My mother returned with our cups of coffee followed by the nurse as they entered the room. "Alright everything is in check and you may now go home." The nurse said followed by a smile on her face, "I'm glad to hear that actually, finally I can get out of this place." I said sitting up right.
"Here are some clothes I bought you to wear, your old ones were thrown away." Stephanie said handing me a bag with clothes inside of it, "Thanks mum, I didn't think of this until now that you actually mentioned it.
"You may leave as soon as you're ready." The nurse said before exiting the room, then I looked to my mum and she looked back at me, "What's the matter?" she asked. "I need some privacy please." I said widening my eyes directing my gaze to the door for her to see her way out.
"Kids of nowadays, son, I used to change your diapers and bathe you. Is there anything I've not seen?" She said rolling her eye crossing her arms. "Mum please don't make me feel uncomfortable and just respect my wish thank you." I replied in an awkward tone. She chuckled and left the room while I struggled to climb out of bed to put on the clothes Stephanie had brought me.
I took about five minutes trying to fight off the pain in my left shoulder and luckily, I succeeded, and I walked out the door in the slippers she had bought me. She was on her phone right by the door, "Ready to go?" she asked, I nodded my head and looked at the open door right opposite me.
I walked over to have a peak and it was empty, while I looked inside the room my mother called me, "Julien can we go and stop snooping around.", I looked to her and we walked back to her car parked in the parking lot.
We got there and entered the car, "So you're taking me to my apartment, right?" I asked, "Yes to fetch your clothes so you return back here." she replied sarcastically. I chuckled a bit as she started the engine and drove off to my apartment.
During the drive back to my place, I kept thinking about Ivy and Rosalià. I was happy to restart my relationship with Rosalià but at the same time I felt stunned by Ivy's words. There was a saying which I used in life whereby you shouldn't bite more than you can chew and in my case it was me trying to salvage my relationship for both of them and I could only choose one.
As I drowned in my thoughts, Rafael and Denver arrived in Swakopmund, driving around town to the liquor shop. "Okay so from here we're going to fetch my cherry then to Tangeni's crib." Denver said once he parked the car and switched off the engine getting prepared to leave the car.
"Yeah yeah whatever, let's go buy the stuff and get it over with I'm hungry man." Rafael stressed jumping out of the car into the rays of sunlight from the Sun. They bought what had to be bought for the chill session at Tangeni's place, they finished up after 30 minutes and were about to pick up Elizabeth who was had finished doing her hair at the salon.
"My friend you're sitting at the back, I'm going to pick up my girl now." Denver said as they stood across from each other in between the car. "Fam, there's no fucking way I'm doing that. If I'm going to third wheel the least, I could have been the passenger seat. The moment I seat at the back you'll forget I was ever with you today so my presence must be known please." Rafael stressed as he entered the car into the passenger seat.
Denver shrugged his shoulders as he chuckled entering the driver's seat.
"You like too much attention fam it's funny." Denver said putting on his seatbelt about to drive off. "Etse I'm serious, I cannot be forgotten so simple like that. Now let's go fam otherwise I'll eat you up and we'll see if you'll still need a girlfriend." Rafael said tauntingly.
"Nothing in this world will ever divert me from women so you must let this sentence sink into your deep skull." Denver protested, "Hmm Denver how sure are you? After all, why would you let my sexuality control your feelings as if I'm your girlfriend? That means you're gay too!" Rafael said in laughter clapping his hands.
Denver laughed too because Rafael did make a point to pin him out, "You're dumb as hell fam, how can you say such?! Aye, no ways man, you always make me laugh and you're the first gay or bisexual guy I've befriended because you always brought out your true self but what I'm saying now doesn't mean I'll ever be in a relationship with guys. Besides that you're just not my type." Denver explained calming down.
"Oho, so I'm not your type but other guys are you're type? What a way to come out of the closet Denver." Rafael said smiling while giggling at Denver. "Fam just leave me alone you know what I meant! I have a girlfriend and I'm straight, finished and klaar." Denver said finalising his statement. That didn't stop Rafael from laughing at him as he kept continuing for a short while Denver also laughed at how Rafael just couldn't stop laughing.
