LIFE IMAGINED

08

LIFE IMAGINED

08

THREE MONTHS LATER

YABATHA

"Thank you for doing my garden. It's so beautiful now."
Yabatha:It's a pleasure.
She gives him the money and leaves. He arrives where he stays, it's nothing fancy just a one room shack. It has been 3 months since he ran away from Durban, he ran off to Mpumalanga. He hopes John doesn't track him all the way here, he threw away the Sim card he was using and bought a new one. He didn't want John to find him or even call him. These three months he has finally found peace and is always looking forward to the next day. Somehow, he feels bad for leaving his family but he doesn't think John would do anything to them. Maybe he was just bluffing.

She enters his shack and sits down on the bed, he smiles seeing her. He gives her a kiss and she giggles, she's so sweet & innocent. Her name is Zimbili.
Zimbili:So how did it go today?
Yabatha:Pretty well actually. I just wish I can find a more stable job, but I don't have any education.
Zimbili:What's stopping you babe?
Yabatha:I'm old babe, you know I had to drop out of high school to take care of my family. Not that I wanted to, but my mother was breathing down my neck so I had no choice.
Zimbili: So what Yabatha? You can't live the rest of your life feeling sorry for yourself. You have to pick yourself up babe, there are night schools which you can attend. Don't just sit and expect things to happen by themselves.
Yabatha:And this is why I love you. You're so smart. You always know what to say.
He hugs her and wishes things could stay like this forever. In such a short space of time, Zimbili has managed to make him happy. He finally feels like a man.
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ZETHEMBISO
She just did the second shopping this week, Durban has been so good to her. She doesn't want to leave ever again. Even though Tukelo has been giving her the cold shoulder, she thought after they had sex a month back he would finally make a move. Tukelo is a good looking man, she wouldn't mind having him as her boyfriend.
Tukelo: Another shopping again?
She flashes her eyelashes and pushes back her weave.
Zethembiso:I have to look good Tukelo, I also need to do my nails.
Tukelo frowned at her and shook his head.
Tukelo:I think it's time you leave my house now.
Zethembiso:And where will I go?
Tukelo:To the person I brought you here in Durban for.
Zethembiso:Tukelo what are you talking about?
Tukelo:Look Zethe, I can't tolerate you. You're annoying and forward. My boss is the one who does everything. So you will be going to live with him from now on.
Zethembiso:Tukelo what exactly is going on here? You took me from home promising to make my life better and now you tell me I'm going to be leaving with another man!?
Tukelo:And you were stupid enough to follow someone you don't know. We will be leaving tomorrow. And don't think you will run because I will easily find you.
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ZESULWA
Mamdluli:I really don't know what that means Zesulwa. Do you think she was trying to tell you that someone hurt her?
Zesulwa nods, he has been trying to make sense of the dream he had about his daughter last time. What did she mean when she said no one will hurt them like that man who hurt her?
Zesulwa:But who could it be? Because I was the one looking after Avuyile at daytime when you were not around. And I can assure you that no one touched her. I was there.
Zesulwa shrugged his shoulders and put his hands over his face, this whole thing was confusing. If someone really murdered his daughter then that person needs to pay and go to jail.
Mamdluli: Anyway do you have anything to eat?
Zesulwa shook his head no.
Mamdluli:Okay I will bring you something to eat after I'm done cooking.
She stood up and said goodbye.
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Mamdluli:Zesulwa thinks someone killed his daughter.
Mkondi coughed hearing that.
Mkondi:Why does he think that?
Mamdluli:He said he had a dream about his daughter and she told him a man hurt her.
Mkondi:Maybe it was just a meaningless dream.
Mamdluli: He said he wants to go to the police to investigate how she died because he's now convinced something happened.
Mkondi:No no he can't do that. I will get arrested.
He closed his mouth quickly realising what he just blurted out loud.
Mamdluli:You will get arrested? For what? Mkondi what did you do?
Mkondi:I didn't do anything mama. I was just saying that person will get arrested.
Mamdluli:I am not stupid Mkondi. Now you will tell me exactly what you did, your behaviour these days is questionable.
Mkondi sighed and held his hand together.
Mkondi: Okay okay I will tell you. Remember how Avuyile didn't want to stay here anymore when Zesulwa was not around?
Mamdluli:Yes I remember.
Mkondi:Well... I .... I was *He closed his eyes, struggling to say this* I was sexually assaulting her.
Mamdluli put her hands on top of her head in shock.
Mamdluli:Tell me you're joking baba.
Mkondi:I'm not, I swear I didn't mean to. I was just horny and you were angry at me. And I saw her tiny body, all I could imagine was how tight she is down there. I waited for you to leave and locked her in our bedroom. I remember how she was screaming while I struggled to get inside her. She was crying, telling me to leave her alone but I was lost in pleasure. Our bed was full of blood when I was done. I told her to not tell anyone about what I did or I will kill her dad. Days and weeks went by and I continued doing it, until one day I mistakenly... It all happened too quick mama. She was crying and I tossed her from the bed to the ground on her head. I swear I heard something crack. I thought she would bleed and die at the spot. But she didn't. So when Zesulwa came here and you said she is touching her head, I was convinced that I really caused damage. I was shattered to learn that she died. It was a mistake mama, you have to believe me. I don't want to go to jail.
Mamdluli:So you raping our daughter was not enough? You had to go outside and do it on Zesulwa's daughter!? Because he has no parents!? You have broke that boy, Avuyile was the only good thing happening in his life and you took that away from him. I don't even want to look at you.
Mkondi:Mama please don't report me to the police.
Mamdluli:That's the only thing you care about? Being arrested? A child is gone because of you! What monster did I marry!?
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ZETHEMBISO
She stayed up all night wondering and scared where Tukelo would take her today, she's starting to regret this. She wants to go back home to his father, they were poor but life was good. For all she knows she could be shipped off to another country to be a sex slave. She wants to leave, she looks at the window and thinks of running away. She takes the sheets and roll them into a rope-like fashion. She throws the rope outside of the window and prepares to jump. But the door opens and Tukelo is just standing there.
Tukelo:You know, every room in this house has a camera. So I know who does what and when. I told you not try and run away because I will find you. Now get dressed nicely and get ready to go and meet your husband.
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To be continued....