CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 26

[KUKHOKONKE]

Yibanathi laughs and disappears into her room, making everything even worse. I try to explain to my mother again, but she refuses to listen. She's blaming me and now her husband too.
I'm not even that powerful, if I was, trust me, there are a lot of loud people in this village I'd silence first.
"Ma, I didn't do it," I say for what feels like the hundredth time. I can't keep fighting with them, not when I still have a task to do at the Zungus.
"I don't want to talk to you!" she snaps. "You are busy bewitching your own parents? Unbelievable."
I let out a long, tired sigh. There's no point arguing anymore.
The door swings open and Babomncane walks in. Thank God, someone with sense.
"Baba, thank God you're back," I say, rushing to him.
"Stay away from that boy, Mpatho," my mom warns quickly. "He will turn you mute, like he did to Khaphela."
"Why is he mute? What did he do?" Babomncane asks.
My father starts pointing at me harshly, like I'm the problem.
"Haibo! you can't talk?" Babomncane says, shocked, then bursts into laughter. Oh, gracious God.
He laughs until he composes himself again.
"You're laughing, Mpatho, while this nephew of yours wants us dead?" my mother cries, exaggerating like always.
"Babomncane, I didn't do anything!" I say firmly. "He started talking about Ndleleni being outside, then he suddenly went mute. That's all that happened."
"He did what?" Babomncane asks, turning serious as he looks at his brother. "Khaphela… why would you even say that? You don't listen."
Okay, now I know this is serious.
My dad just shrugs, helpless and mute.
"Can someone explain what's happening?" I ask, looking at all of them, even the silent one.
"Konke, tell Ndleleni to stop this!" my mom pleads. "We will never speak badly about him again. And tell him no more birds, please. The neighbours already think we're witches. We'll be banned from this village soon. And we're already on thin ice with the Zungus."
I sigh. I can't control Ndleleni like that. Yes, he loves me. Yes, he gives me lottery numbers. Yes, he gave me this gift but that doesn't mean I can command him.
I turn to Babomncane, desperate.
"Please… tell me what's going on. How can I help dad, all of you, if you don't tell me anything?"

_

We sit outside on the veranda, just me and Babomncane, while the mute couple stays inside. I've told Yiba not to go in because she only makes things worse with her laughing.
"He should stay like that for a week or two," my uncle jokes. "Your mom too. Imagine the peace."
I laugh a little despite everything. Mpatho only had one child and never tried again, he's too happy living his quiet life. Khulekani is in Bloemfontein, only visiting now and then.
"What's going on?" I ask again, my confusion growing.
He sighs heavily.
"I don't want to go mute too, Konke," he says softly.
My shoulders drop in disappointment.
"It's Ndleleni's story to tell," he continues. "He will explain it to you."
Ndleleni? Talk? He doesn't just "talk." I'd have to beg, cry, and scream before he says a word.
My phone rings in my pocket. Maybe it's Diamond. But when I look at the screen, I frown, Cothoza. What now?
"Bhungane, we're here with the twins," he says immediately.
I stand up quickly and look toward the gate… and there's a taxi.
"I'm not with them," he continues casually. "I'm busy looking for the plants. I'm sure the twins are already at the gate."
I scoff loudly.
"Here? At my home? You didn't even inform me or my family. They are not staying here," I snap. I mean it, I don't want them anywhere near this place. Ever.
He goes quiet for a moment, then sighs.
"Okay… I'll tell them they're at the wrong place. They won't stay at your home, since we didn't ask permission. But they will help you. They're already here, so they might as well assist."
He hangs up.
What the fuck.
"What's wrong?" Babomncane asks, stepping beside me.
I click my tongue in frustration.
"Baba, Cothoza is starting to piss me off," I say. "He keeps sending his students here even though I told him I can handle the task. And now he sends the twins without warning anyone."
"He sent them without informing us?" my uncle asks, confused.
I nod. I truly don't know what game Cothoza is playing, but I don't like it.
"Those twins he sent?" I continue. "They're not doing this out of kindness. They want something from me, something I will never give. I'd rather lose my gift than be connected to them."I'm pissed, I see a taxi moving leaving thank God, and I wonder who said u will fail on this mission? I only asked Cothoza for some guidance not to send his students here. Nxa. Ndleleni should do something about this before I lose my mind.

