JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

23 (1)

XOLISA MUTHOMBENI

I really didn't know what to say or make of yesterday's lunch at Swe's house. I was mostly hurt and embarrassed to be quite honest. It hurts that my mother's doings might cost me my good friendship with Swe and Swe's mother might hate me too because of what my mom did. What also hurts is the fact that, I've been friends with my siblings unknowingly. Somehow this makes me also realise that i have been so close to my father and his family unaware.

Mom: "Xoli." she calls out. I really don't feel like seeing her today because I know I won't be able to control my emotions and tongue. I mean it pains me that I have to kiss my relationship with my father goodbye because of her and it hurts even more because I know how much i would have loved having a father, especially a father like Mr Majola. I mean I am always witnessing Swelihle's beautiful interaction and relationship with her dad.

Me: "Mah?" I respond nonetheless.

Mom: "Get off that bed, clean this room up and come eat." she says with her hands on her hips.

Me: "mmhm."

Mom: "I'm not moving here until i've seen that you are up and making the bed." I huff annoyed and get out of bed.

Mom: "Noma ungazinikina, uzowenza njengoba ngisho kodwa." (You can wiggle your body all you like but you are going to do what I just told you to do.)

I get up and make my bed then open the winowsnand curtains. I start cleaning around my room until I finish. I didn't even hear mom leave my room. I go out to the lounge to look for the broom and mop so I can clean my bedroom floor.

Me: "Mom, where is the mop and broom?!" I shout to mom who is in the kitchen while I'm looking around the lounge.

Mom: "Awuzwani nokubheka wena! Nayi, mii." I blink twice as I seem to have frozen now.

Mom: "Why are quiet?!" her voice and footsteps sound to be coming closer but i am not even paying attention to her anymore because my eyes are glued to the door.

Mom: "Kanti yi..?" she also freezes looking shocked as well when she sees the Majolas on our doorstep.

Mr Majola: "Can we come in?!"

Mom: "Nkosi?" I frown at her suddenly sweet voice, I hear Swe's mom scoff.

Mr Majola: "My wife and I would like to talk to you." he says.

Mom: "Come in." they all come in and Swe immediately pulls me into her arms and hugs me tightly.

Swe: "I was so worried babe, I have been calling you to no avail." she says now holding my face in her hands.

me: "I'm sorry." she kisses my cheek and Junior follows suit. Their mother comes close to me and hugs me too.

Mrs Majola: "I apologise for the way I reacted yesterday baby girl, I just got so shocked. I am sorry."

Me: "It's okay mah."

Mrs Majola: "Did you get home safely? We were worried."

Me: "Yes, I did thank you." she smiles and lightly squeezes my cheeks before she takes a seat next to her husband. I walk back to my room to finish up the cleaning since mom was already offering them drinks.

Swe: "Are you mad at me?" she asks behind me. I almost jump out of my skin with shock. I didn't notice that she was following me.

Me: "Wena!! You scared me!"

Swe: "Sorry, so?"

Me: "Why would I be mad at you friend?! It's actually the other way around."

Swe: "I am not mad at you."

Me: "It's just..."

Swe: "Listen, how you were conceived isn't your fault at all Xoli. You should not have to punish yourself for mistakes that aren't yours to begin with."

Me: "But..."

Swe: "No buts oe, the history between our parents is between them alone. We, we met each other here and that was the start of our beautiful friendship well sisterhood so let us not let our parents history change or impact our sisterhood. If anything, I am happy to have a little sister now." I wipe my tears and smile. I throw myself in her arms and sob.

Me: "I honestly thought y'all were going to start hating me."

Swe: "Never babe."

Me: "Thank you."

Swe: "Let me finish up for you here while you go to the lounge since you are needed there anyways." I bump into Junior right by the door and he also engulfs me in a hug.

Junior: "I am also not mad babes, infact I am happy that I am not the last born anymore." we both chuckle.

Me: "Thank you."

Junior: "They are calling you in the lounge."

Me: "I'm scared." I tell him honestly. I'm mostly scared of Mr Majola.

Junior: "Don't be babes. Anyways, let me go watch Swe try to clean." he says laughing. I walk to the lounge and sit quietly next to mom. There is a bit of silence for a small while before mom speaks.

Mom: "This is my daughter, Xoli."

Mr Majola: "Sawubona Xoli." I freeze shocked by his deep voice. I look down and play with my hands before whispering a response.

Mr Majola: "Please look at me." I do then look back down at my hands.

Mr Majola: "I would like to take you out to dinner or lunch so we can talk." I nod.

Me: "Ok."

Mr Majola: "Lunch or dinner?"

Me: "Lunch." I respond softly.

Mr Majola: "I will wait here."

Thabani: "Who are you people in my house?!" he asks walking in.

Mom: "Thabani."

Thabani: "And who is this man that is disrespecting my house by coming in here and asking to take my child out?!" i'm his child now?

Mom: "Thabani, can you please sit down. These are the Majolas, the man is Xoli's father."

Thabani: "Oh yeah? Well, good now they can take their child with, she is a baggage and a half!" he clicks his tongue shaking his head.

Mom: "Excuse me?!"

Thabani: "Oh, Mr man? You, papa waXoli, I will need to be compensated for raising your offspring!"

Mr Majola: "It's no bother man but please refrain from speaking such harsh words to her." I swear my heart melted, my dad is already defending my honor?! ah I'm melting. Okay don't look at me like that, I've never had a father before.

Thabani: "She knows, it's no secret that I don't like this child." he says then leans back on the couch. He turns his head to look at mom.

Thabani: "Mosadi, I am hungry." Mr and Mrs Majola shake their heads while frowning looking at mom's husband.

Mr Majola: "Xoli, please go get ready." I rush to my room and find Junior and Swe laying on my bed while watching something on my laptop. Swe glances at me as she places the laptop aside.

Swe: "So?"

Me: "I'm going to lunch with your dad." I tell her blushing.

Swe: "Please make sure you make that man spend, he is too stingy sometimes." I laugh.