SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Sbanisethu's Point of View

The following day after our meeting with the doctor, I couldn’t shake the overwhelming need to connect with Sibusiso. The revelation of his existence weighed heavily on my mind, and I was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension at the thought of meeting my twin brother for the first time. I had received the contact details from my private investigator, and now it was time to take the next step.

Sitting in the study of my family mansion in Hillcrest, I felt the tension in the air. Hlelo was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for our little family, and Phiwokuhle was sleeping peacefully in her crib. I appreciated the tranquility of the moment, but I knew that my life was about to change in ways I could not yet comprehend. Sibusiso was out there, and the prospect of meeting him was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

I picked up my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dialed the number. The ringing seemed to echo in the silence of the room. After a few rings, a deep voice answered.

“Hello?”

“Is this Sibusiso Dlamini?” I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

“Yes, this is Sibusiso. Who is this?” he replied, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“My name is Sbanisethu Khumalo,” I said, feeling the weight of the moment. “I believe we need to talk.”

“Talk about what?” Sibusiso asked, his tone shifting to one of caution.

“I know this may sound strange, but I just found out about you. You’re my twin brother,” I said, my heart racing as I spoke those words.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. I could almost hear him processing what I had just said. “I don’t understand. How can that be? I don’t know anything about you.”

“I know. I just found out myself,” I explained, struggling to find the right words. “I’d like to meet you, and I can arrange for you and your family to fly here on my private jet. We can talk about everything in person.”

Sibusiso hesitated. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll use my own jet to get there. Just send me the address of your mansion.”

The determination in his voice surprised me. I didn’t expect him to decline the offer to fly on my jet, but maybe he had his reasons. “Alright,” I replied. “I’ll send you the address. Just let me know when you’ll be arriving.”

“Thank you,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “I look forward to meeting you, Sbanisethu. This is… a lot to take in.”

“Yes, it is,” I agreed, my mind racing with thoughts of how this meeting could unfold. “I’ll text you the details.”

After hanging up, I sat back in my chair, a whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. I had finally reached out to the brother I never knew existed, and now it felt real. My heart was a mix of excitement and anxiety, and I couldn’t help but wonder how this encounter would change everything.

I quickly typed out a message to Sibusiso, providing him with the address of the Khumalo family mansion in Hillcrest. As I pressed send, I felt a sense of urgency. I wanted to ensure everything was perfect for when he arrived. This meeting was not just about us; it was about our families, our shared history, and the connection that had been severed for so long.

“Babe, do you want eggs or toast?” Hlelo’s voice called from the kitchen, interrupting my thoughts.

“Eggs, please,” I shouted back, a smile forming on my lips despite the tension in my chest. I loved how she made even the simplest moments feel warm and comforting.

I stood up and walked toward the kitchen, where Hlelo was scrambling eggs. The aroma filled the air, and I took a moment to appreciate the sight of her. She looked beautiful, her hair cascading down her shoulders as she worked effortlessly in the kitchen.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, glancing up at me.

“Yeah, everything is fine,” I replied, trying to mask the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. “I just got off the phone with Sibusiso. He’s going to come here tomorrow with his family.”

“Really? That’s great!” Hlelo exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “Are you nervous?”

“A little,” I admitted. “I mean, I’ve just found out about him. We’re basically strangers who share a history.”

Hlelo put down the spatula and wiped her hands on a towel. She walked over and took my hands in hers, looking me in the eyes. “Just be yourself, Sbani. You’ll figure it out when you meet him. You’re family now, and that bond is strong.”

I nodded, grateful for her unwavering support. “Thanks, mkami. I just want this to go well for everyone.”

“It will,” she reassured me, planting a soft kiss on my lips. “And I’ll be right here with you, no matter what.”

As we finished breakfast, I couldn’t help but think about the future. Tomorrow would be a significant day in my life, a moment that could reshape our family’s story. Would Sibusiso be like me? Would we share the same mannerisms, the same quirks? I felt an overwhelming need to understand everything about him—where he had been all these years, who he had become, and how our paths had diverged so dramatically.

Later that evening, I found myself restless as I prepared for the meeting. I went through every detail in my mind, making sure everything was perfect for Sibusiso and his family. I wanted to create a welcoming environment, one that would help break the ice and make them feel at home.

The sun began to set, casting a golden hue across the horizon. I stepped outside onto the balcony, taking a moment to breathe in the cool evening air. The view of Hillcrest was breathtaking, the sprawling landscape beneath me bathed in twilight. I hoped Sibusiso would find it as beautiful as I did.

As I leaned against the railing, I couldn’t shake the feeling that tomorrow would bring about a shift in our lives. Whatever had happened in the past, we would face it together. Sibusiso and I were bound by blood, and that connection could not be severed.

I returned inside, my mind racing with anticipation. The evening passed quickly, filled with casual conversations and laughter with Hlelo. Yet, I couldn’t shake the sense of urgency building within me.

As I crawled into bed that night, I could feel my heart racing, echoing the uncertainty that lay ahead. I turned to Hlelo, who was already half-asleep, her head resting peacefully on my chest. I wanted to hold on to this moment, to cherish the love and warmth we had built together.

“Everything will be fine,” I whispered, closing my eyes and trying to calm my racing thoughts. “Tomorrow is a new beginning.”

With that comforting thought, I drifted off into a restless sleep, my dreams filled with the face of a brother I had yet to meet.