Twisted Tangles

Chapter 15, Loose Ends

"Mum why didn't you tell me about this?" I asked her downheartedly, "You know son, I haven't really been honest with you for some time now. For a long time actually I've been keeping something away from you that I feel like now is the right time to let you know." Stephanie replied placing her hand against my face.

"Mum I don't even know what you're talking about, just say it already." I reprimanded her respectfully, she looked down to the paper before looking back to me. "Son... before you were born, you're father already had a child with another woman and I only found out about it after his death when his mother came to claim some of you're father's belongings." Stephanie spoke before I interrupted her.

"So I had a brother this whole time and you never dared to say a word about it?", "Look she didn't succeed because you're father and I were married, that was my only protection but your half-brother was not in your Father's will. Ever since then I've never heard or have been in contact with her." She said raising her voice in approval.

Neither of us said anything, I was distraught once again. Not because of the new discovery that I have another sibling out there in the world but a feeling of betrayal. She was my mother; we were all we had left together as a family, but she went ahead by keeping this away from me.

I shed a tear which she wiped away with her thumb telling me everything was going to be okay, "How's everything going to be okay? Now that you broke the trust I had for you. You were the only person I trusted with my life Mum, the only one!" I scolded her as drops of tears rolled down my face.

I pushed her hand away from my face and stood up from the couch breathing heavily faced away from her. "How could you Mum? For a good ten plus years later you felt that now was the right time?" I questioned as I looked back to her. "I'm sorry son, please forgive me." she pleaded, "Forgive you? You were selfish by not telling me anything. You were selfish by not getting me in contact with my brother, that was the least you could've done, you know that. But do you know what you did? You kept them away in best interest of your own not giving a single fuck about how I felt or how they felt knowing that he had half of my blood!" I yelled in frustration.

"You know I'm surprised that even though Dad didn't place him in his will, you would've at least done something to support him by any means, but you didn't."

"Argh! I don't even care about this piece of shit you've brought here!" I shouted throwing away the piece of paper she handed me earlier. I could feel the agonising pain build up in my shoulder from all the fussing I was doing. "Ahhh shit! My shoulder!" I grunted as I reached out to place my hand on it.

"What's wrong? Let me help you Son." Stephanie asked as she stood up encroaching slowly towards me, "Did I ask you for any assistance? Just get the hell out of here, there's nothing more to discuss, unless you want to tell me what his name was." I said moving away from her in anger as she stood there stopped in her tracks.

She didn't say a word but shook her head the moment I faced her, "Wow, you don't even know his name. You know I don't want to stress about this any further, please leave. I don't want to talk to you anymore." I said looking away from her in disgust.

"Son, I know I've made a mistake, but I need you to accept this with a sense of maturity." She said folding her arms, "Are you listening to yourself? How sure are you, you made a mistake or a choice. Speaking of maturity, why weren't you mature enough to let me know or at least support my brother who's probably dead or wherever he is. Don't you dare compare the two of us because clearly you're just." I paused and looked away as more tears filled my eyes.

"Let me not say anything I'll regret. Please just leave Stephanie, I don't want you here." I said walking away from her towards the bathroom. The moment I closed the door behind me, I suddenly felt myself being crushed by an emotional waterfall right above me as I broke down into tears. I was crying not only about wherever my brother was but because I was hurt by discovering the truth.

People always said that the truth hurts but it sets you free, I guess for my mother she finally felt free after keeping it for so many years. I loved my mother but the way I acted towards her was out of pain, as a guy I felt that there was nothing wrong in breaking down into tears once in a while because it actually helped me bare the pain much more easier.

So, I cried for several minutes until I could cry no more, I was in pain from my bullet wound and the pounding headache knocking against my skull. I quietly sat there on top of the toilet seat, just thinking about him, wondering who he was, how old was he and what was he doing. I was obsessing over him like how a girl would obsess over her first crush in primary school.

