2 Chapter Two

''Mom why are you only pray-...'' I was cut off by Nick 's cheerful voice talking behind me with one of the nurses.

'' I really appreciate your help, but it seems like finding them won't be a problem anymore as here they are''. Nick said to the nurse standing too close to him and gracing her with one of his charming smiles. She didn't even bother looking at us, actually it looked as if she was annoyed that they found us.

''Again, thank you for your help. I wouldn't have found them if it weren't for you ''. Nick was retreating from the nurse and coming face to face with me and my mom.

I could see the nurse blushing at Nick as she left the room with a frown directed at me. Well that was anticipated, and it didn't bother me anymore as I was used to getting nasty looks from other women whenever I'm around him. Nick is a handsome and charming guy I can assure you; I still ask myself even now what he sees in me since he has all types of woman throwing themselves at him all the time. Yes, he is my boyfriend and we have been dating for almost three years now. We practically grew up together along with Natasha, the three of us were inseparable and I've had a crush on him for as long as I can remember, but I couldn't tell him as I was afraid I might ruin our friendship besides I definitely knew I was not his type. What surprised me though is how he got here, Nick went to London with his father two weeks ago to attend a business conference, I don't really know the details but I heard they were meeting with a potential client to help expand their empire so how he got here is a mystery to me.

I love Nick for so many things but what surpasses everything is his personality, he is one compassionate soul, he never wants to see another being in despair, but I suppose he takes after his father considering his mom is nothing like them. She is a very vicious woman, but I won't dwell too much on her now. If I had to describe Nick I would have to say he is coloured as we call mixed race people in my country, he has the face that stops you right in your tracks, I guess he's used to all the ogling he gets from women, he has highly sculpture cheek bones and owns a body of an athlete that women and myself always droll whenever he's around, God! his chest is just so muscular with a six pack showing whenever he's wearing casual clothes like now. Also, he has big adorable brown eyes and pink lips that are always begging to be kissed, I've admired Nick's lips since I was a child and knew nothing about kissing boys.

His brown hair is curly, but he prefers to keep it short all the time. When we were kids Natasha, and I would always tease him and say he had girl's hair while in truth we loved his hair as it was unique. Nick is a sweet man unless his provoked, he owns the heart of a lion and the soul of an angel. Girls in our area are continuously chasing after him. Frankly, every girl desires him except for Natasha, she always says she doesn't have time for men unless its occasional and the fact that Nick is chased by everyone makes it a turn off for her, also she sees him as a brother and nothing more.

Well, me on the other hand hmm... there's not much to tell except that I'm just an ordinary girl of 1.49 metres in height, I'm light in complexion have normal brown eyes and long African relaxed hair. Apart from that there's nothing more to say about me. I don't really have curves or a nice ass to brag about except that I come from a very poor family, oh and I actually look like I'm twelve whilst I'm turning 25 next month in October, well I can't really explain the reason for that. I'm grateful to have Nick in my life though, he's the same as Natasha always fussing over me and making sure that I have everything I need. Sometimes they infuriate me since they treat me like a child and always want to buy me unnecessary stuff, it's not that I'm ungrateful but I would like to maintain the little independence and do some things on my own. I hear a tap on my shoulder and come back from my thoughts when Nick asks mom when she will be discharged from the hospital, that question has been lingering in my thoughts as well.

''The d... doctor said he will keep me here until t...t tomorrow just to be sure that I'm all-in good shape to return home my boy''. Mom answers Nick. He nods his head in understanding and turns his body towards me making the chair his sitting on squeak. I didn't even notice he was sitting next to me until now and I'm wondering where he got the chair from because there was only one chair when I got here.

''I'm not sure if Natasha will not come today, I spoke to her on the phone and she told me to keep you company as her shift was extended at the hospital, you know how it is, staff shortage means extra shifts for her''. Nick says to me, both Natasha and Nick come from well privileged families, there are only a few people who are well off in our community and some of them don't really want to associate themselves with poor people, your status describes you and means a lot to people like Nick 's mother, she hates it when I'm around her son and always finds a way to get rid of me. We've been playing that game for years now, when I was a kid, she used to shoo me out of her house when her son wasn't watching. Natasha's parents on the other hand are gracious people, they are very kind and take me as their own child, they've always encouraged me to further my studies and advised me that without education my life would be stuck here forever. They were telling me the truth because here I am now without a job and a sick mother that I can't even take care of. Natasha is a doctor, and she takes her work very seriously; she spends most of her time in the hospital and is rarely around us anymore.

''Oh, come now k... kids, that girl needs to take some time off and rest. Her body deserves it, Natasha has been working like a mad woman ever since she ss... started working. She needs to take tt... time to pamper herself at some point, I'm very proud of her though. I didn't really think she would make it as a d... doctor as she was afraid of blood when she was still a child but look at her now always saving people's lives, even when she's not at the hospital she's working hard to make people happy, rr... right Zizwe?''.

My mother says glancing towards me and Nick at the same time. We both smile at her and nod our heads in union. ''I agree with you on that Ma, Natasha needs to tone it down a bit when it comes to work but you know she's as stubborn as a mule and won't listen to anyone, but she asked me to pass her love to you in case she didn't make it today, she will definitely be here tomorrow though. I need to make an important call so please excuse me a sec, I'll bring you something to eat as well Zizwe and don't try to talk me out of it because I know you haven't eaten''. I try to protest at Nick, but mom beats me at it.

