TheUndyi

ngLove.

PROLOGUE.

BANG!
!!
Thedoorshutonmyf aceandIf li
nched.My
stomacht i
ghtenedwi thf ear,Icouldnotmove,allof
asuddenIwasi mmobi ledespi tethetwowheelsof
mywheel chair.Itr
iedt owheelmysel fawaythe
doorsoasnott oheart hehi ghpi t
chedvoicest
hat
camef rom t
hel ockedbedr oom butmyhands
shooksomuchIf ail
edt oputt hem touse.Isat
there,
tearsfr
eelyr ol
li
ngdownmycheeksasmy
parentsexchangedhar shwor ds.
“Tel
lhernott
oshowmeherf
aceeveragai
n!”dad
yell
ed.
“Sheisourdaught
er,
Raymond!Wheredoyou
expecthert
ogo?She’sonl
ysevent
eenforGod’
s
sake…”
“
Don’
tyoudar
ebr
ingGodi
ntot
his!Whatki
ndofa
Godcur sespar
entswithacr i
ppleasachi l
d?”my
heartbl
edasmydadkeptonspewi nghur t
fulwords.
Notonlydidhebreakmyhear tbuthehadf i
nally
saiditj
ustli
keever
yoneel searoundme.Hehad
fi
nall
yacknowledgedthatI’m notacomf ort
erasmy
nameNonduduzoi mplies;Iwasnot hingshortofa
cursenoparentwouldwantt obest uckwithfor
thei
rentir
eli
ves.

Whenyourownl imbscannotcar r
yyoul ikemi ne,
whenyourar edeaformut e,whenyouhaveonl y
onear mi nsteadoft wo, whenyoucannotsi tup
strai
ghtl ikeothernor malbei ngs,whenyouhavea
disabi l
it
y, t
hewor ldqui ckl
yl i
stsyoui nacat egory
youwoul dneverhavedr eamedof .Thegover nment
andsomeor ganizat i
onst hatareki ndenought o
caref oruscal lus-peopl elivingwi t
hdi sabil
iti
es-
peopl ewi thspeci alneeds.I tisani cewayof
addr essingus, r
ight?Wel l
,letmet ellyout hat
there’snot hinggl amor ousorcomf ort
ingaboutt hat
name.Thephr asej ustconf ir
mst oyout hatyouar e
speci al
,aki ndofacur sedspeci alway.
“Star!”mymot herwasst artl
edt oseemest il
lrooted
ont hesamepl acemydadhadl eftmeaf ter
throwi ngmyr esultsbackt omyf acel i
keIhadgi ven
him api eceoft r
ash.I twassur pri
si nghowhi shate
formehadbl i
ndedhi mt oapoi ntt hathecoul dnot
seemyhar dwor k.Ihadpassedmyor dinarylevel
exami nationswi t
h7Asand2Bsbutal lthatdidn’t
mat tertohim.Al lhewant edwasaper fectwayt o
getr i
dofhi scrippleddaught erwhodi sgustedhi m
somuchhecoul dn’tevenbeart osi toreatatt he
samet ablewith.
“Mum.Ar eyouokay? ”t
earsstreameddownher
face,herl
ipstr
embl edandforthefi
rstti
mei n
seventeenyearsIsawmymot her’
svulnerablesi
de.
Shemovedherl i
psbutnowor dscameout ,
she
emotionall
yembr acedmeinstead.
“Wewi llbefi
ne.Wewi l
lbefinemygi rl…”she
repeatedthewordsmor etoherselfthanshet ri
edt o
comf ortme.West ayedineachot her’sembr ace
unti
ldadonceagai nr oaredbehindus.Heor dered
met ogot omyr oom andl ockthedoor ssincehi s
businessassociat
eswer ecomingt oadi nner
meet ing.Athome, Iwasn’ tall
owedt omeet
i
mpor tantguestsorj oinmyf amil
yf ortheir
l
uxur iousparties.Onl ymyel derandonl ysister
,
Onkar abilewasal lowedt osuchmeet ings.Shewas-
sti
llis-dad’sfavoriteandpr i
de.Iwasn’ teven
all
owedt oment iondad’ snameasmyf ather.Inthe
publiceye, Iwasandst illhi
snephewhef eltpit
yfor
andt ookmei n.Somet i
mesIbel ieveittoo.How
couldInotbel ievei twhenhemadesur ethathis
namedoesn’ tgracemybi rt
hcertif
icate?Iusemy
mot her ’
snamei nst ead.Wher ehisnameshoul dbe
onmybi r
thcer t
if
icate,theresahugebl ackpen
crossj ustwhatt heydowhenyoudon’ thavea
father.

Timemovedpr ett
yf astanditwasmyei ghteenth
birt
hday.Iwashappybutnotent ir
elyhappy
becausemydaddeci dednottobepar tofi
t.Mom
tri
edtolessenthet ensioninthehousebutwhowas
shekidding?Mysi sterisli
keadevil’
sadvocate.My
tearsandmi serybringjoytoherandshemadesur e
mydaywast ot
all
yr ui
ned.Thatwasokayunt i
ldad
stor
medi ntothehousef ul
lofcelebr
antsand
outr
ightaskedmymot hertochoosebetweenher
marriageandme.Het ol
dherhewast i
redofseeing
myugl yfaceever ydayandhewasst arti
ngtofeel
depressedi nhisownhouse.Iwasdeadshocked!
Butwhatt ooktherestofmybr eathawaywasmy
mother ’
sst at
ement .
“Star,
mychi l
d,youofal lpeopl eknowsthatwe
cannothavei tall.I
’
m sor rytosayt hisbutIhaveto
l
etyougoi nor dert
osavemymar ri
age.Please,my
girl
,understand…”likeaheavypunchonmyal ready
vulnerablestomach, herwor dsknockedl i
feoutof
me.Igaspedf orairandal lIrememberwasI
wakingupi nanent i
rel
ydi ff
erentlocati
onwi t
h
peoplewhospoket helanguaget hatsoundedl i
kea
compl i
catedlingofrom Mar s, Jupit
eroranythi
ng
alongt hoseli
nes.

I’
m NonduduzoStarSibanda,t
wentythreeyear
sof
ageandthat’
sallt
hereistoknowaboutmeunl ess
youwanttoaskmewhyI ’m onawheelchair
?Idon’
t
haveanswerstothatonequestionandIwould
appr
eci
atei
tifwedon’
ttal
kabouti
t.
*
*
*
*
ht
tp:
//vi
sionar
ywr
it
ings.
com/
aut
hor
/5395
TheUndyi
ngLove

I
NSERTONE.

NONDUDUZOSTARSI
BANDA.

Li
feisn’
talwaysincolorfulpict
uresorblackand
whit
e,thereismoretolifethanwhatasi ngl
esoul
cantell
.Noonecant elleveryone’
sstoryandthati
s
whyI’m goingt
owalkt hisli
fejourneyal
oneandmy
ownway.
‘
Ase?Cousi
n-si
ster
.”Isl
ight
lyshakeherbutshe
mumbl essomei naudi
blewordsandr ol
lsoverto
theothersi
deoft hebedbeforepull
ingt
hebl anket
overherhead.“
Asenat hi
?”sti
llnoanswer.Idecide
toleaveanoteforher.
Gonej obhunti
ng.Imadebreakfast
foryou;pleaseremembert otur
noffthegeyser
aftert
akingabat h.Loveyouami l
li
onti
mes.Xxx

Afterbei ngt hrownoutoft hehousebymyown

family,myaunt -mymot her’
syoungersi ster,
Asenat hi’smot her -tookmei n.Shedi dn’thaveal ot
l
ikemyf amilyhadbutshehadever ythingt hatmy
ri
chf ami lylacked;LOVE.I ti
st hatonet hingt hat
makeshermi stakest olerabl
e.ShesentmeandAse
toschoolwi tht hel i
ttl
eshehadandwhenI
graduat ed,sher esi gnedf rom herjobasaci ty
councilgener all abor erandmovedbackhome
wher eshest ayswi ththreeofheryoungerchi l
dren.
Shel eftthehouseandal lther esponsibili
ti
esofi tto
us.Asenat hidr oppedoutofschoolbef or eshe
couldf i
ni shherf irstsemest erasaMedi ast udent
andst artedwor kingasawai terinoneoft hel ocal
restaurants.She’sbeent heonef ootingal lthebill
s
sincet hen,sheevenbuyst oiletr
yf orme, she
doesn’ tmindbutIdomi ndandt hat ’
swhyI ’
mj ob
hunt i
ng.It’
sbeenayearst i
llsearchingf or
empl oymentbutnocompanyi skindenought o
empl oyani nvali
dasoneoft hemanager shadsai d
tome.Het oldmet hattheyhi repeopl ewhowi lladd
valuet otheircompany-asset s-notliabil
ities.And,I
under stoodthatverywell.Insimplert er
ms, it
means, youarenotfitenought obepar tofus.

“HolaPresi
dent.
”Oscar
,famousl
yknowntomeas
vicepr
esidentgr
eetsmeandquickl
yjumpsdown
thecar.
“Ei
ta,Skeem.”wef i
stbumpbef or
ehehel
psmeon
tothefrontseatofhiscombiwhil
eSMEXhis
conductorstruggl
eswithfol
dingmywheel
chai
r.
“Yourf
eetneedoili
ng,Presi
dent.Whenwasthelast
ti
meyouhadt hem oil
ed?”SMEXandOscarar emy
goodfri
endssinceImovedher efi
veyearsago.
Theytr
eatmel i
keanor malbeingandtheyarenot
scar
edoft
easi
ngme.
“
I’
m br
oke,
chief
.Idon’
tevenhaveacentt
obuy
mysel
fasweet,
canyouimagine?
”
“Don’
tstr
esstoomuchaboutit
,kuzol
unga.
”We
conti
nuechat
tingunt
ilt
heydr
opmeatTM Hyper.

Iwheelmysel fpastt hecr owdofpeopl ewhoI ’

m
assumi ngt heyar eofft owor kindi f
ferentwor k
stations.Isi ghr eali
zingt hatI ’
vebeent oal loft hese
compani esandt heyal lshutt heirdoorst omyf ace.
Butt here’sonebui l
dingt hatI ’
veneverwheel ed
mysel fint o.MELTEXTI LES&SHOES.Thebui lding
i
st all,glasswal ls, t
opnot chsecur it
yandevent heir
out si
deai rcool erscr eamsmoneyandcl ass.
Ther e’
ssomet hingi nti
mi datingaboutt hebui lding
andi tist her easonIhaven’ thadgut stogoi nsi de
butt odayi stheday.Myauntsaysf eari sast ateof
mi ndandi tcanbechangedi fonewant st oand
todayI ’mt ur ni
ngmyf eart ofaith.Aftertakinga
l
ongdeepbr eath, Ipushmysel ftothef rontdoor
andwat chi naweast hedooraut omat icall
yopens
aft
ersensi
ngmypr
esence.I
’
veonl
yseent
hison
tel
evi
sion.

“Goodmorning.
”Igreetabeautif
ull
adybehi
ndthe
fr
ontdoordesk.I’
m sonervousIcan’
tevenl
ook
aroundt
oadmi rethebui
lding.
“Themorningwasgoodunt i
lyoudecidedt
ocurse
uswit
hyourpresence.Thisi
snotsomechar i
ty
homeforthecri
ppl
ed,pleaseleave…”
“I’
m notheretobegf ormoney, I
’
ml ookingfora
j
ob…”herl aughterrever
beratesi
nt hebuil
ding
maki ngeveryonetoturnthei
rheadst owardsmy
directi
on.If
eelalleyesonme, Ifeelexposedand
theunspokenwor dsinthei
reyescannotbemi ssed.
“Pleasedon’tmakemel aughthishar d.Haveyou
seenacr i
ppl
ei nanoffi
ce?Ihaven’ t,
allofthem ar
e
attheTj unctionsandrobotsbeggi ngformoney.
Youshoul djointhecrewandst opdr eaming.This
i
sn’ taplaceforyousweet heart
.Leave.”She
dismissesmewi thacoldtonet hatsendsmy
conf i
denceflyingofft
hewi ndow.
“Whythehellismywi f
estuckatt
heai
rpor
twhenI
haveemployeesthatIpaythi
smuch?Huh?”amal
e
deepvoi
cehi ssesbehi
ndme.
“Therewasami
scommuni
cat
ion,
sir
.We
apologi
ze…”
“Idon' tneedyourl ameapol ogies!Iwantmywi f
eat
homei nt henextf iveminutes!”twomeni nal l
-bl
ack
outfitsr unoutoft hemai ndooral mosttri
ppingand
fall
ingover .Theman-whoIassumei stheboss-
tapsonhi sphoneandput st hephoneonhi sear
beforeshout ing,“youarefired!”tothegi r
lwho
freezesbutsaysnot hi
ng.“ Emma, cancelmy
appoi ntment sf ortheday,movemysi ster’
s
appoi ntmentt otomorrowei ghtint hemor ni
ng.Tel l
Monwabi sitoputoutanadver t
isementasamat ter
ofur gency.IneedanewPer sonalAssistant.That ’
s
allfort oday.”hesaysal lthiswi thhiseyesst i
llf
ixed
onhi sphone.
IsGodt
ell
ingmesomet hing?One'
sdownfal
lcanbe
anot
her
’sbreakt
hrough,t
hat’
showlif
eis.
“
Goodmor
ning,
sir
,canIl
eavemyappl
icat
ion
l
ett
er?
”
“Younglady,
youdonotaskopportuni
tiesi
ftheyare
okaywithyoutaki
ngthem,youjumpandsei ze
them.”Witht
hatsai
d,Iwatchhi
m graceful
lytake
measuredstri
desandhe’sout
.
*
***
***
**

MELOKUHLEABRAHAM HLONGWANE

Whyar epeoplesost upid?Imeanwhoasksi fthey

cantakeoppor tuni
ti
esavai ledinfrontoft hem?
Maybeshe’ sjustusedt obei ngspoon- f
ed;t hat’
s
whateverydisabledper sonwai tsfor.Theywantt o
befel
tsorryforandbet reatedli
kespeci al citi
zens
whogetfirstclasstreatmenti neverything.Noti n
mycompany, wedon’ tdot hatatMELTEXTI LES&
SHOES.Ever ybodywor kshi sassof fthegr oundi n
mycompanyandI ’m notaboutt ohavean
employeewhoi stooslowt ot hi
nk.Ihope
Monwabisiwon’ tchooseheraf t
erthei nterviews.I
al
readyhateherf ornor eason.
Mythought
sareint
err
upt
edbymyringingmobi
le
phoneandIsmil
easIanswert
hecall
.
“Munt
uwami
.”Iknowshe’
sbl
ushi
ngont
heot
her
si
de.
“Sthandwasenhlizi
yo.I
’
mf i
nall
yhomeevent hough
yousentyourdr i
verwit
hanAudit opickmeupat
theairpor
t.CanyouimagineyourwifeinanAudi?
Whatani nsultt
omyi mage?I’
m somadatyour ight
now.Br i
ngyourasshome, I
’m eager
lywait
ing.
”
“Al
mosthomeYourMaj esty.”Godknowshow
muchIhadmi ssedmywi feforthesepastfewdays.
Itf
eltli
keshehadgonef oradecadewhenshewas
onlyawayf orafewdays.Mywi fei
severythi
ngmy
heartdesir
es.She’
smypi ll
arofst r
ength,
mysanity
pil
l,myvoiceofreason,myf ort
ressandtheloveof
myl i
fe.Iwouldn’
tbetheyoungandf amous
businessmanwi t
houther ;yesshet al
kscrapmost
ofthet i
mesbutthelit
tl
ewi sdom shehascountsfor
somet hi
ngvaluabl
eandbi g.
“
Sir
,Mr
.Rober
tsi
sint
heof
fi
ceandhei
sswear
ing
atmel i
keamadman.Hesayshehastoseeyou
todaybecausehisf
li
ghti
stomor
row…”
Paul
ine,
our
secret
arysoundspani
cked.
“
Putmeonl
oudspeaker
.”
“
Iti
sdone,
sir
.”
“Roberts.Idon’ tappr eci
ateyoucomi ngt omyof f
ice
andcausi ngascenei nfr
ontofmyempl oyees.The
meetingwasn’ tjustcancel l
ed,itwasbecause
somet hingcameuponmysi deandIwoul d
appreciateitifyoust opf ight
ingwi t
hmypeopl e.
Themeet i
ngi sr escheduledt otomorrowonet hi
rty.
Bether eordon’ t,itr
eal l
ydoesn’tmat tertome.Itis
yourcompanyt hatneedssavi ng,notmi ne.Havea
gooddayMr .Rober ts…”
“Mr.Hl
ongwane…”Ipr
esst
her
edbutt
ononmy
phoneandthr
owmyphoneonthecarseat
.

Mywifewelcomesmei ntothehousewithawar m,
sl
owlyandpassionatekiss.Damn!I’
vemi ssedher
somuchthatmyt rousersarealr
eadyexpanding.
Hert
onguetwirl
sar oundmi neandIgroan.Myhand
movest oherbackandcaressesherthickbut
t.I
squeezeherthi
ckassandsheappr eciatesmy
touchwithanothermoan.Herbodyissowar m and
i
nviti
ng.Ican’
twaittoundr
essherandmakel oveto
her.
“Welcomehome, baby.
”Shebl
ushesandbatsher
l
ongl ashesthatusedtodri
vemecrazybackinthe
days.Nowt heydomor ethant
hatandsheknows
howmucht heyturnmeon.
“Imi
ssedyou,husband.I
tfel
tli
keadecadewi
thout
you.
”Shesaysleadi
ngmet othest
air
case.
Thewayt oourbedroom i stool
ongf orbothofust o
keepholdingi
nourl ongingforeachother.Iswi f
tl
y
turnherandhungril
ykisshersof tli
psearning
anothermoan.Thesest air
saret aki
ngusf oreverto
reachourbedroom, It
urnherar oundand
passionat
emyki ssherwhi lemyhandsf indher
robeandyanki tof
f.
If
indshe’
sinherbir
thsuitandglowing.‘
Ohthese
pr
oductssheusesonherski nmakehersmellli
ke
st
rawberr
iesandcake.
’Ikissherhungri
lyonher
neckandsheshudder sandl eansagai nstt hewal l
thenif i
ndmywaybackt oherl ipsasshef i
ddles
withtremblinghandsonmybel tandtr ousers.My
l
ovef orherbur nsandit
’srevealedwi thhowr ock
hardIam andherl i
tt
lemoansbecomedeeperas
shestar t
sstroki ngmeandIcan’ thelpbutr elease
thatprimalsoundofdesi reandigr oan.Ir eachf or
herandshe’ sal readydr
ippingwet .Itur nherar ound
andpul ltherestofmycl othesof fandhol dher
handsaboveherheadagai nstt hewal lwi t
hher
upperbodypr essedagainstt hewallandherbehi nd
archedsoper fectl
ywaiti
ngf ormet oent erher.
“
Husb..
..
”shedoesntfi
nishasisi
lenceherwit
hthe
f
ir
stthr
ust,she’
simpat
ientandmakesiteasi
erto
t
easeher.
Hermoansbecomel oudandherinsi
desbeginto
clenchandiknowshe’
sclosesoiholdonti
llshe
reachescl
imaxandsheshakesandshuddersin
pleasur
ethenmomentsafter
,Igr
oanplant
ingmy
seeddeepinsi
deher.
“I
’vemissedyouwif
e”IsayasIpi
ckherupand
carryhert
oourbedroom..
..
.
“So.Howwasyourtr
ip?”Iaskaf
terwehaveboth
calmeddown.Wearebothsweatyandsti
ckyr
ight
nowandthere'
snot
hingIneedmor et
hanabath.
“Exciti
ngandf i
ll
edwi thlotsofadvent ure.Ifinally
boughtt hatChannelbag. ”shebeams.Iswearyou' d
thi
nkshewonal otto;it'
sjustabagKhanyi .“Ican't
waittodr essupandhi tthei nternetwithast orm...
”
therewegoagai n.Ilovemywi f emoret han
anythingbutIal sohat ehowsheal wayst al
ksabout
hermodel li
ngcar eerandf l
aunt ingmoneyal lover
theinternet.It'
spar tofherj ob, Iunderst andbut
doessheeverwantt ol i
stent ohowmywor kis
goingoratl eastaskhowt hecompanyt hat
fi
nancesherl ifestyleisdoi ng?IwonderbutI
quicklydismi sst hedepr essingt hought s.She' shere,
Ihadmi ssedherandnowIhaveheri nmyar ms.“I
metKendal lJer ner .
..
.”andmymi nddeci dest oshut
down.Bei ngmar riedtoKhanyiwhot alksnonst op
aboutt hef ashionwor ld,Itrainedmymi ndonwhat
i
tshoul dt olerateandshoul dn't.I'
m amanand
hearingaboutt henakedmodel sisnotsomet hingI
wanttodiscussinmybedr
oom.Icr
aveforat
tent
ion,
f
orlovebutmywi f
eist
oof
ocusedonhercar
eer
t
hatIfeelneglect
ed.
“
Youar
enotl
ist
eni
ng!
”shesl
ight
lypunchesme.
“Sorr
ybaby.Workst
ress.
”Ili
e.Mycompanyi
s
doingper
fect
lywel
lexcept
,I'
mlonel
yinmyown
home.
“Sorrymyl ove.Talktofat
herin-
law,he'
sbeeni nthe
businesslongbef oreyouwerebornI'm surehecan
help.
”myhear tsi
nks.Iexpectedhertosay
somet hi
ngl i
ke‘youwi l
lbefi
nehusband’ butnotmy
wife.
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
ohi
m.Canwegoandt
akeabat
h?”
“Yougoahead.Ihavetor
espondt
omyInst
agram
fans.
”Inodandsil
entl
ygetdownt
hebedwit
ha
heavyhear
t.

Si
tt
ingonthet
oil
etseat
,Ilogintooneofthesi
tesI
di
scover
edinmytimesofloneli
ness.I
t'
scal
led
‘
Lonel
ySoulsHub’andeveryt
hingisdone
anonymousl y.There'
snosexbusi nessor
fr
audulentact ivi
ti
esont hesite,onlychat
tingand
shari
ngbur denswithpeopl ewhounder standhow
youfeel.Weusef akeuser namesi nordertoprot
ect
ouridenti
tiesandnopi ctur
esar eall
owed.Ijoi
ned
l
astyearandIhaveaf riendwhom If eell
ikeI'
ve
knownf orages.Sheunder standsme, Iwonderhow
shewi l
lreactshoul donedayf i
ndoutwhoIam.
“
Hey.Yout
her
e?”Ipr
esssend.
“Heybuddie.Iwoul
dlovetochatbutI '
mintown.”
sheresponds.Ionl
yknowt hatmyf r
iendi
sa
womanandsheusesawheel chai
r.Shenevert
old
mehowbadi shercondi
ti
on,everytimeIaskshe
brushesthetopi
coff.
“Whatareyoudoi
ngi
ntown?I
t'
saboutt
orai
n
out
side.
”
“Iknow.Iwasj obhunti
ngandnowI '
m waiti
ngfor
myt axi
.”somet i
mesI'
mt emptedtot el
lherwhoI
am soIcanhi reherbutthen,t
herulesofthesit
edo
notall
owt hat.She'
sbeenj obhunt
ingforfartoo
l
ongnow.If eelf
orher.
“Okay.Canwechatwhenyougethome?I
'
m ki
nda
boredandlonel
y.”
“Sure.Af
tertendingtomyl i
lSisthati
s.5pm Iguess.
Fornow,dr i
nkwat erandreadthatbookI
recommended.Best rongbuddie.
”witht
hatshe
l
ogsoutl eavi
ngmewi t
hasmi l
eonmyf ace.Idon'
t
knowwhoshei sbutwhoevershei s,shesounds
l
ikeasweetyoungl ady.Shealwaysmanagest o
makemesmi l
e;somet hi
ngnoteveryoneincludi
ng
myempl oyeeshavehadt hepri
vil
egetoseeme
doing.

“Whoar eyousmili
ngat ?”Khanyist
art
lesmebutI
remai
ncal m.Ift
here'ssomethingmyfather
excel
ledin,i
tist
eachingmehowt okeepmycool
nomat t
erthesit
uation.
“Mysi st
ersentmeajoke.
..
”sheroll
shereyes
beforeIcanfini
shmysentence.Mywifedoesn'
t
giveacrapaboutmyf ami
lyexceptmyfatherof
course.Sheactsli
ket
heydon'texi
st.
“
Ihaveanhourorsoshootatt
hreet
hir
ty.Sexy
l
ingeri
eandst uff.
”sheinformsmewhi l
epour
ing
bathi
ngoi l
sinthetub.Iwantt oaskherwhyshe
feel
stheneedt owor kthishardbutIremembermy
promisebeforemar ri
age;tosupporteachot
heri
n
ourdiff
erentcareerswithoutquest
ions.
“
Iwi
llheadbackt
otheof
fi
cet
hen.Di
nner
?”
“
Def
ini
tel
y.”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT2.

NONDUDUZOSTARSI
BANDA.

Asenat
hii
sseat
edont
hecouchconcent
rat
ingon
sometelevi si
onshowwher egirls/womenwhosel
l
themselvesf orali
vingareint
erviewedandt
hey
sharetheirsecret
sonhowt ocat cht
hebigf
ish
whichever yoneisfi
shingfor.
“Youdon’ thavet oactdesper ateinordert oatt
ract
highpayi ngclients.Menofst atushateweak
women;t heywantwomenwhocanchal lenget hem
i
nbed.Don’ tbedoci l
e,theirwi vesaredoi ngthat
alreadyandi tiswhatt heyar et i
redof.Theyar e
ti
redofsubmi ssivewi ves, theycr avealit
tle
advent ureandwear ether etobl owtheirmi ndswith
whatwecando.Youwi llalsohavet owear
attracti
veclothes, pusht hosebr east
sup, geta
sur geryandf i
llt
hem i fneededandmakesur eyour
wai stisfl
exibl
e…. ”Iqui cklychanget hechannel
bef orethewomanonTVcanf i
nishherst atement.
“
Star
!Iwaswat
chi
ngt
hat
…”shemumbl
es.
“Whatki
ndofnonsensei
sthat?Whoint
heirr
ight
mindssayt
hatoutloudf
orthewhol
eworldto
hear?
”
“
It
’sj
ustashow.Youar
esost
uckupandi
t’
s
bori
ng.”Shet
hrowshershawlt
otheot
heredgeof
thecouchinf
rust
rat
ion.
“Youarethrowingtant r
umsf orastupidshow?Tell
me, whydoyoul ovet heseshows?Youar enot
planni
ngonj oi
ningthem, areyou?”thethoughtof
mycousi nopti
ngf orprosti
tuti
onsickensmet omy
stomach.Ican’
teveni magi
nehertinylit
tl
ebody
underthosemenwi t
hpotbel li
esandlongbeard…
Jehovah!Ihopeshe’ snotthinki
ngaboutit.
“Whywoul dIpr ostit
utemyself?Ij
ustlikethe
confi
denceandpr ideinthesepeople’
svoices.It
showst hati
nt hislif
eyougott odowhat everit
takestogetwhatyouwant .
”Shesipsonher
savannadr i
nk;straightf
rom thebottl
e.“Didyouget
ajob?”
“Notreal
lybutImanagedt oleavemydocument si
n
thr
eecompani es.I’m hopefulthi
sti
me.”Igivehera
weaksmi l
e.Thet ruthisI’mtir
edofsearchingf
or
somethingthatcl earlydoesn’twanttobefoundby
me.I’mtir
edoft hepitif
uleyesf r
om peopleint
heir
off
ices.I
’mt i
redofever yonehavingtolookatmy
wheelchairbeforesof tl
yapologizi
ngfornot
consi
der
ingmeasacapabl eemployee.I’
mt i
redof
bei
nghopefulbecausecl
ear
lyGodhasf orgot
ten
aboutme.
“Youwi llgetajob,hangi nther e.Ifyougetti
redof
l
ookingf oraj
ob,thatof fersti
llstands.”Shegives
mear eassuri
ngsmi le.Sheal waysdoes.Whenever
Igrowwear y,
shebecomesmyst rength.She
offer
edt ohelpmest artabusi nessofsel l
ing
sweetsandsnacksi fIf ailt
ogetaj ob.
“Iknowandi fIdon’ tgetacal lthisti
met henI’
m
throwi ngi nthet owel.
”Isi ghdeepl ythinkingofhow
mucht hiswillmakemydevi l
ishsist
erhappy.We
don’ ttalk,notdirectl
ybutshemakessur etopost
onhersoci almedi aplatformst auntingmei ndirect
.
Shef oll
owsmeonFacebookandt witt
erandshe
knowst hatI’
m unempl oyedwhi l
eshe’swor kingin
herf ather ’
sluxur i
ouscompany.Iwonderi fmy
parent severt hinkofme.I t’sbeenf i
veyear ssince
theychasedmeoutoft heirperfecthomeandnot
evenmyownmot herhast ri
edt ocontactme.Not
evenal et
teroraWhat sAppmessagef rom her.
Not hingatal l.
“Hey.Comebackt omeplease, webothknowt hose
wander i
ngthoughtsarenotgoodf oryoursani t
y.If
peopl ecastyouawayl ett
hem be.Don’ twasteyour
precioust i
met r
yingtounderstandwhyt heydid
whatt heydid.Focusonyour selfandmoveon.Let
them st aywheretheywanttobe. ”Shewi pesast ray
tearof fmycheekandpassesmeherdr ink.“Iwill
getyousomet hingtoeatt
henwewi l
lbi
ngewat ch
orf avorit
eshow;KeepingUpWi ththeKardashians
andf orgetaboutourprobl
ems. ”Inodandgul pthe
drink.
“
Dadwasher
e.”Sheshout
sfr
om t
heki
tchen.
“
IsSt
epmom gi
vinghi
m pr
obl
emsagai
n?”
“Yep.Accordingtohi
m butIthi
nkthere’
smor eto
thei
rfi
ghtsthanwhathe’stel
li
ng.Dadownsa
beauti
fulhomei nMahatshul
abuthesomet i
mes
pref
ersithere.Somet
hingisdefi
nit
elycooki
ng.”
“It
hinkunclesti
lll
ovesaunt
.Hej
ustdoesn’
tknow
howt ot
ellher.
”
“Butmom cheatedonhi
m.Notonl yt
hat,
shefel
l
pregnantf
ordad’sf
ri
end.Idon’
tthi
nkdadwil
lget
overt
hatbet
rayal
.Hegaveust
his.
”Sheput
sa
pl
ateonthetabl
eandtwo$100notes.
“
Thiswil
lcoveral
lourexpensesfort
hismont h
i
ncl
udinguti
li
ti
es.
”Isaywi thasmil
e.Iwaswor ri
ed
t
hatonceagainAsewillhavetouseallofhersal
ary
t
opaybill
s.“Di
dyouswi tchofft
hegeyser…”
“Jesus!
”shespri
ntsbacktot
hekit
chenandcomes
backwearinganapologet
icf
ace.“
I’
m sor
ry.Iswear
someonebewi t
chedme…”
“Leavewi tchesal onepl ease.
”I’
mt i
redofscolding
hersoIwi lll
etitbe.Atl eastnowwehavemoneyt o
sor toutourbill
s.Di dIt el
lyouthatmyf at
her,my
biologicalfat
herRaymondThat oMat humoi sa
mi l
lionair
eyetIl i
vel i
keabeggar ?Asunbel i
evable
ast hisis,i
tisunf ort
unat el
ytrue.“Thisisdeli
cious.
Whocooked? ”shet hrowsacushi onatmeand
mi ssesmyheadbyaf ewmi l
li
met ers.
“
Mxm.I
’
m notcooki
ngf
oryounextt
ime.
”

Ourconver
sationisi
nter
rupt
edbymyringi
ngphone.
Il
ookatthelandli
nenumbercal
li
ngandsayashort
pr
ayerbef
oreanswer
ingt
hecal
l.
“
NonduduzoSi
banda,hel
lo.
”Myhear
tispoundi
ng
i
nmychestthr
eat
eningtofal
lof
f.
“Goodaf t
ernoon.I
’
m cal
li
ngf r
om t
heG&S
Logist
ics.Canyoucomef oranint
ervi
ew….
”
“
Yes.Yes.Yes.
”Ishoutont
hephone.
“
8am shar
p.Enj
oyt
her
estofyourday.
”
“Igotacallf
rom oneoft hecompani
es…”Ican’t
beli
evemyownvoi ceri
ghtnow.DidIjustgetacal
l
from oneofthebiggestcompaniesi
nBulawayo?
“Yi
peee…Godf inal
lyansweredourprayer
s.Ihavea
goodfeeli
ngaboutthisone.Youwi l
lgeti
tcousi
n.
I’
m sureofit
.”Sheemotionall
yhugsmeand
whisperst
hankst otheAlmighty.

*
***
***
***
***
*

MELI
NDALI
LLYMPOFU.
Waki ngupear lyi
nthemor ni
ngandfindingmy
si
sterint hekit
chenwithmymot herhasal r
eady
spoiledmymoodbef oreIcanevengreetthem.Why
onear thwouldsomeonel eavehermarit
alhomeso
earlyinthemor ni
ngjusttocomeanddi sturbpeopl
e
i
nt heirfather
’shome?
“Morni
ngLil
ly.
”Mymom cheerf
ull
ygreet
sme.Why
wouldn’
tshebehappy?Herf
avori
tedaught
eri
s
her
eaf t
eral
l.
“
HeyLi
ll
y.”Mysi
stert
oogr
eet
sme.
“Morni
ng.”Imumble.“
Didyouf
ightwi
thyour
per
fecthusband?
”Iaskmysist
er.
“
No.Whatmakesyout
hinkwef
ought
?”
“I
t’
srudetovisi
tpeopl
esoearl
yinthemorni
ng.We
haven’
tevenbrushedourt
eet
handyouar eher
e
wit
hyourthicksel
fmakingusuncomfor
tabl
einour
ownspace…”
“Thisismyf ather’
shousetoo,Li
ll
y.Asformyt hick
self,
youbettermi ndyourski
nnyassandl eaveme
alone.I’
m notinthemoodt ofi
ghtwithyout oday.
Wher edoest hefoodyoueateverysingl
edaygot o?
I’
m af
rai
dthatonedayt
hewi
ndwi
llbl
owyou
away.
”
“Stopityoutwo!Whati swrongwi ththebothofyou?
Youar ebloodsistersforcryingoutloud.
”Mom
repri
mands, Irol
lmyeyesandl eavethem t
o
conti
nuewi ththeirfakebrandst al
k.Mysister
thi
nksshe’ severythi
ngever yoneelseisnot
becausesheget spai dtowearexpensi vebrands
andtomakepubl icappearances.

“Goodmor ni
ngmadam.Whatwoul dyoul
iket
oeat
today?”questionst
hemai dasImakemyway
outsi
def ormyr out
inesunbat
h.
“Iwoul dloveitifyoubr i
ngorangejuiceandone
sof tboi
ledegg.Iwi llbeoutsi
de.”Shenodswitha
smi leandr ushbacki nsi
de.MyphonebeepsandI
alreadyknowwhoi tis.I
t’
sacallmebackmessage
from myboyf r
iend.Iquickl
ydialhisnumber.
“
Ent
umbaneCompl ex,Makhandenil
eLuveve….”He
i
sshouti
ngoverthenoisecal
li
ngcustomers.Cal
l
mesil
lybutt
hefactthatZwel
akheisaproud
conduct
ormakesmefalli
nlovewi
thhi
m evenmor
e.
“Queen.
”Hefi
nal
lyt
urnshisatt
ent
iont
omycall
.
“
King.Goodmor
ning,
babe.Howar
eyout
oday?
”
“IwasstressedbutnowthatIhavespokentoyou
I’
mf i
ne.”Ihearsomeoneaski
ngt obedroppedat
therankwithhalft
hemoneyofat axifar
eandthe
dri
verhail
sinsult
satthepoorpassenger.
“
Whati
sbot
her
ingyou?
”
“Mymom.Herheal
thkeepsdet
eri
orat
ingandim
scar
edofl
osi
ngher.Shest
heonlyfamil
yIhave.
”
“Nothingwil
lhappent oyourmot her,
babe.Shewi l
l
befinejustkeeponmaki ngsureshet akesthe
medicat i
onandt akehert
oallhercheckup
meet i
ngs.Youneednott owor r
yaboutherdyi ng.
Shesai dshewant stoholdourchildbefor
eshedi es
andIknowshewi l
lbeanawesomegr andmother.”
hesighs.Iknowhehasgi venuphopebutIwon' tl
et
himf eeldef
eated.Iwil
lprayforhismotherifIhave
to.
“Thankyouf
ort
heencour
agement,mylove.Letme
getbacktomywor
kbefor
eIgetfi
red.
”
“
Okayboo.Il
oveyou.
”
“Il
oveyoumor e,baby.
”li
kealways,
noonewantst
o
cutthecal
l.“
Okay,bye.”hef
inal
lydropst
hecal
l
l
eavingmewi thasmi l
eonmyf ace.

“Knock.Knock. ”nooner espondst omycal lsoI

pickt hekeysundert herocknextt otheguavat ree
thatisj ustaf ewmet ersawayf rom thehouse.
Zwel akhet oldmeabouti tthef i
rstti
mehebr ought
meher et oseehi smot her.Theyar di scleanwhi ch
meansZwewokeupandcl eanedbef or
egoi ngto
wor k.Af terstr
ugglingwitht hekeyt hedoorf i
nally
creeksopen.Thehousesmel lsofdirtylaundr yand
burntpap.I t'
shotinher easi fthestovei soni nt he
kit
chen.Myat tent
ionisdr awnt owar dsaf igure
that'slyingf l
atonthef l
oor .
...
“Maa!”Ial
mosttri
ponmyheel sbeforeIkneelnext
toheralmostcol
dbody.“Maa. ”noresponse.My
heartpoundsi
nmychestbutIt r
ytoremai ncalm.I
haveseenanddonewor stthingsbeforesoI
shouldn'
tpani
c.Aft
ercheckingherpulseand
reali
zinghowf ainti
tis,Iquicklydialt
heambul ance
butthenr emembert hatthisisBul awayoandt hey
willtakeathousandyear stor eachher e.‘WhatdoI
do? ’I'
mjustatinybeingandshe' stri
plemysi ze.IfI
callZwelakhehewi l
lpani candmaybel oseit
.His
mot herishiseveryt
hing.
“
Sbal
isami.
”Owethu,
Meloluhl
e'sbr
otheranswer
s
t
hephone.Al
wayscheer
fulthi
sone.
“Ihaveasi
tuat
ion.Coll
apsedadult,
fai
nthear
tbeat
andherbodyiscold.Ican'
tli
fther
,whatdoIdo
whilewai
ti
ngforanambul ance?”
“I
'm aphysi
otherapi
st,sbal
iandI'
m notsurewhat
canbedonebutt ryrubbingherl
eftpalm unt
ilshe'
s
warm.Wherear eyoumaybeIcanhel p?”
“
Luveve5.
.”
“
That
'st
oof
ar.Tr
ycal
li
ngf
ornei
ghbor
stohel
p..
.”
“
MaMpof
u..
.”shecal
lswi
thaf
aintvoi
ce.
“Maa.
”Iqui
ckl
yhelphert
ositupstr
aightandgi
ve
herwat
ertodr
ink.“
Whathappened?
”
“
Ifel
l,
Igotdi
zzy.
..
”hervoi
cet
rai
lsof
fasshe
sear
chesf
ormyeyes.“
Pleasedon'
ttel
lZwe.
..
”
“
ButMaa.
.”
“
Please.Mysonwi
lldi
eyoungbecauseofst
ress,
I
'
mf ine.
”
“Okay.Ononeconditi
on.Wearegoingtoseea
pri
vatedoct
orwithouthi
sknowledgeandyouwon'
t
ref
usemyhel p.
..
”
“Hospi
tal
sareexpensi
ve.Pleaseletmedi
esomy
soncanbereli
evedofallt
hest r
ess..
.”
“Nomot her.I
fyoudi
e,thenIwil
llosehi
m.Heneeds
you,can'
tyouseethat?Ihavethemoney,l
otsofi
t
butitwon'tmeananyt
hingwithoutthet
woofyou.
Please.
”
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove

I
NSERTTHREE.
NONDUDUZOSTARSI
BANDA.

I'
m sitti
ngatt her ecept ionwai ti
ngf orwhoeveri s
saidtobeouri nter viewer .Ther earet hreeother
girl
sand5menal sowai t
ing.Thel adysi t
ti
ngont he
farsideiswear ingashor tpinkdr esswi thaV-
necklinethatr eveal scleavageandabl ack
unbut t
onedbl azer ,six-inchbl ackst ilettosandher
faceisper f
ect lycl othedwi thmake- up.Per f
ect
brows, highlight edcheeks, contour ednose, she
l
ooksl i
keshegotoutoft hefashi onmagazi neand
cameher e.Thet hr eemenwear eseat edwithkeep
throwinggl ancesatherbutshedoesn' tseem tobe
fazedabouti t.She' sbusyonheri Phone, sher ai
ses
herhead, catchesmel ookingatherandwaveswi t
h
alitt
lesmi le.Hert eet haresoper fectal i
gnedyou' d
swearshewasscul pted.Ever yt
hingaboutheri s
perfect,Idon' tusual lyt akesomucht imestudying
anotherhumanbei ng'sphysi calappear ancebuther
beautyi sintrigui ng.
“
Hey.I
'
m Joy.
”shesaysaft
eraski
ngt
heot
hergi
rl
s
t
omovesoshecansitnextt
ome.
“
Star
.”Ir
espond.
“Youarebeaut if
ulandI '
m sogladtomeetyouher e.
Youar edoi ngexactlywhatIwi sht
oseemor e
peoplelikeyoudoi ng.Youar ereal
lybrave,keepit
up.”shegi vesmear eassuri
nghandsqueezeand
herwar m smi leisst
illi
nplace.Theothergirl
slook
atherlikeshe' sgrownat hir
deyeonherf or
ehead.
Theydidn'tgr eetme, onl
ytheboysdid.“Bestof
l
uck.”sheadds.
“
Thankyou.
”

Afterwhatf eel
sl i
keeternit
y,amanwal ksin
accompani edbyt woot hermenandawoman
whosecl othesar erat
herinappropriatefort
heof
fi
ce
space.I'm notjudgement al
,Ijustobservehow
peopledot hingsandwhatt heywear .Clot
hes
representaper sonandwhatshe' swear i
ng
screamsi ndecency.
“
Ladi
esandgent
lemen.
”themangr
eet
sus.
“CaiphusokaNgwane.TheManagi ngDirectorofG
&SLogi sti
csandIwi l
lbeper sonal
lyconductingthe
i
nterviews.Ihopewewi l
lallhaveagoodt ime,
i
nterviewsar enotscaryast heysound,cheerup
beaut i
fulpeople.
”hegivesusasmi l
ebefore
continuing.“Seeyouallsoon.”heleavesandhi s
entouragef oll
ows.

Theyst ar
tcall
ingusonebyoneandIwat chas
everyonecomeoutofhi soff
icel
ooki
ngr ather
angry/shockedthanhopeful
.Myheartstarts
beatingevenfasterasJoycomesoutli
terall
y
running.
“
Joy.
..
.”
“
Let
'sgetoutofher
e.Let
'sgo.
..
”
“Whathappenedi
nther
e?Youlookscar
ed.
”she'
s
sweati
ngandpanti
ngatthesameti
me.
“Heisaper..
.”someonepushesJoyoffmy
wheelchai
randshefli
esacrosst
heroom bef
ore
hit
ti
nghardont hef
loor
.
“Joy!
”Iscream andwheelmyselftoher.“
Joy,wake
up.”Irol
lherar
ound.She'
sbleeding.“Whatthehel
l
i
swr ongwi t
hyou?Whydi dyoupushher ?”Iscr
eam
atCaiphusorwhoeverthedevi
lhei s.
“Becauseshewasgoi ngt or
uinmypl ans.”helicks
hislowerl i
pandjustt
heneveryt hi
ngbecomes
clearerforme.He'saperver
t,thereareno
i
nt er
views,hejustwantedgi
rlst ovi
olatejustl
ike
howt hesebastardshi
dingbehi ndTurkishdesign
suitsdo.
“Whatpl
ans?
”Itryt
okeepmyvoi
ceneut
ral
.Ihave
beenher
ebefor
e,Iknowhowt
hesemencanbe.
“Yousee, I
'm 51andI '
veneverhadsexwi t
ha
cri
pple.”mybl oodfreezesbutIst i
llkeepcalm.
“Whenyoucameher eyesterdayIknewt herewere
novacanci esbutIhadt omakepl anstohaveyou
wher eIwantsoImadeaf ewcal l
st odesperate
daughtersandsonsofi mpoverishedandmi serabl
e
parentsaroundt hecityandhereyoual lar
e.”once
againhesmi lessendingcoldshi versdownmy
spine.“Thegoodt hi
ngabouthavi ngmoneyi sthat
whenyousnapyourf inger
s,thepoorj umpasmuch
ast heycan.Youar eallourt oystodowi thaswe
wish.Butl et'
sleavet hepooral onet heyalr eady
haveenoughpr oblemswor r
yingaboutt hepr ice
hikesofmeal i
e-meal.Let '
stalkaboutt hegi rlont he
wheel chai
rwhot hi
nksshecanmakei tinthi scityof
KingsandQueens. ”hesquat sbef oremeandr uns
hisf i
ngeronmyl eg.Myl egsar ejustthere, Ican't
feelthem, Idon'tknowhowat ouchf eelsont hat
partofmybodybutseei ngthissickmant ouchi ng
mel ikethatawakensal ltheemot ionsi nsi
deme.
“Leavemealone!”Isummonal lmyupperstrengt
h
andpushhim offme.“ Hel
p!Somebodyplease
help!
”Iscr
eam, helaughs.
“Noonewi l
lhearyou.I t
'sonlyt hethreeofusi n
hereandt hebuildingissoundpr oof
ed.”hecomes
formyski nonceagai nbutthist i
mewi th
aggression.“Ij
ustwantt of eelyou...
”hislonging
voice,hi
smuscul arperf
ume, hi
sbear d,hi
st ie,
all
abouthimt akesmebackt othatdayI 'mtryingso
hardt ofor
get.Hishandsr unni ngupmyt highs
wher eIcanperfect l
yfeelhisf i
lt
hyfingersteasing
myski n.Himt r
ailingwetkissesal lovermynow
bareski
nbef
oremovi
ngmypanti
est
otheside,
his
tongueal
mostt
ouchi
ngmysacr
edpart
..
..
“
Stop!
”Iscream.I'
m sweat
ing,
Ican'
tbr
eathe,
Ifeel
l
ikeI
'm goi
ngtofai
ntanymomentf r
om now.
“Her e.”Joygi vesmeabot t
leofwat erandjustthen
IseeCai phus' bodyont hef loorsurroundedby
piecesofabr okenvase.“ Let '
sgo.”shewheel sme
pastt her eceptionar eaandst raighttotheelevator.
“I'
m cal l
ingt hepolice,thatpi gwon' tgetawaywi t
h
this...
” she'spaci ngint heel evator.She'sli
vidandI
ont heot herhand, t
imehasst opped.I '
m on
aut opi l
ot,mybodyj ustswi tchedof feverythi
ng
exceptmyl ungsandhear t.Icanf eelcoldness
comi ngf rom wi thi
n, Iwantt ocr ybutI '
mt oocold
I'
m sur emyi nsidesar ef r
ozent ogetherwithmy
tear s.

“Star
!Star
!”Ihearsomeonecal
lingout.I
t'
sli
kea
dream,li
keI'm wat
chi
ngmywander ingbody.
There'
sacarspeeding,i
tscomingtowardsmybody
butmyspi r
ithasnodesir
etohelpmybodyoutof
thi
sone.Deat histheanswer .Yes.Deathitis.With
openar ms,Iwelcomeit.‘God,takecareofAsenat hi
forme’ myspiri
twhispers.Mybodyi sdeadal r
eady,
j
ustwai t
ingformyspi r
ittofoll
ow.“ St
ar.
..
..
!”thelast
thi
ngIcanheari sthescr eechi
ngoft i
resandt hen
darknesscoversandshi eldsmef rom t
hecr uel
world.
*
***
***
***
**

MELI
NDALI
LLYMPOFU.

“I'
m surpr
isedthosehandscandr ive.
”Nompilo,
Zwelakhe'smot hertauntsme.Afterhelpi
ngher
cleanupear l
iertoday,shewashungr ybutIcouldn'
t
helpherinthatdepar tment
.Ican'tcook,l
ikeIdon'
t
remembert hedayIswi t
chedast oveon,l
etalone
cook.Mywhol elif
ethere'
salwaysbeenpeopl e
doingthehardwor kforme,forus.
“
Dri
vingi
snothard,Maa.”It
ellher
.I'
m gl
adtosee
t
hatcol
orhasr
eturnedtoherfaceandthehai
rst
yle
i
smakingherl
ookyounger.Inordert
ohideour
businessoft hedayIhadt ocomeupwi t
ha
bel
ievableexcuseofwhyIt ookheroutwithout
Zwelakhe'sper missi
on.Outofeveryt
hingIthought
about,ahairstyleandalit
tl
ebitofwomenst uff
shoppingfeltgood.“Howar eyoufeeli
ngnow? ”
“Bett
er.Thankyousomuchf orl
ovi
ngmysontothe
extentofl
ovingmetoo.Thankyou,
mychi
ld.You
areanAngel .
”
“Zwei
sagoodguyandyes,Icandoanyt
hingt
o
seehi
m smi
leal
lthet
ime.
”
“Doesyourpar entsknowaboutmyson?Idon't
meant opry,I'
mj ustworr
iedyoutwowil
lbeforced
tospl
itup.”shesaysandl ooksoutsi
det
hewindow
asifapainfulmemor yjustcr
ossedhermind.
“Theydon' tknowyet,butwhenthetimeisri
ghtI
willi
ntroducehi mt othem.”myfatherwil
ldef
ini
tel
y
kil
lmef orl ovingZwelakhebutI'
mr eadytodi
efor
themanIl ove.Mydadhat espoorpeoplemorethan
hehat est hesmel lofbl
ockedsewages.Thewaymy
familytalksaboutpover t
yyou'dswearit'
s
contagious.
“Okay.What'
simpor
tanti
stheloveyouhavef
or
eachother
.Zweisadiff
erentper
sonwhenyouare
around.
”
“SoIhaveheard.”somanypeopl ehavet oldme
abouthisunrul
ybehaviorbutIhaven'tseenthat
sideofhim yet
.Tomehe' sjustasweetguyt ryi
ng
tosurvi
veinanunf or
givi
ngandcr uelworld.

Bythetimewegetoutoft
hecar,t
henosyneighbor
i
salreadystandi
ngbyt
hefencepret
endi
ngtobe
sweepingtheyard.
“
Nompi
lo?I
sthatyou?
”quest
ionst
henei
ghbor
.
“Goodaf t
ernoon, Sazi
.Yesit
'
sme.”Nompilo
respondscal mlyandnowIknowZwel akhei
sher
sonf orsure.Iwouldhavesaidsomenastythi
ngs
tothisneighbor.Ihatenosypeopl
e.
“
Jesus!Mom,ar
eyouokay?”Zwel
akhef
li
esi
ntohi
s
mother
'sar
msandhugsherti
ght.
“
Whatnow?
”
“
Ithoughtsomet
hinghappenedt
oyou.Idi
eda
mi l
li
ondeathswhenIcouldn'
tfi
ndyouinthehouse
andyoudon' thaveaphone.Wherewereyou?Why
didn'tyout
ellme..
.”hi
svoi
cebreaks.“
Fxck!The
thoughtof.
..
.”
“Lookatme, Zwe.I'
m hereandI '
mf i
ne.Mybeautif
ul
daughterin-
lawheretookmeoutf orsomefreshai
r.
Youaret oooldt
obecr yi
ngf orme, don'
tyouthi
nk?”
hesmiles,embarrassedandwi peshisface.
“Queen.Don' tyoueveragai nt akemymot herout
withouttell
ingme.That '
sifyoust il
lwanttoseeme
ali
ve.”hehugsmet i
ght.Ican'
thel pbutfeel
emot i
onaltoo.Whatki ndofamot herwasNompi lo
beforeshef ellsi
ck?Shemusthavebeenagr eat
mot her,t
hebondt heyshar eisamazi ng.Iwishmy
mot hercouldseehowpeopl ewi thlessmaterial
thi
ngsl oveeachot her.I
t'
shear twarming.
“I
'
m sorr
yKing.Ical
ledbutyourphonewasnot
goingt
hrough.
”
“
Fine.I
'm okaynowt
hatyouar
ebot
hher
e.Let
'sgo
i
nside.
”
“
Ther
ear
eaf
ewt
hingsi
ntheboot
.”hegi
vesmea
t
ightl
ook.Hedoesn'
tli
kemespendi
ngmoneyon
t
hem.
“
Justt
oil
etr
iesf
ormom.
”
“Iwasgoingtobuyt hattomorrow.Pleasedon'
t
spoilmymot hertoomuch.Iwanthert oloveyou
foryounotforthecomf ort
ableli
feyoucomewi th.
Pleasebaby.
..”Isil
encehim withakiss.Nei
ghbors
arelooki
ngonbutIdon' tcare.
“
Iheardyoumylove.St
opwor
ryi
ngt
oomuchabout
t
his.Whyareyouhomesoear
ly?
”
“Therewasnosugarandmi lkleft,
Iboughtsome,
rushedbackhomeonl ytof
indt hehouseempty.I
almostfai
ntedbutthenext
-doorkidtol
dmehehad
seenarichgir
lwithmymot her.”hesmil
esstil
l
holdi
ngmywai st.
“
Ari
chgi
rl
?”
“Babe,peopl
efr
om thelocati
onsandsubur bsdon'
t
l
ookt hesame.Soyeah,it
'spret
tyobviousyouare
notfrom t
henei
ghborhood.”hekissesmyf or
ehead
andthenleadsmeinside.
*
***
***
***
***
*

MELOKUHLEABRAHAM HLONGWANE.

“Li
tt
lebro,whathappened?Youl
ooklikeshit
.”my
brot
herishere.Icoul
dn'
tthi
nkofanyoneelsetocal
l
excepthim.
“
Final
ly!Br
other
,Imessedup.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?Yourcargotscr
atches.
”
“Ihitsomeone.Notj ustsomeonebutahel pless
someoneont hewheel chair.Iwasont hephoneand
allofasuddenIsawheri nfrontofmycar .She
didn'tscream, t
herewasnopani corfearinherf ace
j
ustat earthatrol
leddownhereyeandt henext
thingmycarwaspar ki
ngver ticall
yacrosst he
JoshuaMqabuko' sst reet.Ifr
oze, Icouldn'
tmove
unt i
lsomeoneshookmeoutoft hecaronlyt ofind
thegi r
llyi
ngf l
atont het arr
edr oadwit
hpeopl e
cli
ckingphot osinsteadofhel pingher.Ifsomet hing
happenst oherthenI 'm doomed. .
.”
“Nothingwillhappentoher.Shewi l
lbefine.Stop
panicking,
okay?”Inod.Imayl ookt oughmostof
thetimesbutsomet imesshi tscaresthehelloutof
me.Myphonekeepsr ingi
ngandr i
nging,Idon't
knowwhyt hesestupidjournali
ststhinkIwillt
alkto
them.
“Whereisshe? ”ahighpi tchedvoiceofayounggi r
l
echoesbehindus.It urnmyheadt oseethegi r
lin
thepinkdr
ess, she'sstil
lcoveredinherf ri
end's
blood,wal
kingbar efootedont hehospitaldir
ty
fl
oorsbutshedoesn' tseem tocare.She's
accompaniedbyanot heryoungl adywhol ooksas
muchbeaut if
ulwithaheadf ul
lofhair
.
“Intheemergencyroom..
..
”theafrogi
rli
gnor
est
he
statementandchargest
owar dsme.Shemustbe
relatedt
othegir
lIhitwi
thacar .
“I
fanyt
hinghappenst
omysi st
er,
Iswearonher
dearl
if
eIwil
lkil
lyoumysel
f.
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERTFOUR.

MELOKUHLEABRAHAM HLONGWANE.

“Li
tt
lebro,whathappened?Youl
ooklikeshit
.”my
brot
herishere.Icoul
dn'
tthi
nkofanyoneelsetocal
l
excepthim.
“
Final
ly!Br
other
,Imessedup.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?Yourcargotscr
atches.
”
“Ihitsomeone.Notj ustsomeonebutahel pless
someoneont hewheel chai
r.Iwasont hephoneand
allofasuddenIsawheri nfrontofmycar .She
didn'tscream, t
herewasnopani corfearinherf ace
j
ustat earthatrol
leddownhereyeandt henext
thingmycarwaspar ki
ngverti
cal
lyacrosst he
JoshuaMqabuko' sst reet
.Ifr
oze,Icouldn'
tmove
unti
lsomeoneshookmeoutoft hecaronl
ytofi
nd
thegir
llyi
ngfl
atonthetarr
edroadwit
hpeopl
e
cli
cki
ngphotosinst
eadofhelpi
ngher.I
fsomet
hing
happenstoherthenI'
m doomed..
.”
“Nothingwillhappentoher.Shewi l
lbefine.Stop
panicking,
okay?”Inod.Imayl ookt oughmostof
thetimesbutsomet imesshi tscaresthehelloutof
me.Myphonekeepsr ingi
ngandr i
nging,Idon't
knowwhyt hesestupidjournali
ststhinkIwillt
alkto
them.
“Whereisshe? ”ahighpi tchedvoiceofayounggi r
l
echoesbehindus.It urnmyheadt oseethegi r
lin
thepinkdr
ess, she'sstil
lcoveredinherf ri
end's
blood,wal
kingbar efootedont hehospitaldir
ty
fl
oorsbutshedoesn' tseem tocare.She's
accompaniedbyanot heryoungl adywhol ooksas
muchbeaut if
ulwithaheadf ul
lofhair
.
“Intheemergencyroom..
..
”theafrogi
rli
gnor
est
he
statementandchargest
owar dsme.Shemustbe
relatedt
othegir
lIhitwi
thacar .
“
Ifanyt
hinghappenst
omysi
ster
,Iswearonher
dearl
if
eIwi
llki
llyoumysel
f.
”shei
sseet
hing.
“Idi
dn'tdoitonpur
pose.
..”It
ellt
het
rut
h.Iwasn'
t
dist
ractednorwasIover
speedi
ng.
“Yesyoudi d!That'swhatyour i
chpeopl ealwaysdo!
Youdon' tcareaboutot hers.Allyoudoi stotake
andt akefrom t
hepoor ,
theirli
vest oo..
.”hervoice
breaksasshecr ies.Myhear tofhear t
sbr eakbutI
can'tbri
ngmysel ftocomf or ther.Ibli
nkawaymy
ownt earsremember i
ngmyf ather'
swor ds‘Son,you
areaHl ongwane, borntoleadandweaknessi snot
oneofyourt rai
ts.’“She'
sal lIhave...I
fsomet hing.
..
”
“Shewillbefi
ne.Idon'
tthi
nkit'
sthatser
iousplease
stopcryingandlet
'shavefai
thinGodandt he
doctor
s.”thegir
linapinkdresscomfort
sher.
“
Whathappened?Starknowshowtocr
ossthe
r
oadsandeverythi
ng.Whywassheangr
y?”asks
t
heafr
ogir
laftercalmi
ngdownabit
.
“Somethi
ngter
ri
blehappenedatthatawful
company.TheManagingDirect
ormisbehavedwi
th
us..
..”
“Whatdoyoumeanbymi sbehave?God,
no!He
didn'
ttouchSt
ar,
didhe?
”
“
Hedi
dbutwemanagedt
ost
ophi
m..
.”
“What?Soshedidn'
tknowwhatshewasdoi ng
whenshecrossedtheroad?”itf
inal
lymakessense
tomeast owhyshewasn' tscar
ed.Shewantedto
die,
shewantedtokil
lhersel
f.
“Idon'tthinkshewasi nherrightsenses.She
recoil
edi ntoherselfassoonaswel eftthe
buil
ding.”t hepinkdressgirlexpl
ainsandsomehow
IfeelforSt ar.I
t'
sabeaut i
fulnameandIwonder
whatel sehavehappenedt oherbef orethatpushed
hertosui cidalatt
empt s.
“Whatcompanyist
hatanddi
dyoucal
lthepol
ice?
”
Owethu,mybrot
herasks.
“G&SLogi
sti
cs..
..”huh?Myeyesdar
ttoOwet
hu
andhet
ooisshockedasIam.
“Areyousure?”Owethuasksandswallowshar d.I
don'tt
hinkIwanttoknowifthegir
list
ell
ingthe
tr
uthornot.Ialr
eadyknowthetrut
h.Thatsonofs
devili
scapableofanyt
hingbutthi
sendst oday.
“Yes.HesaidhisnameisCaiphuskaNgwane.I
don'tknowifheli
edaboutitsi
nceitwasallahoax.
”
Iknewi t
.Themomentshement i
onedthecompany
Ialr
eadyknewwhot heculpri
tis.Thatbast
ard!
“Ihavet obesomewhere.Pl
easecal lmewhenSt ar
wakesup, Iwouldli
ketoapologi
zet oherandseei f
there'ssomethi
ngIcandoforher.”Igivethem my
businesscard.“Byt
heway, I
'
m Mel okuhle
Hlongwaneandhe' sOwethu,myelderbr ot
her.I
'm
notr unni
ngawayIjusthavetofi
xsomet hi
ngthenI
willbeback.”
“Wedon'
tneedanyt
hingfr
om you!Justgetl
ost
!
Andyoubett
erpr
aythatnothi
nghappenstoheror
wewil
lhaveahugeprobl
em. ”
“What'
syourname?”atfi
rstherfei
sti
nessannoyed
mebutnowI '
mintr
igued.Atinybeingwit
hsomuch
venom.
“
Got ohell
!”shespit
s.Shehasanamet
agonher
j
acket.Asenathii
sthename,okay.
“
SeeyousoonAsenat
hi.
”Ismi
leatt
hem andf
oll
ow
mybrot
herout
.
“
Whatwi
llyoudo?
”Owet
huasksandIcl
enchmy
j
aws.
“WhatIshoul
dhavedoneal
ongt
imeago.Take
yourcarandgobackt
owork,
Iwi
llhandl
ethi
s.”
“Yousure?”heworri
esalotaboutmet hesameway
Iworryaboutouryoungersi
stersoIunderst
andhi
s
worri
es.
“
Iwi
llbefi
ne,
bro.Iwi
llcal
lyouwhenIgethome.
”
wef
istbumpandgoourseparat
eways.
Ihavemissedcall
sfrom mywi f
e.Iwastal
kingto
herwhent heacci
denthappenedI'
m sur
eshe's
worri
edsickaboutme.
“
Heybabe.
”
“Fi
nal
ly!Doyouknowhowworr
iedIwas?IthoughtI
wasgoingtobeawidowatmyage.Areyouokay?I
sawthetrendi
ngvi
deo.
”
“I
'mfine.Ihi
tsomeonebutI
'
m hopi
ngi
t'
snot
hing
seri
ous.”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.”
“
Doi
ngwhat
?”
“
Ihadt
obr
inghert
othehospi
tal
..
.”
“Ther
ear eambulancesforthat,Mel.Idon't
understandwhyyouar esti
llt
herebecausewebot h
knowyouar enotadoct orandyourpr esencether
e
doesn'tmakeanydiffer
ence.”Isighandcal m
myselfdownbeforeIcanr espond.
“I
fyouhadasl i
ghtestideaofhowt hose
ambul ancesoperateyou'dunderst
andwhyI
broughthertothehospi t
al.HadIwaitedfort
he
ambul anceshe'
dhavebl edtodeat
handIwoul dgo
tojai
l.Wouldthatmakeyouhappywi f
ey?”
“
Ofcour
senot
.Butwhyar
eyoust
il
lther
e?”
“Ij
ustleftt
hehospit
al.Iwil
ltal
ktoyousoon,
got
businesstotakecar
eof .
”
“Mel.
..
”Icutthecallandswitchmyphoneoff.I
'
m
afr
aidifIconti
nuetalki
ngtoherIwil
lsayt
hingsI
wil
lforeverr
egret
.Silencei
sgolden.
*
***
***
***
*
NONDUDUZOSTARSI
BANDA.
[Thepar tencl
osedin[<<<.
..
..
.>>>]i
sadr
eam.I
couldn'tuseanotherf
ontbecausemyphone
doesn'tallowit
.]

[
<<<“
Getthehel
loutofher
e!Don'teversetyour
f
ooti
nmyhouse!”mymot herscr
eamedatt he
woman.
“Iwantmybaby!Iwantmychil
d!Pl
ease..
.”t
hel
ady
beggedwi
thtearsrunni
ngdownherface.
“Youar
ecrazy!She'
snotyourdaught
er,
your
daught
erdi
edandyoubur i
edher!”mom f
ir
ed.
“Youarel
ying!She'
smychil
d!”mom pi
ckedup
somethi
ngheavyandhitt
hewoman....
..
.
*
*
*
“
Lit
tl
ePr
incess.
”hesai
dtomewi
thasmi
le.“
I
broughtyouchocol
atesbutf
oryout
oeatt
hem we
havetohide.
”hesmiled.
“Cho.
.co.
.l
ate.
..
”thef
ouryearol
dmest
ruggl
edt
o
saytheword.
“Yesbeaut i
ful .”hepickedmeupandwentupst air
s.
Intherehepr omi sedtoneverl etanyhar m befallme
andt oalwayshol dmyhand.“ IloveyoubutIhave
togo.I nordert oprot
ectallofus, Ihopeyouwon' t
forgetaboutmeandal waysr emembert hatIexist
andweshal lf oreverbeunitedt hroughspi r
it.
”the
wor dsechoi smyheadsol oudIf eellikemyhead
willcrackopen.“ Don'tgi
veup, keepst rong.”he
kissedmyf oreheadandl ef
tmesi tt
ingont hebed
wher eIcoul dn'thelpmysel fdown.
“
TJ!
”Iscr
eam.
..
..
>>>]

Ialmostf allof
fthebed.I
'm sweati
ng,myhear ti
s
vigorouslypoundinginmychestt hr
eateningtofal
l
offtheribcage.Whatjusthappened?Whower e
thosepeopl e?WheredidIseethem before?‘Li
tt
le
Princess’itdoesri
ngabellbutit
'sfai
nt.It
'sahazy
memor
ythat
'smaki
ngmyheadt
ospi
n.
“Star
.Youar eawake.”Asenathi
'svoicebr ingsme
backtor eal
it
y.Wheream I?Whydoesi tsmel ll
ikea
hospital
?Ilookatmysi detoseeAsenat hiintears.
Oh.I'm atahospit
alandsadly,I
'm sti
llalive.Death
rej
ectedmet oo.“Youscaredme!Whywoul dyou
wantt okil
lyour
self
,huh?DoImat t
ert hatlitt
leto
you?Whati swrongwi t
hyouSt ar.
..
”hervoi ce
breaksandsheput sherheadonmychestand
sobs.Irunmyhandt hr
oughherhai rfightingmy
ownt ears.
“Ididn'twantt okill
myselfbutIcouldn'tstop
eit
her.”Iconf ess.Thepaininmychestcannotbe
explained.Ifeelmyi nsi
desrippingapar tasI
rememberhi st ouch,hi
sperfumei ssti
llther
e,hi
s
l
ip..
.ever yt
hingabouthi m st
illf
reezesmybl ood.
“I'
m sor r
y.”
“Don'tyoueverdot hatagain!Don'
tall
owthewor l
d
todefeatyou.Youar east ar,
youshinewhen
darknessover shadowseverythi
ng.Don'tl
etthem
dim yourli
ght,shineasbrightasyouare.Thatpig
wil
lpayf ortouchingyou,Ipromise.
”shehugsme
t
ightandIf
li
nch.Myr
ibsar
einmi
ldpai
ns.
“I
'
mt i
red,Ase.Iwantt
osleep.
”Il
ie.Idon'
twantt
o
sl
eep,Ij
ustwanttobelef
talonewithmypain.
“
Youj
ustwokeup.
..
”
“
Please.
”Ibeg.
“Okay.Iwillbeout
side,
shoutwhenyouneed
anything.
”sheexit
sandj ustt
hent
hedoctorcomes
i
nf oll
owedbyanur se.
“
Hey.
”shesmi
les.“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Thesame.
”Isayqui
etl
y.
“Doyoufeelanypains?Anywhereonyourbody? ”I
nod.“Weranscansonyouandt her
ewerenomaj or
woundsexceptscratchesonyourelbow,kneesand
thelef
tsi
deofyourf ace.Wher
edoyouf eelthe
pain?”
“Deepi
nmyhear tdoctor
.Icanevensmel ltheblood
ofmyownhear tt
eari
ngapart.That'
sthepai nIneed
helpwi
th.Forgetaboutphysicalpai
n,I
'velivedwit
h
i
tmyent i
relif
ebutthiswoundi nmyhear tisnew
andIdon'tknowhowt odealwi thi
t.
”Ilettearsf
low.
Ithurt
s,Iwishmymot herwasher ebutsheisn't
.I
wishIcanopenmyhear tforsomeonetoseebutI
can'tdothatt
oAsenat hi
.She'syoungandshecan' t
handlemypai n.Ican'
tburdenmyaunteither,she'
s
donemor ethanenoughf orme.
“I
twil
lbef
ine.Don'tl
osehope,st
ayposi
ti
ve.Iwi
ll
arr
angeatherapi
stforyou.
..
”
“Don'tbot her.Alltheyknowi st ot ellsomeonehow
theyunder standhersi t
uationbutt het rut
histhey
don't.Theyhavenocl ueofwhatI '
mf eeli
ngandI
won' twast emyt i
mewi ththem.I fyouwoul dexcuse
mepl ease, Iwanttobel eftalone.”t heybot hexiti
n
sil
ence.IseeAsenat hi'
sphoneont hebedsidetable
andt akeit.Idon' tknowwher emyownphonei ssoI
willuseher s.Ineedsomeonet ot alktoandonl ymy
unknownf ri
endcanl ist
ent ome.I t'
spastonei nthe
mor ning.Ihopehe' stheretolisten.

Me:HeyBuddi
e.I
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tgetbackt
oyou
t
heothert
ime.
Af
tersendi
ngt
hemessageIwai
tandwai
tand
f
inal
lygetapi
ng.
Hi
m:Talktome.Wassup?Shoul
dn'
tyoube
sl
eepi
ng?
Me:Youshoul
dbesl
eepi
ngt
oo.How'
swi
fey?
Him:Madatme.Ididsomethi
ngter
ri
blet
odayand
she'
snothavi
ngmyshit.I
'
m watchi
ngpast
midni
ghtnewsint
heguestroom.
Me:Sor
ryf
ri
end.Di
dyouapol
ogi
ze?
Him:Notreal
ly.I
'
m nottheapol
oget
ict
ype
especi
all
ywhenI '
mright.
Me:Isee.
Hi
m:Enoughaboutme.Whyar
en'
tyousl
eepi
ng?
Me:I'
m atthehospit
al.Threwmyselfi
nfrontoft
he
carbutwhoeverwasbehi ndthewheelf
ail
edtokil
l
me.I'
mi npain,
Ijustwantt or
est
.

Iwaitforaresponseforminutesbutitdoesn'
tcome.
Isheangryatmet ooforwanti
ngtodie?Whywon' t
peopleunderstandthatIwanttorest
?Thisworldis
notaplaceforme.
...Mythought
saredist
urbedby
thecommot i
onoutsidet
hedoor.It
ryt
oblockthe
noiseusingt
hepil
lowbutthedoorspr
ingsopen
and..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERTFI
VE.

NONDUDUZOSTAR'
SPOV.

Iwaitforaresponseforminutesbutitdoesn'
tcome.
Isheangryatmet ooforwanti
ngtodie?Whywon' t
peopleunderstandthatIwanttorest
?Thisworldis
notaplaceforme..
..Myt hought
saredist
urbedby
thecommot i
onoutsidethedoor.It
ryt
oblockthe
noiseusi
ngthepill
owbutt hedoorspr
ingsopen
andbehold,amanbar gesinfoll
owedbythe
securi
tyguards.
“Youar enotall
owedinher e,Sir.
”anur sepl
eads
withhim buthe'snothavingit.Ican'tseehisf
ace
clearl
yandIwonderwhyhe' sher e..
..Myheart
stops,ti
mef r
eezesast hepossi bil
it
yofthatman
foll
owingmeher et
omakesur et hatIdon'
ttal
k
sinksin.That
'swhatallbusinessmendo, t
heycare
abouttheiri
magemor ethanpeopl e.
“IwanttotalktoherforGod'
ssake!Iwon'thar
m her
,
okay?”hisvoicedoesn'
tsoundli
keofthatman.And
he'sdef
init
elynotmyuncl eorf
ather
.Whoi she?
“
I'
m sor
ry,
sir
,hospi
talpr
otocol
s..
.”
“Fine.Leavemealone,st
epawayf rom me.Allof
you!”hehissesandthesecuri
tyguar dstakeafew
stepsbackwards.Hisbackissti
llt
urnedonme,
whati fheisanassassi
n?Whatifhewassentt okil
l
meandgetr i
dofmybodyi nawayt hatnoonewi l
l
neverfindme?Myst omacht ightens,Iwanttopee
butIcan' tmove.“ I
'm atthehospi talandI'
m being
deniedent ry.It
'si mportantthatIseet hepati
ent.Do
somet hingabouti t.
”hesaysont hephoneandI 'm
cl
oset of ainti
ng.“ Thankyou. ”af ewsecondsaf ter
droppingt hecal lhe'sallowedt ocomei n.Iquickly
cl
osemyeyeswi ththebl anketandsayashor t
prayerasur i
nef lowsdownmyt highs.

Icanhearhi sfootstepsgett
ingcloser
,Ifeelhis
weightnexttomeandIscr eam.Iexpecthi shandt o
beonmyt hroatorakni f
eonmychestbutnot hi
ng.
Oram Ideadal ready?Ioncehear ddadsayi nga
bull
etdoesn'thurtifiti
smeantt okil
lyou.Hesai d
youwon' tevenheart hegunshotsoundbecause
youwillbedeadbyt hatti
me.Didheshootme?He
tr
iestopulltheblanketoffmyf ace.
“Leavemeal one!Iwon'ttal
k,Ipromise.Pleasejust
don'tki
llme,notnow, mycousinneedsme.We
needeachot her.Iwon'tt
alkandIwon' ttel
lanyone
whathappened, I'
m beggingyou...
.”myvoi ce
breaks.Icanalreadyseemyl if
ef l
ashingbeforemy
eyesandthemostpai
nfult
hingaboutmydeat
his
thepossi
bil
it
yofmyparent
snotattendi
ngt
he
funer
al.
“St
ar.”hefi
nall
ysays.Hi
svoi
ceissof
t,howcanan
assassinhaveasoftvoi
ce?“
Openyoureyes.
”
“
Pleasedon'
tki
llme,
Iwon'
ttal
k..
.”
“Youwatchtoomuchfict
ion.Openyoureyesand
tel
lmefacetofacewhyyout hr
ewyourselfi
nf r
ont
ofthecar?
...
”myeyesspringopenandIfi
ndt he
shockofmyl i
fest
andi
ngnexttome.
“
Y..
.you.
..
youar
e..
..
”If
ailt
omakesense.
“YourBuddie,yes.Whydoyouwantt odie?Since
whenar eyouacowar d?Haveyouforgottenwhat
youtoldmet hefirstt
imewespoke?Youpr omised
tobestrongandnow? ”It
hinkIhearhim say.I'
m so
shockedI'
m notevensur eifI
'm dr
eamingornot ?
“MrHlongwane. .
.”Ifinall
yfi
ndmyspeech.Ihave
seenhim ont henewspaper s,magazinesand
poster
s.He'sani nspirati
ontomanyyoungpeopl e,
arichbusinessmanwi thabeauti
fulandstr
ongwi f
e.
Theirweddingtookt heinter
netwithastorm and
si
ncethen,t
heyareever
yone'
sfavor
it
ecoupl
e.I
'
m
oneofthei
rfanst
oo.
“Melokuhl
etoyou.Whydidyoudothat?Ial
most
ki
ll
edyou!HowwasIgoi ngtol
iveknowingIki
ll
ed
someone?Damni t,
Star
!”
“Whot oldyoumyname? ”Ist
il
lcan'twrapmyhead
aroundal loft
his.MrHlongwaneisthemanIhave
beent al
kingto?Thisyoungandrichmanhasl i
fe
problems?Thesamemanwhoknowsmydar kest
secretsishereandhe'stheonewhof ailedtokil
lme
earl
ier.Buthow?Hi sl
ifel
ooksperfectont he
magazi ne..
.
“Yoursister
,cousi
norwhatever.Shewasswear i
ng
atme. ”hesighsdeepl
y.“
I'
m sorryforyel
li
ng.I
shouldn'tbeshout
ingatyou.Howar eyoufeel
ing?”
hefinall
ysitsdown.
“
Youar
eact
ual
lyher
e?I
'
m notdr
eami
ng,
right
?”
“
Noyouar
enot
.I'
m act
ual
lyher
e..
.”
“
Ineedt
hel
oo.Pl
easegi
vemeal
it
tl
epr
ivacy.
”
“
Okay.Iwi
llwai
tout
side.
..Wai
t?Canyouhel
p
your
sel
f?”
“
I'
m noti
nval
idMrHl
ongwane.
”helooksdownandI
r
eali
zemytonewasali
tt
lehar
sh.
“Idi
dn'
tmeanitl
iket
hat.Justt
hatyouwer
einan
acci
dentandIt
houghtyouareinpain.
”
“I'
mf i
ne.Pleasecal lanur seformei fyouseeone. ”
henodsandexi ts.Ilaymyheadont hepi l
lowand
releaset heairIhavebeenhol dingin.Ipeedon
mysel ftwice.Itallfeelslikeadr eam andIwon' t
bot hertryi
ngt owr apmyheadar oundi t
.Myaunt
taughtmenott omi ndt hingst hatmybr ainscan't
handl e.Ijustwantt ocl eanmysel fandtryt osl
eep.
I'
vehadenoughofr ollercoasterevent sinlessthan
24hour s.Ineedt or estmyheadbef oreitcracks
openf r
om alloft hi
s.Thepai nkill
erstheygaveme
aremaki ngmef eelal i
ttl
edr owsy.I t
'sbeenawhi l
e
sinceIt ookmor phi ne,Ithinkthat '
swhyi tismaki ng
mesi ck.

Aft
erl
oweringt
hebed,
Irolltothefl
oorandf
li
nchat
i
tscol
dness.Myri
bsarepainfulandsoismyback.
Icanseet hescr atchesonmykneesbutIdon' tfeel
anything.Mycondi t
ionmakesi timpossi bleforme
tofeelmykneesgoi ngdownt omyf eet .Mypar ents
usedt otakemet otherapybutt heylatergaveup
whent herewasnochange.Oh.Youpr obably
wonder i
ngwhati sitthatputmeont hewheel chair
forli
fe.Wel l
,it
'sspi nabifida.Myphysi ot herapist
andt henannyt aughtmet obei ndependentata
veryyoungage, Idoever ythingf ormysel fexcept
hangingclot hesont hewashl ineorr eachi ngf or
thi
ngsont opshel ves.Iliveanor mall i
fel ike
everyoneel se.Theonl ydifferenceist hatIneed
equipmentt omovear ound.

“Youl ookbetter.”hesays.I'
m surpr
isedt ofindhim
i
nt her oom aftertaki
ngsbat h.ThankgoodnessI
request edacleangownf r
om thenur ses.I'
m also
surprisedhe'snotl ooki
nhatmewi t
hpi ti
fuleyesas
Icrawlbackt ot hebed.Youhear dthatright,Icrawl
orrolltomovear oundinsi
det hehouse.
“
Youar
est
il
lher
e?”
“Yes.Youhaven'ttol
dmewhat 'sbotheri
ngyouand
Ihaveaconf essi
ont omakeafterwebot hi
ntroduce
oursel
vesproperly.
”hesays,Inod.Hewat chesme
helpmyselfupandt othebed.Afterarr
angingthe
pil
lowsbehindme, hefinal
lysi
tsdown.
“
Isti
llcan'
tbel
ieveeveryt
hingthathappenedt
ome
i
nthepastfewhour s.Ihopeyourconfessi
onwon'
t
makeitworse.
”
“Uhm, wewi l
lseeaboutt hat.Fir
stofall
, I
'
m
Mel okuhleAbr aham Hlongwane, famouslyknown
asMelorMrHl ongwaneJr .Mydadi sMr
Hlongwane.Secondl y,I
'm sorryforhi
tti
ngyouand
ruiningyourwheel chair
.Iwi l
lbuyyouanot herone
andIwi llalsoreplaceyourphone.Thi r
dly,I'm
disappointedinyouf orattempt i
ngsuicide.”
“Iwon'
tapologizef
ort hethi
rdpart
.Itf
eltl
ikea
goodthingtodoatt heti
me.Haveyoueverbeen
sexual
lyviol
atedbefore?”Iaskandhechuckles.I
t'
s
easyforpeopletothrowadvisewhentheydon't
knowwhatt heyaretalki
ngabout.
“
No.Idon'
tknowhowyouf
eelbutdyi
ngwi
llonl
y
gi
vet
hem achancet
ocel
ebr
ate.Fi
ghtback.
”
“I
'm anobody.Thatmanhasl ot
sofmoneyandI '
m
surehe'
ssleepingpeacefull
yonhi sbedrightnow.I
knowJoycal l
edt hepoli
ceandIal soknowt hat
whoeverthepolicedepartmentsenttohisoff i
ce
didn'
tar
restthatman.Iknowpeopl ewit
hmoney
andhowt heyoper at
e.”onceagainhechuckl es.
“
Doyouwantt
ofi
ghtf
orj
ust
ice?
”
“
Justi
ceisfl
oppedi
nthi
scountr
y.Powerand
moneyrul
esandIdon'
thaveanyofthat
.”
“
Iknowt
hatman.
..
”
“
What
?Howdoyouknowhi m?Youar eal
sopar
tof
t
hem,
theysentyouher
etoki
llme.
..
”
“No.Idon'
trapewomenSt ar
,ifIdi
ddoyout
hinkI
'd
havetol
dyoual lt
hosethi
ngsaboutmymarr
iage?
Whywoul dIcareaboutsexwithmywif
ewhenIcan
getanygir
lIwant?”
“
Howdoyouknowhi
mthen?
”
“Heismyuncl e.Wearebloodrel
ati
vesandI
'
mthe
biggestshar
eholderi
nthatcompany..
.”
“Right.Andyouareheret
omakesureIkeepmy
mout hshutforgood.Howdar
eyoucomehereand
pretendtobesomeoneyouarenot
?..
.”
“I
'm notpret
endi
ngandI'
m nother
etotel
lyouwhat
todo.Infact,
Igothi
m ar
rest
edbutit
's
complicat
ed..
.”
“Pl
easeleave.Youj
usthadt
orui
nmyfri
endshi
p
wit
htheunknownman!Justgoandnevershow
yourface.
..
”
“
Star
..
.”
“Leave!
”IshoutasIpresstheemer
gencybutt
on
andAsenathirushesin.Shegi
vesMrHlongwanea
deadlystar
eandhel eaves.
“
Areyouokay?
”sheasks.
“
I'
mfi
ne.Whyar
eyoust
il
lher
e?”
“I
'
m notleavingyoualone.Gotosleep.Doyouwant
met osi
ngf oryou?”she'
stryi
ngtodistr
actmymind.
Shealwaysdoesandsheknowsexact lywhi
ch
butt
onstopr ess.
“
Singf
ormet
henbutdon'
tcr
y.”
“
Okay.Cl
oseyoureyes.
”
*
***
***
**

MELOKUHLE'
SPOV.

Icouldn'ttel
lherwhatIdid.Iwentther
ewi t
han
i
ntentiontoconf esswhatIdidtomyunclebutI
couldn'tdoit.Notaft
ersheaccusedmeofbei ngi
n
cahoot swithhim.Howdar esheput smeandthat
pedophi l
eint hesamesentence?I'
m notl
ikehi
m,
I'
m honest ,t
rustwort
hyandIrespectwomen.
“I
'
m notli
kehim!”Isl
am myhandonthesteer
ing
wheel.Myphone'sbeenvi
brat
ingf
oragesandit
's
st
art
ingtoannoymeevenmor e.
“
What
?”Isnapont
hephone.
“
Wat
chyourt
oneboy.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Whatdoyouwant
,dad?I
t'
s6i
nthemor
ning!
”
“Youruncl
ewasbeat
enupandl
eftt
odi
einhi
s
offi
ce.
..
”
“
Goodf
orhi
m..
.”
“
Mel
!Di
dyoudot
his?Di
dyoubeatyouruncl
eup?
”
“St
opyel li
ngatme,dad.Trustme,hadIbeenthe
onetot eachhi
m agoodlessonhe'dbeinhellaswe
speak.Butwhoeverbeatthecrapoutofhim
deservesamedal.”
“
Whaydoyoumean?Whatdi
dhedo?
”
“Thesamet hi
ngyout aughthim dad!Violati
ng
i
nnocentwomeni syourspeci al
ty,r
ight
?That 's
whatyouryoungerbr otherdidbutthistimehe
playedonthewr ongpr emises.Notinmydamn
company!Andyoubot hbett
erknowt hatI'm not
l
et t
ingthi
ssli
de.Whi l
ewear eatit
,tel
lthatpigyou
callayoungerbrotherthathe'sfi
redwithi mmediat
e
effect
..
.”
“
Youcan'
tdot
hat
,Mel
;wear
efami
ly.
..
”
“
Fami
lymysi
ze10f
oot
!”
“
Youdon'tdar
eme,
son.Youwi
lldonosucht
hing
t
oyouruncle.
”
“
Ifyoust
il
lwantt
ohonoryourpr
omi
set
oyour
mother,makesurehest aysawayfrom my
companyorIwi l
lkil
lhi
m andbur yhiminat wo-f
eet
-
deepgr avel
ikeadogt hatheis.St
opcall
ingmef or
nonsense.Nxla!
”Idropthecallandsendsmy
phoneflyi
ngoutofthewi ndow.Iheari
tcrashingon
thepavedground.

MyotherphonebeepsandIsendi toutoft
he
wi
ndowt oo.Whycan'tever
yoneleavemethehel
l
al
one?Ijustwantpeace,i
sthatt
oomucht oaskf
or?
“
Husby.
”Mywi
feknocksont
hewi
ndshi
eld.
“
What
?Di
dyourf
atheri
n-l
awsendyouher
e?”
“Jeez!Whathappenedt
oyou?I'
m nother
etofi
ght
withyou.Canyougetdownthecar?
”Ideepl
ysi
gh
anddr agmysel
foutoft
hecar.“
Yousmellli
kea
hospital
.”
“
Iwentt
othehospi
tal
,Khanyi
.Anyt
hingel
se?
”
“
Atni
ght
?Whydi
dyougot
her
e?”
“
Total
k,okay?I
'
mr eal
lyt
ir
edandI '
m noti
nthe
moodtofi
ghtwit
hmydear estwi
fetoday,
canIbe
al
lowedt
ogoi
nsi
de,
takeabat
handsl
eep?Pl
ease.
”
“Okay.Don'
tyouwantsomet
hingtoeat
?”her
questi
onfor
cesasmileonmyl i
ps.
“
Your
eal
lycar
e?”
“YesIdo.Whywoul
dn'
tI?Youar
emyhusbandand
Ipromisedt
oser
veyou.
”
“I
tdoesn'
tseem li
keit.Imissyoubabe,Iwishyou
cangivemejust2%ofyourt i
meandIwi l
lbethe
happi
estmanonear th.Ireall
ymissyou,t
hewi f
eI
marri
ednottheinter
nationalandawardwinni
ng
model.CanIgetherback? ”
“
Mel
..
.”
“Iwi
llbeupst
air
s,wif
ey.Il
oveyou.”Ibabyki
ssher
onthecheekandleaveherout
side.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.
I
NSERTSI
X.

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Fatheri
n-l
awdidsendmet otal
ktoMelbutIcan' t
tal
ktohim whenhe'sinsuchabadmood.Idon' t
underst
andwher ehisangeri
scomi ngfrom
becausethi
sisnothisbusinessunlesshe'
shiding
somethingfr
om me.Imean, uncledidsaythathe
didnotrapeanyone.Inhi
swor ds;
“Thegir
linapi
nkdress,Joyorwhateverthename
was,thr
ewhersel
fonmeandIpushedheraway.
That'
swhenshefellandstart
edscreaming.The
cri
ppl
edonecamei nandt heyat
tackedme.”
Ibeli
evehim becausethat'
swhatpoorgir
lsdoi n
ordertogetj
obs.Ionceslappedsomeonewhokept
rubbi
ngherskinnyassonmyhusband.I '
m sure
thosegir
lstr
iedthesamet ri
ckwithuncl
e.The
Hlongwanefami l
yisrespectabl
eandIdon'tdoubt
uncl
eCai
phus'
swor
ds.
“
Mor
ning,
ma'
am.Youcal
led?
”themai
dsays.
“YesIdi
d.That
'swhyyouar
ehere,
right
?Ot
her
wise
whywouldyoubehereonaFri
day?Howmuchdo
youwant?”
“
Idon'
tunder
stand?
”shel
ookspuzzl
ed.
“Imean,howmuchdoyouwanttopr
epar
e
breakf
astandl
unchf
ormyhusbandonyourof
fday?
Isitcl
earnow?
”
“
Iwi
lldoi
t.Youdon'
thavet
opaymef
ori
t.
..
”
“Youdon'tunderst
and,Shel
ly,doyou?Idon'tl
ike
peoplewhot hi
nktheycandof avor
sforme
becauseonceyougi vethem t
hatsati
sfact
ionthey
star
tthi
nkingthatweareequalwhenwear enot.
Howmuch? ”
“
$300si
ncei
t'
smyof
fday.
”
“
Fine.Br
ingbr
eakf
astupst
air
sin30mi
nut
es.
”
“
Okay.
”sher
esponds.
“It
houghtt
odaywast
hedayIwasfi
nall
yeat
somethi
ngthatmywi
fepr
epar
ed?”Melmocks.
“Don'tst
artwithme.Ican' tcookandyouknowi ngl
y
mar r
iedme.”Ismi leathim.I t
'snowt hatIreali
ze
howmuchImi ssedhi m.Thebedwasempt y
withouthi
m, Ievenwentt ocal lhim backtoour
bedroom buthewasnoti nt heguestr oom.“I
missedyou.”Ihughi mf rom behi ndandwat chhis
bonerexpandundert hetowelt hat'
swr apped
aroundhiswai st.
“
Youchasedmeout
,sweet
hear
t.
”hesmi
les.
“Youdidsomet hingter
ribl
eandyoudeser
vedthat
punishment.Whydi dyoubeathim?”hefr
owns.
“Youruncle,Mel.Whydi dyoubeathi
m?Hedidn't
tryt
or apethosegirl
s..
.”
“Youbel i
evehi m?”Inodandheshakeshi sheadin
disbeli
ef.“Youbelieveamanwhohasdonet his
beforeoveryourf ell
owwomen?Whatki ndofa
womanar eyou?Shoul dn'
tyoubetryingtofi
ndout
thetruthinsteadofbeli
evi
nghiswor ds?You
advocatef ortheri
ghtsoftheyout
h,youar et
heir
ambassador
..
..
”
“
Don'tt
hrowthatatme,
husby.IknowwhatI
'
m
t
alki
ngabout
.Didyoutr
ytorapeSarah?
”
“
No.
”
“Butshesti
llwentaheadtothemediaandaccused
youhopingtogetal umpsum inordertokeepher
mout hshut
.Ithinkthat
'swhathappenedtouncle
Caiphus.He'snotarapist
.He'
syouruncleandyou
shouldbesuppor t
inghi
mi nst
eadoffir
inghim and
all
.”
“Sadly,
wedon'
tgett
ochoosef
ami
ly.
”hecl
enches
hisjaw.
“
Whydoyousayso?
”
“Becausei t
'st
hetruth.WasIgi venachancet o
choose, Iwoul
dn'tbeaHl ongwane, t
rustmeont hi
s
one.IknowwhatI '
mt al
kingabout,youdon'tknow
shitaboutmyf amilyandpleasedon'tgetinvolved
i
nt hisoryouwi l
lbesorryforyourselfatt
heend.
Deletethatnonsenseyoupost edonyoursoci al
medi a.Youareawoman, besympat heti
catleast
sinceyoucan'tputyourselfi
not herpeople'
s
shoes.
”
“Youarespeakinginri
ddles,
Melandit'
sscar
y.
Whatisitthatyouarehidi
ngfrom me?Idon'
tli
ke
surpr
ises.
”
“Nothingyoushouldknow.Idon'
tknowwhyyou
areclosewi t
htheHlongwanemeni nst
eadof
womenbutal lyouhavetoknowisthat
,you
shouldn'tf
indyoursel
finthemi
ddleofthei
rmess.
Haveyouseenmymot hermeddl
inginmyf at
her
's
busi
ness? ”
“No.”Isi
mplyreplybutIhavemor etosayabout
thi
s.Thatwomani snotclassyli
ketherestofthe
Hlongwanesandshe'stoogoodf ormyl i
king.
Almostaper f
ecthumanbei ngexceptt
hatshe'sa
housewife.
“
Lear
nfr
om her.Don'
ttr
ustmeni
nsui
ts.Except
me.
”headds.
“Okay.”Iunl
ockmyphonet odeletethepostI
uploadedearl
ierbutIfi
ndshockingnewsthatmy
eyesar enotr
eadyfor.Atweetreads:
“
Inwhati
sbel
ievedt
obeavengef
ulact
,at
hir
teen
yearol
dEmi l
yHlongwanewasf ounddeadonher
bedaftert
heculpr
itbrut
all
yassaul
tedhersexual
ly
andstabbedher27times..
.”
Myphonesl
ipsof
fmyhandandf
all
sont
hebed.
“What '
swr ong? ”Mel i
salerted.Hequi cklyf astens
hisbeltbef or
egr abbingmyphoneandbr owsi ng
throughmyTwi tt
erandhi sjawdr opst othef loor.
“No!Nonono.Thi scan'tbe.”Hi sski
nl oosescol or
andhi seyest urnredwi thfury.“Notmysi ster
please,Godpl ease.”Iwat chhim coll
apseonhi s
kneesont hefloor.I'
mf r
ozenont hespot ,Ican' t
move.Thei magesar efl
ashingbef oremeandmy
bloodhasgonecol d.“Godpl ease.
..
”Melcl utchest o
hischestandj ustthenIrealizeIhavet odo
somet hing.Ihavet ohelphim upbef or ehesuf fers
ahear tattack.He'shadonebef ore..
.“Emmy! ”he
screams.Iwat chhim breakdown, mybr aini s
movi ngbutmybodyi sfrozen.
“
Mel,pl
easestop.
”Ifi
nal
lyf
indmyvoi
ce.“
Idon'
t
t
hinki
t'
sher,
it'
snother.
”
“
Theyr
apedandki
ll
edher
,mysi
steri
sdead.
..
”he'
s
tr
yingsohar dnotshedtear
sbutIcanseethem
gli
steningi
nhiseyes.“Emmy,mylit
tl
esist
er,sh-
she'sjustt
hir
teen.
..
”hi
svoicebr
eaks.
“I
'
m sorr
y,babe.
”that'
saIcansay.Ist i
llcan'
t
bel
ievewhatIj
ustread.Thepi
ctures,Idon'teven
wanttoknowwhatt hevi
deoisallabout.
“Brother
!”Anomusa' svoi
ceechoes.She'
sMel 's
youngersister,
olderthantheonewho'sreportedl
y
dead.Thedoorf li
esopenandIwat chast hetwo
sibl
ingsembr aceeachot herandcr
y.“Br
ot her
..
..
the..
theykil
ledher.Theykill
edourl
it
tl
esister.
..
.”
Anomusasobs.
“Shhh.Stopcr ying.
”Mel comf ort
shissister.I'm not
anemot ionaltypebutt hi
srightherei smoret hanI
canhandl e.Iexcusemysel fandheadst r
aightt o
thecell
ar.Ineedsomet hi
ngst rong.Ihavetoer ase
thoseimagesi nmyhead.Whywoul dpeopl epost
suchsensi t
ivethingsonsoci almedia?Wher e's
everyone'sdignitygone?Wher edidt heygett he
pict
urest ostartwith?
*
***
***
***
*
MELOKUHLE'
SPOV.

Alcoholdoesn' tworkwhenyouneedi ttowor k.

Painkil
ler
sar ejusttooweakt onumbmypai n,my
heartisinpieces, mybr ainissti
lltr
yingt o
understandwhatt hehelljusthappenedandmyf ury
canbur ntheent ir
eear t
hi nami nute.Ifeelli
keI '
m
goingtoexpl odeifIkeepavoi di
ngever yone.My
mot her'
sshrilli
ngcrywhent heywr appedEmmyi na
bodybagi sst il
lri
ngingi nmyhead.Anomusa' s
emot i
onalbei ngdecidedt oabandonherphysi cal
beingandshe' sgonequi et.Mygr andmakeeps
coll
apsing,dadhasf ini
shedabot tl
eofScot chbut
tearswon'tstopr oll
inghischeeksandgr andpai s
blaminghisyoungerson, Caiphus,whoi snowher e
tobeseen.

