CHAPTER 62

CHAPTER 62

[DIAMOND]

I had a long day at work, and all I need right now is a hot shower and my bed. Tonight, we were supposed to meet Sbo, TK, and I, but I just can't. I'm too tired. We'll meet tomorrow instead.
I still can't believe what Tumi and Sika did. It's so hard to accept, honestly. How could they betray us like that? What is wrong with them? Are they dating or something? Because something about this situation doesn't feel right at all.
I understand TK's anger completely. For him, it's even worse because Tumi is his blood. She saw fit to stab her own cousin in the back without thinking twice. It makes me wonder what their relationship is really like behind closed doors. Sometimes people look like they're getting along, smiling in public, while behind the scenes they hate each other's guts. Maybe Tumi hates TK. Maybe TK hates Tumi. You never really know.
All I know is that Sbo and I will never reach that point. We would never betray each other like that.
As I step inside the flat, it's dark. Nikky hasn't knocked off yet, I guess. She didn't mention going to Mnotho's place either. I switch on the lights and check the time, it's already 6 p.m. She's probably on her way.
I glance at my watch. It's a gift from her. A beautiful rose-gold watch, a pen with my initials, a notebook, and a clothing voucher. She said I'll sign big contracts with that pen one day. She really went all out to celebrate my win with me and I let her down. This weekend, I need to spoil her too.
Before sleeping, I'll have to call and check up on Konke. The last time we spoke was when he sent me money for lunch today. I need to call him before the spirits take him into a deep sleep and it becomes hard to reach him.
.
.
.
I really feel energized and much better since I showered. All I need to do now is go to the kitchen, make myself a cup of chamomile tea, call Konke, and then get ready for bed.
As I walk into the lounge and kitchen area, I spot Nikky on the couch, lying on her back and facing the ceiling. Poor thing, she must be exhausted.
"My angel, do you want some tea?" I ask as I stand over her. Her eyes are tightly shut.
"I need a massage, and someone to pick me up and carry me to my bed," she says softly.
I scoff in disbelief.
"Damn, Mnotho has been spoiling you. He does all that?" I ask as I walk toward the kitchen.
I see her sitting up, looking at me.
"Of course. I'm treated like an egg in that house," she admits, stretching her arms.
I shake my head while plugging in the kettle.
"Go shower, you'll feel better. Unfortunately, I'm not as strong as Mnotho. I was going to pick you up and take you to the bathroom," I say sarcastically.
She laughs.
I sit on the stool and scroll through my contacts. Suddenly, my phone vibrates in my hand. Unknown number? I frown slightly. Who could be calling me this late?
"Hello," I answer softly. I hope this isn't one of those scam calls. I'm ready to cuss them out.
"Hello, Diamond. It's me. Please don't drop the call. It's about your aunt," a voice says on the other side.
How could I forget that voice? My stepmother, Nomvula.
My heart starts racing immediately. Is something wrong with my aunt?
"What's wrong? Is she okay?" I ask, already standing up, worried.
"Please come to the hospital. The doctors will explain everything. Everyone is here, including Sboniso," Nomvula says, her voice sad and full of worry.
Oh my God. Did I miss a call from Sbo? I know he would have called me, just like last time.
"The same hospital?" I ask, already walking toward my bedroom. I need to change now.
"No. I'll send you the address. Please come, it's urgent," she says and then drops the call.
My whole body starts shaking. I'm scared. What is wrong now? What happened? The doctors said she just needed to take her medication and she would be fine.
"Diamond, what's wrong?" Nikky asks.
I sigh and look at her.
"You're shaking," she says as she steps closer and holds my hands.
"I need to go to the hospital. Aunt Thembi is not okay," I say quickly, my voice breaking.
She lets out a soft cry and pulls me into a hug.
"I'm so sorry. We can go now. I can't let you go alone while you're like this. I'll call a cab," she says as she pulls away.
I nod quickly. I don't think I'll be able to drive while my body is in shock and shaking like this.
"Change into something warm. I'll go request a cab now," she says and walks out of the bedroom.
