Laced

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Nambitha Zungu

The whole point was not to rush, but we found ourselves being forced to get in the car, almost leaving some of our belongings behind. Muzi instructed me to drive, which further threw me off because I didn’t even see the way here, I was asleep.
Zama was kind enough to turn on the GPS because she is still under the impression that I don’t have a phone. If there is one thing Muzi drilled into my head, it’s the fact that I should not say a word of this to Zama.
We are both quietly just listening to the music as we drive. I’m lost in my own thoughts, too occupied to speak. It’s a long journey to Margate from Mpumalanga. For all that I know I could be travelling with Nkululeko’s sister, and last I checked, Nkululeko wanted to kill me.
How sure am I that his sister doesn’t want to give back the same revenge for his brother. Sibongile and I never even met, Nkululeko hardly ever even spoke about her, he just mentioned once in passing that he had a sister the same age as me. However, looking at Zama; she looks nothing like Nkululeko. She’s dark skinned yes, but she’s beautiful, and none of her features resemble Nkululeko’s. That puts my thoughts at war with my intuition. I don’t know what to believe at this point.
I think we’ve been driving for almost an hour in complete silence. This place we are driving in is so bare, the only thing you can see are mountains and land. We are finally in a lively area, there are a few houses and pit stops.
“Can you pass by a garage; I want some snacks.” she speaks for the first time.
“Alright.” I can also use this time to stretch my legs.
The next garage is about 5 minutes away, and I find myself speeding to get there as fast as I can. I’m already exhausted and we’ve only driven for an hour, how am I going to be at the end of the full trip!?
When we get there, Zama gets out and leaves her bag, only taking some cash and her phone. I also get out of the car to stretch and get some fresh air, but I quickly get back inside because it’s chilly. Winter here is not kind.
I fish for the phone Muzi gave me and I turn it on. I call him immediately. 
“Why did you guys stop?” that’s the first thing he asks.
So, he’s tracking us?
“Zama wanted some snacks and I needed to stretch. How did you manage driving such a long distance?” he just chuckles.
“You’ve only driven for an hour; you haven’t even left Mpumalanga Nams. Don’t complain too much.” yeah right, I’m not built like him.
“You haven’t picked up anything suspicious so far?” he asks.
“No, nothing yet. But can you believe that we have not breathed a word to each other since we left?” it’s actually unbelievable.
Yeah, sure we aren’t that close, we’ve fucked yes, but not close, but it’s so weird to not speak. Like we are strangers.
“Keep it like that. You are suspicious of her, and I don’t trust you to keep it together, so rather you keep quiet.” oh wow.
“Muzi, you treat me like a 5-year-old.”
“No, I know you baby. Don’t force anything, just keep quiet. If you guys stop again, make sure you call me. She shouldn’t see the phone.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t don’t worry. I’ll call you later ke, bye.” I say.
I’m a little jumpy. Zama is taking long, but she may appear, so I’d rather hang up now before I get caught.
“Stop acting weirdly! Bye baby, I love you.” there he goes, putting me in that awkward corner once again.
“Me too!” that’s all I could say.
He chuckles and drops the call. I still can’t say it, he has to understand.
I stash the phone and sit and wait for Zama. I look to her side and see her handbag just sitting there. I’m so tempted to look inside. I scan the coast and see no one in sight.
I keep my eyes on the store as I put my hand inside the bag and fish for some evidence. The passports are in here!
I take them out and quickly read the second one, the one I didn’t get to read.
Bingo! I wasn’t crazy! She really is Sibongile Dlamini, Nkululeko’s sister!
But here she comes, fuck! I put them back inside the bag as quickly as I can, my heart beating loudly in my ears. She has her hands full, so she asks me to open for her. My hands are trembling, but I compose myself and I open for her. She climbs in the car with a big smile.
“I got a little carried away, but now we don’t have to stop again unless it’s for a bathroom break.” she says placing the plastics at the back.
Look at her pretending to be sweet with me, bloody witch. I try to grab her bag off the seat so she can sit properly, but she quickly snatches it. I can’t help but raise my eyebrow.
“I’m just trying to help.” she looks way too guilty.
I don’t know how I’m going to get this information across to Muzi. I suddenly feel unsafe all over again.
“Please don’t touch my things.” I didn’t understand before, now I understand.
I keep my mouth shut though and take the takeaways in her hand, and she sits properly.
Back to silence we go. Maybe Muzi was right, if I open my mouth, I’m going to call her out for her shit.