Aft
erseei
ngmysist
er'
sli
tt
lebodylyi
ngI '
m apoolof
bl
ood,hermout
hsli
ght
lyopenjusthowshesl eeps
butthi
sti
mewit
hcountl
esswoundsal loverher
coldbody.Ikeepaskingmyselfifshecri
ed,ifshe
tri
edtocallforhel
p,whatwereherlastwords?I
reall
ywanttoknowbutI '
m af
rai
dnoonewi llever
tel
lmet hatexceptt
hemonst erwhodidthattoher.I
don'tbl
amet hemonst ermuchthough,notaftert
he
noteheleft.
**
*Notwithmysi st
eryoubast ar
ds!You
mayhaveallthemoneybutIwi llmakesur eyoufeel
exactl
ythepai
nmysi steri
scurrentl
yfeeli
ng.
Troubl
eheragain,f
oll
owherar ound,l
etmef indher
deadandyouwi l
lknownott omesswi ththe
poor.
****

Iwar neddadwhenmyuncl er apedsomeonef orthe

fi
rsttime.Thatgirldi
sappearedandI '
m suremy
dadki l
ledher.That'
showher unshisbusiness,
to
himi t'
sallaboutt
hef amil
ynameandhewon' tl
et
anyoner uinit
.Iwonderifhewi llst
il
lsti
cktohis
valuesnow.Hi sowndaught er,mysweetl it
tl
esist
er,
i
sgoneandi t
'sal
lthankstouncl eCaiphus!
“
Areyouokay?
”Iwantt
olaughatmybr
other
's
quest
ion.HowcanIbeokayamidstallt
his?I
t'
s
onl
ybeenhourssincet
hefor
ensicstookEmil
y's
bodyaway.
“I
'm notandIwil
lneverbeokay.
”Ir
espondbefor
e
gulpi
ngmyHei nekenbeerdownmycrackythr
oat.
“Doyout hi
nkshecri
ed?”
“Iwat chedthel i
vevideoofthebr ut
alatt
ackandyes
shecr ied.Shesuf f
ered..
.”hewipesast r
ayt ear.The
monst err
ecordedaFacebookl i
vevideoof
everything,soI '
veheard.I'
m notcourageous
enought owat chit
,myf ragi
leheartwon'thandleit.I
survivedahear tat
tackbefore,I
'
m notsur eifIcan
surviveanot herone.
“
Butwhywoul
dsomeonedosuchat
hingt
oaki
d?”
“Revengeknowsnoboundar i
esandIfeelli
kethi
s
warj ustst
art
edbecausedadwon'tl
etitgo.Hewill
kil
lthosegirl
sifhehast
o.Youknowhim. .
.”
“Iwon'tl
ethi
m.Thisnonsenseendshereandif
someonehast odi
ethenhewi l
lhavetoshowme
wherehehidhisbr
othersoIcankillhi
m mysel
f.
He'stheonewhodeservestodie!I
t'
senough!
”
“Youdon' twantt
ogoagainstourfat
her
,Mel
.He
doesn'tcarewhogetshur
tasl ongashi
snamei
s
clean.Pleasedon'
t.
”
“I'
m notpr oudoft hisbutI 'm aHlongwanet oo.And
Emmywi l
lr estinpeace, shepai dthei
rpri
ce,it
's
enoughwi tht heki l
li
ngsnow.Noonewi l
ltouch
thosegi rl
sasl ongasI '
m alive.Ihaveareputati
on
topr ot
ectt oo.G&SLogi sti
csi smycompanyand
noone, Imeannoonewi l
lbr i
ngmycompany
down. ..
”myphoner ingsinmypocketandIf i
ghtthe
urget osmashi tagain.Paul ine,mysecretar
yjust
boughtt hephonef ormesoIwi llr
espectherhard
wor k.“NonduduzoS.Si banda?Knowsomeonewi th
thatname? ”Iaskmybr ot herwhol ooksdeepin
painbuthewon' tbreak.Noti nfrontofme.
“
Nope.Why?
”
“
Someone'
scal
li
ngandt
ruecal
leri
dent
if
iesherwi
th
t
hatname.
”
“
Ihavenoi
deawhoi
tis.
”
“Okay.
”Iwanttocutthecall
butsomehowmygut
saysother
wise.“
MelokuhleHlongwane,
hel
lo?
”
“
MrHl
ongwane.
.”
“Star?”I'
m shockedshe'scal li
ngaftershechased
meawayaf ewhour sago.Ishoul dbeangr ywi t
h
hert hi
nkingthatsomeonei nherfami l
ykill
edmy
sisterbutIhavedonemyr esearch.Herfami l
y
disownedher ,haven'
tbeeni ntouchforfivegood
year sandshedoesn' thaveabr ot
her.“Uhm, sor
ry,
I'
mj ustsurpri
sedyoucal led.Ar eyouokay? ”
“I
'mf i
ne.Areyou?”Ichuckl
e.“St
upi
dquestion.I'm
sorryaboutyoursist
erandIwantyoutoknowt hatI
didn'
tdoanythingortellmyfami
lyabouti
t.Ialso
don'thaveabrother.
..
”
“IknowandIbel i
eveyou.Yourcousinpostedyour
encounterwit
hmyuncl eonTwit
ter,
looksli
kethe
posttrendedforafewhoursbeforemysi st
erwas
kil
led.Idon'
tknowwhodi ditbi
tIknowyouhave
nothingtodowi t
hit.Youdon'
thavetowor r
y
yourself
,Iwil
lbefine.
”
“
Bewel
landi
fyoust
il
ltr
ustme,
youcant
alkt
o
me.
”
“
Thankyou.Iwi
llr
emembert
hat
.Haveyouseena
doct
ort
oday?Whenar
eyouget
ti
ngdi
schar
ged?
”
“I
'm notsure.Ihavet
oseeaphysi
otherapi
stbefore
Icanl eaveandI'
m wait
ingt
oseei
fmymedi calai
d
i
sstillokaysoIcanbuynewwheels..
.”
“Pleasedon't
.Iwil
lcometothehospi
talandfind
outwhi choneissuit
abl
ethenIwil
lbuyitforyou.
It
'sthelit
tl
eIcandoaf t
erhur
ti
ngyou..
.”
“
No,
it'
sfi
neMrHl
ongwane.
.”
“Mel
.AndI '
m nottaki
ngnoforananswer.Iwil
lsee
youtomorrow,ri
ghtnowI'
m adrunkmess.”Icutthe
cal
lbefor
eshecansaysomet hingel
se.Mybr ot
her
i
slooki
ngatmeasi fhej
ustcaughtmesteali
ng.

“
What
?”Iask.
“Caref
ulnott
of al
lbecauseyouwil
lfal
ldanger
ousl
y
hard.Dadwon'tli
kethi
s.Justbecar
eful
.”
“
Ist
hisaboutt
hewheel
chai
r?”
“
It
'saboutever
ything.Il
oveyoubr
oandI
'
m not
r
eadytoloseanothersibl
ing.
”
*
*
*
*

Theturnofeventsmi ghtbeamyst er
y,maybe
confusi
ngbutwor rynotanddon'taskhowandwhy?
Thepointwastoaddt hatmyst
eri
oust oucht
othe
stor
y.Allt
ober eveal
edi ndueti
me.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERTSEVEN.

LI
LLY'
SPOV.

Cruel
tyhasbecometheorderoftheday.Peopl e
havetradedt
hei
rconsci
ousnessf orvi
ciousness,
ourhomesarenolongersafe.There'
snosaf eplace,
everycor nerofthiscount ryisf i
lledwi t
hcr i
me,
tearsandpai n.Mybodyf reezesever yti
meIt hink
ofEmmy.Asweetl it
tl
epr incess, alwayscheer yand
runningar oundcar efree, notphasedbyt he
mat erialweal t
h, t
oher ,everythingwasbeaut iful.A
l
ittl
egi rlwhowoul dspendherSat urdayputti
nga
smi l
eont hef acesofst reetkids, hermot her'
s
youngerver sion.She'sgonewi t
houtapr oper
goodbyeandnoonewi l
leverknowhowherf uture
l
ookedl ike.Ikeepwat chi ngthevi deoandmyhear t
breaksevenmor ewhenshesayst oherattacker
“Mayt heLor dforgiveyouf orthis...
”andt he
ruthlessmancut shert hroatopen.Howcoul dhe?
Coul dn'thespar eherl i
fe?Shewoul dhave
overcomet hetraumaandcont inuedt oputasmi l
e
onpeopl e'sfacesbutno, themanhadt ocutherl i
fe
shor t.
“Babe?”Zwel
akhesnapshi
sfinger
sbr
ingingme
backtowhereIam.“Youshouldst
opwatching
that
.”hesaysandtakesmyphoneawaybefore
pull
ingmeintohi
sarms.
“
Thi
sis.
..
”myvoi
cef
ail
smeandIbr
eak.Theshock
fadesawayandi tisreplacedbyt hepai nthat
piercesmyhear tandshr edsi ttopieces.The
Hlongwanesar etrashbutEmmywasn' t.Emmywas
diff
erentf
rom alloft hem, sheandhermot herwere
theonlyhumansi nthatf amily.Therestareanimal
s
l
ivinginaworldf ullofpeopl e.
“Iknowbabe, Ialsoknowhowmuchyoul ovedthe
kid.Idon'
tknowmuchaboutherbutr eadingthe
comment sIunder standshewasal i
ttl
eangeli n
humanf orm andI '
m convi ncedshewoul dn'twant
thosewhol ovedhert ost oplivi
ngt heirli
ves
becauseofherdeat h.Everyonesaysshewasa
strongli
tt
legirlwithabighear t
,best rongt oo.I
t'
s
okayt ogri
evebutdon' tletgriefconsumeyou.God
willpuni
shtheki l
ler.
”hesaysandsqueezemet i
ght.
Hissoothingwor dsar enothel pi
ng.Theyar e
fueli
ngmypai nandangeri screepingi n.“Ithi
nk
youshoul dgot hereandl etyourhear tacceptwhat
hashappened.Onewayort heot her,youhavet o
acceptit.
”
“
Ican'
t.Thi
sallf
eel
sli
keani
ght
mare.Emmytaught
metolovepeopl
enomatt
ert
hei
rbackgr
ounds.
Howcansomeoneki
llaninnocentchi
ldf
orher
f
ather
'ssi
n?Howist
hatfair
?”
“Nothingi
sfairi
nthisworl
d.Idon'tknowwhatki nd
ofpeopletheyarebutwhoevertheycr ossedthi
s
ti
meseemst obemor edangerous.It
'sapi t
yan
i
nnocentsoulhadt opayforthei
rsins.I'
m sorryf
or
yourloss,
babe.”
“Thankyou.
”Isigh.Myphonebeepsandi t'
sali
ve
Facebooknoti
fi
cati
on.Prof
essorKhulekani
Hlongwaneisli
veontheZbcchannel.Iwonder
whathehast osayforhi
mself.“
Iwanttoseethat.
”
“
Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
sagoodi
dea.
..
”
“
PleaseZwe.
”
“
Okay.
”
“Goodaf ternoonZimbabwe.Fol l
owingtheunt i
mely
passingofEmi l
yHlongwaneear li
erthi
smor ning
andi nternetbuzzaboutt hevideopostedbyt he
kil
ler,Prof essorKhulekaniHlongwanehasaf ew
thingst osay. ”saysthereporter.“
Goahead, Sir.
”he
clearshi st hroatwhil
eadj ust
ingthemicrophone.
Hiseyesbl oodshotandhi sli
psal i
tt
ledry.
“Goodaf ternoon. ”hi svoiceishoar seanddr y.It
's
l
ikehewi l
lbur stintot earsbutnott her uthless
HlongwaneIknow.Themani sfearedbyal most
ever yonei ncludingmyf atherwhoi sal so
consi deredr uthlessbyot herpeopl e.Noonedef i
es
Prof essorHl ongwane, heevenhast hemi nisters
wr appedar oundhi slitt
lefinger.“Itsaddensmet o
seepeopl ej okingaboutmydaught er'
sdeat h.What
happenedt oourdi gnity?Sincewhendon' twe
respectt hef ami lyoft hedeceased?Il ear nedabout
mydaught er '
sdeat hvi asoci almedi abl ogswhenI
thoughtshewassl eepingi nherr oom.Youmust
under standhowt ought hisist omeandmyf amil
y.
Andf orthatr eason, I
'dli
ket or equestpr ivacyf rom
allthepr yingr epor tersandbl oggers.Themat t
eris
i
nt hepolice'shandsnowandwhent herear e
devel opment smade, anannouncementwi l
lbe
made.Fornow, pleaseal l
owmyf ami lytogr i
evei n
peace.Thankyou. ”wi ththatsai d,hel eapst ohi s
feetandt hecamer amanshi ftsthecamer aof fhim.
“
Ican'
tevenimagi
newhatt
heyar
egoingthr
ough.
Whatafuckedupwor
ldweli
vei
n.”Zwel
akhe
comment
s.
“
Fuckedup,
indeed.
”
“Youhavetobat
handeatsomet
hing.Youhaven'
t
eatensi
ncemorni
ngandI'
m wor
ri
edaboutyour
healt
h.Mom'sworr
iedt
oo.
”
“
Idon'
tfeell
ikeeat
ing.
..
”
“
I'
m nothavi
ngt
hat
.Letmepr
epar
eabat
hforyou.
”
Ireall
ydon'tfeelli
keeatinganythingIj ustwantt o
sleepandwakeupwhent heworldisatpeaceagai n.
Allthesenegativesthi
ngsar edr
ainingmyener gy.
First,
twogirl
swer eviolatedinanof f
icewheret hey
wer esupposedt obeinter vi
ewed,theent i
recount r
y
sweepst hemat terundert hecarpetbecausei ti
s
oneoft hemosti nfl
uentialpeoplewhoi saccused,a
fewhour slat
erEmmypayst hepriceofsomet hing
sheknowsnot hingabout .Whenwi l
lthesethi
ngs
end?
“Here.Allset
.”Zwel
akhebroughtaplastict
ub,
warm wat eri
na9-li
tr
ebucketandamop.Theyr ent
a3r oomedhousei nNjubeF,thei
rtoi
letsar
e
outside,
notjustout
sidebutafewmet resaway
from t hehouseandt heyaret oosmal lt
o
comf ort
ablybathin.Thetoil
etdoeshaveashower
tapi nsidebutwiththehighr atesofwat erbi
ll
s,t
hey
don'tusei t
.Theyuseapl astictubandbucket s
i
nst ead.I '
m notusedtobathingl i
kethisbutIdon't
mi nd.Icandoanyt hi
ngasl ongasIhavemyman
bymysi de.
“
Thankyou.
”
*
***
***
***

MELOKUHLE'
SPOV.

I'
m st i
lltr
yingtogetknockedoutbybeerbuti t
'snot
wor king.Istil
lfeelal it
tl
edrunkinsteadofbeing
totall
yout .Mybr otherlef
tanhourorsobackwhen
ourl oudcousi nsj oinedusi nthegarden.Icansee
them chat ti
ngandl aughingbutmymi ndisnother e
tobepar toftheirconver sati
ons.Myhear tis
bleeding, Idon'tknowhowt odealwiththi
spain.
Thepai nistoodeep, it
'sli
keI'
m gri
evingmyt wo
sistersatonce.Emmyi snotthefir
stonet opayf or
myf atherandhi sbrother'ssins.Wehadanot her
sister,Thobi lewashername.Shewast woyear s
youngert hanAnomusawhoi st went yyearsol d
now.Thobi l
edi edthreeyear sago, shewas
kidnappedbymydad' smi str
essaf terdadf orcef ul
ly
hadt hemi stressabor therchi l
d, t
or turedand
brutal l
yki ll
ed.Iwast heonewhof oundherdead
bodyi nadi tch,coveredi ndriedbl oodandant s
havingaf east .Icouldn'thandlei tandt hat
'swhenI
hadahear tat t
ack.Onl ythethreeofus-dad, uncle
Caiphusandme-knowwhatexact lyhappenedt o
Thobi l
e.I'vecar riedthissecretf orthr eeyear sin
ordert opr otectmymom f rom thehear t
achebutI
don'tknowi fIcancont inuecar ryingmydad' s
secr ets.Theyar eheavilyweighi ngonmeandI 'm
slowl ycr umbl i
ng.Ifthisdoesn' tstop, I'
m afraid
Anomusai snext .Iexcusemysel ffrom ever yonei n
thegar denandmakemywayt o.mychi l
dhoodr oom.

Ican'
tevenbringmyselft
olookatmymot her
'sf
ace
ri
ghtnow.Ifeelli
kethebi
ggestt
rai
torwhoever
exi
sted.Mom lovesusmorethananythi
ngbutwhat
am Idoing?I'
m hidi ngdad'ssecret
sandI '
m sure
thatmakesmeat ypicalHlongwane.Howl ongwillI
conti
nuelikethis?Thi sisnotme, I
'
mj ustMeland
I'
m defi
nit
elynotlikemyf ather
.Iwil
lhavetostop
thi
sonceandf orall.Dadwon' tgoaroundmessing
upotherpeople'sliveseveragain.
“Mel.
”thi
nkoft
hedevi
landhewalksinwi
thout
evenknocki
ngsi
mplybecauset
hisi
shisdamn
house!
“
Dad.
”Isigh.Iwonderwhati
sitt
hathewant
sfr
om
meri
ghtnow.
“Iwantthosegi
rl
sdeadtogetherwi
tht
heirf
amili
es
i
nt henext24hours.
..
”Ichokeonmydrinkand
quickl
yspiti
tout
.
“
W..
what
?”al
lofasuddenmyear
sar
eri
ngi
ng.
“
Youhear
dme.Iwantacl
eanj
ob.
..
”
“
I'
m notdoi
ngt
hatshi
t.I
t'
senoughdad!
”
“
Theyki
ll
edyoursi
ster
.”hesayscol
dly.
“Youkil
ledyourowndaughter
!Justl
ikeThobi
le,you
kil
ledoneofmysister
stoo!AndI'
m notl
osingthe
onlysist
erIhavelef
tinthenameofprotecti
ngthe
famil
yname.Whatar eyout r
yingtopr
otectwhen
yourchil
drenarepayingthepri
ce?Whichfamil
ywill
beleftaf
teral
lthi
s?Youhavet ostopdad..
.”
“NoMel.Youdon'
tunder
stand,
doyou?Noone
messeswithmeandgetsawayscotfr
ee.They
havet
opay.”
“Dowhat everyouwantdadbutdon' tinvolvemei n
anyofitandIwi l
lbedamnedi fIl
etyout ouchthose
gir
ls.Theirli
vesareint
erli
nkedwithmysi ster'
sli
fe
byfateandIwi l
ldoanythi
ngt oseemysi sterl
ive
herli
fetot heful
lest
.Youar enotki
ll
ingAnomusa
too.Overmydeadbody! ”
“
Idi
dn'
tki
llyoursi
ster
s!It
ri
ed.
..
”
“Youtri
ednot
hing!Youcausedalloft
hisandit
's
enoughnow,youhavetostop.Youlostthi
sbatt
le
l
etitgo.”
“
Never
!”
“Wel
lthen,j
ustknowthatyouhavetogopastyour
soninordertoki
llt
hem.Ifanythi
nghappenst
omy
onl
yremainingsist
er,
Iwillmakesur
eyouandyour
br
otherr
oti
nhel
l.That
'sason'
spr
omi
se.
”
“
Mel
okuhl
e!”hehi
sses.
“Wear edoneher e,dad.Mom needsyou, t
hel east
youcandoi stopretendthatyoudi dn'tkil
lyourown
daught erandconsol eher .That'
sif,she'
sst i
llnaive
enought obelieveyoursweetl i
es..
.”thenextt hingI
feelisast ingi
ngslaponmycheekf oll
owedbya
puncht hatalmostdislocatesmyj aw.“ I
t'
sthet ruth!
”
Iyellandt astebloodonmyl ips.Hechar ges
towar dsmeagai nbutt hi
stimeOwet hucomesi n
between.
“Enough!Mel
,gett
hefuckoutofher
e..
.”br
other
Owethushoutsatme.
“
Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing.
..
.”
“
Isai
dfuckof
f!
”hegi
vesmeadeadl
yst
are.
“
Dadst
art
edt
his.
..
”
“Mel,getout.
”Owethur epeatshi
sstatementwit
ha
quietandcoldtonethistime.Isi
ghandexitwhil
e
l
ickingbloodoffmylips.Iwonderwhenwi l
lthey
stoptreati
ngmel i
keaki d.Dadstar
tedthi
sbut
Owet
huhadtoshoutatme.Wi
llhest
il
ldef
enddad
i
fheknowst
hetrut
h?

Ifindmysel fseat edont opoft her oof.Thi shas

alwaysbeenmyf avorit
espotsi nceIwasachi ld.
It'
squeitupher eandt hewor ldlooksbet terfr
om
thisheight.It'
sdar koutside,streetlightsar e
showi ngof fthebeaut if
ulhousesi nthear ea.Traf
fic
i
sver ybadatt hishourandf rustrateddr i
verskeep
honking.It akeoutmyphoneandcapt urethe
chaoticyetbeaut ifulcit
y.IopenmyWhat sAppand
searchf orStar 'snumber .Herlastseenwast wo
daysbackwhi chmeanshehasn' tdownl oaded
What sAppyet .Idi alherinst
ead.
“
Hey.
”shesayswi
thasl
eepyvoi
ce.
“
Badt
ime?
”
“
Notr
eal
ly.Wassup?
”
“Nothi
ngmuchj
ustt
ryi
ngt
odealwi
thmypai
n.How
areyou?”
“
I'
m okay.I
'
m get
ti
ngdi
schar
gedt
omor
row.
”
“
That
'sgoodt
ohear
.Wher
eisyourcousi
n?”
“
Shewentt
owor
k.Myaunti
sher
e.”
“Oh.Isee.
”Iwaspl anningtovi
sitheratni
ghtbut
nowIcan't.Ijustwantedtotal
ktosomeonewhoi s
wil
li
ngtolisten.
“Uhm, t
hankyoufort heflowers,f
oodandthe
cell
phone.Il
oveallofitincludi
ngyoursecretary.”I
l
augh.Iknewshewoul dlikeher,whodoesn'tli
ke
Pauli
ne?Ili
kehert oobutIwon' tt
ellt
hist
oherf ace.
She'sasweetheartthatone.Alwayslooki
ngoutf or
othersnomatterhowt heyt r
eather.
“
Areyoual
esbi
an?
”It
ease.
“Iwoul
dn'tknow.I'
venevert
houghtaboutmy
sexual
it
y.ButifIhappentobe,
thenyoursecr
etar
y
wil
lbemyf ir
stgir
lfr
iend.
”
“
She'
snotal
esbi
an.
”
“
Howdoyouknow?
”
“I
'm herboss,Iknowal
mostever
ythi
ngabouther
si
nceshespendsmostofhert i
mewi t
hmeand
she'
sachat ter
box.”
“
Isee.Haveyoueat
ensomet
hing?
”
“
Ifal
coholcount
sasf
oodt
henyes.
”
“Alcoholi
spoi
sonouswhenyoudr
inkonanempt
y
stomach.Tryt
oeatsomethi
ng.
”
“
Doyoudr
inkal
cohol
?”
“Yep.Cast
lel
it
eismyf
avor
it
ebutIdr
inkanyt
hingI
canstomach.
”
“Interesti
ng.Ididn'
ttakeyouf orsomeonewho
drinksal cohol.
..
”Ihearfootstepsbehindmeand
theper fumet el
lsmewhoi tis.“CanIcallyouback
l
at er?Mywi f
eishere.”
“Okay.
”Icutt
hecal
landcont
inuet
aki
ngbeaut
if
ul
shots.
“Husby.
”shekissesmeont
hecheek,
Ifl
inch.“
What
happenedtoyourli
ps?
”
“
Dadhappened.
”
“
Youpr
ovokedhi
m..
.”
“Whydoyouallt
hinkthatI'
mt heonewhoal
ways
provokehi
m?Can'tyouallseethathe'
smi
susi
ng
hisauthori
ty?Dadbeatsmeal ltheti
meIsay
somet hi
ngagainsthi
mj ustbecausehe'smyfat
her
andIcan'tpunchhim back.”I'
m si
ckandtir
edof
everyonemakingexcusesf oramant heydonot
knowasmuchasIdo.
“Okaybabe,pleasedon'
trai
seyourvoi ceatme.I
won'tgeti
nvolvedinyourfi
ghts.Ibroughtyouf
ood
andpainki
ll
ers.”mythoughtf
ulwife.Sheknows
whatIneedmostoft hetimes.
“Thankyoubabe.Haveyoueat
en?
”sheshakesher
head.“Let
'seatt
oget
her.
”
“ButIonl
ydi
shedf
oroneper
sonandIbr
oughtonl
y
onefork.
”
“Let
'sshare.I
'
m nott
hathungr
yandIwi
llf
eedyou.
”
Ismileatherandshesmil
esback.

Alcohol,br
okenhear ts,str
eetl
ight
s,goodf ood;a
verybadcombi nati
onifyouarenotpl anni
ngto
makel ovetoyourpar tner.Mybustedl i
phaslong
beenforgottenasIexpl oremywi f
e'smouthwi th
myt ongueear ningmuf fl
edmoanst hathavemy
trousersexpandi
ng.Myhandsf i
ndhertopandI
tearitoff
.Irunmyfingeronherboobsandshe
squirmsundermyt ouch.Inoneswif
tmove,I
unclaspherbraand#REMOVED.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove

#Removed

Alcohol,brokenhearts,str
eetli
ghts,goodf ood;a
verybadcombi nati
onifyouar enotpl anni
ngto
makel ovet oyourpartner.Mybust edl i
phaslong
beenf orgott
enasIexpl oremywi fe'smout hwith
myt ongueear ningmuf fl
edmoanst hathavemy
trousersexpanding.Myhandsf i
ndhert opandI
tearitoff.Ir
unmyf i
ngeronherboobsandshe
squirmsundermyt ouch.I noneswi ftmove,I
unclaspherbr aandsuckonherni ppl
esgivi
ng
att
entiontoeachni pplepermoment .Bal
ancing
wit
hherhands, shetil
tsherheadbackwardsgiving
mef ullaccesstoherchest.Inipandnibbl
ehert i
ts
andwat chinaweast heyerect
,Iturnmyat t
ent
ion
toherabdomen, l
icki
ngandswi pi
ngmyt ongueover
hernavalar ea.
“Ohbabe. .
.”shemoansasmyt humbcomesi n
contactwithhercli
t.Icont
inueteasi
ngherbr east
s
andear l
obeswi t
hmywett onguewhi l
emyf inger
concentrat
esonherweakspot .“Pl
ease.
.”shebegs.
“Pl
easewhat
,wif
ey?”Iwhispercl
osel
ytoherear
andshemoansloudert
histime.Ii
ntr
oducemy
middl
efi
ngeri
ntoherwethoneypot.
“
Iwantyou.Ther
ealt
hing.
..Aah.
..
”
Ispr eadherlegswideandpositi
onmysel fonher
entrance.Hereyesar ef
ullofl
ust,need,l
oveand
anticipati
on.Shelookscutewhenshel ooks
vul
ner abl
e,unguar
ded,wanti
ngandwai t
ingt
obe
served.
“
M..
e..
l.
..
”shedr
agsmynameasIsl
owl
yent
erher
.
“Fuck!
”Igr
oan.Ipul
lmysel
foutandenterheragai
n
andagainmakingsur
eshe'
senjoyi
ngthisasmuch
asIam.
“Ooh..
.”shesoftl
ycr
iesoutsendingallthekindof
sexualsensati
onsal
lovermybody.Igr abherlegs
andhangt hem onmyshoulders.Ipumpi nandout
whilemyt humbsoft
lyrubsherglist
eningcli
t.“Babe
I.
..
”
“Whatbabe?”Il
eanoverandhungr
il
ykissher.If
eel
herwall
sti
ghteni
ngaroundmyshaftandquicken
thepace.“
Cum formebabe..
.”
“Mel.
...
”shecal
lsoutmynameandherbody
vi
bratestaki
nghertoatemporaryCanaan.Idon'
t
givehermuchtimetorecoverfr
om herorgasm,I
fl
ipheraroundandenterherfr
om behi
nd.“Oh
my...
”
“Il
ikeitl
ikethiswifey.
..
.Shit
..
.”If
eelmysel fnear
ing
anejaculati
onbutIdon' twantitt
oendyet .My
phoner i
ngs,andt heri
ngingtonescreamsur gency.
Ipushmyt humbi ntoKhanyi'
smoutht osuck
beforereachingformyphone.
“
Tal
ktome.Makei tsnappy.
”Isayaf
terpr
essi
ng
t
hegreenbut
ton.
“
Ifoundhi
m.He'
ssaf
e.Whatshoul
dIdo?
”
“Okay.Iwillcallyouafter30mi nutes,
wai
tformy
call
.”Icutthecal landthrowthephoneonmy
tr
ousers.PicturesofThobi l
e'scoldbodyl
yingina
dit
ch,undressed, onlyantsfeasti
ngonherflash
beforemyeyesandangert akesovermyemot i
ons.
Itr
yt opusht hem asidebuttheycomebackeven
mor eclear
erbyeachpassi ngsecond.
“Mel..Youhurt
ingme. .
.Mel stop..
.”Khanyicri
es.I
cansenset hepaininhervoi cebutmyr easoningis
notwor ki
ngatthemoment .Ifuckherhardwhi lemy
handschokeher .“M..
e..
l.
.”shegaggl esandthenI
real
izewhatIjustdid.Ipanic,fearchokesme.
“I.
..
I'
m sorr
ybabe...
”Ipulloutandt
urnherar
ound.
She'sintear
s.“I'
m sor
ry.
..”shesur
pri
sesmewitha
Frenchkissbeforepushi
ngmebackwar dsand
taki
ngovert heshow.“Ah..f
uck!
”
“Aah.
..
”shemoansandhervoi
cesendsmeof
fthe
edge.
“Ba.
.be.
.”Ishooti
nsideherandshef
oll
owssoon
aft
ermebef orecol
lapsi
ngontopofme..
..
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

[Si
ncer
eapologi
esfornotkeepi
ngmypr omise,
load
sheddi
nghappenedbeforeIcouldpost.The
#removedhasbeenpostedont hegroup.]

I
NSERT8.

STAR'
SPOV.

Ihavebeenhavi
ngarecur
ri
nganddist
urbi
ng
dream.Ther
e'st
hiswomanwhokeepscryi
ngfor
herbabybuttheywon'tl
etherseeherbaby.It
ryas
muchasIcant ol
ookatherface,t
oseeherbutthe
l
ightaroundherisbli
ndi
ng.I
'm unabl
etoseewho
sheisortheenvir
onment.Iwonderwhatisthe
meaningofthisdream.
“
Goodmor
ningmybaby.
”auntsays.
“Morni
ngMom.Howar eyou?”Ical
lhermom ever
si
nceIstar
tedli
vingwi
tht
hem.She'smoret
hanan
aunttome,she'
samother
.
“
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
I'
m good.Imi
ssmybedandmycast
lel
it
e,Iwant
t
ogohomeal r
eady.
”
“
Ofal
lthet
hings,
youonl
ymi
ssyoural
cohol
?”
“Al
coholi
sli
fe.Tel
lme,canyouimagineaworld
wit
hnoalcohol?Aworl
dwher eever
yoneissober
24/7?
”
“Thatworldwil
lbebori
ng.”wel
augh.“Onaser
ious
notethough,don'
tyoumisssomethi
ngor
someone? ”
“
Ifyouar
easki
ngaboutmypar
ent
s,Idomi
sst
hem
butthatdoesn' tchangethefactthattheydon'twant
me.I '
m suretheysawever yt
hingthathappenedbut
theydidn'tevenbot hertocal
lme.Asenat hiadvi
sed
met ostartli
vingf ormeandt hat'
sexactlywhatI
willdo.Youar eher e,
Aseanduncl eareheretoo
andt hat
'sallthatmat t
ers.
”
“I'
m wor ri
edaboutyoumybaby?Youdon' tlook
emot ionallywell
.”howdoIt ellherthatIpretended
tobeasl eepandcr i
edthewhol enight?HowdoIt el
l
hert hatthesmel lofamal e'sper f
umesendspani c
allovermybody?HowdoIt el
lherthatever yti
me
thatmal ephysiotherapisttouchesmyl egsIdi ea
mi l
li
ont i
mes?HowdoIt ellherthatIwisht hatman
haddi edi nst
eadoft hatinnocentgi rl
?HowdoIt el
l
hert hatIdon'tthi
nkIwi lleverletamanst andt wo
met ersawayf rom me?I 'm damaged, I
'm constantly
i
npani cmodeandmyanxi etylevelsshooting
throught heroof.
“I
'
mf ine,
mom.”yesIam.MaybeI'm notr
eal
lyf
ine
atthemomentbutIwil
lbeokay.
“
Youshoul
dseeat
her
api
sti
fyoudon'
twantt
otal
k
t
ome..
.”
“I'
mf ine,real
ly.Ij
ustwantallthistobeoverand
thenal lofuscangobackt oournor malli
ves.Ihat
e
thatmynamei sconstantl
yment ionedonsoci al
medi a,it
'senoughnow.Thatpi gwi l
lgetwhat '
s
comi ngt ohim.Godi snotonlyfort heri
ch,He'sfor
thepoort oo.Ourwor ldl
ylawsmayf ai
lusbutGod
willneverf or
sakeus.Theywi l
lanswerf orthei
r
deedssoonert hanlater
.He'saf airGod.”she
smi l
esatme.
“Iadmi reyourfai
th.Holdonst r ongerandneverlet
goofi t
.Hewillsurelycomet oourr escue.
”she
kissesmyf or
ehead.Iwonderi fshesomet imes
forgetthatwear enol ongerkids.Thi swomanher e
neverr unsoutofki ssesandwar m hugs.Sheisnot
per f
ectbutherlovef orusrunsdeepert hanher
mi stakes.“
Iwentoutandgotyout his.
”
“Pancakesandmyf avor
it
ecuppacci
no.
”I'
m
sali
vati
ngalr
eady.“
Thankyoumom. ”
“
Wel comemygi
rl
.Thedoctorwant
edt
otal
ktome,
I
wil
lbebacki
nafewminutes.”
“
Okay.
”asexpect
ed,
shepecksmycheekand
l
eaves.“Mmm. .
.”Iclosemyeyesandsavorthe
t
asteofmypancakesdr i
zzl
edwithhoney.Oh.What
aheavenlytast
e!NowI '
m convi
nced,t
hebest
t
hingsinli
feareedible.

“Thatt
eamustbereal
lyni
ceforyounott
o
acknowledgemypr
esenceal
lthi
sti
me.”
“
MrHl
ongwane.
..
”
“
Mel
.”hecor
rect
s.
“Whatevert
henameyoul
ike.I
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tsee
youthere.
”
“Ibeli
eveyou.Whydoyoueatwit
hyoureyes
closed?”he'
sfr
owni
ng.Ist
heresomethi
ngwr ong
withhowIchoosetoenj
oymyf ood?Idon'
tthinkso.
“Foodisevent
ast
ierwhenyoueatwi
thyourhear
t.I
enjoymyfoodmorewhenmyeyesareclosed.
”
“
That
'swei
rd.Anyway,
howar
eyouf
eel
ing?”
“
I'
mfi
ne.Andyou?
”
“
Exceptf
ormyachi
ngbodyandmybr
okenhear
t,
I
'
m good.
”
“
Sor
ryman.Ipr
ayGodcomf
ort
syouandyour
f
ami
ly.
”
“
Idoubtt
hatmight
ymancall
edGodi sreal
lyup
t
here.Mysi
ster
sdidn'
twr
onganyone..
.”
“
Sist
ers?
”I'
m conf
used.
“Sister
.Sorr
y,Idon'
tknowwheremymi ndisat.”he
l
ooksawayf r
om me.Asignthathe'
slyi
ngand
hidingsomethingbutIwon'
tpest
erhim.It
'snoneof
mybusi ness.
“
Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“
Why?Youar
enothappyt
oseeme?
”
“
Iam butIdon'
tthi
nkyouwanttobeher
e.Youl
ook
l
ikecr
ap.Didyousleeporeat
?”
“Thankyoufortel
li
ngmewhatIalreadyknowand
yesIdideatsomethingandIsl
epttheent
ir
eni
ght
ontherooftophencemyachingbody.”
“Whatwereyoudoi
ngont
her
ooft
op?
”asmi
leset
s
onhisl
ips.
“Iwascaptur
ingbeaut
if
ulmoment softhechaot
ic
cit
y.Here.
”hegivesmehisphone.“If
ellasl
eepup
ther
e.”
“Isee.Thesear
ebeaut
if
ul.Youst
ayi
nthe
suburbs?”
“That
'smyf
atherhouse,myhousei
sinMahat
shul
a.
Thisi
swher
eIgr ewup.”
“Musthavebeenni
ce.Imeangrowi
ngupi
na
beaut
if
ulenvi
ronmentandal
l.
”
“Youtel
lme.Youar eMrRaymondThat o
Mathumo'sdaughteraft
erall
.”If
reeze.Mymout
h
goesdryandmyi nsidesbecomesolid.
“
H..
howdoyouknowt
hat
?”
“I
'm MelokuhleHlongwane,IgetwhatIwantandI
knowwhatIwantt oknow.WhatIdon'tunderstand
i
swhyar einthiscit
yandgoingaroundknockingon
people'
sofficeslooki
ngforworkwhil
eyourfather
hashisowncompani es.Whathappened?”
“
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t.
”Isaywi
thadi
smi
ssal
t
one.
“Notevenwhenyouar egivenf i
rstdegreet orture?
”
her aiseshiseyebr owsandmyeyeswi deni nhor r
or.
“Star ,
I'
m goingt otellyousomet hingthatwi llsave
your sandJoy' slives.Myf atheri snotwho
ever yonethinkshei s.He'sar uthl
essmanwhocan
kil
lwi thoutbatti
nganeye, that '
swhywhenyou
askedaboutmyuncl emyr esponsewas‘ it'
s
compl i
cated’
.Idon' tknowi fIcangoagai nstmy
ownf atherandcomeoutal ive,hewon' thesitateto
kil
lmeandbur ymel ikenothinghappened.The
reasonI 'm herewhenIshoul dbepr eparingf ormy
sister'
sf unerali
sbecauseIwantt oprotectyouand
Joy.Mydadt hreatenedyourl i
vesbutI '
m wi ll
ingto
protectyoui fyoupr omisetowor kwithme. ”
“
Areyouj
oki
ngr
ightnow?
”
“I
'm not
.Idon'tj
okewithpeopl
e'
slives.I
'
mt el
li
ng
yousomethingthatevenmymot herknowsnothing
about.Myfatherisnotj
ustamanal wayswearing
expensi
vesuits,heki
ll
stoprot
ecthisname.Whi ch
i
swhyhemadesur eCaiphuswasneverarr
ested.”
“
Youarescar
ingme?I'
mjustmeandtheywi
llki
ll
mewit
hease.Tel
lhi
m Iwon'
ttal
kaboutt
hesexual
violat
ion,t
ellhi
m Iwi
lldi
sappearf
rom t
hef
aceof
thisearth.
..
”
“Don'tbest upid,
Star.Ijustt
oldyouhe'sruthl
ess
andyout hi
nkhewi llli
stentosuchpettytal
ks?I
haveapl anbutIwantyout opromisemet hatyou
willnever,noteveninyourdr uggedstateortortur
ed
statement ionthatyouar eaMat humo.Mai nt
ain
yourSi bandanameandIwi l
lmakesur emyf ather
doesn'thur tyouorJoy.”
“
How?MelI
'
m scar
ed.Idon'
twantt
odi
eyet
.”
“Andyouwon' t.Iwil
lprotectyouwit
hal lIhave.
Yourlif
eismysi ster
'sli
fe.Idon'
tknowwhybutI
feell
ikesomeonecl osetoyoui sl
ookingatal lof
thisandthi
ngsmi ghtgetbadshoul danyt hi
ng
happent oyou.Mysi st
ermeansever ythingtome,
pleaseworkwi t
hme. ”
“
Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
”
“Iwil
ltel
lyoubutnothere.Wall
sgotear
s.Fir
ststep
though,I
'm hi
ri
ngyouandJoyi nmycompanyas
soonasyougetbet ter
.Withyouasmyempl oyees,
dadwi l
lthi
nktwicebefor
eharmingyoubecause
youwil
lbel
inkedt
omycompanywhi
chi
sal
sohi
s
pri
de.
”
“
Butyourcompanywasn'
thi
ri
ng?
”
“
I'
mtheboss,
Icr
eat
ejobs.
”hesmi
les.
“
Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t.Thi
sisal
ltoomuchf
orme.
”
“
I'
m sor
ryf
orever
ythi
ngmyuncl
e..
.”
“Themomentyoustartapol
ogi
zingforyour
rel
ati
ve'
smist
akes,
itmeansyouar elow-key
prot
ecti
ngt
hem.Don'tdothat.
”
“
Okayunder
stood.
”
“
Howmanysi
ster
sdoyouhave?”
“Oneleft
.That '
swhyI '
mt r
yingtoprotecther.Her
namei sAnomusa.She' stheonewhousual lyfind
thosebooksyour ecommendf ormeandmy
personali
tymanager .She'
snothingli
keEmmy
though.Emmywasaki ndheartedsweethear twhil
e
Musai sselecti
ve.ShelovesmeandOwet hu,no
doubtaboutt hatbutwhenitcomest ostrangers,
shechooseswhoshewant stolike.
”hesayswi tha
smile.Youcanseei nhi
seyeshowmuchhi ssisters
meantohi m.He'sadevotedbrot
herwhoiswil
li
ng
tosavehisonlysist
er.Godwil
lneverf
orgi
vemeifI
don'
thelphim wit
hthis.
“
Iwi
llhel
pyoupr
otectyoursi
ster
.”Ibl
urtout
.
“
Real
ly?
”thej
oyi
nhi
svoi
cecan'
tbemi
ssed.
“
Yes.
”
“Thankyout
hankyousomuch,
Star
.CanIhug
you?”
“Uhm..
sure.
”Iswall
owhardbutIdon'
tmakei
t
obvi
ousthatI'
m pani
cki
ng.
“Thankyou.”hesaysaf terpull
ingoutoft hehug.“ I
havet ogo,I
'm suret heyarewonder ingwher eI
went .Yourwheelchai rwil
lbedeliver
edanyt i
me
before12noon.Bef oreyourefuset otakeit,Ididn'
t
payt heful
lamount .Yourmedi calaidpaidhal fthe
pri
zeandIt oppedi tup.Yourdeadphonei swi t
hme,
IwillsendPaulinetobr ingit
.It
'sinmyof ficeifI
remembercor rectl
y.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Mypl
easur
e.Byt
heway,
wher
edoyoust
ay?
”
“
EmakhandeniA.
”
“
Wher
eexactl
yinMakhandeniA?Iknowthehood,
mygr
andf
ather'
shousei
sinEmakhandeniA.
”
“
Neart
heEasyPi
cksuper
mar
ket
.”
“
Okay.Bewel
landgoodbye.
”
“
Bye.
”Iwaveasheexi
ts.
*
***
***
***

MEL'
SPOV.

Mymom i sstandi ngaf ewmet ersawaythe

str
etcherbedwher emake-upar t
istsar
ebusy
coveri
ngEmmy' swounds.Idon' tknowwhyt hey
areevendoingt hat ,
thewoundsmustbet oodeep
i
nsideandcover ingt hem withmake-upwon' thel
p
whatshef el
tbef oreshedied.Mom hasn' tshed
evenasingletear ,she'
sher ebutIdon'
tthinkher
mindis.Iwatchasdadput shisaroundher
shoulder
,hewi pesast r
aytearawayhischeekbut
mom doesn'tfl
inch.She' sjuststar
ingi
ntospace.
BrotherOwethucouldn'
thandleitandhel ef t
.My
wifedidn'
tevenhavethecouraget ost epintothe
yardoftheNyaradzofuneralparlour.Idon'tbl
ame
her,thi
splacei
sgivingoutchill
yvibesandt hecol
d
thi
ckairintheatmospheremakesi tevenmor e
creepy.Ihavegoosebumpsal lovermybody.
“
MayI
?”Iaskt
hel
adi
esandt
heyl
ookatmyf
ather
.
“Goaheadson. ”It akeoutmyphoneandt akea
videoofmysi sterbei ngdr essedi nmakeup.
Somet hingshehat edwi thever yt
hinginher.Her
mout hisst i
llsli
ght lyopenbuthereyesar ecl osed
now.Idon' tknowhowt heymanagedt odot hat.He
hairisleftuntied, shel ovedheraf roandshe
want edtobei nt helongl istoft hebooksofGenesi s.
Shewant edherki nkyAf r
icanhai rtobe36i nches
l
ongbef oreshecoul dcuti t.Shewason14i nches
attheageof13, surelyherdr eam wasn'toutof
reach.Irememberhowshecr i
edforanosepi erci
ng
onher13t hbirthday.Shecr iedsomucht hatshe
refusedt ocutherbi rthdaycakebutmom di dn' tgi
ve
i
n.Mymom bel ievespi ercingsandt at
toosar e
satanicandshecoul dn'thaveherdaught erdoany
oft
hat.Ipi
ercedmyearsbutIonlydidthatwhenI
was23andol denoughtoaff
ordalivi
ngsincemy
motheral
wayst hr
eat
enedtodisownmei fIdi
dany
oft
hat.
“
Wear
edone.
”announcesoneofmake-
upar
ti
sts.
“Thankyouladies.Wewilldr
essheronourown.”
myauntsays.DadandIexcuset hewomenoft he
Hlongwanefami l
ytodressEmmyf ort
helastt
ime.I
sti
llcan'
tbel
ieveherbodyisaboutt
obecomeants'
feast.

“Shewon'
tbebur
ied.
”asi
freadi
ngmymi
nd,
dad
says.
“
Howdoyoumean?
”
“
Shewi l
lbepl
acedi
nagl
assandst
ayi
nherr
oom
f
orever
.”
“
Youar
ejoki
ng,
right
?”
“I
'
m not.Iwon'
tbeabletoseemydaught
erget
ti
ng
buri
ed,
Mel .Wewil
lkeepherbody.
..
”
“
No!Nodad,
that
'scr
eepy.She'
sgone,
letherr
esti
n
peace.
”
“
Shewi
llber
est
ingi
nherr
oom.
”
“Dadpl ease, notthisagain.LetEmmyr estthesame
wayThobii s.She'sgoneandhol dingontohercold
anddrybodywon' tmakeanydi ff
erence.Wewi l
l
nevergett ohearherl aughagai n,wewi l
lneverhear
herrushedf ootst
eps, herweirddi sheswil
lneverbe
preparedagai nandnoonewi l
leveragainscoldus
forwast i
ngf oodwhent herearepeoplewhoneedi t
.
She'sgone, dad.Letherr est.
”
“
She'
smyl
it
tl
ebaby,
myl
it
tl
egi
rl
,Ican'
t.
..”
“Yesyoucan.Lethergo.
”tear
sglisteni
nhiseyes
andIhughim.Asmuchaswedon' tdothi
ngsthe
sameway, Ist
il
lcar
eabouthim asaf at
her.“
It
hurt
s..
.”
“
Iknow,
dad.Let
'sacceptandmoveon.
”

Emi
lyNomqhel
eHl
ongwane
Dat
eofbi
rt
h:19Jul
y2007
Dat
eofdeat
h:18Febr
uar
y2021
 Flyhigherourdearbut t
erfl
y.Keepshinni
ng
andcontinuebl essingpeopl
ewi t
hyoursmile.Your
l
ifewasacal l
ingandGodsawi tfi
ttocal
lyouhome
sooner.Wewi llforeverl
oveyouandyouwi llbe
great
lymi ssed.Restwi t
hasmi l
eourlit
tl
eAngel,
Emmy, ti
llwemeetagai n.
*
*
*
*
*
TWOWEEKSLATER.
..
..
..
TheUndyi
ngLove

I
NSERT9

TWOWEEKSLATER.
..
..
..
STAR'
SPOV.

Myauntal wayssay, ‘
Thedevi lwor ksover ti
mebut
Godwor ksinmyst eri
ousways’ andnowIbel ieve
her.ThreeweeksagoIwheel edmysel fintot his
buil
dingandIwashumi li
atedbyt her ecept ionist
.
MrHl ongwanewaski ndofr udet omet oobutIget
i
t.Hedoesn' tl
ikepeoplewhomeannot hingt ohim.
Heonl ycar esforhisownandatt hatt i
me, Iwas
j
ustbutanobodyt ohim.Whoknewi twoul donl y
takelesst han48hour sformyl ifet obet hrowni na
l
ion'sden, rescued,t
hreatenedandl aterf indanew
purposet olivefor?Myauntdi dn'thaveapr oblem
whenIt ol dheraboutwor ki
ngf orMelText iles&
ShoesbutAsenat hifl
ipped.Shedi dn'twantt ohear
anyofi t
, Itr
iedtoexplai
nbutshet urnedherback
onmeandi t'
sbeenaweeksi nceshespoket ome.
“Youaresel
li
ngyoursoultodevi
l,
Star!Don'
tsayI
didn'
twarnyou.”t
hosewereherl
astwor dsbef
ore
sheslammedt hedoorbehi
ndheronlytocome
backlaterandgi vemethesi l
enttreatment
.Imust
admit,I
'm confl
icted.Ri
ghtnowasIwheelmysel f
i
ntothisbuildi
ngagai n,
Ifeelscared.Whatif
Asenathiwasr i
ght ?WhatifIjustsignedmydeath
sent
ence?

“Youagain?”ther ecept i
onistisdi sgustedt oseeme
i
nsidethebuildingshet hinkssheowns.Poor
woman.Shel ooksl i
ket hoseunf or tunatewomen
whost ar
tdeal i
ngwi thmi dli
fecrisisintheirearly
thi
rt
ies.Iwouldn'tbesur prisedifshe' ssti
llavirgi
n
andwai t
ingforMr .Ri ght.Youknow, thekindof
womenwhor eadt helikesofNel l
yPage' sbooks
andstartthi
nkingt hatt heirknightinshi nningarmor
wil
lcomei ntotheirlivesi nadr amat i
cyetr omantic
wayandt heywi llhavet heirhappi lyeveraf ter
s.
“
Goodmor
ning.
..”
“Whyareyouhere?Don'
tyougettir
edofbei ng
humil
iat
ed?Justafor
tni
ghtagoyoul iedagainstt
he
boss'
suncleandnowyouarebackagai n?Whatdo
youwant?”If
eelmyangerbuil
dingfrom thecoreof
myst omach, myhandsshake,Ibi
temyl owerl
ip
butrememberwher eIam.I
t'
smyf i
rstdayinan
off
iceandMrHl ongwanemadeitcleart
hathe
doesn'tt
olerat
enonsenseinhiscompany.‘Cal
m
down, St
ar.’
“I
'
m newhere.MayIpleasebeshownt
oMrM.
Ngxongo'
soffi
ce?HesaidIshoul
dbei
nbyei
ght
t
hirt
y.”
“
Heee!Ar
eyouf
orr
eal
?Whati
nGod'
sname.
..
”
“Ah.Thereyouar e!
”amanwhocanbei nhi
searl
y
t
hirt
iesapproachesmewi thahugesmi l
eonhi
s
f
ace.“Star,
right?”heasksafterki
ssi
ngmycheek.
Hesmel l
sfemi ni
ne,ever
ythi
ngabouthimis
f
emi ni
neexcepthe'saman.
“YesIam.”hi
senergyi
stheki
ndyoucan'tignor
e.I
t
swall
owsyoui nt
hemomentyoureyesmeetwi t
h
hisandbefor
eyouknowit,
youareallsmi
les.
“Comewithmesweet heart
.Thi
swaypl ease.
”he
l
eadsmet opastt heglasscubi
clestothef arsi
de
ofthebui
ldingwherehi snameislaminat edonthe
doorwit
ht heti
tl
e:HRManager .Heunl ocksthe
doorandi nvit
esmei n.Wow!Hi soffi
cei s
magni f
icent.Glasswal l
smor el i
kemi rrorwal
ls,
spectacularpainti
ngshangni celyont hewall
,a
smallbookshel ffi
ll
edwi t
hf i
lesthent wodeskt ops
onhist ableandaMacBook.Al sopi l
esofpaper sli
e
neatl
ypackedononesi deoft het abl
eandt here'sa
pict
uref r
ameofabeaut i
full
ittl
epr i
ncesssitt
ing
ri
ghtthereasi fshewi l
ltalkbackatwhoeverl ooks
ather.

“
Cof
fee,
teaorj
uice?
”heasks.
“Cof
fee,blackwiththreesugars.
”Ir
espondandhe
smil
es.Ilikethat
.Al adywhoissureaboutwhat
shewant s.Hepressesabut t
ononthephoneand
someoneanswer sthecal l
.
“
Mor
ningsweet
hear
t.
”
“
Mor
ningSi
r.WhatcanIbr
ingf
oryou?
”
“Twoblackcoff
ees,myusualtoastand..
.”hetur
ns
tomydi r
ecti
onandImout h‘
peanutbutter
sandwich’“
Peanutbut
tersandwich.Br
ingmi l
kand
sugar
.”
“
Comi
ngup.
”thel
adyont
heot
hersi
der
esponds.
“Okay.I '
m Monwabi siNgxongo, t
heHuman
Resour cesmanagerofMELTEXTI LES&SHOES.Mr
Hlongwanet ol
dmeever yt
hingIhavet oknowabout
youandyourf ri
endwhoshoul dalsobeher eany
mi nutef r
om now.Myj obher ei
st omakesur eyou
under standt hetermsofyourcont ractbef or
e
signing.Andbef orewegoanyf urther,i
fyouar e
goingt owor kcl
osel ywi t
hthebossl i
keyouwi llbe
doing, youar erequiredt osignanondi sclosure
agr eement .”myhear tbeatsatthement ionofthe
NDA.Coul dAsenat hihavebeenr i
ght?Whati she
hiding?“ Star.Hell
o? ”heclapshi shandsandIsnap
outi fi
t.“Arewest illhere?”
“
Yes,
sir
.”
“Good.Areyougoi
ngt osi
gn?”Iswall
owhard.Thi
s
i
st hemomentIdecidewhethert
ofreemyselfor
sentencemysel
ftol
ifeimpri
sonment.
“
CanIr
eadt
heagr
eementbef
oresi
gni
ng?
”
“Yesyoucan.
”hepushesabookl
ett
omeandmy
eyeswideni
nhorr
or.
“Thisist henondi sclosureagr eementonl y?”he
nodsandmymout hdr ies.Whoi nt hehellneedsa
bookf oranondi sclosureagr eement ?IsMel '
s
companyaf ront?Ishei ncahoot swi t
hhisfather
andt heyar edeal i
ngi nsomet hingi ll
egal
?Like
sell
ingpeopl e'sheadst osat ani sts.Human
traf
ficking.Humanegghar vestwher eyouar efed
fert
il
itypi ll
sasi fyourl ifedependsoni t,
eat
accor dingt otheirdi etuntilyouhavenoeggsl efti
n
you.Dr ugs.Whati ftheymanuf acturedrugsand
hidebehi ndexpensi veshoest hattheysel l
?I'
m
suddenl yfeelingtheneedt ovi sittheloo.“MayIuse
thetoiletpl ease.”
“Asyouwish.Rightoutsi
deandoppositethi
sdoor
.”
Inodandquickl
ywheelmysel fout
side.Iwantt
o
run,t
ogetasfarawayaspossi bl
efrom thi
s
premiseandnevertolookbackagai
n.
“Hey.
”Joystopsmeonmyt r
ackwi
thherhi
gh
pit
chedvoi
ce.“Ar
eyouokay?”
“
Uhm,yes.Ijustneedatoi
let
.”Il
ie.I
'm notokay,my
mindi
sr aci
ng,manyscaryscenari
osar epl
aying
t
hemselvesinmyhead.
Icanseemysel flockeddowni nabasementwi t
h30
or40mor egi
rlsfrom alloverAfr
icabeingfed
spinachandbeanst oboostourironlevelsandour
eggsbei ngharvestedeverysingl
emont handsold
formill
ionstodesper ateri
chpeoplewhoyear nfora
chil
d'scryintheirvil
las.
..
.

Icanseemysel f,Joyandhundr edsofot hergi rl

s
i
llegal
lycrossingt heMexi canboar der,barefooted,
boundt ogetherbychai ns,ourheadscover edwi th
blackclothswhi l
ear medmenescor tust owher e
wewi l
lbesol dtot hehighestbi dderfordifferent
reasons.Breedingexper iment s,sexualfantasies
experi
ment s,organhar vesting..
..

Mybodyshudder
satthethought
.Mypal
mssweat
andIf
eelt
heurgetopuke.
“St
ar!
”Joysnapsherf
inger
sandIj
ump.“
What
happenedi
nther
e?”
“
N..nothing.Youcangoi
n,Iwi
llbebacki
na
minute.”
“
Butyoul
ookhor
ri
fi
ed.
..”
“I
'mf i
ne,Ipromise.
”Iwheelmyselfpastherand
pusht hetoi
letdooropen.Iseeheruncertai
nty,
I
seeherget t
ingnervousandIcant el
lthatIscar
ed
her.Iopenmyhandbagandshaki l
ytakeoutmy
phone.
“Whatdoyouwant ?Theyrapedyouagainbecause
ofyourst upi
dit
y?”Asenat
hi'
scoldtonedoesn't
maket hingseasierf
ormeeither.Ineedher
,now
moret haneverIneedmycousi n.Ineedhertotel
l
met hatmybr ainsarepl
ayi
ngt r
icksonmeandMel
i
sclean.
“
I'
m scar
ed.
..
”
“St
ar.Whathappened?Didtheyscareyouorf
orce
youtosi
gnsomet hi
ng?”Icanfeelconcer
ninher
voi
ce.
“Nonotheydidn'
tfor
cemebutIhavet
osi
gna
nondi
scl
osureagreement
.Whati
f.
..
”
“
Theyai
n'tl
egi
tli
keIsai
d.”
“
Yes.Pl
easehel
pme,
whatdoIdo?
”
“Fol
lowyourgut .Icantellyouar
epanicki
ng,cal
m
down,thi
nkclear l
yandf oll
owyourgut.I
fyouare
notsure,
askf orsomet i
mebef oreyoucansign.I
'
ve
gottogo,I'
m ondut y.Pl
easebesaf e.
”
“
Thankyou.
”

WhenIcomeoutoft hetoil
et,
Joyislaughingloudl
y
wit
hMr .Ngxongo.Theairi
nsidet
heof f
iceisno
l
ongerthi
ckandsmel l
ingofconspi
racy,it
'snow
l
ightandaccommodat i
ng.MaybeIwas
overr
eact
ing.
“Oht hereyouare.We'vebeenwai ti
ngf oryousoI
cant akeyoubothonanof fi
cet our.
”saysMr .
Ngxongo.Thi smeansJoyhassi gnedt hecontract
.
She'ssmi l
ingandsheal readyl ooksl i
kepar tofthi
s
company.‘ Opport
uniti
escomedr essedi nmany
outfit
s,for
gettheoutfi
tandgr abt heoppor t
unity’
myaunthadsai dwhenIt oldheraboutt hedeal.I
reachf ort
henondisclosur eagreementandputmy
signatureonthedottedli
nebef oredoi ngthesame
ont hecontract
.
“Youjustsignedyourdeat hsentence.”my
subconsciousisdisappointedbutIpushherasi
de.
Wewi lldealwit
hconsequencesl ater.Ipr
omi
sedto
helpMelandt hisi
spar toftheplan.
*
***
***
***
**

LI
LY'
SPOV.

Todayi sabeaut i
fulday.Theweat her,
thesmel lof
rainf
all,
ever yt
hingjustlooksper fectasitshouldbe.
I'
m onmywayt opickZwel akhe'smot herfora
hospitalappointment .Icouldn'tkeepthesecr et
from Zwel akhesoIt oldhimt het r
uthbutaskedhi m
nottoaskhi smot herabouti t
.Ididn'tt
ellhim about
hismot her '
ssickness,it
'snotmypl acetodoso.My
phoner ingsandIsmi lebeforeanswer ing.
“
Thebesteverdadintheent
ir
ewor
ld.
”Ican'
thel
p
t
hesmil
eonmyf ace.
“
Hel
loSunshi
ne.Howar
eyou?
”
“
I'
mfi
nedaddyj
ustmi
ssi
ngyou.If
eell
ikean
out
castint
hathousewhenyouar
eaway.Your
wif
e..
.”
“
Yourmot
her
.”hecor
rect
sandIr
ollmyeyes.
“
What
ever
.TowhatdoIowet
hiscal
l?
”
“Youmadeawi t
hdr
awalyest
erdayusingyourdebi
t
cardandtheamountwasquite..
.letmesayalit
tl
e
extr
a.Isever
ythi
ngokaymygi r
l?”shi
t!Howdidhe
seethat?
“Everythi
ngisfinedad.Ijustwant edtobuy
presentsforthechildr
enatt hehomeandt hese
Chineseshopsdon' tdoswi ping.
”it'
sawhi t
eliebut
myf atherdoesn'tknowthat.Hewoul dn'tbecaught
deadi nashopt hatsmell
scheapr ubbersoI'm saf
e.
Fornow.
“Okaysweet
heart.It
houghtyouareintr
oubl
eand
someoneisblackmail
ingyou.Youknowyoucan
cometodaddywi thanyt
hingandanyti
me,ri
ght
?”
“
IknowdaddyandIpr
omi
seyout
hatever
ythi
ngi
s
f
ine.
”
“
That
'sar
eli
ef.Letmegetbackt
omywor
kthen,
enj
oyyourday.
”
“
Daddy?
”
“
Yesmyl
ove.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“Il
oveyoumor emygirl
.”gui
l
toverwhel
msmeasI
cutthecal
lbutIt
ookthemoneyf oragoodcause.
It
'sallf
ort
hebett
ermentofsomeone'sl
ifeandI'
m
sureGodcanunderst
andmyl ie.

“Goodmor ni
ngmom. ”IhugZwel
akhe'
smother
fr
om behind.Thehousesmell
scl
eanandshe
smell
scleantoo.
“
Mor
ningmygi
rl
.Youar
eal
it
tl
elat
e.”
“IknowandI'
m sor
ry.Isl
eptaround5int
he
mor ni
ngandsomehowIdidn'thearmyal
arm goi
ng
off.
”
“Whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?”sheasksasIpickone
homebakedbi
scui
tfr
om thet
rayandtakeabit
e.
“
Studyi
ng.Iwassl
acki
ngbehi
ndandIhadt
ocat
ch
up.
”
“
Youar
east
udent
?”
“
YesMa.I
'
m anaccount
ingst
udent
.”
“Wow.Icoul dneverhaveguessed.Youl ooklikea
model .”I'
vehear dt
hismanyt imesandI 'm not
surprised.IwasamodelwhenIwasyoung.Myi s
obsessedaboutf ashionandmodel li
ngandshe
madesur ebothherchi ldrenmadei tintothe
fashioni ndustr y.She'saf ashionmagazi needi t
or
afterall.ButIhat edit!Ihatedthelimeli
ght,Ihated
thatot herchildr endidn'tbeli
eveIwasr ealsince
theyal wayssawmeonbi ll
boards,moisturi
zing
cream cont ai
ner s,bi
llboards,etc.WhenIt urned
eighteen, Iquit.That'swhenmymot herstart
ed
hatingmebecauseIcostherami l
li
ondol l
ardeal
withtheAmer icancompanyt hatneededmef or
theirclothingline.
“IwasamodelbutIl
eftt
hatwor
ldaf
ewyear
sago.
Numbersar
emyf avouri
te.
”
“
Isee.Shoul
dn'
tyoubei
ncl
asst
hen?
”
“
For
getaboutmycl
asses.Yourappoi
ntmenti
s
mor
eimpor
tant
,Iwi
llgot
ocol
legel
ater
.”
“
But
..
.”
“Butnothi
ngMa.Ibr oughtaf ewgroceri
es,letme
bri
ngt hem i
nthenwewi l
lleave.
”Ir
unout si
de
beforeshecanpr ot
est.Thesepeopledon'tknow
howmuchIl ovethem andhowmuchIwantt odo
forthem.Iwishtheycouldst opcomplai
ning.
“I
t'
stooquei
taroundher
e,what
'sgoi
ngon?”Iask
asIpackthegr
oceri
esintheol
dkit
chenuni
t.
“
Ther
e'snoel
ect
ri
cit
y.Loadsheddi
ng.
”
“Oh,Isee.
”thequiet
nessi
sst
rangeinal
ocati
on
thati
snexttoEntumbabeComplexandi
susuall
y
poll
utedwithnoi
se.“Di
dyoudri
nkyourt
ea?”
“Yes.Iwasawakewhent heycutelectri
cit
y.I'
mt he
onewhocl eanedtheyardt oday.Zwecouldn't
beli
eveit,
he'sbeentheonedoi ngitforoverfi
ve
yearsnow.Idon'tknowhowIsur vi
vedthisill
ness
forallt
hoseyearsbutnowIknowGoddi dn'twant
met odiewithoutmeeti
ngyou.Your emi ndmeof
mydaught er.
..
”shequicklystopsherself
.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”Iaskandhereyesgl
ist
enwi
tht
ear
s.
“Dead.Nomor equestionsplease.
”shesaysand
picksupherhandbag.Isi l
entl
yfol
lowhertr
yingt
o
digestwhatshejustsaid.I
sherdaughtert
he
reasonZwelakheextracaresforwomen?
*
*
*
*
ANNOUNCEMENT.

Dar
li
ngs

Postingeverydayi
sst ar
ti
ngt otakeat ol
lonme.I
haveal otonmypl at
er i
ghtnowandt hepressur
eis
gett
ingtome.Al l
owmet opostt hreeti
mesaweek
(Monday, WednesdayandFr iday)atnoscheduled
ti
me.Iapol ogi
zefortheinconveniencecaused.
Si
gned.
Sukol
uhl
eNont
okozoMdl
ongwa.
(Admi
n)
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT10.

[
Sponsor
edbyKar
aboFut
ureRamot
shel
a]

STAR'
SPOV.

Afterbei
ngshownar oundthecompany' spremises,
wewer eintroducedt omostoft hewor ker
s.Some
ofthem smi l
edatusbutmostoft hem r ol
ledthei
r
eyesatme, particul
arly.Idi
dn'tt
aket hattohear t
,
I'
m usedt opeopl ebehavingdiff
erentwhenI '
m
around.Itdoesdeepl yaffectmebutI 'velearnedto
downplayi t
.Joywi llbewor ki
ngasMr .Ngxongo's
assist
antandsheseemedt oohappyabouti t
.I
stayedaf ewmi nutesont hegroundf loorbefore
Pauli
necamedownt
ofet
chme.Mel
'
sof
fi
cei
son
the7thf
loor
.
“Youdon' tknowhowhappyIam nowt hatIhave
someonet ogossi pwi t
h.Youknow, somet imesI
gossipwi ththebossbuthe' sjuststuckupi nhis
headandkeepssayi ng‘ hmmm. .
..
isi
t?...Wow. .
.’
.
He'sbor ingmostoft het i
mesbutsomet i
meshe' sa
goodboosespeci al
lywhenheneedssomet hi
ng
from you. ..
”PaulinesaysandIf r
eeze.Whatdoeshe
usuallywantf r
om peopl e?“ Ohno!Rel axyour
muscl esgi rl
,youl ooklikeyouj ustsawaghost .
He'snott hatkindofaper son.MrHl ongwanei s
coldtomanypeopl ebutonceheget susedt oyou,
hesof tensabi t.He'snotchat t
yorf r
enzybuthe' sa
sweetguy.Andno, he'snot hinglikehisuncl e.
”I
breathe.“ Andhe' snoti ntowomen.Hel oveshis
wi f
etoomucht obet empt edt otouchanot her
woman.Youdon' thavet owor ryabouthi m maki ng
movesoranyt hing.Justdoyourwor ktoyourl evel
bestthenyouwi llenjoyither e.”
“
Thankyou.Whatel
sedoIhavet
oknow?
”
“
Oht
heCal
endar
.MrHl
ongwanehast
wocal
endar
s,
aper sonalandabusi nessone.Al limpor t
antdat es
aremar kedwi thdi fferentcol orsandhavedi f
f er
ent
tones.Her eyougo, letmeshowyouhowt heyal l
wor k.Shesi tsont hechai rnextt omeandt ypesa
passwor dont hedeskt op.Mel okuhl eHl ongwanei s
thepasswor df oralldeskt opsont hisfloorandyou
canuseanyoft hem t oaccessyouri nformation.
Theyar eal sosyncedwi t hthet abl etphone.Her e,
onlyf orbusi nesspur posesf ori tisunder
survei l
lance. ”shesof tl
ypushesaSamsungt ablet
tomeandI 'm sur prisedt oknowt hati nthis
economywher epeopl ear est r
uggl ingt ogetby
somecompani esstillhavet hel uxur yofpr oviding
expensi vegadget st ot heirwor kers.“ Backt o
Calender 's, t
hisbl ueonei sf orhi sbusi nesses.Al l
i
mpor tantdat esar emar kedr edandyouar enot ified
aboutt hem adaybef or eandt wohour sbef orethe
event .Pur plemar keddat esar et heoneyoucan
reschedul eshoul dtheycl ashwi tht her edmar ked
onesort hepeachones.Peachcol ori sforinvest ors
meet ingsandt hesest r
esshi m al ot.Hewon' tsay
butyouwi llhavet ogi vehi m strongcof feebef ore
themeet ings.Hi sflight sandhot elsar ebookedby
youandt akenote,ifyoudonotgetabusi ness
cl
asst i
cket,cancelthefl
ight.Hedoesn' ttr
avelin
economycl ass.Onlyfivestarhotelsforhim.Also,
youaretheonet ochoosehi sclothesifAnomusai s
heldupsomewher e.Youal somakesur ehis
l
aundryissentt othelaundr yladyandpi ckedup.
Contactdetail
sandever ythingyouwi l
lneedf orthat
i
nt hi
sdiary.”

Shegoesonandonaboutt
hebusinesscal
endar
andbythetimewegett
ohi
spersonalone,
I'
m
al
readyti
red.
“Okay.Thisonei salit
tl
ecompl i
cated.Whi t
e
markeddat esareforhimt ospendt i
mewi t
hhi s
sist
erandheusual l
ygivesyouahal fdayof f.Pink
onesar eforhiswife.Theygooutf ordinnerthree
ti
mesaweekandyoudoal lthereservati
ons.Heads
up,wifeyhatescheapst uff
.Anywi neyoungert han
5yearsi str
asht oher.Youhavet osendf l
ower s
andsweett reatstothewifeeveryWednesdaywi th
asweetmessageandofcour seyousi gnitof fas
theboss.Il i
stedsomeofherf avorit
ehot el
sand
fl
ower sforyoui nt hediary.Sil
vercolorisforhis
mot her.I
t'susual lyal unchdat eorshoppingspr ee
withhismot herandyoudon' taccompanyhi mt here.
Blackisforhi sf ather.Usually,youhavet ogowi th
him becauseal ltheydoi sdiscussbusi ness.And
l
astly,somet imeshewor ksonweekendsandyou
havet obei ntheof fi
cet ohelphim out.
”Idon't
knowi fthewor stpar tisworkingonweekendsor
seeinghisf ather.I'm scaredoft hemanal ready.
“That'
sal lfortoday.Anyquest ions?”
“Uhm.
..
whenhet
ravel
sout
sidet
hecount
ryorci
ty
doIhavet
ogowit
hhim?”
“
Forbusi
nessyes,soci
alerr
ands,no.Heusual
ly
t
akeshi
swifetothosekindofevent
s.”
“ButIdon'
thaveapassport
?”Isayandshesmi l
es
atme.Thisjobi
smoret hanIexpect
ed.Wi
llIcope?
OnlyGodknows.
“Worrynotaboutthat
.Thecompanywi l
ltakecare
ofit
.Ididn'
tevenhaveaphonewhenIcameher e
buttoday,aft
ert
woyears,Icantel
lyouthatI'
ve
beentoasf arasNewYork,Holl
ywood,younamei t.
Andguesswhat,
Ihadthepri
vil
egeifseei
ng
RaymondUsherfacet
oface,Ieventookaphot
o
wit
hhim.Letmeshowyou...
.”
“Ladi
es.
”hi
sperf
umef il
lst
heai
rbef
orehecaneven
stepi
nsi
detheof
fice.
“
Goodaf
ter
noon,
sir
.”wesayi
nuni
son.
“Howar ewedoi ng?”heasks, hi
seyeslur
king
aroundme.Icanf eelhisgazeonmebutsomehow
Idon'ttrustmysel
ft olookathim.That
nondisclosureagr
eementi sstil
lfr
eshi
nmymi nd
andIf eelli
keIdon'tknowhim asmuchasIt hought
Ido.
“Per
fect.Iexpl
ainedever
ythi
ngt
oherandI
'
m sur
e
shewilldogreat.”
“Good.Onlyexcel
lentresult
saret ol
eratedhere,we
don'
thaver oom f
orf ai
lur
esorr ecurr
ingmi st
akes.
”
i
t'sawarningandIt akeitseri
ously.“
IthinkIhavea
meeting,
right?
”
“I
twascancel l
edandreschedul
edfornextweek
Thursday.Yourdayisfr
eenow.”thewayPauline
swipesthescreenofhertabl
etandrunshereyes
pastt
hecal
endari
sawesome.Imeanhowdoes
shedoit
?
“Okay.Gi
veussomepr
ivacypl
easeandnoone
shoulddi
stur
bus.
”
“Okay,si
r.
”sheexi
ts.Nomorequest
ionsaskedor
anyfrownonherface.MaybeI
'mjudgingt
heguy
harshl
ybasedonmyassumpt i
ons.

“
Okay.”hegivesmeabott
leofsparkli
ngwater
.
“
Monwabi sit
ell
smeyouareuncomf ort
abl
e.What'
s
wrong?”huh?Howdidheseethat
?“ It
houghtwe
t
rustedeachother
?”
“
Itr
ust
edyoubutnowIdon'
tknow.
”
“
Whathaschanged?”
“Thenondiscl
osureagreement,ar
eyouinvolvedi
n
i
llegalbusi
nesses?
”hislipst
urnint
oalopsided
smi l
e.
“Itol
dyoubefore,
youwatchtoomuchmovi esand
theyaremaki
ngyoupar anoi
d.I
'm cl
ean,
Star,
squeakycl
ean.”heopenshisdr
awerandpul l
souta
fewf i
l
esandpushest hem tome.“Thosear e
photocopiesofmybusinesscert
if
icat
es,trading
l
icensesandeveryt
hingyouneedt oknowaboutmy
business.Youcant
aket hem homeandr eadt hem
butmakesur enoonest eal
sthem.”
“Youcanletmehavet
hesewi
thoutyour
super
visi
on?”
“That'showmuchIt r
ustyou.Ihopewhat everyou
thinkaboutmewi l
lbepr ovenwr ongandver ysoon.
Iknowi t'
shar dtobelievebutI 'm noti
nvolvedi nany
i
llegalbusinesses.Didyour eadyourcontr act?”I
shakemyheadandIwat chi nshockashet earsit
i
nt otwosepar atepiecesf ol
lowedbyt he
nondisclosureagreement .Hepul l
souttwomor e
cleancont r
actsandpushest hem tome.“Rul e
numberonei nbusiness, nevereversignsomet hing
withoutreading.Ineedt ot r
ustyouwi thmy
businessandIcan' tdot hati fyouarelazyt oreada
fi
vepagecont ract
.Readt hatt hingandsignaf ter
reading.”
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”
“I
t'
sokay.Justdon' tdoitagai n.”Inod.“ Iwillbein
myof fi
cebedroom, Ineedaf ewhour ssleep.Wake
meupbef oreyouknockof fandyes, it'
sl unchti
me.”
hedisappearsthrought heglasssl idi
ngdoorand
onceagain,Ibreath.Itf
eelsliket herearet wo
versi
onsofhim, theoneIcr eat edinmyheadaf ter
chatt
ingwithhim andt heonewhoi sr eal.

Aftert
idyi
ngupt het
able,It
akemyhandbag, the
onlyhandbagIhavewhi chwasmybirthdaygift
fr
om Asenathi.Mycousin'
stast
eisexpensiveso
areherpresents.
“Hey.I
'vebeenwaiti
ngf oryoutogooutforl
unch.
There'
sfoodforeveryoneinthekit
cheni
fyouare
notchoosy.Idon'
tmi ndthefood.MaEli
zaisa
goodcook.”
“
Idon'
tmi
ndt
oo.Dowepayf
ort
hef
ood?
”
“No.Thecompanypaysforever
ythi
ng.Theyst
art
ed
cookingf
orusaft
ert
hecovid-19wasannounced
andtheysai
diti
stosaveussomecent s.Mr
Hlongwanei
saverygenerousman.”
“
Isee.
”
*
***
***
***
*

LI
LLY'
SPOV.

Ipar kmycari nf r
ontoft heZapalal
asuper market
.
I'
ml uckt oday.Thi spl aceusuallygivesmest r
ess
wheni tcomest opar king.IgetZwelakhehis
favour i
tepl at
eofSadzawi thmeat ybeefbonesand
veget ables.Ithankt hel adybehindthecounterand
tellhertokeept hechange.Ir ememberhow
disappoi ntedZwel akhe' sdri
verwast helastt
imeI
broughtonl yonepl ate.
“Givemeanot herpl
atepleaseandacanofcoke. ”I
giveheranothernoteandwai tf
ormyor der.It
ake
theplasti
cbagandcl utchti
ghtl
ytomybag.Thi sis
ahot spotf
orrobbers.Myanxietyisdeal
ingwithme
roughlybutIsoldi
eron.Luckil
y,IseeZwe'staxij
ust
asItakeat ur
n.
“
Tjovi
tj
o!Wangen'
uKhwi
nimadoda!
”(her
ecomes
t
heQueen)saysoneofZwelakhe'
sfr
iendsandZwe
t
urnswi
thahugegrinthatmatchesmine.
“MyQueen.”hetakest
hepl
ast
icbagandmy
handbagbefor
ekissi
ngmyfor
eheadear
ningaf
ew
whist
les.
“
King.Howar
eyou?
”Iaskasheescor
tsmet
othei
r
t
axi.
“
I'
m good.TowhatdoIowet
hesur
pri
sevi
sit
?”
“Can’
tIjustbr
ingl
unchf
ormyhandsome-
yummy
boyfr
iend?”
“Yesyoucan.I'
mj ustsur
pri
sed.Everyt
imeIsee
youonthispartofBulawayoIfeell
ikeI
'
m dr
eaming.
Youdon'tbel
ongher e.
”
“
Ibel
onganywher
emymani
s.”Ipeckhi
sli
ps.
“Heyhey!Havemer cyonusplease,
wear ever
y
muchsingleandsaltsar
ekil
li
ngusal r
eady.
”says
oneofhiscoll
eagues.
“Fuckoff
,Sphola!”Zwelakhe'
sshouts.“
Mydriver
wenttothesaloonwi t
hhi sgir
lf
ri
end,l
et'
schi
llher
e
atthebackseat.”hestrai
ghtenshisl
egsonthe
seatandIseatont
opofhim.“Car
efulnott
o
awakensleepi
ngdogs.
”hewinksatme.“Tellme,
whyareyouhere?Don'
tli
etomeIcanseei tinyour
eyes.
”
“
Don'
tgetangr
ypl
ease.
”
“Iwi
llnevershoutatyouorhi
tyouevenwhenIget
angr
y.Outwi thwhat'
sbother
ingyou.
”
“Whathappenedtoyoursi
ster
?”If
eelhi
mt ense
beneat
hme.“ Youdon'
thavetotel
lme..
.”
“It
'sokay.Anabel l
ewashername.Bubbl y,t
alkati
ve,
hottemper edandadef i
niti
onofgorgeous.Oneday
shef oughtwithourcousi n,sher
anof ftheyar dand
thatwast helasttimeIsawherbeaut ifulfacewi t
h
anyemot iononi t.Shewasseven, andwewer e
stayi
ngi nruralareasnearamanmadedam andshe
drownedi nthere.Idon'tknowhowbecauseshe
wast hebestswi mmerbutshedr ownedandt he
nexttimeIsawher ,shewasi nacoffi
n. ”hiseyes
areshinywi t
ht ears.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”
“
It
'sokay.Mymom coul
dn'
thandl
ethepai
n,she
wentmut efortwoyear sandmydadj ustvanished
toGod- knows- where.Ourr elati
vest hrewusoutof
thecompoundandwewentt omymat er
nal
grandmot her'splacebutt heyt oodi dn'twanttotake
careofmysi ckmot her.Iforgotaboutschoolatt he
ageof16andst artedhust li
nginor dert otakecare
ofher .WhenIhadenoughmoney, Irentedthe
house, theonewear estil
lstayinginandt ookmy
mot her.Si ncetheni thasbeenonl yt hetwoofus
againstt hewor l
dunt ilyoucamei ntomyl ife.
”he
smilesasat earrunsdownhi scheek.
“
IloveyouZwel
akheSi
bindi
.”
“
Iloveyout
oomyQueen.Wher
eist
hiscomi
ng
f
rom?Imeanmysist
er.
”
“Yourmom ment
ionedher
..
.”hi
seyeswi
deni
n
shock.
“Shedid?”Inod.“Whateveryoufedherpl
easedon'
t
stopfeedi
ngittoher.Iloveseei
nghercomearound.
She'sbeenli
vinginafrozenworldforf
artool
ong.
Thankyoubaby. ”
*
*
*
*

Goodni
ghtdar
li
ngsandenj
oyyourweekend

Sukol
uhl
eNont
okozoMdl
ongwa(
Admi
n)
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT11.

ZWELAKHE'
SPOV.

Not
hingmakesamanhappymor ethanseeingthe
t
woi mportantwomeni nhisli
fegetti
ngalongvery
wel
l.WhenImetLi ll
y,Iknewshewaswayoutofmy
l
eaguebutIl i
kedher,nonet
heless.Ihadjustl
ost
mygirl
fr
iendofthreeyearstoanal l
ergi
creact
ion.I
watchedherdi ebecausetherewasnot hi
ngIcoul d
dotost opthereacti
on.Iwasatmyl owestandt oo
angrytoevenent ert
ainanyone.Lil
lyappr oacheda
groupofdr i
versandaskedt hem somet hingbut
theystart
edpr ai
singherbeautywhi chvisibl
y
annoyedher .Shewast enseandal itt
lescaredsoI
decidedtorescueherf r
om theunrulymen.Icanbe
anutcasesomet i
mesbutIneverdi srespect
women.I fanythi
ng,Ifeeltheneedtopr otectthem
allt
hetimei nhonorofmysi sterwhom Icoul dn't
protect
.
“Hi
.WherecanIf
indt
axi
stoNewLobhengul
a?”she
asked.
“
I'
m ZwelakheSi
bindi.
”Ii
gnor
edherquest
ionand
i
ntr
oducedmyselfinst
ead.
“Mel i
ndaMpof u.
”tomysur pri
seshedidn'tmind
takingmygr easyhandf orahandshake.Herpal ms
wer esosoftIfearedmycr ackedskinwoul dhurt
her .Shehadaf i
rm handshake,abusiness-l
ike
handshakeandshehel dmyeyesi nher swithout
anyshyness.Conf idenceatit'
sbest.Duri
ngt hat
briefmomentIsawmymot her'
syoungerversion,
confi
dentandbeauti
ful.“
Wi l
lyoushowmethe
taxi
s?”hersweetvoi
cebroughtbackmy
i
magi nat
ionthatwasrunningwaytoowi
ldl
y.
“Yes.YesIwi l
l.Fol
lowme. .
.”justaswet ookaf ew
steps,ataxispedpastusspl ashingmuddywat er
onus.Ihear dhercursingunderherbr eath,peopl
e
l
ookedatherwi thpit
if
uleyes.Imeanshewas
wearingheel s,awhi t
ejumpsui twithveryl onghai
r,
withstainsalloverherclothes, shelookedl i
kea
beautif
ulmessbutIcoul dtellshewascl oset o
cryi
ng.“I'm sorryaboutthat.
”
“Bl
oody..
.”shestoppedher sel
ffr
om cursing.“I
t'
s
okay.Ij
ustdon'tthinkIneedthetaxianymore,Iwil
l
cal
lsomeonet opi ckmeup.Thankyouf oryour
hel
p.”sheleft
.
Istar
edatherasshet ookoutherphoneanddi al
ed
someone.I nmymi ndIcouldseeherr i
chdador
sugardaddypul li
ngoverandhuggi ngbutIwas
wrong.Agi rlcamet opickherupandt hatgir
lwas
waytool oudcompar edtoanangelIhadj ustmet
.
Myf r
iendssawwhatherbeaut yhaddonet ome
andlaughedatmet el
li
ngmet oforgetit
.Yousee,
I'
m poor,verypoorbutIknowIhavesomet hingthat
girl
scan'tgetenoughof .Looks.Idon'tmeant o
blowmyhor nbutGodr eallyt
ookhist i
mewi thme
andIcameoutper fectl
y.BeforeImetLill
y,Ifucked
girl
sforfun.Threesome, four
some, sexmar athons
andalltheshitpeopledoandt hatmademef orget
aboutthebeautifulgir
lIhadjustmet .

Butfat
ehadhadplannedsomet hinginterestingfor
me.ImetLill
yagai
n,i
nasuper mar ketthistime.I
wasbusylookingf
orinst
antbreakfaststhatmy
motherwouldli
kewhenhervoicesai d,“Oatsi f
she'
solderandcer
evi
taifshe'
syoungert han8. ”I
tur
nedandsawhersmi li
ngatme.Att hatmomentI
knewshewast heoneandther estishistory.

“HeyNono.”Igr
eetmymot herwithapeckonher
cheekandshesmiles.IcallherNono,shortf
or
Nompilo.Mymom issixteenyearsolderthanme.
Shecanbemi st
akenformysi st
er.
“
HeyZwe.Howwasyourday?
”
“
Good.Yourfutur
edaught
erin-
lawvisi
tedandshe
t
oldmeyouar ebacki
nthelandoftheli
ving.
Welcomeback.”
“
Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ngandespeci
all
yforher
.”
“Reall
ynow? ”Istealonepieceofmeatandshehi ts
mewi thadi shtowel .“Ouch!Thathurts.
”Istopfora
mi nut
eandadmi reher .Shefinal
lytookoffherdoek,
herhairi
sneat l
ypl ai
tedandherski nisstar
ti
ngto
glowal i
tt
le.“Imi ssedyou, Nompilo.”
“
Iknow,
sonandI
'
m her
etoneverl
eaveyouagai
n.”
“
Promi
se?
”
“Ipromise.Li
fegavemeasecondchanceandI
'
m
goingtouseitwisel
y.”
“I
'
m gladtoheart
hat.Iwon'
tpushi
tbutI'
m cur
ious,
whathappenedtoyou?Imeanyoujustwentmute
andyoucouldn'
thel
pyoursel
f.
”
“Whenthet
imei
sr i
ght
,Iwi
llt
ellyoueveryt
hing.For
now,f
ocusongi
vingmelit
tl
eonest otakecareof.
..
”
“
Hel
lno!Forgeti
t,Nono.Isl
eeponasponge
mat
tr
ess,Idon'
tevenhaveawar dr
obe,
Ican'
t
affordtotakemygi r
loutandyouarethinkingof
childr
en?Notanytimesoonandbesi des,Lil
lyi
sa
student.Ican'
tburdenherwithpr
egnancyandal l.
I'
m poormom andever ytimeIworrythatshewi l
l
wakeuponedayanddeci detol
eaveme.Il oveher
butatthesamet imeitfeelsl
i
keadream t hancan
sl
ipawayanyt ime.”
“Don'
tsaythat.Sor r
ytosaybutLill
ylovesyoumor e
thanyourpreviousgirl
fri
end.Thatgi
rlneverl
oved
you,shewasj ustlusti
ngonyourcutef acebutLi
ll
y
genuinel
ylovesyou. ”
“Maybeyouareri
ghtbutst
il
l,
chi
ldr
enar
enotpar
t
oft
heplan.Notyet
.”
“Everyt
hingwi
llwor
koutindueti
me.Don'
twor
ry
yoursel
ftoomuch.Areyouhungr
y?”
“Very.I
t'
sbeenoverf i
veyearssi
nceyoucookedfor
mesoyes, I'mlookingfor
wardtoeat
ingyourmeal.
Nowt hatyouarefine,canIgobackt
osmoki ngmy
blessedherb?”
“Zwel
akhe!
”aplast
iccupfl
iest
owardsmydi
rect
ion
butIgr
abitbef
oreithi
tsmyhead.
“Justt
easi
ng.Imissedt
his.
”Iemot
ional
lyhugher
andsil
entl
ythankGodforher.
*
***
***
***

MEL'
SPOV.

Igethomet oacandlel i
tdiningroom andmywi fe
wearingonlyhersexyredlacel i
ngerie.Shel ooks
yummyst andingnexttothedi ni
ngt able.Shepi cks
astrawberry,
dipsiti
nmel tedchocol at
eand
teasi
nglyrunshertongueoveri tbeforetakingabi t
e.
Everythi
ngdownmywai streactstoheract ions
andIquicklyloosenmyt i
e, t
hrowmyl aptopbagon
thecouchandst epclosertoherbutshemoves
away.
“Di
nnerf
ir
st,
daddy.
”shegi
vesmehermi
schi
evous
smil
e.
“
Idon'
tli
ket
hisgame,
wif
ey.I
'
m nothungr
y.”
“Wel
l,Iam hungryandIwouldappr
eci
atea
gent
lemanf eedi
ngmeuntilmystomachisf
ull
.”she
bat
shereyel
ashesandmyt
rouser
sexpand.
“
Youwi
llbemydeat
h,Iswear
.”
“Sitdownhubby. ”it
'sthecommandi nhervoi cethat
makesmeobeyher .Iloveitwhensheusesher
authorit
yoverme.Il iketodominateeverywher e
butsubmi ssi
onher eandt her
edoesn'thurt
.She
dishesforme, makingsur eherbeauti
fult
it
sar e
ri
ghtonmyf ace.Howam Isupposedt oeatwhi l
e
l
ooki ngatthi
sscr umpt i
ousmealservedforlater?
“Eat.”
“
H..
huh?
”
“Yourf
ood.”oh.It
houghtshewasref
err
ingto
somethi
ngelse.Ihavel
ostmyappeti
tef
orfood,
I
wantherandnow.
“Nowifey,t
hiswon'
twork.”Ipusht
hechai
r
backwardsandleaptomyf eet
.Ist
andbehi
ndher
andti
ltherheadbackwardsforaki
ss.

I'
m aboutt
odeepentheki
sswhenthedoorbellr
ings
andasecondlat
er,t
hedoorcr
eeksopen.Iknow
whodoesn'
thaveanydecencylef
tinhimt
ojust
bar
geinpeopl
e'shouseswit
houtwait
ingf
oran
i
nvi
tat
ion.
“
Wear
ebusy,
goawaydad!
”
“Yourbusinesscanwai
t,boy.
..
”hi
sfoot
stepsar
e
gett
ingcloserandmywifeisfr
ozenonthechai
r.
“Pleasewai tthere,
I'
m coming.
”thankgoodnesshe
doesl i
stentomef orachange.“
Wai tf
ormei nt
he
bedroom.Iwi l
lbethereinafewmi nut
es.
”Iwhisper
i
nKhanyi '
sear .WhenIhearthebedroom door
closingupst ai
rs,It
elldadt
ocomei n.
“
Whati
sthi
snonsenseI'
m hear
ing?Whyarethose
t
wogir
lsst
il
lal
iveandworki
nginyourcompany?”
“I
sthatwhyyouareher eatthi
shour?Don'tyou
havesomethi
ngproductivetodoinst
eadof
obsessi
ngondefenselessgirl
s?Areyounot
ashamedofyour
self?Youkeepbl amingpeoplefor
yourowndamnmi stakes!”
“
Mel
..
.”
“
I'
m sof
ucki
n'si
ckandt
ir
edofyout
reat
ingmel
ike
ali
ttl
eboy.I'
m nolongeryourl
it
tl
eboyandI '
m done
dancingtoyourtunes.Youcanki
llmeifyouwant
becausethat'
stheonlywayyouwi l
lgett
othose
gi
rls.
...
”
“I
'
m nother
etol
ist
ent
oyourbul
lshi
t!Iwantt
hem
dead!
”
“
Overmydeadbody!
”
“
1607.
.EmakhandeniA.
”hesaysandIf
reeze.
“
Youwoul
dn'
tdar
e!”Ichal
lengehi
m.
“Whynot
?Yout hi
nkyouareagr
ownupnow,
right
?
Stopmeifyoucan.
”hetur
nstol
eave.
“Si
busi
siweMpala.Bornont he19thofJanuary
1985anddiedont he16thofSeptember2006.She
wasburi
edbutshe' sal
iveandinyourbasement.”
whenhet ur
nstolookatme, hi
sfaceispale.
“
H..
howdoyouknowt
hat
?”hest
utt
ers.
“I
t'
ssimple,dad.LeaveSt
arandJoyal
onet henno
onewillknowthatyouhavemom'syoungersist
er
i
nyourbasement .Howdoyousleepatnight?”I
can'
thidethedisgusti
nmytone.
“Iwon'tbeblackmailedbyyouMel !”heregai
nshis
moment um andchar gestowardsmewi t
hapunch
thatIduckthisti
me.I '
m doneplayi
ngagoodboy' s
role.“
Yousonofa. ..
”onceagainhi sfi
stmissesmy
facebutmyownf istlandsonhisjaw.Theshockon
hisfacecannotbemi ssed.
“Don'tyoueveragainthreatenmedaddearest.You
mayhavemademebutIhol dt
hekeyst
oyour
freedom.St ayawayfrom meandmycompanyor
elseIwilldestr
oyyouwit houtt
hinki
ngt
wice.You've
takensomuchf rom mebutnotanymore!”
“Youthinkyouhaveitallf
igur
edout?”helaughs.
“Yourdearwif
ewor ksforme,IsenthertoyouandI
madesur eshemarriesdespit
eherlovi
ngsomeone
else.
..
.”
“
What
?”
“Youheardme,she'smypawnj ustl
ikemany
peoplear
oundyou.Youar et
ooyoungandnai veto
chall
engeme,ki
d.Iownyoursor r
yass!”If
eelthe
groundundermyf eetbei
ngsweptawayandI'mleft
fl
oati
ngonnothing.
“He'
slyi
ng.He'
smanipul
ati
ngyou.Don'
tli
stent
o
him.
”mysubconsci
oussays.
“
Youar
elyi
ng!
”
“Beli
evewhatyouwantandsoonyouwi l
lknowwho
yourf at
heri
s.”wi
tht
hatsaid,heslamst hedoor
behindhim.Theroom i
snowt ooquei tandthe
chill
yairint
heatmospher
ef orcesmet opickmy
jacketandgoasfarawayfrom thishouseas
possible.

“Whiskeyontherocks,pl
ease.
”Isaytothebar
man.
Myheadi sspinni
ng,toomanyvoicesinmyhead
andIneedsomet hi
ngt of
ocuson.Somet hi
ngthat
wil
lmakemymi ndtostopworkingforafewhours.
“Heyboss.
”hesmil
es.“
Icanhel
pyouwit
h
somethi
ngstr
onger
.”hi
ssmil
egrows.
“
Somet
hingst
ronger
,yeah?
”
“
Twopai
rsofbeaut
if
ull
ypebbl
edbr
ownni
ppl
es.
”
“
Nowyouaret
alking.Iwi
llbei
nmyr
oom and
r
emembert
herules.”
“
Yes,
sir
.”
Imakemywayt otheelevatorthent omyr oom on
the11t hfl
oor.Thi
splaceisonl yforbigdogs, t
op
shots, whohavefatpockets.Itisrecommendedf or
i
t'sprivacyandthebestservicestheyoffer.It
'san
adultclubwithsuit
estosui tyourbudget-nothing
l
esst han$US5000permont h.Theydor enttheir
suit
esonadai l
yorhourlyratebutIpr ef
erhaving
myr oom readyanytimeIneedi t.Ipayforawhol e
yeareveni fIonl
yusethesui tetwiceorthreetimes
ayear .

I'
mt akingof fmywat chwhent wodarkskinned
beautieswal ki nandl osetheirrobesi
mmedi at el
y,
reveali
ngt heirvelvetskin.Ismi l
eontheirref
lection
ont hemir r
orast heywal kcloserandslowlyhel p
met akemyshi rtoff
.Iwat chasoneoft hegirls
crossesherpi ercedtongueovert heeagletattooon
myl eftbreast.Thecol dnessofhertonguemi xed
withthewar mt hofherr ingjustdri
vesmecr azy.
Theyl eadmet ot hebedandmakemel ieonmy
back.Bot hthei rhandsr unovermygr oinwhilet hei
r
t
oungesswipeeachother
.Theyki
ssandIswear
I
'
m aboutt
oexplode.Iwantt
hem badl
yandnow.
“
Wow!Lookatt hat!
”saysthegirlwi
thanoser i
ng
whi
leadmir
ingmymachi ne.Theothergi
rlsi
tson
mytor
soandt easesmyni ppleswit
hhertongue
whi
letheot
her..
.#REMOVED.
*
*
*
*
Dar
li
ngs

Thisiswher eIadviseallofyoutoleaveyour
mor alsandheartslockedawayinyourcupboar ds
becausewear eabouttowi t
nessSodom and
Gomor r
ahandpeopl e'
shear t
stobemi ncedand
fl
usheddownt hetoil
etsoon.Let'
shopewewi llal
l
survivethestorm .
HappyNewMont
hdar
li
ngs
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT11.

#r
emoved

I'
mt akingof fmywat chwhent wodarkskinned
beautieswal ki nandl oset heirrobesi
mmedi at el
y,
reveali
ngt heirvelvetskin.Ismi leontheirref
lection
ont hemir r
orast heywal kcloserandsl owlyhel p
met akemyshi rtoff
.Iwat chasoneoft hegirls
crossesherpi ercedtongueovert heeagletattooon
myl eftbreast.Thecol dnessofhert onguemi xed
withthewar mt hofherr ingjustdr i
vesmecr azy.
Theyl eadmet ot hebedandmakemel i
eonmy
back.Bot hthei rhandsr unovermygr oinwhilet hei
r
toungesswi peeachot her.Theyki ssandIswear
I'
m aboutt oexpl ode.Iwantt hem badlyandnow.
“
Wow!Lookatt
hat
!”sayst
hegi
rlwi
thanoser
ing
whileadmi r
ingmymachi ne.Theot hergir
lsi
tson
myt orsoandt easesmyni ppleswithhertongue
whiletheothert easesthet i
pofmymanhood.Ican
feelhertonguesmoot hlyandt easi
nglyrunni
ngon
meandIcan' thel pbutclosemyeyesandenj oythe
moment .Theonesi tt
ingonmyt or
sof i
ndsmylips
andslowl yandseduct ivelykissme.Iwantt o
scream “Noki ssing!
”butshe' ssogoodatt hi
sit
feelsl
ikeheaven.
“Ohmy. .
.”Igroanastheothergirltakesmyl ength
i
ntohermout h.Sheswi r
lshertonguear oundbef or
e
sucki
ng.Thewaymybodyi sexcitedr i
ghtnowI '
m
afr
aidIwi l
lhaveanimmat ur
eej aculati
onand
embarrassmysel f
.Ideci
detodi vertmyat t
ention
andplaywi t
ht hebi
gtit
ti
esinfrontofme.
“Aaah...
”hermoansar esweetmusi ctomyear s.
“Ohmyg. ..
”shecan'thelpi
tasmyt ongueteaseher
alreadyhardnippl
ebef oreIsoftl
ybi
teit
.Myhandi s
playingwithherothernippl
e.Shestart
sstr
addling
onmyt orsoandIspinherar oundmakinghersquat
onmyf ace.
“
Fuck!
”shel
ooksbeaut
if
uldownt
her
e.“
Youl
ook
amazing.”Icompl
ementbefor
epressi
ngthumbon
hercl
itwhilemytonguemakeswaybetweenher
thi
nkflaps.
“Aaah”shemoansasmyt onguemovesi nandout
ofhersli
pperyhoneypot.She'ssowetIcanal r
eady
i
magi nemyselfdeepinsideher.“Ohf uck!Eatt
hat
pussy..
.Ohmy. .
.”shesoftlycri
es.Iheartheother
gir
lteari
ngsomet hi
ng,acondom, Iguess.They
knowt herul
es.Nounprot ect
edsex.
“Shi
t!”Igr
oanastheot hergi
rll
owershersel
fonme.
She'ssofucki
n'ti
ghtandsuperhot.“Comeonbaby,
fuckmehar d.
..
”Imotivateherwhi
lemyt wofinger
s
fucktheother
.
Theentirer
oom isfi
ll
edwithmoansandthe
appeti
singsmellofsex.If
eelt
hegi
rl
'spussywal
ls
ti
ghteni
ngaroundmyshaf t.
“Aaah..goodness..
.”Imovemypel vi
sandthrust
hardintohersweetpussyandshespasms.Her
moansmat chingherfr
iendownandasi fconnect
ed
bysomeunseenmagnet icf
orce,
theybothvibr
ate
andcryoutl oud.
Ipushthet hegi
rloffmyf aceandpul loutt
he
condom.TheoneIwasf i
nger i
ngcleansmydick
wit
hhert onguebeforeroll
inganothercondom on
me.Ididn'tcum,Ijustcan'tusethesanecondom
wit
htheot hergi
rl.
“Turnaround.
”Iorder.I'
m nowst andingonthefloor
withmydi ckpoint
ingandherent r
ance.It
hrusti
n
hardandsheyel ps.JustthesoundIwasai mingf or.
Holdingherwaistinplace,Ifuckherhardandqui ck
withoutgi
vingherenought imet obreat
hewithout
mei nsi
de.
“Oohbabe...
”shemoans.Herf r
iendisbusypl ayi
ng
withhersel
fandt hesightisj
ustglori
ousenought o
fuelmydesireandl ustevenmore.“Aah. .
.”shecries
outonceagain.Inserti
ngmymi ddlef i
ngerinher
ti
ghtass,Ieasethepacej ustali
ttl
ebi t
.“OhGod. ..
I'
m goingtodie.
..OohsweetJesus. .
.”shecr iesand
moansatt hesanet ime.Theothergirlopenst he
drawerandcomesoutwi t
halubewhi chshe
smearsonherf ri
end'sbigass.Sher ubsitallover
herbehindbeforepour i
ngareasonabl eamounton
hert
ightass-hole.Icont
inuethr
ust
ingi
nthetwo
hol
esuntilshet i
ghtensaroundmeandIfeelmysel
f
al
soedgingcl oser.
“
Ohmy...
.”herbodyvi
brat
esast
heor
gasm hi
tsher
l
ikeat
ornado.
“
Fuck!”Ithr
usti
nthr
eemor
eti
mesandIr
eleaseal
l
t
hetension.
..
.

