A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 55

Nkosikhona

I sat in the kitchen with Thabo, filling him in on the latest developments. Thelani was out on the patio with Sizakele, while Celani and Msizi were in the cinema room.

"I fucked up, man," I muttered, running a hand over my face, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. Thabo was listening carefully, nodding in that way he always did when I spoke, as if calculating every word I said.

We were deep in conversation, discussing how everything was spiraling, when the front door flew open with a loud bang. The sound echoed through the house, startling me.

I looked up, and there he was-my father, storming into the room, his face flushed with anger. I didn't need to guess what this was about; I had expected it ever since the engagement. Clearly, mom had gone and told him, and now, here he was, ready to tear into me.

His footsteps were heavy, and before I could even rise from my chair, he was standing in front of me, his eyes blazing.

"Awusho wena! Where do you get the nerve to engage a woman we know nothing about, huh?" His voice was low but sharp, each word slicing through the tension in the room. "The worst part is, this girl could be a gold digger for all we know! And you want to marry her? What's next-are you going to kill her too, just like-"

My chest tightened. His words stung, but it was the sheer disrespect that grated on me the most. He was standing in *my* house, throwing accusations at me like I was some reckless child. And to mention the past... it was low, even for him.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. "Dad, this is not the time or the place," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but the irritation was leaking through.

"Time or place, my foot!" He spat back, waving his hand dismissively. "Where is she? I want to take a look at her. Let's see this woman you think is worthy of our family-"

"*Okay*," I cut him off sharply, standing up now, squaring my shoulders to meet him head-on. "You know what, Dad? Can you head to the coffee shop nearby? I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

"What?" He blinked, clearly taken aback by my response. "I'm not going anywhere until I see this girl!"

I raised my hand to stop him before he could go on. "Listen, I promise I won't waste your time. I'll meet you there, and I have something important to show you. But right now, I have guests here, and this isn't the time for all of this." I could feel my voice growing firmer, the authority returning to my tone. I wasn't a boy anymore. This was my life.

He stood there for a long moment, glaring at me, his lips pressed into a thin line. I could see the battle in his eyes-whether to push further or give in to my request. Finally, with a sigh, he stepped back, the anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Don't waste my time, boy," he muttered, turning to leave. His footsteps were heavy as he stormed out, and I watched the door slam shut behind him.

The silence in the room was thick after he left, the tension still buzzing in the air. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me.

Thabo leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "You gonna show him the truth?"

I shook my head, smirking bitterly. "No. I'm going to show him exactly what he deserves."

Thabo chuckled, shaking his head. "This is gonna be interesting."

---

A few minutes later thabo left, I quietly pushed open the door to the bedroom and found Thelani asleep. She looked worn out, her brows slightly furrowed even in her sleep. Whatever conversation she had with Sizakele must not have gone well. I felt a pang of guilt-I should've been there to shield her from whatever was troubling her. But right now, I had something I needed to settle.