BROKEN PIECES.

CHAPTER 21 | Mom

I slept myself to sleep crying for Thato because I am so scared that yesterday was the last day I saw him. My mind kept making all kinds of scenarios about him forgetting about me, meeting someone else who doesn't come with baggage. What if he falls for her and decide to never come back here again. All those thoughts in my head made me cry until I fell asleep.
Today's weather makes me feel so sad cause it's dark, raining hard and cold. I don't know who came in my bedroom and opened the curtains. I wish they hadn't cause I don't want to get out of this bed and look at Thando and aunty Natasha looking at me with their sorry eyes. I eventually decide to wake up and shower quickly. When I'm done with everything I wear Raphael's sweater and make my bed then get inside the bed again.
The door opens and it's aunty Natasha. She's surprised to see me up but she smiles looking relieved.
" morning baby. I thought you might still be sleeping cause Thato has been calling " She hands me the phone then closes the door. I've never seen her looking like a mess. Even when she hasn't bathed she's still beautiful.
I look at it and smile. It's him. He is face timing me.
" Hey baby "
" My sunshine. How are you? " He sounds tired and sleepy
" I'm sad. I miss you "
" I miss you too baby. What's wrong with your phone cause I've been trying to call you? "
" I don't know. Maybe the battery died. I haven't checked it." He keeps quiet.
" I know you're scared that I'm not coming back and maybe I'll forget about you but I won't Jabu. I love you." His brows meet together.
" I love you too and yes. I am scared." He smiles.
" Have faith in us okay? "
" I will. How's dimples and London? " He chuckles.
" Dimples is so excited. Dad and uncle Leo are taking us out . They want to show us London and London is cold baby. " He's excited though.
" I'm so happy for you guys."
" I'm going to send you lots of pictures and videos."
" You better " I say smiling.
" I want you to also have fun in there okay. No sitting in the house and being depressed baby. Promise me."
" I promise I'll have fun but you know the results are coming out tomorrow so I'm nervous "
" Baby you are one of the smartest people I have ever met. I am sure you got 9 distinctions."
" Oh please, That's you not me " I giggle.
" I love it when you smile and laugh. I love your laugh " I blush. " I wish you were here with me "
" I wish that too but I know we will see each other soon."
" Yeah...." I hear of voice of Palesa shouting that it's time to go.
"I have to go baby. We will talk later okay? "
" Okay. Have fun and say hello to dimples."
" Kiss me " He says smiling.
" Raphy...."
" Come on baby please "
" Ok " I kiss the kiss the phone screen the giggle.
" But baby there was no tongue action " He pretends to sulk
" Oh my God I'm hanging up " We laugh. He also kisses his phone screen.
" Ngiyakuthanda uyezwa? "
" nami ngiyakuthanda." We hang up and I sigh. I feel a little better.
The Matric results came out the next day. I was so nervous. I thought I did bad cause of the things that were happening in my life during that time but I pulled through. I only got 6 distinctions out of 9 and thando only got 4. We were both so happy cause we didn't expect it. Thato who I'm now getting used to call him Raphael and he loves it. He got 8 distinctions and I am so proud of him. We didn't talk for long cause his dad was taking them out to celebrate his results but instead he threw him a huge surprise party inviting his business partners and other people. He face timed me excited. His dad brought him a Rolex and a car. Rich people neh.
Aunty Natasha also took us out to Spur and we had a great time. She even allowed us to drink only one glass each of wine and it was so nice. The following week I received an email that I had gotten a bursary from Mngomezulu Mining Company. I had applied for so many bursaries during the first term of grade 12 I didn't think anyone one of them would respond especially a mining company cause I want to be a Social Worker. I had stated that in my motivational letters. They told me I can study at a University of my choice anywhere in South Africa, the bursary covers everything and I will also get a stipend of R3500 every month. I couldn't believe it. I thought I was going to apply for a NASFAS Loan and study but I am so happy that I got a bursary instead. I know I have to study extra hard for the company to keep paying for me until I finish my degree.
Aunty Natasha said she will help thando to get a NASFAS Loan. I had hoped that she was going to get a bursary too but I am happy that she will also get an opportunity to study too and maybe we will go to the same university. They gave me forms to fill and the university to fill too once they have accepted me and then send them back to them. The company is based in here in Sandton. Wow.
" We're going to be late. Are you done Jabs? " Thando asks me. I come out of my bedroom in a hurry. She's so impatient.
" I'm done. lets go "
" I can't believe we are going to register today. I'm so excited! " she screams.
" Me too hey. I hope everything goes well for us." We laugh.
" Has thato said anything about where he's going to study? "
" No he hasn't. When I asked him about it, he was evasive. I think he's going to study in London."
" That sucks. I'm sorry jabs "
" It's okay sis. I know that is a possibility of it actually happening. I just want him to tell me. I won't be mad at him." My phone rings and it's him.
