When Love Sprouts

Chapter 20: They Know

The three of them had just arrived home in time for dinner. "I see we came just on time," Joao whispered. Aunty Deko turned around and jumped with joy.
She was busy cooking a storm, with lots boiling and the kitchen turned upside down __ dishes lying all over the place.

"Joao," she exclaimed wiping her hands upon the denim apron she had on. The years left graceful lines upon her skin, wrinkles, yet, her beauty still laid peacefully on her face. "You have grown so much. La Bonté [goodness], Joao, what do they feed you back in South Africa," asked Aunty Deko.
She was busy rounding him like some science project.

"You're looking at my muscles aren't you?? Oh you know, just a little protein shake, and some exercise," he said, as he flexed his muscles.

"That explains the bones," chirped Uncle Tommy. He walked into the house carrying their bags with Danika behind him.

"Joao, vas-tu me présenter [are you going to introduce me]? Are you getting married soon, she's very beautiful, petite but quite beautiful," said Aunty Deko.

Uncle Tommy and Joao laughed, Danika joined in, leaving Aunty Deko as blank as a board.

"Gosh, Aunty, you kill me with your jokes. This is my good friend, Danika. She's Azania's best friend. Sorry we couldn't come with her I'll explain later. She had to. . ."

"to write her exams," lied Danika shamelessly.

"Oh, don't they write midterm exams," Aunty Deko asked.

"Oh you know how private institutions are Aunty. Fancy and stuff," he said.

"My love, I'm going to change I'll be down later," Uncle Tommy said.

"Yeah, I'm also gonna go shower then head down to try all that yummy yummy," he said winking at Aunty Deko.

"Danika, come on upstairs I'll show you where you'll sleep. . ." Joao said.

"What? So you guys can actually be left alone to make a baby? No way, Danika stay here and help me, once we're done I'll show you where you sleep," commanded Aunty Deko.

"Okay, ma'am," replied Joao.

"So do you know how to cook," asked Aunty Deko.

"Yeah. I mean yes ma'am." she said.

Danika was a professional water boiler; she wouldn't cook to save her life.

"Here peel these carrots, I'm going upstairs to go put your bags," she said.

"Oh, but let me help you. It's not safe for someone your age to pick up bags this heavy," pleaded Danika.

"This is nothing, every morning at 4, I would carry 2 buckets of water all the way home from the river. It was gruesome, but that's where I met the sweetest man of them all," she said.

"Come on, let me pick them up and you'll tell me all about it on the way," Danika suggested.

They spoke all the way upstairs. On their way upstairs, Danika would marvel at the beauty of the house and Aunty Deko would tell her an interesting story of how she found antique from the market. "I am telling you had it not been for Azania's father, I would not be that good at negotiating. He taught me to stand my ground and to fight for what I want. Something I've always been scared of doing," she said.

Aunty Deko stopped talking and looked at a picture of Mr Buvoir and herself at a family gathering. They both had distinct features, yet, the same facial structure. The two stood there in matching outfits, with the focal point being on them, blurring everything around them.

"He was a good man," she said, rubbing the picture.

"Yes, and a strict man, too," Danika added.

"Hmm, yes," Aunty Deko said.

Aunty Deko shaked her head, then said: "here's your bedroom, Dan-eee-ka? I said your name correctly, right," she asked.

Danika wanted to burst with laughter at the lady's words, but she kept her cool and ironed on a serious face. "Yes, you did. Thank you," Danika said.

"Okay, I'll let you be, then. Come down for dinner once you're done," she said.

"Okay," she said.

Aunty Deko made her way for the stairs. Humming her favorite song. Just as she was about to step on the first step downstairs she heard Joao's loud voice.

"You mean you've known all this time and kept quiet," he yelled. Aunty Deko stood near the bedroom door that is on the right, which was opposite to Danika's door.

"Calm down, someone might hear us," Uncle Tommy whispered.

"Sorry, but you really could have helped us you know. We thought it was the end," Joao said.

"Anyway, I know where he is," Uncle Tommy said.

They continued their conversation, yet their voices were muffled, so Aunty Deko couldn't hear a word being said.

After a few minutes the door was unlocked. She crept into the bedroom that she had been standing in front of. The bedroom was dark and empty.

Taking her burner phone from her breast she dialled a number.

"Hello,"
she said.

---

"They know,"
she said.

Before there was any reply she hung up.