Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 13

*Flashback*

“Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear Khanyi.” Kea sang to me with her mouse voice.
“Hip hip!” she said while holding a cake.
“Hooray!” I replied giggling.
“I can't believe my one and only best friend just turned 15!” Kea excitedly shouted.
I was not even paying attention to what Kea was saying. I saw this cute guy walking to the office. He must be a new kid because I don't know him. He was far from where we were sitting but I could see that he was hot!
Someone was busy snapping their fingers in front of my face. “Yeyi wena Khanyi! Keng ka wena?” (What's wrong with you?) Kea asked me.
“Lutho mngani wami.” I turned and looked at her with a smile. “So mngani, what did you buy me?”
“Thought you would never ask!” She took out a small gift bag and gave it to me. When I looked inside it was a bracelet with my name on it with a heart. There was also a necklace written “Besties”. It was so cute. I looked at her with a smile plastered on my face. “Mngani!” I said to her.
“Wa e rata mngani?” (Do you love it friend?) Kea asked. I just hugged her.
The bell rang, we went and stood where we all assembled. We only had assembly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Go to our classes to mark the register before the first lesson. “My first lesson is accounting today” I sulked looking at Kea. She had English, we both went our separate ways and as I walked into class someone was sitting on my chair. I went and stood in front of him and when he turned around that's when I noticed that it was the guy I saw earlier. “Hey.” I said to him.
He smiled before replying and boy ohh boy he looked like someone who would look great on a magazine cover. I asked him if he could move to the other chair because I sit on the one he was occupying.
“I'm Khanyisile by the way. Khanyisile Ngcobo.”
“Nice to meet you Khanyisile, I'm Zayn.”
*End of flashback*

I just laid in bed wide awake. One thing I hate is when my past comes from wherever it comes from to mess with my life. Zayn and Kea should have remained in the past where they belong! I went to the kitchen, warmed up some milk and added tumeric than went back to my room. I could not stop my mind from wondering why Kea had sent me a friend request.
I called Jas and we spoke for a while. I could hear that I woke her up, so we didn't stay that long on the call. Now that my dad is out of the hospital, I think it's best I head back to gym.
By the time I woke up everyone had left for church. I was so exhausted and I still had to cook. I was laying down on the carpet in the lounge, replying to some comments on a post I had shared. When a comment from a Keabetswe Tau caught my attention. I see that she's still brave I said to myself while laughing. Kea has always been a go getter. Nothing and no one would stand in the way if and when she wanted something or someone. That's one of the things I admired about her. She was definitely a good friend before she betrayed me. If I don't get up now and start cooking. Angelique will serve me as lunch that's for sure.
By the time everyone came from church, the meat was still in the oven. I didn't cook anything fancy, the kitchen is not my department, especially on a Sunday. I made rice, some pumpkin, fried cabbage, potato and bacon salad with grilled chicken and chops. Not too bad I must say. Not too bad.
Obviously Angelique Ngcobo always has something to say. “Let's pray for the food before the devil poisons it.”
My dad just looked at her and shook his head. You would think after praying we would have a normal conversation.
“You know Khanyi, if the devil would walk in now, he is taking you with to hell wherever that is.”
“Haibo wena Angelique!” my aunt Nomvelo said.
I just sat there and laughed. Trust my aunt to act brand new as if she does not know how dramatic and unnecessary my Mom can be! “And you dear mother, you would probably help the devil to drag me to hell right?”
“I would definitely do that, with pleasure my baby but don't worry. You will have some company because while the devil is dragging you. I would be dragging your aunt as well.”
“Yeheni! Uyadelela kodwa mfazi womlungu. Ngenzeni mina manje?" ( You are disrespectful white woman. What did I do?)
Me and my dad were dying from laughter. I wonder what I missed because I know the devil is dragging me to hell just because I missed church today. I looked at my Dad once again. It was nice seeing him laughing and being himself. Mom and Nomvelo were still doing the back and forth about dragging each other to hell and the other talking about not being afraid of the devil. How she would face “her” woman to woman and she would win! Yep my aunt is telling us that the devil is a woman, she's seen her before. Well since I'm going to hell, I might as well just burst the bubble and ask my parents how they would feel if I dated a woman. I cleared my throat and looked at them. “What is it now Khanyi?” my mom asked.
“What would you guys say if I told you that I'm dating a woman?”
Silence. With so much silence, I swear I could hear Abraham and his gang in heaven singing gospel songs.
“Are you dating a woman?” my dad asked with a blank facial expression.
Well that's better than the silence. At least I know they're still breathing. They did not have a heart attack. “I wouldn't say I am but I wouldn't also say I am not dating a woman.”
I looked at my mom. I expected her to have a say. She's not one to be so quiet. “Mom?”
I could hear her taking a deep breath from where I was seated. “Khanyisile my baby, you know me and your dad want only the best for you and your siblings. If a woman is what your heart desires than there's absolutely nothing we can do about it. You will always be our little rascal no matter who you date.”
“But not a gangster!” my dad said.
Okay! Now that went better than I had anticipated. I was holding my breath, waiting for my mom to tell me about how I'm going to hell and I'll be  dining with all the sinners.
This is the reason why I would never trade my parents. Angelique might be a pain in the ass most of the time but she's my pain in the ass.
My aunt and mom took care of the dishes as I sat in the lounge with my dad just watching TV.
“Unjani Khanyi?” Baba asked me.
“I'm fine. Why?”
“You look troubled. I hope your girlfriend is not the one stressing you.”
“Kodwa Baba! Anginayo intombi mina. I was just wondering how you would react if I did.”
“As your mom had stated. You will always be our little girl, ntombazane kaBaba until I take my last breath.”

It was nice knowing that my parents won't mind if I introduced Jas. If whatever we're doing turns into a strong solid relationship. I'm falling way too hard for Jas and it scares me.