I try to calm myself down. I can't fall apart now, not when I don't even know what the situation is yet.
.
.
.
We meet Nomvula at the entrance. She frowns the moment she sees Nikky. They've met once before, when I went home with Nikky.
"Don't worry, I'll wait at the waiting area," Nikky says calmly, already sensing the hostility from this woman.
I shake my head quickly.
"No, Nikky. Aunt Thembi will understand," I say softly. Aunt Thembi loves her, so I see no issue with Nikky coming with me.
Nomvula huffs, clearly annoyed.
"Only family is allowed, Diamond. As Nikky said, she will have to wait at the waiting area," Nomvula says firmly.
I don't have the energy to argue with this woman. Nikky holds my hand and smiles at me.
"It's okay, Dee. I'll wait for you. Go and see your aunt," she says, trying to reassure me.
I groan softly and walk inside. We follow Nomvula until we reach the ward. Nikky takes a seat in the waiting area while I follow Nomvula inside. As we walk, my mind drifts, will my aunt's medical aid cover all these costs? This is a private hospital.
I freeze the moment I see who is lying on the bed.
My heart pounds violently.
I look at the man, then look at Nomvula.
There is no Aunt Thembi here.
There is no Sboniso. There is only this man and his wife. I can't believe this.
"Please, Diamond," Nomvula says softly, standing next to her husband. "We had no choice. If we told you your father was the one who wasn't feeling well, you wouldn't have come."
My body isn't shaking from fear anymore. It's rage now. This witch tricked me.
"Your dad is not okay. He needs a kidney. We tested everyone. You're the only one left," Nomvula says, stumbling over her words.
I scoff loudly and laugh in disbelief. This has to be a joke.
The man who is supposed to be my father coughs softly, looking weak and fragile.
"He's known for a while," Nomvula continues. "We thought if…"
"I don't care," I cut in coldly. "I don't even want to know anything about his sickness. How is this my problem?" I ask, my voice harsh. "Don't even bother telling me about the diagnosis. I'm not interested. Why did you lie and trick me into coming here?"
"My child," the man on the bed says weakly.
I laugh out loud, shaking my head.
"I'm not your child," I say, breathing hard. These people are testing me. They are really testing me.
"Please, MaSokhulu," he says, stuttering. "I know… I've been a horrible father to you. As you can see, life is short. I want us to have the relationship we never had."
I stare at him, stunned. All these years. All these years he sees clearly now because he's sick? Now he wants a father-and-daughter relationship?
He thinks I'm stupid. He just wants my kidney. I walk slowly toward his bed.
"I don't give a fuck about you," I say coldly. "I don't care that you're sick or dying. You won't get my help."
He tries to speak but ends up coughing instead.
I let out a soft, bitter laugh.
"Look at you," I say quietly.
Suddenly, someone grabs my arm roughly. It's Nomvula. Her soft act is gone now, only coldness remains.
"What's wrong with you?" she shouts. "Can't you see your father is dying? He needs your help!"
"I don't have a father, Nomvula," I say firmly. "I don't know this man."
And it's true. I know nothing about him. He never tried. Not once. And now that he's sick, suddenly I matter?
"No," I continue. "He can go rot."
"I know your relationship with your father isn't good," Nomvula says, her voice commanding now, "but he needs you. Go do the tests. Talk to the doctor. He'll explain better. Your father needs you."
I scoff.
"Everyone has tested. No one is a match. Just test and see," she adds, her voice louder.
The nerve of this woman. Shouting at me like she's my mother.
"I'm not doing any tests," I say, pulling away. "Leave me alone. I don't care. And don't bother calling me."
I try to walk past her, but she grabs my arm again.
"Diamond, no," Nomvula screams. "You will do those tests by force, do you hear me?"
The door suddenly swings open.
Nikky walks in.
She freezes when she sees Bab'Sokhulu on the bed.
"Didn't I say this is a family matter?" Nomvula snaps. "Nikky, why are you here?"
