Chapter 1
MELOKUHLE
Finally, breakfast was served, but Iya didn’t touch a bite. She had gone off to help her ex with his mother’s funeral arrangements. It was my idea, really, since she and that woman had always got along famously, and Mum backed me up on it. So, there I was, sitting in the lounge with Mum, trying to bond, if you could call it that. Dad was at work; men like him don’t take holidays.
A while later, Aunt Jen breezed in. I hadn’t even known she was in town—keeping up with her was like chasing the wind. She greeted us with a cheeky smile.
“I didn’t know you were this bad,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.
“Yeah, I’m on bed rest for six flipping weeks. How am I supposed to survive?” I replied, feeling more than a little sorry for myself.
“You’re surviving now, aren’t you?” Mum interjected, ever the voice of reason.
Jen laughed. “The kid doesn’t mean that. At least it’s still functioning,” she teased, casting a knowing glance at me.
“She respects Mum and Dad too much. She’d never agree to it under their roof,” I said, referring to Iya and her unwavering propriety.
Jen winced dramatically. “OUCH! You’ve really got yourself an Amahle here.”
“Tell me about it,” I sighed.
“It’s a good thing!” Mum insisted, her tone firm.
“Whatever... you never knew how to live anyway,” Jen retorted, rolling her eyes.
Mum shot her a playful glare. “Why the shade? I’m friends with you, aren’t I? That counts as living.”
“You have a point,” Jen conceded with a smirk. “Ahhh, but my friend, you have lived. Remember when you beat the shiit out of Aya?” She laughed, the memory tickling her.
Mum blushed. “I was pissed, okay? Besides, it’s wrong to speak ill of the dead.”
Jen waved her hand dismissively. “I’m not speaking ill of Aya. I’m just laughing at how I missed seeing you beat the shiit out of her because my brother decided he was tired of being able to walk on his own.”
Jen’s brother, Andrew, Dad’s best friend, had an accident years back that ruined his spinal cord. He now had an artificial one, and while it did its job, he still couldn’t do all the things he used to.
“It wasn’t a choice,” Mum said softly. “Anyway, what brings you here?”
“My ex f*ck buddy has an exhibition next week, so I’m here to attend that,” Jen replied nonchalantly.
“Which one? There’s too many of them?” Mum asked, her tone laced with mild disapproval.
“Taylor Meier. From Joburg, the street artist, and now the world’s best artist.”
“You know Taylor Meier? What am I even asking? Of course, you know the guy. My girlfriend worships him!” I exclaimed, feeling a surge of excitement.
“He sent me tickets to his exhibition. He’ll be featuring one lucky student’s pictures, and that lucky student gets an opportunity to study abroad. Did your girlfriend send in her portfolio? This week Monday was the last day to send it in.”
“I don’t even think she knew. Too much has happened this past holiday. So where can one buy the tickets?” I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.
“Probably on Computicket... I don’t know, really. They were delivered to my place the other day,” Jen answered with a shrug.
“Woah, tiger... slow down. You’re on bed rest,” Mum reminded me, her tone stern.
“Mum, I have to go; I have to take Yaya to meet him,” I pleaded.
“You haven’t healed properly, Melokuhle!” she protested.
Jen stepped in, her tone persuasive. “Come on, Amahle, don’t be a spoil sport. Let the kids be. I’ll hook you up with tickets.”
“I could kiss you right now,” I said, grinning at Jen.
Mum’s expression darkened. “You’re not having your own children is really starting to get to me!” she snapped at Jen.
“It’s just going to be for a little while,” Jen said soothingly.
“Derrick broke a bone, okay? That’s why it’s still painful for him to stand or walk. If the doctor says he should be on bed rest, then he should. His injuries aren’t just minor; they are serious, Jennifer,” Mum said, her voice filled with concern.
“Mum, come on. I’m not five; you can’t keep dictating what I can and cannot do,” I protested, frustration bubbling up.
She fixed me with a stern look. “You’re under my roof now, and you do as I say. You’re not going to Joburg until you’re all better.”
With that, she walked out, leaving me with Jen, who just shrugged. I didn’t understand why Mum was being like this all of a sudden.
