Ruslan: amour this is my son Carl....my boy this is the woman that owns my heart...the one that my heart beats for
Carl: nice to finally put a face to the person my dad can’t seem to shut up about
***they laughed and hugged***
Ruslan: don’t score points with my name boy
Carl: im not scoring any points dad im just telling her the truth
Thandi: leave my boy alone please
***She said looking at Ruslan and Carl stuck his tongue to his dad and Ruslan laughed***
Carl: Carl one and Ruslan zero
***They laughed out loud then the boys came down stairs and they greeted Carl then Mpilo went to Ruslan and held his hand***
Ruslan: ummm boys I want you to meet my other son, your big brother Carl...son this is your younger brothers Mpilo and Mpendulo
Carl: sup
***he said to Mpe***
Mpe: sho
***Carl looked at Ruslan and he chuckled***
Ruslan: it means “hi”
Carl: ohw ok....sho
***He said to Mpe and Mpe chuckled***
Mpe: you can call me Mpe
Mpilo: you can call me Mr Pilot
***he said with his soft voice and they laughed***
Carl: nice to meet you Mr Pilot
Thandi: umm Carl you are not a guest here...this is your home ok
Carl: yes mam...thank you
Thandi: its Ma or mom to you...Mpe help your brother with his bags to the other bedroom that next to yours
***then she looked at Carl***
Thandi: go and freshen up then come down to eat
Carl: ok
***he followed Mpe up the stairs and Mpilo followed them***
Ruslan: thank you amour
***he said pulling her closer and he kissed her forehead***
Thandi: for what?
***she asked confused***
Ruslan: for welcoming him with open arms
Thandi: he’s your son and that makes him my son too
***he perked her lips***
Ruslan: I love you so much
***she blushed***
Thandi: I love you too baby
***he brushed her baby bump***
----------
INSIDE CARL’S BEDROOM
***he took his phone and dialed a number until someone answered***
Voice: hello
Carl: Tanequa its Carl
Nequa: you son of a....where the hell are you boy!!!
***she shouted and Carl sighed***
Carl: I just wanted to tell you im safe so don’t be going to the popo to open a missing person’s case aiyt
***she laughed***
Nequa: don’t make me ask you again boy....
Carl: im away from you and your boyfriend that’s all you need to know
***she huffed***
Carl: your so called new boyfriend doesn’t love you he’s just using you to get to me so he’ll use me as bait to get dad
***she laughed her ass off***
Nequa: boy stop sniffing dog’s shit....are you out of your mind....who the hell do you think you are...are you fucken out of your mind
***Carl sighed***
Carl: I know you don’t believe me like you didn’t believe me when I said I liked boys and not girls and you made me sleep with your friend Shenice to prove that im straight...your friend raped me!!!
Nequa: ooh shut up she didn’t rape you...she made you taste how good pussy is...you fai....
Ruslan: what!!!
*** he said behind Carl and Carl froze for a few seconds then he dropped the call***
Ruslan: when did this happen.....
***he asked with almost a whisper Carl kept quiet***
Ruslan: RUSLAN CARLOS MAHAMADOU IM TALKING TO YOU!!!
***he raised his voice startling him***
Carl: when I was....i was sixteen
***he said with a shaky voice looking scared***
Ruslan: why didn’t you tell me...
***he asked trying to control his anger but the cold air that is suddenly felt inside the room was clear indication that he was failing dismally***
Carl: dad she....
***he breathed out and sat down facing down***
Carl: it was horrible cause I couldn’t even get an erection even though I saw her friend naked infront of me....Tanequa made take me some pills and suddenly I had an erection and.....
***he sighed***
Carl: she said if I tell you or anyone else she’ll disown me and hate me forever.....she said she did all that so I’ll stop being gay cause it’s a disgrace to her to have a moffie as a son....after a few months I still felt violated so I spoke to a counselor at school and she helped me...i still talk to her from time to time when it’s one of those days
Thandi: baby something is wrong......with the....lights...in the the...house
***She looked around as she heard wind like sounds in the room and Carl quickly go up***
Thandi: Ruu?....baby what’s wrong
Carl: dad...ummm please calm down....you’ll scare Tha...mom...remember she’s pregnant and stress is....
Ruslan: so she had you raped by her friend
***Carl looked at Thandi and he looked down***
Thandi: what???
Ruslan: she had my son raped!!!
***he said with his body shaking***
Thandi: baby....Ruu you need to calm down
****she pleaded with him until she reached him and held his arm***
Thandi: I don’t know what’s going on but baby it sounds like your...our son was violated, he needs your hug and to be comforted and not you looking angry like this towards him.....
