JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

13

XOLISA MUTHOMBENI

After such an exhausting day, I got home very tired. The time was around 7pm, I was hoping that my mom would be home by now but I got home and she wasn't back. I sighed throwing my bag on my study table and then decided to charge my phone. I left my phone in the charger and went to make myself something to snack on.

Thabani: "Why are you only coming home now?!"

Me: "I was with my friends, my mom knows."

Thabang: "Oh yeah?! That MOM of yours, doesn't own this house. This is my house so you live by my rules!"

Me: "Ok."

Thabang: "You are very disrespectful! You didn't even come home the whole weekend and now you have the nerve to come home at any time you want?! O ya ntlwaela wena!" he slaps me across my face.

Me: "I'm sorry." I whisper.

Thabani: "You will know and respect me wena! This is my house, not your Mageza father's house, you hear me?!" He unbuckles his belt and I already know he is about to whip me until he is satisfied.

Me: "I'm sorry." I scream as his belt lashes on my skin, leaving visible bruises.

*****

Thabani: "Your mother shouldn't see those bruises which means, you stay in your room until those fade!" He says after putting his belt back on.

Me: "Yebo." I whisper. I hear my mom's car parking outside so I get up and limp to my room. As soon as I lock my door, I crumble to the floor crying. I just wish I can find some peace or just someone can save me, someone like my dad.

Mom: "Xoli." she calls out with her footsteps coming closer to my room. I slowly move from the floor to my bed and gently push myself under the covers.

Mom: "Aybo Xoli." she knocks abit roughly.

Thabani: "Baby, I think she is sleeping. She did say she had a hectic day today."

Mom: "Hhayi! I haven't seen my child since Friday!" Oh yes, I only came home today after my classes.

Thabani: "You will see her in the morning babe."

Mom: "Fine."

Thabani: "She is okay and still as rude so don't worry." I hear their footsteps fading.

I close my eyes as tears roll down my cheeks. I just can't continue living like this. It's time I stand up for myself so tomorrow, I will go to the police station, first thing in the morning.

—
I'm woken up by a hard knock in the middle of the night. I frown and check the time on my phone, it reads, 03:00.

Mom: "Awuvule Xoli." I keep quiet and try to ignore her. I ignore her then I hear my key falling to the floor and then hear a key turning before the door opens. She walks in and stares at me.

Mom: "Why are you ignoring me?"

Me: "Mom, you just woke me up in the middle of the night."

Mom: "So? Bengikukhumbule nje." I keep quiet.

Mom: "How was your paper?"

Me: "I am writing in two days mah." she swallows.

Mom: "Oh. Why didn't you join us for dinner? I baked."

Me: "I'm cool." she sighs.

Mom: "Are you okay?" I shrug.

Mom: "I thought you'd be a bit on the happy side since you just came back from a weekend slumber with your friends. How was it anyway?"

Me: "It was fun. I enjoyed it." she nods.

Mom: "I'm happy if you had fun baby."

Me: "Mom, do you know your both parents?" she frowns

Mom: "Yes, where's that coming from?"

Me: "I'm just asking because you seem to not want me to know both my parents mah. How do you think I feel watching you play happy families with your kids and their father while i'm an outcast. I'm just like an intruder in your house."

Mom: "You not an intruder baby, you my child."

Me: "I am an outcast mah and y'all constantly do things to remind me that I don't belong here. I'm not..."

Mom: "Xoli come on." I just let her be because what's the point of trying to tell her how i feel when she doesn't even want to hear me out.

Me: "Ok." I snuggle more under my blankets and close my eyes as tears stream down my cheeks. I feel her plant a kiss on my forehead.

Mom: "I love you Xoli and I mean it."

Me: "Yeah, you very good at showing it."

Mom: "Kodwa mntanam."

Me: "Can I please go back to my sleep?" she sighs.

Mom: "Goodnight. I love you." I keep quiet until she is out the door. I get up to lock the door behind her.

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Let me know your thoughts on Xoli and her parents, especially her mom. Is she being fair on her or what?!