••••

[NIKEZINKOSI]

Finally… finally some warmth in this place. My body is still heavy, and my cramps are only now starting to settle. A nurse came in earlier, checked me, said a few soft words, and left. Now it's just me and Ntobe sitting here. Even though she's here, I can feel sleep pulling me down again, dragging at my eyelids, begging me to rest.
"I can't stay long," she says gently. "It's already dark outside. I should leave and let you sleep."
Good. She should go. I'm exhausted, and honestly… I want to see Mnotho too.
"Thank you for coming," I say quietly. "But I'm okay. You can see it for yourself. I'm sorry I dragged you into all this."
Paul threatened her. He threatened my mother. I know she must have been terrified and confused. This whole thing was chaos from the start.
"No need to apologise," she says. "You went through something traumatic. You'll need to see a therapist or a counsellor."
I shake my head. I'm not doing therapy. I'm fine. I survived. That should be enough.
"And also," she continues, crossing her arms, "you need to change your circle. The people you hang out with."
I blink. Change my what now?
"What are you even talking about?" I ask, confused and already irritated.
She sighs heavily and presses her lips together.
"This friend of yours… Diamond," she says.
Excuse me?
"She didn't inform us about your kidnapping, Nike!" Her voice tightens. "We had to hear it from the kidnapper himself!"
Poor Diamond. She must have been terrified too. Paul was unhinged. Everything happened so fast.
"She didn't mean harm," I say, shrugging. "I'm sure she panicked."
"She meant no harm?" she snaps. "I'm YOUR sister. She should have called ME. Yes, mom was going to take it badly, but at least I would have known. Instead, she went and hired people to look for you without our permission as a family. She crossed a line."
Wow. Drama. Really?
"Ntobe, let it go, please." My voice grows firm. "Those people she hired found me. I'm alive. You should be THANKING her, not attacking her. Yes, she should have told you, but she didn't. I'm sorry on her behalf."
I guess Diamond had to lie to them and pretend she was the one who hired the search team instead of Mnotho.
Ntobe huffs like she swallowed fire. She has never liked Diamond, and I've never understood why. I always told myself it was big sister instincts but at this point? She should know Diamond means well. Diamond cares about me more than half the people who claim to love me.
"Last time I checked," she says, raising a brow, "Diamond gets paid under 10k. So how did she afford to hire those people? And this private wellness lodge? Hm? Is there something you are not telling me? Was there even a kidnapping?"
I gasp. My heart drops.
Disbelief and pure hurt hit me so hard my chest aches.
"Don't look at me like that," she continues, voice sharp. "Anything is possible. Maybe you two planned this. Maybe you wanted ransom money from us, or attention. I don't know. Like you did last time."
My throat closes.
My eyes burn. How could she?
How could my own sister say something like that?
"I can't believe you," I whisper, voice breaking. "Out of all people… YOU? You really think I faked this?"
"Nike…"
"No," I cut her off. Pain is stabbing through every word. "Last time, yes, I lied. I lied because I wanted to escape Sphephelo. Because he abused me. Because I was dying inside. YOU KNOW that. You know everything I went through. And today," my voice shakes, "today you throw that trauma in my face?"
My throat closes again, tears rising.
She should be happy I made it out alive.
She should be holding my hand.
Not this.
"Nike…"
"Just leave," I whisper, turning my back to her. "Please. I want to sleep."
I close my eyes, but the tears escape anyway. Hot, silent, and painful.