Ruslan: he was sixteen amour...sixteen....i always knew something was wrong with him but I thought it’s because he was a teen and that the rejection of his mothers’ family is what made him so distance emotionally
Thandi: now you know baby so be there for him...calm down now....your other sons are freaking out with the flicking of lights downstairs
***Carl cleared his throat***
Carl: so ya’ll are gonna comfort each other in front of me.....you do know dad was supposed to rush out and you’ll rush after him and you’ll find him sitting down crying and you’ll comfort him...not this things you all are doing...ya’ll are weird parents
***they both looked at him surprised, he shook his head and walked to the door***
Carl: nigga is famished....you’ll find me downstairs
***he walked out leaving them shocked***
Thandi: what just happened?
Ruslan: he doesn’t shock me anymore.....he takes after his uncle Castiel
Thandi: yho another Castiel...haowa bathong
***Ruslan chuckled then he sighed and he went to sit down on the bed and Thandi joined him***
----------
***Amo was lying in bed lost in thoughts....she still couldn’t believe that her own macho father slept with younger men .....a whole pastor***
Amo: but at least he wasn’t a demon or mentally unstable
***she tried to comfort herself then tears ran down her cheeks***
Amo: oooh God
***she then heard a knock on her bedroom door and she quickly wiped her tears***
Amo: come in
***the door opened and her brother Modise walked in.....he looked different with a beard and nicely cut haircut***
Amo: abuti ( brother)
Modise: Amogelang
***he said sitting on the edge of the bed***
Modise: what are you doing here
***she frowned***
Amo: askies
Modise: o nyakang mo....o nyetswe akere so obatlang mo ( what are you doing here...you’re married so what are you doing here)
Amo: bathong abuti
Modise: keng he showed you his true colors right?
Amo: what true colors
Modise: then why are you back home le di porogwane tsa gao ( with your things)
***she looked at him and she could see the was something different about him....he wasn’t that soft spoken church going man anymore***
Amo: things just didn’t work out
Modise: so keng mathata a na le wena? ( so what you’re the one with the problem?)
Amo: ofcourse not
Modise: then keng?...bolela ( then what...talk)
Amo: I don’t like your tone Modise
Modise: what tone....Ma said you left cause of his family secrets....my question is o tsena kae wena moo....o tsena kae ko diphiring tsa ko gaabo mmmmh ( what has that got to do with you...where do you fit in concerning his family secrets mmmhhh)
***She looked at him with an angry look on her face***
Modise: my wife knows about our family secret...the fact that our father ne e le stabane ( was gay)...a ja marago a banna ( sleeping with other men)) but she’s still married to me and she still respect me cause she knows gore my father being a crook...a fraud...a liar and stabane (gay) has got nothing to do with her even though it has brought nothing but hurt and shame but she loves me Amo...that woman loves me and im very lucky to have her in my life....now im asking you again...ungenaphi wena? ( where do you fit in)
***Amo had tears in her eyes***
Amo: his family has people who have demons inside of them and they love it....some have multiple personalities and they are all gangsters
***Modise sighed***
Modise: you have a child with this man Amogelang so if she inherits their demons and whatnots then are you going to abandon her or kill her?
Amo: Lile is my child Modise
Modise: and Jabu is your husband
Amo: im not going back there Modise....you don’t know what I’ve been through ok....that demon attacked me and even my so called husband didn’t believe me when I told him
Modise: why did it attack you....or is it maybe that you’re a prayerful woman and your prayers burned him?
***she cleared her throat***
Amo: yes
Modise: then whatever decision you make I’ll support you....if only you listened to me when I warned you about Jabu but you let his money and flashy lifestyle blind you
***she swallowed and he got up ***
Modise: give it a few weeks before you make a decision cause you’re human after all so you might change your mind
****then he walked out and she breathed out***
Voice: so you lie....you lied against me....have I attacked you every time you pray, why are you humans so evil but you call us demons evil where else you’re worse than us
***she screamed and jumped out of bed running out***
----------
KZN......
***Castiel hugged Carl and he hugged him back after some time they broke it***
Castiel: damn why do you look like me boy....you want your daddy to accuse me of fucking your mother behind his back
***Carl laughed***
Ruslan: fuck off Castiel
***Ruslan and Carl left going straight to Castiel’s house from the airport while Jabu, their grandfather, Heath and Naledi went straight to the Khumalo household....Thandi decided to stay back after her grandmother warned her about going to a funeral while pregnant...she left with Heath’s kids, Jabu’s son and her own to Atteridgeville ( to her grandparents’ house)***
Castiel: what he looks like me
Ruslan: he has only your eyes
***he said with a bored tone***
Ruslan: and this is your beautiful aunt Phumi
Castiel: why did you put in beautiful to your sentence?
