BROKEN PIECES.

CHAPTER 24 | THAT GIRL

#NotEdited

It's the middle of the night and my stomach is rumbling. The last time I ate was in the morning and haven't eaten anything since and now I'm hungry. I open my eyes and turn. Mom is sleeping soundly and she still looks beautiful even when she's sleeping. I slowly get out of bed and see her gown and morning shoes. I slip them on then leave the bedroom and close the door.
The whole house is quiet and I wonder if Thando came home or not. I don't bother switching the lights on as I walk to the kitchen but when I get there I do. I wash my hands then open the microwave looking for my food but it's not there and the time says It's 1:30 am. I check the oven and find it there. A plate and a bowl and they are still warm. She cooked stew and dumplings. Aunty Julia and May are the best. I take the bottle of water and my food, switch the lights off then walk to my room.
Aunty Julia doesn't' want anyone to eat in the bedroom so I have to take that plate back in the kitchen before she finds it in my bedroom. I get in my bedroom and switch the lights on. I walk to the coffee table and put my food down. I sit down and I'm about to dig on my food when I think I hear someone knocking lightly on my window. Damn is it now that Thando just got back?. Does she have a death wish?. Damn this girl and why didn't she just knock on the door unless she doesn't want mom to wake up and shout at her.
I get up fuming and march to the window. I roughly open the curtains and I almost scream but I put my hands to my mouth to stop myself from screaming. He raises his hands up in surrender and mouths for me to open the window. I shake my head and he clasps his hands together like he's praying and begs me. How did he know where I live and how did he get past the gate. God! What if they catch him here and he kill him. My God what do I do?. I stand there watching him not knowing what to do but then it begins to damn rain outside.
Really God? Is this some joke or what?. Lightning strikes and I jump cause I'm afraid of it. I unlock then open the sliding door for him and he walks in shivering. I close it and close the curtains too then run to the door and lock it. I turn around and find him eating my food. Really?.
" It looks good and I never say no to food." He says looking up at me.
" Ssshhh. Keep it down. What are you doing here? How do you know where I live.."
" I told you not to switch off your phone but you didn't listen so you gave me no choice but to come and see for myself how you're feeling now."
" I would find it sweet if I knew you but I just find it scary and stalk like. Are you stalking me? " He stops eating.
" I don't mean you no harm Jabu and I'm sorry for making you feel that way. Believe it or not but there's something that keeps pulling me to you. I wish I can explain it but I can't cause I can't understand it myself. " He says. I don't know how to process that.
" You're wet." I tell him.
" The stew is nice and it's warming me up."
" There's a bathroom in there. You can dry your face " He eats two chunks of meat then bites a cupcake dumpling and swallows. Damn he's going to choke.
He puts the bowl down then looks at me.
" Thank you for letting me in. I thought I might just walk in your mom's room and wake you myself." What? He says then walks to bathroom.
He doesn't close the door behind him then I hear water running in my shower. He's showering? Really?. I sit down and eat cause I'm hungry. Oh my God. I just used the same spoon he used. I put it down then use my hands and eat and it tastes good. The water stops running then a few minutes later he comes out wearing my bathrobe and I gasp in shock.
" What is wrong with you? " I ask him whispering
" What? " He says walking in. " My clothes are wet cause you didn't want to let me in.
" That is wrong. You shower then wear my bathrobe. Who the hell does that? "
" Me. Did you leave some for me? " What?
" You need to leave before they find you here."
" It's raining hard outside and my clothes are wet "
" Please I don't want trouble."
" I will go. I promise. How are you feeling honestly? "
" I don't know. Don't sit down....that robe is small for you " He stands.
" I think it fits me perfectly. I love it." I sigh.
" How did you find me? "
" I think it was the third time after I saw you when I decided to follow you home when those guards came to pick you up."
" When was that? "
" Three months ago." He says like it's nothing.
" So you were stalking me." He walks and decides to sit on the bed.
