OUR LOVE STORY

22

Nomandla Paris Mhlongo

Dad: "When is that boy doing the right thing Nomandla?!" That is the first thing he asks me after I just came home. Lizwi had just dropped us off, he has to fix a few things at work since he has an international trip to take. He was to leave tonight.

Me: "Kunesifo kubo baba so we can't be having a wedding during this time."

Dad: "You said that a month ago Gcino."

Me: "I know baba but there have been some issues kubo that made things delayed. His father is still not buried yet because of those issues."

Dad: "Really?! I hear you kodwa he should have come and explained to me that."

Me: "I will tell him." he nods.

Dad: "Anyways I missed you." he says kissing my head.

Me: "I missed you too baba."

Dad: "You're never home these days, lomfana is keeping you all to himself." I blush.

Me: "No baba."

Dad: "Webhatata buka umoyizela kanjani?! Where is your friend, it's been a while."

Me: "Mxm loyo..." I'm cut off by the loud knock on the front door. Dad frowns and goes to open the door. I hear him talk for a few minutes before I hear his footsteps coming closer.

Dad: "Are you sure though?" I'm shocked to see him walk in with the police.

Policeman 1: "Sir, we are just doing our job."

Policman2: "Are you, Miss Paris Khumalo?"

Me: "Yes?"

Policeman 1: "Miss, you are under arrest for harassment. You beat up a pregnant woman and leave her losing her baby like that?!" I frown as they pull me up. They roughly cuff my hands behind my back and I'm already crying as Dad watches them. I'm just glad my kids aren't here.

*******
I have been in this stinking cell for the whole day now and I have been hoping that maybe these policemen will realize that they made a mistake because I don't remember ever hitting a pregnant woman. I also know that it can't be Nelihle but then again, she's the only one I beat up recently.

Officer: "Sisi wami. Follow me, someone wants to see you." I get up quietly and follow after him. He leads me to this room, where there's only a desk and two chairs opposite each other. There is a policeman standing by the door. I almost scream when I see that my visitor is my brother.

Me: "Bhuti." I hug him tightly but weirdly he doesn't hug me back so I slowly detach myself from him and stare at him. His eyes are different, they look emotionless.

Me: "Hi bhuti."

Bhuti: "Why would you do what you did?!"

Me: "I didn't do anything mina, I'm also confused about why am I locked up."

Bhuti: "Confused?! Didn't you kill my baby?!"

Me: "Your baby?!"

Bhuti: "Ngoba ngithi amadlebe akho ayasebenza, wangibuza amasimba manje ngoba phela ngiyakutshela." (Last time I checked your ears are working so why are you asking me sh*t when you can hear what I'm saying.)

Me: "And I also have a brain, who is your child?!"

Bhuti: "UNelihle was pregnant with my child when you beat her up for being with me! You killed my child!" I frown.

Me: "I hit her for being with you?! is that what she said?!"

Bhuti: "Yes and there is proof. You are my sister but I'm not about to let you not serve your punishment. If it means you stay arrested then so be it! I also will make sure your parents don't help you out, ungijwayela amasimba wena!"

Me: "Bhuti." I'm shocked, is this, my brother?!

Bhuti: "Why would you kill my child?! I never did anything but love and care about your kids when their stupid father wasn't there. And I now know why he wasn't there, Nelihle told me and showed me things about you that make me sick! "

Me: "I never killed your child. Yes, I did hit uNelihle but only because she was provoking me. I tried to walk away but she slapped me and I wasn't going to watch her. Not after she slapped me in front of people for being in love with the father of my kids."

Bhuti: "Unamanga man! There is a video and I've submitted it to the officer handling this." I sigh.

Me: "It's fine. I just hope that when the truth finally comes out, you won't regret it." I stand up walk to the officer by the door and ask him to take me back to my cell. I will not cry! I will not cry, I keep chanting those words in my head. I don't want to cry now and I won't.

At this point, I'm hoping that Lifa quickly catches on, on what is happening. I don't even know what I'm saying because how would he know?!