“Magcina kamama.” He mumbles and that just confirms it. My whole body shakes and I break down. I never thought I would ever see him again. It’s true, God works in mysterious ways. If that woman from Grey Street didn’t direct me here, I wouldn’t have seen him. I feel his arms circle me and I don’t even care if he stinks. I wrap my arms tightly around him, fearing that he might actually disappear on me and this might all just be a dream.
“Mnewethu. Is this really you?” I can’t even recognize my voice.
“It is me, Magcina.” He removes my body from his and keeps me at arms’ length as he studies me like i am some kind of a puzzle. I am also giving him the same look for sure. How did he end up in Durban? How did he end up in the streets? What the fuck happened to him? “I am sure your mind is buzzing with questions. Same as mine. But we can’t have a real conversation here. How about we go somewhere?”
I wipe my tears and clear my throat. “Come with me.” I lead him to my car and he chuckles.
“You are still obsessed with a beamer?” he asks with a smile and that just validates everything. I just giggle and climb inside the car while he gets on the passenger seat. I bring the engine to live and drives us out of the CBD. I glance at him from time to time, not believing that he is actually here with me. He is not a figment Of my imagination. But he is real. When I stop at the robots, I touch his hand and he laughs. “I am not going to fly out the window or disappear right in front of your eyes. I also can’t believe that you are here, alive and well.” For the longest time, he is the only person who could read my mind without me actually uttering a single world. He is not telepathic or anything, he just understands me better than anyone, or used to.
“I have so many questions. Like how? But let me just calm down a bit.” I take a deep breath and he laughs. Hearing his carefree laugh brings back so many memories. I find myself laughing along with him. I take the off-ramp leading to Umhlanga and i see him frowning.
“Don’t tell me you live in Umhlanga?”
“Maybe in two years.” I plan on expanding and maybe moving to this side, but not for now. He looks outside he window as I drive.
“Funny how I have been to Durban for so long but have never been this side.” I hear the longing in his voice but I don’t comment. I drive to Gateway and park my car outside Palm Court and turn to him. I squint my eyes at him and then smile.
“Don’t go anywhere. I will be back.”
I climb off the car with my handbag and dash inside the mall. I head to the first clothing store I see which is Truworths. I purchase two t-shirts, some shorts and pants and sneakers. I then pick some socks and underwear before taking some pyjamas and heading to the counter. I take a perfume near the counter and a hat. I pay for the items and head back to the car. I place everything in the back seat and climb back to my seat. I drive down to Oceans Mall and I park my car in my designated spot before climbing off the car. My brother also climbs off and looks around.
“What are we doing here, Magcina?” he asks frowning at me.
“I am here for the weekend and I booked myself here. Before you ask more questions, let’s go inside and I will explain everything to you.” I take out the plastic bags and he offers to take them before we make our way inside. I see people giving him strange looks but nobody tries to do anything. We get to our suite and I finally take a deep breath when I close the door. “Bathroom is that side. You can take a shower while I order something to eat for us. Your clothes are there.” I point at the Truworths gift bag. He gives me a look I know too well. “Don’t even start.” He scoffs before taking the gift bag and disappearing to the bathroom. He is still prideful after so many years.
I order lunch for him and warm up the pizza for myself. I am not that hungry but I know it will be awkward watching him eat as if he is a beggar. I don’t care if he was all these years. He is my brother and he deserves to live like a king. Even though life dealt him with the wrong hand. He stays in the shower for so long that even the food I ordered comes. I am about to shout his name when he comes out wearing a t-shirt and the pants that I bought, together with some sandals. His has a long unkempt afro. It looks like it needs to be maintained soon.
“You look nice.” I compliment and he smiles. I lead him to the balcony where the food is laid out. We both sit down and I can’t help myself. I take few pictures of him and he just rolls his eyes. We eat out food in silence and when we are done, I place the left overs in the mini fridge before discarding the containers. I head back to the balcony and sit down.
