CH10

BURNING BLUE.
BY BELLA ROYALTY.
10.

[NTANDOKAZI NGEMA]
Do you believe me now? When I say that the angel that is in charge of my life hates me? I bet it's a woman, because a man wouldn't make me suffer like this, but a woman?Everytime she's bored out of her mind, she'll pull these exact stunts.

I called Shaka as I took out my pill and grabbed a bottle of water in the fridge. It was 9:30 which meant it was time for the second kill pill, so I drank it up. Shaka wasn't answering my calls. Maybe he's at school and he's busy?

Just as I was about to call Tumelo, my father called and I sighed.
Me: Baba.
Baba: Ntando, please tell me what I heard isn't true?
Me: What exactly?
Baba: That…that boy assaulted you?

I kept quiet.
Baba: Ntandokazi why wouldn't you tell me? I know I've been a shitty dad the past couple of months but for you to hide something like this from me? That day, the outburst, the marks on your wrists, the marks on your neck?

I exhaled.
Me: There was no proof and I didn't want to waste the state's resources, you've always complained about such cases Baba.
Baba: You are my daughter Ntandokazi!
Me: It is what it is Baba, it happened, I'm getting the help I need, I will be okay.
Baba: You will be okay?
Me: Yes, my cousin took matters into his own hand, which I know you're aware of and planning on arresting him.

Baba: Nothing of that sort will happen, before I am a detective, I am a father, Shaka won't be getting arresting, although I do wish he wouldn't have involved his sister however I am starting to think she had it coming, she accused you of lying, she said that you had lied about being a virgin and when her brother found out and threatened to expose you, you cried assault.

Me(shocked): What? Baba, Lerato would never say that, I mean I knew she wouldn't believe me but to say that?
Baba: I am telling you Ntando, it was that Lerato and the uncle who's a taxi owner who were talking.

I exhaled.
Me: Wow, I don't believe this, so what's the plan? Are they going to come here and report the matter to the police or what?

Baba: We need proof that this boy really did this, maybe trap him into confessing, Ntando he needs to pay for what he did to you mtanami, he cannot get away with this, yes Shaka has already made him pay, but it's not enough.

Me: What about Shaka though baba? I don't want him to go to jail.

Baba: He won't go to jail, it'll be their word against his, that was a clean job, so clean that your own father was failing to crack the case, we only have what Leano told us, 3 guys who were speaking isiZulu, 1 white guy, they were wearing masks, even the DNA we cleaned on Lerato, proved to be fruitless because they were wearing protection so it was just Lerato's own fluids.

Me: Baba I don't… I don't want to do this, you know, have everyone know my business, attend court and testify, I don't want to go through all of that, just don't want to forever be known as a victim of assault.

He kept quiet.
Baba: Ntando…
Me: Baba please, please, opening a case against him will make things worse for me, I don't want to be that girl.
Baba: I will have to find another way to have him thrown behind bars, I'm not letting this go Ntando, how are you mtanami?
Me(sighs): I'm okay, that day I flew here I was robbed by a Bolt driver, don't worry he's been handled, I'm currently attending therapy for all of that, so I will be fine.
Baba: Did he hurt you?
Me: No, they just took my phone and money.
Baba: Thank God, you did the tests?
Me: Yes I did, I'm clean and not pregnant.
Baba: That's good, does Mandisa know?
Me: It's Just Shaka who knows and I'd like to keep it that way.
Baba: I hear you, I'll check up on you later.
Me: Okay.

I dropped the call and sat on the bar stool, I could feel some discomfort on my lower abdomen which made me wince in pain.

Me(painfully): Oh God!

I walked back to my bedroom, As soon as I got there, the pain was intense, I groaned in pain, I locked the door and my whole PJ pant was covered in blood, it was so painful, I literally had to crawl to the bathroom because I couldn't even walk, I just leaned my head against the bathroom door as I went through it.

