Eight
Annabelle's last daysChapter eight
Annabelle
We are still cuddling in silence the only audible thing is our heartbeat, we have been laying here for hours ignoring all the knocking, I'm sure my mother is livid right now but we don't care, it's like we are in our own bubble.
"My mother and your girlfriend seem to think that I'm in love with you," I say breaking the silence.
"And what do you say?" I chuckle.
"Nothing," he deep chuckles.
"My mother is crazy I'm telling you," I say with a slight laugh.
"She loves you though," I heave a sigh.
"I've never heard you speak about your family."
"Because I don't have one," I frown.
"What do you mean?"
"My father was stoned to death after being caught with human parts in his ancestral hut and a few months after that, my mother was caught naked in someone's yard, she became mad instantly. Growing up my siblings and I were known as the children of witches, no one wanted to associate themselves with us, nothing good was ever said about us." He says with his voice deeper than usual.
"How many siblings do you have and are you close?"
"I had five, two girls and three brothers."
"Had?" He nods.
"My two sisters were prostitutes in Durban and died from AIDS, two of my brothers were gunned down in our home because they were believed to be involved in livestock thievery."
"Wow. I don't know what to say, what about the other brother?"
"He was arrested for raping our neighbour's daughter, i don't know if he is still alive or dead because I never went to see him, when I left Bergville I made a promise never to go back there ever again, I don't care what happenes to our yard, everyone hated me and it took everything in me not to take my own life, all I know is hatred in my life."
"I was a daddy's girl," I say after a while of silence.
"Of course you were," I giggle.
"He was a very busy man but he made sure he had time for me, I would go with him to the office on weekend and we'd have the best time ever, I was not a tomboy but I sure enjoyed the fishing trips we used to have, to him it was not about how many fish we caught but it was about the life lessons fishing taught which is why I choose to take my own life at my own time, sometimes it's about letting go hence we let go of most the fish we caught," he chuckles.
"I don't think your father meant to teach you to give up," he says and I scoff.
"He taught me never to depend on anyone," I say defensively.
"No man is an Ireland," I chuckle.
"Yes, but if one can't feed himself then he is as good as dead, did you know when a lion gets injured, the pride leaves him there to die alone because he can't feed himself anymore and if he has cubs and a mate, another lion takes his mate and kills his cubs?" He remains silent.
"I am not useful to myself anymore," he holds me tightly.
Mthokozisi
I walk out of Anna's room straight to my bedroom at the maid's quarters, I can't stop thinking about the conversation I had with Anna, as painful as it might be I think I understand what she meant and I'm starting regret the promise I made to her because I honestly can't picture my life without her, I wish she could see herself the way i see her, i care about her deeply and that scares the shit out of me.
Mrs Jones invited me to a charity gala party that will be held her tomorrow night, I guess that's why she made me pick out a suit when we went shopping, Anna is not keen on going but I begged her to be my date for the evening because I've never been to such an event before.
"Are you ignoring me?" Liv says after I opened the door for her, I was planning to sleep in my room tonight but.....
"Why would I ignore you Liv?"
"Because of the misunderstanding I had with Anna," I shrug.
"I don't involve myself in women squabbles but next time you fight for a man make sure that man is yours because the last time I checked I'm still single," she gasps looking hurt.
"Mtho?"
"Mina I don't understand how you city girls think, did I court you? Did I ask you to be my woman?" She chuckles.
"Are you hearing yourself? You've been sleeping in my bed for a month now, what did you think we were doing this whole time?"
"It's not like I found you pure and took away your pride, we are adults here and I thought we were just having fun of which I think the fun has come to an end," she shakes her head.
"I love you Mtho, can't you see that? Please don't hurt me like this."
"I need to sleep Liv," she stares at me with teary eyes.
"It won't end well with Anna. Mark my words," she says before running out crying.
At the charity ball the next day......
"You look amazing," she giggles, she's wearing a black sparkly dress.
"You don't look too bad yourself," I chuckle pushing her chair to the table.
"Annabelle, wow you look beautiful." Some white middle aged woman says.
"Thank you Mrs Shaw," the woman takes a sit at our table.
"I'm sorry for what Emily and that boy Jonathan did to you, I was very clear that I am not in support of their relationship but of course Emily is stubborn and now all she knows to do is to call us asking for money, she's pregnant and that deadbeat is nowhere to be found," Annabelle is sitting there smiling awkwardly so I decide to rescue her.
"May I have this dance," she frowns.
I don't give her a chance to reply and I already get up before wheeling her to the dancefloor.
NARRATED
Mtho is holding Anna against his chest with Anna's legs dangling in the air, her laughter is heard loudly as she has the time of her life in Mtho's arms. Everyone's attention is now on them as they're oblivious to everything and everyone else around them.
"Are they dating?"
"Who is that?"
"She looks so happy."
"Your daughter is dating that black guy?
Those are the questions and comments from Mrs Jones's guests as they watch Annabelle and Mthokozisi dancing. Liv smiles with tears in her eyes. If she didn't get it then she definitely gets it now.
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