Shrivelled Roses 1 (Intro)

Chapter 11

-𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂 𝑺𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒐-

Bongani, Onele and Liyanda landed in East London.

They first went to drop Liyanda at home and then Ginger (Bongani) left to drop Onele off. She rang the intercom bell, and Aunt Nelly's voice echoed cheerfully on the speakers.

"Sithotho residence, how may I help?" Anelisiwe, the "family executive" asked and Liya chuckled before answering, "Aunt Nelly, ndim u Liya". Shouts of joy and excitement could be here from the other side as the gate opened. She ran down the stairs to help Liya carry her luggage, but first, the hugged. A very warm and tight embrace.

As soon as she shut her bedroom door, she flopped on her bed and allowed the moment to sink in. She was finally home, in her natural habitat. In a split second, she was on her phone dialing Mzuvukile just to update him that she travelled safely and in the same breath, she was multitasking- unpacking.

Nairota: Baby?

Liya: Hey, I'm home.

Nairota: Great, so when am I allowed to actually come and see you?

Liya: You saw me today, you can also see me when I get back.

Nairota: That won't work for me mama, I miss you already and I feel sick. Waiting for the entire two months to see you won't cut it.

She sniggled at his tone, he sounded genuine.

Liya: Well, if seeing me will make you feel better, come down in two weeks.

Nairota: One week.

Liya: No, 14 to 10 days baby. Nothing less than 10 days.

Nairota: One week, that's seven days. I'll call you when I get there.

He wasn't going to budge and she knew that.

She succumbed, agreeing that he was permitted to visit her in a week's time. Once that call was over she continued unpacking, freshened up and went to make a snack while Aunt Nelly started off with dinner preparations. Both her siblings were at work, she wasn't sure of the folks. Her mother was a stay-home mom, or housewife if you preferred that term. She retired just as Liyanda left highschool for varsity, after many years of working hard to ensure that her husband doesn't feel the work load especially since he was also supporting his family in the villages.

"Liya ude ufike nini kanti?" a text came through from Mimi and Liya just cracked up. Mimi had been in East London for a week, she was also a university student, but in DUT... KZN. She never cared about greeting, a total opposite to her twin Chu who was the very articulate one. She bit a bigger piece of the fried cheese ball before dialing Mincili.

Mimi: Sithotho?

Liya: Ndlongolo, ndikhona mfondini.

Mimi: Ufike nini?

Liya: About an hour or two ago, uphi wena?

Mimi: I'm waiting for Chu kwa Zuki. Akugcwele.

Liya: Mandize apho, akho bantu apha.

Mimi: Okay babe, don't drive. We're driving.

Liya: Sure.

She downed her drink, took two more cheeseballs and stormed out with her key.

As she got out of the gate, a taxi hooted, she lifted her hand and it came to a halt. Zuki's hair salon was situated in Southernwood, Nichume Ndlongolo had dreadlocks on and she had always done her hair there. Since their highschool days. When she got there, she saw the Ndlongolo Golf and peeped, Mincili was sitting there with a lowered seat. She knocked on the door, their eyes locked and both screamed. The door flew open and a much anticipated squeeze brought them closer.