Chapter Six

"Kross' house"

(Thulani's balcony)....

Thulani(female)....

-39 years old

-small bodied

-brown in complexion

-short curly hair....

Thulani:(wearing a white hoodie, white sweat pants and white socks..... Her feet on the couch, sipping tea).....

Kross:(on his phone, sitting opposite her)....

Thulani:... I want to know this girl whose got my son smiling at his phone and walking home...

Kross:(laughs a bit)...... What girl?

Thulani:.... The driver told me.... Come on... (Smiles)....

Kross:... He was lying.

Thulani:...... Baby..... Talk to mummy....

Kross:..... Mum please.... (Laughing)......

Thulani:.... Tell me who the lucky girl is..... I know its not that Lebana girl.....

Kross:..... Its Zara mum.

Thulani:(excited)...... The one you wrote about in 5th grade? ....

Kross:.... Yeah....... and I'm still upset that you read my book mum...

Thulani:... I was worried, boys are not suppose to have diaries....

Kross:... It wasn't a diary..... (Laughs)....

Thulani:.... It was..... You wrote about your little crush and your new friends......

Kross:... Whatever....

Thulani:.... I can imagine just how beautiful she is now........ She was so cute as kid.....

Kross:... Yeah...... She's really beautiful.

Thulani:(smiles).... Okay....

Kross:..... Don't do that....

Thulani:.... Are you dating her or she's a side chick? ....

Kross:...... She's none...... she's my friend still....

Thulani:.... You're still with Lebana..... I've never liked that girl.....

Kross :... And you like Zara?.....

Thulani:... From what I remember she was so calm...... She was cute....... She made me want a girl child you know....

Kross:....... Wow. Okay.......

Thulani:... No like you and my baby girl........... But.... Yeah, life had to take your father away from us.

Kross:....... Yeah.

Thulani:.... So. Sex?.....

Kross:... Mum please..... Thank you for the survey..... Its now over....

Thulani:... Its human nature...

Kross :... Personal human nature.....

Thulani:Just don't get her pregnant.....

Kross:(gets back to his phone).... I can't get her pregnant. She just wants to be friends....

Thulani:...... why does she want to be friends only?..

Kross:.... Because I messed up

Thulani:... she'll come around....

Kross:.... I hope so...... but I doubt it.

Thulani:......

Kross:what are you drinking?

Thulani:...... Yogi.... (Shows him the box).....

Kross:..... I remember seeing that at aunt Sarah's

Thulani:..... Yeah. I actually went to her to for aid.........

Kross :.... (Confused).... For what?

Thulani:..... The tea to take during this particular time......

Kross:.........

Thulani :....... This time in which.... I am.... Uhm........ Having a baby.....

Kross:...... (Looks at her).... Repeat that....

Thulani:......... I'm pregnant Kross....

Kross:(his head between his hands, bending)........ Is this some kind of joke?... (Tense).....

Thulani:...... I was at the club..... That was two months ago...

Kross :(gets up, angry)..... WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU STILL TALKING FOR?......

Thulani:.......WHY ARE YOU STILL CARRYING IT?...... ABORT IT!....

Thulani :.... Its already too late and I'd never kill an innocent child......

Kross :.. BULLSHIT!.....

Thulani:Kross look...

Kross:... Who is the father?......

Thulani:...... I don't know...

Kross:... Mum... (Tears up).....

Thulani:...(tears up).... It was reckless and I know......

Kross:... (Pacing)... You can't be serious right now.......

Thulani:.....

Kross:(voice cracking)..... Did you for a second think of me...... Of dad............ This is beyond disgusting....

Thulani:(ashamed).....

Kross :... That thing can have diseases.....

Thulani:.... Please don't say these things...... I'm ashamed as is...... And I'm sorry.....

Kross:......

Thulani:...... I regret it..... But I can't do anything about it....

Kross :.... I just can't with you right now... (Storms off).......

Thulani :.... (Breathes out, holding back her tears)....

"The next day "

(Ahli house).....

Zara:(at the breakfast counter in her uniform, eating breakfast with her sisters)......

London:(in the immediate room with Ermias)....... There's no way that's happening......

