BROKEN PIECES.

CHAPTER 26| YOUR SAFETY.

#NotEdited

We walked out of his office with our hands threaded on each other. I could see the surprised and curious looks of his employees. It's just the two of us in the car. He's holding my hand and driving with one hand only. The beauty of German cars. He's driving to Randburg where I live. Bab' Ricco will be waiting for us somewhere where he will drop me off at home as if I requested an Uber.
He keeps stealing glances at me as he's driving. I wonder what thoughts are playing in his mind. The traffic is moving slowly cause everyone is in a hurry to go home or somewhere. I am not in a hurry though to go home. Traffic stands still and we wait. He turns and looks at me.
" What will happen if they ever found out about us? "
" There's no us "
" Yet " He says. I look outside the window. " Look at me please? " I do. " Tell me what you think would happen to you? "
" I think will Thato will lose his mind. I think I will disappoint mom and I know they will kick me out "
" And where will you go? "
" I don't know. I can look for accommodation at res or rent cause my bursary covers that. I can just get a place then send the papers to my funders."
" That's what I wanted to talk about. Look Jabu I'm not trying to paint them as bad people but I just want you to be prepared for when you guys breakup cause it's not going to be possible to stay there at his house."
" You're so sure we're going to breakup. "
" I know you will and it's not because I'm going to be forcing you to do that but he's the one who's going to mess up. So I want you to prepare now for when that time comes."
" How? "
" You get a stipend from the University every month right? "
" I do "
" How much? "
" R3500 every month and I don't use it at all. Then mom gives me R2000 every month and I don't use it too unless we go to the mall then I would buy something for myself." Traffic begins to move but it's still slow.
" So lets say you roughly have R4000. That money you could use it for food and things you would need. So what I'm thinking is why don't you look for a safe place to rent or an apartment. When you find it you call them, see the place then you contact your funders ad ask for forms. So you can be prepared for anything."
" Aren't apartments here in Joburg expensive especially one's that are in a safe area? "
" They are but if your funders say the places are expensive they can only maybe afford half or something then you can use your stipend money to cover the rest " Hmmm
" I never thought of that "
" I know. I just want you to have your freedom. Live on your own and know what it's like to make decisions in your home and take care of yourself without depending on anyone."
" I would love that."
" Then start looking. Is your laptop from school or they bought it for you? "
" It was part of my bursary why?."
" if it was theirs then they were going to see that you're looking for a place. I want you to be a girl with a backup plan who's always prepared for anything. Make decisions about your life. Live your life without the fear that someone will get angry if you do this. I'm not saying be reckless with your life and do stupid things cause we won't have that unless you're doing them with me."
" Bossy much are we?. Thank you for the advice though. I'll do that but I'm worried about Thando. I'm the only person she has in this world "
" Talk to her. Just the two of you and find out what's wrong. It could be allot of things. Maybe she feels like she's losing you so she says things to hurt you cause that's what she's feeling hurt."
" Thank you. I'll ask her to have a sleep over with me. I hope she will agree so we can talk."
" She will don't worry. I want to come visit you. You visit me, spend time with you, take you out and show you the world. You haven't seen any of it."
" I would love that " It's the truth."
" Can I ask you something? "
" Why do you sound so serious? "
" Cause I don't know what you're going to say." Oh my God he's nervous.
" I'll keep an open mind "
" I know it's allot but can I see you on Saturday morning?. I promise I'll bring you back before 5pm." Oh God!
" I never leave the house on the weekends. What am I going to say I'm going to mom? "
" I don't know but can you try please? "
" I'm not promising anything "
" Can I see you tomorrow please? "
" I doubt it's going to be possible but I'll see."
" Thank you "
He continues to drive and I switch my phone on and bunch of messages come in. Including one from Inga who tell me to call her Asap. I do and she picks up like she was waiting.
" Dude why didn't you tell me you're banking classes? " she says.
" I was at campus but then left. What's wrong? " Somebody's son parks the car.
" I saw your drivers coming in after they waited for you for almost an hour. I quickly asked another girl to pretend that she goes to class with us then tell them you left with me to my house and your phone was dead when you left."
" Oh my God thank you Inga. I owe you allot." I sigh.
" Yeah just warn me next time when you're going to get your groove on " I blush.
" It....wasn't like that Inga."
" Yeah right. I e-mailed you the assignments and notes."
" I will take you out to say thank you."
