandfoldmyarms.

"
Whatexact
lyar
eyout
ryi
ngf
or?
"Iam conf
usedr
eal
l
y.

"Tomakeourmar r
iagework,t
obel evelheadedandtr
eatyouwit
h
therespectyoudeservemylove."Shesaysrubbi
ngherhandson
thesidesofherthi
ghs.ThelastIsawaner vousNofot
owaswhen
Iwaswooi ngher,l
it
tledi
dIknowt heinnocenceIsawwasjust
heracting.

"Youaret
ryi
ngtomakeourmarr
iageworkwhenyouar
e
blackmai
l
ingme?Whenyouconfessedt
obeingwit
hmeonl
y
becauseoft
hemoney
?"Sheswal
l
owshar
d.

"
Makhosi
nit
hat
..
."Shepausesandt
akesadeepbr
eat
h.

"Nombulelo,t
hisi
snotgoi ngtowork.You'veshownmehel l,I
don'twanttoconti
nueany more.Yousaidy oudon'twantt
obel ef
t
poor,gi
vemet hedocument syouhav eonmeandsi gnanon
discl
osureagreement.I'
l
lmakesur ethatyouleavethi
smar r
iage
withafatsett
lement,
y ouandy ourfamil
ywi l
lnev
ergohungr y
again.
"Isayandshe'slookingatmewi thherjawont hefl
oor.

Iregret
tedgoi ngtoseehermot her,Irealizedthattheyareall
somehowi nthis.Thef amilydoesn'twantmet odi
vorcethei
rown
becauset heywi l
lloseout,mymot herinlawdi dn'
tpromisetotalk
toherdaught erbecauseshecar esaboutmeorourmar ri
age.She
didittoprotecttheirowni nter
ests.AllIneedt odoi str
ytoget
thi
swomant ogiveup, togethert ogivemet hosedocument sand
beoutofmyl ife.Ideservetobehappy ,wi t
hawomanwhowi ll
genuinelylovemeandbui ldwithme.

"
Makhosi
niar
eyoul
i
steni
ngt
oyour
sel
f?"Sheasksshocked.

"YesIam, y
oubecameMr s.Lukhel
efortheri
ches,
letmegi
veyou
theri
chessoy oucanleav
emei npeace.Iam t
ir
edofyourt
oxi
cit
y
ousi,
Ijustwanttol
ivemyl i
feandbehappy .
"Isay.

"Youwantt
oleavemeforanot
herwoman,
justt
hewaymy
usel
essfat
herdi
d?"Ohfuckt
his.

"wakeupandsmellthefuckencoff
ee!"Iscream ather."Iwantto
l
eaveyoubecauseyouar emakingmyl i
feal i
vi
nghell,
y ouarethe
onewhodecidedthatI
'my ourf
atherandy ouaregoingt opunish
me.Iwantedtogi
vey
outheworl
dbutyouwantedtomakeme
payforwhaty
ouwentthr
oughasachi
l
d."She'
scry
ing,
fucki
n
crocodi
l
etear
s.

"Youknowwhat ,Ican'
tst
ayher eanymore.Keept hishouse,keep
mysur nameandt hemoneyy ougetmont hlybutI'
m donel i
ving
withyouinthesamehouse. "Itur
ntoleavewhenacut ler
yhitsthe
backofmyhead, Ilookbackatherandshe' sclenchingherjaws
andclutchi
ngatherchest.Thisgir
lisunstabl
e.

"
Youar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
eMakhosi
ni,
"shesay
ssof
tl
y.

"Youareinsane,
y oucan'
tfor
cemetostayhere.
"Shesmirks.
"Youwill
stil
lbethewifeofMakhosi
niLukhel
e,you'
l
lst
il
lhave
accesstomymoney .Whatmoredoyouwantf r
om me?"She'
s
drai
ningme.

"
Ever
ythi
ngMakhosi
niLukhel
e,ev
ery
thi
ng!
"

Shesaysv ehement
ly."Youhavetwochoi
cesdear
esthusband,to
stayherewithmeorwat chmecal lt
heHawksandreportacer
tai
n
organi
zedcrimesyndicate.Youknowwhatt
heysay,onebad
applespoi
lsthebarr
el,Ithi
nkwecansaythesameabout
di
amonds."

Iam perpl
exed.I
twasneveranor ganizedcrimesyndicat
e,Idi
dn'
t
evenknowt heori
ginoft
hatdiamond.Ij ustsi
gnedadocument
absentmindedl
y,t
hat'
smyonlycr i
me.Nowshewant stomakeit
seem l
ikeIhavebeenmixingcleandiamondswi thblooddiamond.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER05

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Thatbi
tch!
"Mybrotherisl
ivi
d,i
fNofotowasnearhim hewoul
d
havekil
l
edherwithhisbarehands.Ihadtotel
lsomeoneabout
thi
swhol ebl
ackmai
l t
hing,
andwhobet tert
hanmybrother
.

"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
odoanymoreGat
sha,
ifsher
epor
tst
hist
othe
HawksIwil
ll
oseev
ery
thi
ng.
"Isay

"
What'
sthewor
stcasescenar
io?"Heaskspaci
ngupanddown
wi
thhi
shandsbur
ieddeepinhispocket
s.

"Remembert hedi amondwasmi nedf r

om Cent ral AfricaRepubl i
c,
i
t'sablooddi amond.WhatBhengudi dwasgi vethedi amonda
newnat i
onalitythroughapr ocesscal led" nat ur
alization" ,t
hat
meanst hediamondwassmuggl edf rom CARt oCamer oon,a
confl
ictfr
eecount r
y .Thi si
stoensur et hatt hedi amondcanbe
soldlegi
ti
mat ely,andpasst heKi mber lypr ocesscer ti
fication.
Nofotohaspaper wor kt hatshowsBhenguwasexchangi ngcal l
s
andemai l
st ot hepr esidentofther ebel groupi nCAR, whowas
alsointhegov ernmentbutt ryi
ngt oov er t
hr owt hesi tingpr esident
sohecoul dtakeov er.Thecompanybel ongedt ot hebot hofus
thenandmysi gnat ureisonev erydocument .Thiscancome
acrossasi fwewer ef undingawarbybuy ingbl ooddi amonds, I
couldbechar gedwi thcr i
mesagai nsthumani tyandwarcr i
mes
byjustbeingassoci atedwi t
har ebel groupt hatisr esponsi blefor
ki
l
li
nghundr
edsoft
housandsofpeopl
e."Iexpl
ainandhewhi
stl
es.

"ThisisdeepMakhosi
ni,
"he'
stell
i
ngme.Ihav
en'
tcal
ledNofoto'
s
bluffbecauset
hisi
sabigissue.I
t'
smaki
ngmecomeacr ossas
weakbutIneedt obecaref
ulonhowIdealwi
tht
hiswhol
e
situat
ion.

"Icoul
dhavetosi
tinf
rontofahumanr i
ght
stri
bunalandgodown
forsomethi
ngIknewnothingabout
,"myhear
tbreaksthi
nki
ng
aboutthi
s.

"
Iwi
shIcoul
dfi
ndt
hatBhenguguyandki
l
lhi
m,"hesay
s.

"MylawyeradvisedthatIgot
alkt
ohimtocl
earmynameofany
knowledgeinhisdeali
ngswit
hthoser
ebel
sshoul
dNofot
orepor
t
thi
swhol et
hing,"Isay
.

"Doyouev
enknowwher
ehewentaf
terher
esi
gned?
"Ibl
owouta
sigh.

"Ihi
redsomeguytotr
ackhim downf orme, "henodsv i
gor
ousl
y"I
doubthewouldwantt
otakealltheblame, he'smadatmef or
makinghimresi
gnandgi
v eall
hissharestome.Thi scoul
dbehis
chancetomakemepayf orpushinghim out,"Isay
.

"Youhadev er
yri
ghtto,aft
erwhathedidwithbuyingthat
diamond.Youwereev engenerousenoughtogiv
ehi m moneyto
sustainhi
m andhi
sfami l
y."Igetupfr
om mychairandslowly
mov etothecabi
net,
takingoutadecanterwit
hscotchandtwo
glasses.

"
Makemi
neadoubl
e,
"Ihuf
f.
"
Iam hopi
ngtohav eafruit
fulconversati
onwithGl
enBhengu
whentheguyfi
nall
ylocateshim.Iwor kedmyassof ft
ogetint
o
t
hisbusi
nesstojustl
oseev eryt
hing,Iputever
ycentourf
ather
l
eftmeGatsha.
"Ihandhi mt heglassofalcohol
.

"IknowBaf
o,y
ouwi l
lnotl
oosethi
sbusi
nessLukhele.Thatbi
tch
won'tr
uiny
ou,youar
egoingtocomeoutofthi
sthingalri
ght.
"I
nod.

"
Thanksf
orl
i
steni
ng,
"

"
Iwishy
ouhadtoldmethi
searl
i
er,Ihonestl
ycannotbel
i
eve
Nombul
eloi
sworsethanwehadthought.
"

"Imarr
iedasnake,
Ialway
swonderhowIdidn'
tseewhat
ever
yonesaw.Ibecameweakandbli
ndedbecauseofl
ove,
"

"Youwer en'
tweak,youhaveabi
gheart
.Youwantt oseet hegood
i
npeopl e,youwearyourhear
tonyousl
eeveandt hat'
sokay.The
worldcan'tconsi
stofcol
dheart
edpeopl
eonly.Iam y ourbi
g
brotherandI'
m gladyouaret
hewayyouare,
webal anceeach
otherout."

I
'mrunningoutofmyhomest udy
,Ij
ustrecei
vedthehouse
addressofapersonI'
vebeendesperat
etoseef ordaysnow.Iam
gl
adNof otoisnothomeandIdon'thavetoanswerhermi l
l
ion
questi
ons.Ihavebeenwalki
ngoneggshel l
saroundthatwoman,
tryi
ngmybestt onott ri
ggerher.Iam pr ayi
ngthattodaythesun
shinesonmesoIcanf i
nal l
ybef r
eeofNof otoandputt hewhole
diamondscandal behindme.I '
vebeenhel datransom it'
senough
now, Iam ti
redofbei ngt hatgi
rlsvict
im.Herpunchingbagf or
whatherf atherdidinthepast ,shewi l
lcryari
verforme.Shewi l
l
regreteverall
owingherpai ntopushmeaway ,
Nombul elowil
l
regretevershovingmyl ovebacki nmyf ace.

Afteranhoursdri
veIgetoutsi
dethegat
eoftheaddressthe
privat
einvest
igat
orfor
wardedtome.Bhengusti
llhasexpensi
ve
taste,j
ustseethi
slavi
shhouse.Ipr
esst
heinter
com atthegate,
a
femalev oi
ceanswers.

"
Hel
l
o,"

"
Hi,
hel
l
o.I
sthi
stheBhengur
esi
dence?
"Iask.

"
Yes,
who'
sthi
s?"Icl
osemyey
esr
eli
eved.

"Thi
sisMakhosini Lukhel
e,Iam looki
ngforGlen."Theperson
doesn'
trespondbutt hegatesl
idesopen.Idriveinandleavemy
carint
hedr i
vewaynextt oaMer cedes.ThefrontdooropensasI
cli
mboutmycar , hiswif
esis'
Nomuz i
iswait
ingtherewithher
handsonherwai st.

"
Sani
bonani
,
"Igr
eetwhenI
'
m af
ewf
eeti
nfr
ontofher
.

"
Lukhel
e,af
tersomanyy
ear
s."Shesay
shol
dingoutherhand.

"
Ithasbeeni
ndeed.Howhav
eyoubeen?
"Iaskandshebl
owsout
asi
gh.

"
Ithasbeenastressf
ulfewy ear
sMakhosi
ni,
Lifetookat
urnf
or
t
hewor st
."Myheartbeatshardagai
nstmychest.

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Iam sweat
ing.

"
Yousai
dyouwantt
oseeGl
en?
"Sheasksi
gnor
ingmyquest
ion.

"Yes,
ishein?"Iam pi
nchi
ngmyass, hopi
ngshedoesn'tt
ell
me
herhusbanddiedbecausethat
'si
tforme.I
'l
lfor
everbein
Nombulelo'
smer cy
.

"Hewast al
kingaboutyoujustlastweek,andy ouar ehere.Please
comei n,
"oht hankGodhe'sali
ve.Ifol
lowherinsideandf rown
whenshel eadsmeupst air
s,butIdon'taskquestions.Sheopens
adoorandi t'
sabedroom, someonei sinbed.Medi cati
onis
placedonthepedestal,t
hiswholeroom smel l
sofsi ckness.This
room isami nihospi
tal
,amakeshi f
tICUi fy
ouaskme.

"
Bhengu,
sthandwasami
.
"Nof
uckenway
.

Iwatchassi
s'
Nomuzi
sit
sont
heedgeoft
hebedandwakesher
husband.

"
Mmhhhh,
"

"
Makhosi
nii
sher
etoseey
ou,
situp.
"

"Makhosi
ni?Makhosi
niLukhel
e?"Heasksal
readyat
tempt
ingt
o
situpst
rai
ght.

"Yes,he'
sinherenow."Shehelpshi
m andIam justwat
chi
ng
horri
fi
ed,thi
smanl ooksnot
hingli
keGlenBhengu.ThemanI
knowwasat oughguy,bi
gandconf i
dent
.Theonebeforemyey
es
r
ightnowi
sfr
ail
andneardeat
h.

"Son,"hesayswithashaki
ngvoi
ce."
Lukhel
e,Iam v
erysor
ryf
or
allIdidt
oy ou.
"Ishakemyhead.

"
What
'sgoi
ngonGl
en?
"Iaskwal
ki
ngcl
osert
othebed.

"
Iam bei
ngpunishedf orbuyi
ngadi amondt hatcostot
herpeopl
e
t
hei
rli
ves.Forstabbingyouintheback,yout r
ustedmeasy our
ment
orandf at
herfigure.Iam r
eal
lysorr
y,"he'sbei
ngsincer
e.

"
What
'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
"Iaskkneel
i
ngbyhi
sbedsi
de.

"Iwasdiagnosedwit
hprostat
ecancerthreeyearsago,itwas
alr
eadyatstage4.Theytr
iedever
ythi
ngbutnot hi
nghelped,ri
ght
nowtheyar eonl
ykeepi
ngmecomf or
tabl
e.It
'saggressiveandI
mightdi
eatanyt i
me,Iwantedtobehomewi thmywi fewhenit
happenshencewet ur
nedourbedroom toahospi t
alroom."Thi
s
i
ssad.

"
I'
m sor
ryt
oheart
his,
itmustbehar
dont
hebot
hofy
ou.
"

"Ihaveaccept edi t
,Iam j
ustsadthatmyMuzi hastoseemet hi
s
waywhi leshewai tsformetodie."Heal
lowshistear
stofall
.Hi
s
wifewipeshi st earsandki
sseshischeek,Iwantedtohav
esucha
beautif
ulmar riage.Tohaveawi fewhowi l
lst
andbymet hrough
thickandthin.

"Iam pr
oudofwhaty
oudi
dwi
thLukhel
eDi
amonds.
"Iheav
ea
sigh.

"Thanksbutthatmightj
ustcomecr
umbl
i
ngdown.
"Theyl
ookat
eachotherthenbackatme.
"Whatdoyoumean,
Glenmakesmeinf
orm hi
m ofthecompany
's
progr
ess.I
t'
sdoi
ngwell
ordowehav
eitall
wrong?"Ishakemy
head.

"
Noit
'sgreat
,it
sreachingnewheightsatever
ychance.Butmy
wi
fei
sthreat
eningme, usingt
heblooddiamondsagatokeepme
i
natoxi
cmar ri
age.
"Sis'Nomuzigaspsinshock.

"
Whati
sshedoi
ng?
"Gl
enasksandIexpl
ainev
ery
thi
ngt
othem.

"Whatki
ndofwif
eisthatgir
l?Hai
bo.
"Ther
e'ssi
l
encei
nther
oom
unt
ilGl
encl
earshi
sthroat.

"Iam dyi
ngsoonMakhosini
,Iwon'tal
lowyoutogodownf or
somet hi
ngyoudi
dn'
tdo.Icanclearyourname,admitt
omy
crimesanddiei
npeace.
"Hesay sandIsighinrel
ief
.Happyt
hatI
didn'
thavet
oaskthi
sofhi m.

"
Glen.
..
"Heshakeshi
sheadsoIdon'
tsayany
thi
ng.

"Justpromisetorunf r
om t hatevilwomanandcont i
nuetaking
thatcompanyhi gherandhi gher.Youareast r
ongper son
Makhosi ni
,manypeopl e,mei ncludedatonepointtakeadv antage
ofyourgoodhear t.Wemi st akeyourcalmnessforstupidi
ty,don't
all
owy oursel
ftobepl ayedagai n.Eit
herbybrokenwomenor
greedybusinesspartners,youar eagoodmanpl easeremember
thatanddon'tloseyourselfbecauseoft hosewhowant edtotake
youforar i
de."Inodandcl asphi shand.

"
Thanky
ouv
erymuch,
"

"Muzi
,Iam sor
rybutIneedt
ocl
eart
hisboy
sname.
"Shej
ust
nodsvi
gorousl
y.
"
Iunder
standandIam pr
oudofy
ou.
"

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Thishasbeent hemostcal mestandeasygoi ngt woweeksofmy

l
ifeeversinceImov edt oJohannesbur gandhadt ocar rysomany
responsi
bili
ti
es.Wor kingf orEbukahasbeenamazi ng,hedoesn' t
demandany t
hingwedi dn'tagr eeonandI '
m grateful.Iwil
l admit
thatatfi
rstIthoughthehadsi nist
erplansf orme, l
ikehewasj ust
tryi
ngtocalm medownandwhenmyguar dwascompl et
elydown
hewi l
lshowmehi struecol orsbutnothing.Hedoesn' tev enmake
mef eeluncomf ort
able, hehasev enchangedar oundme.No
mor espankingatthecl ubwhenhegi vesmeat ip,yephe'sst i
ll
mybi gti
pper .Hehasev enst oppedtalkingaboutusbei nga
potenti
alcouple,hefeel slikemybi gbr othernow.Tr uthbet ol
dit
feelssodamngoodt ohav esomeonel ookingoutf ormet heway
hedoes.

"
Arey
ousur
ethatNi
ger
ianofy
our
sdoesn'
tsel
ldr
ugs?
"Il
augh.

Undi phi
l
ef orcedmet otakeherwithme, shesaysshedoesn'
t
trustEbukaatal l.Iunderst
oodherr eser
vati
onsbutit
'sr
eall
ysad
thatgoodNi geriansar ei
nt heshadowsoft hosewhodobad
thingsinthiscount ry
.

"Iam sur
eUndi,It
oldyouabouthi
scompany.LastweekIwas
evenattheJohannesbur
gbranchtogett
hedocumentsbecause
hewasn'tar
oundtohandthem over
.Heislegit
,Ipr
omiseyou.
"
Shenods.Iam gl
adtohav
eaf ri
endliket
hisinmycorner
,she'
s
al
wayslookingoutf
orme.

Thecabdr opsusof fout sideagat eandwebot hgaspi nshock,

thisisabloodymansi on.I t'
smor eglasst hanbr i
ck,Ebukai sreal
ly
l
ivingtheel i
fe.Ipayt hedr i
verandwecl i
mbout ,Iam aboutt o
presst heintercom whent hegateswi ngopen.Wewal kinhandi n
handadmi ri
ngt hear chi
t ecturalmast erpi
ece,thegar deniswel l
mani curedandgr eenert hanmostl awnsIknow.Hi swat erbill
mustbecr azyeachmont h,isthatacr ystalwaterfountain?We
fi
nal l
ygettot hef rontdoorandIr ingt hedoorbel l
,thedooropens
almosti mmedi atel
y.Agi rlwear i
ngal ongsummerdr esshol di
ng
adi shclothappear sbef or euswear i
ngabeaut i
fulsmi l
e,Ebuka
didn'ttel
lmehewasl i
vingwi t
hawoman.

"Hello,pl
easecomei n.
"Shesaysmov ingtothesidesowecan
pass.Damnt heint
eri
orisever
ything,themagazineAr chi
tect
ural
digestwoul ddef
ini
tel
yfeatur
eEbuka' shome.Themy ster
ious
l
adyl eadsust hr
oughthehouseunt ilwegett oaloungewher e
Ebukai ssitt
ingt
oplesswit
hanot hertallandbuil
tguy.Theyare
drinkingchampagneandwat chi
ngsoccer ,hesai
dhewasbusyt o
meetout sidemyplacetogetthef il
es.

"
Ithoughty
ouwer
ebusy
,"Isayandhel
aughs.

"
Iwasmybaby
,Ij
ustt
ookabr
eak.
"Ir
oll
myey
esandhi
slandon
Undi
phi
l
e.
"Hel
lo,mynameisEbuka.Youar
e?"Hai
thi
sguyandaski
ngf
or
people'
snames.

"
Undi
phi
l
e,y
ouhav
eabeaut
if
ulhome.
"Hesmi
l
es.

"Thankyou,pl
easedotakeasit.
"Wesettl
eonthesamecouch.
"Youaredoneforthedayatschooly
es?"Heasksandweboth
nod."Ugomma, pl
easebri
ngustwoglassesandanot
herbot
tl
eof
champagne."Hesaystothelady.

"
OkayOga,
"ohshe'
sthehousehel
per
.

"
Woul
dyougi
rl
sappr
eci
atesomet
hingt
oeataswel
l
?"Heasks.

"
SomeNi
ger
ianf
ood?
"Iaskmeekl
yandhel
aughs.

"OhLemohang, y ourtast
ebudsar enowaddi ct
edt oNi geri
anfood
huh?"HeasksandIpout .Hehasbeent aki
ngmet oeatatt hi
s
Niger
ianrestaurantdownt ownandt hei
rfoodisev er
ything.Some
l
ookscar yatfi
rstbutwheni thi
tsyourt
ongue, damni t
'sgood.
"WellUgommamadesomeJol l
ofri
ce,ther
e'salsoegusi fr
om last
night
."Iam sali
vatingalr
eady .

"
Wewi
l
lhav
ebot
h,t
hanky
ou.
"Hechor
tl
es.

"Thi
sgi
rl,
"hesay
sst
andi
ngupanddi
sappear
ingt
otel
lUgomma
aboutt
hefood.

"Ebukadoesn'tseem t
ohav emanner
s,mynamei sWale.Hi
s
businesspart
nerandfriend.
"Howmanybusinesspar
tnersdoes
Ebukahav e?

"
Sil
entpar
tner
,Iam j
usti
nject
ingcashandwait
ingf
orr
etur
ns."
Hesayswalki
ngbackinwitht
hebottl
eofbubbl
esandthefl
utes.
"
What
'st
hebusi
ness?
"Iask.

"Hei
sanI
TGuru,gr
aduat
edfr
om Vaal
Uni
ver
sit
yofTechnol
ogy
."I
nod,
hest
udi
edinmyhometown.

"Idevelopsof
twaresmost l
y,al
otofmycl i
entsar
einthe
corporateworl
d.HereinSouthAfri
caandabroad,Ebukamadeit
happenf orme.Likehe'sdoi
ngforother
s,youcangivemeyour
numbersoIcani nv i
teyoutoseemewor ksometimes."Hesay
s
l
ookingatmei ntensely
.

"
Adewale!Lemohangi
soffli
mit
s.Toyouandev er
yfr
iendofmine,
y
ouwillseeherasasi
sterandnot
hingmore.Imeanit,
"Ebuka'
s
t
oneisseri
ous.

"
Goti
t,
"hesay
shol
dingouthi
shands.

"
Good,mybabycanIlookatthedocuments.
"Iquickl
yhandhim
t
hefi
leandhegoesthrought
hepaper s.Myphonev i
brat
esfr
om
mybagandIreachf
orit,mysmil
ewi denswhenIseewhoi ti
s.

"
Ati
,
"Ianswer
s.

"
Lemo,
Imi
ssy
ousomuch.
"OhLor
d.

"
Imi
ssy
out
oo,
ngwaneso.How'
sschool
?Howar
eyou?
"Iask.

"School i
sgood,nextweekweareplayingwi
thanot
herschoolat
ourfields.
"Ismil
eandt ear
swell
upi nmyeyes,I
'
veneverseen
him play.Iknowthei
rteam i
snotyetperf
ect
,Imeantheyareonl
y
goingonsev eny
earsinacoupl
eofmont hs.

"
Onwhi
chday
?"Iask.
"
Thur
sdayaf
terschool
,
"Hesoundssoexci
ted.

"
I'
m notpr
omi
singbutI
'
llt
ryt
obet
her
eokay
?"Isay
.

"Iwouldl
ov et
hatLemo,"Ismi
le.Mybabybrot
herhasalway
s
beensweetandpolit
e.Onethingmyparent
sdidri
ghtformewas
havingAtang,
he'st
hereasonwhyIfi
ghtthi
shardandtrymy
hardestt
oseel i
fef
orthebeautyi
tbr
ings.

"Okay,remembertoalwaysli
stentoyourteachersandhostel
caretaker
s.Booksbeforehockeyorit
'sgone,"hegi
gglesandmy
heartisalr
ight
.Iam pr
oudofmy selff
ortakinghim outoft
he
toxi
cityofourmother.

"
Ilov
eyousomuchAt
ang,
"

"
Ilov
eyoutooLemo,it'
sti
metogot
othest
udyar
ea.Iwi
l
lcal
l
y
ouagainnextweek,
"hesays.

"Okay,
byeboy ."HehangsupandIcl osemyey es.Wedon'ttal
k
much,theschool tri
est okeept
hem awayfrom phones,especi
all
y
hisagegroup.Weonl ygetacal
lfrom t
hem onceaweek, butthei
r
minderatthehost eli
ssweetenought oal
l
owmecal lherphone
whenIwantt ot al
ktohi m.Sheknowsoursituati
onandt r
iesto
l
ookoutf orAtangmor e.

"whatar
eyounotpr
omisi
ngbutwil
ltr
ytobether
efor
?"Undi
asks
andIopenmyeyestof
indal
leyesi
ntheroom onme.

"At
anghasahockeygamenextThursday
,he'
ssoexci
tedandI
haven'
tseenhi
m pl
ay.
"Isayf
eel
ingsad.
"
Whyhav
en'
tyou?
"Ebukaasks.

"
I'
m al
way
sbusy
,pl
ushi
sschool
isatadi
stance.Thet
axi
far
eis
t
oomuch,
"

"Iwi
ll
payfort
het
axi
andgowi
thy
out
owat
chhi
mfr
iend,
"Ismi
l
e
sweetl
yather
.

"
Undi
..
."IpauseandEbukaqui
ckl
yspeaks.

"
I'
ll
beoutoft
ownt
hen,
doy
ougi
rl
shav
eadr
iver
'sl
i
cense?
"

"
Ido.
"-Undi
phi
l
e.

"Okaythen,
I'
ll
dropacarf
ory
ouandy
ouwi
l
lgowat
chAt
ang
play.
"

"Ebukano,
youar
eal
readydoi
ngsomuchf
ormepl
ease.
"He
smiles.

"
Can'ty
ouseeLemohang?WhenIcar eaboutaper
sonIgoall
out
fort
hem.Youhavebecomeapartofmyf amil
y,myl
it
tl
esi
ster
."
Godisthi
stheguar
dianangel
yousentme?

"Heisright,
askacoupl eofushehashel ped.Hewi llneveral
low
youtost r
uggle,everagain.
"Ifeel
soov erwhelmed,Inever
thoughtI'
dhav esuchaper soninmycor ner.Ebukaforceshis
helponmebecauseheknowsI '
m st
ubbor n,heknowsIhav epri
de.
Idon'twantany onetoclaim mebecauseofal lt
heydidf orme.

"
ThanksEbuka,
Iwi
l
lcov
ert
hepat
rol
then.
"Undi
phi
l
esay
s.

EbukaandWal eexchangelooksandwhenEbukalooksat
Undiphi
l
ei t
'snotwiththesameeyesandi
gnorance,he'
slooki
ng
atherwiththeaim ofseei
ngsomethi
nghi
sbrainjustpi
ckedup.
LUSTANDTRUST

CHAPTER06

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Dr.Mkhwanazi gav emeat askt odo, Idon'tli

ket hisonebi tbuthe
i
nsistedt hati
nor dertoheal f
rom thehur tIneedt oconf r
ontmy
mot her.Idon'tknowwhi chstateofmi ndI'm goingt of i
ndheri n
andi fshewi l
lhearmeandacknowl edgeherf aults.Iwi shshecan
j
ustst opandr eali
zejusthowmuchAt angneedsher ,howt hat
mani snevercomi ngbackt oher.I'
m gr ownandI 'vemanagedt o
getov erneedingher ,
Ijustwantadi fferentli
fef ormyl i
ttlebrother
.
Idon'twanthi m growingupt obeabr okenmanwhowi l
lgo
aroundbl eedi
ngonpeopl ewhodi dn'tcuthi m, I
'
mt ryingmybest
butI'm nothisparent.Hewi llneedlov ethatcomesf rom at l
east
oneoft hem tobeokayi nli
fe,ri
ghtnowmymom i st heonl yone
around.Howev er,Iwi
llnotsubjectmybr othertoheri nstabili
ty.
Untilshesnapsoutofherpi typartyIwi l
lnotbr i
ngAt angar ound
her.

Igetoffthetaxiandst artmakingmywayhome, Ihaven'tbeento

Zone7i nawhi l
e.Every t
hingisstil
lthesamet hough,Itookat axi
hereaftermylastclass.School chil
drenarewalkinghomei n
groups,mostaref r
om t hehighschool Iusedtoattend.Esokwazi
Secondary,IheardPrincipalMatsosonowwor ksatthedi st
ri
ct
offi
ce.Iwonderifther emainingteachersaresti
llupholdi
ngt he
standardhecreatedinensur ingthatit
'soneofthebestpubl i
c
school
sinourtownship.IpassbyTshepi
so'sf
astzozo'
sandthe
guysarenotworki
nglikeIwasusedtoseeingeachti
meIpassby.
Ifi
nal
lytur
nonmyst reetandmyst omachgetsser
iousknot
s,I
don'
twanttobehere.

"Hao!Youf i
nal
lycamehome.Wethoughty
ounol
ongerwantt
o
setfootinSebokeng.
"Achi
l
dhoodfri
endofmi
ne,Pabal
l
osays
approachingmeandIstopi
nmytracks.

"Hey
,I'
vej
ustbeenbusywithschool
.Howhav
eyoubeen?
"Iask
andshebl
owsoutasi gh.

"Ar
gh!Wear ej
ustt
ryi
ng.I
'
m onmywayt ogetmychi
l
dfr
om day
car
e,"shehasababy?Idi
dn'
tknowt
his.

"
OhIwasn'
tawar
ethaty
ouhav
eababy
,"Isaysupr
ised.

"YesIdo, someofusdon'taborty ouknow."Irai

seaneyebrow.
Whatist hatsupposet
omean?" Soy ouareli
vi
ngsoftin
Johannesburg?Hav ey
ouf oundabl esserforyour
sel
f?"Ij
ustti
tt
er.
Soshet hinksI'
minJohannesbur gtofindmenandnotf ocuson
school
?

"Noteverygir
lwantsablesserLebo,someofuswenttoJozif
or
schoolthat
'sall
."Shescof
fs."I
'
llseeyouar
ound.
"It
urntoleav
e
evenbeforeshecansayany thi
ngmor e.

Theyardissodirt
y,weedsar
eov er
grownandt helawnneeds
ser
iouscutt
ing.Asnakecoul
djustsli
theroutt
here,Inot
ice
bottl
esofalcohol bythecor neroft hehouse.Mymot herdoesn't
dri
nkalcohol,Ihopeshedi dn'
tstartbecausethatwil
laddt omy
probl
ems.Thedi ni
ngr oom wi ndowi sbrokenandablackpl ast
ic
i
scov er
ingit.Iheav easighandwal kt
ot hebackoft
hehouse
andopent hekitchendoor ,Iam metbyawomanandt woki ds.
Theladyiscooki ngpapabuti t '
stoowat eryi
tkeepsspil
li
ngont he
hotstoveasshest i
rsit.Theyar elooki
ngatmel ikeI
'm
tr
espassingbutt hisismyhome, Whoar ethey?

"
Hel
l
o?"Igr
eet
.

"
Yebo,
"she'
snotSout
hAf
ri
can,
Icant
ell
from heraccent
.

"
Uhm wher
eismymot
her
?"Sheswal
l
ows.

"
Inthebedr
oom,"she'
spoi
nti
ngt
omymot her
'sr
oom,
thehouse
i
sjustf
ourroomsandthet
oil
eti
sout
side.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
butwhoar
eyou?
"Iask.

"
Wearerent
ingt
hebedr
oom,
wehav
ebeenher
eforaf
ew
mont
hs.
"Shesays.

Bat
hong!Am Ihear
ingcor
rect
ly?

"
Ohokay
,mynamei
sLemohang.Thi
sismyhome,
"Shenods.

"Si
si!si
si!
"Someonei sshout i
ngatthet
opoft heirl
ungs.Thedoor
j
ustopens, peoplenolongerknocknow?"Si
si,Icamewi t
hthe
hai
rpiece.Ireall
yneedy outomakemyhai r
."ThewomanIdon' t
knowsay swi thoutev
engr eet
ing.

I
'
m per
plexedt
osayt
hel
east
.
"Okay,
letmecomewithachai
randcombs.
"Shesaysandlooks
atthetwochi
ldr
en"wat
chthesadzaandmakesur
eitdoesn'
t
burn,
"shesay
stothem.

Okay,thi
sisal
lsoconfusi
ng.Mymom hir
edoutmybedr oom,t
he
l
adyhast ur
nedourhomei nt
oasalonandusesourt
hingsint
he
ki
tchen.Howmuchr entdoesshepay?

Iknockonmymom' sbedroom doorandopenwhenshedoesn' t

respond.She' sinbed, herroom isamess.Cl othesare
ever y
wher e,ther oom issost uffyandal i
ttl
edar kbecauset he
cur t
ainsarenotdr awnandt hewi ndowi sclosed.Ist opint he
mi ddleoft heroom andmyhear tst artsbeati
nghar dagai nstmy
chestwhenIseet hewodr obeopenandempt y
.Tearsbl i
ndmy
eyesasIr ememberwhatmymom woul ddowhenAt angwas
cryingasababy .Shewoul dshov eusbot hi
nt hereandl ockusi n,
i
twoul dbesodar kandhoti nthatl i
ttlespace.Iwoul dbet rying
mybestnott ocr yandkeepmysi blingcalm, li
ttl
emanwoul d
sleepi nmyar msaf t
ercryi
ngf orthel ongestt i
me.Someday sI
thoughthewoul ddi efrom allt
hescr eaming.Whenshehashad
enought i
met oher sel
fandst oppedwai li
ngformyf ather,she'd
openupandal lowmet oeatandf eedAt ang.Ibecame
claustrophobicbecauseoft hat.

"
Wher
e'smyson?
"Isnapoutofi
tatt
hesoundofherv
oice.

"
Youdon'
thaveason,
Lady
bir
d."Shequi
ckl
yget
soutofbedand
t
hrowsashoeatme.
"Don'tcallmethatyouev ilchi
l
d,onlymyhusbandcal lsmelike
that."Shesayshysteri
cal andI'
m shaki
ngwher eI'
m standi
ng.It
wasasl i
pofthetongue, Iknowshehat esbeingcall
edLadybir
d
becauset hat
'showmyr unawayf athercal
ledher,hejust
translat
edthemeani ngofhernamet oEnglish.Hernameis
Mal eshoane.

"Mama,"itcomesouti nawhi sper."Whenwi ll

youstopt hi
s?
Whenwi lly
ouf orgett
hatman?He' sli
vinghisli
feoutthereand
notgivi
ngashi taboutus,getoverhi m.Atangneedshi smot her
,a
motherwhowi l
ll
ov eandputhimf irst
."IsaybutIshouldn'thave
becauseIjustunleashedthedev i
l
.She' sthr
owingeverythi
ngshe
canreachatmeandI 'm ducki
ng,thegl assofwaterl
andsonmy
arm bef
oref al
l
ingt ot
hef l
oorandbr eakingint
opieces.

"Iwouldratherf
orgetyout
hantof or
getmyhusband, thatman
l
ov edmeandhewi ll
comebackt ome. "Ishakemyheadwi t
h
tearsgushingdownmycheeks.Iknewt hisconf
ront
ati
onwas
goingtoleavemei nshambles,
Ishouldn'thavecomehere.

"Youarethemostsel
fi
shper sonI
'
veeverknownMal eshoane,
"I
saycl
utchingatmychest,
it'
ssopainf
ulthatshedoesn'
teven
haveanounceofcareforme.Iam heronlydaught
erforGods
sake.

"Mesel fi
sh?Iam nottheonewhol eftforuni
versityi
nsteadof
stayi
nghomeandf i
ndingworktot akecareofhermot her.
Becauseofy ouLemohangIam pi ckingupbot t
lesandcansf or
recycl
ing,I'
verentedoutaroom inmyhomet oforeigners.I
'
m
doingthissoIcanf eed,becauseyoudi dn'
twantt ostayandwor k
forme. "Myjawi sontheground."Calli
ngmesel f
ishwheny ou'r
e
t
heonekeepingmysonaway,Atangi
stheonl
ythi
ngt
hatmakes
mefeel
closetomyhusband.
"Sheadds.

"Younegl ectedAt ang, youdi dn'tcar ei fhewascl eanorifheat e.I

tookhim becausey ouwer en' tamot hert ohi m,youar ealways
cryi
ngov ert hatsonofabi tchMal eshoane.Youdon' tcareabout
anyonebuthi m, youdon' tev encar eabouty ourself
.Calli
ngme
self
ishforr unningawayf r
om y ourt oxicity?Sel fi
shf ort
ryi
ngt o
makesomet hingofmy self?Sel fishf orgi vi
ngy oursonabet ter
l
ifethany oucanev erimagi ne?I ft hat'
swhat '
sconsi der
edselfi
sh
thenIaccepti twi thmyf ul
l chest ,"Shewal kst owar dsmeandI '
m
prayingthatmymot herenv elopesmei nherar msandt ell
sme
howsor ryshei sandhowshewi lldobet ter.Butt hisismylif
e,I
don'tgethappi lyeveraf ter.Ahotsl apl andsonmycheekandIcr y
harderinpai n.

"Don'tyouevercal l
myhusbandasonofabi t
ch,Lemohang."She
sayswi thgr
it
t edteet h.Outofev erythingIsai
dthat'
st heonl
y
thi
ngshepi ckedup?Iwi pemyt earswi t
hthebackofmyhand
andnodatherbef or ewal kingout.Sisi,t
hetenantandherclient
arestandingbyt hedoorconnect i
ngt hekit
chenandl ounge
l
isteningtoeverythingt hatjustwentdown.Ij ustpasst hr
ough
andsaynot hingast heyst artacti
nglikewetchickens.

Ij
ustgosi tbehi
ndtheshackt
hatstoresthingsthatwenol onger
use,it
'sanoldshackthatmi
ghtcol
lapseifstrongwi ndscome.
Butfortodayitwil
lgi
vemesomepr iv
acy ,t
hebackopposi t
e
neighborbuil
tawallsonoonefr
om theirsidewillseeme
breakingdownbecauseofmymot her'
swor ds.Ipromi sedmysel
f
thatIwil
lnev
ercrybecauseofthi
swoman,butl
ookatmenow.
Mypoorhear ti
sinpi
eces,todayj
ustpr
ovedt
hatIshoul
dn'
t
botherwit
hmymot her.

Ican'tgotothet axilookingli
keamess, Ialsocan' tsleepher ef
or
obviousreasons.Idon' twantt ogot omyuncl e'
shouse, hehas
madehi spositi
oncl earwi t
husy earsago.It akeoutmyphone
fr
om t hebackpackanddi alAmukel ani'
snumber ,shehasacar
andI '
m hopi
ngshecancomeandgetme.Icl osemyey es
defeatedwheni ttakesmest raighttovoicemai l
,shewasmyonl y
hope.Undiphil
eiswr i
tingatestt oday,Idon'twantt ostr essher
.
Ebukai soutoftown, helef
ty ester
dayaf terdr oppingof fthis
week'sdocument s.Hesai dthecart odrivet oAt ang'sgamewi l
l
bebr oughtt
oourapar t
mentbui ldi
ngbyWal e.

IhaveonemorepersonIcancall
,duri
ngoursessionyest
erdayhe
gavemehisnumberandt ol
dmet ocallhi
m whenIneedany thi
ng.
Ij
usthopeI
'm notbei
nginappr
opriat
e,he'
str
yingtohelpmeandI
don'
twantt
oaskf ormorethanhegetspaidfor.

"
Lemohang?"Heanswer
swit
hacal
mv oi
ceandIj
ustbr
eakdown.
"
Hey,
what'sgoi
ngon?"Hei
snowpani
cki
ng.

"Mymot her,
DrMkhwanazi.I
twentsout hreal
qui
ck,
Ireal
l
ycame
hopi
ngwecoul dtal
kbutsheattackedmeandsaidthemost
hurt
ful
thingstome."Isaybet
weenhi ccups.

"
List
ent
ome,
sendy
ourl
ocat
iont
omyWhat
sApp.Iam atSout
h
Gat
emallandSebokengi
sn'
tfarf
rom her
e."Hesay
sandInodas
i
fhecanseeme.

"
Doct
orMkhwanazi
,thanky
ousomuch.
"Isay
.

"I
'
m comingt
ogetyou,
keepy
ourphonecloseLemohang.
"Ihang
upandhugmykneesasmymother'
swordskeepplayi
ngi
nmy
head.

Histextcomest hroughaf terwhatseemsl i

kef or
ev er,i
nfor
ming
met hathe'soutsi
de, Iwipemyt earsandqui ckl
ygetonmyf eet.
Sisiisalmostdonewi thhercl i
ent shai
r,Ij
ustbidthem goodby e
andheadt othegat e.DrMkhwanazi i
sleaningont hebonnetof
hiscar,helookspanickedbutsi ghsinreli
efwhenheseesme.Hi s
war mthgetsmeemot i
onal all
ov eragai
n,whyshoul dmysuppor t
system comef r
om compl etestrangers?Nonofmybl ood
relat
ivescomet hr
oughf ormel ikethepeopleImetonmyj ourney.
Undiphil
e,EbukaandnowDr .Mkhwanazi .

"I
'
m herenow,don'
tcry.
"Hehugsmeandkissest
het
opofmy
headrepeat
edl
ywhilebrushi
ngmyback.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orcal
l
ingy
ou,
Idi
dn'
thav
eany
oneel
se.
"Isaymeekl
y.

"I
t'
sokay ,I
'
m glady oucall
edme. "Hi
scol ogneisintoxicat
ingme,I
al
readyhav eacrushonhi m andIdon'tthinkbeinginhi sstr
ong
armslikethisisappropr
iate.Thi
sguyisonl ycomf ort
ingapat i
ent
,
mypoorhear twi
llr
eadtoomuchi nt
oit.Iclearmyt hroatand
detachfrom him.Heopenst hef
rontpassengerdoorf ormeandI
cli
mbin.Iwat
chhim walki
ngaroundt
ohi
ssi
dewhi
l
emopi
nghi
s
facewi
ththepal
m ofhishand.

"I
t'
sal
lgoingt
obealr
ight
,I'
m her
eforyou."Hesaysaf
tercl
osi
ng
hi
sdoorthencl
aspsmyhandandst ar
tstheengi
ne.

"Iappr
eciat
eyougoingoutofyourwayt
ocomegetme,
"Isay
withmylowerli
ptrembl
ing."
Itr
eall
ymeansal
otDr
.Mkhwanazi
,
"
hesmilessweetl
yatme.

"
Justcal
lmeMabut
ho,
please.
"

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Well
,Isubmi
tt
edeverydocumentt
otheHawksandotherbodi
es
thatgover
nst
hediamondindust
ryl
astweek.
"Gl
en'
slawyersays
andIbreakasweat.

"
Andwhatar
etheout
comes?
"Mycompanyl
awy
erasks.

"Well
,Glen'
sconf essionmadeev er
ythi
ngeasier
.Makhosiniwi
ll
notbeapar tofthei nvesti
gati
on,Lukhel
ediamondswi l
lbeunder
awatchfuleyethough.Thebodi esgoverni
ngtheindust
rywil
ljust
bepoppingintoseei feveryt
hingisuptostandard.I
fyouhave
anyil
legaldeal
ingsst opthem nowandgetr idofthepapertr
ail,
"
Glenlaughs.

"
Makhosi
niandi
l
legali
nthesamesent
ence?St
opj
oki
ngpl
ease,
"
Hesay
sandIsmile.

Icoul
dn'
tev
encheatonanonl
i
net
estbacki
nvar
sit
y.
"Wheny ousayMakhosi
niwon'
tbepartoftheinv
esti
gat
ionwhat
doy oumean?Hewaswor ki
ngclosel
ywithGlenatt
hetime,won'
t
theyrequestt
osi
tdownwi t
hhi
m andaskquest i
onsaboutGl
en?"

"Wel
l,Gl
enmadei tcleart
hathewaswor ki
ngal
oneandhadno
hel
pfrom anyone.Theymighti
nter
viewhimtounder
standthe
per
sonGlenwasi nthecompanybutnotbecauseofhis
i
nvolv
ementbecausehedi dn'
thaveaclue.Hei
sgoodt r
ustme,"I
si
ghinrel
ief.

"Iwil
lworkcl oselywi t
hy ourl egal t
eam sot hatyoucanknowi n
ti
mei ft
here'sany thingcomi ngy ourway .Mycont actatt he
Hawkst ookal ookatt hecaseandsai dMakhosi niwillnotbe
i
mpl i
cated,theonewhocommi t
tedt heof fencesaidhewasnota
partofi
t.Paper wor kpr oveshedi dn'tknowany t
hing.Mr .Lukhel
e,
Iknowy oudon' tknownort rustmebutpl easegoonwi t
hyourli
fe
knowingthatt hiswhol ebl ooddi amondt hingwon' taffectyouand
yourbusinessi nany way .
"Hesay slookingatmest r
aightinthe
eyes.

"
Ihav
eonequest
iont
hough,
"Isay
.

"
Goon,
"

"Howwil
lweexplai
nGlensuddenl
yleav
ingt
hecompany
?"Iask
andthel
awyersmil
es.

"Glenher
eissorryforwhathedi
dt oyou,hetol
dmet omakesure
thatyouarepr
otectedinthi
swholethi
ng.Hesoldyouhisshares
becausehestart
edf eel
i
ngweakandcoul dn'
tkeepupwiththe
Job.Hewasst ubborntogoseeadoct ort
hinki
ngit
'sj
ustol
dage
buttwoyearsafterhesoldhi
sshareshewenttothedoctorand
wasdiagnosedwithprostatecancer.Threeyear
safterbeing
di
agnosedandknowi nghewi l
ldi
esoon, hedeci
dedtocome
cl
eanbecausehedi dn'
twanthi smistakestocomebi t
eahar d
worki
ng,ethi
calman.Thef iveyeart
imelinefr
om whent heshares
gotsi
gnedt oyouandt odayaddsup,"Theyreall
ythoughtof
ever
ythi
ng.IlookatGlenandsi s'
Nomuzi .

"Thankyoufordoingthi
s,si
s'
Muzi Iappr
eci
atethatyoual
l
owed
ustostresshim onhi
slastdays,
day shewassupposedtospend
withyouwithouthavi
ngtodealwit
ht hel
aw."Isay.

"I
fGlenhaddiedandsomet hi
nghappenedt oyouandLukhel e
di
amondsbecauseofwhathedi dthenIwouldn'thaveknown
howt oli
vewit
hmy sel
f,Idon'
tthinkhewasev engoingtoresti
n
peace.Thankyouforr
eachingout ,
thankyouforgivi
ngmy
husbandachancetofixhismistakes."Thi
swomani snobel.

"SoIcangoki
ckNombul
elooutofmyhousewi
thoutwor
ry?
"Iask
andtheyal
ll
augh.

"
Assembl
i
ef,
"Gl
ensay
slaughi
ngunt
ilhest
art
scoughi
ngv
iol
ent
ly.

"
Okayboy
s,It
hinkt
hat
'senoughf
ort
heday
."-si
s'
Nomuzi
.

"
I'
ll
seeyouinafewdays,bi
gman."Isayget
ti
ngupfrom oneof
t
hechai
rsthatwer
ebroughttot
hebedroom f
orus.

"
Bri
ngmesomeni
cewhi
skey
,"Il
aughandl
ookathi
swi
fewho
j
ustnods.

"Any
t hi
nghewantsonhisl
astdays,heget
s.It
'snotl
i
kei twil
l
makehi m wor
sethanhealr
eadyi
s."Inodfeel
i
ngsadf orthem
buttheyhavebot
hcomet oter
mswi thi
t.
I'
vetextedmyf amil
yaski ngt hattheyal lwaitformeatmypar ents
house,Ineedt otel
lthem ev erythi
ngnowt hati t'
stakencar eoff.
Butfir
st,Ineedtoremov eat hornthathasbeenonmysi defora
l
ongt i
menow.Idon' tremembert hel astti
meIwasabl et obreath
soeasily,t
helastti
memyshoul dersfeltsolight.Iam sogr ateful
toGlenandhi swifefordoi ngt hi
sforme, forgivingmebackmy
fr
eedom andachancet ost artafr
eshwi t
houtt hatcrazywoman
pull
ingmeback.Iwi llgetachancet obeMakhosi niLukhelewho
usedtol oveli
feandliveitasbestashecoul d.Iwi l
lneverbe
bli
ndedbymyl oveforaper sonagain, thi
st i
mear oundmyhead
wil
lleadbef or
emyhear ttakesov er.

Igettothehouseandmygol ddiggeri
snother e,sheusually
l
eav eshercarouti nthedr i
vewayandexpect smet oparkitinthe
garage.She'spr obabl
yatsomemal lbuy i
ngmor eunnecessar y
thi
ngs,ifthebankswer esti
llopenI'
dbecal li
ngmybankerand
tel
li
nghert obl ockthecardsNombul el
oi susing.I '
m goingto
l
eav eherhighanddr y
,shewon' tevengetacentofmymoney .I'
l
l
dragthedi v
or cesoshespendsal lt
hemoneyshest ashedonher
l
awy erandwhenshecan' taff
ordlegalrepresentati
onI '
l
l ki
ckher
downandst amponher .I
'm notgoingtoshowheranymer cy ,
she
wasgunni ngf ormyhead.Nombul elowant edtodest royallthatI
workedf or,butshehasf ail
edandt hetableshav eturned.

Igeti
nsi
det
hehouseandi
t'
samess,
ahousewi
fewhocannot
cleanaf terherself
.Shewi l
lbedoi ngt hi
sinhermot her'
shouse
andwewi llseehowl ongtheywi l
lbeabl etoli
vewi thaspoi ltbr
at
l
ikeher .Theywant edmet ol i
vewit hthatpoi
son, Ihopet heyare
readyt ohandl eitthemselves.Iascendt hestair
st othebedr oom
we'v ebeenshar i
ng,anddoingabsol ut
elynot
hingbecauseshe
woul dn'tletmet ouchher.Iam gladshedeni edmeki dsbecause
hadwehadanyIwoul dhavebeent iedtoherforeverandnowI
knowt hatnoi nnocentsoul deser
v esanunstablemot herli
ke
Nof oto.

Herwal kinclosetisful
lofcl ot
hes, somest ill
hav etagsand
othersshehasn'twor ninal ongt i
mey etshest i
llbuysmor eand
mor e.I'
m goingtoneedamov ingtruckt otakeev eryt
hingtoher
mot herhouseisDuduza.It aket hebigsui t
casesandt hrowt hi
ngs
Icangetmyhandson, I'
ll
findaper sonwhowi ll
comepar k
everythi
ngtomor row.Idon'twantany t
hingt hatbelongst othat
womanher e.Whent hethreebi gsuitcasesar efil
led,Izipupand
takethem downst ai
rs,
oneaf t
ertheot her.

Iam sitti
ngont hesi
ngl
ecouchwi t
hagl assofcognaci nmyhand,
hersuitcasesarebythedoorwai ti
ngtogr eether.Icall
edthecab
guyInor mal l
yusewhenIdon'twantt odrivearoundt ocome
through,Ineedhimtotakethistrashbackt owher eitcamef rom.
She'snott aki
nganyofmycar s,shecanhav eherclothes,shoes
andbagsbecauseIhav enousef orthem.Thef r
ontdooropens
andt hesoundofherclicki
nghighheel sapproacht helounge.I
restmyr ightankl
eonmyl eftkneeandsi pfrom mygl ass,Iknow
she'
sgoi
ngtoputupaf
ightbutI
'
mreadyt
ogi
vei
tbackt
oher
thi
sti
mearound.

"Andt hen?Thebagsbythedoor ?
"Sheaskswi t
hanatt
it
ude.I
don'tanswerherimmediatel
y,butgul
pdownt heal
coholi
nmy
glass."Makhosi
ni,It
oldyouthatyouaren'
tgoi
nganywhere.Why
mustIr epeatmyself
?"SheasksboredandIstandupandr ol
lthe
sleevesofwhiteshir
tup.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
eNombul
eloBl
angwe,
"shecr
easesher
f
orehead.

"Lukhel
e,Nombul
eloLukhel
e."Shecor
rect
smeandIscof
fand
nodatthesametime.

"
Right,
"sheput
sthepaperbagsandherhandbagont
hemar
ble
f
loor.

"
What '
sgoingonwit
hyouthi
seveni
ngwenaMakhosi
ni?
"
Di
srespectpour
soutfr
om t
hisgi
rl
.

"
Nothi
ng,I
'mj
ustgett
ingmyaf
fai
rsi
nor
der
."Isaysof
tl
yandshe
l
aughsandcl
apsonce.

"Wenana!"shedoesn'tseeme,t
hiswomanst il
lthi
nksmybal l
s
aresti
lli
nherhand."Iam t
ir
ed,
Ijustwanttorel
axinasoot hi
ng
bath.Enj
oyaglassofchampagneandr eadabook, Idon'
thave
ti
mef oryournonsensethi
sear
lyeveni
ng."ShesaysandInod
vi
gorously.

"
Goodt
hingy
ourmot
hernowhasabat
hroom.
"Sher
aisesan
ey
ebr
ow.

"Whati
sthatsupposetomean?"SheasksbutIdon'
tbother
answeri
ngher.Ij
usttakeoutmyphonefrom t
hepocketanddi
al
thecabdri
ver
,Iaskthathecomestohelpmewi t
hthebags.

"Makhosi
ni!Whatthef
uckisgoingon?"OhsoNof ot
ocanpanic?I
l
aughandwal kpasshertogoloadthebagsinthecar.Li
ke
expect
edshepullsmebackbymyar m andcl
enchesherjaw.I
l
ookatwher eshe'
sholdi
ngmet henupatherface.

"Gety ourfil
thyhandsoffmeNombul el o,"Isaybutshetight
ens
hergr i
p.Iheav easigh."
I'
m nolongeraty ourmercysi
si,whatev
er
yout hinkyouhav eonmepl easegosi ngi ttowhoeveri
swi l
li
ngto
l
isten.Idon'tcareanymoreNombul elo, Ijustdon'
tcar
e."She'
s
bli
nkingr apidl
y.

"
Youwi
l
lgot
ojai
lMakhosi
ni,
"Inod.

"I
t'
sokay ,I
'l
ldealwi
thi
t.I
t'
sti
mef oryoutofuckoutofmyl i
fe."I
sayandshel etsgoandremovesherweav e,
thi
sishersignature
mov e.Iwatchasshestepsoutofherheel
sandst ar
tsshouting
andcur si
ngatme.

"I
'm notleavi
ngmyhouse, ifyouwantmeoutt heny ou'l
lhavet o
kil
lmebecauset hat'stheonl ywayI '
ml i
vi
ngthishouseandt his
mar r
iage.Inabodybag, "Idon'thav et
obeapar tofthi
ssoIwal k
tothedoorandr eali
zet hatthedriverhastakenallthebags,I
opent hedoorandmov et othesidewi t
hthiscrazywomanr aini
ng
i
nsultsatme.Igest ureforhert oleavebutsheshakesherhead
andst ar
tsslappi
ngme, I'
mt ryi
ngt okeepcalm butthisbit
ch
punchesmeandIj ustlosei t
.Islapherhardacr ossherfaceand
shecriesatthetopofherlungs.Igrabthisgir
l,she'
ski ckingand
hi
tti
ngmewi thherhandsbutI'
m notlett
inghergo, sheneedst o
getthefuckoutofmyhouse.Thedr iv
erquicklystart
st heengi ne
andopenst hebackdoorforme, Ishoveherinheadf ir
standshe
ki
cksme.Fi ghti
ngtomakei toutofthecar ,
butI '
m alsor elent
less.
She'
sleavingmyl i
feandmyhouseandt her
e'snothingshecando
aboutitnow.

Ifi
nal
lymanaget oshov eherallinandcl osethedoor ,Nombul
elo
i
sbangingont hewindowandt ryi
ngt ojumpoutbutt hedri
ver
madesur etochi
ldlockt hedoors.Irushbacki nsideandcome
backwiththeshitsheboughtandherhandbag, Ithrowthem i
n
thefr
ontpassengersit.She'ssti
llf
ighti
ng, ev
ent r
y i
ngtojumpto
thefr
ontbutthedriverisbig,onepushf rom him she'sbackwher
e
Ishovedher.

"
Takehertothataddr
essIgav
eyouandnowher
eel
se,
"Isayt
o
t
hedri
verandhenodsunderst
andi
ng.

"Youhavejustt
hrownyoursel
finpri
sonandthrewawaythekey
yousonofabi t
ch,Iam goi
ngtodestroyyou,
Makhosi
niLukhel
e
will
beahasbeenwear inganorangeunif
orm.Ipromi
se,
"She's
panti
ng,
tir
edf r
om thef
ightsheputup.

"I
'drat
herbeinprisonthanst
aywi t
hy ou,
"Isaybi t
terl
yandpr ess
theremoteforthegatetoopen,thecarreversesoutandIsi nk
downt othegroundtry
ingtocatchmybr eath.Ineverthoughtthi
s
daywouldcome, thedayI'
mf r
eef r
om Nofot oandt heblood
diamondsaga.
LUSTANDTRUST

CHAPTER06

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Dr.Mkhwanazi gav emeat askt odo, Idon'tli

ket hisonebi tbuthe
i
nsistedt hati
nor dertoheal f
rom thehur tIneedt oconf r
ontmy
mot her.Idon'tknowwhi chstateofmi ndI'm goingt of i
ndheri n
andi fshewi l
lhearmeandacknowl edgeherf aults.Iwi shshecan
j
ustst opandr eali
zejusthowmuchAt angneedsher ,howt hat
mani snevercomi ngbackt oher.I'
m gr ownandI 'vemanagedt o
getov erneedingher ,
Ijustwantadi fferentli
fef ormyl i
ttlebrother
.
Idon'twanthi m growingupt obeabr okenmanwhowi l
lgo
aroundbl eedi
ngonpeopl ewhodi dn'tcuthi m, I
'
mt ryingmybest
butI'm nothisparent.Hewi llneedlov ethatcomesf rom at l
east
oneoft hem tobeokayi nli
fe,ri
ghtnowmymom i st heonl yone
around.Howev er,Iwi
llnotsubjectmybr othertoheri nstabili
ty.
Untilshesnapsoutofherpi typartyIwi l
lnotbr i
ngAt angar ound
her.

Igetoffthetaxiandst artmakingmywayhome, Ihaven'tbeento

Zone7i nawhi l
e.Every t
hingisstil
lthesamet hough,Itookat axi
hereaftermylastclass.School chil
drenarewalkinghomei n
groups,mostaref r
om t hehighschool Iusedtoattend.Esokwazi
Secondary,IheardPrincipalMatsosonowwor ksatthedi st
ri
ct
offi
ce.Iwonderifther emainingteachersaresti
llupholdi
ngt he
standardhecreatedinensur ingthatit
'soneofthebestpubl i
c
school
sinourtownship.IpassbyTshepi
so'sf
astzozo'
sandthe
guysarenotworki
nglikeIwasusedtoseeingeachti
meIpassby.
Ifi
nal
lytur
nonmyst reetandmyst omachgetsser
iousknot
s,I
don'
twanttobehere.

"Hao!Youf i
nal
lycamehome.Wethoughty
ounol
ongerwantt
o
setfootinSebokeng.
"Achi
l
dhoodfri
endofmi
ne,Pabal
l
osays
approachingmeandIstopi
nmytracks.

"Hey
,I'
vej
ustbeenbusywithschool
.Howhav
eyoubeen?
"Iask
andshebl
owsoutasi gh.

"Ar
gh!Wear ej
ustt
ryi
ng.I
'
m onmywayt ogetmychi
l
dfr
om day
car
e,"shehasababy?Idi
dn'
tknowt
his.

"
OhIwasn'
tawar
ethaty
ouhav
eababy
,"Isaysupr
ised.

"YesIdo, someofusdon'taborty ouknow."Irai

seaneyebrow.
Whatist hatsupposet
omean?" Soy ouareli
vi
ngsoftin
Johannesburg?Hav ey
ouf oundabl esserforyour
sel
f?"Ij
ustti
tt
er.
Soshet hinksI'
minJohannesbur gtofindmenandnotf ocuson
school
?

"Noteverygir
lwantsablesserLebo,someofuswenttoJozif
or
schoolthat
'sall
."Shescof
fs."I
'
llseeyouar
ound.
"It
urntoleav
e
evenbeforeshecansayany thi
ngmor e.

Theyardissodirt
y,weedsar
eov er
grownandt helawnneeds
ser
iouscutt
ing.Asnakecoul
djustsli
theroutt
here,Inot
ice
bottl
esofalcohol bythecor neroft hehouse.Mymot herdoesn't
dri
nkalcohol,Ihopeshedi dn'
tstartbecausethatwil
laddt omy
probl
ems.Thedi ni
ngr oom wi ndowi sbrokenandablackpl ast
ic
i
scov er
ingit.Iheav easighandwal kt
ot hebackoft
hehouse
andopent hekitchendoor ,Iam metbyawomanandt woki ds.
Theladyiscooki ngpapabuti t '
stoowat eryi
tkeepsspil
li
ngont he
hotstoveasshest i
rsit.Theyar elooki
ngatmel ikeI
'm
tr
espassingbutt hisismyhome, Whoar ethey?

"
Hel
l
o?"Igr
eet
.

"
Yebo,
"she'
snotSout
hAf
ri
can,
Icant
ell
from heraccent
.

"
Uhm wher
eismymot
her
?"Sheswal
l
ows.

"
Inthebedr
oom,"she'
spoi
nti
ngt
omymot her
'sr
oom,
thehouse
i
sjustf
ourroomsandthet
oil
eti
sout
side.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
butwhoar
eyou?
"Iask.

"
Wearerent
ingt
hebedr
oom,
wehav
ebeenher
eforaf
ew
mont
hs.
"Shesays.

Bat
hong!Am Ihear
ingcor
rect
ly?

"
Ohokay
,mynamei
sLemohang.Thi
sismyhome,
"Shenods.

"Si
si!si
si!
"Someonei sshout i
ngatthet
opoft heirl
ungs.Thedoor
j
ustopens, peoplenolongerknocknow?"Si
si,Icamewi t
hthe
hai
rpiece.Ireall
yneedy outomakemyhai r
."ThewomanIdon' t
knowsay swi thoutev
engr eet
ing.

I
'
m per
plexedt
osayt
hel
east
.
"Okay,
letmecomewithachai
randcombs.
"Shesaysandlooks
atthetwochi
ldr
en"wat
chthesadzaandmakesur
eitdoesn'
t
burn,
"shesay
stothem.

Okay,thi
sisal
lsoconfusi
ng.Mymom hir
edoutmybedr oom,t
he
l
adyhast ur
nedourhomei nt
oasalonandusesourt
hingsint
he
ki
tchen.Howmuchr entdoesshepay?

Iknockonmymom' sbedroom doorandopenwhenshedoesn' t

respond.She' sinbed, herroom isamess.Cl othesare
ever y
wher e,ther oom issost uffyandal i
ttl
edar kbecauset he
cur t
ainsarenotdr awnandt hewi ndowi sclosed.Ist opint he
mi ddleoft heroom andmyhear tst artsbeati
nghar dagai nstmy
chestwhenIseet hewodr obeopenandempt y
.Tearsbl i
ndmy
eyesasIr ememberwhatmymom woul ddowhenAt angwas
cryingasababy .Shewoul dshov eusbot hi
nt hereandl ockusi n,
i
twoul dbesodar kandhoti nthatl i
ttlespace.Iwoul dbet rying
mybestnott ocr yandkeepmysi blingcalm, li
ttl
emanwoul d
sleepi nmyar msaf t
ercryi
ngf orthel ongestt i
me.Someday sI
thoughthewoul ddi efrom allt
hescr eaming.Whenshehashad
enought i
met oher sel
fandst oppedwai li
ngformyf ather,she'd
openupandal lowmet oeatandf eedAt ang.Ibecame
claustrophobicbecauseoft hat.

"
Wher
e'smyson?
"Isnapoutofi
tatt
hesoundofherv
oice.

"
Youdon'
thaveason,
Lady
bir
d."Shequi
ckl
yget
soutofbedand
t
hrowsashoeatme.
"Don'tcallmethatyouev ilchi
l
d,onlymyhusbandcal lsmelike
that."Shesayshysteri
cal andI'
m shaki
ngwher eI'
m standi
ng.It
wasasl i
pofthetongue, Iknowshehat esbeingcall
edLadybir
d
becauset hat
'showmyr unawayf athercal
ledher,hejust
translat
edthemeani ngofhernamet oEnglish.Hernameis
Mal eshoane.

"Mama,"itcomesouti nawhi sper."Whenwi ll

youstopt hi
s?
Whenwi lly
ouf orgett
hatman?He' sli
vinghisli
feoutthereand
notgivi
ngashi taboutus,getoverhi m.Atangneedshi smot her
,a
motherwhowi l
ll
ov eandputhimf irst
."IsaybutIshouldn'thave
becauseIjustunleashedthedev i
l
.She' sthr
owingeverythi
ngshe
canreachatmeandI 'm ducki
ng,thegl assofwaterl
andsonmy
arm bef
oref al
l
ingt ot
hef l
oorandbr eakingint
opieces.

"Iwouldratherf
orgetyout
hantof or
getmyhusband, thatman
l
ov edmeandhewi ll
comebackt ome. "Ishakemyheadwi t
h
tearsgushingdownmycheeks.Iknewt hisconf
ront
ati
onwas
goingtoleavemei nshambles,
Ishouldn'thavecomehere.

"Youarethemostsel
fi
shper sonI
'
veeverknownMal eshoane,
"I
saycl
utchingatmychest,
it'
ssopainf
ulthatshedoesn'
teven
haveanounceofcareforme.Iam heronlydaught
erforGods
sake.

"Mesel fi
sh?Iam nottheonewhol eftforuni
versityi
nsteadof
stayi
nghomeandf i
ndingworktot akecareofhermot her.
Becauseofy ouLemohangIam pi ckingupbot t
lesandcansf or
recycl
ing,I'
verentedoutaroom inmyhomet oforeigners.I
'
m
doingthissoIcanf eed,becauseyoudi dn'
twantt ostayandwor k
forme. "Myjawi sontheground."Calli
ngmesel f
ishwheny ou'r
e
t
heonekeepingmysonaway,Atangi
stheonl
ythi
ngt
hatmakes
mefeel
closetomyhusband.
"Sheadds.

"Younegl ectedAt ang, youdi dn'tcar ei fhewascl eanorifheat e.I

tookhim becausey ouwer en' tamot hert ohi m,youar ealways
cryi
ngov ert hatsonofabi tchMal eshoane.Youdon' tcareabout
anyonebuthi m, youdon' tev encar eabouty ourself
.Calli
ngme
self
ishforr unningawayf r
om y ourt oxicity?Sel fi
shf ort
ryi
ngt o
makesomet hingofmy self?Sel fishf orgi vi
ngy oursonabet ter
l
ifethany oucanev erimagi ne?I ft hat'
swhat '
sconsi der
edselfi
sh
thenIaccepti twi thmyf ul
l chest ,"Shewal kst owar dsmeandI '
m
prayingthatmymot herenv elopesmei nherar msandt ell
sme
howsor ryshei sandhowshewi lldobet ter.Butt hisismylif
e,I
don'tgethappi lyeveraf ter.Ahotsl apl andsonmycheekandIcr y
harderinpai n.

"Don'tyouevercal l
myhusbandasonofabi t
ch,Lemohang."She
sayswi thgr
it
t edteet h.Outofev erythingIsai
dthat'
st heonl
y
thi
ngshepi ckedup?Iwi pemyt earswi t
hthebackofmyhand
andnodatherbef or ewal kingout.Sisi,t
hetenantandherclient
arestandingbyt hedoorconnect i
ngt hekit
chenandl ounge
l
isteningtoeverythingt hatjustwentdown.Ij ustpasst hr
ough
andsaynot hingast heyst artacti
nglikewetchickens.

Ij
ustgosi tbehi
ndtheshackt
hatstoresthingsthatwenol onger
use,it
'sanoldshackthatmi
ghtcol
lapseifstrongwi ndscome.
Butfortodayitwil
lgi
vemesomepr iv
acy ,t
hebackopposi t
e
neighborbuil
tawallsonoonefr
om theirsidewillseeme
breakingdownbecauseofmymot her'
swor ds.Ipromi sedmysel
f
thatIwil
lnev
ercrybecauseofthi
swoman,butl
ookatmenow.
Mypoorhear ti
sinpi
eces,todayj
ustpr
ovedt
hatIshoul
dn'
t
botherwit
hmymot her.

Ican'tgotothet axilookingli
keamess, Ialsocan' tsleepher ef
or
obviousreasons.Idon' twantt ogot omyuncl e'
shouse, hehas
madehi spositi
oncl earwi t
husy earsago.It akeoutmyphone
fr
om t hebackpackanddi alAmukel ani'
snumber ,shehasacar
andI '
m hopi
ngshecancomeandgetme.Icl osemyey es
defeatedwheni ttakesmest raighttovoicemai l
,shewasmyonl y
hope.Undiphil
eiswr i
tingatestt oday,Idon'twantt ostr essher
.
Ebukai soutoftown, helef
ty ester
dayaf terdr oppingof fthis
week'sdocument s.Hesai dthecart odrivet oAt ang'sgamewi l
l
bebr oughtt
oourapar t
mentbui ldi
ngbyWal e.

IhaveonemorepersonIcancall
,duri
ngoursessionyest
erdayhe
gavemehisnumberandt ol
dmet ocallhi
m whenIneedany thi
ng.
Ij
usthopeI
'm notbei
nginappr
opriat
e,he'
str
yingtohelpmeandI
don'
twantt
oaskf ormorethanhegetspaidfor.

"
Lemohang?"Heanswer
swit
hacal
mv oi
ceandIj
ustbr
eakdown.
"
Hey,
what'sgoi
ngon?"Hei
snowpani
cki
ng.

"Mymot her,
DrMkhwanazi.I
twentsout hreal
qui
ck,
Ireal
l
ycame
hopi
ngwecoul dtal
kbutsheattackedmeandsaidthemost
hurt
ful
thingstome."Isaybet
weenhi ccups.

"
List
ent
ome,
sendy
ourl
ocat
iont
omyWhat
sApp.Iam atSout
h
Gat
emallandSebokengi
sn'
tfarf
rom her
e."Hesay
sandInodas
i
fhecanseeme.

"
Doct
orMkhwanazi
,thanky
ousomuch.
"Isay
.

"I
'
m comingt
ogetyou,
keepy
ourphonecloseLemohang.
"Ihang
upandhugmykneesasmymother'
swordskeepplayi
ngi
nmy
head.

Histextcomest hroughaf terwhatseemsl i

kef or
ev er,i
nfor
ming
met hathe'soutsi
de, Iwipemyt earsandqui ckl
ygetonmyf eet.
Sisiisalmostdonewi thhercl i
ent shai
r,Ij
ustbidthem goodby e
andheadt othegat e.DrMkhwanazi i
sleaningont hebonnetof
hiscar,helookspanickedbutsi ghsinreli
efwhenheseesme.Hi s
war mthgetsmeemot i
onal all
ov eragai
n,whyshoul dmysuppor t
system comef r
om compl etestrangers?Nonofmybl ood
relat
ivescomet hr
oughf ormel ikethepeopleImetonmyj ourney.
Undiphil
e,EbukaandnowDr .Mkhwanazi .

"I
'
m herenow,don'
tcry.
"Hehugsmeandkissest
het
opofmy
headrepeat
edl
ywhilebrushi
ngmyback.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orcal
l
ingy
ou,
Idi
dn'
thav
eany
oneel
se.
"Isaymeekl
y.

"I
t'
sokay ,I
'
m glady oucall
edme. "Hi
scol ogneisintoxicat
ingme,I
al
readyhav eacrushonhi m andIdon'tthinkbeinginhi sstr
ong
armslikethisisappropr
iate.Thi
sguyisonl ycomf ort
ingapat i
ent
,
mypoorhear twi
llr
eadtoomuchi nt
oit.Iclearmyt hroatand
detachfrom him.Heopenst hef
rontpassengerdoorf ormeandI
cli
mbin.Iwat
chhim walki
ngaroundt
ohi
ssi
dewhi
l
emopi
nghi
s
facewi
ththepal
m ofhishand.

"I
t'
sal
lgoingt
obealr
ight
,I'
m her
eforyou."Hesaysaf
tercl
osi
ng
hi
sdoorthencl
aspsmyhandandst ar
tstheengi
ne.

"Iappr
eciat
eyougoingoutofyourwayt
ocomegetme,
"Isay
withmylowerli
ptrembl
ing."
Itr
eall
ymeansal
otDr
.Mkhwanazi
,
"
hesmilessweetl
yatme.

"
Justcal
lmeMabut
ho,
please.
"

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Well
,Isubmi
tt
edeverydocumentt
otheHawksandotherbodi
es
thatgover
nst
hediamondindust
ryl
astweek.
"Gl
en'
slawyersays
andIbreakasweat.

"
Andwhatar
etheout
comes?
"Mycompanyl
awy
erasks.

"Well
,Glen'
sconf essionmadeev er
ythi
ngeasier
.Makhosiniwi
ll
notbeapar tofthei nvesti
gati
on,Lukhel
ediamondswi l
lbeunder
awatchfuleyethough.Thebodi esgoverni
ngtheindust
rywil
ljust
bepoppingintoseei feveryt
hingisuptostandard.I
fyouhave
anyil
legaldeal
ingsst opthem nowandgetr idofthepapertr
ail,
"
Glenlaughs.

"
Makhosi
niandi
l
legali
nthesamesent
ence?St
opj
oki
ngpl
ease,
"
Hesay
sandIsmile.

Icoul
dn'
tev
encheatonanonl
i
net
estbacki
nvar
sit
y.
"Wheny ousayMakhosi
niwon'
tbepartoftheinv
esti
gat
ionwhat
doy oumean?Hewaswor ki
ngclosel
ywithGlenatt
hetime,won'
t
theyrequestt
osi
tdownwi t
hhi
m andaskquest i
onsaboutGl
en?"

"Wel
l,Gl
enmadei tcleart
hathewaswor ki
ngal
oneandhadno
hel
pfrom anyone.Theymighti
nter
viewhimtounder
standthe
per
sonGlenwasi nthecompanybutnotbecauseofhis
i
nvolv
ementbecausehedi dn'
thaveaclue.Hei
sgoodt r
ustme,"I
si
ghinrel
ief.

"Iwil
lworkcl oselywi t
hy ourl egal t
eam sot hatyoucanknowi n
ti
mei ft
here'sany thingcomi ngy ourway .Mycont actatt he
Hawkst ookal ookatt hecaseandsai dMakhosi niwillnotbe
i
mpl i
cated,theonewhocommi t
tedt heof fencesaidhewasnota
partofi
t.Paper wor kpr oveshedi dn'tknowany t
hing.Mr .Lukhel
e,
Iknowy oudon' tknownort rustmebutpl easegoonwi t
hyourli
fe
knowingthatt hiswhol ebl ooddi amondt hingwon' taffectyouand
yourbusinessi nany way .
"Hesay slookingatmest r
aightinthe
eyes.

"
Ihav
eonequest
iont
hough,
"Isay
.

"
Goon,
"

"Howwil
lweexplai
nGlensuddenl
yleav
ingt
hecompany
?"Iask
andthel
awyersmil
es.

"Glenher
eissorryforwhathedi
dt oyou,hetol
dmet omakesure
thatyouarepr
otectedinthi
swholethi
ng.Hesoldyouhisshares
becausehestart
edf eel
i
ngweakandcoul dn'
tkeepupwiththe
Job.Hewasst ubborntogoseeadoct ort
hinki
ngit
'sj
ustol
dage
buttwoyearsafterhesoldhi
sshareshewenttothedoctorand
wasdiagnosedwithprostatecancer.Threeyear
safterbeing
di
agnosedandknowi nghewi l
ldi
esoon, hedeci
dedtocome
cl
eanbecausehedi dn'
twanthi smistakestocomebi t
eahar d
worki
ng,ethi
calman.Thef iveyeart
imelinefr
om whent heshares
gotsi
gnedt oyouandt odayaddsup,"Theyreall
ythoughtof
ever
ythi
ng.IlookatGlenandsi s'
Nomuzi .

"Thankyoufordoingthi
s,si
s'
Muzi Iappr
eci
atethatyoual
l
owed
ustostresshim onhi
slastdays,
day shewassupposedtospend
withyouwithouthavi
ngtodealwit
ht hel
aw."Isay.

"I
fGlenhaddiedandsomet hi
nghappenedt oyouandLukhel e
di
amondsbecauseofwhathedi dthenIwouldn'thaveknown
howt oli
vewit
hmy sel
f,Idon'
tthinkhewasev engoingtoresti
n
peace.Thankyouforr
eachingout ,
thankyouforgivi
ngmy
husbandachancetofixhismistakes."Thi
swomani snobel.

"SoIcangoki
ckNombul
elooutofmyhousewi
thoutwor
ry?
"Iask
andtheyal
ll
augh.

"
Assembl
i
ef,
"Gl
ensay
slaughi
ngunt
ilhest
art
scoughi
ngv
iol
ent
ly.

"
Okayboy
s,It
hinkt
hat
'senoughf
ort
heday
."-si
s'
Nomuzi
.

"
I'
ll
seeyouinafewdays,bi
gman."Isayget
ti
ngupfrom oneof
t
hechai
rsthatwer
ebroughttot
hebedroom f
orus.

"
Bri
ngmesomeni
cewhi
skey
,"Il
aughandl
ookathi
swi
fewho
j
ustnods.

"Any
t hi
nghewantsonhisl
astdays,heget
s.It
'snotl
i
kei twil
l
makehi m wor
sethanhealr
eadyi
s."Inodfeel
i
ngsadf orthem
buttheyhavebot
hcomet oter
mswi thi
t.
I'
vetextedmyf amil
yaski ngt hattheyal lwaitformeatmypar ents
house,Ineedt otel
lthem ev erythi
ngnowt hati t'
stakencar eoff.
Butfir
st,Ineedtoremov eat hornthathasbeenonmysi defora
l
ongt i
menow.Idon' tremembert hel astti
meIwasabl et obreath
soeasily,t
helastti
memyshoul dersfeltsolight.Iam sogr ateful
toGlenandhi swifefordoi ngt hi
sforme, forgivingmebackmy
fr
eedom andachancet ost artafr
eshwi t
houtt hatcrazywoman
pull
ingmeback.Iwi llgetachancet obeMakhosi niLukhelewho
usedtol oveli
feandliveitasbestashecoul d.Iwi l
lneverbe
bli
ndedbymyl oveforaper sonagain, thi
st i
mear oundmyhead
wil
lleadbef or
emyhear ttakesov er.

Igettothehouseandmygol ddiggeri
snother e,sheusually
l
eav eshercarouti nthedr i
vewayandexpect smet oparkitinthe
garage.She'spr obabl
yatsomemal lbuy i
ngmor eunnecessar y
thi
ngs,ifthebankswer esti
llopenI'
dbecal li
ngmybankerand
tel
li
nghert obl ockthecardsNombul el
oi susing.I '
m goingto
l
eav eherhighanddr y
,shewon' tevengetacentofmymoney .I'
l
l
dragthedi v
or cesoshespendsal lt
hemoneyshest ashedonher
l
awy erandwhenshecan' taff
ordlegalrepresentati
onI '
l
l ki
ckher
downandst amponher .I
'm notgoingtoshowheranymer cy ,
she
wasgunni ngf ormyhead.Nombul elowant edtodest royallthatI
workedf or,butshehasf ail
edandt hetableshav eturned.

Igeti
nsi
det
hehouseandi
t'
samess,
ahousewi
fewhocannot
cleanaf terherself
.Shewi l
lbedoi ngt hi
sinhermot her'
shouse
andwewi llseehowl ongtheywi l
lbeabl etoli
vewi thaspoi ltbr
at
l
ikeher .Theywant edmet ol i
vewit hthatpoi
son, Ihopet heyare
readyt ohandl eitthemselves.Iascendt hestair
st othebedr oom
we'v ebeenshar i
ng,anddoingabsol ut
elynot
hingbecauseshe
woul dn'tletmet ouchher.Iam gladshedeni edmeki dsbecause
hadwehadanyIwoul dhavebeent iedtoherforeverandnowI
knowt hatnoi nnocentsoul deser
v esanunstablemot herli
ke
Nof oto.

Herwal kinclosetisful
lofcl ot
hes, somest ill
hav etagsand
othersshehasn'twor ninal ongt i
mey etshest i
llbuysmor eand
mor e.I'
m goingtoneedamov ingtruckt otakeev eryt
hingtoher
mot herhouseisDuduza.It aket hebigsui t
casesandt hrowt hi
ngs
Icangetmyhandson, I'
ll
findaper sonwhowi ll
comepar k
everythi
ngtomor row.Idon'twantany t
hingt hatbelongst othat
womanher e.Whent hethreebi gsuitcasesar efil
led,Izipupand
takethem downst ai
rs,
oneaf t
ertheot her.

Iam sitti
ngont hesi
ngl
ecouchwi t
hagl assofcognaci nmyhand,
hersuitcasesarebythedoorwai ti
ngtogr eether.Icall
edthecab
guyInor mal l
yusewhenIdon'twantt odrivearoundt ocome
through,Ineedhimtotakethistrashbackt owher eitcamef rom.
She'snott aki
nganyofmycar s,shecanhav eherclothes,shoes
andbagsbecauseIhav enousef orthem.Thef r
ontdooropens
andt hesoundofherclicki
nghighheel sapproacht helounge.I
restmyr ightankl
eonmyl eftkneeandsi pfrom mygl ass,Iknow
she'
sgoi
ngtoputupaf
ightbutI
'
mreadyt
ogi
vei
tbackt
oher
thi
sti
mearound.

"Andt hen?Thebagsbythedoor ?
"Sheaskswi t
hanatt
it
ude.I
don'tanswerherimmediatel
y,butgul
pdownt heal
coholi
nmy
glass."Makhosi
ni,It
oldyouthatyouaren'
tgoi
nganywhere.Why
mustIr epeatmyself
?"SheasksboredandIstandupandr ol
lthe
sleevesofwhiteshir
tup.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
eNombul
eloBl
angwe,
"shecr
easesher
f
orehead.

"Lukhel
e,Nombul
eloLukhel
e."Shecor
rect
smeandIscof
fand
nodatthesametime.

"
Right,
"sheput
sthepaperbagsandherhandbagont
hemar
ble
f
loor.

"
What '
sgoingonwit
hyouthi
seveni
ngwenaMakhosi
ni?
"
Di
srespectpour
soutfr
om t
hisgi
rl
.

"
Nothi
ng,I
'mj
ustgett
ingmyaf
fai
rsi
nor
der
."Isaysof
tl
yandshe
l
aughsandcl
apsonce.

"Wenana!"shedoesn'tseeme,t
hiswomanst il
lthi
nksmybal l
s
aresti
lli
nherhand."Iam t
ir
ed,
Ijustwanttorel
axinasoot hi
ng
bath.Enj
oyaglassofchampagneandr eadabook, Idon'
thave
ti
mef oryournonsensethi
sear
lyeveni
ng."ShesaysandInod
vi
gorously.

"
Goodt
hingy
ourmot
hernowhasabat
hroom.
"Sher
aisesan
ey
ebr
ow.

"Whati
sthatsupposetomean?"SheasksbutIdon'
tbother
answeri
ngher.Ij
usttakeoutmyphonefrom t
hepocketanddi
al
thecabdri
ver
,Iaskthathecomestohelpmewi t
hthebags.

"Makhosi
ni!Whatthef
uckisgoingon?"OhsoNof ot
ocanpanic?I
l
aughandwal kpasshertogoloadthebagsinthecar.Li
ke
expect
edshepullsmebackbymyar m andcl
enchesherjaw.I
l
ookatwher eshe'
sholdi
ngmet henupatherface.

"Gety ourfil
thyhandsoffmeNombul el o,"Isaybutshetight
ens
hergr i
p.Iheav easigh."
I'
m nolongeraty ourmercysi
si,whatev
er
yout hinkyouhav eonmepl easegosi ngi ttowhoeveri
swi l
li
ngto
l
isten.Idon'tcareanymoreNombul elo, Ijustdon'
tcar
e."She'
s
bli
nkingr apidl
y.

"
Youwi
l
lgot
ojai
lMakhosi
ni,
"Inod.

"I
t'
sokay ,I
'l
ldealwi
thi
t.I
t'
sti
mef oryoutofuckoutofmyl i
fe."I
sayandshel etsgoandremovesherweav e,
thi
sishersignature
mov e.Iwatchasshestepsoutofherheel
sandst ar
tsshouting
andcur si
ngatme.

"I
'm notleavi
ngmyhouse, ifyouwantmeoutt heny ou'l
lhavet o
kil
lmebecauset hat'stheonl ywayI '
ml i
vi
ngthishouseandt his
mar r
iage.Inabodybag, "Idon'thav et
obeapar tofthi
ssoIwal k
tothedoorandr eali
zet hatthedriverhastakenallthebags,I
opent hedoorandmov et othesidewi t
hthiscrazywomanr aini
ng
i
nsultsatme.Igest ureforhert oleavebutsheshakesherhead
andst ar
tsslappi
ngme, I'
mt ryi
ngt okeepcalm butthisbit
ch
punchesmeandIj ustlosei t
.Islapherhardacr ossherfaceand
shecriesatthetopofherlungs.Igrabthisgir
l,she'
ski ckingand
hi
tti
ngmewi thherhandsbutI'
m notlett
inghergo, sheneedst o
getthefuckoutofmyhouse.Thedr iv
erquicklystart
st heengi ne
andopenst hebackdoorforme, Ishoveherinheadf ir
standshe
ki
cksme.Fi ghti
ngtomakei toutofthecar ,
butI '
m alsor elent
less.
She'
sleavingmyl i
feandmyhouseandt her
e'snothingshecando
aboutitnow.

Ifi
nal
lymanaget oshov eherallinandcl osethedoor ,Nombul
elo
i
sbangingont hewindowandt ryi
ngt ojumpoutbutt hedri
ver
madesur etochi
ldlockt hedoors.Irushbacki nsideandcome
backwiththeshitsheboughtandherhandbag, Ithrowthem i
n
thefr
ontpassengersit.She'ssti
llf
ighti
ng, ev
ent r
y i
ngtojumpto
thefr
ontbutthedriverisbig,onepushf rom him she'sbackwher
e
Ishovedher.

"
Takehertothataddr
essIgav
eyouandnowher
eel
se,
"Isayt
o
t
hedri
verandhenodsunderst
andi
ng.

"Youhavejustt
hrownyoursel
finpri
sonandthrewawaythekey
yousonofabi t
ch,Iam goi
ngtodestroyyou,
Makhosi
niLukhel
e
will
beahasbeenwear inganorangeunif
orm.Ipromi
se,
"She's
panti
ng,
tir
edf r
om thef
ightsheputup.

"I
'drat
herbeinprisonthanst
aywi t
hy ou,
"Isaybi t
terl
yandpr ess
theremoteforthegatetoopen,thecarreversesoutandIsi nk
downt othegroundtry
ingtocatchmybr eath.Ineverthoughtthi
s
daywouldcome, thedayI'
mf r
eef r
om Nofot oandt heblood
diamondsaga.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER07

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Iwokeupt oanempt yhouseandast i

ckynot eont hefri
dge
telli
ngmet omakemy selffeel athome.Ij usthadcer eal and
cleanedar oundbef oreset tl
ingi nf r
ontoft hisTVandf ound
somet hingi nter
estingonNet fl
ix, Thisishonest lythefi
rstt i
mei n
al ongtimeI 'vewat chedt elev i
sionf orsomanyhour s,Iev en
dozedof ftwiceont hi
scomf ortableleathercouch.Dr .Mkhwanazi
hasabeaut ifulhome, i
t'
snot hingl i
keEbuka' sf ort
ressbuti t
's
beaut i
ful.Islepther eyest er
day ,hetoldmehedoesn' ttrustme
wit hmy self
.Iwast ooemot ional ,Icri
edt hewhol ewayfr om
Sebokengt oRui msi g.Itoldhi mI '
m notsui ci
dal andIhav e
Undi phi
lebackatt heapar tmentbuthedi dn'ttakeanyoft hat,
he
broughtmebackt ohi shouseandgav emesomet hi
ngtoeatt hen
sleepingpi l
lsandIwasoutt ill
t hismor ning.

Ihearacarpar kout si
desoIquicklygopeept hroughthewi ndow
andi t
'shismustang, Iheav
easighofr el
iefandgoset tl
eback
downont hecouch.I '
vebeenali
ttl
escaredt hi
nkinghisgirl
friend
willshowupher eandbeatt hehelloutofmef orbeinginher
manshouse.Thef r
ontdooropensandhewal ksinlookinglikea
model whojuststeppedoutofamagazi necov er,t
hismancan
dress.Hisbody ,hei
ghtandskintonemakeshi m ev enmor e
perfect.I
t'
sreall
yhar dnottoseethisman, Imeanr eal
l
yseehi m
andnotfall
forhi
m.Heoffer
smeaf aintsmileandmyhear
t
drops,
he'snothi
susual
warm sel
f,i
t'
slikesomethi
ngi
sweighi
ng
downonhi m.

Iwatchashepl aceshislaptopandanot herl

eatherbagdownon
thef
loornexttothev acantsinglecouchthensl
owl ysi
nksdown
onit
,myhear ti
sdr ummi nghar dagainstmychest.

"
Howarey
ouf
eel
i
ng?
"Heasksi
nal
owt
one,
wor
ryi
ngmeev
en
mor
e.

"
Bett
erthanyest
erdaywhenyougotme,thanky
ouDr
.
Mkhwanazi
."Hecloseshi
sey
esasi fpai
ned.

"
Lemohang,weneedtot
alk."Ibl
i
nkacoupl
eoft
imes,Idon'
tl
ike
t
his.Myst
omachisfr
ozen,Iwanttocr
yimmedi
atel
y.Whyam I
f
eeli
ngthi
sway?

"I
sev
erythi
ngokay
?"Ishoul
dn'
thav
espoken,
myv
oicef
ail
edme
di
small
y.

"No,ev er
ythi
ngisj
ustamess. "Hesaysandmopshisface,
I'
m
breakingasweatont heotherhand.Ij
ustl
ookathi
m andsay
nothing,mylipspr
essedintoathinli
ne.

"Idon'
tthinkIcanbeyourdoct
oranymore,"hesaysl
ooki
ngatme
strai
ghtintheeyesandmyheartsi
nksintomyst omach.

"What?Why?"Iam pani
cking,
hecan'
tdropmenow.He' sbeen
hel
pingmeagr eatdeal
."Didt
heuniv
ersi
tyaskyoutostopor
somethi
ng?
"Idon'twaitforhi
mtoanswermyf i
rstquesti
on.He
shakeshi
sheadno.

"Youwal kedintomyof fi
ce,mademeseewhatast rongwomani s
andf r
om t her
enothingofmi nehasbeennor mal.You'v
eturned
mywor l
dupsi dedown, Ican'tf
ocuswithoutyouinvadi
ngmy
head.Lemohang, youjust.
..
youaremaking..
.f
uckwhatar eyou
doing?"Heget sonhi sfeetandburi
eshishandsdeepi nhis
pockets,hisgazeistooi nt
ense.Iam t
ryingtopuzzlewhathejust
saidtomeandI 'm bl
ank.

"
I'
m goi
ngtogiv
emycol
leaguey
ourf
il
e,Ican'
tcont
inuel
i
ket
his.
"
HesaysandIsl
owl
yst
andupwithmywooblyknees.

"
Ist
hisbecauseofy
est
erday
?I'
m sor
ry,
Iwon'
tcal
lyouany
mor
e."
Henods.

"Yesi t
'sbecauseofy ester day ,y
ougav emeachancet obet here
fory ouonaper sonal capaci ty.Youcal leddoct orMkhwanazi and
IshowedupasMabut ho, Iwant edt oshowupasMabut ho
becausehedoesn' thav eanyr ul
est of oll
ow, hedoesn'thavet o
thinkabouthi sj
ob.Butt hismor ni ngi thitmeandhar d,seeingy ou
sleepingpeacefull
yremi ndedmet hatIcan' tbebothfory ou."He
shakeshi shead."I
fy our ejectMabut hoi t'
sgoi ngtobehar df or
doct orMkhwanazi towor kwi thy oubecausehi semot i
onsar e
alreadyatplayhere."Hesay swal ki ngt owardsmeunt i
lhe'sjusta
fewi nchesfrom me, hisbr eat hisf anni ngmyf aceashelooks
downonme.Lor d,Ihav enev erfeltsost ronglyforaman.I nfact
I'
venev erbeensocl oset oone.

"
Ican'
tdat
eapat
ient
,Lemohang.Iknowyoumightnotevenl
ike
methewayIl
i
keyouandthat'
sokaybutIst
il
lcan'
tconti
nuewit
h
y
oubecauseitwil
lj
ustbehar
donme.
"Hesay
sandIam shocked
t
osaytheleast
.

Thi
sperfectmanl
i
kesme?ThemanI
'
vebeent
hinki
ngI
'
m outof
hi
sleague?

"Iam sosorr
y ,
Iknowy ou'veal
readyt r
ustedmeandbel iev
edthat
Icanhelpyou.Iknowit'sgoingtobehar dbutIneedy outoknow
I'
llgiv
eyourf
iletoacolleagueItrust,
"hesaysandt hetears
swi mmingi
nhi seyeshurtmyhear t.There'
ssil
enceforafew
seconds,helooksawayandwi peshistears.

"Woul
ditbesuchabadi deatohavebothdoctorMkhwanaziand
Mabutho?
"Iaskwi thmyeyescastdown.Hecupsmyf aceand
makesmel ookupathim.Hiseyesaretwi
nkli
ng, hemakesme
weakwhenhi shazeley
estwinkl
eli
kethi
sandt hatdi
mpl e
showi
ngoff.

"Youhavebeauti
fuley
es,
Mabutho.
"Hesmi
l
esandl
ooksdown,
I
don'
tthi
nkhelikescompl
iment
s.

"Thankyou,"It
hinkI'
m goi
ngt odropdown, mykneesaretoo
weakt ocarryme.He'stooclose,toobeaut
if
ul."
Havi
ngbot hyour
doctorandMabut hoisunacceptable,
Lemohang."HesaysandI
frown."I
t'
sethi
call
ynotaccepted,"Ishakemyhead.

"
Havi
ngMabuthoinmyl i
fewi
l
lautomat
ical
l
ymakeDr.
Mkhwanazi
sti
ckaround,
"hef
urr
owshiseyebr
ows.

"Ar
ey ousayi
ngyouf
eel
thesamewayaboutme?
"HeasksandI
suddenl
yfeelshy
.

"
Didy
our
eal
l
ynotseei
t?"Iaskbecauset
her
ewer
eti
meswher
e
I
'dstar
eathim andbel
osti
nthoughtsbecauseI
'
mimagini
ng
doingt
hingswit
hhim.Hewouldhavetoshakemetobr
ingme
backtothenow.

"It
houghtit'
sthesamethingIgetf r
om otherwomen,t
hem j
ust
sexuali
zi
ngmei nthei
rheads.Ididn'tt
hinkyousawmeand
genuinel
yli
kedmet obeinar elat
ionshi
pwi t
hme."Heexpl
ains
andIblush.Ican'
tbel
i
evehel ikesmel i
kethat.

"
IthoughtI
'
m outofy
ourl
eague,
"heshakeshi
shead.

"Youareabeauti
ful
,str
ongwoman.Ithasbeenhar dli
kingy ou
andt hi
nki
ngIcan'
thaveyouasmine."Herunshisindexfinger
alongmyjawli
neandIgasp."Pl
easesayit
,tel
lmey ouwantme
too."HesaysandItakeaminut
etolookathim str
aightinthe
eyes.

"
Ialsowantyou,Mabut
ho.Ihav
ebeenseei
ngyout
oo."Hesmiles,
apantydr
oppingsmil
e.Lor
d,whyi
shemakingmefeelal
lsor
tsof
t
hings?

"
Babygi r
l,y
ouwon'tr
egrett
his.
"Hesnakeshisarmsaroundmy
waistandIrestmyheadohhisbui
ltchest
,hiscol
ogne
i
ntoxicat
esme.Mypantyisdamp,he'smakingmecurious.

"
Didy
oueat
?Ashower
?"Heaskssof
tl
yandIshakemyhead.

"
Ihadcer
eal
whenIwokeupandj
ustwashedmyf
ace.
"Hel
ets
mego.

"
I'
ll
cookyousomet
hingr
eal
qui
ck,
got
akeashoweri
nthemean
t
ime."Hesay
s.
"
Wher
eisy
ourext
rat
owel
?"Iask.

"
Baby,goint
omyensuitbathr
oom andusewhatev
eryouseei
n
t
here,youar
emygirlsoyougettouseever
ythi
ngthat
'smi
ne.
"I
t
it
terandakissl
andsonmyf orehead.

Ihav
eaboy
fri
end?Howdi
dthi
sdaycomet
othi
s?

IwillneverforgetthisWednesday ,themanI '

vebeensecr et ly
crushingoni snowmyboy fr
iend.Ipinchedmy sel
fsomanyt imes
i
nt heshowerbecauseIneededt obesur ethatIwasn' tdreami ng,
thatMabut ho,amanIt houghtwast oogoodf ormeact uallysaw
met hesamewayIsawhi m.Fort hef i
rstt i
mei tactuall
yfeel slike
myl i
fei scomingal ongjustfine,
Ifeel l
ikeat went yoney earol d
girl
.Nott hegirlwi
thallthepr obl
emsi nt hewor l
d,thegirlthathas
tobesuper woman.Iwi l
l l
ooki nt
hemi r
r orandseeLemohang,
seeherandl i
keherbecauseshe' sfinal
lyst eppingoutofhershel l
andt ryi
ngtol i
veli
fewhi l
eshest il
lhustlest omakel i
febet terfor
herlit
tlebrother.

Wespokeoft hesi tuat i

onwhi l
eIhadt hestirfryhemademe.He
cannotbemyboy friendandpsy chologistatthesamet ime, i
t'
s
notacceptedbyt heuni versit
yandi t'
snotet hicali
nt heiri
ndustry
.
Howev er
,Itol
dhimt hatIonlytrusthim withmypr oblemsand
didn'
twantanyoneel se.Het oldmehewi l
lthi
nkofsomet hi
ngand
talkt
omeabouti t,IknowI '
m putti
nghi mi nat i
ghtcor nerbuthe
promisedtowor ksomet hingout .I
nt hemeant ime,Iam not
all
owedtot el
lany oneaboutus.Wedon' twantt heuniversit
yto
getwi
ndofourr
elati
onshi
pbecauset
hatwi l
lputhi
sjobi
n
j
eopar
dyandpossibl
yhisl
icenset
opract
ice.

"
Wear
eher
e,"heki
l
lst
heengi
neout
sidet
heapar
tmentbui
l
ding.

"
Thanky
ouf
ordr
ivi
ngme,
"heki
ssest
hebackofmyhand.

"Youaremygi rl
fr
iend,
Ihavetomakesur eyou'r
esafebabe."I
don'tt
hinkI'
l
l f
ull
ywrapmyheadar oundthi
s,itsti
l
lfeel
ssurreal
,
l
ikesomeonewi l
lcomewakemeupf rom t
hisbeauti
fuldr
eam."I
will
seey outomorrowright
?"Heasks.

"Iwoul
dloveto,
buttomor r
owIam goingtowatchmyl i
tt
le
brot
herpl
ayhockeyatschool.Iam sor
rybutIal
readypr
omi sed
himthatI
'l
lcome,Iwil
l
...
"

Hequickl
yint
erj
ect
s,"
Baby,hey
.It'
sokay,
Iunder
stand.I
'
llseey
ou
onFr
idaythen,
"ohshi
tthi
sisgoingtobehar
d.

"Mabutho,
rememberIwor
kFri
day
sandSat ur
daysattheclub.
"I
feelsobadri
ghtnow,
hemustberegr
ett
ingourr
elat
ionshi
p
alr
eady.

"Iwi
llpickyouupfr
om thecl
ubwheny ou'
redoneandtakey
ou
backtomypl acesoyoucanrest
,thenonSatur
dayI'
ll
dropyou
offf
ory ourshi
ft
.Don'
tstr
ess,wewill
makethiswork.
"Ismi
le
sweetlyathim.

"
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
,"Isay
.

"Tr
ytohavealookatal
ltheydi
datschooltoday,
"heevenwent
asfarasgoi
ngtofi
ndwhatImi sseddur
ingtodaysl
ect
ures,
heis
suchaconsi
der
ateper
son.

"Thanky
ou,
"heleansi
nforaki
ssandIt
hankGodwhenhej
ust
pecksmyli
psandretr
eat
s.

Iam soi
nexper
ienced,
Ihopet
hatdoesn'
ttur
nhi
m of
f.

"I
'
llcal
lyouwhenIgethome,beaut
if
ul.
"Inodandr
eachf
ormy
baginthebackseatbef
oreopeni
ngthedoor.

"
Hey
,"hehol
dsmyar
m.

"
Huh?
"

"
Thanky
ouf
ormaki
ngmeahappymant
oday
,"

Bl
ush!Bl
ush!Bl
ush!

"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkthi
sdaywoul
dendl
i
ket
his,
butIam happyi
tdi
d."I
saymeekly.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Myf amilyishappyf orme, Iam happyf ormy selftoo.Iam fi

nall
y
freefr
om thecl utchesoft hedev ilIoncet houghtIwi llbewithfor
therestofmyl ife.Nombul el owasj ustal essonl i
fewast eachi
ng
me, Iwil
lneverletl ovebli
ndmel iket hatagain.Iwi l
ltakemyt i
me
togettoknowaper sonbef oregi
v i
ngt hem myhear tandsoul ,
oncebi t
tentwiceshy .Ev
enso, Iwillnotrobmy selfoffthe
opportunit
yoflov ingagain.
Igettomyhouseandmybr otherandsi sterscarsarepar kedi n
mydr i
veway,whataretheydoi nghere?Isawt hem yesterday
aft
ergetti
ngridofNofoto.Ijustcli
mboutl eavi
ngev erythingof
mineinthecar,Iwalki
nandmymot herisdancingint hel ounge
wit
hagl assofwineinherhand.Hai bo!Whenwast hel asttimeI
sawmymot herdri
nkalcohol?Nof oto'
sexi tmusthav er eall
y
madeherhappi ert
hanIt hought.Yesterdayshecr i
edar iver,
tears
ofjoyformyfreedom andpeaceofmi nd.

"Hai
boCebesi
le,
"Isayandshet
urnst
olookatmewi
tht
hewi
dest
smil
eonherface.

"
Fanoo,
"howmanygl
assesdi
dmymot
herhav
e?

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Shel
aughs.

"Wecameher etocheeryouup, Zethucookedupastorm."Oh

okay"Ref
il
lmyglassplease."SheshovesitatmeandIdon'tsay
anyt
hingmore,Ij
ustdisappeartothekit
chenandleaveher
danci
ngtowhoev eri
ssinging.I
'm notafanofsoulmusic.

Gatshaispinni
ngZet hutothef r
idge,ki
ssi ngthedayl ightsoutof
her.Whathasmyhouset urnedinto?Mymot herisdanci ngl i
ke
sheisatsomedi sco, mybr otherandhiswi f
eareki ssing
passionat
elyli
ketheyar eint hei
rmat r
imoni albedroom.Iwoul d
tur
nbackbutCebi sile'swinei si
nthatfridgetheyar ebl ockingand
i
fIgobackt otheloungewi thoutit,
she'llski
nmeal ive.Iclearmy
thr
oatandt heystop, Zet
huhast ur
nedr edf r
om embar rassment
butherhusbandj
ustcl
i
ckshi
stongueannoy
edt
hatIdi
stur
bed
them.

"
Howdi
dyoupeopl
egeti
nmyhouse?
"Iask.

"
Mvel
ohasakey
,"Gat
shasay
s.

Howdidt
hatonegetakey?Nofotodi
dn'
tev
enwantust
okeepa
spar
esomewherei
nthegarden.

"
Itsmel
l
sni
cei
nher
eZee,
"Isayopeni
ngt
hef
ri
dge.

"
All
foryou,
Idon'
tremembert
hel
astt
imeshecookedsuchf
or
me.
"BabyGatshasays.

"Ohst opi
t,mamaaskedt hatIpr
eparesomethi
ngspeci
alsowe
canhav edinnerasafamil
yandcelebrat
ethatourownhashi
s
freedom back."Mysi
steri
n-l
awsays.

"Iknowsthandwasami
,"hereachesf
orhi
sgl
assont
heki
tchen
counterandsipshi
sdr
ink.

"
WellI
'
m grat
eful
thaty
ouguy
scame.Wher
ear
etheki
dsand
t
hei
raunt
?"Iask.

"Theki
dsareupst
air
sintheTVroom,Mvel
owaspacki
ngt
hel
ast
ofNombulel
o'
sthi
ngs."Mybrot
hersay
s.

Mybabysi
sterdeser
vesabell
s,IwaswonderingwhoIwasgoing
t
ohir
etohelpmewi tht
hosethi
ngsbutnowt hati
t'
sdoneI'
l
ljust
f
indacart
odelivert
hethi
ngstohermother
'shouseinDuduza.

"
Fanoo!
"Ohshi
t.
Iqui
ckl
ypourt
hewi
nei
nthegl
assandr
usht
ogi
vemamaher
dri
nk.

Igetdownst airsaf terref

reshi ngandev ery
oneisnowsi t
ted
aroundthet able,wear eaboutt ofeastontheamazingf ood
Zethucooked.Cebi si
lemaNgobesel eadsusinprayer,andaf t
er
thatwest artdishingup.Gat shai samar ri
edman, hi
swi feplates
forhim ashesi tsbackandenj oyshisdri
nk.Theyhaveabeaut if
ul
thi
nggoi ngon, Zet hui saver yeducat edwomanwhost il
lupholds
thecult
ur eandt radi t
ionsofourf oref
ather
s.Mymom hel pstheir
youngestandI 'm busyput t
ingt hi
ngsonmypl ate,
I'm having
everyt
hingher e.Ithasbeenl ongsi nceIenjoyedahomecooked
meal pr
epar edinmyownhouse.

"Ihadhopedt hatallmychil
drenwil
lmarryonceandbehappyin
yourmarriages,j
ustlikemeandy ourfat
her
.Butevenso,I
'm gl
ad
thatyoureali
zedy ourwort
handgotr i
dofher.Youwil
lfi
nd
someonewhowi l
lloveyouFanoo,genui
nel
yloveyoul
ikeyou
deserve.
"MaNgobesesay sandInod.

"
Iam gl
adtoo,IwishIsawwhaty
oual
lsawbef
oreIt
iedmy
sel
f
t
oher.If
eelst
upid,"

"I
t'
salli
nt hepastnow,
y ou'
llf
indmeanamazi
ngsist
er.Iwanta
fel
lowMr s.Lukhel
e,Mveloherewi
ll
soonl
eaveusandmar r
y."
Zethusaysandherhusbandchokesonhisdri
nk.

"
Tel
lyourgoatt
haty
ouar
est
il
lver
yyoungf
ormar
ri
age,
"hesay
s
der
isi
vel
yandweal
ll
augh.

"
Iam 28y
ear
sGat
sha,
"Mv
elosay
sbr
iskl
y.

Thesetwofi
ghtsomuch,you'
dsweart heydon'
thav
eme
betweent
hem,fi
rstandl
astbornshenanigans.

"
Babe,
what'
swi t
hthehypocr
isy
?Mv
eloi
sev
enol
dert
hanIwas
whenyoumarr
iedme."

"Thankyousist
er,
youwerej
ust26whenhedeci
dedtokeepyou
i
nhi shouseandworsehewas32year
sofage.Myboyf
riendi
s
also28,"

"
Don'tganguponmyf
ir
stl
oveni
na,
"hi
smot
hercomest
ohi
s
r
escue.

Imissedmyfamily
, Imissedhavi
ngt osi
tar
oundt
hetabl
ewit
h
them andl
aughwithoutanyonetryi
ngtokeepmeawayfr
om
them ormaki
ngthi
ngsawkwar d.

Thedoorbel lri
ngsandIf rown, whothef uckcouldi tbe?The
personwassupposedt ost artatthegate,issomet hingwrong
withitordidthepersonjumpov er?Ipushmychai rbackand
standupt ogoseewhoi tis.Theconv ersati
onisstillgoi
ngon
aroundthet abl
eandl aughterfil
lsmyhouse, mywal lsmustbe
shockedtoexper i
encesuchwar mt handhappi ness.Itwasalway
s
hosti
leandcol dwhenNof ot owasher e.Iopenmydoorandf r
own
whenIseet wopoli
ceof fi
cersatmydoor step.
"
Makhosi
niLukhel
e?"Oneasks.

"
Yes,
canIhel
pyou?
"

"
Wozasisi
,
"hesay
sandIgaspi
nshockwhenNof
otoappear
s,i
t
l
ooksl
i
keshewasbeat
entoapulp.

"
Ist
hist
heone?
"Theof
fi
cerasksandshenodswhi
l
ecr
ying.

"Yes,
thi
sismyhusband.Hecamehomedrunkyester
dayand
beatmeupbefor
ethrowingmeouti
nthest
reet
s."Shesays.

"
Areyoufucki
ngkiddi
ngme?"Iscr
eam att
hisl
unat
icandshe
t
akescov
erbehindonecop.

"
Youseehowmadheget
s?"Nof
otoi
sunbel
i
evabl
e.

"
Makhosi
niwhat
'sgoi
ngon?"Gatshaasksbehi
ndmeandIst
ep
t
othesi
desohecanseethecir
cusoutsidemydoor
.

"
Andt
hen?
"Heaskst
hecops.

"Thi
sladyherecamet oopenacaseagai nstMakhosi
niLukhel
e,
heisbeingchargedwithassaultwit
htheint
entofcausi
ng
gri
evousbodil
yharm."Ichortl
e,notbecauseIfi
ndthi
sfunnybut
becauseIcan'
tbeli
evehowunst abl
ethi
sbitchi
s.

"Nof
oto,Makhosi
nidi
dn'
tdot hi
stoy
ou.Whywoul
dyoul
i
e
agai
nsthimli
kethi
s?"-
Gatsha.

"Youwer
enotherewhenhebeatmeupy est
erdayGat
sha,y
our
sweetbr
otheri
sthedev
ilt
ome."Shesay
scr y
inghyst
eri
cal
l
y.

"
Yohy
ohy
oh!
"Shemakesmenumb.

"
Thi
sgi
rl
,Nombul
elowhatdoy
ouwantwi
thmychi
l
d?Whywon'
t
youjustl
eavehi
m alone?Hedoesn'twantyouanymore,youar
e
t
heonewhousedt oabusehi m andnowy ou'
reher
ecryingwhen
youknowhehasnev ertouchedevenahaironyourhead."My
mothersaysdef
eated.

"
Offi
cerIdon'
twanttotal
kt othesepeopl
e,pl
easearr
est
Makhosi
ni.Iwanthi
mt opayf orwhathedi
dtome, hi
smoney
mustnotsavehimfrom t
his."

"
Whi
chpol
i
cest
ati
onar
eyout
aki
ngmet
o?"Iask.

"
Sandt
on,
"

"Bro,cal
lmylawyerplease.
"Isayandhenods.Ir ememberthe
driverwashereyester
day,hecanv ouchforme.Hesawt hatI
didn'tt
ouchthiswoman, It
urntolookatmybr ot
herandwhisper
thatheshouldtakemyphoneandf indthenumbersavedas
Cedr i
candbringhimtothestati
on.

"Don'tworryfanoo, Iwillgetyouout ."ShesaysandIki ssher

cheek."Nombul eloBl angwe, youhav epokedasnakei ni t
'shol
e.I
havebeenwat chingy ouhur tmysonandIdi dn'tdealwi thyou
becausehest i
llcared,butnowsi siI
'm abouttoshowy ouwho
Cebisil
eLukhel eis.Noonepl ay swithmychi l
dren,noone.Ihope
youar ereadyforwhaty ou'vest ar
ted.Youtoucht hoseIcar e
aboutandI '
llsurelyreturnthef avor.
"Mamasay stoNof otosof
tl
y.

Itakeadeepbr eathandbr oadenmyshoulder

sasIwal
ktothe
waiti
ngpoli
cev an.Idon'twantthisgi
rlt
oseemeasweak,Igav
e
herthesat
isfacti
onal otandI'm doi
ngitnomore.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER08

SPONSOREDBYEMI
LY

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Igulpdownt hebott l
eofwat eri nonego, Ididn'
tthinkI'
dscr eam
thi
smuch.Undi phil
eandIar ri
vedl ateandt hegamehadal ready
start
ed, wefoundt heper fectseat sont hegr andstandsandI
cheeredhi m on.Whenhehear dmyv oicehest art
edenj oyi
ngt he
game, myl i
ttl
ebrot hermostpr obabl ythoughtIwasn' tcomingas
Ipromised.Itwassuchanemot ional gamef orme, becauseI
real
izedhowmyhar dworkaf fordedmybr otherabetterli
feand
educationthanIr eceived.Iknowi t'snotenough, thathe's
starvi
ngemot i
onall
ybutt hat'sav oidIcannotf il
l
,nomat t
erhow
muchIt r
yhewi ll
alway sneedhi spar ent slov eandaf f
ecti
on.

Wear ewai tingf orAtangbyt hechangingr oom doors,thecoach

agreedt ogiv eusaf ewmi nuteswi thhim becausetheyhav eto
retur
nt otheboar di
nghousef orhomewor k.Undiphil
eandIgot
him afewcl ot hesandsomet r
eats,Ihopet hesecompl etehisday.
Thedoor sopenandwewat chasl i
tt
leboysr untotheirparents
behindus, Iam i mpatientasIt apmyf ootont hepavement .Ijust
wantt oenv elopemyar msar oundmybr otherandtell
hi m how
proudIam ofhi m.Undi phil
ecl aspsmyhandandIl ookathert o
fi
ndt hemostbeaut i
fulsmil
epl aster
edacr ossherface, Iam
blessedtohavethi
sgir
linmyli
feandcallhermybestfr
iend.She
sacrif
icedherdayj
ustt
ocomewi thmeher e,Undi
hasafairshare
oflif
e'sprobl
emsbutshealwaysshowsupf orme.OnedayIwi l
l
showherj usthowmuchIappreci
ateher
.

"Lemo,
"hi
ssof
tvoi
cecal
l
soutandIdr
opt
omykneeswi
thmy
armsopen.

"
Ati
!"Myey
esar
eal
readyswi
mmi
ngi
ntear
s,Godhe'
ssogr
own.

"
Youmadei
t,
"hesay
sgi
vi
ngmeawar
m embr
ace.

Itakeadeepbreat
h,"
IpromisedIwouldAt
i,t
hatwasabeaut
if
ul
game.Ienjoy
edwatchi
ngy ou,
"Isayandhechuckl
esandl
et'
sgo
ofme.

"
Wel
ostmos,
"Undi
phi
l
elaughs.

"I
tdoesn'tmatt
er,youstil
lperf
ormedbetterthanthem."Aproud
smil
ecr eepsonhisface,thefacethatl
ooksexactlyl
iketheman
wholeftusbeforehewasev enborn.Thi
siswhyIf eell
ikemy
mom hasal ovehatet hi
ngforAtang,helooksli
kehim.Theman
sheloveswholeheartedl
yandwhoal soleftherheart
brokenwit
h
twokidsandnoexpl anati
on.

"Ican'
twai
tforyoutocomehomeduringthehol
i
day
s,"Isayand
hissmil
edisappear
s."
Areyouokay
?"Iask.

"Idon'
twanttogohome,Idon'
twantt
oseemama.
"Hesay
sandI
quickl
yshakemyhead.

"
No,
noy
ouwon'
tbegoi
ngwher
eyoudon'
twantt
o.Ist
aywi
th
si
s'
Undi
phil
eatourfl
at,
you'
l
lvi
situst
her
e."Isayandt
her
e's
somesenseofr
eli
efonhisf
ace.

Mymot herr
eal
lymessedupmyl i
tt
lebrot
her
.Iknowhe' safrai
dof
herbutIdi
dn'
tthi
nkhewouldn'
twanttoseeher.Iassumed
becausehe'
ssti
ll
younghewouldwanthismom ev enafterall
she'
sdone.

"Wewi
llwat
chsomehockeygamesonl
i
neandy
ou'
l
lteachus
howi
t'
splay
edyes?
"-Undi
phi
le.

At
ang'
sfacel
ight
sup,hereal
lyenj
oysthissport
.Whoknowswe
mi
ghthaveabil
li
onai
respor
tsmanrighthere.

Il
ookupandfi
ndt
hecoachst
andi
ngj
ustaf
ewf
eetawayf
rom us,
Iheav
easigh.

"Youareastrong,amazingboyAt ang.Neverfeeloutofpl
ace,
you
deserv
et obehere.Focusony ourbooks,i
t'sfi
rstpri
ori
tyt
hen
hockey.Whateveryouneed,Iwil
lprovidet
ot hebestofmyabili
ty.
Ilov
ey ousomuch. "Isayandhenodsandhugsme.

"
Ilov
eyout
ooLemohang,
"myhear
tisheav
yformychest
.

"Yourcoachhastotakeyoubacktotheboardi
nghouse,Iwi
l
l see
yousoon.Igotyousomethings,
you'l
lpeepwhenyougettoyour
bedroom."Iki
sshisshoul
derandletgo.Mykneesare
complaini
ngnow.

"
Thanky
ouLemo,
byesi
s'
Undi
phi
l
e."Hewav
est
omyf
ri
end.

"
Byeboy
,wewil
lseey
oudur
ingt
hehol
i
day
s."Henodsandt
akes
t
hepl
asti
cs.
Iwatchashegoest ohiscoach,whohasAt ang'
sschoolbag
hangingonhisshoulder.Thebigbuffwhit
eguyhel pshim car
ry
theplast
icsbeforehelooksatmeandnods.Ij ustholdoutmy
handwi t
hasmi le,t
ryi
ngtoholdbackmyt ears.Theydisappear
aroundthecornerandmyhear tisl
eftinshambles.

ImissAtangsomuch, t
hefewminutesweren'
tenough.Iwantt
o
takehi
m outtoeat,takehi
mt oathemepark.Iwanttosharea
bedwithhim andli
stentoall
thestor
ieshehastotel
lmeabout
schoolandhishockeyteam.

"Youareanamazi ngsister,
Lemohang.IwishIhadabi gsist
er
l
ikeyouinmycor ner.Iknowy ouaregoingthr
oughthemostbut
alwaysbegratef
ul t
ohav easibli
ng.IwishIhadone,because
whenmyGr andmaki ckst hebuckettheni
t'
soverforme.My
auntswil
lbereadytocutmeof f,
"ShesaysandIholdherhand.

"
Youhav
emeUndi
phi
l
e,t
hesamewayIknowIhav
eyoubabe.
"

"
Iappr
eci
atey
ousomuch,
fri
end.
"Shej
ustwant
smet
ocr
y.

Wegett oEbuka' shouse, wecametodropoffhiscar

.Iam
grat
efulthathebor r
owedushi smachine,i
tmadet hi
ngsvery
easyforus.Ther eareaf ewcarsi
nhisdri
veway,andmusicis
pl
ayinginside.It
'sNiger
ianmusic,i
tmustbeWal ethr
owinga
part
yonaThur sday.Ebukaonlystar
tspart
yingonFri
day,I
honestl
ydon' tunder
standhowt heydri
nkeachandev er
y
weekend.Theirpoorl
iver
sandkidneysaregoingthr
oughthe
most,i
tcouldneverbeme.ButI '
m pr
obablysayingt
hisbecause
I'
m br
oke,may bemoneywi l
lchangemeandI '
llbepoppi
ng
champagnelikemyl i
fedependedonit.

"Mygirl
s,"hi
svoicesay
sassoonaswegeti
nsi
dethelounge."
I
didn'
tknowy ougir
lswi
llbecomi
ngt
oday
."Headds.

"
Wehadt
obr
ingbacky
ourcar
,"hel
aughs.

"Iwasn'
tevenexpect
ingi
tti
l
lnextweek,
"If
rown,
whywoul
dwe
keephiscarfort
hatl
ong.

"No,youwer eki
ndenought obor rowi
ttous.Whywouldwestay
withitt
hatlong?Ruinthetrustyouhadforuswithyourpr
opert
y
andruinthechancesofy ouhelpingusagai
ninti
meofneed? "
Undiphi
lesay smythoughtsandEbukasmi l
eslooki
ngather.

"
What
'shappeni
ngher
e?"Iask.

"Ohcomethroughtot
hegarden,
wear ehav
ingay oungbraai
."He
saysgest
uri
ngwi t
hhi
slef
thandbecausehi
srightishol
dinga
champagneflut
e.

Somuchf
orsay
ingheonl
ypar
ti
esonFr
iday
s.

"
Whatar
eyoucel
ebr
ati
ng?
"Iaskaswef
oll
owhi
mtot
hegar
den.

"Wearewelcomi
ngt
woofourbr
other
s,t
heyar
efr
eshf
rom t
he
boat
."Huh?

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"-Undi
phi
l
e.
"
Oht
heyj
ustgoti
nthecount
ryf
rom Ni
ger
ia,
"ohhhh.

Wegett othegardenandi t'

sjustagroupofguy schil
li
ngont he
gardenlounger
s, t
here'sal
coholforabouttwentypeoplehereand
there'
sonlysevenoft hem.Twooft hem l
ooknot hi
ngliket
her est
,
there'
snoGucci orLuisVuitt
onont hem,justj
eansandspar kli
ng
shoeswi t
hmatchingt ops.Theywouldbemi stakenforcar
d
scammer sbackint heVaal.

Ebukasay ssomet hingtothem indeeppidgi

nEnglish,
thatthe
onlythingIhearisLemohangandUndi .Waleisnotapar tofthem,
Iwonderwher et hatoneis.Hetell
suswhot henewguy sare,I
don'taskwhatt heycameher etodoev enthoughI'
m curious.Two
oftheguy sgetupf rom t
heirseatssoUndiphi
leandIcansi t,he
offersuschampagneandIaskf oraglassofginandtonic
i
nst ead.Undi
phileisachampopogi rl
,solongasit'
sav ai
lableon
theselecti
onshewi l
lal
way schooseit
.

"
HowwasAt
ang'
sgame?
"EbukaasksandIsmi
l
e.

"
Itwasgr
eat,event hought
heyl
ost
.Hewashappyt
oseeme,
t
hankyouagain."Isayandhegi
vesmeagenui
nesmil
e.

"
Bigbr
otherwi
l
lal
way
spr
ovi
def
ory
oubot
h,"Iappr
eci
atet
his
mansomuch.

Lagos,
myguar
dianangel
.

"Ineedt
hebat
hroom,
wher
ecanIf
indone,
Ebuka?
"Undi
phi
l
e
asks.
"Theguy shavebeenusi
ngt heonedownst ai
rs,
they'
vemost
probablypeedontheseat .Pleasegousetheoneupst ai
rs,f
ir
st
doorony ourl
eft.
"Hesay sandmyf ri
endgetsup,headedtothe
openf r
enchdoors.Inot
iceEbuka' seyeshaven'
tlef
tUndi,butI
don'tbl
amehi m.Thegir
l hasasmal lwaistandabigroundass.

"Af
lywil
lent
ery
ourmout
h."Isayhi
tt
inghi
sshoul
dergent
lyand
hel
aughs.

"Comewi t
hmef orasecond,
"hesay
sandIfoll
owhimt ot
he
gri
ll
er,
farfr
om t
heloudchatt
erinal
anguageIdon'
tunder
stand.

"
Yourf
ri
end,
whatki
ndofper
soni
sshe?
"HeasksandIf
rown.

"Who?Undiphi
le?
"Henodswi
thaseri
ousface,
li
kewear
e
discussi
ngsomethi
ngwor
thmil
l
ionsofr
ands.

"
Yes,
whatki
ndofper
soni
sshe?
"Ichuckl
e.

"Don'
ttel
lmeyouwanther
,Ebukano.Iknowyouandthel
ineof
gir
lsyouent
ert
ainatt
hecl
ub.You'
l
ljusthur
tmyfri
end.
"Isayand
henods.

"Ili
kehav ingagoodt ime, Ientert
aingirl
sforfunbecauseI '
ma
singleman.Ineedsex, t
heywantmoneysoi thappens,that
doesn' tmakemeabadman.Yourf riendcaughtmyat t
entionlast
weekwhenIof fer
edy ougi r
lsmycarandshesai dshe'll
cov erthe
pat r
ol.She'sli
keyou,y oudon'tjusttakethi
ngs,youhav etowor k
forthem orchi rpi
n."Hepausesandt akesasipofhischampagne.
"Iam notay oungboyLemohang, Iwanttosettl
esomedayand
hav ekids.Iwantawomanwhowi ll
knowhowt oprotectmy
i
nt erests,
awomanwhowi l
lknowhowt omakemoneywi thme.I
havenev ermetthekindy ouandUndi phil
eare,I
'vetakenyouas
mysisterandImeani t
.I'm cur
iouswithyourfri
end,Iwanttosit
downandhav econversationswithher.Li
stentohowhermi nd
worksandei t
herbedr awni nmor eorstepback.I'
m notsayingwe
wil
lendupbei nghusbandandwi febutI'm say
ingIwantt osee
something,andifIfi
ndt hatsomet hi
ngI'l
ldeci
de.Iwon'tdo
anyt
hingt opurposel
yhur ther,
"hesay sandIbitetheinsi
deofmy
mouth.

"Undiphi
leist ough,f
ocusedandhasabi ghear t.Sheav ai
ls
herselff
ort hoseshelovesanddoesn'tmindgi vingupev enher
l
astcentj usttosolvesanotherper
son'sproblems.Shegoest he
extramilefort hoseshehol
dsdear,andshewi l
l fi
ghtunti
lherlast
dropofbl oodf orwhatshebeli
evesin.
"Iexplainandhe' ssmili
ng
l
ikeaCheshi r
ecat .

"She'
safemalevi
sionofme,"hesayspr
oudandandIr ol
lmy
eyes."
Don'
ttel
lherIasked,
Iwanttoimpr
essherunexpectedl
y.
"I
nod.

Undi
philehasn'
thadastabl
eboyfri
endsinceI'
veknownher,i
t'
s
onl
ybeent hosescr
atchi
nganit
chsituat
ions.It
rustEbukaf
orme,
butI
'm skepti
cal
aboutwhathejustsai
dregardi
ngUndi.

Wegobackt oourseat sandIremembert ocheckmyphonei n

thebag, Ihardlygaveitaglancet oday
.Ipowert hescr
eenonand
thereare7mi ssedcall
sandat extmessagef r
om Mabutho.Shi
t!I
total
lyforgottoinfor
m him whenIgothomef r
om thegame,the
l
astwespokewaswhenwewer eaboutt
ol eaveforAt
ang'
s
school.Iopent hetextanditleavesmecol d.
MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Ihadtosleepi ntheholdingcel lslastni ghtandwai tforthecourt

s
toopensoIcanappl yf orbail.Idon' tthi
nkI'veeverbeent hatmad
ataperson, whatki ndofcr azyi sNombul el
osufferi
ngf rom?Who
wouldendur esuchbr utali
tyjusttopi nitonme, t
ellmehonest ly
whodoest hat?Lastni ghtIdi dn'
tsl eepawi nk,Ikeptt ry
ingto
rememberhowi tallbeganwi thus.HowIcoul dhav epossibl
y
missedthatsomet hingwasser i
ousl ywr ongwithher ,Iwondered
i
fIwasj ustst upidandbl indedbyl ov eorNombul elowasan
amazingact ressbecausedamnt hatgi r
lmademebel i
eveshe'sa
sai
ntuntilsheshowedmehert r
ueper son.

Mybai lwaspostedandIwasf reet ocomehome, mybrotherwas

theonewhocamet ocourtandbr oughtmehome.Mymot her
hasn'tbeenhomesinceIgother e,Ideci
dedtocomeher e
becauseIdon'twanttobealonei nmycol dhouseandbel osti
n
thought.Atl
easther
e,Mveloandmymot herwil
lannoymewi th
thei
rloudnessandunnecessaryf ussi
ng,Iwil
ltakethatoverthe
memor i
esinmyhousewiththatwoman.

Myphonerings,i
t'
sanumberIdonotr ecognize,Ijusthopeit'
s
notanot
herrepor
teraski
ngquest
ions.Thosepeopl earevul
tures,
you'
dwonderhowt heygetwi
ndofsucht hings.Irefusedgiv
inga
commentt oacoupleofrepor
ter
sout
sidethecourtr
oom andto
thosethatcall
ed,I
'dswit
choffmyphonebutIcan'tbecausemy
businessesrequi
remyphonet obeonatallt
imes.Hencemy
brotherkepti
twithhimyester
daywhenthecopstookme.

"
Nocomment
,"Iansweri
ncasei
t'
soneoft
hem.

"
Ijustdr
oppedthecase,
tel
lthatol
dhagtostopwhatshe'
sdoi
ng
t
omysi bli
ngsandmymot herMakhosi
ni.
"It
sNombulel
o.

"
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Iaskbor
ed.

"
She'
spl
ayi
ngGodwi
thmyf
ami
l
y,t
ell
hert
ost
op.
"She'
scr
ying.

"Di
dyoustopwit
hme?Wer eyougoingt
ost
opi
fmymot
herdi
dn'
t
dowhatev
eriti
sshe'
sdone?"Iask.

"Idi
dn'
tdoany
thingtothem,i
twasy ouIwasfi
ghti
ngwit
h.Tell
hertol
eavemyfamilyoutofthispl
ease,"Ohsoshecanbeg,wow,
whatev
ermyfather'
swifedi
di sworking.

"Fuckof
fNof ot
o,"Ihangupandt
rymymot
her
'snumberbuti
t
goesstr
aighttovoicemai
l.

I'
l
ljustwaitforhertocomehomeandt ellmewhatshedi d,Iknow
shedi dn'
tplayni
ce.Nombulel
owouldn'thavecall
edmebeggi ng
i
fit'
snot hi
ng,whatevershedi
dI'
m gr
ateful.Thewomanwas
cl
ear l
ynotgoingtoleavemebe,shewoul dhavecameaf terme
eacht imeherprevi
ousattemptt
orui
nmef ail
ed.Hopeful
lymy
mot her'
slessonwil
lmakeherbackoff.Igrabmyl apt
opfrom the
coffeetableandcont i
nuewi t
hmywor k,Ican'tbebehindwithmy
breadandbut t
erbecauseoft hi
swoman' sshenanigans.Ineedto
ri
deont hi
sscaredwav eshe'son,makehersi gnthedivorce
paper sandgethert owrit
eanaf fi
davi
tthatsaysshewant s
nothingf r
om themar r
iage.Iwasstupi
denought omar ryherin
communi tyofpropert
ybutafteral
lthehellsheputmet hrough
Nombul elodeservesnothingthatIworkedsohar dfor.

"
Makhosi
ni!Fanoo!
"That
'
smymom.

"Lounge,"Ir
espondandafewsecondsl
atershewalksi
nt he
room, hummi ngsomesongIcan'
tmakeout.She'
sinareall
y
goodmood.

"Ihav
ecal l
edyouruncl
etocomecleanseyou,
Idon'
twantt
he
darkcloudofpri
sontofol
lowyou.
"Inod.

"
Thanksmawami
,
"sheset
tl
esdownont
hecouchopposi
teme.

"Howl
ongwill
youbestay
ing?Iwassoexcit
edwheny
ourbr
other
sai
dyou'
rehome.
"Hersmilei
sinf
ect
ious.

"I
'
m sel
li
ngmyhouse,
I'
ll
leav
ewhenIgetsomet
hingIl
i
ke.
"She
cl
apsexcit
ed.

"I
'
llhavesomeonetocookforever
yday
, Mvel
ohar
dlyeats
becauseshe'sonsomediett
hatshedropswhenIst
artcooki
ng
tr
ipe.
"Ichuckle.

"
Sabot
agingyourowndaught
er?That
'scr
uel
ma.
"Isayandshe
r
oll
shereyes.
"
She'salr
eadybones,whatwei
ghti
sshetr
yingtol
ose?I
fstrong
wi
ndscomet hey'
llbl
owherawayli
keapaper,wewoul
dfindher
i
nKZN. "Hai
bo!Thi
swomani sthr
owingmeintoafi
tofl
aughter
.I
wonderwhatshesaysaboutmetomysibl
ings.

Icat
chmybr
eat
h,"
ma,
you'
reexagger
ati
ng"her
aisesaney
ebr
ow.

"Whatdoy
ouknowwena,
"shesaysdi
smi
ssi
ngmyopi
nion.My
si
steri
spr
obabl
yasi
ze34,t
hat
'snott
ooski
nny
.

"
Sot
ell
meCebi
sil
emaNgobeseLukhel
e,
"Isay
.

"
That
'sme,
int
hef
leshFanoo.
"

Mymot
her
'sconf
idencei
sal
way
spr
esent
.

"Whatdi
dyoudot
oNof
otoandherf
ami
l
y?"Sheshr
ugsher
shoul
der
s.

"
Not
hingIdi
dn'
tpr
omi
set
odo,
baba.
"Isqui
ntmyey
es.

"
Whatexact
lymama?
"Shecr
ossesherl
egs.

"It
ookthecabdrivertohermot her'
shouseandt oldherhe's
alr
eadywrit
tenanaf fi
dav i
tthatstatesthathedroppedherof fi
n
Duduzawithoutasinglemar konherski n.Thatthedr i
verwanted
toopenacaseofassaul tbecauseshescr at
chedhi m,heev en
hadscarstoproveit.Shewasal itt
lepanickedbyt hatbutshe
almostpeedherpant swhenIsai dwewi llbesui
ngherf or
defamati
onofcharact er
.Itoldherwecanav oi
dall ofthatf
oras
l
ongasshegoest odr opthechar ges."I
'm sl
owlynoddi ng.

"
Andherf
ami
l
y?Whatdi
dyoudot
othem?
"Sheheav
esasi
gh.

"
Thosepeopl
ear
esnakes,
thebr
otheri
stheonewhobeatNof
oto
toapulp.Theyhavebeenf
uel
inghertodoallt
hesebadthi
ngsto
yousoIhadt oteacht
hem al
esson.
"Ial
readysuspect
edthather
brot
herwast heonewhodidt
hattoher.

"Beforey oumar r
iedt hatgi rl,Idi dabackgr oundcheckoneach
andev ery oneoft hem. "OhCebi sile."Thei nf ormat ioncamei n
handyl astni ghtf orcomi ngupwi thapl ant osquasht hat
cockr oach.YouknowI '
m av er yinf luential womanson, oncei na
whi l
eIusemyi nfl
uence.Nombul elol ovesherf ami ly,shewoul d
doany thingf ort hem.Shehur tmysonf ort hel ongestt imeandI
hadt ost andbyandwat chi twi t
houtdoi ngany thi ng, herf amily
coul dhav ecal l
edhert oor derbutt heydi dnot hing.Nonoft hem is
i
nnocentsot heymustal lsuff erf ort heirdaught erandsi ster.The
houset heyl i
vei nbel ongedt ot hei rgr andf ather ,thei rfat hers
father.Thei rfatheri snomor easy ouknowbuthest il
l hasone
sisterwhol i
vesar oundEastRand, Ipaidherav isitandwhenI
ment i
onedNombul elo'smot hershel osti t.Thatwomanabused
herbr otherandt urnedt obl amehi mt ot heirchi ldren, hel eftto
protecthi msel fbuthi schi ldrenhat edhi mf orwhathedi dn'tdo
butwhatwasdonet ohi m.Nombul elosuckedt heabuseand
evil
nessf rom hermot her."Thi si snews, Nombul elohat esher
fatherbecausehewasabusi v eandhi sf ami lyhat edhermom and
suppor tedal lhedi dt ot hem, shehat esherf atherf oral l thethings
hermom di d.Whywoul dt hei rmot herbet hatev ilthough?" Since
theaunti st heonl ysur viv
ingsi blingoft hei rfathert hehouse
belongst oher ,l
ucki l
yshehast het i
tl
edeed.Shedi dn' twantt o
putt hem outoft hehouseandbel abeledabi ttersi steri nlaw, but
hear i
ngwhatNombul elodi dshegotmad.Iof fer edherser ious
moneyf ort hehouseandsheaccept ed.Tomor rowwear egoing
topaythemuni ci
palbil
lsowecanbeabl et
ochanget hedeed.
Aft
ertr
ansferr
ingthemoneyt ot
heauntsheaccompaniedmet o
gotel
lthevil
efami l
ythattheyhaveoneweektoleav
emyhouse. "
Igaspi
nshock.

Cebi
sil
ewasseri
ouswi
thhermissi
onmos,
she'
sal
readymadea
paymentt
otheaunt
.Kushubi
l
e.

"
Yeima,that'
s.
..
uhm that
'sshuuu.
..
"Shenodsandt
akesouta
mintf
rom herhandbag.

"Ialsocall
edthewor kplaceofthebrotherwhobeatherupsoshe
cancl ai
mt hatyoudidit
."Ohno."IthappensthatIknowthe
owneroft heconstruct
ioncompany ,Iaskedhimtocallhi
s
foremanandt el
lhi
mt ofir
ethatboyimmedi at
ely.
"

"
Hai
bo!Hewi
l
lgot
oCCMA.
"Shecl
i
ckshert
ongue.

"
Letmegost
artpr
epar
ingdi
nner
,whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?"

Mymot herdoesn'
tmakeidlethr
eat s,
shetoldNombulelot
hatshe
wil
lcomeaf t
erthoseshelovesandcar eaboutandinl
essthat24
hourst
hegirlhasdeli
ver
ed.Idon'tevenfeelsor
ryfort
hem.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER09

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"Youar
ealwaysonthatdamncomput er,
Pret
ty."Myfat
heri
s
home,youcantel
lbytheshouti
ng.That
'swhattheydoeachti
me
hecomeshomef rom hi
sendlessbusi
nesstr
ips.

"I
fyouwerehomemore,
Iwoul
dn'
tneedtobeonthatcomput
er
tal
ki
ngtopeopl
eonl
i
nenowwouldI?"Mymothershout
sri
ght
back.

Ihonest lydon'tknowwhyt heydon' tgetadi vorce.Ourf amilyand

homei sbeaut i
fult othosewhoar el ookingfrom t heoutsi
debut
ther e'
snothingher eotherthanl oneliness,neglectandpai n.My
par entsdon'thav emyt i
me, theydon' tcareaboutme.Eacht imeI
tryt otalkt
ot hem aboutmypr oblemst heyjustt hrowmoneyat
met ogobuycl othes, goonv acationsorchangemycart ot he
l
at estmodel .Myf atherisalway strav el
li
ngthewor ldcl
aiming
thathe' sonsomebusi nesst ri
pbutIdon' tbuyt hatforami nute,
a
par tofmesuspect sthathe'sdat i
ngt heseslayqueensandhe' s
busyshowi ngt hem t hewor l
d.

"
Ihavetowor
k,whowil
ltakecareofusi
fI'
m al
way
sher
e?"That
's
whatheal
waysasksmymot her
.

Thatonei
sanot
herst
ory
,ev
ersi
ncemysi
sterdr
ownedanddi
ed
shehasn'tbeenhersel
f,sheblamesher sel
f.Myfatherandour
famil
ybacki nGi
yanial
sobl ameher,theysayshewasdr unkas
alwaysbutsheclai
mssher antothekitchentor
emov et hepoton
thest
oveandwhenshewentbackout si
demyl i
tt
lesisterwas
fl
oati
ng.

"Youdon'thavetoworkli
kethis,Akani.Youar eneverherefor
yourdaughterandI
.Thelogisti
csbusinessbr ingsseri
ousmoney,
youdon'thavetodotheseinternati
onalbusinessesthatkeepyou
awayfrom usformonthsonend. "Myfatherscoffs.

"Whyarey ousayi
ngthati
nader i
siv
emanner?Youareli
v i
ngina
damnmansi on,dr
ivi
ngthelat
estcarsandshoppi
ngdesigner
cl
othes.Ihavetoworkforyoutobeabletol
eadthisl
i
festyl
e
Pret
ty.
"Mymom l aughs.

IthinkI'vehear denoughoft hisconv er

sat i
on.Igetupf rom t he
coldmar blefl
oorandheadupst airs.Thisweekhasbeent he
hardest ,especiall
yaftermydoct or'
sv i
sit.I
'vehadt hisurget ocut
my selfbecauseI '
vealway sfeltit'sbettertodeal wi thphy sical
painthatemot ionalpain.Butsi nceImetmyboy fri
endIst opped
becausehel i
stenedtomycr iesandhel pedmet hroughmypai n.I
onlywi shourr elati
onshipwaspubl i
cbecauseI '
dst op
entertainingothermenwhenhedoesn' thavemyt i
me.Butr ight
nowt her e'snowaywear en'
tgoi ngt obepubl ic,mypar entswi l
l
defini
telywantt oknowhi m andaskofhi sintentionssincewe
fi
ndour selvesinthissituati
on.Asmuchashe' sasl aykingi n
Johannesbur g,he'sat r
aditi
onal manf rom Gi yani.
Igettomyr oom andchanget heshortdressIhadon, Iwantt
o
dri
vetoRimsui gtotalktohim.Ihav ebeent r
yinghisphonesinceI
gotbackfrom thedoct orandhehasn' tbeenpickingup.Thenews
Ihaveshouldn'tbediscussedov erthephone,wehav etotal
k
aboutitf
acet ofaceanddeci deonawayf or
war d.Igrabmy
hangbagfrom thecouchbyt hewindowandheadout .Thenoise
hasdied,t
hankGod.Hopef ull
yhel eavessoon, Ican'
tdealwit
h
thei
rconstantbicker
ingov erthesamet hing.

"Amu,
"myfathercal
lsoutwhenI'
m aboutt
oopenmydoor.Ilook
backandf
indhim si
tt
ingonthebenchnearthewat
erf
ount
ain.

"
Hi,
"Isay
.

"
I'
m home,
"hoor
ay,
isheexpect
ingapar
ty?

"
Ihear
dpapa,
whenar
eyoul
eav
ing?
"Hegaspsi
nshock.

"
AmuIj
ustgoti
nandy
ou'
real
readyaski
ngwhenI
'
mleav
ing?
"

Ishrug,
"it
'snotl
i
keyoueverst
ayforl
ong,I'
m aski
ngsoIknow
notbehurtwhenIgetbackandyou'
regone.
"Hecloseshi
seyes
asifpai
ned.

"I
'
m goingtobehomef orawhi
lenow,may beamonthorso.
"I
nod."
Iwashopingtotakeyououtf
ordinnerandhearhowyou'
ve
beendoing.
"If
rown.

"
Ihav
etogosomewhere,
maybet
omorr
ow.Idon'
tknow,
"Iopen
mydoorandcl
i
mbin.Heget
supfr
om t
hebenchwhenIstar
tthe
engi
neandbur
yhi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
s.

Igett oRuimsigandmyhear tisbeati

nghardagainstmychest ,
I'
m ner v
oust otell
Booaboutwhatt hedoct
orsaid.Iam j
ust
hopingt hathe'
sinagoodmood, Boocansomet i
mesbe
unreasonablebuthe'sonlyhuman.Hei s90percentgoodt ome
andt hef ewti
meshel oosesitIneedtobeunderstandi
ng.Ipress
theintercom atthegateandheanswer saf
terafewmi nutes.

"
Yeah,
"he'
sbor
edLor
d.

"
Boo,
it'
sme.
"Isaysof
tl
y.

"
Pinkypi
nky
?"Heasks.

"Yes,wereall
yneedtotal
kpl
ease.
"Iam beggingher
e.Hest
ays
quietforafewsecondsandt
hegateopens,thankGod.

Ihopet henewsbr i
nghim closertome,hehasbeensogoodt o
me.He' sbeenmyshoul derinthetoughestoftimes,Ist i
l
l sayour
meetingwasmeantt obe.Mypar entswerenotongoodt erms
l
atelasty ear,Iwasbusywi thmyexamswhent heirf
ightbecame
physi
cal .IknewIneededt ot al
ktosomeoneandt henext
morningIr ant ostudentsupportandcouncil
,Iwassohy st er
ical
.I
bumpedi ntohim bythedoorandhet ookmet ohisof f
ice.Hewas
sowar m andgent le,hemademet al
kaboutital l
.Becauseof
Mabut hoIwasabl etofini
shmyexamsandpass.Whent he
univ
ersitycl
osedheal l
owedmet ocal lhim whent hi
ngsgott ough
duri
ngt heholi
day s,Iconf
idedinhi m alotandnat ural
lywef ellf
or
eachot her
.Het ol
dmehowhef el
tandIwasal r
eadyt akenbyhi m.
We'vebeent ogethersincethenbuthehadt ostopbei ngmy
doctorbutbecausehe' smyboy fr
iendheal l
owsmet ot alktohim
whent hegoingget stough.Ifeelbadt hatI'vecheatedonhi ma
fewtimesbutIonl ydothatwhenIf eellonel
yandhei sn' tthere
forme.Weneedt obecar efulatalltimesandsomet i
mesmy
emot i
onscan'tbepausedsowhoev ergivesmeat tentionatt hat
ti
meIt akeittonumbt heemot i
onal pain.

"Whatarey
oudoingher
eAmukel
ani
?"HeaskssoonasIwal
kin
andIcastmyey
esdown.

"
Ineededt
otal
kBoo,
"heheav
esasi
gh.

"Youknowyoujustcan'
tshowupher
e,whati
foneofmy
coll
eagueswashere?"

Ipr
essmylipsi
ntoathi
nli
ne,
Ihateitwhenhetr
eat
smel
i
kea
chi
l
d.I'
m a21yearol
dwomanf orGodssake.

"
Itr
iedcal
l
ingbutyoudidn'
tanswer
,it'
surgent
."Hewal
kst
othe
l
oungeandgoestostandbythesli
dingdoor.

"
I'
mli
steni
ng?
"He'
sbor
edbymeandt
hathur
tsAF.

"Pl
easecomesitbyme,
"Iam gi
vi
nghi
m mypuppyey
es,
Iknow
hedoesn'
tsaynotomewhenImakethisf
ace.

"
Amukel
ani
please,
I'
m goi
ngt
hroughsomet
hingher
e."Hesay
s
andhesoundsl
i
kei
t,Iwonderwhat
'sgoi
ngon.

"
I'
m sor
ryt
oheart
hat
,"I
'
m hopi
ngt
hatt
heseknewscheerhi
m up.

Ist
andupandsl owlywal
ktowardshim,he'
slooki
ngatme
i
ntensel
y.Ij
uststopafewfeetf
rom him.

"Boo,
Iwenttot
hedoctoronWednesdayaf
termycl
asses,
"Isay
andhenarr
owshisey
es.

"
Okay
?"

"Thedoct
ort
oldmet
hatI
'
m pr
egnant
,"Isayandhef
reezes,
closi
nghi
seyes.

"
Excuseme?
"Hi
sbar
it
onesay
sint
imi
dat
ingme.

"Boo,
wear egoi
ngtobeparent
s."Hestar
tsf
anninghi
sfacewi
th
bothhands,t
hetemper
atur
eintheroom i
sverycool
.

Helaughsi
ndisbel
iefandmyst
omachf
eel
sli
kei
t'
sbei
ng
at
tackedbypi
ranhas.

"Ar
ey oufuckenki
ddingme?Whyt hehellwer
en'tyouonbir
th
contr
ol?"He'
smad, avei
nispoppi
nginhisforehead.Ist
epback
becauseIdon'tl
i
kehowhe'slooki
ngrightnow.

"
Boo,
youknowI
'
venev
erbeenonanybi
rt
hcont
rol
."

"Howsur
eam It
hatI'
mthef
atherAmukel
ani
?"HeasksandI
all
owmytear
stofal
l
.

"
Howcany
ouev
enaskmet
hat
?"Her
aisesaney
ebr
ow.

"
That
'sar
het
ori
cal
quest
ionr
ight
?"heasksf
oldi
nghi
sar
ms.
"Mabut
ho?
"Who'
sthi
smanandwhathashedonewi
thmysweet
per
son?

"Doyouthi
nkI'
m stupi
d?Iknowaboutthesoccerpl
ayer
sy ou
gal
iv
antJohannesburgwi
th,theol
dbusinessmanyouentert
ain
whenyou'r
eoutpartyi
ngl
ikealoosewhore."

Igasp,"
Boo,no.I
t'
snot
..
.Ipromi
sei
t'
snotwhati
tlooksl
i
ke.
..I
l
ovey ouMabutho.
"Heshakeshi
shead.

"It
rust
edy ouPinkyPinkybutyouweret akingmef orafool.I
'
ve
neverevenlookedatanotherwomansi nceIst ar
tedwithyoubut
youcouldn'
tjusthol
dy our
selfunt
il2year spassessoour
rel
ati
onshipcanbepubl i
c.Youknowunt ilthenit
'sst
il
lunethi
cal
todatesomeoneI '
vehadasapat ient
."Hesay sandI '
m shaki
ng
myheadwi t
htearsst
reamingdownmyf ace.

"
Pleasefor
giv
emepl
ease,
"heshakeshi
sheadwi
thhi
sownt
ear
s
f
all
ing.

"Leav
eAmukelani
,goandf
indt
hef
atherofy
ourbaby
."Hesay
s
point
ingt
othedoor.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Iam t
ir
edandcr anky,myl ackofsl
eepl
astni
ghtisshowingon
menow.Ev enthisnightseemst obecr
awli
ng,Ij
ustwanttogo
homeandcur l
my sel
finbed.Ican'
tbel
i
evemyr el
ati
onshiponl
y
l
astedforaday,afterreadingMabut
ho'
smessagey est
erdayI
tri
edhi snumberbuthedidn'
tpickup.Itri
edinthemor ni
ngand
throughoutthedaybutnothi
ngst i
l
l.Ishoul
dhav edonebetter
,I
knowI 'minexper
iencedbutIshouldhaveremember edtocall
him
whenIgotbackt oJohannesbur gyester
day.It
akeoutmyphone
andr eadthemessageagain,itl
eavesmyey esblindedbytear
s.

MAYBEYOUARENOTREADYFORMYLOVELEMOHANG.I FYOU
CAN'
TDOSOMETHI NGASSI
MPLEASCALLI NGTOTELLME
YOU'
REBACKTHENWHATWI LLHAPPENWHENWESTART
FACI
NGSERIOUSRELATI
ONSHIPI
SSUES?I'
M RI
SKI
NGALOTTO
BEWITHYOU,MYJOBANDMYLI CENSE.ITHI
NKWESHOULD
GOOURSEPARATEWAYS.IWISHYOUWELL.

Mymoodaf terreadingthatyester
daywasn' tthesame, Iwant
ed
toleaveimmedi atel
ybutIdidn'twantt ober ude.Undiphil
ewas
sti
l
l enj
oy i
ngherdr i
nkandwai ti
ngf ortheplateoffood, mymind
wasnol ongert here.Ionl
ythoughtofMabut ho, Ir
eal
lyfeelso
str
onglyf orhim.Iwant edtocrackmyskul landr ememberhi s
houseaddr essandr equestataxithere.Whenwegothome
Undiphil
et ri
edf i
ndingoutwhat '
swr ongbutImadeanexcuse
aboutmi ssingAt ang.Shedidn'tpushanyf urtherandIwentt o
bedandt r i
edhi sphoneagain,stil
ltonoav ail.

Iam br
oughtbacktoli
fewhenthere'scommotionintheclub,
two
guysar
efight
ingandbottl
esarefl
yingintheai
r.Bouncerscome
i
nandmanaget obreakthem apar
t,theytal
ktothem forawhil
e
andt henescortthem outoft hecl ub.NowIhavetotakecar eofa
messcausedbygr ownmanwhocoul dhavefi
xedwhat everissue
theyhadwi thwor dsandnotf i
sts.Igotothebacktogetamop
andot herequi
pment stocleanup.Peopl ehavefor
gottenabout
thelit
tlewrest
li
ngmat chthathappenedmoment sago, theyare
twerkingandtakingshot sliketomor rowdoesn'
texi
st.Iquickly
cleanupandwi pet het abl
eandt hecouchwherethealcohol was
spill
ed.Imakemywaybackt ot hecleani
ngstor
eroom and
discardthebottl
ef ragments.

Iam wi pingt hecount ersandr estockingthefri

dge, Ij
ustwantt o
beoutofher eandonmybed.Myhear tandmyheadar ehav ingit
hardt hi
sni ght.Acol leagueofmi net ell
smet hatmyNi ger i
ani s
askingf oranot herround, yesEbukai sher eagaintonight.He
camewi thasquadoft all,melaninmen, asusual hedemanded
thatIser vethem.Hi stipdi dn'
tgetmehappyl i
keitusual lydoes.I
takeani cebucketf ullofchampagneandheadt otheirtable,
there'snowomanonhi slapt onight.Thegent sareallent ertaini
ng
somegi rl
sinshor tdr essesandl ongweav es,t
heylookgoodno
cap.Iplacet healcohol ont het ableandt hegirl
sgocr azy ,for
somet hingt heydr i
nkf requent l
ytheirexcitementshoul dn'tthis
hectic.Oram Ibi tterthatt heyar ehav i
ngt heti
meoft hei rli
v es
whileI'm sulkingov erbeingdumpedaf teraday?

Ebukasi
gnal
smet
obendov
ersohecanwhi
spersomet
hingt
o
me.
"Ar
eyouokay
?I'
vebeenwat
chingy
outhi
swhol eni
ghtandI
'
m not
happy
.Whatdoyouneedmetodo?"Heasks.

"
I'
mfi
ne,
justt
ir
ed.
"Isaywi
thaf
aintsmi
l
e.

Hegi
vesmeaspecul
ati
vegaze.

"
Okay
,"hesay
sandIpathi
sshoul
derbef
orewal
ki
ngaway
.

Igetbackbehi ndt hecount erandgaspi nshockwhenIseehi m

sit
ti
ngont hebarst ool withagl assofj uiceinfrontofhi m, my
stomachhascaughtf i
rebyj ustseeinghi m.Whyi sheher e?I
don'tknowwhatt odo, Ifeelsosmal l withhowi nt
ensel yhe's
l
ookingatme.Iwantt otalkt ohim butI '
llhavet owal karoundso
hecanhearmet hrought hisloudmusi c.He' sthef i
rstt ol
ook
awayandIwantt odi sappeart othebat hr oom andt akeadeep
breathbutther e'
snopr ivacyinthere.It'
spackedwi t
hdr unk
womant el
li
ngeachot hertheirdeepestdar kestsecr etseven
thoughthey'remeet ingf orthef i
rstti
me, othersaref ixi
ngt hei
r
makeupwhi l
eot her sar etalkingont hephonewi t
ht heirr
eal
brokeboy f
riend'swhi lethebi gsharksl i
keEbukaar eoutt here
spendingont hem.I 'veseenandhear di tallf
rom wor ki
ngher e.
Myphonev ibratesf rom myj eanpocketandIwal ktot heback, my
managerdoesn' twantust ousephonesi nfrontofourcust omers.
It
'satextfrom Mabut ho, Ibreakasweati mmedi ately.

I
'M HERETOGETYOULI
KEPROMISED,
YOUHAVEONEMORE
HOURTILLYOUDONESOILLGOWAITINMYCAR,
TEXTWHEN
YOUDONEANDI
'
LLCOMEGETYOUBYTHEDOOR.

Relieffl
oodst hroughmeandIr eturnasi mpl e" okay "text.Does
thi
smeanhehashadsomet imet ocool downandhewant susto
cont i
nue?Ormay behej ustcamet ogetmecozhepr omi sedto
takemehomet henaf t
erher ewear edone?Idon' tknowwhatt o
thi
nk, I'
veneverf oundmy selfint hissituati
onbef or e.Igobackt o
thebarar eaandhe' sgone, at l
easthe' sout sidef orme.I '
mi nhigh
spirit
sbutst i
llanxiousaboutwhatwi llhappenwhenwear einthe
samecar .Igocheckonmyt ablesandt akeempt ybot tl
esand
wipet ables,i
nnot i
mei t'
scl osingt imeandt hemusi cst ops.
Peopl estartl
eav ingwitht heal cohol theydi dn'topen.I 'm glad
whenmycol l
eaguesdon' twast etimebutst artcl eaningup, we
normal l
ywast et i
mef r
om chat ti
ngandl aughi ng, somet imes
enjoyingsomeoft hesealedal cohol customer sleft.Ourmanager
i
snotst uckup, sol ongasi twaspai df orhedoesn' tmi nd.

Whenwear efinal
lydoneIt el
lthem Iwon'tbeusi ngt hestaffbus,
theystartmocki ngmeandaski ngifacer tai
nmist eriscomi ngto
getme.Ij ustlaughandt akemybagl eav i
ngthecl ub,the
bouncersst i
ckar oundbyt hedoorunt ilt
hemanagerl ocksup.
Mabut ho'
smust angisparkedr i
ghtacr ossthestreet,he's
standingoutsideandl eani
ngont hecarar msfolded.I sn'
thecold?
3am br eezeist hepit
s.Icrosst hestreetandstopi nfrontofhim,
I'
m abal lofnerves.He'snotsmi li
ng,Idon'tknowwhathe' s
thi
nking.Idropmyey esbecauseIdon' twanttocr yinfrontofhim.
"I
'
m sorryfort
akingl ong,wenormallyhavetocl
eanthecl
ubafter
cl
osing.
"Ibreakthei cewithmyey essti
ll
castdown.Hedoesn't
sayanythi
ng,I'
mr ubbingmyhandsont hesideofmythi
ghs.It
'
s
bothanervousgest ureandmet ryi
ngtokeepwar m,i
t'
scol
dout
here.Hepull
smet ohim andcir
cleshisarmsaroundmywai st
,
he'
ssowar m andsmel ll
i
keasgoodassi n.

"Iam sosorrybaby,Iwasacomplet
ejerk.For
giv
emeplease,
"He
saysandI'
m alright
,Iwrapmyarmsaroundhisneckandhol
d
ti
ght."I
'
mr eall
ysorry,
"headdst
henkissesmycheek.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER10

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Ihav ebeenawakef oraf ewmi nutesnowbutIhav en'topenedmy

eyes, Idon'
twantt hi smomentt oend.Sl eepinginhisar mshast o
beoneoft hemostamaz ingf eeli
ngsev er.Iam reall
ygl adhe
camet ofetchmef rom wor kandIgotecst ati
cwhenIsawt hathe
wasn' ttaki
ngmet omypl acebuthi shouse.Idozedof fonour
wayher eandhecar riedmei nside,Ionlywokeupwhenhegent ly
placedmeont hebed.Mabut hoi ssuchagent leman, hewant ed
tomakemesomet hingt oeatatt hathourbutal lIwant edt odo
wassl eepandheunder stood.Hegav emehi sT-shirttosleepi n
andLor dknowshe' snev erget t
ingthisoneback, I'
m keepi ngitfor
my self.Tobeabl et osmel li
twhenI '
m notwi thhim andI 'm
mi ssi
nghi mt erri
bly.Islowlyopenmyey esandshi ftal i
tt
le, aki
ss
l
andsonmyf or eheadandIhi demyf aceonhi schest ,Ididn't
thinkhewasawakeal r
eady .

"
Morning,beaut
if
ul.
"hesayssof
tl
yandmyst
omachcat chesf
ir
e.
I
tdoesn'tt
akemuchf orMabut
hotomakemeli
ghtheaded.

I
nt hi
sshortspaceofti
meIhavecometotr
usthi
m,maybei
t'
s
becauseIsawhowgent leandwar
m hei
sfr
om whenhewas
bri
efl
ymypsy chol
ogist
.

"
Goodmor
ningbeaut
if
uly
our
sel
f,
"hechuckl
esl
azi
l
y.
"
Sleptokay
?"Iy
awn.

"
Likeababy
,fel
tsaf
eint
hesear
ms.
"

Isayci
rcl
inghisbar
echestwit
hmyi ndexf
inger
.It
houghtI
'
dbe
afr
aidbutI'
m socomfor
tabl
earoundhim.

"
I'
m happytoheart
hat
,youmustal
way
sfeel
saf
ear
oundy
our
manbaby."

Tothi
nkIal
mostbl
ewthisgoodt
hingbyf
orget
ti
ngt
hedy
nami
cs
ofbei
ngwit
hsomeone.

"I
'
m sorryf
orwhatIdi dtheotherday ,notcalli
ngwhenIsai dI
wouldandnotpicki
ngupwheny oucall
ed."Heunt angl
eshimself
fr
om meandsi t
supst r
aight,he'sali
ttl
eserioussoIalsositup,i
n
ordert
obeey etoey e."
Idon'thav eanyexper i
enceinthis
Mabutho,youar
el i
teral
lymyf irstboyf
riend.I'
m notsurewhatis
expect
edofme."Hecar essesmycheekandIl eanintothe
warmthofhishand.

"Ihadti
met ocool downandIreali
zedt hatyouhav enoreference
ofwhat'
sexpect edi nacommi tt
edr el
ationshi
p,Iactedli
keaj er
k
babybysendingy outhatmessage.Ishoul dhavesaty oudown
andexplai
nedt hingstoy ounothurtyoul i
kethat,
I'
m sorry.
"I
appreci
atethathe' snotafr
aidtoseewhenhe' sdonesomet hing
wrong.

"Remembert
oleadcozI
'm cl
ueless.
"Thecor
ner
sofhisl
i
pscur
l
up,hi
seyest
winkl
i
ngli
keI'
vejustsaidt
hebestt
hingt
ohi
m.

"
You'
v egoti
t.
"Hel
eansinandpecksmyl i
ps,I
'
m grat
efult
hathe
i
sn'
trushi
ngint
oanyt
hing.I
'
m pr
ettysur
ehe'salr
eadyfi
guredt
hat
I
'
m st
il
lav
irgi
n.

"Youdidn'
teatwhenwegotin,I
'm sur
eyou'
refamishednow.Go
takeashowerandI'l
lmakeussomebr eakf
ast
."Ismileand
removethecoversandsl
owlycli
mbof ft
hebed.Myt hi
ghsare
exposedandI'm al
it
tl
eshy,
lastni
ghthegavemesomespacet o
change.

"Youdon'
thav
etobeshy,youhav eabeaut
if
ulbody.OneIcannot
waittowor
shi
pbutonlywheny ou'
rer
eady.
"Myhear tr
elaxesand
Ithi
nkmyconfi
dencegagejustwentupaft
erhefueledit
.

Ij
ustlookathi
m wi
thaf
aintsmi
l
eandheadt
ohi
sjoi
ning
bat
hroom.

Idecidetopeef i
rstandtherel
iefthatcomesaf termybl adderis
empt i
edisunmat ched.Aft
ergetti
ngupf rom thetoiletseatIgo
opent heshowerdoorandmyhear tsinksintomyst omach.Ther e
arefemalepr oductsandapi nkshowercapont her ack,Iswallow
andbl i
nkbackmyt ear
sbeforeheadingtot hebedroom.He' s
busymaki ngt hebedandwhi stli
ngsomemel ody ,
hisey eslandon
meandmyf acialexpressi
onmakeshi mf rown.

"What'
swr
ongbabe?
"It
akeabr
eat
handpoi
ntbackt
othe
bat
hroom.

"Therear
efemaleproductsintheshowerMabut
ho.
"Isayandhe
sighsinr
eli
efbef
orelaughing.Ohhe'
sfindi
ngt
hisf
unny.
"Youl
ookedli
keyoufoundanunder
wearorausedcondom,"he
saysandIfur
rowmyey ebr
owsbecauset
omet hoset
hingsmight
aswellequat
ealacyt
hong.

"
Okay ,
that'
snotfunny."Hedropsthewhiteduvetandcomesto
me,takesmyhandandl eadsmebackt othebathroom.Heopens
t
hebat hr
oom cabinetonthewallandtakesoutasealedpi
nk
t
oothbrush.

"Iwentoutyester
daytogety ousomet hi
ngs,Ididn'twantyou
smelli
ngli
keamanev er ytimey ou'
rehere.Thet oi
letr
iesareall
for
youbabe,Icanshowy out het i
ll
sli
p.Evengoty ouunder wears
andIdidn'
twantt ogof urtherandbuyy ouacoupl eofdr esses,i
t
wouldhavebeencr eepy."Heexpl ainsandIfeelbad, hedid
somethingniceformeandt hefir
stthi
ngIthoughtwast hathe'
s
cheati
ngonme.Getagr ip,Lemohang.Iscoldmy self
.

"I
'
m sor
ry,
justt
hatthel
astt
imet
hoset
hingswer
en'
ti
nther
e."He
pull
smetohim andsmi
les.

"I
t'
sokay,i
t'
sgoodt
oseethatt
here'
sal
i
ttl
ecati
nther
ereadyt
o
scrat
ch.
"HesaysandIgi
ggl
ehidi
ngmyface.

"
Out
,Iwantt
oshower
."Isayandhewal
ksoutoft
her
oom.

Theshowerwasi ndeedneeded,Imoisturi
zemyskininthe
bathroom andwhenIstepbackint
ohi sbedroom,t
here'
sal acy
blackunderwearandacleancri
spt-
shirt.Ir
emovethetagfrom
theunderwearandputiton,i
t'
saperfectfit
.Hemusthav e
st
udiedmybodyperfectl
ytoknowwhichsi
zewoul
dbeper f
ect,
whatagentl
eman.I
'mj ustgl
admyfi
rstboy
fri
endi
snotajerk,but
amat ur
edconsi
der
ateman.IweartheTeeandwalkoutbaref
oot.

Amout hwateri
ngar omahitsmynost ril
sasIenterthekit
chen,i
t
l
ooksl i
kehe'sinhiszone.Hemustr eallyenj
oycooking,atl
east
oneofuscan.Il i
veonnoodl esandbr ead,t
oobusyt ostandover
thest ove.Undi
phil
eont heot herhandi stheful
lpackage,shewil
l
prepar eyoursevenorisitsev er
alcolours?Yesthat.Icl
earmy
throattoannouncemypr esencei nther oom,whenhel ooksat
mehi sfaceli
ghtsupandIl ookdownbecausehi sgazei salways
pinningmedownwi thi
t'
sintensity
.

"
IknewIwasfor
gett
ingsomething,
"Icr
easemyf or
eheadand
wai
tforhi
mtoconti
nue."
Morningsli
ppers,
youwill
catchacol
d
wal
kingar
oundt
hiscoldf
loor
."That'
sit
,Iam agonegirl
.

"
It
'sokay
,I'
l
lgett
hem whenIgotothemallandbringt
hem wi
th
t
henextti
meIcome."Isayandheshakeshishead.

"Igotitcov er
edbabe, don'tsweati t
."He'
sal
readydonesomuch, I
honest l
ypreferbuyingmy selfthings.Ori
saccepti
ngthi
ngsf r
om
yourboy fr
iendalsopar tofbeingi naseri
ouscommi t
ted
relati
onship?Mabut hohasal ottoteachme,ifonl
yIwasallowed
tot al
ktomyf r
iendsaboutust henIwouldn'
tbesocluel
ess.
Speakingoft hat,Ir
ememberwehav esomethingi
mportantto
discuss.
"
Mabutho,
"Isayandhemov
eshi
sey
est
omef
rom t
hepl
ateshe
i
sfi
l
li
ngwithfood.

"
Yes?
"

"Uhm,what'
sgoingtohappennow?Oursessi ons?"Heheavesa
sighandpoi
ntstothebarstool.Ipull
itoutandsitthenr
estmy
elbowsonthecoldgrani
tekit
cheni sl
andcounter.

"Baby ,Iam notsupposedt ohav ear el

ationshipwithapat i
entor
someonewhowasmypat ient.I
t'sonlyallowedaf t
ert woy ears
from thedat ewest oppedbei ngdoct orandpat i
ent,thi
si sto
ensur ethatIdonotusey ourv ulnerabi
lit
yt omyadv antage."Inod
under standing."Lemohang, IhatethatIhadt ofal
lformypat i
ent
.
Ihatet hatIcoul dn'tkeepmyf eeli
ngsi ncheckbutwhatIf eelfor
youi stoost rongandIj ustcoul dn'ttort
uremy sel
flikethat
any mor e.Iam sor rybabyt haty ouhav et obei nasecr et
relat
ionshi p,I
'm surey ou'l
l wantt otalktoy ourfri
endsaboutus
andi t'
snotf airthaty oucan' tbecausey ou'r
epr ot
ect i
ngmyj ob
andmypr actici
ngl i
cense.ButI '
my ourmannow, y
oucanf reely
talktomeaboutany thi
ng. "Hesay sandIcanf eelthesadness
l
acedi nhisv oice.Iholdoutmyopenhandandher eachesf orit
andwei nt
ertwineourf inger s.

"Iunderst
and,Iwil
lbepat
ientwi
thy
ou.Ti
mef l
i
esanyway
."He
closeshiseyesandwhenheopensthem t
heyareswi
mmingi
n
tears.

"God,Iknewwhatwascomingaf
terbeingsi
ngl
efort
hatl
ongwas
goingtobewort
hit.Youar
ewort
hit.Iknowwehaven'
tbeen
togetherl
ongbutIbel
ieveapersonssoulcantell
whensomeone
i
sr i
ght.LemohangMohapi,youfeelr
ighti
neveryway.
"Mabut
ho
hasrenderedmespeechless,Idon'
thaveanyt
hingtosayt
oin
responsetothoseper
fectwords.

"
Iuhm.
..
youar
e..
."Hechuckl
es.

"I
t'
sokaybeautiful
,Iunder st
and."Iscr
unchmynose." Her eyou
aremadam, "heplacest heplat
eofaf ull
farmhousebr eakfast
i
nfrontofme."Ihaveor angejuice,pi
neappl
eandcr anberry.What
wouldma'am prefer?"Heasks.Il i
kethi
splayf
ul,r
elaxedsideof
hi
m.He' scute.

"
Uhm,becauset
her
e'snocoff
eeI'
ll
takecranberr
ythanks.
"He
wi
nksatmeandheadstothedoubledoorfr
idge.

Hisphoneri
ngsandhegroansandt akesi
toutofhissweat
pants
pocket
,hecl
ickshi
stongueaft
erlookingatt
hescreenandIrai
se
aneyebrow,
whenhet ur
nshefindsmygazeonhi m.

"Youknowt hosepeopl
ethatwanttor
untoyouwhenthey
'r
e
goingthroughthi
ngsbutwhentheyar
egoodthey
'r
ebusywith
everyoneelse?
"HeasksasIbit
emysausage.

"
Igety
ou,
"I'
m sl
owl
ychewi
ng.

"Thisfri
endofmineisthatperson,he'
sbeencalli
ngsi
nce
yesterdayaski
ngforloans.Youhelphim nowaf ewminut
esl
ater
he'spoppingbott
leswithpeoplewhonev erhel
phim.Whenyou
askf oryourmoneythenit'
swar,aiman."I'
m shaki
ngmyhead,
somepeopl earejustti
ri
ngreall
y.

"
Justi
gnor
ehi
m,"he'
snoddi
ngsl
i
ght
lyashepour
smyj
uicei
nthe
gl
ass.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"
Remembermydoorsarel
ockedat9pm,
"MaNgobesesaysand
mysi
bli
ngsandIl
ookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.

"
Ma,youdoknowy
ou'
ret
alki
ngt
oagr
ownmanof32her
eri
ght
?"
Mvel
oasks.

"Iam wel
lawar eofhisage, Ispent9hour sinlaborbecausehi s
headwast oobig.Ican'tforgethowol dhei sbecauseeachy ear
onhisbirt
hdayIgetpai ns.Ialmostr efusedhav inganotherbaby
becauseMakhosi ni
traumat izedme, whatI '
mt r
yingtosayi sthat
youwouldn'tbehereify ourfatherdidn'tbeg.Soy oushouldbe
sti
ckingwithyourmot herandnott hisonet hatalmostdestroy ed
yourchancesofbeingbr oughtt oeartht otryeverydietthereis."
Gatshaisthrownintoaf itoflaughter,asmuchaswhatmama
saidtoMv el
oisfunny, Iwon'tlaugh.Shej uststoodupf orme.

"
MaNgobesecal
m down,
"That
'sherf
ir
stl
ove,
li
keshecal
l
shi
m.
He'
swi
pinghi
stear
s.

"WenaIdon' tev enknowwher eyou'

redr aggingmygoodsont o,
youar emar r
ied.Youshouldber ubbingZet hu'sfeet,
thatgir
l
workshar dtot akecareofyouandt hoseugl ykids.Yout hr
eedid
yourselvesahugef avorbytakingmyl ooks, butunfortunat
ely
Lukhele'sugl
inesslandedonmygr andchi l
dren."Ican'
tholdinmy
l
aught eranymor e.Mymot herisl
it
erall
yr oasti
ngeachand
ev
ery
oneofus.

"Forjusttakingmybr otheroutforabr eat

herMaNgobese, youare
sayingallthesepai nf
ul t
hings?
"Gat shasay swithast r
aightface,
he'sjustsulking.Weknownev ertot akeourmot hertohead.She
onlydoest histousandZet hu,herblessingdaughter.I'
m gladher
tonguecanbeputonal eashoutsidet hefourcorner
sofher
house, unl
essy ou'
rereal
lyaski
ngf orit.

"Mxm, I
'
mjustsay
ingI
'
mlocki
ngmydoor
sat9pm.Fi
nishand
Klaar
,"

Bat
hong!

"
WhatawomanLukhel
e,ubabawami
chose,
"Mv
elosay
sleav
ing
t
her
oom andmamajustlaughs.

"Hav
ef un,
don'tdr
inkt
oomuchandgetbehi
ndthewheel.I
f
you'
vehadt oomuchcall
Mvel
otocomegetyou.Il
oveyoubot
h."
Backtobeingmysweetmama.

"
Sharpo'l
ady
."Gat
shasay
sandIj
ustki
ssmymot
her
'scheekand
weleav
e.

Ourrelat
ivesalwayssayshebabiesus, buttheydon'tunderstand
thebondweshar ewit
hourmot her.I
tgotwor seafterourfather
died,
wehadt ostepupmoreandbet hereforCebisil
ebecause
shehadl ostherbett
erhal
f,hersoulmat e.

Gat
shaisdr
ivi
ng,hecall
edl astni
ghtandtoldmethatwear
e
goi
ngtochi
l
lwithhisbusinesspartnerandsomeofhisf
ri
ends.
Appar entl
yt heyarethebestpeopl etochi ll withifyouwantt o
havef unandnet workatthesamet ime, I
'mj ustexcit
edt obe
goingt omi nglewithgentsmyageandshar edr inksand
conver sat
ions.Ididn'thaveasocial l
ifethr oughoutmy
rel
ati
onshi pwi thNombul elo,
whenwewer edat i
ngshewasmy
bestfriendandwedi deveryt
hingtoget her.Af terwegotmar r
ied
andshechangedonme, Icouldn'
tleavemyhousewi thout
comingbackandbei ngaccusedofcheat ing.Ir ememberone
ti
meIwentoutwi t
hGat shaandMv elo,Igothomedr unkandt he
fi
rstthingmywi feaskedofmewast odr opmypant ssoshe
couldsni f
fmypeni s.Iwasshockedwheni thappenedbynowI
l
aughbecausey eses.

"
Cebi
sil
e'
sbi
rthdayi
scomi
ngupsoon,
"mybr
othersay
s,br
ingi
ng
mebacktot
henow.

"
Yeah,
Thebi
g60"Iam ex
cit
edt
ocel
ebr
ateourQueen.

"Zethuwantsusallt
omeetanddiscussthepar
ty.Shesaysshe
want st
othrowhertheGreatGat
sbythemedpart
y ,
inspi
redby
KrisJenner
's60t
h,"If
rown.

"
Who'
sKr
isJenneragai
n?"Hel
aughs.

"
Iwasasbl
ankasyou,
butshesay
sshe'
sKi
m Kar
dashi
an'
s
mot
her.
"OhnowIseeher
.

"
Zet
huwat
chest
hatshow?
"Iask.

"
She'
sobsessedapparent
ly,
Idi
dn'
tev
enknow.
"Ishakemyhead
wi
thanamusedsmi l
e.
"
Atl
easty
oucanaf
for
dhert
hel
i
fest
yle.
"Henodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"Exact
ly,
Iwasn'tgoingt oaskmyeducatedwifet
obeastayat
homemom i fIwasn'tgoingtobeabletogi
veherev
ery
thi
ng.I
t
wouldhav ebeenani nsultnotonl
ytoherbutt
oherpar
ent
s."I
smile.

"
Zet
hudeser
vesev
ery
thi
ng,
Gat
sha.Youar
ebl
essed.
"Hesmi
l
es.

"IknowBafo,
evenaft
eral
lthesey
ear
sitsti
l
lfeel
ssosur
realt
hat
shechosemey ouknow.
"Inod"you'
l
lhaveyourper
sonbafo,
don'tgi
veuponlov
e."Headds.

"
Iwasn'
tev
enpl
anni
ngoni
t,
"

Wef inall
ygettoabigbeaut i
fulmansi on,Gat
shaandhi sbusiness
part
nerar edoingreall
ywellforthemsel v
es,I
'm proudofallthey
haveachi ev
ed.Wewer eskepti
cal ofthi
sguyatf i
rstbuthehas
provent obeoneoft hegoodones, heprovedthatjustbecause
youar eofacer t
ainnati
onali
tyitdoesn'tmeany ou'l
ldowhat
major i
tyofyourcountrymandoi naf orei
gnland.

Gatshatalksont heinter
com andasecondl at
erthegateopens,
heslowlydriv
esupt hedrivewayandIwhist
lewhenmachi nes
comei nt
ov i
ew, nowt hesear esomebigfi
shes.Heparksunder
thetreeandkill
st heengine,webothcli
mboutandIgr abthe
bottl
esofserousal coholIbroughtwit
hme.Cebisil
etaughtus
thatyounevershowupt osomeone' shouseemptyhanded.
Gatshaboughtt woboxesofexpensi veCubancigars,
it'
sgoingt
o
beal ekkerday.Thefrontdoorisopensowej ustwalki
nand
navigateourwaybyf oll
owingthenoise,
itl
eadsusouttot he
gardenwher ethere'
sapr operset
up.Theambi encei
sgreat,
I'
m
feel
ingthisdayalready.

"Baba,"Gat
shashout
ssoonashespot
sEbuka,
hisbusi
ness
partner.

"Baba,youmadei t
."Hesay
sexci
tedl
y,he'
sal
readyhol
dinga
glasscontai
ninganamberdri
nkwit
hice.

"It
oldyouI'
l
lbehere.Baba,remembermyli
ttl
ebrot
her
Makhosini
?"Henodsv i
gorouslyandhol
dsouthi
shandfora
shake.

"Ofcour
se,
babay
oumustbl
essmewi
thsomedi
amonds.
"He
saystomeandweal
ll
augh.

"
Abusinessmanofyourcal
i
berknowsthatnot
hingi
ssof
ree,
moneytal
ks.
"Hebur
stsoutlaughi
ng.

"
Don'tst
ress,
Imightbemarr
yingsoon.You'
l
lmakemybaby
's
r
ing,
Iwantabi gdi
amondfort
hatQueen."Hewhi
sper
s.

"Baba,Idi
dn'
tknowyouev enhadaseri
ousgir
l.It
houghty
ou'
re
sti
llenj
oyi
ngbeingacommuni t
ypi
pe."Gat
shat hr
owshimint
o
anotherfi
tofl
aught
er.Doesthi
sguyevergetangry?

"
Thewomaninquest
iondoesn'
tev
enknowt
hatshe'
l
lbemy
wi
fe.
"Hesay
s.

Kanj
ani
manj
e?
"
You'
veal
way
stakenchances,
"henodswi
thawi
desmi
l
e.

"
Sheisdefi
nit
elygoingt
ogivemeatoughti
mebutI'
m apati
ent
manwithcharm,shedoesn'
thav
eachoiceshewi
l
lbeMr s.
Okaf
or.
"TheyfistbumpwithGat
sha.

"Namanyoube,
"Gatshasay
sinpi
dgi
nandI
'
mlef
tshock.Idi
dn'
t
knowhecoul
dspeakit.

"Babayounona,"Ebukar
esponds."
Pleasef
indacomf or
table
placetosi
tandhelpyour
sel
ftoanyt
hingyouwant.I
'
llberight
back."Hesays.

Wegr eettheotherguy sandj oinintheconv ersationt heyare

holdi
ng, i
t'
sallmoney .Onethingaboutt heseguy s,theycame
heretomakemoneyandnot hingdest ructsthem.Iwi shSouth
Afri
cancoul dseethatgood, lawabi dingNi geriansexi stinthis
country
.Someoft heguy sI'
m st andingwi thher eempl oya
numberofourbr ot
her sandsi st
er s,
helpingi nreduci ngt he
unemploy mentrate.Gatshacomesbackf rom get ti
ngusadr i
nk,
hedistr
ibutescigarsamongstt hegent sandconv ersationsway s
tohowt heygowel lwi t
hthebot tleswear edrinking.Nowt hisis
theperfectwayt ospendaSat urdayaf ter
noon.Fi neal cohol
,great
Cubansandnowomenonsi ght.IknowIneedt ofindsomeone
who'l
lhelpmeoutsomydi ckdoesn' tfalloffbutf ort odayIcould
useagent sonlyatmospher e.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER11

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Idon'tt
hinkI'
veeverexperi
encedsuchanintensehangov er,l
ast
nightwashectic.Wedrankandsmokedunt ilt
heearl
yhour sof
thismorning.Weweresodr unkthatwehadt ocal
lMv elolike
MaNgobesehadsuggest edwedoi fwegottoodrunk.Shewasso
pissedthatshehadtowakeupf rom herbeautysl
eept ocome
gettwogr ownmen.Gat shaandIpromisedherthewor ldandI
knowshe' l
lsooncomet ocoll
ect
, t
rustmysist
ertonev erforget
.

Ifi
nall
ygetupf rom thebedandmyheadi sheavy,I
'm never
chi
ll
ingwithEbukaandhi screw,thoseboy sgohar d.Theywer e
al
readyplanninganot hergettogetherfortodaybutIdon'tthinkI'
l
l
goany where,Ihaveahangov ertonur se.Istepintheshowerf ora
coupleofmi nutesandI '
m done,Idon'thavet heenergytodo
anythi
ng.Igetdownst airsandmymot herandMv eloarelaughing
soloud,twohy enasify ouaskme.

"
Cany
oukeepi
tdown,
Jesus.
"Icompl
ain.

"Hai
bo,wedidn'
tsendy
out
ogoswi
minal
cohol
."MaNgobese
neverhol
dsback.

Ij
ustshakemyheadandt
hrowmy
sel
font
hecouch.
"
Youjustneedr
ussi
anandchi
pswi
thal
ongcol
dgl
assofcoke.
"
Mvel
osay s.

"Youwouldknow, sdakwasent ombazane."(

Dr unkar
dgi
rl
)
Cebisi
lesaysandIchuckle,
Mysi st
eri
slooki
ngatourmot heri
n
disbel
ief
.Thi
nkingofhowqui cklyshehasturnedonher,
she
shouldbeusedt oherbynow.

"
Dri
vemetothetownshi
psoIcangetinyamayent
loko.
"Isayt
o
Mvel
oandshepoutswit
hacreasedf
orehead.

"
Haibo!Yousti
llhav
etopaymef orfetchi
ngyouguyslastnight
."
I
'm overt
hisgi
rl
,weshouldaskforherli
standgetwhatevershe
wantssowecangett hi
soveranddonewi th.

"
Speakingofi
nyamayentl
oko,y
ourunclewi
ll
becomi
ngnext
weekendtocl
eansey
ou."Inodmyagreement
.

"Iwi
llst
artl
ooki
ngar
oundforanani
mal
,wewi
l
ljustmakeasmal
l
bucketofumqombot
hi.
"Sheadds.

"Justdon'
ttur
niti
ntoapar
tymama,
I'
m noti
nthemoodf
or
guests.
"

"Si
si,
whenar eyouleavi
ngmyhouseagai n?"I
t'
salwaysthecase,
wheny ouarguewit
hhershe'llr
emindyouthatthi
sisherhouse.
ButtrustmewhenIsayshe' dbeadmit
tedifMv el
olef
therand
wentt ogetherownplace.

"Mvel
oisr
ightmama,Idon'
twantitt
obeabigdeal
.Thel
ess
peopl
ewhoknowthatIwasarr
estedthebet
ter
."

Cl
apsonce!
Laught
er.

Andt
hen?DidIj
ustt
ell
ajokeandMaNgobesei
stheonl
yone
whogoti
t?

"Makhosi
ni,y
ouronenightstayinaholdi
ngcellwasspl ashedall
overthef
rontpagesofthosestupi
dnewspaper s,thewholeof
GautengknowsifnotthewholeofSouthAfri
ca.I'm evensureour
rel
ati
vesarescar
edtocomeneary ou,
theyprobabl yt
hinkyou'
re
nowagangmember .
"Shesay sandIwanttor oll
myey es,
Unjani
l
omamakant e?(Whatkindofmotheristhi
s?)

Ar oari
nglaughterenter stheroom, i
t'
sGat sha.Hepr obabl
yheard
hismot herroastme, butIknowI '
l
lalsobel aughingathis
expensei nafewmi nutes.MaNgobese' sshar ptonguewillf
allon
him soonenough.I '
mi nterest
edinthet akeawayhehasi nhis
handt hough,I'
m prayingi t'
swhatIthinkitis.Hekissesour
mot herscheekandwi nksatMv el
o,Ijustgetakickatmyf eet.He
settl
esdownont heempt ycouch.

"Whereareyoucomingfrom?Whyareyoui
nmyhouseGatsha?
YouleftZet
huallni
ghtt
ogetdrunkandnowyou'
reher
eandnot
spendi
ngt i
mewithher?
"

Mybr
otherheav
esasi
ghandl
eansback.

Hel
ooksl
i
keshi
taswel
l
,itwashect
ic.

"
Macal
m down,
Iwentt
ogetmycaratEbuka'
shouse.
"Iseemy
mot hercal
m down.Shewoul dmurderGatshaforZethu,weall
l
ov ethatwoman.She'snotjustmybrother
swi f
ebutoursist
er
too."ThenItookatur
ntogeti ny
amay entlokoforbafoandI
,"oh
thankGod.Heopenst heplateandIwanttoululat
e.Thehot
sourcehepour edi
smakingmesal i
vate.

"
YouareGodsent,
Iwasaski
ngMv el
otodri
vemet
ogetsome.
"
Hegl
ancesatMvelowi
thnar
rowedeyes.

"Yes,
Isti
ll
rememberallt
hepromisesfrom l
astnight
."Sheadds
andGatsharol
l
shiseyes.Hedoesn'tsayanyt
hingtoher.

"Fanoo,wai
t!I
'
llgogety
ouboysawar m di
shclot
htowipey
our
hands."MaNgobesesaysasIwasabouttotakeapi
eceofmeat
.

Iwouldkissmybr othersfeetr i
ghtnow, themeatdi dsomet hing
tomakemef eel better
.NowIneedj ustacoldone, Igetonmy
feetandmakemywayt ot hekitchen.Twobeer sfr
om thefridge
andI '
m backtothel ounge, shockt akesov ermewhenmymot her
doesn'tsayanything.She'scont inuingwi ththeconv er
sati
onshe
andGat shahadst artedear l
ier
.Mv eloisgigglingwit
hherphone,
I'
mt emptedtosnat chitandmakeherr unaftermef orafew
minutesbutI'm damnt i
red.Onet hingaboutbei nghomeandwi th
mysi bl
ingsisthatwecanbechi ldrenagai n,wedon' thavetobe
CEO'sandr esponsiblebusi nessman.Thegat eint
ercom ri
ngs, we
alll
ookatMv elobutshe' slostinherphone, mamashakesher
headandgoest oansweri t
.
"
I'
m bei
ngt
est
ed,
"shesay
saf
tercomi
ngbackf
rom answer
ingt
he
i
nter
com.

"
What
?What
'swr
ong?
"Iasks.

"
Thatgi
rl
sfami
l
yisher
e,"If
rown.

"
Whatgi
rlma?
"Gat
shaasks.

"
Nombul
elo,
herf
ami
l
yisher
e."Sheanswer
s.

Bil
erisesf
rom mystomachandmyt
hroatisl
eftwit
hthe
bi
tter
ness.Thosepeopl
emakemenumb, I
'
mj ustsoovert
his
bul
lshit
.

"
Ihopey
ousentt
hem away
,"Mv
elohasputherphonedown.

"No,Iwantt ohearwhatt heywantandwhent heyar edoneI '

l
l
makei tclearthatmysoni sdonewi ththei
rabuser ."Mymot heri
s
seri
ous, shewant st oputt hem int hei
rplacef orgood.I '
m not
eveninterestedinany thingt hathast odowi thNombul eloandher
famil
y ,whatevertheyhav etosaywi ll
justgetint hroughoneear
andoutt hrought heot her.Thedoorbel lr
ingsandmymot her
i
nstructsMv elotogoopen.Ami nut eorsol aterMv elocomes
backwi thNombul elo'
smot herandhi sbrotherVumi l
e,thebastard
thatbeatuphi sownsi stertohel pherouti nput ti
ngmei njai
l.My
bloodisboi l
ing,i
t'stakingmeev ery t
hingnott ogetupf r
om this
couchandbeatt hel iv
ingshi toutofhi m.Wi ththem ar etwo
womandr apedi nat hreei nonebl anket,WTF?I nt hisheat?Ican't
seetheirfacesast heirheadsar eboweddown, butIknowf ora
factthatoneoft hem i sNof oto.
"
Sani
bonani
,
"Vumi
l
esay
swi
tht
hewomanst
andi
ngbehi
ndhi
m.

Idon'
tret
urnhi
sgr
eet
ing,
myf
ami
l
yjustmumbl
eundert
hei
r
breat
h.

"Apol
ogiesf
orshowi
ngupunannounced.Wejusthadt
oputon
ourshoesandcomefi
xthemessthathashappened,
"Ichuckl
e.

I
'mjustl
ooki
ngatt
hisbast
ard,
hehast
hener
vet
oshowhi
sface
her
e.

"
WhatcanwehelpyouwithBl
angwe?"Mybrot
herspeaks,
he's
t
hef
irstbor
nsonandthatmakeshi
mt heheadofourfami
ly.

"
Canwesi
t?"Heasks.

"
No,wedon'thaveany wheretoaccommodat eyou,
yourv i
sit
wasn'
tannounced.Youcant ell
uswhaty ouwantwhi l
estanding,
"
Cebi
sil
eNgobesesay swithast er
nvoice,shehasswitchedto
motherhenmode, r
eadytopr ot
ectherchicks.

"Well
,MaNgobese.Wecomeher efullofshameandr egretforall
wehav edonetothi
sfamilyandmosti mpor t
antl
ytooursoni n
l
aw.Wear eallt
hereasontheirmarri
agei si
nshambl es,we
shouldhavet
aughtNombul el
obetter.Weshouldhav eintervened
i
nt i
mebutwebel i
eveit'
snottoolatetomaket hingsri
ght."Itake
asipofmybeerandl ookatthecir
cust hatcamet omymot hers
house.

"I
'
m noti
nter
estedinany
thi
ngt
hathast
odowi
thNombul
elo,
"I
sayi
nalowt one.

"
You'
vehear
dmybr
other
,he'
sdonewi
tht
hemar
ri
age.
"Awoman
sni
ff
sandIknowi
tsNof
oto,
hercr
ocodi
l
etear
swon'
tev
enmov
e
me.

"Andweunder st
andt hat,t
hat'
swhywehav eanal t
ernat
ive
solut
ion."Ifr
ownandl ookatmymot herwhol ookslikeshe'
s
readytomur dersomeone." Makhosi nipai
dlobolat oourfamil
y,
hecamet oourfami l
ybecausehesawawi f
e.It
'sashame
Nombul elodidn'
tcarryoutthedut i
esshewasexpect edtobut
thatdoesn'tmeant hef amil
iesshouldcutallti
es."Heexplains
nothi
ng, canhegett othefuckin'poi
ntalready?

"
Vumile,
justsaywhatyouwanttosaybaba.Wedon'
thav
ethe
whol
eday ,
"Gatshasay
simpati
ent.

"Apol
ogiesLukhel e,mymot herhasonedaught erwhoi sn'
t
marri
ed,wewoul dlikeforhert
ostepintohersistersshoesand
fi
xeverythingNombul el
ohasbroken.TogivetheLukhel e'
swhat
theywant edwhent heycamet opaylobolaforourown, "tosayI
am shockedwoul dbeanunder st
atement.Whatt hehelldidt
his
foolj
ustsay ?Isthisfamilyt
hatdesperat
eformymoneyt hat
they'
l
lshuf fl
etheirdaughter
sonme?

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Amukel
ani,ar
eyouokayfri
end?"Undiphi
leasksandI'
mreli
eved.
Iwasscaredtoaskbecausethepersonintheroom wi
thushas
Amu'sbodybutnotherbubbl
yself.

"
Amukel
ani
!"Shecal
l
soutagai
nbecauseshedi
dn'
tsnapoutof
hertrai
nofthought
sthef
ir
stti
me.Somethi
ngi sr
eal
l
ytr
oubl
i
ng
her.She'
sbeenazombieeversi
nceshearr
ived.

"
Mmhhhh?"Herey
esl
ookhaunt
edasshedar
tst
hem bet
ween
Undi
phi
l
eandI.

"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?"I
'
mtheonewhoaskst
hist
ime,
I'
m nothappy
wit
hwhatI'
m seei
ng.

"
I'
m okay
,justt
ir
ed.
"Shesay
squi
etl
y.

"
Babe,
arey
ousur
e?"Undi
phi
l
eisn'
tsol
d,j
ustl
i
keme.

"Ipr
omise,
justhadahect
icweekend.I
'l
lbeA-okayt
omor
row.
"
Sheoff
ersusasmi l
ebuti
tdoesn'
treachhereyes.

"I
'
llmixuseachaglassofgi
n,i
t'
l
lpi
cky
ouup.
"Undi
phi
l
esay
s
gett
ingonherfeet
.

"
Ohno,notforme.Idon'
twanttoevensmel
lal
cohol
rightnow.
"
Amukel
aniquickl
yst
opsUndiphi
le.

Who'sthisgi
rlandwhathasshedonewi thourfr
iend?I '
m
honestl
yworri
edaboutAmu.She' sthatfri
endthatdoesn'tlet
anyt
hinggettoher,she'
sgottendr unkbeforeandst i
lll
ooked
for
wardtomor edrinki
ng.Sot hi
sisn'tanexcusethatI '
m buyi
ng,
she'
sgoingthroughsomet hi
ngandIwi shshecant alktous
aboutit
.Howev er
,I'
m notgoingtopr essheronthei ssue.

"Lemo,agl
ass?
"SheasksmeandIjustnod.Onegl
assaf
tera
hecti
cMondayatcampuswon'
tki
l
lme.

Ther
e'saknockont
hedoor
,Undi
phi
l
egoest
oopensi
nceshe
wasal r
eadyi nthekitchen.Shecomesbackhol di
ngredrosesand
twoGucci paperbagsaswel lasabot t
leofChampagne.Shehas
afrownonherf aceandconf usioni sevi
dentfrom hereyes,I
smilebecauseImi ghthaveani deaofwho' sbehindtheexpensive
gif
ts.Ebukar eal
lywant stoimpr essthegirl
,I
'm sti
l
lnotsureifI
cantrusthi m wi
thmybestf r
iendt hough.He'sagreatguybuthe
hasahi storyofusingwomenbutt henagainthosewomendi dn'
t
mindbei ngusedbecauset heygai nedquietalotfr
om hi
m.

"
Whoar
ethosef
or?
"Amukel
ani
asksl
eani
ngf
orwar
d.

"Me,apparent
ly.Ij
ustwantt
ofi
ndoutwhot
heyar
efr
om.
"she
sayssett
li
ngdown.

"Someonehasanadmi
rer
,"Isaywi
thasmi
l
eandshenar
rowsher
eyesatme.

"
I'
dfreakout
,admir
erstendtobest
alkersaft
erawhile,
orat
least
t
hat'
swhattheyport
rayinthemovi
es."Ij
ustchuckl
e.

Wewai ti
mpat i
ent
lyasshet akesoutt hef i
rstgif
tfr
om theGucci
paperbag,i
t'
sapai rofsneakers.Godt hesel ookamazing.I
'
ve
neverhadaney efortheseexpensivebr andsbecauseIknewI '
d
j
ustSBWL, Iunderstandtheter
mt argetmar ketwel
lenoughtonot
evengooglethei
rproducts.

"Howthehel
ldi
dthi
sper
sonknowmyshoesi
ze?I
'
m cal
l
ingt
he
poli
ce.
"Shecanbedr
amati
csomet
imes.

"Ohcomeon,admi
ttheyar
eni
ce."Isayandsher
aisesan
eyebr
ow,gi
vi
ngmethespecul
ati
vestare.
"Lemohang,
doyouhav
eanideaonwhosentmet
heset
hings?
"
SheasksandIshr
ugmyshoulder
s.

"Opentheotheronefr
iend,"shescof
fsandr
eachesf
orthe
secondpaperbag,sheopensi tandi
t'
samatchi
ngGuccibag.
Howmuchdot hesethingscost?

"Wow,whoev
ert
heguyi
smustl
i
key
ouv
erymuch.
"Amukel
ani
says.

"
Quest
ioni
s,whoi
she?
"Undi
phi
l
esay
s.

Ihel
pherfi
ndthecar
d,i
t'
sint
hef
lower
s,Ihandi
ttoherandwai
t
wit
hexci
tement.

"MRS.OKAFOR.JUSTALITTLESOMETHI
NGTOBRI GHTENYOUR
DAY.HOPEYOULI KETHEM.YOURSEBUKA.
"ShereadsandI
'
m
smil
ingf
rom eart
oear,
Isweart
hisi
ssor
omant
ic.

"
Whot
hef
ucki
sEbuka?
"Amukel
ani
inqui
reswi
thaf
rown.

"Di
dyouknow?
"Undi
phi
l
easkscompl
etel
yignor
ingAmukel
ani
'
s
quest
ion.

"
Thedaywetookbackhi
scar,
heaskedsomequest
ionsabout
y
ouwhenyouwenttothebat
hroom.
"Isaysof
tl
y.

"
Guy
s,who'
sEbuka?
"

"
TheNigeri
anguyLemohangworksf
or,
"Undi
phi
l
equi
ckl
ytel
l
sher
.
"
Ican'
tacceptt
hese,
"sheadds.

"
Whynot
?"

"
Fir
stl
y,he'
swayol
dert
hanme.Secondl
y,hemi
ghthav
east
ri
ng
ofwoment ohisnameandpr obablyawif
eandkidsbackin
Nigeri
a.Idon'twantthewif
etov i
sitt
hosewit
chdoctor
swhol i
ve
i
nt heforest
,haveyouseenAf ri
caMagicchannel
152?"Shesays
horri
fi
edandIbur stoutl
aughing.

"
ComeonUndi
phi
l
e,"she'
sshaki
ngherheadv
igor
ousl
y.

"
I'
mtaki
ngt
heseback,
Idon'
twanthi
mtot
hinkhehasachance.
"

"ComeonMr s.Okaf
or,
"shepressesherl
i
psinat hi
nli
ne."
Iknow
Ebuka,hewon'
tpushfurt
heri
fyousayno.Youdon'thavet
o
ret
urnhisgi
ft
s,si
mplytel
lhi
my ou'r
enotint
erest
edandhewill
backoff,
"

Sheexhalessharpl
y,"Lemohang,hemightnotbethesameman
whenitcomest owomenwhor ejecthi
m.Imeant hedudeis
l
oadedandwomanmustt hrowthemselvesathi
m, hemighttake
off
ensethatIacceptedhisgif
tsbutdon'twantt
odatehim."I
shakemyhead.

"He'
snotapettyman, y
eshe'sgoi
ngt obedisappoint
edthatyou
don'
twanthim buthe'
snotanasshole.Tr
ustme, thatoneisa
gentl
emanbabe."Ipaci
fyherandshescruncheshernose."These
arecute,
imagi
netheout f
it
."Shel
aughs.

"
Whyam Isupr
isedhe'
sy our"br
other
",obv
iousl
yyou'
llper
suade
metoseehi
mi nadif
fer
entl i
ght.
"MaybeIam guil
tybutei
ther
wayshe'
smypersonbeforeEbuka.

"Justdat
ehim Undi
phi
le,
lethim spoil
y ouandgiveyoual
l y
ou
desir
e.Whenhe'sdonewithyouat l
eastyou'
llhavesomethi
ng,
somehappinesshemanagedt ogivey ouwithhismoney.Justget
wit
hhi mforthebenefi
tsandguardyourheartl
i
keAl catr
az,so
whenhet ossesyoutothesideli
keapieceofshityou'l
lj
ustlaugh
i
toffandmov eon.Menaretrash,
usethem befor
et heyusey ou
anddiscardyouli
keoldshoes."Amukel
anisaysabsentmi nded,
Undiphi
leandIexchangealook.

"
Amukel
ani
arey
ousur
eyou'
reokay
?"Iaskr
eachi
ngf
orherhand.

"I
'
mf inef
ri
end,Ineedtogetgoi
ng.I
'l
lseey
ougirl
s."Shesay
s
gett
ingupfr
om thecouchandtaki
ngherhandbagandcarkeys
fr
om thecof
feetable.

"
Somet
hingi
sgoi
ngonwi
thherLemohang,
"Inod.

"
Somethi
ngbi
gfort
hatmatter
,shehasneverbeeni
nsuchaf
oul
moodnomatt
erwhatshe'
sgoingthr
ough.
"Iadd.

"Andwhatshesaidaboutusi
ngEbukashockedme,
"Idr
awi
n
someairandshakemyhead.

"
Wewil
lcheckuponhertomorrow,
"Undi
phi
l
enodsi
nagr
eement
.
"
So,
Ebuka?"Iaskandsher
oll
shereyes.

"
Whenar
eyouget
ti
ngaboy
fri
end,
Lemohang?
"Il
augh.

Ohf ri
endIal
readyhav
emypr incecharmi
ng,Iwi
shIcoul
dtel
lyou
allabouti
tbutwecan'tr
iskhi
ml oosi
nghi
sjobandworsehis
l
icensetopracti
ce.

"Ihav
en'
tfoundmy sel
famanwhosendsmeGucci shoesand
bagsonaMonday .WhenIdo,I'
l
lgi
vehi
m achanceandwewi l
l
l
ivehappi
l
yev eraf
ter.
"Shecl
i
ckshert
ongue.

"
Idon'
tknowf
ri
end,
I'
m goi
ngt
ohav
etot
hinkabouti
t.
"Inod
v
igor
ousl
y.

"I
nallhonesty
,takeyourti
meUndiphil
e.He'
sagoodmanbutI
don'
twanty outorushint
oanythi
ngandhav eyourhear
tbroken.
We'v
eseenhowsmoot hheis,
ify
oudecidetodatehimit'
scleari
t
won'
tbehar dtofall
inlovewit
hhim."Shenods.

"
That'
strue,
"shel
ooksdownathergift
sandIcant
ell
shehasa
mil
l
ionthoughtsr
unni
nginherhead.

Myphonechi mesonthecouchandIqui ckl

yreachforit
,hopi
ng
i
t'sMabut ho.Wehaven'
tspokent oday,
hejustsentmeagood
mor ningtextandt
hatwasit
.Itriedhim acoupl
eoft i
mesbuthe
didn'tpi
ckupandhehasn'tgottenbackt ome.Disappoi
ntment
runst hr
oughmywhol ebody,i
t'
sEbuka.Ishowt hetextto
Undiphileandshebit
esherlowerlip.

SI
STERM,DIDSHEGETTHEGIFTS?PLEASETELLMESHE
LOVEDTHEM.PLEASEASKHERTOTEXTME, INEEDHER
NUMBER.

"Looksli
keheisn'
tgoi
ngtobackdown, evenwhenItell
himt
o."
Undiphi
lesays."
Tel
lhi
m Isai
dI'l
lthinkabouthim hav
ingmy
number .
"SheaddsandIstar
ttypingtheresponsetomybrot
her.
Hisresponseisal
mostimmediately
.

IAM APATI
ENTMAN,
TELLHERSHECAN'
TRUNAWAYFROM
HERHUSBAND.THI
SISI
NEVI
TABLE,
SHE'
SJUSTWASTI
NGTI
ME
FORMETOGIVEHERTHEWORLD.

"OhmyGod, He'
dprobablyl
eavemei nhisvil
lagebacki
nNi
geri
a.
Tel
lhi
m Isaidheshoul
dn'tbetooconfident
,I'
m awomanwit
hher
ownmind."Ipr
essmyl i
psint
oat hi
nline.

"
Whydon'tyoujustt
exthim wi
thyourphonesoy
oubot
hcanhav
e
t
hisbackandfort
h?"Iaskbecausewow.

"
Justt
ypeLemohang,
"I'
m notaboutt
obet
hei
rmi
ddl
eman.

[
04/
13,
09:
04]Nt
siki
:TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER12

SPONSOREDBYROSE

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"Amu,"myf
athersayspushi
ngmybedroom dooropen.What
happenedt
oknockingbefor
eyouent
er?

"
I'
m sl
eepi
ng,
"Isaybor
ed.

I'
vebeentr
yingmyhardestt
oavoidmyf ather
,buthe'
sgoi
ngout
ofhiswaytogetcl
osetomebutIjustcannot.Hehasneverbeen
avail
abl
eformewhenIneededhim, healwayshadafli
ghtt
o
catchorameeti
nghewasr ushi
ngto.

"Amukel
ani
please,
you'
vebeendodgi
ngmesinceIgothome.I
havebeent
ryi
ngtospendsometimewit
hyoubaby,pl
easegi
ve
mesomeat
tent
ion.
"Ichuckl
e.

"
Youar
easki
ngf
ormyat
tent
ion?
"Henods.

"Ineededyourattenti
onbuttherewasalwayssomething
i
mpor tanthappeninginyourl
if
e.Tatana,I
'
veneededy ouever
sinceIcouldrememberbuty oudidn'
tevengiv
emey ouratt
enti
on,
I'
vemanagedwi t
houtitandnowy ou'
retheonelooki
ngf ori
t?"I
saywi t
hashakingv oice.

I'
mint hisfuckin'messbecausehedi dn'
tgivemel ov eand
att
ention,hadIknownt heloveofmyf at
herIwoul dn'thav ef
allen
forMabut ho.Iwoul dn'thavebeensodesper ateforsomeonel ike
him,someonewhowassogent leandwarm.Mabut howas
every
thingIwi shedmyf at
herwast ome, unt
ilt
hedayIt oldhim
I'
m pregnantthati s.Ican'tbeli
evehetossedmet ot hesi dejust
becauseI '
m car r
yingababyi nsi
deofme.IknowImessedupby
cheati
ngbutt hisishi sbaby ,Iswearonmysi st
er'
sgr ave.

"If
ail
edyou,thatIknow.Ishoul
dhavedonebetterf
ory oumy
chi
ldbutIwasbusychasi ngmoneythi
nki
ngit'
sallyou'l
lev
er
need.
"Ichuckleshakingmyhead.Hewalksfur
therintomyr oom
andIgivehi
m adeat hstare,
hestopsi
nhist
racksandheav esa
deepsigh.

"Letmemakei
tuptoyouplease,
Iwantt
obewhoy
ouneed.
"You
aretool
ateMr
.Akani
Nkoveni.

"Howbecausey ou'
llbeoutofherei
naf ewweeks?Wi l
lyouwork
onarelat
ionshi
pwi t
hmewhi leyou'
reontheothersideoft he
worl
d?"Hemopshi sfacewit
hthepalm ofhi
shand." Tatana,
you
andyourwifearethereasonIam abrokensoul
."Isayandgetoff
mybed.

"
Amukel
ani
,pl
easedon'
twal
kaway
."

He'
svoi
ceisbeggingbuthe'
sjustnotunder
standi
ngt
hedamage
t
hat'
sal
readybeendonebyhisabsenceinmyl i
fe.

Igetinmyj oini
ngbat hr
oom andl ockt hedoorbehindme, my
handsarer esti
ngont hesinkandmyhaunt edeyeslooki ngatt he
broken21y earoldthat'
slookingbackatme.Wi thal lthemoney
myf amil
yhas, I'
mt hepoorestinsoul .Iopenthecabi netandt ake
outtherazorIboughtt oshave, Ihaven'tcutmysel
fi nt helongest
ti
mebutIneedi ttofeelanyt
hingel sebutemot i
onal pai n.It
'st
oo
i
ntense,theoneper sonIthoughthadmybackhasl eftmehur t
andpregnant .Whatam Igoingt odowi thababy?Ibar el yhave
myemot ionsi ncheck,I
'm st
il
l alit
tl
echi l
dinsi
de.

Isinkdownt othef l
oorandbal ancemybackwi t
hthebat htub, I
pullmyski rtupandmyt highsar eexposed.Iopent hem soIcan
accesst heinnerpar tofthem, that'
swer eI'vealwayscutmy self.
Myscar sfr
om bef orehav ef aded, atleasttheexpensi vepr oduct sI
user eall
ywor k.Ipeal t
hepaperof fther azorandst artrunni ngthe
bladeonmyl ightdelicateski n,tearsar estreamingdownmyf ace
andemot i
onal painsubsi des, t
akingov eristhephy sicalpainI'm
i
nf l
icti
ngonmy self.Idropt her azorandshi ftunti
lI'
ml ayingf l
at
onmyback, f
acingt hecei l
ing.Wi llthingsev ergetbet t
erforme?
Whenwi ll
Igetgenui nehappi ness, uncondi t
ionall
ov e,protection
andsani ty?
Igetof fthefl
oorafterwhatseemsl ikef oreverandcleanthe
bloodbef orestr
ippi
ngnakedandget tingintheshower .Ifeel l
ight
headed, Ihaven'
thadany thingt oeatsi nceMabut hothrewmeout
ofhi shouse.Isurvi
veonl iquidsbutIguessi t'
stimeIstarted
eatingsol i
ds,maybef ruit
sorsomet hing.Af terwashingmy selfI
wal kbackt omybedr oom andpul loutadr essfrom thecloset.My
phonechi mesfrom thebedwher eIleftit,i
t'
sprobablyUndi phil
e
andLemohang.Theyar ewor riedaboutmeandhav ebeenaski ng
tocomet hroughtoseemebutIdon' twantcompany .I
'm scared
I'
llbetempt edtotel
l them aboutmyr elati
onshipwi t
hMabut ho,I
don'twanthi mtogeti ntr
oubl e.IknowIshoul dn'tgi
veasi ngle
fuckabouthi m butIdo, Ilov ehim even.

WENEEDTOTALK.

Myhear
tthudsagai
nstmychest
,it
'shi
m.Hei
sreachi
ngout
.

AMUKELANIANSWERYOURPHONEPLEASE.

Thesecondt
extsay
s.

PI
NKYPINKY,
PLEASECOMETOMYHOUSE.WEREALLYNEED
TOTALK.
TheoneIjustr
ecei
vedreads,Iseehe'
ssti
ll
onl
i
nesoIqui
ckl
yfi
re
hi
m aresponsewit
htearsbli
ndingmyeyes.

I
'
LLBETHERESOON.

Idon'
twaitt
oseehisr epl
y,I
'mj ustrel
ievedthathewantstotalk
tome.Igrabmybagont hecouchbyt hewindowandheadoutof
mybedroom, I
'
m anxiousbutrelievedthathereachedout.Ihope
thi
sti
mewewi l
lhaveaf r
uit
fulconv er
sationaboutthi
spregnancy,
I'
m pr
ayi
ngthathelookspastmymi st
akesandaccept st
hatthis
babyi
shis.

"Amubaby ,"mymot her'

scheeryv oicecallsout,
Iquickl
yturnt o
l
ookather .Hereyesarefullofli
fe.Idon'tremembert helasttime
Isawmymot herthisli
vel
ywi t
houtadr opofalcoholinhersystem.
She'ssoberandev enwearingabeaut i
fuloutf
it
,theonlyti
meshe
everdressestoimpressiswhenshe' sgoingout.She'sforev
eri n
l
ongdr esses,abonnetonherheadandmor ni
ngsl i
ppers,
sit
ting
behindherlaptopwithaglassofal coholnearher .

"
Mhani
?"I
'
m gi
vi
ngheraquest
ioni
ngl
ook.

"
I'
mtr
yinganewreci
pe,
Igotitonl
i
ne.Canyoupleasebehome
f
ordi
nner.
"If
urr
owmyf or
eheadandti
ltmyheadtothesi
de.

What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thmymot
her
?Whathasmi
racul
ousl
yheal
ed
her
?

"I
'
mr ushi
ngsomewher
ebutI
'
llbehomef
ordi
nner
."Shegi
vesme
anexcit
edgr
in.

Iparkmycarnextt oMabut ho'sMustang,myst omachhast ur

ned
i
ntoknot s.I'
m sweati
ngfrom f earofwhatiswai t
ingf ormei nsi
de,
wonder i
ngi fI
'
m goingtoleav ethispl
acefeeli
ngbet t
erorwor se
thanIdidt helastt
ime.Itakeadeepbr eat
handopenmydoor ,
witheachst epItaketothemai nentr
ancemyhear tthreatensto
j
umpoutofmychest .Ihitmyknuckl esont hedoorandasecond
l
aterthedooropensandhe' sst andi
ngbeforeme, Iswallowhard
andblinkacoupl eofti
mes.

Hemov estot
hesideandsignal
smet owalki
n.Iam cl
utchingmy
handbag,themateri
almustbebeggingmetorel
easeitbutfor
somer easontheexpensi
vehandbagisgi
vi
ngmesomest rengt
h
tofacethefat
herofmychi l
d.

"
Howareyou?
"Heasksandmyemot
ionsar
ethr
ownof
f.Thi
sis
t
hegent
leMabut
hoIknow.

Ishakemyheadandhecl
oseshi
sey
es.

"
Pinkypinky
,I'
m sosorry
.Idi
dn'
thav
ear
ightt
otreaty
ouli
ke
t
hat."HesaysandIplaceahandonmymouthtomuffl
emysobs.

Af
ewmi
nut
espasswi
thusl
ooki
ngi
neachot
her
'sey
es.

"
It
'sy
ourbaby
,Iswear
."Henods.
"Ibeli
eveyou,i
t'
sjustthatIhadfindoutal
lyou'
vebeendoing
behindmybackandi thurtl
ikehell
becauseI'
vebeenfai
thf
ulto
youandt hi
srelat
ionship.
"Hesay sandIcanhearthepai
nlacedin
hisvoice.

"I
'
m sosor
ry,
IwishIcoul
dtakebackal
lIdi
dandbepati
ent.You
aret
heonesacr
ifi
cingal
ottobewit
hme."Hewalkscl
osertome
andcupsmycheek.

"Howdowemov epastt
hisPinkyPi
nky?Oursi
tuat
iondoesn't
all
owust ohaveababyy et
,Iwouldlov
etobeaf at
herbutone
thatdoesn'
twork?Yourfat
herwouldrepor
tthi
simmedi at
elyaf
ter
helearnswhoandwhatI '
m supposedtobe.
"He'smakingsense.

"Iwoul ddowhat everyouwantsoy oucanseet hatI '

m sor r
y, to
showy out hati t
'syouIl ove.Boo, I
'
m sor ry.Any thingy ouwantme
todoI '
lldo, "heat t
acksmyl i
pswi t
haki ssandpusheshi st ongue
i
nsi demymout h.Theki ssissl oppyandwet ,hishandsar e
runni ngal lov ermybody .Wi thoutwar ninghet urnsmeandbends
meont hear mr estoft hecouch, hedr opshi ssweat pantsand
par t
smyl egs, withshaki nghandshedr opsmyunder weart omy
ankl esandr unshisf i
nger sunt il
her eachesmyopeni ng,I'm
gr owingwet terbythesecond.Mabut hoi smyweakness, hej ust
hast obr eatheonmyneckandI '
m moi statmycor e.Hei nsertsa
fingerinsi deofmeandImoan, afewt hrust swi t
hhi smi ddledi gi
t
thenshov eshi smanhoodi nsideofme.Icr yinpl easure,he's
roughanddeep.Thegr oansandhi ssesf r
om hi m makemego
crazy ,Ilov eknowi ngt hatIsat isfyhimt hisway .I
'ddoany thing
Mabut howant sjustsohedoesn' tstopl ovingandbei ngher ef or
me.Hi sbodyt ensesandIknowhe' sundone, leav i
nghi ssper m
deepinsi
deme.Hebendsdownmybackandki
sst
henapeofmy
neck.

"Yourbodyisal
way ssoreadyf orme,Il
oveyouPi nkyPinky
.
Whent heti
meisrightIwillgi
vey ouasoccerteam butr i
ghtnow
i
snott heti
me.You'reonlyinyourthi
rdyearbabyandIdon' twant
anythi
ngtodestr
ucty ou.
"Heget soffmeandhel psmeup, his
armssnakearoundmywai standhekissesmyf orehead.

"
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
"Iask.

"Youwi
l
lbeMrs.Mkhwanazi
,you'
l
l bar
emychil
drenbut
Amukel
ani
youneedtostopcheat
ingonme."Hesayswitht
ear
s
swimmi
nginhi
seyes.

"Iwi
l
lst
opandI'
l
ldoanyt
hingtomakethi
ngsrightbetweenus
Boo.
"Iwipet
het
earsf
all
i
ngf r
om hi
sbeauti
ful
ey es.

"Wedon' thav eanyot heropti

ont hantot erminat
eandgety ouon
bir
thcont r
ol asqui ckl
yaspossi ble.
"Igaspi nshock."Iknowit'
s
nottheeasi estthingtodobutIpr omiseit'stheri
ghtthing
consideri
ngt hecircumst ances.IpromiseI '
llmakeyouamot her
again,butnowt heoddsar eagai nstus.Pleasetel
lmey ou
understandbaby ,"Idon'tknowhowIf eel aboutabort
ionbutBoo
i
sr i
ght,he'sreali
st i
c.

"
Okay
,"henar
rowshi
sey
es.

"
Okayasi
nyouagr
eet
oter
minat
e?"Inodsl
owl
y.

"
Thisi
showIknowy ouaremywi f
eAmukelani,youlist
ent o
r
easonandunder
stand.Ipr
omiseyouwon'
tgot hrought hi
salone,
I
'
llbehol
dingy
ourhandthrought
heenti
reprocess."Iplacemy
headonhi
schestandhet
ight
enshi
sar
msar
oundme.

"I
'
m sorryt
hatwehav
etodot
his,
"hi
swor
dsmakemewai
l
painf
ull
y.

"Iwi
sht
hingswer
edi
ff
erent
,youwer
egoi
ngt
obeanamazi
ng
dad.
"

"Andy
outheperf
ectmotherandpart
nertome.Butourt
imewi
l
l
comeagai
n,Ipr
omise.
"Hisvoicei
ssoothi
ngandassuri
ng.

"I
'
m sorryagainf
orcheat
ingBoo,i
treal
l
ymeansalotthatyour
choosi
ngt oputi
tbehi
ndy ouandgi
veusanot
herchance."
Countl
esskissesl
andont het
oponmyhead.

"That'
sbecauseIl
ovey
ou,
"Icl
osemyey
eswi
thmyhear
tcomi
ng
alr
ight
.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

I
'vebeenont hiscallwi
thMakhul uforhours,I'
velaughedf rom the
j
okesshecr acked.Gaspedi nshockedatthegossi pshe' sbeen
tel
li
ngme, alotishappeningbackhomei nGqeber ha.Buteach
ti
meI 'mther
emyhappi nessisshortl
ived,I'
m alway sreminded
thatI'
m anorphanandmypar entslef
ttheirmot herwi t
habur den
thatisme.Idon'tknowwhat 'sgoingtohappent omewhenGod
remember smygr andmot her
,thatwomanhasbeent heonl y
personwhol ovesmeandmakessur ethatI'
m okay .Myaunt '
s
won'teventhinktwiceaboutcutti
ngmeof fsoonast hei
rmot her
i
sgone,butIal
wayspraythatGodt akesherwhenI'
m worki
ng
andabl
etotakecar
eofmy selft
hewayshe'sdoing.Iknowshe'
l
l
al
soresti
npeaceknowingI '
m okay
.

"
Undi
phi
l
e,mnt
anami
."Shesay
sser
ious.

"Peaches,
"Iknowshe'ssmil
ingf
rom eart
oear.Ical
lhert
hat
becauseshe'sli
ghtski
nnedandtur
nspinkwhenevershel
aughs.

"Whenareyoucominghome?I
t'
sbeenawhilenowDodowam"I
si
gh.Il
astwenthomeinDecember
,Idi
dn'
tsetfootdur
ingt
he
marchholi
days,
madesomeexcuseaboutassi
gnmentsandal
l.

"JuneHol
iday
sPeaches,
Ipr
omi
seI
'
llbehome.
"Isayexci
tedl
y,
hopingt
orubitonher
.

"That'
stoof ar,
pleasecomet hisweekend."Thesadnessinher
voicedarkensmymood.Anot herreasonIhategoi
nghomei s
becauseshe' salwayscaughtinbet weenmeandherchildren.I
don'twantthest ressf
orher,she'soldandfrai
l.

"Butnowi t
'sal
it
tl
eshortnot
ice,Ihavethi
ngsfortheweekend.I
promisetocomedownnextweekThur sday,
I'
llmissFri
day
classes.
"Sheheavesasighofreli
efontheothersideofthel
i
ne.

"Iwil
laskJoj ot
osendy outhebusfarethen,
"Inevert
akeabus
home, Ialwaysaddmysav ingst
owhatshesendsandt akea
fli
ght
.Imagi nemybeautif
ulasssi
tt
ingforabouttwelv
ehours,i
t
cannev erbeme.I'
dratherbebrokethatendurethatl
ongroadto
aplacecal l
edhome.
"
Thanky
ouPeaches,
"Isay
.

"Okaysthandwasami ,l
etmel eaveyout oy ourbooks.Ihope
you'r
est i
l
lfocusedony ourbooks, don'tall
owboy sanywherenear
umamgobozi .
"Irol
lmyey es,onlymygr andmot hercancall
someone' svaginathatway .She'salway sreferedt oitt
hatway,
eversinceIwentt ostaywi thher.She'dal waysaskmei fanyone
touched"uMamgo"whenshewasbat hingmei nt hemor ni
ng
prepari
ngmef orschool.Thatwasherwayoff indingoutifno
manwast ryi
ngany thi
ngwi thme.

"
Nope,i
t'
sbooksbef
oreboy
sbecauseboy
sbr
ingbabi
es,
"she
l
aughspr
oud.

"Owam kel o,"(

that
'smygirl
.)OhMakhulu,Johannesburgboys
confusedmeonceort wiceandIendedupscr eamingunderthem
andjusty ester
dayacertai
nNigeri
anmanshowedi nt
eresti
n
wantingapi eceofmet oo.ButIwon'
ttel
lthattomyPeachesand
bether easonshehasahear tatt
ack.

"
Letmel
eav
eyout
oit
,wewi
l
lseeeachot
hersoon.
"

"
Okaymyl
ove,
Iwi
l
lseey
ounextweek.Il
ovey
ouv
a?"Isay
.

"Il
oveyout ooDodowam,"Ihangupandgetoffmybed,She'
sthe
onlypersonIknowwhowi l
lbeonacallwi
thyoufor2pl
ushours
andstil
lfeell
ikeshedi
dn'
tsayenough,
Iappr
eciat
ehert
hough.

Iam famished,Ionlyhadbreakf
asttoday
,I'm noti
nthemoodt o
cook.I'
l
ljustorderoutandhavethem del
iver,
buttheytendto
taketi
me.I '
l
ljustmakeasnackj ustt
oholdthehunger.Iopenthe
fr
idgeandtakeoutGreeksal
adingr
edients,
it'
squickandt ast
y.
WheredidLemohangputthatbowl,If
inditi
nt hegrocer
y
cupboar
d.Trustt
hisonetoalwaysactli
keshedoesn' tl
i
vei nt
his
fl
at.I
'
m cut
tingcucumberwhenaknockcomest hroughthedoor .
Whocoulditbe?Igoopenandi t
'st
hesecurityguyfrom thegate.

"Thi
sist
hefl
atmlunguwami,
"hesayst
osomeonest
andi
ngby
hissi
de,
butwhoeveri
snoti
nmyv i
ew.

HeleavesandIgaspinshockwhenEbukaappearsbef
oremy
eyeswithfl
ower
sandagi f
tbag.Thismanknowswhathe'sdoi
ng
andhe'snotgoi
ngtomakei teasyonmebutI'
m Undi
phil
eandI
won'tf
oldsoeasil
ytoo.

"Whatar
ey oudoinghere?
"Iaskandhesmiles,
apant
ydr
oppi
ng
smil
ethatexposeshisperf
ectwhi
tedent
it
ion.

"Mrs.Okaf
or,
Icamet odropt
heseoffmysel
f.
"Igi
vehi
m astar
e,
notgivi
ngawayanythi
ng.Hemustshakeali
tt
leandwonder
what'si
nmypr et
tyhead.

"
Idon'
twantyourgif
tsEbuka,
you'
redoingt
oomuch.
"Di
dhehav
e
t
ofucki
nli
ckhislowerl
ipsoseduct
ivel
y.

"Amancanneverdotoomuchwhenthemi ssi
onistomakehi s
fut
urewi
fehappy,
"Ican'
tst
opmyli
psfrom curl
i
ngup.Boy shave
askedmeoutbefor
ebutthi
sist
hefi
rstti
mesuchi shappeni
ngto
me.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
obey
ourf
utur
ewi
fe,
"Isayf
oldi
ngmyar
ms.
"Iunderst
andandr espectthatyouneedt oplayali
tt
lehardtoget
babybutlikeIsaidyesterday,I
'
m apat i
entman.Especial
l
yf or
somet hi
ngso..
."Hesear chesforthewor dandhisexpr
ession
changesfrom playf
ultoser i
ous."
Pricel
ess,"hef
ini
shesandI
suddenlyhavebutterf
li
es.

