UNSEEN TIES

Chapter Nineteen

I woke up the next day with a stiff body and a pounding headache from the wine I had drowned in the night before. The aftermath of my emotional binge. It was Saturday, so there was no rush to get anywhere. I dragged myself out of bed, deciding to do my morning hygiene routine to feel somewhat alive again. After a long, warm shower, I put on my most comfortable clothes—sweatpants and a loose T-shirt. I scrolled through my social media absentmindedly, my eyes catching a few pictures of my colleagues at the Ndosi Co & Sons event.

Seeing everyone looking so beautiful, happy, and carefree at the event did something to my heart. It made me feel like maybe things were still normal out there, even though my life had been anything but that the last few days. I knew I couldn’t avoid work forever, but today, I just needed space, peace, and to be with the people who truly mattered—my family.

Spur of the moment, I packed a small bag of clothes. I needed to escape, even if just for a little while. The thought of surprising my parents with a visit made me smile. I was desperate to be near them, to feel the safety of their love after everything that had happened. After packing, I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. As I drove, I could feel the weight lifting off my shoulders with each mile that brought me closer to home.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the warmth and joy that only family can give. Everyone was home, which was the best surprise. My mom’s eyes lit up when she saw me, and I knew this was exactly where I needed to be. We hugged tightly, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe again.

The weekend turned out to be the best I’d had in a long time. My dad and I went shopping together, something we hadn’t done in years. It was nostalgic, and I laughed more than I thought possible given the state I had been in. Later, I cuddled with my mom, lying in her lap like I was a little girl again, while she stroked my hair, making everything feel right with the world.

The best part was playing board games with my brothers. The laughter, the competitiveness, the teasing—it felt like old times, as if nothing else mattered outside of that moment. I had forgotten about my miserable life, about Zolani and everything that had happened at work. Being surrounded by my family brought me a kind of peace I hadn’t realized I was craving.

Sunday evening rolled around, and we ended the weekend with a delicious family dinner. There was laughter, conversation, and the familiar warmth that made me wish I could stay with them forever. But reality was waiting for me, and as much as I wanted to stay in this bubble, I had to return to my apartment. After saying my goodbyes, I drove back, feeling a little more at ease.

When I finally lay in my bed, I realized how much I needed that weekend. I needed my family to remind me that no matter how hard things got, I wasn’t alone. With that thought, I drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep, feeling a little more prepared to face whatever came next.