HIS AT HEART

Part 25

^^^ NATHANIEL ^^^

"Son" my dad called as he rested his hand on my shoulders. I looked at him.
"Why are you not going in to see the child?" He asked.
He had not heard when Xiluva's aunt told me I wasn't allowed to go in yet.

"They say I'm not allowed to go in yet" I sighed.
"That's nonsense. You are the father. Go in there. If they kick you out they'll have to deal with me. Now go" he nudged me towards the direction of the ward.

I walked in there and approached the first nurse I saw.
"Hi, can I please see Xiluva Chauke and the baby" I requested.
"The one with the almost 7 months premature baby?" she asked and I just said yes.
The 7 months matched with the sonograms so I guess it is her.
She looked up at me with disgust.
"Who are you to her?" She asked.
"I'm the baby's father" I said swallowing a lump as I accepted the reality.
Her look turned to shock.
"Ehh, you're the father? Oh, okay. You see that door there, go into it" she directed.

I walked towards the door leaving the nurse with a confused face.
I opened the door and entered, Xiluva was lying on her back with a baby lying flat faced on her chest. Her aunt was sitting by her side. I cleared my throat and they were both startled to a point that the aunt jumped out of her chair and covered the baby with a throw fast.

"What are you doing here?" The aunt asked.
"The question should be, why did you lie and say I wasn't allowed to see the baby? Huh?" I tried staying calm.
Neither of them answered me.

"Xiluva are you okay?" I asked because she looked horrified and shakey.
She nodded fast.
"Can I see the child?" I asked walking closer to her.
The aunt just stood there frozen and her eyes seemed like they were trying to communicate something to Xiluva.

I reached to the baby and tried removing the throw but Xiluva held on to it causing the baby to start crying.
"Xiluva!" I threatened and she let go of the throw.
I removed it revealing a head of full ebony black smooth hair. Huh?

"Bring him here for a sec" I demanded opening my hands to take the baby.
Xiluva shook her head.
I took the baby myself from her chest.
I am not hallucinating am I?

Even when they were closed you could see that the baby's were slanted, he had very small lips, pointy nose and even for a baby his skin was way too light to be black. Way too light because I was dark-skinned and Xiluva before bleaching was dark too.

"Care to explain" I tried keeping my voice as low as possible as I returned the baby to her chest.
Xiluva was now silently crying and the aunt was looking as far away from me as possible, begging the ground to swallow her.

"I said talk, damnit!" I seethed.
"I'm... I'm so...sorry" she finally spoke.
"Sorry for what huh? Sorry for what exactly? You always knew right? What was your plan?" I questioned and she didn't answer.

"We will talk about this when she is discharged please" the aunt begged.
"No, I'm done here. Find that child's baby because it's not me." I told the aunt. Then turned to Xiluva.
"And you, you better not even try contacting me because you will regret it. Ntlaaa!"

I walked out of the room with my emotions on overdrive. How do I explain all this nonsense to my dad? Xiluva almost pinned an Indian baby on me. What made her think people were going to believe?

"Dad we're going home" I told my dad as soon as I reached where they were waiting. He didn't question anything. He just stood up with Ruth.

"You want to leave your child and it's mother in the hospital?" Tinyiko asked.
"Tinyiko! I'm seriously not in the mood for you right now. Go to your friend or something." I angrily said and we left leaving her standing alone.

"Rudo, what's going on?" Dad asked as soon as we reached the parking lot.
"Not only was her pregnancy more than 3 months ahead of what it should have been she also gave birth to an Indian baby. An Indian baby dad!" I chuckled trying to calm the angry boiling inside.
"What???" Both dad and Ruth were shocked.
"Let's drive to the BNB we'll go home tomorrow and discuss this." Dad finally said.

We drove to the closest BNB and booked there for the night since it was already very late.
The moment I settled into the room I checked my phone and I had a text from Vangama.
'My love, please text me and let me know you arrived at Tzaneen safely. I'm worried now since you haven't called and I don't want to call and disturb you'
I now feel more like crap because I forgot to call her when I got here.
I immediately called and she picked up after 2 rings.

Vangi: "My love"
Me: "my angel, were you sleeping?"
Vangi: "Not yet, I was waiting for your call. I almost texted Ruth but didn't want to worry her"
Me: "I'm sorry for not calling earlier"
Vangi: "I understand. You had a lot on your mind. I guess by now you're a father"
Her voice sounded hurt even though she tried to conceal it.
Me: "No, I'm not"
Vangi: "she hasn't given birth?"
Me: "she has"
Vangi: "so what do you mean you're not a father? Oh no, did the baby not make it?"
Me: "the baby is alive angel"
Vangi: "Alright that's great"
I could hear that she was giving up with the questions because I was giving incomplete vague answers.
Vangi: "we'll talk tomorrow. I want to sleep"
Me: "alright, goodnight angel. I love you"
Vangi: "I love you too"
She hung up.

I just took of my jeans and T-shirt and went to bed. My body just wanted to rest, I'll bath in the morning.

...

I woke up at 5am and took a shower. By 6am I was done with everything and ready to leave. I decided to call Vangama since dad and Ruth were still getting ready.

Vangi: "Hello"
Me: "did I wake you up?"
Vangi: "Hmm, yah"
She sounded so cute with her confused morning voice.
Me: "sorry sweetheart but I just wanted to hear you voice"
Vangi: *giggles*
Me: "I love you, never forget that"
Vangi: "I love you too"
Me: "I know I left you confused yesterday"
Vangi: "Yes, you did but you'll clarify when you're ready."
Me: "the thing is Xiluva was almost 7 months pregnant when she gave birth which doesn't make sense time wise. Even ignoring that, her baby is clearly Indian."
Vangi: "What???"
Me: "exactly that... I don't know how she planned to pin the baby on me knowing he's of another race. At this point I'm over it."
Vangi: "Yho, things happen. So how are you feeling"
Me: "I was angry but now I'm okay. I was angry at the fact that I almost lost you because of a trap and lies."
We continued talking for some time until it was time for me to leave. I'd already told my boys at the shop that I'd come in late.

"I'm going in your car" Ruth said the moment she saw me.
"Hawu, you want me to travel all this way alone? You don't love me" dad complained.
"Dad you be playing Oliver Mtukudzi all the way. I become tired." She sulked.
"Hey don't speak bad about my music" dad warned her and she laughed.
"You can come with me" I told Ruth who immediately ran into my car.

"Rudo" dad called
"Baba" I answered
"I made calls this morning and trust me when I say you should thank God for what happened yesterday. We'll discuss properly when we get home" he added and walked to his car.

It's going to be one heck of a ride for my curious mind.