OTHER HALF.

chapter 13.

OTHER HALF.

At the agreed location,with her head held down.Khangelwa slowly walked in with jamani.They opted for a sit at the corner.where they could see everyone who walked in.Jamani kept busy on his phone as Khangelwa fixed the big glasses she was wearing.

Meanwhile outside the restaurant,Barona Calmy looked at Onthatile who had both her hands on her mouth obviously panicking.

Barona:Please relax.
Onthatile:You saying that because you already saw her.
Barona:(sighed)Let's get in,they have probably arrive.we are 5 minutes late(looked at her)Please try to keep your emotions in place.
Onthatile:I'm not promising you anything but i will try.
Barona:Okay.

He stepped out of the car then turned and opened the door for Onthatile like he always did.he held her hand And they both walked toward the entrance.They walked in and Barona scanned his eyes around untill he spotted them.They walked over with Onthatile looking at Khangelwa who was looking down.Barona moved the chair for her and she sat down before he did.

Barona;(Cleared his throat)Hey.
Jamani:Hey.

Onthatile looked at Jamani then Khangelwa,with the way she was avoiding her eyes.she felt like slapping the glasses off her face them ask her why she did what she did.She remembered Barona's words then calmed down waiting for something to say something.

Barona:This is Jamani and his wife.
Onthatile:I know.we obviously came here to meet with them right?.I just want this women to tell me why she did what she did.and what she gained from doing it.and can she please say something because with every minute of her not saying anything my anger rises.
Barona:Please calm down.
Onthatile:(Snapped)Don't tell me to calm,you know very well what we went through because of this women(voice shook)she robbed us all the years she spent with our child.ive heard stories of women stealing babies but i never thought it could happen to me.i just want to know why she did all the things she did.let alone not having a chance to bury her own child.how could you be so cruel?.
Khangelwa:(Calm)I'm sorry.
Onthatile:No you are not,if you were sorry you would've brought back our child.
Khangelwa:I don't regret everything I did.yes what I did is wrong but i don't regret it.
Jamani:Khangelwa?
Khangelwa:No I'm telling the truth i don't regret it,you know Why?because I got the chance to experience who being a mother feels like.how having a new born baby next to you feels like.at least I got to spend the happiest 16 years of my life with my baby.
Onthatile:She is not your child and she will never be.
Khangelwa:But she knows me as her mom,she had my breast milk,she took her baby steps with me.her first words where "Mama"and she was saying all that to me.
Onthatile:(Angry)But she will never be yours.
Barona:Babe please calm down.(looked at jamani)please control your wife.
Khangelwa:There is no need for that because I will hand over their child with not struggle.somehow in the past few hours i told my self that whatever happens happens.i knew from the start that Tshegofatso is not mine but i never thought I would get here but there is nothing much i can do because her real parents now know they have a child.i just know that I appreciate every moment i spent with her.and I'm sorry to the both of you for causing you so much pain in the process of making myself and husband happy.She is in the car I will go and take her.

She said then stood up walking away.Jamani went after her then caught up with her before she could reach their car.

Jamani:What's going on.
Khangelwa:There was no need of going back and forth with them.i for my self know that obviously theu will want their child back.there is nothing you or i can do to change their minds.
Jamani:Maybe they were going to give us a few days or even months with her why are you giving up on our child so easy?.
Khangelwa:She is not ours.Im sorry for saying this but we have to hand her back to her real parents and...
Jamani:seems like you've already made up your mind.do you understand that I'm hurting here?.you think waking up to then news of the child you thought was yours is not yours is easy(voice shook)you really think I'm not hurting for you to give her away like that?.
Khangelwa:I'm sorry but we have to do it(teary)I'm sorry for causing you so much pain.

She said then opened the car door.she looked at Relebohile who was busy texting on her phone with her earphones on.she wiped her tears then sighed.before touching her shoulder.

Khangelwa:Please come.
Relebohile:You are done with your meeting?.
Khangelwa:Yes.come i want you to meet someone.
Relebohile:Okay.

Relebohile put her phone down they stepped out.she looked at her father who balanced both his elbows on the car with his face down.

Relebohile:is he Okay?.
Khangelwa:Yes,Come let's go in.

They both walked towards the restaurant  door holding hands.Onthatile turned and looked at them as they walked in.her heart pounded as she looked at Tshegofatso.tears filled her eyes and she stood up waiting for them then hugged her.Rele hugged her back confused.Onthatile finally let go and looked at her straight in the eyes before smiling.

Onthatile:I have been dreaming of this day for like forever now.even though I was made to believe that you were gone.

Relebohile smiled more confused then turned and sat next to Khangelwa.Jamani walked in and he sat down waiting for Khangelwa to say something.

Khangelwa:(Cleared her throat and looked at Rele)Baby,remember what I said to you in the morning right?.
Relebohile:Yes.
Khangelwa:As I have told you,I did something bad in my past and it has caught up with me.You see these people here,They are your parents.
Relebohile:(Frowned)What do you mean Parents?.
Khangelwa:(sighed)They are your real parents.
Relebohile:I still don't get it,that means What?you are my fake parents?.
Khangelwa:No.
Relebohile:Then what because whatever you are saying does not make sense.or did you adopt me.because is so then I don't want them.Where have they been all these years.
Khangelwa:We did not adopt you.
Onthatile:Just tell her that you stole her from us and replaced her with your dead baby.tell her that she is a twin.tell her that you've robbed her so many years with her real parents and twin sister just tell her.
Relebohile:NO!Mama please tell me this women is lying and that what you just told me is not true.
Khangelwa:I'm sorry my baby but it's all true.
Relebohile:What!!!so I have a twin sister.dad say something.
Jamani:I didn't know anything untill less that 24 hours before.but it's the truth.these are your real parents.

Relebohile looked at Jamani and Khangelwa surprised.waiting for them to say something.but they just kept quiet.

Khangelwa:From here,you will get all your clothes then move in with your parents.
Relebohile:Why are you acting like you don't care?.
Khangelwa:There is nothing I can do.
Relebohile:I don't trust you guys,I need to see my sister maybe I will.