SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 9

MODIEGI

"This fro-yo is the bomb!" Yvonne says.

It took a whole lot of convincing for my sister to actually approve. Sis'K also helped and we promised to wash all the dishes today.

Right now though, we're in my room, trying to find an outfit for me to wear tomorrow.
At some point I thought about it and thought, 'why the heck am I putting on all this effort for a guy I'm vibing with when I have a boyfriend all the way in the North West'?
But, nonetheless, we're here, trying to put two to three pieces of items together to make a killer outfit for tomorrow. Or maybe I should just opt for a jumpsuit instead. All this effort is tiring.

Modiegi: "Girl, the outfit. Not the fro-yo. That can wait for later."

Yvonne: "But it will melt by the time we're done."

Modiegi: "Yvonne!" I say.

Yvonne: "Argh, fine!" She says rolling her eyes.

She comes and completely takes over my wardrobe, taking out each piece of clothing one by one.

Yvonne: "Why are we punishing ourselves for this guy anyway? I thought Thuto was the main man? I thought you and Andile were just vibing? You actually like Andile, don't you?"

Modiegi: "Not in the same way I like Thuto."

Yvonne: "Then why are you going all out for Andile?"

I don't know how to answer this question, actually.

Modiegi: "Look, instead of criticising me, help me out with an outfit." I say in my defense.

Yvonne: "I haven't even met the Thuto guy myself but it looks like if he asked you to jump off a building you'd protest, but if Andile asked you to do the same you'd ask him how high."

I'm left completely speechless.
Wasn't she the same person who said I should play my cards right like she has experience?

Modiegi: "But that's not true." Is all I can utter.

Yvonne: "Then prove me wrong." She jumps in. "Prove me wrong, Mo."

I'm in a complete standstill.

RELEBOGILE

This place has been chaotic since I came here. People coming and going as they please in this house.
Oh well, we are in the township and this is a family function so there will be people who come here just to get drunk.
I've never seen my mother so proud. Heck, I've only known her for two weeks but she looks prouder than ever. The way she brags about her daughter getting married in a few months.
Mmabatho and Lethabo sure are lucky to have a mother like that. They don't know what it's like having a negligent mother and they should grateful for that.

I watch them take pictures with their uncles - Mmabatho and Lethabo.
They look so happy.
Lethabo glances at me.

"Rele, come!" She says.

Reluctantly, I join them.

Lethabo: "You're family now. Everyone knows about you all thanks to Mama."

That statement just made me smile.

"Everybody smile." The guy who's been taking pictures of them says.

I'm surprised that even at 10PM, the house is still busy with old R&B music playing in the background and the house being chaotic and full of elderly inside. Kids running around, babies walking round, some asleep in separate rooms, teenagers in another room probably getting up to no good.
I've never had that. I've ever got to be in family gatherings to see drunk uncles sing along to songs and causing trouble.
I don't know what it's like to know your maternal side of the family and actually enjoy being there and preferring them over your paternal side.
I've never had that before.
It feels weird, yet somehow it feels good.
I feel at home.
I am at home.