Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 45

*Flashback*
“How was your first.. you know, with Zayn?” Keabetswe asked.
“It was perfect. A bit painful but worth it.”
“I never thought, you would finally let him deflower you.”
“It felt right to let him deflower me. If my dad heard me say all of this, hell would freeze!”
“What have you planned for his nineteenth birthday?”
I sulked. “I won't be there. I'm going to some family ceremony in KZN remember?”
“Konje! Sorry chommi.”
“Enough about me and Zayn. When am I meeting this mysterious man of yours?”
“Soon. Just be patient.”
“I hope he is not married.” I looked at her.
“Well, if he is married, he never said anything to me.”
“Bathong Keabetswe!”
“What? He should've told me if he is married. Why must I be the one stressing about a cheating partner?”
“Are you sleeping over?”
“No. I have classes tomorrow. My dad will come pick me up.”
“I miss our sleepovers.” I said hugging her.

A Day before Zayn's nineteenth birthday...

“Baba, the ceremony is over. Why can't we go back to Johannesburg?”
“Just have fun with your cousins. Tomorrow, we going back home.” Baba.
“What's the fuss about Johannesburg? You can see Zayn another day. You two will have more birthday celebrations.” Mom.
“I don't want to be here. Okay, please borrow me money. I'll take a taxi to Johannesburg. I'll pay you back.”
My dad laughed and left me with my mom. I looked at her with puppy eyes.
“Don't tell me you have already slept with him!”
“Mah! Come on that's.. euw!”
“I can't help you baby. Next time.” she left me standing alone. I called Zayn,
“Baby!”
“My lief.” Zayn.
“I can't believe I'm going to miss your birthday. I want to be there.”
“We can celebrate it next week.”
“I know, but I wanted it to be tomorrow. I wanted to spend my time with you.”
“Baby, I'll call you later. My mom is calling me. I love you.”
“I love you too..”
“Makhanyis?” Msizi.
I just looked at him.
“Why are you sitting here by yourself?”
“I don't want to be here. I just don't want to be here.”
“Kodwa uyatetema ngani kaGatsha!” “I'm going to Johannesburg now. I need to fix something.”
“Serious? Okay let's go!”
“Go and tell your parents that you're coming with.”
I didn't waste any second. I ran to them and got my luggage. They were not happy about me leaving but.. I'm two seconds away from being eighteen. I almost texted Zayn to tell him that I'm coming but decided to surprise him instead. He will see me tomorrow. I looked at my brother, Msizi and smiled.
“If he gets you pregnant, I'm feeding him his penis!”
“Bhuti!” we both laughed.

Zayn's nineteenth birthday...
First thing in the morning, I gave him a call. If only he knew that I'm in Johannesburg. I called the tattoo artist, to confirm our time. I'll be getting my first tattoo, with the love of my life! I'll be collecting the birthday cake and balloons later on..
Msizi will be at his girlfriend's place. I don't have to arrive early tonight. There was a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Msizi walked in looking and smelling fresh. “Bhuti ka Khanyi madoda! Aibo!”
“Don't think because you're almost eighteen, you're to old for a belt. Don't sleep at his place.”
“You could have said thank you.” I rolled my eyes. “I wasn't planning on sleeping over. Now get out, I want to get ready.”
I looked at the time, it was 17h30. I still need to collect the cake. Nkosi yami! I took a quick shower and wore my blue mini dress and black sneakers. I let my curls loose and left.
I paid for the balloons, then I went to the bakery to collect the cake. It was perfect. Just how I wanted it. Next stop, Zayn's home. His parents left, last night. Knowing him, he might throw a house party. I paid the uber driver, then I opened the small gate to enter. I had no idea how he would react. My heart was racing, my palms were so sweaty! I knocked but there was no answer. I walked to the back, the door was slightly open.
“Baby?” I went to the kitchen, left the cake in the kitchen. In the lounge, I saw heels that looked identical, to a pair I bought Kea.
“My love?” still no answer. I went upstairs, before I could knock. I heard moans. I thought I was hearing things. Zayn would never cheat on me. He wouldn't. He loves me. On one hand, I held balloons. On the other, I tried to open the door, but I didn't. I just stood there like a statue.
“Ahh. Oh yes! Fuck Zayn.” I held my chest, it felt like someone was sucking the air out of my body.
“Fuck Kea. Yes baby. Mhmm.”
“Zayn, ahh. We.. ahh. We shouldn't be doing this. Khanyi.. right there.”
“She doesn't have to know. Fuck! Oh yeah..”
I should be barging in there but I hurt myself even further, by listening to them having sex. My own best friend and boyfriend! The one's I trusted the most.
“Fuck! Faster.. faster Zayn.. please, baby..”
I opened the door. They both jumped and looked at me.
“Khanyi, what are you doing here?” Zayn.
“Chommie?” Kea.
“Why? You two.. how?”
“Baby, it's not what you think.. listen.” he picked up his jeans and tried putting them on. Kea, wrapped herself with a blanket.
“How could you!” I threw things around. “How could you two do this?”
“Baby, listen. It meant nothing.” I laughed through the tears.
“It meant nothing? Fuck you two! Go to hell!” I stormed out of the house. I had no idea where I was going. I just ran. At some point, I could hear him calling my name but I didn't look back. The tears blurred my vision. I looked around, and I didn't know where I was. I put my hands above my head, and looked around for a street name. Nothing!
There was no signal, I couldn't call anyone for help. Do I go backwards or continue, going forward? I went back but there was a cross road, I have never seen it before. I cried more. Time and again I would switch my phone on and off, hoping to get a signal but nothing...
*End of flashback*