" You'll find me in the car " Thando leaves me in the kitchen.
" Hey baby " I greet him.
" My cherie amour. How are you? " I love it when he speaks French.
" I'm nervous and excited "
" Don't worry. They are going to accept you " I smile.
" What's going on Thato?. I know you're hiding something from me " He sighs.
" I don't know to tell you this but yesterday I was attending an interview at Oxford University for my enrollment and this morning I wake up to an email that says I have been accepted." Wow. He's going to be studying. BioChemistry. That's what he decided.
" That is great news baby. I am so happy for you " I mean it.
" You're not mad? "
" Why would I be mad? "
" Cause I'm not going to be able to come early like I thought and..."
" Baby relax. This is a great opportunity for you. Not many people get a chance to study at one of the greatest universities in the world. You should be proud of yourself that you worked hard and they accepted you. I would be crazy if I got mad." I giggle.
" Thank you sunshine. You don't know how much this means to me to hear you say that "
" I will always support you baby. I also want what is best for you. You better work hard in there and not slack " He chuckles.
" My dad would kick my ass if I do. Dimples has also started attending school."
" I'm so happy for you baby "
" And I'm happy for you too for getting a bursary. You worked hard sunshine. So tell me. Have you decided on what we talked about? "
Oh yes I almost forgot. When I told Thato that I got a bursary that covers everything including accommodation at a place of my choice whether res or student apartment. He said no before I can even continue and we had our first fight. He said I'll be living in his house until I finish my degree, that's the end of it then he hanged up.
" We didn't talk about it. You decided what must happen then you hanged up on me "
" I'm sorry I did. It's just that I want you safe baby "
" You didn't let me finish Raphael. I wanted to tell you that I did consider it but I love living here with aunty Natasha and Thando. The housekeepers too and the guards are now all my family. I would be lonely if I lived somewhere else." He breathes out deeply like he was holding his breath.
" Thank you baby. It was worrying me that you would be living somewhere and what if...."
" Stop worrying. I'm getting better okay. I'm still seeing my therapist every Thursday and I haven't had a nightmare in a week."
" I'm glad to hear that."
" and you? Where will you be living? "
" With my dad and Palesa my love. I'm not ready to leave my sister and dad. Maybe after a year or so."
" Ok baby "
" I love you my sunflower " I blush.
" I love you Raphael."
" Later " We hang up and I sigh.
When am I going to see him again?.
After a long day of standing in a queu and getting registered. I can finally say that Thando and I are students at the University of Witwatersrand. Wits University. They way we screamed. You would have thought we were crazy. Thando got accepted to study business management and she filled out the forms for NASFAS and I just hope they will pull through for her. The university also filled out my forms for the bursary what they had to fill and aunty Natasha sent one of the drivers to go and drop them off. Aunty Natasha was like a proud mom and she couldn't stop snapping pictures of us.
We went to the mall after and brought take always and went home. Tomorrow we have to go back again to take pictures for our student cards and I must get my schedule. I am glad to know that Thando and I won't be alone at the University and I wont feel like a loner. Thando and I will be there and feel awkward together. The day was long so after our excitement dies down. Thando and I leave mo...aunty Natasha and we got to our bedrooms. I throw myself in bed and sleep.
A week passes and Thando hasn't heard anything from NASFAS and she's getting worried. I am too cause I don't know what I will do if she doesn't get the loan. I'll be starting my classes in three days and I'm excited and worried for Thando too. I hope I won't feel out of place. Aunty Natasha walks in and sits down. She smells great.
" You always look beautiful like a rich house wife " She laughs.
" Where's your sister? "
" I'm not sure. I think she's in her room or something " She sighs. " What's wrong? " I switch off the tv.
" I'm worried about her "
" Me too. This thing of NASFAS is stressing her out "
" I know. Has she ever said anything about maybe her parents leaving some money for her or anything? "
" You could have just me aunty " thando says walking in and sitting down.
" I didn't want to stress you Thando that's all "
" Well I am stressed okay. I don't know what I am going to do if they don't approve my loan. I'm going to be one of the statistics who didn't go to university to study. I might as well look for a job as a maid "
" Thando don't give up now and there's nothing wrong with being a maid but not for you baby " Aunty says.
" I might as well aunty. I mean if my parents were alive then my uncle wouldn't have kicked me out of their house and ate the money they left me. He was made my guardian cause they trusted him but he ate my inheritence and now I won't be able to study." She cries.
" Don't worry sis. They will contact you and if they don't. We'll make a plan " I tell her. " Or you could apply for that teaching bursary "
" I don't want to be a teacher. I want to study Business Management. " She says and runs to her room. I feel for her cause it could have been me.
I hold the necklace that Raphael gave me and told me to never take it off.
