KEPT

2. YOU WANT ADVICE?

KHANYISA

Moving out of my parents house.

At the age of 25, I still live with my parents... Or should I say lived seeing that that's about to become a thing of the past.

I grew up in a house of four people. My dad, mom, big sister and I. My big sister, Caroline got married to her high school sweetheart 5 years ago and since then it's been my parents and I. Maybe that's why I never felt pressured to move, we weren't crowded and my parents made it known they enjoyed having me around... And I was spoiled rotten, for me, there truly was no place like home.

Even with my part time gallery gigs, I never used any of my earnings for household things, my dad wouldn't have it. He always said having this family was part of his plans so he didn't need help maintaining his household.

As I pack the last of my belongings because I didn't get a chance to do it before the wedding I find myself playing with the ring on my finger, reminiscing about the years I've spent here, the happy memories, the sad, the funny and the ones where sesi Caro and I got in trouble and tried to cover for each other, like all the times she would lie and say she was going to a study session on Saturdays meanwhile we both knew she was sneaking off to see her boyfriend.

Although I don't have friends here, I do have people that I grew up with, went to school with and chilled with on the corners when I was too bored at home and I'm going to miss them. Meadowlands is the only home I've ever known and the thought of leaving is bittersweet.

"Swi famba njhani? [how's it going]" my mom asks walking in my room.

"Se na heta [I'm almost done]"

She looks around my room and I catch a glimpse of the frown she's trying so hard to hide.

"I'm going to miss you, " she quickly wipes her tears.

"Mama-"

She raises her hand to stop me "No, don't feel bad. It's okay, it's normal for a parent to feel this way, I felt this way when your sister left and now you're leaving too so the feeling has made it's way back. I'm sad that you're leaving but I'm happy that you're starting a new chapter of your life. I want you to be happy n'wananga [my child] "

" Your tears are breaking my heart mama," I set down the books I was packing and walk to her  trying to lock my own tears in, this is all so bittersweet.

"Khanyisa, I only wish for the best for you and for that I'm proud of you.
Its just that it's not easy to see your child leave and it will never be easy but when a person has decided to go start their own family then it must happen in that way,"

"I'm not moving to another country, mama. I'll just be here in Bedfordview. You can always visit and I will always visit too, " I assure her. I know I might not be here every other weekend but I'll come see the as often as I can.

"No, no. At least take time to grow accustomed to your new life, it will allow your father and I to also make peace with it being just the two of us in this house."

"So you'll be the ones visiting?" I ask with a sly smirk, I know I'm pushing it.

"No Khanyisa, we don't want to invade your personal space with your husband. Give it a few months, get used to living with each other then we can talk about visits,"

My parents don't know that I've only known Nkosi for about a month. For one simple reason, My dad would have never agreed on it. As much as we have this open relationship, I've always drawn the line when it came to my dating life so they've never met anyone as my boyfriend, I only have one ex and even though we were together for 4 years mostly long distance, I never introduced him. I was going to do it when he finally decided to ask for my hand in marriage, little did I know that he was planning that with another woman while taking me for a ride.