Simbongile Princess Ntabeni: The Called

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I called Qhamani, because I needed a distraction. He answered on the first ring...

Qhamani: Twice in one day?
Me: I need a distraction.

Qhamani: Ooops, what's wrong?
Me: I know I said we can only meet up tomorrow, but can you please come through?

He went silent...

Me: Please, please babe.

Qhamani: Okay, let me see if mom can lend me her car.

Me: Please beg her, or else I'll run mad in this house.

Qhamani: Okay, see you in a bit.

We hung up, I grabbed a jacket and changed my sandals for sneakers. Musa knocked on my door and I ignored her, I didn't have the energy yakhe, neyomnye umntu ke futhi. I just wanted some peace. My phone rang, I grabbed it and answered while unlocking the door. I walked out, with my gate remote and left dad with the rest of his kids.

Me: babe?

Qhamani: Akavumi ke umazala wakho ngemoto yakhe so please some sneakers or boots, I'm coming with my bike.

Me: Bike as in bicycle or motorbike?

Qhamani: Just wear shoes Simbongile.

I laughed and closed the gate behind me, walking up the street.

As I hung up, Junior called and I ignored him.

Dad called and fortunately, his calls were blocked so I only saw the notification that he was trying to call me. A few minutes later, Qhamani rocked up with his motorbike and an extra helmet for me, I got up behind him and we drove back to the direction he had come from. He parked right infront of KFC, we walked in hand-in-hand...

Qhamani: Wings or Streetwise Two?
Me: Wings.

Qhamani: U sure?
Me: Ewe, esi ziy'10.

He laughed, bought wings and water then we went back to his bike. He drove to his house, his mother's car was in the driveway and were going to his backroom. He gave me the KFC bag to walk in with while he went inside the main house. I tossed my shoes behind the door, jacket on the couch across the room and then flopped on the bed with the wings. He came back with snacks, and joined me. We didn't even touch the subject of why I asked him to go and fetch me, we just went on and on nge conversation yethu. Mom called while I was being "babied" and stuffing my face with snacks, talk about bad timing!

Me: Mama?
Mom: Sim, uphi?
Me: Ndikulo Qhamani mama.

Mom: Ulibonile ixesha?

Me: Yes ma'am, I just got here.

She didn't respond, I continued eating.

Mom: Simbongile Ntabeni?
Me: Mama?
Mom: Can you please go home?
Me: I can, and I will. Not ngoku qha.

Mom: Oh, nini ke?
Me: In about an hour or two, I need to breathe. Iya suffocater indlu yakho, I'm pretty sure that's why nawe uyishiyile.

She chuckled, I knew I was asking for it but that very moment I didn't care.

Mom: Simbongile?
Me: mama?
Mom: You better make sure that andifiki k'qala kunawe endlini.

Me: Uzoya what time wena mama endlini?

She hung up, I put my phone down and continued stuffing my face in silence.

Qhamani: Should I take you home?
Me: Around 8pm.

Qhamani: Your mom?
Me: I don't care about her right now...

Qhamani: Babe...

Me: Nawe ke ungandenzeli iheadache more than lena sendinayo please, ndizogoduka around 8pm and that's it.

He laughed and pulled me close for a cuddle, then he asked what happened. I told him the whole story and he went dead silent. I pulled the fleece in silence too, and cuddled on his warm body. For some reason his silence was uncomfortable and awkward but I didn't want to ask, I was already fedup zi awkward situations as it was that very moment.

About an hour or so later, he woke me up.

I had fallen asleep, I woke up to a warm beef stew and steamed veggies. My heart smiled, I wouldn't have to eat at home, I'd just go straight to my room. I sat up, and ate. He had his own plate, his mother was kind like that.
Even though I was woken up with kisses and tickles, I could still feel the awkwardness of his silence. So I stopped eating and looked at him.

Qhamani: And that look?
Me: What's on your mind?
Qhamani: You don't wanna know.