"LeaveEbuka,
"Ihat
ehowI'mfeel
i
ngr
ightnow,
afewgi
ft
sand
charmingwordscan'
tconf
useme.

"Babym (mybaby),openthesafet
ydoorf ory
ourhusband
please.
"Heaskssoftl
y"Ihadtoditchsomanyi mportant
meet i
ngsbecauseyouhadtoreceivetoday'
sgif
ts.
"Hecoexes
meandst upidl
yIfal
lfori
tandreachforthekeybehindthedoor
andunlockthesafet
y.

"
Thanky
ou,"hewal
ksi
nandstopsjustaf
teraf
ewsteps,
wai
ti
ng
f
ormetoleadhi
mfurt
heri
n.At
leasthehasmanner
s.

"
Youweremakingfood,i
t'
sli
keyouknewIwouldbehungr
y.But
y
ourhusbandi
sn'tasal
adeati
ngguy,Ihopey
ouhavemaizemeal
t
ocookpap.Ieatanyki
ndofmeat."

Bat
hong!

I
'm notcookingforhi
m.Andwhendi
dwegof
rom hi
m char
ming
met ohim aski
ngthatIcook.

"Butbef
oreyoudopleasehav
et hese,
"hehandsmet
hegi
ftbag
andputsthefl
ower
sont heki
tchencounter
.

"Youreal
l
yneedtostopwit
hthegi
ft
s,t
heywon'ti
nfl
uencemy
deci
siononwethert
ogiv
ey oumynumberornot.
"Isayandhe
nods.
"Yournumberi snotsomethi
nghar
dtofi
ndbaby,y
ouratt
enti
oni
s
whatI'm desperat
elyl
ooki
ngfor
.OnceIhav
ethatI
'l
lbr
eath.
"I
narrowmyey es.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngtohopel
essl
yfall
inlovewi
thy
ouEbuka,
'
'hel
aughs
l
i
keIjustsai
dsomethi
ngreal
lyfunny
.

Il
i
kehi
sbear
dbyt
heway
.

"Afool
ishmanl ooksf orawomanwhowi l
llovehiminstant
ly.
Lovi
ngi smyjob,youj usthavetorespectandsupportmeand
wheny ourhear
tfeelssaf ewit
hmet henyou'l
lfal
lhopel
esslyi
n
l
ovewi thmeandbyt heny ou'
l
lhav emyballsinyourhand,
contr
oll
ingmewi thoutev ennoti
cing."

Huh?I
'
m notf
oll
owi
ngbutokay
.

"
Iguessit
'st
imetoseewhaty ou'
vegotmet oday.Youshoul
d
r
eal
lystopspendi
ngyourmoneyliket
his,i
fyouwantt ospoi
lme
t
hengetmesomeser iouscompanyshares.
"Ijokeandhenods.

"SocanIgot hroughtot
heloungeMrs.Okaf
or?"heasksandI
gestur
eforhimt ogothr
ough.Iwatchhi
m si
tdownandt akeof
f
hisshoes,heloosenshi
sbeltandl
eansbackchangi
ngthe
channeltofootbal
l.

Thi
xowaseGeor
geGoch!

"
Myi
yawo,
"hesay
s.

"
What
'st
hat
?"Iask.

"
Ohi
tmeansmywi
fei
nYor
uba,
"hesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.

"
You'
reYor
uba?
"Whyam Iaski
ngt
hist
hisandnotaski
nghi
mto
st
opcal
l
ingmehi
swi
fe.

"No,
I'
mIgbo.Butsomeofmybr
other
sareYor
uba.
"Bybr
other
s
hemeanshisfr
iendswhoar
eal
waysathi
shouse.

"
Ohokay
,"Inodandopent
hegi
ftbag.

Ar edbox,nof ucki
nwayno.Ibuti tbackint
hegi f
tbagandhur r
y
tothelounge,Iplaceitonhisthi
ghsandhef rowns.I
fhehad
broughtitinit
sor i
ginal
paperbagt henIwoul
dn'thaveeventaken
i
tfr om hi
m, It
hinkheknewi thenceheputiti
nadi ff
erentgi
ftbag.

"NoIcan'
tacceptt
hat,
it'
stoomuch.Howmuchhav eyouspent
onmei nt
woday sEbuka?No."Ijustsawaredboxandtheword
Cart
ier
,ev
eryoneknowsthatit'
sexpensi
ve,what
everi
t'
sint
here
i
sexpensiv
e.I'
m nothi
sgirl
fr
iendforhimtospendsomuchon
me.

Hebl
owsoutasi
gh.

"Thi
sisexactl
ywhyIwantt
ogiv
eital
ltoy
ou,becauseyou'
renot
aski
ngforitUndi
phi
l
e."Mynamecomesoutperf
ectl
yfr
om his
mouth.

"
No,st
il
l.Ican'
taccepti
t.
"Her
eachesformyhandandhi
sis
war
m andsof t
.Iswall
owasheconnect
sourfi
nger
s.

"Youhadmyat tent
ionwheny ousaidyou'l
lpayfort
hepat r
olto
trav
el wit
hLemohangt oAtang'sgame.Mycar salway shave
patrol,
Ithoughtyou'dfigur
e.ButIunderstoodwhaty ouneeded,
youl i
keholdi
ngy ourownandt hat'
sthereasonIaskedmypeopl e
touset hecarli
kecr azysoy ou'
llbeabl
et opoursomegas.Your
i
ndependencei swhyI '
m at
tractedtoyouandofcour seyour
beaut i
fulbigass,noof f
ensebaby ."Hesay swit
hasmi le."
Iknow
youmi ghtt hi
nkIwantt oplaywi thy ouandIdon'tblamey ou.I
'v
e
hadmyf airshareofwomen, buty ou'r
ediffer
entandmaki ngme
thinkdiff
erentl
yint heprocess,fort hefi
rstti
mei nalongtime
thatis.Givemey ouratt
entionony ourtermsandgett oknowme
please,"hisexpressionissoft.

"
Thegi
ft
s,i
t'
stoomuchEbuka.
"Henods.

"I
'l
ltoneitdownalit
tl
e,Iwon'tbeabl
etostopbecauseIwantto
giveyounicethi
ngs.Andno, i
t'
snottol
ureyouin,
Ijustwantt
o
takecareofmywoman. "Ir
ollmyeyes.

"
I'
m noty
ourwoman,
"Icor
recthi
m.

"
Yet
,"Iscof
fandhesmi
l
es.

Heletsgoofmyhandandopenst
hegif
tbag,
taki
ngt
her
edbox
outandheputst
hebracel
etonmywr
ist
.

"I
tlooksgoodony
ou.
"Hebr
ingsmyhandupandki
ssest
heback
ofit.

"Iwant
edt
osayear
li
ert
hatIl
i
kemyf
oodspi
cyhot
,"Ir
etr
actmy
hand.

"
I'
m notcooki
ngf
ory
ou,
"

"
Why?Youdon'
thav
egr oceri
es?Wecanqui
ckl
yrunt
otheshops
t
ogetwhat
every
ou'
llneed."Thi
sguy
.

"
Nowedohavegr
ocer
ies,
Ijustdon'
twantt
ocookf
ory
ou.
"He
r
oll
shi
sey
es.

"
Iyawo,
gocook.Ineedt
oseei
fyouknowhowt
oori
fI'
l
lneedt
o
fi
ndagoodchefwhowil
lteachyou,t
heki
dsandIdon'
twantt
o
befedt
akeoutsal
lthet
ime."Igaspi
nshock.

"
Iknowmywayaroundt
heki
tchen,
thanky
ouv
erymuch.
"Isay
wi
thsomesass.

"I
fthat'
sthecase,wal
ktot
hekitchenandwhipmesomethingreal
quick.
"He'sgi
vingmeachall
enginglookanddamnhi
m becauseI
neverbackoutofone.

"
Fine,
ifImakeyoulickyourfi
nger
sthenyoustopwitht
hegif
ts.
"
Henodsimpercept
ibly.Hebett
ernott
hinkhewil
lbackouti
fthi
s.

"
Goont
hen,
"thi
sfool
.

Iwal
ktot
heki
tchenwi
thanexpensi
vebr
acel
etl
ocki
ngar
oundmy
wri
st.

"
Wai
t,
"Isayt
urni
ngi
nthespeedofl
i
ght
.

"
Yes?
"

"Yousai
dyouandtheki
ds,
youhav
eki
dsal
ready
?"WhydoI
soundhorr
if
ied?

Hechor
tl
es.

"Don'
tdi
eIyawo,
Iwasspeaki
ngofthechi
ldreny
ou'
regoingt
o
givemeonceyoust
opthi
shardtoget.
"Icli
ckmytongue.

I
'm goingtomurderLemohang,
she'
stheonewhobr
oughtt
his
mani ntoourl
i
ves.

Whatam Icooki
ngf
orhi
m ev
en?

Chi
neke!
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER12

SPONSOREDBYROSE

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"Amu,"myf
athersayspushi
ngmybedroom dooropen.What
happenedt
oknockingbefor
eyouent
er?

"
I'
m sl
eepi
ng,
"Isaybor
ed.

I'
vebeentr
yingmyhardestt
oavoidmyf ather
,buthe'
sgoi
ngout
ofhiswaytogetcl
osetomebutIjustcannot.Hehasneverbeen
avail
abl
eformewhenIneededhim, healwayshadafli
ghtt
o
catchorameeti
nghewasr ushi
ngto.

"Amukel
ani
please,
you'
vebeendodgi
ngmesinceIgothome.I
havebeent
ryi
ngtospendsometimewit
hyoubaby,pl
easegi
ve
mesomeat t
enti
on.
"Ichuckl
e.

"
Youar
easki
ngf
ormyat
tent
ion?
"Henods.

"Ineededyourattenti
onbuttherewasalwayssomething
i
mpor tanthappeninginyourl
if
e.Tatana,I
'
veneededy ouever
sinceIcouldrememberbuty oudidn'
tevengiv
emey ouratt
enti
on,
I'
vemanagedwi t
houtitandnowy ou'
retheonelooki
ngf ori
t?"I
saywi t
hashakingv oice.

I
'minthisfucki
n'messbecausehedi
dn'
tgiv
emel oveand
att
ent
ion,hadIknowntheloveofmyfat
herIwouldn'
thav
efal
l
en
forMabutho.Iwoul
dn'
thavebeensodesperat
eforsomeonel
ike
him,someonewhowassogent leandwarm.Mabut howas
every
thingIwishedmyf at
herwast ome, unt
ilt
hedayItoldhim
I'
m pregnantthatis.Ican'
tbeli
evehetossedmet othesidejust
becauseI'm carr
yingababyi nsi
deofme.IknowImessedupby
cheati
ngbutt hi
sishi sbaby,Iswearonmysi st
er'
sgrave.

"If
ail
edyou,thatIknow.Ishoul
dhavedonebetterf
ory oumy
chi
ldbutIwasbusychasi ngmoneythi
nki
ngit'
sallyou'l
lev
er
need.
"Ichuckleshakingmyhead.Hewalksfur
therintomyr oom
andIgivehi
m adeat hstare,
hestopsi
nhist
racksandheav esa
deepsigh.

"Letmemakei
tuptoyouplease,
Iwantt
obewhoy
ouneed.
"You
aretool
ateMr
.Akani
Nkoveni.

"Howbecausey ou'
llbeoutofherei
naf ewweeks?Wi l
lyouwork
onarelat
ionshi
pwi t
hmewhi leyou'
reontheothersideoft he
worl
d?"Hemopshi sfacewit
hthepalm ofhi
shand." Tatana,
you
andyourwifearethereasonIam abrokensoul
."Isayandgetoff
mybed.

"
Amukel
ani
,pl
easedon'
twal
kaway
."

He'
svoi
ceisbeggingbuthe'
sjustnotunder
standi
ngt
hedamage
t
hat'
sal
readybeendonebyhisabsenceinmyl i
fe.

Igetinmyjoini
ngbathr
oom andlockthedoorbehindme, my
handsareresti
ngonthesinkandmyhaunt edeyeslookingatthe
broken21yearoldt
hat'
slookingbackatme.Withallthemoney
myf amil
yhas,I'
mthepoorestinsoul
.Iopenthecabinetandtake
outtherazorIboughttoshave,Ihaven'
tcutmysel
finthelongest
ti
mebutIneedi ttofeelanyt
hingelsebutemoti
onalpain.It
'st
oo
i
ntense,theonepersonIthoughthadmybackhasl eftmehur t
andpregnant.Whatam Igoingtodowi thababy?Ibarelyhave
myemot ionsincheck,I
'm st
il
lalit
tl
echil
dinsi
de.

Isinkdownt othef l
oorandbal ancemybackwi t
hthebat htub, I
pullmyski rtupandmyt highsar eexposed.Iopent hem soIcan
accesst heinnerpar tofthem, that'
swer eI'vealwayscutmy self.
Myscar sfr
om bef orehav ef aded, atleasttheexpensi vepr oduct sI
user eall
ywor k.Ipeal t
hepaperof fther azorandst artrunni ngthe
bladeonmyl ightdelicateski n,tearsar estreamingdownmyf ace
andemot i
onal painsubsi des, t
akingov eristhephy sicalpainI'm
i
nf l
icti
ngonmy self.Idropt her azorandshi ftunti
lI'
ml ayingf l
at
onmyback, f
acingt hecei l
ing.Wi llthingsev ergetbet t
erforme?
Whenwi ll
Igetgenui nehappi ness, uncondi t
ionall
ov e,protection
andsani ty?

Igetoffthefl
oorafterwhatseemsl ikeforeverandcl
eant he
bloodbeforestr
ippi
ngnakedandget ti
ngintheshower .If
eel l
i
ght
headed,Ihaven'
thadany thingtoeatsinceMabut hothr
ewmeout
ofhishouse.Isurvi
veonl iqui
dsbutIguessi t'
stimeIstar
ted
eati
ngsol i
ds,maybef r
uit
sorsomet hing.Afterwashi
ngmy sel
fI
walkbackt omybedr oom andpulloutadr essfrom t
hecloset.My
phonechi mesfr
om t hebedwher eIlefti
t,i
t'
sprobablyUndiphi
le
andLemohang.Theyar ewor ri
edaboutmeandhav ebeenaski ng
tocomet hroughtoseemebutIdon' twantcompany .I'
m scared
I
'llbetemptedt
ot el
lthem aboutmyr el
ati
onshipwit
hMabutho,
I
don'twanthimtogeti ntr
ouble.IknowIshoul dn'
tgi
veasi
ngle
fuckabouthim butIdo,Il
ovehi m even.

WENEEDTOTALK.

Myhear
tthudsagai
nstmychest
,it
'shi
m.Hei
sreachi
ngout
.

AMUKELANIANSWERYOURPHONEPLEASE.

Thesecondt
extsay
s.

PI
NKYPINKY,
PLEASECOMETOMYHOUSE.WEREALLYNEED
TOTALK.

TheoneIjustr
ecei
vedreads,Iseehe'
ssti
ll
onl
i
nesoIqui
ckl
yfi
re
hi
m aresponsewit
htearsbli
ndingmyeyes.

I
'
LLBETHERESOON.

Idon'
twai
ttoseehi
srepl
y,I
'
mjustr
eli
evedt
hathewant
stot
alk
tome.Igrabmybagont hecouchbyt hewindowandheadoutof
mybedroom,I'
m anxiousbutreli
evedthathereachedout
.Ihope
thi
sti
mewewi llhaveafrui
tfulconver
sati
onaboutt hi
spr
egnancy,
I
'm pr
ayi
ngthathelookspastmymi st
akesandaccept st
hatt
his
babyi
shis.

"Amubaby ,"mymot her'

scheeryv oicecallsout,
Iquickl
yturnt o
l
ookather .Hereyesarefullofli
fe.Idon'tremembert helasttime
Isawmymot herthisli
vel
ywi t
houtadr opofalcoholinhersystem.
She'ssoberandev enwearingabeaut i
fuloutf
it
,theonlyti
meshe
everdressestoimpressiswhenshe' sgoingout.She'sforev
eri n
l
ongdr esses,abonnetonherheadandmor ni
ngsl i
ppers,
sit
ting
behindherlaptopwithaglassofal coholnearher .

"
Mhani
?"I
'
m gi
vi
ngheraquest
ioni
ngl
ook.

"
I'
mtr
yinganewreci
pe,
Igotitonl
i
ne.Canyoupleasebehome
f
ordi
nner.
"If
urr
owmyf or
eheadandti
ltmyheadtothesi
de.

What'
sgoi
ngonwi
thmymot
her
?Whathasmi
racul
ousl
yheal
ed
her
?

"I
'
mr ushi
ngsomewher
ebutI
'
llbehomef
ordi
nner
."Shegi
vesme
anexcit
edgr
in.

Iparkmycarnextt oMabutho'sMustang,mystomachhasturned
i
ntoknots.I'
m sweati
ngfrom fearofwhatiswait
ingformeinsi
de,
wonderi
ngi fI
'
m goingtoleavethispl
acefeel
ingbett
erorworse
thanIdi
dt helastt
ime.It
akeadeepbr eathandopenmydoor ,
wit
heachstepIt
aketothemainentrancemyheartthr
eatenst
o
j
umpoutofmychest.Ihitmyknucklesonthedoorandasecond
l
atert
hedooropensandhe'sst
andingbefor
eme, Iswal
lowhard
andbl
inkacoupl
eoftimes.

Hemov estot
hesideandsignal
smet owalki
n.Iam cl
utchingmy
handbag,themateri
almustbebeggingmetorel
easeitbutfor
somer easontheexpensi
vehandbagisgi
vi
ngmesomest rengt
h
tofacethefat
herofmychi l
d.

"
Howareyou?
"Heasksandmyemot
ionsar
ethr
ownof
f.Thi
sis
t
hegent
leMabut
hoIknow.

Ishakemyheadandhecl
oseshi
sey
es.

"
Pinkypinky
,I'
m sosorry
.Idi
dn'
thav
ear
ightt
otreaty
ouli
ke
t
hat."HesaysandIplaceahandonmymouthtomuffl
emysobs.

Af
ewmi
nut
espasswi
thusl
ooki
ngi
neachot
her
'sey
es.

"
It
'sy
ourbaby
,Iswear
."Henods.

"Ibeli
eveyou,i
t'
sjustthatIhadfindoutal
lyou'
vebeendoing
behindmybackandi thurtl
ikehell
becauseI'
vebeenfai
thf
ulto
youandt hi
srelat
ionship.
"Hesay sandIcanhearthepai
nlacedin
hisvoice.

"I
'
m sosor
ry,
IwishIcoul
dtakebackal
lIdi
dandbepati
ent.You
aret
heonesacr
ifi
cingal
ottobewit
hme."Hewalkscl
osertome
andcupsmycheek.

"
Howdowemov
epastt
hisPi
nkyPi
nky
?Oursi
tuat
iondoesn'
t
all
owust ohaveababyyet,Iwouldlov
etobeaf at
herbutone
thatdoesn'
twork?Yourf
atherwouldrepor
tthi
simmedi at
elyaf
ter
helearnswhoandwhatI'm supposedtobe.
"He'smakingsense.

"Iwoul ddowhat everyouwantsoy oucanseet hatI 'm sor r

y, to
showy out hati t
'syouIl ove.Boo, I
'
m sor ry.Any thingy ouwantme
todoI 'l
l do,"heat t
acksmyl i
pswi t
haki ssandpusheshi st ongue
i
nsi demymout h.Theki ssissl oppyandwet ,hishandsar e
runni ngal lov ermybody .Wi thoutwar ninghet ur nsmeandbends
meont hear mr estoft hecouch, hedr opshi ssweat pantsand
par t
smyl egs, withshaki nghandshedr opsmyunder weart omy
ankl esandr unshisf i
nger sunt il
her eachesmyopeni ng,I'm
gr owingwet terbythesecond.Mabut hoi smyweakness, hej ust
hast obr eatheonmyneckandI '
m moi statmycor e.Hei nsertsa
fingeri nsideofmeandImoan, afewt hrust swi thhi smi ddledi gi
t
thenshov eshi smanhoodi nsideofme.Icr yinpl easur e,he's
roughanddeep.Thegr oansandhi ssesf r
om hi m makemego
crazy ,Ilov eknowi ngt hatIsat isfyhimt hisway .I'ddoany thing
Mabut howant sjustsohedoesn' tstopl ovingandbei ngher ef or
me.Hi sbodyt ensesandIknowhe' sundone, leav inghi ssper m
deepi nsideme.Hebendsdownmybackandki sst henapeofmy
neck.

"Yourbodyisal
way ssoreadyf orme,Il
oveyouPi nkyPinky
.
Whent heti
meisrightIwillgi
vey ouasoccerteam butr i
ghtnow
i
snott heti
me.You'reonlyinyourthi
rdyearbabyandIdon' twant
anythi
ngtodestr
ucty ou.
"Heget soffmeandhel psmeup, his
armssnakearoundmywai standhekissesmyf orehead.

"
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
"Iask.
"Youwi
l
lbeMrs.Mkhwanazi
,you'
l
l bar
emychil
drenbut
Amukel
ani
youneedtostopcheat
ingonme."Hesayswitht
ear
s
swimmi
nginhi
seyes.

"Iwi
l
lst
opandI'
l
ldoanyt
hingtomakethi
ngsrightbetweenus
Boo.
"Iwipet
het
earsf
all
i
ngf r
om hi
sbeauti
ful
ey es.

"Wedon' thav eanyot heropti

ont hantot erminat
eandgety ouon
bir
thcont r
ol asqui ckl
yaspossi ble.
"Igaspi nshock."Iknowit'
s
nottheeasi estthingtodobutIpr omiseit'stheri
ghtthing
consideri
ngt hecircumst ances.IpromiseI '
llmakeyouamot her
again,butnowt heoddsar eagai nstus.Pleasetel
lmey ou
understandbaby ,"Idon'tknowhowIf eel aboutabort
ionbutBoo
i
sr i
ght,he'sreali
st i
c.

"
Okay
,"henar
rowshi
sey
es.

"
Okayasi
nyouagr
eet
oter
minat
e?"Inodsl
owl
y.

"Thisi
showIknowy ouaremywi f
eAmukelani,youlist
ent o
reasonandunder
stand.Ipromiseyouwon'
tgot hrought hi
salone,
I
'llbehol
dingy
ourhandthroughtheenti
reprocess."Iplacemy
headonhischestandhet i
ghtenshisar
msar oundme.

"I
'
m sorryt
hatwehav
etodot
his,
"hi
swor
dsmakemewai
l
painf
ull
y.

"Iwi
sht
hingswer
edi
ff
erent
,youwer
egoi
ngt
obeanamazi
ng
dad.
"

"Andy
outheperf
ectmotherandpart
nertome.Butourt
imewi
l
l
comeagai
n,Ipr
omise.
"Hisvoicei
ssoothi
ngandassuri
ng.
"I
'
m sorryagainf
orcheat
ingBoo,i
treal
l
ymeansalotthatyour
choosi
ngt oputi
tbehi
ndy ouandgi
veusanot
herchance."
Countl
esskissesl
andont het
oponmyhead.

"That'
sbecauseIl
ovey
ou,
"Icl
osemyey
eswi
thmyhear
tcomi
ng
alr
ight
.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

I
'vebeenont hiscallwi
thMakhul uforhours,I'
vel aughedf rom the
j
okesshecr acked.Gaspedi nshockedatthegossi pshe' sbeen
tell
i
ngme, alotishappeningbackhomei nGqeber ha.Buteach
ti
meI 'mt her
emyhappi nessi sshortli
ved,I'
m alway sreminded
thatI'
m anor phanandmypar entslef
ttheirmot herwi t
habur den
thatisme.Idon' tknowwhat 'sgoingtohappent omewhenGod
remember smygr andmot her,thatwomanhasbeent heonl y
personwhol ovesmeandmakessur ethatI'
m okay .Myaunt '
s
won'tev enthinktwiceaboutcut ti
ngmeof fsoonast hei
rmot her
i
sgone, butIalwaysprayt hatGodt akesherwhenI '
m wor king
andabl etotakecar eofmy selft
hewayshe' sdoi ng.Iknowshe' l
l
alsorestinpeaceknowi ngI '
m okay.

"
Undi
phi
l
e,mnt
anami
."Shesay
sser
ious.

"Peaches,
"Iknowshe'ssmil
ingf
rom eart
oear.Ical
lhert
hat
becauseshe'sli
ghtski
nnedandtur
nspinkwhenevershel
aughs.
"Whenareyoucominghome?I
t'
sbeenawhilenowDodowam"I
si
gh.Il
astwenthomeinDecember
,Idi
dn'
tsetfootdur
ingt
he
marchholi
days,
madesomeexcuseaboutassi
gnmentsandal
l.

"JuneHol
iday
sPeaches,
Ipr
omi
seI
'
llbehome.
"Isayexci
tedl
y,
hopingt
orubitonher
.

"That'
stoof ar,
pleasecomet hisweekend."Thesadnessinher
voicedarkensmymood.Anot herreasonIhategoi
nghomei s
becauseshe' salwayscaughtinbet weenmeandherchildren.I
don'twantthest ressf
orher,she'soldandfrai
l.

"Butnowi t
'sal
it
tl
eshortnot
ice,Ihavethi
ngsfortheweekend.I
promisetocomedownnextweekThur sday,
I'
llmissFri
day
classes.
"Sheheavesasighofreli
efontheothersideofthel
i
ne.

"Iwil
laskJoj ot
osendy outhebusfarethen,
"Inevert
akeabus
home, Ialwaysaddmysav ingst
owhatshesendsandt akea
fli
ght
.Imagi nemybeautif
ulasssi
tt
ingforabouttwelv
ehours,i
t
cannev erbeme.I'
dratherbebrokethatendurethatl
ongroadto
aplacecal l
edhome.

"
Thanky
ouPeaches,
"Isay
.

"Okaysthandwasami ,l
etmel eaveyout oy ourbooks.Ihope
you'r
est i
l
lfocusedony ourbooks, don'tall
owboy sanywherenear
umamgobozi .
"Irol
lmyey es,onlymygr andmot hercancall
someone' svaginathatway .She'salway sreferedt oitt
hatway,
eversinceIwentt ostaywi thher.She'dal waysaskmei fanyone
touched"uMamgo"whenshewasbat hingmei nt hemor ni
ng
prepari
ngmef orschool.Thatwasherwayoff indingoutifno
manwast ryi
ngany thi
ngwi thme.
"
Nope,i
t'
sbooksbef
oreboy
sbecauseboy
sbr
ingbabi
es,
"she
l
aughspr
oud.

"Owam kel o,"(

that
'smygirl
.)OhMakhulu,Johannesburgboys
confusedmeonceort wiceandIendedupscr eamingunderthem
andjusty ester
dayacertai
nNigeri
anmanshowedi nt
eresti
n
wantingapi eceofmet oo.ButIwon'
ttel
lthattomyPeachesand
bether easonshehasahear tatt
ack.

"
Letmel
eav
eyout
oit
,wewi
l
lseeeachot
hersoon.
"

"
Okaymyl
ove,
Iwi
l
lseey
ounextweek.Il
ovey
ouv
a?"Isay
.

"Il
oveyout ooDodowam,"Ihangupandgetoffmybed,She'
sthe
onlypersonIknowwhowi l
lbeonacallwi
thyoufor2pl
ushours
andstil
lfeell
ikeshedi
dn'
tsayenough,
Iappr
eciat
ehert
hough.

Iam famished,Ionlyhadbreakfasttoday,I'm notinthemoodt o

cook.I'
l
ljustorderoutandhav ethem deli
v er,
butt heyt endto
taketi
me.I '
l
l j
ustmakeasnackj usttohol dthehunger .Iopent he
fri
dgeandt akeoutGreeksaladingredients,it
'squickandt ast
y .
WheredidLemohangputt hatbowl ,
Ifinditint hegrocer y
cupboard.Trustthi
sonetoal waysactl i
keshedoesn' tliveinthis
fl
at.I
'
m cut t
ingcucumberwhenaknockcomest hrought hedoor.
Whocoul ditbe?Igoopenandi t
'sthesecur it
yguyf rom t hegate.

"Thi
sist
hefl
atmlunguwami,
"hesayst
osomeonest
andi
ngby
hissi
de,
butwhoeveri
snoti
nmyv i
ew.
HeleavesandIgaspinshockwhenEbukaappearsbef
oremy
eyeswithfl
ower
sandagi f
tbag.Thismanknowswhathe'sdoi
ng
andhe'snotgoi
ngtomakei teasyonmebutI'
m Undi
phil
eandI
won'tf
oldsoeasil
ytoo.

"Whatar
ey oudoinghere?
"Iaskandhesmiles,
apant
ydr
oppi
ng
smil
ethatexposeshisperf
ectwhi
tedent
it
ion.

"Mrs.Okaf
or,
Icamet odropt
heseoffmysel
f.
"Igi
vehi
m astar
e,
notgivi
ngawayanythi
ng.Hemustshakeali
tt
leandwonder
what'si
nmypr et
tyhead.

"
Idon'
twantyourgif
tsEbuka,
you'
redoingt
oomuch.
"Di
dhehav
e
t
ofucki
nli
ckhislowerl
ipsoseduct
ivel
y.

"Amancanneverdotoomuchwhenthemi ssi
onistomakehi s
fut
urewi
fehappy,
"Ican'
tst
opmyli
psfrom curl
i
ngup.Boy shave
askedmeoutbefor
ebutthi
sist
hefi
rstti
mesuchi shappeni
ngto
me.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
obey
ourf
utur
ewi
fe,
"Isayf
oldi
ngmyar
ms.

"Iunderst
andandr espectthatyouneedt oplayali
tt
lehardtoget
babybutlikeIsaidyesterday,I
'
m apat i
entman.Especial
l
yf or
somet hi
ngso..
."Hesear chesforthewor dandhisexpr
ession
changesfrom playf
ultoser i
ous."
Pricel
ess,"hef
ini
shesandI
suddenlyhavebutterf
li
es.

"LeaveEbuka,
"Ihat
ehowI'mfeel
i
ngr
ightnow,
afewgi
ft
sand
charmingwordscan'
tconf
useme.

"Babym (mybaby)
,openthesaf
etydoorf
ory
ourhusband
please.
"Heaskssoft
ly"
Ihadtodit
chsomanyimport
ant
meeti
ngsbecauseyouhadtoreceiv
et oday'
sgi
fts.
"Hecoexes
meandstupidl
yIfal
lfori
tandreachforthekeybehindt
hedoor
andunl
ockthesafet
y.

"
Thanky
ou,"hewal
ksi
nandstopsjustaf
teraf
ewsteps,
wai
ti
ng
f
ormetoleadhi
mfurt
heri
n.At
leasthehasmanner
s.

"
Youweremakingfood,i
t'
sli
keyouknewIwouldbehungr
y.But
y
ourhusbandi
sn'tasal
adeati
ngguy,Ihopey
ouhavemaizemeal
t
ocookpap.Ieatanyki
ndofmeat."

Bat
hong!

I
'm notcookingforhi
m.Andwhendi
dwegof
rom hi
m char
ming
met ohim aski
ngthatIcook.

"Butbef
oreyoudopleasehav
et hese,
"hehandsmet
hegi
ftbag
andputsthefl
ower
sont heki
tchencounter
.

"Youreal
l
yneedtostopwit
hthegi
ft
s,t
heywon'ti
nfl
uencemy
deci
siononwethert
ogiv
ey oumynumberornot.
"Isayandhe
nods.

"Yournumberi snotsomethi
nghar
dtofi
ndbaby,y
ouratt
enti
oni
s
whatI'm desperat
elyl
ooki
ngfor
.OnceIhav
ethatI
'l
lbr
eath.
"I
narrowmyey es.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngtohopel
essl
yfall
inlovewi
thy
ouEbuka,
'
'hel
aughs
l
i
keIjustsai
dsomethi
ngreal
lyfunny
.

Il
i
kehi
sbear
dbyt
heway
.

"Af
ooli
shmanlooksf
orawomanwhowi l
llov
ehiminst
ant
ly.
Lov
ingi
smyjob,youj
usthav
etor
espectandsuppor
tmeand
whenyourhear
tfeel
ssafewit
hmet heny
ou'l
lfal
lhopel
essl
yin
l
ovewithmeandbyt henyou'
l
lhav emyball
sinyourhand,
cont
rol
l
ingmewi t
houtevennoti
cing."

Huh?I
'
m notf
oll
owi
ngbutokay
.

"
Iguessit
'st
imetoseewhaty ou'
vegotmet oday.Youshoul
d
r
eal
lystopspendi
ngyourmoneyliket
his,i
fyouwantt ospoi
lme
t
hengetmesomeser iouscompanyshares.
"Ijokeandhenods.

"SocanIgot hroughtot
heloungeMrs.Okaf
or?"heasksandI
gestur
eforhimt ogothr
ough.Iwatchhi
m si
tdownandt akeof
f
hisshoes,heloosenshi
sbeltandl
eansbackchangi
ngthe
channeltofootbal
l.

Thi
xowaseGeor
geGoch!

"
Myi
yawo,
"hesay
s.

"
What
'st
hat
?"Iask.

"
Ohi
tmeansmywi
fei
nYor
uba,
"hesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.

"You'
reYoruba?
"Whyam Iaski
ngt
hist
hisandnotaski
nghi
mto
stopcal
li
ngmehi swi
fe.

"No,
I'
mIgbo.Butsomeofmybr
other
sareYor
uba.
"Bybr
other
s
hemeanshisfr
iendswhoar
eal
waysathi
shouse.

"
Ohokay
,"Inodandopent
hegi
ftbag.

Ar edbox,nof ucki
nwayno.Ibuti tbackint
hegi f
tbagandhur r
y
tothelounge,Iplaceitonhisthi
ghsandhef rowns.I
fhehad
broughtitinit
sor i
ginal
paperbagt henIwoul
dn'thaveeventaken
i
tfr om hi
m, It
hinkheknewi thenceheputiti
nadi ff
erentgi
ftbag.
"NoIcan'
tacceptt
hat,
it'
stoomuch.Howmuchhav eyouspent
onmei nt
woday sEbuka?No."Ijustsawaredboxandtheword
Cart
ier
,ev
eryoneknowsthatit'
sexpensi
ve,what
everi
t'
sint
here
i
sexpensiv
e.I'
m nothi
sgirl
fr
iendforhimtospendsomuchon
me.

Hebl
owsoutasi
gh.

"Thi
sisexactl
ywhyIwantt
ogiv
eital
ltoy
ou,becauseyou'
renot
aski
ngforitUndi
phi
l
e."Mynamecomesoutperf
ectl
yfr
om his
mouth.

"
No,st
il
l.Ican'
taccepti
t.
"Her
eachesformyhandandhi
sis
war
m andsof t
.Iswall
owasheconnect
sourfi
nger
s.

"Youhadmyat t
entionwheny ousai dy ou' l
lpayforthepat rolto
travelwi t
hLemohangt oAt ang' sgame.Mycar salwayshav e
pat r
ol,Ithoughty ou'dfigure.ButIunder stoodwhaty ouneeded,
youl i
kehol di
ngy ourownandt hat'
st her easonIaskedmypeopl e
touset hecarl i
kecr azysoy ou'llbeabl et opoursomegas.Your
i
ndependencei swhyI '
m attract edt oyouandofcour sey our
beaut i
ful bigass,noof fensebaby .
"Hesay swit
hasmi le."Iknow
youmi ghtt hi
nkIwantt oplaywi thy ouandIdon' tblamey ou.I'
ve
hadmyf airshareofwomen, buty ou'redi ffer
entandmaki ngme
thinkdifferentl
yint hepr ocess, fort hef i
r stti
mei nalongt ime
thatis.Gi vemey ourattentionony ourt er msandgett oknowme
please,"hi sexpressionissof t.

"
Thegi
ft
s,i
t'
stoomuchEbuka.
"Henods.

"I
'
llt
oneitdownalit
tl
e,Iwon'
tbeabl
etost
opbecauseIwantto
gi
vey ouni
cethi
ngs.Andno,i
t'
snott
olur
eyouin,
Ijustwantt
o
t
akecar
eofmywoman.
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"
I'
m noty
ourwoman,
"Icor
recthi
m.

"
Yet
,"Iscof
fandhesmi
l
es.

Heletsgoofmyhandandopenst
hegif
tbag,
taki
ngt
her
edbox
outandheputst
hebracel
etonmywr
ist
.

"I
tlooksgoodony
ou.
"Hebr
ingsmyhandupandki
ssest
heback
ofit.

"Iwant
edt
osayear
li
ert
hatIl
i
kemyf
oodspi
cyhot
,"Ir
etr
actmy
hand.

"
I'
m notcooki
ngf
ory
ou,
"

"
Why?Youdon'
thav
egr oceri
es?Wecanqui
ckl
yrunt
otheshops
t
ogetwhat
every
ou'
llneed."Thi
sguy
.

"
Nowedohavegr
ocer
ies,
Ijustdon'
twantt
ocookf
ory
ou.
"He
r
oll
shi
sey
es.

"I
yawo,
gocook.Ineedt
oseei fyouknowhowt oori
fI'
l
lneedt
o
fi
ndagoodchefwhowil
lteachyou,theki
dsandIdon'
twantto
befedt
akeoutsal
lthet
ime."Igaspinshock.

"
Iknowmywayaroundt
heki
tchen,
thanky
ouv
erymuch.
"Isay
wi
thsomesass.

"I
fthat'
sthecase,wal
ktot
hekitchenandwhipmesomethingreal
quick.
"He'sgi
vingmeachall
enginglookanddamnhi
m becauseI
neverbackoutofone.

"
Fine,
ifImakey
oul
i
cky
ourf
inger
stheny
oust
opwi
tht
hegi
ft
s."
Henodsi
mper
cept
ibl
y.Hebet
ternott
hinkhewi
l
lbackouti
fthi
s.

"
Goont
hen,
"thi
sfool
.

Iwal
ktot
heki
tchenwi
thanexpensi
vebr
acel
etl
ocki
ngar
oundmy
wri
st.

"
Wai
t,
"Isayt
urni
ngi
nthespeedofl
i
ght
.

"
Yes?
"

"Yousai
dyouandtheki
ds,
youhav
eki
dsal
ready
?"WhydoI
soundhorr
if
ied?

Hechor
tl
es.

"Don'
tdi
eIyawo,
Iwasspeaki
ngofthechi
ldreny
ou'
regoingt
o
givemeonceyoust
opthi
shardtoget.
"Icli
ckmytongue.

I
'm goingtomurderLemohang,
she'
stheonewhobr
oughtt
his
mani ntoourl
i
ves.

Whatam Icooki
ngf
orhi
m ev
en?

Chi
neke!
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER13

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Myl awy erwantedtobet heonet odot hisbutIhadtohandl eit

,I
want edNombul elotosignthediv or
cepaper sri
ghtinfrontofme
soIwi ll
knowf orsurethatit'
sov erbetweenus.Iwantt osee
regretfl
ashthroughherey eswhensher eali
zesthatshehasl ost
agoodmanbecauseofherbul l
shi t
,becauseshechoset of i
ghta
wart hatwasn'therbusiness.I
fonl ysheknewt hathermot herli
ed
tothem aboutt hei
rfat
her ,
thatratherwhatshet ol
dt hem was
actuall
yv i
ceversa.

Itextedhert omeetmei nacof f

eeshopi nRosebankbecauseI
hadmeet ingsintheareat hr
oughouttheday .Ididn'twanttodel ay
hersi gningt hesepaper s,beingfr
eef rom heri nev ery
wayi swhat
I'
m mostdesper atefor.Igett ot
hepar ki
nglotoft heshopping
compl ext hecoffeeshopi sl
ocatedandcl imboutofmycar ,
takingmyt i
meappr oachi ngtheentranceev ent houghI '
m 10
mi nutesl ate.WhenIgeti nsi
demyey esdar taroundunt ilIfi
ndher
sit
t i
ngatt hecornertablewi thacupandamuf fi
ni nfr
ontofher .I
appr oachherandmyf oot stepsaler
therofmypr esence,shejolts
upf rom herchai rgivi
ngmeaner voussmi l
e.
Ijustpullachai
randsitdown, pl
acingt heenvel
opeont hetabl
e.
Shesi t
sdownshor tl
yafterandheav esasigh,I'
ml ookingather
andshecannothol dmygazesoshedr opsherey es.Thebr ui
ses
onherf acearecoveredinheavymakeup, Isawt hem theday
theycamet ooffermeherl i
tt
lesist
erasar epl
acementwi f
e.Of
courseIrefusedthei
rstupidpropositi
onandsentt hem outofmy
mot hershouse.MaNgobeseusedt heoppor t
unit
yt otellt
hem
thatshe'l
ldofarworsethantakingtheirhouseiftheykeptcomi ng
atus.

"Youdon'tknowhowhappyIwaswhenIgoty ourtext
,"shesays
andIwantt olaugh,whatagoodj oke."Iknewt hatdeepdownwe
weren'
tdone, t
hatyouneededsomet i
met ocool offandcome
backtome. "Haibo!WhateverNombul eloandherf amilysmoke
i
t'sr
eall
ystrong.Ifmydiamondbusi nessev erfail
edIwoul dl
ook
i
ntodeali
ngt hedrug,I
'm surepeoplewoul dappreciat
el i
vi
ngin
thei
rheadsasmuchast hesepeopl e.

"Sthandwasami,IknowIwr ongedy ou.Iwi

shIcouldtakeback
thehandsoftimeandt reatyoubetter,
Makhosi
ni.Il
ovey ouand
allI'
m aski
ngforisachancet obetheNombuleloyoumetal l
thosey ear
sago."Iam noddi
ngslightl
y.

"
Whythesuddenchangeofheart
?Youwer
ereadyt
odest
royme
Nof
oto.
"Iaskcr
ossi
ngmyl egs.

"BecauseI
'v
ereal
i
zedmymi st
akes,Ireali
zedIshoul
dn'
thave
punishedy
ouformyfat
her
'smistakes."Irol
lmyeyesbored.

Excuses,
Excuses!
"No,youar
escaredofpovert
y.That
'swhyyou'
redesperat
eto
comeback,I'
dratherdi
ethanbewit
hy ouagai
n."Shegaspsi
n
shock.

"
Makhosini,
"shecl
utchesatherchestwi
tht
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngt
o
f
all
.I'
m notmoved,notevenonebit.

Ipi
ckuptheenvel
opeandt akeoutthedivorcepapers.Ir
eachfor
apenfrom t
hei
nsidepocketofmybl azer
.Islidethepapersto
hersi
deandhereyesal
mostf al
loffuponr eal
izi
ngwhatt he
paper
sare.

"No!No,I'
m notdivorci
ngyousof orgeti
tnever
."Ipinchthebri
dge
ofmynose." Justgiv
eusanot herchanceloveplease,makeme
signaprenup.Let'
sdateagainsoy oucant r
ustmeagai n,butnot
adivor
ce."Shepleadswi t
hme.

"
Wher
ear
eyoust
ayi
ng?
"Iaskandshef
rowns.

"WithVumileandhisfamil
y,wear
eall
crampedi
nthatsmal
l
house."Shesaysquietl
yandnodl
eani
nginandpl
aci
ngmy
elbowsont hetabl
e.

"I
magineifmymotherfindsawaytobuyt
hatonetoo,
you'
dbe
outonthestr
eetswit
hnowheretogo.Si
gnthedamnpapers
Nombulel
o."Isayt
hroughgri
tt
edteet
h.

"
Whendi
dyoubecomesohear
tl
ess?
"Sheasksper
plexed.

"WhenImar r
iedacr azybit
ch!"Ispewandsheclosesherey esas
i
fpained.ButIknowbet ter
."SigneverypageNombulel
o,now!"I
l
eanbackandwat chassher eachesforthepenandsignseach
pageuntil
thelastdottedli
neatt heback.Rel
i
effl
oodsthrough
me,
mynewbegi
nni
ngs.

"Youarenotgett
ingacentf r
om me, sur
viveont helit
tleyoumight
havesaved.Orbett
erlookforajobandt akecareofy ourself
.
Hopeful
lynoothermenf all
sforyouract,
"Isayr eachingforthe
papers,
slowlyr
eturni
ngthem int
ot heenvelope.Mypenr et
urnsto
thepocketofmyblazer,andIpushmychai rbackandst andup.

"
Iwouldn'
twishyouonmywor stenemy .Mayyourl
i
febe
miser
ableAF,Goodby
e."Iwal
kawayf eeli
nggr
eat.

Ihadt helongestday ,Ifeltl

ikegoingoutandcel ebratingalone
butI'
m damnt ired.Iam af reemannow, IcandoasIpl easesoI'l
l
cel
ebr atethisweekend.I 'm gonnagetdr unkasIwi l
l andmay be
meetawomanwhowi l
lremi ndmeofhowi tfeel
st obebur ied
betweent hewar mthoft heheav enbet weent hei
rthighs.I'
mt i
red
ofjerkingmy selfoffli
keI '
m somehor nyteenager.Thi sti
meI '
m
notrushingmy selfi
ntoany thing,I
'm goingtocasual lydateand
enj
oymeet ingwomenwhowi l
lunderstandt hatI
'm notlookingfor
anythingser i
ousatt hemoment .

Ij
ustlef
tmyl astmeeti
ngandI
'mlooki
ngfor
war
dtoalongbath
wi
thacol dbeerinmyhandasIrel
axandall
owmynewreal
it
yto
si
nkin.Fuck!I'
m ahappyman.
Johannesburgtraf
fi
ci sthreateningmymoodt hough,
bumpert o
bumpert r
aff
icistheor derofthisearl
yev eni
ng.Aneveningthat
seesMakhosiniaf r
eeman, theskyisgr eyanditl
ookslikei
t'
s
goingtopour.Theheav ensar ealsocelebrat
ingmyescapef rom
Nombul el
oBlangwe, whataj oyfulday
.Myphoner i
ngsthrough
thecarspeakerandIl owerthev olumebef or
eanswering.

"
Lukhel
e,
"

"
Makhosi
ni,weneedyourhel pson,t
heyar
ethreat
eni
ngtot
ake
Gl
entoapublichospi
talbecausewehaven'
tbeenabl
etoset
tl
e
t
hebi
ll
,"i
t'
ssis'
Nomuzi,she'shyst
eri
cal
.

Idi
dn'tevenknowGlenwasadmi
tt
ed,t
hel
astIsawhim hewas
sti
l
linthemakeshi
ftICUt
heymadeint
hei
rbedroom.

"
Pleasecal
m down,whi
chhospit
al?
"Iaskandshet
ell
sme.
"
List
en,I
'l
lbether
easquickl
yaspossi
ble.
"

"
Thanky
ouMakhosi
ni,
"shehangsup.

I'
m uneasy ,wishingIcouldfl
ypassal lthesedamncar sinfr
om of
me.Ther e'
sanof fr
ampi nlessthanaki lomet er,
itwil
l addan
extra15mi nutestogettothehospi talbuti t'
sbetterthanbeing
stuckint heslowmov i
ngtraff
ic.Iindicatet hatIwantt omov eto
theleftlaneandThankGodwhent hePol odr i
verall
owsmet o
comet hrough,yesIknowwhaty ou'rethi nki
ngbutnotal l
Polo
driv
ersar emani acs.Ifi
nall
yofframpandspeedt omakei ti
nti
me
beforet heyloadhimi ntheambul anceandsendhi mt oapl ace
theywon'
tgi vehi
m att
enti
on.Healt
hwor kersatpubl
icf
aci
li
ti
es
areover
wor ked.Onenursehastomi ndadozenpat i
ent
sal
one,so
whenwillshehav et
hetimetoattendtoev er
yoneofGlen'
sneeds?

Igettothehospi tal
andpar kmycaratthepar kingnextt ot
he
recept
ion,Imadesur et
ogr abmywal l
etsoI '
ll
beabl etosettl
ethe
bill
andregistermycar dforthem t
obill
from it.Glenhelpedme
outofjai
landoutofNombul el
o'
smer cy,Iknowi twashi smess
buthewoul dhav etookmedownwi thhim buthechosenott o.
sis'
Nomuzi ispleadingwit
hamani nasui tandhe'sjustshaking
hishead.

"
I'
m sor
ryma'
am,Idon'
tmakether
ules.IwishIcoul
dgi
vey
ou
moreti
mebuthospi
tal
pol
i
cyrequi
resthat-
"

Iquickl
yint
erj
ect
,"wher
edoImakethepay
ment?"IaskandIsee
si
s'Nomuzidropherheadi
nrel
i
efwhenshenot
icesthatI
'
m here.

"
Excuseme?
"Theguysay
s.

"Iwanttosettl
eMr.Bhengu'sbi
ll
,"henodslooki
ngbetweenme
andthetiredwoman.She'snotonlyphysi
call
yti
redbut
emotionall
ydrai
ned.Icannotev
enbegintoimaginewhatshe'
s
goingthrough.

"Pl
easecomewi
thme,
I'
mfr
om t
hebi
l
li
ngdepar
tment
."He
expl
ains.

"
I'
ll
comef
indy
ouwhenI
'
m donesi
s'
Muzi
."Shenods
i
mper
cept
ibl
y.

Poorwoman!

ItookalmostforeverinthereandIjustwant edtofindoutwhat
hadhappenedt oGlent hatmadehi m needar ealhospi
tal
.Ifi
nd
Glen'
swifeinhisroom, herheadplacedont heedgeofthebed.
Bhenguissleepi
ngpeacef ul
ly
,cancerhasr eal
lyatethr
oughthe
bi
gconf i
dentmanIonceknewandl ookedupt o.He'sashadow
ofhisformerself,
it'
sev enhardert
or ecognizehim now.

IshakeMam'
Nomuzi
andshej
olt
sup.

"
You'
reback,
"shesay
srubbi
ngherey
es.

"
Yes,
ever
ythi
ngi
stakencar
eof
."Shecl
aspsmyhand.

"
Thanky
ouv
erymuch,
"hershaki
ngv
oicet
ell
sme.

"
Whathappened?
"

Sheblowsoutasi gh,"t
heyfreezedal
lourassert
sandaccount s
whilet
heyinvesti
gatethecharges.Gl
engotmor esickafterthat,
I
suspecti
tstressedhim out
.Icouldn'
tkeephiminourbedr oom
anymore,soIbroughthim here.Themedicalai
dhadf undsbut
theydepl
etedandIdi dn'
thavecashtopay .
"Shefinal
l
yallowsher
tear
stofall
.

"Youdon'
thavet
oworryaboutmoney,Iwi
l
lhel
p.Youjustf
ocus
onGlenokay?
"Shenodswhilewi
pinghert
ear
swiththebackof
herhand.
"Iwil
lforeverbeindebt
edtoyou,aft
erev er
ythi
ngmyhusbanddi d
you'r
eher ehelpi
ngus.Yourgoodhear twil
lbri
ngy
oubl essi
ngs
from above,"Ismil
esweetl
yather."Ineedtousethebathroom."
Sheget supf rom t
hechai
randleavest her
oom.IstandnearGlen,
watchinghim withaheavyheart
.

"
Youhav
eagr
eatwi
fe,
Ihopey
ouknowt
hat
."Isay
.

"Iknow,I'
m sosadt hatI'
m abouttol
eaveheralone.
"heresponds,
Ithoughthewasasl eep."I
'v
ebeenholdingonforherbutIcannot
anymore.Stayingali
veisdraini
ngheranddyingwill
leav
eher
feeli
nglonely
.I'
m standingatacrossroad.
"Icanhearandfeel
thepainlacedinhisvoice.

"Ineedy outol i
stenMakhosini
,"hesay spulli
ngmet obenddown.
"Ihaveasaf etydepositbox,i
t'
snotinmynamebutashel l
companyname.I t'
sli
keIknewt hi
sdaywi llcome,Idon'twantto
l
eav emywi f
ebr okeandstranded.Theyar ewatchi
ngherev ery
mov e,theythinkwemi ghthavesomebl ooddiamondsbutwe
don't.Iaskthaty ougototheprivat
ebankandgett hecontentfor
her,Iknowi t
'sal ottoaskbutyou'r
et heonlyoneItrustwithmy
wife.Checkuponherf r
om ti
met otime,"hewhispersandnod
vigorously
.

"
Whi
chbankandwher
ewi
l
lIgett
hekey
?"Iask.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Hi
shandsar
erubbi
ngev
eryi
nchofmybody
,Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
veev
er
feltsohot.I'
m ontopofhim gri
ndi
ngonhi shar
der ecti
on,the
kississloppyandwet.Histongueinvadi
ngmymout h,Icanfeel
hishunger .Hefl
i
psmeov erandnowhe' stheonein-betweenmy
thighsont opofme,he'
sdryhumpi ngmeandal lIcandoi smoan
i
npl easure.Hetri
estopul
l downmyl eggi
ngsbutitfinal
lycli
cks
i
nmyheadwhati sabouttohappen.

"
Wait
!"Iqui
cklypushhi
m of
fmeandhegr
oans,
Idon'
tknowi
fit
's
f
rom f
rust
rat
ionorsomethi
ngel
se.

"
What
'swr
ongmyl
ove?
"Heaskspant
ing.

Iclearmyt hr
oat
,"I
'm notready
,Mabutho.
"Isayandheshutshis
eyesf oraminut
eorsot hengetsoffmecompl et
elyandset
tl
eon
theedgeoft hebed.Hisheadisburi
edinhishands,Iwoul
dgive
any t
hingtoknowwhat '
sgoingthr
oughhisheadrightnow.

"I
'
m sorr
y,"If
eelsobad,hemustf
eelli
keI'
m pl
ayi
ngchil
dish
games.ButIdon'twantt
orushi
ntosex,wearest
il
lget
ti
ngt o
knoweachot her
.

Heholdshishandoutwi
thoutl
ooki
ngmyway
,It
akei
tand
connectourf
inger
s.

"Iunderstand,Idon'
twantt
orushyou.Loveispati
entaf
teral
l
,"
somer eli
effloodsthr
oughmebutI'm notconv
incedhe
understandsbecausehehasn'tl
ookedatme.

"Pleasel
ookatme,
"Iaskmeekl
ybuthel
etsgoofmyhandand
standsup.
"Ineedacol
dshowert
ogetr
idoft
his,
"he'
spoi
nti
ngt
ohi
s
erecti
on.

Hiseyeshav en'
tfoundtheirwaytomyper son,myhear tis
thuddi
nghar dagainstmychest .WhatifI
'm makinghimr egrethis
decisi
onoft el
li
ngmehowhef eel
s?Amukel anihasalwayssai d
thatmenar esexualbeings,shesaidthey'
l
lalwaysgot owher e
theygetit
,andifwe'rebeinghonestMabut hoisabeaut i
fulman
andev er
ywomenwoul dwantapi eceofhim.Iwillhav
eto
prepar
emy selfment al
l
yt ogiveal
l ofmetohim, orhewillendup
i
nbedwi thanot herwoman.

Thebat hroom doorcl osesbehi ndhi m andIsigh, damni t

Lemohang.Youshoul dhav ejustwentwi t
hthef low, he'syour
boyfri
end.Hehasshowny ounot hingbutcareandl oveandy ou'
re
pl
ay i
nggameswi thhim, Ican'tholdont omyv i
rginityforeverand
i
fwe' r
ebei nghonestMabut hoi sthemanwhodeser vesmypur i
ty.
Igetof fthebedandheadt ot heloungewher eIlef tmybag, Itake
outaci garet
teandal i
ght erthenheadoutt hesl i
di ngdoori ntothe
garden.Isettl
eont heloungerandcr ossmyl egsasIl ightupmy
ci
ggy ,Iinhal
et hesmokeandl etitlingerinmysy stem bef ore
puffi
ngi toutthroughmynost ri
ls.

I
tfeel
ssogood,
li
kei
t'
smyf
ir
stf
ort
hedayandi
t'
sact
ual
l
ymy
4t
h.

"Whatt
hefuck!"Her
oughlypul
l
stheci
garet
tef
rom mylipsand
put
sitoutwit
hhisshoe.Il
ookupathi
m andhe'
sfur
ious.
"
Whydi
dyoudot
hatMabut
ho?
"Iask.

"
Youhavenobusi
nesssmoki
ng!
"Heshout
sandacol
dshi
ver
r
unsdownmyspine.

"
Say
swho?
"I'
m equal
l
ymad.

"There'
snothi
ngsexyandatt
ract
ivewi
thawomanwhosmokes,
I
don'tli
kei
tandyou'
llst
op.
"Okayholdup.

"
I'
m notsmokingtol
ooksexyort oattractany
one,
"Igi
vei
tback
t
ohim andhestepsbackindisbel
ief."
Youcan'tor
dermearound
Mabutho,
ifyoudon'
tl
ikesomet hi
ngy ousitmedownandtalkto
menotscoldmelikeafucki
n'chil
d."Isay.

I
'vealway
sbeenanindependentgir
l,Ineverhadtoanswerto
anyoneandwhatheisdoingi
sn'tsomet hi
ngI'
llst
andfor
.I'
m hi
s
gi
rlf
ri
endnothi
schil
d.

Hiseyesar
eonmei nt
ensel
y,nor
mall
yhisgazepi
nsmedownand
Igeti
nti
midat
edbutIdon'
tl
ikewhathedidaminut
eago.

Hisexpressionchanges,from madt osad.Hiseyesgethaunted

from somethinghe'st
hinkingabout.Myt huddi
ngheartweakens
andwor r
ytakesov erme.Heset tl
esont heloungerandhideshi
s
faceinhisthighs,
hesniffsbacktearsandIbi t
emyl owerli
p.

What
'sgoi
ngon?

"I
'
m sorry,
"hesay sl ookingup."Seei
ngyousmoker emi
ndedme
ofthi
ngsI '
dr at
herforget .I
tbr
oughtbackpainandIonl
ythought
aboutloosingyout oot hesamewaysomeday .
"Hesaysand
shutshisey esatthehaunt edmemor ythati
sunknowntome.
"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Iasksquat
ti
ngi
nfr
onthi
m.

"Myf ather
,"hi
sshakingv oicebreaksmyhear t
."Hewasaheavy
smoker ,gotdi
agnosedwi t
hl ungcancer
,itwastoolat
eandhe
died.Ialwaysthoughtthati fhehadstoppedsmokingli
kemy
mot heraskedhewoul dn'thav edi
edwhenwest i
ll
neededhi
m,"he
explainsandIfeell
ikeshit.

Hewasj ustworri
edandscar edf ormeandIr
aisedmyv oiceat
him.Lor
d, whycan'tIseet hatthi
smanhasmybesti nterest
sat
heart
?He' sal
wayshad, eversi
nceIwalkedi
ntohisof f
iceandour
feel
i
ngst ookover
.What everdoubtIhavei
nmyhear tis
somethi
ngIneedt ol etgoandt r
ustthi
smanfull
y,becauseI fI
don'
tImi ghtl
osehimf orever
.

"
Iam sor
rybaby
,sosor
ry.
"Isayandhequi
ckl
ylooksupatme.

"Thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imey
ou'
recal
l
ingmet
hatway
."Hesay
sandI
smil
e.

"
Real
l
y?"Henodsandpecksmyl
i
ps.

Iwi
pet
hoset
ear
sandki
sshi
m back.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
oract
ingt
hatway
,"heshakeshi
shead.

"
Iactedoutofmyfeeli
ngs,y
oudidn'tunder
standsoyourbehav
ior
i
sjusti
fi
ed.
"Hesay s,
Ilov
ethisabouthim.He'snotaf
rai
dtoadmit
whenhe'swrong.

"Youar
esuchanamazi
ngman.I
'
m sor
ryt
ohearabouty
ourdad.
"
Ifol
dhi
minmyembrace.

"
Ithappenedal
ongt
imeago,
butt
hanky
oul
ove.
"Heki
ssesmy
shoul
der
.

Thi
sisthefi
rsttimewe'vespokenabouthi
sfamil
y,I
'
mj ust
ki
cki
ngmy selfthathehadtotel
lmeabouthisl
ossbecauseI
somehowtriggeredit
.

"Comesi tonme. "HehelpsmeupandIsi tonhislap."

I'
m not
perfectLemohang, I
'l
lsl
ipupher eandthereandt hat'
sbecause
I
'm onlyhuman.Howev er
,Ineedy outoknowt hatyoucanful
ly
trustmewi thyourli
feandhear t
,Idon'
tknowabouty oubutI'
mi n
l
ov ewi t
hyou.Youar eamazi ngandIknowIwon' twantanyone
buty ou.That'
swhyIwanty outohavethis,"hesaysandholdsout
agol danti
quelocketnecklace.

"
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul,
"Isayr
unni
ngmyf
inger
soni
t.

"I
tbelongedtomymot her,
I'
llt
elly
ouabouthersomeday .Iwant
youtohav eit
.Toremembermycommi t
mentt oy ouandthis
rel
ati
onship,pl
easedon'twearitbutkeepi tunti
lthedaywewi l
l
publi
cizeourrel
ati
onship.Butkeepitwithy ouatallti
mes,"I
att
ackhi m wi
thakissandwhenIbr eakithe'sbreathl
ess.

"
You'
reget
ti
ngmor
ecomf
ort
abl
ewi
thme,
"Ismi
l
eandnod.

"
Iam,
"

"
Sowi
l
lyouhav
eit
?"Inodv
igor
ousl
y.

"
I'
m honor
edbaby,t
hanky
ou."Heput
siti
nmypal
m andcl
oses
myhandthenki
ssesmyknuckl
es.

Iopenmyhandandt
akealookatthi
sbeautif
ulpi
ece,
Ican'
t
bel
iev
ehegavemesomethi
ngthatbelongedtohi
smom.Ifeel
so
special
andt
hefactt
hathej
ustt
oldmehe'
sinl
ovewi
thme
meltedmyhear
t.

"Iwon'tbeavail
abl
ethisweekendmyl ove,
"hesaysandmyface
fall
s,Iwaslooki
ngforwardtohim get
ti
ngmef rom wor
kand
sleepingnextt
ohim.

"
Why
?"Hecar
essesmyf
aceandIl
eani
ntohi
swar
mth.

"I
'mleav
ingonFriday
,mycousincal
l
edyest
erdayandaskedme
tomakeitforhi
sbirt
hdaybackhomeinDur
ban."Heexpl
ainsand
Inodunderst
andi
ng.

"
Whenwi
l
lyoubeback?
"Iask.

"
Sundayni
ght
,youcancomeseemeMondayaf
terwor
k."Ismi
l
e.

"
Promi
sey
ou'
l
lbehav
ewheny
ou'
rehome.
"Hechuckl
es.

"
Ipr
omi
se,
beaut
if
ul.
"
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER14

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Mabut hoaskedmet opackmyov ernightbagbecausehewi l

lbe
taki
ngcar eofmet hiswholeweekend.Hewasbei ngt ruewhenhe
saidhewi ll
beholdingmyhandt hrought hi
swhol eprocess,Iam
gratef
ul t
hathe'
snotmaki ngmecar r
ythisalone.Ineverthought
I'
dsettleforanaborti
onbutthetimingisn'tr
ightandoncewear e
goodt ogohewi l
lgivemeal lhehaspr omised.Itrusthim wi
thmy
l
ifebecausenoonehasev erbeent hereformet hewayBoohas.

Wedofacehurdl
esli
keanynor
mal coupl
ebutweal
way
sfi
nda
wayt
ofixt
hings.I
tcanonl
ybelov
e.

Myhear tisthuddi
ngagainstmychest ,Ispentthelastfewday s
googli
ngaboutabor t
ionandt herisksassoci at
edwi t
hit.Ispoke
toMabut hoaboutmyf earsandhepr omi sedthatt
heclinicheis
taki
ngmei soneofthebest,Ididn'thavet odoanythingashe
tookituponhi msel
ftobookmyappoi ntmentandmaket he
payment .

Weareonourwayt her
eandIhaven'
tstoppedcry
ing,
he'shol
ding
myhandandbr ushi
ngmyknuckl
eswithhisthumbashedr i
ves.
Thi
sisnoteasyonhimtoobuthe'
stryi
ngtobestrongforme,as
badaswhatI
'
m aboutt
odoi s,I
'
m grat
eful
tobedoi
ngitwi
tha
manIknowhaspurei
ntent
ionswit
hmeandmyf utur
e.

Heparksthecaront hesideoft heroadandIl ookoutsidethe

windowtospotawoman' scli
nic,i
t'
sacrosst hestreetwit
ha
gl
assdoor .Thi
sisit,
I'
mr eal
lyterminati
ngmyf i
rstbaby.Ihope
andpraythatGodforgivesmef orwhatI '
m aboutt odoandt hat
heunderstandswhyIhadt oit.
IglanceatBoonextt omeandhe
gi
v esmear eassur
ingsmi l
ebeforekissingthebackofmyhand.

"
I'
m sor
rywehav etodothisbaby
,"hesaysandIjusnod,Idon'
t
r
eall
yhavetoomanywor ds.Myphoneringsfort
hehundredth
t
ime,It
akeitoutofthebagandsigh.Myfri
endshavebeentryi
ng
t
oreachoutbutI'
m notinagoodspace.

"Whoar
eyouignor
ingPinkyPi
nky?"Heaskswi
thgr
eatconcer
n,
hemustbet
hinki
ngit'
stheguysIcheat
edonhi
m wit
h.

"Myfr
iend,Lemohang.IwasinafoulmoodwhenIt houghty
ou
dumpedme.Shehasbeenwor r
iedsi
nce."Isayandhechokeson
thewaterhewasdrinki
ngfr
om thebott
le.

"Youhaveaf
ri
endnamedLemohang?
"Heasksaf
tercat
chi
nghi
s
breat
h.

"
Arey
ouokaybabe?
"Iaskbr
ushi
nghi
sar
m.

Henodsv
igor
ousl
y,"
yourf
ri
end?
"Heasksagai
n.

"
Yes,
Lemohang.
"
"Cometot
hinkofit
,Idon'tknowy
ourfr
iends.I
sshest
udy
ingt
he
samecour
seasy ou?"Ishakemyhead.

"Lemohangdoesn'tspeakmuch,shewouldn'
tsurvi
veasalawy
er.
She'sstudy
ingminingengi
neer
ing.
"Hiseyeswiden,l
ikehi
s
eyeball
sareabouttofal
lof
f.What'
sgoingonhere?

"
Smart
,"heswall
ows."
Hav
eyout
oldheraboutus?
"Heaskswi
th
awor
ri
edexpressi
on.

"Ofcour
senotBoo,Iwouldn'
tri
skal
lyou'
veworkedsohardfor
.
Youcantrustme,
Ipromiseyou."Hel
eansinandkissesmy
for
ehead.

"
Come,
let
'sgoinsi
de."Myst
omacht
urnsi
ntoknot
sasI
r
ememberwhatI'
m heret
odo.

Itakeadeepbreathandopenmydoor,wecamewi t
hmycarand
thiswasthefi
rstt
imemyboy f
ri
endactual
l
ydroveit
.I'
m dyi
ngto
testhi
sMustangbutwi t
hthedynami
csofourrel
ati
onshi
pit'
s
i
mpossi bl
e,f
ornowatleast
.

Heopenst hedoorformeandIwal kinandhef ol

lowsbehind,I
stopneartherecepti
onareaashespeakst ot heladymindi
ngt he
post.Shethenleadsusthroughtothecorri
dorandasksmet o
stepint
otheroom, shestopsBooandt ell
shimt hathecannot
comewi thmei nsi
detheprocedureroom.Tear sbli
ndmyey es,I
wantedtobewi thhimintherehol
dingont ohishand,I'
m scared
tobealonewhenIki l
lourbaby.Hepul l
smet ohim andkissthe
topofmyhead, I
'
m sobbi
ngi nhi
sar ms.Hopingthattheycould
makeanexcept
ionf
orus,
wewantt
hisbabybutci
rcumst
ances
ar
en'
tal
lowi
ngus.

"I
'
llberi
ghtonthi
schairwheny ou'
redonemyl oveIpromise.
"He
whisper
sinmyearandIcl utchontohisT-shi
rt
."Youaremy
str
ongandbravegirl
,you'l
lmakeiti
ntherewit
houtmeIpr omise.
"
Helet'
sgoofmeandpl acesbothhandsonmyshoul der
sand
l
ooksatmest r
aighti
nt heeyesandInod.

"Okay
, I
'l
lseeyouwhenI '
m done.
"Hepecksmyl i
psandIwal ki
n
theprocedureroom andfi
ndawomanwear ingpinkscrubs.My
eyesfallontheequipmentshe'
sbusyster
il
izingandmywhol e
bodyturnsintoice,
thi
swholeroom hasadar khaunti
ngaur a.I
wanttoturnbackandr unbutIneedtoseethi st
hrough,asscary
asiti
s.

Iam sobbi ngint hebackseat ,Ihav

emykneest omychestand
huggingmy selfti
ght.Weareonourwayhomenow.Mabut hohas
stoppedt wicet ocomfortmewhenmysobspi ercedt hr
oughhis
heart.Idon'tthinkI'
veeverfeltsoguil
tyanddirt
y,Iunderstandi
t
wasn'taf ull
yfor medbabyy etbutstil
l
,heorshewashumanand
taki
ngal ifeisnoteasy .If
eel emptyemotional
lyasIam
physicall
y,justtwohour sagoIhadababygr owinginsideofme
andnowI '
m bl eedi
ngheav i
ly.Thecarcomest oahal tandIhear
thesoundofasl idi
nggate,
hedr i
vesi
nagai nandasecondlater
hekil
lstheengineandclimbsoutthecar.Thebackseatdoor
opensandhet akesmei nhisarms,Iwrapmyar msaroundhis
neckandhidemyf acei
nhischest.Wegett othedoorandhe's
str
uggli
ngtounl ockbuthe'
snotplaci
ngmedown, I
'm gr
atef
ul
becauseIfeelsafeandcomf or
tedinhi
sar ms.

Hef i
nal
lywinsandwest epinside,heheadsst rai
ghttothe
bedroom andsitsont hebedwi thmeont opofhi m.He'
shushing
mel i
kealitt
lebaby,givi
ngmeki ssesthatremindmet hatI'
m not
i
nt hi
salone.Afterafewmi nuteshepl acesmeont hebedandI
curlmyselfint
oaball.HiswhiteT- shi
rtisstai
nedwi t
hmybl ood,
I
gaspandcl osemyey esintotal embarrassment .

"I
tsokaylove,
it'
sjustaT-shi
rt
.You'r
etheonegoi
ngthr
ought
his
physi
call
yandemot ional
l
ymor ethanme."Hesay
srunni
nghi
s
i
ndexfingeronmycheek.

"Cany ougetmybagfrom t
hebootsoIcanchanget hesanit
ary
pad,"henodsandgetsupimmediatel
yheadedf ort
hedoor.I
slowlygetofft
hebedandI'
vemessedhi swhitecover
saswel l
,I
pullthem i
natt
empttosaveMabuthofrom seeingi
t.

"Pi
nkyPinky,st
opl
ove.I
'
llt
akecareofi
t,t
akecar
eofyou.
"He
sayshuggingmefr
om behind.Fr
esht
earsthr
eat
en.

"
Thanky
ouf
ordoi
ngt
hiswi
thmeBoo,
"

Iappr
eci
atehi
m andheki
ssest
henapeofmyneck.
"
Alway
smybaby
,al
way
s."

"
Letmegouset
hebat
hroom,
"Isayqui
etl
yandhel
etsgoofme.

"I
'l
ll
ookfortowelstoplaceonthesheets.Doyouneedmet odo
anythi
ngforyoubeforeIgomakey ousomet hi
ngtoeat?"Heasks
andIshakemyhead." Okay,pl
easegetinbedwheny ou'
redonein
thebathr
oom andI'l
lbewi t
hyoushort
ly."HesaysasIopenthe
doortothejoi
ningbathroom.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Whyt hehel
lam Ihere?HowdoIl etEbukacoaxmel i
keIdon't
haveami ndofmyown?Fi r
stlyhecameov ert
omyf latandmade
mecookf orhim,bythetimehel efthemademegi vehim my
number.Withoutevenputti
ngupaf i
ghtIfoundmy selfdi
ali
ngon
hisphoneandsav i
ngmy selfas"MyI y
awo"al l
becausehet oldme
to.

Icl
imboutoft hecabaftert
hepay i
ngthedriv
erandheadt ot he
gate.Ir
eachformyphoneandgot oourearli
erchats,t
here'
sa
gatecodehesentme.Hesai dhedi dn'
twantmepr essingthe
i
ntercom atmyownhouse, yeshe'ssti
l
lcrazyli
keaf ewday sago.
Ievendoubtthatwil
lchange,butdoIwantittochange?Mmhhh.

Thedist
ancefrom t
hegatet
othefrontdoori
slongandworsehis
houseisali
tt
leuphi
ll
.I'
minneedofoxygenwhenIgettot
het op,
heshouldhavethosegol fcart
swait
ingatthegatetobri
ngusup
her
e.Ishouldn'
tevenment i
onthi
stohim,Ebukaisunnecessar
y
andhewoul ddoitjustbecauseIsuggest
edit.Ineedt
obecar ef
ul
whatIsayinfr
ontoft hi
smanbecausewow.

Ipressthedoorbel l,hedidn'tgiv
emeper missiontojustwalkin.
Peachest aughtmewel l,
Imi ghtlackal otofthingsbuthome
tr
ainingisn'toneoft hem.Thedooropensandhi shousehelper
offer
smeawar m smi leandIr et
urnit,she'ssosweet .Itel
lher
I'
m heref orEbukaandshel eadsmet ot helounge,Isett
leonthe
si
nglecouchandcr ossmyl egs.Thisman' shouseisbeautiful
,
whoev erwashi sinteri
ordesignerknewwhatheorshewasdoi ng.
Thehousehel percomesbackwi t
haf luteofchampagneandI
gladl
yaccept ,it
'sFri
dayandt hegirl
isthi r
sty.

"
Youdidn'
tev
enbothertocomefi
ndyourhusbandupst
air
s
Undi
phi
le?
"Heasksenteri
ngther
oom.Iswall
owhard.

Whyt
hef
ucki
shet
opl
ess?What
'shi
smi
ssi
on?

"Iassumedy ou'dcomedownwheny ouweregoodandready

,"he
roll
shiseyesandset t
leonthedoublecouch,r
emovingt
heGucci
sli
defrom hi
sl eftf
ootandplaci
ngitonthecouch.

"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmyI
yawo,
"but
ter
fl
ies,
whoputt
hem i
nmy
stomach?

"Thankyou.Yourhomei
sbeaut
if
ul.
"Isayavoi
dingmore
complimentsbefor
eImel
tdownint
oliqui
d.I
'm wear
ingt
he
sneaker
sheboughtmeandofcour
secar
ryi
ngt
hehandbagas
well
.

"
I'
dtakeal
lthecredi
tbutthei
nter
iordesi
gner
sdi
dal
lthi
s."He
murmurswavinghishandsar
oundandInod.

"If
igured,butI'
dremov ethatbigmir
rorfr
om abov
ethefir
eplace
andputi toverther
e."Isaypointi
ngtothehi
ghwallt
hat'
snaked.
Her ai
sesaney ebrowanddar tshiseyesbet
weenthespaces.

"I
'l
lfi
ndpeoplewhowi ll
makethechanges,i
fther
e'sany
thi
ngel
se
youfeelli
kechangingdotel
lmebabym, "hesays
sounding.
..
proudthatIj
ustmadechangesinhishome.

FuckUndi
phi
l
e!

Youj
ustgav
ehi
mideasher
e.

Changet
hesubj
ectnow.

"Thishouseisawful
lyqui
et,
wher
ear
eyourbr
other
s?"Iaskand
shrugshisshoul
ders.

"Probabl
yprepar
ingt
ogoouti
ntothestr
eet
s,i
t'
saFr
idayandt
he
clubsarecal
li
ngpeopl
esnames.
"Irai
seaneyebr
ow.

"
Aren'
tyouj
oini
ngt
hem?"Hegi
vesmeal
opsi
dedsmi
l
ethat
makeshiml
ookext
raPeri
Per
i.

"
I'v
ebeencl ubbingmostofmyadultli
fe,oratl
eastaft
erImade
money .I
t'
snotapr i
ori
ty,
I'
m spendi
ngmyFr idaywithawoman
I
'mt r
yingtomakemi nehere.
"Heexplainsgraci
ouslyandInod
myheadandt akeasipofmychampagne." Thankyouf orcomi
ng,
youdon'tknowhowhappyIwaswheny ouagreedtov i
sit
."OhI
beatmy sel
fupbecauseIcouldn'
tbel
i
eveyou'
veal
readywor
med
yoursel
fin.If
eel
stupidbecausehedidi
twhenIwastryi
ngt
oput
upallthesehi
ghwalls.

"
That
'sbecausey
ouaskedni
cel
y,
"Ipout
.

"
Comesi there,
"hepatsthespacenextt ohim andIgetonmy
f
eetwit
houtev enthi
nkingaboutit.Ifeelli
kethegripholdi
ngback
myheartfrom fal
l
ingisbecomingi ncreasi
nglytenuous.Myhead
want
stohol dbackandgi v
ehi m ahar dti
mebutt hisstupi
dorgan
t
hati
ssupposedt opumpbl ooddancest ohistune.

Iset
tl
edownnextt ohi m andav oidhi
seyes.Isuddenlyfeel
shy,
l
ikeIwasn'tt
heonel aughingcar ef
reear
oundhim af ewdaysago
i
nmyf lat
.Hecupsmychi nandmakesmel ookathim, hi
sfaceis
toocl
osetomi ne.Icanf eelhi
swar m br
eathonmyski n,Lord
havemercyorI'l
lbegivingbirt
ht oaNigeri
angianti
n9mont hs.

"
MyI
yawo,
"hi
svoi
cei
sdeepy
etsmoot
h.

"
Mmhhh?
"Myt
hroati
sdr
y.

"CanIki
ssyou?"Igaspanddr
opmyey est
ohisthick,
juicydar
k
l
ips.Herunsthi
sthumbonmyl owerl
i
panddeli
cioustinglesr
un
downmyspi ne.

I
t'
sonl
yakissri
ght?I
tdoesn'
tmeanany t
hing?Imeanhowmany
t
imeshav
eIplayedspi
nthebott
le?Icanhandlethi
s.

"
Undi
phi
l
e?"Hebr
ingsmeback."
CanI
?"

"
Uh-
huh,
"Icoul
dn'
tgetactual
wor dsoutt
hroughmythr
oat.Hi
s
l
i
psfi
ndmineandforcethem openbefor
ehegentl
ysucksmy
l
owerl i
p,myey esshutcl
oseasItastesomehardli
quoronhis
tongue.Imov emyl ipswi
thhi
sslowlyandhisonearm sl
ides
aroundmywai standpull
smet oclosetome.I
'm br
eathl
ess,Lor
d
ofwhor es.Iputbothofmyhandsonhi sbar
echestaswedeepen
thepassionatekiss.

"
Mmmhmmmh, "someonecl
earst
heirt
hroatandwepul
lapar
t.
I
'
m di
sor
ient
ated,heki
ssedthedayl
ight
soutofme.

"I
'
m donewit
htheset
-up.
"Thegi
rlwhom Idon'
tknowsay
s.Ebuka
getsonhi
sfeet
.

"
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ngatsuchshor
tnot
ice,
"hesay
stoher
.

"
Youpai
dwell,
"theybothlaugh."
I'
ll
comegetev er
ythi
ng
t
omorr
ow."Shetell
shim andhewal ksherout
.

Whothefucki
sshe?Hecomesbackwear
ingabeaut
if
ulsmi
l
e
andInar
rowmyeyes.Whati
sthi
soneupto?

Hehol
dsouthi
shandandItakei
t,hel
eadsmeout
sideandwhen
wegett
othegardenIgaspf
orai
r.Oht
hisi
scut
e.

"It
houghtI
'ddosomethingni
ceforyou,
"Il
ookathi
m andIdon'
t
knowwhethertobol
torcrybecausehe'
smakingi
thardf
orme
nottoseehim,Imeanreal
lyseehim.

Ebukabl
oodyOkaf
or!

Heorgani
zedapall
etpicnicfort
wo,t
her
e'schampagne,
abot
tl
e
ofcognacandsomeplattersoff
ood.

"I
fyoudon'
tli
keitwecangooutanddosomethingyouenj
oy,I
don'
tmind.
"Irol
lmyeyesandpull
himtothebeauti
ful
set-
up.
Thi
smanr
eal
l
yknowshowt
ocour
tagi
rl
.If
eel
sospeci
alr
ight
now.

"
No,
it'
sper
fect
.Il
ovei
t,
"Heheav
esasi
ghofr
eli
ef.

Ebukapul
l
smebackt
ohi
m andsnakeshi
sar
msar
oundmywai
st.

"I
'venev
erdoneanythi
ngli
kethi
sf orawoman.Pl
easeUndi
phi
le,
givemeachance."HebegsmeandIwantt ogetonmytoesto
reachhi
sfacesoIcankisshi
m, butIhol
dmyhorses.

"Let'
sgett
hroughthi
sdayfi
rst
.Ifyoudon'
tannoymeImi
ghtj
ust
giveyoumyattent
ion.
"Hechuckles.

"
IfIdon'
tannoyy ou,
you'
ll
all
owmet akeyouawaynext
weekend?"Thatsoundsni
cebutPeaches.

Deepsi
gh!

"Ican'
t,
I'
mleav
ingforGqeber
hanextThursday
.Mygr
andmother
wantsmehome. "Isayandhehi
tshi
sforeheadwi
tht
hepal
m of
hishand.

"St
upi
dEbuka!"Ifrown."
Ihav
eameetingt
herethi
sweekend,we
cangotoget
her."HesaysandIl
aughoutl
oud.Hethi
nkshe's
smart
.

"
Wher
e?"

"Wher
everyou'r
egoing.
"Hesayswi
thami
schi
evousgr
inandt
hat
conf
ir
mst hathe'
sjustasnake.

"
I'
m goi
nghome,toseemygrandmot
her
.I'
l
lbebackonSunday
."
Hebit
esthei
nsi
deofhismouth.
"Thewholeweekendwithoutseei
ngyou?I'
l
laccompanyyouthen
bookintoahot
el,I
'l
lj
ustseey ouwhenyou'
regoingt
otheshops.
PlusIneedt
ogetf ami
li
arwithmysoont obehometown.
"

Bat
hong!

"
Ebuka!
"Hei
sadr
aini
nghumanbei
ng.

"I
t'
snotsaf
eforabeauti
ful
womansuchasyoursel
ftot
rav
el
al
onemyi y
awo,I
'm aski
ngtobey
ourbody
guard.Fr
eeofchar
ge
even,
"

Bawot
hixosomandl
a!

CanMr
.Ibuandco.pl
easecomet
aket
hei
rcount
ryman.

"Sendmey ourdet
ail
sbaby
,I'
ll
bookusf
li
ght
stouhm what
'st
he
placeagai
n?"HeasksandIthr
owmyheadback.

"Gqeberha!JouJol
l
ofRice.
"Heki
ssesmyfor
eheadandwego
sett
ledownont hecushi
ons.Wi
ll
healway
sgetawaywit
h
everyt
hing?
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER15

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

It
'sgoodt oseesis'
Muzi i
nherownhousewel lrest
edfora
change.Shewasbegi nningtolooklikeazombi ebecauseshe
refusedt oleavethehospi t
al,
Iunderstandt hatshe'sscar
edGl en
willstaybehindanddi ewi t
houtherbei ngthere.Sheunderstood
whent hedoctorexplainedthatshecannotbet hereforhi
mi fshe
dropsdownandt heyhav etoadmi thertoo,thatmanagedt osend
heroutoft hehospit
al tocomer est.

It
'ssadt hatshe' sgoingt hr ought hi
sal oneev ent hought heyhave
chil
dr en, apparentlytheyhav ebeenmaki ngexcusesabout
comi ngt oseet heirfatherandbewi tht hei rmom.Ir emember
howuni t
edwewer edur ingt hatphaseofourl if
e,mymot her
neededusbecauseshehadj ustlostthel oveofherl if
eandbest
fri
end.Ourf atherwasn' tsickf oralongt ime, itallhappened
quicklyandbef oreweknewi thewasgone.I '
mj ustthankf ult
hat
wegott ospendt i
mewi thhi m whi l
ehewasst i
l
laliveandwe
don'tr egretev erbeingt oobusyf orhim.Thesamewi thourmom,
wedon' twantt owi shwedi dt hi
ngswi thherwhenGod
remember sher .Lif
ei sfucki nshor t
,tomor r
owi sn'tpromised.We
shoul dl i
ve,laughandl ear nwi t
heachpassi ngday ,maket hebest
ofeachsi t
uationandnev erset t
leforwhatt akesawayy ourpeace
andj oy .I'
m gladIdeci dedt ochoosemy self,Ibeli
ev ethere's
somet
hingbet
terf
ormeoutt
her
e.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ouwai
ti
ng,
"shesay
sent
eri
ngt
her
oom.

Shewasstil
linherpyj
amaswhenIgothere,sheaskedforafew
minut
estotakehershowersothatwhenIleaveshecanmakeher
waytothehospital
.Ol
dlov
eisbeauti
ful
,ev
eni nthehar
destof
ti
mesitdoesn'tf
ade.

"
It
'sokay
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
"Shesmi
l
esandsi
tsdown.

"Wellr
ested,I
'm gl
adyouandt hedoct
orforcedme.I'
l
lbeabl
eto
keepawaket hewholetimeatthehospit
alandli
stent
ohissi
l
ly
stor
iesthatneverend.
"Ichuckle.

"I
'
m gl
ad,wel
lsi
s'
NomuziI'
m her
ebecauseGlenhadsentme
somewheret
ogetyousomethi
ng."Isayandshef
rowns.

"
Whati
sit
?"Herey
esar
eful
lofcur
iosi
ty.

"Yourhusbandl ovesyou,
hef el
titi
nhisbonest
hatsomethi
ng
l
ikethismi ghthappenandhet ookituponhi
mselft
omakesure
thatyou'
llbetakencareof."Myexplanati
onmakesherwantt
o
hearmor e.

"Makhosi
niwhatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Herey
esl
andont
he
blackduf
fl
ebag.

"Afewday sagohetol
dmeaboutasaf etydepositboxandwher e
Icanfindthekey,
Iwenttheretoonlyfi
ndasetofkey sandal i
tt
le
note.Thenotehadanaddr essandsomethingli
keanapartment
number ,
whenIgotther
ei twasastoragefacil
i
ty.Iwondered
whatwasther
e,whenIopenedi
twasful
l ofcratesbutIknew
somethi
ngwastheresoIremov
edthem all
,onlytofi
ndt hi
sbag
att
hebackofthecrat
es.
"She'
snoddi
ngf ormet ocontinue.

"
What
'si
nthebag?
"sheasksswal
l
owi
ng.

"
Cash,
Idi
dn'
tcounti
tbutIknowi
t'
sacoupl
eofmi
l
li
onr
ands.
"

Shegaspsi
nshock,"
what!Glen,
whydi
dn'thet
ellme?He
shoul
dn'
thav
edraggedyouintothi
smessagai
n."Ishakemy
head.

"si
s'Nomuzi ,
calm down.Thesaf etydepositandstoragefacil
it
y
aren'ti
nhisname.Heknewhowt oplanthisproperl
y.Hedidn't
tel
lyoubecauset heHawksar eprobablyfoll
owingyou,they
wouldhav etakenthemoneyandaddedachar geortwomay be.
Hewast r
yingtoprotectyou.Iwon'tbeinanyt roubl
e."Tearsare
swimmi nginherey es.She'
shurtingmyhear t.

"
I'
m goi
ngt
opul
lthosebi
gear
sohhi
s,
"shegi
ggl
esashert
ear
s
f
all
.

"Hewantst
omakesur
ethatyou'
ret
akencareofwhenhe'
s
nol
ongerar
oundt
odoit
."Shenodsvi
gorousl
y.

"He'
salwaysbeenaboutme, evennowinhisdyi
ngdays.
"She
pausesandtakesadeepbreath."Iwi
shGodwasn'ti
nsucha
hurr
ytotakehim,he'
smybestf ri
end.Makhosi
ni,
Idon'
tknow
whatli
fewil
lbewithouthi
m."Hershakingvoi
cewouldmoveeven
astonecoldhear
t.

"Becomfor
tedbyt
hef
actthathelov
esyoudearl
y,
"shenods
smil
ingatme."
Someofuspraytofi
ndwhatyouhave,whatmy
par
ent
shad.
"

"Youareagoodman, whenyourlovefi
ndsyouitwill
eraseall
pasthurts.I
twi
l
lshowy ouwhyitalldi
dn'
tworkout,bepatienti
n
fi
ndingit
.Youwon'tseeitwi
thyoureyesbutyourheartandsoul
will
tel
lyouandevenwheny outryt
of i
ghti
tyou'l
lal
way scomeat
aloss."

Mam' Nomuzi wasscaredtobeal onewi ththatamountofmoney

i
nt hehouse, Iunderst
oodwhyshewoul df eelthatway .Forher
upkeepIt ookaf ewstacksofR200not esandaskedhert okeep
themoneyi nt hesafeofGlensoffice,eacht imesheneedsmoney
shewi l
lletmeknow.Mymot her'
shousei sthesaf estplaceI
know, peopledon'tcomeandgoast heyplease.Themoneywi l
l
besafei nmybedr oom inthelockedcl oset,I'
ll
findawayt ogeti
t
i
nabankwi t
houtraisi
nganyey ebrows.

Ifi
nall
ygettoGatshaandZet hu'
shouse, wear emeet ingtotal
k
aboutourmothers60thbir
thdayparty.I
'm excitedtocelebrate
theQueen,she'
sgoingtofreakoutwhensher ealizesthatwe
wentbehindherbackandpl annedherbirt
hdaypar t
y.Wear e
goingtomakesuretokeept hisoneont helowsoi tescapesher
detect
iveski
ll
s.MaNgobesehasasni fferdognose, shecancall
usoutwhenwear ehi
dingsomet hi
ng,ouractingski l
lswil
lhaveto
beupt
her
ewi
thVi
olaDav
is.

Iparkmycarnextt oMv el
o's,I'
m shockedt hatshei sn'
t
"f
ashionablylate".That'
sonet rai
tIhat eabouther ,she'
sal
ways
l
ate.Ionceleftt herestaurantwhenshear ri
v edbecauseshewas
45minuteslate,ev ery
one'stimei spr ecioussoweshoul dr
espect
eachother.Ifshewasn' tmysi sterIwasgoi ngtocutherofff
or
good.Shedoest hi
stoev eryoneel sebutmebecauseIshowed
herthatIwon' tstandforit.

Ifi
ndt hem i
nthekit
chen,
Zethuisbusymaki ngsomefingerfoods.
Aglassofwi neispl
acedonthecount ernexttoher,mybrotheri
s
dri
nkinghiscognacwithi
ceonly.Ithi
nkI'm gonnajoi
nMv eloon
thatDonJulio1942tequi
l
awi t
hr edbull
.That '
smyonlyfavori
te
tequi
la,Idon'
tknowhowt oexpl
ai ni
t'
staste,qual
it
yshandis.

"
Sor
ryI
'
mlat
efami
l
y,"Isay
.

"Weshoul
dall
bewal
ki
ngout
,"Mv
elosay
swi
thoutl
ooki
ngatme
andIscof
f.

"Iwasn'
ti
nfr
ontofthemirr
orapplyi
nglayer
sandl
ayer
sofmake
up.Iwentt
oseesis'Nomuzi.
"Iexpl
ain.

"
Oh,
how'
sGl
en?
"Gat
shaasksandIheav
easi
gh.

"
It
'sbadman,t
heyf
rozeev
erythi
ng.ButGlenwassmar
tenough
t
ohideacoupl
eofmil
li
onrandsinaduffl
ebagatsomestor
age
f
acil
i
ty.Hedidn'
twanthi
swi
fet
osuf
fer
,hesay
shehadaf
eel
i
ng
t
hiswouldhappen.
"

"
Ncoooooo!
"Zet
husay
s,she'
sahopel
essr
omant
ict
hisone.

"
Sohav
eyoudi
scussedany
thi
ngr
egar
dingt
hepar
ty?
"Iask.

"ZeeshowedustheclipofKrisJenner
'sbi
rthdaypar
ty.I
twas
absol
utel
ybeaut
iful
,Ipersonal
lyl
ovethetheme."Mvelosay
s
bri
skl
y.

"
Ili
kei
ttoo,
I'
m al
lfori
t.
"Gat
shaadds.

"Iguess,I
'
lll
ovei
ttoo.Sohowmuchshoul
dGatshaandImake
avail
ableZet
hu?"Shegiv
esmeanexci
tedgri
n.

Womanandmoney
.

"Ineedtotalkt
otheeventsplanner,
makequotat
ionsand
everythi
ng.Ij
ustwant
edust oagreeonthethemeanddate.
"She
explai
ns."Ohandtheguestli
st.Ever
yonewhoissentani
nvi
tat
ion
willbeall
owedaplusone."Sheadds.

"MaNgobese'sbi
rt
hdayisonaThur
sdaysot
hebigpart
ycanbe
onSatur
day."Mvelosay
sandweallnodi
nagreement
.

"Butwehavetodoasmal
lfamil
ydinnert
ypeofthingonThursday
,
cozifwedon'
tshewi
ll
suspectt
hatweareplanningsomethi
ng
big.
"Ichi
pin.

"
Ver
ytrue,Mvel
ocanIcountony
out
oor ganizeani
cedi
nnerf
or
t
heThursday
?"Zet
huasksandmysi
steragrees.

"
I'
ll
wor
kclosel
ywi t
hthepl
annerandmakesur
eev er
ythi
ngisset
.
Weonl
yhavethreeweekst
opullthi
sof
f.
"-Mysist
erin-l
aw.
"Iwantthemai
ntabl
etobeuswi
thourmot
her
."Gat
sha
announces.

"
Myboy
fri
endwi
l
lhav
etogetaseatatt
het
abl
e,
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"Youheardyour
sel
f,he'
sjustaboy
fri
end.
"Gat
shasay
sandZet
hu
hit
shim wit
hthewetdishclot
h.

"Baby,
benice.
"Herai
seshi
shandsinsur
render
."Heiswelcome
atthetabl
ebabe,
Makhosi
ni?
"All
eyesareonme, andthen?

"
Yes?
"

"
Wil
lyouneedanopenseatnextt
oyout
oo?
"If
rown.

"
No,I
'l
lbeal
one.Ijustdi
vor
cedr
emember
?"Igr
abt
hebot
tl
eof
t
equi
l
af r
om Mvelo.

"
Youhav
ethr
eeweekst
ofi
ndadat
eyouknow,
"Ishakemyhead.

"
I'
minnohurr
yguys.I'
l
lcel
ebrat
emymot her
'sbi
rt
hdaywi
thouta
womanonmyarm.Thanky ouverymuch.
"It
akeasipandhold
myhandoutf
ort
her edbul
l.

"
Youwi
l
ldat
eagai
nthoughr
ight
?"Zet
huasksner
vous.

"Andpl
easebr
ingusasweetsi
stert
hist
ime,
wedon'
twanta
changi
ngweat
her.
"Tr
ustmysist
er.

"
Iwil
lZee,
butI
'
m goi
ngt otakemyti
me.Idon'
twantt
oendup
wi
thawomanwhowi l
lturnmyli
feupsi
dedownlikeNombul
elo.
"

LEMOHANGMOHAPI
TodayofalldaysImissworkingattherestaur
ant,atl
eastIwould
bebusyandnotwonder i
ngwhattodowi thmy sel
f.YesterdayI
wasallalone,
Ididn'
tknowwher eUndiphi
lewasandherphone
wasoff,Iwokeupi nthemorningandshehadal readyleftfor
campus.

Ont heotherhandIdon'tknowwheremysupposedboy fr
iendis,
I
knowIdon' thaveexperi
enceint
hedatinggamebutIknowf ora
factthatyoudon'tgothewholeweekendwithoutt
alki
ngtoyour
partner.

Iam worri
edandpi ssedatthesamet i
me,Itri
edhisphonefrom
Fri
dayti
llt
odayandi t'
ssti
lloff
.Wewer esupposedtobemeet i
ng
todaybutIdon'tthi
nkthat'
sgoingtohappen,Iwaseventempted
togolookforhimi nhisoff
icebutIrememberedthedynamicsof
ourrel
ati
onship.Ihatethi
s,I'
m goi
ngoutofmymi nd.

May beIshoul djustcook, tokeepmy sel

fpreoccupi ed.Igetonmy
feetaft
ermov ingt hechannel tomusi c,Undiphil
eal wayscooks
withmusicpl ay i
ngandherf oodcomesoutni cely.Iopent he
fri
dgeandmybr aingoesbl ank, whatam Iev engoi ngtoprepare?
JesusChris, Ikil
ledmy selfwi t
heatingbr eadandnoodl es.May be
Ishouldwat chsomeYouTubecooki ngchannel s,theywi l
li
nspire
me.Igrabt het onicwat erandgi nont opofthef ri
dge, where'
s
thatbi
gglass?If inditandpouraf ewcubesofi ceandasl iceof
l
emon.Ihav en'tsatbymywi ndowi nawhi lenow, Itakemyphone
andgoset tl
edownasIwat chJohannesbur gf r
om ourf l
at.
EachtimeIsithereIt
hinkaboutmyf ather,wonder
ingifhe'
snot
somewher einthi
scit
ylivi
nghislif
e.Doesheev enrememberthat
hehast wokidsinSebokeng?Woul dher ecogni
zemei fwewere
towalkpassedeachot herint
hest r
eets?Idoubthey,i
t'
sbeen
year
sandl eavi
ngmeanthedi dn'tcar
eenoughaboutus.Or
maybet hepoorguyisstil
lwai
tingforthem tomakefloorand
bakethebread,Il
aughatmyst upidit
y.

ThekitchendooropensandUndiphi
lewalksinl
aughing,Irai
sean
eyebrowwhenEbukaf oll
owsbehindher.Ohokay?Theylookcosy.
Lagos,ishol
dingarestaur
antt
akeoutpaperbag.Hopefull
ythey
broughtmef oodtooandIdon'
thavetoattemptbei
ngal ow
budgetGordonRamsay .

"
Heybabe,
"Undi
phi
l
esay
sthr
owi
ngher
sel
font
hecouch.

"
Sist
erm,
"Ebukagr
eet
s,si
tt
ingnextt
oher
.

Hi
ponhi
p,t
hat
'st
oocl
osebutokay
.

"Heyguy
s.Wher
edi
dyout
womeet
?"Theyl
ookateachot
herand
smil
e.

"OhEbukacametogetmef
rom campusandwewentoutfora
bit
e.Webroughty
ousomefood.
"Am Imi
ssingsomet
hingher
e?

"Thanks,
Iwasaboutt
ogocook.
"Undi
phi
l
ehasn'
tl
aughedatme
sohard.
"Youandcookingshoul
dn'
tbeint hesamesent
ence.Youwoul
d
haveburneddownthisbui
l
ding."Irol
lmyeyeswhi
letheone
who'ssupposedtobemybr ot
herlaughsatmyexpense.

IrememberthatIdi
dn'
tseehi
m att
hecl
ubt
hisweekend,
It r
ied
call
i
ngtocheckifhe'
sgoodbuthet
ookmestr
aightt
ovoicemail.

Ev
ery
oneIknowwasonv
oicemai
lthi
spassedweekend.

"Andwena?Ididn'
tseeyouatt
heclub.Wher
ewer
eyou?
"He
smil
eswiderandlooksatUndi
phi
l
e.

"
Iwaswi
thmyI
yawo.
"If
urr
owmyf
orehead.

"
Yourwhat
?"Iaskconf
used.

"Mywi f
e,Undi
phi
l
eandIwerespendi
ngsomet
imet
oget
her
."He
expl
ainsandIsmil
eli
keacheshi
recat
.

"
Oh,
mmmhh.Sowai
t,y
out
ooar
eacoupl
enow?
"Iask.

"
Iam gi
vi
nghi
mtheat
tent
ionheaskedf
or,
"Undi
beat
sEbukat
oit
.

"
She'
sjustbei
ngi
ndeni
al,
"theyar
esmi
l
ingateachot
her
.

"Yeahwhat
ever
,"t
hisi
sn'
tl
astweek'
sUndi
phi
l
e,t
hisonei
sfucki
n'
smitt
en.

Whatdi
dEbukadot
omyf
ri
end?

"
Sist
erm,here'
sthi
sweek'
swor
k."Heput
sthef
il
eont
hecof
fee
t
ableandInod.

"
Okay
,I'
l
lst
artwor
kingl
ater
."It
ell
him.

"
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng,
Ineedt
ogocheckmypeopl
eatt
hesal
on.
I
yawo,
"lookatt
hiswhor
ebl
ushi
ng.

"
Mmhhh?
"

Ebukast andsupandhol dshishandoutf orher

,shetakesit
withouthesitati
onandtheywalktot hedoorwhisper
ing.When
theygett othedoor ,
Ebukaopensitthenbendsdownt okiss
Undiphileont heli
ps.Ohit
'sdone,Idon'
tevenhav et
oaskany
questions.

IwishMabuthoandIwer
ethi
sopen,
it'
shar
dbei
nginasecret
rel
ati
onshi
p.I'
dki
ll
tohav
esomeboytalkwi
thmyfr
iends.

"Fuck!
"Shescreamshidi
ngherfacewit
hherhands,maki
ngme
snapofthethoughtt
hatalmosttookmeonaride.

"
Isawt
hat
,"Isayget
ti
ngof
fthewi
ndowsl
ab.

"I
'
m agonegi r
l,Lemohang.AsmuchasIhatetoadmiti
tthat
bl
oodyWestAf ricanGodhaswor medhi
msel
fstrai
ghti
ntomy
hear
t.Ican'
t,
shameIj ustcan'
t.
"Shesay
swiththemostbeaut
if
ul
smil
eI'veev
erseenonherf ace.

"
OhUndi
,I
'm sohappyf
ory
ouguy
s."

"
Thanksfr
iend,
butIam scared.Hishist
oryscaresme, het
ri
ed
r
eassur
ingmet hathe'
sint
hisforallt
her i
ghtreasons,
nottojust
t
apandmov eon."Inodunderstandi
ng.

"
Itr
ustEbuka,Ihopehewil
lbegoodtoyout
oo.Youdeser
vea
manwhowi l
ltreaty
ouri
ghtmyfri
end.
"Isay
.
"He'ssor omant i
c,hemadet hisweekendoneIwi llr
emember
forever.Fridayheorganizedusapal l
etpicnic,Sat
urdayhepi cked
meupwhi leyouwerest i
llsleepi ngandwewentt ohav elunchin
thesky ,thatwasanexper ienceandahal f.Yester
daywewer ejust
l
azyathi shouse,cuddli
ngi nf rontoftheTV.Hedi dn'teventryto
hav esexwi t
hme, i
nfactheki ssedmeunt i
lIwaswetandwant ed
himi nsidemebuthedi dn'tev ent r
yhisluck.I'
veneverfeltso
respectedi nmyl i
fe.
"

Myhear ti
shappyforherbutIhav
eapi ngofjealousybecauseI'
ll
neverknowhowgoodi tfeel
stobeoutinpubl i
cwithmyboy fri
end,
atl
eastnotbefor
etwoy ear
shaspast.Atfi
rstIthoughthewas
pul
lingafastoneonmebutIgoogl edanditturnedoutthathe'
s
tel
l
ingthetrut
h.

"Youtwoar
esocut
e,"Isayandshegi
ggl
est
hrowi
ngherhead
back.

"Justl
astweekIdidn'
twanthim,l
ookatmenow.OhhhhmyJoll
of
Rice.
"Shesaystalki
ngherbagandwalki
ngt
oherroom wi
tha
beauti
fulcont
estsmileonherf
ace.

Happi
nesssur
edoesl
ookgoodont
hegi
rl
.

It
akemyphoneandt
ryMabut
ho'
snumberf
ort
hemi
l
li
ont
hti
me
si
nceFr
iday
.

"Hi
,thi
sisDr.Mabut hoMkhwanazi
.Iam notavai
l
ableatthe
moment ,
pleaseleaveamessageandI'
llcal
lyouassoonasI
can.
"Fuckthis!Idon'tev
enknowwhattosaysoIjusthungup.
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER16

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Iknowshe' sgoingt omakemepayf orbei ngthi

rtymi nuteslate,
event houghItextedherandt oldherI '
m hel dup.Ihadt omeet
withmyr ealestateagenttotalkaboutt hehouse, thesoonerIget
i
tof fmyhandst hebet t
er.Walkingthr ought hathousebr ought
backmemor iesIam desperatetofor get .Luckil
ythel adytoldme
thehousesi nthatpartofthecitysellqui ckly,
I'l
lprobablyhav ean
off
eri naweekort wo.Iam notinahur ryt ogetanot herplace,I
enjoystayingwithmymot herandMv elo, eventhought heycanbe
annoy i
ngatt i
mes.At l
easttherearehot elsforwhenIneedal i
ttl
e
pri
v acyorsomet i
met omy self
,tobeal onewi thmyt houghts.

Mv eloneedst otellmewhywear ehavinglunchatt heparkand

notther estaur
ant,mysi steristheweirdestpersonIknow.I 'm
probablyher et
ot akepi cturesshewi l
lpostonI nstagram, I
wonderhowherboy fr
ienddeal swithherov erbear
ingself.I'
m
l
ooki ngallovertheopengr eenlawn,Ispotherundert hetree.
She'swi t
hanot hergir
l sitt
ingont heconcretebencheswi t
ha
tableofthesamemat erial bet
weent hem.Shedi dn'tt
ellme
someonewasj oi
ningthi sluncht hi
ngshet hrewatmej ust
yesterdayatdinner.
"
Final
l
y,ur
gh!
"Sher
oll
sherey
es.

"
Itol
dyouI'
m hel
dupinameeti
ng,
"Iam adecenthumanbei
ng,
I
wi
llnev
erkeepaper
sonwai
ti
ngwithoutar
eason.

"I
t'
swhatev
er,
comesi t
."Shepatst
hespacenextt
oherandI
unbut
tonmyblazerandsett
ledown.

"
Hell
o,"Isaylooki
ngatthef
airl
adyacr
ossus,she'
ssuchadoll
.I
wonderifsheisablet
owipeherbut
tcleanaf
tert
akingashi
t.

"
Hi,
"shegr
eet
sbackwi
thasmi
l
e.

"Uhm babe,t
hisi
smybr ot
herMakhosini
.Bhut
iwamithi
sismy
gorgeousfri
endRat
anang,
"Mvel
ointroducesus,
she'
stooexci
ted
formyliki
ng.

"
Nicet
omeety
ousi
si,
"Ihol
dmyhandoutandshet
akesi
t.

"Li
kewise,
"myeyesmov efrom thereal
li
fedollt
othetabl
ewher e
dif
fer
entfoodsar
eplaced,there'
sevenabot t
leofchampagne.I
needtogetbacktotheoff
icesoi t
'snoalcoholf
orme.Ireachfor
thepapercupandpourmysel fsomejui
ce.

"
Notachampagnel
over
?"Mysi
ster
'sf
ri
endasks.

"Ohno,Idodr
inki
t.Ij
ustneedt
oheadbacktotheoff
icewhenI'
m
doneeati
ng.
"Shenodspicki
nguphercupandsipi
ngfrom i
t.

"
Whatdoy
oudoagai
n?"

"
Idealdiamonds,mycompanyalsomakesj
ewel
ryamongstother
t
hings.Whataboutyou?
"Iaskpoppi
ngagrapei
nmymout h.

"
Youshoul
dgi
veRat
anangat
ourofLukhel
edi
amonds,
"Mv
elo
addsbri
skl
y,causi
ngmet osquintmyey esandlookherdi
recti
on.
Shehasami schi
evousgr
inandi thi
tsme.Thisforwar
dgir
l i
s
tr
yingt
osetmeupwi t
hherfr
iend,isshefucki
nkiddi
ngmer ight
now?

"
Iwouldr
eall
ylikethat
,"Rat
anangqui
ckl
ysay
sandIwantt
oki
l
l
Mvel
othi
sinstance.

"I
'
lll
etMvel
oknowwhenI
'
mfr
eesoshecanbr
ingy
ouar
ound,
"
shenodswit
hasmil
e.

"
Whatwoul
dli
ket
oeatsoIcanputi
tonapl
atef
ory
ou?
"

Kahl
eni
bo!

"Uhm,
I'
ll
hav
easomechi ps,
pr awnsandcal
amar
i.
"It
ell
herand
shegr
absapaperpl
ateanddishesforme.

"
Fri
end,y
ouhaven'
ttol
dmybr
otherwhatyoudo.
"It
hinkt
heygav
e
MaNgobeset
hewrongchi
l
datthehospi
tal.

"Ohyes,wel
lI'
m apediatr
ici
an."Ohimpressi
ve,
buthowdoesshe
deal
wi t
hchi
ldrenwit
ht hoselongnail
s?

"That'
snice,howdi
dyoumeetMv
elo?
"Iaskandt
heyl
ookateach
otherandlaugh.

"I
t'
salongst
ory
,we'
dneedt
hewhol
eni
ght
."Sheexpl
ainsandI
nod.

Mvelo'sphonechi
mesandsher
eachesf
ori
tandcur
sesunder
herbreath.

"Guys,
Ineedtobol
tnow.Ihav
eanemergencytoatt
endt
o."She
saysalr
eadyonherf
eet,
Iknowshe'
sly
ing.I
tcan'
tbea
coinci
dencethatsheaskedherfri
endtocomealongtolunchwit
h
met henoutofnowhereshehasanemer gency
.Shegr absher
handbagandcarkey sandlooksdownatmewi t
haf akesad
expressi
on.MveloisajokeIpromisey
ou.

"
PleasedropRat
anangathomewheny
ou'
redonewi
thl
unch,
"oh
wow, j
ustwow.

"
Mvel
o,Ineedt
ogetbackt
otheof
fi
ce-
"

Shequickl
yint
erj
ects,
"pl
easeMakhosini
,bet
hegentl
emanmom
rai
sed.
"Shewinksatmeandmov esaroundt
het
ableandl
eans
downtokissherfr
iendonthecheek.

"
Hewil
lmakesurethatyougethomesafe.
"Sheinf
ormsher
f
ri
endt
henwalksaway."Havefunyout
wo,"Sheaddswhenshe'
s
afewf
eetawayfr
om thetabl
e.

Ther
e'sawkwar
dsil
encebetweenmeandbar
biedol
l
,Ihonest
ly
don'
tknowwhattosaytoher.

"Mmhhmmhh,
"shecl
ear
shert
hroat"
she'
ssomet
hingel
sehey
,"I
chuckl
e.

"
She'
sapai
n,butshe'
smylit
tl
esist
erandthatear
nshert
her
ight
t
oannoyt
hehelloutofme.
"Hersmilewi
dens.

"
Youdon'
thav
etowor
ryaboutt
aki
ngmehome,
I'
ll
requestan
Uber
."

"Noit'
sokay,I
'
lldr
opyou.
"Idon'thaveoneasshol
eboneinmy
body,evenwhenIneedit
.Idon'
twanttogivethi
sgir
lfal
sehope.
I
'm notevensurewhatmysist
ertoldheraboutme.
"Thanky ouMakhosini
."Ij
ustnodandgi
vemyfoodsome
attent
ion,she'
swatchi
ngmeasIeatandi t
'sal
i
ttl
e
uncomf ort
abletobehonest.

"
Sopedi
atr
ici
anhuh?
"Iaskbecauset
heawkwar
dnesswasabout
t
ochokeme.

"Yes,
myl ov
eforkidssawmeint
hef
iel
d."Inod"Imissmy
pati
ents,
I'
vebeenonleavef
oraf
ewweeksnow.I 'm gl
adit'
sall
overandIgettospendmyti
meatmyfavori
teplaceonMonday ,"
okaynowIcansayIunderst
andt
hel
ongnails,
shehasn' tbeen
worki
ng.

"
Doy
ouhav
eki
ds?
"Iask.

"Notyet
,butassoonasImeett heri
ghtmanwhowant st
hesame
thi
ngsasmeIwoul dlov
et o.
"Sheexplai
ns."
Whatabouty
ou?"I
heaveasighandreachforanapkint
owi pemyhands.

"I
'
vealwayswantedki
dsbutmyexwi
fewasjustdi
ff
icul
t.I'
m st
il
l
hopef
ulthatI
'
llf
indawomanwhowil
lwantt
ohav echil
drenwit
h
me."

Thelunchwasn'tall
thatbad, Ratanangi sasmar twomanwhom I
j
udgedbasedonherl ooks,Iadmi tthatwasv erywr ongofme.
Evenso,Idon'
tseemy selfdatingher .First
lyshei sn'
tmytypeof
womanandmosti mpor tantlyshe'sMv elo'
sfri
end.Thelastthi
ngI
needismysisterinmybusi ness, knowi ngthesizeofmypeni s
andhowgoodorbadIam i nbed.

Idr
oppedRat
anangof
fatherapar
tmentanddeci
dedt
ocutmy
day,
Istayedattheparkl
ongert
hanIshoul
dhaveandev enhada
cupofchampagne.Itfel
tgoodhavi
ngaconver
sati
onwith
someoneIdon'tknow,someonewhoisanexpectinafi
eldI'
m
cl
uelessi
n.Shewouldmakeagoodf ri
endbutIdoubtMvelo
wouldbecomf ort
abl
eshari
ngwithme.

Iwalkinthehouseandi t'
squiet,
thi
sisaf i
rstreal
l
y.Ialwaysget
homet oloudgospel music,mymom singingwhi l
eshecooksor
sheandMv el
olaughingatsomet hi
ngorsomeone.Ist epinthe
l
oungeandf i
ndthem inf
rontoftheTVwat chingsomemov i
e,j
ust
whenIt houghtI
'l
lhaveacoupl eofminutestowalkaroundthe
housenaked.Mv elopausesthemov ieandsitsupstrai
ght,awide
gri
nplasteredacrossherface.

"
Howdi
ditgo?
"Ohsot
heyar
ebot
hinont
his?

"Ohyouknewyourdaught
erwassett
ingmeupwit
hherfr
iend?
"I
asksit
ti
ngont
hear mrestoft
hecouchmamaissi
tti
ngon.

"Youneedt
omi
ggl
esoy
ou'
l
lbeabl
etogi
vemegr
andki
dsf
anoo,
"
ohwow.

"Ij
ustgotouti fashi
tt
ymarri
age,
I'
mtr
yingtofindmyf eet.I
'
m not
goingt ohavekidswit
hanywomanmamaj ustgivemesomet ime,
Isti
llgotgamet ocourtawomanonmyown. "Iexpl
ainslowlyas
i
fI'
mt alki
ngtotoddl
ers.

"Makhosi
ni,
"Mvel
oheavesanexasperat
edsigh."
Youhaven'
t
beenhappyint
helongestt
ime,
Ratanangisamazing.Shemakes
herownmoney ,she'
srespect
ful
andwoul
dmaket
hemost
amazinggi
rl
fr
iend."Inod.

"Yes,j
ustnotforme.Iappreci
atewhaty ouwer etry
ingt
odobutI
am okayfornow,whenIwantast ablerelat
ionshipIwil
lst
art
l
ooking."I
'
m prayi
ngthattheyarenotjustli
steningbutt
heyhear
me.

"
Justt
ellmeonet
hingt
hen,
"If
urr
owmyey
ebr
owsandnodf
or
MaNgobeset
ogoon.

"
Nombul
elodi
dn'
tbr
eakitr
ight
?Thegear
sar
est
il
lwor
kingwel
l
?"
OhmyGod,t
hiswoman.

"
Yohmama,
"Igetonmyf
eet
.

"
Ijustwantt
omakesur
efanoo,
"Ishakemyheadi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.

"Ineedashower
,"Isl
owlymakemywayt
ost
air
case."
Stop
playi
ngcupi
dyoutoo."

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

"Iknowmyl ove,
Iwi shyoucouldstaylongert
oo."Sheholdsonto
met ight
erandIsigh."Yourparent
swillbeworri
ed,youhavetogo
homebef oret
heysendasear chpart
yforyou.
"Iadd.

Amukelanihasbeenheresi
nceFri
day,shewassupposet oleave
Sundayaft
ernoonbutshecri
edandIallowedhertostayanother
daybutnowi t
'saTuesdayandImissedworktwice.Isentan
emailt
omybosssay i
ngI'
m notf
eeli
nggoodandhet ol
dmet o
t
akecareofmy
sel
fandhewi
l
lseewhatt
odowi
thmypat
ient
sti
l
l
I
'
m back.

"
I'
ll
seey
ousoonr
ight
?"Herey
esar
epl
eadi
ng.

"
Yes,
soonbaby
."Iki
ssherf
orehead.

"I
'l
lcally
ouwhenIgethome. "Inodsl i
ghtlyandshepout sfora
kiss,Ij
ustgiveherapeckandl etgoofher ,theweekenderbagis
ont hecouch.Igrabitandleadheroutsidet oherwaiti
ngcar,I
tookitoutofthegar ageafewmi nutesago.Icoul dn'
tri
sk
Lemohangcomi ngbyher eandfindi
ngi tparkedinmydr i
veway,I
stil
lcan'
tfuckinbel
ievetheyarefri
ends.Inev ersawthatcoming
andIneedt of i
ndawayt omakesur ethattheybreakapart.

Iopenthedriver
'sdoorf
orherandshecli
mbsin, herey
esar e
water
yandIam pr ayi
ngshedoesn'
tinsi
stonsleepingher
eone
morenight.IneedtoseeLemohangbeforeshedecidestoleave
myassal one.

"Iknowi t
'shardpinkypinkybutyouneedt
ogohome, Ipromise
wewi llhaveanotherlongweekendsoon.I
'mjustaphonecall
awaybaby ,
"Iconvinceher,pi
nchi
ngmyassthatsheli
stensand
l
eav es.Itakeherinmyar msagainandshesobsforafew
mi nut
es,mi nut
esthatmi ghtbeputt
ingmei
nmor eshi
twi t
h
Lemohang.

"
Ilov
eyou,
Boo.
"Inod.

"Iknow,Il
oveyout
oo.Begoodforme,
takecar
eofyour
selfand
you'l
lheal
befor
eyouknowit
.Rememberify
ouneedtotal
ky ou
onlydoitwit
hme,yes?
"Shenodsvi
gor
ously
.
"
ThisweekendshowedmehowmuchIcancountonyou,
Mkhwanazi
.Youareanamazi
ngman.
"OhAmukelani
.

Igi
veherasmi
l
eandr
eachf
ort
heseat
bel
tandbuckl
eherup.

"
Dri
vesaf
ely
,"Icl
osethedoorandshestar
tst
heengi
ne,Ipr
ess
t
hegater
emot econt
rol
lerassher
ever
sesoutofmyyar
d.

ShehootsandIwavegoodbye,soonasthegat
ecl
osesandher
cardr
ivesof
fIspr
intbacki
nsidethehouse.

Ihavetododamagecont r
ol,hopefull
yLemohangi sn'
ttoof ar
goneinheranger.Thatoneisdi f
ferentfrom them all
,she'sali
tt
le
tougherthantherestI
'
vebeenwi th.She'salreadyfall
enf orme
butshehasn'tgiv
enherselfcompl et
elytome.Whi chmakesi ta
l
itt
lehardertohaveful
lcontroloverher,evenso, t
histrai
thas
somehowmademeseeherasmor ethanallofthem combi ned.I
hatethatshe'
schangingsomet hi
ngi nme, thatshe'smaki ngme
feel
.

Soonasmyphonei sbackonat housandmessagesf l

oodin,f
uck!
I'
mi ndeepkak, hopeful
l
yIcansal vagethiswholethingandget
hertocomeseeme.Ideci detoreadhertextsbeforecall
ingsoI
canhav eanideaofwhat 'sgoi
ngoni nherhead,i
fIwi l
lneedto
l
evel upmyski l
l
sorwhat .Thef i
rstfewtextsshowt hatshewas
wor r
iedsick,
buttheonesf rom Mondaychi l
lmywhol ebody .
She'sfuckedupmadatme, eventoldmet oforgetaboutherand
deletehernumber .Li
kehellIwil
l,she'
smi neandthere'snoway
I
'm walki
ngaway.I
'm aboutt
odi
alhernumberwhenmyphone
r
ingsinst
ead,Ismackmyl i
pswonder
ingwhatt
hissonofabi
tch
wants.

"
Ufunani
?"Ianswer
.(Whatdoy
ouwant
?)

"
Itaughty
oubet
tert
hant
his,
"Il
augh,
li
keser
iousl
ylaughatt
his
f
ool.

"
WhatcanIdof
ory
oubaba?
"Iaskagai
nandhecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.

"
Yourmot
her
,"Icl
osemyey
es.

"
Whatabouther
?"Isnap.

"
Shehasbeenmakingnoiseabouty
ou,
comehomebecauseI
'
m
t
ir
edofdeal
ingwi
thherranti
ng.
"

"Isendyoumoneyeachmonth,Idon'
thavet odoanythi
ngmor e.
Feedhermoremutili
key
oualway sdid,
afteral
lyou'
rether eason
she'sgot
tenwor
seandworse."Isayangri
l
yandhechor t
les.

"Don'
ttel
lmeyou'r
estil
lmadforwhathappenedy earsago,
you
weren'
tevenbor
ny etMabut
ho.Herparentsthr
ewheratmeand
neverl
ookedback,whatwasIexpectedtodo?"Iclenchmyjaw,
wishi
ngIwastheretopunchthi
spieceifshi
t.

"OhbutIwasbor nwheny ouputusthroughhel l,

wheny outur
ned
usintoyourslaves.Iwastherewhensher efusedt osnapoutofi t
andfightformeherchi l
d,whensheal l
owedy out osinkher
deeperinthatdeepdarkpi tshewasalreadyin."Thinkingabout
myl i
fegrowingupmakesmesof uckenmad, mymot herwas
nothi
ngbutaweakl
ing.HadInotranawayaftermat
ri
c, I
'
dstil
lbe
stucki
nthevi
l
lagefol
lowi
ngmyf atherar
oundtogetrootsand
l
eafstomakemuti.

"Idi
dn'tcall
tofightwithyou,
justcomehomeeveni
fit
'sf
oraf
ew
hours.Shewi l
lcalm down,pl
easeMabutho.
"Ohsohecan
humblehi mself
.

"Idon'tknow, weshal lsee."Isayandhangupmyphone.Iwant ed

tostayf arawayf rom mypar ents,butaftergettingthi
sjobI
decidedt ogoseet hem wi thhopest hatthingshadchangedaf t
er
allt
hesey earsbuti thadgot t
enwor sef ormymot her.Seeingher
l
ikethatt i
ckedof fsomet hinginsideme, Iwantedt ogivethe
brokenboyi nsideofmecl osure.ToknowIwasn' tt
hepr oblem,
thatmymot herwasweakandshedi dn'tfi
ghtf ormebutmost
i
mpor tantlyher self.Ineededt oseei fitwasonl ymymot herwho
couldgiv eupherf reewi l
lsoeasi l
yori fmyf atherwast oomuch
ofamonst erthatmymot herdidn'thaveachoi cebutt ogivein.

IdialLemohang'snumberwi thclosedey es,thelineist r

il
li
ngbut
shedoesn'tanswerunt i
l i
ttakesmet ovoicemai l
.She' sprobably
l
ooki ngatherscreenandcur singmeout ,butIdon' tgiveup.I
can'tgiv
euponher ,shehasapur posetof ulfi
l
l.Itr
yagai nbutstil
l
nothing,f
uckIdidn'twantt or esorttothi
sbutIdon' thav ea
choice.Igotothet rackingapponmyphoneandcl ickon
Lemohang' snecklace,itwillshowmeexact lywhereshei sso
l
ongasshel i
stenedt omeandkeepsi twithheratal ltimes.Isee
thatshe'satamal l,andhert rackershowst hatshei sn'
tmov ing.
Whati sshedoingt heret hi
slate?Whocoul dshepossi blybewi t
h
r
ightnow?

Iqui
cklyrushtomybedr oom, putbackhermor ningsleepers
whereshel ef
tthem thelasttime.Itakeoutt heunder wearIgot
herandpacki tinthedrawerbef oregetti
ngt hetoil
etri
esand
putt
ingthem ont heshowerr eck.Ihadt ohideev ery
thingsince
Amukelaniwascomi ngtosleepher e,Ididn'
twanthert osee
them f
orobv i
ousr easons.I
'm putti
ngev eryt
hingbackj ustincase
Imanaget otalkLemohangi ntocomi nghomewi thme.

Iwasi nanaccidenttwoy earsago, i

twasnot hingmajor.Ijust
brokeanar m andhadaf ewscr atches,Isti
ll
hav ethearm sli
ng
andi tl
ooksli
keitwillsavemef rom Lemohang' swr at
h.Ifi
nditin
theclosetofthesparebedr oom andheadoutt omycar .Ineedto
playthi
sonesmar tl
ysoIcanbeabl etowi nthi
sgirlback,my
tearswill
saveme, theyal way sdo.Thel i
tt
letheatr
icI'
m aboutto
pullwil
learnmesy mpat hyf rom heraswel l
.

Igett othemal landtrackherexactl ocationwithinthebui lding,it

l
ooksl ikeshe' ssitt
inginar est aurant.Iputont hear m sli
ngand
cli
mboutofmycar ,t
hepar kingl otisnotpackedwi th
automobi les.It'
sget t
ingdar kerout side,i
tshowst hatwi nteri s
fastappr oaching.Igost rai
ghtt other estaurantthet rackerput
her,Isighi nreli
efwhenIgett hereandi t
sonl yaf ewpeopl e.The
waitressatt hedoorasksi fI'm aloneandIt ellhery es.I'
veal ready
spottedLemohangatt heboot hbyt hest air
sthatl eadt othe
kiddi
esplaysect
ion.Iwantthi
stolookli
keacoi nci
dencesoIask
theladytotakemet othet
ablenotfarfr
om her,shenodsand
grabsthemenuleadingmet hr
ought hetabl
es.Lemohanghasa
glassofwineandplateofpastai
nfrontofher.

"OhthankGodit
'sy
ou,
"Isaypl
aci
ngmyhandonhershoul
der
.
Shelooksuptomeandsmacksherl
i
psinannoy
ance.Isl
i
de
opposit
eher.

"
I'
ll
sither
ethanks,pl
easebr
ingmesomeappl
ejui
ce.
"Isayt
othe
wait
resswhojustnods.

"Andpleasebr
ingmet
hebi
l
l,
"shet
ell
sthewai
tr
esst
ooandIgr
ab
herhand.

"
Lemohangplease,
"sheshootsmeadeat
hst
areandt
hewai
tr
ess
l
eav
esus,confusedbythehosti
l
ity
.

"
Whatdoy
ouwantMabut
ho?
"Herexpr
essi
oni
sst
oic.

"Iknowy
ou'r
emadatmebabyandy ouhaveeveryr
ightt
obebutI
haveanexpl
anat
ion.
"Isaysof
tl
yandsher
aisesaneyebr
ow.

"
I'
m sur
eyoudo,
"shegr
abst
hest
em oft
hewi
negl
assandsi
ps.

"
Baby ,
whenIgott oDurbanmycousinwasal r
eadyatt heairport
wait
ingforme.Het oldmephonesweren'tall
owedf ort heentir
e
weekend.Itri
edexplai
ningt
hatIhaveagi r
lf
ri
endt ocommuni cate
wit
hbuthej ustdi
dn'twantt
ohearanything.Il
etitgoknowi ngI '
ll
f
indmyphonewhenhe' snotpayi
ngattenti
onandt alktoy oubut
wegott oodrunkandIpassedout.Sat
urdayIt r
iedpleadingwi t
h
himt ogivememyphonebutt hatfoolref
used, whenwewentout
ont hatnightwegottoodr unkwi thhisfri
ends.Wheni twast ime
togobackt othecondoIt ol
dt hem thatweshoul dcal lacabbut
theyinsistedthatt
heyareokayt odriv
e.Thef oolsracedwhi l
e
drunkandmycousi nscarlostcont rol
,itwasn'taseriousacci dent
butitcouldhav ebeenwor se.Ibrokemyar m andmycousi ns
neckt wisted.Theguysinthebackcameoutgood.Thepol ice
camet othesceneandwewer etakent otheholdingcellfor
drinki
ngundert heinf
luence,itwasaweekend.Cour t
swer e
closedsoweonl ygotoutonbai ly
esterday,Ihavetomakei tback
toDur bannextweekbecausewehav eacour tappearance."I
explainandmopmyf acewi tht hepalm ofmyhand.

"
OhmyGod, Mabut
ho.
"Herexpr
essi
onsof
tensandr
eli
eff
loods
t
hroughme.

"I
'
m okayl ove,Iwantedtocont
actyoubutIjustcouldn'
t.I
'
m sorry
Igoty out hatworri
ed,butpl
easedon'
tdumpmeLemohang
please."Iwat chherswall
owhard."Pl
easeaskt hem tomakey our
meal at akeawaysowecangetoutoft hepubli
cey e.Wewi l
ltal
k
backatmyhouse, "sheshakesherhead.

"
Ican'
tgobacktoyourhouseMabut
ho,Ihav
eanear
lycl
assand
workt
ogothrough.
"ShesaysandIbi
temylip.

"I
'l
lmakesureyoudon'tmissyourclass,baby.Imi
ssyou,please.
"
Bylooki
ngatherIcantellt
here'
sabat tl
ebetweenherheartand
brai
n.I'
m hopi
ngtheheartwins."
OrI'l
ltakeyoutoyourf
lataftera
fewhours,Ij
ustwantt
ohol dyou.IcouldhavediedandallIcould
thi
nkofwasy ou,
"
"
Mabut
hoI
..
."Shepausesandt
akesadeepbr
eat
h.

"
Iam sosor
rybaby
, IknowIhurtyoubuti
twasn'ti
ntent
ional.I
l
oveyouandI'
dneverdoanythi
ngt ohur
tyouonpurpose,"the
wai
tr
esscomesbackwi thmyjuiceandhandsLemohangherbi ll
.

"
Pleasemakethi
satakeaway,
"Igotherbackin.Thegi
rlnodsand
t
akesherpl
atebefor
eleav
ingusaloneagain.

Itaket
hebill
from Lemohangandt akeoutmywall
etf
rom the
backpocketofmyj eans.Iaddanextr
afort
heti
pandmyj uice.

"
Icanpaymyownbi
l
lsMabut
ho,
"Ismi
l
eather
.

"IknowyoucanbabybutI'
myourmanandtaki
ngcar
eofy
ou
bringsmejoy
."Shepout
ssoherli
psdon'
tcur
lup.

Ineedtogeti
nbetweenherl
egs,
clai
m herv
irgi
nit
yandmakeher
att
achedtome.It
'st
heonlywayt
omakeherst i
ckaround,
agi
rl
neverwant
stoloseherf
ir
st.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER17

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Gr
eetyourgr
andmot
herf
orme,
"Lemohangsay
saswehug
goodby
e.

Thur sdayf i
nallycameandEbukaandIar emaki ngourwayt o
Gqeber ha, thestubbor nmanst i
ll
insi
stedt hatI '
mt oobeaut if
ulto
tr
av elaloneandnowt hatI'm hisgir
lf
ri
endheseemst obemor e
i
nsane.Pl easedon' taskmehowt hefool wonmyhear tinaspace
ofaweekbecauseIdon' thaveapr operexpl ainati
onf ort hat.Al
lI
knowi sIlov ehowIf eel ar
oundhi m,thekindofsaf et yhi s
presenceof fer
smei soneIhav eneverfeltinmyent irel i
fe.Yes
I'
m scar edt hatthismi ghtbet oogoodt obet r
ueandi twi ll
probabl yendwi thmyhear tinpieces,forthispar ti
cul arr easonI
hav eleftroom f ordisappoi ntmentandhehat esthat .Eachni ght
whenhecal lstosaygoodni ghtheasksmet ot r
usthi m, togive
my selffull
yt ohim andbel ievethathewi l
ldonot hingbutl ove,
provideandpr otectme.Iwantt o,LordknowsIdobutI '
vel ost
peopl eIcar eaboutsi nceIwasy oung,eit
hert hem l eav ingor
dyingandi talway slef tmebr oken.

"
Yousur
eyou'
l
lbeokayal
one?
"Iaskandshesmacksherl
i
ps.

"I
'
m notali
tt
lebabyyouknow,i
t'
sjustfort
heweekendandmost
part
sofitI
'
llbeatworkandsl
eepi
ng."She'
sri
ght
,Idon'
tknow
anyonewhocansurvi
vethewayLemohangdoes.
"Omali
cha, wehavet
ogo."Ebukasaysfrom behindusandIblush.
Hecallsmei nt
hemostuni
queway s,sotel
lmehowcoul dInot
havefall
enf orhi
m?I
twassuchaqui ckfreefal
l."Si
sterm,I
'l
l
deposityourmoneyj
ustnowokay."Hesay stoLemohangwho
j
ustnods.

"Haveasafet
ri
py ouguy
s,makesureyouraunt
sdon'
tki
l
lmy
brot
her
."Shesayswaggi
ngafingeratme.

"Theywi
l
lhav
et ogot hroughmef i
rst
,fr
iend.
"aki
ssl
andsonthe
napeofmyneck,sendingadeli
ciousti
ngledownmyspine.

"Myiy
awo,myv eryownshi
eld."Ihatehim,hatehimf ormaki
ng
mystomachflut
terthi
sway.Formaki ngmyhear tthudsohard
agai
nstmychestbecausehe'sjustbeing.
..
himsel
f.EbukaSunday
Okaf
orhastakenovermymi nd,bodyandsoul .

IhugLemohangf orthelastti
meandmyboyfr
iendopenst
he
fr
ontpassengerdoorforme, t
hankGodhe'
snotfor
cingmeto
dri
ve.I
'
vebeenhi schauffeurt
hesel
astf
ewdays,dr
ivi
ngus
ever
ywherewhilehesatnextt omeenj
oyi
ngmysmoot hdr
ivi
ng.

Thatwasasmoot hfl
ight,
quickandconv enient.I
fIwasont he
busI'
dstil
lhave10mor ehourstil
lIar
ri
ved,butat l
eastt
hatwould
havegiv
enmesomet imetopr eparemyselfforthetoxi
cit
ythat
await
smebackathome.Myaunt 'sar
egoingt obeonmycase
theent
ireweekend.I
fitwasn'
tgoi ngt
oraiseey ebrowsI'
dgostay
wi
thEbukaatthehotel
hebookedhimself.I
'm notsur
ehowwe
ar
egoingtospendsomet i
metogetherbecausePeacheswi
l
l
wantmenexttohercurvet
heenti
retime.

"
Ishoul
drequestf
oracab,
"Isaypul
l
ingoutmyphone.

"Noneed,l
ove.Ir
ent
edacar
,"Iment
all
yroll
myeyes,
ofcour
sehe
did.Imeanhe'
sEbuka,
hepr
efer
sconvi
nience.

"
I'
m dr
oppi
ngy
ouof
fathomet
henI
'
llheadt
othehot
el.
"Headds.

"Ebuka,ifmyauntsorPeachesseeyouitwil
lbequesti
onaf t
er
question.Idon'
tthi
nkI'
mr eadyt
oanswerthose,
"Iexpl
ainandhe
stopswaki ngandlooksatmestrai
ghti
ntheeyes.Ican'
treadhi
s
expression,di
dIoffendhi
m maybe?

"Iunder
standbutIhaveaquest
ion,
"hesay
swi
thnot
raceof
humorinhisvoice.Iswal
l
owandnodmyhead.

"
You'
renotreadytoanswerquesti
onsbecausey
oudon'
twant
t
hem t
oknowy ou'
redat
ingyetorbecauset
heguyy
ou'
redat
ingi
s
aNi
geri
an?"Thatstungmyhear t
.

"Babe!No,"I'
m blinki
ngr api
dly."Idon'tcar eabouty ournati
onality
,
okayjokingl
yI '
vesaidsomecr azyt hi
ngst oLemohangbuti tdidn'
t
meanany t
hing."Ipauseandheav easi gh,"Ebuka,Idon'twantt o
answerquest ionsbecauseIdon' twantt hem toknowI '
m dating
yet.Myaunt swi l
lprobablytel
lmet hatI '
m wastingt hei
rmot hers
moneyi nJohannesbur gbecauseI 'mf ocusingonmenandnotmy
books."Iexplainandhecl oseshi sey esandaf t
eraf ewseconds
hepullsmet ohi m andrestsmyheadonhi schest,Iwrapmy
ar
msar
oundhi
swai
standi
nhal
ehi
sint
oxi
cat
ingcol
ogne.

"I
'
m sorry,Omal i
cha.Itsj
ustthatIfeelli
keyou'reholdi
ngback
part
sofy ourselffr
om meandourr elati
onshi
pbecausey our
ashamedt hatyouf el
lhardanddeepf oraNigerianman.Iknow
howmostSout hAf ri
cansseeusandI '
m worri
edy ou'r
escaredt
o
bejudgedf orbeingwithoneoft he"drugdealers",
I'
m sor
ry
again.
"Istandonmyt ippyt
oesandpeckhi slips.

"
Peopl
e'
sopini
onsdon'
tmat
tert
ome,
"hi
spant
ydr
oppi
ngsmi
l
e
l
i
ghtsuphi
seyes.

"
Iappr
eci
atet
hat
,"Inodandwecont
inuewal
ki
ng.

"
Andwhosai
dI'v
efal
lendeepandhar
d?"Ihi
thi
shar
dshoul
der
wi
thmyti
nyf
istandhelaughs.

"Youl ookatmedi f
ferent
lynow, howy ouholdmei sdiff
erenttoo.
Ital
l hasmeani ngandemot i
onsandt hatcanonl yhappenwhen
yourhear ti
si nvolved."Hesay scalml yandIlookdown
embar r
assedbecausehej usthitt henailri
ghtont hehead."Hey,
don'tbeaty ourselfupf orlovingme, Undiphi
le.It
'snotli
keyou're
i
nt hisalone,Ididn'tthinkI'dfallforyoubecausey ousaidyou'l
l
payf orpatrol
.Itsoundsst upidbuti t'
showi thappened, some
peopl edon'thavet ogot hroughhel landbackt oknowt hey'
ve
foundt heoneandt hat'
smewi t
hy ou."Healway sknowswhatt o
sayt ome.I '
m awest ruck,feeli
ngmy selffal
ldeeperandhar der.
Hef eelssor i
ght, Ij
ustpr aythatGoddoesn' ttakehimf r
om me
l
ikehehasev eryoneIcar edf or.

He'
spushingourluggageandtypi
ngonhisphone,
hestops
wal
kingandIstopwithhim andwatchashi
seyesdar
tallov
ert
he
par
kingl
ot,
what
'shel
ooki
ngf
or?

"Okaythisway,comebaby .
"Ifol
l
owhim sil
ent
lyandwestopj
ust
nexttoanAudi ,t
hedri
versdooropensandthegent
lemenwho
stepsoutiswearingareadandwhitecheckshi
rtwi
thanavybl
ue
ti
e,it
'sdefi
nit
elyuni
for
m.

"
Mr.Okaf
or,
"heknowsEbuka.

Theytalkf
orawhi leandthat'
swhenIl earnhe' sfrom thecar
rental
company ,butaren'
twesupposedt ogett hecarf r
om thei
r
garageorsomet hi
ng?Ordi dmyboy fr
iendusehi sfatwallett
oget
them tobr
ingithere?Ormay beIjustdon'tknowhowt hiscar
rental
busi
nesswor ks.TheguyhandsEbukat hecarkey sand
hopsinthecarnextt otheAudi
,ithasast ickeroft hecompany
theyworkfor.

"
Hav
eyoubeenher
ebef
ore?
"Iaskandhenods.

"Yes,butIcal
litPor
tEli
zabet
h.Thenewnamej
ustwontrol
lfr
om
myI gbotongue."Hesaysput
ti
ngmybagsint
hebackseatand
hisintheboot.

"Whatdidyoucomeheretodo? "I
'
m pi
nchingmyasst
hathe
didn'
tcomeseesomewomanorbr oughtanyt
omyhometown.
Yes,I
'mjeal
ousandIhatethatheevenhasapast
.

"El
it
eFinanceshasabr anchhere.Icamewi t
hyoutomakesure
thatyou'r
esafeandIthoughtI
'duset hi
sopport
unit
ytopopin
andseehowt hedayt
odayoper ationsatt
heoffi
cearegoi
ng.
GatshaandIhar dl
yev
ercomedownher e,
"Inodmy
understandi
ng.
"Letmedropyouhome, myiyawo."If
rownbecauseIthoughtwe
alr
eadyspokeaboutt
his."
You'l
lsayIam anUberdri
ver,
Undiphi
l
e."Hereadsmymi ndandIlaugh.

"Uberdri
verwithaRolexcuff
edaroundhi
swrist
?Whoev enturns
suchaf l
ashycarint
oacab? "HegivesmealopsidedsmileandI
smackmyl i
psknowinghewon'tall
owanyoneelsetodropmeof f
.
I'
ll
justgetoffatt
hecornerandwalkther
estoftheway,atleast
mybagsar enotthatbig.

I'
m wheelingmysui t
casewhi leanotherbaghangsf r
om my
shoulder,
Ebukadi dn'tfi
ghtmewhenIaskedt hathedr opsmeof f
atthecorner.Ilookbackandf indtheAudi stil
lparked, he'
s
probablywaitingformet odisappeari ntothey ar
dbef or ehe
dri
v esoff
.Appar ent l
ymysaf etyishispri
ority
.Hisov erbearing
selfisbothannoy ingandni ce.Honest ly,amont hagoi fanyone
hadt ol
dmeI '
dhav eaboy f
riendwhowant sallofmeI 'dhave
l
aughed.Thet ypeofmenwhochasedaf termebacki n
Johannesbur gwer ej ustaf
termyass, Ebukaal soappr eciat
esit
cozhecan' tjustletmepassbyhi m withoutspanki ngmebuthe
want smor ethanj ustmybody .I'
my ettobenakedandunderhi m.
I'
m gladhe'snotpushi ngmei nthatdepar t
ment ,
ev enthoughI '
m
readytobei ntimat ewithhim.I fheinit
iatessexLor dknowsI '
m
notgoingt ostophi m.
Iexhalesharplybeforeopeningthegate,thehouselooksexact
ly
howi tdi
dwhenIl ef tf
orJohannesburginJanuar y.My
grandmot her
'sgardenisstil
lbeauti
fulandwelltakencareof
,
she'sobsessedwi thherroses.Mycousi nsandIwouldgeta
hidi
ngf r
om Peacheseacht i
mewecutsomet odecorateour
homeswhenwewer eplayi
nghouse.Thosewer et hegoodold
days,dayswer emycousi nsdidn'ti
nheri
tthei
rmot her
shatefor
me.

Iwal kfurthert hroughthey ar

dandmyhear ti
spoundi nginmy
chest ,I
t'
snotpl easantherebuttheonlyper sonwhohasev er
l
ov edmesi ncemypar entsdiedli
veshere.Thet hreebig
rondav el
sar estill
wher eI'
dleftt
hem, t
helastt i
meIhear dthey
wer enowoccupi edbymyt woaunt sandJoj o.Beforethem t
hey
belongedt omygr andfather'
sthr
eewi ves,yesSisuluwasa
polygami st.Hewant edabi gfamilybutallhecouldgetwas4
chil
dr enint otal.

"Undiphi
le!"AvoiceIcouldn'
trecogni
zecal
lsoutasI
'm aboutto
tur
nt hedoorknoboft hemai nhouse.Il
ookbackandfindJojo
approachingmef r
om hi
sr ondavel
,he'
sweari
nghiseverso
beautif
ulsmi l
e.Remindingmeofhi sfat
herwhenhewast ipsy
.

"
Heycous,
"I'
m gl
adhe'
sher
e,It
houghthewoul
dbewi
thhi
s
mot
herinCapeTown.

Hejustcomestovisi
tPeachesforacoupleofweeksthenleaves.
MakhulugavehimtheRondavelthatbel
ongedtoourbiol
ogical
gr
andmot her
.That
'
sast or
yforanotherday.
"
Ithoughtyou'
donl
ygether
etomor
row,
"hi
svoi
cei
shor
ri
ble,
flu
i
sobv i
ousl
ykil
li
nghi
m.

"
Ifl
ewi
n,
"It
ell
him.

Heopenshi
sar
msandweshar
eal
ongwar
m hug.

"
Wher
ear
eyouraunt
s?"Iaskandhel
aughs.

"Lumkawentt ogetheradul tchi l

drenfrom theexhusband, she'
s
madt hatheisgetti
ngmar ri
edsosoonaf t
ertheydivor
ced.The
dramashe' sbeencausi ngi stoomuch.Wel l
,Zenande.
"Heheav es
asi ghandIpr essmyl i
psi ntoat hinli
ne."Wellthatoneis
defini
telyatthecasino.It
'sliketheydon' tcarethatMakhuluisin
herdeat hbed, Undi
phil
e."Wai t,
hesai dwhat ?Mywhol ebodyj ust
frozef r
om thelastwordsheut tered.

"Joj
o,whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?Wher eisPeaches?"Hecl
oses
hiseyes,
probabl
ysl
appinghi
mselfmental
lyforsl
ippi
ngup.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Igetof fthecabandpayt hedriv

er ,
Icouldn'
tstayawayanyl onger
withoutcomi ngt oseeAmukel ani.Somethingisseriouslygoing
onwi thher ,she'sbeendi st
antandi t'
snotli
keher .When
UndiphileandIt exttomeetupshecomesupwi thexcusesand
goodl uckont ryi
ngt otal
ktoherv iacall
s.Shenev erpicksupor
retur
nmi ssedcal ls.Iam worr
iedaboutmyf r
iend,Imightbe
closertoUndi phil
ebutIst i
l
lappreciatet
hem bot h.
Wehar dlyevercomet oAmukel ani'shouse, Ithi
nkwe' v
eonly
beenher etwiceandwedi dn'tevenst aylong.Herf at
heris
weal t
hyandy oucannotmi ssitbecauset heirhousei stoobigfor
threepeopl e,andt hecar smyf r
iendhasdr iv
enat21l eavepeople
who' vebeenwor ki
ngf ory earsthatequal heraget ogaspinshock
whent hecarpar ksandshest epsout .Theydef i
nitel
ywonderhow
thi
sy ounggi rlcanaf fordtodr iv
esuchexpensi v
emachi nes.Our
agemat eswhoar en'tfrom wel loffhomesl i
keAmukel ani
probabl yhatetheirpar entsbecausewhatwer etheydoingwhen
theiragemat eswer eacqui ri
ngsuchweal th?

Ipresstheintercom atthegat eandsecondsl aterav oice

answers, It
ellt
hel adythatI'm hereforAmukel ani.Thegat es
swingopenandImakemywayi nsi
dethehugey ard.Atleastt
heir
houseisnotuphi llli
keEbuka' sandt hei
rdri
vewayi sshor t
.Igetto
theglassdoorandpr esst hebell,wit
honeblinkt hedooropens
andamani nhisl atefort
iesst andsbeforemyey es.Hemustbe
Amukel ani'
sdad, thi
sisthef i
rstt i
meI '
m meetinghi m sincehis
daughterandIbecamef r
iends.

"
Hel
l
ooo,
"whyi
shest
ret
chi
ngt
hatpoorO.

Iguessi
t'
stheef
fect
soft
heamberdr
inki
nthegl
asshe'
shol
ding.

"Uhm,goodaf
ter
noonsi
r.
"Isaywi
thal
owv
oice.Idon'
tl
ikehow
he'sogl
i
ngme.
"
Yes,whatcanIdoforyouprett
ygirl
?Whoopenedthegat
ef or
y
ou?"JesusChri
st,
thi
spervertcannotbeAmu'
sfat
herbecause
y
oh!

"I
'
m notsur
ebuti
twasawomanwhoanswer
edt
hei
nter
com,
"I
answer
.

"
Oh,thehel
per.If
orgethermostoft
hetime.
"Hechuckl
esbut
t
hat
'snotfunny."
So,whatcanIdofory
ou?"Heasksagai
n.

"Mynamei sLemohang,I'
m Amukel
ani
'sfr
iend.
"Isayandhi
sey
es
widen,helooksbackandqui
ckl
ywalksout,cl
osi
ngthedoor
behindhim.

"I
tsli
keGodhashear
dmypr
ayer
s,"hesay
sandIshootan
eyebrowup.

"
Excusemesi
r?"Conf
usi
oni
slacedal
lov
ermyv
oice.

"Iam Amukelani'
sfather.Iam looki
ngf oranswer sandsi nce
you'
remydaught er
'sfr
iendIhopey oucangi v
et hem tome, "I
squintmyey esandwai tforhi
mt ocontinue."
Ev ersi
nceIgot
homef r
om abroad,mydaught erhasn'tbeenher sel
f.Afterthi
s
pastweekendshehasbeenwor se,
shedoesn' teat,tal
kt oher
motherandIandshemi ssedherclassest hi
sweek. "Hepauses
anddr awsi
nsomeai r,"
Iam wor ri
edabouther ,"headds.

I
'
m her
etof
indoutt
hesamet
hingMr
.Nkov
ani
,Isayt
omy
sel
f.

"Ihaven'
tseenAmukelanii
nawhileandshe'snotansweri
ngher
phone.I'
m heretofi
ndoutifev
ery
thingisokay
,"heblowsoutan
exasperatedsi
gh.Icanseehowexhaustedheis,i
tmustbehard
asapar enttoseeyourchi
l
dgoingthroughsomethi
ngandnot
hav
ingani
deawhati
tcoul
dpossi
blybe.

"Okay
,youcangoin.She'
supst
air
sinherr
oom,
"hesay
spoi
nti
ng
backtothehouse.

Inodandwal karoundhi m, openingthedoorandwal kinginside.

It
'sli
keI'vej
ustst eppedi ntoanexpensi vehotellobby .Thesear e
thetypesohhousesy oudon' tgetusedto, nomat terhowmany
ti
mesy ou'vebeeni nside.I'm notsureifIshouldjustgoupt he
stai
rsev enthoughMr .Nkov anisai
dIcoul d.Butwai ti
ngher e
won'tcutthedeal ,Ineedt oseemyf ri
endandf indouthowshe' s
doing.Iheadt othest aircaseandascend, we'vebeent oherr oom
butIthinkI'
m goingt ogetl ost,t
herearesomanydoor s.Itakemy
l
eftandsi ghinreliefwhenIgett othe3rddoorandf inda" DO
NOTDI STURB"si gnhangi ngont hedoorknob, Amukel anii
sext r
a
l
ikethat.

Ihi
tmyknuckl
esonthewhi
tedoormadef
rom expensi
vewood
andwai
tforananswer
.

"Readthedamnsign!"Sheshoutsfrom thei
nsi
deandIblowout
someai r
.She'
sreal
lynothersel
f.TheAmukelanit
hatIknow
wouldbeouttherepaint
ingJozired,notgi
vi
ngafuckifi
t'
sa
Thursday.

Ij
usttur
ntheknobandt
hankGodwhent hedooropens.SoonasI
st
epin,acushi
onhi
tsmeandI'
m st
art
led.

"
Fri
endi
t'
sme,
"Isayr
aisi
ngmyhandsi
nsur
renderj
usti
ncase
shehasmor
eweaponst
othr
owmyway
.

"Whatareyoudoinghere,
Lemohang?
"Shel
eansbackont
he
headboardandpull
sthecover
sup.

"
Isthatar
hetori
calquest
ion?"Sheroll
shereyes."Whatki
ndof
f
ri
endswouldUndiphil
eandIbei foneofusdidn'tcomethrough
t
ocheckony ou?"Isaysett
li
ngont heedgeofthebed.

"
I'
mf i
ne, Ij
ustneededsometimetomysel
f.
"She'
sly
ing,
thepai
n
i
nherey esisoneIknowbecauseI'
veseeni
tfr
om myownpair
whenIlookedatmyr efl
ect
ionint
hemirr
or.

"
Wewantt
obeher ef
oryouAmu,what
everi
tisy
ouknowyoucan
t
alkt
ousr
ight
?"Shenodswi
tht
earsswimmingi
nherey
es.

"
Iknowbabe,
"Ir
emovemyshoesandgeti
nbed,
pul
l
inghert
ome
f
orawarm embr
ace.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Hert
ear
swetmycot
tonl
ongsl
eev
edt
-shi
rt
.

"Uhm mydadisbackandit
'sbeenfightaf
terfi
ghtbet
weenhi m
andmymom, "Hershaki
ngv oi
cebreaksmyhear t
."Al
l t
hef i
ghti
ng
remi
ndedmeofhowbadi twasaf t
ermyl i
ttl
esist
erdied."This
makessense,she'
sgonebacktogrievi
nghersist
er.

"Iam sorrythatyou'r
egoingthroughthi
sAmu, sover
ysorrymy
fri
end."Iti
ghtenmyar msar oundherandlethersob,
Iall
owmy
ownt earstofallbecausethi
sisjustsoemotional
.Aft
erafew
mi nut
esshel etsgoofmeandIwi pehertear
s.

"
Wit
hti
met
hingswi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
,"It
ell
herandshenodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orshut
ti
ngy
ouguy
sout
,"Ipeckherl
i
ps.
"Don'tgot
hrought
hingsalonewhenyouknowyouhavetwobest
fri
endswholoveyou."Agenuinesmi
l
eformsonherfaceandmy
heartwarmsupalit
tle.

"
Wher
e'sUndi
?"Sheasks.

"
Shewenthome,
Peachescall
edhertocome.Ihaven'
tspokent
o
t
hem si
ncet
heyl
anded.
"Afrowntakesoverherf
ace.

"
Who'
sthey
?"

"You'
vemissedoutonalot
.Undiphil
eisnowsomeone' siy
awo,
sheandEbukaarenowinar el
ati
onship.TheyaresocuteandI
swearIwouldn'
tbesur
pri
sediftheygotmar r
iednextmonth.
"I
sayexci
tedl
y.

"I
yawo?Ebukayourboss?Theonewhoboughthert
hoseGucci
goodi
es?"Inodmyhead.

"I
yawomeanswife.HegotUndi
aCar
ti
erl
ovebr
acel
et,
"she
gaspsi
nshock.

"Wai
t,Ineedashowersoy oucangi
vemethist
eaov
erameal
andadr i
nk.
"Ichuckl
e,happyt
hathermoodhasi
mprov
edal
it
tl
e.

"
Hur
ry,
"sheget
soutofbedandhur
ri
est
oherj
oini
ngbat
hroom.

Myphonechimesfr
om mybag, Ir
eachforitandtakeitout.It
'sa
messagefr
om Mabutho,we'
vebeengreat
.Wespokeaboutso
manythi
ngsonTuesdayandIendedupsleepingov er
,I'
m gladI
di
dbecausewegottolearnmoreabouteachotherandIr eali
zed
howmuchIloveMabutho.
IMI
SSYOU.

Ibl
ushandt
extback.

IMI
SSYOUTOO,
BABE.WHATAREYOUUPTO?

hi
sresponsei
sal
mosti
nst
ant
.

IJUSTSTEPPEDOUTOFTHECOLDSHOWERBUTMYERECTION
ISN'
TGOINGAWAY.IDON'
TLI
KEMASTURBATINGBUTI
TLOOKS
LIKEIDON'
THAVEACHOICETODAY.WHATAREYOUUPTO?

Myheartneedsmoreroom t
obeat
,Ibi
temyl owerl
i
pandwonder
whatt
hebestresponsewouldbet
ohistext
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Iunderst
andthatyouguy shateMabut hoandtrustmeIhat
e
wri
tingaboutthatpr
icktoobutthisstoryhastobetol
d,
unfort
unatel
yIcannotrushthepace.You'rewelcometocur
se
hi
m, wishhewer edead,hatehim al
lyouwantandmay bebemad
atmet ooift
hatwillhel
py outhr
ought hejour
ney.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER18

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Tearsar efreelyfal
li
ngfrom myey esasJoj odr i
vesmet ogosee
Peachesatt hehospital
.Ican'tbeli
ev eshe'sbeenadmi tt
edf or
almostamont handit'
sonlylastweekwhenshet houghtof
call
ingmet ocomehome.Iam scar ed,myt huddi
nghear tispr oof
ofthat.Icannotl osemygr andmot her ,
Ijustcan't
.WithoutherI
haveabsol utelynoone,noonet olov emeandst andupf orme
thewaysheal way shad.Lord,whathav eIdonet hatyoukeep
taki
ngandt akingfrom me?Wer en'tmypar entsandJojo'sf ather
enough?I st hepainmyaunt scausemenotenought haty ouar e
nowaf terPeaches?Whatwi llhappent omewheny outaket he
onlypersonIhav ebeenholdingonf or?Ohi thurt
ssobad.

"
What'
swrongwi
thher?
"Iaskglanci
ngatmycousi
nwhosegr
ip
i
sti
ghtar
oundt
hesteer
ingwheel.

"Shewantstotel
lyouherselfUndi
,Ishoul
dn'thavesaidanyt
hing."
Iclosemyeyes.Whydidn'tshetel
lmet hefi
rstti
met heyadmitt
ed
her?Sherobbedmeoffachancet obet her
ef orhert
hesameway
shehasalwaysbeenforme.

"Gi
vemehope, Joj
o."Ibeghim wi
thashakingvoi
ce,desper
atet
o
hearhi
m sayourgrandmotherwil
lbeokay.Thewomanwhohas
l
ovedusunconditi
onall
yeventhoughwedon'tshar
et hesame
bl
oodasher .Ifeell
i
kedisappear
ingandcomi
ngbacktomy
Peacheshealthyandloudli
keI'
vealway
sknownhert
obe.

"
OhUndiphi
l
emntase,
"Icl
osemyeyesbecausehej
ustshat
ter
ed
t
hel
it
tl
ehopeIwasholdi
ngonto.

Wef inallygett othehospital

,mychesti stoosmal lto
accommodat emypoundi ngheart.Fearhastakenov erev er
yv ei
n
i
nmybodyandmyst omachi scold,thearct
iccold.Iwipemy
tearswi ththebackofmyhandandheav eadeepsi gh.Jojoopens
hisdoorandcl imbsoutt hecar ,
Ifoll
owsui t
.Mykneesar ewobbl y,
Idon'tthinkt heyarestr
ongenought ocarrymet hrought his
hospital.IthankGodwhenmycousi ncomest omysi deandt akes
myhand, wewal ktotheent r
ancehandandhand.Whenwer each
reception,Jojot al
kstothenur sebehindthedesk.Idon' thear
thei
rconv ersati
onbecauseI '
m absentmi nded,al
l Iwantistosee
mygr andmot her.

Jojopul lsmet owardstheelevat

orandpr essestheupbut ton,it'
s
amat terofsecondst i
l
lthedoorspingopenandwest epintothe
car.Itslowlyascendsupandopensatt hesecondf l
oor,myf eet
arest ucktot hefl
oorofthecar.Mycousingi vesmear eassuring
smile, coaxingmet ostepoutandgoseeourgr andmot her.He
openst hedoortoapr i
vateroom andusher smei nsi
de.Myhear t
stopsbeat ingforacoupleofseconds,Iclutchatmychesthopi ng
tofeel anythingbuttheacheinmyhear t.
ThisisnotmyPeaches, herlightski
nt hatalway shassomepi nk
onhercheekshast urnedpal e.Shewoul ddefinit
elygetaroleon
Twili
ght.Shehasl ostalotofwei ghttoo.Herf acialski
nis
sagging,thi
swomanusedt obechubbyandcut e.Ialwaysloved
ki
ssinghercheeksandwat chherturnr edfr
om mysmooches.I
al
lowmyt earstofallbecauseshe'snotbr eathingonherown, an
oxygenmaski scoveringhermout handnose.Thi sisfarmor e
seri
oust hatIthoughtandIj ustgotshitscared.

IlookbackatJojoandhepushesmef urthertoPeaches' bedsi

de
bymyel bow,Iswal
lowhar dandtakeasitnextt oher.Idon't
knowwhatt odobuti nvol
untar
il
ymyhandr eachesforher sandI
claspsi
t.Hereyesfl
ickerunti
lshehasthem f ul
lyopen,Iseethem
l
ightupal i
tt
leandIof f
erherafai
ntsmilewi t
ht ear
sblurri
ngmy
vi
sion.

"Dodowam,
"shesay
saf
terJoj
oremov
eshermasksoshecan
speak.

"
Peaches,
"myv
oicecomesouthoar
se.

"
Youcame.Youl ookbeauti
fulsanalwam, "shetakesamoment
t
obreathe,"
ohUndiphi
leuJehova,"IsmileandwhenIbl i
nkmy
t
earsfal
l,It
akehercol
dhandandpl acesitonmycheek.Leani
ng
i
ntohertouch,
atouchthat'
salway smademef eellov
ed.

"
Makhul
u,what
'swr
ong?
"Iaskandshecl
osesherey
espai
ned.

"
Youneedt
oknowhowmuchIl
ov ey
ouUndiphi
le.Iknewmytime
wi
ll
comeandIwashopi
ngf
orafewmoreyearstil
lyougoton
yourf
eetbutunf
ort
unat
elyi
t'
sher
eandIcannotr
unf
rom i
t
mntanami.
"

Ishakemyhead,"
What ev
eri ti
s,y
oucanfighti
t,Peachesplease.
"
Ibegherandshegasps,tr
yingnottoshowherheartbreak.

"Ionl
yhavey
ouMakhul
u,y
oucan'
tl
eav
emepl
ease.
"Sheshakes
herhead.

"Youhav eJojo,Iaskedhi
mt olookoutf oryousanal wam.Me,
yourgrandmot hers,Si
sul
uandy ourparentswi llal
way slookdown
ony ou.Ineedy outobestrongnow, Undiphile.Ineedy outofini
sh
school andbeindependent.
"Idon'twantt oheart hi
s,Iwantto
hearhert el
lmet hatshewil
lfi
ghttobebet t
er ,
thatdeathwillnot
takeherawayf rom measi thaseveryoneel se.

"Makhul
uwhat'
swrong?Whatev
eri
tisI
'
m surether
e'sa
speci
ali
stwecant
akeyouto.
"Shel
ooksatJojo.

"Pl
easetel
lher,
"shesay
stohi
m andmyey
esl
ookupatmy
cousi
nimpatient
ly.

"
Joj
o!"Ineedhi
mtoputmeoutofmymi
ser
y.

"WellUndi,makhuluhasendst ageheartfai
lur
e."Heclearshis
thr
oatbef or
ehecont inues,"
shewasdiagnosedy earsago,the
medicationisn'
thelpingnow.Shedoesn'thavelong,al
l t
heycan
doismakehercomf ort
able.
"Ishakemyheadno, t
hisisn'
t
happening.Itcannotbehappening,no.

"I
'm sor
ryUndiphil
e,shedi
dn'twantt
oworryy
ouorhur
tyou.But
nowweagr eedt hatyouneedtoknowsoyoucanpr
epare
yoursel
f,
"Ibi
temyar mtomuf f
lemysobs.
"
Youcangetahear
ttr
anspl
ant
,Peaches.
"Isuggestaf
teraf
ew
minut
esofsi
l
ence.

"
OhDodowam,
"

"Mntase,thel
i
stislong.She'sbeenoni tf
orsometime.Toomany
peoplearewait
ingforheartsbutthearen'
tenoughdonors,
"Iam
numb, howdoIacceptt hatoneofthesedaysIwil
lgetacallt
o
tel
lmet hatmygrandmot herhasdied?

"Iknowi t
'shar dandI '
m sorrythatI'
ml eav i
ngy out oo."Ikissher
knuckles."Iheldonf orasl ongasIcoul d.Iagreedf oryout ogo
studyinJohannesbur gbecauseIneededy outobei ndependent ,I
wast rai
ningy out obeabl etogoonwi thoutme. "Sheexpl ains
andIr ememberhoweasyi twasf orhert oagreet omegoi ngt o
thebigbadci ty,shedi dn'
tev encarewhenherdaught er
swer e
tell
i
ngheral lthecr eepystoriesaboutthepl ace.Theyev en
suggestedt hatIgot oNel sonMandel aMet r
opolitanUni ver si
ty,
clai
mingconv enienceandsav i
ngmoney .Shejustt oldthem t hat
shet r
ustedmeandwant edthebestoft hebestf orme, butl i
ttl
e
didIknow.

Jojoisdri
vi
ngoutoft hehospi
talgate,
thedoct orsallowedmet o
staytwohourswi t
hmygr andmotherandIappr eciatedthat.She
askedthatwestopt alki
ngaboutt hepai
nf ulsi
tuati
onf acingus,
sosheendedupt el
li
ngusaboutourbi ologicalgrandmot herand
thei
rhusband.Thest ori
eswerecr azyt
hatJoj oandIwer eintear
s
withcrampingstomachsf rom l
aughingthathar d.Peachesi s
funnyashellandI'm goingtomissherev erydayofmyl i
fe.
"Iknowithurt
sbutshehasshownusnot hingbutlov
e,Undiphi
le.
Let'
smakeherl astdayshappy
, wedon'twanthertoholdon
somemor ebecauseshe'
sfeel
inglikewear enotr
eadytolether
go.She'sinpai
n,alotofit
.Let
'sloveherenoughtolethergo
mnt ase.
"Hiswordshitmyheart.InodbecauseIhavenothingto
say.

"Idon'
twanttogobackt oKwazakheleanddealwit
hyouraunt
s,
atl
eastnott
onight
."IsayandJojotakesaglanceatmethen
mov eshi
seyesbackont heroad.

"
Wher
ewi
l
lyougoUndi
phi
l
e?"Heasks.

"Pl
easetakemetoRadi
ssonBl
u,
"that
'swher
emyboy
fri
endi
s,I
am desperat
etobei
nhi
sarms.

"
Undiphi
l
ey oucan'
tgochecki
natt
hehotel
,you'
l
ltakemy
r
ondavelandI'
l
lgosleepi
nthemai
nhouse.
"Iheaveasigh.

"Afri
endofmineist
herecous,
"I'
m grat
efulwhenhesay
snothi
ng.
ItakemyphoneandtextEbukathatIwi
llbether
eint
wentyand
heshouldwai
tformeinthelobby.

Hej
ustsendsmeagr
inni
ngemoj
i
.

Joj
odr
ivest
hroughsecur
it
yatt
hehot
elandf
indspar
kingspace.

"
Thankyoumnt
ase,I
'
llseeyoutomorr
owathomethenwewi
ll
makeourwayt
othehospit
al.
"Isayr
eachi
ngf
ort
hehandl
e.

"No,no.I
'
m notl
eav
ingwit
houtseei
ngt
hatf
ri
end,
Undi
phi
l
e."He
saysandmystomachknots.
"
Comeon,
"Isul
kandheshakeshi
shead.

"
Callt
hat"f
riend"tocomehere.
"Iblowoutasi gh.He'snotgoi
ng
t
oletthi
sgo, Imightaswel
lall
owhi mtomeetEbuka.Joj owon't
j
udgemeandmeet i
ngmycousinwillst
opmyboy f
ri
endf r
om
t
hinki
ngthatI'
m ashamedofdatinghim becausehe'saNigeri
an.

"
Fine,
comel
et'
sgoseehi
m."Hechuckl
es.

"
Mal
efr
iendhuh?
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

Weappr oachtheentranceandmyhear ti sshr

inking,f
orthefi
rst
ti
met oday.Ihopetherewon' tbeapissingcont estbetweenmy
boyfri
endandbr ot
her.West epinsideandmyey esfi
ndhim,he's
wearingsweatswi t
hacr ispvneckt -
shirtandhi sfav
orit
eGucci
sl
ides.HisRolexissti
llaroundhiswr i
st.Heappr oachesJojoand
Iwithnarr
owedey es,he'sprobablythi
nkingIbr oughtmy
boyfri
endtohim.

"MyIyawo,
"hisgentl
enessbr
ingst
ear
stomyey
es.Iwantt
ohol
d
him andcr
ythepainout.

"
Hey
,"Isaywi
thashaki
ngv
oiceandhepul
l
smet
ohi
schest
.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Wor
ryi
slacedi
nhi
svoi
ce.

"No,ever
ythi
ngi
sjustamess.
"Hepushesmebackf
rom hi
s
cheatsohecanlookatmeintheey
es.

"Tal
ktome,pl
ease.
"Hecar
es,
thel
ooki
nhi
sey
est
ell
smesoor
am Ibei
ngnai
ve?
"
Mmhhmhhh"Joj
ocl
ear
shi
sthr
oatandIr
ememberhe'
sher
e
wi
thus.

"OhI'm sor
ry,
cous.Thisi
smyf r
iend,boyf
riend,Ebuka.
"The
cornersofEbuka'smouthcurlup."Jol
lof
,thisismycousin,Joj
o."
Myboy fri
endholdsouthishandandJoj oshakeshi m.Isi
ghin
rel
i
ef.

"Ineededtoseewhoshewascomi ngt
oincasesomet
hing
happens,"Ebukanodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"Tot
allyunderst
andandrespectt
hat,
"lookatmy30y
earol
d
boyf
riendbeingcal
mf ormy26y earol
dcousin.

"
Mnt
ase,
I'
ll
seey
out
omor
rowt
hen.
"Ihughi
m.

"Thankyoufordri
vi
ngme,
textmewheny
ougethome.
"Henods
andturnstoleav
e.

Il
ookupatEbukaandhepecksmyl
i
ps.

"
Let
'sgoup,
"het
akesmyhandandweheadt
otheel
evat
or.

Heswi peshi skeycardandt hedooropens,hestepsasidesoI

canwal kin.TheTVi sonsomespor tschannel,
hislapt
opison
thecoffeetabl ewit
habot tl
eofcognacandgl assnexttoit.A
coupl
eoff i
lesarealsoont hecouch,hemusthav ebeenkeeping
busywi t
hwor k.Heturnsmet ofacehimt hencupsmyf ace,
bri
nginghisl i
pst omine.I'
ll
nevergetusedt ohi
skisses,t
hey
alwaysleavemeof fbalance.
"What
'swrongOmalicha?
"Heaskssoftl
yandthatsl
icesmyraw
emoti
onsopen.Iwrapmyar msaroundhi
m andweepi nhi
schest
.
He'
skissi
ngmyt amplewait
ingf
ormet ocr
yitout.

"
I'
m her
ebaby,
whateveri
tisI
'
m hereUndi
phil
eandI
'
m not
l
eavi
ng.
"Hiswordsmakemef eel
alit
tl
ebet
ter.

"
Peaches,
"Iwhi
sper
.

Hescoopsmei
nhisar
msandgoest
osi
tont
hecouchwi
thmei
n
hi
sarmsonhi
slap.

"
Whatabouther
?"He'
swi
pingmyt
ear
s.

"
She'
sdying,Ebuka.There'
snot
hingthatt
hedoct
orscando.
"He
t
ight
enshisarmsar oundmybody .

"Ohbaby,
Iam sosor rytohearthat.
"Iam gl
adEbukainsistedon
comingwit
hmeher e.God,it
'sl
ikeheknewI'dneedhiscomf ort
morethananyt
hing."What'swrongwi t
hher?"Heasks,brushing
mybackincir
cles.Itakeami nuteandcomposemy self
.

"Endstageheartfai
lure,
there'
snohopeofanewhear t.She'
s
beensickforalongt i
mebutshehi ditfr
om mesowel l
,Iknew
shehashighbloodpr essureandallsoIdidn'
tquest i
onher
medicati
on.Shecoul ddieanydaynow, t
heytoldmesoIcan
prepar
emy sel
f,"Iexplai
nbetweenhiccups."Idon'tknowwhatI '
m
goingtobewithoutmakhul u.Shei
st heonlypersonwhol ovesme,
Ebuka.
"heshakeshi shead.

"That'
snottr
uebaby,I'
m hereandIalwayswil
l.Lemohangalso
l
ov esyou,
yougirl
saremor ethanjustf
ri
ends.Youaresist
ers.
"I
peckhisli
ps."Ev
eryt
hingisgoingbeokay,j
ustgivehert
hebest
l
astday
s.Rememberherf
oral
lthati
sbeaut
if
ul.
"Inod.

"
Joj
osai
dthesamet
hing,
"hesmi
l
es.

"He'
sri
ghtbaby
.Don'
tmakeyourgrandmot
hergowi
thaheav
y
hear
t.
"DidheandJoj
oexchangenotes?

"
Shelov
esmesomuch, oneoft
her
easonswhymyauntshat
e
me.
"Hef r
ownsandshi
ft
smesoIcanbemorecomfor
tabl
eon
t
opofhim.

"
Why?Whywouldtheyhat
eyou?Abeaut
if
ul,
warm,l
ovi
ngperson
l
i
kemywif
e."Ibl
ushandhidebet
weenhi
sneckandshoul
der
.

"Well
,mygr andfat hermar ri
edhi sf i
rstwi f
eandt heycouldn'thav e
chil
dren.Theydeci dedt obringinasecondwi fe,whohappenst o
bePeaches.Theyhadt wogi rl
s, myaunt s,LumkaandZenande.
Mygr andfather '
sf i
r stwi fewant edboychi l
drendwhowi l
lcont inue
theSisulunameandl egacysot heydeci dedat hirdwi f
eshoul dbe
broughtin.Mybi ologi cal grandmot herwasbl essedwi thtwoboy s,
myuncl e,Jojo'sfat her .Thenmydad. "Hehasn' tmadesenseof
myst orysoIheav easi ghandcont inue, "thegirlshatedt hatthey
hadmor esibli
ngs, hat edt hattheyhadt oshar et heat t
ention.As
theygrewupt heyst ar tedhat i
ngmybi ologicalgrandmot her ,
accordingtot hem i twasherf aul ttheboy swer ebornandt ook
Sisul
u'sattention.Peachest oldmet hatshet ri
edexpl ai
ningt hat
asboychi ldrenther ewer ethingst hei rfatherhadt oteacht hem
butstil
ltheydi dn'tunder stand.Mygr andf atherswi vesgotal ong,
butthechi l
drenwer en't.Theboy sdi dn' thav eapr oblem wi t
ht heir
sist
ersbutt hegi rl
sf eltliketheirar r
iv altookt hingsfrom them.I
wasn'tborny etwhenmygr andfat herdi edandshor t
lyhisf i
rst
wifefol
lowed.Peachessay sshel ovedt hei
rhusbandsomuch
thatshecouldn'tdealwit
hhi sdeath.Myf athermetmymom, they
gotmar ri
edandshor tl
yaftertheyhadme, PeachessaysIaround
3whenmybi ological
grandmot herdied.Shebecamet he
mat r
iar
choft hefamily,
lovedallfourkidsbutherdaughter
sdi dn'
t
l
ikethatobvi
ousl y.

Iwasv i
sitingPeachesoney earwithallothercousi nsdur i
ngt he
holidays, Iwas9att hetime.Shehadj ustgav eussomebeat ing
withabel tbecausewecutherr oses.Wehear dherpi er cingcr y
andr ani nsidet hemai nhouset oseewhatwashappeni ng,
forgetti
ngshehadj ustbeatusmoment sago.Shewascr yingso
painfull
y, Iremembermeandmycousi nsst andingbyt hedoor
wonder ingwhat '
sgoi ngon.AuntLumkawast her e,armsf olded
nextt ohermot her.Af t
ersomet imePeachesaskedust ogopl ay
butmyauntt ol dmet ostay ,
mygr andmot herwast ell
ingno, not o
tel
lingmeatt hattime.Iwassoscar ed,IrememberIcr iedev en
befor eIcoul dhearwhataunt '
Lumkahadt osay .Shecl ear edher
throatandsatont hear mr estofthecouch, "Undi phil
e,y ouj ust
gotor phaned.Youruncl ecal l
eduMaj ustnow, theywer einv olved
i
nanacci dent.He' stheonl yonewhosur vived,"mywor ldcame
crushingdownat9y ears,mypar entsdeat htookachunkofmy
hear tIwillnev ergetback. "Ipressmyl i
psintoat hi
nl i
net oav oid
them t r
embl i
ng.

"Baby,youdon'thavetosaynomor e.
"Hesayskissi
ngmy
shoulder.Inevert
alkaboutt
hisandmaybethat
'sthereasonwhyI
haven'thealed.

Il
i
ckmyl
i
ps,
"It
'sokay
,Iwanty
out
oknow.So,
webur
iedmy
par entsandIst ay edwi thPeaches, auntZenandeandherki ds
becauseshenev ermar ri
ed.Af terthedeat hofhi sbr otherand
wifemyuncl ewasnev ert hesame, henev erwentbackt oCape
Townf orwor k,hest arteddr i
nkingheav i
l
y .Isuspecthewast ryi
ng
tonumbt hepai nandgui l
tsi ncehewast heonedr iving.Noone
blamedhi m exceptf orhi ssi sters,ev erychancet heygott hey
remi ndedhi mt hathewasaki ller.Peachessenthi mt orehabbut
whenhecamebackhest ay edsoberf or3day sandhewentback
toal cohol .Iwas14y earsol dwhenIcamebackf rom school one
day ,Peachesandt womenwer etryingt obr eakdownmyuncl e'
s
rondav el door .Apparent l
ynoonehadseenhi mt hewhol edayand
whent heyknockedhedi dn' tanswer .Hecommi ttedsui cideby
hangi nghi msel f,hissuicidenot esai dhecoul dn'tliv ewi t
ht he
guiltofsur vi
vinganacci dentt hatl eftmeanor phan.Hesai dasI
grewupi tbecamehar derf orhi mt ol ookatmeandnotbe
consumedbygui lt
.Inev erbl amedhi m, t
heywer en' tdrunkwhen
theacci denthappenedpl ust het ruckdr i
veradmi ttedt ogi vi
nghi s
phoneat tent i
onwhi l
edr i
v i
ng.I nt hel ett
erheal sot ol dust hathe
hasasonhe' snev erseenbecauset hemot herdi dn' twanthi m
any whereneart hem, hegav eust henamesoft hewomanandt he
i
nf ormat i
onhehadgat her edbef orehegav ehi slifet othebot tle
tobeabl et ocope.Peachesdeci dedt okeepmyuncl e'
sbodyi n
themor tuar yfort woweekst osear chf orthissonmyuncl ewr ote
about .Justwhenwewant edt ol oosehope, theyf oundhi s
mot her
'saddr essandaf termuchbeggi ngsheagr eedt obr i
ng
Jojot othef uneral.Hewasal r
eadyanadul t
, 19y ear sofageanda
fi
rsty earst udentatv arsity.Hewasangr yathi smom f orlying
andsay i
ngmyuncl ediedmuchear li
erint hey ear sandhi sf amily
didn'
twanthim.West il
ldon'
tknowwhyshedi dn'twantta'mkhul
u
tobeapar tofJojo'sli
fe.Anyway,hestart
edcomi ngtov i
situs
andjustli
keme, Peacheswel comedhi m andl ovedhim dearly
,
shestoodupf oruswhenherdaught ersandt heirchil
drenganged
uponus.Nev erforoncehasshemademef eelaloneinthisworl
d
andnowt hatshe'sdy i
ngIhav eneverfel
tsoouti nthecold.I
thoughtshe'
dlivelongerthanthis,
thatshewi llseemegr aduate
andridemyf i
rstcar."Ebukakissesmyt ears.

"Shesoundsl i
keasel fl
esswoman, tr
easurethebeauti
ful
memor iesbaby.Holdont othelov
eshemadey oufeel
and
beli
evethattheywillalll
ookdownony oufr
om heaven.Foras
l
ongasl l
iveUndiphi
ley ouwi l
lneverbeoutinthecold.
"Ikisshi
s
softl
ips."Thankyouf ortell
i
ngmey ourli
fe'
sstorybaby,I
appreci
atey ouforopeningupt ome. "

I
nthesear
msIf
eel
sosaf
e,If
eel
car
edf
orandador
ed.

"No,
Iappr
eciateyoucomingwithme.Ididn'
tknowI'
dneedyou
somuch,i
t'
slikeyoucameintomylifeattheri
ghtt
ime.
"Henods,
weari
ngabeautif
ul,
reassur
ingsmi
les.

"
Ineedt
odosomet
hingbi
gforLemohang,
"Inar
rowmyey
es.

"
Why
?"Iaskcur
ious.

Heremov
esast
randofhai
rfr
om myf
aceandt
ucksi
tbehi
ndmy
ear
.

"I
fitwasn'
tforherIwouldn'thav
emetyouandr
eal
i
zedhowready
Iwasforyou."Thebutt
erfl
iesinmyst
omachgoatadcr
azy.

"
Pleasedon'
thur
tme,
Ebuka.Iam aski
ngt
haty
ouwal
kawayr
ight
nowifyou'
regoingtomakemefalli
nlovewithy
ouonl
ytol
eav
e
melater
."Apainedexpr
essi
onf
lashesacrosshi
sey
es.

"I
'vedatedrich,educated,
sexy,myageandev er
y t
hingyoucan
thinkoff
,myi yawo.Nonmademef eelthewayy oudo,nonmade
met hinkaboutmyf ut
uresohard.Nonhadmel ookingat
diamondsr i
ngsandhoney moondestinati
ons.Theywental l
out
formyat t
ent i
onandy ougotitbyjustsayingyou'l
lpayf
orpat r
ol,
andofcour sey ourbeauti
ful
asscapturedmyey e.
"Hegr i
nsandI
rollmyeyes.

"
Youj
usthadt
orui
nthoseper
fectwor
ds.
"Heshakeshi
shead.

"
I'
m cr
azyabouty
ourbodyUndi
phi
l
e,"Ibi
temyl
owerl
i
p.

"
Thenwhyhaven'
tyoucl
aimedit
,Ebuka?
"Thewor
dsar
eoutof
mymouthevenbefor
eIcoul
dthi
nk.

Hecupsmychi
nandmakesmel
ookathi
m.

"Ineededy out ofeelsomet hi

ngf ormef i
rst,Iwanty ourfi
rstti
me
withmet obef i
ll
edwi themotions.Baby ,Iwantt oeraseev er
y
memor yoft hefoolsthatcamebef oreme.I 'm notamonk,
Undiphile."Heshi ftsmeandmyassl andsonhi serecti
on.Oh
Lord!"Iwantt owor shipyou,makel ovetoy ouinawayt hatI
knowwi ll
cl aimy ouforever
.UntilI'
m surethaty oudon'thav e
doubtsaboutus, you'r
enotget t
ingthedickmi ssy ,
"hesay sthe
l
astpar twi thsassandsnapshi sf i
ngers.

Iam t
hrowni
ntoaf
itofl
aught
er.

Icatchmybr
eath,"Ebuka,
it'
snotdoubtbutf
ear
."Iexpl
ainandhe
fur
rowshi
sforehead.
"
Whatdoy
ouf
ear
,"heasks.

"
Thatmay
beI
'
mjustf
lav
oroft
heweek,
"heshut
shi
sey
es.

"Idohaveahi st
ory,Iwon'
tpretendli
keI'm anangel butUndiphile
somewher einyourheartyouhav et
of eelthatI'
m aft
ermor et han
yourbeauti
fulbody.I'
m af
teryoursoul.I'
m afteryourwomb, soit
cangrowmychi l
dren.I
'm af
terthi
s,
"hehol dsoutmyr ingfi
nger ,
"soyoucanhav emysur nameandsl eepnextt omef ortherestof
ourli
ves.
"Iblowoutasi gh,i
t'
st oosoonf orhimtobewant i
ng
thesethi
ngsthough.

"
I'
m onl
y21andwehav
en'
tbeent
oget
herf
orev
enamont
h."He
l
aughs.

"Undi
phil
e,whati
sage?Iti
sdefini
tel
ynotadeter
mi nerofmatur
it
y.
Ialway
sknewwhatIneededi nawoman, Ij
usthadt omeetthe
womanwhohast hequal
it
iesIneedanditwasveryeasytofal
l
forher
."It
hrowmyheadback.

"Myheadi
sabouttoexpl
ode.
"Hebi
tesmybreastt
hrought
he
dressI
'
m wear
ing.Iy
elpandher
oar
swithl
aughter
.

"Goshowermylove,
I'
ll
orderr
oom ser
vicef
orus.Wantsome
champagne?
"Ishakemyhead.

"
Cranber
ryj
uice,
I'
m dr
inki
ngt
hatwi
thy
ou.
"Isaypoi
nti
ngt
othe
VSOPandhenods.

"
Kissdaddy
,"he'
spout
ing,
looki
ngsocut
e.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER19

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Thisisthehar destti
meofmyadul tli
fe,Istillcan'
tbel
ievethatmy
peacheswi ll
begonesoon.Myhear tisachi ngbutIknowIshoul d
l
ethergo, she'stheonlyonewhoknowst hepai nthat
'seati
ng
thr
oughher .SleepingoveratEbuka'
shot elroom wasexact l
y
whatIneeded, hetookmymi ndoffthi
ngsandmademel augh.
WitheachdayIspendwi ththi
smanIf al
lhar deranddeeper ,
Christ
,IjustprayI'
m notgoingtocomecr ushingdown.

WhenIwokeuphehadal readyorderedr
oom servi
ce.Ij
ust
hoppedi
ntotheshowerandwor ehissweatpant
sandt -
shir
t.They
arecomf
ortabl
ebutali
ttl
ebaggyonme, he'
snotgett
ingthem
back.

Iwasn'tinthemoodt odeal withLumkaandZenandesoIdeci ded

tospendt hef ewhour sbef oregoi ngtothehospital withEbuka.
Thehot elisbyt hebeachsowewentf orawalk,handi nhandas
hetoldmest ori
esaboutgr owi ngupi nNigeri
a.Ilaughedand
cri
edthr oughoutthest orytell
ing, t
hismanwentt hroughal otbut
henev ergaveup.Ial sol earnedt hathehasal it
tl
esi sterwholives
i
nLondon, she'sattendinguni versit
ythere.BackinNi geri
aisjust
hisextendedf amilysincet heirparentsdiedacoupl eofy earsago.

"
I'
ll
ber
ighther
etot
akey
ouhomewheny
ou'
redone,
"hedr
oveme
tothehospi
tal
aft
ert
hebeaut
if
ulmor
ningandear
lyaf
ter
noonwe
had.

"
Thanky
oubabe,
"he'
sjustasweet
hear
t.

Jojocal
ledandtol
dmehewon'tbecomi
ngtot hehospit
al
becausePeachessenthi
mtor
unsomeerrands.That'
swhy
Ebukawillbet
heonetaki
ngmebacktoKwazakhele.

"Gi
veyourgrandmotheraforeheadki
ssfrom me,
"Ismi
lesweetl
y
athi
m andleaninforakiss,
hedoesn'thesi
tat
emeeti
ngmylips.

"
Don'
tmi
ssmet
oomuch,
"Isayopeni
ngt
hedoor
.

"I
'
llkeepmysel
fbusybymaki
ngbusi
nesscal
l
sandr
epl
yi
ngsome
emails.
"HemurmursandIwi
nkathi
m.

Ipullt
hepant supandIhearhi mr oarwi thl aught er,Ismackmy
l
ipsandheadf ortheentr ance.Hesuggest edt hatwegot othe
nearestmallsohecangetmesomet hingmor ecomf ort
ableto
wearbutIlov ehisclothesonmeandIdi dn'twanthi m spending
unnecessari
ly.Iheadst raightt otheel ev at
orandj ustont i
met he
doorspingopen, afewpeopl ewal koutandI '
mt heonl yonewho
stepsinsi
de.Ipresst hef loorofPeaches' room.Myhear ti
s
thuddingagainstmychest .Feart akingov erme, whati fIgetthere
andshe'salreadygone.Myt earsar enev erf ar,Iquicklywipethem,
mychestexpandsasIt akeadeepbr eat htocol l
ectmyemot i
ons.
Shecannotseemel i
ket his, itwil
l onlyhur therandIpr omi sedto
maket heselastdaysbeaut i
ful f
orher ,forthebot hofus.
She'scoughi
ngv i
olent
lywhenIwalkint
oherpriv
ateroom.Ihurr
y
tohersideandshepointstothej
ugofwater,Igrabt
heglassand
fi
ll
it.Af
terhel
pinghertakeafewsipsshecl
osesherey esand
heavesasigh.

"
Thanky
ouDodowam,
"herv
oiceal
way
scar
ri
eswar
mth.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"It
ryt
okeepf
earoutofmyv
oice.

"I
'
m okay,
coughi
ngisnormal wit
heveryt
hinghappening.
"Her
eyesrunf
rom myheaddownt omyt oes."
Undiphi
le,Isendy ou
enoughmoneyforcl
othes.Whyareyouwear i
ngkhulanay esize?
"
Sheaskswit
haf r
ownandt hatsendsmei nt
oaf i
toflaughter.

"
Hai
boMakhul
u,t
hisi
ssomeKany
eWestdr
ip.
"

Cl
apsonce!

"Idon'
tev
enwanttoknowwhatthati
s,
"shesay
sandIputmy
bagdownandsitonthechai
r.

I
'vebeent el
l
ingheraboutschoolandhowJohannesbur gi
sgoing
whil
egi v
ingheramassage.Herlegsandf eetareswol
lenand
ashy,IhopewhatI'
m doingisbri
ngingsomer el
ieft
oher.I
'
ve
managednott ocrybutenjoymydaywi t
hher .

"Soakhomf anaeGol
iUndi
phi
l
e?"(There'
snoboyi
n
Johannesbur?)
.Il
ookawaybl
ushi
ng."Dodowam?"Shecoaxes
mef orananswer.

"
Peaches,
wecan'
tbat
alki
ngaboutboy
s."Shesmi
l
es.
"Tal
kUndi
phi
le,
didy
ougi
vehi
m umamgobozi
?"Ichuckl
eand
shakemyhead.

"
No,
Ihav
en'
tsl
eptwi
thhi
m."Isaybr
iskl
y.

"Sother
eisaboy ,
"ohthisol
dwomani saslyfox,"
Ijustwantt
o
knowev er
ythi
ngaboutyourli
feinJohannesburgbeforeIgo,
"she
sayssoftl
yandthereminderofheri
nevit
abledeathstingsmy
heart
.

Iheav
eadeepsigh,"yes,Peaches.Ukhonaumfana.He'
sev
en
herei
nGqeber
ha,"It
ellherandshenar r
owshereyes.

"
Don'
ttel
lmei
t'
sthatboy
,Undi
phi
l
e,"Ishakemyhead.

"
No,it
'snotKhol
o,"t
hat'
sapartofmyli
feIhatetal
ki
ngabout
.I
wat
chmygr andmothercl
osehereyesi
nreli
ef.

"St
ayawayf r
om thatr
ubbi
sh,Undi
phi
le,av
oidhi
m wheny
ousee
him pl
ease.
"Idon'
tevenwanttoseehim.

"
Youdon'
thavetowor
ryaboutt
hatMakhul
u,
"shegi
vesmean
i
mper
cepti
blenod.

"
So,
ngubani
umf
ana?
"(Who'
stheboy
?).

She'
snotgoi
ngt
olett
hisonego,
soImi
ghtaswel
lj
ustt
ell
her
.

"
Don'
tj
udgehi
m Makhul
u,he'
sagoodman.
"Ipl
eadonbehal
fof
myman.

"
Iam ev
ery
thi
ngbutjudgement
al,
Undi
phi
l
e."Ibl
i
nkacoupl
eof
t
imesandswal
low.

"
Hecamewi
thmeher
efr
om Johannesbur
g.He'
sev
enout
sidei
n
t
hepar
kingl
ot,
"herey
ebr
owshoot
sup.

"Hai
bo!He'sfol
l
owingyouaround,
doesn'
thehav
ecl
assest
o
att
end?"Ibi
temylowerli
p.OhPeaches.

"He'
snotastudentMakhul
u,heisabusi
nessman.Heev
enhas
anoffi
ceher
einGqeberha.
"Iexplai
ninal
owvoi
ce.

Ther
e'saf
ewmi
nut
esofsi
l
ence.

"
Youdon'
tl
ikey
ouragemat
esmnt
anam?
"Iscof
f.

"Ido,
Iwasn'tpl
anningondatingaguyoldert
hanmebutIcoul dn'
t
helpi
t.He'
sdiff
erentPeaches,het
reat
smel i
keal ady.
..Ithi
nkI
am uhm..
."Ipauseandraisemyeyestofindherspecul
at i
vegaze
heavyonme.

"
Yout
hink?
"SheasksandIl
ookawaysoIcanbeabl
etosayt
his.

"I
'
mi nlovewithhim,
it'
ssosoont ofeelthi
swaybutIcan'
tst
op
i
t."Shelaughs,l
i
kearoari
nglaughter.Forami
nuteIsawsome
pi
nkonhercheeks.

"
Cal
lhi
mtocomeseeme,
"Igaspi
nshock.

"Peaches,no.I
t'
stooearly
."Shegiv
esmeal ookthatt
ell
smet hat
shewon' taskmetwice.Igetof
fthebedandrounditt
or eachmy
bagsoIcangetmyphone.

MYGRANDMOTHERWANTSTOSEEYOU

Ipr
esssendandwai
tanx
iousl
yforhi
srepl
y.
OKAY,
WHAT'
SHERWARDNUMBER?

Thisguy ,
isn'
thesupposedt ofreakoutorsomet hing?Itexthim
thedetail
sofmygr andmot her
sr oom andgobackt omassaging
herfeet.Myst omachi sinknots,I'
m notsurehowt hismeet i
ngis
gonnago.Ipr ayshel i
kesandappr ov
esofhim.Shest ar
ts
hummi ngachur chsongandmyanxi eti
esintensi
fi
es, It
hinkI'
m
goingtofaint
.Af ewmi nut
espassandt her
e'ssil
encebet ween
PeachesandI , I
'
m scaredAF.

"Hel
l
o,"hi
sv oi
cestartl
esme,
Iqui
ckl
ygetonmyf
eetandr
ubmy
sweatyhandstogether.

"
Hey
,comeoni
n,
"myv
oicei
sshaki
ng.

Hewalksi
n,cool
asacucumber
.Ebukaneedst
obest
udi
edat
Oxf
ord.

"
Isthishim?"PeachesasksandInod."
Int
roduceusphel
a,
Undiphi
le.
"

Bat
hong!

"Peaches,
thi
sisEbuka.Jol
lof,t
hisi
smygrandmotherMr
s.
EugeniaSi
sul
u,akaPeaches."Isaywit
hashakyvoi
ce.

"
Undiphi
l
e,i
sthathowy
oui
ntr
oducesomeone?
"Whyi
sshedoi
ng
methisway
?
"
Makhul
u..
."Shesmacksherl
i
ps.

"
Bhut
i,i
ntr
oduceyour
sel
f.Whoarey
ouandwhereareyouf
rom?
"
Cant
hegroundopenandswall
owmewholebecausewow.

"
Wellma, mynamei sEbukaSundayOkaf or.Iam abusinessman
f
rom Johannesburg.I'
m ori
ginall
yfrom Nigeria,Enugustate.Iam
t
hefir
stoftwochi l
dren,mypar entsarelateandmyl i
tt
lesisteri
s
i
ntheUnitedKingdom studyi
ng. "Withconfidencethatwill
notbe
mist
akenforarrogance,myboy fri
endanswer s.

"Iheary
ouNomasont o,"aowkodwaPeaches."Areyougoi
ngto
mar r
ymygranddaughter?"SheasksandIgaspinshockandl
ook
atEbukawho'samusedbyt hequest
ion.

"
She'
smyiyawo,mama.I
'
m goingtomarr
yher
."Heanswer
s
l
ooki
ngatme.Idr
opmyey esandbl
ush.

"
Giv
emey
ourwal
l
et,
"shesay
shol
dingherhandout
.

"Hai
bo!Makhulu.
"Shedoesn' tevenl
ookatme.Myboy f
ri
endis
conf
usedbutstil
lreachesforhiswall
etf
rom thebackpocketof
hisj
eansandhandsi ttoPeaches.Sheopensitandtakesout
R300,Idon'
tthi
nkI'veeverbeensoembarrassed.

"Iwon'
tbeali
vewheny oupaylobolaf
ormybeautif
ulf
lower,t
his
i
smyshar e.WhateverJojochargesyou,
tel
lhi
mt ominusthis
R300becauseI'
vealreadytookit.
"ShehandsEbukahi
swallet
andthefooli
slaughing.

"
Iwil
lremembert
hat
,"If
inal
l
ybr
eat
hebecausei
t'
snotasbadasI
t
houghtitwi
l
lbe.
"
Undi
phi
l
e,gogetmesomesweetsandjui
cef
rom t
hecaf
eter
ia.
"I
t
aket
hehundr
edrandandl
ookatEbuka.

"
Jol
l
of,
let
'sgo.
"

"
Itwasr
eal
l
y-"

Peachesint
erj
ect
s,"
sitdown,
Nomasonto.Wenagoal
one,
Iwon'
t
bi
tehim."Il
ookatEbukaandhenods.

"
I'
ll
bef
ine,
Omal
i
cha.
"Iam hesi
tant
,whati
sMakhul
upl
ayi
ngat
?

"
Dodo!Hamba,
"

Ebukawon' ttellmewhatheandMakhul uwer etal

ki
ngabout
whileIwasget t
ingsweetsf rom t
hecaf eteri
a.Iam annoyedwi t
h
him becauseIdon' tunder
st andwhyhehast okeepitasecret.I
t
wasobv iouslyaboutmeandourr elati
onshipandIhav eevery
ri
ghttoknowwhatwassai d.I'
mj ustreli
evedthatwhateveri
tis
wasnotbadandshedi dn'tof f
endhi m becausehismoodi son
anotherlevel.Busysmili
ngl ikeacheshi r
ecatwhi l
eI'
m dyingto
knowwhatt heydiscussed, i
fonlyheknewt hathisnewbest
fr
iendcallshim Nomasont o.

"Thanksfori
ntr
oduci
ngmet oy
ourgr
andmother
,baby
.Youdon'
t
knowhowmucht hi
smeanstome,Undi
phi
l
e."Hesaysaswewait
forthel
ightt
oturngreen.

"I
fthat'
sthecase,t
ell
mewhatshesai
dtoy
ou.
"Hel
aughs,
shakinghishead.
"Omali
cha,sheonl
ysaidwhatal ovi
ngpar
entwoul
dt oamanwho
clai
mstolovethei
rbeaut
if
ul daught
er.
"Hemutt
ersthent
akesmy
handandkissesmyknuckles.

"
Rel
ati
onshi
psshoul
dn'
thav
esecr
ets,
Ebuka.
"Henods.

"I
t'
snotasecr
et.Yourgrandmot
herj
ustwant
edt
ohaveaoneon
onewit
hmet oseeifI'
m notbul
lshi
tt
ingy
ou.
"Wast
hatsohar
d?

"
Youar
enotr
ight
?Bul
lshi
tt
ingme?
"Iaskandheheav
esasi
gh.

"Undi
phil
e,youarenotbl indbaby.Ifl
ewdownt oanot
herprovi
nce
tobewi t
hy oubecausethet houghtofnotseeingyouforthe
wholeweekendr ubbedmet hewr ongway .
"Hesaysandt ear
s
bli
ndmyey es."Youhav et oadmitthatsomewhereinyourheart
,
youknowt hatIam fuckingcrazyabouty ou.
"Hemov esthecar
andIletmyt ear
sfall
.

"Il
oveyou,Ebuka.Iam scaredbecausethisi
sforei
gn,I
'
venever
fel
lsohardandf astbef
ore.Ifyou'
repl
ayingwit
hme, I
'
m goi
ngto
bebroken.
"hepar kstheAudi onthesi
deoftheroad.

"
Sayt
hatagai
n,pl
ease.
"Hi
sey
esar
espar
kli
ng.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"itcomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

"Baby,Il
ovey ou.
"Hebeams, l
eaningi
nforakiss."
I'
m notpl
aying,
Undiphil
e.I
t'snewt omet oo,i
t'
shappeningfastf
ormet oobutI
don'twantittostop.Ineedthi
s,wantitfor
ever.
"Welockli
psand
thekississoslowandpassi onate.Imoaninhismouth.

"
Spendtheni
ghtwi
thy
ourman,
please,
"heasksandInod
v
igor
ously
.
"
I'
dlov
enot
hingmor
e,"hecupsmyf
ace.

"
God,y
ou'
resobeaut
if
ul.Howt
hefuckdi
dIgetsol
ucky
?"Il
eani
n
t
othewar
mthofhishandonmycheek.

"
Don'
tchangeonme,
"Imur
murwi
thmyey
esonhi
m.

"I
'
m notperfectbutI
'
lll
oveyoufearl
essly,
all
Iaskist
haty ougi
ve
mer oom t
omessuponl ybecauseI'm human.Iwon'
thurtyouon
purpose,
"I'
m agonegirl
andIdon'tbel
ieveanyt
hingwi
llpullme
backfrom t
his.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"
Whatthefuckar
ewegoingtodowit
hthi
sguy
?"Kabel
o,my
manageraskswi
thhi
shandsonhi
swaist
.

"Whywoul dhegetsodrunkwhi
l
ehe'
sal
one?
"Oneofmy
col
leagues,Gi
ftasks.

"Peoplehaveprobl
ems, maybehewastryi
ngtofor
getforjustone
night
."Isayandanothercol
l
eaguelaughsappr
oachingthecircl
e
wecr eat
edaroundtheguywhopassedout .

"Pr
oblemsmyf oot.Hewaspoppingbot
tleswit
htwoslayqueens
earl
i
eron,t
heymusthav ebail
edonhim."Hetel
lsus."
Ijustneed
himtopayhisbil
l,
itsafucki
n'l
ot.
"Headds.

"Hedoesn'
thavehi
sphoneorwall
etwithhim,j
ustkeystoan
expensi
vecar
."It
ell
mycoll
eagues.Thefi
rstt
hingIdidaft
er
fi
ndinghi
m wastocheckhi
spocketsforaphonewithhopesthat
i
tdidn'
thav
eapasswor
dsowecoul
dcal
lsomeonet
ocomeget
hi
m.

"I
'm al
oneatmyapar tment
,Icoul
dgi
vehi
m shel
terf
ort
her
estof
themor ni
ngandoncehe'sawakebri
nghi
m backher
etomakea
payment .
"Isuggest
.

"Lemohang,
no.Leav
eyoual
onewi
thast
ranger
?"Kabel
ois
horr
if
ied.

"
I'
ll
lockhiminmybedr oom,
"theyarehesit
ati
ngbutwedon'
thave
achoice."
Myplaceissafet
oo,hewon'tbeabletol
eavewit
hout
mesigninghi
m out.
"Iaddtoputthem atease.

"
Arey
ousur
e?"Kabel
oasksandInod.

"Justdr
iveust
omypl
aceandhel
pcar
ryhi
mtot
heapar
tment
."I
say.

"Gif
t,you'
ll
dri
vemycarandf
oll
owbehindus.
"Gi
ftcur
sesunder
hisbreath,
buthehast
obeateam pl
ayer.

I
t'salit
tl
eafter4am whenwegett omypl ace.Theguy smanaged
tocarrythehandsomest rangerinsideandhe'snowsl eepingon
mybed, li
pspar tedandahandpl acedonhi schest .Thisguymust
beloaded,hisclot hesaredesignerandhedr ivesaf uckin
Lambor ghi
niUrus.Kabel ogivesmet hecarkey sandIgodown
withthem tosignt hem out.I
'mt hankfult
hatBab'Mbel eisnotthe
oneondut y,hewoul dhaveaskedami ll
i
onquest ionsandmay be
turnt
hewhol et hingintoalessononJohannesbur gandi t'
smen.
Ilockt hedoorwhenIgetbacki ntotheapartmentt hengocheck
ont hest rangeragain,hehast urnedandisnowsl eepingonhis
stomach.Ibl owoutasi ghanddr optothecoldcer ami conmy
knees, unt i
ehislacesandpul loffhissneakers.Igetbackonmy
feetandopenmywodr obe, pul
li
ngoutmyf l
eebl anketand
cover i
nghi m.Ilockt hedoorandgopourmy selfadr i
nk,my
windowi scalli
ngf orme.Ineedt hemor ningbreezet ohitmyf ace
andcl earmyhead.I twasahect icnightatthecl ub, Ihateitwhen
wehav eev ents.Wedon' tevengetasecondt osi tdownandal low
yourf eett obreathe,butat l
eastwemakegoodmoney .Atangwi l
l
bev isit
ingmedur ingtheschool holi
daysandat leastnowIhav ea
budgett oentertai
nhi m.

Iam wokenupbyl oudbangi ngont hedoor,someoneis

screamingfort
hedoort obeopen.Ir emembert hestr
angerI
broughthomewi t
hme, Iquicklygetoffthebedandgrab
Undiphi
le'
sgown.Iexitherbedr oom andstandoutsi
deminewit
h
athuddinghear
t.

"
Ineedy
outocalm down,
"Isayandhest
opsbangi
ng."
I'
m goi
ng
t
oopennow,pl
easebecalm sowecanbeabl
etotal
k,yes?
"Iadd.

"I
'
m good, youcanopen."Iheaveasi
ghthenturnt hekeyand
quickl
ystepbackincasehecomesoutgunsbl azing.Thedoor
opensandhewal ksout,hiseyesar
ebloodshot.Hel ooksj
aded,
poorthing.
"Hel
lo,
"Inod,
myt
hroati
stoodr
y.Iwon'
tbeabl
etogetawor
d
out.

"
HowdidIgether
e?"Heasksmassagi
ngt
hesi
deofhi
shead.I
t
mustbeaki
ll
erheadache.

Icl
earmyt
hroat
.

"Pleasegositdown,I'
l
lmakeuscoff
eeandgetyousome
painkil
l
ers.
"Henodsandheadst ot
helounge.Hedi
dn'
tputonhi
s
shoes, hemusthavejumpedof
fmybedwhenhecoul dn'
t
recognizehi
ssurroundi
ngsorf
indhi
sbelongi
ngs.

Imakehim ast
rongcupwithjustt
wospoonsofsugar
,hewil
ltel
l
meifhewantsmore.Iopenthegrocer
ycupboar
dandtakeout
twoadvi
l
s

Thehandsomest
rangeri
sbur
yinghi
sheadi
nhi
shands,
he'
s
def
ini
tel
yfeel
i
ngl
ikeshit
.

"
Her
eyougo,
"hesi
tsupst
rai
ghtandaccept
sthecupandpi
l
ls.

"Thankyou,
"hesaysandInodandgosi
tbymywi
ndow,
looki
ng
atthebeaut
if
ulJohannesbur
g.

"HowdidIgether
e?You'
renotoneoft
hegi
rl
sIwaswi
th.
"He
saysandInod.

"Yeah,Iam awaitressatt
hecl
ub.Wef oundyoupassedoutinthe
VIPsect i
on,youhadnophoneandwal l
etony ou,j
usty
ourcar
keys."Iexpl
ain."
Notknowingwher
ey ouli
ve,Ideci
dedtobri
ng
youhomewi thmesoy oucansl
eepitoffandwakeupt opayyour
bil
l.
"Hesmi les.
"Youonl
ygavemeapl
acetocr
ashbecauseyouwant
edmet
o
paymybill
int
hemor
ning?
"hechuckl
esandIsmil
e.

"
Alsobecausei
twasahumanet
hingt
odo,
"henods.

"Iappr
eci
atet
hat
,"hetakesasi
pofhishotbeverage."Ishoul
d
haveknownsomethi
ngwaswr ongwithmewhenIsuddenl ygot
drowsyaf
tert
aki
ngthedr i
nkt
heymixedforme."Ifrown.

"
Huh?
"Hel
eansbackandheav
esasi
gh.

"Ij
ustwantedtohavefunlastni
ghtandIendedupattheclub,t
he
twogirl
swerealonesoIdecidedtohaveagreatni
ghtwiththem.I
wenttothetoi
letandwhenIcamebackt heyhadmixedadr i
nk
forme,aft
erfi
nishi
ngitIwasfeel
ingsomehow.Iguessthey
druggedmesot heycantakemywal l
et,
phoneandmyRol excoz
i
t'snotonmywr ist
."

Yoh!Hect
ic.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
"Isayandheshakeshi
shead.

"
It
'sokay,
"hisRol
exisgoneandhe'
ssayi
ngokay?Lord,
Ideserve
t
ohav ealotofmoney.I
'
dgoinsaneifmyMr.Pri
ce,
R250wat ch
wentmissi
ng."Howmuchismybi l
l
?"Heasks.

"
Letmegetmyphoneandaskmymanager ,
"Ihur
ryt
oUndi
phi
l
e's
r
oom andf
indmyphoneonthepedest
al.

Thehandsomest
rangerhashi
sheadt
hrownbackwhenIr
etur
n
tot
helounge.

Iset
tl
ebackdownbythewi
ndowandt
extKabel
owhor
esponds
almosti
mmediat
ely
.
"Somuchmoneyonalcohol
?"Thewor
dsar
eoutofmymout
h
befor
eIcanev
enthi
nk.

"Howmuchi sthetot
al?
"HeasksandIgetonmyf eettoshow
him,Ican'
tsayitwi
thmyownmout h.Mytonguewouldn'
tbeabl
e
tomov efort
hewholeweek,
tonguestr
oke.

"
Who'
satt
hecl
ub?
"

"
Mymanager
,"henods.

"CanIusey ourphonetomakeacall
?"Igivepermi
ssionand
excusemy self,
Iheadbacktomybestfr
iendsroom andlayher
bed.Ihaven'tspokent
oherorEbukasi
ncet heyl
eftf
orEastern
Cape,Ishouldcheckintoday
.

If
indt
hehandsomest
rangeri
ntheki
tchenwashi
nghi
scup.

"
Youdi
dn'
thav
eto,
"Isaybr
ushi
ngpasthi
mtot
hef
ri
dge.

"Youar
esocomfort
abl
ewit
hastrangeri
nyourapar
tment
,"he
saysdr
yingt
hecupwit
haneyebr
owr ai
sed.

"Youwouldhav
ekil
l
edmeal
readyi
fyouwer
easer
ial
kil
l
er,
"Isay
shruggi
ngmyshoul
der
s.

Hel
aughs.

"
Right
.Idi
dn'
tcatchyourname,"hesay
sasI'm scanni
ngt
he
f
ri
dgefori
ngredi
ents.l
pivott
olookathim.

"
LemohangMohapi
,
"henods.

"Iam Makhosi
niLukhel
e,t
hankyousomuchfornotl
eav
ingme
outinthecol
dlastni
ght.
"Inod."
Mybrot
heri
sonhiswaytothe
cl
ubtomakeapay ment
,youcanki
ckmeouti
fyouwant
."He
saysandIl
augh.

"
I'
ll
thr
owy
ououtaf
tery
oueat
,"Isay
.

At
leastIknowhowt
omakeameanEngl
i
shbr
eakf
ast
.

"
Youar
efart
ooki
nd,
MaMohapi
,
"

Iknowr
ight
?Icoul
dbeassi
stantJesus.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER20

SPONSOREDBYMARY

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"
Iwoul
dstaylongerbutIneedt
ogethomeandbl
ockmycar
dson
mycomputer
,"Isayandshepoutsherl
i
ps.

"Yeah,yougodot hatbef
orey
oufindy
oursel
fbr
oke.Iknowhow
savaget hesescammerscanbe.
"LemohangsaysandIshr
ugmy
shoulders.

"Thankyouagain,Idon'tknowwhatcouldhav ehappenedifyou
didn'
tbr
ingmet oy ourplace.
"Iappreci
atefort
hemi l
li
onthti
me
becauseI'
m shockedt hatsuchkindheart
edpeoplesti
llexi
st.

"Justdon'
tgoaroundmessingwit
hst
rangers,
hopeful
l
yfrom now
onwardsyouwon'tunderest
imat
ewomen."Mymi nddri
ft
sto
Nofoto,af
tert
hatsnakeIknowhowdangerousawomancanbe.

"Nextti
medon'tbringstranger
stoyourpl
ace, t
hisis
Johannesburg,Lemohang.Thebigbadcity,don'tunder
esti
mate
i
t."Herfacegoescold,l
ikeshe'sonl
yreal
i
zingt heseri
ousnessof
heracti
ons.Yes,I'
m notabadmanbutIwon' tsaythesamef or
thehundredsofthousandsofmeni nthi
scity.Womangetr aped
andkil
leddayin,dayout.

"
Idon'
tknowwhatcameoverme,butIjustcoul
dn'
tl
eav
ey oui
n
t
hatst
ate.
"Ismi
le,
shehasabigheartandIhadanamazing
mor ni
ngwi
thher.I
'm notsur
eifshe'
sawar
eofhowri
dicul
ousl
y
funnyshei
s.Idon'
trememberlaughi
ngsohar
dbecauseof
someonewhoi sn'
tmymom.

"
Justdon'
tdoi
tnextt
ime,
putyoursaf
etyfir
st,MaMohapi
."She
r
isesf
rom t
hecouchandt
akesmyplate,headedtot
hekit
chen.

Ireachformygl assofginandtonicfrom thecoffeetabl

eand
takeagul p.Thefi
veglassesshemi xedf ormeplusthegreasy
breakfastmademef eel bet
ter
.Thepoi sonisnotmyusual butI
wasn'tgoingtoletmyexpensivetasteinsultt
hiswomanwho
wentofherwayt omakemecomf ortable.

"Youmakeahel l
ofabreakf
ast
,"Icompli
mentasshewashesthe
dishes,i
t'
sanopenpl
ansoIcanseeev er
ythi
nggoi
ngoninthe
kitchen.

"
ThenIguessmyhusbandandchi l
drenwil
lhav
et oeatbreakfast
t
hreet
imesaday .It
'st
heonl
ythingIknowhowt oprepar
el i
kea
t
rai
nedchef,
"I'
mt hr
ownint
oaf i
tifl
aught
er.

"
Whatal
uckyf
ami
l
y,"shesmacksherl
i
psandpi
vot
stol
ookat
me.

"Di
dn'
tyousayyouwerel
eavi
ng?
"Hereyebr
owi
srai
sedandshe'
s
busydr
yingherhandswi
tht
hedi
shcl
oth.

Igi
veheral
opsi
dedsmi
l
eandl
eanbackont
hecouch.

"Ithi
nkI'
l
lst
ayf
oranot
hergl
assofGandT,
"Ir
espondandshe
clapsonce.

"
Whatdoy
out
hinkt
hisi
s?Lemohang'
spubandgr
il
l?
"SeewhatI
mean?Shesay
sthemostr
andom t
hingsandt
heysoundf
unny
.

"Wit
hyourhospit
ali
tyskil
l
s,Iwoulddef
init
elyi
nvesti
nthat
busi
ness.Draf
tmeabusi nessplan,
MaMohapi .
"Sheroll
sher
eyesandstart
swipingthekit
chencounter
sclean.

IthinkI 'm ali

ttl
et i
spynow, weendedupf i
nishingthebot tl
eofgin.
Idr ankmor ethanherbecauseshest il
lhast ogowor katthecl
ub
toni ght.Shesaidshe' sgoi ngtosleepf orabi taftersigni
ngme
outwi thsecurit
y, hercompl exisv erysaf e.Forsomeoneso
trust i
ngat l
eastshel i
vesinawel lsecur edpl ace.IjusthopeIwas
thef i
rstandthel astper sonshet ookt oherf l
at,sheobv i
ously
thinkswi t
hherhear tmor ethanherheadi nsomesi tuati
ons.
That '
sagoodt r
aitt ohav eattimesbutt hatdoesn' tmeanshe
shoul dbeobl ivi
oust othepr edat
or slurkingint heshadows.

Iwasal soobli
viousl astnight,Iwassodesper ateforsexIended
upbei ngdr
uggedandr obbed.Ican' tbel
ievebeaut i
fulwomenl i
ke
thatgoouttocl ubst odot hattomen, butitservesusr i
ght.For
mei twasal essonl earned,Iwon' tgoaroundl ookingforsome
acti
oni nni
ghtcl ubs.ButIhav ebl ueball
snow, eachmor ni
ngi t
feel
sl i
kemydi ckisgoi ngt ofalloff
.Ihav ebeenmast urbatingfor
mont hsbecauseInev erwant edt ocheat,yes,Nombul el
owasa
fuckedupwomanbutIdi dn'tonlymaket hosev owst oher,Imade
them toGodt oo.
Igethomeandl eavemycari nt hedr i
veway.I
'm hopi
ngt hat
Gat shadidn'
tcomer unningtoratmeoutt oMaNgobesecozi fhe
didmybal l
sareont hechoppingboar d.She'
llscr
eam and
threatenmeev erychancesheget s,It
hinkmamaf or
getsthatI'
m
a32y earolddi
vorcee.Shedoesn' twanttoletgooft heimageof
hersweet ,emoti
onal l
it
tl
eFanoo, butIam amannowandIcan
holdmyown.Makemyownmi stakesandlearnfrom them.

"
You'r
eluckyshe'
snother
e,"Mvel
osay
sassoonasIwalk
t
hroughtheki
tchendoor
."She'
sgoi
ngtoki
l
lyou,
"Ir
oll
myeyes.

"
Itakei
tGat
shawasher
e,"shenods.

"Somuchmoneyongi rl
syoudon'tev
enknowandwor setheygot
mor efrom st
eal
ingyourst
aff
.Theyhitj
ackpotwi
thyourRolex,
hey."Icanonlyi
maginethenoisemymot heri
sgoi
ngtomakei f
Mv eloist
hisworkedup.

"
Thoset
hingsar
erepl
aceabl
e."Shescof
fs.

"
Mr.CEO,
richboyMakhosini
."Shesaysder
isi
vel
y."
It
'snotabout
r
epl
aci
ngthem,it
'saboutr
esponsibi
l
ity
."

Hav
ingt
hisar
gumentwi
thMv
eloi
sfut
il
e.

Iwasaboutwalki
ngawaywhenRat
anang,
Mvel
o'
sfr
iendappear
s
fr
om t
hecorri
dor.

Mydicktwi
tchesasmyey
esl
andonhercl
eav
age,
damni
ther
t
winsarebeauti
ful
.

"
Hi,
Makhosi
ni.
"Shegr
eet
smewi
thasmi
l
e.
"
Hey
,ar
eyougood?
"

Shenods,
"I'
m okay
,hear
dwhathappenedt
oyou.I
'
m sor
ry,
"

"Ohno,hebr
oughtt
hatuponhi
msel
f.Heshoul
dhav
eknown
bett
er,
"

"
Stopbei
ngsoobnoxi
ous,
Mvel
o,Chr
ist
."Isayi
nanannoy
edt
one.

IwishIdidn'tl
eaveLemohang'sflat,shedidn'
tevenr
emindme
thatIwasr obbedthenightbef
oreandshe' stheonewhopicked
meupandgav emeahomef ortheni ght
."I
twasniceseei
ngyou,
Ratanang."Isaybrushi
ngpasther ,
headedt omybedroom.

Thef i
rstthi
ngIdowhenIgett omyr oom ispowermyl aptop
screenon.Il ogintomybankappandsi ghinreliefwhenIr eali
ze
thatallt
hemoneyi nthecardIhadonmei ssti
l
l safe.Iqui
ckly
blockthecar dandl ogof fmyapp.Lemohangcr ossesmymi nd
andIknowIhav etodosomet hingniceforher,somet hi
ngt o
showmyappr eciati
onf orwhatshedi dforme.Iqui ckl
ytypean
emai l
tomyper sonal assist
ant,aski
ngthatshesendsahuge
bouquetofr osest oLemohangMohapi toherapar tmentbuildi
ng.
Goodt hingIsawt henameoft hebuildi
ngandsect ion.I
t'
snot
muchbuti t
'ssomet hing.

Anothercol
dshowerinthel
ifeofMakhosiniLukhel
e,I
'm ov
erthi
s
bull
shi
treal
ly
.Ineedthewarmthandsleeknessthatcanonlybe
foundintheminiheav
enbetweenthethi
ghsofawoman.
Hundredsofwomenwoul dkil
ltohav
eamanl ikeme,tosati
sfya
manl i
kemebutI'mtoomor all
ygrounded.It
salsopossi
blethatI
wouldn'
thavegonethroughwithsleepi
ngwiththosegi
rl
s
yest
erday.Mysubconsciouswouldhaveslappedmebackt omy
senses,bei
ngagoodguywi ll
bemyundoi ng.

Istepoutoft heshowerandgr abt

het owel,dr
yingmywhol ebody
thenwr apitaroundmywai st
.Idon'
tthinkI'
m goingtomoisturi
ze
myski n,I'
m hit
ti
ngthesackandsl eeping.IknowI '
ll
wakeup
whenMaNgobeseget shomeandst ar
t sscr
eami ngatmelikea
l
itt
lechild.Iexi
tthebathroom andheadbackt omyr oom,howI
wishIhadaj oi
ningbathroom.Iam startl
edwhenIf indRatanang
sit
tingont heedgeofmybed.Iswal l
owhar dandl ookawayf r
om
hercleavage.Whatt hefuckisshedoingi nmyr oom.

"
Ijustcamet
ocheckony
ou,
"li
kesher
eadmymi
nd.

"
YousawthatI
'
m good,
"Iof
ferherafai
ntsmil
e.She'
scr
ossi
ng
t
heli
neher
e.Mvel
oneedstocheckherfr
iendr
eall
y.

"Ofcoursey ouhadt olookgoodinfrontofyoursi

ster.Ineededto
makesur ethatyou'
rereall
ygood."Shegetsonherf eetand
adjuststhatshortdress.Myerecti
onisgetti
ngsteadierbehind
thi
st owel,t
hisistheclosestI
'veseenawomannakedi nalong
while.Iwalkfurt
herintotheroom andstopbyt hewindow.

"
Iam good,Ipr
omise.Ijustneedt
osleepalit
tl
e,"Iam desper
ate
f
orthi
sgirl
toleav
emybedr oom.She'
scloudi
ngmybet t
er
j
udgementandImi ghtendupmakingthebiggestmistake.
"I
'
m gladtoheart
hat
,Makhosini
."Sheli
cksherl
owerl
i
pandmy
di
rtymindtakest
heactandsexuali
zesit
.

Fuck!I
'
m hor
ny.

Iwatchherheadt
othedoorandsighi
nrel
i
ef,butj
ustf
ora
secondbecausemyhear
tthudsagai
nstmychestatt
hesoundof
alocki
ngdoor.

"
Rat
anang,
whatar
e..
."

Sheshakesherhead,"
shhhh."shesl
owlyappr
oachesmeandmy
wholebodyisonfi
re.No,no.Makhosi
ni,y
oucan'
tfucky
our
si
ster
sfri
end.

She'
sjustafewinchesfr
om myface,herwar
m br eathhit
ti
ngmy
ski
n.Iwantt
omov eawaybutI
'm st
ucktothi
sf l
oor.Thiscannot
behappeni
ng,getagrip,
Makhosi
ni.Iscol
dmy sel
f .

She'
slooki
ngatmelasci
viousl
y,hereyestell
ingmeexactl
ywhat
shewantsfr
om me.Igaspwhenherf ingerscomeincontactwi
th
myskinandsheyanksoffthet
owel beforedroppi
ngtoherknees.

"
Fuck,
"Icussundermybr
eat
handt
hrowmyheadback.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Mypar ent
sareaseriousjoke,Iam ti
redofbeingapar toft
heir
stupi
dgames.Justlookatt hem, pl
ayi
ngt heperfectscri
ptto
convi
ncepeoplethattheyhaveanamazi ngli
fe.Whybot her
becausetheyar
ebot hmiserable.Myf at
herisalway saway,
clai
mi ngit'
sbusi nesst ripsbutIknowhe' sent er
taininggirl
smy
ageandshowi ngthem agoodt i
me.Mymot her,huh.Thatone
hasn'tforgi
venher sel fformysi sterdrowning.Shespendsher
daysdr i
nkingandt alkingt oforeignmenont hei nternet
,they
makeherf eelgoodabouther sel fandshe'sfaili
ngt oseet hatt
hey
arescammi ngher .Idon' tevenwantt othinkoft hemoneyshe' s
sendt othem ov erthey ears.Lor dknowst hisisn'ttheli
feIwant
formy sel
f ,
Iam t hankf ul t
hatMabut hoisast ablemanwhoknows
todeal withissuesr athert hanr unf r
om them.

"
Wecanal
way
stakei
ttoy
ourbedr
oom,
"Ishoothi
m al
ook.

"
Fucky
ou,
Tshedza.
"Ipur
randhechuckl
es.

"Babe,that
'swhatI
'm proposingher
e.Youknowt hat
'stheonl
y
waywegett hr
oughthesebor i
nggettogether
s."Ican'tbel
i
eveI
oncelostmysensesov erthisarr
ogantpieceofshit,evenl
ostmy
vir
gini
tytohim.

"BackwhenIwasyounganddumby
es,
"hegr
absmyassandI
slapi
toffqui
ckl
y.

"
WTF,
dude?
"He'
sannoy
ingt
hehel
loutofme.

"
Amukel
ani,
stoppay
inghar
dtoget
.Youknowy
ou'
rej
ustdel
ayi
ng
t
hei
nevi
tabl
e."

Wow,justwow.Ifmyfatherdidn'
ti
nsi
stonputt
ingupashowfor
hi
sfr
iendsandbusinesspartnerst
henIwoul
dn'tneedt
odeal
wi
ththisbul
lshi
t.
Tshedzai
sasmoothoper
ator,
IknowthatforafactbutI
'
m not
sl
eepingwi
thhi
m.Iwon'
tcheatonBoo,notaft
erital
mosttor
eus
apart
.

"Notthi
stimeasshole.
"Isayandwal kaway,he'
sindi
sbelief
.I'
ve
neversai
dnot ohim bef
ore.Iwouldjustbr
ushhim of
fknowingI'l
l
sti
ll
giveinlat
er.Thi
sismyf i
rstdef
init
eno,oneI'
m pl
anningto
sti
ckto.

Iheadt othekitchenandt hechefandhi steam ar ebusypr epari

ng
themeal swear egoi ngtoeatwhi lesitt
ingaroundt het able,
l
isteni
ngt othement alkcrap.Itakeoutabot tl
eofchampagne
from thefri
dgeandheadout si
de,there'
sat reebyt heshed, no
onewi ll
seemesi tt
inghere.Ijustneedamomentawayf r
om t he
chaoshappeni ngint hehouse.Ipopt hebottleandt akeagul pof
thegoodst uff
,myf at herwouldnev ersettl
ef oranythingless.
Peopleneedt oseehowaf fl
uenthei s.Helivestobepr ai
sedand
admi r
ed.

Myphonechi mes,Iheaveasigh, hopi

ngit'
snotTshedza.My
emaili
conisont henoti
fi
cati
onbar ,Ii
nputmypasswor dand
openthemai l
.Theemai l
addressi sweir
dandt her
e'savideo
att
ached,nope,r
edf l
ag.Thesehacker sgetaccesstoourthi
ngs
whenwecl i
ckonv ideosandlinks.Myphonechi mesagainand
i
t'
sanotheremail,myheartstopsaf t
erIreadit
.

