When You're Bound To Love

Chapter 83

SPHO**

I just stared at him in awe. How was he even allowed to roam the earth? He looked extra gorgeous today. I wasn't sure if it was the lighting or what but Good God, he looked like an angel. His eyes looked like they were shiny brown gem stones. Khaya: "What's wrong Spho? Did you need anything?" Me: "Oh yes dad, What is Lakhe allowed to eat? I have to be prepared when we get home." Khaya: "I'll write you a list mntanam. Uhm, Mr Rednom this is Masilakhe, Spho's husband." Rednom: "Is this the lucky guy? I was beginning to think she was single." Lakhe smiled. I could tell it was not a friendly smile. He was being polite because he couldn't really voice out a smart remark. Me: "This is also my mother in law, Stella." Stella: "Wow. Look at your eyes." she shook his hand. Rednom: "Oh...I can't." she laughed. Stella: "I'm Stella." Rednom: "Rednom. Its a pleasure." he kissed her hand. Stella: "Is this the man you told us about Spho?" I shook my head immediately. Stella: "Yes you did. Remember you said he looked like a supermodel?" Mr Rednom laughed out loud. Open up Earth. Please let me in!!!! Me: "I don't remember those exact words ma. Its time to get Lakhe home. Please text me as soon as you can dad." Khaya: "Sure honey." Rednom: "Oh now wait, I'm still getting used to the compliments." Khaya: "I thought your flight was in two hours." Rednom: "You didn't even take me to dinner and I'm already being chased away? Some friend you are." Khaya: "I have to take care of Christian until his uncle gets here. They're flying in from Nigeria." Rednom: "I'll take care of Christian." he took the child into his arms. Little Christian snuggled up in his chest and fisted his shirt. Pulling at my heart strings. Stella: "Why don't you come to dinner at our house?" Lakhe stared at his mother clearly shocked. Khaya: "He has a flight in two hours." Rednom: "Its rude to turn down a dinner, Khaya." Stella: "Finally somebody gets it!!" Rednom: "However I'll have to postpone ma'am, I hope the offer stands until I come back?" Stella: "Most definitely. I'll have to hold you to your word." Me: "It was lovely meeting you again Mr Rednom." Ty: "Oh Spho, seeing You makes my whole day. Thank you." Me: "You're welcome. Bye dad. Let's get moving sweetie." we left the hospital. Sandile and Sibu were waiting by their car. Sands: "What took you guys so long?" Stella: "Mntanam, I just met your stepdad. You would love him." Sands: "Wait, what? Lakhe?" Lakhe shrugged. Sands: "What stepdad?" Stella: "Don't panic my angel. He is a gentleman. See you at home." she got into my backseat. Sands: "We're going to talk about this the minute we get home!" Lakhe was in my passenger. I got in the driver. I drove out and straight home. Sandile followed behind. Lakhe wrote on his notepad. 'Why don't you come to dinner at our house? OUR house? Really mama?' He showed his mother. Stella: "What was I supposed to do? Not invite him? That would be so rude." Lakhe scribbled down furiously. Lakhe: 'YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM. And can I add that you're still living with your ex husband? My DAD. How do you even begin to invite a man over for dinner? Without even consulting ME!!!' Stella: "Its not like I asked for his hand in marriage Lakhe, the fact that I invited him to the house means I'm not hiding any agenda. This is Spho's friend obviously." Me: "He's as old as my dad, so no." Stella: "Well I apologize for being polite. The next time someone asks for dinner I'll say no and probably go to hell." Lakhe turned around and stared at her long and hard then he wrote down. Lakhe: 'Do not try and make me feel guilty for anything. He's not homeless and he's not our friend.' We finally arrived at home. Soon after, Sandile pulled up too. We all went inside and I took Lakhe to bed. Me: "We need to get you into a bath my sweetie pie. Here's the list from dad. I'll make you food once we're done okay?" he nodded, smiling sweetly. I ran his bath and he got in. After bathing him, took him to bed and massaged his chest and stomach. He kept flinching. Me: "Still sore?" he nodded. Me: "Sorry baby." he took his cellphone and started writing in the memopad. Lakhe: 'I don't like that guy.' Me: "Which guy?" Lakhe: 'Mr Rednom. He looks too perfect. His entire face creeps me out. Its as though he was an angel that got kicked out of heaven by God. Do you think its possible?' I laughed really hard. Me: "You cannot be serious." but the look on his face was very serious. Lakhe: 'Spho, I have a bad feeling about him and the minute he held Christian, my heart tore a little, I can't lie.' Me: "I thought I was the one attached to everything." Lakhe: 'Its not about that, There's just something weird about the guy. Nobody looks that good. I hate to admit this but I would be terrified to see him at night. What does he do?' Me: "I never asked actually." Lakhe: 'What day is it?' Me: "Friday. Why?" Lakhe: 'I don't want Christian near him. Nigeria is too far. Call your dad, I'll get a judge to grant temporary foster care for him until his uncle checks out and can take care of him.' Me: "I'm not going to do that. Dad knows what he's doing. We can't interfere." Lakhe: 'This is a child Spho. A small life that can't defend itself.' Me: "He has dad and an uncle on his way. Why are you freaking out?" he got up and got dressed. Me: "Lakhe. You can't just decide to foster a child. I'm pregnant!" he grabbed his keys and showed me what he typed. Lakhe: 'I love you Spho but I'll never forgive myself if something bad were to happen to an innocent child. Please?' Me: "fine. I'll call him but I can't promise anything." I decided a video call might work better. He might be busy but I wanted to look in his eye. I had to convince him before Lakhe went crazy. Like he hasn't gotten crazy enough. He went from cold, detached and uninterested to warm, loving caregiver in a second. It was not like him at all. The video rang for a while before a face popped up in the screen. Khaya: "Hi baby did you get my message?" Me: "Yes dad. Uhm, are you busy?" Khaya: "Kind of. Why?" Me: "Then I'll be quick. What would you think if we took care of Chris until his uncle arrived? Lakhe says its okay and we have enough space." Khaya: "Er... Spho this is a child, not a puppy. You can't just keep him. There's systems in place." Me: "Lakhe says he can get a judge to grant temporary foster care. Please dad?" Khaya: "I don't know Spho." Me: "Please tata. I can take care of a child. I have done so for Zingi. I'll make sure Chris is okay." Khaya: "Fine. But you'll have to come here to fill all this paperwork and the social worker will have millions of questions." Me: "We'll be there just now." Khaya: "Okay." he hung up. Me: "There." he wore his shoes. I was actually very tired but I didn't want to dampen his spirits. On top of the fact that I haven't slept, I drove all the way here to take care of him. He stood up and looked at me with a questionable look. Me: "I'm okay. Let's go." he gave me his phone and I read. Lakhe: 'I'm driving.' I gave him the keys without hesitation and we walked out. There was still debate in the lounge with Stella, Sandile and Rob. They barely noticed us leaving.