CH09

BURNING BLUE.
BY BELLA ROYALTY.
09.

[NTANDOKAZI NGEMA]
Tumelo was at the gate at 8am, everybody had already left by then, I was just left with Mam' Zanele, I had skipped breakfast as instructed.
Me: Mam' Zanele, sengihambile!
Mam' Zanele(smiles): Okay Nana, have a great day.
Me: You too, thank you.

I walked out, he was out of the car looking hot AF, he smiled as I approached, we shared a tight hug as he kissed my cheek.
Tumelo(smiles): How are you?
Me: I'm good, you?
Tumelo: I'm good, nervous?
Me: A little bit, I won't lie, I just want things to go smoothly.
Tumelo: They will, I promise and as a good luck charm, I bought you this.

My eyes widened in shock.
Me: Aww Tumelo it's beautiful!
Tumelo: Let me help you put it on.

It was a beautiful amulet, it had a purple diamond.
Tumelo: It glows in the dark so don't freak out.
Me(smiles): I love it, it's beautiful, thank you.
Tumelo(smiles): I'm glad you like it.

He kissed my forehead.
Tumelo: Everything will go smoothly.
Me: I believe it will.
Tumelo: Shall we?
Me(smiles): Yes sir.

He got the door for me and I got in, he closed it after and went to his side.
Me: Do you mind if I play some music and take some videos?
Tumelo: Whatever you want, baby.

I connected my phone and played some music and took a few pictures and videos as we sang along to the songs and being cute.

To be honest I don't know what the future holds for Tumelo and I at the moment, he's made his intentions clear and I've also told him that I'm currently dealing with a lot, there's also this thing with Shaka, the last thing I want, is for him to feel like I'm using him to forget about Shaka which is why I want us to take things slow, we will get to that part when I'm sure of my feelings.

He understood, he also confessed that he is scared of being hurt by me, you know finding out that I was using him to forget about whatever it is that I feel for Shaka, so he wants me to be clear about my feelings and not be confused.

That conversation we had yesterday really cleared a lot of things for us.

We finally arrived at the doctor's premises, he accompanied me inside.
Tumelo: I'll be right here when you're done okay?
Me(smiles): Okay, thank you.

We shared a hug and I went inside.
Dr. Naderson: Ntando, welcome.
Me: Thank you Dr. Naderson.
Dr. Naderson: I have to explain the procedure before we begin so that you know what is going to happen okay?

I nodded.
Dr. Naderson: When a pregnancy is very early, let's say under 4 weeks, meaning before or just after a missed period, a termination is usually done through medication rather than surgery. At that stage, the embryo is just beginning to implant, so the procedure is generally less complex.

I nodded.
Dr Naderson: So what happens during a medical termination, which we refer to as a medical abortion, is that we first have to confirm if you are really pregnant through a pregnancy test and sometimes an ultrasound just to confirm the pregnancy and how far along it is, sometimes we take blood tests to check hormone levels, so we've already taken a pregnancy test on Tuesday, so now we will do an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are.
Me: Okay.

She made me lie on the bed and I pulled my shirt up exposing my stomach as she applied a cold gel on it and took out some machine and ran it on my stomach while looking at the screen.

Dr Naderson: You are 3 weeks and 4 days.

I nodded as I wiped the gel off me and sat up.
Dr Naderson: Now that we've confirmed that, this standard medical procedure uses two medications, firstly the Mifepristone, you take it first, it blocks progesterone, the hormone needed to sustain pregnancy so the pregnancy stops developing.

She showed me the pill and then gave it to me with a glass of water. I drank it.
Dr Naderson: Secondly the Misoprostol which is taken 24–48 hours later, at home, It causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue, similar to an early miscarriage, so you will take it tomorrow at 09:30, on empty stomach as well.
Me: Okay.
Dr Naderson: The process includes cramping and bleeding which usually starts within a few hours after misoprostol, so today you won't feel any pain or cramps of that sort, the process will happen tomorrow after you've taken your second pill, don't be alarmed, the bleeding can be heavier than a normal period, sometimes with clots and pain can range from mild to strong menstrual-like cramps.

