[

06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:TWOHEARTS

I
ntr
oduct
ion
.
Hi I
'
m EntleJessi
caKhoza,20year
sold
studyi
ngt owar
dsmyLawdegr eeatUKZN.I
'm
[Link]
nandbredi
nDurban
andI'm 100%Zulu.
Myparent
sar ewell
educatedsoIguessweall
hadtofol
l
owi nthei
rfoot
[Link]
est
il
l
happi
lymarr
ied.
.
Fami
l
y.
Mom
Dad
Lubanzi
(br
other
)
Si
pho-Esi
hle(
sist
er)
.
Fr
iends
Li
hle
Mbal
i
Thandol
wet
hu
.
Ihaveaboy fr
iend,
Thulaniandwe'v
ebeen
togetherf
or2y ear
snow.I'm st
il
lavir
gin
though,pat
ientl
ywait
ingformarri
age.
.
Comejoinmeonmyj
our
neyandspr
eadt
he
word.
..
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t1
.
I
t'saMondaymor ningandthesunisshini
ng
throughmywi [Link] ktothe
bathroom t
henbr ushnyteethandIdeci
deona
5mi nuteshowerbef or
ebreakf
ast.
Iwalkdownstai
rsandthefami
lyi
salready
ar
oundt hetabl
[Link]
herandsi
stercame
overforthehol
i
days.
Me:
mor
ningev
ery
one.
Mom:
mor
ningbaby
.
Esi
hle:
babysi
swe'
rel
eav
ingt
hisaf
ter
noon.
Me:
whysosoon?
Banzi
:dut
ycal
l
s.
Mybr otheris29,hehashi sownconstr
ucti
on
companyi nJohannesbur [Link]'
stheonl
yone
thatneverwenttov arsi
tybutwassuccessf
ul.
Heact uall
yworkedf orevery
thi
nghehas
i
ncludingthecompany .
Sipho-Esi
hleis25,
sheisanengineer
.She
[Link],morel
ike
theblacksheepofthef
amil
ybutshei ssmart.
Me:
ohIunder
stand.
Dad:
aren'
tyougoi
ngt
ocomehel
pmeatt
he
of
fi
ce?
Me:
noI
'
llpass.
Mydadwasi
ntoproper
[Link]
sohad
shar
esi
ndi
ff
erentcompanies.
Lateronmybr ot
hercal
l
edmeashewasabout
[Link]
herandIhadav
erycl
ose
rel
ationshi
p.
Banzi
:begoodokay
?
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Banzi:nextt
imeIcomebacki
t'
l
lbey
our21st
bi
rthday.
Me:
I'
ll
probabl
yvi
sity
oubef
oret
hat
.
Banzi
:Ihopeso.I
'
llcal
lyouev
ery
day
.
Me:
I'
ll
videocal
laf
ewt
imest
oo.
Banzi
:goodt
[Link]
e.
Hehuggedmesot i
ghtt
il
lIfeltt
ear
sslowl
y
makethei
rwayoutofmyey [Link]
ed
awayhenoti
cedIwascryi
ngsohewi pedt
hem
away
.
Banzi
:Ent
lepleasedon'
tdothi
[Link]
il
lhav
ea
whil
emonthbef or
egoingbackt
oschool,
you
cancomev i
sit
.
Me:
Iknow.
Heki
ssedmycheekt
hent
ookhi
sbagsandI
wal
kedhi
m out
.Thef
amil
ysawhi
m of
f.
Esi
hle:
soy
ou'
ret
aki
ngmet
otheai
rpor
t?
Inodandshecomesbackwi t
hherbagsandI
takedadscaranddr
ivehert
otheai
rpor
t.
Esi
hle:
aret
hingsst
il
lokaybet
weeny
ouand
Thul
ani?
Me:
yest
heyar
[Link]
est
il
lhappy
.
Esi
hle:I
'
m surpr
isedhehasn'
tcheat
[Link]'
ve
beentoget
herfor2ful
lyear
sandhestil
lhasn'
t
gott
enany.
Me:
hesai
dhe'
dwai
t.
Esi
hle:
youknowIdon'
tl
ikeThul
ani
.He'
snot
yourtypeEntl
[Link]'tj
ustdatesomeone
whocan'tevenaffordy
[Link] oidhear
tbr
eak,
breakupwi t
hhim nowbecausedaddywi l
l
neverapproveofhim.
Thati
smysi st
erforyou,shethi
nksevery
thi
ng
i
saboutmoney .Thul
ani i
snotpri
vi
legedasI
[Link]'sf
rom theghetto,KwaMashut obe
exact
.Unl
ikeri
chguyshedoesn'talwaysspoi
l
mewi t
hgi
f t
s.
Me:
whati
smyt
ype?
Esi
hle:
notThul
ani
.
Me:
ohwel
ltoobad.
Wegett
otheai
rpor
tandshet
akesherl
uggage.
Esi
hle:
aren'
tyouwal
ki
ngmei
n?
Me:
no.
Igetouttohugherthendr i
vetoKwaMashu.I
haven'
tseenThulanif
orabout2weeksnow.I
cal
ledhim whenIwascl osebyandhesaidhe
[Link] kedoutsidehi
splaceandhe
cametohugmet
henwentt
othepassenger
si
de.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
ou.
Thul
ani
:Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
Wej
ustl
ookedateachot
her
.
Thul
ani
:ahwhatar
eyoudoi
ngonFr
iday
?
Me:
Idon'
tknowy
etwhy
?
Thul
ani
:wel
lIwashopi
ngwegot
othemov
ies.
Me:
ohokt
henf
inewi
thme.
Thul
ani
:I'
m guessi
ngy
oursi
bli
ngsl
eft
.
Me:
yest
hisaf
ter
noon.
Thulani:howlongarewegoi
ngt
okeepour
rel
ationshipasecr
et?
Me:it
'snotasecr
et,
mysi
bli
ngsknowabout
you.
Thul
ani
:myf
ami
l
yknowsabouty
out
oo.
Me:
youcan'
texpectmet
otel
lmypar
ent
s
abouty
ou,y
ouknowhowst
ri
ctt
heyar
e.
Thul
ani
:Idon'
tknowt
hatf
oraf
act
.
Ij
ustlookedathi
m blankl
[Link]
dint
roduce
hi
mt omypar ent
s,butitwouldmakethingsa
bi
ttr
[Link]
ybecauseofhisbackground.
Me:
pleasej
ustl
eav
e.
Hegetsoutthecarandbangst
[Link]'
t
ev
encar e,
Ijustdr
iveaway
.WhenIgethomeits
al
readyaft
er6.
Dad:
andwhatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
Me:Ifel
tli
keabraai
soIwentt
oKwaMashu
buti
twaspacked.
Hegi
vesmeani
nti
midat
ingl
ook.
Dad:
onaMonday
?
Me:
it'
sst
il
lthef
est
iveseason.
Dad:t
[Link]'
twanty
ougoi
ngt
othatpl
ace
al
one.
Me:
nextt
imeIwon'
[Link]
e'smymom?
Dad:
she'
sdoi
ngt
hef
inal
touchupsondi
nner
.
Me:
ohh.I
'
llbeout
sidet
hen.
I
'm gl
adhebel
i
evedme,
other
wisewe'
dhav
ea
pr
oblem.
Iwal
koutsi
deandcal
lmyf
ri
end,
Lihl
[Link]
eel
li
ke
goi
ngouttoni
ght
.
Li
hle:
MaKhoza.
Me:
hey
.
Li
hle:
howar
eyou?
Me:
toogoody
ou?
Li
hle:
great
.
Me:
arewegoi
ngoutt
oni
ght
?
Li
hle:
wel
lyesIwasgoi
ngt
ogoout
.
Me:
wel
lthenI
'
llj
oiny
ou.
Li
hle:
[Link]
e'sahousepar
tyi
ntheghet
to.
Me:y
ou'
l
lhavet
ofet
[Link]
eear
li
er
andy
ouknowmydadcoul
dtrackme.
Li
hle:
true.I
'
llf
etchy
ouat9.
Me:
sur
e.
Ihangupandwal kbackinsi
[Link]
sbeing
[Link]
oundthetabl
eandsaygr ace
thenwedigin.
Mom:
arey
oust
il
lhav
inguMemul
o?
Iam sopr
oudtobeavi
rgi
natthi
sageandI
'
m
sur
emypar ent
sar
eal
soproudofme.
Me:noI'drat
hernot
.YouknowIdon'tl
i
ke
at
tent
[Link]
mypartyandcheckmeifyouwant.
Dad:t
hat'
sexact
lywhatisgoi
ngt
ohappen
bef
oreyougetyourgi
ft
.
Me:Ihopei
t'
skey
stoanapar
tment
.I'
mti
redof
st
ayi
nghere.
Dad:
you'
l
lonl
yleav
ehomeaf
tery
ougr
aduat
e.
Me:3r
dy earl
awst
udentandI
'
m st
il
lathome,
i
t'
snoton.
Mom:
you'
renear
lyt
her
esweet
y.
Aft
ersupperIgetupandgoshower .Iapplya
bi
tofmakeupt henwearmygown.At20: 30I
st
artget
ti
ngdressedi nt
omywhi t
ebody con
dr
essthat'
sabov ethekneewit
hnavyheel s.I
l
eftmyweav elooseandwaitedpati
entl
yfor
Li
hletocomef etchme.
Myphonev i
brat
edandIwal
keddownst
air
sand
sneakedoutt
hrought
heki
tchen.
Sheflashedherli
ght
sthenIwal
kedr
ighti
nand
satatthefront
.
Li
hle:
Stocki
eyou'
rel
ooki
ngf
ly.
Me:
thanksSt
ockz
ine.
Wel [Link] ri
end,
we
becamef r
[Link] o
Durbant henfrom PortEli
[Link]'v
e
beenf r
iendsev ersi
[Link]'sar i
chgi
rl
,she'
s
al
readyhadt wocarsandwe' rethesameage.
Li
hle:
we'
ref
etchi
ngMbal
i
sthenwe'
reof
f.
Thandol
wethuourot
herfr
iendisf
rom Lusi
ki
siki
soshestaysi
nresandshe'l
lbebackj
ust
befor
eschool
sopen.
Wef
etchMbal
ithenwedr
ivet
oKwaMashu.
..
.
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t3
.
WhenIgettoJohannesbur
g,mybr
otheri
s
al
readywai
ti
[Link]
m andhe
ki
ssesmycheek.
Banzi
:l
ookhowgr
owny
ouar
e.
Il
augh.
Me:
youl
astsawmei
nMondaydumbass.
Het
urnsar
ound.
Banzi
:babyt
hisi
smyotherbabyEnt
leandbaby
thi
sismywomanLinda.
Shel
ookssot
[Link]
otherhasal
way sbeen
i
ntot
hickmat
urewomen,thi
swasaf i
[Link]
nonet
hel
essshelookspr
ett
[Link]
l
owbonewi
th
small
Chineseey
es.
Ihughert
ight
.
Li
nda:
nicet
ofi
nal
l
ymeety
ou.
Me:
nicet
omeety
out
oo.
Wewalktothecarandit
'salongdriv
eto
Sandt
[Link] othehouseLinda
showsmear [Link]
ooksperfect
.
Me:
howl
onghav
eyoubeenst
ayi
ngt
oget
her
?
Li
nda:si
nceNov
emberl
asty
ear
.Soabout2
months.
Me:[Link]
ou'
vebeenhidi
ngyoursel
ffor
[Link]
art
edtell
ing
meaboutyouinJuneal
ready.
Linda:
wewant edtoseehowi
twoul
dgobef
ore
theint
roduct
ions.
Me:
Isee.
Wewal
ktot
hel
oungeandmybr
otheri
swi
th
twoofhisfri
endsandt
hey
'r
ewat
chi
ngsoccer
anddri
nkingbeer.
Banzi:
ohgentst
hisi
smybabysi
sEntl
eand
Entl
ethesear
ethegent
sKar
aboandLunga.
Ismileandnod,t
henIsettl
enexttomybrother
.