AMAHLE BESS
Many might think I’m the worst mom right now, but I almost lost my son a few days ago. I’ve lost way too many people in my life, and I’m not ready to add him to that list too. Yes, he’s just going to an exhibition for a day or two, and then he’ll come back, I get that. But what if something happens on his way there or back? Then what? My parents died in a car crash, my grandparents too. I almost lost my son the same way. The last thing I want is this. Flying is also not safe. After my in-laws died in a plane crash, it was hard for me to fly again. I kept having flashbacks of when the plane went down, the scream from Lilly in the restroom, my father-in-law telling me to hold on, saying everything would be fine when nothing was going to be fine because he’s not here today. I lost my child that day. Nothing is scarier than a miscarriage, and in my case, this is both figuratively and literally because I still have the scar where that piece of metal went through my stomach. It’s a constant reminder of the day I lost my in-laws and the child I didn’t even know was growing inside of me. It’s been years, but I’m still not over it. Yes, I do fly, but it doesn’t mean I’m over everything that happened. Even driving is still a traumatic experience for me. So no, I can’t have Melo going anywhere until he is fully recovered. All my life I’ve lived for my kids because I’ve come to learn that life is too short. I’m this overprotective, boring mom because I’m scared to lose them. I’m scared that if I were to lose any of them, I doubt I’d ever function again.
I was in my room, standing by the balcony, when I felt someone touch my shoulder and wipe away a tear from my cheek. I didn’t even know I was crying. It was Jen.
“What were you thinking about?” she asked gently.
“Everything that’s happened in the past years. The pain my family and I have endured,” I confessed, my voice trembling.
“You’re scared that Melo will die the same way your parents and grandparents did,” she said softly.
I nodded involuntarily. “I almost lost him, Jen. I can’t imagine losing my son too, after all the people I’ve lost,” I said, tears streaming down my face.
She pulled me in for a hug. I was now in tears, unable to hold back any longer. “You’re not going to lose him, Babe. It’s okay to worry, it’s okay to be scared, but Melo is not going anywhere anytime soon. I will be there to make sure he takes it easy, and we will be back straight after the exhibition,” she reassured me, her voice firm yet soothing.
I got out of her arms, wiping my tears. “I understand your pain; I was there through it all. Your children have become my children, and I would never put them in harm’s way. Let Melo go with me to the exhibition, and I swear on my life that nothing will happen to him. Please,” she pleaded, her eyes filled with sincerity.
I trusted Jen with the kids. She was like a second mother to them, and knowing her, she meant every word. Yes, she was a bit lenient on them, but she was still motherly and did what was best for them. I nodded. “Please, Jen.”
“I promise. Besides, he has that girl, right?” she asked, a smile playing on her lips.
“Yes,” I replied, thinking about Yaya.
“If Yaya really is like you, then you can best believe that your baby will be well taken care of,” she said, her smile widening.
I smiled, thinking about what an amazing person that child was. Now I know she wasn’t all innocent, but she was a good person. Melo was not a troubled child per se, but he had been through a lot. When I found out about my parents, I was with him. He held himself together for me; he only cried on the day of their funeral. Melo and I have always been buddies, if I can use that word. I know things about him even his father doesn’t know, like him losing the one girl he ever really loved to suicide. I didn’t think Melo could find love after her, but life proved us otherwise. The pain Melo has been through was not for nothing; it came with love. Yandiswa is love. And I hope and pray every day that they end up together and hopefully not face some of the challenges I faced with my husband.
“That child is a blessing,” I said, my heart swelling with gratitude.
“Your smile says it all. Come, let’s go tell Melo the good news,” Jen said, linking her arm with mine.
We walked out of my room in a much lighter mood, ready to face the day with renewed hope.
MELOKUHLE
Thanks to Aunt Jen, Mum was okay with me going to Joburg with her next week. As for Yaya, I wanted to keep it a surprise. My sister came back, and it turned out they had loads of fun with Ledi, who rocked up at their breakfast-slash-lunch thingy. Yaya called me after dinner with her newly found family and ended up sleeping over there, apparently.
It was Friday, and Kate was going to Marie Stopes. I woke up nervous, like I was the one about to spread my legs in front of some doctor and have them suck the life growing inside of me. I called her, but she wouldn’t answer. I needed to know if she was okay or not. Eventually, I gave up and tried to sleep, but it was futile. So, I got on WhatsApp and started chatting with a few people. Just then, my phone rang, and it was Yaya.
“Morning, beautiful,” I said, my voice thick with longing.
“Morning, sexy. How are you?” she replied, her tone soft and sweet.