Me: So can I take pain relief medication?
Dr Naderson: Yes, it is highly recommended, I'll write a prescription for you.
Me: Thank you, so how long does the process last?
Dr Naderson: The process usually completes within a day, but light bleeding/spotting can continue for 1–2 weeks, hence you have to have sanitary pads.

I nodded.
Dr Naderson: Your follow up will be on the 16th of March, that's when we will confirm whether the pregnancy has ended or not, check for infections as well.
Me: Thank you.

______

After my appointment with Dr. Naderson, Tumelo and I drove to school. Luckily I wasn't that late. He was really worried. If it was up to him I wouldn't have gone to school, unfortunately tomorrow I wasn't going to go so that's why I had to come today.

Buhle: Your cousin asked us if you were coming to school or not, we didn't know how to respond.
Me: Oh, he didn't spend the night at home, he has his own apartment in town.
Nandis: So where were you?
Me: At the doctors office, Tumelo took me.
Buhle: As in my Tumelo?

I laughed.
Me: Shuthi we are sharing him, sister wife.
Buhle: Ntando! You watched me salivate over your man yesterday!

We laughed.
Nandi: I noticed something was off when you went silent when we were talking about them.
Me: Our thing is… still new.
Buhle(smiles): You guys make a cute couple!
Me: Thank you.
Nandi: Cha mina ngisafuna iLembe bakithi.

We laughed.
Me: You will get him, don't worry, and I will help you.
Nandi: That's my girl!
Buhle: Are you okay though since you had to pass by the doctor's office?
Me: Yeah I'm good, however tomorrow I won't come to school.
Nandi: Oh okay, we will keep you updated.
Me: Thank you ladies, I'm actually hungry, unfortunately I can't take solids, I need some liquids.
Buhle: Let's go to the canteen.

We went there and my phone rang, it was Tumelo.
Me: Hey.
Tumelo: Hey baby, where you at? I got you and the girls something to eat.
Me: We are approaching the canteen, I wanted to buy some yogurt or amahewu since I can't stomach solids.
Tumelo: I got you, I see you actually.

I could see him as well, with an Uber eats bag, we met halfway, he kissed my cheek.
Tumelo: Ladies.
Buhle: Tumelo Hey.
Tumelo: I got you some lunch, this is for you my lady.
Me(smiles): Thank you baby.

He smiled, I just called him baby for the first time.
Nandi: Thank you so much Tumelo.
Tumelo: It's a pleasure, you're okay?
Me: Yeah, I'm still okay.
Tumelo: I was going to take you home but your brother insisted, so when you are ready please text either one of us.
Me: Okay.

He kissed my forehead and left, Nandi and Buhle were swooning and I was blushing.
Me: Don't say a word!
Buhle: I just love, love you know.
Nandi: You and Prime seem to have a great relationship.
Me: We have a love-hate relationship.
Buhle(laughs): Don't we all, with our siblings? Especially the deputy parents?
Me: They bore me!

We laughed.

_______
Shaka: You good?
Me: Yeah I'm cool, you know Tumelo could have taken me home.
Shaka: I've already been replaced.

I laughed.
Me: Jealousy doesn't suit you iron man.
Shaka(laughs): I am a little jealous, he even took you to your appointment.
Me: Yeah, I didn't want to bother you especially because you don't necessarily agree with my decision.
Shaka: Come on, I would have supported you regardless.

I nodded.
Shaka: How did it go?
Me: It went well, I'll be taking the actual pill tomorrow so I won't be on sight.
Shaka: You got everything you need?
Me: Yeah, I'm sorted.
Shaka: I'll check up on you tomorrow.
Me: I'd appreciate that big brother.

He smiled.
Shaka: So, you and Tumelo?
Me: What about us?
Shaka: Peach, are you sure you're ready for a relationship?

I was still stuck on Peach.
Me: Not at the moment, no I'm not ready for a relationship which is why I'm not in one…yet, I explained that to Tumelo as well, I don't want him to feel like I'm using him to bury whatever it is that I feel for you.
Shaka: So you're not using him?
Me: I would never do that, it would hurt him Shaka, that's why I was honest with him about my feelings, we agreed to take things very slow until I'm sure of my feelings.
Shaka: I see.
Me: He also told me about the distraction plan.

