SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 12

KGOMOTSO

And I wake up in a hospital. For the second time.
Mahlodi is here.
I look around and she's the only one next to me.

Kgomotso: "What happened?" I finally ask.

Mahlodi: "You collapsed." My eyes widen. "But the doctor says that you're fine. The baby's fine too. He says it's miracle it's still alive."

But for some reason, it's not the product of me and Lesego's work that I'm worried about, but it's Lebone and Rele that I'm worried about.
I really messed up.
Gosh I messed up!

Kgomotso: "Hlodi."

Mahlodi: "Motso."

Kgomotso: "This wasn't supposed to happen." I say with my eyes getting watery.

Mahlodi: "What are you talking about?"

Kgomotso: "The accident. It's all my fault."

I'm full of regret.

Mahlodi: "Kgomotso--"

Kgomotso: "I had to tell Rele that Lebone slept with another man. It wasn't supposed to come to this." I confess.

Right now I'm absent-minded and I've forgotten that Mahlodi doesn't know anything. That's how scared I am.
I've just revealed this thing that was supposed to be a secret but I'm not too worried about that either.
I'm praying she won't ask me questions about this later.
I don't have time to explain to her anyway.

Mahlodi: "Motso…" Her eyes widen.

I'm crying.

Kgomotso: "What if she doesn't make it? What if they both don't make it? What am I going to tell Lebone's sister?"

Mahlodi: "No. Let's not think that, Motso. Think about the baby, please."

I can't. Not when things are a mess.
I just need Rele and Lebone alive and then I'll think about my unborn baby.

MARTIN

I had to drive to the highest speed to get here.
We can't lose yet another brother.
We can't afford to.
I find Thato by the reception, along with Kaone.
He looks restless, like he's about to lose his mind.

"Thato." I say. "Any updates?"

Thato: "This stupid doctor won't tell us anything!"

"Calm down, Thato." Kaone says.

My phone rings. It's my girlfriend, Sbahle.

Martin: "Babe."

Sbahle: "Are you okay? Did you make it safely?"

Martin: "I'm fine."

Sbahle: "And your brother?"

Martin: "So far, nothing."

Sbahle: "Okay then."

Martin: "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

Sbahle: "Okay, babe. Bye."

Martin: "Bye."

As I look up, I find her eyes piercing into mine with her hands on her waist.
A scoff emits from her.

Kaone: "I can't believe it. I really can't."

Martin: "What?"

Kaone: "So is this who you left us for? Babe?"

Martin: "What are you on about?"

Thato: "Baby, baby--"

Kaone: "Yeyi!" She raises her hand at Thato and she looks back at me. "You know Khumbuzile knows so much about this family and let you just let her go like she was a piece of rubbish?"