" It wasn't stalking. The first time I saw you I almost got into an accident cause I was dropping my brother off at the University. I don't know why but I would see you every time I came to drop off my brother or bringing his books cause he's clumsy and always forgets things. You would walk past me like I wasn't even there. Every time I see you or get close to you something happens in me. So I had to find a way to get close to you but I didn't know how until that day when you collided with that girl and I took the opportunity."
" I don't know what to say."
" I don't want you to say anything. I know I'm offloading a lot and I'm sure it's freaking you out and I don't want that."
" What's your name? " He smiles. My God.
" I will tell you if you meet me tomorrow." He says.
" I have classes tomorrow "
" When you're done I'll come and pick you up " That's not happening.
" Don't you work or something? Or you're a trust fund baby? " He smiles and shakes his head.
" Look who's talking. She has guards and wears very expensive ice that has a diamond ring around her neck and she calls me a trust fund baby? "
" I'm not a trust fund baby. I never....I grew up....." I stop myself and take a deep breath. He cocks his head and looks at me. " You..." Someone knocks. I quickly get up and look at him. He gets up and stands behind the door.
" Baby? Are you okay? "
I silently walk to the bed and throw off the pillows and open the comforter and mess it up like I was sleeping then walk to the door and unlock it and open it a little.
" Are you okay? I thought I heard voices? My God the nightmares are back "
" No mom it's not the nightmares. I was reading a book cause I was struggling to sleep " She sighs.
" You never lock the door "
" I had a fight with Thando so I didn't want her to come in my room." She sighs and nods
" She came drunk and smelling of cigarette "
" I'm sorry "
" Don't worry about her. I will set her straight. Are you sure you're okay? I mean I can stay with you until you fall asleep "
" I know you would do that but I will sleep. You're tired and you need rest too cause Thando is stressing you. Let me walk you back to bed." She smiles. I step out and close the door.
" Eric told me the hurtful things she said. That's why you were not okay."
" It's okay mom. Thando is going through something and hopefully she won't hurt the people who love her in the process "
" I'm sorry "
" I've got you so I'll be fine " She coos and we hug. " Good night mom "
" Good night baby "
I walk back to my bedroom, lock the door behind and take a deep breath out. I turn expecting to find him but he's not there. I walk to the bathroom and stop a few metres from it.
" Are you there?....Hello? " I would call him by his name but I don't know it. I wait for him to answer me but there's no response so I decide to walk in and the bathroom is also empty with his clothes.
Wind blows in and I walk to the sliding door, close and lock it. He left without telling and that makes me feel some kind of way. I switch the lights on then get in bed and sigh. Just when I'm about to close my eyes I feel something vibrating under my pillow. My phone? But I switched it off and I left it on mom's room. I remove the pillow then see a phone and someone is calling. He left his phone under my pillow.
" Hello? "
" It's me " He says.
" So your name is Me? " He chuckles.
" I said I'll tell you tomorrow. I'm sorry I left without saying good night or morning rather. I didn't want to get you in trouble "
" How thoughtful of you "
" I like your sarcasm. I took your bathrobe. I'll replace it."
" You walked out of here wearing that thing that barely covers that huge body of yours? "
" Oh so you were checking me out? "
" You wish and I don't check out other guys. I have a boyfriend."
" So you have told me."
" Well I do and you can't just come here without telling me. You can't come here at all."
" Then you'll come where I live "
" No. I have a boyfriend and that's un appropriate. Why did you live your phone here? "
" Cause I want to talk to you anytime without anyone listening or tracking you." I keep quiet.
" They don't do that "
" You said *they* Who are they? "
" My family "
" Ok trust me they do. You touched that necklace and they came which means it has a tracker. They track your every move, read every text you send or receive and record calls. I don't want our calls and chats to be recorded whenever I want to talk to you or you want to talk to me. That's why I left that phone for you."
" How do I know you're not doing the same thing? Recording and..."
" Trust me I won't. I respect my privacy and it means everything to me. I would never invade yours like that."
" But you did when you stalked me and came here."
" I'm sorry. I did it on impulse. I was going crazy cause I had to talk to you and get to know you. Please forgive me."
" Only if you will stop coming here "
" But what about when I want to see you? "
" No..."
" Please Jabu don't say no. I know you don't believe me but I care about you." I sigh.