Befor
eIknowit
,it
'spastt
enatni
ghtandIhavel
ost
countoft
hecondomsIhaveusedtoday.
“Shejustpassedout,
youf uckedt
hegi
rlabi
ttoo
hard.
”teasesthenose-r
inggirl
.
“HowaboutIgaveherwhatshe'
sbeenmi
ssi
ng?
”I
archaneyebr
ow.
“
Ican'
tgetenoughofyou.Upf
oranot
hergames?
”
“Iwasbornreadybaby.
”Isayandmymanhoodi
s
prooft
hatIwasindeedbornready.
“
Takeme,
anyhowyouwi
sh.
”
“
Car
efulwhatt
osayi
tmi
ghtbackf
ir
e.”Ir
oughl
y
grabherneckandt easeherj
awli
newit
hmyt ongue
beforehungri
lyki
ssingandsucki
ngherli
psswoll
en.
Itakehertothefl
uffymatonthefl
oor
.Onelegon
myshoul der
,theotherpi
nneddownonthefl
oor,I
enterherhar
dandr ough.
“
Easy..
..Aaah.
..
”shecr
iesoutasIr
elent
lessl
y
t
hrusti
nandout .
“Youcantakeallofme,baby,
stopwhi
ning.
”Isay
andholdherinplace.
“
OhmyGod.
..Youar
einsi
demywomb.
..
”
“Andit
'ssuperhoti
nher e.
..
”If
uckherunti
lherface
i
scoveredwithtears.I
t'
sbeenyear
ssinceIfucked
anyonetomysat i
sfact
ion.
“
Ohgoodness.
..Iwannapee.
..
”
“
Peeonme, sweetheart
..”Ir
eleasehersuspended
l
egandshebreathes.Itakebothlegsi
na
wheel
bar
rowposition.
“I
..
.Iwasjoki
ngplease.
..Oht
hisi
sso...s.
w.e.
e.t
..
.”
sheroll
shereyestothebackofherheadandletit
al
lgo.Irubhercl
itandshesquir
ts.“
ohmy. .
.I.
..
aah..
.”It
hrusti
ndeepandrel
easemyownj
uices
befor
ecollapsi
ngonher
..
..

*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT12.

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Ican'
tbelieveIfel
lasleepont hecouchstil
lwai
ti
ng
formyhusbandwhodeci dedtotakeoffwitht
he
windwithouteveninformingme!Idon' tknowwhat
happeneddownst air
sbutIwi l
lnothaveMeltr
eat
mel i
keasi de-
chicwhenI 'm hisl
egalwif
e.Idi
alhi
s
number,itgoesstrai
ghttovoi cemail
.
“Mel,Idon'teveninthesl i
ghtestappr eciatethis
crapyoudi dlastnight .Whodoyout hinkyouar e
l
eavingmewai ti
ngandwai ti
ngsi mplybecause
yourfathertouchedyout hewr ongway?I 'm sosick
andt i
redofyourf i
ght s,whyar eyour
misunderstandingsaf fecti
ngourmar ri
age?You
alwaysmakemef eel l
ikeI'm mar ri
edt oamanwho
can'tcontr
olhisemot ionsorbal ancehi sl i
fe.You
andyourf atherarestar ti
ngtopi ssmeof fand
beli
evemewhenIsayI '
m socloset obl owi ngoff.
Comebackhome.Weneedt ot alkaboutwhat ever
shithappenedyest erday.”
Heal waysdoest histome!Theyf ight,Mell eaves
withouteveni nformingmeonl yt ocomeback
expectingever yt
hingt obenormal .Idon'tknow
whatt heirf
ightsareaboutandIr eallydon'twantt o
know.Ij ustwantmyhusbandt omysel f ,
ther est
doesn'tmat t
ert ome.Onl ymyl ovef orhim mat ters.
Idragmysor ebodyt ot hebathroom.Mynecki s
sti
ffandmybacki skilli
ngme.Iwonderhowpeopl e
whosl eepont hef l
oorsur vi
ve.Isleptont hecouch
butmybodyi ssopai nfulIwon'
tbesur pri
sedi fI
endupont hehospi
talbed.Myphoneringswhen
I'
m st
il
lst
ruggl
ingtositonthet
oil
etseat.That
's
howmuchIam i npain.
“I
sn'titt
ooearl
ytobecal
lingme?”Isayandrollmy
eyes.Mymanagerwhoal sohappenstobemybest
fr
iendcanbeal ott
ohandlesometi
mes.CiaraandI
meti ncoll
egeandwehavebeenfri
endssincethen.
“Haveyouseent
hetime?It
'spast8andyouhavea
shooti
ntwohours.Wher
ear eyou,
Essi
e?..
.”
“
Fli
p!Theshooti
stoday?
”
“Yes,
sweethear
tandyoubet
terbri
ngyourt
hickass
hereandnow.Wearewait
ingforyou.
”
“
Okay.Pleaseor
derbr
eakf
astf
orme,
I'
m
f
amished.”
“
Okayboo.Seeyousoon.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo,
babes.
”

Aftertakingaqui
ckshower,Idon'
tbotherlooki
ng
forclothestosui
tanyoccasi
on.Isi
mpl ypullonmy
bluejeansandawhi t
eTee.Nomake- up,justmy
nat ur
alface.Icheckmyphonef oramessageor
mi ssedcallfr
om Mel butsti
llnothi
ng.I
'
m star
ti
ngto
wor ryabouthim,he'sneverbeengonet hi
slong.I
dialhisnumberagai nbutitstil
lgoesst
rai
ghtto
voicemai l
.
“Melbabe,cal
lme.Ij
ustwantt
oknowt
hatyouar
e
okay.
”Isigh.
Irushdownstair
sandfindthecl
eaneralr
eadybusy
withthehooverwhi
lel
isteni
ngtoGospelmusic.The
wayIhategospelmusic,especi
all
yLusandaand
hercrewisbeyondwhatanyonecanunder st
and.I
switchofft
hespeaker
sandt heoldcl
eanerturnst
o
l
ookatme.
“
Goodmor
ning,
ma'
am.
”shebows.
“Thenextti
meyouplayyourmusi
csol
oudi
nmy
house,consi
deryour
sel
ffi
red.
”
“
I'
m sor
ry,
ma'
am.
..”
“Whatever.Don'
tforgett
hatit'
sweek2andyou
havetotakeoutallthefoodinthefri
dget omake
spacefornewgr oceri
es.Groceri
eswillbedel
iver
ed
befor
ebr eakti
meandmakesur enot
hingismissing
from thelist
.Tel lthecookert opr eparel unchf or
three.I'
m out.”Icl oset hedoorwhi l
eshe' sstill
singingpraisesofmet hankingt hef ood.Whywoul d
asaneper sonappr eci atesomet hingthat 'sseenas
trashbyt heot herper son?Idon' tunder stand, reall
y.
Gr owingupatmyhouse, weneverkeptf oodf or
mor ethant woweeksi nt hefridge, f
rozenornot .My
mot herwoul dt akei talloutandgi veitaway, Igot
usedt othatandIt hinki t'
snotsaf etoeatf oodt hat
hasbeeni nthef reezerf ortool ong.

Inot
icet hatMeltookhisoldcar.I
t'snotthatold,
buti
t'
st hefir
stcarheboughtf orhimselfandhe
l
ovesit.Iwonderwher ehewent .Myphoner i
ngs
oncemor eandIswearI'm abouttoswitchitoff.
Canagi rlbeall
owedtof ul
lywakeupbef or
ebei ng
bombast edbyendlessphonecal l
s?
“
Khanyi
,hel
lo?
”
“
Wherei
smybr
other
?”t
hisbr
atdoesn'
tevengr
eet
me.
“
Hel
lot
oyout
oo,
Anomusa.HowmanyIhel
pyou.
..
”
“
Wher
eismybr
other
?”
“
Idon'
tknow.Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
orhi
m?”
“Noneofofyourbusi ness.Thanksf ornot hi
ng,
bye. ”shecutsthecall.Ismileindisbeli
ef.Who
doest hi
skidthinksheis?I t
'sbeenthreeyear s
sinceImar r
iedhisbrotherandI '
veneverhada
decentconver sationwithAnomusa.Shehat esmy
gut sandIdon' tevenknowwhy.Onl yEmmyhada
hear tamongt hethreesisters.Thobil
ewasacol d
bitcht oo.
*
***
***
*

STAR'
SPOV.

Everyoneinthemarket
ingdepart
mentisonthei
r
feettryi
ngtogethol
dofMel.Hisphoneisof
f,no
oneknowswher eheisandtimeisnotonourside.
Ther e'
sanimport
antmediabri
efi
nghehasto
attend.
“
Ifhedoesn'
tshowup,
wear
edoomed.
”Paul
ine
mut
ter
s.
“Wher
eishe?”askst
hemar
ket
ingdi
rect
or.Her
nameisSandra.
“
Idon'
tknow.
..”Ir
espond.
“I
t'
syourdamnjobt
oknowwher eMr
.Hl
ongwanei
s!
Allt
hedamnti
me!”shehi
sses.
“
I'
m aPAnotabodyguar
d..
.”
“Youcrippl
e...”sher
aisesherhandandI
i
nvoluntari
lyclosemyeyeswai t
ingf
orahotsl
ap
butitdoesn'tcome.
“Getlost
!”avoi
cethatdoesn'
tsoundf amili
arsays.I
openmyeyest omeetwi t
haf emaleversionofMel .
She'swearingafor
malsuitandred-bott
om heels.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
..
”Sandr
aapol
ogi
zes.
“Sorryforyourpatheti
coldself!Whywoul dyoucall
someonet hat?Areyounut s?”Anomusa, Iguess,i
s
everythi
ngMelsai d.Beauti
fulbutnotthefri
endly
type.“Areyouokay? ”sheasksmeandInod.She
sighsbeforeputti
ngat uxbagont hetable.“
Ialso
don'tknowwher emybr ot
herisbutthatmedia
brief
ingshouldandi sgoingtohappen.Thenew
shoer angeisimportanttomeandmysi ster
's
memor ythat
'swhyI '
m here.Paul
ine,
youwor ked
withbrotherinthatproj
ectsoyouwi l
ltakehis
place..
..
”
“Ican'
t.I
'
m notthateducat
edandmyEngl
ish
bundledepl
eteseveryti
meI'mint
hecr
owd..
.”
“
Ver
nacul
arwi
lldo.Justsel
lthedr
eam,
okay?
”
“
Icandoi
t.
”Sandr
abl
urt
sout
.
“I
t'snotyourpr oj
ectandyouar enotget t
ingtobe
printedal lovernewspapersforsomeone' shard
wor k.You' reamarketingdir
ector,doyourjoband
stopt ryi
ngt ooutshineeveryoneintheof f
ice.You
areal lateam compet i
ngagai nsttheother
compani esnotyourselves.Understood?”Sandra
nodsandexi t
sMel '
sof f
icewithhertai
lbetweenher
l
egs.

WetryMel
'snumberagai
nbutitdoesn'
tgot
hrough.
St
il
lonvoi
cemail
.Ihopehe'
sfi
ne.
“Hef
oughtwithmyf ather.”Anomusasaysafter
Paul
inegoesout.Ibl
ankl ylookatherwonder
ing
whyshe'st
ell
ingmet his.“Youknowwher eheis,
ri
ght
?”
“
Noma'
am.
..”
“Anomusa.IbetI'm youngerthanyouandyou
call
ingmet hatf
eelsinappropri
ate.Mybr ot
hert
old
meaboutyouwaybef or
eyoumethi m,that
'swhyI
beli
evethatyouknowwher eheisr i
ghtnow.”
“
Hedidn'tt
alkt
ome.”nowthatshementi
onst
he
f
ight
,Ihaveasli
ghti
deawherehecoul
dbe.
“Loyalmuch.I
mpressive.”shesmi l
es.“Ithi
nkIl
ike
youbutIhatetheweaknessIseei nyoureyes.I
f
youar egoi
ngtobemybr other'
spil
laryouhaveto
bestrong.Thi
ngsain'
tglamor ousast heylooki
n
hiswor l
dandheneedsast rongpersontoleanon
notanotherweakl
ing.
”
“Idon'
tthi
nkI'
mf ol
lowi
ng.
”shel
aughsmaki
ngme
evenmor econf
used.
“Youwil
lsoonf
oll
owwhatI'
mt al
kingabout
.It
hink
heli
kesyoumorethanheshoul
d.Don'thur
tmy
brotherorIwi l
lkil
lyou.
”huh?Twopeopl eare
threateningmyl i
feandtheyhappentobef ather
anddaught er
?Whati sgoi
ngon?“ I
'mjoki
ngabout
theki l
li
ngpar t
.Justdon'
tdi
sappointhi
m. ”Iwatch
herr eapplyli
psti
ckonherli
ps.
“Theyareher
e.”Paul
ineannounces.Shel
ooks
scared.
“
Youwi
llbef
ine.
”Anomusaassur
esher
.

Paulinenail
edi t.Shemadesur et omixher
vernacularandEngl ishinawayt hatnoonecan
everguesswhyshedi dthat.Whatmademeeven
proudofheri sherchoi ceofwor ds.Shedidn'
tuse
thewor dsli
kel owerclass,lesspr i
vil
eged,when
tal
kingaboutt henewcheapr angeofshoes.The
projecti
ssaidt ohavebeeni nspiredbyEmmyt wo
yearsagowhenshest artedcollecti
ngshoesf r
om
peoplewhodi dn' tneedthem anymor eanddonati
ng
them tothosewhoneededt hem.Meldeci dedto
designshoesf ort hosewhoear nlit
tl
e.Thetop
rangesofshoesi nthiscompanyar enotforthe
manyofus.Eachpai r
'spr
izei
smyt womont hs
sal
ary.Iwi
llneverdr
eam ofwear
ingthei
rshoes
unl
essIlaybye,maybe.

“Thatwasgood.
”AnomusahugsPaul
inewho
beamsinret
urn.
“Real
ly?SoIcanaskf ormyr aisefrom theboss?
Youknowhe' sbeentell
ingmet ogetaneducation
befor
ethinki
ngaboutsal ar
yraises.Idon't
underst
andhim sometimes.Howwi l
lIpayformy
feesi
fhewon' tr
aisemysal ary?Sti
ngyboss. ”
“
Iwi
llmakesur
eheget
syourmessage.
..”
“
No.Pl
easedon'
ttel
lhi
m el
sehewi
llf
ir
eme.
”
“I
'mjoking.Okay,
thankyouladi
esandit'
stimefor
met oleave.Makesuremybr ot
her'
scompany
keepsrunningunti
lheret
urns.Bye.
”sheleaves.
“
She'
sbeaut
if
ul.
”Icompl
iment
.
“
Iknowhey.Theyar
eal
lcut
e.Hungr
y?”
“
Yespl
ease.
”
*
***
***
***

MEL'
SPOV.

Ihavet hewor steverhangoverofal lcenturies.I

reachf ormyphone, switchitonandgett heshock
ofmyl i
fe.Isleptthewhol edayort here'sapr oblem
withmyphone?Igl anceatt hewal lcl
ockandmy
horrorisconf irmed.I t
'sseventeent hi
rty!Howon
earthdidIf orgetaboutmybusi nessf ortheday?I 'm
screwed.Anar t
icl
ef rom thelocalnewspaper
catchesmyeye.Ther eIam, nextt oPauline's
pictureandournewr angeofshoes.Whatt hehel l
?I
didn'tdothebr i
efi
ng?What '
sgoi ngon?Iqui ckly
readt hearticl
eandI '
mi mpr essed.Paul i
ne
representedourpr ojectsowel lthatI'
m
disappointedi nmysel ff
ordoubt inghersomet imes.

Ihaveami
ll
ionmessages.
Musa:Wher
ear
eyou?I
'
m aut
hor
izi
ngyourmeet
ing
t
ogoonwi
thoutyou.Thi
sisf
orEmmy.
Star
:Ihopeyouareokay.Pl
easecomeback,
ever
yoneisworr
iedaboutyou.
Babe: Mel, Idon'teveni nt hesli
ghtestappr
eciate
thi
scr apyoudi dlastni ght.Whodoyout hi
nkyou
areleavingmewai ti
ngandwai ti
ngsimplybecause
yourfathert ouchedyout hewr i
ngway?I '
m sosick
andt i
redifyourf i
ghts, whyar eyour
misunder standingsaf fect i
ngourmar ri
age?You
alwaysmakemef eel li
keI '
m mar ri
edtoamanwho
can'tcontrolhisemot ionsorbal ancehisli
fe.You
andyourf atherarest arti
ngt opissmeof fand
beli
evemewhenIsayI '
m socl osetoblowingoff.
Comebackhome.Weneedt otalkaboutwhatever
shithappenedyest erday.
Mo:Youbett
erusepr
otect
ionyouasshol
e!WhatTF
i
sgoingon?Callmewhenyouwakeup.
Ismil
eathismessage.TrustMonwabisitor emind
meofusingcondomsasi fhe'
smymot her.Whodo
Ical
lfi
rst
?Wi f
eyisprobablyangr
yandcallingher
ri
ghtnowwillref
uelmyownanger .I
'
m stil
lwai t
ing
formyPItotel
lmewhatIwanttohearbeforeIcan
seemywi f
e.Idon'
twantt
oreactwi
thoutproof.I
dialMonwabi
si.
“Pussybesogoodthatwef
orgetaboutser
ious
business?
”heanswers.
“
Iwasn'
tdoi
ngwhat
evert
hecr
ap.
.”
“I
'
m notaki dwena.It
aughtyouallt
hosethi
ngs
beforeIgotsavedbyt
heLord.”hesaysandIlaugh
outloud.
“Saved?Bro,
stopf
ooli
ngyoursel
f.Wher
eisyour
boyfri
endbefor
eIsaysomethi
ngthatwi
lli
nfur
iat
e
him..
.”
“
He'
sint
hebat
hroom.
”
“Soyout hinkyouwer
esavedoryouchosethe
ti
ghterhole?Howdoyouevendoi t
?Whof uckst
he
otherdi
ck...”
“Voet
sek,Mel.YouoweStaranapologyandat r
eat,
Sandrashowedherfl
amest oday.Don'tsayI
'mthe
onewhot ol
dyou.Thatol
dwi tchhasissues,
I
swear.
..
”
“
IsSt
arokay?
”
“
Iguessshe'
susedt
opeopl
etr
eat
ingherl
iket
hat
.”
“
Letmecal
lher
,Iwi
llt
alkt
oyoul
ater
.”
Hernumberi snotgoingthr
ough.Iquickl
ytakea
showerandcheckout .Khanyical
lsbutIcompletel
y
swit
chof fmyphone.EverytimeIthi
nkofmy
fat
her'swords,Iseehermoaningforanotherman
andthatkil
lsme.IloveKhanyisoverymucht hat
thethoughtofanotherman..
.Fuck!God,l
etallt
his
beoneofmyf ather
'smindgames.NotmyKhanyi .

Thedoorf
inal
lyopensaf
terknocki
ngt
wice.
Asenat
hii
ssurpri
sedtoseeme.
“
Hi.CanIseeSt
ar?
”
“
Isi
taboutwor
k?”Ishakemyhead.
“Thenyouhavet opay.Thishousei
snotahotelor
confer
encer oom.Youareinvadi
ngourpri
vat
e
spacerightnowandf ort
hatyouhavetopay.
”
“
Areyoubei
ngser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“Ver
yser i
ous.Asyoucansee, Ihadt
oputonar obe
becausesomeonedeci dedtorui
nourpeace.”she
saysandIcat chagli
mpseofherpointedbreast.
ThethingsI'
ddot ohersmartmouthifshewasn't
Star
'scousin.
..“St
opundressi
ngme,mi st
er.Are
youpayingoryouar el
eaving?
”
“Fine.Iwillpay.Mywal l
etisinthecarandIcan' tgo
backnow. ”shetakesmycarkeysandwal kspast
mel eavingt hedooropen.It akeitaspermi ssi
on
grantedandwal kinside.Icanhearsomeone
hummi nginside.Ifol
lowt hesoundandi tleadsme
totheki t
chenwher eStarisbusyont hestove.I'm
shockedt oseehercooki ng.Noof f
ensebutInever
thoughtshecancook.It akeoutmyphoneand
recordavi deo.Thisisamazi ng.She'sdisabledyet
shecancook, somet hingmywi fewhoi scompl etel
y
fi
necannotdo.
“Mel
?”she'
ssurpr
isedtoseemestandingbyt
he
door
.“Uhm..
.comein.Whyareyouhere?Howdid
youfi
ndourhouse?”
“
Ithoughtyousai
dyouwer
ewor
ri
edaboutme?
”I
r
aisemyeyebrow.
“Isai
dever
yonenotme.Whywoul
dIwor
ryabouta
grownassman?”
“Real
ly?”Isquatbefor
eherandputmyhandson
herbarethighs.She'
sweari
ngashortdr
ess.“
You
didn'
tmissme? ”
“Nope.Yoursi
sterkeptmeent
ert
ainedmor
ethan
youdo.”
“
NowI'm get
ti
ngwor
ri
ed.Can'
tIhaveast
rai
ght
f
ri
end?”
“
Meani
ng?
”
“
Monwabisii
sgayalready,youcan'
tbegayt
oo.I
wantyoust
rai
ghtnotfancyingwomen.”
“
I'
m st
rai
ght
..
.”
“
Showmet
hatyouar
est
rai
ght
.”
“How?”Il
ookbackatt hedoorandAsenat
hiis
nowhereneartheki
tchen.Isoft
lygr
abherneck,t
il
t
herheadali
ttl
eandmyl ipscrushwit
hhersoft
l
ips.
..
.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT13.

MEL'
SPOV.

“
NowI'm get
ti
ngwor
ri
ed.Can'
tIhaveast
rai
ght
f
ri
end?”
“
Meani
ng?
”
“
Monwabisii
sgayalready,youcan'
tbegayt
oo.I
wantyoust
rai
ghtnotfancyingwomen.”
“
I'
m st
rai
ght
..
.”
“
Showmet
hatyouar
est
rai
ght
.”
“How?”Il
ookbackatthedoorandAsenat
hiis
nowhereneart
heki
tchen.Isof
tl
ygrabherneck,
til
t
herheadal i
ttl
eandmyl ipscrushwi t
hhersoftlips.
Herlipsaresosof t
,thewayshemoveshert ongue
tel
lsmeshe' sneverkissedanyonebef ore.I
m
actuall
ythefir
stmant okissher.Ideepenthekiss
andshel etmecont i
nue.Damn!Shet astesli
ke
nothingI'
veevertastedbef or
e.I'
m getti
ngsuper
tur
nedonandi fIdon'tstop,Iwil
lendupmessi ng
up.Ibreakthekissandl ookather .
“
Howdoyouf
eel
?”Iaskher
.
“
Idon'tknow.MynervesaremessedupMel ,
Ican't
f
eelandmostprobablyIcan'tf
eelt
hingssexuall
y.”I
r
eadaboutitbuti
t'
sallbul
lshit
.Iwanthertofeel
methesamewayIf eelher.Ipl
acehersofthandon
mybeatinghear
t.
“Canyouf eelthat?”shenods.“Love,emotions,pai
n,
allthesear efelti
nt heheartnotwhatevercrap
sciencet aughtyou.Youhaveahear tStar,and
that'swher eyouhavet ofeelmykissunless,you
don'tlikemet hewayIdo.Openyourhear tand
feel.”Iki
ssheragai n,sof
terthi
sti
meandIcanf eel
herbr eathi
ngr atechanging..
..
“Real
lynow?”Asenathisaysf
rom t
hedoor
.Ij
ump
backandStarquickl
ylooksaway.
“
It
'snotwhat
..
.”
“I'
m notaki
dwenacheeseboy.Don' tyoudar
etryt
o
makemet hinkother
wi sebecauseIknowwhatI
saw.Whatar eyoudoing?Takingadvant
ageofher
thesamewayyour ..
..
”
“
Asenat
hi!
”St
arshout
s.
“I
'm doi
ngthisforyou,Star
.Whati shedoingt oyou?
Haveyouf orgot
tenthathe'
smar ried?Oh,letme
guess.There'
stroubl
einparadise, r
ichguyfought
withhiswifeandnowyouar egoingt obehis
chamber..
.”
“Enough!”IroarmorethanIintendedt o.“
Don'tyou
everagaintalkofherli
kethat.IrespectStarso
mucht hatyouwi l
lneverunderstand..
.”
“Soit
'syourmarr
iageyoudon'tr
espectt
hen?Or
youthinkyoucanhaveanythi
ngyouwantsimpl
y
becauseyouareMelokuhl
eHlongwane?Notwit
h
mycousi n,
areweclear
?”
“
Asenathi
,Idon'
twannafi
ghtwi
thyou.Icameher
e
f
orStarandimport
antwor
k..
.”
“Getlost!
”sheshocksmewi thastr
ongpusht hat
actuall
ymovesmyent i
rebody.Wheredoessheget
thestrengthinthi
sti
nybodyofhers?IlookatStar
butsheshr ugs.Asenat
higotpoweroverhert
hen.
“Okay.I'
ml eavi
ngthen.Star,
answert hephone
whenIcal l
.”Iexi
tthekit
chenwi t
haheavyhear t.I
didn'
tcomeher etokissher,i
tj usthappenedand
nowt hatIdidit
,myfeeli
ngsar eal lovert
heplace.
‘
Whatar eyoudoi ngtoyourselfMel ?’
“
Ase,
pleasedon'
tdot
his,
Cuz.
.”
“
Hewil
lhur
tyou,cousi
n.Pl
easedon'
tall
owyour
sel
f
t
obeoneoftheseri
chpeopl
e'
stoys.
..
”
“I
twasj ustaki
ss.Not hi
ngmor ewil
lhappen,l
et
himtalktome.Hewasn' tattheoff
icethewhole
dayandal othappened.Please.
”IhearStar
begginghercousin.Idon'
tknowwhyIf eltt
heneed
toeavesdroponthem.
“
Fine.Noki
ssi
ng,
HE'
SMARRI
ED.
”
“
Noki
ssi
ng.Ipr
omi
se.
”
“Okay.Cal
lhim back,I
'm offt
owor kanyway.Pl
ease
behaveyoursel
f.”AsenathisaysandIquickl
ywalk
outofthehouse.

Myphonevi
brat
esasIopenmycar
.
Star
:Pleasecomeback.I
'm sor
ryaboutAse'
s
behavi
orsheworri
esalotaboutme.
Ismil
eafterreadingthemessage, geti
ntothecar
andreversewithoutrespondi
ng.Ihavetobe
somewher e,
Starcanwai t.HerandIsti
llhavelot
s
ofti
met ospendt ogetherasfr
iendsorevenmor e.
Fornow,Ihavet oseemywi f
e.Thinkofadeviland
shecall
s.
“
Wif
ey.
”Ianswert
hecal
l.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Ahel
lotoyoutoohusbandwillbehighly
appr
eciat
ed.I
'
m attheoff
ice,
somet hingcameup.
”
“
Somethi
nglikewhat?Areyoucheati
ngonme,
Mel
?”sheasks.Iexhal
ebefor
ewipingmyface.I
fI
don'
tfi
ndsomeonet otal
ktoaboutal
lthi
sthenI
'
m
afr
aidIwi
llki
llsomeone.
“Doyoumissme?
”Iaski
nst
eadofanswer
ingher
quest
ion.
“
Mel
,ar
eyoucheat
ingonme?
”
“Damni t,
Khanyi!I
'm askingyouaboutsomething
i
mpor tanttomeandal lyoucar eabouti
syouyou
you!Whenwi l
lyoustartt
hinki
ngaboutotherpeople?
Forgetpeople,whenwi l
lyoureali
zehowmuchI
l
oveyouandst optr
eatingmel ikeIcommitt
eda
cri
mebyl ovi
ngyou.What 'swrongwithyou?”
“Iaskedyout ocomehomeandt al
kbutyouchose
tosleepwher everyouwereandnowyouwantt o
blamemef oryourfrust
rat
ions?Awukahl
eMel,
ngazongisanganela..
.”
“
Khanyi
,youar
etal
kingt
omel
iket
hat
?”
“ComehomeMel orstaywhereveryouare.When
youdecidetocomeback, bri
nganHI Vtest.
”she
cutst
hecall.Isighandmakeashar pturnbackto
whereI'
m comi ngfrom.At ur
nthatwillei
thershape
ordest
roymyl ifeforgood.I'
m doneli
vingmyl if
e
f
orotherpeople.Il
ikeSt arandtoni
ght
,I'
m goi
ngto
makehermi ne.Iwilldealwithmymarri
agelat
er.

IcanhearJahPr ayzer'ssong‘ Munyaradzi’pl

aying
i
nsidebef oreIcanknockont hedoor .Staris
hummi ngtothesongandmyspi r
itdampens, Idon'
t
l
ikesadsongs.Al lofthem feelli
ketheyar e
mocki ngme, remindingmeofal lmyf ai
luresandfor
thatreason,Istayawayf rom meani ngfulmusic.In
fact,
Ist ayawayf rom music,itremindsmeof
somet hingIlostandnevert ober ecovered.After
taki
ngahugedeepsi gh,Iknock.
“Oh,it
'syou.”shesaysafteropeningthedoorand
quickl
ylooksaway.Iinvitemyselfinandt hef i
rst
thi
ngIdoi stoswitchoffthemusi cbeforeitmakes
mymoodevenwor se.Iwat chherwheel her
sel ft
o
thesofa.Onanor malday, Iwouldhavewat ched
hergetoffherwheelchairbutIdon'tdothatt oday.I
scoopherupandl i
eonthecouchwi thheront opof
me.Ilikethatshedoesn'tfi
ghtmeof f.Ican'ttake
anotherrej
ectiont
oday.
“Youknowsomet imesIf eell ikeI '
m notahuman
being.Idon' tknowhowt or espondt osituationsor
behaveexceptbei ngprofessi onalaboutal lofit.All
mychi l
dhoodIwast aughtt hataman' spor t
foliois
whatdet ermi neshowpeopl elookathi m.Iwas
taughtt hatmyshoe, cuf f
links, perfumeanda
haircutshoul di ntroducemebef oreIopenmy
mout ht ot alk.Iwast aughthowt ochewwi thgr ace,
tosmi leasmi let hatwillonl yt ellofmydomi nance,
tost epont hegr oundasi fIownt hewor l
d, t
ouse
wor dsandst ructur emysent encesi nawayt hat
peopl ewi llkeepnoddi ngasIt alk,Ihaveal loft hat
butI '
mt iredofal lofit,Star .I'
m suf focati
ng, i
n
drowni ngi nmyownpai nandnoonei stheref orme.
Ican' tbur denmymot herwi thmypr oblems, mydad
willpr obabl yl aughatmei fIt ellhim.Am Iwr ongfor
want ingt of eellikeahumanbei nglikeIdidwhenI
wasf ive?I 'mt ired.”Isighandhughercl oser.She
smel lsni ceandherscenti scomf or ti
ng.
“I
fIdi
dn'tknow,
I'
dsayyouarebei
ngcheekybutI
under
stand.Whoareyou,Mel
?That
'sthequest
ion
youhavetoanswerbefor
eyoucanfeell
ikea
humanbei
ngagai
n.”
“I
'm..
.”no.Ican'
ttel
lherthat.Notyet
,maybelater.
“CanIsleephere?Iwon'ttouchyouinappropr
iatel
y,
Ipromise.”sherai
sesherhead, l
ooksatmewi thher
eyesthatmakememel teveryti
meshel ooksatme.
“Youarescaredofmycousin?
”thatsoundsl
ikea
chal
lengebabygir
landIl
ikechall
enges.
“
Nah.I'm scar
edofscar
ingyouof
f.Il
ikeyouandI
wanttokeepyou.Canyouletmekeepyouas
mine?
”
“
Youar
emar
ri
ed,
Mel
.”shesi
mpl
yst
ates.
“IknowbutIalsof eelsomethingforyou.Eversi
nce
youscoldedmef ort hatpar
tyIwentt othr
eeyears
ago,Istar
tedfeel
ingsomet hingforthestr
anger
whowassogoodathel pingmeasi fGodsenther
strai
ghtfr
om heavent obet heref
orme. ”
“
Ican'
tdat
emybosswhoi
smar
ri
ed.
..
”
“Wel
l,youaremineandminealone.St
art
ingfrom
now,nooneelseisal
lowedtotouchyouorfeel
anyt
hingforyou.I
'
m veryover
prot
ecti
veofwhat's
mi
ne.So,
baby?
”
“
Mel
,Ican'
t.
..
”Ipul
lherupandFr
enchki
ssher
..
..
*
*
*
*
Iknowt
heinser
tisshor
t.Pleasefor
givemeandl
et
memakeituptoyouont henextone.
Goodni
ghtdar
li
ngs
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT14.

[
SPONSOREDBYWHATSAPPREADERS.
]

STAR'
SPOV.
IadoreMel ,Isecr
etl
yidol
izehi
m, I
'm happythat
he'sthefi
rstpersontoseeawomani nme, to
actuall
ykissmeandnotmakef acesafterwards,
I'
m
reall
yhappyaboutal lofi
tbutI
'
m nota
homewr ecker.That'
snothowmynannyr aisedme,I
can'tdoanyoft hi
s.
“
Mel
?”
“
Yesbaby.
”hesayswhi
lepl
ayi
ngwithmydr
ead
l
ocs.“
Tel
lmeanythi
ngyouwantt
o.”
“
Haveyoueat
ensomet
hing?
”
“I
falcoholcount
sasfoodthenyes.I
fnot
,thenit'
s
over24hour ssi
nceIhadsomethi
ngtoeat.I
'm not
hungry.
.”
“
Iwi
llbr
ingyousomet
hingt
oeatt
henwewi
llt
alk.
..
”
“No.I'
m nothungr
y,Ijustwanttohol
dyoul
iket
his
unti
ltomorrowmorning.Please.
..
”
“Youwillhol
dmebutfoodfir
st.AndI'm nottaki
ng
noforananswer
.Putmeont hewheelchair.
”his
l
ipscurveint
oasmil
ewhi l
ehisrighteyebrowr i
ses.
“
Nowomanhaseverchal
lengedmel
iket
hat
.What
ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odo?
”
“
I'
m notanywoman,
I'
m St
ar.Putmeont
he
wheel
chair
.”
“Okayma' am.”Isighinreli
efashedoesasIsay.
Somet hingwaspoki ngmyst omachanditkept
expanding.Ifthat
'shisdick.
..
ohmygosh!Doest hi
s
mant hinkIwillbeabletohavesexwithhim?No.
Never!Ican'thavesex.

Itt
ookal ott
oconvincehimt oeatsoyachunksand
veget
ables.Richki
dsdon'tknowwhatl i
fei
s,a
Zimbabweanwhodoesn' tknowt hemeatsubsti
tut
e?
Imean,someofusgetexci tedwhenwebuysoya
chunksoramat embabecauset heyarebet
tert
han
veget
ables.
“
Nowt
hatI
'
veeat
en,
canIhol
dyou?
”
“NoMel .Il
ikeyoubutI 'm notgoi
ngtobeyour
painki
ll
er.Youar esuffer
ing,youarebott
li
ng
everyt
hinginsideandyouar ebecomingsomeone
youdon'treali
zeyour sel
f.Iknowyoucheatedon
yourwifeyesterday,Iknowyouwentt ot
heclub.
Am Ilying?”hechuckles.“
YouseewhatI '
mt alki
ng
about?Sexwon' tsol
veyourproblemsMel ,holdi
ng
mecl osetoyourheartwon'tsol
vethem either.I
f
youwantt obef r
ee,chooseyourside.Know
yourselffi
rst
,chooseyourstr
ugglesanddon' tbe
everywherelikeaconfusedspir
it
.”hesmiles.“I'
m
seri
ous.Doyouknowwhatyouwantr i
ghtnow? ”
“
Yes.I
t'
syou.
”
“Forhowl ongwil
lyouwantme?Unt ilyousor tout
yourissueswit
hyourwife?Ican'
tletyoudot hatto
meandyourwi f
e.Chooseyourside,Mel.Ifyou
real
lywantme, goandsortoutyourmar ri
agef i
rst
thenyouknowwher etofindme.”
“Ar
eyousayi
ngIshoul
ddi
vor
cemywi
fei
fIwantt
o
bewit
hyou?”
“Notr eal
lybutIwon'tl
etyoubottl
eyourfeeli
ngs.
I'
m notsayi ngdi
vorceherbecauseIknowyouwon' t
doit.Youl oveherdeeplyandyouknowi t
,justsor
t
outwhat everyouarebothgoingthroughandIwi l
l
continuetobeyourf ri
end.”
“
Afr
iendIcanki
ssanyt
imeIwantt
o,r
ight
?Af
ri
end
whowon'
tent
ert
ainot
hermenexceptme.
..
”
“Idon'
thavesexualf
eel
ingsMel
,youneednott
o
worryaboutot
hermen.Justgohomeandbea
goodboy.”
“Shesai
dIshouldbringanHI Vtest
.”Iwantto
l
aughbutIknowt hi
si sser
ious.That
'sadeadl
y
stat
ementcomingfrom awomanyoul oveand
l
ovesyouback.
“
Thengoandgetone.Therear
e24/7sur
geri
es
whereyoucanbet
estedandbedonei
naf ew
minut
es.”
“Okay.Ifthatwil
lmakeyoumi nethenIwi lldoit.
Thankyou. ”hekissesmyf oreheadandIbl ush.I
don'tevenknowwhymycheeksar efeelinghotal l
ofasudden.“ I'
ml eaving.Haveasoundand
peacefulnight.
”beforeIcanr espond, hislipsar eon
mine,histonguet wirl
ingaroundmi ne, l
eadi ngt he
paceandmyhear trat
eaccel erat
es.I
t'slikeI 'm
havingapani cattack.I'
m starti
ngtoreallypani c,
whatist hi
sfeeli
ng?“ Breathe.”hesaysaf ter
real
izi
ngmyt ensi
on.“ Breathebaby,breat he.”he
putshishandonmychestandgr i
ns.“That'
show
youfeelaman.That '
showyouf eelwhenaman
whowant syouki ssesyou,don'tpanic,rel
axand
l
ist
ent otherhythm.It'
sabeaut i
fulfeeli
ng,outof
thi
swor l
d.”hepecksmyl ips.“CanIt uckyoui n
befor
eIleave?”Ijustnod.Thisfeelinggotme
shakenmor ethanIexpectedaki sst ofeell
ike.

“
Thankyou.
”Isayaf
terl
ett
inghi
m putmet
obed.
“
Goodnightbaby.
”heki
ssesmyf
oreheadand
l
eaves.
“
Goodni
ght
.”
Assoonast hefr
ontdoorclosesandIhearhi
scar
l
eaving,Isi
tupandreachformyphoneandst ar
t
googli
ng.
‘
I
sitnor
malt
ofeel
pani
ckywhenbei
ngki
ssed?
’
Itapsearchandinl essthanfivesecondsIhavea
wholelotofanswer sstari
ngbackatme.I t
'sgonna
bealongni ghtofreadingtheseanswers.Iwantto
knowmor eaboutsexandt hestuff.
*
***
***
***

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Icouldn'tstomachmyf oodearl
iertoday.Thesmell
ofeggst hrewmeof fandIrantot hebathroom and
vomi t
edever ycontentsofmyst omach.Itr i
edsushi
duringluncht i
mebutagai nmysal ivafl
oodedmy
mout hunt i
lIstoppedtryi
ng.Ionlyhadwat er.I'
m
hungry,myst omachi sgrumblingbutIcan' teat
.I
feelli
kecrying,what'shappeni
ngt ome?
“Khanyimychil
d.Iseveryt
hingal
ri
ght?
”mymom
asks.Idon'
tcal
latnightunl
essIneedser
ioushel
p.
“Ican'
teat
,mom.If
eelsi
ck.Ever
yti
meIt
ryt
oeat
,I
vomit.
..
”
“Areyoupregnant?”ti
mef r
eezes, mymindpauses
andcoldchill
srundownmyspi ne.Mybodyis
suddenlyfi
ll
edwi t
hgoosebumpsandI '
m sickt
othe
deepestpi
tofmyst omach.I'
m onautopil
otasI
rushtothebathroom andvomi tthewat
erIjust
drank.Mykneesar eweak,notfrom thevomiti
ng
butfrom thet
err
if
yingthoughtofhavi ngsomeone
growi nsi
deme.Thegivingbirt
hprocess, t
he
nursi
ng, t
hesoundofasmal lbaby,thosetiny
pi
nkishhands,li
tt
lemout h.
..
.
“No!”ascream escapesmyl ungs.Ican'tbe
pregnant.Idon'
twantchil
dren,maybel aterbutnot
now.Ijustsignedalucrat
ivedealwithNi keand
pregnancyisnotpartofmypl ans.

Idr
agmysel
fbackt
othebedr
oom andr
edi
almy
mother
.
“
Areyouokay?
”
“
Nomom.Ican'
tbepr
egnant
!”
“Youcanbepr egnantbutyoucanalwayshavea
safeaborti
on.Takea2weekst ri
ptoSouthAfr
ica,
haveitsurgi
call
yr emoved,
comebackandcont i
nue
withyourli
fe.I'
m surei
t'
snotababyatthemoment ,
j
ustabl oodclot.
”
“
Whatwi
llIsayt
omyhusband?
”
“Nothi
ng.Justtellhi
m youaregoingf orwor
k.Fir
st
fi
ndouti fyouarereal
lypregnant
.Itcanbea
stomachbugorf oodpoi soni
ng.Don'tsayanyt
hing
tohim yet.
”
“He'
snothereanyway.It
hinkhe'
scheat
ingonme.
”
shelaughs.“
It
'snotf
unnymom.IloveMelandyou
knowit.
”
“Hewoul dn'
tdarecheatonyou.Thatboyli
stensto
hisfatherandhisfat
herblessedyourmarr
iage.
He'sjustbeingaman, havi
ngdrinksoutwi
thother
guys,thatkindofathi
ng.”
“Ihopeso.Ican'
tlosehi
mt oanyone,
Iwil
lkil
lthat
personbefor
eshecant hi
nkoftaki
nghim away
from me.
”
“Justrel
axandf ocusonyou.Ther ear
et oomayof
thesemenoutt here,i
fMelokuhleisgi
vingyou
problemsyoucanal waysf i
ndanotherman.Don't
beadesper atewoman.Desper ati
onisforthepoor
notar i
chsomebodyl ikeyou.Youonlybegamani f
youar edependentonhim...
”
“
Goodni
ghtmom.Il
oveyou.
”Icutt
hecal
lbef
ore
shecansaymore.Heranddadar
ehappybutshe'
s
tel
li
ngmenottobegmyhusband?Whatki
ndof
rubbi
shi
sthat
?

Thebedroom dooropensasIr emovemycl othes.

Oureyesmeetont hemi r
rorandIf indmyself
smili
ng.Heputsabouquetofpi nkrosesandmy
favor
it
eLindtdarkchocolateont hedressi
ngtable
befor
ehuggingmef rom behind.Hismuscul ar
scent,hi
srar
esmi l
e,hi
swar m body,he'
sactuall
y
hereandIcan'thel
pbutcr y.Het ur
nsmear ound
andsqueezemeevent ighterandcl osetohis
beati
ngheart.
“
I'
m sorr
y,baby.I'
mr eal
lysor
ryfort
akingoutmy
f
rust
rati
onsonyou.Ishoul dhavest
ayedinsteadof
r
unningoffl
ikethat.For
givememyl ove.
”
“It
'sokayI'
mj ustgl
adyouaresafeandI'
m backin
yourarms.Pleasedon'
teverleavel
iket
hat.Ikept
thi
nkingthatyouarecheat
ingandthethoughtkil
ls
me. ”
“
I'
m your
sbaby,
onl
yyour
s.Noonewi
llt
akeme
awayf r
om you.Ij
ustneededt
imet
ocl
earmyhead.
I'
m okaynow.”
“
I'
m sor
ryf
ort
alki
ngt
oyoul
iket
hat
.”
“
It
'sokay.Iunder
stand.
”hesmi
les.
“
Yousmel
lfr
esh,
didyouj
ustt
akeabat
h?”
“
Yes.IwasatMo'splace.”Ibreat
heinr
eli
ef.
Monwabisii
sagoodf r
iendtoMelandIknowhe
won'
tlethi
m dest
royhismar r
iage.
“Okay.Imi
ssedyou.
”Iatt
emptt
oki
sshi
m buthe
stopsme.“
What'swrong?
”
“Iwassmoking.Ihavet
obrushmyt eet
hf i
rst
.”
smoking?Hestoppedsmokingbackinhighschool
.
That'
swhathetoldme.HaveIpushedhim backto
smoking?WhathaveIdonetomyl ovi
nghusband?
Timetofixt
hismessKhanyi.
*
***
***
*

Mel
'
sPOV.
Ican'
tbel
ieveIj
ustli
edtomywi fe.Ididn'
tsmoke,I
l
ongstoppedsmokingandIwi llneverdoi tagai
n.
I'
mjustnotcomfort
ableki
ssingherr ightnow.Isti
ll
wanttoknowifshe'
scheatingornot .Iquickl
ysend
myPIamessageandheaskst omeetwi t
hme
tomorr
owofwhi chItel
lhi
mi t'
sfine.

IcheckmyWhat sAppwhi chonl yhast hree

contacts.Mymot her,
mysi sterandSt ar.Ther est
don'tevenknowt hatIhaveWhat sApp.Iuse
anothernumberf ormyWhat sAppandI '
m okaywi t
h
threepeopleonmyWhat sAppl ist.Ihavemessages
from mymot herandonef rom mysi stertell
ingme
thatshehasdeci dedt orel
ocat ebackt oLondon.I
respondaskingherwhybef oretypingamessage
forthegirlIi
ntendt okeepfort her estofmyl i
fe.
Mar ri
edornot, Iwil
lkeepSt arasmi neandI 'm
goingtot r
eatherl i
keaQueen.
Me:Heybaby.I'
m homeandno, I'
m notdrunk.Idi
d
asyousaidbutIwillbelyi
ngifIsayI'
m okay.
Anyway,Idon'
twantt oburdenyouwithmy
pr
oblems.Goodnight,Il
oveyou.
St
ar:
Got
ellt
hatt
oyourwi
fe,
Mel
.Goodni
ght
.
Me:It
oldherIl
oveher
.I'
m bal
anci
ngt
heequat
ion.
St
ar:
Got
ohel
l!
Me:Thenyouwi l
lneverfeelt
hethingsyoufeel
whenI'
m cl
oset oyou.Youknowyoul i
kemebut
youarej
usttr
yingtobeal ady.Irespectt
hatandi
t
makesmeevenmor edeterminedtokeepyou.
“Babe?”mywifecal
ls.Iqui
ckl
yri
nsemymout hwith
List
eri
nemouthwashandgobacki nt
othebedroom.
“Youhungry?
”
“
Nobabe.IatesupperatMo'splace.Canyouj
ust
l
etmeholdyouuntilIf
allasl
eep?”
“
Yessweet
hear
t.
”
*
*
*
*
*
NEXTI
NSERT

MelandKhanyif indt hemselvesinasituati

ont hey
weren'treadyfor.Unawar eoft hethi
rdf or
ceint hei
r
mar r
iage-aforcet hatisclosertothem buthidden
verywelltheywon' tbeabl etofindit
-theypul laway
fr
om eachot herandsi nkevendeeperi ntotheir
darkselves.Willtheirmarriagecrush?
TheUndyi
ngLove.

[
Dar l
ings.There'
sapinnedpostatthet
opofthe
page, i
twil
lstayther
eandno, i
nser
tsweren'
t
delet
ed.Scrollpastt
hepinnedpostandyouwil
l
fi
ndal loft
hem. ]

I
NSERT15.

STAR'
SPOV.
I'
m wokenupf rom mybeaut i
fuldream bythesound
ofmyr i
ngingtone.Whoi ntheirri
ghtmindcal l
someoneatdawn?Il etitri
ngwhi leIstr
etchmysel f
andlazi
lyyawn.I'm notamor ningpersonandIhat e
beingwokenup.Ther ingi
ngt onestops,Iplacemy
headont heconti
nent alpi
ll
owandcl osemyeyest o
meditat
e.It
'smyr i
tual,Idon'twakeupandj ust
l
eavemybed, no.Iclosemyeyesandmot i
vate
myselffortheday.Myphoner i
ngsagainwhenI '
m
abouttoconnectwi t
hmysoul .
“
Hel
lo.
”Isaygr
umpi
ly.
“Idon'tdowellwi
thagirl
fr
iendwhodoesn'
tanswer
mycal ls.Ihat
eassumingthi
ngssothenextt
imeI
callyou,dousbothafavorandansweryourdamn
phone!”If r
ownathist
one.
“It
'stooear l
ytobet al
kingtosomeonewhodoesn' t
oweyoushi tli
kethat.Iwouldappreci
at eitifyou
don'tmistakemef oranyofyourgi rl
s.”Irealizehow
rudemyst atementisandquicklycorrectmy
mistake.“Youwokemeup, I'
m notamor ning
person.I'
m sor r
yfortalki
ngtoyoul i
ket hat.”
“
Areyoucr
yingbabe?
”
“
No,
I'
m not
.Whatmakesyout
hinkIam?
”
“Yourt
one.Yousoundl
ikeyouarecr
ying.Don'
tcr
y
youwil
lgetusedtomerealsoon.
”
“
Whyar
eyouupsoear
ly?
”
“
I'
m att
hegym.
”
“
Somet
hingi
seat
ingyouup.Whati
sit
?”
“
Idon'tknow.Ij
ustfeel
li
keI'
m aboutt
obehi
tbya
t
ornadoandI'm notr
eady.
”
“Youwil
lbefi
ne.Iknowyouar est
rongandyouwil
l
handl
ewhateveri
tisthatyouaregoi
ngthr
ough.
”
“Thankyou.Ij
ustwantedtohearyourvoi
cebef
oreI
star
tmydayt hat'
swhyIwokeyouup.Iwi l
l
apologi
zefacetofacel
atert
oday.
”
“
Lat
er?
”
“Yes.Lat
erbaby.I'
m notcomingtot
heof
fi
ceunt
il
aft
erlunch.Ihavethi
ngstodo.”
“
Ohokay.
”
“
Yeah.Enj
oyyourmor
ning.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Mel
..
.”
“
Idon'tcar
eifyoulovemebackornot.Youar
e
mineandIloveyou.Seeyouaf
terl
unch.”
Andhedr opsthecal
ljustlikethat
.Whodoeshe
thi
nkheis?Asenathiclearsherthroatbef
ore
annoyi
nglysippi
nghert ea,draggi
ngthesipand
makingthosesoundsIhat emor ethanIhatemy
parent
s.

“Goodmor ning,
Cousi
n.”shesaysandeyesme
suspi
ciously.
“Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing.
”I'
m ondef
ensi
vemode
alr
eady.
“I
fyoudi dn't
,thenyouwoul dn'
tbesweatingri
ght
now.Iknowl overboycamebackher eafterIl
eft
andI '
m sureyout wokissedagain.Cuz,
it'
snotli
keI
don'twantyout obehappy, I'
m worri
edaboutyou.
He'smar ri
edandhappi lyso.Whathappenswhen
youcat chfeeli
ngsandhegoesbackt ohiswif
e?I
don'
twanttoseeyouhur
t.
”shesaysandhereyes
ategl
ossyalr
eady.
“
Iwon'
tdoi
t.
”myhear
tbr
eakswhenIsayt
hewor
ds.
“Youl i
kehim.No.Youl ovet heguyal ready, you
l
ovedhi m waybef oreyoumether ,Isawhowhe
madeyousmi leevenbackt henandnowyouar e
glowing.Isthislovewor thit?I ftheansweri syes,
thenyouhavemyf ullsuppor tt opursuet hissi nofa
relati
onship.ButIwantyout ot akeyourbr ainwi th.
Theset hingsalwaysendi nt earsforsidechi cks,be
streetwise.Inevert houghtI 'dsomedaysayt hi
sbut
Ihavenochoi ce.Makesur et hatyougetasmuch
asyoucanoutoft hisr el
ationshi psot hatwheni t
crushes,youwi llcryal it
tl
eandsmi l
elaterbecause
youwoul dhavef ulf
il
ledsomeofyourf antasies.I
know, youbelieveinr omancenovel sandsomehow
thinkthatli
fecanbef i
cti
on, that '
sokaybutdon' tget
toocomf ortableandbecomet oolazyt othink.Be
wise.”
“
Youdon'
tmi
ndi
fIdat
ehi
m?”
“
Iwi
llpr
obabl
ygot
ohel
lforsuppor
ti
ngyoubutyou
aremyf avor
it
ecousinandIwanttoseeyouhappy.
Thatcheeseboymakesyouhappyandt here'
s
nothi
ngIcandoabouti t
.Li
fe'
stooshort
,cuz,l
ive
butmakesur eyoudon'
trui
nyourfut
ure.
”
“
Thankyou.
”Iat
temptt
ohugherbutshepushes
meoff
.
“
Youhaven'
tbr
ushedyourt
eethandyoust
il
lsmell
l
ikehi
m.Whoknowswhatelseyoubothdi
d?”she
l
aughs.
“If
eltsomethi
ngyest er
day.”shenodsf ormet ogo
on.“I
twasasi fIwasgoi ngtohaveahear tattack,
myst omachfeltweirdandover l
ysensiti
ve...”she
l
aughsoutloudbef oreIcanf i
nish.Herlaugh
echoesonthewal lsandIknowournei ghbor swill
cal
luncleorauntt ocomplainaboutit.It
'sfour
thi
rt
yi nt
hemor ning.Asenathij
ustknockedof f.
“Butt
erf
li
es,si
s.Thosearet
hebutt
erfl
iesyou
alwaysreadabouti
t.Enj
oythef
eeli
ng, i
t'
smagi
cal
.”
shesays.
“Howdoyouknow?”shedoesn'
thaveaboyfr
iend.
Shehat
esmentogetherwi
ththewordi
tsel
f.
“Ioncel
oved,hun.Iwasoncekissedbyamanwho
mademef eelthingsbuthewasn'tmi
ne.Soyeah,
youknowhowi tended.I
ntear
s.”
“
Sor
rycousi
n.”
“Arg!It
'sfi
ne.Letmegot osleepanddon'tmake
noisewhenyoul eave.Ibroughtyourf
avori
te
breakfasti
nthekitchen.Canyougoandpayt he
bil
lstoday?Pleaseplease.
”shebegswi t
hher
puppyeyes.
“
Let
'swai
tformont
hendt
henIwi
llt
akeadayof
fat
wor
k.”
“
Youar
ethebest
!Il
oveyousosomuch!
”
*
***
***
***

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Icouldn'tsleep.Ikeptthinki
ngofwhatmymother
sai
d, Iswitchedont helightandwat
chedmyMel ,
sl
eepi ngpeacef ul
lywithhishandonmywaist
.The
softcreasesonhi sf or
eheadmademyheartsink
andIcoul
dn'
thel
pbutcr
y.
‘
Whati
fI'
mther
easonhe'
sdi
stur
bed?
’
Ifeelhorr i
ble.Idon'tknowwhatt hisfeelingisbut
i
t'
snotpl easantandi tkeepstappingont heplaces
ofmyhear tthatIusuallykeepl
ocked.WhenMel
wal kedoutoft hebedroom forhi
smor ninggym
sessi on,Iwai l
ed.Idon'tknowwhyIwascr yingbut
i
tf eltgoodt or el
easesomeoft het ension.Ifeela
l
itt
lebet t
eral thoughmychesti sbur ni
ngandt here'
s
alumponmyt hroatt
hatI'mfai
li
ngt ogetr idof.

“Goodmor ni
ng.
”Igr
eett
hecl
eanerandshe'
s
shocked.
“Ar
eyoudying,ma'am?Imeandi dthedoct
orsay
youhavecancer?Howmanymont hsdoyouhave
l
eft
?”IwanttolashatherbutIsurpr
isemysel
fby
smil
ing.
“
I'
m notdyi
ng.I
'
mjustbei
ngni
ce.
”
“
Areyousure,
madam? ”sheaskswhi
leshefeel
s
t
emperat
urewithherhand.“
Youdon'
tevenhave
thosehor
ri
blecolor
sonyourf
ace?Ma'
am ar
eyou
sureyouareokay?”
“I'
mf i
ne.”Isay.“
Ijustwantt obeni cetopeople
that'
sall
.I'
vebeenahor ribl
eper son.”those
waterworksIhatesomuchst ar
tagai n.Befor
eI
knowi t
,I'
m sobbingonhershoul der.Iwanttostop
cryi
ngbutt helumpt hat
'sstuckinmyt hroatwon't
l
etme.
“Khanyi.”forthefi
rsttimeevershecal l
smebymy
nameandt hesoft
nessi nhervoicemakesmecr y
evenmor e.“Stopcryi
ng.Youar eupsetti
ngthe
baby.”herst atementthrowsmeof fandIquickl
y
pulloutofherembr ace.“I
'
m anol dwoman, wef eel
thesethingsandIl ongf el
titbefor
eyoust ar
ted
vomi t
ing.Comeandsi tdown. ”

Aftermakinglemont eawi t
hlotsofsugar,she
ordersmet odrinkit.Itfeel
sli
kemygr andmot her
j
ustwokeupf rom hergr ave.Shewast heonly
womanf rom mymat ernalf
amilywhocar edabout
people.Mymot herandt herestonl
ycar eabout
t
hei
rcareersandf
ame.Andt
heyar
eal
lsuccessf
ul
i
nthei
rfi
elds.
“
Haveyout
oldhi
m?”sheasks.
“Whyareyoubei
ngni
cet
omeaf
terIt
reat
edyou
hor
ri
ble?”
“I
'
m usedtopeopleli
keyou.It
'snotyourfaul
t,I
bl
amet hewayyouwer erai
sed.Ithi
nkyoucanbea
goodpersonl
ikeyoursist
eri
fyouwantt o.”
“Thankyouandno,
Ihaven'
ttol
dhi
m.Youwon'
t,
eit
her.”
“
It
'syourpl
acemadam notmi
ne.
”
“Thankyoufortea.If
eelbett
er.
”shesmil
esandher
smileissoaff
ecti
onateIfeeli
tpul
li
ngmein,
warmingmyachi ngheartandsoft
eningmyhar
d
soul.
Thel
andl
iner
ingsandshequi
ckl
ygr
absi
t.
“Hl
ongwaner esi
dency,hel
lo.Ohokay,she'
sher
e.”
shegivesmet hephoneandmout hs‘i
t'
syour
mother’bef
oreexi
ti
ngtheki t
chentogi
vemet he
pri
vacyIneed.
“
Goodmor
ningmom.
”
“Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
oseet
hedoct
or?
”Ir
ollmy
eyes.
“Iwil
lgolat
ert
odaybutI
'
m notabor
ti
ngi
fI'
m
pregnant
..
.”
“
Esther
!Di
dyouf allandhurtyourhead?Ther
e'sa
mil
li
ondol
lardealatstakehere!
”
“Iknowmom andI '
m sti
llkeepi
ngmybaby.Ihave
enoughmoneyt olastmeal if
eti
mei nmybank
account.MyownmoneynotMel '
s.Idon'
thaveto
kil
lmybabyf ormoney.I
nf act,I
'
mr eti
ri
ngand
taki
ngtimetobuil
dmyf ami l
y.I'
veli
vedmydr eams
andI'm cont
entnow..
.”
“Thisisnotonlyaboutyou,Est
her
!It
'saboutmy
agencyt oo!Youwil
lberuini
ngmyagency's
reputati
on.”
“Mom, wi
thal
lduerespect,
whenyouragency
si
gnedamar r
iedwoman, youknewt heprobabi
li
ty
ofherget
ti
ngpregnantishigh.Imadeyouenough
moneymom, youarestil
lgetti
ngroyalti
esforour
pastdeal
s.Pl
ease,l
etmebui ldmyf amilyli
keyou
bui
ldyour
s.Haveagoodday.
”
*
***
***
***

MEL'
SPOV.

Themomentoftr
uthisher
e.From t
hepoundi
ngof
myhear
t,IknowI
'm doomed.
“Si
r.
”myPIgreet
s.Hi
sfaceconf
ir
msmyf
ear
bef
orehecantel
lmemore.
“
Iloveherman.Pl
easedon'
ttel
lmesomet
hingt
hat
wil
lbreakme.
”
“Wecandot hi
sanot
herti
me. ”hesuggest
s.I
'm
abouttoagr
eebutmyvibrat
ingphonegetsinthe
way.It
'samessagefr
om Star.
Star
:HiMel.Ir
ecei
vedt
hef
lower
sandbr
eakf
ast
.
Thankyou
Ismi
lebef
oret
urni
ngbackt
omyPI
.
“
Showmewhatyougot
.”
“Okay.”heopenshi sbrief
caseandt akesoutanA5
brownenvel ope.“Shehadameet i
ngwi thyour
fatheryester
day.Itlast
edfortwohour sandshe
l
aterbr i
efl
ysawsomeoneatt heAr tGaller
y.Itwasa
manbutIcoul dn'
tcatchhisface.Theybot hlooked
j
umpy.Andl astl
y,shebookedanappoi ntmentwith
thedoct or
.Theappoi nt
mentisatf ourthir
ty
afternoon.That'
sallandthosearepi ct
ures.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Mypl
easur
e,Si
r.
”hesayssmi
li
ngathi
sphone.
“
Canyoulookint
omyfather
'smovements?Iwant
t
oknowwhohemeet s,
whatt heydi
scussandal
l
t
hatki
ndofstuff
.”
“
That
'sat
oughone,
sir
.He'
sal
wayspr
otect
ed.
”
“
Okaynopr
obl
em.Youmayl
eave.
”
Assoonashecl
osest
hedoorIdi
alsomeoneon
myphone.
“
Boss.
”heanswer
s.
“
Getri
dofhi m.Leavenotraceandmakesurethe
l
awyertakesthefal
l.Af
terthat
,bugmyfat
her'
s
houseandcar.Notbedr
ooms,
onl
yhi
sst
udyand
theroof
top.
”
“
Whatchanged?
”
“
Justdoi
t!Damni
t!
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT16.

MEL'
SPOV.

I'
m contemplat
ingonwhet hertogoi nther
eorjust
l
eaveandf ocusont hingsthatmatter
?Idon'twant
tojumpi nt
oconclusionsbutfrom t
hesecosy
pict
ures,somethi
ngi scookingbetweenmyf ather
andmywi fe.Whydidtheychoosetomeetatt he
hotel
?Bookt heenti
ref
loorj
usttotalk?Aboutwhat ?
Ihavetof
indoutwhat '
sgoingonwi ththesetwo.
Andyes,mydadaccompani edhertothehospi t
al.
Canyoubel i
evethatcr
ap?Myownf atherdrovemy
wif
etothehospi t
alwhil
eIwasn'teventoldabout
herneedtovisitt
hedoctor
.Howdoest hatsoundt o
you?
“Baby?”Ianswert
hecallandmaki
ngsur
ethatI
don'tsoundasangryasIam.
“Uhm..
.Sir
,it
'sPauli
ne.
”Fuck!Ihi
tmyst eer
ing
wheelasmybl oodboil
s.Whyissheusi ngSt ar
's
phone?“Whyar eyoucall
ingmewiththatphone?
Whathappenedt otheworkphones?”Ihiss.
“I'
m sorr
y.Wecoul dn'
tgetholdofyouusingt he
otherphonesandwhenSt ardi
aledyourother
number .
..
”Shit
!Iswi t
chedoffmyot herphoneand
thi
sismyper sonalphone.Onlyfami l
yandfriends
cancallthi
snumber ,whywoul dStardothat?Now
wear ebustedbeforewecanevengof urt
herwi t
h
thi
sr el
ati
onshi
p.Whatamess!
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“Youhaveameet
ingi
n20mi
nut
es,
sir
.Theyar
e
hereal
ready.
”
“Gi
veSt
arthephone.”Ior
derandhearmuf
fl
ed
voi
cesi
nthebackground.
“
H..
hel
lo.
”
“Si
nceyoudecidedtopublici
zeourrelati
onshi
p,
l
ist
enhereMr s.Mel,
yourhusbandhassomet hi
ng
i
mpor t
anttodo.Yougoint hatboar
droom, Idon'
t
carehowyoudoi tbutIwantthatdealinthebag.
Losethedealandyouwi l
lknowwhatI 'm made
of.
..
”
“
Sir
..
.”
“Babetoyou.Iwi l
lseeyouaftert
hemeeti
ngand
goodluck.”Icutthecallandswit
chmyphoneof f
.
Nowt hatStarhasaddedt omypr obl
ems,
Ihavea
tasktofi
nish.Ihavetof i
ndoutwhatmyfatheri
s
doingwithmywi fe.Iputonmysunshadesandst ep
downt hecar.
Insi
dethehospit
al,
Igreettherecept
ioni
stwho
blushesl
ikealunat
iceveryti
meIut t
eraword.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
sir
,Ican'
tletyoui
n..
.”
“She'smywi f
e..
..
”Iwanttosnapbutdecides
againsti
t.“
Forgetit
,Iwi
llf
indmywayt otheroom
theyarein.
”Shewant st
opr ot
estbutIdon'
thave
ti
met okeepgoingbackandf ort
hwithher.
Theappoi nt
mentwasmadewi thagynaecologist
andher e'
sthedoorwit
hagynaecologi
stlabel.My
heartpoundsinmychestwhenIknockandhearno
response.Isl
owlytur
nthehandleandthedoor
opens.Mywi fei
ssleepi
ngont hebedwit
hher
blouseroll
eduptoherbreast
s,herbel
lyi
s
uncoveredandthedoctorisr
unningsomethingon
herabdomen.
“There!
”saysthedoctorexci
tedly.Mywi fegri
ns
andmyf at
herpunchestheairasi fhejustwona
l
otto.Mymi ndknowswhat '
sgoingonher ebutmy
heartisindeni
al.Mywi f
eispregnantandIdon' t
evenknowabouti t.Shechosetot ellmydadbut
notme. .Wait
?Isthechil
devenmi ne?
“OhGod!Ican'tbeli
evesomeonei sgr owingi nside
me. ”saysKhanyi
.Theyar eal ltoof ocusedont he
screenandtheycan' tseeme.“ I
'm goingt obea
mot her.
”shesaystear f
ully.Somet hingtugsatt he
stri
ngsofmyhear t,Ifeelonceagai nmyhear t
breakingandmysoulsi nkingi nmyownpai n.The
womanIvowedt ogi veever ythingi sgivi
ng
everythi
ngthatshouldbemi net omyf at
her.Itryto
swal l
owapainfull
umpi nmyt hroatbutf ail
miserablyasatearescapesmyeye.
“Howf aralongi sshe? ”mydadasks.Iwantt ogoi n
andpunchhi m butt hatwon'tchanget hef actthat
onceagai n,het ookeverythingIbuil
dawayf rom me
andt here'snot hingIcandoexceptwat chhi m walk
awaywi thpr i
dewhi l
eInur semyhear tandbui l
d
again.Iletgooft hedoorhandleandwal kaway.
Tearsbl urmysi ghtasIqui ckl
yrusht ot heexi t
,my
kneesweakenbutIsol dieron.I
'm notgoi ngt ohave
anotherhear tattackbecauseofmyf ather .He's
takenever ythingf rom meandt hat'
sthel astthing
hewi llevertakeawayf r
om me.
Ifinall
yreachmycarandgeti n.I'
m strugglingto
breathe,mychesti sclosinginandmysi ghtis
blurri
ngevenmor e.Istrugglet oswi t
chonmy
phone, Ipress1whi chdi al
sMonwabi sibuthe
doesn'tpickthecall.Ipressal ltheemer gencydial
upsi nmyphoneandt heyar eal lnotpickingup
theirphones.NowI '
m sweat i
ngandbur ningasif
I'
mi naf urnace.Star.Idialhernumberbutshet oo
doesn'tpickup.Ireachf orabot tl
eofwat erand
struggletodrinkupbutIf i
nallymanage.Il eanback,
closemyeyesandmassagemychest .Iwon' tdi
e
sot heycanl i
veahappi lyeveraf t
er.Iwillli
veand
havemyownhappi l
yeveraf ter.Afteranhour ,If
eel
betterandt hesweat i
nghasst opped.Ist artmycar
anddr iveoff.
.
*
***
***
**

LI
LY'
SPOV.

I
'
m sohappyt
oday!Mydadi
sbackandI
'
m goi
ngt
o
meethimforlunch.I
'm happyandscaredatthe
sametime.Ihopehewon' tfl
ipaft
erhear
ingwhatI
wanttotal
ktohim about.It
akeadeepbr eat
h
bef
oresteppi
ngoutoftheel evat
or.Ther
ecepti
oni
st
smil
esatmeandIsmi l
eback.
“
Hey.Howi
syourdaygoi
ng?
”Iaskher
.
“
Notbad.Thanksf
oraski
ng.Youar
eher
eforyour
f
ather
?”
“
Yes.I
shebusy?
”
“Hi
smeet ingisabouttoend.Youcanwai
tforhim
i
nhi soff
ice.
”Ithanktheladyandgotomyfather
's
off
ice.

Therear eflowersonhi sdesk,Iwonderwhobought

them forhim becausemymot herisnotaromanti
c
type.Infactshe'stoobusyt hatone.Maybei t
'st
he
offi
cest uffwhodeci dedtogivelif
etohisdesk.I
pickupt hepictureframeonhi sdeskandsmi leat
thepicture.It
'sanol dpictur
eofus, t
heMpof u
family.Evenasat oddler,
Ihadabeaut i
fulsmil
e.
“Mylit
tl
egirl
.”dadsaysashecomesi nandIf
lyi
nto
hisarms.Hespinsmear oundlikeal
waysandI
can'
thelptheemot i
onsbui l
dinginsi
demeand
makingmewantt oexplode.Iburymyheadonhis
neckandsniff.“
What '
swr ongmybaby?Di d
someonehur tyou?”Ishakemyhead.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”that
'sal
lthi
sisabout
,not
hingel
se.
“
That'
sall
?”Inod.“Okay.Si
tdownandorderlunch
f
orus.I'
m notint
hemoodt ogoouttoday.Ihope
t
hat
'sfi
newi t
hyou?”
“
It
'sokaydad.Canwet
alkbef
oreweeat
?”
“I
fit'
sthatimport
anttoyout
henyes.
”heremoves
hi
sj acketandneatl
yhangsi
tar
oundhischai
r
beforesit
ti
ngnexttomeonthecouch.“
Talkt
ome. ”
“
Ineedaj
ob.
..
”
“Why?I
syourmont
hlyal
lowancenotenough
anymor
e?Icani
ncr
easetheamount..
.”
“Nodad.I
t'
snotaboutt
hat
.Iwanttowor
k,Iwantt
o
ear
nmymoneynott obefedal
ltheti
me.
”
“
Okay.Iwi
llgi
veyouaj
ob.
..
"
“No.Idon'
twanttoworkforyou.Ij
ustwant
edt
olet
youknowthatI'
mj obhunti
ng.
”
“Youcan'
tdothat!Ihaveacompany,yourmot
her
hasonetooandyoucan' tgoar
oundbeggingf
or
j
obslikeapoorperson!Whathascomeoveryou?
”
“
Iwanttofeelli
keeveryonear
oundme, dad.Idon'
t
wanttogoaroundlikeari
chki
dthatIam.Aki d
whogetseveryt
hingshewantswithoutl
if
ti
nga
f
inger
,Iwanttoearnmymoney. ”
“
Goodl
uckf
indi
ngaj
obt
hen!
”
“
Whatdoest
hatmean?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
obl
ockmy
way?
”
“No.ButIknowwithoutadoubtt hatnoonewi l
lhir
e
mydaught er
.Whereisthissuddeni nt
erestt
owor k
comingfrom?Don'ttel
lmeyouf el
lforapoorguy
andnowyouwantt ohel phim buil
danempi re?Tel
l
met hat
'snottr
ue?
”
“I
t'
snottrue.
”Il
ie.Myhear
tachesasIl
ieaboutmy
boyfr
iend.
“
Good.Nodaught
erofmi
nei
smar
ryi
ngal
oser
.”he
sayswi
thaf
ir
mtoneIal
mostf
li
nch.
“
Okaydad.Let
'sor
derf
oodt
hen.
”
*
***
***
***
**

STAR'
SPOV.

Themeet i
ngiswi t
hsomespor tsacademy
executi
ves.Despit
emyf earandunpreparedness,
themeetingisgoingwell
.Istudi
edbusiness
managementatschool .I
'm usi
ngtheknowl edgeI
gotfrom mycoursesandIhopeIwon' tmessi tup.I
alsoreadaboutthem andtherunni
ngshoest hey
want.
“Howdoyouknowt hattheshoewil
lprovi
de
comforttotherunnerswhenyoudon'tknowhowit
feel
sli
ket ost
epont heground?
”asksoneofthe
execut
ives.
“That
'suncal
ledf
or.
..
”Paul
inej
umpsi
nbutIst
op
her.
“
It
'sokay.Iknowt
hisbecauset
her
unni
ngshoes
weret estedusingpr ofessi onalrunner
s,peoplewho
canwal kandrun.Wehavet hem intwotypes.Road
shoesandTr ailshoes.Roadshoesar esuitabl
efor
athl
eteswhot rainonpavement s.Roadshoeshave
mor ecushi oni
ngt opr ovideshockabsor ptionand
minimi zetheri
skofi nj ury.Trail
sshoesar esuit
able
forsoftandmuddyt rails.Thesehavedeept r
eads
toofferbettergripandankl esupportwhichisvit
al
forrunninganunevent errain.”Isayandtheyall
l
ookatme, awestruck.
“
Doyoual
somanuf
act
urei
dealsocksf
orat
hlet
es?
”
“Yes,ma'am.Wehavesocksf oral
lsporti
ng
occasionstosuitanyathl
ete'
stast
e.”theyal
lnod
andIwai tf
ortheirr
esponse.
“Wewilldi
scussamongoursel
vesandgetbackt
o
you.Thankyou.
”theyst
andupandshakemyhand.
“Weshal lt
akeourleave.”t
heonlywomani nthei
r
team saysandIwat chthem exi
t.Ir
eleaseadeep
sighastheyallexi
ttheboardroom.

“
Younai
ledt
hatone,
fri
end.Wel
ldone!
”Paul
ine
saysandhugsmet
ight
.
“I
'm scar
ed.Whati fwedon'
tgetthedealandMr.
Hlongwanef i
resus?”I'
mreal
lyscared.Hesounded
l
ikehisarrogantself
.
“Mxm!Fi
rewho?Whof
ir
eshi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
”Ichoke
onmyownbreath.
“
W..
what
?”
“Youheardme.St
opt
ryi
ngt
oplayi
nnocent.So?
Howandwhen?Imeanhedoesn'
tusual
lyenter
tai
n
women? ”
“
Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.”
“Thenexplainwhyyouhavehi spersonalnumber
andwhyhecal l
edyoubabe?I '
m yourfr
iendStar
andIwon' tsnit
ch.Ijustwantyout obehappyand
shareyourhappi nesswi t
hme.Youknow, t
hese
otherpeopleinher edon'tli
kemebutyoudoandi n
youIfeellikeIhaveasi ster.Pl
ease.”
“
Paul
ine.
..
”
“
Stophar
assi
ngmybaby,Paul
ine.Whatdoyou
wantt
oknowyounosyki
d?”myheartalmostf
all
s
offi
t'sr
ibcage.He'
sher eandlooki
ngdappert
han
everinhiscasualwear.He'sweari
ngfadedj
eans,
a
whiteT-shi
rtandwhitesneakerswit
hhisname‘Mel’
writ
teningreenandredont heside.
“
Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing,
sir
,I'
m sor
rypl
easedon'
tfi
re
me.
”
“Youaresuchadr amaQueen! ”MellaughsandI
breat
h.Iwilldefi
nitel
ydiewiththi
smani nmyl i
fe.
ImaginethetimesIhavet oholdmybr eathwhil
e
waiti
ngtoseewhi chsi deofhimisawake.“Youare
safefornowbuti fyout el
lanyoneel
se,Iwil
lgetri
d
ofyoufasterthanyoucansaysor r
y.”
“
Mymout
hisseal
ed,
sir
.”
“Good.Iwatchedtheentir
emeeting,
I'
mi mpressed.
Welldone,gir
ls.CanItakeyouout?OrIcanletyou
guysgoal oneandfini
shmywor khereintheoffi
ce.
Pauli
ne,youcandr i
ve,ri
ght?
”
“Youaregoi
ngtol
etmedr
iveyourcar
?”Paul
inei
s
shockedandsoam I
.
“Onl
ybecauseyouwil
lbet
aki
ngmyQueenwi
th.I
f
youwrecki
t,makesur
eyoudi
sappear
..
.”
“Forgetwreckingit.Doyouknowhowt ocreatean
Inst
agram prof i
le?
”Paulineasksandwebot hfrown.
“Forgeti
t!IwillGoogle.I
'mintheofficewheni t'
s
ti
met oleave.”sher unsoffal
mostt r
ippingandwe
bothlaugh.Melst epscloserandkissesmyl ips
beforesit
ti
ngnextt ome.
“Heybabe.
”Hesaysandt
hesai
dbut
ter
fl
iesar
e
back.
“
Hey.
”mycheeksar
ehotal
ready.
“
Whyar
ewepubl
ici
zingourrel
ati
onshi
p?Idi
dn'
tget
t
hememo.
”hi
sgazeisfi
xatedonme.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
..
”
“That '
snotananswersweet hear
t.Youdoknowt hat
i
ft hisget soutyouwi l
lbesued,ri
ght?”Iswallow
har d.“Idon'tl
ikecleani
ngamessbecausemyways
ofcl eaningaremessedup.Don' tdothatagai n.I
knowi twillbehardnottosharetheexperience
sinceyouwomenl iketotal
kabouteverythingbut
wai tabi t
.Wi l
lyou?”Inod.“
Ihatesignlanguage.
Talkt omet heri
ghtway.”
“
Yes.Iwi
llwai
t.
”
“Goodgi r
l.I'
m notokayatt hemoment , Ineedspace
foraf ewhour s,Ihopeyoudon' tmind?Iwi l
lbeher e
i
nt heoffi
cei fyouar ewonderingwhereIwi llbeand
therewon'tbeanygi r
lsorshaddybusi ness.Ijust
...
Ineedt oprocessaf ewt hi
ngs.Let'sgetoutofher e,
thi
sr oom isisundersurveill
ance.”hesaysand
l
eadsmet ohi soffi
cebedroom.

“
Ibr
oughtt
his.
”het
hrowsabr
ownenvel
opet
ome.
“
What
'st
his?
”
“
Openit
.”Iqui
ckl
yteari
tapar
tandf
eelt
hecont
ent
s
i
nsi
de.
“Mypasspor
t?H.
.how?Idi
dn'
tgot
othepasspor
t
off
ice?
”
“Technol
ogybabe.Iusedyourpi
ctur
esfr
om your
phone.Yoursel
fi
eslookli
kepasspor
tphotos
anyway.”
“
Uhm.
..
thankyou.
”
“That
'snotal
l.
”It
akeouttheothert
wopaper
s.My
eyeswideninsur
pri
se.“
Wi l
lyoucomewit
hme?”
“Mel,
atr
ipt
oMaur i
ti
us?Oneweek
accommodat
ion.
..
”
“Yesbaby.Iwantustoconnectandknoweach
other
.Pleasedon'
tsayno.
”
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT17.

MEL'
SPOV.

Mygi rll
eftwit
hPaul i
neanhourorsoback.Seei ng
her ,
hersmi le,herscent,
t heywayshel ooksatme
withhereyesspar kli
nghopebehi ndthose
spect aclesmakesmef allforherharderthanI
i
nt endedt o.I'
m determi
nedt okeepherhappyand
giveherever ythingIcanaf fordforaslongasshe
wantsmeheri nl
ifebuttodothat,
Ihavet
ofi
xmy
messfir
st.Ican'
tkeeponbot t
li
ngthi
ngsi
nsi
demy
chest
,Iwil
lenduphur t
ingStar.

TosayI 'm brokenr ightnowwi l

lbean
under statement .Haveyouf eltyourhear tbreakt oa
pointwher eyout ast ethecopper -l
iketasteofbl ood
i
nyourmout hwhi l
ei tssmel lhi
tsyournost ril
syet
whenyoul ookont hemi rroryouseenot hi
ngbuta
ghostofyour selflooki ngbackatyou?That 'showI
feelrightnowbutatt hesamet imeI '
m hopef ul.I'
m
notmuchofabel ieverbutwhati fthisisGod'sway
toliberatemef rom myf ather?Mywi fehasal ways
beencl oset omyf at herandshedoesn' tseehi mf or
whohei s.Thet hi
ngi s,mydadandKhanyi '
sf ather
arebuddi es,mor elikebr ot
hersincr imeandi n
everything.Thi smakesi thardf ormet oknowi fmy
fatherisbei ngaf athert omywi feorsomet hingel se
i
sgoi ngon.Thet ruthmi ghtbescar ybutIhavet o
fi
ndout .
“
Sigol
a.”Ianswert
hephone.
“If
oundsomet
hing,
boss.CanIpassbyyour
off
ice?
”
“Sure.Beher
einfi
ve,
I'm meet
ingmylawyeri
nten
minutesandIwouldl
ikeustotal
kbef
oreshe
arr
ives.”
“
Sur
e,bozzayami
.”
Idialthehospi talwhil
ewai t
ingformytwot rusted
ment oar ri
ve.Ineedaf avorfr
om thehospit
alandI
praytheyhel pmeout .Idon'twanttoaskmy
brothertodoi t.At houghtcrossesmymi ndandI
decideagai nstmaki ngthecalltothehospi
tal.I
'm
sti
llmarri
edandexposi ngStarmightputherlif
e
andr eputati
oni ndanger .
“
Comei n.”Si
golawalksi
ncl
adi
nhi
sAr
manit
uxedo,
t
hiski
dlikesdressi
ngup.
“
Boss.
”
“Si
gola.”wefi
stbumpbeforehelocksthedoorand
pourswhiskeyforthet
woofusbutIr ef
usethe
dri
nk.“IhavetokeepasobermindelseIwil
llose
i
t.”
“Under st
ood.Letmeapol ogi
zebeforegivingyou
thi
si nfor
mat i
on.Thishasnot hingtodowi thmy
feeli
ngst owardsyourwi f
e.”hewaits.Sigolanever
l
ikedKhanyi ,neverevenpr et
endedtolikeher ,
he
sayshereyesar ethatofacr ookanddanger ous
womanwhocansel lanyoneoutjusttosaveher
skin.“Ibuggedherphone, i
t'
sbeent woyear s.
..
”
“What?You'vebeenli
steni
ngt
omywife'
s
conversat
ionsal
lthi
slong?Whatt
hehel
l,
Sigol
a?”
“TurnsoutIwasr i
ght.Thatwomanofyoursisa
trai
tor
.Herearetherecordi
ngs.Don'
tki
llher
,not
yet.
”hislastst
atementmakesmeswal l
owhar d.
“
DoIhavet
oki
llsomeone?
”
“Notyet.Wejustplant
edbeaut i
fulrosesontopof
youruncle'
spiecessoI'dadviseyout ocooldown
fi
rst.Youarehurti
ngbro,andpassionki l
li
ngsnever
endwel l
.Getoverthepainfi
rst.Thenact
afterwar
ds.
”
“Thanks,bro.
”Isayandaknockdistur
bsus.Si
gol
a
openst hedoorformylawyer,
Bri
dgetMoni
ca.The
ti
niestyetver
ypowerfulbei
ngIknow.She'
s
wear
ingherbl
ackandwhi
tef
ormalwearl
ikeal
ways.

“
Crush-
bae.
”shesayst
omeandhugsmet
ight
.
“
Sweethear
t.
”Ir
espondandf
ightt
hel
umpi
nmy
t
hroat
.
“Bi
gboysdon'tcry.Youwi
llbefi
ne,j
ustdr
inkl
ots
ofwaterandgetenoughsl
eep.”she
sympatheti
cal
lyr
ubsmyshoul der
.
“
Hel
lo!I
'
m her
e,t
oo.
”Si
gol
asays.
“Whocar
es?Istil
lwonderwher
ecr
ushgotyou.You
aret
oocuteyetyouraur
a..
.”
“
Isver
ychar
ming.Iknowbabe.
”
“Okayyoutwo.Ihaveagi
rl
fr
iendt
oputtobed
befor
e9pm.Whatar emyopti
ons?Ist
helawonmy
sideornot
?”
“
Dowehaveevi
dence?
”
“YesbutIdon'twantt
ouseit
.Isti
llcar
eabout
Khanyi
,Idon'twantherr
eput
ati
ont obetai
nted.
”
“
Okay.Soyouwi
llt
aket
hebl
amef
ort
hemar
ri
age
f
all
ingapar
t?”Moni
caquest
ions.
“
Ijustwantadi
vorce.Howandwhatyouhavet
odo
t
ogetmeonei snoneofmybusiness.
”
“Weneedsomet hi
ngtoworkwit
hMel .Youdon't
j
ustgot othejudgeandtel
lhi
m youwantadi vor
ce
fornoreason.Thereshoul
dbear easonfort
hat.
ThisisZimbabwe, weval
uemarri
ageandsodoes
thelaw.Whatam Igoingtopr
esenttothejudge?”
“Justgivemet hedi
vorcepaper
sandIwi
llgett
hem
signed.Letherkeepthehouse.
..
”
“That'snotpossi ble.Thehousei slist
edasyour
company' sasset .It
hinkyoushoul dtakeyourt ime
andcooldownf i
rstthenwewi l
ltalk.Youar e
movi ngtoof astMel andyouwi llfallhar
d.I'm going
totellyouthisbecauseI 'm notscar edofyoul i
ke
therestoft hem.Youf oundSt ar,awomanyouhad
beenf antasizingaboutf orovert woyear s,your
i
dealwomanyoual r
eadymar r
iedt oinyourmi nd
becauseshe' sthatgoodt oyouandwel ostEmmya
fewhour slat er.Youdi dn'
thaveachancet ogr ieve
her,youbur iedyourhear t
achel i
keal ways.Your
fatherdr oppedabombshel landt odayyouj ustsaw
him cel ebr ati
ngachi ldt hat'
sgr owi ngi nyourwi fe'
s
bellywhi leyouknownot hi
ngabouti t.That '
sal otof
fuckeryf oranyonet okeept ol
erating.Youmaynot
reali
zet hisyetbutyouar eusingSt arf orthewr ong
reasons.Youl oveher ,Idon'tdisput et hatbutr ight
nowyoucan' tof feryour selfful
lyt oherbecause
youar eempt y.Youar ejustamovi ngandempt y
vesselr ightnow.Al lyoucandoatt hi spointi st ake
from her .Herst rengt h,love,courageandever ythi ng
butt hequest i
oni s,forhowl ongcansheshoul der
thisrelat ionshipal one?Womenar est rongbutt hey
breakt oo.Sl owdowncr ush.It'
sokayt ofallapar t,i
t
doesn'tmakeyoul essofaman.Emot i
onsmake
youahumanbei ngandonceyouki llthem you
ceaset ot hinkoractl ikeahumanbei ngthatyou
are.Ilikeyoual ott hat '
swhyI '
mt ellingyout his.”
“Whatshoul
dIdo?Il
oveStarandyouarer
ight
,I
hadtosendherawaybecauseIdi
dn'
tknowhowto
dealwi
thmypain.
”
“Takeabreakfr
om ever
ythi
ng.Goonaholidayor
somethi
ng,regr
oupandcomebackstronger.Aman
doesn'
tst
ri
kewhenhe'
sathi
sweakestpoi
nt.
”
“I
fyouwerenotmarr
iedal
ready,
I'
dmarryyour
smartass.
”It
easeherandshepunchesmeont he
chest
.
“
I'
m ki
dding!So,Ihaveat
ri
ppl
annedbutIwantt
o
t
akeStarwith.
..
”
“Suici
dalplan.Youhavet
otakeanothert
hird
personwith,makeitl
ookli
keabusinesstr
ip.”
“Pauli
neandSi gola?”Iaskher.Si golaexcused
himself.Him andMoni caarebirdsoft hesame
feat
her sbuttheydon'tli
keeachot her.Both
professional
lytr
ainedassassins, whileMonica
chosel awasacoveruppr ofession, Sigol
achoset
o
workasat opsecurit
yguard.
“Yep.Iguesst
heycanfi
ndthemselvessomet
hing
todowhi l
eyouri
pthepoorgi
rlapart
.Pl
easebe
gentl
e,she'
sfr
agi
le.
..
”
“Ar
ewet al
kingsexr i
ghtnow?”Ishakemyhead.
“Si
nceyoubr oughti
tup,Ineedafavor.
”sherai
ses
hereyebr
ow.“ Iwanthertoseeaphysiol
ogi
st
befor
ewel eave.IwanttoknowwhatIcanandcan
notdotoher .Ihaven'
thadachancet oseeher
heal
threcords.Canyoudr i
vehertothehospit
al?
Youdon'thavet ositi
n,Iwi
llbewait
ingforhert
here.
Ican'
tri
skbei ngseeninpublicwi
thher.”
“
Whenar
eyoul
eavi
ng?
”
“
Int
wodayst
ime.
”
“Okay.I
'
m goi
ngt
ocour
ttomor
row,
let
'sdoi
taf
ter
12noon.”
*
***
***
***

STAR'
SPOV.

Paul i
nehassnappedat housandphot osusingmy
phone.Whenshepar kedthecarinfrontofthe
SelbourneCaf e, peopl el
ookedatusasi fwest ol
e
somet hing.Idon' tblamet hem t
hough, imaginetwo
simplegi r
lsdrivinginaBMW i 8.Itdoesr ai
se
eyebrows.Wear enowseat edatourt abl
eint he
cafe.It'
smyf i
rstt i
meevert obeinsuchabeaut i
ful
restaurantletalonet ohavet hei
rfood.Asad
memor yofhowmydadal waysmadesuret
hatI'
m
l
eftbehindwhentheywenttoni
cepl
acescr
osses
mymi ndandIbli
nkmyt ear
saway.
“
Whatar
eyouor
der
ing?
”Paul
ineasks.
“
Ithi
nkIwil
ltaket
hecashewnut
sri
ceandchi
cken
whatwhat
.”
“
Iwantthisgarl
icf
ri
edandchill
iri
ce.
”shesaysand
weplaceourorder
s.“So.Whenareyougoi
ngtosee
abeauti
cian?
”sheasks.
“
Forwhatnow?
”
“Don'
ttel
lmet hatyouthinkyouwi l
ltakeyour
scruf
fyhairont othepl
ane? ”Ishrug.“Eyiawuvuke
gir
l!
”sheclapsherhandst oemphasi zeherpoi nt.
“Youaredat i
ngMel ,amanofever ywoman' sdr eam
andyoustilldon'tseet
heneedt omakeyour sel f
l
ookgoodf orhi m?Youhavet owaxyourbi kiniline,
shaveyourunderar ms, haveyourf acebeaut if
ied
andbuysexyl ingeri
e.Hegaveyouhi scard,usei t
.”
“Buthedidn'
tsayIshoul
ddothatwi
thi
t.
”Melwi
ll
kil
lmeifImisusehismoney.
“St
ar!Amanwi llnevertel
lyout
hingsthatyou
shouldknownat ur
all
y.Arealmanprovidesmoney
andyouuseittosat i
sfyhim.Wearegoingtothe
sal
oonaf t
ert
his.”
“
But
..
.”
“Butnothing!”shedismissesmeandIf eelli
keshe's
Asenathialready.Myphoner i
ngs,myhear tpounds
seeingtheunsavednumber .I
'
m scaredofcalls
from peopleIdon'tknow.“Won'tyouanswert hat
?”
“Idon'tknowwho'scal
li
ng.
..”befor
eIcanfini
shmy
sentence,Paul
inepr
essest
hegr eenbut
ton.“Hel
lo.
”
“Goodaft
ernoon,Star
.It
'sMoni caBri
dget
,Mel's
fr
iendandheaskedmet otaket ot
hephysiol
ogist
andforshoppi
ngt omorr
owaf ter12noon.Canyou
maketimeforthat?”
“
Iwil
lbewor
king.
”howdar
eMelorganizesuch
meet
ingswi
thstr
anger
swi
thouti
nfor
mi ngmefir
st?
“He'
stheboss.Beattheparki
ngl
otatexactl
y12
O'Cl
ock.Seeyouthen.
”andshecutst
hecal l
.Who
dotheythi
nktheyaretoor
dermearoundlikeaki
d?
“Don't.Losethatt
houghtandlethi
mt akecar eof
yout hewayheseesf it
.Don'tbeanaggi ng
gir
lf
riend.Givehimthepowerheneedsasaman,
don'tshoutathim unl
essit'
snecessary.I'
m surehe
wil
lbet here,t
hisi
sjusthi
swayofhi dingthisfrom
thepubl i
c.He'sst
il
lmarri
ed.Cuthim somesl ack.
”
“
Fine.
”thisr
elat
ionshi
pthi
ngi
scompli
cat
edt
hanI
t
hought.Isi
ghasmyphonevibrat
es.
Mel:Heybabe.I'
m goi nghomef orsomet hi
ng
i
mpor t
ant.Iwil
lsendsomeonet ogetthecarf r
om
yourhouse.That'
shi m onthepictureandhe' sthe
onlymani nmylifeyoucant r
ust.Ican'twaittotel
l
youallaboutmewhenwef inall
ygetawayf r
om all
thenoiseandstress.Enjoyyourf ood.Iloveyou

Me:HowdoyouknowI
'
m eat
ing?
Him:Mycarhasat rackerbabyandthere'
sthi
sapp
thatnot
if
iesmeofi tslocati
on.Youhavetoletyour
guarddown,willyou?I '
m nott
hatbad.Iwil
lprove
toyouthatI'
m notasbadasyousomet imesthink.
I'
m nothavi
ngyouf ollowed.
Me:Okay.Bewel
landbehave.
Hi
m:Okayma'
am.

“See?He'
snotasbadasyout
hinkhei
s.Mr
.
Hlongwanei
sagoodman.”
“Okay.Iwi
llst
opsecondguessi
nghim.”i
t'
seasyf
or
hertosaybecauseshedoesn'
tknowthethi
ngsI
knowaboutMel .
*
***
***
**

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

“Essi
e,youcantkeepthisbaby.Youdon'
teven
knowwhot hefatherofyourbabyis.
..
”
“St
opsayingthatmom!Iknowwhothefat
herofmy
chi
ldis!I
'
veneversl
eptwit
hanyoneel
seaft
er
marri
ageexceptMel!
”Iyel
lather
.
“
Whythendi
dIfi
ndyourfat
heri
n-l
awhereandyou
t
wol
ookedtoocl
oseyetcomfor
tabl
e.”
“Idon'tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingmom.Hewas
passingbyanddecidedt
ocomei nandgr
eetus.
”
“Us?Meaningyouandthebaby?Soheknowsyet
yourf
ooli
shhusbandsti
lldoesn'
tknow?Whatar
e
youpl
ayingat,Essi
e?Whyhisfather
..
.”
“
ForChri
st'
ssake,j
uststopit!I
'
m notsl
eepi
ngwit
h
myfat
herin-
lawandI'm notabort
ingmychi
ldt
o
makeyouhappy.I
'm keepingmybaby..
.”
“Whosechil
dareweabor t
ing?”Ifr
eeze.The
atmospher
ebecomesi cycoldli
keMel'seyesri
ght
now.“It
houghtIhear
dsomet hingaboutabort
ion?
What'
sgoingon?”
“
Nothingsoni
n-l
aw.Weweretal
kingaboutour
r
elat
ive.
”mymothersavest
heday.
“
Okay.Iwi
llbeupst
air
s.”hepacesupt
hest
air
s.
“Goafterhim!Hehear
dusandyouhavet
omake
him bel
ievewhatIsai
d.I
'
mleavi
ngt
ogiveyouguys
space.”

“
Babe?
”Isof
tl
ysaywhi
ler
ubbi
nghi
sback.He'
s
st
andi
ngbyt
hewi
ndowandl
ooki
ngout
side.
“
Whosechi
ldar
eyouexpect
ing?
”Iswal
low.
“
It
'sour
s,babe.
”
“Whyt
henareyougi
vingmyf
atherwhatyoushoul
d
begi
vingt
ome? ”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“Het ookyoutothehospi
tal.Hest
ayedtoseeyour
childandbroughtyoubackhome.”hesays.He'
s
sti
lllooki
ngoutsi
dewithhisarmscrossedonhi
s
chest .
“
Iwasaloneatthehospit
al.
..”wi
tht
hespeedofa
l
ight
ing,
hetur
nsandsl apmehard,myjawfr
eezes.
“Whatwasmyf atherdoingatthehospital?
”henow
hashishandaroundmyneck, hiseyesbloodyred,
hisvei
nspoppi
ngandhi sbr
eat hsohotit'
sturni
ng
meondespitethepain.“Iwi
llaskonemor eti
me,
whatwasmyf atherdoingatthehospital?”
“
I.
.I
..Mel ..
.”Igaggle.Hel
etgoofmyneckandsend
mef l
yingacr osstheroom wit
hanothersl
ap.“
Mel
I
'm sorry.Iwasgoi ngtot
ellyou.
.”
“Tellmet hatyouar esleepi ngwi thmyf ather?What
kindi fasl utar eyou?Coul dn'tyouf i
ndanot her
random per son?Myownf at her ?Mydad, Khanyi!
Themanyoushoul dber espect ingbutyouhavet he
gut stost ri
pnakedf orhi m!Yeses! ”t hedisgustin
hisf acehur tsmor ethant hesl apshegaveme.
“Youknowwhat ,I
'
m notgoi ngt oj ailforyout woto
haveahappi lyeveraf ter.No.I '
m nott hatst upi
das
youal lt
hink.Fort his,youwi llpaydear lyandwhen
I'
m donewi t
hyou, youwi llbegmet okillyou.
GoodbyeKhanyi .
”Myt onguei sst ucki nmymout h.
Ican' tbri
ngmysel ftotalk.Iwat chhi mt urnt ol
eave
meont hef l
oor .Hest opsbyt hedoor ,l
ooksatme
andsays“ Ilovedyou.Iover l
ookedever ywr ong
thingyouudi dbecauseIl ovedyout oomuchI
coul dn'ti
magi nemyl i
fewi thoutyoubutt hankyou
forteachi ngmet osur vivewi thoutyou.Iwi shyou
allthebestwi thmyf atherandj ustsoyouknow, he
sleepswi thyoungwomenf oral iving.Ihopeyou
willbewi seenought owal kwhi l
eyoust il
lcan
becausehe' scapabl eofsendi ngyoubackt oyour
peopl einabodybag. ”
*
*
*
*
ANUNFORGETTABLETRI
PTOMAURI
TIUS!
!!
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT18.