He sighs and looks at my holiday view. I see tears form in his eyes but he doesn’t let them. “I don’t have to remind you how much of a monster your father was. You know.” He starts off bitterly and I understand him more than anyone. I had to attend therapy for a year just so i could heal.
“He made sure that no one hires me after I decided I don’t want to be his heir. His bitch framed me, saying I have been stealing from that man. He made an example of me. The night he supposedly kicked me out, he sent his goons to kidnap me. They beat me black and blue until I couldn’t speak. All i could do was groan. He kept on asking where his money was. Apparently I closed a deal with a client and took the customer’s money upfront before doing what I was paid for. There was a paper trail, leading to my offshore accounts. All the evidence was there and I paid for a crime I didn’t commit.
“When he was done with me, he wiped out all my bank accounts and even my personal accounts with my hard earned cash. He burned all my important documents in front of my eyes and that was the final straw. He left me on a road in the middle of nowhere. When I woke up, I heard a truck coming my way. At first, the driver thought I was a thief but when he saw my injuries, he kinda knew i was no thief. He took me with him to Port Elizabeth and his wife nursed me to health. The woman was attracted to me and tried to make a move but she was not my type and i wasn’t about to betray the man who rescued me. So I left. I lived the life of a beggar I the streets of Gqeberha until someone plugged me with transport to Durban. I never stole from anyone till this day. I just helped women who were vendors and offered them protection. In return, they would give me food. That has been my life for almost two decades. How can I start life with no documents? With no company to hire me since I am blacklisted by my own father? How can i move on and better myself, Hlengiwe? He killed the man I was. He killed Mndeni Vilane and left a shell. I have nothing and nobody in my life. There is nothing to be thankful for everyday because my life is going nowhere.”
By the time he stops speaking, I am a crying mess. I just wrap my arms around him and break down. How could I have lived like that while my brother suffered? All his suffering was caused by that madman Lethuxolo Vilane. People wonder why I never like speaking about him. That man caused my mother’s death. He also caused Mndeni’s disappearance. After hearing this, I know for i will never give him a second of my time if he were to ever show up. I hate him with everything in me. After we have calmed down, he stares at me.
“What are you doing here? What did he do to you?” he asks and I take a deep breath, leaning on my chair.
“I am no longer Lungiswa Vilane. I changed my name as soon as I left that place called home. I go by Hlengiwe Mabuyakhulu now.” Mabuyakhulu is my maiden name and Hlengiwe is the name my maternal mother gave me before she Passed on. My mother loved it and Mndeni used it all the time, if he didn’t call me Magcina. “So he sold me to Falakhe Mngomezulu. I was supposed to marry him soon after I was done with grade 12. He never consulted me with regards to anything. You remember how awful Falakhe was. How he used to bully other kids and also me when you were not around. This other day after they had made the engagement public, he came and tried to rape me. Luckily Mam Fezokuhle was around. He left very angry after he was disturbed.
“I told father about Falakhe’s actions but he simply said that the dude had tights over me since I was his fiancé. Him and his wife pushed for the marriage. She even told me that if I don’t get my act straight, i will end up like you, dead in some ditch. The wedding was supposed to be in Valentines Day after I received my results. On the day of the results, I only packed my important documents and left after starting at school. Mam Fezokuhle helped me get out of the province and somehow, I found myself in Richards Bay. I went to varsity with a different name. I obtained my qualification and by God’s grace, I pushed my dreams until they were a success. I now have my on restaurant at the heart of Richards Bay.”
“Wow. I am so proud of you, little sis. I am sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me the most. I failed you and mom. I am so sorry.” He kneels in front of me, hugging my waist as he breaks down.
“It is his fault, not yours. Don’t blame yourself for anything because I don’t blame you. I am just glad that you are back in my life. I love you so much, Mndeni.” Miracles do happen.
YOU ARE READING
Unhinged Love
Romance"I have never felt love like this before. So wrong yet feels so damn good. I must be going insane. That's the only explanation." Hlengiwe is a cool calm and collected lady but her world is about to be turned upside down when a man crushes into her l...
