A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 56

Thelani

I had spent years wondering why Sizakele, the woman who gave birth to me, chose to give me away. I couldn't understand it, no matter how much time passed. It still hurt. I needed my mother, especially growing up. Living in the orphanage wasn't easy-it never was. The feeling of being unwanted followed me like a shadow. When my classmates would talk about their mothers or families, I didn't know how to feel. I'd smile politely and listen, but inside, I felt broken. How was I supposed to talk about something I didn't have? I often wondered: *Does she think about me? Do I look like her? Did I inherit anything from her?*

And now, here she was, in my life after all these years, along with my siblings-Celani and Msizi. But meeting them stirred a mix of emotions that I wasn't ready for. We were blood, but strangers. The warmth and love I had hoped for weren't there. Instead, her presence felt heavy, like a reminder of all the years I spent wondering. Seeing her, after imagining what she might be like for so long, was nothing like I expected. She was guarded, distant-nothing like the loving, nurturing mother I had built up in my mind.

I needed a distraction. Something to keep me from overthinking, from spiraling. I stood up and decided to go prepare dinner since we had guests. Nkosikhona had walked in earlier, looking unusually happy. His smile was wide, his eyes bright-like something really good was happening in his life. I wished I could feel the same, but I couldn't shake the weight of meeting Sizakele. Our engagement had been a blessing, but meeting my mother and siblings... I wasn't sure how to feel about that.

In the kitchen, I found myself automatically preparing macaroni and cheese. Msizi, my little brother, came in to help me set the table. He was such a bright, energetic kid, full of curiosity. He seemed eager to get to know me, and I couldn't help but feel a soft spot for him. As we set out the plates, he started telling me about a prank he and his classmates had pulled at school.

"So, there was this one time," Msizi began, grinning mischievously, "mrs zondi bought a bunch of lollipops for everyone in my class, and we all ate them right before Mrs. Zondi walked in. But then we all pretended to faint like we were poisoned!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what? You all pretended to pass out?"

"Yup! The whole class! Everyone was just lying there on the floor, not moving. Mrs. Zondi screamed, ran out, and came back with the principal. They were freaking out, and we just couldn't hold it anymore-we all started laughing!" Msizi chuckled, his face lighting up with pure joy.

I couldn't help but laugh along with him. "Msizi, that's terrible! What did they do when they found out you were faking?"

"We cleaned the toilets " he shrugged, "but it was so worth it. The look on their faces was priceless!"

"You're lucky they didn't expel you!" I teased, giving him a playful nudge.

Msizi grinned wider, his laughter contagious. It was nice, being able to bond with him like this. I had missed out on so much-on being a sister-but moments like these gave me a glimpse of what could have been, what could still be.

Once we finished setting the table, Nkosikhona gathered everyone. Celani sat next to me, looking at me warmly, trying to bridge the gap between us. She had been kind since we met-gentle in her approach, clearly wanting to form a connection. Sizakele, however, sat stiffly across from me, her hands neatly folded in her lap. She hadn't said much since our conversation.

We began to eat in near silence, the sound of utensils clinking against plates filling the air. Every now and then, Celani would try to start a conversation, bless her heart.

"So, Thelani," Celani began, "what was it like studying accounting? I imagine it must've been pretty intense."

"It was," I answered, trying to engage. "A lot of numbers, long nights, and too much coffee."