It
'spast10al
readyandIam abitdrowsysoI
restmyheadonmybr othersshoul
der.
Banzi
:I'
m noty
ourboy
fri
end.
Me:
Iknow.
Banzi
:yeah,
I'
mtoohott
obey
ourboy
fri
end.
Il
augh.
Me:
myboy
fri
endi
swayhot
tert
hany
ou.
Banzi
:wewoul
dn'
tknow.
Afteranhourorsohi
sfr
iendsl
eav
eandIhav
e
j
uicethengotobed.
Thenextmorni
ng,LindaandIaregoing
shoppi
ng,cour
tesyofmybrother.I
'
mi nmy
deni
mjumpsuitandheelsandLindaisdressed
i
nabl
ackl
acydr
[Link]
ooksabi
ttoof
ormal
.
Sowegeti
nthecarandshedr
[Link]
other
i
sathomeworki
ng.
Me:
sowhatdoy
oudo?
Li
nda:well
Iownabout
iquebutI
'
m af
inanci
al
manager.
Me:
nice.
Li
nda:
soy
ou'
redat
ingany
one?
Me:yeahbutI
'drat
hernottal
kaboutmy
r
elat
ionshi
p.I
t'
sabittoocompli
cat
ed.
Li
nda:
why
,whathappened?
Me: t
heguyi sfr
om theghet
toandwel l
he's
underprivi
l
[Link] omakei t
[Link]'tappr
ove,well
exceptforBanzi
,heunderst
[Link]
s
veryj
udgment al
.
Li
nda:buti
fyoureal
lyl
ovetheguytheny
ou
shoul
dn'
tworryaboutwhatever
yonesays.
Me:
Iknowbutsomet
imesheuseshi
ssi
tuat
ion
t
oblackmai
lme,
andi
twon'twor
k.
Li
nda:
that
'sbad.
Me:
ver
y.
Wegett othemallandshopli
kei
t'
sthelast.
After3hoursofshoppi
ngwegoforlunchand
that'
swherewemeetupwi thmybrotherand
hisfri
end.
Wegreetandsi
[Link]
abositsnextt
ome
andIeyemybrot
herandhewinks.
Banzi
:Idi
dn'
twantyoubei
ngthet
hir
dwheel
so
Ideci
dedtobr
inghi
m al
ong.
Me:
mhh.
Theconversat
ionisfl
owingwi
thever
yonebei
ng
i
ncludedthenaft
erlunchwegooursepar
ate
[Link] ofli
pfl
ops
andjustchi
ll
edwatchingtv
.
.
Final
lyitwast hefi
rstdayofschool
,wel
lvar
sit
y
tobeexact .Ienjoy
[Link]
alarm wokemeupandIwentt oshower
.Ihad
anear l
ylecture.
Iwearmyhi
ghwai
stedj
eansandl
acyt
opsi
nce
i
tishot
.
Aft
eracoupl
eofminutesi
nfr
onti
fthemi
rr
orI
headdownst
air
sforbr
eakf
ast
.
Me:
mor
ningf
am.
Them:
mor
ning.
Mom: I
'm alr
eadyl
ate,
I'
ll
comef et
chyoubef
ore
l
unch,we'
r emeeti
ngyourdesi
gnerthi
s
af
ter
noon.
Me:
[Link]
omor
rowi
sthedecor
?
Mom:
yes.
Dad:
canIi
nvi
temycol
l
eagues.
Me:
sur
ewhynot
.
I
t'
sbeen2weekssi
ncewe'
vebeenpl
anni
ngmy
21stbir
[Link]
ttobeamazi
[Link]
usmy
dadiswellknownsoI'm sur
ethemedi
awil
lbe
here.
Mymom ki
ssesmycheekandshel
eav
esme
wi
thmydad.
Dad:
Isawy
ouwi
tht
hatboyy
est
erday
.
Me:
whi
chone?
Dad:
Idon'
tknowy
out
ell
me?
Me:
ohhi
m,he'
saf
ri
endofmi
ne.
Dad:
Ihopeso.
Me:
bel
i
[Link]
rowy
ourcar
?
Dad:
sur
e.
Idri
nkmyj ui
cet henrushupstai
rst
obr ushmy
teet
hthenIfetcht hecarkey
sanddr i
vemy sel
f
[Link] het i
meIgettheremyfriends
arewait
inginLihle'scar
.
Me:
hey
.
Them:
hi.
Thando:
Ifeel
li
kegoi
ngbackhome.
Me:
andy
ou'
veonl
ybeenher
eforaweek.
Mbal
i
:exact
lywhatIsai
d.
Ichecktheti
meandLihleandIhaveourf
ir
st
l
[Link]
iandThandoarebothdoi
ng
accounti
ng.
Afteralongdayoflect
uresIhavelunchwit
hmy
fr
iendsandlatergotomydesingerf ormydress.
Idecideonawhi t
emer [Link]
l
dowondermybody .
Mymom al
sohasherdr
essdesi
gned.
Mom:
I'
ll
behomeby5.
Me:
Iknow.
Mom:
justsay
ing.
Me:Iwon'
tcooki
fthat
'swhaty
ou'
ret
ryi
ngt
o
askmetodo.
Shegi
ggl
es.
Mom:
exact
lywhatIwasaski
ng.
Me:wellI
'
m goi
ngt
oLi
hle'
sapar
tment
,I'
l
lbe
backl
ate.
Mom:
sur
ethen.
Wedri
veoursepr
ateway
sthenIgett
oLi
hle'
s
pl
ace,
thedoori
sopensoIwal
kin.
Li
hle:
Iwoul
dtel
lherbuti
twoul
dki
l
lher
.
Mbali
:I
'm notaboutt
hatl
i
fe,
I'
ll
tel
lhermy
sel
fif
Ihav
eto.
Thando:
yho.
Li
hletur
[Link]
ooks
abitsur
pri
sed.
Me:
andnow?
Mbal
i
:pl
easesi
t.
Idoast
oldandt
heyal
ll
ookabi
tner
vous.
..
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t2
.
Wegett
hehouseandt
hepar
tyhadal
ready
star
[Link] t
hcarsandI
can'
twaittowal [Link] ki
ngspotand
[Link] f
eredshotsatthe
doorjusttogett heni
ghtstart
ed.
Wewal
ktot
hebackwher
emostoft
hepeopl
e
ar
e.
Mbal
i
:ther
ear
eaf
ewhotguy
sher
e.
Me:
yeah.
Li
hle:
don'
tlookt
oomuch,l
overboyst
aysi
nthe
nei
ghbour
hoodandhecoul
dwalkinanymi
nute
now.
Me:
Thul
ani
isnoti
ntopar
ti
es.
Mbal
i
:it
'sanewy
ear
.
Wegetci
der
sanddanceabi
t.
Li
hlet
apsmyshoul
der
.
Li
hle:
I'
m goi
ngt
othebat
hroom,
comewi
thme.
Iwal
ktothebat
hroom wi
thherandther
e'sabi
t
ofaqueuewhenwegetther
ebutit'
snottoo
l
[Link]
nal
l
ygoesi
nandIwai
tforher
out
side.
"
Cheesegi
rl"somegi
rlsay
sinaZul
uaccent
.
Gi
rl
:I
'mt
alki
ngt
oyou.
Shesayst
hispat
ti
ngmyshoul
der
.It
urnt
olook
ather
.
Gi
rl
:comi
ngher
ewon'
tmakey
ouoneofus.
Me:
excuseme?
Gir
l:Thul
aniisnotthatl
oyalt
owaitf
[Link]
he'
snotiny ourl
[Link]'
tthi
nky
ourfamil
y
wouldapprove.
Shewalksawayshakinghernotsov
isi
bleass
andIlaughi
ndisbel
i
ef .Howcoul
dThul
anido
thi
stome?
Li
hle:
what
'sup?
Me:
I'
ll
tel
lyoul
ater
.
Wewalkbacktowherewewereandcar
ryon
wi
tht
[Link]
ikenobodyi
s
wat
chingandthati
swhenIseeThul
ani
,andhe
i
swithhisf
ri
ends.
Mbal
i
:Iknewhe'
dbeher
[Link]
?
Me:noinf
actIwantt
oleav
[Link]
o
anot
herpl
ace,
evenaclubi
sbett
er.
Li
hle:
yeahsur
e.
Wewalkoutwit
houthi
m not
ici
ngme,
oratl
east
t
hat
'swhatIt
hink.
Whenwegett
othecart
heybot
hlookatme.
Me:
what
?
Li
hle:whati
shappeni
ngbet
weeny
ouand
Thulani
?
Me:
not
[Link]
usthadaf
ightt
hat
sal
l
.
Iwasn'
tabouttotel
lmyfri
endst
hatmyman
goesaroundt
ell
ingpeopl
eI'
m acheesegi
rland
I'
m makinghi
m wait
.
Me:
sowher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Li
hle:
let
'sbuyboozeandgot
omyapar
tment
.
Mbal
i
:Ineedmen.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryf
orbei
ngapar
typooper
.
Mbal
i
:it
'sokay
.
Wedr i
veof
fandgobuyboozet
henwedr
ivet
o
Li
hlesapar
tment
.
We'r
edancinganddrinki
ngli
kewe'reinaclub.
At4Lihledri
[Link] nand
thel
[Link]
li
kealcoholandit
sbad.
Dad:
andwher
ethehel
lhav
eyoubeen?
Me:
Lihl
e'
sapar
tment
.
Dad:andwhyt
hehel
lwoul
dLi
hledr
opy
ouof
f
att
histi
me?
Me:Isneakedout
,soshehadt
obr
ingmeback
ear
ly.
Dad:
Ent
lear
eyousl
eepi
ngar
ound?
Me:
no.
Dad:It
hinkwe'
l
lhav
etocal
lyourgr
annyabi
t
ear
li
er.
Ir
aisemyhandsi
nsur
render
.
Me:
finewi
thme.
Heswit
chesof
fthel
i
ghtandwal
ksupst
air
sand
If
oll
owhim.
Igett
omybedroom andIj
ustf
all
asl
eep
i
mmedi at
ely
.
Iwakeupl
ateront
oav
ideocal
lfr
om my
brot
her
.
Me:
hey
Banzi
:l
ookaty
oul
ooki
ngal
lhungov
er.
Me:
Ijustwokeupsoy
ouhav
etounder
stand.
Banzi
:[Link]
oldmeaboutwhaty
oudi
d.
Me:
Iknewhewoul
d.
Banzi:babyl
ist
en,wedon'tmindy ougoingout
wit
hf ri
ends,j
ustr
espectourparentsenoughto
tel
[Link]
ngout,i
t'snotatt
racti
ve.
Me:
okIheary
ou.
Banzi
:soIwashopingy
oucomedownthi
s
[Link]
outofi
nal
l
ymeetMr
sKhoza.
Me:
final
l
y!
Hechuckl
es.
Banzi
:you'
l
lmeetherf
ir
stsobehappy
.
Me:
Iam.
Banzi
:goodt
hen.I
'
llbookev
ery
thi
ngt
hissi
de
okay?
Me:
[Link]'
twai
t.
Hebl owskissesandIgiggl
[Link] i
nall
yendthe
call
andIwal ktomybedr oom t
odot hewhole
[Link]
termy20mi nuteshowerI
getdressedinbum shorts,
sport
sbraandmy
Nikekicks.
It
'sj
ustaf
ter2soImakeasandwi
tchf
ormy
sel
f
andIpourwine.
Mymom wal
ksi
n.
Mom:
Ent
le.
Me:
mom
Mom:youknowyourdadwoul
dfr
eakouti
fhe
sawy
oudrinki
ngt
hat.
Me:
whenam Imovingoutagai
n?I
'
mt ur
ning21
i
n2monthsandIcan'
tdri
nkorgoout
.
Mom:
youmi
ghtgetanapar
tmentf
ory
our21st
.
Me:
nev
er.
Shechuckl
es.
Mom:
I'
ll
speakt
oyourdad.
