Simbongile Princess Ntabeni: The Called

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

SIMBONGILE PRINCESS NTABENI

We spent almost an hour at the park, as he walked me home, I could tell he was feeling much better. He stopped at the gate, ndamjonga.

Me: You don't want to come in?
Qhamani: Haibo, your parents are home.

Me: So?

Qhamani: Baby, please removed the shoes torho.

I laughed and walked inside the yard.

He tried to grab my arm, but I slipped.

Me: Ngena, uzobulisa umama.

Qhamani: Ha.a man baby, some other time.

Me: Haike, uzogoduka ngenyawo.

Qhamani: Simbongile, don't do this, please.

Me: Umoyika ntoni umama?
Qhamani: Haibo, I can't just rock up to her unannounced, come on.

I walked backward smiling at him, the gate closed, but I opened it again.

He took out his phone, dialed someone but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I knew he wouldn't go home barefoot, he'd be forced to come in and take his shoes.

Qhamani: Simbongile Ntabeni?
Me: If you really want your shoes you will come in.

Qhamani: Andizongena kokwenu mna, if I have to, which I really don't right now, I will on my own will.

Me: Yho, so what are you going to do with your shoes?
Qhamani: You're seriously not going to give me my shoes?
Me: Come take them.

"Simbongile Ntabeni?"

I looked back, Mumu was watching us from the front door with her hands on her waist. I laughed, Qhamani laughed too. In a split second, a car stopped behind Qhamani and he smiled at my confused face.

Qhamani: I guess you wanna bring my shoes to my house then?

Me: That's not your mother's car...

Qhamani: I know, but it's going to take me home. I love you, bye!

With that he laughed, walking to the car and he left without his shoes.

I walked towards Mumu and I almost tripped, she had this weird look on her face.

Me: Yintoni wena?
Musa: Umama ukhona, wena uncokola nama boyfriend e gate'ini?
Me: yintoni I boyfriend Musa?
Musa: Ngu Qhamani.

Me: How do you know his name? Hewethu, have you been stalking me.

Musa: Umntu athethe carelessly nge boyfriend yakhe and still ask how we know his name? Wow umntana ka Bonga, hay wow!

She walked away.

Sibongumusa walked away from me, leaving my jaw on the ground.

I picked myself up and walked inside,

Me: Molweni...

Mom: hey baby...

Musa: Imkile ke iboyfriend yakhe.

Everyone laughed, I was sooo embarrassed I wished I could vanish into thin air. Junior was the worst, he exaggerated everything. I looked at them and walked back to my room, that's where I was before Qhamani rocked up unannounced. A fear minutes later, I heard bhut'Masi leave and I breathed. I didn't mind Musa, she was just a kid, but I didn't want my business known by the whole family. Especially u bhut'Masi. Haibo!

****

We had packed our clothes because we were spending the weekend with dad. He was apparently going to fetch us from school the following day and I had plans with my boyfriend. Mom didn't mind, so I figured dad wouldn't mind too.

Later on after my date, I went via grandad's house, then he took me to my dad's place and we played happy families for that night. Junior and Musa were obviously more interested in what dad was doing abroad while I was more interested in why he was back. Unfortunately, he was ducking and diving.

The following day I woke up in a very quiet house, I wore slippers and went to make breakfast. But on my mind I could still remember the vision I had about u Imi nomakhulu wakhe... it made me cringe, there was something about it. Especially kengoku now that u makazi naye efuna udibana nam Sunday.

"What's on your mind?" I heard dad behind me and I just smiled, turning to face him.

"Oats or isidudu?" I replied with my own question and he chuckled, making his way to the seat across the kitchen counter.

Dad: Anything you guys prefer.

Me: Oats it is then.

I put on the kettle and prepared porridge, I didn't want to talk but I could feel he was in the mood. That was the contrast between him and mom, maybe they balanced each other out back then, I don't know. But mom doesn't talk much, she has her days when she doesn't even wanna say "hi" kuthi and we understand. Dad, on the other hand, was a talker of note! A talker that avoided real-life conversations.

Dad: How's school?
Me: hah, same old dad, same old.

Dad: And your visions?

Me: Those, they become extreme at times. But we learn to live with them, taking each day as it comes.

Dad: Mh, umdala mfondini. Ndiyakubuka.

I laughed, I sensed the "boyfriend" conversation coming, so I jumped at it ngokwam.

Me: Ndimdala gqithi tata, ndinayo ne boyfriend!
Dad: Haibo!

I laughed at him.

Dad: Hay Princess, you're not old enough to have a boyfriend yet.

Me: Kanti how old was mom when she was your girlfriend?

Dad: About the same age as you, but...

Me: Same age, noted.

Dad: But, not every guy you meet is going to be like me. Yes, your mom and I are divorced but we had some good years together.

Me: I don't want to give him much credit but he seems like he could be a bit more than you yazi tata, no offense intended.

Dad: None taken, so when am I meeting him?
Me: Mom hasn't met him, so you'll have to wait nawe unless ke you're planning to stay for long.

He nodded, smiling, and then got up.

Me: Are you staying for long ke?

Dad: I don't know yet, time will tell.

Me: Ooh...

He walked away, just like that.

I smiled to myself shaking my head... I closed the pots and went to fetch my phone to call Qhamani. He didn't answer me, I dialed again. He cut the call, haibo!

I sent him a text, he blue ticked me yhu ndakhathazeka kwaphela ne appetite. I sent him a text, he blue-ticked me yhu ndakhathazeka kwaphela ne appetite. How could he? At least ke abambe iphone and tell me he's busy, not to mize and cut the call on me!