" Hmm I would like that Jabu. See ya "
" You're a life saver. Thank you"
" Later " We hang up.
I look at Somebody's son.
" What happened cause you were panicking? " I tell him. " I'm glad she did that for you. We owe her cause you were with me "
" I'll take her out "
" On Saturday right? "
" Oh my God you are impossible "
" Please. I'm begging here "
" Ok fine. I will " He smiles.
" Thank you."
" Rocco is waiting for you to take you home."
The mood instantly changes. I feel sad. He steps out of the rain and walks to the car and comes with an umbrella and runs to my side and opens the door. We look at each other then I instinctly hug him. He hugs me tight and I bury my head on his neck and smell him.
" I'll wait for you until you're ready to have me in your heart and life." He says and those words go straight to my heart. He kisses my forehead then helps me step out. He shields me as he walks me to the the car and it's a Toyota corolla. He opens the the door and I get in. We look at each other then he closes the door and watches bab' Ricco drive away. I look at him until He disappears from my vision.
Fifteen minutes later the car stops outside the gate. I put somebody's son's phone on silent then put it in my bag. I thank bab' Ricco. The gate opens I get out then run to the house. Those few minutes running to the house have me walking in wet. I open the door, get in and close it quickly. I pass the lounge, living room and I'm about to pass the kitchen when I hear mom's voice.
" Jabu? What happened to your phone? "
" You know it wasn't charged ma cause it was in your room and the battery died in class "
" I was worried about you especially when Eric and Tom couldn't find you "
" I was fine. I was with Inga. We went to her house and she requested an Uber for me. I need to get out of these clothes I'm wet."
" Who's Inga? "
" A friend from campus. I take all classes with her."
Thando walks in wearing her pyjamas. We look at each other and not say anything.
" Thando wants to say something to you " I look at Thando.
" Sorry " She says and sits down and eats an apple. I hate apples.
" Ok " I turn about to walk.
" Jabu wait. Thando that's not how you apologize to your sister "
" You told me to apologize and I just did. What more do you want? " she asks mom so cheeky.
" What is wrong with you Thando?. Why are you so disrespectful to her? "
" How was I disrespectful " she asks rolling her eyes.
" The tone of your voice and everything else you have been doing? "
" Oh please just because I'm not like you..."
" Thando what happened to us? Why did you change towards me?. First it was Zuki and now you?. What did I do to you to make you hate me? " She keeps quiet. " Why are you hurting me Thando when I haven't done anything to hurt you in any kind of way?. Tell me so I can fix whatever it is that I messed up cause I'm tired of your hurtful words to me. "
Her eyes get teary as she looks at me then she runs out of the kitchen and I sigh.
" I'll see you later." I tell mom
" Thato called and..."
" I don't care " I tell her.
" He's coming tomorrow "
" Why? "
" I don't know..."
" Well let me tell you why. I face timed him and his friend answered his phone and told me he's showering. She was in his bedroom while he was showering ma. What kind of relationship do they have for her to feel that comfortable in his bedroom. Tell me?."
" Oh I'm sorry baby." She says disappointed
" Don't be mom. He is coming here to lie to me about why his friend was in his bedroom. The girl has his pictures all over her Instagram ma. Then I'm suppose to believe him when he comes here and tells me they are just friends?."
" What is this boy doing? "
" He's doing what he always does. Lie to me. Cheat on me. Silly me will forgive him and take him back like before."
" I don't know what to say."
" Don't say anything mom. He knows what he's doing and maybe Thando was right. Maybe he doesn't want a girl who come with problems and baggage. He just wants someone who has no issues."
" Don't say that about yourself."
" It's fine. I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself and like you said. I must do what makes me happy and that's what I'm going to do now."
" I want you to know that I will not take sides. "
" At the end of the day mom. You are his blood. His family and you will always look out for him first."
" I love like my daughter and I will do the same thing for you that I do for him."
" That's why I love you. We both know the truth though." She keeps quiet.
" Uhm before I forget. Your package arrived, I signed for them and took them to your room " What could those be and from whom?
" Thanks mom "
" What did you buy? "
" Ah just something I ordered online " She frowns.
" I didn't see any transactions " She says and she regrets it. I can see it in her eyes.
" What do you mean you didn't see any transactions? "
" Please don't be upset and I know it's wrong but I have access to your account and can see all your transactions "
" What? Why would you do that?. That's my personal bank account "
" I know baby and I'm sorry. It's..."
