Scars and Nightmares

chapter 35

Rachel Ndlovu

The room was very dark and smelt of blood. It was too dark, I couldn't see a thing. I used my hands and feet to figure out what was in the way.
“She’s finally here ladies and gentlemen!” I recognised that voice, it belonged to Kevin. Where the hell was I? Was I dead?
I walked in further using their voices as a map.
“Where am I?”
“Welcome to the afterlife sweety!”
No,no, no this was not happening. This was not happening. The lights suddenly went on, the amount of blood that I saw freaked me out. At the far end Okuhle was in a tattered dress that had blood stains in it. Kevin was wearing the exact same clothes he wore when I bashed him with the brick– he also was badly burnt. I heard wailing sounds but could not pinpoint where they were coming from.
“No, no, no..” I said moving back. I hit something and it was Madlabantu. He laughed so loud then the rest joined him.
“No!!!!”
–
I woke up with a heavy heart, Terry was dead asleep next to me. I watched him then got up and went to the kitchen, it was turned upside down. It didn't look like my kitchen.
“We’re back sweety!” Okuhle’s voice.
I turned around but no one was present. They kept on laughing and cackling. I couldn't take it. I crouched down and shielded my ears using my hands.
“Just stop it! Stop!”
“Your evil heart can't take a little bit of fun bestie?”
“I said stop..” I was on my knees, face on the floor. “Just stop.”
“Confess! Confess! Confess...” their voices chanted around me. I was too weak to get up and do anything.
“Please stop.”
I felt hands on my shoulders, “leave me alone, just stop it! It's enough now.”
“Rachel?”
I removed my hands from my ears then looked at Terry. I immediately got up and held him tight..
“Please don't leave me.”
“Hey, shh, it's okay I'm here, shh.”
He picked me up; carried me to our room and put me down on the bed.
“I’m going to make you some green tea, is that fine?”
“Don’t go... Please stay.”
“Okay I'm not going anywhere..” he slid in behind me and held me tight. I was afraid of closing my eyes. The thought of seeing what I just saw was traumatic.

*
*
*
The next morning I woke to Terry still holdingon on to me tightly. I turned and traced my finger on his face. The blinds were not fully closed, the sunlight was slightly kissing his face. I grabbed my phone and took a few snaps of him sleeping. I posted the snap on WhatsApp with heart emojis.
I went to the bathroom to wash my face then I went downstairs to make us breakfast.
I felt hands around me as I toasted the bread.
“Good morning baby.”
“You’re up early sunshine. Are you good?”
“Feel much better.. breakfast is almost ready.”
“Mhmm.” Terry sipped the apple juice that wan in the table then carried the dishes to the coffee table.
“Babe are we not having breakfast in the dining area?”
“No.”
We sat in complete silence enjoying our meal, with Terry feeding me every chance he gets. He didn't look bothered or like someone who had something to ask. He might have forgotten what happened last night. If that's the case, I'm very grateful.

Goitsimedi GM Tholo

I was lost in my thoughts when I heard Thobile’s voice. She rested her head on the crook of my neck, then pecked my lips.
“You look tired.” she said going to take a seat on the couch.
I stopped stirring the pot that had the sour porridge and joined her. “I am tired but nothing new there. How are you, is everything packed?”
“I helped Mabutho pack his things, I still have to pack mine.”
I swallowed painfully at the mention of his name.
“I’ll come and help you after breakfast.”
“Thanks.” Thobile stood up and made us both tea. This friendship was not one I thought I would have. I always saw my siblings as my only friends. Thobile came from where she was from and stole my heart.
“You’re really leaving tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” she sighed then crouched in front of me, “listen friend, at least I'm not going to KZN. I'm just going to live with my cousin in Parktown. We will still see each other.”
“I know that..”
“Why do I get a feeling that this has to do with my brother?” she stood up to fetch our teas.
“There are some cupcakes in that small bucket..” I saw her smile once she realised that it was vanilla cupcakes with condensed milk in the middle. These had become her favourite.
“I love you so much!” we both giggled. “You love him don't you?”
“Who?”
“You know who I'm talking about GM, stop trying to play dumb.”
“I’ve never been in a relationship to know how it feels to be in love.” I shrugged.
“Today is ladies night at club Dominantz, how about we go out before I leave tomorrow?” she looked at me, as I thought of what to say to her. “Maybe I can twist Mabutho’s arm and he could tag along?”
“You don't have to use your brother to blackmail me into going, you know.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yeah.”