I stood up from the toilet seat and looked myself in the mirror, I gazed at the veins filled with blood pumping against my skin on the sides of my face. "Okay just calm down, take a few deep breaths and you'll be chilled okay?" I spoke out to myself, "If Dad was here, he wouldn't want to see you crying okay? Be a man and stop crying, face your fears and reality. Remember that all the bad things in life can happen, all you must do is control the way you react towards them. Now do you think it was good speaking to your mother like that. No, so call her now and make amends with what you've done." I said calming myself down before I began washing my face.

I opened the door and walked out to see her laying lifelessly on the ground, "Oh no, Mum! Mum wake up!", I yelled out running quickly towards her before kneeling down closely to check her pulse. "Mum wake up, wake up, wake up, please!", she wasn't responding but there was a pulse from her neck which left me relieved because she was unconscious, I ran to my bedroom and called an ambulance immediately.

After that the first person who came to my mind was Rosalià, I won't lie, I really needed someone to be with and I just felt like it was needed for her to be there for me, you know? The ambulance arrived at my apartment within minutes followed by Rosalià a few minutes after. The paramedics rushed in towards Stephanie laying on the floor once I opened the door for them, I watched them carry out their procedures before putting her on the stretcher.

Once they finished, we were heading out, Rosalià arrived at my room as I locked the door, "Hey, I came as soon as I hung up the call. What's going on?" Rosalià asked as she gasped for air. "My mum collapsed, and I think I know why." I said handing over the piece of paper Stephanie gave me earlier, I had picked it up and carried it along with me.

She examined the paper as we followed the paramedics behind them, "Oh no, this is bad Julien. I don't know what to say really but to wish her all the best with her recovery." Rosalià said, "Thank you babe, but I think I know what could be the cause to her hypertension, we had a fight earlier before she collapsed and that explains why you're looking at me funnily, yeah, you don't have to mention it but I cried a lot when I was in the bathroom. After about thirty minutes, I came out to find her unconscious and then fast forward to now." I explained.

"It's okay, we can talk about it later when you're comfortable okay? Right now, I'm here for you, we're int this together okay babe?" Rosalià assured me as she wrapped her arm around mine tugging me closer as our arms rubbed against our Eskimo jackets.

As Rosalià and I followed the ambulance to the nearest hospital which was Roman Catholic, Rafael and Denver on the other hand were preparing to leave the coast headed for Windhoek.

"Hey man wake up, we have to go." Denver said pressing against Rafael's head, "Nehh man stop it, can't you see I'm in pain." Rafael nagged softly waving his arms at Denver. "Yah, you must learn when to stop drinking now look at you. You smell like a pig, sies tog." Denver said speaking aloud moving closer to Rafael.

"Please leave alone Denver I don't want.", Denver left to the backyard leaving him rested on the couch covered by one of Sandra's blankets, "Good morning brother man." Denver greeted placing his hand over Tangeni's shoulder, "You do know it's past one and you guys claim to be ready driving back to Windhoek with those weak hangovers." said Tangeni.

"Hey, you drank the least yesterday so what you trying to say?" Denver asked, "No all I'm saying is you guys shouldn't have drunk so much, I mean what are you going to drink for today?" Tangeni asked looking at Denver. "Well fair point, in that case quickly take us to Windhoek and then we'll be back soon." Denver said sipping on a glass of water.

"Denver, that's Windhoek not Walvis, you're making it sound like it's nothing." Tangeni appealed, "Exactly it's nothing for me because you'll be driving. Please man, help a brother out. You know I helped you with Sandra." Denver said trying to convince Tangeni.

"What? No, I introduced you to her and you didn't believe that we were seeing each other until we became official.", "C'mon man, we're brothers. Just this one favour. I'm even the one paying for fuel fam." Denver pleaded as he kept pulling onto Tangeni's shirt.