Wecarryonchat
ti
ngt
il
lshest
art
sonsupper
andIhel
pher.
It'
sFri
dayafter
noonandIrequestedanuberto
takemet otheair
por
[Link]
dn'tev
entryt
o
[Link] shI
[Link]
otheai r
portmyphone
ri
ngsandi t
shim.
Me:
Thul
ani
?
Thul
ani
:wher
ear
eyou?
Howr
ude.
Me:
I'
m att
heai
rpor
t.
Thul
ani
:youknowwehav
eadat
etoday
.
Me:IdobutIhav
etobei
nJohannesbur
gsoI
can'
tmakeit
.
Thul
ani:
doy
our
eal
i
zet
hatI
'
minmywayt
othe
Pavi
l
ion.
Me:wel
lThul
ani,y
oudi
dn'
tcal
ltoconf
ir
m andI
madeot
herplans.
Thul
ani
:you'
rebei
ngsel
fi
sh,
youknowt
hat
?
Me:
sel
fi
shi
syounotcal
l
ingt
hewhol
eweek.
Thul
ani
:Iwassav
ingupf
ort
oday
.
Il
etoutasi
gh.
Me:
I'
ll
getbackt
oyouokay
?
Thul
ani
:sur
e.
WehangupandIcal
lmybrother
.Iexpl
aint
o
hi
m andheget
smeat i
cketf
orlat
[Link]
cal
lThulaniandhepi
cksupaf
terwhatseems
l
ikefor
ev er
.
Thul
ani
:st
il
lcomi
ng?
Me:
yesI
'
m onmyway
.
Thul
ani
:thanky
ou.
[Link]
thathegotashispr
esentwhenhrcompl et
ed
mat r
[Link]
ent
lyi
twashisfather
'scarsoit
's
abitold.
Iputmysuitcasei
nthebootandwewal
kinsi
de
handinhand.
Thul
ani
:di
nnerormov
ief
ir
st?
Me:
mov
ie.
Wegeta5o'clockmov
ie.I
[Link]
aftert
hemov
iewegotoarestaur
ant,
it'
sabit
fancy.
Thul
ani
:soy
ou'
rev
isi
ti
ngy
ourbr
othersosoon?
Me:
yeahImi
sshi
m andI
'
m meet
inghi
s
gi
rl
fr
iend.
Hi
sfacechanges.
Thul
ani
:ni
ce.
Me:
canIask?
Henods.
Me:
whydoyouwantt
obei
ntr
oducedt
omy
f
amil
ysomuch?
Thul
ani
:i
thasbeen2y
ear
sgoi
ngont
o3.
Me:
youhav
en'
ti
ntr
oducedmet
oyour
sei
ther
.
Thul
ani
:onl
ybecausey
ouaskedmenott
o.
Me: Thulanipleaseunderstand,
Icomef r
om a
ver
yst r
ictfami ly
.IfIt
ell
them I'
m dat
ingthey
'l
l
automaticall
yt hinkwe'
resleepi
ngtoget
herand
Idon'twantt hat.
Thul
ani
:Iunder
stand.
Hef
akesasmi
l
e.
Weor
deranddi
gin,
butnowi
t'
sabi
ttense.
Thul
ani
:whatt
imei
syourf
li
ght
,wedon'
twant
youbei
ngl
ate.
Me:
I'
m st
il
lear
ly.
Af
terdi
nnerheasksf
ort
hebil
l
.Iseehi
sey
es
wi
denwhenheseesthebil
l
.
Me:
what
sup?
Thul
ani
:not
hing.
Me:
youknowIcanhel
pyou.
Thul
ani
:noi
tsf
ine.
Hepay sandweleav
[Link]
vesmet othe
ai
rportthi
sti
meandIboar
dmyf l
ightto
Johannesbur
g..
.
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t5
.
ThenextmorningIwakeupf i
rstandtakea
showerandhav ebr
eakfast
.Thecateri
ngteam
anddecorl
adiesarealr
[Link]'dswear
i
t'
sawedding.
Mymakeupguyar
ri
ves,
Nickandhe'
sgay
.
Me:
Iwanti
ttol
ookasnat
ural
aspossi
ble.
Ni
ck:
consi
deri
tdone.
Thefami
l
yst art
swaki
ngupandev
ery
ones
get
ti
ngdressed.
Nickdoesmyhai randIlookamazingalr
eady.
I
t'salreadyaft
er11whenKar abowalksi
n.
We' vebeentalki
ngandhepr omisedtocome.
SoIgetupt ohughim andmybr othercl
ear
shis
[Link]'tl
i
kemeget t
ing
toocl osewit
hhisfri
ends.
Me:
hey
,howar
eyou?
Kar
abo:
I'
m st
il
lper
fect
.Youl
ookamazi
ng.
Me:
thanky
[Link]
ookgoodt
oo.
Hewasweari
ngblackj
eansandawhi
teshi
rt
wi
thadeni
mjacket.
Me:t
hepart
yisaboutt
ost
artsoy
oucanal
lgo
t
otheback.
Theyal
lwal
kedoutexceptf
orBanzi
.
Banzi
:youknowI'
m coolwit
hyoubei
ngfr
iends
wit
hKarabobutIhopeit
'snotmor
ethant
hat.
Me:trustmeit
'snot
.Iwoul
dn'
tsur
viv
eal
ong
di
stancerel
ati
onshi
p.
Banzi
:Ist
il
ldon'
tbel
i
evey
oubutokay
.
Heki
ssesmycheekt
henwal
ksout
.
Igetdressedi
nmywhi temer [Link]
's
ti
ghtandsitsper
fect
lyonmybody .I
tislacey
ontheupperbodyandcr ochetpatt
erns.
Ni
ck:
youl
ookst
unni
ng.
Hei
sthef
ir
stt
oseeme.
Me:
thanky
ou.
Ni
ck:ohmygoshy
oul
ookl
i
key
ou'
reget
ti
ng
marr
ied.
Me:
real
l
y?
Hesmi
[Link]
wal
[Link]
thf
ri
endsand
fami
[Link]
urntol
ookat
[Link]
ingatt
enti
onbutthi
sti
meI
[Link] wal ksovertomeand
shepull
smet othem.
Ev
ery
onel
ooksamazi
[Link]
abocomesov
ert
o
me.
Kar
abo:
thef
utur
ewi
fe.
Ismi
l
e.
Me:
fut
urehusband.
Kar
abo:
thi
sfeel
sli
keourweddi
ngday
.
Il
[Link]
kto
ev
[Link] [Link]
l
y
di
dbringhiscol
leagues.
Me:
hey
.
Theysmi
l
eandgr
eetback.
Dad:
thi
sismydaught erEntl
[Link]
et hese
ar
emycolleaguesandbusinessassoci
ates,Mr
Dl
amini
,MrMkhi ze,
MrMbat haandMrZungu.
Me:
nicet
omeety
ou.
Them:
li
kewi
se.
Theysayal
mostatt
hesamet
ime.
Dl
ami
ni:
yourdadspeakshi
ghl
yofy
ou.
Il
ookatmydadandsmi
l
e.
Me:Iknow,hedoest
hatal
ltheti
[Link]
onl
yjobist
okeepmakinghim pr
oud.
Zungu:
whi
chi
sagoodt
hing.
Dad:
youwannago,
Iknowwe'
l
lbor
eyou.
Me:
yesI
'
llgoj
[Link]
ustneedt
otal
ktoy
ou.
Ipul
lhi
m asi
de.
Dad:
Iknowi
t'
sabouty
ourgi
ft
.
Me:
yeti
[Link]?
Dad:
itwon'
tbeasur
pri
sei
fIt
ell
you.
Me:
comeondad,
justgi
vemeacl
ue.
Dad:
no.
Hekissesmycheekt
henwal
ksbackt
ohi
s
associ
ates.
Iwal
ktomyf
ri
endsandt
henInot
iceThul
ani
wal
kin.
Li
hle:
whati
shedoi
ngher
e?
Me:
hecamet
othepar
ty.
Mbal
i
:why
?
Me:
tocel
ebr
atemybi
rt
hday
.
Thando:
Ihopehewon'
tcauseascene.
Me:
hopef
ull
y.
Af t
ersomet imemi ngli
ngthepartyoffi
cial
l
y
[Link]
ear eaf ewspeecheshereandt here
andt henit'
stimet oopenthegift
[Link] e
toomanyoft [Link] v
eoneswer e
from mydadsf r
[Link]
nal gi
ft.
Themosti mportantone,f
rom mypar ents.
Iwassi
l
ent
lyhopi
ngf
orapar
tmentkey
s.
Dad:
Iknowwhaty
ou'
rehopi
ngf
orbuty
ou
won'
tgett
hatunt
ily
ougr
aduat
e.
Thecr
owdl
aughed.
Mom: si
nceyoulov
ebei
ngout
door
[Link]
deci
dedtogetyouacar
.
Wellatl
eastIwon'tbedr
ivi
ngar
oundi
nmy
dadscarsanymore.
Mydadtel
lsineofhi
sguy stogofetchi
tand
wheni
tdri
vesinI'
m sti
llabi
tshocked.I
tfeels
sosur
real
.It
'
sasilever
-grey
ishMercedes-Benz
CLA250AMG.
Dad:
it'
syour
s.
Wheni
t'
spar
kedandev er
ythi
nghehandsme
t
hekey
[Link] soexci
tedsoIhugbot
hhim and
mymom.
Me:
thanky
ousomuch.
Mom:
it'
sapl
easur
elov
e.
Il
etgoandthepar
[Link]
akepi
ctur
es
wi
thever
yone.
"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul"
That'
sThul
ani
.It
urntol
ookathi
m andhe
doesn'
tl
ooktoobad.
Me:
thanky
ou.
Thul
ani
:yousawmygi
ft
?
Me:Idi
dn'
tgot
hroughev
ery
thi
ngy
etbutt
hank
you.
Thul
ani
:pl
easur
e.I
'
llbel
eav
ingnow.
Me:
ok.
Someonehol dsmef r
om t
hebackandit
's
[Link]
eet
ingsandThul
ani
doesn'tmove.
Karabo:
fut
urewi
fey
,doy
ouwantmet
osl
eep
over?
Me:
youcansl
eepov
er,
ther
e'spl
ent
yofspace.
Kar
abo:
okt
hen.
Heki
ssesmycheekandwal
ksaway
.
Thul
ani
:yournewboy
fri
end?
Me:
somet
hingl
i
ket
hat
.
Henodsandwal
ksout
,soIwal
kbackt
omy
f
amil
y.
I
t'
sget
ti
ngl
atesopeopl
est
artl
eav
ing.
Thenextmor ni
ngi t
'smybir
thdayandmymom
i
st hefir
stt osi
ngf ormethenKarabofoll
ows.
Sincemyf amil
yisherewehav ebreakf
ast
togetherthenlaterIgot
olunchwi t
hKarabo.
Wear ebot hdressedcasuall
[Link]
Moy o.
Kar
abo:
sohowar
eyouf
eel
i
ngnowt
haty
ouar
e
21?
Me:
Ifeel
li
keI
'
m becomi
ngol
d.
Hechuckl
es.
Kar
abo:wellt
hatshoul
dbeagoodthi
[Link]
ar
egoingtofini
shschool
soonandbean
i
ndependentwoman.
Me:
exact
ly.
Karabo:soyouaren'
tcomi
ngt
oJohannesbur
g
l
ikeyourbrot
her?
Me:
wel
lIwantt
obutI
'
llsee.
Kar
abo:
butst
ayi
ngi
nDur
banal
lyourl
i
fe?
Me:I
'
m aparentsgi
[Link]
obeher
efor
myparent
sti
llt
helastday.
Kar
abo:ohIsee.I
'
llv
isi
tyouev
ery
dayt
il
lweget
marr
ied.
[Link]'
tknowwhereheget sthi
sidea
thatI'
dactual
lybewit
[Link]'sacool guyand
allbuthe'
smybr ot
hersfr
iendandwellIwas
war nedabouthi
m soI'
drathernot.
