OUR LOVE STORY

13

Nomandla Paris Khumalo

Lifa had just dropped me off. We had agreed that I'd be spending the night at his house tonight. He was going to fetch his sons first then he would come back to fetch me. I only had to pack a few things for me and the boys.

I walked inside the house in high spirits, I was ready to tell my sister about the recent news. I was really excited about officially being Lifa's woman.

Mom: "What's making you blush this much?!" I turn around with a frown. I seriously couldn't even hide my shock.

Mom: "Aren't you going to hug your mother? Didn't you miss me?" she asks with her arms open. I hug her tightly.

Me: "I'm happy to see you mah, I just wasn't expecting you."

Mom: "Mxm! Where are my grandsons?" I rub my ear a bit.

Me: "Mama, I have to talk to you."

Mom: "What's wrong baby?"

Me: "Nothing... well I hope."

Mom: "You confusing me."

Me: "I mean it will depend on your reaction mah."

Mom: "Let's sit down, you scaring me." We go to the lounge and sit on the same couch. She holds my hands in hers.

Mom: "What's going on baby?"

Me: "The twins are with their father." she frowns.

Mom: "Huh?"

Me: "I lied when I said he didn't want the boys. I just didn't tell him because I wasn't sure of our relationship back then. He recently found out that I kept the boys from him and asked that I ask you and Baba to let him and his family come to cleanse our home and also pay what is due of him."

Mom: "Uhh why does he want to cleanse our home?"

Me: "Because he didn't take responsibility for his actions right away." Mom looks shocked.

Mom: "Oh?"

Me: "Yes mama. The day I disappeared, is the same day he found out about his kids and asked that we spend the night over at his house."

Mom: "Oh?"

Me: "I'm sorry for lying."

Pearl: "And Mama, you will like him once you meet him."

Me: "Pearl." she shrugs.

Pearl: "I'm not lying mos. The twins mama, are his photocopies."

Me: "Bathong wena!" this one talks too much really.

Pearl: "Sorry."

Mom: "I hear you. Let me talk to your father later on then we'll take it from there." I nod. She excuses herself, leaving me and Pearl in the lounge.

Pearl: "So how did it go?!"

Me: "I'm not telling you anything after kade uphapha kanje!?!" she gives me a puppy face.

Pearl: "Hawww Paris, tell me the news hawu!"

Me: "We are official." she jumps on me screaming and hugs me tightly.

Mom: "Hhayi nina, umsindo!"

Pearl: "When are you giving it to him properly?!"

Me: "It hasn't even been two days, wena you already want me to open my legs for him?!"

Mom: "It's not like y'all don't know each other naked. Y'all have two kids together." she says walking in. Pearl agrees with Mom while I just ignore them, I am not about to have this talk with my Mom.

Pearl: "When are your rascals coming back? I miss them surprisingly yazi."

Me: "Later."

Mom: "Who was babysitting for you while we were gone?"

Pearl: "The boys' father mama, imagine!"

Mom: "He sounds like a nice young man, I have to meet him Nomandla."

_________

Later on, Lifa texts me telling me that he's outside. I quickly put on my shoes and then walk out.

Mom: "Oh here she comes." she says pointing at me.

Me: "Baba." I walk into his arms and hug him tightly.

Dad: "I missed you too gcino wami." he kisses my forehead.

Mom: "Where were you going to?"

Me: "Uhm, I was going just outside."

Dad: "Tell that boy to come in with you."

Me: "Bab?"

Dad: "I said... tell him to come in with you." I nod and walk to the gate. I stand by it then dial him, and tell him to drive to the gate since my parents want to meet him. He parks right next to me and gets out of the car, I'm already blushing as we keep eye contact. I walk straight into his arms and hug him then stand on my tippytoes and plant a soft kiss on his lips.

Lifa: "Your parents are watching us." I quickly move away from him. He chuckles and goes to the backseat and takes out Andile and hands him to me. He then takes out Bandile and their bags before locking his car.

We both walk to the house, while he tells me about what his boys were up to at his uncle's house. When we walk inside the lounge, we find Dad watching TV while eating fruits.

Me: "Baba." he turns to us. He has his eyes glued to Lifa.

Dad: "Give me that boy and go help your sister with cooking."

Me: "OK." I hand him Andile and go to the kitchen. I help Pearl with cooking while listening to her dramatic stories.

Me: "Wena, where is your boyfriend?!"

Mom: "Pearl?! With a man? Uyajola?!"

Pearl: "hhhaa! Thembisiwe! I am in a very healthy relationship ke yazi." Mom frowns.

Mom: "I don't believe you! I'll only believe once that boy marries you." I laugh.

Pearl: "Aybo Mah! How can you not believe me?!"

Mom: "I don't think you have it in you mntanam, no offense."

Pearl: "Mah, if your youngest daughter can date then mina ngizohlulwa yini?! Phela we all thought Noma would be a tomboy." they laugh, I'm confused how did this turn out to be about me manje?!

Mom: "True but still nje Pearl. I don't think there is a man who can handle your rebelliousness and loud mouth."

Pearl: "hhhaa Mah!"

Dad: "If ever uPearl wami gets married, I will go back to church." I laugh while Pearl keeps rolling her eyes at them.

Mom: "And I will join you Mntungwa."

Dad: "Pinky, go walk that boy out and come back inside. I'm giving you two minutes." I rush off immediately.