CHAPTER 77

CHAPTER 77

[NIKEZINKOSI]

I spot both Mtho and Bonga standing outside in the hospital parking lot.
Sno went to the bathroom. I'm not going to wait for her so she can meet my stepson, because I know her. She will take her time.
I wonder where Bonga is taking me.
I walk toward them and stop in front of them.
"Hey, let's go," I say softly.
Mtho doesn't look pleased at all.
"You won't believe where Bonga is taking us," Mtho says.
Bonga's eyes widen immediately.
"Please, Mtholephi, don't tell her," Bonga says quickly, sounding excited. "She will see when we get there."
Mtho shakes his head but says nothing. He simply opens the backseat door for me.
I hop inside without asking more questions and make myself comfortable.
Both of them get into the front seats.
Just as Bonga is about to start the car, I notice Sno in the distance. She is wiping her face.
She looks like she was crying.
My heart sinks when I see that.
"Bonga, let me go talk to my friend. I'll be quick," I say as I quickly hop out of the car.
I walk fast toward her.
She is now leaning against her car.
Yes… she is definitely crying.
"Snothando, are you okay?" I ask gently.
She startles a little when she sees me.
"You haven't left," she says, quickly wiping her face again.
I just stare at her, confused.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
She huffs softly.
"You were rude and mean to me," she says.
My eyes widen in shock.
"The way you talked to me… it wasn't nice," she adds.
I gasp slightly and tilt my head.
"Me? Rude? I wasn't rude, Sno," I say, defending myself.
"Yes, you were. Especially that Hlumelo comment," she says.
I chuckle softly.
"But it's the truth. You were being judgmental when I told you Mnotho has a son," I remind her.
She shakes her head.
"I wasn't being judgmental. I was just shocked, that's all. That you would date or even think of marrying someone who already has a child," she says.
I stare at her in disbelief.
I can't believe this.
She is the one who always said she would never be someone's stepmother.
Not me.
"Snothando, I don't know what's going on with you," I say calmly but firmly. "But I'm not going to play this game with you."
"This is exactly why I didn't tell you about my relationship with this man. Because I knew you would be judgmental," I point out.
She gasps and looks at me.
"Wow," she says quietly.
"Don't 'wow' me, Sno. You know it's the truth," I say.
"I knew the moment you and my mother found out about this man, you would start judging me. You would question my decisions and make me doubt myself."
I take a deep breath.
"I really do love you, but I also have to tell you when you are wrong."
"And no, he is not my sugar daddy like my mother said. He is the man I love, and the man I see a future with," I say seriously.
I need them to understand how serious this is.
If I don't stand up for my relationship, they will think their opinions control my life.
"Mom told me that he introduced himself as your husband," she says after a moment.
I nod without hesitation.
"Yes," I say.
"That's what he will be. My husband."
I look at her seriously.
"And I would appreciate it if you respect that from now on. As my best friend, I need your support in this. I need you to be happy for me."
I sigh quietly.
I also need to visit my mother soon and deal with this situation.
Before Sno can respond, her phone suddenly rings.
She looks at the screen and frowns.
"I have to go to work," she says softly.
She unlocks her car.
"But I can't wait to meet your husband."
She gets inside her car and closes the door.
.
.
.
No wonder Mtho wasn't pleased. We are here for horse riding.
I honestly didn't expect this.
This horse ranch looks beautiful and peaceful. It is very clean too. From a distance, I can see people riding horses slowly across the open fields.
The guide here already told us about this place, all the history and how the ranch started.
"What if we fall and get hurt, Bonga?" Mtho asks nervously.
I really want to laugh. It is funny seeing him scared of something.
"We won't," Bonga says confidently. "These horses are trained, and the people who help guests here are also trained."
He gestures toward the horses standing nearby.
"Just choose the horse you like," he continues excitedly.
"Mamncane, choose one, and they will come here and help us with everything we need. We will also have to change clothes before riding," Bonga says, smiling at me.
I nod and look around slowly.
This will be my first time riding a horse.
Suddenly, I feel something gently rubbing against my face.