Me:ofcour
[Link]'
dhavetov
isi
tyoutootil
l
t
[Link]'
l
lhavetomovetoDurban.
Kar
abo:
imagi
neaTswanaguyi
nDur
ban.
Me:there'
snot
hingwr
[Link]
t
ofZulu.
Il
augh,
Kar
abosucksatZul
uit
'sact
ual
l
yfunny
.
Kar
abo:
don'
tl
[Link]
uist
err
ibl
e.
Me:
Icant
eachy
ouandI
'
m sur
eBanzi
cando
t
hesame.
Karabo:y
ourbr
otherdoesn'
twantmebei
ng
wit
hy ou.
Me:
Iknow.
Wehavel
unchthenlaterhet akesmeshoppi
ng
andwedr
ivebackhomel at
[Link]
dhe'd
l
eaveonMondaymor ning.
Whenwegethomei ti
[Link]
famil
yhadl
eftwhi
chisagoodt hi
ng.I
'l
lfi
nal
ly
havemybedroom t
omy sel
f.
..
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t4
.
WhenIsatdown,
Lihl
ecamet
ohol
dmyhand.
Me:
arey
ougoi
ngt
otal
ktome?
Li
hle:
wel
luhm wewer
eatt
hemal
lear
li
er
get
tingsnacksandwesawThulaniwit
hsome
gi
rlandababy .Theyl
ookedsohappyt
oget
her
.
Me:
itmi
ghthav
ebeenhi
ssi
ster
.
Thando:
theyl
ookedsoi
nlov
eEnt
le.
TobehonestIwasst art
ingtobeliev
et hat
Thulani
[Link]
j
[Link]
suddenl
ybusy,wenol ongerspokelikeweused
to.
Me:
uhok.
Mbal
i
:whatnow?
Me:Iwon'taskhi
m abouti
[Link]'
vebeen
hav
ingproblems.
Thando:tobehonestIneverunder
stoody
our
rel
ati
onshipf
rom t
hebeginning.
Me:
whatnow?
Mbal
i
:I'
dbr
eakupwi
thhi
m.
Me:
Iwon'
[Link]
mtoconf
essonhi
sown.
Lihl
epour
swineandwedri
nkt
hatwhi
l
etr
ying
tofi
gur
eoutwhat'
snext
.
Myphoner
ingsandi
t'
smymom.
Me:
mommy
.
Mom:
Ent
lewher
ear
eyou?
Me:
I'
m st
il
latLi
hle'
spl
ace.
Mom:
didy
ouseet
het
ime?
Me:
IthinkI
'
llsl
eepov
[Link]
yhav
eonel
ect
ure
t
omorrow.
Mom:
uhokt
[Link]
ovey
ouokay
?
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Weor deri
nandaf
tersupperweal
lgotobed.
Lihl
eandIinoner
oom andMbaliandThandoi
n
thei
rs.
Li
hle:
sowhatnow?
Me:
not
hinghappens.
Li
hle:
Ifeel
li
key
ou'
rescar
edofbei
ngal
one.
Me:I'
vebeenal
onebef
ore,
whywoul
dIbe
scar
ednow?
Li
hle:
becausey
ougott
oocomf
ort
abl
ewi
th
hi
m.
Me:
sowhatdoy
ousuggestIdo?
Li
hle:i
t'
sy ourr
elat
ionshi
pbabes,dowhatev
er.
Butdon'tall
owyourselft
obeaf ool
inf
rontof
every
onebecauseofsomeonewhosenotwor t
h
i
t.
Me:
andbyt
haty
oumeanImustl
eav
ehi
m?
Li
hle:
notwhatIsai
d.
Me:
ok
Af
tersomet
imewef
all
asl
eep.
Iwakeupt henextmorningandtakea5mi nut
e
showerthengetdressedinthesameoutfi
tI
worehepr ev
iousdayandIleavebefor
etheyall
[Link] anddad
arehavi
ngbr eakf
astsoIjoi
nthem.
Dad:
Ent
leIdon'
tl
ikey
ousl
eepi
ngout
.
Me:
itwast
ool
atef
ormet
odr
iveback.
Dad:
yourmom cal
l
edat7.
Me:
thedi
stancet
hough.
Dad:
whatabouti
t?
Me:i
t'
[Link]
dhav
ear
ri
vedat8or
somet
hing.
Dad:
mhh.
Afterbreakf
astIrushtomyr oom andchange
toawhi temaxi dr
ess.I
'm al
readyl
ateforcl
ass.
SoIdr i
veoffandwhenIgett here,t
helect
urei
s
alr
eadyongoi ng.
Afterl
ectur
esLihl
eandIgotothelibr
ary
.And
that'
swhenIseeThulani
.Iam noteveni
nthe
moodf orhim.
Hewal
ksov
ert
ous.
Thul
ani
:Li
hle.
Li
hle:
hi.
Thul
ani
:canwet
alkout
side?
Hesay
sthatl
ooki
ngatme.
Me:
I'
m busy
.
Thul
ani
:pl
easej
ustcome.
Igetupandfol
l
[Link]
sideandhe
tr
iestohugmebutIbackaway
.
Thul
ani
:I'
m guessi
ngy
ourf
ri
endst
oldy
ou.
Me:
tol
dmewhat
?
Thul
ani
:thatt
heysawmey
est
erday
.
Me:
whywoul
dtheyt
ell
met
hat
?
Thul
ani
:she'
smycousi
nEnt
le.
Me:
ohr
eal
l
y?
Thul
ani
:j
ustbel
i
eveme,
justt
hisonce.
Me:
okay
,ift
hat
'ssot
henI
'
dli
ket
omeether
.
Hel
ooksabi
tner
vous.
Thul
ani
:whywoul
dyouwantt
omeether
?
Me:
she'
syourcousi
n.
Thul
ani:
I'
venevermetanyofyourf
amily
.And
nowthatyouwanttomeetmine,Imustagr
ee.
Me:Ineedabr eakThulani,
Ineedabr eakf
rom
youandthisrelat
ionshi
[Link]'
tkeepdoingthi
s
t
omy self.I
'mtooy oungtobestressi
ngover
r
elat
ionships.
Thul
ani
:youdon'
tmeant
hat
.
Me:
Ido.I
'
mleav
ing.
Iwal
ktothecaranddr
[Link]
homeIsendLihl
eamessagetel
li
ngherI
'm
home.
.
ThenextcoupleofweeksIstart
edtogetover
Thulani
.Isti
ll
lovedhi
m butIcoul
dn'
thurt
my sel
fli
[Link]
ledal
mosteveryday,
tr
iedtotalkt
omeoncampusbutIav oidedhi
m.
Soi
t'
sThursdayandmyfami l
yisarr
ivi
ng.I
t'
s
mybi
rthdayonSundaybutIhavethepart
yon
[Link] otherandsi
sterar
riv
edf i
rst
thenmygr annyfoll
[Link]
y
arri
vedlateron.
Mom: ar
eyougoi
ngt
osl
eepwi
thoneofy
our
cousi
ns?
Me:notheycanusemyr
oom,
I'
ll
sleepatLi
hle'
s
pl
ace.
Mom:
ok.
Soaft
ersupperIsaymygoodby
esanddrivet
o
Morni
ngsi
[Link]
eLihl
eisal
one.
Me:
heyf
ri
end.
Li
hle:
thewhol
efami
l
yther
eyet
?
Me:yestheyar
e.I'
m soexhaust
[Link]
'
m
at
tendi
ngtomorrow.
Li
hle:
wehav
e3l
ect
urest
omor
rowandexams
soon.
Me:
IknowLi
hle.
Li
hle:
I'
ll
wakey
ouupany
way
.
Wesleeptoget
[Link]
[Link]
myl ect
uresthenwe
gotoUmhlangatogetmyshoesandmydr ess.
AsI'
m dri
vi
ngbackhomemyphoner i
ngsand
i
t'
sThulani
.Ideci
detoanswerhimt hi
stime.
Hel
et'
soutasi
gh.
Me:
Thul
ani
.
Thul
ani
:hi
.
Webot
hfal
li
ntocompl
etesi
l
ence.
Thulani
:uhm Iwaswonder
ingi
fI'
m st
il
li
nvi
ted
toyourpart
y.
Me:
ofcour
sey
ouar
e.
Thul
ani
:whatcanIgety
ou?
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
it'
supt
oyou.
Thul
ani
:okI
'
llt
ryt
omakei
tni
ce
Me:
okt
hen.
Thul
ani
:seey
out
omor
row.
IhangupandwhenIgethomet
hemar
queei
s
al
readyup.
Mom:
yourhai
randmakeupl
adywi
l
lbeher
e
t
omor
rowmorningsoy
ouhav
etosl
eepher
e.
Me:
[Link]
e'sBanzi
?
Mom:
hewentt
ofet
chhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:
ohok.
Iwaski
ndaexci
tedtoseeLi
[Link]
s
ni
ceandwegetalongsowell
.
Gr
anny
:goodt
hingy
ou'
[Link].
Me:
ok.
Iknewnowwast
hemomentoft
rut
h.
Mom:
goodl
uck.
Me:
comeonIdon'
tneedl
uck.
Shesmi l
edandIwalkedupst
air
stomy
[Link]
hedoorandshe
[Link]
smiled.
Granny:
I'
m [Link]
rl
syouragehave
ki
dsandsomehav edonesomanyaborti
ons
butyou'
rest
il
l v
irgi
n.
Me:
thanky
ougr
anny
.
Granny:i
t'
sapleasuremybaby
.Sonowt
ell
me,
doy ouhaveaboyfri
end?
Me:
noIdon'
t.
Gr
anny
:youdon'
thav
etohi
dei
t.
Me:Iam bei
nghonest
.Idon'
thav
eaboy
fri
end
att
hemoment .
Gr
anny
:okt
hen.
Wewal kedbackdownstai
rsandIwentt ochil
l
bythepoolareawit
hmysi [Link]-Esihle
andIaren'
tsoclosebutwear eokay .Ithinkit
's
becausewehav edi
ffer
entinterests.
Esi
hle:
y ouknowEnt
leI'
m proudofy
[Link],
Iusual
lyactl
ikeabi
tchbutIlov
eyouandIcare
aboutyou.
Me:
Iknow.
Esi
hle:
[Link]
syourboy
fri
endcomi
ng?
Me:
webr
okeupbuthei
scomi
ng.
Esi
hle:
whathappened?
Inar
rat
ehest
oryt
oher
.
Esi
hle:
Iknewhewasn'
tgoodf
ory
ou.
Me:
Iguessso.
Esihl
e:f
indsomeoneyoulov
eandaresurethat
theyl
[Link]'
twanty
ouendingup
l
ikeme.
Me:
I'
ll
trynott
o.
Esi
hle:
[Link]
'sgof
oraswi
m.
Wewalkupstai
rsandchangetoourbi
ki
nis.
Bot
hEsihl
eandIhavegreatbodi
esbutmineis
bet
tert
hanhers.
Wegobackdownst
air
sandgeti
nthepool
.
..
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t6
.
OnMondayIdidn'thav
eacl
asssoIwokeup
ear
lyt
ostudysinceIhadat
estcomi
ngupon
Wednesday
.
Mymom wal
kedi
ntomyr
oom wi
thasmal
ldi
sh.
Me:
Ithoughty
ouwer
eatwor
k.
Mom:
Itookt
hedayof
f.
Me:
ok.
Mom:
Ibr
oughty
ouaf
rui
tsal
ad.
Me:
thanky
ou.
Shesi
tsdownandIclosemybookbecauseI
kni
wshewantstot
alk.
Mom:
sowhat
'sy
ourbusi
nesswi
thKar
abo?
Me:
not
hing,
we'
rej
ustf
ri
ends.
Mom: I
'
m sur
eit
'smorethant
[Link]
fthe
gotf
oryouwasexpensi
veandthenhewenton
t
otakey
oushoppi
ngt
henextday
.
Me: wel
lmommyI'
mt el
li
ngyouthetr
[Link]
us
I
'm notr
eadyf
orar
elati
onshi
p,Ij
ustneedto
f
ocusonmybooks.