STOPWHATYOUAREDOINGWITHDR.MKHWANAZIORI
'
LL
SHOW THEVI
DEOTOUNI
VERSI
TYMANAGEMENT.WEKNOW
WHATWI
LLHAPPENTOHI
SCAREER.

Iquicklygobackt othev i
deoanddownl oaditbef orepressing
play,myhear tdr
opst omyst omach.OhMyGod, it'
sav ideoof
Mabut hoandIhav ingsexathi shouse.Iam ri
ddinghi ml i
kemy
l
ifedependsoni tandhe' sscr eamingmynamel ikeI '
m hisGod.
ThishappenedonThur sday ,
whocoul dhav erecor dedus?Booi s
goingtof r
eakout,andIwon' tblamehim.Ev er
ythinghe'swor ked
sohar dforisbei
ngt hreatened.Iquickl
ygot omyemai land
respondt othepsycho.

WHOTHEFUCKAREYOU?

Iwaitimpati
entl
yforhisorherr
eply,
I'
mt r
yingsohar dtokeep
cal
m.ButdeepdownIwantt ocrybecauset hi
sisgoingtoputmy
rel
ati
onshipinanawkwar dposi
ti
on.MabuthoandIj ustlosta
baby,wearestil
ltr
yingtofi
ndourfeetaf
terthewholethingand
nowt hi
s?Lordhavemer cy.

THERE'
SMOREFROM WHERETHATCAMEFROM.STOPWHAT
YOUAREDOI
NGMI SS.NKOVANI
.

Myhandsar
eshaki
ng,Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
v eeverbeensoscared.Boo
andIhav
ebeensocar
efulwit
hourrel
ati
onship,
I'
veneversli
pped
uptoany oneaboutourrel
ati
onshipev enwhenIwasdesper atet
o.
Howdi dthispersonf
indout?Howdi dtheyevenmanaget oget
thatcl
oseandt akeavideoofusint hethroesofpassion?Idi
al
myboy fr
iend,withmyeyesclosed.Ineedt oseehim,asinli
ke
yester
day,thi
sisnotsomethingIcankeept omyself
.

"
PinkyPi
nky
,"heanswer
sasIwasaboutt
ohangup.

"
Boo,
Ineedt
oseey
oubabe.
"Isaybr
iskl
y.

"
What
'swr
ong?Yougood?
"NoI
'
m notgood,
someonei
sont
ous.

Iscr
eam i
nmyhead.

"
Ican'
ttal
kont
hephone,
canIcomeov
er"

I
'
m ont
hev
ergeoft
ear
s.

"
Baby
,youar
escar
ingme.What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Hei
spani
cki
ng.

"
CanIcomet
hroughMabut
ho?
"Isnap.

"Iwaschill
i
ngwi t
hmyguy sbutI
'm 10mi nutesout
,I'
l
lmeetyouat
mypl ace.
"Hesay s,
ignori
ngthefactthatIsnappedathim.He
hatesitbutI'
m gr
atefult
hatheleti
tslide,f
ornowat l
east
.

"Okay,
I'
ll
seej
ustnow.
"Itakeagulpofmychampagneaf
ter
hangi
ngupthecal
landhurrybacki
nsi
dethehouset
ofi
ndmycar
keys.

"Amukel
ani
,"myf
athercall
soutasI
'm aboutt
oheadoutthef
ront
door
.Ipi
votandf
indhim appr
oachi
ngwi t
hanelder
lyguy
.
"Tat
ana? "Iam t
appi
ngmyf
ootonthemarbl
efl
oor,henar
rows
hiseyesandIcomposemysel
f.Weall
needtokeepupwiththe
appearance.

"Iwantyoutomeet ,
Mr .Mol oi
.Heownsoneoft hebiggestLaw
fir
msi nJohannesbur g,Itol
dhimy ou'
rest
udyi
ngtowar dsanLLB
degree.You'
llbedoingy ourar
ti
cleswit
hthem andoncey ou'
re
donewi t
hev eryt
hinghewi l
lor
ganizeyouapermanentjob."Iof
fer
them ahugef akegrin.

"
Noway
,"t
heybot
hlaugh.

"
Bel
i
evei
t,Amu.
"-Myf
athersay
s.

He'str
yingtowinmeov
erbutwhathedoesn'
tunder
standisour
r
elati
onshipneedsami
racl
enothi
m cal
l
inginfav
orstogetme
j
obs.

"Thanky
ousomuch,tat
ana.Thanky
ouMr
.Mol
oi,
"Iof
ferhi
m my
handandheshakesme.

"Justpasswit
hf l
yi
ngcolorsandit'
sallyour
s."Inodvi
gorousl
y
j
usttogetthem towalkaway ."
I'
m goingtocall
,Lemohang.She'
l
l
besoexcitedforme."Isayopeningthedoor.

"
Kids,
"IhearMr
.Mol
oisaybef
oreIr
ushout
.

Igett
oMabut ho'shouseandhisMust angispar
kedinthe
dri
veway.Iam nervousashel
l,
Idon'tknowhowhe' sgoingtotake
thi
sandwherei twil
lleav
eourrel
ati
onship.I'
mjusthopi
ngit'
s
somethi
ngwewi l
lbeabletoworkthroughtoget
her.Apartofme
tel
lsmet hatt
hepersoni
splayinggamesrightnowbutt
hei
rend
goalistogetmoneyoutofus.Everyonewhoknowsmeknows
thatmyf at
heri
sloadedbutIguesswewi l
lhavetowai
tandsee
forsure.

Thegat esli
desopenbef oreIev
enpr esstheint
ercom, hemustbe
watchingmef r
om thewi ndow.Idrivei
nandpar kbehindthe
must ang,t
here'smusicpl ayi
ngfrom hiscarandonlythendoI
real
izethathe'ssi
tt
ingi nthecar.He'swearingastoicexpressi
on
onhi sfacewhenIsl i
denextt ohimi nthemustang.Het akesthe
bott
leofcor onafr
om t hecuphol derandtakesasip.

"Pi
nkyPinky
?"Hegiv
esmeaquest i
oni
nglookandIgul
pdownmy
sal
ivat
ogetr i
doft
hedeser
tthathadf
ormedinmyt hr
oat
.

"Baby,
Ihonestl
ydi
dn'
ttel
lany
oneaboutourr
elati
onshi
p.Iwoul
d
neverdoanythi
ngt
oputyourcar
eeri
njeopar
dy."Henods.

"
Iknowthatmylove."Iheav
easi
ghofrel
ief
."Youlookshakenup
Amu,what'
swrong."Heaskswi
thconcer
nlacedinhisvoi
ce.

"
Igotanemai
ltoday
,"Ist
artof
fandhechuckl
es.

"
Igett
hoseev
ery
day
,Pi
nkyPi
nky
."Nott
heki
ndIgot
,Boo.Tr
ust
me.

"Youdon'
tunder
stand.
..
I.
..
"myr
ingi
ngphonest
art
lesmeandhe
claspsmyhand.

I
t'
smydadcal
l
ing,
hemusthav
ereal
i
zedt
hatIl
efthi
s"i
mpor
tant
"
gat
her
ing.Ii
gnor
eitandl
ookatMabut
ho.

"Wecangetthr
oughany t
hingri
ght?"Iaskandhenodsvi
gorousl
y.
"Ineedt
oshowy ousomething,
"Igot othevi
deoIr
ecei
vedand
contempl
atewhethert
oshowhi m ornot.

"Amukel
ani
,what
'sgoi
ngon? "Hisvoi
cemeansbusinesssoI
shov
emyphonet ohim andclosemyeyest
ight
ly.

Af
ewmi
nut
espass.

"
Whatt
hef
uck!Whosentt
his?
"Iopenmyey
esandl
ookathi
m.

Mabut
hol
ooksl
i
kehej
ustsawaghost
.

"
Idon'
tknow,
"It
akemyphonef
rom hi
m andshowhi
mtheemai
l
s.

"
Yoh,
y oh,Amukel
ani.Thi
sisamess.Howdidthisper
sonf
indout
?
Wearealwayscar
eful.
"Hisey
esarebloodshot
.

Hehit
shisforeheadonthest
eeri
ngwheelandIcl
utchatmy
chest
,ter
ri
fi
ed.He'sr
eacti
ngfarwor
sethanIhadanti
cipat
ed.

"Thatvi
deowast akenri
ghtf
rom insi
demyhouse,Amu.Those
anglesshowthatther
earecamer asi
nmyhouse."He'
sfanni
ng
hisfacewit
hthishandeventhoughit'
scool
int
hecar.

"
Wewill
figur
ethi
ngsout,Boo."Heopenshi
sdoorandpr
act
ical
l
y
r
unst
othef r
ontent
ranceofthehouse.

Thi
sisaf
ucki
nni
ght
mar
e.

Ibur
ymyfacei
nmyhandsandscr
eam t
oloosent
het
ight
nessi
n
mychest
.

Myphonechi
mesonmyt
highsandIt
akemysweett
imebef
ore
t
aki
ngi
tandpower
ingont
hescr
een.

Ial
mostpeemypant
swhenIseet
heemai
li
con.Ohwhatnow?

Iam br
eaki
ngasweatnow.

WHATAREYOUDOINGATHISHOUSEMI SS.NKOVANI?ISAI
D
STOPWHATYOU'
REDOINGWITHHIM NOTRUNTOHI M.THI
SIS
YOURFI
RSTSTRI
KEOFTHREE.I
FWEGETTOTHREEOFTHREE
THENIPROMI
SETORUINHI
SLIFEANDYOURSBUTI FYOU
LI
STENANDPLAYFARFROM HI
M THENITAKEYOURSECRET
TOMYGRAVE.

PS:
I'
M ALWAYSWATCHI
NG.

Iquicklycli
mboutt hecarandl ookaroundtheyard,t
her
e's
nothingoutoft heordi
nary.Whot hefuckisthi
spersonandwhyi s
heorshedoi ngthi
stome?Whywoul dtheywantmet ostayaway
from theloveofmyl if
e?Wi t
ht ear
sstreamingdownmyf ace,I
rushinsidethehouseandf i
ndMabut homessinghiswhole
bedroom.Iassumehe' slookingforhi
ddencamer as,
Iwon'tsay
he'scrazy.He'sri
ghttolookbecausewhatot herexpl
anati
on
wouldsuf fi
ce?

"
Boo,
ther
e'sanot
herone.
"Myv
oicecomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

Hedr
opst
hecushi
onandhur
ri
est
omebyt
hedoor
.Mabut
ho
t
akesmyphoneandr
eadst
henewestemai
l
.

"
Somebodywakemeupf
rom t
hisni
ght
mar
e,"

Hesay
sandsi
nksdownt
othef
loor
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER21

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

"Boo,pl
ease.Youcan'
tkeepcal
li
ngme.Wedon'
tknowifthi
s
personhastappedourphones.
"That
'st
hef
ir
stt
hingshesays
aft
erpicki
ngupherphone.

"Youcan'
tgiveuponus,PinkyPi
nky.
"Iwhine,"
Iwoul
dr at
herbea
martyr
,ourlovei
stooreal
,toost
rong.Ij
ustcan'
tgi
vethatup.
"I
hearhergaspinshock.

"
Iwon'
tletyou,
you'
vewor
kedsohar
dtogett
othi
spoi
nt.
"Ican
t
ell
she'
steari
ngup.

"Icanalwaysfi
ndsomethingel
se.Beasecurit
yguardoratutor
.
I
'mj ustdonehi
dingyouandourrel
ati
onshi
p."Icur
lmyfinger
s
aroundthestem oft
hewineglassandtakeasip.

"No,no.Timefl
iesMabutho.Ineedyoutoholdon.Ayearanda
halfl
eftandwewi l
lbefr
eef r
om whoeveri
stryi
ngtokeepus
apart
.Likeyousaid,
ourloveisstr
ong.I
twil
lsti
l
lbeburni
ngwhen
wef i
ndawaybackt oeachot her
."

"Pi
nkyPinky,
Idon'
twanttohurtyou.Wejustl
ostababyandnow
weareforcedapar
t,i
t'
snotfai
r.Ouronl
ycrimewastofal
linl
ove.
"
Isni
ff
.

"Hear
ingyouspeakli
ket
his,knowinghowmuchyoulovemei
s
exact
lywhatwil
lgetmethroughthis.Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ngfory
oubaby
,
y
ou'
rewor
thi
tDr
.Mabut
hoMkhwanazi
."Ismi
l
e,shaki
ngmyhead.

"
Youarethemostamazi
ngwoman,
I'
m sobl
essed.Il
ovey
ou,
f
orev
er.
"Shegi
ggles.

"
Ilov
eyou,
too,
Boo.
"Sher
espondsmeekl
y.

"I
'
llcomeupwi t
hawayt hatwillkeepusincommunicati
on
withoutt
hatpsychoemai lsenderknowing.Begoodforme,
okay?"Sheheavesasigh.

"
Iwon'
tcheatony
ouagai
n,Ipr
omi
se.
"

"
It
'sgoodby
efornow,
myl
ove.
"

"
Fornow,Boo.
"Ihangupmyphoneandgetupf
rom t
hecouch.
Deepbr
eathand

CHECKMATE!

I
thasnev erbeensoeasy ,Amukel ani
isheadov erheelsi
nlove
withme.Shewoul ddoabsolutelyanyt
hingtoprotectme,eveni
f
thatmeansst ayingawayfrom me.Ihav e,
inaway ,progr
ammed
hertobeli
ev ethatIcomebef oreheri
nany t
hing.I
nherheartshe
beli
evesthatnooneel secanl oveandkeephersanet hewayI
have.Thi
si sexactlywhatkeepsmei ncontrolofherandour
rel
ati
onship.

Ineededhergone, shewasst ar
ti
ngtobecomet ooneedyand
annoying.Thefactthatshe'
sfri
endswit
hLemohangal somade
mer ushtheprocessofget t
ingri
dofher.Icoul
dn'
tdumpher
usingthe" i
t'
snoty ou,
it'
sme. "li
ne.Thatwouldhavemadeher
explode,becomedanger ous.I
twassaf erthi
sway,makingher
beli
evet hatsomeonei sont ous.Thecr yi
ngandbeggi
ngwasj ust
toeliminateanysuspicionsaboutmebei ngbehi
ndthi
s.Ineedher
toholdont ohope, tobelievet
hatIwillcomebacktoher
somedaybutt hat
'snotgoi ngtohappen.

Nowmyf ullatt
entionwillbegivent oLemohang, t
hatoneis
str
ongerthanal lofthem.Shel ovesme, t
hat'
sanobr ai
nerbut
shesti
llhaswal l
sar oundher .Wallsthataremeantt okeeppain
anduncer t
aintyout.ButItrustmy selfenoughtoknockt hose
downinnot i
me.Iwi llbethecenterofheruni verse,shewil
l
worshipmel ikeherGod.I twill
takemeal it
tl
et i
met ogetther
e
butI'
m start
ingtodayt owi nherov erastepatat ime.Icall
edher
tocomet hroughandchi l
l
, i
t'
saSundayandshe' snotwor ki
ng.
She'
sduet oar ri
veanymi nutenow.

Icookedusat hreecoursemealandmadesur ewineisenough

fortheent i
reday.Ihaveanamazingplayl
istoflovesongst hat
willcomei nhandyi nknocki
ngoffafewlayersoft hegr
eatwallof
Chinaar oundher.I'
mt aki
ngtheoldschoolroute.She'
sneverhad
aboy f
riendbef or
e,whichmakesev er
ythi
ngsimpl ebecauseshe
hasabsol utel
ynor efer
encepoi
nt.EvenwhenIunderdel iv
er,she
won' treallyknow.

Thegat
eint
ercom buzzesandIgopeept
hrought
hewi
ndow,
it'
s
Lemohang.Ri ghtontime,Itakeadeepbr eathandpressthe
remotecontroltoopent hegate.Hurr
yingbacktolounge,Ipr
ess
playandromant i
cballadsfi
llmyhouse.Iam amanonami ssion.
Islowl
ymakemywayt oopent hef
rontdoorIgaspwhenshe
comesi nt
ofullview.Shelooksamazingi nthatl
it
tl
eblackdress
andal eat
herjacket.

"
Comeher
e,"Isayopeni
ngmyar
ms.

ShelaysherheadonmychestandIki
sshert
emple."
Lor
d,I
missedyousomuch."It
ight
enmyarmsaroundher.

"
Imissedyoumor
e,I
'
m sor
ryf
orbei
ngsobusy
."Igent
lypushher
f
rom me.

Fl
ashi
nghermypant
ydr
oppi
ngsmi
l
ewhenwear
eey
etoey
e.

"
It
'sokay
,Iunder
standt
haty
ouhavetowork.Todayi
sourday
,
l
et'
smakethemostofit,
mylov
e."Shenods.

It
akeherhandandl
eadheri
nsi
det
hehouse.

"Icookedf
ory
ou,
hadsomuchf
undoi
ngi
t.
"It
ell
herandshe
giggl
es.

"Ar
en'
tyouthesweetestboyfr
iendev
er?"Ist
opinmyt r
acksand
pul
lherbythenape,
ourlipsareafewinchesfr
om eachother
.
She'
spanti
ng.Hereyesarebeggingmet oki
ssher
.

Herwishi
smycommand.Ilockourli
psandki ssherslowly,
Igo
i
nsanewhenshemoansinmymout h.Fuck!Iquickl
ypulloutand
st
epawayfrom her
,moppi
ngmyfacewi t
ht hepalm ofmyhand.
"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Sheaskspani
cki
ng.

"
Every
thi
ngi
sfine,
baby .Ijust
..
."Ipauseandtur
ntofaceher
.
"
Tryi
ngtoav
oidthi
s,"Ipointtomygr owinger
ecti
on.

"
OhI
..
.uhm mm.
..sor
ry.
"Ismi
l
esweet
lyather
.

"Don'
tworryabouti
t,
"Ihol
doutmyhandandshetakesi
t.Iki
ss
herknuckl
esthentakehert
osi
tcomfor
tabl
yonthecouch.

"
Whi
teorr
edwi
ne?
"Iaskandshebi
tesherl
owerl
i
p.

"Notreal
l
yawi negir
l,butgi
vemewhite.Thankyou.
"Shesays.I
taketheglassIwasdr inki
ngfr
om ear
li
er.Iwashavi
ngredbutI'
m
goingtojoinherforsomewhi t
ewine.

Irushtothekitchenandtakeouttwowi neglassesfr
om the
cupboard.Ipoursomedr ywhiteinbothglassesaft
erri
nsing
them.She'stakingoffhershoeswhenIgetbackt othelounge,
I
l
ov ethatshe'
smaki nghersel
ffeelathome.

IhandLemohangonegl assandset t
lenexttoher ,
myey esare
darti
ngbetweenherbeaut i
fulsmooththighsandhergor geous
face.Iam temptedtor unmyhandupheri nnerthi
ghsanddipa
fi
ngerinhermini heaven.Idon'tt
hinkI'
veev erlust
edaft
era
womansomuch, Isuspectit'
sbecauseLemohangi savi
rgi
nand
I'
m desperatet
obet heonewhodef l
ower sher.

"
Howwasy
ourweek?
"Iask.

Shel
etsoutadeepsi
gh.
"
Hecti
c,bothatworkandschoolbutImanagedt
ogett
hroughi
t.
Whataboutyourweek?"Ismi
le.

"
Sameol
dsameol
d."Isi
pmywi
ne,
wit
houtbr
eaki
ngey
econt
act
.

"
It
'snotsobad,
"shesay
saf
tert
ast
ing.

"Ihaveexcel
l
entt
ast
e,y
oushoul
dseemygi
rl
fr
iend.
"Iwat
chher
blush.

"
Ohpl
easest
op,
"shehi
desbehi
ndt
hegl
assofwi
neandIchuckl
e.

"Youar
ebreat
htaki
nglybeaut
iful
,Lemohang.Chr
ist
,Il
ov ey
ouso
much.Iwi
shwecoul dspendmor eti
mesoIcanshowy oujust
howmuch."Sheswallowshard.

"
I'
m sor
ry,IknowI'
m notgi
vingyouenoughattent
ion.Ipr
omiseto
workonit
."Icupherfacel
ovingl
yandsheleansintomytouch.

"Iwouldreal
lyappreci
atet
hat.
"Isayqui
etl
y,runni
ngmyfi
nger
s
alongherjawli
ne."Emoti
onal
ly
?Youhaven'tbeental
ki
ngt
ome.Is
everyt
hingokay?"Sheheavesasigh.

"
I'
m notonehundr
edbutI'
m doingmuchbet
ter
.Ihav
en'
thadany
t
ri
ggers,
mymot herhasn'
tcal
l
ed."I
'
m noddi
ng.

"
Thanksf
oral
way
schecki
ngmei
nthatdepar
tment
."Ipeckher
l
i
ps.

"Yourment
alhealthismypri
ori
ty.Youmightbemywomannow
butIwon'
tforgetwhyourpat
hscr ossedi
nthefi
rstpl
ace.Ineed
youtoknowthatI'
llalway
sbeavailabl
etol
ist
entoyou,"
Lemohangclaspsmyhand.

"
Iappr
eci
atet
hat
."
Afewminut
esofsilencepassasweli
stentothel
ovesong
pl
ayi
ng,t
helyr
icsareworki
ngLemohang.Icantel
lshe'
sdr
inki
ng
i
neverywor
d,it'
sti
meIcapital
i
zedonthis.

"Iam notamanofmanywor dssometimes.ThereasonI'

m
playi
ngthesesongsisbecausetheybett
erexpl
ainmyf eel
ingsf
or
you."Shedoesn'
tsayanythi
ngbutIcanfeelhergazedril
li
ngthe
sideofmyf acebecauseI
'm notl
ooki
ngather.

"Il
ov eyou,Mabut ho.You'
vebeenamazi ngasaf i
rstboyfri
end.I
knowy ouwanttoshowmemor ebutI '
m al
wayssobusy , I
promi sethatwil
lchange.Iwil
lalsobeanamazi nggirl
fr
iendto
you."Ifindhereyesswi mmingint ear
sandtomei t'
sasi gnthata
l
ay erhasbeenknockedof f."I
'
mr eady,
"shesay
sinashakyv oice
andIf rown,confused.

"Huh?"Sheswal
l
owshar
dandt
akesadeepbr
eat
htogat
herher
nerves.

"I
'
mr eadytogoal
lthewaywi
thy
ou,
Iappr
eci
atey
ourpati
ence
buti
t'
stimeyoumademeawoman."Myhear
tisj
umpingforj
oy
butIcan'
tshowherthat
.

"Baby,no.Wedon'thavetorushint
othi
s,t
akeyourt
ime,besure
becauseonceItakey ourv
irgi
nit
y,y
ou'
renotget
ti
ngitback.
"She
nodsinagreement.

"Ihavethoughtlongandhar
d,Mabutho.Iwantnot
hingmore.
"She
placesherglassonthecoff
eetabl
eandgetsonherf eet
.

Mypeni
sisthr
obbing,
pressi
nghar
dagai
nstmyjeans,beggi
ng
metofr
eeit
.IwatchLemohangremoveherl
eat
herjacket
.
"
Please,
hav
eme.
"

Thewor
dsar
ebar
elyaudi
ble.

"
Areyousure?"Iaskgett
ingupfr
om t
hecouch.Myhandsi
tchi
ng
t
otoucheveryinchofherski
n.

"
I'
veneverbeensosur eofanythi
ng,
makemeawoman,
Mabutho.
"Ididn'
texpectthi
stodaybutI
'
mfucki
nhappy
.

"Il
oveyousomuch,Lemohang.
"Ipul
lhert
omeandgrabherass.
Shegaspsandpl
acesbothhandsfl
atonmybar
echest.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Myhear tisheavy,Idon'
twantt oleavemygr andmotherbutshe
i
nsiststhatIleavebecauseIhav eclassestoattendandexamst o
preparefor.I'
m scar
edthatthenextt i
meIcomebackher eshe'l
l
begone, thethoughtofthatleavesabittert
asteinmymout h.She
promisedt hatJojowil
lvi
deocal lmewhenhecomest oseeher,
butthat'
snotenough.Iwon' tbeabl etomassageherf eet
,brush
herhairandhol dherhandaswegossi p.

I'
m standi
ngintheparki
ngl ot
,holdi
nghandswi thmycousin.He
saidhe'snotgoingbacktoCapeTown, he'
llbesticki
ngaround
unti
lGodswi l
lisdone.I
'v
enev erbeensogratefultohaveJojo
around,hewill
makesur ethatPeachesisokay.SinceIarr
ivesi
n
Gqeberhanononmyot hercousinsormyaunt scamet osee
Makhul u.Whogoest hatlongwi t
houtvi
sit
ingt heirsickparentin
thehospi t
al?Aparentwhomi ghtdi
eanymi nut e.I'
m gratef
ulthat
Ididn'
tseet hosetoxicwomenwhi l
eIwasi ntown.I 'vebeen
sleepi
ngatEbuka' shot elandwear i
nghi
scl othes.Joj obrought
mybagswi thhimt oday ,
hesay stheevi
lsistersar en'
tawar ethat
I'
m here.PraisetheLor dforthat.

Theywoul
dhav
edemandedt
oknowwhereI'
vebeensl
eepi
ng
si
ncemybagswer
eathomeandIwasn'
t.

"
Undi
phi
l
e!"Hebr
ingsmebackf
rom myt
rai
noft
hought
s.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
youwer
esay
ing?
"

"
Nomasont
o,i
t'
slov
eri
ght
?"Inar
rowmyey
es.

"
Idon'
tunder
stand,
"heheav
esasi
gh.

"Imeany oulov
ehi
mr i
ght
,it
'snotonl
yJohannesbur
gpeer
pressuretodat
eari
chfor
eigndude?"Icanheart
heconcer
ninhi
s
voice.

"
Ilov
ehi
m,Joj
o."That
'st
het
rut
h.

"Don'
tl
oosey our
sel
f,r
emai
nthef
eist
y,st
rongwi
ll
edwomanwe
knowy outobe.Whenhest
opstr
eati
ngyougood,l
eav
e,mnt
ase.
"
Inodvigor
ously.

"
Iwi
l
lal
way
sknowmywor
th,
Peachesmadesur
eofi
t.
"Hesmi
l
es.

"Shel
i
kesNomasonto,t
oldmenott
oov
erchar
gehi
m whenhe
comestopayl
obol
a."Ichuckl
e.
"Makhul
uliki
nghimi sthehighli
ghtofthi
str
ip.Hecan'tst
op
tel
l
inghi
sf ri
endswhent heycall
."Ican'
tbel
ieveourrel
ati
onshi
pis
herei
nthisshortspaceoftime.Butlikehesays,i
t'
snotabout
howlongbuthowdeepandr eal
.

"Wel
l,meandhim won'
tbeshar
ingadri
nkunt i
lhebri
ngsmy
cows.Iwantt
hem tocomestr
aightf
rom Lagos.
"Irol
lmyey
es.

"
Hey!Beni
ce,hel
ovesy
oursi
ster.
"Hel ookstot
hewaiti
ngAudi
,
waggi
ngafi
ngert
omyboyfri
end.Ilaugh,knowi
ngEbukawasn'
t
l
ooki
ng.

Hi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onchanges.

"Focusonschool Undi
phil
e.I
'l
lmakesur ePeachesisgoodthi
s
side.Acceptwhatishappeni
ngmnt ase,rememberthegoodshe
broughtus.Don'
tholdherbackplease,"Iwipemytear
s.

"
I'
mtr
yingt
obuti
t'
shar
d,"Iadmi
t.

"Wehaveeachother
,wewil
l beeachothersstr
ength.Wewil
ll
ive
andmakeherproudinheav
en.Atleastwewer egi
venachanceto
saygoodby
e,somepeoplejustwakeupt othesadnews."He'
s
ri
ght
.

Peachesli
vedal
ifewort
hcelebr
ati
ng,weshouldn'
tal
l
ow
oursel
vestobet
rappedint
hedarkness.Ihughim.

"Wewil
ltal
konthephone.Thanksf
orbei
ngher
etomakesur
e
she'
sgood,
"hekissesmycheek.

"
Call
mewheny
ouguy
sgett
oJozi
,
"Inodandhewal
ksmet
othe
Audi
.
HeopensmydoorandIsl i
dei nnexttomyboy fr
iend.Ibuckleup
ashebi dsEbukagoodby e,thi
ngsar en'
tawkwar dbet weenthem
buttheyarenotbuddybuddy ,
y et
.Jojoisjustbeingabi gbrother
andmyboy fr
iendunderst
andswher ehe'
scomi ngf rom,myJol lof
i
sjusthappyt ohavebeeni ntr
oducedt othem, he'snowconf i
dent
i
nourr elat
ionshi
p.Heknowst hatI'
m notashamedofhi m
becausehe'saNi ger
ian.

"
Readyt
ogo?
"Heasks.

"Idon'
twanttogobutwehav eto.
"Hesmilessweetl
yatme.
"Thankyouforcomingherewit
hme, Obi
m."Herai
seshis
eyebrowandIblush.IhadtoGoogl
ehowt oaff
ect
ionat
elycal
l
himinhislanguage.

Obi
m meansmyhear
t.

"
Baby
,wher
edi
dyoul
ear
nthat
?"Heaskspr
oud.

"Youinsi
stthatI
'myouri
yawo,Imightaswellst
artl
ear
ningmy
husbandslanguage.
"Heroar
swithlaught
er.Heisahappysoul
.

"Youj
ustgavemeaner
ect
ion.
"Ibi
temyl
owerl
i
pandbl
i
nka
coupl
eofti
mes.

We'vebeenmakinglov
eev ersi
ncewet urnedt
hecararoundon
Fr
iday.EbukaisaGodinbed,Ididn'
tknowIcouldsqui
rtl
iket
hat.
Iwastedmyt i
mewiththoseidi
otsbeforehim.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"hel
eansi
nandIgi
veshi
m aki
ss.
"
You'
resleepi
ngoverri
ght?
"Whereel
sewouldIgo?Het
oldme
t
hatonceI'
vehadafeelofhimI
'
llnev
erwanttoleav
ehi
ssideand
t
hat'
sprovi
ngtobetrue.

"Yes,Iam.Buttomorr
owaftercl
assI
'm headi
ngtot
hef l
at.We
arenotgoingtovatandset
."Henodsasifheunder
stoodt hel
ast
part.

"
Okay
,"hest
art
stheengi
ne.

I
twasasmoot hfl
ightandnowwear einhisMer cedesheadedt o
thehouse.Helef
titatt hepar
kinglotoftheair
portonThur sday
.
Wehada15mi nutesf i
ghtoverwhowasdr i
vi
ngushome, helost
whenIdecidedtositflatonmyassont heground.Ilov
ewat chi
ng
him dr
ive,
soifIdon'thavetodriv
eIwon' t.

Wegettohishouseandthere'saVclassparkednexttoaG-
Wagon.Iwashopingtobealonewithmyman, makel
oveall
ov er
t
hehouse.ButEbukaisclosewithhi
s" br
others",
hehasal
way s
l
ovedhavi
ngthem aroundandIcan'texpectthattost
opnowt hat
I
'
mi nhisl
if
e.Hekill
stheengineandwebot hcl i
mboutofthecar.

Musi cisplayingatthehi ghestvolume, peopl

ear echatti
ngand
screami ngfrom insidethehouse.Il ookatEbukaandhe' skindof
pissed,ohboy .Hetakesmyhandandwewal ki
nt hroughthe
openf rontdoor .He'
sl eadi
ngust ot helounge,t
hat'swheret he
partyis.Wef indWal edancingint hemi ddlewit
hsomegi rl
.It'
sa
messi nher e,alcoholanddi r
typlatesev er
ywhere.Theyev en
shif
tedEbuka'
sexpensi
vef
urni
ture.Het
ight
enshisgr
ipandIy
elp,
hedropsmyhandandgoest ostopthemusic.Si
l
encefal
l
sint
he
room.

"
Odogwu!Odogwu!
"Theyal
lchant
.

Ev
erysi
ngl
eoneoft
hem.

"Nowt herealpart
ycanbegi
n,
"onegirli
nabi
ki
nisay
sandIr
aise
aney ebr
ow.Myboy f
ri
endqui
ckl
ylooksmywayandgiv
esmean
"I
'm sorr
y"look.

"
Wale,whatt
hehel
lar
ey oudoi
nginmyhouse?
"Heaskscal
m but
t
hat
'snothowhefeel
s,wecanall
seet
hatonhisf
ace.

"
It
'sapar
ty,
"adr
unkWal
eanswer
snonchal
ant
ly.

Ebukascof
fs.

"I
fIsl
apyou!Youdeycr aze?YouknewmywomanandIwer e
comingbacktoday.Undiphi
lei
stir
ed,shewant
edtocomehome
andrel
ax.Walkaroundcomf or
tabl
yinhermanshousenotfi
nda
damnparty.
"Heshout sandnoonedar est
osayanythi
ng.

"
Oya!Begoi
ng."Hesayspoi
nti
ngtothedoor."Gett
hef
uckoutof
myhouse.
"Okay,Ebukacandefi
nit
elygetpi
ssed.

"
Odogwu,
nov
exna.
"AguyIhav
en'
tmetsay
s.

"
Iwon'tr
epeatmy sel
f,
"theystar
ttaki
ngt
hei
rthi
ngsandl
eav
ing
t
heroom, oneaf
tertheother.

"
Wal
e,
"myboy
fri
endcal
l
soutandhi
sbr
otherst
opsi
nhi
str
acks.
"
Comeseemet
omor
row,
sober
."Hesoundsasser
iousashe
l
ooks.

"Ebuka,novexabeg.Undi
,I
'm sor
ry.
"He'
sscar
ed.Ij
ustnodand
heleaves.

I
t'
sjustusint
hel
i
vingr
oom,
hecomesbackt
omeandki
ssesmy
f
orehead.

"
I'
m sor
rymyl
ove,
"Iwr
apmyar
msar
oundhi
swai
st.

"
It
'snoty
ourf
aul
t,
"heshakeshi
sheaddi
sagr
eei
ngwi
thme.

"I
tis,Ishouldhav
emademy selfmor ecl
earertothem.Madesure
theyfull
yunderst
oodthatt
hedy namicshavechanged,theycan'
t
treatthi
shouseasaclubany mor e.You'
rei
nmyl i
feandyou'
re
i
mpor tanttome.Myhomei sy ourstooandf oryoutobe
comf ort
ableandtof
eelsaf
epeopl ecan'
tcomeandgoast hey
please."

"
OhObi
m,"He'
samazi
ng.

"Imeani twhenIsayy ou'

remywi f
e,Undi
phi
le.Myfr
iendsneedto
understandthisandtreatyouassuch.
"That
'sit
,manshouldn'
tbe
burned.Infacttheyhavetobeprotect
ed.

Thi
sisf
ory
est
erday
.Apol
ogi
esf
ornotpost
ing.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER22

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Istepint
ot heofficeandmyassi stantisnotatherdesk.Ijust
prayshewentoutt ogetmyl unchbecauseI '
m starvi
ng.That'
s
ourrit
ual
,sheget st hebot hofusl unchandwedi scussbusiness,
unlessIgoandeatoutwi thmysi bli
ngsoracl i
ent.NancyandI
getalongpr et
tywel l,she'snotjustanassistant,
she'sadear
fr
iend.WithoutherI 'dloosemymi nd.That
'swhyIpayhergood, I
don'twanthert othinkofl eav i
ngbecauseI '
dber unningaround
l
ikeaheadl esschi cken.She'smywor kwif
eandI '
m gladher
husbandunder standst hat.

"It
houghtyouwereoutget
ti
ngourfood,
"IsaywhenIwalkint
o
myof f
iceandfi
ndNancybusysor
ti
ngsomef il
es."
I'
m st
arv
ing
here,
"shechuckl
es.

"Wellmyfri
end,Iwasabouttoleaveandgetussomet hi
ngwhen
Gatshacall
ed.He'scomingover,Iaskedhimtogetussomet hing
onhiswayher e.
"Iclosemyeyes.I'vebeenavoi
dingmysi bl
ings
andourmot hersi
nceSaturday
.Gat shaknewwher etocornerme,
i
t'
snotlikeI'
l
lrunawayf r
om myof fi
ce.Ihaveabusinesstor un.

"
Anymessages?
"Ir
emov
emybl
azerandhangi
tonmychai
r.
"
MaNgobesecall
ed,"whataMonday
."Shesai
dyoucanr
unbut
y
oucan'
thide.
"Iti
tt
er.

Thatsoundsl
i
kemymot
her
.

Islepttheenti
reSatur
dayafternoonandonSundayIwokeupand
wentt omyhouse, Iwasn'
ti
nt hemoodt obescol dedbymy
mot her.Lat
eronIwenttothecl ub,
hopingtomeetupwi th
Lemohangbuthermanagert oldmeshedoesn' tworkonSunday
s.
Iwast emptedtogot oherfl
atbutIdidn'twanttoappearasa
creep.

"
I'
ll
cal
lher.Uhm di
dyousendt
hoser
oses?
"Iaskandshegi
ves
methe"l
ook".

FBIAgentNancyMol
oiatwor
k.

"
Idi
d,sowhoi
sthi
schi
ck?
"Iheav
easi
gh.

"Stor
yforanotherday,
"I'
m nevert
ell
i
ngherbecauseshewoul
d
alsogri
l
lmef orbeingcarel
essandgett
ingr
obbed.

"Fi
ne."Thatwaseasy,sheneverl
etsmeoffthehookt
hateasi
l
y.
"Howdi ditgowi
ththerealest
ateagent
?"Somegoodnews
atl
east.

"
Great,
wehaveanoff
er.Iaccept
editandt
hepaper
wor
kisgoi
ng
t
hroughaswespeak.
"Nancyhighfi
vesme.

"
Thelastmemor
yofshedev
il
,gone.I
'
m sohappyf
ory
oumy
f
ri
end."

Nancyneverl
ikedNombul
elo,
forsoundreasonsthati
s.Myex
accusedNancyofbei
ngmysidechick,
eventhoughsheknew
Nancyi
shappi
l
ymar
ri
ed.

"
Hal
l
eluj
ah,
"webot
hlaugh.

Myst omachisgrowl i
ng, Iwouldeatanenti
recowr ightnow.I
di
dn'thavebreakfastthismor ni
ngbecauseIhadt oleavewithout
MaNgobeseseei ngme.I fGatshadoesn'
tgetherewi t
hlunch,I
swearI'
llf
aint
.Itakeoutanot herbottl
eofjui
cefrom mybarf ri
dge
andgulptheentir
et hingdown.Let '
shopethisholdsmeof funti
l
mybr ot
hergetsher e.Myof fi
cedooropensandIsi ghinreli
ef.

"Fi
nall
y,It
houghtIwasgoi
ngt
odi
e."Isaytur
ning,onl
ytofi
nd
Ratanangstandi
ngbymydoor
.Whatthefuckisshedoingher
e?

"I
fIknewyoumi ssedmet hatmuch,Iwoul
dhavecameearli
er.
"
Sheshutsthedoorclose.HowdidshegetpassedNancy
?"You
don'
tlookhappytoseeme, "shesashay
sfurt
heri
nandplacesher
expensi
vehandbagonmymahoganydesk.

"
Rat
anang,Idi
dn'
ttel
lyouwher
emyof
fi
cei
s.Howdi
dyouf
ind
me?
"Shelaughs.

"
Real
ly
,Makhosi
ni?Youar
enotahar
dmant
ofi
nd.Googl
ehas
y
ouraddr
ess,
"

Whyt hehelldi
dIsleepwi t
hthi
sgirl
?Lord,why?Ishoul
dhave
thoughtwit
hmyhead, notmydick.Icr
ossedalineandIwi
shI
didn'
t.She'
smyl i
tt
lesister
sfri
endforcry
ingoutloud.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Ii
nqui
re,
leani
ngbyt
hebarf
ri
dge.
"Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dgogr
abl
unch,
myt
reat
."shesay
s
exci
tedl
y.

"
Uhm,
Iwi
shIcoul
dbutIhav
emeet
ings,
backt
oback.
"Il
i
e.

Havingl
unchwit
hherwil
lonl
ymakethesit
uati
onworse.I
t'
sclear
shereadtoomuchint
othesexwehad.Butwhybecauseshe'
s
theonewhoini
ti
atedt
hewholethi
ng.

"Dinnerisst
il
lfi
ne,"can'tshereadbetweentheli
nes?"Thenwe
cangot omyhouseaf terforsomedesert,
"Mv el
o,Mvelo!Ifshe
didn'ttr
ytoplaycupidthenIwoul dn'
thavemadet hemistakeof
sleepingwit
hherf ri
end.

"
Ratanang,Idon'tthi
-"mydooropens,di
stur
bingmefrom sett
ing
t
hisgir
lstr
aight.I'
m nohear
tbreakerbutIwon'tl
eadheronjust
t
obeagoodguy .

"
Befor
eyouki
l
lme,ther
ewasaqueueatt
heChi
nesepl
ace.
"
Gat
shasay
swalki
ngin.

"
No,
it'
scool
."Hel
ooksatRat
anang,
thenbackatme.

"
Aren'
tyouMv
elo'
sfr
iend?
"Heasksl
ooki
ngatRat
anangagai
n.

"Iam.Ij
ustcamet oseeMakhosini.
"Mybr ot
hergi vesmea
specul
ati
vegaze.Ilookawaybrushi
ngmybear d."Babe,
I'
ll
send
youtheti
meandpl aceforourdi
nner."Shestandsupandt akes
herhandbagthenheadstothedoorwi t
houtsay i
nggoodbye.

Gatshafoldshi
sarmsandlooksatme,Ihatet
hatIhaveto
explai
n.Ican'
tl
iebecausemybrot
herhastheabi
li
tytoseeri
ght
throughmybullshit
,pl
usIneedhi sadvi
seonhowt odealwi
ththi
s.
He'sgoingtoblowaf useandI'l
ltakei
tbecauseIfuckedupfor
real.He'
snotsayinganythi
ng,buthisshar
pey esaren'
tl
eavi
ngmy
person.Isi
tdownonmychai randpointtothetakeawaypaper
bag.

"
Babe?
"Hest
art
sof
fandIbl
owoutasi
gh.

"Don'
tthr
owapunch,
I'
ll
takey
ourv
erbal
abusei
nthi
smat
ter
."He
huff
s.

"Makhosini
,khul
uma!"(
Speak)her
oarsandIgest
uref
orhimto
sitdown."Whyisourl
it
tl
esist
ersf
ri
endcal
li
ngyoubabe?
"Ithr
ow
myheadback.

"Mv el
otri
edsetti
ngusup.It oldhertostopbutIfoundt hem at
homewhenIgott hereSaturdayaft
ernoon.Iwenttoshowerand
whenIgotbackt omyr oom shewasi ntherewait
ing.Idon'tknow
whathappenedbutsheendeduponherknees, bl
owingmybr ains
outandt henextthingshe'
sundermeandI 'mfuckingherli
kea
wildanimal.
"Iexplainwit
houtlooki
ngathi m.Icannotbaret osee
thedisappoint
menti nmybr ot
herseyes."Sheini
ti
atedthewhol e
thi
ng.Whenwewer edone,sheputonhercl ot
hesandl eftmy
room withoutsayi
ngawor d.Ithoughtitwasjustsexbutshe
showedupher eafewmi nutesago,askingmet ogot olunch."He
whistl
es.

"
Didy
ouat
leastusepr
otect
iony
ouf
ool
?"Inodv
igor
ousl
y.

"
Iwasi
nthemomenty
es,
butI
'
dnev
ergor
aw.
"Thi
sti
meIl
ookat
hi
m.

"Youhavetobest r
aightwit
hher,t
ell
hery oudon'tfeelherl
ike
that
.Whenshesendst hatt
extwit
hdinnerdetai
ls,call
herandt el
l
herit
'snothappeni
ng.Thatyouguysar en'
thappening,peri
od.We
don'
tneedNof oto2.0.
"mybr ot
heri
sright.

Ineedtoputoutthefi
rebefor
eitspr
eadsfurt
her."
Youshoul
d
haveboughtanescorti
fyouwerethatdesper
atetofuck,
Makhosini
."Ir
aiseaneyebr
ow.

"
Whatdoyouknowaboutescor
ts,
Gat
sha?
"Hesmackshi
sli
ps.
"
Zeewil
lbut
chery
ou,
"

"
Ionl
ychowmywi
fe,
boet
."Heopenst
hepaperbagandt
akesout
t
hefood.

Iev
enf
orgotI
'
m hungr
y.Rat
anangr
eal
l
yknockedmef
orsi
x.

"Your
eal
lyf
uckedupthi
sweekend,
"hecompl
ainsandIshakemy
head,
openi
ngtheboxofri
ce.

"Notenti
rel
y,Igott
omeetawi t
tyyoungwoman.She'
ssof unny
,"I
chuckleasIrememberthesi
l
lythi
ngsthatcomeoutofhermout h
withoutt
hinki
ngabouti
t.

"
Arey
oubl
ushi
ng?
"Heasksf
rowni
ng.

"
Blushi
..
.what
?Nah,
shewasj
ustabr
eat
hoff
reshai
r.
"Isay
.

"
Mmhh,
"Idon'
tl
ikehowhe'
ssoundi
ng.

"
What
?"Heshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.

"
Idon'
tknow,
yout
ell
me.
"Inar
rowmyey
es.
"
Don'
tbeawei r
do.
"Thi
sri
cet
ast
esamazi
ng."
Howpi
ssedi
s
mama?"Iask.

"
MaNgobesewant
syourbal
l
s."Ei
sh.

Icoul
dn' trunf
rom mymot heranyl onger.Idecidedtogohomeon
ti
meanddeal wit
hheronceandf orall.Iwanttoputt hi
swhol e
sagabehi ndmeandmov eforwardwi thmyl if
e.MaNgobesei si
n
theki
t chenchoppi
ngsomespi nachwhenIgeti n,shegivesme
onelookandgoesbackt oherchoppi ng.Notsilence,pleaseno.
I'
drathershemakesallthenoisei nthewor ldthanhav ehergo
muteonme.Thatpuni shmenti sthewor st.

"
Igoty
ousomef
lower
s,"shecl
i
ckshert
ongue.

"Youwon'
tbuymewi t
hy ourt
wocent sfl
owers,
"Ipl
acethem on
thecount
erandroundit.Huggingmymot herfr
om behi
nd.She
heavesasighandplacestheknifedown.

"Ar
eyouhavi
ngahar
dti
medeal
i
ngwi
thy
ourdi
vor
ce?
"Sheasks
andIf
rown.

"
What
?No.Iam happyt
obef
reef
rom Nombul
elo.
"Shebr
ushes
myar
m wi
thawethand.

"Howdidyoufi
ndyoursel
finsuchasi
tuat
iononFr
iday
,Fanoo?
"
Sheasksconcer
ned.

"
Mama, Iwasjustav
ict
im ofchance.I
tcoul
dhav ebeenanyman,
MaNgobese.
"Shesnif
fsandIknowshe' scr
ying.
OhLor
d,If
eel
bad.

"
Ma,
I'
m sor
ry.
"Isayt
urni
nghersoIcangi
veherapr
operhug.

"You'
renotthetypetogoouttoclubsaloneandpickupwomen.
It
'ssooutofcharacter
.I'
m wor
riedthatthechangesinyourl
i
fe
areweighi
ngheav i
lyonyou.
"Ibrushherbackincircl
es.
MaNgobesei sn'
tmadatme, she'sworri
edaboutme.

"I
m sor
ryforworryi
ngy ou.I
'm goodthough,
Ipr
omi se.Ijustwant
toli
vemore,dothingsI'
veneverdone.Somewilldefi
nitelybeout
ofchar
acterbutIneedt opushmy sel
fandseehowf arIcoul dgo
withot
herthi
ngs.Wi t
hthatsaid,Ipr
omisenott
ober eckless.
"

"You'
remysweetbaby,Makhosini
.Prooft
hatmywombi snot
somekindofSterkf
ont
ein.Gat
shaandMv eloarer
oughnecks,
I
wouldexpectany
thi
ngcrazyfr
om them."Ilaugh.

"Don'
tlett
hem hearyousaythatmama,
"shepul
l
soutofmyar
ms
andlooksatmewi thafl
arednose.

"
Hai
bo!I'
m notscaredoft
hem mos.
"Ir
oll
myey
es."
Getmea
v
aseformyflowers."

Cl
apsonce!

"
Youmeanmyt
wocent
sfl
ower
s?"It
ease.

"
Hai
,vot
sekwena.
"

MaNgobesei
sback.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI
Ijustgotbackfrom Mabut ho'shouse.Lor dknowsIwi l
lnever
forgettheamazingt imeIhadwi thhisson.Givi
nghi m myvirgini
ty
wast hebestdecisionev er,
thewhol eexper i
encewasbet t
ert han
whatIhadi maginedi twouldbe.Idi dn'tsqui
rtl
ikeAmukelani
clai
msshedoes, butIf el
tpleasureli
kenoot her.Itwasobviously
uncomf ort
abl
eatf irstbutMabut hogotmet orelaxandIstarted
enjoyingmyselftoo.Hedi dn'twanttost opandIwant edtopl ease
him, hedeser
vedt hatmuchaf terbeingsopat i
entwithme.

Li
ket hegentl
emanhei s,Iwokeupt oabathwithsal
tsandoilsto
soothemygoodgi r
l.Shewasbur ni
ngfr
om all
theacti
vit
iesofthe
previ
ousday.Hehadt oleav emeathishousetogoattendhis
pati
entsbuthewashomef ourhour
slat
er.Hedidn'
ttr
ytohav e
sexagain,heunder
stoodt hatIwassti
ll
alit
tl
esore.Weonl y
spokeandcuddledont hecouch.

Iwashopi ngtofi
ndUndiphil
ehome, t
heysai
dtheywerecomi
ng
backtoJohannesburgyesterdaybutIhaven'
theardany
thi
ngfr
om
thebothofthem.Bythelookoft hingsshedi
dn'tcomeher
e,t
he
placeisexactl
yhowIlef
tityesterdaywhenIwentt omy
boyfri
endsplace.

Myphonechi
mesandi
t'
satextf
rom Mabutho.Thebut
terf
li
esi
n
mystomachgoat
adcr
azy.Sexdef
ini
tel
ychangesever
ythi
ngfor
t
hebett
er.
IMI
SSYOU.WI
SHIDI
DN'
TALLOW YOUTOLEAVE,
MYPRI
NCESS.

IblushandhitreplybutI'
m di
stur
bedbyaknock.Iquickl
ygoopen
soIcanbeabl etot extmymanback.Iturnthehandl
eandpul l
thedooropen, i
t'
sasecur i
tyguar
dstandingwit
hanotherdudeI
don'tknow.Thosear esomehugeassr oses,t
heymustbef r
om
Ebukat oUndiphi
le.He'st
heonlyonewhogoesov ert
het opwith
spoil
sf orhi
sgirl
fri
end.

"
LemohangMohapi
?"Theguywi
tht
her
osesasksandInodwi
th
afr
own.

"
Yes,
"Hegiv
esmethet
abl
etandIsi
gnt
oacknowl
edget
hatI
r
ecei
vedt
hedel
i
ver
y.

"
Thanky
ou,
"It
aket
her
osesf
rom hi
m.

Mabut
hoi
ssoromantic,
whendidheorderrosesandgetthem
del
i
ver
edsof
ast.Ipl
acethem ont
hecounterandrepl
ythetext.

IMI
SSYOUTOO.THEROSESLOOKAMAZI
NG.

Ipr
esssendandher
espondsi
nst
ant
ly.

ROSES?WHATROSES?
Huh?I shepl
ayingdumbort her osesar
ereall
ynotfr
om him?I
placemyphonedownandcheckf oranote,If
indoneburi
edin
theroses.Myhearti
sthuddinghar dagai
nstmychest.Whowould
sendmesuchbeaut if
ulroses?I'
m notthetypeofgir
ltohavea
secretadmir
er,
ImeanI '
m stil
ltr
y i
ngtofi
gureoutwhatmadea
handsomemanl i
keMabut holookmyway .

THANKYOUAGAI
N,MaMOHAPI
.

PLEASEHI
TMEONTHI
SNUMBER

0811234567

MAKHOSI
NI

It
sthehandsomest r
anger,theoneIbroughtwi thmefrom t
he
cl
ub.Ishouldhav echeckedt henotebeforethanki
ngmy
boyf
riendforrosessenttomebyanot hermen.Howam Igoi ngt
o
expl
ainthi
stoMabut howithoutfucki
ngupt hebeauti
fult
wodays
wespendt ogether?Myphonechi mes,star
tl
ingme.Ipicki
tup
andreadthetextbeforeclosingmyey es.

LEMOHANG!WHATROSES?
Thi
nkLemohang,
thi
nk.

THEONESI
NYOURGARDENBABE.ILOVEROSESANDIWAS
HOPI
NGTOCUTSOMEANDDECORATEMYBEDROOM.

Isl
apmy sel
fforl
yi
ngbutIcan'
ttel
lhi
mthetrut
h.Hemightnot
underst
andandpull
backfr
om me.Idon'
tneedusfi
ght
ingover
nothi
ng.

OHMYLOVE.NOW THATIKNOW I
'
LLGETYOUROSESEACH
WEEK.

Rel
i
eff
loodst
hroughme.

I
'
DLOVETHATVERYMUCH.IWANNASTUDY,
LET'
STALKLATER.

Thedooropensandi nwalksmybestf ri
end,
Lordi tf
eelsli
keI
haven'tseenherinforev
er.Idr
opmyphoneont hecounterand
hurrytoher,weembr aceeachotherwhilegi
ggli
ng.Wel etgoonly
tolaughlikehyenasagainandenvelopeeachotherintoanother
hug.Shemusthav ehadanamazi ngtimeinEasternCape,Iwish
homewasal sosogoodf orme.Thistimewel etgoforrealand
walkfurtheri
ntotheapartment.
"
Imi
ssedy
ourass,
"Iadmi
tandshebl
owsmeaki
ss.

"
Imissedyoutoof
ri
end.Wasev
ery
thi
nggoodwhi
l
eIwasgone?
"I
r
oll
myey es.

Undi
phi
l
eismot
herhen.

"Asyoucansee,
I'
m st
il
lst
andi
ngandsoi
sourapar
tment
."She
hit
smyshoulder
.

"
How'
sPeaches?
"Hersmi
l
efadesandwor
ryt
akesov
erme.
"
Undi
phi
l
e?"

Shet hr
owsher sel
fonthecouch,"Shecal
ledmehomet ocome
saygoodby e.Mygrandmotherhasendst ageheartf
ailure,
she' s
goingtodiesoon.Itmightbehoursfrom now,tomorrowort he
nextday,nooneknowswhenbutt hedoctorsknowf orsuret hat
i
t'ssoon."OhmyGod.Idon' tknowwhatt osay,myhear tbleeds
forher.Undiphi
lel
oveshergrandmotherwitheveryf
iberofher
being.

"I
'
m sor
rytohearthi
sbabe.Howareyouhol
dingup?
"Iset
tl
e
downnexttoherandcl
aspherhand.

"I
twashard,sti
llisbutshehasli
vedherl
ifebeauti
ful
ly.Lovedus
l
ikeweareherbl ood.Wedon'twanttoholdherbackwi t
ht ear
s
andheavyhearts.Shedeservest
hebestlastdays,f
il
ledwith
l
aughter
,nottearsandsorrow."I
'
m nodding,under
standingevery
wordshe'
ssay i
ng.

"
I'
m her
eify
ouneedt
otal
k."
"
Thanky
ou,
"herey
esmov
etot
heki
tchencount
er.

"Don'
ttel
lmet hosearefr
om myboy
fri
end.Ij
ustl
efthi
shousef
or
cryi
ngoutloud."Il
augh.

"Nah,
thosear
emi nebabe."Sherai
sesaney
ebr
ow.Cur
iosi
ty
evi
denti
nthosebeauti
fuleyes.

"Oh,
ohLemohang.Who'
stheguy?Whydidn'
tyout
ell
me
someonewaschasi
ngyou?"Ir
oll
myeyes.

"
Rel
axwi
l
lyou,
"Isayandshest
andsup,
headedf
ort
her
oses.

Iexpl
aint
hehandsomest
ranger
sdr
ama.

"Beaut
if
ullovest
ori
esst
artt
hisway
."OhGod."
Hav
eyoucal
l
ed
him?"Ishakemyhead.

"
I'
m notpl
anni
ngt
o."Shenar
rowsherey
es.

"Youhav
etocal
lhi
m,Lemohang.Youdeser
vesomeboyat
tent
ion
andsex.
"Tr
ustmeIhavebot
hnow.

"Ineedtofocusonmybooksandwor k.
"Shegroansinfr
ust
rat
ion
butthatdoesn'
tbotherme.Shetakesmyphoneandst ar
tsdi
ali
ng.
"Undiphi
l
e,whatareyoudoing?"Iaskbuti
t'
stoolat
e.

Myphonei
sonspeaker
,thel
i
net
ri
ll
i
ng.

"
Fri
end,
pleaseno.
"

"
Hel
l
o,"handsomest
rangeranswer
s.

Icanst
il
lrecogni
zehi
svoi
ce.

Myt
onguei
sti
ed.Undi
phi
l
egi
vesmeawar
ningl
ook.Thi
sbul
l
y!
"
Hai
bo!I
sany
onet
her
e?Hel
l
o?"Makhosi
niasks.

"
Uhm,
yes,
hi.
"If
inal
l
ygetmyv
oice.

"
Who'
sthis?
"Undi
phi
l
eissmi
l
ingl
i
keaf
ool
.I'
m goi
ngt
ogether
f
ort
his.

"Lemohang,thewai
tr
essf
rom t
hecl
ub.
"Ianswerhi
squest
ionand
hechuckles.

"Iknowwhoyouare,
MaMohapi .
"Myfr
iendt
hrowsherheadback
andstart
sdanci
ngcrazy
."It
akeity
ougotmyroses?Thankyou
again.
"

"
IfIgotamil
l
ionrandeachti
mey ousai
d"t
hankyou"
,Mot
sepe
wouldbeworr
yingaboutmetaki
ngoverhi
sspot
."Hi
sbar
it
one
voi
ceroar
swithlaught
er.

"Youaresomethi
ngel
se.Let'
sdolunchonFr
iday
,"Undi
phi
l
enods
herheadvigor
ousl
yandI'
m shaki
ngmine.

Ihav
eaboy
fri
end,
Ican'
tbeoutwi
thanot
herman.

"I
'
dloveto,
"Undi
answer
sforme.Thi
sbi
tch!Iam goi
ngt
o
str
angl
eher.

"
Good,I
'
llmakear
rangement
sandcommuni
cat
ewi
thy
ou.Thi
sis
y
ournumberri
ght
?"Hesoundsexci
ted.

"
Yeah,
thi
sismynumber
."

Weconcl
udet
hecal
lwi
thmyhear
tbeat
inghar
dagai
nstmychest
.

"Ihadmul
ti
pleor
gasmsfrom hear
inghi
sv oi
ce.HesoundsHOT!
"
Shesti
ckshert
ongueoutandwigglesi
t.
"
Eww!I
'
m goi
ngt
otel
lEbuka.
"It
hreat
enandshewagsaf
ingerat
me.

"Nomanishot
tert
hanmyObim,"Iloveseei
nghersohappy."
We
needt
ogetyouanoutf
itf
orFri
day.Youneedtobagthis
Makhosi
nil
ad.
"IhaveMabut
ho,Idon'twantany
oneelse.

"Ihav
eenoughcl
othest
ochoosefr
om. "Shesmacksherl
i
ps,
annoyedwi
thmefornotshowi
ngenthusiasm.

"
Comehel pmet
akemybagsoutoft
heboot
,"If
urr
owmy
f
orehead.

"
Boot
?"Sheheav
esasi
gh.

"Ebukaisobsessedwithconv
enienceandsaf ety,hebor
rowedme
hisBMW.Hedoesn' twantmel ateforschoolorappoint
ments."
Sher ol
lsherey
es."It
hinkhejustdoesn'twantothermanseeing
mest rol
ldownthestreett
ogetat axi
."Igiggl
e.Theyaresocute.

"
Lord,
whateverUndi
phi
l
esai
dinherpr
ayer
.Amen.
"Isendher
i
ntoafi
toflaught
er.

"
You'
reafool.
"Ismil
eandweheadout si
de."
DidIment
iont
hathe
metPeachesandsheli
keshi
m."Igasp.

"
Arey
ouf
orr
eal
?"Shenods,
smi
l
ingl
i
keaCheshi
recat
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER23

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"
Twi
rlf
orme,
"Ihav
enev
erbeensoannoy
edwi
thUndi
phi
l
e.

Shemademedr essupl
ikeI
'm goingonadat ewithaguywho's
tr
yingtowoome.Makhosi
nij
ustwant stosay"thankyou"f
orthe
hundredt
hti
me.He'
salr
eadyboughtmef lowers,Iwonderwhyhe
bothersr
eal
l
y."
Aow!MaMohapi .
"Ipinchherandshey el
ps
mov i
ngawayfr
om me.

"Seewhyyouneedt
ogoonthisdat
eandgetsomedi
ck?
"I'
ve
alr
eadyhadsomedi
ckdearf
ri
end.

"Ohjustbecauseyou'
vehadsomewestAf ri
cananaconda,t
he
worl
dneedsdi ck?
"Shebitesherlowerl
i
p,herey
eschangingli
keI
j
ustremindedherofsomedel i
ciousmemory.Memoriesofmy
brot
hersdick.

"Ebukahasruinedmef orot
hermen.Notj
ustemoti
onal
l
ybut
downt heret
oo, hebet
termarr
ymebecausewow."Iam t
hrown
i
ntoaf itofl
aughter
.Thisgi
rli
scr
azy.

"
Soi
t'
str
ue,
aboutt
hei
r.
..
youknow?
"

Cl
apsonce!

"
I'
ll
tellyouwhenyougethomeandt
ell
meaboutMakhosi
ni.We
wi
llexchangenot
es."If
rown.
"Tel
lyouwhataboutMakhosi
ni?
"Sheroll
shereyes.IknowIwas
supposedtoknowwhatshewasr ef
err
ingtoandnowt hatIdon'
t,
I'
m annoyi
ngher.

"
He'sZul
uandt
heirmendon'
tcl
ip.Lookbefor
eyoual
l
owhi
mto
makeyoumoanandscr
eam."That'
scrazy
.

Mabut
hoi
sZul
uandhe'
sci
rcumci
zed.

"
Okay
,"shegr
insl
i
keaf
ool
.

I
'
m notsl
eepi
ngwi
thMakhosi
ni,
butI
'
m notgoi
ngt
otel
lhert
hat
.

"Okaybabe,
letmegety
out
otheHOT"
wear
enotsur
eifhe'
s
cli
pped"Zul
uboy,
"

Bei
ngEbuka'
sgi
rl
fr
iendseemst
ohav
ewor
senedt
hisgi
rl
.

Oneday ,
justonedaysi ncethi
scarwasgi ventoherandshehas
tur
neditint
oagi rlycar
.Thecarkey sareli
nkedtoafluff
ypi
nkkey
ri
ng,thecarfreshenercontai
nerisfl
oralandhangi
ngf r
om t
he
revi
ewmi rr
or.Shedoesn'twastet i
me.Wedr i
veoutofour
apart
mentbui ldi
ngandshepl ayssomemusi c.

"Wonni ,wanwami ,I'

minSanFr anciscojammi ng.Wonni ,
wam
wami ,
wonni ,wam wami .Ijustfl
ewi ninfrom Miami."Shesings
alongandI '
ml ookingatheri ncompl eteshock.Nigeri
anisreall
y
sexuall
ytransmi t
ted."Li
stenchild,Peruisthehottestsongright
now, gi
veFireboyDMLhi sflowers."No, gi
veEbukahi sfl
owers.
Hisdickdeserv esastandingov ati
on.
"
Youknowhowt
ocookEgusi
andJol
l
ofy
et?
"It
ease.

"
Iwasact
ual
lygoi
ngtoaskObi
mtoaskhi
shousehel
pert
oteach
me.
"Il
aughoutl
oud.

"
Yano,
you'
reagonegi
rlmyf
ri
end.
"Shesmacksherl
i
ps.

"Youaski
ngmet hatcozyou'
resneaky,It
houghty
ouwere
genui
nelyaski
ngyoufool.
"She'
ssmi l
i
ngamused."Youshoul
dbe
googl
ingMakhosini
'scl
annames."WTF?

"
Whywoul
dIdot
hatagai
n?"

Sheyiel
dsthecaratt
heoff
rampandl ookstotheoncoming
tr
aff
ic,t
her
e'sonecar
.Onceithaspassed,Undij
oinstheroad.

She'
sasmoothdr
iver
,al
waysobeyi
ngt
her ul
esofther
oad.Ial
so
wanttol
ear
nhowtodriv
e,shemakesi
tlooksoeasy.

"Zul
umanl ov
ethatshit,
Iswearhe' dt
akey ouhomet omeet
mamai mmediatel
y."I
'
m donewi ththi
s.She'stheonewhois
supposedtobegoingont hi
slunchmeet i
ngwi thMakhosi
ni
becauseshe'
stheonewhoaccept edthei
nv i
te.

Myphonechi mes, Itakeitoutfrom myhandbag.It

'satextf
rom
Mabutho, welastspokei nthemor ni
ng,whenhewasonhi sway
tocourt
.Hel eftforDur bany est
erday,t
hei
rcourtappear
ancefor
dri
nki
ngundert heinfluencewast oday.He'
sbeensost r
essed
andIfeltbadbecauset hewasnot hi
ngIcoulddo.Butaccor
ding
tomyboy fri
endmybodywasenoughdest r
ucti
on.Iswearhe'
s
goi
ngt oturnmei ntoasexf r
eak.
YOUCANSTOPSTRESSI
NGMYLOVE.

THEYFI
NEDUS,
I'
VEALREADYMADEAPAYMENT.

Isighi nr el
ief.Lif
ecangobackt onor mal.Ihopet hisi
sal esson
l
ear nedf orhi m.Hecan' tber eckl
ess, hehassomucht oloose.
Hisl i
febei ngt hefirstont helongl i
st .Biler
isesf r
om myst omach
andbur nsmyt hroat ,Lord,Icannoti magi neal i
fewi t
hout
Mabut ho.I'
v ebeenf eeli
ngsanesi nceImethi m, helovesme
perfect l
yandt akescar eofmyment al heal
thtoo.Noonebet ter
under standsmet hewayMabut hodoes.Hef i
ll
sthisvoidIhav e
alway sf elt
,thev oidleftbymyf atherwhenhewal kedoutand
nevercameback.Av oidthatgotbi ggerwhenmymot herdecided
totapoutofr eali
tyandl eavemet obeapar enttomysi bl
ing
whenIwasj ustachi ldmy sel
f.

THANKGODFORTHAT.

HetextsbackaheartandIsendoner ightback.At
leastIkeptmy
pokerf
aceon, Undi
phil
ewon'tbeaskingmeami ll
i
onquest i
ons.
Thatoneisadetecti
ve,i
fhernosecatchesascentbesur eshe's
goi
ngtosniffunti
lshefi
ndssomethingf orr
eal.

Iam dyi
ngtotel
lmyfr
iendsaboutmyboy fr
iendbutIcan'
tbetr
ay
himli
kethat,
hehasmor etolooseandIwon'tbesel
fi
shandput
thati
njeopar
dy.I
'
mjusthopingUndiphi
leandAmukelaniwil
l
underst
andwhenwefinall
ygopublicwhywehadt okeepour
r
elat
ionshi
pundert
hecar
pet
.

"
Wear ehere,
"Undi
phi
l
esay
s,br
ingi
ngmebackf
rom myt
rai
nof
t
houghts.

"
Thatwasquick,
"Isayl
ooki
ngout
sidet
hewi
ndow.Thesl
eek
r
est
auranti
sbythecorner
.

"Hehast ast
e,I'
vebeenher ewithAmukel anif
ortheirl
obster.
"Of
coursetheyhave.Iknowf orafacttheyhadcol dfoodbecause
beforetheyeattheytakepictur
esoftheirplat
esforInstagram.
Thatlif
eishard,Iwouldrathernotquali
fytobear ichaunt.

"
Ihopet
heyhav
efoodIcanpr
onounce.
"Shel
aughsatme.

"Don'
tbesil
l
y,Lemo.
"Ir
ollmyey
es."
I'
m dyingtoseeMakhosini
butIdon'
twanthi
mtothinky
ouhavecrazyfr
iends.
"Sheadds.

"
Ishoul
dgeti
nsi
det
hen,
"Isayopeni
ngt
hedoor
.

"Wait
,"Isi
tbackdownandl ookather."Don'
tsleepwithhim
becauseIsaidso, Iwasj
ustkiddi
ng.Ij
ustwanty outohavesome
funandletloose,Lemohang.Youarealwaysbusymaki ngsure
thatyousecurethebagforAtangandy oufor
gety ou'
re20years.
Gocrazytoday ,
justnott
oocrazy.
"Ismi l
esweetlyather.

Iappr
eci
atet
hisgi
rlsomuch.

"
Ilov
eyou,
Undi
phi
l
e."Isay
.

"Il
oveyou,
too,beaut
if
ul.
"Igetoutofthecarandcl
osethedoor
befor
ebendingdowntotalktoherthr
oughthewindow.
"
Thanksf
ort
her
ide,
"Shewi
nksatmeandst
art
stheengi
ne.

Iwatchasshedr i
vesawayandwhenshehasdi sappear edinto
thetraffi
c,Itakeadeepbr eathandheadt otheent rance.The
hostessi sstandingbehi ndhert abl
e,looki
ngatt hecomput er
screenwhenIwal ki
n.Icl earmyt hroatandofferherasmi l
e.She
greetsmeandIexpl aint hatI'm meetingMakhosi ni
.Sheusher s
met ot hetablewher ehe' salreadywaiti
ng.Thisplacescr eams
expensi v
e,I'
m sur eaglassoft apwateris1mi l
li
on.She' smov ing
swiftl
ybet weent hetablesi nherkil
lerheel
sandI 'mf oll
owing
behindl i
ketheGr ootmanLemohangIam.You' df ir
stlyhavetoput
agunt omyheadf ormet owearhi ghheels.Evenwi t
hthat,I'
l
l
havet obeconv incedthaty ou'l
lpul
lthetri
ggerforr eali
fIdon't.

"
Mr.Lukhel
e,Miss.Mohapihasarr
ived.
"Sheannouncest
o
Makhosi
niwhowasenj oy
inghisdri
nkwhilel
ooki
ngoutthe
wi
ndow.Hejerksupwhenheseesme.

"
MaMohapi
,you'
reher
e."If
rown.

"
Idi
dsayI'
m coming,soyesI
'm her
e."Hechuckl
esandl
ooksat
t
hehost
ess,t
hankingherbef
oreshewalksaway.

"Yousayt
hanky
ouqui etalot
."Her
oundst
hetabl
etomysi
de
andopensmychai
r.Isett
ledownandhegoesbackt
ohi
sseat
.

"MaNgobeset
aughtus,
thankyouandpl
easel
i
keourl
i
ves
dependedoni
t.
"Hesayswithasil
l
ysmil
e.
"
Yourmot
her
?"Henods.

"Yep.Comet othinkofit,youhaveherwi
ttandcharm.
"He
chuckles."
I'
ddief r
om laughterwi
thyout
woi nthesameroom.
"
HeinsiststhatI
'
mf unny,Iguesshe'
snev
erheardofTrev
orNoah.

"
Thi
spl
acei
suhm.
..f
ormal
."Heheav
esasi
gh.

"
Iknowr
ight
,Jesus.I
t'
sdepr
essi
ng.Butt
hef
oodi
sgr
eat
."If
rown.

"
Whatdi
dyouchoosei
tthen?
"Her
aisesaney
ebr
ow.

"It
houghty
ou'
dli
keit
,womenl
ovef
inedi
nni
ng.
"Iwi
denmyey
es
andshakemyhead.

"IguessI'
m amant hen,It
'sclassybutitl
ackscomf or
t.
"Henods
i
nagr eement."
I'
dbescar edtoev enlaugh,
"Isayandheburst
s
outlaughi
ng.Otherpatr
iotslookourwayandwegi ggl
e.

"
See?
"Henods.

"
Wannagetoutofher
e?"

"Ther
e'snoexi
tfee?"Iaskgenuinel
yandhet
hrowshi
sheadback
andlaughs,
bel
lyroari
nglaughter.

"
Makhosi
ni,
"Iwarnhim buthedoesn'
tcare.He'
sdy
ingwi
th
l
aught
er,
eventear
ingup.Lord,t
hisguy.

"Yoh!MaMohapi
.Wherethehel
lhav
eyoubeen?
"I'
m not
underst
andi
ngsoIj
ustshrugmyshoul
der
s.

I
'
minthepassengerseatofhi
sLamborghiniUr
us,
sothi
sismy
l
i
fenow?I
'mrubbingshoulder
swit
htherich.Hemustt
eachme
howt
omakemoney,Ij
ustcan'
tchil
lwi
thmoneyandnotknow
howt
omakei
t.Ir
efusetobetheicegi
rlwhenwegotogroov
e.

"
Yourcari
sabeast
,"Icompl
i
ment
.

"
Wannadr
iveher
?"Nowi
t'
smyt
urnt
olaugh.

"
Doy
ouwantt
odi
e?"Iaskandhef
rowns.

"
Youdon'
tdr
ive?
"Heaskswi
thnar
rowedey
es.

"
Idr
iveUndi
phi
l
ecr
azy
,Ij
ustdon'
tdr
ivecar
s."Henods.

"I
'
m anexcel
lentt
eacher
,It
aughtMvel
o.Innotimeshewas
perf
ect.Weshoul
dmaket i
meforsomelessons.
"Hesays
exci
tedly
.

Whoi
sMv
elo?

"
Arey
oui
nsane?Lessonswi
thaLambor
ghi
n?"wahl
any
ao?

"
No,
I'
ll
makeapl
ant
ogetsomet
hingsmal
l
."

"Wherearewegoing?
"Iask,changi
ngthesubj
ect.Agr
eei
ngt
o
himteachi
ngmehowt odr
ivemeansusspendingmoreti
me.
Thati
snotright
,notf
aironMabutho.

"Whatdoyouwanttodo?I'
m gameforanyt
hing."Inar
rowmy
eyes.Remember
ingwhatUndiphi
l
esaidtomei nthecar.

"
Iwanttoskipwor ktoni
ghtandhavesomef un,letloose.Dri
nk
maybe,getali
tt
letipsyandlaughatst
upidthings.Tal kabouthow
messedupoureconomyi s,
blamethepresidentf ormyf at
her
l
eavi
ngandmay bethrowinsomeconspiracyt heories.Ij
ustwant
tobeLemohangwi t
houtresponsi
bil
i
tiestoday."Isayandturnt
o
fi
ndhi mlooki
ngatmewithast oi
cexpression.WasIt oodeep?
"I
'm sorr
y,Idi
dn'
tmeantogetintomyf eel
ings."Heshakeshis
head.

"Tobehonest
,Ineedt
hatt
oo.
"Hest
art
stheengi
neandandsi
t
backandrel
ax.

Makhosinitol
dmet ostayput,herushedinsidethemall40
minutesago.Iusedtheopportuni
tytocallKabel
o, mymanager
andtoldhim Iwon'
tbecomi ngthroughbecauseI '
m si
ck.Het
old
met otakeiteasyandnotrush,he'ssweetli
kethat.

Final
l
yMakhosi niapproachesthecarpushingatrol
l
ey.Heopens
thebootandl oadsev eryt
hing.Aft
erami nuteort
wohecl i
mbsi n
thecarwi t
hapl asti
cfrom pick'npayandhandsittome.Ipeep
i
nsideandt here'sabot t
leofDonJulio1942andcansofr edbull
.
Whatt heactual f
uck!Howl oadedisthisguy?Thi
sbottl
eisfucki
n
expensive,onl
ybi gball
ersbuyt hi
sattheclub.

"
Wasn'
tther
eanyaf
for
dabl
etequi
l
asi
nthest
ore?
"Iask.

"Notformytastepall
et,"heanswers,buckl
i
ngup.Igavehim dr
y
ginworthR350theot herdayandhedr i
nkstequi
lawort
hacouple
ofthousandrands.Ihopehedi dn'
tgetanall
ergi
creact
ion.

"
So,Igoty
ousomet hing.
"Hesay swi
tht
hebiggestsmi
l
e."Ihope
i
tst
hestartofusdoingcrazyt
hingst
hatar
eoutofcharact
erfor
t
hebothofus."Headds.
"
Whati
sit
?"I
'
m cur
ious.

"
Lord,
itwast
hri
l
li
ng.I
'
venev
ershopl
i
ftedi
nmyl
i
fe.
"Myey
es
wi
den.

"Youst
olet
hisbot
tl
eof42?Makhosi
ni!
"Hel
aughsshaki
nghi
s
head.

"No,Idoubtpick'npaysell
sDonJul ioany way.
"Isighi
nrel
ief
."I
haveaf ewoft hosei
nmyboot ,
takealotdeli
verstomyoffi
cesoI
keptthem inthebootandf or
gottotaket hem out
.Ibought
ever
y t
hingelseexceptthi
s,"f
rom hisjacketheproducesabarof
chocolateandIburstoutlaughi
ng.

"
Dude,
arey
ouser
ious?
"Henods.

Hehast
hismi
schi
evousl
ookt
hatmakeshi
mlooky
oung.

"
Bef
oret
odayI
'
venev
erev
enst
olena10csweet
,"Ihi
ghf
ivehi
m.

"Proudofy ou,
buddy.
"Het akesthebot
tl
eoftequi
lafr
om meand
opensit.Therearenocups,wherearewegoingtomix?Iwatch
himt r
apt hebrownbot
tl
ebet weenhist
highsandopenthecanof
redbull.

"Toournewbadi
nfluencefri
endshi
p."Hesaysandt akesasipof
42thenther
edbul
l.Okaywear edri
nkingstr
aightfrom t
hebottl
e,
Icandothat
.Hehandsi tt
omeandIwi l
ladmi t
,itt
astesreal
l
y
good.

"
Ihat
ey oual
ready,
"hestar
tstheengi
neandf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
n
myli
feIdon'
tcarewhathappensnext
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER24

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

"
Hi,
thi
sisLemohang.Pl
eas-
"

Fuck!Fuck!Fuck!

Icurseout, bangingmyphoneont hest eeringwheel .Iam goi ng

toloosemymi ndev enfurt
her .Thi
sgi r
lisreallytestingmer ight
now, whatbul l
shitisthi
s?I'vebeent ryi
nghercel l sincey esterday
butittakesmest rai
ghttov oicemail.Lemohangi sdr i
vi
ngme
i
nsane.Thi sisn'thowt hisissupposedt ogo, ImeanIt ookher
vi
rginit
yaf ewday sago.Sheshoul dber unningaf terme, blowi ng
upmyphonewi t
hcal l
sandt exts.Dyingt ohav emyat tenti
onand
l
oosi nghermi ndwhenIdon' tgiveittoher .She'stheonewho' s
supposedt obef eel
ingthisway ,notme.

Itakeagulpofmydr i
nkandcri
ngeasi tburnsmyt hroat.Ineedto
checkwheresheisri
ghtnow,hermov ement sfr
om lastni ght
wereconfusi
ng.Shewasmov i
ngf rom pl
acet opl
ace, onemi nut
e
shewasatacl ubinSandt
on,t
henextshewasi nthemi ddleof
theroad,
thennextatsomehotel.Shebetternotbecheat ingon
me, I
fsheknowswhat '
sgoodforherthenshewon' tev englance
atmanwhoi sn'tme.
Iwoul dflybacktoJohannesburgimmediatel
ybutIneedt odeal
wi t
hthis.I'
mt i
redofmyf at
herblowi
ngmyphoneandmaki ng
noiseabouthi swifeaski
ngforme.Comi ngtothisplaceisthe
l
astt hi
ngIwant ,
thememor i
eshauntmef r
om rightunderthis
tree.I'
vebeenpar kedher
eforacoupleofhours,contemplating
onwhet hert
ogoort urnback,bl
ockhisnumberandf or
getthat
theyexist.

Iblowoutasi ghandst arttheengi neofthi sr entedFor dRanger ,

i
t'stheper fectcartodr i
vei nthisrockyar ea.Myf athershousei s
situatedaf ewki l
omet er sf r
om ther estoft hev i
llage.Theonly
peopl ewhoev ercomecl oset ot hathousear ehi scli
entsandt hey
aren'tpeoplef rom aroundher e.Gr owingupi nt hisplacewasa
nightmar e,Idon'thav eonegoodmemor yf rom mychi ldhood.My
fatherturnedmymot herandIi ntosl avesandki dsatschool didn'
t
wantt ocomeany wher enearme, theybeliev edIwasawi tchjust
l
ikemyf ather.Iwant edt oqui tschool atonepoi ntbutitwasan
escapeofsomesor t,fort hosefewhour sIwasf r
eef r
om my
fatherandhi st or
ture.

Iki
l
ltheengi
neoutsi
det
hey
ard,
ther
e'snooneonsi
te,
just
chi
ckensandgoat
s.

AssoonasIst epoutofthecarastrongsmell
ofmut i
hit
smy
nostri
lsandget si
nmyt hroat,
choki
ngme.Damn, heshouldbe
chargedforairpol
lut
ion.Howdot heyevensur
vivei
t?Thesmelli
s
nauseati
ng,I'
m goingtohav eonehell
ofaheadachebytheti
meI
l
eav
ethi
spl
ace.

I
t'stooquiethere,themai nhousedoori sclosed.Hemustbei n
hisndomba, mixingherbsandr ootstocont i
nuet ormenting
peopleandper f
or mingrit
ualswit
hpoorani mal st hathavetobein
thewi l
dnotusedt ogivepeopleriches.Iroundt hehouseandget
totheback, myhear tdropsint
omyst omachatt hesightofmy
mot her.Event
hedev i
lwouldfeelsomethingf r
om seei ngherin
thi
sst ate.

At
earf
all
sfr
om myey
e,nooneshoul
dseet
hei
rmot
herl
i
ket
his.

She'ssitt
ingundert hetree,huggi
ngherkneescl osetoherchest
andr ockinghersel
fbackandf ort
h.Shel ookslikeamadwoman,
herhairisamess, Isweartherear emi t
esli
vinginthatsteel
wool.
Thedi rt
yov erwasheddr essshe'swear ingbreaksmyst onecold
heart.Whydi dshesubj ecthersel
ft othi
skindofl i
fe?Whydidn't
shefightt ofr
eeher sel
ffrom theclutchesofthatbastard?Islowl
y
makemywayt owardsher ,
witheachst epItakeangertakesov er
me.Iwantt opunchmyf atherinthefaceuntilnoonecan
recognizehim.

"
Mama,
"Itcomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

Shelooksupatmewit
hthosehaunt
ed,
li
fel
essey
es.Idon'
tthi
nk
shecanrecogni
zeme.
"Getawayfr
om me, getaway.
"Shescreamsandgetsonherfeet.
Shetri
estorunawaybutachainpul
lsherbackandshefal
ls.He
hasheronelegchainedtothetr
ee,
whatkindofevi
lnessi
sthis?
Theashylegisevenbleedi
ngwerethechai
niscuff
ingher
.

"Don'
tkil
lmeplease,
Ididn'
ttel
lthem anyt
hing.Theykeepaski
ng
butI'
m notsay
inganythi
ng,Ipr
omi se.
"Shecrieshyst
eri
cal
ly.

Mymi ndgoesbackt owhenIwasal i

tt
leboyandshewoul dact
l
ikethis.Myfatherwouldf eedhermut ithatwouldknockherout
fordaysandday s.I'
dthinkshedi edbutmyf atherwouldtel
l me
thatshe'l
lwakeupf eel
ingbet t
er.Yes,shewoul dst
opthinking
peoplewer eaft
erherandal lbutshewoul dbemut eanddet ached
from r
ealit
ymor ethanthel asttime.Ihopedandpr ayedthatone
dayshewi llr
eali
zethatther e'
slifeoutthere,
awayf r
om myf ather
.
Thatshewoul dsnapoutofi tandr unawaywi thmebuti tnev er
happened.

Iheaveasi
ghandkneeldowninfr
ontofher,shecurledher
sel
f
i
ntoaball
,say
ingthi
ngsthatmakezerosense.Ibrushherbacki
n
ci
rcl
esandshetenses.

"I
t'
sme, Mabutho.Yourson."Myv oi
cei
shoarse."Whydoy ou
al
lowthismant odothistoy ou?Whycan'
tyoufindthewil
lpower
andstandupf oryour
self
?"Iam desper
ateforananswerbutit
's
notcoming,notfr
om awomanwhoi si
nadeepdar kpit
.

"
She'
snotgoi
ngt
oanswery
ou,
mymut
ihasn'
thel
pedi
nweeks.
Shehasgonecompl
etel
yinsane.
"Myf
athersay
sbehi
ndme.

Iquickl
ygetonmyf
eetandchar
get
othebast
ardwi
thf
olded
fi
sts.

"Idar
eyout ohi
tme,gi
vemear easontotur
nyouint
ooneofmy
zombies.
"Istopinmytr
acksandclenchmyjaws.Br
eat
hing
heavi
lybecauseoft
herageIam f
eeli
ng.

"Howdareyouti
eherupli
keadamndog?"Iaskandhepeeps
overmyshoul
derbef
oresmacki
nghi
sli
ps.

"Yourmot herisunstableMabut ho,shespeaksofthingsthatdon'

t
exist.Mymut idoesn'tworkonherany more,whatwasIsupposed
todo?Leav ehert oroam thest r
eet
sandr i
skt hevi
ll
agerskill
i
ng
her?I st
hatwhaty ouwant ?"Ilookathimfrom headt otoe.He
l
ooksexact lyhowhedoesev eryot
herday,wrappedi nSangoma
clothsandwear i
ngf l
ipflops.Smell
inghorri
blyandlookingli
kethe
dev i
lhimself
.

"Whydon'tyouj
usttakehertoherpeopl
e?Youar
enott
reat
ing
herl
ikeyourwif
e,Baba."Isayqui
etl
y.

Thi
smandr
ainsme.

Hebreaksi
ntol
aught
erandIf
rown,
wonder
ingwhatf
unnyt
hing
cameoutofmymouth.

"Oh,Mabutho.Hav
eyouev
ermetany
onef
rom y
ourmot
her
's
side?
"Ishakemyhead.

"That
'sbecausetheyalsodon'
twanther
.Maweni'spar
ents
dumpedherher ebecausetheycoul
dn'
tunder
standher,
couldn'
t
under standwhyshespoket oher selfandf oughtinvi
sibl
ethings.
Theyaskedmet ohelpherandIt ri
edbutnot hingworked.Iwent
tof i
ndt hem andtheywer en'
tthere, t
heypackedandl eft
.Ikept
hersoshecoul dwor kformeandpayherdebt ssi
nceherpar ent
s
didn'tleaveacent."I'
m bl
inki
ngr apidly,breakingasweat ."
Stop
thinkingy ouknowt hi
ngs,Mabut ho.Isav edy ourmother,Igave
youl i
feandy oushoul dbegrateful."Unbelievable!

"
Andyoudecidedt
osleepwit
hher,
knowinghowshei
s,y
ousl
ept
wi
thherandgaveherachi
l
d."Heshakeshi
shead.

"
Iam amanMabut ho,Ihav
eneedsthatmygi
ftcannotf
ulf
il
l.I
t
ookcareofheranditwasonlyf
airt
hatshet
ookcareofmet oo.
"
Whatnonsense?Whatiswrongwit
hthi
sman?

"Youar esick,
"hechor t
lesandt hatannoy sthehel loutofme.I
hatet hisman, hat ehim wi t
hev eryfiberofmybei ng.Idecideto
l
ookatmymot her ,hersituati
oni shear twrenching.Asadoct or,
I'
m star ti
ngt othi nkthatt hi
sisn'tspiri
t ual,mymot hermightbe
suff
er ingfrom ment alhealthissues.I'm goi ngt ohav et
oexplain
hersy mpt omsandr eacti
onst oapsy chi at
rist,j
ustt obesure.
May beshecoul dn'thelpher selffrom myf at herbecauseshewas
alr
eadyf i
ght i
ngot herthingsinternally.Thef actthathefedher
muti andabusedhermi ghthav emadet hi
ngswor se.Maybeshe
needssav ing,may beIcansav eher .Butwher edoIst ar
t?Ineed
somesav i
ngmy self.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU
"IknowItoldhert
ohavefunbutIdi
dn'
tsaysheshoul
dgoMI
A,"I
complai
nt omyboy f
ri
end,
fort
hehundredt
hti
me.

"
Baby
,she'
l
lshowup.
"Ishakemyheadasi
fhecanseeme.

"I
t'
sunlikeLemohangtoswit
choffherphone,t
onotsleepat
home.Iam r eal
l
yworri
edher
e,maybeIshouldgoreporther
missi
ng. "It
hrowmysel
fonthecouchandmopmyf acewiththe
palm ofmyhand.

"Iunderstand,mylove,
butit
'stoosoontoi
nvol
vet
hecops.I
fshe
doesn'tshowupi nthenextfewhoursI'
l
lmakeapl
an,
"nowhe's
tal
king.I'
m goingoutofmymi ndbecauset
hisi
ssooutof
characterforLemohang.

"
Thanky
ou,
Obi
m."Isaymeekl
y.

"Anythi
ngforyou."Howdi dIgett
hisl
uckyinJohannesburg?Men
hereareknownt obetrashbutforsomereasonIbaggedmy sel
f
thereal
est."
Youar est
illcomingr
ight
?"HeaskshopefulandI
smilefr
om eartoear.Ilovehowhewant stoal
way sspendtime
withme.Idon'thavetobegf orhi
satt
enti
on,hegivesitt
ome
wil
li
nglyandfull
y.

"
Iam st
il
lcomi
ng,
"

"
Andy
ou'
recooki
ngf
ory
ourhusband,
yes?
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

He'
snowobsessedwit
hmyf ood,eacht
imeI'
m overatthehouse
hef
orcesmetotheki
tchenandenjoyst
heshow.Iloveitt
hough,
wegettobondandl
earnmorethi
ngsabouteachother.

"
Whatdoy
ouwantt
oeatsoIcanheadt
othesuper
mar
ketonmy
wayt
her
e?"Heheav
esasi
gh.

"
Sur
pri
seme, Mr
s.Okaf
or.
"Weconcludeourcal
landIfl
i
pthr
ough
t
hechannel
stof
indsomethi
ngent
ertai
ningt
owatch.

Thedooropensandi nwal ksLemohangandaguyIdon' t

recogni ze.Theylookjaded,l
ikeshit.Myf ri
endisbar efoot,
holdingat al
lbrownbottl
eandacanofr edbul l
.Herhandbagi s
hangi ngf r
om theguysneckandhehashershoesi nhishand.
Thismustbet heguyshewentonadat ewi th.Heishot ,
thevoice
definitelymatchestheface.Theyl ookcut etogetherI'
l
ladmitbut
ri
ghtnowIwantt omurderthem formaki ngmewor rysomuch.I
j
erkupandputmyhandsonmywai st,
ey ebrowr ai
sedandr eady
togivet hem api eceofmymi nd.

"
Pleasedon'
tshoutbabe,
"Lemohangpl
eadswi
thmeandIpout
.

"Don'
tev
erswit
choffyourphonewhenyou'
reoutwit
hastranger
,
Lemohang.I
'
veneverbeensoworri
ed,
"Isaycal
m enough.

"Iknowfr
iendandI
'
m sorryf
orwor
ryi
ngy
ou.
"Sheki
ssesmy
cheekandIcli
ckmytongue.

"Myapol
ogi
es,
it'
sall
myf aul
t.
"Theguyqui
ckl
ysay
s.Sucha
gent
lemanf
ortaki
ngtheblame

"
It
'sokay.I
'
m Undi
phi
l
e,Lemo'
sfr
iend.
"Ihol
doutmyhandandhe
t
akesit.

"
Makhosi
ni,
it'
sni
cet
omeety
ou.
"Inodwi
thagenui
nesmi
l
e.
"MaMohapi
,thanksf
orbei
ngabadinfl
uenceonme.Ihadthe
mostamazingti
me,oneIwon'
tfor
geti
nahur r
y."Hesay
sandI
smil
e,wi
deningmyeyesatLemohang.

"Ri
ghtbackaty
a,buddy
."Shewi
nksathi
m dr
amat
ical
l
yandt
hey
bothl
augh.

Ohokay
.It
'shappeni
ngmos.

"Ishouldgetgoi
ng,Ihavetofacehurri
caneCebisi
lebef
oregoi
ng
tosleep.I
'l
lcal
lyouintheeveningtocheckin.
"Iwatchthem
shareahug, t
here'
szeroawkwar dnessher
e.You'dswearshe'
s
knownhi m si
nceforev
er.

"Okay,
dri
vesaf
ely
."Theyf
istbumpandhebi
dsmegoodby
e
befor
eheadi
ngbacktothedoortol
eave.

"
Notsi
gni
nghi
m out
?"Iask.

"
Nah,t
oldsecur
it
ytor
egi
sterhi
m onmyl
i
st.
"Shi
tIhav
en'
tdone
t
hatf
ormyman.

"
Thatmeansy
ou'
l
lbeseei
ngmor
eofhi
m?"Thi
sisgood.

Sheneedst ost
artdati
ngandenjoyi
nghertwent
ies.Idon'
tknow
anyonewhowor kshardert
hanLemohangatourage.She's
focusedonmakinglif
eeasyforherbrot
herandforget
stoli
veher
l
ifeforhersometi
mes.

"Yeah,he'
sgoodpeopl
e.Want
stoteachmehowtodr
ive.
"Inod
slowly
,giv
ingherabi
ggri
n."
What?
"Sheaskswit
hafr
own.

"
Nothi
ng,
I'
mjusthappyt
hatyouhadanamazingti
me."Shetakes
asi
pofherdr
inkandonl
ythendoIseewhatshe'
sdri
nking.
Nof
ucki
nway
.

"Bi
tchwait
,Ineedtot
akeapi ct
ureofthat42f
ormygr
am.
"Isay
snatchi
ngthebott
lef
rom herhands.

"
Undiphi
l
e!"Shegr
owl
s."
SeewhyIhat
ethi
sInst
agr
am shi
t?"Ij
ust
l
aughather.

"
Wher edidyouguysgo?Whatdi
dy oudoallnight
?"Iaskandthat
mischi
evoussmilemakesmemor ecuri
ous."Lemo?"Icoaxher
i
ntotell
i
ng.

"
I'
venev
erdonesomanyst upid,r
eckl
esst
hingsi
noneni
ght,
Undi
phi
l
e.Anditfel
tfucki
n'good.
"Youdon'
tknowhowhappythat
makesmemyf ri
end.

"
Ineedt
ohearev
ery
thi
ng,
"shegr
oans,
shaki
ngherhead.

"
Ineedsl
eep.I
'
llt
ell
youev
ery
thi
ngwhenIwakeup.
"Ohnoshe
i
sn'
t.

"I
'
m goi
ngt
oseeEbuka.Justgi
vemealit
tl
esomet
hing,
please.
"I
gi
vehermypuppyey
es.Theyal
waysgetmewhatIwant.

"Hest oleachocol at eforme.Thenwegotf ooddownt ownand

wentt oparkint hemi ddleoftheroadandsatont opofhi scar,
tal
kingaboutst aff.Laterwewentt otheclubandj oinedagr oup
ofpeopl ewedon' tknow, lef
thiscaratthepar kinglotandt ooka
cab.Heaskedt hedr iv
ertostopcozIwant edt othrowup, Iwas
surprisedbutIpl ay edalong.Igotoutthecabandhej oineda
secondl at
er,outofnowher ehetell
smet or unli
kemyl i
fe
dependedoni t.Thedr i
verwashaili
nginsultsatus, itwasso
thr
ill
ingandcr azy .Wehadt owalkther estoft hewayt othehot el
.
Wegotint
omoreshitt
herebef
orewepassedout."OhLor
d.
That
'swhathemeantwhenhesaidbadi
nfl
uence.Theyar
estupi
d.

"
Nosex?
"That
'st
hemosti
mpor
tantquest
ion.

"
Nah,hedi
dn'
ttr
yany
thi
ng.Li
keIsai
d,he'
sgoodpeopl
e."Oh
t
hankGod.

Iwouldhavehatedf
orhert
olooseherpur
it
ywhi
l
ebei
ngst
upi
d
drunkandcrazy
.

Idon'
tknowwhatI '
m goingt omakef orEbuka,I
'mjustbuyi
ng
i
ngredientsthatInormall
yuse.I '
l
ldecidewhenIgett othehouse.
Ishouldtalktohim aboutaskinghishousehelpertoteachme
howt ocooksomeoft heNi geri
ancuisinesheenjoysthemost.
ThesoonerIl ear
n,thebetter.Myboyfriendisafoodiesoknowing
howt ocookt hi
ngshel oveswi l
lmakemehappy .

Whyam Iinthebabysection?Seethisthi
ngifr ear
rangi
ngthe
stor
e,annoy
ing.Ther
e'sacoupleinthisai
sle,themani spushi
ng
thetr
oll
eyandthegir
llookingatbabyproduct.Theyhavetheir
backstome.

"
Whenwi
l
lyoust
artshoppi
ngf
ort
hebaby
?"Thegent
lemanasks.

"Iam 7andahal fmont hsnow,love.I

'l
lsoonbuytheit
emsIdidn'
t
getdur i
ngthef i
rstbabyshopping."Sheexplai
nsasIpushmy
trol
leypastthem.It urntofacethem soIcangreet,
Peaches'
teachings.Iknow, Iknow.
Myeyeslandont hegentlemanandIt
hinkIknowhimf rom
somewhere,no,heresemblessomeoneIknowv er
ywel l
.Iwr
ack
mybrai
nandal mostdr opdeadwhenIfi
nal
lypinpointwhohe
l
ooksli
ke.

OhmyGood.

Thi
sisMr
.Nkov
ani
,Amukel
ani
'
sfat
her
.

Whatishedoingwit
hapr egnantwomanwhoi sn'
thi
swi f
e?Why
i
sshecalli
nghimlove?IwonderifAmuandhermom knowabout
thi
s.Wil
lIbeexpect
edtotellherwhatIj
ustsaworit
'snotmy
busi
ness?Irushtot
hetil
ltopaysoIcanleavethi
splacebef
oreI
canseemor eofwhatIshoul
dn't.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER25

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Makhosi
ni,
openthi
sdoor.
"Whyi
sMvel
oscr
eami
ngandbangi
ng
onmydoort hi
searl
ymorni
ng,
God.

"Haihaihai,whywouldy ouwakey ourbrotherl

ikeamadwoman,
Mv el
o?"That '
sMaNgobeseaski ng.Iwouldreall
ylovet
oknowt oo
becausenotonl yisshebeingcrazy,she'
sbeingdisr
espect f
ul.I
slowlygetoffmybedandpushmyf eetinmymor ni
ngsleeper .
Theyar ehavinganargumentandi t'
sonlybyGodt hatMv elo
hasn'tcatchedaslapfortalki
ngbackatmymom.Iopent hedoor
andfoldmyar ms,whatevershe'
srantingaboutbett
erbegood
becauseI '
mt ry
ingtoregainmystrengthfrom doi
ngallt
hose
crazythingswithMaMohapi .

"
What
?"Iaskbor
edandshechuckl
es.

"
Sothi
sistheassholeyou'v
ebecome,"Ibli
nkandl
ookatmy
mot
her,shebet
tergetherchil
dbef
oreIlosemycool
.

"Nomatt
erhowangr yyouarewithyourbrother,
you'l
lnott
alkt
o
himli
ket
hat.Irai
sedyoubetter,
Mvelo.
"Mamar epri
mandsher
butmysi
sterisbreat
hingf
ir
e, what
'sherproblem t
hisSunday
morni
ng?

"
Andy
our
aisedhi
mtobeahear
tbr
eaker
?Tosl
eepwi
thwomen
andt
ossthem t
othesidewhenhe'ssat
isf
ied?"Shesneer
sat
MaNgobesewhocreasesherf
oreheadandlooksmyway .

"
Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
,Fanoo?
"Shi
t!

Rat
anangwentcr
yingt
omysi
ster
.

"
Imessedupmama, itwasamomentofweaknesst hatshe
i
nit
iat
ed.Ishoul
dhaver ef
usedheradvancesbutIwasn'
tthi
nki
ng
i
nthatmoment .
"Iexplai
nandshe'sshaki
ngherhead.

"
Ohnowy ouwantt osayi
t'
sherf aul
t?Rat
anangi
sagood,sel
f
r
espect
ingwoman, Makhosi
ni.Shewouldneverr
unaf
teraman
l
i
kethat,
"Ichuckl
e.

Somyownsi
steri
squest
ioni
ngmychar
act
eral
lofasudden?

"Yousleptwithyoursist
ersf
riend?Af
tersayi
ngyoudon'twanther?
OhMakhosi ni.
"Imessedup, IknowbutIcan'
tbetheonlyone
blamed.Besides,Ratanangi
sanadultanditwasallconsensual
.

"
Shecamei
ntomybedr
oom,
wentonherkneest
ogi
vemeabl
ow
j
o-"

Cebi
sil
equi
ckl
yint
erj
ect
s,"
Idon'
twantt
oheart
hedi
rt
ydet
ail
s.
Spar
emeplease,
"Iheav
easigh.

"I
'm sorrymama. "Ipause"l
ook,Mvelo.Ididn'tl
eadheron,
she
i
nitiat
edt hewhol ethingandonMondayshowedupt omywork
place,call
ingmebabeandi nv
iti
ngmet odi nner
.Whenshet ex
ted
thedet ai
lsItookt hetimetotel
lhert
hatI '
m notinter
est
edina
relati
onshipwi t
hher .Wouldyourat
herIledheronsoIdon' tseem
l
ikeanasshol e?"Iaskandsheswal l
ows.
"
Youshoul
dn'
thav
esl
eptwi
thherper
iod,
nowshe'
smadatme.
"I
t
hrowmyheadbacki
nfr
ust
rat
ion.

"I
'
m sor
ryfort
hat,I
'l
lgotal
ktoherandexpl
ainmy sel
fbet
ter
.Get
hert
ounderst
andthatI'
m noti
ntoherandthatsheshoul
dn'
tgi
ve
uponagreatfr
iendbecauseImessedup."

"
Justl
eaveherbe,Makhosi
ni.I
'
llf
indawayt
omakeour
f
ri
endshi
pokay."

Savesmet het
ri
pandwat
chi
ngawomancr
yov
ersomet
hingI
di
dn'ti
nit
iat
e.

"
Ifthat
'swhatyouwant,
"Isayandshesmacksherli
psandpi
vot
s
t
owal kaway."
Mv el
o,pl
easedomeaf av
or,
"shestopsi
nher
t
racksbutdoesn'
ttur
ntolookatme.

Dr
amadol
l
.

"
What
?"Shesay
swi
thanat
ti
tude.

"Nevertr
ytopl
aycupi
dagai n.
"Imakesur
ethatmyv oi
cei
s
steadyandcar
ri
esalotofauthor
it
y.Shedi
sappear
sintot
he
corri
dorandMaNgobeseclapsonce.

Lukhele,
makey ourwi
feshutupplease.Idon'
tneedal
essont
his
morning.Ipl
eadwithmyfatheri
nheav en.

"
Fanoo?
"Ohmama,
leti
trest
.

"
Iam sor
ry,
"hopef
ull
ythi
swi
l
lmakeherdr
opi
t.

"
Coul
dshebepr egnant
?Idon'
twantyouhav
ingachi ldwit
ha
womanyou'
renotinlovewi
thandwil
lnotmarr
y."Idon'twantt
hat
f
ormysel
ftoo.Iwanttohaveachi
l
dwi t
hmybet terhalf
,Iwant
mychil
drentogrowupinalov
inghomejustl
ikemeandmy
si
bli
ngs.Iwi
l
l wai
ttof
indt
hatpersonandhav
ei tal
lwi
thher
.

"
No,
Iusedpr
otect
ion.
"

Icouldn'tst
ayinthehouse,If
earedformyl i
fe.Mv el
olookedat
mel i
keshewasr eadytopl
ungeakni fei
nmyhear tandtwisti
t.I
knowshe' smadatmebutI 'm madt hatshequestionedmy
characterbecauseshefel
therfri
endwasper fectandcouldn't
havedonewhatshedi dtome.Wher ewassheev enwhenher
perf
ectRat anangcli
mbedupt hestair
sandcamet omybedr oom
toseduceme?

IdecidedtocomeandseeMaMohapi ,hopef ul
l
yshe'sathome
becauseIdi dn'
tcalltocheckifitwasokayf ormet ocome
through.I'
m prayingthatIdon'
tcomeacr ossasastalkeror
somet hi
ng.Ilovehangi ngoutwithher,she'sabreat
hoff r
eshair.
Idon'thavet otr
yhar dandIcertai
nlydon'tneedtobepr i
m and
proper.Igettobeal aidbackMakhosi ni,notaCEOofadi amond
company .Herf r
iendshipisexactl
ywhatIneededatt hispointi
n
myl if
e.

Thesecur i
tyguardatthegatechecksthelogtoseeifI'
mreal
ly
l
istedtoenterthebuil
dingwithoutbei
ngsignedi
n.Lemohang
regist
eredmynamey ester
dayandIwast hri
ll
edtotell
youthe
trut
h,becauseitmeantshewaskeepi ngmear ound.Iknow,I
sounddesper
atebutwhenyou'
vefoundapersonwhomatches
yourener
gyyoujustwantt
obearoundtheposit
ivi
tyal
way
s.

Thegat ebarri
erswi ngsupandIknowi t'
sconf ir
med,I'
m ont he
l
isttocomeandgo.Idr i
v einandfindparkingspaceneart he
elevat
or.Iki
lltheengineandcl imbout,lockt hedoorandheadt o
theelevator
.ItpingsopenandIhopi nandpr essthei
rfl
oor
number .Idi
dn'tbringany t
hingwithme, butwewi l
ldr
iveouttoget
somet hi
ngtoeatanddr inkifshe'
supf orit.Thesecuri
tydooris
l
ockedandt hedoorshut ,looksli
kenoonei shomebutt here'
s
onlyonewayt ofindout.Iknockandwai t
,knockagainbutnoone
comest oopen.

Looksl
i
kel
ucki
sn'
tonmysi
det
oday
.

I'
m abouttowal
kawaywhenIhearthekeyt
urnandthedoor
opens,Lemohangappear
sinsweatpant
sandanoversi
zedT-
shir
t.

"
Hey
,"shesay
slazi
l
y.

"MaMohapi ,
"Iwat
chherunlockthesecuri
tydoor
.Shest
andsto
thesideandIwalkthr
ough."Looksl
ikeyou'r
esti
l
lti
redf
rom our
shenanigans.
"Shescoff
s.

"
Ihat
eyou,
Makhosi
ni.
"Ichuckl
e.

"
Yeahright
,"shel
eadsustothel
oungewher
eamov iei
splayi
ng,
t
here'
sapacketofbil
tongandhotwi
ngsonthecof
feetabl
e."
I'
m
sor
ryf
orj
ustshowi
ngupher
e."Sheshakesherheadandsi
ts
downont
herug.

"I
t'
sokay ,
Icoul
duset
hecompany
.Thedest
ruct
ion,
it'
sbeen
hecti
c."If
rown.

Shelooksal
it
tl
ehorri
ble,
whatcoul
dhav
ehappened?Il
eftheri
n
agreatmoodyest
erday.

"
Arey ouokay?"Iaskandsheheavesasigh.Looki
ngli
keshe
wantstocry."
Nana, t
alkt
ome."Shehidesherfaceinbet
weenher
t
highs.

"You'
rescar
ingme,t
ell
mewhaty
ouneed.
"Isaykneel
i
ngnex
tto
herandbrushi
ngherar
m.

"
Ijustneedaf
ri
end,
"shesay
swi
thashakyv
oice.

"I
'
m here,y
oucant
alkt
omeaboutany
thi
ng.
"Shesni
ff
sandsi
ts
upstr
aight
.

Idon'
tl
ikeseei
nghert
ear
s."
Nana?
"Shewi
pesherf
acewi
tht
he
backofherhand.

"
Canwedosomething,Ineedfr
eshai
randsomethi
ngthatwi
ll
t
akemymindofft
hingsforafewhours.
"Anideahi
tsme,Ial
ways
l
oosemy
selfwhenImakej ewel
ry.

"Doyouli
kedi
amondsandj
ewel
ry?
"Iaskandshesmi
l
esandr
oll
s
hereyes.

"IknowI'
m GrootmanLemohangbutIdolikediamondsand
happil
yeverAfter
s."Nowt
hisi
smygirl.Thefreesoult
hatsay
s
thefir
stt
hingthatcomest
ohermind.
"I
fthat
'st
hecase,goandchangei
fyouwanttoandl
et'
sgo.
"She
narr
owshereyesatmeandbi t
esherupperl
i
p.

"
Whatar
eyouupt
osi
r?"

"I
t'
sasur pr
isebutI'
mv erysur
eyou'l
ll
oveit.Theguysinthe
factorywon'tbehappyt omorr
owtof i
ndthatIplay
edinthei
r
terr
itorybutmyf r
iendneedscheer
inguprightnow."Shesmiles
sweet l
yatme.

"
Factor
yhuh,
Ithi
nkt
hisout
fi
tisappr
opr
iat
e."Sheget
sonher
f
eet.

"Letmeputonsomeshoesandwecangetoutofher
e."Her
moodhasi mprov
edali
tt
le.I
'
m hopi
ngt
hatshe'
l
lbebackto
hersel
fwhenthedayi
sover.

Keyst
othef
act
ory
.Ishoul
dcal
lNancyandf
indoutwher
ethey
keept
hem.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Imi sshim,Imi sshim somuchi thurts.I'

vebeencr yi
ngmy sel
fto
sleepev er
yni ghtsi
ncewehadt ostopseei ngeachot her.Idon't
thinkI'
veev erbeensohur t
,Mabut hoist heonl
yt hi
ngt hatmakes
senset omeandhav ingtostayawayf rom hi
mi sthehar dest
thingever.Ihatethathe'snotcopingt oo,hetr
iedt okeepcont act
af ewtimesandIbeggedhi mt ostopbecausehehasmor eto
l
ooset hanmei nthi
ssi t
uati
on.Idon'twantt obet hereasonwhy
hefi
ndshimselfi
namess.I '
dratherbeapartf
rom hi
mf ortwo
year
sifitmeansprotect
inghim andallhehasworkedfor.I
t'
sa
smallpr
icet
opayf orlove,att
heendoft hedaywewi l
lsti
ll
finda
waybacktoeachot herbecauselovealwayswins.

I'
vebeenchannel ingmyener gyandt i
mei ntomybooks, Iwantto
dowel lintheseexams.I nfactIwantt ogetthisdegr eeandpr ove
toev ery
onet hatI'm notjustaspoi ltbratwhoget sev eryt
hingata
snapofaf i
nger .Ithi
nkI '
m goingt odeclinet heoppor tunit
ymy
fatherorganizedmewi t
hMr .Mol oi,hisfr
iend.Tat anagav eme
everythi
ngandpul ledstri
ngsf ormet ogett hingsIdidn'tdeserve
attimes.Idon' twantt hattobet hecasewi thmyqual ifi
cati
onand
career,Iwantt owor kanddeser v eev ery
thingwheni tcomest o
thatpartofmyl if
e.

Tshedzahasbeenbl owi ngmyphoneup, beggingmet ogoout

withhi m andhisfri
ends.Hi segoi sbruised,hecan'tbelievethatI
brushedhi m offandl eftthehouse.Thatboyhasal way sknown
whichbut tonstopr esswheni tcomest omeandl earningthat
thosebut tonsdon'texistany moremadehi mf eelsomet ypeof
way .Buthewi llev
ent uallygetoveritandov erme.Inev erwantt o
beinhi scircl
eandf indmysel fcheati
ngonmyboy fri
endwhenI
promi sednotto.Mabut hodeser vesmyl oveandl oyal
tybecause
hehasbeenmypi ll
art hroughsomeshi tt
yt i
mesi nmyl if
e.

"
CanIj
oiny
ou?
"Tat
anadoesn'
tgi
veup.
Thingsbet
weenuswon' tjustchangeov erni
ght
.Ther
e'sal otof
hurtandnegl
ectthathappenedandi tallwon'
tgoawayj ust
becausehecamehomeandwant stoplayhappyf
ami l
i
es.Imade
i
tthroughwit
houthisloveandpr esence.Hismoneyrai
sedme
andheshouldleaveitatt
hat.

"I
t'
syourhouseandaf
reecount
ry,
"Isayf
ocusi
ngmyey
esonmy
phonescreen.

Heheavesasigh,"
Amukel
ani
,I
'mt
ryi
ngher
e.Pl
easemeetme
hal
fway
."Ichuckl
e.

He'
snotbei
ngser
iousr
ightnow.

"Whatexact lyar eyoutrying?Youst i

l
lfightwithmhani andbl ame
herformysi stersdeath.Youar ethereasonmymot herwon' t
for
giveher selfandi nreturnyou'
rerobbingmeof famom
becausemostt imesshe' sdrunkandent ert
aini
ngmenont he
i
nternet.Menwhomakeherf eelgoodabouther selfbecausey ou
j
ustdon' tgiveashi taboutherorwhatsheneeds. "Ihalfshout
andhe' slookingatmewi thwideeyes.I'venevert ol
dmyf ather
howmuchdamagehe' scaused." Youar egivi
ngsomuch
att
entiont oy ourdeadchi ldandhowshedi edbutnegl ectand
pushtheonewhoi sali
vet otheside.Wi l
lyouonl yloveandmi ss
mewhenI '
m gone?I sthatwhati twill
takef oryout olov eand
careforme, tatana?"Iaskv ehemently.

Hisnosef
lares,
tearsswimminginhi
sey es.Theywon'
tevenme,
I
'v
ecr i
edr
iverJordanforhi
m buti
tchangedabsolut
elynot
hing.

"
You'
vetur
nedmymot heri
ntoPatsy
,bl
amingherf
orevery
thi
ng
t
hatgoeswrongi
nthi
sfamil
y.Butsometi
mesyoujusthavet
o
l
ooki nthemi r
rorandblamethepersonlooki
ngbackaty ou."He
gaspsandpl acesahandov erhi
smout h."
Youalwayssay
"Amukelani
,I'
m heret omakethi
ngsright
"butyouarehar dly
home.Youdon' tsleephereandyoucomebackt i
ptoeing, t
hinki
ng
thatnooneiswat ching.Wel
lnewsflashAkaniNkovani,Iam
watchingyou."Itf
eelssogoodtosaymypeace, i
t'
sliberatingina
way .

"Iam sorr
ythatI
'v
ebeenhurti
ngyout
hisway.Amukel
ani
,youar e
myf i
rstchi
ldandIlovey
ousomuch.Pleasedon'
that
eme, be
angry,bemadandal l
butdon'
that
eme."It
'st
oolat
enow,tatana.
Isaytomy sel
f.

"
Idon'
tseehowwecanmov epassedthi
s.Alothashappened.
"
Heshakeshisheadvigorouslybuti
t'
sfuti
lebecauseheknows
whatI
'm say
ingisafact.Comi ngbackfr
om ital
l wi
ll
takea
mir
acl
eandJesusi stakinghissweetti
mecomi ngback.

Istandupandl eav ehim cryingonthel oungerhei ssit

tingon.
Untilher eali
zesandaccept shisroleinhowmessedupt his
familyist hent here'snothingmoret ot alkabout.AssoonasI
walkt hrought hef renchdoor ,aheartpi erci
ngsobhi t
smyear s.I
pivotandf i
ndmymot heronherknees, balanci
ngherhandson
thefloorandbr eakingdown.Shemusthav eoverheadmet alking
totatana.Idon' tknowi fIshouldconsol eherorleavehert obei n
herfeelings.Wear enott hosepeoplet hattalkaboutfeelings,
everyonedeal swi ththeirshitontheirown.Assadasi tist osee
mymot herinthi sstate,Ihavetoleav eherbei nherfeelings.It'
s
notgoi ngt olastany way ,soonassheget sbackonherf eetshe' s
goi
ngt
oopenabot
tl
eofal
cohol
anddr
inkher
sel
fst
upi
d.

Iwal
kaway,headedstr
aightf
ormybedroom whenmyphone
chi
mes.IpoweritonandUndiphi
l
e'snamepopsup.

HEYFRI
END.IMI
SSYOUBRUH,
CANICOMEOVERTOSEEYOU?

Iheaveandsighandclosemyeyes.I
'vebeendi st
antfrom my
fr
iendsandthey'
vebeentry
ingt
oreachoutt ome.I t
'snotfai
rthat
atthi
smomentt heeffor
tcomesfrom t
heirsideonlybutI'
m
deali
ngwit
hal otatt
hemoment .

IMI
SSYOUTOODUDE,I
'
M HELDUPRIGHTNOW.YOUCAN
COMETHROUGHTOMORROW AFTERCLASSES.LOVEYA!
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER26

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Mostofmyl ectur
erswer
en'tar
oundsoitwasahalfdayformeat
campus.Idecidedtoj
usthaveaMeMonday ,gotaful
lbody
massageanddi damaniandpedi.Ir
eal
l
yneededt obeoutalone
wit
hmyt houghtsandgetpamperedwhi
leatit.

Ifeel
freshandrejuvenated,hopeful
l
yt hi
sweekdoesn'tbr
ingme
anymor ebl
ows.Iwon' tsurviv
eany t
hingnegat
ive,
non
whatsoever
.Inallhonesty,Ibeli
eveI'
vehadmyf ai
rshareofli
fe'
s
probl
emsandpai ns,enought olastmeal if
eti
me.

Igethomeanhourbef or
eUndiphileisduet oarr
ive,I'
ml ooki
ng
forwar dtochi l
l
ingwi thherandcat chingup.Thisislongestwe've
gonewi thoutseeingeachot her
, Ihopeourf ri
endshipisn't
strainedbyt hedi st
anceIputbet weenus.Iappr eciatethatshe
andLemohangr eachoutt omeandaski fI'
m okay ,i
tshowst hat
theyar et r
ulymynumberonesandt heyloveme.That 'sonething
Idon' thavet oquestioninmyl i
fe.IfonlyIcouldtalktothem
aboutmyr el
ati
onshi pwithBooandt hechall
engeswear ecurrent
facingbutIknowt hat'
soutofthequest ion.Yes,theywoul dnever
tel
l butImadeapr omisetoMabut hoandI '
m goingtokeepi t.
Iparkmycarnextt oaCor oll
ainthedriveway ,
Iwonderwhot his
i
s.Thepeopl et hatcomear oundtov i
sitmyf atherdri
veexpensive
cars.Let'
shopei t'
snotsomer el
ati
vevisit
ingforawhi le,I
'dhate
toplayhappyf ami l
ywhenev eryt
hingisjustamess.Icl i
mbout
mycarwi t
hmyhandbagandt heflowersIgotUndi phil
e.I'
m going
tomakehermyf amoussal adandt henwewi l
lcustom make
cocktai
lsinthebarandhav esomegi rlti
me.Weshoul dhav etol
d
Amukel anitocomet hr
ough.

Iwalkint hehouseandt her earev oi

cesint helounge,I'
m honestly
notint hemoodf orpeopl e,fakesmi l
esandl aughs.It'
s
exhaust i
ngandIshoul dn'tbef orcedtodoi tbutAkani Nkovani
i
nsistst hatpeopl eshoul dn'tseeourdi r
tylaundrybecauset hey
mightuseourweaknessesagai nstus.Mymot hercall
smeasI
passthel ounge, shi t
!Iwashopi ngtomakei twithoutbeing
detected.It akeadeepbr eathandgot othelounge.Idon' t
recognizet hemanandt hewomanont hef ourseatercouch,they
arewear i
ngscr ubs.I'm cur i
oust oknowwhywehav edoctorsin
ourhouse.Mhani patsthecushi onnextt oherandIf rown.She'sa
mess, shel ooksf lushedandi ssweat i
nglikeapi g.Okay,nowI
am reallywor ri
ed.Ipl acet heflowersont hesidet abl
eandgosi t
nexttomymot her.

"
CanIhaveami nutewi
thmybaby,
please.
"Mymom asksandt
he
t
wodoctorsdon'twast
eti
mebutgetupandleav
etheroom.
"Akani
,"shecal
lsoutt
omyf at
herwhohashisheadbur
iedinhi
s
hands.I'
mf r
eaki
ngout,t
hei
rreact
ionandt
heawkwardnessint
he
room t
ellsmethatsomethi
ngbigi
shappeni
ng.

"
Mhani
,what
'swr
ong?
"Myv
oicecomesouthoar
sel
y.

"
Wai tbaby,Ijustwantt obealonewi t
hy ou."She'
sshaki
ngli
kea
l
eafbutst i
llcl
aspsmyhand.I smymot herdy i
ng?Godwhateverit
i
sthatI'vedone, pleaseforgi
veme.Ican' tloosemymother,she
mightbeoutoft ouchwi t
hwhat'shappeni nginmyli
febutshe's
t
hebet terparent,pleasekeepherplease.

Tatanafinal
lygetsonhi
sfeetandleav estheroom.Mymot her
tur
nst olookatmeandent wi
nesourf ingers.Hereyesare
swimmi ngintears,
pai
nandregretflashinginthosebeauti
ful
eyes.Sheblinksandhert
earsaretrappedonherl ashes.

"Ilovey ousomuch, mychi ld.Amukel ani,pleaseacceptmy

sincereapology.Ihav efail
edy ouasamot her,Iall
owedpai nto
consumemeandIf orgotthaty ouneededme.I '
m sor r
yt hatwe
putal lourat
tentiononachi ldwho' snol ongerher ewi thusand
tossedy out
othesi de.Youdeser vebett erthanmeandAkani but
wear eyourparent s,Iam y ourmot herandI '
vedeci dedt ot urnmy
l
ifear oundandgetmyactt oget her .You'reawomannowandy ou
mi ghtnotneedmebutI '
m cl eaningupi ncasey oudo, myl ov e.
"
Shesay sandmyownt earsar est reamingdownmyf ace." Icall
ed
ther ehabcentert ocomegetme.Ineedgowor konmyal cohol
addictionandgetbet terfory ou, butmosti mpor tantl
yf ormy sel
f.
It'
stimeIf or
gav emy selfforwhathappenedt oyoursi ster.She'l
l
alway sbebabybuty ouar emypr i
or i
tyandi t'
stimeIshowedi t.
"I
attackherwi t
hahugandhol dont ight,
likemyl i
felit
er al
ly
dependsoni
t.

"Bestr
ongf orme, f
ocusonyourschoolwor
kandav
oid
ever
ythingelse.I
'l
lcomebackabetterv
ersi
onofmysel
fandhel
p
youthrought hepai
nwe'vecausedyou.
"

Thesewor dsmeanal ott

ome, theyli
ber at
eapar tofmei naway
andI'm gr
atef
ulthatsheheardmet alki
ngtot at
anay est
erday
becauseshefinall
yhasanideaofhowI '
mf eeli
ng.Thisi
sa
personthatwantstomaket hingsright,notbywor dsbutby
acti
on.Tatanacanlearnathingort wof rom mymot her.

"
Ilov
eyou,
Mhani
."It
ell
herandshegaspsandgi
ggl
es.

"Whenwasthel
astt
imeyoutol
dmet hat
?Itf
eel
sgood,
"she
sni
ff
s,"
Ilov
eyoumorethanl
i
feitsel
f.
"

Ifeelgoodaboutt hefut
ure,mymot herhast akenast ept hatwil
l
notonl yposit
ivel
yi mpactherli
febutmi neaswel landinabi g
way .I
'vealway scravedmypar ents'loveandat tenti
onandonei s
genuinelytry
ingt omakeamendswhi l
etheot herisj
ustall t
alk
andnoshow.ButIwon' tfocusont atana, t
hatwi l
lonlytakeaway
fr
om t hegoodmymot herdidforthebot hofus.Wav ingher
goodby eacoupl eofmi nutesagowasn' tasadmomentatal l,i
t
wasapr oudone.I t'
sgoingtobet oughonherbutshehast he
determinati
onandt hatwil
lgethert hroughthepr ocess.Intwo
mont hsshe'llcomehomeandst artli
vingaposi ti
veli
fe.

"
Heyf
ri
end,
"Undi
phi
l
esay
swal
ki
ngi
ntheki
tchen.Shel
ooks
amazi
ng,
thatgl
owi
sev
ery
thi
ng.

"
Niger
iandi
ckisworki
ngit
'smagicony
ouhoney
,"Isayandshe
t
hrowsherheadbackandlaugh.

"
Youbeti
tis,
Iam agonegir
landmymansureknowshowt
o
t
akecar
eofhisbusi
ness.
"Inodwi
thahugegri
n.

"I
'
m sohappythatyoufoundt hi
slove,Undi
phi
le.Ineedtohear
ever
ythi
ngabouthi
m becausef rom whatLemot ol
dmeandy our
stat
usesonWhatsAppI'm sold.
"Sheroundsthekitchenisl
and
andweshareahug."I'
vemi ssedyousobad."Iwhisperinherear
.

"
Missedyoumore,
"wel
etgoandIputmyf
ocusbackonmaki
ng
t
hischi
ckensal
ad.

"
Wai
t,howdi
dyougeti
n?"Iaskbecauset
hei
nter
com di
dn'
tri
ng.

"
Oh,yourdadwasdr
ivi
ngoutwhenIwasaboutt
opressthe
i
nter
com.HeaskedmewhoIwasandt ol
dhim,t
henheletme
t
hrough.
"Inod.

Tat
anai
ssomet
hingel
se,
hel
eftwi
thoutsay
ingawor
dtome.

"Okaybabe.Igotyouthosefl
owers.
"Ipoi
nttowar
dsthesi
nkand
shehurri
estopickthem upbefor
eburyi
nghernosei
nthem.

"
Oh,
Amu.Thesear
esocut
e.Thanky
ouf
ri
end.
"

"
Hopeyou'
reupforsomecustom madecockt
ail
s."Isayshaki
ng
myshoul
dersandshelaughs.

"Icouldneversaynot
othosebutIwon'
thav
etoomanycozI
'
m
driv
ing."If
rown.
"
Dri
vi
ng?
"Sheheav
esasi
gh.

"Yep,Inowdr i
ve.Thankstomyi nsaneboy f
ri
end.I'
l
ltel
lyoual
l
aboutitovercocktai
ls.
"Alothasr eall
ychangedformybest
fri
end."Ineedalipbalm,mineisint hecar
."ShesaysandIspot
myhandbagont hebarstool.

"Fi
ndonei
nmybag,
ther
eiti
s."Shepl
acesherf
lower
sdownand
grabsmybag.

"OhmyGodt hisisbeautif
ul,
"Il
ookupandfi
ndherhol
dingt
he
vint
agelocketchainMabut hogaveme.I
tbel
ongedtohismother
.
Ifeelsospecialknowinghelovesmesomuchthathewouldgive
mesomet hingsopr ecioustohi
m.

"Iknowri
ght,i
tbel
ongedtomykokwanabacki
nGiyani
.My
grandmotherhadt
astebacki
ntheday.
"Shel
aughs.

"I
'
veneverseenyouwear
ingi
tbef
oret
hough.
"shesay
srunni
ng
herf
inger
sonit.

Mabuthotol
dmetoonl
yweari
twhenourr
elat
ionshi
pgoespubl
i
c.
I
'm onl
ytokeepi
twi
thmeatal
lti
mes.

Undi
phi
l
edr
opsi
tbacki
nmybagandandf
indsal
i
pbal
m.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

IswearI'
m goi
ngtoshi
tmy sel
f,wit
heveryki
lometerwecovermy
anxi
eti
esgoupt her
oof.He'
smad, IknowthatforafactandI
can'
treal
lybl
amehim.IwentinsanewhenIcouldn'tr
eachhimfor
days,Ij
usthopethi
sdoesn'
tsetusback.Iknewmyr ecklessness
wit
hMakhosi ni
wasgoingtocostmesomet hing,
Ijustassumed
i
twoul dbemoneybecauseIski
ppedwor kbutasitstandsit'
s
abouttocostmemyr el
ati
onshi
p.God,howdumbcoul dIbe?

Thecabst opsout sidehisgat eandIgetanxi etydiarrhea

i
mmedi ately.Iopenmybagwi thshakinghands, Ihavenev erbeen
soscaredt ofaceaper son.IgetaR50f rom mypur seandhandi t
tothedri
ver, t
henclimbouti mmediatelyaf t
erhegi vesmemy
change.Thesedandr ivesoffandIam gl uedtothet arredr oad,
I'
m scar
edofhowt hisisgoingplayout .Thishasbeent hewor st
Mondayev er,Icouldn'tevenconcentrat einclass.Theonl ythingI
keptthi
nkingaboutwashi stext
.

LEMOHANG,WENEEDTOTALK.COMETOMYHOUSEAFTER
CLASSES.

Ifi
nal
lygathersomestr
engthandgopr esst
heint
ercom,he
doesn'
tanswerbutthegat
eslidesopen.Iwal
kint
ot hey
ardand
makemywayt othefr
ontdoor.

Mybl addersuddenl
yfeel
sful
ltocapacitybutIknowit'
sjustmy
nerv
es.Iknockandknockbuthedoesn' topenup, soIt
rythe
handleandsighinrel
iefwhenthedoorcr eaksopen.Musici
s
pl
ayingonal owv ol
umewhenIst epi
nsidethehouse,i
t'
sasad
l
ovesong.Ir eal
lyhur
tmyboy f
riendwithmyact i
ons,whateverhe
want
smet
odot
omaket
hisr
ightt
henI
'
lldoi
t.

Mabut ho'si
ssi t
ti
ngdownont herugwi thhisbackbal anced
againsttheleathercouch.Hehashi slegsspr eadandabot tl
eof
hardliquorisinbetweenhi sthighs.Hei slookingupatmewi t
h
thosebigbloodshotey es,Ican'ttelli
fthepairist hatr
edbecause
hewascr yi
ngorbecauseoft heal coholhe'sdrinking.

Idon'tknowwhet hertosi tdownorr emai nstandingbutwhatI

knowi st hatmykneesar etooweakt ocarryme.Hi sgazei stoo
i
ntenseonme, henceI'mt urningintol
iquid.I'
m hat i
ngthesi l
ence
too,Iwishhecoul dyellandscr eam atmenott his.Iam nervousl
y
fi
ddlingt heringMakhosi nimademeathi sfactoryy est
erday.The
exper i
encewasamazi ngandi treal
lydidtakemymi ndoffthings
alit
tl
e.Iwassadov erthewor dsMabut hohadsai dtomewhenI
call
edhi m onSat urdayaf t
erwaki ngup.Fuck!Lemohang, areyou
seri
ousl ythinki
ngaboutanot hermanwheny oursishurtingright
i
nfrontofy oureyes?Ishakemyheadwi t
hmyey esshut .I'
m not
thi
sper sont hathurtsothers,especial
lythoseIl ove.

"IwasawayLemohang,Icoul
dn'
tj
usthopi
ntoaf
li
ghtt
ocome
andchecki
fyou'
reokay
."Hesobbed.

Thepai
nlacedi
nhi
svoi
cewi
l
lhauntmef
orasl
ongasIl
i
ve.

"
Iam t
rul
ysor
ry,
baby
,itwasn'
tonpur
pose.
"Isaykneel
i
ngont
he
r
ug.
Iwi
shIhadn'
tagreedt
omeet
ingupwi
thMakhosi
ni.Thi
swoul
dn'
t
hav
ehappened.

Hechuckl
esandpul
l
suphi
slef
tleg,
rest
inghi
sar
m ont
heknee.

"
Wherewer ey
ou, Lemohang?"Iswal
lowhar
d.HowdoIanswer
t
hisquest
iontr
uthful
lyandnotcauseusmoreprobl
ems?

"Myphonehaspr obl
emsbaby ,itdiedonmeFr idayafternoonand
IquicklytookittotheIndianguysdownt ownt ofixi
tforme.Iwas
tol
dt ofetchitthefol
lowingday.WhenIgothomeIbor r
owed
Undiphile'
sphoneandi nsertedmysi m cardbutyournumberwas
savedont hephoneinstead.Icouldn'treachyouandI '
m sor ry.
"I
l
ie,Ihav enootherchoice.He'slookingatmel i
keIjustst abbed
himi ntheheart.Myt hr
oatgoesdr yasIwat chhim getupf r
om
thefloorandsi t
sont hecouch,restinghiselbowsonhi sknees.I
remainonmykneesbecauseIdon' ttrustthem toholdmeupat
themoment .

"
Ist
hatso,
Lemohang?
"Inodv
igor
ousl
y,t
ear
sbl
i
ndi
ngme.

"
Youarelyi
ng,I
'
m notbuy
ingy
ourst
ory
."Hesay
sst
rai
ghtupand
myheartst
ops.

"Ar
ey oucheati
ng?Wereyououtwit
hanothermanwhi leIwas
busycleani
ngamessi nDurban?
"heasksandI'm shaki
ngmy
head,eyescastdown.I
fIholdhi
sgazehe'
llseeri
ghtthroughme,
I
'm notagoodl i
ar.

"Iwoul
dnevercheatonyou,
Ilov
ey ou.
"Isaythi
spar
tlooki
ngat
himintheeyesbecauseImeaneveryword.

Myphonechi
mesf
rom mybagandIdon'
tev
enat
temptt
oreach
f
ori
t.

"Handmey ourbag,Lemohang."Heholdsouthishandandmy
worldcomescrumblingdown.ItmightbeMakhosinit
exti
ng,
he
wantedustogowat chaplaytonight
.Godpleaseleti
tbemy
servi
ceprovi
dertel
l
ingmehowmuchdat aIhav el
eft.

"Whatdoyouwantwit
hmybag?"Iaskwi
thal
owv
oice.Hef
lar
es
hisnoset
hentakesadeepbr
eat
h.

"Gi
vemethedamnbag,
Lemohang!
"He'
stoocal
m andt
hat
's
scar
ingme.

Ihandhimthebagandheopensi tandt akesoutmyphone.NowI

wishIhadapasswordinplace.Heget sonhi sf
eetandstart
s
pacingupanddown,hisey
esnev erleavi
ngt hescreen.Myhear
t
i
st huddi
nghardagai
nstmychest ,
feartakingovereverypar
tof
mybody .Whatdi
dhesee?Whot extedme?

"
Youarefucki
nNi
ger
iansnowLemohang?
"Heshout
sandI
f
reeze.

"
Baby
, no,
noI'
m not."Hethrowst
hebottl
eofli
quoracr
ossthe
r
oom anditbr
eaks.Glassfr
agmentsal
lovert
heceramicf
loor
.

"Don'
tfuckinl
ietome, Lemohang."ButI '
m notIswear.This
Mabuthoisscaringme, I'
veonl
yev erseenmymot hergetsomad
andthethingsshewoul ddotomeandAt angwereterri
ble.Iam
fear
ingformyl i
feri
ghtnow."Ebukaj usttext
edthathemi sses
youandwant stodol unchtomorr
ow. "Isighinrel
ief
.

At
leastt
hat
'ssomet
hingIcanpr
ovemyi
nnocencewi
th.
"
Ebukai
slikeabrothert
ome.He' sev
endat
ingmybestf
ri
end,
Undi
phi
l
e."Heroarswithlaught
er.

"Soyou'
refucki
nyourbestfr
iendsman?"Igaspinshock.What
doeshetakemef or?Il
ovehim anditt
ookmeawhi letosleep
withhi
m, t
ogivehim myvir
gini
ty.Whatwoul
dmakei tsoeasyto
sleepwi
thEbuka?WhoIdon' tevenl
ookatinthatmanner.

"I
sthathowlit
tl
ey outhi
nkofme,Mabut
ho?"Iaskgett
ingonmy
feet
,I'
m pi
ssed.Thatseemstoshockhi
m becauseherai
sesan
eyebrowandwalkstowardsme.

"
Whyareyoustandi
ngwit
hyourchestout
?Ar
eyoulooki
ngt
o
f
ightme?
"Ishecrazy
?IknowImessedupbutwhat
'sall
oft
his?

"Ofcour
senot
, butIwon'tstandhereandlist
entoyouaccuseme
ofsuchavi
lething.IworkforEbuka,he'
slikeabrot
hert
omeand
he'
sdati
ngmybestf r
iend.Youaretheonlymanthathasever
seenmynakedness."Hebl i
nksacoupleoft i
mes.

"Workforhi
m?Thisisnewstome.Whatworkcouldyoupossi
bly
doforhim?prost
it
uti
onorareyouhi
sdrugpusher
?"Ican'
tbel
i
eve
thi
s.He'si
nsaneandI'
m notgoi
ngtol
ist
entohimtal
kcrap.

"Youknowwhat
,Idon'
thavetoli
stent
oy ou.Wewi l
ltal
kwhen
you'
vecal
meddown."Isayandreachformybag,buthequickl
y
pushesmeandIfal
lhard,
screamingi
ntheprocess.

"
Mabut
ho?
"What
'swr
ongwi
thhi
m?Whyi
sheact
ingt
hisway
?

"Youwannaleavetogomeety ourNi
ger
ian?Youaremine,
Lemohangandy ouarenotgoingany
where.
"Ireal
l
yneedtoget
outofher
e.He'sgoingt
okill
me.
Hebendsdownsowear
eey
etoey
e.Hel
ooksl
i
keabeast
,ready
t
otearmeapart
.

"
Iwantt
oleav
e,pl
ease.
"Hegi
vesmeal
opsi
dedsmi
l
e.

"Youarenotl eav
ing,didn'
tyouhearme? "Hecloseshi
seyesand
wetshislips."Whateverbull
shityouhavegoi
ngonwi t
hthat
Nigeri
anisdone.Nev er,evertalktohi
m agai
n."Hesayst
hrough
gri
ttedteeth.

"Youcan'
tkeepmeher e,Iwantt
ol eave.
"Hestandsupstr
aight
andscrat
cheshisfor
ehead."Iwi
llscream t
hishousedownifyou
don'
tletmego."It
hreatenandhehuf fs.

"
Getup,
"heor
der
sandIgetonmyf
eeti
nst
ant
ly.

Ir
eal
l
yfel
lhar
d,Ihav
eashar
pbackpai
n.

Hegrabsmebymywr i
standpull
smet othecor
ri
dor
.Iam hi
tt
ing
hi
m withmyfr
eehandandresi
sti
ng,
fight
ingtor
emai
ninthe
l
oungebuthe'
stoost
rong.

It
'sov erforme, I'
m goingtobeapar tofstatisti
cs.Awomanwho
diedatt hehandsoft hemanshel oved.We' v
eseencasessuchas
thisonsoci almedi aandcurrentaff
air
s.Ijustpr aythatthey
atleastf i
ndmybodywher everhe'sgoingtothr owitaftertaki
ng
myl ife.Undiphil
eandEbukawi l
lcomet hr
oughf ormewi t
hAtang.
GodIj ustpr
ayher emembershowmuchIl ovehi m.Ihopemy
deat hdoesn'taffecthim much,heneedst ogr owupandmake
somet hi
nggr eatoutofhisli
febecausemi nei saboutt oendany
mi nutenow.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Guysl i
keIsai
d,it
'sokaytohateMabuthoandskiphisPOV.But
I'
m notgoingtostopwrit
ingabouthi
m becausehischar
acteris
dri
vingthi
sstoryandinfl
uencesthej
ourneyofot
hercharacter
s
aswel l
.Al
so,Ihumblyaskthatyoudon'ti
nboxmeandaskf or
cl
aritywhenyoudecidedtoskipsomePOV' s.

Lov
eBet
h
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER27

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Iam shaki ngli

keal eaf,
drenchedi nsweatandmyhear ti
s
thuddinghar dagainstmychest ,threateni
ngtojumpr i
ghtout.He
knows, Itoldhimt hatI
'm cl
austrophobi candhethrewmei nsidea
darkcl osetandl ockedmei nsi
de.Howcoul dhebesohear t
less?
Hej ustt ookmebackt oar eall
ydar kplaceinmyl i
fe,
aplaceI
promi sedmy sel
fnev ertogobackt o.Ilef
thomeandcamet oa
cit
yIf earmor ethanany t
hingsoIcoul descapet hepainand
horrort hatIli
vedwi thonlyforhimt odot hist
ome.

Mabuthoi sanani mal

,Ican'
tbeli
eveIthoughthel ovedme.You
don'
tdot histosomeoney ouclai
mt olove,youjustdon't.Ithas
beenhour ssinceI'
vebeeninthi
sconfinedspaceandmyknees
hel
dupt omychest .I
'
m scaredandIcannotst opcr yi
ng.Iwonder
whathe'sgoingt odotomewhenhef inal
lylet'
smeout ,butifhe
doesdecidet oletmego, I
'
mr unni
ngandnev erl
ookingback.I
coul
dnev erlookathimt hesameafterthi
s,Icouldn'tpossibly
aff
ordtoloosemymi ndbecauseIhaveal it
tlebrotherwhoneeds
mealiveandsane.

Islowlyopenmyey esandapoundi
ngheadachemakesmeshut
them closeagai
n.Idon'
tev
enrememberwhenIfel
lsl
ept
,Idon'
t
under st
andhowIcoul dhav esleptwhenIwast hatscared,sti
l
l
am.Iwonderi fit
'sstil
lthesamedayorIsl eptthroughoutthe
night.WhenisMabut hoev engoingt oletmeoutofher e,
Iwantt o
gohome.Iwantt obei nthesafetyofmybedr oom andcur l
my selfint
oaballandj ustcr
yitallout.Onceit'
soutofmysy stem
I'
m nev ergoi
ngtothinkofMabut ho,he'
sgoingt obeat hingofthe
pastandIwi l
lforevercursethedayIwentt ohisoffi
ceseeking
help.

Thecl osetdooropensandmyhear tpounds, t

earsblindmeand
mywhol ebodygoesi cecol dbecauseI '
m aboutt of i
ndoutwhat
thismani sgoingt odot ome.Iwi pemyey eswi ththebackofmy
handandl ookupt ofindhiml ookinglikeshit.Itdoesn'tlookl i
ke
hesl eptawink,hisey esar eswoll
enandr ed.Ifhewascr yingthen
he'smor eofasi cktwi st
edbust ardthanIt hought .Whywoul dhe
crywhenhe' stheonewhohur tmelikethat ?Heshowedmea
sideofhi mthatscar r
edmeandmademequest ionmy selfon
howIcoul dhav emi ssedt hesigns,thereareal way ssigns, we
eitherchoosetoi gnorethem orwedeci det hattheyar ethingswe
canl i
vewith.I
'm say i
ngt hisforanykindofr el
ati
onshi p,toxic
showssi gnsinal lofthem.

"
Imadeyoubr
eakf
ast
,"hesay
swi
thahoar
sev
oiceandIshake
myhead.

Idon'
twanthi
sfood,
hemi
ghthav
epoi
sonedi
tforal
lIknow.

"
Ijustwantt
ogohome,
Mabut
ho,
please.
"Ift
her
e'sahear
tint
hat
chesthewi
l
lreal
i
zehowshakenupIam andhewi
l
lletmego.

"Baby,please.IknowImessedupl astni
ghtbutplease.Idi
dn't
meant ol ooseitli
kethat,pl
easebel i
eveme."Nothinghesay scan
j
ustif
ywhathedi dt ome.Hewasamonst erandIdon' twanta
personlikehimi nmyl i
fe.I'
m al
readydealingwit
hal ottohave
onemor epersoncomeanddi sturbthepeaceI'
vemanagedt o
givemy selfamidsteverythi
ng.Ilovehimy esbuti
t'snotenough
toputmy sel
fthroughthis.

"Mabutho,Iwanttogohome.Iam beggi ngy ou.

"Hedropstohis
kneesandcr i
eshyster
ical
ly.I'
m notunderstandi
ngthisman,I
honestl
ycannotbeli
evehewant stocryar i
verwhenhe'sthe
reasonwef i
ndourselv
esint hismess.Ifhef el
tbadforwhathe
didtomet henhewoul dn'
thav eal
lowedmet osleepi
naconf i
ned
space,knowingforafactthatI'
ml oosi
ngmymi ndinhere.

"Lemohang,Il
ov eyou.Pl
easedon'
tdot hi
s,pl
easedon'
tl
eave
me."He'ssobbing,br
eakingdownli
keI'mtheonewhoshoved
himintothi
sclosetandlockedhi
mi n.Li
keI'
mt heonewhobroke
histr
ust.

"I
fy oul
ovemet henyou'l
ll
etmegohomeandal l
owmesome
space.Whaty oudidtomehur t
,Mabutho.YouknewhowmuchI
fearsmalldar
kspacesandt hatdidn'
tst
opyouf r
om put
ti
ngmei
n
one.That'
snotlove,i
treal
lyi
sn't
."Hetri
estotouchmeandI
scream,scari
nghim off
.

He'
slooki
ngatmehorri
fi
ed,
shockedthatI'
m acti
ngthi
swaybut
why?WhywouldIwanthimtot
ouchmeaf t
ertheshi
theputme
t
hrough?Hecl
aspshi
shandstogetherandcloseshi
seyes.
"I
'
mj ustaski
ngt hatyougiv
emeachancet oexpl
ainmy sel
f.I
underst
andhowf uckedupwhatIdidt
oyouisandI'm sorr
y.
Lemohang, i
t'
sjustthatIl
oveyoutoomuchand-"

Iqui
cklyinter
ject
,"No!Stopsayi
ngy ouloveme.St optryi
ngt o
j
usti
fywhaty oudi d.Youmanhandledme, wokeupdemonsIhad
puttosleepandt hrewmebacki nt
oapi tIwor kedsohar dtoget
outof"heisnoddi ngtoeachwordIutterandt hati
nfuri
atesme
evenmor e.He'snotunderst
andi
ngany thing,he'
sjustpretendi
ng
tosohecanhav ehiswayandmani pulatemebutnott oday .

"Iwanttoleav
e, Mabutho.I'
l
l scream thi
shousedownuntily
our
neighbor
scallthepoli
ce."Ithreatenandhedropshishead.Idon'
t
knowi fi
t'
sshameorhe' stryingt ot
hinkofwhattodotome.

"
Okay,I
'l
ldr
ivey
ouhome. "Idon'
tneedhi
sli
ft
,Iwantt
obef
ar
f
rom t
hisguyaspossi
ble.

"Weshouldn'
tbeseeni
npubl
i
cremember
?"Isneerathi
m andhe
blowsoutasigh.

Icrawl outoftheclosetandgetonmyf eet

, i
gnoringthecramping
i
nmyl eftleg.I
tfeelssogoodt obeoutoft hatsmal l
space,Iwas
fr
ightenedandal mostshi tmypant s.Iwalkoutoft hebedroom,
crossingf i
ngersthathedoesn'tcomebehi ndmeandpul l
me
backi nthere.Mybagi sst
il
lonthecouchbutt here'
snosignof
myphoneany where.Ineedittorequestacab, Ijustprayhedidn'
t
destroyit.Heappear sfrom t
hecor ri
dorandhol dsitouttome, I
grabmybagandwal ktowardshim.It r
ytot akemyphonebut
he'sholdingont oit,canMabuthobehumanaf terthehellheput
met hr
ough?Ilookupathim andhiseyessof
tandpl
eadi
ngbutI
knowbetterandI'
m notgoi
ngt obuyint
othi
sacthei
spull
ing
ri
ghtnow.

"Il
ovey ousomuch.I'
m sor
ryforwhatIdid.
"Hesaysquiet
lyandI
scoffandyankmyphonef r
om him.Iwalkoutt
hef r
ontdoor
l
eavingitopensohecanopent hegatef
orme, hopef
ull
yhewon't
beanasshol eandt
akehisti
mel et
ti
ngmeout .

I'
mr equestingforacabasIwal ktowardsthegate,it
'sonly6
minut esout.Ispenttheent ir
enightinadark,smal l
confi
ned
cl
osetsowai ti
ng6mi nutesforacart hatwil
ltakemet osafet
yis
nothing.IthankGodwhent hegateslidesopen,Idon'tevenl
ook
backt oseei fhe'
sther e.Ij
ustrunthroughthegat eandheavea
si
ghwhenI '
m outofhi syard,andoutofhisreach.

Thecabdr opsmeof fattheapar tmentandIpayandcl i

mbout .
There'sacaratt hegat eandBab' Mbelei sattheoneondut y
.I
haven'tseenhi mi nthelongesttime,it
'salway stheyoungerones
workingt heseday s.IfeelbadbecauseInev erenquir
edaboutt hi
s
mant hathasbeenl ikeafathertomesi nceImov edi
nwi t
h
Undiphil
e.It apmycar dont hegateandi topens,babafini
shes
wit
ht hecarandr i
seshi sfacetol ookatme.He' swear i
nghis
for
everbeaut i
ful
andwar m smile.Bab'
Mbel ehaschangedal i
ttl
e,
l
ooksal otolderthant hel
astt i
meIsawhi m.Washesi ckmay be?
"Iwaswonder
ingwheny
ou'
l
lwal
kpassed,
mnt
anami
,
"hesay
s
chuckl
i
ng.

"Baba,i
thasbeensol
ong.Howhav
eyoubeen?
"Iaskandhi
s
chestheaves.

"Oh,Lemo.Ihav ebeenonleavet
aki
ngcareofmywif
e,"t
hat'
ssad,
i
t'sdefi
nit
elythereasonwhyheagedsomuch,hewasunder
greatst
ress.Bab'Mbeleador
eshiswi
fe,
Iknowthi
sbecauseI'
ve
heardhimt al
kabouther.

"
Ihopeshe'sbet
ternow,
"hesmil
esandpl
acest
hecl
i
pboar
don
t
hesmalltabl
enearthegat
eoff
ice.

"She'
sv er
ygood.ButIhavedeci
dedt
ot akemypensionandgo
enjoymyt i
meandmoneywi thmywife.I'
m ser
vingmylastt
wo
weeks."That'
sagoodidea.

Acarst
opsbehi
ndt
hebar
ri
ergat
e.

"
Lemo,wewi
llt
alk.Letmegetbackt
owor
k."Hesay
srushi
ngt
o
t
hedri
ver
ssi
de.

Thi
smanl
ovesandr
espect
shi
sjob.I
'
m goi
ngt
omi
sshi
m,al
ot.

Iam climbi
ngupthest ai
rstoourfloor
,aft
erbei nglockedina
darkclosetIwoul
dn'
thav esurvi
vedinanel evat
or.Inallhonesty,
I
don'tthi
nkI'
ll
beabletobeinconf i
dedspacesf orsomet i
me.
Mabut homessedmeuponceagai n.Ifi
nallygettoourf l
oorand
I'
m breathi
ngheavi
ly
,Jesust hat
'swasani ntensewor kout,
it
equals6mont hsworthofgym.If i
shformykey sinthebag, Ij
ust
wanttobeinsidethehouseandi nmyfeel
ings.OnceI
'm done
cry
ingoverthi
smat terIwil
lnotevenr
epeatitt
oanyone,itwi
l
lbe
deadandbur i
edforever.

Iunl
ockt hedoorandstepi
n,Undi
phil
eisbusyf
ight
ingwi
thher
shoe,she'ssofr
ustr
atedwi
thiti
t'
sfunnyt
owatch.

"
Ify
oucalm downyou'
l
lbeabl
etoputt
heshoeon,
babe.
"Isay
wal
kingf
urt
herin.

Shegroansi
nfrust
rati
on,"Iam solat
e.Imissedmyfir
stcl
ass
andthi
ssecondoneisi mport
ant,t
helectur
erisgoi
ngtocover
someexam questi
ons."Shesaysquickl
y.

"Youar
eneverl
ate,
whathappened?
"Shef
inal
l
ymanagest
oput
ontheshoe.

"Cockt
ail
swi t
hAmukelani
,hangoverwasshowingmeshitandI
keptsnoozingmyalar
m."Hectic."
Wheredidy
ousleep?Youand
Makhosiniarefr
eaksr
eall
y.
"Ijustchuckl
e.

Shetakeshert
hingsfr
om t
hecouchandrunstowardstheki
tchen.
Shegr abst
hecarkey
sandhercel
lphonef
rom theki
tchen
counter.

"I
'
llseey
oulaterbabe,
"shebl
owsmeaki
ssandheadsoutbef
ore
Icansayanyt
hing.

Iret
urnt
othekit
chen,Ihopewehavesomet
hingtodr
ink.Ineed
somethi
ngthatwil
lhel
pmegetdizzyandsl
eepforaf
ewhour s.I
opent hegr ocerycupboardandheav easighofr el
ieft ofi
ndhalfa
bottl
eofmy42f rom SaturdaywhenMakhosi nidroppedmeof f
.I
thoughtUndi phil
edrankitbutt hankheav ensshedi dn'tbecauseI
needi ttoday,desperat
elyneedi t.Iputitundermyar m andgo
l
ockt hedoorbef or
eproceedi ngt ot hebathroom.Ist ripwhilethe
bathtubi sfi
ll
ingwithwat er
,thel av enderscentfrom t hebubble
bathfill
st heroom.Undiphilesay slavenderhelpsaper sonrelax
andIneedsomecal mnessaf terwhatI 'vebeent hrought hi
spast
coupleofhour s.

Thewat erfeel
ssogoodonmyski nandthisdri
nki sgoingdown
realgood,evenwi t
houtther edbull.I
'
mt r
yingtokeept heevents
ofyesterdayoutofmyheadbuti t
'shard,
it'
sgoingtot akesome
ti
mebef oreIcanf ul
lyputitbehindme.ButI '
vegonet hrough
worse,thiswil
lalsobeat hingoft hepast
.Iplacethebot t
ledown
andclosemyey es,hol
dingmybr eathandsubmer gingunderthe
waterinthetub.

Icomebackupaf t
erafewsecondswhenIneedoxygen.Thatf
elt
good,st
oppedmef rom t
hinki
ngaboutev
ery
thi
ngel
se,even
thoughi
twasjustforafewseconds.

Irunoutoft hebathroom topickmyr i

ngi
ngphone.Ij usthopeit
's
notMabut ho, Ihav
eabsol utel
ynothi
ngt osayt ohim.I'
m goingt
o
blockhisnumberandshov emyf eel
ingsforhim downt hedarkpi
t
het hr
ewmebacki n.Igettoitandthecallerhangsup, i
t'
sEbuka,
that'
sarelief.Hemustbechecki ngi
nt oseeifI'm gamet omeet
upwithhi
ml i
kehehadt extedyest
erday.Icoul
dn'
trespondfor
obvi
ousreasons.Iam abouttocal
lhim whenmyphoner ings
agai
n.

"
Brot
hermi
,
"Ianswer
.

"Si
stersi
ster
.Arewefi
ght
ing?
"Icl
osemyey
es.Wehav
en'
tbeen
chi
ll
ingandtalki
ngl
i
keweusedto.

"Nev
er,Ist
eppedbacktogiv
ey ouandMrs.Okaforsomealone
ti
met obond.
"Iknowhe'ssmil
i
nglikeafool
.Ebukaisinl
oveand
he'
snotashamedofit.I
t'
sabli
sstowitnessreal
ly
.

"
AndIhav eyoutothank.Youbroughtmethel
oveofmyli
fe.
"
Ncoooo,I
'm mel
ti
ng.It'
sbeauti
fult
oseewhatlov
ecantur
naman
l
ikeEbukaint
o.Undiphi
leisl
ucky,t
heybot
hare.

"
Theweddi
ngbet
terbesoont
hen,
"hel
aughs.

"
Iagr
ee,
Iwantt
ogivethatwomanalotofbabi
esandabeaut
if
ul
l
i
fe.
"He'
snotki
ddi
ng,heneverj
okeswi
thsuchthi
ngs.

"
Youbet
terkeepmei
nthel
oopt
hen.
"

"Def
ini
tel
y,
"hepauses."
Didyougetmyt
extyest
erday?"Heasks
andtheevent
sofyester
dayaft
erMabut
hosawt hetextcr
ossmy
mindandacoldshiverr
unsdownmyspine.

"Ohshi
t,IknewIf
orgottor
epl
ysomeone.I
'
m sorry
,Iwassti
l
lat
campus.Canwedol uncht
omorr
ow?Yourpick.
"Hegrowl
s.

Ihat
edi
sappoi
nti
nghi
m.
"IguessIcanwai
tunt
ilt
omor
row,
you'
l
lcomet
othehouse?
"He
asks.

"Defi
nitel
y,pl
easeasky
ourhousehel
pertomakeEgusi
."He
chucklesandIroll
myeyes.I
t'
shisf
aultt
hatI
'
m addi
ctedto
Nigeri
anf ood.

"
Sist
ermi,
youdoknowwehav eot
hert
ypesofsoup,
somebet
ter
t
hanEgusi
."Ri
ght
,butIl
i
keEgusi
.

West ayonthephoneali
ttl
ewhilelongerbefor
ehangingup.I
'
m
notyetti
psytothepoi
ntIwantsoIdeci detogositonthe
windowsill
withmynewestfri
end, DonJuli
oandlookatthe
breat
htaki
ngviewofJohannesburg.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Y'
all
aredamnl ucky
,justaf
terf
ini
shi
ngthi
schaptert
heel
ect
ri
cit
y
goesoffagai
n.Oneofy ouisbr
ibi
ngEskom,shame.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER28

SPONSOREDBYMBALITHEEBREADWI
NNER

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"
Wasi tsohardfi
ndi
ngfil
esandchecki
ngy
ourschedul
e,
Makhosini
?"Sheasksannoy
ed,f
ixi
ngthef
il
erackImessedup.

"
Pleasedon'
teverdivor
ceme, Nancy.Thesepastt
woday
swer
e
t
hehardestever
."Iadmitandshelaughs.

Shewasof fsickandIhadtof i
gurethi
ngsoutonmyown.Ev er
si
nceIhiredherasmyassi stantshe'
salwaysbeenatwork,5
daysaweekandav ai
labl
eont hephoneonweekends.Shenev er
get
ssickandwhenshegoesonl eaveshebringsmeat empshe
hastaughthertri
cksandmet hods.Butthi
sti
mei twasshor
t
not
iceandt hegir
lwasn'tavai
labl
etocomet hroughandhel
pout.

"
Youar
esuchababy
."Ir
oll
myey
es.

Shemademet hi
sway
,heref
fi
ciencymademer
elaxandst
ickt
o
whatIknow.

"Ev
enthoughy
oumadeamess, I'
m gl
adyousur
viv
edony our
own.Iwasworr
iedI
'
llcomebackt oabur
neddownbuil
ding."I
thr
owmyheadbackandl augh.

I
'm proudofmysel
faswell.Ther
ewereti
mesIwast emptedto
pi
ckupt hephoneandaskherwheresheplacedsomefi
lesbutI
di
dn'twanttoworr
yher.Sheneededt
herestsoshecouldcome
backst
rongenought
ohol
dmebacki
npl
ace.

"Imeani
t,Nancy.Yourcont
ribut
iontoLukhel
edi
amondsdoesn'
t
gounnot
iced.Iappreci
atey
oumyf r
iend.
"Shepl
acesahandon
myshoul
der.

"Thanky oufri
end,workingher
ehasaf for
dedmeandmyf amilya
comf ort
ableli
fe.Idon'tt
hinkI
'
llev
erleave.It
'snotonl
yaplaceof
workf orme,"aquickknockcomest hroughthedoorandthe
personwal ksinbeforegivent
hepermission.

Iblowoutasi ghwhenRat anangwal ksin,

what '
sthisgi
rls
probl em?Af t
erhereshe'l
lberunningtomysi st
erandcryi
ng
victi
m, Idon'tneedthi
sbullshitri
ghtnow.Mv eloandIaren'
t
talkingbecauseofher ,
mysi sterismadatmebecauseshechose
tomakemel ooklikeanasshol eandI'
m madatMv elof
or
believ i
ngt hatIcouldeverbethatkindofguy .Wegr ewup
toget herforcryingoutloud,sheknowsbet ter.

Ratanangwal ksfur t
heri nandlooksatNancythendownt oher
handonmyshoul derandshoot supadrawney ebr
ow.Without
permi ssi
onagai n, sheset t
lesdownont hechai
ropposit
eme.My
chestheav es, t
otallyexasper at
ed.Nancyremovesherhandonmy
shoulder,placest hef il
esinherotherhandonthemahoganydesk
andexcusesher sel f.Ratanangpivot
sherheadt owat
chmy
assistantwalkoutofmyof fi
ce,oncethedoori
sshutcloseshe
bri
ngsherat t
ent i
onbackt ome.I '
m notgoingt
osayawor dunti
l
shet ell
smewhat 'sgoi ngon.
"
Hey
,"shest
art
sof
fandInod.

"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"myquest
ioncomesouti
nashar
psl
ap
andshepout
s.

"Ididn'
tcomeher et ofi
ghtwithy
ou,Makhosini
.Icametoburry
thehat chet
."Ichuckleshaki
ngmyhead.She'skiddi
ngri
ght?She
placesherhandbagont hedeskandleansi
n,resti
ngherar
mson
thet optoo.Ihatethatshe'
sgett
ingcomfor
table.

"Mvel
or eachedouttome.Wear egoodnowandIdon'twantto
beawkwar dwithherbrother,
f orhersakeIthi
nkweshouldj
ust
for
getaboutallthathappened."Wow, justwow.Rat
anangis
i
nsane,sheshoul dbeapologizingfortel
li
ngmysist
erhal
ftrut
hs
andpainti
ngmet obethebadguy .

"Whydi dyoucryv i
ctimt oheri nthef i
rstplace?Youdoknowt hat
you'ret
heonewhocamet omyr oom andseducedme, r
ight?"She
narrowsherey es.Ileanbackonmychai randcr ossmyl egs.
Ratananggetsonherf eetandsi tsi
nt heedgeoft hedesk, her
skir
tpulli
ngupandexposi nghert hi
ghs.Iwon' tevengetan
erecti
on,sheturnsmeof fbecauseIknowt heki
ndofwomanshe
i
snow.Idon' tunder standwhyshehast ost oopsol owwhen
she'ssobeautifulandsuccessf ul.I
'
m sur emenwoul dki
lltobe
withher.

"
Ifyoudidn'
twanttosl
eepwit
hme, y
oucoul
dhav
ejustsai
dno.
I
t'
sthatsimple.
"Ohshe'
sonetot
alk.

"
Idi
dsaynot
odi
nnerandwhatdi
dyoudo?Your
ant
opai
ntme
badtomyownsi st
er.Sof
rom thatIconcl
udethaty
ou'r
enot
real
l
yfamil
i
arwiththewordno,andy oudon'
ttakei
tver
ywel
l
wheniti
ssaid.
"Shegaspsinshockandswallowshard.

"I
sshet hereasonyouturnedmedown?"Inar
rowmyey esi
n
confusi
on."Yourassi
stant?"Sher
eadmyfaci
alexpr
essi
onand
answeredtheunsaidquestion.

"What?No, Nancyismar r
ied.Evenifshewasn't
,it
'snonofyour
business.
"Iputheri ncheck.Shehol dsherhandsoutinsurr
ender
.
"YouareMv elo'sfr
iend,notmi ne.Stopcomingtomyof f
iceand
whenwedocr osspaths,let'
spretendli
kewedon'tknoweach
other.
"Isaybluntly
.

Idon'tknowwhyshe'
shorr
if
iedbymywords.Idon'
twanther
drama, Ideal
twi
thcr
azyNombulel
oandI
'
m notsigni
ngupf or
thatshitagai
n.

"
Wedon'
thav
etobeenemi
es,
Makhosi
ni.
"Inodi
nagr
eement
.

"That
'st
rue,butwealsodon'
thavetotal
k.Keepyourl
aneandI'
ll
keepmine."Isaysof
tl
y,hopi
ngthatsheunder
standsmeclear
ly.

Ratananggr absherhandbagonmydeskandheadst othedoor

angril
y,Ihopethisi
sthelasttimeI'
m seei
ngthi
sgirl
.GodknowsI
don'tneedthisdrama,Idon'
tneedtogobackt oadarkplacein
myl i
febecauseofawoman.Nott hatoneisn'
tal
readymakingme
questionmy sel
f.MaMohapi hasn'
tbeenansweri
ngmycal l
ssince
Monday ,wewer esupposedt ogoouttowatchaplaybutshe
nevergotbackt ome.Ithoughtwebot henj
oyedeachother'
s
companyandlookedf orwardt othef r
iendshipthatwasbrewing.I
hadtostopmy selff
rom goingt oherpl ace,
Irespectboundari
es
andhernotanswer i
ngmycal l
sort exti
ngbacki saclearenough
messagetokeepmydi stance.Butit'
ssohar d,IlovewhoI
becomewhenI 'm wit
hher .Theof f
icedooropensandNancy
walksi
nwithaf rown.

"
Ist
hatthel
adyIwassendingr
osesto?Ivoteagai
nsther
,she'
s
r
ude.Youmyfri
enddeser
vebett
erthanthat
."Il
augh.

"Nope,therosegirli
sghost i
ngme.Af t
erwehadanamazing
Sundayi nthefactor
y .
"Nancysit
sdownont hesamechai
r
Ratanangwasonaf ewmi nut
esago."Imadeherabeaut
if
ulr
ing
andmay bethatscaredheraway."Iadd.

SheprobablythoughtIwantedmor
ethanf
ri
endshi
p.Totel
lthe
tr
uthIcanseemy sel
fhavi
ngmorewit
hherbuti
fshedoesn'
tthen
herfr
iendshi
pisenough.

"Youl
ikeherdon'
tyou?
"Igi
veheral
opsi
dedsmi
l
eandshr
ugmy
shoul
der.

"She'
sagreatfri
end,Idon'thavet
othi
nkwit
hher,t
hingsjust
happennatural
ly
.She'slaidbackandf
unnybutst
il
lseri
ousabout
l
ifeandherfutur
e."Iexplai
n.

"Greatfri
end,yousay?"shelaughs."
I'myourfr
iendandy oureyes
don'tl
ightupl i
kethatwheny outal
kaboutme."Ir ol
lmyey es,
reachingforthepenont hedeskandt hr
owingitather."
Your
reacti
onpr ov
est hatI
'mright
.Youar eMakhosi
ni Lukhel
e,you
don'
tgiveupthateasil
y,doyouknowwher esheli
ves?"Nancy
asksandIsitstr
aightandnod, yes."Goseeher,askifyoudid
anyt
hingwrongforhert oghosty ouandifshesaysy es,apol
ogi
ze
andmakei tuptoher.Butifshe'splayi
nggamest henletherbe,
i
t'
sherlossbecausey ou'r
eagr eatpersonandany onewhohas
hasyouintheirl
if
eisblessed."She'samazing,seewhyIcan't
l
ooseher ?Bot
hasaf r
iendandanassi stant.

"I
'
llgoswi ngbyherplaceaf
terwork.Cany
ougett
hefl
oristt
o
deli
versomebeaut i
fulfl
owersher
esoIcantaket
hem t
oher
my sel
f?"Iaskandshenods.

"
I'
ll
workmymagic,youjustwor
ryaboutt
hemessagey
ourgoi
ng
t
owr i
teont
hecard.
"Inod.

"
Rat
anang,
thi
nkswear
eat
hingbyt
heway
."Sher
oll
sherey
es.

"Showmesomeonewhodoesn' t
,thatdoesn'tbothermebecause
weknowourt ruth."Exact
ly."Therudegi r
l,Iassumeshe' s
Ratanang.What'sgoingont here?"She'sgoingtol ect
uremetoo
butletmejusttell
her.Afterallherbarkisscar i
erthanherbi
te.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Everyt
hingisaboutUndi
phil
enow, you'vechanged."That
'sWal
e.
"SouthAf r
icangi
rl
scannotbetrust
ed, Ebuka.Theyonlygetwi
th
usf ort
hemoney ."Headds,hesoundsr eal
lypissed.

"
Youknownot
hingaboutmywoman,
absol
utel
ynot
hing.
Undiphil
eisn'
tli
kethosegir
lsyoucl
ubwi thever
ynight
,she'sa
womani fsubstance.OneIhavechosentolivet
herestofmyl i
fe
wit
h,"Ebukashot sback.Whyaret
heyfighti
ngaboutmyf r
iend?
What '
sWal e'
sproblem?

Thehousehelperist
heonewhoansweredt
heint
ercom and
openedthegateforme.Theset
wohavenoideat
hatI'
vearr
ived
andli
steni
ngtothem ar
gue.

"Idon'tneedy ournegat
iveener
gyaroundme.Ifyou'
regoi
ngto
keept hi
supt henIsuggestyoustayaway,Iwon'
thavesomeone
whoi sn'thappyformet osti
ckaround.
"Ebukasayswit
h
confi
dence.

Thi
sishect
icmos.

"Ohwow, you'
rechoosi
ngawhor eyoujustmetov eryour
brother
?"Icringe,howdarehecall
myf ri
endthat?Iam wait
ingfor
Ebuka'sresponsebutitdoesn'
tcome,rat
her,Ihearthi
ngsbreak,
theyarefighti
ng.Iqui
ckl
ygetintheroom andfindthetwogiants
atit
.

"St
opit,st
op!"Iscream buttheydon'tl
isten.Fist
sarefl
ying
every
where.Ebukapi nsWal etothefl
oor ,wit
hakneeonhi sneck.
Waleisstruggli
ngtobreathe,try
ingtofreehimselfbutEbukais
j
usttoostrong.He'sabeast ,f
ighti
ngtodef endUndiphi
le'
shonor.
Ift
hisisn'
tlovethenIdon'tknowwhati tis.

"Youdar
ecallherthatwayagai
nandI'
ll
kil
lyou,Wale.I
'
lldest
roy
you.
"Hegetsupf r
om him andst
epsback.Walejer
ksup,
coughi
ngvi
olentl
yandr ubbi
nghi
sneck.
Hest agger
sbackandgrabsthebottl
eofal
coholonthecoff
ee
tabl
e.He'ssayi
ngshitwhil
edrunk,
thi
ssonofaguncouldn'
teven
sayitwithhi
sfull
chest,
heneededalcohol
confi
dencetospew
nonsense.

"
Getthef
uckoutofmyhouseandst
ayout
,"Ebukar
oar
s,poi
nti
ng
t
othedoor.

Wal
espi
tsont
hefloorandIgaspinshock,
suchdi
srespect
.I
wat
chhi
mleav
e,cussingunderhi
sbreat
h.

Ebukasi tsdownont hecouchandbur ieshisf aceinhi

shands,
thi
smustbehar donhim.HeandWal ear ecl oseandhepr obabl y
expect edhimt osupporthisrelat
ionshipwi thUndiphil
e.To
respectt hatshe'
sinhislif
enowandt hi ngswon' tgoonliket hey
usedt owhenhewasasi ngleman.Ipl acemybagont hecouch
andr usht othekit
chent ofi
ndabr oom andadustpant ocleanup
thebr okenv aseandglass.Ibumpi nt
ot hehousehel perrushi ng
tothel oungewi t
hthethingsIwasgoi ngt oget .Wegreetandshe
hurri
espastmet ocleanev er
y thi
ng.Ideci detogogetmybr other
aglassofhi samberdrink,i
t'
llcal
m him down.

Ifi
ndhimi nthegardenpacingupanddown.Ij usthandhimt he
dri
nkbeforeIcansayany thing.Hegulpsitall
downi nonegoand
makesaf aceasi tburnshisthroat.Hepull
smei nt
oanembr ace
andIhughi m back.Ihopehe' l
lsnapoutofthemoodWal ethrew
hi
mi n,t
hatpieceofshi tr
eallymessedupourdaybef oreiteven
began.Iusedtolikehim butnowi t'
sallgone,
noonei nsul
tsmy
bestf
ri
endl
i
ket
hatandget
sasmi
l
efr
om me.

"I
'
m sor
ryyouhadt
ohearhim sayt
hataboutUndi
phi
l
e,"wel
etgo
andsi
tdownonthelounger
s.

"I
t'
sokay,youdeal
twit
hhi
m."Het
it
ter
sandl
ooksathi
sknuckl
es,
he'
llneedsomeice.

"That '
smywi fe.Ijusthat et hatmydayonei sagai nstmy
happi ness,butIwon' tchoosehi m overUndi phile.Hewant smeto
remai nt hepieceofshi tthatsl eptwi thev ery
thingi nskir
tand
partiedl i
keanani mal ,hef eelsitmadeuscl oserandUndi phil
eis
takingt hataway ."That '
sabsur d.Heshoul dhaveknownt hatthere
willcomeat imewher et heyhadt ohangt heirplayboyglov esand
beser i
ousaboutl i
fe."Inev erwant edt oloosehi sf r
iendshipbutI
can'tkeepsomeonewhocaneasi l
yi nsultawomanIl oveso
much, "Inodunder standing.He' shur ti
ng, helov esandcar esfor
Wal ebuthe' sgot tachoosewhatmakeshi m better,whatmakes
him happi erandt hat'sUndi phileSisulu.The21y earoldthathas
turnedhi sli
feupsi dedown.

"
Itot
all
yunderst
and.Ij
ustwanty
outoknowthatUndi
phi
lel
oves
y
ou,too.She'
sinthi
sandtal
ki
ngaboutt
hefut
uretoo,
thi
sisnota
j
okeforher.
"Heclaspsmyhand.

"Iknow.Whensheint
roducedmetohergrandmotherandbrot
her,
Iknewwewer efor
ever.Thanky
ouformakingourpathscr
oss."I
nodwi t
hagri
n.

"
Iam j
usthappyt
obegi
vi
ngt
hespeechony
ourweddi
ngday
,"he
l
aughs.

"I
'
ml ookingforwardtoheari
ngwhaty ou'
ll
sayont heday.
"I
scrunchmynose." Anyway,howhav ey oubeen? "HeasksandI
heaveasi gh.Mymi ndraci
ngbackt oMabut ho.Thatbast
ardhas
beenbl owingmyphonewi thtext
sfrom differentnumbers,I
swearheboughtami ll
i
onsim cardstot or
mentmebecauseI
blockedhisnumberandIkeepbl ockingeachnumberher eaches
outwi t
h.IfhekeepsthisupthenI'
ll
hav etochangemynumber .

"I
'
m good,j
ustwannagetthr
oughmyexamsandpr
eparefor
Atang'
svi
sit
."It
ell
him.I
'
m superexci
tedt
ohav
emybrother
comehere.

"Can'
twaittomeett
hebi
gguy
,hopef
ull
yIdon'
twei
rdhi
m out
."I
chuckl
e,shaki
ngmyhead.

"
Justt
alkabouthockeyandhewi
l
llov
eyou.
"Hewi
nksatme.

"Noted.IwanttotakeUndiphi
leonahol
idaydur
ingtheschool
break.Ihavethi
ngsaroundthehouseAtangwouldenj
oy.How
abouty ouguyscomest ayher
ewhilewearegoneandhavean
amazingt i
me."Igaspinshock.

"
Real
l
y?"Iaskandhenodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"
Defi
nit
ely
,you'
remysi
sterandthi
sisy ourhometoo.Iwant
At
angtohaveagreatt
imewi t
hyou."Iatt
ackhim wi
thahug.

"Thankyousomuch,Ebuka.You'
rethebest.
"Weletgoandhi
s
househelpercomest
hroughwithsomedr i
nks.
Wear ehavingaconv ersat
ionov erourl unchandl aughingatt he
stupi
dthingshenor mallysays.Ididn'treali
zet hatImi ssedhi m
somuch, tothi
nkIdi dn'
ttrusthi
m att hebegi nning.Itshowst hat
apersonshouldnev erconcludeany thingaboutt henextper son
basedont heli
tt
letheysee.Ebukai sacar ing, suppor t
iveper son
andwhenhe' sgotyourbackhehasi tforlife.Iam t rulyblessedto
havehim andI'
m gladUndi phil
ehashi mt oo.Hewi l
ltakecar eof
herineverywaypossi bl
e.

"Baby,
"webot
ht ur
natt
hesoundofUndiphi
le'
ssobbi
ng.She
stopsi
nhertr
acksandbal
ancesherhandsonherkneesandcr
ies
outsopai
nful
ly
.

Ebukai
sbyhersi
deinseconds,
hehol
dsherupandplacesher
headonhi
schest
,ki
ssi
ngt hecr
ownofherheadr
epeatedl
y.

"
It
'sgoingt
obeokay,mylove.
"Mykneesar
eweakasIst
andnext
t
ot hem wi
thmyhandscoveri
ngmymouth.

"She'
sgone,
ithurtssobad.
"Myheartisachi
ngforher,Ican'
t
begintoi
maginehowshe'sfeel
ingr
ightnow.Peacheswasallshe
hadandnowt hatshe'
sgoneli
fewil
lnotbethesamef orher.

"Igotyou,
forever
.Igotyou.Myl
ove.
"Ebukasay
stoherashe
brushesherbackincir
cles.

Wemanagedt ocal
m herdown,Imadeheracupofsugarwat
er
andEbukahasheri
nhisarmsri
ghtnow.He'sonthephonet
ryi
ng
tofi
ndtwoti
cket
stoGqeberha,
Undiphi
l
ewant st
ogohome
i
mmedi ately.IwishIcoul
dgowi t
hherbutIhaveworkhereandI
al
readymi sseditthi
spastweekend.ButI
'
lldef
inedbethereaday
ortwobef orethefuneral
,I
'l
laskf
oracoupleofdaysof
ffrom
Kabelo.

"Igottwosit
sonaplanethatl
eav
esinlesst
han2hour
sfr
om
now, baby
."Het
ell
sherandshenods.

"
Thanky
ou,
Obi
m."Apeckl
andsonherf
orehead.

"I
'
m sorr
yIcannotbet herewi
thyouUndi
,butIpromisetocall
ever
ydayandcomeaf ewdaysbefor
ethefuner
al."Sheoff
ersme
aweaksmi l
e,herbeauti
fuley
esswoll
enandred.

"I
t'
sokayfr
iend.
"Undi
phi
ledoesn'
tdeser
vetogothr
oughthi
s,I
hurtf
orher
."Weshouldgobacktotheapar
tmentsoIcanpack.
"
Shesays.

"
Let'sjustheadtotheair
port
,I'
l
lgetyoueveryt
hingy
ouneed
whenwel and.YouhaveyourI
Dony ou?"Ebukaisasweetheart
,
I
'm gratef
ul he'
l
lbewit
hherthroughthi
sunti
lImakeitdownt her
e.

"
Yes,
it'
sinmypur
se.
"Heset
sherdownont
hecouch.

"Letmegetmydocumentsandwal
l
ett
henwewi
l
lheadout
."He
getsupandheadsoutt
heroom.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"shecomest
osi
tnearmeandwehug.

"
Ilov
eyou,
too,
Lemo.
"
Igettothefl
oorofourapar tmentandf rownwhenIseeabouquet
offl
ower sonourdoorst ep.Ipickt
hem upandf i
shf ormykey sto
openthedoor.OnceIst epinsideIburymynosei ntheflower s
andclosemyey es,theysmel lsogood.Ishoul dfi
ndf l
ori
stsin
Gqeberhawhowi lldeli
vertoUndiphil
e,sheneedst oknowt hat
shehaspeoplewhol oveherandshei sn'tal
one.Iplacet he
bouquetonthekitchencount erandfi
ndacar d.Myhear tsi
nks
whenIseewhot heyaref r
om, Ihavebeenav oidi
nghi m.

HEYNANA.DI
DIOFFENDYOUMAYBE?FORGI
VEYOURFRI
END
PLEASE,
IMI
SSYOURBADINFLUENCE.

XX

MAKHOSI
NI

Iheaveasighandclosemyey es.I'
m goingt hr
oughsomeshi tat
themomentandIdon' twanttothrowitonhi m.Iwashopi ngt o
keephim awayfrom mybull
shitandpast ,Iwanttohav esomeone
i
nmyl if
ewhoknowsnot hi
ngaboutmyscar ssot heydon'tfeel
theneedtolookoutforme.Unt i
lI'
m overwhatt hatbastar
ddi dto
meonMonday ,I
'
m keepingmybadi nf
luencefri
endatar ms
l
ength.Ifi
ndmyphonef rom i
nsidethebagandt exthim.

YOUDI
DNOTHI
NG,
SORRYFORGOI
NGMI
A.I
'
M JUSTDEALI
NG
WI
THSTUFFATTHEMOMENT,
INEEDTOBEALONE.

IMI
SSYOURBADI NFLUENCETOOBUTI
NTHESTATEIAM,
I
WON'TFULLYGI
VEITTOYOU.

Ipresssendandsetmyphoneont hegrani
tetop,Ineedwat er
.I
grabatumblerandfi
lli
twithwat
er,gul
pdownt heentir
ethingand
takeadeepbreathasIsettheemptygl
assdown.Ishoul dcall
Amukelaniandtel
lherPeachesi
snomor e.Myphonev ibrat
eson
thecounter
,st
artl
i
ngme.Shi t
!Hear
tofabird.

IUNDERSTANDTHAT.YOU'
LLREACHOUTONCEYOU'
REGOOD,
I'
LLBEWAITING.BUTI
FYOUDONEEDSOMEONEJUSTKNOW
I'
M AVAI
LABLE.

Ismi
l
eathi
srepl
y.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER29

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Myhear tisinshambl es,If

eel numb.I tfeelslikesomeone
punchedmei nt hest
omachr epeat edly, t
ryi
ngt obeatmy
i
ntestinesoutmymout h.Iknewshewasgoi ngt oleav eussoon
butthatdoesn' tmakei thurtanyl ess,infactitst i
ngsev enmor e
becauseIdi dn'
tspendmor etimewi thher .Ishoul dn'thav e
hurr
iedbackt oJohannesbur g, Ishoul dhav est ayedunt il
t hi
sday
came.May be,justmaybeIwoul dbedeal i
ngwi ththisbet terthanI
am rightnow.OhPeaches, whatwi llli
febewi thouty ou?Whowi l
l
Ical
l justt oheart hegossipofKwazakhel e?Whowi llcallmej ust
toaski fI'
vewentt ot
het oi
lettodonumbert wobecausei t'
sso
i
mpor tantt hatwedo.Yourdeat hhashi tmet hehar destbecause
youwer et heonl yoneIhadl eft,theonl yonewhowoul dt ellme
stor
iesaboutmypar ents.Youkeptt hem aliv
ei nmyheadandmy
heartwi ththeirmemor ies,
youdi dn'tallowmet oforgett hem.

Someonecl aspsmyhandandIqui ckl

ylookthei
rdir
ect
ion,
my
heartrel
axeswhenIseemyboy fri
end.Ebuka,myangel
.Idon't
knowwhatIcoul dhav
edonewi thouthi
m, hi
ssupporti
swhat's
keepingmest andingr
ightnow.He'sbeenassuri
ngmet hathe'
s
hereandnotgoi nganywhere.Li
feworksoutinmy st
eri
ousway s.
I
t'
sliketheuni
versebroughtmethismantot
akecar
eofmewhen
i
ttookmygr andmother.Hisl
oveispur
e,i
tgi
vesmehope,
eveni
n
t
histryi
ngti
me.

Wear eonourwayt oKwazakhele,hedidn'

thav eti
metohi r
eacar
sowet ookamet ert
axihome.Wehav enot hi
ngonus, justmy
handbagcontaini
ngourphones,mypur seandhi swall
et.He
didn'
tevenwantmewast ingt
imeget t
ingclothes,hewantedto
getmeher eassoonaspossible.WhatevergoodI '
vedonetobag
thisman,I
'm hopi
ngtokeepondoi ngitsolif
edoesn'ttakehim
awayfrom me.

It
'sal it
tl
edar kwhenwef i
nall
yarri
veathomeandt her earethree
carspar kedint hecurbside.Twobel ongt omyaunt s, Zanande
andLumka.TheSUVbel ongstoJojo.Ebukapay sthedr iv
erthat
ri
diculousamountofmoneyandwecl imboutoft hecar .He's
nervousIcant ell
,pr
obabl ywonderinghowt hi
swhol ei sgoingto
wor k.Idon'tknowt oobutJoj owillsurelyadvicemeonwhat '
s
appr opri
atetodoi nthiscase.Idon'twantt obether easonwhy
myaunt sshoutandcur sewhent heyr eali
zeIbroughtmy
boyf ri
endwi t
hme.Thatwi l
ldi
srespectt hememor yofmy
grandmot herandsur elygivethenei ghborssomet hingt odri
nkt ea
over .

"
Baby,comestandnextt
oJojo'
scar.Ineedt
ogotalkt
ohim
f
ir
st.
"Isayandherel
axesali
ttl
ebecauseIment
ionedsomeone
hei
sfami
l
iarwi
th.

"
I'
ll
beri
ghtherewheny
oucomeback,
"Isqueezehi
shandand
l
eavehi
m bythecar
.

I
'm gr
ateful
thatIwor
eadresstodayandwrappedmyheadwith
anankarapri
ntdoek,
Iwantedt
obeal adybutl
itt
ledi
dIknowI
wasgetti
ngreadytocomehomeandmour nmyPeaches.Lord,
it
hur
ts.

They ar
disquiet
, t
hecommuni typrobabl
yhasn'theardaboutmy
grandmothersdeath,becausei
ftheydidtheyardwouldbe
buzzingwit
hpeopl ewhocamet oof f
erthei
rcondolences.News
nolongertr
avelfasti
nt hetownshi
p,I'
m shocked.

"Haibo!Whendidy
ougethereUndiphi
le?Iwasgoi
ngtocall
when
Ithoughtyou'
dbecal
mt otal
kaboutgetti
ngyoudownhere.
"Joj
o
saysaswebumpi ntoeachotheratt
hecorneroft
hemainhouse.

"Mntase,
Icoul
dn'
tst
ayi
nJohannesbur
ganothermi
nut
e."Tear
s
arebli
ndi
ngmeasIsaythi
s.Hepull
smeinforahugandIhold
ontohim.

"Iam sor
ry,
mnt
ase.Iknowi
thur
tsbutshe'
srest
ingnow.
"He
says.

Idon'tknowhowhe'smanagi
ngtokeepittoget
her.Whenhe
call
edearli
erhewassti
l
ltheJoj
oIknow.Ev ent
houghmakhulu
diedwithhimint
heroom.Iwouldhav
efaintedonthespot
.
"Howarey ouholdi
ngup?"Iaskoncewe'
vesepar
atedf
rom t
he
hug.Hejustshrugshi
sshoulder
s.

"Ideal
twi
thitwhenshewasst il
lal
i
ve,Ihavetobel
evel
headed
andmakesur eever
y t
hinggoessmoothl
y.Tobeabl
etodealwi
th
theevi
lsi
ster
s,"Ir
eleaseahumour l
esslaugh.

"
Idon'
twantt
obeyour
ightnow,
they
'l
lfi
ghty
ourdeci
sionsal
lthe
way.
"Hesmil
es.

"
Makhul
uknewt
hatandshemadear
rangement
sfori
t.
"If
rown.

Whatdoeshemeanbyt
hat
?

"
Agai
n,howdidyougether
e?"HeasksandIl
ookbackwher
eIl
eft
myBoyfr
iend.

"
Ahh,
hef
lewy
oudowni
mmedi
atel
y?"Ismi
l
elooki
ngdown.

"Yes,he'
sst
andi
ngoutsi
de.Idon'
tknowhowthisisgoi
ngtopl
ay
out.Hecoul
dn'
tbookaroom atthehot
elorhi
reacar,wedon'
t
evenhaveanyt
hingt
owearorcosmet i
cs.
"Hebrushesmyarm.

"NowIunder standwhymakhul ul ovedNomasont o,

"heshould
quitcall
ingmymant hat."Ican'tall
owhi mtosleepherebecause
hehasn' tpaidlobolafory ou,butI'l
ltalktomyf ri
enddownt he
streettoaccommodat ehi m.Hehast hreebedroomsandl i
ves
alone."Isighinreli
ef,at
leastmymanhasapl acetosleept
onight
.
Itwouldbecr azyexpectinghimt ogoi ntotownwi t
houtacarto
findaccomodat i
ons,notwhenhedr oppedev erythi
ngtobehere
wi t
hme.

"
Thanky
ou,
Joj
o."Hewi
nksatme.
"I
'
llgethi
m abl azerandtakehi
mtomyr ondavelwhi
leIarr
ange
withmyf r
iend.Yougoi nsi
deandgr
eet
,trytoavoidt
heirdr
ama
pl
ease."Iclosemyey esandnod.

Ial
readypr
ayedami
l
li
ont
imesaski
ngGodt
okeepmecal
m
thr
oughout
.

"Tel
lEbukaI
'
llseehi
minaj
i
ffy
,"Ir
oundhi
m andheadi
nsi
det
he
house.

Ist epi ntothel oungeandmyaunt sandt heirchil

drenaresitti
ng
aroundt her oom, watchi ngTVandt hrowingcomment sonwhat '
s
play ing.Theyar est i
llwearingtrouser sandt heirheadsaren't
wr apped, whatdi srespecti sthis?Di dJojoseet hem?Makhul u
diedi ntheaf t
er noon, theyshoul dbei ndr esses,headswr apped
andt heTVof f.Theyhav eabsol utelynoregardf ortr
adit
ionand
thei rmot her.It'
sal socl earthatt heydon'trespectJojoast he
headoft hisfami l
y ,he'
st heonlySi sul
uboychi ldandhiswor dis
l
awwi thr egardst omat ter
soft hi sfamily
.

"Youarejusti
nti
met ocar ryyourbrot
herscommands, hewant s
themattr
essdownandcandl esliti
nmama' sbedroom.It
'sthe
l
eastyoucando, younev ercamewhenshewassi ck.Wehadt o
doeveryt
hingoursel
vesbuty ouacceptedhermoneyal ways."
Lumkadoesn'twastetime.Shedeci destogetri
ghtonthehor se
andremindmet hatI'
mt heirl
eastfavori
teper
son,meandJoj o.
Iwon'tsayany t
hingtoher ,andIwon' tevencal l
heroutonl ying.
Theydidn' tgivePeachest heloveandat tenti
onsheneededi nher
fi
nalday s.Iheadbackt ot hekitchentogett hecandl esand
candlehol dersi ntheutil
i
tycupboar d.Iwal kpastt hegroupwi t
h
thei
reyesonme, onceI'vedisappearedintot hecor r
idortheyr oar
withl
aught er,Icouldn'
tcar elessaboutthosecl owns.I '
m her eto
helpJojopr epareforourgr andmot her'
sfuner alandlayheri nher
fi
nalrestingpl ace.Ishouldt oughenupbecausei t
'sgoingt oget
bumpy ,Imustnev ershowt hem anysi gnofweakness.I '
l
l cryto
myboy friendandJoj o.

Ittookmeal most30mi nutestof i

nishev er yt
hinginMakhul u's
bedroom.I t
'snowonl yamat t
ressont hef l
oor,candl esburni ngby
thecor nernearasmal lbundleofaf ewofhercl othes.Ialso
placedt hecutler
ysheusednextt oev erything.Inev erunder stood
whyPeacheswast eachingmeal l
thesewei rdthingsbutnowI '
m
thankful becausetheyar ecomi nginhandyf orherfuner al
.Idon' t
wantust odot hi
ngswr ongly
,it'
scleart hatev eryt
hingi slooki ng
atmeandJoj o.Thesist er
sareobv iouslyt ryi
ngt omaket hings
hardf orusbutwel ovedMakhul uandwewi llmakesur ethather
funeralrightsarecarri
edoutexact l
yhowt heyshoul d.

Aft
erclearingoutthebedr oom ImadeEbukasomet hingtoeat
anddri
nk, Iam taki
ngt hem toJojo'
srondavelnow.Ihopehei s
comfortablewit
hbei ngher eandsleepi
ngatast r
anger shouse.
Butknowinghowcul turedheis,hedefi
nit
elyunderstandswhyhe
can'
tsleephereathome.Thedoori snotcompletelyshutsoI
pushitwithmyassandwal
kin.Babyissi
tt
ingont
hedouble
couch,watchi
ngagameoffootbal
l
,heandJojowi
llgetal
ong
then.Theyarebot
hLi
ver
pudli
an.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orl
eav
ingy
oual
onesol
ong,
"Hel
aughs.

"Baby,
Ididn'
tcomeher
efory
outobaby
sitme.Icamef
ory
ou,
to
supporty
ou."Hesay
sandmyhearti
sal
right
.

"Thankyouforbei
ngsosel
fl
ess,
Obim."Ipl
acehi
sfoodonthe
sidetabl
eandhandhimthewarm di
shclot
htowi
pehishands.

"Iam t
hiswaybecauseIl
ovey
oudear
ly,
"Isi
tnextt
ohi
m and
peckhisli
ps.

"
Ilov
eyou,
too,
babe.
"Lor
d,Iam i
nlov
ewi
thhi
m.

"
Howar
eyouholdi
ngup?
"HeasksandImanaget
oswal
l
owpast
t
hel
umpinmythroat
.

"
Ithurt
ssomuchbabybutIhavet
oaccepti
tanddomypar
tin
makingsur
eev
ery
thinggoessmoothl
y.
"Henodsi
mper
cept
ibl
y.

"
Youar
egoingtobeokay,becomfor
tedbythefactt
hatshel
oved
y
ouandwantedthebestf
oryou.
"That'
sver
ytrue.

"
Wher
e'sJoj
o?"Iaskt
ryi
ngt
opeepi
nhi
sbedr
oom.

"Ohhewentoutt
ogetussomet
hingt
oquencht
het
hir
st,
hesai
d
he'
ll
bebacksoon.
"Ir
oll
myeyes.

"IguessI'
l
lhavet
hejui
cethen,
"hechuckl
esandmout hsanI '
m
sorry."
Uhm,you'
l
lbesl
eepingatJoj
o'
sf r
iend.I
t'
snotfar
,just
downthestr
eet.
"Henodsandfor
ksthenoodl
esImadehi
m,he
l
ikest
hem spi
cywit
hpeppersandcar
rot
s.

"
Joj
oal
readyt
oldmebaby
,thanks.
"

It
aketheremoteandmoveitt
othemusi
cchannel
,heshoot
sme
alookandIbatmyeyel
ashes.

"Somebody'
ssongof i
ndmeoneday ,"Isi
ngal
ongtoTiwa
Savagessong.Ebukasuddenl
ychokesonhisf
ood.Ir
ubhisback
andgivehi
mt hejui
cetosip.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.

"No,
madam.y ouwonkil
lmeabi?Whichoneissomebody'
sson
agai
n?"Ibur
stoutl
aughi
ng.Thi
sfool
,healmostdi
edbecauseI
wassingi
ngalongt
oTiwa.

"
Arey
ouki
ddi
ngme?
"Iaskandhebi
tesmyar
m.

"
Awww!
"Iy
elp,
thengi
ggl
e.

"I
t'sgoodtoseeyousmileandlaugh.Iknowy ou'
regoingthr
ough
themostr i
ghtnow,andbabyIneedy outoknowt hatyouhaveme,
okay?"Tearsbl
indmyv i
sionandInodv i
gorously
.Heleansinand
plantsasoftki
ssonmyl i
ps.Wepullapartwhent hedooropens.

"Nomasonto,sbari
sam.I
'm back,
"Irol
lmyeyes.Helaughswhen
heseesmyf acial
expr
essi
on."aski
esmntase,Peachesmadethe
namestick.
"Ismackmyl i
ps.

"
IgotCor
ona.Hopeyoudri
nkit
."Hesayst
oEbukat
henpl
aces
t
he18packofbeeronthecof
feetabl
e.

"
It
'sgoodJoj
o,t
hanky
ouf
oror
gani
zi
ng.I
twi
l
lcal
m usdownaf
ter
t
hehect
icday
."MyObi
m say
s.

"
Notevenaciderforme?Ineedsomethi
ngt
omakemedi zzyso
I
'
llbeabl
etosleep,Joj
o."Heset
tl
esdownontheot
toman.

"
Ihadavi
sitorl
astweekendandshel
eftt
hree500ml
ofsav
anna,
"
t
hat'
sper
fect.

"Di
dn'
tknowyouhadagirl
fr
iendinKwazakhel
e,
"heshakeshi
s
headandIknowhe'
ster
minatingtheconv
ersat
ion.

"Mntase,
pleaseputthoseint
hefr
idge.'
"I'
l
lonlydoasheasks
becauseheisbeingnicetomyboyfr
iend."Andwhyarewe
l
ist
eningtomusic?"Heasks.

"
Asksomebody
'sdaught
er.
"OhEbukai
spet
tybutIl
ovehi
mli
ke
t
hat
.

Havi
nghi
m andJoj
oismakingmecryl
ess,t
hinklessaboutthe
pai
nandhowdif
fer
entl
i
feisgoi
ngtobefrom her
eonwar ds.

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

Ithi
nkI '
ml oosingmymi nd,noscratchthat.Idon'tt
hink,
Iam
defi
nitelyl
oosingmymi nd.Nowomanhasev erpull
edawayf rom
met hewayLemohangi sdoi ng.Theyareal waystry
ingtocatch
menotr unfrom me.Howt hef uckdidIlooseitli
kethatwithher
?
Howdi dIevenallowmy sel
ftogot hatfar?Iknewshewasn' tone
topushi nthatway ,Iknewshehadadi fferentmindsettothe
othersbutst i
ll
,Iall
owedmyangert ogett hebetterofmeand
cloudmyjudgement.I
'
vetri
edr
eachi
ngout,beggi
ngandpl
eadi
ng
forasecondchancebutshebl
ockseachnumber.

Ican'tallowthatgi r
ltoslipthr oughmyf ingers,Ican'tbarethe
thoughtofanot hermanhav ingher .Thi nkingabouti talonemakes
bil
er i
sef rom myst omachandbur nmyt hroat.Asmuchasi t
's
burningmet hatshel eft
,ithasal sopr ovedt hatshe'strulytheone
womanIdeser ve,whomyf ut urechi ldrendeser veast heirmom.
Shewi l
lbenot hingli
kemymot her,shewi llneveral
lowmet otur
n
herintoashes.She' st heonewomanwhowi l
ltamemeandmake
suret hatIfoll
owt her i
ghtpat hi nev erything.Ifoundher ,Ifound
myr ibandnowIneedt obringherbackandmakehert rustme
again.

Igott emptedamill
ionti
mest ogotoherapar t
mentbutIr eal
i
zed
thatI '
m goi
ngtoneedsomethingmor edr amatic,somethi
ngthat
willshowherhowmuchIl ov
eherandr egretwhatIputher
throughonMonday .Onlysomethingbigwi ll
bringLemohangback
tomeandIhav eanaceupmysl eeve.Thishast oworkbecauseif
i
tdoesn' t,I
'
mfucked.She'
sgonef oreverandIwi l
l r
egrett
hatfor
ther estofmyli
fe,
butIam Mabut hoMkhwanazi ,Inev
ergiveup.
It
'sjustnotinme.

Thegateint
ercom buzzes,Iqui
ckl
ygetonmyfeetandruntopick
uptherecei
ver.Myheartisthuddi
ngagai
nstmychest
,I'
m
cr
ossingmyf i
nger
st hatit
'
sLemohang.Shemusthavefelti
ttoo,
fel
ttheconnect
ionbetweenus.Whatweshar
eist
ooi
ntenset
o
endthisway,i
t'
stoorealt
ojustgi
veupon.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.

"I
sthi
sMabuthoMkhwanazi
?"Themal
evoi
ceasks,
bor
ed.Al
lmy
hopeshut
ter
s.

I
t'
snotLemohang,
it'
snother
.She'
sreal
l
ydonewi
thmeandour
r
elat
ionshi
p.

"
Yes,
whoi
sthi
s?"Isnapatwhoev
eri
tisont
heot
hersi
deoft
his
l
i
ne.

"
Iam her
etodel
i
verapackage,
sir
."Idi
dn'
tor
derany
thi
ng.

"I
'
llberightout
,"Ipl
acetherecei
verbackoni
tscr
adl
eandt
ake
bi
gst r
idestothedoor,anxi
oustoknowwhattheguyi
sdel
i
ver
ing
andwhoi ti
sfr
om.

There'
sasl ender,tall guyatmygat e,
leaningonthedel iv
eryv an.
He'schewinggum l i
kenobodi esbusiness.Igreethim andsignon
thedeli
veryslip,hegi v esmeacopyandt hesmal lbox,Iwalk
backtowar dsthef rontdoor ,rat
tl
ingtheboxt ot
ryandguesswhat
i
tcouldbe.Icl oset hedoorbehi ndmeandheadt othekitchent o
fi
ndakni f
et ocutof fthetape.Myhear tdropswhenIseewhat '
s
i
nt hebox,thismeansshe' sdone.Thisshoul dbeagi ftshewant s
tocheri
shf oreverifshest il
llovedmebutshedoesn' tbecause
she'sr
eturningit.All other
skepti t,
evenaf terIf
oundawayt oget
r
idoft
hem butnotLemohang.

Ibangmyf i
stsonthecounter
topandscream myf r
ustr
ati
onsout
.
Whycan' tshejustl
ookpassedthi
smistakeandr ememberthe
l
oveI'veshownher ?Whyisshechoosingtohurtmel i
kethi
s?I
l
oveherf orcryi
ngoutloud.Wit
houtt
hisnecklaceinher
possessionIwon'tbeabletotr
ackhermov ements,Iwon'
tbe
abl
et ofoll
owherandseewhatsheget supt o.

Iquickl
yrunt
othel
oungeandgett
hesmal
lphoneIboughtt
o
textherfr
om.

IKNOW YOUWANTNOTHI NGTODOWI THMELEMOHANGBUT

NOONEDESERVESTOKEEPMYMOTHERSNECKLACEMORE
THANYOU.I'
LLNEVERLOVEANYOTHERWOMANTHEWAYI
LOVEYOU.PLEASEACCEPTITBACK.

Ipresssendandplacet
hephonedown,
Iknowf oraf
actthatshe
i
sn'tgoi
ngtorepl
y,she'
sjustgoi
ngt
obl
ockthisnumber
.Igaspin
shockwhenitbeeps,al
ert
ingmeofani
ncomingmessage.

GOFUCKYOURSELFMABUTHO!

Herr
epl
ymakesmyhear
tbleed.Idon'tknowhowtodealwit
hthis,
I
'v
eneverf
oundmy
sel
finthi
ssituati
on.Thefactt
hatIdon'
thav
e
anyrealrel
ati
onshipexperi
encemakesi tevenwor se.My
smartphonevibrat
esfrom myj eanspocket,Iqui
ckl ytakeitout
.
Mychestheav esatthecallerI
D.Idon'twanttot al
kt othisman,
I'
vebeenav oi
dinghim becauseIdon'ttr
ustmy selfenought oact
supr
ised.Butit'
senough,Ineedt ocl
earmy selfoffanysuspi ci
on.

"Whatdoy
ouwant?Don'
ttel
lmeshe'
sscreamingf
ormebecause
shewasoutofi
twhenIwasther
e.St
opcall
ingme,
"Ishout
,
hopi
ngIwasconvi
nci
ngenough.

"
Wher
e'sy
ourmot
her
?"HeasksandIcl
osemyey
es.

"
Ist
hatar
het
ori
cal
quest
ion?
"Isnap.

"Mabut ho,youcomehomeandt hesameni ghty ouwer eher eyour

mot herdi sappear s?"Hehal fshout sandIpi ncht hebridgeofmy
nose.Icoul dn'tleavemymot herl i
kethat ,
Iwant edt ohar denmy
hear tbutIcoul dn' t
.Iwentbackatni ghtwi t
hacoupl eofboy s
from thev i
l
lage, onest hataredesper ateformoneyanddi dn't
careaboutset ti
ngf ootinmyf ather'syard.Theyhel pedmet ake
mymot herwhi lehewasl ockedinhi sndombadoi nghisni ght
ri
tuals, hi
sr outinewi l
lneverchange.Mymot herwasaggr essive
thewhol enightbutIhadt osoldi
eron, prayinghedoesn' tfindus
i
nt hedensebushwher eI'
dpar kedandt akemymot herback.I
forgedpaper wor konmycomput erandhadhercommi ttedt oa
psy chiatri
cf acil
ityinDurbant henextday ,t
hei nsti
tuti
ont riedto
behar dbutatt heendoft hedayt heyadmi ttedher .

"
WhatwillIdowit
hacr azywoman?Ihat
ethatwoman,youknow
t
hatbet
terthananyone."Heheav
esanexasper
atedsi
gn.
"Howcouldshehaveescaped,youhadhert i
edupli
keadog?
Whatwassheev endoingoutther
eatnight?'
'It
urnthi
saround
andhestart
sstutt
eri
ng.Ihav
ehi m conv
incedandthati
sahuge
rel
ief
.

"YouknowwhatIdon'
tcar
e,she'
syourr
esponsi
bil
i
ty,
youwor
ry
abouther
."Iadd.

"She'
syourmother
,howcoul
dyoubethathear
tl
ess?
"His
questi
oncat
chesmebysurpri
seandIheaveoutadrychuckl
e.

"Iam myf
ather
'sson,
"Isaywi
thami
l
dtoneandhangupmy
phone.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER30

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Iam ahappyman, fr
eef rom everymemor yofNombul elo.The
saleofmyhousewentt hroughandt hemoneyr ef
lectedt his
mor ning.Thi
sissomet hingwor t
hcelebrat i
ng, I
'
dhav el ovedt o
getupt osomet hi
ngcraz ywithMaMohapi butshet extedand
askedf orsomespace.Iguesswhat evert hathadherf eeling
downonSundayi sreall
yser i
ous,Ihopei tblowsov ersoonand
sheget sbacktobeingherbubbl yself.Iam j usthappyt hatshe
didn'tghostmeasIt hought ,
Iwasr eall
ygoi ngoutofmymi nd
thinkingIwrongedherandshenev erwant edt oseemeagai n.

IgettoGat shaandZet hu'shouse, wehav eourweeklymeet i

ng
today.Zeei supdatingusonhowf arMaNgobese'sparty
preparati
onsar egoing.ItrustthatwomanandIknowt hepar tyis
goingtobej usthowshet oldusi twould.Mv el
ohasarri
ved,her
converti
bleisi nthedri
veway .Thingsbetweenusar esti
llhosti
le,
I
am notgoi ngt obethefir
stt ofoldandapol ogi
zebecauseIdid
absolutelynothingwrong.Ican' tsaythesameabouthert hough,
shestar t
edt hiswholethi
ng.Shegav eRatanangsomehopeofa
rel
ati
onshi pwi thmeandj ustbecauseIt urnedherdownI'mt he
badboy .Inmybooks, she'
sabadf r
iendforeventhr
owingher
fri
endatmel ikethat.
Icli
mboutofmycarandtakel
ongstr
idest
othef r
ontdoor
,I
knowI'
m onti
mebutbecauseMvel
ogotherebeforemeshewi l
l
star
tmaki
ngremarksonti
mekeepi
ngandshit.That'
smysist
er,
pett
yashel
lwhenshe'
snotongoodtermswit
hsomeone.

Ifi
ndt hem inthelounge, withmugsi nt heirhands.It
'sal
it
tl
e
chi
ll
yt oday,itev
endr i
zzledt hroughoutt hemor ningandst
opped
ataroundl unchti
me.Wi nterissurelygreetingusandIhatethe
col
d, Ineverwantt ogetoutofmywar m bedi nthemorni
ngbutI
wantedt obet hemast erofmyuni verse.

Ifi
stbumpmybr ot
herandbendov ertokissZet huont hecheek,
fl
atoutignori
ngMv el
oasIt akeasi tontheot tomannextZet hu.I
heaveoutasi ghandlookt omyl ef
twher ethemar ri
edcoupleis
star
ingatmewi t
hquestioningeyes.Iknowt heyarewonder i
ng
whyIdidn'tgreetmysisterordidsomet hingst upidtoannoyher
l
ikeIusuallydo.Iguessthepr i
ncessdidn'ttellthem howshe
wentnutsonmeSundaymor ni
ng.

"
Lukhel
e,
"Zet
husay
swi
thhersof
tsweetv
oice.

"Mrs.Lukhele,
"Ishootbackwi
thasmileandsherol
lshereyes.
She'snotlooki
ngf ormyhumor,shewant
stoaddressthi
sissue.
Thi
swomanknowsus, shecanreadeachandevery
oneofusand
i
t'
sannoy i
ngsomet i
mes.

"
Didn'
tyouseeMv
eloov
ert
her
e?"Il
ookatmysi
sterwhohasher
ey
escastdown.

"
No,
Idi
d."Isaywi
thashr
ug.

"Andyoudidn'tgr
eether
?Ar
ey out
wof
ighti
ng?
"Gat
shaasks,
dart
inghi
sey esbetweenmeandhi
ssi
ster
.

"I
'
m notfight
ingher,Ijustdecidedtokeepheratarmslengt
h."
Zethugasps."Shethoughtshecoul dplayontopofmyheadand
whenthingsdidn'
tgoaspl annedshethoughtshecould
di
srespectme."Iexplaintothemar r
iedcoupl
eandt heyar
ejust
l
ookingatmeconf used.

"
I'
m notf
oll
owi
ng,
"Zet
husay
sandIsi
gh.

Idi
dn'
twantt
otal
kaboutRat
anang.

"Shetriedmat chmaki ngmewi thherfri

end, Ipoli
telyaskedherto
stop.Thegi rlvi
sit
edMv eloatt hehousethencameupt omy
room, seducedme.Igav ein,itwasconsensual andshei nit
iat
edit.
Shecamet omyof fi
cewhenGat shawasar ound, shewascal l
ing
mebabeandaski ngmet odi nnerandof f
eringher selfasdessert
.
WhenIt urnedherdownshewentt oMv eloandpl ay edvicti
m,your
sist
erher ecamer unningtomyr oom onemor ni
ngt al
lonher
makar ena.Shout i
ngandscr eami ngatme, ev enquest i
oningmy
characterbecauseherf ri
endt oldherthi
ngsshenev ercamet o
veri
fywi thme."Zethu'seyessof tenandshel ooksatt he
embar rassedMv elo.

She'sri
ghtt
ofeelt
hisway,shehastoknowt hatbeforeany
thing
I
'm sti
l
lherel
derbr
otherandIdeserv
er espect.Weal waysrun
aft
erherevenwhenshe'stheoneinthewr ong,becauseshe'sour
pr
incessbutthisti
meshefuckedupandI
'
m notl
ett
ingherget
awaywithitbecauseshe'
ssul
king.

"Si
ster
,thatwaswr ong.Youknowthatr
ight
?"Zet
huasksherand
shejustnods.Keepingherheaddown.

"YouknowwhatMakhosi niwentthroughwithNombulelo.Hetol
d
ushewasn' tr
eadyf orar el
ati
onshipbuty oust
il
lhadtoplay
matchmaker ,t
hat'sdisrespect
ful.Mv el
o,wearefr
iends,yes,
but
youstil
lneedtorespectboundar ies.
"Gatshasayswithhis
bari
tonevoicethatmat chesmi ne.

MaNgobeseusedt
oteaseusandsayshewasgoi
ngtosignusup
f
orachoirsowecanbeonImizwi
l
il
i.GodIhat
edt
hatshow.

"I
'
mreal
lysorr
y,Makhosini.Idi
dn'
tmeantobedi
srespect
ful,
I
wasj
usttr
yingtostandupf orafr
iend,
afel
l
owwoman. "Iscoff
andl
ookatmysi st
erin-
law.

"Whatareyouguyshaving?"Shegivesmet hel
ook.Onethatsays
"comeon,Makhosini
,she'str
ying.
"butMv el
oneedstolear
n,she'
s
notthebossofanyofusandsher eal
lyneedst
ostartmindi
ng
herbusi
ness.

"
Hotchocol
ate,
wantacup?
"Inodandgetonmyf
eet
.

"
I'
ll
gomakei
t,j
ustgett
hepowerpoi
ntpr
esent
ati
onr
eadyso
l
ong."

She'stakingthi
spl
anningveryser
iousl
y,t
imel
ines,
bargraphsand
percentages.Whenshe'sexpl
aini
ngevery
thi
ngwhilest
andingin
frontoftheflatscreenit'
sli
keI'
m backinvarsit
y,Ihadal ovehate
relati
onshi
pf orthatplacebecauseIalwaysknewwhatIwant ed
todo.ButLukhel ewant edeachofust ohaveterti
aryeducat i
onin
af iel
dthatwillal
way shaveopportuni
ti
es.Gatshastudied
Account i
ng,Iam aGeosci encesgraduat
eandMv eloisbusywi t
h
herPhDi nChemi st
ry.Sheistheonlychi
ldofourpar ent
st hat
holdssomanyqual i
fi
cati
ons.

Iwalkbacktot heloungeandret
urntomyot toman,Mv elolooks
mydirect
ionandat temptstosaysomethingbutIquicklylook
away.Ihearherblowoutsomeai r.Yes,
I'
m chasteningher.
Teachi
ngherf ortomor r
owbecauseIwillnothav
et hisnonsense
happenagain.

Zethui nfor
msust hatthedecorf
orthepartywil
lstar
texactl
yone
weekbef oret
heeventbecauseit
'salot
.Ichokeonmyhot
chocol atewhenshetellsushowmuchi tcost
edust ohavethe
venuef ort
hewholeweek.Ishouldl
ookintobuyingalodgesowe
don'thav etopaysomuchwhenwehav eev ent
s.Whoev erowns
thev enuemadeaf or
tuneoutofoneevent.

ZethuasksMv el
oifshe'
ssti
llont
opofthingswi
ththepl
anning
ofthefamil
ydinnerontheact
ualbi
rthdat
e.Shesaysyesand
explai
nswhatshehassof ar
.Ever
ythi
ngisontheri
ghttr
ack,but
everyt
hingal
waysiswhenZethuisinchar
geandwear edashing
anyamountofmoneysheasksof .

"
Fif
typer
centoft
hepeopl
ewei
nvi
tedhav
eal
readyRSVP'
d,
probablymorehav etoo.Ican'
tbesureasIhav
en'
tcheckedthe
l
inktoday."ZethusaysandIquickl
yremembermybadi nf
luence
fr
iend.Ishouldinv
iteher,i
t'
ll
beuptohertocomeornot.

"
Zee,
"Ical
loutandt
heyal
ltur
ntol
ookatme.Isai
dZee,
didn'
tI?

"Yes,Lukhel
e?"Thisi
sgoi ngtomakethem exci
tedandassume
thatIhaveagirl
fri
end.Idon'twantt
otel
lanyoneaboutLemohang,
atl
eastnotuntil
sher eachesoutandwearesoli
df r
iendsagai
n.

"
Ithi
nkI'
l
lhaveapl
usonetoo,
"thecor
ner
sofherli
pscurl
up,
f
ormingabigsmi
let
hatex
posesherperf
ectdent
it
ion.

"
Whoisshe?
"Gat
shaasksandInar
rowmyey
esathi
m andshake
myhead.

"
Whosai
dit
'sashe?
"Theyal
ll
augh.

"
Becausey
ousai
dpl
usone,
"Mybr
otherpoi
ntsout
.

"Unl
essy ou'r
et r
yingtotel
lussomethi
ng.Youknowwewil
l
acceptyou,"Zethusay ssof
tl
yandtheylaughatme,
Mvel
o
i
ncluded.Aret heyfucki
n'ki
ddi
ngme?

"
Ipr
efercakest
opopsi
cles,
thanky
ouv
erymuch.
"Isaybr
iskl
y.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

I
'
m sit
ti
nginfrontofaheat erwithacupofcoffeeinmyhand.God
I
'
m socold,thisrai
nplayedt r
icksonustoday.Itwasj
ustdr
izzl
i
ng
i
nthemorningandi tstoppedar ound1pm,theskywassti
ll
grey
butIthoughtithadpassed.Lit
tl
edidIknowi twasgoi ngtopour,
andboydi ditnotpourhardonme.Ihadj ustgotoffat axiatthe
stopsign,f
urtherdownourstreetwheni tcamedownhar d.Ir
an
butitshowednomer cy,
IwassoakingwetwhenIst eppedi nt
o
theapartment.Iwentstrai
ghttothebathroom andhadawar m
showerbeforecomi ngtoplugtheheaterandmaki ngacupof
coff
ee.Ilovewat chi
ngtherai
n,it
'speacefulandjustcal msme
downbutIdon' tli
keitwhenitpoursonme.

Ispoket oUndiphileandEbukaear li
eron, shesoundedbet terthan
whent heyleftyesterday.Iknowshe' sgoi ngt hroughal otandI 'm
j
usthopi ngheraunt sdon'tmakeherwor se.Theyar ether eason
whyUndi phil
ehat esgoinghome, const antlyonhert hroatand
makingherf eelbad.Toxi cfami l
ymember sar ethewor standi t'
s
farmor edepressingwheni t
'syourpar entwhoi sthenightmar e.
I'
vebeent hi
nkingaboutmymot heralotsi nceMabut holocked
mei ntheclosettheot herday .She'stheonewho' dshov emei n
theclosetwithacr yi
ngAt angbecauseshecoul dn'tdealwi t
hus.
Thosewer ememor i
esIwant edt oburyf oreverbutt hatpieceof
shitmademer eli
v eital
l.

Myphonev i
bratesandIcl osemyey es.Ishouldr eal
lymakesome
ti
metogobuyandr egisteranothersi
m card,Ineedt ochangemy
numberbecauseMabut hoisclearl
ynotgoingt ogiveup.Hehas
beenworsesinceIreturnedhismot hersnecklace,howcouldI
havekepti
t?Whywoul dIev enwanttokeepi twhenIwant
absol
utel
ynothingtodowi t
hhim?Isl owl
yrisef r
om thecouch
andgogetitf
rom t
heTVstandwherei
t'
schar
ging.Myhear
t
j
umpsforjoywhenthecal
l
erIDsaysAt
ang.

"
Ati
,
"Isqueal
wit
hdel
i
ght
.

"
Lemo, Imissy
ousomuch."Thosewor
dsmakemyey esbur
n
wit
htears,
myheartachi
ngtoki
sshisf
oreheadt
henhol
dhim
t
ight.

"Imissyoutoo,buddy .Butwearecount ingdownt oyoucoming,

wear egoi
ngtohav esomuchf un."Isay, t
ryi
ngtokeepmyv oice
steadybutmyemot ionsar eoverwhelmingme, choki
ngme.The
eventsofMondaycomebackr ushi
ng, andI'mlef
tthi
nkingof
whathewoul dbegoi ngthroughifMabut hohadkill
edme.

"Ican'twai
t,I
'
v ebeent
ell
ingmyfri
endsI'
llbei
nJohannesbur
g
andt heydon'
tbeli
eveme.Wehav etotakealotofpi
ctur
es,
Lemo. "Igi
ggle.Ki
dsaresomet
hingelse.

"Don'twor
ry,y
ourholi
daysaregoingtobecoolert
hatthei
rs.
"I
don'twanttotel
lhi
m aboutEbuka'smansi
on.Iwanttoseehis
facewhenwegett her
eandIt el
lhimit'
swherewewillbestayi
ng
forhisvi
sit
.

"Thankyoufort
heshoes,Lemo."Myhear
tisal
ri
ght
.Idon'
tknow
anyotherki
dwhoisAtang'sageandhassuchgoodmanners.

Heappreci
atesev
ery
thi
ngIdoandIpr
ayt
hathegr
owsupt
o
nev
erchange.

"
It
'sapl
easur
e,"west
ayont
hephoneandIl
i
stent
ohi
mtel
l
ing
met hathe'sgett
ingstar
sonhi sschoolworkandthattheyf
inal
l
y
wonagameagai nsttheschool t
hatbeatt
hem theti
meIwentt o
watchhi m pl
ayforthefi
rstti
me.Itwarmsmyhear ttoknowthat
mybr otherissohappyandnot hi
ngisworki
ngonbr i
nginghim
down.Iwoul dbeamar t
yrforhi
m allov
eragain.

I'
mi nagreatmoodaf terthelongcal lIhadwi t
hmyl it
tl
ebr other.
NowIhav et of i
gureoutwhatI 'm goingtoeat,it
'sachallenge
whenUndi phileisn'there.Shecooksandenj oysitandIbenef i
t
fr
om that.I'
m noti nthemoodt ost andoverthestove,notthatI
everam.Ishoul dor dersomet hingandhav ethem deli
ver,pizza
andwinewi lldoi nthisweat herandmay besomehotwi ngs.Iam
sali
vat
ingalready .Igot othef ooddel i
veryappbutmyr i
nging
phonedisturbsme, Ifrownatt helandli
nenumberappear i
ngon
myscreen.

"
Hel
l
o?"Ianswer
.

"Goodeveni
ng,i
sthi
sMiss.LemohangMohapi
?"Idon'
toweany
account
s,notev
enRage.

"
Y..
.Yes,
thi
sisshe.
"Myv
oicecomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

"
Mynamei sBr
endafrom Si
phephel
oMemor i
alHospit
al.Weneed
y
outocomesignafewdocument ssothedoct
orscanconti
nue
t
reat
mentonDr.Mkhwanazi.
"Ifr
own.That
'sMabutho,what
t
reat
ment?Whyaretheycal
li
ngme?

"
Ithi
nky
ouhav
ethewr
ongper
son.
"Isayv
ehement
ly.
"Idoubti
tmi
ss.Weneedyoursignat
ureurgent
ly,
withouti
tther
e's
nothi
ngwecando.Hereal
lyneedsmedicalatt
enti
on."Icl
osemy
eyes.Damnt
hisman,damnhim.

"
Whyi
shet
her
e?"Iaskpi
nchi
ngt
hebr
idgeofmynose.

"Wewillexpl
ainwhywhenyougetther
ebutpleasehur
ryma'
am,"
shesaysandhangsup.Howt hef
uckam Idrawnbackint
othat
bast
ardslif
e,whatdi
dhedo?Whathappenedf orhi
mtobe
admit
ted?

Idon'
thavet
ogother
e,Icoul
dhardenmyhear
tandlett
hem do
nothi
ngandhav
ehim di
e.Thatwoul
dgethi
m offmyback.

LEMOHANG!

Mysubconsci ousishorr
if
iedandsoam I,Iwouldn'
twishdeat h
uponany one,notevenMabuthobutdamnt hatmani nfuri
atesme.
Thet houghtofhim al
oneisenoughtoputmeof fcompl et
ely.
NowIneedt oruntothehospit
altosi
gnthingsIdon'tevenknow,
whydi dhegi v
ethem mynumber ?Couldhebepl ay
inggames
withme?Fuck!Ineedaci garet
tebecausemyheadi saboutt o
exploderightnow.

Igettot
hehugeasspri
vat
ehospi
talandapar tofmewant stogo
backhomeandgetundermywarm blankets,i
t'
scoldouther
e.
BloodyMabut
ho.If
indt
heent
rancetot hei
rrecept
ion,t
wonurses
arest
andingbehi
ndthedesk.Looki
ngatafi
l
eandpoi
nti
ngatthe
computermonit
or.Ir
estmyarmsont het
opandcl
earmythr
oat.

"
Hel
l
o,canIhel
pyou?
"Sof
ri
endl
y?

Nothi
ngli
kethenur
sesfr
om t
hepubli
ccli
nicbacki
nZone7.
Thoseonesaresav
age,
theyj
ustdon'
tcar
e.

"Yes,
Iwascal
ledbyaBrenda.Aski
ngmet ocomesi
gn
document
sforMabuthoMkhwanazi."Iexpl
ain.

"Miss.Mohapi
.I'm nurseBrenda,Ical
l
edy ou.Yournameand
numberwer efoundont helett
erhewr ot
eandal sotheemergency
cardthatwasfoundi nhiswallet
.Youarelist
edashi semergency
contactper
son"Ifrown."Whyi shehere?"Iaskimpatient
.

"Wellhewasbr oughti naf t

erapedest ri
anf oundhi m ont hest reet
unconsciouswi thal otofempt ycont ainer
sofst rongpi l
ls.His
pulsewasf aintwhent hemedi csbr oughthi m, thedoct ors
managedt opumpev ery
thingoutofhi ssyst em andhe' si n
recover
yandpl acedundersui cidewat ch.Becauseoft hat ,
he
can'tmakedeci sionsunt ilapsy chiatristclearshi m andt hat's
wher eyoucomei n."No, no, t
hisisn'thappeni ng.Hewant edto
commi tsuicide?Whatt hef uckiswr ongwi t
ht hisguy ?Whywoul d
heputmei nt hemiddl eofhi sshit?Hehascousi nsi nDur ban,he
couldhavemadeoneoft hem hisemer gencycont actper son.He
j
usthadt of uckwi t
hme.

"Hereyougo.Thisisthel
ett
ert
hatwasfoundnearhi
m,i
t'
sa
suici
delet
teraddressedt
oyou.
"Iam per
plexed.
Idon'tknowhowt of
eel
rightnow,
Iam atacrossroad.Ihuf
fout
ahumor l
essl
aughandt
hepoornursesarel
ookingatmei n
confusion.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER31

SPONSOREDBYMBALITHEEBREADWI
NNER

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Idon'tknowwhyIcameupt ohisr oom,Idon'

tknowwhyI'
m stil
l
standingbythiswi
ndowandwai t
ingforhimtowakeup.He'snot
myboy f
ri
endanymoreandI'
vedonewhatt heyneededmetodo,
whichwast osignthepaper
sthatgivesthedoct
orsper
missionto
gi
v ehimt r
eatment
.

Isti
l
lcan'tbeliev
et hatMabut hot
houghtitwasokayt ot akehi
s
l
ifeandleav emet of eelbadabouti
t.Nowt hathedidn'tdie
what'
sgoi ngtohappen?Wi ll
hecontinueat
t empt
ingtoki ll
himsel
fbecauseIwon' tcomebacktohim?Thi sshouldn'tbe
seenaslov e,hejustwant stohol
dmehost age.

Ar att
lingsoundst art
lesme, Iquicklypivotandf i
ndMabut ho
tryi
ngt osi tup.Hishandsar er estrai
ned, makingitadi f
ficulttask
forhim.Theypl acedhi m undersui ci
dewat ch,they'
llonlysethi m
freewhent hepsychiatr
istshasspokent ohim andi sconv inced
thathewon' tt
rythisagain.Hisey esfindmi neandt heyqui ckly
swimi nt ear s,
whyi shecr yi
ng?I shemadt hathe'sst i
llali
veor
theopposi te?Eit
herwayI 'm notmov ed.IknowIsoundl iket he
dev i
lbutt hisisthemant hatopenedadar kdoorIhadkeptshut
forar eason.Heal mostmessedmeupf ormyl i
ttl
ebr ot
herwho
needsmemor
ethanhedoes.

"
Iguesst
hat
'smyqueue,
"Isay
.

"Baby,pl
easewait."Ipressmyli
psintoat hi
nline.Whydidn'
tIjust
l
eav eaft
ersigni
ng?Ihav enobusinessupher e.Idon'
tneedtobe
confusedbywhat everhehastosay .Idon'
tevenknowi fI
'l
lever
readthelet
terheaddr essedt
ome.

"
Whatdoy
ouwantMabut
ho?
"Isnap.

I
'm get
ti
ngangr
yal
lofasudden,
thesoundofhi
svoi
cej
ustt
icked
meof f
.