"Diamond, let's go home," Nikky says gently, coming closer. She holds my hand and pulls me away.
"This is not over, Diamond!" Nomvula screams as we walk out. "This is not over!"
I don't understand why she's shouting like this in a place like this.
"Ignore her," Nikky says quietly as we walk. "I sent Sbo a text. He's coming here."
I frown.
Sbo? She's talking to Sbo?
.
.
.
I'm in my bedroom. Sbo is here, sitting quietly. He hasn't said much, and I know he doesn't know what to ask or say. That has always been our thing, though, ever since we were kids. When one of us is breaking and words fail us, we don't force them. We just sit together. In silence. That's how we show up for each other.
"It's getting late," he finally says, standing up slowly. "I need to drive back to the hospital. Aunt Thembi is probably still there."
I nod. I'm grateful to Nikky for texting him, even though things between them are complicated.
"Get some sleep," Sbo continues gently. "We'll sort this out. You don't have to do any tests. You don't have to give that man your kidney. He doesn't deserve it." He squeezes my shoulder, softly and reassuring, then walks out.
The door clicks shut.
I lean back against the headboard and pull the blanket closer to my face. My hands are shaking now. I can't believe this is happening. I really can't. It feels unreal, like someone else's life, someone else's pain, but it's mine.
The door opens again.
Nikky walks in quietly and slips under the blanket with me, careful and gentle, like I might run if she moves too fast.
"Come here," she whispers, opening her arms.
I hesitate for a second, then I give in. I rest my head on her chest and wrap my arms around her waist. The moment I feel her warmth, something inside me gives way.
"Go on," she says softly, rubbing my back, comfortingly. "You can cry. Let it all out."
And I do.
The tears come hard, fast and uncontrollable. My body shakes as sobs tear out of me, the one that leaves your throat burning and your head spinning. I clutch her t-shirt like it's the only thing keeping me calm. My breath breaks, coming out in sharp gasps, like I'm drowning in my own pain.
"He lied to me," I choke out between sobs. "They tricked me… they used my aunt… they don't care about me at all."
Nikky tightens her arms around me, holding me firmly.
"I know," she whispers. "I know, my angel."
I cry harder, my face buried against her, my tears soaking into her clothes. Years of hurt pour out of me all at once, years of being ignored, abandoned, unwanted. Years of pretending I was okay when I wasn't. And now this. Now they only remember me because they need something from my body.
"I didn't matter before," I sob. "I only matter now because he's dying."
Nikky presses her lips against my hair, holding me as if she can protect me from everything.
"You matter," she says softly. "You have always mattered. To me."
I cry until my chest aches, until my body feels weak and empty, until the sobs turn into quiet, broken sniffles. She never lets go. Not once. She just keeps holding me, rubbing my back, letting me fall apart safely in her arms.
"It's okay," she says softly. "You don't have to give him a piece of your body. No one will force you to do anything," she adds gently, her hand still moving up and down my back.
I sniff, wiping my nose with the back of my hand, but the tears keep coming.
"All these years…" I whisper, my voice breaking. I choke on my sobs, my words struggling to come out. "All these years he never cared. He never called, never showed up. I didn't exist to him."
I take a shaky breath, my chest rising and falling unevenly.
"And now… now that he sees his time is up, suddenly he wants a relationship with me," I say bitterly. "Now I'm his child. Now I matter."
My lips tremble as I shake my head slowly. "It feels fake. It feels selfish. Like he only sees me because he needs something from me."
Nikky keeps rubbing my back gently and patient
"And… I'll have children of my own," I say, my voice cracking as another wave of tears escapes me. "What happens if one of them needs a kidney? Huh?" I hiccup, struggling to breathe properly. "And I'll have none left. None to save them."
My body curls into hers as the thought sinks deeper, fear and anger mixing together.
"Why must I be the one to sacrifice everything?" I whisper. "Why now, when he never sacrificed anything for me?"
"You don't have to sacrifice for him, Dee," Nikky says softly, her voice gentle "You are your own person. You have your own life, your own dreams. Your future is yours to build. Don't let him, or that woman, try to ruin it again."