They were good friends because Rafael kept teasing Denver so that he'd be entertained by the way he'd reply to his questions, nonetheless, Denver was straight and tolerant towards homo and bisexuality ever since he befriended Rafael back in primary school.
Once they finished laughing Rafael asked Denver, "Hey man what's your girls name anyways?", "Her name is Elizabeth." Denver replied. "Ahh nice, I'm guessing she's your queen huh?", "Well not really man, we've been going through ups and downs, we met at a beach party on New Year's Day ever since then we've been together, had break ups and make ups. Now we recently got back together, and she seems more determined to pull through after the third breakup." Denver said gesturing his hands as he told his story.
"Hmm the lover boy. Why were you guys breaking up so much? What do you have that other guys don't have?" Rafael questioned while Denver chuckled at his question. "First of all, there's only one of me in this world and nobody can ever replace me. Secondly, I like her devious personality, it suits a guy like me. I don't really have much to say on this but that's all you have to know." Denver said finishing his story.
"Ouf, it's fine I'll ask her myself when I see her." Rafael said appealingly to Denver which didn't bother him at all, "As if you'll even get anything out her." said Denver as he slowed down arriving at the salon. He jumped out of the car and stood by it while he called Elizabeth to come outside.
Rafael wasn't bothered at all to see her because after all he was third wheeling, so he looked to the back and rummaged through the plastic bags for snacks. "Hey babe you look beautiful, I didn't think an undercut would look so good on you." Denver said opening his arms the moment he saw Elizabeth exit the salon.
Elizabeth's hair was dyed blonde a few centimetres to tip of her hair followed by her natural black hair which glistened underneath the light of the Sun, she looked like the new Tomb raider dressed in her timberlands and camouflage pants followed by a cosy dark olive green bomber jacket.
"Aww thank you boo." she said entering his arms as he hugged her off the ground into a swirl. "You ready for the braai?" Denver asked, "Of course, I mean you took forever in Walvis." Elizabeth replied dragging herself off Denver heading to the passenger seat. "Babe someone's seating there, you'll have to seat at the back." said Denver redirecting her.
She stopped and asked, "Oh who is it?", "My bro is in the passenger's seat, "okay I'll seat at the back." Elizabeth said as she opened the rear door behind the driver's seat to see a familiar face in the front passenger seat.
Well she guessed it, it was Rafael. Her heart skipped two beats the moment she recognised the side of his swollen face, was this a dream? Maybe not but reality welcoming itself to her. "Erm, hi there." Elizabeth greeted Rafael who turned around to be surprised at who he just saw. "Hey, how're you doing?" Rafael asked slowly looking at a Denver who was distracted on his phone.
"I'm fine thanks." Elizabeth replied putting her re finger on her lips as Rafael drew back and faced the front. "Awe cool, you all have a greeted each other, babe this is an old friend of mine Rafael, and Rafael I already told you her name is Elizabeth so we're good let's bounce." Denver said driving off to Tangeni's place while the ride was silent with only Denver's music playing in the background.
It was awkward but at least they pulled through that uncomfortable situation the moment they reached Tangeni's place. They arrived at his place, "Awe cool, we're here finally, let us go munch right now." Denver said jumping out of the car walking towards Tangeni to greet him.
Although Elizabeth stayed behind and asked Rafael, "I thought you were supposed to be in Windhoek?", "Well no, I got kidnapped, beaten up and I was thrown into the desert left for dead." Rafael said opening his door, "Oh my goodness do you know who the guys are or anything that's going on?" Elizabeth asked again, "Natalia, right now I'm not in the mood to talk about it. One thing I should ask is why are you here?" Rafael asked back.
"Well I decided to leave the drama in Windhoek and come back home to rest." She replied, "Ahh you don't say, I'm glad you've moved on with Denver. Who knows whether he's still good friends with Julien, Elizabeth." Rafael said quote unquote the second he mentioned her name before leaving her behind in the car.