Mom:
real
l
y?
Me:
yes,
trustme.
Shesmil
est
henwal
ksoutandIcar
ryon
st
udyi
ng.
Myphonevibr
atesandIguessIfel
lasl
eep.I
t'
s
Thul
ani
.Ianswerwit
houthesi
tat
ion.
Me:
hel
l
o.
Thul
ani
:hi
.Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
yesIam y
ou?
Thul
ani
:per
fect
.Di
dyouopenmygi
fty
et?
Me:
yesandt
hanksagai
n.
Itwassmal lbutIappr
eci
atedi
[Link]
sil
verbracel
etwithmynameengr av
edand
sil
verearri
ngs.
Thul
ani
:i
t'
sapl
easur
e.
Webot
hkeepqui
et.
Thul
ani
:soEnt
let
ell
me,
didy
ouhav
etol
eav
e
me?
Me: y
ouweretoomuchformeThulani
.Ihad
gir
lstel
lmethaty
ouweren'
twai
ti
ngformeand
thennowyouhaveababymama.
Thul
ani:
y oudi
dn'
tgi
vemeachancet
oexpl
ain
thewholebabymamathi
ng.
Me:wel
li
tst
ool
[Link]
en'
ttoget
her
any
more.
Thul
ani
:ri
ght
.You'
redat
ingt
hatr
uchboy
.
Me:Thulani
whatisitwit
hyouthi
nkingIdate
someonebecausetheyhavecert
ainthi
ngs.I
'm
notdat
[Link]
aboismybr ot
her'
sfri
end.
Thul
ani
:oh
Hesoundsabi
tdi
sappoi
[Link]
det
o
hangup.
Thenextt
woday swer
eadr
ag,
Ihat
edst
udy
ing
wit
hapassion.
SoonWednesdaymor ni
ngIt akeal
ongbat
h
thenIwearal
lblack,bl
ackbaggytshir
tand
blackt
ight
swithblackkicks.
Ihaveasmoot hief
orbreakf
astthenIl
eave
befor
et [Link]
othebeach
thenstudyabit .Myphonevibr
atesandit
'sa
textf
rom Karabo.
"Morni
ngbeauti
ful
.Goodluckwi
thy
ourt
estand
enj
oytherestofyourday
"
Hemakesmehappy .Kar
abomakesmef
orget
aboutev
ery
thi
ngbutIcan'
tbewi
thhi
m.
At8Idri
vetocampusandIgett
herejusti
n
ti
[Link]
hleisi
nhercarsoIgoov
ertoherand
werevi
setoget
hert
henfinal
l
ywri
teourtest
.To
behonesti
twasn'
tsobad.
Soaft
erourt
estwegooursepar
ateway
s.I
needt
otakeanap.
WhenIgethomet her
e'snoone,soI'
m
guessingev
ery
[Link]
toft
v
thentakeanaponthecouch.
Iwakeupat4andt obehonestIfeell
ikegoing
[Link]
endshavebeenbusywithschoolwe
for
gottotakeamomentandhav [Link]
Mbali,
she'
salwaysgamewheni tcomest o
goi
ngout.
Mbali
:Iam sotir
ed,y
ou'
dswearIj
ustwentf
or
8roundsst
raight.
Me:
sies.
Shegi
ggl
es.
Mbal
i
:Ij
ustwentf
oraj
[Link]
'
sup?
Me:
Iwast
hinki
ngwegooutt
oni
ght
.
Mbal
i
:wher
eto?
Me:
Idon'
tknowy
out
ell
us.
Shel
aughs.
Mbal
i
:whydoIf
eel
li
keI
'
mthebadi
nfl
uencei
n
t
hegr
oup.
Me:
youar
e.
ShehangsupandIcal
lLi
hleandThandoand
weareon.
Sotomaket hi
ngseasyIst
artonsupper
.Mac
andcheeseandsal
adsontheside.
Mymom comesbackf
ir
st.
Mom:
whatdi
dyoudo?
Me:
not
hingwhy
?
Mom:Entl
eyounev
ercookunlessyoudi
d
somet
hingory
ouwantsomething.
Me:wel
lIdon'
twantanyt
[Link]
igur
edsi
nceI
washomeearl
yIshouldcook.
Mom:
ohni
ce.
Shegrabsanappl
eandwalksupstai
rs.I
t'
s
near
lyti
meforsupperwhenmydadwal ksin,
he
l
ookstir
[Link]
[Link]
don'
[Link]
sharesinmanycompani
esandmymom al
so
star
tedbuyi
ngsharespl
ust
heyhav
eki
dswho
canaffordt
hem.
Me:
longday
?
Dad:ver
[Link]
emeeti
ngwithsome
shar
eholder
s,i
twasn'tev
enpl
anned.
Me:
shamebuti
t'
sal
lov
ernow.
Dad:
[Link]
'
m goi
ngt
owor
ktomor
row.
Me:
youshoul
dret
ir
e.
Dad:
Ihave2daught er
sthatwil
lprobabl
yget
marr
iedoneday,soonhopeful
lyandthey'
ll
hav e
t
owor kf
orthei
rownf amil
iessowher ewi
llIget
t
hemoneyf r
om?
Me:
Banzi
?
Dad:
thatonei
sst
ingy
.
Me:
he'
snotbaba.
Dad:
Iknowal
lmyki
ds.
Me:
[Link]
oni
ght
.I
pr
omi
seI
'
llbesaf
e.
Dad:
wher
eto?
Me:wehaven'
tdecidedyet
.ButI
'
llsendy
oumy
l
ocat
ionwheneverIgett
here.
Dad:
[Link]?
Me:
yespl
ease.
Henods.
Iwaitf
ordadt
otakeashowert
henIser
ve
supper
.Wesaygracet
hendi
gin.
Ihaveasmal lportionthenIexcusemy sel
f.I
walkupstai
rsandt akeashortshowerthenI
wearawhi t
ebody con,backl
essdresswitha
blackbi
kerjacketandmyChr ist
ianLoubouti
n
cryst
alr
edbot tom heelsthatoneofmydads
fr
iendsboughtf orme.
Ist
rai
ght
enmyweaveandstayont
henat
ural
l
ookbutj
ustappl
ypi
nkl
ipst
ick.
Iwal
kdownst
air
sandj
awsdr
op.
Mom:
arey
ousur
eit
'snotadat
e?
Me:
100%
Dad:[Link]
her
wiseI
'
llhav
esomeone
fol
l
owy ou.
Me:
pleasedon'
t.
Theysmi
l
e.
Me:
I'
ll
bebackj
ustaf
ter3orbef
ore.
[Link]
ivet
o
Mor
ningsi
deandthegir
lsareal
readywait
ing
f
[Link]
eusingmycart hi
sti
me.
Thando:someonei
str
yingt
omakeagr
and
ent
rance.
Me:
am It
oomuch?
Li
hle:
nev
er.
I'
mt heonlyonei
nadr esswhichisagoodt hi
ng.
Il
[Link]
deswegot o
Egagasini
.Wednesdaysaren'
treal
lyfull
and
plusit
'searl
ysowegetasecur eparkingspot
andwal
[Link]
indapl
aceandt
akeci
der
sso
l
ong.
Asi
tget
slat
ethecr
owdi
ncr
eases.
Mbal
i
:If
eel
li
kesomet
hingst
ronger
.
Thando:
don'
tyoual
way
s?
Wel
augh.
Me:I
'm goi
ngt
obey
ourbl
esserMbal
i
.Whatdo
youwant?
Mbal
i
:vodka.
Me:
I'
ll
getshoot
ersf
ir
st.
Iwal
ktot
hebarandgetshoot
ers.
"
Hey
"
It
urnandlookatthispersonnextt
[Link],
[Link]
s
dr
essedcompleteshislook.
Me:
hi.
Hi
m:Mi
ssKhoza?
Il
ookathi
mf orawhi
l
eandIr
eal
i
zeIknowhi
m
fr
om somewhere.
Me:
MrZungu?
Hi
m:y
es.
Ohy eshe'soneofmydad'
sassoci
[Link]
funnyenoughheboughtmetheshoesI'm
[Link]
sissoawkwar
d.
Me:
thanksf
ort
heshoesbyt
heway
.
Il
ookatmyshoesandhedoest
hesameand
chuckl
es.
Hi
m: whatacoi
nci
dence.I
'
m Si
phesi
hlebyt
he
way.
Me:
[Link]
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Hi
m:guysni
ghtout
.They
'r
ejustl
[Link]
e
t
heyar
e.
Herai
seshishandandt
heywal
ktoour
di
rect
ion.
Me:
that
'smycue.
It
aket
heshooy
ersandwal
ktot
hegi
rl
s.
Li
hle:
yout
ookf
orev
er.
Me:
goodt
hingst
aket
ime.
Wedr
inkt
hoset
henIbuymor
ebooze.
Thando:
andwhyi
sthatguyl
ooki
ngatus?
Il
ookov erandit'
shi
[Link]'
tknowwhybutI
getbut
terfl
ies.
Me:he'sfr
iendswi
thmydad,
wel
ltheywor
k
t
ogether.
Mbal
i
:he'
scandy
.
Me:
obv
iousl
[Link]
kswi
thcandy
.
Li
hle:
andy
oudon'
tev
enshar
e.
Me:
I'
m notev
enget
ti
ngcandy
,howcanIshar
e?
Thando:
weneedt
odance.
Themusicisj
ustperf
ectsowegetupand
[Link]
lmyfri
endsarecr
azyandwecan
dancebutLi
hlei
[Link]
owherl
eadthen
fr
om therewegobackt oourt
[Link]
heend
ofthenightIam sot
ir
edbutIdri
vehome
anyway..
.
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t7
.
Igethomeat2andIl eav
emyshoesi nmycar
andwalki
nsidebaref
[Link]
epainf
ul.I
walktomyroom andimmediatel
yfal
lasl
eep.
Idon'
thav el
ectur
esthismorningsoIwakeup
[Link] abithungoversoItakeacol
d
showerthenIwearmymaxi dr
essandwalk
downstair
[Link]
chenmaking
something.
Me:
mor
[Link]
pyou?
Dad:
noI
'
llbeokay
.I'
m maki
ngasmoot
hie.
Ismi
l
eandl
ookathi
m.
Me:
sincewhendoy
oudr
inksmoot
hies?
Dad:
thi
smor
ning.
Ipourcer
ealf
ormysel
fthenwalkt
othelounge
andcatchuponaseri
esI'
vebeenwatchi
ng.
Mydadwal
ksi
nandset
tl
esnextt
ome.
Me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngfort
her
estoft
heday
?I
washopi
ngwegoout.
Dad:Ihaveameet
ingi
naf
ewt
henwecango
af
ter
war ds.
Me:
her
e?
Dad:
yes.
Iimmediatelyt
hinkofSi
phesi
hlebutIpusht
hat
thoughtt
ot hebackofmyhead.
At12theinter
com r
ingssoIopenthegat
eand
MrDlaminiandsomeot hermanwalki
n.
Me:
mydadi
sinhi
sst
udy
.
Dl
ami
ni:
Iknowwher
eiti
s.
Me:
canIgety
ouany
thi
ng?
Dl
ami
ni:
justbr
ingi
ce.
Inodandt heywalktomydad'[Link]
ng
them i
ceandIwal ktotheki
tchentopourjuice.
Theintercom r
ingsagai
[Link] t
er
somet imethereisaknockandIgoopen.
Mykneesi
mmedi
atel
ygoweak.I
t'
shi
m.
Me:
hi.
Si
hle:
hey
.Uhm I
'
mlat
e,mi
ndshowi
ngmet
he
st
udy?
Me:
sur
e.
HeclosesthedoorandwalksbehindmeasI
l
eadhimt othest
[Link]
erthatmomentmy
phoneri
ngsandit'
sav i
deocallf
rom my
brot
her.
Me:
brot
her
.
Banzi
:howar
eyou?
Me:
per
fecty
ou?