***he asked with a serious tone***
Ruslan: cause she is, just like MY son looks like you
***Phumi laughed***
Carl: you’re like him?
***she nodded as they briefly hugged...she couldn’t hug him longer cause she was still a new born***
Carl: I love your hair cut and your smile is beautiful
Phumi: thank you
Carl: and those curves aunt-girl....damn
***Phumi laughed out loud while Cass and Ruu just shook their heads***
Phumi: you’re no longer leaving....you’re living with us here
***laughter***
Carl: I need to see the little Vamp
Castiel: little Vamp is those shaved manly legs of yours
Carl: im sure they look better than yours uncle
***he stuck his tongue out at him and Ruslan laughed so did Phumi as she and Carl walked away***
Castiel: tsek sani!!!
***Then Ruslan sighed and Castiel pulled a serious face***
Castiel: I want that bitch running mad....if she wasn’t his mother I’d kill her myself and as for that friend of hers I want her dead
***Ruslan sat down***
Ruslan: he was violated and I didn’t even know it
***he said with a pained voice***
Castiel: in Zulu they say ophilisayo akazivezi (the healer doesn’t diagnose himself)
*** Ruslan raised an eyebrow looking at him***
Castiel: even an expect needs help from others....you got help from his counselor, he/she helped him heal and deal with what he experienced and we should be thankful for that
***Ruslan sighed***
Ruslan: I guess
Castiel: just be there for the boy and also deal with those two bitches....make her run mad but not too much she must still see what’s happen in our world so the fucken guilt eats her up day by day
Ruslan: don’t worry I got this
Castiel: I know you do
***he squeezed his shoulder and Ruslan flinched***
Ruslan: the fuck...you want to break my bones
***Cass laughed***
Castiel: pussy
***he said getting up***
----------
*** Jabu is smoking in the backyard....the stress of his marriage is weighing him down, he has been feeling down and stressed out....he found an sms from Amo saying that she wants a divorce....he tried to ignore how that hit him hard by keeping busy or joining in with the conversations the guys had but it was hard.....he couldn’t believe his marriage is about to end just like that ***
Voice: Javas?
***a female voice said behind him and he turned and frowned at the woman***
Woman: you don’t remember me do you
***she said smiling at him but he kept a straight face***
Jabu: am I supposed to
***she swallowed cause that sounded rude***
Woman: ummm.....im sorry to bother you
***she attempted to walk away but he stopped her***
Jabu: wait
***she turned and faced him***
Jabu: harde man....ngivuke ngo left ( sorry man...i woke up on the wrong side of the bed)....uthi how do we know each other
Woman: ummm your grandmother once help my family to locate my brother who went missing for three months and we found him buried in the woods, he was killed by a serial killer who targeted gay men...he was buried in a shallow grave with other gay men the guy killed...Lorraine is my name and I was with....
***he interrupted her***
Jabu: wait....Lolly?
***she smiled looking down***
Lorraine: yep the one and only
***he looked at her with his eyes popped out....he couldn’t believe how grown she is***
Jabu: damn eeh o godile man ( you’re grown man)
***she laughed as they hugged***
Jabu: I remember ne o le slender malailai nyana ka short hair le seriba nyana ( you used to be slender with a short hair with your forehead popping out)
***they broke the hug and Lorraine kept laughing ***
Loraine: bathong
Jabu: but bona nou....o nale dicurv(a) ebile o papara di wig ( but look now....you have curves you even wear wigs)
***she laughed***
Lorraine: I see you haven’t changed one bit
Jabu: change for who...for the why?
***she laughed some more***
Jabu: o shapo mara? ( are you good)
***she nodded***
Lorraine: been through some things but im still standing
Jabu: mmhhh ..... so how has your family been since that time
Lorraine: mama passed away few months after we buried Sbonelo
***she said with a low tone***
Jabu: eish san....harde man ntwana ( sorry man)
***she just shrugs***
Lorraine: its life I guess...at least that evil guy died in prison in the most painful way...so wena how have you been
***he sighed***
Jabu: ahh life e tlao tshwara ka di washene askere mara im a survivor so ke tlo ba shap ( life will humble you but im a survivor so I’ll be fine)
***she saw the wedding band***
Lorraine: married
***she said pointing at the ring and he faintly smiled***
Jabu: yeah
Lorraine: wow congratulations
Jabu: sho.... so wena dintshang ka love life ya gao ( so what’s up with your love life)
Lorraine: was once married but as time went by he showed me his true colors by displaying how much of a piece of shit he is
Jabu: fuck him....