Rafael limped into the house followed by Elizabeth behind him, he entered to see Tangeni's girlfriend Sandra greet him, "Hi there, you must be Denver's friend, nice to meet you." She said before seeing Elizabeth behind Rafael as she shrieked in excitement stretching her arms out walking to her.
They both shrieked in excitement yelling out chommie to each other, "Chommie you look hot! I'm impressed by your new look!" Sandra said aloud admiring Elizabeth's hairstyle. Rafael couldn't be bothered but carried on into the house until he found himself at the backyard where Tangeni and Denver were.
Tangeni noticed Rafael appear behind Denver and greeted him the moment he saw him. "Hey man great to see you're back on your feet. It's just the bruises and swelling that's going to need to heal." Tangeni said extending out his hand to causally shake Rafael's hand.
"Awe, everyone now knows each other so it's cool. By the way did you guys offload the bags?" Denver asked, "Can you see my condition sir? By the way Natalia was at the back anyways." Rafael replied. "Oh, okay and wait, how do you know that name?" Denver questioned out of curiosity, "Well all I can say is that Namibia is a big place where everyone knows each other. Am I right or am I right hey Tangeni?" Rafael replied casually as he shrugged his shoulders while Tangeni giggled at him, "Well you do have a point." Tangeni said supporting him.
Denver wasn't settled with Rafael's answer asking him again "Yeah, you do have a point but how do you know her name?", "Chill man, I was here during New Year's Day and we were at a braai on the dunes we chilled together for a while and that's how I know her name. There, are you happy little one?" Rafael replied looking at Denver.
Denver looked at Rafael slowly and walked away from them back to the car. While he was gone, Rafael and Tangeni walked over to the patio chairs to settle down while they basked in the rays of sunlight. There was a bit of silence the moment they became comfortable in their chairs before Tangeni broke the silence, "It's beautiful today don't you think?".
Rafael pulled on a dreadful look faced to him, "Fam, am I that boring you want to talk about the weather? No man, you can do better because I'm not boring.", Tangeni giggled pulling on a smile with the cute dimples on his cheeks. "Anyways, you and Denver did me dirty, who am I supposed to mingle with because right now I've become a fifth wheel." Rafael annoyedly.
Tangeni stopped giggling to reply back to him, "Hey look man it isn't that bad, I mean, Sandra would definitely talk to you because she's very welcoming. I'm sure you two will get along, you have similar personalities." Tangeni said suggestively while looking up into the sky with his sunglasses on.
Rafael nodded slowly looking at Tangeni then looked him up and down admiring his outfit complimenting his physical appearance. Tangeni was dressed in a white linen polo T-shirt accompanied by beige shorts pressing against his body exposing his sculpted muscular physique. He had the cliché body of a Greek god with the true melanin of an African, a chocolate hunk women would consider.
Seated there in his chair Rafael kept starring at the eye candy in front of him before averting his attention to the rumbles of his stomach aching in hunger. Tangeni heard the growls of Rafael's stomach and asked, "I'm guessing it's time to eat judging by that sound let's go dish our plates inside while Denver gets the drinks.", "It's about time for goodness sake." Rafael exaggerated while they stood up and walked back inside.
Tangeni and Rafael found the girls already sipping on to some Richelieu while the beat wild thoughts by Rihanna played on the stereo. The base boost of the song had resurrected the urge of letting your inner animal break loose from its cage in rhythm to the voice of Rihanna. It was a usual chill session with food and drinks at your fingertips with nothing more to ask on a blessed Saturday afternoon.
As they enjoyed their day I was in my thoughts, you know I never stopped wondering what was going on with Rafael and who kidnapped him. I was losing hope on whether I'd ever find him to be honest, I felt like I needed comfort from all the stress I was going through.
Stephanie was with me for a few hours at my apartment before she left to go wherever she went to. In that moment, Ajax called me wanting to come over and visit me. Well although he was kind of late, but it would be nice to see him once again especially during these tough times but nonetheless tough times never last, only tough people last. A popular quote I always used to use to keep me going.