I turn my head and see a beautiful brown horse standing close to me. It looks like it already likes me.
I smile and rub its face gently.
Okay… maybe I will choose this one.
But then I spot another one nearby.
A white horse.
Now I'm even more confused about which one to choose.
"Love them both?" Bonga asks.
I look at him and smile, nodding my head.
"Yeah, I love both of them. I don't even know who to choose right now," I tell him honestly.
He giggles.
"I know. It gets confusing," he says.
"Next time, we will go to a cat café. I know you love cats."
I scream softly in excitement.
Oh my God!
"Siyabonga, I would love that! Oh my God, you are the best stepson a stepmother could ask for," I say excitedly, clapping my hands.
He smiles proudly.
"I know," he says playfully.
Then his expression slowly becomes serious.
"I hope you don't forget that," he says quietly.
"I know I… caused conflict between you and Mom, and I'm really sorry about that."
He looks down for a moment before continuing.
"I know this won't make up for what I did, but I hope it helps a little. And when we are done here, we can go get some food together."
His voice sounds sincere.
Oh. My heart softens when I hear that.
"It's okay, Bonga," I say gently. "Water under the bridge."
I smile at him warmly.
"Let's just have a lovely day now and enjoy this moment," I say excitedly.
.
.
.
Bonga has told me not to worry about the launch. He hired someone to plan everything, so Julia and I won't have any say in it at all.
I'm actually happy about that, because I don't want to see myself arguing with that woman and making Bonga feel uncomfortable or caught in the middle of the tension between us.
Right now we are heading to my mom's place.
I know she has already knocked off from work. She usually knocks off early, so I will have a chance to see Aunt Lunga too.
"You know, Mamncane, I can get you those two horses and they can be yours," Bonga suddenly says.
I laugh a little, thinking he is joking.
"I'm serious," he continues.
"But I don't think we can send them home. Dad will have to get you your own place. I don't trust Babomkhulu and Mtho's mother to take care of horses," Bonga adds, shaking his head.
Is he serious?
Mtho laughs softly.
"Oh, I don't trust them either," Mtho says jokingly. "They might slaughter them and say the horses escaped. No, we can't have that."
They can't seriously be thinking of buying me horses.
"How's Diamond?" Bonga asks, interrupting my thoughts.
I sigh softly.
My poor friend.
I'm just happy that Minenhle got arrested. She must pay for what she did. Her mother must also get arrested. I know she is behind all of this.
"She's okay," I say softly. "The doctor said she is exhausted too. She will stay at the hospital for a while."
She deserves time to rest and recover instead of rushing back to work.
The car slowly stops.
We are already at my home.
I also need to take Futhi out this weekend. After the drama her mother caused, I'm sure she is confused and probably needs someone to talk to.
"You guys can leave. I'll call you when I'm done here," I say as I jump out of the car.
I notice Mtho getting out too.
"I need to make sure you get safely inside the house," Mtho says with a small smile.
Bonga also hops out of the car and follows us as we walk through the gate.
I suddenly frown when I notice an unfamiliar car parked outside.
"I wonder whose car this is," I whisper to myself.
I walk inside the yard and head straight toward the house. The kitchen door is always open.
I can hear laughter coming from inside.
Probably her church friends.
We walk straight to the lounge.
Then I freeze.
My feet stop moving completely.
I see my mom standing up. Her eyes immediately light up when she sees me.
"Oh my baby, you are home! Come join us," she says happily.
Then she looks at the boys behind me.
"Who are those boys?" she asks, still smiling.
My eyes slowly move toward Nomsa.
She is sitting there, smiling nervously at me.
What is she doing here?
Suddenly I feel someone gently holding my arm.
"Malumekazi, are you okay?" Mtho asks softly.
I sigh heavily and shake my head.
"Let's go home… take me…" I whisper quietly while looking at Mtho.
I know this woman never harmed me. She was always nice to me.
But I don't want to be in the same house with her.
"Oh, thank you Sylvia, I was so…"
I freeze again when I hear that voice.
My entire body goes still.
He is standing at the doorway, looking at me with a wide smile.
"Makoti, how are you?" he asks warmly.
My voice comes out as a weak whisper.
"Genesis…"
I feel my bag slipping from my hand.
The room begins to spin around me.
And suddenly, everything goes dark.