" It's complicated " I tell him.
" Because of your boyfriend? "
" That and more. I'm not..."
" You are beautiful "I keep quiet.
" Thank you "
" Aren't you suppose to say you're handsome too " I find myself chuckling.
" You're so full of yourself "
" I can't wait to see you laughing for real. Your chuckle is beautiful and I can't wait to hear the sound you make when you laugh. I'm sure It's going to be more beautiful like you."
" Please stop " I hide my face on the pillow like he can hear me.
" I won't stop until you're mine. " We both keep quiet. " I mean it." he says after a while.
" I'm feeling sleepy now "
" Thank you for not screaming and waking everyone up."
" It's not going to happen again so it's okay."
" Do you forgive me? "
" I do " The answer comes out quick. I surprise myself.
" Thank you. I love your bathrobe. It smells like you "
" Creepy creeper. What did you mean when you said you were going to walk in and wake me up in my mom's bedroom? "
" I came here at 10pm. You told me you were sleeping in your mom's bedroom but I knew you won't sleep with her the whole night and so I took my chances and came. I waited for your room light to switch on but it didn't. When I was about to leave I saw the light go on and I knew it was you."
" How did you know which room was mine? "
" Your guards are not as smart as they think they are. I got in the yard undetected and walked around. I could make out which room belonged to whom.
" Wow " I say
" I know. I'll see you tomorrow okay. Call me. Anytime "
" I don't know your name "
" I'll tell you tomorrow "
" So which name do I type when saving the numbers or better yet...."
" Save them "
" You really are going to make me beg you to tell me what your name is? "
" I could never make you beg me for anything."
" Tell me your name then "
" Save those numbers as Somebody's Son. Sleep well." He says and hangs up. This guy.
I save his numbers like he said. " Somebody's Son." I go through his phone and it has nothing. It look brand new and it's the latest. He bought me a phone? Who does that?. Is there anything he's going to do that will shock me more than he did tonight?. I hope not.
A man who looks like him fells something for me?. He smells good. He had a Rolex watch on is wrist. He looks like a man who takes care of himself. His English has an accent that I can't place and he speaks it very well like he's a very educated man. The way he walks and carries himself. God what is it exactly that he feels for me?.
I almost found myself telling him about my life and that never happens to me. Is it because of the way he talks to me and tries to make me smile cause I did. He looks like he has this crazy side of him cause what person can do the things he did tonight?. He's a very good looking man physically and his smile. His coffee creamer skin God!. He's older than me. I think he's in his late 20's or early 30's. What am I saying. I have boyfriend who's in another part of the world who might have forgotten about me.
That thought depresses me cause what if he does the same thing he did in Newcastle?. What if he's already cheating on me with that girl. What if I'm wrong about him maybe cheating on me?. I can't entertain that man. I have to focus on my relationship with Raphael. I promised him I will wait for him and that's what I will do. I look at the time and it's 3:30 am. I close my eyes and sleep.
The next morning after showering and making my bed. I take the plates and walk out of the bedroom. Eric and Tom are not at the table. I guess they are waiting for me outside. I take the plates to the kitchen and thank God there's no one. I find mom sitting down and having her breakfast when I walk back in the dining room.
" Morning mom " I kiss her cheek.
" Morning baby " I sit down. " You look better "
" I feel better."
" When are you seeing your therapist? "
" Tomorrow "
" Ok. Please talk to her and tell her everything that is bothering you. Everything baby cause I want you to be happy and not blame yourself for things you can't control okay? "
" I will mom. I promise." She takes my hand.
" I love you so much Jabu and I want you to know that your happiness means allot to me. I want you to put yourself first and stop worrying about other people. Do what makes you happy cause this is your life. It's your second chance in life and live it to the fullest with no regrets okay?." I tear up.
" Are you sure you're not my mother? " She chuckles.
" I could never give up my child baby especially one who's loving, caring and as beautiful like you."
" I wish you were my real mother "
" Me too baby but I am and will always be your mother regardless. " We hug.
" How sweet." Thando says sarcastic walking in and looking like a mess.