The sky turned orange as the day had turned into dusk, the smog had become visible in the northern settlements of Windhoek as I stood there by my window watching over the city. Ajax pulled through the moment I heard the knock on my door while I just set to rest on the couch having a cup of tea in my hand. He had the best timing because whenever I'd get comfortable, he'd gladly spoil it like he always does.
I grunted as I struggled getting up from the couch while he kept knocking on the door continuously. "Hey! I'm coming for goodness sake!" I yelled out in annoyance before approaching the door, "Who's it?" I asked out behind the door, "It's Ajax you asshole, open up I'm freezing out here." Ajax said in a shivering tone. "That's what you get for knocking on my door like that." I said vengefully while I opened the door for him.
He entered heading straight to the kitchen as I closed the door behind him. He quickly prepared a cup of tea and rushed to my couch where he wrapped himself in my blanket. I slowly walked back to him saying "I don't get how you're feeling cold with that jacket as thick as an Eskimo coat.", "I don't like winter Fam, just leave me alone thank you very much." Ajax protested as he tried calming his shivers.
"Anyways, how've you been? You seemed quite busy when I was fighting for my life." I said annoyedly, "I'm sorry bro, I was supposed to visit you, but an emergency occurred outside of town, so I decided to go and visit you once you'd return. It's just that you got discharged so quickly that I didn't have the chance you feel me?" Ajax explained looking at me, I knew he wasn't a liar, so I believed what he said and just let it go.
I walked over to the couch and sat next to him and we carried on speaking for hours cracking jokes and telling each other stories. It was splendid catching up with Ajax on that fine evening sat upon the couch laughing together until late. "Hey man it's been a fun night but before I go, I'd like to tell you something." Ajax said after finishing his third cup of tea placing it on the table before us.
"Sure, man go ahead." I replied back, "I've got an opportunity to go work in Johannesburg and I'll be leaving soon bro. The thing is I don't now how Rafael will take it but it's clear I'll never see him again, he's a lost cause." Ajax said with disappointment drawn all over his face. Ajax knew that it was best to move on in that scenario because even if he thought about it, was there any hope for the relationship? He guessed not.
"I understand that, but I still feel like he's alive, I can't do this on my own anymore, I'll just ask the police to help me look for him." I said followed by a sigh of disappointment as I shook my head. "Are you sure that's a good idea Julien? You need to think this through before you involve them, remember you cleared out the house of a drug dealer. Remember that." Ajax said pointing me out.
He had a point about this, and I felt like he was right, since I knew that Rosalià worked for Big Ben, I thought it was best to seek to her for information first. But I didn't feel like it was my place to tell Ajax that one of his good friends works for a drug lord, "Okay you know you actually have a point, maybe it's just the whole situation that's overwhelming me right now. I'll think about it and see what I find." I replied looking away from him.
"That's fine man, otherwise what's good with Ivy?" Ajax asked out of the blue catching me off guard the moment he asked me this. I didn't want to think about it too much or at all because it gave me an uncomfortable feeling in my bowels, a feeling I didn't want to feel right there and then.
"Well I don't know, she left for Johannesburg with her parents the moment she was discharged so I don't know to be honest.", I replied in a distraught tone looking away from him. He didn't reply at first the second I finished speaking but rather stretched his arm out placing his hand on my shoulder, I didn't look at him until he said "Julien, Julien, look at me.".
I looked back to him wondering what the next thing was about to escape from his mouth patiently waiting for him to speak. "What is it?" I asked looking straight into his eyes as he inhaled a short breath before hesitating to speak as he exhaled looking away. "I was with Ivy helping her pack." Ajax replied furrowing his brows.
"And?" I questioned immediately, "Can you tell me something Julien? What exactly do you want because it seems like your fucking confused with your life." Ajax snapped without hesitation; I was taken aback by what had just happened. "It's like you're trying to put yourself in a love triangle with this mess but rather a love square to express it better or whatever, but you can't go around playing with people's feelings Julien." Ajax continued as he let go of me.
