After hours on the bus staring out the window, seeing cars, roads and nature fly by, Xolani’s heart still aches from the events that took place several hours ago. He was happy he left the damn village, but tears roll down his eyes when he relived the kiss he shared with Nokthula. The bus moved at a cruising velocity. Nothing luxurious, but just a big metal tube with very uncomfortable seats. Xolani saw it as a small price to pay for salvation.

When Xolani looked ahead, he lost his breath. Buildings that touched the sky, thousands of people pacing and pondering, being about their business, and so many vehicles racing against time. Xolani has never seen such before, it’s his first time in the city.
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The bus reached the station, and Xolani’s nerves were shot. He was shaking like a man threatened for his life. He looked outside and saw many faces. What shocked him was that he saw many faces, with many colours. The only white person he’s ever seen worked in the clinic. He saw some people who had his light skin colour. The skin colour that brought him torment and tragedy his whole life. He smiled because after all the shock and amazement, he realised that he will no longer be subjected to judgement, but in fact it seems like things are going to be great.
Xolani boarded off the bus and began to look around, but he knew not what he was looking for, until he saw an old man with 2 fair dark skinned girls holding a sign that had his name and surname boldly written “Xolani Mbete”. He proceeded to them and greeted the old man. “Molo Bab Mabezela”, Xolani said “I am happy to finally meet you and your family”. Bab Mabezela looked Xolani straight in the eyes and shook his arm. He was surprised by the grip Xolani had on his hand, he smiled and then responded “You’re now part of my family mfana’wam”, and his straight face grew an ever refreshing, a very reassuring smile, he then said, “Meet my lovely daughters, Lindelwe and Hlengiwe. As from this day they will be your sisters and they will guide you through the little old town of ours”. The girls excitedly hugged Xolani which shocked him . He snapped out of it and enjoyed the embrace, then the girls helped him with his luggage and headed to the family car.

As the car left the city, and zoomed into another town, Xolani felt lost yet safe, he couldn’t help but wonder if Nokthula missed him, but he remembered his purpose, the reason why he left without her. He hoped against hope that life was fine for her.

Nokthula was in a clinic bed, as if the pain from her wounded face wasn’t just enough, her womb pains made things much worse. She was bleeding from all ends, but found comfort in the moments of happiness she felt. She did not hate Xolani, but she hate the fact that she probably won’t see him again. The pains made her cry, as much as she tried to keep calm, she cried and cried, like she had tears of 2 people flowing. The doctor insisted “Mrs Nguni needs a hospital, Now! We need to save them both”. Outside Bongani was pacing, panicking, wondering what the consequences for his actions will be. The Nguni elders soon arrived and his father introduced himself with a punch to the gut, and said, “You better pray she lives Boy!” and passed him to see if Nokthula was alright.

In a matter of minutes, a helicopter arrived and took Nokthula to the nearest private hospital, in the city..

Xolani and the Mabezela family arrived to their home. When Xolani took a good look at the exterior of the house, it looked alot like the Nguni elder residence. He had a flash back of how he stormed there, screaming and shouting from pain, roaring out to beat Bongani . Lindiwe couldn’t help but notice something was wrong with Xolani, as a tear travelled past his cheek. He brushed it off and said he’s fine, he’s just a little tired.

They got in the house, the girls were eagerd the listen to Xolani’s stories about the village as they showed him is new room. As he opened the dark brown painted door, he marvelled at how big the room was. The room was painted in Maroon lined with Gold and Black stripes at the corners and the edge of the ceiling, the massive queen sized bed with maroon duvets made his heart skip a beat. Xolani asked, who’s room is this? And with that, he saw the girls smiles turn to frowns. Hlengiwe burst into tears, and Lindiwe said with tears dropping down her face “Our late older brother. Not so long ago he was killed in a mugging in town”. Xolani apologized for asking an indecent question like that, and the girls wiped off their tears and frowns, and proceeded to hug Xolani. To him this was foreign. The only hugs he has ever felt were from his grandmother and Nokthula. He then realized that this feels nice, feels safe, and it was nice to feel a hug like this. Bab Mabezela appeared and said “Girls, leave the man alone. The bus tripped must have tired him out. We will wake him once the food is ready”. The girls left and as the door closed, Bab Mabezela said quietly, but loud enough for Xolani to hear, “Welcome Home Mfana Wam”.
As Nokthula laid in the hospital bed, her head pounding, she relived her happiest moments. She remembered the day she and Xolani first met. She remembered that feeling of excitement she felt from touching him. How good it felt to steal glances from him as they sat in class. She used to wonder if she was part of his suffering, but after the hellatious beating she received from Bongani, she now truly understood why he left, why he never smiled, why he, the one she loved, forever had red eyes.

The Nguni elders were called to speak to a doctor. “Mrs Nguni will be fine, so will the baby. She is 7 months pregnant. She should not have suffered such a beating. We don’t even know how either her or the baby survived”. Bab Nguni, Bongani’s father stared a hole through him then commanded him to speak out on his actions. “Father, I was protecting our honour. I was not going to allow her transgressions to go unpunished. The whole community witnessed her kissing another man”. Angrily, Bab Nguni interrupted, “The man you stole her from. The very same man you tormented. I do not know where you get this evil from son, but I have allowed it enough, No more”. Bab Nguni proceeded to say “You know you can not divorce your wife, but here’s my punishment for you. We as the Nguni family will cut you off. As from now on, we will not save you from your transgressions. We will not fight your battles. We are tired of your nonsense. You’re man enough to beat your wife, then you’re man enough to live alone with her… Bongani was very displeased, but has to accept his punishment. There was nothing more he could do but accept it. He went into Nokthula’s room, with shame dripping from his face, held her hand as she slept, kissed it and said “I do not deserve your forgiveness. My jealousy and hate clouded my mind, I couldn’t bare the thought of him laying a hand on you again. I am sorry my love. I vow to you, I will change my ways for you, and hopefully I’ll become as important to you as that abomination boy you love so much”, then he just sat there, and wondered what he’ll do next after Nokthula is discharged.