Makukhanye

I wasn’t woken up by the warm sun peeking through the windows or the fact that I was now laying on Sthembiso’s rock hard chest. Instead, it was my father’s loud voice calling my name that startled me awake. “Makukhanye.” he shouted. I quickly sat up with my heart on my throat.

I looked down and a blush settled on my cheeks when I saw that I was still naked, I shifted my eyes to Sthembiso and found him already awake and he too was naked, he was a reminder that yesterday was not a dream or a fantasy. It actually happened. The sheets were covering only his torso. His body was decorated by the soft morning light, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe or think.

My father’s loud voice pulled me out of the fog when he called out for me again. My mind started working. I remembered last night, the talk I had with Sthembiso and the steamy session we had all night. I am not supposed to be here. “Sthembiso, are you in here?” My father’s voice called out; he was now just outside Sthembiso’s room. I need to get out of here and fast.

I threw the sheets away and scrambled out of bed, grabbing a fleece from the couch, I quickly wrapped it on my body. 

I looked around the room like a madwoman, desperate to find my clothes. Before I could even grab my pyjama top, I saw the door handle drop down, and my heart almost stopped beating. My father was coming in.

In a panic, I quickly jumped over the bed, my legs tangled in the sheets as I tried to get to the other side of the bed before my father could walk in. I was so focused on escaping that I didn’t even notice my own clumsiness. Before I could fall on the ground, I caught sight of Sthembiso.

He was trying his best not to laugh, his lips pursed, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. I closed my eyes and felt myself fall on the floor. I landed with a soft thud.

In that second, I heard my father walk in, “When you are ready, please look for Makukhanye, and tell her breakfast is ready.”

Sthembiso’s deep voice replied, “Yeah, of course.” I let out a silent sigh of relief when I heard my father’s footsteps walk out. When the door closed, I slowly got up from the floor, my muscles aching from my crazy jump.

Sthembiso was sitting on the bed looking at me with a big smile on his face. “I think you should sign up for ninja classes,” he teased. “The way you jumped to the other side of the bed was actually outstanding.” I rolled my eyes, as I put on my pyjamas. “Please, I think I broke a bone,” I said, rubbing my sore backside. Sthembiso stood up, making the sheets fall. I trained my eyes on his eyes trying very hard not to look down. His warm breath tickled my neck as he whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll make it all better later.” His soft lips brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I pulled back from his arms when I heard footsteps and Menzi’s voice in the hallway.

“I need to get out of here, and the door is not an option,” I said quickly, my mind racing for an escape plan. I rushed to the window and looked out at the pool below. “What a way to start my morning.” My heart was now racing. “This is crazy. I’m actually going to jump out the window.”

I took one last look at Sthembiso. He was shaking his head with a small smile plastered on his lips. I smiled back at him, took a deep breath, and jumped.

When I fell through the air, my stomach flipped. I closed my eyes, waiting for me to fall and when I did, I hit the water making a big splash.

The first thing I realised when I sank into the water was how icy cold it actually was. I came gasping for air and slightly smiled. I actually made it.

I looked up at the window, where Sthembiso was watching me with a big smile.

“Makukhanye?” Menzi said walking outside. He looked at me like I was crazy. “Hey, little bro?” I smiled, wiping the water from my face. “Why are you in the pool at 6:58 in the morning?” he asked, looking at me in a suspicious way. 

I shrugged my shoulders, trying not to look at Sthembiso, who was still standing at the window looking at me. “There’s nothing better than cold water in the morning,” I said, trying to sound calm. Menzi raised an eyebrow. “In your pyjamas?” he asked, his voice full of skepticism.

I smiled. “It’s needed, dear brother,” I said, trying to sound convincing. “You need to try it. Maybe you’ll be less stuck up, now stop being a waste of space and grab me a towel.” Menzi rolled his eyes walking over to the chair and grabbed a towel “Now get out of the pool breakfast is waiting,” he said, throwing the towel my way and walked back inside.

I caught the towel and wrapped it around me. I hurriedly went to my room, with my teeth chattering. I took a quick hot shower when I was done. I headed for breakfast

When I walked into the dining room, my mother looked up. “Oh, there you are!” she said, with a smile. I smiled back but my heart was still racing from what just happened fifteen minutes ago.

Lizzie looked at me with a sly grin,when I sat down. “Did you have a nice swim?” she asked, her voice sweet as honey, but I saw the way she looked at me. I felt my face grow hot when I realised that she must have seen me jump out of Sthembiso’s window.

“Y-yes,” I stuttered, trying to remain normal. “You saw me?” Lizzie nodded and smiled at me. “I sure did,” she said, taking a bite out of her avocado sandwich. “I was in the garden weeding the plants.” She winked at me, and I felt my heart drop to the bottom of my stomach.

“Right,” I said nervously, trying to laugh it off but I could already feel my embarrassment settling in. I was grateful when the focus shifted away from me, but Lizzie’s eyes remained. “How about you, Sthembiso? Did you sleep well?” my mother asked.

Sthembiso nodded, his eyes avoiding mine. “Yes, I did,” he said. The table fell silent for a minute, before it was filled with the usual conversations.

As soon as we all finished eating, I quickly got up and walked out of the room. Lizzie’s knowing looks were making me uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to stick around and face more questions. It was bad enough that she saw me jumping out of the window– I didn’t want to relive the embarrassment.