Rudo came home after doing homework at Daisy’s house a few blocks away. She stared at me angrily, her loose tongue ready to babble. I tried to be calm but she sat close to Mother, who was cutting the carrots; she always did that to spill the beans. Whether it hurt or not, she felt better when she talked and mother chastised me.

“Rue, I hope you will do well in that homework. It’s time you become serious…” she got interrupted by Rudo.

“Do you know who isn’t serious?”

Mother opened her mouth and looked at Rudo in shock. She twisted her eyelids as if asking for answers. “Who isn’t serious?”

Rudo looked at me and blinked her eyes, asking for a sign to go ahead. I buried my head in my hands. Rudo was putting me in trouble. I quickly jumped up and grabbed her. Mother kept her eyes on me and Rudo and I could see the fury on her face. She didn’t like to see me bully Rudo but it was the opposite. She walked towards us while we stood by the corner near the door to the lounge.

“What is going on? Khanyi leave Rudo to talk,” she shouted, pulling Rudo.

I harshly grabbed the chair to sit and bury myself.

“Khanyi is sneaking every night to a boy,” Rudo said but didn’t make eye contact with me.
Fear and anger crept in my body; I wanted to smack that kid. My mother looked furious.

“Khanyi… who is the boy?” she asked.

“Jimmy,” I never lied to my mom, I felt confident.

My mother’s eyes change red like an angry bee. She came closer. I knew my age of being beaten had passed so what will she do? I didn’t see her pull my ear and pinch it hardly, I only opened my mouth but made no sound.

“Is this true?” she hissed. I had no choice but nodded my head in agony. She pinched a bit harder and I cried.

“Are you sleeping with him?” she shouted.

Her fingers, still pinching my ears, I shook my head. Tears flowed on my cheek. I looked at Rudo and she was laughing hysterically.

“I am sorry Mama… I am not sleeping with him,” I cried silently.

“Good,” she finally pulled her hands and made me sit down.

She started to lecture me about sex before marriage and how that was a sin and also that books came first before boys. Suddenly, she knew I was over 18 and I was allowed to date but no sex. I agreed.

I noticed it was 5 p.m. and it was my turn to cook and have dinner prepared.

The chicken had unfrozen and I cut it into small pieces to make chicken curry stew. I prepared the salads and rice. It was already past 6, I rushed to the bath. I washed off sweat on the body and the smell of chicken in my hands.

“Don’t misbehave and be back early,” my mother said.

“I won’t… I promise,” I wiped my cheeks with makeup.

“You look beautiful,” she adored at my dress.

A loud knock was at the door. I heard Rudo shouting but my mother also rushed to the door. I looked at the mirror to check if I had missed a spot. I took deep breaths and went and met Jimmy.

Jimmy and my mother seemed to get along. Except for Rudo, she was jealous plus she loved being noticed. My mother paid too much attention to Rudo than she did to me, except when I did something wrong. Now her attention was on Jimmy, they connected just like me and him did.

***

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