•••

Nikky falls straight into Bonga's arms, and he immediately starts panicking.
"Mamncane! Mamncane!" Bonga calls out, trying to hold her steady.
Mtho looks at Genesis.
His instincts immediately kick in.
As he sees everyone rushing toward Nikky, he quickly pulls out his gun.
"Yey! Yey! Step back!" Mtho roars loudly.
Sylvia, Nomsa, and Genesis freeze where they are.
"Haibo, you thug! This is my child. I need to see if she's fine," Sylvia says quickly, her eyes fixed on Nikky.
Mtho chuckles bitterly.
"No," he says coldly. "No one is touching her. If one of you steps forward, I will shoot."
His voice is serious. He means every word.
He quickly glances at Bonga, who is holding Nikky, completely unconscious in his arms.
They need to get her out of here.
"You wouldn't dare," Sylvia says angrily. "This is my house."
"We need to take her to the hospital," Nomsa says softly, trying to calm the situation.
Without even thinking, Mtho suddenly fires his gun.
The bullet shoots straight at the vase in the room.
The vase shatters and falls to the floor.
Everyone screams in shock.
"Mtholephi!" Bonga shouts, shocked by what just happened.
Mtho stares directly into their eyes.
His face is cold and serious.
"I mean it," he says slowly. "The next bullet will go straight into one of you."
His voice is calm, but the warning is clear.
He bends down toward Bonga.
"Let's pick her up and take her to the car," Mtho says firmly.
Bonga shakes his head quickly.
"No. I'll just drive the car inside the yard," Bonga says as he carefully lowers Nikky slightly.
He quickly runs outside.
Mtho gently places Nikky's head on top of her bag so she can rest comfortably for a moment.
Then he slowly stands up and turns to Sylvia.
"So… you invited these people?" Mtho asks, his voice filled with annoyance.
"Knowing very well it would trigger Nikky like this?"
His eyes slowly move to Genesis, who is now glaring at him.
"Do you know who I am?" Genesis says angrily. "I will ruin your life, boy."
Mtho laughs darkly and shakes his head.
Genesis' threat means absolutely nothing to him.
Right now, the only thing he cares about is getting Nikky out of this house.
He noticed how she completely froze the moment she saw these people.
"I'm going to call the cops," Sylvia says angrily as she picks up her phone.
Mtho quickly stands up again and points the gun straight at her.
"Don't you dare," Mtho warns coldly.
"Don't."
"Nike!!" a woman's voice suddenly shouts from behind.
Mtho quickly turns his head and sees a woman rushing toward Nikky. She immediately kneels down beside her.
"Lunga, she just fainted," Sylvia says quickly. "And this boy is busy pointing a gun at us," Sylvia adds angrily.
Mtho raises his eyebrows slightly. Right now, he just wants to leave this place.
"Why did you bring these bastards here?" Lunga suddenly shouts, her voice full of anger.
"Knowing very well what their son did to Nike?"
She stands up and moves to stand right next to Mtho.
"Give me the gun," Lunga says firmly.
"You and that boy should take Nike to the car."
Mtho frowns, clearly shocked by what she just said.
"Nokulunga, you can't be serious," Nomsa says softly. "We didn't mean any harm."
Mtho looks at Lunga for a moment.
The moment Bonga runs back inside the house, Mtho slowly hands the gun to Lunga.
Without wasting time, Mtho and Bonga quickly bend down and carefully pick Nikky up.
They slowly carry her outside.
Bonga already opened the backseat door of the car.
They gently place Nikky inside the backseat.
"Mtho, I called Dad," Bonga says softly. "We will take Nikky home."
Mtho nods repeatedly.
"Yes… yes, let's go," he says.
They close the car doors.
Bonga quickly jumps into the driver's seat.
As Mtho turns around, he almost bumps into Lunga, who is now holding Nikky's bag.
She hands him the gun again.
"I'm coming with you. Let's go," Lunga says firmly.
Mtho nods without arguing.
The two of them quickly rush to the car.
.
.
.
Mtho is alone in the kitchen, quietly drinking his lemonade. Lunga is upstairs with Nikky, who is still passed out.
After a few minutes, both Bonga and his uncle walk into the kitchen.
"Are you okay?" Bonga asks, looking worried. "I told Dad about you shooting at those people. What if they get you arrested?"
Mtho sighs softly.
He knows he wasn't thinking clearly earlier, but he also knows one thing for sure, he didn't trust those people being anywhere near Nikky.
"Nothing will happen to Mtho," Mnotho says with a heavy sigh as he sits down on one of the chairs.
"Nikky's aunt told me they won't press charges, and I was never going to allow you to go to jail," he adds seriously.
Mnotho looks at him with gratitude.
"Thank you. If you didn't go with Nikky inside that house, she would have been alone with those people."
Mtho simply nods.
He would do anything to protect Nikky.
"Please don't tell anyone else about this," Mnotho continues tiredly. "The family already doesn't like Nikky. I don't want her to feel pressured or guilty because she almost put you in harm's way."
Mtho nods again.
"I understand," he says quietly.
Mnotho sighs again and slowly stands up.
"Let me go check on them," he says before walking out of the kitchen.
Now the kitchen is quiet again.
Bonga turns and looks at Mtho.
"So… you have a gun?" Bonga asks curiously. "When am I getting one?"
Mtho frowns immediately.
"No," Mtho says firmly. "You are not getting a gun."
He stands up from the chair.
"Come on," Bonga complains. "What if I was alone with Mamncane and something like that happened? Huh?"
"I need to know how to protect the family too," Bonga says seriously.
Mtho gasps softly, surprised by how serious Bonga sounds.
"Oh, cousin… you will have to talk to Uncle about that," Mtho says as he begins walking toward the outdoor kitchen.
"No," Bonga says quickly.
"I'm talking to you, not Dad. I need your help."
Mtho stops walking and slowly turns around to look at him.
He stares at Bonga for a moment, surprised by how serious he looks