***she laughed and he joined her....it’s now that he looked at her....like really looked at her and he couldn’t believe how grown and beautiful she is***
Lorraine: any kids?
Jabu: yeah two...a boy and a girl
Lorraine: wow
Jabu: yeah and wena
***she sighed***
Lorraine: the piece of shit made me lose her when I was 7 months
***Jabu’s face hardened***
Jabu: what did he do?
***she swallowed and kept quiet***
Jabu: he abused you?
***she nodded then she faintly smiled***
Lorraine: at least I managed to leave him while im still alive
***he clenched his jaws***
Jabu: is he in jail
Lorraine: he and his wealthy father threatened me not to open a case against him but at least he forced him to give me the divorce I’ve always wanted
Jabu: what?
Lorraine: yeah...im just glad im alive and im doing good now...anyway I saw Shaka and his beautiful wife...i can’t believe he’s married
***They laughed as they remembered how wild he was back then.....Then they saw Menzi walking towards them and Lorraine sighed***
Menzi: sho
***he said to Jabu with a serious look on his face as he got to them***
Jabu: mmh
Menzi: ive been looking for you khanti you’re back here
***she sighed***
Lorraine: yeah im catching up with an old friend
Menzi: mmh...its late I should go and drop you off
Lorraine: I’ll drive myself home Menzi don’t worry
Menzi: I worry cause you’ll be driving out there alone...masambe ( lets go)
Lorraine: can you just stop...please
***she said through her teeth***
Menzi: lets go over there and talk
*** he said with a serious tone and she smiled faintly at Jabu ***
Lorraine: I’ll be back....don’t move...please
***he just nodded once and she went with Menzi***
Menzi: so you talk to me like that in front of strangers Nomusa?
Lorraine: why are you acting like this Ngcobo?
Menzi: don’t change the subject!!!
Lorraine: are we perhaps dating Menzi?....the last time I checked your girl just lost her baby....you should be comforting her cause she needs you now more than ever and not stand here telling me what to do and what not to do
***Menzi chuckled ***
Menzi: so now you fuck married men....i guess you’re no different from Kazi
Lorraine: askies?
Menzi: I thought you were different Lorraine.... but you’re a whore like the rest of them....im sure that’s why that ex-husband of yours divorced your ass!!!
***she slapped him hard on his cheek***
Lorraine: uyinja Menzi and I hope Kazi leaves your sorry ass.... and for your own information that guy’s grandmother once helped me and my family in a big way when I was still young...i haven’t seen him for many years and that’s why we were catching up but because....
***She felt a hand on her lower back and she blinked fast trying to fight back her tears***
Jabu: you don’t owe this fool any explanation....i know metete ya go tswana le yena....ke di fokon hond nxa ( I know assholes like him...they are fucken dogs)
Menzi: uthini wena ( what did you just say)
Jabu: a ke ngangisane le bafana san ( I don’t argue with boys boy)
***he looked at Lorraine***
Jabu: a re vaiye ( lets go)
***he walked away***
Lorraine: im disappointed in you Menzi...very disappointed
***she then followed Jabu and Menzi just clenched his jaws and he sighed.....his phone rang and he clicked his tongue when he saw Kazi’s name plastered on his phone screen***
Menzi: ja ( yes)
**** He said with an annoyed tone and she kept quiet a bit***
Kazi: you now I remembered the day you knocked on my door looking for someone then you told me you’ll come back for me and I should be single when you do
***Menzi sighed***
Kazi: I remember how you were happy when I was pregnant with the twins and how everything went south starting from the time I was shot and kidnapped
***He swallowed hard***
Kazi: I understand im also to be blamed for what happened to me and our break up and im sorry for my part
***he frowned***
Menzi: what do you mean for our break up?
***she sniffed***
Kazi: can you believe your late wife’s cousin Lele is a cleaner here at the hospital and she told me something that just broke my heart even further
Menzi: you saw Lele?
***he asked with his heart beating fast***
Kazi: yes...she told me your wife is the one responsible for my babies’ death...she left a suicide note....what hurts the most is you knew about it and you kept quiet
***Menzi swallowed hard***
Kazi: i..
***he interrupted her***
Menzi: its not like that Ntandokazi
Kazi: but you know what Menzi it doesn’t matter anymore...im done Menzi, I’ve got no fight left in me....im leaving with my mother...please lose my numbers
Menzi: what do you mean by...
