INCLINATION

CHAPTER 7 | Let's Play

EMIHLE.

#NotEdited

As we get closer, I see my grandmother stepping out of the house, lifting her hand to shield herself from the sun looking at the car that is approaching. I don’t know if my parents told her that I am coming but I think they did even though I know they didn’t tell them why I am coming. I bet my uncle and his grandson are herding the cows since the sun is about to set. A smile forms on her face as I roll the window  down. She can’t hide the surprise on her face when she sees it’s  me. I guess maybe my father only told my grandfather. I want to jump out of the car and run to her arms as soon Jackson parks the car but something is stopping me. She laughs when she sees me watching those little devils that like tormenting me. As soon as they are out of the way. I open the door and practically run to her like I always did when I was a little girl visiting them.

Her warm and gentle arms engulf me in a tight hide. She’s a little shorter than me and God,  she always smelled safe and homey. I missed this woman. I can’t believe I haven’t seen them in almost a year. God. She kisses my cheeks then cups my face. I see tears in her eyes making  mine cloud with one’s too.
“ Gogo..” I choke up.
“ Oh Emy. It is so good to see you" I hold her tight like she’s going to disappear if I let go. I then pull away and look at her beautiful face. She's still beautiful but you can see she’s  now old. I have missed on so many things that are happening in her life.

“ Gogo….”

“ This is a wonderful surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here. Come,  let’s get inside. Hello Jackson” Jackson greets her back, passes us as he takes my bags inside. I notice that my grandmother looks at the bags then frowns. Her body slowly relaxes like she’s relieved.

She takes my hand and leads me inside. Warmth is what greets me and of course. Food. A pot falls in kitchen and I giggle. I guess she’s still clumsy. It goes silent then I hear footsteps and when she sees me, she screams and attacks me with a hug.

“ Emy you’re here. Oh my God I can’t believe it” I giggle and hug her back.

“ Best believe it cause this is me, in the flash.” We hug again.

“ My God Emy  I am so happy that you’re home" we hug again.

“ Me too sis. Where your husband?”
“ Hearding the cows with umkhulu. You know them" we laugh.
“ You two wont stop talking once you start. Let’s let Emy freshen up first before we catch up”
“ Ok gogo, can I make you tea first?”
“ I would like that very much"

We go to the kitchen and I make all three of us tea. I still remember how they like it. We are talking and laughing but I know they can see that I am not okay. I’m  just happy that they are not asking me questions but all of that might change when my grandfather gets here. I know he knows but he’s still going to want to hear it from me. His children don’t hide anything from him. I guess I didn’t inherit that family gene of being honest to my parents. It must be from my mother’s  side cause that family, is shady as hell.
“ Emy?” gogo calls my name. I look at her and smile.
“ Why don’t you go and take a long bath. I’m sure by the time you are done. Dinner will be ready"
“ Yebo gogo" I get up, kiss her cheek then hug Nandi and go to my bedroom.
Yes, every child in this family when they get married. They earn themselves their own bedroom and everyone else who not yet married gets to share with our other cousins when the whole family is here. Well I used to sleep with my sister since Andile never wanted to come here cause the man in my family scared him. I think he 2ad afraid that they will last his bullshit and narcissism.

I open the door and see Jackson had placed them next to the door. I close the door then take off my clothes and go to the bathroom. While waiting for the bath to fill up. I send my mother a message from my new phone and tell her that’s I arrived safely. I open my bag and pick out what I’m going to wear then get myself in the tub and enjoy the warm water. I have the most amazing view. I can only see the greener, some trees and cows. Many cows. They have renovated the house and it is amazing.  A farm house that is also modern. What I love most is the wooden floors and the leather chairs and carpet.

Nandi is married to my cousin Siyabonga.  They have been married for two years and she chose to live with him here at the farm since he works alongside my grandfather. You could never separate Siya  from the farm. He loves it and his wife chose to live here also with him. She quit her job and decided to become a house wife and she’s happy. They have their own house and the four of them are very happy here. I am always happy when I’m here. My troubles disappear and its just me. When I was going up, I always imagined myself getting married to a farmer although I’m afraid of chickens and that’s because m brother once chased me with one when I  was little and since  then I have always had this fear of them although they taste delicious when they are not alive.
Charlotte did me a favour  by cutting my clothes into pieces cause this dress I’m wearing looks amazing on me. I haven’t done any shopping so when we left, I politely asked Jackson to drive by the mall so I can buy a few things and those few things turned out to be many things. He didn’t complain but patiently waited for me to buy what I need. Since I am here, I’m going to take Nandi to go shopping with me cause I need many things. I finally walk out of my bedroom and hear voices. My grandfather and cousin are back.

My grandfather is eating a carrot while cousins drinking water from a glass and Jackson is drinking tea, on a teacup. Really?, I would have never expected it. “ Sanbona Mkhulu, Bhut'Siya"
My grand grandfather turns around with a smile on his face. He opens his arms and I go to him and we hug. I also hug my cousin.
“ If Jackson wasn’t here, I would have swore you’re grandmother was pulling my leg when she said you’re here. Come here" we hug again.
“ We are happy to have you home sis Emy"
“ Me too. I missed all of you"
“ We did too" they all say then we laugh and that’s how the rest of the night goes.

They don’t ask me about Andile or why I decided to come, not that I need a reason to but I am happy that they don’t say anything. I thought my grandfather would dive into it but he doesn’t. Hopefully  tomorrow, I’ll have the courage to talk to them both. The thought of reliving what I went through depresses me and I wish I wouldn’t have to talk about it but I will. I know they will wait for me until I come to them. They made me laugh and for a while I forgot about my problems and slept with a smile on my face for the first time in months , no years.
The rest of the week goes by quietly and I adjust to my new normal. I don’t have a plan about what I’m going to do next but what I’m going to focus on right now, is for Andile to sign the divorce papers. My brother came during the week and I went through the documents then I signed. He left the very same day, flying back to Joburg.  My brother then told me that they sent him the documents and  I must say, my father made sure that he’s coming after everything Andile has. Even his 15 percent share in his fathers company. I thought the shares might be more than that and not 15 percent. I guess his father is the one with the majority of the shares. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t even want a dime of his.