I expected it to be painful, but not like this! At some point I had to lay on my stomach, the pain went on for about 40 minutes and then it was quiet for a while, my bathroom looked like a bloodbath, I wiped my tears and slowly got up, tried to clean up and then took a shower and wore something that wasn't light in color and my sanitary pad, which got filled up within 5 minutes.

Me: You've got to be kidding me!

The flow was so heavy and filled with blood clots, I stayed in that bathroom for an hour because I was getting tired of constantly changing the pad.

My phone rang and it was Leano. Now was honestly not a good time. I turned on my call recording app and answered the call.

Me: What?
Leano: Ntando I know that the way that child was conceived is not right but that's an innocent child that deserves to live as well, don't punish the innocent child because of my mistakes.

Me: You call forcing yourself on me a mistake Leano? Are you fucking serious right now? You call forcing yourself on me, a mistake? A mistake Leano is accidentally knocking off a glass of water, you knew exactly what you were doing, in fact you invited yourself to that chillas because you had intentions of hurting me, you volunteered to get me a drink so that you'd put those pills in there to drug me, Leano, you planned everything, even when you had forcefully taken my virginity, you asked me to take a bath on some 'You bled' you knew what you were doing Leano!

He exhaled.
Leano: I know, and I'm so sorry Ntando, I'm really sorry for hurting you the way that I did, I don't know what got over me, but your cousin has avenged you, he hurt my sister, he hurt me as well and even cut off my dick, what more punishment do I deserve? Now you are thinking of harming an innocent child?

Me: I am not pregnant Leano, you have way too much faith in your anaconda honestly it's appalling to say the least or maybe you also drank something that night that was guaranteed to make me fall pregnant?

Leano: Ntando please…please don't kill my child, I know you're pregnant, if you kill that child someone in my family will die.
Me(laughs): Oh so that's what this is about huh? I hope that person is Lerato!
Leano: No, no, no, Ntando…
Me: Is she not dead yet? Because I'm currently going through the process as we speak.

He dropped the call and I clicked my tongue, I had to take another shower.

I drank some pain medication after I was done and laid in bed, the pain was still there but not that intense anymore.

My phone rang and it was Tumelo.
Me: Hey.
Tumelo: Hey, baby I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner, I had to help my father with fixing his car, are you okay?
Me: I'm okay, although I almost died a few minutes ago.
Tumelo: Was the pain that intense?
Me: You have no idea, I've never felt that much pain before, there was blood everywhere, but I'm okay now, I think it's done honestly.
Tumelo: Okay, do you need anything?
Me; No, I'm cool, I had a crisis though, that's why I called you, Shaka wasn't answering as well.
Tumelo: I haven't seen him today, I didn't go to school.
Me: Oh, okay.
Tumelo: What was the crisis,my love?

Me(smiles): Leano called, he told his family the truth, you know about what he did and what I did back to him, well what you guys did to him anyway, they are trying to spin the story, make it seem like I lied and you guys attacked them for absolutely nothing, my dad said he'd handle it, I don't know how though, but he called again and I lured him into admitting what he did to me that night, so I don't know since they don't have proof against you, maybe you can use that recording to blackmail them into letting this whole thing go? If they don't agree, threaten to open a case against them, I don't know?

He was quiet for a while.
Me: Tumelo?
Tumelo: I'm still here baby, just a little stunned at how smart you are.
Me(smiles): Really?

Tumelo: Yes, I'm really impressed, we also have visual proof that night when this thing happened, we had body cams attached to our masks, so we have solid proof, visual and audio, ain't no way they'll proceed with this nonsense unless they want Leano to rot behind bars.

Me: Oh that's even more perfect, can you believe that even Lerato turned on me?
Tumelo: I'm not surprised babe, you girls are like that, you'd also protect Shaka.

I laughed.
Me: Not if he assaulted someone Tumelo come on, I'd definitely cover for him if he committed murder.
Tumelo(laughs): Right, because murder is better than sexual assault.
Me: Way better.
Tumelo(laughs): If you love me just tell me already there's no reason for you to keep impressing me like this.

