Pheli Love

Two

Mohau

Tick, Tock
Tick, Tick
Tick, Tock

The air was different now that Aj wasn't here. The silence was unbearable.
I was tired of crying.
I was tired of this never ending pain.
All of this was... exhausting.

I missed my mother. She wasn't perfect and we had our issues but she was mine.
I knew I was going crazy when I kept hearing her call my name and I would subconsciously answer.

I needed fresh air.

I quickly got up from the couch and made my way to change out of my pjs.
I put on black leggings, a plain grey crewneck and black sandals on my feet.
I wasn't going anywhere serious, the spaza was just five minutes away from our house.

I looked into the mirror revealing my puffy face from all the crying.
All I could see in the reflection was my mother. I bit back the tears and cleared my throat
I just needed fresh air, then I would be fine.

Waking on the streets of Atteridgeville/Pheli was like no other.
It was an experience of its own.
Children of different ages played various games on the street like diketo and morabaraba.
AboGogo sitting on their stoops gossiping about everyone who walks past.
BoNyaope sitting on the side of the road in groups, smoking and hitting on every girl that walked past and let's not forget the chillas on ever street and corner.

It was a place of its own.
The chaotic noise serves as a distraction from my thoughts.
Elaine's I/You blasts through my earphones as I take in my surroundings.
A light breeze hits my face making my close my eyes as I take it all in.

'Listen life can get tricky when you heart is open
Cause we live in the moment'

"Snow White." I hear some random person say at the pass me which made me roll my eyes.
Life with albinism comes with a thick skin. Primary was the worst of it and high school didn't help either but I've learn to love myself. I've had to deal with people's ignorance all my life but it has taught me the art of patience.

I am beautifully and wonderfully made in his image. That was all that mattered.
Plus, I had bigger problems on my hands.

My phone rings and I see my best friend's contact on the screen,

"Hello"

"Hello? Hello! Sukundicaphukisa!!! Where have you been?" (Don't irritate me) She shouts at me.

"Mimi, how are you mmata?" (Friend)
I bite my lip knowing that I probably stressed her out. She knew how hard it was too loose someone; so me going AWOL didn't help.

"Wate founela wena. I was worried sick about you. Lento yakho of you switching off your phone almost caused me a heart attack." (You're full of yourself) (this thing of you)

"I'm sorry choma. I just- you know." I sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry for shouting at you. It's just- I don't want to receive a call that I lost you-" As she explained where she was coming from out I feel someone looking at me.
I turn around and see someone lurking, I blink them they disappear.
'What was that'

"-So it was just from a place of love." I tune back in.
"No Mimi, I understand. I'm sorry that you were worried, I- I've been dealing with a whole lot."
Iminathi or Mimi was there for me this whole time.
She worked in Cape Town meaning that we couldn't see each other often. When she heard the news, she used all her vacation days to come be with me. That was love.

I was grateful for her.
She began to catch me up on her life as my walk continued.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched or followed.

"You'll never guess who I saw the other day wena!!" She exclaimed.

"Who now?" I laughed at her theatrics.

"The devil himself, Sabelo." I rolled my eyes.

Sabelo was my ex-boyfriend. My first love.
The man I knew I was going to marry.
Then he cheated on me... with my cousin. Finding out that my cousin was pregnant was one with but when the child happened to look exactly like Sabelo.

The truth crippled me.
Why would he cheat?
What didn't I do for him?
I was everything that he wanted me to be. I compromised my morals and views for him.
I lost myself for him.

Mimi went ballistic when she found out.
The things we did that weekend....
Burnt clothes.
Slashed tires.

Sabelo was beyond vexed.

"Flopo yahae ke eng mara?" (What is his problem)

"Isibindi sikaSabelo is unmatched." (Sabelo's courage) She clicks her tongue.
"He sees me - clearly might I add - on a date and still decides to come over. If I didn't stab him with the table knife then and there, heh, I'll never do it sana!"

"The nerve, Imagineeee. Who does he think he is. He went on and on and on about missing you and wanting to know how you were. As soon as I asked him about pampers prices wathula nje." (He kept quiet)

"Sebete se ile kae, Nx?" (Where did the courage go?) I rolled my eyes.
"Mara Mimi, not the pampers prices." I broke into laughter. Only Mimi.

"Nx, He aggravates me. I hated what he did to you and how it affected to you."

I walked to the spaza window as Mimi continued to explain their interaction. I bought a bottle of dry lemon and 3 fresh magwinyas.
I was going to eat my pain away.

"Mimi, next time just ignore him but thank you for fighting for me mmata. You know I love you. I truly appreciate you."
I truly did.

I could feel someone watching me.
Something was off.
My heart rate started to pick up.
Something was definitely off.

"Don't do anything stupid sana, Aj and I still need you. I love you bigtime, mwahhhhh." 

The call ended and my footsteps picked up. I needed to get home.
I could feel the hairs in my neck rising,
I cautiously looked to my left and right to see if I could find anyone.
Nothing.

I let out a shaky breath as I saw our house come into view.

'I'm tweaking'
I chuckle at the thought as my heart rate starts to calm down.
I'm okay. It's okay.

I need to call Aj when I get home.
That would help me feel at ease.

Suddenly I felt a presence behind me.
The person firmly held my hands as they covered my mouth and nose with a cloth.

I tried fighting them off.
The person was larger than me which made my fight harder.
Mmmmmm. H..elp!! Mmmmm
I used all my strength to fight them off.
My scream was blocked by the cloth

Aj.
He needed me.
I... He... Needed... Me..

I felt a sharp pain on my head and everything went black.

***********

Chapter 2!!!!🎉🎀
Things are picking up and there is so much more to discover.
I hope you guys love it so far

Ps: We love Mimi!!!🤍

Thank you guys for reading, mwahhhh

Love and peace,
misscliché☁️