UNBREAKABLE Novel Chapter 14

14

RISUNA

“Did you take my earings?”I ask my little sister.

“No. You know I don’t touch your things. Maybe you forgot where you put them.”

“Maybe.”

I can’t find my earings, the ones Mlunghisi bought for me. I don’t know why but I think they were moved from where I put them. I never forget where I put things. Someone clearly took them. Those earings are too precious to me and I need to find them. They mean a lot to me because my boyfriend got them for me.

If my sister didn’t take them then there’s only one person. Thandeka took them. But I don’t want to accuse her without verifying first. So I unblock her and call her.

“Hey,friend. I’ve been trying to call you so that I can apologise. I’m sorry about what happened at the vacation. “

“You are not sorry. Why did you even do it?”

“I just thought I was helping you. Babe,just imagine how your life would be if you were this side. Things would change. You wouldn’t have to follow Mlunghisi around and sleeping in huts.”

She is not sorry at all. She’s still talking bad about my boyfriend. Can’t she see that I’m not interested in whatever she says about him?

“That’s not why i called. I wanted to ask if you’ve seen my earings. They were in my room.” She keeps quiet. That’s proof enough for me to know that she really did take them. But why though?

“You mean those ones you couldn’t stop talking about? Those earings are fake. I got rid of them. ” My heart breaks. Why didn’t she ask me first if she could get rid of them or not? I wouldn’t have even allowed that!

“Thandeka, those earings are not fake. You are just jealous because my boyfriend got them for me. He did something nice for me and that hurts you. Where did you put them?”

“As I said,I got rid of them.”

“You know what? You can Keep them. I know you took them. What’s the jealousy for since you said my boyfriend is poor and not good enough for me?”

“I’m not jealous. I’m just showing you what you can’t see.”

“You’re so evil. To even take my earings? Goodbye!” I block her number again.

Thandeka has changed so much. I can’t believe this is her. Now where will I say the earings are? I loved those earings and she took them. I know for sure that she didn’t throw them away. She took them. I don’t know how she came to a conclusion that they are fake. They are not fake at all.

I’m not even going to tell Mlunghisi about it. He works hard for his money. I don’t want him to feel bad that I lost them. I know him. He will want to buy them for me again and I don’t want that.

I go to my grandmother’s room and find her still in bed. I join her and sigh. I don’t spend much time with her these days and I feel guilty.

“What’s wrong, my child?”

“It’s nothing. How are you?”

“I’m fine. But I can see that you are not fine. What is it?”

“It’s my friend. She speaks so badly of Mlunghisi and she stole the earings that he bought me.”

I look at her. She doesn’t show any reaction. Is she on Thandeka’s side?

“Forget about that girl. I’ve always known that she is not good. You loved her and I didn’t want to break your heart. If she can steal from her friend then what kind of friend does that make her?”

She’s right. Maybe I was just blind and couldn’t see it. Thandeka is not a good person. I wish I had seen it a long time ago.

“Mlunghisi is a good person. Don’t listen to your friend. You know your partner,and she doesn’t. You know the kind of person he is. That’s all that matters. Not what she says.”

MLUNGHISI

I missed my family. I haven’t seen them in a while. So I decided to go and visit them. I hiked to my village. When i got here there was no one. So I made fire and started cooking. I made lunch and ate. After that I took a reed mat and slept under the shade waiting for them to come back.

My little sister came back and when she saw me she went back to where she was. Then after a while she came back with mom. I may not be in good terms with my father but I will not let that get in the way of my mother and I. I love this woman. She gave me life. She chose me when my father wanted to kill me. I am alive because she chose to protect me. If it wasn’t because of her bravery I wouldn’t be here today.

When she comes back she sits next to me. I stare at her. She doesn’t look sad or something like that. She is happy. And that makes me happy. One thing about my dad,he may hate me but he loves my mother. I’ve never seen him treat her bad. It’s me that he does not love.

“How are you? Mmh,there is no need to ask. You look happy. I guess things are going well between you and Risuna. “

“Things are going well mom. We are happy. Life is good. I just missed you guys. That’s why I decided to come. I would have come with Risuna,but you know how things are. I don’t want to put her through what she went through here again. “

“I’m happy that it’s going well. Do not worry about your father. He will come around. Once he sees how happy you are with Risuna he will change his mind. He will accept her.”

I know that she’s just trying to make me happy but what she’s saying is not true. Dad will never accept Risuna. He’s too loyal to the chief. Accepting Risuna means that he’s betraying the chief.

“I cooked when I arrived.” She calls Khensi and asks her to dish up for her.

“You should come and visit me. You’re always welcome at my place.” I tell her.

“I will make time to visit with your siblings. How is it going with building your house?”

“It’s going well. I even have your room there.”

“Don’t waste money. You will need it to buy furniture and so on.”

“Mom,don’t worry about me. I have enough money to build and even get married.” She smiles.

“Get married? Are you and Risuna getting married?” I laugh.

“No,mom. But next year it will definitely happen. I mean that I have money to pay lobola. I could pay this year then get married next year. I just have to find out if she’s ready. “

“You could find that she is. Do you know that your grandparents got married two months after knowing each other?”

“Mom,two months?” It’s hard to believe. And they are still together. That reminds me. I haven’t introduced Risuna to my grandparents. I will do it,it won’t be a problem since they don’t stay here.

“I’m serious. If you feel that you are ready for it talk to her. But only send your uncles when you’re certain that she’s ready. Talk to her first and find out how she feels about it. “

“Didn’t I say you should never set your foot here?” Oh,the man of the house is back.

“I missed mom. So I decided to visit her.”

“You’re not welcome here. You’re no longer my son and I don’t want to see you. Leave!”

I don’t wait for him to repeat himself. I take out my wallet and take out some money and give it to my mother.

“Send my greetings to Basani and Dzunisani. I will see you when you come to my place. Bye.”

I take my cap and leave.

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