Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 6

As I drove home I saw this cute advert of a dad holding his little girl on the Billboard. It was too cute maybe because it reminded me of my dad and I. I always wore Tutu skirts even if I had no reason to wear them. I didn't love the pink ones though, I preferred them in blue with glitter.
I could feel my tears blinding me. I stopped at the garage, filled my car tank then I went inside to use the bathroom. I needed to wash my face before heading back home. As I approached the till to pay for the water I bought I heard someone calling my name.
Khanyisile! Khanyisile!
I turned and it was the instructor from yesterday. I smiled looking at her.
“Hi.” I greeted her.
“Hey, Khanyisile. For a second I thought I was hallucinating.” Jasmin
“You definitely have a good memory. You work with a lot of clients but you remember them. You good.”
“Don't be silly I just saw you yesterday and I'm not that old to forget beautiful faces.”
Look at me blushing, she might not be referring to me as one of those “beautiful faces” but here I am blushing.
“You such a flirt!”
“Is it working?” Jasmine asked.
“Don't flatter yourself Jasmin.”
“Can't blame a girl for trying. Will I see you at the gym later?”
“I'm not quite certain, I have some issues I need to deal with, family issues.”
“Alright khanyisile it was nice seeing you, goodbye.”
“Bye” I said as I went into my car.

The drive back home was not that draining. It's still early. The traffic is mostly around 17h00. As I turned right in my street I saw a figure standing by the gate. As soon as the person saw me he or she quickly got into their car and drove off at high speed. I could not even get the number plate. I just sat in my car wondering who it could be, then I drove in. I used the garage door to enter the house and Olwethu was in the kitchen cooking.
“Someone is early.” she said.
“Yeah, they had to fumigate. Where is my mom?”
“Ma is resting and your brother went to open a missing person case.”
I pulled the barstool and sat down.
“I really thought this is just a nightmare and I will come home and find my dad.”
“Kuzolunga cupcake.”
I just chuckled and looked at her.
”Cupcake really?”
“I've always called you that.” Her
“Yes but doesn't one outgrow their childhood nickname?”
“You will always be my cupcake.”
We shared a laugh.
“Let me go to my room and check on mom.”
“Okay.”
As I was halfway through the stairs I turned and looked at her. “Can I as you something?”
“Sure.”
“Did you perhaps see something or someone shady at the gate?”
“Shady in what sense?”
“Nah it's cool. I'm probably just tired and seeing things.”
“Khuluma khanyisile.”
“It's probably nothi...”
“Ngithe khuluma! Don't give me that it's probably nothing excuse.” Her
“Fine! As I approached the house, someone was standing at the gate but as soon as he or she saw my car the person rushed into the car and sped off.”
“What!”
“Weird I know. Anyway let me go change.”

I opened mom's door and peeped through but she was asleep so I went to my room and changed into leggings and a sweater my dad bought me. I need to get my hair done, I said to myself.
I went out but heard my phone ringing, so I went in my room again. It was Kele...
“Babe still no news?”
“Unfortunately nothing yet.”
“Something will arise, don't lose hope just yet.”
“I'll try Kele, I'll try.”
“Let me not keep you waiting bye.”
“Bye.”
I decided to keep my phone with me just in case.
As I went down the stairs I heard loud happy screams. It must be the twins.
They went crazy the minute they saw me.
“Aunty Khanyi!” Ayanda
“Aunty Khanyi!” Ntokozo
“Hi chipmunks. How was school?”
“School is okay. Where is grandma and grandpa?” Ayanda
I guess they don't know their grandad is missing.
“Grandma is resting, she's sick. Grandpa is uhm grandpa...”
“Daddy!” Ntokozo
Thank God Bonginkosi walked in when he did. He picked them up, threw them in the air and gave them pecks on the forehead. They just giggled but my heart tore, I really miss my dad.
“Excuse me!” I ran to my room and locked the door. A few minutes later I heard someone knocking.
“Cupcake open up.” Olwethu
I just kept sobbing, it's only sinking in now that my dad is missing. What am I going to do without him?
“MaNgcobo vula.” Nkosi
“Yini inkinga ngo aunty?” Ayanda asked.
“Go downstairs Yaya, I made butter cookies.” Olwethu
“Okay mama.” Yaya
“Cupcake please open.”
“Wat is die probleem nou? Hoekom skree jy Olwethu?” (What's the problem now? Why are you shouting Olwethu?) Mom
I could hear Olwethu explaining what's wrong to my mom.
“Baby, maak oop die deur asseblief.” ( please open the door.) Mom
I quickly wiped my tears before opening the door. She was by herself so I'm assuming my brother and his wife went downstairs.
“Kom. Kom kleintjie. Kom ons sit op die bed.” ( Come, come little one. Let's sit on the bed.)
We sat on the bed I did not have to say anything, my mom understood. She just let me lay on her lap as I cried hysterically. Out of all my siblings, I am the one close to my dad. Yes I'm a daddies girl. My mom kept on assuring me that everything is okay and dad will come back to us. I wish I could believe what she is saying but my heart is empty.
I have no idea when I fell asleep but when I woke up it was dark. The first thing I did was peep through my window. Still no sign of dad's car. I was slowly losing my mind. I need to get in control before I completely lose my reasoning. Something was vibrating on my bed, it was my phone.
“Hello.” I said.
“Hi Scar, its Zayn.”
Urg come on! I don't need this now!
“What do you want Zayn?”
“No need to be rude Scar! Wat is jou probleem!” (what is your problem!)
“Zayn, I don't have time for your mind games. I'm going through the most right now. I don't need..” he cut me before I could finish.
“Wat gaan aan?” (What's going on?)
“My pa het net verdwyn. Niemand weet waar hy is.” (My dad is missing)
“Wat beteken jy, hy het net verdwyn?” (what do you mean he is missing?)
“I mean exactly that!”
“Look Zayn I have to go.”
“Bye.”
After the phone call I went to take a bath instead of showering. I needed to relax and think. It was a bit cold. I wore my warm pyjamas than went downstairs.
“Aunty Khanyi you good?” Yaya asked me.
“Yes baby I'm good. Where is Ntokozo?”
“She's sleeping. It must be all that chocolate cake we had after practice.”
“Where's everyone?”
Before Yaya could answer, I saw them opening the sliding door. They must have been in the outdoor family room.
“You awake! You must be hungry.” Olwethu
“I am hungry actually.”
“I made your favourite beef stew, cabbage and dumplings.”
Olwethu is a damn good cook. I already knew that I'll be licking my fingers as soon as I'm done eating.
She dished up for everyone as we sat at the table. We said grace before eating.
“So when were you going to tell us that uMkhulu is missing?” Yaya
I choked on my food and coughed. We all looked at her with shocked expressions.
“Who told you that sweety?” Nkosi
“I heard Aunty Khanyi talking with someone on the phone. I was not eavesdropping I promise, she said quickly.”
Mom heaved a sigh. “It's true pumpkin, Mkhulu is missing but we didn't tell you because we had hoped that he would be home by now.” Mom
“I understand. Goodnight everyone.”
They grow up so quickly, mom said.

“What did the police say?” I asked my brother.
“At first they gave me the runaround telling me that a grown man can't go missing he is probably just somewhere out there.” Nkosi
“I put some of dad's pictures on social media and left our contact details incase someone saw something.” Olwethu
“That's a good idea. Someone must have seen something.”
We just sat there in silence until 12h00 that's when we decided to go and get some rest