.
.
The watch says 9:30 p.m. and I still haven't seen Mnotho. At this rate I'm going to doze off without even laying eyes on him. Bonga came earlier, rambling about something, but I kept drifting in and out, dozing off mid-sentence.
Now I'm wide awake again, well, trying to be. I've showered and slipped into warm pajama pants and the fluffy gown the nurses brought. They removed my old drip and put in a new one.
This room is huge, warm, too comfortable, unlike that icebox Paul kept me in. My bones still ache when I remember that coldness. There's a TV mounted on the wall; I put on a horror movie just to stop myself from sleeping while waiting for Mnotho.
A soft knock snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Come in," I call out.
The door opens slowly and Diamond walks in. My baby. I honestly thought she didn't come; she probably felt guilty because Mrs Selepe pointed fingers at her. And Ntobe… let her go back to Limpopo. I'll deal with her at the wedding.
"Hey, how are you?" she asks, rushing into a tight hug.
"I'm okay now, since you're here," I whisper. I didn't realize how much I needed her until that moment, her warmth, her presence, her fussing.
She pulls back, eyes glossy.
"Come on, don't cry," I say gently. "I'm here."
She sniffs and sits down.
"I'm so sorry you went through all that," she says, voice shaking. "Mnotho told me Paul is the one who took you. I'm sorry, Nikky. It's all my fault." Tears spill straight down her cheeks.
"Come here," I say and open my arms again. Diamond is a crybaby when she wants to be.
I hold her, rubbing her back softly.
"It's not your fault," I whisper. "Paul is crazy. You didn't send him to kidnap me, he did that on his own."
That man isn't well. He even cut my hair. I screamed when I saw how short it was. The nurse explained they had to remove most of the braids, and now the rest has to go. My hair has been struggling for months anyway, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. I'll just cut it off and start fresh. A new chapter at 28.
Diamond sniffles harder. "Even your family hates me now."
"No, they don't," I assure her. "Ntobe is just being Ntobe. Protecting me in her dramatic way. And she doesn't know Paul took me. No one needs to know that part."
She nods, wiping her tears.
"Did he hurt you?" she asks quietly.
I look away. I can't tell her the truth. Not the way he yanked me by my hair like trash.
"Not really, besides locking me in that cold house. Sometimes he was nice. Sweet even." The truth tastes bitter.
She clicks her tongue angrily. "I need to see him. And cut his balls."
I giggle despite everything.
"He deserves it," I say. "And I think I started hallucinating. I saw two children in that house; they disappeared the minute Paul walked in. I swear I smelled Sno's perfume, yours, even Sphephelo's. I thought I was losing my mind. And the cramps, the hunger…"
She shakes her head, furious.
"Of course you hallucinated. You were alone, hungry, cold… I'm just happy you're here." She hugs me again, tighter this time. "At least this is real."
I breathe her in. At least she feels real.
"So, Paul mentioned something," I say with a small grin.
She pulls back. "What?"
"Something about a wizard. That you left him because of a wizard."
Her eyes widen, then she bursts into a laugh.
"Who is this wizard, Dee?" I tease.
"Just a man I met," she says quietly.
"And you didn't tell me why?" I poke her side.
"I was going to, but Paul happened. And he's not a wizard. His name is Kukhokonke. He's… I don't know, a seer. A prophet."
I stare at her. "You? Dating a prophet?"
"I know," she groans. "But I like him. He's peaceful. I feel safe with him. My soul feels safe."
Her voice softens in a way I've never heard.
"Maybe Paul is right," she jokes. "Konke is bewitching me."
"With what? Prayer water and black candles?" I tease.
She bursts out laughing.
"I'm just happy you're here, Nikky. I was so stressed. And Mnotho, wow, he turned this whole town upside down looking for you."
"Oh, Mnotho…" I whisper. My chest tightens.
"I'm grateful he did," she says softly. "If it wasn't for him, I don't know how we would have found you."
We sit quietly for a moment. The silence feels heavy, but safe.
"Tomorrow is your birthday, by the way," she says with a small smile. "We cancelled Magalies. Mnotho said we can have lunch here with family and friends. Bring gifts."
I frown.
"Here? My family will ask questions."
"We'll deal with it. And he doesn't want you leaving until you're healed." she says.
Of course. Controlling Mnotho.
But maybe he's right.
I sigh and nod. It might be nice seeing everyone.
"I'm hungry. Can we get food? And finish this movie?" I ask. I doubt Mnotho will come.
"Oh baby, I can't sleep here," she says apologetically. "But I'll get you soup from the kitchen. Then you need to rest, okay?"
I nod. Soup will do.
And maybe sleep will finally come.