He exhaled.
Shaka: I'm sorry, after you confessed to me, I called him to ask him to drop it but he told me he liked you.
Me: How does that make you feel?

He didn't look at me.
Shaka: Usually I wouldn't let my friends be with my siblings but he's genuine and if he's not, he knows I'll bury him alive, so it's whatever.
Me: I see, we will try to respect you.
Shaka: Cool, if he hurts you, you'll tell me right?
Me: I will.
Shaka: Nice amulet.

I smiled while touching it.
Me: He gave it to me, for good luck.
Shaka: It glows in the dark?
Me: He said so, but I think it's glowing even now.
Shaka: It is.
Me: So, what's happening with your baby mama?
Shaka: She had the procedure yesterday, she was about 11 weeks so a surgery had to be done.
Me: How do you feel?
Shaka: Hurt.
Me: Come here.

I gave him a tight hug.
Me: I'm so sorry big bro, I know this can't be easy on you.
Shaka: It hurts so bad Ntando, I didn't even have a say on the matter, that was my child, my blood, there was a heartbeat already.
Me: I'm so sorry.
Shaka: I hate Khanya so much, she had no reason to kill my child, I was going to be a present father, I was going to be there…

He was really hurt.
Me: It's going to be okay.
Shaka: I have to tell the family so that we can pay damages and cleanse her, imagine!
Me: Do you want me to help you break the news?
Shaka: Please.
Me: Okay.

We stayed in that embrace for a while, he slowly pulled out of it and looked at me with a look I couldn't understand, probably that same look he gave me the day I thought he was going to kiss me but actually went for my forehead, I wasn't falling for that.

Me(clears throat):I'm actually hungry, I'm not used to not eating solids, I love food.

I said breaking the awkwardness, getting up and he chuckled while shaking his head.
Shaka: Peach, uyabaleka?
Me: Huh?
Shaka: Okay.

[LEANO MOLAPO]
My father's older sister is here, she was called when news broke out about what happened to my sister and I, the minute she saw me, she just knew this wasn't a random assault, she asked me to come clean before a war broke out.

My uncle is currently looking for the people that did this to Lerato and I, he's a bit hard-core since he's a taxi owner, so he has his people looking for 4 guys who are Zulu speaking and wear Squidgame masks all over Joburg, I couldn't bring myself to let them know the truth but Aunt Lebohang has called a family meeting and asked me to tell the truth, especially because whoever I wronged is pregnant, which means Ntando is pregnant where she is and she's pregnant with my child.

Mom: Leano, we are all here, what's the matter my son?
Me: I have something to tell you, before I proceed I just want to apologize, that's not how you and dad raised me, I apolgise to you Lerato as well.
Dad: Speak Leano.

I took a deep breath.
Me: As you know, I was dating Lerato's friend, Ntando.
Mom: The Zulu girl?
Me: Yes, we were together for close to a year and she was a virgin.
Uncle: You've impregnated her?
Aunt Lebohang: Let the boy to finish.
Me: I did something, I don't know what got over me.
Lerato: What did you do Leano?
Me: I drugged and ràped her and kept her in my room for two days before she left for Durban.

The whole room exclaimed in shock.
Lerato(crying): Leano no! I mean I know you guys were having problems regarding sex but…
Uncle: You did what? In my house?
Me(crying): I'm so sorry, I don't know what got over me and she might be pregnant!
Lerato: You ràped my friend Leano! That's why she never called us when she left, she changed her number and deactivated her social media accounts, she probably thought we wouldn't believe her! Oh my God!

Mom was crying in the corner.
Me: I tried to call her after she left but she had changed her number and I couldn't reach her, what happened to Lerato and I wasn't a random assault, it was her brother or cousin I'm not sure, but he avenged her.
Uncle(shocked): What?
Lerato: You mean Shaka Zwane? Ntando's cousin?
Me: You know him?
Lerato: He called and asked me weird questions about you and Ntando, I didn't think much of it…Leano, I was assaulted because of you? Because of you! How could you!

She started hitting me with her fists and dad pulled her away from me as she wailed.
Me: I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!
Dad: So this was revenge?
Mom: Why did they have to do that to my daughter when they had the real culprit!
Me: He said he wanted me to feel how painful it is to watch your sister suffer but can't help her!
Uncle: I am going to find this Shaka Zulu and I'm going to kill him! Why didn't they go to the police?
Aunt Lebohang: Who would have believed the poor girl? They were in a relationship!