[
SPONSOREDI
NSERT.
]

ANUNFORGETTABLETRI
PTOMAURI
TIUS!
!!

STAR'
SPOV.

“Hey.
”Melsaysandki
ssesmyf orehead.Ir
ubmy
eyesandt
akeinmyenvironment.Mymi ndandmy
bodydon'
tworkhandinhandmostoft
heti
messo
i
ttakest
imetoadjustt
oanewchange.“Wehaven'
t
l
andedbutweareaboutto.
”hei
nfor
msme.
“Thankyou. ”hesmi l
esandIsmileback.Ican't
beli
evet hatthi
smanIal wayscutoutinthe
magazi nes,li
stenedtohi
sint
ervi
ewsandwat ched
him everytimehewasonTVi sherewithme, a
thousandmi lesof ft
hegr
ound,hishandinmi ne,hi
s
raresmi l
eonandt heent
ir
ecabinsmelli
ngofhi m.
“Doyouwantt
ositup?”Inodandhehel
psme
adj
ustmychai
randsitup.“Ar
eyoufeel
ingal
ri
ght
?”
“Idon'tknow. ”t
hat'
sthehonestt
rut
h.Ihavenever
beeni napl aneandmybodyi sn'
tusedtoit
.The
doctorsaidIwi l
lfeeldi
sori
ent
edforafewhoursbut
Iwillbefine.Maybet hi
siswhati
tfeel
sli
ketobe
disori
ented.
“Youwillbefi
ne.Fir
stti
mei salwayshar dbutas
ti
megoeson, youwil
lcravetravel
li
ngthesameway
nyaopeboyscr aveafi
x.”heleansoverandki sses
mylips.Mystomachdoest hoseti
ghtening
exerci
sesthatI'
m st
il
lyettogetusedt o.Herests
hi
sfor
eheadonmi
ne.“
Iloveyou,
Star
.”Ibl
ush.
“Ladi
esandgent l
emen,preparef orl
andi
ngpl
ease.
”
announcesthepil
ot.Idi
dn'tfeelmuchwhenthe
planetookoff
,IguessIwillbefineevennow.
“
What
'st
henameoft
heai
rpor
twear
elandi
ngon?”
“SirSeewoosagurRamgool am Internat
ionalAi
rport
.
SSRI nternat
ionalAirpor
tinshort.Babe, whenyou
travel
,yougoogl eplacesbeforeleaving.For
someonewhowat chestoomanyf i
lms,youaretoo
trusti
ng.Iexpectedyout oknowwher ewear egoing
sinceIgaveyout hoseti
cketsandbooki ngstwo
daysago.Iwantyout obestreet-
wiseifyouare
goingt osti
ckwithme.Okay? ”
“
Butyouwoul
dn'
tst
ealme,
woul
dyou?
”
“
OhI'
ddomor
ethant
hatsweet
hear
t.
”hewi
nksat
me.
“
Youwi
sh!
”Ichal
lengewi
thasmi
le.
“
Ohnobaby, Ihaveafewt hi
ngsI'm pl
anni
ngtodo
t
oyouandthenyouwi llneverchall
engemeagai n.
”
i
t'
stheconf
idenceinhisvoicethatmakeshim even
mor
eat
tr
act
ive.

Wewai tforeveryonetogetofftheplane.Thef l
ight
att
endantsbringmywheel chairbutMeltellsthem
i
t'
sf i
newedon' tneedit.I
'm confusedabouthis
st
atement .Hegentlyscoopsmeupandt hefl
ight
att
endantssmi l
eathim.Oneoft hem i
salready
undressi
nghi m wit
hhereyes, j
ealousyalmosthas
mel ashi
ngather .
“Wher
eareyoutaki
ngmet o?
”IaskbecauseIdon'
t
seehi
m goi
ngfortheexi
t.
“Toaheli
copter.Ourhoteli
sanhourawaysoI
didn'
twantyouspendinganot herhouronroad.”he
saysandkissesmyf orehead.“Youaredeli
cateand
youdeservetobetreat
edl i
keagol deneggthatyou
are.”
“Bi
envenueàMauri
ce,monsieur
,madame.”
(WelcometoMaur
it
ius,si
r,madam)saysatal
land
dar
kguywho'swearinganallbl
ackoutf
it
.
“Mer
ci,
Sam.Commentvas-
tu?”(Thankyou,
Sam.
Howareyou?
)Okay.I
'
mlost.RightnowIdon't
knowwhatt heyar
esayi
ngnordoIhavet he
sl
ight
estideaofwhatl
anguagetheyar
espeaki
ng.I
dontevenknowwhattheMaurit
iusoff
ici
al
l
anguagei s.
“Okay.That'
sfine,
let
'sgo.”Melfinal
lyspeaksin
Engli
shandcl i
mbt hesteps.Anotherguywear i
ng
thesameat ti
reastheonewemetdownt ri
est o
helphim putmedownbuthegi veshim adeadl y
star
e.Thepoorguyqui cklyst
epsbackandl ethim
be.
“Wefinal
lymeetagai
n!”Paul
inesaysandj
ustthenI
not
icetheguywhocameovert oourhousetopick
upthecar.
“
Hey.Imi
ssedyou.
”
“Ohr eall
y?”sher ai
seshereyebrow.MaybeIdidn't
mi ssher.Ilastsawherwhenweboar dedtheplane
att heO.R.TamboI nt
ernati
onalAir
port
.Theywer e
alsoont hebusi nesscl
assdeckbutIdidn'tsee
them.I nfact,Isawnobodyexceptthefli
ght
attendants.Therewasj ustmeandMeli nourcabin.
“
YesIdi
d.”Il
ie.Wecont
inuet
alki
ngaboutt
hef
li
ght
andhowmuchwer
ebot
hcan'
twai
ttospendt
imeat
thebi
tch.

BeforeIknowi t,wehavel andedandnowMell et

mesi tonmywheel chair.Wow!Thepl acei s
breathtaking!Theswayi ngpal mt r
ees,theblue
oceanwat ers'vibrancybounci ngont hebuildings,
thesmel loffreshair.Heavenl y!Wear ewelcomed
i
ntot her eceptionar eawhi chhasacl assiclook.
Cream- ishwal lswi t
hat ouchofbr ownbehi ndt he
receptioncount ersandt hef urnit
ureisbrown.We
aregr eetedinwhatsoundsl ikethelanguageI
heardMelspeaki ngnotsol ongago.Melut ters
somet hingt ot hereceptionist,shenodsand
beckonssomeonewhol eadsust oourroom.
Paulineandt heguyIst i
lldonotknowhi sname
remai nbehi ndt osor tt
hepaper work.
Oh.My.Wor
d!
“Mel
?”Idon'
tknowknowwhyIwantt
ocr
yri
ght
now.
“
Yesbaby.
”
“
Thi
sis.
..
”abr
eat
hcat
chesonmyt
hroatandIcr
y.
“I
t'
sokaymyl
ove,
stopcr
ying.Thi
sist
hel
if
eyou
deser
ve.
”
“I'
m..”Idon' thavewor dstodescribethisfeeling.It
's
l
ikeI '
mi namovi e.TheKi ngDel uxeroom is
mar vel
ous.Samepai ntandf urnit
urecolorsliket hat
ofther ecept ionarea, ahugepeacockpor traitis
hangingovert hekingbedt hatisdressedinal l
whi t
easi fi twaspr eparedforanewl ywedcoupl e.
Ahugef latscr eenTVsi tsonthechestofdr awer s,
therearet wosi nglecouches, asmal lroundt able
andwhatt akesmybr eathawayi sthepr i
vate
balconyf aci ngthegar densandt heocean.Thevi ew
i
sj ustpar adi se.
“Welcometothebestt r
ipyouwil
lneverf
orget.I
promisetotr
eatyouwel landgi
veyoueverythi
ng
youeverwishedfor.
”hesayswhi l
esquatt
ingin
frontofme.“
Now, l
et'sgetyoucl
eanedup,restand
thenthefunwil
lbegin.”
“
Okay.Ineedpr
ivacy.
..
”
“
Hel
lno!I
'
m notgi
vingyout
hatunl
essyougi
veme
asol
idr
easont
o.”
“
Please.
”Ibeg.
“Okay.Thissoundsseri
ous,i
sther
esomet hi
ngI
shouldknowsi nceyouref
usedtogothedoctor
withme? ”myst omachi
sinknotsal
ready.Nott
he
pleasantknot
st hi
sti
mebuttheunwelcomedones.
“
Mel
,Idon'
tthi
nkwecanbet
oget
her
..
.”
“Don'
tinf
uriat
eme, St
ar!Idi
dn'
tfl
yher
ewithyoufor
youtostartbehavi
ngli
keakid.Whati
sit
?Talkt
o
me.”
“Ihaveaneur
ogeni
cbl
adder
.”Isayandlookdown.
Hissil
encemakesmeprayf
ortheeart
htoopenup
andswallowme.
“That'
sall
?”Il
ookathim andhehashi
sar
ms
crossedonhischest
.“Goon.”
“Wit
ht hehelpofmedicati
onandal otoftherapy,I
l
earnedhowt oli
vewit
houtacatheter.Ihavea
rout
inethatIfoll
owtouset het
oil
etandadi etthatI
shouldfoll
owt ohel
peaset het
oil
etjob.Iwear
i
ncontinencepadsjustincaseIgetanxiousorIf ai
l
tor eacht hetoil
etbeforetime.Iusedtosuf f
erfr
om
urinei nconti
nencewher ebyt heuri
nejustleaks
withoutmef eeli
ngi tsi
ncemycent r
alnervous
syst em isaffect
ed.Ther e'
slessconnectionor
communi cati
onbetweenmybr ain,bl
adderand
bowelsyst em.”onceagai nhe'squiet
.“Iunderst
and
i
fyouwantt oendt histri
pr i
ghtnow.”Isayandf eel
ateart ri
ckl
edownmycheek.Tomysur pri
se,he
ti
lt
smyheadandsur pr
isesmewi t
haFr enchdeep
andpassi onatekiss.Thekissgoesonunt i
lour
breat hingrhythm changes.Hebr eaksthekissand
restshi sforeheadonmi ne.
“Nopads, uri
neleakageoranythi
ngformedagai
nst
thi
srelat
ionshipwi l
lpr
osper.I
'
m notgoing
anywherehoneyandIwi l
lneverl
eaveyoufort
hat.I
l
oveyouSt ar,
IlovedyouwaybeforeImetyouand
mywi shist okeepyouwithmet i
llt
heendofti
me.”
“
Youdon'
tmi
ndal
lthat
?”
“Nope.Unl
ikeyoubabygirl
,Idomyr esearchandI
knewallofthatbef
oreyoueventoldmeabouti t
.
Whenyout oldmeaboutspinabi
fida,Idi
dmy
resear
chandIknewwhatt oexpectfrom youand
yourbody.Butal
lthatdonotchangehowIfeelfor
you.Let'
sgetyoucleanedorelseyouwil
lat
tr
act
i
nfecti
ons.”hesmil
esandt akesmetothebathr
oom.
*
***
***
***
*

ZWELAKHE'
SPOV.

“
Whyar
eyounotatwor
k?”mymom quest
ions.
“
It
'smyof
fdayandIhaveaf
ewt hi
ngst
odo.
”Isay
wit
hmyeyesst
il
lont
henewspaper.
“Whichare?”Ialmostforgothowi nquisi
ti
veshecan
be.Icloset
henewspaper ,
f ol
ditandputitasi
de
beforeremovingmyf eetfrom theotherchai
rsoshe
cansit.
“Nowyouhavemyattent
ionmommydear
est
.What
doyouwanttoknow?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Tobuyabedandasmallwardrobef
ormyQueen.I
f
eelbadwhensl
eepsont
hatoldspongesi
mpl
y
becauseshelovesme.Andherbeauti
fulcl
othes
shouldhaveaplacetobenicel
yhangedandkept
cl
ean.Shedeservestheenti
rewor
ldmom butIwi l
l
onlygiveherwhatIcanaff
ord.
”
“
I'
m pr
oudofyouson.Real
ly,
Iam.
”
“
Thankyoumom.Ial
sohavesomet
hingf
oryoubut
i
t'
sasurpr
ise.
”
“
Idon'
tli
kesur
pri
sesZwe.
”
“
Youwi
lll
ovet
hisone,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
“I
fyousayso.”shedrawscir
clesont
heoldt
ableI
pickedupf
rom ther
efusedumpingsi
teandIknow
shewantstosaysomething.
“
What
?”
“Haveyouspokenorseenyourf at
heri
nthelast
sevenyears?
”Iclenchmyj aw,
mywhol ebody
tensesandIfeell
ikechoki
ngsomeonetodeath.
“
Real
lymom?Youar
eser
iousl
ythi
nki
ngaboutt
hat
man,
rightnow?
”
“
I'
m cur
ious.He'
sst
il
lyourf
ather
,Zwe.
..
.”
“No!”Iyel
lmorethanIint
endedto.Shefli
nchesand
IregretwhatIj
ustdi
d.“I'
m sor
ryIdidn'
tmeant o
scareyou.Let'
snottal
kaboutthatman,I'
m begging
youmom. ”
“Okay.I
'm sor
ryforbr
ingi
ngitup.
”shequickl
y
standsupandgoesout si
de.Ir
eal
lyscar
edher .I
havetemperissuesandtheyscar
ehertodeath.
“
I'
m sor
rymom.
”
“I
t'
sokayson.Youhavet
woyoungersi
ster
s,doyou
knowthat
?”Ismil
eather
.
“IknowbutIhat etheothersi ster.Theot herdoesn'
t
knowmeeveni fwel ooklikepeasi napod.Il ike
thatone.Thatst upidmanyouoncecal leda
husbanddi donl yonegoodt hingi nhislifeandthat
wast ohavet hoset wochildren.Theymaynotknow
mebutIconsi derthem myf ami l
y.Oneday, whenI
havethemoneyandt hecourage, Iwi
llvisitt
hem.
Onlymysi stersnothi m orhiswi fe.”
“
Theyoungestl
ooksl
ikeyourl
atesi
ster
.”
“
Howdoyouknowthatmom?It
houghtyouwer
e
i
nval
idf
ort
hepastf
ewyear
s?Howdoyouknow
howt
heyl
ook?
”
“
Iwasn'ti
nval
id,youi
diot
!”shespr
inkl
eswat
eron
myfacewithherhands.
“Ouchmom!Wi
llyoust
opt
hat
?I'
m agrownupmen
now,st
oppl
ayi
ngwithmeasi
fI'
m aki
d.”
“Youar
esti
llmyboy.Nothi
ngwilleverchangethat
.
IsawheronthenewspaperandIinstant
lyknew
shewastheone.She'
sbeauti
ful
.”
“Iknowmom andshe' sdoi
ngwel lwit
hherl if
e.I'
m
suredadisproudofher.”t
hehol l
ownessIf eeldeep
i
nsidemewheneverIt hi
nkoft heperfectfamil
ywe
couldhavebeenifonlymyf at
herdidn'tchooseto
beacowar d,cannotbedescribedinwor ds.“
Why
arewetalki
ngaboutthem? ”
“Noparti
cul
arr
eason,son.I
'
m goi
ngtoseeyour
grandpar
ent
slat
er.Doyouwanttocomewithme?”
“Nomom.Thosepeopl echasedusoutoft heirbig
house,I
'm notevergoingt
osetf ootintheiryard.
Lett
hem enjoytheirr
ichli
fest
yles,Iwil
lnotbow
downtoanyonesi mplybecauset hepersont hinks
ofhimsel
fasagod.YesI '
m poorbutIst i
llcarry
mysel
fwi
thpri
deandi t
'sthatpr
idet
hatwon'
tall
ow
metogobacki
nt hathouse.Goandseethem i
fyou
wantt
o.I
'
m notinter
ested.
”
Myphonevi br
atesi
nmybackpocket,Itakeitout
butitf
all
s,t
herubberbandhol
dingt
heNoki a3310
breaksandthewholethi
ngtur
nsint
otreeseperat
e
pi
eces.
“Shit
!”Icurseandpickupt hepi ecesandputthem
backt oget
her.Ir
emovemyhai rscrunchanduseit
toti
emyphonet ogether.Itr
yt oswi t
chitonbut
nothi
ng.NowIhavet orechar geitbutatthesame
ti
met here'
snoelectri
cit
yi nthehood!WhatdoIdo?
MyQueenwascal li
ngandshewi llbesadthewhole
daywai ti
ngformetor echargemyphone.
“
Whydon'
tyoubuyanewphone?
”
“
Idon'
thavethemoneymom unlessyoucan
f
orgi
vemef orpi
ckpocket
ingaf
ewbags..
.”
“
Zwel
akhe!
”sheshout
sandIl
augh.
“
I'
mjoki
ng.Ihavetogo,seeyoul
ater
.”Iki
ssheron
t
hecheek.“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Zwe?”Li
ll
yissur
pri
sedt
oseemewai
ti
ngf
orherat
t
heparki
nglot
.
“Queen.
”Iscoopherupandspi
nheraroundbef
ore
kissi
ngher
.“Myphonefel
l,I
'
m sor
ry.
”
“
It
'sokay.Howar
eyou?
”
“
I'
m goodandyou?
”
“
I'
mfi
ne.
”shesaysbutshel
ooksdi
stur
bed.
“
What
'swr
ong?
”
“
Myf
atherwant
stomeetyou.
”
“
That
'sagoodt
hing.Whyar
eyousad?
”
“Hesaidnodaught
erofhi
swi
llbemar
ri
edt
o..
.”she
stops.
“
Toapoorper
sonl
i
keme.
”sadl
y,shenods.“
Soyou
wantt
obr
eakupwi
thme?
”
“No!Iloveyouthewayyouareandnot
hingwi
ll
breakus.Ijustdon'
tknowi
fyouwil
lbeabl
eto
handlethei
rtaunts.
”
“Don'
twor
ryaboutthat,
babe.YourKi
nghasseena
l
otofnast
ythingsthatt
aunt
swon'tdoanyharmto
him.I
t'
sfi
ne,Iwil
lmeetwit
hhim.”
“
Real
ly?
”
“Yes.Il
oveyouandthesear
ethet
hingsIhaveto
gothroughi
feverIwantahappyl
if
ewithyou.
..
”
“
Heeee!Meli
nda!Whatar
eyoudoingwit
hthi
s
r
if
fraf
f?”af
emalest
udentsaysandIcl
enchmy
j
aws.
“Esnath,
meetmybae,Zwelakheandbaby,
thi
sis
Esnath,myst
udypar
tner.
”
“
Yourwhat?Ar
eyoudrunkLil
ly?Lookatthetor
n
j
eanshe'
sweari
ng.That
'snotri
ppedjeansbut
t
orn.
..
”
“Sowhati ftheyaretorn?”Li
ll
yf i
res,t
hegi r
lopens
hermout ht ospeakbutdecidesot her
wise.“Seeyou
tomorrow, Esnath.Let
'sgo,King.”shegivesmet he
carkeys,Iopent hepassengerdoorf orherand
sett
leforthedr i
ver'
sseat.Idon'thaveal i
censebut
Idri
velikeapr oandmyQueenher eneverdr i
ves
thecarwhenshe' swit
hme.Evenwhenwegof or
hershopping,shel
etmecar ryhercar
dssoi twil
l
l
ooklikeI'
mt heonepaying.Iusedtofeelbel
it
tl
ed
aboutitbutshemademeunder st
andthatit'
sall
comingf r
om agoodplace.
*
***
***
***

MEL'
SPOV.

Star
'sbodyisheatingupandshe' sshiveringi
nher
sl
eep.Herskinisalsopale.Af i
lm ofsweatcover s
herfor
ehead,Idon'tknowwhat '
swr ongwi thherbut
whateveri
tis,i
t'
sser i
ous.WhenIr esearched,Ir
ead
aboutinf
ecti
onsbutIneverst udiedt hem deeper.I
needhelpbeforethisgetsevenmor eser i
ous.
“Si
r?”t
hedoctoranswer
sthecal
l.Mywor
kli
nei
s
onroaming.
“Ineedhel
p.Mygi r
lf
ri
end'
sbodyi
sheat
ingupbut
sheshiver
ing.She'
sasl
eep.
”
“
Didshet
akehermedi
cat
ion?”
“
No.Shewast
ir
edandIj
ustputhert
obed.
”
“Okay.She'spr onetoinfect
ionsespeciallybladder
i
nfect i
ons.4hour swithoutchangingherpadsmust
havebeenal otforher,hencetheirri
tat
ion.Wake
herupandgi vehert hemedi cati
on.Iwr ote
everythingonhercar dandt hi
ngst odoi nti
mesof
emer gency.Andsi r,
adjusttheroom temper atur
eto
35degr ees.Herbodyhast ogetusedt othe
environmentf i
rst.
”
“
That
'sal
l?
”
“Yes.Callmeifshedoesn'tgetbett
erinafew
hours.”Idr
opthecallandquicklysearchherbag.I
fi
ndt hebookandanumberofpi ll
s.Ibrowse
thr
ought hehorri
blehandwrit
ingofthedoctorsunt
il
Ifi
ndt henameoft hepil
ls.
“Babe,wakeup?
”shemumbl essomet
hingi
nher
sleep.“
Wakeup,sweet
hear
t.
”
“
Ifeelcol
d.”shesays.
“Iadj
ustedthetemper aturemyl ove.Youwillf
eel
warmi nafewmi nutes,takeyourmedicati
onand
gobackt osleep.Openyourmout h.”Ipopinfour
pil
lsi
ntoheraspr escri
bedandgi veherwater.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”shesays.
“
Forwhat
?”
“
I'
m si
ck.
..
”
“Youdon'thavet oapologi
zef orthat.Youdi dn'
task
fori
t.Gobackt osleep,youwi llbefi
ne.”Ihel pher
l
iedowni nacomf ort
ablepositionbeforeremovi ng
myT- shi
rtandslidingbehindher .Herfeetand
handsaref r
eezingcold.Aftersearchingforsocks
andfindi
ngnonei nherbag, Iputmineonherf eet
andpullherclosertome.Ikeepchecki ngher
temperatur
eunt i
litnormalises.Ikeepther oom
temperatur
eat35degr eesanddozeof fwithmy
arm wrappedaroundher ..
..
.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.
I
NSERT19

MEL'
SPOV.

I'
mj olt
edawakebyar ingingphone.Ther inging
toneisstrangeandi t'
sdef initel
ynotmyphone.I
peeltheblanketof fStar '
sf acewho' ssti
llsweat ing.
Icheckhert emper atureonceagai nandi t'
snor mal.
I'
m surethesweati sbecauseoft heheat ,Ilower
theroom temper ature, wipet hesweatof fherf ace
beforegoingt othetoi l
ett opee.Thephoner ings
againasIexi tthebat hroom andi t'sStar'
s.It'sa
What sAppvi deocallfrom Favour iteCousi n.
Asenathi,Ipresume.Il eavet hephoneont het able
andst r
etchmysel f.Justt henIr eali
zewhatt imei t
i
sandIcan' tbeli
evet hatIsl eptmor ethanf ive
hoursdur i
ngt heday.Thi sissounl ikeme.We
arri
vedher earound1PM andnowi t'
spastsi xi nthe
evening.Iorderfoodf ormygi rlbeforewaki ngher
up.I'
m sur ethisj
our neyal readymessedupher
scheduleandwehavet ocorrectt hat.
“
Asenat
hi.
”If
inal
lyanswerSt
ar'
sphone.
“Whereismycousin?Whatdidyoudotoheryou
psycho!Wher
e'sStar?Whyareyouansweri
ngher
phone?Iswearifsomethi
nghappenstoher
..
..”
“
Youwi l
lki
llme.Ihear
dthatt
hef
ir
stt
imeyou
t
hreat
enedme.”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“Relax,canyou?It ol
dyouIl oveyourcousinandI
willneverwi l
li
ngl
yhurther.She'si
nsaf ehands
herewi thme.Youhavet ost opthi
nkingthatI'
ma
psychobecauset r
ustme, youdon'twantmet otur
n
outtobeone.Psychoscanneverbet amednor
foll
owhumanr ul
es.Yourcousinisfi
ne,she's
sleeping.”shedeeplysi
ghs.
“Areyousur e?”Iturnt
hecameratothebedand
rel
iefcoversherf acewhensheseesStarsl
eepi
ng
peacefull
y.“She'ssweati
ng.What'
swrong?”
“Room t emperatur
ewaski ndat
oohi gh,
Ijust
adjustedi t
.Youcall
edtoseeifyourcousinisfine?
”
Ican'ttellhert
hatStarki
ndagotsick.Shewillbe
wor r
ied.
“Yes.Iwillbegoi
ngtowor ksoonsoIhavet oknow
thatshe'
sokay.Itoldyou, shemeansthewor ldt
o
meandt hat'
stheonlyreasonI'mtol
erat
ingyour
ri
chass.Takegoodcar eofheranddon'tf or
gett
o
remindheraboutmedi cati
on.Shehatesit
somet i
messoyoubet t
ermakesur eshet akes
thosepill
selseshewi l
lfal
lsick.
”
“Okay.Iwil
l.
”amessaget
onei
shear
dfr
om her
phone.“Asenat
hi?
”
“
Mmh?
”
“Sacri
ficingyourownfuturefort
hebett
ermentof
yourlovedonesi snotalwaystheri
ghtt
hingtodo.
Shewi llbehurtwhenshef i
ndsoutthetr
uth.I
t'
snot
toolatetostopallofi
t.Doitforher
.”
“
W..
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“Youarewise.Youknowexact
lywhatI
'
mtal
king
about
.”Icutthecal
landsi
gh.

“Babe,wakeup.
”Iwhi
sperinherearandshe
groans.“
Comeon,honey.Youhavetoeat
somet
hing.
”
“
I'
m nothungr
y..
.”shemumbl
es.
“Iam hungryandIcan'teatwi
thoutyou.Wakeup.”I
helphersitupandshemakesannoyedf aces.“
I
know.Youhat eitwhenpeoplewakeyouupbutyou
havetoeat .Okay?
”
“Okay.CanIgot ot
hebat
hroom f
ir
st?Whatt
imei
s
i
t?”shesulks.Shel
ooksevenmorecut
ewhen
pouti
ng.
“Af
tersi
x.Doyouneedhel
pgoi
ngt
othe
bat
hroom?”
“No.Iwillgoonmyown. ”shesaysandpeel sthe
blanketoffher .Iwatchherst rugglet ogetdownt he
bedbutIdon' twantt omakei tfeellikeI'
m pityi
ng
hersoIl etherdohert hing.Shef i
nal l
ymanages
andr ol
lshersel ftothebat hr
oom.Whatast rong
personshei s!Herl if
ei scompl i
catedbutshest i
ll
managest osmi l
ebrightl
y.Iwaitforhert ocome
outthebat hroom whi lecheckingmyemai l
s.Ihave
twoemai l
sfor wardedbyMonwabi siandt heyare
fl
aggedasi mpor tant.I
'm abouttor eadthem when
mygirlcomesoutoft
hebat
hroom andIt
ossmy
phoneaway.

“Whatareweeat
ing?
”sheasks.Ihel
phersi
t
comfort
abl
yonthecouch.
“Justsi
tdownandl etmetakecareofyou.Letme
wor r
yaboutthemenuandeverything,
youjust
enjoyal
lofit
.”shenods.
“Okay.Thislooksgood.”shesays.Ipickupthef ork
andkni f
efeedher.Iwentf orthehealt
hyfoodsi n
ordertomakeherf eelcomf or
tabl
e.Chicken,green
saladsandgem squash.Nor edmeatf orher
.Red
meatt akest
imet odigestascompar edtowhi t
e
meat .
“
I'
mful
l.
”shesays.“
Thankyou.
”
“Anythi
ngforyoubabe.”Iwi
pehermouthwit
hthe
servi
ett
ebeforehandi
ngheraglassofwat
er.

Aft
ercl
ear
ingt
het
abl
e-Ial
waysdothatbecause
t
hat'
showmynannyr
aisedme-wesiti
n
comfort
abl
esi l
ence.Ther
e'ssomuchwehavet o
tal
kaboutbeforetaki
nganystepfurt
herinthi
s
rel
ati
onshi
p.Ihavesomucht r
uthsIhavetotel
lher
butwhatifIscareheraway?

“
Whoar eyouMel?”sheasksthequesti
onI
'
vebeen
wait
ingf
or.She'
snotstupi
dandshecansee
t
hroughmeandsheknowsI '
m notj
ustMel
.
“I'
m yourboyf ri
end. ”Ismileandleanovert okiss
herlips.It akeherhandsi ntomineandl ookintoher
eyes.“ I'
m Mel okuhl eAbraham Hlongwanebut
that'
sj ustmyof fici
alname.Meli swhoIam and
whatIst andfor .I'
m notjustashoedesi gner,babe.
Melisasi nger ,
dancerandsongwr i
ter..
.”hereyes
wideni nshock.“ Iknowbaby.Onl yaf ewpeopl e
knowt hatsideofme.NotevenKhanyiknowsabout
i
t.Igr ewupi nFr ance,mydadwast hecount ry's
ambassadort hereandmymom wasaf ullt
ime
surgeoni nLondon.Wedi dn'
tspendmucht imewi th
her,shecamet ovi sitmaybeafterthreeorsi x
mont hs.Wespentmostofourt i
meatschoolorat
homewi ththenannyanddad.WhenIt urnedten, I
j
oi nedamusi cgroupoff ive.Wewer ethebesti n
Franceandwewer eal
lAf ricans.Ourgr oupgr ew,
wegotani nt ernati
onalfanbase, gi gsout side
FranceandIenj oyedthatl ife.Oneofourf r
iend's
mot hermanagedus.I twasf unandIwasl ivi
ngmy
truthbecauset hat'
swhatl oveal thoughmydad
didn' tseeitthatway.WhenIt urned15, Iwr otea
solosongt itled‘Mama’ .Forcl arity,mymot her
wasn' tahousewi feunti
lEmmyt ur nedf i
ve.The
songwascomposedf ormymot her ,
ithadal lthe
quest i
onsIneededanswer st obecauseIhat edher
forl eavinguswi thdadwhodi dn'tr espectust oa
poi ntofbr i
ngi ngcount l
essgi rlfr
iendsi ntoourhome.
Thesongt rended, Igotacal l fr
om oneoft hebest
recor dingcompani esint heUni tedSt at
es, Itold
them IwasunderageandIdi dn'
thaveal awyeror
anyonet ofinal i
set hedealf orme. ”apai nfullump
ri
sesi nmyt hroatandIt ryt opushi tbackdown.
“
Whathappened,
Mel
?”
“
Theycall
edmydadandtriedtospeaktohim and
t
hatwasthebi
ggestmi
stakethatchangedmyl i
fe
f
orever
.Hemadesuret
hatallmysongs, r
ecorded
andwr i
ttenoneswer edest royedt oapoi ntof
l
eavingnot raceofthatl i
feofmi ne.Iwasbeat en
blackandbl uebecausei nhi swor ds“nochi l
dofhi s
wasgoi ngtobegay”t ohi m, allsinger sanddancer s
aregay.How?Idon' tknow.ThenIwassentt oa
boardingschooli nSwi tzerland.I twasmor eofj ail
thanaschoolbecausewewer en'tall
owedout side
thecampusnordi dwehaver egul arvisit
ors.The
schoolwasaver yexpensi vei nstituti
onwher eal l
ri
chpar ent
scangoanddumpt heirchildrenany
ti
met heyf eltli
ke.Wewer egi vent hebestof
everythingexceptonet hingt hatever ychildwant s;
l
ove.Ispent6year sinSwi tzer l
andbutevent oday,
Idon'tknowmywayar oundt heci tyIwasi nexcept
theschoolcampus, ”Ipauseandcat chmybr eath.
I'
venevernar r
atedthatpar tofmyl i
fet oanyone.
Notevenmymom knowst hepai nIwentt hrough
whenshewasbusywi nni ngawar dsofbei ngt he
bestsur geoni ntheUnitedKi ngdom andt hef irst
everfemal eblackdoct ortol eadnumer ous
surgeriesinaf orei
gnland.
“
Whenyouar
eisol
atedf
rom t
hepeopl
eyoul
ove
andsentt oapl acewher et her e'sat housandof
teenager sandyoungadul tswhoal lhavehat r
ed
andangeri ssues, slowl yandsur elyyoubecome
l
iket hem.Ist ar tedr esent i
ngpeopl e,Ihatedt hem
especi allywomenandIst artedf ucki nggirlsforfun
andt opuni sht hem f ormymot her'ssins.Inever
l
ovedanyonebackt hen, al
lmyr elati
onshi pswer e
thatofhat red.Li ttledi dIknowhowmucht hatmade
myf atherpr oud.Iwasbecomi ngl ikehim, I
demandedr espect ,wal kedwi thpr ideandpeopl e
fearedmebecauseIneversmi l
ed.Idon' tsmi le
mor eof t
enevent oday.Ineededt ochangeandone
dayIl ef tthei nstitutionandwentt oZi mbabwe.My
fatherl ostitbutmygr andpar entshadmyback.I
ditchedmyPol iticalSci encedegr eecour sei n
Swi t
zer landandchoset ost ayathomewi thmy
grandpar ents.Iwasl osingt hegr ipofmyl ifeIwas
evensmoki ngweed.Thenal lofasuddenKhanyi
resur f
acedi nmyl ife.Wewer ef r
iendssi ncepr imary
school .Ourf ather sar ebestbuddi es.Shemanaged
tochangemyl i
f e, shel ovedme, orsoIt hought .I
wentbackt oschoolbutIdi dn' tfinishmydegr ee
onceagai n.Inmysecondyear ,Iwast went yfourat
theti
me, Idesignedmyf i
rstevershoeandgr andpa
fundedmypr oject.Hebecamemyf ir
stinvest
orand
motivat
edmet ost ar
tmyowncompany.That 'show
MelTextiles&Shoescameby.Andt henIwas
famousonceagai n,r
ichandgirl
sallovermebutI
chosetoset t
lewiththewomanwhowaswi t
hme
duri
ngallmyst r
uggles.
”
“Wow, Mel,you'
vebeent hroughhellandher eI
thoughtyouwer ejustanar rogantr
ichkid.”she
kissesthebackofmyhandandImel t.I
t'
st hefi
rst
evergestureofloveandcar ef r
om herside.“I'
m
sorryyouwentthr oughallthat.Youarestrongand
aver ygoodman. ”thi
sti
meshesqueezesmy
shoulder.
“
Youwon'
tjudgeme?
”I'
m surpr
ised.Iexpect
edher
t
orunf
rom meandnevercomeback.
“No.Youdidwhatyout houghtwasri
ght.Youwer e
achil
d,abandonedandal oneinaf
orei
gncount ry.
Weallmakemi stakes,
Melandwhatmat tersishow
wecorrectt
hem.”shelooksatmebutqui cklyl
ooks
away.Iknowshewant stoasksomething.
“Youcanaskmeanyt hi
ng.Ij
ustt
oldyousomething
I'
venevertol
danyonesoIwil
lansweranyquest
ion
ofyours.
”
“Doyour egr
etl
ovi
ngyourwi
fe?Wher
edoIst
andi
n
alloft
his?”
“Idon'tr
egretl
ovi
ngher.Shewast hebestthatever
happenedtomeandIwi l
lforeverbegratef
ultoher.
Wher eyoustandi
sr i
ghtherenextt ome,withme
andtogetherwewillf
igur
eoutawayt oourf ut
ure.I
l
oveyou, babe.
”
“
But
..
.”
“Don'
tbethatgi
rl
.Idon'
tli
keyouassumingt
hings,
whenIsayIloveyou,Imeanit
.Iwil
lsor
tmy
pendi
ngissues,
Ipromise.
”
“Okay.IthinkI'
mf all
ingforyou...
”myhear tdoes
somer sault
sandmyl ipsfindhers.Isl
owlycircl
e
myt onguear oundher swhi l
emyhandf indherf ull
andpoi ntedbreast.Fuck!She'ssohotandi nvit
ing.
Wecont i
nuekissing,Igroanintohermouthasmy
manhoodr eactstotheheatsur r
oundingus.I
quickl
ycomebackt omysensesandst opt hekiss.
“
Youwi l
lbemydeat
hsweet
hear
t.
”Isaywi
thmy
f
oreheadonher
s.
*
***
***
***
*

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Ifeelli
keI'vebeenhitbyahaulagetruck.Mybody
i
snumb, thecoldfloorI
'
vebeensi t
ti
ngonf oras
l
ongasIdon' trememberfeel
soddl ycomfortabl
e.
Whathappenedt ome?Thef ogclearsfrom myeyes
andr eal
izati
onhitsmehard,Ifl
inch.
“Noooo!
”Iscream.Thehol
lownessi
nmyst
omach
hasmef eel
ingweak.
“Madam?Ar eyoualr
ight?”noI'
m not!HowcanIbe
alr
ight
?Themor eItr
yt obeangr ythemoreIfeel
weak.Isurrendermyal ltothepainIsuddenl
yf eel
deepinsidemychest .It
'sli
kesomeonei sri
pping
myhear tapartwit
habl untknif
e.Thedoorcreeks
openandmyf ri
end,Ciarawalksin.
“
Essi
e!”sher
ushest
omeandt
hemomentshehugs
meIbursti
ntot
ear
s.Iscr
eam myli
ngsoutast
he
pai
nbecomesevenmoreunbear
abl
e.
“
Please,
Godmakei
tst
op.I
thur
ts.
..
”Iwai
linmy
f
ri
end'sarms.
“Cal
m down,
Essie.Youhavet
ocal
m downsowe
cantal
kcal
mly.
”
“He.
.helef
tme.
..
”Ist
ruggl
etosayt
hewords.She
i
gnoresmystat
ementandhelpsmeup.“
Ilove
him.
..”
“Iknowfri
endbutfornowlet'
sgetyousomethi
ngt
o
drinkandeat
.”Idon'
twanttoeat,
I'
m nothungr
yal
l
Iwantismyhusband.
“
I'
m nothungr
y.Iwantt
ocal
lMel
..
.”
“Youwi llcallhim butyouneedst r
engthfi
rst.”Isi
gh
andl etherfeedmet wospoonful
sofr i
ce.My
stomachgr umbl es,sal
ivaqui
cklyturnsourinmy
mout h,Icovermymout handrusht othebathroom
toempt yever ycontent
sofmyst omach.Ilookat
themi rr
oraf tersplashi
ngmyf acewi t
hwat erandI
don'trecogni zethewomanl ookingbackatme.She
hasabl ueeye, paleski
nandherl i
psar ecracked.
Sur
elyt
hisi
snotme.

Idragmysel
fbacktothebedr
oom andt
hrowmy
heavybodyonthebed.
“Whathappened?
”Ci
araasks.Tear
sfal
lfr
eel
y
downmycheeksandmyhear tisbei
ngri
ppedapar
t.
“
Myhusbandthi
nksIcheat
edwit
hfatheri
n-l
aw.”
mybr
eathget
sstucki
nmyt hr
oatandIgaspforai
r.
“
Didyou?
”
“
What
?Youal
sot
hinkI
'
m cheat
ing?”
“Idon'
tknowKhanyi .Al
lIknowisthatMelisagood
mant hatyouneverrespectedf
rom dayone
becauseyouf eel
li
keyoumadehi m.Iwouldn'
tbe
surpri
sedifyoucheated.Thequest
ionis,
didyoudo
i
t?”
“No!Idi
dn'tcheatonmyhusband,Iswear
.”Ican'
t
bel
ieveevenmybestf r
iendi
sdoubtingme.
“Expl
aintomewhyyoumeetwithyourfat
heri
n-l
aw
i
nsecret?Whywashet hef
ir
stonetoknowabout
yourpregnancywhi
let
hemanyouclai
m youmade
thechi
ldwit
hisinthedark?I
fI'
m goingt
ohelpyou
saveyourmarr
iage,youhavetot
ellmethet
ruth.
Whatisgoi
ngon?”
“
It
'scompl
icat
ed.
”Isi
mpl
yst
ate.
“Socompl
icat
edt
hati
t'
sokayforyout
ohur
tyour
husbandt
hewayyouaredoi
ng?”
“
Stopj
udgi
ngme!
”Ihi
ss.
“I'
m notoneofyourboot l
ickers,Essi e.Iwi lltellyou
thetruthnomat terhowmuchi thur ts.Yout hinkyou
arehur ti
ng, ri
ght?Tr ytoputyour selfinMel 'sshoes
andmaybet henyouwi llstopandunder standt hat
notever ythi
ngi saboutyoursel fishsel f
!Howwoul d
youf eelifyouf indMel get t
ingcir cumsi zedwhi le
yourmot herholdshi shandt hroughi tall?”Ifeell i
ke
shej ustpunchedmyempt ystomach.“ Yousee?
He'shur ti
ngt oo, morethanyoubecauseyou
broughtt hisunt oyourself.Stoppl ayingt he
princess, l
if
edoesn' trevolvear oundyou, Essi e,
peopl egotf eeli
ngst ooandatonepoi ntintime,
theyl oseinterestandgi veup.Cal lhim, apologi ze
andexpl aint ohim whyyoudi dallt hisnonsense. ”
“
Hehi
tme!
”
“Youdeservedthosesl apsandmor e.Youknow,I
hatewomenwhopr ovokemenandwhenmenr eact
theyplaydefensel
essvi ct
ims.Melisasaint
,you
alwaysdoasyouwi shi nt
hismarri
ageandasa
fri
endwhol ovesyousomuch, Idon'tbl
amehimf or
remindingyouwhoi st hemaninthishouse.Now
stopwi t
hthepity-
partyandfixyourmess.I'
m going
towor k.
”shepicksupherhandbagandwal ksaway
withoutevenlooki
ngatme.
“
Ciar
a..
..
”Ical
lbutshedoesn'ttur
nback.Icovermy
f
acewithmyhandsandbur stintotear
s..
.
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT20.
STAR'
SPOV.

I'
m wokenupbywar mli
pspr essedonmycheeks,
fi
ngerst rai
li
ngonmybar ear m andl eavi
ngti
ngl
ing
sensationsont hei
rwake,histeethteasemy
earl
obeandmyst omachflutt
ers,hewhi sper
s
somet hingintomyearsandmywor ldspins,
fl
ashingal lt
hebeauti
fulcolorsIlove.
“Goodmor ningMr sMel .
”hesoftl
ywhi spersandmy
bodyfeel
sl i
kei t
'sownf i
re.“I
'
m nottalki
ngal oneor
am I?
”hishandi sf ondli
ngmybr east.Mybr eathi
ng
rat
eaccelerates.Iwantt opushhim offbutIalso
don'
twanthi mt ost op.
“N.
.no.
”Isayandr
eleaseanoddsoundt
hathas
beenstucki
nmythroat.
“
Thent
alkt
omebabe,
howar
eyou?
”
“F..
fi
ne.
”Istr
uggletot
alkwhi
lehol
dingi
nthe
pressur
eIfeelr
isi
ngfr
om mystomachtomyt hr
oat
.
“I
t'
sokaytomoansweet
hear
t.Rel
axandl
ist
ento
yourbody.
”hewant
stoki
ssmebutIpushhim
away.He'ssmell
ingniceandfreshwhi
leIhaven'
t
takenabathorbrushedmyt eeth.“
Whyareyou
denyingmeakissrightnow?”
“Letmebr ushmyt eethfi
rst,
please.”hepr ops
himselfupwithhiselbow.Hedr awsci rcl
esonmy
barestomachandmybody' st emper atureri
ses
again.Hetrapsmyr ockhardni pplebet weenhi
s
fi
ngersbeforeteasi
ngi twit
hal ightpinch.
“Beauti
fult
it
ti
es!Suchat urnon.”Ibl ush.Noman
haseverseenmenaked.Onl yAsenat hiknowsmy
nakedbodybecausesheusual l
yt akescar eofme
whenI '
m downandout .I'
m veryconsci ousabout
mybodyandIf eell
ikepeoplewilljudgeme.The
worldhasjudgedmeenoughwi t
hmycl otheson,I
don'twanttoimaginewhatt heywi l
lsayshoul dthey
seemenaked.

Asi
freadi
ngmyt
hought
s,Melsays,
“Youhaveabeaut i
fulbodyandaflawlessskin.
Don'teverbeashamedofi t
.Youarebeautif
ul.”he
catchesmeof fguardwit
hakissthatstart
sslowly
unt
ili
theat
sup.Hesneakshi
shandsinmypants
andIfr
eeze.“
Rel
ax.
.”t
heworddoestheopposi
teof
whathe'
stryi
ngt
odo.

Icanseehi m, t
hatdisgusti
ngmanwi thhisalcohol
smellingmout hpressedonmyl i
pst osi
lencemy
screams, hi
shandf orceful
lypushi ngmyt highs
apart,hisfi
ngersdrawingcirclesonmyt hen
hairl
esspubi carea,hi
m breathinghar donmyneck
whilehisotherhandi sdeepinhi st r
ousers.
...Ican'
t
breathe,Igaspforair,t
wice,threetimesandt he
memor yisnowvi vi
dthanever .
“Babe?Star!”Mel'spani
ckedvoicebringsmeback
towhereIam.Ibl i
nktwicebef
oret hr
owingmyself
i
nhi sstr
ongar msandsob.“ Youar eokay,
sweetheart.Youar esaf
eherewi t
hme. ”herubsmy
backuntillcalm down.
“
I'
m sorr
y,Ipani
cked.
”Isayandhet
il
tsmyheadso
I
'
ml ooki
ngathim.
“Youshoul
dhavetol
dmet ost
op.Iwantustobe
openwitheachot
her
,toknowwhichl
inest
ocross
andwhatboundar
iestorespect
.I'
m sor
ryIscar
ed
you.
”hesaysandpresseshisli
psonmi ne.
“Iwassexual l
yviolatedwhenIwas12. ”hisbody
tensesandhi sjawcl enches.“Hewasmyuncl eand
weusedt ost aywi t
hhi m.He'dbri
ngmeni cethings
andt henputmet obed.Atf ir
stIt
houghthel oved
me, Ili
kedhi mt oobecausehewast heonl yper son
exceptmynannywhor eal
lycaredaboutme.He' d
takemet othedoct orformycheckupsand
exer cises,he'dstaywi thmewhenIwasn' tfeel
ing
wel lunt i
lhest art
edt ouchi
ngmet hewr ongway.I
toldmymot herbutt heyneverbelievedme.Heused
togi vehi msel fahandj obwhi l
eplayingwi thmy
privat eparts.Onedayhet riedtopenet r
atebutIhi t
him wi t
havase, Itr
iedtocrawlawaybutIcoul dn't
.
Att hatver ysamet i
memyphoner ang, itwasan
unsavednumber ,Iansweredandbl ur t
edoutwhat
hadj usthappened. ”Ipauseandl ookathi m.He' s
i
nt ent l
ylookingatme, hiseyesaref i
ll
edwi thfur y.
“
Washear
rest
ed?
”
“
Yeshewasarr
estedbuthedidn'
tspendmuchti
me
i
npri
son.Myf
atherbai
ledhi
m out,Iwasbr
anded
anunstabl
echi
ldwhohall
uci
nat
esbecauseof
medicat
ion.
”at
earst
reamsdownmycheek.
“I'
m sorr
ybaby.I'mreall
ysorrymylove.
”hepul ls
meevencl osertohim andIlaymyheadonhi s
chestandsob.Hi sarmsfeelsafeandwarm, it
'sli
ke
he'sthesafehavenI'
vebeenwai ti
ngforal
lthese
years.“Wherei
shenow? ”Isneezeandhewi pesmy
facewithhisT-shi
rt
.
“HediedassoonasImovedtoBul awayo.Hewas
stayi
nginBul
awayoandworkinginsomet ech
company.Ibumpedint
ohim onceinasupermarket
,
hemademocker yj
okesandlatert
hatdayhewas
repor
teddeadaf
teracarhi
thim.”
“He'
sluckyhe'
sdeadal
ready.
”Iqui
ckl
ypul
lmysel
f
outofhisembrace.
“
Whatwoul
dyoudo?
”
“Cuthi
mintopiecesandbraait
hem beforefeedi
ng
thewil
ddogs.”myeyeswideni nshock.“
Icankill
fort
hoseIloveandI'
m notjoki
ng.”hi
sstatement
sendschi
ll
sdownmyspi ne.
“
Mel
..
.”
“Rel
axsweet
hear
t,Iwon'
tki
ll
youunl
essyoucheat
onme.”
“Soyouwillki
llyourwi
fe?Isthatwhatyouar
e
planni
ng?
”I '
m scaredr
ightnow.
“Seei
nghowpal eyoulookr
ightnow,Ithi
nkIwill
l
eavekarmat odealwit
hher.Let'
snott
alkabouther,
notnow,notever.Ionl
ywantyouanditwillf
orever
beyou.”Ibl
ush.Howcanamanbesodanger ous
andcharmingatthesametime?Iwasscar edto
deathasecondagobutnowI 'm bl
ushi
ng.

Aknockdi
stur
bshi
m ashe'
saboutt
oki
ssme.
“
Real
ly?Whoi
sit
?”
“I
t'
sPauli
ne,
sir
.”Ihadf
orgot
tent
hatwehave
company.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Theyneedyoursi
gnat
urebackhome.WhatdoI
do?”helooksatmeandsighs.
“
Fine.Comein.”hesaysandcover
smynakedbody
wit
haduvet.“WheredoIsign?
”
“Her
e.”Paul
inegiveshi
m at abl
etandst
eal
sal
ook
atme.Shesmi l
esandwi nksatme.
“Nextti
met heywantmysi gnat
ure,r
eadwhateveri
t
i
st hatneedsmysignatur
eandi fyouagreewithi
t,
copyandpast emyelectr
onicsignat
ure.I
t'
sthat
simple.
”
“BadideabutIwil
ltr
y.Enjoyyourmor ni
ng,
sir
.”
Pauli
nesayswithasmi l
eandl eaves.
“Okay.Let'
sgetyoust ret
chingabi t
,bat
handafter
that,Iwanttoshowyousomet hing.Ourtr
ip
activi
ti
esstartaf
teryoubathandputt heseon.
”he
pickssomet hi
ngupf rom t
hef l
oorandthrowsi
ton
thebed.It'
sashoppi ngbag.
“
What
'st
his?
”Isuspi
ciousl
ylookathi
m.
“
Openandf
indoutyour
sel
f.
”
“Abikini
?”hi
ssmi l
ebroadens.“Shades,neck-piece,
banglesandabeachcoverup?Whatar eyouup
to?”I
'm exci
tedandscaredatthesamet ime.I've
neverwonabi ki
ni.Ihavet
hishairylumponmy
backwhi chi
sar esul
tofmycondi ti
on.Ialways
coveritup.
“Yessweetheart
.That
'showwear
egoi
ngt
oki
ck
star
tourtr
ip.”
“
Arewegoi
ngt
othebeach?
”
“No.It'
sasur prise.Don'taskbecauseIwon'treveal
i
ttoyou. ”hedismi ssesmyquest ionsandstret
ches
myl egsjusthowt hedoctorinst
ructedhi
m.My
bodyhast obest ret
ched,Ishouldmovemysel f
aroundi nordert okeepthebloodcircul
ati
onnor mal
.
IfIdon'tmove, IsufferwhenIgot othetoi
let
.“Ase
call
ed.”
“
And?
”
“Shethr
eat
enedmebecauseIansweredyourphone.
Yourcousi
nreal
lyl
ovesyou,
don'
teverfor
getthat
.”
*
***
***
**

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

IpaceintotheMelTexti
les&Shoescompany.
Everyoneinthel
obbylooksupbuttheyal
lqui
ckl
y
l
ookaway.
“
Mor
ningma'
am.
”ther
ecept
ioni
stgr
eet
sme.
“
Ismyhusbandi
n?”
“
No.
”
“Whatdoyoumeanbyt hat
?Heshoul dbeint
he
off
ice,
it'
swor
kinghour
salready.Wherei
she?”
“I'
m sor
ryma'am,Ihavenoi
deawhereheis.
”she
saysandquickl
yfumbleswi
ththepaper
sontopof
thecounter
.
“Ah!Heydol
l!
”Monwabisi
'
scolognesuff
ocatesme
ashesqueezesmeintoati
ghthug.If
eelli
ke
thr
owingupalr
eady.
“
HeyMo.Wher
eismyhusband?
”Iask.Theur
gency
i
nmyvoi
cecannotbemi
ssed.
“Howdi dyoul osehim?He'syourhusband
sweet heartandyougoi ngaroundl ooki
ngforhim
thisear l
yraiseseyebrows.Iseverythi
ngokayat
home? ”hesipsonhi ssmoot hi
eorwhat everhe
callsthegreeni shpastehealwayssi pfr
om his
shake.“ Let'
sgot omyof fi
ce.”If
ollowhim,feel
ing
allthepairofeyesonme.
“
Wher
eishe?
”Iaskassoonasweent
erhi
sof
fi
ce.
“
Sitdown,
dar
li
ng.
”
“I
'
m notint
hemood,
Mo, wherei
smyHusband?
”I
bl
inkbackt
het
earst
hreat
eningt
ofal
l.
“He'
snothere,honey.Ioffer
edyouachairbecause
Iknowyouar epregnant.Idon'
twantyoufal
li
ng
becauseIhatehospit
als.”
“Wher eishe?IsMel cheat
ingonme?Pleaset
ell
me
thetruth.
”forthefi
rstti
meeverinmyentir
e
exist
enceI '
m beggi
ngsomeone.
“No.MelwenttoLondononabusi nesstri
p.Hewill
bebackaft
eraweekort wo.Thereareimportant
deal
shehast oti
eupthatside.
”Ibreathebutthe
panicr
etur
nsagain.
“Whodidheleavewith?Pleaset el
lmei t
'snotthat
Monicabi
tchorthatotheronei ntheMar ket
ing
depart
ment..
.”myvoicescat chesinmyt hroat.Mel
cannotsurvi
veoveraweekwi thoutsex.He's
addi
ctedtosexsomucht hatI'
m afrai
dhewi llend
upfucki
ngthosebi
tcheswhol
ookatmymanasi
f
he'
sapieceofsnack.
“Iwil
laskagai
n,i
sever
ythi
ngokayathome?You
arenevert
hisj
umpyandpanicked,
Khanyi
.What
's
goingon?”
“Wef ought.”t
earstr
ickledownmycheeks.He
quicklyleapstohisfeetandhugmet i
ght.Hi
s
colognehi t
smynost ri
lshardandIfai
ltohol
d
mysel fandvomitalloverhissui
tandthepaper
son
thetable.
“Whatt
heF..
.”he'ssti
lldi
sgustedwhenIcol
lapse
onthef
loorf
eelingli
kethewor l
dwanttosuckmei n
andbur
ymel ikeIneverexist
ed.
“Pleasetel
lhimt ocomeback. ..I'
m beggingyou.
..
”I
wat chhisdisgustedfaceonthemi r
ror
swhi l
ehe
crossesthecor r
idortothet
oilet.“Melpleasecome
back...
”agirlwiththesmoothestf aceI'
veeverseen
aroundher ewalksin.
“Oops!Areyouokay?”shekneel
snextt ome,a
gestur
eofkindnessbutherbeautyhasme
resent
ingheral
ready.Hercl
eavageisleftt
otease
peopleali
tt
leandmyhusbandseesthisever
yday.
“MrsHlongwane?”shefr
ownsaf
terseeingmyface.
“Letmehelpyouup...
”
“I
'
mf ine.
”Isaywithsomuchvenom t hatshe'
s
pushedbackbyanunseenf or
ce.Iholdont othe
doorhandle,
tryt
odragmyselfupbutIsl i
p,my
headhitshardonthefl
oorandIblackout..
..
*
***
***
**

MEL'
SPOV.

Ibookedtheoutsi
depoolf orthr
eehour stoday.I
askedthem t
oempt yallthewater,cleani t
,ref
il
land
heatupthewatertoawar mtemper ature.Iwantto
tr
eatmyQueent oallthegoodnessandt hebestthi
s
placehastooff
er.Forthefir
stti
mei nmyl i
fe,
I
spentanightwit
hawomanI '
m att
ract edtoandst i
ll
managedt ocontr
olmyer ecti
on.I'
m addi ctedtosex,
sexiswhatsil
encesthedemonsi nmyheadbutf or
myAngelr i
ghthere,
Iwi l
ltr
yandgethel p.
“Mel
!”St
argaspsasweappr oacht hepoolarea.
Thearef
ourResor tworker
swai ti
ngf orus.Onehas
abunchofredroses,theotherhasagi ftbagwhi l
e
thet
woarewaitingtohelpusi fweneedanyt hing.
“Allt
hisf
oryousweet heart
.”Icantel
lshe'
sexci
ted.
Ireadherhighschoolreportandthat'
swhenI
foundoutthatshelovesandenj oysswimming.
“Wow!”sher unshersofthandovertherosepetals
andemot ionall
ybeckonsmet ocomecl oser
.Inour
Ndebeleculture,amandoesn'tbendforawoman
butI
'mr eadyt odomor et
hanbendingforStar.Iwil
l
dowhat everittakest
oseehersmi l
e.Isquat
bet
weenherl egsandshekissesmyl i
ps.
“Okay.Let'sgetyoui ntothewat er.
”shesmi l
es
excit
edly.Ipickherupandgent l
yputheront he
edgeoft hepool .Sheremoveshercoverup, her
l
ightskinagai nsttherainbowcol oredswi mwearis
exquisi
te.Thegol dthreepi eceneck-piecewitha
diamondr ockl ooksevenmor ebetteronherneck.
Shesl i
desi nt
ot hewaterandswi mst otheot her
edge.IremovemyT- shirtandjumpi n.Iseet he
girl
swai t
ingtoser veusswal l
owinghar d.I'
m used
tothatandi
t'
snotmyf aul
tI'
mjusttoohotf
orany
gir
lnottodr
ool.Iswi
mt owheresheisandhol
dher
fr
om theback.“Br
eakf
ast,
babe.That'
swhyweare
here.
”
“ButI'm enj
oyi
nginhere.Wewi l
leatlater
.”It
urnher
aroundandt hesurpri
sesmileonherf aceis
breathtaki
ng.“
Floati
ngbasketsbreakfast
?”Inod.
“Oh.Whatdi dIdotodeserveyou?”she'semotional
again.
“
Pleasedon'
tcr
ybabe.
”
“I
t'
sjust
..
.”Isi
lenceherwit
haki sswhil
emyhand
pull
sthefrui
tbasketcl
oser.Ipi
ckadicedpi
neappl
e
andfeedher.“Thankyou.
”
“Anythi
ngforyoubabe.”shepicksastr
awberryand
feedsme.Igri
n,anot
herf i
rst
.Nowomanhasever
hadthegutstofeedmebef ore.Idi
dn'
tevenknow
theshitwi
llmakemet hishappy.
“
What
?”sher
aisesaneyebr
ow.
“Anotherf
ir
st.Thankyouforexperi
ence,itfeel
s
great
.”Ipi
ckgarli
cbreadfrom t
heot herbasketand
shetakesabitebefor
esippinghertea.Idot he
samewi thmycof fee.Ipickaf orkandf eedher
scrambledeggs, shedoesn' tstopmeorcompl ain
aboutmechoosi ngf oodf orher .Khanyiwouldhave
rui
nedthesur pr
iseandt oldmeof f.She'
ssost rong
headedthatevenor deri
ngf oodf orherisabigdeal .
Andheret her
e'sSt arwhoappr eciateseveryoneof
myef f
orts.Shedi dn'tevenquest ionmeaboutt he
brandoftheclothesIbought ,shesmi l
ed,ki
ssed
andthankedme.
“Babe?”shebri
ngsmebackt owher emybodyi s
andImel tasshecallsme‘babe’.Idon'tknowwhat
thi
soverwhelmingfeelingi
s,butifthi
sisn'tl
ove,
thenlovedoesn'
texist.Thi
sisallmagicandcannot
beresist
ed.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.
I
NSERT21.

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Iopenmyeyest of i
ndmysel finanenvi ronmentI'
m
notusedto.Itryt oshi f
t,myheadhur tsalot,
Ishut
myeyesandf orcefullyopent hem again.Thisti
meI
seeclearl
y,I'
mi nthehospi tal.Icanfeelsomeone's
presence,Isnapmyneckt omyr i
ghtsi deandri
ght
thereonthechai rsit
smyf atherin-l
aw.Hi s
expressi
onunr eadabl e,hi
seyesst aringstrai
ght
i
ntomi nethatIshi f
tuncomf ort
ably,hisbody
posturespeakingvol umesandIshudder ,
i
nvoluntari
ly.
“Whatt
heFar eyoudoi
ng?
”hi
stonei
squei
tand
bonechi
ll
ing.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”Iqui
ckl
yapol
ogi
zeandswal
lowhar
d.
“Whyareyoubehavingli
keastr
eetgir
l,huh?Did
yourf
atherf
ailt
oraiseyou?Whatki
ndofa
messageareyoutryingt
osendoutthere?”hi
s
expr
essi
oni
sst
il
lundercont
rol
,unr
eadabl
e.
“
Idon'
tknowwher
eMel
is.
..
”
“So?Doest hatgi
veyouther i
ghttogoar ound
shouti
ngandl ett
ingever
yoneknowt hatyoutwo
haveproblems?Igaveyouasi mpletask,onl
yone
simpl
et askbutyoukeepfaili
ng!Whati sitt
hatyou
aregoodatexceptshowingof fyournakedbody? ”I
gaspinshock.“Stopacti
ngsur pri
sed.Iwatch
tel
evi
sionshowsandIwat chthosest upi
d
modelli
ngshowsbecausepar tofmymoneyi si
n
thati
ndustry.Whyareyouf ai
li
ngtokeepMel
down?”
“Heisnotasnaiveasyouthi
nk.”Isayquietl
yand
quickl
yclosemyeyesexpect
ingasl apbutit
doesn'tcomethi
sti
me.He'sslappedmebef ore,
not
once,nottwi
cebutever
yti
meImessuphi sdamn
plans!
“Iknowmysoni snotnaivebutIal
soknowwhat
womenar ecapableof
.There'
snothi
ngyoupeopl
e
can'tdotoaman.Now, Iwantyoutogohome,
cleanyourhouse,
cookforyourhusband,
cal
lhi
m
backhomeandbet hebestwi f
eyoucanbe.Youf ai
l
that,youwi l
ljoi
nt heotherswhofail
edtofol
lowmy
i
nst r
uctions.”hesayst hroughgri
tt
edteet
handI
shiver.Isti
llvi
vidl
yr ememberwhathe'scapableof.
He'sr ut
hless,unforgivi
ngandamonst er.
“Ican'
tcont
inueplayi
ngt
hesegames,
IloveMel
.”
helaughsoutloud.
“Idecidewhol oveswhoandI 'mt heonewhodr afts
myson' sl i
feandyour stoo.Don' ttrythatstupidline
withmeeveragai n.IwantMelbacki nthecount r
y
andf ocusi ngonhi scompanyonl y.Arewecl ear? ”I
nod.“ Goodgi r
l.Uset hatthinginyourbel l
y,nomam
evertur nshi sbackonhi sblood. ”hesaysbef ore
picki
nghi sphoneandwal kingout .Oncehecl oses
thedoor ,Icovermyf acewi thbot hmyhandsand
burstint otears.Thepai nt hatcut sthroughmy
heartismor et hanwhatIcanhandl e.Idon'
tknow
whot ot ur nto,Melbl ockedal lmynumber s
i
ncludi ngt hehousel andl i
ne, hebl ockedmeon
socialmedi a,hebl ockedmyemai lsandever ything.
Ican'tgett hrought ohi m andIcan' tbegMoni cat o
connectmet ohi m.I fIdot hat ,
shewi l
lknowwear e
fi
ghti
nganduset heoppor t
unitytodestr
oyuseven
more.Ican'
tloseMel,Ilovehim.Ineedaf ew
minutestoexplai
neverythi
ngt henIknowwewillbe
fi
ne.Melhasalwaysbeenr easonabl
eand
consi
derabl
e,hewi l
lunderstandme.

Mysister
,Li
lly,
walksinwithaplast
icbag.She
l
ooksatmeandsi ghssadly.Moret
hananythi
ng,
t
hepitywrit
tenalloverhereyesi
swhatkill
smethe
most.
“
I'
m notdead!St
oppi
tyi
ngme!
”Iyel
l
.
“Wedon'tpit
ythedead,wemour nt
hem.Ipit
yyou
becauseIthi
nkthisi
sthekarmaIalwaystol
dyou
about.Whathappenedtoyou,‘
MissPerf
ect’
?”Li
ll
y
hasneverspokentomel i
kethi
s.Am Ir
eall
ydone?
No!Melismi neandfor
everheshal
lbe.
“
Ifel
l.Whydi
dyoucomeher
eifyouar
egoi
ngt
o
mockme?”
“Icamebecauseunli
keyou,Ihaveaheart.Andyour
mommydear estist
oobusyt oevencareabouther
daught
erdearestwho'
scarr
yingherfi
rstgrandchi
ld.
Whatashame?Yout erminat
edyourcont
ractwi
th
hercompanyandallofasuddenyouarenolonger
bestfr
iends?Ncncnc..
.”
“
Stop!Justgetouti
fyoudon'
twantt
ohel
pme.
”
“
Unfor
tunatel
y,Ican'tdot
hat
.Ibr
oughtcl
othesand
f
ood.Areyouhungr y?”
“
No.I
'
dli
ket
ochangeandgobackhome.
”
“Youarenotdischargedyet.Thedoct orsai
dyou
aretoostr
essedandyourbl oodpr essureishigh.
Youhavet oeatandst opworryingaboutthingsyou
can'
tchange.Stressisnotgoodf oryourbaby.
That'
sifyouwantt hechil
dtol i
veanyway. ”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“Reall
y?Areyougoi ngtoactsurpr
ised?Howmany
aborti
onshaveyouhadbef or
e?”mymout hdr
ies,
mybodygoest enseandf ort
hefir
stti
meever,I
utt
erthewor ds‘Godplease,l
ett
hisbeanight
mar e
notreali
ty’
.
“I
..
.I
..Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.”I
st
utter.
“I
t'
sokay.Iwonderifbrot
herin-l
awwillal
sobel i
eve
i
nyourwor dsbutit'
snoneofmybusi ness.”she
saysandgivesmeapl ateoffood.Thesightofbeef
hassali
vafloodingmymouth, Ipusht
hepl ateasi
de
andquickl
yr ushtot
hebathroom.

Ispl
ashcol
dwateronmyf aceandusetoi
letpaper
topati
tdr
y.If
eelweak,
Ijustwantt
osleepand
wakeupwhenallt
hisi
sdone.
“
Areyouokay?
”nowmysi
steri
sconcer
ned.
“I'
mf i
nejustal
it
tlenauseous.”Istaggerandshe
quickl
yhelpsmebef or
eIfall.Ican'tst
opt hetears,
I
don'tevenknowwhichpar tofmyl ifeI
'm shedding
tearsforbutmostofall
,ImissmyhusbandandI
wanthi mtocomebackt ome.
*
***
***
***
*

STAR'
SPOV.

Af
terbr
eakf
ast
,wer
etur
nedi
ntoourr
oom andt
ook
abat htogether.Iwasshyatf i
rstbuthemademe
feelbett
eraboutmysel f
.Hekeptassur ingmet hatI
havenot hi
ngt obeshyabout .IgaspedwhenIsaw
hismanhood, Idon'tknowifIwi l
lbeabl etot
ake
that.I
twasmyf i
rstti
meseei ngapeni sfrom a
closerangeandhemademet ouchit.Thewayi t
expandedi nmyhandgotmeevenmor escar
edof
sexbutonceagai nhesai d,
“Wear eher
etoknowmor eabouteachot hernotto
havesex.Ourlovemakingwillhappenont he
univer
se'st
ermsandIwi l
lwaitforthatday.”he
washedmybodyandevenappl i
edmoi stur
izeronit
.
Everyti
mehet ouchedme, If
eltthi
salienfeeli
ng
andIremember edthedoctor
'swords.
“Youcanhaveaheal thyi nt
imater el
ationshipwi th
yourpartnerifyoubot hcommuni cateopenl y.Since
thesexualner vesaret hesameast hebowel
system nerves,yoursmi ghtnotwor knor mal l
ylike
otherpeoplebutj ustlikehowyoucancont rolyour
toi
letr
out i
ne,youcanenj oysextoo.Justmakesur e
youarer el
axedandt akei tsl
owlyunt ilyouar eused
tohim.”shesai dwi t
hahugegr i
nonherf ace.I
don'tusual
lytal
kaboutsexwit
hanyonebecauseI
neverthoughtsomeonewouldseeawomani nme.
“
Sweet
hear
t?”Mel
cal
lsandIsnapoutofmyr
ever
ie.
“
I'
m her
ebabe.
”
I'
m si
tt
ingoutsideonthebal
conyandwatchi
ngthe
beaut
ifulbeachandpeoplehavi
ngfun.Heki
sses
myneckbef oretaki
ngaseatnextt
ome.
“
Youl
ikei
touther
e?”heasks.
“It
hinkIwi
lll
iket
hebeachairevenmor
e.”Ismi
le
andrunmyhandonhi schest.
“Itwon' tworkbaby.Stoptryi
ngt oseduceme, you
can'tspendmor ethanthreehourspl ayi
ngwith
wat er,youwillf
allsi
ck.”Ipout.“
Asenat hiandthe
doct or'
sorders.Yourcousinwi l
lki
llmei fyouf al
l
sick.Wear ehavingl unchwithPaulineandSi golaat
ther estaur
ant.”
“Soundsbet
ter
.”Ihavemi
ssedPaul
ineandmy
cousint
oo.“
Whatt i
meisi
tinZi
mbabwe?”
“Maur
it
iusi
stwohoursaheadofZimbabwe.I
t'
s
12:
30heresoit
's10:
30i
nZi mbabwe.Whydoyou
ask?
”
“
Iwantt
ocal
lAse.
”
“Okay.Here.”hegi
vesmehi sphone.Tomy
surpr
isehisphonei snotl
ocked.Notevenasingl
e
pincode.HisWhat sApphasfourcontact
s,myself
,
hissist
er,Asenat
hiandhismom.I '
m surpri
sedto
seethatheevenhadadecentconver sati
onwith
Asenathi.
“
Star
!”mycousinjoyf
ull
yshoutswhi
lewi
pingher
f
ace.Iwokeherup,Icantel
l.
“
Favor
it
ecousi
n.”Ismi
leback.
“Youaregl
owingal
ready.Hi
ssper
m mustbever
y
heal
thyandpowerf
ul.
..”
“What?”Iqui
cklyst
opher
.Melismindinghis
businessbutIknowhewil
lsaysomethingabout
thi
s.
“Not
hing.Howareyou?Whydi
dn'
tyoucal
lear
li
er?
Am Irepl
acedal
ready?
”
“
Nosweet hear
t,youknowyouaremybestandmy
f
ir
st.Ihavebeenalit
tl
edisor
ient
ed,
timeand
envi
ronmentalchanges,youknow.
”I'
mlyi
ngandI
don'
tevenknowwhyI '
ml yi
ng.
“Iwil
lbeli
evethat.Thatplacelooksbeaut
if
ul.
”she
comment s.Iquickl
yshowhera360degr eesview
oftheplaceandshecan' tstopcomplimenti
ngthe
place.Wetalkforabout30mi nutesbefor
ePauline
sendsamessagei nfor
mingusaboutt hetabl
e
number .

“
Doyoueverbookt
hingsf
oryour
sel
f?”
“Uhm,notunt
ilIbookedtheti
cket
sforusf ort
his
tr
ipandtheearl
ierpoolsur
pri
se.I
'm spoi
led,I
know.”hesmil
es.
“
Iwasn'
tgoi
ngtosayt
hat
,Iwant
edt
osayyouhave
moneyt
owaste.
”
“
Ihavelotsofthatpapersweethear
tandIdon't
mindcreati
ngjobsforthosewhoneedi t
.Ibeli
eve
t
hatpeopleshouldworkf ort
heirmoneyinst
eadof
wait
ingforhandouts.
”
“
Isee.
”IsayasIwheelmysel
fint
otheel
evat
or.I
'
m
wearingoneofthedressesMelboughtf orme.I
t'
sa
fl
oralshi
rtdr
essthatreveal
salitt
leofmyt hi
ghs
andhesayshel ovesitl
ikethat
.Idon'tknowwhen
heboughttheclothesbutImustsay,theman'sgot
greatcl
othi
ngtaste.

“Si
gola.
”IwatchMel shoul
derbumpwi ththisman
whoisstil
lamyst erytome.Hisauraisheavy, he's
ahandsomeguybuthi seyesarecold,coldisan
underst
atement,
theyar echil
li
ng.Hi
sbr oad
shoul
dersandtattoosonbot harmsmakehi ml ook
l
ikeabouncerbutIhaveast r
ongfeeli
ngt hat
bouncersgotnothingonhim.
“Bro.”hesaystoMel bef
orepull
ingachairfor
Pauline.Shebl
ushesandIseet hisst
rangersmi l
ea
bit
.It'
sagenuinesmi l
eandhiseyeshavesof tened
abit.Melunbuttonshisj
acketandsit
snextt ome.
Het akesmyhandi nhis.
“
Sigola,
meetmyQueen,babe,
he'
sMenel
isiSi
gol
a.
Myrighthandmenand.
..
”
“
Ithi
nkt
hat
'sal
l.
”Si
gol
asayswi
thasmi
le.“
Nicet
o
f
inal
lymeetyou,
sist
eri
n-l
aw.Atsomepoint
,I
t
houghtyouwereaghost.
”I'
m conf
used.Aghost
?
“Dude,leavemyQueenalone.”Inot
icesomething.
MelandSi gol
aexchangeunspokenwor dswit
ht hei
r
eyes,andsodoesPaulineandSigol
a.Thereseems
tobeaconnect i
onbetweenthetwoalthoughthey
don'twanttotel
lmeaboutit
.

“Bro,
canIshowyousomet hi
ng,i
npri
vate?
”Si
gola
asksasMelwipeshishands.Wearedoneeat
ing
andPauli
neisst
il
lquiet
.Sounli
keher
.
“Uhm,”Mellooksatmet henbackt oSigola.“
Sure.
Wewi llbebackinami nute,
wear egoing
somewher eaft
erthi
s.”hesaysandki ssesmy
cheekandof ft
heygo.Oncet heyleave,Pauli
ne
quickl
ymovesf rom herchairtothechairnexttome.
“HeySis.I'
vemissedyoual ot
.Whatwereyouupto?
Tellme,ishetr
eatingyouwelll
ikehepr
omised?
”
thi
sgirlandgossipmatter
s.“Comeon!Spi
llt
he
beans.
”
“
He'
sGodsent
.”Ismi
leandshebeamsbef
ore
t
hrowi
ngherarmsar
oundmeandt
henherf
ace
f
all
s.“
What?”
“Hiswi fei
spr egnant,didhetellyou?”Ifr
eeze.“Hey
l
isten,Ishouldn'tbetell
ingyout hisbutIoverhead
Sigolashoutingont hephone.Looksl i
kethere'
s
tr
oublebackhome. ”Justt henMelandSi golaretur
n
tothet abl
e.Melsmi lesandki ssesmyhandbuthi s
bodyi stense.Somet hingiswr ong.
“
Areyouokay?
”heasks.
“Pl
easet akemet oourr
oom,please.”myvoiceis
cont
r oll
ed.Idon'
twantt
ocryinpubl i
c,Idon'
twant
tobet hereasonsomeone'
schildgrowsupwi thout
afather.

“What'sgoingon?Ihatetantr
umsbaby.What ever
Pauli
net ol
dyou,outwi t
hitbecauseIcan'
thave
youcryingforsomethingI'
m notawareof.
”hesays
fi
rmly.“Iknowshetalkstoomuch, whatdi
dshesay
thi
stime? ”
“Yourwi
feispregnant
?”Idesper
atel
ywanthi
mt o
sayno,Paul
inemisunderst
oodbutinst
eadhenods
andsi
tsonbed.“
Whyareweher
ethen?Whatar
e
youdoi
ngwithme?”t
ear
sar
efal
li
ngfreel
ydown
mycheeks.
“Babe,webothknewIwasmar riedbutwesti
llt
ook
thatpl
ane.Let
'snotbl
ameitallonmebef or
eyou
knowwhati sgoi
ngon.Khanyibetrayedme.”
“
How?
”
“Doyouwantust oruinourtr
ipbecauseoft
his?I
fI
startt
alki
ngaboutit,Iwil
lbeinnomoodt ogoout
becauseitsti
llhur
ts.Doyouwantust ospendthe
restofthedayindoors?”
“
Justt
ellmethetr
uth,Mel.Idon'
twantt
obet
he
r
easonyourchi
ldsuff
ers.
”
“Okay.Li st
ent othis.”hei nsert
saUSBst i
cktohi s
l
aptopandaser i
esofcompl icatedsecr et
sspillout.
Bythet imei tstopspl aying,Ihavenot hingbutmor e
l
oveandempat hyfort hismansi t
ti
ngnextt ome.
Hislifeisnotasf l
ashyasi tseems, it
'shellandI'm
will
ingt ori
skmysel fifthat'
sal li
twilltaketorescue
him.“ IneedyouSt ar,pleasedon' teverleaveme. ”
hepl eads.
“
Iwil
lneverl
eave.Foreverweshal
lbet
oget
her
.
Whatar
eyougoi ngtodo? ”
“Idon'
tknow.Ij ustwantyout oknowt hatin
everyt
hing,ineverytrial
,i
nallt hebattl
esawai ti
ng
usbackhome, Iloveyou.IfIst artact
ingoutof
charact
er,remembert hi
s,Mel okuhleAbr aham
Hlongwanel ovesyouandwi lldoanyt hingforyou
andyourhappi ness.Iwi l
levenl aydownmyl i
fefor
youandal lIneedf r
om youi syourl oveandcar e.”
wehug.Hepi cksmeupf rom t hewheel chai
rand
makesmesi tonhi slaps.“Bemysani tybabe, I
needyou.”
“
Iwi
llbeever
ythi
ngyouneed.Il
oveyou,
Mel
.”
*
*
*
*
*
Ni
ready,
angithi
?Iseeanoceanoft
earscoming
f
rom al
lthecorner
softheworl
dbahl
ali
,kubi
rd .
Justl
ikeMelsai
d,i
never
ythi
ng,
justknowIl
ove
youguys .
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT22.

LI
LLY'
SPOV.

“
PassmetheGreekSal
addr
essi
ng.
”mom says
whi
let
ossi
ngt
hechoppedveget
abl
es.
“Here.”Ipasshert hecont ainerandt urntothe
skil
lettocheckmyl ambchops.If l
ipthem tocook
theothersi desandt heysmel ldivinealready.We
arehost i
ngZwel akhef ordinnert oday.I'
m super
nervous, Ikeepsil
entlyprayingf orthemeet ingt
o
gowel l.Iwantmypar entstol i
kehi m,Iwon'tbe
abletol i
vewi t
houthi m.
“So.Wher
edidyoumeett
hisguy?”mom asksa
questi
ont
hathasmechuckl
ing.
“Intown.”Isayandbusymysel fwitht
hesmallpot
ofpap.Myf at
herdoesn'
tli
kerice,
pastaandall
thoset hi
ngs,hel
ikespap.IknowZweal sodoesn'
t
l
ikef ancyfoodstuf
fs.
“
Justl
iket
hat
?”shepr
obes.
“Yesmom.Wemetandwekeptmeet i
ng
coinci
dentall
yandweendedupexchanging
number s.He'
saniceguy,
youwil
lli
kehim.”Igi
ve
heraner voussmil
e.
“Ihaveaf eel
ingIwon'
tli
kehim.Whati
fitwasn'
ta
coinci
dence?Whatifthi
sguyknewwhoyouar e
andhej ustwantsourri
ches?
”
“
He'snotaleech,
mom.He'sahar
dworki
ngmen
wit
hdigni
tyandrespect
shi
msel
fmorethanhe
worri
esaboutmoney.”
“I
fyousayso.
”shedeci
destodr
opthetopi
cbut
shekeepsmut
ter
ingtoher
sel
fandshaki
ngher
head.
“LookwhatIfound!
”Dadannounces.Hehasone
bottl
eofwhiskeyontheot
herhandandwineonthe
other.
“
What
'st
hat
?”mom asks.
“OldFor esterBirt
hdayBour bonandWol fBl
ass
Bilyar
aSauvi gnonBl anc.
”hebeams.Mypar ents
havewi nesandwhi skeycollect
ionsdatingbackto
waybef or eIwasbor n.Theykeept hebestinthe
basementcel larforhappyoccasi ons.Theyenjoy
takingturnsi npickingthebestandever ymonth
endvar i
ouswi nesandwhi skeydeliver
iesaremade.
“Yourfavor
itewhiskey.Doyour ememberwhenwe
gotdrunkatschoolaf t
eryoustoleawholewhiskey
bottl
efrom yourf
atherandourpar ent
scameand
beatusi nf
rontofotherstudents?
”Isti
fl
ealaugh.
Whoknewt hesetwower eupt onogoodevenback
then?
“
Irememberthatdayli
keitwasyesterday.
”t hey
l
augh.“
Isthewineokayforyoul
adies? ”heasks
whil
epul
li
ngapackofi cefr
om t
hef reezer.
“
I'
m okaywi
thanychoi
ceofyour
sdad.
”Ir
espond.
“I
'
m cravi
ngsomethi
ngr ed.Shi
razCaber
netfr
om
Rawson'sRet
reatwi
lldoforme.”mom says.
“
Okayhoney.Isawt
hatoneear
li
er,
letmegeti
t.
”
daddi
sappear
sagai
n.
Whenher etur
ns,heplacesthetwobott
lesofwine
i
ntheicebucketandasksaboutKhanyiandmy
motherli
es.Shetel
lshim Khanyiwentt
oat r
ipwit
h
herhusband,Idon'
tknowwhymom i sl
yingri
ght
now.

Thet abl
ei sal
lset,Irushupstair
st ochangeinto
somet hingsimpleyetnice.Isayashor tprayer
beforeheadingbackdownst air
swher emypar ents
arelounging.Theyar etal
kingaboutbusinessdeals
andwhobaggedorl ostabigbusinessdeal .The
doorbellri
ngs, mypalmsar esweat i
ngalready.
RightnowIwi shIhadnotgi venalltheworkersa
dayof f,
IcoulduseI r
ene'scompanyr i
ghtnow.
“Iwil
lgetit
.”Isayandrusht
othedoor
.Zwei
s
standingonthedoorst
epweari
ngahugesmi
leon
hisface.
“
Queen.
”hewr
apsmei
nhi
sar
ms.
“
King.
”Ikisshi
scheekandpulloutofthehug.
“
Comei n.Myparent
shavebeenwai t
ing.
”
“
Aft
eryou.
”hesaysandsecr
etl
ygr
opesmyass.

Themomentwewal kin,Iseemymot herpinchi

ng
hernoseandf rowni
ng.Mydadsi zesZwef r
om
headt otoethenbackt ohisheadandhiseyesstay
there.Zweisn'twearinganythingbad,he'
swearing
blackAllStars,bl
ackj eans,awhit
eT-shir
tandhis
dreadlocsaretiedinaponyt ail
.
“Uhm dad,
mom, he'
sZwel
akheSi
bindi
,my
boyf
ri
end.Babe,
myparent
s,MrandMr sMpof
u.”
“Ni
cetomeetyou,Si
r,ma'
am..
.”Zwegivest
hem hi
s
handbuttheyj
ustl
ookathi
m asifhe'
ssomepiece
oftr
ash.
“
Dad?
”Inudgehi
m.
“Thef
oodisgett
ingcol
d.”dadsays, hookshisar
m
onmom' sandt
heyheadt othedini
ngr oom.I'
m so
embarr
assedri
ghtnow,Ifeell
ikecryingal
ready.
“Hey.It
'sokay,babe.
”hecomfort
smeandsteal
sa
l
ipkiss.Wef ol
lowpurparent
sint
othedi
nni
ngroom.
Dadpour shimselfadri
nkanddownsiti
nonego.
Thi
sisnotgood.
“Whoareyourpar
ent
s,ki
dandwheredothey
work?
”dadambushesZwelakhewi
thaquest
ion
bef
orehecanevensi
tdown.
“Nompil
oSibi
ndi
.Shesellsvegetabl
esat
EntumbaneComplex.
..
.”aglassshatt
eri
ngsounds
echoesi
ntheent
irehouse.
“What
?”mom isal
readyweari
ngthatsternfaceof
her
sthatIhat
esomuch.“ Whatar
eyoudoi ngwith
mypreci
ousdaughteryousonofanothing?”
“Il
oveherMrs.Mpofu.
”Idon'
tknowwhere
Zwelakheget
sthecouraget
oremaincal
m.
“Love?”mom'sshr ieki
nglaughfoll
ows.“Whogave
youtherighttolookatmydaught er'
sdir
ecti
on?You
smellcheap,probablyusingthefakeBever
lyHil
l
s
deodorantfr
om t heChineseshopsandyourclot
hes
l
ookevenmor echeap!...
”
“Mom.
..
”Iat
tempttostopherbutahar
dsl
apl
ands
onmycheekandIstaggerbackwar
ds.
“
Don'
tyouut
terasi
ngl
ewor
d!”dadhi
ssesasIt
ryt
o
regist
erwhatj
usthappened.Dadslappedme?He
slappedme.“Youpieceofnothi
ng,
gett hehel
lout
ofmyhousebef or
eIl osemytemper.”
“Si
r,Il
oveher.
..
”apunchcaught
sZwel
akheof
f
guardandhisnosebl
eed.
“Idon'tgobackandf or
thwiththepoor,
youar e
nothi
ng, youwillneverbeanythingandyoudon't
deservetobeher e!Getout!”hepusheshim and
Zwelakhest aggersback.Itrytorunt
ohim butdad
pushesmebackandIf allhardonthecoldf
loor.
“
Iloveyou,
Zwe,
IloveyoumyKi
ng.
..
”
“Il
oveyout oo,
babe.Pleasebestr
ong.
..
”Iwatchi
n
shockasdadgr absZwe'sneckandsmasheshis
headont hewallbef
orepushinghi
m outand
l
ockingthedoor.
“Wena,gi
vemet
hatphoneandt
hecarkeys.
”he
snat
chesmyphoneaway.“
Youaregr
ounded!”
“
Dadpl
ease.
..
”
“
SayanotherwordandIwi
llshi
pyoutoAustr
ali
a
r
ightt
hisi
nstant
!Howdareyoudateapoorguy?
Whathappenedt oselflove?Howdoyouevenki ss
amout hthatisbrushedwi thouttoothpaste?Forget
toothpaste,t
heyeatcr apandyouj ustkisshim?
Whosedaught erar eyou? ”angeriswr it
tenallover
hisface.Myl ovingf at
heri sreplacedbyabeastI
don'trecognize.“Nowl i
stent omeandl istenvery
careful,nodaught erofmi newi l
lfalli
nlovewi t
ha
l
oser !Arewecl ear?”Iswal lowhar dandnodatt he
samet ime.
*
***
***
**

STAR'
SPOV.

Todaymar ksaweeksi ncewecameher e.I '

veseen
manypl acest hanIeverimagined,wetour edthe
resort
,wewentt otownforsomeshoppi ng, we
playedatthebeach, wechasedt hesuni naboat ,
weskydi ved,ofcoursehehadmest rappedt ohim.
Melopenedupevenmor eaf t
erthathearttoheart
talkwehadaf terIf
oundoutabouthiswi fe's
pregnancy.Imustsaywe' vebonded.Inowknow
hi
m andheknowsme.
Andhet ol
dmeaboutSi golaandPaul i
ne's
rel
ationshi
p.Hesai dtheyar emadl yi
nlovebutdue
tothedangerposedbySi gola'
slineofwor k,he
preferstomekeept heloveaf fai
rasecr eti
norder
toprotectPaul
ine.Andt hatexplainedthe
gentlemansideofSi gol
at hatonlycomest oplay
whenPaul inei
sar ound.
“Heybabe.
”Hepullsmeclosert
ohi m.It
'saf
ter
noonandwear echil
li
ngi
nourroom.I '
vebeen
watchi
nghim sl
eepi
ngpeaceful
ly.
“
Hey.Whatdi
dyoudr
eam about
?”Iki
sshi
sli
ps.
“Aperfectfamil
y.Asonandadaught erbutt
he
worstpartis,mysonwasl i
ghtskinned.Imagi
nea
l
ightskinnedguy,whowi l
lfal
lforhi
m?Womenl i
ke
darkmennotabo- Beyonce.”
“What
?”Il
augh.“Yourt
heoryi
sbi
ased,babe.Who
sai
dwedon'tl
ikeli
ghtski
nnedmen?”
“
Iknow.”hi
sphonerings.“Fi
rstl
ady.”heanswers.
“
Comeonmom, I
'm comi ngbacktomorrow,can'
tit
wai
t?”hest
opsandl i
stens.“
Idon'tl
iket
hisbut
okay,Iwi l
lseewhatIcando.
..
..Il
oveyoutoo.”he
si
ghs.“ Thatwasmymot her,
somet hi
ngneedsmy
att
entionbackhome.Changeofpl ans,wear
e
l
eavingt oday.
”
“Wil
lwegetticket
s?”Iaskandhedi
alssomeoneon
hisphone.Theytal
kaboutti
cket
sandprivat
ejet
s.
“Done.Al
lsorted.Now,whatel
sedoyouwanttodo
befor
ewel eave?I'
m sor
rywehavetoleaveso
soon.”
“
It
'sokay.Ienj
oyedmysel
fandIwi
llneverf
orget
t
histr
ip.
”
“I
'
m gladt
oheart
hat
.Mel
alwaysai
mfort
hat
.”he
boast
s.
“
Don'
tbeoverconf
ident
.”
“IknowI'mthebest .”hewi nks.Her unshi shandon
mychest ,t
hencirclesmyni ppleswi t
hhi ssoft
fi
ngers,Iwatchinaweasmyni ppleshar den.He
twir
lshistonguear oundmyr ightnippleandImoan.
“See?I'
mt hebest.”he'spl easedwi thhi mself.Ipul
l
himt omeandhungr ilykisshi m.Idon' tknowwhat
I'
m doingbutIwantt his,
Iwanthi m.
“
Makemeyour
s,Mel
.”Ipl
eadwhi
lepant
ing.
“
Babe.
..
”
“
Please.Iwantyoutocl
aim ever
ythi
ngt
hat
'smi
ne.
Mybodyandsoul ,t
akei
tall
.”
“Ar
eyousur
e?Oncewedot
his,
ther
e'snot
urni
ng
back.
”
“I'
m sur e.”hehesitant l
yki ssmeagai n.I
t'
sagood
thi
ngIwasi nt hetoil
etaf ewmi nutesago.The
doctorsai dIshoul dempt ymybl adderbef oresexto
helpmi ni mizeleakingacci dents.Inoneswi ftmove,
Melpul lsmyl egsapar tandkneebet weent hem.He
l
eansf orwar dandt railwetki ssesf rom myneck
downt omynavalar ea.Hi shandsar esoftl
yt easi
ng
mybr easts,mybr eat hingr ateaccel erat
eever ytime
hisli
pst ouchmyabdomen.Het rail
smor ekisses
andt hist i
mehedoesn' tst oponmyabdomen, he
continuesheadi ngdown.Heki ssesmyf l
eshymeat
andmyl egsinvolunt arymove.
“Beauti
ful
.”hesaystohimsel
fanduseshistongue
toseparat
emyf laps.Hi
stonguet
wirl
sonmy
sealedhoneypotandIarchmybackalit
tl
e.Imay
notbeabl
etofeelanyt
hingfrom mykneesgoing
downbutri
ghtnow,I'
mf eel
ingever
ytouchofMel's.
Heconti
nuestor
turi
ngmyhoneypotwi t
hhistongue
and#removed
*
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
nser
t22.

#r
emoved

“
Makemeyour
s,Mel
.”Ipl
eadwhi
lepant
ing.
“
Babe.
..
”
“
Please.Iwantyout
ocl
aim ever
ythi
ngt
hat
'smi
ne.
Mybodyandsoul
,takei
tal
l.
”
“Ar
eyousur
e?Oncewedot
his,
ther
e'snot
urni
ng
back.
”
“I'
m sur e.”hehesitant l
yki ssmeagai n.I
t'
sagood
thi
ngIwasi nt hetoil
etaf ewmi nutesago.The
doctorsai dIshoul dempt ymybl adderbef oresexto
helpmi ni mizeleakingacci dents.Inoneswi ftmove,
Melpul lsmyl egsapar tandkneebet weent hem.He
l
eansf orwar dandt railwetki ssesf rom myneck
downt omynavalar ea.Hi shandsar esoftl
yt easi
ng
mybr easts,mybr eat hingr ateaccel erat
eever ytime
hisli
pst ouchmyabdomen.Het rail
smor ekisses
andt hist i
mehedoesn' tst oponmyabdomen, he
continuesheadi ngdown.Heki ssesmyf l
eshymeat
andmyl egsinvolunt arymove.
“Beauti
ful
.”hesayst ohimselfanduseshistongue
toseparatemyf laps.Histonguet
wirl
sonmy
sealedhoneypotandIar chmybackal it
tl
e.Imay
notbeablet ofeelanythi
ngf r
om mykneesgoi ng
downbutr ightnow, I
'mfeeli
ngeveryt
ouchofMel 's.
Hecont i
nuest or
turi
ngmyhoneypotwi thhistongue
andImoan.
“Aah.
..
”thepleasureisbecomingmor eandmor e
eachpassingsecond.Hepr esseshistongueharder
andaggressivethi
stime.Heslowlyintroduceshis
middl
efinger,herunsitonmywetpussyand
i
nsert
sitwi t
houtawar ni
ng,Ifl
inch.“
Aaa. .
”Icryout.
“Doesi
thurttoomuch?”hi svoi
cecomesoutasa
huskywhisperandIcan'thel
pbutbetur
nedon
evenmore.“Tal
ktome, sweethear
t?”
“
Oh.
..don'
tst
op.
..
”
Hesl owlypusheshi sfingerfurt
herandIfeelpain
mixedwi t
hpleasure.Her eint
roduceshistongue
andwor kshi
smagi c.Myhear tisnowbeat i
ngeven
faster,heconti
nues, If
eel somethingI
'veneverfel
t
beforeandi t
'spleasurablyweird.Heinser
tst wo
fi
nger sthist
ime.
“
Aah..
.Mel.
..
”myspeachcomesoutjumbled.He
moveshi
sfinger
sinandoutunt
ilIf
eell
ikemyhear
t
j
ustst
opped.
“That
'sanorgasm,babe.
”hewhispersi
nmyear .
“Openyoureyes.
”heordersandIobeytheorder
s.
Hepullsouthi
sfinger
sandlickt
hem.“Youtaste
evenbetter
.”Il
ookawayfr
om hi
mfeel
ing
embarrassed.“
Don'
tdothat
.”
Heki ssesmeandIt astemyselfonhi stongue.He
quicklyremoveshi sboxersandIgaspl ookingat
hisveineddick.Her eachesforthebedsi dedr awer
andt akesoutal ubri
cati
oncont ai
ner.Hesqui ntsa
fewdr opsonhi smanhoodandaf ewmor edr ops
onmycoochi e.Hesmear stheoi l
ythingalloverhis
manhood.Hesof t
lyrubshisthumbonmycl i
t
earningamoan.Iwat chhim positi
onhimsel fonmy
entrance.Heleansf orwardandkissesme.I 'm sti
ll
concent r
ati
ngont hepassionatekisswhenhe
slowlyentersme.
“Fuck!”hegrunt
s.IgritmyteethasIst arttofeela
l
itt
lepain.“
Relax,babe.”hetakesmyni ppleintohis
mout handsucksi t
.Hesucksmyt i
tt
iesoneata
ti
meandpusheshi sdickinfurther.“
OhSt ar.
..
”he
groansandst ar
tstomovesl owl y.
“
Aaa.
..
”Icr
yandmoanandt
hesamet
ime.
“
Youar esosweetbabyandsotight
.Thankyoufor
t
his.
..Ohshi
t.
..
”hispacequi
ckensalit
tl
e.That
f
eel
ingIf
eltbef
oret
akesovermybodyandImoan.
“
Ooh.
..
”
“Ohmy..
.Iwon'
tlastf
orl
ongbabe,
cum f
orme
sweet
heart
.Cum formebabe.
..
”
“OhMel..
.”myheartpoundsi
nar
elaxi
ngwayI
'
ve
neverf
eltbef
ore.
“
OhSt
ar.
..
.”hegr
oansandst
il
lsi
nsi
deme.
..
..
*
*
*
*
Justforclarit
y,li
keIsaidbefor
e,spinabif
ida
affect
sner veswhi chi
swhyyouwi l
lseethatStar'
s
bodydoesn' treacttoanorgasm l
ikeotherpeople'
s
bodiesdo.Al so,shecan'tf
eelmuchpai nbecause
hernerves, bodyandbrainsarenotinsync.Her
braini
sslowt osendmessagest oherbody.
TheUndyi
ngLove.
I
NSERT23.

NARRATED.

Thr eebl ackSUVspar kinf r

ontoft heMelText il
es&
Shoebui l
ding,thedr i
verf r
om t hemi ddlecarqui ckl
y
get sdownandopenst hebackdoor .Slowlyand
conf idently,ProfessorHl ongwane' smi l
li
ondol l
ar
shoet ouchest hegr ound.Hi sexpensi vewoodand
eucal yptusf i
ll
edscentf il
lsthepl ace,af ewwomen
passi ngbycannothel pbutst ealagl anceand
swal lowaf t
erwar ds.Hest raightenshi mself,butt
ons
hisj acketandt akesstridest hatanyonecanswear
theyar ecalculated.Hisent our agefollowshi m,he
raiseshi shandandt heyal lcomet oahal t.They
standbyt heent r
anceashemakeshi swayi nsi
de.
“Goodmor ni
ng,Sir.
..
”therecepti
oni
stgreetshim
butheignoresher.Alleyesareonhim andhe
knowshowmuchpowerhi snameholdsandhe
knowsthatpeoplewi shtheywerehim oratleast
tal
ktohim.
“
Ifonl
yIcoul
dgetaf
ewmi
nut
eswi
tht
heboss'
s
f
ather
..
.”
“
Shutup!
”ther
ecept
ioni
str
epr
imandsJoy.
“
Comeon, he'
snotthatol
dandwithallt
hose
muscl
es,I
'
m surehecangi vemeatl
eastfourgood
r
ounds.
”Joysmilesthi
nki
ngaboutit
.
“
He'
smar
ri
edandhe'
stheboss'
sfat
her
!”
“Whocares?Anyway,
Iwasjustt
hinki
ngoutl
oud.
Letmegoanddomywor k.”Joytakest
he
phot
ocopiedpaper
sandl
eaves.