Emani:(in her pajamas, eating a bowl of cereal)........

Vanessa:(in a onesie , watching London and Ermias).....

Ermias:... Babe...

London:NO!.......

Zara:... (Now watching the two, curious)....

Emani:(also turns to watch).....

London:.... THIS CAN'T KEEP HAPPENING TO ME!......

Ermias:.... Babe, can we not do this here the kids are literally in the next room.......

London:I DON'T CARE!........ WE ARE NOT STAYING IN CAPE TOWN....... WE WILL GO BACK HOME AS YOU SAID WE WOULD......

Zara:.... (Struck).....

Ermias:... CAN WE HANDLE THIS MATURELY?.....

London:... OH SO NOW I'M BEING IMMATURE?.....

Ermias:.......

London:.... I'M SICK AND TIRED OF SHAPING MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR DAUGHTERS NEEDS EACH TIME....

Emani:(rolls her eyes)....

Ermias:.....

London:.... Look, you stay here and I'll leave with my daughter..... You stay with yours.....

Vanessa:... (Looking at Emani)....

Emani:(rudely).... What are you staring at me for?......

Vanessa:.. (Looks away)....

Zara:....

London:..... It's always Zara.... Emani..... It's never about Vanessa....... ERMIAS I'M HAVING A BABY AND YOU DON'T EVEN WANT IT!......

Ermias:.... I never said I didn't want the baby....

London :...... You did....

Emani:... Vanessa open that door wide please.....

Vanessa :(gets off the chair and opens the door wide).....

London :(looks in the direction of the girls).....

Ermias:.. (To Vanessa).... Sweetheart close the door......

Vanessa:(about to close the door)....

Emani:... (Rudely)...... Wait I want to say something...

Vanessa:(stops)..

Emani:.... Look London.

London:....

Emani:... Nobody told you to fall in love or whatever with a man that has two other kids....

Ermias :.. Emani stop talking right now.....

London:.. No, let her continue

Emani:... We came in his life way before you did..... (mocking).......You and your daughter........

London:....

Emani:.... So whether you're having a baby or not.... Zara and I will forever be first priority....

London:....... (To Ermias)... You hear that?

Ermias:....... I love all of you equally...... The three of them are my daughters there's no status hierarchy......

London:.... OH!.... okay. Vanessa do you want to go back home?

Vanessa:... Yes.

London:.... So are we going back or what..... Vanessa wants to go home.

Ermias:.....

Zara:..... Uhm.

Everyone:... (Looks at her).....

Zara:...... I have friends..... You can all leave for all I care........... I can stay at a friends house....

Emani:......

Zara :... I don't want to be the reason anyone is unhappy....

Ermias:.... If we leave and you stay that will make me unhappy.......... I have always prayed to find my child and now that I have I'd never want to lose you for anything.......

Zara:.......

Ermias:.... I don't know what to do.... I'm stressed out and nothing seems to be helping..........

London:.....

Ermias:...... I get that home is home but home is where your family is.....

London:.. My family is suppose to be on a flight this very moment......... The girls have school...

Ermias:.... I thought you'd handle this as an adult....... Zara is a child and she's gone through a lot.......... She wants to stay here.....

London:... And I've gone through nothing?......

Ermias:......

London:..... I took care of Emani..... Making sure she gets the best I could give...... I had to bring up Vanessa and Emani alone while you were in prison....... All for what?....... Emani doesn't even respect me........you're not grateful either.....

Emani:.....

London:..... So many people attacked me......... Trying to get Emani to know that I wasn't her biological mother but I stood up for her each time.....

Emani:.......

London:..... I found agents to find Zara while you were in prison..... They didn't find her but that was my effort............ I wanted to make you happy.........

Ermias:....

London:... When will I be happy?

Ermias :.......

London:(to Vanessa)..... Come baby...

Vanessa:(goes to London)....

London:(goes away with Vanessa).......

Ermias:...... Zara. School.....

Zara:.... (Gets up)....

Ermias:(to Emani)..... I want you to apologize to your mother before I get home.

Emani:................ I don't know where my mother is remember?

Ermias:.......

Emani:(storms off)......

Zara:.... (Walking out).....

Ermias:(sighs)......

