SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I sat at the dining table the next morning, watching the sunlight stream through the window, but it did little to ease the tension swirling around me. I had barely touched my breakfast. My mind was too consumed by what I had to say to Sbanisethu. He walked into the kitchen, still half-asleep, rubbing his neck as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He looked as tired as I felt, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

"Sbanisethu," I began, keeping my voice as steady as I could. "We need to talk about Mthandeni."

He looked up, brow furrowed as he took a sip of his coffee. "Hlelo, I know how you feel, but you have to understand that my family has their reasons."

My frustration bubbled up instantly. "No, you need to understand something," I said, my voice rising. "Mthandeni was loyal to me when I needed help the most. He didn't deserve to be punished for that."

Sbanisethu sighed, the weight of everything etched onto his face. "It's not just about him, Hlelo. It's about family dynamics. My father-he's very traditional, and he views loyalty in very strict terms. Mthandeni's actions-"

"-were the actions of a good friend," I interrupted, unable to hold back. "He was there for me when I felt completely lost, and you know that. You can't just let this go because of some family rules."

He softened, but still shook his head. "I can't just rehire him without talking to my parents. They won't understand."

"Then we'll talk to them together," I insisted, leaning forward. "If you care about me, you'll care about what Mthandeni has lost because of your family's decision. I won't stand by and let someone who helped me be cast aside like this."

He studied me for a long moment, clearly torn. "You know how they can be. This will create more tension, and I don't want to put you in that position."

I didn't care. "Mthandeni is the only person I trust right now," I said, my determination hardening. "He's been there for both of us, and he deserves a chance to come back. You have the power to make that happen."

He ran a hand through his hair, looking conflicted. "What if it backfires? What if it causes more issues between us and my family?"

I softened my voice, trying to make him see reason. "Then we'll deal with that together. But you can't just let this go. You know deep down that it's the right thing to do."

He took a deep breath, and I watched the tension in his shoulders ease, if only slightly. "Okay, let's talk to my parents. But promise me you won't get too upset if they don't respond well."

"I promise," I said, my heart pounding. "But I won't back down. Not this time."

After breakfast, we made our way to the family room where MaDlamini and his father were going over some paperwork. My stomach churned with nerves, but I forced myself to stand tall. This wasn't just for Mthandeni. This was about setting things right.

"Mom, Dad, can we talk?" Sbanisethu said, his voice steady, though I could sense the tension beneath.

MaDlamini looked up, curiosity in her eyes. "Of course, what's on your mind?"

Sbanisethu glanced at me before taking a deep breath. "Hlelo and I want to discuss Mthandeni's termination."

The room grew quiet. I could feel the tension shift, thickening the air between us. MaDlamini exchanged a look with his father before Sbanisethu's father spoke. "What about it?"

"I want to rehire him," Sbanisethu said firmly. "He helped Hlelolwenkosi when she needed it the most, and I believe he deserves another chance."

MaDlamini's brow furrowed, and I could see the familiar resistance forming. "Sbanisethu, you know how your father feels about loyalty. Mthandeni's actions created a rift. It's not that simple."

I stepped forward, heart pounding. "But he didn't act out of malice. He was helping someone he cared about. He deserves to be treated with respect."

Sbanisethu's father leaned back, crossing his arms. "Loyalty is paramount in this family, and Mthandeni broke that trust."

Frustration surged through me. "But what about his loyalty to me? He didn't abandon me. He supported me when I had no one else. Isn't that worth something?"

"There are consequences for every action," his father replied, his tone unyielding. "You don't understand the weight of tradition, Hlelolwenkosi."

"No, I think I understand it perfectly," I shot back, my voice rising with emotion. "It's a tradition that doesn't account for humanity or kindness. You're throwing away a good man because of family politics."

MaDlamini raised her hand for silence, her gaze steady on me. "Hlelo, I see where you're coming from, but we have to consider the bigger picture."

"Then let's include Mthandeni in that picture," I urged, my voice cracking with determination. "Let's show that we value loyalty and friendship. It's time to change how we do things in this family."

Sbanisethu stood beside me, visibly torn, and I could feel the weight of his love for me warring with the traditions he had grown up with. But before he could speak, his father's voice cut through the tension.

"No," he said, finality lacing every word. "Mthandeni cannot return. If you want to rehire him, you'll have to do so without my blessing."

The words hit me hard, and my heart sank. "This isn't just about you," I said, my voice trembling. "It's about what's right."

Sbanisethu's eyes met mine, filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Hlelo. I wish things were different, but my father's word is law."

I stepped back, barely able to hold back the tears. "You're choosing tradition over kindness," I whispered, feeling the weight of disappointment settle over me. "I thought we were better than this."

The silence in the room was suffocating, and I couldn't stand it any longer. I turned away, my heart aching. This wasn't the life I had envisioned with him. I had hoped for understanding, for support, for unity. But all I felt was loss.

"Come on, Sbanisethu," I said quietly, my voice breaking. "Let's go home."

As we left the house, I could feel the tension in Sbanisethu. I knew he was torn between his family's expectations and the love he had for me. But right now, I couldn't see how this was going to work. Back at our home, I paced the living room, unable to calm the storm brewing inside me.

"I can't believe they would let a good man suffer because of tradition," I said, my voice filled with frustration. "It's so unfair."

Sbanisethu sat down, his hands clasped tightly. "Hlelo, I wish I could change things. I really do. But my family won't listen."

I stopped pacing and looked at him, determination building within me. "Then we need to find a way to make them listen. We can't just accept this."

He looked up at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"We'll gather allies," I said, my heart racing with the idea. "There are people in the family who think differently. I refuse to let Mthandeni be a casualty of this."

Sbanisethu nodded slowly, a small glimmer of hope returning to his face. "If we can rally some support..."

"Exactly," I said, feeling a spark of conviction light up within me. "We'll make them understand that kindness and loyalty matter more than outdated traditions."

As we began to plan, I felt something shift between us. This wasn't just about Mthandeni anymore. It was about the life we were trying to build together, the values we believed in. And with Sbanisethu by my side, I knew we could fight for what was right.

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