JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

30

SWELIHLE MAJOLA

We were busy making dinner with mom who looked very much better than yesterday. She had went out with dad earlier for the entire day and she came back looking very better. Dad then left with my brothers.

Xoli: "How are you holding up mah?"

Mom: "I'm trying babe but i'm much better than yesterday. I'm just thankful that no one was hurt in that fire, everyone was evacuated from the building before the fire got worse." 

Junior: "You will get through this mama, don't worry. You are one strong woman." mom smiles and hugs us before thanking us. We are disturbed by footsteps, we turn and it's Melody.

Mom: "I didn't know you were here." she says wiping her hands and smiles at her.

Melody: "Oh?" she says staring at Xoli in a weird way.

Mom: "You okay baby?" she asks hugging her.

Melody: "I'm so sorry about your hospital mama." I could be exaggerating but how could she have known when she has been sleeping since yesterday noon. She hasn't come out of that guestroom since yesterday so where could she have gotten the news about mom's hospital?!

Mom: "Oh thank you babe." Junior rolls his eyes looking bored. He has been staring at Melody since she came down the stairs.

Melody: "Hey, Noxolo right?! Swe's friend?" she asks Xoli who has been occupied with mixing the cake batter.

Junior: "Why are you looking at her like that pho?!" he asks frowning.

Melody: "Looking at her like what?!"

Junior: "Like how you did!"

Melody: "Sisi, did my stare make you uncomfortable?!"

Xoli: "No." she whispers but I know she's lying.

Mom: "LJ, kahle kancane." she says and gets back to her pots. Melody pushes me aside, reaching for the fridge.

Me: "You could have simply asked me to move."

Melody: "Wena why are you standing in the way?!"

Me: "Mxm." Melody really annoys me sometimes, especially with her attitude. Just then, uncle Jerry walks in with dad and my brothers.

Uncle Jerry: "Beautiful ladies." he greets. I eye Melody and girl is blushing. I almost laugh when I notice that Junior is also looking at her.

Dad: "Sanibonani." he kisses mom and all our cheeks.

Mom: "You have been gone the whole day Lizwi."

Dad: "Yini, you missed me?"

Mom: "A lot baby." they kiss again. Melody and Uncle Jerry share a look then blush. Bhuti Sqalo clears throat.

Bhuti Sqalo: "Hawu ngeke mah! Baba! There are kids in the room."

Uncle Jerry: "Makoti, I'm hungry."

Mom: "Kanti what does Khanyi feed you?!" Melody chokes on the water she is drinking. In the corner of my eye, I see Junior smirk.

Me: "Hawu malume! We have an aunt?" I ask him sounding excited.

Mom: "Yeah, he introduced her the same week we flew to Cape Town. She is so beautiful and sweet bakithi."

Junior: "I can't wait to meet her."

Dad: "Anyways guys, I should have done this as soon as we walked in but it's fine. Meet my little girl, the baby of the family, Xoli." he says pulling Xoli in for a hug. Bhuti Fana frowns.

Fana: "Bafo?"

Dad: "It's a long story but just know that I never cheated on your mother."

Mom: "That's true. Please do not treat Xoli badly or make her uncomfortable." Bhuti Fana seems to relax abit after mom's assurance.

Fana: "We won't. Xoli, welcome sisi." he hugs her tightly and lets her go.

Sqalo: "Aww gojasi. I'm glad you my little sister. I will kill any boy that will dare come near you." Xoli giggles as bhuti Sqalo squeezes her in his arms.

Junior: "So bhuti Fana and bhuti Sqalo, when are you going to take us out as a welcome gesture for Xoli?!"

Fana: "Aybo! I will take Xoli out alone, nina nizozibona!" I hear Melody sucking her teeth before she leaves the room.

Junior: "And then?!"

Uncle Jerry: "I guess this pregnancy is going to be a long one and it's making her moody."

Mom: "Pregnant?! She is pregnant?!" she asked looking shocked as we are. Uncle Jerry seems shocked, I guess he didn't mean to spill the beans.

Uncle Jerry: "Did i just say pregnancy?! My bad, I meant periods." he says chuckling nervously.

Dad: "How would you know she's on her period?!"

Uncle Jerry: "She asked me to get her a few things earlier yesterday." Everyone just stares at him quietly for a moment before going back to fussing over Xoli.