I slowly shoved myself up the couch adjusting my posture before I answered him, "What the hell are you talking about? Clearly there's something she told you.", "Listen man, I don't give a shit about whatever you say, I'm just going to tell you that you're an asshole for playing with Ivy's feelings because clearly you had no intentions of commitment whatsoever." Ajax scolded me as he stood up from the couch facing down on me.
I didn't say anything because I felt that it wasn't my place to explain myself and neither was it any of his business. "You make me sick Julien; I don't think you and I can be friends anymore. It may be none of my business but I can't stand seeing guys like you take advantage of vulnerable girls, don't you dare repeat this with Rosalià or else I'm going to blow your head off and that's a promise.", I wasn't intimidated by his acts but his words pierced right through my body like a needle piercing through the material of clothing.
"Whatever man, just get the fuck out of here right now." I replied hastily pointing to the door, "Fuck you man like seriously, why were you with Natalia anyways? She fucked you over the same time she left us at the dunes and you're still crawling back to her for more venom because you're thirsty as fuck." Ajax said aloud angrily, I couldn't bare to stand his judgment over me anymore and I had to say something.
I looked at his furrowed pink face, with his hair partially drawn over his ocean blue eyes complimenting his Brad Pitt jawline. He was a causal good-looking guy; I didn't feel ashamed to admire his appearance even though I was straight but sometimes you meet those type of people.
As I struggled to get up, I stood in front of him with rage in my eyes because I was furious and vulnerable to my emotions at that given time. "Do you even know why she came over Ajax? Huh!" I questioned pointing my finger straight into his face. The silence that had taken over us after my question made me realise the amount of air I was breathing in because I was timid about what I was about to say right before Ajax.
I breathed in slowly and continued, "You know my father died right? Do you know who killed her Ajax? Her fucking father killed him! She came to confess what had happened and who am I to plot revenge on something that has happened so long ago? I don't know maybe all those years of trying to be immune to tears and heartbreaks were actually worth it to find out the news recently." I said aloud gesturing my hands around the air.
Ajax didn't say anything once I stopped speaking which just proved how wrong he was for judging me but at the same time he made a point for me to remember. "And to top it all off, I can't get over Natalia, huh? Is that's what you came to hear? I want nothing to do with her by all means possible because I probably fucked up her relationship with Rosalià by being caught and I just want to fix things at the moment.", "Not probably, you actually did." Ajax said unhesitatingly
"Look man, right now it's like my life is just focused on relationships and drama and I'm really trying to lower that down and focus on myself okay? Thank you." I replied walking away from Ajax to the kitchen. "So, what if you're catching over Natalia, focus on Rosalià and never make the same mistake you did a few days ago. Otherwise it's going to cost you your life especially after what Natalia did." Ajax said walking over to me while faced towards the front door to my apartment room.
"What did Natalia do?" I asked looking up to him from the kitchen top, he seemed a bit confused at first before he got his act together and scoffed into the direction of the door, "It's best you ask Rosalià to let you know what happened instead." Ajax replied walking over to the door and just like that he was gone.
Little did I know then about what Natalia had done, it left me curious about what Ajax said. I knew I had to speak to Rosalià to get to the bottom of this soon.
Meanwhile back at the coast, Rafael was enjoying a splendid evening as fifth wheel he didn't consider to be anymore. It was a joyful moment watching football on the tele, France against Turkey for the 2020 European Championship Qualifying, Group Stage.
"I'm telling you bro; France is going to win. We won the World Cup last year, what is Turkey? Huh? The food we just ate now or what? Bahahaha what a joke!" Said Rafael mockingly as he laughed out loud holding a beer in his hand. Denver and Tangeni laughed too, "Look guys I'm not supporting anyone né, but you should never underestimate the underdogs. You'll just be surprised if Turkey wins this game, I tell you." Denver said pointing out to Rafael.