"Okay fine, we'll go on condition we come back by tonight. Tonight Denver, no funny stories because I've got work tomorrow.", he instructed shrugging Denver of off him. "Argh, you logistic managers also, you think you're walking on ice-cream. Just miss one day it's fine, you've been working too hard. Sometimes you've got to relive those days of High School when you'd bunk a class or two because you only die one and you'll never get that chance again to enjoy being imperfect." Denver elaborated before walking back inside.

Denver had mentioned a great point. Life was well lived if you balanced it right, if you worked too hard then you wouldn't have enough juice to power up your social life. Otherwise if you spent too much on your social life then you would've wasted time on self development or investment.

As for Tangeni, he was moved by Denver's words. One day wouldn't hurt and after all it was the worst day of the week to look forward too. Like seriously who likes Mondays? Yes, they're a signal of starting the week afresh but at the same time slacking off won't kill you. You must learn to balance yourself.

Denver walked over to Rafael passed out on the couch standing beside him and he yelled, "Hey man wake up!", Rafael's eyes opened widely as he was frightened by Denver's act of foolishness. Rafael face spoke for itself when he came back to his senses, "Denver, would you come a bit closer, I want to tell you something." Rafael requested, "What do you want?" Denver asked moving in closer.

Rafael pulled his head and yelled into his ears, "Fuck off!", Denver shrieked away in annoyance, "Neh man, what is that?! Stop it og.", he complained as he wiped off the Salvia from the side of his face as he walked away to the bedrooms. "Please come back with painkillers darling." Rafael spoke out to Denver before walking up the staircase.

As soon as Denver disappeared, Tangeni popped in the room. "Where's Denver, we're leaving now.", "Oh, he went upstairs. What about the mini buses?" Rafael asked stretching out his body on the couch. "I guess we're going to cancel." Tangeni replied before walking up the stairs.

Rafael dozed off to sleep the moment he was alone for a few minutes before Denver and Tangeni came trembling down the stairs. "Let's go, let's go, time to get up Mr man." Denver reached out to pat Rafael's legs before walking out of the front door with Tangeni.

The girls came down the stairs too once Rafael had gotten up and folded the blanket Sandra lent him to use over the night. "Alright bye Rafael, please make sure to visit us next time when around the area okay?" Sandra said before opening her arms to hug him.

Elizabeth didn't seem to keen on hugging him because to her he was supposed to be dead. The only benefit to him right then was him leaving back to Windhoek and Elizabeth had nothing to do about it because her boyfriend was with him as well as Sandra's. She had to do something quickly once Rafael would be in Windhoek to avoid any trouble with the authorities.

Rafael was as clueless as a headless chicken not knowing that he was hugging the same girl who was behind his planned execution. Nonetheless, life is like a rollercoaster, you don't know when the ride will be fast paced or vice versa, all you must do is make sure you don't fall out of your cart.

"Last night was a blast thanks to you girls, I'm sure I won't forget any of you in a hurry." Rafael complimented before limping slowly towards the exit followed by the girls. "You know we could help you walk to the car, right?" Sandra offered as he kept walking. "No, it's okay really I've gotten used to it now." Rafael insisted as he was approaching the car.

Sandra walked over to the driver's door where Tangeni was seated, she leaned in and rested her forearms on the door. "Hey babe.", Tangeni said followed by his devilish piercing smile, Sandra blushed as she shied away, he stretched out his arm to catch her face, gently bringing her face back into his gaze.

"I'll be back soon baby okay? Don't wait up for me tonight.", he said as he stroked Sandra's chin before leaning in to place his lips against hers. "Argh, this Romeo and Juliet thing also. Where's Liz? I also want to be kissed like that." Denver said goofily. Their kiss was soft and subtle, "Don't stay too long otherwise you'll be sleeping on the couch once you return." Sandra said followed by a smile on her face as she leaned away from him.