We laughed.
Tumelo: Weird enough, I miss you, your presence that is.
Me: Weird enough, I miss you as well.
Tumelo; Yeah? Would it be a crime if I drove there and just gave you a soft peck on your forehead?
Me(smiles): It doesn't have to be on the forehead you know?
Tumelo: Oh? Is that so?
Me(smiles): Jeah.
Tumelo: I will see you shortly then baby.
Me(smiles): Okay.

I closed my eyes, not me getting butterflies in my stomach.

Shaka: Interesting.

I screamed in shock, how? When? How long?
Me: Shaka mara!
Shaka: You're all giggly and stuff, you're already over me njalo?
Me: You sound like a jealous ex right now, when did you even get here?
Shaka: "It doesn't have to be on the forehead you know?"

I laughed and sat up, he was mimicking what I said.
Shaka: When did we get there manje, Peach?
Me: I'm not discussing that with you, what do you want? I've been trying to call you.
Shaka: I know, I was at school, you okay?

He walked to my bed and I noticed he was drinking, he had a cider in his hand.
Me: Shaka, it's not even 1pm yet, why are you drinking?
Shaka: I'm stressed out, some girl named Khanya killed my child.

Oh, he's not taking this well at all.
Me: Do you want to talk about it?
Shaka: You want to be there for me?
Me: I mean, it's only fair, you've been there for me during my darkest times as well.
Shaka: You sure your boyfriend won't mind?
Me: I don't have a boyfriend yet.
Shaka: Could have fooled me.

I laughed.
Me: Again, you sound like a jealous ex-boyfriend.
Shaka: Maybe I am jealous.
Me: You're drunk Shaka.
Shaka: Am I?
Me: Aren't you?
Shaka: You ran away from me yesterday Peach and I wasn't drunk.

I blinked a couple of times.
Me: Shaka don't play with my feelings okay?
Shaka: Who says I am playing? What if I wanted you as much as you did but I was in denial because of the obvious reasons that being, we are family?
Me: Okay, I'm just going to walk out before we say something we don't mean because we are intoxicated, okay?

I got up, feeling a slight pain, he held my hand.
Me: Shaka…
Shaka: I'd like to give you a soft peck on the forehead.
Me: Please don't.
Shaka: Why?
Me: Just don't, Tumelo will be here any minute now.

He got closer to me.
Me; Shaka please…
Shaka: We aren't doing anything wrong, you are being there for me, unfortunately what works for you, doesn't work for me, your idea of me being there for you includes us talking, my idea however, includes…something entirely different, so can you please be there for me?

Me(swallows): And what way is that?

Shaka: Nothing much, you'd just have to sit on my lap, give me one of your warm hugs that make me forget that I hate hugs, kiss my forehead, eventually lift my head up and kiss my lips, while we are kissing, your phone will ring disturbing us, and you'll say, 'this shouldn't have happened', I'll tell you 'you're right, I'm drunk and we shouldn't talk about this ever again', and you'll say, 'Tumelo doesn't deserve this' and I'll agree and you will leave.

I swallowed.
Shaka: So shall we?
Me: No.
Shaka: Do you mean that?

Why isn't Tumelo calling me right now? Shaka is not in his right mind, he's drunk and going through a lot.

He went to sit on my bed and patted his lap for me to sit.
Shaka: I know you've always wanted to kiss me, take advantage of me right now.
Me: I'm not a fan of taking advantage of people who aren't in their right mind Shaka.
Shaka: I'm begging you to take advantage of me.

My phone rang, thank God! I grabbed it.
Me: Hey baby, I'm on my way.

I dropped the call and Shaka chuckled.
Shaka: Wow, didn't you say you wanted me? You craved me? In ways that a person shouldn't crave her cousin?

