Shrivelled Roses 2: Iyana Kleinbooi

25

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚-Five

-Buhle-

Second day at home, and she was woken up by her father's manly scent that had taken over her room. She smiled under the covers because she knew that he had probably brought her coffee or oatmeal. After about fifteen minutes, she uncovered her head and was met by his brought back. He was seated on a bean bag right next to the bed, and her coffee and oatmeal were on the night stand with butter and sugar.

"Saw'bona baba" she greeted, sitting up and he turned, smiling broadly at her.

"Ndodakazi, hawu, umuntu usavele atheleke nje angabisasho naku ma wakhe ukuthi uzovakasha?"

"Hawu baba, angithi I wanted to surprise ubaba no ma but when I got here ngafica oo MaNtuli nabo Skhunju"

Her father's laughter filled the room and he handed her the tray and took his own coffee as they caught up. After about thirty minutes he left her, she got out of bed, made the bed and went to take a bath before returning the tray to the kitchen. Her mother was busy in another hut, so she returned to her room to open the windows and just then, her phone rang. She looked at the number, she didn't recognize it but answered it anyway...

Buhle: Mzimela.

Sanda: Uhm, hi... is this Buhle?

Buhle: Yes.

Sanda: You're speaking to Siyasisanda, I uhm, I am not sure if you know me but I believe we have briefly spoken when I called your brother-in-law the other day.

Buhle: What can I do for you?

Sanda sighed, nervously playing with her hair.

Sanda: I know this is none of my business but I would really like to know how true it is that Mzukisi raped you. He's my boyfriend, and this has been bothering me since I found out about it... I just want to know from you if it's true.

Buhle: When you asked him, what did he say?

Sanda: He denied it of course, that's why I am calling you.

Buhle: So you asked him, he denied it, and now you are calling me because you don't trust your own boyfriend?

Sanda went dead silent.

Buhle: Do you think he raped me?

Sanda: I don't know what to think.

Buhle: Then why is it bothering you so much? Why don't you take his word for it?

Sanda: Buhle, woman to woman, I just need you to tell me the truth please. What happened that night? Did he really violate you? Why didn't you open a case? Like, why did you even agree to marry his brother if he really raped you? This doesn't make any sense... excuse me for asking you so many questions but I rea-

Buhle: You were right, this is none of your business.

Sanda: Buhle...

Buhle: I don't need to tell you anything, I don't need to answer any of your questions because I don't owe you anything. Take all these questions and present them to your boyfriend. He owes you answers, and if he really is your man then you should believe whatever answers he gives you... that's how relationships are built, on trust.

Sanda: But you didn't built your marriage on trust or honesty, it's built on lies baby suziqhatha apha.

Buhle: I don't expect peasants to understand how royalties operate... so I totally understand your opinion. Now, was there anything else?

Sanda breathed, running a hand over her oily face.

She had just removed a face mask.

Sanda: Clive... do you love him?