•••

Snothando gulps down another drink.
She has been crying ever since she got back home.
The text messages she has been receiving from an unknown number won't stop.
When she tried to trace the number, it led her to Hillbrow, to some dodgy flat building.
She couldn't go inside.
She didn't have the courage to step in there.
Deep down, she knows that place is dangerous.
She felt like if she went inside, she might not come back alive.
And Nike, She is not even sure Nike is the one behind this.
She remembers how Nike looked earlier today, happy and completely unbothered.
That thought rubs her the wrong way.
Why does Nike get to be happy while she is here chasing Ndumiso's ghost?
Why is she the one living in fear?
Why is she the one crying and hiding in her own house?
Why is the girl who ruined her life now happy and doing well?
That thought makes her even angrier.
She hasn't even met this new man in Nike's life yet, and Nike is already glowing and saying she loves him.
Snothando cries louder and gulps down her drink again.
"Why are you crying here and making noise?" Kholiwe asks from across the room, sounding annoyed.
She stands there with her arms crossed.
Snothando sniffles and looks at her mother.
"Mom, my life is in danger," she says, her voice shaking. "I'm getting threatening messages about Ndumiso. How can I not cry? I'm suffering here."
Her voice breaks again.
"And Nike… Nike is even going to driving school now," Sno continues bitterly. "She left her job because she is dating the boss of that clinic."
Her eyes fill with tears again.
"She's happy, Ma. Nike is happy."
Sno cries harder as the words leave her mouth.
Kholiwe scoffs in annoyance.
"So crying here and moping around will help you?" she asks harshly.
She walks over and sits next to her.
"You have to fight for your life. You have to," Kholiwe says firmly.
"I know those messages are scaring you, but something will come up. You just have to use your body, your mind, and find a way to get that man Nike is dating," Kholiwe suggests.
Snothando gasps in shock.
She is tired. So tired of this.
Nike has already won.
"No, Ma… I can't," Sno says weakly. "I'm tired now. Nike won. She's living the life that should have been mine, and she's happy."
Her voice trembles.
"And I'm the one who is going to jail for killing…"
A loud slap suddenly lands across her face, cutting her off mid-sentence.
The pain rumbles through her, making her almost vomit up all the alcohol she had swallowed.
"Shut up and listen," Kholiwe snaps loudly. "Nike will pay for your crimes. She will go to jail if we play our cards right. Make sure you take that man away from her. Make sure you come up with lies so believable that he leaves Nike. Make sure she has no one when we send her to jail for Ndumiso's death!"
Snothando hiccups, trying to catch her breath, tears running down her face.
"Firstly, I'll go look for Ndumiso's body where we left it. Your aunt and I will figure out what to do with it, and make sure all the evidence points to Nike. All you need to do is stop crying. Be a lady and get to work. You won't go to jail. Forget about those messages. I'll ask someone to go with you to that building in Hillbrow," Kholiwe adds firmly, standing up.
"I'm leaving. Go wash your face and rest. I'm going to see your aunt and sleep at her house, so around midnight we go and get Ndumiso's body," Kholiwe says, her voice final.
She walks off, leaving Snothando staring after her, sighing heavily.
She knows she's tired of all this.
But she can't go to jail, especially when she has a fall guy ready for her crimes.
Snothando grabs her phone and scrolls down to Nike's number, pausing.
She needs to swallow her pride and apologise to this bitch.
Her finger hovers over the call button, Then her phone pings.
She freezes, fear rising around her chest.
She exhales shakily before opening the message.
"If you don't want me to go to the police and tell them about your crimes, let's do an exchange. I will give you these things, and you will give me R1 million," the text reads.
Snothando gasps, dropping her phone, screaming.
Where will she even get a million rand?
Before she can think, her phone pings again.
She picks it up quickly, hands trembling, and opens the new message.
It's a picture.
Her. With Sphephelo. Naked, in bed.
"If you fail to give me the money, this picture will see the daylight. You'll be the talk of the town," the text reads.
Her phone slips from her hands.
Her vision blurs and her legs give out.
And she faints, collapsing to the floor.

