Divergent

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"Take me back" I immediately demand. "What?" He asks, frowning. "Take me back" I get off the bed, putting on my shoes. "Mihlali..." He trails off. "I'll request an uber then"

"No" He snatches my phone away. "Then take me back!" I almost snap. "I'll get you back there tommorow morning" He clasps his hands together. "No, I want to go now"

"Tommorow" He urges. "Now... or else I'll put that necklace back on and they'll come and find me themselves" I threaten him. He heavily sighs, taking a step closer to me. "Get away from me"

"You know what, fine.... Let's go" He pushes past me. I quickly follow behind him, getting into the car. He speeds off and I keep my eyes out the window.

I zone out, blocking him off. I'm snapped out of my trance by the car coming to a stop. "What's going on?" I look around the packed road. "I can't drive any further, the road's blocked" He sighs.

"I'll just walk th-" He cuts me off by  locking the doors. "You're not walking, it's not safe" He makes a U-turn, using the N1 lane. "Wait.... Stop at the garage" I state and he complies. I grab his phone, dialling Mahlori's number.

It rings a few times before he answers. "Hello?" He asks, clearly annoyed. "Come to the Engen garage in Midrand" I hurriedly say. "Midrand? How'd you get all the way there?!" He whisper shouts.

I immediately hang up. "You can leave me here" I fold my arms over my chest. "Get out" His jaw ticks. "Nkululeko" I call out. "Mihlali, get out" He doesn't even look at me.

He unlocks and I get out. He wastes no time in driving off. I choose to get into the garage, getting myself a cup of coffee. I wait inside the store until I spot multiple cars driving up.

I get out, searching for Boti Mandla's car. I get in, keeping my attention on my lap. He silently drives out. He parks outside a different location this time and he heads out, I follow behind him and into the house.

He sits down on the couch and motions for me to sit next to him, I do as told. I rest my head on his shoulder as he soothingly rubs ny back. "Makhanani" He sternly calls out. "Boti" I whisper.

"What were you thinking?" I rapidly blink. "I don't know" I promptly answer. "There are multiple people searching for you out there and you just put yourself out in the wild for them to snatch" He scolds.

"I'm sorry" I dryly swallow. "I was overwhelmed and they kept on trying to shove everything down my throat..." I blink my falling tears away. "I needed a breather and I couldn't even speak to them because all they wanted to hear was if I was okay with everything or not"

"So you chose to seek comfort somewhere else? Where you'd be vulnerable so that they could get to you easier?" He sarcasticly asks. "No.... I'm sorry" I wipe my tears away. "I don't want you to apologize"

"I want you to realise just how serious this is Mihlali. It's not just about us, it's about them wanting to kill you. If you pull this stunt again, I'll be forced to move you to KZN" What? "No!"

"Then you better behave" He warns and I quickly nod in response. "Mama and Papa are on their way, we'll be staying here for the time being until the mansion get's renovated"

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I've locked up myself in my room since that whole conversation. I'm afraid to go out here and face my parents. I can't seem to fall asleep either so here I am, wide awake, staring out the window.

My mind is far away, I should be asleep right now since I have school tommorow but I can't. My mind is all over the place. I decide to get into bed, closing my eyes. I make up all the scenarios in my head until they run out.

I'm now staring at the ceiling, trying not to cry. I start to realise what a jerk I had been to Nkululeko a few hours ago. I contemplate on calling him to apologize but I choose to do it tommorow at school.

I turn over, closing my eyes, falling asleep.

*

"You look half dead" That's the phrase that greets me as I get to the garden. "Good afternoon to you too, Elihle" I tiredly reply.

"Did you sleep at all?" Three hours? "Yeah, maybe" I yawn, covering my face. "Girl... You looked tired this morning but now? It looks like we're abusing you and all"

"Can we keep our voices a little lower?" I rest my head on the table, closing my eyes. "Ha-eh. Get up" I grunt, sitting up. I suddenly find myself shifting my eyes around the place.

"Who are you looking for?" Dintle asks. "Uhm... No one" I turn my attention back to them. "It doesn't look like no one to us... Spill the tea before it gets cold"

"There is no tea, I'm looking around so that I don't fall asleep" I yawn once again. "Your eyes are even red" Neli comments. "Just a bit red" I need to catch up on some sleep tonight.

"Uhm... I'm going to the bathroom, I'll see you three tommorow" I clear my throat. "So we aren't walking to the parking lot together?" I shake my head no.

"I also need to go to A1 to give in my assignment, I'll text you girls later... Bye" I quickly hug them before rushing to the bathroom to relieve my bladder. I wash my hands, grab my bag and go on to class.

I hurriedly hand in my assignment brfore walking out through the corridor. My eyes immediately spot him walking out with his friends and I waste no time in rushing towards him. I try not to pant, tapping his shoulder.

He turns around, looking annoyed when his eyes land on me. I clear my throat, loosing all the confidence I had a few minutes ago. I try avoiding the pairs of eyes that are staring at me.

"Can we talk... Please?"