"No man, no ways, what are you talking about boss?" Rafael objected, "Let's bet, if France wins you will stay here at the coast, but if Turkey wins then you will go back to Windhoek tomorrow. Deal?" Denver asked Rafael, "Fam why do you always want to pin everything on me? Whatever, deal because I know my France. Allez les blues!" Rafael said in an intoxicated manner.
The game ended in a result of Turkey winning 2-nil to France, which left Rafael quite unhappy. "No man, what is this?" Rafael cried out as he heard the final whistle blown over the television. "My friend, it was nice having you around now you must go back where you came from." Denver said laughing at Rafael's reaction, Tangeni and the rest of the girls laughed along with Denver.
"Wait, we're you serious? Clearly we were joking man." Rafael said diplomatically while the rest carried on laughing, "You need some water to sober you up, let's go to the kitchen." Sandra said standing up as she walked over to Rafael
"Hey you? What do you know about sobering up? Hmm? Let me drink one more time, I'm Jack sparrow and this shot is not for you my sweetie." Sandra laughed at him as she commanded, "Let's go, you've had too much now.", "No, why force me when we can negotiate together." Rafael suggested before he hiccupped and was escorted to the kitchen by Sandra.
"Here drink this, it'll help." Sandra said offering him a glass of water. "How sure am I there isn't poison in what I'm about to drink or is it more vodka?" Rafael asked confusedly, "Yes it's more vodka, now drink." Sandra replied, "Ooh, nice. Thank you my dear."
Rafael drank up and placed the glass down, "Why is it not making my throat fire?" Rafael asked looking at the glass intensively, "That's because you've had too much of it. Now you need some fresh air outside." Sandra said pulling him towards the back yard and there they sat on the patio chairs.
"Ahh, fresh air to my ears. Can you feel it? Eh, what's your name again?" Rafael asked closing his eyes, "It's Sandra, Rafael and you've drank too much so just breathe in and breathe out through your nose okay?" Sandra replied.
"Eh you, you're beautiful and so attractive, why didn't you invite your sister over for me to enjoy? Now I have to look at all of you cuddle up together as couples." Rafael asked in a wearily tone. Sandra giggled at him before she spoke saying, "You know you remind me of my sister who's in Windhoek right now, I love her so much and she acts arrogantly like you whenever she's drunk.", "But still, you were supposed to bring her here because you're beautiful and she must also be beautiful, isn't it?" Rafael questioned.
"She isn't my biological sister because I was adopted but people say we look so much alike so I just call her my twin sister. But sometimes I just wonder where my real family is you know?" Sandra asked out to Rafael trying to be more personal with him, but he didn't respond.
They sat there as Rafael hymned to the sounds of the waves crashing along the beach as the seagulls cried in search of food flying about within the area until Rafael paused. "Sasha, I don't want to go back to Windhoek. I don't want to see Julien to see me as a traitor!" He said aloud.
"It's okay Rafael, who's Julien?" She asked, "He's my best friend, I've known him ever since the first grade, him, Denver and I were alike. We always stuck together during troublesome times and joyful moments trying to hit on girls until Denver moved here to Swakopmund. I love Denver, he was the best alongside Julien but thinking of them just makes me cry because what we had back in primary would never be the same again today." Rafael said as he began to sob.
Sandra was about to reply but Rafael stopped her, "Wait, Sasha, you don't want to interrupt me just yet because this is my late-night talk show. You are my guest and I'm the speaker okay sweetheart?" Rafael said pointing at her as she giggled at him. "Okay, you know what? I feel so horrible right now Sasha because Julien has a twin sister somewhere out there, maybe she's dead maybe she's alive who knows?
I'm not supposed to say this, but I just feel very bad because I overheard Julien's mother speaking to an adoption home many years ago, maybe even more than fourteen. I was coming from the toilet when I overheard her on the phone, she was informed about a family who adopted her child and that's all I heard before running away to play with Julien outside." Rafael said as he cried softly afterwards.
