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NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 23 MENZI I drove through the night from Manzana to Durban without telling my father I was leaving. I did not leave a message, or tell the guards. I just got in the car and drove. The road was long and dark which was good for me. I needed distance from him, … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 22 THEMBENI I wake up to two faces hovering above me. For a second, my mind doesn’t understand what I’m seeing. I rub my eyes, I must not be seeing right. Oh, they’re still there. I scream, jerking upright, dragging the blanket up to cover my myself. Why are there people in … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 21 MENZI Baba hasn’t said a single word since we left Mpondo’s yard. He’s just staring out the window, jaw tight, hands clenched on his knees. MaNxumalo is sitting next to him, hands folded in her lap, but even she keeps glancing at him. She’s waiting for the storm to break, we … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 20 THEMBENI Philile says I should help her in the kitchen, the delegates have to eat. If she’s talking about Ngiyabonga and his people, I’m not getting involved. I have made it clear that I will not be marrying Menzi and I stand on that decision. “Tell Ntando to help you, she’s … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 19 THEMBENI Everyone’s on their knees except my brothers. They are still standing there like idiots, faces twisted in total confusion. They look from the kneeling Hlongwane uncles to Baba who’s actually on his knees, head bowed low, then to this fragile-looking guy leaning on his father and the driver. The Mthunzi … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 18 MENZI My stomach hasn’t settled since last night. Every time I close my eyes, I see her body on the road, then Mehlo’s face. My parents don’t care, they are not even bothered. What is currently stressing them is whether the lobola negotiations are going well. The uncles went to the … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 17 THEMBENI For a few seconds, I genuinely consider pretending I cannot hear them. Maybe if I stand very still, wrapped in this towel, they will assume I evaporated. Maybe they will question their tracking skills, or maybe they will go home and reflect. But no, these are my brothers. Men who … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 16 THEMBENI “Themi.” I am sitting on my bed, still in my nightwear, I do not even look up when Philile lets herself in. “If you are here to rehearse your ‘Congratulations, Makoti’ speech, please practice it outside.” I tell her. She closes my door softly behind her and that alone makes … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 15 MENZI I stumble through the front door, my chest heaving so hard it hurts to breathe. My eyes sting with tears I didn’t even realise were falling until I wiped them on the drive home. The moment I step inside, I fall to my knees. My parents are both in the … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 14 MENZI Bingelela restaurant is located just outside Bergville, an hour away from Manzana. I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant. I just need to execute a plan before going in there. I stay in the car with the engine running. I should’ve thrown the pill out the window on … Read more