A WEB OF DECEIT ✔️

chapter 43

Thelani

Losing my job was like the final blow to everything I had been holding onto. It felt like my world came crashing down all around me, and I was powerless to stop it. For weeks-no, months-I'd been scouring job sites, sending out CVs, hoping for even just one interview. But nothing came through. The silence on the other end of my inbox was suffocating. Each rejection, or worse-lack of any response-felt like a piece of my confidence slipping away. I couldn't deny it any longer. The depression was slowly creeping in, and I was drowning in it.

Time blurred together-days turning into weeks, and then weeks into months. The only constant, the only thing that kept me from completely falling apart, was my friendship with Nkosikhona and Mbali. But even then, life wasn't falling into place like it used to. It felt like I was being punished, like life was refusing to give me a break.

I had burned through most of my savings, watching them dwindle away faster than I could keep up. Rent was due again, but this time, I didn't have enough to cover it. I stared at my bank account, willing it to magically replenish itself, but it was futile. The reality was setting in hard-if I couldn't come up with the money soon, I would have to downgrade, or worse, sleep in the streets. The panic that followed that thought made my chest tighten.

I needed to get out of my own head, so I hopped into my car, driving with no real destination in mind at first. I ended up deciding to visit Mbali-she always knew how to lift my spirits, even when I was on the edge of breaking down. I headed to the hood where she stayed with her boyfriend, in their cramped one-room place. Thankfully, he wasn't around. He was too serious and uptight for my liking, the complete opposite of Mbali's vibrant, easy-going nature.

As I pulled up, I spotted her waiting outside, her face lighting up the moment she saw me. I barely had time to get out of the car before she wrapped me in one of her tight, warm hugs, the kind that told me she could sense I needed it.

"Would you like some juice? I don't have wine-I know you love it so much," she said with a small smile as we walked inside.

"Juice is fine," I replied, my voice flat and tired.

She studied my face, her brow furrowing with concern. "You don't look okay at all. Talk to me-what's going on?"

I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. "You know... money issues. I'm stressed about rent. They're going to kick me out-it's just a matter of days now."

Mbali looked at me with empathy, but her own situation was evident in the cramped space she lived in. "Yho... I wish I could help, but as you can see... I have no space. And I'm expecting. I'll pop any day now."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. I nodded, forcing a small smile. "I understand, babe... I just need to find a job ASAP."

"Yea, I'll ask around if they need some help at the bakery," she offered, her tone hopeful.

I sighed again, but this time it was softer. The desperation in me was so deep I'd take any crumb of hope. "I'd appreciate that. Honestly, anything would do right now."

She grinned and placed a hand on her round belly. "Oh, I swear I have a soccer player in here. He just keeps kicking. Do you wanna feel it? Come closer."

Mbali had gained so much weight during her pregnancy. She looked like a completely different person physically, her small frame stretched to accommodate the new life inside her. As I placed my hand on her belly, the baby's strong kick pressed against my palm. I tried to smile, but it felt hollow.

The sensation of life kicking beneath my hand brought back memories I wasn't ready to confront. My own pregnancy-the one that ended before it even began. The loss hit me like a wave, crashing against the walls I had built to protect myself. Before I could stop it, a tear slid down my cheek.