Days have passed and Xolani felt distressed. He needed something to keep his mind busy while he was around. Sitting at home, cleaning and weight lifting was not enough. While he sat down after his gym sessions he would start to wonder about Nokthula… “How is Nokthula though? I hope she’s doing fine? I hope that infidel of a man doesn’t hurt her.”. He then realized something his mind has be ignoring since he arrived…”How are Bab Mabezela and my grandpa connected? Grandpa always disliked the outside world, so how did he know someone from so far from home?”. He decided to push away the thought and not follow it thoroughly.

Dinner time came and the whole Mabezela family sat in the living room. The girls were chatting up a storm and Baba remarked here and there. Xolani sat there, feeling the warmth of this family’s conversation, he couldn’t control the smile that grew on his face. He then tapped Bab Mabezela’s hand and said “Baba. Being home all day is driving me insane. I need employment, even if it’s voluntary work”. Bab Mabezela looked him in the eyes, then in Lindiwe’s and said “The hardware store is looking for young and strong shelf packers. It’s going to be a tough job. You’ll be carrying heavy material all day and helping customers in the shop. I think this job would be perfect for you”. The smile on Xolani’s face showed his approval. “Speak to Lindiwe, she will take your documentation and you’ll be working with us within a week”, Bab Mabezela said. Xolani took their dishes to the kitchen where he’d celebrate silently.

As he was about to wash the dishes, Hlengiwe popped in and they started talking. She realised that they share somethings in common like a thirst for adventure and the desire to learn. Hlengiwe revealed she’s in a college not far from home, and when she graduates, she’ll take over her sisters position.

With a blushing smile, she asked Xolani if he has ever felt love before. Xolani stopped washing the dishes and said “Yes. Love is the reason why I left home”. She seemed to ignore the tone of Xolani’s voice and asked what actually happened. Xolani washed the dishes and told his story. As he told his story about Nokthula, tears rolled past his cheeks, but he did not want Hlengiwe to see. She hugged him from behind as she felt the tears in his voice. They stayed that way for a few minutes.

Nokthula was at her now new home. She hated herself and her life at the moment. Her wounds were healing well and Bongani has been keeping his distance and her pregnancy isn’t making things any easier. She felt like the whole world was on her shoulders, and she was alone. “Bongani! Bongani!”, she called him thinking of patching things up. She is married to someone she hates, she might at least make it less painful and cold. “Please understand, I hate you to the core, but you forced me into this situation. It’s death do us part and I’m not done living. So you and I must come to agree. I maybe your wife, but don’t expect me to act like it. Let’s start of as friends, maybe one day you’ll get your wish and I’ll truly be yours”. Bongani felt shame looking at the scars on Nokthula’s face. He thought to himself “I don’t deserve this”. Clearly he felt like objecting, but he agreed to Nokthula’s proposal. They tried to hug but Nokthula’s distain towards Bongani did not allow it. She then said “If you ever have problems with me, just speak up, okay?”. With just a nod, Bongani left the room surprised, but happy. Nokthula sighed and said to herself, “How am I going to make hell comfortable?”.

A few days have passed. Bab Mabezela woke Xolani up early, “Wake up mfana wam. You’re going to work today”. Excited Xolani popped out of bed and headed to the shower. When he was done, he saw Lindiwe was already gone and Hlengiwe made him breakfast, she sneak kissed him on the cheek and left him to eat. Bab Mabezela came from the bedroom and informed him they have to go. On the way to the hardware store, Xolani began to wonder how it’s going to be there, how people will treat him, and for some odd reason he wondered how Nokthula is. He just looked outside, looking at the buildings and people walking about, with Nokthula’s image glued to his eyes, it was clear he still loved her. They got to the hardware store. The Big Build store, Where your build is our priority. Xolani was introduced to the staff. There was Justin, the supervisor and only white guy in the shop. Theo and Dumisane, they were dark skinned guys, big loud and proud, then Nonhle and Nonala. Nonhle was Lindiwe’s PA and Nonala was the Administration clerk. Xolani was happy to be there and they began work immediately. Bab Mabezela tasked Dumisane to help him fit in. As loud and proud as Dumisane is, he’s story is not so different from Xolani’s. He spent his life bullied for having an extra patch of skin at the back of his head. So this loudness is seen as a defence mechanism.

It was lunch. Everyone was curious to know who Xolani was. They wanted to know his story. He was reluctant, but managed to summarize the story a little. He noticed the shock on Nonala’s face, and tears on Nonhle. Theo and Dumisane consoled him and they went back to work. Since Xolani is new, he has no specific department to work in, so all he does is the heavy lifting for the girls. This went on for weeks.

Nokthula could give birth at any second. Most of her stitches from Bongani’s attack have healed. Even though her heart beats in fear most times she sees him, she tried her hardest to be kind. They tried taking walks together. They tried going out, but they lacked the chemistry. One evening, Nokthula was preparing dinner. She thought to herself “they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, well today I’ll cook him a storm he won’t forget”. She continues “He’s no Xolani but he’s better then nothing”. She was looking for a pot big enough to cook some bread in. She stretched too hard. Her stitches ripped. Through the unbearable pains, her water broke. Her screams were heard by her neighbours as her husband to be was still job hunting. When news reached Bongani, he ran as hard as he could to the clinic, as their neighbours already brought Nokthula there. Her agonising screams were reminiscent of when Bongani put her in hospital. Her tears made him weak. Then a doctor said “she can not give birth here. She has to go to the nearest Hospital. We fear we could lose them both here. They requested a helicopter for a pick up.