“Nervous... How are you?” I admitted, feeling a knot in my stomach.
“I’m okay.... Have you called Kate?” she asked, concern lacing her words.
“She’s not answering my calls... probably thinks I’ll try and convince her not to go through with it,” I sighed, frustration seeping through.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this,” she said, her empathy palpable.
“I’m a big boy. These things happen,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
“I guess,” she murmured.
“So, what’s bothering you?” I asked, sensing there was more.
“Nothing’s bothering me,” she said, but I could tell she was lying.
“Don’t lie to me. How was the dinner?” I pressed.
“It went great, actually. His wife is an amazing woman,” she said, her voice brightening.
“What about him?” I asked, a hint of jealousy creeping in.
She clicked her tongue, a telltale sign of her annoyance. “What is it?” I pushed.
“He told me to keep my distance from you. Says you’re not right for me and that I should get with someone from the church,” she revealed, her voice shaking with anger.
“And what did you say?” I asked, my heart pounding.
“I lost it. Told him he can’t just rock up in my life and think he’s going to play father when he hasn’t done that for 19 years. I basically told him where to get off,” she said, her voice full of defiance.
“So you think I’m right for you?” I asked, needing to hear her say it.
“Of course you are. I wouldn’t be with you if you weren’t,” she said, her words wrapping around my heart like a warm blanket. I felt my cheeks flush. This girl was making me blush.
“Riiight,” I said, trying to play it cool.
“Babe,” she said softly.
“Yeah?” I responded, my heart racing.
“If you were offered a better job somewhere outside South Africa, would you take it?” she asked, her tone serious.
“My whole life is here. There’s a lot I’d have to consider first, but I think I would take it. It’s an opportunity to grow... but my girl would have to be by my side,” I said, my mind racing with possibilities.
“But she has school,” she countered.
“We can get her a school there... it’s no problem mos,” I said confidently.
“I hear you,” she said, but I sensed some hesitation.
“Why do you ask?” I inquired, curious.
“Nah, it’s nothing. My friends and I were just chatting about what would happen if you left SA, where would it leave our relationship,” she explained.
“It’s not about the distance; it’s about two people who love each other. If you and I are meant for each other, not even distance can stand in the way of what is meant to be,” I said, feeling poetic.
“Okay, I hear you, babe,” she said, her voice softening.
“You sure you’re okay?” I asked, still worried.
“Of course, I’m just worked up about what my father said, that’s all,” she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
“I’m sorry,” I said, wishing I could be there to comfort her.
“It’s okay, babe. Anyway, let me go and wash... I will see you later on, okay?” she said, her tone brightening.
“Okay, babe. Bye,” I said, feeling a pang of longing as I ended the call.
I continued chatting with people on WhatsApp. A while later, my sister came into my room, chatting away. She was going to meet Kate, who was going to give her my card afterward. I headed to the lounge after washing and turned on the TV. Yana walked in, looking exhausted.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, concern in my voice.
“Like a bus ran over me,” she said, slumping onto the couch.
“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling helpless.
“It’s okay,” she sighed.
“So, how are the plans?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Everything is sorted; he didn’t really need my help much. Today we’re going grocery shopping,” she explained.
“Yana,” I said, hesitating.
“Yes?” she replied, looking at me.
“Would you two get back together, given the chance?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“I don’t know. At this point, there’s no telling. I’m just worried about him, that’s all,” she said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
“But the guy loves you,” I said, trying to understand.
“And I’m not in love with him. I just care about him. I think I was with him because he saved me, you know. He was there when I thought I had no one,” she said, her voice softening.
“Even though you had us,” I pointed out.
“Yes, I did, but your mother didn’t die giving birth to you, she didn’t seduce your father because she was jealous of her best friend,” she said, her eyes welling up.
“Yes, but a beautiful thang came out of it all,” I said, trying to cheer her up.
She smiled. “I guess.”
“You are our sister despite everything that happened in the past. Wait, what’s all this got to do with you and Ngawo?” I asked, confused.
She laughed, and so did I. Just then, Mum walked in, fuming.
“Yana, and then?” I asked, sensing trouble.
“Where’s Asemahle?” Mum demanded, her eyes blazing.
“She went to fetch something in town... why?” I asked, my heart sinking.
“And that something happens to be at Marie Stopes, right? Derrick, is your sister pregnant?” she asked, her voice filled with anger and disbelief.
Shiiit!