Banzi
:gr
eat
.Sowhat
'sup?
Me:
wel
lnot
hingr
eal
l
y.I
'
mjustl
oungi
ngar
ound
wai
ti
ngfordadt
ofi
nishhi
smeet
ingsowecan
goout
.
Banzi
:wher
eto?
Me:
don'
tknowy
et.
Banzi
:[Link]'
smom?
Me:she'
sokay
.Theyj
ustwor
ktoohar
dIwor
ry
aboutt
hem.
Banzi
:mom pr
omisedt
oret
ir
ewheny
ou'
re
donewit
hschool
.
Me: IknowbutIgetwor
ri
edandt
hat
'
sonl
ynext
yearimagine.
Banzi
:you'
renear
lyt
her
e.
Ismi
l
e.
Banzi
:I'
l
lcal
lyouabi
tlat
erokay
?
Me:
ok.
HehangsupandIwalktomyroom andchnage
tojeansandanof
fshoul
dert
opandwhiteall
star.
Iwalkdownst
air
sandwai
[Link]
ter
aboutanhourt
heywal
kout.
Dad:ohy
ou'
rer
eady
.I'
mjustgoi
ngt
ochange
okay
?
[Link]
esandmydad
walksupstair
[Link]
tersomet i
mehewal
ksout
andwedr i
v etoGateway.
Me:
howwast
hemeet
ing?
Dad:
itwasokayIguess.
Me:
whatwasi
tabout
?
Dad:
whyt
hesuddeni
nter
est
?
Me:
I'
mjustconcer
ned.
Dad:Dlaminii
sselli
nghisshar
estoMthet
hwa
andsincewehav esharesinhi
scompanyhe
hadtoinform us.
Me:
we?
Dad:
ZunguandI
.
Me:
ohhel
ookst
ooy
oungt
obeowni
ngshar
es.
Dad:well
itsnotaboutt
[Link]
us
t
hatboywor kedpret
tyhar
dtogetwherehei
s.
Heremindsmeofmyy out
hdays.
Il
augh.
Me:
soy
oual
sowor
kedf
rom ay
oungage?
Dad:[Link]
otherwasalreadyi
nthe
pict
urebytheendofmyhi ghschoolday
ssoI
hadtomar ryy
ourmom andpayf orhervar
sit
y
feesbecauseshewasnowmyr esponsi
bil
i
ty.
Me: soi
fIweret
ogetmarr
iedbytheendofthi
s
yearmyhusbandwoul
dhavetopayformyfees?
Dad:
[Link]
en'
tmyr
esponsi
bil
i
tyany
mor
e.
Me:
that
'st
ough.
Wegettothemallandst
artwi
thlunchthenI
hel
phimfixhi
scloset
.Andhealsobuysmea
fewit
[Link]
meweheadbackhome
mom isback.
Mom: Babyyouwer
esupposedt
ober
est
ing
andnotthi
s.
Dad:
wel
lI'
m wel
lrest
ednow.
Mom:
whydoy
ouhav
etobesost
ubbor
n?
Dad:
I'
m sorr
ymylov
e,I
'
llt
aket
omor
rowof
f
andwel
lI'
l
lrest
.
Mom:
tomor
rowI
'
llbeher
ewi
thy
ou.
Dad:
youdon'
thav
eto.
Me:
ahexcuseme.
Iwal
kt omyr oom andj
ustsi
taroundbored.I
can'
treal
l
ygooutt wonight
sinar [Link]
don'
tfeell
ikebei
ngathomet oo.
Myphoner
ingswhi
leI'
m st
il
ltr
yingtot
hinkand
i
t'
smybrot
heragai
[Link]'dcal
llat
er.
Me:
brot
her
.
Banzi
:whenl
astdi
dyout
alkt
oKar
abo?
Me:
thi
smor
ningwespokeonWhat
sappwhy
?
Banzi
:[Link]
tobehonestIwant
edto
askwhati
st hedealwi
thyout
[Link]' tst
op
tal
ki
ngaboutyou.
Me:wellhe'
sjustafr
[Link]
abouty
ousoIwoul dn'tmakethatmist
ake.
Banzi
:Iknowy
oul
i
kehi
m.
Me:noti
nthatmannerbutasaf
ri
[Link]'
sa
cool
guybutnotmytype.
Banzi
:whati
syourt
ype?
Me:
Banzi
!
Hechuckl
es.
Banzi
:Iwasjustworri
edaboutyoubabysis.I
'v
e
seenKaraboplayalotofgi
rl
sandIwouldn't
wantyoutobeont heli
st.
Me: y
oudon'thavet opai
nthim asthebadguy
formet oseethathe'snotgoodforme.I'
ve
seenhiwheoper at
esBanzi andIwon'tbethe
nextgir
lonhishitl
ist.
WellKarabodoeslookli
keyouraverageplayer
.
Thetermsheuseshav ebeenov erusedby
pl
[Link]
yentert
ainhi
m,hopef ul
l
yIdon't
l
eadhim onandev enifIdoI
'dtellhi
m st
raight
t
hatI
'
m noti
nter
est
ed.
Banzi
:goodgi
rl
.
Igiggl
[Link]
esandIdeci
det
o
takeself
ies.
Myphoner
ingsandIdon'
trecogni
zet
he
number
.
Me:
hel
l
o.
Cal
l
er:
MissKhoza.
Ther
e'ssomethi
ngabouthi
sbol
dvoi
cet
hatI
can'
tgetover
.
Me:
whoset
his?
Iknowexact
lywhoi
tisbutIcan'
tgi
vet
hat
away.
Cal
l
er:
Siphesi
hleZungu.
Me:
ohandwher
edi
dyougetmynumber
?
Hechuckl
es.
Si
hle:
yougav
eitt
ome.
Me:
when?
Si
hle:
Wednesdayni
ght
.Ormay
bey
ouwer
etoo
dr
unktor
emember .
Hei
ssor
elaxed.
Me:IwastipsyandInev
ergav
eany
onemy
numberespecial
l
yyou.
Si
hle:
okfiney
[Link]
emyway
wi
thstuf
f.
Me:
oh.
Sihl
e:anywayI'
m gl
admyconnect i
onsgaveme
thecorr
ectcontact
.IguessI
'
llseeyouaround.
[Link]'tevensay
[Link]
sSihl
[Link]
de
tostal
[Link]
ernetcanshowyou
wondersItel
lyou.
..
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t8
.
Af
terspendi
nganhouront
henetIj
ustgett
hat
he'
sawel
lknownandr
espect
edbusi
nessman.
Igodownst
air
sforsupperandasal
way
sit
's
[Link] isagreatcook.
Mom:
soyourdadandIwer
eplanni
ngongoi
ng
t
oNewZeal
andduri
ngEast
er.
Me:
whatf
or?
Dad:hol
i
day
.Ihav
en'
ttakeny
ourmot
herouti
n
ages.
Me:
sowhataboutme?
Dad:you'
l
lgotoyoursist
erory
ourbr
other
,ot
youcanstayher
ealone.
Me:
Ithi
nkI
'
llgot
oCapeTown.
Dad:
okI
'
llbookev
ery
thi
ng.
.
SoI'
vegittwoweeksofholi
dayandI'
m
pl
anningonspendi
ngaweeki nCapeTownand
[Link] ot
herwasstayingwit
h
Li
ndaf ul
lti
meandIdi
dn'twanttoi
nvadethei
r
pri
[Link]
othermightnotmi
ndbuty
ou
neverknowwhenitcomestowoman.
Sothepastf
ewweeksSihl
ehasbeencalli
ng.
Hewasplanni
ngwehavelunchtoget
herbutby
thet
imewemadearrangementsIhadtotr
avel
toCapeTown.
SoI
'm att
heair
portandmysi
steri
sal
ready
wai
ti
[Link]
ealri
ght
.
Esi
hle:
Imi
ssedy
oul
i
ttl
esi
s.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
Esi
hle:
come.
Shecar
ri
esmybagandwewal
ktohercar
.
Me:
sohowhasl
i
febeen?
Esi
hle:
goodandy
our
s?
Me:
per
fectIguess.
Esi
hle:
I'
m guessi
ngi
t'
saman.
Imanaget
okeepast
rai
ghtf
ace.
Me:
noi
tsnot
.
Esi
hle:
you'
regoi
ngt
obeagoodl
awy
er.
Wegett
oherapartmentinStel
lenboschandi
t
l
ooksmorebeaut
if
ulthanthelastti
meIwas
her
e.
Me:
wowi
tlookssobeaut
if
ul.
Esi
hle:
thanksbabe.
Wesitdownandshepour
swi
nef
ort
hebot
hof
us.
Esi
hle:
what
'shappeni
ngwi
thmom anddad?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
Esi
hle:
Ihav
eabadf
eel
i
ngaboutt
hei
rtr
ip.
Me:
meani
ng?
Esihl
e:Idon'
tknowbuti
t'
sunl
i
ket
hem t
otakea
tr
ipjustl
iket
hat.
Me:andthat
'sexact
lywhyt
heyt
ooki
[Link]
t
heyneededtherest
.
Shegiv
esmealookandt
obehonestI
'
m al
so
feel
i
ngabi
tner
vous.
Me:
canIcal
lthem?
Esi
hle:
it'
smi
dni
ghtt
hatsi
de.
Me:
okI
'
llcal
ll
ater
.Ineedt
otakeanap.
Iwalktot
heguestroom andmyey
escl
oset
he
minutemyheadhit
st hepi
ll
ow.
Iwakeupatar
ound6andIcal
lmymypar
ent
s.
Mom:
Ent
le.
Me:
howar
eyouguy
s?
Mom:
per
fectandy
ou?
Me:I
'm okay
.I'
m al
readyi
nCapeTownbyt
he
way
.
Mom:
muchbet
ter
.
Me:
wher
e'sdad?
Shekeepsqui
etf
orsomet
ime.
Me:
whati
shappeni
ngbet
weeny
out
wo?
Mom:
ahsweet
yyourdadwentf
orsur
ger
y.
Me:
what
?Why
?
Mom:
ahear
ttr
anspl
ant
Me:
why
?
Mom: babyi
tsver
ycompl
i
catedbutwe'l
l
expl
[Link]
ustknowt
hat
he'
sgoingtobeokay
.
Me:
Ihopeso.
Mom:tr
[Link]'
sundergoi
ngsurger
yatt
he
[Link]'
soutI
'l
lcal
lyou.
Me:
ok.
Mom:
okby
ebaby
.
Me:
bye.
Ihangupandwal
ktot
hel
[Link]
hlei
sst
il
l
al
one.
Me:
I'
m back.
Esi
hle:
thatt
ookf
orev
er.
Me:Icall
[Link]
ent
lydadi
shav
inga
hear
ttranspl
ant
.
Esi
hle:
what
!?
Me:
buthe'
l
lbeokay
.
Esi
hle:
whywoul
dtheyhi
det
hat
?
Me:
theypr
obabl
ydi
dn'
twantt
ogetuswor
ri
ed.
Esi
hle:
[Link]
i
evehe'
l
lbeokay
,
dadisstr
ong.
[Link]
hleknowsI
'm adaddy
sgi
rl.I
f
mydadwoulddiei
[Link]
Ihav
etobestr
ongf orhi
m.
Sheorder
ssupperandwedowni
twineas
al
[Link]
hlemademelovewi
ne.
ThenextdayisTuesdayandEsihleobvi
ously
hastogotowor [Link]
esjustaft
erI
've
takenmyshower .Ihavemuesl
ithenwatchtv.
Myphoner i
ngsamdi tsmymom.
Me:
mommy
.
Mom:
IhopeIdi
dn'
twakey
ouup.
Me:
nobutEsi
hledi
d.
Mom:youknowhowy
oursi
steri
sint
he
mor
ning.
Me:
[Link]'
sdad?
Mom: he'srespondi
ngwelltot
henewheartand
thetr
eatmentaswel lbutt
heyarest
il
lgoi
ngto
observehim.
Me:
I'
m gl
[Link]
l
lyoubeback?
