Divergent

19|The Nkosi's

"You want me to take her?!" I wince. "Yes... We've been dragging it out for too long" He answers. "Baba, I can't do that" I clear my throat. "Why not?" He gritts out.

"She's distancing herself from me" I lie. "I gave you one damn order, and you're failing... What makes you think that I should hand my empire down to you?"

"Baba, I'm trying—" He cuts me off. "You're not trying hard enough, I should've given the task to your sister then" My eyes widen. "Nelisiwe won't do it".

"Then you're both useless! I'll get someone else to do it." He storms out of the room.

*

"Nelisi—" She cuts me off. "Ha-eh, don't even try to speak to me" She puts up her hand, stopping me. "I haven't done anything yet" I shrug. "Oh really? Out of the girls in school, you choose to come for my friend". "Ngiyaxolisa"

"Keep your damn apology to yourself, Mihlali has no interest in you or whatsoever, she has zero time for boys and Baba would kill you if he was to ever find out"

"Atleast let me try" I propose. "Stay away from her, I don't want her to hate me because you'll break her heart within a week, she's not your type, she won't sleep with you, Nkululeko! You're wasting your time"

"I'm not trying to sleep with her, I genuinely like her. And I'm going to pursue her" I state, as if I haven't already. "Try anything with her and I'll tell Mama"

"Oh but you're letting Bandile go out with Dineo" I sarcasticly say. "It's Dintle and Bandile doesn't stick his penis in everyone!". "Are you calling me a—" She interjects.

"If the shoe fits, wear it, Cinderella!" She snaps. "If you think that I'll let you and Baba use her to get to family then you're way over your heads, I will spill each and every little secret... Don't try me, Nkululeko"

"Okay, askies" I hold up my hands, surrendering. "What if I really like her—" I sigh. "No!" She walks away. "Mah!" I call out, walking into the kitchen. "Whatever your sister is saying you shouldn't do, listen to her"

"You're not getting my point, I'm doing this for Baba, I'm doing it for myself... I genuinely like her and I don't want to cause conflict between her and Nelisiwe"

"Then step away, you know your sister is with making friends, she's finally met someone she can relate to, let her have her moment" I sigh in response. "Baba wants to abduct her"

"Leave your father to me" She looks up from her phone. "Kodwa Mah, what if she like me back, are we supposed to hold our happiness back because of Nelisiwe?" She glares at me.

"How do you know that she likes you too? Huh?" She rauses her eyebrows. "Mah?" I wince. "Ndiphendule" (answer me) "Mama?" I pretend as if I heard nothing. "Luvuyolwethu, talk before I smack you"

"I've been meeting up with her, behind Nelisiwe's back for the past few months" I confess. "And?" She hints. "We're sort of seeing each other, and she doesn't want to tell Nelisiwe" I add on.

"Why can't you let your sister be happy for once?" Ha? "I mean, if I'm irresistible, I'm irresistible..." I trail off. "Hayi suka" She waves me off. "Please don't tell her" I plead.

"Why would I do that?" she innocently asks. "You tend to get carried away when you're gossiping" I remind her. "Phuma" (get out) "I'm just joking"

"The Nkosi's are coming over for dinner" Papa says before he disappears into his office. "We're not expected to be here, right?" I glance at Mama. "You live here, don't you?" Yoh. "Kodwa mah"

"I have plans" Mahlori says. "You can yell that to your father, even your brother is flying home just for it" She's talking about Boti Mandla. "Uyazi ukuthi ikhehla lakho linenkani vele" (you know that your old man is stubborn)

"Haibo" I gasp. "I'm just joking" He defends. "Who are the Nkosi's?" I ask. "Some business allies of your father, well, used to be... He's trying to get them back somehow"

"So now we're being used as bait to lure his allies in?" Boti Mixo scoffs. "Apparently, they have two kids that attend the same school as you do" Boti Lwande adds on. "I don't need more friends"

"Yes you do" Mahlori coughs out. "No. I don't" I glare at her. "That's what you think" He rolls his eyes. "Please" I click my tongue in annoyance. "Go and get ready, they're almost here" Eh.

"Mihlali, come and help me plate dinner up" We even got a chef tonight. "I'm coming" I huff, getting up. I help her eith setting up the table and head up to my room to quickly change into something a little more presentable.

My phone vibrates and I stare down at it, grinning. 'i want to see you' I giggle in response. 'not today, my dad has guests coming over for dinner' I bite my lower lip. 'tonight?' Oh my days. 'No'

"Mihlali!" . "Ngiyeza!" I shout back. I style my hair— I'm due for a hair appointment as in yesterday. I put on my socks and slides then head down to the living room. "Behave" Papa warns as he and Mama walk out to the driveway.

"Did he just tell us to behave as if we're animals?" Boti Lwande asks. "If the shoe fits" Mahlori! I can hear voices approaching the room as we all impatiently wait for this evening to end.

They're all laughing and conversing as they enter. I stand still, not even bothering to look up at them. "And these are our children, Mandlenkosi, Malwandle, Mixo, Mihlali and Mahlori"

"You have very beautiful children" The lady answers and I try not to sigh. "Tikhomi" (hold yourself) Mahlori nudges me. I elbow his side and he lowly grunts. "sorry" I try not to laugh. "Mxm" He mutters under his breath.

My eyes shift all around the room as I block out their voices, this dress is killing me, I can barley breathe— I cut myself off with a gasp when my eyes meet with his..

"Mpilo?!"