_

I feel something heavy sink onto my bed and my heart jumps so hard I stop breathing. My eyes snap open slowly. Who is that? Did Paul escape and find me here? My stomach twists.
"Shhh, it's me," a voice whispers. The voice I've been waiting to hear. My entire body melts at once. My throat burns, tears threaten. I am going to cry.
"Happy birthday, Peaches," he says softly, and then warm lips press gently on my forehead. His arm slides around me and he rests his head right on my boobs like he owns the spot. I let out a tiny chuckle. Of course. That is exactly what he wanted before I got taken by a psycho. My hand moves automatically, running slowly through his hair and over his beard. The texture calms me more than anything.
"I missed you," I whisper honestly. God, I missed him so much it hurts.
"I missed you too. I'm sorry it took me so long to find you," he says quietly.
"No, Mnotho, you did your best. You found me just in time. Thank you so much," I say with all the gratitude in my chest. Police would have taken months. He moved faster than anyone.
"I'll move damn mountains for you," he says.
I giggle softly.
"I know you would," I say, because that is exactly how he behaves. Like he walked straight out of a thriller novel as the intense boyfriend who changes the whole world to protect his woman.
We fall into silence. My hand keeps running through his hair, soft and gentle. I don't even care how he convinced security to let him sleep in here with me. It's Mnotho. He always finds a way.
But there's something I need to ask.
"Is Paul arrested?" I whisper.
"Yes, he is," he answers after a moment. "And he won't bother you again."
Good. I don't want him anywhere near Diamond either.
"I don't want you stressing about this," he says quietly.
I know he means well, but I have to talk about it. I can't keep pretending.
"I know love, but I'll have to talk about it. So I can move on from it," I say. I want to close this chapter properly, and I need him to understand Diamond isn't to blame. "That man is crazy. He was going to hurt Diamond too. Don't be mad at her. She's also a victim."
He just nods.
"I know. I'm not blaming her. The Masekos are crazy people. He is the son of Richard, that bastard who wanted to hurt my son," he says calmly.
I frown hard.
"Really?"
"Yes. Small world," he says, and his arm tightens around me. I want to ask more, but knowing him, he will tell me to stop stressing.
"Diamond told me about the lunch here. For my birthday," I say, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yes. Diamond will arrange it. I already talked to Michael and he agreed. I won't come, of course, but we will go on a vacation soon. I need to speak to Brian about your two week leave," he says.
I grunt, annoyed.
"Two weeks, Mnotho? I'm fine," I say, genuinely confused. This man.
"No, Sthandwa sami, you listen to me this time. You need rest and I already planned the vacation," he says warmly. "We will spend one week there and one week here. You also have exams soon. This little leave will help."
I sigh. True. I do have exams coming up. He's being considerate, but I don't want him going to demand things on my behalf. It will cause problems at work.
"Won't it cause issues at work? I still love working at that clinic," I say.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you and I'll make sure Pinky doesn't talk," he says. Then he finally lifts his head and looks at me. "I don't want you to be stressed about anything. I'll deal with it."
He leans forward, kisses me softly, and then goes right back to lying on my boob like he owns the spot.
I guess I'll have to trust him.
"Well… can you organise me a barber? So I can cut my hair?" I ask. I need someone professional, someone who won't leave me looking like a boiled egg.
"Okay my love, I will," he says.
Good. I hope this time my hair grows healthy.
"I love you," he says suddenly.
My heart stops. The hand in his hair freezes.
"I know it will take time for you to say it back. Don't rush. I'm a patient man," he adds gently.
My heart stumbles, breaking and healing at the same time.
Why am I punishing this man?
Why can't I say it out loud?
I love you too.
But the words stay trapped inside my head.

