A Thousand Hills

It's Tradition

"Iyona ngoduso yaNsizwa le (is this Nsizwa's chosen one?" the old man who came with Nsizwa asks and baba looks at me, slightly amused

"What does Nsizwa know? let's not disrespect her by claiming her before we've spoken to her elders", he says but the old man starts interrogating me about where I'm from and how I grew up.

I really shouldn't be here, Phakamile sees that I'm uncomfortable and says we can leave

"Wait Phakamile, Kukhanya please make us tea" Ntombi says from the mattress
She is the only person alive who calls me that, Mkhulu must have told her about the name

"She doesn't even know where the kitchen is, guys stop being weird" Nsizwa says making light of the situation because Phakamile suddenly looks annoyed
He has never liked Ntombi, now that I know she's his 2nd step mother, I wonder why he feels that way, she came decades after his mother passed away.

We walk out with Peanut to a smaller cottage and Phakamile asks a woman in the yard to brings us food in his room.
Peanut is the only child here, also strange.
It's been years since covid so I'm surprised to see such few people here especially with a prominent family like the Mzimelas. If anything I thought the memorial would be in a stadium or something.

We're in a small chalet type rondaval with a kitchenette and living area.
Phakamile switches the TV on, telling Peanut to let the woman in when she brings the food

In the bedroom, he sits at the edge of the bed, making me stand between his legs, while we face each other, hands on my thighs

"Hello" he says

"Hi"

He smiles a little when I greet back shyly

"You took your time", he says holding me tight and breathing me in, his face on my chest.
I missed his arms, after some time he looks at me

"So what's up muhlez(beautiful)" he asks
Uhm yeah no, this is not the right time to talk about our issues

"I just wanted to see you", I say getting emotional
Jesus if I was having sex, I'd think I was pregnant, I'm emotional but he stops it with a kiss.
Grabbing me by the thighs, making me sit on top of him.

It's deep and urgent, I know it's not the time for it but I want him inside of me so badly it hurts.
I feel his need for me too, there's no space between us.
I pull his head to me and wrap my legs around him tightly.
There's voices in the yard, it's just not the right time
He's already pulled my skirt up to my waist when he made me sit on him. Butt cheeks squeezed.
I'm scared my wetness will stain his grey sweatpants so I try and pull away but he pulls me back

"I know, I know", he says in my mouth not wanting to break the kiss. He feels good, it's like I never left

"The suits you got me by Mnisi got delivered on Tuesday and iXesha delivered the watches" he says randomly when he stops to hug me again

"Oh, do you like them?" I ask.

"You have no idea just how much, you'll love the watch they did for you, it matches the gold and green you told them to insist on" he says smiling

Can't people keep secrets?!

"The casual stuff is top teir, thank you muhlez (beautiful). I'm wearing one of the sets at the funeral" he continues

I can't help smile, I did good! and I got a gift too!!!

"I'm glad, can't wait to see the rest of them" he holds me tighter clenching his jaws.

"The last time we were together, I couldn't squeeze you like this" he says randomly giving me a tight squeeze again.
I've never felt unsafe in his arms even with the camaras, it was more shock than fear that made me leave.