" No! " I frown and look at aunty.
" What? "
" You are not selling that necklace for her. I forbid you "
" What? I'm not selling it!. What gave you that idea? "
" Because you held it when she ran out jabu."
" I promised Raphael that I will never take it off. He would kill me if I did and selling it? " I shake my head.
" Do you know how much you have around your neck? "
" Ahm.....no..."
" Do you want to know? "
" No I don't......Oh aunty now I do " She laughs.
" Both those things. The chain and that ring you're wearing are worth a quarter and a half million rands."
" What! " I scream and jump off the couch. So much money!
" Shhhhh "
" Aunty I can't wear this! What if...."
" Calm down and sit down " I do. She takes my hand in hers. " Yes it costs that much cause I was there when Thato asked for it to be made. You see this little thing here that looks like a diamond? " I nod. It's the same one he showed me. " This is a tracker jabu. When you find yourself in trouble You will press it and someone will call and instruct you on what you must do further. If someone steals it from you and it's not around your neck for thirty minutes the colour is going to change then we will know that someone stole it. So make sure you never give it to anyone even if they say they want to try it out or feel it. Not even your sister jabu. Just make sure that you will wear it well so people won't notice it." I nod.
" Do you have it too? " I ask her.
" I do. My ring. Thato's uncle made it for me " She has a huge diamond ring. I smile and give her the hmm look. She laughs. " Don't you dare young lady."
" I didn't say anything " She shakes her head.
" Where did Thato get so much money? " I ask her. She looks around then whispers to me so I can be the only one that hears her.
" Remember those rooms that are always locked in my house? " I nod. " Well there's money in them that needs to be cleaned. It's Vusi's job to clean the money. He's the one living there now with Portia " she whispers.
" Yeah we used to ask ourselves why they were always locked."
" There's money that we stole from bombing ATM'S. most of that money is your boyfriends. He is smart jabu and you know this. That's why my family and the Dlamini's wanted him to marry Boni."
" Because of the money? "
" No baby. Because he's fucken smart when it comes to science. They wanted him to create a powerful drug. Worse than whoonga, nyaope, coke and all the others." Wow. That scares me.
" Why doesn't he take the money to the bank? "
" I've got money in the bank and he does too but it shouldn't be more than 2 million rands cause that would make the police investigate us. He's a kid who's still in school."
" Thank you for saving him and getting him away from those people. I mean I know they are your family and..."
" Oh I'm glad too Thato is out of their lives and me too. They have hurt me in many kinds of ways so I am done with them."
" You should dig a whole in one of those bedrooms. A deep hole that almost takes the whole room so it can be enough to build an underground safe. So the money can be in one place. Only you, vusi and the others will know where the money is at in case the police show up unannounced. They will just find furniture there and nothing else."
" She looks at me and smiles."
" I knew there was something special about you the first time I saw you. Thank you for that idea baby. I love it but I don't want to talk like that. We are done and out of that life." I laugh. I don't where that Idea came from. I am happy that Thato is nowhere near where they can get their hands on him.
" Aunty."
" Yes baby? "
" Can I ask you something? "
" Ok "
" I know what I'm about to ask you is very big and I will understand if you say no and...."
" You're making me nervous now baby "
" Can you please pay for thando's tuition fees aunty please. I'm not taking advantage of what you have just told me and I was going to ask you but I was scared cause....."
" Jabu. Breathe sisi. Breathe baby " I take a deep breath.
" I'm sorry "
" Hey don't be sorry. I thought about it too but then I thought she might not accept my help and I was going to ask you to talk to her about it " I smile and look at her.
" Really? " I ask her.
" Really baby. I will pay for her tuition fees."
I throw myself and her hug her tight. I shower her with kisses on her face and she laughs.
" You are the best mom ever. I love you " It just slips out of my mouth and we both freeze. Oh my God what did I just say?!.
Time seems to stop then when I'm about to pull away from her she hugs me tight and cries. I cry too. I sooth her back until she calms down and sniffs. She looks at me and palms my cheek.
" You called me mom " I wipe her tears.
" Well it's getting hard to call you aunty Natasha when we have other two aunties in the house. Mom feels better. I like it more, no I love it." She smiles through her tears that don't stop falling.
" Having the two of you in my life has been more than a blessing. You have filled a hole in my heart that I didn't realize was empty. I love you like a mother loves her own child and it is my honor to hear you call me mom. I never thought I would hear someone call me that. I love you my child "
" I love you more mom "
" Let me go check on your sister " She kisses my cheek then leaves.
" That was beautiful Jabu " aunty May who's the head housekeeper says wiping her tears. I smile.
She will always be my mother. No matter what happens and nothing will change that cause she accepted me without any questions asked. Supported me and stayed by my side since she met me. To me her love is beautiful, kind and unconditional like a mother's love.