Melisbusygivi
ngoutor
der
sonhisphone.St
ar
wheelsher
selfi
nandbusyher
sel
fwit
horgani
zing
t
hefil
esont hetabl
e.
“Don'tyougi vemet hatcr
ap!Iwantmywor kdone
andi tshouldbedonenow! ”Melhisses.“
Ten
mi nutes.That'
sallyou'
vegot.
”hesaysand
smasheshi sphoneont hewall
.Theexpensive
piecesofhi sIPhonePr oMaxfal
lont hef
loor.
“
Babe!
”St
arcal
lshi
m.Het
urns,
looksatherandhi
s
eyessof
ten.
“
I'
m sor
ry,j
ustacr
azyday.Canyoul
eavemeal
one
f
orawhile,
Ineedt
imetomyself
.”
“
Wil
lyouheokay?
”
“
Iwi
llbef
ine,
baby.Don'
twor
ryaboutme.
”
“
Mel
..
.”hesi
lencesherwi
thar
oughki
ss.
“Wel lwellwell.
..
.”ProfessorHl ongwane' svoice
startlesthelovebirds.“Iknewyou' df al
lforthe
crippledgirl
.YouknowhowIknewt hat?Because
youar emysonandyoucan' tbeartoseeanyone
beingdi scardedbyt hewor ld.Yout hinkofyour sel
f
asasavi or
.Igivet hattoyou, Hlongwane. ”
ProfessorHl ongwaneopenst hemi nifri
dgeand
takesabot t
leofwat er.“She'sbeaut i
fulbutyouar e
mar riedMel.I'm sureyoust il
lremembert hat.”
“Dad.Whatdoyouwant?”Melhashisj
aws
clenched.“
Iwil
lbewi
thyouinafewminutes,
pleaseexcuseus.
”Melsayst
oStarandshewheel
s
herselfout
.
“
Youl
oveher
,don'
tyou?
”
“UfunaniHl
ongwane?
”(Whatdoyouwant
Hlongwane?)
“GobacktoyourhouseMel.Idon'
tcarewhatyou
thi
nkyouknowaboutKhanyi,Iwantyoubackto
yoursensesandbacktoyourhouse.
”
“
Whathappensi
fIdon'
tdot
hat
?”
“
I'
m sur
ethewor
ldwon'
tmi
sst
hecr
ippl
e,orwi
lli
t?”
“
Youwoul
dn'
tdar
e!”
“Trymeson, j
ustyoudaretr
ymeandIwi llremind
youthatsendingyoutoSwitzer
landwasnothing
comparedtowhatextentI'
m will
ingt
ogot oseeyou
asafamilyman.Gobackt oyourhouse,i
t'
san
order
.”
“
Got
ohel
l!
”Melhi
sses,
hisf
atherl
aughs.
“Iwil
ldefini
telygot herebutaf
termaki
ngsurethat
youtakeyourr esponsibi
li
ti
esasahusband
seri
ously.Firethatthingonawheelchai
r,t
henext
ti
meIcomeher eIdon'twannaseeher
..
.”
“I
fyouthi
nkyouhavemebyt hebal
lsasyoualways
di
d,youaremist
aken.Idar
eyoutotouchherandI
wil
lshowyout
hatI
'
mtr
ulyyourson.Idar
eyou,
f
ather.
”
“Weshallsee.
”wit
hthatsaid,ProfessorHlongwane
walksoutwithanevi
lsmil
el urki
ngonhi slips.He
hasMelwher ehewantshim.Fr ustr
ated,angryand
hel
pless.
*
***
***
***

ZWELAKHE'
SPOV.

“Zwe?”mymom knocksonmydoor .Iquicklywipe

myf acebefor
elet
ti
ngherin.“Zwe...
”hervoicehas
mebr eaki
ngdownl i
keakid.IneverthoughtIwoul d
crythi
smuchi nmyent i
reli
fe.If
eelli
kemyhear t
hasbeenr i
ppedapartandI'
ml ef
twithabl eedi
ng
holeinmychest.“
I'
m sorryson.Stopcryi
ng, hush
now.”sherocksmel i
keababy.
“
Iloveher
,mom.
..
”
“Iknowandt
hat'
swhyyouhavetostopmopping
aroundandt
hinkofawayt
ofightf
oryourl
ove.I
f
youlovesomeone,youf
ightf
orthem.IknowIdidn'
t
rai
sealoserandIknowyouwon'tgiveup.I
fyou
l
oveherasmuchasyousay, getupandf i
ght.
”
“Didyouf
ightformydad?
”Iaskheraquest
ionI
'
ve
alwayswantedtoask.
“
No.
”shesi
mpl
yanswer
s.
“
Whynot
?”
“Hewasnotwor thit.Ihadal readyl ostt oomuch
tryi
ngt okeephi m.Atf ir
stIf oughtf orhi m, Ileftmy
j
obasat eacherandbecameahousewi fe,Iagr eed
togoandst ayathomewi thhi sfami ly,Iwor kedi n
thefieldsasi fIwaspr omisedahugeamountof
money, Ibecameadomest icatedwi fef orhi m but
allt
hatwasn' tenough.I twasn' taboutwhoIwas, it
wasaboutwhathewant edandwaswi lli
ngt or i
skit
allf
or .Iwasn'tthewomanhewant edsoIl ethi m go
especi all
yafterwhathappenedt oyourl it
tl
esi ster
.”
shewi pesmyt ears.“YoursandLi l
lyi sadi fferent
story.Notever ythi
ngshoul dendi nt earsof
heartachel i
kehowyouyoungst ersal wayssayon
thesesoci almedi aplat
forms.Somel ovest ories
endint
earsofjoyandthat
'syouandLi
ll
y.Shecan'
t
fi
ghtal
one,youbothhavet
ohelpeachother
.”
“
Herf
atheri
spower
ful
,mom.
”
“
Soisyourl
oveforher
.Beli
eveinyourl
ove,
lovei
s
t
hegreat
estweaponofthem al
l.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Anyti
me,son.Nowgoandt akeabat hand
rememberyoust i
llhavetobuythatbedf ormy
daughteri
n-l
aw.Thisspongei snolongersuit
abl
e
foryoutwo.”sheteasesandwal ksout.

HowdoIgett hroughtoLill
y?Theyt ookherphone
awayandnowIcan' treachher .Ihavet oseeher
andassureherthatourlovewon' tfail
.Iquickl
yti
dy
myr oom bef
oretaki
ngaqui ckbat h.Ihavebeen
servi
ngsomemoneyt obuypr opertybutrightnow
propert
ycanwai t
.Ihavebiggerissuest oattendt
o.
“Haveyourfoodbef
oreyouleave.
”I'
m notr
eal
ly
hungrybutIdon'
twantt
odisappointmymom.
“
Okay.
”sheal
wayspr
epar
eni
cemeal
snomat
ter
t
heingredi
ent
s.She'
sthebestcookIknow.“
Ineed
afavormom.”
“Okay,goon.
”shei
ntentl
yli
stensasIt
ellhermy
plan.“
Canyoudothatforme?”shesmil
es.
“Anyt
hingfort
hehappinessofmychi
ldr
en.I
t'
s
dangerousbutIwi
lldoit
.”
“Thankyou,mom.Herboyfri
endissomer i
chki
d
withasti
nkingatt
it
ude,
shemi ghthavesecuri
tybut
I'
m surether
e'sawaytogettoher.Pleasebe
caref
ul.
”
“
DoesLi
ll
yknow?
”
“Nomom!Ican' ttellhert
hat,
thelessersheknows
thesafershewil
lbe.Ther ear
epeopl e'sl
ives
i
nvolvedandIcan' tri
skthem.Ican'tlosehertoo.I
sawenoughhor rorwhenmyl i
tt
lesisterdiedandI
don'
twantt oseethateveragain.”
“Iunder
standson.Justbecar
eful
,angercanl
ead
youastray.
”

Myhear
tpoundsi
nmychestasIl
ookatt
heMpof
u
residencedurawal
lwithanelect
ri
cfenceatthetop.
Iwasgoodwi thj
umpingheightsatschoolbut
electri
cfences?Tr
ysomethingelseZwelakhe,t
hink!
Irene!Iquickl
ydi
alhernumberbutshedoesn't
answert hephone.
“
Zwe?
”shef
inal
lyanswer
s.
“
Iwantt
ogeti
n.HowdoIdot
hat
?”
“
Theyact
ivat
edt heal
arm andt
hecameraswhen
t
heyl
eft
.Idon'tknowifyoucanbeatt
hat.
”
“
Icanbeatthecamer
asbutt
heal
arm?Li
sten,
open
t
hegateforme..
.”
“
Theywi
llseeyouandIwi
lll
osemyj
ob.
..
”
“Openthedamngat ecousin!Youwon'tloseyour
j
ob,it'
sti
meMr .Mpofulearnswhohe' supagainst
.
I'
m comingin.
”Icutthecallandpickupmypl ast
ic
bags.Ihavebeenplayi
ngbyt herulesforfart
oo
l
ongnow, it
'st
imeIreint
roducemysel f
.

“
I'
m goodasf
ir
ed.
..
”
“
Hel
lot
oyout
oo,
cousi
n.Wher
eismyQueen?
”
“I
nherr
oom.Whyareyoudoi
ngt
his?We'vecomea
l
ongwaytomesst
hisupnow!What'
swrongwith
you?
”
“I
'
mi nl
ove.That'
sthepr
obl
em.Iknowyoutoldme
sobutIl
ovethatwomanandIcan'
tcont
inue
wit
houther
..
.”
“
Theyki
ll
edmymot
her
,youraunt
..
.”
“
Iknowandt
heywil
lpay.That
'sapr
omi
se.Now
t
akemetoLi
ll
y.”
“
Fine.
”she'
sannoyed.
“Don'
tbeli
kethat.YouknowIwon'
tletanyt
hing
happentoyou,r
ight?”
“
Youf ail
edusbef
ore,Zwe.”myhear
tsinksandI'
m
r
emi ndedoft
hedepthofthematt
erIhavetodeal
wit
h.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”
“It
'sokay.Youar
enotasusel
essasyourfat
herand
that'
sremarkabl
e.How'
smom? ”shecal
lsmymom
hermom t oo.
“
She'
sfi
ne.Youshoul
dvi
sitsoon,
shemi
ssesyou.
”
“
I'
m of
fthi
sweekend.That
'sherr
oom.
”
“Thankyou.Ioweyouone.
”wehugandshegoes
backdownstair
s.
Il
ight
lyknockonthedoor,
shedoesn'tr
espondbutI
canhearsobscomingfr
om insi
de.Ipushthedoor
open.
“Whydon' tyoujustkil
lme?Ihat eyoufather!
”my
Queencr i
esbutshedoesn' tl
ookatme.Shet hinks
I'
m herfather.She'ssi
tt
ingonahear tshapedchair
andlookingout si
de.Iputthebagsont hefloorand
hugherf r
om behi nd.“
Z..Zwe..
.”shej
umpsonme
andcriesevenhar der.
“
Shhh.I
'
m her
enow,
stopcr
ying.
”
“He..
hehitme.
..
”herl
ipst
rembl
eandmyanger
resur
facesasIl
aymyeyesonthebr
uisescover
ing
herbody.
“I'
m sorry,babe.I
'mr eal
lysorr
y.”Iki
ssher .Ican
feelherpain,heranger ,
herhelpl
essness,andIwi sh
Icant akeitawayf r
om her.Itpainsmet oseeher
l
ikethis.“I'
m sorr
ymyQueen.Thi si
sallbecauseof
me, I
'mr eall
ysorry.
..
”
“
Stopblamingyourself
.Thisisnotyourfaul
t.
”she
f
orceshersel
ftosmile.I
'm sureshe'
stryi
ngto
makemef eelbet
ter.
“Youl
ookthi
nalr
eady,
whendi
dyoul
asthave
somet
hingtoeat
?”
“
Idon'
tremember
..”
“
Youhavetoeat
.Ibr
oughtyourf
avor
it
e.”Ishowher
t
hebags.
“
Babe?Al
lthi
sforme?
”
“Yesmyl ove.
”she'stoohappyt oevenaskhowI
gotin.Ihopeshedoesn' task,
Idon'tthi
nkshe's
readytoknowwhoIr eall
yam.I '
m afrai
dthatifshe
getstoknowt hatourmeet i
ngwasn' tacoinci
dence,
shewi l
lfl
iporworse,breakupwi t
hme.Ican' thave
that,
I'
mi ntoodeepwi t
ht hisl
ovething.She'sthe
fi
rstwomanIopenedmyhear ttoandIdon' twantto
l
oseher .
*
***
***
***
**

KHANYI
'
SPOV.
Myhear talmostst
opswhenMelwalksi
nthehouse.
He'slooki
nghandsomeinhiscust
om madesuitl
ike
al
ways.Hepushesmeasi deandrunsupst
air
s.I
decidetofoll
owhim.
“
Hubby.
”
“Wi
fey.
”her esponds.Mybodyreact
stohisvoi
ce
andI'
m ashamedt osayI'
m al
readywetdownther
e.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”Isay.
“I
'm sorr
yt oo.Comehere.”Isitnexttohi
m buthe
gesturesformet ositonhislap.Itr
ytoreadhis
mindbuthi seyesareclosedof f
.“YouknowIl ove
you,ri
ght?”Iswallowhard.“Talktomebabe, you
sti
llr
ememberourvows?”
“
Y..
yes.
”Idon'
tknowwher
ethi
sisgoi
ng.
“
Til
ldeat
hdousapar
t,r
ight
?”
“Mel.
.”heroughl
ygrabsmyneckandkissesme.
Hiski
sst ast
esdif
fer
entandt
hatscar
esme.
“Whosechi
ldar
eweexpecti
ng,
wifey?
”hepresses
hishandonmyjaw.“
Iwantananswer,woman!”he
easeshi
sgr
aspandIbr
eat
he.
“
It
'sour
s,babe.
”
“
Goodgi
rl
.Removeyourcl
othes.
”
“
Babe.
..
”
“Youwentt omypar entsandtol
dthem Il
eftand
youwant edmeback, r
ight
?Well
,hereIam andI
wantsexf rom mydearwi f
ewhoswor eshehas
changedi nherlongmessages.Removeyour
clothes.
”IdoasI '
mt ol
d.WhenI'
mf ull
ynaked,he
tell
smet osleeponthebed, f
acedown.
“I
'm notcomfort
ablewi
ththi
s,Mel..
.Aaaaa”I
scream aspaintempor
ari
lypar
alyzemybody.
“Thisiswhatyouwant ,ri
ght?Itr
iedt
omoveon
withoutyounaggingmebutyouwant edmeback.
Your ui
nedmyvacat ion.IhateyouKhanyi
!”wit
h
everyhatefulwor
dofhi shemakessur etori
pmy
assapar t
.Tearsstr
eam downmycheeks.
“
Melpl
ease..
.”heignoresmycri
esandcont
inuesto
r
ipmeapartunti
lmybodygoesnumb.Hef reezes
i
nsi
demeandqui cklypull
sout
.Hegoesint
ot he
bathr
oom andcomesoutmi
nut
esl
atersmel
li
ng
fr
eshandincasualwear
.
“I
'
m goi
ngout.Don'
twaitupf
orme.”Ican'
teven
bri
ngmysel
ftomove.Iheart
hedoorclosi
ngandI
j
ustweep.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT24.

MEL'
SPOV.

“Kuhle!”mom ishappytoseeme.I '

m seei
ngherfor
thefir
sttimeaftermytri
p.Iwantedtocalm downa
bitbeforeIcomet ot
hisGodforsakenhouseIhave
gr
ownt
ohat
ewi
thever
ythi
ngi
nme.
“FirstLady. ”Ihugher.Inevert ol
dmymom how
muchherabsenceaf fectedme, shedoesn' tknow
thatIconst ant
lywonderi fsheevert houghtofus
whi leshewasbusymaki nganamef orherself.I
wonderi fitwasallwor thitorshej ustcouldn't
standusbecausewear eourfather'schil
dren.I
refuset obel i
evethatshe' sobl
ivioust oeverything
thatmydadget supt o.Thi si
sawhol ePr ofessor
wear etalkingabout,awomanwhoget scallsfrom
differentdepar t
mentsofheal thaski ngaboutt hings
theydon' tunder st
and.
“
Howar eyou?Howcanyoujustupandl
eave
wit
houtt
ell
ingme?Doyouhatemenow?”
“Nomom.I twasanemer gencymeeting.”Il
ie.DoI
hate?No.Hat ei
saver ystr
ongwor d,
Ijusthavea
fewquestionsforherthatIcan'
tseem tobe
courageousenought oask.
“
Hmmm.
”
“Comeon,Fir
stLady,
I'
mtel
li
ngt
het
rut
h.”Ican'
t
haveherdoubti
ngme.
“Ibeli
eveyou,son.How'
smydaught
eri
n-l
aw?
”I
clenchmyf i
sts.
“She'
sfi
ne.
”It
ryt
osoundasneut
ralasIcanbe.I
evenfor
ceasmil
e.
“She'
sscar
cet
hesedays?I
sthepr
egnancyhar
don
her?”
“
Youknowaboutherpr
egnancy?
”
“Yes.Yourfat
hersaidyoubot hbrokethenewsto
him befor
eyouleft
.Icall
edyoubackbecauseI
heardKhanyiwasn'tfeel
ingwell.Shecall
edand
askedmet oconveythemessagesi nceyouhadher
blocked.What'
sgoingon, son?”
“Idi
dn'tblockher ,Iswitchedmyphonesof f.It
's
nothingreall
yshewasj ustbeingawoman. ”once
againIforceasmi le.I
fIcont i
nuewi t
hthi
s
conversati
on, Iwil
lsuf f
ocat e,
Iswear.“Mom,I'
m
sorrybutI'm notstayingf ordinner
.Ihavetobe
somewher e,
adi nnermeet i
ng.”
“
Oh.
”herf
acef
all
s.“
Ipr
epar
edyourf
avor
it
e.”
“
I'
m sor
rymom.Let
'sdot
his,
putmyf
oodi
na
Tupperwaret henIwilleatit
.Allofi
t,Ipr
omise.”she
smil
es.Iwat chhermovear oundinherspacious
andneatkitchen,theonlyspaceofher sthatdad
doesn'
tcrowd.Theonl yplaceinthi
shouseshecan
behersel
fandnotf eeldepressed.
“
Thankyou.”Isayasshehandsmeawarmerbag
wit
hthr
eetupperwaresal
lfi
ll
edwi
thmyf
avori
te
f
oods.
“
Youwel
comeson.”Iki
sshercheekandleave.
“
Mel?
”shecal
lsoutj
ustwhenI'
m aboutt
oexi t
.
“
Ma.
”
“
What everi
sbotheri
ngyou,
fixitbefor
eyoubecome
l
ikeyourfat
her.Il
oveyouson.”Isighandexi
t
wit
houtawor d.

I'
vehadaverylongandt i
ri
ngshittydayandallI
wantri
ghtnowi sabat h,si
lence,f
oodandabot tle
ofScotchwhiskey.ButIcan'tachievet
hatifIgo
backtomyhouse, Itakeal ef
tturnandspeedof fto
EmakhandeniAwher eI '
m metbyAsenat hisi
tti
ng
onthedurawallandtalki
ngt oagroupofmen.No,
notmenbutboys.Theyalltur
ntheirheadswhenI
parkmycar,I
'm noti
nthemoodt ogreetpeopl
esoI
j
ustpassthem headedi
nside.Asenathil
eapst
oher
feetandbl
ocksmyway.
“
Nott
oday,
Ase.I
'
minaver
ybadmood.
..
”
“
Idon'
tcar
eaboutyourmood.Youhavet
opayyour
wayi
n.Thatwast
heinit
ialdeal
.”
“Real
lynow?”ifshewasn'
tStar'
scousi
n,tr
ustme,I
wouldfuckherbacktohersensesandsubmissi
on.
Idon'
tli
kewomenwhochal l
engeme.“Idon'
thave
cashwithme..
.”
“
Gobackt
hen.
”
“Here.
”Ihandhermybankaccount .“
Youcanrun
offwithi
tifyouwantto,j
ustdon'
tcomebacki
fyou
do.1301isthepin.Senditbackt
omewhenyouar e
done.”she'
sshocked.Ipushherofft
hewayandgo
i
n.

St
arisconcentrat
ingonsomethingthat
'spl
aying
onthet
elevi
sion,Iinvi
temysel
finandcloseher
eyeswi
thmyhands.
“
Mel
.”shesayswi
thahugesmi
leonherf
ace.
“Heybabe.Putyourshoeson,
wear
egoi
ng
somewhere.”
“
Wher
eto?
”
“Iwi
llshowyou.WhereareyourshoessoIcanget
them f
oryou?”shepoint
st othecorri
dor,
Iquickl
y
puthershoesonherfeetandpi ckherup.“No
wheelchai
r,Ij
ustwanttotakecareofyout odayand
Iwil
lbeyourmeanst omovear ound.Deal?”
“
Deal
.”damn!Hersmileal
waysmakemel
osef
ocus
f
orafewsecondsifnotminut
es.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”Asenat
hiquest
ions.
“Somewhereyouwouldn'
twantt
obe.Don'
twai
tup,
Iwil
lbr
ingherbackt
omor r
owmor ni
ng.
”
“
Mel
..
.”
“
Rel
ax,
I'
vegott
his.
”
*
***
***
***
ZWELAKHE'
SPOV.

Ispentt
hewhol edaywi t
hmyQueen.Shedi dask
howImadei tinside,Ithoughtoflyingbutli
esruin
rel
ati
onshi
pssoIendedupt ell
ingherhalfthetrut
h
aboutmyself
.Shef li
ppedbutImanagedt oexplai
n
toherwhyIdidwhatIdi d.Sheslappedme, wel
l,I
for
giveherf
ort hatbecauseIl oveherotherwiseshe
wouldbeinanI ntensiveCareUni taswespeak.
“Youarecooki
ng?”mymotherissur
pri
sed.Ihel
p
herwit
hherbucketsandbags.
“
Hel
lot
oyout
oo,
Nono.Howwasyourday?
”
“Notbad.Isoldallofmycornandamacimbi
(mopanewor ms).Thebusinessi
sreal
lypi
cki
ng
up.”shesmilesfeeli
ngpr
oudofhersel
f.
“I'
m gladyouareenjoyi
ngitwhil
emaki ngmoneyf or
yourself
.Iwouldn'
twantmyf at
herf al
li
ngforevery
mansi mplybecauseshe'shungry.Youknow, t
he
typeofwomanwhodat enotforlovebuttofil
lthei
r
empt ystomachs..
.”
“
Zwelakhe!
”shepl
ayf
ull
ysmacksmeandwebot
h
l
augh.
“
I'
m ser
iousmom,
Idon'
twantast
epf
ather
.”
“Whataboutmyneeds,
Zwe?I
'
m st
il
lyoungyou
know?”
“Idon'tmindyougett
ingaboyfri
endf
orthatbut
don'teverintr
oducet
hemant ome.I'
m dead
seri
ous, Idon'
twantastepf
ather
.”
“
I'
m st
il
lyourmot
her
,Zwe.
..
”
“That'
swhyI'
mt al
kingt
oyouli
ket hi
s.Iloveyou
NonoandI'm savi
ngyoufr
om theheartacheof
seeingmerej
ectyourboyf
ri
end.”
“
Ihearyou.Di
dyout
alkt
oLi
ll
y?”
“
Yes.
”
“
And?
”
“
Itol
dhert
het
rut
h..
.”
“Zwel
akhe!Whathaveyoudone?Youar eput
ti
ng
heri
ndangerbydoingthi
s.Whatifshegetsmadat
youandsings?Li
keyourl
ategir
lf
riend?
”
“Iunderst
andyourconcernmom butIdon' tl
ike
secret
s.Theydestroyrel
ati
onships,Il
oveLil
lyand
I'
m goingtomar r
yhersomeday.Shedeser vesto
knowwhatshe' sgetti
nghersel
fintoandifshe
sings,wel
l.
..
.”Ishrug.
“
No,
youwoul
dn'
t!
”
“Yesyouar eri
ght
,Iwoul
dn'tdarehur
therl
iket
hat
.
Abul l
etdoesn'
thurtmom..
.”thi
sti
meshereall
y
slapsmehar d.
“
Mom?
”
“
Ifyouhurther
,orshouldanyt
hinghappentoher,
I
wil
lper
sonall
ykil
lyou!Thatgi
rll
ovesyou,Zwe!
”
“Mom, Iwon'
tki l
lher,
Ipromi se.Aslongasshe
doesn'tmessupmypl ans.Ther earemany
i
nnocentpeopl einvol
vedi nthi
sandIcan' thaveher
singi
ngandr eveali
ngmyr eali
dentit
y.Imaginewhat
dadwi l
ldotoyoui fhefindsoutI '
m sti
llal
ive?
ImaginewhatLi l
ly'
sdadandhi sfr
iendswilldoto
Ir
eneiftheyl
ear nofherr eali
denti
ty?”
“Youwerenotsupposedt
ofal
linlovewithherand
nowthatyouloveher,
makesureshe'ssafe.
”
“Sheis.NooneknowswhoIam yet
,Iwi
llpr
otect
her.
”
“Good.Youhavet osavet
heworl
dfrom t
hose
people,youtookanoatht
odoso,youpromised
yoursistert
oo.Don'
tmessupyourownplans.”
“Iwil
l.Thankyouf oryoursuppor t.
”Iemot i
onall
y
hugher .ThetraumaI'vecausedt hiswomancan
notber epayedbyanyamountofmoney.Not hing,
notevendi amonds,gol d,mansionsandthewor l
d's
ri
chmi neralscanrepaymydebt .I'
m hopingthatmy
missionwi l
lbeasuccessandIwi l
lfi
nall
ybeabl eto
avenget hedeathofthei nnocentsoulswel ostdue
toselfi
shpeopl ewhot hinktheyownt hewor l
d
simplybecauset hei
rbankaccount shavenineor
moredi git
s.
Myphonevibrat
esonthecount
erandIi
gnor
ethe
cal
l.I
tri
ngsagai
n,It
akeadeepbreat
handanswer
i
t.
“
Thi
sbet
terbei
mpor
tant
.I'
m busy.
”
“
SheworksinaclubthatPr
of.Hl
ongwaneowns.
Wecanabductherandmakehertal
k..
..
”
“Don'tyouever
,everagaincomeupwithsuchlame
plans.Noone,NOONE, shoul
dtoucht
hatgi
rl
.Do
youhearme? ”
“
Yes,
sir
.”
“Good.Nowgobackt oyourcomputerandfindme
somethingsoli
dIcanuse.Nogi rl
sshouldbe
i
nvolvedinmypl an,youallmessedupbeforeand
I'
m nothavi
ngt hatagai
n.Don'tmakemer epeat
myself.
”Idropthecallandturntomymot her.
“
Didyouseeher
?”Iask.
“YesbutIdidn'tfi
ndt
heopport
unit
ytotalktoher.I
heardhertalki
ngonthephonethatshewillbe
payi
ngutil
itybill
sandbuyi
nggroceri
estomorrow
aft
erwork.
”
“Okay.Sheusuall
yshopsatChoppi esDowntown.
Cerealsar
eherfavori
te,Weetbix,
cornf
lakesand
oats.SheusesLil
-l
etsunscentedpadsandsunlight
greenbarforbat
hing.Shehasal l
ergi
esalmost
simil
artomine.Becarefular
oundherbecause
she'sjumpy.
”
“
Okay,
Iwi
ll
.”
“
Thankyou,
Ioweyouone.
”
*
***
***
***
*

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Itrytotur ntomyl ef tside,mybabymustbef eel

ing
uncomf or t
ablesinceI 'vebeensl eepingonmy
stomacheversi ncet hen.If or cemysel fup, Ifeel
somet hingleakingandt her oom i nstantlystinks.I
panicandIqui ckl
yj umpdespi t
emypai nandt he
shockerawai t
smeont hebed.Melbr okemy
sphincter?HowcanIbel eakingf eacesr i
ghtnow.I
trytostraightenmyback, t
hepai nIf eelshoot s
strai
ghtt omyhear t.Idr agmysel fandt hesheet sto
thebathr oom.Icleanmysel fandt hesheet s.Af t
er
bathing,Iopenal lthewi ndowsandspr ayr oom
freshenerbef oredialingf atheri n-law.
“I
'
m busy,Khanyi
,whati
sit
?”hesoundsannoyed
al
ready.
“
Yoursonr
apedme.
..
”
“
Whatdoyoumeanher apedyou?Areyounothi
s
wif
e?Di
dyounotvowt oser
vehim al
lthet
imes?
Wherei
sthi
snonsensecomingfr
om? ”
“Hefor
cedhimsel
fonme.Hehur
tme!
”Ial
most
scr
eam athi
m.
“S'
khanyi
selweMpof u,don'
ttr
yme.Nohusband
rapeshi
swi fe,
awi feisasgoodasi nstr
umentt o
makeherhusbandhappy.I fyourhusbandlikes
roughsex,youshoul dconsoleyoursel
faft
erwards
becauseyou'dhavedoneagoodj obbylet
ti
nghi m
rel
easehistension.There'
snor apeinmarri
age,
maybeifyousayyouwer enotinthemoodnot
accusi
ngmysonl ikethat.
”
“
I'
m goi
ngt
orepor
thi
m..
.”
“Youcantryandseei fyouwil
lmakeittothepol
ice
stat
ionsti
llal
ive.Justsuckitupandpreparedi
nner
forhim.Youbot hwillbefi
ne.”
“
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome?
”
“Youweren'tsupposedtofalli
nlovewit
hmyson,
Khanyi
.Butsi nceyoudid,bethewifet
hatIwantf
or
him.Now,ifyouwi l
lexcusemeIhavebusinessto
att
endto.
”Ibl
anklyl
ookatt hephoneandslowlysit
ontheedgeofthebed.Idon'thaveanymoretears
l
eftinme.Mybodyisst ar
ti
ngt ofeelnumbbutt
he
paininmyhear
tissti
llassharpandaswor d.
*
***
***
***

STAR'
SPOV.

Melpar
ksi
nfrontofthi
sbi
gposhmansi
on.He
l
ooksatmeandsmi l
es.
“
Wher
ear
ewe?
”
“
Khumal
osubur
bs.
”hegr
ins.
“
Iknowt
hatMel
!Whosehousei
sthi
s?”
“Pati
ence,baby.”hestepsdownt hecar
,twobull
dogsrunandj umponhi m.Hetouchesboththei
r
headsandsaysomet hing.Thedogshappil
ywiggle
thei
rtai
lsbeforesit
ti
ngdown.Hehel psmeoutout
ofthecar.
Hebal
ancesmybodyonhi
sknee,
presses
somethi
ngont hedeviceinst
all
edonthewallnear
thedoor
f r
ame.Thefrontdoorsli
desopen,t
helight
s
comealive.Abeaut
if
ulblackandwhitecatmeows
andwalksbetweenhislegs.Heputsmeont he
kit
chenstoolandpi
cksupt hecatandrubsit
'sback.
“HeyStacey.”hesaysandthecatssnuggleeven
closer
.“Ibroughtsomeonetoday.She'st
heladyof
thehouse,hernamei sNonduduzobutIpreferStar
.
She'salovelywoman, comeon,greether
.”heputs
thecatonthecount erandi
tgawksatmel ikeI'
m
someki ndofanal i
en.
“
Hey..
”It
rytotouchherbutshequi
ckl
yrai
sesher
f
rontf
ootandgrins.
“Stacey!Behave!”Mel repr
imandsandt hecatpads
away.“ She'snotusedt opeople.Iusual
lycome
herealone.Oh, babe,thisi
smyhouse.I t'
smy
hideoutwhenIj ustwantpeaceandsi l
ence.Ther
e
areanumberofwor kersaroundtheyardbutthey
areinvisi
ble.Idon'
twantpeopl efloodi
ngmy
space.”
“
Doesyour
..
.”
“No.OnlyyouandSigola.Ibroughtyouhere
becauseIwanttospendapeacef ulni
ghtwit
hyou.
”
hesaysandmyhear tfl
att
ers.God,canhebemor e
adorabl
ethannow?If eelspecial
tobet hef
ir
st
womani nhishouse.Itgi
vesmeasenseof
bel
onging.
“
Isee.
”

Aftereati
nghi sfavori
temealpr eparedbyhi s
mot her
,het akesmeupst airstoar oom hesaysi t
's
themast erbedr oom.Hepr eparesabath, hel
psme
bathbutt odayhe' stooquiet .He'
snottalkingmuch,
he'sexpressinghi slovethroughact i
ons.Heappl ys
moi st
uri
zeronmybody, tellsmehedoesn' twant
mesl eepingwi t
hmypant iesandpadst onight.He
peelsthebl anketoffthebedandhel psmel i
edown
comf ort
ably.Hesl owlytakesmyheadt ohi schest,
kissesmyf or eheadandhol dsmeevencl oser.
“
Got
osl
eepbaby.
”
“
Areyouokay?Youseem of
f.
..
”
“
I'
mfi
ne,
justabi
tti
red.Sl
eepnow,
sweet
hear
t.I
l
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

Iwakeupt othesoundofKi
rkFrankl
in'
s‘WannaBe
Happy? ’Irubmyeyesandlookaround.Ial
ways
feeldisori
entedwhenIwakeupinadi f
fer
ent
setti
ng.
“GoodmorningMr
sMel.”hesaysandpl
acesa
breakf
astt
rayont
hebed.
“Morni
ngbabe.
”Irespond.Hesi
ghsandr
ubshi
s
head.I
t'
snotagoodsign.
“Ther
e'snoeasywaytoputt
hisbutt
hishast
obe
done.Babe,
Ithi
nkourst
oryendsher
e...
”
“
What
?”
“
Don'tgetmewrong,Il
oveyouSt arbutwecan'
tbe
t
ogether
.Theoddsareagainstus,everyt
imeI
'm
wit
hyouIworryaboutyoursafet
y..
..”
“
Youcan'tdot
histome,
Mel.Il
oveyou,
Iloveyou
Mel
..
.”t
earsar
eflowi
ngdownmycheeks.
“Iknowbabe, Iknow.Pl easeunder standt his,I
didn'tmeant ohur tyou.Il oveyousomucht hatI
don'twantt ol oseyou.Youar etheonl y
thing/persont hatmakessensei nmyl ifer i
ghtnow
andIhavet ol etyougoi nor dert oprot ectyou.Go
onandenj oyyourl i
fetot hef ullest
.Godwi l
ling,we
shallbeuni tedwhenal lthisi sover .Iloveyou, babe.
Don' teverforgetthat.”wit ht hatheki ssesmy
forehead, wipesawaymyt earsbefor eput ti
ng
somet hingmet all
iccoldinmyhand.“ I
fwewon' t
meetatt heend, uset hi
st ounl ockaf ut urefill
ed
withendl esspossi bil
iti
es.For ever,Ishal lbeyour s
andyouwi l
lforeverdwel linmyhear t.It'sa
goodbyef ornow, sweet hear t.”
“
Mel
..
”
“Si
golawilltakeyouhome.Iwi
llsendt
herestof
yourstuf
ff r
om theoff
icet
oyourhouse.
..
”
“
I'
mfiredt
oo?WhatdidIdo?Whyareyoupuni
shi
ng
meli
kethi
s?”apai
nfull
umpblocksmythr
oat.
“
Wor ki
ngformei
sdangerousbecausenowmy
f
atherknowswearei
nlove.Iwi
llt
akecareof
you.
..
”
“
Idon'
twantyourmoney!Iwantyou.
..
”
“Goodbyemylove.
”hetearshi
sgazeawayf
rom
mytear-
fi
ll
edeyesandwalksaway.
..
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
Goodmor ni
ngdarl
ings.Iwon'tbeabl
etotake
sponsorshi
pthi
sweekend.Ilostmyli
lsi
ster
yest
erdayandI'
m sti
llt
ryi
ngtocomet ot
ermswit
h
thenews.
Enj
oyyourweekend.

Muchl
ove
Sukol
uhl
eNont
okozoMdl
ongwa.
TheUndyi
ngLove.
I
NSERT25.

STAR'
SPOV.

“
Comeonbabe, scubadi
vingi
sn'
tscar
yasyou
t
hink.Let
'stryi
t.
”hesmil
edandtri
edtocoaxme
i
ntoagreeing.
“I
'
m scaredMel
.Ican'
tdoit
.”Il
ookedatt
hedeep
water
sinthemiddl
eofthesea.Melhadt
akenus
boatcr
uisi
ngandhehadhisownplansofplayi
ng
danger
ousgamesinthewater.
“
Youl
oveswi
mmi
ngbabe,
thi
swon'
tbehar
d..
.”
“
Therearenosharksi
ntheswi
mmi ngpool.
”I
r
espondedandhisrar
elaughf
il
ledthepl
ace.He
l
aughedhardIf
eltali
tt
lest
upi
datthatmoment.
“
Youwat cht
oomuchmoviesbabe,
anyway,
Iwon'
t
f
orceyou.Wil
lyouwat
chme?”
“Defi
nit
ely.
”Iwat
chedhim getint
ohisdivi
ngoutf
it
withthehelpoft
hecrew.Wehadpr ofessi
onal
photographer
sandal
louroutingswere
photo/videogr aphed.Iwipemyt ear sasthevideo
endsbutIcan' twipeawayt hepainIf eeldeepdown
i
nmyhear t.Thepai nIfeelrightnowi swor sethan
thepainIf eltwhenmypar entsdisownedme.How
didIallowmysel ftoopenmyhear tforsomeone
whoi smar r i
edandwayoutofmyl eague?Whydi dI
all
owmysel ft
obeusedbysomeonewhocl early
hadpr oblemswi t
hhi swife?
“Star.
”apai nfull
umpr i
sesinmyt hr oat,
Itryto
swal l
owi tbutitchokesmei nstead.“ Cousin?”
Asenat hipushest hedooropen.“St ar?”shequickl
y
kneelsnextt ome.“ Whathappened?Youar e
crying.
...
”allthestrengthItr
iedtobui ldforhernot
towi t
nesst hiscomescr umbl i
ngdownandIcr y
evenhar der.“Youar escari
ngme, cousi n.Whatdid
Meldot oyou?Di dhef orcehimselfonyou? ”I
shakemyhead.“ Thenwhathappened?I t
'sbeena
weekandyouhaven' tsaidanythi
ngaboutwhat
happenedt hatday.”
“
He.
.hedumpedme.
..
”
“Why?”Ial
sowantt
oknowwhyhel etmeopenmy
hear
tonlyforhi
mtori
pitapar
t.“
Whydidhedot
hat
?
Di
dyouguysf
ight
?”
“
He.
..
hesai
dit
'sf
ormysaf
ety.
”
“Okay.St opcryingthen.Maybehe' sr i
ght.Yout old
meyour selfhowhi sfat herscar est heshitoutof
you.Youal sosai dhe'sadanger ousmanandi f
that'struethenMel canbeexcused.Iknowyoul ove
him butcousi n, somet i
mesl oveal onei sn'tenough.
Ifeelforyou, IdoandIunder standhi m att hesame
ti
me.I fhi sfat
herr eallywant stodest royhi mt hen
youar eaweakl inkri
ghtnow.Melwon' tbeabl eto
concent rateont hedanger oustaskathandwhi l
e
wor ryi
ngaboutyoursaf ety.Stopcr ying,thatmani s
your sandyoushoul dt akehi swor dforit
.I fhesaid
hewi l
lcomebackf oryout henhewi l
lcome.Be
strongf orhim, don'tbreakbecauset hatwi l
lbreak
himt oo. ”shehugsmeevent ighter.Iwantt o
believeherbutwhati fMel 'sfatherdoesn' tal l
ow
himt ocomebackt ome?
“
Yout
hinkhewi
llbeback?
”
“Iknowhewil
lbeback.St
opcr
yingf
oramant hat
's
sobackwar
ds.Thesedayswedon'
tcryovera
breakup,wepopchampagnebottl
esandcelebr
ate
thegoodt i
mes.Li
fei
stooshortt
of ocusonsad
memor ies.Wi
peyourt
ears,
let
'sgoout .
”
“Wi
thwhatmoney?Besi
des,
Idon'
tfeell
ikegoi
ng
out
..
.”
“
Iwasn'
taski
ngyou,
itwasanor
der
.Getup.
”
“
Ase.
..
”
“Iwon'
tletyoucryyoursel
ftodepressi
on,
okay?Get
upandlet'
sgoout .Ical
ledPaul
ineandJoy.They
arej
oini
ngussi nceit
'sFri
day.
”
“
Fine!Butwait?Wedon'
thavemoneytospend
r
ecklessl
y.”shepul
l
soutavisacar
d.“
Whosecard
i
sit?”
“Yourri
chexandwear
egoi
ngt
oempt
yiti
fit
's
possibl
e..
.”
“
What?Whatareyoudoingwit
hMel
'
scar
d?Idon'
t
wanthi
smoney!Iwanthim!
”
“
Heyiwena,ngazongi
hlanyi
sa!Whatwillyoudo
wit
hhim?Sex?Seven,ten,f
if
teenroundsandthen
what?Hemaybegoodi nbeddarl
ingbutyouneed
thi
smoneyespeciall
ynowthathefi
redyou.For
get
aboutyourpr
inci
plesandenj
oythi
smoney.You
earnedi
t.
”
“
Hewi
llt
hinkI
'
m agol
ddi
gger
.”
“Thenthat'
shisproblem.Besi des,there'
snot
hing
wrongwi t
hgol ddiggi
ngi fyoufindt heri
chbeltof
gold,youdig.Okay?”Inodevent houghIdon't
agreewithher.“Goodgirl,nowlet'sgetyoucleaned
upanddr essedtopar t
y.”shesaysandopensmy
wardrobeinsearchofcl othesformet owear
.
“
Thesedaysyouar
enotwor
king?
”I'
vebeen
meani
ngtoaskher
.
“
No.I
'
m onl
eave,
fort
woweeks.
”
“
Oh,
that
'
sgr
eat
.Canwegohomeandvi
sitaunt
?”
“Youwanttogohome?Oryoujustwantt
otr
yand
beasfaraspossi
blef
rom Mel
?”
“
Idon'
tknow.Ij
ustwantf
reshai
r.
”
“
Idon'
tfeell
ikegoi
nghomebuti
fyouwantt
o,t
hen
wewil
lgo.”
*
***
***
***
**
KHANYI
'
SPOV.

I'
mtr yi
ngt ofi
gureouthowt oturnont
hegasstove
whenMelwal ksincarryi
ngabunchofflowersand
agiftbag.Myhear talmoststopswhenInoti
cehe
hashi searstudsbackonandhe' sweari
ngcasual
.I
shouldbeangr yathimf orhurt
ingmebutmybody
i
sbet rayingmerightnow.It'
sbeenaweekbutmy
assst i
llhurt
s.
“Wifey,I
'
m sorr
y.I'
m sor
ryf
oreveryt
hingIdid.My
fatherpl
ayedwithmyemotions,
I'
mr eal
lysorry.
Pleaseforgi
veme.”
“Youhurtme,
Mel
.Your
apedme!
”Iyel
l
,he
chuckl
es.
“
I'
m sor
ryIwasn'tthi
nki
ngstrai
ght
.Pl
easef
orgi
ve
me,Iwi
llneveragai
nhurtyouli
ket
hat
.”
“
Promi
se?
”
“
Ipr
omi
se.Iwi
llneverphysi
cal
lyhur
tyouagai
n.”
“
I'
m st
il
linpai
n,Mel
butmypai
nisn'
tasdeepasmy
l
ove.Il
oveyouandyes,Ifor
giveyou.
”hehugsme
t
ight
,atearescapesmyeye.
“
Iloveyou,
Khanyi
.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”webot
hsmi
le.
Iopenthegif
tbagandheboughtadiamond
neckl
aceforme.Hehel
psmeputi tonandIl
ovei
t.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul,
thankyou.
”
“Notasbeaut
if
ulasyouwif
ey.
”Ibl
ush.“
Whatwer
e
youdoingint
hekit
chen?
”
“
Um.
..Iwast
ryi
ngt
ocookf
oryou.
”
“
Cookforme?Why?Webothknowmybeaut
if
ul
wif
eiscl
uel
esswheni
tcomestothat
.”
“Iwanttolearn.Iwanttotr
yandbeagoodwi f
eto
you.Ipartl
yblamemysel fforyourfr
ustrat
ion,I
haven'
tbeenagoodwi fetoyou.Ifocusedmor eon
mycar eerandf or
gottobalancemyr esponsibil
it
ies.
Iwanttocor r
ectthatnow.”
“Youdon'thavet
obesomeoneyouarenotjustt
o
pleaseme.Iwantawi
fewhoisfreet
obewhoshe
want st
obeandgivemeaporti
onofherti
me.
Cooking,cl
eani
ngandal lt
hosebackwardthi
ngs
thatareseenasquali
ti
esofagoodwi f
edonot
mat t
ertome.Ijustwantyoutobemine,that
'sal
l.
”
“
Areyousur
e?”
“Yes.It'
sthe21stcenturybabe, noneofthose
thingswor know.Youdon' thavetofeelguil
tyabout
allofthat.Therearealoti
fthingsthatyoudobet t
er
andt hat'
sallthatmatt
ers.Forgetthecooking,
I'
m
takingyououtt oday.
”
“
Wher
eto?
”
“
It
'sasur
pri
se.Goandgetr
eady.
”
O-okay.Idi
dn'texpectt hingstoturnoutl i
kethi
sbut
I'
m ahappygi r
l.I'
m happyt hatmyhusbandi sback
athome.Iknowt herear eaf ewthi
ngswest i
llhave
toir
onoutbutf ornow, Iwillal
lowmysel ftol
ivein
themoment .Ialmostl ostthemanIl ovewithallof
mebecauseoft hatoldmanwhot hinksheownst he
world.Iwil
lhavet otellMel theent
iretruthand
hopefull
yhewi l
lforgiveme.
*
***
***
***
**
NARRATED.

I
nthepr
ivat
esecti
onboot
hofoneofthebestbars
i
nti
me,t
hegirl
shavethei
rfavor
it
edr
inksonthe
t
abl
eandabottl
eofchampagne.
“Let
'sor
dershot
sandpl
ayagame.Who'
supf
ori
t?”
Pauli
nesuggest
s.
“
I'
min.
..
”St
arsaysexci
tedl
y.
“Youcan'
ttakeshot
scousi
n,webot
hknowt
hat
's
badforyou.”
“ComeonAse,I'
m sur
eaf ewshotswon'
thurt
.”Joy
sayswhil
eswit
chingoffherphoneandt
hrowsiti
n
hercl
utchaf
ter
.
“No.I
nsteadofshotsshewil
ltakewater.Youcan
dri
nkyoursavanna,cast
leorwhateveryouwantbut
notshot
s.I'
m sorr
ycousin.
”
“
It
'sf
ine,
Iunder
stand.I
'
mjustbei
ngcr
azy.
”
Theyor
dershot
sandst
artpl
ayi
ngt
rut
hordar
e.Joy
keepsmessi
ngupandendsupf
eel
ingdr
unk
alr
eady.
Thegirl
ssingalongtoMakhadzif tMr.Brown'shi
t
song‘Murahu’whilehol
dingtheirbeerbott
les.
Alcoholi
sstar
ti
ngt oki
ckintheirsystems.
“I
'm notlet
tingt hi
sbeatgotowaste,never
.”
Asenathipushesherchai rbackwardsandstands
up.“I'
m goingt othedancefloor
,who'scomingwit
h
me?”Asenat hiist
heQueenoft hedancefl
oor,
she'
s
knownt obet heshowstopperwhenitcomesto
dancingandsi ngi
ng.
“Iam.
”Joyleapst
oherf
eetandt
hegi
rl
shi
tthe
dancefl
oor
.
“Babes,
areyouokay?
”Pauli
neasksassoonasJoy
andAsenathiar
eoutofear
shot
.
“Imisshim.
”St
arsaysandt
ear
sst
artf
all
ingdown
hercheeks.
“Idon'tknowift
hiswil
lmakeyouf eelbet
terornot,
hemi ssesyoutoo.Idon'tknowwhyyout wobroke
upaf t
ersuchabeautifulvacati
on.Youwer ehappy,
forthefir
stti
meIsawt hecaref
reesideofMr .
HlongwanethatIneversawbefor
e.Heador esyou,
babes.I
fyourissuescanberesol
vedpleasetryand
workonthem.Youguysl ookgoodtogether
.”
“
Idon'
tknowbabes.Imi
sshi
m butatthesame
t
imeIcan'
tbewit
hhim.He'
smarri
ed.”
“Youbot
hknewthisbeforeI
'm sur
eyoucanwor
k
somethi
ngout
.Pleasestopcryi
ng..
”
“
Whoi
scr
yingandwhy?
”Joyasks.
“
Nobody.
”Paul
inedi
smi
ssesher
.
“
Comeonwear
eal
lfr
iends.
..”
“Isai
dnobodyi
scr
ying,
okay?Justbackof
f!
”
Pauli
nehi
sses.
“Okay,
jeez!Iwasj
ustaski
ng,
noneedt
obi
temy
headoff.
”
“Youguysshouldstopf i
ghti
ngallt
hetime.What'
s
wrongwithyoutwo?Ar eyoushar i
ngaman? ”Asks
Asenat
hiwhilewipingherfacewithati
ssuepaper.
JoyandPaulinestareateachotherunabl
etomask
thehat
redtheyhavef oreachot
her.
Ont heot
hersi
deofthepri
vatelounge,j
usta
curtai
nawayfrom wher
eStarandthecr eware
si
tti
ng,Melhel
psKhanyioutofherjacketandsit
s
down.Hesuddenlyfeel
sStar
'spresencebut
brushesi
toff
.
“I
t'
sbeenawhilesi
nceyout
ookmet
oabar
.”
Khanyisayswi
thasmil
e.
“That'
sbecauseyoudon'
tknowhowt
ohandl
eyour
alcohol
.”Melteases.
“Ohyeah?I'
m bett
erdr
inkert
hanyouhusband.You
aret
otal
lycrazywhenyouaredrunk.
”
“Am I?Idon'
tremembert helastt
imeIwasdr unk
l
ikereall
ydrunk.
”thei
rorderarri
vesandMelpour s
thei
rdrinksi
ntheglasses.Hisrul
e;Onlydrinkfr
om
abottleyouopenyourself.Heopenstheclosed
plat
esandKhanyigaspsl ookingatherfavori
tefood.
“Prawns!Wow, husband.Thankyousomuch. ”she
start
seati
ngwi thabigsmi l
eonherf ace.Mel's
phonevibrates,
it'
sanotif
icati
onfrom hisbank.His
heartski
psabeatwhenr eali
zati
onhitshim hard.I
t
wasn'tafalsealar
m,Starisreall
yherehencehi s
car
disbei
ngusedi
nthi
ssamebar
.“Ar
eyouokay?
”
“
Yeah.I
'm good.Let'
seat.
”theyeati
nsi
lence,
wit
h
Mel
'shear
tyearningtoseeStar.

OntheothersideStaraskst obeexcusedasshe
needsthebathroom.Paulineoffer
stoescorthert
o
thebat
hroom.Mel isli
steningeveryt
hingt
heyare
sayi
nganddevi sesaplan.
“
Ihavetomakeanimport
antcal
l,
Iwi
llbebacki
na
f
ewmi nut
es.I
'
m sor
ry.
”
Obl
ivi
oust
ohi
sdecei
tf
ulness,
Khanyiagr
ees.

“There'
ssomeoneinher e.”St
arshout
sast heli
ght
knockdistur
bsherpeace.Thedoorcr eeksopen,
she'sabouttoscr
eam whenMelqui cklyput sher
handonhermout h.Herr aci
nghearti
squi ckly
helpedbyhisscent.I
t'
sintoxi
cati
ng,l
ikealways.
“
It
'sme,
babe.
”
“
Whyar
eyouher
e?Youdumpedme!Ihat
eyou!
”
“Youdon' tmeant hatsweet hear
t.
”sti
llseatedon
thet oi
letseat,Melpul lsherchinup,bendsand
kissest heli
vingdayl ightsoutofStar
.Shemoans
i
nt ohismout h.“Sti
llhateme? ”heaskswi t
ha
raisedeyebr owwhi lehi shandsareinhispocketst
o
hidehiser ection.
“
Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“
Ibr
oughtmywi
fe.
.”
“Youwentbacktoher
?Aft
erpr
omisi
ngmeheaven
andear
th,youwentbackt
oher
!Youli
edt
ome,
Mel!
”Starcr
ies.
“Babe,
lookatme.Ineverl i
ed,everyt
hingIsai
dwas
tr
ue.Iwentbackt oheri nordertosaveus.Ihaven'
t
hadsexwi t
hherandI '
m notplanningtodothat.
Youdoknowshe' scarryingachildthat'
snotmine
andcultur
all
y,Iwillf
allsickordieifIhavesexwit
h
her.Pl
easebelieveme. ”
“Yousai
dyouareaddi
ctedt
osex,
wher
ehaveyou
beenget
ti
ngitt
hen?”
“
Comeon,Star,
don'tasksuchquest
ions.Youdon'
t
wantt
oheartheanswertothat
.YouknowI '
m
unabl
etoliet
oyousopleasedon'
tletmebr
eak
yourhear
twit
hthet
rut
h.”
“
Getout
!Go!
”
“Igetit,
youar eangr yanddr unkbutdon' tyoudar e
rai
seyourvoi ceatme.I '
m yourboyf ri
end,your
futur
ehusband. ..
.”Starsl apshim hardhe' s
shocked.“ Didyouj ustsl apme? ”hegr absherby
theneckandr oughl ykissher .Herangerjustf ueled
hererection.Het earsat i
ssuepaperusi nghi sleft
handandwi pesSt arwhom hef i
guredshewasn' tin
needoft hetoi let.Shejustneededspacef or
somet i
meandt hebathr oom wast hebestopt ion.
Hepi cksherup, f
lushesbef oreclosingthet oil
et
seatandsi tt
ingoni t.“Hel pmeopenmyzi pper...
”
“
Mel
..
.”
“
Youareangr
ybecauseI
'm buyi
ngsex,
ser
viceme
t
henbabe.Pl
ease.
”hewhi
spers.
“
Youar
eint
hef
emal
esbat
hroom.
..”
“
Paul
inewon'
tletanyonecomei
n.She'
sout
side.
”
“
Mel
..
.”hepushesherpant
iesasi
deand
#REMOVED.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
nser
t25.

#Removed

“Igetit
,youar eangryanddr unkbutdon'tyoudare
rai
seyourvoi ceatme.I '
m yourboyfri
end,your
futur
ehusband. ..
.”Starslapshim hardhe'
s
shocked.“Didyouj ustsl
apme? ”hegrabsherby
theneckandr oughl
ykissher .Herangerj
ustfuel
ed
hererecti
on.Het earsatissuepaperusinghislef
t
handandwi pesStarwhom hef i
guredshewasn'tin
needofthetoil
et.Shejustneededspacefor
sometimeandt hebathroom wasthebestopti
on.
Hepicksherup, f
lushesbeforecl
osingt
hetoil
et
seatandsit
tingonit.“Hel
pmeopenmyzi pper.
..
”
“
Mel
..
.”
“
Youareangr
ybecauseI
'm buyi
ngsex,
ser
viceme
t
henbabe.Pl
ease.
”hewhi
spers.
“
Youar
eint
hef
emal
esbat
hroom.
..”
“
Paul
inewon'
tletanyonecomei
n.She'
sout
side.
”
“Mel.
..
”hepushesherpanti
esasi
deandi nsertshi
s
middlefi
ngeri
nhervel
vetywetpussy.“
Ooh. .
.”she
soft
lymoans.
“Fuck!Yousot i
ghtbabe, i
t'
sonlybeenaweek. .
.
Shit!
”hegr untsasStarwr apsherhandar oundhi s
i
mpr essivelength.“
Iloveyou, Star.
”hegr absher
neckandbr i
ngshercl osertohismout h.Hesl owly
kissesher,histonguet wir
li
ngar oundher swhilehis
fi
ngerkeepswor ki
ngmagi cdownt here.He
unbuttonshershi r
tdressandst opasecondj ustto
admi r
eherf ullbr
easts.Het r
apsherl eftnippl
e
betweenhisf
ingersandshesquirms.Thetortur
eof
hi
sf i
nger
sinsideherandtort
uri
nghernippleshas
hermoaningandheshut sherupwithakiss.
“Mmmh. .
.”St
armut
tersi
ncoher
entwor
ds.Melpul
ls
hisf
inger
soutandl
ickst
hem.
“Youtastenicebabe..
”hehol dsherwaistand
slowl
yeaseshi mselfinher.Hedidreadaboutthe
comfortabl
esexposi ti
onsforherandhe'sfull
y
awarethatthispar
ticularposi
ti
onishighlynot
recommendedbuthecan' thelpi
t.“
Tellmet ostop
whenithurts..
.”
“Aah...
”shecri
esandmoansatthesametime
feeli
nglikeMeli
sinsi
deherut
erus.“
Slowdown
please..
.”
“Wehavet ogobackt othebar..
.Justafewmi nut
es
baby..
.”shenodsbutknowi nghim,fewminutes
meansf if
teenplusminutes.Hepumpsi nandout
tr
yingbyever yt
hingi
nhim nottotearherut
erus
apart
.
“Shit
!”hegroansashefeelsherwal
lst
ight
eni
ng
aroundher.“Idon'
tknowifit
'smeorwhat,
youar
e
evenhot
tert
oday..
.”hepumpsi
nsof
tl
yandear
n
moansfrom her
.
“Mel,
Iloveyou.
”shesaysandroll
shereyestot
he
backofherheadastheorgasm hi
tsherl
ikea
tor
nado.
“Il
oveyoutoo,babe.
..Ahfuck.
..
”hepumpsi n
harderf
eel
inghimsel
fgetti
ngont heedge.Thedoor
spri
ngsopenandsomeonescr eamshi snamet he
samet i
mehef r
eezesinsi
deStaremptyinghis
seedsinher.
“
Mel
okuhl
e!”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT26.
[
SPONSOREDBYOURVERYOWNS'
KHANYI
SELWE
ESTHERMPOFU-MRS.MEL.
]

STAR'
SPOV.

“Melokuhl
e!”I'
m broughtbackt
or eal
it
ybyayel li
ng
voice.Melpumpsi nonemor et
imedi sr
egardingthe
thi
rdpersoninthesmal lt
oil
eandf r
eezesinsi
deme.
Hisheadfallsonmypoundi ngchestandhi shands
ti
ghtenonmywai st.“
Mel!”t
heladyshoutsagain.
“Notnow,please..
.”hi
svoiceisl
acedwith
somethi
ngIdon' tunderst
and.He'
ssti
lldeepi
nsi
de
meandhe' snotlookingli
kesomeonewhowant sto
moveordosomet hing.
“
Mel
..
.”
“I
fyoudar emovef r
om thereortouchher,Iwil
lkil
l
you.Youwant edtoseet hi
sthat'
swhyyoucame
here.Standrightthereandwitnessallofi
t.
”nowI '
m
shakingwithf ear
.I'
venevermetKhanyii nperson.I
haveonl yseenheri nthemagazinesandf rom t
he
l
ookofthi
ngs,
it'
sher.Meli
shol
dingmeti
ghtIcan'
t
evenmoveort
rytoturnar
oundandseewhosheis.
“Babe..
.Letmego..
.”Iwhisper,
hel
ooksupand
smilesbutonceagain,
there'
ssomet
hingi
nhis
smile.
“Youwantt hat
?”Inod.“Okay.”heli
ftsmeupand
slowlyeaseshi mselfout.Hetear
st i
ssuepaperand
wipesmet henwipeshi mselfbef
oreput ti
ngmeon
thewheel chair
.Myhear talmostfal
lsoffit'
sribcage
whenIcomef acetofacewi t
hourintruder.She's
rootedont hespot,herskinispal
eandt hehurtin
herglist
eningeyesi snottobemi ssed.
“
WhyMel?”shecoll
apsesonthef
loorandpushes
mywheel
chairi
ntheprocess.
“
Canwenotdot
hisher
e?”
“
Acrippl
edwomanMel ?Acri
ppl
eoutofallpeopl
e..
.
”herwordspi
ercet
hroughmysofthear
t.
“Il
oveher,Khanyi.That
'stheonl
yexpl
anat
ionI
haveforyourightnow..
..
”
“
Youwhat
?”shel
eapst
oherf
eett
oof
astI
'
m even
scar
edforher.Whati
fshefal
ls?“
Howcanyoul
ove
acri
ppl
e?What '
sther
etoloveher
e,Mel
?Whyar
e
youembarrassi
ngus.
..
”
“I
'
mtryi
ngtobenice,
don'
tpr
ovokeme.Moveasi
de
andl
etherout
..
.”
“She'
snotgoinganywhere.
..
”ital
lhappenstoof
ast
andIfindmyselff
lyi
ng.Myheadhi t
sont he
doorfr
amebeforemyf r
agil
ebodyfallsonthe
corr
idor.
“Star!
”Melscreams.Bl
oodisnowdr i
ppingfrom my
nose.Throughmyhazevi si
on,Iseehiswi fe
blocki
nghisway.“TheonlyreasonIwon' tsmack
your i
ghtnowisbecauseofthatbastardchildyou
arecarryi
ng.
..”It
hinkIhearhim say.
Aminuteorsol at
erI'
m surr
oundedbydr
unkbodi
es,
f
lashl
ights,voi
ces,andit
'sal
lmakingmeeven
moredizzi
er.
“Babe,don'
tcloseyoureyes.St
aywi
thme,
sweetheart
..
.”Itr
ytokeepmyeyesopenbutt
hey
aretooheavy.
“
Move!
”whatsoundsl
ikemycousi
n'svoi
cef
il
lst
he
pl
aceandt
empor
arysi
lencef
oll
ows.
“I'
m pickingyouup, pleasest aywithme.Lookat
me. .
.”hedesper at elywant smet ostaywi thhim
butsomei nvisi
blef orcesar epull
ingmedeeperi nto
thedar kness.“Move! ”hehi sses.Thenoi sefrom
manydi f
ferentvoicest hatfollowhisstatementar e
tooloudt oapoi ntofdeaf eningmyear s.Hischest
i
snowmovi ngincal culat
edmot i
ons,he'sfrustr
ated
andpeopl ewon'tlethi m pass.I'
m onlyguessi ng.
“
Aaaaa!”peoplescr
eam asagunshotsounds.Li
ke
acue,
Islipint
ounconsciousness.
*
***
***
***

LI
LLY'
SPOV.

“Wher ear
eyoutakingmeto?”IaskasIr
enetakesa
tur
nt hatl
eadst
ot heopposi
teofwhatshet
oldmy
parents.
“Toaplacet
hatwil
lrest
oreyoursmile.You'vebeen
sadfortool
ong.
”shewinksatme, Ichuckle.I
alwaysf
eelsometypawaywhenaf
emal
edoest
hat
tome.It
'sgay-
ish.
“Whati fmyFat her'
speopl ear efoll
owi ngus? ”The
thoughtofi talonesendschi l
lsdownmyspi ne.My
fatheral mostki ll
edmewhenhef oundoutt hat
Zwel akhecamet omeeti nt hehouse.Zwedi d
deletet hefootagebutt henei ghbourssawhi m
l
eavi ng.Idon' tknowwhypeopl ecan'tjustmi nd
theirownbusi ness.Thatl adyhadt otel lmymot her
allabouti t,describedZwet ot heTandmydad
strangledme, lit
erall
y.Ifnotf ormyuncl ewho
mi raculouslyappear edt hatday, Iwoul dbedead.I
stil
lhavepai nfulmar ksonmyneck, myt hr
oati s
painfult oo.Andguesswhat ,I'
m nolongeral lowed
toat tendclasses.Inowi nteractwithlectur
er s
online.
“Wearenot
.I'
m ver
yconvi
nci
ngwhenIwantt
o.”
shesmil
es.
“
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?
”
“Idon'
tthi
nkI
'mfol
lowing.Whatareyoutal
king
about?
”shefei
gnsignoranceandIadmir
eherf or
t
hat
.
“
Zwei
syourcousi
n.”
“Idon'tknowwhatyouaretalki
ngabout ,ma'am.I
onlymetMr .Zwel
akhewhenhef orcedmet oopen
forhim.”sheli
eswit
hastraightface.Thekindofa
facethatcanevenconf
uset hesmar testagent
s.
“
Iunder
stand.
”Isi
ghandl
ookout
sidet
hewi
ndow.

“
Wear
eher
e.”shebr
ingsmebackt
oreal
it
y.
“CrestaChurchil
lhotel
?”If
rown.“
Whyareweher e?
Didmypar entspayyoutobri
ngmehereinst
eadof
t
hem apol ogizi
ngforwhattheydi
d?”I
'
m gett
ing
wor kedup.
“Pleasecal
m downandj ustfol
lowme.Yes,your
parentsaskedmet otakeyououtandyesIt old
them wewi l
lhaveagirlssleepoverbutt
hisi
sbett
er
thanthatnonsense.Trustme. ”

Onceinsi
de,shesayssomet hi
ngt hatI'
m noteven
i
nter
estedinandtherecept
ionistgivesheran
accesscar d.Sheswi
pesthecar
dandorder
smeto
goin.Iscr eam i
nsur
pri
seandrunint
ohi
sarmsl
ike
alit
tl
egirl.Hespinsmearoundbef
oreki
ssi
ngmy
faceallover.
“ImissedyouQueen.”heput
smedownandI
admirethefl
owersonthebed.Pinkrosepet
als,
a
boxofLindtchocol
atesandshoppingbagsareon
thebed.Ipi
ckthecardandread:
*
***
*I'
m sor
rymyQueen.
***
That
'sal
lthat
'
swr
it
tenwi
thahear
t.
“
YouwentMI
Aonme, King.Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
Awhol
eweekyoudi
dn'tcal
lort
ext.
”
“IwasinRussi
aforsomewor k.I
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'tt
ell
you,Idi
dn'
twantyoupani
ckingnowthatyouknow
howdangerousmywor ki
s.”
“
It
'sokay.Howar
eyou?
”
“I'
m okay.Andyou? ”Ibl
inkawaythetearst
hat
threatentofal
l.Idon'twanthimtoknowwhatmy
fatherdidtome.“ Iknow.Iknowwhathedi dto
you.”hisgript
ightensaroundmywai st.Nowthat
heknowsallofi
t,t
ear
sfal
lfr
eel
y.“
I'
m sor
rybabe.
I'
mreal
lysorr
ymyQueen..
.”
“Let'
sel
ope,Ki
ng.
”hesear
chesformyeyesand
he'ssur
pri
sedtoknowt
hatI'
m deadser
ious.
“Thei deai sappeal
ingbutelopi
ngwi l
lmeant hatwe
willforeverbeont herun.Yourfat
herwon'tletus
l
iveinpeaceandhemi ghtgoaftermymot herthenI
willbef orcedtodefendmymot her.It
'sagoodi dea
butnoti deal.Wewi l
lfi
ndaway, Ipromise.
”
“I
'
mt i
redofstayi
nginsi
det
hehousel
ikeapr
isoner
.
Iwantmylif
eback.”
“Youwil
lhaveyourl
if
eback,
myl
ove.Iwi
llmake
sureoft
hat.
”
“CanIaskyousomet hing?”henods.“
Thewayyou
l
ookedatmyf athert
hef ir
stdayyoumet,Ihada
feel
ingyoual
readyknewhi m.I
shealsopartofthe
peopleyouar
einvestigati
ng?Am Iapawni nallof
thi
s?”
“Babe,
no!Il
oveyouwithever
ythi
nginme.Meeting
youwasn'
tacoinci
dencebutmyloveforyouisr
eal.
Iwasn'
tsupposedt
ofallf
oryoubecauselovi
ngyou
putsyouindangershouldsomeonebl owmycover .
Wait.
”heswitchesoffhisphone.“ Thatphoneof
mineisbuggedandI '
m supposedt obeatwork
ri
ghtnow.Sorry.
”Inod.“ Okay.WhenIcamet oyou,
Iwantedtobeclosertoyoursi ster
.Yoursist
er
workswit
hdanger ouspeopl eandshe'stheone
whowassupposedt oleadmet othem.WhenIf el
l
i
nlovewithyou,Ichangedmypl ans.”
“
Soi
thasnot
hingt
odowi
thmyf
ather
?”
“
No.Yourf
atheri
sinnocent
.”
“
Wil
lyouar
restmysi
ster
?”
“Uhm..
.IthinkI
'vesai
dtoomuchaboutmywork
andthat'
snotgood.Iwantustohavequal
it
yti
me
andforgetaboutal
lourpr
obl
ems.”
“
Okay,Iunder
stand.Whywon'tyouhavesexwit
h
me?”heswall
owshar d.“
Zwe?What'swrong?
”
“Myexgi rl
fr
iendaccusedmeofr ape,
Iwenttojail
forit
.Ididn'
trapeher,
wef oughtbecauseIdidn't
havet hemoneyshewant edandsheaccusedmeof
rape.Ipromisedmyselftoneverhavesexbef or
e
mar r
iageaftert
hati
ncident.
..”Ishuthim upwit
ha
hungryandpassionat
ekiss.Irunmyhandsonhi s
chestandhegroans.Ideepent hekiss,
hesqueezes
myassandImoani nt
ohi smout h.Hestopsme
fr
om pull
inghi
ssweat pantsdown.“Nobaby,please
l
et'
snotdot hi
s.”
“IneedyouZwe,
takeawaymypai
nandmakeme
yours.
”
“
Babe.
..
”
“Pl
easedon'tl
etmebeg.AQueendoesn'
tbeg.
”he
smil
esreveali
nghi
sperf
ectal
ignedt
eet
h.
“Atyourservice,yourMajest y.
”heki ssesmesl owly
whileunbuttoningmyover si
zedshi rt.Heunbuttons
mybumsshor t
sandImoanwhenhi shandtouches
mybar eabdomen.Hesquat sandki ssesmynavel .
“Yousmel lheavenly,baby.”hepul l
smyshor t
s
downt ogetherwithmyg- st r
ing.I'
m abouttokick
myshoesof fwhenhet el
lsmet oleavethem on.He
stepsbackandadmi resmybody.“ Youare
beauti
ful.
”
“
Youar
emaki
ngmeshy.
..
”
“
AndIl
ikei
t.
”heki
ssesmewhi
lehi
sot
herhand
sneaksbetweenmythi
ghs.Thesensat
ioni
stoohot
I'
mf orcedt
opinmythi
ghstoget
herbuthe
separatest
hem wi
thhi
skneeand#Removed...
..
*
***
***
**

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Igul
pdownt het
hirdgl
assofwine.I
'm unabl
etosi
t
down,Ist
il
ldon'
tknowifI
'm dr
eamingornot.
“Essi
e,youhavet
oeaseont
heal
cohol
.Youar
e
pregnant
.”Ci
arawar
ns.
“He.
.Hewasf ucki
ngacri
ppl
e.Melwant stoleave
meforanobodywhousesawheel chair
.Can...
can
youimagine?
”myownwor dssoundlikethatofa
mental
lyunstabl
eper
son.
“
Sitdown.
”Ci
araor
der
s.
“
He..
he.
..
”shesl
apsmehar
dforamomentmy
whol
ebodyfr
eezes.
“
Sitdown.
”Idoasshesays.Idon'
tknowwhat
's
realandnot ,anymore.Everyt
hingseemsl i
kea
movi e.“
Youar eshockedandt hat'snotokayfor
yourchild.Ibeli
eveyou,hesleptwi t
hherbutyou
havet ocalm down.Bei ntherightstat
eofmi nd
beforetryi
ngt ounderst
andever ythi
ng.Forget
aboutMelf ornow.Focusonyouandt hebaby.”
“
Hesai
dmychi
ldi
sabast
ardchi
ld.
..”
“Letmet akeyout
obed.Your
eal
lyneedsome
sleep.
..
”
“I'
m notcrazy,Ciara!I'
mt el l
ingthetruth!Hesai dhe
l
ovesher ,hesai dhedi dn'twantt otalktomei n
frontofher.Istoodt herelikeast atuewhi l
ehe
groanedandempt i
edhi sseedsi nher !Iwast here,
i
nt hedamnt oi
let!Canyoui magi ne?MyMel
fuckingacrippleinthet oilet?Awhol emi ll
ionai
re.
TheeMel okuhleAbr aham Hl ongwane.I '
m dreami ng,
ri
ght?TellmeI '
m dr eami ngandt hi
sisal lali
e,
please.”
“
PleaseKhanyiyouar
eupset
ti
ngyourchi
ld.
..
”
“Ihavetofi
ndhi
m, Ihavetof
indmyMelandbring
him backhome.
..
”Iattemptt
ostandupbutshe
pushesmebackdown.
“I
fyoudon'
tgetagri
ponyoursel
f,youwi
llgomad.
Havesomewaterandlet
'sgotobed.”
“
Idon'
twantwat
er.
..”
“Whatdoyouwantthen?Huh?It
oldyounott o
workwithhi
sfat
herbutyoudi
dn'
tlisten.Now,
look
atyour
self
.Whydoyouhateyourselfthi
smuch?”
“
Please,
hel
pme.
”
“
Huh?
”she'
sconf
used.
“
Let
'sshar
emypai
n.Li
ket
heol
dgooddays.
..
”
“
Essi
e..
.”
“PleaseCici.
..
”sheswallowsandscr atchesher
nose.“Please..
.”shesof
tlyatt
ackmyl ipswi t
hher s.
Sheswi ftl
yunhooksmybr aandfondleswi t
hmy
breastsandImoan.Shepul l
soutmyweddi ngband
andt hr
owsi tont het
abl
eandl eadsmet othebed.
Herhandsonmybodymakemewannasi ngallthe
happysongsIknow.Shesucksmybr eastwhi l
eher
handpl ayswithmyt heother.
“
Ooh.
..
”Isof
tl
ymoan.
“
Iloveyou,Essi
e.Pleasel
ovemeback.
..
”shebegs
whil
erunni
ngherfingersonmypubi
carea.
“
Please.
..
”
“
I.
.Ioveyout
oo.
..
”#Removed.
*
*
*
*
Hidar
li
ngs.

Twoinser
tsweresponsoredtoday.Let
'ssavet
he
ot
heroneforThursday.Botht
he#Removedscenes
wil
lbepostedaf
ter10PM toni
ght.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
nser
t26.

#Removed.
[
Let'
stakeitfr
om theend.ZweandLil
ly'
sparti
s
bei
ngpreparedbymyot herhal
f ...Iwil
lposti
tas
amorningglory.
]

“
Please,
hel
pme.
”
“
Huh?
”she'
sconf
used.
“
Let
'sshar
emypai
n.Li
ket
heol
dgooddays.
..
”
“
Essi
e..
.”
“PleaseCici.
..
”sheswallowsandscr atchesher
nose.“Please..
.”shesof
tlyatt
ackmyl ipswi t
hher s.
Sheswi ftl
yunhooksmybr aandfondleswi t
hmy
breastsandImoan.Shepul l
soutmyweddi ngband
andt hr
owsi tont het
abl
eandl eadsmet othebed.
Herhandsonmybodymakemewannasi ngallthe
happysongsIknow.Shesucksmybr eastwhi l
eher
handpl ayswithmyt heother.
“
Ooh.
..
”Isof
tl
ymoan.
“
Iloveyou,
Essi
e.Pl
easel
ovemeback.
..
”shebegs
whil
erunni
ngherf
inger
sonmypubi
car
ea.
“
Please.
..
”
“I
..I
oveyoutoo..
.”ThewayI'm sohornyr
ightnowis
i
ncontrol
labl
e.Sherunshersofthandsonmy
cl
eanlyshavenpussyli
mpsandImoan.Hert ongue
ci
rcl
esmynavel andIarcmyback.
“Likethi
s?Hmm? ”herhotbr
eathhit
smyal r
eady
highlysensiti
veski nandImoan.“Tal
ktome, babe,
youl i
keit
?”shet easesmyear l
obewithherteet
h
whi l
eeasingherf ingeri
nsi
demyhoneypot.Iopen
myl egswi derforher.
“Ooh.
..Ci
ci.
..
”Isoftl
ycr
yandst artmovingmyback
tomeetherfinger
s.ShetapstherightspotandI
can'
thelpbutmoanevenl ouder
.
“Neighbor
swi l
lhearyou,sweeti
e.”shewhispers
beforeatt
acki
ngmyl i
pswi t
hhers.Shesucksmy
l
owerl i
pjusthowonl yshecan.Shepullsher
fi
ngersoutandl i
ckthen.“Sosweet,babe.
”Ialmost
comeundone.That '
showseduct ivehervoi
ceis.
Shepushesmyl egswiderapar
t.It'
sthewayshe
alwaysadmiremet hatall
owsmet obemyself
whenI'
m wi
thher.Sher
unshert ongueonmy
sl
ipper
yent
ranceandIpressherheadtome.
“Ohmygod...”Idon'tknowwheret
otouch.Igrab
thesheet
sandmuf f
lemymoans.Herskill
ed
tonguecont
inuestogi vemeimmensepleasur
e.
Thetypeofpleasureonlyshecangi
ve.
“Leti
tgo,babe.”hervoicethrowsmeovertheedge.
Shepressesmycl itwithherthumbwhil
ehertwo
fi
ngerswor kwithhertongue.Mytoescurlasa
waveofpl easur
eterrori
zemybodyandIsqui r
tall
overherface..
..
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

UNEDI
TED.

I
NSERT27.
STAR'
SPOV.

[
<<<“Comeon,
sis,
crawl
!Youcandoi
t.
”hesays
wit
hawidesmil
e.
“Ican'
t.
..Hel
pme.
..
”Ibegwhi
lehol
dingoutmy
hand.
“No.Youhavetotryli
tt
lesi
s,youhavetol
ear
ntobe
i
ndependent.Iwon'
talwaysbeheretohel
pyou.I
f
youcan'tcr
awl,r
oll
.Comeon! ”hecl
apshi
shands
motivat
ingme.
“
Ican'
t.
”Ist
artcr
ying.
“Tear swon'thelpyou.Youwi llnotgrowupt obea
helplessgi r
lonawheel chair
,youwi l
lbeaStarthat
youar e.Youwillshineandyoucan' tshinewit
h
tearsonyoureyes. ”hewipesmyf acewi t
hhis
baggyT- shi
rt.“
Comeon, l
et'
smove.I fyoumove, I
wi l
ltakeyout otheswi mmingpool .”hestepsaway
from me.It rytomovebutmyl egswon'tmove.I
can'tfeelthem, ther
earejustthere.
“
Hel
pme.
..
”
“No.Helpyourself
.”It
rytomoveandsur pr
isi
ngly,
I
actuall
ymove.Mysi st
er,Onkar
abilecomesin
running,shetr
ipsandhit
sherheadont hetabl
e.
Bloodstartsoozi
ngoutofherforehead.
“Mama!”shescreamsandmom comesi nal
ready
shout
ingatmybr other
.Shepi
cksabasebal
lbat
andhit
shim wit
hi t
.
“
TJ.
..
.”Iscr
eam.
..
.>>>>]
“Babe?Shhhh,
youaresafewit
hme. ”If
eel
disori
ent
edandI'
m sweat
ingbutIcansti
llsmel
l
Mel '
sper
fume.
“
I.
..
Isawhi
m agai
n.”Ist
utt
er.
“
Who?Whoi sTJ?Youal
waysscr
eam hi
sname
whenyouhaveni
ghtmar
es.
”
“
Idon'
tknowbuthehasdreadl
ocks.Hel
ooksl
ike
me,amalever
sionofme.
”
“
Ithi
nkyouar
eti
redbabe.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing.
..”
“I
'm notcr
azy,Mel
.Iseehi
m,Icanevensmel
lhi
s
shampoo...”
“Ibel
ieveyoumyl
ove.It
hinkhe'
ssomeonecl
oset
o
you.”
“
Whathappened?Agunshot
..
.”
“Wor
rynotaboutthat
.It
'sSi
gol
awhof
ir
edt
heshot
.
Howareyoufeeli
ng?”
“
Myheadf
eel
sheavy.
”
“Youhaveabandageonandaf ewsti
tchesover
youreye.I
t'
snotbadthough.I
'
m gl
adyouare
awake,Iwasscared.
”
“
Youwer
escar
ed?
”
“
Yes.Idon'
teverwantt
oloseyou,
babe.Noti
nthi
s
l
if
eti
me.”
“
I'
m notdyi
nganyt
imesoon,mylove.
”heki
ssesmy
f
orehead.“
Youl
ookdist
urbed?”
“
Wear etrendi
ngandmypower scan'
tevensaveus
r
ightnow.Idon'tknowwhethertoanswerand
r
ecti
fytherumour sorl
eti
tallbe.
”
“Let
'snotwor
ryaboutpeople.Weknowt
het
rut
h
andthat'
sal
lthatmat
ters.
”
“Yousure?Idon'
twantpeoplet
oblameyoufor
somethingIst
art
ed.AndwhatKanyidid,
I'
m sor
ry
aboutthat
.Iwil
ltr
yandfixever
ythi
ng.
”
“Youpr
ovokedher,babe.Whatwedidwaswr ong
andweoweanapol ogy.Youwererudetoherwhen
youweresupposedtoberemorsef
ul.
..
”
“Iwon'
tapol
ogi
zeforlovi
ngyou,
Star
.Thati
s
somethi
ngIwil
lneverdo.
”
Myphonevi
brat
esundert
hepi
ll
ow.I
t'
sMel
'
ssi
ster
cal
li
ng.
“
HeyAno.
”
“Toil
ets?Afucki n't
oilet?Areyoubot hinsane?Star
,
Ili
keyoual otbutt hisbehavi orofyoutwohast o
stop.Melisnotj ustaman, he'sabrand.Abr and
thatnotonlyfeedshi smout hsbutat housand
famili
estoo.I
'm nott alkingashi ssi
sterbuthis
brandmanager .WhenIl ef
t, Iaskedyout ocoolhi
m
offnottoencour agehi scrazybehavi or.Please,
l
et'snothavet hisdiscussioneveragai n.
”shesighs.
“Anyway,howar eyouf eeling? ”
“
I'
mfeel
ingbet
ter
.Howar
eyou?”
“
I'
m okay.Justwor
ri
edaboutyoutwo.Whatyou
j
uststar
tedisawar,Ihopeyoubot
hfi
ndawayt o
f
ixi
t.”
“
Yourbr
otherwi
llf
ixi
t.
..
”
“No!Don'tgi
vehimthatpower
,Melhasloose
screwsinhisheadandoncehetakest
hatpathyou
won'tbeabletocoolhi
m down.Behi
sreasoning.
I'
m beggi
ngyou.”
“
Iwi
llt
ry.
”
“
Musa, i
fyouwantt ogossipaboutme,makesur e
I
'm noti
nt heroom f
ir
st.Shehastorest
,bye.”he
t
akesmyphonesandswi t
chesitof
f.“
Don'tusethi
s
t
hingunti
lafteraweekatleast.
”hesealshisorder
wit
hasof tkissonmyl i
p.

“
Soit
'str
ue?Youhavebecomeadogt
hathassex
i
npubli
c?”
“I
'
m notinthemood,
dad.Al
so,
youar
einvadi
ngour
pri
vacy.
..”
“
Pri
vacy?Whatpr
ivacy?What
'swr
ongwi
thyou,
Abr
aham.
..
”
“KeeptalkingandIwi l
lsmashyourheadinf r
ontof
yourfuturedaught eri
n-l
aw.Doyouwantt hat
,
daddy?”Pr of.Hlongwanechuckl
es.“
Ithoughtso.
Nowgett hehelloutofhere.
”
“
Mystudy.8PM,toni
ght
.”het
urnsandexi
tst
he
r
oom.Ibreat
he.
“Pl
easedon'tfi
ghtwi
thhim.Justst
ayawayf
rom
him,I
'm scar
edofhim.”
”Iknowbabe.Iwi
llpr
otectyou.
”hesqueezesmy
shoulder
.Hi
sbrot
herwal ksi
nweari
nghiswhite
coat.
“
Goodmorning.
”het
hrowsthefi
lesont
hetable.
“
Getof
fthebed,Mel
,Iwantt
otal
kt omypat
ient.
”
“
Real
lynow,
bro.
”
“
Yeah.Getoutofher
e,Iwantt
otal
ktoheral
one.
”
“Fi
ne.Babe,Ineedashower
.Iwil
lbebackbef
ore
youknowit.Whatdoyouwanttoeat?
”
“
Iwantavocadosandt
oast
.”
“Okay.
”heki
ssesmyf or
ehead.“
Iloveyou.
”Ibl
ush.
Hisbrot
herr
aiseshi
seyebrow.

“
Star.Iwanttot
alkt
oyouasaphysi
ologi
stnot
Mel'
sbrother
.Wherear
eyourpar
ent
s?”
“Idon'
tunder
stand,
doctor
.Whatdoesmypar
ent
s
havetodowithanythi
ng?”
“Yourreport
swer ef
alsi
fi
ed,
Star.Youweregiven
pill
sthatweakenedyourimmunesystem and
slowlyaff
ectyourki
dney.Wherearethosepi
lls?
”
“
What
?”I
'
m shocked.
“Workwithme,Star
.Ihavetoknowifyoust
il
ltake
theseornot?What'
sgoingonhere?Whowereyou
stayi
ngwith.
..
.”
“
Doc,
Ineedamomentbef
oremyheadbur
sts.
”
“
Okay.Iwil
lsendanurset
ocoll
ectbl
oodf
ort
est
s.
I
'
m worri
edaboutyourki
dneysSt
ar.
”
*
*
*
*
Darli
ngs,I'
m sorryfort
hedelay.I'
m notf
eeli
ngwell
.
Abdomi nalcramps,headache,I
'm al
soti
red.
Forgivemef orthi
sshortinser
t,Iwil
lmakeitupt
o
youtomor row.
Goodni
ght

Sukol
uhl
eNont
okozoMdl
ongwa.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

CHAPTER28.

[
SPONSOREDI
NSERT.
]
{CanweforgetaboutZweandLil
ly'
s#removedfor
now?Please,Iwi
llmakei
tuptoyouwhent hey
deci
detoremoveeachotheragai
n.Thankyoufor
under
standi
ng .}
MEL'
SPOV.

BREAKI
NGNEWS!
!!
!

“Thefamousbusi nessmanMr .Mel okuhle

Hlongwanef amousl yknownf orhi sbrandMelwas
caughtpant sdowni noneoft hei nfamousbar sin
town.From t heeyewi tnesses, hiswi fe,
S'khanyi
selwef amousl yknownasKhanyiwai t
ed
forhimint hepr ivateloungeunt ilshedeci dedt o
visi
tthetoiletwher eshecaughtherper fect
husbandwi tha“ crippl
e” .Thehomewr ecker '
sname
i
sSt arSibandaandt hebl ackTwi tt
ercommuni tyis
havingfungr i
l
li
ngher .”therepor terpauses.“ Mr.
Hlongwanehasn' tsaidanyt hi
ngi nhisdef ensenor
hashi swifesai danyt hingabouti t.Isthist heendof
the‘i
tcoupl e’
?”Iswi t
chof fthet elevision.
“
Whatnow,
Crush?
”Moni
caasks.
“
For
getaboutt
het
rendi
ngst
ory.RaymondThat
o
Mat
humo.
”
“
Whatabouthi
m?”
“He'
sStar'
sf ather..
..
”hereyeswi deninhorr
or.“
I
know,ri
ght.Ineedi nformat i
onabouthim.Howhe
gotthedualcitizenship,whohelpedhim gether
e,
whyher el
ocatedf r
om Bot swanaandsettl
edhere
andhisfamily.Di ganythingandeverythi
ng.”
“
Why?Can'
tyouaskSt
ar?
”
“
No.Shehasenoughfucker
ygoingoni
nherl
if
e
r
ightnow.Iwantt
opr
otecther
.”
“
Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obedanger
ous,
Mel
.Ar
ewer
eady?
”
“Idon'tknowbutIhaveaf eel
ingallshal
lbewell
.
Let'susethisbuzztoouradvantage.Iknowmydad
willtr
yandcl eanthi
smess.Whi l
ehe'sbusydoing
so, Iwantust or
escuemyaunt .She'sst
il
lint
he
basement .”
“Jo.Yourf
amilyi
ssomethi
ngel
sedude.Youdo
knowyouwi l
lhavet
orespondi
fwearetoprol
ong
thebuzz?”
“
Iknowpeopl
ewhowi
lldot
hecl
appi
ngbackf
orus.
StarandIhavef ans,t
heywilldothet hi
ngson
TwitterandIwil
lonlyfocusonmyt ask.Anomusa,
Pauline,Asenat
hi,myaunt,andaf ewmor epeopl
eI
don'tevenknowar eonourside.”
“
Ifyousayso.Howdower
escueyouraunt
?”
“Ihaveapl an.Iwi l
lsendittoyouremail
,ri
ghtnow,
Stariswaitingforme. ”myweddi ngbandcatches
myeye.I'vewor nthisthi
ngeversinceKhanyiputi
t
onandI '
venevert akenitoff
.Iwascommi t
tedtoa
fakemarriage,Ilovedsomeonewhowat chedme
makeamocker yoft heholymatri
monybutnot
anymore.Thatdr amaendsnow.Ipul lt
hegolden
ri
ngoutandt hrowi tonthetabl
e.
“
Areyouokay,
hun?
”Moni
cai
swor
ri
edaboutme.
“Iwil
lbefi
ne,I'
veseenworsebef
ore.Letmeget
going,mygir
liswait
ing.
”
“Your
eall
yloveher
.Youar
ewi
ll
ingt
othr
owi
tal
l
awayforher
?”
“
Ever
ythi
ng.Theycant
akeanyt
hingandIwi
llbe
j
ustf
inewit
hher.”
“
I'
m happyf
oryou.
”
“Whi
leweareatit
,pr
epar
emydi vorcepaper
s.I
'
m
donewit
hthi
sjokeofamarr
iage.”

Isi
ghbeforedr i
vingoff.Ihavetwohideouts,
af l
at
i
nthesubur bsandt heoneIt ookSt
arto.I'
mr eal
ly
noti
ntoproperti
esbutI 'm gl
adMonicapressured
metobuyt hesebui l
dings.NowIhaveapl ace
wheremyf athercan'tjustcomeinandirri
tat
eme.
Myhandsf reephonebuzzes.
“
Sigol
a.Tal
ktome.
”
“She'
sneverhadsexwithyourfat
her.Shedoesn'
t
dorealsex,
shespecial
izesi
noralsex.
”Iheavea
hugesighofrel
ief
.HowwasIgoi ngtolookatheri
f
shehadhadsexwi thmyf at
her
?
“Ineedheroutofthatj
obbef
oret
heyf
indoutt
hat
she'sSt
ar'
scousin.”
“
Howdoyouwantmet
odoi
t?”
“Fr
ameher .Pl
antdi
amonds, dr
ugsorwhateveron
herthenshewil
lbefi
red.Theywon'
tcal
lthepolice
becauset
hatbusi
nessi
sil
legal
.”
“Idon'
tthi
nkthat
'sawisedecisi
on.Shewillhat
e
youifsheeverfi
ndsout.Tal
ktoher,It
hinkshe'
sa
reasonabl
egir
l.
”
“
She'sst
ubborn.Iaskedhertoquitbutshedi
dn'
t
wannaheari
t.Sheplayedtheinnocentcar
donme.”
“Youar eMel
,gethert
odowhatyouwant.Don't
all
owl ovet
oturnyouint
oaweakl
ing,
besides,t
his
i
sf orherowngood.Ihavet
ogo.Seeyoulater
.”
Asenat hi.Whatdowedowi t
hyou?Okay.WhenI
sawAsenat hi, Irecognizedheri nst
ant l
y.Myf ather
runssophi sticat edbrothel
sposedashot el
sand
that'
swher eAsenat hiworks.Noonei sj ustawaiter
there,youar et rainedtopleasecust omer sinany
wayt heywi sht obepl eased.Thepayi sgoodbutat
whatcost ?IsawAsenat hi
'snudepi cturesi nmy
father
'sst udy.Ther ewere20orsoot hernudegi r
ls
pictur
es.Idi dn' tmindbackt henunt ilIlearnedthat
Asenat hiisSt ar'scousin.Itr
iedt al
kingt oherbut
she'splayingt hei nnocentcar d.Ihopeshewi ll
understandwhyIwanthert oqui t
.
Igettot
hehospi
talt
ofi
ndSt
arcr
yingi
nAsenathi
'
s
arms.Al
armri
ngsinmymindandIqui
ckl
yrushto
her.
“
Whathappened?
”Iask.
“
Doyouhaveagun?
”Asenat
hii
slooki
ngst
rai
ght
i
ntomyeyes.
“
Agun?
”
“Thatbast
ard,
good-
for
-not
hingwast
edsper
m wi
ll
havetodie!
”
“
Whoa!Whatar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?”
“Canyoubel i
evethatthosepeopl ewer ef
eeding
Starthewrongmedi cation?Shesuf f
eredfrom
Urinaryt
racti
nfecti
ons, renalproblemsandyou
knowwhat ?Ikeptforcinghert otaket hepil
lseven
thoughshealwayst ol
dmet hattheymadeher
sick.
..
.”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutAse?Whatpeopl
e?”
“Herusel
essparent
s,ofcourse!
”wow!I
'm
speechl
ess.Ir
eall
ydon'tknowwhattosay.Ij
ust
hugmygi rlti
ght
erandtr
yhardernottoshowmy
anger.Whatkindofpar
entsdothattothei
rown
fl
eshandbl ood?Whydoparentshaveunprotect
ed
sexandlaterhatet
hechil
d?Condomsar efreeat
thehospi
talandsoisfamil
yplanni
ng.
“
Whot
oldyout
hat
?”
“
Yourcutebrother
.”Fort
hef
ir
stt
imeeversi
nceI
metAsenat
hi,shejokes.
“I
'dstayawayf rom Owethui
fIwer eyou.He's
tr
ouble.”It
urnmyat tent
ionbacktomygi rl
.“Wewi l
l
befine,youwillgett
hroughthi
s.”Iki
ssherlips.“
I
broughtyourfood.”
“
Idon'
twantt
oeat
..
.”
“Yousaidwewon'tl
etpeoplegettous,whatar
e
youdoingnow?Youhavet oeat,youneedyour
str
ength.Letmef
eedyou.”
“Canyouimaginet
hisgir
l?Heeee!
”Asenathibl
urt
s
out.She'
sconcent
rat
ingonherphone.“St
ar,your
sist
erisbusyr
etweet
ing.
..
”
“
Youar
enotshowi
ngSt
art
hat
,notnow.
”
“Thi
swon'
tdisappearanyt
imesoonandIt
hinki
t'
s
bett
erf
orhertoseeitnowthanl
ater
.”
“
No.
”
“Fi
ne.ButI
'mrespondi
ngt othi
sgir
lshehast
o
knowthatshe'
snotuntouchabl
e.”

“Ar
eweenemi
esnow?
”Owet
huasksasIent
erhi
s
off
ice.
“
Iwoul
dli
ket
oknowt
oo.Ar
ewe?
”
“Youaret
heonei gnor
ingmycall
s,l
ilbr
o.Youare
theonewit
hissues,Idon'
thaveanythi
ngagai
nst
you.
”
“
Ifyousayso.Tel
lme,
what
'sgoi
ngonwi
thSt
ar?
”
“Iransomet est
swhenInoti
cedherbl
oodpressur
e
washi ghandIfoundpoi
sonoussubst
ancesinher
blood.Ididmoretest
sandfoundt
his.
”hepushesa
pil
eoff i
lest
ome.
“
Justsummar
izet
hewhol
ethi
ngman.
”
“
Asyouknow,
Starhast
otakemedi
cat
iont
hat
strengthensherimmunesyst em andhelpher
nor mali
zeherurinaryandbowelsyst em.Inst
eadof
thatmedi cati
on,shewasgi venantibi
oti
csthat
slowlydamageherki dneys.Shewasgi ven
ami noglycosi
desandvancomyci n.These
antibi
oticsdestr
oykidneysi nthelongrun.
”
“
Howbadi
sthedamage?
”
“Itlooksli
keshestoppedtaki
ngthepill
s.Shesays
theymadehersi ckandshest opped.Thedamageis
mi nimal,
shecanbehel pedwithafewinject
ions
andt herightmedi
cati
on.”
“
Thankyou,
bro.
”
Everfeltli
keyouar ecar
ryi
ngt heworl
donyour
shoulders?That'showIfeelr
ightnow.Ihavet o
takecareofSt arandatthesamet imeIhaveto
protecther.IknowKhanyiwillbecomingafterus.I
wonderi fStarcantakemoreoft hest
ress.
“Canyoudomeanunethi
calf
avor
?Somet
hing
agai
nstyourwor
kvows.
.”
“
Pleasedon'
t.Idon'
twantt
oki
llanyone.
”Il
augh.
“Youar enotki
ll
inganyone.Iwantyout
osedat
e
Star.”hel
ooksatmel i
keI'vegr
ownhornsonmy
forehead.
“
Ican'
tdot
hat
.Di
dn'
tshet
ellyou?
”
“Tel
lmewhat
?Ist
her
esomet
hingel
seIshoul
d
know?”
“YeahandIthinkshe'
sthebestpersontotel
lyou.
Doctor
-Pat
ientconfi
dent
ial
it
y.”heshrugs.
*
***
***
***
*

ZWELAKHE'
SPOV.

“
Goodmor
ning,
Queen.
”Iki
ssheront
hecheek.
“
Yourhai
riswet!
”Imoveaside.Shehat
esi
twhen
mywethairt
ouchesherf
ace.
“
I'
m sor
ry.Wakeup,
I'
m hungr
y.”
“
I'
m st
il
lsl
eepy.Mywhol
ebodyi
ssor
e.”shesul
ks.
“
WasIt
hatbad?
”
“Ibl
amemyselff
orfreel
ygi
vingmybodyto
someonewholasthadsexbefor
eIwasborn.
”she
smil
esnaught
il
y.
“Don'
tbit
eyourl
ip.
”sherunshert
ongueonher
upperli
pbef
orebit
ingherl
owerli
p.Mysweat
pant
s
expand.
“
What
?”
“Youhaveadeathwishbabygirl
.Stopdoingt
hati
f
yourbodyi
sreal
lysorebecauseI'
mr eady.
”It
iemy
hairi
ntoabunandwr apadrytowelaroundmy
head.
“
Whydon'
tyoubl
ow-
dryyourhai
r?”
“
Iwi
lldot
hatl
ater
.Iappl
iedl
eave-
incondi
ti
oner
.”
“Isee.Hel
pmegetup. ”Ipickherupandgot othe
bathroom andputherdown.Shehasnot hi
ngon,
j
ustherbirthdaysui
t.“
Thankyou.Youcanl eave
now.”Ihavepl ansf
orhersoIwilll
etherbefornow.

