LOVE BEYOND MEASURE

17

LOVE BEYOND MEASURE

17

NOTHANDO

Okay, Thando, breathe!! I did a few breathing exercises to calm myself down. Just when I thought I was accepting Iba’s death, and I just had to see him. Why?? I spent a few minutes in the restroom before walking out. To my surprise, I found him on our table, with Lungi giving him a side eye. My throat became dry instantly. I reached them, and sat down.

Lungi: Are you okay??
*** I nodded***
Samkelo: Uhm…Nothando, can I please speak with you in private?
***I nodded, he asked Lungi to look after the kids and I followed him outside.***
Me: Talk!!
Samkelo: First, I’m sorry for how I handled things between us. I’m sorry, Nothando.
Me: I just want to know why? Why did you deny my baby??
Samkelo: I wasn’t sure it was mine, and I was drunk that night we hooked up.
Me: Do you have any idea what I went through during my pregnancy? And I had to do it alone.
*** I saw him swallowing hard***
Samkelo: I’m sorry… uhm… is it a girl or a boy??
Me: Uzoyithola emathuneni, uyibone i gender!(You will find him in the grave?)
Samkelo: Ayiphilanga?(The baby didn’t make it?)
Me: No, he passed on the day I gave birth, he was a stillborn. We had a burial for him back home, and I named him Ibanathi. You know, Samkelo, five months ago, I wanted to find you and tell you that we lost our son. But then, I realized that you denied him, and maybe you probably wished he died. So, your wish was granted.
***He looked like he wanted to cry, and I didn’t care. Men need to know that there are consequences to their actions***
Samkelo: I’m sorry, Notha. I really am. I panicked when you told me about the pregnancy, my wife and I were going through a rough patch, and I couldn’t bring home a pregnant woman. Can I atleast see his grave?
Me: No.
Samkelo: Come on, Notha. He was also my son.
Me: He’s your son now that you have changed your mind? I don’t think so bhuti. Just so you know, my father is expecting you to see him so you can explain to him why you ran away from your responsibilities. 
Samkelo: I will go see him.
Me: Are you not afraid of your wife now?
Samkelo: We divorced a month ago, it didn’t work out. I’m really sorry, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and do things differently. I have been actually trying to find you, but I only knew your name, and I didn’t have your numbers.
Me: Nothando Ndlovu.
Samkelo: Samkelo Ntimbane.
***I don’t know why he’s smiling, and showing me his ugly teeth. Just because I’m speaking to him doesn’t mean I have forgiven him. We exchanged numbers, and he said he will set an appointment with my father. I hope dad punches him***

Lungi: What did he say?

***Samkelo was now gone, and I told her what he said***

Lungi: He’s sorry now, but before he wasn’t. He doesn’t deserve to even know Iba’s name.
Me: He’s still his father, and I can’t deny him knowing his grave forever.
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THEMBELANI

I never thought I would see her again, but today I saw her. It’s like she gets beautiful everyday, I saw her first before she saw me, and she looked upset. But the moment I approached her and we started talking, we were laughing like old friends. She is just a free person, and her laugh is contagious. I’m really happy I got her numbers, it shows I haven’t lost my touch. It’s been very long without me getting into a serious relationship, and I think I just found the one for me. But there’s still something bothering me. The fact that I ran her over and left her bleeding like that. She will never forgive me, I was a bit relieved when she told me the cops stopped investigating. I don’t think I will ever have the guts to tell the truth. And now that I want to pursue something with her, I know that I will have to tell her, before she can find out on her own.

I look at her phone thinking of calling her, but I will call her later. I didn’t notice a ring on her left finger earlier, increasing my chances. I checked the time, and I had a case so I rushed to fluoroscopy before my senior came looking for me.
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RONNIE