" It's wrong. You have no right to do that. I know I don't know allot of things but I'm smart and not reckless. I don't misuse my money. Do you do that with Thando too? "
" No.."
" Then why me mom? "
" Because I want you to be taken care of "
" That maybe be truth but I don't believe you. First it was the necklace with the tracker and now you're telling me you have access to my bank account?. What else mom? Are you bugging my phone? My laptop what? " She keeps quiet. I shake my head somewhat disappointed cause I wanted what somebody's son to be wrong about thinking that they may be keeping tabs on me but he was right.
" Why mom? "
" It's for your safety " she says
" Watching where I go and what I do is for my safety? Safety from whom?. Is someone after me? "
" No baby? "
" Then why? " She looks at me and it dawns on me. " It's Thato right? It's all him. He wants to know every move I make while he's there living his life without being worried someone is watching him but I can't live my life. I have to be watched 24/7?. "
" Jabu...."
" No! It wasn't about my safety. It was about him and only him!. "
" Baby..."
" My account is my account not ours. This phone you bought it and I don't want it until you fix it and it's mine. My laptop too and oh that necklace. I don't want it and I'm never going to wear it Ever. Stupid promise ring!" I put the phone and laptop on the kitchen Island then walk out and go to my room. I close the door and lock it. I want to scream so loud
I see three boxes on my bed but I don't have energy to look at them. I put my bag down. Go to my bedroom, take off my clothes and run myself a bath. I pour oils and bath salts and the bathroom smells nice. I decide to take my phone, the one somebody's son gave me and walk to the bathroom and get in the bathtub. I close my eyes and sigh deeply.
How could one person be this way?. Why did Thato do that to me. I can't believe he would stoop to so low to get what he wants and for things to go his way. I tap my phone open and call him.
" Miss me already? " he answers after a third ring.
" I hope I didn't call you at a busy time "
" No you didn't. What's wrong? " How does he do that. I sigh.
" You were right. They are tracking my every move. With my phone, my laptop, that necklace and drivers."
" I'm sorry. What are you doing? "
" Taking a bath to warm myself."
" I'm sorry the rain soaked you "
" I don't melt."
" Your hair? "
" A hairdryer will fix it. What are you doing? "
" Working. Did you get your presents? "
" Oh my God. It's you? "
" It's me. Did you open them? "
" No I haven't. Should I do it now? "
" Not yet. After your muscles have relaxed and feel better it's then you can open them."
" What is inside? "
" You'll see " I can feel him smiling.
" Ok now I'm curious. I'm going to open them "
" Keep the phone on. I want to hear too "
" I won't put you on loud speaker cause they will hear "
" I know "
I step out of the warm water, put the phone down and dry myself then pick it up again and walk to my bedroom.
" Ok I'm opening the first box which is...."
" Open the big one first "
" Ok "
I balance the phone on my ear with my shoulder as I rip the tape off then open the box. I suck in my breath. I pull it up and It's a gown. It's big, fluffy and it feels so soft on my hands.
" Wow It's so beautiful I love it." I whisper.
" I'm glad you do. You realize that I'm keeping yours right? "
" You can keep it. I love this one more "
" Open the large one."
I place my gown nicely on the bed then open the medium box. Inside I find matching silk pyjama set They are folded so nice and they even have a ribbon. I run my hands on them and they are so soft and silky and I can just feel the silk against my skin.
" I love this more and they look like my size. I can't wait to wear them "
" I'm sure they are going to look beautiful on you " I smile. " Open the last one."
" What is it. A heard scarf for my hair? " he chuckles.
" You'll have to look and find out for yourself."
I open the medium box and inside are morning shoes. They don't look like any morning cause the design says they are expensive. I put them on and I sigh. It feels like my feet are on a massaging machine.
" Oh I'm never taking these off. They feel like heaven. Like I'm walking on clouds " He chuckles.
" I can't have you walking around in the morning without the complete set. I want those fee to look like how they always look. Beautiful "
" I love each and every gift. Thank you "
" The pleasure is all mine."
" He's coming tomorrow. I don't know when he's going to land or how long he's staying "
" Did he tell you that? " He asks after keeping quiet for a while.
" No. Mom told me "
" What time do you usually sleep? "
" 10:30 pm why? "
" I'm coming. " He says then hangs up. God this man!.