JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

52

SWELIHLE MAJOLA

It has been two weeks since we came back to Joburg and nothing much has changed, dad is still in hospital and he is still stuck in coma. Mom is a walking zombie ever since she came back and it really hurts seeing her like that. Mom made us move to a new house around Melville. This place is nice and quiet but I don't like it or maybe it's because I'm not familiar with it. It's a bit better though because all of us are home, my siblings that is, including Mahle. Oh Mahle had to quit her job in Cape Town so she's back home.

On the other hand, Gogoh has been making sure that everything is going accordingly and that we are studying. She has emphasised alot of times how much she doesn't want us to stress her daughter out. Gogo and bhuti were able to talk to the dean in letting us continue our classes and tests online.

Gogoh: "Swelihle, take that child and go bath her." she says pointing at a dirty Iyana. Almost her whole face was covered in chocolate and yoghurt, her clothes too.

Me: "Yana?"  I call out.

Iyana: "mmh." she hummed and continued licking her bowl that had yoghurt. Slowly but steadily she was starting to feel comfortable around all of us and her speech was improving a lot. Mom always makes sure to teach her some new words and things, she also makes her watch educational cartoons that translate into sign language. Well we all were forced to learn sign language now.

Me: "It's time for your bath babygirl, come." she signed 'bath' and shook her head.

Gogoh: "She will keep refusing if you don't pick her up."

Me: "Kodwa Gogoh! I am dressed up already, uzongingcolisa."

Gogoh: "manje?"

Me: "Iyana, come." she ignored me and ran off to the door. That's also one of her habits, running to stand behind the door whenever she hears a car parking outside. She probably thinks it's mom or bhuti Fana since she's not that friendly with her dad and it's funny to watch their constant bickering. The door handle rattles a bit, that was a signal we used to let Iyana know that the door is about to open so she must move away from the door. She stands aside and the door opens, bhuti Sqalo walks in. Iyana doesn't waste time holding onto his leg.

Sqalo: "Hi baby girl." he picks her up with one hand since his other hand is carrying plastic. Whenever they are together, it's like looking at photocopies. They look so much alike, even their long, thick eyelashes look the same.

Sqalo: "Come see what I bought for you."  he tells her disappearing to the kitchen with her. After a few minutes they come back with Iyana dancing carrying a packet of marshmallows in one hand and a KFC chicken piece in the other. I chuckle a bit. My phone pings so i take my bag.

Me: "Bhuti, you wil bath her. I have to be somewhere." I rush off before anyone can stop me. I find him parked two houses down the road.

Me: "Hey baby." I kiss him.

Dev: "You good beautiful?"

Me: "I'm coping."

Dev: "I'm sorry that was a dumb question." I smile faintly, feeling tears burn my eyes.

Dev: "Let's go have some cuddles neh?!" he asks wiggling his eyebrows. I giggle nodding.

Me: "But please buy food first."

Dev: "Definitely."

As soon as we get into his place, I change into his tshirt and boxer shorts. We sit on the floor with the food in front of us. He puts on my favourite series of 'The Big Bang Theory'. I'm grateful that he did, the belly laughs we share have me forgetting of the sombre feeling I have been feeling lately.

Dev: "So how is your dad?"

Me: "He is still the same. Still stuck in coma, mom is a walking zombie. She spends most of her time in the hospital and she refuses to eat. It's all depressing especially for Xoli. She recently found dad and now this?!"

Dev: "I'm sorry babe but I'm sure your dad will pull through though. The time I met him, he seemed like a pretty strong and stubborn man." I chuckle wiping my tears.

Me: "Stubborn?!"

Dev: "Yeah, I think he wouldn't let death win when he still has to deal with me."

Me: "Mxm you are crazy." I tell him laughing. He chuckles then grabs me by chin. He pulls my face closer to his and kisses me softly. I hold onto his arms for balance as I enjoy the kiss. He slides his hand underneath my tshirt and starts rubbing my perky breats, I quickly stop him, breaking the kiss while at it.

Dev: "What is it?"

Me: "Nothing. Can we not go overboard?!"

Dev: "You do know that I can pleasure you without any penetration, right?!" I nod.

Me: "Yes but I don't want that either. Can we just not do stuff that may make me crave more and make me want to lose my purity in a way that I might later regret."

Dev: "Oh?"

Me: "Listen Devone, I respect myself, I respect my parents and culture. In a few months, I'm turning 21 and I want to have my umemulo ceremony. I know it may not sound ideal to you or anything but please respect my wishes. If also it happens that you can't wait, let me know so I do not hold you back."

Dev: "It's not that babe, I totally understand you and your concerns."

Me: "Thank you."

Dev: "I am willing to wait babe. Does this mean I can't even touch you now?! Like-" I cut him off.

Me: "You can touch me but not in a sexual manner." he nods and kisses the side of my neck.