I hiccup, my shoulders shaking against hers. I want to speak, but no words come out.
Nikky continues "It's going to be hard," she whispers, "I know your family might judge you. Your siblings might hate you even more. But none of that matters. What matters is your happiness. Your life is getting better. Your career is moving at your pace. Focus on that. You have me, Konke, Sbo, and your aunt. We love you. We support your decisions. The rest, the rest can go rot in hell."
Her words hit me hard. I can't hold it anymore. My tears fall freely again. My whole body shakes, my sobs loud. Nikky pulls me closer, holding me tight, her hands never leaving my back.
"For now…" she murmurs softly into my hair, "Cry. Cry it all out. Feel every bit of this pain. Don't bury it, Dee. You don't have to hide it. No one is judging you here. All you wanted was his love and he denied it to you. You didn't fail. You are allowed to mourn that. Let it out."

••••

Sylvia is not happy that Lunga is coming this side. Lunga had called her earlier to say she is coming. Sylvia has no time or energy to entertain that woman at all.
She took a day off work to finalise a few things for Zacharia's funeral, which will be held at the church this Saturday. She wants everything to be perfect for her pastor, her friend. Zacharia deserves that much. He deserves a proper send-off.
She hasn't seen Nikky, and it bothers her more than she wants to admit. She is curious to see how she is, especially after Nikky told her she had a bad dream. Sylvia tried to ask what it was about, but Nikky only dropped the call. No explanation. Nothing. Sylvia knows she might see her later because she will be going to Park Station to fetch Lunga.
The catering company Sno recommended really came through. They managed to bake twenty big buckets of biscuits. That helped a lot, especially because many church members and people from the community have been arriving at the church to mourn, sing, and celebrate Zacharia's life. The church has been full of voices, hymns, tears, and quiet prayers.
Ruth and Puleng are at Zacharia's house. There is a man there who claims to be Zacharia's uncle. That alone shocks Sylvia. Zacharia once told her he didn't have any family. No uncles. No one. So when she is done at the church, she plans to go there herself and see this so-called uncle with her own eyes. She checks the time. Just after twelve.
She knows Lunga won't arrive now, probably much later. At least by the time she comes back from the church meeting, she will be exhausted enough to go straight to bed and ignore that woman completely.
Sylvia knows Lunga is here to irritate her. She can feel it in her bones. As for dinner, Futhi will see to that. She will buy a kota or just make noodles. Sylvia is not about to slave away in the kitchen for Lunga. Not today. Not ever.
.
.
.
As Sylvia dries the last dish, she hears the gate opening and a car humming. She frowns and quickly makes her way outside. She pauses when she sees Ntobe closing the gate, smiling widely as Letsatsi drives into the garage.
Joy fills Sylvia's heart at the sight of her precious daughter and her husband. Ntobe steps closer and hugs her tightly.
"You should have told me you were coming. I would have cooked a quick meal," Sylvia says the moment they pull away from the hug.
Ntobe giggles softly, shaking her head.
"No, we're okay, Ma. We know you're busy with the funeral arrangements, and besides, we got takeaways," she says. "Let's go inside. Letsatsi is busy on a call. He'll come in with the food," she adds.
Sylvia smiles widely as she follows Ntobe into the house. She feels happy, blessed. Her daughter found herself a good man, a man with money, and Ntobe also has her own job, a good career. She did well as a mother. Now all that's left is to tell Ntobe to give this man children.
They get into the lounge and sit down.
"I'm here for Futhi and Nike. They need to go to the dress shop and get their dresses," Ntobe says softly.
Sylvia nods slowly. She had already advised Ntobe to only use her friends as bridesmaids, not Nike. She doesn't want Nike to outshine Ntobe at her white wedding like she did at the traditional wedding. Back in Limpopo, people couldn't stop complimenting Nike, and it angered her deeply.
"Don't get them expensive dresses, Nontobeko. You are the bride. It is your day. You are the one who should look gorgeous," Sylvia suggests.