"Hmm, you're actually right. I mean look at Rafael at the back he's fast asleep and he slept like a baby on that couch last night, so I might as well give it a shot you know?" Tangeni suggested, "Argh, whatever, have a safe trip you guys, I love you babe." Sandra said stepping back from Denver's car as Tangeni ignited the engine giving it a few revs.

"Hey Sandra, are you telling me that Elizabeth isn't saying bye?" Denver asked leaning forward as he tried to peak around Sandra trying to spot Elizabeth. "I'm right here Denver, you just never noticed." Elizabeth said as she creeped up on Denver, "Hey, I didn't see you there!" he said aloud. "I'm going to miss my big baby, come here." Elizabeth said stretching out her hands to grab his face into Eskimo kisses before kissing him goodbye.

"Yeah, that's more like it man.", Denver said smiling at her, "Are you sure you want to go? There's a scratch on my back and I really want you to give attention to it." Elizabeth said teasingly, Denver smirked at her, "Don't worry babe, Sandra's always there for you, maybe both of could scratch each other's backs for once, isn't that right Tangeni?" Denver asked as both they chuckled after what a Denver just said.

"Bye my darling neh?" Denver waived as he said goodbye. The girls waived back at them as they drove off until they were plain out of sight. "Uhm would you excuse me for one moment Sandra? I just want to quickly call this guy." Elizabeth excused herself before pulling out her phone ready to dial Felix.

"Yoh, Liz your boyfriend hasn't been gone for a minute and you're already thinking of a booty call?" Sandra asked mockingly, "I'm not cheap Sandra, that's one thing that differentiates us." Elizabeth replied with a sense of sting in her tone. "Why the hate Liz? I was just kidding for goodness sake." Sandra grunted as she looked at her before walking towards the house.

As soon as Sandra disappeared, Elizabeth immediately called Felix. The phone rang and rang and rang but nobody responded, "Who the hell doesn't check their phone for a whole twenty four hours straight, I've called this guy for about 13 times since yesterday but he decides to ignore me, urgh!" she complained before he picked up.

"What do you want?" Felix asked, "Felix I will have you killed if you ever disrespect me for not answering my calls again!" She yelled before realising that her tone was loud enough to be heard from Sandra inside the house. "Let me ask you one thing, what did you do to Rafael?" She asked breathing heavily, "I got rid of him like you asked." Felix answered as Elizabeth hissed out in frustration.

"Felix, I'm going to ask you this question one more time. What did you do to Rafael?" She asked in frustration, "I beat him up and threw him away in the desert.", "How far did you throw him out of the desert because clearly I don't think you've followed my instructions Felix." Elizabeth replied angrily, "Listen here girly, if it wasn't for Chris, we would've thrown him hundreds of kilometres out into the desert. Plans changed when he wanted us to arrange an escort for him." He said hastily.

"I don't care what my dad asked of you, you should've placed a bullet in his head for all I care. I want you to go to Windhoek and finish the job I sent you to do now!" Elizabeth yelled before cutting the call and pulled her hair back clearing her face.

As she was about to walk into the house, she received a text message from Rosalià, "I know you've been ignoring me, well I don't care because Uncle Ben is going to find out about your pettiness. I can't believe you stopped so low to kill Blake for his money. To make things worse you try to kill Julien and my best friend, I'm so getting back at you for this. Expect me soon bitch.".

Elizabeth couldn't be bothered by looking at the message as she laughed, "Oh so these are the games you want to play huh? We'll see what City Police has to say the moment Felix arrives in Windhoek. You two have been a pain in the back and Natalia doesn't have time to entertain problems, I guess it's for the best to rat you out sister." Elizabeth said expressing her vengeful thoughts as she walked back into the house.

A world balanced by the good and evil is what we live in. A life full of surprises where we write the test before receiving the lessons, thrilling isn't it? Well what can we say but accept it? Evil will always find ways to prevail making ends meet while the good abide to what is supposedly right ending up with loose ends.