KEPT

29. SOMETHING IS OFF

KHANYISA

I wake up and the first thing I do is check the time, it's already half past eight in the morning and I know by now Nkosi has left. I was hoping to catch him before he left so he could let me know if he found anything. I guess I could always call him or he will call because he knows how much this is stressing me out

I don't know where to start.

Today was supposed to be the best day for me and it's turned into a complete nightmare. My readers are waiting and I don't know what to tell them, should I be honest? Should I downplay it? But how will that help me because the book is out there already

The thought brings tears to my eyes again, this hurts.

I try to get up from the minutes but my body feels frail, I'm shaking and when I stand I feel dizzy so I take a moment and sit back down to try and regain some strength. I last ate yesterday in the afternoon then I proceeded to take pills after my body underwent shock. These must be the after effects.

I notice the note that Nkosi left on my nightstand "I had to go in at the office but it will be a half day. I'll be back soon - Nkosi"

I place it back and when I feel like I can get up again I do then I wear my slippers and head to the kitchen to make something to eat. I need something quick so go for cereal and milk, whatever can help me regain strength at this point.

After a few spoons, my appetite does a number on me and I can't stomach any more of the cereal. My whole body is acting up and this dizzyness is taking longer than it should. I decide to make myself a cup of tea, that should do.

I take it with me to his study where my laptop is then I call him. It rings unanswered and I don't bother leaving a message. I then decide to call my sister

"Sesi" She answers and the sound of her voice just loosens up these strings I've been trying to hold together and I start crying again

"Khanyisa?"

"Khanyisa swilo yin?" [what's wrong?]

"Its a mess sesi" I say sniffing

"What's a mess? Ku humelela yini seni?" [What's going on now?] I hear the panic in her voice

"Someone stole my book and published it as their own, it went out yesterday and I was supposed to launch it today... I don't know... I don't know what to do"

"What? Who would do such a thing?" she asks and I take my time telling her the story. By the end of it she wants to come over but I insist that she doesn't because her daughter isn't well and she's with her at home so I don't want to strain her

We eventually hang up after then I start typing my statement... Or attempting to because I can't find the right words

I decide to go with the truth.

I explain the situation to them but I leave out names, however I do mention that the book was released yesterday because I'm angry and I do want to expose this Kedirile woman but at the same time, I know I need to be very careful of what I post online

My post is met with a lot of anger directed at the thief and my readers saying they wish I will still publish the book as my own. There's already a lot of speculation going on but I decide to log out and catch a breather

Minutes later, I get a text from Cheryl telling me that she's outside. The cereal seems to have helped because I feel stronger now

"I found her, I found the witch!" Cheryl says when I get the door

"Who?"

"Kedirile Hartman, I found out where she works from her Facebook account, she's got to be there right now, let's go. You deserve answers and she's going to answer for her actions"