Sandra became curious and wondered what the hell Rafael was talking about, "Why do you feel so bad about this?" She asked while Rafael sobbed, "Julien doesn't know, and I'm scarred to tell him. What if he leaves our friendship that has lasted for so long. I don't want Sasha stop asking me so many questions eto." Rafael complained.
"I have too much going on in my life right now Sasha. First, I was kidnapped, now I almost died if it wasn't for Denver and my car is probably stolen like what the hell Sasha, maybe I should just go dig up my grave in the ocean don't you think?"
Sandra stood up and looked at him in tears, "Stand up, you have to go sleep." she said trying to lift Rafael from his chair, "Haibo?! No, let me go." Rafael protested, "I'm trying to help you.", "Do I look like I'm in the mood of vomiting on your cute outfit?" Rafael asked, "Just let me sleep here, I'm already comfortable in my own skin my darling.".
"Okay but don't you need a blanket? It'll get cold after a while if you're going to sleep here and I don't think that hoodie will do you any good." Sandra suggested, "Just bring me a Tafel, I won't be long." Rafael replied as Sandra shook her head, "I'm not doing that so suit yourself." she said walking back into the house.
Could Rafael be blamed or was he just behaving accordingly to the liquor in his system? He was down at his worst thinking about his family and what happens next from there. Nobody wanted to be in his shoes at that moment, now that he mentioned his dark secret it had Sandra wondering if what Rafael said would link up to what happened in her past when she was adopted.
Sunday, 9th of June 2019
I opened my eyes from my sleep around ten o'clock to some agonising pain from my shoulder that just could not stop like the pain of a tooth ache. I had to be strong because it was just the first day, right? I was sure it was going to be like this for a few more days before it turns back to normal.
I looked to my phone, mum had called while I was asleep, she left a message saying she'd be back around lunchtime with some food. I walked over to the kitchen to prepare some tea and walked back to my couch waiting for the kettle to finish boiling.
I sat there and thought to myself, was this really happening? I almost died and here I am today thanks to the lord up above, I didn't know what to say or what to think of. I remembered looking at the door that night when I told my mother I'd be right back not knowing that those could have been my last words to mama.
As I kept thinking about the situation my breath turned colder and my skin erupted with goose bumps all over my body. I started becoming anxious, I thought I was starting to experience PTSD, but I couldn't accept it. I had to be brave and own up to what happened in the past by letting it go and moving on.
I stopped thinking about it and walked over to the kitchen to prepare my cup of tea and distracted myself by calling Rosalià as well as to kill time until my mother would come.
Speaking to Rosalià made me calm but at the same time I wondered if it was best to find out from her what Ajax told me, but I hesitated at first but later just went for it.
"Rosalià? I wanted to ask you something, since you know how the drug things work and all that but do you by any chance know who's behind this?" I asked her in a serious tone.
"What do you mean babe?" She asked confusedly, "You know what I mean, who was the person that tried to kill Ivy and me? Ivy spoke about people wanting to get rid of us who were sent by Big Ben or someone who I don't even know. I'm asking you now to tell me who the fuck was it?" I asked her one more time.
This time there was a long pause of silence on the phone, "Hello?" I asked but she didn't respond and cut the call immediately after I spoke. "Wow, so it's like that now?" I grunted and threw my phone besides me.
Suddenly after a few minutes she called me back again, I was doubting whether I should answer the phone or not, but I went ahead with it anyways because I was the one who wanted information after all. "Why did you cut the call?" She asked, which had me confused, why was she asking this?
"What do you mean? You're the one that cut the call." I replied back, "No I didn't, oh wait my call logs say we spoke over an hour, so the call cut itself. You know how MTC is mos so there's no one to blame." Rosalià said calmly.
"Anyways, what were you saying? I'm still waiting for my answer Rosalià." I said cutting to the chase, "I'm sorry to say this but Natalia was behind everything, she's the one who secretly hired one of my uncle's men to kill you and Ivy. Unfortunately, they didn't succeed and now I don't know whether to snitch on her to my uncle because this isn't going to end well, I swear." Rosalià said with vengeance in her tone.