Mom: 2weeksf
rom [Link]
eonhol
i
day
af
teral
l.
Me:
[Link]
ssdaddyf
orme.
Mom:
wil
ldomyangel
.By
enow.
Me:
bye.
IhangupandIgetanothercal
lal
most
i
mmedi at
ely
.It
'sSi
hle.
Me:
hey
Si
hle:
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
m gr
eaty
ou?
Si
hle:
[Link]
eal
l
ywannaseey
ouagai
n.
Me:
youwi
l
l.
Si
hle:
whatwoul
dsayi
fIt
oldy
ouIwasi
nCape
Town?
Me:
I'
dpr
obabl
ytr
yandmeetupwi
thy
ou.
Si
hle:
wel
lI'
minCapeTownr
ightnow.
IgetupandI
'
m al
readyf
eel
i
ngner
vous.
Me:
wher
e?
Si
hle:I
'm att
heai
rpor
tri
[Link]
'
llbe
st
ayingatV&[Link]?
Me:
ahy
[Link]'
thav
epl
anssowhynot
.
Si
hle:
sendmey
ourl
ocat
ion,
I'
ll
fet
chy
ou.
Me:
ok.
Iimmediat
elysendmylocat
ionandIwalkt
o
thebedr
oom tolookf
oranoutfi
[Link]
ngSihl
e
he'
sprobablydr
essedi
nasui
tsoIhavet
olook
thepar
[Link]
ongwit
hali
ttl
e
bkackdress.
Soat11Igetdr
essedi
nmybl
ackbody
con
dr
essandnavyheel
s.
Hecal l
st osayhe'
sout si
deandIwalkout
feeli
ngr at
[Link]
andi
ngoutsi
dea
blackAudi A4dressedinanavysuit
,good
l
ookingasal [Link] l
ashesasmil
ewhenhe
[Link] kov ertohi
m [Link]
openst hedoorformeandIwal kinandhegoes
tohisside.
Si
hle:
you'
rel
ooki
ngbeaut
if
ulasal
way
s.
Me:
nott
oobady
our
sel
f.
Si
hle:
sowher
ewoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?
Me:
any
wher
eisf
inewi
thme.
Si
hle:
let
'ssee.
Wedri
vetoWaterf
ronttalki
ngaboutt
hegener
al.
Wegettothi
sbeauti
ful
r est
aur
antwit
haview
t
[Link]
derandj
ustl
ookateachot
her
.
Me:
sot
ell
mewhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Si
hle:
Icamet
oseey
ou.
Ibl
ushandl
aughal
i
ttl
e.
Me:
you'
rej
oki
ngr
ight
?
Sihl
e:noI
'
m ser
[Link]
fandI
deci
dedtocomeseey ou.
Me:
wow.
Si
hle:
IhopeIdon'
tsoundobsessedorany
thi
ng.
Me:
nonotatal
l
.
Si
hle:
soy
ousai
dyouwant
edt
oknowme.
Me:Iactual
[Link]
osoundobsessedtoo
butIactual
l
yGoogledyouandIdi
dn'tf
ind
anyt
hing.
Hechuckl
es.
Si
hle:
I'
m gl
ady
oudi
dfi
ndany
thi
ng.
Ouror
derar
ri
ves.
Me:
arey
ouhi
dingsomet
hing?
Si
hle:nobutI'
drathertel
lsomethi
ngaboutme
i
nsteadofthem getti
ngthewronginf
ormati
on
onthenet.
Me:
ohIheary
[Link]
'
mli
steni
ng.
Sihl
e:Si
phesihl
eSi [Link]
[Link] r
om af amil
y
of4andI '
mt hefir
stborn.I
'veworkedsince
matri
c,start
edwi t
hasmal lbusi
nesst ohel
pt he
famil
ythenIwor kedmywayt ot
het op.
Me:
[Link]
dar
eyou?
Hechuckl
es.
Si
hle:
howol
ddoIl
ook?
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
25?
Si
hle:
niceguessbutI
'
m 27.
Me:ohwow,y
ou'r
ever
ysuccessf
ulf
or
someoney
ourage.
Si
hle:
wel
lthat
'sexact
lywhatIwant
.Toenj
oy
mysuccesseswhi
l
eI'
m st
il
lyoung.
Me:
nice.
Si
hle:
sot
ell
meaboutEnt
le.
Me:
andy
ouact
ual
l
yusedmyf
ir
stname.
[Link]'
sbeencal
l
ingmeMi
ssKhoza
si
ncedayone.
Me:well I
'
m Ent l
eJessi
[Link] ed
i
nDur ban,planningonstay
ingt
herefortherest
ofmyl i
[Link]'
sgirl
.Studyi
ng
Law,3rdy [Link]
hat'
sabout
itfornow.
Si
hle:
that
'sni
ce.
Hehandlesthebi
llandwewalkar ound
Water
front
.Theplaceisbeaut
if
[Link]
cr
eam thenhetakesmebackhome.I t
'sal
ready
l
ate.
Si
hle:
Ienj
oyedev
erymi
nut
espentwi
thy
ou.
Me:
Ienj
oyedi
ttoo.
Si
hle:
IguessI
'
llseey
ounextweek.
[Link]
opensmysideofthedoor
.Iwalkoutandwe
hug.
Thedoort
oEsihl
e'
sapart
mentopensandi
ts
Banzi
.Andhedoesn'
tl
ookpl
eased.
..
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t9
.
WhenIsawhim st
andi
ngthereIst
art
edgett
ing
ner
[Link]
sheevendoinghereandwhen
di
dhegethere.
Sihlel
et'
sgoofmeandhenot i
[Link]
turnst
owav eathim andBanzichanges,he
l
ooksabi tr
elaxed.
Iwal
ktot
heapar
tmentandSi
hledr
ivesof
f.
Banzi
:ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
ogi
vey
ourbi
gbr
othera
hug?
Igi
vehi
m abri
efhugandwewal
kinsi
[Link]
hle
i
swatchi
ngtv
.
Me:
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Banzi
:[Link]
etol
dmeabout
dadandIwantedtoseehowy ou'
rehol
dingup.I
knowhowy ougetwhenitcomestodad.
Me:
well
I'
m okay,youdi
dn'
thav
etocomeal
l
t
hewayandEsihl
eisher
e.
Esi
hle:
exact
lywhatIt
oldhi
m.
Banzi
:andIsetupameet
ingI
'
vebeenav
oidi
ng
formonthst
hissi
de.
Me:
mhh.
Banzi
:youandZungu,
what
'
shappeni
ngt
her
e?
Esi
hle:
Iwantt
oknowev
ery
thi
ng.
Me:not
hing,
wejustwentforl
[Link]
comeyouguysknowhim andIdon't
.
Banzi
:wel
lhei
nvest
edi
nmycompany
.
Esi
hle:
Idon'tev
enknowhi
m,It
hinkIj
ustsaw
hi
m atyourpart
y.
Me:
goodt
hen.I
'
llgost
artonsupper
.
Esihl
e:t
hat
'sexact
lywhyIenj
oyhav
ingy
ou
around.
Ir
oll
myey
esandshel
aughs.
Imakepor
kchops,st
irf
ryandmash.By7I'
m
doneandwe'
rehav
ingsupperi
nthel
ounge.
Banzi
:soIwast
hinki
ngofpr
oposi
ng.
Esi
hle:mom anddadhav
en'
tev
enmether
off
ici
all
y.
Banzi
:they
'l
lmeetherwhent
heycomeback.
Me:
I'
m happyf
ory
ou.
Banzi
:thanksl
i
ttl
esi
[Link]
ull
yyou'
l
lbenext
.
Me:
I'
m notev
enr
eadyf
orar
elat
ionshi
p.
Esi
hle:say
sthegi
rlt
hathasawhol
elotof
opt
ions.
Me:Idon'thav
eopt
[Link]
otherwhenar
e
youl
eaving?
Banzi
:am Icockbl
ocki
ng?
Me:no.I
fIwantedt
oleav
eI'
dleav
emypar
ent
s
ar
en'
taround.
Banzi
:you'
rest
il
lourr
esponsi
bil
i
ty.
Me:
what
ever
.
Isl
eepwit
hEsi
hlesi
nceBanzi
isusi
ngt
he
guestr
oom.
.
2mont hsl at
erit'
sJuneandev ery
thi
nghas
[Link]
resti
[Link] srecoveri
ngbutmyst i
ll
insist
she
[Link] shandl i
nghi sbusinesses.
Andwel lmybr otherfinal
lyproposedt oLinda.
Theyar esohappy ,I'
venev erseenmypar ents
[Link] ov i
sitwithmybr other
j
ustaf t
ertheengagementandmymom seems
toli
keher .Andthent here'
sSi hleandI,wear e
tryi
[Link]'
[Link] r eall
y
happywi thhim,there'
snev eradul lmoment .
Si
ncei
tsexam t
imeI
'
vebeenspendi
ngmost
day
satLi
hle'
spl
acesowecanst
udyt
oget
her
.
I
t'
sTuesdayandwehav
eanexam onFr
iday
.
Me:
I'
m sot
ir
ed.
Li
hle:
met
[Link]
'sgooutandhav
elunch.
Me:If
eel
li
keabr
aai
.Let
'sgot
othatpl
acei
n
KwaMashu.
Li
hle:
getdr
essed.
It
'sabi
tchi
ll
ysoIjustaddmywr apcoatand
wewalkoutandusehercar.I
tsnotful
lsowe
si
t.
Li
hle:
Ican'
twai
tti
l
lwe'
redonewi
thexams.
Me:[Link]'
llbeonhol
i
day
,I'
m
t
hinki
ngofst
ayingov
er.
Li
hle:
[Link]
ear
eal
otof
pl
aceswehaven'
ttr
iedout
.
Me:
li
ke?
Li
hle:
Eyadini
.I'
veal
wayswant
edt
ogot
her
e
pl
usit'
stheDurbanJul
ysoon.
Me:
Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
m upf
ort
hatki
ndoff
un.
Li
hle:
you'
rebor
ing.
Ist
ickmyt
ongueout
.Ourmeatcomes.
Me:
thi
slooksni
ce.
Ther
e'sagi
ggl
efr
om behi
ndme.
Li
hle:
[Link]'
ttur
nar
ound.
Iturnandit
'sThulani
andsomeladywithababy
.
Mustbet [Link] magineifwe
werestil
ldati
ngandIbumpint
ot hi
[Link]
thatI'
mlookingandheimmedi
atelyst
opsand
l
ooksatme.
Li
hle:
Isai
ddon'
ttur
n.
Me:
what
ever
.
WeeatourmeatandThul
ani
comesal
ongandI
not
icet
heladyhewaswit
hhasl
eft
.
Thul
ani
:hi
guy
s.
Li
hle:
hey
.
Ideci
det
okeepqui
et.
Thul
ani:
well
Iwasj
ustsay
inghi
.Ihar
dlyev
en
seeyouguy
soncampusanymore.
Li
hle:
we'
vebeenbusywi
thourbooks.
Thul
ani
:ohIunder
stand.I
twasni
ceseei
ngy
ou
two.
Me:
niceseei
ngy
out
oo.
Ismil
eandhewal
ksaway,
justoncuet
hel
ady
walksbacki
nwi
tht
hebaby.
Li
hle:
mustbeni
ce.
Me:
ver
yni
ce.
Myphoner
ingsandi
t'
sSi
hle.
Me:
hi.
Si
hle:
baby
,howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
m okayy
ou?
Sihl
e:gr
eat
.I'
m onmywayt
oMor
ningsi
dear
e
youhome?
Me:
bot
hLi
hleandIar
eatKwaMashuf
orl
unch.
Si
hle:
ohcanIcome?I
'
m st
arv
ing.
Me:
wai
tletmeaskLi
hle.
Iputt
hephoneonhol
d.
Me:Si
hlewant
stoj
oinus,
doy
oumi
nd?
Sheshakesherhead.
Li
hle:
notatal
lbutheowesmef
orbei
ndat
hir
d
wheel.
Il
aughandunhol
d.
