the name is Imani

chapter 23

SATURDAY, 15 FEBRUARY

Ntonto loves Athenkosi so much already, she took him last night.

Anyway, I get up and get ready for the day. I am wearing some lounger wear and I have had cornrows for a long time now because I have been wearing wigs. I make a mental note to make an appointment with my braider.

I go downstairs and find my dad sitting with Ntonto, who is playing with Athenkosi.

Me: good morning.
Ntonto: morning.
Dad: good morning.
Me: I have something to tell you.
Ntonto: oh no.
Me: no, it's nothing bad. please trust me.
Dad: then go ahead.
Me: I am graduating in May. I also did really well in all of my modules so...
Dad: really?
Me: yes.

I pull out my phone and show him my results.

Dad: these are good.
Ntonto: I can't wait for us to go shopping. right, Athenkosi?
Dad: she's going to make me broke. especially, now with that baby.
Ntonto: sorry?
Dad: nevermind.
Me: speaking of that, I know why I agreed to raise Athenkosi but why are you doing it?
Dad: he is not his father and sending him back would be the worst thing we could ever do to an innocent child. if this child goes back to that man, he's going to grow up damaged. I don't know about raising him but we can keep him for now and do the best we can with him. that is, for now.
Me: thank you.

He nods and starts texting on his phone.

Dad: okay. I think the tension in the house for the past couple of hours. I have contacted a therapist about this and we will be having session from next week. Imani, this is still your home. yes, you left but a parents true happiness is being with his child. I also missed you. I was hurt by what you did and that's what lead me to saying what I said that say. I didn't mean it, at all. my heart has been longing for your presence. I sold that house because it reminded me of you. it felt like you weren't going to return so the house was a painful reminder of that so we sold it.
Ntonto: we?
Dad: I sold it.
Ntonto: I want to go on a vacation.

My dad gets up quickly and exits the room. I laugh at her and she looks at me.

Ntonto: your father has become so stingy.
Me: oh, I see he got you a white G-wagon.
Ntonto: and he did. he didn't want me using your car. let me show you your i8 that you left to me, by the way.

She gets up, take Athenkosi and she leads the way to the backyard. This place is huge. The backyard alone is as big as our old house. She then walks toward a garage that's in the far end of the yard. There is also a gate on that side of the yard.

She presses the remote and the garage opens. The garage alone is absolutely heavenly. Everything is white and there are white LEDs a little below the ceiling. They make this place light up even more.

She leads me to the end of the garage where my beautiful car is and it is shining!

Ntonto: he would take all the other cars to be washed but he would wash yours himself. he would do this every weekend and every off day that he gave himself. I think it was his way of coping with your absence.
Me: wow.

I say as the water that's coming out of my eyes wets my face.

Ntonto: I think you have cried enough, ma'am. save your tears for your graduation day.

I laugh and Athenkosi also giggles before hiding his face in Ntonto's neck. She also giggles, making him laugh even more hysterically. These two are bonding so well in only a space of two days.

Khanya and them call me while I'm standing with Ntonto in the garage...

Khaya: get ready, we are coming to get you.
Me: get me and go where?
Cynthia: we're going partying, ma'am. this is the day that has been made for us to go party, get down and dirty, set that dance floor on fire and drink until we forget our names.

I look at Ntonto and she looks back at me.

Ntonto: I am coming.

I look at her in disbelief as my jaw drops.

Khanya: let's go, babe.
Ntonto: we will be ready in no time.

I hang up and we run out of the garage, close it and we go to the house. We get ready, do our makeup and get dressed.

Me: we don't even know where we're going.
Ntonto: it doesn't matter.
Me: what about Athenkosi.
Ntonto: we can't take him with now, can we? we will drop him off at gogo's house.

Khanya and Cynthia arrive so I quickly pack Athenkosi's bag. We run to the car and my dad screams from afar...

Dad: where are you going?!
Ntonto: we will be back!

We get in the car and Khanya speed off. Ntonto is holding Athenkosi and playing with him, while making faces and she says...

Ntonto: we are going to drink.

Athenkosi giggles.

Ntonto: yeah, we're going to drink and you are under 18, baby.
Khanya: under 18.

Khanya says as we all burst out in laughter at what Ntonto said. This girl is crazy.

Ntonto: little Shaka here is excited so I'm trying to set the record straight. you are staying with gogo.

We get to gogo's house and drop him off. We then head to a house party in the city.

We get in and it's insane! Apparently, it's being hosted by a big event coordinator so he pulled strings and got big celebrities in the country to perform tonight. It's insane! It's very noisy in here so everything that we want to say, we shout out to the top of our lungs.

Ntonto: I love it here! I love it here! I love it here! I love it here!

She says while making a video of her dancing and holding a cup, with you know what.

Khanya: I think she loves it here.

We burst out laughing at what Khanya just said.

Me: I love you guys so much!
Them: awwwwwww!

They say while coming to me for a group hug.

Ntonto: say "love" on three!
Me: 1,2,3...
Us: LOVE!