Ntandwenhle : If Only Yesterday Was Tomorrow

CHAPTER 1

''I've done it," I said in disbelief. I've been waiting forever for this day, and it's here, finally. ''It's over!'' I exclaimed out of joy. We're free. Well, we would be if we'd move faster. We haven't got enough time.

I ran from the main bedroom to wake my kids up from their rooms. They looked so peaceful in their beds. I hated waking them up but I had no choice. We've tolerated this man's cruelty for far too long. Now was the time for us to claim our freedom. I had already called Nobuhle, my young sister who had forever been warning me about Mlungisi, my husband. She should be here at any moment from now.

"Sthembiso, Sthabile wake up,'' I whispered. Sthembiso woke up first. I could tell he was sleepy because he kept yawning. It took him a while to realize I was the one waking them up. He then shook Sthabile who slept with her thumb sucked.

"Mom what's going on?'' she asked as she woke up.

"We have to go. We're leaving right now. It's finally over. Sis Nobuhle is taking us somewhere else. We'll be happy like everyone else. You'll enjoy yourselves, I promise. Come on, get up," I said whilst still whispering.

"Can I take Angel with me?'' Stha asked already pointing at her teddy bear. My poor daughter. I hated doing this to her. She was only 7 but then it was for the best, it had to be done. She took Angel and we tiptoed to the living room. We couldn't exit via the kitchen door because that's where Mlungisi was. I went to look at his face one last time before I left. I could hear him coughing on the floor and he was breathing so heavily that I swore his tongue was all out. I almost cracked out of laughter when I saw him reaching his hand out to me as if asking for help. I wasn't about to save his life. I'd be foolish to after all he had put us through. He deserved to die like the dog that he was. I took a look at his house one last time and felt proud of myself. A car parking outside brought me back to my senses. I kept coughing as I made my way outside. I was certain it was Nobuhle. We, my kids and I, made our way to the gate. I was shocked to not see her there. It was Mlungisi's friend, Ntokozo who also happens to drive the same car as Nobuhle.

"Is Mlu ready? You know, the gents and I have been waiting for him since 18h00. He isn't answering his phone anymore. Ukhona la (is he here)?"

I violently pushed him aside and we ran to the end of the street. He kept screaming out my name wanting to know what's going on and we ran faster than before. Our freedom and safety were the only things that were in my mind. Those weren't worth risking over his petty 21 questions. The dogs started barking at us. Good thing people in this township had fences or else .... I'd rather not go there.

We arrived and spared a few minutes to catch our breath. We stood there a few more minutes until 'catching our breaths' turned to me really needing to breathe. I was now in a panic. There was no sign of Nobuhle. I tapped my pockets and found my phone. I tried calling her but it just went straight to voicemail. I called again and again ... and again. I was sweating by then and Sthembiso had given up already. He was seated on the tires outside Mr. Manyoni's house. There was a power cut and the streets went dark. If only my day wasn't bad enough for the universe, it had to become worse!

"Mommy I'm scared," Sthabile said while burying her face in my thighs, I was about to say something when I saw what looked like a car approach us. I said that 3-sec prayer, praying to God to let it be Nobuhle. She saw us first and then parked near us.

"Sthembiso come,'' I said. I picked Stha up and we rushed to Nobuhle. We got in the car and she started driving.

"You sure did take your time to come to us. I wonder what held you for so long,'' I said.

"But I-," she couldn't even respond.

"I don't even want to hear it. It must have been important to you hey. You even risked our chance of living freely like other South African citizens. Take us to safety,"