Random encounters

6. Memories

It's been a year and Nkhumbu is a year old today, I had this weird image of her growing up that she'll look like me but no, it's like I didn't give birth to her shame.
"Why didn't you at least take my nose?" I ask
She laughs at me and respond in whatever language she speaks that I don't understand .
"You said Tata before saying mom, as if resemblance is not enough" I take her in my arms
"Wanga, Thiko is already in the car waiting for you" my mom at the door
"Let's go then" I follow her
"Are you sure he's not making this a big deal, she's just a year" my mom
Well she has a point. "It's his first child so he might as well..."
She looks at me annoyed.
"He booked a park for a one year old party, does it get more than that?" She asks
I don't want to argue with my mom or defend Thiko, I'll keep my mouth shut from now on. We get in the car.
"You can put her on her seat baby" Thiko suggests
"I'll be with her at the back" I say
He frown at me. I know he won't say anything or complain in front of my mom.
We arrive at the park, it's packed indeed. I wonder who are all these people, I don't know people and Nkhumbu is too young to have friends.
"Thiko, who are all these people?" I ask as we join this carnival party.
"Our friends" he answers
"I don't have friends" I say
He doesn't say anything but smile. I see candy's parents and Thabile. Thiko's friends, Edzani is also here. I wonder why, she's not my friend.
"I'm only allowing this because you don't get to spend time with her often, a carnival party?" I say
"Hello Wanga, you look great" Edzani smiles
"Hi Edzi, I wasn't expecting you here" I say
"Well everyone was invited" she says
Still why is she here?
Thiko is looking for his friends because he is not facing me nor involved in this awkward conversation.
"Well thanks for coming" I smile
She smiles and walk away.
"I'll get you something to drink" he doesn't wait for my response
I don't know if I'm overlooking this but that was odd.
"I swear if it was possible we'd be having our date, now we're here in this mess" I say to Nkhumbu
"Dadadada" Nkhumbu
"Yeah I know you'd defend him" I sigh
"Wanga, is everything okay?" Thabile asks from behind
"I'm okay, how are you?"
She's observing me. "I'm good, who are you talking to?" Thabile
"Nkhumbu, she'll understand when she grows up" she's laughing at me
"You are serious?" That's more rhetoric
I nod. She stares at me then Nkhumbu.
"You are strange" she says that like it's a bad thing
To be honest I did enjoy the carnival, will al the activities and snacks. My mom took Nkhumbu and disappeared so that I can at least have fun since I was annoyed and talking to Nkhumbu.
"You beat me again, I think I've heard enough besides my ego won't take anymore" Luke complaints
I have been having so much fun with him, of everyone else he was the only one open to challenge.
"I think you're being a gentleman and letting me win on purpose" I look at him
He smiles "Or you just being a badass and bruising my ego"
I laugh
"I doubt that, I don't think I can brag about this. Everyone will laugh at me" I look at him
He's laughing at me himself.
"Yes, it's true. You were going on easy on me all this time" I conclude
"You are fun when you're winning, you were even dancing and singing" he says
I laugh, he's just staring at me now.
"I don't know if i should too, I get the feeling I'm the one being laughed at" Luke says
I stop "No, I am laughing at myself. I didn't expect to be having this much fun today m, especially here with so many people. But I am" I confess
"Thanks for saying that I'm fun, I almost missed that" he smiles
"Whatever, I'm the fun one not you" I correct
"Let's have a rematch then" he says
"No, are you kidding me. I know you'll win" we both roar with laughter
"Wanga, Nkhumbu is asleep..." my mom
"Okay mom, I'll come get her in a minute" I say
She looks at me like she has a lot to say, that look black parents give you when you're doing something wrong. I call it "I'll beat your ass when we get home face".
"I was thinking we should get going, I'm also tired" she says
Okay, there's more to this but I think I should get going and not waste time asking questions.
"Thanks for being fun but I have to go" I say
He doesn't say anything but smile.
My mom doesn't say anything all the way to the car, she has Nkhumbu with her.
"Where is Thiko?" She asks looking at me
"I'll call him" I say
She doesn't respond. He answers the phone in a second.
"We are outside waiting for you babe, Mom and Nkhumbu are tired." I say
"Okay I'll be there" he says and hang up
My mom is staring at me, I've heard it now.
"Say it Mom, I know you have something bothering you" I say
"I have overstayed my welcome..."
"What, when did you conclude that?" I cut her off
"I've been here because i know you need me Wanga, the same way you needed me after giving birth and months after that when you had to go back to work and take care of the baby. But I can't stay here forever" she says
"I thought you loved it here, I still need you mom. Nkhumbu needs you..."
"Nkhumbu needs her parents, not just her mother Wanga..."
"Where is this coming from mom?" I ask
She sigh and look away.
"Please tell me, I think i deserve to know why you want to leave me" I plead
She looks at me
"I thought you were enjoying the party" Thiko says and kiss my cheek
My mom doesn't say anything but get in the car, Thiko looks at me but I get in the car too.
He holds my hand as he drives but doesn't say anything all the way. I don't know what to do or think, another person leaving me but this time is my mother.
We get to the house, I put Nkhumbu to bed and get in the shower. Afterwards, I get in my pj's and get to bed. I have no idea where Thiko is.
"Mine, is everything okay?" He gets in the covers and hold me.
"I had fun today" I say
"I'm glad you did" he says
"Without you" I say
He doesn't say anything but holds me tighter.
"I wanted to have fun with you and Nkhumbu" i say and turn to face him
"I wanted you to go out and have fun, we always here." He says
"You mean when you are around. We eat dinner, take a shower together and have a lot of sex" I explain
"I thought you loved that..." Thiko
"Just like you thought I wanted a carnival party with a bunch of people I don't know on my daughter's birthday. It reminded me of my birthday..." I stop
He swallow and look at me.
"Is this why your mom is not talking to me?" He asks
I exhale. "No,this is about me. You still don't get it"
"Whats the meaning of that?" I look away
"It's always about you Wanga, every thing I do" he says
I look at him, I have nothing more to say so I'll turn and sleep. He wraps his arms around me.