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Chapter Thirteen.

Chapter Thirteen.

"You've got to learn to leave the table when love is no longer being served." x NINA SIMONE.

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"Zanokuhle." He says stepping forward. I take a step back.
"Ufunani wena la?" I ask after a while of processing it all, my bottom lip quivering.

"Baba!" Zonke jumps off the couch, shooting right into the arms of this man that had two bags with him. "Baba, you came back."
"I had to." He says as Zonke lets him go. I give a nod to the mannequin, informing him that he could give us some sort of privacy.

"Zanokuhle move, let baba in." She takes his bags from the ground and allows the man to walk in first.

Did she just call me by my name?

"I'm sure Khaya and Buhle will be so excited to see you baba, just like I am." She says offering him a chair. I'm still at the door, which I decide to close after realising that this was really happening. "Should I get you anything to drink? Coffee? Tea? Water?"
"iCoffee ilungile Zonke." He says, his gaze focussed on me.

Zonke nods continuously as she headed to the kitchen to put some water into the kettle.

He looked a little older than what he did all those years ago. White hairs invaded the hair on his head. He still liked keeping a clean face I see. He took out a handkerchiefs to wipe away the sweat on his forehead. I can't believe he still did that...makes me wonder if he still smoked like a chimney.

"I see you guys made some changes to the house." He says, finally removing his gaze from me to look around. "It looks great."

"Zano even managed to extend the house." Zonke adds for no good reason.
"Nonozi is still a hard worker I see." He says tapping on the table. I hated that name.

"Ngisayolala. (I'm going to sleep)" I state and make my way to my room, slamming the door behind me as I let out a mother of all breaths. How can I go from being the happiest woman alive to the most livid in a matter of seconds again.

Why is this man here, in this very house he left us in to suffer and fend for ourselves?

My phone rings from between my breasts. It's Bangi and somehow just by seeing his name flashing on my screen brings some joy to my heart.

"Bangi..."
"My baby. I miss you."

I chuckle and make my way to my bed before sitting at the edge. "I miss you too."
"You know I can't even sleep. I'm still thinking about today to every detail. All thanks to you."

I shake my head. "Sleep Bangi, you said you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow and you need to rest."
"Can't I just come and see you then before I do? It'll make me sleep better."
"That sounds nice, but no. Besides my father is around." I sigh.

"You don't sound excited."
"I don't know if I should be... I really don't." Look at me already shitting on this relationship with heavy stuff. I'm basically ruining his mood, just like mine is. "Look I don't want to be a sour grape right now, so how about we talk tomorrow?"
"Can I come fetch you later then? Tomorrow."
"Bangi..."
"I can make time for you, if that's what you're worried about."

I smile and bite on my bottom lip, my mind drifting off to that kiss. Those majestic lips and how he was just so gently with me. The way he held me...the way he took his time to make me feel what he felt. The emotions... Everything.