UNBREAKABLE Novel Chapter 5

5

MLUNGHISI

It’s been a month since I took Risuna to her home. Things have not been the same. When everyone asked me if I loved her I didn’t think much of it. But during her absence i found myself missing her. I kept on thinking of her. All I had left with me were the memories and the pictures. That’s all.

The way it became worse i even made regular trips to her village. I did well hiding my identity. No one found out where I’m from. I like it that way. I wasn’t going there for fights. I just wanted to see Risuna and maybe my heart would be at peace. But I never saw her. I think she was always indoors. I don’t blame her. After what happened to her she’d want to stay in. Maybe she was still scared.

Yesterday I saw her. She was coming back from getting her little brother from school. Before I could go and talk to her her father’s car appeared and they got in and it drove off.

But not all hope is lost. I made a friend in this village. I told him the truth about where i came from and that I’m the one who found Risuna and brought her back to her family. He promised not to say anything. Ever since i started being in this guy’s company I’ve come to realize that the problem lies with our village. They don’t want to let go. They are still holding grudges. I guess what that notorious old man did hurt a lot of people.

“Are you ready to go and see her?” Justice asks.

“I am. ” We are standing outside the community hall. He told me that Risuna’s family is handing out food pparcels. He is sure that she will be here as it’s something she loves helping with.

Another thing I’ve noticed that fueled the feud between the villages is the state that this villlage is in. This village is developed. Way devolved than the one that I come from. That makes my people angry. Well,I think they could learn a thing or two. Here it’s not just Risuna’s family that helps. Other families have farms in which they employ people from this place. They create employment for their people. They also contribute money to bring a change to the village. They have almost everything they need here. They don’t go to other villages for things like we do. I don’t even think they go to town often because they have everything they need here.

Justice hits me with his elbow. I look at him.

“Look at how you’re smiling. You really love this chick. Does she feel the same?” Seeing her made me smile. She’s at the front handing out the food larcels. What Justice just said just ruined my mood. What if she is angry at me? I mean,I did her wrong. I wanted to keep her at my home without her consent.

We walk to where she is and I stand next to her. She looks at me.

“Hi.” I greet. And she smiles. That makes me happy. To be honest,I expected a different reaction.

“Hello. You can help if you want to. ” Justice laughs. Nxla.

We help her with handing the food out. There isn’t much to do since they’ve already done a lot. We finish in less than an hour. When we are done we help clean up.

“Thank you for your help. “

“It’s a pleasure. I came to check on how you’re doing. Well,I’ve been coming here for some time now. I just didn’t have the courage to face you.”

“I’m fine. No complaints. “

“That’s good. Thank you for not telling your parents that i didn’t want to bring you back. I figured that you didn’t say anything because no one showed up at home to interrogate me.”

“I wouldn’t tell them. I know you kept me there but you also helped me a lot. If it wasn’t for you i would have died. So I am grateful. “That’s such a relief. She has a good heart.

“Would you like to grab a drink? I promise I won’t kidnap you.” We laugh.

“Okay. I’m going to tell my mother that I’m leaving. “

I go out and wait for her not far frrom the hall. Justice said he will find me at the fast food place. I see Risuna walking to me with her little brother. They get to me and we walk to the place we are going to.

“I hope you don’t mind that my little brother is here. He doesn’t want to be out of my sight after what happened. “

“It’s okay,I understand. “

We walk to that place with her little brother holding her hand. When we get there we all order food and start eating.

“Relax,I won’t do anything to you.”

“I know you won’t do anything to me. This is my brother’s place. I chose it so that i feel safe.” I really did a damage to her. I am responsible for her feeling like this.

“Are you going to take my sister again?” The boy asks.

“If you take her you must take me too. “

“I won’t take her.” He smiles. This boy really loves his sister. Wherever i see Risuna he’s there. I stop eating and just stare at her. She’s enjoying this food. And I kept her at my home where she had pap everyday. It must have been torture for her. It makes me feel bad.

“Is something wrong?” She asks.

“No. I’m just happy to see you happy. That’s all.”