••••

[SNOTHANDO]

Snothando frowns as she parks in front of the lodge, her eyebrows knitting together as she scans the place from the car window. Wow, this looks too fancy. Am I lost? She even checks the address again, squinting at Ntobe's message. Maybe this girl gave me the wrong address on purpose. Ntobe is slow.

She steps out of the car, wraps her coat tighter around her, more to hide her bruises than the cold, and walks toward the big security gate. She coughs a little under her breath. Her chest still burns from all the smoke she inhaled the night the house burned down. She pats her mask gently on her face. At least the mask hides half the evidence.
"Good day," she says softly to the guard, her voice barely there. "I'm not sure if I'm in the right place."
The guard frowns and leans forward.
"Speak loud, ma'am. I can't hear you," he says.
Sno rolls her eyes and scoffs loudly before ripping off her mask. Her throat burns instantly.
"I said I was given an address," she repeats, her voice hoarse. "I'm not sure if this is the right place." She hands him her phone so he can read it himself.
He checks the screen, nods immediately.
"Yes, you're in the right place. There's a birthday lunch happening here. Are you a friend or family of Nikezinkosi?"
Sno pauses. Friend? Family? Please. I'm neither at this point; I'm just here to get answers. But she just forces a small, stiff nod.
"Ma'am, you can drive in," the guard continues. "You need to sign here. All your details are required."
Sno hesitates. Why so much security? Since when does a birthday lunch need FBI-level clearance?
She sighs heavily, her chest tight and her throat screaming, and drives in after they scan her car, her gift, and even her. The security check feels like entering a government building. What kind of life is Diamond living? What kind of friends is she making?

As she steps inside, the serenity hits her instantly. The place is quiet, peaceful, and smells expensive. She knows these spaces, wellness lodges, retreats, places where celebrities come to hide their breakdowns. She once brought one of her artists here when she started popping pills. This place has that same calm before the storm peace that you can feel on your skin.
Sno walks toward reception, clutching the gift bag tightly, almost too tightly.
"Good day, ma'am. Here for the birthday lunch?" the receptionist asks with a polite smile.
Sno nods once, swallowing hard against the pain in her throat.
"Okay, I'll need you to sign here. Fill in all your details and give me your phone."
Sno freezes.
"My phone?" she asks, her voice dry and confused.
"Yes ma'am. You need to leave it here. You'll collect it when the lunch is done."
The receptionist smiles again, still gentle, still professional.
Sno blinks.
Haibo! Why must I hand over my phone for a birthday lunch? What is going on here? Since when does Nikky have no phone policies? She's not Beyoncé.
She wants to yell, scream, slam her hand on the counter, anything. But she can't. Not here. This establishment is too classy, too calm. Her little explosion would bounce off the walls and embarrass her.
Besides, she came for answers.
She needs to know what happened.
She needs to know if Paul snitched on her.
She needs to understand where Diamond suddenly gets money for lodges like this while working that dead end job and living in Maboneng. Nothing is adding up.
And she can't wait to see Nikky's face, especially now that she lost her hair.
The poor girl might even look cute. Or tragic. Either way, Sno wants to see for herself.
With a frustrated exhale, she hands over her phone.
Fine. Let me just get through this lunch and get the truth out of that girl.

.
.
The receptionist guides her to where the birthday lunch is. After all that Q&A and being searched, she needs a glass of champagne. Knowing how cheap her friends are, she doubts there's any expensive beverage here. The receptionist opens a sliding door, and she steps outside into what looks like a garden. Her jaw drops. The setup, the music… There's a piano band? How did Diamond do all this? How? On their original plan for Nikky's birthday in Magalies, this wasn't the plan.