''You are such a wonderful child Nick with a pure heart, I'm sure your parents are proud of the man you have grown into, look at you'' Mom says grasping both Nicks hands. ''you’re always worrying about us, I would love to repay your kk... kindness one day but with my condition...''.

Mom doesn't even get to finish her sentence and I can see crystals forming in her eyes which hurts me even more at this point. I'm just helpless and angry at our situation frankly, perhaps if my sister were here, she would do a better job at taking care of our mother. Nick on the other hand just shrugs his shoulders with his signature smile and bends to mom planting a kiss on her forehead.

'' Don't worry yourself about all these things Ma as long as I have my favourite women with me all in one piece then I'm proud to be making a difference somehow in this world''. Nick says and head towards the door, ''Zizwe should I bring you tea or coke as usual?''. I just flip him off and turn to my mother since he knows I prefer coke instead of tea, I'm not a tea person at all.

''Zizwe ss... stop sulking and cheer up will you, there's actually something important I have been meaning to tell you". Mom says drawing my attention from everything and I stare at her with wide eyes.

The last time my mom told me that she had something important to tell me my life literally went outside down, that's the reason why I dislike it when those words leave her mouth especially when she's uttering them to me, I know she has bad news period. Well at least now I don't have to worry about her health too much because she looks much better and the doctor did confirm that she will be discharged tomorrow. I discarded my negative thoughts aside and decided to hear my mother out since she has been calling my name for some time while I was lost in my own head.

''Z... Zizwe are you even listening to me?''.

''Forgive me Ma I got a little distracted''. I shake my head clearing my thoughts. My mom shakes her head, I can see there's something off with her, but I don't want to ruin the moment plus I'd like to spend some time alone with her while Nick is gone, not that I mind him being here he's like family to us but sometimes I feel like Ma pays more attention to Nick rather than me, he's become the son she never had.

''I called your Aunt and explained our situation to her, she's agreed to come and stay with us in the house to help you with things. Now before you blow up on me and start panicking, I want you to know that I did this for your own good my baby''. I stared at my mom in disbelief, I don't think I'm hearing her correctly now, her sister is not a nice person at all and that's a fact. She accused Ma of driving my father away when he decided to leave us and found the whole situation hilarious while my mom was torn and depressed. We were a circus in her family, and no one wanted anything to do with us after that man called my father left us in poverty. I heard that my Aunt was also in love with my father when they were growing up, but my father chose to marry my mom, and then all hell broke loose in the family. Apparently, my grandfather loved Aunt Mary more than Ma so when his favourite child was heartbroken, he blamed Ma for everything and wanted nothing to do with us up until now.

''I don't understand any of this Ma, why would you invite Aunt Mary out of all people to come to our house when you know how she feels about us, and please don't throw the People change card on me besides, you're coming home tomorrow''. I added, I was really losing it now and at the same time I didn't want to argue with her in her condition and cause her another heart attack, but she was making things hard for me.

''Zizwe look what I got you in the cafeteria, you definitely going to eat this'' Nick came in carrying food plastics with both his hands. Talk about bad timing, Nick had to walk in the same moment when we were discussing evil visitors coming to intrude in our already miserable lives. That made things easier for Ma because she just smiled at me and looked at Nick as if our heated conversation never happened but I on the other hand was still showing a very outraged face.

''Hey what's wrong, what happened. Did I miss something while I was out, Ma?'' Nick asked looking between me and my mother.

''Everything's fine Nick, I was just telling Zizwe here about her aunt whom I've invited to stay with us for a while that's all, but Zizwe seems to hold grudges because she still won't forgive her for something that happened a long time ago...'' mom didn't even get to finish her sentence because I decided that I was not listening to any of this anymore.

''Nick you still remember my aunt am I correct?'' He nods his head looking in my direction.

''And you still remember how she humiliated us right?''. Again, Nick nods his head, he was still holding plastic bags in his hands since he never got the chance to put them down. ‘’So, my question is why are we allowing her to come and stay with us in the same roof that she wanted to steal from us?''

''Zizwe visiting hours are almost over and we have ten minutes left to finish this conversation baby''. My mom said to me glancing on the opposite wall which had a clock attached to it. At this moment I just sat in my chair and kept quiet not wanting to say a word to my mother, I really didn't plan on spending my time arguing with my mom in her hospital bed, it was just so disrespectful and a waste of precious time, I just nodded my head in understanding as she continued talking.

''Your Aunt will be staying for a while because she needs to make sure that were both okay and she will help out where she can baby, you can also get yourself a job as well, isn’t that what you've always wanted my child... to live life, get a job and study further.'' I knew ma was right but honestly at what cost, that woman is a snake and don't think I'll ever wake up ever trusting her. Nope not one bit, I refuse to be deceived.

The ride back home was a bit awkward since no one wanted to start a conversation, I was a bit mad at Nick for agreeing with mom about my aunt staying with us, but I guess he was just being nice to mom, I recall very well that him and I used to share the same thoughts about that witch, but mom was adamant on Aunt Mary staying with us and it seemed couldn't talk her out of it as she had already made up her mind. Nick saved me from worrying about transport, or else how was I getting home with the short-change I had left in my bag. There was no way I could think of paying Nick for all the things he's done for us, but to give him the only thing that I have always denied him and scared to lose. My virginity was something I cherished and very special to me, Ma always encouraged me to share that moment with someone that would always have a place in my heart, and yes Nick was that person but I was not yet ready to give in yet I know I was also being unfair to Nick, even though he agreed to wait until I was ready, I knew that deep down it was killing him to be patient all this time. I decided that as soon as I got home, I would rethink my decision of staying intact until I got married.

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