Cursed To Be A Stepdaughter

Chapter 32

Simamkele's pov:

"We can't leave her here Lukhanyo,she's all alone" I disputed because he wanted us to leave. It was 10am and we've been here since 4am.

"Simamkele" he rarely calls me with my full name. He has tears in his eyes,just waiting for him to blink "our daughter died,okay?" he says gently "we've seen her,talked to her for the last time but now we have to leave and plan her funeral. We have to let our families know. You want her to live perfectly in the afterlife,right?" I nod with tears all over my cheeks "then let's leave her for a little while and we'll come back to fetch her later" I nodded. He took me to my apartment but decided to stay over to see that I'm able to cope. He ordered food. I stared at the blank TV,thinking what I should've done differently to save her

"Have you told your family?" he asks and I shake my head no "when do you want to tell them?" he asks

"Please pass me my phone,I'll do it now" I tell him. The first person I call is my mom.

"Mila" she sounds like she's sleeping. Her voice just makes me break down all over again. Lukhanyo holds me in his arms and takes the phone from me

"Hi mom,it's Lukhanyo" he swallows and retells her everything that happened. I could hear my mom crying over the phone. He puts my phone on the coffee table and wipes his own tears. My phone rings,it's Nombuso. We both let it ring until it keeps quiet. The food arrived and I only ate a little of my fries,I didn't have an appetite even though Lukhanyo tried to force me to eat. My eyes were puffy from all the crying. Lukhanyo took me to the bathroom to get a bath. He washed my body and at this point I don't care whether he sees my boobs or whatever,it's nothing he's never seen before. After bathing me he gave me pills. He put me in bed and cuddled me,no words were exchanged,just the beating of our hearts the whole time.

I woke up and heard voices coming from the living room. I wasn't in the mood for company. It was dark outside now but the light was on in the room,I slept in Chloe's room. I wore a jersey and walked out of the bedroom feeling drained. I went to the living room and I found Nombuso and Ntokozo there. Nombuso's eyes were puffy as she stood up to give me a hug. I don't think I had any tears left in my system anymore. They told me they arrived to check on me because I wasn't at work and Lukhanyo left after that,he said he'll be back. I wasn't talking much but they let me be and didn't push. I texted Lilly because she was the only one I was still talking to from our group

*hey love,I know you're probably not going to be able to make it but I wanted to let you know that we lost our little Chloe to heart failure*

Lukhanyo came back after a little while. Nombuso and Ntokozo left after he arrived because they had work tomorrow. Lukhanyo arrived with a whole suitcase. He said he's staying over until my family gets here. I'm grateful there's people around,my thoughts would have killed me if they weren't here. My boss gave me the week off and he gave my projects to someone else. Lukhanyo was feeding me the food he cooked while we watched a comedy. There was a knock on the door and Lukhanyo went to check who it was

"Sima there's people here to see you" I took my eyes off the TV and walked to the door. Ndabezinhle was in front and the triplets stood on his sides

"Hi" I said because everyone was quiet. Nkosi quickly scanned me and his eyes landed on my belly. I was wearing a tight dress. Lord,please,I know I'm gaining weight but please let it not be my stomach

"Hey Sima,Snothando told us what happened" Ibenathi said coming forward to give me a hug. I hug her back,still confused about how Snothando knew,Lilly probably told her. I let them in by moving to the side. They had plastics with them so I led them to the kitchen. Nkosi and Musa hug me too. I didn't even have to energy to tell Snothando and her family to fuck off. She's going to use my child's death to try and worm her way into my life again?

"Do you need anything?" Ndabe asks with his hands in his pockets

"No,thank you,I've got it all covered" I say "you guys want anything to drink?"

"Can we have water?" Nkosi asks and I nod. I show them the way to the living room before pouring water into a jug and putting it on a tray along with glasses. The only sound I can hear from the living room is the TV. I put the tray on the coffee table

"Are you full?" Lukhanyo asks looking at the plate with food on the table. I nod. He takes my plate and walks away. Nkosi pours water for them

"Is your family coming?" Musa asks

"Yes,they're on their way"

"Okay,we bought you some snacks for comfort you know" he continues

"But you have our numbers if you feel like the snacks don't understand you" Nkosi says making me laugh a little. These two are comedians I tell you.

"I'll be okay guys,Lukhanyo is here" the boys look at each other

"Yes,but we're also here" Musa says

"I'll call you guys" I say looking specifically at Nkosi and Musa,the other one can sulk all he wants,I'm not calling him. They leave after a few minutes when they realize I'm not in the mood to talk. I pack the snacks they bought. There's ice cream,sweets,chocolates,nuts and raisins,marshmallows-Chloe's fav-and some chips. At the bottom of the plastic there's a gift card. I open it and it reads

Dear Simamkele Mila Browns

I know you're going through a lot,you've lost a part of you. I know you just want to shut everyone out but let me be there for you. I will listen if you need someone to listen to you. I will cry with you if need be. I never stopped liking you and if earning your love has to come with sacrifices,then I'm willing to do it.

XOXO. N.U.SANGWENI

Tears leave my eyes once again. The initials took me off track but I know it isn't Nkosi,so it's got to be Ndabezinhle. I never really got to experience him because of Snothando. I felt bad,so bad for sleeping with my friends brother but also I can't deny that I did actually like him.