“
Goodmor
ningNono.
”Ianswermyphone.
“
Haveyouseent
henews?
”
“
No.What
'st
rendi
ng?
”
“
Whydi dn'
tyoutellmet hatherboyfr
iendisa
marri
edmen? ”Iquickl
ysitupandt urnthe
t
elevi
sionon.
“Anot hershocki ngdevelopmentonMr .
Hl ongwane' sstoryashewasspot t
edatthe
hospi talwher ehisgir
lf
ri
endi sbeingt r
eatedaf ew
mi nuteswi thouthisweddi ngbandon.Thegi r
lfri
end
i
ssai dtobedoi ngf i
ne.Sheunder wentasmal l
sur geryandshehas4st it
chesandnot hi
ngmor eto
wor ryabout .”aclosesourcer eveal
ed.Ther eporter
saysandt her esheis.Myyoungersi st
er,theoneI
tradedmynor mallif
eforisalloverthemedi awi tha
mar r
iedman.WhathaveyoudoneSt ar?Iswitchoff
thet elevi
sion.
“
Mom, Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twasser
ious.It
houghti
twasa
f
li
ng,
I'
m sorr
y.”
“
Youhavet
ohel
pher
..
.”
“No.”Ismile.“
She'snotweakasever yonet
hinks
sheis.Itaughthertomove, It
aughthertospeakup,
Itaughthertoexpressherfeeli
ngsandt ol
iveher
l
ifethewaysheseesf itandI '
m notgett
inginvol
ved
i
nherl ovelifemat ter
s.She'sst r
ong,shewi l
lmake
i
t.Andt hatidiot,asmuchasIhat ehim, Iknowhe
willpr
otecther .Youdon' thavetowor r
yt oomuch
abouther.Wor ryaboutwhatyourst upidhusband
willdoafterthis.”
“
Myex.
..
”
“Youar est
il
lmarri
edtothatbastardmom.Youar e
thereasonhehasaZi mbabweanci ti
zenshi
p,make
surehedoesn'tcomeanywher eclosert
omysi st
er
orIwillcomebackfrom t
hedead. ”
“
Zwel
akhe?
”
“I
'm ser
iousmom.Iknowyoutal
ktohi
m,justmake
surehedoesn'
tgettoSt
arorel
seJuni
orThato
Mathumowi l
lbeback.
”
“
Okay.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oseeher
?”
“No,notnow.Ihaveacompl icat
edcaseandIcan'
t
bri
ngherintothepict
ure.Ial
waysseeStarmom,
shedoesn'tknowityetbutI'
m al
waysclosert
o
her.
”
“
Areyouokayt
hough?
”
“I'
mfine.I
'm wi
thyourdaught erin-
law.Wewil
ltal
k
l
aterandremember ,yourli
fehast oconti
nuel
ikei
t
hadbeen.Wear eclose,veryclosetogett
ingj
usti
ce
foryourdaught
er,myl i
tt
lesister
.”
“Thankyouf
orst
andi
ngupf
ort
hem.Youar
eat
rue
brother
.”
“Byemom.”Icutt
hecallbef
oreshest
art
scr
ying
andmakesusallemot
ional.
Hospi t
al?Starisatt hehospi t
alwher eMelokuhle'
s
brotherworks!Ift heyfindoutaboutt hepill
sthey
willgoafterourf atherandt heydon'tknowt hereal
dangerofdoi ngso.Ihavet oseeMel okuhl
e,Ihave
tostophi mf r
om doi nganyt hingstupid.Weare
swor nenemi es,butr i
ghtnow, webothwantt obring
downt hesamepeopl e.F!ck!Let'
shopet heyhaven't
doneanyt hingstupi dalready.
“
Areyouokay,
King?
”Idi
dn'
treal
izeIwaspaci
ng.
“Ihavetostopsomet
hingt
hatmightputal
lofusi
n
danger.Ihavet
otal
ktoMelokuhl
e..
.”
“
Whatf
or?
”
“Babe,youknowwhoIam.Mysi st
erwillbei
n
dangerifhegoesaheadwi t
hwhateverstupi
dplan
hethinkhehas.Apparent
ly,hi
smarri
agewi t
hyour
sist
erisonfi
rebecauseofmysi st
er.
”IexpectLil
ly
tofl
ipbutshesmilesi
nstead.
“
Brotherin-
lawdeservesbett
erandi fyoursi
steri
s
t
heone, Ihavenoproblem atal
l.Icanhelpyou
meetwithhim..
..
”
“No.Youar enotgett
inginvol
vedi
nmydangerous
world.Iknowwher etofi
ndhim.Butr
ightnow,
I'
m
hungry.”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT29.
KHANYI
'
SPOV.

‘
Youcannotl
etacr
ippl
etakeyourmanaway,
il
wa
nt
ombo’
‘
What?TheeMel
?Withacr
ippl
e?C'
mon,
Khanyi
,
t
hismustbeaj
oke!
’
‘
Idonbi
li
vit
!Gi
rl
,gogetyourmanback.Youcan'
tlet
acri
ppl
edestr
oyyourhome.’
‘
I'
vebeentryi
ngtoprocessthi
s,youmean,Mell
eft
youforher
?Thisiswitchcr
aft
,Itel
lyou!
’
‘
Idon'tunder
standwhytheb!t
chissti
llbreat
hing?
AreyouthatweakKhanyi?Ki
llt
hatroachandget
yourmanback.Wear et
iredofhomewr ecker
s!’
‘
Mustbehotbet weenherlegs!TheeMeliscr
azyf
or
her
,Ijustsawthem dri
vingtoget
her.Youl
ost
Khanyi,l
etthegi
rlhavetheman.’
‘
Theboysabafana ,
angi
hleki
ngi
yal
ingani
sa.
’
‘
Whoa!The‘ i
tship’i
ssinki
ng?IsaluteStar!Idon'
t
knowherbutwow!Gi rl,
yourancestorsmustbe
busywherevertheyare.Asbeauti
fulandsexyasI
am,Melreject
edmebutyougothi m.I'm comingfor
ti
ps.
’
‘
Givetherast
agirlabot
tl
eofshampompo .
Ngashongathisi
yocwil
akuphel
alesi
s'
kepe.Aphi
amang'amimanje?#TeamKhanyiyoucancomefor
mylif
e,ngir
eady.
’
‘
Allmyl i
fe,wearetal
kingabout38year
s,Ial
ways
beli
evedthatdisabl
edpeopledon'
thavesexual
feel
ings.IguessIwaswr ong.
’
‘
Youareallpathet
ic!Whyareyouat
tackingher?
Melist
heonewhoappr oachedt
hegir
l,dealwit
h
hi
m.Khanyidealwi t
hyourmanandleavet hegi
rl
outoft
his.Handsof fSt
ar!
’
‘
Idonkhewhotookwho'shusbandI
'
m onl
yher
efor
t
hedrama.Khwezel
anibo! ’
‘
Mayt
hebest¶û$$¥wi
n ’
.
..
Tearsf
allonmyphonescr een,peopleare
suppor
ti
ngher.Howcouldt hey?Shei sdestr
oying
myhome!Shewant st
ot akeever yt
hingthat
bel
ongstomebutIwon'tlether !Iwon'tl
etanyone
haveMelaslongasI'
m sti
llali
ve.Hei smine.
“Youshoul dstopl ookingatt his.”Ciarasnat ches
myphone.Idon' thavet hest rengtht of i
ghther
today.I'
m hur t
ingandemot ional l
ydr ained.Idon' t
knowhowIwi llgett hrought hisembar rassment
thatMelcausedme.Coul dn'thef i
ndabet ter
someonei nst
eadofacr i
pple?Adi sabledper son!
“Youknowt het ruth, st
opl ooki ngforanswer swhere
youwon' tgett hem.Youknowwher eMelst ays,go
tohim andt alktohi mi npr ivat e.Don'tst artasocial
medi awi t
hMel ,youwon' twini t
.Youhave758K
foll
ower sonInst agr am andaf ewonFacebookand
Twitter
.Ont heot herhand, Melhas7mi lli
on
foll
ower sonInst agr am alone, 12mi ll
ionon
Facebook, he'sf amous, t
hosepeopl eador ehim,
manyofhi sfollower sar ewomenwhosecr etlywant
him andt heywi lldoanyt hingf ortheirever yday
mal ecrush.Ifyour eall
ywantt ogett hrought hi
s,
st
ayof
fsoci
almedi
a.”
“
Peopl
ethi
nkIpushedhi
mtot
hecr
ippl
e'
sar
ms.
”
“
Yesyoudi
d.Maybeifyouhadl
ivedyourt
rut
hfr
om
t
hebegi
nni
ng,youwoudn'
tbehere.
”
“
IloveMel
..
”
“No,youdon'
t.Youareobsessedwithhim.Idon'
t
knowwhatexactlyi
sitthatyouareobsessedwith
becauseyouhaveyourownmoney, youhavea
businesst
hatisdoi
ngwel l
,youhaveeveryt
hing.
”
“
Excepthi
m.”
“Youcan'townaper son,hun.Itdoesn'tworkli
ke
that
.Theystayandl eaveastheywi sh.Stophurti
ng
yoursel
foverMel,yourmar r
iagewasshakyeven
l
ongbef oret
hisgi
rlcamei ntothepicture.It
hinki
t'
s
highti
meyoul eti
tgo. ”
“
Soyoucanhaveme?
”
“
No.I'
m notsel
fi
sh,Essi
e.Iknowyouwi llchoose
Meloverme,Ial
soknowt hatyouleavi
nghim won't
meanIcanhaveyou.Youdon' tl
oveme, youjust
l
ikewhatIcandotoyou.That'sal
l.
”
“
Cici
..
.”
“C'
mon.Youhavetobathandeatsomet
hing.You
needst
rengt
hforyourbaby.
”
“Ci
ci.
..
”Igrabherhand.Shebl
inksawayhert
ear
s
andlooksaway.“I
'm sor
ry.
”
“It
'sokay,Essie.Wedon'talwaysgetwhatwewant .
Thepeoplewel oveareinlovewithotherpeople
whoar ealsoinl ovewit
hot her
s.It
'snotyourfaul
t,
theuniver
sei sjustf!
ck'
dup. ”shesighs.“
Ihaveto
got owork,Iwi l
lseeyoulater.
”
“
Can'
tyoust
ay?Youdon'
tlookokay.
”
“I
'mf i
ne.”shesmi les.It
'shersmi l
ethatalways
confusesme.Idon' tknowi fI'
m st
rai
ght,bisexualor
alesbian?Al lIknowi sthatshetouchesmewher e
nootherper sonhasevert ouchedme.
“
Ifyousayso.Enj
oyyourday.
”
“
Don'tf
orgett
oeat
.”shesof
tl
yki
ssesmyl
ipsand
l
eaves.

Il
ookatt
heper
sonl
ooki
ngbackatmeont
hemi
rr
or.
Puff
yeyes, dr
yli
ps,paleski
n, unkempthair,
Ilook
l
ikeamess.Youwon' therawaywi ththi
sStaror
whateveryournameis.Iwillnotletyouhavemy
man, notwhenI'
m sti
llbr
eathing.Ihavetofi
nda
perf
ectwayt ogetawaywi t
hmur derandIknow
whocanhel pme.
“
But
ter
fl
y.”heanswer
sthecal
lont
hef
ir
str
ing.
“
Howhaveyoubeen?
”
“
Good.What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thyourhusband?Youar
e
t
rendi
ng.
”
“Someonewant
stodest
roymymar
ri
age.Canyou
helpmegetmymanback?”
“What'si
nitforme?Whydoyoukeeprunni
ngaft
er
him anyway?Icandoabet
terj
oboftaki
ngcar
eof
youthanhim.”
“Thi
sisabusi
nessdealthatwentwr
ong.If
eelused
andIwantmyrevenge.”
“
Okay,
whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
”
“
Kil
lher
!”Si
lence.Whyi
shesi
lent
?
“
Idon'
tki
llwomen,
but
ter
fl
y.Imadeapr
omi
set
o
mydaughtert
oneverki
llawomannomatt
ert
he
ci
rcumst
ancesandI'
m notbr
eaki
ngt
hatpr
omise.
”
“
Notevenf
orme?
”
“Notforanyone. ”hesi ghs.“Butterfl
y,youar e
direct
ingyourangert othewr ongpeopl eher e.Does
i
tevercr ossyourmi ndthatMeli st herealvict imin
allofthis?Youl eftmef orhim, youagr eedtot hei
r
sickplan,Itoldyout hatonedayyouwi l
lregr etit
nowl ookatyou.Youar eallovert heplace,you
don'tevenknowwher eyouwantt obe.Take
somet imeof fandawayf rom ever yoneanddeci de
whatyouwant .Youcan' tconti
nuel ivi
ngal ie, t
hink
aboutt hechildyouar ecar r
ying...”
“
Daddy!Daddywher
eareyou?
”ayounggi
rl
'svoi
ce
i
nter
rupt
sandmyheartski
psabeat
.
“Heresweethear
t.I
'
m onthephone,givemefi
ve.
”I
hearthegi
rltel
li
nghimtobequick.“
I'
m sor
ryabout
that
.”
“
Howi
sshe?
”
“
Fine.Sassy,
stubbor
nandbeaut
if
ull
ikeher
mother.
”Ismil
e.
“Thankyouforthechat
.Iwil
lgeti
ntouch.Take
careofyour
selfandyourbeaut
if
uldaught
er.”
“Youtakecar
etoo.I'
mt aki
nghert
oa3mont hs
crui
se,youmightnotbeablet
ogetint
ouchunti
lwe
areback.”
“
3mont
hs?Doesn'
tshegot
oschool
?”
“Shedoes.Ispoket othepri
ncipal,Iwillbeteachi
ng
herontheboatandshewi l
lber eadyf orexams
whenwer eturns.Ihavethesyllabusandalt he
requi
redmat er
ial
.She'sint
ell
igentlikeme. ”
“
Cockymuch?
”
“Daddy!
”thel
it
tl
egir
lsoundsimpat
ientnow.Idon'
t
knowwhybutIf i
ndmyselfr
unni
ngmyhandonmy
tummy.
“Bye.Haveasafetr
ip.
”Idropthecal
landsi
tonthe
bedponderi
ngonhi swords.Myphonebeeps,
it'
sa
What sAppmessagefr
om him.
***
*Ihopethi
swil
lmakeyourday.Takecar
eof
yoursel
f.Wel
oveyou.
***
*
At
tachedi
sapi
ctur
eofhi
m andt
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
.They
l
ookhappy,youcantellbythei
rcl
osenesst
hatli
fe
i
sgoodforthem.Thel i
tt
legir
lhasl
onghair
,it
's
combedoutnicel
yandIwonderwhodoest hatfor
her
?Couldi
tbet hathe'
smar ri
ednow?
*
***
***
**

STAR'
SPOV.

Myheartski
psabeatwhenIwakeuptof i
ndMel
l
ooki
ngatme.Hisexpressi
oni
sunreadable,
he'
s
j
ustst
aringatme.
“
Hey.
”hesi
ghs.
“
Hey.Whatt
imei
sit
?”
“
Pastf
ivei
ntheaf
ter
noon.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“Ali
tt
ledr
owsy.Theinject
ionsar
emaki
ngmesi
ck,
canyoutel
lthem t
ostop.”
“Nobabe,youneedt
hosei
nject
ions.I
t'
sforyour
benef
it
,forus.
”
“
Okay.
”Il
ookawayf
rom hi
m andbl
inkmyt
ear
s
away.Idon'
tevenknowwhyI
'
mfeel
ingemot
ional
ri
ghtnow.
“Owethusai
dyouhavesomethi
ngtotel
lme.
..
”my
hear
tstopsforamoment.“
Star
?Lookatme.
”Ido
ashesays.“Whati
sit
?”
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”Isob.
“
Forwhat
?”
“
I.
..I
'
m pr
egnant
..
.”
“
Youar
ejoki
ng,
right
?”
“
IswearIneverknewIcoul
dbepregnant
..
.Idi
dn'
t
meantotr
apyouwi t
hababy..
..
”
“Shhhh!”heput shi
sf i
ngeronmyl ips.“
Youhave
nothingtobesor r
yabout .Wemadeababy, weboth
didn'tt
akeprecauti
onsandwehavenot hingtobe
sorryabout.It
'sourchil
d, ourf
ir
stbornandthe
symbolofourl ove.Don'teverapol
ogizefort
hat,
we
arebothinthisandno, I'
m notangrynorfeel
trapped.I
'm happy.”
“
Youar
e?”
“
Yes.Isuspect
edwhenAsenat
hit
oldmet
hat
you'vebeeneati
ngweir
dthi
ngs.
”heki
ssesme.
“Thankyou.”Ibl
ush.
“
Ithoughtyou'
dfl
ip.
”
“It
'sonl
yaboywhor unsawayf rom hi
s
responsi
bil
it
iesnotaman.Iknowt hatwhenIdon't
useacondom t heconsequencesmi ghtbe
pregnancyandIwi l
lneverabandonmybl ood.Even
i
fit'saonenightstand,Ival
uemyseeds.Thankyou
forthi
s.Howf ararewe?Nevermi nd,Iwil
ldothe
calcul
ati
ons.Iloveyou,Star
.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

[
SPONSOREDI
NSERT:Byhi
str
ulynumberone
Cr
ush ]
I
NSERT30.

ONEWEEKLATER.
..
.

MEL'
SPOV.

Idon'tknowi fit
'smeort hi
sgi rli
st hrowingher sel f
onme.Eversi nceIfiredStar,she'saconst antinmy
offi
ceandIdon' tknowwhyherf ri
endswon' tt
ellher
thathercheapper f
umemakespeopl edi zzy?I
watchheront hemi rr
or,myof f i
cehasat r
anspar ent
glasswal lthatal l
owsmet oseepeopl ewhoar e
outsidebutt heycan' tseeme, she'swear i
ngapi nk
dresst hathasadeepV- neckli
net oppedwi tha
blackunbut tonedbl azer.She'salwayswear i
ngher
ri
diculousandbabycol or,i
tmakesherl ookeven
mor est upi
d.Letmenotst artonhert onsofmakeup
thatshepast esonherf aceonadai lybasi s,I'
m
suresheher selfdoesn'trememberhowhernat ur al
skinlookslike.Shechecksher selfont hemi rr
or
wall,takesoutherl i
psti
ckf r
om herbl azer'spocket
andpaintsherl
ipsredbef
orepushingupherbra
exposi
ngmostpar t
sofherbreads.Shetakesa
deepbreathandknocks.
“
Comei
n.”Isayandcl
osemyl
apt
op.
“
Goodafter
noon,
sir
.”she'
sal
lsmi
lesl
ikeachi
ldi
n
acandyshop.
“Idon'
trememberhavi
ngameeti
ngwi
thyou?How
canIhelpyou?
”shechuckl
es.
“
Icamet
ocheckonyou.
..
”sheent
winesherf
inger
s.
“
Onwhatbasi
s,Joy?
”
“
Ithoughtsi
nce.
..youar
etr
endi
ng.
..
”
“
Nowt hatyou'
veseenme, areyousati
sfi
ed?”she
f
idget
swithherfi
ngers.“I
fyouaredonelookingat
meclosethedoorbehindyou.”Idi
alPaul
ine.
“
Mr.Hl
ongwane.
”
“
Canyoucancelmymeet
ingwi
thmymot
herdur
ing
t
hel
unchhour?”
“Shesoundedhurtt
helastt
ime.I
t'
sbeent
hree
consecut
iveweeks,
sir
.”
“Fi
ndawayt opacif
yher.Ihavetobesomewher e
i
mpor tant,
mom canwai t
.Sendherf l
owersasan
apology.Shebel
ievesi
nt hesenti
mentalcrapt
hatis
carr
iedbyf l
owersandtheircol
ors,f
indtheper
fect
choi
ce. ”
“
Okay,si
r.
”sheinhal
esandIi
nst
ant
lyknowt
hatshe
want
ssomething.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“
CanIleaveear
lyt
oday?Mygr
andmot
heri
snot
f
eel
ingwell
.”
“Youcanl
eavenow.For
getaboutmymother
,Iwil
l
handl
eher
.Goandtakecareofyourgr
andmother
.”
“Thankyou,
sir
.”Icutt
hecal
ltof
indJoyst
il
l
gawkingatme.
“
IthoughtIt
oldyoutocl
oset
hedoorbehi
ndyou.I
s
t
heresomethingel
seyouwant
?”
“Whydoyouhat
eme?
”I'
mtakenabackbyher
quest
ion.
“
Idi
dn'tknowt
hatIhavetoli
kemyemployees?I
s
t
hati
nanyconsti
tut
ionorsomet
hing?
”
“
Butyoul
oveSt
ar.
”
“Youareri
ghtandI'
m gl
adyouknowthatnowpi
ss
offbef
oreIlosemytemper
.”shel
ooksatmeone
moretimeandexit
s.

I
'
minterr
uptedbymysecondphonevi
brati
ngonthe
t
abl
e.I'
vebeensofocusedonmyworkthatIf
orgot
t
ochecktheti
me.
“
Babe, I
'
m sososor
ry.I
'mreal
lysor
ry.I
'
m onmy
way.”It
rapt
hephonebetweenmyearandshoul
der
whil
eIpackmystuffi
nthebag.
“I
t'
sokay.Don' trushIj ustwant edt otel
lyout hatI
missyou.I t'slonelyher e.
”Icant ellbyhert onethat
she'spout i
ng.St arwasdi schar gedf r
om t he
hospit
althr eedaysback.Theywant edt okeepher
l
ongerbutIcoul dn'thel
pt hefeelingofbei ng
watchedt hatIf elteveryti
meIhadt ovisitherinthe
hospit
al.Ihadt omakesur ethatshe' ssaf eandI
askedheraunti fIcant akeherwi thmef oraf ew
weeks.If eelbet terwhenI '
mtheonet aki
ngcar eof
her.She'sgoi ngt hroughadi f
ficultphase.Her
hor monesareallovertheplace,shehast otakeher
medi cat
ionontimewhi chincludes4000mcgof
foli
cacid.Tentimesthenor maldose.Thedoct or
saidsheneedsi tmorebecauseofhercondi ti
on
andi twil
lhelpt
hebaby' scell
st ogrow.She's
struggli
ngwithleaki
ngpr obl
emst oo,
especial
lyat
night.Thedoctorexplai
nedt hatit
'snormal,
her
bodyi ssti
llt
ryi
ngtoadj ustt
ot hepregnancy.
“
Iknowbabe.Di
dyoueat
?”
“Howcoul dInotwhent hreeheadskeptbeggi ngme
toswal l
owal lthoseveget ablesl
ikeI'm ar
abbi t?
”I
chuckle.Ihiredt hr
eehi ghlyqualifi
eddoctorsf orher
.
Adietician,gynaecol ogistandaneur ologi
st.They
work24/ 7whilemybr othercomesi never
ydayt o
checkonherphysi calheal t
handgi veherinjecti
ons
fort
hatki dneyi ssue.It'
sget ti
ngbetterandI
couldn'tbemor ehappi er.
“Goodgirl
.Whatdoyouwantt oeatfordi
nner?”I
l
ockmyof ficewi t
hmyphonest i
llt
rapped.If
eel
someone'spr esenceandwhenIlookup,it
's
Asenathi
.Flip!Icall
edheri
nthemor ni
ngand
request
edthatwemeet .
“
Iwantsomet
hingchi
ll
y,aMexi
candi
sh.
..
”
“Thedoctorsaidnotochi
ll
ifoods.
”Ibri
efl
yhug
Asenathiandleadthewaytotheelevat
or.
“
Justf
ort
oday,
please.
”
“
Okay.Iwi
llcook.Seeyousoon,
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”Icutt
hecal
lwi
thasmi
le.

“
Hey.
”
“Mel
,whyam Ihere?Ithoughtweagr
eedt
hatyou
andIar
enotfri
ends.”
“Ij
ustwanttot
alkbutnothere.Wewil
ltal
kinmy
car,
yourcousi
nmissesme. ”sher
oll
shereyes,
I
chuckl
e.
“I
fit
'saboutmyjobthent
heanswerissti
llt
hesame,
I'
m notquit
ti
ng.
”Igl
anceatherandstr
ideoutoft
he
el
evator.WebumpintoMonwabisi
.
“
Bro?Youl
eavi
ngal
ready?
”Monwabi
siasks.
“
Yeah.Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
.”
“
Sur
e.”

“
Whydon'
tyouwantt
oqui
tyourj
ob?
”IaskasI
r
ever
set
hecar.
“BecauseIneedthemoney,Mel
.Notallofuswer
e
bornwithsi
lverspoonsi
nourmouths.
”
“
Iwor
kedmyassupf
rom t
hebot
tom,
Ase.
”
“Youhadt hesupportsyst
em, Idon'
t.Mypar
ent
s
aredivor
cedandt heyareli
vingthei
rli
vesf
ormy
youngersibl
ings.I
'm anadult,
Ihavetodowhat
ever
i
ttakestoputt hefoodontable.”
“
Isi
twor
thi
t?Sucki
ngol
dmen'
spr
ivat
es.
..
”
“Youarenotintheposi
ti
ont
ojudgeme!Myl
if
e,my
choi
ces!”shesnaps.
“Ididn'tmeant oupsetyouI'
mj usttr
yingt
o
under stand.Andmyr easonsforyoutoquithave
nothingt odowi t
hmor al
soranythingbutyour
safety.”
“
Howdoyoumean?
”
“Myfatherownst heclub.”Iwat
chhereyeswidenin
horr
or.“I
fhefindsoutt hatyouareSt
ar'
scousinhe
mighthurtyoujusttogett omeandStar.That
'st
he
honesttr
uthofmyr easons.”
“Ican'tquit
,Mel.Ineedt
hemoney. ”I'
m stunned.I
can'tbeli
evethatshesti
llchoosesherjobover
Star'
ssaf et
y?
“Areyouforr
eal
?Youar echoosi
ngtosuckdicks
formoneyoveryourcousi
n'ssaf
ety?Thesame
cousinyoucl
aimtolovewit
hyourentir
ebeing?”
“Stopthecar!”Il
ookather.“Isai
dst
opthedamn
car!”sheyell
sandIparkbesi det
her
oad.She
swiftl
ygetsoutofthecar.Ihavetor
unaft
erheri
n
ordertocatchupwi t
hher.
“
Whatiswrongwi
thyou?
”shet
urnswi
thahotsl
ap
t
hatl
andsonmycheek.
“Al
lthi
sdr amaf orwrinkledmen?Ar eyouthat
addi
ctedtoi nf
erti
lesement hatyoudon'twantt o
hearanythingaboutit?Whycan' tyoujustleti
tgo
andprotectyourcousi n?Youarejustself
ish!”
“
Sel
fi
shyousay?
”at
earescapeshereye.“
Guess
what ?I'
m doi ngal lt
hisforSt ar!Whodoyout hink
payst hebi l
ls?Hermedi calaid?Huh?Yout hinkher
fatherpaysf orthat?NoMel ,tothatbast ardSt ar
doesn'texist!Ihadt odr opoutofschool ,Igagand
vomi tafterever yjobandcomf ortmysel fknowi ng
thatatleastmycousi nwon' tsuf f
er.Ipayf ort hat
medi calaid,Ibuyhermedi cati
on, Ipayt hebi l
ls,
somet imesIl i
eandsaymyf athergaveusmoney
sot hatshedoesn' tgettoknowt her ealsour ceof
myi ncome.Nowt el
lme, doyoust illwantmet o
quit?”I'
mr oot edont hesur face.Ihavenowor ds.
Asenat hiisdoi ngallthi
st omakeSt ar'slife
comf ortable.Shesacr if
icedherf uturef orSt ar.
“
I.
..I
'
m sor
ryAsenat
hi.
”shewi
peshert
ear
s.
“Forthepoor,
li
feisn'tst
rai
ghtf orward,Mel .Wedo
anythingwehavetodoi nor dertosurvive.Don't
everjudgepeopl
ebef oreknowingt heirrealstor
y.
Wear ewalki
ngint hesamewor ldbutwear e
defi
nitel
ynotonthesamer oadorgoi ngt hesame
dir
ection.
”
“
I'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tknow.Canwegobacktot
hecar?
”
t
hebombshel
lshejustdr
oppedi
swayt
ooheavy
f
orme,
Ineedt
osi
tdownandpr
ocessi
t.
“
Sur
e.”
“Wow!NowIknowwhyyouar esoangr yatthe
world.Yourr
esponsi
bil
it
iesarewaybeyondyour
age.Nottomakeupf ormybei ngajerk,t
hisis
comi ngfr
om t
hedepthofmyhear t,
I'mreall
y
touched.Youareabraveyounggirl
.”
“
Don'tt
ellStaraboutt
hisplease.She'
sbeen
t
hroughalotandt hel
astthingsheneedsrightnow
i
stoknowt hatherfamil
ycompl etel
ycutheroff
.”
“Iwon't,
Ipromi se.Ihaveaquest
ionthough,
ifyou
don'tmind.”shenods.“ Ar
etheMathumosher
biol
ogicalparents?”
“Asunbeli
evabl
easitis,yestheyare.Ial
sowonder
howt heysl
eeppeacefulatnightwit
houtknowing
howt hei
rdaught
erisdoing.Butitsokay,St
arwil
l
shinewhentheti
mei sright
.Wi t
houtthem.”she
sighs.

Thegat
esl
idesopenast
hecarappr
oaches.
“Whoa!Holycow! ”shegapesandIsecr etlysmi l
e.I
knowhowbr eathtakingt helandscapingoft hisyard
i
sandnoonewi llbelievemebutIact uallydidit
myself.WhenIboughtt hishouse,Ihadt hisper f
ect
i
deaofmychi ldrenrunni ngar oundplayinghi deand
seekbehindfl
ower sorki cki
ngt heballont he
beautif
ull
awnwhi letheirmot herstandsont he
balconyandwatchest hem.“ Dude,thi
sisyour
house?”
“
Yep.Doyoul
ikei
t?”
“I
fIl
ikedyou,I
'dst
ayher ebutIdon'
tli
keyouso.
”
sheshrugs.Mythr
eebulldogsjumponme, sni
ff
ing
andwiggli
ngthei
rtai
ls.
“
Youst
il
lhat
eme?
”
“Youar esti
llt
hesamej erk,Mel.”Icommandt he
dogst ositsti
llwhi
leIpressthesecur i
tycodet o
opent hedoor.Whenyouar ei nside,
youcanopeni t
withoutthecodebutnotwhenyouar eoutside.

“Goodafter
noon,
Sir
.”t
hechefgr
eet
smewi
tha
glassofwater
.
“Thankyou,Jack.Youcanknockoff,
Iwi
lldot
he
cooking.Iwantt
ospoilmygir
ltoday.
”
“
Okay.Enj
oyyoureveni
ng,
Sir
.”
“
Stari
supst
air
s.I'
m wai
ti
ngfort
hepai
nterst
o
f
ini
shpai
nti
ngthedownstai
rsmai
nbedroom t
hen
wewil
lmovedown.”
“Carryingherupanddownever ysi
ngletimemi ght
bef unt oyoubutshedoesn'tl
ikefeel
inglikeshe'
s
helpless.Tel
lyourpeopletobequick.Stardoesn't
talkmuchwhenshe' snothappy,shejustrecoi
ls
backi ntohersel
fbecauseshe'
susedt opeopl e
treati
ngherasi fshe'
sinval
id.
”
“
Thanks.Iwi
llkeept
hati
nmi
nd.
”
*
***
***
**

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

IparkmycarinfrontoftheHl
ongwaneSnr
resi
dence.ThemansionIfel
linl
ovewit
hwhenI
wasachi l
d.Iwasbarelysi
xwhenmydad
i
nt r
oducedust otheHl ongwanes.Dadwasj ust
starti
ngoutasal awyer ,hewasn' tpoorbuthe
wasn' tasr i
chashei sr ightnow.Ont heot herhand,
theHl ongwaneswer est inkingr i
ch, Mel ,Owet hu
andt heirsistersmel l
edf resh.Haveyounot iced
howdi ff
erentyourr elativesl i
vinginot hercount ries
smel lnicelywhent heyvi sitduringhol i
days?That 's
howMelandhi ssiblingssmel ledlike.Theywer e
l
ikel i
ttl
egodsandgoddesses, Iwor shippedt hem.I
wasal wayslef ti
naweever yti
mewevi sitedt hem.
Asyoungasweal lwer e,MelandOwet huknew
theirwaywi t
hcut leryar oundt hedi nnert abl e, no
spil
ls,noacci dent
sanddef init
elynot alking.I
wishedt ohavet heirlif
ebutt heyhat edi t
, especi all
y
Mel .Idon'tknowhowonecanhat et hel i
feof
spendi nghour sonai r,
thenexthour si nt hebeach
apar t
mentar oundt hewor ldandt henexti nt he
tal
lestbui l
dingi nDubai ?Imeant hat '
sl if
e, that'sthe
softlif
eever yonei stalkingaboutandwi shi ngf or.

Istepdownthecarandputonmyshades.Back
then,t
hefr
ontyar
dwaspavedwithalotofpot
plantsi nt heveranda.Theywer en'
tsortedoutbut
theywer eni ceflowersandt r
ees.Theout sidewas
paintedwhi t
e,withat ouchofbl ackbuti tlooked
niceanyway.Ther ewer egardenchai r
si nt he
backyar dandt hel awnwasn' twel lt
akencar eof.It
i
st hei nsidet hatIf el
linlovewi thandIal ways
envisionedmysel faspar tofthem.Mydesi retobe
oneoft hem gr ewasIal soaddedmor eyear stomy
l
ifebutt het hi
ngi s,Mel neverlookedatmel ikea
woman.Hehadmeont opofhi sfri
endsl ist.He
wascl osedof f
,neversmi l
edandgavegi rlst hebest
ofor gasms.Ir ememberwhenhecamef or
Chr i
stmashol i
dayswi thhisbot hearspi ercedand
aneagl et att
ooonhi schest.Hewas19andhotl i
ke
neverbef ore.Iwasst i
llunderagebutmyhor mones
knewnot hingaboutage.Ibadl ywant edhi m buthe
rejectedme.
“Idon'
twantt obej
ail
edforr
ape.Growupf irst
.”
thosewer ehiswor
dsaccompaniedbyasof tkiss
onmyl ips.Ihel
dontothatf
eeli
ng,everyti
meI
thoughtofhim mybodywouldbeonf ir
eandmy
kit
tywouldbehappy.Hedisappear
edf oryearsbut
hisfat
herkeptinvi
ti
nguswheneveet
heywer ein
thecountr
y.Iwouldaskabouthi
swhereaboutsand
hisfat
her'
sresponseal
wayswas;
“Don'
twor
rydaughteri
n-l
aw,
hewi
llbehomeas
soonashegraduat
es.”
Butt hat
'st
het hing,Mel nevergr aduat
ed.Mel
disappoint
edhi sfather,hebecamear ebelandhis
fatherwashel lbentont urni
ngMeli nt
oayounger
versionofhis.Mel turnedtodr ugsandal coholfor
comf ort
,hewasamessandhi sangerandt emper
i
ssueswer et r
ipled.Iwasnol ongerpoor ,Ihadmy
money, Iwasami ll
ionairealr
eadyatt heageof19
andIbecamehi sBl esser.Igavehi m moneyf or
boozeandmar i
juanabuthest i
llsawasi ster-
fr
iend
i
nme.Ihadaboyf r
iendbutIwant edMel .

“
Makoti.
”I'
m br
oughtbackt
owhereIam bythe
i
rr
it
ati
ngsoftvoi
ceofmysoontobeexmot heri
n-
l
aw.
“
Goodaf
ter
noon,
Ma.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”Ii
gnor
eherquest
ionandaskher
i
nst
ead.
“
IsMelher
e?”shef
rowns.
“
No.Hehasn'
tbeenher
eeversi
nce.
..
”shest
ops.
“Eversi
ncehehumi l
iat
edmewithacr i
ppl
e.I
thoughthewashere,hesentmetheseafewdays
ago.”Igi
veherthebrownenvel
ope.Sheshaki
ly
takesoutthepaper
sandgapeslookingatt
hem.
“Why?Can'tyout
wof i
xyourpr
obl
ems?Youcannot
divor
cenow, t
her
e'sachi
ldi
nvol
ved.Pl
ease
Khanyi.
..
”
“I
'm nother
eforachitchat
,It
houghtIshoul
dlet
youknow.Isfatheri
n-lawi
n?”
“Hei
soutside,
inthegar
den.
”Ileaveherstandi
ng
out
sideandusethebackki
tchendoortothegarden.

Fatherin-
lawishi ssi
ngatsomeoneont hephone.I
can'tmakeoutal lhiswordsexcepthi
slast
stat
ement .“
Youbet t
erf
indhim al
iveorelse
consideryoursel
vesdead”andcol dchil
lsrundown
myspi ne.Het ur
nsandl ooksatme.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?Wher
eisMel
?”
“
Idon'
tknow.Hesentdi
vor
cepaper
s..
.”
“Youarenotsigni
ngt hose.
”hesnat
chesthepaper
s
andtearsthem i
ntopieces.“
Findhi
m andtel
lhi
m
thatnooneisdivorci
nganyone.Unti
ldeat
hdoyou
part,
thosewereyourvows. ”
“
Whyar
eyoupuni
shi
ngme?
”
“Imadeyou,Khanyi.Notonlyyoubutyourent i
re
famil
y.Youareallsti
nkingrichbecauseofmeand
yoursmallj
obistokeepmysoni ncheckbecause
hewantstoruineverythingIbui
lt.
”
“
Forwhat
?”
“
That
'snoneofyourbusi
ness.Fi
ndhi
m!”
“Ican'tdot
hisanyomore.
..
”bef
oreIcanfi
nishmy
statement,
I'
m al
readyseei
ngstar
sindayli
ght.
“Isaywhenthisisover
!Youhavenosayinthi
s,I
ownyourwhol efamil
y'
sasses!Doyouhearme?”I
nodwithtear
sf al
li
ngdownmycheeks..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
NEXTI
NSERT.
..
.

THETRUTHSHALLSETYOUFREE.
..
.Speakupor
for
everhol
dyourpeace.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT31.

[Thei nsertwassupposedt obepost edear

lyinthe
mor ningbutmyphonedel etedit
.Ihadt or
etypethe
whol ething.Anyway,it
syher eandIguessI'm
forgivenforposti
ngal i
ttl
elatewithoutany
communi cati
onbefore.
]
MEL'
SPOV.

I'
mf i
lmi
ngthegir
lswhil
etheyhavethei
rdi
nner.I
didcookaspromisedwhil
etheysati
nthel
ivi
ng
room.
“Mmmmh. .
..thi
stastesheavenly!
”Starcomments
whil
esavouri
ngthet aste.Izoom i
nandcaptur
ea
cl
ose-uppi
cturewithhereyesclosed.“Si
tdownand
haveyourf
oodpl ease.”
“Okaybabe.”Iturnthecamer atoAsenathiwhois
emotional
lylookingatStarwhoi senjoyi
ngherfood.
Iwonderwhati sgoingthroughi nhermi nd?Does
sheregretsacri
fici
ngheral lforStar?No.The
Asenathiwhosl appedmeear li
erdidn'
tsoundli
ke
someonewhor egretsanything.
“Whot aughtyout ocook? ”Islowlychewmyf ood
andswal lowbef oreanswer ingAsenathi
'
squest i
on.
Idon'treall
ylikeMexicandi shesbutIwillendure
thi
sonl yformysweet heart.WhenIwasi n
Switzerl
andt heredaysl i
keHawai i
anWednesday,
ThaiTuesday, I
tal
ianFriday,SpanishSaturday,
Mexi canSunday, Amer i
canbr eakfastweek,Engli
sh
l
uncheonandal lthatcr
ap.Ont hesedayshi ghly
qualifi
edchef swoul dpreparefeastswi t
houtany
i
ngr edientmi ssi
ng.Somechi ldrenenjoyeditbutI
cravedmygr andmother'
spumpki nleaveswit
h
peanutbut t
erinst
ead.Thef oodl ookedbeauti
fulbut
i
thadabl andt astetome.I tl
ackedt heimportant
i
ngr edientofofthem all
;LOVE.
“
Mynanny.
”
“
Your
snott
hewhol
efami
ly'
snanny?
”
“Mine.Therewer et hr
eeofusbackt henand
everyonehadananny.Mi newasanEt hi
opian
womanwhobel ievedthatnohousehol dchor ewas
meantf orgi
rls.Shet aughtmet hataslongasyou
expecttoeatandsi ti
nacl eanr oom thenyouhave
todot hework.”thisisnott hetruthentir
ely.Yesmy
nannyshowedmet hewayar oundthekitchenbut
mostoft hethingsIknow, Ilearnedfrom that
Godf or
sakenpl ace.

I
nthatbeaut
if
ulf
rom t
heout
sidef
aci
li
tyt
hatposed
asaboar dingschool ,wewer eallbelievedt obe
sufferi
ngf rom anaddi ctionofsomesor t.Forthat
reason, wewer esupposedt obekeptbusyal lt
he
ti
me.Wewer ef orcedintocar pent r
y,knitt
ing,
crochet i
ng, cooking,pai nti
ng, gardening,cleaning
andal lthehandcr af
tjobsyoucant hinkof .DidI
ment i
ont het hreehourmedi tati
oncl ass?Seat ed
crossl eggedonmymat ,myhandsf oldedand
undert hechi nforthefirsthour ,thenexthourwe
weresupposedt oputourhandsonourknees.I t
wasdur ingt hosepai nfulhour swhenIdeci ded
nevert ot ryandbel i
kemyf ather.Insteadoft hat
moul dingme, i
tcreatedamonst erinme.Myhat e
grewandf oundadwel lingplacei nmyhear t
.I'
ve
neverf orgivenhi m andIneverwi ll
.

Theexpensivegi fts.You'dbesurprisedtoknow
thatIhateAirJor danshoeswi thever yt
hinginme.
Thegames, latestgadget sandallthatdidn'tmake
upf orwhatIwasmi ssi
ng.Iwashomesi ckandI
keptwonderingi fmymot herevert
hi nksaboutme.
Whenot herkidsmar vel
edatmyever yweekgi f
ts,
I
wasremi
ndedt
hatIwasahomel
essmi
ll
ionai
re'
s
son.
“Musthavebeenni
ce.
”CanAsenat
hidr
opt
het
opi
c
bef
oreIlosei
t?
“
Inaway.
”Isi
gh.“
Desser
tever
yone?
”
“
Yespl
ease!
”St
ari
sreal
lyenj
oyi
ngt
his.
“I
'
mf ul
l.Ican'
ttakeanymor
efoodi
nmybel
ly.
”
Asenat
hidecli
nes.
Thesweetandmi ntyaromaofthedessertf
il
lsthe
l
ivi
ngr oom,Starcovershernoseandmout hand
beforeIcanmakesenseofherr eact
ion,
she
pushesherwheel chairbackwar
dsandvomi t
son
thefloor
.Ohno!Whatnowmyl ove?Shegroans
oncemor eandempt i
esherstomach.Bytheti
me
she'sdone,she'
sint ears.
“
I'
m sor
rymyl
ove.
”Ir
ubherback.
“
Areyouf
eel
ingsi
ck?
”Asenat
hisoundsconcer
ned.
“
Iwi
llbef
ine,
Iguess.Thedoct
orsai
dit
'snor
mal
.”
“Youvomit
edear
li
er?”myangeri
ssurf
aci
ngandI
scoopherupbef
oreIlosemytemperi
nfr
ontofher
cousi
n.Ii
nst
ructAsenat
hinott
ocl
ean,
Iwi
lldoi
t.

“WhathappenedwhenIwasaway?”Iaskaf
ter
makingsureshe'
ssi
tt
ingcomf
ort
ableonthetoi
let
seat
.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”shesni
ff
sandf
idget
swi
thherf
inger
s.
“Lookatme.Babe, hidi
ngt hi
ngsf r
om mei snota
goodi dea.Notonl
ywi l
lyougeti ntr
oublebutthe
doctorstoo.Iwil
lfi
r ethem ift
heyagr eet
o
concealingthi
ngsthatconcer nyourhealth.I
'm your
partner,weareinthistogether.Doyouwantmenot
togot owor kandst aywithyout hewholeday?”
“
No.I'
m sorry,
daddy.
”myangerqui
ckl
ymel
tsandI
f
indmyselfsmili
ng.
“Youar eforgiven.Onl ythisonetimenexttimeI
won'tbef orgivi
ng. ”Istr
ipmyT- shir
tofffol
lowedby
myj eansandt osst hem onthefloor.Theyareall
coveredinvomi t.Iopent hewatertapsandbalance
thetemper aturebef orepouringinherbathi
ngoi l
s.
Theycomehi ghlyrecommendedbyt hedaughter
especiall
yforhersensi t
iveskin.
“
I'
m sor
ryf
ort
hemess.
..
”
“No.Youar enotapologizi
ngf ort hat.I
t'
sourchild
andwhat everhappens,Iwillalwaysbet her
e.We
areateam int hi
s.Besi
des,vomi t i
ngdoesn'tthrow
meof f.Iwasaj unki
eonce, remember ?”shesmi l
es.
Mygr andparentsdeserveanaer oplaneforkeeping
upwithmycr ap.Iwouldeat,drink, smoke,vomit
andpassoutont opofmymess.Gr andmaal ways
wokemeupwi thabucketfullofcol dwater
.
“Thankyou.
”Ihel
pheroutofherdr
ess.Herpoi
nted
andhardnippl
eshavemyboxershort
sexpandi
ng.
“
Youl
ookedi
ble.
”It
ease.
“
Youcanhaveal
lofmeaf
tert
hisbat
h.”shewi
nks.
“Iwil
lbebackinaminute.Playaroundi
nther
e,I
'
m
goingdownstai
rst
oclean.”Iquickl
yputoncl
ean
clot
hesandrushbackdownst ai
rs.

Asenathidi
sregar
dedmyinst
ruct
ionsandcl
eaned
thedini
ngroom.She'snowwashi
ngplatesi
nthe
kit
chen.
“O,whatar eyoudoi
nghere?”I'
m sur
pri
sedt
osee
mybr otheratthi
shour.Heisseat
edontopoft
he
counterandhavinglef
tovermeat.
“
Icamet
ocheckonmypat
ient
.Howi
sshe?
”
“Nauseous.Hertemper
atur
eisfine.I
sther
e
somethingthatcanhel
pwithnausea?”
“Unfor t
unately,no.Shewi llhavet oendur ethatfor
thefirsttr
imest er.Justmakesur eshe'shydr atedall
thetimesandf oll
owi ngherdi et .Ifshevomi ts
beforet hi
rt
ymi nutesaf tertakinghermedi cati
on,
shehast oretakei t.
”he' sgivingi nstructi
onst ome
buthi seyesar eonAsenat hi.Ohno!Notyou
brother.Mybr otherist hetypet hatnotonl ybreaks
agi r
l'
shear t,hemakessur enoneofi tisleftbefore
destroyingever ythingt hatmakesawoman.You' d
swearhe' stheonewhocameupwi t
hemot i
onal
abuse.Twoofhi sexsexbuddi escommi tted
suicide.Nohedi dn'tphysi callyf orcethem, hemade
suret heyfeltwor thless.
“
Okay.Youwi
llseeyourpat
ientt
omor
row.”
“
WhydoIf
eell
ikeyouwantt
ogetr
idofmer
ight
now?”hegivesmehi
slopsi
dedsmil
e,Ishoothi
ma
deadl
ystar
eandherai
seshishandsi
nsur r
ender
.
“
Ase,canyoustay?Iwil
ltakeyouhomet
omor
row
wecan'tl
eaveStaral
onerightnow.
”
“Okay.Wher
ecanIwat
chTV?Myshowi
saboutt
o
star
t.
”
“
Intheli
vingr
oom orbedr
oom.Yourchoi
ce.Ther
e's
acell
arovert
her
e,knockyour
sel
fout.
”
“
Nowyouar
etal
king.
”
“Iwil
lsendthehelpert
oshowyoutoacl
eanroom.”
Iturntomybr ot
herwhoisst
il
ladmi
ri
ngAsenat
hi.
“Bro,goodni
ght.
”
“
Sur
eli
lbr
o.Sendmygr
eet
ingst
omypat
ient
.”

Stari
sdozingoffi
nthetub.Herheadi
sontheedge
ofthetubandhermouthissli
ghtl
yopen.Mypoor
gi
rl.
“Babe?”Iwakeherupwithakissonherforehead.
That'
stheonlygest
urethatdoesn'
tmakeherf r
eak
out.I
fyoutouchherinsleep,
shefreaksoutand
somet
imesscr
eams.
“
Hey.
”
“Comelet'
stakeyout obed.”Iwrapat owelar
ound
herandhelpheroutofthet ub.Shelooksexhausted
andIdon'tbl
ameher .Vomitingisnochild'
splay.
“Her
e.”shelazil
yopenhermout h,Ipopinherpi l
l
s
andgiveheragl assofwater.Twomi nutesaf
ter,
she'
salreadyfastasl
eep.

“
Bri
e?”Ianswermyvi
brat
ingphone.
“
Wef
oundhi
m.He'
sint
ownwi
thhi
sent
our
age.
”
“
Whatdoyoumeani
ntown?Whyi
sheher
e?”
“Wor
dhasitt
hatyourf
atherandhi
sassoci
ates
owehim.
”
“F!
ck!Wehavetodosomethi
ng.Ican'
tlethim
comeclosetoSt
ar,
shedoesn'
tneedthatkindof
str
essri
ghtnow.Pr
egnancyi
streat
ingherbad
enough.
”
“
Anythi
ngyouwantustodo,boss.Ther
e'smore,
Mr
Mat
humoisnotlegal
lymar
ri
edt ohiswi
febutheis
mar
ri
edt
oNompi
loRaymondMat
humo.
”
“Iknowthatbutt
herear
enopictur
esofthatwoman
oranythi
ngaboutheronthenet
.Coul
ditbeshe'
s
dead?”
“Myresearchtel
lsmethatRaymondThato
Mathumohasbeenmar r
iedtohersi
nce27year
s
agotopresent.I
fshewasdead,thenRaymond
wouldbewi dowed.Somethi
ngisfi
shyher
e.”
“
Let
'smeetatt
hegym,
tomor
rowmor
ning.5am.
”
“
Sur
e.Goodni
ght
.”
Shit
!Whyi sthismanher esosudden?Wer escued
myauntandt heot hertwogi rl
sIdon'tunder stand
howandwhyt heywer einmyf at
her'
sbasement .I
f
Mathumodoeswhatt herumour ssay,thenwear e
i
nhotsoup.Themomentt heyreal
izethatthegi rls
aregone,t
heywi l
lallcomet omegunsbl azingand
IhaveStartopr otect.God!Whatam Igoi ngt odo?
*
***
***
***
*

LI
LLY'
SPOV.
Iti
ptoetomyfat
her
'sst
udy.Hushedvoi
cescomi
ng
fr
om insi
dear
ewhatdrewmecl oser
.
“
Iwantmymer chandi
seorI'
mtaki
ngal
lyourgi
rl
s!”
adeephuskyvoi
cehisses.
“
Youcan'
tdot
hat
..
.”
“Watchme!”Ihearsomethingfall
ingandqui
ckly
ti
ptoebacktomyr oom.IdialZwelakhe'
sphonebut
i
tgoesstrai
ghttovoicemail
.Ipaceupanddown
holdi
ngmyphonei nmyhand.Acal lfr
om an
unknownnumbercomest hrough.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Queen,ar
eyouokay?I
'
mtol
dyou'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
o
getholdofme.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Ican'
ttel
l.What
'sup?
”
“Yourf
atherisher
ethr
eateni
ngProf
.Hl
ongwane
andmyf ather
.Hespokeaboutgi
rl
sandst
uff
..
.”
“
F!ck!Whatel
sedi
dhesay?
”
“
Thathewi
llt
akeusasacompensat
ion.
..”
“Iwon'tlett
hathappen.Thankyouf ori nf
ormi
ngbut
stayoutoft hedangerousworld.Idon'twantyou
entangledinallt
his.Iwil
lfi
xthis,
Iwillmakesure
youaresaf e.Seeyousoon, Il
oveyou. ”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
“Babe,i
fther
e'sanemer gency,don'tcal
lme, j
ust
sendamessageandIwi llgetit
.Ifyoukeepcalli
ng,
hackersmightusethosecal l
stof i
ndme.I '
m not
neglect
ingyou,I'
m secur
ingourf utur
e.Youhavet o
tr
ustmeandal waysknowt hatIloveyouandatt he
endoftheday, Iwil
lcomebackhome.Il oveyou
andgoodnight.
”
*
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.
I
NSERT32.

STAR'
SPOV.

Theur get opukewakesmeupf r

om yetanot her
frustr
at i
ngdr eam.I'vebeenhavi ngni ghtmares
l
at el
yandt heyaregi vingmeaser i
ousmi gr
ai ne.I
forcemysel fupandr eachfortherefusebagt hat
Melputont hepedest al.Mystomachgr umbl es,
tastel
esssal i
vafil
lsmymout handIspi ti
tout .I
keeponspi tti
ngsal i
vaunt i
lIfeelalit
tlebetter.I
l
eanbackont heheadboar dandl etmysel fcol l
ect
mysel f.Onet hingIhat eaboutmedi cationist hatI
wakeupf eeli
ngdisor i
ented.I
'm sti
lldoingmy
ment alexer ci
seswhenaknockdi sturbsme.I
heavilyexhal eandcussundermybr eath.
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
DrSi
tsha.
”oh.Mygynaecol
ogi
st.
“
Canyoucomebackaf
teranhourorso?
”
“Okayma' am. ”shesaysandIcanhearher
footstepsl eaving.Ihavet ofixmysel ffi
rst.Ihelp
mysel fofft hebedandr emembert hatmy
wheel chairisn'there.Probablysomewher e
downst airs.Mybackhur t
sbuti t'
sjustami l
dpai n.I
pullallthebl anketsdownt henthesheetandt ake
outt heprot ecti
vepadt hatImakesur et
oputt hese
days.I '
vebeenst ruggli
ngwi thleakingprobl ems.
It
'snott hatbad, it'
sjustuncomf or
tableespeci all
y
withMelnextt omeont hebed.Icannol ongerr ol
l
l
ikeIusedt odo, Iusemyhandsandmybut tocks
i
nst ead.Imovei nr ever
seunt ilI
'mi nthetoilet.

I'
m enjoyi
ngmywar m bat
hwhenMelwal
ksi
n
drenchedinsweat
.
“
Goodmor
ningbaby.
”heki
ssesmyf
orehead.
“Morni
nghun.”Ir espond.Hesmilesbutther
e's
somethi
nginhiseyes.Fr ust
rat
ion,worr
y,anger,I
don'
tknowwhi chi swhichbutsomewher ein
bet
weenthethr ee.“Areyouokay?”
“
Yeah.CanIt
akeashower
?Ineedacol
done.
”
“Sur
e.”Iwatchhim st
ri
pnamed.Hi ssweat
ybody
hasmedr ooli
ng.Mymouthdr opsopenwhenI
noti
cehisnewt at
too.“
Mel.
..
”I'm atal
ossofwor
ds.
“Ihi
di twell
,right?”hehasasat i
sfactionsmi leon
hisface.Het attooedmyf aceonhi sleftarm.He
movescl osersoIcanIr unmyf i
ngersoni t.It
'ssti
ll
heali
ng.“Igoti twhenyouwer eatt hehospi tal
.I
real
izedIwantyoui neverypar tofmyl i
fe.Allover
mybody, dwelli
ngi nmysoulandi nmyl if
ef orever
.”
I'
m soemot ionalr i
ghtnow.Mynamei sunder neath
myf aceandt het attooi
stcareful
lyput5st arsasa
crownonmyhead.Themi ddlestarisbi ggerthat
theothers.
“
Ilovei
t.
”Iki
ssi
t.
“AndIloveyoumor e.
”hepecksmycheekand
enterstheshowercubicle.Her educest hewater
temperatur
etoal mostfreezingandj uststands
undershower .Somethingi swrong.Henot icest
hat
I'
m star
ingandr eachesf orhisbathinggel.
Wat chi
nghismuscl esflexashel athersgelonhis
bodyhasmef eeli
nghot .
“Bet
tergetoutoft
hattubbefor
eyoucatchacold.
”
hewar ns.Get
ti
nginsi
dethetubiseasy,
get
ti
ng
myselfoutisahugetask.“
Doyouneedmyhel p?”
“No.Iwi
llbegl
adifyoutellmethatyourpeopl
eare
donepai
ntingdownstai
rs.If
eeltr
appeduphere.”
“
Wewi
llgoandhaveal
ookaf
tereat
ingbr
eakf
ast
.”
“
Okay.
”
.
.
.
Allmydoct orstookt urnst ocheckme.Canyou
i
magi net hatIhavet ot ast emysugarand
cholest erollevelsever ysingleday?Notonl yt hat
,Dr.
Sitsha, thegynaecol ogi st,checksmypHbal ance
downt her etwiceaday.Shesaysshe' sdoingi tt
o
protectmef rom inf
ect i
ons.Atl eastt
odayItookmy
l
asti njectionf orthatkidneypr oblem.Speakingof
thekidneypr obl
em, Isawmymot her
'smissedcall.
Tobehonest ,t
hatcal lfreakedmeoutandI 'm sti
ll
tryi
ngt of igureoutwhyshecal led.Ihaven'
ttold
anyoneabouti t
.It'
sprobablyther easonIhada
restl
essni ght.I
nmyni ghtmar es,Ikeptseeingmy
fatherchargingtowardsmewi t
hakni f
ebutther
e
wasawoman, notmymot her,chal l
enginghimtogo
throughher .AndIsawhi m AGAI N!Idon' tknow
whot hatmani sbuthealwaysappeari nhi
smal e
versionofme.Hi ssmilel
ooksf ami li
arbutthe
darknessi nhiseyesalwaysf reakmeoutandend
upscr eamingbeforeunderstandingt hewhole
dream.

Asenathij
ustl
eftwi t
hthedriver
.Shel ooked
str
ange,li
kesomethingwasbot heringher.Aseis
someonewhoal wayshasasol uti
onforeveryt
hing
buttodayshelookeddefeated.Iwonderwhat '
s
eati
ngher,Iwil
lcallandfi
ndout .
“Yourt
houghtsaret
ooloud,sweethear
t?”Isayand
cuphisfaceinmyhands.I
'ml yi
ngontopofhim.
We'vebeenchil
li
ngi
nthelivi
ngroom butit
'smore
l
ikeI'
m aloneher
e.“
Tal
ktome.What '
sgoingon?”
“
Idon'
tknowbaby.I
'
m st
il
ltr
yingt
opr
ocessal
lofi
t.
WhenI
'
mready,
Iwi
llt
alk.Pl
easedon'
tinsi
st.
”
“
Okay,Iwon'
t.
”Iki
sshisl
ips.“
Whenwasthel
ast
t
imeyousang?”herai
seshiseyebr
ow.
“
Youwantmet
osi
ngf
oryou?
”
“Notenti
rel
yformebutyoursoult
oo.Icansense
yourheavyemoti
ons,babe,
andyouarestart
ingt
o
depressmeaswell.
”
“
I'
m sor
ry,
it'
sjustt
hat
..
..
”
“Shhhh.Noneedtoexpl
ain.Whent
heti
meisr
ight
,I
knowyouwi l
ltal
ktome.Now,answermy
questi
on.”
“Letmeactinsteadofanswer i
ngit.Comewi t
hme. ”
hescoopsmeupandst ri
destotheroom t hati
sat
thefarendofthegroundf l
oor.Ihaven'
thada
housetoursoIdon'treall
yknowwhatt heseother
roomscontain.Heentersasecur i
tycodeonhi s
phone,thesl
idingdoor,sl
idesopenandIf eellikeI
j
uststeppedintoBeyonceandJayZ' sstudio.
“Wow!Youplayallt
heseinstr
ument s?
”thest
udi
ois
awesome.I
'
m afraidifIdescr
ibei
t,Iwil
lmessup
t
hisbeaut
y.
“No.Icanonl
yplayt
hepi
anoandagui
tar.
Anomusaistheonewhocanpl
ayal
lofthem.
”
“
So,
doyouof
tencomei
nher
etosi
ngorr
ecor
d?”
“
No.Itur
nedthi
sroom i
ntoastudi
owiththehope
t
hatsomeday,t
heoldMelwil
lberesur
rectedandhe
wil
lusei
t.
”
“Thisisthedayyou'
vebeenwait
ingfor
.Iwantthe
realMelnottheman-madeone.Showmewhat
you'vegot.
”hemakesmesi tonthecomfor
tabl
e
cushionedchairbef
orepul
li
nghi
sownchairnextto
thepiano.
“
Okay.Let
'sseei
fhe'
sst
il
lal
i
ve.
”hesi
ghs.
Icameher
ewi
thabr
okenhear
tthatnooneel
se
couldsee
Idr
ewasmi
leonmyf
acet
opaperoverme
Butwoundshealwhent
ear
sdr
yandcr
acks,
they
don'
tshow
Sodon'
tbesohar
donyour
sel
f,no
Let
'sgobackt
osi
mpl
ici
ty
If
eell
ikeI
'
vebeenmi
ssi
n'me
WasnotwhoI
'
m supposedt
obe
If
eltt
hisdar
knessoverme
Weal
lgett
her
eevent
ual
ly
Ineverknewwher
eIbel
onged
ButIwasr
ightandyouwer
ewr
ong
Beent
ell
in'
mysel
fal
lal
ong
Don'
tbesohar
donyour
sel
f,no
Lear
ntof
orgi
ve,
lear
ntol
etgo
Ever
yonet
ri
ps,
ever
yonef
all
s
Sodon'
tbesohar
donyour
sel
f,no

'
CauseI
'
mjustt
ir
edofmar
chi
n'onmyown
Ki
ndoff
rai
l,
Ifeeli
tinmybones
Won'
tletmyhear
t,myhear
ttur
nint
ost
one
Sodon'
tbesohar
donyour
sel
f,no
I'
m st
andi
n'ont
opoft
hewor
ld,
rightwher
eIwanna
be
Sohowcant
hisdar
kcl
oudkeepr
aini
ngoverme?
Buthear
tsbr
eakandhel
l'
sapl
acet
hatever
yone
knows
Sodon'
tbesohar
donyour
sel
f,no.
..
.
[
SongbyJessGl
ynne-Don'
tbesohar
donyour
sel
f]

Hechokesonhi stearsandcussesbutdoesn'
tst
op
pl
ayi
ngthepi ano.Irubhi
sback,Idarenotut
tera
si
ngl
ewor d.Iwanthi mtoleti
tal
loutmaybehe'l
l
befi
neaft
erthis.
“I
'
mt ir
edofmar chingonmyown, babe.I
'mti
redof
fi
ghti
ngalonebutatt hesamet i
memypr idewon'
t
l
etmeaccepthel p.Ifeell
ikeI
'm dr
owningandmy
worstfeari
s,youwi l
lfai
ltopul
lmeout .WhatdoI
do?”
“
Aski
ngf
orhel
pdoesn'
tdegr
adeyouasaman,
it
makesyouhuman.Youar enosuperman,Sthandwa
sami.Youareahumanbeing,youhavefeel
ings,
youbleedandyougett
ir
edtoo.”
“
Canyouaccepthel
pfr
om yourchi
ldhoodenemy?
”
“Ifanyofmychildhoodenemieshadofferedmea
handwhenmyf atherthrewmeoutthenI'dhave
takenit
.Someti
mesyouhavet opri
ori
ti
ze, babe.
What '
smoreimpor tant
?Yourhatef
orthisper sonor
towi nwhat
everfightyouwanttofi
ght?
”
“Idon'
twantt
owi nifIwon'
tbewit
houtyou.Idon'
t
wanttofi
ght,
Ijustwantyouinmyarms,safeand
happy.
”he'
slookingdeepinmyeyesIswearhecan
seemysouljustasIcanseehis.
“
Whyar
eyouf
ight
ingt
hen?
”
“Yoursafet
ydoesn'tcomeeasy,babe.I
fIgivei n,I
wil
lbebet r
ayingmymor al
sandmysi ster
,ifIfight
,I
wil
lbeput t
ingyouindanger.Maybeweshoul d
escapethecountryandleaveever
ythi
ngbehi nd?”
“
Forhowlongwil
lwer
un?Howdowebui
ldaf
ami
ly
whi
ler
unning?
”
“
Youar
esayi
ngIshoul
dfi
ght
?”
“Yes.Ifthat'
sthepr i
cetopayforustobet oget
her
attheendt henf i
ght.Iknowyouwillpr
otectmeand
Godwi llneverletevi
ltri
umph.
”hesmi l
esand
caressesmycheek.
“
Thankyou.Youar
eamazi
ng,
doyouknowt
hat
?”
“
Howamazi
ng?
”
“I
ncompar able.Comeher e.”hetakesmeont ohis
l
ap.Hi sl
ipscr ushonmi ne,hetr
apsmyl owerlipi
n
hisandhungr ilysuckonit.Hereleasesmylip,
catchesmyt ongueandsuckoni tl
ikehi
slif
e
dependoni t.Thekissgoesonandonunt ilweare
bothpanting.“Iloveyou.”
“Il
oveyoutoo.
”Icl
eanhist
earst
ainedfacewit
hmy
pal
ms.Histabl
etvi
brat
esandhefl
ipsitopenbefor
e
answeri
ng.
“
Hlongwane.
”Ialmostj
umpoutofmyski
nhear
ing
t
hemalevoicebehi
ndme.
“
Mkhulu.
”Melresponds.Iwantt
oseewhohe's
t
alki
ngtobutmybackist ur
nedt
othephone.
“Youarescar
cethesedays.I
sshetheonekeeping
youtoobusythatyouf
orgotyourol
dmanalready?”
“Yesandno.Ihaven'
tfor
got
tenaboutyou,
I'
m
deali
ngwit
hsomet hi
ng.”
“Wannat
alk?
”theol
dmansoundseducat
ed
enought
ouseAmericanEngl
ish.
“Notovert
hephone.Tel
lgr
andmat
oaddt
womor
e
plat
es.
”
“
Youar
eki
ddi
ng?”
“Ikidyounot
.Bye.”hedi
sconnect
sthecal
land
kissesmyforehead.
“
I'
m sur
ehet
hinksI
'
mrude.Whywoul
dyouanswer
t
hephonewi
thmybackt
urnedt
oit
?”
“Icannotint
roduceyoutomygr andpar
ent
sover
thephone.Andespeciall
ynotwhenyoul ookhor
ny
l
ikethi
s.”herunshisfi
nger sonmychestandmy
bodyignit
es.“Mygrandfatherisver
yvocal
,hewas
goingtosayI'
m sexuall
yst ar
vingyou.
”
“
Ohr
eal
ly?Yout
alkaboutsexwi
thhi
m?”
“
Yep.Evengr
andma.Theyar
efr
eepeopl
e.”he
sneakshi
shandi
ntomypanti
esandteasesmysoft
fl
esh.“Wear
egoi
ngonatri
ptorur
alareas.Now.
”
“
Now?.
..Aaah”
“Yesbabe,now. ”heteasesmycli
t.Whot al
ksabout
seri
ousthingswhi l
epleasur
ingyoudownt her
e.Isi
t
evenlawfultobehel dli
abl
eofthethi
ngsIsay
undersuchinfluence?“Wearegoing,
right?
”he
bit
esmyear lobe.
“
Ye.
..
yes.
”
*
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT33.
ZWELAKHE'
SPOV.

I'
mj olt
edawakefrom mysleepbysomeone'
s
presence.Myguni sal
readypoi
nti
ngatt
he
entrance'
sdi
rect
ionbeforeIcanseewhoiti
s.
“
Wil
lyour
eal
lyshootme,
King?
”she'
sbeami
ngwi
th
j
oy.
“Queen?Howdidyoufi
ndt hispl
ace?”I'
m sur
prised
shefoundmyhousewithoutcall
ingfordir
ect
ions
evenonce.Shej
umpsonmeandIki ssheral
lover
herfacebef
oreFr
enchkissingher.
“
Imissedyou,
TJ.”she'
sbl
ushi
ng.Myi
nit
ial
ssound
wei
rdcomingoutofhermout
h.
“
Imi
ssedyout
oo,
babe.Howar
eyou?
”
“Exceptf
rom notsleepi
ngtheenti
reweekwor
r yi
ng
aboutmyboyf r
iendwhoj ustupsandl
eavesl
ikea
homelesscat,I
'm okay.
”
“
I'
m sorry,sweethear
t.Itol
dyouthenatureofmy
j
ob,Ican'tdi
sclosemyl ocati
on.I
t'
sforyoursaf
ety.
”
“
Ihearyou.
”shesayswi
thapout
.“Youhaveani
ce
house,
it'
sjustt
oowhi
te.
”
“Thankyoubuti t'
snotmyhouse, it'
sahi deout.I
can'tbuypr operti
esinZi mbabwe, myf akeidenti
ty
willbeintroubleifIdoso.ButTJdoeshave
properti
es,Iwilltakeyout othem, someday.Asf or
i
tbei ngtoowhi te,Il
ikeitthi
sway, whi t
esomehow
rel
axesme.I tfeelsl
ikeaChur ch,youknow.I 've
neverbeeni nanyChur chundernor mal
cir
cumst ancesbutt hisishowIi magi nethechurch
tolooklikeinside.”
“Doyouwanttogotochurch?
”sheasks
unbuttoni
ngmyshi
rt
.Shehasn'tt
ouchedmyski
n
yetbutmymanhoodisalr
eadyrespondi
ngt
oher
presence.
“
Nah.I'
m sur
et hatguyupt
her
ewon'tevenli
stent
o
myprayer
s,I
'vedonesomanybadthingsinthi
s
l
if
e.”
“Heisaforgi
vingGod.ButIdon'twantt
opreachto
youtoday,
Ijustwanttospendqualit
yti
mewi t
hyou.
Howmucht i
medoIhave? ”Icannottel
lhert
hatI
havetoactassoonaspossi bl
ebeforeRaymond
messeswi thMel '
shead.Rayi sar enowned
scienti
st .Witht hedat ainhisheadandhi sevilspir
it
,
I'
m sur ehecancr eateanor malbr eat hi
ngper son
withallthebodypar ts.Maybehej ustdoesn' twant
todoi tyet .He'snotonl yasci enti
st ,hestudied
psychol ogybef or
et urni
ngt obiology, chemistryor
what everitist hathef ocusedon.Hehast heabili
ty
toreadsomeone' smi ndthroughact ionsandhecan
easil
yusesomeone' smi ndashi sweapon.Hi s
psychol ogicalmi ndi shisgreatestassetwhi l
eMel
i
sweakwheni tcomest omi ndgames.Yousee, I
don'tli
keMelbutIl ovemysi ster
.Meldoesn' thave
stableemot ions,he'seasi l
yanger edandwhent hat
happens, hemakesst upiddecisi
ons.
“
Timei
snotour
s,whatwecandoi
susei
twi
sel
y.”
“Mmm. ”shemumbl esandr
unshishandonmy
erect
ion.She'
ski
ll
ingmeandsheknowsit.She
plant
skissesonmychestandsneakherhandint
o
mysweat pant
s.
“
Youareki
ll
ingme,
babe.
”myvoi
cei
shoar
seand
l
ongi
ng.
“Il
ikei
twhenyouareundermymercy.
”her
seduct
iveeyesar
enothel
pingmydesper
ati
on.
“Please.”Ibeg.She'
sprobablythefi
rstwomanI '
m
beggi ngtotouchme.Noonehaseverhadahol don
mel ikeshedoes.Shepul l
sdownmysweat pants
togetherwi t
hmyboxer sfr
eeingmyer ect
ion.She
quicklyremoveshercrop-topexposi
ngherf ul
l
pointedbr east
s.Iwanttotouchherbutsheswat s
myhandaway.
“Justlook,don'
ttouch.”Inodandswal lowin
anti
cipati
on.Sher unshersmoot hhandsonmeand
Ican'thelpbutreleaseasoftmoan.I t
'sbeenaweek,
andI'm achingforar el
ease.Shekissestheti
pof
mymanhoodbef orerunninghertonguedownand
#REMOVED.
.
.
.
*
**I
'
min.I
fyouscr
ewmeup,
I'
m gonnaki
llyou.
***
Ir
eadMel
'
smessagewi
thasmi
leonmyf
ace.Good
choi
ce,boy,
Iwasn'
ttaki
ngnof
orananswer
,
anyway.
“Foodisr
eady,
King.
”Haveyoueverbeensaved
foodbyahotsomebodywho'sonl
ywearingherg-
str
ing?NowIdon'
tknowifI
'
m hungryforfooodor
her.
“
Youbett
erputonmyshi
rti
fyouwantmet
oeat
t
hatf
ood.”
“
Why?Can'
thandl
etheheat
?”
“Youknowtheanswertothat.
”Myt hi
rdphone
vibr
atesonthecouchar
mr estandmymood
i
nstantl
ychanges.Whyi
si ton?It
'smyfucki
n'f
ree
ti
me!
“There'
sapr
oblem!
”theper
sonontheot
hersi
dei
s
sorestl
esst
hatIi
nst
antl
ytaponhi
snegati
ve
energy.
“
Whati
sit
,Br
uno?
”
“
Theyf
oundthesaf
epl
acei
nThai
landandt
heyar
e
f
lyi
ngt
her
e..
.”
“
What
?How?Wher
eist
heboss?
”Ican'
tbel
ieve
whatI
'
m hear
ing.
“
He'
sli
steni
ng.”
“Whatt
heF,
Miguel
?Howdidthesepeopl
ehackt
he
syst
em?Dowehaveasni
tchnow?”
“Weneedyou,please.Anythi
ngyouwant.
”Mi
guel
hasneversoundedthismiserabl
ebef
ore.
“WhatIwanti
sti
metospendwi
thmywoman!
”F!
ck!
HowdoIdealwit
hthi
sone?
“
Please,
TJ.
”
“Whatam Ideali
ngwi th?”theent
ir
eteam f
rom over
fivecount
ri
esjoininont heconver
sati
onandt he
tasksoundsli
keI'm supposedtosingl
ehandedly
handletheAfghani
stanr ebel
s.Dothesepeopl
e
thinkmybodyispr oofedsomehow?
“
Itr
ustyoutogoinandcomeoutvi
ctor
ious.
”Pius,
t
heAmer i
canmanwhoholdst
hehighestposi
ti
onin
t
heorgani
zati
onadds.
“Gi
veme2hour s.”It
urnt
omyQueenwho' sl
ooking
sadal
ready.“
Pleasedon'
t.Howwil
lIduckbullet
s
thi
nki
ngofyoursadface?Smil
eforme,please.”
shesadl
ysmi
les.
“
Can'
ttheyf
indsomeoneel
se?
”
“I
t'
smycase,
babe.Ihavet
oseeitthr
ough.
”Ihave
l
ostmyappet
it
ealr
eadybutIhavetofor
cethi
sfood
downorel
semyQueenwi l
lbeevenmoresad.
“
Wil
lyoubebacksoon?
”
“Ican'
tdiscussthatwi
thyoumyl ove.I
'
m sorr
yI
havetogo.Iwi l
lmakeituptoyouwhenI '
m back.”I
hategoodbyes,actual
lyIdon'
tdothem.Ij
ustleave,
i
t'sbet
terthatway.Goodbyesoft
ensoundlikethey
arefor
ever.
*
***
***
**

AWEEKLATER.
..
.

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Melchangedhi
sWhat sApppr
ofi
lepi
ctur
eafew
daysago.Heunbl
ockedmeandaskedt omeet
.I
don'tknowwhathur t
st hemost;thefactthathe'
s
ki
ssingheront hispictureorhertatt
ooonhi s
shoulder?Ialsosawt heirpi
ctur
eslookingall
smileswithhisgr andpar ent
s.Henevert ookmet o
hisgrandparentsbuthet ookher.Howl onghavehe
knownt hisgirlfor?Twoweeks?Thr eemont hs?A
year?Hissisteralsopost st
hem almosteveryhour
andsomet i
mesIf eell
ikesmashingmyphone.
“Doitforyourunbor nchil
d.”thetherapi
stsaid.I
hadament albreakdown,mybr ainshutdownand
Cicihadnochoi cebutt ocalli
nmedi calhel
p.Itwas
hard,i
ttookt hem twodayst opullmeoutoft hat
darkhole.I
'm stil
lstr
uggli
ngwi thmyemot i
onsbut
today'
smeet inghast ohappen.IfIstandanot her
chancewi t
hMel ,
thenhedeser vestoknowt het r
uth.
Itakemyhandbag, carkeysandl eavethehouse.
Wear emeet ingatar est
aurant.

“Hey.”hegreet
s.He'sl
ooki
ngyummyinhis
signatur
efadedjeans,
sneaker
sandagol
fT-shi
rt
.
“
Hi.Howhaveyoubeen?
”
“I
'
mfi
ne.Andyou?
”I'
m sur
pri
sedhecar
esabout
howI
'
m doing.
“I
'
m okay.Howisshe?
”her ai
seshiseyebr
ow.I
'
m
unabl
etoreadhi
semot i
onsatthi
smoment .
“Stoptortur
ingyour sel
f.So,what '
sup?”WheredoI
start
?Hedi dn'tevencompl imentmyeyebr owsli
ke
healwaysdi doraskedi fIwantedtoorder
somet hingbeforewest arttal
king.Ical
lawait
er
andpl aceanor der.“Waterwil
ldof orme.Don'
t
openit .
”thewaiternodsandl eaves.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
Mel
.”
“Whathappened,
Khanyi
?Il
ovedyouwith
ever
ythi
nginmebutyouchosetobet
rayme.
”
“Ili
kedyoubutyouneverl ikedmeback.Yousawa
sisterinme.Iwant edyout obeheadoverheel sfor
mel i
keIwas.Whenyoudr oppedoutofschooland
turnedt odrugs,yourf
atherofferedmeal i
feti
me
oppor tuni
ty.Heaskedmet ohelpbringyoubackt o
yoursensesandi nexchangehewoul dhel
pmeget
mar ri
edt oyou.Iwasinlovewi thyouandIt ookthe
offerwi t
houtthi
nkingtwice.Hedr af
tedacont r
act
andIsignedi t.Ikeptmypr omiseandhekepthi s.
Wegotmar ri
ed, Iwashappyandhewashappyt oo
thatf
inall
yhispr eciousboywasact i
nglikeaman.
Hewaspr oudofyouunt ilyoust ar
teddisregar
ding
hisorders.Iknowaboutal lhisshaftdealingst
hat
yourefusedt otakepartin.Her emindedmeoft he
dealandIhadt otrytomakeyouwor kforhi m.
”
“
Ist
hatwhyyoual
wayssuppor
tedhi
m ort
her
e's
mor
e?”
“Ther e'
smor e.Whenyour efusedt ogivein,hetold
met ofallpregnantsot hatfatherhoodcoul dt ame
you.It ri
edf allingpr egnantf oryoubuti twasnot
happeni ng.It ol dhim andheaccusedmeofbei ng
bar r
en.Iwashur tbyhiswor dsandatt hesame
ti
meIwant edt opr ovehim wr ong.Icheat ed,one
nightst andandIf ellpregnant .
”Iexpecthi mt o
reactbutnot hing.“ Iabortedt hebaby.Iwassur eof
myf ert
ili
tyandIdi dn'
twantachi ld.Hekept
pushi ngmeunt i
lIgotf edupandt ol
dhi m off
.Then
hest artedthr eat eningyourl i
fe.HeknowsI '
mi n
l
oveandheusest hatagai nstme.It ri
edagai nto
fallpregnantf oryoubuti tstil
ldidnothappen.Iwas
r
unni
ngoutofopt
ions,
Icheat
edagai
n..
.”
“Pleaseskipthosepart
s,Iknowallaboutit
.”I
almostfreeze.“Abor
ti
ons,thenamesoft heguys
andt hehotelrooms.
”I'
m shocked.Whatmor edoes
heknow?“ Whydidn'
tyoutellmeaboutthedeal
withmyf ather?”
“Iwasscared.Ithoughthe'dcarr
youtt hethreat
s
andIdidn'
twantt oloseyou.Hef orcedmet oopen
thebasementforhisshadydeal i
ngs.Ididn'twant
youtogotoj ai
l.
”Itellhi
m everyt
hing.
“Okay.Ihearyou,
Khanyi
.Wher
ear
ethedi
vor
ce
papers?”
“
I'
m sor
ry,
Mel
.”
“Ifor
giveyoubutIcannotbewit
hyou.Wehave
hurteachothert
oomuch, wear
etoxi
cforeach
otherasitst
ands.”
“Whydidn'
tIfallpr
egnantbutshedi
d?Whati
fit
's
notyourchi
ld?”hesmiles.
“
Youal sobel
ieveI'minf
erti
le?
”Ishr
ug.“Iwasnever
i
nfer
ti
le,Khanyi.Iknewthatyoudi
dn'twantki
dsso
It
ookmal
econt
racept
ives.
..”
“
Youdi
dwhat
?Howcoul
dyou?
”nowI
'
mfumi
ng.
“Idon'twantt ofi
ght,notinpublic.Pleasesendt he
paper stomyl awyers.Thankyouf orpr ot
ectingme,
torepayt hedebt,I'
m goingtofreeyouf rom my
father'
sclutches.I'
m sorryforeverythingyouwent
throughbecauseofme.Youdeser vebet ter
,Khanyi
andunf ortunatel
y,I'
m nottheonet ogi veyout hat
betterli
fe.Bytheway, yourdaught eriscut elike
you.”het hrowsaf ewnot esonthet ableandl eaves
mest unned.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT33.
#r
emoved

“
Timei
snotour
s,whatwecandoi
susei
twi
sel
y.”
“Mmm. ”shemumbl esandr
unshishandonmy
erect
ion.She'
ski
ll
ingmeandsheknowsit.She
plant
skissesonmychestandsneakherhandint
o
mysweat pant
s.
“
Youareki
ll
ingme,
babe.
”myvoi
cei
shoar
seand
l
ongi
ng.
“Il
ikei
twhenyouareundermymercy.
”her
seduct
iveeyesar
enothel
pingmydesper
ati
on.
“Please.”Ibeg.She'
sprobablythefi
rstwomanI '
m
beggi ngtotouchme.Noonehaseverhadahol don
mel ikeshedoes.Shepul l
sdownmysweat pants
togetherwi t
hmyboxer sfr
eeingmyer ect
ion.She
quicklyremoveshercrop-topexposi
ngherf ul
l
pointedbr east
s.Iwanttotouchherbutsheswat s
myhandaway.
“Justlook,don'
ttouch.
”Inodandswal
lowi
n
anti
cipati
on.Sher unshersmoot
hhandsonmeand
Ican'
thelpbutr eleaseasof tmoan.I t'
sbeenaweek,
andI'
m achingf orar elease.Sheki ssestheti
pof
mymanhoodbef orerunni nghert onguedownand
runshertongueonmydi ck'sti
p.Iar chmyback, I
wantmore, Iwanthert ot ouchmeandhel pme
rel
easebutshest ops.“Don' tmove, Zwe.Laystil
l.
”I
swall
owhar dandnodwhi leputt
ingmyhands
undermyhead.Shegi vesmeasof thandjobbef ore
runni
nghert onguedownonmyd! ckt omyballs.
Shetakesagul pofcol dwat erandt akesmylengt h
i
ntohermout h.
“Fuck!”thecombi nat
ionofherhandsandhercold
mout hdr i
vesmecr azy.Shetwi
rlshertongue
beforesucki ngme.“Oohbaby..
.”Iatt
emptt omove
andthr ustintohermouthbutshepushesmeback
down.
“Don'
tmove,Ki
ng.
”heraut
hor
it
ati
vevoi
cet
urnsme
onevenmore.
“PleasemyQueen. ”shetakesmebackint
oher
mout h.Shetakesmeevendeeperandgagglesbut
shedoesn'tstop.Myt i
preachi
nghergagrefl
exj
ust
feelsheavenl
y.“Shit
!”Igr
unt.“
Idon'
twanttocum
i
ntoyourmout
hbaby,
please.
”
“What
..
.do.
..
you.
..
want
..
.Ki
ng.
..
?”sheasksi
n
bet
weenhermouthstr
okes.
“
Iwantt
ocum deepi
nsi
deyou.
”
“Yourwi sh,mycommand. ”shel
eansoverand
kissesmebef or
eposit
ioni
ngher
selfontopofmy
hungrydi ck.Iwatchi
naweasshedi r
ect
sitint
oher
pinkfleshymeat .
“Ooh.
.”shemoans.Shemovesherwai stinsl
ow
cir
cul
armovements.Itt
akesever
ythi
ngi nmenott
o
embarrassmysel
fandcum ri
ghtaway.It'
ssohot
i
nsidehere.
“Youaresowetandhotbaby.
”Igrabhert
inywai
st
andthrusti
nhar
d.Softmoansfi
llt
heroom aswe
meetthrustf
ort
hrust
.
“Ohmy..
.”shesof
tl
ycri
esandt
hrowsherhead
backwar
ds.Herwomanontopgameisexcell
ent
andIdon'
tevenwannaknowwhotaughtheral
lthi
s.
“
Fuck!I
'
m soclosebaby,Ican't
..
”hervagi
nawal
ls
t
ight
enaroundme,sucki
ngal lt
hepleasur
e.
“Aah..
.aah.
..Zwe.
..
”shebapt
izesmewithher
orgasm.Ipumpi ntwi
ceandfreezei
nsi
deher.
..
.
.
.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT34.

STAR'
SPOV.

Ijustreceivedacal lfrom Melt hatwi l

lchangemy
l
ifef orthebest ,Godwi l
ling.I '
m ecstatic,I'm
beami ngwi thjoy.Thi si st hebestcal lI'
veever
receivedinmyl ife.Khanyif inall
yfreedhi m andhe' s
mi netokeepandmi neal one.Ishoul df eelal i
ttl
e
sor r
yf orKhanyi ,ri
ght ?St r
angel y,Ifeelnot hing
excepthappi ness.Mel swor ethatIwasn' tthe
causeoft heirbreakup, thei rmar ri
agewasal ready
rockybef oreIcamei ntot hepi ctur
e.Maybet hat's
whyIdon' tfeelanyshameaboutever ythingt hat
socialmediahast osay.Yea,If
inal
lygotachance
toreadaboutmysel fandMelandal lt
hecomment s.
Imustsay, somer umoursaboutmear eshocking.
TheysayIt rappedhim,howdoyout r
apagr own
assman?I st hatevenpossi
ble?Iguessnot,
becauseifitwas, wewouldn'
thaveahi ghnumber
ofsingleparents.Noonecankeepamanorwoman,
theykeepthemsel vesandtheychoosewhot hey
wantt obewi th.
“Hey.
”AsenathiandPaul i
nesayi
nunison.I
t'
s
Satur
dayandIcal l
edthem sowecanspendt i
me
toget
her.Idon'
tknowwhyIhavebeenf eeli
ngli
ke
theyarebothhi
dingthingsfr
om me.
“
Gir
ls.Imi
ssedyou.
”Theyt
aket
urnst
ohugme.
“Imi
ssedyoutoo.Youar
egl
owi
ngal
ready!
”Paul
ine
compli
ments,
Iblush.
“I'
m onl
yint
erestedinknowi nghowthetri
pt orural
areaswas?”Asenat hisaysandthr
owsher selfon
thecouch.“
Spillthebeans,mwanasikana.
”( young
l
ady).
“
Wel
l,
itwasamazi
ng.Hi
sgr
andpar
ent
shavea
hugeplotinSomabhul
a,beaut
if
ult
hatchedhouses,
Safar
ilodgesst
yleandal
ltheni
cethi
ngs.”
“Star,
beserious.Didtheyli
keyou?Di
dhetel
lthem
aboutyout woorwhat ?That'
swhatwewantto
knownott heirhouses,cat
sanddogs!
”Il
aughat
theirf
rust
rati
ons.
“Hesai d‘ Gogo,Mkhul u,thisisthebeaut if
ulflowerI
foundi nt hegardenofEden.IknowIwaswr ongto
fol
lowi t
'stemptingfragrance, pl
ucki tandkeepi tas
myownwhenIst i
llhadanot herone, Ijustcouldn'
t
helpit.IloveherandI 'm hopingyouwi l
laccepther
asshei s.’Att
hatpoi ntIwassweat i
ng.Hi s
grandf atherhasapi ercinglookt hatwasl ater
explainedbyhi sf ormerpr ofession.Hewasa
soldier.Af t
erafewmi nutesofsi lence, hi
s
grandmot herembr acedmeandgavemet hi
s.”I
showt henmybeaut ifulbeadedbr acelet.
“Wow!Thi
smeanst
heyl
ikedyou.
”Asenat
hii
sal
l
smil
es.
“
Yes.Aft
erthat
,weweretr
eatedtoMel'
sfavouri
te
f
eastwhichcoi
nci
dent
all
yisalsomyfavori
te.They
areverycheerf
ulpeopleandtheymademyt wo-
daysstaycomf or
tabl
e.Heevendiscl
osedmy
pregnancytothem andtheywerehappy.Theygave
ourunbornchildacow, onsomebabygift
ingnorm
orwhateverthenamei s.”
“
Awhol
ecow?
”
“Yep.Awholebeaut
if
ulcow.Melsaysit
'shi
s
grandf
ather
'st
radi
ti
ontodoso.Alloft
hem have
thei
rcowsther
e.”
“
Ndebelesar
esaidt
obetr
ibal
ist
ic,
didn'
ttheyhave
apr
oblem wi
thyoubei
ngamuShona? ”
“Myaccentsoldmeout ,t
heyaskedandIt
oldthem
thatIgrewupinHarareandmymom i samuShona
whilemyf at
heri
saMot swana.Theydi
dn'
thavea
problem wit
hanyofit
.”
“Youshouldstopcalli
ngthatani
malyourdad,you
don'thaveafather,
cousi
n.Hedoesn'tdeser
vethe
respectyouaregivi
nghim.Bothofthem.”
Asenathi'
svoi
cei sfi
ll
edangerandhatr
ed.
“Iknow,cousi
n,youdon'
thavet
obeangr
yonmy
behalf
.Ihatet
hem too.
”
“Noladies.Wear enotheretotalkaboutdepressi
ng
matter
s, wear eher etounwindandenj oyourday.”
Pauli
nel i
ghtenst hemood.Ever yti
memyf at
her's
namei sment ioned, t
heatmospherebecomesso
thi
ckyoucancuti twit
habl untkni
fe.That
'show
badhisaur ais,itevenfoll
owshi sname.
“Youareright.Madam-Mi ssPregnant,whatareyou
having?Ifoundmyf avourit
ewi neinMel'
scellar
andIwi l
lbehavingit.
”Asenathiisalr
eadyonher
feetheadedtothecell
ar.Iaskedt hecheftohelp
preparesnacksearl
iertodayandwear esort
edin
thatdepart
ment .
“Waterwi l
lbefine.
”we'
vebeenbusywi t
hMelthese
daysandmycoochi eiski
ndathr
obbingandhot.
Thesexact ivi
ti
eswehadt hi
sweekareoutofthis
worldandIdon' tbl
amemycoochi ef
orcomplaini
ng.
IaskedDr .Sit
shatohelpandsheadvisedmeto
dri
nkl ot
sofwat erandeatmorefr
uit
sand
vegetables.
“Bytheti
meyougi vebir
th,
youwon' tknowhow
alcoholt
astes,
Iswear.OneofthereasonsI
'm
nevergoingtofal
lpr
egnantorentert
ainamanwho
want
sunpr
otect
edsex.
”Asenat
hisays.
“Areyoutryi
ngtot
ellussomethi
ng?Whoisthis
mankeepi ngyouj
umpyandmoodyt hesedays?”I
knowt her
e'samaninvol
ved.
“
Noone.
..
”
“
Nonono,
gir
l,t
ellusever
ythi
ngl
ikeweal
waysdo.
”
“I
t'
snot hi
ng.”shecont
inuest odef
endher
selfbut
cannotbr i
ngherembar rassedsel
ftol
ookatus.I
don'tknowwhyshe' sf
eel i
ngshyaboutal
lofthi
s.
“Okayfine!I
twasami stake.”
“Amistaket
hathasyoucat
chi
ngf eel
s?Cousin,i
t'
s
okaytoadmitt
oyourtr
uefeel
ings.Feel
ingsdon'
t
makeusweak, t
heymakeushuman. ”
“Ihatemen,okay?
”hereyesst
arttear
ingup.“
F!ck!
”
shecusses.Shepickedatr
ayfi
ll
edwithsnacksand
rushesout
side.
“
Ourgi
rli
sinl
ove.
”Paul
inesays.
“
Thepr obl
em isshewon' tactonherf
eel
ings.She'
d
r
atherburythosefeel
ings.”
“
Wewon'
tlether
.Lovi
ngandbei
ngl
ovedi
sa
beauti
fult
hing.Shedeser
vestobelovedt
oo.”we
fol
lowAsenathitothegar
denwherewef i
ndher
sni
ffi
ng.Shef i
ll
sawineglassandgulpsi
tdownin
onego.
“Wewon'ttal
kabouti
tifyoudon'
twantto.St
op
cryi
ng,
itdoesn'
tsui
tyou.”Ir
ubherback.
“I
'mtryingt ofor
geteveryt
hing,I
'mtryingto
convi
ncemysel fthati
twasami st
akebutIcan't
stopthinkingabouthim.He'salsonotmaki ngmy
l
ifeeasierbycalli
ngandsendi ngsweetmessages.I
waswar nedagainsthi
m butaf ewmi nutesaft
erthe
warningIf oundmyselfmoani ngbeneathhisbroad
shoulders...
”
“
Whoa!Whoar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?”Paul
inei
nqui
res.
“It
's...Owethu.”thewhol eplacegoesdeadsi
lent
.I
swearbi r
dsandi nsect
sstoppedmovi ngt
ooatthe
ment ionofOwet hu'sname.“ Pl
easesaysomethi
ng,
girls.I'mthrowingmysel funderthebusandI
'm
readyt odiehere.”
“Fr
iend,Idon'
tknowifit
'st
ruet
hatpeopl
echange
ornot?TheOwet huIknowisasmashandpass
kindofaguy.I 'mt ell
ingyout hi
sbecauseIdon' t
wantt oseeyouhur t.He'ssweet,cute,moniedand
drivesani cecarbuthe' sanexpertwheni tcomes
tobr eaki
ngpeopl e'shearts.Heoncedat edagirl
whowor kedforMel ,hedr oveherstrai
ghttoher
grave.At24, t
hegi rlcouldn'tt
akeitandshewas
founddead.I fyouwantt othrowcaut i
oninthewind,
I'
dsuggestyoul eaveyourhear tathomemnt ase.
”
“
Hehi
tsi
tgood.
”Asenat
hisaysandweal
llaugh.
“
Don'tdi
eforad!
ckpl ease.Yesyoucanl
ethi
m hi
t
i
tbutdon'
tgetat
tached.”
“Hewantsust odotestsandallt
hecrazyst
uff.We
didn'
tuseacondom. .
.bef
oreyouscol
dme, Itook
themorningaft
erandwedi dHIVtest
sbuthewant s
mor et
estsdone.
”
“Welcomet
othecl
ubthatdatestheel
it
e.Theydon'
t
playwheni
tcomestothat
.Testsornothi
ng.
”
“
Areyouser
ious?Youbothwentt
hroughal
lthe
t
est
s?”wenod.“I
'drat
hernot
.”
“Doyouhavesomet
hingtohide?”Iask.Idon'
t
expecthert
obewor
riedbecauseshe'sbeen
cel
ibat
eeversi
nceIr
emember
.
“Notreally.Ijustdon'
tthi
nkI'mr eadyt osharesuch
sensi
tivedet ail
sofmyt estswi thastranger.These
thi
ngsshoul dbedonebyof f
icialcouplesnotsex
part
ner s.Besides,Ihat
eneedl es.”
“Al
lIcansayis,f
ollowyourheartanddon'tf
orget
yourbrai
ns.Wearet ooyoungtooverthi
nkthings.
Haveresponsi
blefun.”
*
***
***
*

MEL'
SPOV.

Mypar entsfoundoutaboutmydi vorcebeing

fi
nali
sedandmymom qui cklysummonedmet o
comeher e.Idon'
tknowwhatshei nt
endst osayto
mebecauseshe' snevercaredaboutmydeci si
ons.
I'
m soemot i
onall
ydrai
nedthatI'm afrai
diftheysay
somethingthatwil
langerme, Iwi
llfl
ip.Itakea
deepbreathandopent hemai ndoor.
“
Her
ecomesthepr
odi
galson.
”mydadsaysand
I
'
mtempt
edtopunchhi
m onthef
ace.
“
Kuhl
e..
.”
“
Whyam Iher
e,mom?
”
“
That
'snowayt
otal
ktomywi
fe,
Mel
okuhl
e!”
“
Stayoutofmywaywenanj abef
oreIpunchyoui
n
f
rontofyourgol
denwi
fe.
..”
“
Mel
okuhl
e!”hehi
sses.
“
I'
m nolongerscar
edofyou, Hlongwane.Getthat
t
hroughyourthi
ckskullandl eavemet hehel
lalone.
Whyam Ihere,mom?”Ri ghtnowIdon' tcar
eif
mom knowswhoherr ealhusbandi sornot.I'
m
f
uckin'
tir
edofHlongwanet reatingmelikeakid.
“
Wil
lyoust
opf
ight
ingyout
wo?
”
“Iwil
ldealwi
thyoulat
er,
wena. ”hedeadl
ystaresat
mebef or
eturni
ngtohiswifeandpecksherli
ps.I
sighandwatchhim wal
kingoutlikeheownsthe
world.
“
Mom,
it'
sSat
urday,
mygi
rl
fr
iendneedsme.
”
“
Whathappenedt
oyouMel
?Wher
eisKhanyi
?”
“Wearedi
vor
cedmom.Youcal ledmeher eaft
er
hear
ingt
henews.Mom,Idon'tfeelcomfort
abl
e
wit
hyouquest
ioni
ngmydecisionsliket
his.
”
“Whythehellwoul
dyoudot hat,Mel
?”mymot her
sl
apsmesohar dIstaggerbackwards.Il
ookather
i
ndisbel
ief
.“Youthinkmar r
iageisyourbusi
ness
proj
ect
sthatyoucancancel anyt
ime?Huh?”
“You.
..
youslappedme?”I
'mf
uming.Icanfeelbl
ood
pumpingint
omyvei nsi
naver
yaggressi
vemanner.
“YesandIwilldoi tagai
nunt
ilyoucometoyour
senses!
”shehi sses.Whodoesthiswomanthi
nk
sheis?Itur
nt oleavebutshepull
smebackand
slapsmeagain.
“Youhavenor i
ghttoquest
ionmydecisi
ons!Who
doyout hinkyouare?Mymot her?Well
,NewsFlash
ProfessorMarthaHlongwane,youarenoteven
closertowhatmot her
sare!Youarenotmymot her!
WhenIneededyouyouwer ebusychasi
ng
academi cexcel
lenceandnowyouhavet henerveto
questionmydeci si
ons?”
“
Kuhl
e..
”hervoi
cet
rai
lsof
f.
“Don'
tyouevenstartwi
thyourfaketear
s.Because
ofyourgr
eedyforexcel
lence,
thisf
ami l
yisr
uined
andyoudon'tevenknowit.
”
“
W..
whatar
eyoutal
kingabout
,Mel
?”mom st
utt
ers.
Myphoner
ingsi
nmypocket.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngyou,
idi
ot?
”
“
What
?TJ?
”
“Getthehelloutofthathousebeforeyouruinour
plan!Focus,Mel.Forgetaboutyourchil
dhood
traumas,weal lwentpastthatbutyoudon'tseeus
throwingtantr
ums.Mysi sterdeservesamanwho
cancont r
olhisemot i
ons.”
“
I'
m not
..
.”
“Dude,
Idon'
tcar
e,j
ustgett
hehel
loutoft
hat
house!
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT35.

