After four months it was Noluntu’s turn to tell her story. She had to tell the truth to her parents and her girlfriend. While she waited for Frank and Petunia to get home she phoned her girlfriend, Mangi, she had been avoiding her for too long. “Hello, babes, I was just thinking about you,” said Mangi when she heard Noluntu’s voice.

“Hey, Mangi.” Noluntu didn’t know how to tell Mangi, so she just came straight out with it. “Look I can’t do this to you anymore. It’s not fair, you know.” Noluntu had got cold feet about their relationship before, but she had never dumped anyone before.

“Just tell me what’s bothering you,” said Mangi. Noluntu could hear in Mangi’s voice that she suspected what was coming.

“OK, I love you very much Mangi. I just want you to be happy. But, I’m pregnant. I’m sorry.” She put the phone down quickly because she couldn’t handle the sound of Mangi’s broken sob. She switched her phone off.

Ten minutes later a car hooted outside. Noluntu was in tears, so she didn’t go outside but just stood at the window. She saw Frank and her mother. It was still hard for her to say, Dad. She couldn’t see who had given them a lift but her mom was talking to the guy and seemed to really like him. They waved goodbye and the car left. Noluntu switched on the TV and pretended she had been watching. When her mom came in she turned to her and smiled. “Hey, look who’s back. Mom, I haven’t seen that smile for ages.” She said.

“Well, what can one do when you are happy?” laughed her Mom. “So, have you marked the books? The ones you were complaining about yesterday?”

“Oh, I’ll do that tonight. Would you like some tea? Frank…I mean Dad, can I get you something to drink?” They both said they were fine because Frank’s nephew, the one in the car, had taken care of them.

“Sweety, you sounded like you had something important to tell us, when you phoned.” Said Petunia. “What is it honey?”

“Mom, Dad, I’m ashamed to say it, but I’ll say it anyway. I’m pregnant.” He mother was digesting the news while Frank looked stunned, all he could do was congratulate his daughter. “Mom, you look confused.” Said Noluntu.

“Noluntu, I mean how? You’re a …” She didn’t say the word lesbian, perhaps she hadn’t told Frank. “How did this happen?”

Noluntu explained everything. She told them that she had been at a party and she had got drunk. She didn’t remember much about it, but she woke up around 3 am next to a guy she had met at the party. Both of them didn’t know how they had ended up in that bed. She didn’t even know his name.

Her parents were disappointed to hear this, especially her father, who was ready to see his daughter in a white wedding dress. She looked at them, ashamed. Then she heard someone opening the door. When she looked up she saw Mangi, standing there.“ I need to talk to you,” said Mangi. She didn’t even greet Noluntu’s parents.

“What a rude girl,” said Frank, looking at Mangi closely.

“And you are….?” Said Mangi, staring at Frank.

“If you really want to know Mangi, Frank is my father.” Mangi just laughed at Noluntu.

“Did you just say,father? Come on babes, I don’t have time for this. I came to talk to you.”

“There is nothing to talk about, Mangi. OK? I meant everything I said earlier. So if you don’t mind I was just having an important conversation with my parents. Please could you leave.”

“Who do you think you are?” Shouted Mangi “Talking to me like I am rubbish. Look, Noluntu, you owe me an explanation.” “Not now,” said Noluntu, looking at her parents. She knew Mangi really loved her, but she didn’t respect her parents, and Noluntu wouldn’t speak to her until she acknowledged them. Mangi stormed out and Noluntu ran to her bedroom. She was confused and upset. She took her diary from her bag and started writing:

What if I hadn’t met my father? What if I won’t see my unborn baby’s father again? What if I hadn’t come clean to my family? What if I hadn’t broken up with Mangi? What if….” She breathed deeply for a minute to calm down before continuing. “It seems my life is all about, what if…?

If only my mother had listened to my father’s family and never given birth to me, because the only thing I bring to this world is trouble.

Later Frank’s nephew came to pick him up. This time he came inside. Noluntu was fast asleep with her diary resting on her chest. When Frank’s nephew knocked on the door it woke Noluntu. She heard her mother talking to the young man in the next room. It seemed like they got on well.

“Khayelethu, you’ve come to fetch your uncle.”

“Yes, I hope you enjoyed your day?” asked Khayalethu.

“Of course, after meeting such a young man with a great sense of humour, how could I not. Except…” Petunia paused. “Well my baby girl, Noluntu is pregnant.” Noluntu could hear the worry in her mom’s voice. She didn’t go and join them. She just lay and listened. Why did the young man’s voice sound familiar?

“I suppose that’s good news. You said she was 26, right?” Khayelethu tried to sound cheerful.

“It’s a long story,” said Petunia. Then Khayalethu’s phone rang.

“I have to take this aunty. Uncle, I’ll wait for you in the car.” Noluntu heard him leave. She came out and asked,

“Who was the young man?”

“It was my nephew, Luntu. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye, guys,’ Frank hugged Luntu before he left.

Noluntu was left alone with her mother. “I’ll just go and mark those books.” She said.

“Luntu, come here and sit next to me.” Her mom patted the couch. When Luntu had sat down, her mom said, “I didn’t want to say anything in front of your father. Are you sure you’re pregnant?”

“Yes, Mom. I slept with that guy 3 months ago.” She had to explain the whole thing again to her mom from A- Z.

Two days later, on Saturday morning, Frank called and told Petunia that he was coming to visit them with Khayelethu. Noluntu went to Khayelitsha Mall to buy some vegetables for the day. “Mom, do you need any help there?” she asked Petunia, who was busy cooking when she came back. She helped her mom by peeling the vegetables. When Petunia was very sick Noluntu had hired a nurse to cook for her because she was a terrible cook herself. But she could peel vegetables, and in this way they helped each other.

After an hour Frank and his nephew arrived. Noluntu was tired and sleeping on the couch as they walked in. “Hello, oh Luntu,” Said Frank. “Don’t tell me that the baby is giving you problems already?” Frank laughed as Noluntu tried to wake up. As she opened her eyes she didn’t look at Frank, her eyes went straight to Khayelethu. They both said,“Oh, my God!” Petunia and Frank looked at both of them.

“This is the guy…” said Luntu, “This is the guy I was telling you about…the one at the party…my baby’s father….” She was stunned.

Khaya looked at Luntu and then at his uncle. He had loved Noluntu the first time he had seen her, but then she had disappeared after that night. Now, she was here in front of him. But how could they date? They were practically cousins.

***

Tell us what you think: What do you think will happen next? What would you do if you were Luntu?