SIMPHIWE: HER LAST

Chapter 18

KGOMOTSO

"Kgomotso, you are a first-time mother, do you understand that?! You just became a mother! You are a widow! Do you realise that?"

All this talking and all I can hear is silence.

Kgomotso: "Mma, I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

Mama: "Don't you see what you're doing is taboo? It's not even been a year since you've buried your husband, but already you're going into another man's arms with your new-born?! Are you out of your mind?"

Simphiwe has been waiting for me.
I told them last night.
I told them that I was going back to Joburg now that my baby has turned three months old.

Yes, we're back together.
He was right. I still love him.
And it somehow doesn't feel weird. It feels right.

Kgomotso: "Mma le papa. Thank you for being such amazing parents and even helping me to take care of my son, but I have to go. Le šaleng gabotse."

My bags are waiting outside. Simphiwe probably took them.
I can hear my mother shouting my name as I walk out.
My father is in disbelief and that's why he has been quiet this whole time.
But honestly, this feels right.
I'm going to where my heart belongs. Where my heart should have been.
Lesego must be turning his grave. But I don't care. Not anymore.

He's already put my bags in the car.
Sihle is here too?
Oh, No wonder he came with Sihle's Polo GTI.
Yoh! And they've been blasting maskandi music since they arrived.

Kgomotso: "Hi Sihle."

Sihle: "Makoti. Awu, how is the little one?"

Kgomotso: "He's fine, but he's asleep."

Sihle: "Okay then. Let me help you get inside."

Kgomotso: "Thank you."

SIMPHIWE

He gets in the passenger seat next to me once he's helped Kgomotso get in.
And immediately after I start the car, he plays "Ngafa" by Shwi No Mtekhala.
I laugh.

Sihle: "Bafo? Cha, usebenzile." He says. "I'm proud of you, bafo." He says as he dabs me.

Simphiwe: "Ngiyabonga bafo."

Sihle: "Let's take umakoti where she belongs."

KGOMOTSO

I don't know what is the purpose of Sihle blasting maskandi music, but it has making me laugh.
Maybe it's the thought of showing people that a Zulu man won my heart once again.
I don't know what it is, but I like it.
I left a screaming mother and a disappointed father and followed this Zulu man that's driving and it somehow feels right.
I can't believe I found my way back to him again. I thought it would never happen again.
But here we are, going back to Joburg with the man I once fell in love with 12 years ago with the cousin that has been like a brother to him.
I'm not gonna introduce him to my children yet. It's too soon. We just got back together and I don't want them to think I never loved their abusive uncle.
We're going to need to settle down first, like we agreed when we spoke over this.
I hate how Simphiwe tricked me to falling in love with him again. He still has that charm that he had 12 years ago.
It's now my job to make sure he gains weight again.
I hate how insanely loveable he still is after all these years...