Uncle: So what they did is okay Lebohang? They assaulted your niece! They assaulted your nephew and gave him an illegal circumcision! How is that right? We could have solved this as a family!

Aunt Lebohang scoffed.
Uncle: I'll gather my people and we will turn Durban up side down! Rhaaa marete aShaka Zulu!
Aunt Lebohang: She's pregnant Kgomotso!
Mom: Everyone should calm down, a wrong was written with a wrong.
Lerato: Mama no! That Shaka has to rot in jail for what he did to me! Was he the one who did this to me personally? They have his DNA samples as evidence! We will win this case!

Me: He's not the one who personally did this, they hired male prostitutes! I don't want to have them arrested, Ntando is carrying my child and the sooner she realises she will abort it!

Dad: Leano is right, we all know when one of ours is aborted, one of us dies, we cannot allow that to happen.
Lerato: And to hell with what I want right? As always?
Uncle: They will pay Lerato, I will make them pay, I promise you!

Dad: We need to talk to the detective, he's Ntandos father right?
Me: Yes.
Aunt Lebohang: We have to be fast, I'm losing the baby's heartbeat which means something is happening.
Mom: Do you see what you've done Leano? Do you see what you've done? You deserve to rot in jail! You have ruined not one but two girls lives!
Me(crying): It wasn't my intention! I am so sorry!
Dad: Let me call the detective.

He walked out.
_________
Ntando's father came as soon as he could, we told him it was about the case, he was the one in charge of our case.

Detective Ngema: You said you had some information regarding the case son?
Uncle: It was your son or whatever the hell he is to you together with that daughter of yours!
Detective Ngema: Ntando?
Lerato: Yes, she lied to her cousin Shaka and said that Leano ràped her and he did this to us.

I looked at them shocked.
Me: That's not—
Uncle: Shaka Zulu Zwane!
Detective Ngema: This doesn't make any sense, why would Ntando lie about being assaulted?

Lerato: Because she's a witch! My brother found out that she wasn't the virgin she was claiming to be and he was going to expose her, but then she disappeared, next thing my brother is being accused of ràping her! A lie! That deranged brother of hers did this to us because he believed her! If my brother had really done this to her, why didn't she report this to the police?

Uncle: After all you're a detective!

He swallowed, I couldn't believe this at all, Lerato? Throwing her own friend under the bus because of what I did? What happened to her was unfortunate but I doubt Ntando is aware that her cousin did this, she would never have her own friend harmed.

Dad: We expect this Shaka Zulu and his friends arrested.

Detective Ngema: I will have to investigate this further, luckily we have the DNA samples, if they match, we will have them locked up, also Ntando wouldn't lie about something like this, she probably didn't think anyone would believe her.

Uncle: So you're saying my nephew really did what this whore of a daughter of yours is accusing him of? Detective!

This was a whole mess, I slowly walked out, hopefully Ntando hasn't blocked me, fuck she blocked me.

Aunt Lebohang: Use mine.

She handed me her phone.
Aunt Lebohang: Leano, you need to fix this, I don't know what your parents and uncle think they'll achieve by lying on that innocent girl.
Me: I know Aunty, I wasn't even aware they'd lie!

I called Ntando.
Ntando: Ntando speaking.
Me: Ntando please don't drop this call, it's important please.
Ntando: 10 seconds.
Me: Your cousin will be arrested for the assault of my sister and I.
Ntando: Excuse me?

Me: I told my family the whole truth but they span this whole thing around, I swear I had no idea they'd spin it and lie, they are claiming you told your cousin lies about what I did to you and he acted on impulse.

Ntando: Then tell my father the fuckin' truth Leano! Why the hell aren't you telling them the truth and why the hell did you tell them the truth in tje first place?
Me: Because you're pregnant and you can't kill that child!
Ntando: Pregnant? Mina? Wahlanya? You think that anaconda of yours is capable of producing a healthy semen?
Me: Ntando…

She dropped the call.
Aunt Lebohang: We need to go to Durban.