"I
'm sor ryIhadt odr agyoui ntothi
s.BelievemeIt ri
edr eaching
outtoy oubuty oushutmeout .Ididn'
tknowwhatel set odo, I
didn'twantt ocont inuefeelingthatway .Ididn'twantal if
ewi thout
youi nit.Iam inl ovewithy ou,Iloveyoumor et hanli
feitself
.Iam
j
ustsor rythatIwassel fi
shanddi dn'
tthinkofhowmydeat h
woul dimpacty ou,"Iam juststarri
ngathi m, notknowi nghowt o
respond." WhatIdi dtoyouonMondaywascr uel,Iam ashamed
ofmy self,Lemohang.Yout ol
dmey ourfearsandIusedt hem to
trytogety outocal m down.Thi sismor er easonwhyIwant edt o
die,Icoul dn'tl
i
v eandclaimt oloveyouwhenIal mostbr okey ou."
HeaddsandIswal l
owpastt hehugedr ylumpi nmyt hroat.

"Ihav
elosti
nmyli
feandl
ivedthr
oughitbutloosingyouwas
somethi
ngIwasn'
tgoi
ngtocopewith.Iknowy ouprobabl
yhat
e
mer i
ghtnowandwhowouldbl
amey ou?"Hegoeson.

Iam st
uckt
othi
sfl
oor
.Fi
ght
ingabat
tl
ebet
weenmyhear
tand
mymi
nd.

"It
rustedyou,
iny
ouIthoughtIhavefoundmyonebutwhaty ou
didtomer eal
l
yhurtMabut
ho.Italmostbrokeandmessedmeup
forAtang,
whoneedsmemor ethananyone."Mydamnvoicehad
tocomeoutshakyandhoarselybecauseofthetear
sIr
efuseto
shed.

"Ial
soneedy ou,Lemohang.Ineedy ou, pleaseunder standthis.
Finditinyourhear tt
of orgiv
eme, toat l
eastgi v
emeachancet o
startafr
esh.Topr ovehowmuchIr egretmyact ionsandhowi t
willneverhappenagai n.IknowIhur ty oubuty oucan' ttel
lme
thatthelovey ouhavef ormei salldeadandgone. "Bil
er i
sesf r
om
myst omach.Howcanmyhear tst
il
lfeel anythi
ngbuthat eforhim?
Whathedi disunforgi
v able,Ishouldn'tev enbedebat ingany thi
ng
withmy self."
Pleaselookatmei ntheey esandt el
l met hatyou
don'tlovemeany more,"Igasp, bli
nkingr apidl
yasmyhear tthuds
againstmychest .

"I
..
.Mabutho..
."It
akeadeepbr eat
handshakemyhead.Idon'
t
havetosaymor eorsti
ckaround.Igrabmysmal
lbagfr
om the
chairandheadstrai
ghtt
othedoor .

"
Lemohang,Il
ovey
ou.Pl
easedon'
tgi
veuponus.Babypl
ease!
"
Heyel
l
saftermebut

Idon'
ttur
ntof
acehi
m.

Iexi
ttheroom andonceI'
mi nthecor
ri
dorIbal
ancemybackon
thewallandcl
osemyey es.Ineedaminut
e,mykneesar
eweak
andI'mindesper
ateneedofoxygen.Icameher
econf
ident
,sur
e
thatIwon'
tfol
dforhi
mi nanywaybutlookatmenow.

Ishoul
dn'
thav
egonet
ohi
sroom,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
etr
ust
edmy
sel
f
sosoon.

Igathermyemot i
onsandrushtotheel
evat
or,t
hankf
ult
hatI
di
dn'thavetowaitfori
tasi
tpingedopenassoonasIst
ood
i
nfrontofthedoors.

Ipassbyt herecept
ionandt henur sethatreachedoutt ome
thr
oughmycel lt
ocomet ot hehospi t
alcall
saf termebutIdon' t
needtobet alki
ngaboutMabut hoort hingst hatconcer nhimr i
ght
now.Ijustrushtothebigdoubl egl assdoor s,desper at
ef oran
escape.Whent hecoldairhitsmyf aceIfeel betterinstantl
y.The
rai
nhasceasedl eavingbehindachi ll
ybreeze.Ij ustwantt oget
homeandsl eepthi
snightmar eaway ,maybet omor rowI '
llwake
upfeeli
ngawhol el
otbetter
.Ir eachf ormyphonef rom myj eans
pocket,Ineedtorequestacab.I t'salitt
leaftermi dnight,but
atl
eastIdon'thavetowaitlong, thecabi sjust5mi nutesout .

"Lemohang,
"Itur
natthementi
onofmyname,
onl
ytof
indNur
se
Brenda.Whatdoesshewant
?

"
Ineedtobeonmyway,i
t'
slat
eandIhav
ecl
assesi
nthe
morni
ng.
"Isayt
ryi
ngt
owalkaway.

"Pl
easewai
tal
i
ttl
e,
"Iheav
eanexasper
atedsi
ghandf
oldmy
arms.
"
Myt axi
will
soonbeher
esopleasebequi
ck.
"Sheof
fer
smea
weaksmileandwal
kscl
oser
.

"Ididn'
tmeant oreadt helet
ter,
"shestart
sof fandIrol
lmyey es.I
hav en'
treadt helet
terandIdoubtIev erwill
."WhatIreadbroke
myhear t.Isomehowf el
tli
keIknowy oubot h,l
ikeIhaveseen
howmuchhel ov
esy ou.It'
snotmybusi nessbutIknowal ovelike
thatdoesn' tcomet wice.Whateveryouguy saregoingthr
oughI
believeitcanbewor kedthrough,Icanref
ery outoaTherapist,
she'sv erygood.MyhusbandandIusedherandshehas
affordablecouplespackages.Ipr om,"

Irai
semyhandt ost
opher,"
You'
reri
ght,i
t'
snotyourbusi
ness.
Youareanursenotmyfr
iend,pl
easesti
cktowhatyou'r
epaid
for.
"Isayandt
heannoy
ancei nmyvoicecannotbemissed.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
I.
..
"Ismackmyl
i
psandwal
kaway
.

Thecabdr opsmeoffathomeandIt hankGodt hati

t'
snot
Bab'
Mbel eondut y
.Hewoul dhavewant edt ot
alkandIam
honestlyinafoulmood,I
'dhaveshowni tonmyf aceand
off
endedt heoldmanandt hat'
sthelastt hi
ngIwant.Hehasbeen
absolutel
yamazingtomeandhur t
inghisf eel
i
ngsbecauseof
Mabut hoorwhatthenursethoughtshehadar ightt
osaytome
wouldn'thavebeenfai
r.

Ist
epi
ntheapar
tmentandit'
scoldasiti
soutside.I
'dsi
tinf
ront
oft
heheat
erunt
ilI
'
m warm butIwil
lj
uststar
tthinki
ngaboutthe
dramat hathappenedatt hehospi t
al,Idon'
twantt othi
nkabout
Mabutho.Ij ustwantt osleeppeacef ull
yanddeal witheveryt
hing
tomorrowwi thaclearandl evelhead.Istar
tstri
pingmycl othes
offi
mmedi atelyaft
erIlockt hedoorsandswi tchof ft
hekitchen
andloungel ights.Mybedr oom isatleastwarmert hantheother
rooms.Ifindmywi nterpy j
amasandqui ckl
yputthem onbef ore
removingthecushi onsonbed.

Myv iolentl
yv i
brati
ngphonewakesmeupf rom mydeepsl eepin
thesewar m blankets.Whoev eritiscall
ingbet t
erbedy ing
becauseI '
m goingt osnapatt hem f ordisturbingmysl eep.Ijust
hopeandpr ayit'
snotMabut howi t
hmor ebeggi ng,
buti t
'stoo
earl
yf orhimt obecl earedoffsuicidewat ch.Ir eachformyphone
undert hepil
lowandopenmyey est oseewhosenameappear s
onmyscr een.IfrownwhenIf indmyuncl e'sname, Ihaven'
t
spokent othismanev ersincehecutmeof fforchoosi ng
universit
yov ermymot her.Whyishecal lingaf tersuchal ong
ti
me?

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.

"Lemohang,
youneedt
ocomehome.
"Idon'
tneedt
hisbul
l
shi
t.
LordknowsIdon'
t.

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Iasksi
tt
ingupst
rai
ght
.

"Yourmot
heri
sn'
tmyresponsibi
li
ty,
Ihavemyownproblems.She
hasyouandyouhav
etoseet oitt
hatshe'
sokay
,"t
rustme
mal
ome,
you'
vemadet
hatcr
yst
alcl
ear
.

"
Whathasshedone?
"I'
mrubbi
ngof
fsl
eepf
rom myey
es.

"Wel
l,Igotacallfr
om hernei
ghbor.Tel
li
ngmet hatsheisn'
tdoing
well
,Idrovet
hereonlytofi
ndhercr y
ingforAtang."Irol
lmyey es.
"Whereishe,Lemohang?Bringthatboysoy ourmot hercancalm
down."Hesay svehementl
y.

"Unfort
unatelyAt
angdoesn'twantt
oseeher ,
hehasmadei tcl
ear
thathe'sscaredofourmotherandwouldr
atherbeawayfrom
her.
"Iexplaincal
mlyandhehuf f
soutadrylaugh,
ther
e's
absolutel
ynohumori ni
tbutIunderst
andbecauseIwasn'tt
ryi
ng
tobef unny.

"Youar
eawarethathe'
snoty
ourchi
l
d?"HeasksandIwantt
otel
l
himtovot
sek.

"Withallduerespect,Malome.Maleshoanehasnev erbeena
mot hertoAtang,ormef orthatmatter .Imakesur emybr otheris
alr
ightandhasev er
ythi
ngheneeds.Imakedeci sionsonhi sli
fe
untilhe'
s18y earsold,notyoursi
ster.Youmadei tclearthatwe
arenoty ourresponsibi
li
tyandIacceptt hat
,sopleaseleavemet o
dowhat 'sbestformybr otherandI,
"Iknowhe' sfumingont he
othersideoft hel
inebutIcouldn'
tcar eless.

"
Youthi
nkj
ustbecauseyou'
rei
nJohannesbur
gyouhav
ear i
ght
t
otal
ktomethisway?"Thi
shasnothi
ngtodowithmylocat
ion.

"
Mal
ome,
Ihav
etopr
epar
eforcl
ass.
"

Fi
rstl
yitwasMabut
hoandasui
cideat
tempt
,nowmyuncl
eand
Maleshoane?
"
I'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
oyou-
"

Iqui
ckl
yint
erj
ect
,"real
l
ymal ome,Ihav
etogo.Wewi
l
ltal
k."Ihang
upmyphoneandt hrowitt
ot hepi
ll
ownextt
ome.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"
She'
sourmother .Wehav eever
yrighttobetheonest
oclai
m her
i
nsur
ancepoli
cies."AuntLumkasay sjer
kingupfr
om t
hecouch.I
wasstupi
dtothinkPeachesfuneralwasgoingtobedramafr
ee.

"ButJojoandUndiphi
leareherbenefi
ciari
es.Shewantedt hem to
havet hemoneyandforthem toprepareforherfuner
al.Mysi ster
andIspokeont hephonealmostev er
ydayandJoj owasf orev
er
withherwhi l
eyoubothwerebusywi t
hy ourl
ives.
"Peachesel der
brothersayscal
mly.Hearri
vedthi
smor ningandI '
m gr
at efult
o
haveanel derwhowil
lhelpJoj
oandI .Therearesomet hingswe
don'tknowandwecanuseanel dersadv i
ceandexperience.

"
Wecouldn'
tspendourli
vesatthehospit
al,wehavechil
drent
o
t
akecar
eof .I
t'
snotli
keUndiphi
lewastherebutshe'
sgivi
ngher
t
hemoney."Theotherev
ilsi
ster
,auntZenandechipsi
n.

Mkhuluheav esasi gh,"Undiphi

lehastoattenduniver
sit
y,my
si
sterknewt hisandwant edhertostaythereandfocus.Shetol
d
heraboutbeingsi ckaf ewweeksagoandshecamer i
ghtdownto
bewithhergr andmot her,sowhaty ou'
resayingabouthernot
comingi sn'
ttrue.Mysisterlovedthesechil
drenasiftheyhadthe
samebl ood.Mysi sterunderstoodwhatpolygamyi sandshetri
ed
teachingy out oobutyounev erwantedtounderstand.Youbot h
causeddr amawi thyourbrother
sandnowy ou'
retakingthefight
totheirchildren.Whenwi l
lyoubothgrowup?Wear esupposedt o
bewor ki
ngt ogethert
ogivemysi sterapeacefulsendoff,not
fi
ghtingov erhermoney ,moneyshehasal readyspentony ouand
yourchi l
dren."Hesay sandIwantt oshouthall
elujah.

Mygr andfat
herhadl i
vestock,wit
hnoonet ocar
eforthem and
other
sbei ngstolen.Makhulusoldever
ythingandinvest
edpar t
s
oftheprofit
.Shewasasmar twoman,shef oundway st
ogiv eus
allacomf or
tableli
febutit'
sclearot
hersfeelent
itl
edmor ethan
theothers.

"Thankyou,Mkhulu.Ever
ythi
ngi
ssetf orMakhulu'
sfuner
al,
we
j
usthav etogochooseat ombst
one.Iwashopi ngtodothatwit
h
myaunt '
sandUndi phi
l
e,Makhul
uwoul dhavelovedforustowork
together
."Joj
osays.I'
vebeenmute,Idon'
twantt osayanyt
hing
andhav ethesi
stersbi
temyheadoff.

Iam thankfulthatthemeetingisover.Joj
ohasshareddut ies
amongstal lofus, t
hatwil
lensureeveryt
hingi
sdoneefficientl
y.
myaunt '
sar enothappywi t
hwhatt heygotobviousl
ybutt heyare
neversati
sfiedbyany thi
ngsoit'
snotsomet hi
ngt of
all
of fthe
tr
ainfor.Thequi ckert
heyacceptthatJojoist
heheadoft his
home, t
hebet ter.

Morerelat
iveswil
lbear ri
vi
nglat
ertoday
,it
'sbeentwodayssince
Makhuludiedsoev eryonewantstocomefrom nearandfartol
ay
t
heQueent or est
.Ijusthopeherdaught
erswon'tt
urnherfuner
al
i
ntoaspect
acl
e.

Ij
ustl eftthehouset omeetwi thmyboy fr
iend,hetextedthathe's
parkedatt hecorner.Itol
dhi mi t
'sokayi
fhel eavesandgoes
backt oJohannesbur gthencomebackadaybef or
et hefuneral
buther efused.He' dratherbeaf ewmi nut
esawayf rom me, l
ivei
n
ahot elandonl yseemei nt hecaratacornerlikehe'ssomehi gh
school boy .Il
oveEbuka, he'samazi ngandkeepspr ov i
ngthat
he'sallaboutmeandhewi llsupportmethroughev eryt
hing.Lord
broughthi mt omeatt herighttime,ati
meI '
mi nneedof
unwav eringsuppor t.

"Undiphi
le!
"Iquickl
ytur nandf i
ndJoj ostandingoutsi
deourgat e,
nexttohiscar.Heissi gnali
ngf ormet ocomebackwi thhishand.
Shit,
myboy f
ri
endisal r
eadywai t
ing,
Icanseet heBMW par kedat
thecorner.Letmeat tendJojof ir
stsoIdon' thavetorushback.I
turnandhur r
ytomybr other
, whohashi shandsonhi swai st.Ifix
mydr essbecauseitgoesupwhenIpi ckupmypace.Ebukar eall
y
didtakemeshoppi ngy esterdaytogetcl othesandtoi
letr
ies.I
haven'tgott
enany t
hingf ort
hef uneralthough,Isti
l
lhavet ogo
backt otown.

"
Ever
ythi
ngokay
?"IaskasIst
opi
nfr
ontofhi
m.

"
Whereareyougoing?"Heanswer
smyquest
ionwi
thaquest
ion,
t
ypi
calJongi
khay
aSi sul
u.

"
Mnt
ase,
Ebukai
swai
ti
ngf
ormeatt
hecor
ner
.Hecamet
oseei
f
I
'
m good.
"Her
aisesaney
ebr
ow.

"
Idon'
thaveasist
erthatwi
l
lbeincar
satthecor
ners.
Nomasont
oiswelcomedathomeduringt
heday,hecanhel
pme
r
unerr
ands.Ineedtoshowhim howwedothi
ngshere,
"Ibi
temy
l
owerl
ip.

Idon'
tthi
nkmyboy f
ri
endwillbecomfor
tabl
ebei
ngi
nthey
ard,
nei
therwi
llI
.Idon'tneedmyaunt smaki
ngcomment
sand
makinghi
mf eelsomet ypeofway .

"
Theywon'
tknowhe'
syourboyfr
iend,
I'
ll
justsayhei
saf
ri
endof
mine.
"Hequi
ckl
yaddsandIheaveasigh.

"
Okayt
hen,
"

Ity
peaqui ckmessaget
oEbuka,explai
ningwhatJoj
ojustsai
d.A
fewsecondslat
ertheBMW r
entalapproachesandmybutterf
li
es
gocrazy.

I
fonlyIcoul
dholdhim andkissthosejuicyl
ipshell
o.Thecar
par
ksbehindJojo'
sandhest epsout,Ebukaisafinesight.He's
l
ookingamazinginthosebl
ackpairofjeans,abrowncar digan
andsneaker
st omatch.Hi
scolognegr eetsusbeforeheut ter
sa
word,Lor
dhowdi dIbagthi
swestAf ri
canGod?

"Sont
o,y
ousaidyou'
ll
bemarryi
ngmysist
er.Whyar
eyounow
parki
ngi
nthestr
eets.
"Joj
oasksasEbukahol
dsouthi
shandfor
ashake.
"I
'm sorr
y,Ijustdi dn'twantt
obedisr
espectf
ul andent erthey
ard
withoutpermi ssion."Ebukaisat
radi
ti
onali
st.Don'tletthe
designerclothesandal lt
hesemoder
nt hi
ngsfool youi nt
o
thi
nkingother wise.

"Iunderstandandthat'
swhyIlikeyou.You'l
lhav
eaf ewmi nut
es
withUndi phi
l
einmyr ondavelt
henshe'll
gobackt oherchores
andy ou'l
lhangoutwithme.Ifyou'r
ecomf ort
abl
eofcourse,"
Ebukal ooksatmef orappr
oval soInodandhelooksbackatJojo.

"
Thanky
ou,
"I'
m gl
adJoj
oismat
uredbey
ondhi
sage.It
rusthi
m
wi
thmyboy
fri
end.

"Letmegety ouablazerbeforeyouenter,y
ou'
llremoveitinmy
rondavel
."Heleavesusstandingnexttothecar.Ebukahasn'
t
mar r
iedmebutmybr ot
heristryi
ngtomakehi m underst
andthat
hewi l
lneedtoalwayshaveabl azerorj
acketonwhenheent ers
theSisul
uhomedur ingfuneral
s,ancest
ralcer
emoni esandsoon.

"
Iam dy
ingtotouchy
ou,
Imi
ssy
ou,
myi
yawo.
"Myhear
tmel
ts
i
mmediatel
y.

"
Imi
ssy
out
oo,
Obi
m."Isaywi
thasmi
l
ethatr
eachesmyey
es.

"Igocrazywheny oucal
lmelikethat
,Iwoul
dgot otheendsof
theearthtogetyouever
ythi
ngy ouwant,
becauseyouarealsomy
heart
."Ishetryi
ngtogetmetodr aghi
mt ohomeaffair
s?"How
areyouhol di
ngup,Omali
cha?"Heaskssoft
ly,pl
aci
ngahandon
myshoul der.

"Iam bet
tert
hant
helastt
wodaysbaby
.Knowingyou'
rej
ustacal
l
awayandIcanseeyouwhenIneedyouhascontr
ibut
edt
ome
beingokay.Thanky
oufornotl
eavingevenwhenIt
oldy
out
o."Hi
s
eyesli
ghtupandevery
thi
ngisalr
ight.

Wear elookingi
ntoeachother
'seyes,sayi
ngami ll
i
onthi
ngs
si
lentl
y.ThingsInev
erbel
ievedIcouldfeelforsomeonei
nthi
s
shortspaceoftime.

"
Undi
-Wendy
,"mywhol
ebodyf
reezes.

Inev
erwantedtocr
osspat
hswi
tht
hisguy
,whati
sheev
endoi
ng
i
noursect
ion?

Iturnandf
indKhol
ost
andi
ngt
her
ewi
thal
opsi
dedsmi
l
eonhi
s
face.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Yes,IknowIowey
ouf
ory
est
erday
.I'
l
lpayup,
y'al
lknowI
'
m good
fori
t.

Whenareyouplaci
nganorderofGi
rl
fr
iends?I
t'
sonl
yR50,
check
pi
nnedpostabovefordet
ail
s.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER32

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

He'ssmi l
ingatme, i
t'
slikehecameher etomockme.Tor emind
meoft heshameheputmet hrough, thehumi l
iat
ionIfacedwhi l
e
everyoneel sehai l
edhim.Ragei sbur ningmei nmybel ly,Iwantto
l
oosei tbutnoti nf
rontofmyboy f
riend, thi
si sapartofmypasthe
knowsabsol utelynothingabout .Idon' tthinkIwanthimt oknow
becausehewi l
llookatmedi ff
erent l
y,likeI'm usedgoods.Il ove
Ebuka,Ilov ehowhel ooksatmel i
keI '
mt hemostper fectwoman
i
nt hewor ld.Khol otooksomuchf rom me, mydignit
y,ruinedmy
reputat
ionandt hatofmygr andmot her.Forsomet i
mepeopl e
l
ookedatherl i
kesher aisedaf orwar dgi rlwithnomor als.Ican'
t
all
owhi mt ot aket hi
slov eIhavef ound, alovethatmademe
confi
denti nmy selfagain.

"Undi
-Wendy,
"Ioncelovedthatname.Iwouldhavedroppedt
omy
kneesathiscommandwhenhecal l
edmelikethat.I
twasuni
que
andIthoughtheadoredmebuthewasonl yafteronethi
ngandI
wastoonaivetoreal
i
zei t
.

"
Whatdoy
ouwant
?"Iaskthr
oughgri
tt
edteet
h.Hi
ssmi
l
ewi
dens,
maki
ngmemor
eangry.Thi
sispi
eceofshi
t.

"
Iheardabouty
ourgr
andma,It
houghtIshoul
dcomecheckupon
y
ou."Ihuf
foutahumorl
essl
augh.Checkonme?Ishefucki
ng
wit
hmer ightnow?"You'
resogr own,God!Lookaty
ou."Heis
l
ookingatmel asci
vi
ousl
y.Iam disgust
edtosaytheleast
.Iwi
shI
coul
drolli
ntoaballanddisappear.

"Myiyawo,
"hi
ssof
tvoi
cecal
lsoutandIcl
osemyey es.Hemust
bewonderi
ngwhothi
sisandwhyI'
m sotensed.It
akeadeep
breat
h.

"Undi
phil
e!"myaunt ssharpv oi
cesayssaysbehindmeandmy
wholebodygoescol d.SheknowsKhol oandthehi storyIhave
withhi
m, she'
sgoingt oscream itt
henEbukawillknow.Tear s
burnmyey esasIpiv ott
olookatauntLumka." Whati sthisboy
doingher
e?Youwantanot herv i
deoofyouwithyourl egswide
opentobebr oadcastedforthewholeofKwazakhel et osee?"She
saysbri
skly.

Myhear
tshat
ter
s,howcoul
dshebesoi
nsensi
ti
ve?

"Aunt
y,Idi
dn'
tcomeher etocauseanyfi
ght
s.Ij
ustcameto
checkonUndiphi
le.
"Kholosayswhil
erubbi
nghi
shandstoget
her
.
Myauntclapsonceandt i
tt
ers.

"Sisiweee!
"Shetapsmyshoul
derv
iol
ent
lyandIseeEbuka
clenchi
nghisjaw.Hewantst
ocometomyr escuebuthedoesn'
t
wantt ocausemoredrama.

Iswipemyt ear
swiththebackofmyhandandsni f
f."Getyour
boyfr
iendandleavemymot her
'shouse.Youwantpeopletosee
thebothofyouandremembert hehumili
ati
onyoubroughtmy
mother?"Shesayswithsomuchhat eandIwanttoscream ather
andaskhert oj
ustshutthehel
lup,f
oronceinherli
fe.
"Hai
bo!AuntLumka,
what'
swit
htheshouti
ng?
"Joj
oaskscomi
ng
outt
hegatewithabl
azerhewentt
ogetformyboyf
ri
end.

"
Can'
tyousee,
Undiphi
l
ebr
oughtthi
sboyhere.Thesameboymy
mymotherwascal
l
edabadparentbecause-
"

Jojoquickl
yint
erj
ects,
"Iseehim."Heisgivi
ngmegent l
eeyes,
I
knowhedoesn' twantmucht obesaidinf
rontofEbuka.Hecan
tel
lthatmyboyfri
endisinthedark.

"Kholo,youneedt oleave.Pl
easestayfarawayfrom mysi ster
,
you'
vedoneenoughdamageal readysopleaseleaveheralone."
Jongikhayasay scalmlybutIknowhe'sfuminginside,cravi
ng
Kholo'sblood.Thear r
ogantsonofbitchrai
seshishandsouti n
surr
enderwhi lewearingaphonysmi l
eonhi sface.IhatethedayI
metKhol o,Icursethatdayinf
act.

Wewat
chhi
mleaveunt
ilhedi
sappear
sint
othedr
iver
'ssi
deof
t
hePol
opar
kedt
hreehousesf
rom our
s.

"Inev
erwantt oseethatboyher
e,i
fyouwantt
obehismatt
ress
godoi tfarfr
om her
e."Iswal
l
owhard,t
hedryl
umpinmythroat
uncomf ort
ableasever.

"
Yoh!Undi
phi
l
ehashear
dyou.Leti
trestnow,
"Iam gr
atef
ulf
or
mycousi
n.

AuntLumkasmacksherlipsandatt
emptst owalkaway,butt
he
si
ghtofEbukastopsher
.Shelooksathi
mf rom headtotoewitha
fl
arednose,
thenasked,
"andthenwena?Whoar ey ou?
"Ihave
neverknownanyonemorerude.Myboyfr
iendheavesasigh.

"
Mynamei
nEbuka,
I'
m Joj
o'
sfr
iend.
"Lumkanodsandwal
ks
backi
nthey
ard.

"Myl
ove,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Theconcer
ninhi
svoi
ceset
smeof
f
andIcr
yonthespot.

"Iknowithurt
sUndi
,butIcan'
tletyoubr
eakdowninthestr
eet
s.
Got al
ktoSontoinmyrondavel
."Jojomurmur
s,pl
aci
nghishand
onmyshoul der.

Iti
sjustthetwoofusi nther ondavelandIam nervousashell.I
knowEbukacaughtbi tsandpi ecesoft hedramathathappened
outsi
det hegatewithKhol oandmyaunt .Hesureashellhas
questionshewant sanswer ed.Ican'trunawayf r
om tel
l
inghim
now, hehaseveryrighttoknow.Heal way ssayshe'
sgoingto
mar r
ymesoi t
'sonlyfairthathehasani deaofmypast,the
ugli
estpartofit.

He'ssitt
ingont hedoubl ecouch,hisel
bowsr esti
ngonhi sknees,
givi
ngmeaspecul at i
vegaze.I'
m scared,soscaredt hathewill
l
eav emeonceheknowst hetruthbutevenso,Ican'tlietohim.
Hedoesn' tdeservethat.Thismanhasputev eryt
hingonhol djust
tocomebewi thmei nthist
imeofgr eatneed,heneedst het r
uth
i
nor dertodecideifhecancont i
nuewi t
hmeornot .Itwil
lhurt
badlyifhedecidest hatI'
m damagedbecauseI '
m madl yinlove
withhim, I
'
veenv i
sionedaf uturewithhi
m andl et
tinggoof
everyt
hingwi l
lbethedeat hofmysoul .
"
Ilov
eyou,
Omal
i
cha.
"Hesay
ssof
tl
y.

Ineededhimt osaythosewordsbef
oreIcoul
dtel
lmystor
ywit
h
Kholo.Ineededali
tt
lecoaxi
ngandthatwasthebestwayt
ogo.

"
Ilov
eyou,t
oo,
Obim.Ij
usthopet
hisi
sn'
ttheendofus.
"Isay
wi
thashaki
ngvoi
ce.

Pl
ayi
ngwi
thmyf
inger
sasmyey
esswi
minunshedt
ear
s.

"Undi
phil
e,whateveri
tis.I
'
m surewecanwor kthroughit
."He
doesn'
tknowwhathe' ssaying.Onceheknowst hetr
uthhe'
llwant
torunforthehi
l
ls.Whowoul dwanttost
aywithawomanl i
keme?
Awomanwhosenakednesshasbeenseenbyt heworld?

"Iwas18y ears, doingmygr ade12. "Ist

ar taft
erset t
lingont he
ottomanf acingEbuka." Khol o,theguyf rom out si
dewasi nmat ri
c
twoy ear sbef oreme.Hewast hepopul arguy ,everygi rlwanted
hisat tenti
on.Iwasn' tanexcept ion,Ihadacr ushonhi mt oo.But
hedi dn'tgivemet hetimeofday ,notuntilmymat ri
cy ear.Hewas
i
nuni v ersit
ydoi nghi ssecondy earatthatt i
me.Khol oandhi s
fri
endsl i
kedcomi ngt omyschool duri
ngsoccergames, towat ch
gamesandknockgi r
lsof fthei
rf eet.Duringoneoft hegames, he
cameupt omeandmyf ri
endsandaskedt otalktome.Iwas
shocked, excited,couldn' tbeli
ev ethattheeKhol owant edtohav e
awor d.Allthegi rl
swhower epr esentattheschool stadium wer e
env i
ous, theywant edt obemeatt hatmoment .Heaskedmet o
gowi thhi mt ot hemov iesandIagr eedinstantly,
Ididn' twantto
playhar dt ogetandr iskhi m giv i
nguponme.Af t
ert hef i
rstdate
wewer einsepar able,Itrustedhi m somuch.Het reatedmel ikea
Queen, at18It houghtIhadf oundmyonei nKhol o.Idi d
everythinghewant edmet odo, l
ikesneaki ngoutt ogot opar ti
es
withhim andhi sfriends.Heaccompani edmet omymat ricdance
andwewer ethei tcoupl ethere.Wewentt ot heaf terpar tyat
somehouseandhi sfri
endst aggedal ong.Hest artedact i
ng
somehow, t
ell
ingmet hatI '
vedeni edhim sexf ormont hsnowand
heneededi torhewasgoi ngt oleav emef orsomeonewhowas
goingt ogiveittohi m.Iaskedhi mt ogivemeaweekandI 'dgiv e
my selftohim buthet oldmeaweekwon' tchangeany thing, t
hat
weshoul dn'
twai t.Iwasdr unk, Ebuka, Ididn'twantt ol oosemy
vir
ginitythatway .ButKhol odidn'twantt oheari t,itwasei ther
thatmomentorwewer edone.Il ovedhi m, want edt opleasehi m.
Het ookmyhandandwef oundour selvesinoneoft hebedr ooms.
Hest artedtakingof fmycl othes,Iwasuncomf ortabl ebutIdi dn't
tel
lhimt ostop."Ipauset ocat chmybr eath.Av oidingt olookat
EbukabecauseIdi dn'
twantt of i
nddi sgustonhi sf ace." He
remov edhi st-
shir tandt ol
dmet owai tal it
tleandhewascomi ng.
Hel ef
tt heroom andcamebackwi thmyci derandhi sbeer ,he
handedmemi neandt oldmet ogulpitdown.Idi d, becausehe
saiditwoul dcal m me.Thel astthingIr ememberwashi m
humpi ngi nandoutofme, deepandr ough. "Isayt hel astpar t
bit
terl
y .

"Iwasdr unk, Iagree.ButnotsodrunkthatIwoul

dpassoutint he
mi ddl
eofhi m ont opofmeandonl ywakeupi nmyroom athome
withPeachescr yi
ngpai nf
ull
y.Hehadt ohavespi
kedmydr i
nk."I
clutchatmychest ,
remember i
nghowscar edIwastowakeup
andf i
ndmy selfathome.Thel astthi
ngIrememberedwasbeing
withKhol o,
f eeli
ngnot hi
ngbutpainanddiscomfor
t,bei
ngtoo
weakt opushhi m offme.
"Iwonder edhowIgothome.Whymygr andmot herwascr yi
nglike
that.Ididn'tr
ememberany t
hingthathappenedaf terloosingmy
vir
ginitytoKhol o.
"Iqui ckl
ywi pemyt ear sandheav easi gh."My
auntswer eshouting,cursi
ngandcal l
ingmenames.Idi dn't
under standbutmygr andmot her,
asnumbasshewasaskedmy
aunt'stol eave.Shetoldmet hatmyf riendscal l
edhert ocomeget
mebecauseIwasunconsci ousandnakedi nthebedr oom of
wher ethepar tywas.Khol owasnowher etobef oundasmydat e
whoaccompani edmet othedance.Peachesaskedmet otell
her
whathappenedandIdi d,f
ullofembar rassment, Idi
dn'tleave
anythingout .
"Ebukahasn' tsaidawor d, hehasn'tev enmadea
soundort ojustshiftfr
om hisseat.I'
m ner vous,wonder ingwhat '
s
goingoni nhishead.

"Liket hatwasn' tenough,av i

deoofmewasr eleased, t
hatbast ard
hadhi sfriendsrecordthewhol ething.Itwascl eart hatthegi r
lin
thev ideowasmeandIwasoutofi t.He, howev er
,hadhi sf ace
hidden, Iassumet oprotecthisidentif
yi fIwant edt ohav ehi m
arrested.Thosewhoknowhi m couldt ellitwashi m, t
he
compl exion, t
hebuil
tofhi sbody."Iwr apmyhandsar oundmy self
andcl osemyey es."Iwascallednames, laughedat .Theki dsat
school ,itwashel lEbuka.Istil
lwonderhowIpassed.Noonehad
mer cy ,j
ustmygr andmot herandJoj o.Khol owentonwi thhi sli
fe,
get t
inghai l
edforhisperformanceonagi rlwhowashal fdead,
he..."Ican' tconti
nue,I
'vereli
vedthatni ght mareenoughf orthe
day .Itrust edKholobuthewasj ustlustingaf terme.

Ebukakneel
sinf
rontofmeandwr
apshi
sar
msar
oundme.

"
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ryt
haty
ouhadt
ogot
hrought
hat
,Undi
phi
l
e.That
bastardv
iolat
edyou,
hetookadv
ant
ageofyoubecausey
oul
oved
him andtr
ustedhi
m."Heti
ght
enshi
sarmsaroundmeandIf
eel
safe.

"I
t'
sokayifyouneedsomet i
metoprocessev
ery
thing,
Iwoul
dn'
t
bl
amey ouforwantingnothingt
odowi t
husedgoodslikemy
sel
f."
Hetensesandquicklylet
'sgoofme,cuppi
ngmyf aceandmaki
ng
melookathim.Hisey esareful
lofr
age.

"Don'tyouev ertal
kabouty our selfinthatmanner ,youaren't
damaged, Undiphi
le.Iwon' thav ey out al
kli
kethatbecauseal i
tt
le
confusedboydeci dedt oplaygameswi thyouandhumi l
i
at eyou.
Yousur vi
v edhim,y ousur vi
v edev eryoneelsesinsultsandgr ew
uptot urnt hescar
shel eftyouwi thintobeautymar ks.This
changesnot hi
ngforme, i
t'sapar tofy ourpastthatIwillhelpyou
dealwithi fyouneedmet o."Hesay sandpecksmyl i
ps."Youar e
sti
llmyi yawo."Inev erwant edt ot el
lhim aboutthisbutI'
m gl ad
thatheknowsandhel ovesmest ill
.Ebukaisthef i
rstmant o
makemef eelconfidentinmy selfagain, amant hatmademe
dropmyguar dandnott hinkt hatev erymanhasanul t
eri
ormot i
ve.

"
Iloveyousomuch, Ebuka.
"Iadmitandhisey
esspar
kle,
li
kef
ury
wasn'tbur
ningt
hroughthem aminuteago.

"Youwon' tevercr
ybecauseoft hatboy ,becauseyouraunt '
swant
toinsultyouwithyourpain.You'reUndi phil
e,mywoman.Ast r
ong
Queent hatwon'tl
etany t
hingbringherdown.Keepy ouheadhel d
upbabyandcomecr ytomel at
er.I'
my ouronlytr
ustedplaceto
l
oosei tandnotbeaf rai
dt hatIwilluseitagainstyouatal ater
stage.Doy ouunderstand?"Inodv igorously.Heremindsmeof
Peacheswhent hevi
deol eakedandev eryonewasj udgi
ngme.
Whent helawcoul dn'
tdoanyt
hingt
ohelpme.Shestoodbyme
throughital
l.Support
edmegoi ngt
oJohannesbur
gev enwhen
myaunt swer etel
li
ngherI'
l
lcomebackwithmoretapesamongst
otherreasons.

Ebukal ef
taf t
ereatingt hepap,oxl
iverandt omat ogravyIhad
prepared.Ifeltli
ghtaftertel
li
nghim mypastwi thKhol oandhe
reassuredmet hatitchangesnothi
ng.Apar tofmei sst i
ll
scared
thathe'sjustsay i
ngitsohedoesn' thurtmedur ingthistough
ti
me.Av oiceinthebackofmyheadkeepst el
li
ngmet oexpecta
textfr
om hi mt el
li
ngmet hatheneedssomespacef rom meand
he'sfl
yingbackt oJozi .Butmyhear tkeepstell
ingmet hathe
l
ov esmeandwoul dn'tsaysomethingjustforthesakeofi t
.I
chooset olist
ent omyhear t
.

Thehousei spackedwi t
hr el
ati
ves,i
t'
sgoi
ngt obealongweekto
thefuner
al.Ialr
eadydon'thaveaplacetosleep,butI
'
m hopi
ng
Jojoborr
owsmehi scouch.Ican'taskhi
mt oleavehisbedf
orme,
heneedspr operrestbecausehe'sal
waysrunningupanddown,
doingthi
sandt hat.

I'
vemadeami l
l
ioncupsofteai nthel asthour,mycousinsaren't
helpi
ngwithanythi
ng.Theywon' tcook, washthedishesormake
si
mpl ecupsofteafortheelders.They '
vebeenlockedint he
bedroom wit
htheirmother
s, gossipingandplotti
ng.Myf eetare
ki
ll
ingmenow, Ijustwanttor et
ir
ef orthenightandrelaxforthe
nextday.Wi
theachpassingdayweneartheSat
urdayoft
he
funer
al,
andwehav ealotofworktogetdonei
nensuri
ngthat
Peacheshasadigni
fi
edsendoff.

Theki
tchendoorcr
eaksopenandJoj
owal
ksi
n.

"
Howdi
ditgowi
thNomasont
o?"Hewhi
sper
sbehi
ndme.

"Al
ri
ghtIguess,Itol
dhi
m ever
ythi
ngandhesay
sitdoesn'
t
changeanythi
ng."Henar
rowshiseyes.

"
Thenwhyar
eyoul
ooki
ngsosad?
"Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"
It
'snot
hing,
I'
mjustov
erwhel
med.
"Her
ubsmyar
m.

"Lamjital
ov esy ou,mntase.Ifyouthi
nkhe'sjustsayi
ngwhaty ou
needtoheart henyouareblindt oseewhat'
sinfrontofyou.
"He
saysmeekl yandIpi nchthebr i
dgeofmynose." You'vebeenon
yourfeetsincehel eft
,comer elaxali
tt
leintherondavel.
"He
takesmyhand." Thesedisheswon' twashthemselves,Joj
o."He
smackshi slips.

"
Youarenotarobot,
comesitdown."Heisri
ght
,thedi
sheswon't
r
unaway ,
Ideserv
etorestmyfeetandcheckmyphonesinceI
l
efti
tchar
ginginJoj
o'
srondav
el.Imighthav
esomethi
ngf r
om
myObim.

_
___
___
___
__

Youmustnev ersl
eeptonightwi
thoutor
deri
ngyourcopyof
Gir
lf
ri
ends.Checkthepinnedpostaboveformoredet
ail
s.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER33

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Shehasl earnedherl esson,shewon' tpokehernosei nmy

businessagain.Iforgav eherafterasi ncer
eapol ogyandani nvi
te
togooutandl etl
ooseaf t
erthehect i
cweekweal lhad.It
'sa
Saturday,theperfectdayt ogetdrunkandj ustbecar ef
reeina
nightcl
ub.GatshaandZet huar etaggingalong,ithasbeenawhi le
sincethefourofust ur nedupt ogether,Iam excit
edaboutt he
night.Hopefull
ytherewon' tbeanydr amaandRat anangwon't
mi r
aculouslyshowupt owhat everclubMv eloistakingust o.

Idescendthest airsandthere'slaughteri
nthel ounge.Mymot her
beingtheTrevorNoahobv iously,shedoesn'tgettir
edofcracking
j
okes, Iwoul
dn'tbesur pri
sedi fi
t'smet heyarelaughingat
.My
nieceandNephewar ealr
eadyr unningaround,ignori
ngme.They
growupsof ast, Iam cravi
ngt ohav emyownt oo.Butunti
lIfi
nd
therightwoman, I
'
m strappingupal ways.

"
Heyguys,
"Igreetmybrotherandhi
swif
e.Shel
ooksamazi
ng,
I
j
ustwonderhowtheysurv
ivethosehi
ghheel
s.

"
Lukhel
e,r
eadyt
obe21f
ort
heni
ght
?"Zet
huasks,
shaki
ngher
shoul
der
s.Ichuckl
e.

"Iam r
eady,Mrs.Lukhele.
"ShewinksatmeandIdrapeanar
m
aroundmymot hersshoulders.MaNgobesei
sshor
twhenshe'
s
notinheel
s,Icanseet hetopofherhead.

"Youarewai
ti
ngonmi sswor
ldtofi
nish,shehasprobabl
y
changedamil
li
ontimesandsti
ll
can'
tf i
ndanythi
ngtowear.
"
Cebisi
l
esays,r
efer
ri
ngtoMvelo.

"
Wewi l
ll
eav
eherbehi
nd,
"Gat
shasay
s,gl
anci
ngathi
sRol
exf
or
t
ime.

"Comeonguys,looki
ngbeaut
if
ul t
akest
ime.
"Zet
hucomest
oher
sist
eri
n-l
awsrescue.Ir
oll
myey es.

"Youwouldknow,Kim Kardashian.
"herhusbandshootsather
,
Zethuhit
shisarm pl
ayful
.Theset womakemar ri
agelookso
good.IwonderhowIgotitwr ongwhenIhadseenhowamazi ngi
t
getsfr
om myparentsandmybr otherwi
thhiswif
e.

"Any
way ,
mama.Thanksf orbabysi
tt
ing.
"MaNgobesesmil
es
sweetl
yatherdaught
erin-
law.Theygetal
ongver
ywell
,Zet
huis
morethanjustGat
sha'
swi f
e.

"I
t'
sapleasuremybaby,Iwanty outohavef
unandshowthisone
withabigheadthaty
ouarest i
l
lf r
eshtobei
nthemarket
.Ifhe
start
smistr
eati
ngyou,amil
li
onf ishesar
ewait
ingi
nthesea."Zee
start
stwir
li
ngandmamapr aisi
ngher .

"Don'
tencouragemywife,
Cebisi
le.
"He'
sannoyed.Thet
houghtof
Zethubeingogledbyot
hermenr ai
sesbi
l
ef r
om hi
sstomach.
Gatshalovesthi
swomanmor ethananyt
hing.
"I
'
mr eadyt
ogo,"pri
ncessMvelostepsinthel
ounge.Mybrother
andIgaspinshockandlookateachotherbef
oreburst
ingout
withl
aught
er.

"
Mvel
o,wher
edi
dyout
aket
hosegumboot
s?"Gat
shaasks.

"
Real
ly?Honey,
thesear
eLoubout
int
highhi
ghs.
"OhLor
d,sav
eus
f
rom afashi
onl
ectur
e.

"Let'
sgoguys,
"Iqui
ckl
ysaybefor
eshetel
lsuswhichani
mal
was
kil
ledfort
heski
nthatmadethosehi
deousshoes.

GatshaandIar esit
ti
ngcomf or
tablyinthebackseatofZethu's
JaguarE-pace.It
'sni
cetobedriven,I'
ll
getdrunkwi t
hnowor ri
es.
Thegirl
sareplayingmusic,
jammi ngandl aughing.I
t'
sdefi
nit
ely
goi
ngt obeani ghttorememberwi thmysi bl
ings.Mvelodi
dgreat
byinvi
ti
ngusout .

Thecarcomestoastopandt hemusicceases.Wehavearr
ived,I
peepoutthewi
ndowandgasp.Thi siswhereMaMohapiworks,
won'ti
tbeawkwardformet obeherewhensheaskedforsome
space?Iwantt
orespectherwishesandIdon'
tthi
nkthi
sisdoing
i
t.

"
Guy
s,canwegot
oanot
herpl
ace.
"Iask.

"
What?No, t
hispl
acei
sbangi
ng.
"Mv
elosay
sandmybr
other
l
aughsnexttome.

"
Youdon'
tl
iket
hispar
ti
cul
arone?
"Zet
huasks,
looki
ngatme
t
hrought
her
evi
ewmi
rr
or.

"Thisi
stheclubwherehegotrobbedbythoseslayqueens,
"fuck
Gatsha.Theyal
l l
aughatmeandopent hei
rdoors.Sonoonei s
goingtoli
stentome?Wow, somesibl
ingsIhave.

Iopenmydoorandgetoutoft hevehicl
e.Theyarelaughi
ng,
headedstr
aightfort
heentrance.Istopbehindt
hem atthedoor
asMv el
otal
kst othehost
ess.Musi cisal
readybursti
nginsi
de.
Promisi
ngtomaket hisni
ghtwor t
hwhi l
e.

Hopeful
lyLemohangi sn'
twor kingtoni
ght.I
'dlovetoseeher,yes,
butIdon'
twantt omakeheruncomf or
tabl
e,especi
allyather
pl
aceofwor k.Theytagourwr istsandwewal kintothebuzzing
pl
ace.Tablesarealr
eadyfil
ledwi thpeopleandtheiralcohol
.
Somear eengagingi
nconv ersat i
on,ot
hersaredanci ngwith
dri
nksinthei
rhands.

Wear edir
ectedt oaboot hbythecorner,i
t'
sper fect.Noonewi l
l
dist
urbusorspi l
l alcoholonuswhent hey'vehadonet oomany .
Gatshasett
lesnextt ohiswifeandIsitcomf ort
abl ynexttomy
si
steronthel ow, r
edcouch.Thehost esst el
lsust hataser verwill
shortl
ybewi t
hus.Wedi scusswhatwewantt odr inkandof
coursemypi ckisobv i
ous,DonJuli
o1942wi thcansofr edbull
.
Gatshasayshe' l
lhav eHennessyVSOP, t
hat'
shi spoi sonforli
fe.
ZethucoaxesMv elot odit
chDom Per i
gnonf ortonightandhav e
LuisRoederercristalwithher.
Myhear tthudswhenmyey eslandonMaMohapi carryi
ngasilver
i
cebucketf ullofchampagnet ot heboothnexttoour s.That
bri
ghtsmi leplast er
edacrossherf acemakesherr i
dicul
ously
beauti
ful,Idon' tthi
nksheknowshowgor geousshei s.Whoev er
getstocal lherhi si
saluckyman.Shepl acesthebucketont he
tabl
eandt alkst ooneguy,shet hrowsherheadbackandl aughs.I
getalit
tlejealousbecauseI 'm wonderingwhatjoket heyshared.I
misslaughi ngwi thherl
ikethat,getti
ngcrazywithher .

Shewalkstowardsourtablewi t
hherpenandsmal lbookreadyi
n
herhandtotakeourorder.Shef i
xeshereyesup,wit
ht hesame
smil
eshewasof fer
ingherot hercustomersafewsecondsago.
Hereyesdartfr
om Gatshaunt il
theyfindme,wai
ti
ngt oseehow
shereact
s.Shegaspsimper ceptibl
y,Iam t
heonl
yonewhosawi t
l
uckil
ybecausemysi bl
ingsar edeepinconver
sati
on.

"Hel
lo,
mynamei sLemohang.I'
llbeyourserverforthenight.
Wouldyouli
ketoopenat aborpayeachor derasitcomes? "She
asksandIwon'
tli
e,I
'm alit
tl
estungthatshedidn'tgreetme.We
arenostr
anger
s.Yes,sheaskedforsomet i
mebutt oactl i
kewe
don'
tknoweachotherisj
ustnotokay.

"
Heybabe,
pleasedoopenat
ab.
"Mv
elosay
smeekl
y.

"Okaythen.So,whatwoul
dyouli
ketoor
der
?"She'
sst
il
lsmil
i
ng,
avoidi
ngmyey es.MaMohapii
shurt
ingmeher
e.It
houghtwe
bot
hwantedthi
sfr
iendshi
p.Iguessshereal
l
ydi
dwantmegone
anddi
dn'
tknowhowt otel
lmest r
aight
.

ZethuandMv el
oplaceouror derandLemohangwalksaway,
headedstrai
ghttothebar.Shedoesn'tev
enlookbacktoseei
f
I
'm star
ingatherbutIknowshecanf eelmygazedril
l
inghol
es
i
ntoherback.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Mv
elopokesmyt
high.

"
I'
m goodsi
ster,
Ijustwantt
ohavemydri
nkandgeti
nthemood.
"
Hersmil
ewidensandshehighfi
vesme.

Mybodyi swithmysi bl
ingsbutmyey esandmi ndaref ol
l
owing
Lemohangacr osst hisclub.Eacht imeIspotherImov ewithher
unti
lshedi sappears.Shehasn' tlookedatmesi nce,shecomest o
thetableandaskt heladiesifev eryt
hingisst
il
lokayt henleaves.
Funnyt hingisshe'sst i
l
lwear ingmyr i
ng,
orrathertheringImade
forher.Ifshewant ednot hingt odowi thmethenshewoul dn'
tbe
wearingsomet hingt hatwi l
lremindherofmeandt hefewt i
mes
we'vespentt ogether.

Weareal lbuzzednow, thequal

ityalcoholhasstart
edwor ki
ngon
oursyst
ems.Maki nghappinessandl aughtert
heorderofthis
ni
ght,at
leastformysi bli
ngs.GatshaandZet huaredancing,he
hashishandsont hesideofhercur v
es,bracket
ingherinasthey
gri
ndoneachot her.Theylookl
ikesomedancer si
na90' smusic
vi
deo.Mv eloisli
veonI nst
agram, showinghertensofthousands
f
oll
ower
stheni
ghtshe'
shavi
ng.Idon'
tev
enr
emembert
hel
ast
t
imeIpost
edonmypersonalaccount
.

Lemohangcomest oourboot h,
shejustbendsdownt owi pethe
tableandt aket hetwoempt ybottl
esofthecr i
stalandthecanof
redbul l
.Iam st ar
ti
ngt ogetannoyed,she'smakingmef eel
i
nv isibl
e.I
'm notonet opusht hi
ngsbutwhatshe' sdoingisn'tfai
r
onme.Thel eastshecoul ddoi stel
lmet oleaveheralone
straightup.Idon'tli
kequestioni
ngmy selfandwonder i
ngi fIhave
donesomet hingwr ong.Iwatchherwalkawayagai nbutthisti
me
Ihav ealcohol conf
idence.It
akeoutmyphonef r
om myj eans
pocketandt exther.

NANA,
INEEDTOTALKTOYOU.

Ipresssendandt apmyf ootonthef l

oor,i
mpati
entlywait
ingfor
herreply.Iam j
usthappymysi bl
ingscannotseethatI'
m worked
up,they'dwanttoknowwhat 'swrong.Ihatet
hatmyni ghtis
rui
nedbutIam happyt ohav esetmyey esonherbutdamni tshe'
s
compl ex.She'
smakingmei nsaneandInev erwantedtofind
myselfint hi
ssi
tuati
onagain.

I
'
M WORKI
NG,
MAKHOSI
NI.
Ichuckl
ebit
terl
y.Iknowshe'sworki
ngbutIcan'
tdr
inkandenj
oy
mynightbecauseshe'sf
latouti
gnori
ngme.

MaMOHAPI
,IJUSTNEEDAMI
NUTE.

It
akeasi
pofmyt
equi
l
aandpl
acet
hebot
tl
edownont
het
abl
e.

FI
NE,
MEETMEATTHEBACKENTRANCE.

Isi
ghinr el
iefandgetonmyf eetimmedi at
ely.Mvelohol
dsmeby
myar m andshr ugshershoul der,questi
oningmeonwher eI'
m
goi
ng.Ileani nandwhi sperthatI'm goi
ngtothebat hr
oom, she
nodsvigorousl yandgoesbackt odancingforhercamera.Iwalk
thr
ought hecr owed, t
akinglongst ri
dessoIcanr eachtheout si
de
andaskLemohangwhatI 'vedonet odeservewhatshe'sbeen
doi
ngt omet hiswholeni ght.Ifi
ndherleaningont hewall
,
smokingaci gar ett
e.Ididn'
tknowshesmokes, it
'snotheal
thybut
shelookshellasexyasshepuf f
soutacl oudofsmoke.

"Nana,
"Isayst
andi
ngafewinchesfrom her
.Sheswal
l
owshar
d
anddropsherci
gar
ett
e,put
ti
ngitoutwit
hhershoe.

"Hi
,I
'm worki
ng.Ican'
tbelong.
"Icl
osemyey
es.Shecan'
twai
tto
beawayfrom me, t
hathur
ts.
"Di
dIdosomethi
ngtoyou?Whyareyoupret
endingl
ikewedon'
t
knoweachot
her?Li
kewearen'
tfr
iends?
"Hereyessoft
en.

"Iknowyouaskedforsometimetodealwit
hsomet hi
ngpersonal
andIrespectt
hat
.Ididn'
tcomeheretomakey ouuncomfor
table.
Theywantedtocomeher eandIcoul
dn'
ttal
kthem outofi
t.
"I
explai
n.

"Ididn'
twanttobet
oofri
endl
ywi
thy
ouandof
fendy
our
girl
fri
end,
"If
rown.What
?

"
Mygi
rl
fr
iend?
"Iaskwi
thnar
rowedey
es.

Sheheav
esasi
gh,
"thel
adyi
nlongboot
s,"Il
aughoutl
oud.

"
Mvel
o?"

"
Ift
hat
'shername,
yes.
"shesnaps.

Okayf
eist
y.

"That'
smyl it
tl
esist
er,
Lemohang.Thecouplewearewi
thi
sour
bigbrotherandhiswif
e."Shedr
opshergaze,t
otal
l
yembar
rassed
thatshegotitall
wrong.

"
Oh,
I.
..
"Shecl
ear
shert
hroat
."I
'
m sor
ry.
"

"
It
'sokay
.Soy
ou'
renotmadatme?
"Sher
oll
sherey
es.

"It
oldy
ou,I'
m notmad.Youdidn'
tdoany
thi
ngwr ong.Ij
usthadt
o
dealwi
thsomepersonali
ssues,
"myheartr
elaxes.

"
Soy
ou'
l
lst
il
lreachout
?"Shegi
vesmeawr
ysmi
l
e.

"
Youbeatmet
oitt
oni
ght
,"It
hrowmyheadbackandchor
tl
e.
"I
'
m sor
ry.Canwedosomethi
ngt
omor
row?Lunch?Imi
ssy
ou.
"
Shescr
uncheshernose.

"
Uhm,
okay
.Lunchsoundsgood.
"Sheagr
eesandwi
nkather
.

"I
t'
snotgoi
ngtobeanythi
nghecti
c,Ij
ustwantust
osi
tandt
alk.
"
Sheyawns."
Am Ibor
ingyoumiss?"Shesmil
es.

"Yeah,meandy oudon'
tdoany
thi
ngbuthecti
c.Don'
tgosofton
me, Lukhel
e."Thisgi
rl
!Mymoodhasimproved,f
rom azer
ot oone
hundredrealquick.

"
I'
ll
beaty
ourpl
acet
omor
rowat3pm.
"It
ell
her
.

"Cool,
"Istepbackf
rom herandheadbacki
nsi
dewit
hawi de
smi l
eplaster
edacr
ossmyf ace.NowIcanenj
oyt
herestofmy
night.

Lastnightwashect ic.Ihadtwogl assesofmybr othershangov er

concoct ionbutitdidn'thel
pinany way .It hentri
edspicyf oodand
twocol dbeer sandonl ythenwasIf eelingal i
ttl
ebetter.Ididn'
t
wantt obet ooti
redf ormylunchdat ewi thLemohang.Hopef ul
ly
sheisn'tt ooti
redfrom hershiftatthecl ublastnight
,theywor k
hard.Alway sont heirfeetandcarryingheav yicebucketsof
alcohol.Shedeser vest oworksomet hingt hatischall
engingbut
won'tbr eakherback.
Iam par
kednextt
ot heelevatorsoshecanj usthopi nthecar
whenshestepsout.I'
vebeenwai t
ingforat l
east5mi nutes.Idon'
t
knowwhereI'
m goi
ngt otot akeher,
Ididn'tplananythi
ng.Ijust
wantedtobewit
hher ,what
ev erwedowoul dbef unanyway .
She'
sjustt
hatper
sonwhobr i
ngsposit
iveener gy
, ev
enifwewer e
tosi
tinmycar,we'
dhav eagr eatti
mel aughingandt al
kingfor
hour
s.

Thefrontpassengerdooropensandshecl i
mbsi n,
wheredi
dshe
comef r
om?Theel evatordi
dn'
tpingopen.Don'ttel
lmeshetook
thestai
rs,i
t'
salongwaydown, Icoul
dnev er,unl
essift
he
elev
atorisoutoforder
.

Shelooksbeautif
ul i
nabl ackdress,leat
herjacket
,bl
ack
stockingsandmili
taryboots.She'sforevermakeupf r
ee,notthat
sheneedsi t
.She'sgorgeousandIl ov et
hef actt
hatshe'
salways
brai
dingherhair
,Idon'thav eanyt
hingagai nstwomenwith
weav esbutther
e'ssomet hi
ngaboutawomanwhohasbr aids.

"I
stheelevat
oroutofor
der
?"Iaskbef
orewecanev
enexchange
greet
ings.

Somethi
ngl
ikefearf
lashesacr
ossherey
es.Butshequi
ckl
y
smil
esandshakesherhead.

"No,Ij
ustwantedtotakethest
air
s.I
t'
smyonl
ywayof
exer
cisi
ng.
"Ilaugh,t
hat'
snottr
ue.Herj
obi
sanexer
ciseoni
ts
known.
"
Howar
eyou?
"Iaskandsheshr
ugs.

"
I'
m good,
whatabouty
ou?
"Ibi
temyl
owerl
i
pbef
oreanswer
ing.

"I
'
m good,
too.Whatdoy
ouwantt
odot
oday
?"Sher
aisesan
eyebr
ow.

"Bathong!Lukhel
e,youaskedagi
rloutf
orlunchwhi
ley
ouhadno
plan?DudeI '
m di
sappoi
nted.
"Imi
ssedthissmartmout
h.

"Youaretoobeaut
iful
formet oinf
luenceyoubadl
y,Iknowt
hat'
s
usbuttodayIwannatreaty
oul i
keal ady.
"Shegi
vesmeasmi l
e
thatr
eacheshereyesandbright
enst hem.

"Ther
e'sthi
smov i
etheyaremakingnoi
seaboutonsocialmedi
a.
Thepressurehasgottentome,canwegowatchit
?"She
suggestsandIli
kethat.I
t'
saSundayandt
hat'
sacool andcal
m
plan.

"
Thenf
oodaf
ter
war
ds?
"Shenodsi
nagr
eement
.

"
Soundsl
i
ket
heper
fectpl
an.
"

Istarttheengineandr everseoutofthepar ki
ngspace.Thi splace
i
sbuzzi ngt oday,i
t'
sclearthati
t'
sast udentonl yapar t
ment s.I
rememberIwasn' tthi
swi l
dwhenIwasst illi
nuniv ersi
ty,Iwas
tryi
ngt ogetmyf eetintothediamondi ndustry.Alway s
researching,houndingthebigdogswhower emaki ngi tbig.That'
s
howImetGl enBhengu, t
hatmant aughtmeal ot.I'l
lalway sbe
gratefultohim,notonlyforthatbutforhelpingmeoutwhen
Nombul el
owant edtodest r
oyme.Ihav en'tbeent oseet hem, on
hi
swor d.Hewant smef arawayf r
om him becauset he
i
nvestigat i
onisgetti
nghotnow.Hegav eupbi gnamest hatarea
par
toft heblooddiamondsy ndi
catesohe'sscar edthatthey'
l
l
comeaf termeiftheyknewhespokeupt opr otectmeandmy
company .Iknowthisisnotagoodt hi
ngtosaybutIwi shGod
wouldt akehim, heissuff
eri
ngandi nthesamel i
ght,hi
swifeis
emotional l
y,phy
sicall
yandment al
lyexhausted.

"
Eart
htoMakhosi
ni,
"MaMohapi
snapshersl
enderf
inger
sinmy
f
ace.Br
ingi
ngmebacktoher
.

"I
'
m sorr
y,Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngaboutaf
ri
endwho'
sonhi
sdeat
h
bed.
"Isay.

"I
'
m sor
rytoheart
hat
,"Ismi
l
eandgl
aceather
.Herey
eswar
m
andsof
t.

"
Iwant
edt
oasky
ousomet
hing,
"Isayandshepout
s.

"Pl
easedon'
taskmetomarryyou,"shesay
sdramatical
ly,
wipi
ng
animagi
narysweatonherf
orehead.Ir
oarwit
hlaughter
.

"Youal
readysai
dyes,checkmyr i
ngony ourf
inger.Youcan'
trun
awayfr
om beingMrs.Lukhel
e."Shej
oinsmei nlaughter
.

"
What
ever
.Whatdi
dyouwantt
oask?
"Shel
ooksatmeser
ious.

"Wearethrowingmymot hera60t hGreatGatsbythemedbir

thday
part
y.Iwouldloveforyout
ocomewi t
hme, "Isayandshe'ssil
ent
forafewmi nute.Pr
obabl
ywei ghi
ngmyi nvi
tati
on."Wemightfind
somethi
ngcr azytodother
e,"Icoaxherandshesmacksherl ips,
t
otal
l
yamused.

"Youar
est upi
dbutI'
dlov
etocomet
oyourmot
her
'sbi
rt
hday
."
Reli
eff
loodsthroughme.

"
weshoul
dheadtothemallthi
sweekendtof
indy
ousomet
hing
t
owear,
"Isayandsheshakesherhead.

"Iwon'
tbeabl
eto,I'
l
lbeinGqeberhafrom Thur
sday,
"whatwi
l
l
shebedoingt
here?"Mybestfri
end,Undi
phil
e,l
osther
grandmot
herandherfuneral
isthi
scomingSaturday
."She
answersmyunsaidquesti
on.

"
Oh,
condol
encest
oherandherf
ami
l
y."Shenods.

"WecangoonMondayt
hen,
"IsuggestandLemohangheav
esa
si
gh.

"
Youcandr
ivemebutI
'
llpayf
ormyownout
fi
t,
"Ibi
temyl
owerl
i
p.

"Nana,
let
'snotar
gueaboutmoneyandspendi
ng.I
'
llal
way
swi
n,
"
shegaspsandhit
smyar m.

"Iwork,
Makhosini.Icanaf
fordtobuyadr essandshoes,"Ican
heartheseri
ousnessinhervoice.Shel
ovesherindependence,I
am impressed.

"Iknowy oucan.ButIi nvi

tedyou,Ihavet oprovi
def orthatday.
Pleasedon'ttakeoffense.Iam honestlynottry
ingt ostri
pyouoff
yourindependence.
"Isaymeekl yandsheheav esasi gh."Let'
s
notletthi
sissuesourourmood, please."Shereachesf ormy
handandt heelectr
icit
ythatfl
owsi nmybodyi sintense.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Ijustl
i
kedoi
ngt
hingsf
ormy
sel
f.Idon'
tev
erwantt
obe
atthemercyofsomeone."Itot
all
yunder
stand.Sheretr
actsher
handandIwanttoshoutandaskhert okeepitther
e,toentwi
ne
ourfi
nger
sandbr ushherthumbsonmyknuckl es.ButIdon'
t
wanttoscareheroffsoIkeeptomyself
.
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER34

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Myf i
rstplaneexper iencewasterri
fyi
ng,Iprayedtotheal mighty
askingt hathehol dst hi
splaneupsowedon' tcrush.Thet akeoff
hadmegr ippingthear mrestandpressingmyf eethar dont he
planef l
oor ,hit
tingt heimaginar
ybrakesi nmyhead, butIdoubt
that'swher epl anebr eaksare.Oncewewer efly
ingatal t
it
udeI
relaxedal ittl
eandt ri
edtoenjoytheride.Iwil
ladmi t
,everythingi
s
beaut i
fulfrom upt here,t
heblueissomet hi
ngel se,i
tcalmedme
i
naway .Thel andi ngwast heworst,Ifel
tli
kemyhear twant edto
l
eapoutt hr oughmymout h.Iwonderhowpeopl ewhof ly
frequentlymanage, ordoesitgetbetterasaper songet susedt o
i
t?

Thisismyf ir
sttimeoutofGaut eng.Iwi shitwasunderdi f
ferent
cir
cumst ancesbecauseIcant ellt
hiscityisbeautif
ul,Iwoul d
haveenjoyedexpl ori
ngev erycornerofit.Iam looki
ngoutt he
windowaswepassbybui ldi
ngsandgr oupsofpeopl e.Ebukai s
theonewhocamet opickmeupf rom theairport
,he'sev ent he
onewhoboughtmyt i
cket.HeandUndi phil
etoldmet hattravel
ing
bybusi stedious,that
'showIal lowedt hem topayf ormyf light.I
knowhe' sgoodf oritandwon' tprobablyreali
zethatt hemoneyi s
missingfrom hisaccountbutheal readydoessomuchf orme.I
don'teverwantt otakeadv antageofhi sgoodhear t
.
Hewr apsupt hecal l
withhisbusinesspartnert henr emov esthe
earpodsandgl ancesmyway .DidImenti
ont hathel ookshi deous?
Ilaughedsohar dwhenIsawhi m acoupl
eofmi nutesago.Nev er
i
nami lli
onyearsdidIthinkI'
dseeEbukawear ingabl uecov erall
,
roll
edupathi ssleeves.EversinceI'
veknownt hismanheal way s
l
ooksl ikeamodel st
eppingoutofamagazi necov er.Theonl y
ti
mey ou'l
lcat
chhi minshor t
sandsl i
desiswhenhe' sl azyinhi s
house.WhathasGqeber hadonet omybrother ?Hecoul dn't
explai
nhi soutf
itofthedaybecausei mmedi atelyafterwe
exchangedgr eeti
ngsacal lcamet hr
oughhi sphone.

"I
'
vebeenrunni
nger
randswi
thJoj
o,"heexpl
ainsev
enbef
oreI
canask.

"Doi
ngsomesoni
nlawdut
iesal
ready
?"Hesmi
l
esandshr
ugshi
s
shoul
der
s.

Ifany
onedoubt sthatEbukal
ovesUndiphi
l
ethentheper
soni
s
simpl
yblind.Thi
smanl efthi
sbusi
nesses,hi
sli
fein
Johannesburgtocomebebyhi sgi
rl
fri
endsside.

"Peachesal
readytookhershar
eofmydowrysoIguessIhaveto
stepupandbet hesoninlawshewoul
dexpect
."Hesayswit
ha
smile,hi
seyessparkl
i
ng.That'
showheget
swhenhet al
ksabout
Undiphil
eoranythi
ngthathast
odowit
hher.

"
Howi
sshe?
"Iask.

Wespokeev
erydayont
hephonesi
ncet
heyl
eftJobur
glastweek
andsheclai
medshe'
sdoi
nggoodbutshel ostt
hemost
i
mportantper
soni
nherl
if
e,she'
snotexpectedtobedoi
nggood.

Ebukaheavesasigh,"
she'
sholdi
ngon,havingJojoandIaround
hel
ps.Iknowyoubeingther
ewi l
lcomplet
eev er
ythi
ng.
"Inod
vi
gorousl
y."Wher
e'syourot
herfr
iend?
"HeasksaboutAmukel ani
.
Shewassupposedt ofl
ydownwi t
hmebutanemer gencykept
heri
nJozi.

"She'l
lcomet omor row,shehadt oatt
endanemer gency.
"Henods
andf ocusesont her oad.He'sdrivi
ngaroundlikehehadbeen
l
ivinghereforthel ongesttime.He'ssurelybl
endi nginwel l
inhis
woman' shomet own.Inev erthoughtt
heirrel
ationshipwoul d
progresssoqui cklybutI'm happyforthem.Hisphoner i
ngsagai
n,
hequi ckl
ytakest heearpodsandput sthem backi nhisears.

"
Gat
sha,
"heanswer
s.

Ilookoutt hewindowandl eavehimt ohi sphonecal l

.Myown
phonechi mesi nmybag, Iquicklyretri
evei tandpowert hescr een
on.It'
samessagef rom mybadi nfl
uencef r
iend,Makhosi ni
.We
reconnectedagai naf t
erhecamet othecl ubwithhissibli
ngs.I
thoughthissister,Mv el
o, washisgi rl
fri
end.Iactedlikea
compl etebit
chandIwasembar rassedwhenhesetmest rai
ght.I
don'tevenunder standwhyIact edlikethat ,Imeanour
relat
ionshi
pi ssimpl yfr
iendly.Wehav en'
tev enknowneachot her
thatlongandIam t heonewhobl ewhi m offwhenIwant edto
dealwi t
hthepieceofshi tMabut ho.
TOUCHDOWN?

Ipr
omi
sedt
otextsoonasIl
andedbuti
tsl
i
ppedmymi
nd.

YES,
ENROUTETOUNDI
PHI
LE'
SHOUSE.

Isendmyr
epl
yandwai
tagai
nforhi
s.

We'vebeenchatt
ingal otthi
sweek,acoupl
eofhoursaday
.Our
conver
sati
onsarepr et
tystupi
dbutneeded,
hetakesmymindof
f
thebul
lshi
tI'
m goingthroughatt
hemoment .

OKAY.I
'M ABOUTTOSTEPI
NTOAMEETI
NG.I
'
LLCHECKYOU
LATER,
NANA.

Isendhi m awi nkingemojiandhedoesn'treply.Wewillt

alklat
er,
thatIknowf orsur e.WhenItakemyt imereplyinghist
extshe
sulksli
keal it
tlebaby ,
he'
ssomethingelse.Inev ert
hought
oppositegender scouldbeclosefr
iends.Inev erbel
iev
edthata
manwoul djustwantt ohangoutaroundawomanandwant
absolutel
ynot hing,butEbukaandMakhosi nichangedthat
perspecti
vef orme.Notal lmanaret r
ash,t
hegoodonesaf ew
andwepai ntthem withthesamebr ush.
"Whyarey ousmi l
ingliket hat ?"Ebuka'squestionstar t
lesmeasI
waslostinmyownt hought s."Sistermi,
doy ouhav eaboy f
riend?"
Icri
nge,thi
nkingaboutt hatpi eceofshi t
.Thought sofMabut ho
makesbi l
er i
seupmyt hroatandl eaveabittertasteinmymout h.
Heshowedmeasi deofhi mt hat '
sdark,ev
enhi ssui ci
deattempt
toprovehisloveformedi dn'thav emer unningbackt ohim atthe
hospit
alafterIhadl ef
tt hatf i
rstday .Iam t
hankf ulthathehasn't
tr
iedreachingout,may bet heyhav en'
tcl
earedhi m offsuici
de
watch,hopefull
ytheynev erdo.

Thelet
terheaddressedtomeisinmydrawer,
Ihaven'
treadi
t,I
doubtIeverwi
ll
.Ishouldj
ustbur
nitandfor
getabouthi
m
completel
y.

"
Idon'
thav
eti
mef
orboy
s,"Ianswerhi
m andhechuckl
es.

"
Goodgi
rl
,boy
sar
ebadnews.
"Igaspi
nshock.

"
Undiphi
l
eshoul
dhearthi
sthen,
"het
akesacor
nerandweent
er
t
hetownshi
pofKwazakhel
e.

"Wear ediffer
ent,I
'
m notpl ay
inggames.Iam wai t
ingfortheright
ti
met henIam mar r
yingher.Sheknowst hi
s, youknowt hi
s, t
oo."
He'sright.Thei
rrel
ationshipi
snotf ul
lofgamesanddecei t.He
askedmet hekindofgi rl
UndiisandItoldhim.Shehappenedt o
betheki ndhewant edf orawifeandheset t
leddown, dropping
hisplayertendenci
es.Heknewwhathewant edandhewas
preparedt ochangehisway sforit
.Iwishthiskindofloveand
manf oreachandev erywomenwho' ssear
chi ng.
Hepar ksther entedBMW att hecur bandkill
st heengine.We
havear r
ived,Ipeept hroughhiswindowt othey ardwi t
hamai n
houseandt hreer ondavel
sattheside.Ithoughtt hi
sset ti
ngwas
onlydonei nthev i
ll
agesbutthenagain,Undiphileoncement ioned
thathergr andfatherwasapol ygamist.Thegateopensand
Undiphil
ewal ksout ,
shelookstir
ed.I'
m sureshehasbeenonher
feetthewhol eweek, heraunt
stroubli
ngheroneachsi de.Iopen
thefrontpassengerdoorandcl imbout ,r
oundingt hecarwi thmy
armsal r
eadywi deopen.Shesmi l
esatmeasshef ixesherhead
wrap.

"
Heyf
ri
end,
"shegr
eet
smeaswel
ocki
nawar
m embr
ace.

"
Howar
eyou?
"Iaskandshebl
owsoutasi
gh.

"Nowthatyou'r
eher emysuppor
tsystem i
scomplete.I
'
vereal
ly
beencopingthough,bett
ert
hanIthoughtIwoul
d."Sheadmits
andIki
sshershoul der
.

"
It
'sal
lgoi
ngt
obeal
ri
ght
,gi
vey
our
sel
fti
me.
"Iassur
eherandwe
l
etgo.

"Howwasy ourfl
ight
?"Myfaci
alexpressi
onmakesherl
augh,
she
hasheranswer.Thedri
ver
'sdoorshutscl
oseandEbukast
ands
nextt
ous.

"
Youmustbehungr
y,Obi
m."Undi
say
slooki
ngatEbuka.

"
Fami
shed,
"headmi
ts

"
I'
ll
fixy
ouapl
ate,
"henods
"I
'
llgoj
oinJojoi
ntherondav
el.
"Hebr
ushesUndi
phi
l
e'sarmt
hen
headst
ot heboot
,col
l
ectsmybagandwalkstot
hegate.

"Whatdidyoumakemybr otherwear
?"Iaskandshelaughs,
l
ookingback,hopi
ngtocatchagli
mpseofherboyfr
iendbuthe
hasdisappear
edthewall
fence.

"I
t'
snotme.Joj
ohasbeenrunningerr
andswi
thhim.Theywentto
chooseacowtodayandpassedbythecemet
ery.
"Sheexpl
ains.

"
Howdi
dyouraunt
srecei
vehi
m?"Iask.

Undiphi
lescr
uncheshernose,"
Theythi
nkhe'sJoj
o'sfri
end.
"It
's
bett
erthatway,t
oav oi
dunnecessar
ydrama.I'
venevermetthose
womenbutf rom whatUndi
phil
ehastol
dmet heyarenotpeaceful
people.

"
They
'l
lfi
ndoutwhenhecomest
opayl
obol
a,
"webot
hlaugh.

We'venev erhadaf uneralathome, atleastnotsinceIhav ebeen

anadult,butIknowf oraf actthatal
l thefamilymember sand
rel
ati
vesmusthel peachot hertogetev eryt
hingdone.That '
snot
thecaseher e,Undiphi
le'
saunt sandt heirchi
ldrenaresitti
ngin
oneoft hebedr ooms,onlycomi ngoutt omakedemandsf orthis
andthat.IfIwasn'theretohel pUndiphileshewasgoi ngt obr eak
herback.Imeanhercousi nsar egir
lsandal i
tt
leolderthanus, I
don'
tunder standwhyt heyhav etobepr i
ncesseswhi l
eUndi phil
e
i
sslavingaway .

Thisisn'
tfai
r,honest
ly.But
,Undi
phi
lebeingUndi
phil
eshe'
sdoi
ng
every
t hi
ngwithaclosedmouth.Forthesakeofpeacebut
somet
imesaper
sonneedsal
i
ttl
ebi
tofv
otsek.

"Undiphile,
"webot hturnt
of i
ndoneauntst andi
ngbythedoor
separatingthekitchenandlounge.Ithasn'
tevenbeenaminut
e
sinceIthoughtt omy sel
f,oneisal
readycall
ingaft
erher
.Can'
t
shecat chabr eak,Jesus.

"
AuntLumka?
"Sheanswer
sinacal
m,r
espect
ful
manner
.

"
uYoneladoesn'twantt
oeatthechickenyou'
repr
epar
ing.Make
mincewit
hmi xedveggi
esforheryeva?"Fuckme!

Il
ookatmyfr
iendandhershoul
der
ssag,she'
sdef
eat
ed.Ial
so
woul
dbe.Whycan'tt
hatYonel
aper
soncomecookhermince
wi
thmixedv
eggies?

"Ohandpl easedon'tputtoomuchsmal l
,youhavearoughhand
ther
e."Thecousinint helongestweaveandnai l
ssaysbehi
ndthe
aunt,Iguessshe'
sYonel a.Iwanttothrowt hi
sknif
eatthem.
Whatnonsense?Li kehonest l
y.

"Atleastshe'sroughwi t
ht hesaltandcanst artoverastov eand
cook.Whatcany oudo? "Anelder l
ywomanwi thasingleply
blanketov erhershoul dersasks, pushingpastmot herand
daught er
."You'vebeensi tt
ingint hebedroom li
kechickens
guar di
ngeggswhi leUndi phil
emadesur ethatthepeoplewho
camet oofferust heircondolenceshadt eaandbiscuit
s.Now
she'scooki ngforev eryoneandy ousti
llwanttomakedemands?
Takeof fthathorset ailandgety ourhandswor ki
ng.Youdi dn'
t
hireUndiphi l
e,
"whoev erthismagogoi s,Ili
keher.What evershe
dr
inksonSat
urdayi
sonme,
that
'si
fshedr
inks.

Shepengui nstoUndi phil

e'ssideandt akesadeepbr eathlikeshe
j
ustwal kedawhol eki l
omet er
."Wena,Itol
dyout ost opt aking
thei
rnonsense.Thi si sy ourhomeasmuchasi t'
st heirs,whatam
Ievensay ing,yourfatherwasaSi sul
u.Thei
rmot her swer e
mar r
ied,theybelongt her e.Theyshouldbet i
ptoeingar oundy ou,
nottheot herwayar ound.Youseemysi st
er,t
heonesl eepingin
themor tuar y
?Sher aisedy ouandIknowshedi dn'traisea
weakling."Iwanttot wer kf orthi
swoman.Somebodyf i
nallyput
thesev i
lepeopleint heirplace.

Ev
ersinceIar
ri
vedt
hey
'vebeengoi
ngoutoft
hei
rwayt
ofr
ust
rat
e
myfr
iend.

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

Apl anIwasbanki ngonhasf ail

ed.Thishadtobr ingherbackto
me, ithadt oshowherhowmuchshemeanst ome.Iam
desper atef orLemohang,forherpuri
ty,herst
rengt hand
resil
ience.Iam desper at
etohav ealif
eIonlydr eamtofasachild,
Ididn'thav eamot herwhof oughtformeagainstt heabuseofmy
father,shej ustsubmitt
edandt ookit,
too.Butmychi ldr
encould
hav eitall
, onlyi
fLemohangwoul dcomebackt ome.Thi smight
hav efail
edbutIwon' tgiveupont hatwoman, ifIdoIwoul dr
egret
i
tf orther estofmyl i
fe.
Itstartedof fasagameofl ustandpushi ngthem t ot hel imit
.I
want edt oseei fitwasonl ymymot herwhowast hatweakand
couldn'tf ightback.Theyal l f
olded, all
owedmet opl ayt hem li
kea
grandpi ano.ThencameLemohangMohapi ,Icouldeasi l
y
mani pul ateherl iket heothersbef oreherbutshewoul dst il
lstand
upf orher selfi
naway .Iremembert heci garet
teinci dent ,she
didn'tfoldunt i
lIliedaboutmyf atherdy ingf r
om lungcancer
becausehewasaheav ysmoker .Wecoul dsti
llbet oget herifI
hadn'tl osti tandl ockedheri nt hecl osetknowi ngv er ywel l
that
she'scl aust rophobic, butIwassof ur i
ous.Madashel lbecause
shewasl y i
ngaboutwher eshewaswhi l
eIwasi nDur ban.She
l
iedt omyf aceandt hatmademequest ionourwhol er elati
onship,
ImeanIhadpr ooft hatshewasn' tatt heapar t
mentandshewas
hoppi ngf rom pl acet oplace.Butobv i
ousl yIcouldn'tt ellher
becauseshe' dknowt hatIhaveat r
ackeri nher.Ilosti tf urt
her
whensher eceivedat extfr
om aNi ger i
an, awhol efor eigner .

Iregrett
edwhatIhaddonewhenIhear dhersobs,IknewI
crossedal i
neandshewasnev ergoingtolookatmet hesame.I
thoughtifIl
eftherinthereforthenightshewi l
lcal
m downand
wecoul dtalkt
hingsthroughi nthemor ni
ng.Iwasgoi ngtobe
sincerebutshestil
lwantednot hingtodowi t
hme.Idon' tthi
nkI
hav eeverbeenthatdevastated.Ihadtheperfectwomani nmy
handsandshesl ippedrightthroughbecauseIcouldn'tcontai
n
myanger .

Thegat
eint
ercom buzzes,
snappi
ngmeoutofmyt
hought
s.Iget
offthecouchandpl acet heglassofscot chont hecof f
eetable.I
wonderwhoi tcouldbe, it'
sdefinit
elynotLemohang.Shedi dn'
t
comeseemeagai natthehospi talafterleavingthatnight,
so
nothingwouldbringhert omypl ace.Inherheadshe' sdonewi t
h
mebutIst i
llhaveachancei nherhear t,Ijusthavet odo
somet hi
ngthatwi l
ltapintothel i
ttl
elovet hat'
sst i
l
lthereunder
thehateandanger .Itaket hereceiverfrom it
scr adleandputit
againstmyear .

"
Yes,
"Isaycol
dly
.

"I
t'sme, openup."Ipresst hebuttonthatopenst
hegateand
placether ecei
verbackont hecradl
e.Ihopeshehassomething
forme.It oldBrendatof oll
owLemohangbecauseIcoul dn'
t,
that
stupidpsychiatr
istonlyclearedmey ester
daymorni
ngandIwas
dischargedlaterontheday .I
fIwasoutont ime,
Iwoul
dhav e
donet hejobmy self.

Igoset t
lebackdownont hecouchandtaketheglasswithmy
amberdr ink,gul
pital
ldownandclosemyey esatitbur
nsmy
throatmaki ngit
'swaydowntomyst omach.That
'ssomegreat
staff.

Thefrontdooropensandf ootst
epsapproacht
het helounge,I
don'
tbotherlooki
ngupbecauseIknowshe' salone.Shethrowsa
fi
leonthecoffeetabl
eandt hatgetshermyatt
ention.Shemust
havefoundsomet hi
ng.Iputtheglassbackdownont hetable.
"Ican'
tbel
iev
eI'
m doingthisforyou,"shesaysandIheaveasigh,
l
eaningbackontheleathercouch."ButI'
m done,Mabutho.Iam
donebeingyourpuppet
."Sheadds.

Ihuf
foutahumor
lessdr
ylaugh.

"You'
reonl
ydonewhenIsayy
ouar
e,Br
enda.Rememberwhat
'sat
stakeher
e."

Pai
nandr
egr
etf
lasht
hroughherey
es.

"Ican'
tbeli
eveIoncel
ovedapsy
chol
i
key
ou.
"Shesay
sthr
ough
grit
tedteet
h.

"
Youstil
ll
ovemeBrenda,i
fIt
elly
outostr
ipnakedr
ightnowy
ou
woul
d."Shecl
osesherey
es,t
ryi
ngtohi
dehershame.

Brendai sabeaut i
fulwoman, shewast hef irstonewhomademe
believ eIcouldhav eanormal li
fe.Iwasi nl ov ewithherbutshe
hidt hef actthatshewasmar ri
edandt hatIwasonl yjustherside
thi
ngwhenherhusbandwasawayonbusi ness.If oundout ,kept
i
tt omy selfandmadeherl oveme, needme, thenonedayI
recor deduswhi l
ewewer ei nthethroesofpassi on.Iwant edto
uset het apet odestr
oyhermar ri
agebutIr ealizedi twasn'tworth
i
t.Ikepti tal
l t
heseyears,knowingthati twoul dcomei nhandy
someday .Ir
eachedoutt oheraf t
ersuchal ongt ime, makingher
awar et hatIhadat apeandIwoul dreleasei ti fshedi dn't
cor poratewi thme.Ofcour seshecamet omyhouser unni
ng,
bringingmet hepill
sIhadaskedhert obr ing.Shehel pedmewi t
h
t
hiswhol
esui
cidepl
an.

"Thepowery ouhadov ermei sn'tthereanymor e,"Il

aughbecause
that'
sal i
e.Itriedget ti
nghert omybedt hesamedayshebr ought
thepill
sandshedi dn'tstopmebutIst oppedmy self."Stop
thi
nkingy ouwer ethebestt hingt ohav eeverhappenedt ome.I
am amar ri
edwoman, onl
ymyhusbandhol dsthatti
tle."That'
snot
whatshewassay ingaf t
erIdumpedher .Shecamet owher eIwas
renti
ngbackt hen.Beggi ngmet ost aywi t
hher ,t
ogiv eher
anotherchancebecauseshewasr eadyt oleaveherhusband.She
wast oodesper ate,Ididn'twantt hati
nmywi fe,themot herofmy
futur
echi l
dren.Icoul dn'tmar rysomeonewhowoul dendupl ike
mymot her.

"Iwil
lnevercall
insickatworkfordaysjustt
ogoar oundspyi
ng
onsomegi r
lyouareobsessedwith.Don'tev
erbri
ngmei ntoyou
crazybusiness,ar
ewecl ear
?"Shesaysinami l
dtone.Givi
ngme
af ul
minati
nggaze.

Brendai
sn'
tgoi
ngtotel
lmewhenwearedone,
Iam t
heone
holdi
ngt
hestri
ngs,
makingst
hepuppet
smovehowIwant.

"Whatdoyouhaveforme?
"Iasknoddi
ngt
owar
dthef
il
eshe
placedont
hetabl
e.

"OnSundaywhenIwassupposet obebondingwit
hmychi l
dren,I
waspar kedout
sidey ourgirl
fr
iend'
sapar t
mentbui
ldi
ng.Shewas
pickedupbyaLambor ghiniUrus,dr
ivenbyaveryhandsomeman.
Ifoll
owedthem tothemal l,t
heywentt otheci
nemaandaf t
erthat,
theywenttoeat.Ididn'
tstickaroundt oseewhoseplacet
hey
wentt
oaf t
erwards.Mybabysit
terhadtobel
eave."Shesay
sand
myheartshutt
ers.Howcouldshemov eonsoquickl
y?Whot he
f
uckistheguyshewaswi t
h?Il
ookupatBrendaandIcanseei t
i
nhereyesthatshejustenj
oyedseeingmegocold.

"
Thenextday
s?"Iaskbi
tt
erl
y.

"Shegoest ouni versit

yt henbackt oherplace.Idon'tknowwhat
shedoesatni ghtt hough.TodayIf oll
owedhercabt otheairport
,I
don'tknowwher eshe' sgoi ngorwhoshe' sgoingwi t
h,butIcan
betmymoneyt hatshei sonbaecat i
onwi ththeUrusdude, he's
l
oaded, Icanjustt ell
.Thef ilecontainspictur
esIt ookofhereach
ti
meIwasf oll
owi ngherar ound, you'
llfi
gureoutther est
."Ifeel
l
ikeI'm bei
ngr oast edinhel lfi
re.Thet houghtofLemohangbei ng
withwhoev erthebast ar dismakesmybl oodboi l
,hasshesl ept
withhim?Iclosemyey esinf r
ustration,r
aget aki
ngov erme.I
reachforthecl assandt hrowi ttothewal l
.

Brendaqui
ckl
ymov esbehi
ndt
hecouch,
taki
ngcov
eri
ncaseI
decidet
ochargef
orher.

"Idi
dwhatyouasked.BecameaPr i
vat
eInv
est
igat
or.NowcanI
haveev
erycopyofthatsextape?
"
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER35

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Wel andedawhi l
eago, myboyfri
endisdr i
vingandI '
m sitt
ing
comf ort
abl
yont hepassengerseatnextt ohim.Ebukal eftthe
Mer cedesatt
heai r
portandwef ounditjustthewaywel eftit
,no
scratchnodent.Wej ustdr
oppedof fAmukel aniandnowwear e
onourwayt odropLemohang.Iam gr at
eful t
hattheybot hcame
thr
ought osupportme, hav
ingthem ther
er emi ndedmet hatI
haveaf amil
yIcreatedinJoburg.Theyremi ndedmet hatIwill
neverbealone,evenwhenIt hi
nkIam.Theki ndoff r
iendshipI
havewi tht
hesegirl
sisoneofaki nd,oneIwi lltr
easureforever.

Wel aidPeachesi nherfi

nal r
estingplacewi t
hdignit
y.Myaunt s
didn'tcauseanydr amaliketheydi ddaysleadingt
ot hefuneral.
Ohbutt heydidcry,i
twasl i
ketheywer einacompet iti
onofwho
criedthemost .Hopingtobet hel oudestsopeoplewhocamet o
thefuner alcanassumet heylovedPeachesmor ethantheother .
Itwashi lari
ous,Joj
oandIl aughedabouti taft
erwards.Speaking
ofJongi khaya,Iam soproudofhi m.Hei sliv
ingupt ohisname.
Afterthef uner
al,weheldameet i
ngandhespokel i
keat rue
l
eaderoft heSisul
ufamily.Hewi llbemov i
ngt oKwazakhele,to
ensur ethatthehomei sstandingandgr owing.Hesai dhe'
snot
r
eadyformarri
agebuthehassomeonehewoul dli
ket
ohav ea
f
utur
ewi t
handwhent heyar
ebothreadyf
orthestept
hey'
ll
takei
t.
Hewouldn'
ttel
lorshowmet hepi
ctur
eofhisgi
rl,
Iwonderwhy.

Thecl
eansi
ngceremonywil
lbeinamont h,I
'
m notlooki
ng
for
wardtogoi
ngbacktoKwazakhele.Myaunt sr
uinedhomef
or
me,butmycousi
nisther
esoIcan'tjuststayaway.

Asidest hemoneyt hatPeachesleftmet hroughfuneralpol i

cies,
thatwomansav edmoneyf ormyeducat ion,it'
shandledbya
l
awy er.Thel awy erwil
lpaymyt uit
ionstr
aightintotheuniv ersit
y
account ,payther entandsendmeamont hlyall
owancej ustl i
ke
Peachesdi dwhenshewasst il
lali
ve.Iwassoemot i
onal,but
gratef
ul thatshet houghtofeveryt
hing.Wewer ereal
lyblessedt o
havethatwoman.I '
m notoutinthecoldlikeIthoughtI'
dbei f
she'dleftev er
ythingtomyaunt s.Theydon'tknowaboutt his
educationf und,PeachesonlytoldJojowhot ookmet herel ast
WednesdaysoIcoul dsign.

Thecarcomest oastopatt heapart

mentgat e,
butnottoolong
becausethebar r
ierswingsopenwhent hesecurit
yguardsees
thati
tsmeandLemohang.Myboy f
ri
enddrivesinandf i
nds
parki
ng,hekill
stheengi neandweallcl
imboutt hecar.Ebukat
o
getLemohang' sbagfrom thebootandItohugmyf ri
end
goodbye.I
'm notsurewhenI 'l
lbeback,
Ijustwantt obewithmy
boyfr
iend,Ineedhiscomf ort
.
"
Thanky
ouagai
nforcomi
ngLemo,
"Ihugher
.

"
Iwouldn'thavebeenanywher
e,Undi
.Youar
elikeasistert
ome,
youdropthingsformeandIdothesameforyou."Ihol
dher
t
ight
er.Wel etgoaft
erafewmoresecondsandshegi v
esmea
warm,reassuri
ngsmile.

"Si
stermi
,doy
ouneedmet
oaccompanyy
ouup?
"Isn'
thea
gentl
eman?

Lemohangshakesherheadno.

"
I'
ll
manage,t
hanks.Youguysshoul
dgetgoi
ng.Makesureshe
r
ests.
"Shej
ustmadehim worse,
he'
sgoingt
ofussunnecessar
il
y.

"Tr
ustme,Iwon'tev
enall
owhertowalkt
othebathr
oom.I
'
llcar
ry
herever
ywher
e."Ebukasaysandt
heybot
hlaugh.

Ij
ustr
ollmyeyes.Idon'
tdoubtt
hathewi
l
ldoashesay
s.Obi
mis
somet
hingel
se.

"I
'
llseeyouguyssoon,"Lemohangsay st ousandmyboy f
ri
end
opensmydoor ,Icl
i
mbi nandr eachfortheseat
bel
t.Hewalks
aroundthecarandgetsin.Lemohanggoest ot
hestai
rs,
isthe
el
ev at
orouti
fservi
ce?That'sunusualthough.

Myboy fri
endhatesMcDonald'
sbutIwascr avi
ngsomesohe
drovethereandweor der
edviathei
rdriv
ethrough.Iboughttwo
burger
sf ormyselfandhekeepsgivi
ngmet heey e,
hepr obabl
y
thi
nksI'm pr
egnantbutIam notbecauseI'
m onthepillandIdon'
t
missanynomat t
erwhat.Yes,Iwanttohaveli
ttl
echinekesand
tuf
iakwasbutnotnow.RightnowIwantt oexpl
oremyboy f
ri
end
andourr el
ati
onshipwi
thoutbei
ngdisturbedbyanyt
hingor
anyone.Ishovetwofri
esinhismouthandhebi tesmyfingeri
n
theprocess.Iyel
pandher oar
swit
hl aughter
.

Wegethomeandt heBMW Idr i

veisparkedint hedriveway,how
comebecauseEbukapar kedi tinthegaragebef or
ewel ef
tlast
week.Il ookathi m andhe'sal sowear i
ngaconf usedexpr ession.I
knowhet oldhisf r
iendstost opcomi ngtothehousewhenhe
didn'ti
nv i
tethem, sowhoev erdecidedtocomeaf t
erhehadasked
i
sdi srespectful
f orrealandIdon' tli
kethem any more.I'
mt heone
usingt hatcarandIl eftmyt extbooksandot herpersonal t
hingsin
i
t,soIhopet ofindev eryt
hingwher eIlefti
t.

Wecl i
mboutandEbukahol dshi
shandout,
Imov emybagt othe
otherhandsoIcanhol dEbukawithmyri
ghthand.Wewal k
towardstheent
rance,ther
e'snoloudmusi
cplayi
ng,at
leasti
t'
s
notapartyli
ket
hel astti
me.

Westepinsi
dethehouseandit
'sdeadqui
et,
whocoul dbehere
besi
desEbuka'
shousehelp?Wepeepintheloungebutther
e'sno
one,
theTVisonbutonmut e.

Welookateachotherandgobacktothel
obby.At
all
,peti
te,
melani
ngi
rldescendsthestai
rsl
i
keshe'
swalki
ngt
her unway.
She'
sabeauty,Iam dr
ooli
ng.

Butt
hebi
gquest
ioni
s,whot
hef
ucki
sshe?Ebukast
art
slaughi
ng
nextt
ome, excit
ementtaki
ngov
erhi
m.Helet
sgoofmyhand
andrushestothest
air
s,whenhepi
cksupt
hegir
lmyhear
tdr
ops
tomyst omach.

Iwatchmyboy f
riendspi nmissmodel aroundandwhenheset s
herdownhest il
lcan' tbeli
evehiseyes.Whoi sshe?That 'st
he
onlythi ngI'
mi nterestedin.Theyspeaki nadi lectIdon'tknow,it
's
probabl yIgbo.Myheadwhi sperssomet hingt hatsetsmychest
onf i
re.No!Ebukai sn' tmarri
ed,hewoul dn'tdot hatt
ome.My
kneesgetweaki mmedi atel
y,mypalmssweat ing.Myey esare
burningwi t
ht ears, Iquickl
yclosemyey eli
dst hentakeadeep
breatht ogat hermyemot i
ons.Ican'
twor kmy selfupbasedon
somet hingIjustassumed.Thebi tchinmecl earsherthroat,
dist
ur bingthepar tythat '
shappeninginfrontofmyey es.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Undi
phi
l
e."What
!

Il
ookbehi
ndme,
try
ingt
ofi
ndUndi
phi
l
e.

Mynamei
sOmal
i
cha,
orhi
siy
awo.

"Whoisshe?"Longlegsasks,l
ooki
ngatmef rom headt
otoe.
Okay,
no!Iwaswr ong,she'
suglyAF!Becausewhywouldshel
ook
atmeliket
hat?LikeI'
mi nf
eri
ortoher
.

"Myt wofavori
tegi
rl
sint
hewor l
dmeet ,Godthi
sisexci
ti
ng.I
wantedtowor konyourmeet
ingbuty oubeatmet oi
t.
"Heari
ng
him saythatcal
medmyheartinstant
ly.She'
snotsomewifehe
l
eftinNigeri
a.
"Honey
,youmi ghtbethesecondwif
e.Poly
gamy ,youknowit?"
MysubconscioussayswearingherNi
geri
andoek.Islapthatbi
tch
down.Iam notshari
ngEbukawi t
hanybody,notev
enDangot e'
s
daught
er.

"Myiyawo,pleasemeetmyoneandonl ysi
ster,
Amaka. "Ohthank
God.She'
st heonewhost udi
esinEngland.Ioff
erherasweet
smil
ebutsher et
urnsitwithaphonyone.Bathong!Iam shocked.
"Si
stermi,
meetmyoneandonl ygir
lf
ri
end, Undiphi
l
e."Sheholds
outherhandandIt akei
t.

"I
t'
sreal
l
ynicet
omeety
ou,
Ebukahast
oldmeal
otabouty
ou.
"I
sayandshenods.

"I
t'
sunfort
unat
et hathehasn'
tsaidawordaboutyoutome,"I
shootEbukaalookandhissmi l
efades.Hecl
encheshisj
aw,
showinghissi
sterhisdi
sappr
oval.

Whyisshebei
ngcat
ty?Shedoesn'
tev
enknowme.Ihonest
ly
don'
tneedt
hisdr
ama,Ishoul
dhavest
ayedbackatmyapar
tment
.

"OhI'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeantosoundrude,
"Iscoff
,compl
etel
yput
off
.Idon'
tknowwhatherpr
obl
em i
sbutIdon'tcare.

"
Whot ookoutUndi
phi
l
e'scar
?Youdon'
tdr
ivei
nthi
scount
ry.
"She
f
rowns.

"
Undl.
..
whichcari
shers?Ionl
ysawt
heBMW thatbel
ongst
o
y
ou."OkayI'
m done."
Anyway,
Walet
ooki
tout
.Hehasbeen
dr
ivi
ngmear
oundsi
nceIar
ri
ved.
"If
rown.

Whendidshear
ri
veagai
n?Whydi
dn'
ttheycal
lEbukat
otel
lhi
m
hi
ssi
sterwasar
ound?

"Wal
e?Whywasheher e?Howcomeheknewt haty
ouwere
comi
ngandIdidn'
t?"Thehost
il
it
yinmyboy
fri
endsvoi
cemakes
meraiseaney
ebrow.

"Hecal
ledmeandtol
dmet hatyou'
vechanged,
"shegivesmea
dir
tyl
ookwhenshesayst
hat.Ebukachuckl
esbit
ter
ly.

"Ar
ey oufuckin'
kiddi
ngme?Youf l
ewal lt
hewayf r
om Europe
becauseWal esaidIchanged?"Ebukaispissed.Whatasudden
changeinmood.HeandWal eareclose,
tight
.Didt
heyfi
ght
may be?Butwhyam Ibei nggiv
entheev i
leye?

"Yes,Waleisabr othert
ome, t
ous.Whenhesay ssomethi
ngis
wrongt hensomet hingi
swrong."Amakashout sback.The
conversati
onswi t
chestoIgbo,theyaredef
ini
telytr
yingt
okeep
meout .Itakethekeyf r
om Ebuka'shandandhest opsargui
ng
withhissisterandlooksatmewi thpani
c.

"
Baby
,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Heasks.

"
Togetmyf
ood,
Ebuka.
"Ianswerbor
ed.

Iwalkoutandthei
rvoicesgoupi naforei
gnlanguage,Icantel
l
thi
sisaboutme.I'
m notst upi
d.Amakacan'tj
usthatemewi thout
knowingme.Whatdi dWal etel
lher
?Ithoughtwewer ecoolwith
eachother
.You'l
lthi
nky ouknowaperson.
Ididn'
twantmydayt oendli
kethis,I
'
m sti
ll
mour ni
ngmy
grandmotherforcryi
ngoutloud.Ican'
tdealwit
hbeinghatedby
myboy fr
iendssist
er,forr
easonsIknownot hi
ngaboutforthat
mat t
er.

Iopent hecarandt akeoutmyf ood.Ijustwantt oenjoymyf r

ies
beforetheygocol danddr y.Idi
dn'teatmuchi nGqeberhaandI
needt okeepmyener gyupf ormet oabl etofucusonmyexams.
Ebukawi l
lbringt hebagswhenhe' sdonear guingwi t
hhi ssister
.I
walkbacki nsideandt heargumentisst i
llheatedbythest ai
rcase,
I'
m overthi
s.Ican' tunderstandawor dtheyaresay i
ngsoI '
m not
goingtostickar oundandt r
yandmakesenseoft hi
s.Itakemy
handbagandmakemywayt oEbuka'sbedr oom, hopefull
yAmaka
wontwantt osleepi ntherewithusjustt opissmeof f.

Iwal kinthebedroom andclosethedoorbehindme.Ther oom is

spacious, hasawalkinclosett
hathehasf i
ll
edwithdesi gner
clothes.Anadjoini
ngbathroom.ATVandcoucht or el
ax.Theonl y
thingaper sonwouldneedwheni nhereisfoodanddr inks.I
throwmyhandbagont opofthebedandpl acemyf oodont he
coucht henpusht hesesneaker
soffmyf eetbefor
esi t
tingont he
couchwi thmyl egstuckedunderme.

Iam takingabit
eofeachbur gerunti
lIf
ini
shtheent i
remeal
,Lord
i
ttastedgood.It'
sbeenami nutesinceIi
ndulged.Ishoul
dhave
gott
ent heiri
cecream t
oobutI'm suret
here'
stinroofint
hefr
idge.
Ir
elaxbackont
hecouch,
closi
ngmyey
es.

Myphonedi
stur
bsmymomentbyr ingi
ng.Iopenoneeyeandsee
t
hatt
hebagistoof
ar,
ohLord.Isl
owlystandupfrom t
hecouch.
I
t'
sJoj
ocall
i
ng,hemustbechecki
ngin.

"
Jongi
khay
a,"hehat
esbei
ngcal
l
edbyhi
sful
lname.

"I
'
lldi
sowny ou,Undi
phi
le.
"Ij
ustt
it
terandt
hrowmy
sel
font
he
softmatt
ress.Faci
ngthecei
l
ing.

"Youshouldalsost
opcal l
i
ngmyboy fr
iendNomasonto.
"He
chuckl
es,heknowst hatannoysme.Icouldtakei
tfr
om Peaches
buthe'
sov er
doingi
t,heev encal
l
shim Sontoatti
mes.

"Inev
eraskedMakhuluwhyshecal
l
edhi
mt hat
,"Ir
oll
myey
es.He
hasbeenrunni
ngwithanamehedoesn'
tev
enknowwhereit
camef r
om."Tel
lmeandI'l
lst
op,
"ohwow.

"Hi
ssecondnameisSunday,
"her
oarsinmyear,
Iev
enr emov
e
myphonefrom myearhopi
nghedidn'
tdamagemydrum.I
shoul
dn'
thavetol
dhi
m shame.

"Makhuluwassomethi
ngelse.
"Ismi
lethi
nki
ngaboutmyangel.I
am goi
ngtomissthatwomansomuch." Anyway
,Icall
edtofi
nd
outi
fyouguysgotinwell
?"HesaysandIheaveasigh.Thi
nki
ng
aboutthedr
amathat'
sgoingondownstai
rs.

"
Yes,
wear
eathi
shousenow.
"Isayandhegr
oans.

"Condomize,
Undiphi
l
e,Iwantt
onegot
iat
elobol
a,notdamages.
"I
bit
emyl owerli
p.
Obi
m andIhavenev erstr
apped,webot
ht ookeachother
'sword
t
hatweareclean.Hepr omisedt
hathealway scondomi
zedandI
t
oldhi
m Idi
dn'tgiv
eoutl ovewit
houtagl
ov e.Stupi
dmoveIknow.

"
Ihav
etogoJoj
o,Iwantt
otakeabat
handr
est
."Hel
aughs.

Icanimaginehi
samusedf acerightnow.Happywithhimsel
ffor
makingmeuncomf ort
able.Joj
oandIar en'
tthatf
araparti
nage
buthe'
ssti
llmyelderbr
other,t
alki
ngtohim aboutsexi
s
uncomfort
able.

"Willt
alksoon,
"hepauses."Takecareofy oursel
f,mntase.
RememberI 'mjustacal l
away,whateveryouneed.Ilovey ou.
"He
saysandhangsupbef oreIcansayany t
hing.Iknowhewasatt he
vergeoftearsanddidn'twantmetopi ckitupinhisvoice.Iwi
shI
couldhavestayedlongerwithhi
m, he'
sbeenst rong.Putti
nghis
feeli
ngsonholdjusttoensureeveryt
hingwasont r
ack.Hest i
ll
needsami nutetowraphi sheadaroundwhathappened.

Igetoffthebedandst ri
pnaked, Iwantt otakealongbubblebat h
andmay beenj oyabottl
eofchampagne.I thasbeenthelongest
andtoughestweekofmyl if
e.It
'sgoingt otakesomet i
met of ul
l
y
graspthatPeachesi sgoneandnev ercomi ngback.Iknowshe
hasranherr acebutIsti
llwishGodhadkeptherupunt ilIwas
successful,
thatwomandeser vedmybl oodsweatandt ears.She
wast heonlypersonwhost oodbymet hroughthickandthin.
Whent hewor l
dwasper secuti
ngmeshedi dn'
tshyaway ,r
ather
shetookt hefrontanddefendedme, takingeachbull
etthatwas
ai
medmyway .
Iwalkt othebat hroom andpourt hebubbl ebat hint hetuband
opent hetap.Il i
ghtthef ewcandlesandbr i
ngt hear omather apy
dif
fusercloser ,nowt hi
si stheperfectwayt or elaxaf tert
heweek
Ihad.Iwal kbackt othebedr oom andgr abEbuka' sgownont he
bed,putitonmybodyandheadoutt hedoor .Thesi bli
ngsar en't
atthebot tom oft hestairsanymore, Iheart
hem i nt helounge, but
Idon'tbothert oev esdropnowt hatt heyaret alkingi nEnglish.I
j
ustheadst raighttotheki t
chenandopent hecupboar d,taking
outaf lut
et henr i
nsingit.Iopenthef ri
dgeandt her e'sabot tl
eof
bubbleswai tingforme.Peachesi sal r
eadyagoodancest or .

Thewat erissoot hing,theairsmel l

sreal l
ygoodandt his
champagnehi tsther i
ghtspot s.Ineededt his,
Idon'tcareif
Amakahat esmebutI '
m enjoyingmy selfinherbrothershouse
becauseIj ustdealtwi t
hal ot.Iwon' tallowhert orubmeof fthe
wrongway ,Ideservesomepeace.I 'l
l dealwithherdrama
tomorrowi fshest i
llfeelsli
kegi vingitbutknowi ngmy sel
f,I
'l
ldo
bett
erbyi gnor i
ngher .I'
m notgoodatconf rontat
ions,Ichoose
peaceov erev eryt
hing.Thebat hroom dooropensandmy
boyfr
iendleansbyt hef ramewi t
hhi sar msfolded.

"Donetal
ki
ngaboutmeinalanguageIdon'
tunder
stand?
"Iask
butIdon'
tseehi
sreact
iont
omyquest i
on.

"Baby,i
twasn'
tl
iket
hat
."Ofcour
sehe'
dsayt
hatbutI
'
m not
stupi
d.
"
Yoursi
steri
s..
.pl
easant
."It
it
ter
.

She'
shorri
bleandIdon'tli
keheronebit
.Heshouldj
ustf
orget
aboutushavingagoodr el
ati
onshi
p,Iwil
lj
ustexi
stwi
thher
peacef
ull
yforhissake.

"Wal
efil
l
edherheadwi t
hnonsense,Omal
icha.She'
snott
hatki
nd
ofper
son,Iapol
ogizeonherbehal
f.
"It
akeasi pofmy
champagneandlookhisway.

"WhatnonsensedidWal
esayf
orhert
ofl
yal
lthewayf
rom
Engl
and?"Myv oi
ceisl
ow.

Heheavesasi
ghandwalksfur
theri
ntot
hebat
hroom,
then
set
tl
esontheedgeoft
hetub.

"WalefeelslikeI '
vechangedev ersi nceImety ou.Het hinksy ou're
call
ingtheshot sandwear i
ngthepant sinourr el
ationship.He
beli
evesthaty ouar ei
nt hisrel
ationshi pf ort
hemoney ."Myey es
areprobablysobi gonewoul dmi staket hem fortennisballs."I
t's
alwaysbeenmeandhi m,hustli
ng, drinking,changingwoman.He
feel
slikehe'sl oosingme, butthat'scr azy.Atimef orgrowt h
comes, Idi
dn' twantt obeahedoni stf ortherestofmyl i
fe."Sohe
call
edhissi sterher ehopingshewoul dgetr idofme?" Wef ought
thedaywel eftforPor tEli
zabeth, Lemohangf oundusi naheat ed
argumentt hatt urnedphy sical
.Ithrewhi m outandhemusthav e
call
edAmakaandcompl ainedt oher ."Inod.

"Andyoursi
stersurel
ycamer unni
ng,
readyt
oki
l
lthebi
tchthat
's
makingherbrothersf
ight
."Isaymaki
ngmovementswi
ththe
champagnefluteinmyhand.
"
Don'
tcal
lyour
sel
fthat
,Undi
phi
l
e."Hesay
sthr
oughgr
it
tedt
eet
h.

"I
'
m notwithyouforyourmoney,Ineveraskanyt
hingfrom y
ou.
YoudoitevenwhenIr ef
use.Il
ovey ou,notwhatyouhave.I
won'
tdefendmy sel
ftoanyone,
notev enyoursi
ster.
"Isaymeekl
y.

"Iknowthat
,Iknowy oulovemebaby .Youdon'thavetodefend
yoursel
ftoanyone,
Igoty ourback.
"Igul
pdownt hecontentofmy
glassandhehitshi
sf or
eheadwi t
hthepalm ofhishand.

"
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgobackt
omyapar
tment
.WhenI
'
m doneher
eI'
l
l
r
equestacab,
"

"Undi
phile,pleasedon'tdot hi
s.Don'
tallowpeopl etocausearif
t
betweenus.Thi si sourspace,noonewi l
lmakey ou
uncomf ortable,
notev enmysi st
er.I
'
llputAmakai nherpl
ace,he
bloodisboi l
ingrightnowbutbabypl easedon'tleave.
"Hiseyes
arepleadingwi t
hme, he'
ssohandsome." Il
ovey ouwithmysoul,
Idon'twantt ofightwithyou.Especi
all
yr i
ghtnowbecausey ou
needmesomuch.Don' ttakeawaymyoppor tunit
ytobeherefor
you."
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER36

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

I'
vebeenwithLemohangsi ncet enint hemor ning,Ipi ckedherup
andwe'vebeengoi ngfrom mal l
tomal l.Looki ngfort heper fect
outf
itf
ormymot her'
sbi r
thday .Wehadanot herdisagr eement
aboutwho'spay ingbutl i
keIt oldher,wheni tcomest omoney
andbil
lsI'
ll
alway shav eitcov ered.I'
m get t
ingherev erything
she'
sgoingtoneed, everythingfrom headt ot oe.Iwon' tli
e, I
'
m
havi
ngsomuchf un,wat chingherchangei nt odifferentdr esses
andshoes.She' sannoy edandwant si
tt obedone, shehat es
shoppi
ng.Thi sisthef i
rstwomanI 'vemetwhodoesn' tf i
ndt his
wholethi
ngt herapeutic,mymot her,Mv eloandZet huspendt he
enti
redayatt hemal landcomebackhappy .Adesi gnerpai rof
shoescuresev erythi
ng, i
tev enbuy sforgiveness.Lemohangi s
j
ustadiff
erentbr eedandI '
m her eforit.

I'
m walki
ngar oundt heboutique, l
ookingatmor edr essesi ncase
shehatestheonesshet ookt ot hefit
tingr oom, thesal es
assi
stanttol
dhert heyaregorgeousandwi l
llookgr eatonherbut
shedidn'
tbuyi t.Iwishshecoul dseeher selfthroughmyey es.
Lemohangi sper fect,
herbody ,skintone, height,laugh, wit,charm
andmor e.I'
mt akenbyher ,Ididn'tthi
nkI '
df allforany onesosoon
aft
ermydi vorcebutt hemor eIspendt imewi thhert hehar derI
seem tofall
.She'snotev enawar eofit,I
'm scar edshe' l
l pullback
i
fIsaysomething.She'
scomfor
tabl
ewi t
hmebei ngherfr
iend,I
don'
twanttotakethatawayf
rom her
.AllIcandoisbetherefor
heratal
lti
mes,giveherti
metogetatt
achedtome, t
ofallforme
too.

"CanIhelpyousir
?"Av oi
ceIknowv er
ywell
asksbehi ndme.I
tur
nslowlyandshegaspsi nshockwhenhereyeslandonme.I
am shockedtoo,whati
sshedoi ngher
e?That'
sobv i
ouslyacr
ap
questi
on.Sheaskedifshecouldhelpmeandshe'salsoweari
ng
thesamedr essasthesal
esladyhelpi
ngLemohang.

"
Makhosi
ni,
hi.
"Shesay
squi
etl
y.

Shehasl ostsomeweight,thoseeyeslookt oobigonherface.I

shouldbehappyknowi ngthatshe'ssufferi
ngaft
erwhatsheput
met hroughbutI'
m notthatperson.Ioncelovedherdeepl
yand
i
t'
ssadt hatshe'
snowashadowoft hewomanIknew.Butt hen
agai
nnobaddeedgoesunpuni shed,she'spayi
ngforever
ything.

Sheisnotallbadtosomeonewhonev erknewherwhenshewas
mywi feandhadmymoneyatherdi sposal
.She'
ssti
llbeaut
if
ul
andI'
m surethat'
sthereasonwhyshegotthi
sjob,
thatandher
knowledgeandloveforfashi
on.

"Hel
l
oNombul
elo,
"Ir
etur
nhergr
eet
ingandsheof
fer
smeashy
smil
e.

"Doyouneedmetohel
pyouwi
thany
thi
ng?
"Sheasksgest
uri
ng
aroundt
hestor
e.

"
Acol
l
eagueofy
our
shasal
readyat
tendedt
ous,
"Isaypoi
nti
ng
towar
dst
hefit
ti
ngrooms.Shepeepsov
ermyshoul
derhopi
ngt
o
seewhoI
'm wi
th.

"
Mv elo?Shealway
sloveddr
aggi
ngy
out
othemal
l
."Shet
it
ter
s,
l
ookingevery
wherebutmyeyes.

"Yep,
shejustwant
edmetopay.ButnoI
'
m notwi
thhert
oday
,"
shenods,
givingmeacur
iousl
ook.

"Ijustwantt oeat .I'

m ov erthisreally."Lemohang' sannoy edvoice
say swal kingt owar dsus.Iqui cklyt urntol ookatherandmyhear t
almostst ops, shelooksbr eathtaking.Thatdr esslooksamazi ng
onher ,itshowsof fthatbeaut if
ul fi
gur eshehi dessomuch, God.
She' si
nasi l
v erbeaded, l
ongsl eev eddr esst hathasahi ghsl i
t,
showi nghermout hwat eri
ngt high.Shel ooksdonewi t
ht his
whol eshoppi ngt hi
ngbutI '
llf
eedhersoonenoughbecauseI
believewehav ef oundourdr essandwedon' thav etolookf ur
ther
.
Thesal esassi stantsay ssomet hingbehi ndherandMaMohapi
pivotsandt hesi ghtofherbar ebackmakesmydi cktwitch,Iam
tempt edt or unaf i
ngerdownherspi ne.Thi sdr essi
sev eryt
hingI
didn'tthinkaboutandIl ovei t,I
'
llhav ethemostbeaut i
ful woman
onmyar m atmymot her'
spar ty.

"Youlookamazing,
"Isayonceshe'snexttome.Shescr
unches
hernoseandIlaugh."
I'
m seri
ous,Nana."

"
Ithi
nkthi
sisper
fect
, i
thasaheadpi
ecet
oo.
"Shesay
stome
t
henlooksatNombulel
owi t
hasweetsmi
l
e.

"
Ohsor
ry,
hel
l
o,"shegr
eet
smyex.
"Hi
,youlookamazi
ng.What'
stheoccasi
on?
"Whyisthather
busi
ness?IwannashutherdownbutLemohanganswer
sbefor
eI
cansayanythi
ng.

"Oh,thi
soneher ei
scoercingmet ogotohi
smot hersthemed
bir
thdayparty.
"Shesaysthenpinchesmynose.Ijustchuckl
e,
amusedt hatshecansti
llremainplay
ful
wit
hmeev enwhenwe
areinthepresenceofothers.

"Oh,y
ou'ret
hrowi
ngMaNgobeseabi
gthi
ngt
hisy
ear
?"Nof
oto
askslooki
ngatmeandInod.

"
Yes,she'
stur
ning60.I
thastobeabi
gcelebrat
ion.
"Iexpl
ainand
r
etur
nmyey estothi
sgorgeouswomani
nfrontofme.

Herbr
owsar
efur
rowedi
nconf
usi
on.

Idon'tt
hinkI'
vementi
onedt
hatIwasmar
ri
ed,
Iwonderhowshe'
s
goingtotakethenews.

"Yout
woknoweachot
her
?"MaMohapi
asks,
dar
ti
ngbet
weenme
andmyex.

Whydi
dwehav
etobumpi
ntoNombul
elo?

"Oh,I
'
m Nombulelo,
Makhosi
ni'
sexwif
e."Iwat
chLemohang'
s
eyeswiden,
shockedbyt
herevel
ati
on.

"Oh,
it'
sni cetomeetyou."TheyshakehandsandIheaveasigh.I
don'
tlikethis,
Idon'
twantmyext ouchi
ngMaMohapi.Shemight
j
usttransferhernegat
iveenergyandthat'
sthel
astt
hingIneed,
meandt hisgi
rlhav
eagoodt hinggoingon.

"
Canwepayf
ort
hatandgof
indy
ouaper
fectpai
rofshoes?
"I
qui
ckl
ychi
pinbefor
eNombulel
odeci
dest
ost
artaconv
ersat
ion.
Wearenotcool
li
kethat
,weneverwi
l
l.

"No!Wepayforthisthenwegoeat ,I'
m hungr
y.We'v
ebeenmal
l
hoppi
ngsincemor ni
ng,it
'
s..
."Shelooksatherwri
stwat
ch,"
hal
f
pastt
hreenow."she'
ssuchaf oodi
ebutherwishi
smycommand.

"Okay,yougotakethatbeautif
uldressoffandwewi l
lgogetyou
food.
"Shedoesn'twaitformet oaskt wi
ce,shehurr
iesbackto
thefi
tti
ngroom andI'
ml eftsmili
nglikeacheshi
recat.Nofot
o
clear
sherthroatandIquicklyl
ookatherwi t
haraisedeyebrow.

"I
ssheyourgir
lf
ri
end?
"Sheasksbr
iskl
yandIscof
f,t
akenaback
byherquest
ion.

Whatmakeshert
hinkshecanaskmeaboutmypr
ivat
eli
fe?

"
That
'snonofy
ourbusi
nesssisi,
"sheswall
owshar
dandsweeps
t
hefl
oorwit
hherl
onglashes.She'
srightt
obeembarr
assed.

"I
thasn'tevenbeent hatlongsi ncewedi vor
ced, Makhosini.
You'realr
eadyrunningar oundwi thgir
ls,
wooi ngt hem wit
hy our
money ,shelooksyoungev en.Couldn'
tyouat leastfi
ndsomeone
mor emat ur
edorsomet hing?"Shesay swithvehemenceandI
foldmyar mslookingatherwi thanannoy edexpr essi
on.WhatI
chooset odowi t
hmyl i
fei snonofherconcer n.Iwasn'tgoingto
mour namar ri
agethatendedl ongago, i
fshechoosest othen
that'
sherbusiness,afterallshe'stheonewhoonl yreali
zed
weeksagowhatshehasl ost.

"Keepwel
l,
Nof
oto.
"Isayandwal
kpasther.I
'
m notgoi
ngto
engagei
nabackandfor
thwit
hher.Ir
efuset
obedraggedback
i
ntohertoxicit
y,Idi
vorcedherf
orar eason.Sheholdsmebackby
myarm, myshar pgazemakesherr etracti
tasquickasa
l
ight
ningstri
ke.Sheswal l
owswhatev ershewantedtosayi
nthe
samelightandI '
m gl
adIcansti
llgetamessageacr osswit
hout
sayi
ngawor d.

I'
m standingatt hetil
l,wait
ingforMaMohapi tocomebackf rom
thefi
ttingroom wi ththedresssowecanpayandl eavet heshop.
I'
m gladshe'st akingalit
tl
el ongerbecauseIneedami nuteto
composemy selfandf l
ushNof otoout.I'
m notaboutt ogosour
aft
ert heamazi ngdayIhad, she'
snotwor thit.Lemohangpasses
bymyexandsay ssomet hi
ngt oherwi t
hasmi le.Ireleasea
sharpsi ghofreliefwhenNombul el
oallowshert opasswi thout
att
empt i
ngtohol dherbackandsaysomet hingt hatwoul d
j
eopar dizeourf r
iendshipandputherof fmecompl etely.

Ther est
aurant snearthebout iquewewer eshoppingar efull,
Lemohangsuggest edapl ace,shesaidtheymakegr eatbur gers
andt heplacei snotfullofstuckupst hatwill
lookatusf unny
whenwebur stoutlaughing.Thatlastreasonsol dmeont he
place,whenI 'm wi
thMaMohapi Idon'
tneedpl aceswi thrules,we
makeal otofj okesandl aughteristheor derofourtimest oget her.
Wewantt oenj oyourmeal andber el
axedwi thoutoffendingot her
customers.Somay bet hiswillbeoneofourgot ospot s,IhopeI 'l
l
enjoythei
rf ood.

Wear
ri
veatt
hecompl
exandf
indpar
kingnotf
arf
rom t
he
rest
aurantent
rance,Iparkt
hecarandwebot hcli
mbout.Westep
i
nsideandit'
sar eal
l
ycool j
oint
.Awhi teladyinjeansandapi
nk
j
erseyapproachesuswi t
hawi desmi l
e,IlookatLemohang
besidesmeandshe' sweari
ngt hesameexpr essionasMari
etj
i
e,
dotheyknoweachot her
?Thetwol adi
esshar eahugandgiggle
whil
eatit.

"OhLemo,it
'ssoni
cet oseeyouagain.
"Iburymyhandsdeepi
n
mypocketsandwaitforthem t
ocatchup,shemustli
kethi
sone
cozshehasforgot
tenthatsheisdy
ingofhunger
.

"I
t'
snicet
oseeyoutoo,Emmy.I
'
m sorryIhav
en'tbeenar
oundto
checkonyouguy
s."Nanasay
ssincer
elyandherfri
endhugsher
again.

"Yougoodnow?"Thet
onehaschanged.Thi
sonecar
ri
esconcer
n
andnotexci
tement
.

"Yeah, notonehundr edbutI'm bet

ter.
"Whatar et heytal
ki
ng
about ?WasMaMohapi goingthroughsomet hi
nghect i
c?Didshe
cutof fMar i
etj
i
et hesamewayshecutmeof ft
odeal with
what everitwas?Ineedhert otel
lmewhat 'swr ongsoIcanhel p
her,what everi
tisI'dmakei tokayforher.Comet othi
nkofit,I
don'tknowmuchaboutLemohang.Exceptt hatshe'sauniversi
ty
studentwhowor ksataclubandhasagr eatsenseofhumor .But
sheal sodoesn'tknowmuchaboutme, Iguessi t
'sti
mewegot
tal
kingandget t
ingtoknoweachot herbeyondourbadi nfl
uenci
ng
way s.
"
I'
ll
callyouawait
er,enj
oyyourmealandpleasesaybyebef
ore
y
oul eav
e."Thegi
rlsayswi
thherdeepAfr
ikaansaccent
.

"
Defi
nit
ely
,Emmy .
"Lemohangsayst
henleadsustotheback
wher
ethere'
sanemptytabl
e.Shesl
i
desintoherseatandIt
ake
t
heoneopposit
esowear efacet
oface.

"
Howdoy
ouknowMar
iet
ji
e?"Iaskandsher
oll
sherey
es.

"HernameisEmmy.Sheownsthi
spl
ace,Iusedtoworkhere.
"I
rai
seaneyebr
ow.SeewhatImeanwhenIsaythere'
salotIdon'
t
knowabouther?

"
Bef
oret
hecl
ub?
"Sheshakesherheadandheav
esadeepsi
gh.

"Igott
hewaitressi
nggigherewhil
ewor ki
ngattheclub,Ineeded
extramoney.
"She'snotlooki
ngatme, Icantel
lfr
om herbody
l
anguagethatshe'shopingIdon'
taskwhyshehadt oworkso
muchbutI'm goingtoaskanyway.Iwanttoknowmor eabouther ,
Ineedtoknowwhoshei sbeyondthesmi l
esandlaughs.

"Twojobsplusuni
ver
sit
y,why?"Il
eanbackandwai tf
orher
answer.I
ttakesti
mebeforecoming,
butI'
m pat
ientenough.

"Iam from afuckeduphome, Makhosini.Myf atherl

eftwhenI
wast hirt
een,hewentt otheshoptobuybr eadandnev ercame
back.Mymot herwaspr egnantwit
hmybr other,shewasandst i
ll
i
sdev astatedbecauseherhusbandl efther.Shenev ercaredfor
us,al
l shedidwascr yforhim andtakeoutherf r
ustrat
ionsonme
andAt ang.Wedon' thaveanyoneelse,myuncl ehatesme
becauseIchoset ocomet ouniver
sit
yinsteadofwor ki
ngand
taki
ngcar eofmymot her.Iworksohar dbecauseIneedt opay
formybr otherspri
vateeducati
on.Iwanttogivehim every t
hing
sohedoesn' ttur
noutl i
keotherkidswhosepar ent
saref ucked
up."Shesay s,gi
vi
ngmeaf ulminati
nggaze,herbeauti
ful eyes
swimmi ngintears.If
eelbadf orpressi
ngtheissue,Ir
eadher
bodylanguagewel landthatshouldhavebeenenoughf ormet o
dropit.Idi
dn'tmeant oupsether,tomakehert el
lmet hingsshe
wasn'treadyfor.

"Atangi sinboar dingschool ,he' sgoodt here.Hemi ghtbel onely

mostt i
mesbuthe' ssafeandt akencar eof .Itrymybestev eryday,
i
t'shar dattimesbutIsol dieronbecausehe' smyonl yfamily
.We
areal lwe'
v egot,"t hi
st i
met her e'
sonl ysadnessl acedi nherv oice.
God, she'sgoingt hrought hemost ,Icant ellbyt hel ooki nher
eyes, she'
shaunt edbyt hings.Iwi shIcoul dmakei tal l
goaway ,
togiv eherbackherl ostyear s.Sheshut sherey eli
dsandhert ears
fall
.Myhear tbreaksi nt
oami l
lionpi eces, Ifeel sobadf orasking
thatquest i
on.Ishoul dhav emov edatherpace.Iqui cklymov et o
hersi deandt akeheri nmyar ms, notgi vingaf uckt hatpeoplear e
l
ooki ngatuswi thspecul at i
v eey es.Shedoesn' trefusemy
embr ace,rathershehol dsont omel ikeherl ifedependsoni t.I
wishmoneyboughanewsl ate, I
'dbuyi tforher , I
'dbuyherpeace
ofmi ndandev ery thi
ngt hatcaner aseherpai n.

"I
'
m sorry
,Nana.Idi
dn'
tmeantopush,Ij
ustwantedtogett
o
knowyoubatter
."Iwhi
speri
nhereart
henplantakissonher
cheek.

"
Whateverwedo, Makhosi
ni.Whet herpl
ayfulornot,
neverl
ock
meinaconfi
nedspace.I'm beggingyou."There'
sfearal
lover
t
hatst
atement.Ipul
lbackandpl acemyhandsonhershoul der.
"Iwouldneverhur
tyouLemohang, whateverfearyouhaveI'
ll
alwaysrememberitandprotectyoufrom i
t.Ipromiseyou,
"Isay
bri
skl
yt henwipet
hosetearsfrom herbeauti
fulface.

Nowitmakessensewhyshenev ert
akest
heel
evat
orather
apar
tment
,she'
sclaust
rophobi
c.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
orsnappi
ng,
"shesay
sinahoar
sev
oiceandIshake
myhead.

Shehadev
eryr
ightt
oreactt
hewayshedi
d.It
otal
l
yunder
stand.

"
Don'
tapol
ogi
ze,
I'
mthesor
ryone.
"Iki
ssherf
orehead.

"Hel
l
o,"webothlookupandf
indawaiterstandingbyourtabl
e."I
cangiveyouafewmoreminutesi
fyou'dl
ike."IlookatLemohang
andshakesherheadno.

"Wearegood.Canyoupl
easegiv
eus4shotsoft
equil
a.When
youcomebackwewi l
lbereadyt
oor
derourmeal
s,"Thewai
ter
nodsandwalksaway.

"Ar
ey outryi
ngtogetmedr unk?
"SheasksandIl augh.Weare
knownf orbadinf
luenci
ngeachotherbutnottoday ,shehas
schooltomorrow.Imadeherskipschooltoday,Iwon' tbe
carel
essandmakeherat t
endhungovert
omor row.

"No,Nana.Ijustwantthetequi
lat
ocalmyoudown.
"Shemops
herfacewiththepalm ofherhandandIam t
empt
edtoki
ssher
all
ov ert
heface.Tomakei tall
alr
ight
.

Thewai
tercomesbackwi
thourshot
s,wedownt
hem att
he
samet i
me, Lemohangiswr inkli
ngherfacebecauseoft heburnit
l
ef ti
nhert hroat
.It
'snotthequal i
tyofmypoisonbuti twil
ldoin
calmi ngMaMohapi .Ihopewecanst i
ll
enjoytherestofourday ,
I
didn'tmeant ocrosstheboundar yandmakehert ick.I'
m
desper atetoknowmor eaboutherbutIdi dn'
twantt oleadherto
tears.Wepl aceourorder,doublecheeseburgerswithchipsand
wings, sheasksforcranberryjui
ceandIgof orguav ajui
ce.

MaMohapi askedmet oexcuseherf orami nut

ebecauseshe
needstouset hebathr
oom, Iwatchherdisappearthroughthe
doornexttothewindow.Iam crossingfi
ngersthatourdayand
ourrel
ati
onshiparen'
trui
ned.From nowon, every
thingwill
mov e
atherpace,whenshe'sreadytoopenupt omeaboutherl i
feI'
ll
betheretoli
stentoher.Idon'
twanthertocutmeof fbecauseI
am impati
ent.

Shecomesbackandsi tsdown,shelooksmuchbet t
erwhi chi sa
hugereli
ef.It
hinkshesplashedherfacewi t
hwat erandt ooka
deepbreath.Ihol
dmyhandsoutandshedoesn' thesitat
epl acing
hersinmine,ourfi
ngersint
ertwi
ne,t
hef eelofherskinsends
el
ectri
cit
ythroughoutmyent i
rebody
.Iwonderi fshef eel
si ttoo,
oram Itheonlyonewhohascaughtf eel
ings?Ihopenotbecause
Ireal
l
ylikeLemohang.

"Idi
dn'
tmeantopushyou,pl
easedon'
tcutmeof
f.
"Hershoul
der
s
sagandherey
essoften.

"
It
sokay
,we'
veknowneachot
herf
orsomet
imenow,
wear
e
fri
endsandit'
snormaltowantt oknowmoreaboutme.Itsjust
thatmyl i
fei
snotsomethi
ngIl i
ketotal
kabout
,Ihavemor elows
thanhighs,t
alki
ngabouti
tjustmakesmemor edepressed.I'
d
rathermakegoodmemor i
esofmycur r
entl
i
fethandwellonthe
past."Shesayssof
tl
yandIr el
ax.

Shewantstohavegoodmemori
esandgoodmemor i
esisexactl
y
whatI'
m goi
ngtogiv
eher.What
evershehasbeenthr
oughwi l
l
nothur
tasmuchaf t
erI
'v
eshownherhowbeautif
ulli
fecanbe.

"Notonlyar
eyoubeaut
if
ulandfunny
,youareal
sostr
ong.Iam
honoredtobeyourf
ri
end.
"Iki
ssherknuckl
esandshesmiles
sweetlyatme.

"Iappreci
ateyourf
ri
endshipt
oo, Makhosi
ni.
"Iam overt
hemoon,
"thankyouforbuyi
ngmet hedressforyourmom'sparty
,"she'
s
slowlycomingbacktoherearl
iermood,I'
m gladshewasn'tt
oo
fargoneinheremot i
ons.

"Don'tmenti
onit.Wewi l
lstartlooki
ngforshoesonWednesday
afterschool
.I'
l
laskMv el
oaboutmakeupar ti
stsandhai
rdr
essers
thenI'l
lgi
vethem yourdetail
s."Shejustnods.I
'm gl
adshedidn'
t
trytoputupaf i
ghtwiththisonet oo.

"Okay.Justknowt
hatI
'
m pay
ingf
orl
unch,
"Ir
oll
myey
esandshe
pinchesmyhand.

Ipul
lbackandshe'
slef
tlaughi
ngatt
hef
aceI
'
m maki
ng.

"Suchababy ,
Lukhele.
"SheteasesandIsmackmyl
i
ps."You
weremar r
iedhuh?"Iheaveasighandthr
owmyheadback."
That
bad?"That'
sputt
ingitl
ight
ly.
I
twasani
ght
mar
e,Il
i
vedi
nhel
lwi
tht
hedev
il
'ssi
ster
.

"
WheredoIevenbegi
nwithNombul
elo,
"Ichooset
oletheri
non
myl
if
e,maybethi
swil
lencour
agehertoopenuptomewi t
htime.

Shewasr i
ght,t
heymaket hebestbur gers.Iateev erythingonmy
plat
eandev enli
ckedmyf inger sclean.Oneoft het hi
ngsIl ove
aboutLemohangi sherappet i
te,she' snotasal adeat i
nggi rl
whichisabenef i
tforme.Iwon' tgohungr ybecauseshe' son
somedi et.Herplateisalsoempt yandnowshe' ssitt
ingback,
l
ookinglikesheneedsherbed.Wi llIbeexpect edt ocar ryhert o
mycar ?Myphoner ingsandIl etitgot ov oicemai lwithout
checkingwhoi ti
s.MaMohapi i
sgi vingmeaspecul ati
v egazeand
Ihatethat,sheprobablythi nksI'm av oi
dingsomegi r
lI'm seeing.
Thatdoesn'tlookgood, i
t'ssucht hingsthatwi ll makeherl ookat
meot herwiseandpossi blywei ghwhenIf inall
ymakemyf eeli
ngs
forherknown.Lucki lymyphoner ingsagai n,thistimeIt akei tout
ofmyj eanspocketandf rownatt heunsav ednumberf lashingon
myscr een.

"
Makhosi
niher
e,"Ianswer
.

"
Bhut
i,wher
ear
eyou?
"It
'sMv
elo.

Whyisshecryi
ng?Isi
tupstr
aightandthatal
armsMaMohapi
becausesheshi
ft
sonherseataswell.

"
Mvel
o,what
'swr
ong?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"Iaskandshesni
ff
s.
"
Pleasecomegetmefrom Si
pho'
spl
ace.
"That'
sherboy
fri
end,
whyam Ipi
cki
ngherupfr
om ther
e?Where'
shercar
?

"Canyoutellmewhat'
sgoi
ngon?"Iam real
l
yworri
ednow,she'
s
call
i
ngwi t
hanumberIdon'
tknow,cryi
ngpainf
ull
yandaski
ngme
topickherup.Thi
shasnev
erhappened.

"I
'
llexpl
ainevery
thi
ngwhenyougether
e,j
ustpl
easecome,
pl
ease."Iheaveasighandpi
ncht
hebri
dgeofmynose.

"
I'
ll
bet
her
eshor
tl
y,
"Isayandt
hel
i
negoesdead.

"Ev
eryt
hingokay
?"LemohangasksassoonasIbr
ingdownthe
phonefr
om myear.Ishakemyheadandbit
emylowerli
p.

"Thatwasmyl i
tt
lesi
ster
,she'
scr
yingandaski
ngmet
opi
ckher
upfrom herboyf
ri
endsplace.
"

"
Aret
heyf
ight
ing?
"Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"
Idon'
thav
eanydet
ail
s.Canwepayandl
eav
e?"Shenods.

"Yourunalong,I
'
llr
equest,
"Ishakemyhead,that
'snothappeni
ng.
I'
m notal
lowinghertotakearequest
edcab.Thosethingsarenot
safeandit'
salr
eadylat
e.

"Absolut
elynot,y
ou'
recomi
ngwithme.I '
ll
dropyouhomeafter
picki
ngMv elo.
"Shewantst
oprotestbutInarr
owmyey esather
andshehuf fs,
knowi
ngIwon'tf
oldont hematter
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER37

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Makhosi ni'
ssi st eriscry i
ngpai nf ullyinthebackseat ,
myhear t
bleedsf orher .What everthathappenedbackatherboy friends
housei shuge.Noonej ustcr iest hishar df ornot hing, t
hepol ice
wer eev ent her ewhenwear ri
v ed.Iwonderi ftheguywasphy si
cal
withher .Idi dn'tcl i
mboutt hecarwhenwegott her e.Thel ast
thingIwant edt ocomeacr ossasi snosy , Idon'tknowMv eloand
I'
m sur eshenev erwant edacompl et estrangert oseeherather
wor st.Makhosi nishoul dhav el etmer equestf oracab, but
becausehe' sast ubbor nZul umanhedi dn' twantt ohearanyofi t.
Ididn'tthinkourdaywoul dendt hi sway ,ImeanIal mostr uinedit
bysnappi ngathi m whenheaskedmeasi mpl equest i
onatt he
restaurant .Idi dn'tmeant o, it
'sj ustsoov erwhel mi ngt hinking
aboutmypast .Ial sodi dn'twantt ot ainttheamazi ngf ri
endshi pI
hav ewithMakhosi ni,i
t'spr ecioust ome.I t
'sreal andwhenIam
withhi mi tf eelsl i
keI '
mf loat i
ng, he'seasyt ot alkto, Iam my self
aroundhi m.Mypastcoul dchangeal lofthat ,
hecoul dst art
l
ooki ngatmewi thpity,ther e'
snot hingIhat emor et hatbei ng
piti
ed.Ij ustwantt obeLemohangwi t
hhi m, notLemohangwi th
allthewor ld'spr oblems.Butt henagai nifwear egoi ngt obe
closef r
iendst her ear ethingshe' sgoi ngt ohav etoknowabout
me.
Hewasv er
yforthcomi ngabouthisl i
fe,het oldmeabouthi s
mar r
iageandhowhi swi fetr
eatedhim.Al l Icansayi sthatthe
womani sstupid,shel ostoutononeoft her emai ninggoodgent s.
Thewomanhewi ll
endupwi t
hi sdamnl uckyandIpr ayshet reat
s
myf riendri
ght.Iam cr ossingfingersthatshewon' thav ea
problem withourf r
iendshi p,
mostwomanar ei nsecure.They
don'tunderstandhowt hei
rmancanbej ustf r
iendswi t
hagi rl
,I
hadt hesamement al
ityacoupl eofweeksagount ilImetEbuka
thenMakhosi ni.Thesear etwoguy swhohav epr ovedt hatnotall
menar edogs,theymi ghthav emademi st akeswi t
hot herwoman
i
nt hepastbuti t'
sonl yhumant omessuponcei nawhi le.

Makhosi
nidr
ivesi
ntotheapartmentbui
ldi
ng,Iwantedtotell
him
t
odr opmeatthegatebutIknewhewasgoi ngtoprotestsoI'
m
l
ett
inghi
m be.Assweetashei s,
hestil
lhasthatdomineeri
ng
t
rai
t,whi
chcausesourdisagr
eementsattimes.

Iam tempt edtolookbackandseehowMv el oisbutIdon' twant

tomaket hingsawkwar d.Ihopeshef eelsbet tertomor r
owand
workthr oughwhat everitisthathappenedbackt here.Makhosi ni
parksneart hestaircase,heknowsIwon' tt aket heel evator, Iam
gladItoldhi m aboutbei ngcl austr
ophobic.Iwon' thav etowor r
y
abouthi mj okingandacci dental
lytri
ggeringme.Hewoul df eel
l
ikeshi t
,likehedi dear l
iertodayatt herestaur ant.Hewaski cking
himselfforpr essingt hemat terbutIdon'tbl amehi mr eall
y .Iam
j
ustpr ayingt hathedoesn' tpullawaybecauseIcoul dn'tkeepmy
emotionsi ncheck, hewant saf ri
endnotsomeonehewi l
l hav eto
t
ipt
oear
ound.

Iopenmydoorandcl imbout ,hef oll

owssui tandwemeetatt he
backoft hecar,hehast ogi vemet hepaperbagcont ainingmy
ri
diculouslyexpensiv edress.Itt
ookev erythinginmenott oloose
i
twhenIsawt hepri
cet ag,thesal esassi stantt oldmei t'
sa
ti
mel esspi eceandt hereareonlyaboutni neoft hosei nthe
count ry
,thatmeansonei neverypr ov i
nce.Appar ent
lyrichpeople
don'twantt owalkaroundwor ry
ingt hatsomeonehast hesame
dressast hem.Ust heMr .Pr i
cesquaddon' thav eapr oblem
wear i
ngt hesamet hi ng.Makhosi niopenst hebootandt akesout
thepaperbag, hehandsi ttomeandourhandst ouch.Hegasps
andIswal lowhard,there'sthi
scur r
entt hatf lowseacht imewe
touch, I
'm notsurewhati tisbutmay beoneofushasexcess
electronsorsomet hingt hatcanmakesci ent i
fi
csense.

"I
sshegoi
ngtobeokay?"Iaskandheheav
esasi
gh,
placi
ngbot
h
hi
shandsonhishead.

"Ihopeso, I
'm sti
llnotsur
ewhathappened, t
hepoli
cedidn'
t
explainproperly
.Theyjustaskedmet otakeherhomeandmake
arrangement sforhercar.
"Heexpl ai
nsandInodsl i
ghtl
y,"
I'
ll
tell
youwhatwentdownonceshe' scalmeddownandabl etotellme
thewhol estory.
"Headds.He' swor r
iedabouthissi
ster
,Icansee
i
tinhi seyes,feeli
tinhisaura.Iunderst
andbecauseIli
vemyl if
e
wor r
yingaboutmyl i
tt
lebrot
her,eventhoughIknowhe'ssafeat
boardingschool .
"
Thankyouagai
nfort
oday,"heof
fer
smeagenui
nesmi
l
e,one
t
hatmakeshisey
estwinkl
e.

"Eventhoughyouwereannoyedt
hewhol eday?"Ilaugh.Shopping
i
sn'treall
ymythi
ngandtodaywewentt otheextreme.Mov ing
from malltomal
l,
bouti
quetobouti
que.Myf eetwerehurti
nglike
hellandmyheadwasn'tini
tanymore.It
houghtfindingadress
wasgoi ngtobeeasyasABCbutshitwaslikeextremesports.

"
Yes,Lukhel
e.Nowy
ouknowt
hatIhat
eshoppi
ng,
"henodswi
tha
l
opsi
dedsmi l
e.

"LetmetakeMvelohome,I
'
llcal
lyouwhenIgetther
e."Hesays
andIrememberthatwehaveanemotional
personintheback
seatoft
heUrus.

"Okaythen,"helooksli
kehewant st
ogi v
emeahugbuthe' snot
surehowI '
m goingt oreact
.Wearefri
ends,
itshouldn'
tbe
awkwar d.Iplacethepaperbagdownandopenmyar ms,he
chucklesandweenv el
opeeachotherinawarm, t
ighthug.He
smellsreall
ygood, hesurel
ytur
nsheads.

Thesest ai
rswil
lbethedeat hofme, goinguptothethir
dflooris
notchi l
d'splay
.Butatleastit
'saf orm ofexerci
sesinceIdon'tgo
togy m orplayanyspor t
s.Myphoner i
ngsinmybagandIgr oan,
couldn'tthi
spersoncal lmewhenIgoti nsi
de.Ist
opandf i
shf ori
t,
i
t'sEbuka.Hehar dl
ycallsmet hislate,especi
all
ywhenhei swi t
h
Undiphile.Theytaketheirquali
tytimev eryseri
ousl
y,Ihope
everythingisalr
ight
.
"
Heybr
o"Ianswer
.

"Si
stermi,howareyou?
"Idon'
tli
kehowhesounds.He'
sdown
andEbukai snev
erdown,hehasall
theener
gyandhappi
nessi
n
theworld.

"
I'
mfi
ne,
whatabouty
ou?
"Iaskwi
thwor
ryt
aki
ngov
ermysy
stem.

"
Nott
oogood,
isUndi
phi
l
ether
e?"If
rown.

Theylef
ttoget
hery
est
erdayandUndi
sai
dshe'
snotsur
ewhen
she'
l
lbeback.

"Idon'
tknow,
Ijustgott
ot heapar
tment.Ihaven'
tmadeiti
nsi
de,
I'
m sti
ll
cli
mbi
ngupt hestair
s.I
sever
ythingokay?"Heheav
esa
sigh.

"She'
snotanswer
ingmycall
s."He'ssad,hi
sv oi
cei
sli
ter
all
y
shaki
ng.I
tsoundsli
kehe'
scrying.Di
dtheyfightmay
be?

"
Letmecal
lyouwhenIgeti
nsi
de,
"Isaymeekl
y.

"
Please,
"he'
sbr
eaki
ngmyhear
t.

ThisisnotthebrotherIknow, whateverthathappenedbetween
thebothoft hem i
sser i
ous.Irushupt hestair
sandbyt heti
meI
reachourfloorIam panting.Mychesti soffir
eandIfeelhot,l
i
ke
boil
inginthiscol
dni ght
.Thel i
ghtsareon, she'
sdefi
nit
elyhome.I
unlockandwal kin,she'
ssitti
ngont hecouchi nherpyj
amas.
Eatingi
cecr eam withaheaterinfr
ontofher .She'
swatching
somemov ieonTV.
"Babe,
"Isayplaci
ngthepaperbagont
heki
tchencount
erand
headtothelounge.

"
Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
"Sheasks.

It
hrowmy
sel
font
hecouchnextt
oher
.

"
Dressshoppi
ngwi
thMakhosi
ni,
"shef
rowns.

"Don'ttellmeyout woar eel

oping,I'
dkil
lyou.
"Ichuckl
e.Idoubt
she'dkillme,shewoul dbeov erthemoonbecauset hatwould
meanI '
l
l beget
tinglai
d.She'sbeent el
l
ingmeIneedsomeact i
on
beforeIgetcobwebs.Li ttl
edoessheknowt hatI
'
vealreadygave
myv irginit
ytothatbastard.

Wai
t,whyar
eherey
esr
edandswol
l
en?

"What'sgoi
ngon?Ebukasoundsli
keshi
tandyoulookitt
oo."She
closeshereyesandandherl
owerli
pisqui
ver
ing.I
t'
sli
keI'
vejust
remindedherofsomethi
ngpainf
ul.

"HissisterandWal ehateme, t
hey'veformedacl ubagai nstme.
Theyt hinkI'mj ustagolddiggeraf t
erEbuka'smoney .Yesterday
whenwegott othehouseaf terdroppingyouwef oundhert here
andt heyhadanar gumentaboutme, theywer escreamingateach
otherint heirlanguage,Ifel
tsooutofpl ace."Whatt hefuckdoes
Wal ehav eagai nstUndiphil
e?Myf r
iendisthemostgenui ne
personIknow.Shel ovesEbukaf orwhohei snotwhathehas.
"Hedef endedmeandIappr eci
atethatbuthi ssisterdi
dt hewor st
.
Ijustwant edt ogetoutoft here.Iknowi t
'snothi sfaul
tbutIj ust
needami nute."SheaddsandIbr ushherar m.
Soshecameal
lthewayfr
om Londont
omakeUndi
phil
e'
sli
fe
miser
abl
e?I
fonl
ysheknewhowmuchherbrot
herl
ovesthi
sgir
l,
howhappyt
heymakeeachot
her.

"Il
ef tmyl apt opandot herstudymat eri
alsi ntheBMW and
yester daywef oundi tpar kedout si
de.Theywer eusingi twhi l
ewe
wer ei nKwazakhel e.Thi smor ningIwentt olookformyt hingsin
thecart oprepar eforschool butIonl yfoundmyt extbooksand
penci lcase,"shesni f
fs."Iwentbackt ot hehouset of i
ndEbuka, to
askhi mt oinquireaboutmyt hingsf r
om hi ssisterbecauset hey'd
beendr iv
ingt hecar .Hewasi nt hekitchenwi t
hhissister.Iasked
i
nf r
ontofherandshet oldmet hattherewasanacci dent,thatthe
l
apt opf elldownhar dwhent heywentt ot hecarwashdur ingt he
week, shebl amedt heguywhowaswashi ngt hecar,say i
nghe
wascar eless.Buti nall honestyIdon' tthinkshe'stell
ingt hetruth,
Ithinkshedest r
oyedmycomput eronpur pose."Shesoundsl ikea
total bit
ch.Whydi dn'tshel eaveUndi phile'sthi
ngsint hehouse?

"Ebukasaidhewi
llbuyitbutIdon'tcareaboutthedamnlaptop,I
careaboutwhatwasstoredoni t
."ShecriesharderandItaket
he
i
cecr eam t
ubandplaceitonthecof f
eetablethentakeherinmy
arms.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
ri
end,
sosor
ry.
"Ibr
ushherback.

"Idi
dn'tbackupdat aont hatthing, i
thadphot osandv i
deosof
PeachesandI .Thel astmemor iesIhadofmygr andmother,
Lemohang.Wher ewi l
lIt
aket hem now?Shewant edtobespitef
ul
butshet ookapieceofmysoul instead."Myhear tshat
ter
sforher.
Thisisheartbreaking.Undiphil
ej ustlosthergrandmother,
those
memor iesweret heonlythingsshehadl eftofPeachesbutnow
somebrathastakenthatf
rom her
.She'
scruel
andIhat
eher
al
ready
,Idon'
tcareifshe'
sEbuka'
ssist
er.

"
Sorr
ywi l
lnotev
encuti
tmyf
ri
end.Not
hingIsaywi
ll
makey ou
f
eelbett
er.
"Shesobsi
nmyarmssomemor eandIal
lowherto
t
akeitout.

"Ineedt
ouset
hebat
hroom,
"sheunt
angl
esf
rom meandst
ands
up.

"
Car
eforagl
assofwi
ne?
"Iaskandshenods.

"
YesPl
ease,
"

Istandupandgot othekitchenasshecl osesthebat hr

oom door.
Itakeoutt woglassesfrom thecupboardandr i
nset hem, t
here'
s
abot t
leofwinefr
om yesterday,Ionl
yhadonegl assaf ewhour s
aftertheydroppedmeof f
.Ipourinbothglassesandwal kbackt o
thel ounge,myphoneringsint hepocketofmyj acket.I
tmustbe
Ebuka, Itookti
mecalli
nghi m back.Hewillhavetounder st
and
becausemyf ri
endisanemot i
onalmessbecauseofhi sbratt
y
sister.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswerandt
akeasi
pofmywi
ne.

"I
sshehome?I
ssheokay
?"Heasksbr
iskl
y.Desper
atef
oran
answer
.

"She'shomebutnotdoinggood,
shetol
dmewhathappenedand
she'spret
tyupset
."It
ellhi
mli
keiti
s.Heshoul
ddeal
wit
hhis
si
ster
,orbet
tery
et,
bookheraf
li
ghtbackt
oEngl
and.

"Ifeelsobad,Lemohang.Shebrokedownandmyhear tshatt
ered.
Iam somadatAmakar ightnow,I'
m evenavoi
dingherbecauseI
don'ttrustmysel
far
oundher.Whatshedi dhashurtUndiphi
le
mor ethanshecouldeverunderst
and."He'
ssad,Icantel
l.They
wer edoinggoodandpeoplejusthadtocomeinbet weenthem,
i
t'snotf ai
r.

"Thosewer ethememor iesshehadofPeaches, butshehas

absolutel
ynothingnow."Isayandhehuffs.I
'm nottryi
ngtomake
himfeel bad,
I'mjusttr
yingtomakehim underst
andt he
magni t
udeofhi ssi
ster
'sacti
ons.

"
Doesshehat
eme?
"Heasks.

"
Shel
ovesy
ou,
"Icor
recthi
m.

"Thenwhyi sshenotanswer ingmycal l

s?I
tsonlybeenacoupl e
ofhour sandI'
m goi
ngoutofmymi nd.Lemo,Itr
iedcomi ngtothe
apartment.Shehasn'
tregisteredmet odri
veinwithouther
comi ngtosignmein.Thesecur it
ydial
edherbutshet ol
dhi mthat
she'snotaround,t
hatti
met heguysai dhesawhercomi ngin
earl
ieronandshehasn'tleftsince.I
tcanonlymeant hatshe
want snothi
ngtodowithmeany more.
"Hewhi mpers.

Thet
oil
etf
lushesandUndi
phi
l
ewal
ksoutoft
hebat
hroom.

"Sheneedssometime,
pleasegiveherthat
."Iunderst
andhe's
hurti
ngtoobutUndi
phi
l
eist heonewho'sbrokenrightnow.She
sit
sbackdownnexttomeandt akeshergl
assofwi ne.Iputt
he
phoneonspeaker.
"
Pleasetel
lherIam sor
ryandIl
oveherwit
hal
lmyheart,
"
Undiphi
l
ecloseshereyeswhenshehear
sherboy
fri
endsvoi
ce.

"
Idef
ini
tel
ywi
l
l,
"hedoesn'
thav
etoknowt
hatUndi
phi
l
ehear
dhi
m.

"I
'
llcheckonyouguy
sint
hemor
ning.
"Hesay
sandbl
owsouta
heavysigh.

Mypoorbrot
her.IfAmakahatesUndi
phi
le,shewi
l
lwantt
oki
l
lme,
t
hinki
ngI
'mlookingtorepl
aceherashi
ssister
.

"
Okayt
hen,
"thel
i
negoesdead.

"I
'
m notmadathim, I
'mjustsad,Iwanttobefarfr
om hi
ssist
er.I
don'
twanttohearexcusesforher,he'
sherbrot
herandhewil
l
wanttopai
ntherinadiff
erentl
ight.
"Itot
all
yunder
standwhat
she'
ssayi
ng.

"Takey ourtimebaby ,y
ou'rehurtandit'
sunderst
andable."I
assurehert hatshe'snotblowingthiswholethi
ngoutof
proportion."Idoubtmeandt hatgirlwi
llgetal
ong.Idon'tknow
howt hati sgoingtoaffectmyr el
ati
onshipwit
hEbuka."Shesay s
andIt akeasi pofmywi ne.

"Youguyswill
havetotal
kabouti tbuthewi
llhav
etounder st
and
thathi
ssist
ertooki
ttoofar."Isayandshenodsimpercepti
bly
.
Themov ementwassoqui ck,Ialmostdi
dn'
tseeitmyself
.

Myphonechimes,Itakei
tandpowert
hescreenon,it
'satext
fr
om Makhosi
ni.Hesaidhewil
lcal
l
,whyi
shet ext
ing?IfIdi
dthi
s
he'
dbecryi
ng,t
elli
ngmenottodotheopposit
eofwhatIsaidI'
d
do.He'sabigbabythatone,
butthat
'swhatIl
ikeabouthi
m.He
i
sn'tafr
aidtobevul
nerabl
e,t
onotholdbackinmakinghis
feel
ingsknown.Wealldeser
vesuchfri
ends.

WEGOTMVELOTOBED.SHECOULDN'TTALK,MYMOTHER
GAVEHERSOMEPILLSTOKNOCKHEROUTTILLMORNING.I
KNOW ISAI
DI'
LLCALLWHENIGETHOMEBUTMaNGOBESEIS
I
NHERFEELINGSRIGHTNOW,IHAVETOCALM HERDOWN.I
'
LL
CALLWHENIGETINBED,DON'
TBEANNOYEDWI THME,I
'
M
NOTTHELASTBORN.

Ichuckle,thisboyi saf ool .Undi phi

lepeepsonmyscr eenand
givesmet hespecul ati
vegaze, askingmet ofil
lherin.Ther e's
nothingtot el
lreall
y ,Makhosi niandIar ejustfr
iends,Undi phile
want stoturnitintosomet hingmor e.Idoubthelooksatmel i
ke
that,Lukheleisacat chandhi st ypeofwomani sprobablyt heone
i
nhi sleague.Successf ul andweal t
hy ,I
'
mj ustafri
endhel ikes
hangingwi th.Plus,I'
m notl ookingt obei narel
ationship.Ij ust
escapedMabut ho, it
'sgoi ngt obehar dformet otrustaman
again.Tocompl etelygiv emy selftothatpersonwi t
houtt hinking
hewi llt
urnonmej ustlikeMabut hodid.

"
YouandMakhosi
ni,
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"
Wearej
ustf
ri
ends,
stopt
ryi
ngt
opl
aycupi
d."Shesmacksher
l
i
ps.
"
Youar
esobl
i
nd,
Lemohang.Jesus!
"

Whyar
ewedi
scussi
ngMakhosi
ni?Weshoul
dbecussi
ngAmaka.

"Letmegoputanot
herbot
tl
eofwi
nei
nthef
ri
dge.
"Ist
andupand
shelaughs.

"Don'ttr
yandchangethesubj
ect.
"She'
sannoyi
ngr eal
l
y."
He'
s
obviouslyi
ntoyou,Imeanhemadey ouar
ing.
"Ilookatmyhand
andt heperf
ectpiecei
sonmyf i
nger
.

Wehadsomuchf
unathi
sfact
oryt
hatSunday
,hedi
dcheerme
up.

"
Wewer
ejustf
ool
i
ngar
ound,
Undi
phi
l
e."

"
Don'
tyouf
indhi
m at
tracti
ve?"Ichuckl
eandgul
pdownt
he
r
emai
ningwinei
nmygl ass.

"
Heisagoodlooki
ngman,ever
ywomancanseet
hat
.Ev
enme
whoi
shisfr
iend.
"Shegr
oansinfr
ust
rat
ion.

"
Stopl
yi
ngt
oyour
sel
f,
"Ipout
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
_

Apol
ogi
esf
oranyer
ror
s.I
'
m sosl
eepy
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER38

SPONSOREDBYPATRI
CIA

EBUKAOKAFOR

"Okafor,"Isnapoutofmyt hought sandf i

ndGatshal ookingatme.
Ihavezonedoutami ll
iont i
messi ncethismeetingst ar
ted."
Is
everyt
hi ngokay ?"Iblowoutasi ghandst andupf r
om mychai r
.
Everythingisfarf r
om okay ,mywomani snotpicki
ngupmycal l
s,
shewon' tseemeandt hat'
sdr i
vingmei nsane.I
thasbeenf our
daysnow, fourfulldaysofnothear i
ngherv oi
ceorseei ngher
beautifulface.Idon'tthinkI '
v eeverbeent hi
sscaredi nmyl i
fe,I
don'twantt olooseUndi phile.Wej ustfoundeachot herandwhat
wehav eisamazi ng,it'
sr eal andi tdoesn'tcomet wice.

"
YeahI'
mfine,
"Isaybendi
ngdownt
otakeoutabot
tl
eofwat
er
f
rom t
hebarfr
idge.

Lukhel
eleansbackonhi
schai
randf
oldshi
sar
ms,
he'
snot
l
etti
ngthi
sgo.

"Comeonman, yourheadhasbeenel sewherethesepastfew

days.Yousubmi t
tedt hewrongpaperwork,youforgotameeting
withani mpor
tantinvestorandl
et'
snotment ionhowy oukeep
zoningoutinthemi ddleofourmeeti
ng."I'
vebeenacompl ete
mess, Iagr
ee.Ij
ustmi ssmygir
lf
ri
end.

"
Yeah,
I'
m sor
ryGat
sha.I
'
llgetmyshi
ttoget
her
."Igul
pdownmy
wat
er.

"What'
sgoingon?Youknowwhatt
heysay
,apr
obl
em shar
edi
sa
probl
em halfsol
ved.
"Iscof
f.

I
'veal
waysbel
ievedi nfi
xingmypr oblemsnotbroadcast
ingt
hem
butGat
shaisnotjustabusi nesspartner
,he'
salsoafri
endanda
wisemanwhoi sstableinhismarriage.Hemightgivemesound
advi
ceonmysi t
uation.

"Whil
eIwasawayintheEaster
nCapewit
hmywoman, mysi
ster
camet hr
oughf
rom London.
"Henodsandleansi
n,pl
aci
nghi
s
elbowsontopofmydesk.

"Wef oundherinmyhousewhenwegotbackonSunday .Shewas

givi
ngUndiphil
eattitude.Turnedoutaf riendcalledherandbad
mout hedmywomant oher,thatwasaf terwehadaphy sical
alt
ercati
onwher ehei nsul
tedmywoman.Theybot hbeli
ev e
Undiphil
eisagolddi ggerwhoi sjustaftermymoney ,Walesay s
I'
vechangedev ersinceIgoti nt
omyr el
at i
onship.HesaysIallow
Undiphil
etoweart hepant sandIf oll
owherl ikealostpuppy."He
chucklesandIfrown.Ther e'
snot hingfunnyher e.

"Ofcoursey ourwomanwear st hepantsiny ourr

elati
onship,my
wifewear sthepantsinourmar ri
age.That '
swhathappenswhen
amanf indst heri
ghtwoman, wej ustactlikewearethebossof
them butweknowi t'
sact ual
lytheotherwayr ound.Yourf r
iend
hasnev erbeeninlove, hehasn'tfoundhisone.Hewon' t
understandthenewy ou,hewon' tunderstandwhyy ou'
v e
suddenlybecomebor ingandweak. "Atleastsomeone
understands.Undiphi
ledi dn'
ttakeanythingmyhear tdidn'
tgive
herwi
ll
i
ngly
.Ilovebei
ngwi
thhermor
ethanbei
ngouti
ncl
ubs
andget
ti
ngdrunk.

I'
dratherwat
chmovi
eswi
thheri
nmyar
msandt
alkaboutour
chil
dren'
snames.

"Now,mysi st
erj ustdeci
dedtohatemywomanwi t
houteven
knowingtheki ndofpersonsheis.Amakadi dn'
tcarei
fIlove
Undiphi
leorifshemakesmehappy .Sheli
stenedtoWaleand
nowshe'shur tUndiphil
ereal
bad."Iclosemyey es,
remember i
ng
howshebr okedownwhenmysi stertol
dheraboutthelaptop.

"
Shehur
therphy
sical
l
y?"Heaskshor
ri
fi
edandIshakemyhead.

"Emot i
onal
ly,
shecr ippledher .Thelaptophadpi cturesandv i
deos
ofherandherl ategr andmot herandshedi dn'
tst orethem onher
cloud.Sheandherol dladywer etight,sher ai
sedUndi phileaft
er
herparentsdied.Mysi st
erclaimsi twasanacci dent,thatthe
l
apt opfel
lhardandbr okebutI '
m notbuy i
ngi t.Shedi diton
purpose,shemusthav ethoughtUndi phil
eboughti twithmy
money ."Hewhistles.

"Yoh!That
'shect
ic,
can'
tyour
etr
iev
ethedat
a?"Gat
shaasksandI
sighdeepl
y.

"It
ookittosomeguyandhesai
dhe'
l
ltr
yhi
sbest,hecouldn'
t
promiseanyt
hingt
hough.
"Heget
supfr
om hi
schairandburi
es
hishandsinhi
spocket
s.

"
Shewon' tt
akemycal
ls,
shewon' tseeme.Ithinkshe'
sdonewi t
h
me.Undiphi
lei
sapeacef
ul per
sonandmysi sterisonherneck.
Whenitcomesdowntofightorfl
i
ghtshewoul dchoosethelatt
er,
especi
all
ynowt hatshe'sst
il
lmourning.
"Say
ingthosewords
shatt
erthelastofmyhear t
.Imisshersobad.Ev
ersincewegot
i
ntoar el
ati
onshipthi
sisthelongestwe'
vegonewithoutseei
ngor
speaki
ngtoeachot her.Amakareall
ymessedthi
ngsup.

"Youobvi
ouslylovethisgirlman,she'
shur
ti
ngr i
ghtnowsoy ou
havetofi
ghtforher.Showhert hatyoucanprotectherfr
om
anythi
ng,
eveny oursister
."Inodvigor
ousl
y.I'
m goingtoneed
Lemohang'shelp,Idi
dn'twanttoputherinthemi ddl
eofour
i
ssuesbutshe'stheonl ypersonwhocanhelpmeseeUndi phil
e.

"Setyoursi
sterstraightt
oo,shedoesn'
thavetolikeyourwoman
butshesureashel l
hastogivehertherespectshedeserves."
Thinki
ngaboutAmakamakesmybl oodboil
.I'
vebeenav oi
ding
herbecauseI'm scaredImighthurther
.Ilovemysi st
erbutIwill
neverforgi
veherf orwhatshehasdonet oUndiphil
e.

Igothomeabout30mi nutesago,Ididn'
tev enshower.Ijust
changedintosomet hingcomf ort
ableandcamedownt owat ch
somet hi
ngont hetelevisi
on.I'
v ebeenlockedi nmybedroom
thesepastfewday sandwhenIgoti nandr ealizedmysister
wasn'thereIdecidedt ojusttakesomet imeoutofmyr oom.I fi
t'
s
anyonewhohast ohi deit'
sAmaka, shef uckedupandr eal bad.
Shehast opackhershi tandgobackt oLondon, Ipayalotof
moneyf orhertobemi ssingclasses.
"Oga,whatwouldyouli
ketoeatf ordinner?"Ugommaasks,
standi
ngbythedoor.Thisgirl
wor kshard,shedeser
vestorest
,
plusIdon'
thaveanappetit
e.Amakawi ll
hav etomakefoodfor
hersel
fwhenshegetsback, orbettercomebackf ul
l
.

"
Youcant
aket
heev
eni
ngof
f,Ugomma.Gor
elax.
"Shesmi
l
es.

"Thankyousir
."Iwatchherleavetheroom inexci
tement.She
l
ivesinthebackcottage,i
t'
sconvenientfort
hebothofus.She's
thebesthousehelperamancoul dev eraskfor
,shesti
ckstoher
j
obandhasnev ert
riedseduci
ngme.Shedoesn' tworkon
weekends,soshegoesoutt omeett hegirl
sthatworkatmy
salon,
theyareallf
ri
ends.

Thef r
ontdooropensandIf r
own, Iwanttogetupandl eavet he
room forherbutIwon' tbecauset hisismyhouse.Iwon' tbe
uncomf ort
ablebecauseofher ,
shel eftt
heapartmentIpayf orher
i
nEur opet ocomef i
ghtst upi
dlyandhur tmywomani nt he
process.Amakawal ksi ntotheloungewi thWale,Ichuckle.They
mustbeki ddingme, Itoldthi
sbast ardtonevershowhi sf ace
hereagain.Itookhiml i
keabr otherandwant edwhatwasbestf or
him butit'
sobvioushedoesn' tfeel t
hesame.Hewant smet obe
miserable,tobeaplayboyf orther estofmyli
fe.Realfriendsdon't
wantthatf oreachother.

"
Gett
hef
uckoutofmyhouse,
Adewal
e."Isayl
azi
l
y.
"Br
othermi,pleasehearusout."Iraiseaney ebrowandchuckle.
Hearthem out?Nothingthatcomesoutoft heirmouthswill
convi
ncemet obeli
evethatwhatt heydidcamef r
om aplaceof
concernandlove,becauseitdidn't
.Ift
heyhadconcer nsaboutmy
gir
lf
ri
endtheyshouldhav espokent omeabouti tandIwould
haveunderstoodandr eassur
edt hem thatshe'sagenuineperson.

"Idon'
twantt
oheari
t.Tel
lyourfr
iendtoleav
e,Amaka.
"Iam
seri
ousri
ghtnowandtheybett
ernotfuckwithme.

"Odogwu,
mybrot
her.Novexabeg."Her
emoveshiscapand
kneel
sdownononeknee.Idon'
twanthi
sst
upidrespect
,hedi
dn'
t
giv
eittomewhenitwasnecessar
y.

I
fIlaymyhandsonhi mI '
l
lki
l
lhim, Iam madatthebothofthem
ri
ghtnow.Ifeelbet
ray
edbythem becausetheyarethetwo
peopl
eIthoughthadmyback, peopleIt
houghtwouldcheerme
oninmyrelati
onshipwit
hUndiphil
e.

"Iwil
lbr
eaky ourbonesi fIgetupfr
om thiscouch, l
eavemyhouse,
Adewale,andstayout .Iwantnothi
ngtodowi thy ouanymor
e,the
onlythi
ngconnectingusi sthebusi
ness."He'sshakinghi
shead,
notbeli
evi
nghi sears.Hegotust othi
spoi nt
,lethimli
vewit
hthe
consequencesofhi sactions.

"Don'tsayt
hatpl ease,
Ebuka.IknowIf uckedupandI '
m sorr
y.I
thoughtIwasloosi ngabr otherwhenyoustar
tedspendingyour
everysecondwi thUndiphile.YouandIhaveal
way sbeenclose,
you'r
emybr otherandIdi dn'twanttol
osethat,noti
nthisj
ungle
farfr
om home. "Heshoul dhav etal
kedtomef i
rstnoti
nsultmy
womanwhi l
edr unkandgoont obadmouthhertoAmaka.Ican't
t
rusthi
m any
mor
e,ourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
l
lnev
erbet
hesameagai
n.

"Ithi
nkyoushoul
dleav
e,Wale.Gi
vehi
m af ewday
stocooldown.
"
Ithrowmyheadbackandlaugh.Shet
hinksafewdayswi
ll
getme
alr
ight?

Waleli
stenstoherbecauseheget supandl eaves,helooksback
atmewi thpleadingeyesbutIhol doutmyhandt ostophimf r
om
sayi
ngany t
hing.Ishouldchangemygat ecode,Idon'
twanttosee
hisf
acehereagai n.Thef rontdoorcl
osesandAmakat akesasit
onthesingl
ecouch.Sheheav esasighandfli
psbackherweav e.
Mygazei sburningher,she'suncomf or
tabl
eont hecouch.She
can'
tevenlookatmei nt heeyebecausesheknowswhatshedi d
waswrongonsomanyl evels.

"Ididn'
tmeantohur
tyourgi
rl
fr
iend,brot
hermi."I
'm notgoi
ngt
o
sithereandl
ist
entoherl
ieandjust
ifyheract
ions.

"Don'
tbothersayingany
thi
ngifyou'r
egoingtol
ie,Amaka.Ownup
toyourshitorshutthef
uckup."Ishoutandshejumps,st
art
led
bymyout burst
.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
I'
m sor
ry.
"Sheswal
l
owshar
dandIcl
i
ckmyt
ongue.

"Ifeel
horr
ibl
eknowingt hatIdest
royedt hememor i
esofher
grandmother
.Iactedli
keaspoi l
tbrat,Ishouldn'thaveli
stenedt
o
onesideofthestory
.Ishouldhavecal l
edy ouandf oundoutwhat
Wal ewastal
kingaboutbutIdidn'
tthinkt hi
ngsthrough.He
soundedhurtandwor r
iedaboutthesi t
uat i
on.Igotonapl ane
becauseIwantedt
ocomepr
otecty
ouri
nter
est
s."She'
sfi
ddl
i
ng
wit
hherfinger
s.

"Iam ashamedofthepersonIwast
oy ourgi
rl
fr
iend,
Isi
ncer
ely
apologi
ze."SheaddsandIshakemyheadno.

"Thepersonyoushoul dbeapol ogizingtoisUndi phil

e,notme."I
tel
lherandshenodsi nagreement ."Butnowy oucan't,weboth
can'
tbecauseshe'snott akingmycal l
s.She'sdonewi thmeand
ourrel
ati
onship.Yout ookawaymyhappi ness, Amaka.Ihave
workedsohar dtogivey ouev ery
thingyoudesi re,butyou
destr
oyedsomet hingthatbr oughtmeul ti
mat ehappiness,
someonet hatmademet hi
nkaboutmyf uture."Sheletshertear
s
fal
l,
herlowerlipi
squi veri
ng."Don'tshedt ears,youknewexact l
y
whatyouwer edoing."Igetannoy edwhensomeonest art
scryi
ng
fort
heshittheydid,noonehadagunt oherhead.I twasal l
her.

"Ebuka,Iam sosorr
y."Iburymyheadinmyhands.Myhear ti
s
aching,
Imissmywomansobad." Pl
easedon'that
eme, pl
ease.
"I
couldneverhateher,
she'smybloodbutIwil
lnotforgi
veherfor
hurti
ngasweet ,l
ovi
ngper sonl
i
keUndiphi
le.

"Thatgir
llov esmewi t
hhersoul ,Amaka.Shethinksshehaswon
withmebuti nactualfactIam theluckybast
ardwhodoesn' tev
en
deserveher .Shehasbr oughtsomuchhappi nessandhopei nmy
l
ife,It
houghtIhadi tallbutmeet i
nghercompl et
edeveryt
hingfor
me.I '
m goingt omarrythatwoman, whet
heryoulikei
tornot."I
l
ookupt ofindherclutchingatherchest.

"
From nowonwar
ds,Isupporty
ourrel
ati
onship.IknowImessed
i
tupandI'
ll
alway
sregreti
t.Ial
soknowy ou'
remadandy oudon'
t
l
ikemeatt hemoment.That
'swhyIdeci
dedt
ogobacktoLondon,
togiv
ey ousomespace.
"Shehadtomessupever
ythi
ngbefor
e
support
ingme.

"Yeah,y
oushouldgoback, y
ourmissi
onisaccompl
i
shed.
"She
gaspsinshock,butwhythough?Shecametomakesuret
hat
Undiphi
leandIbreakup.

She'
snotanswer ingmycal l
ssoIguessAmakagoti tri
ght.The
fr
ontdooropensandIr ol
lmyey es,Adewaleispokingasnake.
I
'm goingtofuckhi m up.Myey esareont hedoorwai t
ingforhi
m
tostepinthelounge.Myj awi sclenchedandfist
sfor medbutmy
heartstopsbeatingandev erymuscl erel
axeswhenUndi phil
e
passesbyi naflash.IlookatAmakat henbackatthedoor .

"
It
's.
..
Idi
dn'
timagi
nethatright
?"ShenodsandIgetonmyf
eet
,
r
ushingt
ofindmygir
lfr
iend.

Istopinthefoyertryi
ngt ofigureoutwhichr oom shedi sappeared
to.Thearesoundsofdr awer sopeningandcl osi
ngi nt hekitchen,
Itakeadeepbr eathandsl uggishlymakemywayt her e,nervous
ashell
.She'sunpacki ngsomei t
emsf rom theshoppi ngbag, she
hasgotcolddr i
nks, v
eget ablesandpacket sofsnacksamongst
othert
hings.She'sher e,inourhome, unpackinggrocer ies.Ican't
beli
evemyey esri
ghtnow.Undi phil
ecanfeel mypr esencebut
shehasn'tlookedatme, t
hat'stotal
lyfi
ne,shecanbemut eand
i
gnoremest andi
ngher e,asl ongaswear ei nthesamehouse.
Thismeansshel ov esme, thatshe'snotdonewi thmeandour
rel
ati
onship,shejustneededt i
met odealwi t
hwhatmysi st
erdid.
Ij
ustpraytheguyItookherl
apt
optocanr
etri
eveherdat
a.Her
phonerings,
sheputsthemil
kdownandopensherhandbag,
comingbackwithherphone.

"
Lemo,
"sheanswer
sthengi
ggl
es.

"Iputi
tinthedrawer
, f
ri
end."Iwatchherr
ollhereyes.Lor
d,sheis
beauti
ful
.Iwanttokissthosesoftli
psandtellherhowmiserabl
e
Ihavebeenwithouther.

"No,I'm atEbuka' shouse.I'l

lprobablybebackonSunday ."Iwant
tojumpal lov erthishouse, toshowmyexci t
ement .She'
snotj ust
stoppi ngby, she'ssleepingov er.TonightI'
llhavetheloveofmy
l
ifeinmyar ms.Iwon' tbetossingandt urning,snif
fingherpil
low
witht hehopesofbei ngabl etosleep.Mybeddi ngwasn'tchanged
thi
sweek, Ispeci fical
lytoldUgommat oleaveitasi sbecauseI
want edt ofeel closetomywoman.Butnowt hatshe'shere,I
'l
l
changeev erythingmy self
.Byt heti
meIsnapoutofmyt hought s
she'sdonet alkingont hephone.

Undiphileopensthefreezerandtakesoutmi nceandf rozen

veggies.She'scooki
ngf orme,I'
vemissedwat chi
nghermov e
gracefull
yinthekit
chenassheget sourmeal sdone.I '
m gladI
toldUgommat ogorel
ax,toni
ghtIgettoeatmywoman' sfood.I
fi
nallymov efrom t
hedoorandmakemywayt ot hecupboard,
takeoutachampagnef luteandri
nseit.Il
eav eheropeningthe
packetofspaghet t
iasIgot otheroom thatkeepsf r
idgesof
alcohol.Icomebackwi thabottl
eofchampagneandabeerf or
myself
.Nowt hatshe'
sher
eIhaveanappetit
eforfoodandIcan
enj
oyadr i
nk.Iknowwesti
llhav
etotal
kthingsthr
oughbutIam
happythatshecamehomet ome.Ipopthebottl
eandpourhera
gl
ass.

"Hereyouarebaby,"Ihandhert
hegl
assbutshepoi
ntst
othe
kit
chenisl
and.Iheaveasighandpl
aceitdown.

Myhandsareachingtotouchher,
butI'
m scaredofherreact
ion,
shemightr
ejectme.Ipi
nopenmybeerandt akeagulp.She
swit
chesonthestoveandplacesthepotwit
hwat erontheplat
e.

Fuckt
his,
Ican'
thol
dmy
sel
fany
mor
e.

Igetof
fthebar
stoolandr
oundtheisland,Istandbehi
ndherand
snakemyarmsaroundherwaist
.Shedoesn' tpushmeawaybut
shedoesn'
tl
eanintomytouchei
ther.Irestmyheadonher
shoul
derandki
ssherneck.

"
I'
vebeengoi
ngcr
azywi
thouty
ou,
Undi
phi
l
e."Sheexhal
esshar
ply
.

"
Ijustneededsomet
ime,
"shesay
ssof
tl
y.

"Iunder
standbaby,butpleasedon'
tshutmeoutagain.Iwas
l
oosingmymi nd,Icouldn'teat
,sl
eeporfocusatwor
k."Itel
lher
andherbodytensesup, Ididn'
tmeantomakeherfeelbad.

"Il
oveyousomuch,Undi
phi
l
e."Shet
urnsandf
acesme.Her
eyebr
owsarefur
rowed.

"
Mynamei
snotUndi
phi
l
e,"huh?

Whatdoesshemeanhernamei
snotUndi
phi
l
e?I
'
veseenherI
D
book.

Undi
phi
l
eWendySi
sul
u.

"
Whatdoyoumeanbaby?"Iaskconf
usedandshesmi
l
es.See
t
hatsmi
le?Thatsmi
l
ejustmademyheartalr
ight
.

"
Atl
eastnott
oyou.Mynamei syouri
yawoorOmal
icha.
"It
hrow
myheadbackandlaughoutl
oud.Mywomanisback.

"I
'
m sorry,
baby.You'reright,y
ournamei snotUndi phil
e."Ileanin
andkisshersoftli
ps,it
'sslow,tenderandmaki ngmywhol ebody
burnwithdesir
e.I'
vemi ssedhersobad, Ipushmyt onguei nher
mouthandshemoans, givi
ngmeaner ect
ionthatinstant.Ipull
outofthekissbeforeIgett emptedtobendherov erthiskitchen
i
sland.Sheswallowshar dandsmi lesatme, suddenlyshy .

It
uckal
oosest
randofhai
rbehi
ndhereart
hencupherf
ace.

"Iam honestl
ysorryf
orwhatmysisterdid,
"Shel
ooksdownbutI
quickl
ymakeherl ookatmeagain,i
tbreaksmyheartwhenIsee
tearswell
ingupinherbeaut
if
uleyes.

"
Youdon'
thavet
oapologi
ze,heracti
onshavenothi
ngt
odowi
th
y
ou.
"Iwipethet
eart
hatescapesfrom herl
eftey
e.

Webothturnatt
hesoundofsomeonecl
ear
ingt
hei
rthr
oatatt
he
door
,it
'sAmaka.

"I
'
m sorryt
odisturb,Ij
ustwant
edt ot al
ktoUndiphi
lefora
minute.
"Shesays,hereyesnervouslydart
ingbetweenmeandmy
gir
lf
ri
end.Idon'
tthinkUndi
phil
eisreadyt odealwit
hAmaka, what
shedidisver
yseriousandshedi ditatatimeUndiphi
leisst
il
l
emot
ional
andneededt
hosememor
iest
ogett
hrought
hist
ough
ti
me.

Icl
aspsmywoman'
shand,
showi
nghert
hatI
'
m onhersi
dei
nthi
s
matter
.

"
Notnow,
Amaka.
"Isayt
omysi
ster
.

Undiphi
ledoesn'tneedt ohearherapol
ogy,atl
eastnotnow.I
don'
twantmygi rl
fr
iendtogetupsetandwantt ol eaveagai
n.
Amakawi l
lhavetodeal wit
hherguil
tforl
onger .Thiswholet
hing
wil
lbeal essonforher,shewillknownevertoinheritot
her
people'
sdramaandi nsecur
iti
es.

"Okay,I
'l
lbeinmyroom."Shesayswit
hashaki ngvoi
ce.Of
courseIdon'tl
i
keseei
ngmysi st
erupsetbutsheputhersel
fin
thi
ssituat
ion.

"I
'm sorr
ytosayt hi
sbecauseIknowit'
sgoingtoputyouinati
ght
spot,butIdoubtI'
llev
erbecool wi
thyoursi
ster
.Whatshedid
real
lyhurtme.I'
llbecivi
ltowar
dsher,
foryoursakebutt
hat'
sit.
"I
shrugmyshoul ders.

Shehasev eryri
ghttofeelthisway,mysi st
erhur
therreal bad.I
f
shechoosest oputheratar mslengthIdon'thav
eachoi cebutt o
respectherdeci
sion.It
'sgoingtobehardbecauset heyarebot h
i
mpor tantt
ome, Iwouldhav elovedforthethem t
ogetal ong.
Damny ouAdewale,youfuckedmeup.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER39

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Thesejustgotdel
iv
eredfrom t
hefact
ory,
"Nancysayswalki
ngin
myof f
ice.Ipushbackmychairandgetonmyf eetal
lexci
ted.I
'
ve
beenwai t
ingfort
hatpackagethewholeday.

"
Final
ly,It
houghtt
hegentswoul
dn'
tbeabl
etogeti
tdonei
n
t
ime."Isayandshelaughs.

"Youar
ethebossMakhosi ni,
theywoul
dgetany t
hingdonein
minut
esify
ouaskedt hem to."Ihav
eef
fi
cientandeffect
ive
peopl
eonmyt eam andthatmakesmepr oud.

"Iwantedtomakei tmy sel

f,butt
hemanagementsideoft
hings
hasbeenhect i
c,Icouldn'
tsparemysel
ftheti
met ogodownto
thefactor
y."Shehandsmet heboxandIopenit
.Thesear
e
absolutel
yexquisi
te,
theyaregoingtol
ookamazingonher.

"
Youkil
ledi
t,y
oushoul
dmaket
imet
odesi
gnonceaweek.
"I
l
augh.

IwouldlovetodesignjewelryagainbutIdon'thavethet i
me."You
mustreall
yli
kethisgirl
, Makhosi
ni.Usi
ngthest onesy ousaved
fory
ourdaughterstomakehert heseearri
ngs."Ireal
lydo,Isti
ll
can'
tbeli
eveitmyself.IsavedthesestonesbecauseIwant edto
makemyf uturedaught ersneckl
aceswiththem.Butsomet hi
ng
t
oldmet hatLemohangdeser
vest
oweart
hem onherear
satmy
mother
'sbir
thdaypar
ty.

"Idoli
keher,I
'
dl ovet
otell
herthatbutIdon'
tthi
nkshe'
sr eady.I
don'twantt
or ushheri
ntoanythi
ng.Havingherf
ri
endshi
pmeans
alotandIpraywi t
hti
meitblossomsintosomethingmore."She
smilessweetl
yatme.

"
Ican'
twai
ttoseehert
omor
row,
"Iheav
easi
gh.I
'
m ner
vousf
or
mycir
clet
omeether.

Iknowt hey'l
ll
oveherbutI'
m worr
iedthatmysibl
ingswil
lsay
thi
ngsthatwi ll
scareheroff
.Thi
ngsli
kemarriageandkids
becauset heywon'tbel
iev
ethatIi
nvit
eda"fr
iend"toourmother
s
bir
thdaypar t
y.

"Yousurewil
landpleasebenice.Nounnecessar
yquest
ions,
also
don'
tgiveherunnecessar
yinf
ormationaboutme."Shel
aughs
andsit
sdownont hechai
ropposit
eme.

"Noted.Youshoul
dtellMaNgobese'
sratst
oo.
"Theybet
ternot
hearhercall
them r
ats.Gat
shawouldblowafuse.

Iam dri
vinghomef r
om thegarage,Mv el
o'scarwenti
nt obefixed
onTuesday .Gat
shaandIwentt ofetchitatSipho'
splacethat
morning.Ital
mostturnedugl
yrealquick,bigbrot
herwantedto
bur
stopenSi pho'
sbrain.Hewassopi ssedt hatt
hepi
eceofshi t
hurtMvelothatway,asmuchasIwant edhimtobetaughta
l
esson,Ihadt oremembertheconsequencest
hatwouldfol
low
aft
erthat.Mymot herwoul
dn'
thavesurviv
edhavi
ngusinjai
l,
especi
all
yont heweekofherbir
thday.I
t'
sbadenoughthather
l
itt
legir
lgotherheartbr
oken.

Soher
e'swhathappenedonMonday
.

Mv el
owentt oherboy friendshouse, shedi dn'tcallbeforegoi ng
butshehasnev erhadt obef ore.Shehasakeyandagat epass,
that'
showser i
oust heirrelati
onshi pwas.Whenshegott her e,
Sipho'scarwaspar ked.Shewassupr isedbecausehewas
supposedt obeatwor k,butshedi dn'tthinkmuchofi t.Sheused
herownkeyt ounl ockt hedoorandt hat'swhenshef oundanot her
womancooki ngi ntheki tchen, wearingnot hingbutSi pho'st -shi r
t.
Emot ionsranhi gh, conf r
ontationshappenedandangerandhur t
tookov er.Mysi stertrashedt hebast ardspl ace,theotherwoman
gotmadandst ar t
edf i
ght ingMv elofori t
.Thesecur it
yguar ds
camet oSipho'shousebecausei twaschaos, theytri
edbr eaki ng
thefightbetweenmysi sterandt heothergi rlbutitwasn'tdy i
ng
down.Theyf i
nal l
ymanagedt ot akeMv elooutoft hehousebut
theot hergir
lranoutandwentt ot r
ashMv elo'scar,shesl ashed
hertiresandsmashedt hewi ndscr een.Thenei ghborscal l
edt he
poli
cebecauset hesecur i
tyguar dscoul dn'tcont ainthesi tuat i
on.

Si
nceMvel
otrashedSipho'
splace,
itwasagreedthatbot
hpart
ies
won'
tpr
esscharges.Mysist
erishear
tbroken,shelov
edthatf
ool
andthoughttheyhadaf utur
et oget
her.I'
veneverseenMvel
othat
shat
tered-i
fwear enotcountingourfatherspassi
ng-shei
s
al
way sbubblyandlaughingbutthesepastf ewdaysshehasbeen
ashadowofher self
.

Shecoul dn'tevenenj oythebirthdaydi nnersheputt ogetherf or

ourmot hery esterday.Weal lf
el tbadf orcelebr
atingwhi leshe
wasgoi ngt hrought hatmuchpai nbutont heotherhandwehad
tocel
ebr ateourQueen.I twaspai nf ul
l
yuncomf ortablehav ingto
watchmysi sterexcuseher selfev erynowandt hent ogocr yin
somecor nerbecauseoft hatpieceofshi twhocoul dn'tstay
fai
thf
ul.Iwi llneverunderstandwhypeopl echeat,Imeani fy ou'
re
unhappyy oucanj ustleaverathert hanhur tapersonssoul .Its
goi
ngt ot akesomet i
met ogetheri nagoodspaceagai n,butshe
wil
levent uall
ygett herewithoursuppor t.

Igethomeandleaveherconv
ert
ibl
eint
heroundaboutdr
iveway
.I
coul
dneversur
vivedr
ivi
ngsuchasmallcar
,Il
ovemySUV' s.

Istepinsi
dethekit
chenandthearomaoft hefoodMaNgobese
preparedfordi
nnerhi
tmynost r
il
s.Iam sal
iv
ati
ngalr
eady,
my
mot heri
sabeastintheki
tchen.I'
veevenputonsomeweight
si
nceImov edbackhome.Imustgetagy m membershi
ptokeep
i
nshape, Idon'
twanttoendupwi thapotbell
yandfl
abbyarms.
Wedon' twanttoscar
emaMohapi away.

"
Myf at
her'
swi
fe,
"shemov eshereyesfrom t
heTVt ome,wear
ing
abeauti
ful
smi
le.Cebi
sil
eisgorgeous.Shedoesn'
tl
ookherage,
shemat
uresl
i
kef
inewi
ne.

"Mybaby,
"Irol
lmyey
es.Shebet
ternotbabymei
nfr
ontof
Lemohangtomorr
ow.

I'
dcauti
onherbuttomor r
ow'spartyisasurpri
se.Zet
huwoul
dki
l
l
meifIspil
ledthebeansatthelastmi nut
e.We'vemanagedt
o
keepitasecretunt
ilnowandI'
m pr oudofall
ofus.

"
How'
sMv
elot
oday
?"Iaskandmamasmi
l
es.

"Shewokeupandt ookashower.Hadsomethi
ngt oeatandsat
withmeal i
ttl
e.I
'
mj ustgl
adshedi
dn'tl
ockher
selfint
he
bedroom."Isi
tdownnexttomymot herandpl
acemyheadonher
shoulder
.

"
That'
sgreat
,sheshouldn'
tal
l
owt hatpi
eceofshi
ttoboxher
whi
lehecarr
iesonwithhisot
hergirl
.
"Mamaheav esasi
gh.

"Sheaskedmet ogooutwithhertomor r
owni ght.Ijusthopethe
outi
ngwi ll
raiseherspi
ri
t.
"Iam proudofmysi ster,eventhough
she'
sgoi ngthroughsomethi
ngdeep, she'
snotdr oppingtheball
.
It
'sherjobtogetMaNgobeset othev enuetomor rowandf rom
whatmamai ssay i
ngshehasitcovered.Thisonenextt ome
won'tsuspectat hi
ng.

"Yeah,t
ryandbegr eatcompany .Pl
easedon'tmakejokesather
expense,I
'm gi
vi
ngy oupermissiontoroastmesoshecanl augh
andforgetherprobl
emsal it
tl
e."ShelaughsandIremov emy
headfrom hershoulder
.Ihadmymomma' sboyminuteandI'
m
goodnow.

"
Youar
eagr
eatbr
other
,Fanoo.
"Iknow,
Iknow.I
'
m oneofaki
nd.
"
Wher
eisshenow?Sl
eepi
ng?
"Iask.

"No,shet
ookyourcarandsai
dsheneededsomefr
eshair.
"I'
m
pret
tysur
eshe'
srunningl
astminut
eerr
andswit
hZethu.

Nothingbeat sashoweraf teralongdayatwor k,Ifeelr

efr
eshed
andr eadyfordi nnerandaf ewbeer swhi l
eIwat chTVwi thmy
mot her.I
'm goingt omissourr outi
nesonceIgetmyownpl ace.
I'
vebeendoi ngsomet hinkingandIbel i
evei t
'sti
meIl ef
thernest
again,notonl ybecauseI '
mt oooldtobel ivi
ngwi thmymot herbut
becauseIhav eMaMohapi nowandsomet imeswewi l
lwantt o
rel
axi ndoors.Aper sonalspacef orwhatI'm hopingtohav ewi t
h
herisanecessi ty
.Ishouldgett heestateagentIusedt osel l
my
houset oshowmeherl ist
ingandI '
llt
akeLemohangwi t
hmet o
helpchooset hebestone.Itwoul dbef un,everyt
hingwedo
togetherisal waysfunany way.

Myphoner ingsandIpickitupfrom ontopofthebedafter

putti
ngat -
shir
tovermyhead.I t
'saWhatsAppv i
deocal
lfrom
Lemohang, youshouldseemysmi leri
ghtnow.We'venevervideo
call
edbefore,I
'veal
way swantedtobutIdidn'
twanttoseem
creepy.I
'
m gladshe'stheonewhoopenedt hedoor
,Iwil
lalways
bev i
deocalli
ngher.

Iqui
cklyl
ookatmyf acei
nthemi
rr
orandI
'
m goodt
ogo.Icl
ear
mythroatandanswer.
"Whatal
ovel
ysurpr
ise,
"herbeaut
if
ulfaceappear
sonmyscr
een
butshel
ookspi
ssed.Oh,oh!WhatdidIdonow?

"
Arey
oucr
azy
?"Okay
,Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
hat
.

"What
everi
tis,
itwasn'
tme.
"Isayandsher
oll
sherey
es.She'
s
cut
ewhenshe'sseri
ous.

"Makhosini
,thegl
am squady
ousentmeme,
no,
pleaseno.
"What
aboutthem?

Idon'
tev enknowmuchaboutt heirser
vices,
Mvelotol
dmeabout
them andImadecontact,expl
ainedwhyIneededt hei
rser
vices,
paidtheirf
eeandsendthem Lemohang' snumbersotheycant al
k
dir
ectly
.

"What'
swrong,y
ounotafan?"Iam pani
cki
ngbuti
fshedoesn'
t
l
ikewhattheyof
fer
edI'
l
lcal
lZethuandgetanot
herartandcul
tur
e
squadtoworkonLemohangtomorrow.

"Idon'
tli
ketheirfee,howcoul
dy oupaythatcr
azyamountfor
somethingI'
m goi ngtowi
peoffattheendofthenight
?"Isi
ghin
rel
ief
.Ithoughtitwasmor eofthei
rworknotbeingwhatshe
expectednotthepr i
ce.

"Mysi
sterr
ecommendedt hem,
MaMohapi .Iam notpar
ti
cul
arl
y
fami
li
arwit
hthestandar
dfeeofgl
am squads."Isaymeekl
yand
shecl
oseshereyes.

"Themoneyi sjusttoomuchf ormyf aceandhai

r.
"Iunderst
and
thatshelovesherindependencebutI'mtheonewhoinvit
edher
tomymot her
sbirthdaypart
ysoi t
'smyjobtomakesureshehas
everyt
hingsheneedsf ortheevent.
"You'vespendallt
hismoneyonmeandIhaven'
tev
engotteny
ou
anything.
"Iwishshecoul
dunder
standt
hatmoneyisnota
problem forme.

"
YouboughtmelunchonMonday
,"It
ryt
oli
ght
ent
hemoodandi
t
wor
ksbecauseshechuckl
e.

"
Thatdoesn'tcountbutokay
,"t
hat
'swhatIwantt
oseeont
hat
f
ace,asmile.

"Weshouldreall
ystoparguingovermoney ,
Icanaffor
dthet
hings
Idoforyou.Pleaseunderst
andthis,
please.
"Shejustnodst
hen
yawns.

"
Hect
icday
?"Iaskandsheshakesherhead.

"
I'
m notusedtobei
nghomeonFri
days,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo
wi
thmy sel
f.
"Ohyes,shet
ookt
odayandtomor
rowoff
.

Shedi
dn'twantt
ocomet
omymot
her
spar
tyt
ir
edf
rom wor
king
al
lni
ght.

I
nallhonest
y,Ihatethatshe'
sworki
ngatthatcl
ub.Iwoul
doff
er
herajobatmyof f
icebutduri
ngthedayshe'
satschoolandwe
don'
tworkonweekends.

"Iappreciat
eyoutaki
ngtimeof fworktocometomymot her
s
party,i
tmeansalot."Shesmiles,movi
ngherheadrhythmical
ly
from sidetosi
dewithcrossedeyes.Shecandefi
nit
elybegoofy
somet i
mes.Ili
keallshadesofLemohangMohapi .I
tsneveradull
momenti nNanav
ill
e.

"
That
'swhatf
ri
endsar
efor
,ev
ent
heoneswhoi
nfl
uenceeach
ot
herbadl
y.
"Ibl
owheraki
ss.

"So,
howdidyouandtheglam squadconclude?
"Iaskl
yi
ngonmy
bed,pul
l
ingmylegsupandplacingmyleftankl
eonmyr i
ghtknee.

"Uhm,Ishowedthem mydressandshoessot heycanhavean

i
deaofhowt obeatmyf aceandthekindofhairthatwi
llgobest
withit
.Wechoseabobsot hebackofthedresscanshine.
"She
explai
nsandthelastpar
thasmydi cktwi
tchi
ng.

IrememberhowsexyshelookedandhowbadIwantedtorunmy
fi
ngerdownherspi
ne.Lemohangisacompl
etepackage.

"
Thatsoundsgood.Wehavetobeatthevenueat6pm,I'
l
lbeat
y
ourapart
mentat5ish.
"Shenodsandtakesasipofherj
uice.

"
I'
ll
ber
eadyandwai
ti
ng.
"Shesay
sexci
tedl
y.

"
Where'
sUndiphi
le?"Ipr
olongt
heconv
ersat
ionbecauseIdon'
t
wantt
hiscal
ltoend.

"
Shei
satherboy
fri
endshouse,
"

"That
'sgood,atl
eastt
heyfixedthi
ngs."Shenodsvigor
ousl
y.On
Wednesdayaf t
ergett
inghershoes,Iaskedthatwegograb
somet hi
ngtoeatbutshesaidshehast orushbackhomet obe
withUndiphi
l
ebecauseshe' sgoi
ngthroughsomethingwit
hher
boyfr
iendandhissist
er.

"Iam r
eli
ved,t
heywer
ebothsuff
eri
ng.Thoset
oolov
eeachot
her
somuch,"I'
dbehonor
edtoloveyou,MaMohapi
.

Isayt
omy
sel
f.

"
Yeah,
lov
eal
way
sfi
ndsaway
."Imut
ter
.
Aknockcomest
hroughmydoor
,di
stur
bingus.

"
Nana,
li
stenIhav
etogo.Letmecal
lyouback.
"Shenods.

"
Cool
,
"Ihangupandsi
tupst
rai
ght
.

"
Comei
n,
"

Mv elowal ksi
n,shel ooksbet terthant hepastfewday s.She
throwsmycarkey satmeandIcat chthem.Shecl osesmydoor
andst epsoutofherhi ghheelst hencl imbonmybed.Il i
edown
nexttoherandcl aspherhand, sheheav esasighandwest ayi
n
sil
ence, comfortablesilencethati s.Sher ol
l
sov erandrestsher
headonmychest ,remi ndingmeoft hegoodoldday s.Whenwe
wer eyoungshewasaf raidofsleepi ngalone,ourparentswould
sleepwi thherintheirbedr oom andonceshewassl eepingdeep,
babawoul dmov ehert oherbedr oom.Mv el
owoul dcomet omy
room whenshewakesupi nthemi ddleofthenightandf i
nd
herselfaloneinherr oom.I twasannoy i
ngatfir
stbutIendedup
getti
ngaddi ct
edt ooursnuggl es.Wegr ewcloserbecauseof
them.

"
Thanksf
orget
ti
ngmycarf
ixed,
"shesay
sandIki
ssherf
orehead.

"
Don'
tment
ioni
t.Howar
eyout
oday
?"Iaskandheheav
esasi
gh.

"St
il
lfeel
li
keshi
t.Ican'
tbeli
evehedidthattome,IthoughtSi
pho
andIhadsomethingrealbutIguessIwasjustget
ti
ngplayed.
"I
ti
ghtenmyarmsar oundher.
"Hedoesn'
tdeserveyouandtr
ustmewhenIsayhewi ll
regr
et
everpl
ayi
ngyoulikethi
s.Youareanamazingwoman,cryal
lyou
wantandmakesur ethatwhenyouwipeyourf
aceyounevercry
overhi
m agai
n."Shescreamsatthet
opofherlungsandIal
most
thr
owhertothewal l
.

"
Damni
t,Mv
elo!
"Sher
oar
swi
thl
aught
er.

"
I'
m sor
ry,sorr
ybhuti
."Ismackmyl
i
psandmydoorbur
stsopen.
Whocall
edt hecops?

"
Yini
?'MaNgobeseasks,
pani
cki
ng.

Wesi
tupstr
aightandMv
eloi
sst
il
ll
aughi
ngatmyr
eact
ion,
she'
s
ev
ent
eari
ngup.Mxm!

I
t'
snotf
unny
,Ial
mosthadahear
tat
tack.

Ipl
acemyhandonmychestandf
eel
myhear
tpoundi
nghar
d.

"Yourdaught
erj
ustfel
tli
kescr
eami
ng,
"It
ell
ourmot
herwho
exhalest
henrel
axes.

"I
'
m sor
rybutIf
eel
awhol
elotbet
ter
,"shesay
sandIgetof
fthe
bed.

"Atl
eastthatwasn'tf
ornothi
ng."Isayandt
akemyphonet
ogo
plugitonthechargerbythedesk.

"
Whati
fIf
ell
whil
erunningupthest
air
sandbr
okeal
eg?I
magi
ne
mei
nacast,
Jehovah.
"Ichuckl
e.

Mymot
heri
ssuchadr
amaqueen.

"
Comedownst
air
s,I
'
m goi
ngt
odi
shup.
"MaNgobesesay
s.
"
Wewi
l
lber
ightdownma,
"-Mv
elo.

Cebi
sil
ewal
ksoutandshut
sthedoor
.

Mysi sterpat
sthespacenexttoherandIfrown, mamasai
dwe
shouldcomeeatnotsnugglesomemor e,
butbecauseshe's
goingt hr
oughsomethi
ngI'l
lgi
veherwhatev ershewant
s.Il
ie
backi nbedandsherestsherheadonmychestagai n.

I
'
dkill
toholdLemohangi
nmyar msl
i
ket
his,
tokissherfor
ehead
r
epeatedl
yasIli
stent
ohert
ell
i
ngmemoreabouthersel
f.

"
Thegi
rly
ouwerewi t
honMonday ,i
ssheyourplusonefor
t
omorr
ow."SheasksandIchuckl
e.Iwaswait
ingforthatquest
ion.

"
Yes,
hernamei
sLemohang.
"It
ell
her
.

"I
ssheyourgi
rl
fri
end?
"Yesshei
s,j
ustnott
heoney
out
hinki
ngof
.
Isayt
omy sel
f.

"
Wear enoti
naromanti
crel
ati
onshi
p,wear
ejustf
ri
ends.
"She
t
it
ter
sthensmacksherl
ips.

"
Comeon,
Makhosi
ni.Iwon'
ttel
lany
one.
"I'
m notl
yi
ngt
hough.

"
I'
m bei
ngseri
ous,
wearej
ustf
ri
ends.
"Shegetsupfr
om ontopof
mychestandl
ooksdownonmewithherf
oreheadcr
eased.

"Shefri
endzonedy
ou?"Ishakemyheadthensi
tupst
rai
ght
,
balanci
ngmybackagainstt
heheadboar
d.

"
No,
wear
efr
iends.
"She'
snotbuy
ingmyst
ory
."Okay
,Mv
elo.Il
i
ke
LemohangandIwanttohavesomethi
ngwi t
hherbutshe'
snot
readyandIdon'
twanttor
ushher
.SoI'
llkeepbei
ngherfri
endand
hopeshefall
sformetoowit
hti
me."Il
ayitdownforherandshe
smiles.

"
Lookatyoureyestwi
nkl
ing,
"Il
ookaway,t
ryi
ngsohar
dtokeep
myli
psfrom cur
li
nguptoform asmi
l
e.Ican'
thav
eMv el
oseei
ng
meblush.

"Shedef
init
elywi
l
lfal
lfory
oubr
o,y
ouar
eacat
ch.
"That
's
encour
aging.

_
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___
___
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_

PLEASENOTETHATIWONTBETAKINGSPONSORSHI
PSUNTI
L
FURTHERNOTI
CE.MYEYESARESTRAI
NED.
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER40

SPONSOREDBYFI
GHTERTHEREADER

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Tearsareburningmyey esasIst areatmy sel

finthemi rror,Ican'
t
beli
evethi
sisme.I '
v eneverl ookedsogl amor ousinmyl i
fe.This
wholeoutfi
tremi ndsmeoft hepai nIfeltwhenIcoul dn'tatt
end
mymat ri
cdance, myuncl et oldmei twasanunnecessar y
expense.Ihadt ounder standbecausei twasn'thisresponsibili
ty
topayformor ethanheal readywas, Imeant hemanhadhi sown
chi
ldrentoprovidef or.Myownpar entscouldn'tcar
el esssoI
couldn'
texpectot herpeopl et ostepupf orme.

"
Youbet
ternotl
ett
hoset
ear
sfal
l
,"t
heMUAwar
nsmeandIl
augh.

Il
ookupandfanmyfacewithbothmyhands,
hopi
ngt
het
ear
s
wi
llgobackandnotr
uint
hisper
fectmakeup.

"Youlookgorg,babydoll
.
"Diva, t
hehairstyl
istcomplimentsme
forthemill
i
onthtime.Hedoesn' thol
dbackandIl ovehimfori
t.
HeandKabel o,mymanagerar etwodiff
erentbreedsofgaymen,
Kabeloisnotoutther
e,hestil
l wearsman'scl ot
hesandonceina
whilewomanatt heclubhitonhi m.Di
vaont heotherhandisa
gir
lygir
l.Makeup,manicure,handbags,thewor ks.Heisbeaut
if
ul
andhisbodymustconf useal otofstr
aightman.
"Thankyoubabe,"Ilookbackinthemi rr
orandthisti
meIsmile.
Thisdressl
ooksr eallygoodandthehighheeledsandal
sIhave
onmakesmel ookt all
erandsexi
er.IknowI'
m Grootman
Lemohangmostoft heti
mebutImustconf essthatIcl
eanup
prett
ygood.Icouldmakeanappear anceontherealhousewi
ves.

"Yourmanisgoi
ngtoloosehismi ndwhenheseesyou,
"they
mustberefer
ri
ngtoMakhosini.Ishoul
dcor
rectt
hem bef
orethey
gooutther
eandstar
trumours.

"
Oh.
..
uhm meandMakhosi
niar
en'
tac.
..
"

Icoul
dn'
tfi
nishmysentencebecausehi
svoi
cest
art
lesme,
makingmyst omachf
lutt
erl
ikecrazy
.

"Total
lyinsane,
"weallpiv otandfindhim walki
ngt owar dsusin
thelounge.Igaspforairandpl aceonehandonmyst omach.He
l
ookshandsomei nabl ackt uxedo,cr
ispwhiteshirtandabl ack
bowt ie.Whyam Iachingbet weenmyl egs?Iquicklyclearmy
throatbecausehe'
sjusti nchesawayf rom me,lordhesmel l
sso
good.

"Idi
dn'
thearyouknock,
"that
'st
hebestIcoul
ddo.Mybr
aini
s
suddenl
yfoggy.

"Youl
ookabsol
utel
ybreat
htaki
ng,
Nana.Whatabeaut
yto
behol
d."Hesay
ssoftl
y.

Hi
svoi
cemel
odi
cinmyear
s.

Whyishemakingmesoshy ?I
'
vespendt
imewi
tht
hisman
bef
oreandhe'
sneveraf
fect
edmesomuch.
"Thanky ou,you'l
ll
ookgoodnexttome, "Isayandhelaughs.He
alway sfindswhatIsayfunnyandsomet i
mesIt hi
nkhe'
sjust
exagger ati
ngit,
butnowhehasbackupf rom t
hepeoplehehired
totransformt hesimpl
egirlf
rom Sebokengint
oaMi ssworld
fi
nalist.

"
Damnr
ightLemo,
you'
l
lmakehi
m shi
ne.
"Di
vasay
swi
thsass.

Iwasobviousl
yjustj
oki
ng,
Makhosinii
sahandsomeman,
he
doesn'
tneedmet omakehim shi
ne.

"Youl
ookamazi
ngbutther
e'sonl
yonet
hingleftt
il
lyou'
re
compl
etel
yper
fect
,"hesay
sandmyconfidencediesimmedi
atel
y.

Icoul
dneverbeper
fect
,what
everhe'
sref
err
ingt
oit
'sobv
iousI
don'
thav
eit.

Hecupsmychi
n,hi
sey
esf
ull
ofpani
c.

"
Hey,hey.Ididn'
tmeant hati
nabadway .Ijustgotyousomething
t
ocompl et
et helook,Idesignedthem f
ory ouandt heguysatthe
f
act
orywor kedoni tandt heycameoutexact lyhowIenvisi
oned."
Heexplai
nsandr eli
effloodsthroughme.

"What,
whatisit
?"Herel
axesandreachesforthei
nsi
depocketof
hisbl
azer,
comingbackwit
hav al
vetbox.Igaspwhenmyey es
l
andont hesnowfl
akedesi
gndiamondstuds,ohmyGodtheyar e
sopret
ty.

"Youmeanyoumadet
hesef
orme?
"Myv
oicei
str
embl
i
ng.Whyi
s
hesosweet
?

"
Yeah,
Ihadst
onesi
nmysaf
esoIputt
hem t
ogooduse.Theywi
l
l
l
ookpret
tyonyourear
sthanthedar
knessofmysaf
e."Theywer
e
saf
eri
ntheret
hanmyear s.

Imeanthi
sisJohannesbur
g.Butsti
ll
,Iappreci
atet
hathemade
thesef
orme.Ihaveneverf
eltsoappreci
ated.Noonehasever
goneoutoft
heirwayformeliket
his.

"Youaresoromanti
c.You'
vesett
hebarhi
ghforanymanwho'
s
goingtoapproachme.
"Whoevergav
ehimthenameDivagoti
t
absolut
elyr
ight.

"Nev
erset
tl
eforl
ess.
"Makhosi
nisay
stohi
m wi
thanamused
smil
e.

"Nana,
mayI ?"HeasksandInodv
igorousl
y.Heputstheear
nings
onmyear sandItur
nbacktothef
ulll
engthmir
ror,
looki
ngatthe
perf
ectearr
ingsonmyears.

"Canyout
akeapi
ctureofusplease,
"IaskDiv
aandheholdsout
hishandf
ormetogiv
ehim myphone, Ihandi
ttohi
m andand
l
inkmyarmtoMakhosini
'sbef
oremov ingtot
hewal
ltoposefor
thecamer
a.

"I
'
m sorry,
Undi
phil
esai
dIshoul
dtakeapi
ctur
eassoonasy
ou
arr
ived.
"Hechuckl
es.

"
Pleasesnapsomewit
hmyphonet
oo,
"Makhosi
niaskst
heMUA
whowaspackingupherst
aff
.

.
Makhosiniparksatthevenueandi t
'spackedwi t
hexpensivecars,
thi
spartyisdefini
tel
yattendedbyt hewho'swhoof
Johannesburg.Iwascalm andr eadyt oenj
oyt hepart
ybutright
nowI'm nerv
ousashel l,
apar tofmewant stoaskMakhosi nito
dri
vemebackhomebutIwon' tbecausethisisimportantf
orhim.
Heclimbsoutt hecarasIcheckmyf aceonthecompactmi r
ror.
Mydooropensshor tl
yafterandIqui cklypackawayt hecompact
i
nmycl utch.Adeepbr eathandIt akeMakhosi ni
'shandandst ep
outoftheUrus.Ithinkhecansenset hatI
'm nervoussohe
squeezesmyhandandwesl owlywal ktotheent r
anceofthe
hugevenue.

Itl
ookslikewej uststeppedbacki nt
othe1920'
s,thispl
acelooks
amazing.Therear efeathers,pear
ls,
champagnefountains,
huge
chandel
iersandal iveband.Makhosi ni
andhissi
blingsreal
ly
wentalloutfortheirmot her.Thi
swholethi
ngmusthav ecostan
arm andal eg,
butf orawomanwhor ai
sedthem welli
t'
snothing.

Al
leyesareonus,Iam scaredI
'
llmissastepandembar rass
myself
.Cantheyj
ustlookawayandr et
urntotheirgawki
ngwhen
i
t'
sjustMakhosi
ni,
Iknowi t
'shi
mt heyarest
aringat.

"Youjustmadepeoplest
opandst ar
e,"hesay
sandmov eshi
s
handtot hesmall
ofmyback,touchi
ngmyski nandmakingt
hose
accesselectr
onssendfi
ret
hroughoutmybody .

"
Iam ast
arbaby
,"Ij
okeandhechuckl
es.
Hear
inghi
mlaughsocaref
reemakesmer el
axali
tt
le.He'
sst
il
l
t
hesameMakhosini
,ev
eninaroom ful
lofmill
i
onai
res.

West opandgr eetaf ewpeopleal ongthewaybuti t'

sbr i
efandI
don'tfeeloutofpl ace,notali
ttl
e.Iam thankfulthatMakhosi ni
organizedmet heout fi
tandtheglam, i
fIwentshoppi ngonmy
owni twouldhav eshownbecauseIwoul dn'tbelookingt hepart
.
Makhosi nigrabst wochampagnecoupesf rom t
hewai t
ress
passingus, hehandsmeoneandIt akeasi p.Il
ookar oundand
peoplear econv ersi
ng,laughi
ngandenj oyingthefreef l
owing
champagne.Inot icethebarfurtherdownt heroom, Ihopet hey
hav etheDonJul i
o1942, it
'st
hegot odri
nksinceImetMakhosi ni,
event houghIonl ydrinkitwhenI '
m wit
hhim.Icoul dn'tpossibl
y
afforditall
onmyown.

"YouknowIneverwenttomymatr
icdance,
"henarr
owshi
seyes.
"Yourmot
her'
spartywil
lser
veast
hatformetoni
ght.
"Hel
aughs
andnods.

"Butyoudoknowthatshi
thappensatt
hosedancesr
ight
?"I
squintmyeyes.

"Whatdoyoumeanbyshi
thappens?
"Hebi
teshi
slowerl
i
pand
scr
uncheshi
snose.

Whati
shet
hinki
ng?

"Uhm well
,becauset heyareatt
endedbyt eenager
swhoarehappy
tohavethefreedom f ortheni
ght.Theytendtogooutof
char
acteranddot hi
ngst heywouldn'
tnormall
ydo."Isi
pmydri
nk
andgivehim ami schievousgri
n.
"I
'
vedonethi
ngsIwoul
dn'
tnor
mall
ydosinceImetyou.
"He
scof
fsandangl
eshi
seyebr
ow.Helookssohandsome.

"I
fy ouwanttot
urnmymother'
sbir
thdaypar
tyi
ntoyourmat r
ic
dancet heny
ou'
llhavet
odosomethingcr
azydur
ingoraftert
his
party,
"whyishegivi
ngmeadari
nglook?Makhosini
issuchbad
i
nfluence.

Acoupl eapproachesus, weari

ngthebi ggestgrinsontheirfaces.
Theylookf amil
iar,
IswearI'veseenthem bef orebutIcan'tpointa
fi
ngeratt hemoment .Thel
adyistallandgor geous,weari
nga
shortoffshouldertasseldr
esswi t
hgol dheels.Herpartneris
wearingat ux,j
ustli
keMakhosi ni
.Theyst opinfrontofusand
greet,boththei
reyesonme, i
t'
sli
keI '
mf ascinati
ngthem or
somet hing,whi
chmakesmeuncomf or
table.IlookatMakhosi ni
andhi snarrowinghiseyesatthem inawar ningmanner .

"Hi
,I'
m Zethu,
thi
sismyhusbandGat
sha.
"Thel
adysay
shol
ding
outherhand.

Ishakeherandcl
earmyt
hroat
.

Mynerv
esfrom earl
i
erareback,
myst
omachhasknot
sandI
'
m
af
rai
dI'
m goi
ngt osweatandrui
nmymakeup.

"Nana,
thisi
smybrotherandhiswif
e.Guyst
hisi
sLemohang,a
goodfri
endofmi
ne."Iam grat
eful
thathedi
dthei
ntr
oduct
ion.

"
Youar
egor
geous,
goodGod.
"Ismi
l
eandswal
l
owt
hehugel
ump
i
nmyt hr
oat.Theydon'
tl
ookl
ikebadpeopl
e,Imi
ghtaswell
just
r
elax,aft
erallIhav
eMakhosi
niher
ewithme,not
hingcango
wrong.

"Thanks,y
oual
sol
ookamazi
ng.
"It
hankGodt
hatmyv
oicecame
outalri
ght
.

"So,
Lemohang.Wheredidyoumeett
hisbi
ghead?
"Gat
shaasks
andlookatMakhosi
nil
aughing.

"Bi
gisanunderstat
ement ,
"hisbr otherist
hrownintoaf i
tof
l
aughter
.Il
ookatMakhosi ni andhi sjawisonthefloor."
Butt
hat
's
goodbecauseit
'sfi
ll
edwi t
habr ainthatact
uall
ywor ksand
comesupwi t
hgoodi deas."Itrytosal v
agethesit
uation.

"Thatwasagoodsav e,
"Gat
shasaysandIpeckMakhosi
ni'
s
cheek.Thatseemstodothetr
ickbecauseal
li
sfor
got
tenand
he'ssmil
ingli
keacheshi
recat
.

Wai
t,howdi
dIbecomesocomf
ort
abl
ethi
squi
ckl
y?

"Wellbr
o,t
oansweryourearl
ierquest
ion.Lemohangi sthesweet
l
adywhot ookmet oherapar
tmentwhent hosegirl
sleftme
unconsci
ousatthecl
ub."Ir
ememberhowpi ssedmycol leagues
wereathim.Butsomethi
ngtoldmet ohelphim,li
tt
ledidIknow
we'dbegoodfri
ends.

"
Thanky ouforl
ooki
ngoutf
ormybr
othert
hatday,
nkosazana.
Otherpeopl
ewouldhav
elef
thi
minthestr
eet
s."Ij
ustnod.

"
It
'sreal
lyni
cet
oknowt hatgoodpeoplesti
ll
existinthiscr
uel
worl
d,mayGodblessyouforthatactofki
ndness,"Zethusays
meeklyandIof
ferherapoli
tesmil
e.
Themusi
cstopsplayi
ngandever
yonelookst
othest
agewher
ea
l
adywear
ingasuit
,withanearpi
eceandatabl
eti
nherhandi
s
st
andi
ngi
nf r
ontofthemic.

"Ladi
esandgent l
eman, thepersonwear ecelebr
ati
ngtoni
ghthas
j
ustar r
ived,theyareparkingthei
rcaraswespeak.Canweal l
l
ookt owar dstheentranceandsi nghappybirt
hdayassoonas
shewal ksin."Sheannouncesandt hecr
oweddoesn'tmakea
soundast heyshi
fttheireyestotheentrance.

"I
'
llj
ustbeami nut
e,st
ayri
ghther
e."Makhosi
nisay
sandf
oll
ows
hi
sbrotherandhiswif
etotheent
rance.

I
'ml eftstandi ngal onebuti t
'snotawkwar dbecausepeopl earen'
t
payingat tentiont ome.Ther oom issoqui et,
onewoul dswear
therearen' taboutahundr edandf if
tytot wohundredguest s
occupy i
ngi t,r
ichpeopl ecangetahol doft hemselvesshame.A
waitresspassesbymeandIgr abanothercoupeofchampagne,
thi
swi llbemyl astuntilIhavesomet hingtoeat.I
'm start
ledwhen
peoplest ar tsinginghappybi rt
hday,Ialmostspill
edadr inkonmy
dress.Ishi fttot heleftsoIhav eful
lv i
ewoft heentrance.

Awomani nawhi tedr essandf urshoulderthrowi sl

aughingwi t
h
Makhosi ni
andhi ssi blings,
Iguesst hat'sMrs.Lukhele.Shelooks
wayy oungert hat60, shemustr eall
yt akecareofherself.Iwatch
herhugherchi l
dr enonebyone, sheendswi thMakhosi niand
whent heyletgoofeachot herhewi pesat earsfrom hismother'
s
eyes.Theguest sgetdonewi t
ht hesingingandt hebandst ar
ts
pl
ay i
ngagai n.Ev eryonegoesbackt otheirconversat
ionswhile
ot
her
sfl
ockt
othebi
rt
hdaygi
rl
.

"Sor
ryforleavi
ngyoual
one,
"Makhosini
saysfr
om behi
ndme.He
haddisappearedwit
hhi
ssibl
ingsandIcoul
dn'
tspothi
m
anywhereintheroom.

"I
t'
sokay,t
hisbabyher
ekeptmecompany."Isayrai
singmy
champagnecoupe,i
t'
smythir
dbytheway.IsaidIwasgoi ngt
o
stopatt
hesecondbutIwasjustst
andi
ngthereli
keat hi
ef,
neededsomethingt
okeepmebusy .

He'sl
ookingatmeintensely,
hiseyessayi
ngsomethingIwi
shI
under
stood.It
hinkIdobutapar tofmedoesn'twanttobel
i
evei
t.
Imeanhei sMakhosiniLukhel
eandI'mjust.
..
Me.

"Idon'
tthi
nkI'
veev
ermetawomanmor
ebeaut
if
ul,
"hesay
sandI
holdmybr eat
h.

HowdoIr
eactt
othat
?Iswal
l
owandt
akeadeepbr
eat
h.

"
Thanky
ou,
"myv
oicecomesouthoar
sel
y.

"
Comel et
'sgosi
tdown,
"hetakesmyhandandl
eadsmet
othe
f
rontt
ablewhereal
lhi
ssi
bli
ngsare.

Hismot heri
sstill
talki
ngtoagroupofwomanbythecakestand.
Hepullsoutachai rformeandIsett
ledown.Hi
syoungersi
ster
,
Mv el
oisonmyl eft
.Shelooksabsol
utel
yst
unni
ng,butI
'
m sure
shealway sdoes.
"
Hi,
youmustbeLemohang.
"Shesay
s.

I
'm gladthatshe'
snotbr
eaki
ngdownbecauseofwhatthatguy
didtoher.Iwasheartbr
okenforherwhenMakhosi
nit
oldme
whathappenedonMonday .Somemenshouldjustbeburnedand
forgott
en.

"Yes,andyou'
reMv
elo?
"Ial
readyknowt
hatbutI
'
mtr
yingt
omake
conversat
ion.

"Yep,t
hereonewhowascr yingoveramanonMonday ,
"she
chucklesandI'
mleftawkward,shedi
dn'thav
etobri
ngthatup.I
wasn'tgoingt
olookatherfunnybecauseofit
.Herr
eacti
onwas
onlyhuman.

"
Youst
il
ll
ookedpr
ett
ycr
ying.
"Shel
aughsgenui
nel
yandIsmi
l
e.

"That'
sgoodtoknow,IthoughtIhadtheKim Kcryi
ngface.
"
Makhosini
'ssi
bli
ngsareeasygoing.Ihonest
lyt
houghtthey'
dbe
stuckupandacti
ngsuperiorbecauseofthei
rst
atusbuttheyar
e
real
lygoodpeopl
e.

"Whatareyout
wot al
ki
ngabout?
"Il
ookatMakhosi
nionmyr
ight
andhe'ssocal
m andrel
axed.

I
tsgoodt oseet hathe'ssti
l
lthesameper sonevenwhenhe' s
amongsthi speople.Iam abouttoanswerwhenMakhosi ni'seyes
widen,l
ikehe'sseeingaghost .Itur
ntoseewhathe'
sl ookingat
butit
'sonlyagor geouswomani nagoldl
ongdress,hercleavage
i
sdoi ngthemost .

"
Heyev
ery
one,
"she'
sabubbl
yper
son.
Makhosi
nihuf
fsandleansbackonhischai
r.Mvelol
ooksather
br
otherwi
thpl
eadingeyesandI'
ml ef
tconf
used,who'
sthi
sgirl
?
WhyisshemakingMakhosinisouncomfor
tabl
e.

"
Heyf
ri
end,
"Mv
elogr
eet
sherback.

"I
'
m sorryI
'
ml at
e,Igothel
dupatthehospit
al.
"Thecleavagelady
says."
Letmegogetsomet hi
ngtodrinkandI'
l
lberightback.
"She
standsupandheadstothebarf
urtherdowntheroom.

"
Mvel
o,why
?"Makhosi
niasks.

Hi
ssi
steri
sshaki
ngherhead.

"
Idi
dn'tknowshe'
ll
becoming,wehav
en'
tspokeninawhi l
e.I
t
houghtshewasgoingt
ositthi
soneout
,IswearIwoul
dhav e
war
nedy oui
fIknewshewascoming.
"Shequickl
yexpl
ains.

"
Justmakesur
eRatanangst
aysi
nherl
ane,
"Gat
shasay
sfi
rml
y
f
rom acr
osst
hetabl
e.

