Within herself

Zandile

18 years ago.

Zanele, my twin sister, looked at the condom filled with sperm and scrunched up her face. “Is this what I think it is?” she asked, disgusted. Zanele was the perfect child and me? I was the troubled child who was always followed by trouble- trouble I had caused. I nodded, smiling. It was pathetic how Melusi thought I’d give up easily. He obviously didn’t know me they I thought that he did. I had asked Zanele to come to Canada two days after Melusi told me to stay away from him and Melokuhle.

“It’s exactly what you think,” I said, enjoying her face of disgust. Zanele shook her head. “Why do you have this?”

I let out a dramatic sigh. “Isn’t it obvious? I want Melusi’s baby.”Zanele looked confused. “What do you mean?”

I leaned back in my chair, a sly grin spreading across my face. “You owe me, and now it’s time to pay up.”

I drummed my fingers on the table, enjoying the power I had over my sister. As much as Zanele was perfect she had a bad taste when it came to picking guys. I had always been the one to bail Zanele out and cleaned her messes when her relationships turned sour. Like the time I had to torch her ex-boyfriend’s car when she discovered he was cheating on her. I took care of it, no questions asked. And I never asked for anything in return, that was until now.

Zanele gave me a defeated look. She knew she owed me, and she knew I didn’t play around when it came time for me to collect what was due to me.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

A cold, calculated smile spreaded on my face. “I want you to carry my baby,” I said.

Zanele’s eyes widened. “You can’t be serious,” she whispered.

I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “I’m dead serious. And if you refuse, I’ll make sure everyone knows about your little secret. The one about Nkazimulo’s car…” Zanele’s eyes bulged in terror. “I didn’t do anything! You’re the one who set the car on fire.”

I nodded calmly. “Yes, but I’m not stupid. I wore your clothes, planted a strand of your hair on them, and even took your phone to make it look like you were at the scene of the crime.”

Zanele’s face turned white. “You wouldn’t do that.”

I smirked. “Try me.”

Tears welled up in Zanele’s eyes as she shook her head. “You’re cruel.” I shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”

I took a deep breath and said, “Here’s what you’ll do. You’ll go to Joburg when you’re three months pregnant and pretend to be me. Apologise for my now your past mistakes,” I rolled my eyes, “gain their trust. Once you’ve done that, tell me.”

I leaned back, my smile growing wider. “I, on the other hand, will be setting my ducks in place. I’ll be playing a long game, they sure haven’t seen the last of me.”