JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

09

***Xolisa Muthombeni***

This is the time I wish I had a real father or maybe some relatives. It's almost recess and I'm already bored out of my mind and scared too. I'm mostly scared of being alone in that house all day while my stepfather comes and goes anytime of the day. His kids are visiting his mother as they are already closed for the June holidays so i'm the only child in the house. Mom is mostly at work these days. I know we don't get along that much but i really be at a little ease when she's around me at home.

So recently my routine is wake up, bath, look good then go spend my day in a park or library so I can study which is certainly not my thing but I have no choice. I alternate between the park and the library because I really don't want to bother my friends although they don't mind but those two have put up with me for so long man. Right now I was coming back from the library, I know mom is back or on her way back home now.

When I try opening the door, it opens which means she might be back now. I close the door behind me

Me: "Mah!" I walk to the kitchen but nothing. Weirdly it's quiet, not even the TV is playing.

Thabani: "She's working late." he says behind me, carrying a belt.

Me: "Oh?"

Thabani: "Where are you coming from so late?!"

Me: "The library." I show him my bag.

Thabani: "I'm not stupid ngwanyana ke wena! You dating now?!" he asks swinging the belt at me.

Me: "No!"

Thabani: "Today I will instill some respect in you! You are a very disrespectful child!" he hits me with the belt ignoring my cries and pleas. At that moment I felt like he just switched an increase button of the hate I had for him because I hated him even more now together with his wife.

When he was satisfied, he left me laying on the floor like that and walked out. I had to force my painful body up and drag myself to my room. I made sure to lock the door before getting under the covers. I covered myself and cried myself to sleep.

And as if it wasn't enough that I got a beating, a few minutes after I got in bed, I had to listen to him banging some woman in his and mom's bedroom. I had to put on my earphones and listen to music then used a pillow to cover my head.

_____________

The next morning my body was in so much pain, I couldn't even move it so I just continued sleeping. I couldn't even chat with my best friend because she was unreachable plus my phone was now running out of battery.

mom: "Xoli, open for me please." she knocked on my door. I just cried silently. Why couldn't I be a normal kid, a kid who got to be raised by both parents. Parents who actually cared about me and loved me unconditionally. I really craved that too. I sometimes envied my best friends relationship with her parents or her mother. My mom and I have no relationship whatsoever.

Mom: "Xoli, i'm opening." I just kept quiet because I knew she was bluffing and finally got up. I took pictures of my body, to show the bruises and marks then charged my phone. I cleaned up my room a little to distract myself until I finally heard mom's car driving out. I had to peek through the window to make sure that she really left. I went to wash my body carefully then returned to my room to get dressed. Maybe I can also swing by the police station and arrest that dog, nx! I mean I don't have much of a choice really, if my mother won't be able to protect me as her daughter then I might as well protect myself from her monster. My phone rings just as I am about to leave.

Me: "Hey."

Swe: "Bestieee!" this girl is always hyper and Junior somehow seems to think that we both are very forward which I think is all crap.

Me: "What's got you all hyper so early in the morning?!" I ask with a chuckle.

Swe: "My exam just got postponed and it will be online which is a bonus for me. Ngizoshaya imbuzi oe." I laugh out loud. This one is mad honestly.

Me: "Aybo wena!"

Swe: "Serious oe plus I just got my allowance from my siblings, so... I'm taking us out friend." She squeals.

Me: "I'll be there in 20."

Swe: "Hurry please! I'm already ready so we will just uber to the mall when you get here." I male sure that everything is in my sling bag before rushing out to catch a taxi.

The taxi dropped me off down the street by the bus shelter so now I have to walk up the little distance to the main campus residence. I buy two bubblegums on my way, I love love gum. Anyway as I get to the gate, I bump into Swe coming out of a car.

Swe: "Let's go oe." she pulls my hand and leads me to the car.

Me: "Is this the part where you are tricking me into a stranger's car that you sold me to?! because ain't no damn way there is an uber that looks this fancy." I'm honestly shocked and fascinated. I don't know cars but this one looks very fancy and expensive.

Swe: "Aybo sis! Haven't you heard of UberX?" she opens the backseat door for and lets me settle before she hops on the passenger's seat. I greet Mr Carson and just focus on my phone. Not that I am being rude but i'm shy plus this man is my tutor. The whole drive is filled with Swe's giggles and this man's deep voice. I don't know why Swelihle denys the chemistry between the two of them because it is very clear that they both like each other. They tried interacting with me until they let me be.

Swe: " Bye D!" she says as we both get out of the car and I just wave. Swe holds my hand and we walk inside the mall.

Me: "Oh my god! Y'all are so cute! I'm telling Junior about this!" I tell her excitedly and she shoots me her 'intimidating' stare which really isn't scary.

Swe: "Shut up!" she says dragging me inside CottonOn.

*****
We were now having lunch and I told Swe about what my mom's monster husband did to me.

Swe: "What?! What did your mother say?" I shrug.

Me: "I didn't tell her anything yet."

Swe: "I hoe you will get him arrested friend because what he did was really wrong. Hitting you for nothing?! hhayi man!" she clicks her tongue.

Me: "Calm down friend, I'm fine." she rolls her eyes and takes a long sip of her cocktail.

Swe: "Anyways... are you coping with your exams?"

Me: "Yes friend, thank you."

Swe: "You know that you can come stay with me in my dorm right?! You don't have to bare all that toxicity at home, especially when it's exam season."

Me: "I appreciate that friend, thank you."

Swe: "I love you so much friend, you're like my baby sister." she says squeezing me in her arms.

Me: "I love you too." I respond squeezing her back.