"I
'
llgotal
ktoherri
ghtnow,
"cansomebodytel
lmewhythi
sladyis
causi
ngsuchfri
cti
on.Il
ookatMakhosi
niandheheav
esasigh.

"
Ipr
omisetoexpl
ain,
MaMohapi
."Hesay
sev
enbef
oreIcanget
t
hequest
ionoutofmymout
h.

"
Issheyourex?
"Hesi
tsupst
rai
ghtandt
akesmyhand,
brushi
ng
myknuckl
es.

"No,she'
snotanex.Ihaven'tbeeninarel
ati
onshipsinceIgot
divor
ced,Nana.Ipr
omisey ou,
"whydidIgetrel
ieveduponhearing
thosewords,what'
swrongwi thme?Makhosiniisn'
tmineand
whetherhehasdatedafterhisdiv
orceornoti
sn'tmybusiness.I
shouldstopact
ingl
i
keajealousgir
lf
ri
end,f
ir
stl
yitwashi
ssi
ster
attheclubnowthel
adywithacleavage.

Af t
erlongspeechesandasl ideshowof Mr s.Lukhele'spictures
from whenshewasababyt i
llnow, wear efinall
yenj oyingour
mai ncourse, i
t'
sabsolutel
ydel i
cious.Thisist hefir
sttimeIcame
toapar tythathasamenu.Bot hstartersandmai nshadt hree
optionstochoosef r
om.Iwant edtotr yever
y t
hingbutt hi
sisn'ta
tasti
ngev entbutbecauseMr .LukheleandIar einsy ncwe
ordereddifferentthi
ngsandhadhal fofeach.Thatseemedt o
amusehi ssi bli
ngs,l
ookswer egoi ngar oundt hetable.Miss
cleavagewhosenameIpi ckedupt obeRat anangdi dn'tseem
pleasedwi thmeandMakhosi ni.Idon'tknowwhatherpr oblem is
orwhyshe' smaki ngthisonenextt omeuncomf ortable.

Thepar tyisinf ul
lswingnow, t
hecr owedisr owdybutgood
natured.Ev eryoneisunderthei nfl
uenceofwhat everpoisonthey
havei ntheirglasses.Makhosi niwenttohiscart ogetusabot tl
e
ofDonJul i
o1942becauset heydidn'thaveitatthebar.It'
s
wor ki
ngonmebecauseIj ustsatdownaf t
erdanci ngwi t
h
Makhosi ni
foracoupl eofmi nutes.Icanonl ydancewhenIhav e
alcohol courage.Itakeasipofmyt aquilainagl assthenasi pof
redbul lstr
aightfrom thecan.Makhosi niisdanci ngwithhismom,
theyar esocut e.Hewant edt ointr
oducemet ohismot herbutI
wasn'tcomf
ort
abl
e,keptonsay
ingi
nami
nut
e,hopef
ull
yI'
l
lav
oid
i
tti
llweleav
e.

"He'
sper
fectr
ight?
"Thequesti
oncat
chesmebysurpri
se.Il
ook
tomylef
tandfindRat
ananglooki
ngatMakhosi
nit
oo.What'
sher
deal
?

"
Nah,
hecan'
tbeper
fect
.He'
sonl
yhuman.
"Shel
aughs.

"
Arey
out
her
easonhebl
ewmeof
f?"If
rownandsi
tupst
rai
ght
.

"
I'
m sorr
y,Idon'
tunder
standyourquesti
on."Shechuckl
esand
wrapsherwellmani
curedfi
ngeraroundthechampagnecoupe.

"Wewer ev i
bing,oursexlifeamazingandonedayhej ustdecided
thatI'
mt oobor i
ng.Becar eful
,helookscalm andsoftbuthe'sa
snake.Hewi lluseyouandwhenhe' sdonehewi l
ll
eaveyoudr y.
"I
blinkacoupleoft i
mesandmyheadr ushestoMabutho.I'
m
suddenlyfeeli
nghot ,
Iquicklygetonmyf eetandgrabmycl utch
from ontopoft hetable.Hur r
yingt
othebat hroom.

Ther e'sal adywashi ngherhandswhenIgeti nthebathroom.I'

m
pant i
ng, tearsarebur ni
ngmyey esandmyt hroatisdry.I
sshe
ri
ghtaboutMakhosi ni
?Isheonl ypretendi ngtobeagoodguy ?Is
thi
st her easonwhyhe' ssouncomf ortablewi t
hRat anangbei
ng
ont hesamet ableasus?Tot hinkIwasf all
i
ngf orhim,God.He
wasj ustgoingt ousemet hesameway ,Ishouldhav eknownthat
hewast oogoodt obet r
ue.Thel adyIf oundi nherewalksoutbut
Mv elowal ksin,Iheaveasighanddr opmyhead.
"Whatdidshesayt
oyou?"SheasksandIswal
l
owpassedthe
hugedrylumpinmythr
oat.It
ell
herandshel
aughs,
notamused
butannoyed.

"Idon'
tunder
standwhyshe'sl
yi
ngbuti
tdi
dn'
thappenli
kethat
,
Lemohang."Inarr
owmyey esandf
oldmyarms,wai
ti
ngforherto
conti
nue.

"
Thenhowdi
dithappen?
"Myheadi
sspi
nni
ng,
I'
m dr
unk.

"Well,It
riedset ti
ngt hem upbutMakhosi nidi
dn'twantany thi
ngto
dowi thit
.OnedayRat anangwasv i
siti
ngmeatt hehouse.I
hadn'ttakenmyshowersoIqui ckl
yr ushedtofreshenupbutshe
wentupst airstoMakhosi ni'
sroom, shegotonherknees, blew
him andgav ehim sex. "Mv elothrowsherheadbackandgr oans.
"Makhosi ni couldhav esai dnobuti twasamomentofweakness
forhim.Af ewday safterthewhol ethingmybr otherexplainedto
Ratanangt hatnothingcanhappenagai nbutshedi dn'
ttaket hat
verywel l
."Whydi dshel ielikethatbackatt hetable?She'snut s
forsure.Makhosi ni'
sdi ckmustbebomb.

Wewal koutandoft hebat hr

oom andmyey esl
andont hem at
thefart abl
e,theyareobv i
ousl
yhavinganargument .Makhosi ni
l
ooksr eall
ypissed,IglanceatMv el
oandshe' sboil
ingwi thanger
too.Shel eavesmest andinghere,r
ushingtothecornert abl
e
wher eherbr otherandf r
iendareargui
ng.Shedoesn' tsay
anythingwhensheget sthere,shej
usttakesRatanangbyherar m
andpul lsherawayf rom Makhosi ni
.Itakeadeepbr eathand
sl
owlymakemywaytohim,he'
snowsitt
ingdown,
hisheadpl
ace
onthet
abl
e.Oural
cohol
isnowatthi
stable.

Irememberwhathesai dear l
ieraboutgetti
ngupt onogood
becauset hisismy" matricdance"andaf terhear i
ngwhatt hat
Ratananggi rldi
dwi thhi m Iwantt oeraseev er
ymemor yofher .I
don'tknowwhyj ealousyt akesov ermewheni tcomest othisman
who'snotev enmi ne.Ilookar oundandnoonei spayingat t
ention
tothisisol atedtablebyt hecor ner.Iwalkaroundandt hewal l
is
hidi
ngmef r
om thecr owed, Igetonmykneesandcr awl undert he
tabl
e.Ipl acemyhandsonhi skneesandhepushesbackandt he
tabl
ecl othi spulledup, hisfacepeepi ngundert hetabletosee
what '
sgoi ngon.Hef r
ownswhenheseesmebutI 'mintoxicated
anddr i
v enbyj ealousy,I'm goingtoseet histhrough.Ev enthough
Ihaven'tdonei tbefore,I'
vewat chedi t
.

"
Nana,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngundert
het
abl
e?"He'
sconf
used.

"
Someonetol
dmet hatshi
thappensatmatr
icdances,t
hisi
sme
maki
ngshi
thappen.
"Hiseyeswidenswhenitcl
icksi
nhishead.

"MaMohapi,y
oudon'thavetodot hi
s.Notbecauseofwhat
Ratanangsai
dtoyou,"t
hement i
onofhernamepi ssesmeoffbut
fuel
smet ogoonwiththis.Iwanthernamegonef r
om hi
s
memor y.

"I
'
m doi
ngthi
sbecauseIwantto,
becausethi
sismymat
ri
cdance
andnooneisrui
ningi
tforme.
"Hebit
eshislowerl
i
p.

Hi
sey
esdar
ken,
maki
ngmeachebet
weenmyl
egs.Hedr
opst
he
tabl
ecl
othandpusheshischai
rfurt
heri
nthetabl
e,hi
slegsr
elax
andIhaveeasyaccesst
ohisbelt
.It
'sdoordi
e,Lemohang.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER41

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Makhosi
ni!
"Mamacal
l
soutmynamewi
thar
oughshakeonmy
shoul
der.

"Mmhh?"Iwi
denmyey
esatherandshehuf
fs,
Imusthav
ezoned
outagai
n.

"Wher
e'syouhead,
Baf
o?"Gat
shaasksandIwantt
oscr
eam,
Lemohang.

That'
swher emyheadhasbeensi ncelastnight,
whatshedi dt o
meundert hattabl
eisamemor yIwil
ltreasureforev
er.Nowoman
hasev ercl
aimedmewi thhermout handswal lowedev erydrop.
SheshockedmeIwon' tli
e,whenIsaidshehast odosomet hing
crazybecauseshedecidedtoturnmymot her'spart
yintoher
mat r
icdance,Idi
dn'
tthinkshe'
dblowmei nar oom ful
l ofpeople.

"
I'
mjusthungov
er,
that
'sal
l
."Il
i
eandMv
elol
aughsoutl
oud.

"YouandLemohanggohar d,
hey.
"ShesaysandIclearmythroat.
Af t
ertheawardwinni
ngblowjobshewenttothebathroom t
o
freshenupandwhenshecamebackt her
ewasn'tanounceof
regretinherey
esandthatwasareli
ef.Westar
teddancingagain
andenj oyi
ngourshar
edfavori
tet
equi
la.

"
Yeah,
she'
sgoodpeopl
e."Isayandcr
ossmyf
eet
.

"
Isshey
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?Whydi
dn'
tyoui
ntr
oduceus?
"MaNgobese
asksandIheaveasigh.Iwantedt
ointr
oducethem but
MaMohapi wasuncomfortabl
eandkeptput
ti
ngi tof
f,Ist
opped
aski
ngbecauseIdidn'
twanttomakeherregretcomingtomy
motherspart
y.

Asforthegir
lf
riendt i
tl
e,I
'm notsur
eyet.Imeantheblowjob
changesevery
thi ng,f
ri
endsdon'tgi
veoralsex.Il
i
kethatwoman
andsomethingt ell
smeshel ikesmetoo.

"She'
snotmygir
lf
ri
endmama, justacl
osef
ri
end.
"Shechuckl
es
andtakesasi
pofhercof
fee.Iknowshedoesn'
tbel
i
eveme.

"She'
sgreatthought,
Ili
kedheralot,
"Zethusay s.Herheadison
herhusbandslapwiththerestofherbodystretchedont hecouch.
Theysleptherebecauseitwastheclosestt
ot hev enue.Wedidn'
t
wantthem runni
ngintotraf
fi
ccops.

"Li
kedherev
enmore.Theywoul
dmakeanamazingcoupl
e,t
hey
seem t
ogeteachot
heronadeeperl
evel
."Mv
elochi
psin.

Mysi bl
i
ngsandourmot herdidn'
tli
keNofotofrom t
hewordgo,
thefi
rstdayIbroughtherhomet heyhadal r
eadyseenherforwho
sheis,t
heywer en'
trudet oherbutonceshewasoutt hedoor,
theymadet hei
ropinionsknown.Them li
kingLemohangatf i
rst
meetingisagreenlight,hopef
ull
yIcanmaket hegirl
mine.

"
Makhosi
nishouldi
nvit
eherfordi
nnersoon.Wewoul
dli
ket
oget
t
oknowhisclosefr
iendbet
ter,
"Il
aughatGatsha.

Hehasputt
woandt wotoget
herandr
eal
i
zedt
hatIl
i
ket
hisgi
rl
bey
ondthef
riendshi
pwehave.

"
Don'
tl
ett
hem pr
essur
izey
ouFanno,
takey
ourt
imewi
thher
."I
nod.

Iknowmymom wi l
lneverf
orgetwhatIwentthr
oughwit
h
Nombulel
oandt hatwil
lmakeheralit
tl
etougheronLemohang.
Butshe'
l
ldef
ini
telyseehowgenuineMaMohapi is.

Shemusthav eakill
erhangov er,
wewentr eallyhard.WhenI
droppedheroffyesterdayshewast oast .Ihadt owal kherupto
herapart
ment,Ihelpedheroutofherdr ess, remov edhermakeup
andtuckedherin.Ilockedherinsi
deandt hrewt hekeyinthr
ough
thebathr
oom window.It hensentat extt ell
i
ngherwher etofi
nd
thekeysoshedoesn' tpanicwhenshewakesup.

Iwastemptedtosl
eepov eratherpl
acebutIdi
dn'
twanttopush
thi
ngs,weneedtot
alkfi
rstbeforeIassumethi
ngsordr
iveour
rel
ati
onshi
pint
oadirect
ionshedoesn'twant
.

"
Sonofabi
tch!
"Mv
elocur
sesandal
ley
esar
eonher
.

"Hey
,hey
,language.Mv eloLukhel
e."MaNgobeserepri
mandsher
butmysi
sterlooksli
vid.Iwonderwhathashef umingthi
sway,
herl
owerli
pisev enquiveri
ng.

"
Mvel
o,what
'swr
ongbabe?
"Zet
hui
ssi
tt
ingupst
rai
ght
.

"
MaNzi
mande,
yini
mnt
akababa?
"Gat
shaaskssof
tl
y.

"Sipho,hej
usttextedmeawholelotofbul
l.
"Icl
enchmyj aw.
Hear i
ngthatpi
eceofshit
snamemakesmybl oodboil
,hehur
tmy
sisterr
ealbadafterpr
omisi
ngherafutur
eandf or
ever
.
"Doyouneedy
ourmot hert
odealwithi
tmybaby
?"MaNgobese
asksandMvel
ojustshakesherhead.

"Iwantnot
hingtodowi t
hhim,Idon'
tevenwantanyofy outo
wasteyourti
met ry
ingtomakehim payforhurt
ingme,l
etkarma
dealwit
hhim.Ijustneedtobl
ockhisnumber ,
getmythingsfr
om
hispl
aceandf or
getabouthi
m."That'
smybabysi st
er.

Wedon' tcr
yoverthosewhohur
tusmorethanweneedto.She
wil
lfi
ndamanwhowi l
llov
eher
,whowi
l
l besat
isf
iedwi
thher
onl
y.Siphowil
lregrett
his.

Mysi sterandMaNgobesewentupst air

sforanap, Gat
shaand
Zethuar etaki
ngashower .Theyhav etogofetchthei
rkidsatthe
nanniesplaceandmaket hei
rwayhomet orel
axfortomor r
ow.I
sti
l
l needtogetmysi st
erin-
lawagi f
tforpul
li
ngoffourmot hers
partyatsuchshor tnoti
ce.Every
thingwentwellandCebisi
lewas
happy ,
shecoul dn'
tstopsayingthankyou.

There'
snothi
ngwewoul dn'
tdofort
hatwoman,
wearewhowe
arebecauseofher
.Sheholdsusdownandmakessur
enohar
m
comest ous,
eventhoughwearenowgrownups.

"Whythef
uckwoul
dyousi
tint
hiscol
d?"Gat
shaasksf
rom
behi
ndme.
Ineededsomeai r
,Lemohanghasn'tcal
l
edorr epl
iedmy
messages.I'
m scaredshe'
scutt
ingmeof fbecauseofwhat
happenedlastni
ght.She'
ssobernowandmostpr obabl
yki
cki
ng
hersel
fforgoi
ngdownonherknees.

"MaMohapi
isn'
trespondingtomytext
s,"hechuckl
esandsi
ts
downonthegardenloungernextt
ome.

"Il
iket
hisgi
rl
,shekeepsy
ouony
ourt
oes.
"Hesay
sandIr
oll
my
eyes.

"
Shedr
ivesmei
nsane,
"het
akesmygl
assofcognacandsi
ps.

"
You'
vefal
l
enforherhaven'
tyou?"HeasksandInodvigor
ousl
y,
t
her
e'snopoi
nti
nlying.Myfeel
ingsar
erealanddeep.

"She'
sev er
ythi
ng,Gatsha.Nowomanhasev ermademef eelt
hat
comfortabl
e.She'sabreathoff
reshair
.WhenIknowI '
m meet i
ng
upwithheratt heendoftheday,hour
sleadi
ngtot hatminute
seem l
ikeal i
feti
me.I'v
eneverwantedtospendev eryminuteof
thedaywi t
haper sonli
keIdowithLemohang."Iconfess.

Mybr ot
herheav
esasi
ghandl
eansi
n.Pl
aci
nghi
sel
bowsonhi
s
knees.

"Tell
herhowy ouf
eel,
Makhosini
.I'
m pret
tysuresheli
kesy outoo,
Imeanweal lsawthechemist
rybetweenyout wo,ev
eryt
hingwas
effor
tless.
"Butshe'
snotansweringmycalls,
thatmeansI'mt he
onlyonewhohascaughtf eeli
ngs.

"Idon'
tknow,Gat
sha.Herr
eject
ionwoul
dbeabl
owt
othegut
,I
don'tt
hinkI
'dsur
viv
eit
."Heshakeshi
shead.
"Thisisoneri
skyouhav etotake.Shemakesy oulaughi
nawayI
hav en'
tseenyoudobefore.Weal ll
ovedseeingtheguyyouwere
yest er
dayatt
hepart
y ,
it'
sobviousshehasev erythi
ngtodowit
hit
all
."Ofcourseshedoes.Ilookatli
fedif
ferentl
ybecauseofher
.I
woul dgiveal
ottohaveachance, togettoknowherbet t
er,
to
connecttoheremotionall
y.

"You'
reri
ght,
"Isayandheshr ugshi
sshoulder,wi
ththatcocky
smirkonhisface.Idon'
tthi
nkIwouldhavelikedhi
mi fhewasn't
mybr ot
her.

"
Ofcour
seI
'
mri
ght
,I'
m Gat
shaLukhel
e."Ar
rogantsonofagun.

Igetonmyfeet,
Ineedtor
efr
eshandgot
alkt
omygi
rl
,todaywe
needtoest
abl
ishwhat'
sbet
weenus.

I'
m nerv
ous,shaki
nginmyboot s.IfLemohangsay sshedoesn't
feelt
hesamewayIdot henmyhear tisgoi ngtoexplode.I'
ve
neverwantedanyonesobadlybefore, I
'veneverlongedtobewi th
awomant hi
sdeeply
.Idon'
tknowwhatt hefutureholds,
butright
nowit'
sherthatIwanttodothisli
fet hingwith.Ihopeshef eels
thesamewayt oo.She'
stheperfectfitforme, Ifeelwhol
e,Ican
begoofyandnotbeashamedwhenI 'm withher.Shesatisf
ied
somethingdeepinsi
deofme, somet hingIwassodesper at
ef or
myexwi fetosati
sfy
.
I'
m parkedatt hegat e,wait
ingf orthesecur i
tyguar dtocomesi gn
mei n.Ijustdriveinwithoutthem cal li
ngLemobecauseshe
regi
steredme, allIhav
et odoissaywhoI 'm heref orandto
producemyi dentifi
cat
iontobel etin.Theelderlysecur i
tyguar
d
seemst obepi ssedoffbyme, hisnosei sflaredandIcant el
lthat
hewant st ocoughoutsomet hingf rom hischest .Idon't
rememberof fendinganyoneher e,ormay beIdidi twithout
real
izi
ng.

"Whatev erbusi
nessyouhavewit
hLemohang,youbett
ernothurt
thatli
ttl
egirl
.Shehasbeenthr
oughalotal
ready,
"hesaysi
na
sternvoice.WhoishetoMaMohapi?Iwanttosaysomethingbut
Iswallowt hewords,
makingmyAdamsAppl ebobli
keamonkey
onast ick.

"
Ifyouhur
tevenahaironherhead,Iwi
l
lfi
ndy
ouLukhele.Iwi
l
l
f
indyouandIwil
lcutofftheneedl
ebet
weeny
ourl
egs."He
t
hreat
enandInodv i
gorousl
y.

I
tsobv
ioushecar
esdeepl
yforLemohang.

AsscaredasIam,I
'm gl
adtoknowt
hatanelderi
slooki
ngoutfor
her
.Withwhatshetol
dmeaboutherfami
l
y,sheneedsallt
helove
shecanget,
genui
nelove.

"I
'
vehear
dyou,baba."Isayandhenodst
henwal
kst
ohi
sof
fi
ce.
Thegat
ebarr
ierswingsopenandIdri
vei
n.

Theki
tchenwi
ndowi
sopenal
i
ttl
e,i
twascl
osedl
astni
ght
,I
madesureofi t.Thismeansshe' supandf ighti
ngherhangov er
.I
takeadeepbr eat hbeforehi
tti
ngmyknuckl esont hedoor ,
afew
secondspassandIknockagai n,har
dert hi
st i
me.Onl ythendoI
hearfoot
stepsappr oachi
ngthedoor .Irubmyhandst ogether
befor
eburyingt hem deepinmypocket s.Thekeyt ur
nsthenthe
dooropenswi de, she'
sstandinginfrontofme, wrappedinatowel.
Hereyesfallassoonassheseesme, Iknewi t.Sheregretswhat
happenedyester day,butIdon't
.I'
m happyi thappened,itwasthe
mostamazi ngor alsexawomanhasev erperformedonme.

"
Hey
,"Igr
eetherf
ir
st.

"Hi,
"shewon'
tl
ookatmeassheunl
ockst
hesecuri
tydoor
.She
stepsasi
deandIwal
kin,
maki
ngmywaytotheloungeasshe
closest
hedoor.

"Di
dyoujustwakeup?
"Iask,
piv
oti
ngt
olookatherasshe
answer
smyquest i
on.

"No,
I'
vebeenupawhi
l
e."She'
sembar
rassed,
can'
tev
enkeepey
e
cont
act.

She'
ski
l
li
ngme,
Iwi
shIknewwhatshei
sthi
nki
ngatt
hisv
ery
moment.

"
Areyouokay
?"Obv
iousl
yshe'
snotbutI
'
m hopi
ngshet
ell
sme
t
hather
sel
f.

"No,Iwanttoapol
ogizeforlastni
ght
,Ishouldn'
thav
edonet hat
."
Shesays,hervoi
ceisshaking.Herwordsjustst
ung,Ienj
oyed
thatandshe'
sregret
ti
ngit.
"
Whydidyoudoit
?"Iaskandshecl
osesherey
esi
nshame.
"
Nana?
"Icoaxher
.

"Idon'
tknow,Makhosi
ni.Igotsojeal
ouswheny oursi
stertol
dme
whathappenedwithRatanang.Ij
ustwantedyoutoforgetabout
her,
"isthatanadmi
ssi
onofherf eeli
ngs?Am Ibei
ngexcitedover
nothi
ng?

"Yougotj
eal
ous,
why
?"Shescof
fsandpi
nchest
hebr
idgeofher
nose.

Shedoesn'
tanswermyquesti
on,
butweneedtoest
abl
ishgr
ound
her
e,answer
inguncomf
ortabl
equest
ionsi
spar
tofi
t.

"
Wasi tal
sojeal
ousyatthecl
ub,whenIwaswit
hmysi bl
ingsand
y
oui gnor
edmel i
kethat
?"Iaskandshetur
nsaround,
avoidi
ngmy
i
ntensegaze.

"Nana,t
ell
me.
"Iam desper
atef
oray
esr
ightnow,
ayesmeans
sheli
kesmetoo.

"Wasn'
titobv i
ous,Makhosini
,Jesus.Iwasj eal
ous,Igetj
ealous
whenIseey ouwi t
hwomen, whenIheart hatyouhadsomet hing
withacert
ainwoman.I 'l
lprobablygetjeal
ouswheny ousmi l
e
withacashieratastore.Idon'tknowwhyIgett hatwaywi t
hy ou,
i
tsnotwhoIam buty ou,God."ShehalfshoutsandIclosemy
eyes.I
fthi
si snotanadmi ssi
onofl oveorsomet hi
ngclosetoit
thenIdon'
tknowwhati s.

"
Youarenotmineformetofeelt
hisway
,"i
tcomesouti
na
whi
sper
,butshe'
swrong.Lor
d,she'
ssowrong.

Isl
owl
ymakemywayt
oherandst
opwhenmydi
cki
satt
he
smal
lofherback,
I'
mtall
erthanherali
tt
le.Shegaspsf
orai
r
whenIci
rcl
emyar msaroundherwaist
,shefel
titt
oo,t
he
el
ect
ri
cit
ybetweenus.

"Yougotitall
wrong,
Lemohang.Idon'
texact
lyknowwhenbut
I'
vebeeny our
sforawhi
lenow,yest
erdayyoujustst
ampedonit
."
Iwhisperthewordsi
nherearandsheleansbacktome.Ipl
anta
softki
ssonherneckandshemoans.

"
AllIaskf
orisachancenana,youcandi
ctat
ehowt hi
sisgoingt
o
wor
kbutgivemeachance, Lemohang.I
'
mt i
redofbei
ngjusta
f
ri
endwhenIwantt obeyourman."

"
Makhosi
ni,
"Il
ovehowshesay
smyname.

"
Yes,
baby
."It
ight
enmyar
msar
oundher
.

"
Iam damaged,
Ihav
escar
sthat
..
."

Iqui
ckl
yinter
ject
,"stopsayingt
hat,
youar et
hemostperf
ectl
y
i
mperfectwomanI 'v
eev ersetmyeyeson.Iwantt
obewi t
hy ou
aswet ur
nthosescar si
ntobeautymarks,al
l
owmet olov
ey ou
pl
ease,
"sheplacesherhandont opofmi ne.

"
Wewi ll
takeitadayatat
ime,
yourpace,
justasl
ongasy
ou'
re
mine.
"Inibbl
eherear
.

Webot hdon'tseem t
owanttoletgo,
thismomenti sj
ustso
perfect.Ienvi
sionedi
tbefor
ebutIwil
ladmi tt
hati
t'
swaybetteri
n
real
ity.She'snotsayi
ngnotobeingmine,whichcanonl
ymean
thatshehasbeenmi nel
ikeI'
vebeenhersforawhil
enow.
Yesterdaysheclai
medme, Iwasmi ndblown.It'
sami racl
et hatI
didn'tul
ulateasIr
eleasedmyl oaddownhert hroat.I
twast he
hottestthingawomanhasev erdonet ome,notjustanywoman
butonet hathasbroughtbacksomespar kinme.Isl owlyturnher
soshecanf aceme, she'
sshyandt r
yingtohidethefactthat
she'sblushing.

"Achance,
Nana."Isaysof
tl
yandshenodssl
i
ght
ly.Thatwon'
tdo,
Ineedhertosayitwi
thherownmouth.

"Useyourwor
ds,
baby
,"shechuckl
esandhi
desherf
acewi
thbot
h
hands.

"
Youhav
eachance,
Makhosi
niLukhel
e."

Thearefi
rewor
ksi
nmyst
omach,
not
hinghasev
erf
eltsor
ight
bef
ore.

"Let
'ssealt
hisdeal
wit
hakisst
hen,
"Itr
ymyluckandshegiggl
es.
Ilov
etheshyLemohang,t
oo.Goodthi
ngIgett
ohaveall
sidesof
herbecauseshe'
smywomannow.

"Youknowwhat ,aft
errockingmyworl
dundert
hatt
ablel
astni
ght
i
t'sonlyf
airIr
eturnthefavor.
"Shel
ooksupatmewitharai
sed
eyebrow.

"Whatdoy oumean? "Igi

veherami schi
evousgr
inandshe
narrowsherey es.Ipickherupbr
idalstyl
eandheadtoher
bedroom,Isleptintherewhenshebr oughtmehomet heni
ght
thosegir
lsleftmedr uggedinacl
ub.
"Makhosi
ni,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Ipeckherl
i
psasIwal
kint
oher
bedroom.

Ipl
aceherf
latont
hebedandgetont
opofher
.

"Youcomfor
tabl
ewithme?Youtr
ustmebaby?"Iaskandshe
bit
esherl
owerli
p,herey
esnotl
eavi
ngmine.

"It
rustyou,
"hervoicei
shoarse.Iremov ehert
owel andher
nakednesshasmydi cktwi
tchi
ng,fight
ingtobefreedfrom t
hese
j
eansbutIwon' tbemakinglovetoherwi t
hmydickt odayj
ustmy
tongue.Unt
ilshesquir
tsal
lovermyf aceIwon'tl
ethergo.The
scorehastobeoneal l
.

_
___
___
___
___
__

Higuy s.Myey esarest

rained.I'
mt r
yingtocutshortt
het i
meI
spendl ookingatt
hescreen.Idecidedtostoptaking
sponsor shi
psunti
lmyey esar ebett
er.Theonlysponsored
chaptersI'l
lbeposti
ngaret hosethatwerepaidforbeforethecut
off
.
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER42

SPONSOREDBYEMI
LY

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"IguessI'l
lseeyouonFr i
daylov
e."Ebukasay sandInodwi t
ha
smile.I'
vebeenwithhimt heent
ir
eweekendandt hi
ngsbetween
usar ebackt owheretheywerebeforeMiss.Londonarr
ived.Iam
sti
llhurtoverthel
ostpictur
esandv i
deosofPeachesandI .Those
weret helastmemor i
esIhadofher.

"Yesbabe,
I'
lldri
vestrai
ghthereaftermyexam."Yep,
it'
sthatt
ime
oftheyear
,Juneexams.I '
m alit
tl
enervousbutIal
waysam each
endofsemest er
,IknowI'l
lpassIjustl
ikepani
cki
ngovernothi
ng.

"You'l
ll
etmeknowi fy
ouneedanyt
hingthatwi l
lhel
py ounai
l
thoseexamsright
?"Hetakesmyeducat
ionr eal
lyser
iousl
y.Il
ove
histhought
ful
nessbutI'
l
lmanagewit
hallthatIhave.

"
Iwi
l
lbabe.
"Weshar
eanot
herki
ss.

It
'salwayshardwhenIhavetogobacktomyapar tmentbutI
needt ostudy
.AsmuchasIknowhewoul dgi v
emespacet o
studyandnotbotherme,I
'l
lbetheonecl
osingmyt ext
booksand
notestogosnugglenextt
ohim.Ihaveabsolutel
ynoselfcontr
ol
wheni tcomestomyboy f
ri
end.

"
All
thebestwit
hyourexams,Undi
phi
le,
"Amakasay
sdescendi
ng
t
hestai
rswit
hherhandbaghookedonherar
m.
"Thanks,haveasaf efl
ightandal l
thebestwit
hy ourstudi
estoo.
"
Iam gladthatshe'
sgoi ngbackt oLondon.Shecausedal otof
fri
cti
onandherbr otherisalsonothappywithher,it
'sgoodthat
she'sleavi
ngsoEbukacancool off
.Iwon'
tforgetwhatshedidto
meev enifwedon' tseeeachot herfort
enyear.

"Thanky ou,andagain,I
'm si
ncer elysorr
yforbreakingy ourlapt
op.
Iwi l
lforeverbeatmy selfupfordoi ngwhatIdidtoy ou."Idon't
buyt hat.She'sjustapologi
zingt osoftenherbrother.Icant el
lshe
stil
lthinksI '
m notgoodenoughf orEbuka,butshecangoj ump
becauset hisJoll
ofRiceismi ne.Sheshouldbef ocusingon
getti
ngher selfaBri
tboywi t
haf unnyEngli
shaccentandcomot
mymat awi t
hmybobo.Whosai dNi geri
anisnotsexual ly
transmi t
ted?

"Youtwobettergetgoi
ng, y
ouknowhowt raf
fi
ccangetatt
his
ti
me,"IchangethesubjectbecauseIdon'
twantt
osayIfor
giv
e
herwhenIclearl
ydon't
.

"Yes,
Amaka.Let '
sgetgoi
ng.
"Ebukaki
ssesmycheekandgr
abs
hissi
ster
'ssui
tcase.Imi
sshi
m alr
eady
,whenhegetsbackI
'
llbe
l
onggone.

Iam packi
ngthingsI'
llonlybeneedingbackatt heapartment,
ever
ythi
ngelsestaysher e.I
'
m nott r
yingtomar kmyt er
rit
ory
,I
tr
ustmyboy fr
iend.Whatwehav emeanssomucht ohim andI
doubthewouldwantt ojeopar di
zeitforsomemeani nglessfl
ing.I
walkbackinhisclosetandt akehisT-shi
rtandshorts,t
heyare
comfyandwi l
lgetmet hrought hesefewday sofnotbeingwith
hi
m phy
sical
l
y.

Myphoner i
ngsbackinthebedr
oom,Ihurryoutwitht
heclothes
andf i
nditontopofthebedIsharewit
hSunday .I
t'
smycousi n,
Jojo.Wehav en'
tspokeninawhil
e,If
eelbadthatIhaven'
tbeen
checkingin.

"
Jongi
khay
a,"Ianswerandheheav
esasi
gh.

"
Youj
usthadt
o,Undi
phi
l
e."Ichuckl
e.

Ihonest
lydon'
tunder
standwhyhehat eshisname.Imeanit'
s
ni
ceandunique.Sui
tshim per
fect
lybecausehehasli
ter
all
y
becomehisname.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Mtase.Unj
ani
?"Iask.

"Iam indesper
ateneedt ol
eaveKwazakheleforaweekortwo.I
don'twanttogotoCapeTownbecausemymot heri
sonmycase,
shedoesn'tunderstandwhyIam handl
ingthi
ngshere.
"Icantel
l
from howlowhisv oicei
sthathe'
sti
redfr
om whatevert
hatis
goingon.

"What'
shappeningdownt her
e?"Hechuckl
esandIknowi t
's
chaos.IwishIdi
dn'
tleavehim al
one,
Iknowtherewasn'tmuchI
couldhavedonebutholdi
nghishandandtell
i
nghim everyt
hingi
s
goingtobeokaywouldhav egonealongwayforhi
m.

"What'
snothappeni
ng,"Ibi
temylowerl
ipandwai
tforhi
mt o
conti
nue."
Yourauntshavebecomeworse,t
heyar
edemanding
thatwesel
lthehouseandsharethemoney.
"What?Sel
lourhome?
Ar
etheynut
s?

"Si
sul
uwouldtur
ninhi
sgr
ave,don'
tdar
egiv
ein,
Jojo,
please."
That'
stheonl
yhomewehave,
wherewill
weruntowhenthings
gosouth?

"Never,Iwouldn'tbetrayMakhul ulikethat
.Shechangedt het i
tl
e
deedandputmynamebecausesheknewi twoul
dbet hefirst
thi
ngont hei
ragenda.Theydon' tknowi tyet,
Ikeepwalki
ngoutof
tal
kst hatarebasedar oundthesellingofthehouse.Oncet hey
knowt hattheirmot herdidn'
tjustleaveust hemoneybutt he
propertytoo,t
hey '
llexplode.
"Heneedst obeawayf rom t
hose
witcheswhent hathappens.

"Youar enotsafethere,Jojo.
"I'
m scar
edforhi
m, honest
ly.Those
womenar ebell
igerent.Theythi
nktheworl
dowest hem
somet hing.I
ntheirheadswear enothi
nginthathomebutt hey
forgetwear ebornf r
om theonlytwosonsoftheirf
ather
.

"Iknow,Undi
,Ineedtogosomewher eandjustt
hinkoft
henex
t
stepsyouknow."Inodvi
gorousl
y,asifhecanseeme.

"
Comet
oJohannesbur
g,"Isuggest
.

"Idon'
twanttoi
nconv
eni
encey
ou.Imeany
ou'
rest
art
ingexams
soon,"Ir
oll
myeyes.

"Don'
tbesil
ly,I
'
lldomostofthestudyingatcampusli
braryand
l
aterwhenyou'vegonetobed."Isayandhest ay
ssil
entforafew
seconds.Tr
yingtoprocesswhatI'
vejustsai
d.

"
Arey
ousur
e?"Heasks.
"You'l
ltakemyr
oom andI'
llshar
ewit
hLemo, shewon'
tmi
ndat
all
."Iknowmybestf
riend,
she'sasweetsoul
liket
hat.

"Okay,I
'l
lpr
obabl
yfl
ydownt
her
eonWednesday
."Hesay
sandI
smile.

Todayi
sMonday
,Ihav
esomet
imet
opr
epar
eforhi
m.

"You'
llt
extmey ourf
li
ghtdetai
l
sandI '
l
lfetchyouattheairport.
"
I
'm exci
tedtohavehim her
e.Heneedssomet i
met ocoolof f
,
thesepastfewmonthssawhi m deal
i
ngwi thalot
.Iappreciate
howdedi cat
edhewast oourgrandmotherandeveryt
hingthat
hastodowi tht
heSisuluname.

Imisseddri
vi
ngthisbaby ,missedhersomuch.Tomor rowImust
gogethernewaccessor i
esbecauseAmakar emov edthethings
shefoundinthi
scar,thatgirlwasoutt ogetme.Shewant ed
anyt
hingshesuspectedtobemi negonebutt hel
oveherbr other
andIsharewasn'tmadei nChi na, defi
nit
elynotshoddy.Thenext
ti
meshet r
iescausi
ngpr oblemsbet weenEbukaandIsheshoul d
rememberhowherf i
rstattemptf ail
edandl ef
therinthesmoke.

Idri
veintomystreetandit'
sdeadempty,i
t'salway
sbuzzi ng
aroundhere.Ourapartmentbui
ldi
ngonlyhousesstudents,and
thosearethebusiestpeopl
e.Theycan'
tstayinoneplace.This
si
lencecanonl ymeanthatev ery
onei sburi
edint hei
rbooks,
examsdon' tj
okearound,youf ai
lyouaddanot hersemester,
delay
inggraduati
on.Trustmenost udentwantst hat
.There'
sa
carparkedatthegateandasecur i
tyguardisattendi
ngtoi t
,I
stopbehinditandwaitforthem tobedone.

Someoneknocksont hepassengersi
dewi
ndowandIjumpal
it
tl
e,
start
led.Af
rownf ormsonmyf aceassoonasIseewhois
outsi
demycar .Ipressthebutt
onandthewi
ndowgoesdown.

"Wal
e,whatcanIdof
oryou?"I
'
m giv
inghim amanaci
ngl
ook.He
bet
ternothav
ecomeall
thiswaytotryany
thingf
unny
.

"
Hi,
Undi
phi
l
e."Whyi
shesoundi
ngl
i
keawoundeddog?

"Yes,Hi.
"Iam t
ryi
ngt
okeepmyv
oiceev
enandmyf
aci
al
expressi
onstoi
c.

"
CanIpl
easet
alkt
oyou?
"It
it
ter
.

He'
sunbel
i
evabl
e.

"Ithi
nkyou'
vesai
dallyouneededtosayaboutme,
Adewal
e."He
closeshi
seyesasifpained.Whatgamei
sheplayi
ngat
?

"Iunderst
andyourf
eroci
tytowar
dsme, myacti
onswere
despicabl
eandIwon'ttr
ytojust
if
ythem.ButIwoul
dappreci
atea
fewmi nutesofy
ourti
met oexpl
ainwhy.
"Curi
osi
tyki
ll
edacat,
Undiphil
e.

Mysubconsci
oussneer
satme.

"
IfIsuspectt
haty
ou'
rebul
l
shi
ti
ngmewi
thy
ourexpl
anat
ion,
you
ar
eoutofmyapar
tment
."Imakei
tcl
earandhenodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"Getinthen."Hequickl
yopensthedoorandget si
nthef r
ont
passengerseat.He'scarr
yingablackleatherbag,
Iwonderwhat'
s
i
nt here.Idr
ivei
nandwav eatBab'Mbelewhoi ssi
tti
ngont he
benchwi thhisyoungcoll
eagueoutsi
det heirsmal
loffi
ce.

Walelooksner vousaswer i
det heelev atortot he3rdfloor,i
she
pl
anningonki ll
ingme?Eliminatethet argetf orgood?NowI '
m
nervous,Ishouldhavetal
kedt ohimi nt hecarnoti nsi
det he
apartment.Hopef ul
l
yLemohangi shome.Thedoor spi ngopen
andIst epoutofthecarintothehallwayf i
rstthenhef oll
ows
behind.Iunlockthedoorandst epasidet oal lowhimi n,Iwalk
i
nsideandl eavethedooropen, Idon'tcar eifit'
scoldoutside.I
don'ttr
ustAdewal eandIshouldn'thav ebr oughthim here.

"
Youhaveacozypl
ace,
"hesayslookingar
ound.InodasIpl
ace
mythi
ngsdownontheki
tchencounter.

"
Wher
e'sLemo?
"HeasksandIl
ookatmywr
istwat
ch.

"She'
llbehomeinaj i
ff
y,"Ianswer ,hopingi
tscareshi m offi
fhe
cameher etohurtme."Youcansi tdownov erthere,
"Ipointtothe
couchandhenods.He' sclutchingatt hatl
eatherbag,themustbe
someser i
ousvaluabl
esint here,orit
'sthenerves.I'
l
lgowi ththe
l
atterbecausehe'ssweati
ngi nthiscold.

"
Sowhatdoy ouhavetosay
?"Heheav
esadeepsi ghandopens
t
hel
eatherbag,comi
ngbackwit
habottl
eofHennessy.
"CanIpl
easehav
eaglass,Ineedt
ocal
m myner
vesdown.Ihav
e
nevert
oldany
onewhatI'
m aboutt
otel
lyou.
"

Okay,thi
sisheavy.Hebetternotsayhemurderedsomeone
becauseI'
m goingstr
aighttothepoli
ceoncehe'soutofher
e.

Cal
lmeasni
tchbi
tch,
Idon'
tcar
e.

Iopenthecupboar dandt
akeoutat umbler,r
insei
tandheadout
tolounge.Thebottl
eisal
readyopenandt hesmellfi
l
lsmynose.I
handhimt heglassandhepourshimselfadoublethengul
psital
l
,
hepour sanot
heranddownhi sthr
oatitgoes.

Isitatt
hefarendofthecouch,
Ihaveanadv
ant
ageofr
unni
ngt
o
thedoorifhetr
iesanyt
hingf
unny.

"Mmhhmmhh, "hecl
earshist
hroatandIbal
ancemyheadwit
h
myhand.Tr
yingtoappearcal
m butmyhearti
sthuddi
nghar
d
agai
nstmychest.

"Sogr owingupIknewIwasdi ffer

ent.Mymot herassumedi twas
becauseIwast heonlyboysur r
oundedbysi xsist
ersbutmy
fatherdidn'twanttohearanyofi t
.Eachtimehegothomef r
om
wor kandf oundmepl ayi
ngwi thmysi st
er'
she'dlooseitandbeat
thecrapoutofme. "Hesay sandlaughsbutit'
sadr ylaugh.One
thatcarriespainandbit
terness.

"I
tbrokemymot hertoseemecr yi
ngev er
ydaysosheaskedme
tostar
tpl
ay i
ngwi ththeboyswholivedaroundourarea,butshe
sentmetohel l
wi t
houtknowing.Idi
dn'tfi
twellwitht
hem
becausetheywer egoodfri
ends,Ifi
tinwellbecausei
tfedthis
thi
nginsi
deofme. "Heexpl
ainsandIgasp.
OhmyGod,
ishesay
ingwhatIt
hinkhe'
ssay
ing?

"Iwas13y earsoldandIhadacr ushont hisparti

cularone,
Tobi.
Hegav emeat tenti
onandenjoyedplayingwi t
hmet ooandasthe
yearswentbyIr eadtoomuchi ntoi
t.Ithoughthelikedmet he
samewayIl ikedhim, wewere17att hattime,Icouldn'
thol
ditin
any more.Wewer eathishouse,i
nthepr iv
acyofhisr oom,Tobi
wasr elaxedasusual .Il
eanedinandt r
iedt oki
sshim andhe
freakedout ,
"hishandsareshaking.Iquicklypourhim anot
her
drinkandhandhi mtheglass.Hedrinksev ery
thi
ngatonegoand
cringesal i
tt
leattheburningsensati
on.

"Hewasscreami ngatme, hai

li
nginsul
tsofallsort
s.Hismother
camet ohi
sr oom andTobi t
oldherwhathappenedaf ewmi nut
es
ear
li
er.Shelostitt
oo, sai
dsomei nsul
tsofherownandgr abbed
mebymyar m, t
akingmet omyhouse. "Hecloseshiseyesasif
pai
ned.Myhear tbleedsforhi
m.

"YouhavetounderstandthatinNiger
iabei
nggayisfr
ownedupon,
theydon'
tunderst
andi tandtheydon'
twantit
,per
iod.
"Thi
sissad,
IknowIdon'tl
ikehim buthisstor
yispainf
ult
ohear.

"WhenTobi'smothertol
dmypar entswhathappenedt hey
apologi
zedandsaidthey'
llhandleit
.Myf atherisatraditi
onalist
,a
proudYorubaman.Iwasn' tgoi
ngt oshamehi m.Hel eftwithout
sayingawordtomebutIknewhewasgoi ngt oshowmehel lon
eart
hwhenhecamebackandboywasIr ight.Hecamewi tha
groupofguysandtheybeatmeupsobadl y,
beatingthedemon
outofme.Ievenbrokeal egandar ib.WhenIwasdi schar ged
fr
om thehospit
alhehador ganizedmet wopr osti
tutes,those
woment ooktur
nswi t
hme. "Hi
sv oi
ceisqui v
eringandIhav e
al
lowedmytearst
ofal
l.Not
hingchangesagayper
son,
notev
en
corr
ect
iver
ape.Hi
sfat
herwasheartl
ess.

"
Iam sosorr
yyouhadt
ogot
hrought
hatWal
e,
"hegi
vesmea
f
aintsmi
le.

"Aft
erwhatIwentthroughinthehandsofmyownf atherI
decidedtopackawaytherealme.Ifmyownbl oodcoul dbethat
brut
al,whatofthecommunity?"That
'st
rue,i
fy ourownparent
canallowthatt
ohappent oyouwhatwillout
sidersdo?

"Thingsathomewer ediff
erent,Ij
ustcoul dn'tstayther
eany more.
Aftercompl et
ingmySS3Ir anawayf rom home.Myf atherwasat
wor k,mysister'
satUniversi
tyandot hersatwor k.Mamawentt o
mor ningprayer,l
eavi
ngmeal oneinthehouse.Ipackedaf ewof
myt hi
ngs,wenttotheirbedroom andt ookal lthemoneymy
fatherhadundert hemat t
ress,oldfooldidn'ttrustbanks.Itookit
allandr an,
gotonabust oLagosandIhav en'tlookedbackev er
since."Goodf orhi
m.Buthi spoormot hermustbedev astatedto
thisday.

"Igott othechaoti
ccityandIdi dn'tknowany onebutt hatwasf or
ashor twhi l
e.Iwasstayingatt hehot elwhileIwentoutl ooking
foraj obandapl acetor ent.Ifoundt hishai
rsal on,itwaspacked.
Insidet heyweredoi
nghai r
,outsidet heywer eselli
ngf ood.Itwas
allownedbyoneper son, Ebuka.Yourmanhasal way sbeena
hust l
er.Iwonderedhowhedi ditbecausehewasj ustt woyear s
olderthanme.You' dthinkhewasj ustthebigbossandcount ing
moneybutt hatwasn'tthecase.Hewokeupear lyi
nt hemor ning,
prepar edthemenuf orthatdayandkeepev ery
thingi nfoodf lasks.
Whent hesalonopenedhewasr eadyt ocuthairandbr ai
dit.
Duringlunchhourhewasout si
dehel pi
ngtheladywhowas
sell
ingfoodf orhi
m.Hegav emeaj obtodeliverf
oodt othe
compani esthatweresurroundi
nghispl aceofbusinesssothe
queuecanbecutshor t.
"WowIdi dn'tknowanyoft hisaboutmy
boyfri
end.Ebukar eal
l
ywor kedhiswayt othetop.At30y earshe
hasalreadyaccompl i
shedsomuchwi t
houtaheadst art
.I'
m
proudofhi m.

"Heusedhi spr ofi

tstotrade, hewassogoodati t.Henev er
fi
nishedschool buthewasshar p,focusedanddet ermined.He
wasmaki ngal otofmoney ,
peopl esuspectedthathewasa
yahooboybutIdi dn'tunderstandwhybecausehesav edmostof
hismoneyandsendsomet ohi ssist
er,Amakabackhome.He
didn'tfl
ashitaround, helookedgoody es,hehasal waysloved
clothesandhi sapar t
mentwasf i
neshabuthewor kedhar dforhi
s
money ,
everykobo. "Ourchildrenaregoingtohav et hemost
amazi ngfatherev er.

"Heistheonewhoor ganizeduspaper stocomet oSouthAfri

ca,
Nigeri
awasn' tgoi
ngt oaccommodat ethedreamshehad.We
foundourselveshereandhet ol
dmet ogostudyandpaidformy
educati
onwhi lehewaswor ki
ngonopeni nghiscompany .Most
SouthAfricanbusinessmanl aughedathi sbusi
nessproposaland
thoughthismoneywasdi rtybutGatshabeli
evedinhim and
they'
vebeenasuccesssi nce.Hewi l
ltel
lyouhisl
ifest
ory
himself
."Inod,itwil
lbemuchni cerheari
ngital
lfr
om him.

"Soyouhat
emebecausey ouhav eacrushonEbuka?"That
'st
he
onlyl
ogi
calexpl
anat
ion.Hechucklesandshakeshi
shead.

"
No,
Undi
phi
l
e.Thatguyi
smybestf
ri
end,
mybr
otherandonl
y
fami l
y .WhenImethi m Ifor gotthepai nmyf athercausedme, I
managedt opushawayt her ealmeandnott hinkaboutbei ngwith
anotherman.Iputmyener gyi nt
oget ti
ngmyqual i
fi
cationt hen
mybusi ness.Heinf ectedmewi ththatdriveanddet erminat i
on,I
l
ookedupt ohimf orev ery
t hing.Evenchangi ngwomanand
turningup.Whenhemety ouandal lofthatchangedIst arted
feeli
ngl onely,
thewal l
sIhadbui ldtokeept her eal
Adewal eout
camecr umblingdown.Ebukaandal coholgav emeconf i
dencet o
approachawomanandhav ef unwiththem.Wi t
houtthoset woI
don'twantanygi r
l nexttome.Hi m settl
i
ngdownwi t
hy oument
thatt her ealmewi llcomebackandIgotscar ed.Scaredt hatall
myf r i
endswi l
lbedi sgustedshoul dtheyknowI '
m gay ,
scar edthat
Iwi l
lbebeatt oapul pbecauseofmysexual it
y."Hesay sf ullof
shame.Iwi shIcoul dgivehi m ahugandt ell
him everythingis
goingt obeal ri
ght."That'
swhyIwant edust ocontinuewi t
ht he
l
ifeofal coholandwomensoIdon' tr ememberexact l
ywhoIam. "
Noper sonshoul dl iveli
ket his.

Hi
dingwhoyouarej
ustsotheworl
dcanaccepty
oubecausethe
f
ir
stti
meyoutri
edembraci
ngyourtr
uesel
fyouwereabused.

"That'
snowaytoliv
e,Wal
e.Ebukaisyourbrother,
ify
ouhadbeen
str
aightwi
thhi
mt henhewouldhaveunderstood.Hecar
esso
muchaboutyou,"hemopshisfacewi
thhishand.

"Iam soscared,
Undi
phi
l
e.Thesepastfewday shav
ebeenhectic.
Iam sorryf
orcausi
ngdr
ama, i
thadnothingtodowithyoubut
ever
ythingt
odowi t
hmyinsecuri
ti
es.
"Itotal
l
yunderstandhi
m
now.

"
Iti
sal
way
sgoi
ngt
obehect
ici
fyoudon'
tembr
acey
ourt
ruesel
f.
Acceptt
hatyouareagayman, l
iv
eyourtr
uthandcutof
fanyone
whowantstodist
urbyourpeaceofmind.
"Heheavesasigh.

"
CanIt
ell
yout
het
rut
h?"Inod.

"
Byal
lmeans,
"hesmi
l
esandshi
ft
sonhi
sseat
.

"If
eelsomuchli
ghter,
talki
ngaboutitwithanotherper
sonfeel
s
sogood.Thankyoufornotjudging,f
orli
steni
ngwhenI '
vebeen
nothi
ngbutanasshol
et oyou."Iwinkathim.

"
Whymet
hough?
"Heshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.

"Honest
ly,
Idon'
tknow.ButI
'
m gl
adi
twasy
ou,
forsomer
eason.
"
Ineedadrinkt
oo.

"
Letmegetagl
ass,
"hechuckl
es.

"
Youhav
esomet
hingt
omi
x?"Inod.

LemohangandIal
way
sst
ockcr
anber
ryj
uiceandt
oni
cwat
er.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Heyguys,
West i
lldon'
thav
eelect
ri
city
.Imadeapl ant
oty
pet
his
oneandI'
m notsurewhenI'
ll
postthenextchapt
er.
i
:TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER43

SPONSOREDBYLENAH

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

Ithrusthar der,deeperandshe' sscreamingmynamel i

keIam a
deity.Hercunti sst il
l asamazi ngasIcanrememberi tbuti t
doesn'tcomecl oset oLemohang' s.Noonecomesnearmy
woman, shewaspur eandseal edwhenIf i
rsttouchedher , Iam
theonewhost retchedherhy men.Thoughtsofherar ebi t
ter
sweet ,Imisshersobadl yandIam pissedatheri nthesamel i
ght
.
She'sbusyr unningar oundJohannesbur gwi thsomer ichdiamond
dudewhenIam her esuf f
eringbecauseIneedher .Sheev en
attendedt hatfucker smot her'
sbir
thday.Whent heguyIhi redto
replaceRebeccat otai l
hert ol
dme, Iwasli
v i
d.Iwant edt ogot o
thatpar t
yandcr ashi tbecausenomanhasanybusi ness
touchingwhat '
smi neorev enspendthatmucht imewi thher .

Asangr yasthatgetsme, IneedtounderstandbecauseIam the

onewhopushedheraway ,theonewhohur therwhenshet hought
I
'dalway sbeherprotector
.Thisishowshechoosest odeal wit
h
thepainIcausedherandIwi l
lacceptt
hat.Butthatdoesn'
tmean
I
'llsi
tar
oundandwai tforhertocomebackt ohersensesand
reali
zethatshe'
smi ne.

ThatMakhosi
niLukhel
eguywi
l
lnotescapeme,
hewi
l
lpayf
ort
he
emot i
onal andment alstr
ainhehasputmet hroughbybei ngthat
closetot hewomanIpl anonmakingmywi f
e,themot herofmy
chil
dren.Igetsicktomyst omachwhenIgetacal lt
hattell
sme
he'satLemohang' sapar t
ment.It
rytoblockitalloutbutit'
shard,
Ikeepwonder i
ngwhatt heyaregett
inguptoint heprivacyofher
fourwalls,wheremyguy seyescan'
treach.Butmyt imewi l
lcome,
Lemohangwi ll
forgetabouthim,I'
l
leraseeverymemor yshehas
ofhim.Nomat terhowf arIhavetotakeit
.

"Mabutho,you'
rehurt
ingme.
"Isnapoutofi
tandstopmoving.I
completel
yforgotsomeonewasunderme,Imusthavebeen
roughbecausemymi ndwaswiththewomanIlovebeingwit
h
anotherman.

Iqui
cklygetoffRebeccaandgrabt
hetowelontheedgeofthe
bedandwi pemy sel
f.Shesi
tsupst
rai
ghtandpull
stheduvetup
tocoverhernakedness.

Meandt hiswomanhav ebeensleepi

ngtogetheralmostev
er y
day,
i
twasn'thardgett
inghertodr
opherpant i
esandopenherl egs
wide.She'
sstil
li
nlovewithme,theyal
lare.Ipl
antedsomething
i
nt hei
rheads,apartoft
hem wil
lalwaysdropatmycommand.Al l
ofthem exceptt
heoneIwantwit hal
lmyhear t
.

"Whydi
dyougetroughwi
thmel
i
ket
hat
?"Sheaskswi
tht
ear
s
swimmi
nginhereyes.

Iwanttorollmine,
Ihat
et hi
semoti
onalshit
.Sheknowsi
tbutsti
ll
does.WhicheverwayIchooset
ofuckher,sheshoul
dbeableto
takei
t.Herhusbandwill
makelovetoher,notme.
"Goshower ,I'
l
lmakebr eakf
astsol ong."Idecidetoi gnorethe
quest i
on,i
twilll
eadtomor eshitIdidn'tsi
gnupf or.Rebecca
knewwhatshewasget ti
ngint
o, sheknowsI '
m doi
ngev ery
thi
ng
togetmywomanback.OnceLemohangi sback,wear edone.I
pickmyboxer sont hefl
oorandputt hem on,she'
sl ookingatme
i
nt ensel
y,I
'm notsurewhatshet hinksthatlookwilldot ome, gi
ve
meaconsci ousmay be?Idi
dn'tforceherher e.

Iwalkintothekitchenandi t'
samess, shedi dn'twasht hedi
shes
from l
astnight'
sdi nner.Shethi
nksthisisherhouse, wher ethere'
s
amai dtocleanupaf terherandherbrats.Iwoul dsayshe' sal azy
cowbutIknowbet terbecauseinthebedr oom, ont opofmeshe
hasalltheenergy .Itakecareofthedishesmy selfbecauseIam a
neatfreak,Ineedmyspacet oal
way sbecl ean.OnceI 'm doneI
decidetomaket oastwi t
hcheeseandham, I'
m notgoi ngallout
forherbreakfast
.She' snotemer gi
ngfrom t hebedr oom soIput
herplateinthemi crowav eandtakemi netot helounge.Myphone
i
sr i
ngingont opoft heTVst andwher eIleftitcharging.Itst
he
psychiatr
ichospital,wheremymot heris.Iheav easi ghandpl ace
mypl ateoffooddown.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.

"
Dr.Mkhwanazi
,howar
eyousi
r?"Af
emal
evoi
cesay
s.

"
Yes,
isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Idon'
thav
eti
mef
orsmal
ltal
k.

"
Ohuhm.
..
yourmot
her
,she'
sbeenr
espondi
ngr
eal
l
ywel
ltoher
medication.She'sdoingextremel ywell,t
heselastfewday sshe's
beentalking,shehasbeenaski ngafteryou.Wewant edtoknow
wheny ou'llbeabletocomeandv isi
t?"Icl
osemyey esandpinch
thebri
dgeofmynose.Ihav en'tbeent oseemymot hersi
nceIleft
herattheirfacil
i
ty.Imakesur et hebil
l i
spaidont i
meandI
thoughtthat '
swhereit'
l
lend.Idon' tknowhowIf eelaboutseei
ng
her.

"
Dr.Mkhwanazi
?"Thel
adyont
heot
hersi
deoft
hel
i
necal
l
sout
myname.

"Yes,
yesI'
m sti
l
lhere.Iam t
iedupwi
thwor
kherein
Johannesbur
g,I
'l
lcall
youwhenIhaveaweekendcl
ear
ed.
"Isay
.

Ist
il
lhav
etothi
nkaboutitt
hough,I
'
venever
,ev
erseenmy
motherl
uci
d.Iwonderhowever
ythi
ngwil
lpl
ayout
.

"Okay
,wewil
lhearf
rom y
out
hen.
"Shesay
sandInodbef
ore
hangi
ngup.

Whatareyougoi
ngtodoMabut ho?Youal
readyhav
eyourhands
f
ull
withtheLemohangsi
tuat
ion.

Itakemypl ateandgosi tdownont hecouch, there'

ssti
llnosign
ofRebecca.Ihopeshedi dn'
thangher sel
finmybat hroom,Idon't
needmor edrama.Wer eall
yneedtot alk,
ifthesexwear ehav i
ng
i
sgoi ngtomakeheractl i
kemygi rl
fri
endthenwear egoingto
havet ostop.Whenmywomani sf
inall
ybackIdon' twanttobe
deali
ngwi thhernonsense.Shemustknowherpl aceandst i
ckto
i
t.Foot st
epsf i
nal
l
yappr oach,shefi
nallysnappedoutofwhat ever.
I
'mtheonewhodi
dn'
tnut,
Ishoul
dbethecrankyone.Shesi
ts
downonthesi
ngl
ecouchandmyhear
tdrops.

"
Whydidyouputont
hosemor
ningsl
i
pper
s?"Iaskandshe
f
rowns.

"
Icoul
dn'
treal
l
ywearhighheelsaft
ermyshower,
"Ichuckl
e,she
i
sweari
ngmygi r
lf
ri
endssl
ippersandshet
hinksi
t'
sokay.

"Youcoul
dhavejustwal
kedbaref
oot
.Thosearen'
tyourshoes,
"
sherol
lsherey
es,obvi
ousl
yir
ri
tat
edbutI
'm pi
ssed.

Shehadnor
ight
,Lemohanghast
ofi
ndhert
hingst
hewayshel
eft
them.

"You'r
eov erreacti
ng,Mabut ho.It
'sjustsli
ppers,probablybought
from Pepst ore.Icanhav ethem replacedwithsomet hi
ngofhigh
qualit
y,"Shesay sderisi
velyandbi t
eshert oastandI '
m boil
ing
wi t
hanger .She'sdisr
espectful,
Thisbi t
chdoesn' tknowherplace.

"
Takeoffmygi
rl
fr
iendsshoes,
Rebecca.
"Shel
aughs,
li
ker
eal
l
y
l
aughatme.I
t'
sonlymakingmemor eangr
y.

"Wakeupandsmel lthedamncof fee,thegir

lisnotcomi ngback.
She'shappywi t
hMakhosi ni
Lukhele,theyareprobablyhav i
ngsex
ri
ghtnow.You' r
esohunguponagi rlwhohasmov edon, ali
tt
le
girlf
orthatmatter
."Idropmypl at
eoff oodandi tbreaksint
o
pieces.Rebeccascreamsal i
tt
le,bli
nkingrapi
dly.

"
Thatl
it
tl
egi
rlhassomet hi
ngy
ou'r
edesper
atetohave,shehas
myhear
t,myl
ov e.You'
reamarr
iedwhor
e,sl
eepingoutbecause
herhusbandi soutoftown, youdesperat
epieceofass."Her
stupidtear
sar eneverfar
,theyarealr
eadystreamingdownher
face.I'
m annoyedrightnow.Tempt edtoslapheracrossthef
ace
butIstowmyt wit
chingpalm.

"WhydoIkeepdoi ngthistomy self

?Iam sostupid.Iwasreadyto
l
ooseital
lforyou,again.Sostupid,Rebecca,
stupidasfuck.
"She
scol
dshersel
f,Idon'
tcar e.Ij
ustwantthosesli
ppersoffherfeet
andhergonefrom myhouse.

"Il
eftmychi
ldr
entocomehere,I'
vebeenmoaningyournamet he
wholeni
ghtandyoutr
eatmelikeshi
tovermorningsl
ipper
s?"She
sayswit
hsomuchv ehemence.

"Gett
hefuckoutofmyhouse,Rebecca.Andnevercomeback
hereagai
n,
"shejol
tsup,
fumingwithangerbutIdon'
tgi
veafuck.
Shemeansnothingtome,shewasjustacum dump.

"I
'm gl
adthatgi
rlmovedonfrom you,
shedeservesbett
erthan
yourunst
ableass.GodIwishsheknewhowl uckysheistohave
dodgedabullet
."Herwor
dsar el
i
kedaggers,goi
ngstrai
ghtformy
heart.

I
thurtstoheart
hisbutIdon'
tshowher,Ican'
tshowanysi
gnof
weaknessorpai
nt oRebecca.Shehast
ot hi
nkI'
m al
waysont
op
ofmygame.

"She'
smywoman, she'
l
lcomebackt
ome.l
i
key
oukeepdoi
ng.
"I
saywithasmi
rk.

Sheshakesherheadandst
ormsoutoft
her
oom.
LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Ijustl
eftcampus, Ispentt hewhol edayi nthelibrary.Myf i
rst
exam isonThur sdayandi thadt obeappl i
edmat hemat i
cs.Shiti
s
noteasyatal l
,Ican'
tjustaskJesust obewi t
hmei ntheexam
room whenIdi dn'
tputi nthewor k.Ihav ebeenpr acti
cingwith
pastpapersandwat chingt ut
orialsont heinternet .Ineedtoace
theseexamssoIdon' tdelaygr aduat i
onandwor se, l
oosemy
bursar
y.Thisqualifi
cationisnotonl yformebutf orAtang,Ihave
alifet
obui l
dformybr other.Iam hi sonlyhope, hisonlyti
cketto
l
ivingabetterli
fe.

Iam almostatt
heapar t
ment ,Iwanttotakeashowerandl ayon
mybed, t
alktomyboy fr
iendont hephoneandbl ushtothemoon
andback.Makhosi niandIfinall
ystoppedlyi
ngtoour sel
ves,ithas
al
way sbeenmoret hanfri
endshipwithusbutwewer ebothin
deni
alorIguessIwasbecauseMakhosi nisaidhealwayswant ed
more.Buthedidn'twantt oscaremeaway ,he'
sjustanamazi ng
manlikethat
.Ididn'tthi
nkI'dfallf
orsomeonesosoonaf ter
Mabuthobuthowcoul dInotwhenIhadaguyl i
keMakhosi niin
myfacethiswholet ime?

Wear est
il
lcl
oseandsi l
lywit
heachother
,wedidn'
tal
l
owt he
changeofourrel
ati
onshipstat
ustochangetheki
ndofpeopl
e
we'veal
waysbeenar oundeachother
.Imisshi
m somuch,I
haven'
tseenhi
m sinceSunday,whenheli
ckedmycakeandmade
mesquir
talloverhi
sface.Iwasdesperateforhi
mt openetr
ate
mebutIdidn'
twanttoappearfoward.IwantMakhosinitocl
aim
me,morethanhedidwithhistongueandr emoveever
ymemor y
ofMabut
ho.It'
sjustamatterofti
met i
l
lithappensbecausewith
Makhosi
niIwanttogoalltheway .

Iunlockt hedoorandwal ki n,ther

e'sabeaut i
fulbouquetof
fl
ower sont hekitchencount erandagi ftbagnextt oit.Ebukai s
sti
l
l asr omant i
cast hefirsttimetheymet ,
he'soneconsi stent
man.Il ov ehimf orUndiphile,absolut
elylovethem t ogether.She'
s
i
nfrontoft heTV, watchi
ngt hechal l
enge,it
'sourf avori
ter eal
it
y
show.Idr opmybagont hebarst ool,Ineedagl assofwi ne.I
dealtwit hnumber sandformul asthewhol eday, Ideservet o
unwi nd.I'
lltakeashoweraf terandcal l
Makhosi ni.He'spr obabl
y
goingoutofhi smi nd,hecan' tcal
lwhenI '
m study i
ngbecausewe
woul dgetcar ri
edaway .

"I
'
dl ov
eonet oo,
please."Shesay sandIt akeoutanothergl
ass
fr
om thecupboardandr inseitbeforefi
ll
ingbothwiththedryr
ed.
Ipickthegl
assesandheadt oherint helounge.She'
sinher
pyj
amaswi thherlegstuckedunder neathheront hecouch.

"Ohthoseareforyou,
"shesayspoint
ingtothefl
ower sandgi
ft
bag.Ithoughtt
heywereherthi
ngs.Butt
erfl
iesfl
utt
erinmy
stomachandIwantt ogetupanddancear oundtheroom.

"
Whoi
sitf
rom?
"Iaskandsher
oll
sherey
es.
"Duh!It
'sfr
om yourboo,"shesaysandmysmi lewidens.
Undiphil
ewassoexci t
edwhenIt oldheraboutmeandMakhosi ni
,
shegotextrawhenItoldherthatheatemeoutonmybedaf terI
gavehim ablowjobathi smotherspart
y.Ist
il
lcan'
tbeli
evet
hatI
didthatinaroom f
ullofpeople.

Ipl
acemygl
assofwineont
hecof
feet
abl
eandgetonmyf
eet
.I
needt
oseewhathegotme.

Thefragrancefr
om thefl
owersi sr
eall
ynice.Thi
sisthesecond
ti
mehe' ssendi
ngmef lowers,butt
histi
mear oundI'
m hi
s
gi
rlf
ri
end.Itsti
l
lfeel
ssurrealt
obehonest .

Imeanhe'
sMakhosini
Lukhel
e,averyhandsomeandsuccessf
ul
man.Inev
ert
houghtI'
dfi
ndmy sel
fdati
ngsuchaguy.

IopenthegiftbagasUndi
phil
estopsi
nfr
ontofme.Thefi
rstt
hing
Icomebackwi thisaper
sonal
izedwat
erbott
le,
ithasmyname
onit.Ther
e'sasti
ckynot
eonit.

DRI
NKWATERAFTEREVERYQUESTI
ONYOUFI
NISH.

Ismi l
e,Idi
dn'
texpectthi
sbutit'
scut
e.Itakeoutaboxandit'
sa
stati
onaryset
,pens,penci
ls,
rubber
,mathssetandascient
if
ic
calcul
ator,
theworks.There'
salsoanot
eont heset
.

IDON'
TWANTYOUBORROWINGANYTHI
NGI
NTHEEXAM
ROOM ORRI
SKYOURPENSRUNNI
NGOUTOFINK.

Undiphi
leandIl
augh.He'
sstupi
dandamazingf
ort
his,
I
absolut
elyl
ovet
hisgif
t,i
t'
ssothought
ful
.
"Yourmani ssocut e,Iam jealous."It
hinkI'
vetur
nedr ed,
Makhosini i
sdoingt hi
ngst ome.Inot icethepensandpencils
havemessagesont hem, t
hingslikeYOUCANDOTHI S.WHAT
YOUDREAM WI LLBE.YOUARELOVED.Ican' t
,he'
smaki ngme
fal
lharderanddeeper .Ididn'tknowst ati
onar
ycoulddot hi
st oa
person.Itakeoutthel astboxandgaspf orai
r.Il
ookatUndi phi
le
andshe'ssmi li
ng.Iopent heboxandi t'
sabeauti
fulgoldMichael
Korswat ch,Ican'
tbelievethis.

"That'
sbeautif
ul,
Lemo."Myfri
endsaysandI'
mjuststari
ngatit
.I
l
ov ewatchesbutI'v
eneverownedonesoexpensi
ve,i
t'snota
Rolexbutit'
sMichaelKor
sanditdoesn'
tcomecheapei t
her
.
Undiphil
etakesthesti
ckynot
eandlaughsbef
orereadingoutl
oud.

"Thisistomakesur et hatyoudon' tleavetheapartmentlat

eand
missy ourpaper,al
sousei ttokeept imewhi l
eintheexam room.
Here'sat i
p,bef
oreyoust ar twri
ting,all
ocateti
mef oreach
questionsoy oudon'twast eanymi nute.Whateveryoudon'tknow,
skipandcomebackt oitlater
."Icani magineLukhele'
sfaceashe
wrotet hat
.Iwanttohearhi svoice.Hej ustmadememi sshim
terr
ibl
y .

"
Hecandothi
sboyf
ri
endi
ngt
hingv
erywel
l
."Undi
phi
l
esay
sand
t
akesasi
pofherwi
ne.

"
Hesurecan,I
'm speechl
ess.
"Shehugsmeandwegi
ggl
e."
Let
mecal
lhi
m. "

Itakemyphonefr
om t
hebaganddi
alhi
snumberasIwal
ktothe
bedroom.I
t'
sri
ngi
ngasIwal
kint
omyspaceandthr
owmy sel
fon
thebed,f
acingt heceil
ing.Phoneconver
sationsarenotenough,
theymakememi sshim evenmore.Ihat
et hatwestart
edour
rel
ati
onshi
pj ustwhenI '
m supposedtofocusonmyexams.He
answerswhenI 'm abouttohangupbecausei thasbeentri
ll
i
ng
forl
ong.

"Fi
nal
ly
,Iwasl
oosi
ngmymind.
"HesaysandIcl
osemyey
es,
pul
li
ngmylegsupandpl
aci
ngmyankl
eonmyknee.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
justgothomef
rom campusl
i
brar
y."

"I
t'
sokay,
sthandwasami
.Yougotsomewor
kdone?
"Heasks
andIheaveasigh.

Iam y
ett
ocal
lhi
m wi
thsomepetnames,
I'
m st
il
lal
i
ttl
eshy
.

"Yes,
Ipushedalot.I
'
m happyt
obehomeandr
est
ing.
"It
ell
him
andhechuckles.

"Isentyouali
ttl
esomethi
ng,
didy
ougeti
t?"Ibl
ush,
remember
ing
hiscute,t
houghtf
ulgi
ft
.

"
Igoti
tandIl
ovei
t,t
hanky
ou.
"Imeani
t.

IknowIalwaysfi
ghthim whenhespendsmoneyonmebutI'
m
goingtohavetogetusedtoit
.HedidsayIwi
l
lalway
sloosewhen
wef i
ghtovermoney.

"
I'
m gladyouli
kedi
t.Al
lthebestwi
thy
ourexams.Ibel
i
evein
y
ou,"Iwanttofl
ytohim andki
sshi
mtil
lwearebothbr
eat
hless.

"
Thanky
ou,
Makhosi
ni.I
treal
l
ymeansal
ot.
"
"
Imissyou,
"myhear
tthudsagai
nstmychest
,thebut
ter
fl
ies
f
lut
termorei
nmystomach.

"Imissy
oumor e.I
'l
lseeyouonFriday
,Idon'
thav
eanotherexam
unti
lWednesday.Wecanbet oget
herfort
heweekend.
"Isuggest
andIhearhi
m sighinrel
i
ef.

"
Ican'
twai
tbaby
,"Met
oohandsomeper
son,
met
oo.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER44

SPONSOREDBYNONI

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Ur
gh,
canshejustl
eavemebe,
"mysi
stersay
sandIl
ookupat
herwi
thar
aisedeyebr
ow.

"Whoshouldbelett
ingy
oube?
"Iaskandsheheav
esasi
ghand
placesherphonedownont
hedesk.

"
Rat
anang,
"itcomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

Aren'
ttheyf
riendsanymore?Sheoncealmostbi
tmyheadoff
becauseofthatgir
l.Thatt
woheadedsnake,Ist
il
ldon'
t
underst
andwhyshel i
edtoLemohangatmymot her
spart
y.

"Youguy sf
oughtorsomet hi
ng?"Iaskandshel eansbackonthe
chair
,chewingherchickensal
ad.Shecamet omyof f
icewithf
ood,
shebroughtsomef orNancyaswel lbecauseshegetsbothour
l
unchsoi ti
sonlyfairthatt
hosewhobr ingmef oodbringsome
forhertoo.

"No, shepissedmeof fatmomsbi rthday.Idon'tl

ikethatshel
ied
abouty out oLemohang.Idon'tunderstandwhyshe' sobsessi
ng
ov eryou,areyouthatgoodinthesackbhut i?"Sheasks
nonchal ant
lyandIchokeont heporkr i
bsI'm eati
ng.Icough
violentl
y,gi
v i
ngherawarninglook.

"
Mvel
o,y
oucan'
tbeaski
ngmesucht
hings.It
oldy
out
o
rememberthatI'
my ourel
derbrot
herbef
oreIam yourf
ri
end.
Pleasewat
chy oursel
f,
"Ir
epri
mandheraftercat
chi
ngmybr eat
h.

"Iam sor
ry,
thequest
ionj
ustwentf
rom myheadtomymouth
befor
eIcouldthi
nkabouti
t.
"Shebett
ernotr
epeati
tagai
n.

Respecti
swhatourmot
hert
aughtus.

"
Soy
ourf
ri
endshi
pwi
thher
?"Iaskandsheshr
ugshershoul
der
.

"Idon'tt
hinkIwantt
oconti
nuewithitbecauseallsheev erdoes
i
saskaf teryouandwhatyourrel
ati
onshipi
swi thLemohang. "
That '
sweird,
sheisbei
ngcrazy
.Wehadsex, sheini
ti
ateditandI
toldherIwantnothi
ngmoreoutofit,sheshouldgetov erthi
s
already.

"I
ssheunst
abl
eorsomet
hing?
"IaskMv
eloandshebl
owsouta
si
gh.

"No,
butherr
ecentbehavi
orisdi
stastef
ul.If
eelbad,l
ikethi
s
wholet
hingi
smyf aul
t,ImeanIgaveherhope."Thiswill
teach
hert
onotpokehernoseinmybusi nessoranyoneelse'
sforthat
matt
er.

"Yes,youdidcontr
ibuteali
tt
lebutt hedecisionwasul t
imatel
yup
tome.Yourf ri
endshouldn'
thav etakenyourwor dcompl et
ely
."
She'sshockedIjustagreedthatshehadahandi nthis.Shewas
hopingthatI'
l
ltal
kheroutofbeat i
ngher selfup.Buthonestyis
thebestpoli
cy.

"Canwechanget
hesubject
,"she'
sannoyedwi
thme.Shehasa
bir
dshear
tthi
sone.Iusedt
ouset hatt
omyadv ant
agegr
owing
up.
"Whenarey
ougoingtogety
ourt
hingsf
rom Si
pho'
spl
ace?
"She
groansi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.

"Ohwhathasbecomeofmyl if
e."Shethrowsherheadback,
I
shouldn'
thav
ebr oughthi
m up.He'sst
il
l asensit
ivet
opi
c.Mvel
o
real
l
yl ov
edhim andhopedtohav eafuturewithhim.

"Ineedsomeonet ogowit
hme, I
'm goi
ngt
oaskZethu.
"Inod
slight
ly.Shehast
ogetthi
soveranddonewit
h.Shewil
lheal
and
findamanwhowi l
ll
ovehergenui
nely.

Mv el
oleftt
hir
tymi nutesago, shewentt othelabtofinishher
report
sorsomet hing.I'
m gladthatherbr eakupwiththat
douchebagisnotaf fecti
nghereducat i
on.Sheneedst ocompl et
e
thi
sPhDandgr aduate,she'swor kedsohar dtogettothispoint
andIknowoncei t
'sdonei twillbri
ngherhappi ness.Shel oves
whatshedoes, event houghitrequiresal otofherti
me, shehas
managedt obalanceev erythi
ngwel linawayonl yMv elocan.She
i
sr eal
lyCebi
sil
eNgobese' sdaught erthatone,noquest ions
asked.

Speakingofmymot her,shehasbeenverydownsinceItol
dher
thatI
'
llbestar
ti
ngtol ookforanewplaceonMonday .Shedi
dn'
t
understandwhyI'
mi nahur r
ybutLemohangismywomannow,
wearegoi ngt
ohav etospendalotoftimetoget
her,weneed
pri
vacy.Shedoesn'tdeserveamant hatsti
lll
i
veswi thhi
smom.
MaNgobesewi lll
earntoaccepti t
,Iwill
sti
llbecomi ngaroundand
allt
hatbutit
stimeIleftformyownspaceagai n.Thedramawi t
h
Nombul el
oisoverandI '
mi nanewr elati
onshipwithawoman
thathasbroughtbackhappi nessandcont ent
menti nmyl i
fe.

Iam happybei ngwi thMaMohapi ,she'swhomyhear tgets

excit
edf or
.Iam t rulyexci
tedandl ooki ngforwar dtot hejourney
wear eaboutt ot akeasacoupl e.Itsnotgoi ngt obeal l
rosey,no
rel
ati
onshipev eri s,butI'mr i
dingt hisonet il
lthewheel sfall
of f
.I
canseeaf uturewi t
hher ,
abr ight,happyf uturet hati s.Iwould
l
ovet ostartmaki ngsomebabi esbutshest il
lneedst okickstart
hercareer,Idon'twanthersacr ifi
cingherdr eamsf orour
rel
ati
onshipbecauseshe' llendupr esent i
ngitandme.Pl usshe's
notonlydoi ngthisf orherselfbutf orherl it
tl
ebr otheraswel l
.
Knowinghowhar dshegoesf orhi mi soneoft her easonsI 'mi n
l
ov ewiththegi rl
,shoul dwehav echildrentoget her- whichIpr ay
happens-Iknowt heywi l
lhav eawar riorforamom.Iseesomuch
ofMaNgobesei nMaMohapi whichmakesmebel i
ev et hatthey
wereindeedr ightwhent heysai damanwi l
lmostl ikelyfallf
ora
womanwhohashi smot her '
sper sonal i
tyortraits.

"Thebooki
ngi
sconf
irmed,Fr
iday6pm toSunday6pm. "Nancy
says,
walki
ngi
ntomyoffi
ce.Shedoesn'tknock,
shejustwalks
ri
ghti
nandsayswhatneedstobesaid.Ican'
tsayanythi
ng,she'
s
mysuperwoman.
"
Whati
s?"Iaskpushi
ngmychai
rbackandcr
ossi
ngmyl
egs.

"
Makhosi
ni,
youaskedmet
ofi
ndy
ouagr
eatai
rBandB.
"Ohy
es.

At
leastwear
eal
lsetonaccomodat
ion.

Idi
dn'
twanttotakemywomant oahot
el,
Iwant
edaspacet
hat
canat
leastf
eel
al i
tt
lehomel
y.

"Thanks,
you'
rethebest
."Shewinksatmeandsit
sdownont
he
chairmysist
erwasoccupyingnotsol
ongago.

"Youneedtof indahousesoon, I'

m sureourgirlf
ri
endwillnot
appreci
atebeingmov edfr
om placetoplace.Itwil
lfeell
ikeshe'
s
j
ustasidepiece, tr
ustme."I'
vethoughtaboutt hat,
henceIasked
therealest
ateagentt osendmeherl ist
ings.LemohangandIwi l
l
l
ookatt hem thisweekendandchooset heperfectonetogether
.I
wantust odot histoget
herbecauseit'
sgoingt obeaspacewe
sharemostt i
mes.

"
I'
m oni
t,wewi
l
lsoonhav
esomet
hing.
"Shenodsandl
eansi
n.

"I
'
m gl
ady ouar
ehappy,youdeser
vei
taf
terev
ery
thi
ngy
ou'
ve
beent
hrough.
"Itot
all
yagree.

"That
'sveryt
rue,shemakesmehappy .Exci
tedaboutl
ifeagai
n,
I
'vebeenfocusingonmakingmybusi nessgrownandithasand
nowit'st
imetoputintheenergyintomakingthi
srelat
ionshi
p
withLemohangwor k.
"I'
my ettotel
lmyf amil
yaboutmy
rel
ati
onship,
atthemomenti t'
sonlyNancywhoknows.Ij ustwant
toenjoyherfi
rstbef
oretheLukhelecr
echeofadultswantapiece
ofher.
.

I'
m dr i
v i
ngmyUr usgoi nghome, I
'vebeeni magi ningmygi rl
friend
ont hisseatdr ivingussomewher e.She'dlooksof uckinghot .But
shedoesn' thav eal i
censeandt hat'
ssomet hi
ngweneedt ot ake
careof f
.Theseday sit'
snotal uxuryknowi nghowt odr i
v e,it
'sa
necessi ty,younev erknowt hekindofst i
ckysi tuat i
onsy ou'df ind
your selfi
nandt heymi ghtr equir
ey outot hetaket hewheel .I
wanthert obepr epar edf orany t
hing.Onceshe' sdonewi thher
examsI 'm goi ngt oor gani zeasmal lercarandt eachherhowt o
drive,it'
sdef initelygoi ngt obeamanual car,j
ustt obeont hesaf e
side.Myphoner i
ngs, Iam st artl
edbecausei t
'sconnect edt ot he
carandmymi ndwasel sewhere.It'
ssis'
Nomuzi ,Gl en'swi fe.I
haven' tspokent ot hem i nawhi l
e,herhusbanddi dn'twantust o
communi catei ncasehi sblooddi amondsassoci atesl earnedt hat
hewassi ngingbecausehewaspr otecti
ngme.I 'm gl adshe' s
reachi ngoutbutI '
m scar editmightbenewst hatl eav emehear t
broken.

"
Mama,
unj
ani
."Ianswer
.

"
Makhosi
ni,
I'
mfi
net
hanks,
unj
ani
wena?
"

Sher
espondsandIheav
easi
gh.

Shedoesn'
tsounddevastatedsoIguessGl
eni
sst
il
lal
i
veev
en
thoughbei
ngali
vei
storturousforhi
m.
"I
'
mf i
nethanks,
isever
ythi
ngokay
?"Shedoesn'
tsayany
thi
ngbut
Icanhearherst
il
lbr
eathi
ng.

"Yes,
Ihavenewsaboutthecase.Idon'
tknowi
fyourl
awyerhas
beenintouch.
"Shesay
sandIshakemyheadasi fshecansee
me.

"
No,
myl
awy
erhasn'
tmadecont
act
,"I

makeaturnatt
hetraf
fi
cli
ght
sandwav
eatt
hegent
swho
di
str
ibut
epamphlet
stomotor
ist
s.

"Wel l
,theverdictisout.Theywer efoundgui l
tyandthosehewas
wor ki
ngwi thwi l
lbesent encedtoser vesomet i
me.Glenget sto
dodgepr i
sonbecauseofhi shealth,ther
e'snopointsendinga
dy i
ngmant ojail
."Oht hat'
sgood.At l
eastthere'
ssomej usticefor
thepeopl eofCent ralAfri
caRepubl i
c.Iknowt her
earemor eofthe
kindGl enwor kedwi t
hbutaf ewlesspowerhungr ymonst ersin
thewor l
disbet t
erthannot hi
ng.At l
eastamessagei sbeingsent .

"
CanIcomeseehi
m now?
"Iask.

"It
hinki
t'
sal
lsaf
ebuthav
eaconversati
onwithyourlawy
erfi
rst
andhearwhathehast
osay.
"She'
sright
,I'
l
lcal
lhim whenIget
home.

"
Thanky
ouf
orl
ett
ingmeknow,
sis'
Nomuzi
."

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

I
'
m onmywayt
ofet
chmybr
otherf
rom t
heai
rpor
t.Iam so
excit
edt ohav ehim here.Heneedssomet i
meawayf rom our
auntst oxicit
y,butheal soneedssomet imet obeawayf rom i
tal
l.
Hehasbeent hemanoft hefami l
yforawhi l
enow, taki
ngcareof
everythingandt hatisv eryst
rainingineveryway.Iwon'tbeablet
o
takehim pl aceswhilehe'sher ebecauseI '
m writ
ingmyexamsbut
Ebukapr omisedt oshowhi m ar ound.I
'
m gladtheygel well
together, Iwouldn'
thav esurvivedthepissi
ngcont estbetweenmy
boyfri
endandmybr other.Mencanbel i
tt
leboysatt imes.

I'
m wi t
hAmukel ani,i
thasbeenawhi lesinceshecamear ound.
Whenshear rivedear l
ierIwassohappyt oseeher ,butshel ooked
l
ikeshe'scar ry
ingt hewor l
d'sproblemsonhershoul ders.Wi t
hher
mot herinrehabandherf atheralwaysdi sappearinglikeshet old
mewhenshewasof floadingwhi l
ewewer esti
llattheapar tment,
i
t'sallheavyonher .Ididn'tknowwhet hertotell
hert hatIsawher
fatherwithapr egnantgi rlwhocoul dpassof fashersi ster,and
thatitmightbet her easonwhyhedi sappears.Ihat ethatI '
m
keepingthisfrom herbutapar tofmef eelsl
ikeit'snotmysecr et
toexpose.Pl uswear est art
ingwi t
hourexams, she' salready
stressedsoaddi ngtoi twillbemepushi ngherinadar kdeeppi t.

Wegett otheai r
portandAmui stheonewhospot sJongikhaya.
He'sstandi
ngawkwar dl
ywi t
hhisni kesportsbaghangi ngonhi s
shoulderandanot heroneplacedathi sfeet.Wehur ryt
ohi m and
whenheseesusr el
ieff
loodsthroughhim.Washescar edthatI
wouldn'tpi
ckhim up?Weshar eal onghug, notonlyasagr eeti
ng
butwear etransferr
ingstr
engthtoeachot her.Peaches'deathlef
t
usbar
e,weonlyhav
eeachother.Orat
leastasf
arasbl
oodgoes,
I
hav
ehim onl
y.Hi
smotheri
sstil
lali
veandhasmorechi
ldr
en.

"
Howwasy
ourf
li
ght
?"Iaskandheshr
ugs.

"I
twasjustl
i
keallt
hepl aner
idesI'
vet
akenbef
ore.
"Irol
lmyeyes
andhi
thisshoul
der.HiseyeslandonAmukel
aniandIqui
ckl
y
remembermymanner s.

"Oh,
Jojo,y
ousti
llr
emembermyfr
iend,
Amukel
ani
?"Isayandhe
nodsholdi
ngouthi
shandf
orashake.

"
Def
ini
tel
y,howar
eyou?
"Heaskswi
thasmi
l
eandAmur
etur
nsi
t.

"
Ver
ywel
lthanks.Howhav
eyoubeen?
"

"Good,
butI'
m happyt
obeoutofGqeberha.I
'
m hopingt
ohav ea
goodti
meher e.
"Mycousi
nsaysandIpi
ckuphi sbagandleadus
tothewai
ti
ngcarasweallmakesmallt
alkabouttheweat
her.

Bumpert obumpert raff

icist hepit
s.Ihat eJohannesbur gforthi
s,
theprovinci
algovernmentshoul di
mposeal awthatsay swor kers
shouldusepubl i
ctransportationduringt heweek, thatwill
defi
nitel
yreducethenumberofv ehiclesont heroad.Andi nr et
urn
therestofuswi l
lenjoydrivingourboy fr
iendscars.Amukel ani
andJoj oarehit
ti
ngi tof
f,theyar etalkingaboutlaw, Jojoonlydid
oney earandchangedcour sesbutIwonderwhybecausei t
soundsl i
kehe'spassionateabouti t.Myphoner ings,it
'sAdewale.
Ianswerandhi svoicefil
lsmycar .
..Ebuka' scar.
..
"Undi,"Iknowhedi dmedi r
tybutIcoul
dn'tall
owmy sel
ftopush
him away ,
notwhenheshar edsomethi
ngt hatdeepabouthi
mself
.
IfIcuthi m offhewoul dhavehel
dont othebelieft
hatever
yone
willr
ej ecthim becauseheisgay.Thatwil
l onl
ymakehi m
continuel i
vingthisli
e.

"
Wal
e,wassup?
"Ther
e'smusi
cpl
ayi
ngi
nhi
sbackgr
ound.

"Iam ataNiger
ianr
est
aurantnow,doyouwantmet
obr
ingy
ou
anythi
ng?"HeasksandIbit
emyl owerl
ip.

"
OhIcoulddowithsomeOgbonosoupbutIam onmywayhome
f
rom t
heair
port
.Mybrot
heri
sintown.
"Isay,hopi
nghedoesn'
t
t
akethi
sother
wise.

"
Itot
all
yunder
stand,
"hesay
s.

Hi
svoi
cei
sst
il
lev
enbutIf
eel
bad.

"Youcanbringmesomet
omor
rowatcampus,
I'
ll
takeast
udy
break.
"Isuggest
.

"
Thatsoundsgr
eat
.Seey
out
omor
rowt
hen.
"He'
sal
lexci
tednow.

Doest hi
smakeusfr
iendsorsomet
hing?Howwil
lmyboyf
ri
end
feel
aboutmespendingti
mewi t
hsomeonewhowantedt
obreak
usup.Ineedtosi
tWaledownandconv i
ncehi
mtocomeoutto
hisf
riend.

Weendthecallandmusi
cresumesplayi
ng,t
hetraf
fici
sst
il
lsl
ow
mov
ing.I
'm get
tingi
mpat
ientnow,
Ijustwanttogethomeandeat
thefoodIpr eparedformybrother
.Imadeourf av ori
te,
papawi t
h
beefbonesandcabbage.Peachesusedt okil
l t
hisdish,Ilearned
howt ocookbywat chi
ngherinthekit
chen.I
t'soneoft heway s
weusedt obondandgossi paboutherdaughters.Ifeelheav y
eyesonme, IlooktomyleftandAmukelaniisraisinganey ebrow
atme, IglancetothebackandJojohashi sarmsf ol
dedacr oss
hischest.Ifrown,wonder
ingwhatIdid.

"
What
'supguy
s?"Iaskandmycousi
nscof
fs.

"
Youbet
ternotbecheat
ingonNomasont
o,"Ismackmyl
i
ps.

"
Stopcal
l
ingmyboy
fri
endt
hat
,"Iwar
nhi
m.

"Who'st
hatWaleyouweretal
ki
ngto,Undi
phi
l
e?"OhLord,r
eall
y?
Theythi
nkI'
dlookatanot
herman?I'
m agonegi
rlf
orgoodness
sakes.

"Hei
sEbuka'
sbrother,y
ouguys.
"Orat
leastIhopet
heywi
l
lbe
abl
etomendtheirrel
ati
onshi
p.

"
Oh,
okay
."Ir
oll
myey
es.

Il
ovemyJol
l
ofandnot
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ochanget
hat
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER45

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Okay,guy
s.Makhosinii
sout si
de.
"Isaynervousl
y.Thi
sisthefi
rst
ti
mewewi l
lbespendingthewholeweekendasacoupl e.Iam
nervousbutreadyf
orwhat ev
erthathappensbetweenus.

"Toni
ght,LemohangMohapi final
l
yloosesherv i
rgini
ty.
"Undi
phi
l
e
saysandIcastmyey esdown.Theydon'tknowt hatIgavemy
puri
tytothatbastard,Mabut
ho.SomethingIregretdeeply
.
Makhosiniwouldhav edeser
veditmorebutwhathashappened
hashappened,there'snousecryi
ngoverspil
tmi l
k.

"Justrelax,itwil
lhurtali
tt
lei
nt hebeginningbuti
naf ewmi nut
es
you'l
lstarttoenjoythepleasurablepain.
"That'
sAmukel ani
.She
resurf
acedt hi
sweekandIam happyt ohaveherback,she'
sbeen
goingthr oughthingsaloneandt hathurt
sbecauseshehasus, her
bestfri
endswhol ov
eandcar eforher.

"I
'
veheardyou,gi
rl
s.I'
l
l j
ustgowiththefl
owandenjoymy sel
f.
"I
sayandthey'
resmil
inglikewejustwonthelot
to,
somef ri
endsI
have.Theyar
ehappyt hatI'
m pr
obablygoi
ngtogetfucked.

Undiphil
e'
sbedroom dooropensandJoj
owalksout,
he'
sbeen
heresinceWednesdayandithasbeenni
cehavinghi
m ar
ound.
YesterdaywhenIgothomeaf t
ermyexam If
oundtheapart
ment
cl
eanandpotsonthestov
e.Hesai
dhedidn'
twanttoover
work
Undi
phi
leandIknowingwe'v
est
art
edexams,he'
sthought
ful
.

"
I'
llseeyouguy
sonSunday,
"Isayandt
akemyov
erni
ghtbagt
hat
Undiphi
l
eandAmukel
anihel
pedmepack.

TheUr usi
sparkednearthest ai
rcase, heknowsI'l
lnevert
akethe
el
evatoral
onebecauseofmycl austrophobia.Makhosinii
s
l
eaningonthebonnetofhi scar,lookingamazinginthoseblack
j
eans,bootsandawhi tejerseywi thabl uedeni
mj acketontop.
Hisarmsarefoldedacrosshi schest ,smili
ngupatmeasI
descendthesti
rs,he'
smaki ngmebl ush.Ican'
tbeli
evethi
sfine
mani smyboyfriendandt onightIgett osleepnexttohim.

"
Hey
,"Isaysof
tl
yasIst
opj
ustaf
ewi
nchesi
nfr
ontofhi
m.

"Hey ,
Nana.Youl ookbeauti
ful
."Hecompliments,
runningafi
nger
alongmyj awl i
ne.Theexcesselectr
onsIusedtoblamewhenI
feltel
ect r
icitywheneverwetouched,hesai
dit'
schemistry
,an
emot ional connect
ionweshareandIshouldstopbeinga
scientistev enwhenitcomestomat ter
softheheart.

I
'
venev
erl
aughedt
hathar
d.

"Thankyou,"Iwenttomybrotherssal
ontoday,Igotbr
aidsandI
mustsayt hatthosegi
rl
sworkingforEbukaknowwhatt hey
'r
e
doing.

"
Readyt
ogo?
"Inodandhet
akesmybaganduseshi
sfr
eehand
t
opul
lmet
ohi
m.

Heplant
saki ssonmyl i
psthenmyf orehead.I
'
veneverfel
tthis
waybefore.IdoubtIev
erwil
l.Hetakesmyhandandl eadsmet o
myside,heopensmydoorandIcl imbi n.Heputsmybagi nthe
backandgoesar oundtohi
sside.Mypal msaresweaty,
I'm so
nerv
ous,eventhoughI'
vespentsomucht i
mewi t
hhi
m andev en
swall
owedhi ssemen.

He'spl ay
ingsomesof tromanticmusic, t
helyri
csareobvi
ously
someonepr oclaimingl ovetothei
rpartner.Makhosinii
ssi
nging
along,Ican'thelpbutt hinkhe'ssingi
ngf ormebecausehekeeps
glancingmyway .Hedr ivesoutoftheapar t
mentgateandtakes
myhandi nhist henleansbackcomf ortablyashedriv
eswithone
hand.Thi si
ssomet hingt hathappensint hemov i
esornovel
s,i
s
thisreall
yhappeni ngtome?Li fecanreallychangeinabli
nkofan
eye.

He' stel l
i
ngmeabouthi scompanyandhowt heyjustgotabig
diamondf rom asell
erinCamer oon.Hesay stheyaregoingtouse
i
tt ocust om makeorpi mpwat chesforhistopcl i
entswhoaren'
t
afraidt ospendbi gmoney .He'spassionateaboutdiamondsand
j
ewel rymaki ng,Icanjustt
ellbyhowhi seyeslightupashe
expl ainst hi
stome.Icanal sorememberhowf ocusedand
relaxedhewaswhenhewasmaki ngmet heringonmyf i
ngerin
hisv er yfactor
y.Youcanal sotell
from theearringshemademe
j
ustf orhi smom' sparty
.Ihavethem onr i
ghtnow.Theymeanso
mucht
ome.

Themusicst
opspl ay
ingandt
hescr
eenshowsthat"
Pri
ncess"i
s
cal
li
ng,
hebetternottel
lmehehasadaught
er.

"
Whatnow,
Jeez.
"Hecompl
ainsbutanswer
sany
way
.

"
Sist
er,
"Hesay sandrel
i
eff
loodst
hroughme.Iam sojeal
ous
whenitcomest ot
hisman,
Iwasalreadybr
eat
hingthr
oughthe
woundthinki
nghehasababymamaandadaught eroldenough
t
obeusi ngaphone.

"Hey,MaNgobesewant
stoknowwhichpi
zzaf
lavoryouwant
.
She'
snotcookingt
oday.
"Hi
ssist
erMvel
osaysthrought
hecar
speaker
.

"Uhm,Iwasmeaningt
ocall
.Tel
lherI'
l
lbesleepi
ngout
,I'
l
lseey
ou
guysonSunday
."Hesaysandshelaughs.

"
Uhl
ekani
?"Someonei
nthebackgr
oundasks.

"
Nothi
ng,
"MveloanswerswhoIassumei
stheirmom."Arey
ou
wi
thLemohang?"SheasksandIl
ookatMakhosi
ni.Hehast
his
wi
desmil
eplaster
edacrosshi
sface.

"I
'
llseeyouonSunday,MaLukhele."Heav oi
dsansweringt
he
questi
onandI'
m notsurehowIf eel aboutt
hat.Doeshewantt
o
keepourrel
ati
onshi
pasecretjustlikeMabut ho?

"
OhmyGod,arey
outwo-"Makhosiniki
ll
st heli
neandl
aughs.He
l
ooksatmeandf
rownsatmyfacialexpression.
"
Baby
,ar
eyouokay
?"Heasksal
armedandIt
akeadeepbr
eat
h.

"Youdon'
twanty
ourfamil
ytoknowaboutus?
"Iaskandhe
shakeshi
shead,
hiseyeswide.

"Iwantt hewor ldt oknow, Lemohang.Il ovev eryloud,Ican't

i
magi neclaimingt olovesomeoneandhav ingtodoi tsecret
ivel
y.
It'
sjustnotme, "hepauses, "
Ihaven'tt
oldt hem becauseIknow
they'l
l j
ustwantt obecal lingyou,meet i
ngupwi thyouandal l.I
didn'twantt hem t oscarey ouoff
, oncey ou'recompletely
comf ortableinourr elat
ionshipI'
l
l l
etthem knowandy ou'l
lhaveto
ber eadyf orMv elo,shelikesyou."Heexpl ainsandIbl ush,fi
ddli
ng
myf i
ngers.Ibel i
evewhathe' ssay i
ng,he'sgenui neandhaskept
tohisev erywor dsi nceImethi m.

ThisAi rbnbisbeautiful,t
hedecor ationisabsol utelyamazing.The
l
ocat i
oni ssaf eandtheirsecurit
yt ight
.Wear egoingtohav ean
amazi ngweekendt ogetherlockedupi nher ewi thno
disturbances.Makhosi nicameher eearliertost ockupt hefri
dge
withthingswear egoingt oneed, therear etwobot tlesof42and
threeofchampagne.I t
'senoughal cohol forthebot hofus, Idoubt
wewantanybadi nf
luencest hi
sweekend.Hesai dwewi l
lonly
makebr eakfasttogetherandor derourf orl unchanddi nner.For
tonighthealr eadybroughtaseaf oodpl atterthatwewi llwarm up
andeat .
Iam i
nt hemasterbedr oom,Ij
ustremovedmyboot sandr eadyto
sl
ideint
omysl i
pper s.DidImenti
onhowspaci ousthisroom is?
Thebedi st
oobigt hough,Iwil
lbesleepi
nginhisarmsal lni
ght
ever
ynightwear eher esoit
'sgoi
ngt owaste.Thehairsonmy
neckstandandasecondl at
erhisarmscircl
earoundmywai st
andakissispl
ant edonmyneck.Mywhol ebodycat chesfir
eas
hepressesmyasst ohim.Hesmel lssogood,LordJesus.

"I
'm sorryIhadt obri
ngyoutoanAirbnb,Isoldmyhouseaftermy
divorce.I
'm onlygett
ingonesoonandI'dloveforyoutohel
pme
picksomet hing."HesaysandIsmil
ethenpi votsowearefaceto
face.Isnakemyar msaroundhisneckandhepl antsaki
ssonmy
l
ips.

"
Iunderst
and,nopr
essur
e."Hegi
vesmeami
schi
evousgr
in.
What'
sgoingonint
hatheadofhi
s.

"Theestat
eagenthasemail
edmepi ctur
esofherli
sti
ng.Whatwe
candoischoosethreeandgovi
ewt hem thi
scomingweekon
yourfr
eeday.
"Oht hat
'sabi
gtask,
seriousrel
ati
onshi
ptypeof
thi
ngs.

"Okay
,wecandot hat.
"Iam justgl
adthatt
hehousehe'sget
ti
ng
wil
lnothaveanymemor yofhisexoranywomenhesl eptwi
th
aft
er,
especial
l
ythatRatanangladyfr
om hi
smotherspart
y.

"Youar
eamazing,
andbeaut
if
ulandsexy
."Hesay
ssqueezi
ngmy
assint
hesej
eans.Hel
eaveswetki
ssesonmyneckandthe
potabl
ecleav agepoppingthrought hevest.Iremov edmyt ur
tle
neckandt renchcoatafewmi nutesaf t
erwegoti n,i
t'
swar min
here.Hisonehandi smassagingmybr eastandI'm brushi
nghis
head.Igaspf orairashisl
ipsfindmi neandhegi vesmeasl ow,
sansualkissthatsendsshiversdownmyspi ne.Thisisit
,thi
sis
mychancet ogetridofMabut hofrom beingt heonlymanwho
hashadme.Makhosi ni
hastocl ai
m met oni
ghtandmakemehi s
i
nev eryaspectoft heword.

Ihadthegutstogi
vehim ablowj obwhenIwasj usthisfri
end,
i
niti
ati
ngsexwhenI'm hi
sgirl
fr
iendshouldn'
tbefrownedupon.I
unhookmyar msaroundhisneckandf i
ndhisbelt.Iunbuckl
eit
andthathastogi
vehim anideaofwhatIwant .

Hest opski ssingmyli

psandmovestonibblemyear,
"Areyou
surey ou'r
er eadybaby
?"HeasksandIappreci
atet
hathe'
snot
pressuringmei nt
oanythi
ng.

"I
'
v eneverbeensur eaboutany thinginmyli
f e,
"Iwhisperback.He
comesbackt oki ssmyl ipswhi l
er emovi
nghi sdeminj acket,
then
heunbot t
onsmyj eansandpul lsthem down, l
eavingthem atmy
hi
ps.Ourl ipsar est i
l
llocked,
t onguesswirl
ingtogether ,he'
s
gropi
ngmybr eastsandI '
m breathingheavi
ly,desperatet of
eel
hi
m closer,deeperandi nti
mately.Hesuddenl ystopsandcur ses
underhisbr eath.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskpant
ing.

"Iwasn'
texpecti
nganythi
ngt
ohappen,Idi
dn'
tbri
ngcondoms."
Hesay sandIbit
emyl owerl
i
p.Thatcan'
tbether
easonwhythi
s
hastostop,Iunder
standwhyweneedtoplaysaf
ebutI'
m up
t
her
e,hotwi
thneed,
aneedofhi
m andhi
sbody
.

"I
'
veonlyeversl
eptwithoneperson,
withacondom thosethree
ti
mes."Isayandthatseemstogethim backinthemood.Itrust
himtobeclean,Idon'
tknowwhybutItrustthi
smanwi thmyl if
e.
Iknowit'
stooearl
yandi tmakesmelookstupidandnaivebutit
i
swhati ti
s.

"I
'l
l pullout,"hesay stakingof fhisj eansalongwi thhi sboxer
bri
ef sandhi shar dr odisf r eed, it
'spoppi ngveins, readyt odev our
me.Hi sjerseyi snextandIswal lowhar dashest andsi nfrontof
mecompl et elynakedandbr eat htaking.Hekneel sdownand
remov esmysockst henmyj eans.ThankGodUndi phi leinsisted
thatIwearmat chingunder wear .Heget supandhel psmeoutof
myv est,I'
ml eftinthemat chingsetIgott odayatt hemal l
.I'
m not
evenf eelingshy ,everythingf eelsr i
ghtwi thMakhosi ni
.He' s
l
ooki ngatmel i
ket hisi
st hef irsttimehehasev erseenmenaked
buthehasbef ore,lastSundaywhenhewor kedonmycl i
tori
swi th
hist ongue.Heunhooksmybr awi thonehandandr emov esi t
, my
twinsar el eftexposed, myni ppl eser ectandsensi t
iv e.Wi t
hina
bli
nkofaney e,he'scar ryingme, myl egsaroundhi swai stand
armsl ockedar oundhi sneck.Hei ski ssi
ngmehungr i
l
yandI '
m
returningt hesamepassi on, myhandsar etouchinghi m allov er.I
wanthi m, now.Li kehej ustr eadmymi nd,hemov est othebed
andpl acesmedownandget sont opofme, hi
swei ghti spr essing
meont hismat tr
ess.Hi ser ect i
oni satmyent r
ance, Iwantt oar ch
mybackt odi recthi minsi deofmebutt hatdoesn' twor kbecause
mypant iesar eintheway .Hei ssucki ngmyni ppl easonef inger
fi
ndsi t'swayt omybeanandr ubsi nalldir
ecti
onswi thintense
pressur e.Iam l oosi ngmymi nd, Iam moani ng, calli
nghi sname,
desperatetohav ehimfil
lever
yi nchofme.Hei nsert
sonefi
nger
i
nmymoi stopeningandIcurlmyt oes.Thet
hrustsofhisf
inger
arejustcausingmemor ehungerf orthereal
thing.Heremoves
mypant iesandrunshisharddi ckonmyopeni ng,itf
eel
ssogood.
Withoutwar ni
ng,histi
ppenetratesme.

"Ahh..
.Makhosi ni,
"Icryandhegr oansashepusheshi slength
deeperinsideofme, slowlynott ohurtme.He'sstret
chingmy
wallsbutit'
snotuncomf ortablebecauseI 'm wet.Hepresseshi s
weightonmeagai nwhi l
ekissi ngme, thenhestartstomov eand
I'
ml osti
necstasy .He'smov inghi swaistinever
ydi r
ecti
on,he's
slowingdownandgoi ngfast, buildi
ngupt hi
sint
ensepr essure
aroundmywai stli
kehedi donSundaywi t
hhistongue.He' s
groaninginmyearandI '
mf indi ngitmorearousi
ng, i
t'
ssexy ,i
t
givesmeconf i
dence.Themor ehehi tstheri
ghtspor t
sthedeeper
Idigmynai lsi
nt ohisback.

Iopenmyl
egswi
der
,want
ingal
lofhi
m.

"
Fuck,
Nana.Ilov
eyou.
"Hesaysandmyheartbeat
sfast
er,t
hose
wor
ds,theyj
ustmadet
hiswhol
eexper
ienceev
enmor ei
nti
mate.

"Makhosini,yes,baby
...
yes.
..
y es...
ahhhy es...
"Icryoutasmy
orgasm tearsmeapar t,l
eavingmyl egsshaki nguncont roll
ably.
He'sastalli
onont opofme, showi ngmeabsol ut
elynomer cybut
Iloveit
.Hisbodyt ensesandhehol dsont ightertome, groaning
deeper.Hesuddenl ystopsmov ing,hisheadr estingonmy
shoulder,t
ryingtocatchhisbr eatht hesamewayI '
m doing.That
wasabsol utelyamazing.Heki ssesmyf oreheadandget sof fme,
l
ay i
ngnextt omet henpulli
ngmet or estmyheadonhi schest .
Weent wineourl egsandhe'sbr ushingmyar m.I'
ml i
steningt ohi
s
hear
tbeat
,hef
eel
sli
kehome,
myhome.

"Thatwasamazi
ng,st
handwasami
."Hesay
sandIsmi
l
e,dr
awi
ng
cir
clesonhi
schest
.

"
Ienj
oyedt
hatt
oo,
"that
'st
het
rut
h.

Hehasmademehi
sinev
erywayandI
'
m happy
.

"
Icoul
dn'
tpul
loutbecausey
ouwer
esowar
m andt
ight
,I'
m sor
ry.
"
Hesays.

Iwassolosti
neuphoriaIf
orgotwedi dn'
tuseacondom.He
rel
easedhi
sloadinsi
deofme." Don'twor
ry,I
'l
ldri
vetothe
pharmacyatt
heshoppingcenteraroundthecornerandgetyou
themorni
ngafterpi
ll
andcondomst omorrowmor ni
ng.
"Pfuuuu!
That'
sarel
ief
.

Makhosi
nii
sanamazi ngguybutI
'
m notr
eadyt
ohav
eachi
l
d.I
hav
eaquali
ficat
iont
of i
nish.

"Let
'sgowarm upourfood,
pourdri
nksandcuddl
enakedi
nfr
ont
oftheT.V,
"Il
ovethesoundofthat
.

"
Yes,
please.
"Hechuckl
esandki
ssesmyf
orehead.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER46

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Idon'tthinkI '
veev erbeent hisannoy edbyanUberdr iver
,imagine
him stoppingatt hegr ocerystor
eonmyt ime,hedi dn'tevenask
me.Whenhecamebacki ntothecarhest art
edmaki ngsmal lt
alk
whichf urtherinfuriatedmebecausehewant edt opr et
endasi fhe
didn'
tjustst opwi thapay i
ngcust omeri nthecar .Iam alreadya
l
ittl
elateinmeet ingwi thMakhosi ni,Il
astsawmybabyonSunday
whenhewasdr oppi ngmeof fattheapar tment.Lor dIhadt he
besttimewi thhimt hispastweekend.Inev erthoughtaper son
couldhav et hatmuchsexi njustthreeday sandenj oyevery
momentofi t.Il
ov ehowhemakesl ovetome, howhemakesme
feell
ikeI'mt heonl ywomanhehasev erlaidhisey eson,GodI
nearlylostoutonagoodt hingbecauseIwasst ubbor nandkept
l
y i
ngt omy selft
hati twasonl yplatonic.

"Thanky ou,si
ster
."Imental
lyrol
lmyeyesasIcl
i
mboutoft
hecar
,
Ishouldn'thavepaidthatpi
eceofshi
t.

Iwal
ktot
heentranceoft
hemal
l
.Wear ehav
ingdi
nnerand
cat
chi
ngupbecausetwoday
sofnotseei
ngeachot
herisalot
.
Wegott emptedacoupleoft i
mestobr
eakmystudyt
imeforhi
m
tocomeseemef oranhourbuthewouldbet
heonetosnapout
ofitandremindmet hatIneedtost
udy
.Mysecondpaperwas
todayanditwentreal
lywell
.

"
Lemohang,"If
rownandpivott
oseewhoi scal
l
ingmyname.A
l
adyi
nabr owntracksui
tandwhit
esneaker
sishurr
yingt
owar
ds
me.

"
Hey
,"shegr
eet
smewhenwear
ejustaf
ewf
eet
.

"
WheredoIknowyoufr
om again?"IaskherbecauseIknowt
his
f
ace.I
'
vemetherbutI
'
mj ustnotsurewhere.

"
Oh,
mynamei
sBr
enda,
thenur
se.
"

Ri
ght
!

She'
stheforwar
dnursewhowantedtoadvi
semeonmy
rel
ati
onshi
pwithMabutho,
thatpi
eceofshi
t.

"HowcanIhelpy ou?Iam lateinmeet i

ngmyboy fri
end."Isaythe
l
astpartsoshedoesn'ttrybringupthatheartl
essmanshewas
try
ingtoadvocateforaft
erreadinghissuici
delet
ter.Speakingof
thelet
ter,
Ineverreadit
.Ididn'twanttoknowwhathesai d,Ij
ust
burneditandmov edon.

"
Iwashopi
ngtobumpi nt
oyou,Ihav
esomet hi
ngr
eal
l
yimpor
tant
t
otal
ktoyouabout
."Shesays,
eyeswidened.

What'
sherst
ory
?Wear enotf
ri
ends.We'vemetonl
yonceso
whatcoul
dwepossi
blyhavet
odiscuss?
"
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
Brenda.
"Herexpr
essi
onsof
ten.

"Lemohang,youdon'
tunderst
and.Youareindanger,heknows
your..
."Wearedi
stur
bedbyherphonechimi ngi
nherhand.She
quickl
ylooksati
tandgaspsinshock.Lookingar
oundt hemall
l
ikeamadwoman.What everthatcamethroughherphonescared
her.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Iaskandsheswal
l
owshar
d.

"
Ineedt
oleav
e,"bat
hong!

"
Brenda?
"Sheispract
ical
l
yrunni
ngoutofthemal
l.Thatwas
r
eall
yawkward,I
'
m sureshe'
sanutcaseli
keMabutho.

Ifi
ndmyboy fr
iendsitt
ingcomf ort
ablyi
nthebooth, he'
shav
ing
l
emonr icott
acake, Makhosinihasasweett oot
h.Ipeckhisli
ps
buthedecidest odeepent heki
ss, t
onguesandall
.Hehas
absol
utelynopr obl
em wi t
hpubl i
cdispl
ayofaff
ectionandIam a
l
it
tler
eser v
edbutInev erstophi m.Hisonehandfindsmyassand
hesqueezesbef orelet
tingmego.

"St
handwasami
,
"hesay
sli
cki
nghi
slowerl
i
p,Ihat
ehowhi
sey
es
aretwi
nkl
i
ng.

Iknowhehassomesi
l
lyt
hought
s,sexual
sil
l
ythought
sImean.

"
Iam sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ouwai
ti
ng,
"heshakeshi
shead.

"
Don'
twor
rybaby
.Justtel
lmeyouwrotewell
,
"Inodvigor
ousl
y
wi
thasmi
leonmyface.Wehighfi
veandthenhefeedsmesome
ofhi
scake.Idon'
twantsugarbef
orehav
ingsomet
hingsav
our
y.

Thewaitresscomestousandshe'swearingabigsmil
e,hereyes
areonthisdiamondGod,buthe'
snotpayingatt
enti
ontoher.I
wanttoslapt hi
sgi
rlf
orogl
ingmymant hisway ,
Iam aj
ealous
freakwhenitcomestoMakhosini
.Iwi
sht hesewomenknewso
theycoul
dav oidey
efucki
nghiminmypr esence.

"
Arey
our
eadyt
oor
der
?"Sheasks.

Hershr
il
lvoi
cei
sannoy
ingme.

Icl
earmyt
hroatandl
ookatt
hemenuIf
oundont
het
abl
e.

"Iwill
havegri
l
ledgarl
i
cbutt
ersalmonwit
hCajundi
rt
yriceanda
glassofwhit
ewine,pl
ease.
"Isayandshenodsandgi
vesher
attenti
ontoMakhosi
ni.

"Iwil
lhavethesameasmygi r
lfr
iend,j
ustgi
veusabott
leofyour
bestdrywhite.
"Hesays,
hiseyesdarti
ngbetweenmeandthe
waitr
ess.Thegirl
nodsandheadsof ft
othekit
chent
oplaceour
order.

I
'veonl ybeenhereonce,i
twaswi thmyf r
iends.Undiphi l
eordered
thismeal formeandIwassol doni t.WhenMakhosi ni askedme
tomeetupwi thhimforl
atelunch/earlysupper,Ithoughtabout
thisplaceandsuggestedittohim.Imustadmi t,i
t'
sni cehav i
ng
freedom inyourrel
ati
onship,
beingev ery
wher ewithy ourpartner
wi t
houtfearisabsol
utel
yamazi ng,Iwouldn'ttr
adet hisfor
any t
hing.
"
Nana,Ispoketotheestateagentthi
safternoon,wecanv i
ewt he
thr
eehouseswechoset hispastweekendt omor r
ow, "hesay s
wit
hasmi l
e.He'
sexcit
edt ohav ehi
spersonal space, Isuspecthe
wil
lal
wayswantmesl eepingoverathisplace,willIsayno?
Absol
utel
ynotbutwear en'
tgoingtooverdoit.

"
Okay,Iwil
lbewai
ti
ngfory
out
opi
ckmeup.
"Isayandhe
r
eachesformyhand.

"I
'
llbeatyourapart
mentat12sowecanmakei
tther
eat1pm,
"
okaythat
'snottooear
ly.

"
I'
ll
ber eadyf
oryou.Ar
eyouexci
ted?
"Iaskandhegi
vesmet
he
"
helly
eah"look.

Ichuckl
eandbr
ushhi
sknuckl
eswi
thmyt
humb.

"Aft
erthei nteriorofwhicheveronewechoosei sdone,Iwil
lhave
alit
tl
ehousewar mi
ng,i
nv it
emyf ami l
yandintr
oduceyout othem
offi
cial
ly.Ar ey oucomf ortablewit
hthat?"Heaskssof t
lyandmy
stomachf lutters.God,wear ereal
lyinaseriousrel
ati
onship.I
hopehi sf ami lyli
kesmeashi sgir
lfr
iend,t
hattheydon'
tseet he
agedi f
ferenceasacausef oralar
m ormyempt ybankaccountfor
thatmat ter .

"Okay,I
'
llpr
eparemyselfforthatday."Helaughsandthewait
ress
comesbackwi t
hourwi ne.Sheopenst hebot t
leusi
ngthe
corkscr
ew,she'
stooslowf ormyl i
ki
ng.You'dswearshewant sto
j
oinus,butsheshouldknowt hatthreeisacrowd.Whenshe's
fi
nall
ydone,shetr
iestopouri nourglasses,Makhosi
nipol
it
ely
st
opsher
,sayi
ngwewi
l
lmanage.Shewal
ksawayandIcan
br
eat
hagain.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Hereyougo,
"Ipl
acet
hesmall
icebucketonthecof
feet
abl
eand
sitdownnextt
oWale,
tucki
ngmyfeetunderme.

Hepourst
woglassesofHennessy
,Wal
eisgoi
ngt
odi
efr
om
dr
inki
ngsomuchcognac.

"
Nowt hatgoodmeal
cangodownni
cel
y,
"Inod.Wejusthadt
he
mostamazingokr
osoupf
rom t
heNi
ger
ianrest
aur
antdowntown.

AdewaleandIar eget t
ingcloser,Iam t
heonlyper
sonwhoknows
therealhim sohe'scomf ortabl
earoundme.Hehasn'tev enhad
anythi
ngt odowi t
hawomanev ersi
ncewehadourf i
rsttal
k.Iam
proudofhi mforputti
ngast optoit,
havi
ngsexwithwomenonl y
makeshi mf eel
dirtyandt hat'
snowayaper sonshouldfeelabout
themselves.

"
Adewal
e,
"Ical
loutsof
tl
y.

"
Ohoh,
whatdi
dIdo?
"Igi
vehi
m al
opsi
dedsmi
l
e.

"Nothi
ng,Ij
usthat
ethatI
'm keepi
ngthingsf
rom myboyf
ri
end.
Sneaki
ngaroundwithyoubehindhisbackwhenhe'
snottal
ki
ng
toyoubecausehewasdef endi
ngmei snotfai
ronhi
m,"heblows
outasighandnodsv i
gor
ously.

"
Absol
utel
y,i
t'
snotf
airony
ouaswel
l
.Ihav
ecausedenough
dramabetweeny ouguy
salready.Iwi
ll
goseehi
mt omor
rowand
comeclean,hopeful
l
yheunderstandsme.
"Ofcour
sehewil
l,
Ebukai
sn'tajudgement
alperson.

"
Thanky
ou,
"

Thisguyisnotsomeoney oucanwat chamov iewith, he'

sjustli
ke
Peaches.Theyscream throughthewhol ethingandf rustr
ate
themselvesovernothi
ng.Nexttimewewat chamov i
eI '
m going
togaghim becausewow.Icheckt het i
meonmywr istwatch,
Lemohangi ssupposetobehomebynow, butshe'si na
rel
ati
onshipnow.She'sprobablywit hMakhosini,
nakedand
gett
ingiton.I
'veneverseenherthathappyandgl owi ng.I
'mt r
uly
happyformygi rl
,shedeservesall
t hehappinessint hewor l
d.

Thefrontdooropensandmyhear tdropsintomyst omachwhen

Ebukawal ksinwit
hJojo.Whataretheydoinghere?Jojosai
dhe
wil
lbesleepingoveratmyboy f
ri
endshousehenceIwas
comfortableenoughtoinv
iteWaleover.Shi
t!Shi
t!Shi
t!

Ebukaisst
andi
ngbetweentheloungeandthekitchen,
hel ooks
hurtt
ohissoul
.Ihav
eneverhatedmy sel
fthewayIdor ightnow.I
shoul
dhavepushedforWal
et otel
lhi
mt hetrut
hsooner .

"
WhyUndiphi
l
e?"Heasksandt
hecr
acki
nhi
svoi
cewi
l
lhauntme
f
orev
er.
"Baby,
it'
snotwhatyouthi
nk.
"Isay,
qui
ckl
yget
ti
ngonmyf
eet
.My
kneesarewobblybutIst
eadythem.

"
Whatdoyouthi
nkI
'
mthi
nki
ng?"HeasksandIswal
l
owpassed
t
hehuge,
dryl
umpinmyt
hroat
.

"
Iam notdoi
ngany
thi
ngwi
thAdewal
e,
"Henods.

"Youaresi
tt
ingwit
hhim comfort
abl
ythough,
why?After
ever
ythi
nghehasdonetoy ou,t
ous.
"Heaskssoft
lyandIlookat
Wale,hi
seyebal
lmightf
allout
.Heneedstocomecleantohis
brot
hernow.

"
Wale,
"Icoaxhi
m andheswal
l
ows,
hisAdamsappl
ebobbi
ngl
i
ke
amonkeyonastick.

"Youwant edtobr
eakmygir
lf
riendandIupsoyoucanmakeyour
mov e?"Ebukasayst
oAdewale,whoisshaki
nghi
shead
vigor
ously.Mymaniscal
m butIcanseebothhur
tandangeri
n
hiseyes.

"
Odogwu,Iwoul
dnev
er.I
t'
snotwhaty
out
hinkwi
thUndi
,
"Ebuka
l
aughs.

"
Joj
o,I
'
llseey
ou.
"Ohno,
hecan'
tl
eav
e.

Il
ookatWal e,begginghimt osaysomet hingsoEbukadoesn' t
l
eav eherethinki
ngIbet rayedhim.Adewal eisn'tsayi
nganythi
ng,
he'swatchingmyboy fri
endleave,tear
sblurmyv isi
on.Whyishe
notcomi ngclean,he'sjeopardi
zingmyr elati
onshipandI'v
ebeen
nothingbutagoodf ri
endtohi m.Jojoislookingatmewi t
h
disappoint
ment .Idon'tknowwhatt odo,Ijustcan'tt
ell
Adewale'
s
secret,i
t'
snotmypl ace.Thedoorhandl eturnsandt hedoor
opens.

"Ebuka,
I'
m gay .
"Heshoutsloudenoughf orEbukat ohearhim.
Mymanst opsinhistr
acksbutdoesn'tpivot.Oht hankGod." I
'
ve
beenspendingt i
mewithUndiphil
ebecauseshe' sthepersonI
cameoutt ofir
st.She'
sbeenmyconf i
dant,ev enthoughI'
vebeen
nothi
ngbutanasshol etoher.I
'm sorr
yImadehersneakar ound
withmebehi ndyourback.Icamet oapologizeaf t
erthewhol e
l
aptopsagaaf ewday sago,Iwant edtobesi ncerewithher,soI
hadtotell
herwhyIdi deveryt
hingIdid."Headdsandonl ythen
doesEbukat urnandslowlywalkbackin.

He'
slooki
ngatme,
I'
m notsur
ewhatt
hatexpr
essonhi
sface
mean.

"
Whendi
dyour
eal
i
zey
ouwer
egay
,Adewal
e?"Sundayaskshi
m.

"I
'
vealwaysknown,si
nceIwasaboy.It
'st
her easonwhyIran
awayfrom homeandcametoLagos,myfatherdidn'
twantto
acceptme.HehurtmesobadthatIknewIwoul dn'
tsur
viv
e
comingouttotheworl
d."

"
SoyouhatedUndi
phil
ebecausey
ouhav
eacr
ushonme?
"I
t
houghtsotooatf
ir
st.

Wal
elooksatmeandwebot
hsmi
l
e.

"Undi
thoughtt
hatwasther
easont
oobutno,i
t'
snotthat.Idon'
t
haveanyromanti
cfeel
i
ngsfory
ou,
"Ebukai
sconfused.

"Mylove,pl
easesi
tdown,
lethi
m expl
ainev
erythi
ng.
"Isayt
omy
boyf
riendandhemopshisfacewit
hthepalm ofhi
shand.
Hesit
sdownandIj oinhi
m, t
aki
nghishand.Iknowhe'sst
il
lmad
andhurtbymyactionsbutI'
mthankf
ulhedoesn'tr
etr
acthi
shand
fr
om mine.Thatwouldst
ing.

"
I'
ll
bei
nthebedr
oom,
"Jongi
khay
asay
s.

Hewal
kst
omyr
oom andcl
osest
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.

"Whydi dn'
tyoutel
lme, Adewale?I'
my ourf
amily,
youdidn'
ttr
ust
me? "IseeWaledroppinghistears.Hecannotbel
ievehi
searsbut
Itoldhim,Ebukawouldn'thav
ecar edifhei
sgay,thei
rbondis
strong.

"
Iwasaf
rai
d,"Wal
est
art
sof
f.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER47

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"Ihonest
lydon'
tknowifIpassedt
hisoneornot
,mhani
."It
ell
her
andsheheav esaheav
ysigh.

"I
'
m sorr
ymybaby,Iknowt hedramawithy
ourfatherandIis
str
essi
ngyououtbutpl
easet r
yandfocussol
elyony ourst
udies.
"
Shesayswit
hashakyv oi
ce.

I
t'
scl
earshe'
str
yingsohar
dnott
ocr
y.

Ilov
emymom,
Iappr
eci
atet
hatshe'
str
yingt
obeabet
terper
son
forme.

"It
'snott
hatmhani ,
Istudi
edforthi
sexam buttheexaminercame
hardonus,"Isayandchuckle.Ihat
eitwhenlecturer
sdothisto
us.Semestertestswerebrut
albecauseshewant edtomaket he
exam ali
ttl
ebearablebutsheli
edtoallofus.Whatabitchthat
Indianwomani s,
Imeanwewantt obelawyersli
keher.

"Ibel
iev
einyou,I'
m sur
eyouhav
eaf i
ft
ypercentt
her
e."I
appreci
atehersayi
ngthi
sbutweshal
lsee.

"Howareyou?
"Iaskandsher
emai
nsqui
etf
orawhi
l
ebef
ore
answer
ing.

"
It
'shardAmubutt hinki
ngofyougivesmest r
engt
htocont
inue
t
hefight.I
'
vedisappoint
edyouit
'senough,Ineedt
owinthi
swar."
Mythroatgoesdry,awholeNamibiandesert
.
"
Ibel
iev
einyou,
mhani
,andt
hanky
ouf
ordoi
ngt
his,
itr
eal
l
y
meansalot
."

Thatwasagoodcal l,knowi nghowmuchshe' sstruggli

ngbutst il
l
fi
ghtingmakesmef eel l
ov ed.Somet hi
ngIhav en'tfeltf
rom my
parentsinthelongestt i
me.It hankGodt hatonepar entdecided
tochooseme, thattheyf inall
ysawt hecr acksanddeci dedt odo
somet hi
ngabouti t.Myf ather,t
il
lthi
sday ,
keepstalkingthet al
k
butthere'
snochange.Hekeepsdi sappear i
ngtoGodknows
where, I
'
vebeent empt edt ofoll
owhi m outbutIknowf oraf act
he'sgoingtoseehi smi stress.Ist
opmy selfeachtimebecausei t
wouldbewor seput t
ingaf acetothest rangerthathasmyf ather
breakingourfami l
ythi sway .

IgettoLemohangandUndi phil
e'
sapar tment.Ihopet heyar e
home, Ineedadr inkandgoodcompany .Iwannaf orgetabout
today'sshi
ttyexam quest i
onpaper ,Ihopet heexami nershitsher
pantsinar oom fullofpeople.Iparkmycarandcl i
mbout .The
weatherishectictoday,it'
sf ucki
ncold.Theki ndthatneedst wo
peopleoftheopposi tesext obei nbeddoi ngthingst hatarenot
parti
cular
lyall
owedi ntheki ngdom ofChr istf
orthoset hataren'
t
mar r
ied.Comet ot hi
nkofi t,I'
veneverreall
yheardav ersethat
saysnosexbef oremar r
iagebutt henagai nIdon'tevenknowhow
onefindsv er
sesint hebible.

Iam hor
nyoutofmymi nd,Ihaven'
thadanyacti
onsi
nceBooand
Ihadtostopmeet
ing.Imisshim sobadbutIhavet
obepati
ent,
wehav
eapsy
chowat
chi
ngandt
hreat
eni
ngus.

Istepoutoftheel ev
atorcarandmakemywayt othei
rdoor,
l
uckilyt
hesecur i
tydoorisopen, someone' shomeandcanget
drunkwithme.Idon' tbot
herknocki ng,Ineverdo.I
t'
sonly
Undiphi
le'
sbrotherinthelounge, heiswatchingamov i
eathigh
volume,ishetryi
ngt obursthi
seardr um?Damn.Hel owersthe
volumeaf t
erseeingmewal ki
n,hesmi l
esandsitsupstrai
ght.I
shouldhaveknocked, hemustt hinkIdon'thavemanners,Ismil
e
backathim andsl owlywalkfur
theri n.

"Hi,
Amu, "hegreet
sme, he'
ssuchawarm per
son,
somuchl
i
ke
hissist
er.Peachesreal
l
ydidagreatj
obwitht
hem.

"Hi
,Jojo.Howareyou?Wherearethegi
rl
s?"Iaskandheshi
ft
son
thecouchandpatsthecushi
onnexttohi
m.Ilowermybody
downtosi tandcr
ossmylegs.

"I
'
m good,j
ustalit
tl
ebored.Undiphi
leleftwithEbukayesterday
,
Lemohangisvi
ewinghouseswi thherboy fr
iend.
"Haibo!Houses?
Aret
heytry
ingtogetmar r
iedal
ready?Ishoul dstar
twor ki
ngon
l
oosi
ngweight,Ineedt
obeper fectstandingnexttothebride.

"That'
sabummer
,Iwr
oteahecti
cpaperandIwasl
ooki
ngf
orone
ofthem t
ohel
pmedri
nk,
"Isayandhechuckl
es.

"
Itcoul
dn'
thav
ebeent
hatbad,
"Joj
osay
sandIt
it
ter
.

"
IfIneedal
cohol
theny
ouknowi
twasbadAF,
"It
ell
him andhe
scr
uncheshi
snose.

"Icanhel
pyoudr
ink,
I'
m onhol
i
dayaf
teral
l
."Hesay
sandIcl
api
n
excit
ement.

"I
ndoor
sorshoul
dwegochil
lsomewhereinMaboneng?
"Iask
andhenar
rowshisey
es,
thi
nking,
Iguess.

"
Sinceit'
saThur sdayandnotDecember ,
wecandoani ndoor
s
t
hing."HesaysandInod.Igetonmyf eetandgocheckifmy
f
riendshavealcoholinthehouse.I
t'
sonlywineandanalmost
f
inishedbott
leofDonJul i
o1942.Thiswon'tdo,
weneedt ogoto
t
hest oreandstockup.

"Joj
o,wearegoingtohav etorunouttothebot
tl
est ore.These
gir
lsdr
ankeverythi
ng,"Isaythenpi
vottofi
ndhim putti
ngonhi s
shoes,Il
i
kehisenergy .I
fhewasinJoburgful
lti
meI 'dbef r
iends
withhi
m becausemi neareinrel
ati
onshi
psandalway sboo'dup.

JojoisthefunniestIpromi sey ou,hissenseofhumori s

every
thing.Itextedhissisterandt oldherI'm hangi
ngoutwi t
h
hi
m, Idon'twantany onet hi
nkingI '
mt r
yingtohav esomet hing
withhim.Ihav eaboy fr
iend, Ihavetobel oyaltohim unti
lwecan
fi
nall
ybet ogether.Boohassacr if
icedal ottobewithme, he
wouldn'tdeservemecheat ingonhi m again,I'
veputhimt hrough
enoughal r
eady .

Ideci
dedtodr
iveustothecompl
ex,
Iwantedtogetussomet
hing
toeatfr
om Woolwor
th,
somethi
ngwejusthav
etopopinthe
microwav eandeat .I
'
vebeeneat i
ngall
sortsofj
unkfr
om allt
hese
restaurantssi
ncemymot hergotadmit
ted.Ther
ewasr eal
l
yno
pointinaskingthehelpertocookbecauseitwoul
dallgotowaste.
ImeanIeatal it
tl
eandmyf at
herishar
dlyhome.Thewoman's
j
obnowi stomakesur ethehouseiscl
ean,mylaundr
yisdone
andt hat'
sall.

"
Let
'sf
indsomethi
ngt
oeatfi
rst
,"Isaywhenwe'
reoutoft
hecar
.
Hef
oll
owsmet oWool
wort
hwi t
houtsayi
nganyt
hing.

Igrabthebasketandstar
tthr
owingsnacks, t
onicwat
er,cr
anber
ry
j
uiceandaskifhewant sanyt
hing,hejustt
akespeanut
sand
bil
tongandsaysthat'
sallhewil
lhave.Forsoli
dmealsweboth
takesomethi
ngpastawi t
hcheeseandbacon.

"
I'
veneverhadsomet
hingl
i
ket
hisbef
ore,
arey
ousur
eit
'sni
ce?
"I
l
aughandnod.

"You'
regoi
ngt
oenj
oyi
t,Ipr
omi
se.
"Iguar
ant
eehi
m andhe
heavesasi
gh.

Wegopayf ort
hethingswejustpi
ckedandt
omysurpr
ise,my
fat
herisstandi
nginthequeuewithatrol
l
eyf
ull
ofgr
oceri
es.He
neverbuysgrocer
ies.

"
Tat
ana?"Itaphi
m ontheshoul
derandhepiv
ots,hi
sey
eswi
den
t
henrunaroundt
hestore.What
'shelooki
ngf
or?

"
Amukel
ani
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Heaskst
hencl
ear
shi
s
t
hroat
.

"I
'
m heregobuythi
ngs,justl
ikeyou.Whyar
eyousoedgy?
"I'
ve
neverseenhi
m souneasy,it
'sl
ikehe'
sscar
edsomeonewil
l
appearandseehi
m withme.

"
It
snothi
ng,
leav
ey ourthi
ngshere,
I'
llpayf
ort
hem andbr
ing
t
hem t
oyourcar
."Ichuckl
e,he'
sweirdforr
eal
.

"Icanmanaget
hanks,
"hecl
oseshi
sey
esdef
eat
ed.What
'st
his
one'sdeal
?

"Excuseme,
"Ipi
votandfi
ndaheavilypr
egnantgi
rlt
ryi
ngtomov e
pastmeandJojo.Shebet
ternott
hinkshecanskiptheli
ne
becauseshedi
dn'
tuseacondom, t
hatdoesn'
tmakeherdi sabl
ed.

"Baby ,
Idi
dn'
tfindtheblueberr
ycheesecake,wewil
lhavetotry
anotherstor
e."Preggysayshookingherarm wi
thmyf at
her'
s.My
whol ebodyhasgonecol d,ext
remelycol
d.Iam l
ooki
ngatmy
fatherandhelookslikehe'
sdesperatefort
hegroundtoopenup
andswal l
owhi m whole.

"Ba.
..baby
?Tatanawho'st
hisandwhyi
sshecal
li
ngyoubaby?"I
askwi t
hashakyvoi
ce.Iam soaf
rai
doft
heanswerbutIneedt
o
know.

"
Amukel
ani
..
.I
..
.t
hisi
s..
.y
ohmyGod,
"hebet
terl
eav
eGodoutof
t
his.

"Talk!
"Iscr
eam athim,notcar
ingi
fI'
m maki
ngascene.Hehast o
givemeanswer s.Angeri
sbubbli
ngupinmystomach,Iam about
toexploderi
ghtnow.
"
N'wanamina,pleasecalm down.Wecangohomeandtal
kabout
t
hiswhol
ethings,please.
"He'st
ryi
ngtopaci
fyme,
buthe'
sonl
y
maki
ngmewor se.

"I
sshepregnantwit
hyourchi
l
d?"Iam notsur
ehowImanagedt
o
sayt
hatoutloud.

"Amukelani
,pl
ease.
"Hetr
iest
otouchmeandIqui
ckl
yst
epback,
steppi
ngonJojo'
sshoes.

"Don'tAmukel
anime,justtel
lmet hetrut
h."Myl
owerli
pis
quiveri
ng,t
ear
sbli
ndingmyv i
sion.Thi
siswhymyf at
heral
ways
disappear
s,hehasawhol enewf amilyonthesi
de.Thi
smanhas
replacedmymotherandI ,
howcanhebesohear tl
ess?Howlong
washegoi ngtol
iveadoubl el
ife?

"Andwena,"Isaywaggi ngmyf i
ngeratthiswhor eIdon'tknow.
"Youagreedtobewi t
hamar ri
edman?Togi vehim achil
deven?
Areyouokay?Yout hi
nkhe'sgoingtotreaty oubett
erthanmy
mom andI ?You'renotspecial
,hewill
givei ttoyouwor se,
I
promiseyou."Iam cryi
ngnow, acrowedhasf ormedaroundus.
Peoplearewat chi
ngmypai nli
keat el
enov ela.

"Ihav
enev erhatedapersonthewayIhat
ey ou,
Tat
ana.Ihope
youburninhell,
"Isayhoarsel
ytomyfat
her.He'
sshaki
nghis
head,hol
dinghishandsoutt ome.

"Amu,pleasedon'tt
alkl
i
kethi
s.Imadeami st
ake,
for
giveme
n'wanami na.
"Mykneesareweek,myhear
tispoundi
ngagainst
mychest ,heavywit
hhurt
,Lor
dmyf at
herj
ustputt
helastnai
lon
mycof f
in.
Jojotakesthebasketandplacesi
tdownt hentakesmyhand,
l
eadingmeout si
det omycar .Myfat
herisfol
lowingbehindus,
beggingmet ogohomewi thhim sowecant alkaboutthis,but
ther
e'sreal
l
ynothingtotal
kabouthere.Every
thingisascl earas
dayli
ght.

"Canyoupl
easegiv
emey ourkeys,
I'
ll
driv
e."Idon'
tevenhavethe
str
engtht
osayanythi
ng,
Ijustt
akeoutthekeysfrom myjacket
andhandthem t
ohim.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Ahhh,yesbaby , yes"Iputmyf i
ngersinhermouth,togagher
.We
don'twantt heest ateagenttohearusgettinguptonogood.I
thr
usthar der,pull
inghertomewi thmyf r
eearm.Shefeelsso
good,Idon'tthinkIcanev ergetenoughofher.Ial
wayswantto
bebur i
eddeepi nsideofLemohang, withnocarewhereweareor
whoi sclose.

Mybodyt ensesupasIr el
easemyl oaddeepinsi
deofher,
shit
thatwasanamazi ngquicki
e.Itur
nheraroundandkissher
,
passionat
ely.Il
ovethi
sgirl
,somemayar guethati
t'
stooearl
y,
buttheheartisnotcont
roll
edbytime.

"
Sower eal
lybroughtourbadi
nfl
uencingway
stoour
r
elat
ionshi
p,"shesayswit
hasmile.She'
ssobeaut
if
ul.

"Uhm, It
hinkt
hat
'st
heessenceofwhowear
emyl
ove,
"shehi
des
herfaceonmychest.
Iwipeherwi ththewetwipesshekeepsi nthebag.Wehav eto
stopatthephar macysoIcangethert heemergencypi l
l,Idoubt
wewi l
leverbeabl etouseacondom, we'vegoner awfrom day
oneandt here'snowayI'm changi
ng.Wehav etotalkaboutbirth
contr
olmet hodsandwhi chonewoul dbegoodf orherbody .I
'l
l
havetoaskNancyt ofi
ndusagoodgy naecol
ogisttotalktous
abouttheset hi
ngs.

Ikissheri
nnerthi
ghsandshet i
tt
ers,there'
snobettersoundthan
thatofherl
augh.Ipul
lherjeansup,shelooksexactlyhowshedid
whenwewal kedinhere,noonecant ellt
hatwejustcelebr
ated
ournewspacewi t
har oundofsex.

"
Sot
hisi
shome?
"IaskwhenI
'
m st
andi
ngupr
ight
,fi
xi
ngmybel
t.

"
Ilov
eev
ery
thi
ngabouti
t,soIt
hinkt
hisi
shome.
"Inodmyhead.

It
sabeaut
if
ulhouse,
singlest
orey,t
hreebedr
oomsandan
amazi
ngpoolandgarden.Wewi l
lbeablet
ohostpeopl
ein
summer.

"Let
'sgot
ell
theestat
eagentthen,
she'
sprobabl
ywonder
inghow
l
ongweneedt otal
kaboutouropti
ons.
"Igri
nandtake
Lemohang'
shand,exi
ti
ngthemasterbedr
oom.

Wefi
ndtheestateagenti
ntheki
tchen,enj
oyi
ngt hesnacksshe
pr
ovi
dedforus.LemohangandIfini
shedthebil
tongandcheese
t
henenjoyedt hechampagne,aglasseach.Shewipesherfinger
s
wi
ththenapkinandsmi leswidel
yatus,Icantel
lthatshe'
s
mental
lycrossingherf
inger
st oheart
hatweat l
eastloveoneof
t
hethreehouseswev i
ewedtoday.

"Haveyouguy
smadeadeci
sion?
"SheasksandIl
ookatmy
gir
lf
ri
end.

"Wedid,
wefel
li
nl ov
ewitht
hisone."Herey
essparkl
ewithgl
ee.
"Wewouldl
i
ketopurchasei
tplease,
"shecl
aspsherhandsand
heav
esadeepsigh.

"Iwi
llst
artpr
ocessi
ngyourdocument
s,Mr.Lukhel
e."Her
exci
tementiswayup.You'
dswearshe'
stheonewhoj ustbought
thi
shouse.

"
Howl
ongt
il
li
t'
smi
neof
fi
cial
l
y?"Iaskandsheshakesherhead.

"Justgi
vemeaweekandi
twi
l
lbeal
lyour
s,"okay
,Ihav
ethatl
i
ttl
e
pati
ence.

"Nana,weshoul dst ar
tlooki
ngforaninteri
ordesi
gner,
"Isay
tur
ningt omygi r
lf
riendthenpull
inghertomeandpl acingakiss
onherf oreheadthenherl i
ps.Mylovelanguageisphysical
touch,
Idon'tcareifwear einpubli
corintheprivacyofourownspace.
Lemohangi sn'
tbi
gonPDAbutshe' stryi
ngherbesttomeetme
halfway ,Iappr
eciatethatmorethanany t
hing.

*
***
***
***
**
Ipromisedsis'
Nomuzi t
hatI'l
lpopbytoseeGlentoday,butI
neverwanttocutmyday swi thmygirl
fr
iendshort
.Wear eanew
coupleandofcour sewewantt ospendeveryminuteoftheday
witheachother.Ihopeshedoesn' tmindmebr i
ngingMaMohapi
withme.Thisst ubbornonewant edtostayi
nthecarwhi l
eIgoin
butIwouldn'thearanyoft hat,I
'
m notevensurehowlongIwill
takewithGlenandhi swife.

Wegett oGlensfl
oorandsi s'
Muzi issit
ti
ngononeoft hecouches
i
nt hewait
ingsection.She'
slookingatherphone,l
egscr ossed.I
neverfi
ndheranywher ebutherhusband' ssi
deinhispr i
vat
e
room.Ihopeev er
ythingisokay.Shehear sourf
ootsteps
approachandlooksup, shesmi l
esfaint
lywhensheseesme.
sis'
Nomuzi powersherphonescr eenoffandsit
supr ight.

"Makhosi
ni,
Iwasj
ustaboutsendi
ngy
ouamessage,
"shesay
s
andInarr
owmyeyes.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Iaskswi
thpani
c.

"Yes,everyt
hingisfi
ne.Thedoct
orsj
ustgaveGlenasedative,
he'soutofit.Theysaidhewil
lwakeuptomorr
ow. "Rel
ieff
loods
throughme.Gl enisasickman,t
heonlythi
ngthatwouldmake
him notfeelthispai
nisdeat
hbutthi
nki
ngaboutitleav
esmy
i
ntestinesfrozen.

si
s'
Nomuzi
looksatmygi
rl
fr
iendandl
ooksatmet
henLemohang
agai
n.

"Oh,thi
sismygirl
fr
iend, Lemohang.Nana, t
hisi
ssis'
Nomuzi,
Glenswife.
"Nananodsv igor
ousl
yandhol dsoutherhandt
o
sis'
Nomuzi whoi
sst arr
ingatLemohang, i
t'sawkwardandmaking
Lemohanguncomf ortable,Icl
earmythroatandplacemyhandon
hershoulder,
onl
ythendoesshesnapoutofi t
.

"
I'
m sorr
y,Ihavealotonmymind.It
endt
ojustzoneouti
nthe
middl
eofev er
ythi
ng,
"sheof
fer
sLemohangaweaksmi l
eand
t
akesherhand.

"
It
'sni
cetomeet,
y ouhav
ey our
selfagoodman.Iwi
shy
out
wo
t
hebest,
"somet
hingiswrongwithsis'
Nomuzi
.

"
Thanky
ou,
"MaMohapi
say
slooki
ngatme.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER48

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Icanf inall
ybr eatheandnotf eel gui
ltyaboutgoingbehi ndmy
man'sbackwi thAdewal e,
keepi ngthatsecretf r
om him wasr eall
y
hardbutont heot herhandIdi dn'twantt otellasecretthatwasn't
mine.Iam r eli
evedandhappyt hatit'sfi
nal
lyoutandEbuka
knowsev er y
thing.Wal esay shef eelsli
keaheav ywei ghthas
beenlif t
edof fhisshoul ders.He'sexci t
edtol i
vef r
eelyasagay
man, heev enjokedt hismor ningandsai dhedoesn' twantt osee
anythingt hatresembl esav agina,Ilaughedhar dont hephone.I
am ecst aticforhim, li
vingyourt ruthisoneoft hebestt hingsever
andI '
m happyhehast heoppor t
unitytodot hatnow.

ThingsbetweenEbukaandWal earest
il
lnotatahundred,yes
theyspokeyester
dayandcriedi
neachother'sar
msbuti twil
l
takealit
tl
etimeforevery
thi
ngtogobackt othewaytheyusedto
be.Theycomef artoget
her,
theyarebr
othersandknowingthatal
l
i
snotl ostbr
ingsj
oyt omyheart.

Icamehomewi thmyboy fri

endyesterdayaf
tereveryt
hingwas
outintheopen,
Ifel
treall
ybadforkeepingthingsfr
om himthatI
neededtocomehomet omakesur ethatwear eokay.Hesays
he'snotmadatmenowt hatheknowst hetruthandheadmitt
ed
thathi
sheartwasshutter
edwhenhef oundmewi thhiminmy
apar
tment.IwouldnevercheatonEbuka,
he'
sev
ery
thi
ngt
ome,
ever
ythi
ngIthoughtIcoul
dnev erhav
e.

"Hereyougo, "Ilookupandsmi lesweetl

yathi m befor
etaki
ngthe
snackhepr epar edforme.I'
m onast udybreak,hegothomef r
om
theoff
iceacoupl eofminutesagoanddeci dedt omakeme
something.Imanagedt ocovermostchaptersbecausehewasn' t
home, i
fhewasher eIwouldn'thavebother
edl ookingatmy
books,I'
deitherbeunderhim onnextt ohim, henceIwouldrat
her
studyatmypl aceorcampusl i
brary
.

"Thanky oubaby,
"hel
eansdownandpecksmyl i
ps.Hemademe
afruitsaladandi
ncl
udedbananas,Idon'
treal
l
yli
kethem i
nthe
saladbutI '
l
leatt
hem becauset
hiswasmadeoutofl ov
e.

Ebukasett
lesdownnexttomeandf ocusesontheTV,Ihav e
beenwatchingdocument
ariesonJeffr
eyEpst
einforawhilenow,
eachti
meI '
m onastudybreakIwatch.Hewasreall
yasicko.

"Deathwasr
eal
l
ytooeasyf
ort
hisbast
ard,
"IsayandEbuka
groans.

"I
'
mt ell
i
ngy oumylove,
hewassupposedtofacethe
consequencesofhi
sactions.Topayf
orev
eryt
hinghehasev
er
donetothoseyounggir
ls,"Inodi
nagr
eementandswall
owmy
sal
ad.

"IhopeGhi slai
neMaxwellwon'tgetafreepass,someonehast o
pay ,shewashi ssi
dekick.Letherat
leastbeprosecut
ed,that
mi ghtgiv
et hesurv
ivor
ssomecl osure.
"Itakeaspoonfulofmy
sal
ad.

"Thewor l
disreal
lyacr uelpl
ace,mostri
chandpowerful
manar e
j
ustpiecesofshit,abuserswhohidebehindthei
rweal
thand
i
nfluence.Thesamewayt hatpedophi
ledidf
orallt
hoseyear
s."I
couldn'
thavesaiditbetter
.

Welivei
nafuckedupwor ld,t
hingswet hinkarej
ustaproductof
i
maginat
ionarereal
lyhappeninginrealli
fe,i
t'
sar
oundusandi t'
s
scar
ybecauseanyonecanf al
l v
ict
imt oanythi
ngatanyti
me.
Oncethi
ngIhavelearnedi
st oneverthinkitwoul
dn'
thappento
me.

ThefrontdooropensandEbukaandIl ookateachother,we
weren'
texpectingany one.Pl
us,hechangedthegatecodesandi t
i
sonlyusandhi shelperwhoknowt henewone.Butmay beshe
answeredtheintercom andopenedf orwhoeveriti
s,funny
becausewedi dn'thearitgooffbutwewer etoofocusedont he
Netfl
i
xdocument ary
.Adewalewal ksintot
heloungewi t
ha
l
opsidedsmile,hiseyesar et
winkli
ng,li
kealit
tl
eboywhohasj ust
beengivencandyandanewt oy.

"
Odogwu,
"hesay
stoEbuka.

"
Wal
e,howf
ar?
"Hi
stonei
snor
mal
,nohost
il
it
y,not
hingatal
l
.

"
Ideymybr
other
,"Wal
erespondsandl
ooksatme."
Undi
,howar
e
y
ou?"
"Iam good,j
usttir
edfr
om thestudyi
ng.
"Henodshi
sheadand
l
ooksatt hepinkboxinhishands,what
'st
hat
?It
'smaki
nghi
m
exci
ted,tooexcit
edifyouaskme.

"What'
sthat
?"Iaskandheoffer
smeasmi l
e,i
t'
sbi
gandwi
deI
canli
ter
all
yseehispremol
arsfr
om her
e.

Hewalksfur
therint
heroom andhandsmet
hebox,
Ifur
rowmy
for
eheadandtakeit
.Ebukal
ooksatmeandfol
dshi
sarms
acr
osshischest.

"
It
'sf
oryou,I
'
m sorr
yforwhatIdi
d."Heshoul
dn'thave.Imean
we'
vebeencl
osethesepastf
ewday sandIunderst
andwhyhe
want
edmegonef r
om Ebuka'
sli
fe.

"Comeon,openit
."Herubshi
shandstogether.Ipul
ltheri
bbon
andopenthebox,i
t'
saMacBook,heshouldn'thavethough,
Ebukaal
readyr
eplacedmycomputer
.NowIhav etwooft he
samethi
ng.

"
Adewale,
youdi
dn'
thav
eto.Ial
readyhav
eanewone.
"Henods
v
igor
ously
.

"
Poweriton,
"Inar
rowmyeyesandt
akei
toutoft
hebox.
Cur
iosi
tyi
staki
ngoverme.

Myheartbeat
sli
keadr
um whenthescr
eencomest
oli
feanda
pi
ctur
eofmeandPeachesappear
s.

OhmyGod!

Tearsbl
urmyvi
sion,
ahugelumpblocksmyt
hroat
,emot
ions
rushthr
oughmysyst
em,par
alyzi
ngme.
"Ho.
..
howdidyoudoi
t?TheguyIgavet
helapt
opwor ksf
oryou
buthewasn'
tabl
etor
etri
evet
hedata,
"EbukaasksandI'
m gl
ad.

"Iam anITgur u,remember ?Youpaidformyeducat i

on,believed
i
nmeenought oinv esti
nmybusi ness,whichhasbeendoi ng
real
lygood.Iusedmyski llsandgotevery
thingfr
om t heruined
comput erback."Iletmytear sf
all
."Myguyment ionedthathehas
somet hi
ngfrom y ouandi thasbeenshowinghimf l
ames, Itookit
from himthismor ningandwor kedonit.
"Wal eadds.

Thisi
samazing,memor i
esofmygr andmotherandIarebackand
Iwil
lbeabl
etolookatherfacewhenImi ssher.I
'l
lbeableto
showmychildr
enthisamazingwomanwhowasev er
ythi
ngtome
whenEbukaandIfinal
lyhavethem i
nthefutur
e.

Adewal
ekneel
sinf
rontofme.

"Iam deeplysor r
yforev er
ythi
ng.Youar eanamazi ngpersonand
Ebukaisl uckytohav eyou,Ipraytofindalov el
ikeyourssomeday .
Iam grateful t
hatIgettocallyouaf r
iend,Iappreci
ateyouhelping
mer eali
zet hatIshouldembr acemyt rueselfandlivemytrut
h."I
placetheboxwi tht
heMacBookdownandhughi m.Iam so
happyt ohav emymemor i
eswi t
hPeachesback, t
hismeansal ot
tomeev ent houghIlostthem inthefir
stplacebecauseofhim.

"Okay
,thehugislongenough.
"Ebukasay
sandWal
eandI
separ
atewhil
elaughing.

"
You'
rehect
ic,
babe.
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"Youdon'thav
etoworr
yOdogwu.Ipr
eferpopsi
clesov
ercookies
now,"Adewalesay
sandIam t
hrowni
ntoaf i
tofl
aughterbef
ore
put
ti
ngmyhandupf
orahi
ghf
ive.

Iam dri
v i
nghomet omyapar tment.Jongikhayacalledandt ol
d
met ocomei mmedi atel
ybecausesomet hinghappenedwi th
Amukelani.Hecouldn'ttel
lmeov ert
hephone, hejustsaidI
shouldhurrybecausemyf r
iendkindofneedsmer ightnow.
Ebukawant edtocomewi thmebutIcoul dn'tbreakthenicechat
andlaughterhewasshar i
ngwi t
hWal e.I
thasbeenl ongsince
theybothenjoyedeachot her'
scompany ,plus,I
'm sureAmu
wouldn'tappr
eciat
emyboy f
ri
endseeingheratherl owest.I
promisedtodrivesafelyandcallonceIknowwhat 'sgoingon.

There'
sanewsecur i
tyguardatt hegat e,Bab'Mbel eret
iredandhe
i
sr el
axingathomewi thhiswife.LemohangandIboughthi ma
presentonhislastdayandhemadeuspr omiset ocallhim once
i
nawhi l
eandt obehaveuntilwear edonewi t
hourqual if
icati
ons.
Mostst udent
sarehappyhel eft,theycompl ainedthathewant ed
toplaysecuri
tyguardoftheirli
vesandnott hegate.Someev en
tol
dhimt ohisfacethattheylefttheirfathersathomeandhe
shouldstickt
owhathe' spaidfor.Iknowr ight?Somepeopl edon'
t
haverespect,al
lhedidcamef r
om apl aceofl oveandcar e.He
sawchi l
dreninusandwant edt opr otectusbutsomesawhi m as
anuisance.
Iopent hedoorandpr act
icall
yr uninside,Amukelaniand
Jongikhayaareinthelounge, she'sont opofmycousi n,
sobbing
i
nhi sarmswi t
hherheadbur iedinhischest .Mycousinlooksat
meandshakeshi sheadatmyquest ioningeyes.Isi
tdownnext
tothem andbrushAmukel ani'
sarm.What everiti
shasreall
yhurt
myf ri
end,shehardlyevercriessot hishastobebi g.

"Amu,babewhat '
swr ong?"Iaskandshef i
nal
lylooksupatme
andslowl
yget soffJongikhaya.ShewipeshertearsandIqui
ckly
getonmyf eetandhugher .Itlast
sforaminuteorsot henwelet
goofeachot her
.

"
Whathappened?
"Iaskagai
n.

Thel
astt
imeIhear
dfrom hershewasdr
ivi
ngwit
hJojotoget
someboozet
ochil
lbecauseshewrot
eashitt
ypaperear
li
eron.

"SoJojoandIwentt othestor
etogetal
cohol,l
i
keItoldyou."She
star
tsandInodasshespeaks." Wedecidedtogetfoodfi
rst,you
knowt hemostimportantmealist
heoney oueatbefor
edrinki
ng."
Shesay sandIti
tt
er.TrustAmukel
anit
ot hr
owinaj okeas
emotionalassheis.

Hersmi
l
edi
sappear
sandshecont
inues.

"Mydadwasont hequeue,hewasact
ingweir
d,v
eryuneasy,l
ike
hewasaf rai
dt hatsomeonewouldseehim wi
thme.Butitwas
actual
lytheotherwayar ound,
hedi
dn'
twantmet oseehim with
hispregnantgirl
fr
iend.
"Shesaysandmyheartdrops.OhLord,
shefoundthem att
hestore,
justl
ikeIdi
d.Thi
sishect
ic,wear
ein
themiddl
eofexams, t
helastthi
ngsheneedsisthest
ress.

"
What '
swr ongUndiphil
e?"SheasksandIcannotlookatmyfri
end
i
ntheey es.Iam ashamedt hatIkeptt
hisf
rom her
.Ij
ustgot
r
eli
evedf r
om thesecretIkeptforWalenowtheoneIwaskeeping
f
rom Amukel ani
isbitt
ingmei ntheass.

"
Undi
phi
l
e?Di
dyouknow?
"OhGod.

Myhearti
sthuddi
ng,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
.Denyorcome
cl
ean?

"Fr
iendI.
..
mmhmmh.
..ImeanIshou.
..
"Ist
utt
erandshest
eps
backfrom me.

Herey
eswi
deandl
owerl
i
pqui
ver
ing.

"Howcoul
dyoukeept
hisfr
om me?Undi
phi
l
e?"Icov
ermymout
h
astear
swell
upinmyeyes.

"Youaremyf
ri
end,howdidyouevenknow?
"Lor
dwhyar
eyou
putt
ingmeonthespotl
i
kethis?

"Amukel ani
,Ifel
tli
keitwasn'
tmysecr ett
oexpose.Itwastoo
heavyforme, say i
ngwhatIsawinthatgroceryst
orewasgoingto
breakaf amily,i
twasgoingtotearyoudownandIcoul dn'
tdothat
.
Icouldn'thavethatonmyconsciousandIwi shyoucould
understandwher eIwascomingf r
om."Isayslowly
,desperat
efor
hertounder st
andmei nt
hiswholesit
uati
on.

Shelaughsoutl
oud,buti
t'
snotf
rom amusement
.She'
scl
ear
ly
notbeli
evi
ngwhatI'
m sayi
ng.
"Iwoul
dneverkeepsuchfrom youorLemohang,y
ou'
remybest
fri
endandIexpect
edloyal
tyfr
om you."Shesay
swaggingaf
inger
atme.

Iunderstandthatshe'shurtandfi
ndingoutthatIknewaddst o
thatbutthissecretisnoteasy,
it'
snotjustmesay ing'ohfr
iendI
thi
nkIsawy ourdadwi t
hay ounggir
l atsomegr ocerystor
e.'I
t'
sa
secretthatwasgoi ngtochangethei
rwhol eli
ves,asecretthat
wasgoi ngtoexposeherf ather
sdoubl eli
fe.

"Youknowwhat?ScrewyouUndi
phile.Youar
enotat r
uefri
end,
"I
gaspinshockandwatchasshewalkspastme,headedforthe
door.Tear
saregushi
ngdownmyf ace.

Howdidthi
sdayendupl
i
ket
his?Howdi
dIf
indmy
sel
fint
he
middl
eofthi
s?

"Joj
o,she'
stooemot
ional
,pl
easedr
iveherhome.
"Isaywi
tha
hoarsevoi
ce.

"
Wil
lyoubeokay
?"Inodv
igor
ousl
y.

"Yes,j
ustgetherhomesaf
ely
."Isayandher unsaf
terher
.I'
l
lcal
l
him whenIthi
nktheyar
ether
eandr equestanUberforhi
m.

(Someday
sar
ebett
erthanother
sandIwill
wor
konsuchday
s.
Refert
omypr
evi
ousposttounderst
and.
)
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER49

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Ithasbeenanent i
reweeksi nceAmukel anif
oundoutt hather
fatherhasawhol enewf amilyoutt hereandIknewabouti tand
saidnot hingtoher .Iam real
lysor r
yt hatshef eelsbetrayedbutI
wishsheunder stoodhowbi gt hi
swasf orme, itwasnot hi
ng
casual ,
whatIsawwoul dchanget heirwholelivesf or
ev er,
Ididn't
hav eitinmet obr eakaf amily.Ihav etri
edreachi ngoutt oherbut
shedoesn' tpi
ckupmycal l
sorr espondt omyt exts.Ebukat old
met ogivehersomet i
met opr ocessev eryt
hing.Ihopeshedoes
reali
zet hatIdidn'
tmeant ohur ther,she'soneofmybestf r
iends
andIl oveherdeepl y.

Examshav ebeengoi ngr eall

ywel lami dstev eryt
hing,Joj oand
Lemohangt ellmet hatAmual sosay sshe' scopingwi thst udy ing
andwr i
ting,whi chwasahuger el
iefbecauseI '
dhat emy selfifshe
fai
ls.Iknowhowbadl yshewant stofinisht hisqualif
icationand
provet ot hoset hatthinksheget shandedev eryt
hingf orfreein
herlif
e.Ihonest lydon'tknowwhyshebot hers,shewasbor ni nto
pri
vil
egeandt hat'snotsomet hingsheshoul dbeapol oget i
cabout .
Imeanhercheat i
ngf atherwor kedhar dt oacqui reallhismoney ,
hewor kedhar dt obeabl et oprov i
def orhisdaught erandt ogi v e
herev erythingshecoul dev erwant .Iwi shthatincludedhi m bei ng
fai
thful andl oyaltoAmukel aniandhermot her .
"Whatarey
outhi
nki
ngaboutsodeepl
y?"Lemohangasks,
draggi
ngmebackfr
om mytrai
nofthoughts.

"Whyarewewatchi
ngcur
rentaf
fai
rsagai
n?"Iaskt
ryi
ngt
oav
oid
herquest
ion.

Shel
ooksatt
hescr
eent
henbackatme.

"
Wehavetobeinf
ormedaboutwhat'
shappeni
ngi
nthewor
ldwe
l
i
vei
n,babe.
"Sheanswer
sandIlaugh.

"
Thi
shasMrDi
amondswr
it
tenal
lov
eri
t,
"Isayandshebl
ushes.

She'
ssocuteandi
nlove,Idon'tt
hinkIknowanyonewho
deser
vesl
oveandhappinessthewayt hi
sgir
ldoes.

She'
ssostrongandresi
l
ient
,whatshehasbeenthr
oughandhad
todealwi
thwouldhavebeenacourseofdeat
hformanybutshe
sol
dier
edonandcameoutv ict
ori
ous.

"Hehast
owatchcurrentaff
air
stobeabletoknowwhat'sgoi
ng
onandhowi
taffect
shi sbusi
ness,
"sheexpl
ainsandInodwit
ha
smir
k.

"Ev
er yt
hinginrel
ati
onshi
psisr
eall
ysexual
l
ytransmi
tt
ed,
"She
rol
lsherey esandgetsupfr
om thecouchwit
hthetwoempty
coffeemugs.

"Icanuseanot
hercup,
"shesmacksherl
i
psandheadst
othe
kit
chen.
Webot harel eftwi t
honemor eexam paper.Ebukawant stotake
meawayf ort hehol i
days,
hewantsmet or el
axafterwhatI '
ve
beenthrough, loosingPeacheswasn'teasyatall
,itreall
ywasn' t
.I
appreci
atet hatIhav emyboy f
ri
endandmycousi nher e.Speaking
ofJongikhay a,itlooksl
ikehedoesn'
twantt ogobackt o
KwaZakhel e.He' senjoy
ingJoburgandIam gladbecausemy
aunt'
sbackhomear ealotandbefor
eheheadsbackt odealwi t
h
them hehast obei ntheri
ghtfr
ameofmi nd.

I'
m aboutt ofl
ipthr
oughthechannelswhent henewsr eportthey
shownextget smegluedtotheTVscr een.Whenwi l
li
tallstop?
Until
whenar ewomensupposedt oliveinfearforthei
rliv
es?
SouthAf r
icanwomanar eunderattack,wewal karoundpr ayi
ng
thatwemakei tsaf
etowherewear eheaded.Wewal karound
withcrossedf i
nger
sthatwedon'tgetsnatchedi nthestreets
thengetsol dint
omoderndayslaveryorgetr apedandki l
led.

"
Undi
phi
l
e,whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"Lemohangaskspani
cki
ng.

Iwasn'
tevenawaret
hatI
'
m cr
ying,thi
sisj
ustsad,Imeanthe
newsreport
ersay
sshewasmar r
iedwitht
wolit
tl
echil
dren.

Whocoul dhavedonesuchahor
ri
blethi
ng?Whatwashercri
me
thatshehadtobebrutal
l
yki
ll
edandthrowni
ntothesewage
system l
i
keadog?

"Anot
herwomanwasf oundmur
der
ed,"myvoi
cecomesouti
nan
almostwhi
sper
.Thi
sjusthur
tsmysoul,
asawomanIhaveto
wonderi
fIam nextt
osuchbr
utal
i
ty.

"
OhmyGod!"Sheexclai
msthenthecupofcoff
eeshej
ustmade
formedr
opsandthehotbever
ageisal
lovert
heti
ledf
loor
.Thank
GodIdi
dn'
tgetbur
ned.

"That
'snurseBrenda,"shesay swithbothherhandscov er
ingher
mouth.Ilookatthescr eenandit'
sr epor
tedt
hatt hel
adywas
i
denti
fiedasBrendaMot hi
bi,anurseatthebiggestpri
vate
hospi
tal i
nJohannesbur g,
SiphepheloMemor i
al,herpi
cturei
s
shown, shewasv er
ybeaut i
ful
.

Iclearmythroat
,"howdoy ouknowher?
"Iaskbutherwat
ery
eyesarelockedont hescr
een.Shel
ookspr
ett
yshakenup.

"Lemohang?
"Ipl
acemyhandonhershoul
dert
ocoaxheri
nto
answeri
ngmyquesti
on.

"Imetherawhil
eago,bef
orewemov edi
ntoget
her.Iwasn'
t
feel
i
ngt oogoodandshewasthenur
sethathel
pedme."Shesay
s
hoarsel
yandInodslowl
y.

"Excuseme,
"shetur
nsandleavesther
oom.It
houghtt
henews
hurtmebuti
tlooksl
ikeithi
tLemohangmor
e.Shemusthave
beenoneamazingnurse.

I
'
llcheckonmyf
ri
endal
i
ttl
elat
er,
rightnowsheneedsherspace.

Iheadt
othekit
chent ogetabroom, dust
panandamopt oclean
upthemessinthelounge.Igetdoneinnot i
meanddeci
deto
star
twi
ththepots.Wehaddeci dedtoeattakeaway
sbutaf
ter
seei
ngthedeathoft
hatnurse,
Ineedt
okeepmy sel
fbusyand
whatbett
erwaythancooki
ng?Iopent
hefr
ingeandtakeout
mince,
it'
sbeenawhil
esincewehadsomemeatbal l
s.

Joj owalksinanhourl aterasIam mashingthepotatoesi nthe

ki
t chen,Lemohasn' tcomeoutofherr oom.He'swhist l
inga
har moniousmel odyandhi seyesar
et wi
nkli
ng,Idon'
tt hinkI'
ve
everseenhi mi nsuchamoodbef ore.Hecomesi nt
ot heki t
chen,
placest hegrocerystoreplast
iconthecountert
henki ssesmy
cheek, didhewint helott
ery?

"Andthenwena?"Hegi
vesmeal
opsi
dedsmi
l
eandset
tl
esdown
onthebarst
ool.

"
Iam j
usthappy
,that
'sal
l
owedi
nthi
shouser
ight
?"HeasksandI
r
oll
myey es.

Ofcoursei
t'
sall
owed,
Ijustwantt
oknowwhat
'smaki
nghi
m
happy,
that
'sal
l
.

"
Didyouraunt
ssurr
endert
hei
rweapons?
"Iaskhopef
ulbuthe
r
oarswit
hlaught
er.

"Iwouldhavebeenonthepeakofmountev
erestscr
eami
ng
hall
eluj
ahift
hatwasthecase,mnt
ase.
"hesaysandIshr
ugmy
shoulder
s.

"
Thenwhathasy
oui
nt hi
sgoodmood?"Iaskandhegetsonhi
s
f
eetandr
oundst
hei
slandtogett
othefr
idge,
taki
ngoutoneof
myci
der
s.

"
Ijusthadagoodday
,Undi
."Hei
sbei
ngsecr
eti
ver
ightnow.

"
Wheredidyoudisappeart
o?Iknowyouwer
en'
twi
thEbuka.
"He
l
aughsandgulpsdownhalfoftheci
der
.

"
Iam noty
ourman'
spuppy
,si
ster
.Iknowhowt
ogetar
oundon
myown."

Ohwow!

"Youaregettingt
oocomf ort
ableinmycity,
"Isaywagginga
fi
ngerathim, hesl
apsitoutofhisface."
Ouch!"Icryandhe
scruncheshisnose."
You'veseenhowbi gmymani sri
ght?Hewill
snapy ourneckli
keatwig."Hechucklesandfi
nishestherestof
thecider.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"
It
sni
ce,
mfanaki
thi
."Gat
shasay
sthenf
istbumpsme.

"Ial
solovei
t,Ihaveal
readychosenthebedroom t
hatwil
lbemi
ne
whenwedosl eepovers.
"Mv el
osaysandIraiseaneyebr
ow.
There'
snoroom forherhere,t
hisi
smineandLemohang's
personal
space.

Mysist
ercan'
tbechoosi
ngbedr
ooms,
ther
ewon'
tbesl
eepov
ers
any
timesoon.

"
Ithoughty
ou'
l
lbest
ayi
nghomel
onger
,whatchanged?
"Zet
hu
askswi
thami
schi
evoussmi
l
e.

It
hinkshehasseenr
ightt
hroughme.

Ididn'
twanttotel
lmyfamil
yaboutmyrel
ati
onshi
py etbutIguess
Ishouldj
ustputitoutt
her
e,i
t'
snotli
keMaMohapiisacasual
thi
ng.I'
mlookingtobui
ldwit
hher.

"Iboughtt
hishousebecauseI
'm seei
ngsomeoneandweneed
ourpriv
atespace,
"IsayandZethu'
ssmil
ewidens.

Mv
elocl
apsherhandsandgi
vesmeaspecul
ati
vegaze.

"
It
'sLemohangri
ght
?"SheasksandInod,
"Iknewi
t.Youhav
eto
t
akethebothofusout
,Iwanttogett
oknowherbett
er.
"Thi
sis
whyIdi
dn'
twanttotel
lthem.

Myfami
ly
,especi
all
yMv
elo,wi
llbei
nherfaceandI'
m scar
edt
hat
wi
l
lbetoomuchandwil
levent
uall
yscar
eNanaof f
.

"Lemohangisreser
ved,Mvel
o.Don'
tbei
nherf
acet
oomuch,
please.
"Shegaspsinshock.

"Makhosi
nii
sri
ght,
Mv el
o.All
owthecoupletogettoknoweach
othermor
ebefor
ey ouhi
jackther
elat
ionshi
p."Gat
shasays.

Iappr
eci
atehi
m addi
ngon.

"Iam happyf
ory
ou,Lukhele.Shel
ookedl
i
keagreatpersonand
seei
nghowy ouwerearoundhermakesmeconcludethatshe'
l
l
makey ouver
yhappy.
"ZethusaysandIbl
ush.

"Thankyou,si
s."Shemakesmehappy,
veryhappy.Fr
om t
hedayI
wokeupi nherbedandshemademebr eakf
astandgavemeher
drygint
odeal withmyheavyhead.
"Mama,didyouhearthat
?You'reget
ti
nganothermakoti,
"Gatsha
says.MaNgobesehasn'tsai
dawor dsincewearri
ved.Mymom
i
sachat t
erboxsohersil
enceisabigconcer
n.I'
m notsureifshe
doesn'
tl
ikethehouseorthefactt
hatI'
m movingoutofhers.

"I
sn'tshey oungfory
ou, Fanoo?"SheasksandIbl
owoutasi gh.
"Don'tgetmewr ong,Iknowl ov
edoesn'tcar
eaboutanythingbut
you'
v ebeent hr
oughsomuch.Idon' twanttoseeyouhurt.Imean
shest i
llhastogothroughphases,phasesthatwi
l
l makey ourli
fe
unstable."Imopmyf acewi t
hthepalm ofmyhand.

"Iunder
standyourconcer
nsmamabutLemohangiswiser
beyondheryears.Gett
oknowherandyou'
l
lseet
hatIbegged
my sel
faQueen,"Isayandshenods.

Icantel
lshe'
snotconvincedbutshedoesn'
thav
eto,
shej
usthas
toacceptandrespectt
hatI'
m wit
hLemohang.

Mamahast
ost
opseei
ngmeasherf
ragi
l
eli
tt
leMakhosi
ni,
Iam a
gr
ownman.

"Ineedyouallt
oknowt hatmyrelat
ionshi
pwi thLemohangi sreal,
Iam notacti
ngoutbecauseI'
vejustdivor
ced.I'
mt rul
yinvest
edi n
myr el
ati
onshi
pandi nthewomanIam wi th.She'samazingandI
wouldappreci
ateevery
one'ssupport
."Mysisteratt
acksmewi t
ha
hug.

Dr
amaQueen!

"
Youguy
swi
l
lmakecut
ebabi
es.
"Shewhi
sper
sinmyear
.

Ibeli
evesotoo,Iwouldbegiv
ingherki
dsal
readybutshehast
o
fi
nishherqual
if
icat
ionfi
rst
.
Mymom i sreall
ydown, Ineedt osi
therdownandhav eaoneon
oneconv ersat
ionwi thher .Toputherfearsateaseandr emi nd
herthatIam amanandIcanhandl emybusi ness.Shedoesn' t
alwayshav etowor ryaboutmeandt hethi
ngsImi ghtgot hrough,
thi
sislifeandthingswi l
l happen,It
'snotalwaysabedofr oses.
ZethuandMv elotookhert oseethegardenandpool area,they
aretryi
ngtogethert orelaxandbehappywi thmeont hisjourney
I
'm abouttoembar konaf t ert
hehellIwentthroughinmy
mar r
iage.

"
Howl
onghav
eyoubeenwi
thher
?"Gat
shaasksandIsmi
l
e.

"It
hinkfrom t
hev er
ybeginning,
"that'
sthehonesttr
uth.Iwasn't
awareofmyf eeli
ngst henbutwhenIev ent
uall
ydidIdidn'
twant
tosayandr i
skloosingherasaf r
iend,Lemohangont heother
handwasi ndenialaboutherfeel
ingsforme.Webot hwant ed
moref r
om theverybeginni
ng.

"Iam j
ustgladyou'
rel
ivingyourli
feandlovi
ngagain,youshould
beproudofy our
sel
ffornotgivinguponl ov
e."Inodvi
gorously
.I
thoughtI
'dwantnothi
ngt odowi t
hloveandcommi tmentafter
whatNofotoshowedmei nourmar r
iage.Myphoner i
ngsviol
entl
y
i
nmysui tpantspocket.I'
m sur
eit'
sNancyr emindi
ngmeofmy
3pm meetinginRosebank.

It
akeitoutandi
t'
ssi
s'
Nomuzi
,Ihav
en'
tspokennorseenherand
Gl
eninaweek.
Eachti
meIgetacall
from hermyi
ntest
inesf
reeze,
fearcr
eepsi
n
asIthi
nkshe'
scal
l
ingtotellmeGl
enhaspassedon.

"
sis'
Nomuzi
,
"Iansweral
readypr
epar
edt
oheart
hewor
st.

"
Makhosi
ni,
howareyouson?
"Shedoesn'
tsounddev
ast
ated
whi
chisahuger
eli
ef.

"Iam ver
ywell,your
self
?"Iaskbuti t'
sastupidquest
ion.She'
snot
okay,herhusbandisonhi sdeathbedbutdeat hdoesn'
twantt o
takehim.Havingtowatchhi m suff
ereverydayhastobehar don
herandwor seherchil
drenaren'tsuppor
tive,
notevenoneoft hem
hascomet osupporttheirmom i nthi
stry
ingtime.

"I
'mtakingi
tadayatatime,
"sheanswer
sandcl
ear
shert
hroat
befor
econti
nuing,
"Canyoucomeseemeandmyhusband
tomorrow?I
t'
surgent
."Shesay
sandInarrowmyey
es.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?Doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
"Shebl
owsoutasi
gh.

Gatshai
slooki
ngatmeint
ensely
,wai
ti
ngformetohangupt
he
phonesoIcantel
lhi
m whatsi
s'
Nomuziwanted.

"Wejustneedy
out
ocomeseeust
omor
row,
please.
"Inod,
asi
f
shecanseeme.

"
I'
ll
bet
her
eat9i
nthemor
ningbef
oreheadi
ngt
otheof
fi
ce.
"Isay
.

"
Thanky
ou,
enj
oyt
her
estofy
ourday
."

"
Bye."Ihangupandputmyphonebacki
nsi
demypocket
.I
wonderwhat'
sgoingon.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Fir
stofall
Iwantt
othankyouf
ory
ourpat
ience.Ir
eall
yappr
eci
ate
thesupporty
ouguyshav
eshownmeatmyl owest.

Iam backt
owor
k.Ourschedul
eisst
il
lMonday
,Wednesdayand
Fri
day.

Sponsor
shi
pisst
il
lR50.

Tot hosewhohav ealr

eadyorderedgi
rlf
riends,Iam sor r
yforthe
delaybutreleasingbefor
eImakeenoughi ssui ci
dal.Iwouldhave
wor kedforfreebecausesomeonei sgoingt oleakitandoncei t
's
outt her
eIcan'tmakemoneyoutofmyhar dwor k.Sopleasehold
onunt il
nextweekFr i
day,January14t
h.That 'sthefinaldat
e,you
willdefi
nit
elygetyourcopyont heday.Thoset hatst i
ll
wantto
ordercancont actmeonWhat sApp0671455299.

Last
ly,
HAPPYNEW YEAR.

Ipraythateachandev
ery
oneofy
ouhast
hehear
tsdesi
res
grant
ed
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER50

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Mymi ndwon' tstoppl ayingmyl astencount erwit

ht henur se,
Brendaatt hemal l
ov eraweekago.Shewant edtotellme
somethingbutIqui cklydi smissedher, nowIregretitsobad.I
wishIhadgi venherami nute,j
ustonesoshecoul dhav ebeen
abletogetwhat everof fofherchest .Ican'thel
pthinkingt hat
whateveritwasshewant edtosaytomemi ghtbether easonwhy
sheisdeadt oday,buthow?Theonl yt hingli
nki
ngmet oheri sthe
hospit
alshewor kedf or, theoneMabut howasadmi t t
edt owhen
hetri
edt ocommi tsui cideandIwascal l
edinbecausehel ist
ed
measanemer gencycont actperson.

OMG!Whati fshewast ryingtowar nmeaboutMabut ho?Whati f

theykneweachot herbey ondt hehospi t
al wall
s?Butwhywoul d
Mabut howantt odoany thingtome?Imeanhehasn' tbeen
blowingupmyphonewi t hdiffer
entnumber s.Thisisall so
confusing,myheadi spoundi ngfrom allthethinki
ngandmyhear t
achesf orherl
it
tlechil
dr enandt hehusband.Thenewsofher
mur derisever
ywher e,ont henewschannel sandsoci al media.
Everyonehasanopi ni
onofwhatmi ghthavehappenedt oherbut
nonf eedstheoneIhav eaboutherandMabut ho.Idon' tknow
whatt othi
nkofbel i
eveany mor ebutwhatIknowi s,Ineedt ofi
nd
outifshehadany thingtodowi t
ht hatpieceofshi t,
itwoul d
expl
ainal
ot.

Myphoner ingsonthechestofdr awers, Icl

osemyey es,
dreadi
ng
togetupf rom mybed.It akeadeepbr eathandgetonmyf eet,I
sluggishl
ymakemywayt othecor nerofmybedr oom aft
ersli
ding
myf eetint
ot hesefl
uff
ymor ningslippers.Asmilefor
msonmy
facewhenIseet hecal
lerID,Lor
di thasbeensol ong.Imisshim
somuchbutIwi l
lbeseeinghim soon, i
naweekst ime.He's
comi ngtobewi thmef ortheschool holi
days.

"
Ati
,
"Ianswerj
ovi
all
y.

"
Lemo,"hi
svoi
cedoesn'
tmat
chmyexci
tement
.Hesounds
t
roubl
ed.

Myheartt
hudsagai
nstmychest
,pani
cpar
aly
singmyl
i
mbs,
knot
ti
ngmystomach.

"
What'
swrong?Areyouokayngwaneso?
"Iam anemot
ional
messt
oday,mytear
saren'
ttoofar
.

"
Lemo,
"hesni
ff
sandIknowhe'
scr
ying.

Henevercri
es,he'
ssuchast r
onglit
tl
eboy .Whatevert
hat'sgoi
ng
onisheavyonhim andIcannothel
pbutf eelbad,i
t'
smyj obto
makesurethathe'sal
waysgood,thatIcarryal
ltheburdenssohe
j
ustli
vesfr
eelyli
kechi
ldr
enhisage.

"
Tal
ktomepl ease,
"myv oi
cebar
elycomesout
,thei
sahugedr
y
l
umpcloggedinmyt hr
oat.
"
Ijustwantt
ocomehomet
oyou,
Lemo.
"Icl
utchatmychest
.

Ofcour sehedoes.Hehasbeenonhi sownforhalft

hey ear,we
hardl
yt alkonthephoneorseeeachot her
.Thiswasboundt o
happen, hewasboundt ofeell
onelyandwantnooneel sebutme.
Iwishhecoul dstaywit
hmef ullti
mebutwi t
huniv
ersit
yandwor k
Ican'tbringhi
m herebecausethere'
l
lbenotimetolookaf t
erhi
m
properl
y .

Icl
earmyt hr
oat,
"onemoreweekandwewi llbetogether
.Iam
comingtogetyouandwewi l
lbetogetherf
ort hr
eeweeks, doi
ng
whatevery
ouwant .
"Ihopet
hischeershim upalitt
le.

"Youpromi
se?"Lor
dknowsifIcouldfl
yI'
dbeatmylit
tl
ebrother
s
boardi
nghousehol
dinghi
mtight.Assur
inghi
mthatever
ythi
ngis
goingt
obealri
ght.

"
Ipr
omise,
buddy.Thr
eeweeksofnot
hingbuty
ouandI
."Iwi
pe
mytear
swit
hthebackofmyhand.

Inmyl i
fedaysdon'tcomet hesame,otherday
sarej
ustbrut
al,
heartshutt
eri
ng,gutwrenching.Ihav
ebeenhappysi
nceIgotwith
Makhosi ni
buttodayhadtohappenandr emindmethathappi
ly
everafteri
snotdesignedforpeopleli
keme.

"
Iloveyou,Lemo.
"IknowhedoesandIwishIcoul
dgi
vehi
m
more,moreofmeemot i
onal
l
ythanfi
nanci
all
y.

"
Ilovey ou,t
oo, At
ang.Iam sorr
ythatyoufeelsol
onel
ybutIneed
y
out oknowt hatwearegoingtobealri
ght
, t
hatsomedaywewill
l
i
vet ogetherandseeeachot herever
yday.
"Isaysoft
ly,
placi
ngmy
l
eftelbowont hechestofdr
awerstop.
Mybr otherscalll
eftmenumb, Iwasal readyhav i
ngahect ic
aft
ernoonwi ththewhol enurseBr endat hing.Somet i
mesIwi shI
couldresetmyl i
fe,choosemyownpar ent sandapat hmyl if
e
wouldfollow.EverydayIpraythatGodr emov esmef rom the
str
ongpeopl e'sli
st,Iam t
ir
edofbei ngthesol dierhesendst o
fi
ghtthet oughestbattl
es.Can'tIbet heonet hathastobreat h
andhav elif
ehappensmoot hly?IthinkI'
v epai ddues,It
hinkIhav e
gi
venmor ethanIneedt o.Ifeell
iket hi
si sthef ur
thestmy
str
engthcancar ryme, IneedGodt opushmef or
wardfrom her e
onwards.

"Lemo,
"thebedr
oom doorcr
eaksopenandUndi
phi
l
ewalksi
n.I
canonl
yseeherfeetsi
nceI'
m si
tt
ingonther
ug,
bal
anci
ngmy
backwit
hthebedandmyey escastdown.

"
Babe,Ibroughty
ousomet hingtoeat.
"I'
m nothungrybutIdon'
t
wanttoberudeaftershespentherti
meint heki
tchenprepar
ing
t
hisfood.

"
Thanky
ou,
fri
end.
"It
aket
hepl
atef
rom her
,av
oidi
ngey
econt
act
.

Idon'
twanttoexpl
ainany
thi
ng,
tal
ki
ngabouthowmyl
i
fesucks
changesnot
hing.

"Iknowy ouareastrongper
son,Lemohang.Iknowy ou'
vedeal
t
withthingsonyourownforthelongestti
mebutIjustwanty outo
knowt hatyoudon'
thavetoanymor e.Iam her
e,Ebukaisalso
hereandnowy ouhaveaboyfr
iendthatlovesyou,confi
dei
nus."
Myt
hroatgoesdr
yandmyt
ear
shangonmyl
ashes.

"
Iknow,
thanky
ou,
Undi
."Myv
oicecomesouthoar
sel
y.

Sheheav
esadeepsi
ght
henset
tl
esdownnextt
ome,
placi
ngher
handonmyknee.

"
Thi
sisnotonl
yaboutnur
seBr
enda,
right
?"Sheaskssof
tl
y.

Sheknowsmet
oowel
l
.Igul
pdownmysal
i
va,
towett
hedeser
t
downmythr
oat
.

"Atangi snothappyUndi,Ifeell
ikeIf
ail
edhim.Imeanhei sonl
y
sixy earsoldandIshippedhim offt
oboardi
ngschool.How
diff
er entdoesthatmakemef r
om mymot her?
"Isayandshe
quicklytakestheplateoffoodfrom myhandandplacesitdown
ont hef l
oor.Bothherhandsareplacedonmyshoulders,t
ears
swimmi nginhereyes.

"Youar enothingl i
keyourmot her,Lemohang.Youar edoingyour
l
ev elbestf orAt ang,mor ethanyourbestinfact
.It
'sgoingtobe
har dforhim, t
hatwon' tchangebutit'
shardforyoutoo, y
ouare
onl ytwentyy ears.Allweneedt odoi sfi
ndawayt oseehi m
frequent l
yandt alktohim sohedoesn'tfeell
onely,
"Icl
osemy
ey es.Ifthere'strulyaGod, hewil
lfeelt
heheav i
nessinmyhear t
andhewi l
ldosomet hingaboutit.Hewillr
emov etheburdenon
myshoul der sandgi vemeandmybr ot
herpeaceandhappi ness.

"Jojoi
sint
hebedroom, onhisphonelaughi
ng,
Ithi
nkhe'
sseei
ng
someoneinJohannesburg.Anyway,Iwil
lst
ayi
nhereandyougo
sitbyt
hewindow,i
talwayscalmsy ou.
"ShesaysandIsmil
e.

She'
sri
ght
,thatwi
ndowi
smysanct
uar
y.
MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Ididn'tsleepawi nk, Ikeptt ossingandt ur

ningt hinki
ngaboutmy
gir
lfr
iend.Ical l
edherl astnightbeforeIwentt obedl i
keInor mal
ly
doandshewasn' ther sel f,
whenshecr i
edmyst omachbubbl ed
withpani candf ear .Iwant edtodr i
vetoherapar tment
i
mmedi atel ybutsheaskedmenott o.Sheexpl ainedt hatshegot
acall fr
om herl it
tlebr other,myhear thurt
sfort hem.Iwi shIcould
dosomet hingtomakel ifeeasierformygi r
lfri
end, she'shadit
roughherent ir
elife, therehast obesomet hingIcandot omake
thi
ngseasyf orher.Iknowshehat espity,
Iknowshehat esbeing
handedt hi ngsforf reebutIam herman.Lemohangneedst o
all
owmet ohelplessent heburden,that'
swhatr elat
ionship'
sare
for.

Ihadagoodrun,2kilometers,i
tcl
ear
edmyheadbutmyhear ti
s
sti
l
lful
lofwor
ry.Icannotwai tt
oknockof
fandgoseeher ,
tohold
herinmyarmsandt ell
herhowmuchIl oveher,
toassureherthat
Iam her
eandshedoesn' thavetodothi
saloneany
mor e.

Igrabmyblazerandlapt
opbagt henheadoutofmyr oom t
othe
ki
tchen.Thebaconsmellsgood,mymot hernevert
ir
estomake
breakf
asteverymorni
ng.Iam goingtomissherfood,mygi
rland
Iaren'
tthebesti
nthekit
chen.I'
l
ljusthav
etopopupher eoncein
awhi
l
etogetsomehomecookedmeal
s.

MaNgobesei spour
ingher selfacupofcof feewhenIwal kinthe
ki
tchen, Iplacemybl azerandl aptopbagdownont hev acant
chairandr oundthetablet otheislandtokissmymot her'
scheek
andgr eethergoodmor ning.Shegr eetsmebackbutnoti nfull
enthusiasm, shehasn'tbeenher selfeverseenItol
dhert hatthe
sal
eofmynewhousehasgonet hrough.Iunder
standshel oves
havingmear oundbutIam agr ownassmanandIneedt ohav e
myownspace, Ican'
tbebr i
ngingNanaher eortakinghert o
hotels.

Iwil
ltakeheroutt
omorr
owforlunchandhaveaconv
ersat
ion,
ever
ythingonthet
abl
etypeofconver
sat
ion.

"Ineedtor
un,Ihaveameet i
ngwit
hGlenandhi
swi
fe,
"Iinf
orm
mymom andsi steraf
terchewi
ngandswall
owi
ngt
helastpi
ece
ofsausageIhadonmypl ate.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Mamaasks,
herey
eswi
de.

"Iam notsur
e,sis'
Nomuzical
ledy est
erdaywhenwewereatthe
houseandaskedmet ocomet oday,shesai
dit'
sur
gent
."They
bothnod.Ifi
nishmycoffeeandgetonmyf eet
.

"
Hav
eagr
eatdayatwor
kFanoo,
"MaNgobesecal
l
saf
terme.

"Thanksma,Il
ovey
ou.
"Isayl
oudenoughbef
orecl
osi
ngt
hedoor
behindme.
Iam makingmywayupt oGlensroom,text
ingLemohangonmy
phone.She'snotwrit
ingt
oday,herl
astpaperisnextMonday.
Whenshe' sfreeshewakesupataround10am, Iam justgoi
ngto
l
eaveat extincaseshewakesupandtri
escalli
ngwhileI'
m busy
wit
hGl enandhi swif
e.

GOODMORNI NG,ANGELOFMINE.IHOPEYOUSLEPTWELL
ANDYOU'REFEELINGBETTERTHANYESTERDAY.IAM
STEPPI
NGI NTOAMEETINGRIGHTNOW,I'
LLCALLYOUAS
SOONASI '
M DONE.

ILOVEYOU,
STHANDWASAMI
.

sis'Nomuzi justfi
nishedgivi
ngGl enhisspongebat h,heisawake
butbar elyali
ve.He'shangingonbyat hread,asmuchasi thurt
sI
thinkit'
st i
mehel etsgo.Stayingaliv
ei sonlybreakinghiswi f
e,
j
ustl ookathowski nnysheis,thestressandt ormentofseei ng
thel ov
eofherl i
fethiswayiseat i
ngthroughher .Itwill
hurther
whenGl enfinall
ygivesinbutatleastshewi l
lgri
ev eandheal ,not
l
iveherl if
einahospi t
al,
watchinghimf urtherdeterior
ate.

"Makhosi
ni,
thanky
ousomuchforcoming.
"si
s'
Nomuzisaysaft
er
set
tl
ingdownnexttoGl
enandt
akinghi
shand,br
ushi
ngitgent
ly.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Iask,
dar
ti
ngmyey
esbet
weenhusbandand
wi
fe.

"Lukhel
e..
."Gl
encoughsvi
olent
ly,
hiswi
fequickl
yget
soffthebed
andpoursaglassofwater
.Shehelpshi
mt akesmall
sips.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
son.
"Ishakemyhead.

"
No,
Bhengu.I
t'
sokay
,don'
tapol
ogi
ze.
"

Hebl
owsoutaheav
ysi
ghandInar
rowmyey
es.

"21y earsago, NomuziandIseparatedforay earorso.We

alreadyhadt wokidsbyt hen.Iwasstart
ingmycompanyi nthe
diamondsi ndustryandbecauseoft hatIdi
dn'thav eti
meformy
fami ly.Iwasal waysawayt ry
ingtogetcontacts,youknowhowi t
get s."Inod,Iam justgl
adLemohangf oundmeset tl
edint
he
busi nessorel sethi
srelati
onshipwouldbesuf fer
ing.

"Ontheset ri
psIwoul dbeunf ait
hfult
oMuzi ,shefoundoutand
l
eftwi t
hourchi ldrenwi thoutev entel
li
ngme.Igothomef rom one
tri
pandshewasn' tthere,thehousehel pertoldmeshepacked
herthingsandl eft,andt hathappenedaweekbef oreIreturned.I
tri
edfindingherbutshewasn' twit
hherfri
endsorherf amily.I
wasdev ast
ated, Imissedher , Iwasloosi
ngmymi nd.Three
mont hspassedandi twascl earshewasn' tcomingbackbutIst i
ll
contactedherf ami l
ybeggi ngt hem totel
lmewher eshewas. "He
takesadeepbr eath.

"Imadeanothermist
ake,Ial
lowedthedesiresofmyfl
eshtol
ead
meintosl
eepingwithourmaid.ItwentonforthemonthsMuzi
wasgone.Fi
nallymywifereachedout,askedmet omeetwi
thher
sowecanf i
gureouthowt ofixourmarri
age.Icamecl
eanwit
h
whatwashappeni
ngwi t
hthemaidshehir
ed,shedi
dn'
ttaket
he
newswell
,obvi
ously
,butweworkedthr
oughit.Weagr
eedtolet
themaidgoandfrom t
hatti
meIgavemywi f
emyf ul
ll
oveand
att
ent
ion.
"

Wow!

Mar
ri
agei
sn'
teasyhey
.

"Nomuzit
ell
smeshemetyourgi
rl
fr
iend,
"thement
ionof
Lemohangbubbl
est
hisf
ir
einmystomach.

"
Yes,
y oucoul
dhav
etoobuty
ouwer
esedat
ed.
"Henods
i
mpercept
ibl
y.

"
What'shername,wher
eisshefrom?Herpar
ent
s?"If
rown,
what
'sgoingon?21quest
ionsaboutmywoman?

"Hernamei
sLemohang,she'
sfr
om theVaal
."Iexpl
ainand
sis'
Nomuzi
gasps,
clut
chi
ngatherchest
.

"
Howoldisshe?
"Gl
ensv
oicecomesouthoar
sel
y.Whatt
hef
uck
i
shappeni
ng?

"She'
stwent
y,Gl
enwhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"Ishi
ftuncomf
ort
abl
yont
he
chair
.

"
OhMuzi
,
"hel
et'
shi
stear
sfal
l
.

Hi
swi
fel
ooksequal
l
ypai
ned.

"Gl
en?sis'
Nomuzi?What'sgoi
ngon?Whydi dyoucallmeheret
o
tel
lmey ouonceseparat
edandstar
taski
ngquest i
onsaboutmy
gir
lf
ri
end?"Myvoiceisali
tt
lehi
ghert
hanIintended.
"I
syourgi
rlfr
iend'
smot hersnameMaleshoane?"Ibl
inkacouple
ofti
mes,reali
zingthatIdon'tknowwhatLemohang'smot her
'sor
fat
her'
snamesar e.IonlyknowofAtang,shelovest
hatboyso
much.

"
I'
m notsur
e,i
fyoudon'
ttel
lmewhatal
lthi
sisabo.
..
"

si
s'Nomuziquickl
yint
erj
ects,"
I'
m notsur
eifyounoti
cedhow
shockedIwast oseeyourgir
lf
ri
endwheny oubroughtherwi
th
l
astweek."Inodvigor
ously
.

I
twasv
eryawkwar
d.

"That
'sbecauseIsawmyl
atemot
her
-i
n-l
awsphot
ocopy
,"my
eyeswiden.

Thatcan'
tbet
rue,
itj
ustcan'
t.

"
Wh.
..
whatdo.
..
whatdoy
oumean?
"Ist
utt
er.

"Inowunderstandwhydeat hhasn'tcl
aimedme,Ihavetomake
thingsr
ightbeforeIcoul
dleavethisworld.
"TosayIam
astoundedwoul dbeanunderstatement.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Guy
sal
lthebooksI
'
m sel
l
ingar
ePDF'
snothar
dcopi
es.

Thehousewi
feandi
t'
ssequelHeal
ingbot
hsel
lforR150,
you
recei
vet
hem i
mmediat
elyaf
terpay
mentviaWhatsApporemai
l
.
Gi
rl
fr
iendsi
sR50,
I'
mrel
easi
ngi
tnextFr
iday
,Januar
y14t
h.

Ofy
ouwantt
obuypl
easet
extmeonWhat
sApp0671455299.

NB:Idon'
thav
efreebookstosendvi
aWhatsApp.Mypr
evi
ous
f
reeworkisavai
l
ableonVisi
onaryWr
it
ings.
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER51

SPONSOREDBYDI
TSHWANELO

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Ihonestl
ydon'tknowwhatIwoul dhavedonewi t
houtjoj
o's
support
,hehasbeenabsol ut
elyamazing.Iam r
eall
yluckytohav
e
suchaper soninmycornerthr
oughthistryi
ngti
me.Hehasbeen
makingsur et
hatIeat
,studyandnotloosemy sel
fbecauseofthi
s
wholethi
ng.Itrul
yappreci
atehim,t
het i
mehespendswi t
hme
andtakescareofme.

Inevert
houghtI'dfeelanythi
ngf oranotherman, ImeanIviewed
Mabuthoasev eryt
hing,hehel pedmet hroughsomegut
wrenchi
ngsi t
uati
onsandIhel dontothat .Isawmor ethanamer e
mortali
nhim, hewasaGodi nmyey es,onet hatcouldneverdo
wrongbutthet i
meI '
vespendwi t
hJojoshowedmet hatitwas
j
ustanill
usion.WithJojoitfeelseasy,natural.Idon'
thaveto
wonderwhatmoodhe' sin,Idon'thavetowonderi fI
'm doi
ngtoo
muchort ooless.

"Arey
oumini
ngthosedri
nks,
babe?"Heasksfrom behi
ndmeand
hisar
mssnakearoundmywaistt
henhekissesthenapeofmy
neck.
"Nopealldone,Gi
nandToni
cfory
ouMr
.Si
sul
u,
"Ihandhi
m hi
s
highbal
lglassandhet
akesasi
p.

"
Ifthi
slawthingdoesn'
twor
kout
,youknowy
ou'
l
lki
l
litasa
mixol
ogist
."Igi
ggl
e.

IknowIcanmixalcoholl
i
keapro,ev
ery
onecompl
i
ment
sme.I
shoul
dturnt
hisski
lli
ntoabusi
ness.

"Yougotthatr
ight
,"Ipeckhi
sli
psandwewal
kbackt
othel
ounge,
handinhand.

Theweatherissuperchi
ll
ytoday
,west
art
edaf
ireandpl
aceda
comfyblanketi
nfr
ontofthefl
amesandmadel
ove,nowwe'
ve
beendr
inkingandcuddli
ngnaked.

It
'sjustusinthehouse,Itol
dthehousehelpertogohomeand
onlycomeonceaweekt ocl
eanthehouse.Myf ather?Thecheat
whoi mpregnatedsomeonewho' snothi
swi f
e,Ihaven'tseenhim
si
ncet hedayoft heconfr
ontat
ionint
hestore.Isti
llcan'
tbeli
eve
i
tbutI '
velear
nedt oacceptt
hatthemanwhobi r
thedmei sa
pieceofshit,
asnake.

"
Amukel
ani
,
"okayhesoundsser
ious.

"
Yes?"Icr
ossmylegsandpl
acethegl
assdown.Hegi
vesmea
l
opsi
dedsmilet
henli
ckshi
slowerl
ip.

"
We'
vebeendoi
ngthisf
oraweek,Idon'
tknowwhati
tmeansto
y
oubutI
'
m cert
ainofwhati
tmeanstome."Hesaysandmyheart
j
umpsforjoy.Idi
dn'
twanttobetheonet
ostar
tthi
sconver
sati
on.
"
Ift
hisi
sjustsextoyouthenIwoul
dpref
ert
hatwestop,
Iwill
r
emainsupporti
ve.
..
"

Iqui
ckl
ycuti
n,"
no,
Joj
o.Thi
sisnotj
ustsex,
Ireal
l
yli
key
ou.
"He
smil
esandmopshi
sfacewi
ththepal
m ofhi
shand.

Lor
d,hei
ssohandsome.

"I
fthat
'sthecase,
I'
dlov
eforustodothi
ngst
hatpeoplewholike
eachotherdo.Gooutondat
es,gett
oknoweachotherproper
ly.
"I
bi
tetheinsi
deofmymout h.

I
'
venev
err
eal
l
yhadaguysaysucht
ome.

Ihavebeenwi t
hguy sbeforebutt heywer ealli
nt erestedin
sleepi
ngwi thme, nodatesnoget t
ingtoknoweachot her.
Mabut hoont heotherhandwasadi ff
erentstory, ourrel
ationshi
p
hadt obeasecr etandIaccept edt hatbecauseIt houghtwhathe
wasof feri
ngmewasGol d,andnowIr eali
zeitwasn' t.Ilovedthe
i
deaofhav i
nghim, theideaofhav ingamant hatcanl ovemeand
takecareofmeemot i
onall
y .Buti nactualfact,headdedt omy
pain.Thehur t
fult
hingshewoul dsaywhenangr yandwor se,the
babyheconv i
ncedmet oabor t,thatscarwi l
lnev erheal.Iwill
alwaysr egr
etkil
li
ngmyownf leshandbl ood.

"
I'
dli
kethatv
erymuch,
"Isayandher
unshi
sthumbal
ongmy
j
awli
ne.

"
Youar
esobeaut
if
ul,
"Il
ookawaybl
ushi
ng.

Thi
sthingwit
hJojoi
ssodif
ferent
,hemakesmefor
getmypai
n
buthe'
salsoher
etohearmetalkabouti
tandt
ocomfor
tme.He'
s
notmakingmefeell
i
keIwon'
thealwit
houthi
m bymyside,
heis
nott
ryi
ngtoconvi
ncemethathe'
stheoxygenIneedt
osurvi
ve.

"
There'
sonei
ssuethough,
"hei
sbacktobei
ngser
ious,
Iwonder
what
'sgoi
ngt
hroughhismindt
hisminut
e.

"What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskandhepl
aceshisgl
assdownandt
akes
bot
hmyhands,l
ooki
ngatmestr
aighti
ntheeyes.

"Thetensi
onbet
weeny
ouandUndiphi
l
e,babe.Ihonestl
ycannot
becaughtbet
weenmysist
erandmynewgirl
fri
end."Iheav
ea
sigh.

Iam soashamedofhowIt reat

edUndiphi
le,Ihavebeenav oi
ding
hernotbecauseIam madather,I'
vebeenav oi
dingherbecauseI
don'
tknowhowt ofixthi
ngswithus.Iam scaredthi
ngswon'tgo
backtowheretheyusedtobewi t
hus,sheandLemohangmean
somucht ome.

"Iknow,Iwillr
eachout.Iunderstandnowt hatitwasn'
therpl
ace
totell
.Imeant hesecr
etwast oobi gforher,br
eakingmyfamil
y
wouldhav ebeenonherconsci enceandt hat'
stooheavy.
"He
nodsslightl
y.

"Shemissesyousomuch,notadaygoesbywithoutheraski
ng
meorLemoabouty ou.
"Imisshert
oo,Imisshersil
li
nessand
howprotect
iveshei
s.

"
Ipr
omi
set
oreachout
,"hel
eansi
nandweshar
eaki
ss.

Somet
hingshut
ter
sont
hef
loor
,causi
ngJoj
oandIt
osepar
ate
i
mmedi atel
y.Wel ookt owardstheroom ent r
anceandt here
standsmyf ather,hel
ooksf ur
ious,breathi
ngf i
re.Jongikhaya
quickl
ygetsonhi sfeetandgr abshisclothes,heistry
ingt odress
upquickl
y.Myf at
herisn'
tsayinganything,he'
sjustlookingatme
l
ikehe'sr
eadyt omur dermebutI 'mr et
urningthelook,it'
sa
stari
ngcontestIwon'tloose.

"
Amukel
ani
,
"hesay
sinal
owv
oice.

Hi
sey eshav
enowshi
ft
edt
oJoj
owhoi
sst
ruggl
i
ngt
oputonhi
s
j
ersey
.

"
Tat
ana,
"myv
oicei
sequal
l
ycool
.

I
tdoesn'tcar
ryt
heangerIf
eel bubbl
ingupi
nmyst omach.Thi
s
pieceofshi
tonl
yshowshisfaceafteraweek,
whatkindofevi
li
s
thisman?Isheevenmyfather
?Doesheev encar
e?

"I
nmyhouse?Youar ebeingawhoreiny
ourfat
her
'shouse?"He
i
sclenchi
nghisf
ist
s,walkingsl
owl
ytowardsme.I
'
m notfol
di ng,
rat
herIgetonmyfeetandpullmyrobef
rom t
hecouch,put
tingit
on.

"Ilear
nedmywhor i
ngwaysfrom myfat
her,
"myresponsei
sli
kea
slapacrosshisf
ace.Hecannotbel
i
evehisear
s,hi
seyebal
lsare
abouttofall
off.

"
Whodoy
out
hinky
ou'
ret
alki
ngt
o,l
i
ttl
egi
rl
?"

Ichuckl
e.Doeshet
hinkIowehi
m anyr
espect
?

"
Iam t
alki
ngt
oanadul
ter
er,
anabsentf
atherwhodeser
ves
nothingbutaspi ti
nthef ace.
"Isaywi t
ht ear
srunni
ngdownmy
cheeks.Ipromi sednott ocrywhenwef inall
ymeetbutthe
thoughtofmymot her.Lordshe'str
yingtogetherli
fetogether
andI '
m scaredt hesenewswi llsetherback.Shewil
lbet empted
tofindcomf ortinthebot tl
eagain.

"Amu,"i
sthatpai
nIjustsawflashi
ngthr
oughhi
sey
es?WowI
didn'
tknowthedevi
lcanactuall
yhurt
.

"I
'mjustgonnaleav
e,"Joj
osaysbehi
ndme,Ij
ustnodwithout
taki
ngmyey esoffmyf at
her
.Ij
ustheart
hefr
ontdoorcl
oseandI
knowhei sgone.

"Mybaby,
Icanexpl
ain.Pl
easehearmeout
,"Ichuckl
e,notoutof
humorbutanger
.

"Explai
nhowy ouapproached,
datedandimpr egnatedagir
lyoung
enought obeyourdaughterwhi
leyou'
rest
il
l marriedtomy
mot her
?Isthatwhatyouwanttoexplai
ntatan...
"Istopandwipe
myt ears.

"
Youdon'
tdeser
vetohearmecal
lyoufat
her
,you'
venev
erbeen
t
hatt
omeAkani."Hegaspsi
nshock.

"
Ilostmyway ,
Amukel
ani
.Icansti
l
lfi
xthi
s,getourf
amilybackt
o
whereitwas.
"Oht
hisi
sfunny.We'
veneverbeenanywheresi
nce
mysisterdi
ed.

"How,huh?Howdoyoufixt
his?Imeany
ou'
reonl
yjustshowi
ng
upaft
eraweek."Hecl
oseshiseyes.

"
Iwantedtodot hi
sfacet
ofacewi
thenoughti
me.Ihadtogoto
Gi
yani
t henextdayaft
ery
ousawmei nthest
ore.
"Ri
ghtheran.
Ir
oll
myey
es.

"Mikat
ekohadt ogogivebirt
hbackhomesohermothercan
assist
,thisi
sherfi
rstchi
l
d.Wehadt odri
vet
henextmorning.She
gavebirthtoyourl
i
ttl
ebrother,
"hesmi
l
es,aproudsmi
le.

I
sthi
smot
herf
uckerf
orr
eal
rightnow?

"Inamedhi m Nganakani
,aprince.
"Hechuckles,
pr oudofhimself.
"Obviousl
yhismot heri
sacitypersonsoshenamedhi m Nathan,
unnecessaryifyouaskme.Pr ett
yandIdidn'
tbotherwithEnglish
namesf oryouandy oursi
ster,mayherbeaut
ifulsoulconti
nuet o
res.
.."Helovesheari
nghimselfspeak.He'
sonlyinfuri
ati
ngme
mor e,If
eell
ikekil
li
nghim wit
hmyownbar ehands.

"DoIl
ookli
keIcareaboutal
loft
hat?WhatmakesyouthinkI
wantt
oknowy ourbastar
dsname?Orwhathisbi
tchymom
namedhim?"Iscr
eam andheholdsouthi
shandsinsur
render
.

"
Iam sor
ry,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
e."Het
hinks?

Ir
ubmyhandst
oget
herandheav
easi
gh.

"Iam happyforyou,Akani.Youhav
eason, ayoungwomanwho
sti
ll
hassomespar kandal lt
hemoneyintheworld.Goandenj
oy
yourli
fe,l
eavemymot herandI.Wedeser
v eal
ifewithouty
ou.
"I
saybelli
gerent
ly.

"Ican'
tAmukel ani,Iknowi twi
l
lbehar dtobelievebutIlovey ou
andy ourmot herwithall
myhear t.Idon'twanttoloosey ouboth,I
madeami stake.Iknowt hereareconsequencesandI '
mr eadyto
j
umpev er
yhoopt oearny ourf
orgivenessandf oryoutoaccept
Nganakani,he'syourbloodandhei sinnocentinal
l oft
his."I
she
tr
yingt
oprov
okeme?IsAkanit
ryi
ngtogetmetohurthim soI
canbearr
est
edandheli
veshappi
lywi
thhisgi
rl
fr
iendand"pri
nce"
?

Wel
lnott
odaysat
an.

"Youdon'
thurtt
hepeopl
eyoul
ove,
"Isayandbendt
otakemy
dri
nkfrom t
heti
ledf
loor
.

"Youlef
tmeal
onei nt
hisbi
gasshouse,wonderi
ngwherey ou
were.Didy
oucareaboutmysafet
y?Whatift
hief
sbrokein?
Rapedandmurderedme?"Iaskandgul
pdownhal fmydrink.

"Thatwaswr
ongofme,
Iadmi
t.
"Thi
smani
sacl
own,
Iam j
ust
done.

"I
fy ousol
oveyourwif
e,haveyoucal
ledhertocheckhowshe's
doing?Haveyoucal
ledtotel
lhert
hatnotonlyareyoucheat
ing
onher ,
youal
sohadababybyoneofy ourt
iki
li
nes?MhhAkani?"
HisAdamsappleisbobbingli
keamonkeyonast i
ck.

"Amu..
.Iknow.
..
Idon'
t.
..
Iam sosor
ry,
"hestummersandoutoft
he
bluehedropsonhiskneesandcri
eshyst
erical
l
y.

Nof
ucki
nway
!

Ismackmyl i
pstogetheraf
terf
ini
shi
ngmydrink.Ibenddownt o
takemyphoneandt heusedcondomswrappedintoiletpaperand
headtothedoor
.Myhandbagandcarkey sareont hetablei
nt he
foyer
.Ineedt
ogetoutofher e.

St
udentsatLemohangandUndiphi
l
e'sapar
tmentmustthi
nkI'
m
cr
azy.Iwoul
dthi
nkI'
m crazyi
fIwasn'
tme,ImeanI'
m baref
oot,
weari
ngmyr obe,awi gcapandt earshavedri
edonmyf ace.Jojo
wil
lhavetoforgi
vemef orshowinguplikethi
s,nomanwant sto
seethei
rnewgi r
lfr
iendlooki
nglikeahobo.Istepoutofthe
el
evatorcarandintothehallwayofthei
rfloor
.Alldoor
sare
cl
osed,thi
scoldhasnomer cy.I
t'sonl
yaf ewguysdownst ai
rs
si
tt
inginthelapaar eahavi
ngdrinks.

Iam out sidetheirdoor ,scaredt

oknock.Iam notsur ehow
Undiphileisgoingt oreceiveme.Imeant helastt i
meIwasher eI
wasr eallynasty, Isai
dsomet hi
ngsshedi dn'tdeser ve.Shehas
alwaysbeenanamazi ngfri
end,IwishIcoul dt akebackt hatday
andnotspeakf rom apl aceofhur t
.WhatI '
vel earnedf r
om thisis
toalway scal m downbef oresayingany t
hi ng.It akeadeepbr eath
andhi tmyknuckl esont hei
rdoor.Aft
ert hesecondat temptIhear
footstepsappr oach, Iam pinchi
ngmyass.Thi sistheonl yfamilyI
haver i
ghtnow, myf r
iends.Mymom i sn'ther e,mygr andparents
areinGi yani.Thedooropensandi t'
sUndi phile,herf acial
expressioni sstoic,givingnothi
ngaway .Thatbr ingst earstomy
eyes,Iam shaki ngnotbecauseoft heweat her ,event houghits
brut
al.I'm shakingbecauseIam scar edshemi ghtt urnherback
onmeandt hatwoul dbeonme.

"
Amu,Jesus,l
ookatyoushaki
ngl
ikeal
eaf.
"Shequickl
yopens
t
hebur
glardoorandpul
lsmeinsi
debef
oreclosi
ngagai
n.

Iam stuckt
othi
sfl
oor
,bar
efootwi
tht
ear
sst
reami
ngdownmy
face.
"Cometot heheater,
youmustbefreezing."Ihaven'tsai
dawor d
butI
'm gladsheisbeinghernor
mal mot herhen,fussingoverme.
Weset t
leonthecouchandshebr i
ngst heheat ercl
osertome.I
appreci
atethewar mthi
tbri
ngsbutitcannott akecareofthepain
i
nmyhear t
.

"
What
'swr
ongbabe?
"SheasksandIcl
osemyey
es.

"Myf
ather
,heonlyshowedupt
othehouset
oday
.Hi
spr
eci
ous
soni
sborn,
"Isaybit
ter
ly.

"Oh,f
ri
end."Shefoldsmei nt
oawarmt i
ghthug.Ihol
dont
oher.
Thankful
thatshedi dn'
tpushmeawaywhenIneededherthe
most.Iam sobbi
ngi nmybestfr
iendsarmswhenIhearhi
s
worri
edvoicebehindme.

"
Amu,
didhehur
tyou?
"Heasks.

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Undi
phi
l
easks,
conf
usi
onl
acedi
nherv
oice.

"
Uhm,I.
..
Iwaswi
thherwhenherdadshowedup.
"Ishereadyt
o
t
ell
hert
hatwear
edatingnow?Will
Undiphi
l
eaccepti
t?

"
Oh,
"that
'sal
lshesay
s,wi
thmest
il
lti
ght
lywr
appedi
nherar
ms.

"
Shel
ookscol
d,I
'
m goi
ngt
orunherabat
h."Joj
osay
s.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER52

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

Idon'tenj oymyj obany more,nothinginterestsme.Al lIthink

abouti showt ogetmywomanback, she'sallIthi
nkabout ,allI
wantandneed.Iam l oosingmymi nd,Iwishshecoul dseehow
muchshemeanst ome.Knowi ngt hatshe'swi t
ht hatbast ar dkill
s
me, thepi cturesmyguygi vesmeev eryendofweekshowsher
smi l
ing, l
aughi ngandj ustcaref
ree.I'v
enev erhadt hepl easur eof
seeingherl i
ket hat,
andi t'
sunset t
li
ngbecausei tonl yheight ens
myf ear ,Lemohangi sinlovewi ththatdiamondguy .Idon'tt hinkI
haveev erhat edaper sonasmuchasIhat ethatLukhel eguy ,he's
enjoyingmywoman, enjoy i
ngthemoment swewer esupposedt o
enjoyt ogether ,LemohangandI .ButIknowwhatIneedt odot o
shi
f thisf ocus, tomakehi m sopr eoccupiedthatLemohangst art
s
tofeel lonelyandnegl ectedandendsupwi t
hnochoi cebutt o
comebackt ome.

Itakeoutmyphonef r
om mypocketaf t
eritv
ibrates,al
erti
ngme
ofanewt ext.Iscof
fatthenamet hatappearsonmyscr eenas
soonasIpoweri ton.Ihadcompl et
elyfor
gottenabouther ,
what
couldshepossiblywantfr
om me?I sn'
tsheafraidofthe
bl
ackmaileranymore?Shebetternottrytomakeacomeback.I
am heretry
ingtogetmywi fet
ocomebackt ome, Idon'
thav e
ti
mef ori
vyleaguetrashli
keherself
.
HI.IKNOW WEAREN'
TSUPPOSEDTOBEI NCONTACTBUTI
FI
GUREDI FTHI
SISTHELASTTIMEIACTUALLYREACHOUTTO
YOUTHATI TWOULDN'
TDOANYHARM.IHAVEBEENGOI NG
THROUGHALOTSI NCEWE'VEBEENAPARTANDI 'VEREALI
ZED
SOMUCHABOUTMYSELFANDTHECHOI CESI
'VEMADEAND
ONESTHATWEREMADEFORME.MABUTHOYOUHELPEDME
THROUGHSOMETOUGHTI MESANDI '
M GRATEFULBUTISTILL
LOSTAPARTOFMYSELFFROM BEINGWI THYOU.IREALIZE
THATWHATIFELTFORYOUWASN' TLOVE.IDESERVEMUCH
MOREANDSODOYOU.IWI SHYOUNOTHI NGBUTTHEBEST
ANDI '
LLHAVEYOURMOTHERSNECKLACEDELI VEREDTOYOUR
OFFICETOMORROW.

GOODBYE,
AMUKELANI
.

Whatt
hef
uck!

Whodoest hisgir
lthinkshei s?Breakingupwit
hme?That '
snot
possible,Ibrokeupwi thher .IfIdidn'
thavemyhandsfullwith
LemohangIwoul dst artwithherunst ableemoti
onsagain,t
ake
herashi ghaspossi blethendr opherdown.Iam Mabutho
Mkhwanazi ,Iam themast ernott hepuppetbutl
etmej ustsay
goodr iddancet obadr ubbi sh.Ishouldbehappythatshetook
herselfcompl etel
youtoft heequat i
on.
Iam abouttotypeaf akehurtmessaget oAmukel aniwhent he
i
ntercom r
ings.Iam innomoodf orvi
sit
ors,especial
lynowt hat
thebastar
disher e.Idon'
tknowwhenhei sleavingbutIneedhim
gonesoonbecauseIdon' twantpeopleseei
nghi m, t
heper sonI
am i
nt hi
scityshouldn'
tbeassociatedwithhiskind.Iplacemy
phoneont hecoffeetableandhurrytopickupt herecei
v er
.

"
Yes,
"Ianswerbor
ed.

Whoev
eri
sout
sidemyhousemustknowt
hatIam i
nnomood.

"Haiman,who'
sthi
s?"Iaskannoy
edwhent
heper
sonsay
s
nothi
ng.

Cl
ear
sthr
oat
,"i
t'
sLemohang,
"Lem.
..
didshej
ustsay
..
.she'
sher
e?

"
Sthandwasami
?"Icannotbel
i
evet
his.

Shedoesn'tr
espondbutIdon'tcare.She'
sher
e,backt
oher
senses.Igi
vegl
orytowhateverthatmadeherreali
zet
hatshe
belongstome.

Shi
t!

Thatman,
Lemohangmust
n'tseehi
m.

Iqui
ckl
yputt
herecei
verbackonthecr
adl
eandr ushtotheguest
bedr
oom,he'
slay
ingonhisback,
snori
ngl
ight
ly.Thankgoodness.

Iopenthegat
ewhilest
andinginthemiddl
eofmydriv
ewaybut
shedoesn'
twalki
n,shejustf
oldsherarmsandt
urnstol
ook
away.If
rown,what'
sgoingon?Thi
scannotbeareuni
on,she'
s
toocol
d.Butthenagai
nwhatwouldbri
ngherher
eifshedoesn't
wanttotakemeback?Iheaveasighandstr
idet
owardsher.

Lordshelooksbreatht
aki
ng,Iwil
lnevergetusedt ot
hatinnocent
faceandthebeautif
ulbodysheloveshidi
ng.Itr
yt ot
ouchherbut
shequickl
ystepsback,myheartdropsintomyst omach.Whyi s
shedoingthi
s?Whyi sshehurti
ngme?

"St
handwasami
,GodI
'
vemi
ssedy
ousomuch.
"Isayandshe
huff
s.

"
Don'
tcal
lmet
hatMabut
ho,
"shewar
nswi
thaf
lar
ednose.

"I
'
m sorr
y,I
'
m sorr
y.WhatcanIdoforyou?"Iaskandsheshoot
s
herey
ebrowup,gi
vingmeafulminat
inggaze.

"Howdoy ouknownurseBrenda?"Inarrowmyey es,pr

etendi
ngt
o
belostbutdeepdownIam onfire.Iwasn'
texpecti
ngthat
questi
on,especi
all
yaf
terwhathappened.

"
Who?
"Iask,
pret
endi
ngt
obel
ost
.

Iknowmyf aci
alexpr
essi
onsi
spl
ayi
ngi
t'
spar
t,Ihav
enev
erhada
probl
em f
akingemoti
ons.

"Nur
seBrenda,
Mabutho.Howdidyoutwoknoweachot
her
?"
She'
snotbacki
ngdownbutnei
therwil
lI.

"Lemo, Ihonest
lydon'
thaveanyknowledgeofanur
senamed
Brenda.Whoi sshe?"Ibur
ymyhandsdeepi nmypocket
s.My
armpitsaresweating,
nerveswrecki
ng.Howcoul
dshehave
connectedt
hedots?Br
endapromisedthatshedi
dn'
tment
ionmy
namet oheratt
hemallordi
dthebitchl
ie?

"Iknowyou'
rely
ing,
Ijustcan'
tpr
oveitbutonedayIpromi seyou'
l
l
payforwhatyoumighthavedonetoher."Iswall
owhard,closi
ng
myey esandwhenIopent hem,t
ear
sar ebli
ndingmyvisi
on.

"Ihonestl
ydon'tknowwhot hisBrendai
sorwhaty outhi
nkIdidto
her,butbabeIswearIhaven'tdoneanythi
ngwrong."It
rytouse
myt earsbutshejustl
aughsandr oll
shereyes.

DamnBr enda!Youshoul
dn'
thav etr
iedt
owarnmywoman.Now
youhavetakenusfurt
herback,she'
ssuspect
ingmeofyour
murderandthatwil
lmakegetti
ngherbackevenhar
der.

Ididn'tmeant oki l
lher,
Iwasj ustsopi ssed.Theguytai
li
ng
Lemohangcal ledandsai dBr endawast alki
ngtomygi r
l,Iqui
ckl
y
textedher ,t
hreateningher.Itwor kedcozmyguysai dafter
l
ooki ngatherphonesher an.Br endacamest r
aightt
omyhouse,
wehadaheat edexchange.I twassoi ntense,shesaidt
hingsto
me, thingsthatmademeexpl ode.Itookt hebel
tthatwasont he
couchandst rangledherwi thit,Iwassol ostinthemomentand
whenIst oppeditwast ool ate.

