the name is Imani

chapter 42

It's the next day and Zizwe and I are at a veld 45 minutes away from our families. I am sitting on top of the bonnet and he is standing in front of the car. We are just looking at the sunset.

Zizwe: this feels like I'm finally getting my teenage fantasy.
Me: it makes me feel young again.
Zizwe: young and free.
Me: young and free.

We do a little toast using our mountain dew cans.

Zizwe: you look beautiful.
Me: why do you always have to lie to me?
Zizwe: I am not lying, you really do look beautiful.
Me: thank you, you're not too bad yourself.

I am wearing a black cami dress and a black cardigan, with some novelty slippers. I also have goddess braids. He is wearing basketball short and an oversized t-shirt, with some dunks.

I look at his right arm and immediately notice some ink!

Me: no way!
Zizwe: yes way!
Me: that's her birth date?
Zizwe: yep.
Me: now, I feel bad.
Zizwe: why?
Me: Zizwe, I am so sorry for keeping your daughter away from you for so many years. it was really immature and childish of me to not inform you. me giving her my surname and travelling all over the world with her...
Zizwe: that girl has seen the world more than I have.
Me: she really has. I am sorry, baby daddy.
Zizwe: it's okay, baby mama. look, I am sorry too. I am sorry for trying to take our daughter from you. what happens between you and Neo is none of my business.
Me: Neo and I broke up.
Zizwe: what?! when?
Me: well, he was here the other day. he spoke about how he feels like a third wheel, how I don't want our relationship to move forward and that I am not making any effort towards building a good and healthy relationship for the both of us.
Zizwe: wow, I am sorry.
Me: it's okay, my heart is elsewhere anyway.
Zizwe: I wonder...
Me: anyway, where is my daughters stepmother?
Zizwe: at her parents house. her mom is probably feeding her more poison and evil mindsets. but you also, you didn't have to beat her up like that.
Me: that girl is disrespectful. I was wrong for sleeping with her husband but what does my daughter have to do with that? I had to clean that dirty mouth of hers.
Zizwe: relax, let's not get upset all over again.
Me: whatever.
Zizwe: let's go home.
Me: whose home? my home or your home?
Zizwe: mine.
Me: no, thank you.
Zizwe: come on, please?

I smile at him and say...

Me: okay.

He helps me down and we get in the car.

Zizwe: my playlist or yours?
Me: my kwaito playlist.
Zizwe: what do you know about kwaito?
Me: I know a lot about kwaito. where were you? your parents weren't even thinking about having you at the time.
Zizwe: you are so cocky.
Me: whatever.
Zizwe: okay, give me a kiss.
Me: what?
Zizwe: give daddy a kiss.
Me: no.

He looks at me with a smirk and all.

Zizwe: it's okay, run while you still can.
Me: oh, I will.

He holds my hand and places peck on it.

Zizwe: I love you, Imani.
Me: I love you, Zizwe.