“Nokuzola Mbatha!” a voice said behind me.
No. No. I was careful, I had made sure that he didn’t see me. I was not ready, I thought I was but I wasn’t. I couldn’t turn around.
“Please look at me. Please tell me that I am mistaken. Tell me that I am mistaken Zola.” he said, moving closer to me and swinging me around gently. I didn’t look at him. Why should I? I took a few steps over the floor rug, then took off my heels and threw them by the couch.
“Hi Andile.”
“No. You are not mistaken, this is me and…”
“And you are pregnant…” he said, pacing around me and laughing. It looked like he was in a dream and couldn’t believe all this. He laughed then I noticed the distorted look on his face.
“I don’t owe you any explanation. Get away from me,” I said walking away, leaving him standing there. He rushed to me. I backed away until I was against the wall. He came closer, stood in front of me. I hated this, I wanted to scream.
“So, there is someone else? Zola who is the father of this child that you are carrying?” he said pointing at my tummy. He was getting angry.
“I have taken too much abuse from you. I want you to leave me alone! You didn’t even want to talk to me until you saw me today. You don’t know anything about this baby. I am the evil woman who killed your mother Andile, so why are you here? My son and I…”
“It’s a boy?” he asked, a sad face all over his face.
“Yes. Yes, it’s a boy.” I said. I could feel tears about to fall from my eyes.
“Zola, I am sorry. I am sorry for everything and for blaming you about my mother. I love you and we can raise this baby together, we can get married. Please. I just want another chance,” he said and kissed me.
Just then I heard the door open. We both looked at the direction. The door was slammed close.
“Hi, did I disturb something?” Melusi said with shock as he noticed the baby bump. This was not how I planned for him to find out. I exhale deeply. This was the last thing I needed right now. Andile had pulled away from me.
“Melusi, what are you doing here? You are not welcomed here!” Andile said in an edgy voice. Something was wrong here. I didn’t feel OK.
“Zola? The… that’s… The baby?” Melusi said and there was nothing else that I could do but nod.
“What is happening here, Zola. What is this?” Andile asked, horror was displayed on his face. Melusi sat on the couch.
“It’s my baby. I am going to be a father. Zola and I…” Melusi said and everything happened so fast.
Andile was on top of him, punching him. I screamed. Melusi pushed him away and landed a punch too.
“You are my best friend. You are my best friend man.” Andile said, wiping his bloodied lip.
“I didn’t plan this. I didn’t do it to hurt you,” Melusi said.
I screamed and they stopped fighting. This was not what I wanted. We had to fix this.
*****
The honeymoon suite is stunning, I slept like a baby. He is standing by the window when I emerge from the covers. He looks like he is deep in thought.
“Hey there, Mrs Kheswa,” he says with a smile.
“Andile,” I say smiling too. He moves towards me and holds me. He bends down and kisses my bulging belly. I know he is not letting me go this time and neither am I.
***
Tell us: Do you believe that love will conquer all between the two?