Happily Ever After?

(8)

"The best thing about being a young parent is, both you and your child get to grow up together. I'm kidding. Teenage pregnancy is not advisable. By all means necessary, avoid it. Finish school, get your degree and if you want to get married, get married then have your child. If you don't want to get married, make sure you're financially, emotionally and mentally ready to go through pregnancy alone as well as being a single parent. Don't be like me. Be better."  MaZulu and Baba had returned from their business trip just in time for yet another fundraiser for their teen mom campaign. 

Even after finding out that Yandisokuhle wasn't in fact pregnant for a family friend but rather a crowned prince, the sponsors didn't stop funding the campaign, they actually wanted to continue and make Yandisokuhle the majority shareholder as she could relate to the teen moms. This took up her time in a good way, it allowed her to earn a stable income, connect with, and learn from others, get free and readily available babysitters and play mates for her daughter. 

It was a win-win type of situation. Right now, Yandisokuhle was the guest speaker for the night. She and Melokuhle had arrived at 5 pm and it was nearing ten pm. Melokuhle had fallen asleep in one of the bedrooms in the hotel. As soon as she finished her speech, she would be on her way out. It was better that way. She had already exhausted her 'people' skills and was running on low. MaZulu wanted to speak to her, but she wasn't ready. 

Their relationship had changed significantly over the years. One of the exercises she had learnt in therapy was the 'Catch and release' exercise. Sit back-to-back with the person you want to talk to and for three minutes, you can say whatever it is you have been holding back and the other person has no choice but to listen to you. Once the three minutes is up, it's your turn to be quiet while the other person speaks. So, she suggested this to MaZulu. The things that she needed to get off her chest were too deep for MaZulu to just catch and release. 

When she tried to bring the topics back up, Yandisokuhle had already moved on from them which increased the wedge between them. All Yandi wanted to do now was just leave, for good. But she had her daughter under her parent's care and with her starting University next year, she couldn't just move out. She'd need a nanny or house help. Once she finished her speech, they clapped hands for her, and she walked down from the stage with her head held high. 

"That was good Yandisokuhle." Baba complimented her, "Thank you baba." Their relationship wasn't as good either. There was a lot of making up to do, but she was tired of always being the one to reach out and ask for help or forgiveness. She waited for the music to play so that she would leave discreetly. If Ntsikayomuzi was here, she wouldn't need to be discreet. He would just announce their leaving, and no one would ask questions. She stood up, took her daughter's bag in one arm and began walking to the elevators. 

"Good evening." The stranger came to stand beside her, but, at a reasonable distance. She turned just enough to see his side profile. The elevator doors opened, and she walked in, he followed behind her, keeping his distance. "I'm Arabang." he held his hand out to shake hers. "Yandisokuhle." They shook hands, maintaining eye contact. "It's a pleasure to meet you Yandisokuhle. Which floor are you headed to?" She had the look of horror on her face, which he noticed. 

"Oh no, nothing creepy. I'm going to the seventh floor, so I just want to know if you'll be getting off before or after me." She smiled and tried to ease her racing heart. "I'm actually going to the penthouse suite." He nods and offers a smile before leaning backwards and closing his eyes. "Are you a guest here?" She asked in the silence. "Yes. I was attending the Med Gala on the other side of the building, but I got tired, and I have a shift in..." He looked at the Rolex on his wrist, "three hours." She smiled. "You're a doctor?" She was surprised. 

"Yes, does that bother you?" She shook her head. "You just look so...young." He laughed whole heartedly, "I could say the same about you Yandisokuhle."She looked away in shame, perhaps. "Your daughter is beautiful by the way." She smiled and murmured a thank you.  He was left to wonder why she had a change of heart. Before he could ask however, the doors opened and Naledi stood on the other side. Yandisokuhle noticed the way her smile brightened up just by seeing Arabang.