Scarlett Ngcobo

Chapter 54

Rendani’s baby shower was a success. Everything went accordingly. It was nice seeing everyone, well there's only one person I didn't see, whom I really wanted to see.
Being in SA, for those few days made me realise how I have got what I was looking for in Manhattan. My life was in SA, not there. I've got the experience that I needed. I had to start taking ballet classes before I could start the contemporary. It's their rules. Whether you're going to major in hip hop, everyone starts with ballet first.
What got me super excited, was when thee Mapaseka Motaung, emailed me asking me to be part of a dance documentary she was shooting. She wanted to shoot it at the Brooklyn art theatre. Lucky for me I was already in New York.
I read that email every single day to be certain I read it and actually understood it. Jolene was also part of the documentary. Actually the best of the best were involved. The best ballet, contemporary, ballroom, hip hop and jazz dancers.
If that's not levels, I don't know. I had to push my anxieties back and pray I don't have any episodes. I badly wanted to be part of that documentary. A chance like that, comes only once.
Not only do I want to open a dance school. I want it to be an art school, where one can do dance lessons and  instrument lessons. My aunt offered to help me out and I'm going to use some of the money I had saved while I still worked as an intern and the money I get working at the boutique. I'm going to start with baby steps, until I get what I want.

We were having dinner in Lucille's room. They kept on stealing glances at me.
“Will the two of you stop staring at me like that.”
“So, have you made a decision yet?” Bella
“About what?”
“Are you staying in Manhattan or you're going back home?” Lucille asked
“I'm going back home.” I could see the disappointment on their faces. “Come on guys, we can still visit each other right?”
“Yes, but it won't be the same. I was hoping we could travel, probably meet our soulmates and just have fun.” Bella
“We will still travel.” I crawled towards them and gave them both hugs. “It's not the end of the world.”
“When are you leaving?”
“In two weeks time.”
“What!?” they both shouted.
“What do you mean in two weeks time?” Lucille
“It's almost Christmas, I have to be with family.”
Okay that came out wrong. Now they probably think I don't see them as family.
“Wow! So we're not family in other words?” Bella
“I didn't mean it like that. You're family but you know what I meant.”
“We wish you well, Scarlett. In everything you're about to do. Good night guys.” Bella stood up and left me with Lucille. I turned and looked at her. She mouthed ‘sorry’. I got up and went to my room as well.

The next few days, Bella left for work without me. I missed her noises in the morning. At work, she didn't have lunch with me. It was just chaos.
I don't want to leave without us fixing things. Lucille and I are cool. Bella might act like a gangster wife, but she's very emotional. It takes a tiny little disagreement to get her to explode.
Deep down in her heart, she knows that she's my family but she still wants to be in her feelings.
At home Lucille was caught in the middle. She had to spend most of her time in her room, if we're both home. She doesn't want to choose sides.

In a week I'm leaving and Bella is still not talking to me. After classes, I went and bought her a dress that she has been saving for. I bought her favourite perfume and Lindt chocolate as well. She loves pink roses, I got them as well and had them delivered to her at work. I was not working. If this doesn't work, nothing will.
“Lucille won't you be late for work?”
Lucille worked at another boutique.
“I called in sick, I'm not feeling well.”
“What's wrong?”
“I don't know. It must be all this tension in the house.”
I rolled my eyes while I made coffee for the both of us.
“I sent an apology gift to your friend. If she doesn't forgive me.” I shrugged.
“Bella is just being ridiculous right now. She knows what you meant when you said, you have to be with family. I think she's more sad that you're leaving. I'm also a bit sad.”
“Here's your coffee.” I sat next to her.
“Thanks.”
We sat in silence and the only sound one could hear was, Lucille sipping her coffee. I don't know how many times I've told her to stop drinking her coffee like that. But she told me to go to hell.
“You're leaving in a week, please don't annoy me by telling me how my way of drinking coffee irritates you.”
I just kept quiet and looked at her, with annoyance on my face.
“Why don't you make burgers and those fries she likes a lot?”
I smiled. “Why didn't I think of that? “Get up let's go shopping, we don't have mince.”
“Well, we both know I'm the smart one. Secondly, we have beef patties in the freezer.”
“I want to make my own patties. I want to add some cheese, bacon and chilli inside.”
“You don't have to ask me twice, let's go!”

