UNBREAKABLE Novel Chapter 9

9

RISUNA

I’m opening my gift that i got from my mother in law. Wow! Listen to me already calling her my mother in law. It’s actually amazing how Mlunghisi and I got together. The way we met is unusual. I smile when I see what’s inside. It’s three traditional tsonga tops,three body wrappers(minceka),beads(for the waist) and xibelani. I also got three pairs of takkies that are decorated with beads. How did she know my sizes?! This is so beautiful. I love my presents.

I wish the father was nice like this.

“Mmh. Those look beautiful. Where did you buy them?” Tiyiselani asks when she walks into my bedroom.

“My mother in law made them for me.”

“Mmh. The smile says it all. You’re happy. I am happy for you. Mlunghisi is a nice guy. He even came to ask for dad’s blessings to be with you. ” She sits on the bed.

“But,I want you to be careful whenever you visit him. People from that village hate us. They see us as enemies. I’d suggest that whenever you two meet don’t meet there. Go somewhere you know you will be safe. As soon as those people find out about you it’s going to be war. They will see you as an intruder.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t set foot there again. His father said if I continue going there he will report me to the chief. So Mlunghisi said I shouldn’t go there anymore. “

“He is right. It’s still going to be hard going forward. But as long as you two love each other you’re going to be fine. Hold onto him. He’s a good man.”

I’m happy with the way my family supports me. They are so supportive and want what’s good for me. They are not against my relationship.

“Another thing. Does he work?”

“Yes. He’s a welder and sometimes he pprovides transport to people. But welding is his full time job.”

“Okay,that’s good. I am relieved to know that when you two are married he will be able to take care of you.”

“Married? That’s too early. “

“It’s not. I’m preparing you for what will possibly happen. Him asking dad for his blessing shows how serious he is about you. The next step will be lobola then marrying you. I see it happening soon. So you should be ready. ” Well,I would love to get married to Mlunghisi. But we are going to take our time. We still have a lot to achieve. Our dreams. And he’s just started to look for his own place. He is still building a house at home. I don’t know what is going to happen now that there are problems between him and his father. Is he going to stop building and focus on his place? I’d prefer him to finish building his parents home first then start with his. If he stops building at home I know for sure his father is going to blame me for that.

Another thing I’m sure of is that as soon as his father finds out that he’s got a place here it will be my fault. That man will say i convinced Mlunghisi to look for a place here. There will be trouble. Actually, trouble is already brewing. I’m going to be in trouble. He will chew me and spit me out. That’s what will happen.

“Did you tell him who you are? Like the complete truth.” I look down. I can’t do that. I don’t want to lose my man.

“You better do it soon. Those stories grandma always told us? That was the truth. Our grandfather was no saint. If Mlunghisi loves you as he says I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Tell him that you are Hlengani Hlungwani’s granddaughter. You don’t want it to get out when you’re already married and things get worse.” I guess she’s right. But what if he leaves me? I don’t want to risk that.

I just came back from fetching Kuhlula’s report. He’s so happy. He passed and he’s going to the city with Tiyiselani. I guess he’s no longer scared of me leaving again. I tried my luck and asked him to not go. I wanted to see his reaction and what he would say. He blatantly said no. I’m going to miss my chatterbox. He will be gone for a whole month.

“I’m going to seee uncle Mlunghisi. Do you want to come with?”He looks at me then shakes his head.

“No. But ask him to buy something nice for me.” I laugh and leave.

“Mmh. I see life is good for you while some of us have to watch over our shoulders. Were there no men in this village that you had to go and look for some fool somewhere else? Word has reached us here that someone from this place is dating one of those people. And there’s none other than you who’s been seen with some unknown guy.” Where did this guy come from? And who’s he to tell me who to date or not? He’s not God. I can be with whoever I want.

” Hey,I’m talking to you!” He shouts.

“Who do you want me to date? You? It’s my life and you have no say in it. So back off.”

“Your grandfather started this war. Now you want to continue with it? Does trouble making run in your blood? If someone dies because of those people just know that their blood is in your hands!”

“Stop following me. I don’t want to repeat myself. “

“Or else what?”

