After Love

Chapter 4 - Girls Need Love

Yesterday felt unreal. I was glad that the Khuzwayo's agreed to a DNA test but that only lessened the possibility of Oratilwe not being mine. I wondered how Lonwabo would welcome me at the airport this morning, l couldn't call her last night. I just texted her saying her family agreed to a DNA test and after that, we will discuss damages.

I knew I couldn't tell her that they wanted lobola. Namisa's family insisted that it wasn't fair for me to expect Ora to grow up with her parents living in two separate homes but Namisa and I weren't on that path anymore and I wasn't sure we would be again. However I'm sure having us stay longer was part of their plan to get Namisa and I to talk but we had to leave, my mother had a wedding to attend today and I had to be home because today's the day Loni will be moving in.

Our flight was delayed by an hour, so it meant Lonwabo had to wait longer for us to land, she was already nervous about meeting my mother and this delay meant she would miss her doctor's appointment.

"She's beautiful, you've done well son". My face turned red. I can't believe my mom said that. I was red and Lonwabo was blushing. Couldn't she have started with 'Hello' or 'Hi'?

My uncles were going to go to the wedding directly and Kyle was waiting for Jessica so they could get started on moving Loni's things in, so it was just the three of us in the car. As much as I was happy to see Loni, I was happy my mother was here, it gave me a little time before Loni and I would have to go into detail about what transpired during the negotiations. I packed our bags in her boot and off we went.

This was the second time I introduced someone to my mother. They were opposite personalities. My mother always had her hair done and makeup was part of her everyday look, while Lonwabo would have to convince herself an event really required her to put eye shadow on. They both weren't shy in nature but the car ride was really quiet. My mother was normally bubbly and welcoming but today she locked her tongue away, I wasn't sure if it was because of the 7 AM flight or she was afraid to get too close and adopt another daughter, only to lose her after a few years.

We drove for 20 minutes in silence, my mother adjusting her hair every five minutes and Loni and I giving one another quick looks in the rearview mirror. I reached from the backseat to turn on the radio but my mother quickly hit my hand away. I forgot she never drove with the radio on when there were people in the car. She preferred conversation. In her attempt to end the silence, she asked the wrong question. "So when are you two having kids?".

It was a joke. I knew it was a joke. I'm sure Loni knew it was a joke. It was supposed to be an ice breaker but I felt my body turn cold. I never told her about Loni's secret, it wasn't my place to say but had I said it, this could have been avoided. I started to whisper a silent prayer, hoping the heavens swallow me until I heard Loni giggle. "I took your son to work with me one day, it was aftercare and he was doing well until the kids woke up. After five minutes he wanted to run away Ma", she laughed. "We have Oratilwe Mme. Let's see how your son handles her before I add five or six more".

"Five more?", my mother exclaimed. "Angelo, I like this girl."

They continued their conversation with seeming completely comfortable and ignoring my existence. One again I found myself invisible in a relationship but this time it was in a good way. My mother made sure to bring up embarrassing childhood memories and Lonwabo made enquiries about how I liked my meals. It was good seeing them get along. We made a stop at Norkem Mall for breakfast then drove my mother to her house in Kempton Park and made our way to the Vaal.