Stolen Heart

Chapter 59

***Mihlali's POV.

I did keep my pregnancy , dad shipped me off to Eastern Cape to stay with his mother. I was transferred to a school around here and dad made sure it was a local non-racial school , I have to say these people are so damn judgemental. The teachers are always talking about how I could've waited , how I looked like a cheesegirl. On my first month in this school , I hit a girl who was going around talking about me as if she knew me then it was some of these boys who thought they should take a shot apha kum. Owethu comes occasionally to see me and we are still dating by the way , I also get to see him when I'm back home.

Themba : "Ntwana , what's up?"  He says patting my shoulder. He and his friends were my only friends here.

Me : "Nothing , I'm just tired."  It was after school and I knew my gran was outside. We walk together to the gate , I spot my mother's car and I rush to it. I get in the back and greet , she was with dad.

Dad : "You don't seem to be happy to see us?"  He says smiling. I force a smile.

Me : "No , I'm just tired."  Mom stares at me. When we get home , I go look for my gran and I find her in her bedroom. I throw myself next to her and lay my head on her breasts , she brushes my hair.

Gogi : "What's wrong baby?"

Me : "Andaz' gogi , I'm just in my feelings."

Gogi : "No , you not. Talk to me."  I burst into tears and sob softly on her.

Me : "I just don't understand."  I say sitting up , she wipes my tears. 

Gogi : "Talk to me."

Me : "I know that me falling pregnant brought a lot of disappointment to my parents especially but I really don't understand why they'd ship me off. Sometimes I even think that maybe dad cares about his status more than us. Mom never stood up for me , I thought she was the one who'd stand up for me maybe since she was in the almost same situation as me. UMama and Pa never sent me or mom away after finding out about me but instead they supported her so why couldn't she do the same for me?"

Gogi : "I wish I could tell you but baby it's not that they hate you , they just thought if you were this side you will be able to think and see your mistake and I'm sure they hope you can reflect..."

Mom : "Can I take it from here ma?"  She asks walking in.

Gogi : "Go ahead."

Mom : "Come here baby."  She says opening her arms , I shake my head.

Me : "I'm fine here."  She exhales.

Mom : "Sthandwa sami , it's not that we don't love you or maybe we value our status more than our kids but baby , we just hoped that sending you here will give you time to actually think of what you did and what you wanted to do so that in future , you know not to repeat the same mistake."

Me : "But I did think and learn when daddy whooped me."

Gogi : "He did what?!?!"  She shouts. Gogi never wants our parents to hit us , like ever. She walks out.

Me : "Mama. I regret falling pregnant , I really do and I am so sorry but I really needed you. I needed you to guide me in everything , I just wanted to know that my mother still loves me even after this mistake and shame I brought home. I wamted assurance that you'd be here for me and support me all the time but instead y'all shipped me 100km away from you , like I understand why but it still seems as if y'all can't bare to look at me mama. Y'all shipped me off , y'all didn't bother calling to check on me , y'all only spoke to me whenever y'all call Gogi. In the three months y'all sent me here , y'all have only called and asked to speak to me for only two times. I felt like y'all were just getting rid of me , the shame ekhaya. I just wanted to feel your love , I wanted to be close to you just like how you close to your mother even after you were pregnant with me. UMama calls me everyday , asks about my day in school , she asks about everything. Your sisters call more often compared to you. Y'all never asked if I was adjusting well but y'all assumed that I was. I am NOT coping here! The teachers in that school are always having a field with me , always telling me that I do look like those city sluttish girls and how I look like a snob , they say everything they want about me but I keep quiet because I have no-one to defend nir stand up for me. My dad's siblings , always talking ill of me and that I was expected to fall pregnant because I'm just like dad , always thinking that we better than everyone."  I have hiccups now.

Mom : "Baby listen."  

Me : "No mama! Dad shipped me off because he was trying to keep me away from Owethu which is quite unfair because I was never kept away from him. But it's fine cause I'm still a child and I can never say anything sensible."  I lay down on the bed. I feel her wrap her arms around me from behind and I sob.