Shrivelled Roses 2: Iyana Kleinbooi

15

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑭𝑰𝑭𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑵

-IYANA-

Two months later...

On "their" bed lay three pregnancy tests that he had decided to buy for her as she had been sick for the past two weeks. She laughed at him, because she wasn't pregnant, at least she believed she had been very careful. He sat across the room, just watching her in silence. She was panicking, if the tests were to come out positive, not only would that destroy her already sunken self-esteem, but that would damage her relationship with her parents. Because of fear, she decided to float in denial, that seemed much better. For the time being...

"I believe you, but it won't hurt taking the tests. You've been sick for two weeks straight, you refused to visit your family and I cannot go anywhere not knowing if you'll be taken care of or not in my absence... the least we can both do is to do these tests. It's always better to treat what you know baby..." he had said and she rolled her eyes, went to pee and then returned back with the tests and lay them on the bed and waited anxiously.

"Thank you" he said softly as she stepped away from the bed.

"Okay wait..." she screamed as he walked closer to the bed, and stopped at the sound of her voice.

"What now?" he asked, a bit annoyed but trying his best not to show it.

"What if I am pregnant? Like, Zwe, I have school, I have work, my dad... mom... I can't be pregnant right now"

"Well, we will decide after we see the results. For now, let us look at the results. Okay?" he nodded, waiting for her to nod in agreement too.

She nodded nervously as he picked up one test, and then the rest...

"Well, you are pregnant" he spoke very softly and Iyana frowned.

She wasn't sure how he felt about the news, but she knew what she was seeing in her eyes wasn't joy or excitement at all. She nodded at his voice, and walked out, locking herself in the bathroom. He sat on his bed and heaved... yes, they had been having unprotected sex but she said she was on contraceptives. Just then, his brother called.

Clive: Mzilikazi ka Mashobane?

Nairota: Zikode ka Mkhatshwa!

Clive: Can you call me back in about fifteen minutes? I am kind of in the middle of something.

Nairota: Kufe bani manje Mntungwa wamuncu?

He just sighed, looking at the three pregnancy tests in his hand.

Nairota: Oh-kay, what is going on?

Clive: Iyana is pregnant.

Nairota: Hawu Zwelethu! Kanjani manje?

Clive: Are you really asking me how I got a woman pregnant?

Nairota: Ukuthi nje unomfazi Zwelethu Khumalo, you have a wife that is supposed to bare you children... not Iyana.

Clive: And I somehow didn't know that, right?

Nairota: You knew, you agreed to it, but you also acted like an irresponsible boy!

Clive: Irresponsible boy? Mfowethu, Iyana is my girlfriend, in case that part passed over your head. Yaz'ini mntaka baba, uma ingekho into ekhuthazayo ofuna ukuyisho ngicela ungasho lutho. Sengivele ngicindezelekile.

They both fell into a deep silence...

Nairota: Pho...uzomtshelani umkakho?

Clive: That is not even my concern right now.