Dad called again! This time I was there to answer his call.

Me: Hello

Him: (Silent)

Me: Tata thetha kaloku.

Him: (Silent)

Me: Bye tata. Uzophinde ufone xa ufuna uthetha. (hanging up)

That was yesterday. He hasn’t called. And I’m here wondering to hell and back what it is that he wants to say to me. Mom says he’s going to call.

“Just give him time. When he’s ready, he’ll talk,” she says.

“What time, mama?” my voice lets me down again. Now, I’m speaking exactly in the way my parents told me not to speak, raising my voice. But what really irks me is the soft, calculated way in which my mother speaks.

“Mama, what’s going on?” This time I remember to be my mother’s obedient daughter.

“When are you coming home, Zinzi?”

“Ngomso,” I say, “But you’re not just going to change the topic like that. What’s going on, mama?”

“Look, Zinzi I’ve got to go. Just come home, nana!”

“I’m coming mama!” I scream the words, but she has dropped the phone already. My parents are cowards!!! Something’s up and no one has the guts to say it to me! I know it.

ZZ xx