I was left in a feeling of distraught the second Rosalià finished revealing who had done this. Why would she want to kill me? After all the shitload I've gone through for her which left my heart to nothing but shredded bits of itself.
I felt like a plate that was dropped and couldn't be put back together like the way it was before it had been smashed onto the floor or wherever it hit, I didn't care for shit.
"Rosalià is what you're telling me true?" I asked her one more time, "I'm sorry but yes Julien it is true." she said disappointedly, I frowned angrily this time engulfed with rage, I could taste the cool air rush down my throat as I took a deep breath.
"Rosalià?" I called out her name over the phone, "Yes" she replied, "I want you to report that bitch and make sure she gets everything that she deserves for doing this. Expose her do what whatever it takes to make her pay, you hear me?" I commanded harshly.
"I'll do whatever I can babe, just don't do anything stupid okay?" She replied calmly. "I won't trust me."
Nonetheless, time flew by quickly and Stephanie was knocking at the door. I said bye to Rosalià and opened for her. "Hello, my darling, how are you feeling today?" She asked joyfully but noticed my facial language that I wasn't fine.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" She asked walking inside as I closed the door behind her, I walked over to the kitchen with the lunch she had brought for both of us.
"Let's say you fell in love with someone but then break up and fall deeply in love with another person later on and the first one hurt you really bad, but you still want them. What would you do?" I asked looking her straight into her eyes.
"Well let me tell you the story of an ice cream and the pancake. So, you eat the pancake first and then the ice cream later, remember, you love them both much but can only choose one. So, if you really love the pancake then why would you think of the ice cream every time you ate the pancake?" She asked holding my hands as I shook my head trying to understand what she meant.
"It means that the one you're truly in love with is the ice cream my boy and there's nothing wrong in choosing the ice cream over the pancake because the thrill of life is enjoying different experiences and adventures with different people and those you love okay?" She said placing her warm hand onto my cheeks.
She was right and I couldn't agree more with her, "Thank you mum, I won't forget that any time soon.", I said holding before wrapping my good arm around her into a hug. Hugging mummy made me feel so warm and special, it was something very special to me and I didn't want it to end. Having the thought of losing her was the last thing that could appear on my mind because I wouldn't know what to do once that would ever happen.
"I'm glad I helped honey, now let's prepare our meals before they get cold, there something I need to tell you once we finish our lunch." She said letting go of me with a smile on her face, I nodded my head as I looked at the food bestowed before my eyes on the kitchen counter "Yes mummy, Papa G's chicken! It's exactly what I was craving for right now." I said licking my lips
"I knew you'd love it, there was never a time you stopped nagging me about it ever since Nandos closed down. Otherwise you should wash your hands and go seat down. I'll serve you right now." Stephanie said assembling the plastic bags of other drinks and fruits.
I did what my mum had asked and we enjoyed our meal together, "You see? I told you it was nice mum." I said after finishing my piece of chicken, she wasn't bothered by me as she continues nibbling on the bone of her drumstick. I waited for her to finish while I cleaned my fingertips with napkins, once I was tidied up, I asked her, "So what exactly did you want to talk about Mum?"
She looked at her plate filled with bones, it's like she wasn't looking forward to answering me or it was just difficult for her. She finished her glass of Coca-Cola and cleaned her mouth with the napkins before speaking, "Julien, the reason why I left Durban to come see you is because I was fired from my job due to my illness I've been trying to hide from everyone." She said without even facing me.
She stood up from the table and went to her handbag removing a folded paper with information printed on it, "Here's the doctor's letter on my illness." she said handing the piece of paper to me. I looked at it and was shocked to my discovery, "Mum are you serious?!"
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Tangles
RomanceLove brings meaning to life which is a feeling worth dying for like Romeo and Juliet. As for Julien, a cliche romantic gent, he encounters true love with the daughter of a powerful drug lord who puts her uncle Big Ben in charge of a large drug carte...
