JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

73

SWELIHLE THANDOLWETHU MAJOLA

Ever since the doctor's visit with mom, I haven't had any peace. I have been anxious about mom telling dad about my pregnancy. I honestly thought she would tell him that evening but she hasn't all this time, maybe she is giving me a chance to tell dad myself. Honestly, I would rather mom be the one to tell dad rather than confessing.

I was currently in my room, finishing up an assignment. Devone has gone AWOL again and he is really getting on my last nerve with his acts.

Xoli walks in carrying a tray. She places it on my side table, it has a bowl of fruit salad, a side plate that has a slice of cake and a glass of water.

Me: "Thank you babe."

Xoli: "I'm just doing it for my niece." She whispers making me giggle.

Me: "Uyabonga ke naye loyo." She brushes my tummy.

Xoli: "You are still doing this assignment?!" I roll my eyes. This was an assignment of one module that we do together. Xoli is such a perfectionist (if I can call it that) she always has her work up to date, she does all her assignments right after receiving them and so she always wants us to do the same but then mina, I'm such a procrastinator and I don't like it.

Me: "I'm actually done, just need to add references." I tell her shoving some fruits in my mouth. The door bangs open, startling us both.

Dad: "Nosihle, phuma!"

Xoli: "Ba?!"

Dad: "PHUMA!" He shouts. Xoli takes the tray from my lap and places it on the table since my hands have started shaking. As soon as she walks out, I feel a lash on my arm making me jump off the bed.

Dad: "Swelihle!"

Me: "Babah?" My voice cracks.

Dad: "Ngathini kuwena ngaloya mfana wakho?!"

Me: "..."

Dad: "Fokof! Ngiyakhuluma phela!" He shouts, landing another lash on my body. I cry even louder. I mean, this man is using his leather belt.

Me: "Babah, ngiyaxolisa."

Dad: "Ungijwayela kabi wena!" He shouts while hitting me. He hits me until he is satisfied.

Dad: "Hlala la!" He points at my bed. I nervously sit as I keep brushing my painful bruises. When he takes a seat on my bed too, I move away from him.

Dad: "I won't hit you anymore." I wipe snot with my shaky hands as my tears keep pouring out of my eyes.

Me: "Ngiyaxolisa." I whisper crying. I honestly didn't expect such lash from my dad.

Dad: "Swelihle, didn't I warn you about your latest shenanigans?!"

Me: "You did."

Dad: "Wenzani wena?!"

Me: "I didn't listen."

Dad: "Tell me, does he know about your pregnancy?"

Me: "Yes." Dad scoffs.

Dad: "Then why hasn't he shown face in my yard?! Uyabona ukuthi udelela wena ebese edelela nami?!" I keep quiet, fiddling with my hands.

Me: "He hasn't been replying to my messages nor has he returned my calls." He scoffs again.

Dad: "Hhayi sobona." He says then walks out. I limp my way to the bathroom and take a short shower. I pack all my stationary stuff and place them on my study desk. I wear underwear and just climb on my bed. I take my phone and try distracting myself with Facebook to avoid thinking too much. My phone pings repeatedly with notifications. I check them and i have been tagged in our school group. There are pictures posted in the group, my heart beats fast as I wait for the pictures to fully download. My heart almost stops when I see that it's wedding pictures of Devone and his 'baby mama'. There is also a family picture of them both with three older people, I recognise one of the old women as Devone's mother.

Xoli: "Babes. I brought you..." She immediately rushes to me when she notices that I'm crying. She silently holds me in her arms. After some time, mom walks in

Mom: "Swelihle?" I clear my throat and reply.

Me: "Mah?"

Mom: "Let me see where your father hit you?!" She says already helping me off my gown. She clicks her tongue

Me: "Yazi uLizwi. He knows he isn't supposed to hit you kodwa yena buka wenzani!"

Gogo: "He-eh makoti. He did good. Umshayile and uSwelihle is okay, nothing broke kuyena." She scolds also walking in.

Gogo: "Swelihle, mntanami. You couldn't wait until you finished your studies kodwa?!"

Me: "I didn't mean to, Gogoh."

Gogo: "Ngizokusakaza ngende impama le. Don't you know about contraceptives?! Couldn't you go to your mom for any prevention measures maybe?! Or even uMahle?!"

Me: "I was embarrassed."

Gogo: "Buka ukuphi manje?!" She shakes her head.

Mom: "Why are you and Junior not talking? Did you guys fight?!"

Me: "No, he's angry at me because of my pregnancy."

Gogo: "Uyazihlanyisa loyo." She says and walks out with Xoli, leaving me alone with mom as she was still applying some ointment on my bruises. I take my phone and show her the pictures.

Mom: "What's this?"

Me: "Devone mama." I cry.

Mom: "What?!" I start telling her how he lied to me about how that woman meant nothing to him and how he even made me talk to his mother. I really don't care how angry she is with me at the moment but I needed to vent to her. I wanted her to comfort me and promise me that everything will be alright.