Silent Wounds(on hold)

chapter 6|The kind gesture

Nontsikelelo

After the warmth of Mrs. Mbatha's embrace faded, I was left with a cold knot in my stomach. The heaviness of what just happened settled in as I stepped out of the room. It felt like I'd just made a silent enemy in Mrs. Mdlalose, and that meant trouble. Her sharp gaze followed me down the hallway, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I tried to avoid eye contact as I headed to the kitchen, where I knew I had work waiting. The smell of onions frying hit me before I even stepped through the door, but it didn't do anything to settle my nerves. The voices from the dining room were still clear in my mind-Mrs. Mbatha's sympathy, Vusi's gentle kindness, and Mrs. Mdlalose's cold disapproval. I could already feel the tension building like a storm cloud waiting to burst.

As I started preparing the plates, my hands moved on autopilot, but my mind was far away. I kept replaying Vusi's words in my head. He was the first person in weeks who had made me feel seen, like I wasn't just an invisible girl hiding in the shadows of everyone else's lives. It was strange, having someone stand up for me. Even stranger, someone like him-a boy from a world so different from mine. Why did he care?

Just as I finished arranging the plates, Vusi appeared in the kitchen doorway, his hands shoved into his pockets, leaning casually against the frame. His presence was unexpected, but somehow, I wasn't surprised to see him.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice low enough that no one else could hear.

I nodded, though I wasn't really sure if I was telling the truth. It was hard to explain how everything felt inside me-like I was balancing on the edge of a cliff, and any small thing could send me falling. I wasn't used to people asking if I was okay, and even now, I didn't know how to answer that.

"I didn't mean to put you on the spot back there," Vusi continued, stepping closer. His face softened as he spoke, like he was genuinely worried he had hurt me. "I just didn't want my mom pressing you too much. I hope I didn't make it worse."

For a second, I was speechless. He cared. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. And that scared me more than anything. I wasn't used to people like Vusi, people who showed compassion without wanting something in return. The world I knew didn't work like that.

I shook my head. "No... you didn't. I just... I wasn't expecting all of that." My voice felt weak, like I had barely found the strength to speak. I quickly turned back to the plates, busying myself so I didn't have to meet his eyes.

But he didn't leave. Instead, he stepped even closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him. "If you ever need to talk... I'm here," he said softly, his voice full of sincerity. "I know we just met, but you seem like you've been through a lot, Ntsiki."

For a moment, I didn't know how to respond. The truth was, I hadn't really spoken to anyone about the accident. No one had asked me how I was, and I had convinced myself that it was easier that way. But now, here was Vusi, offering something I hadn't realized I needed-a chance to talk, to let it out.

"I..." I started, but the words got stuck in my throat. I couldn't bring myself to tell him about the nightmares that still haunted me, the crushing guilt of being the only one who survived. Instead, I forced a smile and said, "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Vusi gave me a small smile in return, but I could see the question still lingering in his eyes. He didn't push, though. "Alright, I'll leave you to it," he said, stepping back. "But the offer still stands, okay?"

Before I could reply, he was already out the door, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I stood there for a moment, staring at the plates in front of me, trying to process everything. The kitchen felt too quiet now, the air too thick with all the emotions I hadn't let out.