We spend the day just catching up. What I notice about her is that she lives a different life to mine. Being in her life would be a waste of time. I’m just asking for trouble. We are different. Is pursuing something with her even worth it?

…………

After my day with Risuna I go back home a happy man. I had fun with her. Just seeing her made my day. Even though we were not alone i was so happy to spend time with her. It’s better than nothing. And I don’t blame her for not wanting to be with me alone. I would also feel like that.

The way home felt long. I decided to walk there and not hitchhike. I wanted to think well while walking. When I get home I find our yard full of men. I don’t know what these people are doing here. Did something happen to my mother or siblings? I look for dad and find him sitting with the men. I greet and sit down.

These people really like wasting their time. Do they think that them being here will make me forget about Risuna? That won’t happen. I will never forget her. They should just accept that they will never control me. I may live in this village but I don’t follow their rules. I live life according to my ways.

“Where are you coming from?”Dad asks.

“Dad,stop worrying. I didn’t go to Risuna’s village. I went somewhere to work. That’s it.”

“These people are here to give you a warning. They have been sent by the chief. He has heard that you brought someone here,someone who’s not welcome here.”

I know my dad more than he thinks. He called these people here. I don’t believe that the chief sent them. If it was the chief he would have had me summoned to his place. Not send these people.

I listen to them go on and on about how wrong what I did is. I am just listening for the sake of it. Their opinions do not matter. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions. So do I.

……..

“Mlunghisi, wake up and go to work. Who is going to take care of this family when you act like this?” I get up and put on my shoes. I am tired of this man and unfortunately there’s no running away from him. Where will I go? This is the only home I know! And i can’t just leave because my mother and siblings will not cope with my absence. I’m the one taking care of them. I don’t mind doing it. I love taking care of my family. Things go wrong when my father starts demanding for things.

“Dad,please stop reminding me every time I don’t go to work. I know my responsibilities and there is no need of you repeating it. I am off today. So please, let me rest. “

He must have seen me after I finished taking a bath. After that I went back to bed.

“Rest for what? When you are resting here you lose business. “I can’t believe he just said that. I never fail to provide for this family. I always do what’s expected of me and a simple thank you would be enough. But those words? This man doesn’t know them.

“Dad,I have customers who are loyal to me and I always deliver what I promise them. They won’t stop working with me. It’s a weekend. Please let me rest. Or you want me to collapse because of working from Monday to Sunday?” He shakes his head and takes a chair under the tree and sits down. I also sit and take my phone out.

My dad snatches my phone from me.

“What’s keeping your mind occupied on this phone? ” He looks at it and puts it in his pocket.

“This girl is going to be the end of you. Do you want to die?”

“Dad,who will kill me? Those people don’t care about this grudge that you hold against them. “

“Oh,I see. Do you think it’s like that or they are just acting nice because of what you did for their daughter? Did you tell them that you wanted to keep her here even when she wanted to leave? How will that make them feel about you?”

“Who will tell them? Risuna is not going to say anything so that only leaves you because everyone in this family loves Risuna. Are you going to tell them?”

I don’t care what he says. I will never forget about Risuna. I’m still going to see her and he will not stop me from making that happen.

“Tell me here. Do you think that this,whatever you feel for her is love? Let’s say you genuinely love her. Do you think she loves you? After everything you’ve done to her? You kept her here against her will and that’s the same as kidnapping. Do you expect her to feel the way you feel after that? She must be crazy if she says she loves you. I’ve never seen love like this. Son,wake up and smell the coffee. This is life and not a game. That girl doesn’t love you. She’s actually scared of you. Who would love someone like you? ” That last question hurts.

“Dad,not everyone is like you. After all,you’ve never loved me. I’m just this unwanted child you failed to get rid of,one who’s only good enough for feeding this family.”

I go back to my hut after saying that. I know a lot of people don’t love me,him included. But he doesn’t have to keep on reminding me. What are his intentions? To break my heart more? If that’s it then he’s winning.

………

Hello everyone. This is Friday’s insert.