Nonhlanhla - Fortunate

Nine

"Yebo Ma, sesfikile (Hi mom, we have arrived"), " That's wonderful my dear, I am about to leave church now but I will open the gate for you, so you can wait for me inside. I am so happy and I can't wait to see you nomzukulwana wam (my grandson)". "He is excited to see you too Ma, the gate just opened and I'm driving in now. Please drive safely."

"I will. Bye bye".

Her call dropped and I drove into my mother in law's yard. I switched off the car and took a deep breath in and out, leaning back into my seat. I glanced at the back seat to make sure my baby was still asleep and I saw his chest still heaving but thankfully asleep.

Leaning forward, I cross arms on the steering wheel and lay my head on my arms. I swallow the sound that wants to come out of my mouth from the ache I feel in my chest. My body is shaking and the tears just stream down my face.

Its been days since I have slept through the night, I can feel the exhaustion creeping up on me and yet I can't rest. My mind is so muddled and confused, I have too many unanswered questions and the only person who can answer them all, is sitting far away in a jail cell.

After I got home from seeing Warren, for a while, it felt like I was in a trance, cleaning, sorting clothes, cooking food. I was doing everything I could to keep busy so I wouldn't have to think about my new reality. My new life.... without the person I thought was the love of my life.

Hleli called to check on me and as always, she knew I wasn't ok and demanded that we stay the night at her place. I didn't have the strength to argue with her nor did I want to spend the night by my self, so I was packing for our sleepover when a knock came from the front door.

I wasn't expecting visitors but I opened the door and immediately wished I hadn't. Two big men barged into the house followed by a woman who was about my age. She was tall and slim, dress from head to toe in black leather clothes and boots.

" Yyyou can't come in, I didn't invite you in! who are you? What do you want from me?" I asked while stumbling back from the door. They completely ignored me and the woman just walked around my house, touching here and there like she owned the place.

When I tried to go to her, I was stopped by one of the men and forced to sit down. His hands were on my shoulders, pressing me into my seat, forcing me to stay still while the other guy closed the door.

Khanya was still asleep and I didn't want to put him in danger, so I tried to keep as calm as possible but my heart was almost beating out of my chest with fear. The woman stopped in front of our family photos and looked at each one with interest. "You know, in these pictures he almost looks ... normal..."

I know she's talking about Warren but I still don't know who she is or why she is here. "Who are you? What do you want from me? Please just tell me, maybe.."

"Maybe what?!" She turned sharply to glare at me. "You will give me what I want and I will leave you alone. If only it were that easy." She finally walked towards me and sat in a chair facing me. She waved her hand for the guy holding me down to let me go and he did. He stepped away from me but I could still feel his presence behind me.

"You can call me Fred, and I know your husband through his ... other work. I have a message for you from his other employer."

She takes out a cigarette as if to start smoking, "please don't, I have asthma.." I tell her. She gives me a look and then puts the cigarette back in the pack, "of course you do." She says rolling her eyes. "The point is that I have a message for you, from our boss. He said to tell you that you don't have to be scared and afraid of anything, we will protect you, as long as Warren keeps his side of the deal."