•••

Nomvula followed Thembi to the hospital without her knowledge.
It has been two whole days, and her daughter is still locked up in jail. She didn't even make bail.
Nomvula wants to plead with Diamond to drop the charges. No one will force Diamond to give Ace the kidney anymore. She doesn't even care now if Ace survives or not.
All she cares about is her daughter, Minenhle.
She will kneel on her knees if she has to, just to make sure Diamond drops the charges.
Nomvula hops out of the Uber before even paying and rushes behind Thembi. Thembi has no idea that Nomvula is following her.
Thembi pauses at the reception area, and Nomvula quickly moves aside so she won't be noticed.
She watches carefully.
She sees the receptionist at the desk and a guard standing nearby.
Nomvula frowns.
"Guards?" she whispers to herself.
Then she notices something strange.
The guards start walking with Thembi down the hallway toward the wards.
Nomvula quickly walks toward the reception desk. As she tries to pass by the desk, the receptionist stops her.
"Ma'am," the receptionist calls out.
Nomvula closes her eyes nervously for a moment before opening them again. She slowly turns to face the woman.
"Sisi, I'm with that woman who just walked past," Nomvula says politely. "I was behind her, but I got a little distracted by my phone. Please let me through."
The receptionist looks down at a paper on her desk.
"Sokhulu? What's your name?" the receptionist asks.
"Uhm… Nomvula Sokhulu," Nomvula answers honestly.
The receptionist frowns while looking at the list in front of her.
"I'm sorry, your name is not on the list," she says calmly. "So please leave."
Nomvula gasps quietly.
A list?
Her mind races with confusion.
"Please… she's my daughter. I need to see her," Nomvula begs softly.
The receptionist slowly shakes her head.
"Ma'am…"
"Nomvula."
A male voice suddenly speaks from behind her.
Nomvula turns around quickly.
Her face softens with relief.
It's Sbo.
"Sboniso, my boy… please," Nomvula says gently. "I need to see Diamond."
Sboniso just stares at her coldly, completely unmoved.
Then he looks at the receptionist.
"Please make sure she doesn't pass through," he says firmly. "She is here to harm the patient. Please call the guards."
With that, Sbo turns and walks away, ignoring Nomvula as she calls after him.
"Sboniso! Please!"
The receptionist sighs softly.
"Ma'am, please leave peacefully," she says gently. "There are guards watching that patient."
Nomvula sighs heavily, defeated.
She slowly walks to the waiting chairs and sits down.
But deep inside, she knows she cannot let this go.
She cannot let her daughter suffer like this.
If she has to get help from the darkest corners of this world, she will do it.
She will do anything.
Anything to make sure Minenhle gets out of this unharmed.