Red Lace

Chapter 34

MIHLALIKAZI TSHAWE MNGUNI

I am nervous at the thought of the triplets coming over; I do not know what to expect. I asked Khaya to leave earlier than intended because then I won't get the opportunity or the chance for us to have proper conversations without him. We won't be able to get to know each other better because he will probably intervene and have them omit certain information which I don't want. I want us to be transparent with each other and just be free with each other, that's all. I keep looking at the time nervously, thinking they are going to walk in any second now. It's crazy because these are my children and I shouldn't be this nervous, but I can't help it. Khaya told me we all get along; I have a great relationship with all of them, so I'm counting on that to save me from this fear. I mean, these are teenagers. You never know what to expect. When I was 17, a man I thought loved me blackmailed me with a sex tape that was aired on my wedding day with Bandile. So really, anything can happen. They walk in and I am taken aback by how pretty they are; they look just like my little sisters. I can't tell who is who, but one has curly hair with blond highlights at the tips and the other has brownish-blond braids. They seem as nervous as I am, it's just the girls, for now. The one with the curly hair is dressed a bit more fly than the other, she's wearing sweatpants that hang low with a crop top sweater and a pair of heels while her sister wears a brown two-piece sweat set with white Adidas sneakers. They both look cute in their styles.

"Mom," the one in heels says, throwing herself into my arms. I don't hold back and hug her just as tight as she is hugging me. Okay, she's very welcoming, so that's a start. She takes a step back, "I am Ntandoyenkosi Athini, and that is Nichume Siphosethu," she introduces stepping aside so that her sister can come over. Nichume is a little shy and skeptical before she takes a step closer and throws herself in my arms.

"Hey ma," Chume says, her hug is not as tight but it's just as warm. We stay in each other's arms for a little longer before we break the hug.

"How are you, mom?" Chume asks, sitting beside me and Athini sitting on the other side putting me between them.

"I am okay. How are you, ladies?" I ask because I don't know what to say. Knowing that I have 18-year-olds for children is not exactly easy.

"We're okay mom, we are just glad you're home and you're okay," Athini responds.

"It feels good to be out of the hospital. How was school?" I ask them, facing Chume and she shrugs her shoulders.

"School was wonderful. We thrilled you are home, mom," Chume says and I smile.

"Have you guys eaten?" I ask and the girl's just nod responding that they are good.

"We know and we understand you lost your memory but we not going to tiptoe around you. At least I won't. You're our mother. Visiting home shouldn't be this awkward between us and I know and I'm trying to understand how you are feeling but we have a great relationship with you, you are our best friend and it would be really nice if things would just be a little normal and less weird and awkward." Athini says and I chuckle. Yep, she is definitely mine.

"Oh, I'm trying, baby, but I don't know how to do this. I want to slip into the role I played before my accident, but it's not that easy when I have no memory whatsoever of you guys, but I am willing to try to do better or act more normal towards you guys, whatever normal is," I explain and Chume takes my hand, and she rubs it in appreciation.

"Okay, no problem then. I will fill you in on everything that you need to know about us. We have the entire weekend to ourselves." Athini says and I laugh. I love that she is this open and so free-spirited. It's good to see that she took my personality when I was her age or maybe she took Mange's. Nichume seems a little closed off but I'm hoping that by the end of this weekend, she and I will be good.