I bit my lip.
Me: I'm not falling for this okay?
Shaka: Is that so?
Me: I'm sorry for whatever you're going through big bro, but believe me, you don't want this, you're not in your right minds, you'll thank me tomorrow.
Shaka: I doubt it, go and get your lick on, Peach.

I exhaled and walked out. I found Tumelo out of his car, with a bouquet of red roses. Imagine I almost gave into temptation back there only to be welcomed by this beautiful sight? My tall, handsome guy? I deserve a standing ovation for that actually, I resisted temptation, Shaka finally said what I wanted to hear and it took everything in me for me to restrain myself, so I'm not that weak after all.

Me(smiles): Hey.
Tumelo: Hey baby, these are for you, I wasn't sure of your preference though?
Me: I love them, thank you, now can I have my soft peck?
Tumelo: Where would my lady wish to have the peck?
Me(smiles): Right here.

I pointed at my lips, he took the roses from me and placed them on top of the car and one of his hands held my waist while the other held my cheek, we locked eyes.
Tumelo: Have I told you just how beautiful you are before?
Me(smiles): I don't think you have.
Tumelo: What? I should be arrested, from now on I'll make it a point to let you know, okay?
Me: I'll hold you to it.
Tumelo: You have such beautiful eyes, in fact everything about you is perfect.

He leaned in and brushed his soft lips on mine and I immediately felt dizzy, he captured them, slowly and passionately, yeah no, I've never been kissed before because what?

My hands were on his chest, he slowly pulled out of it, while looking at me.
Tumelo(smiles): You okay?
Me(smiles): Yeah, you?
Tumelo: I'm in your presence.

I laughed softly, he was still caressing my cheek, he leaned in again and we kissed.

[LEANO MOLAPO]
I was looking for Aunt Lebohang all over this yard to no avail, she needed to do something to stop this, Ntando said she was in the process of getting rid of my child, she even wished Lerato would be the one who dies.

She needed to stop this from happening, maybe make sure that Ntando's termination is not successful or something.

I suddenly heard some wailing in the main house and I tried to rush there, I'm not 100% well yet, I haven't recovered fully.

Me: What's wrong?

I asked as soon as I made my way in, they were all hovering around Uncle Kgotso.
Mom: Somebody call an ambulance! I think he's having a heart attack! Kgotso don't do this!!
Dad: We need to take him to the hospital! The ambulance will take ages to get here, help him out.

Everything was all a blur and happening too fast, the elders left while we remained behind.
Lerato: This is all your fault!
Me: Lerato, not now okay?
Lerato: You ruin everything Leano! You ruin ever fuckin thing!
Me: Lerato, I swear to God if you don't shut up this very moment I will—
Lerato: What will you do? You'll drug me as well and assault me? Because that's exactly what you're good at anyway!
Me: I SAID SHUT UP!

I slapped her so hard that she fell and hit the corner of the table.
Me: How many times should I apologise huh? Haven't I paid enough already? Some men fucked me on my anus! Do you know how painful that was? On top of that Ntando has killed my child and possibly killed Uncle Kgotso as well and you're here making noise! Get the fuck up!

She didn't move, I saw blood and instantly panicked.
Me: No, no, Lerato, wake up! Hey this is not funny! Wake up!

I felt her pulse, there was nothing.
Me: No, no, this can't be happening you can't claim two lives! You can't claim two bloody lives unless….

Unless Ntando was carrying twins.
Me: Lerato, baby sis!

"What the hell have you done?"

I turned around, no, no, no!

Me: It's not what it looks like I swear—
Detective Ngema: Step away from her.
Me(crying): She's…one minute we were talking and….she's bleeding, I didn't mean… Detective you have to believe me, I only slapped her and she fell and hit—

My hands were filled with blood, my eyes became blurry.
Detective Ngema: We are going to need backup.
Me: Baba please—
Detective Ngema: Look at Karma doing the lord's work, I was still looking for something I would pin on you so that you rot behind bars for what you did to my daughter, but Christmas came early! You are under arrest—
Me(crying): No, no! I didn't—