"Waterford ".....

(Hallway)......

Zara:.. (By her locker getting her books, in a low mood).....

Tandeo:(pops up with Jhene, both excited)....heyyyyyyyy..... (Smiling).....

Zara:... (Closes her locker, faces them)....Hi.... What? (Smiles)...

Jhene:..... Are you and Kross together now?.....

Zara:....... (Gives a polite smile).... No weren't now. His my friend that's it....

Tandeo:... (disappointed)... oh....

Zara:... Uhm.... Yeah....

Jhene:... Are you good?....

Zara:(nods her head).......

Jhene:.... Is everyone on to something?..... Its not just you with this low vibe...... Kuffi has it too......

Tandeo:.... I also saw Kross like this before I got here..... Lebana...... What's everyone sad about?.....

Zara:.... I'm not sad.....

Kross:(walking to the swimming hall, a little down).....

Zara:... (See's Kross)...

Jhene:... (Also looking in Kross' direction).... You know what's wrong with him?....

Zara:... No. I don't know.....

Jhene:... Are you going to talk to him?......

Zara:...... Uhm....... No. Later.... I don't know..... (Walks away)...

Tandeo:(confused)...... Whats going on?

Jhene:... I don't know either.....

Tandeo:......

"Swimming pool"

Kross:(Sitting on the lowest bench, leaned forward, his wet hair dangling on the sides of his face....... Wearing a black Crenshaw T-shirt with black shorts)......

Coach:...... You rest for thirty minutes...... We'll continue after....

Kross:......

Coach:... Okay..... (Leaves the room)...

Kross:(in a posture of thought).....

Lebana:..... (Walks in, closes the door quietly behind her)......

Kross:.....

Lebana :.. (Drawing closer to Kross)....

Kross :(see's her, gets up immediately... Walking away)...

Lebana :... Kross please..... Wait just wait...

Kross:...... (Stops faces her).... What?..... What do you want?...

Lebana:... I'm okay too... Thank you.

Kross:.....

Lebana:... Look. I have accepted our fate........ But. I know you more than anyone in this school...

Kross:... (Laughs a bit in shock)..... Okay.... And?

Lebana :.... I noticed you were not okay......

Kross:.... I'm good.

Lebana :(sincerely)....... Look, I get that you have no feelings for me whatsoever....but I'm just worried.

Kross :...... (Looking at her).....

Lebana :... You're sad and I can see it over this whole pride act....

Kross:.......

Lebana:.... Talk to me. Whats wrong?

Kross :(drained)..... Okay...... Uhm. My mum is having a baby...... And she doesn't know the father.....

Lebana:(shocked)..... Thulani?

Kross:.... Yeah.

Lebana:... That sounds nothing like her.......

Kross :...... Uhm..... Yeah exactly

J'hream :...(at the glass, watching them) .......

Lebana:... I don't have words....... A hug?.....

Kross:........

Lebana:.... Come on, we're friends at least right..... (Hugs him)....

Kross:... (Looking up, drained)....... (Places his hand on her back for a second then pulls away).... Okay. Thanks for the comfort....

Lebana :... I'm here for you anytime you need me....

Kross:.......

J'hream :(smiling at her phone).....

Lebana :.. (Leaves)....

Kross:(rolls his eyes)....

"Later that day"......

Jhene:... (Looking on her phone)......... Is Kross still with Lebana?.....

Zara:(shrugs, acting unconcerned)....

Jhené:..... he's such a flirt and a player.... At least you didn't agree to be his girlfriend Z...

Tandeo:... I agree, the picture is solid evidence..... Not even he can deny it.....

Zara :.... (Eating)......

Jhene:... His a player and you don't need that, you're more than that....

Zara:...... yeah i know (disappointed trying not to show it).....

Jhene:... Where's Kuffi?...

Zara:......

Tandeo :... I saw her earlier toady..... Did she ditch school?

Zara:.......

Jhene:.... Zara?

Zara:... I don't know. I don't know where she is........ Because I simply don't care....

Tandeo:(shocked)... Are you two fine?

Zara:.....

Jhene:..... The other day I saw Kuffi crying in the parking lot.... Surrounded by police men.....

Zara:...