" Is my phone in your bedroom? "
" It is. Oh by the wall Raphael called and asked you to call him cause you switched your phone off. He's worried about you "
" Yeah he is." I say.
" He's not worried. That one is busy with London girls who come with no issues or baggage " Thando says.
" Thando!" Mom reprimands her.
" I'll go get my phone "
I won't let Thando get under my skin. I get up and walk to her bedroom and find my phone on her bed. I sit down then switch my phone off. I see missed calls from a number I don't know then a message from Inga and five missed calls from Raphael and a message begging me to call him he's worried.
Maybe he was really studying and didn't have time to call me back. I mean he's doing a very difficult course and I should be able to understand. I tap his name and video call him. It rings, rings and rings some more. I feel disappointed that he's not picking up. I try again then he answers but it's not his face I see on the scream. It's that girl. Why does she have his phone?.
" Hello? " She says.
" Hi? "
" Hi. " She says again. " Oh you're that girl " what does that mean?
" Where's Thato? "
" Who? "
" The owner of that phone you just answered "
" Oh you mean Raph? " huh?
" Give him the phone "
" Oh he can't come to the phone now he's showering."
" He is? "
" Yes in his bathroom? Why? "
" And you're in his bedroom? "
" Yes?. Do you want me to give him a message? "
" No." I hang up.
I feel like taking that phone and throwing it on the wall and scream. I can't believe I trusted him. Why was that girl in his bedroom when he's showering?. Damn you Thato!. I walk out and go to my bedroom and take my bag and put my laptop in and my wallet.
" I'm leaving. I'll see you later mom " I kiss her cheek. Thando looks at me and rolls her eyes.
" Baby wait " I do. " I told them you will attend on Monday cause you're not okay "
" I am fine now and besides I have to get assignments from yesterday since I left early."
" Ok but if anything..."
" I'll call you but I promise I'll be fine."
" You'll get your necklace tomorrow " I nod.
I walk straight the car, greet Eric then he drives me to the campus and drops me off. I walk to the halls and I feel eyes on me like they are talking about me and I hate it. I walk back out and sit on the side chairs. I don't want to be here. I'm not ready to face everyone. I don't know what to do cause I definitely don't want to go home.
" Don't do it, Don't do it. You're angry so don't do it." I tell myself. God!.
I open my bag and search for the phone. I hold it on my hand for what feels like forever then I finally decide to call Somebody's Son and it rings.
" I thought you weren't going to call me cause it's late now." He says. is he for real?
" It's 9:20 am."
" I know and it's late."
" Then I'm going home cause it's late now " I sigh.
" What's wrong? " I keep quiet. " Where are you? "
" At campus by the west wing block... "
" Come to the parking lot."
" Now? "
" Yes. A white SUV with no number plates will come, pick you up and bring you to me "
" No. I'm not getting in that car. "
" Trust me Jabu please. I can't leave now. The person will call me when he finds you and we'll talk so you can be sure he was sent by me."
" Ok."
" Switch your phone off. Not this one. Your other one."
" The people I have trusted have hurt me before and.....I "
" I won't hurt you. I promise. I give you my word."
" Ok. I'm going there now " I'm the one who hangs up this times. I switch my phone off and leave his open.
I am so nervous cause I have never done this before. Go somewhere alone where I don't know anyone. This will be a decision I have taken on my own. Without asking for anyone's approval and if something happens then I'll deal with consequences of the decision I made whether it's good or bad. I decide for me and no one else. 
Thirty minutes is almost up and I'm still standing there, then I see a white SUV pulling up in front of me. It's a Porch and it has no number plates. The door opens and a guy steps out wearing a black suit with a white shirt. I stand there feeling nervous as he walks to me.
" Good morning miss Jabu. I am Ricco and I was sent here by...uhm Somebody's son to come and pick you up " When he says somebody's son he frowns and I find it funny. " Here's the phone miss " I take it.
" Hello? "
" He drove quickly.  Get in the car please "
" Ok."
I give Ricco the phone the walk with him to the car. He opens the backseat door for me and I climb in and fasten my seat belt. He closes my door then gets in and we drive out. God please protect me and don't lead me to my death.