MEL'
SPOV.

Ibargeintohi
shouse,Il
ookaroundandseehim
l
yingont hecouchandlaughi
ngatsomethingon
hisphone.Iwanttoki
ckhim onthefacebutbef
ore
Icanevenr ai
semyfoot,hehashisgunpoint
edat
me.
“Don'tcomeatmel ikethat,ki
d.I'mtr
ained,youare
not.Ifeelpeople'
spr esence,youdon't
.Don'ttr
yto
actsmar twithmeel seIwi l
lblowyourbr ai
nsoff!I
openedt hedoorforyou, youdi dn'
tbargein.Now,
mayyoupl easesitdown. ”
“
Didyoubugme?
”
“WhywouldI?Waterorbeer
?”t
hisguyt
hinkshe'
s
al
lthat
.Iwonderwhodiedandmadehimt he‘
it
’guy.
“
Idon'
t.
..”
“Sui
tyoursel
f ,
kid.
”hesi tsupandpr essesabutt
on
onhiscouchr evealingapileofpapersinthecouch
drawer.“
Lookatt his.”hespreadsthemapont he
tabl
e.I'
m sti
llwait
ingf oranswersbuthe'sbusy
showingmeamapofsomeMexi canj ungl
e.
“Whyam Iseei
ngt
his?TJ,
whodoyout
hinkyou
are?
”
“Ibuggedyourf at
her'shouse.Now, si
tdownand
stopactingli
keat eenagerwho'shighonsome
dagga.Idon'tknowi fyouunderstandhow
i
mpor tantthi
staskis?I'm notl
ett
ingyoumessup
myl astjob,Mel
.”
“
Lastj
ob?
”
“Yep.IfIsucceed,
Iwillr
eti
re,
recl
aim mynameand
l
iveahappi l
yeveraft
erwi t
hmyLi l
ly.I
'
mtir
edof
duckingbullet
sandI'
m notgetti
nganyyounger
.I
wantast ablefami
ly.
”
“
Doessheknow?
”
“
Yesshedoes.Onl
ythesaf
einf
ormat
ion.
”
“Isee.Doyoul
oveheroryouar
ejustusi
ngherf
or
yourcase?”
“Iloveher
,al
ot.Iwantafutur
ewithher
.”hesighs.
“Enoughaboutmyrelat
ionshi
p.Howismyl i
tt
le
sister
?”
“It
hinkyoushoul dvi
sithersoon.Thenight
mar es
aregetti
ngwor seandI'm af
rai
dtheywilli
nter
fere
withherpregnancy.She'sdeal
ingwithalotman,
can'tyoufeelf
orherandendhermi ser
y?”
“
Whati
fshedeci
dest
oconf
rontRaymond?
”
“Wewi llprotecther ,r
ight?Man, I'
mt heonewho
spendsconsecut i
veni ghtscomf ort
ingherand
tryingt oconnectt hepieces.IloveSt ar
,TJ, and
seei ngheri nt hatstatebreaksmyhear t.Iknowyou
thinkI '
m st i
llthatMel youknow, Ihaven'tdone
anyt hingt ohur tStarandIpl ant okeepitthatway.
Please, ifseei ngyouwi l
lbeallitwil
ltakef orthose
night mar est odisappeart henI'
m beggingyout o
pleasebr eakyourownpr omisesandseeher .Ifnot
forme, doitf
ort
heloveandthebondyouboth
share.Sheseesyouinherdr
eams,shescreams
yournameandcr yaski
ngyounottoleave.Pl
ease
Junior.
..”
“Okayokay. ”hewi peshiseyes.“Iwil
lvi
sitherlat
er
todaybutt here'
ssomet hingyouhavet oknow
beforeImeether .Shewi llnolongerbethesame
afterseei
ngme, shemi ghtrememberever yt
hing
andbr eakdown.Ar eyour eadyforthat
?”
“
Icandealwi
tht
hat
.”
“
Okay.Stari
snotrel
atedtoAsenat
hiorAse'
s
mother
.Thenanny,t
hewomanwhot ookcareofus
whenwewer eyoungistheonewhotookStar
t
here.
..
.”
“
Wai
t?She'
swhat
?”
“
Asenat
hi'
smotheri
stheyoungersi
stert
othe
womanwhotookcareofusasananny...
”
“
TJ,thatcan'
tbet r
ue.Asenat
hi,Imean.
..
.no.Ther
e
mustbeami stake.Thebondtheysharecannotbe
i
ftheyarenotrelat
ed.”
“Haveyouseenhowf ur
iousAsenathigetswhen
onetalksaboutRaymond?Sheknowst hetruthand
theytookitupont hemsel vestot
akecar eofStaras
thei
rown.Iknowyouar ewonder i
ngwhywoul d
Asenathisellherbodyj ustforSt
artobe
comfortable,Idon'tknowwhyei t
her.AllIcansayis,
Iowet hatgirlnotbil
li
onsofmoneybutmyl i
fe.
”
“Idon'tknowwhattosayanymore.Arether
e
anymor esecret
s?”hesmil
esandturnsbacktot
he
mapi gnoringmyquesti
oncomplet
ely.
“So, thi
si swher etheexchangewi llbedone.It hinkI
willbebet terforust oinvadeMexi coi nsteadof
star t
ingawarher einZi mbabwe.Wewi llletthem
taket hegi rlsfrom yourbasement ,thent henext
mi ssionwi llneedyourpeopl e.Moni caandSi gola.I
cant rustt hem t odot hi
spr operly.
..Wai t
.”he
presseshi sphoneandt hefrontdoorsl idesopen.
Behol d,her ecomesMi ssWor ldwit hlongl egstodi e
for.I'm sorr yStar,I
'm onlyappr eci
at i
ngGod' s
wonder fulwor k,nothingmor e.Backt oMsWor ld
her e,she'swear i
ngt helongestst i
lett
osIhaven' t
seenanywomanher einZimbabwewear ing,navy
blueformalpant s, ablackbr atoppedwit
hanavy
bluejackettomat chherpant s.Herlonghai
r,l
ashes,
make- up,r
edl i
pstick,everythingaboutheri
sin
perfectpl
ace.Thewayshewal ks,I
'
m convi
nced
she'soneoft hosemodel swhoshowcaset hei
r
catwalksduringt hePar isFashi onWeek.
“Mr.Sibi
ndi
.”shestret
chesoutherl
ongar
m and
givesTJafirm handshake.
“
Ms.Tasha.
”TJresponds.“MsT,t
hisi
sMel
okuhl
e.
Mel
,MsThereispartoftheteam.
”
“Pl
easur
etomeetyou,
sir
.”shef
ir
mlyshakesmy
handI'
mlef
tsur
pri
sedbythepowerofherti
nyhand.
“Whatdoyouhavef
orme?”TJasks.Shepl
acesa
bri
efcaseont
hecof
feet
abl
e.
“
Thebosssai
dyoucanopeni
t.
”
“
Okay,
Igott
his.Dowehavet
hedat
eandt
ime?
”
“
Yes.Intwodays,12:30pm.Wehaveaf i
vemi nut
e
window.
”I'
m st
il
ltryi
ngtounder
standhowsucha
t
inywomancanbesentwi thsuchdangerous
messages?Cansheevendefendhersel
f?Afew
minuteslat
erwearejoinedbySigolaandMoni ca
whocl ai
mthatthei
rbossesdirectedt
hem here.TJ
onceagaintoucheshisphoneandopensadoor
thatl
eadstoar oom t
hatissetli
keaboardroom.He
l
eadsusi n.

Whenhet urnsonthepr oject

or,i
tsinksin.Nowt hi
s
i
shappening,Ihavet oonceagainloadmygun,
packmypocket swithpocketknives,cross
boarder
sandf i
ght.Notonl yfi
ghtbutgoagai nstmy
ownf at
herandwint hisformySt ar
.BoHl ongwane,
gi
vemest rengt
h.
“Sowehavetoi
nter
ceptt
het
rucksandt
akeoutt
he
dri
ver
s?”Moni
caasks.
“Yes.Theyhavephones, takethoseandIbe
encrypti
ngever ymessagest hephonesr eceive.
Theycommuni cateincodes.Whenyougett ot he
ORTamboI nt ernati
onalai
rport
,MsT, useyour
i
dent i
tycardasapass.Si gol
awi l
lpi
lotyouguys.
Thegi r
lswillbel oadedascargo,don'twor r
y, t
hey
willbesafe.MelandIwi l
lbeinMexi coal r
eady.”
“It
hinkwecanpul
lthi
soneof
f.”Si
gol
afi
nal
ly
speaks.“
Boss,
youokay?
”
“
Yea,
I'
m good.Wear
edoneher
e,r
ight
?”
“Yes.Thankyoual l
.”TJconcl udesthemeet i
ng.I
don'tknowi fit
'sjustfearplayingadangerousgame
withmeornot .Ikeepseei ngmybodyl yi
ngflati
na
poolofbloodi naf oreignland.Ican'tdi
ebefore
seeingmyf irstborn,Ineedt hi
sl i
fe,
Starneedsme
too.God,pleasedon' tletmedi e.
*
***
***
***
*

Darli
ngs,Iknowt
heinser
tisshort.Pleasedo
for
giveme.Ineedafewdayst orestandregroup
beforeImessupthestor
y.Iwil
lbebackbef oreyou
knowi t
.

Uyani
thandauSuku .

Seeyousoon.
Sukol
uhl
eNont
okozoMdl
ongwa.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT36.

NARRATED.

Somewher
eint
hej
ungl
einMexi
co.
..
.

Melswat sawaymosqui t
oesf rom hi
sf ace.They
aresitti
ngnextt othefir
ethati sabouttodi e.TJi s
busydoi ngsomet hingonhi sphonewhi chkeeps
i
ndicat i
ngdiffer
entcolors.Af ewmet ersawayf rom
them, anarmedsquadofabout15menawai t
sfor
thebigmoment .Thisisnotjustanymi ssion,it
'sa
missionnotf orthefaint
hearted.Ami ssiont osave
notonl ythegirl
sbuthumanki ndandt hewor l
dasa
whole.Theyr eceivedacal lf
rom theGener alearl
ier
t
odaywhor
emi
ndedt
hem oft
hei
mpor
tanceoft
his
matt
er.
“It
'syourl
astimportantj
ob,TJ.Givei
tyourall
,not
onlyforyoursist
erbutforeveryoneoutt
here.We
reall
yappreci
ateyourdedicati
onandself
lessness.
”
thegeneralconcl
udedhi smessage.
“Thatsoundedl
ikeagoodbyemessage?
”Mel
star
edatTJwhoshr uggedandsai
d,
“Il
iveever ydayl i
keit
'smyl astday.Ever yt i
meIgo
i
n, Ineverknowi fIwil
lreturnornot .It'
sa
danger ouswor l
douthere, GodknowswhyI '
m stil
l
breathing.I'vebeent owor secount ries, I
raq,
Afghani st
an, NorthKorea,Syr i
a,younamet hem.I
haveabul letinmyshoul derandIwi lll
ivewi t
hit
forever.Myj obi swhatmakesmeappr eciatelif
e
andpeopl e.Peopl edie,Mel ,
I'
velostmor et han100
colleaguesondut yandyouknowwhatt hehar dest
partis?Jumpi ngthei
rbodi esandl eavingt hem to
burnt oashesort obethrowndeepi nt oaseawher e
noonewi lleverseet hem agai n.Knowi ngt hatthey
hadf ami l
iesbacki nthei
rhomecount r
iesmakesi t
evenmor escar i
erbutwhatcanIdo?Ichoset his
l
if
e.Ivowedtoprot
ectpeopl
efr
om t
her
uthl
ess
unt
ouchabl
es.”hesi
ghed.
“
Soundsheavyi
fyouaskme.Doyousomet
imes
r
egr
etit
?”
“
No.I
neverywarther
earecasual
ti
es,
what
's
i
mpor
tanti
stheendvict
ory.
”
“
Haveyouwonal
lyourbat
tl
es?
”
“No.I '
velostafewtogetherwit
hthepeopleIloved.
Enoughwi ththequest
ions,youneedtorestand
clearyourmi nd.”TJsaidastheyjumpedoffthe
helicopter.

Mel '
smi ndkeepsgoingbackt ohislast
conversati
onwithStar.Afterlearni
ngthatSt aris
notinanywayr elat
edt oAsenat hihisheartbroke
evenmor e.Hefeltt
heneedt oprotectherrisefrom
withi
ngthecoreofhi sbeingandasf orAsenat hi
,
she'snowt henextt
hingaf terGodi nhiseyes.
“Il
oveyou,Star
.”hesai
dwithgl
ossyeyes.He
couldn'
tcont
rolhi
stear
s.Sheaskedwhatwas
wrongbuthecoul dn'tgethimsel ft
odisclosethe
tr
uthtoher.Hecoul dn'tt
ellheraboutAsenat hior
herbrot
her.TJlaterrefusedt omeetwi t
hherbef or
e
complet
inghismi ssion.Hef eltbadbutthere'
s
nothi
nghecoulddo.TJdoeswhatTJwant snot
whatsomeoneel set el
lshimt odo.He'sal ways
beenhardheadedsi ncechildhood.
“
Whyar
eyouemot
ional
?”St
arhadasked.
“I
'
m goingt
omi
ssyou.Ihavet
ogoandsavet
hose
gi
rls.
”
“
Iwi
llmissyoutoo,
babe.Comebacksaf
eandal
ive.
Weneedyou.”
..
..

“
Mel
?”TJbr
ingshi
m backt
othenow.
“
H-huh?
”
“What'
swr ong?Wher eisthefear
lessMelIshareda
room wit
hbacki nSwitzer
land?TheMelwho
str
angledsomeonet odeat h,
buri
edherandt il
lto
datenooneeverf oundoutwher ethatKenyangi r
l
went.
”Melr aiseshiseyebrow.“Don'tactsur
prised,
Iwasyourroommate.Didyoureal
lythi
nkyoucould
hideadeadbodyi
nt heroom andIwouldn'
tfi
ndout?
I'
veal
wayshadadet ect
ive'
smind.”
“Well
,thatguydi
edthedayIf
elli
nlovewi
thyour
si
ster
.Idon'twantt
ogobackthere.
”
“Ineedyourdar
ksidehereot
herwi
seIwouldn't
havebotheredt
obringyouher
e.Ihavesomething
tohelpyourner
ves.
”
“
Idon'
tsmokeanymor
e,TJ.
”
“I
'
veneversmokedinmyl
if
e.Her
e.”TJt
hrowsa
boxofmint
-l
ikegums.
“
Drugs?
”
“
Sweets,youi
diot
!Haveoneandkeepthatbox.
”
Melshakeshi
sheadandpopone‘sweet’i
ntohi
s
mouth.
“
Boss,
wehaveacall
.”announcessomeone.TJ
t
akest
hephoneandtal
kstosomeone.
*
***
***
**
Att
heORTamboI
nter
nat
ionalAi
rpor
t.
..

Tashasmoot hsherjacket
,takesoutherperf
ume
andspraysal i
tt
lebehindhereyesbefore
ret
ouchinghermakeup.Shest rai
ghtensher22-
inch
hairwit
hacombandswapshersneaker sfor6-
inch
heels.
“
Ready?
”sheasks.
“
Iwasbornready.”Monicawho'salsowear
inga
f
ormalsui
trespondsandsi deeyesSi
gol
awhois
l
ooki
nghotinhisItal
iantuxedo.
“
Let
'sgett
hisoveranddonewi
th.Si
r,canyouhear
me?
”
“YesMsTee.Bestofl
uck.
”saysamal
evoi
cewi
th
anAmeri
canaccent.
“
Thankyou,
sir
.”

Sigol
aispull
ingasmallsui
tcase,Monicahasher
Versacehandbagwhil
eTashai scarr
yingalapt
op
bag.Theyaretaki
ngcalcul
atedstepsyou'
dswear
theyareactinginsomeHol lywoodhitmovi e.
There'saqueueofpeopl ewai t
ingt
ogett heir
passportsstamped, Tashal ookssi
dewaysandt hey
allwalkstr
aighttothecust omsof f
ici
al.Everyoneis
alert
ed,peoplewhodi sregardqueuesar ealways
troubl
e.
“Gobackt otheli
nepl e.
.ase..
”beforetheof
fici
al
canf i
nish,Tashahasheri denti
tycardonthe
offi
cer'
sf ace.“Sorr
y.”sheapol ogi
zesandcal l
s
someonewhoqui ckl
yappear sandspeaksi na
forei
gnl anguage.Thet r
iof ol
lowshim andthey
disappearf r
om thepublic.Peoplebreathei
nr el
ief
.

“
Everythi
ngisready.
”saystheguyandhandsover
asi
lverbri
efcasetoTasha.
“
Thankyou.Youar
eal
if
esaver
.”
“
Anyt
hingf
oragoodcause.
”
“Seeyouar
ound.Takecar
eofyour
sel
f.
”Tashapats
him ont
heshoul
derandmakeswayuptheplane.
“
Ismybossokay?
”Si
gol
aiswor
ri
edaboutMel
.
“
He'singoodhands.Don'
tworryyour
sel
fabouthi
m,
l
et'
sfocusonthetaskathand.
”
“
Sur
e.”
*
***
***
*

BackatPr
of.Hl
ongwane'
shouse.
..
..

“WhatwasKuhletalki
ngabout?Whatareyouhi
ding
fr
om me, Hl
ongwane? ”Mrs.Hl
ongwaneaskswi
tha
str
aightf
ace,Pr
of.Hlongwanechuckl
es.
“Idon'
tknowwhathesaidtoyou.Youknowyour
sonhasalwaysbeenarebel.
..
”
“No!Iusedtothi
nkthatKuhlei
sstubbornbutt
oday
Isawsomet hi
nginhiseyes.He'
shurt,
angryand
ful
lofresent
ment.Whatdidyoudotohim? ”
“Whydoyouthi
nkIdidsomethingtohim?Youar
e
theonewhoabandonedthem whentheywere
youngmaybehehasmommyi ssues.
..”
“
Don'
tyoudar
etr
yandpi
nthi
sonme!YesIhur
t
him buthe'
sneverhat
edmethewayhehat
esyou.
Whatdi dyoudotomyson?Whatdi
dyoufor
cehim
todo?”
“
Woman,
Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
..
.”
“Don'tgivemethatshi
t!
”MrsHlongwanepushes
thelaptop,i
tfal
lsandshefr
eezeslookingatt
he
screen.Prof.Hl
ongwanejumpsfrom thechai
rand
fl
ipsitshut.
“I
..Icanexplain..
.”het r
iestotot ouchhi
swi febut
sher etreat
sbackwar dsunt i
lherbackisont hewall.
“Hun, li
stentome. .
.”Shet r
iestosaysomet hingbut
whi zzesinstead.She'ssweatingandst r
uggli
ngt o
breathe.Herkneesgi vei n,
Hlongwanecat chesher
befor eshecanhi thardont hefloor.
“Mir
ri
am!”heshout
swhi
lepl
aci
nghi
swi
feont
he
couch.
“
Yes,
sir
.”Mi
ri
am appear
s.
“Bri
ngmywi fe'
streatmentbox.Quick!
”Mi r
iam
rushesoutofthestudyandreappearsaf ew
secondslat
er.“Thanks.Youcanleave.”
Heopenstheboxandtakesoutherasthmaspr
ay.
Hesadl
ylooksati
tthentohi
swhi zzi
ngwif
e.
“Inevermeantt ohurtyou.I'
m sorr
y.Whent het
ime
i
sr i
ght,Iwi l
lexpl
ain.
”hepumpst hespr ayi
nher
mout h.Justwhenshe' sgett
ingbetter,
someone
bargesint hestudyandsendsever ythi
ngonthe
tabl
ecr ashingonthefloor.
“Raymond..
.”Prof
.Hlongwane'
swordsar
emetbya
punchthatalmostdi
slocat
eshi
sjaw.
“
Whati
sthi
s?Huh?
”Raymondi
sfumi
ng.
“
Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
..
.”
“Yoursonisgoingtostopmydamnoper at
ion!My
i
mpor t
antoperati
onandyouar eher
eplayi
nglovey-
doveywithyourwife?Didyousendhim?”
“No.WhywouldIdothat
?Youknowt
hatboy
doesn'
tli
stent
ome..
.”
“It
'st
imeyoumakehiml i
stent
hen.Cal
lhi
m andtell
himtostophismadnessri
ghtnowifhest
il
lloves
thatcr
ippl
e.”
“
She'
syourdaught
er,
Raymond!
”
“Justcal
lyourson, damni t!
”Prof.Hlongwane
fumbleswithhisphoneandshaki lydial
sMel '
s
numberbuti tgoesst r
aighttovoicemail
.Theykeep
tryi
ngbutwithnol uck.Raymondi snowpacingup
anddown.They' veevenf orgotthatt
heyhave
company.Af ewmi nuteslat
er,Raymondr ecei
vesa
videocal
lthatalmostsendshi mt oanear l
ygr ave.
“Gameover,daddydear
est
..
.”TJsmi
lesf
rom t
he
othersi
de.
“
J..
.Juni
or?
”thescr
eengoesdar
k..
..
.
*
*
*
Anot
herinser
tcomi
nglatertoni
ght
.Havea
pr
oduct
iveMonday,youall
.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT37.
NARRATED.

“Gameover,daddydear
est
..
.”TJsmi
lesf
rom t
he
othersi
de.
“J.
..
Junior
?”thescreengoesdark.Raymond's
handsshakewhileaf i
lm ofsweatgat
hersonhis
for
ehead.Hisshir
tisalreadydampont heback,
his
heartr
ateisabnormalatt hemoment.
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”Hl
ongwanei
sconf
used.
“He.
.he'
ssupposedtobedead.Weburi
edhi
m,I
buri
edmyson, Isawhi
mi nthecof
fi
n..
.”
“
Whatsonar
eyout
alki
ngabout
,Raymond?
”
“Ey,woman, getoutofhere!Takeyourwifeoutof
hereandgivemeasaf ecomput erorlapt
op.”he
wipesthesweatof fhisf
aceusi ngthebackofhis
hand.Hlongwanehel pshisweakwi feoutofthe
studyroom andquicklyret
urns.
“
Juni
ori
stheoneyoushot
,howcomehe'
sal
ive?
”
“Idon'
tknow,okay?DoyouthinkIwouldbe
shockedifIknewthathe'
sal
iveallal
ong?Butnow
i
tmakessense, mybrot herwasonceaccusedof
rapingthatuselesst
hingandaf ewyearslat
erhe
died.IalwaysthoughtitwasanaccidentbutnowI
knowJuni orkil
ledhi
m.Thi sisbad.
”hesighs
frustr
atedl
y.
“Dosomethi
ng!St
ophi
m,t
hreat
enhi
m or
somethi
ng..
.”
“How?Itwaseasythreateni
ngyoursonbecausewe
knowwhathestandsf orandwhatheloves.We
don'
tknowwhoJuni oris,whohe'
sworkingwit
hor
anyt
hingthatwi
llmakehi m gi
vei
n.I
t'
sa
nonst
arter
..
.”
“Gentl
emen.”Mr.Mpofu,Lil
ly'
sfatherjoi
nshis
fri
ends.HeseesTJ'spict
ureont helaptop'
sscreen
andfurrowshisbrows.“Whatareyoudoi ngwith
thatl
oser'
spict
ure?”
“Doyouknowhim?
”Raymondqui
ckl
ytur
nshi
s
att
ent
iontohi
m.
“
Yes.Hewasdat
ingmyyoungerdaught
er.
..
”
“F!
ck!”Raymondpunchest
het
abl
eandcr
ackshi
s
knucklesi
nthepr
ocess.
“
What
'st
hemat
ter
?”
“Themat terisyouhaveusel essdaughter
sthatwil
l
foreverhauntme!Fi r
st,yourolderdaught
erfai
ledt
o
containMelandnowt heyoungestbi t
ch
miraculouslyresur
rectedmysonf r
om thedead!
Howwonder ful!Gr
eat!Justgreat!
”
“
He'
syourson?
”
“Yesandourdownf al
lifwedon'tactquickl
y.”
Raymondqui cklypunchessomenumber sandthe
symbol sonthelaptop.Itt
akesaf ewmi nut
esto
openanewwi ndow, hetypesanotherlongsetof
number sandwi t
hinaf ewseconds,Starappears.
She'slyi
ngont heoutsidecouchwi t
hOwet hu
massagi ngherfeetwhiletwootherpeopleseat
nexttoher.
“Whati
sOwet
hudoi
ngt
her
e?”Hl
ongwanei
sst
il
l
conf
used.
“He'sdoi
nghisjob.He'sherphysiol
ogi
st,i
fyou
didn'
tknow.”Ontheleftsi
deofthescreen,anot
her
windowopensandi treveal
sLill
yinasupermarket
.
“Timetoplaymyt r
umpcar d.”Raymondsmi l
es.
“
Youwoul
dn'
tdar
etouchmydaught
er!
”
“Iwil
levenkil
lyouandandhar vestyouror
gans,
dareblockmywayandyouwi l
llearnwhoIr eal
ly
am.Yourbitchesandthatcr
ipplewilll
eadmet o
wheremyexper iment
sare.That'sal
lIwant.
”
“Raymond!
”Mr
.Mpof
uhi
sses,
Raymondpul
lsout
hisgun.
“
Mywayort
hehar
dway.Cal
lyourdaught
er.
”
*
***
***
***

KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Myhear ti
svigorouslybeat i
nginmychest ,i
ffeel
s
l
ikeitwil
lri
pplemychestapar t.Thi
sbabyisalso
notgivi
ngmet imetobr eathe.Idon'tknowifhe
l
ikesspeedorhe'sjustbei ngnaughtyinmywomb.
Whyam Isur pri
sed?Hisf atherli
vesforspeedand
anydangerousspor thecant ryout.
“But
ter
fl
y?Yourmessagesoundedur
gent.
”hesays
assoonasIanswerthecal
lonhandsfr
ee.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
InThai
land.What
'sup?
”
“IfIdi
et odayortomor r
ow, pl
easetel
lmydaughter
thatIloveher.TellherInevermeanttoleaveher
andpl ayhappyfami lywit
hotherpeople,Iwas
forcedto.Teachhert oloveandrespect.
..”
“Youcannotdi ewithmysoni nyourwomb.You
saidyouwi l
lcomebackf orus,Iwaited,wewai t
ed
withyourdaughterandnowyouwantt odie?What
thehelliswrongwithyouKhanyi ?Doyout hinkthi
s
l
ifeisallaboutyouthatyoudecidewhenyouwant
toendi twit
houtthi
nkingaboutotherpeople?Your
daughter?”he'
sgetti
ngthisal
lwr ong.I'
m notgoing
tokil
lmyself.
“
IwrongedMel,t
hel
eastIcandoi
stosavet
he
womanheloves.
”
“Idon'tunder
stand?Thesamewomanyouwant
ed
tokillnotsol
ongago?What'sonyourmi
nd,
Butterfl
y?What'sgoi
ngon?”
“Igotmysel
finvol
vedwi
thdanger
ouspeopl
eand
nowt heyar
eouttodest
royMelandever
yonecl
ose
tohi
m.Ij
ustwantt
ohel
phi
m,t
oshowhowsor
ryI
am.”
“Andyouthi
nkyoucanout smar
tthesedangerous
peopl
e?Youarepregnant,
babe!Pleasedon'
tdo
thi
s.Wai
tformethen..
.”
“Ican't
.Idon'thavemuchtime.Il
oveyou,nowand
forever
.”Icutthecal
landswi t
choffmyphone
beforehecansaysomet hingorcal
lback.“I
'
m sor
ry
Adr i
an,thi
shast obedone.”

AdrianTshuma.He' smyf i
rsteverboyfri
end.We
metatpr i
mar yschool,hewaschar mingevenback
thenandal wayswor ecleanuniforms.Hewas
diff
erentfr
om us, hi
shairresembl esthatofArabs
orEthiopi
ans.He'sabl ackml ungu.Yougetwhat
I'
m saying,ri
ght?Teachersgavehi m ahar dti
mei f
hespentt woweekswi t
houtahai rcut,t
hat'
show
rapidhishairgr
owt his.Il
ikedhim most lybecause
heusedt ohelpmewi thMat hemat i
cs.Webecame
fri
endsandwewentt othesamesecondar yschool.
Weshar edourf i
rstki
sswhenIwasi nform 2and
hi
mi nf orm 4.Weweremadl yinlovewitheach
other,
wecoul dn'
tgetenoughofeachot her .Our
crazi
nessl edtomypregnancyandwhenIf ound
outabouti t
,Melwasbackandmycr ushforhim
wasst i
llverymuchthere.Mymot herwant edmet o
abortbutAdr i
anandhismot herbeggedmenott o.
Wel i
edt oMelandhisfamilyandsai dIhadt ogoto
NewYor kforsomeschooli
ngf orayear.

Istayedwi thAdr ian'smot herinDur ban,Sout

h
Africa.TheyknewaboutMel butt heynevertreated
meanydi f
ferent.Maybei t
'sbecauseIwascar ryi
ng
theirfi
rstgr andchild.Igavebi r
th, breastf
edherf or
threemont hsandl eftherwi thherf at
herandhis
grandpar ents.Trustme, t
hatwast hehardest
decisionofmyl ife.HadInotsi gnedt hestupid
cont r
act,Iwoul dhavest ayedwi t
hmydaught erbut
knowi nghowr uthlessHl ongwanei s,Ihadtocome
backanddomywor k.Adrianhat edmef ort
hef ir
st
twoyear s,hedi dn'tevenal lowmet oseepur
daught erunt i
lonedayhevi si
tedmewhenIwas
shoot i
ngi nTokyo, Japan.Ourdaught erwasall
grownupwi thfrontteethandherf ather'sl
onghai r
.
Thatdayhet oldmet hathewant edmebackandhe
wasr eadyt owai t
.Ilovedhim, Isti
lldobut
ci
rcumst ancest hatIcreatedmysel ff orcedusapar t
.
Sincethatday, wehadasecr etaf f
air.Mydaught er
knowsmebutshedoesn' tknowt hatI 'm hermother.
Shecal l
smeAuntKhanyi .Ial waysf eelemot ional
whenshedoest hat.Howdi dIf al
lpregnantf orhim
again?Wel l,whenHl ongwanecoul dn'tletme
breathe,IaskedAdr iantoimpr egnateme.Hecan
doanyt hingformeandhecoul dn'tsaynot o
unprotectedsext hatheenj oysal ot.

Shit!Mel'sgat ecanonlybeopenedbyhi m or
someonei nside.It
akeoutt hesmallphoneIbought
yesterdayandsear chforStar'snumberinmydi ar
y.
Yes, Ihavehernumber .I'
vealwayswant edtoknow
whati sitthatshehast hatIdon't
.Iwasgoingto
callherandaskbutr i
ghtnow, I'
m heref
oragood
cause.
“
Hel
lo.
”
“St
ar,
it'
sKhanyi
.Pl
easeopent
hegat
eforme,
it'
s
anemergency.
..
”
“
Whywoul
dIopenf
orsomeonewhoonceat
tacked
me?
”
“Let'
snotactl
ikeyouwer
einnocent
.Justopent
he
gate!
”
“
Meli
sn'
ther
e..
”
“Star,yourfat
heri sonhi swayt okidnap, ki
llyouor
what everiti
st hatwillmakeMelst opwhat everhe's
doingoutt here.Ijustwantt ohel p.
..”thegat e
sli
desopenandIspeedi n.WhenIpar kt hecar ,
she'salreadyout sideaccompani edbyt hreeot her
women.Doct or s,
Iguess.Ir eadt hatherpr egnancy
requires24/7medi calassistanceonst andby.

“
Whatdoyouwant ?
”Ithr
owmyphoneather.Itook
avi
deoofherf
atherpl
ott
ingwi
thhi
sassoci
ates.
“Geti
nthecar,
please.Yourdoctor
scancomet oo.
Wehavenot i
me.”shelooksterr
ifi
edandIfeelf
or
her.I
'
veseenRaymondki l
li
ngpeopl ewi
thhisbare
hands.He'
samonst
er!
“Mymeds. ..
”Starcri
esandthedoct or
srushback
i
nside.Fiveminuteslat
er,weareallset
.Idon'
t
knowwher eI'mtakingherbutaslongasit'
sfar
awayf r
om Raymondandhi sassociat
es.
“
Wai
t.Removeyourj
ewel
ryandt
hrowi
tdown.
..”
“
What
?”
“Theycoul dseeyouget ti
ngamassaget hatmeans
youar etrackedort hehousei stracked.Idon'tknow,
justremoveal lofit.
”thankfull
y,shelistensand
speedof f.JustwhenIt akeashar pturnoffMel '
s
street,
Iseeaf l
eetofcar sparki
ngi nfrontofhis
gate.Myhear trateacceler
atesbutIkeepcal m, Star
i
svul nerable.Ifshelearnsaboutt hi
s,shemi ght
l
oseherbaby.Iusedt ohat eherbutnotanymor e.
MelandIwer ejustnotmeantt obe.
‘
DearGod,I'
m pr
obablythelastpersonyouwantto
hearfr
om.Icheat
,Ihatepeopleandmanymor e
horr
ibl
ethi
ngs.Mygrandmausedt osayyouarea
for
givi
ngGod,pl
easeforgi
vemef ormysins.Gi
ve
mest r
engt
htoprot
ectStar.Idon'thavet
hepowers
todosobutYousai dwher
ethere'
sawill
,Youwi l
l
makeaway.That '
sallI
'
m askingf
or.Awayf or
ward
andthecouraget
okeepmovi ng.I
nthenameoft he
Father
,theSonandtheHolyGhost.Amen.’
*
***
***
**

MEL'
SPOV.

Thegirlsaresafe,whatar eli
ef!Theywer e
‘
offl
oaded’ andtakent oasafepl acebef ore
Raymond' speoplegother e.Idon'tknowhowTJ
managedt ochanget hefl
ightti
meandal lt
hat.Isti
ll
don'
tlikehim buthe'sgoodatwhathedoes.Wear e
nowwai ti
ngf orRaymond' speopl e,TJhast o
captureoneoft hem forhi
sor gani zat
ion.Theywi l
l
needtheper soninor dert
oshutdownt heentire
undergroundoper at
ion.
“
Ohno!
”Si
gol
amut
ter
s.
“
What
?”Iask.
“
Yourhousei
sunderat
tack.
..”
“Whatdoyoumean? ”heshowsmet hetabletand
myhear tski
psabeat.Anumberofblackcarsare
parkedoutsi
demygat eandt
here'
snosignof
anyoneintheyar
d.
“
What
'sgoi
ngon?
”TJasks.
“
Stari
sindanger
..
.”
“What?”hegrabsthetabletandswallowshard.God
prot
ectmySt ar,pl
ease.I
'm athousandmilesaway
fr
om her,t
here'sabsol
utenothingIcando.“Wai t
?If
Raymondknowswher eSt ari
sthatmeanshenow
knowsaboutmeandLi ll
y.ThinkTJ,t
hink!
”her uns
hishandthroughhishair.
“Ijustrewindedthef ootage,seemsli
kesomeone
rescuedherbef oretheyr eachedther
e.Youcan
divertherlocati
onandsendRaymondt hewrong
way. ”Tashasaysl ookingdeepi nt
omyeyes.
Ther e'
ssomet hi
ngaboutherandheraut hor
it
ati
ve
voice.
“
Isshebugged?
”
“
Idi
dn'
tbugher
.It
'st
hehouset
hat
'sbugged.
”
“
Goodthen.Thatmeanswehaveti
metogetback
t
oZimbabweandhopewegett her
ebef
orehefinds
t
hem.Letmealertmypeopl
ebackhome..
.”abull
et
f
li
esontopofourheads.
“
Shi
t!Theyar
eher
e,t
akecover
.”Si
gol
amut
ter
s.
“
Iwil
lcoveryouguys,weareleavi
ng.”TJsaysas
morebul
letsfl
y.I
t'
sbeenawhi l
esinceIfi
redagun.
I
tdamnf eel
sgoodtodoitagain.
“
Aah.
..
”af
emal
evoi
cecr
iesnextt
ome.
“Monica!”she'
sbeenshotonherl eftarm.I
'm sti
ll
tr
yingtoat t
endtoherwhenIr eal
isethatwear e
surrounded.Ideepl
ysigh.Ii
gnoret het
roopsthat
areclosinginonus,tearmyT-shirtandti
eMoni ca'
s
wound.
“Don'
tdieonme,crush.Wehavet
ogetoutofher
e.
Okay?”shenods.
“Mel
,Imayhat
eyoubutItrustyout
ogetoutof
her
eassoonaspossi
ble.Goandhelpmysist
er.
..
”
“
I'
m notl
eavi
ngyou,
TJ!Youhavet
omeether
.”
“
Wewon'
tmakei
toutofher
e..
.”
“Yeswewill
,okay.Thi
sisyourt
ickett
ofr
eedom,
don'
tlosehopenow.”
“
Getdown!
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT38.

MEL'
SPOV.

Ipaceupanddowni nthehospit
alcorri
dor.My
palmsaresweating,
myheartfeel
slikeitwil
ljump
offther
ibcageandmythroati
sdr y.
“Boss?”Sigol
agi
vesmeabottl
eofseal
edwat er
.I
gulpitdowninonego.“
Theywil
lmakei
t,boss.
Stopwor r
yingyour
sel
f.
”hesqueezesmyshoul
der
reassur
ingly.
WhatdoIt ellStarifherbr
otherfai
lst
opullthr
ough?
HowdoIexpl aintoherthatIknewthatTJisali
ve
allt
hislong?HowdoIevenbegi nt
obreakthenews
toLil
ly,
toTJ' smom, hi
sbosses?God,whatkindof
temptati
onist hi
s?
Whent hosemensur r
oundedus, bul
letsstar
ted
fl
yingal loverourheads.Wet ri
edourbestt ofi
re
backbutt heywer ejusttoomanyf orust ohandle
alone.TJt ooki tashisdut ytopr ot
ectallofus
forgett
ingt hatwear enotki dsandhewasshot
twice.Af ewmi nuteslat
er ,
mor esoldiersfr
om TJ's
organizationcamet oourr escue.TJandMoni ca
hadal r
eadyl osttoomuchbl oodandnowwear eat
thehospi tal.It
'sbeenhour ssincewegother e,t
he
doctorshaven' tsai
danyt hi
ngt ousyet .
“
Mr.Zwel
akheSi
bindi
?”
“
That
'sf
orus,
doc.Howi
she?
”
“
Heisoutdangernow,si
r.Wemanagedtor
emove
t
hebul
let
s.Hewi l
lbemovedtoapri
vat
ewardi
na
f
ewmi
nut
es.
..
.”
“
Canweseehi
m?”
“Yesbutdon'
tsayanyt
hingt
hatwi
llst
resshi
m.He
needsrest
.”
“
Thankyoudoct
or.
”Iheaveahugesi
ghofr
eli
ef.
“Youwor ryalot.
”ohMissWor ldf
inal
lyspeaks.Can
youbelievethatshedoesn'
tlookl
ikesomeonewho
wasf i
ri
ngbul l
etsafewhoursago?Shest i
lll
ooks
asbeaut i
fulaseverbef
oreandshedoesn'tlook
scared.
“
Howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
21.
”
“
Whyar
en'
tyouscar
edoft
hewor
ldyouar
eli
ving
i
n?”
“
Youonlygetscar
edwhenyouhaveachoice.This
i
stheonl
ywor l
dwehaveandther
e'snoescaping
i
t.
”
“
Ther
e'sl
if
eout
sidet
hiscr
azywor
ldofyour
s.”
“
Iwasr
aisedbyt
hebul
let
,Kuhl
e.Thi
sisme,
bul
let
s
aret
heonlyt
oysIknowbet
ter
.”Ir
aisemyeyebr
ow
andscr
atchmychin.
“
Kuhl
e.Youknowal
lmynames?
”
“Yes.IGoogl
edyouwhenyournamewas
ment i
onedbytheorgani
zat
ion.Ineededt
oknow
howweakyouar e.”
“
And?
”
“Iknewyouwer ethemanaf t
erseei
ngyour
girl
fr
iendandresearchingabouthercondit
ion.You
see,IrespectmybossTJ, hedoesthingsbutyou
myguy, I
'
m sureyouhaveanAngelGabr ielinsi
de
you.Howdoyoudoi t
?”
“
Dowhat
?”
“Lovehert
hewayyoudo?I
'
m sur
eevennowyou
arethi
nki
ngabouther
.”
“
Loveal
waysf
indaway.
”shesmi
les.
“
Doyouhaveabr
other
?”
“
I'
drat
hernotsay.
”Ileaveherwi
thasmi
leonher
f
aceandgotoMoni ca'
sward.
Ifi
ndhertryi
ngtopul
lthedr
ipof
fherarm andst
op
her.Herbodycr
ushesonmineinti
ghthug.
“It
houghtsomet
hinghappenedt
oyou.Ar
eyou
okay?
”sheasks.
“
I'
mfine.Ihaveal
it
tl
escratchonmyr
ightar
m but
I
'
m okay.Howareyoufeeli
ng?”
“
Bet
ter
.IsSt
aral
ri
ght
?”
“
Yea.Canyouguesswhosavedher
?”
“Idon'tdoguesses,
takemeoutofmymi
ser
y
please.”
“
Khanyi
..
.”hereyesal
mostpopoutoft
hei
rsocket
s.
“
Khanyi
?Asi
nS'
khanyi
sel
weEst
herMpof
u,youex
wif
e?”
“
Theoneandonl
y.”
“
Jehov'
unamandl
a!Khanyihasahear
taf
teral
l.
”
“I
ttur
nsoutshedoes.Nowt hatyouarebet
ter,I
missmygi r
l.Ican'
tspendanothernightwi
thouther
,
Ihavetoseeformyselfthatshe'
sfineandnot
st
ressed.
”
“
Let'
sgetoutofher
ethen.
”shepul
lsoutallt
he
f
orei
gndri
psonherbodyandhelphersel
fup.
WepassbyTJ' sroom.Hel ooksser eneinhissl eep.
I
fitwaspossible,
wewoul dl eavehim hereuntilhe
r
ecoversbuthisorganizat
ionwant stobet heones
t
ot akeofhim.Hecan'tbeinpubl i
chospitalsfor
l
ongbef or
eenemi escanfigureoutwhohei s.
“TJ,pl
easebestr
ongfort
hoseyoul
ove.Wehavet
o
getoutofher
e,bro.
”
*
***
***
***

STAR'
SPOV.

Wear einsomel odgeintheoutskirt

sofBulawayo.
Whenwecal ledMel hetoldust owaither
e.He
soundedpanickedandst ressedalt
houghhe
assuredmet hatever
ythingisfi
ne.I'
m worri
ed
abouthim,Ihavebeenf eeli
ngstrange.
“
Pennyf
oryourt
hought
s?”Khanyiaskspl
aci
nga
bowloff
rui
tsal
adi
nfr
ontofme.
“
Whydi
dyousaveme?
”
“I
t'spart
lymyfaultthatMelisinthisshi t
.WhenI
overheardt
heirconversat
ion,Irecordedt hevideo
solel
yformybenef i
t.Iwasgoi ngtobl ackmail
Hlongwaneandhavehi mreleasemef rom the
bindi
ngcontractIsi
gnedbutsomet hingi nsi
deme
snapped.Ihaveachi l
d,Star.
”
“
Achi
ld?
”I'
m conf
used.
“Yes,achi ld.Hernamei sBlessing.Thesepastf ew
daysI'vebeeni ntr
ospectingandIr eali
zedI'
vef ail
ed
herandmysel f
.Ihavebeenbl i
ndedbyl ustnotto
seethingscl early.Ineverreall
ylovedMelIj ust
l
ovedt hei deaofbei ngwi thhim.WhatIdi dtohi m
waswr ongandbysavi ngyou,I'mtryi
ngtohel phim
getthel i
fehedeser ves.Youar ewhathewant sand
I'
m nol ongerangr yathi m oryou.Thisismywayof
apologizingt oyoubot h.”
“
Whosechi
ldar
eyoucar
ryi
ng?
”
“That
'sf
ormet oknow.He'
snotMel'
schi
ld,
Iswear.
Youdon'thavet
oworryaboutmeanymor
e.Worry
aboutothergi
rl
soutt
her
e.Meli
sever
ywoman'
s
dream.”
“
Ifyousayso.”It
akeabi
teofadi
cedappl
eandl
et
mymi ndwander.
Whydoesmyf atherhatemesomuch?Canone
hatehi sownseedt oapoi ntofhunti
ngi tdown
gunsbl azing?Sur elyther e'ssomethinginmeor
somet hingIdidt hatir
r i
tat esthedevilinhim.Come
tothinkofi t
,notevenasi ngl edayhasheever
smiledatme, touchedme, spoketomeki ndlyordo
anynor malthi
ngt hatot herf ather
soutt heredofor
thei
rki ds.He'salwaysgi venal lhi
sat t
enti
ont o
Onkar abil
e.Iwi shIknewwhati ti
sthatIdidtohim,
maybeI '
dapol ogizeforit.
***
*I'
mt wohoursaway.Il
oveyou,babeandImiss
youbothsomuch.Ican'
twai tt
oholdyouti
ghti
n
myarmsandf eelmyboy..
..Seeyousoon,
sweet
heart
.XXX* **
Amessagef r
om Melr
eadsandIsmile.Khanyi
r
aiseshereyebr
owbutIgnor
eher.Yessher escued
mebutthatdoesn'
tmeanwecanbef ri
endsallofa
sudden.ItypeamessagetoAsenathir
eassuri
ng
herthatI
'mf i
ne.She'
sbeensendi
ngthousandsof
messages.
*
***Yourf
atheri
saPIG!WhenIseehim,I
'
m goi
ng
t
opoisonhi
m!Ihatehi
m evenmorenow.***
Herresponser
eads.Iagree,
mydadiseveryt
hing
badanyonecanthi
nkof .Somet
imesIdoubtmy
pat
ernit
y.

Thedoorisviol
ent
lypushedandayounggi
rl
thr
owninside.
“Si
s,I'
m sor ry.Theytrackedt hecal l
...
”saysthe
youngl ady.Khanyi '
sf aceturnswhi te.Irai
semy
eyesandt heylockwi ththoseofmyni ghtmare.The
manwhof atheredme, t
hesamemanwho' saf t
er
mybl ood.He' ssternlylookingatmewi t
hhishands
i
nhi spocket s.He'saccompani edbyt wohool igans
whonowhavegunspoi ntedatus.Forsome
str
anger easonsI 'm notscar ed.I'
m calm andmy
mindi smovi ngbackwar ds.Iblinktryi
ngt ogetrid
ofther ushingmemor iesbuti nvain.It'
stoolate!
{<<Icanseemyf atherstandi
ngovermyei ghtyear
oldselfwithaknif
einhishand.He'saboutstabme
whensomeoner unsinsideandpusheshim off.The
knifefal
lsonthefl
oorandt heladyki
cksitaway
beforeslappi
nghim hard.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngThat
o!”shescr
eams.
“
Shehastodi
e!She'
sacur
se!
”hef
umes,
the
womansmil
es.
“Noshei
sn'
t.She'
sexact
lyhowyouwant
humanki
ndt
obe. ”
“
Whatdoyoumean,
Nompi
lo?
”nowhe'
sfr
owni
ng.
“Yourexperiments,T.Youkidnapinnocentpeopl e
andpl ayGodwi t
ht hei
rli
ves.Inyourheadyout hink
youcancr eatesomet hi
ngmor euniquet hana
whol ehumanbei ng.Yout hi
nkyourpr ofessorshi
pin
sciencesmakesyouayounggodbutyouar enot
.
Therecanbeonl yoneCr eat
or,andStari sa
messagef oryouf r
om God.Keept oyingwi t
h
people'sl
ivesandonedayyouwi l
lregret.”he
stormsoutoft heroom leavi
ngmewi tht hewoman.
Shesi
tsnextt
omeandwi
pesmyt ear
s.TJwalksin
andpaci
fi
esmewi
thanor
ange.I
'
vealwaysloved
them.
“
Whydon'
tweki
llhi
m,mom?
”heasks.
“
TJ!
”sheshout
s.
“
He'
samonst
er!Hedeser
vest
odi
e..
.”
“I
fheeverhear
syousayi
ngt
hatt
henconsi
der
your
sel
fdead.”
“Pl
easebrother
,Idon'
twantyout
odi
e.Lethi
m be.
”
Ifi
nal
lyspeak.
*
*
*
“Yourbr
otherrapedher
!”TJscreams.I'
m now12
andmyl i
feisgetti
ngworse.Hi
sbrothert
ouches
meeverywhere.
“
Heonl
ytouchedher
!”
“
That
'sabuse!Hef
ingered.
..Shi
t!Howsi
ckofyou
t
wobrother
s!Youalldi
sgustme!”
“
Wat
chhowyout
alkt
omeyoungman!
”
“
Orwhat
?I'
m nol
ongerscar
edofyou!
”
“Let
'sseehowbigyourbal
lshavebecome.”he
pull
ssomethi
ngf r
om hi
sback.It
'sagun.Hepoint
s
i
tbetweenhiseyes.
“
TJst
op!
”Iscr
eam.
“Nosis, t
hispighastopay!”theywrest
lefor
somet i
meandt hensomethingbuzzes.Thenoi
sei
s
scary.I
nabl inkofaneye,TJi sl
yingonapoolof
blood..
.>>}

“You..
youkil
ledhim.
.”myli
pst r
emble.Everyonei
s
nowl ooki
ngatme.“Youkil
ledmybr other
,youshot
him dead.
..
”tear
sarefal
li
ngfreelydownmycheeks.
“
Youdon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
..
”
“Ido!Isawyoukil
li
nghim!Isaweveryt
hingand
nowIr ememberallofi
t.Youtr
iedt
okil
lmetoo.Ar
e
youher et
ofi
nishyourjob?”
“
Ishothi
m becausehethoughthecoul
dfightme
l
ikeyouar
edoingri
ghtnow.Noonecant akeme
down,St
ar.Notyou.Notyourboyf
ri
end.And
def
ini
tel
ynotyourwalki
ngdeadbrother
!”
“
Whatdoyoumeanbywal
kingdeadbr
other
?”
“I
tturnsoutJuni
ordi
dn'
tdi
eaf
teral
l.He'
sal
iveand
veryheal
thy.
”Ismil
e.
“
Youar
escared.
..”hesl
apsmesohar
dIseest
ars
i
nsi
dearoom.
“
Never
!Youal
ldon'
tthr
eat
enmeormybusi
ness.
..”
“Youareapat het
iccowardwhof eedshi
segoby
oppressi
ngandabusi ngwomen!”theyoungl
ady
whot heybroughtsaysandhekicksher.“
TJwon'
t
spareyou!Youdeser vet
odie!
”
“Li
ll
ypl
ease.
..
”Khanyibegshert
oshutup.How
doesLi
ll
yknowmybr other
?
“Yourbrot
heri
salive,
Star.Hedidn'
tdi
e,don'
tlet
himthreat
enyou,theyarecomingtorescueus..
.”
oneofhishool
igansknocksLil
lyout.
“
What'
syourpl
an?Ki
dnapusandt
urnusi
ntoyour
l
abr
ats.
..
”
“
Shutup!
”af
ami
li
arsoundf
il
lst
her
oom.I
i
nstinct
ivel
ytouchmybell
y,myhandcomesback
soakedinmybl ood.Myvi
sioni
sbl
urr
ing,
ther
oom
i
smovi ngincircl
es.
..
“
Star
!”someonescr
eams.
“
Shutup!
”her
oar
s.
“
M..
myb.
.baby.
..
..
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT39.

MEL'
SPOV.

Agunshotsoundsj
ustwhenI
'
m afewmet
ersaway
f
rom t
heirr
oom, myst
omachti
ght
ens,
myheart
drumsi nmyear s,
mymi ndisvisual
izi
ngthewor st
ofscenarios.Ibumpi nt
ot womenwear ingblack,
thethir
donewear ingagr eysui
tpushesmeasi de
andmut terssomet hinginSetswana.Idon't
entert
ainthem, Ihavet oseeStar.Mykneesal most
fai
lmewhenIseebl oodont hef l
oor
.
“
Star
!”Il
it
eral
lyr
unt
oher
.
“Weneedahospit
al!
”someoneshout
s.No!Thi
sis
nothappeni
ng.MyStari
snott
heonebleedi
ngoris
i
t?
“M.
.my.
.baby.
..
”shedr
agst
het
wowor
dsand
cl
oseshereyes.
“Babe?Staywit
hme, Star
.Don'tcl
oseyoureyes.”
thefoginmymi ndclear
s.Starhasbeenshotand
themenIbumpedi ntointhecorri
dori
sRaymond!I
scoopherupandr untomycari ntheparki
nglot.
I'
m sil
entl
ycal
li
ngGodandmyancest orstohelp
Starholdon.
“
I'
m comi
ngwi
thyou.
.”Khanyisays.
“Fi
ne.Geti
nthecar.
”sheget
sinandpl
acesSt
ar'
s
headonherlaps.
“DearGod,remembermyrequest
.Pleasedon'tl
et
anythi
nghappentoher.
”Idon'
tknowwhat
happenedtoKhanyial
lofasudden.Shelooks
genuineevenwhenshesaystheprayer.I
t'
sthefi
rst
ti
meI '
m heari
ngherut
tert
heword‘God’.

“Doctor
!”I
'
ml i
teraryr
unningwit
hStari
nmyar ms.
Shekeepstryi
ngt osaysomethi
ngbutfai
li
ng.Her
ski
ni snowgetti
ngpaleandhereyessl
eepy.
“Nurse!
”
“Mr .Hlongwane. ”Anurserushestomef ol
lowedby
twoot hernur sespushingastroll
er.Igent l
yplace
heront opandwat chthem taki
nghert othe
emer gencyr oom.Iputmyhandst oget herand
pleadwi t
hGod.Ievenconf essmysi nsandaskf or
forgiveness.Iwon'tsurvi
veifsomet hinghappens
toSt ar.She'
smyl i
fe,
she'severyt
hingIwantand
need.
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”Khanyir
ubsmyback.
“Ipr
ayso.Thankyouforever
ythi
ng.What
happened?
”shenarr
atestheenti
rest
oryandI
i
nstant
lymakeadecisiont
ohuntRaymonddown
andpunishhi
m sever
elyaf
terSt
ari
ssafeandwel
l.
“Kuhle?
”mymom i
nscr
ubs?Whati
sshedoi
ngi
n
scrubs?
“
Mom?Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“
Icamebackt
owor
k,t
orunmyhospi
tal
.”
“
W..
what
?”KhanyiandIaski
nuni
son.
“Thi
sismyhospi t
al,Kuhl
e.Whyar
eyouher eand
thebl
ood?”thi
sisherwhat ?Mybr
ainswi
llburst
oneofthesedays,Iswear.
“
Starwasshot
..
.”
“What
?Byyourfatherandhisassoci
ates?
”nowI 'm
goi
ngtofai
nt.Whatdoessheknowaboutal lofthi
s?
CanIhaveanormal dayandworryaboutmygi r
l
al
one?
“Mom...
”shetakesmyhandandl eadsmet owhat
shesaysisheroff
ice.St
rangel
y,hernameisonthe
doorandhergraduati
onpict
uresarepast
edonthe
wall
.“What'
sgoingon,mom?Si ncewhendoyou
ownhospital
s?”
“Ihavepr operties,
Kuhl ebutwewi l
ltalkaboutthat
someot hertime.Iknowyouhat emebutpl ease,
tel
l
met het ruth.Iknowal otofthi
ngs, Ijustneeda
confir
mat i
onf r
om you.I smysi steralive?”I
swallowhar dandbl anklystareather .“Pl
ease
Kuhle.”shebegs.DoIst il
lhavetohi deat hi
ngat
thi
spoi nt?Iguessnot ,RaymondandHl ongwane
j
ustst artedawarIwi llpersonal
lyfinish.
“
Yesmom.Howdi
dyouf
indout
?”
“Yearsago, If
oundr ecei ptsofPamper sand
chil
drenfoodi nyourf ather '
spockets.Ther ewasno
i
nfantinthehouseatt hatt i
me.WhenIasked, he
gotdefensive.Iwoul dal soseeusedpamper son
thedayswhenCi tycounci ltr
uckspickedupbi ns.I
wasconf used,Istartedmyowni nvestigationsunt i
l
Istumbledonababycar dwi thmysi st
er'snameon
i
tandt hechi l
d'sbir
thdat ewast woyear saf terthe
daywebur iedmysi ster.Iknewaboutt heiraf f
air
anditallmadesenset hatt heywil
lfakeherdeat h
sotheycanbet ogether .”
“
Mom,
shewasf
orced.
..
”
“No.Shewasn' t.Shewilli
nglystayedint hat
basement .Thei
rplanwast okil
lmeorel opebut
yourfathergotgreedyandcoul dn'tleavehis
businesses.Iknowever ythi
ng,Kuhle.Ievenknew
aboutyourf i
ghts.Ial
soknowt hatyouki ll
edyour
uncle.
.”mywor ldspins.I'
m goingt ofaintany
momentf r
om now.
“
M..
mom.
..
”
“Rel
ax,myboy.Iwentther
etof i
nishhi
m of ft
oo
that
'swhenIsawyourpeoplekil
li
nghim.I've
alwaysbeenonyoursi
de,Kuhle.Isawthecamer as
youplantedatt
hehouseandIkeptquiet.Iwant
yourfat
hertopayf
orhissinst
oo. ”
“Canwetalkaboutt
hissomeothert
ime?My
gir
lf
ri
endisfi
ghti
ngforherl
if
eandIhavetof
ocus
onher.
..
”
“That'
swhatmakesyourfathertr
ampl ealloveryou.
Displ
ayingyouremoti
onsli
keaweakl ing.Iknow
youcanber uthl
essbutt
hispit
ypar t
yyouwantt o
throwforyour
selfi
snotneeded.Starisaf i
ghter
andsheneedsyout ofi
ghttoo.Yesyouhavet obe
wit
hherbutdon'tj
ustsi
tidl
e.Thisisyourchancet
o
at
tack.Theyknowyouareshutter
edrightnow.
Shockthem.”
Whereismysweetmot
her
?Whoi
sthi
swomani
n
herbody?
“Thatwi
llputSt
ar'
sli
fei
ndangermor
ethani
t
alr
eadyi
s.”
“Iwi
llprot
ecther.Thi
sismyplaceandIcanshuti
t
downf oryouifyousowish.
”
“
No,youdon'
thavet
odot
hat
.Whyar
eyoudoi
ng
t
his?
”
“BecauseIknowt hisi snotover .Theywi l
lcome
back.IheardRaymondspeaki ng,t
here'
snol ove
l
ostbetweenhi m andSt ar.It
'seit
heryoucr y, si
t
backandwai tforthem t ocomebackorgot ot hem.
It
'syourcall
.I'
m goingt oseehowmydaught erin-
l
awi sdoing.”j
ustliket hat,sheexitst
heof fice
l
eavingmef eeli
ngl ikeI'vebeent ohellandback.

I
t'
sbeenhour
sandt
hedoct
orsar
est
il
lbusy.
Asenathi,Lil
ly,Paul
ineandMoni caareherewit
hme.
Khanyileft,shesaidshehadt hi
ngst odo.It
hanked
herforeverything.Ihaveabadf eel
ingaboutal
lof
thi
s.Theki ndofaf eeli
ngIhadwhenwewentt o
Mexico,thef eeli
ngthathi
tsyouhardbef or
e
someonedel iver
sbadnewst oyou.
“What
'st
akingthem solong?
”Asenat
hiispacingup
anddown.Ifeelphysi
call
yweakatt
hispoint
.
“Iwonder
.”Paul
inesaysandanxi
ousl
ybi
tesher
nail
s.
Afewmi nut
eslat
er,
mymot hercomesoutand
removeshermask.Oureyesl
ockandf rom hereyes
Icanseearefl
ect
ionofmypain,hel
plessnessand
pain.
“
Mom...
”shepull
sinforatighthug.Igaspforai
r,
I
'
m sweati
ng.St
arcan'tdi
eandl eavemealone.
“
Wel
ostmygr
andchi
ld,
son.
..
”
“
M. .
mom.
..
”mykneesgi
vei
nandIcr
ashont
he
f
loor.
“
Kuhl
e!”shekneel
snextt
omeandpul
lsmei
nfora
hug.Myt hroatsuddenlyfeelsli
kedrysand,my
sali
vatasteshorri
bleandt here'
sthisl
umpt hat'
s
stucki
nmychest .“Getagr i
ponyour sel
f.Starwil
l
needyout obest r
ongf orher.I'
m sorr
y,son.
”
“
CanIseeher
?”
“
Inaf
ewmi nut
es.Shewi
llbemovedt
oawar
dina
f
ewminut
esthenyoucanseeher.
”
“
Doessheknow?
”If
orcemysal
ivadownmyt
hroat
.
“
Notyet
,son.She'
sheavi
lysedat
ed.
”
“
O..
okay.
”
.
.
.
Idragmysel fi
ntotheward.Otherbedsar eempty.
She'ssleepi
ngpeaceful
,shelooksatpeaceandmy
heartbreaksevenmorebecauseIknowt hatas
soonasshewakesup, herwor l
dwillneverbet
he
sameagai n.Apartofher,ofus,i
sgoneandwewi ll
neverhaveitback.Ourfi
rstborn,t
hesymbolofour
l
ovei sgone.
“Babe. .
.”there'
sal otIwantt osayt oherbutwor ds
arestucki nmyt hr oat.Idon'tknowwher et obegi n
totellherhowsor ryIam f orleavingheral oneaft er
promi si
ngt oprotecther .Idon' tknowi fmyapol ogy
willsuffice.Idon'tknowi fIwi llevergetovert he
factthatI '
mr esponsi bleforal lofthis.MaybeI
shouldn' thavedef iedmyf ather .MaybeIshoul d
haveel opedwi thSt ar.“I
'
m sor r ymyl ove.”that'
sal l
Icansay.Tear sf alldownmycheeksandonher
hand.Themachi nebesi desherbedst artsmaking
oddsounds.Inot icet hatshe'ssweat ingpr of
usel y
andherbodyi sheat i
ngup.
“
Doctor!Nur
se!
”inst
eadofanur
se,
TJst
umbl
esi
n
wit
hhishandonhiswound.
“
Star
!Sis,hol
don.I
'
m sor
ry,
pleasedon'
tdi
e.”St
ar
i
sconvulsi
ng.
“
Nur
se!
”thedoct
orf
inal
lycomesi
n.
“
Gent
lemen,
pleaseexcuse.
..”
“
No.What
'swr
ongwi
thher
..
.”
“
Wai
tout
side,
Kuhl
e.Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
“
Babe.Pl
easehol
don.
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT40.

LI
LLY'
SPOV.

“Mom!Dad! ”Iyel
lasIruninsidethehouse.“Dad!”
I'
mliterall
yshouti
ngont opofmyvoi ce.Dad
appear ssti
llwear
inghisblacksuit.Hehasabl ue
eye,Idon'tknowwhathappenedt ohim.Mom ison
hist
ai ll
ikeagoodwi f
et hatsheis.
“
Mybaby.
.”
“
Don'
tyoudar
ebabyme!Youar
eamur
der
er!A
coward!Ausel
essandspinel
essmanwhofeeds
hisegobyabusi
ngdefensel
esswomen.
..
”my
mothersl
apsmehardItastebloodi
nmymouth.
“
Howdar
eyou.
..
”
“It
'sthetrut
h!Yourdarl
inghusbandhadme
kidnapped!Hetri
ckedmei ntocal
li
ngKhanyiand
theytrackedthecal
l!Hi
sf r
iendshotadef
enseless
girl
!Theykill
edherunbornbaby..
.”
“So?Areyoudeadtoo?Howi st
hisanyofyour
probl
em?”mymot hershocksmewithher
stat
ement.
“Youknewaboutal lhi
sshaddydeal ingsal lthi
s
whil
e?No.Yousuppor thim.Despit
ebei ngawoman
yoursel
f,yousupportegoist
icmenwhopr eyon
womenandt ur
nthem i nt
osomel abr at
s?Real ly
mom?Woul dyoubehappyi ft
heydidt hatt ome...
”
“Li
ll
y,Ir
eall
ydon'tknowwhyyouar estr
essing
yoursel
faboutthis.Youaresafe,
yoursist
erissaf
e.
Raymondki l
ledhisgrandson,nohejustki
ll
eda
foet
us,that
'sall
.Itwasn'
tababyyet..
.”
“
Spokenl
ikeat
ruedevi
lthatyouar
e.”saysKhanyi
.
“
Essi
e..
.”
“Don'tEssieme!Yousol dmet otheruthless
Hlongwane!Yout ri
edt osellLil
lytosomeAmer i
can
drugl or
dwi t
hchainsandpi ercingsalloverhisbody!
Ihadt obegyoutol etmedoyourdi r
tywor k!Allfor
what ?FormoneyandaVoguecoverpage?You
didn'tbataneyel
idbeforesigningt hosecont r
acts,
youdi dn'
tthi
nktwice,youjusthandedust o
strangersonasil
verpl at
terli
kewemeantnot hing
toyou! ”
“
Hun,whati
sshetalki
ngabout
?”I
'
m asshockedas
myfat
herri
ghtnow.Mom di
dwhat?
“Ohpoordaddydear est
.Youhavebeennot hingbut
apawni nhergames.Yout houghtHl ongwanewas
yourbestfr
iendbutthat'
sallalie!She'shis
mistr
ess!Hisdevil
ishgir
lf
ri
endhepl anseverythi
ng
withwhil
eyouar ebusyprotecti
ngt heirassetsasa
l
awyer.Theyneverl i
kedyou,it
'sonlyyourbr ains
theyareaft
er..
.”
“Est
her
!”mom t
ri
est
osl
apKhanyibutshest
opsher
handmidway.
“Notanymoremot her
.Iwil
lnotbebulli
edbyyou
everagai
nnorwillIeverl
etyouplayGodinour
l
ives.I
t'
soverMrs.Mpof uorshouldIsayMrs.
Hlongwanewannabe? ”
“
Yousleptwi
thmyfr
iend?”al
lofasuddendad'
s
l
ipsar
edryandcr
acking.
“She'slyi
ng!Don'tl
ist
ent
oher
,hun.Iwoul
dnever
dot hattoyou.Youknowme,i
t'
smeyourbeauti
ful
wife.”
“Don'ttouchme! ”dadr oars,
Ialsogetst artl
ed.“
DI D
YOUSLEEPWI THMYFRI END? ”Idon'twantt ohear
theanswert ot hisquest i
on.It'
sbet t
erformet o
haveamemor yoft hemanwhosol dmef ornothing
tohisfriendsthanhavi ngapictureofhi mi na
shatt
eredst ate.Iretreatbackwar ds,Idon'twantto
beher eanymor e.Ineedt obesomewher epeaceful,
somewher eIwi lli
nteractwit
hnor malpeopl ewho
havehear tsnotst onesf orhearts.Ifi
ndmyst r
ength
andrunupst ai
rs.

Ipul
lthef
ir
stsui
tcaseIl
aymyhandonandshove
myclothesi
nside.Idon'
treal
lycar
eaboutthe
col
orsorthetypeofclot
hesIpick,
Ihavetogetout
ofher
eassoonaspossi ble.
“
What
'sgoi
ngon?
”Ir
eneasks.
“Pleasepackyourbagst oo.Wear eleavi
ngthis
cursedplace.”shedoesn'taskmorequest i
ons,she
runstoherr oom i
nstead.Afewmi nuteslat
ermy
bagsar ereadyandImadesur etotakemy
document stoo.Iwil
lneveragainsetfootinthi
s
house!

“Li
ll
y,mychil
d..
.”myf
athert
ri
est
ost
opmebutI
pushhim asi
de.
“Fr
om todayonwar
ds,youar
ebothdeadtome!
”I
exi
tthehouseandrushtomycar
.Khanyii
sonmy
tai
l.
“I
'm sor
rysi
si.
”shesaysinal owt one.Allthetear
s
I'
vebeenholdi
nginfinal
lyexplode,Icrushintoher
andsheembr acesmei nati
ghthug.Thel astti
me
wehuggedwasyear sago.Ihat edherf orbei
nga
snobunawarethatshewaspr otecti
ngmeal lt
he
t
ime.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
Khanyi
.Pl
easef
orgi
veme.
..
”
“It
'sokay.That
'swhatbigsist
ersaref or
.Idon'
t
regretanyofit
,Iwilldoi
toverandoveragainjust
toseeyousmi le.Youaretheonlysibl
ingIhaveand
Iwi l
lal
waysprotectyouwithmyl i
fe.”
“Thankyou.”wehugonceagai
n.“
Wher
etof
rom
here?”Iaskher
.
“
Ihaveasmalllovi
ngf
amil
y,I
'm goi
ngt
ojoi
nthem
i
nThail
and.It
hinkmyjobher
eisdone.
”
“
Fami
ly?”
“Adr
ianandBl essi
ng...”t
osayI'
m shockedwi
llbe
anunderstat
ement !Yes,Bl
essi
nghasherfeat
ures
butIcoul
dneverhaveguessedt hatshe'
sher
daughter
.Shei nt
roducedthem t
omeasherf r
iends.
“
Youl
ie!
”
“Iki
dyounot
.Andwear
eaboutt
obe4.
”shesmi
les
proudl
y.
“Wow!I'
m sohappyforyou.”Idon'tknowwhyI'
m
emoti
onalri
ghtnow.“I
'm aunttothatbeaut
if
ull
it
tl
e
gi
rl
?”
“Yesyouar
e.Comewi
thme,
bot
hofyou.
”she
offer
s.
“
Theoff
eristempt
ingbutmymanneedsme.Ihave
t
osupporthi
m al
lthet
ime.Thi
sist
oughonhi
m.”
“Iunderst
and.Wewi l
lkeepintouchthen.Takecare
ofyoursel
fanddon'teverfor
gethowmuchIl ove
you.Wheneveryouneedanyt hing,
justshout
.”thi
s
ti
meourhugi scutshotbynoi sesfr
om thehouse.
“Don'
tyouthi
nkweshoul
dcal
lthepol
ice?
”Ir
ene
suggest
s.
“No.Letthem kil
leachot her,theydeser
veit
.Geti
n
thecarandgof irst,
Iwillfoll
owyouout .
”says
Khanyi.Il
ookatt hehouset hatwasonceahomet o
me,trytofil
tert
hememor i
esandt akethegood
onesonlybef or
edr i
vingof ftomynewdest i
ny.I
hopeit'
snothingl i
kethelifeIthoughtIhad.

“
Lil
ly?I
rene?
”TJ'
smot
heri
ssur
pri
sedt
oseeus.
“
Wehavecomehome,
Ma.
”Ihughert
ight
.
“I
'
m sor
rymychi l
d.Idon'
tevenwantt
oimagi
ne
howyoufeel
.”sherubsmyback.
“
I'
m her
etoo.Hel
lo!
”Ir
enesaysdr
amat
ical
ly.
“
Welcomebackmychil
d.”Shehugsher
.“Iwoul
d
l
ovetost
ayandcomfor
tyoubutIhavetorusht
o
t
hehospi
tal
.Zwesai
dit
'sbad.”
“
Iwi
lldr
iveyou.
”Iof
fer
.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Idon'
tli
kehospi
tal
s.CanIst
ayback?
”
“Yesyoucan.Pleasefindsomethingtoprepar
ein
theki
tchen.Whent heneighbour
scomeher eand
askforsomethi
ng, wedon'thaveit.Doyou
underst
and?”
“
Yesmom.Go.
”
“
Takecar
eofyour
sel
f.Let
'sgo,
Lil
ly.
”
*
***
***
***

MEL'
SPOV.
“Sheneedsaki dneyassoonaspossi bl
e.”t
hat'sal
l
Igatherfrom t
hedoctor
'swords.Notonlydidwe
l
oseourchi ld,
Stari
sinacri
ti
calstate.Herkidneys
arefail
ingandsheneedsatransplantasap.
“Howmucht imedowehave? ”ti
mef orpi
tyi
ng
myselfi
sover.It
'st
imeformetobet oughfor
ever
yoneelse.Asenat
hihasbeencrying
uncontr
oll
abl
y.TJcoll
apsedbecausehe'stooweak
tobehereanyway.Notaft
ertheoperati
onhe
underwentafewhoursago.
“
Ver
yli
mit
edt
ime.
”Ii
nhal
eshar
ply.
“Okay.Let
'sgetst
art
edwit
hthet
est
sthen.Iwi
ll
star
tandaskeveryoneel
sewho'
swil
li
ngtohel
p.”
“
Great
.Letmedi
rectyout
other
ightdepar
tment
.”
Iwanttoaskthepr obabi
lit
yofthesetransplantsbut
Idon'
tthi
nkI'mr eadytoheartheanswer .Iwil
lhold
ontothehopet hatIbecomeamat ch.Ifnot,t
hen
someoneelseshoul datleastbeamat ch.Ican't
l
osemySt ar.Ihavelosttoomuchi nthislif
e.
Aft
erwhatfeel
sli
keages,
thet
estr
esul
tsf
oral
lof
usareback.
“
And?
”Ianxi
ousl
yask.Thedoct
orsmi
les.
“Yoursdidn'
tmat ch,
sirbutdon'twor
ry.Wehavea
mat ch.Hermotherheremat chedbutbecauseshe'
s
diabeti
c,wecan'tusehers..
.”hesayslooki
ngat
TJ'smom.
“Thatmeansweneedadonor ?Whyareyousmil
ing
thendoct
or?”Asenat
hiaskswit
htear
ssti
llr
unni
ng
downhercheeks.
“There'
ssomeonewhot
est
edanonymousl
yand
she'samatch.
.”
“
Whoi
sshe?I
sshewi
ll
ingt
ohel
pus?
”
“
Shesai
dshewantstotalkt
oyouinpri
vat
ebef
ore
maki
ngadeci
sion.
”thedoct
orsays.
“Okay.Where'sshe?”Iwi
llpayanyamountt hi
slady
want sasl
ongasshehel psmegetmySt arback.
I'
ml edtoanof f
icedownthecorri
dor
.Iopent he
doorandI'm shockedtofi
ndTashasitt
ing
comf
ort
abl
yont
hechai
r.

“
It
'syou?
”shenods.“
Thankyousomuch.
..
”
“
Notsof
ast
,Kuhl
e.IhaveTsandCs.
”
“
Anyt
hingyouwantIwi
llgi
vei
ttoyou.Justname
i
t.
”
“Youdor emembersayi
ngloveal
waysf i
ndaway,
ri
ght?”Inod.“I
t'
sti
meforyoutoproveyour
stat
ement .”
“
How?
”
“Yousee, Il
ikeyou,alot
.I'
vebeenyoursi
lentf
an
forawhi l
eandwhenIhear dyouwerepar
tofour
team Iwashappy.Iwasf inal
lygoi
ngtobecloseto
youbutyouhadt ocrushmydr eamsbyhavinga
girl
fr
iendyouar ecommi t
tedto.
”
“
Idon'
tunder
stand?”
“Iwantyou,Mel,
inexchangeofmyki dney.Iwil
l
savethe‘l
oveofyourli
fe’andyouwillf
uckmeher e
ri
ghtnowandwhent het r
ansplanti
ssuccessful
,
youwillhavet
omar r
yme.Tr ytoactsmar t
,Iwil
l
j
ustki
llt
hepoorcr
ippl
e.What
'syourdeci
sion?
”
*
*
*
*

Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT41.

ASENATHI
'
SPOV.

Passmenot
,Ogent
leSavi
our
,
Hearmyhumbl
ecr
y
Whi
leonot
her
sThouar
tcal
l
ing,
Donotpassmeby.
Chor
us
Savi
our
,Savi
our
,hearmyhumbl
ecr
y,
Whi
leonot
her
sThouar
tcal
l
ing,
Donotpassmeby.
..

“Heavenl yFather ,
Icomet oyouasIam.Asa
disgust i
ngsinnert hatIam,I'm askingYoudear
Fathert opleaseover l
ookmydi rti
nessandhearmy
humbl ecry.Mycousi nisfi
ght i
ngf orherl i
fe,allI
'm
askingf rom YouLor disyourheal inghandt otouch
Star'sforeheadandhealher .Yousai di nYourWor d
thatweshoul dcomeandsur r
enderourbur denst o
Youwheneverwef eelweary.Thedoct orssayshe
won' tmakei tupt opast48hour s,she'snot
respondi ngtodi al
ysisbutIknowYouar eaMi racl
e
wor kingGod, Godofwonder sandnot hingi s
i
mpossi blewithYou.ShowYourpower ,Lord,shine
onherandhealher .She'sl
ostt oomuch. .
..
”a
painfullumpr isesinmyt hroatandIcan' thelpbut
scream.Myhear tisshatt
ered,mysouli s
dampenedandmybodyi sweary.Ipromi sedtodo
anyt
hingforSt ar,It
houghtitwouldbeeasybutI
waswr ong.Ididmybestbutmybesti sn'tenough.I
can'
tsaveher ,Idon'tknowwhatt odot osaveher .
Seei
nghersl eepingalmostlif
elessont hathospit
al
bedwithtubesal loverherbodybreaksme.

“Hell
omama. ”Ianswerthephone.Idon'
tknowif
i
t'sal
lowedt oansweraphonei nsi
deachur ch
buil
ding.Isawt hedooropenandcamei ntohavea
wordwi t
hGod.
“
Howisshe?
”Icant
ellt
hatshe'
str
yingt
okeepher
t
ear
saway.
“I
t'
sbadmom.Theysayshewon'tsur
viveift
he
operat
ioni
snotdonei
n48hour
s.I'
m scared
mama. ”
“TheLor dwhobroughthert hi
sf arwon'tlether
down.She' sbeent
ohel landback, shewi l
lconquer
thistoo.She'
snotjustaSt arbutamor ningSt ar
.
Whent hedar
knessoftheni ghtpassesandt he
cloudsclear,
shewillshinebrightandbr eakthe
dawnliket
hemor ni
ngSt
art
hatshei
s.Don'
tlose
hope.Havefai
th.
”
“
I'
m scar
edmama.
”
“Iknowmychild.Iwi
llbet
her
einafewhour
s.I
'
m
atthehi
kingspotwai
tingf
orl
if
ts.
”
“
Okaymama.
”
“
Nat
hi?
”
“
Ma.
”
“
Sing.
”
“
Huh?
”
“Songsarearhythm t
hatcommunicatesmor e
eff
ecti
vel
yascompar edtowords.Sing.Lett
he
songsrest
oreyourhopeandbest r
ongf orher
.You
candoit.
”Ihesit
atealit
tl
e.
“
Okay.Seeyousoon.
”
Sing.Mymot her'
swordsringinmyheadbutno
songi scomingtomymi ndr i
ghtnow.I'
m bl
ankly
l
ooki ngatahugeportr
aitofwhatIguessisMar y-
Mot herJesusbecauseshe'scarr
yingababy.I
've
neverbeeni
ntoachur chbefor
e,t
hisismyf irstt
ime
i
nsidetheLord'
sbuildi
ng.Ij
ustsi
ttherewi t
hmy
bl
ankmi ndunti
lsomet hi
ngsnapsandt akesme
backtowhenIfirstmetStar
.

“Si
s,pleasetakecareofher .She'
sspecialandone
dayyoushal lberewarded.”myauntpl eadedwit
h
mymom.Wehadcl osetonot hi
nginthehouse,Star
l
ookedl i
kear i
chkidthatshewasandmom was
worri
edt hatshewon'tsurviveinourhouse.
“Pleasesayyesmama. ”Ibeggedher .Shef i
nally
gavei nandIembr acedStar .Sheknewnot hing
aboutourNdebel elanguageandweal soknew
nothingaboutShona.Fordaysshekeptqui etandI
couldseet hatshewasuncomf ort
ablewi thussoI
startedspeakingtoherinEngl i
sh.Webonded, she
openedupt omeaboutwhathadhappenedandI
vowedt oneverl
eaveheral onei nthi
slife.I
promi sedtogivehertheli
feshedeser ved.Idon't
knowwher eIgottheconfi
dence, Iwasonl y14at
thetime.Webecamebest iesandweagr eednever
toletpeopleknowt hatwear enotrel
ated.Wear e
f
ami
ly,
bloodornot
.

I'
m stil
ltryingtocomeupwi thaplanwhenmy
fi
ngertipscomei ncont actwithadebi tcard.Mel '
s
card!Thel astt i
meIchecked, i
tsti
llhadabal ance
offewzer os.Mymot heralwayssaymoneybuys
everything.Thatmeanswecanbuyaki dneyf or
Star.Butwher e?It
'snotl i
ketheyaresol dinaspaza
shoporsuper mar ket.Sigh.ThinkAsenat hi!Dark
web!Yes!Iwi lldefi
nitel
ygetsomet hingt here.I'
m
aboutt otryandl ogint odarkwebwhenIf eel
someone' spr esence.
“
Starhaspr i
ncipl
es, shewillhat eyouifsheever
f
indsoutthattheki dneywasi l
legall
ybought.
”says
Mel.Helooksmor epalethanSt ar
.It
'sli
kehi
swor l
d
j
ustcrushed.Asi fhejustarrivedatt heendofthe
worldandtheonl yoptionhehasi stojumpandf al
l
i
nanypl anetthatgravitywil
lfor cehimto.
“Dowel etherdi
ethen?Haveyougi
venupso
easi
ly?
”
“
No.I
'
m conf
used,
Ase.
”her
unshi
shead
f
rust
rat
edl
y.
“
Why?Whydi
dyour
efuset
heanonymousdonor
?”
“BecauseIcan'
tbetr
ayStarli
kethat
.Ipr
omised
myselftoneverhur
therl
ikethat
.WhatdoIdo?
Betrayherandsaveherl
ife?
”
“Asi
ncommi t
tedt
osavesomeone'
sli
fecansurel
y
bepardoned.Whatdoest
hedonorwant?Money?”
“
Ifi
twasmoney,Iwouldgi
veheral
lofi
tbutshe
want
smorethanthat
.Shewantsme.”myjawdrops
t
othefl
owforamoment .
“
Wai
t.Shewant
swhat
?”
“Shewantsmet
ofuckherbef
oreshecangiveus
herki
dney.
”hel
ooksdownembarrassed.
“
That
'sal
l?
”heswal
lowshar
d.
“Shewantsmet
omar
ryheri
ftheoper
ati
oni
s
successf
ul.
”
“
Doi t
.”hel
ooksatmeasi
fI'
vegr
ownahor
nonmy
f
orehead.
“
What
?”
“Doit.I
t'
sjustsext osavethewomanyoul ove.If
anyonecant ellmet odoanythi
ng,Imeananything
tosaveStar,Iwilldoitwit
houtbat
tinganeyeli
d.It
's
alif
eversusf i
vemi nutesort
enofforcedi
ntimacy
thenyouaredone. ”
“
Ican'
t.
..”
“Youdon'
thavetomarr
yheraf
ter
wards.Justsave
Star
'sl
if
eandwewi l
lfi
ndawaytodealwit
hthe
woman.Whoi sshe?
”
“
Tasha.
”
“
Isee.Nowl
et'
sgoandsaveSt
ar.
.”
“
But
..
.”
“Nobuts!Let'sgo.Youhaveki ll
edbefore,youcan
kil
lagain.Orbet t
eryet,l
etyourmom handl ethe
operati
onandsayTashadi dn'tmakeit.It
'sthat
simple.
”her eluctant
lyfol
lowsmeoutoft heChur ch.
‘
ThankyouLor df oransweringmypr ayers.’
*
***
***
**

LI
LLY'
SPOV.
I'
vebeensi t
tinghereforhour swai t
ingforTJto
wakeup.I t
'spastmi dni
ght .Thedoct orsai
dhewas
highlysedatedsincehedi dn'twantt oli
edown.I
don'tknowwhyheal waysactst ubbornevenwhen
there'
snoneed.I '
mj ustgladSt arfoundadonor
andt heoperati
onhasal readyst art
ed.Ipray
everythi
nggoeswel l.From whatIhear d,she'
sbeen
sufferi
ngeversinceshewasbor n.Shedeserves
peaceandhappi ness.
“
Hey.
”fi
nal
ly!He'
sawake.
“
King!Youscar
edme.
.”
“Wherei
smysi
ster
?Iwantt
oseeher
.”he'
sal
ready
pul
li
ngoutt
hedr
ips.
“
Sitdown,
TJ!
”he'
stakenabackbymyst
ernt
one.
“
Ijustwantt
oseeher
..
.”
“Andyouwillseeher.Justsi
tyourstubbornass
downandlett hedoctor
shelpyou.Youar enotwel
l,
babe,howwi l
lyouseeherifyoudie?Whyar eyou
stubbor
n?”
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”hi
stonebr
eaksmyhear
t.
“No,
I'm sor
ry.Ididn'
tmeant
oshoutatyou.
”Ihug
him,hewinces.“Sorr
y.”
“MayIhavewat erplease.”Ilookatt
hejugont he
bedsi
dedr awerbutmygutt ell
smenott otakethe
water.It
akeoutabot tl
eofseal edwaterfr
om my
bagandgi vehi
m.“ Don'tyout hi
nkyouarebeinga
l
itt
leparanoi
d?”heteasesandIf i
ghttheurgeto
smackhi m.“NowthatI '
m behaving,whereismy
si
ster?”
“
Int
heat
re.Theyf
oundadonor
.”
“
Real
ly?
”hi
ssmi
lebr
ight
enst
her
oom.
“
Yes.
”
“That
'sgreat
.Mysi st
erwi
lll
iveandwewil
lcatchup
andmakeupf ort
hetimewespentapar
t.
”he's
genui
nelyhappy.
“I
'
m happyforyouguys.Ican'
twai
ttomeether
undernor
malcircumst
ances.”
“She'
salovel
yperson.Lookatmef
ussi
ngovermy
sist
erandfor
get
ti
ngaboutmyQueen.Comeandsit
here.
”hepatsanempt yspaceonhi srightside.He
pull
smecl oserandIgentl
ylaymyheadonhi s
shoulder
.“I
'm sor
ryabouteveryt
hingyouwent
thr
ough.Ipromiseyouthattheywillal
lpayfor
hurti
ngyou.Iwon'tl
etthem getawaywi thit
.”
“
Idi
dn'
tgethur
t.
..
”
“Theytraumat izedyou.Iknowmyf ather,babe,hi
s
facealonecancauseonet ohaveahear tatt
ack.”
Nothisf acebuthi seyesthatdeeplystareandyou
suddenlyf eeldeathapproachi
ng.Hi sfacei s
handsome, cuteeven.He'sanolderver sionofTJ
j
ustthathedoesn' thavedreadlocks.Theyar eeach
other
'srepl i
cas.
“
Pleasegetbet
terf
ir
st.
”
“Yourwi
sh,
mycommand...
”TJswif
tl
ypul
lshi
sgun
outandpoi
ntsi
ttot
heent
rance.
“
Icomei npeace.
”sayst
hemanwi
thhi
shands
r
aised.
“
Sh!
t!Youscar
edme,
Tir
a.Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“
Clocki
ngi
nondut
y.”t
hemanhasanaccent
di
ff
erentf
rom our
s.
“
Dut
y?”
“
Yeah.TheGener
alf
eel
sli
keyouwi
llneedme,
us.
”
“
O-okay,
thanks.Al
thoughIdon'
tneedpr
otect
ion.
..”
“
Yourl
ovedonesdo.
”
“
Icanprot
ect.
..Okayi
t'
sfi
ne.Wewi
llt
alki
nthe
morni
ngthen.
”
“Sur
eboss.”hesal
utesandl
eaves.TJput
shi
sgun
backunderthepi
ll
ow.
“
I'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
,Queen.
”
“I
'm usedtoit.
”Il
aybackmyheadonhisshoulder
butnotforlong.Mel
bargesi
nsmil
ingf
rom earto
earli
kearetard.
“
Theoper
ati
onwasasuccess.
”Heannounces.
*
*
*
*
ONEMONTHLATER.
..
..
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT42.

ONEMONTHLATER.
..
..

MEL'
SPOV.

“What?Ar
eyoubei
ngser
iousnowWet
hu?
”I'
m
shockedt
obehonest
.
“Man, I
'
mi ntr
ouble.Ili
keheralotbutIdon'tknowif
I'
mr eadytocommi ttooneperson.Bro,
Ilovesex,I
l
iveforitandIdon'tknowifshecansinglehandedl
y
dealwithmyappet i
te.
”
“Bro,whatIcantell
youisthati
fsheshedsasi ngle
tearbecauseofyou,Iwil
lski
nyoualive.Shemeans
alottomeandSt ar
.Walkawaywhileit'
ssti
llear
lyif
youcan'tgiveherwhatshewants.
”
Ican' tbelieveAsenat hiandmybr ot herhavebeen
shaggi ngeachot heral lthiswhi lewi t
houtus
noticing.MaybeIwast oobusyt aki ngcar eofSt ar
thatIshutmymi ndt oever ythi
ngel se.Af terthe
oper ati
on, Starsuf feredt wosei zur esaf t
erseei ng
TJandherbr ainshutdownt otallyf orover48hour s.
Shewascl i
nicallydead.Thosewer et hewor st
ti
mesofmyl i
fe, IfeltlikeIwasl osi ngmymi nd.I
couldn' tdoanyt hingexceptpr ayf orher .Canyou
beli
eveIhel daf astf orher ?YesIdi d.Notonl ydi dI
fastf orher ,Iwentupont hemount ainandpr ayed
forher .Neveri nmyl ifehadIi magi nedmysel f
sayingahear tfeltpr ayerbef oret hatday.Apr ayer
thatwasnotonl ywor dsbutwor dst hatbar emy
chestopenf orGodt or eadt hroughmybl eeding
hear t.I
'm notar el i
giousper sonbutt hatdayIf elt
thespi ritoftheLor d.Li keJacob, Idar edGod, Itold
him Iwasnotl eavi ngt heplaceunt ilHeanswer ed
mypr ayer s.Myhear tbl edunt i
lIsmel ledbl oodi n
mynose, Isatt her eandwai tedunt ilIfeltlikeIwas
surroundedbyt heAngel sofpeace.Thef eelingwas
fulf
ill
ing, r
eassur ingandwar m.Ismi l
ed, lookedup
attheheavensandt hankedt heMi ght yManup
ther
e.WhenIgotbackt
othehospi
tal
,Starwokeup
andaskedmetoneverl
eaveheral
one.Everagai
n.

Thatwasn' tallIhadt odealwi th.Ihadt obreakt he

newsaboutourchi ldandsheshuther selfaway
fr
om al lofus.Shedi dn'tcr y, shej uststaredi nt
o
spacef ordays.Shecoul dn' teatormoveonher
own.Shesnappedoutoft heshockwhenhersi ster
,
Onkar abi le,camet ovi sit
.St arl ostit,shescr eamed
andf ort hef irstti
meIsawhowdeepherangerand
painwer e.Aftertheencount erwi ththear rogantand
uglysi sterofher s,shecr i
edher selftosleep.I t
wasn' teasyt oconsol eherbutIdi dmybest .She's
betternowandr ecover i
ngwel l.Theki dneyi sdoing
welltooal thoughIhaven' tdi scl osedwhot hedonor
was.Thei ssuei sgi vingmesl eeplessni ghts
especi allywi thNatashaal wayst hreateningt oruin
myl ifei fIdon' thonormysi deoft hedeal .Ican't
beli
eveat inygi r
lli
keTashahasmecor nered!Ifshe
didn'tlieaboutouragr eementt oheror ganizati
onI
woul dhavel ongdeal twi thherbutasTJsays, the
ri
ghtoppor tunitywillpr esenti tselfandIwi llendal l
t
hisnonsense.
“Mel!”Owet
hubri
ngsmebacktowher eIam.Ist eer
thewheelandmisssomeonebyjustaninch.The
screechi
ngsoundoftyr
esandscreamsfil
ltheair,
myhear ti
spoundi
nginmychest.“What
'swr ong?”
“
Not
hing.
..
”
“Youal mosthi tsomeonei nbr oaddaylightandit'
s
nothing?Subhem' insangoKuhl e?Whati sbotheri
ng
you?Youknowwhat ,wai t.Letmeseet hatboyyou
almosthi t.Stayheredon' tgetoutoft hecar .
”Il
ean
backandf rustrat
edlywi pemyf ace.Ididn'
treal
ize
howst ressedIam unt i
lr i
ghtnow.It akemeasur ed
breathst ocalm mysel fdownbef oredowni nga
bottl
eofwat er.Ihavet ofixmyl if
ebef oreIdo
somet hingt err
ibl
eandf oreverregret
.
“
Babe.
”Ical
mlyanswert
hephone.
“Heybabe.Areyoustil
lcoming?”MySt arsounds
happytoday.IcanhearJahPrayzah'ssongi nthe
backgr
ound.Thewayshel ovesthatrastamani s
beyondme.MaybeIshoul dmakeherdayandsi ng
oneofJahPr ayzah'
ssongsforher.Thatwillsurel
y
makeherhappy.
“
Wear
eonourway.
.”
“
Wai
t?Who'
swe?
”
“
I'
m wi
thmybr
other
.”
“
Isee.Pl
easebr
ingalunchbarf
orme.
..
makei
ta
whol
eboxofchocol
ates.
”
“
That
'sagai
nstt
hedoct
or'
sor
der
s,myl
ove.
”
“Onebit
ewon'tki
ll
,I
'm dyi
ngofcr
avi
ngsher
e.I
'
m
alsot
hir
sty.
..
”
“Babeno!It
'
stooear
lyf
oryout
odr
inkal
cohol
.
Pleasedon'
t.
”
“Br
ingmechocol
atesthen.Iloveyou.
”shecut
sthe
cal
lbef
oreIcansayanythi
ng.Ishakemyhead
whil
esmil
ing.Myfei
stygir
lisback!Danki
eJehovah.

“Let
'sgo.
”Owet
hui
sback,
final
ly.“
What
'seat
ing
you?”
“
ThisissuewithTasha.Ihat
ethatIcan'
tki
llher
wit
houtriski
ngtheorgani
zat
ioncomingaft
erme.I
f
eelt
rapped,
man.
”
“Howaboutanacci
dentwhi
leMelgivesaspeech
somewherei
ntheworld?
”It
urntolookathi
m and
he'
sdeadseri
ous.
“
Idon'
tknowman.Idon'
tli
kehur
ti
ngwomen.
..
”
“Watchherr
uinyouandyourhappi
nesst
hen.Why
didn'
tmom ki
llheranyway?
”
“
Tashaissmartman,shehadcamer
aspl
ant
edi
n
t
hetheat
re.How?Idon'
tknow.
”
“
Thatgir
lisapsycho.Herobsessi
onwi
llgetyouin
t
roubl
eunlessyoudealwit
hhernowandf orgood.
”
“
Thanks.Iwi
llf
indaway.
”
“
Haveyouhear
dfr
om dadorhaveyourpeopl
e
f
oundhi
m?”
“Noman.It'slikehejustvanishedint
ot hi
nai r
.I
don'
tknowwhatmom sawi nhislaptopthatledt
o
himrunni
ngf orhi sdearl
ife.Iheardhersayingshe
sawsomet hingandshewasgoi ngtoconfronthi
m
aft
ertheoper ati
onbutthenhewasgone. ”
“
Haveyoucheckedhi
sfar
m?”
“No.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkhewouldgot
her
e,l
etmeget
Sigol
atogotherenow.
”

“Sweet
heart
.”Ikisshercheekandsheblushes.
She'
ssit
ti
ngout sideandI'
m gl
adthatshecannow
movearoundonherown.
“Babe.Mychocol
atespl
easebef
oreever
ythi
ng
else.
”
“
Kissmef
ir
st.
”
“No!Gi
vememychocol at
esthenIwi
llki
ssyouf
or
hoursi
fthat
'swhatyouwant
.”
“
Justoneki
ss.
”
“Myauntanduncl
ear
einsi
deandt
heycanseeus.
Behave.
”what
?
“
Areyouser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“Deadseri
ous.Si
tdownandmassagemy
shoul
ders.
”
“
Bossyt
oday,
eh?
”
“
Paybackt
ime!Youal
lhavebeenbossi
ngme
aroundf
orthepastmont
h.Youli
teral
lydi
ctat
ed
howIbreat
heanddoeveryt
hingelse.
”
“
Itwasf
oryourbesti
nter
est
s.”sher
oll
shereyes.
“St
ar!You'
vegott
oseet
his!
”Asenat
hiexci
tedl
y
scr
eams.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Bri
ngyourassher
eandseei
tonthebi
gscr
een.
Trustme,youdon'
twannami
ssi
t.”
*
***
***
**

LI
LLY'
SPOV.