Tandeo:... Was that before or after Zara came into class angry....

Jhene :... After.

Zara:......

Tandeo:... I have never been this lost in my life.....

Jhene:... Whats going on? Is Kuffi in jail or something?.... Or will she go to jail?.....

Zara:......

Tandeo:.. Why are you all sad?... Please tell us whats happening....

Zara:... I don't know about everyone else....... But, I rejected a girlfriend proposal from a boy I shouldn't like but who seems not to be getting over his ex, a back stubbing best friend...... My mother is in jail and I'm leaving with these strangers that are my apparent family...... And they want to take me to Mauritius with them, when I don't want to leave......

Tandeo:......

Jhene:......

Zara:(sighs).... I need to go... (Leaves the table).....

"Hakeem's house"

(Hakeem's soccer themed room)....

Kuffi:... (In a zip up denim dress with a crop top inside and Nike sneakers, her dreadlocks let down)........ Your room is really cool...... (Closes the door behind her)...

Hakeem:... (Sitting on his bed).... Cool?.... That's it?

Kuffi:.... Okay its amazing.

Hakeem:.... (Laughs a bit).... Come here...

Kuffi:(walks over to him and sits on the bed)....

Hakeem:... Are you okay now?

Kuffi:.... Yeah a little..... Lauren and my brother talked to me.

Hakeem:... I still wish you could tell me exactly whats going on....

Kuffi:.... It's not my job to put it out there..

Hakeem:... I respect that..... And I'm glad you're okay now cause I'm so bad at making people feel better.... (They both laugh)...

Kuffi:.. I'm okay......

Hakeem:...(turns his whole body, facing her).......

Kuffi:... I never saw this day you know?...... To be sitting this close to you.........

Hakeem:.......(flattered)......

Kuffi:...... Being able to hug you......

Hakeem:..... Kiss me....

Kuffi :... Yeah that too...

Hakeem:... I wasn't adding to the list, I was telling you to kiss me..... Like kiss me... Right now

Kuffi:.... (Smiles a bit, kisses him)....

Hakeem:(kissing her, his hand on her thigh).....

Kuffi:(pulls away slowly, looks down).....

Hakeem:.... (Looks at her for a while...... Aims for her neck, kissing her neck)........

Kuffi:(her eyes closed, her hand on his shoulder..... Enjoying the moment).......

Hakeem:(gets up, squats facing her)........ I want to do more than just kiss you.....

Kuffi:(nervous)........

Hakeem:....... Can I?....

Kuffi:............

Hakeem:..... I know you'll .... (Gets his hands in her dress).......... Love each and everything ......... (Slips down her underwear)..... That I'll do..........

Kuffi:.........

Hakeem:(gets up, helps Kuffi up)......

Kuffi:.... (Looking up at him)......

Hakeem:...... I want to see more of you.... (Unzipping her dress)....

Kuffi:.. (Watching his hand).......

Hakeem:....... (Takes her dress off her)............ (Starts kissing her)...

Kuffi:(kissing him)........

"That night"

(Ahli house, Ermias and London's balcony)......

The whole family:(gathered there, the kids sitting facing London and Ermias)......

Ermias:...... I called everyone out here for one purpose..... Unity.

Emani:......

Ermias:.... This is my family and it's my duty to make each one happy......

London:(folds her arms)......

Emani:....

Zara:.......

Vanessa:......

Ermias:.. I can't stand the conflict between my wife and my daughters......

London:.....

Ermias:... I want each one of you to be happy....

London:.... If that's what you want then why are we staying here..... Cause that will make Vanessa and I unhappy.......

Ermias :... Because Zara is the child babe. I expected you to understand that....... She has gone through enough....

Zara:....

London:.... And I've gone through nothing?

Emani:(laughs a bit)

Ermias :....

Emani:...... Sorry (clears her throat)....... Go on.

London:...for six years I had to raise the kids alone.... Counting down for you to come home so that we could finally be a happy family........ I carried the burden alone....... Your burden....

Emani:(looking down).....

Zara:... (Looks at Emani)....

London:.... I want to be happy at home......

Ermias:..... Zara was physically abused.... Emotionally abused.... Name it. We can't add on to that pain that she has.....