"You can put the present among the others on that table. Goodbye, and enjoy," the receptionist says, closing the sliding door behind her.
Sno freezes, her eyes scanning everything. The whole of Nikky's family is here, including her mother. What lie did they tell her? Her gaze lands on Aunt Thembi, Bob, and Sbo, she scoffs silently. Diamond should've invited the whole Mhlabuyalingana village. What the hell are Thembi and Bob doing here? Finally, her eyes catch her "supposed" boyfriend, Hlumelo. He's talking to Nokuzola, and she knows Nokuzola won't do anything, especially not on Nikky's big day.
She can't see Nikky anywhere. Maybe she'll arrive late. Ntobe spots her, smiles, and rushes over. The person who can spill the beans about this whole "kidnap" situation is her.
"Hey, girl! You made it. How's the flu?" she asks, giving Sno a hug.
Sno clears her throat, still stiff.
"It'll be fine. I just need to take my medication, that's all," she says. Ntobe nods.
"Where's Nike? Is she coming?" Sno asks, curiosity barely contained. She knows Nikky will come.
"Yes, busy freshening up," Ntobe replies. "Come, let's get some drinks while we wait for Miss Party." Ntobe grabs her arm and leads her to the mini-bar.
"Wow… I wonder who paid for this," Sno mutters, not out of curiosity, but out of spite and jealousy.
Ntobe pauses at the bar, rolling her eyes with mild boredom.
"Diamond organised this. All of this," she says, her voice slightly judgmental.
Sno shrugs, trying to mask her annoyance.
"I wonder where she gets the money. Maybe a sugar daddy?" Her thoughts drift. Paul did mention Diamond found a new man , maybe she found a gold mine. That would explain all this.
"What do you want to drink?" Ntobe asks.
Sno frowns slightly, her eyes catching a bottle of champagne.
"I'll have champagne," she says. Her gaze flicks to Nokuzola approaching. She clenches her jaw, wanting to roll her eyes hard.
"Snothando, can I speak with you for a moment?" Nokuzola's voice is firm, leaving no room for argument. Sno sighs.
"Don't worry, Sno. You'll find me at the table with the bottle," Ntobe says cheerfully, walking away with it.
"What is it now?" Sno asks, bored. She wants to sit with everyone else.
"What do you really want from my brother? And be honest," Zola demands, her voice sharp.
Sno scoffs, annoyed. This woman will test her limits, and she is not in the mood.
"Zola, please, let's just enjoy Nikky's birthday, okay?"
"No. We need to talk. Since you went home and stepped into my family and ancestral place, I need to know your intentions with my brother," Zola says, cold and piercing. Sno closes her eyes for a moment, letting out a slow exhale before opening them again.
"Zola, Hlumelo is a grown man," she says, her tone calm but edged.
Zola scoffs.
"I know that, but men tend to be stupid sometimes, and… he has a daughter. Are you going to be a stepmother to Kamva?" she asks, her voice slicing through the air. Sno finally rolls her eyes, exasperated.
"Zola, leave me the fuck alone. I'm here for my best friend's birthday, not your tantrums. And yes, I'll be your sister-in-law, deal with it." With that, Sno strides away, sneaky satisfaction hiding behind her composed face. She feels a thrill of mischief, enjoying the tiny victory of shutting Zola down, all while keeping her emotions carefully under wraps.

Before Sno can even sit down, a sliding door bursts open and Diamond screams, rushing to the entrance. Sno pauses, gasping softly, as her eyes catch Nikky being gently guided by a nurse. She looks… beautiful. No, gorgeous. Her dress fits her perfectly, her hair dyed to perfection, every detail flawless. Sno freezes, heart tightening, and realizes Nikky is already walking toward her, smiling warmly.
"Hey, how's the flu? Ntobe told me," Nikky says, her smile lighting up the space. Sno just blinks repeatedly, nodding, caught off guard.
"I'm… I'm okay," she stammers, her voice trembling slightly. "You… you cut your hair," she adds, still processing how striking Nikky looks with her short style. She had done it herself, but she hadn't expected Nikky to look this confident, this radiant.
Nikky giggles softly.
"The kidnapper did. But he helped me. I've wanted to cut my hair for the longest time. A blessing in disguise, I guess," she says, her tone calm and casual.
Sno's chest tense. That small positivity, that calm acceptance, ignites a mix of fury and envy inside her. Her palms feel sweaty, her thoughts spinning. Diamond swoops in to take Nikky away, leaving Sno standing frozen, devastated. Her plan, her carefully imagined advantage, didn't work. Nikezinkosi is happy. And that happiness, it stings.