Whispers of the heart

CHAPTER 5

Friday evening I made my way home, you would think it's far but I'm going to Ballito to spend the weekend with my parents. I didn't think that I would be this anticipated to escape the bustling city and reconnecting with the comforting embrace of family filled her with a sense of warmth. As I approached the house I even forget that it takes 45 minutes to get here from my apartment. My mother greets me by the door.

Mama: "Ngane yami"

Sipho: "Hawu mah, Usufuna ukukhala yini?" I say entering the house laughing.

Mama: " Musa ukuphapha wena"

Sipho: "Ave ngikuthanda nje Mah wami"

Mama: "Ayi ngiyeke wena" as she walked onto her kitchen.

Well so much to greeting me. I make my way to my old room to leave my small bag. I go looking for my father in his study. "Daddy". He quickly hides a paper from my vision and put it in the shelves in his desk.

Baba: "Ntombi kaBaba"

Sipho: "Khumalo" I go and hug him and he makes me sit on his lap.

Baba: "Awusithandi yini Siphosethu?"

Sipho: "I do Baba, I have been busy these few months, I had a-lot of surgeries to attend to. I will do better and be home more." I said getting up his lap, going to join my mother in the kitchen. The evening unfolded with a delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen as my mom prepared a hearty home-cooked meal. The savory scent of umngqusho (samp and beans) filled the air, instantly transporting me back to the simple pleasures of home. "Can I help?"

Mama: "Yes, go put the juice on the table."

Sipho: "Okay" I take the juice to the dinning table. I get back into the kitchen.

Sipho: (hugging her mother) Ma, it's so good to be home.

MaKhumalo: (smiling) It's always a joy to have you, my love. Your favorite dinner is almost ready.

Sipho: I can't wait!

We gathered around the dinner table, sharing stories of the week and relishing the dinner. The laughter and chatter echoed through the house, I missed this as I smile to myself.

The sun streamed through the curtains, heralding a new day. Waking me up to the comforting sounds of ocean and birds chirping  and the distant hum of the neighborhood waking to life. She joined her father, BabaKhumalo, in the garden, a place where he nurtured a variety of vibrant flowers and herbs.

BabaKhumalo: (handing her a watering can) Good morning, Sipho. Let's tend to these beauties.

Sipho: (smiling) Morning, Baba. It's always so peaceful here.

The two spent the morning caring for the garden, the rhythmic flow of water and the rustle of leaves creating a tranquil backdrop. As they worked, BabaKhumalo shared stories of the plants, each with its own significance and history. The garden became a living project after he retired from being a judge. During the day my mom and I decide to go to Ballito Junction for some groceries and I went to Mr price home to see if I will see anything I will need. Mom went for some retail therapy.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered around a crackling braai stand in the backyard.

Baba: "Sipho, is there something you would like to tell us."

Sipho: "Cha Baba, not that I can think of"

Baba: "Then tell us why we received a letter asking permission uyokuthi nozwane."

Sipho: "Baba mina Angzi ukuthi ubani"

The night carries on but now I'm wondering who could this be...