SIKOLETHU MBATHA
Today we were driving to Nongoma , even Thubelihle was with us. I smile a little when I think of the memories of me and mama ; how we'd use to have karaoke moments in her car on our way back home from Durban whenever it was our birthday or something. My mother was a strong woman , she made single parenting look so easy. I've never lacked anything when she was alive and she made sure , I don't even know what work she used to do cause she was always home with me besides her once-a-month trips that she never disclosed to me.
Thubelihle : "We here?" I'm brought back by her voice , I turn and we are parked infront of the house that used to be my home , already they are standing outside gawking at the car.
Lwando : "You ready babygirl?" I nod. We all step out of the car , I open the gate and we walk in. These devils have big fake smiles plastered on their faces.
Sindi : "Aw mntaka sisi , we were so worried about you. Where have you been all these years heh? Do you know how worried we were?" She says taking tears and then tries to hug me but I step back. Sindi is apparently my mom's older sister.
Khumbulani : "Aw mshana. You know how wrong it was for you to run away from home right after we buried your mother?!" I scoff. I remember how I was alone and felt alone when mama was buried , nobody offered to help not even the person I thought was my friend. I arranged her funeral and buried mama alone.
Lwando : "Ey cut the crap you people! We here from Pinetown High Court and y'all have been served. " He says sounding so formal and hands the letter he had in hand to the uncle. Khumbulani runs his eyes on the letter before frowning.
Khumbulani : "I don't understand this."
Thubelihle : "That letter states that y'all have to leave this house with immediate effect or the police will take over." I honestly feel like smiling , the way they both sound so professional in their suits. They make such a cute couple plus they both lawyers.
Sindi : "Aibo! Uyasixosha emzini kaSisi?"
Thubelihle : "Yes and the house is now your sister's daughter's house so please do the right thing and leave."
Khumbulani : "Angeke ukubone lokho!" They both smile before Thubelihle speaks
Thubelihle : "Are you sure about that?"
Lwando : "I'm sure you don't want me informing Induna of kwaMaphumulo that you've been hiding here n right Mr Khumbulani or should I say Mbhekiseni?" The old man shakes before he grabs his stubborn sister's hand and run inside the house.
After a long two hours they walk out with their bags , Lwando had already made many calls.
Khumbulani : "I'm sorry mntaka sisi." I just look at him.
Sindi : "How are we supposed to go back home?"
Thubelihle : "the same way y'all came here."
Lwando : "Don't worry , I organised a small bakkie to take y'all back." Right on cue , a white old bakkie parks behind Lwando's car.
Thubelihle : "That is your ride." They both walk to the car and get in the back not before Sindi curses me and clicks her tongue. The driver of the bakkie steps out of the car once they've settled at the back. He waves to us after he locked the back of the bakkie where mom's siblings were , I think I saw them looking spooked when they saw the man.
Me : "who was that?" I asked after the bakkie drove off.
Lwando : "No one important. Here comes these guys." A truck drives through with materials and some guys in blue overalls sitting at the back.
Thubelihle : "Oh they here to fix the house has renovate it." I guess she saw the confusion on my face.
"Mngani !!!"
I turn frowning cause no way in hell she's calling me that.
Thubelihle : "That's the 'friend' ?" I nod as Kuhle gets closer to us with a baby in her arms.
Kuhle : "Sanibonani." She greets with her eyes glued on my brother. Lwando comes to take Thube with him , he kisses her and they walk towards the guys working.
Me : "Can I help you?" I ask her confused.
Kuhle : "Hawu mngani , I'm your friend nje." I scoff
Me : "I don't have any friends so uyangidida." She huffs.
Kuhle : "Look Siko , i know I was wrong but I was still young and naive. I didn't know what I was doing , i guess I just wanted to fit in and also look cool not like some farm Julia."
Me : "And for that to happen , you decided to use me as your bait? You decided to make fun of me and my situation infront of your friends?"
Kuhle : "Like I said i was young and stupid mngan , I realised after sometime that those people weren't my friends but frenemies. They once took me to a club and sold me off to a Nigerian man who had his way with me and these was the results" she says pointing at her child.
Kuhle : "When I told him about our child he sent me money to abort and told my friends that he doesn't want me anymore ; those sane friends reported me to the dean and they stole my medical report that had results of my pregnancy and sent it to my bursary so I had to drop out and come back home. I..."
Me : "Okay look , I seriously don't know why you telling me this cause I don't care , really. I have far more better things to focus on then to sit here and listen to you. Please excuse me."
Kuhle : "Oh."
Me : "Bye Kuhle. All the best in life."
Kuhle : "I never thought you of all people would change yazi." I scoff and walk off without responding to her nonsense. She really doesn't deserve my energy. She didn't even have the decency to apologize , mxm.