***tu tu tu...she dropped the call.....he tried to call her back and it send him straight to voicemail...he brushed his head closing his eyes for a bit***
Menzi: shit
***he then took out his business phone and dialed her numbers and luckily they started ringing***
Kazi: hello
***she said with a low tone***
Menzi: please don’t hang up
***she kept quiet***
Menzi: im sorry....im really sorry Ntandokazi...i...i just
***he sighed***
Menzi: anger is what made me say all those things to you....i didn’t mean them...i still love you
Kazi: no.... falling for that woman Lorraine or whatever her name is, is what made you say all those things to me Menzi, if you still loved me Menzi and you genuinely knew how much that baby meant to me you wouldn’t have said I purposely miscarried to go after Phumi’s man freely...Anyway i hope she makes you happy and...
Menzi: it was just lust baby....i don’t love her I swear....i was just using her cause I was hurt by you having feeling for Phumi’s man
Kazi: its too late Menzi
Menzi: no its not...look im on my way to you, we will talk when I get there
Kazi: I got discharged and im going away for some time....i hope she makes you happy
Menzi: Ntandokazi don’t do this
Kazi: bye Menzi
Menzi: NTANDOKAZI... please....
***tu tu tu...she dropped the call and he brushed his head walking away.....he tried her numbers again and they send him straight to voicemail***
Menzi: damn it...
***he walked away and on the way to the front yard he walked past Lorraine and Jabu, he had a worried look on his face....Lorraine wanted to ask him if he’s ok but she thought against it and let him be...he was busy pressing his phone hurrying towards the gate going to where he parked his car***
Jabu: o shap?
***she cleared her throat looking down***
Lorraine: yeah
Jabu: wa mo frostana neh ( you like him)
***she frowned then she swallowed***
Lorraine: he has a girlfriend Jabu
Jabu: that’s not what I asked you
***she kept quiet***
Jabu: never settle for less Lolly.... that’s one thing I learned from Mshikaro
***they looked at him talking to Naledi....you could see the love between them....he was making her blush ***
Jabu: you see them....they stopped settling for less now look at them now
***she swallowed looking away....and Jabu sighed thinking about Amo...about how she’s also not settling for less...he clenched his jaws as his heart broke some more cause that meant he was the “less” part for her***
Jabu: e re ka bowa ( im coming back)
***then he walked away taking out his phone and he made a call***
Voice: Amo’s phone hello
***it was a male voice and his heart skipped a beat***
Jabu: Modise?
Voice: umm no...who’s this?
Jabu: what are you doing with my wife’s phone san
***the man chuckled***
Voice: ooh if it isn’t Jabu the gangster....wa bona mfana... ours are written in the stars....she’s my soul mate....im a very patient man so I’ll wait until your divorce is final then I’ll make her mine.....im God’s favorite and he told me she will come back to me when the time is right and walaaah she’s on her way back to me....your type should be those shebeen going straatmates and not bo sister Amo...bao ke ba rena ( those ones are ours)
***Jabu chuckled as his anger hit roof top...he suddenly knew who he was talking to....to think Amo went to him angered him the most***
Amo: what are you doing with my phone
Man: ooh it was ringing nonstop...take its your husband...ne ke mmotsa gore o ko ntle a tshwarenyana ( I was telling him you’re outside he should hold on for a bit)
***Jabu was just listening trying to calm himself down***
Amo: ooh ok
***he then heard some shuffling***
Amo: Jabu
Jabu: so le yela bofebe ko kerekeng Amogelang....ga le sa yela lefoko la modimo le yela pipi!! ( so you’re going to church to whore around Amogelang....you’re no longer going there for the word of God you go there for a dick!!!)
Amo: askies...bona mo...
***he interrupted her***
Jabu: you’re still my wife and you’re busy entertaining men Amogelang....onnyatsa go fitlha moo heh? (you’re disrespecting me to that level)
***he shouted***
Amo: brother Mo.....
Jabu: o sampotsa ka motete oo Amogelang ( don’t tell me about that asshole Amogelang)
***he said with an angry voice***
Jabu: why are you hurting me like this Amo....is it your way of breaking me heh..... what have I done to deserve this
***he said with a pained tone now***
Amo: he’s here to pray for me Jabu not that you’ll understand cause omohaitele (you’re a nonbeliever)
***she said ignoring his pained voice***
Jabu: you know what....marete a gao
***then he dropped the call and paced around trying to calm himself down***
.
.
.
A MONTH AFTER THE FUNERAL....