“I’m not scared of you. I’m not going to live in a shell because of you. Who i date is none of your business. Just stay the hell away from me.”

“Leave that boy or…”

“Hey! Get away from her! Risuna,let’s go. ” Thank goodness my brother drove by here. This guy is so angry. I don’t know what he would have done if my brother didn’t arrive.

“Are you okay?” My brother asks.

“I’m fine. He was just trying to scare me and trying to make me feel bad.”

“Don’t listen to him. There’s nothing bad about someone falling in love.”

Going to Mlunghisi’s village is not safe for me and now in my own home I’m being scolded for living my life. Is it ever going to get better?

MLUNGHISI

I spoke to the chief and he gave me land to build on. Justice’s father really came through for me and told the chief that I’m a good person. Now I’m busy cleaning the land so I can start building. Risuna is here helping me clean. She looks like she’s worried. I wanted to ask if she’s alright but whenever I try she starts another topic.

“Baby,are you okay?” She nods. I take the hoe from her and put it down. We go and sit under the tree.

“Do you think it’s a good idea to start building now?” I thought she’d be happy about this. I even bought bricks and they’ll be delivered soon.

“Yes. Aren’t you happy about this?”

“I am trying to be happy but it’s hard. I am thinking of your father and how he will react when he finds out. He’s going to blame me. You building here means that you’re going to stop building at home and focus here. Can’t you finish up at home first?” I found a diamond. She cares about my family despite my father hating her.

“No need to stress yourself. I’ve already bought everything needed at home. The building materials are there and the builders have been paid.”

“That’s a relief. “

“There’s still something bothering you. “

“I don’t want to lose you.”

When I went to ask for blessings from her father I had made up my mind that I will never leave her. I know what comes with dating her. Our villages history and all of that.

“You will never lose me. Whatever it is,we will work through it.”

“Have you heard about the man who loved causing havoc and started wars in these villages back then?” What does that have to do with her?

“Yes. They say he was dangerous. My father even said he wronged his father. It’s a lot that he said about him. The chief even had a feast and invited the villagers to come and celebrate. “I look at her,she blinks her eyes. No. Is she related to that man?

“He was my grandfather. ” What?! So Dzunisani was right?

“For real?”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you.” I peck her lips. That’s old news. Something that happened in the past. I don’t care about it.

She shows me a picture. It’s really him. It’s a picture of her with that man and her grandmother.

“You are not your grandfather. I cannot judge you based on that. I am with you because I love you. So stop worrying. “

“I’m so relieved that I told you. It was stressing me.” I know this is going to make my dad hate her more but I am ready to defend her.

I had a productive day. I cleaned the land that I’m going to build on and even got a builder. Tomorrow I’m going to buy building materials. Saving is really a good thing. If i was not saving where would I get the money to build? I would be struggling right now.

I’m home. I arrived not so long ago. I am not going to tell dad that I am building a house for myself. Telling him will just be looking for trouble. And he willl blame Risuna. And I don’t want that. I will not bring Risuna around whenever my father is home. I am going to make sure that they are never in each other’s presence. That’s the best I can do.

When I open my room something looks different. I don’t know how someone was able to get into my bedroom. Things have been moved around. They are not the way I left them. My eyes land on my trank. It’s opened. I leave the room fast and go behind the house to look for my dad. He is sitting there with my mother.

“Dad,can I ask you something?”

“Is it about the money? I’ve put it away for you. I don’t trust you when you’re with that girl. You might just use it all on her.” It’s time I open a bank account. I can’t have my father controlling my money.

“Dad,please give it back. You know, i just didn’t want to tell you. The letter that’s in the trunk? It’s from Risuna’s father. Can you believe that letter was accompanied by R10 000 to thank me? Please give me the money. I want to use it to buy the materials that are needed here and finish off paying the builders.” He doesn’t know that I’ve already done all of that.

“Okay. I will give it to you. I hope you stay away from that girl. She’s going to destroy your life. I am doing what’s good for you.” I will just act like I agree with him. This will make my life better. I can continue seeing my woman without his interference.

……..