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NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 13 THEMBENI The car pulls up outside my gate, the driver gets out first. He’s a quiet man in a neat uniform, barely said a word on our way here. He opens my door and that makes me feel like I’m someone important. I step out and he shuts the door. “Thank … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 12 THEMBENI This is not the same man I was with last night. The same man who told me all those sweet nothings and made me believe he would move mountains just to have me. I should go, storm out like the queen he keeps calling me, call another cab, and let … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 11 THEMBENI My mind is spinning like someone threw it in a washing machine on high speed. Five million rand. The number keeps echoing in my head, loud and shiny and impossible. But something about the whole thing smells wrong, like fish left out in the sun too long. I cross my … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 10 THEMBENI There’s an old gogo arguing with the receptionist about her appointment card, and it’s not even 9am yet. I dump my bag in the locker, tie my hair back quick, and try to look like I didn’t just survive a family meeting from hell. Sister Dlamini is waiting at the … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 9 THEMBENI My father is still on his knees, it’s embarrassing because it looks like he’s praying to a god. “Bayede, Ngwane kaNgwadi,” he keeps murmuring, his head bowed so low his chin might be kissing the dirt. Seriously, what he’s saying is confusing, and impossible to ignore. Ngwane kaNgwadi? That’s not … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 8 THEMBENI There’s something warm and heavy all over me. At first, my body reacts then my mind follows. There is pressure on my arm, lips brushing my cheek, my jaw, my temple. It’s slow, lazy kisses, that make no sense to me right now. My heart jumps straight into my throat. … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 7 MENZI The guards come in like men already condemned. Heads bowed so low their chins almost touch their chests. They line up against the wall, four shadows in uniform, and they don’t dare look up. Not at me, not at my father. I can feel the air change the second the … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 6 THEMBENI This man is really trying to score points with me. The Golide who does not bow to anyone is driving me back to Manzana, and not forcing me to sleep over at his house. I wonder if he will agree if I ask him to switch off that Maskandi blasting … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 5 CHIEF MENZI I’m sitting in the main lounge of the royal house, the one with the big leather couches and the walls full of old family photos and clan shields. My father is pacing in front of me like a man who just found out his prize bull ran away. He’s … Read more

NURSE THEMBENI CHAPTER 4 I thought I would find women’s outfits, but it’s his clothes in this huge closet, shirts, pants, shorts, t-shirts. Still, there is nothing that screams “girlfriend material.” I grab a pair of his sweatpants and a clean T-shirt, and pull them on, cinching the waist with the drawstring so I don’t … Read more