Zamageda his heart

chapter 6

After wrapping up the emotional call with Liziwe's father, I walk downstairs to find Zipho engrossed in soccer highlights. I head to the kitchen, grab a bottle of wine, and offer him something to eat. It's too late for takeout, so sandwiches will have to do. He raises an eyebrow when I pull out bread, and politely declines, saying 'isinkwa asikona ukudla' (bread is not food). I put it away, knowing I won't be able to stomach it either.We sit in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound being the TV and our occasional sips of wine. Then, he breaks the silence, asking if I've spoken to Graig. It dawns on me that I have no idea what's going on with Lihle, and frankly, I don't have the energy to ask. I shake my head, and he nods understandingly.

He finishes his glass of wine, sets it down, and envelops me in a long, warm hug. His arms wrap around me like a cocoon, holding me close as if trying to absorb my pain. His chest is solid, a comforting presence that makes me feel safe. I feel his warmth seep into my skin, soothing my frazzled nerves. My body relaxes into his, my head fitting perfectly into the crook of his neck. I inhale his scent, a mix of cologne and masculinity, and feel a sense of serenity wash over me. My eyes prickle with tears, but this time, they're not just from grief; they're also from gratitude for this human being holding me together.

He bids me farewell, saying he'll go check on Lihle after retrieving his car from the police station. I nod in appreciation, thanking him for his unwavering support. He envelops me in yet another warm hug, which I'm reluctant to let go of. As he releases me, he places a gentle peck on my forehead and whispers, 'Anything for you, mkami.' I chuckle at his response, and he rewards me with a heart-reaching smile as he turns to walk away. As I watch him leave, the term 'mkami' lingers in my head, echoing with a sense of endearment and affection. I repeat it to myself, savoring the feeling it evokes - a mix of comfort, security, and belonging. The sound of his uber fading into the distance breaks the spell, but the warmth of his presence stays with me, a gentle reminder of his kindness and care.

I lock up and head to bed, but my mind is still racing. I need to talk to someone, and since it's too late to call my mom, I dial my sister Nkanyezi's number. She answers, her voice laced with a mix of sleepiness and annoyance at the late hour. But I don't care; I need her right now.I pour out my heart to her, recounting the events of the day, and she listens attentively, offering words of comfort where she can. Her attempts at soothing me are a mess, but they still manage to lighten my mood. I find myself giggling at her silly jokes and teasing remarks.As we chat, I mention Zipho, and she lets out a squeal of excitement. 'Ooh, you're dating again!' she exclaims, and I can almost hear her swooning over the phone. We talk some more, and I feel my eyelids growing heavy. Before I know it, I'm drifting off to sleep, lulled by Nkanyezi's voice and the comfort of knowing I have her to lean on

I wake up to the sound of my alarm, but the thought of going to work without my duo fills me with dread. I quickly get ready, slipping into a pencil skirt and shirt without much effort. As I'm about to leave, Zipho calls to check in on me. The sincerity in his voice slowly builds a small room in my heart.At work, I avoid Amanda, not ready to discuss my misery yet. I need time to gather my thoughts. Just as I settle in, the director's PA calls me for an urgent meeting. I walk to her office, where she greets me with an unreadable expression. She motions for me to sit, and after exchanging pleasantries, she delivers the news of Liz's passing - which I already know. I nod in acknowledgement.She then informs me that I'm being relieved of my duties and that she'll personally handle the case I was working on. I thank her and head back to my office to pack up. My next stop is the hospital, where I'll face another challenging day.

When I arrive at the hospital, the receptionist warmly welcomes me and directs me to Lihle's room. I'm relieved to find her awake, despite her injuries - her leg is elevated, and she's wearing a neck brace and a bandage on her head. Tears fill her eyes when she sees me, and I struggle to hold back my own emotions.she shares her harrowing story, revealing that she knew Liz didn't make it even before she passed out. She has a broken leg, which required surgery, but the medical team took a long time to arrive. Fortunately, her wounds aren't severe, and she'll likely be discharged in a few days.We have a heart-to-heart catch-up session, and I update her on my recent developments, including Zipho's kindness and support. Despite the pain and grief, our conversation brings some comfort and solace to both of us.