FORBIDDEN TIES

5.

Keeya Modise

It’s a Sunday morning, and the air is warm and comforting, the perfect backdrop for what promises to be a lovely day. Today, Mr. and Mrs. Modise are coming over to my house to meet my little pumpkin, Enzokuhle. It’s been two days since I took her shopping for all the essentials, and I still can’t get over the joy of having her in my life. But, there’s something else occupying my mind—Mlungisi. I haven’t heard from him since we met at Spur. He had promised to text, but as the days go by, I find myself checking my phone more often than I care to admit. No messages, no calls—just silence.

I shake off the lingering thoughts of him and focus on the excitement of today. It’s not every day that Ma and Babah, as I call the Modises, come over to my house. They are like parents to me, to both me and Sibusisiwe, ever since they adopted us from their orphanage. They couldn’t have biological children of their own, but they filled their lives—and ours—with love and warmth, making us feel like their own daughters.

After getting out of bed, I freshen up with my morning routine, brushing my teeth and washing my face. I feel light and content as I slip into a long, flowing floral dress. It’s one of my favorites—bright with pastel colors that reflect the joy I feel inside. I head downstairs, my sandals tapping softly against the floor, and as I reach the living room, I’m met with the most adorable sight.

There’s Sibusisiwe and Enzo, running around the house, laughing and feeding each other breakfast. Sibusisiwe is pretending to chase Enzo with a spoonful of cereal, and Enzo, giggling uncontrollably, keeps dodging her with those tiny, fast little legs of hers. Their laughter fills the house with such warmth, and I can't help but stand there for a moment, just soaking it all in.

"Morning, my loves," I say, walking over to kiss both of them on the cheek.

“Morning, Sis!” Sbusi squeals, her voice full of joy, still running around the room.

I give her a tight squeeze before turning to Sibusisiwe. "Sis, get yourself ready. We’re going out to get our hair done today.”

She grins at me. “About time! These braids are about ready to walk off my head,” she jokes, tugging at her tired cornrows.

“I’ll go get Enzo ready,” I say, already imagining how cute she’ll look with her hair done in little ponytails.

Sibusisiwe nods and heads upstairs to get herself together. I scoop up Enzo and take her to her room, where we pick out a cute little outfit for her. As I dress her, she keeps giggling and squirming, clearly excited about the day ahead.

After about an hour, we’re all finally ready. I’ve chosen long knotless braids for myself, something easy to manage with Enzo now in my life. Sibusisiwe opts for a sleek frontal, looking as glamorous as ever, and Enzo gets two adorable little ponytails that make her look like the princess she truly is. The hairstylists at the salon in Midrand work their magic, and by the time we’re done, we’re feeling fresh and fabulous. I also decide to get my nails done—short and simple, while Sibusisiwe goes all out with long, stiletto-shaped nails.

It feels good to have some self-care time, even if Enzo is always a part of my thoughts. There’s something about taking care of yourself that makes the day feel brighter, like you’re ready to tackle anything the world throws your way. We head back home after our salon trip, and I can’t help but feel a wave of excitement for the lunch ahead with Ma and Babah.

When we get back, we quickly set the house up for lunch. The table is already laid out with all our favorite dishes—roast chicken, salads, rice, and my personal favorite, baked butternut with a cinnamon glaze. Sibusisiwe is in charge of getting everything ready while I keep Enzo occupied in the living room.

Not long after, there’s a knock at the door, and I rush to open it, my heart swelling with love as I see Mr. and Mrs. Modise standing there with their warm smiles. They may not be my biological parents, but they are everything to me. The way they loved me and Sibusisiwe unconditionally, the way they raised us and supported us—there’s no one else I’d rather call Ma and Babah.

They walk in, beaming, and the first thing they ask is, “Where’s our little princess?”

I smile, turning to where Enzo is sitting, busy playing with her toys. When she hears me calling her, she looks up with those big, innocent eyes and shyly runs into my arms. I carry her over to Ma and Babah, who immediately shower her with love and affection. They coo over how beautiful she is, how much she’s grown in just a week, and I can see in their eyes that they’ve already fallen in love with her.

“Keeya, you’ve done an amazing thing,” Babah says, patting me on the back. “Enzo is so lucky to have you.”

“No, Babah,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’m the lucky one. She’s brought so much joy into my life.”

The rest of the afternoon is filled with warmth, laughter, and stories. Ma and Babah share stories about their early days running the orphanage, and Sibusisiwe and I reminisce about our childhood there. It’s a beautiful moment, one of those rare times where everything feels perfect.

After lunch, as we’re all relaxing in the living room, my phone buzzes. I don’t think much of it at first, but when I glance at the screen, I see an unknown number flashing. My heart skips a beat.

I excuse myself from the group and head into the kitchen to check the message. It’s from Mlungisi.

Mlungisi: Sawubona, Nkosazana. I hope I’m not too late to ask, but I’d love to take you out for lunch sometime this week. Let me know when you’re free.

A smile spreads across my face before I even realize it. He called me Nkosazana—princess. It’s a little old-fashioned, but I can’t deny that it makes my heart flutter just a bit. I quickly type a response, trying not to sound too eager.

Me: Sawubona, Mlungisi. I’m free on Wednesday. Lunch sounds good.

I send the message and put my phone down, my mind already racing with thoughts of what lunch with him will be like. There was something about him when we met—his calm confidence, his warmth—that made me want to get to know him better. And now, it seems I’ll have that chance.

I head back to the living room, trying to keep the smile off my face, but I can’t help it. Sibusisiwe notices immediately, of course. She raises an eyebrow at me, smirking like she knows exactly what’s going on.

“What’s got you smiling like that, sis?” she asks, clearly teasing.

I shrug, trying to act casual. “Just... a message.”

“From who?” she presses, clearly not going to let it go.

“Just a guy I met the other day,” I finally admit, feeling my cheeks heat up.

She gasps dramatically, clapping her hands together. “Keeya, you’re blushing! Who is he? Tell me everything!”

I laugh, shaking my head. “His name’s Mlungisi. He’s a businessman, runs Khuzwayo Logistics. We met at Spur a couple of days ago, and he just asked me out to lunch.”

“Lunch, huh?” She winks at me. “Sounds like more than just a friendly lunch to me.”

“Stop,” I laugh, throwing a cushion at her. “It’s just lunch.”

But even as I say the words, I know there’s a part of me that’s excited for more than just lunch. I don’t know what it is about Mlungisi, but there’s something about him that makes me want to see where this goes. Maybe it’s just the thrill of something new, or maybe it’s the way he called me Nkosazana, like I’m someone special.

Whatever it is, I’m looking forward to finding out. For now, though, I’m content with the beautiful chaos of my life—my family, my new daughter, and the unexpected possibilities waiting around the corner.

As the day winds down, and Ma and Babah prepare to leave, I feel a deep sense of contentment. My little family is growing in ways I never imagined, and the future feels full of promise. Whatever comes next, I know I’m ready for it.