BECOMING CHAPTER 29 CHULUMANCO From that day Mesuli and I have smex every day. He just can’t get enough. We are sitting in the living room talking about everything and anything. “I think I want to go back to school next year,” I say. “That’s actually a good idea, baby. What do you want to … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 28 ZINZI The club is packed. Lights pulse red and blue across the walls, bass thumping so hard I feel it in my ribs. We push through the crowd toward the bar first. Chulumanco is already laughing, her red dress catching every flash of light. She looks good—really good. Confident. Happy. I’m happy … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 27 CHULUMANCO Saturday morning I’m already cleaning. I start in the living room, dust the coffee table, straighten the cushions, pick up Kungawo’s toy cars from the floor. Then the kitchen, I wipe the counters, scrub the sink, load the dishwasher with last night’s plates. I like cleaning on Saturdays. It keeps my … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 26 ZINZI The call disconnects and I just sit there on the edge of my bed, phone still warm in my palm, staring at the dark screen like it might light up again with more good news. Chulumanco’s voice is still echoing in my ears—soft, a little shaky, but so full of quiet … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 25 CHULUMANCO I’m sitting in the passenger seat of Zola’s black SUV, windows cracked just enough to let in the smell of wet tar and grilled meat from the street vendors outside. The radio is low, some amapiano track with a smooth bassline that matches the easy rhythm of our conversation. He’s driving … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 24 MESULI The plates clink against each other as I stack them in the sink. I hadf lunch with my small family almost an hour ago. Now Kungawo is napping in his room upstairs and Chulumanco left about twenty minutes ago for her nail appointment. She said it casually over lunch—“I’m doing my … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 23 MESULI The ceiling fan turns lazy circles above me, cutting through the same stale air it’s been pushing around for the last hour. I lie on my back, arms crossed behind my head, eyes fixed on the blades. When I stare long enough, they blur. My body is exhausted from this week’s … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 22 Sponsored by Mngazi Omuhle CHULUMANCO The last track of BodyPump ends with a heavy drop, bass rattling the mirrors, and the instructor’s voice booming through the speakers: “Well done, team, see you next week!” My arms tremble as I lower the barbell to the mat with a controlled clang. My thighs are … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 21 Sponsored by Mngazi Omuhle MESULI The office parking garage is already half-empty when I finally leave at 6:42 p.m. The sky outside is that bruised purple that comes just after sunset, the kind of light that makes everything look softer than it really is. I slide into my car, start the engine, … Read more
BECOMING CHAPTER 20 CHULUMANCO The rain from yesterday lingers in the air this morning, making everything feel heavy and damp. I wake up before the alarm, before Kungawo stirs and before the house makes any sound at all. My eyes open to the grey light pushing through the curtains, and the first thing I feel … Read more