Umakoti Ngo Wethu

3

My dad drove us halfway. We stopped at a petrol station and filled up the tank. We went inside and got some food and snacks. It was a really nice petrol station. One of those huge ones with a restaurant attached to it. Nthombifuti and I were taking some pictures in front of a huge mirror. I had Jabu on my hip, and he was loving it. He was so photogenic.

"Hey, beautiful." A stranger said, walking up to me. "I saw you from outside and just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Dylan, and I was hoping to get your number." He wasn't even cute. I was short and he was shorter than me. "No, I don't give my number to strangers." I answered. "Can I at least get your IG." I gave it to him, and he followed me on the spot.

I heard my dad clear his voice behind us, and the guy ran away like a coward. "Don't tell me you like that guy." He said once the dude left. "Ew, no. Let's go." I finally got to drive. We stopped one more time so I could take care of Jabu. I took a few solo pictures because the view was gorgeous, and so was I. I was wearing a very short shorts with a baggy crop top and some Nike sneakers. I needed some social media updates because it's been a while.

We finally got home late that afternoon. My sister and MaKhumalo were over the moon. Thando was my dad's eldest. She was getting married next month. Thembi was his second eldest a few couple of years before me.

We were just in time for dinner. We ate and spoke, and Jabu obviously stole the show. Being back here and in my room felt so good. I felt safe here. Some of my maternity clothes were still hanging in the cupboard as well as some of Jabu's newborn things. His cot still stood in the corner, and my bed still had the pink bedding I picked out back then.

My mother knew for months that I was having a baby. I went into labor, and she would not take me to the hospital. She took my phone so I couldn't contact Jabu's father. She really was an evil woman. I had to walk to the bus station near us while having the most excruciating contractions and take a bus to the hospital.

It was about half past ten in the morning, and I had been in pain since the night before, but my mother wouldn't help me. There was nobody on the bus besides an old lady who was also going to the hospital. The bus driver drove as close to the hospital as he could, and they both walked me in. It crazy how two strangers, whom I've never met ever, showed me more kindness than my mother ever could.

I gave birth that same day and was sent home the very next. When I got home I found my belongings in black bags in front of a locked gate. I still didn't have a phone, and I only knew my sister's number out of my head, so I called her from the neighbors house. She called MaRadebe, who left work immediately to come get me. I was still in an enormous amount of pain waiting in front of my mother's house with a crying baby.

MaRadebe got me, and I stayed with her for a couple of days until I came to MaKhumalo's house. I stayed for six months until my mother decided she wanted me back. She came here and apologized. I really thought she had changed, but as soon as I got home, I had to start cooking and cleaning up after her. She didn't want me back. She needed a maid.

"Litha? Are you okay?" I nodded. "I'm fine, Ma." She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. "I came to see if you needed help unpacking, and I find you crying. What's wrong, baby?" I didn't even know I was crying. I wiped my tears. "Nothing is wrong, Ma. I was just thinking back to what brought me here. The week Jabulani was born was..." I couldn't finish my sentence. "I'm fine, Ma." I said again. She sat next to me on my bed and held my hand for a little bit.

I slept like a baby that night. I was up early, but not early enough, I guess, because everyone else was up already. "Morning." I greeted when I walked into the kitchen. They all greeted back. I put Jabu down, and he went to his aunt. "Breakfast is almost ready, but we need milk. Do you want to come with me to get some?" I agreed. It was almost seven in the morning. She was still in her pyjamas, so I stayed in mine as well.