Icouldn'tcall
thepol i
ce,Iwasn'
taboutt ogotojai
l.Iwoul
dn'
t
survi
vei nthatplace.SoIhadt odisposeoffthebody.It
ookhert
o
theout ski
rtsandt hr
ewherbodyi nt hesewagesystem,Idi
dn'
t
thi
nkt heywoul ddiscoverit
,at
leastnotsosoon.
"I
sthatmydaughteri
n-l
aw?Whyar
eyoumaki
ngherst
and
outsi
deMabutho?
"

Shi
t!Shi
t!Shi
t!

Thi
sisn'
thappeni
ng.Whydi
dhewakeup?

"Gobacki nside!
"Isneerbuthejustl
aughsandcont
inueswal
ki
ng
towardsus.Lemohangi sconf
used,dart
ingbet
weenmeandthis
bastard.Iwishthegroundcouldopenandswallowme.

"Behav
e,wena.
"Hesay
swi thasmir
kt henhol
dsouthishandt
o
shakeLemobutIsl
apthatdir
ty,
mutismell
inghandaway.

"For
giv
emyson,
he'
stooj
eal
ous.
"Lemohangi
sconf
usedandI
knowwhy.

Il
iedandsai
dmyf
atherdi
edofl
ungcancert
het
imeIf
oundher
smoking.

"
Son?You'
rehi
sfat
her
?"Sheasks.

Ishouldhaveki
ckedt hi
smanoutofmyhouseafterhechecked
mywhol ehouselookingformymother
.Yes,
thebastar
dcame
herelooki
ngforher.HethoughtIwasl
yi
ngwhenIsaidIdon't
knowwher esheis.

"
Yes,
Igav
ebi
rt
htot
hisoneher
e."

Lemohangclapsonceandshakesherhead.Shei
slooki
ngatme
l
ikeIdi
sgusther.Myeyesar
egenuinel
ypleadi
ngwit
hher.

"Andyourwi
fe?Hi
smom?I
sshel
ate?
"SheasksandIcl
osemy
eyes.
Ifeel
li
keali
tt
lechi
l
dwhowasj
ustcaughtwi
thhi
shandi
nthe
cooki
ejar
.

"
No,
she'
sver
ymuchal
i
ve.Wel
i
vei
nKZN.
"

Shelooksatmewit
hwidenedeyes,
Ican'
tev
enmai
ntai
ney
e
cont
act.I
'mtooembar
rassed.

"
Baby
,Icanexpl
ain.Ipr
omi
sey
ou'
l
lunder
stand.
"Shesmi
l
es.

"Ir
eal
lyshoul
dt hankGodforsavi
ngmefrom y
ourcrazyass.
"She
tur
nsbackandst art
swalki
ngaway ,
wher
eisshegoing?There'
s
nocaronsight.Icandropherof
fandtal
kwhil
eatit
.Ineedto
sal
vagethesit
uation.

"
Lemohang,
please.
"Ibeg.

"
Don'
tfol
l
owme!
"Shescr
eams.

Ist
opi
nmyt
racks,
def
eat
ed.

Whydi dn'
tthatguywarnme?HadIknownt hatLemohangwas
comingIwasgoi ngt
obet t
erprepar
e.Iwouldhav edone
somethingaboutmyf ather,t
hiswouldn'
thavehappened.My
chancesofget t
ingherbackarealmostnonexi st
ent.

"Iwanty
ououtofmyhouset
hismi
nut
e,"Isaywaggi
ngmyf
inger
atthi
ssmel
lyman.

Iam goi
ngtohavet
oburnevery
thi
ngi
nthebedroom and
bat
hroom hewasusi
ng.Thehousewi
l
lhavetobefumigatedas
wel
l.

"
Whywoul
dyouli
eandsaywearedead?
"Heasks.Thi
sist
he
f
ir
stt
imeI
'
m seei
nghi
m soshocked.
Ismackmyl
i
psandwal
kpasthi
m.

Hej
ustmessedupmyl
i
fe,
Agai
n.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"
Yoh!Thi
sishect
ic.
"Gat
shasay
sandInod.

Idon'
tthi
nkI'
veev erbeensost ressed.YesterdayIwenttosee
herandImanagedt oswayt heconversati
ontoherf amil
y.I
ndeed
hermother'
snamei sMal eshoane.Glenandsi s'Muziwer
eright
,
Lemohangmi ghtbeGl ensdaught er
.Sheisgoi ngtobe
devast
atedafterl
earni
ngt hatshehasbeenl i
vingali
e.

"Thi
sisgoi
ngt
osetherback,
bhut
i.She'
sbeent
hroughsomuch
alr
eady.
"Ir
ubmyfor
ehead.

"I
maginef
indingsomeonej
ustt
olooset
hem,
"hesay
sandmy
hear
tshut
ters.

Ididn'
teventhi
nkaboutt
hatone.Iam goi
ngtohav
etost
epup
forher,
she'sgoi
ngtoneedmemor ethanever
.

"Whenareyougoi
ngt
otel
lher
?"IwishIdidn'
thav
et ohonest
ly,
butshedeser
vest
oknowthet
ruth.Toknowherfatherbef
orehe
dies.

"She'
swrit
ingherlastpaperonMonday
,I'
l
ltel
lheri
mmedi
atel
y
after
."Henodsvigorousl
y.

Idi
dn'
twantt
otel
lherbef
oreandr
iskherf
ail
i
ng.Shewant
s
not
hingmor
ethanf
ini
shi
ngt
hisqual
i
ficat
ioni
nrecor
dti
me.

"
Pleasedo,
baf
o.Gl
endoesn'
thav
emucht
ime,
"-Gat
sha.

I
'v
ebeenpr
ayingthatGodkeepshi
m al
iveunt
ilLemohangis
r
eadyt
oacceptthatherf
atheri
sdyi
ng.Shedeserv
esalit
tl
etime
wit
hhi
m.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
hisweekend?
"Mybr
otherasksandIshr
ug.

"
I'
ll
bespendi
ngi
twi
thMaNgobese.Mygi
rlwi
l
lbest
udy
ing.
"

Gatshal eftmyof f
iceanhouragoaf terweenjoyedourlunch.He
broughtf oodfr
om t hetaxirank,I
'v
ebeencr avingthe
questionablehygieneandi tdidit
sjobper f
ectl
y.NowIj ust
orderedsomet hingtoeatf ormygi rl
andhadi tdel
iveredtoher
apartment .Wespokebef or emybr otherar
riv
ed,shehadj ustgot
homeandsoundedof f
,I'
mr eall
ywor ri
edabouther.I'
m scared
thatthenewsofGl enwi l
lthrowherof fmore.Hopefull
yaftershe
haspr ocessedev eryt
hingshewi l
lfeelasenseofbel ongi
ngand
fi
nall
yf i
ndpeace.

Myoffi
cephoner i
ngs,Ij
usthopeit'
snotsomethi
ngthatneeds
myundivi
dedattenti
onbecause1,I'
mf ul
land2,myheadis
spi
nni
ngwi t
hthiswholepater
nit
yissue.MaybeIshoul
dtake
sometimeoffthiscomingweek,tospenditwi
thmywomanas
shedeal
swithhernewr eal
it
y.
"
Lukhel
e,
"Ianswer
.

"
Makhosi
ni,
it'
sGl
en.
"Hi
svoi
cei
sbar
elyaudi
ble.

"
Bhengu,ar
eyouokay
?"Iask,
pushi
ngmychai
rback.Whyar
e
t
heycall
i
ngmyoffi
ce?Where'
smyphone?

"
Iam hol
dingon.Hav
eyouspokent
oher
?"HeasksandIsi
gh.

Idi
dtel
lthem t
hatLemohangisMal
eshoane'
sdaught
er,
the
hel
perGl
enwassl eepi
ngwit
hwhenhiswifel
eftwi
tht
heirki
ds.

"Iknowt
hisistoomuchforyou,wehavebeenonyourneckandi
t
cangett
ir
ing,"Ishakemyhead,
scrat
chi
ngmyey ebr
ow.

"Glen,
it'
snobother.
"Ipause, "Lemohanghastowrit
eaf i
nal
paperonMonday .Ididn'twantt otel
lheri
nthemi
ddleof
prepari
ngfori
t,Iwil
ldef i
nit
elytell
herwhatwesuspectaft
ert
he
exam."Hecoughsv iolentl
y.

"Thatmakessense.Thankyousomuchf orhel
pinguswitht
his,
I
owey ousomuch."Ifshe'
sindeedyour
sGlenthenyouoweme
nothi
ngbecauseyourdaughterhasbecomeeveryt
hing.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER53

SPONSOREDBYDI
TSHWANELO

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Babe,I
'm of
f.
"Lemohangsayswal
ki
ngoutofherbedroom,
the
oneI'v
ebeensharingwi
thhersi
nceJongi
khay
aarri
ved.

"
I'
mtaki
ngabreaktoday,
Ineedtoseemyman.I'l
lgotot
he
l
i
brar
ytomor
row,"shenodsbit
ti
ngint
othatbi
gredappl
e.

"Gr
eetmybr
otherf
orme,
tel
lhi
m heowesmeasi
bli
ngsdat
e."I
smil
e.

Ebukaal
somi ssesher
,it
'sbeenaminutesi
ncet
heyspentsome
ti
metogether
.Examsaret hepi
ts,
forr
eal.

"I
'
llpasst
hemessage,fr
iend.
"Isaybr
eakinganegg,I'
m making
breakf
ast
."Sowhatar
ewedoi ngonMonday ?Tocelebrat
ethe
endofourexamsandthehecticsemest
er?"Isayexci
tedl
y.

Ij
ustwantt
ohav
eaf
unni
ghtwi
thmygi
rl
s,j
ustt
het
hreeofus.

"
Eishbabe,
Makhosi
niwant
stot
akemeout
,I'
m sor
ry.
"Igr
oani
n
f
rustr
ati
on.

"
Ihat
ehi
m,"shechuckl
esandheadsoutt
hedoor
.

Joj
oandAmukel
ani
hav
ebeenshar
ingabedsi
nceshecameher
e
twosleepsago.Yest
erdaytheydi
dn'tevencomeout ,Jojowas
theonlyonecomingtogetfoodanddr i
nks.TheonlytimeIsaw
Amuwaswhent heyweregoingtotakeabat h,
together.I
'm not
surewhat'
sgoingonwi t
hthem butIint
endtofindouttoday.

I'
vehadmybr eakf
ast
,washedthedi
shesandnowI'm wai
ti
ngf
or
mybr othertocomeoutofthebedr
oom sowecanhav ea
conversati
onaboutwhat'
sgoingonbetweenhi
m andmybest
fr
iend.

Ifl
ipthr
oughthechannel
s,hopingtogetsomet
hingi
nter
esti
ngto
watch.DSTVisawasteofmoney ,theyr
epeatt
hesamemov ies
andshows.IneedtostoppayingbecausewehaveNetfl
i
x.For
student
s,wesurehavealotofbil
ls.

"Mnt
ase,
morning.
"Joj
ogreet
s,wear
ingnothi
ngbuthi
sboxer
s.
Aret
heyhav
ingsexonmybed?Ebukahasn'tevenhadmeonmy
bed,
howdaretheydi
svi
rgi
nmymat t
ress.

"Mor ni
ng,canyoucomeherepl
ease.
"Iwatchhimtakeouta
bottleofwaterfr
om thef
ri
dget
henhecomest othelounge
sluggishl
y.Hesettl
esdownont
hearmr estandopenshisbot
tl
ed
wat er.

"It
hinky
ouknowwhatt
hisi
sabout
,Jongi
khay
a."Isayandhe
heavesasi
gh.

"
Yeah,
Iwaspl
anni
ngtotal
ktoy
ouabouti
ttoday
."Washe?I
meani
tdi
dn'
tl
ookli
keit
.
"
I'
mli
steni
ng,
"Isayandcr
ossmyl
egs.

Heget
sof
fthear
mrestandsi
tspr
oper
lyont
hecouch.

Hecl
earshi
sthroat,
"AmukelaniandIar
einarelat
ionshi
p,"oh
wow,It
houghthewasgoi ngtosaythey
'vej
ustbeensleeping
t
oget
her.Awholerelat
ionshi
p?I
'm notmad,j
ustshocked.

"
Okay
,whendi
dyouguy
sest
abl
i
sht
his?
"Iaskandhesmi
l
es.

"Thisweek,
Undiphile.Ican'tgetintodetail
s,ImeanI'
m sti
l
lyour
brother
.ThefactthatI'
m dat i
ngy ourfri
endshouldn'
tchangethat
.
Pleasedon'
taskhert otellyoumydi cksizeorhowIperfor
mi n
bed."I'
mthr
owni ntoaf itoflaughter.

Hemustbestupi
difhethi
nkswear
enotgoi
ngtodiscusshim,he
i
smybestfr
iendsboyf
ri
endandher
ewediscussboyf
riendsand
t
hei
rsexgame.

"Soit
'sar
elat
ionshi
prel
ati
onshi
p.Notj
ustsex?
"Weneedt
obe
sure.

Idon'
twantmyf
ri
endget
ti
nghur
t.

"
Ireal
l
yli
keher,
she'
sagenui
neper
son.Thi
sisn'
taboutsex,
"
t
hat'
sarel
ief
.

"
Iam happyf
ory
ouguy
s,"hesmi
l
es

"
Thanks,
she'
sbeenst
ressed.Af
rai
dtol
eav
ethebedr
oom,
"that
's
afi
rst
.

Amuisafr
aidofabsolut
elynothi
ng.Whenshedoessomet
hing,
shedoesi
twit
hherf ul
lchest.
"Youbothareadul
ts,
youar
emyf av
ori
tepeopl
e.Isuppor
tyour
rel
ati
onshi
pandIhopeitbl
ossomsint
osomethingmore,
"he
openshisarmsandIdon'
tthi
nktwi
ceaboutl
aunchingmysel
fat
him.

"
Yourbr
eakf
astisi
ntheov
en,Idi
shedononepl
ate.That
'show
y
ou'
vebeendoingmos.
"helet
smegoandpinchesmyar m.

Ouch!

"
Hai
!Undi
phi
l
e.Youar
efor
war
d."Heget
supf
rom t
hecouch.

"
Whatever,
"Isaywi
thsass"
I'
mleav
ingaf
tert
aki
ngabat
h."I
i
nfor
m him.

"
Okay
,"hesay
sopeni
ngt
heov
enandt
aki
ngt
hei
rfoodout
.

"
Tel
lNomasont
oIsai
dhei
ta,
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"
Youneedtogobackt
oGqeber
hashame,
"Isayandhest
ickshi
s
t
ongueout
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

IfoundEbukaandWal esit
ti
nginthelounge,eati
nghotwingsand
enjoyingsomeHennessy .Hangoverisshowingthem fl
ames,they
wentoutl astni
ghtandfrom t
hevideosAdewal ewaspostingon
Instagram i
twaslit
.IhadFOMObutIneededt ostayinandstudy
formyl astexam.OnceI'
m doneI'
llturnuprealgood,pl
usithas
beenawhi l
esinceIwenttogroov
e.
"
TellUndiphi
l
ewhathappenedl
astni
ght
,"Ebukasay
s,l
i
cki
nghi
s
f
ingers.

Inar
rowmyey
esatWal
ewho'
ssmi
l
ingf
rom eart
oear
.

"
Yout
ell
her
,"het
akesasi
pofhi
sdr
ink.

Hennessyi
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lthi
sguy
,Ipr
omi
sey
ou.

"
I'
m notsay
ingy
ourbusi
ness,
"Ebukachuckl
es.

"
Buty
ou'
ret
heonewhobr
oughti
tup,
"

Okay
,okay
.Ar
etheygr
adeoneki
ds?

"Wale,
justsayi
t.
"Ibr
eakt
hebackandf
ort
hbecauseI
'
m dy
ingt
o
hearwhatwentdown.

"
Well
,Icameouttotherestofthegent
sandtheydidn'
tj
udge
me.
"Iclapmyhandsexcitedl
y.Thi
siswhatIsi
gnedupf or
.

Seei
nghi
m gr
adual
l
yopeni
ngupaboutwhohei
s,i
sadef
ini
teW
i
nmybooks.

"Thegent
swer er
eall
ymatur
edaboutit
.Shol
aevensai
dhe'
s
happyWaleiscomingouti
nacountr
ythatembr
acesgaypeopl
e
morethantheyper
secut
ethem.
"EbukasaysandInod.

Iam sohappytoseet
hem backatt
hisheal
thypl
aceandbei
ng
brot
hersagai
n.

"Theyjokedandsai
dIbet
ternott
rycomi
ngf
ort
hei
rbehi
nds,
"we
alll
aughcarefr
ee.
"SoIwantedt
oask,"Ebukasaysawkwar
dly
.Ithi
nkIknowwhat
hewantstoask,
Ijustwanttohearhowhestr
uctur
esthe
quest
ion.

"Askme? "Walepoi
ntshi
sownchestandmyboyfri
endnods.I
wanttolaugh,hi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
oni
sever
ythi
ng.Helooks
const
ipated.

"Souhm. .
.i
fyougetwi t
hanotherguy.
..
uhm mmhsowhat
does..
.l
ikewhoar eyou?.
..
Imeanar eyouUndiphil
eorEbuka?
"
WaleandIl ookateachotherandburstoutlaughi
ng.Weare
l
iter
all
yintears,
myst omachisev enhurt
ing.

"I
'
m sor
rybutwhatanawkwar
dwaytoaskasimpl
equesti
on,
damnOdogwu."Walesay
swipi
nghi
stear
s."
WellI
'
m bott
om,"

Mymancl earshi
sthr
oat
,"y
ouar
eUndi
phi
l
e?"Hewant
shi
sown
i
nter
pret
ation.

"
Youcoul
dputi
tli
ket
hat
,"mymannods.

Hi
sbodyist
ense,I
'm pret
tysur
ehe'
stryi
ngtoimagi
nehav
inga
di
ckshov
edinhisass.IwishIhadacamera.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Fuck!Howdi dIforgettoputmyphoneonsi l
entmode?Now
every
oneint heli
braryisl
ooki
ngatmel i
keIam theonewho
cruci
fi
edJesus.Iqui ckl
yrunt
othebathroom onthi
sf l
oor
,
whoev ert
hisisbetterbewort
hit
.Hopefull
yit
'snotthatpi
eceof
shi
t,Mabut
ho.Thatguyisnut
s,Imeanwhosaysthei
rpar
entsar
e
deadwhenthei
rnot?Iregr
etevermeet
ingt
hatguyandgi
vinghi
m
achancetomeansomet hi
ngtome.

"
Hel
l
o,"IansweronceI
'
mint
hebat
hroom.

"
Hi,
sist
er.
"Acheer
yhi
ghpi
tchedv
oicesay
s.

"
Hey
,whoi
sthi
s?"I
'
m smi
l
ingbecauseoft
hisper
son'
sener
gy.

"
It
'sMv
elo,
yourmanssi
ster
,"ohnowIr
ecogni
zeherv
oice.

"
Oh,
Mvel
o.Howar
eyou?
"Iask.

"
I'
m bored,Makhosi
nit
ookoutMaNgobeseandr
efusedme
t
aggingalong.
"Shesul
ksandIwantt
olaugh.

Myboy
fri
enddidsayshe'
sonehel
lofadr
amaqueenandnowI
'
m
i
ncl
i
nedtobel
ievehi
m.

"I
'
m sor
ry,
I'
llhav
eawor
dwi
thhi
m."Shet
it
ter
sandIshakemy
headamused.

"NowIunderst
andwhymysoulagreesfory
out
obeMr s
Lukhel
e."Whoa!Hol
dup,
sheshoul
dn'tl
eadmeandMakhosi
ni.

Thi
sisourr
acesoi
t'
l
lbeourpace.

"Li
sten,Istol
eyournumberfrom hi
sphone."I
ssheforreal?What
arebel,Il
ikeher
."So,whatareyouuptonow?Wannago
somewher ebutI'
m scaredtogoalone,
"shesaysandIbitemy
l
owerl i
p.

"
I'
m att
hecampusl
i
brar
y,Ineedt
ofi
nishonel
astchapt
erbef
ore
Ical
li
taday
."Isayandsheheav
esasi
gh.

"St
udyi
ngonaSat
urday
,remi
ndsmeofmyf
ir
sty
ear
."She
chuckl
es.

"
Yeah,
I'
m wr
it
ingmyl
astexam onMonday
."It
ell
her
.

"CanIpickyouuponcey ou'
redone?Wecangogetmyt hi
ngs
thenhavesomethi
ngt oeatandacoupleofdrinkstounwi
nd.I
knowy oudeser
veit
,"Idoubtherbrot
herseversaynotoher.She
l
ooksandsoundslikesomeonewhoal waysgetsthei
rway.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

Mv el
ocamet ogetmef r
om campus, dri
vi
ngherconv er
ti
bl ewit
h
thetopclosed, t
hankful
ly.Sheissobeaut if
ul,onewouldn'tguess
she'scompl et
ingherPhD.Byj ustglancingatheryou'dswear
she'sthetypethatgetsahef t
ygirl
friendall
owanceanddoes
nothingbutlookpr et
tyallday
.She'spr oofthatoneshouldn't
j
udgeabookbyi tscover.

ShestolemynumberbecauseMakhosini wouldn'tgiv
ei tt
oher
eventhoughsheaskednicel
y.Sheknowshe' sgoingtoki l
lherbut
atl
eastshehaswhatshewant s,t
hat
'swhatshesai d,laughing.I
don'
tthinkmyboyfr
iendwill
bemadatherf orl
ong, Imeanshe' s
suchabubblysoul
,it'
shardkeepi
ngastraightfacewi t
hher .
Wear eonourwayt oherexboyfri
endshouse.Shehasacoupl e
ofherthi
ngstopickupbutaccordingt ohershedoesn'tr
eall
y
needthem.Shejustwantstogot heresohecanseewhathel ost,
she'
sdramaticl
ikethat
,IYESherf orreal
.I'
m accompanyingher
sotheexdoesn'ttr
yanythi
ng,she'sdoesn'tl
ooklikesheneeds
backupthough.

Theguy scarispar kedunderthecarport,

Mv el
otakesadeep
breathandf i
xeshert i
ghtassjeans,
shel ookshellasexy,t
hisguy
real
lylostout.Mveloisbeautyandbr ai
ns,whataf ool.Sheclear
s
herthroatthenfli
psherweav ebackbef oreknocking,Il
ovehow
theatr
icalsheis.Awomanonami ssion.Thedooropensanda
darkskinnedguywear i
nggreysweatpantsandaLacost egolfT-
shir
tstandsbef or
eus, heiseasyont heey es,t
heyreall
ymadea
beautif
ulcouple.

"
H..
.hi
,
"hi
sey
esar
efi
xedonMv
elo.

"Hey
,I'
m heretopickupmyt hingsanddropy ourkey
s."Henods
andstepstothesidetoal
lowusi n.Miss.Lukhel
eisleadi
ngthe
way,r
ockingthosepenci
lheeledboots.

Iset
tleontheleathercouchandnot
iceapict
ureofhi
m andMvel
o
ontheTVst and.Thatlookssost
aged,heshoul
dn'
thavebot
her
ed,
honestl
y.

"Uhm,Idi
dn'
tpackanyt
hing.Youcangot
hrought
othebedr
oom,
"
Siphosay
stoMv el
o.
"Idon'
thavether
ightt
ostepint
oyourbedr
oom anymor
e,Si
pho.
Pleasej
ustpackthem,ev
enifit
'si
nablackpl
asti
c,
"Mvel
osays
andcrossesherl
egs.

PoorSi
phoheav
esasi
gh.

"Iwashopingwecoul
dtalkaswepacky
ourst
uff
,pl
ease.
"Ineed
popcor
n,thisi
samovie.

"There'
snothi
ngt
otal
kabout
,"shet
akesoutherphoneand
pretendst
obebusy.

Si
phoisdef
eated,hewal
kst
othebedr
oom andMv
elol
ooksup
wear
ingavi
ctorysmil
e.

"
You'
redoi
nggood,
"Iwhi
sperandshewi
nksatme.

Myphoneringsi
nmybomberj acket,
Iunzipthepocketandt akei
t
out.I
t'
sMakhosi
ni,he'
sprobablyremindi
ngmet otakeabr eak
andgogetsomethingtoeat.Il
ookatMv eloandshe'sscrunching
hernosel
i
keal i
tt
lerascalwhil
elooki
ngatthecall
erID.

"
Hey
,baby
."Ianswerbl
ushi
ng.

Heget
smegi
ddyal
lthedamnt
ime,
nomat
terwher
eIam.

"
Heybeaut
if
ul,
Imi ssyou.
"Mypussyli
terall
ypulsat
es.Ilovebei
ng
i
nti
matewi
thhim andwhenhestart
stalkingli
kethi
s,Ijustwant
t
obenakedwithhim onthebed.

"
Imi
ssy
ou,
too.
"Heheav
esasi
gh.
"
Mondayf
eel
sli
keal
i
fet
imeaway
,"hesay
sandIt
otal
l
yagr
ee.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
"hechuckl
esl
i
ght
ly.

"Don'
tbesi
l
ly,
youdon'
thav
etoapol
ogi
ze.Whatar
eyouupt
o?"I
bit
emylowerli
p.

"
Oh,
me?
"Iknowhe'
sfr
owni
ngont
heot
hersi
deoft
hel
i
ne.

"
Yes,
sil
l
y."

"
Oh,
I'
m wi
thy
oursi
ster
,"Mv
elobi
teshernai
l
,nar
rowi
ngherey
es.

"
Mvel
o?"Heasksconf
used.

"Yeah,
Ibumpedintoheratarest
aur
antandwedeci
dedt
ohang.
"
Ili
eforherandshegr
inswidel
yatme.

"Ar
eyouokay
?Isshenotbei
ngt
oomuch?
"Il
augh.I
sMv
elot
hat
bad?

"
Ofcour
seI
'
m okay
,babe.
"Mv
elogaspsshocked.

"
Cal
lmei
fyouneedsomer
escui
ng.
"Hei
sbei
ngdr
amat
icnow.

"
Sur
ewi
l
l,Il
ovey
ou.
"Hedoesn'
trespondi
mmedi
atel
y.

"Myhear tcanneverti
reofheari
ngyousayt
hosewords,
sthandwasami ."Hereal
lydoesn'
thav
etomakemebl ushinf
ront
ofhissister
."Il
oveyou,too.
"Headdsandthebut
ter
fl
iesinmy
stomachgoat adcrazi
er.

Weconcl
udeourcal
landMvel
ot hanksmef orcover
ingforherby
say
ingwebumpedint
oeachotherrathert
hantell
i
ngt hatshe
st
olemynumberfr
om hi
sphone.Siphowal
ksbacki
nthel
ounge
wi
thabrowngenui
nel
eathert
ravel
bag.

"
That'
sever
ythi
ngIcoul
dfi
nd,"hesay
s,hesoundsbr
oken.Why
whenhe'
stheonewhocheated?

"
That
'snotmybag,
"Mv
elohascr
easedherf
orehead.

"
It
'smine,youcanbr
ingi
tbackaty
ourear
li
estconv
eni
ence.
"I
wantt
ol augh.

Hethinkshe'
ssmar t
,hewant
shertocomebacksohecancor
ner
herandtrytogethertot
akehi
m back.

"Apl
asti
cbagwouldhavesuf
fi
cedbutit
'sI'
ll
couriery
ourbagon
Monday,
"thi
sgi
rli
sdeali
ngwit
hthi
sguy .Helooksdefeated,
he
washopingt
hebaggiveshi
m awinbutit'
sobviousMv el
ois
smart
.

Wearebackintheconver
ti
ble,
driv
ingtosomerest
aurantt
hat
sel
lsLoui
sRoederercr
ist
al,
apparentl
ythat
'st
hebestbott
let
o
dri
nkaswecelebrat
emakingSiphosweat.Mvel
oisoneofakind
andI'
m her
eforit
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER54

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Finallydonewi tht hef ir

stsemest erofmysecondy earof
university.Ineedt hi
sbr eak, i
thasbeenahect ic6mont hs,arol l
er
coast erride.Myl i
fehast akent wi
st sandt urns,somegoodand
somebr ut albutI '
vesur v i
v editall
.Iam st il
lstandinganddoi ng
thislif
et hingl i
keIwasn' tknockeddownacoupl eoft imes.I'
m
l
ooki ngf orwar dt ojustbei nglazyandwaki ngupwhenIwant ,shit!
That '
snotpossi bl
e, Atangi scomi ngt hr
ought hisFr i
day,Undiphile
i
sdr i
vingmet ogogethi m.Thatki ndahur tMakhosi ni,
he
assumedt hatwewi l
l begoi ngt ofetchhi mt ogetherbutIwant ed
toint r
oducet hem ov ersomef unact i
vit
y.Iwantt of i
rstl
yexplain
tomyl it
tlebrot herthatIhav esomeonei nmyl i
fe,someoneI
believewi llbeher ef ort hel ongestt i
me.I thasalway sbeenj ustus
soIdon' twanthi mt of eel li
keanot hermani sreplacinghim.Of
cour seheunder stoodaf terIexplainedt ohim, heisMakhosi ni
Lukhel e,thesweet estmanal ive.

HisUrusisalr
eadyparked,wait
ingforme.Thismanser iously
tooksomet i
meoutf r
om wor ktocomeandpi ckmeup, Imean
i
t'sonl
y12pm.Hecoul dhav efi
nishedever
ythi
ngatt heoffi
ceand
camet ogetmel at
eron,ordidheplanamassi vecelebr
ation?I
gettothepassengersi
deandpeept hr
oughthewi ndow,hischai
r
i
sr ecl
i
nedback,hiseyesareshutandmusi cisplayi
ngsof tl
y.
Howl onghashebeenher et hathehadt osl eepal it
tl
e?ImeanI
onlysawhistextwhenIsteppedoutoft heexam r oom.Hewas
j
ustinfor
mingmeofwher ehe' sparked.Igent lyknockonthe
windowandwat chashi seyesopen, helooksmywayandaghost
smileappearsonhisface,i
sMakhosi niokay ?Heunl ocksthe
doorandIclimbin,damni t
'swar m andnicei nsidehere,i
t'
s
fr
eezingoutsi
de,thi
syear'
swi nterwasdef initelynotmadei n
China.

"
Heyl
ove,
"hesay
s,l
eani
ngi
nforaki
ss.

I
t'
snotr
eal
l
yasdeepasal
way
s,i
tfel
tcol
dandr
ushed.

"H-
Hi,ar
eyouokay?"I
'
m get t
ingworr
iednow.Hejustnodsand
off
ersmeaforcedsmiles.Iwantt
ocr yr
ightnow.

What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thhi
m,he'
snev
ert
hiscol
danddi
stant
.

"
Yeah,
I'
m good,sthandwasami
.Howwasy ourpaper
?"Hest
art
s
t
hecarandrever
sesoutofthepar
kingspot
.

"
Itwasgood,
agoodl
astpaper
."Ianswerhi
m whi
l
ebuckl
i
ngup.

"
That
'sgr
eat
,"

Wear edr i
vingtoGodknowswher e,I
'
m notevenpayingatt
enti
on
tother oad.Ihaveneverbeensoawkwar daroundthi
sman, we've
neverbeeni nthecartogetherandsaidabsol
utel
ynothingt
oeach
other.Iam scaredtoevenaskhi m what
'sthematter
,Idon'
tthi
nk
Iwill
liketheanswer.
I
'
mt ryi
ngtoconvi
ncemyselft
hatI'mjustr
eadingt
oomuchi nto
t
his,t
hatmaybehehasalotonhi smindintheworkf
rontbutthe
voi
ceatthebackofmymi ndkeepswhisperi
ngthi
ngsthatbri
ng
t
earsint
omyey es.Myphoneringsvi
olent
lyinmybag,star
tl
ing
me.

"Mvelo,
hi.
"Thiscrazygirl
hadmedr inkingthatexpensi
ve
champagnelikemyl i
fedependedoni t.Sheseemedt oknowhow
tohandleheral
cohol butI
,ontheot herhandwasbuzzedf orsur
e.
Itpi
ssedMakhosi ni
thathissi
stertookmedr inki
ngwhenIshould
havebeenfocusingonmybooks, buthedi dn'tdecl
inet
hecarsex
Ical
ledhimtocomegett hesameni ght .

"Hi
,babe.
"Theeeversoj
oll
y,"
what'
sgoi
ngontoni
ght
?Weneedt
o
cel
ebrat
eyoufi
nishi
ngyourexams,
"Ibi
temyl
owerli
p.

IwishIwaswit
hherandnotherbr
other
,notf
oranyotherr
eason
butbecauseMakhosi
nii
ssocoldt
owardsmet oday
.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
I'
m wi
thy ourbr
other
,I'
l
lbewi
thhi
mthewhol
eti
me.
"
Mvel
oheavesasigh.

"Makhosini
andIar
egoi
ngtohaveapr oblem,todayyoushoul
d
begetti
ngstupi
ddr
unkwit
hyourfr
iends,"Ichuckl
e.

Youcan'
tdoany
thi
ngwi
thMv
elo.

"
Wecandot
hatsomeot
hert
ime,
"Isayt
ocal
m herdown.

"Okaybabe,
havefun.Ipr
obabl
yhavecobwebsdownt
her
e,bi
tch
needstogetlai
dforr
eal,
"shesay
sandhangsup.
Idon'
tthi
nkMvelowasmadef
rom st
andar
dcl
ay,
Godused
speci
alpr
oduct
swhenhemadethi
sone.Shei
saspeci
alcase.

Hebr oughtust othenewhouse, Idon'

tunderstandwhyt hough.
Thepl acei sempt y,
theint
eriordesi
gnerhehiredonlycame
throughl astweekt orepai
nt,she'
swaitingonthef ur
nitur
eshe
orderedt oar r
ivesoshecanst artfi
l
li
ngt hehousewithexpensive
stuff.Heki ll
stheengineandcl i
mbsoutoft hecar,nowor dsti
ll
.I
wantt ocur lmy sel
finaballandjustcrybutri
ghtnowIopent he
doorandgetout .Heholdshishandoutt omeandIt akeit
,atl
east
thi
shasn' tchanged,hehasthisneedtoal waystouchme, evenif
i
t'sjustl ockinghands.

Icansti
llsmel lt
hepai ntfumes, butit'
snoti ntensesowear e
goodto" chil
l"here.Hel eadsust otheki tchenandI '
m sur pri
sed
toseeaf ri
dge.Whendi dthatgether e?Ther e'sfoodont he
kit
chenisland, hegott hem from wher eIusedt owor k.Iknowi t'
s
cheesebur gers,wear eobsessedwi t
hi tandofcour setheirchi
ps
aretodiefor.Hepi cksmeupandset t
lesmeont hecount erthen
j
oinsme, wi t
houtsay i
ngawor d,Makhosi niopenst hepl asticand
handsmemyf ood.AsmuchasIl ovethisbur ger,r
ightnowI
wouldrathert alkaboutwhat '
sgoingonwi thhi m.Thi sisnotmy
man.Igetdownf rom ont opoft hecount erandf oldmyar ms
acrossmychest ,
Iwon' tbewi t
hhi mf ort her estofthedayand
wholenightifhe' sgoingt ojustkeepqui et.Lethimt ell
mei fIdid
somethingwr ong.
"
Doy
ouwantt
obr
eakupwi
thme?
"Myv
oicei
sst
eady
,thankGod.

Myquest
ionseemst
ohav
ecaughthi
m bysur
pri
se.

"
B-Br
eakup?What?Ofcoursenot
."That
'sahuger
eli
efbuti
f
t
hat'
sthecaset
henwhat'
suphisass?

"Thenwhat'sgoingon?Whyareyouacti
ngsostrange,
you'r
ecold
anddistant
,"heheavesasi
ghbeforeput
ti
ngtheburgerbackin
i
t'sboxandget sofft
hecount
er,
standi
nginf
rontofmeand
toweri
ngme.

Hi
seyeslookhaunted,
Iwanttoki
sshi
m andtel
lhi
mthat
what
everthat
'sgoi
ngonwill
event
ual
lybenot
hing.

"
Let
'sgosi
tdown.
"Thi
scannotbegood.

Sit
tingdownwhil
ehavi
ngaconver
sat
ionmeansit'
ssobadt
he
persondoesn'
twanty
oufai
nti
ngandhit
ti
ngyourhead.

Het akesmyhandandl eadsmet hr

ought hehouseunt i
l weenter
themai nbedr oom.Ther e'sagiantbedwithwhitesheet sand
pil
lowst henaf oldedduv et.Whendidallt
heset hi
ngsar ri
ve?Iam
j
ustgl adwedon' thavetobegoi ngtohotelsoranAi rbnb,
personal spacemeanev erythi
ng.Hemakesmesi tont hebed
thenremov esmyshoesandhel psmeoutofmyj acket.Oncehe's
donehet akescar eofhi
sshoesandj er
sey .I
t'
ssuperwar mi n
here,thankst otheAC.

Hesi
tsnextt
omeandmyhear
tthudsagai
nstmychest
,not
r
eadyatal
ltohearwhatMakhosi
nihast
osayt
ome.

"I
'm sorryforbei
ngcol
d,"hestartsoffandInod."Iam j
ustscared
totelly
out hisandwatchyourheartbreak,
"itonl
ytakesthose
wordsf ortearstoswi
mi nmyey es."Nana,IwishIdi
dn'thaveto
dothis,
"dowhatMakhosi ni!Iam scr
eami nginmyhead.He
shakeshi sheadthenrunshisindexfi
ngeralongmyj awline.

"God,Il
oveyousomuchandIneedy outoknowt hatI
'
llal
way
sbe
hereforyou,
wewil
lgett
hroughthi
stogether
."Hesaidhe'
snot
breaki
ngupwi t
hmesowhyi shetal
kingl
ikethi
s?

"What
'swrong?Please,youar
escaringme. "Myv oicecomesout
i
nanalmostwhi sperandmyt ear
sfall
.Hewi pesthem and
smasheshisli
psonmi ne,Iwouldbefull
ofl ustifitwasanyother
daybutt
odaymyst omachbubbleswit
hf eari nst
eadofdesir
e.

"
Yousaidyourmot
her
'snamei
sMal
eshoaner
ight
?"Heaskedme
t
hisal
ready
.

"
Yes,
whydoy oukeeponbr
ingi
ngupt
hatwoman?
"Iask
v
ehement
ly.

Hecl
oseshi
sey
esatmyout
bur
st.

"Doyouknowifsheworkedasahousehel
perbef
orey
ouwer
e
born?
"What'
sallthi
s?Whatdi
dmymot herdo?"
Nana?
"

"No,Idon'
tknow.Makhosini
canyoujustt
ellmewhat
'swr
ong?
"I
am getti
ngimpat
ientandIdon'
twanttoberudet
ohim.

"
Yourf
ather
..
."
Iquicklycuti n,"
myf ather'snamei sKgethangMohapi,hewasan
amazi ngf atherandhusband, heusedt ocal
lmymot herladybir
d.
Hewor kedandpr ovidedmewi t
hev ery
thi
ngIneededunt i
lheleft
togobuybr eadandnev ercameback, atl
eastt
hat'
swhatmy
mot hertoldme.Iwasatschool whenithappened,Iwasjust13
yearsol dandAt angwasn' tbornyet,mymom wasst il
lvery
pregnant .Myf athersdisappearancechangedallourli
vesforthe
worst,"Inev erwantt ot al
kaboutthispartofmylif
ebut
Makhosi ni seemsi nterestedsoImi ghtaswellj
ustgetitoverand
donewi t
h.

"Baby,Iknowhowmuchy ouhat etal

ki
ngaboutt hepast,
about
yourparentsandy ourstrugglesandIr espectt
hat.Idon'
twantto
makey ousad, IhatethatI'm makingy outhi
nkaboutallt
hat.
Lemohang, Iloveyouandt helastthi
ngIwantist omakey ou
sad."Hepausesandt akesadeepbr eath,"
RememberGl en?"He
asksandInar rowmyey es, sear
chingmymemor y,"t
heonein
hospit
al wit
hcancer,youdi dn'tgettoseehim butwesawand
spokewi thhiswif
e,sis'
Nomuzi .
"Ohy es.

Ir
ememberhowwei
rdt
hewomanwas.

Shewasst
arr
ingatmel
i
keIgr
ewasecondhead.

"Yeah,
Iremember.
"Henodsi
mper
cept
ibl
yandl
i
ckshi
slowerl
i
p.
That'
sanervousgest
ure.

"Year
sback,21y
earsagot
obeexact.Heandhi
swi
fesepar
ated
andhestar
tedsl
eepi
ngwit
hthei
rhousehel
per
,"

M'kay
,that'
ssomejui
cygossi
pbutwhatdoesithav
et odowit
h
t
hehear tat
tackI
'
m aboutt
oexper
ience?
..
.Suddenl
yitmakes
sense.

No,
no,
no!

I
tcan'
tbe,i
sthi
swhyhe'
sbeenaski
ngquest
ionsaboutmymom?
I
'
m shaki
ngmyhead,t
earsgushi
ngdownmyf ace.

"I
mpossibl
e,Makhosi
ni.Myf
atheri
sKget
hang."Hecl
oseshi
s
eyesaf
terfi
ndi
ngmyhandsandhol di
ngt
ight
.

"Thei
rmaidsnamewasMal
eshoanef
rom Vaal
."Idon'
twantt
o
hearthi
s,t
heyar
ely
ing.

"
Thereasonsis'
Nomuziwaslooki
ngatyoufunnyisbecauseyou
l
ookl
ikeGlensmother
.Theyshowedmeapi ctur
eoft hewoman
i
nherearl
yyearsandbabyIsawyou,Icoul
dn'
tbeli
evemyey es.
"

Atthi
smoment,Iwoul
dbewar
rant
edtodoany t
hing,
tobr
eak
thi
ngsandscr
eam att
het
opofmylungsbutIam numb.

Hur
tandconf
usi
onar
etheonl
ytwot
hingsIf
eel
att
hispoi
nti
n
t
ime.

"Iam sosorr
ymyl ove,
butt
her
e'sahi
ghchancet
haty
ouar
eGl
en
Bhengu'sdaught
er."

Godhatesme, i
fnot,howcouldheallowsomuchpai nonme?
Whyistherat
ioofhappinessandpainsoi mbalancedinmyl i
fe?
Whosesinsam Ipayingfor
?Wi l
lIevercatchabreakorwi l
li
tall
stopwhenI'
mf i
nall
ydead?Ifit
'sthelat
terthenI'
dratherdi
enow
thanf
acemor epainanddeject
ion.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER55

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Ithasbeent woday ssinceMakhosi nibroket henewsofGl en

Bhengupossi blybei ngmyf ather.Ihavehadt hechancet or eali
ze
thatI'm notr eallyhur t
,justangr yashel l
.Shewat chedmel i
v ealie,
wat chedmecal lanothermanf atherwhensheknewt het r
uth.I
am st artingt ot hinkKget hangl eftbecausehel earnedaboutmy
paternity .Imeanhowcoul dhehav estay ed?13y earsoflov i
ng
andt aki ngcar eofachi l
dy out houghtwasy oursandonl ytof i
nd
outt hatshe' sapr oductofamar ri
edmanhermot her,y
ourwi f
e
waswor kingf or .Itmusthav ebrokenhi m, Isawhowhel ovedhi s
l
adybi rd.Al ltheangerIf elttowar dshim di sappear ed,I
'm only
hurtt hathedi dn' tstayforAt ang.Thatl i
ttleboyr eallyneedshi s
father ,
somet hingwi thi
nmewant stogooutt hereandf i
nd
Kget hang.Beghi mt ocomebackandmaket hingsr i
ghtwithhi s
l
ittl
eboy , hedoesn' thavet ochi pinfinanciallyifhecannotaf for
d
to.Ihav et hatcov er
ed,Ialway swi ll
.

Whati
fAt
angi
sal
sonothi
schi
l
d?

Myhear
tal
mostst
ops,
didmysubconsci
ousr
eal
l
yhav
etosay
that
?Didshehav etomakemehat emymot hermor e?But
honestl
y,whati
fthat'
strue?Whati
fKgethangdidn'tfathereit
her
ofus?Ishakemyhead, inatt
empttogetri
doft heset houghts.I
t'
s
allj
ustt
oomuch, Icannotbaret
hatpossi
bil
itybecausei trai
ses
toomanyquestions.

Thebedr oom dooropensandMakhosi niwal ksi

nwi thabr own
takeawaypaperbagononehandandt wodi sposablecupsofhot
beverageont heot her.Ihaven'tbeeneatingmuchbuthenev er
ti
resofgoingoutt her
et ogetussomet hingt oeat.Iappreciate
hispati
enceandmost lyhispresence,Imi ghthavenotbei ngt he
bestcompanyt hesepastf ewday sbuthav i
nghim ar oundme,
comf or
ti
ngmemeansal ot.Myf r
iendshav en'tt
ri
edr eachingout
tomeandI '
m gr atef
ul f
orthat,I'
m notreadyt osharet herecent
revel
ati
onswi tht hem.

Atl
eastnotunt
ilIconf
rontmymot
her
,sheowesmeonehel
lofan
expl
anati
on.

"Heybaby
,"Icannotmi
sst
hel
oveandcar
einhi
svoi
ce.Howdi
dI
becomesolucky?

"Hey,
thatsmel
l
sgood,
"hesmi
l
eswi
del
y,gl
adt
hatI
'
mtal
ki
ng
aboutfood.

"
Thecof
feet
ast
esamazi
ngt
oo,
"Icoul
dusesomecaf
fei
ne.

Ipatt
hespacenextt
omeandhegl
adl
ycomest
osi
tdown.
Weeatinsil
ence,t
heonlysoundsbeingourchewi
ngandmoans
ofpl
easur
east hefl
avour
sburstinourmouths.

Hisphoner i
ngsaswewi peourhandscleanwiththewetwi pes
providedbytherest
aurant.Heplaceditonthemat t
ressandwe
bothcanseet hescreenandwhoi scalli
ng.Helooksatme
nervously
,he'
sunsureofwhathehast odoandIf eelbad
becausehedi dn'
tasktobei nt
hemi ddleofthi
swhol ethi
ng.

"Youcanansweri
t,
"Isayandheheav
esasighofr
eli
efand
answerst
hephonethenputsi
tonspeaker
.

"
sis'
Nomuzi
,
"hi
svoi
cei
sst
eadyenough.

"
It
'sme,
Glen.
"At
ir
ed,
raspyv
oicesay
sbef
orecoughi
ngv
iol
ent
ly.

Somet
hinginsi
deofmemoves,
thismanmightbemyf
atherand
he'
sonhisdeathbed,
nowt
hattur
nsmyinsi
des.

What
'smor
ewor
set
hanf
indi
ngsomeonet
oonl
ylooset
hem?

"I
'
m sorr
yfort
hat,
I'
m gett
ingwor seever
ymi
nut
eoft
heday
."My
armpi
tssweati
mmediatel
y .Fearpul
li
ngmyhai
r.

"Iam sorr
ytoheart
hat
,"myboy
fri
endr
espondst
hencl
aspsmy
handt i
ght.

"Howisshet
oday?Wear
ereal
l
ywor
ri
edabouther
,"he'
s
obvi
ousl
yref
err
ingt
ome.

Tear
sbl
urmyv
isi
onasmyhear
thammer
shar
dagai
nstmychest
.

"
It
'st
oughbutat
leastsheat
etoday
,"Makhosi
nii
nfor
mshi
m.
"I
thast obet ough,l
earningthatyou' v
ebeenl i
vi
ngal iehastobe
gutwr enching.HadIknownMal eshoanewaspr egnantwhenshe
l
ef tIwouldhav emadesur etobepr esentinLemohang' slif
e,
thingswoul dhav etur
nedoutdi fferently
,"hisvoiceisshaky,I
swearhei scry i
ngontheot hersideoft hisphonecal l."
I'
vebeen
readyt odiesi ncet
hiscancerst art
edeat ingthroughmebutsi nce
IlearnedaboutLemohang, I
'vebeenpr ay i
ngt othemanabov eto
givememor et i
me,mor eti
mef ormydaught ertowrapherhead
aroundev erything.
"Ibi
temyqui veringlowerl i
p,hopingtokeep
theset ear
si n.

"It
otal
lyunderstand,Glen.I
thurt
sthatyoubothhadtofindout
abouteachothert hi
slateinyourcancer,
"Makhosi
nisay
s,looki
ng
atmest r
aightintheeyes.Hisarewar m andcomfor
ti
ng,Icannot
hel
pbutsnuggl ecloset ohi
m andsilent
lycryi
nhisar
ms.

"
Makhosi
ni,
"Gl
encal
l
soutmeekl
y.

"
Yes?
"

"
Takecar
eofmygi r
l,
"thosewordssoundmorel
ikegoodby
eand
f
orsomereason,
theytakeahugepartofmysoul.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

Ididn'
tsl
eepawinklastni
ght,Icouldn'
t,
notaf t
erIheardt hepoor
mancr yovert
hephone.Idoubthewoul dhav elosthisemot i
ons
l
ikethathadheknownIwasl i
steninginont hei
rconv er
sation.
Gleniscl
osetodeat
h, hemightdieanymi nuteandt hatscared
mef orsur
e.Asov er
whelmingal
lthi
sis,IknewIhadtoseehi
m
andseehowi tgoes,Idon'
twantt
ohav eanyregr
etsandendup
vi
sit
ingasil
entgrave.

Makhosi nii
sdri
v i
ngmet othehospital
,Icouldtel
lhowhappymy
decisiontoseeGlenmadehi m buthekeptonaski ngifI
'm sure,
if
I'
mr eady.Iappr
eciatethatheputsmyf eel
ingsfir
st,
before
anythingoranyone.Hisonehandi sonmyt hi
gh,heisgentl
y
brushingit
,notlustf
ull
ybuttoassuremet hathe'shereandwill
continuebeinghereforaslongasIneed.Ilovehim, t
hat'
sit.

Wear ei nt
heelev atorcar,headedupt oGlensf loor,
Iam nervous
ashell.Ihonestl
ydon' tknowwhat '
sexpectedofme, howIshoul d
greethim,wher eIshoul dsitorwhatt osay.Makhosi nii
sclasping
myhandt i
ghtl
y, Iam gratefulbecausehe'skeepi ngmest eady.
Theelev at
orpingsopenandwest epout,t
wonur sesgetin,
l
aughingl i
ketheydon' tseedeat halmostev erydaybutwhat '
sthe
pointi
nsul ki
ng?I twon'tbringbackt hei
rpatients,i
twon'tbri
ng
backGl enwhenheev entuall
ydies.

Myhear tdropstomyst omachwhenwewal kintothepr i

vate
room.Themanont hechairismor ebonethanmeat ,heisa
skelet
on.Icant el
lhowuncomf ort
ablei
tisforhi
mt obeont hat
chairbutforsomer easonhe'ssolderi
ngon.Hehasanov ersized
suiton,atiebutnof or
mal shoes,j
ustmor ni
ngsli
pper s.Idon't
thi
nkt hat
'sancomf ort
ableoutfitf
orasickpersonlikehimsel f.
Hiswif
e,Irecogni
zefrom thefir
stmeet i
ng,sheget supfrom the
chai
rnearGlenandappr oachesMakhosi niandI.She'ssmil
ing
nerv
ouslyatme, f
oldi
ngherf i
ngers,
she'sjustinchesawayf rom
me,herbreathisl
it
eral
lyfanningmyf ace.

"Thanky ousomuchf
orcoming,Lemohang.
"Shet
akesmyf
ree
hand,tearsswi
mminginherey
es.

Iswal
l
owhar
dandnodwi
thaghostsmi
l
e.

Makhosinil
et'
smyhandgoandGl enswifeleadsmetoher
husband,heisal
readycr
yingpainful
l
y,cl
aspingathi
schestasif
there'
ssomethi
ngheavythere.Idon'
twanttocrybutIcan'
thel
p
my sel
f.

"
Ngcol
osi
!

WenawakwaDl
abazane,
KaNgwane,

KaNephukaLamul
a,

Ny
awozi
gezwangamazol
o,

Ni
naeni
vukani
xubhengel
ala,

Shongol
olo,

Wat
hiuy
ali
thi
ntal
ahwaqabal
a,

Ngabesi
yakudl
asesab'
i
mil
enzel
enze,

Ny
awozeshongol
olokazi
phumul
i
,
Si
gampu,

Ngwane,
ingwani
ngwadi
,

Abay
ibonengesond'
ukut
hii
wel
i
le,

Jal
i
,

Ni
naeni
l
alanomunwe,

Ni
vukeni
khwi
f'
il
anga,

Mmemezi
kaHl
angabeza,

Ngcol
osi
!"

Her ecit
eshisclannameswi thtear sgushingdownhi scheeks,
ev enthoughhe'scryi
ng, hehast hewi destsmileIhav eeverseen
from suchasi ckl
yperson.Hisey essayhe'spr oudbutstil
l
haunt edbynotknowingmeatt hesamet i
me.Idon' tknowhowt o
feel,Idon'
tknowwhatt osay.Emot i
onsar erunninghigh.Last
weekIt houghtmyf atherhadl efttobuybr eadbutt odaymy
reali
tyisatotall
ydif
ferentstory.

"
Idon'tneedaDNAtesttotel
lmeyou'
remydaught
er.Youar
emy
mother'
sphotocopy
,"hesayswi
thasmil
e.

Hiswifei
ssmil
i
ngtoo,
isn'
tshesupposetobemad,
li
vi
dthather
husbandhadachi
l
dwhiletheywer
emar r
ied?

"
Unj
ani
,mnt
anam?
"heasksandIheav
eadeepsi
gh.
"Honest
ly?Idon'
tknow.I
'
mjustt
ryi
ngt
otakeever
ythi
ngonestep
atatime,
"theyarebot
hnoddi
ng,
onevi
gorousl
yandtheot
heras
slowasasnail.

"
It
'sunder
standabl
e."si
s'
Nomuzi
say
s.

"Iwantyoutoknowhowsor ryIam t hatyougr ewupnotknowing

me.Ididn'
tknowy ouexisteduntil mywifetol
dmeshesawmy
mothersrei
ncarnate.Iam sorr
yt hatwear eonl yget
ti
ngtoknow
eachotherwhenI '
m atdeathsdoor ,
IwishIhadmor eti
mewith
youMaNgcol osi
.Pleasedon'that eme, f
rom thebottom ofmy
heart
,Iam deeplysorryf
orallthatmi ghthavegonewr ong
becauseyoudidn'thaveyourtruei dent
ify
."

Iam chokingbecauseoft
hetear
sIr ef
usetoshed,deepdownI
wanttobreakdownandl i
eonhislap,havehim br
ushmyback
andhushme.Tot el
lmethatnowthatI'
vefoundhim Idon'
thav
e
tobestrong,t
hatIcanbethe20yearoldLemohangwhohast o
worr
yaboutnot hi
ngbutherqual
if
icati
onandmj ol
o.

"
Iworethi
ssui
tjustt
omeety
ou,
Ihopey
oul
i
kei
t.
"Hesay
sandI
l
aughoutl
oud.

Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
hat
,Lor
d!

"Di
dy ouheart
hat
,Bhengu?
"Hi
swi
feasks,
onehandpl
acedon
herchest
.

"
Sheisindeedmymot her
'scopy,herl
aughandhowherey
esjust
t
winkl
e."Whoisthi
swomanI 'm sai
dtoresembl
esomuch,I
woul
dlovetoseeapictur
eof
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER56

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Theyj usthadt oclearmymot herf orvi

sitationswhenIam
keepi ngt hisbi gthi
ngf r
om her .Iam soscar ed, Idon'tknowi fI
willbeabl et okeept hissecr etunt ilshe'
soutofher e.Mhani has
usedal cohol t
odeal wi t
ht hepai nofl oosi ngmysi sterandmy
fathercheat ingallthet i
me, Idon'tknowi fshehasl ear ntot her
copi ngmechani sm andi swi l
l
ingt ouset hem asopposedt o
hit
tingt hebot tl
eandt al
kingt ost rangemenont heinternet .Men
thatl i
et oherbysay i
ngt heyar eAmer i
canandst ucki nf i
nanci al
sit
uat ionssoshecanhel pthem out ,whileinr ealit
yshe' st alking
tosomey oungmani naLagosi nternetcaf e,aYahooboy .It hink
mymot herhasbeenscammedofhundr edsoft housandsof
rands.Idon' tthinksher egretsdat ingtheseCasper s, i
nfactI
believesheknewt hatshewasbei ngscammed.Mot herwasat op
l
awy erbef or emysi sterdr owned, shewast hemostel egantand
successf ul womanIhav eev erknown.That 'swhyIdeci dedt o
persuadeacar eerinlaw, Iwashopi ngthati twoul dr emi ndherof
thepower fulgoddessshewasonceuponat i
me.

Myf atherwentbackt oGiyani

,hesentmeahundr edtextsasking
thatwemeetandt alkbeforeheheadedbackbutIdidn'
tbother
respondingtoevenone.Al lhewantedtodowasjustif
ycheating
onmymot herandf ather
ingachil
doutsideofhi
smar ri
age.Istil
l
can'tbeli
ev ethatAkaniNkovani didthi
stoourf ami l
yandthathis
parents,mygr andparentsknewaboutMi katekoandt hechil
d.Yes,
theydid.Itextedmydr unk,blacksheepcousi nandpr omisedto
sendhi m somemoneyf orsur vi
valandhesangl i
keacanar y
.
Dudedi dn'tevenleaveoutthecol orofthedressMi katekowore
whenherpar entsbroughthertomygr andparents'houseaft
erthe
l
obol a.Isenthim R3000,thatwast omakesur ehef eedsme
mor einformat i
onwhenIask.Cany oubeli
evethathegotmar r
ied
toanot herwomanwhi l
ehei sstil
llegal
lymar r
iedtomhani ?

Ihopeandpr aythatmymot hercomesoutofr ehabast r

ong
woman, thatshemanagest ostayoffalcoholandshowt hisman
whatshei smadeof .Imeantatanadidn'tf
indmymot herpoor
andstranded,mymot herwasoncemor epower ful
thantatana,
mostpeopl eIknowhav et
oldmet hi
sandsomememor i
esofmy
chi
ldhoodconf i
rmit.

"
Babe,
thel
i
ghti
sgr
een.
"Shi
t!

Isnapoutofmyt r
ainoft
hought
sandmov ethecar
."Amu,are
youokay?"Joj
oasksandIsigh,
makingsur
enottotakemyey es
offt
heroad.Ishoul
dhaveaskedhi
mt odri
vewhenIpickedhi
m
up.

"
Yeah,
I'
mjustner
vous.If
eel
li
kemymot
herwi
l
lseer
ightt
hrough
me.
"Heblowsoutasigh.

Jojofeel
sli
keIshouldt
ellmymotherthetruthandallowherto
dealwithev
eryt
hingwhi
leshe'sst
il
latthecenterbutIdon'
tthi
nk
that
'sagoodidea.Therehabcent
erhasacl ausethatagr
eesthat
apatientcanleavewhenevertheywant.I
'
m scar
edmhani wil
l
l
eaveandgoonabi ngeandI '
l
l nev
erfi
ndherunt
ilshe'
sreport
ed
dead.AtleastwhenIt
ellherwhenshe'sbackhomewi t
hme, Iwil
l
haveachancet okeepaney eonher ,
evenhi
repeoplet
ot ai
lher.

"I
t'
sallgoi
ngtobeokay ,Amu.YouareastrongwomanandI
beli
eveyoutookthatfr
om yourmom.Ihatesayi
ngthi
sbutIthi
nk
thi
sisfort
hebest,yourmom andy oudeserv
ebett
ert
hanaman
whoev enl
ooksathisdaughtersagemateandseesawif
e."That
sti
ngsbuthe'sr
ight.

Nowomanshoul
dcryoveracheat
.Ishoul
dn'
tbemadet
ofeel
i
nadequat
eashi
schi
ld.

Wegett otheRehabcent er,Jojowi l

lbewai t
ingf ormei nt hecar
whilstIgospendsomet i
mewi t
hmymot her .CanIconf ess?I t'
s
honest lyreall
yni cedatingsomeoney ou'reont hesamepagewi t
h,
amant hatdoesn' tcareabouty ourf l
awsandshor tcomingsonl y
abouthowy oumakehi mf eel
.Ithasonl ybeent woweekssi nce
west ar t
edseei ngeachot herasmor et hanj ustUndi phil
e'
s
brotherandbestf ri
endandI '
l
ladmi tthatt hishasbeent hemost
fulf
il
li
ngr omanticr el
ationshi pIhav eev erbeeni n.I'
m notsay ing
Jongikhay awil
l alwaysbeper f
ect,No.I '
mj ustsay i
ngt hatr i
ght
nowhef eelsl
ikesomeonewho' swor thev eryemot ion,j
ustnot
onet hatr equi
resmet oloosemy selflikeIdi dwi thMabut ho.
Speaki ngofwhi ch,thatmanhasn' tsai dawor dtome, Isenthi ma
texttobr eakupwi thhim andhedi dn'tfeel theneedt osay
anythingback.Whi chmadememor econf identinmydeci sion,it
showedt hatwhatMabut hoandIhadwasbui l
donnot hi
ng.
Ihadt ost artint hepsychologi st
sof f
icebeforetheycouldallow
met oseemymom, theywant edtoinfor
m meofherpr ogress
andwher eshel acks.Theysayshehasbeendoi ngreal
lygreat
withev erythingbutt heprobl em isshedoesn'twantt ostop
blamingher selfformysi ster'sdeath.Myf at
herandhi sfamily
plantedt hatinherheadandshe' sbeenriddi
ngthatwav eev er
since.Ilovet hatt hi
splacedoesn' tj
ustdealwiththeeffectbut
ratherther ootcause.Mymot herdidn'tj
ustdecidetosought
solacei nalcohol ,mysi st
er'sdeat hcausedhertowal kdownt hat
road.

Mhani isreadi ngabooki nthet ropicalthemedr oom.Lor d,it

l
ooksl ikepar adise,thewal l
paper s,arti
fi
cialgrassandpl ants,the
waterfallandcl earbluepool makesmewantt ostayheref orever.
Il
ookupandt heceilinglookslikecl earskies,absolut
ely
breat
ht aking.Istepf urtherin,wearingapr oudsmi l
eonmyf ace.I
am sohappyt oseePr ett
ylookingl i
kehername.Shel ooksso
calm andr elaxed, i
tlookslikeshegai nedwei ghttoo.Those
cheeksar easki ngmet osmoocht hem unt ilt
heyarered.

"
Amu!
"shedr
opst
hebookandget
sonherf
eeti
mmedi
atel
y.

"Mhani
,"Iam r
unni
ngtomymot her
sopenarms.She'
stapi
ngher
onefoot,i
mpati
entt
orecei
veandembracemeaftersuchalong
ti
me.
"
Myangel
,
"Imi
ssedt
hef
oreheadki
sses.

Lor
dknowsi
thasbeensol
ongsi
nceIf
eltl
i
kemommy
'sl
i
ttl
egi
rl
.

"
Youl
ookamazi
ng,
I'
vemi
ssedy
ou.
"Ihol
dont
ight
er.

"
Mystrongbaby.Imi
ssedy out
oo.OhAmukel
ani
Iam sosor
ry
mybaby,sover
ysorr
y."Iknowsheis.

Thedayshedeci
dedt
ocomeher
eandbel
ockeduppr
ovedj
ust
howsorr
ysheis.

Iforgav
ehercompletel
yaft
eraweeksheendur edinherewi
thout
alcohol
.Iknowitwastoughbutbecauseshewantedtobebetter
forme,sheheldonanddidn'
tgiveupeventhoughgivi
ngupwas
anopenopt i
on.

"
Howwasy
ourl
astpaper
?"sheasks,
leadi
ngmet
othel
ounger
s.

Iheav
easighandtel
lherhowev erypaperwent
.Sheusesthe
oppor
tuni
tyt
ofl
exherlawknowl edge,t
elli
ngmehowIshould
haveanswer
edsomequestions.Iam inaweofhowmuchshe
knowsandhowwellsheint
erpretsthelaw.

"
Isentmyoldbossanemai
lthi
sweek,
"shei
nfor
msmebutI
f
rown,conf
used.

"I
severyt
hingokay
?"Shet
akesbot
hmyhandsandbr
ushesmy
knuckl
eswi t
hhert
humbs.

"Ever
ythingisamazi
ng,t
hispl
aceisamazing.Igottoremember
whoPr ettyi
sandwhatshestoodfor.Il
etmymar ri
agetoyour
fat
hertakesomuchf rom me,Iam t
ir
ednow.Ijustwanttobethe
bestversionofmysel
fandmakeupf orall
theti
meIl ostwi
th
you.
"Shesmi
l
esandcar
essesmycheek,
"Iwantt
ogobackt
o
work,
"

Gui
l
tconsumesme.

Ifeelbadfornottel
l
ingheraboutMikat
ekoandNganakani,but
thethoughtofloosi
ngheragainaf
tergett
ingherbackmakesme
shutmymout h.

"Hey,whyar
eyoucry
ingngwanamina?"Shewi
pesmyt
ear
sandI
closemyeyesf
eel
ingli
keI'
m bet
ray
ingher.

"Ihaveaboyfr
iendnow,"Iwant
edt
ot el
lheraboutJoj
obutIdidn'
t
plantouseourrel
ati
onshipasadi
str
acti
on."He'
samazing,Iwish
youwerearoundtoseehi m.
"Shet
hrowsherheadbackand
heavesasigh.

"Justpr
omi
sehe'
snothi
ngli
keTshedza,
"myey
eswi
den,
howdi
d
sheknowaboutt
hatasshol
e?

"
Howdi
dIknow? "she'
spl
easedwi
thher
sel
fformaki
ngmel
ook
l
i
keawetchi
cken.

"
Mhhmm.
..
"Idon'
ttr
ustmyv
oice.

"IwasasloppydrunkAmubutt hatdoesn'tmeanIwasblind.I
didn'
thavethecouragetotal
kt oy ouandmakey ouunderstand
thatyoudidn'
tneedtoassociatey our
selfwi
thboysli
kehimt o
feelbet
ter
.ImeanIwasst il
lstayingwithacheat,sohowwasI
supposetoadv i
seyou?"Idon'tl
ikeseeingpainandregr
etin
thoseeyes.

She'
sbacknowandt
hat
'sal
lthatmat
ter
s,r
eal
l
y.
"
So,
whoi
sthi
sboy
?"Sheaskswi
thexci
tementandIgi
ggl
e.

"
Wellhi
snamei sJongi
khay
abutweal
lcal
lhi
m Joj
o,he'
s
Undi
phi
le'
scousin.
"

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Mygi r
lfr
iendaskedt hatIdr opherof fatherapar t
mentwhenwe
l
eftthehospi tal.She'sl eavingwi thUndi phil
et omor rowt ogoget
Atangf r
om boar dingschool .Iwashopi ngt obet heonet ogowi th
herbutIunder stoodherr easons, whatshesai dmadesomuch
senseIhadt oputasi demyegoandal lowhert odot hi
ngshow
sheseesf it.Imeanseei nghowpr ot
ectiveshei sofherbr other
makesmeconf identinourr elati
onship,ifourj ourneygoeshowI
hope,itmeanst hatmychi ldrenwi l
lhaveonehel lofanamazi ng
mommy ,sher emi ndsmesomuchofmaNgobese.Iknowhow
greati
tist ohav eamom t hatwoul drunont opoft hornsorhot
coalandnotf l
inch.That '
swhatIal way swi shedf ormychi ldrento
have,amot her'slovet hatwoul dbreakal lboundar ies.

Today
,phew!Let
'st
alkaboutt
oday
.

Idon'
tt hi
nkIhaveev erbeeninar oom ful
lofrawemot i
onsli
keit
wast oday.LemohangandGl enmademet earupforreal
,i
nthei
r
reuni
onIf oundmy selfcl
enchingjawstopr ev
entmytearsfr
om
fal
li
ng,Ifoundmy selfwipi
ngt earswhentheyweren'
tlooki
ng,I
foundmy selfl
aughingbecausei tfel
tli
kethey'
veknowneach
otherf orl ong.Butmostimpor tantly
,itf
eltreall
ygoodt obring
fatheranddaught ertogether,t
hel oveandador ati
onIsawi n
Glensey esmademewantt obowdownt othatman.I treminded
meofhowgent l
eLukhele,myf atherwaswi thhisprincess,Mvel
o.
Seei nghowhar dhet ri
edforhisdaught erev enthoughitwas
phy sicallyhardonhi m mademewantt oaddhi m onGui nness
wor ldr ecords.Let'
snottouchonhi m gett
ingoutofbedand
dressi ngupj usttomeether ,Ithi
nkt hatpartsentmei ntomy
emot i
ons.

ImissMaMohapi ,ori
sitMaNgcol
osi?What everhernamei snow,
shewi l
lremainmybeaut i
ful
,badi
nfl
uencegi r
lfr
iend.Iam pr
oud
ofLemohang, Iam proudofhowshemanagedt ot akeadeep
breathandwentt omeetwi t
hherfat
herevent houghshewasst il
l
hurti
ngandt r
yingtomakesenseofev er
y t
hing.Idon'tt
hinkI'
ve
metany oneasr esi
li
entasNana.Whateverli
fethrowsather,
Lemohangmanagest ocomeoutontopev eryti
me.

Istepinsidet
hehouseandl aughterist
heorderoft
heday,my
brother'
scarisinthedr i
veway.Hemusthav ecometocheckifI'
m
home, I'
vebeenav oidingal
lofthem whentheycal
landonly
respondingvi
at ext.Iknowmymot heri
sreadytohavemyhead
ont hechoppi
ngboar dbuthopefull
ysheseeshowdrainedIam
andl et
'smeof fthehook.

Thewhol
efami
l
yisher
e,hav
ingdi
nner
.Ihat
emi
ssi
ngsuch
momentsbutIhadtobebymygi
rl
sside.Nooneneededmethe
mostthi
spastfewdayst
hewayNanadidandthankGodIwas
abl
etoholdherhand.

Mysi bl
i
ngsarehappyt
oseemebutmamahashernosef l
ared,
she'spi
ssedatmebuthonest
ly,
maNgobesehastochi
ll
.Ifi
twas
Mv el
oorGatshawhodidwhatIdid,
shewoul
dn'
tcar
ethismuch.

"Wher
ehavey oubeen?"That'sMv el
o,"Iwasev
entryi
ng
Lemohangbutherphonej ustrangtothepolet
oo.Hopeful
l
yaf t
er
somanyday sIam get
tingani eceornephewfrom y
ouguys,"
doessheevershupup?

Iwouldbri
nguphowshestol
emygirl
fr
iendsnumberf
rom my
phoneandwatchhermel
tint
hatchai
rbutIpromi
sedLemohang
thatIwoul
dn'
t.

"Si
ster
,ownl
ane,
"thankyouZethu.SheremindsMvelot
ost
ep
backandwat
chherwor ds,
I'
m sti
llherel
derbrot
her
.

Mysi
steri
n-l
awdeser
vesdi
amondsandpear
ls.

"
Theonl
yval
i
dthi
ngMv eloaskedthatIal
sowantt
oknowi
s
wher
ehasmysonbeen?"Lukhel
e'
swi fesay
sgent
ly.

For
kingherv
eget
abl
es.

"
Howaboutweal
l
owbaf
otoeatf
ir
st,
"Gat
shat
omyr
escue.

"Eatwhosef
ood?"Il
ovemymot herbutshecanbeapain."What
hashebeeneati
ngsinceMonday,whenhedisappear
ed?"She
adds.
"Mama,
Iam 32year
sofage.WhenIsayI'm okay,
ItmeansIam
okay
.Whet
herIsayi
tvi
acallort
ext
,"Isaycalmly
.

Ihopethatdi
dn'
tsoundr
ude,
justf
ir
m enought
ogett
hemessage
across.

"
HaiboHercul
es,
"shecl
apsonce,
"I'
m sur
eyoual
lsawt
hat
Makhosi
ninowwantstohi
tme."

Af
ri
canpar
ent
s!

Idi
dn'
tev
enr
aisemyhandasagest
ureorany
thi
ngl
i
kei
t.

"Mama,comeon.
"Mv
elosay
sandl
aughsatourmot
her
s
exagger
ati
on.

"
Yep,t
oomuch,
MaNgobese.
"Gat
shaaddsandshecl
i
cksher
t
ongue.

It
akeadeepbr
eat
h.

"Iwasatmyhousewi t
hmygi r
lf
ri
end,sheneededmet obet her
e
forherafterlearningthatGlenBhengui sherbi
ologi
calf
ather,
"
everyoneexceptf orGatshaisshocked.Theyal
lwanttoask
quest i
onsoft heirownbutIam t ooexhaustedtoansweranythi
ng.
Ijustwanttot akeashowerandsl eep,wakeupt omorr
owand
deal wit
hlif
eagai n.

Myphonev i
brat
esfrom mysweat spocket
,It
akeitoutandi
t'
s
Nancycal
li
ng.I'
m sureshe'
sjustchecki
nginsi
nceIhaven'
tbeen
goi
ngtotheoffi
ce.

"
Hey
,"Ianswer
.

"
Makhosi
ni!Youhav
etocomet
othef
act
oryr
ightnow,
ther
e'sa
f
ir
e,"

Ibr
eakasweati
mmedi
atel
y!
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER57

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Iam st andingwi t
hmybr otheront hesideoft heroad,wat chi
ngas
thefirefightersputoutt hefir
e.Thehugebl acksmokecl oudis
abov eus, Iwat chitwithaheav yheart.Mycompanyi sgone, all
thatI'
veev erwor kedsohar dforisgoingupi nsmoke, l
it
erall
y.I
honest l
ycannotbel i
ev emyey es,Iwashopi ngt hatNancyl i
ed
aboutt hebui ldingbeingonf i
re.Iam tryi
ngt ounderstandhowt he
fi
recoul dhav estart
edbutnot hingismaki ngsenser i
ghtnow.
Nancysay st hemanagerdi dt hecheckupsbef orelet
tingthe
factorywor ker sgo,thereporthegav eNancyshowedt hat
everythingwasgoodatknockof f.

"
Mr.Lukhel
e?"

Itur
nandfi
ndashor
tmani
nat
wosi
zesbi
gsui
thol
dinghi
shand
outtome.

"
Yes,
canIhel
pyou?
"Iaskt
henl
i
nkmyhandwi
thhi
s.

"
Iam det
ect
iveLouw,
"hei
ntr
oduceshi
msel
ftome.

"Okay,
"Isayforhi
mt ogoon,I
'
m notreall
ysur
ewhyt
hecopsar
e
herebutIguessit
'sst
andar
dprocedure.

"Doyouhavei
nsurance?"Ofcour
seIhav
einsur
ance,
Ideal
preci
ousst
onesforaliv
ing.
"
Yes,
Ido.
"

"Good, youwillcall
t hem toinformt hem aboutt hefi
re.Oncethey
aredonewi tht hei
rinv esti
gati
onsandt heyfindthatitwasjustan
electr
icfaultorwhat ev ert
hatdoesn' tsuggestfoulplaythenwe
willnothavet ostepi n.Butiftheyfindthatt hebuil
dingwas
i
nt ent
ionall
ybur nedt henwewi l
ltakeov erthecaset ofi
ndthe
arsonist
."Heexpl ainsandInar r
owmyey es.

Arson?Whowoulddel
i
ber
atel
yst
artt
hisfi
re?Iam apeacef
ul
person,
Idon'
thav
eenemi
esorpeopl
elookingtoavenge
themselv
es.

"Thanky ou,Detect
ive.Wewi l
lsurel
ygetintouchoncemy
brothersinsur
anceinv est
igat
ionhasbeenconcluded.
"Gat
sha
sayst aki
ngacar dfrom thecop,Izonedoutther
eforaminut
e.

"Al
ri
ghtthen,I'
l
lwaitt
ohearf rom you."Hesay sandwalksaway,
I
mov emyey estothebuil
ding.Thef i
refight
ersaresti
l
lhardat
work,t
ryi
ngt oful
l
yextinguishthi
sfire.Theyarewinni
ngbutmy
har
dwor kisdown.

"
Baf
o,"mybr
otherput
sahandonmyshoul
derandIsi
gh.

"
Huh?
"Iam dr
ained.

Iam f
eel
i
ngal
lsor
tsofemot
ions.

Lukhel
eDiamondsi
smybaby ,
mypr i
deandj
oy,
looki
ngatwhati
s
l
eftofi
tri
ghtnowbreaksmyspir
it
.

"
Doy
out
hinkNof
otodi
dit
?"If
rown,
whatdoeshemean?
"
Didwhat
?"Iaskandheexhal
esshar
ply
.

"She'
stheonl
yonewhoismadaty ou,okayherandherfami l
y.
Shecouldhavest
art
edthefi
rebecauseshe'
stryi
ngtogetbackat
youforgi
vi
ngherabsol
utel
ynothi
ngwheny ouguysdivorced.
"He
saysandIfol
dmyarmsacrossmychest .

"
Nombulel
oknowsnott
ofuckwit
hme, "Isaybutmymi
ndi
s
r
aci
ngbecauseofmybr
other
ssuspi
cion.

"Li
tt
lebr
other
,nothi
ngisasdanger
ousasawomanscor
ned.
"
That'
sbl
oodytruehey.

Nombulel
ohasev
ili
nher
,shewoul
ddosomet
hingsobi
gtoget
backatme.

"I
fthat
'st
hecaset
henshewillwi
shshest
ayedawayfrom me,
I'
ll
crushher
,Gat
sha.
"Isayangr
il
yandhenodshi
sagreement.

"Shouldwedr i
vehome? "HeasksandIshakemyhead, no.Iwi l
l
onlyleaveoncet hefi
refightersaredoneandpacki ngupt ogo,I
knowIwon' tbeabl etowal kinsi
det hebuil
ding.Whatev
ert hat
'
s
l
eftandsur vi
vedt heblazi
ngf ir
ewillbetakencareofbyt he
i
nsur ancecompany .Iam justreli
evedthatIdon'tkeepbigstones
andcompl etedjewelryhere.There'sahighsecurit
yfaci
li
tyIuse
forthat.

"Letmegogetuswat erf
orthepat
rol
stati
onaroundthecorner
,"
hesays.Inodandwatchhim beonhi
sway .I
'
llgocheckonNancy
solong,shewaspret
tyshakenupsoIaskedherhusbandtosit
withherint
hecar.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
"

"I
'
m sorr
yfornotpi
cki
ngupy
ourcal
l
slastni
ght
,"Isayt
omy
gi
rlf
ri
end.

Iwasi nmyfeeli
ngs,
myheartwasheav yandIj
ustneededtobe
alone.Whenmeandmybr ot
hergothomeIwentst r
aightt
omy
bedroom andlef
thimtoexpl
ainever
ythi
ngtotherestofour
family.

"
Iwassowor
ri
ed,
Icoul
dn'
tev
ensl
eep.
"Shesay
sandIf
eel
bad
i
nst
ant
ly.

IknowIwouldl
oosemymi ndifshedi
dn'
tpi
ckupherphoneandI
couldn'
tev
engoroundherpl
acetochecki
fshe'
sgood.

"Iwasevensot
empt
edt
ocal
lMv
elobutIdi
dn'
twantt
obet
hat
gir
lf
ri
end,
"

"Iam r
eal
l
ysorr
y,st
handwasami.Al
othappenedy
est
erday
,"Isay
andmopmyf acewit
hthepal
m ofmyhand.

"Whathappened?Arey
ouokay
?Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Sheasks
alr
eadypanicki
ng.

"No,ev
eryt
hingi
snotalri
ght.Lukhel
eDi
amondsbur
nedt
othe
groupyest
erday
,"Isayandshegaspsinshock.

"
OhmyGod,baby
.Iam sosor
ryt
oheart
hat
.Howar
eyou?Do
y
ouwantt
omeetandtalk?
"Howam I
?

Iam pr
ett
ynumb.It
'sgoi
ngtotakesomuchf
ormet
ogetmy
busi
nessupandrunni
ngagai
n.
"I
'
mt r
yingt
ogetmyheadst r
aight
,it
'sal
otbutI'
llgetthere.You
needtogogetyourbrot
herbabe,focusonthatandI'l
lkeepmy
headabovewatert
hisside.I
'
m goingtorunaroundget t
ingthings
doneanyway.
"Iqui
cklysay.

"I
'
llbeavail
ableonthephonewhenyouneedme,
myl
ove,
"I
appreci
atethatshe'
savai
li
ngher
sel
f.

"
Thanky
ou,
sthandwasami
."

WeconcludethecallandIcl
imboutofmycar .WhatGat shasai
d
aboutNombulelostucki
nmymi nd,
thatiswhyIdeci dedtocome
l
ookherintheey eandaskherifshedidit.Iwil
lfi
ndthetrut
hin
hereyesbutsheisasnakethatcanact ,
shemi ghtsayshedidn'
t
doitandevencrytostamponitbutt hewor dsIhaveforherwil
l
l
eavehershakinginherboot
s.

Iwalkintothestor
ewher esheworks,Ir
ememberedfr
om whenI
broughtMaMohapi heretogetadressformymother
'sbir
thday
party
.I'm hopi
ngthatshe'
ssti
llwor
kingher
ebecauseIneedto
getthisoffmychestbeforeIcanmov eonandst
artt
hinki
ngof
rebui
ldingmybusiness.

"
Hell
o,si
r.HowcanIhel
pyout
oday
?"At
all
whi
tel
adyasksand
wi
thasmi l
e.

"
Hi,
Iam act
ual
l
ylooki
ngf
orsomeonewhowor
ksher
e."Isayand
shenods.

"
Doyouknowt heper
son'
sname?Icangocal
lthem att
heback
f
ory
ou,"shesays.

"
Henamei
sNombul
eloBl
angwe,
"

"Nombulel
oBlangwe?I'
m sor
ryweonl yhaveNombulel
oLukhel
e
worki
nghere,
"What!She'
sstil
lusi
ngmysur name?Whywould
shekeepcall
i
nghersel
fwithmyname, wearedi
vor
ced.She
doesn'
tdeser
vetokeepmyf ather
'ssurname.

"
That
'st
heone,
"

"
Oh,I'
m sor
rybutshe'
sonl
eav
e.Shei
sonl
ycomi
ngbackon
Monday,
"Isi
gh.

"
Okay
,thanky
ou.
"It
urnandl
eav
ethest
ore.

Ij
ustdrovei
ntoTsakane,
I'
m headedtoVumil
e'
shouse.Aft
ermy
motherboughtt
hehousetheyusedtostayi
nbacki
nDuduzat hey
hadnootheropt
ionbuttomoveinwithVumil
eandhisfamil
y.

Ipar
kmycaratt
hegateandIseethei
rmotherbaski
ngi
nthesun
wit
hawomanIdon'
trecogni
ze.Nombulel
obett
erbeher
e.

Iwal
kint
othey
ardandal
ley
esar
eonme.

"
Sani
bonani
,
"Igr
eetandMam'
Blangwesmi
l
esl
i
keacheshi
recat
.

"
Hao!Hao!Hao!Mysoni
nlaw,
it'
sreal
l
yni
cet
oseey
ou,
"Inod.
"
IsNombulel
oar
ound?
"Iask,
get
ti
ngt
othepoi
ntofwhatbr
ought
mehere.

"She'
ssleeping.Makoti,pl
easegocallyoursi
sterandtel
lhert
hat
herhusbandi sheretoseeher."Shesaystoherfell
owsunbather.
Thewomanqui cklygetsonherfeetandhurri
estogetNombulelo.
Shedoesn'tgot othemai nhousebuttheoppositeshacki
nthe
samey ard.Makessenset hattheyer
ectedashack, t
hehouseis
toosmall f
orallofthem.

"Youcanhav
easeat ,
Khosi.Nofotowil
lmakeyousomethingt
o
dri
nkandeat,
"Ihuf
f,l
ikeIwouldtakeanyt
hingt
heyhav
et ooff
er.

"
I'
mf inest andi
ng,
"Isayandhersmi lefades.Di
sappoi
ntment
f
lashingacr osshereyes.Di
dshet hi
nkIcameher ebecauseI
wantedt of i
xthi
ngswi t
hherdaughter?Iwouldnevergobackt
o
Nombul elo,evenifshewasthelastwomanonear t
h.

"Makhosini
?Whatar
eyoudoi
nghere?"Nombulel
owal
ksoutof
theshack,r
ubbi
ngsl
eepof
fherey
es.She'sweari
ngt
heVersace
gownsheboughtwhenshewassti
llmywife.

"
Didy
oudoi
t?"Iaskwi
thmyey
essetonher
.Shef
rowns.

"
Didwhat
?"Inar
rowmyey
es.

"Lukhel
eDiamondsburnedlastni
ght,di
dyouoranymemberof
yourfamil
ystar
tthatf
iretogetbackatme?"Hereyeswi
den,
she
cannotbel
iev
ewhatI '
m aski
ng.

"H-
howcouldyout
hinkthat
?Wewoul
dnev
erdot
hat
,Makhosi
ni.
"
She'
scl
utchi
ngatherchest
.
"Youareagoodactress,Nombulel
o.Youmi ghtbelyingtomy
faceri
ghtnowbutIneedy outoknowt hati
ftheinvesti
gati
ont
ies
anyofyoutothatf
ir
et henIwil
lunleashhel
lony ou.Eachand
every
oneofyou,Iwon'tevenspareyourdog,tr
ustme. "

Hermot
heri
sonherf
eet
,hol
dingherhandsouti
nsur
render
.

"Lukhel
e,son.Ipromisethatwedonothav eahandi
ntheburni
ng
ofyourcompany .Pleasebeli
eveus,
please.
"Mam'Bl
angwesays.

"Youhavethener
veyaz,Makhosi
ni.Comingtomybrother
's
housetoaccuseusofsuchahorri
blethi
ng,
"Ichuckl
e.

"Youar ethedefi
nit
ionofhorri
ble,Nombulel
o.Weren'tyoutheone
holdingmeatr ansom overtheblooddiamond?Ifyoucould
threatentosendyourhusband,whodi dnothingbutloveandcare
foryout ojai
l,
whatwouldy oudot ohim af
terhedivorcedyouand
madesur eyougetnothi
ng?"Shebi t
esherlowerli
p.

"Idi
dn'
tburnyourbui
l
ding,myf
amil
yhasnothingt
odowitht
his.
Yourmothertol
dmet oleav
eyoupeopl
ealoneandIdi
d,y
ou'
re
theonecomingatus,
"shesaysandInod.

"Foryoursake,
Ihopeyou'
retell
i
ngthetr
uth."Iburymyhandsin
mypocket sandtur
ntoleave.Nowthatt
hisisov er
,Icangopick
upNancysowecanst artcl
aimingandcall
ingoursuppliesand
customers.
LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"That'
sterr
ibl
e.Ihavetocal
lhi
m andaskhowhe'sdoi
ng,t
hatboy
l
ov eshiscompany .Hededi
cat
edsomuchi nt
oit
,"Gl
ensaysandI
nod.

WhenMakhosi ni
call
edIwaspr epari
ngtocomeseeGl en,
yester
dayheaskedmet ovisi
thim agai
nandIcouldn'
tbri
ng
my sel
ftosayi
ngno.Icameearlybecauselat
erar
ound2pm,
Undiphi
leandIaredr
ivi
ngtogetAt angfr
om boar
dingschool
,I
'm
soexcitedt
ohavehim her
ewi t
hme.

"Heisasmar ty
oungman,t
hisset
backwi
l
lonl
ymakehi
m
great
er,
"that
'sver
ytr
uesi
s'
Nomuzi.

Myboyf r
iendwil
l comebackbi ggerandbet t
er,i
twill
bel i
ket he
fi
reneverhappened.Butr i
ghtnowIknowhe' shurt
ing,he'
sj ust
tr
yingt
okeepi ttogetherbuthe'shurt
ing.Iheardhi
m ov erthe
phoneandIwi shIcouldbet herewit
hhi m.

"MaNgcol
osi
,"hesaysthencoughsviol
ent
ly.Hiswi
fequi
ckl
ygets
upandpourshim somewaterthenhelphi
mt akesmal
lsi
ps,t
his
womanlovesherhusband.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
"heneedst
ost
opapol
ogi
zi
ngf
orbei
ngsi
ck.

"
It
'sokay
,"hesmi
l
es.

"
Idon'
thavel
ongt
oliv
e,butIwanttodori
ghtbyyou.Iwantmy
wi
fetogomeetwi
thyourmotherandherf
amilysowecanask
t
hatIpayt
hedamagesandwelcomey out
otheBhenguclan,
"he
saysandIswal
low.Tal
ktomymom?Thatwomanisoutofi
t,she
won'tev
enhearthem,myuncl
ewi
l
lnotwantany
thi
ngt
odowi thi
t
al
l.

"Uhm, okay.Idon'tknowwhenI '

llbeabletogoseeher,mylit
tl
e
brotheriscomingt odayf
ortheschool hol
iday
s.Wedon'treall
y
l
ikegoi nghomesoIdon' tknow. "Hesighsandcl
oseshiseyes.I
thi
nkIj ustdi
sappointedhi
m, canIputmydr amawi t
hmama
asideandal l
owt hemant odor i
ghtsowhenhef inal
lysl
eeps
foreverhedoesi twithapeacefulhear
t.

"Butmaybewecandriv
edownt otheVaal
onMonday ,
Iwil
lfi
nd
someonetolookaf
terAtangwhi
lewearether
e,"Isayandhopeis
backinhi
seyes.

"
Iappreci
atei
t,MaNgcol
osi
."Hesaysandholdsouthi
shand,
I
t
akeitandfeel
himtryi
ngtosqueezebuthehasnoenergy
.

"Thankyoufornotbeinghar donhim, Lemohang.You'

ret
aki
ng
theseli
fechangingnewssowel l,Ihonestl
ythoughtwewoul
d
havetroubl
eswi ththi
sbutyou'r
esounder standi
ngandI'
mjustso,
oh"sis'
Nomuzi wipeshertears.

"
Youar
esuchadar
li
ng,
"

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

I
'
m onmywaytot
heapartment,
Ihaveanhourunt
ilwehav
eto
l
eav
etogetmybr
other
.Exci
tementi
sbubbl
inginmystomach,
I
haven'
tseenorspendenoughtimewi t
hhiminsuchal ongt
ime.I
knowI '
m goingt
hroughthi
ngsri
ghtnowbutI'm hopi
ngnottol
et
thatgetinthewayofmyt i
mewithAtang.Ipr
omi sedhi
m an
amazingt i
meandI '
m goi
ngtodeli
veronthat
.

Wewi l
lbemov i
ngtoEbuka'
shousewhil
etheyareawayona
hol
idaywithUndiphil
e,mybrot
herwon'
tsaywherehe'swhiski
ng
hertoandt hat
'sfr
ustr
ati
ngmygirl
.Undi
phi
leli
kesbeingin
contr
ol,
sheneedst oalwaysknowwhat'
shappeningaroundher
orshefreaksoutforreal
.

You'
rei
nmyt houghts,
mylove.Thi
stooshal
lpass,
you'
l
lonly
comebackbiggerandbet
ter
.Iloveyouandpl
easeknowthatI
'm
her
eifyouneedme.

Ipr
esssendandputthephonei
nmybag.Iam al
mostatmy
pl
ace,
soItakeoutR25from mypur
set
opayformyride.

Iwon'tbeseei ngGl
enthi
sweekend, I
'
llgoonMondaywhenhi s
wifeandIgetbackf r
om theVaal t
oseemymot her.Iam sonot
l
ookingforwar dtot
hatmeeting,Iknowhowmymot heri
s.She
wil
lprobablycauseascene,makesi s'Nomuzir
egreteverset
ti
ng
herfootthere.Butl
i
keme, she'str
yingtohonorady i
ngmans
wish.

Thecabguydr
opsmeatthegate,Ipayandcl
i
mboutofhis
Corol
l
a.He'
sgett
ingt
heper
fectrevi
ewshame,whatanamazi
ng
driv
erhei s.Iwishtheywer eallsorespect
fulofthei
rpassenger s
andofcour setherul
esoft heroad.Someoft heseguy sdr i
velike
theygott heirl
i
censeatt hebackoft hetoi
let,
theydr i
veshitfor
real.Tryi
ngt oplay'
fastandf ur
ious'wi
thourlivesandt hat'
sif
theyar enotwast i
ngy ourti
mebymaki ngstopsduringy ourtr
ip.
Herei nJohannesbur g,I
'veseenital
l.

"St
handwasam,"someonesay
sgr
abbi
ngmyar
m.Il
ookt
othe
personandangerbubbl
esi
nmyst
omach.

"Letgoofmeyoupieceofshi
t!
"Ir
oarandhequi
ckl
ylet
'sgoand
scansourenv
ironment
.Hedoesn'
twanttodr
awanyatt
enti
on.

Thesecur
it
yguar
disnotv
isi
ble,
he'
spr
obabl
yint
hesmal
lgat
e
off
ice.

"
Lemohang,
cal
m down.Icomei
npeace,
please.
"Peacemyf
oot
.

"
Mabutho,whatisyourpr
oblem?Ihav
easkedyoucount
less
t
imestoleavemealone,j
ustleav
emet hef
uckal
one.
"Isay
waggi
ngaf i
nderathim.

Whathe'
sdoi
ngiscall
edhar
assment
,Iwi
l
lgethi
m ar
rest
edf
ori
t.
What'
sthi
sobsessi
onwit
hme?

"Mypr
oblem i
sthatyouar
etheloveofmylif
e,Lemohang.Imade
onemist
ake,j
ustoneandyouleftmeli
kewhatwehaddi dn'
t
meanshitt
oyou."HesaysandIcanseethathe'
sangry.

"Ihav
emov edonwithmylif
e,Isuggesty
oudothesameorI
swearI'
l
lgetarest
rai
ningor
der,
"hestepsback,
shocki
sal
lover
hi
sface.

"
Myonl
ycr
imei
slov
ingy
ou,
"Ichuckl
e.

"Youaresick,
Mabutho!Yousai
dyourpar
ent
saredeadandyour
fatheri
sverymuchali
ve,whywoul
dIwanttobelovedbyaman
whodoest hathuh?
"Hecloseshi
seyesandki
ckstheair
.He'
sa
nutcase.

"Ihadtookay !Didn'tyouseehowt hatmani s?Ifyoufullyknew

myl i
festorytheny ouwi l
lunderstandwhyIhadt ocuttieswi t
h
mypar ents.Youwoul dnotj udgemebutsuppor tmel i
keIdi d
whenIhel pedy outhroughy ourissues."Idon'
tcareaboutwhat
theymighthav edone, thatdoesn'twarranthimt osaytheyar e
dead.Hel i
edanddi dsocomf or
tably,
Ir ememberhowheev en
cri
edaf t
ertell
ingmehowl ungcancerki ll
edhi
sdad.

"Youdidusewhatyouknewaboutmetogainadvant
agei
na
sit
uat
ionwehadf oundour
sel
fin,
"heshut
shisey
es.

Likethi
nki
ngaboutthatbr
ingssadnesst
ohi
m.Noonehel
dagun
tohishead,heknewwhathewasdoi ng.

"Iwi
l
lal
waysr
egr
etwhatIdi
dthatday
,"Idon'
tcar
e,Ij
ustwant
himtol
eav
emealone.

"Wearenotsupposedtobeseeninpubli
c,soleavebefore
someoneseesyouandr i
skl
oosingyourl
icense."Isayandhe
cussesunderhi
sbreat
h.

"
Fuckthatjob!Iwoul
dratherl
osei
tal
l
,Iwoul
dri
ski
tal
lfory
ou.I
l
oveyou,Lemohang."I
'm done!
I
'm notdoi
ngthi
swithhim,Ihaveaboy
fri
endandIdon'
tneedt
o
bedeali
ngwit
hthiscrazyassex.

"
Goodby
e,Mabutho.Icl
osedt
hisdoor
,Ineedy
out
oremai
nout
."I
l
eav
ehim st
andi
ngthere.

"
I'
m notgi
vi
ngupony
ou,
"
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER58

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

"Baby
,ever
ythi
ngwi l
lbeokay.Youjustt
akeadeepbreat
hand
all
owsis'
Nomuzi t
odoallthetal
kingwhenyougett
here.
"Isay
andshesnif
fs.Ihat
eitwhenshecr i
es.

Lemohangissonerv
ousaboutgoi
ngtoseehermother
,she'
s
afr
aidt
hatshewil
ll
oosei
tandraint
err
oronthem.

"Now,pl
easewipethoset
ear
sandweary
ourbi
ggi
rlpant
ies.
"She
giggl
esandIsmil
e.

"Imissyousomuch, Makhosini
."Shesay sandmyheartski
psa
bit.We'v
egrowninourrel
ati
onshi p.Ir
ememberther
ewasat ime
wher eshecoul
dn'
tevencall
mebaby ,
nowshe'sabl
etosaythese
kindofwordstomewi t
houtfeelingshy.She'
smywomanandI '
ve
grownmor econfi
denti
nourrelationshi
pandapossibl
efutur
efor
us.

"Imissyou,t
oo,myangel
."Ihaven'
tseenhersi
nceThur
sday.It
's
dif
fi
cultbutwebot
hhavet hi
ngstodealwit
h,herf
amil
yissues
andmycompany .

"Haveyouhear
dany
thi
ngf
rom t
hei
nsur
ancecompany
?"Iheav
ea
sigh.

Theysaidt
heinvest
igat
ionmightt
akeawhi
l
eandIcan'
tdo
anyt
hingunt
ilt
heyaredone.I
'
ml oosi
ngmymind.
"Notyet
,babe.ButI
'
llf
il
lyoui
noncet
heydo.
"Thi
swhol
ethi
ngi
s
sofrust
rat
ing.

I'
m athomeal lday,makingcall
sandsendi ngoutemai l
s.My
cli
entsunderstandandsy mpathizewithme,theyagreedtogi ve
mesomet imet osetupsomet hingtemporarywhereI'
llf
inish
thei
rordersanddel i
ver
.IthinkI'
m goingtohav et
ogobackt o
designi
ngandmaki ngjewelryf
orthet i
mebeing.Thenewhouse
hasenoughr oom, Icanturnonebedr oom i
ntomywor kst ati
on.
Thatwillsur
elykeepmebusysoIdon' tgocrazyt
hinki
ngabout
whathappenedt omycompany .

"I
'
m her
eforyoui
fyouneedany
thi
ngbabe,
what
everi
tis.
"I
appr
eci
atet
hissomuch.

Knowi
ngIhav
esomeoneIcancountoni
sal
lthatIneed.

"
Ilov
ey ou,MaMohapi
."Ipr
aysheknowst
hisandmost
i
mportantl
y,bel
i
evesi
t.

"
And,
Ilov
eyou,
Lukhel
e."

Iam walki
ngbacktot
hel
ounget
otakealookatmyemail
swhen
IhearLemohang'
snamebei
ngmenti
oned.Ist
opinmyt
racksand
l
ist
enin.

"
He'sonacallwi
thLemohang,"Mymothersay
s.Shesoundscol
d
menti
oningmygi
rl,
Ihonestl
ydon'
tknowwhymymot herdoesn'
t
l
ikenana.It
ri
edmakingexcusesf
orheri
nmyhead,sayi
ngshe's
j
ustbei
ngpr
otect
iveofmebutno,
it'
stoomuchnow.

"
Ihav
en'
tspokent
othatonei
nawhi
l
e,Ishoul
dcal
lherandcheck
i
n,
"Mvel
osays.

She'sobsessedwit
hLemohang,
justl
i
keshewaswhenGat
sha
fi
rstbroughtZet
hu.

Ipr
ayshef
indsaguywhosef
ami
l
ywi
l
llov
eher
.

"You'
ref
ri
endswiththegi
rlnow?
"MamaasksandIshakemy
head.What
'sal
lthi
s?

"
Haibo!MaNgobese,whythef
ace?"Mysi
sterasks."
Mama,don'
t
t
ell
met haty
oudon'tli
keLemohang.
"If
oldmyar msandwaitf
or
t
heanswer.

"
Idon'
tknowhert
onotl
i
keher
,"shesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.

"
Buty oudohav eaproblem wi
thher.Lemohangisamazing,
matureforherageandshemakesMakhosi nihappy
,"Thankyou
Mvelo,t
hanky ou.I
fonlymaNgobesecouldgi v
eherachance,get
t
oknowherandseewhatabl essi
ngsheist ome.

Lemohangbr
oughtbackpeaceandhappi
nessi
nmyl
i
fe.

"Sheisachi
ld,Mvelo.Yourbrot herisarespectablebusi
nessman,
whatcouldthegi
rlpossibl
yoff eramanl ikehim?Woul dshebe
abletohol
dconversati
onsint heki ndofcir
clesy ourbr
otheri
sa
partof?
"OhmyGod.Shej ustdi dn'
tsaythat,whoi sthi
swoman
andwhathasshedonet omymot her?

"
She'
snochi
l
dmama,
she'
stwent
yyear
sol
d,"

Mymot
hersmacksherl
i
ps,
"shemi
ghtbeabov
ethel
egal
ageof
consentbutshe'
sstil
lachil
df orMakhosi
ni,
"Ican'tbel
i
evet
his,
honestl
y."Mvel
o,IknowImi ghtcomeacrossasr udebutIj
ust
wantwhat '
sbestformyson.Hehasbeent hroughsomuchwi t
h
Nombul el
o,hedeserv
essomeonewhohasherownt hi
ngsi
nlif
e.
Apersonwecanbesur ethatisher
eforloveandnothismoney ,
"
okaythat'
senough.

Iwal
kinandtheyst
opt
alki
ng,
Ijustst
andafewfeetawayfr
om
maNgobese.I
'
m somadatherri
ghtnow,myhappi
nessshould
matt
er.

"
Ifonlyyouknewhowmuchwefi
ghtwhenIr
efuseherpayi
ngf
or
t
hings.Lemohangi
snotagol
ddi
gger
,mama.
"Isaysoftl
y.

"
Makhosi
ni,
Ijustt
hink.
..
"

Fort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nmyl
i
fe,
Icuti
nwhi
l
eI'
m mot
heri
stal
ki
ng.

"maNgobese, Il
ovet hatgi
rl.Shebr oughtbackhopeand
happinessinmyl i
fe,sheismyf r
iendbef or
eshe' smygirlf
ri
end.
AroundherIam my self
,Idon'thaveani maget okeep,I'
mj ust
Makhosi ni
.I'
veal
way swant edthat, I
'
vefoundi tandIthought
you'dbehappywi t
hme.She' snotNombul elo,
she'snot.
"Isay
andpivotbeforeshecansayany thing.Igrabmycarkey sonthe
sidetabl
ewi thavaseoff l
ower sandpi cturefr
ames.

Ij
usthadtoleavethehouse,Idon'
twanttobef i
ghti
ngwit
hmy
mom butIhadtot el
lheroffi
nthemostrespectf
ulmanner.Il
ove
andrespecther
,Ihonestl
ydobutshehast ostoptr
eati
ngmel i
ke
achi
ld.Iam amanandj ustbecauseshestepsintohel
pattimes
doesn'tmeanshehasari
ghttodir
ectmyl
i
feandt
ell
mehowt
o
l
ive.Iwon'
tall
owhertodothatt
ome.

Thei
nter
iordesi
gnerhastobequi
ckandfi
nishmyhouse,i
t'
sti
me
Imovedout.Maybebeingi
nherhousemakeshert
hinkIneedt
o
hi
debehi
ndherskirt
.

"
MrLukhele.Hi
,"GatshaandEbuka'
sPAsaysst
andingupand
f
ixi
ngherdressthenherhai
r.It
houghtt
hecr
ushdieddown.

"
Hi,
Luci
a."Shesmi
l
est
henpr
essesherl
i
psi
ntoat
hinsmi
l
e.

"Uhm,youlookgoodandI'm sor
ryaboutwhathappenedt
o
Lukhel
eDiamonds."Ishr
ugmyshoul der
s.

"Thanky
ou.I
smybr
otheri
n?"Iaskpoi
nti
ngt
owar
dst
hedi
rect
ion
ofhisof
fi
ce.

"
Ohy esMr.Lukhel
e,theot
herMrLukhel
eisi
nhi
sof
fi
cehav
ing
l
unchwit
hhiswi f
e,"

"
Okay
,letmegoi
nandseet
hem.
"Shet
it
ter
s,noddi
ngherhead.

Lemohangwouldhavelosti
t,she'
sonejealouswomanandI
ki
ndali
keit
.Foraslongasit
's"heal
thyj
ealousy"
.

I
t'
sgoodt hatZet
huisher e,may beIcanaskt hem total
ktoour
motherandgethertoactr ightbecauseI '
m overt
hisalr
eady.I
under
stoodwhyt heydidn'tli
keNombul elobutLemohanghasn't
doneanythi
ng.Mysiblingslikemygi r
lf
riend,t
heysawwhata
genui
nepersonshei s.Idon'tunderst
andwhymamai sdoingt
his.
"
Lukhel
etwo,
"It
urnandf
indEbukawear
inghi
ssi
gnat
uresmi
l
e.

"
Eit
a,Okaf
or.What
'sgoodman?
"Weshakehands.

"Ahh,busi
nessi
sbooming,mywomani shappysoev erythi
ngis
good."WhowouldhavethoughtGat
sha'sbusinesspartnerwould
sett
ledown.Healway
sbr oughtadi
ffer
entwomant ot heirevent
s
andonesmybr ot
heri
nvitedhimto.

"
Theseyoungi
ngsr
eal
l
ycuf
fedushuh,
"Iaskandher
oar
swi
th
l
aught
er.

"
Oga,Iswear
.Inevert
houghtauniv
ersi
tygi
rlwi
l
l beshout
ingat
meli
keI'
m achil
dandI'l
lfal
li
nli
neandactri
ght
."Ichuckl
e.

"
Thei
rmat
uri
tyi
ssomet
hingel
se,
"henodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"
Sti
ll
treat
ingmysi
stergood?
"HeasksandIsmi
l
e.I
'
llal
way
str
eat
t
hatwomangood.

"
Alway
s,she'
samazi
ng.
"

Hewalksmet omybr othersoff

iceaswet al
kaboutthefir
ethat
atemybuil
dingandleftmef eel
ingnumb.Hesayssome
comfor
ti
ngwor dsandpr omisestosendtonsofbusinessmyway
whenI'
m backonmyf eetsoIcanmakethemoneyIwoul dhave
l
ostwhil
ebeingoutthegame.He' sgoodpeople,Il
i
kehi m.

Hegoestohisoff
iceandIknockonmybr
other
sdoor
,I'
djust
wal
kinli
kehealwaysdoeswhenhecomestoseemebuthe's
wi
thhiswif
e,Idon'
twanttowalki
nonsomethi
ngt
hatwil
lbli
nd
me.

"
Haibo,
ist
hismyl
uckyday
?"Mybr
othersay
simmedi
atel
yasI
wal
kin.

Iki
ssmysi
steri
n-l
awont
hecheekandset
tl
eont
hecouchbyt
he
wall
.

"
Lukhele,
what
'swr
ong?
"Zet
huasks,
put
ti
ngdownhergl
assof
j
uice.

"Yourmot herin-
law,Zee,
"Isayandbl
owoutaheav
ysi
gh.Idon'
t
wantt obeinanot herr
elat
ionshi
pwher
emymom andwoman
don'tgetalong.

"
Whatdi
dmyf
ather
swi
fedonow?
"

Gat
shawi
peshi
shandswi
tht
hewetwi
pe.

It
ellt
hem whatshewassay
ingt
oMv
elowhenshet
houghtIwas
onthephone.

"Butshe'
ssuchalov
elyyounglady,
shemakesy ouhappy
,Imean
weallsawitatmama'sbir
thdaypart
y.Herageshoul
dn'
tbea
probl
em,forasl
ongasitwor ksf
oryou."Zet
husaysandIcl
ose
myey es.

"It
hinkit
'st
imewegotheraboy
fri
endt
hatwi
l
lkeepherbusy
,"I
chuckle.

Yeahri
ght
!Shemadeitcr
yst
alcl
eart
hatshewi
l
lnev
err
emar
ryor
beinarel
ati
onshi
p.
"
Shewoul
dki
l
lus,
li
keser
iousl
y.
"Zet
husay
swi
thwi
denedey
es.

"
Onamor
eser
iousnot
e,I
'
llhav
eaconv
ersat
ionwi
thher
."-
Gat
sha.

I
'
m gl
adIdi
dn'
thav
etoask.

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Pr
omiseyou'
ll
begoodtosis'
Undi
phi
l
ewhi
l
eI'
m gone,
"hel
ets
outasighandIrai
seaney
ebrow.

"ButLemo,I
'
vepromi
sedl
i
keahundr
edt
imesal
ready
."At
ang
saysandIsmil
e.

"He'
sri
ghtfri
end.Wewillbeokay,
Ipromise.Ihavedownloaded
thr
eemov i
esbasedonhockeyandwewi lldri
veouttoget
somethi
ngtoeat,"Undi
phil
esaysandIgetupf r
om thecouch.

"
Thankyoufordoingt
hisbabe,
"Isayandshepul
l
smeawayf
rom
myli
tt
lebr
other.

"Igotyoubutwhyarey ougoingtoseeyourmom?Imeany ou
nevercomebackokay ,Idon'
twantyouhurti
ngwhil
ehe'
shere."I
wishIdidn'
thavetogobutGl eni
sdesperatetomaket
hingsri
ght
beforehedies.Hedoesn'twantmehavi
ngpr obl
emsasanadul t
,
i
dentitypr
oblemsthati
s.

"Iwi
llexpl
aineveryt
hingintime,
Ijustneedtogett
hisoverwit
h."
Shenodsandhugsme.Myphonechi mesandItakeitoutofmy
pocket,i
t'
satextfrom sis'
Nomuzisayingshe'
soutsi
dethegate.
Wear ereal
lydoingthis,
Lord!
Wear einthecardrivi
ngtotheVaal,
wi t
hev
eryki
lomet erwecov er
Ifeell
ikevomiti
ng.Ihaveneverbeensonerv
ous,todayistheday
mymot herhastolookatmeandexpl ai
nwhyshelied.IprayGod
touchesherheartandshejustcalmsdownandtellsmet hetrut
h,
sheowesmet hatmuchat l
east.

"Youhaveabrot
herandsi
sterf
rom yourf
ather
ssi
de,
"si
s'
Nomuzi
saysandIsnapoutofmytr
ainofthought
s.

"Yourbrother
,Mesul
il
ivesinAust
ral
iawi
thhi
swi f
eandkids.He
marriedawhi t
ewoman, t
heymetwhenhewasst udyi
nginSydney.
Idon'trememberthel
asttimehewashome."sadnessisl
acedin
hervoiceasshesaysthelastpar
t.

"Outofal
lthecountr
ies,
hechoseaj ungleli
keAustral
i
a.Icould
neversur
vivei
nthatcountry,
Imeani maginewakingupand
ther
e'sahugepythonnexttoy ou,
yoh!"Shelaughsoutloudand
I
'm gl
adImanagedt odot hat
.

"I
'
vealwaysthoughtaboutt
hat
,Lemo.Iwoul
dn'
tbeabl
eto
surv
ivet
oo,"

"
Andhi
ssi
ster
?"Iaskandnot
icehowshegr
ipst
hest
eer
ingwheel
.

"Wel
l,
Nompi loli
vesinCapeTown.She'smar r
iedtoo,hasonl y
onechil
d.Ionlytal
ktomydaughteroverthephone, shejust
comestoJohannesbur gt
oshopandgoback, nev
erf eel
st he
needtostopbyandseeherf at
herandI.Iwill
hearaboutt his
fr
om mysi st
er'
schil
dren,
Ineveraskher.She'
sanadul t,
ifshe
doesn'twantt
oseeust heni
t'
sokay .I
thur
tsal
ott
ogivebir
tht
o
chil
drenandtheydon'
tcareaboutyou.Imeant
hei
rfat
heri
son
hisdeathbedbuttheydon'
tcaretocomeseehim,t
heythi
nkone
call
aweeki senough."

Yoh!Hect
ic,
I'
mtel
l
ingy
ou.

"
I'
m sosor
ry,
"that
'sal
lImanaget
osay
.

"Myhusband, y
ourfather.Heissohappythathegott omeetyou
beforehedied,Iam happytoo.Thankyoufornotbeingdi
ff
icul
t,
i
tshar donyout oobutyou'r
enotshutt
inghim outandmaking
him suff
eremot i
onal
ly.Godblessyoudarl
inggir
l,
"

Tearsbur
nmyey
es,
Iqui
ckl
ysmi
l
eatherandl
ookoutt
he
window.

Wear eparkedoutsidemyhouse, i
tlookswor sethanitwast he
l
asttimeIwasher e.Ishouldhavecamef ir
stt ocl
eanupbuti t
's
toolatenow, weshouldgetthi
soveranddonewi th.Iopenmy
doorandcl i
mboutandsi s'
Nomuzi doesthesameandl ockthe
car.Bathong!Whathappenedtothegat e?It
'sgoneandt heonly
thi
ngleftisthegri
dbarri
cade.

Webumpi nt
otheZimbabweanladythati
srent
ingtheother
bedr
oom wit
hhertwochil
drencomingoutfr
om thehouse.

"
Hel
l
o,"shegr
eet
sandwer
espond.

"
Ismymot
heri
n?"Iaskandshenods.
"
Yes,
insi
det
hehouse.
"

"
Thanky
ouandwhathappenedt
othegat
e?"Iaskpoi
nti
ngback.

"Wewokeuponemor ni
ngandi
twasgone,youknowt hese
nyaopeboyshavebecomeworse.Any
thi
ngsteelorcopper
,they
steal
togosellandgetsomemoneyfort
hei
rdrugs."Shesays
andclapsonce.

Ny
aopei
sapandemi
cinourt
ownshi
p.

I
t'
sreal
lysad,
ourbr
other
sandsi
ster
sar
eint
oodeepwi
tht
his
t
hing.

"
Okay
,"t
heywal
kon.

Ipushthedooropenandsi ghinreli
efwhenthekit
chenl ooksa
l
itt
leneat,wewalkfurt
herinsi
deandshe'snotinthelounge, her
bedroom doori
sclosed.Ilookatthecouchthat
'sbal
ancedon
bri
cks,sis'
Nomuzican'
tsitonthat.Whathappenedtothedi nning
room chair
sandtablewehadi nhere?Didmymom sel lthem or
something?Iqui
cklyspotagreenplasti
cchairi
nthekitchennext
tothestove.

"
Pleasesi
tdown,
"Igi
vet
hechai
rtosi
s'
Nomuzi
.

"Who'si
nmyhouse? "mymot her'
shighpitchedv oi
ceasksfr
om
herroom andsecondsl at
erthedooropensandsheappear s.She
i
ssounkempt ,she'sinal
ongdr esswi t
hadi rt
ytowelwrapped
aroundherwaist.She'sweari
ngdi f
ferentcoloredsockswit
h
sneaker
st hatdon'thavel
aces.Herhai ri
samess, acombhasn't
beent
hroughi
tinal
ongti
me.Ithur
tst
oseemymot
herl
i
ket
his,
i
thurt
stomysoulandIwon'
tevenl
ieabouti
t.

"Mama,
"Isaywi
thmyl
owerl
i
pqui
ver
ing.Whyi
sshedoi
ngt
hist
o
her
sel
f?

"Yoh!Whyar
eyouher
e?It
oldyoutonev
ercomeherei
fyou'
renot
bri
ngingmemyson.
"Shesayswaggi
ngafi
ngeratme.

Ial
l
owmyt
ear
stof
all
,i
tnev
ergoeswel
lbet
weenus.

"
Cany
oupl
easej
ustcal
m down,
please.
"Ibegherandshel
aughs.

"
Who'
sthi
s?"Shepoi
ntsatsi
s'
Nomuzi
.

"I
t'
sme, Maleshoane.NomuziBhengu,y
ouusedtobemyhouse
helper
."Gl
enswi f
esays,get
ti
ngupf r
om thechai
r.

Mymother
'sey
esar
eaboutt
ofal
lof
f,shest
epsbackand
swal
l
owshard.

"Whydidn'
tyoucomebackandt
ell
ust
hatmyhusbandmadey
ou
pregnant
?"-
MrsBhengu.

"
Aft
ery
out
hrewmeoutl
i
keadog?
"Mymot
heranswer
sangr
il
y.

"
WhatwasIsupposetodo?Keepyouaroundaf
terIf
oundout
t
haty
ouweresleepi
ngwithmyhusband?"Mymotherlaughs.

"
Yourhusbandrui
nedmyli
fe,
him andt
his.
..
thi
sthi
nghegav
e
me.
"Shesay spoi
nti
ngt
omeandmyhear tshut
ter
s.

Iam at
hing?Hassheev
err
egar
dedmeasherdaught
er?

"
Mama,
hav
eyouev
erl
ovedme?
"Thi
sist
hehar
destquest
iony
et.
"Il
ovedy ouwhenmyhusbandt houghtyouwer ehisbutassoon
ashef oundoutthetrut
handwant ednot hingt
odowi thme,I
hatedyou.Youruinedmyl i
fe,
tookawayamant hatl
ovedand
cheri
shedme.Iwi shIhadabortedy ou,
Lemohang.Youar eanevil
chil
d."Herwordsarepoisonous.Theyhur tsomuch,theyj
ust
tookapieceofmysoul .

"Kanti
unjanilo'
mfazi?"Mr
sBhenguisshocked,"
That
'snowayt o
talkt
oy ourchil
d.Lemohangneveraskedyoutobeunfait
hfult
o
yourhusbandandsl eepwit
hmine,thi
sisonyounotthischil
d."
sis'
Nomuzi says,t
akingmeinherarmsasIwail.

"
Hushbaby
,Iam sosor
ry.
"She'
sbr
ushi
ngmybacki
nci
rcl
es.

"Whatdi
dyouandt
hisdemoncomet
odoher
e?"Mal
eshoane
asksbi
tt
erl
y.

Shedoesn'
tcar
ethatherwor
dsar
ehur
ti
ngme,
shekeeps
thr
owingmore.

"MyhusbandandIwanttodorightbyLemohang.Wewantt o
comepaydamagessowecanwel comehertoherrealfamily,
her
fat
her'
sancest
ors.
"si
s'
Nomuzi expl
ainsandmymot herlaughs,
l
ikethi
sissomekindofajoke.

Thi
sismyl
i
fe,
oneshemessedupbyl
yi
ngi
nthef
ir
stpl
ace.

"Li
sten,
don'
tbotherwi
thpay
ingdamages.I'
m giv
ingyou
Lemohangforfr
ee,doasyouplease.Ij
ustwantmyson,theone
myhusbandgaveme. "
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER59

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"
Lemo,whoar
ewev
isi
ti
ng?
"Mybr
otherasksf
ort
hemi
l
li
ont
h
t
ime.

"
Ati
,It
oldyouwear
evi
sit
ingmyspeci
alf
ri
end.
"Isaywi
thmy
i
nsi
destur
ning.

Todayi
sthedayMakhosi
niandAtangmeeteachother,
Iam so
fr
eaki
ngnerv
ous,
you'
dswearAtangisthebi
gbrotherandI
'
mt he
ki
d.

"Okay
,"hesaysandgoesbacktoplayi
ngt
hegameonmyphone,
onewhichhedownloaded.Hisphonei
snotasmar
tphone,
Ijust
gothi
mt hoseR200phonesjustsowecancommunicat
ewhilehe
i
satschool.

Thet axidropsusof fatt hegate,Ipayt heguyhisf areandmy

brotherandIcl i
mbout .Ascol dasitis,IswearIfeel adr opof
sweatt r
av el
ingdownbet weenmyboobs.Ihopet heyl i
keeach
otherandgetal ong, Idon' tknowi fI
'dsurviveanyawkwar dness
betweent hem.At anghashandedmemyphone, he'snowl ooki
ng
aroundthebeaut iful housesont hi
sst r
eet.Iknow, Ialsonev er
thoughtI'dber ubbi ngshoul derswit
hpeopl eofthi scaliber,l
et
alonebei nlovewi thone.
Iinputthegatecodeanditsli
desopen,Atanggi
vesmea
speculati
vegaze,he'
sprobabl
ywonderingwhyIknowcodest o
suchhouses.Het akesmyhandaswewal ktothefrontdoor,
the
drivewayisnottoomuchofadi st
ance.Evenbefor
ewecanknock,
thedooropensandmymanappear swearinggr
eysweat pant
s,a
whitelongsleev
edt -
shi
rtwit
hbluesli
pons.

WhateverMakhosi
nit
hrowsonhisbodyt
ocoverupwor
ks,he
l
ookssexyinevery
thi
ngbutI
'mtemptedt
odropmypanti
es
ever
yti
mehe'sinasuit
.

"Hi
,"Igr
eethim andweshareanawkwar
dhug.Noassgr
abbing
orearnibbl
e,Il
i
ket hosedi
rt
yhel
l
os.At
angshoul
dcl
osehiseyes
becausewow.

"
Hey,nana.
"Makhosi
nisay
sandIbl
ushbutmybr
other
slaught
er
makesusfrownandl
ookdownathi
m.

"
What
'ssof
unny
,At
i?"Iaskpl
aci
ngahandonhi
sshoul
der
.

"Hejustcal
l
edyounana,di
dn'
tyout
ell
himyourageLemo?
Peoplewhoaretwent
yyearsar
enotki
ds,
"ohokay.

Il
ookatMakhosi
niandhej
ustl
aughsandhol
dsouthi
shandt
o
At
ang.

"
Youareri
ght,mymi
stake.Lemohangi
sdefi
nit
elynotachi
ld.
"
Makhosi
nisay
sandAtangtakeshi
shandandtheyshake.

"
Youar
eLemo'
sspeci
alf
ri
end?
"Tr
ustmybr
othert
ogetst
rai
ght
t
othepoi
nt.

"
Yes,
mynameisMakhosi
ni.YoumustbeAt
ang,
"OkayIt
hinkt
his
i
sgoi
ngt
owork.

Theydon'
tneedmet
obr
eakt
hei
ce.

"Yes,I
'
m Atang.Boy sandgir
lsatmyschoolar
ehar
dlyfr
iends,
Oli
versay
st hatonlyhappensift
heboylovest
hegi
rlandwants
hertobehisgirl
fr
iend."

Okay!Idon'
tl
ikethi
sOl
i
verchamp,
howdosi
xyearol
dsev
en
knowsuchthings?

"
Oli
veri
sbothwrongandri
ghtbutI'
l
lexpl
aint
hatt
oyouwhen
y
ou'r
ealit
tl
eol
der,okay
?"Atangnods.

Makhosi
nii
sanat
ural
.Iam i
nawe.

"Comeonin,
"hestepst
othesi
deandal
lowsustowalkthr
ough.I
gaspi
nshockwhenwegettothel
ounge,i
t'
sful
l
yfur
nishedand
l
ooksbreat
htaki
ng.

"
Babe,
when?
"It
urnandf
indhi
m smi
l
ingf
rom eart
oear
.

"Thiswholeweek,Icall
edherandtoldherIneededhertof
ini
sh
up.Whateverthatwasor der
edoutthecountrywil
lfi
ndusalr
eady
enjoyi
ngthehouse."Hesay sandIclaponce.Thi
shouseis
amazing,Icannotwaittogointoeveryot
herroom.

"Lemolook,
it'
sahockeygame.
"Atangdrawsmyat
tent
ion,
exci
tedl
ypoint
ingatt
hehugefl
atscreenTV.

"CanIpl
easewat
ch?
"Heasksandseei
ngt
het
winkl
einhi
sey
e
bri
ngsmejoy.
I
theal
sal
lthehur
t,i
tremov
esev
erydoubtt
hatsay
sI'
mfai
l
ing
hi
m.

"Yes,goon.Yoursist
erandIwil
lgetyousomethi
ngt
odrinkand
snacks."Myboyfr
iendsaysandAtangisal
readyr
emovi
nghis
shoesandsi t
ti
ngont her
ug,cr
ossinghi
slegsandgi
vi
ngtheTV
hisattent
ion.

"
Wher
edi
dyougethockeygames?
"Iaskandhel
aughs.

"
Imadeaplanformybr
otherinl
aw.
"Igi
ggl
eandf
oll
owhi
m out
t
heroom wi
thmyhandi
nhi s.

Thewholehouseisamazing,Iam i
nl ovewit
hev er
ything.Nothi
ng
i
soutofplaceandIcan'
tevent el
lthatsomethingsaren'thereyet
.
Mostthi
ngsthatwereboughtoutsidethecountryarepainti
ngs
andvases,
Ididn'
tknowmymanwasacol l
ectorofartunti
lthi
s
house.

Wear estandi
nginthemai
nbedroom, i
neachother'
sarms.Mi ne
arearoundhisneckandhi
shandsar er
esti
ngonmyass, giv
ing
measqueezenowandagai n.Hiserect
ioni
spokingmybel l
y,he'
s
tal
lert
hanmeandIhonestlyl
oveitbecauseIgettostandonmy
toeswhenIkisshim.

I'
vemissedhim somuch,wehav en'
tseeneachothersi
ncethe
dayIgotbackfrom t
heVaalwithsis'
Nomuzi,t
hatwasaweekago.
Ineededmymanandhedi dn'
twast eti
me,hecamet ogetme
fr
om thehospi
talandbr
oughtmeher eandcuddl
edmeunt i
lIwas
feel
ingmuchbet ter
.Ireal
izedthatmymot herwil
lalwayshur
tme
nomat terhowmuchIt hi
nkI'v
egr ownat hi
ckskin.Herwords
alwayspiercet
hroughmyhear tandbreakmor eofme.
Maleshoanewillneverloveme, shewillneverbesorryf
orhur
ting
met hewayshedi d.Ineedt oacceptthatandletgoofanyhope
thatshe'l
lwakeuponedayandwantt ochangef orus.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"hesay
sandpecksmyl
i
ps.

"Il
oveyou,
too,baby
."Seethatsmil
e?Thatmakeshi
sey essmil
e?
That'
sther
easonwhyIf i
ndmy sel
funderhi
m 80%ofthetime,
I
meanhowcanIr esi
sthim whenhe'
slooki
ngli
keaGod?

"You'
reey
efuckingme,MaMohapi
."Igaspandhet
hrowshi
s
headbackandlaughs.

Makhosi
niandourrel
ati
onshi
paretheonlythi
ngst
hatmake
sensei
nmyl i
fer
ightnow.Iam sograt
efult
ohavehim.

"Youaresobeautif
ul,I
'
minlov
ewit
hyou.
"Ihi
demyf
aceonhi
s
chestandhekissesthecr
ownofmyhead.

"Wear egoingt
obeokay,
Nana.What
everhardshipswear e
faci
ngatt hemoment
,wearegoi
ngtocomeoutv i
ctor
ious.I
promise,
"hesaysandImovemyarmsfrom aroundhisneckto
hiswaistandti
ght
en.

"
Wesur
elywi
l
l,baby
."

Myphoner
ingsf
rom mycr
ossbodybag,
myboy
fri
endl
et'
smego
soIcangetit.I
t'
ssis'
Nomuzi,Ianswerandgosi
tonthecouchby
thewindow.Makhosinicomestosettl
enextt
omeandIputt he
call
onspeaker,i
t'
sbetterf
orhimt ol
ist
enint
hanhav
ingtorelay
everyt
hingt
hatwassaid.

"
ma'
Ngcol
osi
,
"Gl
engr
eet
s.

Hei
stheonl
yonewhocal
l
smet
hat
.

"Nt
ateBhengu,
"Ihonestl
ydon'
tknowhowt ocallhi
m,evenhowI
cal
lhi
mi sawkward.Icanseethatithur
tshim,hewouldlov
efor
metocallhi
m dadbuthe'snottr
yingtopressur
izeme.

"Howar
ey oumygi
rl
?"Heaskssoundi
ngexci
tedabout
somet
hing.

"I
'
m okayIguess,
whatabouty
ou?
"Het
akesadeepbr
eat
hbef
ore
heresponds.

"I
'
mthankf
ultomyancestorsf
ormaki
ngawayf orustohavey
ou
homeandcally
ourt
ruesurname,
mygirl
."HesaysandIfr
own.
What
'shetal
ki
ngabout?

"
Butmymot
her
,she.
..
"

Glencut
sin,"youruncl
egotbackt ous,
hehasagr eedt
oseeyou
andyourmotherNomuzi .Hewill
acceptthedamagesandplay
hi
spartwitheveryt
hingthathastodowithwelcomingyouhome
kwaBhengu."

Shocked!

WhenIgav
ethem myuncl
e'
snumberIdi
dn'
tthi
nki
twoul
dleadt
o
thi
s, Ithoughthe'
dtellt
hem togojumpandl eav
ehi m outof
every t
hingthat'
shappening.Iwon'
tsayI'
m notpleased, I
'
mjust
shockedt hathewantstohelpme.Mal omeLekgot l
amadei tcl
ear
thathewon' tbeapartofanythi
ngthatconcernsmebecauseI
refusedwor ki
ngandtaki
ngcar eofhi
ssisterbutinst
eadcamet o
university
.

"
That
'sgoodnews,
"hechuckl
es.

"Amazingnews,ntombiyam.Iwi l
ldi
einpeaceknowingyou'
re
homeandy ouwon'tsuf
ferbecauseofmymi st
akesatsomepoint
i
ny ourli
fe,
"hesaysandmyhear tbreaks.

Heisreal
l
ygoingtodie.Iknewthatbutafterhejustsaidita
coupl
eofsecondsagoitdownedonmet hatthi
smanIj ustfound
wil
lbegonesoon.Iwon'thaveaf at
heratall
,thathurt
s.Idon't
knowmuchabouthim andt hathastochange.Ineedt ospend
sometimewithhi
m, t
ogett oknowhi m ali
ttl
ebetterbeforeGod
cal
lshi
m backhome.

"I
'
llcomeseey outomorr
owpapa,doyouwantmetobri
ngyou
anythi
ng?"Iaskandther
e'ssi
l
encef
oracoupl
eofsecondst
henI
hearhim cr
y.

"
Lemohang, excuseyourfat
herbaby.He'semoti
onalri
ghtnow,
he
wasn'
texpectingyoutocallhi
m papa.Tomorrowjustbri
ng
your
sel
f,t
hat '
stheonlythi
ngheneeds."sis'
Nomuzisays.

"
Okayma,
"

"
Wel
ovey
ounont
ombi
,
"Icl
osemyey
es.
Weendt hecallandmyboy fr
iendtakesmei nhi sarmsandal l
ows
met ocry,
Ithi
nkhe' sawar et hatmyfather'
ssituati
onwasonl y
cementedjustaf ewmi nutesago.He' scradl
ingmei nhi sarms,
hushingmeandki ssi
ngmyf oreheadnowandagai n.Ifeelsosaf
e
i
nt hesear
ms, Ifeel l
oved,protect
edandcher ished.Somet hi
ngI
haveneverfel
tfrom ev ersinceIenteredmyt eenagey ears.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

Wear eallintheloungewat chi

ngamov i
eMakhosini andAtang
chose, I'
mj ustgl
adi thasnothi
ngt odowithsuperher oesor
violence.It
scomedyt hathasuscr acki
ngupev er
yot herminut
e,
I'
mr eal
lyenjoyi
ngmySat ur
day.Ithastobeoneoft hebestdays
ofmyl i
fe,sit
ti
ngl i
kethiswithmyboy swithoutcr
yingand
thinkingaboutourl i
feproblems.

Makhosi niandIar eont hecouch, myheadi sonhi slapwhi lemy

whol ebodyi sstr
etchedout .He'srubbingmyt high, I
'vegrownt o
l
ov ehim alway stouchingme.At angi ssti
l
lont her ug,stuffi
nghis
facewi t
ht hepizzaandev erythi
ngel semyboy friendor dered.He's
hav i
ngsomuchf un,Icanf eel i
tandI '
m gl
adI'
m abl etohav e
thesemoment swi thhim.Igetupf rom Makhosi ni'
sl apandsi tup
strai
ght,reachingformygl assofDonJul i
o1942t aquilami xed
withredbul l
.Wear enotdr i
nkingst r
aightfr
om t hebot tl
etoday ,
wehav eachi l
dinourmi dst.
Aknockcomest
hrought
hef
rontdoor
,myboy
fri
endl
ooksatme
wi
thafrown.

"
Whothehel
li
sthat
?Nooneothert
hany
ouknowt
hegat
ecode.
"
Hesay
sandIshr
ugmyshoul
ders.

"I
tcoul
dbetheint
eri
ordesi
gner,shehadi
ttocomewor
kri
ght
?"I
sayandhenodsimpercept
ibl
y.

"Pr
obabl
y,butwhywoul
dshecomewithoutcal
l
ingmef
ir
st?
"he
get
soffthecoucht
ogoopenthedoor
.

Hewal ksbacki
nwit
hhismotherandsist
er,
Mv el
o.Ihaven'
tseen
thishotheadsi
ncet
hedayshetookmet oherexeshouse.She
textstochecki
nonmeonceinawhi l
e,Ir
eall
yli
keher,she'
sgood
people.

Hismother
'sey
eslandonmeandshesmi
l
es,
I'
m notsur
eifi
t'
s
genui
neornotbutIst
il
lret
urni
t.

"
Babe,
it'
sbeenami
nut
e."Mv
elocomest
ohugme.

"Yeah,weshoul
dmeetf orlunchsoon,"t
histi
meIsuggest
becauseshe'
salway
ssay ingandIjustagreebutneverr
eachout
.
Ihavealotgoi
ngonrightnowbutI '
llmakeituptoher.

"
Youshoul
dhi
tmeupwheny
ou'
ref
ree,
"SheaddsandInod.

"
Goodaf
ter
noon,
Mrs.Lukhel
e."Igr
eetmyboy
fri
endsmot
her
.
"
Lemohang,
howdoy
oudo?
"Sheasks,
sof
ormal
.

"
Iam wel
lthanks,
howar
eyou?
"Idon'
tthi
nkshel
i
kesmemuch.

"I
'
mr eall
ynotokay,
mysonhasn' tbeenhomeinaweekandhe
doesn'
tanswermycall
s."Shesay sandIl
ookatMakhosi
ni
shocked.Wherehashebeensleeping?

"Idi
dn'tknowthat
,I'
m sor
ry.
"IsaybutI
'
m notsur
ewhyI
'
m
apologizi
ng.

Di
dtheyfightorsomething?Icanfeelthet
ensi
onbet
weent
hem,
I
'mjusthopingthei
rfal
loutwasn'tbecauseofme.

"At
ang,boy.Comewat cht hi
smovi
eint
hebedr
oom. "Mybr
other
qui
ckl
ygetsupf rom t
her ugandf
oll
owsmyboyfr
iend.I
'
mleft
wit
hMv el
oandt hei
rmot her.

"
Iwasn'
tawaret
haty
ouhaveachil
d,"Mr
s.Lukhel
esay
s,"
howol
d
i
she?"Herey
ebr
owiscockedup.

"
Ido,hei
smyl i
tt
lebrother
.Hi
snameisAt
ang,Iam f
ull
y
r
esponsi
blef
orhim."Isayandshebl
i
nksacoupl
eoftimes.

"
Hest
ayswi
thy
ou?
"Sheasks.

Idon'
tknowi
fthi
sissmal
ltal
korshe'
sfi
shi
ngf
orsomet
hing.

"Ij
usthavehi
mf orthehol
i
days,hest
aysi
nboar
dingschool
."I
answerandthatseemstoshockher.

"
Real
l
y?Howdoy oupayf
orboar
dingschool
?Ihear
dyou'
reonl
y
i
nvar
sit
y."Inodv
igor
ousl
y.

"
Iam i
nvar
sit
y.Iwor
ktwoj
obst
obeabl
etomakemoneyt
o
pr
ovi
def
orhi
sev
eryneed,
"sheswal
l
owsandwal
ksf
urt
heri
n.

"Atyourage?Iam i
mpressedreal
l
y.Gir
lsnowadaysdon'twantt
o
work,theyj
ustwanttobehandedthi
ngsforfr
ee."Shesaysand
sett
lesdownonthecouch,Isi
tdownaf t
erher
.

"Lemohangisnotli
kethat
,sheworksforher
sel
fandherbr
other
.
Onethingshehatesisbei
nghandedthingsf
orf
ree,
"Makhosi
ni
sayswalki
ngbackintheroom.

"Mykindofgirl
,womanmustbeabl et ostandonthei
rownf eet.
Manywoul dlear
nfrom you,Lemohang.Pleasedonotloosethat
char
acter
,"okay,Iwasn'
texpecti
ngthat,
notafterhowcoldshe
l
ookedwhenshewal kedin.

"Fanoo,Iwasn'
tawarethatyouhadv i
sit
ors.Ij
ustwantedt
osit
downandt alkaboutt
hemi sunder
standi
ngbet weenus.Gi
vemea
callsowecant al
kandresolvethi
s,pl
ease."Shesaysand
Makhosininods.Thei
rmot herget
sonherf eet.

Thi
swomanl
ooksnot
hingl
i
kesi
xty
.

"Howdidy
ougeti
n?Inev
ergav
eyouguy
smycode.
"Makhosi
ni
asks.

"Yoursist
erknewit,
"hel
ooksatMv el
owhoispouti
ng.My
boyfr
iendjustheav
esasigh,
Mv el
oisaprobl
em shame.

"
Babe,
thatl
unchdat
e.Gi
vemeacal
l
,"shesay
stomeandInod.

"Wewi l
lbeonourwaynow, enj
oytherestofyourday."Mrs.
Lukhelesaysandtheyleav
et heroom wit
hMakhosi ni
walking
them out,
onlyfort
heirmom tostopinhertracksandpivotto
f
aceme.

"Lemohang,nextweekWednesday,myyoungestgr
andchi
ld,
Gatsha'ssoni
shavingabir
thdaypar
ty.I
t'
satmyhouse,Iwould
l
ov eforyouandyourbr
othertocome.
"ShesaysandIlookatmy
boyfr
iendwhoseemsshocked.

"
Iwoul
dlov
etocome,
thanky
ouMr
s.Lukhel
e."Shesmi
l
es.

"
maNgobese,
all
mychi
l
drencal
lmemaNgobese.
"Shesay
sand
wal
ksout
.

Al
ri
ght
!Fr
om zer
otoonehundr
edr
eal
qui
ck.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER60

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Ahh,
welcomehomebabygi
rl
."Myst
epmot
hersay
sassoonas
sheopensthef
rontdoor
.

"Thanky ou,"Isayandshebendsdownt okissAtangont he

forehead.Theygotal ongli
keahouseonf i
rethi
spastSunday .I
hadt ogoseemyf at
herandIdi dn'
twantt oaskUndi phil
et olook
aftermybr ot
hersoIwentwi thhimtothehospi tal.Shehasher
ownl i
fetol iv
eandshecan' tbepausingitf orme, pl
usAt anghad
toknowt hetruth.Hedidn'
treall
yunderstanditbuthewasn' t
awkwar datal l,
Iam theonewhokeepsonwor r
yingf ornothi
ng.
Hei ssixy earsoldandhewon' tunder
standmostt hingsrightnow.

"
Howishe?"Iaskasshel
eadsusi
nsi
det
hehouse,
hol
ding
At
angshand.

sis'
Nomuziheav
esasi gh,"
he'
sset t
li
ngin,t
hedoctorcamewi t
h
themedicstomakesur ehe'
sokay.Hisnursewi
llbecomi ng
tomorr
ow."Sheexpl
ainsandI'm noddingmyunderstandi
ng.

Myf at
herwon'tbegetti
ngbetter
,he'sgoingtodieanymi nute
now.Heaskedt hatwebr i
nghim homebecausehi sstayatthe
hospit
alwasjustdrai
ningmoney ,hecanst i
l
lbecomf or
tablein
hisownhousewi thanursethatcostsless.Wedi dn'
tevenwai t
forhimtoasktwice,mystepmot herimmedi at
elywentt otalkto
hisdoctoranditwasagreedthattheywillbr
inghimt oday,fi
rst
t
hingi
nthemor
ning.

"
Ishesl
eepi
ng?
"Iaskandsheshakesherhead.

"Nobaby,he'
stal
ki
ngtoourpast
or.
"Mystomachknot s.It
's
obvioust
hathewantst
oclearhi
spathtotheafterli
fe,couldi
tbe
thathe'
sfeel
i
nghisdyi
ngdayneari
ng?Iwon'tl
iethathur t
ssobad,
Itakeadeepbreat
htoprev
entmytearsfr
om fall
ing.

"Youhaveabeaut
if
ulhome,
"Isayt
oli
ght
ent
hemood.Shepl
aces
herhandonmyshoulder
.

"I
t'
syourhome,you'rewelcomeher eanyt
ime.Bot hyouandthis
l
itt
leboy,
"shesaysr uf
fli
ngAt angshair
,mybr otherneedsahair
cut.I
'
llt
akehimtot hebarbert omorrowbefor
ewegot o
Makhosini
'
smot hershousef orhisnephewsbi rt
hdayparty.I
t'
s
cl
eartheLukhel
ecl anlovesthrowingpart
ies,thi
swi l
lbethe
secondI'
m at
tendingsinceImetmyboy fri
end.

"
Thanky
ou,
"Isayaf
tersnappi
ngoutofmyt
hought
s.

It
rul
yappr
eci
atet
hatsheknowst
hatt
her
e'snomewi
thoutAt
ang,
weareapai
r.

Wear enowi nthelounge, mybr otherisenjoyingthesandwi chmy

stepmot hermadef orhi
m.At anghasanappet i
teforday s,back
attheapartmentImakesur eheeat sbreakfastat9am af terhis
bath.Around11am Igivehi m alightsnackt henhewi llhav ea
soli
dlunchmeal at1pm.Atar ound3pm Igi v ehim afruitsalad
thenit
'ssupperat7.Undi phi
leisi mpressedwi thhowI 'mt ryingt
o
cookformybr other,I
'm notatherl evelbutmyf oodi sedi bl
e.
"
MrsBhengu,"ayoungmani
nabl acksui
tandwhi
teshi
rtwi
tha
t
iecal
l
sout,descendi
ngt
hestai
rs.

"
Past
orMor
eki
,
"mamasay
sget
ti
ngonherf
eet
.

"Wearedoneprayi
ngwithyourhusband,thankyouforgi
vingme
acal
l.Hetr
ulyneededthesessi
onwej usthad,"hesaysandlooks
atme."Hel
lo,
"hegreet
spoli
tely
.

"
Hel
l
o,Past
or.
"Igr
eetback.

Atanggetsonhi
sfeetwi
tht
heempt
ypl
ateandcupandhur
ri
est
o
theki
tchen.

Whathappenedt
ohi
smanner
s?Di
dn'
theseet
hemanofGod?

Ki
ds!

"Pastor,t
hisisLemohang, ourlastchi
ld."Iam mov ed,thi
swoman
neverceasest oamazeme.Fi r
stlysheaccept edme, her
husbandsl ovechild.Shehasn'
tmademef eeluncomf ort
abl
e,al
l
shedoesi ssupportandencouragemet ohav earelati
onshi
pwith
myf ather.Touset hetimethathehasl efttotakeasmuchf rom
hissowhenhef i
nall
ytakeshislastbr
eat h,Idon'
tfeelli
keIhave
absolutel
ynot hi
ngofhi m.

"Ahh,
yes.Yourhusbandwast ell
i
ngmeaboutt heyounglady
.It
's
nicet
omeety ou,hopeful
lywhenev ery
thinghasset
tledy
ou'l
l
comet ochur
chwi t
hy ourmotherhere."HesaysandInod.

Ihav
en'
tbeent
ochur
chi
nsuchal
ongt
ime,
Jesus!
Ifi
ndmyf athersi
tt
ingupr i
ght,withaBibl
einhishands.Their
bedroom hasbeentransfor
medi ntoamakeshifthospit
alroom,it
evensmellsli
keone.Hesmi leswhenheseesi t'
sme, Ir
eturna
genuinewarm smil
et ohi
m befor eset
tl
ingonthechairbesides
hi
m.Hecl osesthebibleandput sitontheot
hersideofthebed.

"Ma'
Ngcolosi
,
"thel
oveandador
ati
oni
nhi
svoi
ceandey
es
over
whelmsmei nagoodway.

I
tfi
ll
ssomet
hingwi
thi
nme,
somet
hingInev
erknewIneededal
l
t
histi
me.

"
Papa,
"Ir
espondandt
hatmakeshi
sey
est
winkl
ewi
thhope.

"
I'
m sorr
yfordoi
ngt
histoy
ou,
"hesay
sandIshakemyhead,
t
akinghi
shandinmine.

"Youdi
dn'
tknowaboutme,
stopapol
ogi
zi
ng.
"Hebr
ushesmy
knuckl
eswi
thhist
humb.

"
I'm sorrythatI'
m goingt odi
e.I
'm sorr
yt hatIdidn'tgiv
ey outhe
warmt h,loveandsuppor tyouneeded.Youdi dn'tgeteveryt
hing
yourbrotherandsi stergotandthathurts.Ithurtstoknowhow
muchy ou'vesuff
ered,howy ouarestil
lsuffering."Helet'
shis
t
earsf allandIswal l
owmysal iv
awi ththehopesofget tingri
dof
t
hehugel umpcl oggedi nmythroat.

"I
t'
sokay,itwasmyjourney.Ibel
ieveevery
thi
nghappensfora
reason,
"Isayandgetupf r
om thechair,
roundi
ngthebed.It
ake
offmyboot s,
removethebibleandgetunderthecover
swithhi
m.
Hechucklesandopenshisar ms,Igladl
ygoinfort
hehug.Imake
sur
etonothol
dont
ight
.

"Yourmot herandIweretalki
ng,MaNgcol osi
.Ineedyouto
understandthatit
'snotbyforce,
wej ustwanttogiveyouback
yourchildhood.Toall
owy oube20y earsandnothav eal
lthese
responsibil
i
tiesonyourshoul
ders."

Iwoul
dlov
enothi
ngmor
ebutmybr
otheri
sdependi
ngonme.He
hasnoonebutme.

"WhenI'
m goneNomuzi wi
ll
belef
twithy
ouandAt ang,thethr
ee
ofyouhavetobeone.Idon'
twantmydarl
ingwif
et obelonely
andIdon'
twantmylit
tl
egirlt
oconst
antl
yhavetowor r
yaboutlif
e
andit
sproblems.
"HeaddsandIfurr
owmyey ebrows.

"Wethoughtwecoul dhaveAtangt ransf eredthissidenextterm.

Nomuz iwilltakecareofhim,hewi l
l notf eell
onelyandawayf r
om
hissi
ster.Andy ou'l
lnotbeforcedtowor katcl ubstopayf orhis
schoolfees.Youar egrownnow, ther e'
snotmuchwecandof or
you,buttakingcareoftheoneper sony ou'veputy ourheadont he
choppingboar dforwillmakemer esti npeace.Iwi l
lfeel
li
keI
didn'
tentir
elyfail
you,"hesaysandIj ustcr yi
nhisar ms.

Ihavealwayswi shedtohav esomeonetakeovereverythi

ng,
to
givemeabr eakandj ustall
owmet obeme.Wi thoutthe
responsi
bil
it
iesorstress.Theyareof
fer
ingmeexact lywhatI
prayedforal
l t
hosenightsIsoakedmypi l
lowwithtears.

Thosenight
swher
eital
lgott
oomuchandIj
ustcoul
dn'
thol
diti
n
anymore.

"
Pleasesayy
es,
pleaseal
l
owust
ogi
vey
oubacky
ourl
i
fe.
"He
say
sandki
ssesmyf
orehead.

"
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoAt
angandhearhowhef
eel
sabouti
t,
"Isay
.

"OnSundaywhenyouwereouttogethim somet
hingt
oeat
,At
ang
askedMuzii
fhecoul
dstaywithher
."Icl
osemyey es.

Mybr otheri
syear
ningforahomesett
ing,
alovi
ngmot herand
at
tention.si
s'
Nomuzi hast
hatwel
comingmotherl
ylov
e, y
oufeel
i
twithouthereventry
ing.

"Tal
ktohim andgetbackt
oussowecanst artmakingcall
sto
gethimi
ntoagoodschool ar
oundher
e."Myfathersays,
brushi
ng
myar m.

"
Papa,
won'titbet
oomuchf
orma?Imeanshe'
sst
ressedabout
y
oursi
tuat
ionand.
..
"

Hechuckl
es,"
Nomuzilov
escari
ng,shelov
esmother
ing.Hav
ing
youandAtangmakesherhappy
,"Iheav
easigh.

"
Okay
,"heki
ssest
hecr
ownofmyhead.

"Il
oveyou,
MaNgcol
osi
.Ngiy
akuthandanganey
ami
,
"Icl
osemy
eyesandal
lowt
hosewordstosi
nkin.

"
Ilov
eyou,
too,
papa.
"

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"
Fri
end,
what
'shappeni
ngwi
thLemo?
"Amukel
ani
asks.
Iheaveasi
gh,
"Ihonest
lydon'
tknowbutshesaidshewil
lsi
tus
downsoonandexplai
neveryt
hing.
"Isayandshenar
rowsher
eyes.

"
Doy
out
hinkshe'
spr
egnant
?"It
it
ter
.

Lemohangwouldnev ergetpr
egnant
,at
leastnotunt
ilshehas
secur
edthatqual
i
ficati
on.

"Makhosi
nimightbeloadedandever
ythingbutLemohangisn'
t
tr
yingtohav
eachi l
dbeforeshe'
sworkingandablet
opr ov
ide.
"
Sheblowsoutasighofreli
ef.

"ThankGod,theyarecuteandinl
ove,Iagr
ee.Il
ikehermansbut
hebetternotknockupmyf ri
endbefor
eshebagst hatdegreeand
canfull
ytakecareofAtang.That
'sherbi
ggestdream,"Inodin
agreement.

Myphonev
ibr
atesont
het
abl
e,It
urni
tandsmi
l
e,i
t'
sEbuka.

Ican'
tbel
i
eveI'
m st
il
lmadl
yinl
ovewi
tht
hisman,
itf
eel
snew
eachandever
yday.

"
Obi
m,"Ianswerwi
thasmi
l
e.

"Myiyawo,sendmeyourAza.Ican'
tl
oginontheappofmyot
her
phone."HesaysandIf
rown.Whatthehel
li
sthat?

"
Mywhat
?"Hel
aughsandIr
oll
myey
es.

Ni
ger
iahasn'
tbeenf
ull
ysexual
l
ytr
ansmi
tt
edi
ntome.
"
Yourbankaccountnumber,
"youshoul
dseemysmil
e.Money
makesmehappy ,It
hinki
tmakesevery
onehappy
.

"
Ohokay
,I'
l
lsmsy
ounownow.
"

"Youst
il
lhav
ingl
unchwi
thAmu?
"HeasksandIsi
pmy
champagne.

"Yesmylove,
butwear eaboutt
opaythebi
l
landgetoutofher
e.
I'
m goi
ngtopassbyt heapar
tmentf
ir
stt
ogetmychargert
henI'
m
cominghome,"Isay
.

"I
fyoucan,pleasepassbythatplacethatsell
schipsandrussian.
I
'm cr
avi
ngt hem,"WhydidIteachEbukat hatplace?Heeatsthat
atl
eastt
hreetimesaweek,Iknowi t'
sgoodbutwhoa!

"
Okaybaby
,I'
l
lgett
hem f
ory
ou.
"

Weconcl udeourcal landIt exthim myaccountnumber .

Amukel anirefi
ll
sourgl asseswi thchampagneandIcal lour
wait
ert obringthebillcozwewon' tbeorderinganythingelse.My
phonechi mesandIqui cklypickitup,makingAmul augh.Igasp
i
nshock, whywoul dhesendmesomuch?I '
vealreadydonemy
shoppingfort hevacationhe'st aki
ngmeon, Ihonestl
ydon' tneed
anyt
hingel se.Ithoughthe'llj
ustsendmeR2000t opayf orlunch
l
ikeheal way sdoeswhenI 'm outwithmyfriends.

BABY,
DIDYOUMAKEAMI
STAKEWI
THTHEMONEY?
It
exthi
m andher
espondsal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.

NO,IDI
DN'
TWANTYOUTOHAVETOASKFORMONEYWHEN
YOUSEESOMETHI
NGYOULIKE.IWANTYOUTOHAVETHE
FUNDSREADYI
NYOURACCOUNT.

IshowAmukel anithebanknoti
fi
cati
on,shescr eams,makingthe
otherdiner
stolookourway.Ishowhert hetextfrom Ebukaand
she'sspeechl
ess,whatamanIf ound!IneverthoughtthatIwoul
d
fi
ndamant hatl
ovesmet hi
sway ,especi
all
yatt hi
sage.

"
Bit
ch!You'
repayi
ngthebi
l
landget
ti
ngmet
hatbagIshowed
y
ou."Ir
ollmyeyes.

Nott
hisonebei
nganoppor
tuni
st.

"
You'
resowr
ong,
"sher
aiseshergl
asswhi
l
epout
ingherl
i
ps.

Amukelanicoul
dn'tcomeinsidetheapart
mentwi t
hmet oseeher
man.Shehadt orushtoherhousef oradeliveryshef orgotabout.
Shejustdr
oppedmeof fandleft
.I'
m notstayingeit
her ,I
'mjust
grabbi
ngthatchargerandI'
m out.OhIstil
lneedt opassbyt hat
fi
shandchipsplaceforMrOkaf or'
sorder.I
'v
ebeent urnedinto
Ubereats.
Theel evatordoorsopenandIst epoutoft hecari ntothehal l
way
ofourapar tmentf l
oor.Igreetsomegi rl
sst andi ngout sidet hei
r
fl
atwi thsomeguy senjoyi
ngsomeadul tbev er ages.Most
studentshav egonehome, it
'sonlythelikesofuswhohav eno
onet ogohomet owhoar estil
laround.I'm gladJongi khay ais
hereandI '
m notf orcedtogohomeanddeal wi ththet woev il
si
sters.I'
m notsur ehowl onghe'sgoi ngtost ickar oundorhow
hi
sr elati
onshipwi t
hAmukel aniisgoingt owor kwhenhegoes
backt oGqeber ha.Buttheyar eadultswhoseem t obecr azy
abouteachot her
,theywillfi
gurethingsoutandmakei twor k.

Thebur glardoori
sopen,Jojoishome.Ij usttur
nt hehandl
eand
pusht hedooropenandwal kinside.Whatmyey esfal
lonandmy
earshearmakemyhear tdropintomyst omach.Whatt heactual
fuck?Iam shocked,mybr ai
nhasf r ozen.Icannottakemyey es
offthem, IwanttobutIj
ustcan'tseem t osnapoutoft heshock.
Whati fIhadcomeupwi t
hAmukel ani?Thiswoul dhavekil
l
edher,
she'salreadyinl
ovewithJongikhay a.

"Ohshi
t!Undi
phi
l
e!"Joj
osaysjumpi
ngoffWal
e.Howcoul
dthey
?
Idi
dn'
tevenknowmybr ot
herwasatt
ract
edt
omen.

"Jongi
khaya, Adewale?"I
tcomesoutinawhi
sper.They
'r
eboth
try
ingtofi
xt heircl
othes.Cl
othest
hatwer
en'
tsupposedtocome
offint
hefirstplace.

"Pl
easedon'
ttel
lAmukel
aniaboutt
his,
itwoul
dki
l
lher
."
Jongi
khayabegsandIscof
f.
Howdar
ehe?

"Youdidn'
tthinkaboutthatbef or
eyoustuckitthr
oughhis
chocol
atebox? "Iangri
l
ypoi ntatWale."Wena,youknowhehasa
gir
lf
ri
end.Iwasshowi ngy out hei
rcutepi
ctur
esonI nst
agr
am and
youwer ebusypraisi
ngthem kant iy
ou'r
ebusywi t
hherman."I
'm
soangry,hurtanddisappointedinthebothofthem.

"I
t'
snotl
iket
hat
,Ipr
omi
se.
"Wal
esay
s,l
ooki
ngdownwi
th
embarr
assment
.

"Howisitl
i
ke?Whywoul dyousleepwit
hsomeoneel seJojo?
Amukelanii
sgoingthroughalotri
ghtnow,shedoesn'tneeda
cheat
ingboyfr
iend.
"Idropmybagandf oldmyarmsacr ossmy
chest
.

"I
'
vealwaysbeenbi sexual
,Undi
phi
l
e."Hesaysanddr
agsi
nsome
ai
r."
Iloveyourfri
end,Ilov
eAmukelanisomuchbutI
'
m al
soi
n
l
ovewi t
hWal e,
"

Ki
l
lmenow!

I
NLOVEWI
THWALETOO?Iscr
eam i
nmyhead.

"Joj
o?Howdidyoufi
ndy our
selfi
nalovetr
iangl
e?Youhav en'
t
evenbeeni
nJohannesburgthatl
ong.Damndude!"Iam shocked
tosaythev
eryl
east
.

Howdoesonef
all
inl
ovewi
tht
wopeopl
e?Di
ff
erentgender
sat
t
hat
.

"
Iknow,
IknowbutIhonest
lycannothel
pmy
sel
f.
"Ichuckl
e.

"
Yoh!Yoh!Peaches,
wher
ear
eyou?Yourgr
andsoni
sgr
eedy
,ut
ya
ngaphanangapha.
"

"
Undi
phi
l
eI'
m sor
ry,
"Adewal
esay
sandIhol
dmyhandsout
.

"Youhavet
otellAmukelani.You'
renotgoi
ngt ol
i
etomyf r
iend,
comecleanaboutever
ythingorIwill
andtrustmeshewil
lhate
youifi
tcomesfrom meandnoty ou,
"Isayandhenods.

"
Okay,okay.Iwi
l
ltel
lher
,Ipr
omi
se.
"Hesay
srubbi
nghi
sfor
ehead.
Hefuckedup!

"Good,becauseI
'
mt i
redofknowi
ngaboutherandhernot
knowingaboutme."Adewal
esays.

Cl
apsonce!

"Iknow,Wale.I
'
llt
ellherandhopef
ull
ysheaccept
sthi
s."My
brotherr
esponds,l
eavingmemor eshocked.

"Youwantt
ohavearel
ati
onshi
pwit
hthebot
hoft
hem?
"Iask,
eyeswi
denedandt
hreat
eningt
ofal
lof
f.

"
Yes,Il
ovethem both.Iknowitsoundscr
azybutIdon'
tsee
mysel
fwit
houteitherofthem.Theybothcompl
etesomethi
ng
wi
thi
nme, Undi
phile.
"Yohqaluyiv
a!

"I
fy ouwant
edtoki
l
l me,
Jongikhaya,
youcoul
dhav
ejustbought
poisonandpour
editi
nmydrink."

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

All
myPDFsar eavail
abl
eimmediatel
yaf
terpay
ment
.Pl
easer
efer
tothepi
nnedpostformoredet
ail
s.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER61

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"
Cal
m down!
"Isayt
oAt
ang.

I
'mtr
yingtohelphi
mremovehisshoessohecangoonthe
j
umpingcastl
ewithot
herki
ds.He'
stooexci
tedandt
hat
'smaki
ng
hi
mimpatient
.

"Lemo!"I
'
m pi
ssi
nghi
m of
fri
ghtnowbutt
hezi
pist
hepr
obl
em
herenotme.

Fi
nally,
Iremov
et hebootandsockandof fhegoes.Seei
ngAt
ang
sohappyandcaref r
eegivesmepeace.Ileavehi
m playi
ngwi
th
otherki
dstogofindMv el
o,Idon'
twanttobegluedtoMakhosi
ni
andseem li
keI'
m beingsomehowt ohi
sfami l
y.

Mr s.Lukhel
e'
shouseisbeautif
ul.Theyreall
ydohaveital
lbut
theyar esohumbl
eandr espectf
ul ofevery
one.Il
ovepeopl
eli
ke
that,thosewhodon'
tall
owt hei
rweal t
ht omakethem l
ookdown
onot hers.

Thejumpingcastlei
sinthegardenupfr
ontandtheel
der
sar
e
i
nsidethehouse,enj
oy i
ngthei
rbever
ages.Idi
dn'
twantt
odr
inki
n
thepresenceofthei
rmom buttheyalll
aughedatmeandmy
boyfr
iendshovedadr i
nkinmyhand.
"Lemohang,"Ipi
votandf
indMr
sLukhel
est
andi
ngbyt
he
stai
rcase.

"
MrsLukhel
e?"Shesmi
l
esandshakesherheadno.

"
Itol
dyou,
all
mychi
l
drencal
lmemaNgobese.
"Ohy
eahshedi
d.

Il
ookdownsmi
l
ing.

"
Come,
let
'shav
eal
i
ttl
echat
."

Shehol dsoutherhandandImakemywayt oherandl i

nkmy
handwi thhers.Sheleadsusupst airsandIwon' tl
ie,I'
m ner
vous
AF.Iwonderwhatshewant sustotalkabout,orwillshebe
offeri
ngmef i
vemi l
li
onr andsandaski ngmetol eaveherson
al
one?Sheopenst helastdoorofmanyandi t
'sabeaut if
ul
bedroom.I t
'ssospaciousandmoder n,Il
oveeverythingabouti
t.
Wai t
!Arethosef r
eshr oses?Therear eaboutahundr edofthem,
doy ouknowhowmucht hatshitcosts?Somepeopl eareli
vi
ng
l
ife,enj
oy i
ngitwithforkandkni f
eshame.

Ourhandsarestil
ll
inkedasshesli
desopenthefr
enchdoorthat
l
eadstothebalcony.Imaginewaki
ngupandcomingtostand
hereandlookatthegreeneryt
hathast
oweredthesubur
b.It
sso
beauti
ful
from uphere.

Wesett
leont
heL-shapebalconysof
aandsheheav
esasi
gh,
maki
ngmemor enervous.

"Iam motherhen, you'

l
lgettoseethatwithtime.Il
ovemy
chil
drenmor ethananythi
nginthiswor l
d.Iwanttoprot
ectthem
from ever
ythingandwhenIf ai
latthat,i
tkil
l
sme.Somet imesI
maket hewr ongjudgementsandI'm nottooproudtoadmitthat
."
Shest
art
sandmyhear
trel
axesal
i
ttl
e.

"Mysonlovesy ou,Lemohang.Iseehowhel ooksaty ou,hi sey

es
smil
eandt hatmakesmyhear talr
ight.I
'
m sorryIjudgedy ou
becauseofhi sexwi fe'
smi stakes.
"Iwasn'tawareoft hat,
Makhosinididn'tment i
onany thi
ng."Nofotowasasnake, Isaw
herforwhatshewast hemi nutemysonf i
rstbr
oughtherher e.
"I
nodmyunder standing.She'sapar entandit'
sintheirnatureto
wanttoprotectt hei
rchildr
en.Wel lIguessnotallparents, Imean
mymot herhat esme.

"Icanrel
ate,
I'
m basical
l
yaparenttomyli
ttl
ebrot
her.Iwoulddo
anythi
ngtoprotectandprov
ideforhi
m,"I
'
m notsurewhatthat
l
ookonherf acemean.

"Irespecty ousomuchf orthat

.Itmademer ealizethatyourage
hasnot hingtodowi thyourmaturi
ty.Youar esost r
ongand
resil
ient,youremindmeofmyy oungerself.Igr ewupwi th
everything,butIwasthefir
stchil
doft hr
ee.Myf at
herwast ough
onmebecausehewant edmet olearnhisbusi nesssoIcancar ry
i
tonwhenhe' snomor e.
"Soshecomesf rom money ?It
hought
shej ustmar r
iedint
oit.

"Makhosi
nitol
dmeaboutGlenbei
ngyourfat
her
.Howar eyou
hol
dingup?"Sheasksandmytear
sthr
eatentof
all
,tear
sofboth
j
oyandpain.

"I
thurtsthatmyf atheri
sgoi
ngtodiesoonbutfi
ndi
nghim wasa
bl
essing.ImeanI 'v
egonethroughsomuchinmylif
e,I
'
venever
hadthetimet obeLemohang.Ionlystar
tedl
i
vingmyli
fewhenI
metMakhosi ni.ButnowIcanfull
ydosobecausemystepmother
hasaskedt
otakeAt
angandr ai
sehi
m.Ispoketohi
m abouti
tlast
ni
ghtwhenwegotbacktotheapar
tmentandhewassoexcit
ed.
Hewantedtomovetot
heirhousei
mmediatel
y.
"maNgobese
l
aughsoutl
oud.

"That'
sgood,Nomuzi i
sanamazingperson.Restassuredt
hati
n
heryouandAt anghaveanamazingmot her
,shewillgobey
ond
andabov etomakey ouhappy
."Hear
ingthisfr
om someoneelse
givesmej oy
.Mystepmom hastobeoneoft hemostamazi ng
peopleI'
veevermet.

"
I'
m grat
efultohav
ef oundmyf at
herandhi
swif
e.Lifewil
lbe
mucheasierforme.I
'vealr
eadyleftmyj
obatt
heclub,Icall
edt
he
managerlastni
ght
."SheclaspsmyhandandIsmile.Inever
t
houghtI'
dhav eadeepconv er
sati
onwit
hmyboyfr
iend'smom.

There'
sabi gpotplantatthecor
ner,MaNgobeseget supand
goestoit.Shetakesoutaboxofci garett
esandal i
ghter.She
pull
soneandt r
apsitbetweenherredlips,t
hesmellgetsme
cravi
ngaf ewpuf f
s.Ihaven'
tsmokedi nthelastt
hreeday s
becauseAt angfol
lowsmeev erywhere.Ineedsomeni coti
nein
mysy st
em.

"Youl
ookli
key
ou'r
esmokingthi
scigar
ett
einyourhead,
"she
saysandbl
owsoutacl
oud.Iswall
owhardthenti
tt
er.

"
DoyousmokeLemohang?
"Whataquest
ion.ButIcan'
tsayy
es,
t
hatwoul
dmakemelosepoint
s.

"
Iwon'tj
udge,
Ist
art
edsmoki
ngwhenIwas16sot
akeoneand
r
elax,
"
Hai
bo!

Wear
enowsmoki
ngpar
tner
s.

"Don'
ttel
lyourbigheadedboyf
ri
end,nonoft
hem knowIsmoke.
"
Ichuckl
eandt akeonecigfr
om theboxandl
ighti
tup.

If
eel
humanagai
n,y
ohImi
ssedhav
ingasmoke.

"
JesusChr
ist
!Ma?
"Wear
efr
ozeni
mmedi
atel
y.

Wedidn'
tevenhearthebedr
oom dooropenorhi
sfoot
steps
appr
oachforthatmatt
er.

maNgobeselooksli
keali
tt
lechi
ldwhohasbeencaughtwit
hher
handinthecooki
ejar
.Iontheot
herhandhav
ethecigbetween
mylips.HeknowsIsmokebuttofi
ndmedoingitwi
thhismom is
somethingel
se.I
'
m embarr
assed.

"What?
"maNgobesesayswit
hanat t
it
udethentakesapuf
fand
blowsoutt
hesmokeli
keeveryt
hingi
salr
ight.

"Yousmoke?Howl
onghav
eyoubeensmoki
ng?
"Makhosi
niasks
shocked.

"
Howwillt
hatpi
eceofinf
ormati
onchangeyourl
i
fe?
"Iwantt
o
l
aughsobadbutIcan'
tdothatt
omybaby .

Hescof
fsandfoldshisar
msacrosshischest
,looki
ngatmewi
th
abrowcockedup.Idon'
tunder
standwhybecauseheknowsI
smoke.

"
Soy
out
woar
enowsmoki
ngbuddi
es?
"Heasksandhi
smot
her
smacksherl
i
ps.

"
Skei
f?"Sheoffershersonandt
hist
imeIj
ustl
augh.Thi
swoman
i
sacharactershame.

"
Yoh,cal
m downFanoo.
"maNgobeseputsoutherci
gar
ett
eand
r
etur
nsevery
thi
ngbacki
nthepotplant
.

"
Letmegocheckont
heki
ds,
"sheex
cusesher
sel
f,l
eav
ingme
wi
thherson.

Makhosinileansonthebal
conygat eandcrosseshisl
egs,
his
eyesnotleavingmine.I
'
m defi
nit
elynotputt
ingoutmycig,I
haven'
tbeensmoki ngsoIneedthisreal
lyandI'
mt aki
ngmytime
withi
t.

Helookssexyrightnow,wehav en'thadsexinawhile.Okaywe
didhaveaquickieonSaturdayi
nt hebedroom whil
eAt angwas
watchi
ngTVbutIwantpr opert
hings,takeyourt
imet hi
ngsyou
know.Makhosinihastur
nedmei ntoasexfreakandI '
m not
complai
ning.

"You'r
eey
efucki
ngme,
sthandwasami
."Hesay
swi
thal
opsi
ded
smile.

"
YesIam,
myl
ove.
"Ir
espondandhel
i
ckshi
sli
ps.

"
Ilov
eyou,
Nana.
"Hesay
sandmyhear
tski
psacoupl
eofbeat
s.

"Il
oveyou,somuch."Hi
seyesmeltmyhear
t.Ideser
veMakhosi
ni
Lukhel
e,Ideser
vehowhelovesandtr
eat
sme.
"CanIpleasebendy
ouoverandsl
i
dei
nsideyourwar
m,sl
eek
paradi
se?"Mypussypul
sat
esimmedi
atel
y.

Wearebot
hinsat
iabl
e.Addi
ctedt
oeachot
heri
nmor
eway
sthan
one.

"
Pleasedo,
"Isaywi
thahoar
sev
oice.

Hehol
dsouthi
shandandIqui
ckl
ytakei
tandgetupf
rom t
he
sof
a.

"
I'
m goi
ngtobequi
ckandr
ough,
Ineedy
out
okeepy
ourmoans
l
owbaby."

Okay
,nowI
'
m soaki
ngwet
.

I
tjustt
akest
hosel
ust
ful
eyesanddeepv
oicet
ogetmet
her
e.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"
Hav
eyout
oldhery
et?
"Iaskassoonasheanswer
shi
sphone.

"
Eish,
Undi
phi
l
e."Hai
bo!

Hehast otellmybestfri
endt
hetruth.Amukelanihastherightt o
knowwhat '
sgoi ngonanddeci
deifshewant stosignupf orthat
l
ifeornot.Wellnopersonint
hei
rrightmindwoul dagreetobei ng
i
nar el
ati
onshi pwit
hsomeonewho' sinarelat
ionshi
pwi t
h
someoneel se.Imeanhowwouldshebeabl etogivehim ablow
j
obwhensheknowswher ehi
spenishasbeen?Joj oisgreedy
shame,assandpussyatt hesamet i
me?I '
m notjudgi
nghi mf or
bei
ngabi
sexual
man,
I'
mjudgi
nghi
mforpl
ayi
ngAmukel
ani
li
ke
thi
s.

"
Youdi
dn'
tcal
ltokeepqui
et,
Undi
."

Hehastobepat
ient
,ImeanIknowhi
sbusi
nessandi
fhepushes
I
'l
lj
ustsi
ngtoAmukelani
.

"Icall
edt ofi
ndouti fyouhav etoldmyf r
iend,whohasf al
lenin
l
ov ewi t
hy outhetruth."Heheav esadeepsi ghthenclear
shis
throat.Ishoul
dhav ef acet i
medhim soIcoul dseehisreact
ion.
"AndIhopeWal eisnott her
ewithyou.Also,washthecouch
please."Heclickshist ongueandIrollmyey es.

"
Undiphi
le,Il
oveAmukel
ani
,too.IknowwhatIdi
diswrongand
I
'
m goingtotell
hert
hetr
uth.Ij
ustwishyoucoul
dletmehandl
e
t
his,
don'tpush.
"

Cl
apsonce!

"
Jongikhaya,I
'
m nott
ryi
ngtopush.Ij
ustwantAmukelanit
olear
n
t
hetruthbeforeshei
nvest
sevenmoreint
othisr
elat
ionshi
p,"

"
Ineedt
ogo,
I'
ll
cal
lyoul
ater
."

Thel
i
negoesdead.

Wow,
justwow.

I'
mleavi
ngonFr i
day,f
ort
woweeksI 'l
lbeawaywit
ht heloveof
mylif
e.Idon'tknowwherehe'staki
ngme, Iwasj
usttoldIwil
lbe
i
nmybi ki
ni mosttimesandenjoyi
ngchampagne.Ihonestl
y
cannotwaittoleave,
ImeanIdeservethi
sgetaway.After
Peachesdeath,hect
icex
amsandnowmybr ot
herbei
ngadouble
adapter
.Didhereall
yhavet
o"f
all
inl
ove"wi
thtwoofmyfr
iends?
Sab'
iGolist
rai
ght.

Ifi
ndEbukai nt
hekitchen,he'schoppingpeppers.It
houghtwe
agreedont akeaway s,Ihopehe'snotchoppingsoIcancook.I
l
ovest andi
ngov erthestov ebuttodayI'
mt i
red,
theJojodramais
al
sowei ghi
ngmedown.IhopeAmukel ani
won'thatemewhen
sheknowst hetr
uth.Rememberwhathappenedwhenshef ound
outthatIknewaboutherf atherandhisbabymama?

"Upforaqui
cksti
rfr
y?"HeasksandInod,
pul
l
ingoutt
hehi
gh
chai
randsett
li
ngdown.

"
Ithoughtwewer
ehav
ingt
akeaway
sthough,
"hef
rowns.

"Iknewwewer en'tgoingtoagreeonwhattoor
dersoIdeci
dedto
quickl
ycookforus, t
okeept hepeace.I
'
m nott
ryi
ngtobedeni
ed
mymi niheav
ent onight,
"Il
aughoutloud.

"Butbabe,I
'venev
erdeni
edyousexbecausewedisagr
eedon
something.Youal
waysgeti
t,whenev
eryouwant
."Hesmiles
wider.

"
Ther
e'saf
ir
stt
imef
orev
ery
thi
ng.
"Heshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.

"
Odogwu!
"

That
'sAdewal
eshout
ingf
rom somewher
eint
hehouse.Thi
sone
hastostartr
ingi
ngthedoorbel
l
,mymanandIt endtohavesex
every
whereinthi
shouse.Ordoeshewanttowalki
nonusdoi ng
thedeedtoo?Ididn'
tev
enseehisbl
ackassproper
ly.Hewal
ksi n
thekit
chenandhiseyesfal
li
mmediat
elywhenheseesmesi t
ting
here.

Yeswenasi
dechi
ck,
beembar
rassed.

"MrSisul
u,howar
eyousir
?"EbukajokesandIt
hrowhi
m adeat
h
star
ethatthr
owshimi
ntoafitofl
aughter
.

"
Youjustdeci
dedthaty
ouwanttobei
nmycircl
eforev
er,Wale.
Goi
ngformyin-l
aw?"Ebukasay
sandhi
sbr
otherti
tt
ersnerv
ously.

"Wehonest
lydi
dn'
tpl
ant
ofal
lforeachot
her
,"Hesay
sandI
smackmylips.

"Whendidall
ofthisst
art
?"Idi
dn'tgett
oaskquesti
onsy
est
erday
.
Iwasjustsoshockedandworri
edaboutAmukelani
.

"Af
ewdaysaftercomi
ngouttoEbuka.Rememberhewaswit
h
Joj
owhentheyfounduschi
l
li
ngattheapart
ment?"Inod.

Ir
ememberev
ery
thi
ngf
rom t
hatday
.

"Yeah,soafewday
slat
erIcamewit
hf oodanddr i
nkshopi
ngwe
couldchil
l
.Buty
ouweren'
tther
esoyourbrotherandIdeci
dedt
o
j
usthang.Wegottal
ki
ngandonethi
ngl edtotheother
."

"Soyou'
reokaywi t
hhim want
ingt
obewithbot
hyouand
Amukelani?"Iaskandheheavesasi
ghandpul
lsoutachai
rand
sett
lesnexttome.
"Iam agayman, Undiphi
le.Yourbrot
heri sbi
sexual,
Ican'
tchange
that.Iwantt obewithhim, Iwantustobehappyandhonestwi th
eachot her.Havi
ngAmukel ani i
nthepicturewi
llputmymi ndat
ease, Iwon'thavetowonderandwor ryabouthim cheati
ng
becauseI '
llknowwher ehei swhenhe'snotwithme. "Noman!
Jojomustgi vemehisGobel a'
snumber .Iswearmybr ot
heruses
pinkwat erandallbecausewow!

"
Thentel
lhi
mt otel
lAmukel
anit
hetruthsomyfri
endcandeci
de
i
fshewantsthi
swholet
hingornot
,"Isayandhenods.

"He'
stel
li
ngheronSaturday.
"I'
l
lbegonebythen.Shi
t!I'
l
ljustal
ert
Lemohangofwhat '
sgoingonandaskhert
oav ai
lhersel
fincase
Amukelanineedsashoulder
.

"Adewal
e!Yourl
i
fei
samov
ieo.
"Ebukasay
sinadeepNi
ger
ian
accent
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

Thanky
ousomuchf
ort
hebi
rt
hdaywi
shes.Il
ovey
oual
l
.

I'
m sorr
yforthedel
ayedpost
.Itt
ookmetwodaystotypet
his
chapter
,Savannadoesn'
tj
oke,i
tsl
apshar
dtheseday
s.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER62

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Andthi
sisyourr
oom,
Ati
."Myst
epmot
hersay
spushi
ngt
he
dooropen.

OhmyGod!Iam soemot i
onalr
ightnow, Imeant hisisever
ythi
ng
I
'v
ealway swishedtogi
vetohim.Myhear tisfull
ofj oyand
gr
ati
tude,noteveninamill
i
onyear swi ll
Iev erforgetwhatthis
womani sdoingformeandmyl it
tl
ebr other .She'
sst eppi
ngup
whenshehasonl yknownusforashor tper i
odoft i
me.The
womant hatgavebir
thtouscouldn'tcarel essbutawomanwho
wouldbejusti
fi
edinhati
ngmei sembr acingusbot handt hat'
sso
over
whelming,inagoodwayofcour se.

"Doyouli
kei
t?"Sheasksnerv
ousl
yandIchuckl
e.Ofcour
sehe
does,At
angdoesn'
tevenknowwhattot
ouchf i
rst
.

"
Ilov
eev
ery
thi
ng,
thanky
oumama.
"Ohboyboy
.

Myst
epmot
hersi
ghsi
nrel
i
ef.

Howdidshepull
thi
sof
finaf
ewdays?Haveevery
thi
nghockeyto
decor
atet
hisr
oom?She'
sasuper
woman,Itakeof
fmyhatforher.

"Ther
earegoi
ngtoberul
esf
orthattelev
isi
onthough,
"shesays
andAtangsul
ks,
expr
essi
nghisdi
spleasureunderhi
sbreath.I
knowhewon'tgi
vemaahardtime,Atangisawellbehavedchi
ld.

"
Yesma,
TVhast
ohav
erul
esorhewon'
tsl
eepatni
ght
."Mama
l
aughswhi l
enoddingherheadyes.Mybrot
herontheotherhand
i
ssmi li
ngagain,l
ooki
ngatthethi
ngsinhi
sroom.Helooksso
happy,happi
erthanwhenItoldhi
m hewil
lbemovingi
nwi th
them andatt
endingschoolt
hissi
de.

I
'mjustgladt
hatI
'
llseehi
m wheneverIwant
,grat
eful
thathewi
l
l
hav
et hi
swarmlovi
ngwomanar oundhim al
lday,
every
day.

"Baby,
justputhi
sbagsov erther
e.I'
ll
packeveryt
hinginthe
drawerslat
er,
"shesaysandIpusht hebigsuit
casefurt
herinand
l
eav ei
tnearthechestofdrawersthenputthesportsbagontop.

"
Atang,
shoul
dmamamakey
ouasnack?
"Ahhht
hisonei
sgoi
ng
t
obespoil
ed.

"Yes,
pleasema.
"Heneversaysnot
ofood.Ar
en'
tspor
tspeopl
e
supposedtowat
chthei
rweight
?

I'
m pouringmysel faglassofj ui
cewhenmamawal ksbacki nthe
kit
chenf rom takingAtanghissnack.Hedeci dedt ocampi nhis
room andadmi reitsomemor e.Idoubtthathewi l
l missme
shame, he'salreadyfeeli
ngathomeandI '
m at hi
ngoft hepast.I
askmamai fshewoul dli
kesomej uiceandshepol it
elyr ej
ects,
sayingsheal readyhadagl assbef orewear r
ived.Wet alkabout
myf atheral i
ttl
e,shetell
smest ori
esabouthim andsomear e
funnywhi leothersaresad.Butf rom whatwassai d, Ican
confidentl
ysayt hatmyf atherisagoodman.Yes, hehasmade
somemi stakesal ongthewaybuthe' sst
il
lagoodman.
"Any waybaby, yourfat
herhasalr
eadycal
ledthepr
inci
paloft
he
school twostreetsawayf r
om ourhouse,
"Inodwhil
esippi
ngmy
drink.Thatschool l
ooksproper,
wepassbywhencomi ngher
e.I
alsolikethati
t'sclosertohomesoitwon'tbeastr
etchforma.

"Theyaref
ri
endswi t
hy ourf
athersohehasagreedt otakeAtang
asaf av
ortoGlen.Hejustneedsustocomet hroughont heday
thestaf
fgoesbacktowor ksowecanr egi
sterhim."That'
sar el
i
ef.

What'sl
efti
sformetoinf
ormtheschoolAtangwasatt
endi
ng
andtell
them t
hathewon'
tbecomingback.Dowestil
lneed
schooltr
ansf
ers?

"Thankyousomuch,ma.Idon'tknowhowIwil
leverrepayy
ou.
"
Sheshakesherheadwithasmile.Di
dIment
ionthatshehasa
dimpleonherchi
n?It
'salway
sf l
exi
ngwhenshesmiles.

"Lemohang,
youcanrepaymebyli
vi
ngy ourl
if
e.Byperf
orming
welli
nschoolandworki
ngt
owardsyourever
ygoal.
"ThatIcan
surel
ydo.

"
Ipr
omi
se,
"Isayandshecl
aspsmyhand.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

Atangdidn'tevencar et
ohugmegoodby ewhenIleft
,hewas
focusedont hecartoonshewaswat chinginhi
sroom.Hejust
saidhe'
llcallmeint hemorningt
otellmehowhesl ept,
notev
en
l
atertosaygoodni ght.ButIam r
eli
evedthathefeel
sathomeand
us,
theadul
tsdi
dn'tfor
ceany
thi
ngonhi
m.Ineedtodoavi
rt
ual
meeti
ngtomorr
owandt al
ktomybestf
ri
ends,
it'
sti
met
heyknew
whathasbeenhappeni
nginmyli
fe.

Iopenthefrontdoorandwal kinside,i
tsmell
samazi ng.I
s
Makhosinicooki
ngordi dhehav esomet hi
ngdeliver
ed?Idropmy
keysandbagont hetableinthef oyerandgofindmyboy fr
iend.
He'sr
elaxedinthelounge,feetstret
chedoutont hecouchand
eyesgluedtotheTVscr een.

There'
sabot
tl
eofbeeront
hecof
feet
abl
e,at
leastheuseda
coaster
.

"
Heyl
ove,
"Ibendt
opeckhi
sli
ps.

"Hey,
"hi
stonei
slow,
hedoesn'
tev
ent
ryt
ogr
abmyassort
o
nibbl
emyear.

Somethingiswrongher
e,myboyfr
iendi
sal
way
sbubbl
yand
readyt
ot ouchmewhenIarr
ive.

"What'swrong?"Iaskremovi
nghisfeet
,sett
li
ngdownt
hen
placi
nghisfeetonmyl ap.Heheavesasighandmopshisf
ace
withthepalm ofhishand.

"
Makhosi
ni?
"He'
sscar
ingmenow.

"
Theinsur
ancecompanycal
l
ed,thei
rinv
est
igat
ioni
sconcl
uded.
"
HesaysandInodimper
cept
ibl
y.

"
And?
"I'
m dy
ingt
oknowev
ery
thi
ng.
"
Arsonwasruledout
,ther
e'snoev
idenceoff
oul
play
."That
'sa
r
eli
ef,
isn'
ti
t?Oram Imissi
ngsomething?

"
Thenwhydoy
oul
ooksodef
eat
edmyl
ove?
"Heshut
shi
sey
es.

"Myhear
ttel
l
smet hatt
her
e'smor
etothi
s,someonedel
i
ber
atel
y
star
tedt
hefi
ret
hatdest
roy
edLukhel
eDiamonds.
"

Hect
ic!

"I
fthat
'st
hecaselov
e, hi
rey ourowninvest
igat
ors.Lett
hem look
atthebui
l
dingbef
orethei nsurancecompanystartsr
emov i
ngthe
debri
stomakewayf orrebuildi
ng."Henodsinagreement.

"I
'
veal
readycontact
edsomepr
ivat
ecompany
,theywi
l
lgett
oit
byWednesday.
"

That'
sgood,atl
eastt
heywon'
tbewasti
ngti
me.What
'sl
eftoft
he
evi
dencecouldbetemper
edwithasdaysgoby
.

"I
'
m goi
ngtor unyouabath,
whenyou'
redoneI'
ll
giv
eyoua
massageandanythingel
seyou'
l
lwantwhi
lenakedandr
elaxed.
"I
sayandhelaughsout.

"Iwoul
dlov
ethat
,st
handwasami
."Fi
nal
l
yasmi
l
ethatr
eacheshi
s
eyes.

Makhosini
issoakinginthebat
htubandI '
m busypr epari
nga
sweetandsavorysnackplat
ter
.Heorderedf oodbutwewi l
lhave
thatf
orsupper.Thechampagneischil
l
ingint hefri
dgesol ong.I
wantustohav earel
axedMondayafternoon, t
ogethismi ndoff
thi
swholefir
esituat
ion.Myphoneri
ngsv i
olently
,start
li
ngme.I
al
mosthadahear
tat
tack,
modi
mowaka!

Iqui
ckl
ywi
pemyhandswi
tht
hedi
shcl
othandpi
cki
tup.

It
'smyuncle,
LordknowsI
'm noti
nthemoodf orhi
sdr
ama.Heis
communicati
ngwithmyst
epmot heraboutt
hewholepay
ingt
he
damagesit
uationnowwhyishecall
i
ngme?

"
Mal
ome,
"Ianswer
.

Hopef
ull
yitdoesn'
tgosout
h.

"
Lemohang,
ngwanaka,
"

Hai
bo!

Iqui
ckl
yremovethephonef
rom myeart
ochecki
fit
'sr
eal
l
ymy
uncl
eLekgot
lacal
li
ngmehischi
ld.

I
ndeedi
t'
shi
m,wonder
sshal
lnev
erend.

"
Arey
out
her
e?"heasksandIsnapoutofmyshock.

"
Oh,
yes.Howar
eyou?
"

"
Iam wel
lngwanaka,
wena?
"

I
'
minshockdude.Isayi
nmyhead.

"
I'
m doi
nggood,
thanky
ou.
"

Idon'
tremembert
helastt
imemyuncl
espoket
omel
i
kehewas
tal
ki
ngtohisni
eceandnothi
senemy.

"
Iam cal
l
ingt
otal
kabouty
ourf
ather
speopl
ecomi
ngt
opayy
our
damagesthisweekend.
"Heshoul
dbet
alki
ngt
omamaNomuzi
aboutt
his.

"
Okay
?"

"Mywifewil
lbehosti
ngherki
tchenpar
tyatthehouset
his
Satur
day,
sowecan' thav
eyourfat
her'
speopleher
eatmyhouse.
"
Irol
lmyeyes.Ishoul
dhaveknownthatoneofthem wi
l
lsabot
age
thi
sforme.

"
Wewi
l
lhav
etodoi
taty
ourmot
her
'shouse,
"Ichuckl
eal
i
ttl
e.

I
sheki
ddi
ngmer
ightnow?

"Mal
ome,youknowMaleshoanehat
esme.Shemadeitcleart
hat
shewant
snothingt
odowi t
hmeandmyf at
her.
"Isayannoyed.

"Iknow,butwehav enootheropti
on.Ihav
eaf ri
endwhoownsa
homef ormentalpeopl
e.Ihavespokentohim andheagreedt
o
takeMaleshoanefrom Fr
idaytoSatur
daylat
e,"ohheknows
someonewhoownssuchahomeandhe' sfai
ledtogethi
sown
sist
erinther
etogethelp?

"
Shewi
l
lnev
eragr
eet
oleav
eherhouse,
"Ir
emi
ndhi
m.

"
Lemohang,leaveev er
ythingt
ome.Ijustneedy outocomehome
t
hisFri
daytocleanandpr eparef
orourguests."Yoh!Sebokeng
i
sn'
treal
lymyf avori
teplacetogoto.Ihonestl
ydon'tthi
nkI'l
lset
f
ootthereaf
terthisdamagepay mentthing.

"Okay,"Iwil
lgothereear
lyandf
indafewwomanwhocl ean
people'shomes.Ihavemoneyinmyaccount,myboyfr
iendkeeps
givi
ngmemoney ,
evenwhenItel
lhi
m Idon'
tneedi
t.Iwor kf
or
Ebukaandhepaysmewel
lbutMakhosi
nidoesn'
tunder
stand
thatsoI
'
velethi
m be.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

I
'm si t
ti
ngont heruginmybedr oom infr
ontofmywar drobe,I
don'tknowwhatt owearandI '
m meet i
ngmyboy fri
endinl i
kean
hour .Wewer esupposedt omeetupt hispastSaturdaybutIwoke
upf eeli
ngundertheweat her.Hewant edtocomet hroughto
nursemebackt ohealthbutItoldhim notto.Iam supergrumpy
whenI '
m si
ck,Idi
dn'twanttor i
skbeingabi t
chtomyboy fr
iend
whenhej ustwantedtobet hereforme.IloveJongikhayaandI
don'twantt odoany t
hingthatmi ghtj
eopardi
zewhatwehav e.

"
Amukel
ani
!"

Iquicklygetonmyf eetandgr abmygownont hebed.Myheartis

thuddinghardagai nstmychest ,whocoul
dbecal li
ngmyname?A
femalev oi
cef orthatmat ter
.Imeanthehelperisonlycomingon
Wednesday ,
Undiphileisonv acati
onandLemowoul dhavecal
led
tosayshe' sstoppingby .Butsti
ll
mybestfriendsdon'thav
ethe
gatecode.

Theper
soni
sint
heki
tchen,
Thecupboar
dsar
eopeni
ngand
closi
ng.AsscaredasIam, Ineedtoseewhoi sint hi
shouse.I
takeadeepbreathandtiptoet owardstheki t
chen.Orshoul dI
may bepresst
hepanicbuttonandgohi deasIwai tforthe
securit
ycompany?Yes,Ishoul ddot hat
.I'v
ewat chedt oomany
thri
ll
erstodotheopposit
e.Ist opinmyt rackswhent heperson
speaksagainandIrecognizet hevoicei
nst ant
ly.

"
Wher
e'sthi
schi
ldcozhercari
sint
hedr
iveway
."Il
i
ter
all
yrunt
o
t
heki
tchent
hist
ime.

"
Mhani
?"Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?

It
houghtshehadacoupl
emor
eweekst
ogo.

"Ar
ey oujustgoingt ostandthere?"Sheasksopeni
ngherarms
andIdon'thesitaterunningi
nf orahug.Herembraceiswarm and
ful
loflove,t
heki ssesonmyf oreheadmakemesoemot ional
.I'
ve
missedhav i
ngt hissortofaf
fect i
onfrom mymom, i
t'
sbeenso
manyy earssinceIf el
tli
keherpr i
ncess.

"
Iknow,
baby
.Iknow,
"shesay
saf
terhear
ingmecr
y.

Wear ei
nt heloungesi t
ti
ngont hecouch,she'
sall
owingmet ocry
i
tout.Iwasn'tawareofhowmuchImi ssedandwi shedshewas
home.Shewi pesmyt earsthenpeckmyl i
ps.Shelooksamazing,
she'
sgainedwei ghtandi t
'ssafetosaythi
sisthePrett
yNkovaniI
know.Thewomant hatgavebirthtome.
"
How?
"

"
Iaskedtobereleased.Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tst
aylongerbecauseI
worr
iedaboutyoubeingalonedayandni
ght.
"Sheanswer s.

"Youshoul
dn'
thavemhani.Ineededyoutof
ini
shthepr
ogr
amme
soyoudon'tf
all
backonthebot t
le.
"Shesmi
les.

"I
fIwantt
ogobacktodri
nki
ngIwi l
lbaby,
evenifIf
ini
shedthe
progr
amme.Iwi
llst
ayawayfrom t
hebottl
ebecauseIsawhowi t
messedupmyli
feandhowithurtyoutoo.
"Sheplacesahandon
mycheekandIl
eanint
ohertouch.

"
Ilov
eyou,
mhani
,
"Isayandshedr
opsat
ear
.

"Il
oveyoumor
ethanl
if
eit
sel
f,Amu."Ibel
iev
eher,shetooka
stept
ogivemebackmymom andthatisanactoflove.

"
I'
m goi
ngbacktoworknextMonday,
"lookathersmile.Okay
missl
awyer.Thi
sisgr
eatnews,shewon'tt
hinkaboutalcohol
whenshe'
sbeingabadassint
hecourt
room.

"
I'
m happyf
ory
ou,
mommy
."It
rul
yam.

Ourl
ovef
ort
hel
awwi
l
lbr
inguscl
oser
.

"AndIwashopingthatyou'
lldri
veupnort
hwi t
hmesomet i
met hi
s
week,
"Ibl
inkr
apidly.Shecan'tgotoGi
yani,
shewil
lknowtatana
hasachil
dwithagirlyoungenoughtobehisdaught
er.Thatwil
l
kil
lmymom, i
twill
dr i
veherbacktothebottl
e.

"
Amu,
arey
ouokay
?"Iswal
l
owandnod.

"
Yousur
e?"Inodagai
n.
"Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoi
nGi
yani
?"Iaskandshet
akesadeep
breat
h.

"Iwanttost
artmyl i
feonacl eanslate.I
'mr emovingev er
ythi
ng
that
'snegat
iveandt oxi
c,yourfat
herincluded.Iaskedmyl awf i
rm
todraftt
hedivorcepapersandI '
mt aki
ngt hem my sel
f.
"Igaspin
shock.Inev
erthoughtmymom woul dleaveherhusband.Iknow
howmuchshel oveshim,butwai t
!

"Mhani,
howdi
dyouknowt
hatt
atanai
sinGi
yani
?"Iaskandshe
heavesasi
gh.

"Iwi
shIt
oldyouthi
searl
i
erAmukelanibutIjustcoul
dn'
t.Imeani
t
mademewor se,
itki
ll
edmeandIjustcouldn'tal
lowi
ttodothe
sametoyou.
"Inarr
owmyey es.

Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
?

"
Whatdoyoumeanma?
"Shet
akesbot
hmyhandsandbr
ushes
myknuckl
es.

"Awhileago,
mysi st
ercal
ledandtoldmet hatyourfatherhas
i
mpr egnat
edsomegi r
lfr
om Giyanibutstaysher
ein
Johannesbur
g,"ohmyGod!Sheknew?Butshenev ersaidaword,
notevenwhensheandt atanawerefight
ing.

"Theyareevenmar ri
edt radi
ti
onally
,yourfatherpai
dLobol afor
her.
"Sheadds, "Iknowt hisi
sahar dthingtotakein,butbaby
don'tal
l
owy ourf at
her '
sact i
onst ohurtyouasbadl yasitdidme.I
don'twantyout ofindy ourselfi
nadeepdar kpi twhil
eheenj oy
s
hisli
fewit
ht hatgirl
,"Iswal l
ow.

"
M-mhani
,Iuhm.
..
"It
akeadeepbr
eat
h.
"
Amu,
youwhatmybaby
?"Shecoaxesme.

"
Ial
readyknowal
loft
his,
"shegaspsi
nshockandIl
ookdown.
i
:TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER63

SPONSOREDBYGUGU

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Igetdownst ai
rsandf indmhani busywi t
hhery oga,Imustsay
thatthoseti
ght ssuither.Mymot herisn'
tjustbeauti
ful,
shehasa
bangingbodyaswel l.She'sstil
lyoungandIbel ieveshewillf
ind
l
ov eagainandbehappy .Havingherbackhomemeanst heworl
d
tome, Idon'tremembert helastti
mewel aughedandhadagr eat
ti
met ogetherlikewedi dlastnight.I
thasal way sbeenscreams
andhur tf
ulwor ds,
butGodchangedi tall
ar ound.Mymom andI
willbejustf
inewi t
houtt atana.

"
Arey
ougoi
ngal
ready
?"SheasksandInodwhi
l
eyawni
ng.

"Hai
bo!You'
real
readyt
ir
edatt
hist
imeAmukel
ani
?"Shet
it
ter
s
andIgroan.

Whyi
sn'tshet
ir
ed?Imeanwebot
hsl
epti
ntheear
lyhour
soft
he
mor
ning.

"
Idi
dn'
tgetenoughsl
eep,
mhani
."Shesmacksherl
i
ps.

"
You'
rel
azy
,"ohwow.

Letmejustgomeetupwithmyboyfr
iend,wedeci
dedt
odo
brunchaf
terIcancel
l
edonhi
m agai
ny est
erday
.Mymotherhad
j
ustarr
ivedandIcoul
dn'
tupandl
eave.BecauseheisJongi
khaya
andheisthemostamazingmanheunderstoodandtol
dmet o
haveagreatti
mewithmymom.

"I
'
m of
f,I
'
llseey
oual
i
ttl
elat
er.
"Isayandshesl
owl
yget
supf
rom
hermat
.

"Uhm, wearest
il
ldoi
ngdinnerri
ght?
"SheasksandInod
vigor
ously
.Icannotwaitf
orthat
,Iwantt
ospendasmuchti
meas
possibl
ewithmymot her.

"
Okayt
hen,
greetmysoni
nlaw.
"Il
ookdownbl
ushi
ng.

Igett
ot heapartmentandt heyopent hegatewithoutaski
ngany
quest
ions.Iam regi
steredont heli
stsoIcancomeandgoasI
pl
ease.Thisplacefeelsli
keaghostt own,ther
e'snobuzzatall.
Moststudentswenthomef ortheholiday
s,I'
m suretheycannot
waitt
ocomebackher eandl iv
el i
fe.

Ihi
tmyknuckl esont hedoorandf ixmydr essasIwai tforJojoto
comeopenupf orme.Icamei ngunsbl azing, Il
ookhot .Sisis
tr
yingt
ogetsome, Imeani t'
sbeenawhi l
eandt hefactthatmy
Xhosagentcanl aythepipedoesn' thel
pmyt hir
st.Heopenst he
doorandoffersmeaner voussmi l
e.Hasi tbeent hatlongsince
wesaweachot herthatheisner v
ous?Ist epi nsidet heapart
ment
andhetakesmei nhisarms, gi
vesmet hewar mestandt i
ghtest
hugever.I
tfeelsli
kehe'stransferr
ingsomet hingtome,
somethi
ngt hatfeel
sgoodbutIcannotputi ntowor ds.
"
Ilov
eyousomuch,
"hesay
sandmyst
omachf
lut
ter
s.

"Il
ovey ouj
ustasmuch,baby.
"Ipul
loutoft
hehugandr
eachfor
hisl
ips.Iam t
urnedoni
nstant
lywhenhemoansinmymouth.

Webot hpulloutandcat chourbr eat ht hengiggleathowmuch

weaff ecteachot her.It'
salway sliket his,al
way s,butI '
m defini
tel
y
notcompl aining.Imeanwhoi sn'tflutteredbyknowi ngt hatyour
mannotonl ylovesy oubutt heyar ef uckedupat tractedt oyou.
Jongikhayat akesmyhandandl eadsust owardst hebal cony,t
he
doorisopenandi tl
ooksl i
kether e'sapi cni
cset up.West ep
outsi
deandmyhear tskipsabi t,nomanhasev erdone
somet hingsobeaut ifulforme.He' sbeent r
eatingmer ightfrom
thegetgoandI '
m grateful
.

Hehel psmedownandI '

mr el
ievedthatthecushionis
comf ort
ableformylit
tl
eboot y,beingslenderhasit
'speckson
dayslikethese.Hesit
sacr ossmeandpi cksupthef l
ower sand
handst hem tome,thesewi l
lbeonmyni ghtst
andunt i
ltheyare
dead.Itakeoutmyphonet otakepi ct
uresandhel aughs,he
teasesmeal lthet
imeaboutI nstagram.Hesay shehast ostar
ta
rehabil
it
ati
oncenterforinstaaddictsandI '
l
lbehisfir
stintake.

Thef
oodisamazing,hedefi
nit
elycooksbet
tert
hanme.Ican
makebet
tercockt
ail
sthough.Inormall
ywatcht
hepor
ti
onsItake
butnottoday,
babywentall
outformeandI'
m murder
ing
everyt
hingonmyplat
e.Igulpdownmyjui
ceandheisshockedt
o
seethatIatet
hismuch.Heshouldbl
amehiscul
i
naryski
ll
s
though.

Ihel
phim clearever
ythi
ngandwewasht hedi shesqui
cklyand
packeveryt
hingaway.I'
m sohornybutIdon' twanttoi
niti
ate
anyt
hingtoday,Ij
ustwannadowhat everthathewant stodo.We
fi
ndourselv
escuddledupont hecouch,wat chingsomethingon
Netf
li
x.Il
ov emoment sli
kethese,
theyaresonewt ome.

"Il
oveyou,Amu.Idon'
twanty
out ot
hinkthatyou'r
enotenough
becauseyouar
ebaby .
"Hesaysandthelastparthasmyheart
thuddi
ngagai
nstmychest.

"
Imadeamist
ake,ami
staket
hatgr
ewi
ntosomet
hingmor
eand
I
'
m sover
ysor
ry,
"

Iqui
ckl
yjumpof
fthecouchwi
tht
ear
sswi
mmi
ngi
nmyey
es.

"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutJongi
khay
a?"Iaskwi
thashakyv
oice.

"Pleasedon'that
eme, Il
ovey ouandIcannoti
maginemylife
withoutyou.AmuI '
vealr
eadystart
edimagini
ngafuturewit
hy ou
andourki dsandIhatethatIhadtobri
ngsomeoneel sei
nthe
picturebutIcoul
dn'
thelpmy sel
f.
"

No!No!No!

Hedi
dn'
t,
pleaset
ell
mehedi
dn'
t.
"
Justsaywhaty
ouneedt
osaypl
ease,
"Ihugmy
sel
fandal
l
owmy
t
earstofal
l
.

Heget
sof
fthecouchandt
ri
est
ocomet
omebutIst
epback.

"
Pleasesi
tsowecant
alk,
myl
ove.
"Hesay
sandIshakemyhead.

"
Justsaywhaty
ouneedt
osay
,Jongi
khay
a."Isayl
oudert
hanI
i
ntended.

"Ishoul
dhavetol
dyoufrom t
hegetgot
hatI
'
m bi
sexual
,Amu.
"He
saysandIgaspinshock.Hei
swhat?

"Y-
You'r
ebi
sexual?Asi
nli
keatt
ractedt
omalesandf
emales?
"I'
ve
suddenl
ygonestupi
d.Henodshisheadandmyhear
tdr
opsinto
mystomach.

"Ineedy
outoknowt hatIdi
dn'
tmeantohurty
ou,
"hecheat
ed,
no
onesayssucht
hingsfornothi
ng.Hecheat
edonme.

"Letmeguess,y
oucheat
edonmewi t
haguy
?That
'si
tri
ght
?"
Sayingi
toutl
oudhur
tstothecor
e.

"I
twasn'taonet i
met hi
ng,Amu.I '
m st
il
lseeinghim, forsome
reasonIam madl yi
nlovewi t
hthebothofy ou.Heaccept edthatI
l
ov eyou,accept
edthatIwillneverl
eaveyouf orhim andIwas
hopingandpr ay
ingthatyouwi l
lnotl
eaveme. "Ichuckle.Thi
sisa
j
oker i
ght?Becausethisonlyhappensinnov el
sandmov i
es.

"Ihopey
ouwon'tl
eav
eme,Amu.I'
m cr
ossi
ngf
inger
sthaty
ou
staysowecanbeabl
etof
igur
ethi
ngsout,
ust
hree.
"

Cl
apsonce!

Apol
ygamousr
elat
ionshi
p?I
sJoj
ookayi
nthehead?
Thishurtssobad, butIwi l
lnotall
owittot akemebackt othe
Amukel aniIwasbef ore.Iworkedsohardt ot akemyselfoutof
thatdeepdar kpitandnotev enlovewill
takemeback.Notaf t
er
seeingmymot herfetchherlif
e,shesurvi
v edaf t
erl
ovi
ngand
beingconstantlyhurtbyonemanf oryears.Ifshecoulddoi tt
hen
Icangetov erJongikhay aaft
erjustacoupl eofweeksofbei ng
together.

"I
'v
ebeenthroughshi
tinmyl i
fe,Joj
o.Ahor r
ormov ie,
Iwon'tbe
pull
edbackint
othatdarkness.Ilovey ou,butIlovemy sel
fmor e
andI'
m choosi
ngtoremov emy sel
ffrom thisfuckedupsituat
ion
youwant.Youcannothavey ourcakeandeati t.Iwi
shy ou
nothi
ngbutthebestwit
hy ourboy fr
iend."Isayandheshakeshi s
head.

"Baby ,
pleasedon' ttalklikethis.Amukelani
,wecanf i
ndaway
forwardpleasej ustdon' tleaveme.Iam beggingy ou.
"Hekneels
down, rubbinghishandst ogether.Hi
stearswon'
tmakeme
changemymi nd.Ist ayedwi thMabut hoeachti
mehecr i
edafter
hurtingmei naway .Ithoughti twasl
ov eatt
hatti
mebutit
definit
elywasn't.I'
m gr ownnowsoIknowbet ter
.

"
Itwasni
ceknowi
ngy
ou,
"Isayandgot
akemyshoesandbag.

"Amu,pleasebaby!"Iwon'
tli
eandsayI'm nothurtbutIwon'
t
sti
ckarounduntil
I'
m broken.Iwasn'
tenoughforhim sohe
shoul
dst aywit
hwhohebr oughtt
ofi
llupwher eIcameshort.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE
Ideci
dedtocomeseemymot herandMv el
o.Il
astsawt hem a
weekagowhenmaNgobesehost edmynephew' sbir
thdaypar t
y
fort
hefamily.ThedayIfoundmywomanandmymot her
smokingli
kesomeol dbuddieswhoshar esaprisoncell.Iknow
mywomansmokesandIdon' thaveapr obl
em withi
t,theonly
thi
ngI'
m worriedabouti
sherhealth.Wespokeabouti tandshe
hasreducedthenumberofcigarettesshesmokesdai l
yandwi th
ti
meshewi ll
st opsmoki
ngcompl etely
.

Mymot herontheotherhand,I
'v
eneverinmy32y earsofl
if
esaw
hersmokingorevensuspectedunt
ill
astWednesday.Howwas
sheabl
et ohi
deitforsuchalongti
me?Di dmyfatherknowabout
i
t?

"Mbemi,
"IsaytoMaNgonesewho'sintheki
tchenpeal
ing
pot
atoes.Shesmacksherl
ipsandthrowsapotatoatme.

Jesus!Thi
swomanhast
oat
tendangermanagementcl
asses.

"uMbemiunyoko,Makhosi
ni.
"Il
aughsohar
dunti
lmystomach
hurt
s.Iwoul
dn'tchooseadi
ffer
entmot
hereveni
fIwasoff
ereda
bil
l
iondol
lar
s.

"
Mypoi
ntexact
ly,
"shechuckl
esshaki
ngherhead.

"WheredidyouleaveMaNgcolosi?
"Il ov
ethattheyareget
ti
ng
alongnow.Mamar eal
izedthatLemohangi snotwhatshe
thoughtshewas.Thatgir
lisspeci
al andIwon'
tlieandsayI'
m not
blessedtobewithsomeonelikeher.Someonewhoknowspai n
butdoesn'
tfeelt
heneedtoinfl
ictitonothers.Thatwomanjust
wantsmylov eandnot
hingelsebutbecauseoft hejoyandpeace
shehasbroughtint
omyl i
fe;
I'm goingt
ogi v
ehert heworl
d.

"
Youmeany ourf
ell
owchi
mney
?"Shet
hrowsherheadbackand
l
aughsoutl
oud.

"Hai
!Youareforwar
dFanoo,
butyesmyf el
lowchi
mney .
"Ir
ound
thekit
chenisl
andandopent
hefri
dge,ahhMvelohassomecider
s
chil
l
ing.It
akeoneoutandpi
nitopenbefor
etaki
ngasip.

"Shewentt
oseeherfamil
y.Herf
athercal
l
edy
est
erdayandasked
hertocomeforl
unch,
"shenods.

Il
ovei
twhenshespendst i
mewi t
hGlen,
whentheti
mecomes
shewon'
thaveanyregr
ets.Shewoul
dhavehadthechancet
o
bondwit
hherdad.

I'
m onchoppi
ngdutiesnow,shejustcouldn'tal
lowmet orel
ax
andwatchherdoherthing.Af
ri
canpar entshaveaproblem wit
h
seei
ngthei
rchil
drensit
ti
nganddoingnot hing.You'
dswearI
askedhertocooksomanyt hi
ngsf orj
ustherandMv el
o.

"
Hell
o,mydar
li
ngs.
"Mv
elowal
ksi
nwi
tht
hewi
destsmi
l
eonher
f
ace.

"Hai
bo!Di
dyougetpr
oposedt
o?"Iaskandmamacl
apsher
hands.

"
Idon'
twantt
hatSi
phododi
inmyhouse!
"Mv
elor
oll
sherey
es.
Onceyoucr ossorhurtherchi
l
dren,
maNgobesecancel
syou
for
ever.YoucanchangeandbecomedeputyJesusandshesti
l
l
won'tf
orgiv
eandf orget
.

"Honey,
Idon'
tgobackt
otr
ash.
"Mv
elosay
sandf
li
psherweav
e
back.

Shepul
l
soutt
hehi
ghchai
randsi
tsoni
t.

"
Thenwhathasy
ousohappy
?"Mamaasks.

"Wel
lMaNgobese,
ify
oumustknow.Imetaboyandhe'
s
amazi
ng.
"ShesaysandIf
rown.

"I
sn'
titt
oosoon?Imeanyousti
l
lneedt
ogetSi
phooutofy
our
syst
em."Sherai
sesaney
ebrow.

"Br
o,If
lushedt
hatpi
eceofshi
toutofmysy
stem al
ongt
ime
ago.
"ShesaysandIchuckl
e.

"Yousai
dhehasbeent
ryi
ngt
ogetbackt
oget
hermos,
"Iam
pissi
ngherof
f.

Mv
eloget
seasi
l
yannoy
edandIl
ovei
t.

"Haibo!Makhosi
ni,Ibl
ockedhi
m andIdon'
twanthi
m back.Iam
tr
yingtogettoknowt hi
snewboy.Inf
actweshoul
dgoona
doubledate,
"Ishakemyhead.

"
Ai,
I'
m notmeet
ingsomeoney
ou'
reonl
yget
ti
ngt
oknow.
"Isay
.

maNgobesel aughs,
"that
'sfai
rthough,Mvelo.Wewillmeetyour
newboyfr
iendwheny ou'
resur
et hati
t'
sgoingtolast
."Iagr
eeand
i
t'
snotcomi ngf r
om abadplace,yourfami
lyshouldonlymeeta
per
sonyouhav easoli
dthingwith.Wecan'tmeeteveryTom,Dick
andHenr
y.

"
Iheary
ou.Any
way
,wher
e'sy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"
Youhav
ehernumber
,"shesmacksherl
i
ps.

"
Idon'twantt
obetoomuchi nherface.Imeanshepromisedme
l
unchbutshehasn'tcal
led.
"ShesulksandIpressmylipsint
oa
t
hinl
inetoavoidl
aughing.Mysist
erissomethingel
se.

"Mvel
o,MaNgcol
osii
sdeal
i
ngwithalotbaby
.Gi
vehersomet
ime
andshewil
lcal
lokay
?"Mymom says.

Shehasr
eal
l
ybecomeTeam LemohangandI
'
m honest
lyher
efor
i
t.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

Youcanstil
lgety
ourcopi
esofmyPDFs,
pleasecheckt
hepi
nned
postabov
ef ormorei
nfor
mati
on.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER64

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"
Amu,
what
'swr
ong?
"

Mhani asksforthemill
i
onthtimesincewel eftJohannesburgin
theearlyhoursofthemorning.Ihaven'
tbeenmy sel
fsinceJojo
toldmehecheat edandstil
lwant st
ohav emeandt heguyi nhis
l
ife.I
thurtsandIwon'teventrytohideitbutstayinginthatki
nd
ofrel
ationshi
pissuici
de.ImeanI '
m only21yearsol d.I
'venever
beenluckyinlovebutIbeli
eveonedayIwi llf
indmysoul mate
andbehappywi thhi
m.

"Joj
oandIhadadi sagr
eement ,
"that'
snotfarf
rom t
hetruth,I
'
m
j
ustnotreadyt oshareexactl
ywhathappened.From al
lItoldher
aboutJongikhaya,sheconcludedthathe'
sagoodboyandt el
l
ing
herother
wiseisembar rassi
ng.

"
Ohbaby
,I'
m sor
ry.
"Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

I'
llgetoverhim event
uall
y,t
hatI'mv erysureof."
Buty oungloveis
l
iket hat
,thi
sfightwon'tl
ast.Youguy swi l
lbehappyagai nbyt he
endoft hisday."I
'
m gladshe'snotev entryi
ngtofindoutwhywe
fought.Myphonechi mesagai n,Idon'tbotherl
ookingatit.Iknow
i
t'sJongikhayabeggingme, he'sbeenbl owingupmyphone.I
couldblockhim butI'
m notreadyt odot hatandthatdoesn't
meanI
'
llgoback.

Youknowy ou'
reinGi yaniwheny oufeelli
keapi eceofmeatona
braaist
and.Thesuni sscorchinghot ,
Iam ov erbeingher e
al
ready.I'
m notev ensur ehowl ongwewi llbeherebutI '
m glad
wewon' tbestayingwi thmyfat herandhisf amil
y.Thosepeopl e
aresnakes,theyallowedmyf athertogoonpay i
ngl obolafor
anotherwomanwhi l
ehewasst il
lmarri
edt omymom.Af t
ershe
serveshim wit
ht hedivorcepaper swear eoutoft hatplaceand
headedtohersi ster'
shousenotf arf
rom tatana'
shouset hough.

Myf atherbui l
ttwomansionsi nhi
sparentsyar
d.Onef orhi s
mot her,sisterandhersonwhohappenst obet hedrunkard
cousinthatf edmei nf
ormationaboutmyf at
herandMi kat eko.
Thent heot herhehadbui l
tforuswhenwecomet ov i
sitdur i
ng
theholiday s,butIguessit
'shousinghisnewwi feandpr ecious
son.Mhani dri
vesinsi
dethey ardandparksunderthebigt ree
that'
spr ovidingshade.Myf atheri
seit
heroutorhiscari spar ked
i
nt hegar agebecausei t'
snowher eonsight.

Mygrandmother'
shousei
squiet,
theyar
eprobablywatchi
ngus
t
hroughthewindowandgossi
pingaboutmymot herandI.

Theydon'tl
ikeherandt
hey'
venevert
riedt
ohideit,butthe
womanshei snowcoul
dn'
tcar
eless.She'
sonaj ourneyand
fucksar
ef l
yingint
heai
randanyonecancatchthem.I '
mlovi
ngi
t
r
eal
l
y.

Webot
hcl
imboutthecarandPrett
yislookingpr
ett
yhot
!Gi
rli
s
onami
ssi
ontoshowAkani whathelostouton.

Iam wal kingbehindmymom wi t

hagr i
nonmyf ace,sheis
swayingherhi psandr ocki
ngt hosehighheels.Mydadwi l
l
defi
nitelyfeelt
hef ir
eshame, hewi l
ll
ookathi s2kandwonder
whoi sy oungerbetweenherandPr ett
y.Shedoesn'tbother
knocking, shepushesthedooropenandwebot hwal kinsi
de.
There'
sababymi lkbott
leandt i
nont hekit
chencount erandt
her
e
arepot scookingont hestove,itmustbeniceman.

Theyar
eont hesamecouch,Mikatekohasherl
egsonmyf at
her
s
l
apandhe'sbusyrubbi
ngherfeet.Thebol
dandthebeaut
if
ul,
Ri
chFosterandBrookeLogan.

Whent heytur
nandf indmhaniandIattheentrancemyfat
her
pusheshiswife'
slegsoffandgetsup.Hei sshockedt
oseeus
here,
that'
sconspicuousl
yvisi
bleonhisface.

"
P..
.P.
..Pr
ett
y,mur
handzi
wawami
na.
"

Hai
bo!Hi
slov
e?I
sthi
smanj
oki
ng?

He'
sbusypl
ayi
ngmasseuseforanot
herwomanandhast
hegut
s
t
ocall
mymot herhi
slov
e?I
t'
stheaudaci
tyf
orme.

"
Akani
,
"shesay
ssof
tl
y.
No,
please!Shemust
n't
,Iwantv
iol
ence.

"Youlookso.
..
sobeauti
ful
.Whendidyoucomeout?"He'
snerv
ous,
hishandsareevenshaki
ng.PoorMi
katekoi
ssi
tt
ingonthecouch
l
ikeawetchicken.

"Comeoutfr
om where?
"Mhani asksandtatanafr
owns,conf
used
bythequest
ionbuti
nallhonest
yIam confusedbyitt
oo.

"
Rehabofcour
se,
"mymot
herl
aughs.

"Ohsoy ouknewwhereIwasthi
swhol
eenti
ret
imeandyounever
call
edorshowedup?"Theat
ti
tudei
nhervoi
cei
sthecont
entI
signedupfor.

Myf at
herswal
l
ows,
hisAdamsappl
ebobbi
ngl
i
keamonkeyona
st
ick.

"
It
's.
..
uhm.
..Pr
ett
yIknow.
..
yoh!
"

Catcaughty
ourt
ongue,
huhAkani
?

Iscr
eam athi
minmyhead.

"Murhandzi
wawami na,Amungwanami na, pl
easesitdown."He
sayspointi
ngt
ot hecouchacrossfr
om him, mymot herleadsus
andsettl
esdownt hencrossesherl
egs.Ijustsi
tdownnextt oher
andwaitimpat
ientlyforev
eryt
hingt
ounf old.

"Whoi
sthisAkani
,
"mymot herasks,
looki
ngatMi
kat
eko.I
'
m sur
e
shewant
st oj
umpt hatgi
rl
,IknowIdo.

"
Thi
sisNganakani
'
smot
her
,Mi
kat
eko.
"

"
Andwhoi
sthi
sNganakani
?"Ohshe'
spl
ayi
ngdumbandIl
ovei
t.
Myfat
hermustfeel
theheat
,heranfrom Johannesbur
gsowe
cametogr
il
lhi
mi nhisownbackyar
d.

"Ther
e'sal otwehavetotalkabout
,mylove."Iheaveadeepsigh
andhel ooksatme.I'
m surehecansenset hatmymot herknows
thetr
uthandhepr obabl
yt hi
nksI'
mt heonewhot oldher.The
babycriessomewhereinthehouseandt hemot herjol
tsupand
runstoattendtoherchi
ld.

"Mi
kat
ekowil
lcomebackandgetyousomet
hingt
odr
ink,
"he
say
smovingtothesi
ngl
ecouch.

"No,thankyou.
"Myfather
'sshoul
derssag.Mikat
ekocomesback
i
nt heroom wit
hthebaby,Idon'
tevenwishtoseethatbabyandI
don'twantt
ohearhowhei saninnocentsouli
nallofthi
sandshi
t.

Shetr
iest
ogiv
ehimtomyf atherbutAkani
Nkovanit
hinksit'
s
okayt
osaysheshoul
dgivethebabytomymot her
.Iam pissed
whenmymotherdoesn'
tst
opt hem.

ShetakesNganakani
andIl
ookaway
,Idon'
twannaputaf
acet
o
thatname.

"PapaNathan,
I'
m goingtocheckmypots.Doyouneedanyt
hing?"
Sheasksandmyf athershakeshi
sheadno.Thepoort
hingwalks
awaytothekit
chen.

"Soyoufat
heredthi
schi
ld?Wit
hthatchil
d?"MymotherasksandI
wanttoapplaudherf
orherr
hymes.NickiMinaj
hasnothi
ngon
Pret
ty.

"Imadeami st
ake,
mylove.I'
vemadepl
entyoverthey
ear
sandI
am tr
ulysor
ry.
"Hesni
ff
s"Iloveyousomuch,Iknowmywords
aren'
tmat
chi
ngmyact
ionsandf
ort
hatIam t
rul
ysor
ry.
"Mybl
ood
boil
s.

Hesoundsl
i
keJongi
khay
ari
ghtnow.

"I
'm nothereforthatri
ghtnow, I'm overeveryt
hing.Asy oucan
see,thePrettyyouturnedintoadoor mati
sl onggone, t
hisoneis
nottakinganyshit.She'splanningonl i
vi
ngherbestl if
eandl i
vi
ng
forherchil
d.AmuandIdeser vesomuchbet ter,Akani
.You've
hurtthebothofusdeepl ybutt roublesdon'tl
astalways."She
sayssof t
ly.

Wow, Iam sopr

oudofherf ornotbeingcrazyandmakingnoise.I
knowIwant edv
iolencebutIl
ovethismat ur
edapproach,i
tshows
himthatmymot herhasmov edpasthim andthismarri
age.

"
Youpai
dlobol
aandi twascelebrat
edbybothfamil
i
es,that
meansyouent
eredintoacustomarymarr
iagewhil
emarr i
edto
me.Weareinacivi
lunionsobylawwhaty oudi
diswrong,"Pr
ett
y
t
helawy
erisputtoplay.

"Iwasunderpressur
e,Idi
dn'
twantmysont obebornandnot
carrymysurname.Herfamil
ysai
dIcoul
dn'tpaydamagesf orthe
childandnotmarryt
heoneIdamaged,
"that'
safuckinexcuse.My
fatheral
waysgetshi
sway ,i
fhedi
dn'
twanttomar r
ythegirlhe
woul dn'
thav
e.

"
Whatyoudidisi
l
legal
.Butt
hat
'sokaybecauseIwantadiv
orce,
t
henyoucanconti
nuewit
hyourmarri
agetomamaNat han,
"my
mot
hersays.

"
Pret
ty,
nodi
vor
cepl
ease.Wecanr
eal
l
ymakei
twor
kpl
ease.
"
Hai
bo!Remov
ethatmask,
weknowi
t'
syouJongi
khay
a.

Di
dmyf
atherandJoj
oexchangenot
es?

"Idon'twantmuchfr
om y ouAkani,
Ijustwantwhatismine.The
divor
cepapersandeveryothernecessarydocumentsar
ei nthi
s
envelope.Gothr
oughthem withyourlegal
team andsi
gn,"heis
shakinghisheadvi
gorously
.I'
m annoyed.

Hehasbeent r
eat
ingmymot herli
ketrashforyears,whyishe
pret
endi
ngtocareaboutherorthei
rmar r
iage?Heshoul dbe
ecst
ati
cthatshefi
ledandhecanl i
vehisli
fewithoutus.

"Takey ourti
meandwr apyourheadaroundthi
sbutnodivorce.I
promi sethatMi
katekowon'tbeaprobl
em inourmarr
iage,she
willknowherplaceandrespectyour
s.Iwil
lmakesureofthat."He
tri
est ocoaxmymom.

"
Idi
dn'tcl
eanupt
oonl
ygoandpl
ayi
nthemudonceagai
n,
"
r
espect!

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"
SoIwast hi
nkingthatIkeept
hemoneyandmakesur
ethatyour
motherhasevery
thingsheneeds,
"myuncl
esay
sandImentall
y
r
oll
myey es.

"Everyt
hingsheneedswit
hthemoneyt hatcamebecauseoft
he
personshehat essomuch?"Iaskbor
edandheheav esadeep
sigh.Idefeat
edhim.
"
Iknowy ourmothersaysanddoesthi
ngsthatmakeyoubeli
eve
t
hatshehatesyou,butIpromi
sethatshedoesn'
t.
"Iwantt
olaugh
i
nhisfacebutIdon't
.

"Webot hknowt hat

'snottrue.Andmalome,youdon'thavet osay
thingsthatyouwon'tdojustsoy oucanconvi
ncemet oal l
owy ou
tokeept hemoney .
"Hechokesonhi sbeerandst ar
tscoughing
violent
ly.Ihi
tanerveandI'
m gladIdid.He'
sonlybeingnicetome
becauseoft hemoney ,
becausenowheknowst hatmybi ologi
cal
fatherisnotabrokeman.Idon' thav
etimeforfakelove.

"
It
'snotli
kethat
,honest
lyLemo."It
akeadeepbreathandshake
myhead.Hehonestlydoesn'
thavetopr
etend,
heshowedmehi s
t
ruecolor
slongago.Iwouldbestupi
dtobeli
evethi
sfacade.

"
Malome,keepthemoney .It
'spaybackforally
ouhaveev erdone
f
orme.It'
suptoyoui fyouwantt oshar
ewi t
hyoursi
sterornot."
Hedoesn'
tsayanythingbutclearshi
sthroat
.Heprobablydoesn'
t
wantt
osaysomet hingthatwillmakemechangemymi nd.

Wesi tinsil
enceneart heshackthatser
v esasstoragef orold
things,
notliket herearenewt hi
ngsherebutokay .Thi sshackis
alsohomet ofatr atsthatonewouldmistakeforcat s.Winteris
nowoni t
sankl es, soonenoughwewon' tneedheat ersandcoat s.
Iam justgladbecauseImi ssmysummerdr esses,especi all
ynow
thatIhaveMakhosi ni
.It
'seasyaccessf
orquickthingsy ouknow.

Myphoner
ingsf
rom myj
eanspocket
,Iqui
ckl
ytakei
tout
.It
'smy
boyfr
iend,he'sprobabl
ychecki
ngin.Hecouldn'tdri
vemehere
todaybecausehehadt omeetupwithsupplier
s,thebui
l
ding
mighthav eburneddownbutbusinessi
sgoi ngon.He'spushi
ng
i
mpor tantordersandever
ythi
ngelsewil
lresumeonceLukhele
Diamondsi supandr unni
ngagain.

Ist
andupfr
om t
hechai
randplacet
hegl
assofcokeonmychai
r
andmoveawayf
rom myuncl
e.

"
Hey
,myl
ove.
"Ianswer
.

"MfazikaMakhosini
,
"hesaysandIwanttogetont
heroofand
shoutatthetopofmyv oi
ce.Thebut
ter
fl
iesi
nmystomachare
havingabash,i
t'
scrazy
.

"
Howareyou?
"That'
sthebestIcoul
dcomeupwi
thaf
terhe
mademyheadspi
n.Imeany oh!

"
Iam al
ri
ghtbaby,
howar eyou?Howaret
hingsgoi
ngthatsi
de?
"
He'
svoi
ceiscalm andchar
mingasal
ways.Ican'
tshame.

"I
'
m good,I'
mjustannoyedwit
hmyuncl e.He'
sact
ingal
lhol
l
y
becausethemoneyiscoming.Ican'
tbeli
evet
heguy,
"hesmacks
hi
slips.

