Red Lace

Chapter 35

NICHUME SIPHOSETHU MNGUNI

We've spent the last few hours just catching mom up with everything that has happened in the past few years. We took out an album and sat on the floor going through the pictures with her with hopes they would spark something but to no luck. She's been very welcoming of everything, I excuse myself to get more juice in the kitchen. I am startled by a knock; I walk over to the door and it's aunty Ise. We greet each other and share a warm embrace.

"You've matured gracefully. You look gorgeous," she says and I giggle, blushing.

"Thank you, aunty, you look beautiful yourself. Why didn't you bring the family?" I ask her and she shakes her head no.

"I didn't want to overwhelm your mother with them, but everyone is good. They sent their greetings," she says and I smile, nodding. I offer her something to drink and she asks for champagne because that is all she drinks, anyway. We head to the lounge after I pour her a glass and hand it to her. Mom is happy to see her little sister. They hug and catch up a bit. Ntando and I excuse ourselves to give them space. I get to my room and my phone has two missed calls. I recognize the number. It's Adeyemi's. I contemplate calling him back for a good 5 minutes and decide against it. I take off my sweater and stand in front of the mirror and look at my stomach. Soon, I'll start showing. Before that, I need my mom to remember. I don't know how I'm going to reiterate everything to her because she is going to want to know how I ended up pregnant. My phone rings and this time it's another number. I decide to answer it this time.

"Hello?" I say

"Princess," the person says, I take a minute to process the voice, "don't tell me you've already forgotten me. Your favorite Dungeon Master," he says and I chuckle.

"Akin?" I ask and he laughs.

"The one and only, I am in Cape town and I remembered you were from around here," he says.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him. I can't even hide my excitement. He is happy to hear from me just as I am hearing from him. Akin and I are good friends, no doubt.

"I'm running a few errands for the Master. I'm here to fetch the idiot your sister has been entertaining," he says.

"Wait, what? I don't understand," I admit, confused.

"Your sister has been entertaining Okoye's son under his father's instructions. You know he goes to your university, right?" Akin asks and I shake my head no.

"No, I was not aware. I've never seen him since I got home. Ntando never mentioned anything about entertaining a DM," I say.

"Maybe she was unaware that she was entertaining one. I'm flying back to Joburg tonight. Is it possible to see you?" he asks. Akin and I have no beef. Frankly, he's a good person.

"I'd love to but unfortunately my mom had an accident last week, we using this weekend to bond with her. Will you be coming back this side anytime soon? Apparently, I'm going to need a bodyguard from the mansions," I mention, and he chuckles at the last part.

"I'm sorry about your mom. Why would you need a bodyguard? I thought after three months you'd have removed everything that screamed mansions?" he asks and I let out a sigh.

"I would have, but apparently I am carrying two immortals — well, half immortals inside of me," I say.

"You pregnant?" Ntando's voice asks with audible disappointment. I thought I had closed the door fully. "Is that what aunty Ise was talking about? Nichume, how far are you?" Ntando asks.

"Akin, I have to go. We'll catch up later, okay? Is this your number?" I ask him.

"Yes, hope your mom gets well. We will definitely talk about you and your super babies," He says and I chuckle as we end the call.