OUR LOVE STORY

25

Nomandla Khumalo - Mhlongo.

Finally seeing my man here gave me hope. It has been a tough few weeks for me, stuck in this hellhole. The food here is gross, the bathrooms and the staff too. There has been a cop who has been trying his luck with me here especially when I'm in the shower, I just get lucky because there is always something that distracts him.

I don't even know what day is it now. I'm mostly worried about my kids. Today I was woken up by this nice officer, he gave me a fresh flask of coffee and a big lunchbox. He said it was from someone, I know it's from my man because the coffee tasted just like the coffee he usually makes for me. The lunchbox had a very delicious home-cooked meal with salads.

Officer: "Nkosazana, follow me." says the nice officer. He opens the cell and waits for me to come out then locks it again. I expect him to cuff me but he doesn't so I follow him down the hallway to that room. Lifa is sitting silently on the chair, he stands up and pulls me into his arms as soon as I walk in. I can't help but cry my heart out.

Lifa: "Don't cry sthandwa sami, we going home now." I break the hug so I can look at him in the eyes.

Me: "Really?" It's only the two of us in here now.

Lifa: "Yes, let's go home mnkami." I hug him again sobbing louder. He quietly brushes my back until I calm down.

Lifa: "Change into this first though." he says pointing at a bag on the table. He helps me take off my clothing but stops when we both notice the huge stain of blood on my pants. I seriously don't know how I missed it.

Lifa: "It's fine, just wear the dress I came with." I do as he says while he shoves the clothes I was wearing in a plastic bag. He takes my hand and we leave. He gets the door for me then goes on to his side and drives off.

Lifa: "There is a surprise for you."

Me: "What is it?!"

Lifa: "I said a SURPRISE, baby." I giggle. He drives past a fast food joint and buys some food then gets back in the car. He hands me the food and continues driving.

Lifa: "Eat please." I open the paper bag and start eating.

********
He finally parks outside this beautiful house in the township and steps out. He opens the door for me and helps me out. We walk to the front door where he knocks and enters.

Lifa: "Sanibona mah." he greets the woman we find sitting in the lounge. She looks at us and smiles standing up.

Woman: "Sanibonani bantabami. Makoti, it's good to finally meet you. I'm MaKhoza." we shake hands.

Me: "I'm also happy to meet you mah."

Makhoza: "Did your husband tell you why y'all are here?!"

Me: "No."

MaKhoza: "Kodwa Ndlalifa!"

Lifa: "I'm sorry mah."

MaKhoza: "Makoti, I just need to cleanse you since you spent that little time in jail. We have to make sure that nothing like this ever happens and that no bad spirits followed you home." I nod. She groans when she touches my shoulder.

MaKhoza: "Uh I will be back right now."

*****
We were now in his uncle's house, having a late lunch with his family. My boys were both clinging onto us. His aunt had dished up for us but I couldn't eat because I was still full from the food he bought for me on our way home.

Lifa: "Baby." I look at him.

Me: "Mmh?"

Lifa: "You're not eating." I keep quiet as I listen to these cramps.

Me: "I'm still full." he frowns.

Lifa: "From what?"

Me: "Baby, you bought me food on the way, I'll eat a bit later. Is that okay mah?" I ask his aunt who smiles and nods at me. Lifa just puts the boys down and grabs my plate, he starts feeding me.

Me: "Aybo!"

Lifa: "Eat baby." I just look at him.

Me: "I'm still full."

Lifa: "Baby, please." I sigh and let him feed me a few spoons while his aunt and uncle are watching us clearly amused. When we were done, I stood up to help his aunt clear up the table but this sudden dizziness hit me hard making it impossible for me to gain my balance in time. The last thing I hear is Lifa calling out for me then I black out.