Futhi will have to sacrifice this time. It would raise eyebrows if Futhi became a bridesmaid and not Nike, just as it would raise eyebrows if Futhi wore a beautiful dress while Nike didn't. So her last-born will have to sacrifice. It's only one day. Nothing more.
"Ma, they have to look good too. Come on," Ntobe says, laughing a little.
Sylvia frowns. Ntobe is too good for her own good.
Before she can argue, Letsatsi walks in carrying bags of food. Sylvia smiles happily, but her heart sinks. Lunga will eat this food too. She will have to take some to the church members later.
"Hello, Ma. How are you?" Letsatsi asks politely, giving her a short hug before sitting down.
"I'm good. Thank you for coming to see the old lady. It gets lonely sometimes," Sylvia says as the smell from the food bags hits her nose.
"I know, but at least you have church members," Letsatsi says.
Of course, she spends most of her time with them.
"Nike hasn't come here? Gogo told me she went home," Ntobe says as she stands up and opens the bags.
Sylvia wants to click her tongue so badly. She knows Nike went home after her Durban vacation to cry to Lunga. She needs to deal with that girl properly. Sylvia forces a smile.
"I doubt she will come. The clinic she's working at is getting extended. I'm sure they're busy," Letsatsi adds.
That annoys Sylvia deeply. She doesn't like how Letsatsi cares about Nike, how gently he speaks about her. She hates it. It gives her sleepless nights sometimes. She needs to make sure Nike loses that job.
"Yes, she said she won't attend the funeral," Ntobe says with a shrug. She hands her mother a takeaway container and a bottle of orange juice she loves.
"Thank you, my child," Sylvia says.
"Let me go get glasses from the kitchen," Ntobe says and walks off.
"Why doesn't Nikky want to go to the pastor's funeral?" Letsatsi asks curiously.
Sylvia almost chokes on her saliva. She looks at him, not knowing how to answer.
"You know Nikky doesn't love…"
"Hello family," a voice interrupts.
Sylvia freezes, instantly annoyed. That's Lunga's voice. She curses silently. How did she get here so early?
Ntobe walks back in, followed by Lunga and Nike.
Sylvia frowns slightly.
Letsatsi stands up quickly and hugs both Lunga and Nike. Sylvia almost jumps off the couch when she sees how tight Letsatsi's hug to Nike is. Her heart pounds hard.
She needs to find a way to make sure these two never meet again. She will not risk Ntobe's marriage being ruined by Nike. Never.

Everyone sits down except Nike. Sylvia keeps staring at her. Nike looks happy, calm, not stressed at all. Sylvia knows Nike's face when she is sad or depressed. Her eyes usually show something else, something heavy, something sorrowful.
But now? Nothing.
How? Sylvia thinks to herself. She was sure that after everything she did to mess with Nike's state of mind, the girl would be crumbling by now. Crying and breaking. But all Sylvia sees is the opposite.
"Family, I can't stay. I need to get back to work," Nike says with a warm smile.
"Isn't it your lunchtime? And how did you fetch Aunt Lunga?" Ntobe asks.
Sylvia appreciates the question. She is curious too.
Lunga smiles happily.
"Well, I was on a plane, sitting like a queen," Lunga says proudly.
Sylvia frowns.
"An airplane? You?" she asks sarcastically.
But Lunga only laughs.
"Yes. First class. Oh, it was heaven," she says.
Sylvia is stunned into silence.
"Let me get going. You'll call, Ntobe," Nike says as she starts to walk out.
"Hayibo, Nike, so you're leaving without eating?" Sylvia asks. Not out of kindness, but because she wants to dig deeper, to see why her plans failed.
Before Nike can answer, Sylvia's phone rings. She picks it up quickly. It's Ruth.
"Ruth, I'm still busy a little. I'm coming," Sylvia says, thinking Ruth is waiting for her.
"Forget about that," Ruth says loudly. "I have serious news. Zorro is dead. He was found near the scrapyard, shot. They think he was robbed."