Me:
shedoesn'
tmi
nd.
Si
hle:
I'
ll
bet
her
ein20.
Hehangsup.
Lihle:soar
eyouguy
sser
iousabouty
our
relati
onshi
p?
Me:welli
tsst
il
lnewbutIt
hinki
tcoul
dbe
ser
ious.
Li
hle:
andwhathappenswheni
t'
sti
met
oeat
t
hecake?
Me:
wel
lhe'
l
lhav
etounder
stand.
Li
hle:
notev
eryguyi
sgoi
ngt
obel
i
keThul
ani
.
Me:andwhatdi
dThul
ani
do?Hecheat
edand
nowhehasababy.
Li
hle:
Ihopey
oudon'
tgethur
t.
Me:
hopef
ull
y.
JustthenSihl
e'
sblackBMW X6pul
l
[Link]
greet
st hensi
tsdownnextt
ome.
Si
hle:
sohow'
sthest
udy
inggoi
ng?
Heaskst
hist
aki
ngawi
ngf
rom mypl
ate.
Li
hle:
it'
sgoi
ngwel
l
,we'
rej
ustt
ir
ed.
Il
ikedthatSi
hleandmyfri
[Link]
whowoul dn'
tgetal
ongwithSi
hle?He'sgreat
companyandhe' sv
eryopenmindedandhe' s
neverseri
ous.
Si
hle:I
'
m expect
inggoodmar
ksf
rom t
hebot
h
ofyou.
Li
hle:st
ophangi
ngaroundMrKhoza,
you'
re
beginni
ngt
osoundli
kehim.
Hel
aughst
henor
der
s.
Sihl
e:MrKhozai
ssor
tofmyment
orsoIcan'
t
real
lyst
ayawayf
rom hi
m.
Me:
okenoughaboutmydad.
Li
hle:
[Link]
hef
actt
haty
ouowemef
or
bei
ngathirdwheel
.
Si
hle:
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Li
hle:
Idon'
tknow,
may
beoneofy
ourf
ri
ends.
Il
[Link]
eiscr
azy,whodoesthat
?ButI
under
standmyf r
iendhasbeensi
ngl
eforqui
te
sometime.
Si
hle:
andIknowt
heper
fectmat
chf
ory
ou.
Il
ookathim andhehasanaught
[Link]
hi
smeatandIhelphim al
it
tl
[Link]
he
bi
llandaskstodr
ivemehome.
Si
hle:
let
'st
aket
hel
ongerr
out
e.
Me:
youal
way
sdo.
Hehol
dsmyhand.
Si
hle:
Ilov
eyouokay
?
Inod.I
'
m st
il
lnotr
eadyt
osayi
tyet
,except
whenIsendatext
.
Si
hle:soaf
tery
ourexam onFridaydoyou
wannacomeov ert
omypl [Link]
endsandI
arehavi
ngachil
lsesh,
youcancomewi t
hyour
fr
iends.
Me:
I'
ll
hav
etot
hinkabouti
t.
Sihl
e:comeonI'
m sur
eyourf
ri
endswantt
o
havealit
tl
efun.
Me:I
'l
lcomethrough,
Idon'
tknowaboutmy
f
ri
endsthough.
Si
hle:
they
'l
lcome.
Me:
I'
m scar
edofy
ourf
ri
endst
hough.
Heki
ssesmyhand.
Si
hle:
myf
ri
endsdon'
tbi
teandt
hey
'vebeen
wai
ti
ngt
omeety
ou.
Me:
okt
[Link]
t'
sgood.
Si
hle:
itwi
l
l.
Hedr
ivesmet
oMor
ningsi
det
hendr
ivesback
t
owork.
[
06/
09,
13:
23]Kunt
a:I
nser
t10
.
Thul
ani
'
sPOV
WhenIsawt hatcarpullupatt heTshisanyama
Ithoughtittheownerorsomet hi
ngbutwhenhe
walkedtoEnt l
eandLi hl
e'sdirectionIstart
ed
getti
ngner v
[Link] chedhi m si tcomfort
ably
nexttoEnt l
eandheyl ookedcosy s,evenafool
wouldseet hatt hesetwoar et [Link]
l
ookedsohappy .Andwhent heyl eftt
ogether
,
everyt
hingwasconf ir
med.
Ilov
edEnt
le,
Isti
ll
dobutIdon'
tthinkshe
deserv
esme,shedeser
vessomeonewaybett
er
thanme.I
'
vebeencheati
ngandluckil
yshe
hasn'
tfoundoutunt
ilt
hisl
astt
[Link]
ed
becauseIknewshewouldn'
tfi
ndoutandwellI
haveneedsasaman.
Ibackeddownwithoutafi
ghtbecauseIknewI
wasbeingsel
fi
sh,shecouldbewihsomeone
wholovesherandiswil
li
ngtowaitforher
.
Nandi
:what
'sup?
Nandi wast hebabymama, ourr
elati
onshipwas
stil
lnewt [Link]
obeaone
nightstandandIonlyfoundoutlateronthat
waspr egnantandIdefini
tel
ywantwhat sbest
formyson.
Me:
I'
m okay
.Canwel
eav
e?
Nandi
:okI
'
llaskt
hewai
tr
esst
opackat
ake
away.
Iwasstar
tingtofal
lfoNandi
,shewassweet
andbehavedjustli
keawif
eshould.
.
Si
phesi
hle'
sPOV
.
Aft
erIdroppedEntl
eof fIdr
[Link]
fewminuteslat
[Link]
ceandMr
Khozawasal r
eadyseatedther
ewait
ing.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryI
'
mlat
e.
Khoza:i
t'
sfi
[Link]
hisl
adyi
sshe'
sbeen
keepi
ngyouonyourtoes.
Il
etoutasl
i
ghtchuckl
e.
Me:
meani
ng?
Khoza:
younev
erusedt
ogooutf
orl
unch.
Me:
wel
lthi
ngschange.
Khoza:
hopeful
l
yshei
stheone,
weneedt
oget
youmarri
edsoon.
Idon'
tevenknowwhatt osay.I
fheknewitwas
hi
sdaughterIdon'tthi
nkhe'dbethi
sfri
endl
y.
AndIdon'twanttoletthatsl
ip,
notevenali
tt
le.
Me:
wel
lonl
yti
mewi
l
ltel
l
.
Khoza:
sinceI
'
myourment
or,
whenam I
meet
ingher
?
"You'vealr
eadymether"thatwoul
dbet
he
perfectanswerbutIcan'
t.
Me:youwil
lmeether
.Canwegobackt
o
busi
ness?
Hel
aughsandnodst
henwecont
inue.
Wednesdayisusual l
yguy snightoutbutIdon'
t
feel
li
kegoing,ifmat tersweredi f
fer
entand
maybewewer esixmont hsintotherel
ati
onshi
p
I'
daskEntl
et osleepov [Link] ound
6,Iwentpastgy mf i
[Link]
andI'
m hereallaloneonceagai [Link]
ri
ngsanditsAy anda,mybestf ri
end.
Me:
Aya
Ay
a:wher
ear
eyou?
Me:
I'
m [Link]'
tthi
nkI
'
llmakei
ttoni
ght
.
Ay
a:why
,whathappened?
Me:
Ijustdon'
tfeel
li
kegoi
ngout
.
Hel
aughs.
Aya:
youarecuff
[Link]
eyouev
erst
ayed
i
ndoorsonguysnight
?
Il
augh.
Me:
it'
snotbecauseoft
hat
.
Ay
a:pussyt
oogoody
ouwannast
ayi
ndoor
s.
Me:Ihaven'
tev
enthoughtoft
hat
.AyandaI'
m
j
ustti
redandIhav
eanear l
ymeet
[Link]
'
llsee
youguysonFri
day.
Aya:andwe'
l
[Link]
gi
[Link]
evershe'sdoingi
s
good.
[Link]
skeyand
getstartedonsupper.I
'
m agoodcook,my
mom t [Link]
easonsIdon'
t
evenneedahel per
.
.
Ent
le'
sPOV
Li
hleandIdecidedtotakeWednesdayni
ghtof
f
[Link]'dstudyt
hewholedayon
ThursdayandonFr i
daymorni
ng.
Wear ehavingsupoerwhenmyphoner ings.I'
m
hopingit
'sSihl
ebutthenIrememberit
'sguy s
nightout
.Icheckthecall
erIDandit
'sKarabo.
He'sbeenabi tdi
stant
,appar
entl
ymybr other
toldhi
m aboutSihl
[Link]
dthatt
omakehi m
stayaway .
Me:
Kar
abo.
Li
hlel
[Link]'
snev
erl
i
ked
Kar
abosincedayone.
Kar
abo:
hey
,you'
rescar
ce.
Me:
examsar
ekeepi
ngmebusy
.
Karabo:
ohIunder
[Link] Iseei
ng
youagain?
Me:Idon'
tknow,Banzii
scominghomeatthe
endofJuneandthey'
ll
gototheEast
ernCape
fort
helobol
anegoti
ati
[Link]
hat'
spret
ty
muchtheonl
ytimeI'
m av
ailabl
[Link]
semest
erneedsal
lmyattenti
on.
Karabo:I
'
llcomedownt
oDur
banbef
oret
he
endofthey ear
.
Me:
goodt
hen.I
'
llpr
obabl
yseey
ou.
Kar
abo:
youwi
l
[Link]
ssy
ousomuch.
Me:
Imi
ssy
out
oo.
Kar
abo:
okI
'
llcal
lyouagai
n.
Me:
ok.
Hehangsup.
Li
hle:
whyi
shest
il
lcal
l
ingy
ou?
Me:
he'
sst
il
lmyf
ri
end.
Li
hle:
he'
[Link]
fyouaskme.
Me:
evenso,
heknowshi
spl
ace.
Li
hle:
Idon'
tthi
[Link]
ellt
he
gi
rl
swe'r
egoingtothechi
llseshonFr
iday
?
Me:
whosai
dwe'
regoi
ng?
Li
hle:
me.
Me:
I'
ll
[Link]
ght
,you'
l
ldot
hedi
shes.
Iwalkt
ot heroom I
'
m usingandchanget
omy
pj
sthenbeforeIevengetintobedmyphone
ri
ngs,i
t'
sav i
deocallandit
'sSi
hle.
Isi
tontheedgeoft
hebedandanswer
.He'
sin
bedtoo.
Me:
aren'
tyosupposedt
obewi
thf
ri
ends?
Si
hle:
Iwast
oot
ir
edt
ogo.
Me:[Link]
ktoohar
d,y
oushoul
dtake
abr
eak.
Si
hle:
weekendsar
emydayof
fs.
Me:
that
'[Link]
enf
orme.
Si
hle:
you'
l
lunder
standwheny
ouwor
k.
Me:
may
be.
Si
hle:wannacomet
ochur
chwi
thmeon
Sunday?
Hetol
dmehegoest ochur
chbutIdi
dn'
tthi
nkit
wasseri
[Link]
ochurchev
erySunday.
Me:
ok.
Si
hle:
funnyhowy
ouagreedwit
houthesi
tat
ion
butmeeti
ngmyfr
iendsi
saprobl
em.
Me:chur
chandy
ourf
ri
endsar
etwodi
ff
erent
t
hingsSi
hle.
Sihl
e:[Link]
elunchwit
hacli
ent
tomorrowsoIwon'tbeabl
etoseeyoubutI
'
ll
popbyaf t
erwork.
Me:[Link]
ouknow,
youwon'
thav
ethese
pr
ivi
l
egeswhenImovebackhome.
Si
hle:
don'
tremi
[Link]
'
llt
alkt
oyourdad.
Ther
e'st
hatsmi
l
eagai
n.
Me:
don'
t.
Si
hle:
I'
m onl
yjoki
[Link]
ghtbabyIl
ovey
ou.
Me:
Goodni
ghtmyl
ove.
Ihangupandgeti
ntobedandIf
all
asl
eep
i
mmedi
atel
y.
..
[
06/
09,
18:
17]Kunt
a:TWOHEARTS