Makukhanye 

I searched for Sthembiso for an hour before asking Menzi, “Have you seen Sthembiso? Did he already leave?”

Menzi turned around, putting down his juice. “Maybe he got tired of you,” he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not funny. Just tell me where he is. You clearly know something.”

Menzi leaned back on his stool, and folded his arms. “He left, okay? He said he couldn’t bear to say goodbye to you.” I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t believe you. He wouldn’t just leave without saying anything.” Menzi shrugged. “And you say this because you know him that well?”

I sighed, frustrated. “Forget it. I have packing to do.”

Menzi smiles “Yeah you do that, your new bodyguard he’s about to arrive.” I stormed off to my room, frustrated. Menzi’s words about my new bodyguard only made me angrier. As soon as I closed the door, tears began streaming down my face.

I felt silly for being so upset over someone I barely knew, but my heart ached nonetheless. I wished I could have seen him before he left.

A week seemed like like forever. Instead of packing, I tossed my clothes into the suitcase. I desperately wished I had his phone number so I could call him and tell him how much I missed him and that I was mad he left without a word.

Sthembiso

I looked at Sindie full of regret, “I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry, I’m sorry for leaving you behind. I knew very well that our mother wasn’t a mother, she knew nothing about parenting and stepping up but I still left you with her. I want you to understand that I couldn’t have taken you at the time. I was also a lost teenager and I didn’t know where I was going.” I paused, collecting my thoughts.

I looked down at my hands, my fingers intertwined. “Those first few weeks I spent them sleeping under bridges and eating from the dustbins. When I finally made it out of the streets, I had learned that you were now a prostitute and was pregnant. I was too late. Ndumiso had also taken you. I was powerless, I couldn’t fight for you. I know that I have failed you in so many ways and right now I am begging for your forgiveness.”

Sindie dabbed her face with a tissue and sniffed. “You made me cry.” She half smiled. “I want you to understand that whatever happened to me was not your fault, I do not blame you. I did what I thought was right for me at the time. What I went through with Ndumiso was traumatising, I am just sad at the fact that Naledi got pulled into that mess from the second she was born and I am heartbroken because of my son that I lost. I don’t think I would ever heal from his death. As much as Ndumiso was a pain in the ass, he taught me how to have a thick skin and I wouldn’t have met Shawn if it wasn’t for him. So don’t you ever blame yourself, I have long gone past that Ndumiso saga. I am healed, me and my little family are happy right now that all that matters.”

“The wifi is down mom, I need to watch some Netflix.”

“And ms rude here is my daughter, Naledi. Where are your manners Naledi, you don’t even greet your elders.”

“I’m sorry,” Naledi said sheepishly “Hello.”

“Hello.” I said with a small smile. It was amazing how Naledi looked exactly like Sindie when she was young.

“This is your uncle Sthembiso.”

Naledi looked at me with a curious look, “I never knew you had a brother.”

Sindie shook her head “It’s a long story.”

“It is nice to meet you uncle Sthembiso. Are you going to stay with us?”

Sthembiso shrugged, “If that’s okay with your mom.”

Sindie shoved my shoulder. “And why would I say no, you are family, I’ll call Shawn and tell him that you are here.”

“Hey baby, I saw a restaurant that we should try,” If I were to guess that was Shawn, I could tell by the smile on Sindie’s face.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” Sindie whispered with a smile when she heard Shawn’s voice coming down the hallway.

“We have a visitor.” Sindie shouted for Shawn to hear.

“Your mother?” Shawn asked, I could hear his footsteps getting closer.

“My brother.” Sindie said with a smile.

Shawn quickly appeared; his eyes locked with mine the minute he walked in through the door.

“Sthembiso?” He looked shocked and I didn’t blame him, it was still hard to believe that I was actually here sitting next to my sister.

I nodded, “That’s right. You must be Shawn.”

Shawn nodded as he sat down, “Sindie has told me about you”

We spent the rest of the day catching up, trying to get back the lost time.

Sindie left me alone with Shawn and went to prepare dinner. “So, what actually brings you here?” Shawn asked, when we sat down to watch a football match.

I shrugged, “I don’t know, I found myself parked outside the gate.”

Shawn nodded, taking a sip of his beer. “Well it is good to have you around, Sindie seems lighter now that you have arrived.”

He paused, “Your mind seems to be far away, is it a girl?” he asked with a sly smile.

I laughed leaning back on the couch, “Yeah, how did you guess?”

Shawn shrugged, “I know that look all too well. Wanna talk about it?”

“I fell in love with a girl I was never supposed to fall for” I blurted out.

Shawn setup straight and looked at me, “You have my attention.”

I pulled my eyes away from the TV and took a deep breath. “I fell for Melusi Xaba’s daughter.”

Shawn spat out his beer, and laughed. “Oh, I know him. He’s a big deal on the streets. Many respect him. I remember when he announced that he’d slit anyone’s throat if they came near his daughter. I’m surprised you’re still alive.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

Shawn’s face turned serious. “So, what are you going to do? Is the girl even worth the risk?”

I looked him straight in the eye. “She is.”

Shawn whistled. “You must be crazy or have some f’ed up guts.”          

I sank on the couch, “Says someone who went through hell to be with your sister.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. So, what are you going to do?”

I gulped my beer and shrugged, “Go after her.”

It was the craziest idea I’d ever had, considering Melusi’s reputation. But sometimes, the heart wants what it wants.