JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

26

XOLISA MUTHOMBENI

I was the first one to wake up this morning, surprisingly. Unlike back home where I'd wake up and still stay in bed until everyone left, this time I took my morning shower and went to the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. I won't lie, this house was more peaceful and I was more free here. I'm still a bit reserved on some parts but I am comfortable and free.

I got to the kitchen and made a bowl of cereal while I made full breakfast for everyone else. I don't really have much of an appetite really so the cereal will probably keep me going until almost noon so yeah, i'm sorted.

Mrs Majola: "Good morning." I jump a little, startled. I didn't hear her walk in as I am so focused on what I am doing.

Mrs Majola: "I'm sorry to scare you."

Me: "It's okay."

Mrs Majola: "Do you need any help?"

Me: "I'm almost done." she nods lightly smiling.

Mrs Majola: "I just need me some coffee. Your sister's dating life is giving my husband heart palpitations and that means more trouble for me." she says rolling her eyes and I giggle.

Me: "Sorry." she snorts waving her hand off.

Mrs Majola: "Hey, I chose to marry that man so I guess I have to live with this plus he's getting old. You know how old men are with their princesses huh?!"

Me: "I've heard about it." she chuckles.

Mrs Majola: "Yeah well it will only get worse for you."

Dad: "Vele, you are not allowed to date until you're 30." he says walking in, his wife laughs out loud.

Mrs Majola: "Stop being so dramatic early in the morning, here." she hands him a cup of coffee. He smiles at her and puts both their cups on the counter before pinning his wife against the fridge and starts whispering to her while she keeps frowning and giggling. I love them.

Junior: "Come on guys, there's a child!" When Mrs Majola tried turning, dad grabs her back into his arms and kisses her this time. I am just watching them with a big smile on my face.

Junior: "Mxm! Can I dish up? I'm starving." he says making me focus on him.

Me: "Knock yourself out."

Mrs Majola: "Thank you baby girl."

Dad: "Why are you eating cereal?"

Junior: "She never eats, don't even bother. Her appetite only comes once in a long while." They both frown.

Mrs Majola: "We will work on that." she says taking a bite of her toast. She feeds me some of her food and so does my father. It's like they both now taking turns in feeding me.

Me: "I'm full now."

Junior: "I'm so glad I'm not the baby anymore, this is only the start my love." he says laughing at me.

Dad: "Uphi lo jolayo?" Junior laughs out loud while I just giggle.

Junior: "She's sleeping."

Dad: "Go wake her up." Junior walks off laughing.

Dad: "Xoli, we're going to your mother's house to fetch your things. So after eating, go get ready." I nod.

Me: "Okay." Junior walks in followed by Swe who is busy rubbing her eyes.

Swe: "Sanibonani." I greet back while the parents keep quiet.

Dad: "Why were you still sleeping at this time of morning?"

Swe: "Hawu babah, I'm tired."

Dad: "I didn't send you to go cruising around Cape Town with that boy. You know we leave in a few hours, so get on with eating and then clean my whole house."

Swe: "Babah?!"

Mrs Majola: "You better be done with cleaning before midday. Make sure all the surfaces are sparkling clean."  They both get up and leave after thanking me for breakfast. As soon as they are out of sight, Junior and I die of laughter.

Swe: "This is pure torture yoh!!!"

********************

Mom: "What do you mean she's moving in with you guys?"

Dad: "Exactly that Thulile. It has come to my attention that you let that weakling husband of yours, to emotionally and verbally abuse my daughter." Mom keeps quiet looking down.

Dad: "What kind of a mother are you if you let your husband mistreat your child? How do you live with yourself? You divide the children, isolating Xoli just because she isn't your husband's child?! Is that the kind of things you want to teach all your kids? What happens when both you and your husband are not in this world anymore? Who will be looking after your precious kids?"

Thabang: "Can you stay out of my marital affairs and how me and my wife parent our kids?! How we do things around here doesn't concern you so stay in your lane monna." Dad just chuckles.

Dad: "I'm glad you are here man. Xoli, go pack." I don't wait to be told twice. The room was getting hot with all the tension.

Dad: "Don't you have to say something to your daughter?" I hear him saying as I walk away. Just as I get into my room, my mom walks in.

Mom: "Baby girl."

Me: "Hey."

Mom: "Are you sure about this?"

Me: "More than anything mah."

Mom: "What if his wife mistreats you? Just because this man happened to be your bestfriend's father, doesn't mean he will be nice to you too. At the end of the day, he is still a stranger to you." I just sigh.

Me: "Please don't be this kind of person. Just let me do this the way I want to, please. Stop trying to change my mind." I say shoving the last book in my backpack. I just packed my books, laptop and a few clothes.

Mom: "I'm sorry but i'm just worried."

Me: "Well it's kinda too late for you to start worrying about my wellbeing now."

Mom: "Come on Xoli, I thought you forgave me."

Me: "I did vele but you can't be judging my father and his wife based off of yours and your husband's behaviour and because of your jealousy."

Mom: "Me, jealous? Jealous of what?"

Me: "I notice how your voice changes when you speak to him and how your eyes sparkle when you look at him." she quickly masks her shock with a stern look.

Mom: "I am still your elder wena!" I shrug then grab my bags and walk of the room. I find dad watching two police officers handcuffing Thabang.

Mom: "What's going on?"

Dad: "I'm doing something you failed to do as a mother."

Mom: "What?! Xoli?" I shrug, I mean I didn't know this would happen.

Dad: "This is me protecting my daughter. That husband of yours has to know that uXoli has a father now who will do anything to protect her."

Mom: "But..."

Dad: "Bye! I will pay my traditional respects to your uncles or anyone surname related to you." he grabs my bags and lets me walk out first.