Wouldyoubelievemei fItel
lyouthatTJdumped
us-hi
smom, I
reneandIi nhishi
deoutandlef
t
wit
houtawor d?It
'sbeent hr
eeweekssincehelef
t.
TosayI'm soangryathimr i
ghtnowwi l
lbean
under
statement.
“Jeez!Whatdi
dtheveget
ablesdot
oyou?”I
rene
asksandstopsmebeforeIchopmyfi
ngeroff
.
“
Sor
ry.
”
“
What
'swr
ong,
Lil
ly?I
t'
sTJ?
“WhathaveIdone?
”Speakoft hedevilandhewal ks
i
n!Apartofmewant st
or untohim butalargerpart
ofmewant st
oscream athi
m.“ Queen?”
“
Wherehaveyoubeen,Ki
ng?”hepul
lsmei
ntohi
s
war
m ar
ms.Ican'
thelpbutcry.
“
I'
m sor
rymyQueen.Ir
eal
lyam.
”
“Girl
s!Comeandseet hi
s!”TJ'
smom cal lsout
.
IreneandIlookateachot herandshrug.Webr eak
ourembr aceandgot ot
helivi
ngroom.Thescene
ont hebigtel
evisionscr
eenhaschi l
lsrunni
ngdown
myspi ne.Thear eaisbl
oodyandt here'
ssomething
thatlooksli
keitwasacarbef orei
tbecameani r
on
ball.
“I
nadevel opingst or
yofaf atalaccidentthatt
ook
pl
aceinMabvukuandcl ai
medt hreelives,i
thas
beenrevealedt hatProfessorRaymondT.Mat humo
wasalsoapassenger .For t
unately,hesurvi
vedthe
crashthatlefthiscarasawr i
te-off
.Wehear dfrom
aclosesour cethatthisunfortunateaccident
cl
aimedbot hhislimbsandhealthyspeci
ali
stsar
e
al
readycircul
atingthathemightbecomea
quadri
plegic.
..
”thereport
ersays.Il
ookatTJwho
gi
vesmeani nnocentshrug.
“
Didyou?
”hi
smot
herasks.
“Ij
ustl
andedmom.Maybekar
maisrealaf
teral
l
.I
can'
twaitt
oseehi
m onawheel
chai
r.”
“
Coul
dn'
thej
ustdi
e?”I
reneaskswi
thacol
dtone.
“Deat
hi stooeasy.Raydoesn' tdeservei
t,I'
m sur
e
thedevilhimselfwon'twelcomehimt ohell.Br
ing
myphone, Ihavetocallmydaught erandseehow
she'
sdoi ng.”herandSt arhavebeenmot herand
daughtergoalsf ort
hepastmont h.Ifyouarenot
aware,you'dswearshe' sherrealmother.
“Queen,comewithmepl ease.
”heholdsmyhand
andleadsmeupst ai
rstoourbedroom.Hepi
nsme
behindthedoorandroughlyki
ssesme.
“
Whatdidyoudo?”he'
sonl
yaggr
essi
vewhenhe
r
egr
etssomethi
ng.
“
No.Idon'
tregr
etcausi
ngt
hatacci
dent
,Queen.I
j
ustmissyou,t
hat'
sall
.”huh?Di
dhejustconf
esst
o
causi
ngtheacci
dentwhilehi
sfi
ngert
easesmy
fol
ds?
“
Youdid.
..Oh.
..
”Igaspashi
sfi
ngerf
indsi
tswayt
o
mycooki
e.
“Imissedyou. ”hepl acesmyhandonhi sbulgeand
Iswallowinant icipat i
on.Inoneswi f
tmove, he
tear
smydr essapar tleavingmewi t
honlymy
panti
eson.Hepausesanddr i
nksthesight.“You
l
ookabso- fuckin-lutelyamazi ngandedible,my
Queen. ”Hecupsmybr eastsandr unshistongueon
myal r
eadypebbl esni pples.Thecombi nati
onofhis
warmt ongueandt hecol dbreezehasmesof tl
y
moaning.Het railswetki ssesfrom mychestupt o
mysensi ti
veneck.
“Hmmm. .
.”hetakesthekissesdownt omynavel
.
Hecir
clesmybel l
ybuttonwithhistongueandIf
eel
l
ikeIwil
lexpl
odealready.“Babe.
..
”
“
YesmyQueen.
”
“Iwantyou.
..
”hedoesn'
tletmefini
shmystat
ement
.
Hescoopsmeupf rom t
hef l
oorand#Removed.
*
*
*
*

Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
nser
t42.
#r
emoved

“Queen,comewithmepl ease.
”heholdsmyhand
andleadsmeupst ai
rstoourbedroom.Hepi
nsme
behindthedoorandroughlyki
ssesme.
“
Whatdidyoudo?”he'
sonl
yaggr
essi
vewhenhe
r
egr
etssomethi
ng.
“
No.Idon'
tregr
etcausingthatacci
dent
,Queen.I
j
ustmissyou,t
hat
'sall
.”huh?Didhejustconf
essto
causi
ngt
heacci
dentwhi
lehi
sfi
ngert
easesmy
fol
ds?
“
Youdid.
..Oh.
..
”Igaspashi
sfi
ngerf
indsi
tswayt
o
mycooki
e.
“Imissedyou. ”hepl acesmyhandonhi sbulgeand
Iswallowinant icipat i
on.Inoneswi f
tmove, he
tear
smydr essapar tleavingmewi t
honlymy
panti
eson.Hepausesanddr i
nksthesight.“You
l
ookabso- fuckin-lutelyamazi ngandedible,my
Queen. ”Hecupsmybr eastsandr unshistongueon
myal r
eadypebbl esni pples.Thecombi nati
onofhis
warmt ongueandt hecol dbreezehasmesof tl
y
moaning.Het railswetki ssesfrom mychestupt o
mysensi ti
veneck.
“Hmmm. .
.”hetakesthekissesdownt omynavel
.
Hecir
clesmybel l
ybuttonwithhistongueandIf
eel
l
ikeIwil
lexpl
odealready.“Babe.
..
”
“
YesmyQueen.
”
“Iwantyou.
..
”hedoesn'
tletmef i
nishmyst atement
.
Hescoopsmeupf rom t
hef l
oorandt ossesmeon
t
hebedasi fI'
mthesmallestt
hingonear th.He
pull
smypant i
esdownandr unshishandovermy
cookie.Heleansdownandseper atesmyf oldswith
histonguemaki ngmet oarchmybackandmoan.
Heremoveshi sshirtfol
lowedbyhi spantsand
boxers.Hiserecti
onspr i
ngf reeandIgaspand
swallowhardlookingathissi ze.Heseparatesmy
pussyl i
pswithhissoftfi
nger ssendingti
ngl i
ng
sensationsdownmyspi ne.Hepi cksbothmyl egs
el
evat i
ngmef rom thebedandsl owlyent
er sme.
“
Aaa--
”It
'spai
nfult
aki
nghi
ssizeinaf
terafew
weeksofbei
ngceli
bat
eyetIdon'
twanthi
mt ost
op.
“Fuck!Yousot ightbaby- -
”Hegr unt sashesl owl
y
movesi n.Ifl
inchandhest ops, l
eansf orwar dsand
kissesmewhi l
ehisf i
ngerst easemyni pples.He
startsslowlymovi nghi swai stmaki ngsur ehe
doesn' thurtmeandgi vingmet i
met oadjust.He
grabsmywai stholdingmei nposi t
ion,myf eetare
wr appedar oundhi m andmybut ti ssuspendedi n
theai r.“
Ican'tgetenoughofyoubabyal lowmet o
feelever ypartofyou.I '
m notgoi ngt ohurtyou,
relax.”Hesaysl ookingst r
aightint omyeyes.Hi s
voicei ssoothing,Irelax.Hisearlieraggressiveness
mademet
enseal
it
tl
e.
“Aaa..”Imoanandcr yatthesamet i
meashe
burieshimselfdeepinsi
demycooki e.Hecont
inues
topumpi nandoutofmeunt ilIf
eelawaveof
pleasurebui
ldingfr
om myt oes.“OohmyKing--
”
“Cum f
ormebaby. ”Heef fortl
esslyhitsthegspot
andmybodyvi bratesast heorgasm hi tsmel i
kea
tor
nadoandIcum l ikeneverbef ore.Hegivesmea
fewsecondstocomebackt omot herear t
hbefore
hestar
tsmovi ngagai n.Mycooki eisnowover
sensi
ti
zedandwi thever yst r
okeofhi sImoan.I'm
nowmeet inghimt hr ustf orthrust,hishandsmove
tomybr east
sandhef ondl eswi t
ht hem.“Youar e
toosweetbaby. .
.Fuck! ”Hi svoicehasmet hrowing
myheadbackandal l
owi ngmybodyt ofeelhim
i
nsidemeandt akeal lthisi n.
“I
'
m goingtocum agai
n--
”Hei
ncr
easeshispace
hi
tti
ngtheri
ghtspotandmyvagi
nawall
sclench
aroundhi
sanaconda.
“
Ohf
uckLi
ll
y--
”
“
Zwel
akhe!
”Onceagai
nthewaveofpl
easur
ehi
ts
mesohar dtaki
ngmet ocloud9calli
ngouthis
nameoverandoveragain.Hiscucumbertwitches
i
nsidememaki ngmoanoncemor easheempt ies
hi
sseedsintome.I'
mf eel
ingsoexhaustedand
sl
eepyalr
eady.TJhasneverbeent hi
saggressive
andhotatthesametime.He'sal
waysbeensof ton
me.
“Wear enotsleepyyetbaby.I
t'
sbeenawhi l
esinceI
fel
tthisgoodallowmet oenjoythi
s.”Hesays
drawingcir
clesonmysof tmeat.
“
I'
mfeel
ingsl
eepy-
-”Hepusheshi
stwofi
nger
s
i
nsi
demeandIgaspbeforemoaning.
“That '
sitbaby.That '
smygirl
,comehere.
”Hesays
stretchinghishandoutt ome.Hehelpsmedown
thebedandmakesmesi tonthecouch.Hekneel
s
ont hef l
oorandcl eansmywithcookiewit
hhis
tonguebef orekissingme.“Il
oveyou,Queen.
”he
saysposi ti
oninghi msel
fonmyent r
ance.Hepumps
i
nwi thoutawarning.
“
Aaa-
-”Imoan.
“
Ifucki
ngl
ovet
hiscooki
e.”Hepumpsi
nandout
.I
cryoutwithever
ythrustofhi
s,Iwanttoholdonto
anythi
ngfordearli
febutther
e'snothi
ngonthis
couch.Ihavenochoicebuttosurrendermyallt
o
him.
“BabeIwantt
opee-
-”Isayf
eel
ingast
rongur
get
o
pee.
“
Youcanpeeal
lovermebaby,
Idon'
tmi
nd.
”
“
King.
..
”
“Leti
tgobabyall
owyourbodytof
eelme.
”He
bri
ngshishandstomybreast
swhil
eki
ssi
ngmy
neckandbutti
ngmyearl
obe.
“
Ooh-
-”Isof
tl
ymoan.
“That'
si t
.Fuckbaby- -
”Anot hergreatwaveif
pleasurebui l
dsf r
om thecoreofmyst omach,he
keepski ssingmyneck, f
ondli
ngmybr east
sand
pumpi ngi nsi
demeunt i
lIgetlostinmyown
beautifulworld.“Cum formebaby- -”Il
etgoofthe
pleasureIhavebeenhol dingontoandIwat chi
n
shockasaspl ashofpeehi t
shisabdomen.
“
OohKi
ng.
.”Hei
gnor
est
hespl
ashesal
loverhi
m
andthr
ust
sintwomor
eti
mesandt
ensesi
nsi
deme
wit
haloudgroan.
“
MyQueen.
..
.”
*
*
*
.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT43.

[
The#Removedscenehasbeenpost
edont
he
pr
ivat
egr
oup.
]
ZWELAKHE/
TJ'
SPOV.

I'
m doneshower i
ngandLi l
lyi sf astasl eep.MaybeI
overwor kedher .Mypoorbaby, I'
m sor rymyl ove.
Mysexgamewi t
hLi l
lyhasn' tbeent opnot chandI
don'tneedanyonet otellmet hat.IknowIhaven' t
beenmysel feversi ncewemet .Ihadj ustki l
ledmy
girl
fri
endwhenImetLi l
lyandIkepthol dingback
myf eelingst hinkingt hatshewi llhurtmet oo.I
didn'tknowwhatt oexpectespeci allyfrom t he
daught erofsomeoneIwasaf ter.Ideci dedt oshut
downmysexualf eeli
ngs.Soundsi mpossi blet oan
ordinaryhumanbei ngbutt rustme, ourt raining
makesever ythingt hathast odowi themot ions
possi bl
e.Ididn' twantourr elationshi ptobemor e
sexualt hanitwasaboutl ove.Wedat edf orayear
withouthavi ngsexandIwasper f
ectlyf i
newi thi
t.
Whenwest ar t
edhavi ngsex, Ihadt hreehotcases
onmyshoul der sandi twashar dconcent ratingon
hersexualneeds.Sel f
ish?Maybe.It houghtshe
woul dcompl ainbutshedi dn't,sheal wayst ol dme
thatsheenj oysal lofit.Shemi ghthavel iedt omake
mef eellessgui
ltyaboutit
.ButI'
m grat
efult
hatshe
stayedandnevercheat edonme.Nowt hatI
'm
almostdonewi thmycases, Iwanttogiveher
everyt
hingIcouldn'tgi
vebackthen.Iwanttolove
heruntilsheasksmest op.

“Il
oveyou,Mel
inda.
”Ikissherforeheadbef
ore
cover
ingherwi
thsheets.Iqui
cklydressupcasual
ly
andrundownst
airs.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”mom asks.
“Emakhandeni,
toseeStar.Thelastti
mewesaw
eachothershediedali
tt
lesoI'm gonnadothi
s
reuni
onthingagainandhopeful
ly,shewon'
tfai
nt
thi
sti
me. ”
“
Idoubtshewi
ll
.Wher
eismydaught
eri
n-l
aw?
”
“She'ssleepi
ng.”mom andIrenel
ookatmeli
keI
justkil
ledsomeone.Oh,maybeIdidbutt
heydon'
t
knowt hat.“What?
”Ishrug.
“
Shest
il
lhast
ofi
nishst
udyi
ng,
Juni
or.
”
“
Meani
ng?
”Idon'
tunder
standwher
eshe'
sgoi
ng
wi
tht
his.
“Meani
ngdon'
tover
wor
kheranddon'
timpr
egnat
e
her
.”
“Whendi dwemovefr
om ‘
she'
ssleepi
ng’t
o
pregnancy?Youri
magi
nat
ioni
stoowild,
Nono.
”
“
Issheoncont
racept
ives?”
“
Nono!
”
“Heywena!Answerme. ”Ir
enestif
lesal augh.
Remi ndmewhyIhaveasi st
er-
brotherkindofa
rel
ationshi
pwi t
hmymot her?Maybei t
'sbecause
she'sonlysixt
eenyearsolderthanme.Ther e'
s
nothingIdon'tdi
scusswi t
hmymom exceptaski ng
heraboutherboyfri
endsofcour se.That'sano-go
zone.
“Mommydear est,yessheis.Butyouknowthose
thi
ngsar enot100%r eli
ablesoifshehappenst
o
fal
lpregnant,blamethosethingsnotme.Yousurel
y
don'texpectmet obecelibat
ewhi l
eshari
ngabed
wit
hahotgi r
lfr
iendli
keher,doyou?”
“
Idontexpectyout
obecel
ibat
ebutIexpectyout
o
ber
esponsi
ble.”
“Ifresponsiblemeansusingcondomst hencount
meoutont hatone.Thei deaofhavingast abl
e
relati
onshipissoIcanenj oybeingaboyf ri
end.
Condomsar eforthest
reetsmom notathome.Iwi l
l
neverdot hatasl ongasI'm st
il
lfai
thf
ul.”
“
Areyouteachi
ngyoursi
stert
osl
eepwi
thboys
wit
houtacondom?”
“
Iwil
lki
llwhoeversl
eepswit
hher.
”theylaughbut
I
'
m seri
ous.I
reneisonly18what
'st
her ush?
“
Youar
eimpossi
ble!
”
“AndIl
oveyou,Nono.Havethehospit
alcal
ledyou?
Phel
ayouaretheewife,
thestar
ri
ng,sotheywil
l
needyoursi
gnat
ures.
”
“
Leavemeal
oneJuni
or.I
'
m notgoi
ngt
her
e..
.”
“Youhavet o.Afterever
ythingheputyouthr ough, I
thinkyouhavet ogoandseehi minhisveget able
statethenhewi llunder
standwhathumani tyis.I
knowyoust i
llcareabouthim andt
hat'
sfinewi t
h
me.Hegaveyouahandsomeboyaf t
erall
..”
“
That
oJuni
or!
”
“I
t'
struemom.Thebast ar
disacat chandyouknow
i
t.Anyway, youcanlovehimifyouwantt o.My
hatr
edf orhimisenoughforallofus.”Ipi
ckthecar
keysfrom thetabl
e.
“
Youar
edr
ivi
ngt
oday?
”
“Yes.Manypeopl
eknow‘ Ir
osef r
om t
hedead’so
ther
e'snoneedtohideanymore.Mymi ssi
onhas
beenaccompli
shed.Seeyoulater.
”
“
Dri
vesaf
ethen.
”Iki
sshercheekandl
eave.

Thishousest i
lllooksthesame.Theonl ychangei s
theoutsidepai ntandt hepebblescoveri
ngt he
enti
reyar d.Ther e'
sstil
lnodurawall,j
ustt
iredfence.
Aretheyevensaf ehere?It'
snearthemainr oadand
thelasthousei ntherow.Iwi l
lhavetotal
kt othem
aboutit'
ssaf ety.Iturnofftheigni
ti
onkeyandt ake
adeepbr eat hbef oregett
ingdownt hecar.Abunch
ofteenager s'mout hsdropopenwhenIst epdown
thecar.
“Wow!”saysoneoft
hem who'swear
ingbl
ack
bumshortsandl
ooksri
dicul
ousi
nthem.Some
cl
othesarenotf
orever
yone.
“Iwonderwhohei s?Thesegi rlshavebeen
receivi
ngwellof
fvisit
orsoflately.Doyout hi
nkthey
aredoingwhatwedo? ”Ioverheartheothergirl
saying.Icri
ngeatthethoughtofSt arandAsenat hi
prostit
uti
ngthemselves.Well
, Asenathiki
ndadid
thatbutshecanbepar doned.Herr easonswer e
vali
d.

Iknockandwai
tforananswer
.
“Comein!”Star'
svoi cecal l
sout.Whoaskspeopl e
tocomei nwithoutaski ngwhot heyare?Thisgirli
s
notseri
ousaboutl if
e.Imakeament alnotetoscold
herfort
hisandwal ki n.She'
swat chi
ngIndianson
TV.Shefeelsmypr esenceandsl owl
yturnstolook
atme.“B..br
other..
”t earsfal
ldownhercheeks.
Theyareofmi xedemot i
ons.Iscoopherupand
spinheraroundlikeIusedt owhenwewer eyoung.
“Putmedown! ”shescr eams.Iignoreherandt i
ckl
e
herinst
ead.“
Iwil
lvomit
,pleasest
op..
.”she'
soutof
breathwhenIfi
nal
lyputherdown.“Youarest
il
l
crazy!
”
“
Andyouar estil
lasbeaut
ifulandcheerfulasever
l
it
tl
eSis.”Ibl
inkbackmyownt ear
s.Thisdayhas
f
inal
lycome.AdayIhavebeendodgi ngbullet
sfor,
i
tshereandwehaveal lt
het i
meandf reedom inthe
worl
dtodoanyt hi
ngwewi shto.
“
Youl
eftme,
bro.Youbr
okeyourpr
omi
se.
”
“
Itwasaf
orceddeci
sion.I
'
m sor
rybabysi
ster
.”
“I
t'
sokay.Iunderst
andeveryt
hingnow.Thankyou.
”
wehug.Wel lt
hiswentbett
erthanIt
hought.Westi
ll
haveadeepconnect i
on,
it'
sli
kewewerenever
apartf
oryears.
“
Wher
eisever
yone?
”
“
Auntandunclewentout .Theyar
etr
yingto
r
eki
ndlethei
rlove.Asewenttobuygrocer
ieswi
th
t
heHlongwanebr other
s..
.”
“Youmeanyourboyf
ri
endandbr
otheri
n-l
aw?
”she
smil
es.
“
Ilovehi
m.”
“IknowandIwon'tstopyou.Iwantyoutobehappy.
Ibroughtyousomething.
”Igest
ureatt
heplast
icon
thetabl
e.
“Whati sit?”Iputtheplasticonherl apandt akeout
myphonet oshootheravi deo.This,I'
vebeen
waitingfor.Sheshout sinaj oyoustonebutqui ckl
y
cover sherfacewhensheseest hecamer a.“Yo
can'tbef i
lmingmer i
ghtnow.St opit!
”shestuffs
oneoft hedoughnut sintohermout handmumbl es
somet hing.Wannaknowasecr et?Ifyouwantt o
pleasemyl it
tl
esisterhere, getherfourchocolate
doughnut sandyouwi llhaveahappyher .“Oh
brother.It
'sbeenagessi nceIhadt hese.Youar e
thebest !
”shel i
cksherf inger.
“
So,
howar
eyou?
”
“Ri
ghtnow, I'
m overthemoon.I
t'
sapit
yI'
m not
all
owedt ohavealcoholot
herwi
seI'
dbehosti
nga
celebr
atorypart
yinhonorofRaymond.Thankyou.
”
“
Forwhat
?”
“
Thatacci
denthasyouwr
it
tenal
loveri
t.Ihear
d
thi
ngsaboutyouandnoowIknowwhatyouar
e
capabl
eof.
”
“
Nonoi
sasni
tch!
”webot
hlaugh.
“
Iloveher
.She'
sthebestmom ever
.”
“Thatsheis.Ihavesomuchtosayt
oyoubutI
don'tknowwher etost
art
.”
“St
artbytell
ingmethatyoulovemeandI 'mthe
bestsist
eryoueverhad..
.”she'
sdist
urbedbya
ri
ngingphone.Whoput sJahPrayzah'
ssongasa
ri
ngingtone?OnlyStarcandothat.“
It
'smy
mother.”
“
Answeri
tandputi
tonl
oudspeaker
.”
“
Hel
lo?
”she'
sal
readyf
rowni
ng.
“
Starmychi
ld.
..
”
“
I'
m onl
yyourchi
ldwheni
tsui
tsyou?Whatdoyou
want
?”
“Yourfat
herwasinvol
vedi
nanaccidentandhi
s
condit
ioniscr
it
ical
.”t
hebi
tchsni
ff
s.
“
Howi
sthatmybusi
ness?WhatmustIdo?Di
eon
hi
sbehal
f?”
“
Star
..
.”
“Don'
tStarme!Youandyourmonst
erofaboyf
ri
end
chasedmeoutofthehouseandnowImustdie
becausehehadanaccident
?Youarej
ust
..
.Never
mind..
.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbymyboyfri
end?Yourfat
her
andIaremarr
ied.
..
”St
arbur
sti
ntol
aughter
.
“Ncncnc.Hownaivecanonebe.Yourdar l
ing
husbandissomeone'
slawfulhusband.Youbett
er
prayforhi
mtosurvi
vebecausetheyaremar r
iedin
communi t
yofpr
opert
y..
”
“
That
'sal
ie!
”
“Sui
tyour
sel
f.Bytheway,t
ellyour‘
husband’
thatI
haveawheel
chairtodonat
e.”
Ohno!St ar
'shat
redforRaymondi sdeepert
hanI
thoughtandit
'sdangerous.Ther
apyisneededf
or
her.
“
Youar
ehear
tl
ess!Ishoul
dhaveabor
tedyou!
”
“
Youwoul
dhavedonebot
hofusaf
avorbuti
t'
stoo
l
atenow.I '
m happyandcontentwher
eIam.Ihave
afami l
ythatl
ovesmesover ymuchandit'
sall
thankstoyou!”Isnat
chherphoneandcutthecal
l
pulli
ngherinahug.Ilethercr
yunti
lshef
alls
asleep.
“Youwil
lbefinebabysist
er,
Iwillmakesureofit
.”
onestumbli
ngblocklef
tthenthepathtoherdesti
ny
wil
lbeclear
ed.
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT44.

UNEDI
TED.
KHANYI
'
SPOV.

Thai l
andsunhasbeendoi ngwonder stomyski n.
I'
m gl owi ngl i
keoneoft hoser i
ch-pr
egnantwomen
whoador nt hemagazi necover swi t
hthei
rsexy
bodi es.Fort hefi
rstti
meeversi nceIsti
rr
edt he
wheelofmyl i
fet
ot hewr ongdi r
ecti
on,Ifeelat
peace.If eell i
ber
ated,freetobeandt odoanyt hing
Ifeellikedoi nganytime.Inol ongerhavet odo
everyt hingt oimpresst hegr eedyandmani pulati
ve
Hlongwane.Speaki ngofhi m,Iwonderwher ehe
disappear edt o?Iheardt hatdadandmom f ought
untilsomeonel andedinhospi t
al.Mom shouldhave
died, really.Thatwomani sadisgracetoboth
mot her hoodandwomanhood.
“CanItal
ktohim?”oh.I'
m br
oughtbackt
omy
surr
oundingsbyBlessi
ng'
sti
nyandsweetvoi
ce.
“Yessweethear
t.He'
syouryoungerbr
other
,do
anythi
ngyouwantwithhim.”
“
Anythi
ng?
”shenowl
ooksl
ikesomeonedeepi
n
t
hought
s.
“
Yes,
anyt
hing.
”
“I
fIt
ellhi
mtocomeoutandpl
aywi
thme,
wil
lhe
come?”
“No.He'sst i
llgrowi
nginhere.I
fhecomesoutnow,
hewon' tsurvivethesun.Haveyouseendad
plant
ingt r
eesandf lowers?
”shenods.“
Wheredoes
heput sthem? ”
“
Heputsthem undertheshadetoprot
ectt
hem
f
rom t
hesununtilt
heyarest r
ongenought
osurvi
ve
t
heharshweathercondit
ions.
”
“That
'sri
ght
.It'
sthesamewithababy.Wehavet o
keephiminhereunti
lhecansurvi
vetheever-
changingweather
.Ther
e'sonl
y4mont hsl
eftfor
himtobestrongenoughtocomeout.”
“4mont hs?Okay,
Iwil
lmar kmycal endarthen.I
can'twaitt
ohaveabrother.”shesmiles.“
My
fr
iendsusedtocallmeal oner.
”
“
Why?
”
“
BecauseI'
mtheonl
ychil
dathome.Normal
f
amil
ieshavet
woorthr
eechil
drennotone.
”Nor
mal
f
amili
es?Thiskidiswaytoooutspokenandher
i
ntel
li
genceamazesme.Butwhatcanweexpect
f
rom adaughterofsomeonewhoonl ydid4grades
i
nprimaryschooli
nsteadof7?
“
Soar
eyouexci
ted?
”
“
Ver
y.Iwi
llspoi
lhim wit
hsweet
sandwewillshar
e
myt
oys.Wewi l
lputhisbedi
nmyroom,
right?”
“
Uhm,
wewi
llseeaboutt
hat
.Wher
e'sdad?
”
“
Wat
chi
ngol
derpeopl
e'
sthi
ngsonTV.
”
“
Het
oldyout
hat
?”
“
Yes.
”
WhenIf ir
stcameher eandj oi
nedthem, Ithought
theywoul drejectmebutt heywelcomedmewi th
openar msinstead.Adri
anaskedmei fIcamet o
stayort oleaveagain.IassuredhimthatI '
m hereto
stayandwef inall
ytoldBlessi
ngthetruth.Shewas
hur tduri
ngthef i
rstdaysbutwear egoodnow.We
aredoi nggreatinbuil
dingamot her-
daught er
relati
onship.She'sachallengebecauseshe' sclose
toherdad.Somet imesshewant sherf at
hert o
prepar
eherbreakf
astbecauseaccor
dingtoher:‘
he
knowsbest’
.Sometimesshejustwantstocuddle
withhi
m andthat'
sfi
ne.Slowl
yandsurelywewi l
l
haveabondtoo.
“Thereyouare!
”Adri
anannounceshi
spr
esence.“
I
broughtyouguyssomesnacks.”
“Yey!Daddyyouaret
hebest!
”Blessi
ngkisseshi
m
allovert
hefaceandgrabsapacketofcr
inkl
echi
ps.
“
Noangel,f
rui
tsf
ir
st.Youknowt
hedr
il
l.
”Adr
ian
f
ir
mlysays.
“CanIski
pfruitstoday?Mommy? ”ohno!Didshe
j
ustpitmeint hecornerjustl
ikethat?Apartofme
wantstospoilherbutthengivingi nt
ochil
dren'
s
demandsisnotal waysagoodi dea.Theygetused
toit
.
“Let
'sdothi
s.Iwil
lfeedyoufrui
tst
henyoucan
haveyourchips.
”shesmiles
“
Youwi
llf
eedme?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Okay.Il
oveyou,
Mommy.
”Ican'
tbel
ieveshe'
sso
happyabouti
t.Ineverthoughtfeedi
ngachildi
sa
bigdeal
.Yousee,withchil
drenyoulearnasyougo.
Nothi
ngasclearasthesepar ent
ingbooksI'
vebeen
readi
ngaresayi
ng.
“Greatmove,Mommy. ”Hesteal
saki ss,Ibl
ush.He
winksatmebef orei
nnocentlypickingupagr ape
andpoppingiti
ntohi smouth.I'
m excitedabout
l
ateralr
eady.Thethingsthi
smanhasbeendoi ngto
me?Mycl iti
sthrobbingalr
eady,letmebehave.
*
***
***
***
*

TASHA'
SPOV.

Ir
ubmycl
itwhi
lewat
chi
ngmyandMel
'
ssexvi
deo.
“OhMel .
..
”Imoanandr unmyf ingersonmy
sli
pperycooki
ebeforeinsert
ingt woofmysof t
fi
ngers.Theyarenothit
ti
ngt her i
ghtspotli
kehedi d.
Gosh!Thatmani sgif
tedandIwi l
lbeabi ggestto
l
ethim go.Unli
kehisexwi f
e, Iwon'tbackdown
becauseofthatusel
esst hi
ngonawheel chair.He'
s
mi neandhewi llf
oreverbe.Mymi nddr if
tsbackto
thatdayi nthehospi t
al.Howheeasi lypickedmeup,
kissedmyneckwhi l
ecar essingmybut tandhim
forcefull
yent er
ingme.Howhesi l
encedmysof t
moansbyhi ssoftli
psandski l
ledt ongue...
.“Oh
baby. .
.”hi
shandsonmybr eastsf eltl
ikeheaven,
hist humbonmycl i
tsentmest raighttoheavenand
back.“ Ah..
.”Irubmycl itmor eandt heorgasm hit
s
mehar d.Ipressmycl itandleti tallgoasmyt oes
cur landIinvoluntar
il
yar cmybackenj oyingevery
par tofmyor gasm.Damn!Mast urbati
oni sbae,but
Meli sKing.

Wi t
hasat i
sfactor
ysmi l
eonmyf ace,Icl
oset he
vi
deowi ndowandpourmysel fagl assof
champagne.Tomor rowisthedayt heLordhas
preparedf ormeandmydr eams.Melaskedmet o
givehim amont htohelpStarr ecoverandhealt hen
hewi l
lleaveherf orme.Heal sowant stoplana
birt
hdaypar tyforthatwaywar dcousi nofStarandI
don'tmindal lofthat.Yousee, hecanspoi lthem
withmi l
lions,Idon'tcar
e.AllIwanti shim andhi s
body.Ihavel
otsofmoneyIdon' tevenknowwhat
towit
hitsodon'tgetmewr ong.Thishasnot
hingt
o
dowithmoney,ithaseveryt
hingtodowi t
hMel'
s
bodyandhispri
vateorgan.Simplethat
,nohi
dden
agendasoranythi
ng.

Myl aptoppi ngsandit'savideocal lf

rom oneofmy
manysi st er s.Myf at
herhas23chi ldren,andno,
he'snotmar ri
ed.Hesayshe' sstilllookingfora
perfectwi fe.Hi sperfectwife:25-year -oldvi
rgi
n.
Naturallooks.Educat ed.Someonewhodoesn' t
wantchi ldr enofherown.Last l
y,someonewho
doesn'tmi ndt ravel
li
ngt heglobe24/ 7, 365daysa
yearandst i
llmanaget opleasehi sasawi f
e.
Ridicul
ousexpect ati
onscomi ngfr om a52yearol d
withchildr enal loverthewor l
d.
“
Nat
ti
e!”sheexci
tedl
ycal
lsoutmyname.
“Pi
nky.
”Iforceasmil
e.Iloveal
lmysibl
ingsbut
someti
mest heyj
ustboremewi t
hthei
rbubbly
per
sonali
ti
es.
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?I
t'
slonel
yher
ewi
thout
you.
”
“
Idon'tknowheybutIwi
llbebacksoon.Ihavea
missi
ontoaccompli
sh.
”
“Ei
sh,youandyourwor
k!Doyouevenhavea
boyfr
iend?”
“
Forwhat
?”
“
Yoursexualneeds,
duh?
”
“
Vibr
ator
scandoj
ustf
ine,
thankyou.
”
“
Haaa!Si
s,youuseapl
ast
icDwhenyouworkwit
h
f
inemenli
kethat
?Doyouhavef
eel
ingst
hough?”
“Ist
hatwhyyoucall
ed?”myphonevibratesonthe
tabl
eandmyheartskipsabeatseei
ngthecaller
's
number.Iapol
ogi
zetomysisterandquickl
yanswer
thecal
l.“
Sir
.”
“Amster
dam.Tomor
row.Det
ail
sonyourpr
ivat
e
cont
act.
”
“
Butsi
r.
..
”
“Don'
tbel
ateMi
ssNat
asha.Haveasaf
efl
ight
.”he
cutst
hecal
l.
“Nooo!
”Ismashthephoneonthewall
.“Ihavet
obe
wit
hMeltomorrow,f
uckthi
sjob!
”Idownmygl ass
ofchampagnebefor
epouri
nganother
.
*
***Cometomyhot
elroom,now!*
**Isendt
het
ext
t
oMelusi
ngmycrackedphone.
*
*
*
*
ASENATHI
'
SBI
RTHDAYBASH!
!!
!
*
***
***
**

Darl
ings.Mydutiesgotmebusyal lday.Wewi
ll
workwithoutascheduleunt
ilIhaveclear
edmy
schedule.Pl
easebarewit
hme.

Goodni
ghtdar
li
ngs
SukuNont
okozol
ovesyoual
l.
TheUndyi
ngLove

I
NSERT45.

STAR'
SPOV.

Wow!Howt i
mef li
es.Notsol ongagoAsenat hiand
Iwerehi ghschoolki dsandnowshe' st ur
ning20.
Mycousi ni
sallgrownandr esponsiblenow.Oh,
she'salsoinlove.Outofal lthemenoutt hereithad
tobet hebiggestplayeroft hem al lwhobr oket he
wallsaroundherandmadehi msel fcomf ortabl
ein
herhear t
.It
'samazi nghowl ovehast hispowerof
makingpeopl eglowwi t
hhappi ness.Asei shappy
andglowi ng.I
fsheknewwhatt hisdayhasf orher
i
nst oreshewoul dn'tbesleepi ngatt hishour .We
plannedsomet hingf orherandI '
m sur eshe'sgoing
toloveit.

Melt
oldmeever
ythi
ngt
hatAsenat
hidi
dbehi
nd
closeddoorsforme.Itbrokemyhear tt
oknowt hat
she'sbeenexchangingherbodyformycomf ortabl
e
l
ife.It
hinkthisiswhatmademesi nkdeeperi nto
darknessafterIgotdi
schargedfr
om thehospi t
al.
Shedoesn'tknowt hatI
'm awareofeveryt
hing.Mel
askedmenott oaskhersinceshealsoaskedhi m
toswearnott oopenhismout haboutit
.
“St
ar,youhaveavi
sit
or.
”Auntl
ightl
yknocksonthe
door.I
t'safewmi
nutespast8i
nt hemorni
ng,who
coul
dt hatbe?
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
Melokuhl
e.”Mel?What
'shedoi
ngheresoear
ly?
Weagreedthatwearel
eavi
ngaft
er10am.
“Okay.Hecancomein.
”Eversi
nceIgotthi
snew
kidneymyleaki
ngpr
obl
emshaver educedsomy
bedcanaccommodatehim.
Thedoorcreeksopenandhewal ksin.Somethingi
s
wrong.Hedoesn'tl
ookcheerfull
ikeheshouldbeon
thi
sday.Weal lagr
eedthatwearecelebrat
ing
Asenathi
'
sbraverytoday.Whyishelooki
ngl i
ke
someonewho' sbeenhellandbackthen?
“
Babe?”hejustnods,r
emoveshi sshoesandjoins
meunderthecovers.Hishandsarefreezi
ngcold
whi
chissurpri
singbecauseit
'snotcoldoutsi
de.
“
Imessedup,
sweet
hear
t.
”hesaysandl
ooksaway
f
rom me.
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
“
I'
m sor
ry,
babe.
..
”
“Babe,t
ellmewhatyoudi
dthenwewi
llmovet
o
apologi
es.Whatdi
dyoudo?”
“
Yourki
dney..
.”mybloodfr
eezes!God,
leti
tnotbe
t
hatt
heykil
ledsomeonetosaveme?Please.
“
W-whatabouti
t?”mypal
msar
esweat
ingal
ready.
“Ididn'
tgetittherightway.
..
”cansomeonewake
meupf rom thi
snightmare?“Someoneofferedt
o
helpbutshewant edsomethingi
nreturn.
”Iswall
ow
hard.“Sheaskedf or..
.Sheaskedmet ofuckher
beforeshecangi veusherkidney.
”Hugesi ghof
rel
ief!Jesus!Thismanal mostki
ll
edme.
“Okay.Iassumeyousleptwit
hherthenwhi
ch
explai
nswhyI '
m st
il
lal
ive.
”Idon'
tknowhowIfeel
aboutt
hisone.“
Didyouuseacondom?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Sowhat
'st
hepr
obl
em?
”
“She'sbl
ackmai
li
ngme.Shefil
medthewhol
ethi
ng
andshet hr
eat
enedtosendt
hevideot
oyouifI
don'tdoasshesays.
”
“
Whatdoesshewant
?”
“
Mar
ri
age.
..
”Ichokeonmybr
eat
h.What
?
“
Youar
emar
ryi
ngt
hisgi
rl
?”
“No.Idon'twanttomarryher,Il
oveonlyyou.Idon'
t
wantt obewi t
hanyoneelseexceptyou.”whyam I
calm?Whyam Inotshout ingathimliketheydoin
themovi es?Imeanhejustconfessedtofucki
ng
anothergirlwhil
emyli
fewashangi nginthe
balance.
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
“Idon'
tknow.Ican'tdealwit
hhert heonl
ywayI
knowhowt obecauseshe'sgotdangerouspeopl
e
i
nhercor ner.SheworksinTJ'sorgani
zati
on.”I
underst
andper fect
lywel
lwhatthismeans.
“
What'
sthewor
stt
hingshecandoi
fyoudon'
t
mar
ryher?
”
“
Shesai
dshewi
llki
l
lyou.
”
“
Cal
lher
.”
“
Huh?
”he'
ssur
pri
sed.
“Callher.I
t'
sNatasha,r
ight
?”henods.Isawthat
somet hingwascookingbetweent
hem thedayIgot
discharged.Hedial
shernumberbutitgoesstr
aight
tovoicemail.“
Givemeyourphone.”
“
Babe.
..
”
“Youcametomebecauseyouwant edhelp,
right
?
Henods.“Letmehel
pyouthen.”hegiveshi
sphone
andItypeasimpl
estr
aight
for
wardmessaget o
Natasha.
*
***MeetmeatMei
klesHot
el.12:
30PM,
t
omorr
ow.**
*
“
Whywouldyousendsuchamessage?I
'
m not
meet
ingher
..
.”
“Yeah,youarenot
.I'
m meet
ingher.I
'
mtheonewi t
h
herkidneysoshewil
lhavet
ot el
lmethi
snonsense
f
acet
oface.
”
“
Shemi
ghthur
tyou.
..
”
“
Shewon'
t.Tr
ustme.
”
*
*
*
NARRATED.

Theplaceispackedwithyounggi r
lsinski
mpy
clot
hingandloadsofmake- upontheirf
aces.Mel
andthecrewbookedt heentir
eMat oposHill
sHotel
forAsenat
hi'
sbirt
hday.Thedecorisonpoi nt!
Soundsystem,check!Booze,check.Mood,
excell
ent
.Pauli
nereceivesamessagei nherphone
andquickl
ygatherseveryonearound.
“Guys,t
heyar
ehere.
”sheannounces.St
arl
ooks
aroundandsmil
esconf
ident
ly.
“It
hinkwear
eready.Tel
lhimtobri
ngherin.
”Mel
sayswhil
egr
abbingabottl
eofchampagne.He
shakesitandwait
sforthebi
gmoment
.St
arhas
bal
loonsandflowersf
orAsenat
hi.
Owethuwalksi
nfol
lowedbyAsenat
hiwho'
sbusy
onherphone.
“SURPRI
SE!!
!!
!”Ever
yoneshouts,Melpopst
he
champagneandleti
tallonAsenathi
.
“OhmyGod.OhmyGod. .
.Youal ldidn'tdothisto
me...”Asenathiblinkshertearsback.Shel ooks
aroundandnot icesherparentsandsi bli
ngs.She
fai
lstoholditallinandcover sherf acewi t
hboth
herhandsbef orebur st
ingint
ot ears.Starwheels
hersel
fnexttoherandt heyemot ionall
yhug.
“
Happybirt
hdayt
obestevercousi
nanygi
rlcan
wishf
or.
”
“Wow, I
'm..
..Ohmywor d..
.”shethrowsherhead
backandwi peshertears.Thisissomethingshe
neverexpected.Shethoughteveryoneforgotabout
herbir
thdaydespiteallofthem bei
ngonFacebook
whichremindseveryoneabouti t.
“Happybi
rt
hday,
mychi
ld.
”herpar
ent
shugherand
shesobs.
“
Happybi
rt
hdaysi
si.
”heryoungersi
stersays.
“Happiestbirt
hdayt othecrazi
estandthemost
l
ovingper sonIknow. ”Pauli
nesaysandthey
exchangeanemot ionalhug.Allcel
ebr
antswi
shher
wellandSt artakesherawayt ochangeher
drencheddr ess.

Whentheyretur
n,Melhast
womicrophonesinhis
hand.HewhisksAsenat
hit
othest
age.Everyone
el
seisseat
ed.
“
Weallknowshe'sdif
ferentandcrazyinherown
waysowear enotgoi
ngt osingf
orhert heusual
‘
Happybir
thdaytoyou’song.Shewi l
lsi
ngforus.”
“
What
?No!
”
“Yes!Yes!Yes!
”theyal
lcl
apandshoutt
omot
ivat
e
her.
“
Yousee?Thest
agei
syour
s.”
Shelooksatherpar
entswhosmileatherandnod.
Singi
nghasalwaysbeenherpassi
on,somethi
ng
shelovedeversi
nceshecanremember.Her
birt
hdayout fi
t:Abl ackcropt op,r
ippedboyf riend
j
eansandst il
let
oswasSt ar
'sidea.Theywant edt o
givehert hei
rblessingsandt oshowherhowmuch
theyappr eci
atethet rueversionofher sel
f .I
fthere's
somet hingAsenathii s,she'
sunapol ogeticall
y
herselfanddoesn' tneedanyone' sappr ovaltof eel
betteraboutherself.
“Honest
ly,I
'
m sooverwhel
medr ightnow,I'
m not
surei
fIcansingso,MrDJ, pl
aymyf avori
tesong
andIwil
ldance.
”TheDJpl ays‘Goodlif
e’byEasy
andKehlani.
“
Rai
seacupt
oal
lmydayones
Twomi
ddl
efi
nger
sfort
hehat
ers
Li
fe'
sonl
yget
ti
nggr
eat
er
St
rai
ghtupf
rom not
hingwegoup
Hi
ghert
hant
hehi
ghestskyscr
aper
Nol
it
tl
eleague,
wemaj
or
Thepr
oofi
sint
hepaper
..
..
.”
Ever
yonejoi
nsinont
hechorusastheyswaytheir
bodi
esfr
om sidet
osi
de.Somesippingt
heirdr
inks
andsomef il
li
ngthei
rstomachswi t
ht heappeti
ser
s.
Whent hesongfi
nallyst
ops,Asenathisit
sdown,
pourshersel
fadrinkandwipehersweat yface.
Foodisservedandwhi l
eeati
ng,theyallshare
favor
it
estori
esaboutAsenathi.
“Well
,”Melpausesandsmi lesbr iefly.“Asenat hiis
oneoft hefourwomenwhohavesl appedme
before.
”theyal llaugh.“Whenwef irstmet ,she
neverli
kedmeandshedi dn'ttr
yt ohi deit.Shet ol
d
mef acetof acet hatshedoesn'tl ikeme.Butst il
l,
I
l
ikeherbecauseunl i
keallt
hef akepeopl eoutt here,
Aseisreal.Shel i
veshertruthandunapol ogetical
ly
so.She'sbol dandshecandoanyt hingf orthose
sheloves.”amomentofawkwar dsi l
encepasses,
Asechuckl es.“Tomor eyearsofvi bingwi thyou,
cousinin-l
aw. ”theytoast.Owet hur efusest osaya
speechandpr omi sestodoi tprivatelymaki ng
Asenathiblush.
“Al
lIcansayi
s,t
hankyoucousi
n.”St
aremot
ional
ly
says.
“
Enoughwit
htheemot
ions!Ti
met
opar
ty!
”Paul
ine
l
ight
enst
hemood.
“Hellno!Sheshouldmakeawi shandcutt hecake
f
irstthenpresent
sandpar t
ylater.I
t'
sanall-
night
t
hingsowear enotrushi
ngtoanywher e.
”saysLill
y
whoj ustarr
ivedwit
hTJandI rene.Unfor
tunatel
y,
t
heirmot hercoul
dn'tmakeitsinceshehadtogot o
Hararetohelpherdyinghusband.
“Okay.DoIr eal
lyhavetomakeawi sh?”sheasks
andever yoneshoutsyes!Someoft hemar edrunk
alr
eady.“ Okay.
”shecloseshereyesandsays‘ Al
lI
wishfori sahappyendingforal lofus.Ifnotusall,
thenStardeservesitmore’andbl owst heonly
candleont hecake.Shecutsi tandf eedsStar
befor
ef eedinganyone.Everyonesmi l
esadmiring
thei
rbond.

Guccibags,
redbott
om heel
s,hoodies,makeupki
ts,
j
eansandallthi
ngsclot
hesscatt
eront hetabl
eand
she'
snotevendoneopeningthem all
.
“It
hinkIwil
lopentherestt
omor r
owathome.St ar
,
youdidn'
tgetmeanything?That'
sstr
ange.”St
ar
smilesandtakesoutasmallneatl
ywrappedbox
f
rom herpur
se.
“
From me,Li
ll
y,TJ,
Pauli
ne,Mel
,OwamiandSi
gol
a
whocoul
dn'tmakeitt
oday.
”
“Thi
ssmallthi
ngf rom allofyou?Ngiyal
ingwa
mpela.
”shequicklyt earsi
topen.Shedropsonher
kneesuponreal
isingwhati tis.“
Ohmywor d.
..What
didIdotodeservet his?
”Owamicr ouchesnextto
herandhugshert i
ght .
“
Whati
sit
?”Asksoneoft
heal
readydr
unkl
adi
es.
“
ABMW.
..”
“
What
?Wow!Congr
atul
ati
onsgi
rl
.”
“Thankyousomuchguys.Ireal
lydon'
tknowwhat
elsetosay.Thi
s..
.OhLor
d..
.”
“Weunder st
andyouremot ions.Canwepar tynow?”
StarsignalstheDJt oplaytheirsongs.Ever
yoneis
enjoying,dri
nkingalcoholandeatingcupcakesthat
seem t obemor ethancupcakesj udgingfr
om thei
r
j
ollymood.Theypar tyunti
lmidnightwhenMel
reali
zest hatsomethingisamiss.He'sbeendancing
withSt arnexttohi
m butnowhecan' tfi
ndher.
“St
ar!”hecall
soutbutthenoi
seisjustt
oomuch.
Hepacest oAsenathiwhosaysshelastsawher
hoursago.“TJ,haveyouseenStar
?”
“No.Wherecouldshehavegone? ”theyqui
ckl
yask
thesecur
it
ytohelpthem searchforherbutt
here'
s
nosignofStarorherwheelchai
r.
“Wefoundnothi
ng,Si
r.
”Mel
inst
ant
lysober
sup,
so
doesAsenat
hi..
..
*
*
*
THREEYEARSLATER!
!!
!!

Darl
ings,Idon'
tknowi fIwil
lbeabletopost
tomorroworonSunday.Iwi llpostwhenkgett
he
chancetotype.Pleaseforgi
vemef oral
lthe
i
nconveniencescaused.
Goodni
ght
.Il
oveyoual
l
Sukol
uhl
eNont
okozoMdl
ongwa.
TheUndyi
ngLove

I
NSERT46.

MEL'
SPOV.

Nhamodzangumunodzi
ziva
Ndabvi
sashangu
Zvesenenhamodzangu
Ndasi
yapano
Ndi
nzwechi
rawu
Moyounehudzamu
Wobayabaya
(
Chi
rawu,
moyounehudzamumambo)
Dzi
ri
komhandu
Dzi
rimushur
emangu
Munodzi
ziva
(
Mhandu,
dzi
rimushur
emangumambo)
Vanodanhau
Dzekupar
arakwangu
Vopember
a

Ti
ri
mo!Ti
ri
momuchi
komo
Ti
rikunyenget
era
Mi
sodzimokot
o
Zvi
ri
mo,
zvi
ri
momumoyo
Zvamunoi
ta,
baba,
zvakaoma
Ti
ri
mo,
tir
imomuchi
komo
Ti
rikunyenget
era
Mi
sodzimokot
o
Zvi
ri
mo,
zvi
ri
momumoyo
Zvamunoi
ta,
baba,
zvakaoma
Ndauyawokusungano
Moyowanguunodar
unyar
aro
Ndauyawokusungano
Moyowanguunodar
unyar
aro
Anombogumamazanoaya
Anomboper
amazanoangu
Munodandi
gar
epaj
okor
ehur
andaher
e?
Ndodedzamukomana
Mwanawamaimar
iaher
e?
Ndoendanengor
oyemot
onaEr
iaher
e?
Hi
ya,
hiya,
haaazvi
chaguma.
..

Thiswasherf avori
tesongf r
om herJahPr ayzah's
l
ist.Ever
ytimelifeknockedherdown, thiswasher
prayersong.Ialwaysthoughtitwasridicul
oust o
useaRast a'
ssongasapr ayerbutIwaswr ong.I
wasn'tawareofhowdeept helyr
icsoft hi
ssongar e.
Forthepastthreeyears,I
'vebeenusingherphone
andt het r
uthis,Ineverreall
yknewher .Ialways
sawi nherthisdeli
cateflowerIlovesomuchand
felttheneedt oprotect
.Butt hetruthis,Starisnot
delicate.She'sstr
ongandIst i
llhavehopet hatwil
l
shewi l
lcomebackt ome.Shecan' tj
ustdi sappear
from thef aceoftheearthleavingnot raceandno
message.

Foroverayear ,wesear chedt heent i

regl obeand
wef oundnot hing.Notherwheel chair,api eceofher
clothing, hairoranyt hing.Ther e'
snot raceofher .
Wesuspect edt hatTashami ghtbet hecul pri
tbutin
allhonest y,she'sal soconf usedl iket her estofus.
TJ'sor ganizationt orturedherunt i
lshewasi ncoma,
sheevenswor eonherobsessi ont hatshenever
sawherorl etal oneki dnapher .Myf atherisst i
ll
MI At hough.Wet r
iedt ofindhi m butwef ail
ed.Last
year, thepol icet hrewi nthet owelanddi smissed
thecase.TJ' sor ganizationadvi sedust opl ayit
coolf orawhi l
e.Theybel ievedt hatifsomeonet ook
hert hent heywi llgetint ouchwi t
ht heirdemands.
Butnoonecal l
edorl etalonesendasi mpl etext
.
St
arl
eftandt
hatwast
hat
.
“
CanIcomei
n?”Asenat
hii
sont
hedoor
.
“Yespl ease.”Ipushachai rtoherdi rect
ion.It
's
mor ni
ngbutshel ookst i
redalready.She' sseven
mont hspr egnant.Thepr egnancyi snotkindtoher,
andwi thSt ar'
sdisappearancest illli
ngeringonour
headsl ikeani ght
mar ewecan' twakeupf r
om,she'
s
notdoi ngwel latall
.Sheevenr efusedt ohaveabi g
weddi ngcel ebrat
ionwithoutStar .Theyj ustsi
gned
i
ncour tandt hatwasit.Nocel ebr atoryl
unchor
dinner.Nohoneymoon, j
ustanewl ywedcoupl e
tryi
ngt ocomet otermswi thal ovedone' s
disappear anceandt hereali
tythatl ifehast ogoon.
“Youdon' tlookwel l
.”
“Ij
ustwantmySt
arback.
”at
earr
unsdownher
cheek.
“Shh.Stopcryi
ng,I'
m sur
eshewi l
lbeback.She
can'
tleaveusforeverwit
houtsayi
nggoodbyetous.
Shewi l
lsendamessageorcomebackt ous.”
“
Yout
hink?
”
“
Iknow.Myhear
ttel
lsmet
hatshe'
sfi
neandt
her
e's
anexplanat
ionforal
lthis.Don'tlosehope.Let'
s
keepgoingsoshecanbepr oudofuswhenshe
comesback.Youknow, shewoul dn'twanttofi
nd
youpregnantandskinnyl i
kethis.Shewillt
hinkthe
Hlongwanesareabusingyou.Youhavet oeat ,
take
careofyoursel
fandthispr eci
oussoulyouar e
carr
ying.St
arneverdisplayedherweakness, tr
yand
dothattoo.
”
“
I'
m notst
rong,
Mel
,shewast
hest
rongerone.”
“Youneverknowhowst rongyouareunti
lbei
ng
str
ongistheonlychoiceyouhave.Thi
sistheti
me
tolookdeeperi
nsideandtaponthatphenomenal
womenst rengt
h.”
“
Iwi
llt
ry.Ar
ewer
ecor
dingt
oday?
”
“Ithi
nkyouneedabr
eak.Takeabreak,
got oaspa
oranythi
ngt
hatwomenlovedoi
ng.Justtr
ytoli
vea
l
itt
le.
”
“
Ifyousayso.Wena?Ar eyouokay?”am I
?When
wast hel
astti
meIt ast
edf oodi
nmymout h?The
l
asttimeIsleptpeacef
ull
y?Thelastti
meIfel
tli
ke
wakingupandf acethestorm?Idon'
tremember
andI
'
m convincedthatmytast
ebudsar
edeadand
mywil
ltol
iveleftwit
hStar
.
“Iwi
llbefi
ne.”If
orceasmile.Shewant
stosay
somethingbutI'
m savedbymyr i
ngi
ngphone.
“
Lil
ly?
”
“
Pleasecomeher
easap!TJi
slosi
ngi
t.
..
”
“
Why?What
'
swr
ong?
”
“TheMathumof amil
yishereandtheyaresayi
ng
theywanttoburyStar'
sbel
ongingsanddoa
ceremonyforhersoultor
estinpeace.
..
”
“Fuckalloft
hem!I'
m coming.
”Howdaret
heyeven
suggestsomethi
ngliket
hat?Whosai
dmyStaris
dead?
“
What
'sgoi
ngon?
”Asenat
hiquest
ions.
“Not
hingyoushoul
dworryyour
sel
fabout
.Goout
andbreat
he.Li
veali
tt
le.
”

“
Overmydeadbody,Malome!Youwil
lhavet
okil
l
mefi
rst
!”TJi
sfuming.He'
sevenmixi
ngEngli
sh
wit
hhisnat
ivel
anguage,
Setswana.There'
saful
l
houseofol
dpeopl
ewhoj ustl
ookli
kegreedyf
ools.
“I
t'
stradi
ti
on,That
o!”awomanwi
thherbl
uebl
anket
overhershoul
dersmutt
ers.
“Tr
aditiont hatonlyworkswhenyouhavet obur y
her?Wher ewer eyouallwhensheneededyou?Huh?
Youletherl i
vealoneandnowal lofaFr i
dayt he
Mathumosar econcernedabouthersoul ?Real l
y,
Rakgadi ?Yout hinkIdon'tknowwhyyoual lwantt o
dothis?Youconsul tedat r
adit
ionalhealerandhe
tol
dyout hatyouruselessbr ot
heront hewheel chai
r
i
schai nedbySt ar'
sspiri
tbutthat'
sabl atantlie!
Thisdogher eispayingforhiscountlesssins. ..
”
“That
o!”oneoft
heuncl
esat
tempt
stohi
thi
m wi
tha
sti
ck.
“Tr
yt hatshi
tonmeandIwi l
lblowyourbr ai
nsof
f!
Getthehelloutofmyhouse!Allofyou! ”he
screams.Lil
lysai
dIshouldstophim butIsupport
him sowhyshouldhest op?Thesepeopl egot
anotherthi
ngcomingiftheythi
nkt heycangetri
d
ofStar'
smemor yjustl
ikethat
.Infact,she'
snota
memor
yyet
,St
ari
sal
ive!
“Thi
shastobedone!
”thisRakgadiorwhoeverher
nameis,
isstar
ti
ngtopissmeof f
.
“Howcanyouburysomeone'
sbel
ongi
ngswhen
she'
sal
ive?
”Iask.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Herboyf
ri
end.
..”
“
Theonewhobr
oughtal
lthesadnessuponher
..
.”
“Don'
tyoudare,Mal ome!Thismandi deveryt
hing
youallfai
ledt
odo!Yoursonf ai
ledhisown
daughtersodon'tyouallcomeher eandtrytoshi
ft
thebl
amet oi
nnocentpeople!Getoutofmyhouse! ”
hepullsoutapistolandtheyallscr
eam.
“Junior,putthatthi
ngdown.Iwil
lseethem out
mysel f
.”hismot heror
ders.“
Takehim away,Mel
.I
willdealwiththis.
”IgrabTJ'
shandandt akehi
m
upstairs.
“
Cal
m down,
man.
”
“
Theyar
eal
lpat
het
ici
ftheyt
hinkt
heywi
lldot
hat
.”
“
Isuppor
tyoubutpulli
ngoutagunforyouryour
f
amil
yisjustnoton.Theyar
esti
llf
amil
y.”
“Imi
ssher
,man!AndIhat
ethatI
'
m usel
essr
ight
now.
”
“Youarenot
.Weallarehel
plessatt
hemoment
,not
usel
ess.”Myphonebeeps.
***
*Wef oundyourf
ather
.He'
sbacki
nthe
count
ry.
****
Amessagefr
om Monicareads.It
ryt
ocal
lbuther
phonei
soff
.Sigol
acall
sinst
ead.
“
Sigol
a?”
“Ihaveatr
ace.Whati
sSt
ar'
srealsur
nameandf
ir
st
name? ”
“
NonduduzoMat
humo.
”
“Ther
e'saNonduduzowhogavebi rthatahospit
al
i
nLondonni nemont hsaf
terStardisappear
ed.She
wasdischargedandyouwon' tbel
ievewhoi sl
ist
ed
asherguardian.
..”
“Gavebi
rth?Si
gol
athi
scan't
..
.”theicecr
eam,
chocol
ateandherbei
ngoverl
ytouchyandthat
passionat
esessi
onthatendedwithhercryi
ngof
paininherabdomen.“
Sigola,
wait?Ihaveachi
ld
outthereandmyStarisal
ive?”Ij
ustgotTJ'
s
att
ention.
“
Yoursi
steri
stheguar
dian.Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Anomusa?
”
“Yes.Somethi
ngisnotaddingupbutIwil
lfi
nd
them.Shemovedf rom t
heflatweal
lknow.Ial
so
foundoutthatyourmotherandDrSi
tshawerein
Londonduringthatti
me.”
“God!Whywoul
dtheyhi
deherf
rom me?Myown
sist
er?
”
“
Ihavet
ogo,
boss.Tal
ksoon.
”
“
Whatwast
hat
?”TJl
ooksatmeexpect
ant
ly.
“Ther
eishope.”Isaywit
hasmileanddi
al
Anomusabuthernumbergoest ovoi
cemai
l.Damn
i
t,Anomusa!Idialmymom andshedoesn'
tanswer
.
Iredi
alandthi
stimeit
'sanswer
edbutbysomeoneI
neverexpect
ed.
“
Nowt
hatyouar
eback,
whatdoyouwant
,
Hl
ongwane?
”
“
Iwantmynameback, bast
ard!Cl
earmynamei
n
t
hepubli
candthenyoucanhaveyourli
tt
le
f
amil
y..
.”myi
nsidesfr
eeze.
“
Don'
tyoudar
e..
.”
“
Tryme.Whenar
eyouhavi
ngt
hatmedi
abr
ief
ing?
”
“Ican'
t.
.”TJ'sphoneri
ngs.Andsurpr
isi
ngl
yit
'smy
sist
ercall
ing.ImuteHlongwane'
scal
landtel
lhi
m
toansweri t
.
“Br
o,don'tdoit!Heistryingtotri
ckyou,heonlyhas
mom notSt ar
.IhaveSt ar,Si
golaknowseverythi
ng.
Wewi l
lexplai
nl at
er.Hlongwanei sworki
ngwith
Tashaandauntandt heirnextmovei st
oforceyou
tomarryher.Don'tdoanyofi t.Justgoandsave
mom.”
“
Ano.
.”
“JustdoasIsay,Mel!Idi
dn'tri
skmyl i
feforyout
o
fai
lyourson!Youfai
led,r
ight?Nowlistento
someonef oroncei
nyourl i
fe!Shei
sf i
ne,t
heyboth
arebutyoucanseethem unt i
lyouf
ixthismess.
Bye,
Ihavet
ogo.
”
“What?”Ihaveneverbeensoconfusedinmyli
fe.
Sigol
a,Anomusaandmymot herhidStarf
rom me?
“Marryher.
”TJmut
ter
s.Ther
e'ssomet
hingscar
yin
hiseyes.
“
Areyounuts?”Hepoli
sheshisgunandremoves
t
hebull
ets.Hepicksuponesil
verandshi
nylit
tl
e
t
hingt
hatcanendaper son'
sli
feinananosecond.
“Nope.Youknowthei
rplannow,
playi
gnor
antand
acceptthi
smarr
iagedeal.
..
”
“
IhaveasonandSt
ari
sal
ive.
”
“Andt hat'
sthemostimport
antreasontodoal lof
thi
s.Ri ghtnow,wecan'
tgoaf t
eryourfat
her
becausehehasbeenpl anningthisf
orthreeyears.
Ifyouacceptt hi
smarri
ageoffer,
makesur eit'
sa
bigeventi napubli
cspacethen,I
,ThatoJunior
Mat humowi llgi
veyouthebestweddinggiftever
.”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT47.

ANOMUSA'
SPOV.

“Wehavet odestroyhim!Hi sweaknessi st hat

cripple!”myf ather'
swor dsechoedf r
om hi sr oom.
Hekeptongi vi
ngoutspi ne-chil
li
ngor ders.Fora
moment ,
Icouldhearmyhear tpulsati
ngi nmy
palmsandbehi ndmyeyes.“ Kil
lher!”thest atement
hadmyear sringing,myhear tbeatingf ast,itfel
t
l
ikeIwasgoi ngt of ai
nt.Ihel dont i
ghtt ot he
staircase,myphonevi bratedi nmypocketbr i
nging
mebackt oli
fe.Icheckedt hecallerIDandr an
upst air
s,itwasmymom.Mymot herknewwher e
myf atherwas.Hel ef
tZimbabweusi ngaf akename
andcamet oLondon, Ipr etendedt osympat hize
withhi m andIl ethim stay.Whathedi dn' tknow
wasthathehadj umpedf r
om thepotandst raight
i
ntothefir
e.Isobadlywant ed-sti
lldo-toki
llhim
sl
owly,cuteveryvei
nandmuscl eonhi sbody,
watchhim bleedsl
owly.
..Fli
p!Enoughaboutmy
murderplans.

Aftereavesdr oppi ngonhi m, IcalledMelbutI

couldn'tr eachhi m.Ihadt ot hi nkonmyt oesandI
didoneoft het hingsmybr otheral wayswar nedme
against, Ical ledSi gol a.Meldoesn' twanthi sfamily
i
nvol vedwi thdanger ouspeopl e.Hewasn' tshocked
aboutmyr evel ati
on, het oldmet obecal minstead
andhewoul dt akecar eofthemat ter.Ibecamehi s
unof fi
cialinf or mantandyes, wedeci dedt okeep
Meloutofi t.Wehadmyf atherbugged, waita
mi nute,whyam Ist i
llcalli
ngt hatmonst ermyf ather?
Iguessi tcomesnat ur all
y.Wel l,weover heardhis
plant oki dnapSt aronAsenat hi'
sbi r
thday.They
knewever ythi ngaboutt hesur pr i
sebi r
t hdaypar t
y,
thevenue, themenu, thegifts, everything.They
evenspi kedt hedr inksj ustsoever yonecanbeout
andt heirj obwoul dbeeasy.Si goladeci dedt hatit
wasti
metoretal
iat
e,hi
splanwasdangerousbutI
candoabsol
utel
yanythi
ngfort
hatbr
otherofmine
soIagr
eed.

Travelar rangement swer emade, IleftLondonand

wentt oZi mbabwe.Icheckedmysel finahot el
.
Mom knewever yt
hingandact uallyhel pedus.We
i
nt ercept edt hekidnappers, peopledi eddur i
ngthat
briefmomentandwewentandgotSt ar.Iexplained
ever yt
hi ngt oherandshehesi tantlyagr eedt ocome
withus.I twashar dtakingcar eofherspeci alneeds
andhi dingt hetruthfrom mybr other.Especi al
ly
witht hepr egnancy.Mom camet hrough, pulleda
fewst r i
ngsandgotusaf ewpr ofessional stotake
car eofSt ar.Myf atherneversuspect edanyt hi
ng
unt i
lSt argavebi r
th.Hest artedtrackingmycr edit
car dbutl ucki l
y,Sigolanoticedandbl ockedhi m.He
startedaski ngst r
angequest i
onsandIknewwehad
tomoveSt artoasaf erplace.Si golat ookhert o
anot herf lattogetherwiththedoct ors.Hi dinga
whol ecr yi ngbabywascl oset oimpossi ble.
Nei ghbor scoul dhearMJcr yingandt heyst art
ed
pokingtheirnoseinourbusiness.Sigol
acame
through,pull
edaf ewstri
ngsandmovedSt art
oa
downt ownhousewi t
htopsecuri
ty.She'
sbeent her
e
sincethatdaytillt
odate.MJistwoyear soldnow
andboyl ookslikehisfat
her
.
“
Ano?Nomusa!
”
“
Sist
erin-
law.Sor
ry,
I'
m al
it
tl
ebi
tonedge.
Wassup?”
“
CanIt
alkt
oMel
?Isawhi
m ont
henews.
.”
“No,youcan't.Thatmedi
abrief
ingwasahoaxand
i
fyout alktohim now,
myf at
herwil
lknowt
hathe'
s
bei
ngpl ayed.
”
“I
t'
sbeenthreeyears.
..
”tear
sr olldownhercheeks.
Myheartbreaksforherbutthere'snothi
ngelseI
candoforher.Talki
ngtoMelovert hephoneisnot
anopti
on.
“Iknow,myl ove,
Iknow.Trustme,i
fitwereupto
me, Iwouldhavelongtookyoubacktomybr ot
her
butthat'
sdangerousandyouknowi t
.Pleasebea
l
itt
lemor epati
ent.Theweddingi
stomorrowandall
thi
swi l
lbeover..
.”
“
Whatweddi
ng?Whoi sget
ti
ngmar r
ied?
”Fuck!
Whathasmytonguedoner
ightnow?
“
Uhm.
..I
t'
sat
rapsetasaweddi
ng.
.”
“Pleasedon'
ttel
lmeMel
ismar
ryi
ngt
hatt
ramp?
Please..
.”
“Nothi
ngwil
lhappentoyouguys.Youwi
llbe
perf
ectl
yfi
ne.Ipr
omise.
”
“
Doesheknow?
”
“Yes,
butIal sotoldhi
m nottocall
.Wear esoclose
toendingthisonceandf oral
landIwon'thaveyou
tworuini
ngi tbecauseyouarefail
ingtocontr
olyour
emotions.I
t '
sonlyamat t
eroflessthan24hours
andyouwi llbereunit
edwithMelandt hi
stimeitwil
l
beforever.
”
*
***
***
**

ZWELAKHE(
TJ)
'SPOV.

“
Howmanyyear
sar
ewel
ooki
ngat
?”
“That
o!I
'
m notl
ett
ingyoudot
hat
!”myl
awyerr
oar
s
ontheot
hersi
de.
“Looksli
keyouar
eforget
ti
ngyourplaceher
e.Your
damnj obist
oanswertomenottotellmewhatto
andnottodo!Howmanyyears?”
“About4year soft r
ial
ssincehiscaseofpubli
c
i
nt er
est.I
fyouuseawor kr egi
ster
edweapon,you
willbepardoned, butonl
yifyourbossesbackyour
story.Theywilltr
eatthecaseasaper sonal
vendettaifyouuseyourownweaponbecauseSt ar
i
syourbl oodsi st
er.”
“
Fouryear
s.Notbad.
”
“
Sir
..
.”
“Getreadyt odefendmei ncourtandbr i
ngyourA-
game.Makesur eI '
m grantedbailandfastf orward
thetri
als,Ionlyhavet woyear stospare.
”Idr opthe
callandrol lmyweed.I t'sbeenawhi lesinceI
smoked, Ievenpr omisedmysel fthatIwillquitbut
ri
ghtnow, Ineedadi stracti
onbef or
eIdr i
vet o
SelbourneHot el
,walkintoHl ongwane'ssuiteand
skinhim alive.God!Ihat ethatmanwi t
hever ythi
ng
i
nme.

AllIhavebeent hinki
ngaboutt hesepastt wodays
i
smysi st
er'
ssuf feri
ng.Despit
eherbei ngar i
ch
father
'sdaughter,Starneverhaditeasyi nt hi
sli
fe.
Nowshehasar ichboyfri
endbutt here'sstil
lno
peaceinherlif
e.Iwantt ogivemysi sterthe
happinessIpromi sedherwhenshewasyoung.I
musthonormypr omisestoherandt oMel .They
bothdeservepeaceandhappi ness.

“Son?
”mymom wal ksovert
ome.It'
stool
atet
o
hidemyj
ointsoIconti
nueanyway.
“
Nono.It
houghtyouwer
est
il
loutwi
tht
hegi
rl
s?”
“
Ilef
tthem i
ntown.I
'
m notaf
anoft
hosemassages.
”
“
Okay.Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“Youarenotgoingtoj
ailforki
ll
ingthatmonster
.
Lil
lyneedsyou.Youaretheonlyfamilyshehas
ri
ghtnow.Youcan'tabandonhert oo.Pl
ease
r
econsi
der
.”
“
Reconsi
der
?Whatexact
lyam Ir
econsi
der
ing?
”
“
Ever
ythi
ng.
”Ir
aiseaneyebr
ow.
“
Okay.Ihaveabet
teri
dea.
”
“Let
'sheari
t.
”shepull
ssomethi
ngoutofherbag
andIalmoststopbr
eathi
ng.“
Nono!
”
“
Takei
t.Youhavemyblessings.
”sheputstheshi
ny
l
it
tl
emachinei
nmytremblinghand.Fuck!I
'
m
t
rembl
ing!
“
Mom Ican'
t.
..”
“Bysodoi
ngyouwi
llbeki
ll
ingt
wobi
rdswi
thone
stone.
”
“
Youl
ovehi
m mom.
”shel
aughs.
“
Usedt
o.Doi
tandsavet
hewor
ldf
rom t
heset
wo.
”
*
*
*
*
THERECKONI
NG!
!!
*
***
***
*
Iapologizefornotposti
ngbyt heti
meIsai dIwould,
Igotal i
ttl
eoccupied.Iwil
lpostanotheri
nsertlat
er
toni
ght.Af t
er10pm.Haveabeaut if
ulandbl essed
day.Iloveyouall.
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT48.

[
THI
SCHAPTERI
SUNEDI
TED.
]

THERECKONI
NG.

NARRATED.

I
t'
sabeauti
fulandbrightmorningi
ntheCit
yof
QueensandKings.Thestreet
sarealr
eadyfi
ll
ed
withpeopleheadedt ot heirvari
ousdest inati
ons.
Somear eof
ftowor k,somet ohustl
e, somet o
schoolandsomear ejustgoi ngtowher everthei
r
feetwilll
eadthem.Int heout ski
rtsofBul awayo, i
n
oneoft hebeauti
fulandf amousgar den, workers
arerunningupanddownwi thchair
s,dr apes,
fl
owersandal lsort
sofdecor ati
ons.Bl ackt i
e,i
sthe
themeoft hewedding.I t'
sr ar
eforabr idet ochoose
blackasoneofherweddi ngcolorsforbl ackis
associatedwithbadluckbutnotf orourbr idetoday.

WhenMelagr eedtothemarri
age, Tashaquickl
y
order
edf ortheweddingprepar
ationstobegin.She
chosethevenue, themeandthemenuandl etMel
choosethet ypeofcarst
heywillbeusi ngonthi
s
beauti
fulyetcursedday.
“
Pushthatchairtoyourri
ght.
”or
der
sthedecor
ator
.
“
Ali
tt
lemor e.Yes.Perf
ect!
”
“
Wehaverunoutoffl
owersforourcent
erpi
eces.
”a
l
adyi
nhergreenuni
for
m announces.
“
Fli
p!Letmecal
lthef
lor
istf
ast
.”Theevent
manageri sbusydi ali
ngtheflorist
'snumberwhena
vanwi thtintedwi ndowsdr i
vein.Thedr i
veris
wear ingauni form ofsomesor t.Hegr eetsthem
andi nf or
mst hem t hattheyhadl eftsomeoft heir
fl
owerbasket satt hegar den.“Thankyou. ”thelady
appr eciatesandt womenst artof f
loadingthe
fl
ower s.Thedr i
vert apsonhi sphoneandput sit
backt ohispocket .Theycont i
nuedecor ati
ngthe
placeunt ilitlooksl ikeoneoft hosemovi eset
pictures.
*
***
***

“Mel,
comeon, man!Cheerup,youarethegr
oom.
Wedon' twantyoulooki
nggl
oomyonyourwedding
day.Giveusasmi l
e.”TJpat
sMel'sshoul
der
.
“
I'
m scar
edman.
..”
“I
t'sokaytobescar ed.Youdon'thavetodo
anythingwhenwegett here,
allyouhavetodoisto
standt her
e,waitf
oryourbr i
deandletthi
ngs
happenont hei
rown.Youdon' thavetoli
ftaf
inger
,
j
ustst andthereandpretendtobehappy.That'sal
l.
”
“
Allset
.”Moni
cai
nfor
mst
hem.
“
Fool
proof
?”
“
1000per
cent
.”
“
Good.Timet
ogot
othevenueandenj
oyt
his
weddi
ng.Mel
?”
“Yea.It
'sti
me.”heexhal
esdeepl
y.“
Ihavea
request.
”herunshishandonhisst
yli
shbr
ushcut
hair
.
“
Don'
ttel
lmeyouhavechangedyourmi
nd?
”
“Ihaven'
t.Don'
tkil
lHlongwane...
.”t
heybothlookat
himlikehe'sgr
ownat hi
rdeyeonhisforehead.
“Handhim overtothepolice.
..”
“
Mel
okuhl
e!”
“Deathisaneasywayoutandhedoesn' tdeserveit
.
Sendhi mt ojai
landIwi l
lmakesur eheregret
sever
messi ngwithpeople'
slives.Iwanthi
mt odiea
slowpai nf
uldeathnotbyt hebull
et.
”TJ'ssmiles,
althoughthere'
ssomet hingscaryabouthi
ssmi le.
“Nowyouaretalki
ng.That'
sthemanIent
rust
edmy
sist
er'
sli
fet
orightther
e.”
“
Letmeleaveyouguyst
ofi
nishup,
justwhi
stl
e
wheni
t'
stime.
”
“
Sure.ThanksMoni
ca.Ioweyouone.
”Fort
hef
ir
st
t
imeeverTJhugsher.
“
Yourbadgewi
lldoj
ustf
ineasapayment
.”she
j
okes.
“
Consi
deri
tdone.
”
*
***
***
**

MrHlongwanei
sbusybri
efi
nghi
steam.He's
poi
nti
ngonthevenue'
smapandgivi
ngoutstr
ict
i
nstr
ucti
ons.
“Ki
llthebestmanbutdon' tt
ouchmyson.Iwant
him ali
ve,wi
thnoscratchonhim,inmybasement.
He'sstubborn,
useforceifyouhavet
o,j
ustdon'
t
hurthim.Areweclear?”
“
YesSi
r.
”
“Good.Mydaught
ermi ghtbet
her
e,makesur
e
she'
snotharmedtoo.Andmywi f
etoo.
”
“
OkaySi
r.
”
“That'
sal
l.
”hishit
menexitt
her
oom l
eavi
nghi
m
alonewit
hhisthought
s.
Godknowsheneverwant edt ohur thischi l
dren.He
wouldswearonhi sf ather 'sgr avej ustt oconvi nce
hisfamilyt hati twasnot hingper sonal .I
twasal l
aboutmoney, not hingel se.Al lhiswi fehadt odo
wast obet hesubmi ssi vewomanhehadvowedt o
beandst opsnoopi ngar oundhi sbusi ness.Hadshe
notconf rontedhi ssi dedi sh, maybet heirdaught er
wouldn'thavepai df orhi ssi nsi nsuchapai nful
manner .HadMelobeyedhi sor ders, stoppeddoi ng
theopposi teofever ythingheor der edhi mt odo
thentheywoul dbehappynow.Runni ngaf ranchi se
whichhasbr anchesal loverAf ricaandt herestof
theworldbutno, Mel deci dedt oout shinehi m and
becomeoneoft heyoungestmi ll
ionai resinAf rica.
IfonlyMelhadl istenedt ohi m, helpedhi m coverup
forhisyoungerbr otheri nst eadoff all
ingf orthat
cri
pple,thent heywoul dn' tbeher et oday.And
Emmywoul dst i
llbeal ive.Al lt heyhadt odowast o
sil
encet hecr ippl eandt heot hersl utf orgood.
“
Pennyforyourthought
s?”He'
sst
art
ledbyhi
sMr
Mpof
u'svoice.
“
Mygoodol
dfr
iend.Longt
ime.
..
”
“I
'm nothereforachitchat,Hl
ongwane.Icamehere
toletyouknowt hatyoursinswi l
lsooncatchup
withyouandyouwi l
lregretevermessingwith
people'sl
ives.Iwasloyaltoyou,Ididever
ythi
ng
youor der
edmet odobutwhatdi dyoudot ome?”
“Yousoundlikeawomannow, myfri
end.Why
shouldweletwomencomebet weenus?”MrMpofu
swingsafi
stt hatcat
chesHl
ongwaneoffguar
d.
“Fuc.
..
!”anotherfi
stlandsonhisj aw.Hl
ongwane
wipesbloodfrom hisnose,tr
iestothrowhisown
punchbutbef orehecansteadilystand,MrMpof u
alr
eadyhashi sshoeonHl ongwane' sgr
oin.“You
areki
ll
ingme. ..
.Sonofabitch..
..”Mpofugiveshim
amomentt obreathebefor
esendi nghim cr
ashing
onthefloorwithakick.
“
That'
sfordi
srespect
ingmymarri
ageandour
f
ri
endshi
p!Stayawayf r
om myf
amily!
”
“
Iownyou!Youar
ewhoyouar
ebecauseofme!
”
“Youownnoshit!Youarej
ustapatheti
cmanwith
noheartorsoul
.Justahol
lowbody,nothi
ngel
se.
”
“
Fuckyou!
”
“
STAYAWAYFROM MYFAMI LY!”Wit
hthatsaid,
MrMpofuexi
tsl
eavi
ngHl
ongwanetonursehis
wounds.
*
***
***
**

Peoplearenowgat heredatt heweddi ngvenue.Mel

i
swai ti
ngf orhisbr i
dewi t
hOwet huashi sbestman,
Monwabi siandSi gol aarehi sgroomsmen.Al lofa
suddenhe' snervous, itfeelsli
kehisfirstwedding
alloveragainbutt histimet hefeeli
ngi sstrong.
ShaniaTwai n'sYouAr eSt il
lTheOnepl aysandhis
heartalmostf al
lsof ftheribcage.Thesongi sStar
's
favori
teandt heyhaveal waysl i
steditast hesong
forthei
rweddi ngday.Hel ooksaround, TJis
nowher etobeseen.
“
Youal
ri
ght
?”Owet
huasksMel
.
“
Ifeell
ikeI
'
m goi
ngt
othr
owup.
..
”justt
hent
hef
og
i
nhiseyescl ear
s.Hecancl earl
yseewhati sgoing
on.“
OhmyGod. .
.”t
ear
sstream downhi scheeks.
Heinvolunt
aril
yfall
sonhisknees, r
aiseshishands
andgivethankstotheLord.Theboyshel phim up,
heslowlyapproachesthebride,hi
sbride,
thelove
ofhi
sl i
fe.
“
Star
..
.”wordsfai
lhi
m.Hehugshert
ight
,theysob
i
neachother'
sarms.“Mybaby.
..
”
“Mel.
..
”emotionsspi
ral
ingoutofcontr
olf
orbot
hof
them,theycr
ushintoeachother
'sbodi
esand
embraceeachother.
“
Ichangedt
hewhol
epl
an.”TJt
ell
sMelaf
teraf
ew
minut
es.
“
Man.
..
”
“
She'syourstokeep.Yourst
otakecareof.Your
sto
l
ovef or
ever
.Goon, marr
yherandenjoyyourli
ves.I
wil
llaydownmyl i
feforyoubot
h.Always
r
emembert hat.
”
Thecrowdisconfused.Thebri
dewhoshowedupis
nottheoneontheinvi
tati
oncards.TheMCasks
them t
osett
ledown.
“Canwe?”Sti
llunabl
etobelievethatStari
sher
e, he
squat
sinfrontofherandkissesthelivi
ngdayl
ight
ofouther
.Peopleulul
ate,
camer asflash
ever
ywhere.
“Howcantheweddinggoonwithoutme?
”
Anomusaannouncesherpr
esence.Mell
ooksup
andhi
sheartmelt
s.
“Daddy.”t
hel
it
tl
emanf
li
esi
ntohi
sar
msandMel
sil
entl
ycri
es.
“
Enoughaboutsadt
ear
s.Ti
met
ocel
ebr
ate.
”
*
*
*
*
TheUndyi
ngLove.

I
NSERT49.
[
Apologiesf
ordisappear
ingagain.Someonehas
beentr
yingtoaccessmyaccountandr eporti
ngme
asahackerleadi
ngtomybei ngloggedoutofmy
ownaccountbyFacebook.Icontactedthem, they
askedforpr
oofandawhol elotsoI'm sti
llwait
ing
fort
hem toveri
fymydocument sandl etmeaccess
myaccount.Ifi
nall
ydecidedtoaskoneoft he
adminstopostonmybehal f.
]

STAR'
SPOV.

“Doyou, MelokuhleAbraham Hlongwane,take

NonduduzoSt arSibandat obeyourlawfull
y
weddedwi f
e,tol
ove,toprotectandtocherishfor
therestofyourlif
e?,
”IthinkIhearthepastorsay.
EversinceAnomusadr aggedmeoutoft hef l
atin
London, ever
ythi
ngthat'shappeningfeel
slikea
beauti
fuldream Idon'
twantt owakeupf rom.
“Ido,
”hesaysandsl
idesthegoldenr
ingonmy
fi
nger.ThePast
orpr
oceedstoaskmet hesame
quest
ionheaskedMel.Iexci
tedl
ysay“yes”and
mar
kmymanwi
thaweddi
ngband.
“Byt hepowervest edinme. .
..”Idon'tgettoheart he
restoft hesent encebecauseMeli sal r
eadyki ssi
ng
mesl owl yandpassi onatelyso.Hi sli
pssosweetI
havet ofor cemyl egstogethert otryandt ellmyclit
tobehave.I t
'
st hrobbingsohar d,yearningf or
attentionbutt hisisnott herighttimeandt heplace.
Canyoubl amemet hough?It'sbeent hreegood
yearswi thoutsexandt ostayf ai
thfultohim, Inever
event r i
edt ogi vemysel fpleasureusi ngthe
alt
ernat ives.I'm br oughtbackt orealit
ybypeopl e
cheer ingf orus.
“Il
oveyousomuch,Mr
sMel
,
”tear
sofj
oyst
ream
downourcheeks.
“
Iloveyout
oo,
husband”
Peoplearecongratul
ati
ngusf r
om lef
t,r
ightand
centr
e.I'
m sti
lli
nazone, buti
tallf
eel
sreal,
beauti
fulandblessed.
“Congr
atul
ati
onscousin-si
ster.
..
”themomentwe
embraceeachother,wesob.Ineverthoughtwe
wouldbeheretoday.AsenathiandIwerejustt
wo
poorlit
tl
egi rl
swhocar edaboutnothingexcept
soapiesandmovi esnotsol ongago.Mar ri
agewas
neverpar tofourdreamsbuther ewear e,
marri
edt
o
theHlongwanebr others.Ialr
eadyhaveasonand
she'
sexpect ing.I
sn'tt
hisjustbeaut
if
ul?Whatmore
canagi rlaskfor?
“
Thankyou,
”Iwi
pehert
ear
swhil
eshewi
pesmine.
I
tfeel
ssogoodt
obebackandt
obewit
hever
yoneI
l
ove.
“IthoughtI'
dneverseeyouagain..
.”hervoi
ce
breaksasshet ri
estonarr
atetheeventsofthepast
threeyears.Shecan'
tstopthetear
sr ol
li
ngdown
mycheeksandIcan' tstopmineeither.
“Comeon, si
sters.It'
sahappydayandt earsshoul
d
bet hatofjoyonly,”Paulinesayswi t
hasmi l
e
plasteredonherbeaut i
fulface.“
Weneedt omove
tother ecepti
onar ea,
”shesaysaf tercar
efull
y
cleaningmyf acewi thwi pes.Shedoesthesame
withAsenat hi'
sface.
Therecept
ionvenuei
sfil
ledwit
hhappyfaces.I
spotmotheri
n-l
awinthecrowd,she'
scar
ryi
ngher
grandson.Theyaret hebestoffr
iendstherehas
everbeenandt heyunderstandeachot herperf
ectl
y
asiftheyaretwins.Idon'
tknowwhatMJi ssaying
toherandhercol l
eagues,theyareallgiggl
ingnon
stop.
“
Thankyou,
sweet
hear
t.”
“
For
?”
“Everyt
hing.Myboy, thesacrif
ices,forfai
thfull
y
holdi
ngont ouswhenever ythingwentsout h,f
or
l
ovingmybr okenpiecesandf orhonor i
ngmeby
becomingmywi fe.Ipromisetomakei tupt oyou,
toloveandcher i
shyouf orther estofourlives.I
l
oveyou, Star.”
“
Iloveyout
oo,
Mel
okuhl
e.”
*
***
***
*

ZWELAKHE/
TJ'
SPOV.

Iwasn'
tlyi
ngwhenIsai
dIcanlaymylif
edownfor
mysist
er.Idi
dever
ythi
ngIdi
dfrom t
hever
ydayI
vowedt oprotectherwasf orher
,nooneel se.I
knowI 'm beingselfi
shrightnowandLi l
lyhasevery
ri
ghtt obeangr yatme.It oldheraboutmypl anand
Ialsor eveal
edt oherthatImightbearrest
edor
ki
lled.Shesl appedme, shoutedatmeunt i
lshe
brokedown.Igavehermywor dthough,Ihaveto
gobackt omyLi ll
y.Ihavetofulf
il
lmypr omisesto
her.

Istomponmyci garet
tebutt,l
ookbothwaysbefor
e
pull
ingthehoodi
eovermyheadandcr ossi
ngthe
str
eet.Myphonerings.
..Fuck!It
'sLi
ll
y.
“
Babe”
“Pl
easecomeback.I'
m beggingyouTJ,pl
ease
comebacktome,”shesniff
sandi tbr
eaksmyhear
t
heari
nghersobpai
nfull
y.
“Iwil
lbebackmyl ove,
Ipromise.Letmedealwit
h
thi
sfir
st.Wewon'teverbehappyifIlett
hem go
scot-
free.Pl
ease.
..
”
“
Whati
ftheyki
llyou?
”
“Uhm...Ihavetogo, babe.Seeyoui nafew
minutes,”Idropthecallandheavi l
ysi
gh.NowIsee
whatmybosswast alki
ngabout .Mykindofwork
andlovel i
fecannotbemi xed.Nowmyhear tisi
n
twoplaces, meaningI'
m destructedandtheenemy
mightsenset hatandpounceonme.It aketwo
deepbr eathsandcont i
nue.
Therearefoursecuri
tyguardsbythemai nentrance.
Ididexpectthi
sglassandposhbui l
dingtohave
ti
ghtsecuri
tybutfourguards?That'
sjustri
diculous.
“
Eit
a,”Igr
eett
hem.
“Sur
eboss.I
dentif
icat
ioncar
d,please,
”It
akeout
mybadgeinst
eadofanI D.Thisbadgehasgiven
meaccesstoplacesInevert
houghtIwouldbein.
Theysal
utemeandIwal kin.
“Monica,bemyeyes”Isayi
ntot
heBl
uet
oot
h
connectedheadset
.
“Sure.Rotati
ngcamer aonyourlef
t,youhavet
wo
secondst obeatit
.Orjustkeepyourheaddown,I
wil
ldeletethefootage.
”
“
Sur
e,”af
ewmi
nut
esl
aterI
'
m ont
het
ent
hfl
oor
.
Thesei
diot
sar
est
il
lout
.
Looki ngatt hi sTashabi tchwhot houghtshecoul d
stri
pmysi sterherr ightsf uelsmyanger .She' sst i
ll
i
nherr evealingweddi ngdr essandherr idi
cul ous
make- up.Howdi dshegether e?Wel l,
thatwasas
simpl easABC.Peopl et endt ol ettheirguar ddown
whent heyar eexci t
edandt hat '
swhent heenemy
stri
kes.WhenAnomusacal ledandt ol
dmet hatSt ar
wasacr yingmess, Icoul dn'ttakei tandIt oldhert o
bringherover .Achopperwasqui cklyar ranged, by
myor gani zation,ofcour seandever ythingel sewas
sortedout .Ihadt obr i
ngi nMoni caandSi golai nto
mypl ananddeci dedt omakei tasecr et .We
druggedt heent i
rehot el-staffandvi sit
or s-not
reall
ydr ugt hem butputt hem t osl eepf oraf ew
hour s.Thenwet ookTashaandHl ongwane.That
wasst upidoft hem tobookt hesamehot el,
itmade
ourjobeasy.MrMpof ual mostgoti ntot hecr ossfir
e
butthat '
smyf at
herin-lawr ightt heresoImade
surehe' soutandsaf e.Lill
yhasn' tforgivenhi m
though.Ij usthopeonedayshewi l
l.Hei salsoa
victi
m ofci rcumst ancesi nal lthis.
“Waterplease,”Isayr ol
li
ngmysleevesandtaki
ng
offmyhoodi e.Sigolacomesbackwi thabucket-
ful
l
oficycoldwat er.Ipourallofi
tonthei
rli
fel
ess
bodiesandt heyi nst
antlycomeali
ve.Theybot
h
l
ookatt heirsurroundingsandtome.
“
What
'sgoi
ngon?Whyam Iher
e?Ishoul
dbeon
t
heal
tarwi
thMel
..
”
“
Yea,
right
.Exceptyouwi
llneverbeMel
'
swi
fe.
..
”
“Getthi
sthi
ngof
fmeyoui diot
!Yout
hinkyoucan
t
akemedown?Whodoyout hi
nkyouare?
”
Hlongwanefi
nal
lyspeaks.
“Youar ealreadydown.Downandout ,
”Ifi
ghtthe
urget odislodgehi sjaw.Ther uleswer eclear.‘
No
scratchont hem sot heycanmakeusmor emoney’ .
Youhear dthatright.Thesetwoar egoi ngtobesold
tothehi ghestbidder .Thereareoverhundr ed
bidderswai tingforthem andIcanbetmyl astcent
thattheset wowi llmaket heorgani zati
onal otof
money.Melaskedmenott okillhisfatherandsend
himt ojailbutjailwillbeheavenf orHl ongwane.He
deservest osuf f
erinf arawaycount rieswher ethey
wi
llt
reathi
mli
keausel
essdogt
hathei
s.
“
Iwi
llki
llyouf
ort
his!
”hescr
eams.
Theykeeponthrowi
ngtantr
umsbutr eal
it
ydawns
onthem whentwotat
tooedmeni nj
eans,for
mal
shi
rtsandcowboyhatswalkin.
“TJpleasedon'
tdothi
stome..
.I'
m sorr
y..
.”Tasha
i
salreadyacryi
ngmess.Sheknowst hetwomen
andsheknowst hatt
heyal
waysmeanbusi ness.
“Whatareyousor
ryf
or?Huh?
”befor
eIcancont
rol
myemot i
ons,asl
apl
andsonhercheekl
eavi
ngher
shel
lshocked.
“TJ!”Si gol
apushesmeawayf r
om her .Ihavetoget
outofher ebeforeIpul
lthegunmymot hergaveme
theot herdayandf ini
shthem off.I
t'sactual
lymy
father'sgunandmymom t hi
nksi t
'sagoodi deato
usei tjustincasethepolicecomeknocki ng,wecan
framehi m.“It
hinkyoushouldleave, wewi l
lhandl
e
i
tf rom here.”
“Okay.Gent
lemen,
alwaysapleasur
edoi
ng
businesswi
thyou,
”Ishakethetwomen'
shands
andheadout .Myj
obhereisdoneandhel
lawai
ts
t
heset
woont
heot
hersi
deoft
hegl
obe.

WhenIgett otheweddi ngvenue, somepeopl eare

chatt
ingloudly, somear etakingpictures-Idon't
blamethem, t
hevenuei sjustbeauti
ful,somear e
dancingandr ighti nsidetheVI Ptent,Ispotmy
Queenwhoi ssadl ysi ppingonacockt ail
.Icheck
myselfont her earviewmi r
rorbeforeget t
ingout.I
wentpasthome, tookaqui ckshoweranddr essed
l
ikethebride'sbr other.Allourproblemsar esort
ed
nowandi t'
st i
met oj ourneytothehor izon.
“Heyhandsome,
”somesl
utwear
ingaski
mpybl
ack
dressgr
eetsme.
“Hey,
”Icoul
dhavet
oldhert
opi
ssof
fbutIam a
gentl
eman.
“
Whatcanagi
rldot
ogetyournumberorhot
el
r
oom key?
”
“Sweethear
t,Idon'
tstayinhotelsbecauseIhavea
warm home.Andno, Idon'teatfrom t
hedustbi
ns,
”I
smileandpushherasi de.Ihaveawomanofmy
dreamsandt helastt
hingonmymi ndisgett
ing
mysel
fawhor
e,whatf
or?
“
Heybabe,
”Iwhi
speri
ntoherearandshej
umps
missi
ngagl
àssbyaninch.
“
B..
Babe.
..
”shef
li
esi
ntomyar
msandcr
ies.
“It
oldyouthatIwil
lbeback.I
'
m backnowandI
'm
yourst
odowhat everyouwantwit
hmef ort
her
est
ofourli
ves.
”
“
Nomor
edi
sappear
ing?
”
“Nomorej
obsthatt
akemeawayfr
om you,
”Ipeck
heront
heli
psandshebl
ushes.
“
Youl
ookyummy,
”shebi
tesherl
owerl
ip.
“
Youar
edr
unk,
babe.
”
“
Brot
her
.”
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons,
Sis.I
'
m sohappyf
oryou.
”
“Thankyouforeveryt
hing,
”sheemot i
onall
ysmil
es.
“Shedidn'
teatthecakesoI'm heret
ogiveitt
oyou
soyoucanf eedher.She'
sbeenr eal
lysad.
”
“
ThanksSi
s.Gobackt
oyourhusband.
..”
“
Iwi
ll
.Af
teryouf
eedher
.”
Ipickasl i
ceofcakeandfeedittoher
.Shetakesa
bit
e,chewsandt henstops.Shechewsagainbefor
e
spitt
ingsomethingout
.Byt heti
meshelooksatme,
I'
m alreadyonmyknees.
“
Wil
lyoumakemet hehappiestmanal
iveand
mar
ryme?”shebl
inksrepeatedl
y.
“
Ist
hisr
eal
?Ar
e..
.ar
eyour
eal
ly.
..”
“Yesbabe.Pl
easemarryme..
.”shepul
lsmeupand
herlipscr
ushonmineinadeep,slowpassi
onat
e
kiss.OhmyGod!I'
m gett
ingahardonalr
eady.
“Iwil
lmarryyou, myking,
”shehandsbackt heri
ng
tomeandIsl iditonherfi
nger .Peoplecheerand
ulul
atewhil
eot hersarecl
icki
ngphot os.Our
famili
escongratulat
eusandwegobackt o
businessoftheday.It'
smysi ster
'sweddingday.
*
***
***
***

STAR'
SPOV.
I'
m sof l
ippi
ngt ir
ed!Mybodyhur tsonever ypar
tof
i
tandwhodoIbl ame?Noonebutmysel f.Wehada
blastofanaf terpartywhereonl
yclosef amil
yand
fr
iendswer einvited.MJwas-stil
liswithher
grandmot herandwegotwast edinthatclub.We
wer enotonlycelebrati
ngourmar ri
ageandTJand
Lil
ly'
sengagement ,wewerealsocelebrati
ngour
fr
eedom.Peopl ewhomadeourl i
veshellaregone
andt heywillneverbotherusagain.
“Goodmor ningMrsMe, ”t
hearomaofwhat '
sinthe
tr
ayhi t
smynost ri
lsfi
rstbefor
eI'mtakenbyhis
smile.Ican'
tbel
ievethisi
sthemanwhowasr ude
tomewhenImethi mforthefi
rstt
ime.
“
Heybabe,
”hepecksmyl
ips.
“
Imadeyourf
avor
it
e.”
Wear eatourhomewhenweshoul dbeonour
honeymoonbecausemydearhusbandt houghtit
wil
lbebettertoshareourfi
rstni
ghtandasal egall
y
marri
edcoupl einourhome.Hesaidsomething
aboutancestorsandstuff
.Anddamn!Thesexwas
j
ust.
..Idon'tevenhavetheri
ghtwordstodescribeit
.
Idon'
trememberhowmanytimesImoanedhis
nameandexplodedaswavesofcount
lessor
gasms
kepthi
tti
ngme.
“
Thankyou,
sweet
hear
t.
”
Wesi tinsilenceandeatourbreakf
ast.Wekeep
steal
inggl ancesateachother
.Het akesmyhand
i
nt ohisbutsaysnot hi
ng.I
tfeelssogoodt obeher
e
withhim, ashiswife.MyphonevibratesandI
hesit
antlychecki t
.
***Star,Isincerel
yapologi
zeforeveryt
hingIdidto
you.Idon' tknowwhyIdi ditbutIguessIsawyou
asapuni shmentf rom GodforwhatIwasdoi ng.
Youar enotcr azy,ever
ythi
ngyour ememberistrue.
I'
m sorrymychi l
d.Ihopeyouwi l
lonedayfinditin
yourhear ttoforgi
veme, us.
Yourf
ather
RaymondThat
oMat
humo*
***
“
What
'st
hat
?”
“
Nothing.Justamessagefrom Econet
,”Il
ie.My
f
athercangot ohel
lforal
lIcar
e.Him andtherest
oft
hosehear
tl
esspeopl
e.
“
Yousur
e?”
“
Yeshubby,”Iwon'
tlett
hismanrui
nthismoment
.
Wejustgotmarr
iedandwear egoi
ngtoenj
oyi
tto
t
hefull
est.“
So.What'
snext?
”
“
Honeymoon.
”
“
Wher
e?”
“Whereveroursoul
s,hear
tsandbodi
esleadusto.
Wehaveal lt
hemoney, wecangotothemoont ooi
f
youfeelli
keit
.Justdon'
tletgoofmyhand.Il
ove
you.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
“Thi
sloveisf
orever
,notevendeathcantearus
apar
t.Holdmyhandl etmetakeyoutoourveryown
PARADISE…”hesealsitbyaFrenchkiss.

*
*
*
*
THEEND.