Chapter 8
'That means he's leaving next year. What's so
awesome about that?'
My subconscious is kind enough to remind me but I
don't need her now.
"So next year you leaving"
I point out
"After graduation though"
He says but that doesn't make me feel any better at
all. I'm not ready. He takes my hand into his
noticing how deep in thoughts I am with these news
"Look don't over think this, let's just enjoy today and
the rest of the time we have together"
He says brushing my hand but I'm not convinced.
He's leaving! Why did he even pursue me to begin
with?
"What do you want from me?"
I ask and seemingly my question has shocked him
"I don't understand what you asking Sino"
He says
"What do you want from me Bantu? You leaving
next year"
I point out
"So what? Don't you think we can make the
distance work?"
He asks with a raised eyebrow
"Maybe if you were moving to anywhere here in
South Africa I would believe we can but this is
Tokyo a..."
I'm cut short by his phone ringing. He answers it
and it's his father, judging by his face our date will
be short lived.
"Lwando I thought we spoke about this"
Mom yells at dad
"Come on Ayola, it's just a car"
He says
"She's only doing her first year Lwando. You still
have enemies out there or have you forgotten?"
Mom says sounding really pissed. I'm standing by
their door eavesdropping. I just came back home,
it's around 5pm. Bantu had to rush somewhere so
he dropped me off earlier than intended. My
siblings aren't in their rooms or the lounge. My
guess is that they went to visit a family friend or
something or they went out with Nono.
"I understand that Ayola but it's been years since
they did anything. We got rid of all of them"
He says
"NO Lwando! You are returning that car first thing
Monday"
"And what must I say to Sino? She deserves it
Ayola. We can't keep worrying about people that
died years before Sanele could even say her first
word. That car stays and that's that"
Dad says and that's que for me to tiptoe to my
room. I get there and sleep almost instantly. I'm
woken up by my little sister patting me lightly
"Wake up. Dinner is ready"
She says getting off my bed, I sit up
"I'm on my way"
I say getting off the bed to wash my face and my
teeth. I get downstairs and everyone is settled in
their sit's. I greet everyone and then settle in my sit
"Thank you daddy, it's beautiful"
I say and dad smiles faintly
"Glad you like it princess, tomorrow we taking it for
a spin right?"
"Hell yeah we are"
Says my little siblings. GREAT!
"Dad was talking to me"
I say and they roll their eyes at me. They can be
stupid and silly but I wouldn't ask for better siblings.
We eat over light conversations which mom isn't
really into
"Desert anyone?"
Mom asks while getting up and we all chant yes at
the same time making her giggle
"Sino you'll serve it, Thando and Saney the dishes
are yours ok?"
We all nod our heads
"Tomorrow we attending the first services ok?"
We nod yet again. She goes to the kitchen and then
makes her way upstairs
"Dad what did you do to mom?"
Asks Saney
"What makes you think I did something?"
He asks frowning
"Because mom is not happy and it can only be
you!"
She points out and Thando and I can't help but
laugh
"Now I'm forced to wash dishes with Thando"
She says frowning and we just laugh at her
"So your problem is washing dishes with your
brother?"
I ask with a raised eyebrow
"yes and no. I'm tired"
She whines and we all laugh at her. She is a drama
queen this one. I pack the dishes and take them to
the kitchen and then dish out desert for everyone
and serve them while we watch tv. When we all
done I take them to the sink, say my goodnights
and go to my room. My phone is ringing and it's
Layla
"Miss Layla"
I say throwing myself on my bed
"Honey boo"
She says mumbling the words
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah Yeah Yeah. Gosh I'm so drunk. I'm at this
party in Bellville"
She says rumbling
"but are you safe?"
"of cause. I'm here with your boyfriend and his
cousin. We kissed"
I laugh
"That is great, I guess"
I say not knowing what to say really
"Yeah and I'm going home with her. Can't you talk
to your mom to let you come here?"
I laugh
"No Layla. You know how my parents are"
"I know that your mom is cool and your dad.... Your
dad is an overprotective father"
She says making me laugh at how she said it
"Layla go and have fun ok. I am sleeping"
"NO! We are coming to fetch you and if you don't
come out I will blast the speakers until Mr and Mrs
Mbana wake up"
She says and knowing her, it's possible. I know
mom wouldn't mind me going as long as I drink
responsibly and be safe. But dad on the other
hand... That's a problem
"Layla come on, don't be like this"
I plead
"Come through honey or else we going to blast
some speakers outside your crib"
She says unbothered. Layla can be difficult
"I'll go ask mom and then get back to you ok?"
"That's all I ask. Your boyfriend is sulking here"
She says and I chuckle
"kiss him for me ok"
I say
"I love you but we not those kind of friends"
She says dropping the call. I laugh at how serious
she got. I got to mom's room carrying my phone, I
knock once and walk in. She's on the phone with
someone and the call seems intense
"Mom"
I say sitting on her bed
"Listen mom I'll call you tomorrow ok?".... "Bye
mom"
She says ending the call
"What if I wanted to greet grandma?"
I say sulking
"then you can call her from your phone. What's
up?"
She asks and suddenly nerves kick in
"Layla invited me to a party in Bellville and it's
totally cool if you don't want me to go"
I say speaking really fast, she chuckles
"sure. Just be safe and don't drink too much"
She says chilled as ever
"How come you not strict?"
She shrugs
"I don't see reason for me to be. Sino I want you to
live your life and enjoy it to the fullest so that when
you ready to settle down you settle down without
doing things you were supposed to do during your
youth. I mean I had the best youth, thou I was doing
the things I did out of rebellion but I had the best
youth ever and I want you guys to do the same but
responsibly and in the right way"
She says brushing my knee
"yeah but what about dad? He's as strict as they
come"
I say and she giggles
"let me deal with your father ok?"
She says
"go have fun baby. Just be safe ok?"
She says and I smile and kiss her cheek before
leaving her room. I get to mine and text Layla then
shower real quick and wear something decent.
Jeans and a t-shirt with sneakers. I'm not trying to
get laid now. When I get out I get a text from Layla
all excited telling me that she's going to get me
super sloshed.
I don't drink, I am an angel you guys. I am nothing
like my mother was in her teen years. That woman
lived her life to the fullest, she partied, drank, at
some point she fooled around with girls. Mom's
parents were always called to school for her
behaviour but she was an A student despite all the
things she did and when I ask her why she was so
rebellious she tells me it's because her parents
were never around and she did everything she did
to get their attention, it makes sense why she's
worked so hard to build such strong relationships
with my siblings and I. I admire her for that. Mom
was a wild one, this one time she told me how she
and dad met and the story was pretty graphic, I'm
talking 18snpg. They had sex before getting into
any kind of relationship. It's funny and crazy you
guys. (read Not Your Typical Fairytale)