Zara:.... Please stop mentioning me........ I was abused I get it. Just go.... All of you, I don't want to be the next burden.....

Ermias:.....You are not a burden. None of you are....... I love all of you...

Zara:....... Love. Okay......

Ermias :... As your father I have always loved you..... I don't need to know you socially to love you .....

Zara:.... Why isn't your name on my birth certificate father?..... If you loved me so much... Why would you not be a part of my life for four years... Come along for two years and then leave again......

Ermias:........

London:(shocked)..... Four years?...... Birth certificate?... Babe you told me you were there for Zara from birth.. That at least you never missed her birth.......or her childhood

Ermias:............

Emani :... (Confused).....

Zara :.... Four years later . I don't know what you told my mother but you married her.... And then two years later....... You had Emani and then I barely saw you..

Ermias :I was young and I...

Zara:.. Yeah okay. I just wanted to know if it was true.......

Ermias :.....

Emani:.... If that's her story what's mine?.... Where's my mum?

Ermias:...Zara..... Emani. I made a lot of bad choices with you and your mothers and I'm sorry.... Sincerely...

London :....

Ermias :that's why I married London....... She's charismatic...... Honorable and respectable... And the list goes on...

London:(flattered a bit)...

Ermias:.... I married her for all of you to have the mother figure you needed..... she makes me a better person....

Emani:.....

Ermias:everyone here deserves an apology.,Zara, Emani.... Vanessa..... I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me..... (To London)...... I know I'm ignorant sometimes and I'm so sorry........I love you and I love that regardless of what I got you into you never left.

London:.....

Emani:(rolls her eyes)......

Ermias:(see's this)...... Emani what was that for?

Emani:...... Nothing.

Ermias :... I hate the level of disrespect you are getting on...

Emani:.....

Ermias:... You disrespect your mother everyday and won't let that continue happening......

Emani:.... She's not my mother...

Ermias :EMANI!....

Emani:SHE SAID THAT HERSELF TODAY DAD!.....

Ermias:... DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME!......

London:... I didn't mean that Emani. I was upset and...

Emani:... A mother never has moments for her kids....

London :.......

Emani:(her voice cracking).... Just here you were talking about burdens...... I know I'm a burden to you...... Just stop trying to force this mother daughter thing.... You have Vanessa, she's enough.....

Ermias:......

London:....... You never make it easy sweetie..

Emani:...... Yeah and suddenly a mother denies her children because they don't make things easy.........

London:..... What you do to me is not fair Emani, I love you and you doubt that..... That puts me in a place that's difficult to reach out to you......

Emani:..... (Tears up, shrugs)..... I just want to know who mum is and why she doesn't care about me...... (Storms off).....

Zara:.... I'll go check on her..... (Leaves)....

Ermias :.... I didn't think it would end like that...

London:(sighs)....

Ermias:.... (Holds London's hand)...

London:(looks at him)...... I love you and everything I do for you..

Vanessa:..... (Looking at them).....

Ermias:.... I know you don't want to stay here....

London:.... Vanessa go to your room....

Vanessa:(gets up)...

London:goodnight baby....

Vanessa:... Goodnight... (Leaves)....

London:..... I just wanted happiness at last.....

Ermias:..... Zara is a teenager..... She hates me and that breaks my heart cause I love her...... (Emotional)....

London:..... (Holds his hand tight)..... Babe.

Ermias:... I know she'll be even more broken if we leave for Mauritius........

London:.......

Ermias:.... She says we should leave her here but then what will be the point........ For six years a prayed for my daughter and I've found her...... I can't lose her again......

London:......

Ermias:....Babe please can we stay..... At least till Zara is done with highschool. That's months from now.....

London:......

Ermias:... Please.

London:.....

"Emani's room"

(Both on Emani's bed).....

Zara :...... What if your mother is not what you imagine she is....

Emani:... (Shrugs)..... What if she is....

Zara :.... You have a point. I don't think she's what you think she is...... I mean, if she was a good person.... No one would keep you away from her........

Emani:(tears roll down her face).......

Zara:(hugs her)..... Its okay....

Emani :(hugging Zara, sniffs)....

Zara:.....