"
Ifhe'
sgoi
ngcrazyov
eri
nhl
awul
o,whatwi
l
lhappenwhenIcome
t
opaylobol
a?"

Hol
l
yspi
ri
t.

Sucht
alksusedt
oscaremebutnowIcan'
ti
maginenotbei
ng
wit
hhi
mf orther
estofmyl
if
e.IknowI
'mtwent
ybutdude,doyou
knowMakhosi
niLukhel
e?I
'
minl
oveher
e.

"
Idon'
twantt
oimagi
ne,
love."IsayandIknowt
hesmi
l
eonhi
s
f
acecoul
dli
ghtupt
hedarkestdungeon.

"So,what '
shappening?Am Ipicki
ngy ouupory ou'
resleepingthat
side?"Iwi shIwasgoingtohim butIneedt ostayher
et omake
suref oodanddr i
nksarereadyfortomorrow.Myst epmot heris
comi ngwi thmyfather
'sbrot
herandsi st
er.I'
l
lbemeetingt hem
forthef i
rstti
metomor r
ow.

"Ineedtost
aythi
ssi
debabe,
I'
llbesl
eepi
ngatmyuncl
e'
sandI
'
m
notlooki
ngfor
wardt
oit
."Hegroans.

"Butt
omorr
owI'
m seei
ngy
our
ight
?"HeasksandIchuckl
e.He'
s
suchababy.

"
Obv
iousl
y,l
ove.
"

Weconcl udet hecallandmywhol emoodhasi mpr oved,not hi

ng
myuncl ecansayordowi llmakemef eelsomet ypeofway .
Makhosi nihasmer i
ghtnomat terwhat ,he'sdefinit
elymymood
boost er.Itakemygl assandev enbef oreImakei tdownt othe
chairal oudscr eam hasmest andi ngupr ightwithmyey es
widened.Il ookatmyuncl eandhi sreactionisthesameasmi ne.
Irushi nsidethehousewi thhi
m onmyheel s.Oneoft hel adiesI
gottoscr ubthishousecl eanist heonewhoscr eamedl iket hat.
Wef indt hem bot hstandi
ngbyt hewar drobe, l
ookingl i
ket heyj ust
sawaghost .Mymot her'
sbedi smov edandwhatIseemakesme
fr
own, Whatt hef uckisgoingont here?
"
What'
sgoi
ngon?
"Myuncleasksandt
het
wol
adi
espoi
ntt
o
wher
emymother
'sbedwas.

"Kengmoo?What '
shappeni
ng?"He'
sshout
ingunnecessari
ly
,
can'theseet
hesewomanar et
raumati
zedbysomethingtheysaw?
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER65

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

Iam sitt
ingont hegr oundoutside,mybackagai nstthewall.My
kneesar ebroughtupt omychestandI '
m huggi ngthem t
ightl
yas
Irockmy sel
fbackandf or
th.Iwil
lneverforgetwhatIsawunder
mymot her
'sbed, ifIhadn'
tbroughtpeoplet ocomehel pmecl ean
thi
shouset henwewoul dstil
lbeli
eveheleft.Imeanwhoel se
coulditbeifnotmyst epfather?Wehav ebeenl iv
ingwiththe
remainsofaper sonwebel ievedwenttobuybr eadandnev er
cameback.Howcoul dMaleshoanedot his?Whydi dsheev enkil
l
him?

Nowev erythingmakessense, i
tmakessensewhysheal way s
want edtobeal oneinthatbedroom, whyshewoul dn'tall
ow
any onet ocl eanitup.Shewashi di
ngt heshal lowgrav eshedug
forherownhusband.Oneshehasbeencr y
ingf or
,forsomany
year s,pretendingshedoesn' tknowwher ehewaswheni nr eal
i
ty
shewassl eepingabov ehim.Coul ditbet hatshelostt ouchwi th
realitybecauseofhergui l
t?Shet ri
edconv i
ncingher selfthatshe
didn'tkillhim buthel ef
t?Icannothel pbutt hinkshemi ghthave
kil
ledKget hangbecauseher efusedt ostayaf terl
earningabout
mypat ernity.Shehat esmebecausesheki ll
edherhusbandwho
want edtol eavebecauseIwasn' thisdaught er.
Forensi
csandt hepol i
cearegoingupanddown, i
nandoutoft he
house.Idon'tknowwhat '
shappeni nginsidebutIknowt heyare
deali
ngwi t
ht her emainsofwhoIbel ievet obeKgethangMohapi .
AmanIbel i
ev edt obemyf atherunti
laf ewweeksago.Icar r
ied
somuchhat et owardshim becauseIt houghthedidn'tcar
e,that
hewaspr obabl ylivi
nghisl
ifewhileinact ualf
acthi
slifewascut
shortbythemot herofhischild.

Thebitter
nessofvomiti
nmymout hisgi v
ingmeanotherurgeto
puke.Immediat
elyaft
erIsawwhatt hewomenpoi nt
edt owards
andmyuncl epul
ledouttheplasti
cfr
om underthesoil
,mygut s
shi
ftedandIvomitedri
ghtthere.Neverinamill
i
onyearsdidI
thi
nkwewoul dfi
ndhumanr emainsi
nt hehouseIgr
ewupi n.

Immedi at
elyafterpuking,Itookoutmyphoneandcall
edthe
poli
ce,explai
nedwhatwehadj ustdi
scov
eredandtheycamein
rushingwith3v ans.Icouldn'tt
alkt
othem somyunclegavehi
s
statementwhi l
etheygav emet imetogathermysel
fandI'
vebeen
sit
ti
ngher esince.

"
Arey
oubet
ternow?
"Thewhi
tecopwhocamei
nlastasks.

Ishakemyhead,
"no,
butIt
hinkIcangiv
emyst at
ementnow.
"I
sayandhenodsandhol
dsouthishandtopul
lmeuponmyf eet
.

"Doy
ouhaveanyi
deawhot
hatcoul
dbe?
"HeasksandIsl
owl
y
nodmyhead.

"
Ithi
nkt
hat
'smyst
epf
ather
,Kget
hangMohapi
."Isayandhe
f
oldshi
sar
msacr
osshi
schest
.Anot
herpol
i
ceof
fi
cerj
oinsus.

"
Whydoy
oubel
i
evet
hat
?"HeasksandIshr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"I
t'
sjustagutf
eeli
ng,"henar
rowshiseyes.Iknowgutf
eel
i
ngs
don'
tworkasevidencebutst
il
l,i
tneverl
ies.

"Whenwasthel
astt
imey
ousawhi
m?"HeasksandIdon'
tev
en
havet
othi
nkabouti
t.

"Mymotherwasstil
lpr
egnantwi
tht
heirson,
Iwas13year
sof
ageandthat
'sabout7year
sago.
"Isayandhenods.

"Makessense,
theforensi
cpat
hol
ogistsay
stheper
sonhasbeen
deadfor7to8y ear
s."OhmyGod,i
t'
shim.

Idon'
thav
eanydoubt
s,notev
enone.

"Doyoumaybeknowwhoki
ll
edhi
m?"HeasksandIseemyuncl
e
qui
cklyst
ri
dingt
owar
dsuswit
hwi
denedeyes.

"
Lemohang,
don'
tsayt
hingsy
oudon'
tknow.
"Hequi
ckl
ysay
s.

"
Sir,
please.Theyoungladyhasherownt
heor
y,j
ustli
key
ou.
Al
lowhert ospeak,
"thewhit
ecopsayswi
thnosmile.

"
Wejustneedtot
alkasafamil
yfir
st,
"hesay
sandIknowhe
want
stoprot
ecthi
ssist
erbutshekil
l
edaman.

"Nt
ate,
doy ouwantustoarr
esty
ouforobstruct
ionofj
ust
ice?
"
Thesecondcopasks,t
ouchi
nghishandcuf
fs.

"
No!
"Hesay
sthenst
epsback.

"
Youcangoon,
"It
akeadeepbr
eat
h.
"I
..
.uhm.
..
Ithi
nkt
hatmaybeheandmymot hergoti
ntoafi
ghtand
somethi
nghappened.
"Isayandhel
ooksathi
scoll
eaguethen
backatme.

"Yourmother
?Whereisshe?"HeasksandIheaveadeepsigh.
Howdi dt
hisdaygofr
om prepari
ngfort
omor r
owtoansweri
ng
questi
onsabouthumanremainsfoundundermymother
'sbed?

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

Myuncl eandIaresi
tti
ngbehi ndthedetecti
v eandhiscol
league
i
nt hedoublecappol
icebakki e.Aft
ertal
kingt ometheyexcused
themselvesandcamebackaf terafewmi nutesaski
ngthatItake
them towheremymot heris.Itoldthem t
hatmyuncl eistheone
whoknows, hetri
eddenyingbutwhenhewasr emi
ndedofbeing
arrest
edforobstr
uct
ionofj usti
ceheadmi ttedtoknowingandwe
gotinthecar.

Wej ustpassedzone10, headedt oZone14.That'

swher ethe
homemyuncl etookmymot heris.Iwon'
tli
eIam soner vous,
scaredthatallofthi
sistr
ue.Iam desperatetobewrong, Idon'
t
wantmymot hertobeamur dererforAt
angssake.I'
m crossing
fi
ngersthatthere'
sanotherexplanati
on.I
maginehowbadl yt
hat
wouldaffectmyl it
tl
eguy,I'
m hurti
ngforhi
m.ButifMal eshoane
real
l
ydi ditt
hent helawmustt akeit'
scour
se,noevildeedmust
gounpunished.
Thesecur i
tyguardatthegatecomest othewindowtot al
ktothe
detect
ive.Heexplainswhywear ehereandaskst oseethe
personincharge.Thesecurit
yguardnodsandwal ksbackt ohis
l
it
tleoff
ice,afewsecondsl at
erhecomesoutagai nandsl i
desthe
gateopen.Wedr i
veinandmyhear ti
spoundinginmychest ,Iam
sonervous.Itfeel
slikeIdi
dsomething,l
iket
hisisallhappeni
ng
becauseofme.

"
Lekgot
la?Whyarey
oubringi
ngpol
i
ceher
e?"t
heshor
tmanwi
th
asmall
headaskspi
ssed.

"Somethinghappenedandweneedt
oseemysi
ster
,"myuncl
e
saysquickl
y.

Ithi
nkheisangr
yatmeforpoi nt
ingthepol
i
cetomymother.I
t
wastheri
ghtthi
ngtodo,KgethangMohapirai
sedme,
provi
ded
andprot
ectedme.Hedeservesjust
ice.

"Si
r,canyoutakeust
othel
ady,
"hesmackshisl
ipsandtur
nst o
l
eadt heway.Whyishesopi
ssed?I
shedoingsomethi
ngil
legal
here?

Wegett oonebui l
dingandenter
,ther
e'sawomani nwhi
tesit
ti
ng
behindadesk, she'sscrol
l
ingthr
oughherphoneandchewi ngt he
fuckoutoft hatbubblegum.Shedoesn'tbotheract i
ng
professionaleventhoughtheownerjustwal kedin.Theman
takesasetofkey sonthedeskandheadsf urtherdownthe
hall
way .Heunlocksonedoorandpushesi topen, whenhesteps
asi
deweseemymot hercurl
edinabal
lont
opofadirt
ylumpy
mattr
ess.Ifi
twasanyotherday
,Iwoul
daddresst
hecondi
ti
ons
oft
hisplace.

Asmuchasmymot herhatesmeandall,
Icannothel
pbutfeela
st
inginmyhear
t.Seeingherthi
swayhurts,
ithur
tstomysoul.I
wishshemadedif
ferentl
if
echoicesandmay bej
ustmaybe,her
l
if
ewouldn'
thav
et urnedoutthi
sway.

"
Mal
eshoane,
"herbr
othercal
l
sher
.

Shej
umpsupasshehear
shi
svoi
ce.

"
Lekgot
la,
pleaset
akemet
omyhouse.
"Shebegs,
alr
eadycr
ying.

"Ma'am,mynamei sdetecti
veRietz.Iam investi
gatingthe
possibl
ehomi ci
deofyourhusband.Hi sremainswer ediscover
ed
underabedt hati
sbeli
evedtobey oursthismor ning.Doy ou
knowany t
hingaboutthat
?"Mymot her'
sey eball
sar eaboutt ofal
l
off
,sheisfrozenonthespot,notevenblinking.Tearsar ejust
str
eamingdownherf ace,herl
owerl i
pqui veri
ng.Oht hisisbad,
she'
snotshocked,notevenabi t
.Shedi dit,mymot heri sa
murderer.

"Ma'
am?"Thedetect
ivetr
iesagai
nbutnothi
ng.I'
veneverseena
humanbei
nginthisstat
ebefore,
it'
sli
kehersoull
eftandweare
onl
ylef
twit
hthebody.

"
Mama,
"herey
esmov
est
omei
mmedi
atel
y.Theyar
eful
lofhat
e
andIsweari
fshecouldbegi
vent
hechancet
oki
l
lmei
nthi
s
momentshewouldtakeit
.

"Thi
sisal
lyourfaul
t,y
ouareanev
ilchi
l
d."Shesay sandasmuch
asI'
vehear
dt hi
sahundredti
mesbefor
e,itst
il
ltakesmyli
tt
le
hear
tandcrushesit
.

"
Whyisal
lofthi
sonme?"Ican'
tkeepqui
et,
I'
mti
redofbei
ng
l
abel
edev
ilbythi
swoman.

"I
fy ouwer en'
tborn,Lemohangmyhusbandwoul dstil
lbealiv
e.I
woul dn'
thav eki
ll
edhim.Iwouldn'thavetakent
hatgolfcluband
hithim ont heheadbecauseIwast ryi
ngtopreventhimf r
om
l
eav ing.Ithoughthewi l
ljustf
aintandwakeupcal m sowecanbe
ablet otalk."Shescreamsatme, herwholebodyshaking.Icannot
beli
ev emyear s.Shehatesmesomuchshedoesn' tevenreal
ize
thatshej ustgav ethepoli
ceaconf essi
on.

"
Mal
eshoane!
"Herbr
othert
ri
est
oshutherupbuti
t'
stool
ate.

"No!Abuti,
thi
schil
drui
nedmyl i
fe.Shehastoknowthat
everyt
hingismessedupbecauseofher,
"herwordsarel
ike
poison.

"Ineveraskedy outosleepwithamanwhowasn' tyourhusband,

"
Isaybutt hatonlyangershermor e.Shet
ri
estochargetowards
mebutt hecopquicklystepsinandholdsherback.She'
skicki
ng
andscr eaming,desperat
et oescapesoshecangetherhands
aroundmyneck.

"Youshoul
dhav ebeentheonetodie.MyhusbandandIwoul
d
sti
ll
betogether
,rai
singourson.Theoneyoutookawayf
rom
me.
"Icl
utchatmychest
,tear
sbl
urr
ingmyv
isi
on.

"Ri
etz,whatar
ewewai t
ingf
or?Wehaveaconfession.Wejust
needitontape.
"Thesecondcopsay
s.Idi
dn'
tquitecatchhi
s
name.

"
Ma'am,youareunderar
restf
orthemur
derofKgethang
Mohapi
..
."Iwal
koutevenbefor
eshecoul
dfi
nishbeing
mir
andi
zed.

Igost andbyt hepoli

cebakki
eandt akeadeepbr eath.Icannot
all
owt hiswomant oal
waysputthebl ameonme.Idi dn'tpushher
tosleepwi thmyf at
her,
shedidthatallbyherselfandIwast he
product.Ifanyoneshouldbehati
ngt heother,t
heni tshouldbe
me.Mal eshoaneli
edtomemyent i
relif
eandI '
mt heonei nthe
wrong?Ihonest lydon'
tunder
standhowt hatpl
ay soutinherhead.

ButI'
m done, I
'
m donefeel
ingsorr
yforthi
swoman.I'
m done
hopi
ngt hatshechangesandgivesAtangandIl
ove.Wehavethat
now,myf atherandhi
swi f
ehavesteppedup,wedon'
tneedher
anymore.

Thedetecti
vesappearwi t
hmymot hercuff
ed,she'
sscreaming
andsayingall
sort
sofi nsult
s,mostlydi
rectedatme.Myuncl e
andhisfri
endarefol
lowingbehind.Theonecopopenst heback
ofthevanandmymot hertakesthatmomentt ospitatme.Igasp
i
nshock, whywouldshespi ti
nmyf ace?Thi si
slow,evenforher
.
Shehasbeent hemostt oxi
cmot hereverandIhopesher otsi
n
pri
sonunti
lthedayshedies.Idon'tcarehowevi
lthatmakesme
soundbutthat'
showIfeel.Theyputheri nt
hebackandlockup.
Thescreamingandbangingintensi
fies,
she'
sacompl et
e
madwomanr i
ghtnow.

"Thankyouforcal
li
ngi
nandnotal l
owingthismurdert
osl
i
de
becausesheisyourmother
,"det
ecti
veRietzsay
sandInod
I
mper cept
ibl
y.

"CanweexchangenumberssoIcankeepy
ouupdat
edaboutt
he
case,
"hesaysandIshakemyhead.

"Ihonest
lydon'
twantany
thi
ngt
odowi
thmymot
her
."Isayand
henods.

"It
otall
yunderstandbutasthecaseprogresses,youwon'thavea
choice.
"Ijustwanttobedonewi t
hthi
swoman, "Getinthecar,
we
wil
laskoneofmycol l
eaguesatthestat
iontogodr opyouand
youruncleoff.I
'
m suretheyaredonecoll
ectingevidenceatt
he
house,"

"No,Iwi
l
ltakeat
axi
backhome,
urgh!
"Ir
emembert
hatIdon'
t
havemoneyonme.

"
Her
eyougo,
"hehandsmeaR50not
e.

"
Thanky
ou,
"henodsandgoest
ocl
i
mbt
hecar
.

Thepoli
cecardr
ivesout,Iwat
chi
tunt
ili
tdisappear
sar oundthe
cor
ner.Peopl
earoundthehomearest
andingnearby,Ididn'
t
real
i
zet
hatwehaveonl
ookers.Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
hem,
theydon'
t
knowmeandIdon'
tknowthem.

"Doyouknowt hebadluckyouj
ustbroughtuponyoursel
f,
Lemohang?"Ipivotandfi
ndmyunclelooki
ngdisgust
edbehind
me.

"
Excuseme,
mal
ome?
"Hechuckl
es.

"
Nyesj
uznyi
!Howcouldyousendyourownmothertoj
ail
?She
madeamist
ake,
"hesaysandIam shockedt
osaythel
east.

"Sheki
l
ledaman, shehastobepuni
shedfori
t.At
angdoesn'
t
haveafat
herbecauseofher,
"hei
sshaki
nghishead.

Idon'
tcar
ewhathethi
nksofme,Idi
dther
ightt
hing.Iwon'tl
ose
sl
eepoverMal
eshoanebei
ngi
njailf
oracr
imesheconf essedto
commiti
ng.

"Whatifi twasy ou,huh?Woul dn'

tyouwanty ourmurdererbehi
nd
bars?OrKget hangdoesn'tdeservejusti
cebecausetheperson
thatkil
ledheri syoursist
er?"Iaskandheswal lowshardwhile
bli
nkingr apidl
y.Youknowwhat ?Idon'tneedtobehavingthis
conv er
sat i
on.Ineedt ogetbacktothathouse, t
akemybagand
got akeat axitoJohannesburg.Idon'twanttocallany
one, I
'
llt
ell
them ev eryt
hingwhenIgett here.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER66

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

LEMOHANGMOHAPI

"Ican'
tbeli
evetheMal
eshoaneIknewbackt
heni
stheper
sonwe
aretal
kingaboutnow.
"Mamasay s.

Sheandmyf at
herareshocked,
myf atherismorehurtthan
shocked.Icanseeitinhi
seyes,hisemotionsaremixed.Itol
d
hi
m heshoul dstopblami
nghimselfforhowt hi
ngsturnedoutfor
me,it'
snothisfaul
tthatmymot herdeci
dedt opinmeonher
husband.

"Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
osay
,MaNgcol
osi
.ButIam sor
ry,
"I
clasphi
shand.

"
Doanyofy
ouwantacupoft
ea?
"Ismi
l
eandshakemyhead.

"Iwoul
dappr eci
ateaglassofscot
ch.WhatLemohangj
usttol
dus
i
shor r
if
ic.Thesearescri
ptswewatchonmov i
es,
Nomuzi.
"He
saysandhi swif
eclapsonce!

Iwon'
tfor
getwhatIsawinahurrybutontheot
herhandI'
m gl
ad
weknowthetrut
h.Allt
hequest
ionsIhadgotanswer
edtoday,
I
l
etgooftheangerandhat
eIhadt owardsmystepf
ather
.

"Bhengu,weshoul dreal
l
yorgani
zether
apyforMaNgcolosi
.She
hasbeent hroughsomuchf orherage,
I'
m sur
pri
sedthatshe'
s
sti
llst
anding."ShesaysandIwanttoshoutno!
I
'm notgoingt
oseeanyt
her
api
st,
Idi
dthatonceandIendedup
wit
hacr azyman.

Iwil
ltal
kaboutwhatbot
her
smewi
thMakhosi
ni,
Iwon'
tbot
tl
e
thi
ngsupli
kebefore.

"
Defi
nit
ely
,wi
l
lyoul
ooki
ntoi
tpl
ease.
"Myf
athersay
sandIheav
e
asi
gh.

"Iappreci
atei
tbutI
'l
lbefine.I
'vedealtwi
thmostt hingsthat
happenedt ome.Thi
si swaterunderthebridge.Ineverhada
rel
ationshi
pwit
hmymot hersot hi
sisn'
treall
yablowt ome.I'm
j
ustwor ri
edaboutAtang,
"Isayandmamasni ff
sandwi pesthe
straytear.

"Nochi l
dshouldhavetotal
klikethi
s."NowI'
m betweentwo
emot i
onalpeople,
theyarehurti
ngformeandI '
m notevent
hat
bothered.I
'mjustworri
edformybr ot
her,wor
ri
edabouthowt hi
s
wil
laffecthi
m nowandi nfuture.

"Isuggestt
hatwetel
lAtit
hatyourmotheri
sinjai
lbutwedon't
tell
him why.Wewil
lj
ustsayshedidsomethingbad,thenwhen
he'soldenought
ounderst
andwegethi m aprof
essionalwhowi
ll
bear oundwhenwebreakthenewsandhelphim dealwithi
t.
"
Papasay s.

NowIreal
lywonderwhatIwoul
dhav
edonei
nthi
ssi
tuat
ioni
fI
di
dn'
thavethebothoft
hem.

"
Iagr
ee,whatdoy
out
hinkbaby
?"MamaNomuzi
asksandInod
myhead

v
igor
ousl
y.Thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imeI
'
m bei
ngachi
l
dinasi
tuat
ion.I
'
m
notexpect
edt
ohav
easol
uti
onoranswert
othesi
tuat
ionathand.

"
That
'st
hebestwayt
ogoabouti
t,
"

Iam inthekit
chen,Icamet omakemamaacupoft eaandpour
somescot chformyf ather.Ithoughthedoesn'tdrinkalcohol
becauseofhishealth,butmamasay sshegiveshim ever y
thing
heasksf orbecausethesear ehislastdays.Iam inaweofhow
mucht hiswomanl ovesmyf ather,
inf
actI'
mi naweofhowmuch
l
oveshegi vestoallofus.Iam honest l
ygrateful
t ohavean
opportunit
ytoatl
easthav eamot herfi
gur
ei nher.HowIwi shher
chi
ldrencouldcomear oundandseehowbl essedt heytrulyare.

IpassbyAtang'sbedroom, hisdoori sajarandIseehi m passed

outontherugwhi l
etheTVi sst il
lpl
ay i
ng.Iwi shIcouldprotect
himfrom ev
erythi
ng,toshieldhi mfrom alltheev il
ofthiswor l
d.
ButIknowheisast rong,resil
ientyoungboy .What ev
erlif
e
thr
owsathim, hewillcomeoutv ict
oriousjustl i
keIdid.I
twi l
lbe
hardbuthewil
l cont
inuethecl imbandwi nint heend.God, Il
ove
thi
sli
ttl
eboysomuch.

Istepinsidemyparentsroom andt heyarelist

eningtosomeone
ont hephone,it
'sonspeaker.Irecognizethevoiceinst
ant
ly,
it'
s
myuncl e.Whatdoeshewant ?Tot el
lmyf at
herwhata
disappointmentIam f
orreporti
ngacr ime?Ihandmamahercup
ofteaonasaucerandhol dontomyf ather'
sglassoftheamber
dr
ink.Iset
tl
edownont
hechai
randl
i
steni
nont
heconv
ersat
ion.

"So,
that
'swhathappened.Idon'
tev
enknowwher
eshei
sri
ght
now,"malomeLekgotl
asays.

"Lemohangi
sokay,she'
sher
eathomewi
thus.
"Heheav
esasi
gh
andIrol
lmyeyes.

"OhthankGod,
Iwasv
erywor
ri
ed.Isear
chedev
ery
wher
ebut
nothi
ng."

Bat
hong!

Myuncle?Worr
iedaboutme?What '
sthi
smansgamepl an?He
wastel
li
ngmewhati swhatbackinSebokeng,nowhe'
sacti
ngall
concer
nedtomydad?Wi t
chesaren'
tonlytheonest
hatfl
ywith
broomsatni
ght.

"Youcanrel
ax,
she'
sfi
ne.
"Myf
atherhaspi
ckedupont
hismans
phoni
ness.

"SoIwantedtofindoutifwear esti
ll
onfortomorrow?"Heasks
andIwanttolaugh.Heonl ycaredaboutmywher eabout
ssohe
couldfi
ndoutifhe'
sstil
lgetti
ngtheinhl
awulomoney .Whatajoke.
Icannotwaitt
obedonewi thhim andhi
ssister
,str
u!

"Oh,youdon'
twanttopost
pone?
"Papaasksandmyuncl
eis
quickinhi
sresponse.

"Absol
utelynot
,thi
smatteri
sveryi
mportantandurgent.Myniece
deserv
est oberecogni
zedbyhertr
ueancestors.Whatevert
hatis
happeningri
ghtnowshouldn'
tst
andinthewayoft hat
."Barehola
odi
bone.Mal
omekemar
abe.

"
Ohokay
,"myf
atheri
sshockedt
oo.

Yes,wewantthi
stogoonbutwethoughthe'
dpost
poneseei
ng
thatt
hehouseisacr
imescene.

"Butwherewil
lwemeet ?I'
m sur
ewecanagreethatthehouseis
nolongerasuit
abl
ev enue.
"Myfatheri
sspi
tt
ingfact
srightnow.
He'sspeaki
ngmymi nd.

"That
'str
ue,henceIspoket omywi fe.WecandoLemohang' s
thi
nginthemor ni
ngbeforeherev entintheafternoon."Hesay s
andIroll
myey es.Idoubtthere'sakitchenpartyattheirhouse,
hiswifej
ustdidn'twantust here.Theyar ej
ustagreeingto
hosti
ngmyf ather'speopl
ebecauset heyaredesper at
et oget
thei
rhandsont hemoney .

"
Okayt
hen,
ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lgoonaspl
anned.
"

Theyconcludethecallandwest aydiscussi
nghowunbelievable
heis.Allhewantsisthemoney .Ihaveagoodmi ndoftakingthat
moneyandsav i
ngitup,justtospitemyuncl e.Hecan'
tseemeas
anev i
lchil
dfordoingwhat '
srightbutbequickinaccepti
ng
moneyt hatiscomingthroughbecauseofme.Icheckt hetimeon
mywr istwatchandit'
slate,Ishouldgetgoingnowandal l
ow
them tocalli
tanighttoo.

"
Ishoul
drequestanUberandgetgoi
ng,
"Isayandmyf
ather
nar
rowshi
sey
es.

"
Hai
bo!ma'
Ngcol
osi
,gowher
e?"Heasksconf
used.

"
Myapar
tment
,"heshakeshi
shead.

"
Therearemanyroomsi ny
ourf
ather
'shouse.Youcanstayher
e
t
onightandwhenevery
ouwant,
"mamaNomuzi saysandIsmil
e
l
ookingdown.

Ihonest
lydi
dn'
twantt
obei
nthei
rspace,
theyal
readyt
ookAt
ang
offmyhands.

"Letmeshowy ouwhi
chroomsy oucanchoosef
rom.Thentakea
showerandcomebackinheretoeat.Wewill
watchy
ourfat
her'
s
favor
it
efr
idayshow,
"Iwouldl
ovetowatchsomeTVwi t
hthem.

Ther oom Ichosei sbeautif

ul,spaci
ousandsomehowmat ches
myst yle.Sheborrowedmehergownandsl i
ppers,
she'st woshoe
sizesbiggerthanmebutI '
llmakedue.Shel eavesmyr oom andI
startstri
ppingoffmyclothest ogot akeaqui ckshowert henj oi
n
them.Myphoner i
ngs,i
tmustbeMakhosi ni.It
oldhim what
happenedonmywayher eov erthephone.Hei shurtthatIdi dn'
t
callhim assoonasev erythingunfol
dedsohecoul dcome.I
understandwher ehe'scomi ngf r
om, Iam inarelat
ionshipnow
andIshoul dn'tt
rytogetthrought hi
ngsonmyown.Fort he
l
ongestt imeIwasonmyownandsomet i
mesIf or
getthatIhav e
allthi
sloveandsuppor t.
"I
'
m sorr
y,"Ianswerandhearhi
m heav
easi
ghont
heot
hersi
de
ofthi
scall
.

"Youaremywoman, Lemohang.Iwantyout ocall

mewhenshi t
hit
sthef ansoIcandr opever
ythi
ngandcomebebyy ourside.At
ti
mesIwon' tchangewhat '
shappeningbutIwillbehol
dingy our
handatleast.Baby ,
youdon'thavetodot hisal
oneanymore,"he
sayssoftlyandt ear
sspr i
ngtomyey es.Ineedtositmyselfdown
andtel
lmet hatmyl ifei
sn'
twhatitusedt obe.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"Isay
.

"Il
oveyou,
Nana."IwishIwaswithhimrightnow,bei
nginhis
armscalmsmedown.Hi spresencechasesawaydarkness."
How
areyouhol
dingup?"HeasksandIsitdownont heedgeofthe
bed.

"I
'm okaybaby,mymot herandIdon'thavearel
ationship.Ifel
tfor
herearli
eronbutaf tersheblamedmeonceagai n, It
hrewmy
empat hyoutthewindow.I '
m good,Iwon'tbr
eakdown.Today
wast heclosureIneededf r
om thatpartofmyli
fe.From
tomor r
owIwi l
lbeaBhenguandI 'm choosi
ngtofocusont hat
j
ourney .
"Isaymyt ruth.

"
I'
m proudofy
ou.What everyouneedjustknowthatI'
m avai
l
abl
e
f
oryoudayandnight,ma'Ngcolosi
."HesaysandinthatmomentI
r
eali
zehowmuchI '
ll
mi ssheari
nghi m cal
lmeMaMohapi .

"
Thanky
ou,
myl
ove.
"

Thatwasawel
ldeser
vedshower
.If
eel
ref
reshedandr
eadyt
o
j
ustr el
axandwat chsomeTVwi thafamilyIhavealwaysl onged
for.Iqui
cklymoisturizemyskinandputont hegownt henl eav e
thebathroom.Idon'tbothergoingbackt omybedr oom becauseI
hav emyphonewi t
hmeher e.Iwalkinandfindmamaont hechai r
feedingmyf at
her,Atangisnextt ohiminbedundert hecov ers.
Thisistheperfectpictur
e,everyt
hingI'
veeverdreamtof .Lor dI'
m
thankful
.

"Yourf
oodisoverther
ebaby,
"mamasayspoi
nti
ngtothev
ani
ty
desk,t
her
e'saplat
ewi t
hthemicr
owav
ecoverontop.

"
Thanky
ou,
ma.
"Itsmel
l
sgood.

Shemadecr
eamysampwi thbeefst
ew,averyhear
tymeal.I
t
remi
ndsmeofUndi
phil
e.Ishoul
drespondt
ot hepi
ctur
esshe
sendt
omev i
aWhatsAppbeforeIsl
eep.

IneverknewMexicohadsuchbeauti
fulplaces,
theyar
eatsome
paradi
secall
edCaboSanLucas.Ebukaissor omanti
c,her
eal
ly
doestakemakingUndiphi
l
ehappyseriously.

"
Arey
ousl
eepi
ngov
er,
Lemo?
"At
angasks.

"
Yes,
Ati
.Iam.
"Hecheer
s,al
lexci
tedandmyf
atherchuckl
es.

Imovemyey
est
otheTVi
nfr
ontofus.Appar
ent
lymydadl
oves
si
tcoms.

JONGI
KHAYASI
SULU
"Thi
sisyourf
avorit
ebaddie,Amu.I'
m notavail
ableatthe
momentpleaseleaveyourdetai
lsandI'
llhol
l
abackaty a!
"Itr
ang
unti
lvoi
cemail
.Ithasbeenthiswaysinceshelefther
et hedayI
tol
dherthetr
uth.

Itkil
l
smet oknowt hatshe'sseeingmycal lsbutav oi
dingme
pointblank.Itwouldbemuchbet terformyhear tifi
twent
strai
ghtt ovoicemail
.Iknowshe'shur tingrightnowandIhat e
my selffordoingthi
stoher,especi al
l
yaf tereverythi
ngshehas
beent hrough.Idon'
tknowwhatt odowi thmy selfnowt hatIdon'
t
knowwher ewest and.Ihaven'
tleftthisapar t
mentandI '
vebeen
avoidingWal e.Il
ovehimy esbutatt hispointIwi shourpat hs
didn'
tcross.

Allmyl i
feI '
v ebeenattractedt obot hmenandwomen, Itried
hidingmyl ikingt owar
dsmenbecauseIwasscar edofj udgement .
Idat edwomanonl yandIwon' tli
e,Inev erfeltanythingst rongly
foranyoft hoseIgoti tonwi th.WhenIgott ouniv ersityand
realizedhowpeopl edon'tgi veashi twhoy ou'ref
ucki ng, Idecided
toembr acemy self
.Thef i
rstboy fr
iendIhadwasj ustacasual
thing, Iwast ry
ingtotestwat ers.Thent hesecondoneIt ruly
caughtf eelingsforandwentont of al
linlov ewi t
hhur tmer eal
bad.Het ookmyhear tandgr ateditli
kecheese.Af t
erhi mI
starteddoi ngt hi
ngsforfun, Ididthatunt il
ImetAmukel ani and
sawmyf uture.She'sthefirsthunt oev eraf f
ectmet hi
sway ,she
mademyhear tskipbeforemydi ckcoul dtwi tchandt hatspoke
volumes.
Ont heot herhandIfellf
orWal ebecauseofhi sinnocenceinthis
j
our ney.Heknowshei sagaymanbuthedoesn' tknowmuch, li
ke
hewasbasi call
ysti
llavir
ginandt hatattr
actedmet ohi m.We
woul dtalkforhoursandhour s,discussi
ngourfearsandhopesof
beingi ntheLGBTQcommuni ty
.Heconnect edtoapar tofmet hat
alway slongedtobef reetoexploremyf eeli
ngsforamanand
receivethesameent husiasm back.Ishouldhav ecuthim off
becausemyl oveforAmukel aniiswayt oogreatbutthere'
sno
pointinr egr
ett
ingnowcozt hi
sismyr eal
it
yandi twon'tchange.

Iwishmygr andmot herwasstil

lal
iv
e,shewoul dadvicemeon
whatt odo.Inmywhol eenti
refamil
y,Peacheswast heonlyone
whoknewaboutmysexual ityandnowit'
sonl yUndiphile.My
grandmotherwassowar m andwelcoming,you'
dfindy ourself
tel
li
nghery ourdeepestdar
kestsecret
sandshewoul dn'tj
udge.
Onlyifheavenhadv isi
ti
nghours.

Iknowmycousi nisn'tj
udgingmebecauseI '
m bi
sexual,
Undi
phil
e
i
sn'tl
ikethat.She'
sjustmadatmef orbeingcaughtupbetween
herfr
iends.Iknowt hisputsherinanawkwar dposi
ti
onandI'm
tr
ulysorr
yf ormysel fi
shness.Lovingtwopeopleshouldn'
teven
beat hi
ng,Ishouldn'thavegivenittheti
meofday .Ineed
someonet ot al
kto,Iknowshe' sonv acat
ionbutafewmi nut
es
wil
lgetmei nt heri
ghtheadspace.

"
Mnt
ase,
"sheanswer
s.
ShesoundsfreshsoIguessIdidn'
twakeherup.Idon'
tknowt
he
ti
mediff
erencebetweenJohannesbur
gandCabo.

"
Hey,
how'sMexi
co?
"Shedr
amat
ical
l
ydr
awsi
nsomeai
randIr
oll
myeyes.

"
Dude!Thisplaceisheav
en.Ndi
bawel
auhl
alaaphaf
orev
er
wet
hu,"Ichuckle.

Ebukai
sgi
vi
ngt
hisgi
rli
sof
tli
fe.

"
What
'st
het
imeov
ert
her
e?"Iask.

"I
t'
stwentypastel
eveni
nthemor ni
ng.I
'
m al
readyi
nabiki
ni
si
ppingsomechampas,"at
leastoneofusi
sliv
ingt
hei
rbestl
if
e.

"Havey
ouspokent
oAmukel
ani
?"If
inal
l
ygett
other
easonofmy
call
.

Sheheavesasi gh,
"yes,afewhoursago.Shewascomment
ing
onthepict
uresIsendherandLemohang. "Shesay
sandmy
i
ntest
inestwistandfreeze.Shei
signor
ingmysorr
yass.

"Di
dshement i
onme? "IknowIsounddesper
atebutIdon'
tcar
e
becauseIam f
ucki
n'desperat
e.

"No,
Joj
o.Shehasn'tspokenaboutyou,
notaftershet
oldme
whatwentdownattheapartment.
"Thatjustr
ippedmyhear
tout
ofmychest.Ineedastr
ongdrink.

"She'
snotgoi
ngtoagreetot
hisbr
o,I
'
m sorry
."Ishakemyhead
asifshecanseeme.Idon'
twantt
ohearthat.

"
Ican'
ttaketheLont
his,
Ijustcan'
t.
"Ihearwav
esspl
ashi
ngi
n
t
hebackground.
"
iDy
anmessedup,
"shesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.

"Ther
e'ssomet
hingIcando,
thehast
obe.
"Gi
vi
nguponheri
sn'
t
anoption.

"
Sitdownwi
thyoursel
fJoj
oandweigheveryt
hingthat
'si
nfr
ontof
y
ou.Anhonestanswerwil
lcomef
rom yourheart
."

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Bat
hong!Whyhaven'
tyouboughtmyPDFs?Nomany
ou'
regi
vi
ng
mehighbl
oodpressur
e.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER67

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Thispastmont hhasbeennot hi
ngshor tofamazi ng,mygi rl
fr
iend
hasbeent hebestv ersionofher self.Ithasbeenanabsol ute
pleasureseeingLemohangt hiscar efreeandl ivi
ngl i
fewi thout
hav ingtowor r
yaboutgoi ngtowor kt omakeendsmeet .When
she'shappy ,I'
m happyandourr elationshi pthri
ves.Ihav ebecome
thispersonthatt akesr andom pictur esandv ideosofherbecause
Iwi shtohav ememor iesofhert hiswayf orever.Idon'tknowwhat
togi veGlenandhi swi feforbeingt heseamazi ngpeopl et oboth
Lemohangandherbr other.SpeakingofGl en,manIam sopr oud
ofthatol dgeezerf orholdingont hisl ongsot hathecanspendas
mucht i
measpossi bl
ewi thhisli
ttl
egi r
l.Weal lcanseet hathe's
donebuthe' spushi ngt hroughjustt ogi veMaNgcol osial it
tl
e
mor eofhimself.Andt hankGodf orgr antinghim al i
ttl
emor et i
me
too.

Ma'NgcolosiandIaresi t
ti
nginar estaurant,i
t'
saWednesday
eveni
ngandourdat enight.Yeswehav eoneoft hosenow, alot
haschangedf orthebetterbetweenus.Wespendmor et i
me
toget
her,wear epract
icall
yjoinedatthehi p.WellIam t
heneedy
onecozIcurrentl
yhav emor et i
meonmyhands.Whenshe' sat
schoolorwithherfami l
yandf ri
endsIspendmyt i
medesigning
newjewelryandjotti
ngdownpl ansforLukheleDi amonds.The
priv
at ecompanyIhadhi redtoinvesti
gat ethef ir
eatmybui lding
didn'tfi
ndany thi
ngconcr ete,
justapar t
ialprint.Weaskedmy
stafffortheirpri
nt stoseei ft
heywi ll
mat chcer t
ainpoint
soft he
partialpri
ntbutnot hing,thatmademebel i
ev emor ethatthi
swas
i
ndeedar son.Buti twasn'tenoughf orthepol icetocarryont he
formal investi
gation,theysaidthepr i
ntcouldbef rom anyone.A
deli
v eryperson,acl i
entormay bejustsomeonewhocamet ov i
sit
ast affmemberatwor k.I'
vedecidedt oputt hatbehindmeand
focusonr ebuil
dingmyempi r
e.

"
Arewet
ryi
nganewcakeagai
nthi
sweekl
ove?
"Sheasks.

Dr
awi
ngmebackt
othenow.

"Uhm,
canwehav
eanewf
lav
orpl
ust
heonewehadl
astweek.
"
Shegi
ggl
es.

Thatonewassomet hingelse,weevenor
deredtwomoresli
cesto
enjoywhenwegothome.Wecamebackt othisr
est
aurantj
ust
forthei
rcakemenu.Ishouldintr
oduceGat
shaandZethu,my
brotherhasasweettoothandIknowhewi l
lappr
eci
atethepl
ug.

Wear eenjoyi
ngourmeal andhavingaf l
owi ngconv ersati
on,
somethingwenev erstr
uggl ewit
h.Oneoft hethingst hatmake
myr el
ati
onshipwithLemohangt of lowthiswayi st hatwe
becomef r
iendsbeforeloversandwehav en'tl
ostt hatfri
endshi
p
atall
.Iam honest
lyproudt osayIhav eabestf r
iendint hi
s
womanandIwoul dn'
ttradeourlov eforany t
hing.Idon'tregr
et
goingtot
heclubandget
ti
ngdruggedandr
obbedbecauseI
wouldn'
thav
emett hi
samazi
ngpersonwhostol
emyhear tand
soul.

"Ohl
ookatyoutwo,"webothturnourheadsandfi
ndRat
anang
appr
oachi
ngourtable.Godno,nott
hisgir
lagai
n.

"
Hi,
"mygi
rl
fr
iendgr
eet
sherpol
i
tel
ybutIknowshe'
sannoy
ed.

"
So,
youmadei
tthi
sfarhuh?
"Whataquest
ion.

Icl
earmythroat,"
yep,
thi
sist hest
uf fthat
'smadeforfor
ever.
"I
saywit
hal opsi
dedgri
n.Ineedhert oknowt hatLemohangisnot
aplayt
hingandsheshouldn'ttr
yplayinggamesorl y
ingagai
nst
meagain.

"Ibetyousaidthatwit
hyourexwif
etoo,Makhosi
ni.
"Sheisbei
ng
spicy."Youknow,ti
l
ldeat
hdoy oupar
t.Buthey
,hereyouarewi
th
her."Shepoint
stoLemowi t
hbothherthumbsandlaughs.

"Andt
hosewordsski
ppedyouforsomereason,whyist
hat
?"OhI
shoul
dhaveknownMaNgcolosiwoul
ddealwiththi
s.

SometimesIf
orgetwhataf
ir
ecr
ackershecanbe.Iam gr
inni
ng
proud,
bett
ert
hanaCheshir
ecat
.

"Letmel eavey
out oyourdinner.Pl
easedogreetMvel
oforme."
Shesay sandturnstoleave.MybabyandIwat chherNaomi
Campbel ltoatabl
enotf arfr
om oursandj
oinstwomoreladi
es.
Wel ookateachotherandl augh.

"
Whatanexagger
atedcatwal
k,
"IsayandLemohangcl
apsonce.
"
Shewoul
dhav
emadeadr
amat
icmamkhul
u,
"Ij
oke.

"Huh?
"Shequickl
yshootsaneyebr
owupandIknowi
t'
san
oppor
tuni
tyf
ormet oplaydi
rt
ywithher
.

"
Howdoyoupersonal
l
yfeel
aboutpol
ygamy
?"Iaskandpi
ckup
mygl
assofwat
erandtakeasi
pfrom i
t.

"Letmesee, uhm Ifeelf

eelli
kebuy ingagun.Ifeelmysel
f
shooti
ngsomeonewi thit
.Ifeelmy selfsi
ngi
ngprisonsongsand
beingpartofagang.Howdoest hatsound?"ShesaysandI'
m
thrownintoafitofl
aughter.Iknewshewasgoi ngtosay
somethingstupid.

HowcanInotl
ovet
hisgi
rlmor
ewi
theachpassi
ngday
?

"
Thatsoundsf
air
,"

Herdrivinghasimproved,Ihadtost ar
tteachingherhowt odr i
ve
andwe' vebeendoingitwiththemanual carIorganized.Ri ght
nowI '
mi nthepassengerseatandshe' sdriv
ingmyUr us,itlooks
amazingonher .She'
sdr iv
ingsl
owl ybecauseshe' sscaredof
damagi ngmycari nanywayandIwon' tli
e,I'
m pinchi
ngmyass
too.IshouldgettheMer cedesfrom mybr ot
her'shouse, Iwon't
besoanxi ouswhenshedr i
vesthatone.Iloveitbutnotasmuch
asthisbabyhere.

"Yout
hinkI
'
mreadyt
ogoandt
est
?"SheasksandIshakemy
head.
"Noty
etbaby,
west
il
lneedt
oper
fecty
ourpar
king.
"Shegr
oans
andIl
augh.

Lemohangwantsthatdr
iver
slicensenow,IdotoobecauseIwant
togetdr
unknamiwhenwear eoutandhav eherdr
ivemehome
l
ikeIal
waysdo.Theserol
esmustber ev
ersed.

"Let
'sf
ocusmor
eont
hatt
hisweekendt
hen,
"shesuggest
sandI
nod.

Weonl
yhav
eourl
essonsonSat
urdayandSundaymor
nings.

"
Ohshi
t!If
orgott
ot ell
you.
"Mvel
oisgoingtomur
derme.Ihope
mywomanhasnot hingpl
annedt
hisweekend.

"
Whatbaby?
"Sheasks,
herey
essti
l
lonther
oad.Il
ovehowshe
i
sn'
teasi
l
ydest
ruct
edwhil
eonthewheel
.

"Mveloisbri
nginghernewboyfr
iendtodi
nnert
hisSatur
day
.She
askedmet obringyoualong,
everyonewi
l
lbetheret
omeetMr .
World."Shechuckl
es.

"
I'
m gl
adshe'
shappyagai
n."Lemohangsay
sandInodv
igor
ousl
y.

Shedeser
vesamant hatt
reat
sherr
ight
.Thi
sguyseemst
obe
doi
ngthatsoIwon'
thaveaprobl
em wit
hhim.

"
So,
wil
lyoubeabl
etocome?
"Iaskcr
ossi
ngf
inger
s.

"Baby,It
oldyouthatSaturdaymyfr
iendsandIar egoi
ngout.
You'v
eal r
eadysentmesomemoneyf ortheout
ing,r
emember ?"
Ohshit!Ishotmyselfonthefoot
.Mv elowil
lhav
et ounder
stand.

"
It
'sokay
,baby.
"Itt
rul
yis.Imeanshehasn'
tbeenspendi
ngti
me
wi
thherbestf
ri
endsbecauseshe'
salwaysbymyside.Idon'
t
evenrememberthel
astti
meshesleptatherapar
tment
.She'
s
betweenmyplaceandherpar
ent
shouse.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

I'
m wokenupf r
om myni cesleepbyav iol
entl
yri
ngingand
vi
brat i
ngphone.Istretchmyhandt othenightst
andandcome
backwi thi
t.Iopenoneey eandgr oaninfrust
rat
ion,whenwil
lhe
giveup?Ihav enothingtot alktoNganakani '
sfatherabout
.He
shoul dbefocusingonhi sy oungwi feandchil
dandl eavemy
mot herandIalone.Het riescal l
i
ngagai nandthi
st i
meIendit.I
'm
sopi ssed,
it'
s7:30andI '
m al readyup.Myf ir
stcl
assi sonl
yat11,
sowhatmustIdowi thmy selfnow?

Mybedr oom dooropensandmhani walksinlooki

ngli
kesheruns
theworld.She'
swearingblacksuitpantswithawhiteshi
rtand
kil
l
erheels.Shehasbeendoi ngamazi ngasamot her,
fri
endand
l
awy er
.Iam proudofherpr ogressreal
ly
.Herphoner i
ngsinher
handandshel ooksatitandr ol
lshereyes.

"
Goodmorning,
Akani.
"Sheanswer
sandIr
oll
overandl
ookupat
t
hecei
l
ingyawning.

"Shei
sstil
lsl
eepingupst
air
s,"mamasay
sandI
'
m gr
atef
ult
hat
shedoesn'
tforcemet ot
alktohi
m.
"Akani,y
oumessedupy ourrel
ati
onshipwi
thy
ourdaught
er.Fi
nd
awayt of i
xit
,"mamasays.Heshouldn'
tev
enbot
hershame, I
don'tneedhim any
more.

"Youcancomet oJohannesburgbutsl
eepi
ngher ei
sano.Thi
sis
nolongeryourhome,bookahot el
orsomethi
ng."CometoJobur
g?
Haibo!Lethi
m stayi
nGiyaniandhavethesundealwit
hhi
m.

"Dude!Wear edivorced.It
'snonofy ourbusinessifI
'm wit
h
someoneornot ."Iwantt olaugh.Mhani spendstoomucht ime
withme, she'
sevencal l
ingpeopledude.Myf at
hermustbeangr y
AF.Hehasbeent ry
ingt ogetbackwi thmymot her
.Sendinggif
ts,
moneyf orourupkeepandr omant i
ctextmessagesr emindi
ngher
ofwhent heyfi
rstmet .Prett
yMal ul
ekeisn'tfal
l
ingforanyofthat.
Yes,gir
lwentbackt ohermai denname.

Shepull
sdownt hecov ersandI'
ml ef
texposedi
nmypy jamas,
andthen?Viol
encet hi
searlymorni
ng.IknowI'mthedaughterof
themanthatjustpissedheroffbutnobruhIcan'
tbepunishedfor
hissi
ns.I
'm notJesuslight
.

"
Amukel
ani
,
"shesay
ssof
tl
y.

Inar
rowmyey
esandsi
tupst
rai
ght
.

"Mhani
?What'
swrong?
"Iaskandsheheav
esasi
ghandset
tl
es
downonthebed.

"
Baby
,Inot
icedsomet
hingabouty
ouandIwantt
oconf
ir
mitor
r
estmysuspensi
ons.
"

Okay
,I'
mlostr
ightnow.

"Whati
smhani talki
ngabout ?"Iaskandshehandsmeawhi te
pharmacyplast
ic.Ididn'
tevenseet hati
nherhand.It
akeitand
l
ookinside,
mywhol ebodyturnscoldwhenIfindthr
eedif
ferent
boxesofpregnancytestsinthere.Ohno!Thi
sisn'
thappening.

"
Mama,
I'
m notpr
egnant
."Isaycasual
l
y.

"Takethetest
s,AmukelaniSpeci
alNkovani
."Yoh!nowshe's
call
ingmewi t
hmyfullgovernmentname.Any waylet'
snotl
augh
atmymi ddlename,It
hinkmymot her
'smom washi ghonweed
whenshenamedme.

"Mommy ,
Ialwaysusedacondom wit
hJojo.
"Itol
dheraweek
aft
err
etur
ningfr
om Giyani
thatJoj
oandIbrokeup.Shedi
dn'
t
pushmeforareasonwhy .

"Okayjustt
estt oputmymi ndatease."ShesaysandIconf i
dent
ly
getoffmybedandheadt omybat hroom.Ipeeonal lt
estsand
placethem flatont
hesinkandleavethebat hr
oom.Igobackt o
bedandupt hecovers.Mymothergoest othebathr
oom aftert
en
mi nut
esorso.Iwanthert oseethosesingl
el i
nesandleavethi
s
pregnancytalk.

"
Amu,
"shecal
l
sout
.

"
It
'sokay
,youdon'
thav
etoapol
ogi
ze.
"

Shest
ayssi
l
entf
orabr
iefmoment
.

"
Iwi
l
lst
artl
ooki
ngf
oragoodgy
necol
ogi
standmakean
appoi
ntment
."ShesaysandIki
ckofft
hecoversandl
ookather
wit
hmyheartthuddi
nghardagai
nstmychest.

"
Gynaecol
ogi
st?
"Itcomesouti
nanal
mostwhi
sper
.

"
Yes,
youar
epr
egnant
."I
mpossi
ble!
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER68

SPONSOREDBYDI
TSHWANELO

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Mhani
handsmeawar
m gl
assofmi
l
k.

Weonl yfoundoutonWednesdayt hatI

'
m pr egnantviahome
testsandThur sdayaf t
ernoonitwasconf i
rmedbyt he
gynaecol ogist
.Iam y ettowrapmyheadar oundt hiswholething.
Mymot herandIhav en'thadapr operconversati
ony et,
Ithi
nk
she'sallowingmet hetimet oreall
ygetiti
nmyheadbecauseI
am honest lyshocked.ImeanJoj oandIusedacondom ev ery
time,
evenwhenwewer elostinthemomentI '
dal waysrememberone.
Ididn'twantt histohappenbuther eIam pr egnantandt hefat
her
want stobewi thmeandanot herman.Whatamess!

"Baby,"shesettlesnextt
omeonthesofai
nacomfor
tabl
esi
de
l
ean.She' shav i
ngacupofcof
fee.Shewoul
dn'
tal
l
owmeanyf or
obviousr easons.

"
Mom,
"Isayandt
akeasi
pofmymi
l
k.

Ihonest
lydon'
tknowwhyshewoul dgi
vememilk,
Ineed
somethingst
rongbutbecauseIhav
eali
tt
lei
ntr
uderi
nhereI
cannotdri
nkalcohol
.

"
Iwantust
otal
kaboutt
hesi
tuat
ionathand,
"shesay
sandI
heav
easi
gh.

Icannotrunawayf r
om theconv ersat
ion.Atl
eastshehasn'tmade
mef eelbadaboutit
.Ipersonall
yfeellikeshitbecauset
hisismy
secondpr egnancyt
hisyear.Ishouldhav egottenon
contracepti
ves.

"IknowI
'
m adi
sappoi
ntmentandI
'
mtr
ulysor
ry,
"tear
sst
ingmy
eyes.

"What'
sdonei sdonebaby .AlothashappenedandIwasabsent
from yourl
i
f etohaveimpor tantt
alkswit
hyou.Iwouldhavelov
ed
foryoutofinishschoolfi
rstorbemar ri
edbeforeyouhadyour
fi
rstchil
dbutt hebabyisherenowandi t
'sablessi
ng.
"Shesays
andInod.

I'
m gladthatshe'
ssoberandv erypresenti
nmyl ife.Iwoul
dn'
t
haveknownwhatt odobutIdef i
nit
elywouldn'
thav egott
en
anotheraborti
on.I'
mr el
ievedthattheoneMabut homademedo
didn'
tdamagemywomb.I '
m gratef
ul f
oranotherchanceeven
thoughthesituat
ionistotall
ymessedup.

"
Thanksforbei
ngher
e,"shecl
aspsmyhandandsqueezesbef
ore
r
eleasi
ngadeepsi
gh.

"Whenareyougoi
ngtotel
lthefather
?Iwantustoi
nform hi
s
fami
lysothatwecanknowwher ewestandwit
hhim andthem.
"
ShesaysandIcl
osemyey es.

Iwastry
ingtomoveawayfr
om apainfulsi
tuat
ionandhisdamn
spermshadtopl
aysuper
hero.Icoul
dslaphisconfuseddi
ckri
ght
thi
sminute,
damnhim.
"
I'
ll
texthi
mtomeetupsoon,
"Iam honest
lynotl
ooki
ngfor
ward
t
oit.Thi
sbabywi
l
lti
emet oJongi
khayafort
herestofmyl
ife.

"
Weareinthi
stogether,
nomatt
erwhat."Shesay
sandpl
acesher
mugonthesi
detableandcomesclosertome.Weshar
eahug,
i
t'
swar
m andfulloflov
eandassur
ance.

"Icannotbel
iev
eyoumademeagr
andmot
her
,Amukel
ani
."We
bothlaugh.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
"shegent
lypushesmeof
fherandwear
eey
etoey
e.

"Iam happyforthisli
fe.Igett
odoev erythi
ngrightt
histi
me,"she
sayswithtearsswimmi nginhereyes.Iknowexact l
ywhatshe
meansandIwon' tmakehersayi toutloud.Iknowhowt he
sit
uati
onpainsher .She'sabett
ermot hernowandt hat'
sall
that
mattersreal
ly.

NotPret
t yMalulekedressedtokil
l,Ievenfeelli
keweswapped
bodi
es.Whatonear thisall
thi
shot ness.Mymot heri
sabeautif
ul
woman, herfaceandbodyatat en.Shemi ghtjustcomeback
fr
om thi
sdinnerwi thheroldfr
iendswi t
hast epfatherforme.I
wouldbeov erj
oy edforher
.Shedeser vesloveandsomeonewho
wil
lnotonlymakeherhappybutbr ingbackt hatsparkthatdi
ed
year
sagowhenwel ostmyl i
tt
lesister
.

"Whatti
mearey
oucomi ngback?
"Sheaskschecki
ngf
or
somethi
ngi
nherhandbag.
"Uhm, I
'
m notsur
e.Goingoutwi
thUndi
phi
l
eandLemohangcan
gettr
icky.
"Shenods.

"Pl
easedonotdr inkal
coholAmukel ani
.I'
m onl
yall
owi
ngyout
o
got otheclubbecauseyouhadalreadymadepl answi
thy
our
gir
ls."Inodvi
gorousl
y,under
standing.

AsmuchasIwantt
odr
inkmy
sel
fst
upi
d,Iwon'
tdot
hatt
omy
baby
.

"
Hav
efunmyangel
,
"sheki
ssesmycheek.

"Yout
oomommy
,"sheput
sonehandonherwai
standwi
dens
herey
es.

"IhopeIsti
llknowhowthat
'sdone,"webothti
tt
er.Shehasbeen
outofthesocialci
rcl
esf
ortoolong.ButIt
rusthertor
emember
howi t
'sdone.

Isighinr
eliefwhenIgettotheclubLemohangusedt owork.I
waswor r
iedwhenIkeptcal l
ingandboththei
rphonesrangto
voicemai
l.IthoughtI'
dhavetowaitfort
hem andlookstupi
d
aloneint
hecl ubwithavir
gincocktai
li
nfr
ontofme.

Ifi
ndthem atthetableLemohangsai dshebookedusi nt
heVIP
secti
on,wewant edthisspacesowecancat chupwi t
houthav
ing
total
katthetopofourl ungs.At
leastmusicthi
ssideisn'
tasl
oud
asthegeneralsi
de.

Thegi
rl
smeanbusinesst
oni
ght,
there'
sanicebucketonthet
abl
e
wit
h3champagnesandabott
leoftequi
laandredbull
cans.I
wishIwasgett
ingf
uckedupwi
tht
hem butasitst
andsI
'
m gonna
bethei
rgl
ori
fi
edUberfort
heni
ght
.Kurough!

"Baby,y
ou'
ref
inal
l
yhere.
"Al
i
tLemohangsay
swi
thopenar
ms.I
narrowmyeyesather
.

Whendi
dtheyst
artdr
inki
ng?

"Whendidyout
wogethere?
"Iaskinst
ead,huggi
ngherthen
mov i
ngtoUndi
phi
lewhohasaglassofchampagnelockedi
nher
hand.Ihopemybabyt
akesherl
ooksoverJojo'
s.

"Anhourago,Ebukadroppedusoff
.He'
llbecomi
ngtopi
ckus
up."Inodandsitdownwhilet
heybotht
oweroverme.

"Letmepoury
ouadrink,
whi
chonedoy
ouwantf
ir
st?
"Undi
phi
l
e
asksandIqui
ckl
yshakemyhead.

"
Nothi
ngbabe,I
'
m notdri
nki
ng.Iwon'
tbef
orawhi
l
e."Theyf
rown,
l
ooki
ngateachothert
henbackatme.

"Areyoukiddi
ngme?Amukel aniIfi
nall
yhav ethef r
eedom tobe
20wi t
hy ouguysandyoustopdrinki
ng?What !
"IfeelbadthatI
hadtogetknockedupwhenLemohangf inal
lygotthechanceto
l
iveitup.Whatshewasgoi ngthr
ought hesepastweekswas
hecti
cbutinthemidstofital
lshefoundherbi ologi
calfat
herand
stepmom.Thatwomani samazing,suchagr eatmot hert
obot h
LemohangandAt ang.

"Amu?
"Undiphi
l
esnapsherf
inger
sinmyf
aceandI
'
m br
ought
backi
ntot
henow.
"Whyar eyounotdr i
nking?"Theywon' tlett
hisgoandt ell
ingthem
thatI'
m pregnantatacl ubwillbeawkwar d.ButIneedt ogetitoff
mychestandf indoutfrom Undi howshet hinksJojowill
receive
thenews.Whenwewer etogetherwedi dn'
treall
ygetmuchi nto
theseriousconv er
sati
onofki dsandf amily
.Yes, wespokeabout
i
taf t
ersexwhi lecuddli
ngbutweal lsaythi
ngswhenwear ehigh
onlove.Nowt hatweareapar tandhehasaboy fr
iendhemi ght
j
ustber epulsedbyt hepregnancy .

"
SpeaknoworIsl
apitoutofyou,"Lemohangt
hreat
ensandI
l
aughshaki
ngmyhead.Ilov
etipsyLemo.

"Si
tdown,"Iorderthem andtheyimmedi at
elysi
tdownonthelow
couch."SoonWednesdaymymot herwokemeupwi t
ha
pregnancytestandcongratul
ati
onsy ou'
reaunti
es.
"Theybot
h
gaspforair
.Iunderstand,I
'
m sti
llshockedmy sel
f.

"You'
rel
ying,
"Undi
phi
l
esaysandIshakemyheadandtakemy
phoneoutofmyhandbag.It
ookapict
ureoft
hepr
egnancytest
s
forev
idence.

"
OhmyGod!Hav
eyout
oldJongi
khay
a?"Icl
osemyey
es.

"
I'
m gonnacal
lhi
mt omeetup.I
'm scar
edofhi
sreacti
on,
howdo
y
outhinkhewil
ltaket
henews?"IaskandUndibi
tesherl
owerl
i
p.

"It
hinkhe'
sgoingtobehappy,Amu.Hehasbeental
ki
ngabout
howheonlyseesaf utur
ewit
hy ou,
"myhear
tskipsabi
tbut
what'st
hepointbecausehewantsmeandanothermanatt
he
samet i
me.

"
Fri
end,
howar
eyou?Howar
eyout
aki
ngt
henews?
"Lemohang
askspl
aci
ngahandonmyknee.

Isi
gh,
"mi
xedemot
ionsbutI
'
m keepi
ngt
hebabynomat
terwhat
."

"
OhAmu.YoumademeuDabs.Iknowt hatl
it
tl
ehumanisgoi
ng
tohaveamazi
ngparent
sandfabul
ousaunti
esnomatt
erwhat.
"
Undiphi
l
esaysandInodvi
gor
ously
.

I
'
m gr
atef
ult
ohav
ethem i
nmycor
ner
.

"Peachesi
sreal
lywor
kingov
ert
imehey,
"shesaysst
arr
ingi
nto
spaceandIrol
lmyeyeswhil
eLemogiggl
es.Cl
owns!

"Idon'
tthinkweshouldcelebr
atethi
sinaclub,l
et'
sgotothe
apartment."LemohangsuggestsandIfr
eeze.Idon'
twannasee
Jojowithoutprepar
ingf
orit.

"No,l
et'
sgotoEbuka'
shouse.
"Undiphi
l
esaysandI'
m gr
atef
ul.
Sheknowsthesit
uati
onbetweenusandhowIfeel
abouthim
ri
ghtnow.

"Okay
,letmetextMakhosi
niandt
ell
him aboutt
henewpl
an.
"
Peopl
ewi t
hboyfri
ends.

MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

Iwil
lnotgiveuponher ,Ir
efuset oletgoofonewomanwhohas
shownmet hatI
'l
lnevergetont opofherhead.Shewil
lnotbea
weaklingli
kemymot herandt hat'
swhyIknowshe' st
hewoman
forme.Thef i
reIsetatthatbastardsoffi
cedidn'
twor
k.Hewasn't
toodistr
actedtomakeLemohangf eell
onel
ysoshecouldmiss
meandwhatwehadbef
oreIwentont
omessi
tup.

IfIcontinuemypl ansf rom thesidewi thoutbei

ngi nherf ace,
wi t
hinreachLemohangwi llnevercomebackt ome.Ir eali
zedthis
whenshef oundoutt hathermot herkill
edherst epfather.That
wasani ntensesituationt hatshouldhav emadehermi ssmy
emot ionalsupportbutshest i
ll
rant othatMakhosi nifool andnot
me.Iknewt henthatIhadt oshowf aceandmakehermi ssme
from whatshewi llseemehav ewi t
hhersocal ledboy fri
end's
sister
.Iwi l
l betheper fectgentleman, Lemohangwi l
lbej ealous
andnotf i
ghtherlov ef ormeanyl onger.

ItakeoutmyphoneandsendMv eloat exttel

li
nghert hatI'm
outsidet hegat e.TheseLukhelekidsgr ewupwi thasilverspoon
i
nt heirmout hs,j
ustlookatthemansi onbef oremyey es.Each
andev er yoneoft hem washandedev erythi
ngtheyhav ei ntheir
l
ife,t
heydi dn'thavetoputupaf ighttoear ntheirkeep.That '
swhy
thisMakhosi niguythinkshecanj usttakeawomanwhobel ongs
toanot her .Thegatesswi ngopenandIst artt
heengi neanddr i
ve
i
n.Thedr iv ewayisnottoolong,Iparkmymust angnextt othe
Lambor ghini Ur
usthatbelongstomybi ggestenemy .

Mv eloisalreadywaiti
ngformeatthefrontdoorwi
ththewidest
smi l
e.Ichannel t
heperfectboyf
ri
endinmeandr et
urnasmi l
e
thatwi l
lcharm herenti
refamil
yandthrowLemohanginafire.I
willpret
endt obeshockedwhenwewal kinandIseeherbutI'
ll
j
ustpretendt oknowherf rom oursessi
onsandment ionnothi
ng
aboutourromant icrel
ati
onship.Goodthingshenev ermentioned
aprevi
ousr elat
ionshiptoMakhosini.Atl
eastI'
m hopingMv elo
wassayingt hetruthbecauseifherbrotherknowsaboutmet hen
thi
swhol eplanisdonebef or
ei tevenbegan.

IwantLemohangtobel
iev
et hatI
'm ov
erherandheadoverheels
i
nlovewit
hMv el
o.Thatwil
lkil
lherandmakeherrunaf
termet hi
s
ti
mearound.

"
Heybaby
,"Isaypul
l
inghert
omeandsnakemyar
msar
oundher
wai
st.

"Thankyouforcoming,"shesaysandkissesmyneck.Mv el
oandI
haven'
thadsex.Idon'tplanonsleepi
ngwithhert
hroughoutthi
s
whole"oper
ati
ongetLemohangback" .

"
Come,let
'sgomeetev
ery
one.
"Shet
akesmyhandandl
eadsme
i
nsi
de.

Wow!Thi sfamil
yi sher
eli
vi
nglifewhi
lewehav
epeoplesuff
ering
outthere.Thei
rfurni
tur
eisexpensi
ve,
thear
tpi
ecesonlycanfeed
thousandsforay ear
.

Wewal ki
ntothel oungeandIseeMakhosi ni
fir
st.I
'
v est
alkedthe
guysomuchIev enknowhehasal i
tt
lescarnearhislef
tear.He'
s
standi
ngwit
ht heirelderbr
otherwhi
lehi
swi f
eissitt
ingwiththei
r
mom onthecouch.I 'vedonemyhomewor kont heLukhele'
s.Wait
where'
sLemohang?

"
Fami
l
y,"Mv
elosay
sandt
heyal
lgi
veherat
tent
ion.Thei
rmom
andsi
steri
nlawgetupf
rom t
hecouch.

"
Sanibonani
,
"Igr
eetandt
heyal
lsmi
l
eandgr
eetmeback.Mv
elo
i
ntr
oducesus.

"
Mama,thi
sisforyouandy
ourgi
rl
s."It
akeoutanenv
elopef
rom
myj
acketandhanditt
oher.

"Youshouldn'
thave,
Mabutho.Butt
hankyou.
"Mr s.Lukhelesay
s
withabeautif
ulsmil
e.Iwastol
dshe'
sthehardesttopleaseso
seeinghersmili
ngmeansImanagedtoimpresshersomehow.

"Ahhhspav
ouchers.Ihonest
lyneedt
hepamper
ing.
"Sheadds
bri
skl
yandIchuckl
esnoddingmyhead.

"Mvelot
oldmeyouhavet
wodaught er
sin-l
awsoIgotfour
voucher
ssoyoucoul
dall
go."Isay,
"ButIonlyseeone,
"Iadd
hopingt
heymenti
onLemohang'swhereabout
s.

"Oh,Makhosi
ni'
sgi
rl
fr
iendcoul
dn'
tmakeit.Shehadother
engagements.
"Mvel
osay sandIwon'
tl
ieIam di
sappoint
ed.

"Butdon'
tworr
y,y
ou'
l
lmeetheranotherday
."That
'sMakhosi
ni,
hisvoi
ceannoysmebutIst
il
lkeepafri
endl
yfaceasInod.

"Whatwoul
dy ouli
ketodri
nk?"Ij
ustwantt
oleav
e.Theper
sonI
'
m
doi
ngallt
hisbul
lshi
tfori
sn'
there.

"Agl
assofdrywhi
teorred.
"IsayandMv
elopecksmycheek
bef
orewal
kingawaytogetmydrink.

"SoMabutho,Whati
sitt
haty
oudo?
"Andsot
heendl
ess
quest
ionsbegi
n.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Isti
l
ldon'
thaveelectr
icit
y.Ij
usthadtomakeapl
antodel
i
ver
sponsor
edchapters.I
t'sbeenlongsi
ncet
heypai
d.
:
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER69

SPONSOREDBYMBALITHEEBREADWI
NNER

JONGI
KHAYASI
SULU

"
Canwedosomet
hingt
oday
?"Adewal
easksandIsi
gh.

I
'
m honest
lynoti
nthemoodtodoanythi
ng,
ithasbeenweeksbut
I
'
m sti
l
linmyfeel
ings.Imi
ssAmukel
anisomuch.

Ilovethatgirl
,herbreaki
ngupwi t
hmeandav oi
dingmycal l
sand
textsandhowbadl yit
'saff
ect i
ngmeshowst hatshe'stheoneI
need.Icangi veupev ery
thingel sebecausei t'sherthatmyhear t
achesf or.Ij
ustdon'tknowhowt otellWalet hatwhatIf eelfor
Amui sfargreat
erthanwhatIwi l
leverfeelforhim.Ireal i
zedthat
beingabi sexualmandoesn' tmeanIhav etobewi t
hbot haman
andwomanatt hesamet ime.I tmeansIcanl ovewhoIl oveand
settl
edownwi ththatoneper son.Idon' twantt obeselfishand
havet hem both,Iwantoneandi t'
sunf ort
unat ethatshedoesn' t
wantmeany more.Evenso, Idon'tthinkit'
sokayf ormet o
continuewi t
hWal ewhenIknowexact l
ywher emyhear tisat.

"
Howl ongareyougoi
ngtosulkfort
hatgir
l?"HesnapsandIam
t
akenabackbyhisoutbur
st.Iwashonest
lynotexpect
ingsucha
r
eact
ionfrom hi
m.

"Joj
o,y
ougaveherachancetobeapar tofourr
elat
ionshipbut
sheref
used.WhymustIsuf
ferbecauseyoucan'
tgetov erher?
"
He'
smad,
real
l
ymad.

Thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imeIseehi
mthi
sway
.

He'snormal
lychi
l
ledandunderst
andi
ng,butIcandef
ini
tel
ysayI
underst
andwhereheiscomingfr
om,henceIneedtoendthis
thi
ngbetweenus.

"
Saysomet
hing!
"Heget
supf
rom t
hecouchandst
aresdownat
me.

I
t'snowornev er,t
hisi
stheperf
ectti
met otel
lhim exacthowI'
ve
beenf eeli
ngthispastmonth.WhatIfel
tforhim wasmor elust
thanloveandIknowi t
'sgoi
ngtohurthi
m becausehet rustedme
ashisf i
rstboyfri
end.HowdidIfi
ndmy selfi
nthismess?

"
Wal
e,Ihav
etot
alkt
oyou.
"Isayandheshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.

"I
'
ml i
stening,
"Iblowoutasighandclearmyt hroat.Myphone
star
tsri
ngingont heTVstandwhereit'
scharging.Ilookatitthen
atWale.Icanseehe'sgoingtofl
ipi
fIcutourconv er sati
onto
answeracal l
,Ideci
detoi
gnorewhoev eri
tisandcal l t
heperson
backlater
.

"Iknowt hingshav ebeenverydiff

erentt
hispastmonthandthat
's
allonme, "hefoldshisarmsacr osshischestandwaitsf
ormeto
continuebutmyphoner i
ngsagain.Whoeverthepersoni
swon't
giveup.Ishouldj ustanswerit
,Igetupfrom thecouchandhe
chucklesnotamusedbutannoy edashell
.

Icannotbel
i
evemyey
es,
Irubt
hem soIcanbesur
ethatI
'
m not
seeingthings.Defi
nit
elynot
,she'
scall
ingme.Myhear tis
thuddinghardagainstmychest,Igul
pdownmysal i
vacausing
myAdamsappl etobobupanddown.Il ookatWaleandhi seyes
arenar r
owed, hecanseethatI'
m ner
vous.Ipickupbeforeshe
hangsupanddoesn' tanswerwhenIcallherback.

"
Amu,baby
.Howareyou?"Isaybri
sklyandsheheav
esasi
ghon
t
heot
hersi
deoft
hiscal
lbeforesheresponds.

"
Joj
o,Hi.I
'm well
thanksyoursel
f?"Hear
ingy
ourvoicemakesme
f
eel
awhol elotbett
erbaby.Imissedyoumorethanyoucanever
i
magine.

Isayt
omy
sel
f.

"
I'
m notr
eall
yokaybutI'
m survi
vi
ng.
"Isay
,maki
ngsur
enotto
l
ookatWale.Icanl
it
eral
lyfeel
hisdeat
hstar
eonmeri
ghtnow.

"Uhm,areyouattheapartment
?"SheasksandIwanttokick
my sel
fthi
sminutefornotbei
ngther
e.Whatifshe'
sout
sidethe
door?OhI'mfucked!

"Ij
uststeppedout
,baby
.ButI
'
llbet
her
eshor
tl
y,i
sev
ery
thi
ng
okay?"Iask.

"Ineedtot
alktoyou,
it'
sveryimport
ant.Canwemeetupatt he
apartment
?"Icl
osemyey es.Thethoughtofseei
ngheragai
n
warmsmyhear t.Mymoodi simprovedinst
antl
y.

"
Yes,
ofcour
se.Let
'smeetatt
heapar
tmenti
nanhour
."Isay
.

I
'
llbeabl
etomakei
ttot
heapar
tmentf
rom Wal
e'
spl
acewi
thi
n
t
hatti
meandtidyupali
tt
le.I
t'
samessbecauseI'
m basi
cal
l
y
l
i
vingther
eal
one.Thegi
rl
scomeoverli
kevisi
tor
s.

"
Okay
,I'
l
lseey
ouj
ustnow.
"

Weconcl udethecallandItakeasecondbef or
eIpi votandf
ind
Wal elooki
ngatmel i
kesomeapexpr edatorl
ookingata
vulnerabl
eprey.Helooksli
kehe'sreadytoexplodeandIhonestly
didn'tmeanforthi
ngst ogettothi
spoint.Thi
sisn'twhoIam, I
don'tgoaroundhurti
ngpeopl e.

WhathasJohannesbur
gtur
nedmei
nto?

"You'
renotl
eavi
ngt
hispl
acet
ogoseet
hatgi
rl
,"her
oar
sandI
closemyeyes.

"
Wal
e,pl
ease.Shesay
sit
'
simpor
tant
."Isayandhechuckl
es.

"Idon'
tcare,you'
renotgoingtomeether .Shehadherchanceand
nowi t
'sgone."Icannotbeli
evehi
mr ightnow.Ishakemyhead
andgot othebedr oom t
ogetmyt hings.Amukelaniwant
stosee
meandnot hi
ngwi ll
stopthatf
rom happening.

Adewaleisonmyheel s,
threat
eningmebutinallhonestyIdon't
care,al
lIwanti
stohearwhatAmukel aniwant
stot alkabout.
May beIwil
lhav
eachancet oconvi
ncehertogi
vemeanot her
chanceandpromisethatthist
imeitwil
lj
ustbethet woofus.

"I
fyouwalkoutt
hatdoorj
ustknowthati
t'
soverbetweenus,
"he
saysassoonasIpl
aceahandont hedoorhandl
e.Istopandt
ake
adeepbreat
h.Him doingthi
stakesalotof
fmyshoul ders.Iwal
k
outoft
hedoorandt helastt
hingIheari
shim gaspi
ngf orair
.I
hatemysel
fri
ghtnow.

TheUberwassoqui ck,Imadei thomei nthir

t yminutesandI
changedint osomethingcomf ort
ableandt i
diedaroundt hehouse.
Imadesur ethatnothi
ngt hatbelongstoWal ei sonsight, thelast
thi
ngIneedi smakingAmur egretcomi ngoverher e.Shehasn' t
arri
vedbutI '
m hopefulthatshe'ssti
llcoming, i
fshewasn' tgonna
makei tshewoul dhav einfor
medmeorsoI 'dliketobel i
ev e.I
preparedasnackandsomemi mosas.It'
saSundayaf ternoon
andlightthingsareappreciatedsincetomor r
owi smonday .

Aknockcomest hrought hedoorandmyner vesskyr ocket.Ihope

thisgoeswel l,what everitis.Itakeadeepbreathandscant he
room f oranythi
ngt hat'snotsupposet obeinher eandwhen
everythingisclearIgot oopen.Shel ooksbreat
ht aki
ngi nthat
yell
owdr essandsandal s,she'sgainedwei
ghtinal lt
her i
ght
places.Ican'tbelieveI'm onlyset t
ingmyeyesonheraf t
era
mont handf ewbadday s.You' dswearwearen'tinthesameci t
y.

"
Hi,
"shegr
eet
sandIshakemyheadi
nat
temptt
ocl
eari
t.

"Hey,
pleasecomeoni
n."Ist
eptothesi
desoshecanpassby.
Shegoesstrai
ghtf
ort
heloungeandIcl
oset
hedoorandsigh
deepl
y.
"Ihaveaj ugofmi
mosachil
li
nginthef
ri
dge,
canIpouryoua
glass?"Iaskandshepi
vot
stolookatmewhileshaki
ngherhead
no.

"Ohnot hanks,pl
ainor
angej
uicewi
l
ldo.
"Shesay
s.ThankGodI
didn'
tuseitall
.

Itakeoutagl
assf rom t
hecupboardandri
nseitbefor
eIproceed
totheref
ri
geratorandtaki
ngoutthecar
tonofjui
ce.I'
l
lhav
et oki
ll
thi
smi mosaalonebeforei
tlosessomecarbonat
ion.

"Her
ey ougo, "Ihandherthegl
assoforangej
uiceandsett
leon
theotherendoft hecouch.Idon'
twanttobetoocloseandmake
heruncomf ortabl
e.Itakeasi
pofmymi mosa,Ipouredmyself
somei nabi ggerglass.

"Thankyou,
"shesaysandwear
equi
etf
oraf
ewsecondsunt
ilI
decidet
obreakthesil
ence.

"
So,
you'
vebeengood?
"Iaskandshenods,
avoi
dingey
econt
act
.

"
Iguessso,
"sheshr
ugshershoul
der
s."
Whatabouty
ou?
"I
t
houghtshewasn'
tgonnaask.

"I
t'
sbeenhar
d,Amukel
ani
.Imi
ssy
ou,
"Isayandshecl
osesher
eyesasi
fpai
ned.

"
Joj
o,pl
ease.
"ShebreathesandIwanttogonearherandt
akeher
i
nmyarmsbutIlosttherightt
odothat
.

"Iam sor
ryf
orhurt
ingyouthewayIdid.Iwasst
upi
d,Ishouldn'
t
havelett
emptat
iongetthebet
terofmel i
ket
hat
.Ihadnorightto
evenaskyoutobeapartofthatset
ting,
babyy
oudeser
vemy
l
ov eal
one.
"Isayandshesti
l
l won'
tlookatme.

"
It
'si
nthepastnow,
youhav
ehi
m."Shesay
sandIshakemyhead.

"
Amu,
no!I
t'
s.
..
"

Shequicklyinter
jects,
"Ididn'tcomeher etodiscussthi
s.Ihave
somethingimpor tanttotalktoy ouabout.
"Iwon'tli
e,myheart
j
ustshattered.Ithoughtmay beshecameov ersowecant alk
aboutusandt of indawayt omov eforward.

"
Okay,I
'ml
i
steni
ng.
"Myv
oicecomesouthoar
sel
ysoIcl
earmy
t
hroat
.

"
Idon'
tevenknowhowt osaythi
stoy ou,
apartofmefeelsl
ike
y
ouwon'tbeli
eveme.ButIknowit'
syoursbecausedur
ingour
t
imeitwasjustyou,
"shesay
sandIf r
own.

Idon'
tunder
standwhatshe'
ssay
ing.

"I
'
ml ost,
baby."shetakesadeepbreathandtakesoutherphone.
Shescroll
sthr
oughI tandsecondsl
atermyphonechimesi nmy
short
spocket.Ireachfori
twhil
eherey esar
egluedtome.She's
honestl
yscari
ngme.

Ipowert hescreenonandopent heWhat sAppmessagefrom

Amu.I t
'sapi ct
ure,
Ivi
ewi tandmyhear tdropsi
ntomystomach.
Aposi t
ivepregnancytest
?Iswallowandl ookatAmu,hereyes
arefulloffearanduncert
ainty
.Ilookatmyphoneagain,she'
s
carr
yingmybaby ?OhFuck!Iplacetheglassdownandtakea
deepbreat
hbeforeplaci
ngbot
hmyhandsonmyhead.Iwasn'
t
expect
ingthi
satall
.

"Iwi
ll
underst
andi
fyouwantnot
hingtodowit
hthebaby,
"she
saysandIqui
ckl
ylookather
,myeyebal
l
sthr
eateni
ngtofal
lof
f.

"What?AmuIwantt obeapar tofourbaby '

slif
e."Isayandshe
heavesasi ghofr el
i
ef.Didshet hi
nkIwoul drej
ectt hepregnancy?
Yes,wewer eusingprotecti
onbutthosethingsar en'tahundred
percent.Iknowf orafactthatshewouldn'tli
eaboutt hi
s,orhol
d
mer esponsi bl
eforsomet hi
ngIdidn'
tdo.Igoandkneel ather
feetandt akeherhandsi nmine,myheartr el
axeswhenshe
doesn'tretract
.

"Nomat terwhathappensbet weenus, wewi l

lraiseourchil
d
together."Iassureherandt heuncertai
ntyandf earIsawearli
er
disappear s.Ihur
tAmusobadt hatshethoughtIwoul dn'
tstepup
forthis.Iam suchadi sappoint
ment .Peachesmustbe
disappoint edinmeforhur t
ingthemot herofmychi ldthi
sway .
ButIpr omi setodoeverythingi
nmypowert ogetAmubackand
l
ov ehert hewayshedeser ves.

"I
'm gonnabeadad?"Iaskwithasmileandshenods.Il
etgoof
onehandandmov emi netoherfl
atstomach,
Ican'
tbeli
eve
ther
e'sahumanbeingf or
minginther
e.

"Mymot
herwantedustoinf
ormyourfamilysowecanknow
wher
ewestandwithyouandthem wi
thregardst
othebaby
,"I
nodmyunder
standi
ng.
"Mymot herisi
nCapeTown, goingallt
hewayt heretoinform her
ofthi
spregnancywon'tbenecessary.I
'l
lj
ustgiveheracal land
she'
ll
tellever
yoneonherside.Iontheotherhandwi l
lfl
yt o
Gqeberhatoinfor
mt heSi
suluelder
s.Itakeful
lresponsibil
i
tyand
Iwil
ldefi
nit
elypaythedamages."Isay.

"I
'
llletmymot herknow,"I'
m st
il
l caressi
ngherflatst
omachand
she'snotstoppi
ngmebutIdon' twantt oreadtoomuchintoi t
.
Gettingherbackwon'tbeaseasyasaccept i
ngapartIpl
ay edin
maki ngthi
sbaby.Iam justhappyt hatIgettohavemyf i
rstchil
d
withagirlIl
ove.

"Whenisyournextdoctor
sappoi
ntment
?"Iaskandshenar
rows
herey
es.She'str
yingtofi
ndthedat
einhermental
diar
y.

"Ial
readyhavepr
egnancybrain,
I'
ll
lety
ouknowwhenIgethome.
"
Shesay sandwebothchuckle.

"Iknowt hi
ngsbetweenusar
erocky,
butIaskt
obeapartof
everyt
hingthathastodowit
hourchi
ld.
"Shenodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"Iwouldnev
erkeepy
ouawayf
rom t
hischi
l
d,Joj
o."Iam gl
adt
o
hearthi
s.

"
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng,
"sosoon?

"Can'
tyoustayali
tt
lelongersowecant al
kmoreaboutt
he
baby?"Iaskandshelaughs,shaki
ngherhead.

"Ther
e'sreal
l
ynotmucht otal
kaboutr
ightnow, Jojo.I'
m onl
ya
fewweekspr egnant,wehaveampleti
met odiscusst hi
ngsthat
concernourchil
d."Iknow,Iwasj
ustusingthebabyt ogetherto
staysoIcanspendal i
tt
lemoret
imewithher.Ev enifwehadt o
si
tinsi
l
ence.

Iopent hecardoorforherandsheget si nandput sherhandbag

ont hepassengerseat.Ipullt
heseatbeltandbuckl eherup, she
heav esasighbutdoesn'tstopme.Myf aceisj ustinchesfrom
hers, I
'mtemptedtokissherbutIdon'twantt ot akeadv antageof
thef actt
hatwenowhav eababywhowi l
lti
eust ogetherforlif
e.
IfI'
m goingtogetthiswomanbackIshoul dn'tuseourchi ldbut
uset heloveIhaveforher.ShelooksawayandIcl earmyt hroat,
peckhercheekandst epbackt ocl
oset hedoor .Iwat chasshe
startstheengi
neandr eversesoutofthepar kingspace.Iwav e
goodby eandstandher eunti
lhercardisappear s.

Nowthatschoolsarereopenedthi
splaceisbuzzing.Students
don'
tcarewhatdayoft heweekiti
s,theywilldr
inkthei
ralcohol
andenjoythemselv
es.Imissmyt i
measast udentbutI'
m going
tobeaf at
hernow.Ineedtomov etoJohannesbur gpermanently
,
getmyselfajobandagoodpl acetostay.Gamesar en'
tforme
anymore,IneedtostepupforAmukelaniandourchi l
d.

Igetbackint
ot heapartmentandsitwher eAmuwasacoupl eof
minutesago,herperfumeissti
lll
i
nger i
nginther
oom.Imi ss
holdi
ngherinmyar msandbei ngintoxicat
edbyherscent.Itake
outmyphonef r
om thepocketanddi almymom, wehav en't
spokeninawhi l
e.Shestil
lfeel
sbetrayedbymef orchoosingto
beaSi sul
uaftersherai
sedme.Idon' tknowwhyshewant edto
putmei nthemiddl
eoft
heunknownwarwit
hmylat
efat
her
.She
sti
l
lwon'ttel
lmewhyshekeptmefrom myf
ami
l
yandhonestl
yI
don'tcar
etoknowanymore.

"
Final
ly,
y ouremember
edy
ourmot
herwhocar
ri
edy
ouf
orni
ne
months."Sheanswer
s.

Idon'tunderst
andt hi
sstatement.It
'snotli
kesomewoman
carr
iedtheirchil
drenfor100mont hs.Nineist
heperi
odof
gestati
oninhumanf emales.Ourmot her
smuststopusi
ngitt
o
backusupi nt
oacor ner.

"
Heyma,
it'
sbeenhect
icupher
e."Isay
.

"
It
'sal
wayshect
ici
nSodom andGomor
rah,
"shesay
sandIr
oll
myeyes.

Hel
pmeLor
dtogett
hrought
hisconv
ersat
ion.

"Whenareyouvi
sit
inghome?"SheasksandIsi
gh.Idon'tl
i
ke
goi
ngtoCapeTownt ohearhercomplai
naboutmetakingmy
fat
her
'ssi
deoverhersandal
lthat
.It
'ssoti
ri
ng.

"I
'm gonnafl
ytoGqeber
hasometi
met hi
sweek,whenI
'
m done
ther
eI '
ll
passbytoseeyou.
"Shel
aughsandIfr
own.Di
dIsay
somet hi
ngfunny
?

"
Wear
ejustapassbyt
oyouJoj
o?"Ohbawo!

"Mama,Idi
dn'
tcal
lyouforthisbackandfort
h.Ical
ledf
or
somet
hingimpor
tant
."Isay
, annoyancel
acedallov
ermyvoi
ce.

"
Hai
bo!I
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Sheaskspani
cki
ng.
"No,ev
ery
thi
ngisfi
ne.Perf
ecti
nfact
.Ij
ustf
oundoutt
hatI
'
m
goingt
obeaf at
her
,"shegaspi
nshock.

"Ir
aisedy
oubetter,
Jongi
khay
a!Howcouldyoui
mpr
egnat
e
someonesdaughterbef
oremarr
iage?
"Yoh!

Iam happyI
'
m goi
ngtobeadad,
can'
tshebehappywi
thmeand
makenoisewhenIcomehome?Thenshewonder
swhyInev
er
cal
l
.

"Zimasa,
IknowIshouldn'
thave.Thi
ngshappenandI'
m happyt
o
beadad.Thingsbet
weent hemom andIarerockybutI
'm
planni
ngongett
ingherback,
"shescreamsinmyearandIclose
myey es.

"
Hey
ake!You'
renotevenwit
hher?Whathasbecomeofyou?Ar
e
y
outr
yingt
obelikeyourf
ather
?"Shej
usthadtogot
here.

"Ma!Justst
opthatplease,
stop.Don'
tmakemeregr
etshar
ing
thi
swithyoufi
rst
."Isnapandshegoesquiet
.Somet
imesshe
doesn'
thavetoscream whatIalr
eadyknow.

"I
'
m gonnahavetocometoJohannesburgtomeetupwit
hthe
mot herofmygr
andchi
l
dandherparents,
"nowshe'
stal
ki
ngli
kea
parent.

"
Wewi
l
ltal
kabouti
twhenIgethomet
hisweek,
"Isay
.

ThedooropensandUndi
phil
ewal
ksinwheel
i
nginherdesi
gner
tr
avel
bag,howmucharewegoingtochar
geEbukaforl
obol
a
whenshehasalr
eadyspentsomuchofhi
smoney?

"
Mom,
Ihav
etogo.I
'
llt
alkt
oyousoon,
"
"
Okay
,lat
erbaby
.Il
ovey
ou,
Jongi
khay
a."Ismi
l
e.

"Il
oveyout
oo,Zimasa.
"Shesmacksherl
i
psandIl
augh.She
hatesi
twhenIcall
herbyname.

Undi
philethrowsher sel
fnexttomeandchangest hechannel,
whatdisrespect!Il
ookatherandshegr i
nsli
keacompl et
eidi
ot.
Shelookst i
redthough,sheprobablywentoutlastnightandhad
toomucht odr i
nk.Iwonderifshewaswi thAmukel aniorifAmu
hasalr
eadyt oldthem aboutthepregnancy.

"
Arey
oubackhome?
"Isayandsheshakesherhead.

"Unf
ort
unatel
ynot,Ij
ustcamet ogetmoreofmyt hi
ngs.I
'm goi
ng
backtoEbuka.Thi
sismegi v
ingyouandWal esomepr i
vacy,I
don'
twanttowalkint
oy '
al
ldoingadul
tthi
ngs."Ir
oll
myey es.She
won'tl
ett
hatonetimego.

"
Youdon'thavetowor
ryaboutt
hat
.Wal
ebr
okeupwi
thme.
"She
r
aisesaneyebrow.

"What?Youl
ostt
wopart
ner
s.Wowbr
o,t
hingsar
ehect
icf
ory
ou.
"
Ishr
ugmyshoulder
s.

"Il
ostonepartner
.Theot
heroneIwant edoutofthesi
tuat
ion
with,
hejustbeatmetoit
."Iexpl
ainandshefurr
owshereyebrows,
all
confused.

"Canyouexpl
aini
ndet
ail
?I'
mt ot
all
ylostr
ightnow.
"It
akeadeep
breat
handexplai
nhowI'
vebeenfeel
ingsi
nceAmukelani
broke
upwi
thmeandwhathappenedear
li
ert
oday
.

"OhI'
m gladshetol
dyouaboutthebaby ,
"shebreathes.Ofcourse
thegir
lsknewaboutmybabybef oremebutIwon' tholditagai
nst
Amukelani.Theyar
ehersafespace.Ibrokethatwit
husandi t'
s
goingtotaketi
metogetitback,butI
'm hopefulIwi
ll
.

"
I'
m pr
ett
yexci
tedandnerv
ous.Al
oti
sgoi
ngt
ochangei
nmy
l
i
fe,
"shenods,
agreei
ng.

"
So,youandWalearedonedone?"SheasksandInod.Ihatethat
I
'
m hurt
ingonemorepersonbutifIcont
inuewi
thhi
mi twil
lhurt
mor
ebecausether
e'snothi
ngthere.

"Yes,
Ijustwantt
ofocusongetti
ngAmuback.Focusonmaking
sureshehasaneasypregnancy
."Herey
esar
ef ul
lofdoubt
,
ri
ghtf
ull
yso.

"Buty
ou'
rest
il
lbi
sexual
,Joj
o.Shewil
lal
way
swonderi
fyouhav
e
someguyasaside,
"Icl
osemyey es.

"That'
st r
ue,butIpromisethat'
sbehi
ndme.Iam abisexualman
whohaschosent osettlewit
hawomanbecauset hat'
swheremy
heartis.Bei
ngbisexualdoesn'tmeanIhavetobewithAmuand
Wal eatthesamet i
me, itmeansIcanfall
inlov
ewithanygender
withoutshame.At l
eastthat'
swhatIbel
ieve.
"Sheexhal
essharpl
y.

"
I'm scar
edf
oryoubecauseofthi
ssituat
ion.It
rul
ybeli
evethat
youloveAmukel
anibutwhathappenswheny ourpat
hcrosses
withamanyou'r
eattr
actedt
o?"SheasksandIt akeadeepbr eat
h.

Herquest
ioni
snecessar
y.
"
CanIasky
ouaquest
ion?
"Isayandshenods.

"
Sur
e,goon.
"Shegest
ureswi
thherhand.

"Si
nceyougotwi t
hEbuka,whom y oulov
esincerel
y,hav
eyounot
foundanyotherguyat
tract
ive?"Iaskandshebitesherl
owerl
ip.
Undiphi
l
etakesherti
met hi
nkingaboutitbutIknowshealr
eady
knowstheanswer.

"
Wel
lIhav
e,butIwoul
dnev
eractoni
t.
"Sher
epl
i
esandIsmi
l
e.

"
Samet hi
ngwithme,Iwi
llf
indot
herpeopl
eat
tract
ivebutt
his
t
imeIwon'tbestupi
denoughtoactoni
tandl
osesomet hi
ngso
r
ealandint
ense,
"

"
IhearyoubutAmukel ani
wil
lbetheonetodeci
dei
fshebel
iev
es
whatyou'
resayingandshetakesyoubacksoyoual
lcanbea
f
amilywit
hy ourbaby.
"

That
'st
rue,
sot
rue.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER70

SPONSOREDBYDI
TSHWANELO

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"
Whydi
dIall
owyout
odragmeint
othi
sJongi
khay
a?"Iask,
t
aki
ngatur
natt
hetr
aff
icl
i
ght
s.

"BecauseI
'
my ourfavori
tebrot
herandyousti
ll
needmeto
negoti
ateyourlobola,
"herespondsandIrol
lmyeyes.

Thisishi
smess,Ishoul
dn'
tbeinv
olved.ImeanAmukelani
and
Adewalearebot
hmyf ri
endsandIdon'twannaseem l
i
keI'
m
taki
ngsides.

"Iknowit'
salotsisbutIneedyoutherei
ncasethingstakeasour
turn,
"headdsandIheav easigh.Walehasbeencal l
ingJojot
o
comet akehisthi
ngsfrom hi
splacebutIdon'tt
hinkthat'
sthe
case.WalejustwantedJojotocomesot heycant al
k,he'
sinlov
e
withmybr ot
herandit'
ssadbecausehel ovesAmu.

Jongikhayaisgoingt
otellhi
m everyt
hing,from hi
sfeeli
ngsfor
Amukel anit
othebabytheyareexpecting.Iam notlooki
ng
for
war dtoseeinghowbrokenWal ewillbe,hehadhopesf orhi
s
rel
ati
onship,ImeanJojoishisfi
rstboyfri
endsot hi
swi l
lbea
serv
erhear t
break.

"Whenareyoucomingback?
"Iaskandheexhal
essharpl
y.He's
notreal
l
ylooki
ngfor
wardtogoi
nghome,Iwouldn'
tbeeit
her.Our
aunt
'sar
enotpl
easantpeopl
eandbecauseoft
hatIadv
isedhi
m
nott
omenti
onhisbabytoanyofthem.

"Il
andtodaythentomor rowI'm goingtoseetheoldgeezersand
tel
lthem t
hatI'
veimpr egnat
edAmukel ani,andwouldli
ketopay
damagesat l
eastaft
erherf i
rsttri
mester.ThenonFri
dayI'm
headedtoCapeTownandI '
m backi nJohannesbur
gonSunday ,
hopeful
ly
."Il
aughatt helastpart.

Hismotherisanot herdramaQueen.I '

vemetheracoupl eof
ti
mesandIpr omiseIwouldn'
tstomachl i
vingi
nt hesamehouse
asher."I
'
m doi ngthesefacetofacemeetingsearlybecauseI
don'
twantt oleaveJohnesburgdur i
ngthepregnancy.AllIwanna
dowhenI '
m backi slookforajobandasaf eandcomf ortabl
e
pl
acetost ay.Iwanttobeasst ableaspossibl
eforwhenmybaby
i
sborn,"heexpl ai
ns.

"Iunder
standthatandI
'
m proudofyou.Butdon'
tputpr
essureon
yoursel
f,r
ememberwest i
l
lhavethemoneyPeachesleftus.
"He
nodsv i
gorousl
y.

"
IknowbutIdon'twanttousemuchofit,nowthatI
'
m goi
ngt
obe
afat
heri
t'
sgoingtostayther
eforr
ainydays.
"Wow!

You'
dsweart
hisbabywaspl
annedwi
tht
hewayJoj
oismov
ing
hi
schesspi
eces.

"
That
'sv
eryr
esponsi
ble,
"hesmi
l
es.

Idri
vei
ntoWalesneighbor
hoodandmyheartst
art
sdrummingin
mychest.I
'
m notreadyfort
his,
Iwi
shEbukawastheonedoing
thi
swit
hJojo.
"
Hav
eyoubeent
alki
ngt
oAmu?
"Iaskandhenods.

"Yeah, f
rom MondayI '
vebeencal li
ngthreet i
mesaday .Justto
checkonhowshe' sdoingandi fshewant smet obringher
anything.Shehasn' taskedf orany thi
ngbutI '
mj ustgladshe's
taki
ngmycal ls,"IunderstandwhathemeansandI 'm happyhe's
notpushi ng.Amukel aniisstillhurt
ing,evenifshewer eto
considert akinghi m back,thingswon' tbet hesame.Shewi l
lnever
full
ytrusthi m, IknowIwoul dn't.Oncebitten,t
wiceshy .

IparkinfrontofthegateandpressJojo'
swi ndowdown, he
stret
cheshi sar
m andpunchesint hegatecode.Iglaceathim as
thegat esl
idesopen,heisner
vousev enifhetri
edtohi deithe
wouldn'tbeableto.ThankGodI'veneverfoundmy selfinalove
tri
angle.

Wear ehandi nhandaswewal kt othedoor ,there'smusi cplayi

ng,
notj ustmusi cbutl ovesongs.Thi sisgoi ngtobehar derthanI
thought , Ialr
eadyf eel sweatt rav ell
i
ngdownt hev all
eybet ween
mybr east sbecauseIam ner v ous.I t
'sli
keI '
mt heonewho
wr ongedAdewal ethatt i
meIwasn' tevenawar eoft heir
relationshipatt hebegi nning.Webot htakeadeepbr eathatt he
samet i
mebef oreJojopr essest hedoorbel l.Hei ssuckingonhi s
l
owerl ip, i
t'
saner vousgest ure, Ifeelforhim.Thedooropensand
Wal eappear swear ingmi l
itarygr eencar goshor tsandawhi te
vest, barefoot .Hedar tsbet weenmeandJoj o,Icant el
lhe's
disappoi ntmentt oseemeher e.Iwasr i
ght,hewant edtimet otalk
toJongi khay a, i
twasn'taboutget ti
nghist hi
ngs.
HegreetsJojoawkwardl
yandgi v
esmeahugbef or
esteppi
ngto
thesi
deandal l
owingusin.Thisismyt hi
rdandfour
thti
me
comingtohere,i
t'
sniceandmoder n,
sohimi naway.Joj
oleads
ustotheloungeandthefir
stthingmyey eslandonisapict
ureof
them ontheTVstand.

Yoh!Iquickl
ylookatmybr ot
herandheishaunted.Iknowhe'
s
hati
ngonhi mselfsobadri
ghtnow.Jongikhay
aisnott hi
sper
son
thatgoesaroundhurt
ingothers,
it'
ssadt
hatami stakehemade
hasblownt osuchanextent.

"Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
ebr
ingi
ngUndi
phi
l
eov
er,
"Wal
esay
ssi
tt
ing
down.

Mybr
othercl
ear
shi
sthroatandIfi
xmyeyesdown,
Idonotwant
t
oseethepai
ninWal
e'seyesaft
erhel
ear
nsaboutt
hepregnancy
.

"Uhm,Ihadt o.She'sdrivi
ngmet otheai r
port
,"That'
shalft
rue,
he
alsobroughtmeher ei
ncaseWal ewant edtochokeslam hi
m.The
Nigeri
anmi ghthav ebeentheonewhot ookitfr
om thebackbut
he'sbi
ggert haniDyan.TheGr eatKhali
andReyMy ster
iosi
tuat
ion,
okaymay bet hat'
stoomuchbutwhatI '
m sayingisWaleismore
buffandtall
ert hanJojo.Mntasefearedforhisli
fe.

"
Air
por
t?Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Icanheart
hehur
tinWal
e'
svoi
ce.

"Ihav
et otal
ktomyeldersbackhome,"Iclearmythroat
.He
shouldn'
tbeatar
oundthebush,Iknowthisissensi
ti
vebuthehas
totel
l hi
m.
"Uhm, Iknowy outhinkIcamet ogetmyt hi
ngsandgetoutof
yourhairbutIwant edtot al
ktoy ouaboutsomet hing.Idon'twant
youhear i
ngaboutitf r
om any oneel se,Ioweyouthatmuch
atl
east."Jojoexpl
ainsandt histimeIl ookupatWal ewhohasa
stoi
cex pressi
on.Hemi ghthavemanagedt okeepast raightf
ace
butIknowdeepdownhe' sdy i
ng, Iam temptedtogosi tnextto
him andgivehim abi gbearhug.

"I
'
ml i
stening,
"Wale'
sv oi
cecomesouti
nawhi sper
,sohequickl
y
cl
earsthiscloggedt
hroatandl
eansbackonthecouch.Idon'
t
wannaseehi sreact
ionsoIqui
ckl
ylookdownagain.

Jojoheav esasi gh, "Ienj oyedourt imet ogether.IfeltthingsandI

won' tl
ieaboutt hat.Iwi shIdi dn'thav etodot hisbutIdon' twant
tolieandmakey oubel ieveinsomet hingthatwasnev ertrue.
"He
pausesandl eansf orwar d,placinghi selbowsonhi sknees." I
'm
notsay ingt histohur ty ou,pleasebel i
eveme.Adewal ey ou're
amazi ng, ful
l ofli
feandcar ebutmyhear twasnev erintot hi
s.I
confusedl ustwithl ov e, t
hepossi bili
tyofhav i
ngt olivemy
fantasiescl oudedmyj udgement .Iam sor rybutmyhear thas
alway sbeenAmukel ani '
sandher sal one."Iwoul dhav edr opped
deadi fEbukawassay ingal ltheset hingstome.Howi sWal estil
l
breathing?" Yousawhowmi ser ableIwaswhenshedumpedme.I
reali
zeddur ingthatt imet hatIdon' twantt ol i
vewi thouther .I
want edt ogetherback, tofightf orwhatweshar edandIf eel
mor edet ermi nednowt hatshe's...uhm she' s..
."Hebl owsouta
sigh.

Iknowtheysayhonestyi
st hebestpol
i
cybuthai
sanahonest
yis
brut
alkal
oku.If
eelforWale.
"
Shei swhat,Joj
o?"Hisshaki
ngvoi
ceasks,br
eaki
ngmyheart
f
urther.Iwi
shIdidn'
tcomehere,
IwishItol
dhim Icoul
dn'
tbet
he
r
eferee.

"
Amui
spr
egnant
,"hesay
smeekl
y.

IhearWal egaspi nshock,Ilookupandhe' sclut

chingathischest.
Tearsar eswi mmi ngi nhi
sey es,nothi
ngcouldhavepreparedhim
forthispain.Hel ooksatmedef eat
ed,hi
seyesaskingifJojois
tel
li
ngt het r
uth.Iplaceahandonmymout handnodmyhead.
Immedi atelyaft
ert hatWalecl oseshiseyesandhistearsfal
l.
Jojoat t
empt stogetupbutIpul lhi
m backdownandgetupt o
comf ortWal emy self.Isi
tdownnextt ohim andstartr
ubbinghis
backi ncircl
es.

"
I'
m sor
ry,Wale.
"Idon'tknowwhatt osay.Ihonestl
ydidn'
twant
t
obecaughtinbet weent hi
s.Hecri
essil
entl
yandmybr other
l
ooksguil
tyandfullofregret
.Yes,
he'sanassholeforcreati
ng
t
hismessbutatleasthewashonestwi thhimselfandwithWale.

"
Joj
o,"hecal
l
soutaf
terwhatseemsl
i
kedf
orev
er.

"
Wal
e,
"

"
Getoutofmyhouse,
"Wal
esay
scal
mly
,ey
esst
il
lcl
osed.

Il
ookatJoj
owit
hmyli
pspressedi
ntoathinl
ine.Mycousi
nis
noddi
ngasheget
supf
rom thebl
ackleat
hercouch.

"Iam sov er
ysorr
y,Adewal e.
"Hesays."
Undiphile,
I'
llt
akemybag
from t
hecarandr equestforanUbertotheairport
."Inod
vigor
ously.Iwasgonnaaskt hathedoesthat.Iwasn'tgonnabe
abletoleaveWalelikethi
s.
LEMOHANGBHENGU

AftertheweekIhadIj ustwantedt ostayinwithmymanand

wat chsomeNet f
li
xandmakel ov enowandagai n.ButMvelohad
toinvit
eusoutt ot hemov i
esanddi nnerwit
hhernewbae.I twil
l
bejustthef ourofus,shesaidthisismemaki ngupf ormissi
ng
thedinner.Yes,she'sdramati
clikethat,y
ou'dswearImissed
theirweddingorsomet hingimportant.

I'
vebeenatmypar ent shouset hiswhol eweek, Ilov espending
ti
mewi ththem.Di nnersint heirbedr oom aswewat chTVandt he
j
okesandl aught erthatf ol
lowaf terwards.Thewar mt handl ove
AtangandIhav ebeenf eeli
ngt hesepastweekshav ebeen
overwhel mingi nagoodway .Theyhav eerasedal l t
hebad
memor i
esandexper iencesoft hepast ,all
Mal eshoanedi dtome
wast akenawaybysi mplybei ngl ovedandcar edf or.Speakingof
Maleshoane, she'sst i
lli
ncust ody .Theyar ewai tingf orhertobe
mental l
yev al
uat edbef oreany thingcanpr oceed.Shewasn' tcrazy
whensheki ll
edAt ang' sfather,I'dsayshegotaf fect edaftershe
murder edhi m butcer tai
nlynotbef ore.Myst epfat her '
sremains
arestillwit
hFor ensi cs,youknowhowsl owgov er nment
department sar e.Ihear dhisr elativ
esaskedt obet oldwhen
everythingisdonesot heycanbur yhim.Ial way swonder edwhy
theynev ercamef orusal l
thosey earsbutt hat'snoti mpor t
ant
anymor e.
Mypar entsspoket oAt angint hepresenceofapsy chol
ogist
aboutMal eshoanegoi ngawayf oralongt imebecauseshedi d
somethi ngbad.Hedi dn'treal
lyseem interestedinwhathewas
beingtold.Hedidnotev enaskanyquest ionsandthatalarmed
thepsy chologi
sthencesheaskedmypar ent stobr
inghim oncea
weekf orsessions.Besidesal lofthathe'sbeendoinggood, he
l
ov eshisnewschool andf ri
ends.He'sstillverymuchdedicated
tohockey .Iam justgratef
ul t
hatwehav et hi
sbeautif
ull
ifenow.

"Fi
nal
ly
,"mamasaysassoonasIpushthebedroom dooropen.
Theyaresi
tt
ingwat
chi
ngTV,Makhosi
niiswit
ht hem wait
ingf
or
me.He'spi
ckingmeuptogotot
hemall t
omeethi ssist
erand
herman.

"
Iwasn'
tthatl
ong,
"Idef
endmy
sel
fandt
heyal
ll
augh.

"
Makhosi
ni,
takeherandgobef
orey
ouf
indt
hemov
ieendi
ng.
"Oh
wow!Mydadtoo?

"
Noty
ou,
papa.
"Isaysul
ki
ng.

Lor
dknowshowmuchIlov
ethisman.I
tsj
ustsadthatwedon'
t
hav
eenoughti
mebutI
'
m grat
efulf
ort
heli
tt
lehehasgrant
edus
sowecangett
oknoweachother
.

"I
'
mj oki
ng,MaNgcol
osi
."Ibenddownandkisshi
scheek.At
angi
s
passedoutonmyparentsbed.Sl
aapt
igert
hisone.

"
Aft
ert
hemov
ieI
'
llbegoi
ngt
omyapar
tment
,"t
hat
'swhatIsay
whenIdon'
tcomeback.I'
m ashamedtosayI
'm goingto
Makhosi
ni'
shouse.IknowtheyknowbutI
'
drathernotsayi
t,i
t'
s
embarr
assi
ng.

Mv el
ohasal readyboughtt i
cketsforthemov i
e.Shesaidwe
shouldmeetatsomer estaurantatthemal lt
ohav eadrinksothe
newmanandIcanbr eakt heicebeforethemov ie.Makhosi
niand
Iwalkintother estaur
anthandi nhand,it
'snotpackedsowebot h
spotMv eloatthet abl
eneart hestai
rcase.Theguyhashi sback
tous,I'
m excitedt oseewhohasMv elososmi tt
en.Thewaiter
takesustot het ablewit
hdr inksmenu.

"
Hell
o,hel
l
o,"Makhosi
nigreet
sandhi
ssist
erqui
ckl
yst
andsup
wi
thasmilepl
aster
edacrossherf
ace.

"
Heyguy
s,"Mv
eloat
tacksmewi
thahug.

Shei
ssuchahappysoul
.

"Heybabe,
it'
sni
cetoseey
ou."Isayandwhent
heboyf
ri
endgets
upandIseewhoitis,
myheartdropsi
ntomyst
omach.WhatThe
Actual
Fuck!Whati
sMabuthodoingher
e?

"
Baby
,"Makhosi
nishakesmeal
i
ttl
eandIsnapoutofmyshock.

"
Huh?
"Il
ookathi
m andhi
sey
esar
enar
rowed.

"Mv eloisi
ntr
oduci
ngyoutoMabut
ho,herboyf
ri
end,
"hesaysand
IlookatMabut howhoissmi
li
ngfr
om eartoear,
what'
sthi
s
bast ar
dplayi
ngat?
"Act
ual
l
yMakhosi ni
,LemohangandIknoweachot
her
."Hesay
s
andIam shocked.

Ihavenev
ermenti
onedmedat i
nganyonetoMakhosini
,hejust
knowsIhadmyvir
gini
tybr
okenbysomeguy .Iwantedt
of orget
aboutMabut
hoandnowIregretnotmenti
oni
ngit.

"
Youdo?How?
"Mv
eloasks,
dar
ti
ngbet
weent
hispsy
choandI
.

"Wellal
lIcansayi
sLemohangcamet ost
udentsuppor
tand
counsel
li
ngattheUni
ver
sit
y."Hesay
sandIwantt oscr
eam.

He'
snotment
ioni
ngt
hatwedat
ed,
hei
spl
ayi
ngagame.Iknowi
t
f
orsur
enow.

"
Ohy es,
makessense.Babe,
Ihopei
twon'tbeawkwar
d,"
Makhosi
nisay
sandIshakemyhead,for
cingasmil
e.

Weal lsett
ledownandMakhosi niandIor dersomedr i
nks.Heand
Mvelocannotsenset hetensi
onbet weenMabut hoandI .The
bastardispretendi
ngv erywell
,he' spl
ayingwhat ev
ergamepr ett
y
good.Angeri sbubblinginmyst omach, het ookthi
sveryf ar.Why
won'theleavemeal one?Iknowf orafactthatit
'snota
coi
ncidencef orhimt obeinar elati
onshipwi t
hmyboy friends
si
ster.Heplannedt hiswholethingt ogetclosetome.

Makhosinispot
ssomeonet heybot
hknowwithMvelo,
t hey
qui
ckl
yhur ryt
othepersonbefor
ehewalksoutt
herestaurant
.I
am l
eftalonewit
hthi
sbastard.
"
Whatgameareyouplay
ing,
Mabut
ho?
"Iaskl
eani
ngi
n.Hegi
ves
mealopsi
dedsmil
e.

"
Game?Whatdoy
oumean?
"Ohsohewant
stopl
ayst
upi
d.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thMv
elo?
"

Iam r
eal
l
yangr
yandannoy
edr
ightnow.

"
She'
smywoman, Lemohang.Wear
etoget
herandv
erymuchi
n
l
ove.
"Idon'
thav
estupi
dwrit
tenonmyfor
ehead.

Icanseei
tinhi
seyest
hatt
her
e'smor
etot
hisr
elat
ionshi
phe
nowhaswithMvel
o.

"
Leaveheralone,Mabut
ho.
"Isayt
hroughgr
it
tedt
eet
handhe
r
aisesaneyebrow.

"Hai
bo!Youcannott
ell
mewhot
obewi
th.
"Het
akesasi
pofhi
s
dri
nk.

I
fhet hi
nksI'm goi
ngtorolloverandal
l
owhi
m bri
nghi
scrazyto
thi
sfamilythenhedoesn'tknowwhoIam.I'
vedeal
twi
thcrazy
befor
e,he'sasmallboy.

IseeMvel
oandMakhosinicomi
ngbackt
othet
abl
e.Iqui
ckl
y
takemyphoneandpl
aceitonmyear.

"
Uhm,okaymama.I'l
laskMakhosi
nit
obri
ngmeback
i
mmediatel
y.
"Isayandfakehangupt
hecall
.

"What
'swrongbaby
?"Myboy
fri
endaskspani
cki
ngandIt
akea
deepbreat
h.

"
Pleaset
akemehome,
mydadi
snotokay
."Isay
.
"
What ?Wejustlef
tthehouseandhewasokay
,whatcoul
dbe
wrong?"Heplacesahandonmyshoulder
.

"Ihonest
lydon'
tknowmyl ov
e,"Isayemoti
onall
y.Mabuthoi
s
shockedbymyt heat
ri
cs.Yesbit
ch,twocanplaythatgame.

"Mvel
o, I
'
m sorrybuty
ouknowGl enisn'
twell
."Makhosini
saysto
hissi
sterandshenodsv i
gorousl
y.Icanseeworryinhereyes.I
hatehavingtousemysickfatherasanexcusetoleavebutIcan'
t
bewiththisbastar
donthesamet ablepr
etendi
ngalli
swel l
.

"
OfcourseIunderst
and,goonguy
s."It
akemyman'
shandand
werushoutoftherest
aurant
.

"I
'
m sor
ryNana,
Iknowhowstressful
thi
sis,
"hesay
saswewal
k
outoft
hemalli
ntot
hepar
kinglot.

Il
ovet
hisman.

"
Youdon'
thav
etobe,myf at
herisfi
ne."Hest
opswalki
ngand
l
ooksatmewit
haconfusedfrown.Itakeadeepbr
eath.

"
What
?Thenwhywoul
dyousay
..
."

Iqui
ckl
ycuti
n,"
weneedt
otal
kLukhel
e.I
t'
sver
yimpor
tantmy
l
ove.
"
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER71

SPONSOREDBYMBALITHEEBREADWI
NNER

LEMOHANGBHENGU

"
Sot hat'
swhathappened,
"Iconcl
udemystoryandhe'sl
ooki
ngat
mewi thastoi
cexpressi
on,I
'
m scaredofwhathemightbe
t
hinkingaboutmethisminut
e.

Heblowsoutasigh,"
whydi
dn'ty
outel
lmet hi
sbef
orebaby
?"
Rel
i
effloodst
hroughmyent
irebody
,at
leasthest
il
lcal
l
smebaby
.

"Youknowhowt al
kingaboutmypainmakesmef eelandwor se
partisthatItr
ust
edMabut hoandheusedwhatIt oldhim against
me.Iwasashamedandal lIwantedwastoforgetmyt i
mewi th
him."Henodsandhol dshishandouttome.Ihavebeent alki
ng
theenti
r eti
mewhileonmyf eetandheisonthecouchl i
stening
att
entiv
el y
.

It
akehi
shandandhehel
psmesi
tonhi
slapandenv
elopeshi
s
ar
msaroundmywaist
.

"Youtr
iedt
oforgetbuti
t'
scl
eartheguyi
ssti
ll
try
ingt
ogety
ou
back.He'
snut
s,sthandwasami,
"Iagr
eewit
hhim ont
hat
.

"I
maginel
yi
ngabouthi
spar
ent
s,whodoest
hat
?"Makhosi
nii
s
appal
l
ed.

"
Thatshockedmet
oo,
"Isayandhi
sey
eswi
deni
npani
c.
"Nana,mysisteri
swit
hthatman.Ineedtocallherandt el
lhert
o
gohome,"it
'sbeenovert
wohourssincewel ef
tMv elowi t
hthat
psycho.Mabuthoissmart
,hemighthaveconnectedthedot sand
fi
guredoutthatIwant
edtocomecleantomyboy fr
iend.Tofeel
l
ikehehaswont hi
ssi
ckgamehemi ghthurtMv el
o.

"
Pleasedo,
"Itrytogetof
fhim buthehol
dsmeinplace.Hedi
als
wi
thonehandandput sthephoneonspeaker
.Iam tappi
ngmy
f
ootonthefloor,
prayi
ngthatshe'
ssafe.

"Hey
, how'
sbab'
Bhengu?
"Sheanswer
s,soundi
ngokay
.Thank
heavens.

"Uhm, Gl
en.He'
sbet
ter
.Li
sten,
wher
ear
eyou?
"Makhosi
niasks
hurr
iedly
.

Wear
ebot
hscar
edf
orhersaf
ety
.

"Mabuthodroppedmeathomeanhourago.Hef el
titwasn'
t
appropri
atet
ostayandhavefunwhi
leLemohangwasst r
essed
aboutherfat
her.He'
sthesweet
estr
ight
?"OhthankGodshe's
safe.

"Yeahhei s.Mv elo,pl

easedon'tgoany wheretomorr owmor ni
ng.I
needt otal ktoy ouaboutsomet hing,
"Makhosinisay s.Wedidn't
discusst ell
ingMv el
obutit'
stherightthi
ngtodo.I '
mj usthoping
andpr ayingt hatsheeasilybeli
evesmel ikeherbrotherdid.Weall
knowhowsensi ti
veawomani nlovecanbe, shemi ghtjustt
hink
I'
mj ealousofwhatshehaswi thmyexbutI '
mj ustl
ooki ngoutfor
her.
Mabut
hoisusingherasapawninhi
ssickunknowngame,
whi
ch
hewon'
twinthist
imebecauseI
'
m ontohim.

"Ohokay,
I'l
lbehomewaiti
ng.
"ShesaysandIseemyboyfri
end
sighi
nrel
ief,t
hankf
ult
hatMvel
odidn'
task21quest
ions.

"
Alr
ight
,goodni
ghtthen.
"Hehangsupt
hecal
landl
ooksatme
whi
leshaki
nghishead.

"Cany oubeli
evet hatfool
sexcuse?It'
sclearhewant edt ol
eave
becauset hepersonwhohecamet hereforsuddenl ylef
t.He'snot
i
nt erestedinMv elo,he'
sjustusi
nghert obecl osetoy ousince
youwon' tgiv
ehi mt heti
meofday .
"Myboy fr
iendsay s.Hehashi t
thenai lri
ghtont hehead."Comet othinkofit,lastSaturdayat
dinnerhekeptaski ngaboutyou.Ididn'
tthinkmuchofi tcozhe
keptmaski ngitsomehow. "HadIgonet othedi nnerwewoul d
hav ebeenr idofhi m bynow.

"
Het houghthehadthi
splannedtot
heTbutthi
stimehef ound
mepr epar
ed.Icanseeri
ghtthr
oughhi
m,"Makhosi
nipecksmy
l
ips.

"Promi semet hatyou'

llnev
erkeepthingsfr
om me, nomat terhow
smal lorstupidyoumightthinki
tis.
"I'
m noddinginagreement .
Makhosi nialwaysemphasizesoncommuni cati
on,Iam opening
upbi tbybit.I
t'
ssituat
ionsli
kethi
sthatshowmet hatIcanf ul
ly
trustthismanandbel osti
nhim wit
houtfear.

"Ipr
omi
semylove,
pleasebepati
entwi
thme.
"Isayandhe
smil
eswar
mlyandlovi
nglyatme.
"Youhavemyheart,
mi nd,body,soulandpati
ence.Iknowwhat
you'
vebeenthr
ough,mer ushingyourprogr
esswon' thel
pusin
anyway.I'
mjustsayi
ngIwanty outoknowthatI'
m here,f
oryou
andwhatevery
ouneed.Ilov eyou,MaNgcolosi
,"he'
smaki ngme
emoti
onal.

Howdidmylif
egett
othispoi
nt?Whatam It
odowi t
hsomuch
l
ove?Iwasusedt
ogett
ingnonandnowit'
sjustov
erfl
owi
ng.

"Il
oveyousomuch, Makhosini
."Wel ockli
psandkiss
passi
onately
.Iam ov
erwhelmedwi themot i
ons,
Ican'
thol
dthem
i
nsoIj ustal
lowmytearstofal
l asIkissthi
smanthathasshown
menothingbutlov
e,careandpr ot
ection.

"
Hey
,what
'swr
ong?
"Heasksaf
terpul
l
ingoutoft
heki
ss.

"Iam sohappythatIfi
nal
lytol
dsomeoneaboutMabut ho.
Reli
evedthatIdon'
thavetokeepittomysel
fanymore.Eversi
nce
Imety ouMakhosiniyou'
vebeenremovi
ngburdensf
rom my
shoulder
sandIwon' tl
iei
tfeel
ssogood,"hesmil
esandwi pesmy
tear
swi t
hboththumbs.

"That'
sbecausewear eone,Lemohang.Ifi
tweresolel
yupt omeI
woul dhavealr
eadymadey oumywi fe,
butIknowyou'reyoung
andy ousti
llwanttoachi
eveyourdreamsandgoals."Hesaysand
I'
ml eftbl
ushi
ng.IfIwasli
ghtski
nnedIwould'
veturnedred.

"PleaseknowthatIal
sowantt ospendtherestofmylif
ewithyou.
Iknowpeopl ewil
lsayIhaven'
tli
ved,butsomeofusdon'thaveto
dot heli
vi
ngalonebecausewef i
ndoursoul matesear
li
er,
"he
hideshisfacei
nmybosom andIgi ggl
e.
"Iwanteveryonewhoaskedmei fIwoul
dbeabletomanagea
twentyyearoldtocomeli
stentoyouspeak,
"Ifr
own.Idi
dn'
tknow
somepeopl equesti
onedourrel
ati
onshi
pbecauseofmyage.

"
Tel
lthem I
'
m anol
dsoul
baby
,"henodswi
thal
opsi
dedsmi
l
e.
He'
ssohandsome.

Ijumpupscr eamingalittl
e,ohmyGod, Ijusthandanepiphany .
Howdi dInotthinkaboutthisearli
er?Makhosinidoesn'
thav e
enemies,nooneev enhassomet hi
ngbadt osayabouthim.Yes,
somepeopl ejustdon'
tlikehimforabsolutel
ynothingatalland
that'
snormal.ButMabut ho..
.Mabut homusthateMakhosi ni.I
n
histi
nyli
ttl
ebrainhemi ghtbeli
evethatMakhosiniisthereason
whywear eapar t.

"
Baby
,what
'swr
ong?"Makhosi
niasksswi
tchi
ngont
hesi
del
amp.
I
'
m gl
adhewokeup,
Ineedtotel
lhimthi
s.

"Somethi
ngjustpoppedinmyhead,
"hesi
tsupst
rai
ght,
leani
ng
agai
nsttheheadboard.Iswit
chmyl
amponaswellandlookat
him,he'
srubbi
ngsleepof fhi
sey
es.

"
Baby,couldn'
tthatsomethi
ngpopi nyourheadi
nt hemorni
ng?I
meansit'
s2:30,
"Irollmyeyes.He'snevercompl
ainedwhenI
wakehim uparoundt hi
sti
mef orsex.

"
It
'si
mport
antl
ove,
please.
"Hey
awnsandl
ooksatmewi
tht
he
"
goon"ey
es.
"It
hinkIknowwhobur
neddownLukhel
eDi
amonds,
"Isayandhi
s
eyeswiden.

Allhi
satt
ent
ioni
sonme,hewasn'
texpect
ingt
hisone.Hepushes
thecover
sdownandshi
ft
stof
aceme.

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Heaskswi
thf
urr
owedbr
ows.

"Ihaveafeel
i
ngMabut hoisbehi
ndthef
ir
e,i
tishi
ghl
ypossi
ble
thathe'
sthearsoni
st.Hecoul
dalsobet
heonewhokill
edNurse
Brenda,
"Isay.

"
Okay
,wai
t.Whoi
snur
seBr
endamanj
e?"Iheav
easi
gh.

"RememberIt oldy ouabouthi satt

empt edsuicide? "Henods, "
NurseBr endawor kedatt hehospi talhewasadmi tted.Shewas
theonewhocal ledmeandt oldmet ocomet ot hehospitaland
shehandedmet hesui ci
denot e.WhenIl eftafterseeingMabut ho
shetri
edt ell
ingmehowmuchMabut holovesme.Idi dn'
tthink
muchofi t
,Ithoughtshewasj ustanoseynur se.Butonedayat
themall,Ibumpedi ntoher .Shesai dshehadsomet hi
ngtot el
lme,
shewasbesi desher self
.Whenshewasaboutt ot ellmewhati t
wassher eceiv
edat extandr anoutoft hemal l
.Fewday slaterI
sawont henewst hatshehadbeenmur dered.Forsomer easonI
suspectedMabut hobutIdi dn'tdomuchwi thitbecauseatt he
ti
meIwasdeal i
ngwi thal otmy sel
f."Isayandhe' sscr at
chinghis
head.

"JustwhenIthoughtI
'
vehear
dital
laboutt
hisguy
,"hecusses
underhisbr
eath.

"
I'
m sor
rybaby
,"Isayandhenar
rowshi
sey
es.
"
ForwhatnowNana?
"Heasks.

"Ibr
oughttheMabuthopr
oblem toyourdoorst
epandf
ort
hatI
'
m
sorr
y,"heshakeshi
sheadandclaspsmyhand.

"Thi
sisnoty
ourfaul
t.He'
sthecr
azyonewhodoesn'twantt
ol et
go,"heal
wayshastobesosweetandreassur
ing.Il
ovehi
mf orit
.

"All
Ihavetodoi sfi
ndawayt oli
nkhimtot hefi
reandwith
regardstoyoursuspici
onofthemur derofthenurse,weshoul
d
got othepoli
cestati
on."Iagr
ee,Ineedtotellt
hepoli
cewhatI
thi
nkhappenedwi thnurseBrenda.IfMabuthokil
ledhert
henhe
shouldbepunished.

"
Wil
lyougowi
thmet
othepol
i
cest
ati
on?
"Iaskandhenods.

"
Ofcourse,
Iwon' tal
l
owy
out
ogot
hrought
hisal
onebaby
.Wear
e
ateam,
"I'
mt hankful
.

"Sincewehav easuspectforthefi
ret hatatedownLukhel e
Diamonds.Iwassuggest i
ngthatwegetaf ul
lpri
ntofMabut ho
thentakei ttothepri
vatecompanyt hatwasi nvesti
gati
ngt oseei
f
thepar t
ialtheyhavewon'tmatchpoi ntsonMabut ho'sfull
pri
nt.
"
He'slookingatmewi t
hast oi
cexpressi on.He'
snotsay ing
any t
hing,he'smakingmener vous.Didi notmakesense?

"
God,
Nana.Youar
ebr
il
li
ant
."

Wear edri
vi
ngt ohismother
shousefrom t
hepolicestat
ion.Iam
soreli
evedthattheinf
ormat
ionIgav
et hepol
icewill
helpinthe
case.TheyaskedmewhatBr endawaswear i
ngthelastti
meI
sawherandIt oldthem shewasinabrownt racksui
t.Theysaid
theyfoundherinthesewagesy st
em weari
ngexact l
ythatsoshe
defini
tel
ydi
edthesamedayshet ri
edtel
li
ngmesomet hingatthe
mall.Thedet
ectivehandli
ngthecaseaskedMakhosi ni andIto
keept hi
sbet
weenussoMabut hodoesn'tgetthewindofi tand
tri
estorun.

Ifeelbadforherl i
tt
lechil
dren, t
heywi l
lgrowupwi thoutamot her
becausesomeoneki ll
edherf ort hei
rtwi
stedgame.If eelforthe
husbandbecausehecoul dn'tev enmour nhi
swi f
ei npeace
becausehewast hepri
mesuspecti nthemurder.Butnowt hat
I'
vepointedthem somewher ehewi l
lhaveabreatherandf ocuson
heali
ngandr aisingthei
rchildren.Ihopeandpr aythattheynail
Mabut hoforthis.

Wegett othehouseandMakhosi ni
parkstheMer cedesinthe
dri
veway,Ihonest
lydidn'
tknowhehadanot hercarbecausehe's
obsessedwi t
htheUrus.Butthesepastfewday she'sbeen
makingnoiseaboutaRangeRov erSportSVR.Ididn'
tthinkhe
wasaser i
ouscarlover.Weclimboutoft hecarandher oundsto
mysidetot akemyhand.Iam honest l
yscaredtodot hisbecause
I
'm notsurehowMv elowil
ltakeit.

Wefindheri
nthelounge,
she'ssi
tt
ingcomfort
abl
yont hecouch.
Ther
e'sabowloffr
uitsal
adinherhandandsheseemst obe
enj
oyingher
sel
f.Wegreetherandsett
leonthedoubl
ecouch,
handi
nhand.Hol
dinghi
sli
ket
hisi
str
ansf
err
ingsomest
rengt
hto
metogett
hroughthi
s.

"What'
supguys?Youlook.
..
sti
ff
,"sheasks,
taki
ngaspoonf
ulof
hersal
ad.Herbr
othercl
ear
shist hr
oat
.

"
Wehavesomet hi
ngimportanttotel
lyou,
hopeful
l
yyouaresti
ll
l
evel
headedandnotheadov erheelsi
nlove,
"Hesays,
causing
Mvel
otositupstr
aightandplacet
hebowl onthearmrest
.

"What'
sgoi
ngonMakhosi ni
?"Sheasksal
armed.Ihat
ethatI'
m
aboutt
obreakherhear
t,especi
all
yaft
erwhatshewentthr
ough
wit
hSipho.

"
Guy
s?"She'
simpat
ient
,ri
ght
ful
l
yso.

"Baby,
"Makhosi
nicoaxesmeandIheav
easighandst
artt
ell
i
ng
Mv el
oall
aboutmyr el
ati
onshi
pwit
hMabut
hoandhowwe
suspectt
hatheburneddownLukhel
eDi
amonds.

"Idon'tbel
iev
ethi
s,
"shesay
swi
thast
rai
ghtf
aceandmyhear
t
shutters.

Thisi
swhatIf
ear
ed,
Makhosi
nibr
ushesmyknuckl
eswi
thhi
s
thumbs.

"Mvel
o, whywoul
dsheliet
oy ouaboutt
his?
"Makhosi
niasksand
hissi
sterqui
ckl
yshakesherhead.

"Ohno,noIdon'tmeanitli
kethat.
..
whatI'
m sayi
ngi
sIcan'
t
bel
iev
et hatIf
ellf
oranotherdouchebag.
"OhthankGod.

"I
'
m sor
ryMvel
o.Ihadtotel
lyoubecauseit'
scl
eart
omet hathe'
s
pl
ayi
ngatsomethi
nghere,
"shestar
tstolaugh,
li
kereal
l
ylaugh.I
l
ookatMakhosi
niandhe'
sconf
usedj
ustl
i
keme.I
sMv
elol
osi
ng
hermi
ndri
ghtnow?

"Ishouldhaveseenit
.Healwaysaskedmor eabouty
our
relati
onshi
pthanGatshaandZethu.ThankGodhedidn'
twantt
o
hav esexbecauseI'
dbehati
ngmy selfr
ightnow.
"Shesays
gesturingwit
hherhands.

I
'
m gl
adhedi
dn'
ttaket
hati
nti
macyf
rom her
.

"Hatingyour
sel
fforwhat
?"maNgobeseaskswal
kingi
n.She
kissesbothhersonandmycheekandsi
tsnextt
oherdaughter
.

"Iam themostunl ucki

estpersoninlove,mama.Whenl ovesees
mei trunsoffinaspeedofl i
ght.May beIshouldj
ustbeanun, no
Ican'tbecausetheydon'tdri
nkalcoholri
ght?Ishoul
djustfocus
onmycar eerbecausethati
sgoi ngverywell
."Shesays,Icansee
howhur tsheis.Damny ouMabut ho!

"
Cansomeonepleaseexpl
aintomewhat'
sgoi
ngon?"
maNgobesesay
s,dart
ingbetweent
het
hreeofus.

"Ican'
t,Ij
ustneedtodr
inkmyselfst
upidbecausethat'
swhatIam.
STUPID.Bro,I'
m goi
ngtohav
et oborrowLemof ortheday
."My
boyfri
endnods.

"I
'
dbecomf ortabl
eifyouguy swenttomyhouse, Idon'tt
rustthat
Mabut hopersonwi t
heitherofyou.
"Makhosiniquickl
ysays,"l
et
mej ustfi
llmamai nandt hethr
eeofuswill
dr i
vetheretoget
stupiddrunktogether
,"headds.

"Okaythen.I
nthemeant
imeI
'
llgohav
esomet
equi
l
aint
he
kit
chen,comebabe.
"
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER72

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Aft
erGodf earmen,
"Walesaysonemor eti
met hengul
psdown
hisdrink.Hei st
aki
ngthisbr
eak-
upwi t
hJojoveryhard,
hehas
beendr inkingsincethedaymycousintol
dhim every
thi
ng.I
couldn'tleav ehi
m al
oneathishousesoIcall
edEbukaandasked
i
fIcoul dbr ingWalewithmetohishousesowecankeepaney e
onhi m.

"I
'
venev erseenhi
mli
ket
his,
"myboy
fri
endsay
sfol
dinghi
sar
ms
acrosshischest
.

Iheaveasigh,
"Idon'
tknowwhattosayt ohi
m,"Itri
edcomf or
ti
ng
him buti
t'
snotworki
ng.Fi
rsthear
tbreaksar
et heworst
,it
'sgoing
totaketi
mebeforehegetsoverJojo.I
fheeverdoes.

"
Hejustneedstostayawayf
rom bi
sexualmenandmenwhoar
e
i
nrel
ati
onships.
"Inodmyheadinagreement
.

"Letmegethimt obedandI
'
llcomebackdown.Wehave
somethingreal
l
yimport
antt
ot al
kabout
,"ohoh,
Idon'
tl
iket
hat
tone,I
t'
stooseri
ous.

I
'm busymakingasnackforEbukaandI
.Myheadisworking
overt
imetr
yingtothi
nkofwhathewantsustotal
kabout.Such
thi
ngsmakemeuneasy ,Ial
wayswanttoknowwhat'
shappening,
bei
nginthedarkkil
l
sme.Hewal ksintheki
tchenl
aughing,Wale
musthavesaidsomet hi
ngst
upid,he'
shilar
iouswhendrunk.I
wouldaskbutI'
dratherwest
arttalki
ngli
kehewant ed.

"
So,babywhatdoyouwantustotal
kabout
?"Hetakesacr
acker
wi
thcheesefr
om t
heplat
terandeat
swhil
enoddi
ng.

"
Aboutus,
"hesay
scasual
l
y.

I
sthi
sni
ggat
ryi
ngt
odumpme?

"
Relax,myiy
awo.I
t'
snotsomethi
ngt
opanicov
er.
"Hesay
swi
tha
l
opsidedsmil
eandIheav
easighofr
eli
ef.

"
Okay,
let'
sgot
alkt
hen,"Icarr
ythepl
att
erofsnacksandhet
akes
t
hefl
utesandi
cebucketwithchampagne.

It
'sasunnySundayaf ternoon,thegar denwi l
lbeagr eatpl
acet o
chill
andhav ethisconv ersati
on.Isitdownont hepatiodaybed
afterplacingtheplatterdownont hetable,
Iwat chasEbukapops
thebot tl
eopenandpour si
ntobot hglasses.Hehandsmeaf l
ute
andIt akeasi pimmedi ately
,it
'snicelychil
l
ed.Ebukasi t
sdown
nextt omeandheav esadeepsi gh,it'
sgoingt obeaser i
ous
conv ersati
on,Icanjustt ell
.Myphonej usthadt ori
nganddel ay
thi
sconv ersat
ion,damnwhoev eritishasnot imingatall
.Ireach
forthepocketofmysummerdr essandcomebackwi thmy
ri
ngingphone.I t
'sJongi khaya,Ihopeev eryt
hingiswellback
home.
"
Joj
o,"Ianswer
.

Iputt
hephoneonspeakerandpl
acei
tonmyt
high.

"
Mnt
ase,
wassup?
"Her
epl
i
es.

"I
'
m okay
,whatabouty
ou?
"Heexhal
esshar
plyandInar
rowmy
eyes.

"
Iknowy
oudon'
twanttohearthi
sandall
butt
heguycame
l
ooki
ngf
orme,
"what'
shetalki
ngabout
?Ebukalooksconf
used
t
oo.

"
Jongi
khay
a,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Iaskandsi
tupst
rai
ght
.

"Soyester
daybef or
eIlef
tKwazakhel
eKhol
ocamet othehouse,
"
Mybodyf reezesatthementi
onofhisname.Thatboyhur
tmy
soul,hehumili
atedmepubli
clyandhehadthegutstogotomy
grandmother'
shouse.AishameKholoisbr
ave.

Ebukat
akesmyhandandsqueezes.

"
Whatdi
dthatpi
eceofshi
twant
?"Iask.

Angeri
sbubbl
i
ngi
nmyst
omach.

"
Hisgi
rl
fr
iendi
spr
egnant
,"hesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.

"
Goodf orhi
m,"thatchil
dhasthedevi
lforaf
ather
.Ihopei
t'
snot
agi
rlbecausethefatherhasnoregar
dforwomen.

"
Hesaysasangomatol
dhimthatsomethi
ngser
iouswi
l
lhappen
t
othebabyi
mmediat
elyaf
teri
t'
sborn,
"hai
bo!
Whatdoesal
lthathav
etodowi
thus?

"
Joj
oIheary
ouneh,
buthowi
sthi
smybusi
ness?
"Iaskannoy
ed.

"Hewast oldthatonlyyourforgi
venesswi l
lremovethedark
cloud,"ohwow!Nowhewant stoapologizebecausehisbaby
mi ghthavecompl icati
onsatbirt
h?Hei sn'tapol
ogizi
ngbecause
whathedi dtomewaswr ong.

"Tel
lKholotogoanddi e,
"Isayandsmackmyl ips.Al
lthesey
ear
s
i
tnev eroccur
redtohimtoapologize.Idon'
twantitnowbecause
Iknowhedoesn' tmeanit,
hewillbedoingitbecausehehastoin
orderforthebabytobeokay.

"Wewi l
ltal
kwhenIgetbackonMonday ,
Undiphi
l
e."Ishakemy
head,I
'm nott
alki
ngaboutKhol
o.Lethi
m dealwi
thhisprobl
ems
andleavemeoutofit.

LEMOHANGBHENGU

"
Canhejustst
opcall
i
ngme! "Mvel
osayswal
kingi
nthelounge.
Mabut
hohasbeenblast
ingherphonesi
ncey
ester
day,
can'the
r
eadbetweenthel
i
nes?

"
Justbl
ockhi
m,"Makhosi
nisay
srubbi
ngmyf
eet
.

"Whydi
dn'tIt
hinkoft
hat
,"shesmacksherl
i
psandt
hrowsher
sel
f
onthecouch.

If
eelsobadforwhatshe'
sgoi
ngthr
ough,i
fitwasn'
tformethen
Mabuthowouldn'
thav
eusedherasachesspiecei
nhissick
game.

"Iam r
eal
l
ysor r
y,Mvel
o."Isayandshestopscr
oll
i
ngonher
phoneandlooksatme.Conf usi
onwri
tt
enallov
erherf
ace.

"
Forwhatbabe?
"Sheaskswi
thnar
rowedey
es.

"Forthi
swholething,
ifi
twasn'tf
ormeMabuthowouldn'thave
usedy out
obecl osetome.It
'smyfaul
tthaty
ou'
rehurt
ingright
now,"sheshakesherhead.

"What!Lemono,y
oucan'tbl
amey our
sel
ffort
hatsi
ckman.
"She
saysandIappr
eciat
ethatbutdeepdownitwi
ll
takemesome
ti
metonotfeelt
hisway.

"St
handwasami,Mvel
oisri
ght.Thiswhol
emessisonMabut
ho
notyou.
"Makhosi
niaddsandIofferhi
m aweaksmi
le.

Thethoughtofl
eavi
ngandnotsleepi
ngnextt
ohi
mtoni
ghtki
l
ls
me.Ijustwannabewit
hhim al
way s.

"Youtwoar esocute,t
hough."ShesaysandIblush,l
ooki
ngatmy
handsomeper son.Ist
il
lcan'
tbeli
eveIgott
hisluckyandmet
someonesogenui neandamazi ngasMakhosiniLukhel
e.Hei
sa
dream Igettoli
veever
yday.

Sunday
sbreakmyhear t
,Idon'twanttol
eavebutIpromised
Atangt
odrophim atschool wi
thmamatomor row.Ienj
oythose
momentswithhi
m, seei
ngt hatsmil
eonhisfaceinthecaraswe
dri
vehi
m bri
ngsmeunmat chedjoy
.
Wegett omaNgobese' sstr
eetandMabut hoispar kedoutsidethe
yard,Whatt hef uck?Thi sguyi spsy cho,he'snuts.Heshoul dhave
fi
guredoutt hatIt oldt hem ourhistoryandt ooktheL.Buthe' s
Mabut hoandhet hinksheist hesmar t
estpuppetmast ertoever
l
ive.I'
m angr ythatheev enhadt hegut stodr i
veher ewiththe
hopesoft alkingt oMv el
o.Makhosi nilaughsashepar ksont he
curbandget soutoft hecar.Mv eloquicklyfoll
owsaf terher
brotherandIsnapoutofmyangerandf rustr
ati
onandcl imbout
aswel l.Makhosi niiswaggi ngaf i
ngeratMabut howhoi s
standingnextt ohi sMust angwi thasmugonhi sface.Hel ooksat
meandt hatanger sMakhosi nievenmor e.

"
Eyesoffmywoman.Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Makhosi
nir
oar
s.

Mabutholaughsi
nmyboyf
ri
end'
sface,
shaki
nghi
shead.Thi
s
ar
rogantsonofagun,
hedi
sgust
sme.

"
Yourwoman?
"Heaskswi
thasmi
rk.

Iwantt
osl
aphi
m acr
osshi
sface.

"Youheardmer ight,
"Hepauses, "Andli
stenherewenasani,
leave
mygirl
fri
endandmysi steralone,
"I'
veneverseenMakhosiniso
mad.Hisshoulder sarebroadandhi schesti
spuffedout.He
l
ooksscar yasfuckbutI'mt urnedonbyhowhe' sstandi
ngupfor
usagainstthi
scr azyguy.

"
Youseet
hatwomany ouclai
m asyours?She'
smi
nebro.Iam
t
heonewhotookherv
irgi
nity
,shewil
lneverst
opl
ovi
ngme.I
madeamistakeandshe'
spuni
shingmef ori
tbuti
fyout
hinkI
'
ll
st
opfi
ght
ingforhert
henyourmistaken,
"

Wowjustwow.Mabuthohasaseriouspr
obl
em,heneedstowake
upfr
om thi
sdream.Iwi
ll
nevergobacktohi
m,I
'
dnev erl
eave
Makhosi
niforany
thi
ngoranyone.

"Youareoutofyourmind.Lemohangisovery
ou,she'
swi
thme
now.Hermind,bodyandsoul aremineasmuchasminear
e
hers.
"Mymansay sslowlyapproachi
ngMabutho.

"Myl
ove,pl
easedon'tbot
her.Don'
tgi
vehim ar
easont
odr
agus
downtohisl
evel
."Isaybri
sklyandhest
epsback.

"
LeaveLemohangandMvel
oal
one,
Iwi
l
lnotr
epeatmy
sel
f.
"
Makhosi
niwar
nscalml
y.

"Iwi
llneverst
epbackfr
om Lemohang.She'
smadatmer
ightnow
butshe'l
lcomearoundandcomebacktome,"

"
Keepondr
eami
ngboy
,"Makhosi
nisay
swi
thachuckl
e.

Wewat chMabut hoangr i

lydrivi
ngoff.Wear enotsafewitht his
guyouther einthest reet
s,hisobsessionwithmei sscary.Ijust
hopeandpr ayt hepol i
cehav efoundsomet hi
ngthatti
eshi mt o
themur derofBr enda.Heneedst ogodownf orsomet hi
ng, Iam
notgoingtol i
vei nfearofthatcrazyman.Hei ssickandit'scl ear
thathewon' tl
eav emeal one.Imeanhowmanywomenhav ebeen
kil
ledbymenwhot houghtt heyhadar ightt
othem andtheirl ove?
Idon'twannabeapar tofthatstati
sti
c.
"
He'sreal
l
youtofhismind,
I'
veneverseenany
thi
ngl
i
ket
his,
"
Mvelosays,
placi
ngahandoverhermouth.

"Thatguyisdanger ous,wecan'
ttakehi mli
ght
ly.Wehonestly
needt otakesafetymeasures,I
'
llt
alkt omaNgobeseandGat sha
andgetsecur i
tyforallofus.Wewon' tknowwhenhest ri
kes,i
t'
s
cleareveryonei
sf airgametohim,"Iclosemyey est
hinki
ngof
Atang.

Heknowshowmuchmyl itt
lebrot
hermeanst ome,hemightgo
aft
erhi
mt oproveapoint.Ithi
nkit
'sti
meIt ol
dmyf ami
lyabout
thi
swholethi
ngsot heycanalsoprotectt
hemselv
esincasehe
wantst
oincludethem i
nt hi
sgamehe' spl
ay i
ngal
one.

"
Don'
tbescaredbaby,
I'
llf
ixt
hisIpr
omi seyou.
"Makhosi
nipul
l
s
meinforahugandIholdontohimtight.Mabut
hoj
usthadto
messupourSundayeveni
ng.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"Iwhi
sper
.

"
Ilov
eyou,
nana.
"Heki
ssesmyneck.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Itakeadeepbreat
handopenthedoorforJongi
khaya.Heasked
tocomeseemeandmot herwhenhelanded,
he'
scomi ngtogive
mymot herf
eedbackonhowev ery
thi
ngwentwithhisfamil
y.
Mamai ssti
l
latworkbutshesai
dshe'l
lcomestr
aighthereaft
er
hermeet
ingwi
thacl
i
ent
.

"
Hey,
yourski
nlooksbeauti
ful
,
"hesay
sandIsmi
l
est
andi
ngt
o
t
hesi
desohecanwal kinsi
de.

"
Thanky ou,
mymothersai
dthesamethi
ngthi
smorni
ng.Iguess
i
t'
spregnancygl
ow,
"henodshisheadi
nagr
eement
.

"
Atl
eastmysondi
dn'
tcomewi
thacneordr
yski
n,
"hai
bo!

"It
hinkmydaughterknowst
hatgoodski
nisamust
,"hechuckl
es
shakinghi
shead.

"What
evert
hegenderofourbabyi
s,I
'
mjusthappyt
obeadaddy
,"
hesays.

Undiphi
ledidsayhe'sv er
yexci
tedtobeaf at
her.Idon'that
emy
chil
dbutIwishIwasn' texpect
ingheri
nsuchcircumstances.I
t'
s
tr
ickybetweenthefatherandIbutwewi l
lfi
ndawayt ocoparent
ourbaby,wehav et
omakei tworkforherorhi
m.

"Youcanhaveasi
t,
"Isaypoi
nti
ngt
othecouch.Heset
tl
esdown
afterpl
aci
nghi
sspor
tsbagdownontherug.

"Howhavey
ouguy
sbeen?
"HeasksasIsi
tdownont
hesi
ngl
e
couch.

"Wear egood,nocomplai
nts.
"I'
m st
il
li
ntheearl
ystagesofmy
pregnancy.Mybabydoesn'
tevenmakemesi ck,IhopeI
'l
lhav
eit
easyuntil
thedayIgiv
ebirt
h.

"
CanIgetyouany
thi
ngt
oeatordr
ink?
"If
orgotmymanner
sther
e
f
orasecond.
"Nothankyou,
I'
m good.
"Inodandl
ooktothesi
de,Ihonestl
y
don'
tknowwhattosaytohim.Hechuckl
esandItur
ntof acehi
m,
he'
swearingahugesmil
e.

"
What
?"Iaskandheshakeshi
shead.

"Thisroom hassomanymemor i
es,Iwonderi
fwemadet hebaby
hereorbackatt heapar
tment,
"Wehadsomuchsexher e,my
fatherevenwalkedinonusonetime.Iwouldhavebeenashamed
i
fIwasn' tangr
ywi t
hhim ov
erthecheati
ngandimpregnat
inga
younggi r
lwhil
emymot herwasinrehab.

"
Yeah,
wewer
eati
tli
ker
abbi
ts.
"Henodsv
igor
ousl
yashel
aughs.

"
AndIenj
oyedmaki
ngl
ovet
oyouAmu,
"hesay
sandIgosi
l
ent
i
mmediat
ely
.

"
Mntuwami,IknowIdi
dy oubadandI
'
m sov
erysor
ryf
ort
hat
.
Amukel
ani
Iwasaf ool
..
."

Iquicklyint
erj
ect,"
Joj
oplease,"Isaycl
osi
ngmyey es.Myhear
tis
sti
l
lbr okenfrom whathappenedbetweenus.Iwasinlov
ewith
hi
m andIsawaf ut
urewithhim buthej
usthadtobreakwhatwe
had.

"Amu,Ineedyoutoknowt hatIwantyouback.Lov ey
ouarewho
myheartbeatsforandnowt hatyou'
recarryi
ngmybabyIloveyou
evenmore."Hi
swor dsar
ehur ti
ngmemor e.Hadhebeenfai
thf
ul
tomewewoul dbehappyandl ooki
ngforwardtothedayIgi
ve
bir
thasacouple.

"
You'
rewit
hhim nowsoy oucan'
tbesayi
ngthi
stome,"myvoi
ce
i
sbar
elyaudi
ble.Hequi
cklyget
supfrom t
hecouchandcomesto
kneel
inf
rontofme.

"IbrokeupwithWale.IknowIwasselfishtoevenwantt hat
setti
nginthefi
rstpl
aceandI '
m sosorr
y .
"Idon'
tthi
nkIcanev er
trusthi
m.Iwouldalwayswonderwher eheisandwhathe' sdoing
whenhe' snotwit
hme.Il ov
ehim wit
hal lmyheart,
trustmeIdo
butloveisnotenough.

"
Iknowi t
'snoteasyandy ouwon'ttr
ustmeasy oudidbefor
eI
messedup, butIwanty out
oknowt hatIloveyouandIneedy ou
i
nmyl i
fenotj ustasthemotherofmychi l
dbutasmywoman
t
oo."Iwanttobewi t
hhim morethanhecouldev eri
maginebutif
wedon'thavet rustt
henwhat'
sthepoint?Iwil
lneverhavepeace
i
fIdon'thavet r
ust.

"Jojo,please.Canwej ustfocusonget ti
ngthroughthispregnancy
anddel iver
ingourbaby .Everyt
hingelseisastressthatIdon't
needatt hi
spoint
, Idon'
twantt ohaveami scarri
age."Thefir
st
tri
mest eristhemostscar iestbecauseanythi
ngcanhappen.I
woul dbebr okenifIlostthisbaby.

"
IunderstandmylovebutIwantyout
oknowt hatIwil
lwor
khard
i
nshowi ngyouthatyoucantr
ustmewithyourhear
tandheal
th
t
histi
me. "Hesaysandtakesmyhand,ki
ssi
ngmyknuckles.

"
So,howdi ditgowit
hyourmom? "Iasktoshi
ftt
heconv
ersat
ion
f
rom us.Talki
ngaboutoursi
tuat
ionhurt
smemor eandmore.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Wear
ebackt
obusi
ness.

Monday
,WednesdayandFr
iday
.

Iappr
eci
atey
ourpat
ienceguy
s
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER73

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"
Excuseme,
"Ical
lmywai
tr
essasshepassesbyme.

"CanIgety
ouany
thi
ngel
se?
"SheasksandInodandpl
acet
he
spoondown.

"
Yes,
anot
herpi
eceofpepper
mintcr
ispt
art
,"shechuckl
es.

"
Shoul
dImakeitaful
lpor
ti
onthisti
me?"SheasksandIbitemy
l
owerl
ip.I
'
veal
readyhadt
wosliceswit
hicecream.Ishoul
djust
makei
tatakeawayandgoeatitathomeinf
rontoftheTV.

"Yeahl
et'
smakeitaful
lport
ionont
hego.May
bemybabywi
l
l
cravei
tagai
nlat
eron,
"Isayandshesmi
leswi
der
.

"
Ohcongr
atul
ati
onsony
ourpr
egnancy
,"Inodsmi
l
ing.

"
Thankyou,
"Shewal
ksawayandI
'
mlef
tfi
nishi
ngt
hepi
eceoft
art
i
nfr
ontofme.

WhenIl ef
tcampusIcamest r
aightt
othi
srestaurantbecauseI
wokeupcr avi
ngitsobad.IcheckedonGooglei fi
t'
snor malfor
met obehavingcravingsanditsai
dI'
m onti
me, cravi
ngsstartat
fi
veweeksandi ntensif
iesi
nthesecondtr
imester.Iknow
Jongikhay
awoul dfeelsobadifheknewIwant edtartanddidn'
t
askhimtobri
ngitforme.Heisdesper
atet
obri
ngmethi
ngsI
wantbutwesti
llhavesomet i
mebefor
eIgi
vebi
rth,
hewi
llpl
ay
del
iv
eryguyunti
lhe'soveri
t.

"I
tshouldhavebeenmine,"Istopchewingmyt artandlookupat
thepersonwhojustspoke.It
'shim,hisvoi
cehasn'tchangedone
bit
.IknowJohannesburgissmal lbutIwashopingtonev erbump
i
ntothisguy.

"
Wow,youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.Pr
egnancyr
eal
l
ysui
tsy
ouAmu,
"I
f
rown.

Howt
hef
uckdoesheknow?Idi
dn'
tpostabouti
tonsoci
almedi
a.

"
Iwasonat abl
ebehindyouandIcoul
dn'
thel
pbutheary
out
ell
t
hewait
ress,
"hesatbehi
ndmeandonl ydeci
dedt
otalkt
ome
whenheheardI'
m pr
egnant.Whatawei
rdmanheis.

"
Youaresoqui
et,
"whatdoesheexpectmetosay.Henev
er
r
espondedt
othesmsIsenthim weeksagonowhewantsust
o
t
alk.

"Youshoul
dreal
lywal
kaway
,wedon'
twantthebl
ackmai
ler
comingback,
"heheav
esasi
ghandpul
lsoutachai
randsit
s
down.

"
Mabut
ho,
I'
drat
herbeal
one.
"Henods.

"Iunderst
andandIwi l
lexcuseyouaft
ersay
ingthi
s,
"I'
m not
i
nt er
estedinanythi
nghehast osay
.I'
m nol
ongerbli
nded,Iam
emot i
onall
ystrongert
hanIwaswhenIwaswi thhi
m.
"Ishouldn'
thavel efty oubecauseoft hatdamnblackmai l
er,
I
shouldhav einvestigatedandgott ot hebott
om ofit.Theperson
whowasbl ackmai li
ngusi safraud.Shewassupposet obemy
cli
entbutshef ellinlov ewi t
hmeandst ar
tedst
alkingme.What '
s
mor epainfuli
st haty oual soknowt hi
sperson,
"Ifurrowmy
forehead,what'
shet al ki
ngaboutnow.

"Whatareyoubl
abbi
ngabout
?"Iaskbor
ed.Heexhal
esshar
ply
andplaceshi
sel
bowsonthetabl
e.

"Shecamet ostudentsupportandcounsel l
ingacoupl eofmonths
ago.Shewasemot i
onall
ycr i
ppled,hersi
tuati
onbackathome
withhermom washect ic.Shewaswor ki
ngt wojobsandget t
ing
throughuni
versi
tywhil
ebei ngapar enttoherbrother.Igav
eher
mor esessi
onsbecauseIwant edtohelpher,butli
ttl
edidIknow
shewasnowobsessedwi t
hme. "OhmyGod!Ibl inkacoupleof
ti
mes.

"Youhav
eani deaofwhoI
'mtalki
ngaboutdon'
tyou?
"Heasks
andIam tr
yingsohar
dnottotakewhathe'
ssayi
ngtohear
t.

"
Lemohangwoul
dnev
er,
"Isayandhecl
oseshi
sey
esasi
fpai
ned.

"
Whywoul
dIl
i
e?"HeasksandIscof
f.

"
Youtell
me,Mabutho.Idon'
tbel
iev
ewhaty
ou'
resay
ing.
"Henods
wi
thhisli
pspr
essedint
oat hi
nli
ne.

"Iwon'
tfor
ceyout obeli
eveme, Amukelani
.Ij
ustknowt haty
ou'
re
busywithasnake,thatgi
rlhatesyou.She'
swit
ht hatdiamond
guybutshe'
sstil
laftermetot hi
sday.Openyourey es,shewant
s
yourl
if
e.Shefeel
sy ouhadi teasywhil
eshesuffered.Lemohang
i
smental
l
yunstabl
e,i
fIwer
ey ouI
'
dcutheroutofmyl
i
fe.
"He
get
supfr
om t
hechairandf
ixeshi
str
ouser
s.

"Congratul
ationsont hebaby,Iwi
shitwasoursbutf
atechose
thi
spat hforus.Takecar eofyour
selfandr
unawayfrom t
oxic
peopleinyourl i
fe,"hesaysandwalksaway.Iwat
chashewalks
outofther estaurant.

Myhear ti
st huddi
nghardagainstmychest .Idon'
tknowwhatt o
makeoft het hi
ngshejustsai
daboutLemohang.Iwon' tli
eand
sayI'
vefeltunsafeoruncomfortabl
ear oundLemo.Yes,shehas
beenthrought hemostbutshehasal way sbeencomfor
tablewith
herl
ife.Shehasal way
swor kedforallshewantedandneeded.I
don'
tknowwhyMabut howouldsayanyoft hesethi
ngsabouther
butIplantocommuni catewithLemohangandf i
ndouthersideof
thestory.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Doyoureal
l
yhavet
ogobackt
otheapar
tment
,Undi
phi
l
e?"He
asksfort
hemil
li
ont
hti
me.

"Baby,Itol
dyouwecannotbecohabi t
ing.Mygr andmothermust
bet ur
ninginhergrav
ephelaI'vebeenher e,
"hegr oansi
n
frustr
ati
onbutI'
m notchangingmymi nd.Iam goingtomyplace,
we'veplayedhusbandandwi feit
'senoughnow.Idon' twantJoj
o
toreprimandme, he'
sbeenlenientwit
hmeandt hesit
uati
on.
"RememberIwantedtotal
konSunday ?
"yeah,Iwasinmy
feel
i
ngsaftert
hecallandbei
ngthesweethear
tthathei
s,he
deci
dedtocomf or
tmeandputt het
alkonhold.Wedidn'
ttal
k
abouti
tyester
daybecausehecamebackf r
om worklat
e.

"Icanst
ayawhil
eandtal
kbutwhenwearedoneI
'mleav
ing,
"he
heavesasi
ghthensi
tsupandl
eansont
heheadboar
d.

Isi
tontheedgeoft
hebedandl
ookathi
m.Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
bef
orespeaki
ng.

"Idon'
twantyoutofeel
pr essured,okay?"Inodvi
gorousl
y.Hehas
nevereverpr
essur
edmei ntoany t
hing.Ebukai
sveryconsider
ate
andalwayshasmybesti nterestsatheart.

"Youexplai
nedt omet haty ouwon'tbedonewithschoolanyt
ime
soonandIr espectthat.Iwanty outobethepsychol
ogistyou
promisedyourselfandy ourgrandmothertobe,
"Ilov
ehi mfor
supporti
ngmydr eams.

"
Thanky
oubaby
,"henodssmi
l
ing.

"Undiphil
eIloveyousomuchandIwantt ospendtherestofmy
l
ifewi t
hy oubabe.Iwanttostartafamil
ywithyou.Iwanttopay
yourdowr yandbringyouhomewi thme,Idon'
twantthisthi
ngof
youhav ingtogobacktot heapart
mentandl eavi
ngmeher e
alone."Hesaysandmyey esarefixedonhim,I'
m noteven
bli
nking.Ihonestl
ywasn'texpecti
ngtheconversat
iontobeabout
this.

"Ial
wayshadati
mef r
ameofhowIwantedmyli
fet
ogobutI
underst
andt
hatIam wit
hayoungerwomanwhost
il
lneedst
o
chaseherdr eams.YouknowIwi l
lsuppor
tev er
ythingyougetint
o,
Ij
ustwant edt oletyouknowwhatIwantandgivey ouachancet o
seewhi chthingsy ou'
rewi
ll
i
ngtogiv
emer ightnowandwhi cht o
putoffuntill
ater,
"Iswall
owpassedthedrylumpt hati
sclogged
i
nmyt hroat.

"Obi
m,ist
hisy
oupr
oposi
ngmar
ri
age?
"Iaskandhenodshi
s
head.

"Thi
si smeaskingifyouwoul dallowmet osendmy
repr
esentat
ivestoyourf amil
ytoaskf oryourhand,"heexplai
ns
andIexhalesharply
.Am Ir eadyformarri
age?ImeanI '
m only21
yearsofage.Ilovethismanwi thallmyheartbutmar r
iageisno
chil
d'spl
ay,Icannotjustjumpintoitwit
houttakingmyt i
meand
thi
nkingaboutiti
ndept h.

"
Isitadealbreakeri
fwedon'tgetmarri
edwit
hint
het
imey
ou
want?"Iaskandquickl
yshakeshisheadno.

"
Absolut
elynot
,nothi
ngisadeal
breakerforasl
ongaswedon'
t
r
emov ei
tfrom t
hetabl
ebutputi
toffunti
lalat
erst
age,
"Iam
r
eli
evedtohearthat
.

"
CanIpleasethinkabouti
tlov
e?"HenodsbutIcanseet
hathe'
s
ali
tt
ledi
sappointed.

"IwantyoutoknowthatIloveyou,I'
m notaski
ngfortime
becauseIhavedoubtswi t
hyou.Iwannabey ourwif
ebutIwant
tomakesurethatI'
m personal
lyreadyfort
hejour
ney,"hehol
ds
outhishandandItakeit.Hepull
smeupandIendupl ay
ingon
hischestwi
thhimrubbingmybacki nci
rcl
es.
Myheartisheav yasIdriv
etomyapar t
ment .Ev
ent houghhe
assur
edmet hatthere'
snopressure,apartofmef eelsl
ikeEbuka
wil
lpul
lawayf rom mebecauseIdi dn'
tgivehim ananswerhe
washopingfor .Hehasbeennot hi
ngbutamazi ngasaboy fr
iend
andIdon'tdoubtthathe'l
lmakeanamazi nghusband.Ij ustneed
tohaveaconv ersati
onwithmyselfandfindoutifI'
mr eadytobe
someone'swi f
eat21.

Igettotheapar
tmentandJongi khayaisbusyonhi slaptop, I
wonderwhathashim sof ocused.Igreethim asIpl
acethet ake
awaypaperbagont hekit
chencount er.Iopenthefri
dgeand
ther
e'snothi
ngbutasixpackofbeer ,abot t
leofgherki
nsand
cheese.WhathasJongikhayabeeneat ing?Ineedtogogr ocery
shoppingtomor
row.Itakeoutabeerandgoj oi
nhim ont he
couch.

"
Youdon'
tev
enbr
ingonef
orme,
"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"Youseem busy
,"Isayt
henpeept
oseewhat
'sont
hel
apt
op
screen.

He'
sonajobportalsi
te,hedidsayhe'
sgoi
ngtobelooki
ngfora
j
obandaplacetostay.Iam happytoseet
hathe'
sseri
ousabout
st
eppi
ngupforhischil
dandAmukel ani
.

"
Hav
eyouf
oundany
thi
ng?
"Iaskandhenods.
"
Yeah,
I'v
ealreadyappl
iedf
orf
iveofsi
xjobs.I
'
m cr
ossi
ngfinger
s
t
hatat
leastonegetsbackt
ome,"I'
l
lkeephiminmypray
ers.

"You'
llf
indajob,j
ustkeepappl
yingandhavehope.Peachesand
therestofthegangwil
l comet
hroughfory
ou,"hesmiles,
noddinghisheadinagreement
.

"Sohowdi ditgobackhome? "Hecamebacky ester

day,whenI
call
edaf t
ermyl astclasstomeetuphewaswi thAmukelani.I
'
m
gladtheyar enotawkwar dbutci vi
lwitheachotherf
orsakeof
thei
rbaby .Mybr otherwantshi sgi
rlbackbutI'
m notsur
ei f
Amukel aniwantsthesamet hing.Rightnowshe'sonl
ytalki
ng
aboutco-par ent
ingandnothingmor e.

"Theeldersagr eedtocomeupher et opaythedamageswhent he

ti
mehascome.Zi masai shappyt obeagr andmotherbutshe's
alsopi
ssedt hatIgotAmukelani pregnantoutofwedlock.She
saysI'
m wal kinginmyf ather
'sfootsteps.
"Ichuckl
e.Shewi l
l
neverforgivemyuncl e,
Ijustwishweknewwhatmyuncl edidto
her."
She'llbecomi ngtoJobur gsoon, shewantstosee
Amukel aniandhermom. "Inod.At l
eastshe'snotunhappyabout
thebaby ,t
hatwoul dhavebeenst r
essfultoJongi
khaya.

Hi
sphoner
ingsont
hear
mrest
,hel
ooksati
tthenbackatme.

"
What
?Answery
ourphone,
"heheav
esadeepsi
gh.

"
Uhm,
it'
sKhol
o."Icl
i
ckmyt
ongue.

Whyi
sKhol
ocal
l
inghi
m?

"
Jongi
khayaI
'v
eal
readyt
oldyouthatIwantnot
hingtodowit
h
t
hatguyandhi
spr
oblems,
"Isayandhenodsclosinghi
seyes.
"
Undi
phi
leIhat
ethatguytoo,
whathedidt
oy ouhur
tusasa
f
amil
yandlef
tyoubroken.
"HesaysandIr
aiseaneyebr
ow.

"
But
?"Heheav
esadeepsi
ghandpl
acest
hel
apt
opont
het
abl
e.

"I
'
m abouttobeafatherandIcannotev enbeggingtoimagi
ne
howdevastat
edIwouldbei fIwast ol
dmychi l
dwi l
lhave
compli
cati
onsbecauseofmyact ionsanddecisi
ons,"ohwow!
Nowhe'ssympathi
zingwithKholo.

"I
'
m notaskingyoutobefri
endswiththeguyorf orgetwhathedid,
butI
'
m askingthatyoufor
givehi
mf orhischi
ld'ssake."Igeton
myfeet.Iam di
sappoi
ntedinJoj
o,he'
saskingmet oacceptan
apol
ogythatKholodoesn'
tmean.He'sjustdoingitbecausehe
wastol
dt o.

"Pleasedon'
tbemadatmeUndi phi
l
e,pl
ease.Justt
hinkaboutt
he
l
ittl
ebaby,it
'si
nnocent
,"Ishakemyhead,Ihopeheseeshow
disappoi
ntedandhurtIam byhimri
ghtnow.

LEMOHANGBHENGU

Mygr oupmat esandItookanhourbr eakfrom theassignmentwe

arebusywi t
h.Theywentt othecafeteri
at ogetsomet hingtoeat
andIdeci dedt or
usht othestudentgardent omeetupwi th
Amukel ani .Shetextedmey ester
dayaski ngtomeetf oradr ink
thi
saf ternoonbutIt oldherI'
m pressedwi thschoolwor k.She
thensuggest edthatwemeetupatcampusbecauset her e'
s
somet hingi mportantshewant stodiscusswi t
hme.
Ihatecomingt othi
ssideofthecampusbecausei t'
snearthe
studentsupportandcounsel
li
ngof fi
ces,thelastt
hingIwanti s
runningi
ntoMabut ho.Makhosiniandhisf amil
ydecidedagainst
getti
ngsecurit
yforeachandev eryoneofusbecausehewi ll
see
thatweareont ohim andgof ormor edrasti
cmeasur es.Sothey
decidedtohavet wopeoplef
ol l
owhi m ar
oundi nordertokeepan
eyeonhi m andhiseverymove.

IfindAmukelanisitt
ingfl
atont hegrasswi t
habot t
leofcokeand
chipsinf
rontofher.She'sbeenpost i
ngst at
usesoffoodever
si
nceshel earnedaboutt hepregnancy.Iam happyforherandI
knowshewi l
lmakeanamazi ngmom.Isi tdowninfr
ontofher
andsheof fer
smeaner v
oussmi le,
that'
sunlikeAmu.She's
usuall
ysoloudandr eadytotalkbutIguesswhatwear egoingto
discussi
simpor tant.

"Heyfri
end,
"Igreethert
hent
akeaf ewchi
ps,
damnt
hehotsauce
slaps.I
twouldworkonadeadlyhangov
er.

"Heybabe,
thankyoufort
aki
ngsomet
imeoutf
rom y
our
assi
gnment,
"shesaysandInod.

"
It
'sokay
,Ij
ustneedt
omakei
tbackt
othegr
oupi
nanhour
,"

Shel
ooksof
fi
sht
oday
,Iwonderwhat
'sgoi
ngon.

"
Amuar
eyouokay
?Youl
ookawkwar
d,wassup?
"Shecl
ear
sher
t
hroatandl
i
cksherl
owerl
i
p.She'
sscar
ingmenow.

"
Idon'tevenknowwheretostar
t,
"shesay
srubbi
ngherhands
t
ogether,
aner v
ousgest
ure.

"
Thebegi
nni
ngwoul
dbeagoodi
dea,
"shenods.

"DoyouknowaDrMabuthoMkhwanazi
?"Sheaskswithnarr
owed
eyes.Thement
ionoft
hatmansnamefr
eezesmyintesti
nes.

"Iknowthatbast
ardwel
lenough,
whydoy
ouask?
"Isayandshe'
s
shockedbythisr
evel
ati
on.

"Uhm,youknowhim asyourdoctororyoudat edhi

m or.
..
?"She'
s
notsur
east ohowtophrasethequesti
on, Icanseehow
uncomfort
ableshei
s.Iwasgoingtotel
l herandUndiphi
leabout
theMabuthosagaoncethebastardwasnai l
edandoutofmyl if
e.
Howdidshef i
ndoutabouthi
m any way
.

"AsbothandIr
egretthatv
erymuch,
"hereyeswi
den,
eyebal
l
s
thr
eateni
ngtofal
lof
f.Wasshenotexpect
ingmetobethi
s
honestorwhat
?

"
Amu, whyar
eyouaski
ng?
"Sheexhal
esshar
plyandf
li
cksher
weav
eback.

"Uhm thethingisIalsohadar el
ationshipwithMabutho,
itwasn'
t
muchofar elat
ionshipbecauseIwashi ssecr
etbutyougetwhatI
mean."What !Mybestf r
iendandIdat edthesamemanandwe
didn'
tevenknowabouti t?DidMabut hoknowt hatAmuismy
fri
end?Whatasi cktwistedbast
ard,Iam disgusted.

"
Wer
eyoual
sohi
spat
ientaswel
l
?"Amukel
ani
nodsv
igor
ousl
y
andIcl
osemyey
es.

"Yes,Iwasandourrelati
onshipgrewi ntomor e.Ithoughthewas
theonebecauseofhowhet reat
edmeatf i
rst,butIreal
izedthat
hewasnott hepersonhewaspr etendingtobe, "shesaysandmy
j
awi sontheground.Icannotbelievemyear srightnow.It'
sclear
AmuandIar en'
ttheonl ygi
rl
s,heuseshi spositionandpowert o
getusintosecr
etrelat
ionshi
psandpl ayus.

"Washeaspsychoasheiswit
hmewheny
oubr
okeupwi
thhi
m?"
Iaskandshef
rownsinconf
usion.

"
No,hedi
dn'
tevenr
espondtomytext
."Whyishesoobsessed
wi
thmethen?"
Whatdoy oumeanpsycho?
"Iexpl
ainev
eryt
hing
Mabut
hohasdoneeversi
nceIbr
okeupwithhi
m.

Shechuckl
esindi
sbeli
ef,
"Yest
erdayIsawhi m attherestaur
ant
andheclai
msthatyou'
retheblackmail
erthatkeptsendingus
messagesandthr
eatsbecausey ou'
reobsessedwithhim,"say
what
?

Whatgameishet
ryi
ngtopl
aynow,
doeshewantmeand
Amukel
anit
ohaveafal
l
ingout
?Tofi
ghtov
erhi
m sohecanf
eel
l
ikeaman?

"That
'snott
rueAmu, Ididn'tevenknowy ouguy shadsomet hi
ng.
Whenwest art
edourt hinghet oldmehewassi ngleandIwast he
one.Heevengav emehi sl atemot hersl
ocket
, butitwasal i
e
becausebothhisparentsar estil
lali
ve.Imethisf atherafterI
brokeupwithhim andwewer ehav i
ngaconfrontation,"she
gaspsinshock,pl
acingahandov erhermouth.
"Heal
sogav
emealocketwi
ththesamest
ory
,"wowj
ustwow.He
usedt
hesamel
i
nesonthebothofus.

Wear edist
ractedbypoli
cev ansspeedingthroughandgoi ngto
parknearthestudentsupportandcounsel l
i
ngof f
ices.Twocops
getinsi
detheof f
icewhil
etheot herfoursurr
oundt hebuil
ding.
Haibo!What'sgoingon?Iquicklygetupandr ushtot hescene.I
'm
hopingthatthi
siswhatIthinkitis,we'v
ebeenwai tingfort
hisday.

"
Lemo?
"Amukel
ani
shout
sforme.

Idon'
tst
opbecausei
ftheyareheref
orMabuthoIwanttosee
hi
m cuff
edwit
hmyowney es.Ist
opneart
hepoli
cevansandfol
d
myarmsacrossmychest.

"Babe,
what'sgoingon?"She'
spant
ingnextt
ome.Sheonl
yhas
herhandbag,shelef
thersnack.

"Wai
tami nut
eandwewi
l
lfi
ndout
,"Isaymov
ingmyey
est
othe
ent
rance.

IknowMabuthoisher e,hismustangisparkedfur
therdownthe
l
ot.Aft
erafewmi nutest hepol
icewalkoutwithMabuthohand
cuff
ed,emoti
onsrusht hroughmyentirebody.Theymusthave
gott
ensomethingthatlinkshimtoBrenda'
smur der.

"Whyi shebeingarr
est
ed?"Amuasksandal l
Iwanttodoisshout
hall
elujah!"
Lemohang,
whatdoy ouknow?"Sheisi
mpati
entbutI
wil
lexpl ai
never
ythi
ngtoheroncetheyhav
eloadedMabuthoin
thebackoft hevan.

Hei
sl ooki
ngdown,embar
rassedthatt
hepol
icecamet ogethi
m
f
rom hisworkpl
aceandhumil
iat
ehiminfr
ontofstudent
sandhis
col
leagues.HelooksupandhiseyeslandonmeandAmukel ani,
heclencheshisjawsandlooksatusli
kehewouldmurderusthi
s
i
nstant,hi
seyesarebloodshot
,heresembl
esthedev
ilhi
mself.He
canlookallhewantsbuthewon'tputahandonme.

"
Det
ecti
ve,
"Ist
epinf
rontoft
hecopinv
est
igat
ingt
hecase,
hewas
t
heoneItol
daboutMabuthoandBr
enda.

"
Miss..
.uhm mi
ss.
..
"HeforgotmynamebutIdon'
ttakeitt
ohear
t.
I
'
mj usthappyt
hattheyt
ookmyleadandworkedwithit
.

"
Bhengu,LemohangBhengu.
"Isayandhenodssnappi
nghi
s
f
inger
s.

"Apologi
es.Iwasgoingtocal lyouwhenIgott othestat
ionand
tel
lyouthatyourleadcamet hrough.Wegotf ootageofthevi
cti
m
arr
ivi
ngathishouse.Awhi l
el aterthesuspectcomesouttoload
somet hi
ngheavyandwr appedi nasheetinthebootofhercar
anddr i
vesout.I
twasobv i
ouslyBr enda'
scorpseandhewas
goingtodisposeofit,
"Nowt hatisconcreteevi
dence.

"
Wheredi
dyougett
hef oot
age?
"Iaskwi
thAmukel
ani
nextt
ome
l
i
steni
ngt
omyconversati
onwit
hthedet
ect
ive.

"Hi
sf r
ontopposi
teneighborhascamer
asinstal
l
ed,oneisl
ooking
str
aightaheadsoitcaughtever
ythi
ngt
hathappenedinhi
syard,"
ohthankGod.

Ineedt
ocal
lMakhosi
ni.

"I
'
llkeepi
ncontact,
letmegett
hismur
der
eroutofher
e."Inod
andstepoutofhisway.
Pl
easecheckt
hepi
nnedpostabov
e

TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER74

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Icamet hrought oseehowf artheinsur

ancecompanyi swi th
rebui
ldi
ngLukhel eDiamonds.Ther e'
ssomepr ogressandI '
m
happythatmybabywi llbeoperati
nginaf ewmont hstocome.I
cannotwai ttobackintheof f
iceanddoingwhatIl ov
e.My
employeeshav eal
sobeensendi ngemai l
saskingmehowl ongI
thi
nkit'
sgoi ngtotaketil
ltheyareback,theylovewhatt heydotoo
andI'm suretheyallwanttohav ethei
rfullsal
ari
esagain.This
i
sn'tonlyat ry
ingti
mef ormebutf orthem andt heirf
ami l
iesas
well.

Myphonev ibrat
esinmyhand,Ilookati
tandit
'sLemohang.I
'v
e
missedhertoday,wehavebeentexti
ngonl
ybecauseshe'
sbusy
wit
hanassi gnmentandIdi
dn'twanttodi
stur
bherandthegroup
she'
sworkingwi t
h.

"
Whatal
ovel
ysur
pri
se,
"Isaywi
thasmi
l
e.

"
IguessI
'
llbemaki
ngy
ourdayt
oday
,"okay
,Il
ovet
hesoundof
t
hat.

Imov
eawayf
rom t
henoi
set
heconst
ruct
ionpeopl
ear
emaki
ng.

"
Pleasedost
handwasami
,
"Isay
,leani
ngagai
nstmycarand
cr
ossi
ngmyl
egs.

"Mabuthowasjustar
rest
edfort
hemurderofBr
enda,
"Iqui
ckl
y
standupstr
aight
,notbel
i
evi
ngmyears.

"
Arey
ouser
iousNana?
"

"Isawev eryt
hingwit
hmyownt woey es,theycametocampusto
arresthi
m. "OhthankyouGod.Thatcrazyfuckwil
lpayf
orwhat
hedi dtothatpoorwomanandhewi llnotbearoundtot
err
ori
ze
mygi rl
fr
iend.

"That'
samazi ngnews, sthandwasami .Wear eherebecauseyou
tol
dt hepoli
cewhaty ouknew, I
'
m proudofy ouMaNgcol osi
."I
meani t,
ifshehadi gnoredhergutfeelingthenthepoli
cewould
sti
llbeinthedar kandtryingtopint
hisonheri nnocenthusband.
Nowi t'
stimef ormet oputt hef
inal
nai lt
ohiscoffi
n.

"Li
stenbaby,I'
m goingtothepoli
cestat
ion.Ineedt
ot alktothe
detecti
vethatwashandlingthearsoncase,t
heyhavet he
possibl
earsonistincust
ody.Theycanmat chhispr
intagainstt
he
parti
al,
"Ii
nform her.

"
Pleasecomegetmef r
om campus,I
'
lltel
lmygr
oupmember
s
t
hatIhaveanemergency,
"shesay
sbriskl
y.

"
Okay
,I'
l
lcal
lyouwhenI
'
mther
e."

Thatar
rogantbastar
ddidn'
tseethi
sonecoming,
hethoughthe
wasontopoft hi
ngsandLemohangbroughthi
mt ohi
sknees.I
hopeherotsinpri
son,hehasto.
Ineedt
ocal
lthepri
vatesecuri
tyguy
sandt el
lthem nott
obri
ng
themenweaskedforsinceMabuthoisincustody
.Idoubthewi
ll
getbai
l
,hemightdosomet hi
ngtoharm ot
herswhileonbai
l.

Igettocampusandpar kwher eInor mall

ydowhenI '
m hereto
pi
ckupLemohang.Idi alhernumberandwhensheanswer sItel
l
herthatI'
m hereandshesay sshe' l
lbeoutinaf ewminutes.I
makecal l
st omyf amilyandt el
lthem whatLemohangt oldme,
maNgobesei sreli
evedthatshewon' thavetosleepwi
thoneey e
opent oni
ght.Mv el
ojustcussedMabut hooutandpraysthathe
di
esi nprison,wealldoatt hi
spoi nt.He'shurtt
oomanypeopl e
wit
ht hissickgamehewaspl ayi
ng.

Lemohangappr oachest heUr usfrom thegate,lookathowshe

standsoutfrom t hecrowed.It akethet i
met oadmi reher
beautif
ulbody,shef i
tssobeaut i
full
yinmyar ms.I t
'sli
keshewas
tail
ormadef orme, every
thingwi t
husj ustgelswithnodiff
icul
ty.
LordknowshowmuchIl oveherandt hemostamazi ngthi
ngisI
didn'
thavetof orcet hi
ngswi thus.Evennow, Idon'
thaveto
wonderandquest ionheri nt
ensionsbecauseov ert
hepastf ew
mont hsI'
veseent hetypeofper sonshei s.

She'
swort
heveryt
hing,
myl
ove,myat
tent
ionandpati
ence.
Wherev
erl
ifet
akesmeIhopeandpr
ayshe'l
lbenextt
ome.

Sheget
sint
hecarwi
thasmi
l
epl
ast
eredacr
ossherf
lawl
essf
ace.
Shel eansi nforaki ssandIdon' thesitat
et omeetherl ips,she
knowsI '
m anaf f
ectionateper sonandI 'm gl
adshe' snol ongershy
toshowaf f
ectionback.Ist artt
heengi neandj ointher oad,
headedt othepol i
cest at i
on.Lemohangi stelli
ngmeaboutt he
conver sati
onshehadwi thherfriendAmukel anibeforet hepolice
camet oar r
estMabut ho.Iam di sgustedwi t
ht hatman, het r
iedto
causear if
tbet weent hegi rl
sbecausehesawLemowasnev er
goingt ogi v
ei n.Hewaspr obablytryi
nghisl uckwi t
hAmukel ani
again.Bl oodydog, Iwi shmor eofhisv i
cti
mscomef orwardand
weseei fthere'snocr imi nalchargewecoul dl ayagai nsthim.I
shoul dtalktomyl awy eraf t
erdiscussingthiswi t
hLemohangat
home.Mabut homustf eelfi
refrom allsi
des.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

"Sowhatyou'
resay
ingi
sthepersony
oususpecttohavebur
ned
downyourcompanyisher
e?"Thedet
ect
iveasksandInod.

"Yes,hewasj
ustbroughti
nonthemur
derofanur
senamed
Brenda,
"henods,
biti
nghispen.

"Thepri
vatecompanyIhadhi redt
oi nv
est igatefoundapar ti
al
pri
ntthatdidn'tmatchany oneonmyst aff.Theysaidi tcoul
d
belongtoany onesoIl eti
tgobutnowIst ronglybeli
evethis
personisthear sonist,hehadmotive.I
fIcanj ustgethisful
l pr
int
soIcangetexpect st oanaly
zethetwo, Icanmaket hepar t
ial
avail
abl
efort hestat etoo.
"Isay.
Ineedthiscaseonrecordsoon.Iknowt
hestat
est
ruggl
eswi
th
resour
cesandbecauseoft hatIdon'
tmi
ndpayi
ngf
rom myown
pockettomakethingsrunfaster
.

Thedetect
iveagr eedtomysuggest i
on,hesaidhewillreopenthe
caseandgetMabut ho'
sfinger
pri
ntsandsendt hem t
ot hei
rlab
wit
hthepartialsampleIwi l
lpr
ovi
det hem wi
th.Hesay shewi l
l
putsomepr essureont helabt
ogetitdonefastsowecangett he
tr
ainrunni
ngonMabut ho.

NanaandIdeci
dedtogotal
ktot hedetecti
vehandli
ngt hemurder
caseandfi
ndoutwhatmoretheywill
needf rom Lemohangsince
she'
stheonewhopoint
edthem toMabut ho'
sdirect
ion.Weare
tol
dtowaitf
orhi
m cozhe'
sstil
lbusyinterr
ogati
ngthesuspect.

Ihatethatmygi r
lfri
endhasbeent heonepoi nti
ngtheaut horit
ies
topeoplewhocommi t
tedmur der
.Fir
stitwast hesituati
onwi th
herbirt
hmot herandst epf at
her,nowhercr azyexboy fri
endand
thenurse.Icannotbegint oimaginewhatshe' sgoingt hrough
emot i
onall
y,Iknowshe' sat oughcookiebuti tal
soget stoomuch
forthetoughestofpeopl e.Weneedt ost ar
ttalki
ngaboutget t
ing
herhelp,prof
essionalhelpf r
om someonewhowon' texploither
pain.Thesepastf ewmont hshavebeent hemosthect i
cinherl i
fe
andIwantt ogooutofmywayt ohelpherputt hesenight mares
behindher.
MABUTHOMKHWANAZI

"
Hal
l
o,"heanswer
s.

Myfatheri
sthelastper
sonIt
houghtI'
deveraskhelpf
rom,but
I
'mindeepshitnow.Iwoul
dappreci
ateanykindofhel
ptogetme
outofthi
smess.

"
Baba,
"myv
oicecomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

"Whoi
sthi
s?"Whyishescreami
ngli
ket
his?Iwil
lbeablet
ohear
himi
fhespeaksnor
mall
y,Idon'
thav
eahearingprobl
em.

"
It
'sme,
"hedoesn'
tknowmyv
oiceagai
n?

"
Whoi
sme?
"Wowj
ustwow.

Somuchf
orbei
nghi
sonl
ychi
l
d.

"
Mabut
ho,
baba,
"Ianswerangr
il
yandhechuckl
es.

"
Haibo!Whatgoodhav
eIdonet
ogetacal
lfr
om y
ou?
"Ibl
owout
aheavysi
gh.

I
fIwantthismant
ohel
pmet
henIneedt
obeashumbl
eas
possi
ble.

"
Ineedyourhel
p,baba.
"He'
sthr
ownint
oafitofl
aught
er.I
fI
wasn'
tdesper
ateIwasgoi
ngtohangupthi
sphone.

"Saythatagai
n,l
oudert
hist
ime.
"Hesay
sandIwi
shIcoul
dcuss
him outri
ghtt
hisminut
e.

"
Baba,
Isai
dIneedy
ourhel
p,"mypr
idei
soutt
hewi
ndow.Hewi
l
l
neveral
lowmet ofor
gethowIli
teral
lysai
dthesewor
dst
ohim
aft
erItoldhi
m count
lesst
imesthatIdon'
tneedhi
minmyli
fe.

Mylawyerappear
sonthedoorandpoi
ntsathi
swat
ch,
he
bor
rowedmehi sphonet
omaket hi
scal
l.

"
I'
mlist
eni
ng,
"hesayswi
thasteadyvoi
ceandIheav
easi
gh.He'
s
r
eadytobeanadul
tandhearwhatIhav
etosay.

"
Iam i
ndeept r
ouble,thepol
i
cehavearr
estedmeformur
derand
myl
awy ersay
st her
e'snohopeforme.Theevi
dencei
sti
ght
,"he
r
oar
swi thl
aughter.

Iexpectedthi
sandmore.Hehasbeenwai
ti
ngfort
hedayIcome
togravelathi
sfeet
,Ij
ustmadehi
sdreamscometrue.

"
Iknownothi
ngaboutaboutthel
aw,Mabut
ho.Idon'
tknowhow
y
ouexpectmetohelpyou,
"fuckthi
sol
dman.

Heknowsexactl
ywhatIwanthi
mt odoformebuthewoul
d
r
atherhearmesayi
tjustt
oboosthi
sego.

"Youdon'tknowthelaw,yes,butyouknowy ourwayarounddark
magic.Babausey ourt
okoloshistomaket hedocketdisappearor
something,j
ustgetmeoutofher e,please.
"IneverthoughtI'
dsay
thi
swithmyownmout h,butbabai sthemostr uthl
esswitchI
know.Igrewupwi thhi
m andIsawt hingsnochildshoul
dev er
seeorbef orcedt
odo.Nowi t'sti
mehemadet hoseworkinmy
favor
.

"
Whatmakesy
out
hinkI
'
dhel
pyou?Af
terhowy
ou'
vet
reat
ed
me?
"What?
He'
smyf at
her,hecannotsitbackandwat
chmegodownf
or
murder
.Thatshoul
dber easonenough.

"Babaplease,
Iwon'
tsurv
ivei
npri
son.Hel
pme,I'
m beggi
ngyou."
Tearsburnmyeyes.Iwon'
tli
eort
rytoactt
ough,
Iam shi
tscared.

"NoMabut
ho,facet
hemusic.
"Hesay
sandtheli
negoesdead,he
hanguponme.Howcouldhebesohear
tl
ess?Iqui
ckl
ydial
him
agai
nbuti
tri
ngsunti
lvoi
cemai
l.

Icl
osemyey esandtearsf
alldownmycheeks,myhear tisbr
oken
andIcannotst
opthi
nkingofhowhar dpr
isonli
fei
s.The
possi
bil
i
tyofbei
ngabusedunt i
lIwantt
odiejustwrenchesmy
guts,
Idon'
twanttogotoprison.

Myl awyerwalksbacki ntheinter

rogati
onroom andnar rowshis
eyesasheseest hemessIam r i
ghtnow.Iqui ckl
ywi pemyt ear
s
andpul lmyselft
oget herbutit'
ssodam har d.I'mfacingseri
ous
j
ail t
imeandt here'snododgi ngit
.IthoughtIwasont opofthi
ngs
butImessedup, Ishouldn'thavedraggedBr endai nt
ot hi
smess.
Inf
actIshouldhav elef
tLemohangal oneandf orgotaboutthelif
e
Icouldhav esharedwi thher.Ihadanumberofgi r
lsIcouldhave
turnedintoav i
sionofherbutIj usthadtopush.That '
smy
problem,I'
venev erknownwheni t'
stimetost opandwal kaway.

"Thi
ngsjustgotmessi
erforyouMabutho,
"hesay
sandIswal
l
ow
hardwit
hmyey eswi
dened,whati
sitnow?

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Iaskwi
thahoar
sev
oice.Hel
ooksatme
wit
hpityandmyheartdropsint
omystomach.Mylawyeri
sa
sharki
nthecour
troom soforhi
mtolosehopesoearl
yinmy
si
tuati
onshowsthatIdon'
thaveachance.

"
Youareasuspecti nthefir
ethatdest
royedLukhel
eDiamonds,
t
heyhaveapar t
ialpri
nttheyarematchingagai
nstyourpri
ntsand
ast
rongmot i
ve.
"Hesay sandmyhear tdropsi
ntomyst omach.
I
'mfucked,
it'
sov erf
orme.

Thewal
l
sar
ecl
osi
ngi
nandt
her
e'snot
hingIcandoabouti
t.

Sl
eepingint
heholdi
ngcel
llastni
ghtwashar
dsoi
magi
neact
ual
pr
ison.I
t'
sgoingt
obehelloneart
h.

"
Damn,
Mabut
ho!Youj
ustmadet
hishar
der
."He'
sdef
eat
ed.

Hewashopi
ngt
hatIdefendmy sel
fandreassurehi
mthatIhad
not
hingt
odowi
ththefi
re,butmyreact
ionjustanswer
edhim.

"
Youneedt
ogetmebai
l
,"Isay
.

Atl
eastifI
'
m outonbai
lIcanmakear
unf
ori
t,di
sappearand
nevercomebacktothi
scount
ry.

"That
'sgoingt
obeimpossi
ble,
thi
schar
gewi
l
lshowhow
dangerousyouar
e."Hesay
sandIthr
owmyheadbacki
ndef
eat
.

_
___
___
___
___
___

YoucanPre-or
deracopyofHear t
sandFlowers.Pl
easeref
ert
o
thepi
nnedpostabove.Youcanstil
lgety
ourcopiesofThe
Housewif
e,Heali
ngandGirl
fr
iends.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER75

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Iam ner vousashel l

,todaywear emeet ingJoj o'smot her
.She
want edtoseet hegirlthatismaki ngheragr andmot her.Herson
hashadust al
kingv i
av ideocallandshe' sr eal l
yexci tedtohav e
anaddi ti
ont oherf ami l
y.Sheev enst art
edt alkingaboutmybaby
l
ivingwi thheri nCapeTownsoIcanf i
nishschool ,
butmymot her
i
sn' thav i
ngi t,
neitheram I .Ihonestlycannoti magi nenotseei ng
mychi ldev eryday,Iunder st
andshej ustwant st ohelpbutwe
hav enanni es.Jongi khay aandIwi lll
ookar oundf oragr eatone
thatwecanbot htrustwi thourchild.Speaki ngofJoj o, hehas
beent r
y i
ngr eall
yhar dtoear nbackmyt rustandshowmet hathe
want smeback.I '
m st i
llnotsureifIwanthi m asmyboy f
ri
end
agai n,yesIl ovehim butt hat'
snotenoughandi t'
ssadt hatt
hings
turnedoutt hisway .

"
Amu,
theyar
eher
e,"mymot
hersay
swal
ki
ngi
nmybedr
oom.

Iheaveasi
gh;"I
ssheasni
ceasshei
sov
ert
hephone?
"mhani
chuckl
eswhil
eshaki
ngherhead.

"Whataquesti
onAmu, butshedi
dn'
tgi
vemeanyr easonto
bel
ieveshe'
snotasgenuineasshei
sov ert
hephone.ButIonl
y
spoketothewomanf orafewminut
es.Let'
sgodownandgett o
knowhertoget
her,
"shesaysandInodmyagr eement.
Mhani andIwal kintotheloungewher eJoj
oandhi smotherare
si
tti
ngont hesamecouch.She' slookingaroundtheroom,
studyi
nghersur roundings.Hereyesf i
ndmeandmymot her
standi
ngatt heent r
anceandshequi ckl
ygetsonherfeetwitha
hugesmi l
epl ast
eredacr ossherface.God,shelooksmor e
beauti
fuli
nper son.Onewoul dswearshei sJongikhaya'
selder
si
ster,not
hingscr eamshi smom.Icansaf elysaythatmychilds
grandmothersagel ikefinewine.

"
AwwDal
i
,youar
esobeaut
if
ul,
"shesay
swi
thopenar
ms.

"
Himama,"Igreetbackandwal
kint
oherembr
ace.She'
ssucha
war
m per
son,Ihopeshedoesn'
tchangewi
tht
ime.

"
It
'sr
eal
l
yni
cet
ofi
nal
l
ymeety
ou,
"aki
ssl
andsonmycheek.

"
it
'sni
cet
omeety
out
oo,
"Isay
.

Weletgoandset t
ledown, mymotherhaslef
tther oom.I'
m sur
e
she'
sinthekit
chenprepari
ngfort
hem, mhanihasamazi ng
hospi
tal
i
ty.Guestshereneverl
eav
ehungr yorthi
rsty,ev
enwhen
shehadadr i
nki
ngproblemsshealwaysmadesur etotakecare
ofpeopl
ewhocamet ov i
sit
.

Joj
o'
smot hert
ell
smeandhersonabouthert
ri
p,shehatesfl
yi
ng
andleav
ingherf
amil
yal
one.Shesay
sJojo'sl
i
ttl
esist
erscannot
takecareofthemselvessot heywon'tdoanythingforher
husband.Luckil
yshecookedenoughf oodforthem andt hey'l
l
survi
vetheweekendwi thouther.Apparent
lythesister
scannot
waittoseeandt heyareexcitedtobeaunts.I
'mt hankfulthatmy
chil
discomingintosuchwar mthandexcit
ement .Everyonewho
knowsabouthercannotwai tt oseeherandshowerherwi thlove.

Sheasksaboutmypr egnancyandwhenItell
heri
thasbeen
smoot hsheclapsinshock.Shesayswhenshewaspr egnantwi
th
Jongikhayashewasal wayssickandcoul
dn'
tkeepanythi
ngdown.
Thankheav ensthatI
'
m hav i
ngiteasywi
thmypregnancyandnot
experi
encingallt
heseproblemsmymot herandJoj
o'smotherar
e
tal
kingabout.

Prettywal ksi
nwithatraycarry
ingdrinksandapl at
terofsnacks,
I
quicklygetupt ograbasidetableandpl aceitbetween
Jongi khayaandhismom.Theysayt heirthankyousandst art
i
ndul ging.Mhanitel
lst
hem thatlunchwi ll
beser v
edat1pm and
that'
sj ustthr
eehoursfr
om now.

"Youknowy oucanaskhertogotal
koutsi
der
athert
hanst
eali
ng
glancesatherever
ysecond,
"MamaZimasasaysnudgi
ngherson
withanelbows.Joj
olaughsembarr
assed.

Iwasawareofhi
sstaresbutdecidedtoi
gnoreit,heprobably
feel
ssomehowthatI
'm notgi
vinghim at
tent
ion.Jojoshouldstop
bei
ngachi
l
dcozI
'
m consumedbyconv
ersat
ionswi
thhi
smot
her
.

"I
t'
sokay,
wespokeonthephoneear
li
er.Ial
way
schecki
n,
"he
saysandhismot
hersmil
espr
oud.

"Icannotwaitfory outwot otel

lmet hatyou'r
ebackt ogetherand
planningonbeingapr operfamil
y,"hi
smot hersaysandIl ook
away .Ihonest
lydon'twantpr essuretogetbackwi thJojo,my
focusi st
ogett hroughthispregnancyandr aiseourchil
dina
war m andlovi
ngset ti
ng.JongikhayaandIdon' thavetogetback
togethertobegr eatparentstoourchil
d.Friendshipwil
lalsodo.

"
Imessedupandhur
tthemotherofmychil
dmama,get
ti
ngher
t
otr
ustmewon'tbeeasy
,"Joj
osays,
soundi
ngsad.

"Youguysshoul dn'tfeelpressuredi ntofixi

ngthi
ngsbecause
Amukelani i
spr egnant.Fixthingsbecausey ouwanttoandy ou
l
ov eeachother,"Ilookatmychi ld'
sf atherandhe'sst
arr
ingatme,
almostpleading.Ihopet hebabyt akeshi seyesandnose,heis
suchahandsomeman.

Thef r
ontdooropensandcl oses,
mhani andIexchangeal ook.
Sheget supf i
rsttogocheckwhoi tisbutshest opsinhertr
acks
asmyf atherwalksi ntheroom.Whatt hehel li
shedoi nghere?He
didn'
tev entel
lust hathewascomi nghere.ThelasttimeIsaw
myf atherwaswhenwewentt oGiyani
.He'sbeent ry
ingtocallme
butInev eranswer, Idon'tthinkwehaveany thi
ngt otal
kabout.He
choseaf amil
yhewant st obewi t
handi twasn'tus.Lethi
m be
contentwi thwhathehas.
"
Akani
,
"mymot
hersay
sfol
dingherar
msacr
osst
hechest
.

"Pr
ett
y,"heresponds, l
ookingbetweenJojoandhismother
.Ican
tel
lherecognizeshimf rom thedayhefounduscuddl
ingaftersex.
NowIam embar rassedbecausehemi ghtmenti
onthati
ncident
andMamaZi masawi l
lstar
ttolookatmesomehow.

"
Whatareyoudoingher
e?"mhani
asks,
eyei
ngt
het
rav
elbagmy
f
atheri
scarr
ying.

Hebet
ternott
hinkhe'
l
lbest
ayi
ngher
e.

"uhm,Ihadt
ocomeseemydaught er.Ithasbeenawhil
e,Amu
andIneedtotal
k."Icough,
hopingthathecancatcht
hatI'
m not
i
nt hemoodforhi
m orany t
hinghehast osay.

"
Wel l
rightnowisnott
hetime,wehaveguests.Youcancall
Amu
l
ateronandy ouguyswil
lagr
eeonat i
meanddayt omeet ,
"my
f
atherfrowns.Whatwashehopingtohappen?

"Icanseetheguests,
"hesaysandwalksfur
therin.Ij
ustwant
thismangonerightthi
sminute."
Iam Amukelani'
sfat
her,Pret
ty'
s
husband,
"heholdsouthishandtomychil
d'sgr andmother.

Mhani
huf
fsr
aisi
nganey
ebr
ow.

"
Exhusband,
Akani
.Wear
edi
vor
ced."mydadi
gnor
esher
.

"
Hav
ewemet
?"t
atanaasksJoj
o'
smot
her
.

Shesmi
l
es,
shaki
ngherheadno.

"
No,
thi
sismyf
ir
stt
imeher
e.Icamet
oseemygr
andchi
l
ds
mot her,
"mamaZi masasay s,andIclosemyey es.Mymot herand
Ididn'twantmyfatherknowingaboutmypr egnancy.Hewi l
ltel
l
hismot herandsi
sterandthatwoul dmeantroubleforme.Black
magi cexist
sandmypat ernalgrandmotheri
sn'tafr
aidofusingit
togetherway .

"
Idon'
tunder
stand,
"myf
athert
urnst
olookatmymot
herandI
.

Hewant
sanswer
s,oneswedon'
twantt
ogi
veatt
hispoi
nti
nti
me.

"Mama,
Ithi
nkweshoul
dgiv
eAmuandherf
ami
l
ysomespace,
"
Joj
osaysget
ti
ngonhi
sfeet
.

"
Don'tbesil
ly,
Iprepar
edafeastforyou.Myfami
lywil
ldiscuss
whateveri
tisl
ater,
"my.Mothersayscalml
yandIcanfeelmy
f
ather'
seyesonme.

Idon'
twantdr
ama,
atl
eastnott
oday
.

"Murhandzi
wawami na,
canwepl easetal
kupstairs"hai
bo!
Tatanaisajoke,
mymot herlooksnothi
nglikeMikateko.Ishoul
d
takehimtoanopt ometr
ist,heclear
lyneedsglasses.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Thi
sdoesn'
ttast
eli
kecranberr
yjui
ceonl
y,
"Isayt
aki
nganot
her
sipandLemolaughsoutloud.

"Ther
e'sv
odkai
nit
,"shesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.Ishoul
dhav
e
known.
Iwasscaredtogetal coholbecauseIdon'
tr eal
lyknowhowher
parent
sfeelaboutalcoholconsumpt i
onintheirhomeandthelast
thi
ngIwantisdisrespecti
ngt hem.Herfatherandstepmotherare
amazingandwel comingandIdon' twanttowal kall
overt
hat.

"
Ther
ent
sdon'
tmi
nd?
"shel
aughsanddr
inksf
rom hergl
ass.

"Nobabe,theyarecool people.Theybot hwantmet obea20y ear

oldandnotwor ryaboutany t
hing.Ijustdon'twantthem seeing
meopeningal coholordrinki
ngitint hei
rpresence,
"shesay sandI
nodmyunder standing.IhopeLemohangnev erl
oosesher self
,
she'
ssuchar espectfulandhumbl ehumanbei ngandIloveherso
much."Ipouredthewhol ebot t
leintwol i
tt
ersofcranberry.I
st he
mixokay?"sheasksandInodv igorousl
y.

I
ttast
esamazi
ng,
bal
ancedr
eal
l
ywel
l
.

"I
fthi
sengi
neeri
ngthingdoesn'
tworkout
,Ipromi
seyou'dmake
anamazingmixol
ogist,
"IsayandLemoshakesherheadnowit
h
asmile.

"Gi
rlI
'l
lbeahousewi f
emar ri
edtoaDiamondt ycoon,"I'
mthrown
i
ntoaf i
toflaughter.Inev
erthoughtI'
dhearLemohangsaysuch.
Thisgi
rlhasalway sbeenaboutindependence,hearingherspeak
l
ikethi
sistotall
ynew.Buti tshowshowsaf eshef eelswit
h
Makhosini
.

"Youguy sl
ookamazi ngtogetherbabe.Iam happytoseeyouso
contentinyourr
elat
ionshipandlif
eingener al
,"shebl
ushesand
seeingthoseeyestwinkl
emakesmyhear tokay.Shehasbeen
throughsomuch, nooneIknowdeser vessuchgenuine
happiness.
"
Thanky oufri
end,
Ireal
l
yloveMakhosini
.Iam t
hankful
that
Mabuthoisoutofthepi
ctur
eandhewon' tt
rytofuckupmy
r
elat
ionshi
p,"t
hatnamemakesmesi ck.

WhenLemoandAmut ol
dmeaboutt
hatpsy
chol
ogi
stf
rom
campusIwasappal
l
ed.

Idon'tunderst
andhowonepersoncoul
dbet hatsi
ckandevi
l.I
prayIdon'tbecomethepsy
chologi
stt
hatusespeople'
spai
nsand
problemsagainstt
hem.ThatMabuthoguyisaninsul
ttot
he
professi
on.

"What
'swi
thusandf
all
i
ngforolderguys?
"Iask,
crossi
ngmyl
egs.
Lemohangl
aughswi
thherheadthrownback.

"DuudeeeeIaskmy selft
hesamet hi
ng."wecli
ckourgl
assesi
na
toast.Wow!IneverthoughtI
'dendupwi t
hawel l
offol
dman,a
forei
gnoldermanatt hat
."sohow'severy
thi
nggoingwit
hmy
brother
?"sheasksandIheav easigh.

Thelastt
imeIsawmymanwasonMonday whenIl ef
thi
s
house.If
eell
ikewear edr
if
ti
ngapartbecauseIdidn'
tgi
vehim an
answertohi
squestion.I
t'
snotthatIdon'
twanttomar r
yEbuka,
I'
mjustscar
edt of
ailasawife.

"Thi
ngsar
eali
tt
leawkwar
dbet
weenusbabe,
"shef
rownsand
shif
tst
ofaceme.

"
What
'supf
ri
end?
"sheasksandIbl
owoutsomeai
r.

"Heaskedmet omarr
yhim andIaskedforsomet i
met ot
hink
aboutit
.Si
ncethenwehaven'tbeentheeasygoi
ngUndiphil
eand
Ebuka.Ourphonecal
l
sarethewor stLemohang,
Imi sshi
m so
much,"Isni
ffbackmyt ears.Thi
swholeenti
reweekhasbeen
hecti
c,notsl
eepingnexttohim andnottal
ki
ngtohimli
kewe
normall
ydohasbeent hewor stthi
ngever.

"OhUndi
,
"shepl
aceshergl
assont
hegr
assandst
andsupt
o
comeandhugme.

It
'sal
otIwon'
tevenl
ie.MymanandIhavebeeninsepar
abl
eev
er
si
ncewestart
eddati
ngandtobesocoldanddi
stanthur
tst
omy
soul
.HehasbecomeapartofmeIneverwantt
oletgo.

"What
'syourbi
ggestf
earinthi
srel
ati
onshi
p?"Lemohangasks
andIdon'
tevenhavetothi
nkaboutit
.

"
Mybiggestf
earisl
oosi
nghi
m,"shehol
dsmet
ight
erandIal
l
ow
myt
earstofal
l.

"It
hinky
ouguy
sshoul
dtal
k,cal
lhi
m,"shesuggest
sandl
et'
sgo
ofme.

Iwipemyt earsasLemohanggoesbackt oherlounger

.Ireachfor
myphonei nthehandbagandscr oll
throughforhisnumber.I'
m
nervousasfuck,Iprayther
e'snolovelostbet
weenus.Lord
knowsI '
dbesol ostwit
houtmyman, hehasbeenev er
ythi
ngI
neverthoughtli
fewouldblessmewi th.

"Myl
ove,"heanswersandmyheartsweal
supwi
thdi
ff
erent
emot
ions.GodIlovehim somuch.

"
Obi
m,"myv
oicesel
l
smeout
.
Hecoul
dn'
thav
emi
ssedhowmi
ser
abl
eIam att
hismoment
.

"Hey
,isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"heasksandIshakemyheadasi
fhe
canseeme.

"NoEbukaImissyou.Tr
ulymissyou,
canwemeett
oday
?"Iask
andIhearhi
m heaveaheavysigh.

"Undi
phi
le,
Imissyoutoobaby
."hesaysandIclosemyey es.I
hopewecangetpasttheawkwardnessandhecanbeliev
et hat
menotgivi
nghimtheanswerhewashopi ngf
orinthatmoment
doesn'
tmeanIdon'tl
ovehi
m.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"Iask.

"I
'
minPretor
iawi
thWal
e.Af
ri
endofhi
shasabr
aai
,
"I'
m hur
t,he
di
dn'
ttel
lmethi
s.

I
thasnev
erhappened,
Ebukaalway
s,Imeanalway
stel
l
sme
wher
eheisorwhereheisgoi
ngatall
times.

"
Ohokay
,Iwashopi
ngt
oseey
ouandt
alk,
"Isayi
nahoar
sev
oice.

"
Weareonl
yaboutt
oeat
.I'
l
ltakeanUberbackhomesoonaf
ter
,
Wal
eist
heonewhodrov
eusher e,
"Myheartr
elaxes.

Heal
way
sput
smef
ir
st.

"IwasabouttodrinkbutI
'll
stopsoIcandriv
eupt heretogetyou.
Pleasesendmet helocat
ionandtimey ouwantmet ocome,"I
sayandLemohangsmi l
essweetlyatmewhi l
enodding.Thank
GodIhav efr
iendswhowi shmenot hi
ngbutthebest.

"Youcancomeatanyti
melove,I
'
llsendthelocat
ioni
mmediatel
y,
"
urgh!Ther
e'l
lnev
erbeanot
hermanf orme,IsweartoGodEbuka
i
sitf
orme.WehangupandIl
ookatmyf
ri
endwi
thahugesmi
l
e
onmyface.

"Babe,
IknowIsai
dI'mvisi
ti
ngyoufort
heent
ir
edaybutIneedt
o
gopickupEbuka,
"Isayandshenodsvi
gor
ously
.

"Undi
,It
otall
yunder
stand.Ij
ustwanty
ouguystobeokay
,whatI'
ll
doisgosnugglenexttomydadandkillmy
sel
fwitht
hismixt
ure.
"
shesaystaki
ngasip.

"
Youdon'
twantt
ogoandseeMakhosi
ni?
"Iasksandshepout
s.

"Iwoul
dlovet
obuthim andhi
sfami
l
yar
eat
tendi
ngsomeev
ent
attheel
derbr
other
sinl
aws,"

_
___
___
___
___
___
__

Iwil
ldr
opasmal
lpar
tofachapt
erf
rom HEARTSANDFLOWERS
tomorr
ow.

Yoursuppor
tishi
ghl
yappr
eci
ated
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER76

PRETTYMALULEKE

Ididn'twantmydaught eraroundwhenIexpl ai
nedtoherf ather
thatshe'spregnantandt hepeoplehesawher eyesterdayarethe
baby '
sfatherandgrandmot her
.Iknowhowv il
eandi nsensi
tiv
e
Akani cangetandbecauseoft hatIdi
dn'twantAmukel anit
o
catchhisbullet
s,I'
dratherbetheonest andi
nginfr
ontoft hegun
defendingmyher .SoIaskedt hatshecallsoneofherf ri
endsto
gof orbrunchandal i
tt
leshoppi ngaft
er.

Iwasn' tplanningont ell

ingAkani thatourdaught erispregnantas
yet, Iknewhewoul drunt ot el
lhi smot her.Thatwomanhat esme
andshewoul dhav eblamedmef orev ery
thing, forbeingabad
mot hertoAmuj ustli
ket heyall blamedmef oroury ounger
daught ersdeat h.Theyputi tallonmeandev enaccusedmeof
beingdr unkwhenshedr ownedandIwasn' t.Ir ushedt othe
kitchent oswi tchof fthest ovebecauset hepotwasbur ni
ngand
whenIgotbackout si
deshewasf loat
ing.Iwi llnev ergetthe
pictur eofmyl i
ttlegir
ldeadi nt hewat er,itwillalway sbreakmy
hear tthinkingabouti t.ButIhav ef or
givenmy selfforleavingher
out sideint heopenpool .Iwi l
lnev ergobackt othebot tl
ehoping
i
theal sthehur tbecauseIsawhowi tbroket hedaught erthati
s
stil
l ali
ve.
Amukel ani f
acedhar dshipsbecausenonofusgav eherat t
enti
on,
bothherf atherandIf ocusedonev er
ythingelsebuther .Iwas
drowningi npai nandseeki ngsol acef rom thebottleandf orei
gn
menont hei nternet.Istoppedbei ngabadassl awy erbecauseI
washol dingapi t
ypar tyformy self.Akani ontheot herhandwas
outtherewor kingandent ertai
ningot herwomen.Wef ai
ledour
chil
d,that'
swhyI '
m notgi vingherahar dti
mewi t
ht hispregnancy
.
Godhasgi venmeanot herchancet obeabet termot herto
Amukel ani,Iwi l
lsuppor therwi thmygr andbaby,hereducat i
on
andev erythi
ngel sesheneedsf r
om meashermom.

"
Pret
ty!
"

Akani
cal
l
sformeandIr
oll
myey
es.

Ihavet
ogetintouchwithalocksmit
htochangeal
lthelocksand
keephi
m out
.Thisisn'
thishouseanymor
e,hecan'
tjustcome
andgoashepleases.

"Thekit
chen,
"Isayandafewsecondslat
erhewalksinwit
ha
bunchofflowersandagif
tbag,Amukel
aniwon'
tbeaccepting
those.I
t'
sgoingtotakemoret
hangif
tstomendtheirr
elat
ionshi
p.

AsmuchasIhateAkani
,Ihopeheandhi
sdaught
erfi
xthi
ngs.I
don'
twantAmukel
anit
oholdsomuchhatei
nherheart
.

"Hi
,
"hesay
sawkwardl
yandInodmyheadf
ocusi
ngont
he
smoot
hieI
'
m maki
ng.
"Youandbananas,noway
,"hesay
swi
thasof
tchuckl
eandI
shrugmyshoulder
s.

"Al
othaschangedwi
thmeAkani
,
"Il
ookupandhi
ssmi
l
efades
away.

Helookslikehehasagedatleastt
eny ears,
hiseyesar
ehaunt
ed
andthebagsunderthem aren'
tdesigner.Whatcoul
dhepossi
bly
bestressi
ngabout?Imeanhehasal l
themoney ,asonhehas
al
way swantedanday oungwifetokeephi mlooki
nggood.

"
Thesear
ef ory
ou,"hesay
splaci
ngthem ont
heki
tcheni
sland
t
henpul
lsthebarstool
befor
esett
li
ngdown.

"
Whywoul
dyougetmeany
thi
ng?
"Iaskwi
thasnappedey
ebr
ow.

"
Prett
y,wehaveal
ott
otal
kaboutmur
handzi
wawami
na,
"It
ake
adeepbreat
h.

"Iam notyourlove,Akani.Youlef tMikateko,themot herofyour

preci
ouspr i
ncei nGiyani,
"hecloseshi sey esasifpained.Why
thoughbecauseI 'm onlysayi
ngt hetruth."Youcameher esowe
cantalkaboutAmukel aninotaboutus, "Isaywithast ernvoi
ce
andhest ar
tscr yi
ng,hy st
eri
call
ycr y
ing.TosayI 'm shockedwould
beanunder statement, whati
sthi snow?Whendi dhest artbei
ng
acrybaby ?

Idon'tgivehim anyat
tent
ion,heneverdidwhenIwascr y
ingand
neededmyhusbandt oholdmeandt el
lmeev eryt
hingwillbe
al
right.Iwalktothecupboardandtakeoutagl ass,Igori
nseit
andpourmybananasmoot hi
e.He'ssti
llcr
yingli
keawi dower,I
won'tbot
hertoaskwhat'swrong.Oncehe'
sdoneI '
l
lhandhima
ti
ssueandtel
lhim whathewantedtoknowy esterday.Idi
dn'
t
wanttotel
lhi
mi nf
rontofZimasa,Joj
o'smother.Theybothdidn'
t
needtoseethatmanscreamingatmeandchi ld.

"Mi
kat
ekopl
ayedmePretty
,Godshepl
ayedmerealgood.
"He
say
swithahoar
sev
oice.Il
ickt
hesmoothi
emustacheoff
.

"Sheisachi
ld,shehast
oplay.That'
swhattheydo,"Idon'tknow
whyhe'stel
l
ingmehi smari
talpr
oblems.Ussingl
epeopl edon't
knowhowt oadv i
cemarr
iedpeoplesomyanswer swillnothelp
him atal
l
.

"I
fther
e'sanyt
hingIr
egreti
nmyl if
eishur
ti
ngy
ouandour
daught
er.Pret
tyIam ver
ysorr
y,"Inod.

"I
t'
sokay,I
'm goodandoverthat
.Thepersony
ouneedtobe
apol
ogizi
ngtoisAmukelani
,"Isayl
eani
ngagainstt
hesi
nk.

"
AndIwi
ll
,Ipr
omi setomakethi
ngsr
ightwi
thherandy
ou.Iwant
myfami
l
yback,"Ishakemyheadqui
ckly
.

Heshoul
dfor
getaboutt
hatoneshame.

"Akani,
pleasedon'
tbotherwit
hme.Focusony ourwif
eMikateko
please,
"heshakeshisheadstandingupfrom stool
andst
ridi
ng
towardsmeont heothersideoftheki
tchenisl
and.

Ihol
doutmyhandt
ost
ophi
mfr
om comi
nganycl
oser
.

"
Iwantnot
hingtodowit
hthatgi
rl
,i
nfactIwantt
odest
royherand
f
amil
yforal
ltheydi
dtome,tous,
"Hepoi nt
stomethenhis
chest
.Iscof
f.

Mi
kat
ekodi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngt
ome,
hedi
d.

"Whywouldy ouwantt
odestr
oythewomanwhogaveyoua
pri
nce,Nganakani
?"Hecl
encheshi
sjawsandIf
oldmyar
ms
acrossmychest.

"Thatchil
disn'
tminePr
ett
y,t
hatl
it
tlebi
tchwasbusywi thsome
youngboy .Hecametomyhousetwoweeksagot oclai
mt hem,
"I
chuckle,
clappi
ngmyhandsinshock.Myr eacti
onseemstohurt
him butIdon'
tcar
e.Hedeser
vesthi
s,al
l ofit
.

"Shewasdenyingever
ythi
ngbutwhattheboywassay i
ngmade
sensesoIhadt odoaDNAt estandtheresul
tsshowedthatI'
m
notthef
ather
,"Yoh!Dr
ama, Iwasn'
texpecti
ngit
.Theplayergot
play
ed.

"
Wow,
yourl
i
fei
samov
iewena!
"

Cl
apsonce.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Hewal ksi
nnakedwi t
hat r
ayoffood,Iam sofamished,we'v
e
beenati tsi
ncel astnightwhenwegotbackf r
om Pretori
a.The
planwast opi ckhim upandcomehomet otal
kbutWal ejusthad
tobl ackmai
l us,hestartedfakecry
ingsayi
ngal l
hisfri
endsare
ditchinghi
m si nceJojodumpedhi m.Ebukawasnotf al
li
ngfor
thatbutIfeltbadbecauset heper
petrat
orismybr ot
her.
Idon'
tregretchi
ll
ingbecausewehadf un,
theguysarehilar
ious
andfri
endly.Iwi
shIhadt akenLemohangwi thmepl usthey
haven'
treall
ybeenspendingt i
mewi t
hEbuka.Theyusedt obeso
cl
osebutl i
fehappensandi tpull
speoplei
ndiff
erentdir
ecti
ons,
butIknowt heybothsti
l
lcar eandappreci
ateeachothervery
much.

"
Myiyawo,
"Isitupst
rai
ghtandheput
sthet
rayont
opofme.Oh
t
hisl
ooksgood.

Ebukahar
dlyevercooksbutIappr
eci
atehi
srandomness,
it
makesmef eel
loved.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"Isayandhef
lashesmehi
sbeaut
if
ulsmi
l
e.

"
Iloveyout
oo.Thanksf
orcomingy
est
erdaybaby
,Ir
eal
l
ymi
ssed
y
ou,"Il
eani
nandpeckhisli
ps.

"Imissedy oumore,"hetakesasausageandbitesi
tthengiv
es
met her emaini
nghalf."
Wehav ealottot
alkabout,
sexjust
dist
ractedus,"hechortl
eswhil
enoddinghisheadinagreement
.

Wehadasexmar athonl
astni
ghtandt
hismor
ning,
Idon'
twant
anyf
ort
herestoftheday.

Aftereat
ingwedecidedtot akeashowerandgodownt ohave
dri
nksintheloungeandjustt al
kaboutthi
swholemarri
ageissue
andwhatr evol
vesaroundit.Iam nerv
ousIwon'
tli
eandcant ell
thatEbukaisalsouneasy.Thisisthesametopi
cthathaduscold
f
oranent
ir
eweeksoIjustwantt
odi
scussi
tandputi
ttobed
wi
thusonthesamepage.

"
Hi,
"hegr
eet
sandIl
augh,
set
tl
ingdownnextt
ohi
m.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ihol
doutmyhandandweshake.

"Youaresobeaut
if
ul,
mynamei
sEbuka,
"okayIl
i
ket
hisi
ce
breaker
.

"
ThankyouEbuka,mynameisUndiphi
l
e,"Hebr
ingsmyhandup
t
ohisli
psandkissesmyknuckl
es.

"Iwoul
dlov
etobey
ourhusbandmi
ssUndi
phi
l
e,"Igi
ggl
elooki
ng
away.

Il
i
kehowwear
etackl
i
ngt
his,
play
ful
yetser
iousi
nthedi
scussi
on.

"Iwoul
dal
sol
ovetobey
ourwi
fe,
it'
sjustt
hatI
'
m scar
edEbuka,
"
henodshi
shead.

"I
'
m scaredtoobutmyl ov
eandr eadi
nessf
oryouasmywi f
eis
great
erthanthatf
ear,
"Hejusthasawayofmel t
ingmyheartwit
h
words."
Whatar eyourf
earsbaby?Talktome,
"Heaskstal
king
bothmyhands.

"Myf eari
sthatI '
l
lfai
lasawi f
eandwegetdi
vor
ced,
Ebukamy
biggestfearisloosi
ngyou."Iwat
chhi
m cl
osehi
seyesand
swallowhar d,causi
nghisAdamsappl
etobob.

"Myfeari
salsofai
li
ngasahusbandandl oosi
ngy ou.Butwe
cannotl
etfearst
andinourway
,inthewayofst art
ingourfamil
y
youngsowecanal lgr
owuptogetherandtoexploreallt
hati
s
beaut
if
ul,
"hesaysandtear
sburnmyey es,
"Wear ehumanbaby
andourmarri
agewon'tbeper
fectbuti
twil
lberealbecausewe
arei
nsanel
yinlov
ewitheachother,
"hesaysandInod.

"
Iam opentopayingdowryandhavi
ngalongengagement
.Ican
waitf
orthewhit
eweddingunti
laft
eryou'
vegr
aduated.
"Hesays.I
t
hinkthi
sisfai
renough.

"
Maybeki
dsi
ntwotot
hreey
ear
s?"Iaskandhesmi
l
esandl
eans
i
ntoki
ssmyl
ips.

"
InourplansyesIwil
lagreet
othatbutGodgiv
eski
dsmylov
e,we
mightev
enbepr egnantaswespeak,
"Ichokeonmysal
i
vaandhe
l
aughsoutloud.

"I
'
m notsay ingyou'
repr
egnant
,I'
mjusttr
yingt
ogetapoi
nt
across."Inarr
owmyey esathi
m.Ioftenheart
hatmenknow
whent hey'v
eimpregnat
edawoman.