I went a bit overboard and bought balloons that were written “I'm sorry” and “please forgive me”.
We decorated our lounge, with a picnic setting, and some flowers. If she still doesn't forgive me after all this, Angelique Ngcobo, is disowning me.
We heard her knocking because we locked the door so she doesn't enter. “Lucille go open and cover her eyes.”
Lucille removed her hands from Bella's eyes. “Surprise!”

I think I saw a smile on her face.
“Listen Bella, I'm really sorry if what I said made you feel like you're not family. You know I love you so much and..”
She stopped me from saying anything else. “I'm the one who should be apologizing. I've been a bitch.”
“That you have been.” Lucille
“I was just in my feelings that you're leaving. You two know I saw you guys as sisters. I've never had sisters before. It's been the three of us against the world. I just met you not so long ago, Scarlett, but it feels like I've known you forever.”
“I love you two so, so much. Come here..”
Lucille started complaining about the hug being too tight.

The last few days have been strange and wonderful as well. We went out more, took pictures and videos. Had picnic dates at Central park. We went shopping. We tried out new restaurants. We went clubbing and spent the night at a hotel because we lost our keys.
I was packing the last of my things and it felt so surreal. At some point, I felt like I made the wrong choice.
Tomorrow evening I'm leaving. My parents don't even know that I'm coming.
I sensed someone standing by the door. I turned to look, and it was Zandré.
“So, it is true. You're leaving tomorrow.
I was going to tell you.”
“When? When you're in the plane? I know you don't love me, but I thought we were friends.”
“Listen, Zandré, you're a cool guy and all that but we're not really that close. I was going to tell you that I'm going though.”
“I see. Have a safe journey.”

I was preparing our last supper, when the girls came in holding shopping bags.
“Bitch we going out tonight!” Lucille

Bella, took out a blue and white jumpsuit. “This has your name written on it.”
“What about dinner? I thought we will have a nice, chilled night in.”
“Stop acting like a 80 year old granny!” “We're going out and it's not up for discussion. Just go and get ready we're leaving in thirty minutes.” Lucille
“Doing my makeup is going to take a bit longer.”
They both looked at me as if they're seeing ghosts.
“What!?”
“Since when do you apply makeup? The only thing you do, is apply some lip gloss and mascara.” Bella
“Well.. today I want to look cute.”

It was definitely a great idea to go out.  They were not playing Amapiano but it was banging.
“Surprise bitch!”
I stood still. I couldn't believe my eyes.
“Indigo? What are you doing here?”
“Your friends called me and mentioned a small farewell party.”
I looked at Bella and Lucille. “You two tricked me.”
“Guilty as charged!” they both said.
“Is this a funeral or a party!?” Indigo
They all took shots after shots. I only had one shot. Clubs still give me bad vibes. I just sat down watching them move at the dance floor. I still couldn't believe Indigo flew here. I was a kid in a toy store right now.
“Come let's go dance...” Indigo dragged me to dance with them.

The next day, everything was packed and ready. I was standing in my empty room, thinking about the memories. I have cried and laughed in this room. Mostly crying.
“It's time to go.” Lucille said walking into the room.

“It feels like yesterday, when we moved into this place. How you and Bella would snuggle me until I fell asleep, when the nightmares became unbearable. You two became sisters at such a short period of time.”

“Scarlett, do you want me to cry? Bella is the cry baby, not me.”

“What about Bella?” she and Indigo joined us in the room.
“Everyone in this room, means the world to me. You and Lucille have made my healing journey so much better. I will always cherish all our memories. This is not goodbye, this is till we meet again.”
“Okay, enough crying now everyone, time to go before someone gets late.” Lucille

At the airport...
One thing about me is that I'm a cry baby. My aunt and Samantha were also here to say their goodbyes.
“We are going to miss you so much Scarlett.” 
“Oh, Lucille, I'm going to miss those slurping sounds you made when you drank your coffee. You can be so annoying.”
I looked at Annabelle.
“Bella, my crying teddy bear, I'm going to miss your snuggles so much. You two better visit.”

I gave everyone a tight hug and left. I stopped and looked at them one more time. “Good bye”... I waved at them while I wiped my tears...