Sylvia gasps loudly. Everyone turns to look at her.
"We'll talk when you get here. No, this needs prayer. Our church is under attack," Ruth adds, then drops the call.
Sylvia's eyes stay wide open in shock.
"What's wrong, Ma?" Nike asks first.
That makes Sylvia snap her head toward her. Confusion and fear rush through her. Sylvia remembers what happened years ago. She knows Nike wasn't lying back then. She just didn't care. Nike is not her child. She never was. Whether she was touched or not, it didn't concern her.
But now… she is scared.
Is this God's work? Is God punishing us? she wonders.
"Ma," Ntobe says loudly, worried.
Sylvia blinks and looks at her, swallowing hard.
"Zorro is dead," she says softly.
Silence fills the room. Then Nike laughs out loud.
Sylvia turns sharply to look at her.
"I say, good riddance to bad rubbish," Nike says happily.
"Yo, Nike…."
"What?" Nike snaps back.
Sylvia blinks in shock.
"Amen, my girl. That dog is finally dead. I'm just mad I'm not the one who killed him," Lunga adds.
"Woah, what's going on?" Letsatsi asks, completely confused.
Sylvia swallows hard, looking from Nike to Lunga.
"Well, son-in-law," Lunga says, "Zorro used to touch kids. He once tried his luck on Nike too."
Letsatsi's eyes widen in horror as he looks at everyone. Sylvia's heart sinks. She cannot have this. She cannot let Letsatsi see the ugliness of this family.
"Yes," Nike adds coldly, "and when I told the church and Mom here, they said I was lying. Thankfully, other kids came forward and told the truth. So I won't feel bad for that man. I hope he suffered."
"Hayi, Nike!" Ntobe shouts.
Nike gasps softly.
"What? It's the truth. Even the pastor who is dead now did nothing. They all called me a liar," she says, clicking her tongue. "I'm leaving."
She walks out.
Sylvia looks down at her feet, ashamed, scared to look at Letsatsi.
"So… you didn't believe Nikky when she said a man was touching her?" Letsatsi asks, his voice full of shock and disbelief.
"Oh, I believed her," Lunga says quickly. "It was the church and Nikky's parents who didn't. I had to take her back to KZN to protect her."
That only makes it worse.
Sylvia closes her eyes tightly. Her breathing becomes heavy. Rage burns inside her.
Nike will pay for this. Nike will pay, she thinks.
Now she has to make sure Ntobe's marriage is not destroyed because of that bastard child.
She will pay. Sylvia will make sure of it.

•••

[NIKEZINKOSI]

I won't let the Zorro issue bother me. I won't. He is finally gone. For years, every time I went to Pimville, I lived with anxiety, always scared that I would see him and get triggered. That man ruined my childhood. He made people believe I was a liar. He made people think I was working with the devil. I guess we will meet in hell one day.
I stare at myself in the mirror. I don't know if I'm overdoing this. I'm wearing a headscarf, I'm finally going to meet Jobe. I had told Mnotho that I didn't mind cooking for the old man, but he refused. He said no, he will order food and take it with us to Mtho's place, because Jobe is there.
"Wow, look at you, Mrs Mlambo," Mnotho says as he walks in. He drops a soft kiss on my cheek.
I giggle and turn to look at him.
"I didn't do much," I say.
He chuckles and pulls me closer.
"You are perfect, Peaches. You're only meeting Jobe, not the dictator, Bangizwe," he says.
I laugh softly.
He pulls away and walks to the drawer. He takes out a small black box and comes back to me.
"Here's your gift," he says gently.
He opens it, and I gasp softly. Inside is a beautiful emerald necklace, with small matching earrings.
"This is mine?" I ask, shocked. "Isn't this your family stone?"
He smiles. He takes the necklace out and tells me to face the mirror. His hands are careful as he places it around my neck.
"Yes," he says softly. "Now I officially belong to you."
I chuckle quietly, admiring the necklace… and him.
"I love you, Nikezinkosi," he says, his voice low, as he wraps his arms around my waist and holds me close.