Ishoul
ddoubl
econt
racept
ives.

"
Sowher
etof
rom her
e?"HeasksandIheav
eadeepsi
gh.

"Idon'
tknowifthiswi
llsoundcr
azyorwhatbecausewespeakof
havingourwhi
teweddingwhenI '
m donewi
thmydegree,
"he
furr
owshisforehead.

"
Justsayi
tmyl
ove,
"

"Wel
l,
bef
oreyoupayl
obol
aandwest ar
tli
vi
ngtoget
her
per
manentl
ycanwegoforcounsel
l
ing?
"Iaskandhefr
owns.

"
Coupl
est
her
apy
?"Ishakemyhead.

"
Nobaby
,pr
emar
it
alcounsel
i
ng,
"Icanseet
hathewant
stor
oll
hiseyes,Il
aughandexplain,
"There'
sadif f
erencebaby.Couples
ther
apyi sgener
all
yaproposforcoupleslookingtoresolvea
cert
ainissue;pr
emari
talcounsel
ingisforengagedpar tners
l
ookingt olaygr
oundworkforahealthymar ri
age,
"henodssl owl
y.

"IneverthoughtI'
dsiti
nfrontofsomeoneandt alkaboutmy
rel
ati
onshi pbutforyouI'
l
l doit
.Iwantmyf i
rstmarri
agetobemy
l
astsoI 'l
ldoany t
hingtomakesur ethati
tsfoundati
onisst
rong,
"I
appreciatehim somuch.Compr omisingi
sabi gthi
ngin
rel
ati
onshi ps.

"
Thanky
oul
ove,
"Heexhal
esshar
ply
.

"
You'
ll
star
tlooki
ngaroundf
oragoodcounsel
l
orandt
ell
me
whenwestartat
tendi
ng,
"

Igetupf rom t
hecouchandt akehi sonelegputti
ngitupont he
couch,hisbacki snowagainstthear mrest
.Isitbet
weenhi slegs
wit
hmyhandonhi sshoulder,
hef oldshi
sonear m aroundme
andkissesmyt emple.Communi cati
onistr
ulyimportant,
hadI
tol
dEbukaal lthisthedaywehadt hi
sconversati
onforthefi
rst
ti
met henwewoul dn'
thaveexperiencedabadweek.Thi shas
beenal essonforme.
[
MTRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER77

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"Amu,
"mhani
say
sner
vousl
yandIpi
vott
ofacehersi
tt
ingonmy
bed.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskandsheexhal
esshar
ply
.

"Uhm,wheny ougetbackf r
om l
unchI'
dli
keust ot
alkaboutyour
fat
her,
"Ir
ollmyey es,t
atanahasbeenbackinJohannesburgfora
ful
lweeknow.Al lhedoesispest
ermymot herandI,Ist
il
ldon'
t
wantanythi
ngt odowithhim.Imeanhe'sonlydoi
ngallofthi
s
becausehispreci
ousNganakaniandMikatekobel
ongt o
someoneelse.

"
There'
sreal
lynot
hingt
otal
kaboutmhani.Tatanaj
ustreal
i
zed
t
hathelostdi
amondswhil
stchasi
ngpebbles,
"Isayandshenods
v
igor
ously.

"AndIagreemybaby.Amukel
ani
Ijustwanty
ouandAkanit
o
atl
eastbeciv
il
,Idon'
twantmygr
andbabytobebor
nint
othi
s
hate,
"shesaysandIswall
ow.

Idon'
twantt
hatf
ormychi
l
dei
therbutmyf
ather
,Godt
hatman.

"Wet houghthewasgoi ngtobemadaf t

erfi
ndingoutthaty
ou'r
e
pregnantbuthejustbrokedownandcr i
ed.Wit
houtmesay i
ng
anythingheknewt hatourabsenceandnegl
ectmadey ouchoose
pathsy oudi
dn'tunderst
andbecausewewer enevert
hereto
guidey
ou.Iam nosaintandyoufor
gav
eme,
"shesay
sandI
shakemyheadindisagreement
.

"I
t'
snotthesamemhani .Youneverlefttobewithanotherman,
youreal
izedthewr ongandpai nsy oucausedmeandt ookast and
tomaket hi
ngsr i
ghtforme.Tat anaont heotherhandwasj ust
makingnoise,tal
kingandt alki
ngbutnoact i
on.SoIdon'tseewhy
Ishoul
df or
givesomeonewhohasnev ershownmet hattheyare
aski
ngformyf orgiveness,"shecloseshereyes.

"
IhearyouandIunderst
and.I
fitwasuptomeIwouldaskAkani
t
ofuckoffandnevercomebackbutbabyIknowl
ateri
nli
feyou
wi
llneedhi
m,"Iheaveasigh.

HowwillIneedhi
m whenImanagedt
osur
viv
emyt
endery
ear
s
wi
thouthim?

"Idon'twanttogety
ouwor kedup,pl
easecalm down.Wewill
discussthi
ssomeot hert
ime."ShesaysandIfacemyf r
ontagai
n,
searchingforsomet
hingtoweartothi
slunch.

Jojojustt
extedthathe'soutsidethegate,lastnightwhi
l
et al
ki
ng
ont hephoneIment i
onedthatI '
m cravi
ngr ibsandhebeggedt o
takemeoutt oday.Iwantedt osaynobutt hehopehehadi nhis
voicehadmeagr eeing.Heist ry
ingtobet hereformeandt he
babyandIshouldst oppushinghi m away.Heknowswher eI
standaboutgetti
ngbackt ogether,he'
snotpushi ngli
kebefore
butnowandagai nhemakescomment sthatr emindmethathe
want sustofi
xthings.
Iopenthepassengerdoorofhi scarandcl imbi n,hewenttof etch
hiscarfr
om EasternCape.Hehasdeci dedt opermanentlymov e
toJohannesburg,Itoldhi mthathedi dn'
thav etouproothiswhol e
l
ifebecauseofthebabyandt hecallwasdr oppedi nmyear .He
wassomadt hatIsaidt hat,hesaidIdon' treali
zehowmucht his
babymeanst ohim, thatIt hi
nkheseest hisbabyasami stake.
Thatwasn'tt
hecase, Ijustdidn'
twanthi mt or egr
etthisdecision
whent i
mewentby .Imeanwewer est i
ll
goi ngt obeabletoco-
parentwit
hhiml i
vingi nGqeber haorCapeTown.

"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
"hesay
swi
thasmi
l
e.

Icl
earmyt
hroat
,"t
hanky
ouJoj
o,"

"Sohowareyoutwot
oday
?"Ever
yquesti
onisdir
ect
edtomeand
thel
it
tl
eint
ruderi
nmywomb.Theint
rudert
hathasstol
enmy
hear
t.

"Mhhhh,
wearedoinggood.Shej
ustwant
sri
bst
hat
'sal
l
,"Isay
andhechuckl
esshaki
ngherhead.

"
Whathappenedt
onotgi
vi
ngt
hebabyagender
?"Ismi
l
e,r
oll
i
ng
myeyes.

Hest
art
stheengi
neanddr
ivesof
f.

Weareincomfort
abl
esil
ence, t
hingsar
en'tasawkwardanymor
e.
Wehadtolearnt
obecool aroundeachother,weshar
ealif
enow.
Ourdi
ff
erencesmeannot
hi ngcomparedtoourchil
d.
Thefir
stthingwedi dwhenwegott othemal li
slookatbabystuff
,
Godev er
ythingissoador able.TheyhadJoj oandIl aughi
ngli
ke
weusedt o,inthatmomenthef eltl
ikemyJoj oagain.Theman
thatmademef eelwhatl ovetrulyisbeforehetookmyhear tand
ri
ppeditapar t
.Idecidednott oletthepastr ui
nmymoodbutI
won'tsaymyhear tisn'tachingaf t
erthinki
ngabouthim andWal e.

Wear ewal ki
ngoutoft hebabystore,Iwi
shIcouldspendal itt
le
moret i
mei nthere,i
magi ni
ngmybabywear i
ngt hosetinycute
clot
hes,butshe'shungr yandsoam I.Wejusttookat urntowards
therest
aurantsectionwhenIspotTshedzaappr oachingwi t
htwo
ofhisclosestfr
iends,theyarel
aughingandfi
stbumpi ng.
Hopefull
yhedoesn' tseeme, butonsecondthoughtlet'
sdot his
i
nstead.

"
Tshedzi
,
"Ical
loutal
readywav
ing.

Jongi
khay
alooksmywaywi
thhi
sey
ebr
owsf
urr
owed.

"Amut hebaddi
e,
"hesaysl
ooki
ngatmelikeapieceofmeathe
wantst odev
ourri
ghtt
hismi
nut
e.Iwoul
dslaphim acrossthe
facebutIwanttomakemybabydaddyburnali
ttl
e.Hewon' tbe
ashurtasIam bywhathedi
dtomebuthewi l
ldefi
nit
elyfeelthe
heat.

"
Longt
imenosee,
"Isaywi
thasmi
l
eandhenods,
li
cki
nghi
sjui
cy
l
owerl
i
p.
Tshedzaisaf i
nespeci menofVendamen, asmuchashemakes
mesi ckIwon'tli
eandsayhe' sanuglyman.Hehasev ery
thinga
womandesi res,thebody,height,
melanin,sexgameandal oaded
pocket.Hisparentsaremyf ather'
sfr
iendsandbusiness
associat
es.

"Yeah,younotplayi
nginourcir
clesany
more.What'
supbabe?We
mi ssyououtthere,
"hemissesmypussythat'
swhathemeans,
bloodydog.

"Weshouldhook-
upsoon,
"Isayandhi
seyesbur
nwithdesi
re.I
usedthewordhook-
uponpurpose,
towor
konbot hmen
dif
fer
entl
y.

"
ThecrewandIar eheadedtoTanzani
athi
scomingl
ong
weekend,shoul
dIcountyouin?
"Heasks,r
ubbi
nghishands
t
ogether.

AsmuchasI
'
m cr
avi
ngf
orapasspor
tst
ampI
'
llpass.

"Uhm,letmer ingyoul
aterwi
thmydet
ail
s,
"heopenshi
sarms
andweshar eahug,hi
sonehandmovestomylit
tl
ebut
tandhe
squeezes.IhearJongi
khayagaspf
orai
randIknowmymissi
on
i
saccompl ished.

Tshedzaandhisfr
iendswalkawayandIt urntofi
ndJojolooki
ng
atmewi t
hapainedexpressi
on.IalmostfeelbadbutIremember
howhehur tmeandgotmepr egnant,Ican'
tgetoverhi
m because
heisalwaysi
nmyf ace.Hewill
foreverbeinmyl i
feandti
edt o
me.
"Real
lyAmu?"Heasks,
hisnosef
lar
ed.Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s,
playi
ngdumb.

"
What
?"Hel
ooksdownandhuf
fsahumour
lessl
augh.

"Youaregoingt otalkabouthookingupwithanothermani nfront

ofme?Goi ngoni nternat
ionalt
ri
pst ohavesexwhilepregnant
withmychi l
d?"Heasks, av ei
npoppingonhisforehead.He'smad,
that'
sthepointofwhatIdi d.Iwantedhimtohurtandgetmad, to
feelatl
eastafracti
onofwhatIf el
twhenhet oldmehecheat ed.

"Jongi
khaya,wearenottogether
,wej ustshareachil
d.WhoI
decidetosleepwit
hisn'
tyourbusiness,"Isaycalml
yandhisey
es
gli
stenwithtear
s.Manareweakshame, theycandi
shitbut
taki
ngitishard.

"
Amukel
ani
,Il
ovey
ou,
"hi
svoi
cecomesouti
nanal
mostwhi
sper
.

Iwantt
oshout'
Il
ovey
out
oo'
butIcannotgi
vei
nsoeasi
l
y.

"Ial
solovedy
ouJojobutthatdi
dn'tst
opyoufrom sl
eepi
ngwi
th
anothermandidi
t?"Hur
tandregretfl
ashacr
osshiseyes.

"BabyIknowIhurtyouandIwi
llhat
emy sel
ffor
everbecauseof
that
.AmuIknownowt haty
ou'
rethelov
eofmyl i
feandIwantno
oneelsebuty
ou."Ishakemyhead.

"Youhadtoloosemef i
rstbef
oreyoucouldseethatright
?"Isay
andhecloseshiseyes,
takesadeepbr eat
handgoesdownon
bothknees.What'
shedoing?He'scausingunnecessaryat
tenti
on
towardsus.Peopl
ehavestoppedwalkingtolookatus.
"Amukel aniSpecialNkovani,Iloveyouwi t
hallmyheart.Iknow
mypr eviousact i
onshav emadey oudoubtt hi
sbutit
'st
rue.Baby
tel
lmewhaty ouwantmet odot ofi
xthisandIpromiseI'
lldoit,
Amukel aniIwi l
ldoitwithevery t
hingIhaveinme.Pleasejusttel
l
mewhatIneedt odot ofixthis,togetmywomanbackandr aise
ourchildtogether,"Iswall
owpassedt hehugedrylumpcl oggedin
myt hroat.

"
Cany
out
akebackt
hehandsoft
imeandnotcheat
?"Iask.

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

IwalkbackintotheloungeandhandEbukaadr i
nkbeforesett
ling
onthesingl
ecouch.Hecal l
edmey esterdayandaskedtomeet
upwi t
hme, si
nceIdon'thaveanofficeandIdi dn'
tfeell
i
ke
l
eavingmyhouseonaSat urdayIaskedhi mt ocomeher e.I
'm not
surewhatthisisaboutbutI'
l
lfi
ndoutj ustnow.Itakeasi pofmy
dri
nkandhegul psdownhi senti
reglassi nonego,whathashi s
nervous?

"
Yougood?
"Iask,
andhenodsandshakeshi
sheadatt
hesame
t
ime.

Hai
bo!

"I
'
vebeenal
i
ttl
euneasybutI
'
llbef
ine?
"Hesay
sandInar
rowmy
eyes.
"Wassup?Wanttot
alkaboutit
?"Heheav
esasi
ght
henl
eansi
n,
placi
nghi
selbowsonhisknees.

"IaskedUndi
phil
etomarr
ymeandaf
teradi
scussi
onwehadshe
agreed,
"hesaysandIsmi
le.

"Congr
atul
ati
ons,f
rom al
lthatI
'
vehear
daboutheryou'
realucky
guy.I
t'
sokaytobeuneasy,marri
agei
sabigstep,
"Isayandstand
uptoshakehishand.

"ThankyoubutI'
m notner
vousaboutmarr
yingt
hatwoman,
I
knowshe'stheoneforme."Hesayswit
hasmi l
eandIf
rown
confused,
what'
stheprobl
em then?

"
What
'smaki
ngy
ouuneasy
?"Iask.

Ebukaheavesasigh,"Undi
phi
lefearsthatshe'l
lfailasawi f
e,I
underst
andherbecauseIfeelt
hesamewayt oo.Webot hdon't
wanttogetthi
swr ongsoshesuggest edthatwegof orpremarit
al
counsel
ingbef
oreIpayherdowr y,
"that'
sgood, greatactual
ly.
NofotoandIdi
dn'thavethat
.

"
Shesuggest
edthebestthing,i
twil
lhel
pyouguy
stol
aya
f
oundat
ionofyourmarr
iage,"henods.

"Mywomansay sthattoo,
"hepausesandlooksathi
sempt y
glass.Ihol
doutmyindexfi
ngerandgetuptogetthedecant
er.

Icomebackandf il
lhi
sglasswithsomecognac."Iam anAf r
ican
man,Iwasraisedtodealwithmyprobl
emsandnotr unto
someoneelsewiththem.IfIhaveabusi
nessproblem,Ital
ktomy
busi
nesspart
nersaboutitbutinmypersonall
if
eIdeal wit
hmy
i
ssuesmyself.Undi
phil
eistheonlyper
sonI'v
eshar edmy
struggl
eswi t
hy ouknow, sotalkingt oacompl etestrangerscar
es
me.I '
m afr
aidthatI'
l
lsayt hewr ongt hingsandmywomanwon' t
wantt omar r
yme, becausewhoev erwillbel
ist
eningt oour
problemswi l
ltel
lherthatI'm notgoodenoughorr eadytobea
husband,"that'
sdeepandIunder standwherehe'scomi ngfrom.

"Fr
om t helit
tl
eIknowaboutpr emar i
talcounseling,whoever
counselsy ouwill
onlybetackli
ngt hi
ngst hatwillmakey our
marri
ageasuccess.Forex ampleheorshewi l
lwantt oknowy our
i
ndivi
dual opini
onsonf amil
ystructure,
whopr ovides,
howmany
chi
ldreny ouwantt ohaveandhowy ou'r
egoi ngt orai
sethem.
Questionslikehowmanyt i
mesy ouexpectsexi naweek, such
thi
ngs.Noanswerwi ll
bewr ong,theyarej ustt
ryingtoestabl
ish
wherey oubot hstandasindiv
idualsandseehowt heycanhelp
youtobeont hesamepage, "hisshouldersr el
ax.Heneededt o
hearthismor ethananythi
ng.

"
That
'sar
eli
ef,
"Ichuckl
e.

"
Soyeahkeepy
ourhai
ronbr
o,"hehol
dsuphi
sgl
assanddr
inks
f
rom i
t.

"Thanky
ouMakhosini
.Nowletmegett
owhatbr
oughtmeher
e,"
hesaysandInod,
crossi
ngmylegs.

"
I'
m al
lear
s,"

"Idon'
twanttogetUndiphi
l
e'sr
ingf
rom anyot
herperson.Iwas
hopingthaty
ou'
lldesi
gnandmakemywoman' sring,
"hesaysand
I
'mt ouchedt
hathethoughtofmewithsuchahugethinginhi
s
l
ife.
"AhhEbuka,
Iappr
eci
atei
tman.
"Isayandhenods,
bowi
nghi
s
head.

"Doyouhaveanideaofwhaty
ouwant
?"Iaskandhel
aughs,
shaki
nghishead.

"Ij
ustwantabigdi
amondonherfi
nger
,"Hesay
sconfi
dent
ly.I
don'tev
enhavetot
alkmoney
,Iknowhecanaffor
d.

"Ihaveafewdesigns,l
etmegetmysketchbookandlaptop."I
quickl
ygetupandheadt omystudytogr
abmywor kt
hings.I
walkbackintheloungeandhe'
sref
il
li
nghisgl
ass,ner
vesmust
havebeenkill
inghim.Heshi
ft
ssoIcansettl
enexttohim and
showhi m whatI'
vegot.

"Iwantthi
sone,
"hequickl
ysaysassoonasIpage.Icl
osemy
eyes,t
hisonei
snotforsaleunf
ort
unatel
y.

"
Youaregonnahav
etogof
oranot
herone,
"Isayandhi
sface
f
all
s.

"Iwi
llpaytr
ipl
eforthatMakhosini
,tellwhoev
erboughti
tthati
t'
s
nolongeravai
labl
e,
"it'
sli
ter
all
ynotf orsal
etoanyone.

"Thi
sismyper
sonal
desi
gnanddi
amond,
"Isayandher
aiseshi
s
eyebr
ow.

"
You'
real
sogoi
ngt
opr
opose?
"Heaskswi
thwi
denedey
es.

Ishakemyhead, "IwishIwasbutno.Lemohangi sdeali

ngwi tha
l
otrightnow,pl
ussheal sowantstofi
nishschoolandsett
leinto
hercareerbef
oreanythi
ngliket
hatcanhappen,"hewhistl
es."I
j
ustdesignedmydr eam ri
ngforher,
whenshe'sreadyIwillsl
ideit
onherfi
ngerandmakehermywi febutr
ightnowwear
e
boy
fri
endandgirl
fr
iend.
"Isaymeekl
y.

"Herl
if
ei sf
all
ingi
ntopl
acenow,shemightagr
eet
obey
ourwi
fe
soonerthanyouthi
nk,
"hesaysandIsmil
e.

Idoubtthat
,Iknowmygi rl
.Shehadev er
ythi
ngplannedoutforher
alongt i
meago,shewil
lseei tt
hroughandbecauseIl ov
eherI
won'trushheri
ntoanyt
hing.Shetoldmeshewant stol i
vet
he
restofherl
if
ewi t
hmeandt hat
'senoughassur
ancef ormeright
now.She'sworththewai
t.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER78

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"Howdidyoufindthissessi
on?
"IaskEbukaaswebothstrapup
oursaf
etybel
ts.Thiswasourfourt
hsessi
onwitht
hecounsell
or,
wemeetwi t
hhi m onceaweek,onThur
sdays.Weareschedul
ed
fort
ensessi
onsi ntotal
.

"Feel
slikeitgetsmoreintensewitheachsessionbutinal
l
honestyit'
snotasscar yasIthoughtitwouldbe."Heanswer
sand
Istar
ttheengi neandreverseoutoftheparkingspace.

"
Doy
ouseei
t'
simpor
tancesof
ar?
"Iaskandhenodsv
igor
ousl
y.

"Atfi
rstIwasskeptical
aboutt hi
swhol ethingbutnowIcan
safel
ysayIseeandappr eciat
etheimpor t
anceofhav i
ngthese
sessions.Wehav ebeendoi ngwellinourrelati
onshipbutthi
s
processhasmademel ear nthi
ngsabouty ouandmy selft
hatI
wouldn'thav
eunpackedonmyown. "That
'sv er
yt r
ue,counsel
li
ng
hasexposedl ay
ersandl ayersofwhowear easi ndiv
idual
sand
whatwehopet ohav ei
nourmar r
iage.

Iyi
eldattheof
frampandwai
tforaf
ewcar
stopassbef
oreIj
oin
theroad.

"
Iagr
ee,
myl
ove.
"

I
'
vel
ear
nedsomuchaboutmyman,
abouthi
scul
tur
eandhowhe
expectsourhouseholdt oberan.Heiswi l
l
ingtocompromise
someoft het hi
ngsbecauseheunder st
andst hatwecomef r
om
dif
ferentbackgrounds,cul
tur
esandt r
aditi
ons.We,however,
agreedoncr eat
ingourownf amilyt
radit
ionssowecanl i
vein
peacewi t
houttryi
ngt oimposesomet hi
ngsoneachot her.

Wehadaconv ersati
onaweekagoaf t
eroursessi on,i
twasabout
chil
drenandhowwear egoi ngt oraiset hem.If oroneknowt he
i
mpor tanceoff oll
owi ngtradit
ionswheni tcomest ochil
dren.Iwi ll
notstopEbukaf r
om per formingI gbor it
ual sf
ort hem, what ever
thatneedst obedonef ormyki dsIwi l
l defini
telyagreetoi tand
takepart,solongasi tdoesn'tputt hei
rl iv
esindanger .Thel ast
thi
ngIwanti storunar oundNi ger i
awhenEbukai snomor et ry
ing
togetmychi l
drenhel pbecauseIr efusedt hem bei ng
acknowledgedbyt heirforefat
her s.Peachesal wayssai dthati t
's
i
mpor tantforchildr
ent oknowwher etheycomef r
om soi tcanbe
easytonav igat
et heirwayf orwar dinthiswor ld.

"Nowthatwearehalfwaythr
oughthecounsell
i
ng,wouldi
tbe
okayformetostar
tcall
ingmypeoplebackhomeandt el
lthem
I
'mreadytobri
ngsomeone'sdaughterhome?"HeasksandI
heaveoutasi
gh.

"
Iam tr
ulyner
vousaboutmeeti
ngthem,Imeanwhati
ftheyf
orbi
d
y
oufrom marryi
ngaforei
gner
?"Hechuckl
es.

I
'
m ser
iousthough,I
'
vewatchedAfr
icaMagicandROKamill
i
on
t
imesandIgboparentsnev
erwantthei
rchi
l
drentomar
ryoutsi
de
oft
hei
rtr
ibe.Wor
separ
tisI
'
m notev
enNi
ger
ian,
doubl
efr
own.

"
Undiphil
e,noonehasarightt
otellmewhot omar ry.I
ftheyf
eel
l
ikeyou'r
enotgoodenoughthenthat'
sthei
rproblem.I'
mt heone
whohast oli
vewithmywifesoit
'sonlyfai
rthatIchooseonefor
myself
,"hesayscalml
yandInodmyhead.

Havi
ngamanwhoknowswhathewant
sandi
sn'
tscar
edt
ost
and
hi
sgroupi
sabl
essi
ng.

"
Ihearyoubabybuti
t'
sascarythought.Idon'
twanttofi
nd
mysel
fwithmonster
sinl
aw,"Isayenteri
ngapatrolst
ati
on.

Myl i
ghttur
nedred,Ial
waysfor
getaboutpat
rolunt
ilt
hishappens.
Itget
smeanev i
leyefr
om Ebukaeachti
meithappenswi t
hhim
i
nt hecarwithme.HesaysI'
m bei
ngirr
esponsi
blebecausethi
s
couldhappeninthemiddl
eofnowhereandIwon'tbesafe.

Iunder
standandIpr
omi
set
odobet
ter
.

"Theycanf i
ghtal
ltheywantbutt heywi l
lst
illcomeher eandpay
yourdowr yanddoev er
ythingthatisrequiredt omakey oua
Okaforwife,
"hepauseswhenIt alktot hepat r
ol att
endant ."
Igoto
Nigeri
aoncei nawhiletov i
sitmypar entsgr aveandt oj ustbein
themot herl
and.Inormallystaywiththem att hehouseIbui ltor
bookintoahot el
,butnowt hatIhavey ouIthinkitwillbef ai
rto
getyouy ourownhousesoy oudon'tf eeluncomf or
table."Iwould
appreci
atemyownhomewhenwear ei nNiger i
a.

Wait
!Howdidmyl i
fegett
othi
spoint?Planningonacqui
ri
ng
pr
opert
yinafor
eigncount
ryandtal
ki
ngabouti n-l
awsandstaff
.
Li
femovesi
nway swecouldneverpr
edict,butIappr
eci
atethe
di
rect
ioni
t'
staki
ng.Iam t
hankf
ult
oGodf
orbr
ingi
ngmeal
lthi
s
warmthanduncondi
ti
onall
ove.

"
Abuj
aorLagos?
"Iaskandhel
aughs.

"Youal wayscompl ainabouthowhect i

cJohannesbur gi s,Idon'
t
thinkyou'l
lwantt of indy oursel
finLagos.Tr afficalonewi lldri
ve
youcr azybaby ,
Iwast hinki
ngwegetsomet hingi nmyhomest at
e,
Enugu.I t
'sabeaut ifulcityandIknowy ou'
lll
ov eit
,Ipromi seto
showy oueveryot herbeaut iful
partonNai j
aandoncey ouknowit
wel l
wewi l
lfi
ndsomet hinginanotherci ty
."That'sf ai
r.Wewi ll
discussthisfurtherast imegoeson, butI'm excit
edov erthi
s
planningandf uturet alks.I'
m sti
ll
ner vousbutt hesessi onshav e
seenmeandEbukaoncommongr ounds.Wenowknowwhat
exactlycompr omisi ngi sandhowt ogoonabouti t.Iwishmy
grandmot herwasal ivetoseemeandEbukawor kingtowar ds
beinghusbandandwi fe.

Wegett otheapar tment,

Imi sssleepi
ngatmypl acebutnowwe
can'tcrashher e.Mycousinusesmybedr oom andIcan' tsl
eep
withmymanonLemohang' sbed.Itwouldbedisrespectful
becauseshemi ghtbesharingitwithMakhosi
ni.EbukaandIj ust
camet oseemycousi n,
hehasbeengoi ngthr
oughal otwith
Amukel anithispastmont h.Ithoughttheyweredoinggoodbut
i
t'sactuall
yt heotherwayr ound,theyfi
ghtsomucht hatIdon't
evenknowwhatt osaytot hebothofthem.I'mlit
erallycaught
betweenar ockandahar dpl acebutIchoosetobeSwi tzer
landin
thi
smat t
erbecauseofmyni eceornephew.
"
Tat
akaJJ,
"Isaywal
ki
ngi
nwi
thEbukabehi
ndme.

"I
'
m notnamingmychil
daf t
erme,wedon'twanthi
m endingup
beingapi
eceofshi
t.
"Hesay sfr
om t
heloungeandIfrown,
l
ookingbackatmyboyf
riend.Whywoul
dhesaysuchat hi
ng
abouthi
mself?

"
Joj
o,what
'swr
ong?
"Iask,
str
idi
ngt
owar
dshi
m.

"Not
hing,
Ijustdon'
twantmychil
dtobestupi
dli
keme.Imessed
upandlosttheonewomanwhocompl et
edmebecauseIwanted
tohavemycakeandeatit,
"Ihat
eseei
nghimt hi
sway
.

Iwoul
dloveforthem t
ofixt
hingsandr
aiset
hei
rbabyt
oget
heras
acoupl
ebutithasbeenweeksandweeksnowandAmui snot
gi
vi
ngin.Idoubtsheeverwi
ll
.

"It
hinkit
'stimey ouaccept
edthatshewant snothi
ngmor et
han
co-par
enting.Youshouldfocusonjobhunt i
ngandgettingaplace
ofyourownl ikeyouhadplanned."HecloseshiseyesandIlook
toEbukawho' sleani
ngagainstthewallwit
hhisarmsf olded
acrosshischest.Canhesaysomet hi
ngtopickupJojo'smood.

Hi
sey
esf
indmi
neandIsendhi
m asi
l
entmessage.

Myboy fr
iendclearshisthroat,
"yoursist
erisri
ghtman.You
messedupandshewon' tforgi
vey ou.Focusonbeingabetter
manf oryourchil
d, i
fithappensthatyouguy sfi
xthi
ngsinthe
futurethenwewi l
lallbehappyf oryouguys.Butifi
tdoesn'
t
happenl i
ket hatthenaper sonwhowasmeantf ory
ouissti
llout
there,
"
"
Can'tweallhavewhatyouandmysi sterhave?Imeanlookat
y
ouguy satt
endingpremarit
alcounseli
ngandpl anni
ngawhole
l
i
fetogether
.Iam toacceptyourlobolaforUndiphi
lewhil
eIcan'
t
f
ixmymesswi t
hthemot herofmychi l
d, If
eell
ikeafai
lur
eand
t
hat
'sonme, "Icl
aspshishead.

"Igoti
twrongat housandtimesbef oref i
ndingUndiphil
e.Wej ust
didn'
tgetitr
ightbecausewewant ed,thisishowitwassupposed
toplayout.I
fAmukel ani
isyourper sont henever
ythingwill
fall
i
nt opl
ace,nomat t
erhowl ongittakesy ou'l
lfi
ndeachot her.
"I'
m
thankf
ulthatEbukaisdoingall
t hetalking.

"IwishIcoul dbeli
evet hatbutsi ncethemal lsi
tuat
ionwiththat
fuckboywehav edr i
ftedapar t.Ilovehery esbutIcannot
compet ewi thotherguy s.Yesshe' scarr
y i
ngmybabybutshe' s
notobligatedtobesi nglewhi l
eati t.Ij
ustwi shshewoul dgive
bir
thfirstthendowhatshehast odoaf ter,
"Icanheart hehurtin
hisvoice.Mycousi nreal l
ylovesAmukel ani,IwishIcouldturn
backthehandsoft imeandpr ev enthisthi
ngwi thWalefrom
happeni ngbecauseitt ookawaywhatmat teredthemost.

"How'sthejobhunti
ng?"Mymanasks,changi
ngt
hesubj
ectand
Jojoscoff
s.He'sreal
lygoi
ngt
hroughi
t.

"Mentall
ytaxing.IknowIhav emoneyt ot akecar eofAmukelani
andthebabybutt hat'
smygr andparent
s' money ,Iwanttowork
formychi l
d."Hei sthedefi
nit
ionofresponsible."I'
veseenhow
dif
fi
culti
tisf orpeopletofi
ndj obsbutexperiencingitmysel
fis
somethingelse,"yoh!SouthAfr i
ca,
howmanymor egraduat
es
havetositwi ththei
rdipl
omasanddegr eesgat heri
ngdust?
"
What
'sy
ourqual
i
ficat
ionagai
n?"Ebukaasks.

"
CostandManagementAccount
ing,
"heanswer
s.

"Uhm,wouldyoumindifImadeacoupleofcal
lsforyou?"He
asks,wit
hhiseyesnar
rowed.Iknowhe'
str
yingnottostepon
Jojo'
stoesandbrui
sehisego.

"Myneedforaj
obismuchgr
eat
ert
hanmypr
ide,
Iwoul
d
appr
eciat
eanyhel
p,"

Si
ghi
nrel
i
ef.

ThankGodhedi dn'
ttakethi
ssomehow.Myphoner i
ngsfrom my
denim dr
esspocketandItakei
toutqui
ckl
y,i
t'
ssecur
ityatthe
gate,whatdot
heywant ?

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.

LEMOHANGBHENGU

Noonewi llexhaustyoul i
keMv elo,Idon' tknowwher ethi
sgir
l
getsal
l herener gyfr
om.Shei sbusywor kingt owardsherPhDbut
shehasabsol utel
ynopr oblem havingf un, t
imemanagementi s
herexpertise.Shewoul dhav eexcelledi nthatifitwasast udy
fi
eldbecausewow.Yest erdayshecal l
edbl ackmail
ingmet o
cancelmyThur sdaysowecanhangout .Sheusedt heMabutho
si
tuati
on, sayingwear etraumat i
zedandweneedt imeout .Tr
ust
hertoturnt hatint
oaj okebutIl ovet hatabouther .Shedoesn't
cl
ingtoherpai nanddisappointment s, Mv eloalwayslooksatthe
beaut
yli
febri
ngs.Iwi
shshecanmeetagenui
nemanwhowi
l
l
l
oveherhonestl
yandconsi
stent
ly.

Wewentt oGoldReefCityandIst i
ll
cannotbel i
evethatshemade
mer i
det hetowerofter
ror.Ipromi sedmy selfnevertogetonthat
thi
ngbecauseIwasaf r
aidofdy ingwhi leontheride.Butmy
boyfr
iend'ssist
eri
ssomet hi
ngel se,shecoaxedmeandIf ound
myselfscreamingandenj oyingtheadr enal
inerush.Makhosini
andMv eloaretwobadi nfluencesIneedi nmyl if
e.

"Fri
end,"shesay s,
herey esfi
xedontheroad.Myboy fr
iend,her
brotherdoesn'twantt hi
sgoingon.Hesayshewon' tbeshar i
ng
mewi t
hhissister,becauseheknowsshewi ll
wantmor et i
me
withmeandt hatwi l
ltakefr
om ourti
me.Mv el
oandMakhosi niar
e
l
ikeTom andJer ry
, Igottof
ull
yexperi
encetheircr
azythispast
mont h.

"
Hai
bo!Lemoarey
oust
il
li
nthi
scar
?"Shesay
sandIsnapoutof
myt
houghts.

"
Sor
rybabe,
youwer
esay
ing?
"Iask,
giv
ingheral
lmyat
tent
ion.

"Imisshav
ingsex,orgasmsandallbutIdon'
twantmennearme,
"
shesaysandIlaugh.She'
sbluntl
i
ket hat
,afr
eespir
itf
orl
i
fe,I
wishIhadherball
s.

"Wecanst
opatasexshopandgety
ouacoupl
eofBob'
s,
"Isay
andshef
rowns.
"
What
'st
hat
?"That
'saf
ir
st.

Mv
eloknowsal
mostev
ery
thi
ng.

"
Batt
eryoper
atedboy
fri
end,
"Isayandshe'
sthr
owni
ntoaf
itof
l
aught
er.

"What!OhmyGodLemo.Doyouhav
eanyBob'
siny
ourcl
oset
?"I
shakemyheadnowit
hagri
nonmyf ace.

"No,y
ourbrotheri
senough,"shescreamsatthetopofherlungs,
causi
ngthetaxidr
iverandhispassengersdr
ivi
ngparal
l
eltoust o
l
ookdownonheropent opconverti
ble.

"
Ishegoodi
nbed?
"SheasksandIwi
denmyey
es.

"I
'
m nottel
l
ingyouthat
,Makhosi
niwoul
dfr
eak,
"Isayandshe
cl
ickshert
ongue.

"
Mxm,forr
efusi
ngt
otel
lmey
ou'
repay
ingf
orl
unch,
"ohwow,
just
wow.

"That
'sokay,yourbr
othersendsmemoneyInev
eraskf
or,
itwi
l
l
payforlunch.
"Sheglancesatme.

"
Youdon'
taskf
ormoney
?"Whyi
ssheshocked?

"No,
Idon'
tneedit
.I'
veal
wayswor kedandnowt hatIhavemydad
andmamaNomuzi I
'
mf i
nanci
all
ytakencareof
,"Iexplai
nandshe
l
etsgoofthest
arr
ingwheelandclapsonce.

"I
tcoul
dneverbeme,IhavemyownmoneybutIst i
l
l wanta
man'smoneybecausether
e'ssomethi
ngdiffer
entaboutit.You
needmytutor
ial
sbabe.Makhosinii
sloadedandhel ovesy ou,
spendhi
smoneyandhav efundoingit,
"ist
hisgir
lawarethatwe
ar
etal
ki
ngaboutherbr
otherher
e?

Iwant edtoeatatGol dReefCitybutMv el

ot oldmeshehad
reservedat ableatMar bl
einRosebank.Ihav en'tbeent here,I
honest l
ydon'tknowmanyoft hesefancyplaces.Myboy fr
iend
andIar eeasygoi ng,fr
om ourfir
stdatewewal kedoutofaf ive
starrestaurantbecausewef el
titwasstif
f.Wet rytofind
restaurantswithabalance.Myf ri
endsandMv eloont heot her
handar erichaunt's,
theylovetheseposhplacesandIj ustgo
becauset heywantt o.Thefoodisnotbadbutt heambi enceisn'
t
forme.

"
Wil
ltheyal
l
owusi
ntheseout
fi
ts?
"Iaskandshel
aughs.

"Fr
iend,st
opworryi
ng.You'
rewi
thMv
eloLukhel
e,
"shesay
s
cal
ml yandInod.

Wewalki nandshest
art
stal
ki
ngt
othi
slady
,theyseem wel
l
acquai
nted.

Thewomanwal
ksust
oourt
abl
ewhi
l
etal
ki
ngandl
aughi
ngwi
th
Mvel
o.

Ist
opinmyt r
ackswhenIspotmyboy
fri
endi
nasuit
,si
tt
ing
comfor
tabl
ywithawomanwhohasherbacktowar
dsme.

Thisi
sn'
thappeni
ng,
tear
sbur
nmyeyesi
mmedi at
ely
.Mv el
otur
ns
backtol
ookatmewhensheseest
hatI
'm nol
ongerfol
l
owbehind
her.
"Lemohang,
what'swrong?"Sheasksbutmyeyesarefi
xedonthe
tabl
ewhereherbrot
hersit
swi t
hanotherwoman,l
aughi
ngand
grabbi
ngherhand.

"OhFuckno!Whatthehel
lMakhosini,
"Mvelof
inal
l
yseeswhatI'
m
seei
ng.Shedoesn'
twastet
ime,she'sheadedt
owardsthei
rtabl
e.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Heyguy
s.Ihav
eacoupl
eofPDFsf
orsal
e.

Thehousewi
fe+Heal
i
ng=R150

Gi
rl
fr
iends=R50

Hear
tsandFl
ower
s=R100(
rel
easedat
eisMar
ch31st
)

Pleasecheckt
hepinnedpostabov
etogetmyaccountdet
ail
s
andothermethodsofpayment.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER79

LEMOHANGBHENGU

Ifol
lowbehi ndMv elowhol ooksli
keshe'sgoi ngt owar.Idon't
knowwhatshe' splanningondoingt oherbrotherbutIknowi t'
s
notgoingt obepr etty
,she'sadynami t
ethi
sone.Shest ops
behindthel adyandMakhosi nil
ooksupt of i
ndhi ssi
sterstarr
ing
downathi m.Hi sey esfindminebehindMv eloandhenar r
ows
them,hemustseehowemot ionalIam overfindi
nghim soov erl
y
fri
endl
yt owar dsanotherwoman.I fi
twasi nnocentandshewas
j
ustanot herbusinessassociatethenhewoul dn'tbesot ouchy,i
t'
s
unprofessional.

Makhosini
scoffsandleansbackonhischai
r,t
hecor
nersofhi
s
mouthcurluptoform abeauti
fulsmi
l
e,Iwoul
dadmirehi
s
handsomenessifIwasn'tsohurt
.

"Ahh,Mvel
o,Lemo.Idi
dn'
tknowyou'l
lbearoundRosebank
today,
"hesayscasual
l
yandthewomanhei swithtur
nstofaceus.
Ithi
nkI'
veseenthi
sfacebef
ore,
Ijustcan'
trememberfr
om where.

"
PleasecomecloserLemohang,
Iwantt
ointr
oduceyoutomy
wi
fetobe."Hesaysandmyheartdr
opsint
omyst omach.

"Makhosi
ni!DoyouwanttogiveLemohangaheartatt
ack?"Mvel
o
saystoherbrot
her.Iwantt
orunoutofthi
srest
aurant
,tosave
mysel
ffrom thehumi l
iat
ionbutIcan'
tseem tomovefrom wher
e
I
'
m standing."Baby,y
our emembermysi sterMv
elo.Thi
sisher
f
ri
endLemohang. "Howcouldhedot hi
st ome?

Af
teral
lthepr
omi
ses,
Makhosi
niknowswhatI
'
vebeent
hrough.

"Lemohe'sjust.
..
"Hiswi
fetobetr
iestoi
nter
jectbutMakhosi
ni
standsup,dist
urbi
ngherfr
om whatshewasaboutt osay
.

Hesl owlymakeshi swayt omeandst opsaf ewinchesinfr

ontof
me, thesmi l
ehehadonear l
i
erhasdisappeared,helookshurtand
disappointedbuthe'stheonecaughtwi t
hanotherwoman.Iam
theonewhohasev eryri
ghttobehurtanddisappointedbecauseI
thoughtwehadsomet hi
ngbutnowhe' sint
roduci
ngsomeone
elseashi swifet
obe.Whydi dn'
tMvelotell
me?Sheknowshow
i
t'sli
ketobepl ayed.

"
Didyouhonestl
ythi
nkIwascheat
ingony
ou?
"Heasksandnow
I
'
m confused.

Ifoundhim bei
ngov
erl
yfri
endl
ywit
hanot
herwomanandhe'
s
sayingt
histome?Oram Imissi
ngsomet
hing?

"Iam sodisappointedinyouLemohang.Ihavenev
ergiveny
ou
anyr easontothinkI'
ddothattoy
ou.Iloveyouwit
hallofmy
heartandIpr ovethatwit
heachpassi
ngday .I
fwedon'
thave
trustbetweenust henwhatarewedoingMaNgcolosi
?"myhear
t
i
st huddingagainstmychest.

"
Bythewaythi
sisNancy,myPAandav erygoodfr
iendofmine."
HesaysandIshutmyeyes.Iam embarr
assedtosaytheleast
,
Nancyi
shisworkwif
e,healwaysspeaksofherandthei
ramazing
fr
iendship.Whydi dIall
owmyselftobejeal
ousov ernothi
ng,
I
shouldhav eapproachedMakhosinil
i
keanadul tbefor
eIjumped
i
ntoconcl usi
ons.Nowmyboy fri
endlooksdisgustedbymy
behaviorandpossi bl
ybyme.

"
Nancy,pl
easecovert
hebi
l
landcallmelat
ertoreimbursey
ou.
"
Hesay
sandwal ksawaywi
thoutsay
inganotherwordtome.

"
Makhosi
ni,
"Mv
elocal
l
saf
terhi
m.

Idon'
tknowhowI '
m goingtol
ookathimint
heeye,
that'
sifhe
sti
l
lwantstoseeme.Ijustactedl
ikeani
mmatur
ebratandIdon'
t
bl
amehi mforbeendisappoi
ntedatme.

Itur
nbackandhe'sal
readyoutthedoor
,leav
ingmyheartheavy.I
wanttorunaft
erhi
m butapartofmewant stoleav
ehim besohe
cancooloff
,pl
uswhateverIsaytohi
mrightnowwi l
lj
ustsound
l
ikeanexcuse.

Mv elopl
acesahandonmyshoul dandpivottol
ookatherand
thenowst andi
ngNancywhohasahandonherchest .Shemust
bet hi
nkingwhatachi
l
dIam, ever
ythi
nggoodMakhosinimust
havet ol
dheraboutmeissur
elybeingdoubtedt
hisminut
e.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
"shehasabsol
utel
ynot
hingt
obesor
ryf
or.

"Pl
easeno,Iam t
heonewhoi
ssor
ry.Iam soembar
rassedGod,
"
sheshakesherhead.

"
Youdon'
tneedt
obe,
Iunder
standwher
eyouwer
ecomi
ngf
rom.
Iwould'
vepr
obablyj
umpedint
oconclusi
onmy sel
f,
"shei
ssweet.
Ifi
twasanotherwomanshewasgoingtolaughinmyfaceand
rubtheembarr
assmenti
n.

"Don'
tbebeatyour
sel
fup,Makhosi
nil
ovesyou.Hewi
l
lbeokayi
n
notime,
"NancysaysandIhopeshe'
sri
ght.

Idon'
twanttomessupt hebeauti
fulthi
ngIsharewiththatman.I
needtoremindmy selft
hatI'
m deal
ingwi t
hamanwhoknows
exact
lywhathewant sinli
fe,amanwhodoesnotbel i
evei nbeing
withmorethanonepar t
ner.Makhosinihassel
floveandr espect
andwhatIdidinsult
edthat.Idon'
tknowhowIwi l
lshowhi m my
si
ncerestapol
ogy.

"Doyoust
il
lwantt
oeatorshoul
dItakeyouhome?"Mveloasks
andall
Iwanti
storunaf
terMakhosi
niandworkonthi
sissue.

"I
'
llhavesomet
hingl
i
ghtt
hengohome,
"Isayandshegi
vesme
pi
tif
uleyes.

Ihat
ebeingpi
ti
ed,Icausedt
hissoIwil
ll
iv
ewithi
tunt
ilmy
boyf
ri
endhascalmeddownandr eadyt
otalkt
ome.

"Nancy
,areyoujoi
ningus?
"Mv
eloasksandt
hel
adyl
ooksatme
andshakesherhead.

"Idon'
twanttoimpose,"shemustthinkIhateherandwanther
outofmyf acebutIwrongedher.TheleastIcandoissi
tdown
withherandshowhert hatI
'm notabadperson,Ij
ustmadethe
wr
ongcal
l
.

"
Pleasej
oinus,
"Isayandherey
essof
ten.

Thet
wol
adi
esset
tl
edownandIt
akeadeepbr
eat
h.

"
Ineedthebat
hroom f
ir
st,
"IsayandMv
elopoi
ntsmet
owher
e
t
heyare.

Iquicklymakemywayandt hankGodwhenIf i
nditempt y
.Istand
i
nf r
ontoft hemi rr
orwithmyhandspl acedont hesink.Iam not
pressed, Ij
ustneededt obreatheal
oneforami nuteandgat her
myemot i
ons.Idon'thaveanymake-uponsoIqui ckl
ywashmy
facewi thcoldwat erandfeelcal
minstantl
y.Itakeoutmyphone
from thecr ossbodybagandt extMakhosiniquickl
y.

IAM SOSORRYLOVE

Her
espondsal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.

ITHOUGHTYOUKNEW MEBETTER.

Myhear tbr
eaksfurt
her.NowIdon'
tfeell
i
keeating,
Iwantto
fol
lowhimt ohi
shouse.Butwhatifhedoesn'
topenforme?Hi s
rej
ecti
onwouldstingsobad.Howdot hi
ngstakeaturnsoquickl
y?
Justyester
daywewer ehappyatourweekl
yWednesdaydate
night
.Thi
smorningbeforehi
ssi
sterpi
ckedmeupwespokeon
thephoneandsharedIlovey
ousandnowweareher
e,how?

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"No!Sat
ani
stest
ingmehere,"Isayaf
terhangi
ngupthephone.
EbukaandJoj
oexchangealookandIstartl
aughi
ng.

Icannotbeli
evethatheshowedupher
e,whoevengav
ehim my
address?Ishi
ftonthecouchandl
ookatJongi
khay
a,whoel
se
coulditbe?

"
Joj
o,"Isayandhenar
rowshi
sey
es.

"Whyareyoulooki
ngatmeliket
hat
?"HeasksandIwantt
opush
hisey
esintohisskul
landbl
i
ndhim.

"Youpromisedtor
espectmywishes,"Isaygetti
ngonmyf eet
.
Angerisbubbli
ngi
nmyst omach,Icouldhurthimrightnow.
Ebukaquickl
ycomesandpullsmebackasmycousi nstandsup
withconf
usionwri
tt
enallov
erhisface.He'splayi
ngdumbnow.

"Omal
ichacal
m downandt
ell
uswhat'
sgoingon,
"Myboyf
ri
end
sayswit
hbothhandsonmyshoul
der
s.Iheaveasi
ghandavoi
d
Jongi
khaya'
seyes.

"Thatwasthesecur
it
yatthegate,
"Ebukanodsf ormet ocontinue,
"Kholoi
sheretoseeme,"Isayandhecl oseshiseyes,myman
knowshowmuchIdespi sethatboy.IthoughtJoj
odi dtoobutI
guesshe'snowteam Khol
obecauset heyarebothaboutto
becomef
ather
s.

"Wait,y
out hinkIgavehimy ouraddress?Undi phi
leIwouldnever
dothat,"i
fitwasn'thi
mt henwho?"Ipr omisedtobackof ff
rom
thatmat t
erandIdi d,
Iwoul dneverdisrespectyouliket
hat.
"Ihear
him butwhoel secouldhav ehadcont actwithKholoandgav ehi
m
myaddr ess?Ev er
yoneknowshowhebr okeme, andhowmuchI
hatehim.Ev enmywor stenemieswoul dn'tbr
ingthatguyaround
me.

"
Youknowwhat,
I'
vehadenoughoft
hisKhol
oguy.Ineedt
ohav
e
awor
dwithhi
m."Ebukasay
swithaseri
oust
one.

JojoandIwat chhimt akehugest ri

destowar dst hedoor ,hi
s
shoulder
sarebr oadandhi schestispuffedout .Hewant stoget
tothegateanddomi nateoverKholo,Iam allfort hat.Thatsonof
abitchmustknowt hathecannotpl ayaroundme, hehast oli
ve
withtheconsequencesofwhathedi dtomet hatni ght
.ButIcan't
all
owEbukat ogoal one, Kholocaneasil
yprov okeaper sonandI
knowEbukawon' tmindget ti
ngdir
tytopr ot
ectmyhonorsoI
quickl
yrunbehindhi m withJojoonmyheel s.

He'sreal
lyher
e,withapr egnantgirl
,shel ooksli
keshe'saboutto
giv
ebi r
thanysecondnow.Whywoul dshet r
avelal
lthisway?Or
shewant stogi
vebi r
thinthestreets?Wi ththem ar
et woelder
menwhohav eblazerson,wowsohebr oughtKwazakhel ewit
h
hi
mt omyapartment.Theyar eallstandingnexttohisPolo
parkedinfr
ontofthegat e,t
heyhav en'tspotteduscomi ng
thr
ough.Ifor
gotmyaccesscardinsi
desothesecur
it
yguard
opensforusandonlyt
hendoesKholoturntof
indusapproachi
ng.
Heisrubbi
nghishandstoget
her,
he'sri
ghtt
obenervous.

"Howthehell
didyoufi
ndme?"Iaskthr
oughgr
it
tedteet
h.Iknow
Ebukawantedtohandl
ethi
sbutIcan'
thel
pmyself
.

"UndiWendy
,"hesay
sandangerj
ustt
akesov
ermywhol
eent
ir
e
system.

"
Don'
tyouev
ercal
lmet
hatagai
n!"Isaywaggi
ngaf
ingerathi
m.

Mymanhol
dsmyhandandst
epsi
nfr
ontofme.

"Oya,whati
sy ourprobl
em?Whymusty oubearoundtor
emind
Undiphi
leofthepainandhumili
ati
ony oucausedher
?"Heasks
cal
ml yandIcanseeKhol oswal
lowinghard.

"Iam nother
efort
hat,Iactual
l
ycamet oapol
ogi
zet
oherf
orwhat
Idid,
"hesaysandIchucklebehindEbuka.

"Shehasalreadyt
oldyouthatshedoesn'
twantyourapology
,"
Kholoshakeshishead,hi
seyesgli
stenswit
htears.Iwon'
tbe
mov edbycrocodi
letear
s.

"Undiphi
l
eplease, mychil
disgoi
ngtohav eseri
ouscomplicati
ons
i
fy oudon'tf
orgiv
eme.Yourancestorsareangryatmef orwhatI
did,i
fyoudon'tsincer
elyf
orgi
vemet henthei
rwrathwil
lbefallon
mybaby .Undiphi
lemydaughterisi
nnocentplease,
"hesay s
cryi
ngandIchor t
lenotbecausethi
sisfunny.

"
AndIwasn'
ti
nnocentr
ightKhol
o?"Iaskandheshakeshi
shead.
"
Youwer
e,youwerei
nnocentUndi
.Iwasy
oungandf
ooli
sh,I
want
edt
oimpressmyfri
endsandImadethewr
ongcal
l
,"-Khol
o.

"Youwer eal
lgrownatmygr andmother'
sfuneral
,whenyoucame
tomockmeandr emindmeofwhaty oudidtome.Iassumey ou
weren'tawar
et hatyourdaughter
'sl
i
f ewouldbeinmyhandst hen,
cozyouwoul dn'thavebeenanasshol e.
"Isayandhecloseshi
s
eyes,heknowsI 'mri
ght.

"Mychild,Iam Khol
o'sfat
herandthisishi
suncle.Pl
easehearus
out,
wecamet ohumbleoursel
vesbeforeyou,
tobegf ory
our
for
giveness,"t
histi
meJongikhayalaughs.

"Di
dy ouevercomet ohumbleyoursel
vesbefor
emygr andmother
andUndiphil
eaf t
erwhatyoursondid?Iwonderifyouev ensat
him downandt ol
dhim whathedidwaswr ong,
"-Jojo.

"Pl
easeleaveUndiphil
ealone,l
iv
ewi ththeconsequencesofyour
acti
ons.Got othosethatwerehail
ingyoufort hehumili
ati
onyou
putherthrough.Tel
lthem t
ohelpy ourbaby,thisisal
lonyouso
fi
xityoursel
f,
"Ebukasay sandplacesahandont hesmal l
ofmy
backthendirectsmet owardst
hegat e.ButIstil
lneedone
questi
onanswer ed.

"
Whogav
eyoumyaddr
essKhol
o?"Iaskwi
thaqui
ver
ingl
owerl
i
p.

"Myf at
herwenttotalktoyouraunt
sandtheygav
ehimthe
address,
"ohwow, justwow.ZenandeandLumkaaresomethi
ng
else,whywouldtheysendthesepeoplemyway?Theyknewhow
PeachesfeltaboutKholoandtheytoohat
edhim,sowhyhel
phim
allofasudden?
"Undiphi
leplease.Iam awomanandIcanf eelyourpai
n, al
lIask
i
st hatyout r
yandf eelminetoo.Mychil
disinnocent
,Ialsodidn'
t
haveani deaofwhatKhol odiduntilt
hesangomat ol
dus.
Please..
.Ibegyoutot akethi
slif
eI'
vebeencarryi
nginto
considerati
on,pl
ease."Thegirlsay
sonherknees.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER80

LEMOHANGBHENGU

Hef inall
yaskedmet ocomet ohishousesowecant al
k,thati
s
afterawhol eweekofonlycommuni cat
ingvi
at extmessages.I
won' tli
eithasbeenhecti
c,apartofmewasal readyaccepting
thepossi bil
i
tyofusbeingoverbutanot
herpartofmewasr eady
tof i
ghtlikehell
.Makhosi
nii
snott het
ypeofper sonyouletgo,hi
s
typei srareandwhenGodbl essesyouwit
hsuchasoul youhold
onandcher ishi
t.

I'
vehadt hetimetoengagei naconv ersat
ionwithmy sel
f,I
repri
mandedmy selfandpromi sedtodeal wit
hmyj eal
ousy.It
cannotbet hereasonwhyIl ooset hisman, Ir
efuset ol
etthis
goodt hi
ngsl i
pthroughmyf ingers.It
'snotgoingtobeeasybutI
will
alway sremindmy sel
fofwhatanhonestmanMakhosi nii
s
andbel i
evethathewoul dnev erhurtmeonpur pose.

Ipressthei ntercom atthegateandheanswersalmost

i
mmedi ately,oncehehear sthati
t'
smet hegatesl
idesopenandI
walkintot hey ard.Iam nerv
ousashell,I
'
m notsurehowt his
conversationi sgoingtogobutI '
m goi
ngtokeepmyemot ionsi
n
check.Listent oev ery
thi
nghehast osaythenacknowledgemy
partinhowt hingshav ebeenthi
sentir
eweek.
Ifi
ndhiminhishomeof fi
ce, heisbusyatt hecor
nerwor kst at
ion,
amakeshiftjewelryfact
ory.It houghthewasdonewi ththe
i
mportantorderstheyhadbef orethefir
e.Speaki
ngoft hef i
re,
Mabuthotri
edpleadinginsani tytododgepr i
sonforeverythi
nghe
hasdonebutt hepsychologistsawr ightthr
oughhim.Thatsonof
agunisgoingawayf orthelongestt imeandt her
e'snothinghe
candoabouti t
.

"
Hey
,"myv
oicecomesoutgr
oggy
.

Het
urnst
olookatmeandnodssl
i
ght
ly.

"MaNgcolosisawubona,
"hedoesn'tsoundli
kemyboyfr
iend,
he'
s
notevenacti
nglikehim.ImeanmyMakhosi niwoul
dbenibbl
ing
myearrightnow, gr
abbi
ngmybut tandjustbei
ngsi
ll
ywithme.I
misshim,God!

"Whatareyoubusywit
h?"Iask,
hopi ngtobreakthei
ce.We'v
e
neverbeenawkward,
eventhemor ninghewokeupi nmyflat
wasn'tsofl
atandwewerecompl etestr
angersthen.

"Anengagementri
ng,
"heanswer
spl
ainl
y,cl
osi
nghi
slapt
opand
putt
ingawaytheequi
pmenthewasbusywit
h.

"Ior
deredpi
zza,
yourfav
ori
tef
lav
or.I
t'
sint
heki
tchen,
"hesay
s
sani
tizi
nghi
shands.

Atl
eastheor
der
edmyfavori
tethi
ng,
sur el
ythatmeanshewants
ustofi
xthi
ngsandgobacktohowthingswere.Oram Ir
eachi
ng?
Wewal koutoftheoffi
ce,headedt othekitchenfort
hefood.I
haven'
tbeeneatingproperl
y,myst epmot herevennoti
cedand
tr
iedtofi
ndoutwhat '
swr ong,butIcan'tbetell
i
ngmyf amil
ythe
probl
emsIhav ewithMakhosini.Ibrusheditoffandgaveasil
ly
excusethatgotherof
fmycase.

Theboxofpizzai
sontheki
tcheni
sland,
itsmell
spr
et t
ygood.I
t
musthavebeendeli
ver
edafewminutesbefor
eIarr
ived.

Ipul
loutt
hebarst
oolandsett
ledownbef
oreopeni
ngt
heboxof
pi
zzaandtaki
ngoutasli
ce.

Makhosini isl
eaningagai
nstthewal lwi
thhishandsbur ieddeep
i
nt hepocket sofhissweat
pants.Iloveseeinghim barefootand
l
aidback, Iwouldappreci
atehisperfect
ionifwedidn'tneedt o
discusstheobv i
ous.Heheavesadeepsi ghandwal ksfurtheri
nto
theroom, thensettl
esdownacr ossmeandr est
shisar msont he
counter.

"
Iam notacheat
er,
"Hesay
sandInodv
igor
ousl
y.

"IknowbabyandIam sosor
ryt
hatIt
houghty
ouwer e,"Iqui
ckl
y
chipinbuthehol
dsouthi
shandtost
opmef r
om t
alking.

"
LetmefinishLemohang,
"Icl
osemyeyesandt akeadeepbreat
h.
"
Ihavedealtwit
hawomanwhoal waysthoughtIwascheat
ing,
I
'
m notdoingitagai
n.Iwi
l
lnotbeaf
rai
dt otal
ktootherwomen
becauseyouwi llthi
nkIam cheat i
ng.Igett hattheishealt
hy
j
ealousyandI '
vet ol
dy ouhowcut ey ouarewheny oudon'twant
anyoneoglingy ourman, kodwaIwon' tstandbei ngaccused.You
knowmeLemohang, Irespectmyself,
Irespecty ouandour
rel
ati
onship.Iwi l
lmakemi st
akesbecauseIam onl yhumanbut
onethingIwillnotdoi scheat,IneverhaveandInev erwil
l.I
fIam
nolongerhappywi t
hwhatwehav eIwouldr atherl
eavethe
rel
ati
onshipthant ostartbeingbusywi t
hot herpeople."

HesaysandIam embarr
assed,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
ereact
edt
hatway
uponseei
nghi
m withNancyatt
herest
aur
ant.

"Iam si
ncerel
ysorryf
orwhathappened.Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
o
saybutI'
mr eal
lysorr
ymylove,
"Isaythenswall
owpastthe
uncomfortabl
edrylumpinmythroat.

"
Ilov
eyou,"howI'
vemissedhear
ingthosewords.Iknowt
hings
won'
tberoseyri
ghtawaybutwewill
wor kt
hroughit.

"Il
ovey
outoo,
"heoff
ersmeashysmil
eandlooksawaybl
ushi
ng.
MaNgobesehasaver
yhandsomeson,
Ihopemyson'sl
ookli
ke
him.

"Nancyinvit
edust odinnertomorrownight,
ItoldherI'daskyou
fi
rstandgetbackt oher ,
"poorwomanpr obablywant stoprove
thatthere'
snothi
ngbet weenherandMakhosi ni.Ineedtogether
somef lowersandapol ogizesi
ncerel
y.I
'
mt heonewhoshoul dbe
goingalloutinshowingt hebothofthem t
hatI'
m sorry.

"
I'
dlov
etogo,
"hechuckl
es,
noddi
nghi
shead.

"
That
'sgoi
ngt
oexci
teher
,sher
eal
l
yli
kesy
ou.
"she'
sabet
ter
person.Iappreciat
ethatshe'
snothol
dingont
othe
misunderstanding.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

"Si
nceyouandt heboyaren'
ttoget
hert
hatmeanst
hechil
dwil
lbe
aNkovani,
"tat
anasaysandIshakemyhead.Mhanial
readyt
old
himthi
s,whyishebr i
ngi
ngitupagain?

"Tat
ana,Jojowantstocomeandpayt hedamages.Thatmeans
thechil
dwillbeaSisulu,"Isayandhepresseshisli
psintoathi
n
l
ine.Icantel
l t
hatheisagai nstt
hisbuthe'
snottryi
ngtorubme
thewrongway .Wear etryingtomendourr el
ati
onshi
p,fort
he
baby'
ssakeandofcour semypeaceofmi nd.

"AsmuchasIhat ethisIwil
lall
owit."hesay sandIment all
yroll
myey es."
hopefull
yt hebothofyouwi ll
fixthingssothebabyi sn'
t
j
usttheonl yoneusi nghissurname.Iwantst abi
li
tyforyou
Amukel ani,
thatincl
udesbei ngwiththefatherofy ourchil
d,even
thoughhe'snotmyf av or
it
eperson,"headdsandIt akeadeep
breath.

Thinki
ngaboutJojothesedaysf r
eezesmyinsidesandmakesmy
heartr
ace.If
eelli
kehei spul
li
ngawayf rom me,thest
untIpull
ed
wit
hTshedzaatthemal ldefi
nitel
yworkedagainstme.Yes,he
wentdownonhi skneesandaskedf orforgi
venessbutoncethat
wasdonehechangedcompl etely
.Nowadayswhenhecal l
she
onlyasksaboutthebaby,andwhenItellhi
m mycr avi
ngshehas
them deli
ver
edrathert
hanbringi
ngthem hi
msel f
.I'
m scaredt
hat
hemi ghtbedonechasingaft
ermeandbeggi ngmet ot akehi
m
back,yesIsti
ll
loveJongi
khayaandIwantust obeaf ami l
ywit
h
ourchil
dbutIdon'tknowifIwill
evert
rusthim agai
n.

"Okayguys,Iam out
,"mymot hersayswal
ki
ngint
othelounge.
Thegirl
looksamazing,she'
sdefini
tel
ygoi
ngtohypnot
izeher
date.

"
Yeshoney
,sl
ayus!
"Isaysnappi
ngmyf
inger
sandshet
it
ter
s.

"WowPr ett
y,y
oul ookuhm...
breat
htaki
ng,
"myf athersaysand
shi
ft
suncomf ortablyont
hecouch.Mhani knockedhimf orsi
x,he
mustregreteverplayi
ngsuchaf i
needucatedblackqueen.

"Well
thankyouAkani
,
"shesay
swit
hamischi
evousgr
in,
"Wi l
lyou
beabletost
ickar
oundwit
hAmukel
ani
unti
lIcomeback?"she
asksandIshakemyheadno.

"
No,Iwi
l
lbef
ineal
onemom,
"Isayandshenar
rowsherey
esat
me.

"Pr
omiseyou'
l
lcal
li
fany
thi
nghappens,
I'
ll
rushbackhome,
"Oh
dearGod.

Mymotherhasbeentreati
ngmel i
keaninval
id,
shefussesov
er
meandpanicsoverl
it
tlethings.Justy
ester
dayshewantedto
dr
ivemetothegynecologistbecauseIwasconsti
pat
ed.

"
Wher
ear
eyouof
ftol
ooki
ngsobeaut
if
ul?
"Tat
anaasksandI
smil
e.Iwanttoseehi
m diesl
owlyashehear
sthatmymot
heri
s
of
fi
cial
lybackint
hedati
ngscene.

"Ohshehasahotdat ewithsomet ycooni ntheconstr

uction
i
ndustry
,"Iansweronbehalfofmymot herandmyf atherchokes
onhissali
va.Hestart
scoughingviolentl
y,hi
sonehandpl aced
fl
atoverhischestwhi
letheotheri
sf ormedintoaf i
standplaced
overhi
smout h.Ismil
elookingatmymot herandsher ol
lsher
eyesatmyspi ci
ness.

"Akani
,ar
ey ouokay
?Shoul
dIbr
ingy
ouagl
assofwat
er?
"she
shouldbeenjoy
ingt
hismoment
.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Thishasbeenachal lengingweekf orme.Iev enhadt odeactiv

ate
mysoci al mediaaccount sbecausepeopl ewer efl
oodingmyDMs.
Wel lKholodeci dedtomakeav i
deoconf essingt owhathedi dto
met henpost editonlineandi twentv i
ral.Somepeopl ewere
askingt hatIforgiv
ehi mf orallhedi dt omef ort hesakeofthe
child,whileothersaskedt hatIdon'tgi vehimt hetimeofdayso
hecanl ear nhislessont hehar dway .Ireceivedmessagest hat
tol
dmet hatIdeservedwhathappenedt omebecauseaccor di
ng
tothem Ihadnobusi nesshav ingaboy friendandget t
ingdr
unkat
thatage.Ij ustwantedt ogetov erthiswhol ethingsoIdecidedt o
forgiveKhol osohecanl eav emeal one.Ebukasay sI
'm doi
ngt he
ri
ghtt hi
ngbecauseangerandhat eonl ytakesawaymypeace.
"
Itol
dhi
sel
derst
hatwewantfi
veli
vecows,t
hreef
emalesand
t
womalespl
usagoat.
"Tamkhul
u,oneoft
heSisul
uel
derssays.

"Dower eal
l
yneedthose?Idon'
twantany
thi
ngfrom t
hem,al
lI
wantistoputt
hiswholethi
ngbehi
ndme."Isayandheshakes
hishead.

"Theirboywr ongedyouanddi
srespect
edt heSisul
uname.He
can'tjustaskforfor
giv
enesswi
thoutpayingforthedamages,
"He
explainsandIlookatJojowhoisnoddinghisheadinagreement
.

"
Whatwill
happenwi
tht
heani
mal
s?"AuntZenandeasksandI
wantt
olaugh.

She'sal
readyl
ookingtobetheonewhotakesthecowssoshe
cansellt
hem andenjoythemoney.Myauntswil
lneverchange.
WhenJoj oandIdecidedtocomehomewebot hdreadedseeing
thesetwoparasi
tesbutwehadtocomeanddeal withthi
swhole
drama.

"Thegoatwil
lbeusedtoappeasetheancest
ors.Thecows
belongt
oUndiphil
e,shewil
ldeci
dewhattodowi t
hthem,"
Tamkhulusaystothetoenai
lofsatan.

"Mysist
erandIdon'
tgetanyt
hing?Ourmot
herwashumi
l
iat
ed
becauseofUndi
phil
e,
"herewegoagain.

Sher
eal
l
yneedst
ogi
veupt
hatcar
d.

"Youj
ustcan'
thel
pyour
self
,it
'sdi
sgust
ing,
"Jongi
khay
asay
s
annoy
edandIdecidet
oclaponce.
"
Whodoy outhi
nkyou'
ret
alki
ngto?
"Zenandeasksget
ti
ngonher
f
eetandJoj
ojol
tsupalmostatt
hesametime,l
ooki
ngmurder
ers.

"I
'
mt alki
ngtoyou.Iam upt oherewit
hyout hi
nki
ngy oucanbul
ly
Undiphil
eandI.Zenandewear enotthecauseofy ourpr
obl
ems,"
hesay swaggi
ngaf ingeratherandItot
all
yunderstandwhyhe
snapped.

"Doy ouseehimt amkhulu?Hewant stohitmei nfrontofyou.

Joj
ohasabsol utelynorespect,
"shestart
scryingandIwantt o
burstoutlaughing.Shewasn' texpect
ingthatoutburstf
rom Joj
o
butithasbeenal ongti
mecomi ng.

"Zenande,youandLumkaal wayspoket hesechi

ldr
en,thei
r
reacti
onisjust
ifi
ed.We'vetri
edtalkingtoyouaboutyouratt
it
ude
towardsthem butnothingchanges, Iwon'
trepr
imandJongikhay
a
forstandi
ngupagai nstyourabuse,"Iwanttogivet
hismana
standingovati
on.

Wewat chZenandeangri
lywal
kingoutoft
heroom,mumbl
i
ng
t
hingsunderherbreat
h.Shecangojumpforall
Icar
e.

Tamkhuluclear
shist hr
oat,"
Theboy sfamilywi
ll
bringwhatwe
askedforduri
ngtheweek, youwi l
lhavetocomebackthenforthe
ceremonywear egoingtoper f
orm,"Yoh!Ebukai
snotgoingtobe
happyaboutthi
s,he'
sal r
eadybr eat
hingthr
oughthewound
becauseIlef
thim al
onef ortheweekend.

"Di
dtheygiveaspeci
fi
cday?Iwon'
tbeabl
etot
rav
elback
Tamkhulu,
"heheavesasi
gh.

"
Theysai
dTuesdaynont
ombi
,
"at
leastt
hat
'snotf
ar,
Icanst
ay
unt
ilTuesdayandcat
chal
atef
li
ghtbackt
oJohannesbur
g.

"Iwi
llstayunt
ilthen,
"Tuesdayf
eel
sli
keadecadeaway
.Myaunt
s
aregoingtounleashthei
rworston
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER81

SPONSOREDBYANONYMOUS

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Iam parkedoutsi
deofherhousewai t
ingforhersowecanmake
ourwayt oNancy'shouseforthedinnersheinvi
tedusto.
Lemohangl ef
tmyhouseear li
ertodayt ocomeandgetr eady,I
thi
nkthet i
mehascomef orhertohavespacei nmycloset.Yes,
shehasaf ewt hi
ngsatmyhousebuti t'
sjustr
andom i
tems, she
needsfullout
fi
tsfordaysli
ketoday.

Thegateslidesopenabitandshewalksoutcarr
yingherhandbag
andanov erni
ghtbag.Sheopensthebackseatandthrowsinthe
over
nightleatherbagbef
oresl
idi
nginnextt
ome.

"
Heybabe,
"shel
eansi
nandweshar
eaki
ss.

"Heylov
e,youlookbeaut
if
ul,
"Isayandshesmil
essweet
lyatme.
Iwil
lnevergetusedt
ohowef for
tl
essl
ybeaut
if
ulshei
s.

"Thankyou,
"Ituckaloosestrandofhai
rbehi
ndherear.She's
wearingaweav e,
I'
my ettogetusedtoherwi
thlonghairl
ikethi
s.
Iam obsessedwithherinbrai
dsbutweavessti
l
l l
ookgoodonher .

"
Howi
syourdad?
"Iaskandsheheav
esasi
gh.

"
It
'sget
ti
nghar
derbyt
hedaybabe,
hespendsmostt
imes
sl
eeping.Ifeell
i
kewear esel
fi
shforalwayspray
ingtoGodto
keephiml onger
,heissuff
eri
ngMakhosini,
"Iqui
ckl
yclaspher
handandsqueeze.Iknowwhatshemeans, monthsagoGlen
wasn'tdoi
ngt oogood,hewasreadytodiebutheheldonfor
Lemohang.Hehel donsoshecouldhav esometimewi t
hhim and
gettoknowherf at
herbett
er.

"Iam grat
eful f
orthet i
meI '
m hav i
ngwi t
hhi m,itwillneverbe
enoughbutat leastIgottobeadaddy '
sgirl
.Iexperiencedhi slove
eventhoughhef eelsli
keit'
snotenoughI '
m sti
llgrateful
,"Inod
i
mper cepti
blyandshecont inues,"Thi
safternoonaswesnuggl ed
i
nbedIhear dhi m struggli
ngt obreathewithoutanoxy genmask
andmyhear tbroke.Beingal i
veistortur
ousf orhim, It
oldGod
thati
t'
sokayi fhet akeshim now. "Ohmypoorbaby ,nowIwi sh
wedidn'thav ethisdinnersowecoul dgohomeandj ustcuddl e,
Nancywoul dunder standright?

"
Baby,Icancal
lNancyandtel
lherwecannotcomet hr
ough.Iwi
l
l
makeituptoherandherhusband,
"sheshakesherheadwit
ha
weaksmileonherface.

"Iwantedtocal
lear
li
erandaskt hatwepost ponebutmyf ather
almostbitmyheadoff.Hewoul dn'
thearanyofi t
,heli
ter
all
ytold
menott owasteaSaturdaynightwit
haf rai
loldmanwhenIcan
haveagoodt i
mewi t
hmypr incecharming,"Ichuckl
e,t
hatsounds
l
ikeGlenforsur
e.

"Okaymylove,l
et'
sgothen.
"Istar
ttheengi
neoft
heUr
usand
dri
veoff
,leav
ingherpar
entshousebehind.
Wegett oNancy'
shouseandIcanseet hatmygi rlf
riendis
nerv
ous, shehasnor easont othough.Nancyunder st oodwhere
Lemohangcamef rom, shesay sshewoul dhavet houghtt he
samet hingifshehadf oundherhusbandt hatfri
endl ywi t
h
anotherwomani npubl ic.Sheal sounderstandswhyIact edthe
wayIdi d,Nombuleloaccusedmeofcheat ingsomanyt imesthat
shest artedabusingmebecauseofheri nsecurit
ies.SowhenI
sawt hatmywomanwast hinkingthatI
'm withanot herwoman
behi
ndherbackIj ustgotdef ensiveandputupmyguar d.

Itakeherhandandwewal ktowardsthedoorhandi nhand,t

wo
oftheirbi
gdogscomer unni
ngtowardsusandMaNgcol osi
quickl
yhidesbehindme.Iam thrownintoafitoflaughterbyher
reacti
on,Iwouldneverall
owharmt ocomeherway .Nancy'
sgiant
dogsdon'tbit
e, t
heyaretwolazyoldmen.Igentlyshoot hem
awayandl i
ket hegoodtrai
neddogsthattheyaret heyli
stenand
walkawayf r
om mygi rl
fri
endandI.ThedooropensandNancy
appearswearinganapron.

"OhmyGod.I'm sosorr
yLemohang,Idi
dn'
tknowyoudon'tl
i
ke
dogs.Iwoul
dhav ecl
osedthem i
ntheshedout
back,
"Nancysay
s
apol
ogeti
cal
ly.

"Ohplease,
it'
sokay
.Makhosi
nisav
edt
heday
,"Lemohangsay
s
nerv
ously.

Hereyeskeepgoi
ngt
owher
ethedogsar
ely
ingdownwi
tht
hei
r
t
onguesstuckout
.
"Theydon'
tbi
temylov
e,y
oucanr
elaxpl
usI
'
m her
eokay
?"She
nodswithasmil
e.

"Wit
hthatoutoft
heway,
welcomet
omyhumbleabode,
"Nancy
opensherarmsformywomanandt
heyshar
eawarm hug.

Wewal kinsi
dethehouseandit'
ssil
ent,t
hekidsaredefi
nit
elynot
home.Nancywoul dbescreamingastheyrunaroundthi
sentir
e
house.Sheexplai
nsthatt
heytookthem tohermotherbecause
shewantst ohaveanamazingadult
sonlyeveni
ng.Iloveherkids
butthosetwolit
tl
eboysarerascal
s,yourepr
imandthem fr
om
thi
sandt heyfi
ndsomethi
ngelsetodo.

"
AhhhMakhosini
,
"Lerat
o,herhusbandsay
swal
ki
ngi
ntot
he
l
oungef
rom t
hegarden.

"
Mfowet
hu,
howi
sev
ery
thi
ng?
"Iask,
shaki
nghi
shand.

"Howl ongunti
lyouopenshop?Yourworkwifei
sdri
vi
ngme
i
nsane, "HesaysandNancygentlyhi
tshi
sarm.Mygir
lf
ri
endandI
arethrownintoafitofl
aught
er.Theyar
esuchaneasygoi
ng
couple.

"Thei
nsurancecompanyistry
ingt
opushthework,
I'
m sur
eI'
ll
haveheroffyourhandssoon,
"henodswi
thagri
nbeforel
ooki
ng
atmygirl
fri
end.

"Leratothi
sismybeauti
fulgi
rl
fri
end,
Lemohang.Babe,thi
sis
Lerato,Nancy'
shusbandandalsomyf r
iend,
"Ii
ntr
oducethem and
Lemohangholdsoutherhandt
oLer
atoandt
heyshakeand
exchangepl
easant
ri
es.

Nancyhasdr aggedmygi r
lfr
iendt othekitchent ofindher
somet hi
ngtodrinkaswewai tf orthemeatt of i
nishcooking.
LeratoandIhavechill
edmanyt imesbefor e,wenor mallyhave
cognacandt oni
ghtisn'tanydi ff
erent.Hehadev erythi
ngsetup
forusbutcouldn'tdothesamef orthegi
rlsbecausehewasn' t
surewhatmywomandr i
nks.Nancygott hatcov eredbecauseshe
stocksalcoholl
ikeareseller
, Lemohangwi ll
findsomet hingshe
l
ikes.

"Iam gl
adyouandyourwomanar
eokay
.Mywi
fewaswor
ri
ed,
"
Lerat
osaysandsipshi
sdri
nk.

Ihuffoutasi
gh,
"Nancyal
waysworr
iesbutI'
m al
sogl
adthatwe
arecoolnow,
"henodsandwecl
ickourglassest
oget
her
.

"
Iknowhowimpor
tanty
ouar
etoNancyandv
icev
ersa,
"Inod
wi
thasmil
e.

Ithi
nkit'
ssafetosayt hatNancyMol oii
smybestf ri
endand
si
ster."
AllIaski
sthaty oudon'tbetoohardonLemohang.Iknow
Nombul el
oaccusedy ouofcheatingwi t
hmywi fesomanyt imes,
butrememberLemohangi sn'
tthatv i
l
ewoman.She' snewt othis,
sheisyettounderstandthedynami csbetweenyouandmywi fe.
Rememberi twasn'teasyonmei nthebeginni
ngbutwithtimeI
fl
owedwi thyouguy sandwe'veallbeenclosefri
endssince,gi
ve
herti
met ogetcomf ortable,
"Itakeagulpofmydrink,"Onemor e
thi
ngMakhosi ni,al
l
owLemohangt omakeherownmi st akes,
don'
treferencehershor t
comi ngstowhatNombulelodid.I'
m sur
e
youwoul dn'
twantt obepuni shedforwhatt
hatpsychoex
boyfr
iendofher sdid,"Leratoisonehundredper
centright.

Youwonderhowheknowsal lofthi
s?Nancyshar
essomethings
wit
hhim,Idon'tmindbecausetheyventt
omeandi t
'seasi
erto
advi
sethem becauseIal
readyknowwhateachwantsthe
out
comet obe.

"Thankyouf orsayingthi
s,
"henodsandthegi
rl
swalkbacki
nto
theloungelaughing.Lemohangisnowcomfor
tabl
eandnota
nervouswreckshewaswhenwear r
ived.

JONGI
KHAYASI
SULU

Iam happytobebacki nJohannesbur

g,homeisnotwhatitused
tobesincePeachesdied.Myaunt'sar
ealwaysonawarpat h,
theyfi
ghtforev
eryt
hing,f
rom housestocows.Ihonest
lydon'
t
underst
andthosetwowomenbutI '
m donewalki
ngoneggshells
aroundthem.

Thismor ni
ngtheywantedt odisr
upttheceremonytoappeasethe
ancestorsbecausetheyfel
ttheyhadev er
yrightt
obet heonest
o
takethecowsKhol o'
sfamilypaidindamages.Isnappedandtold
them thatI
'l
lhavethem t
hrownoutoft hathousebecauseit
belongstome.Theycoul dn'
tbeli
evethatPeacheschangedthe
ti
tledeedwi thoutinfor
mi ngthem.Theyalsot hreatenedto
cont acttheirlawyersandf i
ghtmef ortheirparentspropert
iesand
allthemoneyt hei
rmot herlef
tus.Theirbarkiswor sethanthei
r
bite,theydon' tscaremeatal l.ThereasonIhav ebeenal l
owing
them t otreatusl i
kedogsi sbecauseIwast aughtthatyou
respecty ourel der
sbutsomeel dersdeservenot hi
ng.

"
OhJoj o,
anydaynowy ou'l
lgetacallfrom aguynamedShaka
Ndaba.Heisagoodf r
iendofmi newhoownsanaccount ingfir
m
i
nMi dr
and.Thecompanyi scal
ledEv eryt
hingAccounti
ng,google
t
hem soy oucanhaveanideaofwhatt heyareabout,
"Ebukasay s
t
omeandIshi f
tint
hebackseat, l
ookingattherevi
ewmi rror
.

"
Arey
ouser
ious?
"Iaskandhechuckl
es.

"Goworkforyourbabyman,"Icannotbel
i
evethi
s.Whenhesaid
he'
llmakeafewcallsIt
houghthe'dsecur
eint
ervi
ewsforme,not
theact
ualj
ob.

"
Justl
iket
hat
?"Iaskandhel
ooksatmet
hrought
her
evi
ew
mir
ror
.

"Yes,butaper
manentcont r
actwil
lcomebasedonyour
perfor
mance.Heagreedt ostar
tyouonasixmonthscontr
act
,"I
haveababycomi ngsoon,Iwill
workmyassof ft
ogetthat
permanentposi
ti
on.Ijustneededtogetmyfeeti
nit
.

"Thanky
ousomuchEbuka,
"Ineedt
odosomethingf
orthi
sguy
toshowmyappr
eci
ati
on.Hehasbeent
aki
ngcareofmysister
andwantst
omakeanhonestwomanoutofherandnowhei s
comi
ngt
hroughf
orme.

"
Don'tment
ioni
tbro,
"mydaywentfr
om azer
otoonehundr
ed
r
ealqui
ck.NowIonlyhav
etost
artl
ooki
ngforapl
acet
ostay.

Wegett otheapar t
mentandIt ellthem thattheycanjustdropme
offatthegat e,
I'l
lmakemywayi nside.Undiphil
eisti
red,Ebuka
shouldt akeherhomeandal lowhersomer est
.Thispastweek
hasbeenemot ionall
yandment all
ydraini
ngf orher.Weallknow
Kholo'sapol ogyisn'tsincer
e,hejustdiditbecausehe'sdesper ate
forhischi l
dswel lbeing.Butatl
eastthoset hatwerepersecuti
ng
mysi sternowknowt hewholetruthofwhathappenedt hatf
ateful
night
.

Imakeat ur
natbl ockC, theonet hatishousi
ngt heapartmentI
stayin.Myhear talmostst opswhenIseeAmukel ani'
scarparked
nexttomi ne,Iwasn'texpect i
ngtoseeher .Wespokeont he
phoneandIt oldherI '
l
l becomi nghomet oday,shedi dn'
tment i
on
want i
ngtoseeme.Ihopeev er
ythingisokaywitht hebaby,t
hat's
ouronlyfocusnow.Amukel animadei tcl
earthatshewant s
nothingtodowi thmeandasmuchast hathurt
sIdon' thavea
choicebuttoaccepti t.Imademyt hor
nybedandnowIhav etolie
i
ni t
.

Isl
owlymakemywayt otheparkedcar
,Icannotseeifthere'
s
anyonei
nsi
debecauseherwindowsareheavi
lyti
nted.BeforeI
evenreachthecarthedriver'
sdooropensandshest epsout .Amu
hasgainedsomuchwei ghtbutthat'
sokaybecauseshe'sbaki ng
themostimportantpersoninmyl if
e.Iwil
lfor
everbegratefulto
herformakingmeaf ather,anyothergi
rlwouldhaveaborted
becauseoftheissueswewer ehavi
ng,butshedecidedtobr i
ng
thi
sbabyintotheworlddespitethepainIcausedher.She'sone
hell
ofastrongwoman.

"
Hey
,"Igr
eether
,pl
aci
ngmyspor
tsbagont
hegr
ound.

She'
sfi
ddl
i
ngwi
thherdr
ess,
"hey
,howwasy
ourf
li
ght
?"Sheasks.

"I
twasf i
nehey.I
severyt
hingokay?Isthebabyfi
ne?"Iask
l
ookingatherbel
ly.I
t'
snotyetbigbutonecantel
lthatshe'
s
pregnant
.

"Thebabyi
sokay
,everyt
hingi
sgood.
"Shecar
esseshert
iny
bumpandIsighi
nreli
ef.

"
Whatbri
ngsyouhere?Di
dyouwanttoseeUndi
phi
l
e?Shel
eft
wi
thEbuka,
"shegi
vesmeanervoussmil
e.

"
NoJoj
o,Icamet
oseey
ou,
"

"
Uhm okay
?"Shet
akesadeepbr
eat
handswal
l
owshar
d.

Whyi
sshesoner
vous?

Shelooksaroundbef
orespeaking,
"uhm,beingpregnanthasme
deal
ingwit
hal otoft
hings.
"Shesaysandchuckles,"noonetol
d
meI'dbeahor nymess,"myeyeswiden.Iwasn'
texpecti
ngthatat
al
l.
"
I'
m sor
ryt
oheart
hat
,"sher
aisesaney
ebr
ow.

"That'
sal
l youhavetosay
?"Sheasksangr
il
yandInar
rowmy
eyes.I
'm confused,
wasIsupposedt
osaysomethi
nginpar
ti
cul
ar?

"Whatdoyouwantmet
osay
?"Iask,
bur
yingmyhandsi
nmy
pocket
s.

"Ishoul
dn'
thavecomehere,
"shesay
s,tur
ningtoopent
hedoorof
hercarbutIqui
ckl
ytakemyhandsoutofthepocket
sandpul
lher
backbyherarm.

"Amu!Talkt
ome, Ican'
tready ourmind.I
fy ouwantmet oknow
somethi
ngyouhav etousey ourwords.Co-parenti
ngisonl
ygoing
toworkifwetal
ktoeachot heropenlyandcl ear
ly,
"Isaysof
tl
y.

"MustIspel
li
toutfory
ou? "WhyisshesoangryGod."Iam hor
ny
Jojo,
youaretheonewhomademepr egnantsoIexpectt
hatyou
takecar
eofit,
"myheartskipsabit
.

"Youwantt
osleepwit
hme?Ithoughty
oudi
dn'
twantany
thi
ngt
o
dowithme,
"sherol
lsherey
es.

"JesusJongikhaya,Can'
tyousee?Ar eyoubli
ndtothefactt
hatI
am inlovewithyou?Iam justhurt
,whatyoudidbrokeme.Idon't
knowi fIwil
leverbeabletotrustyouagai
nbutlove?Isti
l
lhave
plentyofthatf
ory ou,
"sheshoutsandIclosemyey es.

Ihav
ebeendy
ingt
oheart
hosewor
ds.

"Mama, IknowImessedup.IknowIhur tyoubadlymyloveandI

am sorr
y .Pl
easegiv
eusanotherchance,wewillmoveatyour
pace.Youcant akeyourt
imeandseeifI'
m worthyofyourtr
ust
."
hertear
sfal
landIpul
lhercl
osert
ome,
lay
ingherheadonmy
chest.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER82

LEMOHANGBHENGU

"Babe,l
etmeanswerthei
nter
com andI
'
llcal
lyouback.
"Isay
,
descendi
ngthest
air
s.

Mymotherwentoutt
ogogetAt
angf
rom school
soi
t'
sjustme,
myf
atherandhisnur
se.

"
Youcanj
ustanswertheint
ercom andcomebackt
otal
ktome.
Noneedt
ohangup,"Iheaveasigh.

Hehasbeensocl ingysincethedinneratNancy'splace,Ihadthe
mostamazi ngti
mewi ththem.Thewomanknowshowt ocook,
shepromisedtoteachmesoIcanbeabl etotakecar eofthat
departmentwhenI'm wit
hMakhosi ni
.Aftert
hedi nnerweended
updrinki
ngandplayingcharades,Ihadsomuchf un.Everyt
hing
thathappenedattherestaur
antisnowgoneandf or
gott
en.

"
ma'
Ngcol
osi
,
"hecal
l
soutandIsnapoutofmyt
hought
s.

"I
'm her
ebabehol don, "Isayplacingmyphonedownont heside
tabl
eandpi ckingupt her eceiverf
rom it
'scr
adle.Ianswerand
presstoopent hegat ewhenawomannamedNompi losaysshe
i
sher etoseeherpar ents.Myhear ti
sdrummingagai nstmy
chest,t
hreateningtoj umpr ightout.Mamaonlyev erspokeofher
chil
drenthedaywewer egoingtot heVaalt
otalktomymot her
aboutmypat erni
ty,
I'
v enev erevenseenapictureofthem.They
nevercomeher e,t
heyonl ycallandthat
'sonl
yonceinaweek.I
honestlydon'
tunderstandwhyt heywouldstayawaythatl
ong
withoutseei
ngtheirdyingfather.Nompil
oisworsebecauseshe
l
ivesinCapeTown, shecouldtraveli
nandoutjustt
ocheckinbut
no.

"Baby,I
'
m gonnahav
etocal
lyouback.Mysi
ster
,Nompi
l
ois
here,
"Isayt
oMakhosini
.

"
Whoa!Nompi
l
oNompi
l
o?"HeasksandIshr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

"
Ithi
nkso,
"

AfterhangingupmyphoneIqui ckl
yrushtothedoort oopenfor
her.Iwonderifmamat oldthem aboutme, howwi l
lsherecei
ve
me?Iam honest lynervoust omeether,itwould'
vebeenbetteri
fI
knewshewascomi ngandIwaspr eparedfori
t.Istepoutanda
Mer cedesBenzVi anoispar kedint
hedr i
vewayandadul tsand
chi
ldrenaregetti
ngof f.Ohi t'
saful
lhouse,whereismamahel d
up?Thegr oupappr oachest hedoor,t
heladyinthef r
ontl
ooksli
ke
shehat esanyt
hingt hattakesinoxygen.

"
Uhm hel
l
o,where'
smymother
?"shesaysaf
terst
oppingj
usta
f
ewfeeti
nfr
ontofme.It
akeadeepbreat
handtrytosmil
e.

Shenarrowsherey
es,
annoy
edbyt
heper
soni
nfr
ontofherand
thathappenst
obeme.

"
Hi,
mam Nomuzi
wentoutt
ogetAt
angf
rom school
,
"Iexpl
ain
andshet
urnstolookatthetal
lguyst
andingnextt
oawhi t
e
woman.Thatmustbemybr otherMesul
i
,mamasai dhemar ri
eda
womanhemeti nAustr
aliawhenhewasst i
l
lstudy
ingandthey
deci
dedt
osettl
ethere.

"OhyoumustbeLemohang.Ourfather'
sal
legeddaughter,
"she
saysdi
stastef
ull
yandint
hismomentIknowt hatshehatesme.
Meandherar en'
tgoi
ngtogetal
ong,Idon'
tli
kepeoplewhol ook
downonot hers.

Ibroadenmyshouldersandpuf
fmychestoutalit
tl
e,Iwanther
toseethatshecannotcomehereandmakemef eell
ikeIdon'
t
bel
ong.Thisismyhomeasmuchasi ti
sthei
rs.

"Yes,Iam Lemohang."Ianswerandst ept othesi de."Youcango

i
nandwai tformamat ogetback.It'
snotf arsosheshoul dbeon
herwayback,"shechuckl esali
ttl
eandsi gnalst heothersto
foll
owherusingherhand.Theyal lgetinsideandshutt hedoor,I
closemyey esandtakeadeepbr eat
ht ogat hermyemot i
ons.I
wasst upi
dtothi
nkthatt heywill
acceptmeast heirfathers
daughterandtel
lmehowt heyweredyingt ofinall
ymeetme.

Iwalkbackinsidethehouseandf i
ndthem occupy i
ngthelounge,
thekidsareal
readyrunningaroundandmakingnoi se.Ij
ustpass
them togocheckonmyf at
her
,Iwaswithhim whenMakhosi ni
call
ed.Iopenthedoorandhe' spassedoutwiththeTVpl ayi
ng,
thenursesmilesatmeandcont i
nuesadmini
steringinj
ecti
ons
i
ntomyf ather
'sIVdrip.Hehatesthosethi
ngs,they'
vehurthis
handsobad.Icl i
mbont hebedandsnuggleclosertohim.Once
thenur
sei
sdoneshewal
ksoutofther
oom andcl
osest
hedoor
behi
ndher
.leav
ingmewi
thmyf at
heri
nhi
scomatosestat
e.

"Theydon'tseem t
olikemepapa, "Iwhispertohim."Iam happy
thattheyfi
nall
ycamet oseey oubutIdon'tthi
nkmeandt hem wil
l
haveagoodsi bli
ngsrelat
ionshi
p."Ibr
ushhi sarm andkisshis
cheek.He'soutofit
,thesepainmedsknockhi mrightout.He
feelsnothi
ngwhenhe' ssl
eeping,oncehei sawaket hepainand
discomfortcomesback.Thenur sescheduleshismedi cati
on
becausewedon' twanthim addict
edtopai nmeds.

ThedooropensandIt urnmyheadt oseemylit

tl
ebrot
her
wal kingi
nwit
haconfusedexpressi
ononhisface,"
Lemo,whoar
e
thosepeopledownst
airs?"HeasksandIheav
easi ghandsi
tup
straight.

"Thosearemysibl
i
ngswi
tht
hei
rchi
l
dren,
"Iexpl
ainandhe
narrowshisey
es.

"
Youhaveothersi
bli
ngs?
"Heasksandmyhear
tbr
eaks.Inev
er
ment
ionedt
histohim.

"Yeschamp, butyou'l
lal
waysbemyf avor
it
esibli
ng,
"hesmi l
es
andIgetupf rom thebed."
Pleasegochangeandstayi
ny our
room.I'l
lbringyouasandwi ch,
"Isayandhenods.Wewal koutof
mypar ents'bedroom andenterhisr
oom wit
hhim soIcanswi t
ch
ontheTV, Iwanttodistr
acthimfrom t
hepeopledownthere.
Imadesuretoclosehi sdoorshut .Idon'twanthimt ohearorsee
anyt
hingunti
lIcant ellwher
et hei
rheadsar eat.Atangismy
pri
ori
tyandIwillprotecthi
mf rom everyt
hingandev eryone.Idon'
t
evenmakeitdownst air
swhenIhearNompi l
otalki
ngaboutmy
brot
herandI.Icanconcl udethatshelikesbeingtheboss, i
t'
s
ei
therherwayort hehighway.

"
..
.Di
dtheyhav
etomov
einher
e?"SheasksandIshakemyhead.

"Yestheyhadt o.LemohangandAt anghav ebr oughtus

happinessandl aughteramidstthi
swhol et hi
ng,"MamaNomuzi
saysandIcl osemyey es.Idon'
twantherf ight
ingwithher
chil
drenbecauseofmeandIsur elydon'twantmybr ot
hertoover
hearanythingvil
ef r
om them.Hi sli
ttl
ehear twouldbebroken.He
l
ikesithere,thi
sishomef orhim,hisfi
rstrealhome.

"Youandy ourbrotherhav estayedawayf rom usf oryear

s.We
don'tknowwhatwedi dt oyoubot h,youdidn'
tev encaretobri
ng
yourkidssot heycangett oknowt hei
rgrandparents.Yourf
ather
i
sonhi sdeat hbedandt hef i
rstthi
ngy ouwantt odoNompi lois
fi
ghtabouty oursibl
ing?"Hershaki ngvoi
cebr eaksmyhear t
,she'
s
alr
eadydealingwithal ot.

"Mamawef i
rst
lyneedtoknowaboutthestranger
sinthi
shouse,
ourchi
l
drenaregoingtobear
oundthem foracoupleofday
s,"
Nompil
oisnotbackingdown.

Shehasmadeuphermi
ndaboutmeandt
hat
'si
t.

"
Mom,
Iknowwe'
vest
ayedawayt
ool
ongbuty
ouanddadal
way
s
sai
dweshoul
dli
veourl
i
vesandbehappy
,"t
hatmustbeMesul
i
.

"
Didwealsosaycutusoutofthoseli
ves?"Mamaaskssof
tl
y.
Onecannotmi
ssthehurtanddisappoi
ntmenti
nhervoi
ce.

"
Ofcoursenotbutli
fehappensandwefi
ndoursel
vesbusy.Wor
k,
marr
iages,ki
ds.
..
itj
ustget
stoomuch.Weareherenow,canwe
f
ocusont hat
,"

"
Yes,pl
easeshowust
oourr
ooms,
"Nompi
l
osay
sandIbi
temy
l
owerli
p.

Thi
shousehasfourbedroomsandonlyoneisvacant
.Thear
e
twomarr
iedcoupl
esandf ourski
ds.Mesul
ihasthr
eeand
Nompi
loone.Howwi l
lthesleepi
ngarr
angementsgo?

"Ist
il
lneedt
ofigur
eouthowwewi
l
lsl
eep.
"Mamaexpl
ainsand
someoneclapsonce.

"
Sowedon'
tev
enhav
eroomsi
nourf
ather
shouse,
"Ihat
ethi
sgi
rl
.

"Mpil
o,canyour
elaxal
i
ttl
e."Adeepv
oicesay
sandIassumei
t'
s
herhusband.

"
Nobabe,
wedon'
t.
..
"

Mamaquickl
yint
erj
ects,"
yohNompil
oy oucan'
texpectt
oshow
upher
eandgeteveryt
hingreadyf
oryou.Thi
sisnotahotel
,
"
mamasaysandtheroom goessil
ent
.

"Lemo,
howmuchoft hatdidyouhear?
"Idi
dn'
tev
enr
eal
i
zet
hat
someonewasascendi
ngt hestai
rs.
"Ohma,Ijustwant
edtomakeasandwi
chforAt
ang.
"Idodgeher
quest
ionandsheplacesahandonmyshoul
der
.

"
Iam sov
erysor
ryf
ort
hei
rwor
ds,
"Ishakemyhead.

"It
hinkitmakessensef orustogotot
heapart
ment,I
'l
lmake
sureAtangattendsschooltomorr
ow.Yougi
vethem y
our
att
enti
on,"Isayandsheshakesherheadno.

"No,never
.Iwil
lneverall
owt hat.ThisisyourhomeLemohang.
Noonewi llmakeyouuncomf or
table,wewillf
indawayto
accommodat ethem."Iknowshel ov esusandshedoesn'
thaveto
proveit
.Iam j
ustsuggestingthi
sf orpeacesake.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

Ij
ustwantedtogohome, t
akeashowerandr el
axi nfrontofthe
TV.Schoolwashect i
ctoday,al
l mylect
urer
scameandonedev i
l
gaveusthissemestersassi
gnmentandwehadt ost aybackwi t
h
mygroupt osharethework.IwonderwhatJongi khay awants
fr
om met hathecouldn'
tsayov erthephone.I
tbetterbean
emergencythatcouldn'
twaitti
l
l t
omor r
oworI'm goingt ocastr
ate
hi
m.

"Jojo,
"Ical
loutassoonasIwalkinsidetheapar
tment
.Igot
othe
fri
dgeandit'
sempty,whatdoesthisguyeatbawo?Heneedsto
givememoneysoIcangogr oceryrunni
ngforhi
m.Thebedr
oom
dooropensandmybr otherappear
sf r
om whatusedtobemy
bedroom.Helooksexhausted,heshouldberesti
ngbecausehe'
s
star
tingworkonMonday .ThankGodf orEbuka,
mybaby
organizedt
hatwhol
egigf orhi
m.

"
Oht
hankGody
oucame,
"hewhi
sper
sandIf
rown.

"Whyar eyouwhisperi
ng?"Heplacesanindexfingeroverhi
sli
ps
tosil
encemeandIf r
own.Her oundstheki
tchenislandandgrabs
myar m, pul
l
ingmet othelounge.Hai
bo!What'sgoingonwith
Jongikhaya?Webot hsitonthesamecouchandhet akesadeep
breat
h.

"Undi
phi
le,
Ilovehersomuch.Iam happyt
hatshe'sbacktome
butyohmfethu!
"HesaysandInarr
owmyey es.Iam soconf
used
ri
ghtnow.

"Whatar
eyoutal
kingabout
?YouandAmuf
ixedt
hings?
"Iask
andhenodssmil
ing.

"Yeah,
shewasherewhenIgotbackonTuesday .Wespokeand
fi
xedthings,
shesl
eptov
erandleftonWednesdaybuthasbeen
comingbackevery
daysi
ncethen.Iam happysohappy
,"hesay
s.

Iam gladtohearthi
s,t
heyarebothmypeopleandIwantt
osee
them happytoget
her,r
aisi
ngthei
rli
tt
leangel
.

"
Sowhati
sthepr
oblem?
"Iaskbecausehe'
sclear
lyov
ert
he
moonsowhywoul
dhecall
meher etodi
stur
bthem?

"Inevert
houghtI'
dsaythi
sbutUndiphi
lemydicki
sabouttofall
off.Amukelani
hasanappeti
teIcannotseem t
osati
sfydude,
I
am onlygiv
enaf ewminut
estorestandshewantsmebackon
t
hehorse.Mntaseyouneedtosaveme.Takeherouttohav
elate
l
unchsoIcansleepjustali
tt
lebi
t,
"Ibur
stoutl
aughi
ng.Thi
sis
t
hefunni
estthi
ngIhav eev
erheardinmyli
fe.

Amuhasbeencompl
aini
ngaboutbei
ngtoohor
ny,
Idi
dn'
tknow
mybr
otherwoul
dbeworkingt
hemine.

"
Undi
phi
l
epl
easehel
p,"Ihol
doutmyopenpal
m.

"I
fIam toconv i
nceyourgir
lfr
iendtogooutwi t
hmet henI'
l
lneed
yourcardmister,
"heheavesasi ghofreli
efandgetsupfr
om the
couch,headedtotheTVst andwher ehiswall
etis.

Thebedr oom dooropensashehandsmet hecard,Ipull

myf ace
togethersoAmukelani doesn'tsuspectanythi
ngbetweenmy
brotherandI.Sheappear swear i
ngashor tsummerdr ess,i
tlooks
goodonhernowt hickbody .Pregnancyreall
ylooksgreatonthe
gir
l,herglowandgai nsareev er
ythi
ng.

"Heyfr
iend,
"shegreetsme,looki
ngevery
wher ebutmyey es.I
thi
nkshe'sembarrassedtobeseenhereaftershesaidshewants
nothi
ngfrom Joj
o.Iwon'tj
udgeher,hei
st hefatherofherchi
l
d
andtheheartwantswhatitwants.

"
Heybeaut
if
ul,
Jojoj
ustt
oldmethegoodnews,
I'
m sohappyf
or
y
ouguys,
"Isayandshesmil
esl
ooki
ngatherman.

"Yes,
Ideci
dedt
ost
opf
ight
ingi
t.I
'
m gl
adIdi
d,"shesay
sandI
nod.
It
'sgoodtoheari
tfr
om herandtoseethesi
nceri
tyi
nherey
es.
Beinghor
nycancausealotofconfusi
onandoncethei
tchi
s
scrat
chedapersongoesbacktothei
rri
ghtmind.

"
Youspendi
ngt
heweekend?
"Iaskandshenodsherhead.

"
Yeah,
tookal
ott
oconv
incemymom t
hough,
"-Amukel
ani
.

"I
fthat'
sthecasethenwehav etogooutandgety
ouguy ssome
grocer
ies.Idon'
twanty oustarv
ingmybaby,wewil
lhaveaquick
meal t
ooandI '
ll
bri
ngy oubackher et
oyourper
son,
"Isayandshe
l
ookslikesheishesit
ating.

"Iwoul
dgoalonebutIdon'
twanttobri
ngthi
ngsyouwon'tenj
oy,
youknowthispr
egnancyhaschangedalotf
oryou,
"Isayto
convi
nceherandshenods.

"Baby
,youwon'
tmindmeleavi
ngyouf
oracoupl
eofhour
s?"She
asksJongi
khay
aandheshakeshi
sheadwi
thasmil
e.

"
I'
ll
missyoumylovebutIwi
l
lhol
dmy
sel
fti
l
lyou'
reback,
"Iwant
t
olaughr
ightnow.

Icanseethatheneedstorestwit
houtsomeonemassaginghi
s
dickeacht
imehet r
iest
osleep.Ishoul
dtextEbukaandaski
fhe
haseverwantedtorunawaybecauseIwasdemandi ngt
oomuch
sex.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER83

NOEDI
TS

LEMOHANGBHENGU

"Pl
easedon'
tl
etNompi
l
ogett
oyoumybaby
,"myf
athersay
sand
Isi
gh.

I
t'
seasi
ersai
dthandone.

Thatwomanhasmademeuncomf ort
abl einlessthantwentyfour
hoursshehasbeenher e.Sheli
kescal
lingt heshotsand
complai
ning,
oht r
ustmeshecancompl ain.Sheismadt hatthei
r
ki
dssleptoninf
latabl
emat tr
essesi
nthel oungewhileAtangslept
onhisbedwithme.Igav eupmyr oom f orMesuliandhiswi f
e
Charl
ott
ebecauseshet ooktheroom thatwasempt yandshar ed
i
twithherhusbandPhila.

"Thi
sisyourhomeasmuchasi t
'sthei
rs,
don'
tletanyonemake
youfeelanyhowinyourf
ather
'shouse,
"hisgr
oggyv oicesaysand
Ismilesweetl
yathi
m anddrai
nt hespongeoffwater.Ilov
egi v
ing
him hi
sspongebathsint
hemor nings,
thenur
sewi l
llatergiv
ehi m
aproperbath.

"Il
ov ey ou,"Isayr
unningthespongeonhisfaceandabeaut i
ful
smilef ormsonhi sface.Thosefor
everl
if
elesseyesli
ghtupa
l
itt
le,ohdaddyhowIwi shIfoundyouear
li
erinli
fe.ButIam
grateful t
ohav emetandst ayedwi
thyoubeforedeathcomes
knocki
ng.

"Il
oveyoutoosisi
,"hesaysandstartscoughi
ng.Letmefinish
heresoIcangocal lt
hetocomegi vehim hi
smedicat
ion."How
arethi
ngswit
hLukhel e?
"Helovesaskinganditmakesme
uncomfort
abl
etalkingaboutmyrelati
onshipwi
thmyf at
her.It
's
weirdandj
ust.
..
urgh.

"Wear eokay,he'
sexci
tedoverthereconst
ruct
ionofLukhel
e
Diamonds,"Ianswer,
redi
rect
ingtheconversat
iont
osomet hi
ng
else.

"Hehasalwaysl ovedthatcompany ,Irememberhowhehounded

mewhi lehewasst il
li
nuni versity.Hewant edt ol
ear
nev er
y t
hing
aboutthebusiness,hehadal lt
hequest i
onsandIdidn'
thav e
ti
me,"hechucklesandIsmi le.Listeningtosuchstori
esbringme
j
oy,Igettoknowmyf at herbetter,"Atfir
stIfoundhi
m annoy i
ng
butastimewentbyIgav einandt ookhim undermywi ngand
nowIam apr oudment or,
"that'
sMakhosi ni,
whenhewant s
somethinghegoesal loutt ogeti t.

Il
ookupt
ohi
minsomanyt
hings.

"
He'
sagoodbusi
nessman,
"Isayandpapacl
i
ckshi
stongue.

"Heisagoodmanmybaby ,Iam atpeaceknowingthatI

'm goi
ng
toleav
eyouwit
hsomeoneIt r
ust,
"Iblushlooki
ngaway,"I
would'
vel
ovedtoaccepty
ourlobol
abef or
eIdied,
"Inarr
owmy
eyes.

Il
oveMakhosini
,wi
thal
lmyheartbutI'
m notreadyformar
ri
age.
I'
m onl
ytwent
yyear
sold,I
'
m notrushi
ngintoanythi
ng.
"ma'
Ngcolosi,
"hecall
soutandIknowhewantsmetocomment
onthemarriagethi
ng.Myanswerwil
lobv
iousl
ydi
sappoi
nthi
m
andthat
'sthelastt
hingIwant
.

"It
houghtIwasMaNgcol
osi
,"myf
atherandIt
urnt
ofacet
hedoor
andit
'sNompil
ohol
dingatr
ayoff
ood.

"Youarebothmydaughters,Bhengupri
ncessessoy ouareboth
oMaNgcolosi,
"ourfat
hersaysandNompi l
or oll
shereyes.That
's
myqueue.Ibenddownandki ssmyfather
'scheekbeforetaki
ng
thebasi
nofwat ert
ogodi scardi
tint
hebat hroom.

Ifi
ndAt angplayingwit
honeofMesul i
'
schildren,t
heyoungestof
them al
l.Charl
otteissit
ti
ngnearthem wit
hacupoft eainher
hand,Ismi l
epolitel
yatherandsheret
urnsit.Shehasn'
tgiv
enme
anybadv ibes,sheandPhilaareokayi
t'
sjustthei
rspousesbeing
thebi
gt oenailsofsatan.

Ihat
et osayt
hisbutIcannotwaitfort
hem toleav
ethi
shouse,
I
wouldn'
tmindnotseei
ngt hei
rfaceseveragai
n.

Whatam Igoi ngtodowi t

hmy selft
oday ?Iwoul dgomeetupwi t
h
myboy fri
endbutIdon'twantt oleavemybr ot
herher ealone,I'
ve
seenhowv i
leNompi l
oisandIdon' twantt ogivehert hechance
tomistr
eatAt ang.Iwil
ll
eav ethi
shousewhent heyareal l
gone
andit'
sjustmypar entsandus.Iknowt hismightsoundsel f
ish
butI'
mj usti
fi
edinfeeli
ngt hisway.Someonei st al
kingout si
dethe
kit
chen,Ithi
nkit'
sNompi lo'shusband.Ipeept hrought hewindow
andhei sholdinghiscel
lphonetohisear
.Iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngon
l
ist
eni ngtohim butheari
nghim cal
lwhoeveri
sontheotherend
ofthecall"babe"caughtmyat t
enti
on.Hecoul
dn'
tpossi
blybe
tal
kingtoNompi lowhoi sinthesamehouseashim.Yoh!Lif
eisa
mov ieforsure.

Igobacktomindi
ngmybusi
ness,
Icamei
ntot
hiski
tchent
o
makemy sel
fasmoot
hie.

Theintercom r
ingsandIhur rytogoanswer,i
t'
sMakhosini
,he
sayshe'soutsi
det hegate.Iexcit
edl
yopenforhim,
thi
sisal ov
ely
surpr
ise.I'
m pr
ettysurehecamet ocheckuponmeaf t
erhe
heardhowdownIwasl astnightdur
ingourcal
l.

Makhosinihatesseei
ngmedown, hesimplydoesn'
twanttosee
mesad.IpassbyChar l
ott
eandthekidsagai
nandopenthef r
ont
door.HisMercedesparksinourdr
iveway,
whydidn'
thecome
withtheUrus?Thatcargivesmegoosebumps,Igetanorgasm
seeinghim dr
ivi
ngit.

Ipullhi
mt owardstheshrubsforpri
vacyandthrowmyar ms
aroundhisneck,hesmel l
ssinf
ull
ygood.Ikisshim al
lovert
he
faveandnibblehisearl
ikehenormallydoes,Igetagiggl
eoutof
him.Hei snor
mal l
ytheonewhodoest hi
stome, ourdir
tyhel
lo.

"Iwoul
dhavecomeear
li
eri
fIknewy
oumi
ssedmet
hismuch,
"I
kisshi
sli
ps.
"
Ilov
eyou,
"hi
sey
essmi
l
e,t
het
winkl
eint
hem makesmyday
s.

"
Andy
ouknowt
haty
ou'
remyhear
tbabe,
"

Iwoul
dadviseal
lthesi
nglepeopl
etogett
hemsel
vespar
tner
s,
mjol
oisnotapandemic,t
heyli
edtous.

"Let
'sgosi
tdown,"hesays,
taki
ngmyhandandl
eadi
ngmet
othe
concret
egardenbenchj
ustneartheshr
ubs.

"
Howar
eyou?
"Heasksasweset
tl
edown.

Iheav
easi gh,"
Ihavedecidednottoallowthem t
omakeme
uncomfor
tableinmyfather'
shouse,"Isayandhehol
dsuphi
s
handforahighfiv
e.

"
That
'smygi
rl
,"Heki
ssesmyshoul
der
.

"Makhosi
niLukhele,
youdon'
tchange,"welookupandfi
nd
Nompilowit
hawi desmileonherface,wouldyoul
ookatthat
.
Sat
ancanact ual
lysmil
e.

"
Nompi
l
oBhengu,
"myboy
fri
endr
epl
i
es.

Hedi dn'
tment
iont
hattheykneweachpersonal
ly.It
houghthe
onlyknewofthem.Iwon'tbej
eal
ousoverthi
s,Idon'
thaveany
reasontobe.

"I
t'
sMbel
enow,marr
ied,
"shehol
dsoutherl
efthandanda
di
amondri
ngi
sdispl
ayedbefor
eus.

"
Yes,
Iremember
.Howar
eyou?
"-Makhosi
ni.

"Iam gr
eat
,li
fei
sgood.Ihav
enot hi
ngtocomplai
nabout
,"she
saysandImental
lyr
oll
myey es.Nothi
ngtocomplai
nabout?Not
ev
ent
hef
actt
haty
ourf
atheri
sdy
ing?

"
Whatbri
ngsy
ouher
e?"SheasksandMakhosi
nil
ooksatmewi
th
asmi
le.

"Icametocheckuponmygi
rl
fr
iend,
"Ipl
acemyheadonhi
s
shoulder
.

"
Yourgi
r.
..gi
rl
fr
iend?You'
redat
ingher
?"Sheasksshocked.

"
Yes,
andI
'
vebeenatmyhappi
est
,"ohbabyj
ustmel
tsmyhear
t.

Mysist
eri
shor
ri
fi
ed,Idon'
tunder
standwhyt
houghordi
dshe
maybehav
ethehot
sf orMakhosi
ni?

"
Whathappenedtouhm,
yourwi
feNombul
elo?
"Sheasksand
Makhosi
nichuckl
es.

"
That
'sat
hingoft
hepast
.Lemoi
sthewomani
nmyl
i
fenow,
"

"
Wow,
"that
'st
hel
astt
hingmysi
stersay
swi
thwi
denedey
es.

JONGI
KHAYASI
SULU

Todayismyf i
rstdayatwork,Iam bothner
vousandexcited.I
didn'
tknowcomi ngtoJohannesburgforasi
mpl evi
sitwasgoing
tochangemyl i
fethi
smuch.ImeanImett heloveofmyl i
fe,
i
mpr egnatedherandnowI 'm star
ti
nganewj ob.All
thisi
nless
thanay ear,
Peachesmustbel aughi
ngwhereversheis.
"
Youar
egoi
ngt
odoamazi
ngmyl
ove,
"shesay
s,f
ixi
ngmyt
ie.

"
Thanky
oubabe,
"Iam atmyhappi
est
.

Beingbackt oget
hergluedbackeveryt
hinginsideofme
emot i
onall
y,Ihonestl
ythoughtIl
ostherforever.Thethoughtof
anothermanhav ingherandbeinginmychi ld'
slif
ewaski l
li
ngme
slowlybutnowi t
'sall
outthewindow.She'sbackt omeandIhav e
toensurethatIdon'tmessthisbeaut
ifult
hingbet weenus.

"
Youbet
tergetgoi
ng,
traf
fi
cisani
ght
mar
e,"Inodv
igor
ousl
y.

Yesterdayaf ternoonwet ookadr i

vetoMi dr and,Iwantedto
famili
arizemy sel
fwiththeroadthatleadst here,Iknowthere's
technologynowbutI 'm ali
tt
leoldschool youknow.Pl usIdidt hat
toavoidhav i
ngsext heentir
eday ,Idi
dn'twantt obeexhausted
onmyf i
r stday .I
'
m sti
llt
hankfult
oGodsheonl ywantedone
roundwhenwegotbackandal l
owedmesl eep.

"
I'
ll
cal
lyoudur
ingmyl
unchbr
eak,
"shesmi
l
esandnods.

"
Ilov
eyou,
"Ipeckherl
i
ps.

"
Ilov
eyoumore,
mama,"Isayandbenddowntoki
ssherbump.
"
Begoodtoy
ourmom champ,"Amugiggl
es.

Iam dri
vi
ngtoMi dr
and,readytotakeonmyday .Thisopport
unit
y
i
sdoordi eformebutI'm defi
nit
elygoingtoexcelinevery
thi
ng.I
wantthatpermanentcontr
actandI '
m wil
li
ngtoputi ntheworkto
secur
eitformychildandAmu.Iknowshei sfinancial
l
ysecured
forl
if
ebutIam amanandIwi llal
way swanttobeabl etoprovi
de
f
ort
hem.

Musicstopspl
ay i
ngandmyphoner i
ngst hroughthecarr adi
o.I
t'
s
anunsavednumberbuti tlooksreall
yfami l
i
ar.May beit'
smy
mom, shesai
dshewi llcalli
nthemor ningtopr ayforme.Shewas
sohappythatIfi
nall
yfoundaj ob,thelastti
meIwor kedwas
whenIwasdoi ngmyi nter
nshipatthemuni cipali
ty.Aft
erthat
not
hingcamesot hismeanssomucht oher ,Zimasawi l
lbeable
tot
ellal
lCapetoni
anst hathersonisfinal
lyempl oyed.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswer
.

"
Hey
,"ohno.

I
tsnotmymom,
it'
sWal
e.

Idel
etedhi
snumberafterwebr
okeup,
Iwantedt
oer
ase
ever
ythi
ngabouthi
m andus.Whyi
shecal
li
ngmeaft
ersol
ong.

"
Wal
e,wassup?
"Hechuckl
es.

"Reall
y?"HeasksandIblowoutasigh.Yes,wassup?"Idon'
t
meant ober udeorany
thi
ngbutboundarieshavetobei npl
ace.I
can'thavehi
m call
ingme,i
twouldtakeAmukel ani
andIa
hundredstepsback.Wedon'tneedthat
,wear ehappyand
pregnant.

"
Wel
lIcal
l
edt
ocheckupony
ou,
"hesay
sandshakemyhead.

"Iam good,
"Idon'
twanttoaskhowheis,
thatwoul
dbeme
prol
ongingthi
sunnecessar
yphonecal
l
.
"
Joj
oImi
ssy
ou,
"thi
sisn'
thappeni
ng.

Idon'
twantt
obedeal
i
ngwi
tht
his.

"
Adewal
e,don'
tpl
ease,
"Itcomesouti
nawhi
sper
.

"Il
oveyouandIknowy ousti
lldot
oo.Youdon'thav
etol
i
veal
i
e
becauseshe'
spregnant
,"hesaysandIchuckl
e.

"I
t'
snotali
e,Il
oveAmukel
animorethanany
thi
ng.Choosingtobe
withawomanisnotl
ivi
ngali
e,t
hat'
swheremyheartandpeace
l
ie,
"Isaymyhonestt
rut
handIknowi tmi
ghthur
thim butithast
o
besaid.

"
Keepl
yi
ngt
oyour
sel
f,
"hesay
sangr
il
yandhangsup.

Iknowmytrut
h,Idon'
thavet
oconv
inceanyone.Iwil
lnotr
epeat
whatIdi
dtomygi r
lf
ri
end,
Iwoul
dn'
tsurv
iveherleav
ingmeagain.

Igettot heoff
icepar k,i
t '
sdi f
fer
entbuil
dingsbel
ongingto
di
fferentcompanies.Ev erythi
ngAccountingisbythecorner
,it
's
bi
ggert hanotherbui l
dingsandt hatgl
assdoormakesi tl
ook
coolerthantherest.Iuset hev i
sit
orspar
kingbecauseIhaven'
t
beenassi gnedparkingspace.Icl i
mboutwi thmywor kbag,i
t
containsallmydocument sandl unchbox.

Theof
ficeparkI
sbuzzi
ngwithpeopl
earr
ivi
ngf
orwor
kli
ke
mysel
f,ever
yonei
sdressedprof
essi
onal
l
y.

Therecept
ionar
eaisal
lwhi
tewi
thasil
vercompanylogobehi
nd
ther
ecepti
ondesk.Tomyri
ghtt
her
e'sawaterdi
spenserand
couches.Aladyappear
sfrom t
hecorridorholdi
ngacupofcof f
ee,
shesmilespoli
tel
yatmeandgoesbehi ndtherecept
iondesk.
Whatabeaut i
fulwoman,t
heperfectper sont
obet hefaceoft
he
company .

"
Hell
o,welcometoEv
ery
thi
ngAccount
ing.HowcanIhel
pyou
t
oday?"Sheasks.

"Hi
,uhm mynameisJongi
khay
aSi
sul
u.Iam st
art
ingwor
ktoday
,"
Isayandshenods.

"Yes,
welcomet
othet
eam,
"shesay
shol
dingoutherhandandI
shakeher.

"
Thankyousomuch,
"Isayandt
hedooropensandt
wopeopl
e
wal
kin,
amanandwoman.

"
Goodmor
ning,
"theybot
hgr
eet
.

"MrandMrsNdaba.
"Therecept
ioni
stsay
s.Ndaba?He'
sthe
ownerEbukat
oldmeabout."
IhaveMr.Si
sul
uhere,
"sheinf
orms
them.

"Ohyes,wel
comet oEv er
ythi
ngAccounti
ng.Iam ShakaNdaba
andthisi
smywi feandourcol l
eagueI
peleng.You'
llbewor
king
underherl
eadershi
p."HesaysandInodshaki nghishandf
irst
befor
ehiswif
e's.Hustl
ingwithyoursi
gni
ficantot
hermustbe
amazing.

"
Wel
come,
Ihopey
oul
i
kei
ther
e."It
hinkIwi
l
l.

"
Wecangot
omyof
fi
cef
ir
stt
otal
kabouty
ourcont
ractand
ever
ythingel
se,
"MrNdabasay
sandInod."Pleasebr
ingus
coff
ee,"hesaysl
ooki
ngatt
herecept
ioni
st.

"
Yessi
r,
"

_
___
___
___
___
___
__

Guyssincereapologi
esforanyty poshle.Ihonest
lydon'
thavet
he
t
imetoedi t.IwokeupearlytotypethissoIcoulddeli
ver,
Idon'
t
wantyout ofeell
ikeInolongerdeliv
eronFr i
days.

Wehaveatombstoneunv
eil
i
ngt
omor
rowandIhav
etopr
epar
e
f
ori
t,t
shwarel
o.

Lov
eBet
h
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER84

LEMOHANGBHENGU

"Iam sohappyt
obesi
tt
ingwit
hmywholefami
lyar
oundt
he
dinni
ngtabl
eenj
oyi
ngdi
nner,
"myf
athersay
s.

Helookssomuchbett
er,
ther
e'ssomeli
fei
nhi
seyes.I
fIdi
dn'
t
knowbett
erI
'dsayt
hecancerhasbeencur
edmir
acul
ousl
y.

"
Itf
eelsr
eallygoodmylove.I
'
m gladyoubot
hmadeithomewi
th
y
ourfamil
ies,"Mamasaysdarti
ngbet
weenNompil
oandMesul
i.

"
That
'shardt
obeli
evesi
ncey
ou'v
ebeenplayi
ngtheper
fect
f
amil
ywithhi
slov
echil
dandherpuppy
,"Icl
osemyeyespained.

I
fIhaddonesomethi
ngpersonal
tooffendNompilot
henIwould
underst
andwhyshe'
str
eati
ngmet hi
sway ,
butI'
vedonenot
hing
tothi
swomanexcepttoshar
ethesamef at
her.

"Nompil
ocanyouj ustst
opi t
!Yourfat
heristr
y i
ngt
oenjoyhi
s
ti
mewi t
hhischi
ldrenandy ouhavetobet heonetorui
n
ever
ythi
ng,
"Phil
asay stohiswifeandthatearnshi
m amurder
ous
l
ookfrom t
hemot herofhischil
d.

"
Whot
hehel
ldoy
out
hinky
ou'
ret
alki
ngt
oli
ket
hatPhi
l
a?"Wow!

Heonl
ysai
dthetrut
h,whyi
sshetalki
ngtohimlikethat
?Thi
s
womanhasnoregardf
oranyonenotevenherhusband.

"
Iam si
ckandt
ir
edofy
ourat
ti
tude!
"Phi
l
asay
sangr
il
y,get
ti
ngon
hi
sf eet
.Hel
ookspi
ssedof
fandt
hatseemst
oshockmyar
rogant
si
ster.

"
Pleasest
op,
"myf
atherbegs.

Char
lot
tequickl
yget
supandtakesallt
hekids,i
ncl
udi
ngAtang
upst
air
s.Theyshoul
dnotseeorhearanyofthi
stoxi
cit
y.

"Baba,Iam sosor ryforyell

ingandt oweringov eryouiny our
homebutI '
vehadenoughofy ourdaughter ,
"Phil
asay s,hi
tti
nghis
chestwithhisf l
atpalm." Nompilocompl ainsaboutev erythi
ng,al
l
dayev eryday.Nothi
ngisev ergoodenoughf orher,i
fit'
snotme
she'syell
ingatandt r
y i
ngt ocontrol
,it
'sourl i
ttl
edaught er
.She's5
yearsoldandNompi lohasst art
edcr i
ti
cizingher,whocar esif
she'sgainingweight?Whocar esifherhairisamess.Shei sa
chil
d,"herhusbandcont inuesandev eryonei sshocked.

WhodidIthi
nkIwasi
fshedoest
hist
oherownfl
eshandbl
ood?
Shehasseri
ouspr
obl
emssheneedst
odealwi
th.

"Ohsoy ouwantt
oembar
rassmei nf
rontofmyfamily
?"Sheasks,
pissedatPhi
l
aforai
ri
ngt
heirdi
rt
ylaundryl
iket
his.

"Soyoucandishitbutyoucan'ttakei
t?"Hefi
resbackandweare
j
ustwatchingital
lunfol
d.Idon'tbl
amet hi
sman, t
hiswasbound
tohappen.Igotoverherj
ustaf ewminutestothei
rarr
ival
andhe
hashadtodeal wi
thherforyears.

"MrandMrsBhengu, Imarriedyourchi
ldbecauseIl
ovedherand
wantedf
oreverwit
hher .Butit'
sunfor
tunat
ethatNompil
odoesn't
seemeatall,shet
ookmyl oveandcalmnessforherasstupi
dit
y
andweakness.Iam donewi thher,
Iam donetryi
ngandhoping,
"
hesaysandl
ooksar
eexchangedbet
weenev
ery
onear
oundt
he
tabl
e.

"W-whatdoy oumeanyou'
redonePhi
l
a?"Herv
oicei
sshaki
ng,
shewasn'texpect
ingt
his.

"It
hinky
oubothhav
etotalkaboutt
hisi
npr
ivat
e,"mamasay
s
andhersoni
nlawchuckl
es.

"Wi
thallduerespectma,I'
vespokentoherandit'
senoughnow.I
am donewiththi
smar r
iage,mydaughterandIdeser
vebett
er,
"he
say
sandgr abshisphonef r
om thet
able.

"Phil
aMbele,
wher
edoy outhinky
ou'r
egoi
ng?"Shei
sst
il
l
screami
ngattheman.Didn'
tshehearawor
dofwhathesai
d
abouther
?

"Nompil
o!"Myfatherbangsont
het
abl
eandwear
eal
lshocked
byhisoutbur
st.

"
Hej
ustneedssomeai
rMpi
l
o,"Mesul
isay
s.

"You'
verui
nedt hiswhol ethi
ng.Iwantedt ohav eapeacefult
ime
withyouallbutlikealwaysyouhadt omakeev eryt
hingaboutyou
andyourgrievances."Myhear tbr
eaksf orourdad.Heasked
mamat opr eparedaf eastandgatheredstrengthtomakei t
downstai
rsbecausehej ustwantedaf amilydinnerwit
hlaughter
andpositi
vi
t y
.

"Pl
easetakemeupstair
s,"heasksandMesul iquicklygetsupto
hel
p.Itt
akesthem acoupleofminutestodisappearupt hestai
rs.
Mama, Nompil
oandIarel ef
tsit
ti
ngaroundt hetable.I
flooks
coul
dkillt
hentheonemamai sgi
vingherdaughterwoul dbe
causeofdeath.Nompi
loisevenafrai
dt olookupbecauset
he
ful
mi nat
inggazei
sbur
ningher,she'
srighttobeashamedof
herself
.

"Youareav i
leperson,Ididn'
trai
seyout obet hi
sheartl
ess
Nompi l
o.May beIdidsomet hi
ngandy ounev ertol
dmeabouti t
andiftherei
st henIam sincer
elysorr
y."Mamasay swithtear
s
str
eami ngdownherf ace."Nomani sani sl
and,stopmistr
eati
ng
peoplebecausey ou'
llf
indyoursel
fall
aloneandt r
ustmethat'
s
notwhaty ouwant ,
"

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***

IdecidedthatIwil
lprepar
eAt angforschoolthi
smorningand
requestacabt otakeustohisschool.Mamasl eptwit
haheavy
heartbecauseofwhatNompi l
odidlastnightatt
hetable,
soI
decidedtoletherrestandtakecar
eoft hi
s.

Phil
alef tandweal lwenttobedbef orehecameback, Nompi
lo
satalonet owai tforhim becausehisphonewast aki
ngher
str
aightt ovoicemai l
.Whocoul dblamehi mforwanti
ngtobe
awayf rom her?Idon' tcondonecheat i
nginanyrel
ati
onshi
p,
especiallymar r
iagebutwi thhowshet reat
sherhusbandwecould
j
ustif
yhi m steppingoutofhi smarriage.

Ibrushmybrother
shairandfi
xhist
iebef
oregrabbi
nghi
s
backpackandheadingdownst
air
s.Cer
ealwil
lhavet
odotoday
,
mamai stheonewhomakesEngl i
shbreakfastandallofthatfor
AtangandI'mtoolazytostandoverthestove.Nompil
oisst i
ll
in
yester
daysclot
hes,pacingupanddowni ntheloungewithher
phonepressedagainstherear
.IguessPhilanevercameback.

"Phil
a,pl
easecal
lmeorbet t
ercomehome.Rememberwehav e
toleavel
atert
oday,
pleasebaby,"shesay
sandIwantt ocl
ap
once,whoknewNompi locouldhumblehersel
fli
ket
his?

AtangandImakeourwayt othekitchen,wef i
ndthenur se
enjoyi
nghercupofcof f
ee.Wegr eetherandshet ellsmet hat
she'swaiti
ngformamat owakeupbef oreshestartswithmy
fat
herf ort
heday .I
'
mj ustgl admamai sstil
lsl
eeping,she
deservessomer est.Iquicklytakeoutcerealfrom thepantryand
milkfr
om t hef
ri
dge.At angal mostbitesmyheadof fwhenIt ake
outthewr ongbowl,het ell
smehewant stheblueandgr eenone
mamaboughthi m.

Iuset heti
met hathe'
seati
ngtopackhislunchbox.Wehave
twent yminutesbeforetheschool
bel
lri
ngsandt hegatesar
e
closed.Iquicklygetonmyphoneandr equestforacab,t
her
e's
onej ust4mi nutesaway.

IdroppedAtangatthegateandt ookthesamecabbackhome.I
don'tt
hinkI
'
llbeattendi
ngclassestoday,Ihavealotonmymi
nd
andIknowIwon' tbeabletoconcentrat
e.I'
llt
extoneoft
hegi
rl
sI
studywi
thtohelpmetakenot
esofever
ythi
ngt heydo.Ij
ust
cl
imbedoutofthecabwhenmyphoneringsinmypocket ,i
tmust
beMakhosini
say i
nggoodmorni
ng,
Iqui
cklytakeitoutandit
'sa
numberIdon'
trecogni
ze.

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswerwi
thaf
rown.

"Yes,
hel
lo.Isthi
sLemohangMohapi
?"Themanont
heot
hersi
de
ofthi
scallasks.

"
It
'sBhengunowbuty
est
hisi
sshe,
"

Ihav
eanewIDandtheprocessofchangi
ngev
eryt
hingatschool
andmyot
herdocument
sishappeningaswespeak.

"Thi
sisdetect
iveRiet
z,Iwashandli
ngy ourmot her
'scase,
"he
expl
ainsandIclosemyey es.Whyishecal l
ingme?Thel astt
ime
wespokehesai dtheywon'tbeneedinganythingfr
om me
becausemymot herconfessedtoeveryt
hing.

"
Iremembery
ousir
,thel
astt
imewespokemymot
herwas
wait
ingt
ogogetev
aluat
ed,
"Isay
.

"That'
scorrect,she'sdonewi t
haser i
esofpsychol
ogical
evaluat
ions.Itwasconcl udedthatyourmotherwasofsound
mindwhenshecommi t
tedthecri
meandi ssti
ll
ment al
lyf
itto
servehersent ence.Ij
ustwant edtolety
ouknowt hatonFriday
shewi l
lbesent enced,"ohthankGodshedi dn'
tdodgeabul l
et.
Maleshoanehast opayf orkil
l
ingthatman.

"
Thanky
ouf
orl
ett
ingmeknow,
"Isay
.
"
Wil
lyoubecomi
ng?
"Hel
lno.

Icl
osedt
hatchapt
erofmyl
i
fe.

Iam happybot
hmymot
herandMabut
hoar
epay
ingf
ort
hei
r
cri
mes.

"
NoIwon'
t,
"Isay
.

"
Iunder
stand.Keepwel
l
,"hehangsupandIsi
gh,
closi
ngmyey
es.

Aloudpiercingcrystopsmei nmyt racks, i

t'
scomingfrom insi
de
thehouse,itsoundslikemama.Ispr inttowardsthedoorand
pushitopen, nooneisi nthelounge, al
l t
hescreamingandcr yi
ng
i
scomi ngfrom upstairs.Myhear tisalreadyshatt
ered,Iknow
whatthismeans.I '
vebeenpr ayingthati thappensbecausehe
wassufferi
ng, butnowt hatit
'sfinal
lyher eIwanttoscream atthe
topofmyl ungsbecausei thurtssobad.

Imakemywayupt hestair
sandonceI 'minthehallwayI '
m met
byCharlottewhohasbot hherhandsonhermout h.Isluggishl
y
walkstraighti
ntomypar entsr oom wit
htearsgushingdownmy
cheeks.Mesuli i
ssitt
ingont herugwithhiskneesbr oughttohis
chestandhi shandsonhi shead, he'
scryi
ngsilentl
y.Nompi lois
kneel
ingatourf ather
'sfeet,herfaceburi
edintheduv etcov er
.I
stopwal ki
ngandl ookatthepeacef ulmansleepingont hebed,
faci
ngthecei l
ing.

Mamai
sinherr
obe,
sit
ti
ngont
hechai
rnextt
omyf
ather
,she'
s
brushi
nghisknuckl
eswit
hherthumbwhil
ecryi
ngpai
nful
l
y.I
cannotbegi
ntoimaginet
hepainshei
sfeel
ing,
thi
smanwast he
l
ov eofherl
if
eandbestfr
iend.

"
When?
"Iaskt
henur
sewi
thahoar
sev
oice.

Sheheav
esasigh,
"Ihonest
lydon'
tknowbuthei
sst
il
lwar
m,"I
nodandbenddowntotakeoffmyshoes.

Iopent
hecoversandcli
mbonthebed,
Iwantonel
astsnuggle
wit
hmyf at
herbef
orethemor
tuar
ypeoplecomet
otakehim away
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**

Nowy esterdaymakessense, itmakessensewhyhesuddenl y

hadsomeener gyandwant edt ositdownwi thusandhav edinner.
Myf atherwant edt osaygoodby e,hewantedhisl astsupperwi th
ust obef il
ledwi thloveandl aught erbuthegott heopposi t
eof
that.Myhear tisheav y,hedeser vedmuchmor et hanwhathegot ,
Nompi lotookawayhi smomentt olookatusal lfort helastti
me.
NowIwi shIhadn' tall
owedhi mt ogot osl
eepy est erday,IwishI
hadst ayedupwi thhi m watchinghi sfavor
it
esitcom.Asmuchas
weknewt hisdaywascomi ng, i
tstil
lcamelikeat hi efinthenight.
Myphoner ings,i
t'sUndi phi
le,Itextedher,
Amukel ani andEbuka
aftercall
ingmyboy fri
endt oletthem knowmyf at herhaspassed.
Thosear emypeopl eandIknowmycomf ortwil
l comef rom them,
"
Heyf
ri
end,
"Ianswer
.

"
OhLemo.Iam sosor
rybabe,
"shesay
sandIcl
osemyey
es.

"
Thanky
ou,
"Isayandwi
pemyt
ear
sdr
y.

"Iknowexactlywhaty ou'
regoingthrough,Iwon'tevent r
ytosay
everyt
hingwillbeokaybecausei twon'tbe.Youwi l
ljustl
earnto
l
ivewiththepai nmyl ove.Begr at
efulthatyouatl
eastgota
chancet obewi thhim andsayy ourgoodby es,mostpeopl ej
ust
wakeupandt heirlovedonesar egone.At l
eastGodgav eust he
chancet odealwi t
hitbeforeithappened,"Inodmyheadi n
agreement.

"Fr
iendpl
easet
akehear
t,wear
eher
efory
oubabe.
"Amukel
ani
says.

Iwasn'
tawar
ethatt
heywer
etoget
her
.

"
Iknowandappr
eci
atey
ougi
rl
s,
"

"
Wewi
l
lcomecheckony
oul
ateront
heday
."-
Undi
phi
l
e.

I
'm sit
ti
ngaloneont heswi ngoutbackbythepool .Thefactthat
myf at
herdiedthismor ni
nghasn' tf
ull
ycli
cked,howam Iev en
goi
ngt oexplai
nt oAt angt hatpapaisnomor e?Mybr otheri
s
att
achedt omyf atherandmama.Theyar ethefir
stpeopletogive
hi
m apr operhome, thef i
rstpeopleapartf
rom met ol
ovehim so
much.Thiswi l
ltakeal itt
lepartofhissoult
oo.
"MaNgcolosi
,
"Il
ookupandmyboy
fri
endi
sst
andi
ngont
heot
her
sideoft
hepool.

He'
shere,I
'
vebeenwait
ingt
obehel
dinhisar
msandcr
adl
edl
i
ke
ali
tt
lebaby,
Makhosi
nii
smysafepl
ace.

Hequi
ckl
yroundst
hepool
andI
'
m al
readyonmyf
eet
,readyt
o
hol
dontohim.

Hi
sarmsar eal
readyopenformeandIdon'
thesi
tat
etol
aunch
mysel
fathim,Ihol
dont i
ghtandheki
ssest
hetopofmyhead
whi
lebrushi
ngmybacki nci
rcl
es.

"Yobesthandwasami,phephi
saMaNgcolosi
.I'
m her
enow,
"I
wantt ot
ellhi
m howmuchi thur
tsbutt
here'
sahugelump
cloggedinmyt hr
oat
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

Ev
erAf
ter
s.

I
'vesai
dthi
senought imesandIthoughtwewer
eonthesame
pagehenceI
'm notunderst
andi
ngwhyIkeepgetti
ngmessages
aski
ngwhyIdidn'tpostonmyMonday .

Myschedul
eisMonday
,WednesdayandFr
iday
.

Idon'
twor
konweekendsandpubl
i
chol
i
day
s.Mondaywasa
publ
i
chol
i
day
,henceIdi
dn'
tpostany
thi
ng.

Pl
easet
rynott
ofor
getourschedul
e.

Lov
eBet
h
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER85

LEMOHANGBHENGU

"I
t'
sal
lgoingt
obeokaysist
ermi
,
"Ebukawhi
sper
sinmyearand
ki
ssthetopofmyhead.

"Thanky ouf
orcomi ngt hr
ough,"webreakthehugandhol dhands.
Myf ri
endshavebeencomi ngthrougheverydaysincemyf at
her
passedaway .Theirpresencehelpstakemymi ndoffthepai
nthat
I
'mf eeli
ng,t
hef ewhour softhem cheer
ingmeupmakesahuge
diff
erencebutoncet heyleaveit
'sbacktothinkingabouti
tand
feeli
ngempt y.

"I
'l
lcal
lyouwit
hUndiphil
elat
eronokay?
"Inodandletgoofhi
s
handsohecancl i
mbinhiscar.Iwat
chashedri
vesoutofthe
yardandthegatecl
oses.

Isluggishlywal kbackt othehousewi thaheav yheart.Ther e'

sso
mucht ensionher eonecanact ual
lycutt hroughi twit
hakni fe,
ever y
onei slosti ntheirpainandIcant ellothersarebei ngeat en
ali
vebygui l
tandr egret.Iam j
ustgladIgav emy selft
he
oppor tuni
tytogett oknowmyf ather,hadIgi v
enhim ahar dtime
withr egardst obui l
dingar el
ati
onshipwit hhi mthenI'dbet heone
cryingandwi shingIhadmadedi f
ferentdeci si
ons.Iwon' thav eto
gocr yingtoasi lentgr avebecauseIhadaspeci albondwi thhi m.
Ourt imetoget hermi ghthav ebeenshor tbuti twasev erythingto
me,
itheal
edal
lthehur
tI'
veev
erf
eltandf
ort
hatIam gr
atef
ul.

Wear el
ayi
ngmyf athertohisfi
nal resti
ngplacethi
sSunday ,he
tol
dhisbelovedwi f
ebef or
ehedi edt hathewantedasmal l
funer
alwit
honl yfamilyandclosef r
iends.Weal r
eadymadeal i
st
ofthecl
osef r
iends,mamaappr ovedofmebr i
ngingmyfriends,
Makhosiniandhisfami l
y.Mysiblingsont heotherhandhadno
onetoaddbecauset hei
rli
vesareel sewhere.

Iam famished, Icoulduseabi tesoImakemywayt otheki t

chen
tomakemy selfaqui cksandwi chandsomet hingtodr i
nk.Iraise
myheadandseeNompi l
othrought hekit
chenwi ndow, sheis
sit
ti
ngont heswi ngal onelookinglostinherthoughts.Shehas
beensodownsi ncet hemor ningwef oundpapagoneont heir
matri
moni albed, Ithinkshe'sbeat i
ngherselfupforwhat
happenedt hepr eviousnightatt hedinnertabl
e.Plusherhusband
tookthei
rdaught erandf l
ewbackt oCapeTown, hesaidt heywill
bebackonSundayf orthefuner al
.Nompi l
ocouldn'tevenf i
ght
him,shejustlethi m be.

Idecidetopourheragl assofscotchsoshecangul pitdownand

feelbett
er,I
'
m notsurei fi
twill
helpbutI'm wi
ll
ingt
otry.She'smy
sist
erandwear ebot hhurti
ngsoIdon' tthi
nkI'
m st
upidfortryi
ng
toextendanoli
v ebranchinthistr
yingtime.Weneedeachot her
togetthroughthi
s,todeal wit
hwhatcomesnextaf terwel ayhim
torestsohopefull
yshemeet smehal f
way .It
akemyf oodandt he
gl
assofscot
chandwal
koutt
ogosi
twi
thher
.

Isett
leontheconcr
etebenchandshel
ooksatmewit
hnarr
owed
eyes.Ipi
ckuptheglassofscot
chfr
om t
hetr
ayandof
feri
ttoher
,
shedoesn'tt
akeitf
rom me.

"
Justdr
inki
t,
"Isayandsheshoot
supaney
ebr
ow.

"Don'tmockmeLemohang, Iknowyou'
rebl
amingmeforr
uini
ng
hislastdi
nner.Imeanever
yoneel
sedoes,
"shesay
sandIheavea
sigh.Sheisti
ri
ngLord.

"
Iam noty
ouNompi
l
o,"Isaysl
owl
yandshegaspsf
orai
r.

"W-
whatist
hatsupposedtomean?
"Sheaskswi
thwi
denedey
es
andIpl
acet
hedrinkbackdownonthet
ray
.

"ImeanIam notli
keyou, Idon'
thavetomakey oufeelbadsoI
canfeelgoodaboutmy self.Wel
ostourfatherandbl amingy
ou
forhi
sdeathwouldbest upidandinsensi
ti
ve,"Isayandsheblinks
rapi
dly
.Shewasn'texpectingmetosayt hat.

"
ThenIam stupi
dandi
nsensi
ti
ve,
"webothl
ookf
orwar
dandf
ind
Mesul
ifol
dinghi
sarmsacr
osshischest
.

"YouaretoblameNompilo, whatyoudidthatni
ghtwasheavyon
hisheart
.Yes,hewasst
illgoingtodiebutyouratt
it
udej
ustacted
l
ikeacataly
st.Youmysisterar el
i
kepoisonandbecauseofyouI
didn'
tgetachancetopr
oper lysaygoodbyetomyf at
her
."Il
ookat
Nompi l
oandt ear
sar
egli
st eningi
nhereyes.

"
Mesul
i
,Idon'
tthi
nkt
hisi
sther
ightt
ime,
"Isayandhehuf
fsouta
humour
lessl
augh.

"Ohsonowy ou'
reteam Nompil
o?Doy ouknowhowmuchshe
hatesyou?Howshepl annedt
ogetri
dofy ou?
"Hesneer
sandI
swall
owt hebi
tt
ernessofhist
one.

"
Baby
,pl
easest
op,
"Char
lot
tesay
sbehi
ndherhusband.

"No,
Nompilohast
oknowwhatherat
ti
tudehascostevery
one.
Shehastoknowsoshecanl
ivewi
tht
heguil
t,
"Thisishecti
c,I
don'
tevenknowwhatt
osay.

"Iunderst
andthatyou'
rehurt
ingri
ghtnowbutmyl ovelet
'sshow
somer espectt
oy ourdad,
"Charl
ott
eistr
yingbutherhusband
seemst obeoutforblood.

"Respect
?Di dsheshowhimrespectwhenshewasturni
ngt he
dinnermyf at
herwantedi
ntoawarzone?"Mesul
ii
sjusttr
yingto
shiftt
heblameonNompi l
o.

Hefeelsguil
tyfornotcomingtoseeourfat
hersooner
,heregret
s
wasti
ngtimeandonl ycomingwhenhewasaboutt odie.Thi
shas
not
hingtodowi thNompilo,heist
ryi
ngtomakehimselffeel
bet
terbyblaminganotherperson.

Idon'
twanttobeint
hemiddleofthi
sar
gumentsoIj
ustgetupt
o
goeatinsi
deandcal
lMakhosi
ni.

AMUKELANINKOVANI

Ihav
ebeenanemot
ional
messev
ersi
nceLemohang'
sfat
herdi
ed,
yesIam genuinelyhurtbutIthinkmyhormonesareexaggerat
ing
thi
ngs.Mymot hersay sit'
snormal t
ofeelext
rawhenpregnant
andIshouldgetusedt oitbecauseit'
sgoingtohappenquit
eal ot
.
Jongikhay
adecidedt ocomegetmeaf terworksowecangogr ab
abiteandtakemymi ndof ft
hings.Hehasbeenamazingandour
rel
ati
onshipi
ssl owlygoingbackt owhereitwasbefor
e.

Hisinf
idel
i
tysti
lll
ingersatthebackofmymind,whenheisat
workIwonderifhehasmetsomeonehef i
ndsattr
acti
vebutItry
tonotleti
tgett
ome.I twil
ltakemeti
metofull
ytr
usthim agai
n
butIknowIwillgetthereeventual
l
y.

"
Thepoorboyisst
rai
ghtfrom workAmukel
aniandy
ou'
ret
aki
ng
y
oursweetti
me,"mhanisayswalki
nginmyroom.

"Iam al
mostdone,
"Isayandshecl
apsonce,
shei
ssuchaJoj
o
cheerl
eader
.

Iappl
ysomegl
osst
omyl
i
psandgr
abmyhandbagonmyway
out.

IwalkintotheloungeandJongi khay aisnappingont hecouch,

l
ipspartedandhi slegscrossed.DidIt akealongt imeprepari
ng?
Idoubtitbutifhewant ssomeonet obl amet henhecanbl amehi s
chil
d.Thisonedecidedt ogrowov ernightandr ui
nmostofmy
cl
othesbecauset heynol ongerlookgoodonme.Mhani ev en
suggestedthatwegomat er
nit
yshoppi ngsoonandIwon' tli
eI'
m
pret
tyexcit
edaboutt hat.Retai
ltherapyisevery t
hing.
"Baby,
"Igentl
yshakehim andhesl
owl
yopenshi
sey
es.Mypoor
boyfr
iendlooksexhaust
ed.

"
Hey
,fi
nal
l
ydone?
"HeasksandIgi
ggl
e.

"
I'
m sor
ryf
ortaki
ngl
ong,
yourbabyhasmadesur
ethatnothi
ng
l
ooksgoodonmeanymore,
"hesmil
esandsi
tsupstr
aight
.

Hi
shandst
artscar
essi
ngmybumpwhi
l
ehel
ooksupatmewi
th
t
winkl
i
ngeyes.

"Howismyangeldoi
ngtoday
?Besi
desr
uini
ngout
fi
tsofcour
se,
"
heasksandIr
oll
myey es.

"Yourangeli
sdef initel
yanangel ,
wehav eagoodcal m baby.I'
m
notexperi
enci ngallthoset hi
ngsIseeonpr egnancyvlogs,"he
nodswi t
hal opsidedsmi l
eandsomeonecl earstheirthroatand
wet ur
ntof i
ndt atanast andingtherewithhishandsbur ieddeep
i
nhi spantspocket s.Jongikhay aquickl
ystandsupandmov es
awayf r
om me.Hef earsmyf at
her,hesayshemi ghtjumphi mf or
gett
ingmepr egnantandpossi bl
ydoi ngi
tinhishouse.

"Whenam Iexpect
ingy
ourpeopl
e?"Heasks,
looki
ngst
rai
ghtat
Joj
o.

He'
snotev
engoi
ngt
osayhel
l
o?

"Molotat
a,Iaskedmyel
derst
ocomewhenAmukelanii
sinher
secondtr
imestersoi
nafewweekst
heywil
lbecoming.
"Joj
o
saysnervousl
yandmyfat
herwal
ksf
urt
heri
ntotheroom.

"
Iheary
ou,
"hepauses,
andset
tl
esdownont
hesi
ngl
ecouch,
"Amu,Iwashopingt
otakey
ouandy ourmotheroutf
ordinner
,"he
saysandIheav
easigh.Hedidn'
tcal
ltoasksoImadeplansandI
can'
tcancel
onJojo.

"I
'm sor
rybutIalr
eadyhaveplans,Jongikhayaisher
etogetme,"I
sayandhisfacefall
s.Heshouldhav ecall
edtoask.Iknowwear e
try
ingtoworkonourr el
ati
onshipbuthest i
ll
hastounderst
and
thatmymot herandIhavealif
e.Wear en'tsi
tti
ngaroundwait
ing
forhim.

"
Iwi
l
ltr
ymyl
uckwi
thy
ourmot
her
,"hesay
s.

"Yourluckwi
thwhat
?"Mymom askswal
ki
ngi
nther
oom whi
l
e
putti
ngonherwri
stwat
ch.

"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,ar
eyouheadedsomewhere?
"Tatanaasks
andmymom smi l
es.She'
sdat
ingnow,sheandhernewpartner
areal
waysonthephoneandgoingondates.

"Yes,
Iam meet
ingupwit
hPaulf
oramovi
ethendi
nner
,"mhani
answersandmyfat
hernar
rowshi
sey
es.

"
Paul
?"Hei
saski
ngf
ori
tsol
etmegi
vei
t.

BonangMat
hebadi
dsayweshoul
dgi
vet
hepeopl
ewhatt
hey
want.

"Paul
Masilel
a,herboyfri
end,
"Isaycasual
lyandmymot her
thr
owsadeat hstaremyway .Il
overemindingmyf
atherofwhat
heneglect
edandl ostandhowsomeonei snowappreci
atingher
.

Iam l
i
ter
all
ymur
der
ingt
hispl
ate,
thel
adyont
het
abl
enextt
o
ourskeepsonl ooki
ngatmeandIj ustdon'tgiveaf uck.Mychi l
d
i
senjoyingthi
smeal andshewon'tmakemef eelsomet ypeof
way.ThisisprobablythebestseafoodI'
veev erhad, I'
m gladJojo
i
nsist
edonuscomi ngoutf orabit
e.Ineededt his.Iwipemy
handsandwat chhim eat,hetakesadeepbr eathandpl aceshis
pl
ateinthemi ddleofthetabl
eandIdi gin.Hei sresponsi bl
efor
al
lofthisappetit
esoi t
'sgoodthathedoesn' tmindf eedingme
andsharinghi
sf ood.

"
Bothyourappet
it
est akesomuchf
rom me,
"hesay
sandI
'
m
t
hrownint
oaf i
toflaughter
.

"
Youcan'
tbecomplai
ningwhenyoursper
msdecidedt
obebl
i
nd
t
othecondom,
"Isayandhechokesonhisfood.

Igi
ggl
eandhandhi
m hi
sgl
assofbeer
.

Jojoclear
shisthroat,"
You'
resosill
ybabebutIam pr
oudofmy
soldi
ersfordodgingthebarr
ier
.Iam nowwaiti
ngonthemost
preci
ousgifteverbecauseofthat
,"apartofmefeel
sthesame
way .

"
Ilov
eyousomuchJoj
o,"hecl
oseshi
sey
esandwhenheopens
t
hem her
eachesf
ormyhand.

"Il
oveyoutoomama,
"Wear
elosti
neachot
herwhensomeone
standsnextt
ous.

"
Mustbeni
ce,
"ohFuckmenow!

Coul
dn'
thej
ustwal
kaway
?
"
Walepl
easedon'
t,
justgoonaboutyourbusi
ness,
"Joj
odoesn'
t
wast
eti
meputti
nghiminhispl
ace.

"Why ?Becauseyoudon'twantt
oremembert
hatyouhada
boyfri
endandgi r
lf
ri
endatthesameti
me?"Myheartdr
opsi
nto
myst omachandIwi thdr
awmyhand.Joj
olooksatmewith
pleadingeyes.

Iwanttostorm outofthi
srest
aurantbutt
hematur
epartofme
saysIshouldj
ustsitdownhereandal l
owJoj
otohandl
ehismess,
andnotgiveWal ethesat
isf
acti
on.

"
No,becauseIam enj
oyingameal wi
thmygirl
fr
iendandthe
mot
herofmychild.Iaskthatyoudon'
trui
nthi
sev eni
ngf
orus,
"
Wal
etakesasipofhisdr i
nk.

"
Buty
our
uinedl
ovef
orme,
"Hesay
sandIcl
osemyey
es.

"
AndIapol
ogi
zedsi
ncerel
yfort
hat
,whatmor
edoy
ouwantf
rom
me?
"Jongi
khayai
sdefeat
ed.

"Wal
e,pl
easewalkonandl
eav
emeandmyboy
fri
endal
one,
"Isay
andhestar
tschuckl
i
ng.

"Youarejusttr
yingt
otraphi
m wit
hababybutonedayhewil
l
real
izet
his,"Hi
swordsaddstomyf ear
sbutt
hisi
sexact
lywhat
hewants, f
ormet odoubtmyrel
ati
onshi
p.

"
That
'sf
ine,
"Isayandhi
ssmi
l
efadesaway
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER86

LEMOHANGBHENGU

I
thasbeenaf ewday ssincewel ai
dmyf at
hertorest,i
twasa
pri
vatecer
emonyt hatwasat tendedbyfamilyandclosefri
ends
onl
y.Ihonestl
ycannotbel iev ethatheisnomor e,ithur
tssomuch
butIam comfortedbyt hef actt hathei
snol ongerfeel
i
ngany
pai
ns.Iwil
lforevercherisht hemoment sIhadwi t
hhim andcar
ry
hi
mi nmyhear talldaysofmyl i
fe.

Mysibli
ngsarest
il
l her
eandt her
e'sst
il
ltensionbetweenthem,
theycamehereasat agteam agai
nstmeandnowt hey'
refi
ght
ing
amongstthemsel
ves.Idecidednottoincludemy sel
finthei
r
squabbl
eandjustfocusonmour ningmydear estdad.

Hopefull
ytheywillsquashthissoonsowecanal l
moveonasa
f
amilyandmay behaveaheal thyrel
ati
onshi
pforthesakeofour
mother.Shelosttheloveofherl i
feandbestfr
iendandthelast
t
hingsheneedsi sherkidsfighti
ngandhat i
ngeachotherthi
sway.

"Lemo,"Il
ookupandfi
ndMesuli
standi
ngnextt
otheshr
ubswi
th
hishandsburi
edi
nhispocket
s.

"
Doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
"Iaskandheshakeshi
shead.

"
No,
mymot
heraskedmet
ocal
lyout
oherbedr
oom,
"hesay
s
andInod.

Mesul
itur
nsandl
eav
esmesi
tt
ingont
heconcr
etegar
denbench.

Thispar tofthegar denhasbecomemyl i

tt
leplaceofpeace, when
thetensionint hehouseget stoomuchIj ustcomeouther e.It
doesn'tcomecl osetomywi ndowbackatt heapartmentbuti t
getsthej obdone.Iheav easi ghandpushmyf eetthroughthe
mor ni
ngsl i
pper sbeforegetti
ngupandmaki ngmywayt omy
mot her.Ipasst hekidsplayi
ngi nt
hedr i
veway,runningand
l
aughi ngoutl oud.IwishIstil
lhadtheiri
nnocence,Iwi shIdidn'
t
havet obedeal ingwi t
hallofthi
srightnow.

Iwalkinthebedr oom andmysi bli

ngsar einherewiththei
r
spouses,yesPhilacamebackf orthefuneralandhehasbeen
aroundsince.Hedoesn' tsl
eepheret hough,hebookedahot el
andcomesi nthemorning.Weal ldon'tknowwher etheirmar r
iage
standatthismomentbutIpr aythatmysi sterf
ixesheratti
tude
andfight
sf orherhusbandandherf amily.

Allt
hechair
sinhereareoccupi
edsoIj ustsett
leont her
ugand
facemamaont hebed.She'sdressedinallbl
ack,shesaysshe
will
beinthi
soutfi
tforawholey ear
.Myf at
her'
sfami l
ysai
dshe
couldweari
tforsi
xmont hsbutsher ef
usedandsai dshewants
tomournherhusbandproperl
y.
"Yourfatherwaseveryt
hingtome,ourmarri
agehaditsupsand
downsbutal lmarri
agesdo.Itwasneverper
fectbuti
twasr eal
andf ul
lofloveandpassion.
"Shesayswithashakyvoiceandmy
heartbreaksforher
.Icannotbegi
ntoimaginethepai
nshei s
feel
ingrightnow.

"Idon'
thaveanyonebutyoumychi l
drenandi thur
tsmebecause
youarenotgetti
ngalong.Myhusbandswi shwasf orustobea
family
,ahappyclosefamil
y.
"Shewipeshert earswitha
handkerchi
efandtakesadeepbreath.Ij
ustwannagi veherabi
g
bearhug.

"Nompi l
oandMesul i,youstay edawayf r
om meandy ourfat
her
forthelongestti
meandt hathur tussomuch.Wedi dn'tknow
whatwedi dt oyoubotht odeser vethatbutIcanonlyhopet hatit
allchangesfrom hereonwar ds."Shesay sandonecannotmi ss
thehurtinhervoice.Hopefullyt hesetwocanseehowmucht hey
hurtthei
rmom andt r
yt ofi
xt hingswi thherbefor
eitistoolate.

"Iam verysor
rymama,Ipromisetodobetter
.Charl
ott
eandIwil
l
visi
tfr
equentl
yandwewi l
ldefi
nit
elycal
lev
eryday,
"Mesul
isay
s
andget sonhisf
eett
ohughi smom.

Lethi
m st
ayt
ruet
ohi
swor
ds.

"Iwi
ll
makesur
eofi
t,
"Char
lot
teaddsandmamaof
fer
shera
sweetsmi
l
e.

"Thankyou,
"Shesni f
fsandwi peshertear
sagain,"Anothert
hing,
Lemohangisy ourfat
her'
sdaught er
,youryoungersist
er.
What ev
erhat
ey ouhav eforherhastostopnow.Iam notaski ng
youbutIam tell
ingyou.Thisgir
lisanamazingpersonandy ou
havet ogi v
eherachance,stoptreatingherlikeanintruder
.You
will
treatherasaBhenguandst opbei ngrudet oherandAt ang.
Theyar eapar tofourf
amilyandi twillneverchange."Myheartis
thumpi ngagainstmychest.Iwasn'texpect i
nghertoaddr essthi
s
i
ssueatal l
.Ihadalr
eadyacceptedt hattheywillneverseemeas
oneoft hem.

"NowIhopey oubot hhavehear dme, "mysi blingsmumbl etheir

answersandmamacont i
nues,"Iknowy ouhav eli
vestogoback
tosoIwill
allowy outoleave.Ijustwant edtot ellyouthatthere
wil
lbenor eadingofanywi l
lbecausey ourfather '
sassetswer e
for
feit
edbyt heaut hor
iti
esbecauseoft hediamondscandal .This
housewasn'tt akenbecausei twasboughtunderat rustandthe
moneyIhav ei senought okeepme, LemohangandAt anggoing.
There'
snothingt osharewi t
hy out woandIhopey oucan
underst
andt hat,"sheexplai
nsandIcl osemyey es.Thismight
j
ustmaket hem t ohatememor e.

"
Aslongasyou'
retakencar
eofI'
mfinemama."Mesul
isay
sand
t
hat
'sarel
i
efbutIknowNompiloisaboutt
ocausesomedrama.

"Metooma.Babat ookust ot hebestschoolst

oensurethatwe
getquali
tyeducat
ionandi nt urngetj
obs.Wear efi
nanci
all
y
securedmamasoi t'
sfine,
"that'sNompilo.Lor
dknowsIwasn't
expecti
nghertotaket hisl
ightly.

"
Thanky
oubot
hforunder
standi
ng,
"-Mama.

"So,Ihavespokent
oyouruncl
esandweagreedt
haty
our
cleansi
ngceremonywi
llbei
namont hst
ime,
"

"
Okay
,wewi
l
lmakei
tback.
"Mesul
ianswer
s.
"
That
'sal
lIwant
edt
osayt
oyoual
l
,"mam'
Nobunt
usay
s.

"MamaIwouldli
ket
osaysomethi
ngify
oudon'tmi
nd,
"Phi
lasay
s
andall
eyesar
eonhim.Igl
anceatNompil
oandherey
esball
sar
e
aboutt
ofal
loff
.

"Youcangoonmkhweny
ana,
"mamagi
veshi
mthepl
atf
ormt
o
saysomethi
ng.

"Thanky oumam' Bhengu, "hesay sthenclearshisthroat,"

I
mar r
iedy ourdaughterbecauseIl ov ehersomuchbutl i
vingwi t
h
herhasbeent hehar destt hi
ngev er.Nompiloisdisrespectf
ul,she
i
smeanandsel fcent ered.Mydaught erandIhav ebeenl i
vi
ng
withamonst erthatishar dt oplease.Ihonestl
ycannotcar ryon
witht hismar ri
age,Itriedbutf ail
edandmamaIam humanandI
canonl ytakesomuch.Iknowt hisisnotther i
ghttimeandI '
m
sorryf ordoingthiswhi l
ey ou'r
edeal i
ngwiththepai noflosing
bababutIj ustwant edev er y
onet oknowt hatI'
vef i
l
edf ora
divorce,"ohmyGod.

IlookatNompil
oandhereyesar
egli
steningwithtear
s,Icansee
thehurtandr
egreti
nherey
es.Shewasn'texpecti
ngthisatal
l
.

"Phi
lapl
easedon'
tdothi
s,
"shesay
swi
thashaki
ngv
oice,
clut
chi
ngatherchest
.

"NoMpi l
o,Ihavetr
iedmakingt hi
swor kandnowI '
m done.I
deservebett
er,
"Idon'tt
hinkweshoul dbeli
steni
ngt othis.Igetup
from t
herugandleav et
her oom, Nompil
oandIarenotcl oseand
I
'm sureshedoesn'twantmeseei nghervulner
able."Lemohang,"I
turnandfi
ndMesul iandCharlott
eleavi
ngmamasbedr oom as
well.
"
Yes?
"

"Uhm...
mmhhmmhh,"hel
ooksathi
swif
e,"
Wouldyoul
iket
ogo
outforadr
inkwi
thmelat
eron?
"HeasksandIf
rown.

"
Adr
ink?
"Iaskconf
usedandhenodswi
thaner
voussmi
l
e.

"
Yesadr
ink,
"Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
hisatal
l
.

"Ohokay,"henodsandItur
nandcont i
nuewal
king.Ineedt
ocal l
Makhosiniandaskifgoi
ngforadr
inkwi t
hMesuliisagoodidea.
Hemi ghtbeplanni
ngonkil
li
ngmet henmakeitlookli
kean
acci
dent.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"
Youar
eal
i
fesav
er,
"Wal
esay
s,t
aki
ngt
hepl
ast
icoff
oodf
rom
me.

Isi
tdownonthecouchandpl
acemybagnextt
ome.Heset
tl
es
downaswell
andtakesoutt
hefoodf
rom t
hepl
ast
ic.

WhenIcal
ledhi
m andaskedt
omeetheaskedmet
obr
inghi
m
j
oll
ofr
iceandgoatmeat
.

"Youcangogety ourselfsomethi
ngtodri
nkint
hefri
dge,"hesays,
pinni
ngopent hecanofcast l
emilkst
out
.Idon'
tknowwhybutt he
Niger
iancir
cleI'
vebeenar oundwouldki
l
lforst
outwhil
eeating
someoft hei
rdeli
cacies.

"
I'
m goodt
hanks,
Ihadl
unchwi
thEbukabef
oreIcameher
e,"Isay
andhenods.

"How'
smybrother
?Haven'
tseenhiminami nut
e,"heasks,
taki
ng
aspoonf
uloft
hericewhi
lehol
dingapieceofmeatintheother
hand.

"
He'
sgood,
justbusyatwor
k."Isayandhenodswhi
l
echewi
ng.

Iam herebecauseJongikhay aandAmukel anitol

dmewhat
happenedlastweekatther estaurant.Icouldn'
tdealwit
hitthen
becauseIwasgi vi
ngallmyat tenti
ont oLemohang.ButnowWal e
needstobeaddr essedandt oldtobackof f
,Amudoesn'tneedany
ofthi
sbull
shit.Iknowheishur t
ingbuther eall
yneedsto
remembert hathewastheonewhodeci dedtogetint
oa
rel
ati
onshi
pwi thaguywhoal readyhadsomeonei nhisli
fe.All
thi
smesscannotbeputonJoj oal one,i
treall
ytakestwo.

Heateevery
thi
ngandnowhei sgulpingdownt heremai
ningbeer
.
Heputstheemptyfoodcontai
nerandthecanofbeerint he
pl
asti
candgoestothekit
chentothrowitawayandwashhi s
hands.Hecomesbackaf ewsecondslaterwit
hanothercanof
beerandsi
tsbackdown,l
eaningbackandcr ossi
nghislegs.

"Soyouar
egoi
ngt
oleav
emyhousewi
thoutt
aki
ngany
thi
ng?
"He
asks.

"
Itol
dyoual
ready
,Ihadl
unchwi
thEbukabef
orecomi
ngher
e,"he
shr
ugshi
sshoul
der
sandt
akesasi
pofhi
sbeer
.

"
Howi
syourbr
other
?"

Iheaveasi
gh,"
Iam act
ual
l
yher
etot
alkt
oyouaboutt
hat
,"he
narr
owshisey
es.

"Wal
e,IknowJoj ohurtyoubutpleasel
eav
ethem al
one.Youcan'
t
becal
li
nganddi stur
binghim whenheisouti
npubli
cwith
Amukelani
,"Isayandhechuckles.

"Hesentyouheret
ofighthi
sbat
tl
es?Coward,
"Iknow
hear
tbreaksar
ebrut
albutWalei
sbeingdr
amaticnow.

"That'
sthet
hing,he'
snotfi
ghti
ng,youare.Adewal
e,Jongikhay
a
haschosentobewi tht
hemot herofhi
schild,
heiswithher
becauseheloveshernotbecausesheispregnant
.Iknowy ou'
re
hurti
ngbutt
hisreall
yneedstostop,
"Isaysoftl
yandhecloseshis
eyes.

"
Iknow,it
'sj
ustthatImisshi
m somuchandwhenIsawt
hem i
n
t
hatrest
aurantIj
ustlostmysenses,
"heexpl
ains.

"Fr
iend,youwil
lfi
ndsomeonewhowi lll
oveandappreci
atey
ou.
Jongikhayawi
llnotcomebacktoyou,hewon'tl
eaveAmukelani
foranyone.Pl
easeacceptt
hisandfocusonyoursel
f,
"

"I
'
mt r
yingbutit'
shardbecauseIhadalreadyenvi
sionedaf uture
withhim.Iacceptedthathewant edmeandAmukel aniandI
i
ncludedheri neveryt
hing,Isawherasbeingthemot herofthe
chi
ldrenwewoul dhaveinfuture,
andnowt heyar
ehav ingallthat
withoutme, "OhWale.Ifeelforhi
m,Ir
eall
ydobuthehonest l
y
needst oletthi
sgo.
Ili
stenedt oWaleventandt osomeextentIunderstandwhyheis
acti
ngt hiswayandIf eelf
orhim.Hepromisedt ostopcal
li
ng
Jojoandt oav oi
dthem whenheseest hem i
npubl i
c,headmitt
ed
thatitwillnotbeeasybuthewi l
lrememberthathedeserves
betterandst ayaway.Hetrul
ydoesdeservebetterthanmy
brother.Yes,JojomightbeamazingtoAmukel anibuthebroke
Wale'shear t.

Musicst
opspl ay
ingandmyphonerings,
it'
sthecar
etakerofthe
apar
tmentI'
mr enti
ngwit
hLemohang.Iwonderwhyhei scall
i
ng
methisl
ate.Iansweronthest
eer
ingwheel.

"
Hel
l
o,"

"
Hell
oMissSisul
u,t
hisi
sThomast hecar
etaker
,"hesay
sandI
j
ustwannaknowwhyhei scal
l
ing.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Iask.

"Iam afraidnotma'am.Wej ustl

earnedt
hatyoual
l
owed
someonet osquati
nt heapartmentandyouknowthati
sagai
nst
therules,"ohFuck!

Whocoul
dhav
erat
tedmeoutt
omanagement
?

"Uhm Idon'
tknowwhaty ou'ret
alki
ngabout,theguyinthe
apart
mentismycousi n.Ilef
thi
mt herebecauseIhadtorunan
err
andbuthewi l
lbeleavingwhenIgetthere.Iam dr
ivi
ngtot
he
apart
mentnow,"Ili
etot r
yandsav ethesit
uation.
"Weknowt hetrut
h,weconductedaninvest
igat
ionandweknow
forafactt
hatthepersonhasbeenthereformonths,
"ohshi
t!I
cannotbel
iev
et hi
sishappeni
ng.

"
Youalr
eadyhav etwowar ningsandyouwer et
oldthatt
het
hird
wi
ll
leadtoyourev i
cti
on.Youar egi
venthr
eeday stomoveoutof
t
heapart
ment ,
"that'
stoosoon, wher
edot heyexpectmybr
other
t
ofindaplaceinthatshortspaceofti
me?

"
Can'
ti
tbeaweek?
"Iask.

"Unf
ort
unat
elynot
,pl
easecomet
otheof
fi
cet
omor
rowt
osi
gn
somedocuments,
"

IgettoEbuka'
shouseandpar kinthedri
veway,Ineedtocall
my
cousi
nandLemot ot el
lthem t
hatwehav ethr
eeday st
oleavethe
apart
ment.Atl
eastLemonowst ay
swi t
hherstepmom andIhav e
Ebuka'
splacetocal
lhome, Iam worri
edaboutJojo.I
t'
sgoingto
bealmostimpossi
bletof i
ndaplaceinthr
eeday s.

Irecl
i
nethechai
rbackanddi
alJongi
khay
a,t
hiswi
l
ldef
ini
tel
y
knockhi
m down.

"Undi
phil
e,"heanswer
s,pant
ingl
i
kehej
ustr
anki
l
omet
ersand
kil
ometers.

"Didyouj
usthavesex?
"Ij
okeandhesmackshi
sli
ps."
I'
mjust
kiddi
ngbro,
"Isayandhef
akelaughs.

"
Iwaswor
kingouti
nthebal
cony
,"hesay
s."
Wassup,
youcal
l
ing
t
osayy
ounotcomi
nghome?
"Heasks.

"Yes,butal
sobecauseIhav esomebadnews.Management
knowsy ou'
vebeenli
vingt hereandtheygaveusawarni
ng,
thi
sis
ourthir
dsowear eevicted,"hegaspsinshockandIcl
osemy
eyes."Theygav
eust hreeday stomov eout
,"Iadd.

"OhFuck!Damn,IguessI
'
llspendthewholeni
ghtt
ryi
ngt
ofi
nda
placet
ostay,
"hesaysandIfeelbadforhi
m.

"
I'
m sor
rybr
o,"Isay
.

"
It
'sokaymnt
ase,
thi
sisn'
tyourf
aul
t.
"Iknowbutst
il
l.

"I
'
llbesleepi
ngoverfr
om tomorrowsowecanst artpacki
ng,
I'l
l
callLemointhemorning.
"Thefrontpassengerdooropensand
myboy fri
endcl
imbsin.Helooksatmewi thfurr
owedbr ows,heis
probablywonder
ingwhyIam sit
tinginthecar.

"
Okay,
I'
ll
seey
out
omor
rowaf
terwor
kthen,
"hesay
sandIend
t
hecal
l.

"
Omali
cha,whyar
eyousi
tt
ingi
nthecar
?"Heaskswi
thwor
ry
l
acedi
nhisvoi
ce.

"Ihadtocal
lJoj
oandt
ell
himt
hatwehav
ebeenev
ict
ed,
"Isay
andclosemyeyes.

"What?Whathappened?
"Inar
rat
ethecal
lIr
ecei
vedf
rom t
he
car
etaker
.

"That
'sseri
ousmylovebutatleastyouhav eahomeherewit
h
me,"hesaysandIknowhei sr ej
oici
nginsi
de.Happyt
hatIwil
lnot
haveanotherchoi
cebutt
ost ayher eful
lti
me.
"
IknowbutI'
m worr
iedaboutJoj
o,howwi
llhef
indapl
acei
n
t
hreeday
slove,
"Isayandhetakesmyhand.

"Thi
shouseisbigbabe,i
fhedoesn'
tfi
ndsomet hi
nghecanst
ay
withusunti
lhegetssomethi
ngsuit
abl
e,"Iam gl
adheist
heone
whosuggestedit
.Ididn'
twantt
oaskandputhi minanawkward
posit
ion.

"
Thanky
oumyl
ove,
"hei
ssi
mpl
ythebest
.

Iam t
rul
ybl
essedt
ohav
eEbukaasmyl
i
fepar
tner
.

"Anythi
ngforyou,"heleansinandweshar eakiss."Iknowweare
notdonewi t
hourpr emaritalcounsel
ingbutsinceyou'removi
ng
i
nper manentlyIthi
nkit'
sonlyr i
ghtandrespectful
formet osend
thelett
ertoyourfamily.
"Hesay swi t
hasmi l
eandInodi n
agreement.May bethewhol eevict
ionthi
nghappenedsomy
l
obol anegot
iati
onscanst art
.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER87

MAKHOSI
NILUKHELE

Thel asttwomont hshav ebeenal ott odeal wi t

hhonest ly,f
rom
watchi ngmygirl
fri
endst rugglewi thaccept ingherf ather'
s
passingt oimpati
entlywai ti
ngf orLukheleDi amondst obedone.
Myempl oyeeshavebeenoutofwor kf orlongnowandIknow
theymustbest r
ugglingf inanciall
y,butat leastwear eopening
shopi naweekst ime.Nancyi sexci t
edoutofhermi nd,shesays
shehasbeengoi ngcr azyst ay i
ngathomeandnotbei ngmy
super womanatt heof fice.Iont heot herhandenj oyedbei ngat
homeandhat editatt hesamet ime.Ilov edi tbecauseIgott o
designandmakej ewel rymy sel
fandbecauseIspendmor etime
withmyf amil
yandmygi rl.Theonl yreasonIhat editwas
becauseofmyempl oy ees, thi
nkingoft heirst r
ugglesmademy
heartwr ench.

Iwalkbacki nthebedroom andLemohangi sst andinginf

rontof
themirrorbuttnakedandt al
ki
ngont hephone.Wehav ebeen
l
ockedupi nher esinceshearri
vedinthemor ning,theweatheri
s
all
owingust obel azyandsexy,hopeful
lyi
trainsallweekend.I
placethetraywithourtakeawaysont hepedest al
andr ef
il
lmy
glasswithsomegi nandtoni
cwhi l
eIwaitforhert owrapupher
call
.
"
Sor
ryl
ove,
thatwasMesul
i
."Shesay
s,comi
ngbackt
obed.

"
Howi
she?
"Iask,
handi
nghert
hegl
asst
odr
ink.

"
He'sgood,hejustcal
l
edt
ochecki
n,
"shesay
s,pul
l
ingt
hecov
ers
wi
thherfreehand.

"
Whatt i
meisiti
nAust
ral
i
a?"Iaskandshenar
rowsherey
es,
t
hinki
ngaboutit
.

"Uhm, Ithi
nkhesaidt heyareei
ghthour saheadofus,
"she
answer sandItakemyphonet ocheckt heti
mehereandit'
sonly
fi
fteenmi nut
esaftertwointheafternoonwhichmeansit'
sfi
ft
een
minutesaf t
erteni
nt henightoverthere.

"
Isn'
thesl
eepi
ng?
"Iaskandshel
aughs.

"Hesayshei
swait
ingforCharl
ott
etocomebackhome,
shewent
outwit
hherf
ri
ends,
"sheexplai
nsandIlaugh.

Iknowexact
lyhowhei
sfeel
i
ngr
ightnow.

Waiti
ngf orLemohangt ocomehomewhenshe' soutwi t
h
Undiphil
ei sadr ag.Whenshef i
nall
ygetshomeshei sar ascal,
shewi l
lbesi ngingandmaki ngfoodintheki
tchenthencome
backtot ellmeaboutherni ghtattwointhemor ni
ngandal lIwant
todoissl eep.Butwel ovethem sowet aket
heirdrunkcrapinthe
earl
yhour soft hemorning.

"Iam gl
adthaty
ourrel
ati
onshi
pwithyourbr
otheri
sgett
ingbett
er
andbetterwi
theachpassi
ngday,
"Isayandshesmiles,
nodding
herhead.
"Iam gl
adtoobabe.Atfi
rstIt
houghthewantedtopoi
sonmesoI
canbeoutoft hei
rwaybutnowIappreci
atehavi
ngabigbr
other
,"
Ikisshershoul
der.

Shedeser
vesal
lthi
slov
eandat
tent
ion.

"Ij
ustwishthi
ngsbet weenNompil
oandIcoul
dalsotakea
healthyt
urn,
"Ituckaloosestr
andofhai
rbehi
ndherearandr
un
myi ndexfi
ngeralongherjawl
ine.

"Focusonpeopl
ewhoar egiv
ingyouposi
ti
vevibes.Nompil
owi l
l
comear oundwhenshewantstobuti
fshedoesn'tthati
sn'
tyour
problem,
"shenods,
offer
ingmeasweetsmi l
e.

"
You'
rer
ight
,"Ir
oll
myey
es.

"
Ofcour
seIam,
"shecl
i
ckshert
ongueandhi
tsmepl
ayf
ull
y.

"
Uhm babe,
"Idon'
tl
iket
hatt
oneatal
l
.

IknowI
'
m notgonnal
i
kewhatshehast
osayt
ome.

"
Mhhh?
"Shegi
ggl
esandpecksmyl
i
ps,

Ohnowshe'
sbei
ngcut
etosof
tenmeup.

Lemoheav esasi gh,"

uhm mybr ot
heri
nvi
tedmetocometo
Aust
ral
ia.Allexpensespaid,
"shesaysandInodi
mpercept
ibl
y,I
don'
tknowhowIf eel
aboutthi
s.

"
Forhowl
ong?
"Iask.

Idon'
tmi
ndhervi
sit
ingherbr
otherbutmywor
ryi
sherl
eav
ingme
heref
orl
ong,
Idon'
tthinkIwi
l
lcope.

"
Aweekmay
be,
wesai
dwewi
l
ldi
scussev
ery
thi
ngonournex
t
cal
l
,"shesay
sandIam j
ustl
ooki
ngatheri
nabl
ankst
are.

"
You'
renotpl
anni
ngonleav
ingmeher
eandpermanent
lymov
ing
t
oAustr
ali
ari
ght?
"Shesmil
esandcl
aspmyhand.

"Howcoul
dIl
eav
emyhear
t?Howwi
l
lIsur
viv
e?"SheasksandI
blush.

"
Iknowwe'v
espokenaboutt
hismylov
ebuty oust
il
lseeyour
sel
f
marr
yingmesomedayandgi
vingmechil
drenri
ght
?"Hereyes
t
winkl
e.

"Eversi
ncemyli
fefoundit
'sbal
ance,
Idon'tt
hinkIhav
ewanted
anythi
ngmorethanbeingyourwi
feandstart
ingafamil
ywi
th
you,"t
hat'
smusict
omyear s.

Il
oveLemohangandwi t
heachpassi ngdayIwakeupandr eal
ize
j
usthowdeepitgoes.Li
fehasblessedmewi thabestf r
iend,a
gi
rl
fri
endandadvi
sorall
atthesamet i
me.Herloveerasedallt
he
pai
nanddisappoi
ntmentsI'
veeverfacedinmyl i
fe.Sheis
def
ini
tel
ytheri
bthatwastakenfrom me,umfazikaMakhosi ni
.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"
Babeyourphone,
"Ebukayel
lsf
rom t
heloungeandIdr
opt
he
y
am Iwasbusycutti
ngandrushtogetmyphone.

Heisr
elaxi
ngonthecouchwatchi
ngasoccergame,t
hisi
sthe
r
easonwhyhedidn'
tbri
ngthephonet
omei ntheki
tchen.

Ipi
cki
tupf
rom t
hecof
feet
abl
eandf
rownatt
hecal
l
erI
D,t
hey
nev
ercal
lmesowhati
sthi
snow?

"
Hel
l
o,"Ianswerbor
ed.

"Undiphil
e,unj
animntakabhut
i?"wow,j
ustwow.NowIam her
brotherschil
d?AuntLumkaneverceasestoamazeme.

"Iam f
ine,
"Iwon'
tbot
heraski
nghowshei
sbecauseherwel
l
bei
ng
doesn'
tint
erestmeatal
l
.

"
Andoursoni
n-l
aw,
arey
out
wost
il
lcopi
ng?
"Iwantt
olaughout
l
oud.

Theywerebusylaughi
ngwhenIwashomef ormylobol
a
negoti
ati
onsandtheceremonythatf
oll
owed,say
ingIhave
wastedmylif
eandnowI 'm mar
ryi
ngaforei
gnertocovermy
washedupself.

"MyhusbandandIar
efineaunt
y,canIhelpyouwit
hanythi
ng?"I
askbecauseIknowt
hisisn'
tasoci
alcal
l.Shewantssomethi
ng
fr
om me.

"IhopesoUndi,
y aziasafamil
ywemustl
ookoutf
oreachot
her
,"
haibo!Noshedidn'tj
ustsayt
hat,
nott
omeatl
east
.

"Family?Auntyareyouokay?Areyouawareofwhoy ouare
tal
kingto?"Isett
ledownnexttoEbukaandputthephoneon
speaker.Ineedhimt oheart
hisconv
ersat
ionsothatIhav
ea
witness.

Shet
it
ter
s,"
Ewe,Ical
ledmynieceUndi
phi
leSisul
u,
"Ebukashrugs
hi
sshoul
der
s,asasignofaski
ngwhatall
ofthisi
sabout.Ij
ust
si
gnal
forhi
mtol
i
sten.

"Ohokay
,sowhatdoy
ouneed?
"Iaskagai
nandsheheav
esa
sigh.

"YouknowUndi phil
ethingsinGqeber haaresl
ow, yourcousi
n
Yonelai
shavingahar dti
mef indingajobthi
sside,
"shesay sand
Inarr
owmyey es."Iheardthaty ouandoursoninlawl i
veinabig
houseandthathei sani nfl
uentialman.Weheardhei stheone
whogotJongikhay ahisnewj obsowewer ewonder i
ngifhecould
setupYonelawi t
hsomet hi
ngt ooandaccommodat eheri
ny our
housewhenshemov estoJohannesbur g,
"ohmyGod!

Idon'
tbeli
evethis,
theseparasi
testhi
nkIwil
lopenmyhomet o
oneofthem?Iknowmyaunt ,sheprobabl
ywantsYonel
at ocome
hereanddestroymymar r
iagewi t
hthehopesofrepl
aci
ngme.
Thatwil
lneverhappen.Il
ookatEbukaandheshakeshi shead.

"Idon'
tknowwhereyouheardthatbutmyhusbandhasno
i
nf l
uenceandwearerent
ingaonebedroom apar
tment
.Itcan
onlycontai
nthebot
hofus,"Isay
.

"HaoUndiphi
le,whyar
ey oulyi
ng?"Ibl
owoutaheav ysi
gh.What
makesthem thi
nkIwouldev erdoanythi
ngforthem?Theyalways
hatedmeandt reat
edmel i
keanout si
derandnowt hatt
heyknow
Ebukaisaloadedmant heywanttoplaynice.Theycanall
gofuck
themsel
ves.

"AuntLumka,Iwascooki
ngintheki
tchen.Ihav
etogoandf
ini
sh,
"
Icannotent
ertai
nheranyl
onger.

"
Undi
phi
l
ebutwear
e..
."Ihangupbef
oreshecansayany
thi
ng.
Ilookatmyhusbandandhei sdef eat
edjustlikeIam andi nthis
momentIr eali
zehowt hankf
ulIam t obehiswi fe.Hei smyfami l
y
now, hi
m, myf ri
endsandmydear estcousin.Theonl yfamil
yI
hav ebacktherei sal
l gone,t
heirremainsar ei
nt hecemet ery
.The
l
ivingaretoxicandf rom todayonwar dstheyar edeadt ome, Iam
remov i
ngal lt
hehopeIhadoff ixi
ngt hi
ngswi tht hem someday .
Thisphonecal ljustprovedthattheyaresnakest hatdon'
twantt o
seemewi nninginlif
e.

IswearPeacheswor kedf rom thegr avei nensur ingthatt his

mar ri
agehol ds,shesawt hatast ormi ngoi ngt obr ewandshe
want edmef arawayf r
om i t.Iam alsogr ateful totheSi suluelders
andJongi khay af ori
nsistingt hatwehol dall t
raditi
onal mar ri
age
ri
ghtsj usttwoweeksaf terthel obolanegot iati
ons.Ebukaf l
ewi n
histwouncl e'sandt heirwi vesaswel lashi ssi ster
.Hiswhol e
brotherhoodsquadf r
om Johannesbur gpai ntedKwazakhel ered,I
sweary ouwoul dhav et houghtt hesmal lceremonyf orritual
swas
myact ualweddi ng.Thatwast hehappi estdayofmyl ifeandI
wishedmygr andmot herwasal i
vetoseei thappen.Ev erythi
ng
wentsmoot hlyexceptf ormyaunt '
sandt heirchi l
drenwho
couldn'tshutupaboutmemar ryi
ngadr ugdeal ertocov ermy
shame.Accor dingt othem Ial lowedSout hAf ri
canment ouseme
andIdi dn'thav eachoi cebutt omar ryaNi ger i
anwhoi s
desper atetobeaSout hAf ri
canci ti
zenf ormoneyandal i
ttl
e
dignity
.Idi dn'tallowmy selftogetwor kedupov ertheirwor ds
becauseIknowmyt r
uth.Ihadpeopl eIl oveandwhol ov eand
suppor
tmybabyandIandt
hatwasenough.

"
Don'
tal
l
owt
hem t
ogett
oyou,
"Ebukasay
s,br
ushi
ngmyt
high.

"Thosepeopl
emeannothingt
omebaby
,Iwon'tal
l
owthem t
o
dist
urbmypeace,
"Isayandhesmi
l
eswide.Pr
oudofwhatI
've
j
ustsaid.

"That'smyi y
awo, "Istil
lcannotbel i
evewedi dit.Not hinghas
changedbet weenus, otherthanst ayi
ngtoget herf ulltimeand
wear i
ngt hi
sgor geousdi amondr i
ngonmyf i
nger .Ist ar
eati t
atleastt enti
mesaday ,Makhosi niisadiamondGod, whathedi d
tomyr i
ngcannev erbeundone.Ir ememberwhenmymangav eit
tomet heSundayev eni
ngaf terourlobolanegot i
ations, he
organi zedar omant i
cdi nnerinShamwar iprivategamer eservein
thehear tofEasternCape.I twasmagi cal,Istil
lcan'tputwor dsto
thewhol ething.Thet hreedayst aymademef all
deeperi nlove
witht hismannextt omeandLor dknowshowgr atef ulIam to
hav emetEbuka.Isl apmy selfsomet i
meswhenIt hinkIal most
blewhi m off
.

"
MamaObi
nna,
"hesay
sandIr
oll
myey
es.

"It
oldyouI'
m notgi
vingmybabythatol
dmen'
sname,
"Isayand
heisthrownint
oafitofl
aught
er.

"
Themeani ngwil
lsui
tmysonper
fect
ly,
"yeahyeah!Obi
nna-
"hi
s
f
ather
'sheart
"-hehastol
dmethi
sami l
l
ionti
mesbef or
e.

"Wemightgetagi
rlf
ir
st,
"Isayandhegent
lynudgesmewi
than
elbow.
"Adaeze,mypr
incess?Shewil
ldef
ini
tel
ycomeaft
erherbr
other
.
That'
showwebor nintheOkaforf
amilymadam,
"Thewegowi t
h
thehist
ory.

"Oga,Ihavehear
d.Letmegof ini
shcooking."Igetupandhe
spanksmehar dIyelp.All
thisbabytalkmakesmedi zzy,we
agreedthatwewill
st ar
ttr
yingaftertwotothreeyears.Ijustwant
tofigur
eoutmyr ol
easawi fefi
rstbefor
eIthrowi nmot herhood
i
nt hepict
ure.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Pre-or
dersforHear
tsandFlowershasbeenext endedtoApr
il
30th.ThenumbersIcurrent
lyhavearesol ow.I fyouwouldl
iketo
orderHeartsandFl
owerspleaserefertothepi nnedpostabove.I
al
sohav eotherPDFsreadil
yavai
lableimmedi at el
yaft
erpay
ment.
PleasetextmeonWhat sAppifyouar ei
nterested0671455299.

Lov
eBet
h.
TRUSTANDLUST

CHAPTER88

JONGI
KHAYASI
SULU

"
Joj
o,wai
tup.
"Ipi
votandi
t'
sAnnt
her
ecept
ioni
stcal
l
ingaf
terme.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Iaski
mmedi
atel
yasshest
opsi
nfr
ontofme.

"Yes,
Ijustwant
edtosaycongr
atul
ati
onsonceagai
nforsi
gni
nga
permanentcont
ractonMonday
,"Ismil
eandnod.

Isti
llcan'tbel
i
eveIsignedaper manentcont r
actwi
thEv er
ything
Account i
ngbeforethesixmont hslapsed.MrNdabasay shei s
happywi thmyper f
ormanceandt her e'
snoneedf ormet obeon
probationanylonger,
accordi
ngt ohim Iwasmadef orthis
i
ndust r
yandt obeapar tofhisteam.Idon'tknowwhatIwi lldo
forEbukabecausei fi
twasn'tforhim Iwoul dn'
tbehereatall.I
couldn'thaveaskedforabetterbrotherin-
law.

"ThankyousomuchAnn, "Shesmi
l
esmi
schi
evousl
ythenl
i
cks
herlowerl
ipseduct
ivel
y.

"
Iwashopi
ngtot
akeyououtforacel
ebr
ator
ydinnerandaf
ter
t
hatani
ght
capatmyhouse,
"shesaysandIheaveadeepsigh.

"
Ann,
Ihav
eagi
rl
fr
iend,
"Isayandsheshr
ugshershoul
der
s.

"Thatdoesn'
tbot
hermeatal
l
,"myey
eswi
den,
Inevert
ookherto
bethattypeofgi
rl
.Sheal
way
sseemssor
eser
vedandinnocent
.

"
Unf
ort
unat
elyi
tbot
her
sme,
Idon'
twantt
ori
skwhatIhav
e.Il
ove
mygi
rl
fr
iend,
"sher
oll
sherey
es.

"Iwasn'
taski
ngyoutonotl
oveyourgi
rlJoj
o,Ij
ustwantedtohave
somef unwit
hyou.Shewon'
tfi
ndout,
itwil
lbeourli
tt
lesecr
et,
"I
am shockedoutofmymind,

Ithoughtshewast
hesweet
estper
soni
ntheof
fi
cebutIwas
damnwr ong.

"Ihavetogo,
"Isayandunl ockmycarandcl i
mbin.Iam goi ngto
stayfarawayfrom Ann,it
'sal
readyhardforAmukelanitof ull
y
trustmeagain.IfshefoundoutthatI'
m closetoagirlt
hatof fer
ed
meher sel
font heplat
terwewoul dgoback10st eps.Wear eina
betterpl
aceandmaki ngmor eprogress,
Iwi l
lnev
erjeopardize
whatweshar eagain.Themot herofmychi l
disenoughf orme.

IgettoAmu' shouse, it
'shermot her'sbi r
thdayandshei nv i
tedme
overfordinner.Iam tir
edf r
om al ongdayatwor kandaf terhereI
needt odriv
ebackt oMi drand.That '
swher eIstaynow, Ifounda
goodapar tmentthat'ssafe,aff
ordabl eandmosti mpor t
ant l
y
comf ort
ableforAmu.Ihadt omov ebecausesomeonet old
managementatt heapar tmentmysi sterwasr enti
ngthatIwas
ther
esquat ti
ng.It'
sagainsttherul essot heyev i
ctedthem and
everyonehadt ofindapl ace,Lemohangwenthomeandmysi st
er
andIwentt ost aywithEbuka.Ihonest lysuspectthatWal eisthe
onewhot ol
donus, hewasst il
lmadatmeatt hetimeand
probablywantedal itt
levict
oryov erme.I 'mjustgratefulthathe
hasn'ttr
iedreachingout .
Amukelani '
sf at
her '
scarisparkedi nthedrivewaynextt othe
Bentl
eyt hatbelongst oPaul,hermot her'sboy f
riend.Thisisgoing
tobeawkwar d,Iknowmygi rl
friendsfatherwant shi sfamilyback,
eventhoughhi sexwi femadei tclearthattheyar eov erandcan
onlybef r
iendsf orAmuandourchi l
d'ssake.Ir espectthem so
muchf orbei ngci vi
lbuthavi
nghi m herewhi leherboy fri
endis
hereisjustuhm. .
.Idon'
tevenknowhowt oputi t.Hopef ul
lywe
canallbeadul t
sandcel ebr
atemychi ld'
sgr andmot herwithno
dramawhat soev er.

Ipressthedoorbellandafewsecondsl at
erMrNkov ani opens
thedoorwi t
hagl assofanamberdr i
nkinhishand.Hel ookst i
psy
alr
eady,hopeful
lyhewon'tletal
coholcontr
ol hismout
handr uin
thi
sdinner.Hegul psdownhisdri
nkandwr inkleshi
sfaceasi t
burnshisthroat
.

"Jongi
khaya,wel
come,
"hesay
s,st
eppi
ngt
othesi
desoIcan
passthrough.

"Thankyousi
r,
"Isayandst
opinmytr
acks.Idon'
tknowwher
eto
go,Iwasn'
texpect
inghi
mtoopent
hedoorforme.

Idon'tthi
nkhelikesmemuch, hej
ustt
oleratesmebecauseI
fatheredhi
sgrandchi l
dandhi sdaught
erlovesme.He' sal
so
pissedthatmychi l
di sgoingt ousemysur namesi nceIpai
dthe
damages.Amusay she'sgoi ngtoexpl
odei fourbabyisaboy,we
allknowboy scarrythesur nameandgoont omakechildr
enwho
willcarr
ytheli
neagef urt
her .
"Comethrought hi
sside,Amukelani
isstil
lprepar
ingandPret
tyi
s
showingPaul andhissist
ersomethi
ngi nthestudy,
"hesaysand
chuckl
es,"Ican'
tbeli
eveIam inthesamehousewi t
hamant hat
tookmywi fe,
"hesay sandIpressmylipsinat hi
nli
ne.If
oll
ow
himtothelounge.

"
Woul
dyoul
i
keadr
ink?
"Heasks,
looki
ngbackatme.

"Yespl
ease,"Icouldusesomethi
ngst
rongafteralongdayand
theconver
sationIhadwithAnn.MrNkovani
pour sadri
nkforme
andrefi
l
lshisglass,hehandsmeaglassandIt hankhi
m and
takeasip.

Ihat
eneatcognacbutI
'
lldr
inkt
hisandhav
easecondonewi
th
i
ceandami xer
.

"
DoyoulovemydaughterJongikhaya?"Heasks,l
ooki
ngst
raight
i
ntomyeyes.Iwasn'
texpect
ingthisbutlet
'sseewher
eitl
andsus.

"Wit
hall
myheartsir
,Amukel
ani
compl
etesme,
"Isayandhe
nodsimper
cept
ibl
y.

"Thenlist
enwhenIsayt hatl
ifei
sunpr edict
able,i
twontal waysbe
rosey.Butthroughitallr
emembert helov eyouhavef orherand
fi
ghtforwhaty ouhav e.Don'
tgooutt herelookingforwhati s
missinginthosetimesofuncer tai
nt ybecausey ouwilljustbe
chasi
ngaf terpebbleswhileyourdiamondi sri
ghtinfr
ontofy ou,
"
hesay sandInod, appreci
ati
nghi sadv ice.

"WhatIam say
ingi
sdon'tbeli
kemeJongikhaya.If
uckedupand
nowIhavetowatchtheloveofmylifel
ovi
nganotherman,
"he
saysandIcanseepainandregreti
nhisey
es.Damn, If
eel
sorr
y
f
orhi
m.I
tcan'
tbeeasyseei
ngmam'
Pret
tyhappywi
thanot
her
man.

"
Baby
,"Iqui
ckl
ytur
nandgaspf
orai
r.

Amukel
anil
ooksamazing,Idon'tthi
nkI'
veev
erseenapr
egnant
womanasbeauti
fulasher.Ihonestl
yfoundmyoneandGod
knowsIwi
l
ldoany t
hingtoprotectwhatweshar
e.

"
Hey,y
oulookbreat
htaking.
"Sheblushesandweshar
eahug,I
makesur
etokeepitcleanbecauseherfat
heri
sri
ghtbehi
ndus.

"Thanksbabebuty
oul
ookt
ir
ed,
doy
ouwantt
oref
resh?
"Il
augh
andnodmyhead.

"
Iwouldappr
eci
atewashi
ngmyf
aceandchangi
ng,
"Isayal
most
whi
speri
ng.

MrNkov animightj
ustreadthi
sthewrongway,Ipr
ayAmudoesn'
t
i
nsistongoingtothebathroom wi
thmebecauseherdadwi
l
l
t
hinkI'
mt ry
ingtosleepwithher
.

"Let
'sgogetyourt
hingsf
rom t
hecart
hen,
"shesaysandIf
oll
ow
herout.Iopent
hebootandshehugsmefrom behi
nd.

"
Ilov
eyousomuchJojo,
"shesay
sandIdr
opmyspor
tsbagand
t
urntof
aceher
.Iki
ssherpout
edli
ps.

"Il
oveyoumoreAmu.Iwanty outoknowthatIappreciat
ey ou
andIwil
ldoeveryt
hingi
nmypowert otakecareofyouandour
babyandmakey ouguyshappy.Youbothar
emyl i
feand
whatev
erhappensIaskthatyoudon'
tdoubtmylovef oryou,"I
sayusi
ngmyr i
ghthandtocaresshernowroundprotrudi
ngbel l
y.
Ineedtotal
ktoUndiphi
l
eandLemohangandaskt
hem t
o
organi
zeherbabyshowerandsendmet
hebil
l.

"Iam gl
adIgav eusonemorechance,
I'
vebeenhappyand
contentbecauseofi
t,
"shesay
sandmyhear ti
salr
ight
.

UNDI
PHI
LESI
SULU

"MyhusbandandIar
ewokenupbyal oudknockonourbedroom
door,
"hegroansi
nfr
ust
rat
ionandIj
ustwanttodisappeart
his
minute.

Iunt
anglemy sel
ffr
om hi
m andchecktheclockonthepedest
al,
i
t'
s06:00inthemor ni
ngandit
'saSat
urday.Weshouldberesti
ng
fr
om thehecti
cweekwehadatschool andwor k.

"Ahhh,ourwi fe.Wakeupo, y
ouhav etopr epar
ebr eakfastand
sweept heyar dbeforewest arttoday'slessons,"Ebuka'saunt
saysandIt aket hepil
lowandcov ermyf acewithit.Thiswoman
cameal lt
hewayf rom Nigeri
at oabusemei nmyownhouse.I
thoughtshecameher etot eachmet hingsanI gbowi feshould
knowbuti tlookslikeshejustwant st oteachmehowt obe
domest i
cated.Ihav eneverfail
edi ntakingcareofEbuka, Idi
d
thatevenbef orehemar ri
edme.

"
Iwil
lberightoutaunt
y,"Ishoutl
oudenoughandshewal
ksaway
f
rom ourdoor.

"
Ebuka,
no!
"Isay
,tur
ningt
ofacehi
m andhei
sbusyr
ubbi
ngsl
eep
of
fhi
sey
es.

"
Iknowmyl
ovet
rustme,
"Icl
osemyey
es.

Ineedhergoneasinli
keyesterday,Ican'
tev
enwalkaround
nakedinmyownper sonalspace.Sheneedstogobackhomeand
takecareofherownhusbandandl eavemetofi
gurethi
ngsout
withmine.

Ipushthecoversdownandgetoutofbed, headedtothe
adj
oini
ngbathroom.Iopentheshowertapsandst r
ipoffmy
pyj
amas,Ishouldn'
tbeinherecleani
ngupsoear l
y.Ideserv
e
somebeautysleep,Iam anewlywed.Ebukaneedst otakecar
e
ofthi
sorhe'snotgoingtogetanyacti
on,Alli
sfai
rinloveandwar
.

Iwal
koutofthebat hroom andheisbackt osleep,
he'sev en
snor
ingali
tt
le.Ican'tbel
i
ev ehecansleepwhenhej usthear dthat
hi
sauntwantst oturnmei ntohi
shousegi r
l.Ifi
ndadr essand
comfort
abl
esliponsandshakehi mroughly.Hecan'tbehav i
ngit
smoothl
ywhenI '
m abouttogosl aveoutthere.

"Babycomeon,
Iam t
ir
ed,
"hecompl
ainsandIpul
lthecov
er
down.

"
Soam I
,
"Isayandhet
urnsandl
ooksatme.

"Youraunti
soverworki
ngmebaby,savemef r
om thi
sory ou'
re
notgetti
nganyboot
yuntil
all
oft
hisisover
,"hegaspsinshock.
"Notf
air
,youpr
omi
sednev
ert
ousesexasaweapon,
"hesay
s
andInod.

"Andyoupr
omi
sedtopr
otectme,
Iam i
ndangerher
e,sav
eme,
"I
sayandwal
kaway.

If
indheri
ntheki
tchenmaki
ngtea,
she'
sdr
essedtotor
tur
eme.
Whowakesupsoear l
yanddr
essesupi
nherbestGeor
ge?

Ionlyenjoy
edadayofhav ingmadam auntyhereandaftert
hat
shehasbeenani ghtmare,I
'vehadenoughofher.Idon'
tthi
nkI
wil
l setf
ootinherhousewhenwev isi
tNiger
ian,t
hisonewill
surelymakemecl eant
heirfarmswithamachete.Iam acit
ygir
l,
hardlabourisn'
tforme.

"Youar ef
inall
yawake,"shesaysandIdon'tsayany
thingback.I
knowshecameher ehopi ngt
odogoodbutshei sbeing
overbeari
ng."Youcan'
twakeupatt hesametimeasEbukay our
husband.Youneedt obeupf ir
stsoy oucanmakebreakfastfor
him andpreparehi
sbat hwater.Hecan'twakeupandwai tf
orhis
foodorany thi
ngel
seheneedst ostartt
heday,
"Ij
ustnodand
opent hefr
idgetotakeoutingr
edientsforbr
eakf
ast.

"No,leavethosewester
nfoods,
wehav ebeeneatingthem sinceI
arr
ivedo.Ebukanar ealI
gboman, f
rysomey am, plant
ainand
makeeggswi thoni
onandpepper,helovesit
."Iclosemyey es,I
don'
twantt osnapandsaysomet hingthatwil
lmakehert hinkI
am disrespect
ful
.EbukaismyhusbandandIknowexact lywhat
heli
kest oeat
,Iam notcl
uel
essasauntythi
nksIam.Istart
washingthebigtuberofy
am andpeelofft
heskin,
sheis
watchingmeintensel
ytomakesurethatIdon'
tmakeami stake.

Ebukawalksint hekitchenri
ghtontimet oeat" realbreakfast"l
i
ke
hisauntcall
sit
.Heset tl
esonthehighchai rasIpl acemugson
theisl
and.There'steaandcoffeeingredi
ent s,Idecidednott o
stopauntywhenshepl acedhotbeveragesi ngredientsthere
becauseshewoul d'
vetoldmeit'
spartoft her ealbreakfast.
Ebukadoesn'tenjoyteaorcof f
ee,hetakeshi sjuiceorwat erwith
hisbreakf
ast.

"Whathappenedtobacon,cheese,somesausages?
"Heasks
whenIplacehisbr
eakfasti
nfrontofhi
m.Ilookathi
m andsay
not
hing.

"Thi
sisyourf
avori
teEbuka,
whydoyouwantt
hoset hi
ngs?"Aunt
y
asksandIpoutandtur
nbacktogocovert
heyam andplantai
n.

"
Ienj
oyEngl
i
shbr
eakf
astaunt
y,"shecl
ear
shert
hroat
.

"Oh,Ij
ustwantedt
oteachourwif
ehowt omakey ourfavor
it
e
foods,
"shesaysandIrol
lmyeyes.Whenwast helastti
meEbuka
stayedwit
hthem f
orhertoknowhisf
avori
tes?

"Iappreci
atei
taunt
ybutUndi
phi
l
eknowsal
lmyf
avor
it
efoods,
"
oht hankGod.

Nowt
he"
compet
it
ion"bet
weenwhoknowsEbukamor
ewi
l
lst
op.
"
Ihearyou,Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngtohel
pherl
ear
nourways,"t
ell
i
ngme
whatt
hemanIst aywi
thandsl
eepwit
hli
kesi
sn'
tteachi
ngme
I
gboway s.

"I
t'
sokayaunt
y,"hesaysandst
art
seat
inghisbreakf
ast.Heis
eati
ngtobepoli
tebutdeepdownhewantshisporksausagesand
bacon.

"Undi
phi
leandIwil
lbeout
sidesweepi
ngaft
ereat
ing,
"my
husbandchokesonamouthful
ofcoff
ee.

"
Sweepwher
e?"Heaskswi
thwi
denedey
es.

"Out
sidena,
thel
eaf
sfel
landi
t'
sat
otal
mess,
"Ebukashakeshi
s
head.

"Mama,Iknowthisishowthingsar edonebackhomebutwe
haveagardenservi
cescompanyt hattakescar
eofsuch.They'l
l
behereonMondayandourhousehel perisal
soheretocleanthe
houseanddootherchores.Undiphil
eonlyhastotakecareofmy
foodandmyotherpersonalneeds,"myhusbandfinal
lytel
lshi
s
aunthowwedot hingsinourhousehold.

Auntysayssomethingi
nI gbotoEbukaandhechuckl
es.Idon't
l
ikethi
sonebit,shewouldn'tl
i
keiteit
heri
fIst
art
edspeaking
Xhosa.Shewalksoutobviouslydi
sappoi
ntedt
hatEbukarefused
medoinganyoft hethi
ngsshewant ed.

"Whatdi
dshej
ustsay
?"Iaskandher
aisesaney
ebr
owandbi
tes
hisf
ri
edyam.

"
Shet
hinksIam spoi
l
ingy
ou,
"Ir
oll
myey
es.
"Don'
tgetmewr ongl ove,Iappr
eci
atehercomi ngheretoteach
mebutIcan'tbest eppingbacktothefi
ft
iesjustsoshecansee
measagoodwi fe.Itakecareofyouandt hi
shouseholdtot he
bestofmyabili
ty,i
tmi ghtnotbehowwomanofy ourtr
ibedoit
butIgeti
tdonenonet heless,
"Isayandhehol dsouthishandfor
meandIgladlytakei t
.

"
Iheary
oumyl
oveandIt
otal
l
yagr
ee,
"Ipeckhi
sli
ps.

"I
tfeel
sli
keshehasbeenher
eforay
earandi
t'
sonl
ybeenf
our
daysbabe,
"helaughs.

"Iwi
ll
neverall
owanyonetomakey ouuncomfor
tabl
einyourown
home,Iwasgoingt
ot al
ktoherlat
eronandexpl
ainhowwedo
thi
ngshere.
"Ifr
ownandhepullsmebetweenhislegs,
cir
cli
nghi
s
armsaroundmywaist."
Don'
tthreat
enmewi t
hsexagain,
"he
saysandInod.

"Iam sor
ry,
Ijusthadt
osaysomethi
ngsoy
oucoul
dsav
eme,
"I
expl
ainandheshakeshisheadno.

"St
il
l,
that
'snotaweaponbaby.
"Ilookdownembar
rassed,
"you
havetomakeituptome,"hesays,cuppi
ngmychi
pandmaki ng
melookathim.

Hiseyesar
etwi
nkl
i
ngandIknowhehassomei
deasi
nthathead
ofhi
s.

"Uhm, Ithinkmydearhusbanddeser
vestobetakenouttoanice
restaur antandthencomehomet opeelofmyclothesandfi
nda
surpriset hatwi
llbepar
ti
cular
lyr
edandlacey
,"Isayandhissmil
e
widens.
"
Areyoutr
yingt
oturnmeonMr
sOkaf
or?
"Hemov
esahandt
o
myassandsqueezes.

"I
si tworki
ngMrhusband? "Iaskandheget sonhisfeetand
nibblesmyear, Ist
artgiggli
ngandsomeonecl earsthei
rthroat
wal ki
ngin.I
t'
shi saunt
, wequickl
yletgoandhesi tsdownand
eatshisfood.Itfeel
slikewehav ejustbeencaughtwithour
handsi nthepotattempt i
ngtostealsomemeat .Icannotli
veli
ke
thisyoh!

"Il
ovey ou,"hemout hsatmeandIbl owhi m akiss.Whatwould
l
ifebewi thoutthishusbandofmi ne?Iam bey ondblessedtohave
amant hatl ovesmef ear
lessl
yandst andsupf ormewi t
houtfai
l
.I
canonlypr aytoGodt ohelpmebet hebestwi feIcanbet ohi
m.
Tonightafterdinner,Iam surel
ydancingforhimi nthepri
vacyof
ourbedr oom.

LEMOHANGBHENGU

Ihaveacoupl eofthi
ngsplannedtoday,Iwanttov isi
tmyf ather
's
graveandafterthatt
akemyboy f
ri
endtoapi cnicdate.Makhosini
hasbeennot hingbutamazingtomeandIwantt oshowmy
appreci
ati
onandgi vehim ali
tt
lehopeforthefuture.Ilovethat
manandIdon' twanthimt odoubtitorstar
tthinkingthatthi
s
rel
ati
onshipisonesided.Wehav ecomesof arandf acedalotto
j
ustloseitbecauseImightnotbeput t
inginasmuchef f
ortashe
hasthesepastcoupleofweeks.
"Lemohang,"Iturnandf i
ndNompi l
ostandingbythedoorweari
ng
hergownandacupofcof feeinherhand.Sheshowedupher e
yester
daylookinghorribl
e,sheist
akingherdivor
cewithPhil
avery
hardandthef actthathetookthei
rdaughtermademat ter
sworse.

"
Doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
"Iaskandsheheav
esadeepsi
gh.

"Mesul
itel
l
smeyou'
llbevi
sit
inghi
minacoupl
eofweeks,
"she
saysandInodmyhead.

"Yes, heaskedmetovisit
.Wear etryi
ngtogettoknoweachot
her
betterandbuildasol
i
dr elat
ionshi
p,"Isayandshegi
vesmea
l
opsi dedsmi l
e.

"
I'
m gladyouguysaregett
ingthere,
"shesaysandIf
urr
owmy
f
orehead,
shockedthatshejustsaidthatt
ome.

"
Wel
l
,thanksIguess,
"Isayandshest
ri
dest
owar
dsme.

"LemohangIknowIhav ebeennot hi
ngbutacompletebitchto
youandy ourlit
tl
ebrother ,
"shesay sandIwanttoagreetot hat
butIshutmymout handwai tforhertoconti
nue."
Idon'tknow
howt oapologizeforalotoft hingsjustasmuchasIdon'tknow
howt oforgi
vemy selfforcausingdr amaatmyf a.
..
Imeanour
father
slastdinner
."Thisi sthefirstt
imesheisacknowledging
thatweshar ethesamef ather
.

"
Iwi
ll
behomeforafewweeks,Iwashopi
ngwecoulduset
he
t
imet
ogett
ouhm...Idon'
tknow,
tal
kandjustt
ryy
ouknow,
"Wow!

Iwasn'
texpect
inganyoft
his,
Nompi
l
oisapr
oudwomanandI
knowi
ttookal
otf
orhert
ost
andi
nfr
ontofmeandsayal
loft
his.

"
Idon'
tseewhynot
,"shesmi
l
esner
vousl
y,noddi
ngherhead.

"
Letmel
eav
eyout
oitt
hen,
"shesay
sandt
urnst
othest
air
case.

Icli
mbi nMakhosi ni
'sUr usandleanint oki
sshi m hel
lo.Heis
dri
vingmet ot hecemet eryandafterthatIwil
lbet aki
nghi mt o
ourpicnicbr unch.Ihir
edt hegir
lthatset-upthepicnicEbukaonce
organizedf orUndiphil
e,herworki sperfect
.Mv el
owi llgoopenup
forhersoshecansetupi nthegardenwhi l
ewear eout ,
Iwant
thi
st obeasur pri
sehenceshehadt ogowhenMakhosi nil
eftto
comef etchme.

Idecidetotellhim abouttheconv ersati

onIjusthadwi t
hNompilo
andhei sshockedt oo, wonderingwhatcausedt hesudden
changeofhear t.Makhosi niadv i
sest hatIgi
v eherachancebut
openmyey eswhenev erIam ar oundher .It
otallyagreebecause
thi
sist hesameper sonthatwasr eadyt ohateanddest royme.
West opatashoppi ngcentersoIcanbuymyf athersome
fl
ower s,t
odaymar ksexact l
yt hreemont hssincewel aidhimto
rest
,Ihav ebeenmi ssinghim badl ysoIdeci dedt ocomev isi
thi
s
gravehopingitmakesmef eel better.

Wedriveintothecemeter
yandMakhosinidoesn'
tneedmyhelpi
n
navi
gati
nghi swaytomyf at
her
'sgr
ave.Wemakeaf ewtur
nsand
stopi
nfrontofhistombst
one,i
twaserect
edont hedayofthe
funer
al.It
akeadeepbr eaththenopent hedoorandcl i
mbout
witht
hebeaut if
ulfl
ower sIbought .Makhosi
nistaysinthecarto
givemet i
mewi thmyf atheralone.Istopandstareatthepictur
e
ofhim smil
ingfrom eartoear, i
twast akenwhenhewasst i
lli
n
goodhealth.Isett
leont hetombst oneandplacetheflowers
downt henpickupal i
tt
lewhi t
est oneandkissitbeforepl
acingit
nexttotheflowers.

"Daddy,
"Istartof
fandIswearIhearhi
m answer"
MaNgcol
osi"
.I
misshearinghim cal
lmebyhisclanname,i
tmademefeell
ikea
pri
ncess,Ifel
tlov
edandsafe.

"Thishasbeent hehardestt hr
eemont hsbutwear etryi
ngto
mov eon.Mamal ooksaty ourpict
ureseveryeveningandwat ches
yourfavori
teshowswi t
hAt ang.Thehouseisnol ongerthesame
withoutyou,butatl
eastweknowy ou'
renotfeel
inganypains
wher eyouare."Iwhisperandwi pemyt ear
swi t
ht hebackofmy
hand.

"Thankyouf orgi
vingmet heopport
uni
tyofknowinghow
amazingitistoexper i
encet
heloveofafather
.Thankyoufor
l
ov i
ngmyl i
ttlebr
otheraswellandleav
inguswithyouramazi
ng
wifewhohasn' tf
ailedinmother
ingus.
"Icl
osemyey esandtakea
deepbreath.

"Iknowhowmuchy ouwant edthi

ngstoworkoutbetweenmy
sibl
ingsandI,y
ou'l
lbehappyt oknowthatMesuliandIareonthe
ri
ghttrackanditl
ooksl
ikeNompi loisj
oini
ngthetrai
naswel l
.It
willt
aketimebutwewilleventual
lybeti
ghtandthereforeach
ot
hernomat
terwhat
."

Isitf
oracoupl emoreminut
esandnar r
atet
othesil
entgr
avehow
everyt
hingelsehasbeengoi
ng.BythetimeIgetupfr
om the
tombIam f eel
ingsomuchbett
er,Ineededt
otalktohi
m even
thoughIwasn'tgoingt
ogetanyanswers.

Makhosi ni i
sdr iv
ingust ohishouse, weareholdi
nghandsandI
am brushi nghi sknuckleswithmyt humb.Ihopet hepicni
cset
-up
i
sdoneandr eadyf orus,Iam nerv
ousbecauseofwhatIam
goingtogi vehi m.Ihopeher ecei
vesitwellandseesthatIam as
i
nv est
edi nt hisrelati
onshipasmuchashei s.Wegett ohi
shouse
andhepr essest her emotecontroll
erdri
vesin,t
hankGodMv elo'
s
carisn'
ther ewhi chmeanst heyaredone.Heki l
lstheengi
nein
thedriv
ewayandwebot hcli
mbout ,heholdshishandoutandI
reachfori t.

"
Myl
ove,
arey
ouokay
?"Heasks,
unl
ocki
ngt
hef
rontdoor
.

"
Iam good,
why
?"Iaskandhenar
rowshi
sey
esatme.

"Youwereokayaft
erleavingthecemet er
ybutaswenear edthe
housethemoodchanged, y
ouwer eal
l ofasuddenuneasy,
"I
wasn'tawar
e.Iobvi
ouslydon'tdealwellwit
hsurpr
ises,
whetherI
am theonebei
ngsurprisedorsurpri
sing.

"Ipr
omiseit'
snothi
ng,
"Isayandwewalkinsi
det hehouse.We
stepint
otheloungeandther
e'sagl
assofunfi
nishedwineonthe
coffeet
ablewit
hnocoasterunder
neat
h,doeshewantt ostai
n
t
hist
abl
e?Igi
veMakhosi
nit
heev
iley
esbutheal
sol
ookspi
ssed.

"Ididn'
tl
eavet hatt
her
e,"hesays,
poi
nti
ngt
othecof
feet
abl
eand
Iclosemyey es.ItmusthavebeenMvel
owhil
eshewaswai
ti
ng
ont hedecorlady.Helet
sgoofmyhand.

"Stayhere,I
'l
ll
ookar ound,
"hesay sandIsmile.Makhosi
nimakes
hiswayt othefrenchdoorleadingtothegar
denandIf ol
lowaft
er
him,it
'sclearhewillseetheset-upandfi
gurethi
ngsoutsoI
mightaswel lbebehindhimr eadytosay.
..

"Sur
pri
se!
"hegaspsinshockf
rom seei
ngt
hisr
omant
icset
-up.
Sheoutdi
dher
selff
orreal
.

"Baby!Whendidy ouplanthi
s?"HissmilereacheshiseyesandI
willadmi
tthattheloveofmyl i
feisthemosthandsomemanI '
ve
eversetmyey eson.Itakehishandandl eadhimtot heset-
up,he
settl
esdownandIj oi
nhim."St
handwasami ,whatdidIdot o
deserveal
lthi
s? "Heasks,uncoveri
ngtheplatt
erofsnacksand
takesasalami sti
ck,di
psiti
ntheguacamol ethenthemi l
dsalsa.

"Youdidever
y t
hingbaby .Ijustwantedt oshowmyappr eci
ati
on
toyouforhol
dingusdownt hispastfewmont hs,Iknowwe
haven'
tbeenhav ingitsmoot hl
y,i
t'
sbeenbl owaf t
erblowbuty ou
heldmyhandt hroughi tall
.Wordscannotbegi nt oexplainmy
l
ov eandappreciati
onf oryou,butIhopemyact ionsfrom thi
s
minuteonwardscanshowy oujusthowmuchy oumeant ome, "I
sayandheblushes, lookingatmei nt heeyes.Hewasn' t
expecti
ngthi
sandI '
m gladIcanst i
llcatchhim offguard.

"
Wow, t
hanky
oust handwasami
.Thi
seff
ortwil
lnev
erbe
f
orgot
ten,
ngi
yak'
thandaMaNgcol
osi
."Weleani
nandsharea
passi
onat
eki
ss.

"Ihaveagi f tf
oryou,Ihopet hemeaningbehi
nditmakessenseto
you,"her aisesaneyebrowandIopenmybagandt akeoutthe
heartshapedr i
ngbox.Hi sey esarewi
dened,ey
ebal
lsthreat
eni
ng
tofalloff.IhaveNancyt othankf ort
hisone,
shehelpedmeget
oneoft heguy swhowor ksatLukheleDiamondsfactor
yt omake
i
tespeci all
yf orMakhosini.

"Iknowatt imesi tmi ghtlooklikeIam noti nt hisfor

everbut
Makhosi niLukhel ey ouaremyhear tandIl ov eyousomuch.I
knowhowmuchy ouwantmet obey ourwif eandhav eyour
babiesandIshar et hatdream wit hyoutoo. "Isayandhei s
noddi ngwi thawi degr i
nonhi sface." Wellmyl oveIgoty outhis
ringt hatmat chest heoney oumadef ormewhenwest arted
get t
ingcl ose.Itcheer edmeupsomuchandgav emehope.Igot
thisringbecauseIal sowant edtogi veyouhopeandr eassurance
i
nourr el
ationship.Iwanty out olookatt hisr i
ngandseemy
pr omi setoy ou,toseet hatIam i nthisrelati
onshipmi nd,body
andsoul .
"Isayandhecupsmyf aceandcar essesit
,theloveI
seei nhi sey eswar m myhear t
.

"
Thismeanssomucht ome, Lemohang.Thi
spromisey ou'
re
makingtomefeelssogood,tomet hi
sri
ngisyousaying
Makhosinit
hedoortof
oreverisopenandIam wal
kinginwith
you,
"hesaysandIam gl
adheunder st
andsthemeaningbehind
t
hisring.

"Whati
talsomeansiswhenyou'r
egoodandreadyt
ogoonone
kneeandaskmet obeyourwif
etheanswerwil
lbeadef
ini
tey
es.
Idon'
tseemysel
fwithanyonebutyou,
Idon'
twantt
owasteti
me
anymorebecauseli
fei st
ooshort.Iwanttoabl
etodoev er
ythi
ng
withyouandforyou,"hepecksmyl i
ps,"
Imightbeyoung,t
oo
youngsomemaysaybutIwi ll
growwi t
hy oubymyside,
"he
closeshi
seyes,dr
inkingi
nmywor ds.

"
You'
remyf
orev
erandbey
ond,
"hewhi
sper
sandIhughi
m.

Allt
hatI'
vebeenthroughwaspr eparingmef ort
hishappi nessI
oncethoughtwasn'tmadef orpeopl elikeme.Ihav eawar m
homeandacar i
ngmot her,mybr otherishappyandheal thy.My
bestfr
iendshavebeenbl essedinthei rownway sandIhav ea
part
nerwhoador esmesomuch.Li fecan'tgetanybet terthan
thi
s,i
nfactfr
om hereonwar dsitcanonl ybemor ebli
ssful.Ihave
l
ivedmyl i
feforother
sandnowi t'
st i
meIl i
vedformy self
.

"Okay,cany
ouputmy" y
oucanaskmet omarryyouandI'
llsay
yes"ri
ngonmyfingeral
ready
,"hesay
sandIburstoutl
aughing.
Thiscl
own!

"Heydon'tmockmy" youcanengagemewheny ou'r

eready"ri
ng
l
ikethat
,"Isay,
sli
dingthebandonthesecondf
ingerofhi
sleft
hand,wheretheonehemademest ayswit
hpri
deonmyf i
ngeras
well
.

"
Maywebadi nf
luenceourwayt
ohappi
nessandl
i
vebyourown
r
ulesst
handwasami ,
"hesay
sandt
hati
ssomethi
ngtot
oastto.

THEEND!
!!