CHAPTER 46

NARRATOR.

MaNkomose returns from the kitchen with a glass of water held tightly in her hand. Her pulse is jumping beneath her skin, but she forces her face into a calm expression. Qhawe is sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, completely relaxed. Qhawekazi, who has been quiet, keeps glancing between the two people. She's still trying to figure out how she's going to warn her friend about the gun she spotted tucked under Qhawe's shirt. Every second that passes feels like the wrong one.

"Awusho Koti, uthi ubhuti ukuphi?"
(Say it, sis-in-law, where is my brother?)

Qhawe repeats, eyeing her suspiciously as she hands him the glass of water. MaNkomose's jaw tenses. He's here to provoke her—he always is. This is why the two of them never get along.